South Africa: Manhunt launched to find killers of two Soweto boys Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has admonished the culture of lawlessness that exists in society, emphasising that police resources will not be spared in hunting down the killers of two boys in Soweto. Premier Lesufi, along with Education MEC Matome Chiloane and Community Safety MEC, Faith Mazibuko, visited the grieving families of the two learners from Isiseko Primary School in Soweto on Thursday. This follows a gruesome incident that took place on Wednesday where three boy learners (two Grade 1 learners and one Grade R learner) were abducted at around 07:30pm. In a statement on Thursday, the Gauteng Provincial Government said that according to reports, the education district office in Soweto received a message on Thursday, alleging that learners from Isiseko Primary School were kidnapped and subsequently murdered. Two of the boys aged five and six, were mutilated and killed and one survived. The school principal, accompanied by police services, went to the scene where the learners' bodies were found by community patrollers and confirmed the learners' identities. The Provincial Government said that police services are on a manhunt to find the perpetrators of this gruesome act. "What has happened in this community is something that must not be tolerated. We are trying to establish the reasons behind this incident and we have no choice but to unleash state resources that we have at our disposal to ensure that the police do everything in their powers to understand why these people are behaving like this, Lesufi said. Premier Lesufi also expressed his gratitude towards the community for their assistance, and affirmed the Gauteng Provincial Government's support towards the grieving families. "We would like to thank our community patrollers. With limited resources and support, they were able to discover the two bodies. This is the partnership we need with communities. As government, we have committed to provide support to the families, he said. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2023-04-21. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Vietnamese firms must invest in brand building to continue success The number of Vietnamese brands in the country's top 50 has increased from 14 in 2018 to 21 in 2022, with six belonging to the top 10 most valuable brands. The Vietnam National Brand Forum 2023 started this week in Hanoi. Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Quoc Khanh said the results show the remarkable efforts by Vietnamese brands in brand building, enhancing their position in the market, and building confidence among consumers. "Vietnamese brands are catching up with the global trend of investing in brand value," he said during a speech at the ongoing Vietnam National Brand Forum 2023. Khanh said with the support of the National Brand Program, many businesses realised the importance of brand building and started investing in their brands. He added that behind every successful brand is a successful business with popular products and services. Alex Haigh, CEO of Brand Finance Asia-Pacific, stressed the importance of a powerful story in building a brand image, as well as trust, accountability and familiarity with consumers. He advised businesses to start creating product ecosystems with an emphasis on a positive business environment, with good awareness of factors such as diplomacy and the local economy. He said Vietnam should focus on building strong national bands in line with its economic competitive advantages such as manufacturing, processing and production. He said there is still much to do to bring Vietnamese brands to the international markets. It will require greater cooperation among the government, businesses, the media, artists and the people to help promote the brands. Nancy Elizabeth Snow, a professor from the University of California, said it's necessary to create engaging stories that showcase Vietnam's unique traditional culture and values. Industry experts said building a successful brand requires large investments in product research and development, improving customer experience, strengthening quality management, and corporate culture. This is especially important in large markets with strong regulations, many of which belong to major international trade agreements, including the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the European UnionVietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). In such markets, bringing high-quality products that are produced using environmental-friendly methods is a key factor to success. Hoang Thi Thanh Thuy from TH Group, one of the country's largest producers of dairy products, said a greener approach to production remained a top priority in the long-term development strategy of Vietnamese businesses. She said TH has always favoured the most advanced and environmental-friendly production methods, from cattle herding to wastewater management and that a green band has brought many benefits both economically and in brand perception to help TH products compete in the market. Hoang Minh Chien, deputy director of the Trade Promotion Agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT), stressed the importance of keeping up with the global trend of healthy and safe consumption and urged businesses to start developing products and services that are resource-efficient. Photo: Contributed/Leada Stray. Burnaby trans activist Leada Stray holds a transgender pride flag at Grand Central Station in New York City in 2019. The flag had been signed the day before by the creator of the transgender flag, Monica Helms. A transgender pride flag with a storied history has gone missing in Burnaby, and its owner is making a plea for its return. Leada Stray, a Metro Vancouver drag entertainer, trans activist and self-proclaimed thorn in the side of anyone who tries to do bad things, bought the pastel pink, blue and white flag 20 years ago at Little Sisters Bookstore in Vancouver. Stray had hung it in the front window of their Capitol Hill home after two decades of bringing it along on activist adventures around the world. Its waved above the heads of queer freedom fighters for the last 20 years, Stray told Glacier Media. Its seen every major Canadian human rights fight in the last 20 years. Its travelled to places like Australia, Moscow Pride, New York City, Europe. Its gone everywhere. Yesterday afternoon (April 19), however, Stray found their front window open and off its track and the flag nowhere to be found. It was shocking that somebody would actually break into my house, said Stray, who is concerned about a rise in transphobia across the globe and especially in North America. As a leader in the community, Stray feels responsible to protect the history of the flag and is putting out a call for its return. Whoever it was obviously does not know the historical significance, Stray said. They can return it no questions asked, no police, no nothing. Or if theyve destroyed it or gotten rid of it, they could email us and just tell us what happened to it because at least that way we can write an end to that chapter. The flag is faded and a more pastel pink and blue than its contemporary counterparts. Its most distinctive feature is that it has been signed by the transgender pride flags creator, Monica Helms. Stray took the flag to New York during the 50th anniversary celebrations for the Stonewall riots in 2019 and had Helms sign it before retiring it. It just got to a point where it was like, No, this is too precious to take everywhere with me, Stray said. Anyone with information about the flags whereabouts is asked to email Stray at [email protected] Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo Crime in the U.S. has trended downward since the early 1990s, and new data from the University of Pennsylvania suggests that COVID-19 has caused these numbers to drop even further across the nations largest cities. Since the onset of the pandemic, property crime, violent crime, and drug crime all experienced double-digit percentage declines when compared to averages over the previous five year perioda trend attributed to more residents staying home. Despite sharp decreases in overall crime this year, car thefts rose dramatically in certain cities. Nearly 750,000 vehicles (or 228 per 100,000 residents) are stolen in the U.S. each year, representing a loss of about $6 billion annually. While car theft rates have long trended downward alongside overall crime rates, there appears to be a divergence amid the pandemic. This could be due to high unemployment rates combined with drivers not checking in on their parked vehicles as frequently. Car thefts vary significantly on a geographic level. At the state level, Alaska and New Mexico have historically reported the highest motor vehicle theft rates, at 495 and 488 car thefts per 100,000 people, respectively, over the past three years. In general, Western states report higher rates of motor vehicle theft than those in the Northeast or Midwest. Vermont and Maine boast the lowest car theft rates in the country at just 57 and 42 thefts per 100,000 people. To determine the car theft capitals of the U.S., researchers at CoPilot analyzed the last three years of crime data from the FBI. Cities were ranked according to their average annual motor vehicle theft rate per 100,000 people based on data from 2017 to 2019. Researchers also calculated the average annual number of motor vehicle thefts, the overall property theft rate, and the violent crime rate for the same years. To improve relevance, only the 150 largest cities in the U.S. were included in the analysis. Here are the cities with the most vehicle thefts per capita. According to a tweet published by Saturnax on April 21, 2023, Project 1855 Priz-class deep-submergence rescue vehicle (DSRV) AS-34 recently conducted a series of deep-diving & maneuvering exercises in the Kola Bay, assisted by the Project 05360 salvage vessel Mikhail Rudnitsky. Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link Russian Priz class deep-submergence rescue vehicle AS-34. (Picture source: Russian MoD) On March 25, 2023, Olivier Alexander wrote an article where he mentioned that the Priz class deep-submergence rescue vehicle AS-26 could have been behind the sabotage of the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines. About the Priz class The Priz-class deep-submergence rescue vehicle (Project 1855) is a type of underwater apparatus used by the Russian Navy. Despite often being referred to as a bathyscaphe in the press, the DSRV is more accurately classified as a mini-submarine due to its technical characteristics. She was developed for the purpose of rescuing submarine crews and is not intended for scientific or oceanographic research. The DSRV was designed to be transported to the operation site by a carrier ship and has a range of 39 km with a 120-hour autonomy, and she can be used at depths of up to 1,000 meters. The construction of the DSRV is similar to that of submarines, with the battery and engine located in a sturdy body, and the propeller shaft passing through the same body. The use of titanium material for the body allows the apparatus to operate at depths of up to 1,000 meters. The navigation system of the DSRV is equipped with radio-electronic equipment that allows her to determine its own underwater location and detect submarines. She was developed and built by the "Lazurit" design bureau at the Krasnoye Sormovo factory in Nizhny Novgorod, under the leadership of chief designer E.V. Krylov. The series of four ships of this project ("AS-26", "AS-28", "AS-30", "AS-34") were built at the Krasnoye Sormovo factory. The DSRV is delivered to the place of work on carrier ships, and several types of rescue ships can serve as carriers for her. Maintaining the success over many years after establishment and being in tune with the times is a real challenge for any institution and any sound system. In this context, the issue becomes particularly pressing when a well-established institution runs its business in a highly competitive environment. And this is when rebranding carried out at the right time and in a competent manner provides the desired result. Within the framework of the UBA TALKS project, we talked to Gevorg Tarumyan, the Chairman of ARMBUSINESSBANK Executive Board about the importance of the process, the risks, and particularly, about the specific aspects of rebranding of banking companies. Mr. Tarumyam, before we turn to the topic of our interview, please accept my congratulations on your appointment as a Chairman of ARMBUSINESSBANK Executive Board and let me wish you fruitful work, new achievements and major success. As a new Chairman of the Banks Executive Board, have you already outlined the main issues and plans that will be a priority for the running year? Thanks for congratulations and warm wishes. Coming to your question, I would like to mention that the pressing issues related both to the Bank and the overall system are well defined, the plans and steps focusing on their solution and regulation being also quite distinct. In this context, there are still certain outstanding issues that have emerged in the system due to the challenges of the recent few years. In case of the Bank, our task is to make it more up-to-date and equipped with digital platforms, ensuring access for our customers anywhere and anytime. Coming to rebranding, let us try to introduce its essence in the manner most comprehensible for the general public. Basically, what are the reasons for companies rebrand, what issues are being addressed and what is the ultimate goal behind it? What are the particularities of banking companies rebrand? In general, it is desirable, and for our sector it is even must to update regularly the policy of not only banking, but also non-banking companies to appear in a new light, since the market has become more vigorous and dynamic. Banking sector is the most dynamically changing one in the market in view of technological development, digitalization of services, tough competition. Customer expectations in terms of user-friendliness, diversity of services and products also undergo certain changes. I think that those banks rebranded have been successful, which were able to associate the new corporate identity not only with upgraded services, but also with reliability, stability and transparency. In my opinion, there is just one ultimate goal behind any change: to improve financial services and means of their provision making them accessible for a wider range of customers. Mr. Tarumyan, what do you think is the current public perception of the Armenian banking system and what impact can rebranding have on perception change? It should be admitted that the public perception of the Armenian banking system is not at the desired level yet, but this is not the case only with the Armenian banking system; the trend is the same in many countries. From this point of view, a well-designed rebranding and subsequent customer-centered activities can indeed have an impact on the change of perception. After all, rebranding is not only about a change in visual appearance, logo or quality of services rendered. I am confident that in our case as well, rebranding will have a positive effect on the overall perception of the system. The general public is aware of the Bank embarking on a new phase and turning to a large-scale rebranding. How the decision to rebrand was made? Are there any approximate dates when the bank will appear before the partners and customers in a new light? Thats absolutely right, our Bank is embarking on a new, interesting phase and will appear under a new brand, new name and logo in the near future. ARMBUSINESSBANK is one of the oldest and most experienced banks in the Armenian financial sector, which has retained its name for many years. Neither the visual appearance, nor the main line of business and functions have undergone any changes, meanwhile we are currently witnessing the fast changes taking place in the world, digitalization processes with unlimited possibilities, and thus certain changes are required to appear in the market in a novel way. With the new policy that we have adopted, changes are going to be fundamental. In our case, the decision to undergo rebranding was made a year ago, as a result of the change in the policy of new shareholders. As you might be aware, the Bank so far has been known as one of the largest banks rendering services to legal entities. Now development of retail business sector has become the main focus in the Banks profile. The choice of the Bank strategy is not accidental, since we have all preconditions for dynamic development of retail sector and, most importantly, a large database of customers in wait of new offers. New digital products will appear soon making the boldest and most innovative ambitions of our customers a reality. We want to be seen as advanced, digitalized and innovative at the same time, combining this with our strengths. We will appear in a novel way before our clients that have come a long way with us and those who are new by the end of this year. Like any other process, rebranding, along with the aspiration to motivate and upgrade, contains also certain risks. What do you think are the main risks the financial organizations may face in implementation of such process and what are the steps to neutralize them? You are right indeed. Any process contains several risks related to acceptance of the new brand, maintenance of the position in the market as a result of changes as well as many other factors. Rebranding of the Bank requires extensive work to appear before the partners and clients with a new ideology and values. In our case, as the Bank is changing its strategy focusing on retail business, it is important to give particular attention to legal entities, our corporate clients currently using the services of our Bank. At present, programs are being developed for enterprises, our loyal clients, so that along with their employees they should not only continue to enjoy our services, but should also take an interest in attractive offers provided to individuals. The next risk is associated indeed with the public perception. We wish everyone to see that the fundamentals, and not just the visual appearance is being changed. I believe that the general public, our customers will notice and appreciate our efforts. As you mentioned, the decision on rebranding was made due to the change in the new shareholders policy. What are the expectations of the new owners of the Bank in terms of development of the RA banking system and the efficiency of investments made in our country? Any organization, without doubt, is implementing new investment projects within the scope its prospective development plan. The new shareholders interest is associated with the favourable business environment existing in our country and the legislative framework stipulating the legal regulation of corporate relations. The corporate sector in Armenia is most accessible and attractive both for local and foreign investors, while effective mechanisms for protection of shareholders' rights are also provided. Thus, it is expected that as a result of reforms and rebranding, the Bank will not only maintain and strengthen its leading position in the RA banking system, but will also implement prospective development plans with fresh, up-to-date solutions. Mr. Tarumyan, you have about 30 years of professional experience in the RA banking system. Have you ever wished to change your work profile? To be honest, such a desire was arising from time to time. There was a time when I had a strong wish to work in a large production. However, since there was no such opportunity in Armenia and I did not have an intention to leave my country, I continued working in the dynamically developing banking system. What do you think should be the image of the representative of modern banking system? What skills and qualities are required to become a successful professional? Being a banker is a difficult task as such, which requires professionalism and high sense of responsibility. In particular, one of the keys to become a successful specialist in the banking system is the ability to navigate in the competitive environment and make effective decisions. And of course, continuous education is essential. What would be your advice to those young people, who see their professional career in the banking system? Firstly, I would like to mention that we continue to cooperate with the leading educational institutions striving to improve the quality of education and training high-quality specialists. As of now, a program for final-year students in IT sector has already kicked off, giving a chance to take an internship in our Bank, receive remuneration with a prospect of permanent employment. I would recommend the young people enrolled in education in finances to constantly deepen their professional knowledge, regardless of whether they are still a student or are already employed in the banking system. This is a field where there is always a need for continuous education, which in turn is the key to professional growth and success. As a firm proof of the above-stated is seen the competitiveness of Armenian specialists in this area not only in Armenia, but also in the banking systems of developed European countries. I strongly believe that the new generation having received quality education and continuously enhancing its professional skills plays a great role in the development of the banking system, and hence in the growth of the country's economy. And in general, to have a powerful country, one needs an educated and hardworking society. Pope Francis reflects on medieval Armenian monk Saint Gregory of Narek Kvien reiterates US commitment to supporting Armenias progress ARMBUSINESSBANK Supervisory Board member Gerard Hofmann: Armenia is fantastic, marvelously beautiful country Armenia flag raised in area of Spains Santa Coloma de Gramenet city hall (PHOTOS) Armenia MFA: Specific timeframe, details of FMs meeting postponed in December being discussed with Russia Turkish presidential spox: Armenia economy will breathe with reopening of Turkey border France senator: Azerbaijan violated international law by installing checkpoint at Lachin corridor entrance Stratfor: West's lack of response to checkpoint may prompt Azerbaijan to continue violating ceasefire ARF party official briefs European Parliament member on security situation around Armenia Yerevan Garrison Hospital head detained Uruguay defense minister: Our solidarity with our Armenian community compatriots Armenia government plans to cancel licensing for sale, import of certain types of alcohol US ambassador to Armenia visits Matenadaran (PHOTOS) Argentina defense minister: 108 years after Armenian Genocide we continue to hope that there will be recognition Russia Federal Security Service announces prevention of terrorism in Simferopol naval hospital Turkeys Erdogan says he feels well shamshyan.com: Man, 31, hospitalized in Yerevan in unconscious state, dies hours later Russian presidential spox comments on Biden decision to run for second term Iran supreme leaders former representative assassinated Kremlin: Putin, Pashinyan discuss situation around Karabakh 16 medical patients transferred from Karabakh to Armenia, 11 others return Borrell: Karabakh Armenians rights, security must be ensured Pashinyan, Putin discuss current situation at Lachin corridor Armenia appeals to UN International Court of Justice on installing of Azerbaijani checkpoint on Hakari bridge Macron to Armenia President: I would like to confirm France's support for process of building peace in region Deputy FM, European Parliament member underscore EU monitoring mission deployment in Armenia European Parliament: Azerbaijan violated international obligations By fighting terrorism, Turkey is actually fighting the US, interior minister says L-410-UVP E20 passenger plane successfully lands at Armenias Kapan city airport (PHOTOS) Turkey defense minister calls Syria talks in Moscow positive Quake occurs in Turkeys Adana Turkeys Erdogan feels ill on live broadcast, broadcast interrupted Armenia FM, Russia deputy FM discuss regional security issues US State Department: Setting up checkpoint by Azerbaijan undermines efforts to establish confidence in peace process Armenia PM has telephone conversation with European Council head Yerevan-Kapan-Yerevan test flight to be conducted today Karabakh FM: Azerbaijanis will probably try to inspect trucks at this moment, then also people France Senate: There is fire in Armenia and Karabakh but international communitys eyes are in different direction 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 Armenia ombudsperson draws US ambassador's attention to urgency of protecting rights of people living in Karabakh Gegharkunik provincial governor: Information about closing of Armenias Sotk gold mine is not true NATO Secretary General calls on Georgia to redouble reform efforts Entry of humanitarian goods from Armenia to Artsakh has been somewhat restored Sputnik Armenia: Russian peacekeeping force in Karabakh has new commander 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 Photo: Iron Planet The former BC Ferries vessel the Queen of Tsawwassen is for sale. For fans or at least regular users of BC Ferries decades ago, the Queen of Tsawwassen was an icon. As one of the ferry service's first two ships, it (and the Queen of Sidney) was built and launched in 1959 (using a similar design to the still active Coho). Regular ferry service started in the spring of 1960. The launching of the two ships marked the beginning of BC Ferries, plying the waters between, fittingly Swartz Bay outside of Sidney and Tsawwassen. The Queen of Tsawwassen was younger (by a month) and bigger (by 150 gross register tons). Originally they were just called MV Sidney and MV Tsawwassen, but when CP Ships named all their vessels 'Princesses' BC Ferries's bigger ships were upgraded to 'Queens.' The two ferries also started off without a cafeteria space, but that was added in the early 60s when the ferry company realized there was a demand for it. The Queen of Tsawwassen was retired in 2008, after 48 years of service between the mainland, Vancouver Island, and Gulf Islands. For sale as barge A listing on an auction site for the Queen of Tsawwassen, now known as the 'Inlet Explorer,' is active online, and shows the well-known ferry still floats, even if it does look a little beat up. Photos of the vessel from last year show it tied up close to shore; while the new name is written on the hull, the old name is still visible. Inside the ferry appears to have been recently used as a sort of floating accommodation. Several bedrooms can be seen in the photos, along with other living spaces. The kitchen looks like it's been used regularly, and the cafeteria is quite neat and tidy. The listing notes there are 50 rooms, but doesn't say what they're all used for. The car deck appears to have been used as storage and as a workspace, along with living space. On the deck, the ship appears to be in rougher shape. For example, the lifeboats have a substantial amount of moss growing in them. An old listing notes the "engine is not operational" and the vessel has "four inoperable lifeboats." It says the former ferry sold for $180,000 CAD in September of 2022. The current listing doesn't state anything about the engines, but 'Inlet Explorer' is listed as a barge. The current high bid is $55,000 (newer used Ford 150s can run upwards of $60,000). No closing date for the auction is listed. However, once the vessel is sold it "must be picked up within eight business days." And just to preempt the idea, towing it into False Creek as an apartment building might not go over well with the authorities. Ownership unclear Since being decommissioned, the onetime BC Ferries vessel has been sold at least a couple of times, and it has shown up for sale yet again earlier this year, though it's unclear who owns it. Nauticapedia lists past owners as Helifor Canada from 2012 to 2017 and Croman Corp. from 2018 to 2022. In an email to V.I.A. Croman Corp. confirmed it is no longer their vessel. However, the ferry formerly known as the Queen of Tsawwassen has shown up on Iron Planet again. When asked who was selling it (as an owner isn't listed on the listing), the company said they don't provide consignor information. The federal registry for vessels shows it is owned by a numbered corporation based in West Vancouver. A company with the same P.O. Box as the numbered corporation did not respond to V.I.A. Late last year the old ferry was spotted just off Gambier Island in Andy's Bay. At the time a local politician told the Coast Reporter there had been complaints about where it was moored. There are publications in many periodicals that Russia is bypassing sanctions, including with the help of Armenia, too. But it should be noted that the main motive for this is that Armenia is in the same customs and economic zone with Russia, which means that the movement of goods between countries is free. Minister of economy Vahan Kerobyan told this to reporters after Fridays Cabinet session of the Armenian government. "Naturally, in order to dispel that concern, we are talking with our American and European partners, explaining what the basis of trade of which products are and whether we will not violate the EAEU agreement. In fact, we are able to explain that the actions taken by Armenian companies are not aimed at putting Armenia under secondary sanctions, but stem from the economic and labor interests of our country," Kerobyan said. He noted that they are not trying in any way to assist in Russian partners circumvention of sanctions. "That is, with our work, we try to maintain the provisions of the EAEU agreement, at the same time ensuring that Armenian companies do not fall under secondary sanctions. It does not mean that it is not excluded. You see that there are several [Armenian] companies that have already been sanctioned; but that is the risk of those companies. With our customs, banking and other tools, we are trying to ensure to the maximum that the companies of our country do not fall under the sanctions," the economy minister stated. He added that Armenia also seeks to protect its economic interests and they are able to explain this to their American and European partners in a proper way. To the question of whether Armenia is forced not to import and export certain products, particularly chips, because the import of chips and processors has increased many times from Europe and the US, and 97 percent of which are exported to Russia, Kerobyan responded. "If we speak not in percentage, but in numerical terms, it is so insignificant that there is no need to worry about it. At the same time, we try to listen precisely to what our American partners tell us and not to enter the risk zone." "The work we have done until now gives the right result. That is: on the one hand, we are able to ensure a high double-digit economic growth, on the other hand, to ensure that the banking and economic system of Armenia as a country does not fall under any secondary shocks. At the same time, we look at our EAEU partners because we have to keep our obligations as well towards them according to the contractual relations, and suddenly it doesn't happen that we get certain difficulties from that direction as well. So this is a balanced work, and I can say that a big team worksand works continuously. The goal is to ensure the economic security and economic interests of our country," the Armenian economy minister added. By accepting the Madrid Principles, Armenia has, in fact, declared that Artsakh's (Nagorno-Karabakh) right to self-determination is limited by the wish of Azerbaijan. Ruben Rubinyan, deputy speaker of the National Assembly (NA) of Armenia, stated this on Friday, during the debates on the report on the implementation and results of the 2022 program of the 2021-2026 program of the Armenian government at the special session of the NA, commenting on the speeches of the opposition MPs. "I want to understand why you did not recognize the Republic of Artsakh when you were in power," said the deputy speaker of the parliament, addressing his opponents. And commenting on the statement of opposition MP Artur Khachatryan that the right to self-determination cannot be curtailed, Rubinyan suggested returning to history and its chronological order. "In 1991, a referendum was held in Artsakh. According to the results of the referendum, the people of Artsakh voted in favor of declaring Nagorno-Karabakh an independent republic. Can we consider that an act of self-determination? Yes. And now a question: Why did Armenia not recognize the self-determination act of Artsakh? Until now, under no authorities of Armenia, Armenia has not recognized Artsakh as an independent republic. The problem is that we are entangled in our own terminology," said the NA deputy speaker. Rubinyan, however, did not address the question of why the incumbent Armenian authorities did not recognize the independence of Artsakh after their predecessors. Photo: The Canadian Press FILE - Republican conservative radio show host Larry Elder speaks to supporters after losing the California gubernatorial recall election on Sept. 14, 2021, in Costa Mesa, Calif. Conservative talk radio host Larry Elder, who sought to replace the California governor in a failed 2021 recall effort, announced Thursday, April 20, 2023 he is running for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, File) Conservative talk radio host Larry Elder, who sought to replace the California governor in a failed 2021 recall effort, announced Thursday he is running for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024. Elder, 70, made the announcement on Fox News' Tucker Carlson Tonight and followed up with a tweet. America is in decline, but this decline is not inevitable. We can enter a new American Golden Age, but we must choose a leader who can bring us there. Thats why Im running for President, he wrote. The long-shot candidate joins a Republican field that includes former President Donald Trump, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. President Joe Biden, a Democrat, has said he plans to seek reelection. Elder made his first bid for public office in 2021, when he received the most votes out of 46 people who were hoping to replace California Gov. Gavin Newsom in a recall effort. But a majority of voters ended up voting against removing Newsom, making the vote count in the replacement contest irrelevant. Some Democrats say Elder's role as a foil to Newsom helped the Democratic governor inspire voters in liberal California to turn out and reject the recall. Newsom attacked Elder for his support of Trump and his conservative positions, such as opposing abortion rights and restrictions imposed to slow the spread of COVID-19, such as mask mandates. But Elder said the experience of running for office and the millions of votes he received showed he had a message that resonated with voters. A lawyer who grew up in Los Angeles' rough South Central neighborhood, Elder attended an Ivy League college and then law school. He has a following among conservatives through his radio programs and has been a frequent guest on Fox News and other right-wing media. Elder, who is Black, has criticized Democrats' woke agenda, Black Lives Matter and the notion of systemic racism, positions that have put him at odds with many other Black people. During the recall campaign, a former fiancee said Elder showed her a gun during a 2015 argument. Elder denied the allegations. Armenian Minister of High-Tech Industry Robert Khachatryan was on a working visit to Lithuania, from Tuesday to Thursday, as part of the delegation led by President Vahagn Khachaturyan, informed the Ministry of High-Tech Industry of Armenia. Within the framework of the visit, Minister Khachatryan took part in the Armenian-Lithuanian Business Forum in Vilnius on Wednesday. At the official opening ceremony of the forum, the Minister delivered a speech in which he specifically noted: The Ministry of High-Tech Industry attaches of utmost importance the collaboration with Lithuania and strengthening cooperation between our countries in the field of high-tech manufacturing and digitalization taking into account that Lithuania is one of the leading countries in the world in the fields of high technologies, digitalization, electronic management, and innovation. We consider information technologies as promising and forward-looking areas of cooperation with Lithuania. I would also like to note that our Government is continuously undertaking the necessary steps to ensure a positive business environment in Armenia so that businessmen, entrepreneurs, and investors can have favorable conditions to work and create. The fact of organizing this forum as well as signing of MOU between the Ministry of High-tech Industry of Armenia and the Ministry of the Economy and Innovation of Lithuania is another proof of the strong willingness boosting cooperation between Armenia and Lithuania. Further, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Ministry of High-Tech Industry of Armenia and the Ministry of Economy and Innovation of Lithuania on cooperation in technology and innovation. The memorandum was signed by Armenian Minister of High-Tech Industry Robert Khachatryan and Lithuanian Minister of Economy and Innovation Ausrine Armonaite. By the signed document, the parties undertook to render comprehensive assistance towards cooperation of innovation and technology organizations of both states in accordance with the priority areas of technology and innovation of their states. Information and communication technologies, digital data policy, life sciences, bioeconomy, and new materials were identified as priority areas. The document will facilitate the execution of joint research, development and innovation projects, organization and participation in joint scientific and innovation meetings, conferences, symposia, courses, workshops, exhibitions, etc., as well as the exchange of industry information. As part of his official visit to Lithuania, Minister Robert Khachatryan visited Vilnius Tech Park, Teltonika Technology Company, Vilnius University Scholarly Communication and Information Center (SCIC), Lithuanian Center for Physical Sciences and Technology, and BOD Group company. The Emory Police Department (EPD) is committed to keeping our community safe. During campus emergencies, EPD and the Office of Critical Event Preparedness and Response (CEPAR) play leadership roles in mitigating potential, emerging and active threats while communicating critical information about such threats to the Emory community. The following Q&A addresses frequent questions EPD receives regarding how the department responds to reported threats and other concerns. What is EPDs protocol when someone reports a safety threat on Emorys campuses? Any time someone reports an issue or concern within our jurisdiction, EPD officers immediately investigate for potential threats and/or any danger to our community. If circumstances warrant communicating emergency information with our community, EPD initiates Emorys emergency notification protocol, which involves notifying the community about the incident, affected locations and any relevant instructions/directions for community members to follow. EPD then coordinates with CEPAR to provide public safety messages, if appropriate, using Emorys emergency notification system. Information is shared through email, text alerts, the LiveSafe app, posts on social media and emory.edu. Based on the facts of each situation, CEPAR works with university leaders to establish the most effective approach to informing our campus community about the nature of each report and potential threat. Emory balances providing accurate and actionable information without initiating unnecessary concern or compromising a potential criminal investigation while EPD officers investigate the situation. How are other law enforcement agencies involved? Depending on the circumstances, EPD will request assistance from local law enforcement agencies, including the Atlanta Police Department, the DeKalb County Police Department, the Newton County Sheriffs Department, Oxford Police and Georgia State Patrol. Are guns allowed on our campuses? While Georgia laws permit individuals to carry a firearm either openly or concealed, Emory University policy prohibits weapons, including firearms, on any of our campuses by anyone other than authorized personnel. Occasionally, this can present a challenge for community members or visitors who may be abiding by state law but are otherwise unaware of campus policy. We rely on strong community partnerships and the cooperation and understanding of everyone to help enforce our weapons policies. When EPD is notified that someone has a weapon or firearm, officers respond and conduct an investigation. Any next steps depend on the circumstances of each individual situation. As with any incident on our campuses, if you see something, say something. Please contact EPD 24/7 (404-727-6111) to report any issue or concern. We will investigate each report and work with campus partners to communicate as necessary. Alerts to avoid the campus, particular buildings or areas, or shelter in place messages are intended to keep our community safe as we investigate the situation and address concerns. Each situation is unique, and we work to resolve issues as quickly as possible. Please see below for additional information about a shelter in place direction. What happens when multiple agencies respond to an incident on one of our campuses? Law enforcement agencies follow a standard protocol that includes designating an incident commander at the scene who will assign duties and responsibilities as appropriate. Depending on the incident, officers will conduct interviews, search buildings, review surveillance footage and take additional steps to determine whether there is an existing or ongoing threat to the community. During such situations, EPD remains in communication with CEPAR, which issues public safety alerts throughout the incident as necessary with the highest priority placed on keeping our community as safe as possible. Once the incident commander has determined that any potential threat has been mitigated, CEPAR issues an all clear notice. An all clear notice indicates that the safety and security concern has been addressed and the community can then resume normal operations. What do emergency alerts such as shelter in place mean? Depending on the facts of a situation, the Emory emergency notification system includes several alerts and/or directions that we ask individuals to follow while an investigation and/or emergency response is in progress. These include: Shelter in Place Shelter in place means to find a safe, indoor, windowless location and to stay there until instructed otherwise. This alert can be issued in several scenarios, including a law enforcement emergency or a chemical hazard. Active Shooter An Active Shooter Alert is issued in extreme circumstances where an immediate threat to the safety of our community exists. An active shooter is an individual or individuals who are actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area. If an Active Shooter Alert is issued, individuals should take immediate steps to protect their own lives, including: Run if a safe path is available. Always try and escape or evacuate even if others insist on staying. Don't linger to gather belongings. Encourage others to leave with you, but don't let their indecision slow down your own escape. Once out of immediate danger, try to prevent others from unknowingly walking into the danger zone and call 911. Hide if you can't escape safely; find a place to hide outside the assailants view. If you can't find a safe room or closet, hide behind large objects that offer protection. Seek a hiding place that doesn't restrict your options to move. Try to remain quiet and calm. When hiding, turn out lights, lock doors and silence the ringer and vibration mode on cell phones. If a door doesn't lock, attempt to block it with furniture or other large objects. Fight as a last resort if your life is at risk. Working together or alone, act with aggression. Use improvised weapons a fire extinguisher or chair, for example. An Active Shooter Alert is issued in extreme circumstances where an immediate threat to the safety of our community exists. An active shooter is an individual or individuals who are actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area. If an Active Shooter Alert is issued, individuals should take immediate steps to protect their own lives, including: All Clear All clear means the community is safe to resume normal operations after an emergency. What happens if Im sheltering in place and a police officer is at my door? Once you have made contact with a police officer, please follow their directions. They may tell you to evacuate, or to stay in place, depending on the facts of the situation. Officers that you come into contact with have the most current information about a threat situation and their orders should be followed, regardless of other information you may have previously received. While such situations can be extremely stressful, they are critical to ensuring your safety. Does all clear mean you have arrested someone? CEPAR sends an all clear notice when the community is safe to resume normal operations. In some cases, EPDs investigation determines a situation no longer presents a threat. Investigations into the incident may continue after you receive an all clear message. Our emergency protocols may be implemented to ensure your safety even when no crime has been committed, and a concern or potential threat does not always lead to an arrest. What proactive measures does EPD take to keep us safe? In addition to our primary role as public safety officers for the Emory community, EPD regularly monitors for potential threats and coordinates with other law enforcement organizations to stay current on preventative measures. Throughout the year, we also offer training to resident assistants and advisors, students, faculty and staff as part of our Outreach and Safety Programs. Additionally, CEPAR and EPD partner to provide Emergency Preparedness training upon request. If youd like to schedule training, please visit the CEPAR website. If you need help, we're here to serve, 24/7. Uneducated and imprisoned at 16 years old, Angel Sanchez had little or no chance of steering his life in a new direction. Still, his more senior mentors, who were incarcerated with him, helped begin a sea change for the Miami native. Sanchez earned his GED while incarcerated in the Florida Department of Corrections, later obtained his college and law degree, and is a licensed attorney in the District of Columbia. Washington, D.C., one of several jurisdictions whose bar exam he was eligible to take and which transfers scores to many other states. He moved to Washington, D.C., earlier this year to work for the Department of Justice under a "Second Chance" fellowship for formerly incarcerated individuals to provide expert advice on criminal justice reform. Sanchez was recently accepted as a candidate for a Master of Laws at Yale and Harvard Law Schools. He chose Yale to specialize his legal practice and academic scholarship on issues related to mass incarceration and collateral consequences. Sanchez headlines event highlighting changes to Pell Grant application rules Recently, Deputy Assistant Attorney General Amy L. Solomon of the Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance Director Karhlton F. Moore, and Bureau of Justice Statistics Director Alex Piquero, who is on leave from his position as chair of the Department of Sociology & Criminology at UM, joined Assistant Secretary of Education Amy Loyd, corrections officials, current and formerly incarcerated individuals, reentry advocates and leaders from Miami Dade College and the Vera Institute of Justice at an event in Miami, Florida, to commemorate Second Chance Month. The Second Chance Month event was led by Bureau of Justice Assistance Second Chance Fellow Sanchez, who celebrated the upcoming reinstatement of federal Pell Grant eligibility to incarcerated students. The 1994 crime bill banned people in prisons from receiving Pell funding. Still, eligibility was restored when the Free Application for Federal Student Aid Simplification Act became law in 2020, granting access to students in federal and state penal institutions and local and juvenile correctional facilities beginning in the 2023-2024 academic year. "When I went to prison, the most I could achieve was a GED, but I was lucky to have older men who were Pell recipients before it was banned who mentored me and instilled in me the value of higher education," said Sanchez. "We did what we could to self-educate with shared textbooks and unaccredited correspondence courses paid by our families. I can only imagine the potential that will be unlocked with full Pell reinstatement. I have seen it many timesand I saw it again here in Miamithat people who once benefited from a second chance often go on to become second chance creatorstrainers, mentors, employers, and beacons of inspiration. The restoration of Pell funding will give that same opportunity to hundreds of thousands of incarcerated individuals who will now, finally, have the audacity to follow where their aspirations lead." The U.S. Department of Education launched the Second Chance Pell Experiment in 2015 to assess the feasibility of expanding Pell eligibility. More than 200 colleges from 48 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia have participated. The Bureau of Justice Assistance has supported technical assistance to colleges and corrections departments participating in Second Chance Pell. More than 700,000 incarcerated students are expected to be eligible for Pell funding when full reinstatement takes effect July 1. Research has found that access to education in prison lowers the odds of recidivating by 43% and saves up to $5 for every $1 spent. "My immigrant parents taught me that if you worked hard and got an education, you could do great things in this countryand I believe that," said Sanchez. "But what I have come to also learn through my improbable journey is that if you use your education and hard work to serve others, you will not only do great things, but you will have greater opportunities presented to you and, more importantly, you will go from doing great things to being someone great in someone's life. Dr. King reminds me that everyone can be great because everyone can serve. "From my parents to my friends in prison to Valencia Community College to the University of Central Florida to Miami Law, so many people believed in me even when I did not believe in myself and, in the face of many barriers, they fought for me allowing me to be where I am today. My job is to do the same for someone else in my little corner of the world," said Sanchez. Read more alumni stories Photo: Teck Norway's sovereign wealth fund says it will vote to support Teck Resources Ltd.'s plan to split the company's metals and steelmaking coal businesses into two separate companies at a key shareholder meeting next week. The decision comes as Teck works to secure support for its plan over an unsolicited takeover proposal by Swiss company Glencore, which is urging shareholders to reject the company's proposal in favour of its offer to acquire the company. Glencore has said it cannot pursue its bid if Teck's plan to separate its businesses goes ahead since it would add significant complexity to the deal. Norges Bank Investment Management, which manages Norway's Government Pension Fund Global, published its voting intentions as part of its routine disclosures on its website. It held a roughly 1.5 per cent stake in the Canadian mining company as of the end of 2022. Teck announced in February a proposal to split up its metals and steelmaking coal businesses into two companies, Teck Metals and Elk Valley Resources. The change requires approval by a two-thirds majority vote by the class A shareholders as well as approval by a two-thirds majority vote by the class B shareholders. Teck shareholders will vote on the separation plan at a meeting on April 26. 20:31 The India Meteorological Department on Saturday said most parts of India will have a sigh of relief for the next five days from the searing heatwave conditions that had rattled people this week. It said a cyclonic circulation lies over northwest Madhya Pradesh and another over interior Tamil Nadu. A trough of relatively low pressure runs from northwest Madhya Pradesh to south Tamil Nadu across Telangana. Private forecaster Skymet Weather added another trough extends from northeast Bihar to Odisha via Jharkhand. Weather experts say a trough usually brings cloudy conditions and rain, leading to a drop in temperatures. According to the IMD, several parts of India had been experiencing heatwave conditions for the past few days. High temperatures in the northern and central plains had forced the local administrations to either change the timings or shut the schools until the weather improves. Even in the eastern hills, tea growers complained of relatively high temperatures and prolonged dry spell resulting in crop loss during the ongoing flush season. In Delhi and its neighbouring areas, people were seen using scarves and taking shelter under trees on Saturday. The maximum temperature hovered around 37 degrees Celsius. In Maharashtra, the government has shut down all schools affiliated with the state board till June 15. For Vidarbha region, the summer vacation extends till June 30. Earlier this month, the IMD predicted above-normal maximum temperatures in most parts of the country from April to June, barring parts of the northwest and the peninsular regions. The central, east, and northwest parts of the country are expected to experience above-normal heatwave days during this period. While a few regions have begun getting a respite from the heatwave conditions since Friday, the maximum temperature in some others such northwest, central and east India, including interior Gujarat and Maharashtra, coastal Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Kerala still hovered around 40 degrees Celsius. On Saturday, the maximum temperature was around 35 degrees Celsius in the rest of the country, except the western Himalayan region, where the day temperature was recorded in the range of 16-25 degrees Celsius. The IMD said Saturday that heatwave conditions abated from Gangetic West Bengal, Bihar and Odisha. "No heatwave conditions over most parts of India during the next 5 days," it added. US-PI alliance to be reaffirmed at the White House Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos. Photo: AP US President Joe Biden will meet with his Philippine counterpart Ferdinand Marcos on May 1 at the White House to discuss deepening economic cooperation and the Indo-Pacific, the White House said on Thursday. The two leaders will also discuss further economic cooperation, the statement said. "During the visit, President Biden will reaffirm the United States' ironclad commitment to the defense of the Philippines, and the leaders will discuss efforts to strengthen the longstanding US-Philippines alliance." The Marcos government this month identified four more military bases that the US may access amid shared concerns about China's growing might. China's ambassador to Manila last week accused the Philippines of "stoking the fire" of regional tensions by offering the expanded base access to the US. (Reuters) New Delhi [India], April 20 (ANI/NewsVoir): Medical Technology Association of India (MTaI) which represents leading research-based medical technology companies with significant investments in Manufacturing, R&D, and Healthcare worker training in India, is coming up with their first meeting for this financial year and a day-long event to discuss the opportunities & challenges for the MedTech industry in India. The event will take place on 5th May 2023 at J W Marriott, Aerocity, New Delhi. The event will also include a high-level roundtable with the theme "Capitalizing opportunities for Global MedTech companies in India" where diplomats from countries like the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Japan, Denmark, Netherlands, Sweden, etc. are likely to participate. Speaking about the event, Pavan Choudary, Chairman, MTaI said, "The growing hospital capacity and the Govt. of India's Emphasis on this sector is making India a favourite spot for the MedTech Industry. Additionally, India also provides a China +1 alternative for global investors as it shares a similar market, political systems, and a history of peace with the West and Japan. We are excited to bring the industry captains and diplomats from various countries together under one roof to discuss opportunities that the MedTech industry foresees in India." Choudary further added, "Medical devices are different from other healthcare industries as they develop and grow based on a unique innovation and manufacturing ecosystem. Such a system comes into being with the help of global legacy technology companies and also helps indigenous entrepreneurs and physicians to create and bring to market, local medical technology. Therefore, we feel that domestic and international currents will together help carve out key policy recommendations and initiatives which will be instrumental in furthering the MedTech industry in India. " Medical Technology Association of India (MTaI - pronounced as Em-tai) is a not-for-profit organization duly registered under sub-section (2) of section 7 of the Companies Act, 2013 and Rule 8 of the Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014. MTaI is an association of research-based medical technology companies who have made remarkable investments in Manufacturing, R&D and Health Care Workers Training in India. MTaI represents a wide spectrum of the medical device industry with global experience in innovation and manufacturing. All the time stressing on the three hallmarks of healthcare - Quality, Consistency and Patient Safety, MTaI wants to be a responsible voice of the industry. The association is committed to improving access to affordable and quality healthcare for patients. MTaI looks to partner with the Government of India in setting a roadmap for the growth of medical devices sector by bringing in even bigger investments in this sector, through 'Make in India' and through technology upgradation and dissemination in the provider space. This story has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir) Sri Lanka's High Commissioner to India Milinda Moragoda has met Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in New Delhi, to follow up on the key areas that were discussed during their last meeting in February. The meeting which took place on Thursday was on key areas which were discussed in February that included mechanisms relating to the expansion of bilateral trade, the ways to establish and promote rupee trade between Sri Lanka and India as a means of economic recovery in Sri Lanka, and the possibility of further bilateral integration in the textiles and garment sector, according to a statement from the High Commission of Sri Lanka on Friday. During the meeting, the progress made so far in these key areas was reviewed by the Union Commerce minister and the Sri Lankan High Commissioner. Special attention was given to the area of trade expansion as a means of the economic recovery of Sri Lanka, and the way forward in this regard was discussed in detail. In this context, High Commissioner Moragoda reiterated the key role that India, with its projected growth rate of 6.7 per cent for 2024, could play in Sri Lanka's economic recovery. Union Minister Piyush Goyal also holds the ministerial portfolios of consumer affairs, food & public distribution as well as Textiles. He is the Leader of the House of the Rajya Sabha. (ANI) Pune (Maharashtra) [India], April 21 (ANI/BusinessWire India): Focusing on the Indian government's vision of the Gati Shakti Yojana, Bentley Systems collaborated with the Symbiosis Institute of Technology (SIT) to organize a four-day faculty development program from the 20 to 23 March in Pune, focusing on how digital twins are transforming the infrastructure sector and how technology is enabling civil engineering design. This workshop aimed to expose the country's youth to the industry and help them become better civil engineering professionals, considering the government's commitment and investments to rapid digitization and innovation in technology to the industry. The program sought to help foster a deeper understanding of why the government seeks to develop the country's infrastructure, as well as the opportunities for future professionals to acquire specialized skills and engage with current industry challenges--bridging the skills gap between industry and academia. The world and its infrastructure are facing many growing challenges, and digital twin technology will be a powerful tool for future engineers. Digital twins bring together and visualize data in ways that optimize decision-making and enable effective planning and action. The data in digital twins can include 3D design models, reality meshes (3D models of real-world locations), and Internet of Things (IoT) data. The workshop brought together qualified, experienced professionals from the infrastructure sector, global digital twin experts from Bentley, eminent professors and researchers, civil engineering experts, the faculty of Symbiosis Institute of Technology, and many other educational institutes across the country. The objective was to provide valuable insights on emerging industry trends, the digital workflow for efficient engineering practices, and exposure to industry-level projects. It also promoted the adoption of engineering software while also expressing the importance of aligning educational curriculum with the industry's ongoing standards and best practices with real-world scenarios. Attendees of the program also received hands-on training of software and digital solutions used in the industry while showcasing applications that help design and build smart, resilient water and wastewater systems while also including digital solutions for mobility across roads, rails, and bridges. Speaker sessions helped attendees garner insights into the ongoing technological developments, aid in fostering a competitive teaching and learning environment in educational institutions, and create a talent pool of graduate students who will be ready to take on challenges. Speaking about the collaboration, Kaushik Chakraborty, vice president of APAC, Bentley Systems, said, "Today, we are witnessing an ever-changing and fast-paced industry. There is a huge focus and investment planned for the infrastructure development of the country by the government of India. With the rapid progress in digitization to increase efficiency and adoption of the latest innovation in technology, India's academic institutions and their curriculum need to be up to date with the industry standards to appropriately train our future generations and make them well-equipped individuals to mitigate the challenges. I hope that this workshop has rightly influenced the industry and academia, and that they take further steps to implement faster progress for our nation." Speaking about how we should focus on digitizing curriculum today, Sudipto Goswami, director of Bentley Education, said, "Digitizing means bringing innovation in curriculum, and this is very important to pave the way through the skill gap that exists in the industry today. Today, we are seeing an acute shortage of manpower, as there is a lack of skillset that industry graduates hold in them. An alignment of educational institutes and the industry--with constant upgradation of pedagogy--will ensure the right placement of students and make them qualified professionals. Everything around us is soon going to be digital, and this is an upcoming revolution. Infrastructure development is the foundation for the development of any country's economy and prosperity, which helps in improving the quality of life of the citizens. Therefore, it is our responsibility to ensure the right curriculum for students and the civil engineering graduates of today for a better tomorrow." Ketan Kotecha, director of SIT, said, "It was indeed a pleasure to have Bentley conduct a workshop at the Symbiosis Institute of Technology. The four-day workshop profoundly enlightened students, faculty, and various professionals about the current industry standards and expectations, and further educated our knowledge to appropriately equip the youth with infrastructure and collaborative digital twin tools. Training the trainers is of high importance today, and students need to be given hands-on training in this field to face the competitive world, improve their skillset, and think beyond the classroom. Universities should not restrict their curriculum to the classroom but take up innovative pedagogies. We are very happy to be collaborating with Bentley Education since 2017, and we look forward to establishing a Digital iTwin Technology Lab at SIT by Bentley Education. In today's era, industry and academia must go hand-in-hand and take a collaborative multidiscipline approach. We look forward to more such partnerships with Bentley and hope to provide the industry with the finest level of education." Below is a brief of the sessions that were covered at the event: *Infrastructure Industry Trends and the Skills Gap 1. About Symbiosis Institute of Technology - By Ketan Kotecha, Director, Dean of Faculty of Engineering, SIT 2. Innovations in Teaching and Learning - By Sophia Gaikwad, Director, STLRC 3. Keynote Lecture - By Rahul Patil, Vice President, iTwin Enablement, Bentley Systems 4. Innovation in Curriculum with Digital Twin Technology - By Jurelionis Andrius, Professor, Kaunas University of Technology, Lithuania 5. The Roadmap to Digitalize Curriculum to Bridge the Skill Gap in Indian Infrastructure Industry - By Sudipto Goswami, Director, Bentley Education 6. Importance of Digital Twin for the Future of Infrastructure Industry - By Ashwin Mahalingam, Professor, IIT-Madras 7. BIM and Digital Twin in Academic Curriculum - Madhumathi Anbu, Professor and Director, School of Architecture and Planning, VIT *Digital Twin: The Future of Infrastructure Industry and the iTwin Technology Stack 1. Digital Twins in the Future of Infrastructure - "Why do we need to invest in the skills NOW? - By Iain Miskimmin, Advisor for National Digital Twin, U.K., Enterprise Success Advisor, and Author of Plain Language BIM 2. iTwin Experience and Industry Perspective - By Sumit Deshpande, Senior Product Manager and Consultant, iTwin Enablement, Bentley Systems 3. Digital Twin Implementation with iTwin Technology Stack - By Tamanud Das, Manager, iTwin Platform Developer Success, Bentley Systems Below are few excerpts from the sessions at the event by industry experts: Rahul Patil, Vice President, iTwin Enablement, Bentley SystemsWhile we speak about being multidiscipline in the industry, let me give you an example. I am a mechanical engineer who is, right now, talking to civil engineering professors, and also someone who has coded for the last 20 years. This is the beauty of being multidiscipline and that is the opportunity that engineers of today should capture and implement in the real world. We all need to converse and connect with each other across the niches, to crack great opportunities along the aisle. Infrastructure engineering is facing the typical challenges of climate change, aging infrastructure, and a rise in urbanization, which has extreme and serious consequences and is mainly driving the change for infrastructure. We should all be ready to respond to these challenges as infrastructure professionals and build resilient and sustainable designs to face the future. The rise of automation and robotics is a shaping trend, especially for the automation in surveying and construction industry. With regards to digital twins and iTwin models and their implementation by Bentley, we are taking the data from all places and aligning it together so that engineers can make better decisions. There is an ever-increasing demand to sustain the infrastructure today and do more with fewer resources. Digital tech will be the biggest driver of our future with the digital twin technology having a competitive advantage to give users a competitive edge. I look forward to enabling digital twins to have better artificial intelligence and machine learning models to reap better benefits. Ashwin Mahalingam, Professor, Building Technology and Construction Management Division, Civil Engineering Department, IIT-MadrasWhen we see the various projects done in the sectors of infrastructure and commercial industries, there is a constant problem, [such as] the delay in projects due to time and cost [at] shocking levels. The main problem of the industry today is that the success rate of projects is 10% to 20%, whereas our error rate is 200%. The projects are delayed due to problems in drawings, the delayed time and cost, [and] material unavailability. Essentially, all of these are coordination-related issues. We are a very fragmented industry, and we need to coordinate in a better way. That is how BIM and digital twin technology will help build better performance by getting all the information and data on one platform for us to coordinate better. Coordination is the biggest bottleneck, and digital technology is the answer to resolve this issue. Sudipto Goswami, Director, of Bentley EducationLooking at the broader picture of the government's strategy and focus in the transportation sector, smart city mission, and water networks, these sectors will be major growth drivers in India, which will create huge demand for skilled professionals to build, manage, and operate various facilities. Keeping this in mind, we need innovation in the curriculum of universities and various educational institutions now, as there is a skills gap that we see today for future professionals to mitigate the challenges. This can be solved by digital transformation and exposure to BIM and digital twin[s] in the curriculum. Andrius Jurelionis, Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Kaunas University of Technology (KTU), Lithuania Andruis Jurelionis presented a clear view on the centre for smart cities and infrastructure projects focusing on the digital twin lab, energy, e-modernization, and various research projects. He gave a brief on the KTU Smart Campus initiative for demonstrating a campus and city scale model to study the impact of the smart campus and digital twin environment. He discussed the approach in integrating civil engineering and architecture in the research projects and organizing the built environment digital twin Hackathon, explaining how the institute's partnership with Bentley throughout the project delivery and development of the curriculum was a major achievement. Iain Miskimmin, Advisor for National Digital Twin, U.K., Enterprise Success Advisor, and Author of Plain Language BIMFor the next generation of specialists like technologists, educators, and learners, the future is constantly changing through various scenarios. We, as educators and informers, need to step up to this and bring a change within the mindset of society. Digital twins and infrastructure have immense potential, and these are skills that we need to invest in and educate our upcoming professionals [about]. There is massive investment in infrastructure today on a global level to grow the economy and sustain our ecosystem. To tackle the potential skills gap in this industry, we should start [right] at the bottom and educate younger children of 14 [to] 16 years to implement this technology and talk about how our digital skills and processes will give us the right results to optimize our resources. That is how digital twin[s] can be commissioned in the future. If we do not emphasize the skills now, it will take another generation to build resilient infrastructures. Sumit Deshpande, Senior Product Manager and Consultant, iTwin Enablement, Bentley SystemsA digital twin is a virtual representation of a physical entity or process. Data and its synchronization are crucial, and the digital twin is very close to what a physical entity is. The Bentley's iTwin Platform enables every organization and enterprise to make these living and breathing digital twins. At this event, we are trying to explain to the faculty and students how the industry has adopted digital twins today to keep them updated about the real world and its uses. A lot of countries are driving this technology and are making its use mandatory to make sure that the costs of infrastructure can be controlled. Various engineering technologies, operations technologies, and information technologies collaborate for project delivery in organizations that include engineering and architecture, EPCs, and construction firms. Bentley is building a larger ecosystem of digital twins to drive the adoption of the iTwin Platform in the industry. Tamanud Das, Manager, iTwin Platform Developer Success, Bentley SystemsBentley is one of the pioneers of digital twin technology. We have created an open-source format on our platform called the Bentley developers portal, which is available to anyone who wants to access it, along with the tutorial and technical materials, on which one can create their own application. Bentley has expertise in different verticals of the infrastructure [sector], where we know how to validate a design or track and visualize the changes in a design. The core technology is open source and readily available for everyone to use, but if a user additionally wants Bentley's expertise, we are making it available to the platform. Engineers are accustomed to using windows software in silos. But now, we are unlocking an opportunity to bring all the software on one easy-to-use digital twin platform. Today, this application can easily be accessed even by a smartphone or tablet or Chromebook, which does not need a high configuration, but just a high-speed internet connection to leverage the iTwin Platform. This being a new technology, we see a mindset and skill gap and hence, we are taking the initiative to collaborate with more educational institutions to keep the academia and faculty updated with the real world. Moving to a cloud platform from the use of a desktop should be incorporated to minimize this skill gap in the industry today. Madhumathi Anbu, Director, School of Architecture VIT, Vellore, Tamil Nadu Madhumati Anbu shared about VIT's digital twin curriculum and how they are creating specialized offerings, modules, and elective subjects for students. She also emphasized the need for innovation in curriculum aligned to the industry trends and best practices. Moving toward digital transformation, VIT is committed to learning iTwin solutions through research projects on 4D simulation, IoT, data collaboration and smart cities using the iTwin Platform, in partnership with Bentley Education. Additionally, the below sessions were conducted at the event: - A workshop for educators about water and sewer network solutions, which shared insights on how we can fill the huge demand for skilled resources considering the huge investments from government of India in Jal Jeevan Mission and Amrut. - A workshop about how the mobility industry can digitize their workflow for roads, rails and bridges - Existing Water Distribution and Waste - Water Management Systems: The Industry Connect - By Suparna Khan, Senior Content Manager, Bentley Education - Existing Transportation Systems: The Industry Connect - By Suparna Khan, Senior Content Manager, Bentley Education This story is provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/BusinessWire India) New Delhi [India], April 21 (ANI) Retrofitted Electric Gypsies were showcased at the ongoing Army Commanders Conference in New Delhi on Friday. These retrofitted older Military Gypsies were made into electric vehicles when the Indian Army Cell, IIT-Delhi and a start-up named Tadpole Projects, came together for this project. Army Commanders' Conference (ACC) is an apex-level biannual event which is an institutional platform for conceptual level deliberations, culminating in making important policy decisions for the Indian Army. For the first time, the ACC is being conducted in a hybrid format exploiting available technology for secure communication, wherein Army Commanders and other senior functionaries will meet virtually on the first day and then travel to Delhi for balanced physical meetings on matters which require detailed deliberations. Founded in 2020 by Jawaad Khan, the startup incubated under the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Delhi does EV retrofitting. According to the website of Tadpole Projects, the start-up does the work, involving the removal of engine and conversion of vehicle into an electric one. It said it adds seven years to the life of the vehicle, two-years warranty on the motor and five-year or three-year warranty on the battery which is extendable up to 5-7 years. On the first day of the conference, agenda points sponsored by various Command Headquarters will be discussed, followed by an update from Commander-in-Chief Andaman and Nicobar Command and sessions by Principal Staff Officers of the Army Headquarters. The forum will also review the progress on the activities charted out as part of 'Year of Transformation-2023' along with progress on Agnipath Scheme, digitisation and automation initiatives, Combat Engineers tasks, work aspects and budget management. (ANI) New Delhi [India], April 21 (ANI/NewsReach): Sculpture, a subsidiary brand of Jagmag Lights, has recently launched its first product in India's decorative lighting industry. The new product is a chandelier with inbuilt artificial intelligence (AI) and kinetic motions, making it the first Indian company to have technology patents for kinetic lights. Sculpture has been researching the Indian market since 2015 to understand the preferences of Indian consumers for chandeliers. The primary objective of Sculpture was to create a chandelier that could cater to the diverse demands of Indian consumers. With the use of inbuilt AI and kinetic motions, the company has succeeded in developing a chandelier that can adjust the lighting according to the user's preferences, making it both aesthetically pleasing and functional. The kinetic motions add an extra dimension to the product, allowing it to be controlled via computer-operated systems. Jagmag Lights, the parent company of Sculpture, funded all the research for the new product. Jagmag Lights is known for manufacturing innovative static decorative lights, whereas Sculpture is focused on kinetic lights with inbuilt AI technology. The new product launched by Sculpture has already attracted showroom dealers who are eager to collaborate with the company. The chandelier is expected to be in high demand given its unique features and innovative technology. The product is available for direct purchase through the company's website, https://thesculptures.in/. The website offers a user-friendly platform where customers can browse through the product catalogue and place orders conveniently. The company is committed to providing its customers with the best possible lighting solutions. In conclusion, Sculpture has set a new benchmark in India's decorative lighting industry with the launch of its latest product. The inbuilt AI and kinetic motions of the chandelier highlight the company's innovative approach to lighting solutions. With the product's unique features and advanced technology, Sculpture is poised to make a significant impact in the market and establish itself as a leader in the industry. This story has been provided by NewsReach. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsReach) After Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Twitter alerted the State Bank of India about the plight of an elderly woman walking barefoot with a crutch for many kilometres to collect her old-age pension from SBI branch at Jharigaon in Odisha, the largest lender of the country took stock of the situation and resolved it to ensure such incidents don't happen again. Before the Finance minister's tweet, the bank had said its nearest customer service point couldn't recognise her fingerprints by the biometric reader at the CSP (Bank Mitra) as it was fading. The plight of the woman was first highlighted by ANI on Thursday in a tweet embedded with a clipping, showing the elderly walking barefoot for kilometres to get to the branch for collecting her old-age pension. ANI on Thursday had posted the following tweet with a video clipping on Thursday: "A senior citizen, Surya Harijan walks many kilometers barefoot with the support of a broken chair to reach a bank to collect her pension in Odisha's Jharigaon. SBI manager Jharigaon branch says, "Her fingers are broken, so she is facing trouble withdrawing money. We'll resolve the problem soon"." After this, FM Sitharaman on Thursday tweeted, "Can see the manager of the @TheOfficialSBI responding but yet wish @DFS_India and @TheOfficialSBI take cognisance of this and act humanely. Are they no bank Mitra? @FinMinIndia" while retweeting the ANI's tweet showing the plight of the woman. After these tweets on Thursday, the SBI, in a statement, responded on Friday saying, "As per our laid down protocols, the nearest link branch, SBI Jharigaon, immediately paid the pension amount by debiting the amount manually from the pensioner's account. She has also been reassured by the branch manager of the delivery of pension at her doorstep going forward. As a goodwill gesture, SBI has donated a wheelchair to the pensioner to facilitate her movement." "While necessary protocols are already in place to address such situations, we have taken further cognizance of the matter and have initiated reiteration of the guidelines to all our BCs/CSPs (banking correspondent/ customer service point) (Bank Mitra) to contact their link branches in case of any issues faced by them in serving our customers," Bank has also been examining options of installing Iris scanners at our BC/CSP (Bank Mitra) channels to address the challenges faced by our senior pensioners/ customers." The lender also said it has always aligned its business goals with national priorities, and focused attention is given to a range of financial inclusion activities. "However, an unfortunate incident has recently come to light where one of our senior citizen customers faced difficulty in withdrawing her old age pension from the nearby CSP (Bank Mitra) in Jharigaon block of Nabrangpur district of Odisha on account of her fading fingerprints not being recognized by the biometric reader at the CSP (Bank Mitra)," it had added. (ANI) TheEnforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Varinder Pal Singh Dhoot, the then Naib Tehsildar on Thursday in a money laundering case involving revenue officials and others for misallocating shares of shamlat (panchayat) land of village Seonk, SAS Nagar, Punjab, to the tune of more than 99 acres in the name of ineligible villagers and in some instances, even outsiders. The value of the said shamlat land is estimated to be more than Rs 50 crore. The investigation was initiated on basis of FIR registered by Vigilance Bureau, Punjab. A chargesheet was filed by the Vigilance Bureau in the said FIR against the accused Varinder Pal Singh Dhoot and others confirming the allegations. It revealed that revenue official's namely Varinder Pal Singh Dhoot and others, while preparing the Intkal, have falsely allotted shares of shamlat land of village seonk in the name of six villagers, according to a statement from the probe agency. Subsequently, power of attorneys was obtained by the private property dealers from these villagers and on the basis of these power of attorneys, these private property dealers in connivance with revenue officials sold shamlat land to non-eligible villagers and some outsiders. The sale consideration was shared by the private property dealers and revenue officials among themselves giving small amount to the villagers as well from whom the power of attorneys were taken. During the investigation, bank accounts maintained by Varinder Pal Singh Dhoot in his and his family members name were scrutinised and unexplained credits to the tune of more than Rs 15 crore were found including cash credits of around Rs 8 crore during the relevant period. Further, during the investigation, it was revealed that Varinder Pal Singh Dhoot has received funds in his relatives' Bank Accounts from the friends and relatives of the final purchaser and/or beneficial owners of the shamlat land. Further, most of the sale consideration of shamlat land was transacted in cash. (ANI) The news came a day after the charges against the actor for the tragic on-set death of DP Halyna Hutchins were dropped. The film also stars Nick Cannon, Mickey Rourke, Paul Sloan, Til Schweiger and Tara Reid in pivotal roles and was shot in Las Vegas and Majorca, Spain, and finished principal photography in Los Angeles last week. According to Deadline, a US-based media outlet, 'Hollywood Heist' follows a Hollywood power agent (Cannon) trying to land an actor (Baldwin) by telling the story of his client, a movie producer (Hatton), along with a washed-up movie star pal (Sloan), as they race against time to save their latest production. This comes after the project's bank account is wiped clean by a thief, leading to an onslaught of negotiations with famous actors, drug lords and death. Set in a 'meta' version of Hollywood, the story is inspired by true events. Baldwin, Rourke and Reid will be seen playing fictionalized versions of themselves. The film also features a fictional version of producer Asko Akopyan, played by Arman Nshanian, reported Deadline. (ANI) Re. Striking federal public service workers Open letter to striking federal workers Really, are you kidding me? You have the nerve to say you are poorly paid and are hard done by because you have not had a big raise since 2021. Come on, you are paid a much better wage than the average Canadian. You have (better) benefits than the average Canadian and a guaranteed pension that far exceeds the average Canadian. You want to work from home where you can sit around in your pyjamas until nine in the morning, yet you dont want the employer tracking your movements for fear they find you are really only working a few hours a day instead of putting in a good full honest days work. I cant believe some of the reasons for working from home that these strikers are giving us because of the pandemic. Excuses like, we have to look after our kids or our elders, what, like the rest of the Canadian work force dont have kids and elders, or we are on strike to help the average small business (worker) get higher pay and benefits. Heres a good one, if we dont get our demands many of us will quit and go elsewhere. Ill bet my last dollar these (people ) would not leave their cushy jobs. So put their money where their mouths are and leave. Here is a good idea. Lets have the salary schedule and benefit schedule of all these unhappy federal employees printed in the countrys daily newspapers. That will give the average Canadian a good understanding just what these poor hard done people are asking for. You have a good job at your employers office and are not happy there, leave. Give the job to someone who will appreciate it. By now you will know the majority of Canadians are not in agreement with your walk out and certainly not for the selfish reasons that have been stated. Ian MacLean, Kelowna After questioning, Kaur has been sent to her home in Jallupur Khera in Amritsar district and asked her not to leave the country without informing the police. "We have prevented her from leaving the country. She was neither detained nor arrested. She was stopped because she is needed for questioning related to the case," said Senior Superintendent of Police (Amritsar Rural) Satinder Singh told the media. Officials told IANS that Kaur has a visa for a limited period in India that is about to expire. She has been questioned several times earlier also by police for her role in supporting the organisation that was formed by the late actor-activist, Deep Sidhu. Amritpal Singh, against whom the National Security Act (NSA) has been invoked and a non-bailable warrant issued, is on the run despite the massive manhunt launched to nab him since March 18. The self-styled preacher, who returned from Dubai last year, tied the knot in a simple ceremony in February. Since then, she has been staying in Punjab. Papalpreet Singh, the main associate of Amritpal Singh, was arrested in Amritsar on April 10 under the NSA and that six other cases have also been registered against him. Papalpreet Singh is a Khalistani activist who called himself a journalist before ending up as a media advisor to the radical preacher. A resident of Amritsar, he was earlier arrested for his alleged links to Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence in 2015. --IANS vg/pgh ( 288 Words) 2023-04-20-19:30:06 (IANS) Bowing to the opposition clamour, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday announced a one-member panel to investigate the facts resulting in the tragedy that took place after the 'Maharashtra Bhushan' award 2022 ceremony in Navi Mumbai on April 16. The panel, headed by Additional Chief Secretary, Revenue, will submit his report in the matter within a month. It will also make recommendations to the state government regarding precautions to be taken in future in organising similar mega-functions, as the Navi Mumbai event in Kharghar had attracted over 20 lakh people. The development comes four days after the disaster that left at least 14 persons dead due to sunstroke and allegations of a purported stampede, though the state has not confirmed the latter aspect. The tragedy had kicked up a massive political row with the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) demanding the resignation of Shinde, a judicial probe by a retired judge, a 2-day special legislature session, dismissal of the government, SOPs for such events, enhancing the compensation to Rs 1 crore for each victim, etc. Top MVA leaders like Nationalist Congress Party's Leader of Opposition Ajit Pawar, state chief Jayant Patil, Clyde Crasto, state Congress President Nana Patole, Atul Londhe, Ashok Chavan, Shiv Sena-UBT's Sanjay Raut, Kishore Tiwari, Sushma Andhare, Dr. Raghunath Kuchik, and others had slammed the government on various counts. Under fire from various fronts, state Tourism Minister M. P. Lodha on Wednesday banned all such open-air public events from 12 noon to 5 p.m. in the state with immediate effect as the first of the SOPs. After social media reports of a purported stampede, the MVA leaders became more aggressive and wrote to Governor Ramesh Bais, though the government has not confirmed the stampede aspect. Union Home Minister Amit Shah had conferred the prestigious 'Maharashtra Bhushan Award' 2022 on reformer Dattatreya Narayan Dharmadhikari, revered as 'Appasaheb' at the Corporate Park grounds when the 20 lakh people sat patiently for nearly five hours in the blazing temperatures of 42 degrees Celsius. By late evening the celebrations turned into mourning as scores were rushed to nearby hospitals and in 72 hours, at least 14 have perished, though the Opposition has accused the government of suppressing the true extent of the casualties and fatalities. Rattling the government, Pawar and Patole demanded lodging culpable homicide cases, resignation or dismissal of the government, summoning a 2-day Special Legislature Session, etc. Attacking the concerned agencies for poor planning, Patole said that more than 500 people were injured and so far 14 have died, and now the government is pointing fingers at others like Appasaheb Dharmadhikari. "If Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis had been in the Opposition now, he would have gone to the Navi Mumbai Police headquarters and not stepped out till a FIR or culpable homicide case was registered... Today, he is holding the home portfolio and his responsibility is even higher. He should ask CM Shinde to quit," demanded Pawar. --IANS qn/vd ( 506 Words) 2023-04-20-19:34:01 (IANS) Former Deputy CM of Rajasthan Sachin Pilot on Thursday reached the house of Ram Prasad Meena who committed suicide on the morning of April 17 and demanded action against those who have been named in the FIR. The FIR has been filed against state minister Mahesh Joshi, Munji Tank, Deva Awasthi, Lalchand Devnani, Devendra Sharma of Girdhari Ji Mandir, Lalit Sharma and others in an abetment to suicide case as Ram Prasad held these people responsible for his death in his last video. For the last 4 days, Ram Prasad's body has been lying in the room where he committed suicide. Pilot reached Meena's house around 5 p.m. and met the family members. While consoling the family, he said, We are standing with you in this tough time. Pilot stated "The poor family should get justice. They informed me about the injustice meted out to them. After listening to their words, I feel that a lot of injustice has been done. Action should also be taken against those people who have been mentioned in the video and elsewhere for abetting the suicide. There should not be any kind of pressure on the police which should act impartially." Former Jaipur mayor Jyoti Khandelwal and other leaders were present along with Pilot. A letter has been sent to Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on behalf of Ram Prasad Meena's family which demands justice to the family and compensation for the atrocities committed against them. State minister Mahesh Joshi has been named as accused in the FIR. The family has demanded his arrest along with the other accused. They have also demanded a government job for one member of the victim's family and the demolition of the illegal construction (Sheraton Hotel) located near the house of the victim's family within 24 hours. The family members also agreed to get the postmortem done in the evening. For the last four days, the body of Ram Prasad Meena has been kept in a fridge at the suicide scene. --IANS arc/bg ( 349 Words) 2023-04-20-20:30:06 (IANS) "Today, at around 3 p.m., an army vehicle was fired on by unidentified terrorists, taking advantage of heavy rains and low visibility in the area," the army said. The army said the vehicle caught fire due to likely use of grenades by terrorists. "Five personnel of the Rashtriya Rifles Unit deployed for Counter Terrorist operations in this area, have unfortunately lost their lives in the incident," the army said. "Another seriously injured soldier was evacuated immediately to an Army Hospital and is under treatment." The army said operations are in progress to locate the perpetrators. --IANS zi/pgh ( 153 Words) 2023-04-20-20:38:02 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Thursday quashed the trial court proceedings against former IPS officer Amod Kanth in the 1997 Uphaar fire tragedy case, where 59 movie-watchers died, over lack of sanction for his prosecution. A bench, headed by Justice K.M. Joseph said that the magistrate erred in taking cognizance against Kanth, then a senior Delhi Police officer, contrary to the demands of Section 197 of CrPC. The apex court in November 2013, had stayed the trial court proceedings against Kanth and asked the CBI to file its response in the matter. The bench, also comprising Justices B.V. Nagarathna and Aravind Kumar, said on this short ground alone, of lack of sanction, has Kanth succeeded, while allowing Kanth's appeal and set aside the impugned order and added that the proceeding stands quashed. It has scheduled the matter for further hearing next week, when it will take up the case regarding de-sealing of Uphaar cinema hall. The top court, however, made it clear that its order will not stand in the way of the competent authority taking a decision in the matter and for granting sanction against the appellant as per law. Kanth had moved the apex court challenging Delhi High Court order passed in October 2013, refusing to quash the summons. He had challenged the trial court order summoning him for allowing extra seats in the cinema hall. --IANS ss/vd ( 246 Words) 2023-04-20-22:42:04 (IANS) The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday filed a charge sheet against six persons in the Coimbatore car bomb blast case that took place near a temple in October 2022. The charge sheet has been filed against six accused -- Mohammed Asarutheen, Mohammed Thalha, Firos, Mohammed Riyas, Navas and Afsar Khan -- under the relevant sections of Indian Penal Code, Explosive Substances Act, and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The car driven by Jamesha Mubeen had blown up in front of the temple in October last year, killing Mubeen in the impact. Investigation had revealed that Mubeen was inspired by ISIS ideology to carry out the attack. The case was initially registered in November last year at Ukkadam police station before the probe was handed over to the NIA. A pen drive recovered from Mohammed Asarutheen contained video recordings of Mubeen, in which he had identified himself as a member of Daulat-e-Islamia (or Islamic State). He had spoken extensively on his intention to commit a suicide attack against the 'kafirs' (non-believers) and to become a martyr. Mubeen was inspired by the sermons of Zahran Hashim, a radical Islamic cleric based out of Sri Lanka, who masterminded the Easter bomb attacks in Colombo 2019 that killed around 260 people. Mubeen wanted to orchestrate a similar kind of attack in India. Handwritten notes were recovered from Mubeen's residence wherein criticism of the existing democratic system, which are not in tandem with Islamic laws, was mentioned. There was also a mention of the probable targets, which included government offices, courts, public gathering places like parks, railway stations, and a few local temples. Mubeen was aided and assisted by his associates Mohammed Asarutheen, Mohammed Thalha, Firos, Mohammed Riyas, Navas and Afsar Khan in arranging the logistics. Thalha had arranged the Maruti 800 car which was used in the explosion. Firos, Riyas and Navas had loaded the explosives, gas cylinders etc. in the car. Asarutheen and Afsar, both cousins of Mubeen, had procured, weighed, mixed and packed the chemical constituents used to manufacture the IED used in the blast. --IANS atk/arm ( 357 Words) 2023-04-20-22:46:01 (IANS) The Congress in Goa on Thursday demanded a 'White Paper' from the BJP government regarding the water crisis as many parts of the coastal state are not receiving regular supply of potable water. "We also demand that you come up with a detailed plan of action as to how many hours the people of Goa living in their houses will get water supply," a memorandum submitted to the government stated. Congress members gheraoed PWD officials in Panaji for failing to provide potable water to people across the state. Goa Pradesh Congress Committee President Amit Patkar, while criticising the BJP government, said that it has failed all the time and can't handle any situation. "During Covid time, the BJP government killed people by failing to provide oxygen. Today the situation is such that people are suffering due to scarcity of water, but the government is doing nothing to solve this issue," he said. "Officers are saying that there is a shortfall of water. Tillari dam was constructed for irrigation purposes, but today that water is supplied to Mopa airport from this dam. There is no planning for the supply of water, even there is no check on water meters. The government is looting poor people by issuing exorbitant bills," Patkar said. Congress Media Department Chairman Amarnath Panjikar, said that the scarcity of water faced in many villages and cities of Goa has exposed the inefficiency and dearth of willpower in the BJP government. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in August last year, congratulated the Goa government for becoming the first state to become 'Har Ghar Jal' certified. This means that every house of Goa was connected with piped water. But what is the use of such a connection which is defunct?" Panjikar questioned. He said that the government should not give excuses for their failures, and instead work to build the infrastructure. He said that people are facing hardship in every town and village, with some villages facing the brunt by getting a trickle of water for about 30 minutes. Panjikar threatened to intensify the agitation to demand regular water supply. --IANS sbk/pgh ( 362 Words) 2023-04-20-22:56:02 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Thursday asked the states and union territories to provide within three months, rations cards to migrant labourers registered on the 'e-shram' government portal so that they can avail of benefits under the National Food Security Act (NFSA). A bench of Justices MR Shah and Ahsanuddin Amanullah said granting ration cards to migrant labourers registered on the portal be given wide publicity. "We give further three months time to concerned States and Union Territories to issue left out ration cards and register migrants on portal. Concerned authorities to inform Collectors so more and more can take the benefit under NFSA," the bench stated in its order and posted the matter for next on October 3, 2024. The top court order came on an application filed by petitioners Anjali Bhardwaj, Harsh Mander and Jagdeep Chhokkar who had sought that ration to the migrant labourers be given irrespective of the quota of ration under the NFSA. On April 17, the top court had said the Centre and State governments cannot deny ration cards to migrant workers solely on the ground that the population ratio under the NFSA has not been properly maintained. It had observed that every citizen should benefit from welfare schemes and said that in a welfare state, it is the duty of the government to reach out to people. In February this year, the apex court had asked the Centre and all state governments to provide information on the number of migrant workers provided with food under the NFSA, and other benefits under various government schemes after it was informed that out of nearly 38 crore migrant workers across the country, around 28 crores have been registered on an online portal e-Shram operated by the Centre. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the SC had suo motu initiated a case to consider the problems and miseries faced by migrant labourers and unorganised sector workers who were pushed to penury due to the pandemic-induced lockdown and forced to settle in their villages with no source of employment. (ANI) Three students stabbed a minor boy while he was trying to save his friend and neighbour in Delhi's Kalkaji area. The injured boy is undergoing treatment at the Safdarjung Hospital. A senior police officer said that on Wednesday, the police received information that a boy has been admitted to the Hamdard Hospital with stab wounds. On reaching the hospital, the police learnt that a group of three boys, all minors, had stabbed the boy on the chest. The boy was later shifted to the Safdarjung Hospital. According to the injured boy's 14-year-old neighbour, who is a student of Class 8 at a government school in Kalkaji, few days back he got into an argument with a student from another section of the same school while playing. "At around 2 p.m. on Wednesday when he was returning from school, the boy with whom he had an argument attacked him along with two other boys. When his neighbour and friend tried to intervene to save him, the trio started beating him up instead. One of the attackers then took out a knife and stabbed the victim in the chest before all three of them fled from the spot. A motorcyclist passing by took the injured boy to the hospital," the officer said. "The police apprehended a 15-year-old boy on Thursday in connection with the case. A search is on to nab the remaining accused, who are residents of Govindpuri," the officer said. --IANS ssh/arm ( 258 Words) 2023-04-20-23:06:03 (IANS) Assam and Arunachal Pradesh on Thursday signed an agreement to settle the long-pending disputes along their over 800 km border. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and his Arunachal Pradesh counterpart Pema Khandu signed the agreement in presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi. After signing the deal, Shah said that they all have witnessed a historic moment in the northeast to resolve the border dispute between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, pending for decades. He said that the report of the Local Commission on this dispute kept circling around for decades, but now been accepted by both the states and Thursday's agreement would prove to be a milestone in the direction of realising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's dream of a developed, peaceful and conflict-free northeast. Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju, the Union Home Secretary and senior officials from the Centre and both the states were also present on the occasion. Shah said that since 2018, the Centre, under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, has signed several accords including for Reang refugee settlement in Tripura, and several to end violence in the northeast. He said that as a result of these peace agreements, so far more than 8,000 armed militants have shunned violence and joined the mainstream. Compared to 2014, there has been a 67 per cent reduction in incidents of violence, 60 per cent reduction in the number of deaths of security forces and 83 per cent reduction in the number of civilian deaths in the northeast, which is a big achievement of the government under the leadership of Prime Minister. The Modi government has withdrawn AFSPA from many places in the northeast, he added. Around 70 per cent police stations in Assam, 15 police stations in 6 districts in Manipur, all but 3 districts in Arunachal Pradesh, 7 districts in Nagaland, and entire Tripura and Meghalaya are now free from Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act. Shah said that due to the efforts of the Modi government, all-round development is visible in the entire northeast today and this entire region is on the path of progress. Thursday's agreement between the two states would end the dispute relating to 123 villages along the border, keeping in view the historical perspective, demographic profile, administrative convenience, proximity to the border, and the aspirations of the residents. Under the agreement, both the state governments have agreed that this agreement would be final with regards to these 123 disputed villages and neither state would make any new claim related to these areas or villages in future. After the agreement, a detailed survey would be carried out by the Survey of India in presence of representatives of both state governments to determine their boundary. --IANS sc/vd ( 467 Words) 2023-04-20-23:20:02 (IANS) Photo: UBC Media Relations The University of British Columbia is experiencing problems across their network. According to the university's social media accounts, UBCs Vancouver and Okanagan campuses are currently experiencing a significant network outage affecting systems hosted on campus. Posted at 9:22 a.m., the university website says, "we are working with network providers to restore service as soon as possible and determine the root cause." UBCs Vancouver and Okanagan campuses are experiencing a significant network outage affecting systems hosted on campus. Were monitoring the situation and will provide updates when available. Please go to https://t.co/AWTsDnp9Ta for more info. pic.twitter.com/gFJ2cptVX8 University of British Columbia (@UBC) April 21, 2023 All in-person, on-paper exams are proceeding. Students writing in person, on-paper exams can go to students.ubc.ca to find the location of their exams. The university says some in-person online exams may be affected. For information on affected services, students can follow the link. The university is monitoring the situation and will provide updates when available. The corps also said that it stands in solidarity with the bereaved families. "White Knight Corps salutes the sacrifice of Hav Mandeep Singh, L/Nk Debashish Baswal, L/Nk Kulwant Singh, Sep Harkrishan Singh, Sep Sewak Singh, who laid down their lives in the line of duty in the Poonch Sector today. We stand in solidarity with the bereaved families," it said on Twitter. Earlier on Thursday, the Indian Army said that five soldiers were killed in a terror attack in Pooch. "An Army vehicle moving between Bhimber Gali and Poonch in the Rajouri sector in J-K was fired upon by unidentified terrorists today. The vehicle caught fire, due to the likely use of grenades by terrorists," the army said in its statement. It added, "Five personnel of the Rashtriya Rifles Unit deployed for Counter Terrorist operations, in this area, have unfortunately lost their lives in the incident". Another soldier, who sustained serious injuries, was evacuated immediately and rushed to the Army Hospital at Rajouri, and is currently under treatment. A search operation has been launched to nab the attackers, the army informed further. (ANI) Hitting out at the Maharashtra government over the death of 13 people due to heat stroke during a recent event in Kharghar, former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday demanded the resignations of CM Eknath Shinde and his deputy Devendra Fadnavis. As many as 13 people, who attended the open-air Maharashtra Bhushan Award ceremony on Sunday at Kharghar in Navi Mumbai, died from heatstroke. The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader said the organisers of the event should be punished as arrangements were not at the required level. Talking to the mediapersons, Thackeray said, "Those who organized this event should be punished. The Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra should take responsibility and resign from their posts. It is not that the Maharashtra Bhushan ceremony happened for the first time, it has happened many times before. If they had to organize such a big event, then the arrangements should have been of that level". Earlier in the day, the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, Ajit Pawar also wrote a letter to Governor Ramesh Bais demanding an inquiry into the incident and urged the matter to be probed through a retired judge. The Maharashtra government on Thursday said has formed a one-member committee to investigate the matter. The committee headed by the additional chief secretary of the Revenue Department will submit its report within a month. The committee will also make recommendations to the government on things that are to be taken care of in future when planning such events. Earlier, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde declared Rs 5 lakh each as compensation for the next-of-kin of the deceased and added that his government will bear the medical expenses of those still undergoing treatment at the hospital. The attendees, who came down with heat strokes at the ceremony, were admitted to Tata Hospital in Kharghar. Meanwhile, on Thursday, former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, his son Aditya Thackeray and NCP leader Ajit Pawar visited those, still undergoing treatment at the hospital. The Maharashtra Bhushan Award ceremony was attended by Union home minister Amit Shah, CM Shinde and his deputy Devendra Fadnavis. (ANI) The Vigilance Director, YK Jethwa said in a statement, "Sanjukta joined the service as AEE on April 26, 2021. After two months of training, she was posted to Jharsuguda NH Division. She joined the AEE Jharsuguda NH Division on June 26, 2021, and has been continuing since then". The officials have also recovered the entire bribe money from the accused. After this, simultaneous searches are going on at three locations of the accused from a DA angle, the officials stated. In connection with the case, the Rourkela Vigilance Police Station registered Case number 10 on April 19 under section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (PC) Act 2018. Further investigation is underway in the case. (ANI) Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Pande and all ranks of the Indian Army salute the supreme sacrifice of five soldiers who were killed in a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district on Thursday. "General Manoj Pande #COAS and All Ranks of #IndianArmy salute the supreme sacrifice of 05 #IndianArmy Bravehearts, Hav Mandeep Singh, L/Nk Debashish Baswal, L/Nk Kulwant Singh, Sep Harkrishan Singh & Sep Sewak Singh who laid down their lives in the line of duty at #Poonch Sector," Tweeted ADG PI Indian Army. Earlier, White Knight Corps said that it "salutes the sacrifice" of five soldiers who were killed in a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district. https://twitter.com/adgpi/status/1649221180258390018?t=ZirLT_hJU2pebGp2mdl5Vw&s=08 The corps also said that it stands in solidarity with the bereaved families. "White Knight Corps salutes the sacrifice of Hav Mandeep Singh, L/Nk Debashish Baswal, L/Nk Kulwant Singh, Sep Harkrishan Singh, Sep Sewak Singh, who laid down their lives in the line of duty in the Poonch Sector today. We stand in solidarity with the bereaved families," it said on Twitter. Earlier on Thursday, the Indian Army said that five soldiers were killed in a terror attack in Pooch. "An Army vehicle moving between Bhimber Gali and Poonch in the Rajouri sector in J-K was fired upon by unidentified terrorists today. The vehicle caught fire, due to the likely use of grenades by terrorists," the army said in its statement. It added, "Five personnel of the Rashtriya Rifles Unit deployed for Counter Terrorist operations, in this area, have unfortunately lost their lives in the incident". Another soldier, who sustained serious injuries, was evacuated immediately and rushed to the Army Hospital at Rajouri, and is currently under treatment. A search operation has been launched to nab the attackers, the army informed further. (ANI) Sharda Mata Temple situated at Maihar in Madhya Pradesh's Satna district has been in the headlines after the Religious Trust and Endowment Department reportedly issued an order to remove muslim employees from the temple management team. A muslim employee, Abid Khan who has been working at the temple since 1993, told ANI, "I am posted as a legal clerk here. Two years ago, Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad had made a complaint that Muslim employees should be removed from the temple. But nothing like that has happened with us. Neither we have removed nor we have received any information related to it." "I have been working here since 1993 and there is another employee Ayyub who has been working here since 1988. Till date nothing like this had happened but it all occurred in the recent two years," he added. He further said, "If we are removed then we will become unemployed. We have worked for 35 years and are on the verge of retirement, so where will we go? I only demand the district administration and the government do justice to us. I am currently attached to SDM court since the matter came to light." The other employee Ayyub is still looking after the water management team of the temple, Khan added. He also said that according to him, the steps of Bajrang Dal and VHP were wrong. If such was an issue, then it should have been removed earlier. He did not have any such problem with anyone to date. "Whenever our guests come, we ourselves go to the temple. We don't mind how they object," Khan added. Nonetheless, the top officials are avoiding responding over the whole matter. (ANI) Buddhism and India have shared a long-standing relationship since its very beginning starting 5th century BCE. With a long and complex history in India, religion has had a significant impact on Indian culture and society. During the early years of Buddhism, it was mainly practised in India, and many of the religion's key teachings were developed and refined in this region. Many Indian rulers, such as Ashoka, were proponents of Buddhism and helped to spread the religion throughout the country. Buddhist temples and monasteries were established throughout India, and religion played an important role in shaping Indian art, literature, and philosophy. Today, Buddhism continues to be an important part of India's cultural heritage, and many Buddhist pilgrimage sites are located throughout the country. Over the centuries, Buddhism spread across Asia and beyond, but it has remained an important part of India's cultural heritage. In an attempt to reconnect with the cultural aspects and better integrate Buddhist ideas, the maiden Global Buddhist Summit will be held on April 20-21 in New Delhi in a collaborative setup between the Ministry of Culture and the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC). As part of the commemorations under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, the maiden edition of the International Global Buddhist Summit is being organised in India with prominent Buddhist monks from different countries taking part in the summit. In fact, multiple roundtable conferences are being organised to discuss how best society can deal with contemporary challenges, with the help of Buddhist philosophy and thought. In better ideating how contemporary challenges can be dealt with Buddhism, the summit shall serve as a medium to enhance the cultural and diplomatic relationships with other countries as well with 171 delegates from 30 countries participating in the same. Most discussions aim to understand today's pressing global issues and find answers in the Buddha Dhamma based on universal values. A major reason for the same is that Buddhism as a culture and religious system has been firmly rooted in the ideas of peace and non-violence. Its teachings emphasize the importance of compassion, kindness, and respect for all living beings. In today's era of war and conflict, Buddhism's message of peace and non-violence is more relevant than ever. Religion offers a unique perspective on dealing with violence and conflict, emphasizing the importance of dialogue and understanding rather than aggression and force. The principles of Buddhism also denote that violence and suffering inflicted on others ultimately come back to harm the oppressor as well. Buddhism encourages society to take a broader view of their actions and to consider the impact their actions might have on others, rather than just focusing on one's own desires and interests. Therefore, the four carefully curated themes for the summit are 'Buddha Dhamma and Peace', 'Environmental Crisis, Health and Sustainability', 'Preservation of Nalanda Buddhist Tradition and Pilgrimage', and 'Living Heritage and Buddha Relics: a resilient foundation to India's centuries-old cultural links to countries in South, Southeast and East Asia'. Through these, the vision of the summit is to better understand the teachings of the Shakyamuni Buddha that have been continuously enriched over the centuries with the practice of Buddha Dhamma. This summit comes close on the heels of a recently-held successful international meet of experts from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) nations, aimed at re-establishing transcultural links, seeking out commonalities, between Buddhist art of Central Asia, art styles, archaeological sites and antiquity in various museums' collections of the SCO countries as well. This summit is a similar effort towards engaging the global Buddhist dhamma leadership and scholars on matters of Buddhist and universal concerns, and coming up with policy inputs to address them collectively. With the powerful message of hope in the face of conflict that Buddhism philosophy propounds advertently and inadvertently, its teachings have constantly focused on the importance of compassion and forgiveness, even in the face of the greatest adversity. By embracing these values, Buddhism advocates for a break in the cycle of violence resulting in a more peaceful and just world. It is expected that the deliberations at the summit will successfully explore how the Buddha Dhamma's fundamental values can provide the necessary inspiration and guidance to individuals, leaders and society in general in today's day and age to grapple with technological advancements, consumerism and the constant aggrandisement that societies and nations continue to profess and practice. The maiden edition of the Global Buddhist Summit that is held in New Delhi marks a significant moment in the history of Buddhism, highlighting its relevance and potential in contemporary times. With its focus on the philosophy of compassion, sympathy and mutual understanding. The summit offers a unique perspective on how to deal with the pressing global challenges we face today. Through its carefully curated themes and roundtable conferences, the summit aims to create a platform for Buddhist leaders, Monks, and interfaith dialogue scholars to engage in meaningful discourse and explore ways to address common concerns. The summit also serves as a medium to enhance cultural and diplomatic relationships with several countries, promoting peaceful coexistence and global peace, serenity and harmony. With its message of hope and the importance of magnificence, magnanimity and morality, Buddhism offers a golden path towards a more peaceful and just world. The Global Buddhist Summit provides an opportunity to learn from this ancient philosophy and apply it in our lives and society, ensuring a more sustainable future for all of us. The author of this opinion piece is Dr Maheep, an expert on India's Foreign affairs. He is the Principal Investigator of a National Project on India's Soft Power Diplomacy. (ANI) The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) new Chief, Aniket Sunil Talati will focus on enhancing audit quality mechanisms, benchmarking the global best practices in sustainability reporting requirements and assurance standards and actively participating in G20 endeavours with the Government of India. CA. Aniket Sunil Talati and CA. Ranjeet Kumar Agarwal were elected as the new president and vice president of ICAI with effect from February 12 this year. With more than 3.75 lakh members and over 7.80 lakh students, ICAI is the world's second-largest accounting body. Through its 5 regional councils, 168 branches, 45 overseas chapters and 33 representative offices, the institute is taking forward its agenda of inclusive growth and continues to add glory to the profession. Addressing the media on Thursday about the important milestone, Aniket Sunil Talati said, "Taking forward India's economic growth story, the ICAI has become a prime partner with B20 dialogue. The partnership of ICAI with B20 as a Prime Partner reflects its commitment to support the Government in making India a Vishwaguru." "The Regulatory framework of ICAI is an intricate system on which the pious, glorious and respectful structure of one of the largest accounting bodies in the world stands. ICAI vigorously and constructively endeavour to make its regulatory and disciplinary mechanisms more robust and responsive together with its Disciplinary Directorate, Financial Reporting Review Board, Peer Review Board, Taxation Audits Quality Review Board, and Centre for Audit Quality," he added. While talking about disciplinary cases, he shared, "ICAI has a zero-tolerance policy against any disciplinary case. In a few of the cases, we have removed members from the register of members for life. We are here to do the best for the profession and we have kept all the possible mechanisms in place to tackle such cases." "The total cases registered under the new DC mechanism from 2007 till March 31, 2023, are 6766, out of which 4249 cases have been concluded i.e. on 62.80 per cent of the cases, ICAI has already taken decision. The balance cases are either at the Prima Facie stage or at the hearing stage before the Board of Discipline / Disciplinary Committee. In the Council year 2022-23, a total of 112 Meetings were held of the Board of Discipline and Disciplinary Committee, where hearings were concluded in 132 cases and punishments were awarded in 91 cases." Talking further on this he said, "ICAI had conceptualized and developed an innovative concept of Unique Document Identification Number (UDIN) under which a unique number is now generated for every document certified/attested by a Chartered Accountant in practice and registered with the UDIN portal. As on April 12, 2023, around 4.89 Cr UDINs have been generated and 1.38 lakh Members have registered themselves on UDIN Portal." CA. Talati said, "The institute has recently developed and released the "Guidance Note on Audit of Banks 2023" edition, which provides detailed guidance to auditors conducting audits of banks and bank branches." "Also, the Institute developed and released the "Implementation Guide on Reporting under Rule 11(g) of the Companies (Audit and Auditors) Rules, 2014" (Implementation Guide on Audit Trail) that provides detailed guidance on various aspects of this new reporting requirement introduced by Rule 11(g) of the Companies (Audit and Auditors) Rules, 2014," he added. ICAI has always been active in helping Government in its various initiatives and other Countries to promote the Chartered Accountancy profession and implement various concepts that are useful in the functioning of Accountancy Institutes. The ICAI President said, "The Central Bureau of Communication (CBC), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India had approached ICAI to place systematic reliance on UDIN to assess the veracity of the information certified by Chartered Accountants in the prescribed format for the empanelment of the news agencies based on circulation and rates. It has been decided to execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ICAI and CBC providing details inter alia on the manner of sharing of data, their frequency, the structure of data and the commitments of both organizations." "The Governing Board of the National Board of Accountants and Auditors (NBAA), Tanzania has approved the introduction of the UDIN system in Tanzania. A request has been received from NBAA to share the step-by-step process for implementing the UDIN, as also to share ICAI's experience and support for implementing UDIN in Tanzania," he added. He further said, "ICAI is the official Sponsor of the 7th Africa Congress of Accountants (ACOA) scheduled from May 15-18, 2023 on the theme "Structural Transformation and Growth of African Economies", in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire. The Congress will witness the presence of more than 2,000 delegates from 54 African countries around the world." CA. Ranjeet Kumar Agarwal while addressing the media shared the details about the 57th Campus Placement Programme being organized by the Institute for the newly qualified CAs who passed the CA final examination in November 2022. He said, "To connect and bring together the Newly Qualified Chartered Accountants (NQCAs) and the recruiters on a common platform, the scheme of campus interviews was introduced by ICAI to provide prospective employers and the young members an opportunity to interact and explore the possibility of taking up employment in various organizations." (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday congratulated the winners of the contest wherein the citizens have to come up with suggestions for cheetahs reintroduced from Namibia and South Africa. Taking to social media, PM tweeted, "Congratulations to the winners and hoping that the Cheetahs continue to remain happy as well as healthy." PM Modi retweeted Union Minister Bhupender Yadav's tweet in which he announced the names of the winners of the contest through a video. The Namibian Cheetahs that were released in Madhya Pradesh's Kuno National Park were renamed following a call by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the people to come up with suggestions. This came after PM Modi in his Mann Ki Baat on September 25, 2022, urged the citizens to come up with suggestions for cheetahs reintroduced from Namibia and South Africa, with an intention to popularize and sensitize the general public about Project Cheetah. The Namibian Cheetahs that were released in Madhya Pradesh's Kuno National Park were renamed following a call by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the people to come up with suggestions. This comes after PM Modi in his Mann Ki Baat on September 25 2022, had urged the citizens to come up with suggestions for cheetahs reintroduced from Namibia and South Africa, with an intention to popularize and sensitize the general public about Project Cheetah. In this regard, a competition was organized on the Government of India platform mygov.in from September October 26-31, 2022. In response, a total of 11,565 entries were received suggesting new names for reintroduced cheetahs, an official statement said on Thursday. Namibian Cheetah's old name was Asha (female) and her new name is Aasha, and of another cheetah, his old name was Oban (Male) and now his new name is Pavan. South Africa Cheetah whose old name was Phinda and the new name is Daksha and of another Cheetah's name was Mapesu and whose new name is Nirva. The names of the remaining Cheetah have also changed. The entries were scrutinized by a selection committee and based on the significance and relevance of the suggested names for their conservation and cultural value the following new names have been selected for Namibian and South African cheetahs. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change congratulated the winners of the competition who suggested new names for Namibian and South African cheetahs. The last cheetahs in the Indian wilderness were recorded in 1947 when three cheetahs were shot in the Sal (Shorea robusta) forests of Koriya District, Chhattisgarh State. The main reasons for the decline of cheetahs in India were large-scale capture of animals from the wild for coursing, bounty and sport hunting, extensive habitat conversion with a consequent decline in prey base and in 1952 Cheetahs were declared extinct. The goal of the Cheetah Introduction project in India was to establish viable cheetah metapopulation in India that allows the cheetah to perform its functional role as a top predator and provide space for the expansion of the cheetah within its historic range thereby contributing to its global conservation efforts. The major objectives of the introduction project were to establish breeding cheetah populations in safe habitats across its historic range and manage them as a metapopulation. To use the cheetah as a charismatic flagship and umbrella species to garner resources for restoring open forest and savanna systems that will benefit biodiversity and ecosystem services from these ecosystems, to use the ensuing opportunity for eco-development and eco-tourism to enhance local community livelihoods and to manage any conflict by cheetah or other wildlife with local communities within cheetah conservation areas expediently through compensation, awareness, and management action. In this context, the Government of India initiated G2G consultative meetings with the Republic of Namibia which culminated in the signing of the MoU between the two countries on July 20, 2022, for cheetah conservation. Following the signing of the MoU, in a historic first wild-to-wild intercontinental translocation, eight cheetahs were transported from Namibia to India on September 17, 2022, and were released into the quarantine bomas by PM Modi. As per the Action Plan for Cheetah Introduction in India, annually 10-12 cheetahs are required to be imported from African countries for the next 5 years at least. In this context, the Government of India initiated bilateral negotiations with the Republic of South Africa in 2021 for cooperation in the field of Cheetah conservation. The negotiations were successfully concluded with the signing of an MoU with the Republic of South Africa in January 2023. Under the provisions of the MoU, a first batch of 12 cheetahs (7 males, 5 females) were translocated from South Africa to India on February 17, 2023. The translocation of 12 cheetahs from South Africa to Gwalior and onwards to Kuno National Park through Helicopters was executed by the Indian Air Force. A delegation of cheetah experts, veterinarians and senior officials accompanied the cheetahs during the transcontinental translocation exercise. To take India's ambitious project on Cheetah Introduction forward, a consultative workshop involving international cheetah experts, scientists, veterinarians, and forest officials was also organised on February 20, 2023, at Kuno National Park. The outcome of the workshop paved a way for better cheetah management which will help in successfully establishing cheetah metapopulation in India. (ANI) The Rouse Avenue Court has dismissed the bail plea of Raghav Magunta, son of YSR Congress Party MP Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy, in Delhi excise policy money laundering case and said, the evidence and material collected during the course of investigation speak volumes of his involvement in the commission of the alleged offence of money laundering and his association with other conspirators. The Special Judge MK Nagpal on Thursday passed the Judgement and said, "Court is prima facie of the view that there is a genuine case made out by the investing agency showing active involvement of the applicant in the commission of the alleged offence of money laundering and this court is not able to arrive at any finding contrary to the said view." Hence, when the oral and documentary evidence collected by the investigating agency against the applicant, as discussed above, is considered and appreciated by this court in light of the settled legal position, stated the court. "Therefore, this application seeking regular bail of the accused Raghav Magunta in the present case is found to be devoid of any merits and the same is liable to be dismissed. The application is accordingly dismissed," said the court. However, the court clarified that nothing contained herein shall be tantamount to the expression of any opinion on the merits of the case. In the matter ZohebHossain, Spl. Counsel and NK Matta Special Public Prosecutor, assisted by Gaurav Saini, Vivek Gurnani, Baibhav, Kavish Gairach and Kartik Sabharwal Advocates, appeared on behalf of the ED while Sidharth Agarwal, Senior Counsel, assisted by Gautam Khazanchi, Vaibhav Dubey, Vinayak Chawla, Subham Jain and Rudrali Patil Advocates, appeared for the accused Raghav Magunta. Raghav's lawyers during arguements submitted that the applicant had been arrested in this case by the ED despite joining and cooperation in the investigation by him in both the above cases and also despite the fact that the offence of money laundering alleged to have been committed in this case carries a punishment of imprisonment upto seven years only. Magunta Raghava Reddy the son of Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party's (YSRCP) MP from Ongole Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy, was arrested by Enforcement Directorate on February 10 in connection with the Delhi excise policy scam case. According to the ED, Raghav through his proxy person Prem Rahul Manduri also held 32.5 per cent stakes in M/s Indo Spirits, which held L1 wholesale license. Raghav being part of the South group was part and beneficiary of the conspiracy in which the South Group paid Rs 100 Cr approximately to the AAP (Aam Aadmi Party). ED earlier stated that Raghav Magunta is one of the key persons in the conspiracy of cartelisation and kickbacks hatched along with various persons in the Delhi Excise policy 2021-22 scam. Raghav Magunta is the owner of liquor manufacturing units in the name of M/s Enrica Enterprises Pvt Ltd located in Chennai. "He further controlled two retail zones in the name of M/s Magunta Agro Farms Pvt Ltd directly in contravention of the Excise Policy 2021-22 where a manufacturer was not permitted to hold either retail or wholesale operations. Raghav being part of the South group was part and beneficiary of the conspiracy in which the South Group paid Rs 100 Crore approximately to the AAP," said ED. The ED and the CBI had, last year registered cases alleging that irregularities were committed while modifying the Excise Policy, undue favours were extended to licence holders, the licence fee was waived or reduced and the L-1 licence was extended without the competent authority's approval. The beneficiaries diverted "illegal" gains to the accused officials and made false entries in their books of account to evade detection. As alleged, the Excise Department had decided to refund the Earnest Money Deposit of about Rs 30 crore to a successful tenderer against the set rules. Even though there was no enabling provision, a waiver on tendered licence fees was allowed from December 28, 2021, to January 27, 2022, due to COVID19, which allegedly caused a loss of Rs 144.36 crore to the exchequer, which has been instituted on a reference from the Union Home Ministry following a recommendation from Delhi Lieutenant-Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena. The CBI inquiry was recommended on the findings of the Delhi chief secretary's report filed in July showing prima facie violations of the GNCTD Act 1991, Transaction of Business Rules (ToBR)-1993, Delhi Excise Act-2009, and Delhi Excise Rules-2010, officials had said. (ANI) The Union Minister for Jal Shakti Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Friday chaired the 11th meeting of the Empowered Task Force (ETF) of National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) in New Delhi wherein he reviewed the progress of various components under the Namami Gange Programme. The Union Minister also launched the Monitoring Centre - PRAYAG - which stands for Platform for Real-time Analysis of Yamuna, Ganga and their Tributaries at the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) office in New Delhi. Prayag is a Real-Time Monitoring Centre for planning and monitoring projects, river water quality, etc. through various online dashboards such as Ganga Tarang Portal, Jajmau Plant through Online Drone Data, PMT Tool Dashboard, Ganga Districts Performance Monitoring System, etc. The Union Minister also released the comic series 'Chacha Chaudhary ke Sath, Ganga ki Baat'. During the meeting, Shekhawat directed the officials to study the freshwater usage of different industries along the river Ganga and prepare a holistic Action Plan for the reuse of treated wastewater in thermal power plants, refineries, railways and other industries. The minister on January 5, 2023, launched the National Framework on Safe Reuse of Treated Water prepared by NMCG. The framework acts as a guiding document for framing state policies on the reuse of treated water. The state of Uttar Pradesh informed that industries are mandated to treat their effluent and reuse it up to the extent of 80 per cent and reduce their requirement for fresh water. It was emphasized in the meeting that the industries should gradually move to the use of treated water thereby minimizing the use of fresh water. The Union Minister also directed the officials of NMCG and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) to work out a holistic strategy to clean about 2000 drains identified by NMCG in urban and rural areas. He said, "A holistic plan in coordination with MoHUA should be prepared and these drains should be cleaned at the earliest under Swachh Bharat Mission. Identifying untapped drains and cleaning them is also the top agenda for District Ganga Committees (DGCs). Since the launch of the 'Digital Dashboard for DGCs Performance Monitoring System' in April 2022, the performance of DGCs has improved." "Between April 2022 to March 2023, a total of 1,157 Monthly Meetings were conducted and Meeting minutes uploaded. In Uttar Pradesh, which has the maximum number of DGCs (75), 741 meetings were held. A maximum of 112 meetings were held during the month of Jan 2023. The Minister also urged the official from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) to expedite the work on Project Dolphin," he added. The Union Minister was informed that for developing new tourist destinations along Ganga under the Arth Ganga campaign, a report by INTACH has been shared with all the concerned District Ganga Committees (DGCs). Emphasis was made on the development of Arth Ganga trails, homestays, guide training etc. Besides, agreements (MoU) have also been signed with the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Culture in December 2022 for the promotion of Arth Ganga. It was also informed that under the Namami Gange programme for the last four years, concerted efforts have been made towards the Hilsa fish conservation and ranching programme upstream of the Farakka barrage in Ganga by CIFRI. Ranched fishes are being tagged to understand the migration and the study shows the migration of Hilsa fish up to Mirzapur. Ranching is helping with livelihood generation for the fishermen's community in the Ganga Basin. The Ministry of Culture informed that an action plan to hold 'Ganga Sanskriti Yatra' has been formulated. The Yatra will pass through the States of Uttarakhand, UP, Bihar and West Bengal. The proposed Yatra will start from Gangotri in Uttarakhand and terminate at Ganga Sagar in West Bengal, showcasing the cultural heritage of Ganga at more than 100 different venues from Gangotri to Ganga Sagar. For the promotion of Natural Farming, it was informed that a series of workshops are being organized in coordination with State Agriculture Department and NCONF. Recently, NMCG organized one-day workshops in Bulandshahar, Bijnor, Hastinapur, Saran, Bhojpur, Buxar and Samastipur. The meeting was attended by Pankaj Kumar, Secretary, Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation (DoWR, RD & GR), Ministry of Jal Shakti and G Asok Kumar, Director General, NMCG along with Senior officials from central ministries, departments and concerned state governments. (ANI) Photo: The Canadian Press Former judge and law professor Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, whose claims of Indigenous ancestry have been discredited, has returned another honorary degree. B.C. Turpel-Lafond speaks to a reporter in Vancouver, B.C., on Friday November 13, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck Former judge and law professor Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, whose claims of Indigenous ancestry have been discredited, has returned another honorary degree. A statement from Kim Fenwick, the acting president and vice-chancellor of St. Thomas University in Fredericton, says the former British Columbia representative for children and youth "voluntarily relinquished" the honorary degree. The statement says a university committee reviewed documents related to questions about misrepresentation of Turpel-Lafond's academic resume and Indigenous heritage and contacted her to offer the opportunity to respond. Fenwick's statement says she opted to return the degree, a decision St. Thomas University has accepted. Turpel-Lafond has already returned degrees from a number of universities in British Columbia and Ontario, while McGill University, Carleton University and the University of Regina have rescinded awards granted to her. The Indigenous Women's Collective, which has called on Governor General Mary Simon to strip Turpel-Lafond of her Order of Canada, has said she should not be given the opportunity to return awards and the institutions that granted them should instead complete their investigations. Turpel-Lafond did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday. In a statement to The Canadian Press in March, she said she was satisfied with her past work, identity and self-worth, and she found it "liberating" to be freed of honours to permit her to "focus on what really matters" in her life. The Supreme Court on Friday issued notice to the respondent on YouTuber and journalist Manish Kashyap's amended plea challenging the detention order under National Security Agency (NSA). A bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud asked the concerned respondent to file a reply to the YouTuber Manish Kashyap's amended plea. The petitioner Manish Kashyap sought to challenge the detention order under NSA. The court allowed amending his plea. Meanwhile, the court directed the petitioner Manish Kashyap not be moved from Central Jail Madurai till further orders and listed the matter for further hearing on April 28. These directions came after Senior Advocate Siddhartha Dave urged the court not to drag him from one place to another by production warrants. Senior Advocate Siddhartha Dave, appearing for Manish Kashyap, informed the top court that six FIRs have been registered against his client in Tamil Nadu and three FIRs in Bihar. He also apprised the court that NSA has been invoked against Manish Kashyap by Tamil Nadu police. Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Tamil Nadu Government, said, "Manish Kashyap has circulated fake news and incident in which FIRs have been registered are of separate nature." One of the lawyers appearing for the Bihar Government said, "Manish Kashyap is a habitual offender and prior to the incident eight separate FIRs were registered against him in Bihar." Manish Kashyap was represented by lawyers Aditya Singh Deshwal, Abhijeet and Ridam Arora. Kashyap's counsels apprised the court earlier that National Security Act has been imposed against his client. Manish Kashyap, a Bihar-based journalist said, "Many false FIRs were registered against him in Bihar and Tamil Nadu at the behest of the present ruling government." Kashyap sought interim bail and clubbing of all cases in one place. He said, "Cases against him were filed because he has raised the issue of violence against the Bihar-based migrant labourers in Tamil Nadu on social media." The YouTuber, who was caught allegedly circulating false and misleading information about purported attacks on migrant labourers working in Tamil Nadu was arrested from Bettiah in Bihar on March 18. According to the Bihar Police, Kashyap surrendered at Jagdishpur police station in Bettiah while the Bihar Police and Economic Offence Unit (EOU) were in the process of attaching his house. Kashyap was wanted by Bihar Police and Tamil Nadu Police in a fake news matter of labourers issue in the southern state, according to an official statement issued by the EOU of Bihar Police. Last month, a team from Bihar led by IAS officer Balamurugan visited Tamil Nadu to take stock of the matter. The team visited Tiruppur and met the district administration and police officials to know about the actions taken so far in the case. Officials of the Bihar government also interacted with Bihar-based migrant workers in Chennai. On March 9, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin attacked Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accusing it of spreading rumours about the attack on migrant labourers. The Chief Minister further said that there are no such incidents in Tamil Nadu and the delegates from Bihar who visited the state returned with full satisfaction. Stalin had also spoken to his Bihar counterpart Nitish Kumar and reassured him about the safety of migrant workers. The alleged assault on migrant labourers from Bihar in Tamil Nadu had stirred massive political unrest in both states. Lok Janshakti Party chief Chirag Paswan had launched an attack on the Bihar Chief Minister on the issue. (ANI) Following the terror attack on troops in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch that claimed the lives of five soldiers the previous day, the Indian Army has launched a massive operation on Friday to hunt down a group of around six to seven terrorists who are behind this attack. "The Army and security agencies have received inputs about the presence of 6-7 terrorists operating in two groups in the Rajouri-Poonch sector near the area where the incident took place yesterday," defence sources told ANI. Sources said that this group was involved in the ambush of the Indian Army vehicle yesterday in the Poonch sector where five soldiers were killed. As a follow up the Indian Army has launched multiple operations to nab the terror group. "Multiple special forces teams along with drones and surveillance helicopters have been rushed to the area to help carry out search and destroy ops there," the sources said. The security forces including the Army, Police and Intelligence Agencies are coordinating the operations. As per the sources, the terrorists are suspected to be from the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and from Pakistan. "More details are being ascertained about their route of ingress into the area. The search is being conducted extensively in the area where multiple cave-type natural structures are present," said sources. Search operations are continuing and more details are awaited, the sources said. (ANI) A day after the Karnataka High Court dismissed D K Shivakumar's plea in a disproportionate assets case, the Congress leader on Friday said that he will fight till his last breath. "I will approach the High Courts; I will fight till the last breath. I believe in a court of law. I still believe they have done an injustice. Everything is transparent," said Shivakumar, the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President. "I believe in people's court, they (BJP) are trying to use various agencies...I am very cautious on every move, I am also a political animal," Shivakumar said. Meanwhile, the Election Commission today accepted the nomination of Shivakumar for the Kanakapura assembly constituency. Hitting out at the Bharatiya Janta Party government, Shivakumar alleged that the double engine government could not help people during Covid, drought and other kinds of problems. "BJP is blackmailing the people of Karnataka. The double engine could not help during Covid, drought and any kind of problems. They are harassing West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and many other opposition government states. We can sustain all these pressures," the Congress leader said. Shivakumar further said that despite having all his papers in order he had been served notices by the Income Tax department. "All my papers are transparent whatever I have filled to the election commission, Income Tax, ED, Lokayukta and CBI. They are trying to interpret it in a different format. They want to create problems for me and they are harassing me. Notices have been given to me by the Income Tax department. I don't want to talk about law/court matters. I am ready to face whatever they give," he said. Yesterday, Shivakumar, had filed a petition in the Karnataka High Court challenging the sanction given by the Karnataka State government to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to prosecute him. Shivakumar had filed an application stating that the Karnataka government's order for the CBI probe was wrong. Hearing arguments of both sides, the single-judge bench led by Justice Natarajan had dismissed Shivakumar's petition. In 2019, the BS Yeddyurappa government sanctioned an investigation against DK Shivakumar. At that time, the CBI registered an FIR with the State government's permission. Based on this case, the bench headed by Natarajan dismissed the petition filed by DK Shivakumar. Earlier, the CBI had assessed the property after the Karnataka Congress chief had made a statement that he is a farmer and getting income from agriculture. Notably, the affidavit filed by Shivakumar while submitting his nomination papers for the May 10 Assembly polls has revealed that the wealth of Congress's Karnataka chief has increased by 68 per cent as compared to 2018. In the affidavit submitted by Shivakumar entering the fray for the Assembly polls, Shivakumar pegged his total assets and those of his family members at a combined value of Rs 1414 crore. In his affidavit for the 2013 Assembly polls, the assets held by the Congress leader's family were valued at Rs 251 crore while, in the 2018 affidavit, the combined value of the property held by his kin was pegged at Rs 840 crore. According to the affidavit, Shivakumar holds 12 bank accounts, some of which are jointly managed by his brother D K Suresh. The total value of assets held by D K Shivakumar is Rs 1414 crore. He also has a loan amounting to Rs 225 crores, his affidavit states further. Shivakumar has only one car in his name, a Toyota priced at Rs 8,30,000. The immovable properties in the name of the Congress leader are Rs 970 crore, whereas those in the name of his wife Usha are worth Rs 113.38 crore. Immovable properties in the name of his son Akash are worth Rs 54.33 crore. The total assets in Shivakumar's name are valued at Rs 1,214.93 crore and those in the name of his wife and son are worth Rs 133 crore and Rs 66 crore respectively. Shivakumar declared his annual income at Rs 14.24 crore whereas his wife's annual income is Rs 1.9 crore. Before filing his nomination, the Congress State president had held a roadshow in his constituency from he has been elected seven times. Shivakumar exuded confidence in the Congress forming the government in the State with a comfortable majority. The Karnataka assembly elections will be held in a single phase on May 10, with the counting of votes scheduled on May 13. (ANI) The Panchmukhi Utsav Doli of Baba Kedarnath left for the Himalayas on Friday after its winter stay in Ukhimath. Thousands of devotees have reached Omkareshwar temple Ukhimath on this occasion. Baba Kedar Ki Doli is being led to the tunes of the Army Band. Baba's Doli will reach Gupta Kashi Vishwanath temple today for the first-night stay. The additional stay of this Bardoli is happening in Guptkashi. The Doli will reach Kedarnath on April 24. Yesterday late evening after worshipping Bhairav Nath, Bhairav Nath left for the Himalayas. Baba Bhairavnath is considered to be the field protector of Kedarnath. The Char Dham yatra begins on April 22 on the auspicious day of Akshay Tritiya. The doors of Kedarnath Dham will open on April 25 and Gangotri Dham on April 22. With the Char Dham Yatra set to start in Uttarakhand, Dr R Rajesh Kumar, secretary, of the state health department, issued a health advisory for pilgrims on Wednesday. The health advisory is issued in view of the increasing effect of Covid cases and the weather in the high Himalayan region. In the guidelines issued by the government, it has been said that all the pilgrimage sites are located in the high Himalayan region, whose height is more than 2,700 metres above sea level. Travellers in those places can be affected by extreme cold, low humidity, extreme ultraviolet radiation, low air pressure and low oxygen content. Therefore, the guidelines (Health Advisory) should be followed for a smooth and safe journey for all the pilgrims. "Senior Citizens, people with comorbidities, and those who had suffered from COVID-19 in the past should consider postponing or not undertaking the pilgrimage," said the advisory." Patients suffering from heart diseases, respiratory ailments, diabetes, and hypertension should be extra cautious while undertaking travel to high altitudes, added the government health advisory. People who witness headaches, drowsiness, and nausea-like symptoms during the Yatra are advised to seek immediate medical assistance. "Avoid consumption of alcohol and other drugs and refrain from smoking. Also, keep yourself well hydrated and avoid travelling on empty stomach," added the advisory. Further informing about the National Ambulance Service, the advisory said, "In case of emergencies, Helpline numbers [108 - National Ambulance Service and 104- Uttarakhand Health Helpline] can be contacted." The Chardham Yatra in Uttarakhand is one of the most popular Hindu pilgrimages in India. This pilgrimage is a tour of four holy sites - Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri - nestled high up in the Himalayas. (ANI) Speaking on the occasion BKTC president said that the state government is committed to ensuring smooth and easy journeys for pilgrims and devotees. Meanwhile, the portals of Yamunotri and Gangotri Dham will be opened for the devotees on April 22. While the doors of Kedarnath and Badrinath Dham will open on April 25 and 27 respectively. A large number of buses of devotees left for Char Dham Yatra from Maya Devi premises and Kalu Siddha. BKTC President Ajendra Ajay, Mahamandaleshwar Swami Lalitanand Giri Maharaj of Niranjani Akhara, Acharya Dayashankar Vidyalankar, founder of Ved Niketan, State Head of Dharma Jagran Manch Dr Rahul and BJP leader Rajpal Negi flagged off the buses filled with yatris. On this occasion, BKTC President Ajendra welcomed the pilgrims from different states and wished them a prosperous journey. He said that the state government is determined for a pleasant journey for the pilgrims. The travel arrangements are being continuously monitored by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. He said that the Chief Minister has urged everyone to have the feeling of Atithi Devo Bhava towards the passengers. He expressed hope that this year the Yatra would touch new dimensions by breaking its old records for the number of devotees. The Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand is one of the most popular Hindu pilgrimages in India. This pilgrimage is a tour of four holy sites - Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri - nestled high up in the Himalayas. (ANI) The bench headed by NGT Chairman Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel in an order passed on April 19 said, "we constitute a joint Committee comprising of State Pollution Control Bureau Director, Fisheries Department, Uttar Pradesh and District Magistrate, Kanpur Dehat." The Tribunal also said that the committe to meet within two weeks and furnish its facts and actions are taken to report on the matter within two months. It may be necessary to inventory the ponds, give them unique identification numbers and codes and map them appropriately on the District map and make a remedial action plan for their restoration in terms of maintaining water quality and restoring fisheries, the Tribunal directed. The petitioner Meghraj Singh through a plea stated that the survey of ponds was conducted in 2011-12 for fisheries. 1975 ponds were found suitable for fisheries but hundreds of ponds encroached. Petitioner further stated that 900 ponds have been encroached on by influential persons including those in Akbarpur Block, Bhognipur Tehsil, Rasoolabad Tehsil, Sikandara and Derapur Block. The applicant also filed a complaint before the District Magistrate, Kanpur Dehat but necessary action has not been taken, the plea stated. (ANI) Former Uttar Pradesh chief minister and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav while attacking the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said that Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is busy being a star campaigner and his administration is battered by criminals. "Criminal activities are happening in broad daylight but it is claimed that law and order are fine in the state. The public has also come to know that BJP has mastered the art of false propaganda," the Samajwadi Party chief said on Friday. The government has nothing to show its work, so it is wasting its time by telling the works of the Samajwadi government as its own, he added. "The situation of Jungle Raj is in Lucknow. Miscreants robbed a woman's chain at gunpoint in broad daylight in Krishna Nagar. Rs 13 lakh was looted from a businessman in the Kaiserbagh area. A contract worker extorted money from the girl in the name of a job and raped her. The miscreants looted the gold garland of an old man at Buddheshwar temple in Para," Akhilesh Yadav alleged. Former UP CM further alleged, "On April 20, 2023, a teenager was raped by showing a pistol in the Antu police station area of Pratapgarh. The bus driver molested a BSC student returning from Chandausi after giving exams. In Meerut's Kankarkheda, miscreants dragged two sisters, beat them up and behaved obscenely. In Unnao, five BJP goons set fire to the victim's house as soon as she was released from jail for not withdrawing the rape case against a minor. In Triveni Enclave located at Tajganj in Agra, Saresham Inspector's daughter-in-law was looted after taking her hostage." "These incidents are just for counting. Every day incidents of loot, murder, molestation and rape happen in the state. In most cases, instead of helping the victim, the police work to create pressure in favour of the criminal elements. Due to poor investigation and negligence in prosecution, all the criminals are left free. Law and order are badly messed up under the BJP rule," he said. "Women and girls are unsafe. The public is tired of all this. By teaching a befitting lesson to the BJP in the civic elections itself, she will write the advance script of the BJP's defeat in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections," Akhilesh Yadav said. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is a star campaigner in poll-bound Karnataka. The Karnataka assembly elections are slated to take place on May 10, 2023, with the results being declared on May 13, 2023. All the 224 assembly seats will go to vote in a single phase. (ANI) The accused who opened fire at the Saket court premises in the national capital earlier on Friday has been arrested, Delhi Police Crime Branch said. Two persons, including a woman, suffered bullet injuries after they were shot at inside the Saket court premises this morning. According to the DCP, the suspect who fled after opening fire was nabbed by a team of the Delhi Police. Earlier, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) South Chandan Chowdhary said, "An incident of firing was reported from Saket court today. A man fired four rounds out of which three bullets hit the woman and a lawyer. They were taken to hospital and their condition is now stable. Both of them have been discharged from hospital." Police said that the woman, identified as Radha was shot at by the accused with whom she was undergoing a legal battle in a case of cheating. Multiple teams had been constituted to nab the suspect, who fled after shooting at the woman. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, reacting to incident, stated that the law and order situation in the national capital had "completely broken down." "The law and order situation in Delhi has completely broken down. Instead of obstructing the work of others and doing dirty politics on everything, everyone should focus on their own work. And if they are unable to manage, then they should resign so that someone else can do it. The safety of the people cannot be left to God," the Delhi chief minister tweeted in Hindi. Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj attacked Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena over the incident. "The LG has only two jobs- Police and DDA. After the arrival of the new LG sir, the law and order situation in Delhi is getting worse. Guns are being fired in courts. The police are involved in Rs 350-crore corruption," he tweeted in Hindi. The DCP South has said that "there is no lapse in the security system of Delhi Police. Though we will strengthen it." "An FIR was registered in December in which the victim of today's incident is accused. The woman had taken money from the accused on the promise of doubling it, and both of them had come to the court related to the matter. Several other cases of fraud are also lodged against the woman. The man was an advocate here for a long time and was in his uniform at the time of the incident," DCP South said. "I dropped her off at the court for a hearing in a civil case at 10 am today. Soon after I got a phone call that she has been shot. A man named Kameshwar has been trying to extort money from her," Arun Rama Swamy, the husband of Radha told ANI. Earlier in the day Delhi police's crime branch team and Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) carried out an inspection of the site of the shooting. (ANI) The battle in the Hubli-Dharwad Central constituency in the upcoming Karnataka assembly elections is set to get more interesting as a 'guru-shishya' fight between two prominent Lingayat leaders has raised election fever in the seat. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has fielded Mahesh Tenginkai against the turncoat Jagadish Shettar for the seat in the upcoming polls. BJP state general secretary Mahesh Tenjinakai has been chosen to contest the election from the Hubbali-Dharwad Central Assembly constituency which was previously held by Shettar. He will contest against former Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar, the Congress nominee. Tenjinakai on April 18 sought blessings from Jagadish Shettar before filing his nomination for the seat. "Jagadish Shettar has been my guru. This fight is between a guru and his shishya. I am confident that my guru will bless me," Tenjinakai said. Speaking to ANI, Shettar said, "I am neither Mahesh Tenginkai's guru nor he is my shishya. His Guru is in Delhi and he is a loyal disciple of his guru in Delhi. BL Santhosh is his Guru. Because of his guru, he got the ticket. The former Karnataka chief minister accused Tenginkai of running a 'whispering campaign' against him over the past six to seven months. He further said, "What is his contribution? Just being an office bearer is not enough. The people of Hubballi want involvement in their representative in the constituency. Just getting the ticket from BJP is not sufficient." Shettar on Monday joined the Congress party, a day after quitting the BJP after being denied a ticket for the May 10 assembly polls in the state. Jagadish Shettar became the second senior leader from the Lingayat community to leave the ruling BJP and join Congress in less than a week. Earlier, former Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister Laxman Savadi joined the Congress. BJP leader Mahesh Tenginkai who replaced Shettar from the Hubli-Dharwad Central constituency said that the party still has the support of Lingayats and that the exit of a few leaders does not make a difference. The battle in Hubbali has become more interesting as two prominent Lingayat leaders will give a tough fight to each other. Mahesh Tenginkai is a prominent leader of the Lingayat community, who has a stronghold in the Hubli-Dharwad region. He has been associated with the BJP for over two decades and has held various positions in the party organisation. He is also a successful businessman and a social worker. The contest between Tenginkai and Shettar is expected to be a close one, as both are popular leaders of the Lingayat community and have strong organisational backing. The 224-seat Assembly polls are slated to take place in a single phase on May 10 and results will be declared on May 13. (ANI) The roadshow witnessed a huge response from people. Hundreds of BJP workers participated in the road show carrying the party flag. BJP fielded Eshwar Singh Thakur from Bidar. Further, Shailendra Beldale has been given the ticket from Bidar South. Nadda was on a two-day visit to the state. This is Nadda's first visit to the State after the party announced candidates for the Assembly polls. Union Home Minister Amit Shah is on a three-day visit to poll-bound Karnataka from Friday as the state gears up for a fierce political battle in the month of May. This is also Shah's first visit to Karnataka since the announcement of the polls last month. Shah was supposed to hold roadshows in both Davanagere and Devanahalli. However, his roadshow was cancelled. The 224-seat Assembly will go to polls on May 10 and the votes will be counted on May 13. Big names in the BJP including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and party president JP Nadda among others featured in the party's list of star campaigners for the May 10 Karnataka assembly elections. The BJP released a list of 40-star campaigners on April 18 for the upcoming Karnataka Assembly elections for which the BJP has exerted full might to return to power. The other big names from the Centre which will seek votes for the party in BJP's "gateway to the South" (Karnataka) include Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister Smriti Irani and others. Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya also feature in the list. The chief ministers of BJP-ruled states including Karnataka's Basavaraj Bommai who is seeking a second term, Uttar Pradesh's Yogi Adityanath, Assam's Himanta Biswa Sarma, Madhya Pradesh's Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will campaign for the party. Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai, former Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa, KS Eshwarappa who quit electoral politics also feature in the list. (ANI) Photo: The Canadian Press Prime Minister Justin Trudeau leaves the NATO summit, in Madrid on Thursday, June 30, 2022. A former U.S. envoy to Ottawa says hes concerned about what Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reportedly said about Canadian defence spending. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson It's an all-too-common "bad mistake" to judge Canada's commitment to global military security solely on the basis of how much money it spends on defence, President Joe Biden's envoy to Ottawa said Friday. David Cohen refused to comment on a Washington Post report this week that said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had privately told NATO officials Canada would never hit the military alliance's spending target of two per cent of GDP. But he had a lot to say about whether Canada deserves its long-standing reputation as miserly when it comes to devoting resources to the Canadian Armed Forces. "I think it would be a bad mistake and I frankly think that too many people are making this mistake that somehow we need to assess Canada's commitment to defence by one metric," Cohen said. "I don't think that's right." Cohen was the keynote speaker Friday among several past and present U.S. ambassadors, trade lawyers and bilateral scholars gathered for the annual conference of the Canada-U.S. Law Institute in Cleveland. Canada makes its own decisions about priorities and budget allocation, he said. In 2014, it voluntarily agreed, along with a host of other allies, to aspire to the two per cent target originally established by NATO in 2006. But Cohen suggested the country's support for Ukraine in its war against Russia and its plans to fortify Arctic defence should carry more weight in the policy debate than they currently do. "Forget about the percentage of Canada's defence spend as compared to GDP. Canada has stepped up at every opportunity, whenever requested by the United States or by the UN, to provide military support to Ukraine," he said. "Every time there's been a need, Canada stepped up." Cohen's defence stood in contrast to the assessment of one of his predecessors, David Jacobson, who told the previous night's awards banquet that he fears the consequences of what Trudeau reportedly said. Jacobson, who served as Barack Obama's ambassador from 2009 to 2013, said the Post report could make it harder for Canada and the U.S. to resolve future bilateral irritants. "It's one of those things that causes governments to lose confidence," Jacobson said. "It's a perfect example of what not to do in order to help solve some of the bilateral issues in both directions that are legitimately very important to segments of the Canadian public and the American public." Peter MacKay, who was the Canadian minister of national defence for six years under Stephen Harper's Conservative government, noted that Trudeau has not denied the report. "It's notable that the prime minister didn't take the opportunity to clarify or contextualize or say that's simply not true. And so, the intrigue festers," MacKay said in Cleveland. "I still hold on (to) some hope that we'll hear someone from government say, in fact, we will meet our two per cent (target), or we will continue to aspire to reach that level of spending." The report, published online Wednesday and then Thursday on the newspaper's front page, was based on a document from a trove of Pentagon secrets leaked in recent weeks in an online chat forum for gamers. Jack Teixeira, a 21-year-old IT specialist and member of the Massachusetts Air National Guard, was arrested last week and faces charges of violating the U.S. Espionage Act. The Post said the unsigned, undated document, which The Canadian Press has not seen, mentions "widespread" military deficiencies in Canada that are causing friction with security partners and allies. Jacobson acknowledged a long-standing truth in the politically polarized U.S.: that public support for military missions abroad is fragile, especially when American taxpayers are footing the bulk of the bill. While NATO has long struggled to get many of its members to meet its two per cent spending target, military spending in the U.S. is about 3.3 per cent of a GDP that is 13 times the size of Canada's. By comparison, the federal government in Ottawa currently spends about 1.4 per cent of GDP on defence. "What will happen is that the American public is going to decide, 'Why should we do this? Why should we defend the world?'" Jacobson said. It's in the best interests of the U.S. to do it, he added. "But at some point, people are going to say, 'Well, we've got all these freeloaders' I hate to use that term 'we've got all these freeloaders and we're not going to do it anymore.'" It's a turn of phrase that brings to mind former president Donald Trump, who frequently berated NATO allies for shortchanging the alliance and who is running for president again next year. The Post story did not detail Trudeau's comments. But it did describe complaints from a number of allies about perceived shortfalls within the Canadian military. NATO, for instance, is "concerned" that Canada hasn't added to the ranks of its battle group in Latvia, part of a multinational deterrence mission in eastern Europe known as Operation Reassurance. Turkey was "disappointed" by Canada's apparent "refusal" to help transport aid after an earthquake earlier this year, while Haiti is "frustrated" by Canada's reluctance to mount a security mission there, the Post reported. "Widespread defence shortfalls hinder Canadian capabilities," the Post quoted the document as saying, "while straining partner relationships and alliance contributions." The document appears to predate Biden's visit to Ottawa in March, which Canada capped with some showcase military spending, including on modernizing Norad, the binational continental defence system. "When you look at this on a threat assessment basis, and not just looking at a single data point, Canada has stood up. They have been responsible, they have been our partner, they talk to us," said Cohen. The "trajectory" of defence spending in Canada has also been gradually improving in recent years, he added. The Liberal government has committed to nearly $40 billion on Norad modernization and North American defence, along with $8 billion in military spending announced in the 2022 budget. "In the Joe Biden view of the world, no country should be judged or assessed out there on their own for what they're doing in the defence space," Cohen said. "The question is: what kind of a partner are you? We think of Canada and the United States as inextricably intertwined." As for Latvia, Canada has launched an urgent, competitive procurement process to equip troops there with anti-tank, anti-drone and anti-air defence systems, Defence Minister Anita Anand said. The Post said the Forces warned in February that a major military operation was currently impossible, given the Latvia deployment and Canada's ongoing military support for Ukraine in its war against Russia. The U.S. has been anxious to find someone to lead a multinational support mission in gang-ravaged Haiti, and officials have even name-checked Canada as a worthy option. But Jacobson said his sense is that the question of Canada's role in Haiti is less a bilateral disagreement than a serious question about capacity. "One of the things I learned about military engagement is you can't do everything. You never have enough bullets, you never have enough tanks, you never have enough soldiers to do all the things you want to do," he said. "You have even fewer tanks and soldiers and bullets if you're spending 1.4 per cent of your GDP." The Supreme Court on Friday issued notice to the office of the Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena on a plea filed by the Delhi government alleging inaction by LG in appointing the Chairperson of the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC). A bench of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice PS Narasimha sought a response from the office of LG VK Saxena and posted the matter for hearing on April 28. Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for the Delhi government, argued that LG has been delaying the matter saying he required legal opinion to ascertain if the concurrence of the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court is needed to make the appointment. He said, "As per Section 84(2) of the Electricity Act consultation with the Chief Justice of the parent High Court of the person sought to be appointed is required." Four months have passed since the proposal to appoint retired Madhya Pradesh High Court Judge, Justice Rajeev Kumar Shrivastava, as DERC Chairperson has been sent to the LG, Singhvi said. "After short-circuiting us by keeping silence for four months, they are deliberately seeking to appoint somebody and have sent some files to the Chief Justice," senior counsel added. The DERC has been functioning without a Chairperson for the last four months after previous Chairperson Justice (Retd) Shabihul Hasnain demitted office on January 9, 2023, upon attaining the age of 65 years. It is indicated that as per the Election Act, 2003, the consent of the Chief Justice of the Madhya Pradesh High Court has already been obtained for the appointment of Justice Srivastava, the plea said. (ANI) "#TrishaktiCorps rescued 70+ tourists including elderly, women & children, stranded due to inclement weather at Kupup & Gnathang in #SIKKIM on 20Apr23. They were provided comfortable stay, warm clothing, medical aid & hot meals", read the Tweet by Trishakti Corps. Army termed the rescue operation "Operation Himrahat". In another rescue operation, Jammu and Kashmir Police rescued more than 300 stranded passengers and took out 60 vehicles from the Sadhna Top in Karnah under Kupwara district on Friday. The rescue operation was launched Thursday evening by the police, headed by SHO Karnah Inspector Mudasir Ahmad. All the rescued persons appreciated the police who came to their rescue, risking their own lives amidst the avalanche warnings. Nasta Chhun, or Sadhna Pass, is a mountain pass connecting Karnah tehsil of Kupwara district with the rest of Jammu and Kashmir. It is located in the vast Shams Bri mountain range. "We are very thankful for our police, which always stands up for us," a person who was rescued said. (ANI) Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MP Supriya Sule on Friday said that Eknath Shinde government should bring facts into the public domain on what exactly happened in the heatstroke incident which occurred during Maharashtra Bhusan award ceremony in Khargar. While addressing a party organizational meeting, Supriya Sule said, "Govt should answer on what exactly happened in Kharghar during the Maharashtra Bhushan ceremony". "Every individual in the state is a VIP. Everyone is a VIP for his family, if anyone is trying to hide the fact behind the Kharghar incident then we must fight for it. This is a very serious issue," she added. Supriya Sule also questioned why the Shinde government is not revealing the number of deaths in this incident. "Not a single person should have died. Who is responsible for it? Ajit Pawar had also written a letter to the government and demanded action on it. I also got some videos related to the incident, but why are they not giving numbers?" she asked. As many as 13 people, who attended the open-air Maharashtr Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar said that the Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra government is solely responsible for the deaths of 13 people in Kharghar and reiterated his demand for a judicial inquiry into the deaths of people during or after the Maharashtra Bhushan award ceremony, adding that "actual facts must come out". "It was 100 per cent the state govt responsibility, as they organised the event, keeping elections in mind. A sitting judge must investigate this incident and the actual facts must come out," Pawar said while addressing the organizational meeting for BMC polls. Earlier in the day, former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray demanded the resignations of CM Eknath Shinde and his deputy Devendra Fadnavis. As many as 13 people, who attended the open-air Maharashtra Bhushan Award ceremony on Sunday at Kharghar in Navi Mumbai, died from heatstroke. Earlier hitting out at the Maharashtra government over this incident former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday demanded the resignations of CM Eknath Shinde and his deputy Devendra Fadnavis. "Those who organized this event should be punished. The Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra should take responsibility and resign from their posts. It is not that the Maharashtra Bhushan ceremony happened for the first time, it has happened many times before. If they had to organize such a big event, then the arrangements should have been of that level," he said. The Maharashtra government on Thursday said that it has formed a one-member committee to investigate the matter. In the aftermath of the incident, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde declared Rs 5 lakh each as compensation for the next-of-kin of the deceased and added that his government will bear the medical expenses of those still undergoing treatment at the hospital level. (ANI) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday said that Gorkhas are an integral part of the greater Assamese community and his government is committed to fulfilling the hopes and aspirations of the members of the Gorkhas. Addressing the occasion, Chief Minister Sarma lauded the role of Assam Gorkha Sammelan as the torch-bearer of the inalienable rights of the Gorkhas of Assam as sons of the soil. He attended as Chief Guest of the 57th Sammelan Divas of Assam Gorkha Sammelan held at Garpal in Sonitpur district. According to the CMO, Assam Gorkha Sammelan, since its inception, has been relentlessly working towards the uplift of the members of the Gorkha community of Assam, the Chief Minister remarked. Chief Minister said, "The Gorkhas are an integral part of the greater Assamese community." The Chief Minister stated that ever since his taking over the reins of the State administration in 2021, sincere efforts have been made at fulfilling the hopes and aspirations of the members of the Gorkhas of Assam. He said, "The current dispensation in the State has put an end to the harassment of Gorkhas of Assam in the name of identification of foreigners. Sarma also spoke about numerous initiatives such as the conferment of a "protected class" to Gorkhas, among others, aimed at the socio-economic empowerment of the community members. He further declared that from now onwards, Assam Gorkha Sammelan would have the authority to issue Other Backward Classes (OBC) certificates to eligible members of the Gorkha community. The Chief Minister also stated that steps shall be taken to issue "Gorkha Certificates" through dedicated portals and that this initiative would prove helpful for the Gorkha youths of the State getting enrolled into the Indian armed forces. He appealed to the Gorkha civil society organisations to work towards developing a progressive mindset among the Gorkha youths. CM said, "Gorkhas must walk hand-in-hand with members of the other communities of the State in making the best use of the opportunities a new and resurgent Assam and India is offering." He further appealed to the Gorkhas of Assam not to dissociate themselves from their roots and work towards preserving their glorious saga of valour. The Chief Minister also declared that a state-of-the-art mini stadium and a police outpost would be built at the Garpal area, which he referred to as one of the most important places in the State linked to Assam's Gorkhas. The event was attended by Darjeeling Lok Sabha constituency Member of Parliament Raju Bista, MP (Tezpur Lok Sabha constituency) Pallab Lochan Das, Rajya Sabha MP and Political Secretary to the Chief Minister - Pabitra Margherita, Members of Assam Legislative Assembly Pramod Borthakur, Ganesh Limbu, Gobinda Basumatary, among others. (ANI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday shared a video of a local man who was seen wiping rainwater from cutouts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi put up on the way to a proposed roadshow of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Karnataka's Devanahalli. "The unwavering trust in PM Narendra Modi Ji and the selfless affection for him is what the BJP has earned and it is its source of strength. Have a look at this beautiful video from Devanahalli, Karnataka," tweeted Shah. Amit Shah is on a three-day visit to poll-bound Karnataka from Friday as the state gears up for a fierce political battle in the month of May. This is Shah's first visit to Karnataka since the announcement of the polls last month. Shah was supposed to hold a roadshow in Devanahalli on Friday. However, his roadshow was cancelled due to rain. "Due to heavy rain could not be there among the people of Devanahalli. I bow to them for turning out in large numbers despite adverse weather. I will certainly visit Devanahalli soon for a campaign. Their enthusiasm shows that the BJP will win a massive victory in Karnataka," tweeted Shah. Taking to Twitter, BJP Karnataka said, "Amit Shah ji landed in Bengaluru and was headed to the Devanhalli Roadshow. However, heavy rains in that area made the commencement of the road show impossible. In order to not cause inconvenience to the karyakartas assembled, the state leadership has decided to postpone the event." A local man was seen wiping rainwater from cutouts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi put up on the way to a proposed roadshow of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Karnataka's Devanahalli on Friday. Asked about why is he doing that and if he was paid, the man said, "I am doing it out of my belief. Modi ji is God to me. No one has paid me for it." The 224-seat Assembly will go to polls on May 10 and the votes will be counted on May 13. Big names in Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and party president JP Nadda among others featured in the party's list of star campaigners for the May 10 Karnataka assembly elections. The BJP released a list of 40-star campaigners on April 18 for the upcoming Karnataka Assembly elections for which the BJP has exerted full might to return to power. The other big names from the Centre which will seek votes for the party in BJP's "gateway to the South" (Karnataka) include Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister Smriti Irani and others. Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya also feature in the list. The chief ministers of BJP-ruled states including Karnataka's Basavaraj Bommai who is seeking a second term, Uttar Pradesh's Yogi Adityanath, Assam's Himanta Biswa Sarma, Madhya Pradesh's Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will campaign for the party. Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai, former Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa, KS Eshwarappa who quit electoral politics also feature in the list. BJP Chief JP Nadda is also on a two-day visit to the state. This is Nadda's first visit to the State after the party announced candidates for the Assembly polls. Nadda held a roadshow in Bidar. (ANI) The Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Assembly and NCP leader, Ajit Pawar, has written a letter to the Governor Ramesh Bais demanding a probe into the deaths during the Maharashtra Bhushan award event held in Kharghar and to clear "confusion about the exact death toll" in the incident. While talking to the mediapersons, Pawar said," I wrote to the Governor to get information on what exactly happened in Khargar, there is confusion about the exact death toll too. Some people are saying that during the event some facilities were not given. We have not received the post-mortem report yet. I have asked for it through RTI." Ajit Pawar also wrote a letter to Governor Ramesh Bais demanding an inquiry into the incident and urged the matter to be probed through a retired judge. Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar said that the Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra government is solely responsible for the deaths of 13 people in Kharghar and reiterated his demand for a judicial inquiry into the deaths of people during or after the Maharashtra Bhushan award ceremony, adding that "actual facts must come out". "It was 100 per cent the state govt responsibility, as they organised the event, keeping elections in mind. A sitting judge must investigate this incident and the actual facts must come out," Pawar said while addressing the organizational meeting for BMC polls. Earlier in the day, former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray demanded the resignations of CM Eknath Shinde and his deputy Devendra Fadnavis. As many as 13 people, who attended the open-air Maharashtra Bhushan Award ceremony on Sunday at Kharghar in Navi Mumbai, died from heatstroke. "Those who organized this event should be punished. The Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra should take responsibility and resign from their posts. It is not that the Maharashtra Bhushan ceremony happened for the first time, it has happened many times before. If they had to organize such a big event, then the arrangements should have been of that level," he said. The Maharashtra government on Thursday said that it has formed a one-member committee to investigate the matter. On Thursday, the Maharashtra government announced the formation of a one-member committee to investigate the matter. The committee headed by the additional chief secretary of the Revenue Department will submit its report within a month. The committee will also make recommendations to the government on things that are to be taken care of in future when planning such events. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde declared Rs 5 lakh each as compensation for the next-of-kin of the deceased and added that his government will bear the medical expenses of those still undergoing treatment at the hospital. The attendees, who came down with heat strokes at the ceremony, were admitted to Tata Hospital in Kharghar. Meanwhile, on Thursday, former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, his son Aditya Thackeray and NCP leader Ajit Pawar visited those, still undergoing treatment at the hospital.The Maharashtra Bhushan Award ceremony was attended by Union home minister Amit Shah, CM Shinde and deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis. (ANI) Maharashtra government will file a curative petition in Supreme Court after its review petition on the Maratha reservation was dismissed a day before, said Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Friday. "Important discussion was held with Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Advocate General and other ministers. We will file a curative petition in court as soon as possible. We directed instructions to the Advocate General on this. Maharashtra government is determined to serve justice to the Maratha community," Shinde said. The five-judge bench of the Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed the review petition filed by the Maharashtra government (then Maha Vikas Aghadi government on June 23, 2021) challenging the May 5, 2021, judgment of the top court which declared reservation benefits to the Maratha community with the quota limit in the State in excess of 50 per cent, as unconstitutional. The Supreme Court, on May 5, 2021 struck down the reservation in government jobs and educational institutions for the Maratha community brought in by the Maharashtra government in 2018, saying it exceeded the 50 per cent cap imposed earlier. (ANI) The suspicious death, allegedly by suicide, makes it the fourth such incident occurring at the prestigious institution over the last three months. The incident came to light on Friday when the deceased student's friends suspected something amiss when he did not open his hostel room door. They informed the warden who contacted the Kotturpuram police station. On breaking open the door, police found the dead body and sent it for post-mortem after registering a case. Earlier this month, on April 2, a PhD student of IIT Madras had died by suicide. Sachin Kumar Jain from West Bengal had died by suicide in his room in Tamil Nadu's Velachery, triggering protests on campus by students who demanded a probe into the matter. --IANS pvn/uk/ ( 168 Words) 2023-04-21-20:24:02 (IANS) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) said on Friday that it has arrested a person named Varinder Pal Singh Dhoot, a former Naib Tehsildar, in a money-laundering case involving revenue officials and others who allegedly misallocated shares of panchayat land in Seonk village in SAS Nagar, Punjab, to the tune of more than 99 acres in the name of ineligible villagers and outsiders. The ED had initiated a PMLA case on the basis of an FIR registered by the Punjab Vigilance Bureau under various sections of Indian Penal Code and Prevention of Corruption Act. A charge sheet was also filed by the Vigilance Bureau against Dhoot and others. "Investigation has revealed that revenue officials, Dhoot and others falsely allotted shares of shamlat land in Seonk village in the name of six villagers. Subsequently, power of attorney was obtained by private property dealers from these villagers and on the basis of that, the property dealers in connivance with revenue officials sold shamlat land to non-eligible villagers and some outsiders," said the ED. The sale considerations were shared by the property dealers and revenue officials after giving small amounts to the villagers from whom the power of attorney was taken. During investigation, bank accounts maintained by Dhoot in his and his family members' names were scrutinised and unexplained credits to the tune of more than Rs 15 crore were found including cash credits of around Rs 8 crore. The investigation revealed that Dhoot had received funds in his relatives' bank accounts from the friends and relatives of the final purchaser and/or beneficial owners of the shamlat land. --IANS atk/arm ( 279 Words) 2023-04-21-21:06:05 (IANS) The Supreme Court has dismissed a plea by the Maharashtra government seeking review of its May 5, 2021 judgment, which struck down a state law providing a 12 to 13 percent quota for Maratha community. A five-judge bench comprising Justices M.R. Shah, Sanjiv Khanna, B.R. Gavai, S. Ravindra Bhat and V. Ramasubramanian declined to entertain the plea by the state government seeking a relook at the judgment. The bench, in its order, said: "Permission to file the review petition is granted. Delay condoned. Applications for listing of the review petitions in the open court are rejected. Having carefully gone through the review petitions, the judgment under challenge and the papers annexed therewith, we are satisfied that there is no error apparent on the face of the record, warranting reconsideration of the judgment impugned. The review petitions are, accordingly, dismissed. Pending applications stand disposed of." The matter was considered inside the judges' chamber as per the Supreme Court Rules with regard to review petition and the top court took decision on the matter on April 11. However, the order was uploaded on the apex court website only on April 20. The apex court had earlier dismissed a plea by the Central government to reconsider the May 5, 2021 judgment. The apex court had declared that states do not have the power to prepare lists for socially and educationally backward classes. The decision had also deprived states of their power to declare OBCs for the purpose of reservation in jobs and education, and the court had conferred the President with the sole power to identify a community as backward. The top court struck down the Maharashtra Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC) Act, 2018, for having breached the 50 per cent cap fixed by a nine-judge bench in 1992 in Indra Sawhney case (Mandal Commission). The top court had said that for allowing a 12-13 per cent quota for Marath community, it could not find any exceptional circumstances or extraordinary situation. --IANS ss/vd ( 346 Words) 2023-04-21-21:20:07 (IANS) Photo: The Canadian Press Premier David Eby says his provincial and territorial counterparts are unanimous in a call on the federal government to implement bail reforms and expand support to fight guns and gangs in communities. Eby speaks about hubs to target violent crime during a news conference in front of the Provincial Court of British Columbia in Nanaimo, B.C., Wednesday, April 12, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito British Columbia Premier David Eby says his provincial and territorial counterparts are unanimous in calling on the federal government to implement bail reforms and expand support to fight against guns and gangs in communities. Eby says the premiers met Friday with the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, where the importance of encouraging the federal government and provincial and municipal leaders to build safe communities was highlighted. The virtual meeting with police chiefs took place after recent violent attacks in Metro Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Regina and Toronto. Eby says in a statement that Canadians are concerned about the crime and violence theyre seeing in neighbourhoods and in public places like transit and parks. He says preliminary data on bail hearings in B.C. indicate that more than half of the attempts by prosecutors to keep alleged offenders in custody are being rejected by the courts. Eby says the federal government must act on a recent promise to amend bail laws to address the national risk to public safety that has become apparent in every province and territory. Bharatiya Janata Party on Friday strongly hit out at the TMC-led West Bengal government over the alleged gang-rape and murder of a Dalit girl in North Dinajpur district's Kaliagunj. The Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the state assembly Suvendu Adhikari alleged that the police didn't allow the BJP MLAs to meet the victim's family. He also accused the police of "diluting" the evidence. Taking to Twitter, Adhikari said, "The @BJP4Bengal MLAs weren't allowed to visit the victim's family & were involuntarily taken to a Police Station & made to sit there forcefully, because how else would @WBPolice suppress information & dilute evidence. They're dragging the victim's body in such undignified manner". The Dalit girl was allegedly gang-raped and murdered in North Dinajpur district of West Bengal. On Thursday, the locals found the body of the minor, who had gone missing. On Friday, locals staged a protest demanding justice for her. SP Dinajpur Sana Akhtar told ANI that the victim's body was found in Kaliyaganj, after which the police swung into action and arrested the two accused. "We received information that a girl was missing since Thursday night. We started conducting searches at all railway stations, and bus stands. Later, a body was found in Kailyaganj. Two people have been arrested based on the complaint given by the deceased's family. The police also fired tear gas shells and restored to lathi-charge against the protesters who were demonstrating over the incident. "Police had to use tear gas at the protesters to recover the victim's body from them to ensure an early post-mortem so that important evidence is not lost. We have also formed a medical board to investigate the matter properly. The incident will be properly investigated," the SP added. Further investigation is underway in the case. Earlier in the day, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) also took cognisance of the matter and said it would send a fact-finding team to conduct an inquiry. Taking to Twitter, NCPCR chairperson Priyank Kanoongo said, "The NCPCR has taken cognizance of News Reports of gang rape and murder of a Dalit girl child in Raiganj, Uttar Dinajpur of West Bengal. A fact-finding team will be visiting there to conduct an inquiry." A statement issued by the NCPCR chief office read, "We have received information about the gang-rape incident and murder of a girl child in North Dinajpur in West Bengal. We have received a lot of information from many sources. It is a heinous murder and we are going to investigate it. I myself will go to North Dinajpur with my team". It added, "Our team will reach there tomorrow. We will investigate this incident by going there tomorrow evening. We are trying to contact the government through the governor's house to cooperate with us in the investigation. This is a case of murder of a girl child and getting her justice." NCPCR also alleged that the Chief Secretary of the state and the North Dinajpur Collector are not responding despite the body informing them about the incident. The statement further stated that punishing the culprits is the only way to stop such incidents in West Bengal. (ANI) A team of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), escorted by a large contingent of central armed forces personnel, is conducting raid since Friday evening at the residence of Trinamool Congress legislator Tapas Saha in connection with the multi-crore teachers' recruitment scam in West Bengal. Till the time of filing of this report, the raid and search operations at the MLA's office and residence had been going on for over three hours. The CBI probe against Saha had been initiated following an order by the Calcutta High Court on April 18, which noted that since the state police refused to act on the allegations about Saha's involvement in the recruitment scam, the probe in the matter is fit to be handed over to the CBI. It is learnt that after reaching Saha's residence, the CBI officials immediately took possession of his mobile phone, probably taking lessons from another Trinamool MLA Jiban Krishna Saha, who has been arrested in the same scam, throwing his two cellphones in a pond adjacent to his house as soon as the CBI team reached there to conduct a raid. Saha is the fourth Trinamool MLA to come under the scanner of central agencies in connection with the recruitment scam after former Education Minister Partha Chatterjee, ex-Chairman of West Bengal Board of Primary Education Manik Bhattacharya and Jiban Krishna Saha. While Chatterjee and Bhattacharya are currently in judicial custody, Jiban Krishna Saha is in the custody of CBI. --IANS src/arm ( 255 Words) 2023-04-21-22:24:03 (IANS) US President Joe Bidens decree to forego loans under the government-funded PELTs scheme is in danger of being shelved by the GOP as Speaker Kevin McCarthy backed by the Republican members introduced a bill to nullify it on grounds of depleting the government's treasury. Biden had planned to cancel up to $20,000 of debt per student borrower, but McCarthy's bill seeks to cancel this and end the freeze on monthly repayments with interest on the borrowings, media reports said. Thousands of students in the US who had borrowed money for their higher education are on tenterhooks. The Republican-dominated House has been in a logjam over the debt ceiling being raised as it breached the $1.4 trillion dollar limit and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen had warned that she could hold on till june this year after which she would have to take extraordinary measures, which meant prioritising the loan and interest payments that could hit social welfare programmes. The US has never defaulted on interest obligations, and if it does it would have international ramifications in the money markets as most investors hold US treasury bonds. The Republican bid to annul the student loan forgiveness by Biden - about $1.7 trillion from 45,000 borrowers cumulatively - is part of an overall strategy to limit government expenditure and avoid raising the debt limit too much. The GOP bill, if it goes through, would block Biden's signature on the student debt cancellation programme and take the GOP war on Biden directly to his administration's other student loan policies. Biden had announced last year during fall that his administration would forgive loans of students whose families income fell below $125,000 per person or as a couple in the family per annum. It was highly criticised by some economists and the GOP as a measure that would bleed the treasury of the government. Speaking on the House floor on Wednesday, McCarthy characterised Biden's plan as "student loan giveaway for the wealthy". He claimed that the repeal of the student debt relief would actually protect 87 per cent of adults without student loans from paying the loans of just 13 per cent who do, Politico reported. McCarthy's legislation would also prohibit the Biden administration from going ahead with a new income-driven repayment plan that reduces monthly payments for most borrowers and limits the timeline to loan forgiveness for some borrowers. The GOP plan would permanently ban the Education Department from issuing any executive action seeking to enhance the long-term cost to the government of operating the federal student loan programmes, reports said . Politico pointed out that any such sweeping legislation, if adopted, would imperil the administration to provide additional relief to student loan borrowers. And that covers any backup option for cancelling large amounts of student debt, if the Supreme Court rejects Biden's student debt relief plan in the coming months. The Republicans are coming up with dozens of policy changes and spending caps that the GOP members have included in their 320-page legislation to give in to raise the debt limit by $1.5 trillion or until March of next year, whichever comes first. Republicans want to extract concessions from the Biden administration that lower the federal deficit and reduce spending in exchange for their votes to raise the nation's borrowing limit. McCarthy said he hopes to pass the bill in the House next week. But the proposal stands no chance of passing the Democrat-controlled Senate, reports said as the Senate is controlled by the Democrats. That would result in a stalemate on the issue. Biden, meanwhile, rejected McCarthy's proposal as a nonstarter. "That's the MAGA economic agenda: Spending cuts for working and middle class folks," Biden said, reacting to the GOP plan. "It's not about fiscal discipline, it's about cutting benefits for folks that they (GOP) don't seem to care much about." --IANS ash/arm ( 651 Words) 2023-04-20-21:56:02 (IANS) US Department of State Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel on Thursday said China's nuclear buildup is deeply concerning and it "raises questions" about the country's intent. "The PRC's nuclear buildup is deeply concerning, and it raises questions about the PRC's intent and it reinforces the importance of pursuing practical measures to reduce nuclear risks," Patel said during a press briefing on Thursday. The US Department of State Principal Deputy Spokesperson said: "The pace at which the PRC is operating will create new stresses on international stability and new challenges for deterrence, assurance, arms control, and risk reduction." He said the US will continue to press the PRC to engage in substantive bilateral and multilateral engagements to reduce nuclear risk, and "we'll continue to be deeply engaged on that". Kyodo News recently reported that China is mulling tripling its stockpile of nuclear warheads to 900 by 2035, as tensions with the United States are expected to increase further over Taiwan. The blueprint, prepared by the People's Liberation Army, has been approved by Chinese President Xi Jinping, head of the military, who has been eager to strengthen Beijing's deterrence against Washington, the report said citing Chinese sources. As the Chinese Communist Party has been strengthening the country's military capabilities, the United States in 2022 said that Beijing is on its way to increasing its stockpile of nuclear warheads to 1,500 by 2035 when it aims to complete the modernization of its military. Some foreign affairs experts have claimed that China could abandon its "no first use" if it achieves the goal of modernizing its military, as per the Kyodo News report. In November, the Chinese military's top body spoke about the importance of lethal capabilities, analyzing that Russia's strong nuclear deterrence has stopped a head-on contest between North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and Moscow despite its offensive against Ukraine, Kyodo News reported citing sources. (ANI) Chinese billionaire Guo Wengui on Thursday (local time) was denied bail by a New York federal judge on fraud and money-laundering charges, reported The Wall Street Journal (WSJ). The exiled businessman and vocal critic of Beijing were denied bail after being charged by the US with fraud last month. Guo left China in 2014 during an anti-corruption crackdown under President Xi Jinping. Guo, who garnered attention by accusing Beijing of corruption from his Manhattan penthouse, was arrested and charged last month with a USD 1 billion fraud scheme, reported WSJ. Guo and his financial adviser, Kin Ming Je, are accused of scheming to cheat thousands of victims. The two allegedly used more than USD 300 million of the proceeds to benefit themselves and their families, according to the indictment. Guo, however, has pleaded not guilty and proposed 24-hour guard, and being subjected to detention with GPS monitoring at his wife's Connecticut home, reported US News. The judge called his proposed bail package insufficient, noting that he has filed for bankruptcy and that he has 'the means and know-how to flee.' US District Judge Analisa Torres said prosecutors had shown it more likely than not that Guo Wengui was a serious flight risk, and shown by clear and convincing evidence that he would pose a risk of economic harm to the community if released, reported US News. Torres also said Guo's "obstructive behaviour" in the criminal case--including a false claim he had just USD 10,000 of assets--and in civil and bankruptcy proceedings left her with no "reasonable assurance" he would comply with any bail conditions. Federal prosecutors in the Manhattan US attorney's office alleged he took advantage of the hundreds of thousands of followers he amassed online by soliciting investments in a cryptocurrency he developed, a media company and other ventures. The Judge said Guo's proposed bail package - which amounted to a USD 25 million bond, USD 5 million which would be secured by cash or real estate - was "insufficient," noting he filed for bankruptcy and claimed to only have USD 10,000 in assets. Torres said even though Guo offered his bond to be signed by two adults, including a relative, his family members have been accused of being "recipients of fraud proceeds." Torres said Guo hadn't identified a co-signer - with a sufficient net worth and ties to the US. He spent some of the proceeds on lavish purchases, including a USD 26 million home in New Jersey, a yacht and a Ferrari, prosecutors allege, reported WSJ. Guo was also a business associate of former Donald Trump adviser Steve Bannon, who was arrested in a 2020 fraud case while aboard Guo's yacht. The former US president later pardoned Bannon. (ANI) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of India, Armenia and Iran held the first trilateral political consultations on Thursday in Yerevan. The three countries had a wide range of discussions, particularly on economic issues and regional communication. Trilateral cooperation in various fields was also discussed during the meeting. Informing of the consultations, the official Twitter account of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia wrote, "First trilateral political consultations btw MFAs of #Armenia, #Iran & #India were held in Yerevan. Sides discussed, particularly economic issues & regional communications outlined prospects of deepening cultural & people to people contacts & trilateral coop in various fields." Armenia and India celebrated 30 years of bilateral diplomatic relations in 2022. Armenia and India maintain active political ties. Effective cooperation exists between the two nations within international bodies. After Armenia's independence in 1991, Armenian-Indian relations were reestablished. Diplomatic relations were established between the Republic of Armenia and India in 1992.In 1999, the Indian Embassy in Yerevan began operations. India-Iran relations span millennia marked by meaningful interactions. Since the diplomatic relationship has been established in 1950 with the friendship treaty, the visits on the ministerial level have increased. In September last year, Iranian Foreign Minister H Amirabdollahian spoke to Jaishankar.The two countries have in place several bilateral consultative mechanisms at various levels which meet regularly. These include the Joint Committee Meeting (JCM) chaired at the Ministerial level, the Foreign Office Consultations chaired at the Foreign Secretary level, and the Joint Consular Committee Meeting at the level of Joint Secretary/DG. India-Iran commercial ties were traditionally dominated by the Indian import of Iranian crude oil. Recently in February, Irani Ambassador to India Iraj Elahi said described India as "most important to Iran". "India is "most important to Iran" and the recent cordial meeting between Tehran's President Ebrahim Raisi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is proof of this, Iraj Elahi said while addressing the event on the occasion of the 44th Anniversary of the victory of the Islamic revolution of Iran. He said the Chabahar port, with which India is highly involved, is considered the "Golden Gateway." (ANI) After six days of deliberations, Chaudhary Anwar Ul Haq was "elected" unopposed as the new prime minister by the lame legislative assembly of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on April 19, 2023 Haq hails from Bhimber City in the Bhimber district in PoK. He was the Speaker of the legislative assembly and was elected to the house on the ticket of Jammu and Kashmir Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI) from Bhimber constituency number 7 during the 2021 general elections Haq is the 15th prime minister of PoK and obtained 48 votes. Pakistan People's Party and Pakistan Muslim League (N) plus 7 members of the PTI Forward Block that oppose Imran Khan had all voted in unison to get Haq elected. Four members of the assembly remained absent during the session. The office of the PoK prime minister became vacant after Tanveer Ilyas was disqualified in a contempt of court case on April 11, 2023. Haq was elected for the first time to the assembly in 2006 on the ticket of the People's Muslim League. Since then he has served as senior minister, speaker and acting president of PoK. Former Secretary of Defence Lt General (r) Chaudhary Ikram ul Haq is his brother. Haq's father claimed to have been part of the anti-Dogra 'revolution' and the formation of the government of PoK that was allegedly established on October 14, 1947, is said to be the precursor of Pakistan's attack on the state of Jammu and Kashmir on October 22, 1947. It is therefore not hard to come to the conclusion that he was and remains the blue-eyed boy of the Pakistan military establishment. Information gathered from my inside sources say that he has ascended to power with the blessings of top military command as well as the ISI chief General Nadeem Anjum. The fact that both PPP and PML (N) voted for him and no other candidate was planted to contest him means that like the coalition government in Pakistan now in PoK we will have a pro-PDM government as well. The former prime minister of PoK Ilyas who was ousted on April 11 through judicial engineering has said that the majority of workers and leaders of PTI stand with Imran Khan. Ilyas said that Haq was not nominated by Imran Khan as a candidate and soon a meeting will be held with Chairman Imran Khan to discuss future strategy. Tanveer Ilyas is not the first prime minister or head of government of PoK who has disgracefully been thrown out of office.KH Khurshid was appointed as President of PoK in 1959 by the then-military dictator of Pakistan General Ayub Khan. When Khurshid began demanding more power from the government in PoK, the general forced Khurshid to resign. He was later killed in a road accident. Sardar Abdul Qayyum Khan, who boosted about being the first holy warrior of the October 22, 1947 attack on the State of Jammu and Kashmir, was the president of PoK in 1974. However, he refused to support the Pakistani government of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and was disgracefully removed from office through a Pakistan-engineered vote of no-confidence. Sardar Muhammed Ibrahim, who was the lackey of the Pakistan army and a key character of the October 22, 1947 invasion of the state of Jammu and Kashmir, was the President of PoK and he was sacked by the direct orders of Pakistan military ruler General Zia ul Haq on October 30, 1978. Khan's crime at the time was that he refused to support the military coup that ended Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's government on July 5, 1977. The recent ousting of PoK prime minister Tanveer Ilyas is therefore not an isolated incident. He perhaps had become too much of a visionary for the Pakistan military establishment to swallow. In November and December 2021, Tanveer Ilyas initiated the first-ever local body election in PoK in 30 years. Pakistan military establishment rules over PoK by depriving people of true representation. To have local body elections serves the opposite. During the local body elections, people of PoK found themselves the opportunity to talk, debate and canvas about issues that are related to the betterment of the neighbourhood, the building of schools, clinics, hospitals, roads, bridges, safety walls and more. This politicisation of the public on a grass root level is a dangerous exercise for the colonial occupier. Therefore, Pakistan's military establishment was unhappy and refused to send rangers or extra force of police from Punjab to undertake security responsibilities on the polling day. Tanveer Ilyas initiated a bus service between PoK and occupied Gilgit-Baltistan ending a 70-year dependency of travellers on the Pakistan transport system. This was seen as a big crime. How can the colonial master ever allow the people of two occupied territories of the same state to start communicating and travelling to each other's occupied lands and exchange social, political and economic experiences they have concurred during the 75 years of occupation by Pakistan? And finally, Tanveer Ilyas managed to secure a USD 15 million education project from Saudi Arabia. Are you kidding me??? An education project for an oppressed nation? This is totally intolerable and resulted in a high court stay order against the project. After two months of the stay order, Ilyas publically complained that the education project was suffering from delay because the courts were interfering. That was it. The High Court immediately issued a contempt of court against Ilyas on April 10 and by April 11 he was gone: disqualified from being a prime minister and a member of the legislative assembly. The new prime minister of PoK Chaudhary Anwar ul Haq is a Pakistan military establishment stooge who will do three things to undo what Tanveer Ilyas did. Firstly, Haq will starve local body councillors of any development funds thereby turning locals against democratically elected councillors. Secondly, Haq will take measures to limit, if not totally abandon, the PoK-Gilgit-Baltistan bus service. And finally, he will ensure that the USD 15-million-dollar education project awarded by Saudi Arabia never fulfils the educational requirements of PoK. If Haq tries to step out of line, which considering his family and his own political background I doubt he might dare to, he will share the fate of his predecessors. Dr Amjad Ayub Mirza is an author and a human rights activist from Mirpur in PoK. He currently lives in exile in the UK. (ANI) As violence in Sudan enters day seven, the country's paramilitary force Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has announced a 72-hour ceasefire starting from Friday, Al Jazeera reported. In a statement, the paramilitary forces announced that the ceasefire would come into effect at 6 am (04:00 GMT) on Friday, which marks the beginning of the Muslim holiday of Eid ul-Fitr, amid heavy fighting with the army in the country's capital of Khartoum. "The armistice coincides with the blessed Eid al-Fitr, and open humanitarian corridors to evacuate citizens and give them the opportunity to greet their families," Al Jazeera reported, citing the statement. The conflict between Sudan's military leader and his deputy on the ruling council erupted six days ago, derailing a plan for a transition to a civilian democracy that had received international support, four years after the overthrow of the previous government by widespread protests and two years after a military coup. There have been violent clashes in Sudan for nearly six days between the country's army and a paramilitary group over a proposed timeline for handing over power to a civilian government. Nearly 300 people have been killed in the past five days, according to the UN health agency.Thousands of people have fled Khartoum for safety, reported Al Jazeera. Since the violent power struggle between the army led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the RSF, which is led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, broke out last weekend, there have been a number of failed ceasefires, according to Al Jazeera. The two men previously worked together as the top military officials in Sudan. Antonio Guterres, secretary-general of the United Nations, was one among the well-known world figures who recently urged the combatants to respect a three-day cease-fire for Eid and permit civilians to flee to safety. Several world powers have condemned the ongoing fighting in Sudan between the army and paramilitary forces. External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Thursday met UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and discussed the current developments in Sudan. "We had a very good meeting. Most of our meeting was on the Sudan situation. We also discussed the G20, and Ukraine conflict, but essentially it was about Sudan," the EAM told ANI. "In Sudan, the UN is trying to establish a ceasefire and that is really key because at the moment, unless there is a ceasefire and unless there are corridors, it's not safe for people really to come out," Jaishankar said. (ANI) Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has said that his participation in a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Council in India reflected Islamabad's commitment to the charter of the SCO and should not be seen in terms of bilateral ties. Responding to a question on a programme on Dunya News aired on Thursday, he said he would represent Pakistan at the Foreign Ministers meeting to be held in Goa next month. "We are committed to the SCO charter and this visit should not be seen as a bilateral one but in the context of the SCO," Bhutto-Zardari said. Pakistan's Foreign Ministry on Thursday said that Bhutto-Zardari will lead the Pakistani delegation to the meeting of SCO foreign ministers (CFM) scheduled to be held on May 4-5 in Goa. Pakistan Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch during a weekly presser on Thursday stated that Bhutto-Zardari is attending the SCO-CFM meeting at the invitation of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. "Our participation at the meeting reflects Pakistan's continued commitment to the SCO charter and process and the importance that Pakistan accords to the region in its foreign policy priorities," the spokesperson said. Bilawal will be the first foreign minister to visit India after a gap of nearly 12 years, reported Business Recorder. In 2011, then Pakistan foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar visited India. India has formally sent invitations to all members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) including Pakistan and China for the upcoming foreign ministers' meeting. Chinese foreign minister Qin Gang and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov will also likely participate in the meeting. India took over the chairmanship of the 9-member mega grouping in September last year and will be holding key ministerial meetings and the summit this year. Relations between the two countries have been precarious for many years with regard to issues of cross-border terrorism from Pakistan, even as Islamabad has been seeking the restoration of Article 370 for the former Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir for any talks. The 20-year-old organization has Russia, India, China, Pakistan, and four central Asian countries - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan as its members. Iran is the latest country to become a member and under Indian Presidency will for the first time attend the grouping's meeting as a full-fledged member. The last meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization was held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the SCO Summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. The 22nd Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO in September 2022, was the first in-person summit since June 2019 meeting of the SCO leaders in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Notably, this year's SCO foreign ministers meeting comes in the wake-up of escalating Russia-Ukraine war and India's G20 Presidency. (ANI) A 24-year-old student from Andhra Pradesh, who was studying for his master's degree, was shot dead at a fuel station in the US on Thursday (local time), according to the Columbus Division of Police. Saiesh Veera, who was working at a petrol station in Ohio, was shot dead by unknown assailants while on the job, police said. "On April 20, 2023, at 12:50 AM, Columbus Police officers were dispatched to the 1000 block of W Broad St on a reported shooting. Upon arrival, the officers located an adult male victim, identified as SAIESH VEERA, M/O/24, suffering from a gunshot wound. Columbus Fire medics arrived and transported the victim to a local hospital. Despite life-saving measures, the victim was pronounced deceased at 1:27 AM. This incident remains under investigation. Next of kin notification has been made," read the Columbus Division of Police incident summary. The police also released the picture of the suspect and asked for help in identifying the person. "Homicide detectives are asking for help to identify this person related to a deadly shooting that occurred on April 20, 2023. Saiesh Veera, 24, was shot and killed at a gas station located in the 1000 block of W. Broad St," it tweeted. (ANI) (603806):FIRST 2022 ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL, AND GOVERNANCE (ESG) REPORT 20230421 23:20:00 : : :First 2022 Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Report 2022 Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Report 01 02 03 04 05 06 Creating Customer Employee and Social Sustainable Environmental Corporate About this Report Development System Protection Value Care Governance ? Sustainable Development Concept ? Report Instructions ? Low-Carbon Development and ? Employee Training and ? Product Development ? Corporate Governance Structure2022 ESG Report About this Report ? Report Instructions ? Letter from the Chairman ? Business Performance and Industry StatusAbout this Report ? Report Instructions ? Letter from the Chairman ? Business Performance and Industry Status This report is Hangzhou First Applied Material Co., Ltd.'s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) report, which highlights Hangzhou First Applied Material Co., Ltd.'s sustainable development practices and achievements, as well as its environmental, social, and governance work in 2022 and previous years. Reporting Scope Appellation Description This report covers Hangzhou First Applied Material Co., Ltd. and its subsidiaries. It is published For the sake of clarity and readability, the terms "FIRST," "the company," "our company," and "we" in this annually, consistent with the financial year, and reports on the period from January 1, 2022, to December report refer to Hangzhou First Applied Material Co., Ltd. and its subsidiaries.31, 2022. To enhance readability, some content or data may refer to previous or subsequent years. Unless specified instruction all financial data is denoted in RMB.Disclaimer This report contains forward-looking statements, including business plans and development strategies. These Reporting Standards statements reflect the company's predictions of future events based on the current situation and may be influenced by unknown and uncertain factors that materially differ from the actual results. No forward- This report is in accordance with the requirements of the Shanghai Stock Exchange's "Guidelines for looking or expected statement in this report constitutes a material commitment by the Company to investors. Environmental Information Disclosure of Listed Companies" and refers to the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards (latest GRI General Guidelines 2021) and the ESG Reporting Guide of the Hong Kong Report Access Stock Exchange. This report is available for download in electronic format from the Shanghai Stock Exchange (www.sse.com.cn) and Hangzhou First Applied Material Co., Ltd.'s website (www.firstpvm.com). For further Source of Information inquiries, questions, or suggestions regarding this report, please contact the Company at the following address: The information contained in this report is primarily derived from periodic reports or temporary Hangzhou First Applied Material Co., Ltd. announcements disclosed by the company. In the event of any discrepancies, the periodic report or Hangzhou 13.981 Billion RMB 1.579 Billion RMB 2022 ESG Report Sustainable Development System ? Sustainable Development Concept and ESG Management System ? Response to UN Sustainable Development Goals ? Stakeholder Communication ? R&D Innovation SystemSustainable Development System ? Sustainable Development Concept and ESG Management System ? Response to UN Sustainable Development Goals ? Stakeholder Communication ? R&D Innovation System As we strive to advance sustainable development, we prioritize fostering communication and collaboration with stakeholders and consistently enhancing our communication channels. We proactively seek out stakeholders' perspectives, comprehend their interests and needs, identify key stakeholders and their engagement methods, and promptly gather and organize feedback from all parties. We respond with appropriate measures to satisfy reasonable expectations and requests from stakeholders, intending to progress alongside them. Through diverse forms of stakeholder collaboration, we aspire to make meaningful contributions to sustainable societal progress. Types of stakeholders Main demands Main response measures Main communication methods? Consistent and stable investment ? Strengthen the core competitivenessof the business ? Periodic reports and interim announcementsreturns ? Fulfill information disclosure obligations in a timely manner ? Investors exchange events such as performance Shareholder ? Understand the company's operations ? Improve internal control management presentations ? Sustainable development ? Improve employee recruitment, training, promotion and other ? Decent working conditions ? Staff congress systems ? Broad career development ? Learning and training activitiesEmployee ? Continue to optimize the compensation and welfare system? Excellent compensation and benefits ? Employee care activities? Enrichstaff activities ? Perfect health and safety guarantee ? Corporate website and WeChat public account? Strengthen occupational health and safety management ? Implement the business philosophy of customer first ? Stable and safe product ? Customer service ? Strengthen the core competitiveness of the business ? Competitively priced products ? Technical exchange ? Continue to carry out R&D innovation Customer ? Solve quality problems quickly ? Industry exhibition ? Comprehensively improve the company's production and ? Provide excellent customer service ? New product launch management capacity ? Implement bidding procedures ? Establish a list of qualified suppliers and conduct annual audits ? Supplier conference? Fair competition ? Sign the integrity and self-discipline letter ? Supplier annual auditSupplier ? Fulfill the contract on time ? Pay attention to suppliers' demands ? Integrityreport platform? Win-win cooperation ? Provide jobs and pay taxes ? Compliance operation ? Drive the development of local and ? Cooperate with government inspection work ? Pay taxes in accordance with law Government surrounding industries ? Improve internal compliance monitoring ? Government data reports ? Operate legally and in compliance ? Ensure compliance with environmental, safety, and integrity ? Government related meetings laws and regulations ? Accept government scrutiny ?? We have a strong R&D team, with 560 R&D technicians as of December 31, 2022. Of these technicians, ?560 R&D technicians, accounted for 15% of the total Conformity Assessment (CNAS) Laboratory2020 2021 2022 18% have master's degrees or above, and the proportion of R&D technicians is around 15% of the total ?Zhejiang Key Enterprise Research Institute staff staff. We always prioritize R&D investment and have invested 309 million RMB, 454 million RMB, and 645 ?541 invention patents were applied for, and 205 valid ?Zhejiang Engineering Research Center of million RMB in 2020, 2021, and 2022, respectively, maintaining the lead in the industry with a 44.48% invention patents were authorized Photovoltaic encapsulation Materialscompound annual growth rate. ?125 utility model patents were applied for, and 95 ?? We are also capable of independent research, development, and design of core equipment and2022 ESG Report Environmental Protection ? Low-Carbon Development and Green Operations ? Waste Management ? Chemical Safety ? Water Conservation ? Response to Climate ChangeEnvironmental Protection ? Low-Carbon Development and Green Operations ? Waste Management ? Chemical Safety ? Water Conservation ? Response to Climate Change management of pollutant discharge, improve the operation stability and treatment efficiency ofenvironmental protection facilities. Finally, regular monitoring of pollutant emission levels are carried out To strengthen the management of The functional department of hazardous chemicals management. Responsible for the formulation and inspection of the regulations for hazardous chemicals, the preparation of safety notice cards, the management of related personnel,and related waste material EHS Department hazardous chemicals, we have recovery and disposal, etc. formulated the Hazardous Chemicals Management System in accordance Procurement Follow the requirements of relevant laws and regulations on procurement, transportation, and storage of hazardous with Order No. 344 of The State chemicals, organize the procurement, transportation, storage, and disposal of hazardous chemicals.department Council, the Regulations on the Safety Management of Hazardous Manage the use of hazardous chemicals , and supervise whether employees operate according to the Material Safety Data Sheet Chemicals, and other relevant laws User departments (MSDS) provisions and whether they wear personal protective equipment correctly.and regulations to accurately and effectively control the procurement, transportation, storage, use, and disposal of wastes of all Emergency hazardous chemicals. Application Waste treatment Procurement Storage Usage treatment 1 2 3 4 5 6 Fill in the List of Purchase from suppliers Check the safety and quality The user fills the Collect and store Formulate emergency Requirements for Hazardous who hold the Production of hazardous chemicals Hazardous Chemicals Entry hazardous chemical waste. treatment plans for Chemicals and submit it to and Operation License of when putting them into and Exit Warehouse The user departments and hazardous the EHS department for Hazardous storage, store them in Form, record a detailed EHS department jointly chemicals, standardize the approval and record. Chemicals, arrange the specific places that meet the information of hazardous determine the type of corresponding treatment qualified transportation requirements of national chemicals, follow the waste, formulate legal and methods for accidents of unit for delivery and sign a laws and regulations, set up corresponding safety compliant disposal different types and areas of safety responsibility letter obvious warning signs, and operation proceduresand plans, and cooperate with influence (including with the supplier and carry out daily safety product use instructions the qualified service adsorption and Scientific water management We evaluate the current status of water resource and utilization for the production bases, assess the rationality of water usage and the potential impact of water intake, and implement protective measures to adopt reasonable water intake methods. We On November 6, 2022, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) released an We pay close attention to climate change, devote ourselves to developing and using clean The main energy consumed in our interim report The State of the Global Climate 2022. It pointed out that in recent energy, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We are engaged in the new energy industry. The PV production process is electricity, and years, the concentration of greenhouse gases has been rising, the heat has been film and PV backsheet we produce are the essential encapsulating materials of PV modules, which in 2022 we consumed 346 million accumulating, and the current and future impact of climate change are driving more play a role in the encapsulating and protection of PV modules, improve the photoelectric conversion kilowatt hours of electricity. By the attention. The climate change caused by economic behavior and population growth is efficiency of PV modules, and extend the service life of the modules. The energy we consume in the end of 2022, we have 37.19MW widely affecting human and natural systems in all continents and countries. Extreme photovoltaic power stations, which is generation process will eventually be generated by PV power, multiplying the clean energy output. equivalent to a reduction of 44,500 weather frequently occurs worldwide, posing a significant threat to human survival. We actively practice the "Solar-for-Solar" Negative Carbon Earth concept. In addition to building tons of carbon dioxide emissions From July to August 2022, the whole Northern Hemisphere was extremely hot. In distributed power generation system on the roof of our factory, we also developed various types of through it if we calculate the coal China, Chongqing issued a red alert for forest fires, and dozens of rivers and photovoltaic power stations. consumption per kilowatt hour. reservoirs dried up. In the US, 95% of California is classified as severe or extreme In 2022, the sales volume of our drought; The UK recorded highest ever temperature on 19 July, exceeding 40 for Types of risk/ Risks/ Responsive action photovoltaic film reached 1.321 opportunity Opportunities the first time. While the countries and regions like China, the US, and Europe suffer billion square meters, which is able from heat waves, others suffer from floods. Heavy rains have flooded to produce 140GW PV modules. ?Building a distributed power generation system on Pakistan, northeast India, Bangladesh, Nigeria, and other parts of South Asia. Since the roof of the building for internal use. Based on the coal consumption of Extreme weather caused ?Energy storage facilities are installed inside the June 2022, three-quarters of Pakistan has been flooded, hitting nearly 33 million kilowatt hour electricity, about 140 power, water and plant for emergency use. people and killing more than 1,000 by the end of August 2022, according to the Physical risk transportation problems, ?Analyze the water resources in the operating area million tons of carbon dioxide resulting in production and reserve alternate water sources. emissions can be reduced through the International Rescue Committee (IRC). disturbance. ?In the domestic and foreign construction of multiple production bases to disperse capacity concentration produced PV modules.2022 ESG Report Creating Customer Value ? Product Development ? Product Quality Control ? Supply Chain ManagementCreating Customer Value 2022 Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Report01 02 03 04 05 06 Creating Customer Employee and Social Sustainable Environmental Corporate About this Report Development System Protection Value Care Governance ? Sustainable Development Concept ? Report Instructions ? Low-Carbon Development and ? Employee Training and ? Product Development ? Corporate Governance Structure2022 ESG Report About this Report ? Report Instructions ? Letter from the Chairman ? Business Performance and Industry StatusAbout this Report? Report Instructions? Letter from the Chairman? Business Performance and Industry StatusThis report is Hangzhou First Applied Material Co., Ltd.'s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) report, which highlights Hangzhou First Applied Material Co., Ltd.'ssustainable development practices and achievements, as well as its environmental, social, and governance work in 2022 and previous years.Reporting ScopeAppellation DescriptionThis report covers Hangzhou First Applied Material Co., Ltd. and its subsidiaries. It is published For the sake of clarity and readability, the terms "FIRST," "the company," "our company," and "we" in thisannually, consistent with the financial year, and reports on the period from January 1, 2022, to Decemberreport refer to Hangzhou First Applied Material Co., Ltd. and its subsidiaries.31, 2022. To enhance readability, some content or data may refer to previous or subsequent years. Unless specified instruction all financial data is denoted in RMB.DisclaimerThis report contains forward-looking statements, including business plans and development strategies. TheseReporting Standardsstatements reflect the company's predictions of future events based on the current situation and may beinfluenced by unknown and uncertain factors that materially differ from the actual results. No forward-This report is in accordance with the requirements of the Shanghai Stock Exchange's "Guidelines forlooking or expected statement in this report constitutes a material commitment by the Company to investors.Environmental Information Disclosure of Listed Companies" and refers to the Global Reporting Initiative(GRI) Standards (latest GRI General Guidelines 2021) and the ESG Reporting Guide of the Hong Kong Report AccessStock Exchange.This report is available for download in electronic format from the Shanghai Stock Exchange (www.sse.com.cn) and Hangzhou First Applied Material Co., Ltd.'s website (www.firstpvm.com). For furtherSource of Informationinquiries, questions, or suggestions regarding this report, please contact the Company at the followingaddress:The information contained in this report is primarily derived from periodic reports or temporary Hangzhou First Applied Material Co., Ltd.announcements disclosed by the company. In the event of any discrepancies, the periodic report or13.981 Billion RMB 1.579 Billion RMB2022 ESG Report Sustainable Development System ? Sustainable Development Concept and ESG Management System ? Response to UN Sustainable Development Goals ? Stakeholder Communication ? R&D Innovation SystemSustainable DevelopmentSystem? Sustainable Development Concept and ESG Management System? Response to UN Sustainable Development Goals? Stakeholder Communication? R&D Innovation SystemAs we strive to advance sustainable development, we prioritize fostering communication and collaboration with stakeholders and consistently enhancing our communication channels. Weproactively seek out stakeholders' perspectives, comprehend their interests and needs, identify key stakeholders and their engagement methods, and promptly gather and organize feedbackfrom all parties. We respond with appropriate measures to satisfy reasonable expectations and requests from stakeholders, intending to progress alongside them. Through diverse forms ofstakeholder collaboration, we aspire to make meaningful contributions to sustainable societal progress.Types of stakeholders Main demands Main response measures Main communication methods? Consistent and stable investment? Strengthen the core competitivenessof the business ? Periodic reports and interim announcementsreturns? Fulfill information disclosure obligations in a timely manner ? Investors exchange events such as performanceShareholder? Understand the company's operations? Improve internal control management presentations? Sustainable development? Improve employee recruitment, training, promotion and other ? Decent working conditions ? Staff congresssystems? Broad career development ? Learning and training activitiesEmployee ? Continue to optimize the compensation and welfare system? Excellent compensation and benefits ? Employee care activities? Enrichstaff activities? Perfect health and safety guarantee ? Corporate website and WeChat public account? Strengthen occupational health and safety management? Implement the business philosophy of customer first? Stable and safe product ? Customer service? Strengthen the core competitiveness of the business? Competitively priced products ? Technical exchange? Continue to carry out R&D innovationCustomer? Solve quality problems quickly ? Industry exhibition? Comprehensively improve the company's production and? Provide excellent customer service ? New product launchmanagement capacity? Implement bidding procedures? Establish a list of qualified suppliers and conduct annual audits ? Supplier conference? Fair competition? Sign the integrity and self-discipline letter ? Supplier annual auditSupplier? Fulfill the contract on time? Pay attention to suppliers' demands ? Integrityreport platform? Win-win cooperation? Provide jobs and pay taxes ? Compliance operation? Drive the development of local and ? Cooperate with government inspection work ? Pay taxes in accordance with lawGovernment surrounding industries ? Improve internal compliance monitoring ? Government data reports? Operate legally and in compliance ? Ensure compliance with environmental, safety, and integrity ? Government related meetingslaws and regulations ? Accept government scrutiny?? We have a strong R&D team, with 560 R&D technicians as of December 31, 2022. Of these technicians,?560 R&D technicians, accounted for 15% of the total Conformity Assessment (CNAS) Laboratory2020 2021 202218% have master's degrees or above, and the proportion of R&D technicians is around 15% of the total?Zhejiang Key Enterprise Research Institutestaffstaff. We always prioritize R&D investment and have invested 309 million RMB, 454 million RMB, and 645?541 invention patents were applied for, and 205 valid ?Zhejiang Engineering Research Center of million RMB in 2020, 2021, and 2022, respectively, maintaining the lead in the industry with a 44.48%invention patents were authorized Photovoltaic encapsulation Materialscompound annual growth rate.?125 utility model patents were applied for, and 95?? We are also capable of independent research, development, and design of core equipment and2022 ESG Report Environmental Protection ? Low-Carbon Development and Green Operations ? Waste Management ? Chemical Safety ? Water Conservation ? Response to Climate ChangeEnvironmental Protection? Low-Carbon Development and Green Operations? Waste Management? Chemical Safety? Water Conservation? Response to Climate Changemanagement of pollutant discharge, improve the operation stability and treatment efficiency ofenvironmental protection facilities. Finally, regular monitoring of pollutant emission levels are carried outTo strengthen the management ofThe functional department of hazardous chemicals management. Responsible for the formulation and inspection of the regulations forhazardous chemicals, the preparation of safety notice cards, the management of related personnel,and related waste materialEHS Departmenthazardous chemicals, we haverecovery and disposal, etc.formulated the Hazardous ChemicalsManagement System in accordanceProcurement Follow the requirements of relevant laws and regulations on procurement, transportation, and storage of hazardouswith Order No. 344 of The Statechemicals, organize the procurement, transportation, storage, and disposal of hazardous chemicals.departmentCouncil, the Regulations on the SafetyManagement of HazardousManage the use of hazardous chemicals , and supervise whether employees operate according to the Material Safety Data SheetChemicals, and other relevant lawsUser departments(MSDS) provisions and whether they wear personal protective equipment correctly.and regulations to accurately andeffectively control theprocurement, transportation, storage,use, and disposal of wastes of allEmergencyhazardous chemicals.Application Waste treatmentProcurement Storage Usagetreatment1 2 3 4 5 6Fill in the List of Purchase from suppliers Check the safety and quality The user fills the Collect and store Formulate emergencyRequirements for Hazardous who hold the Production of hazardous chemicals Hazardous Chemicals Entry hazardous chemical waste. treatment plans forChemicals and submit it to and Operation License of when putting them into and Exit Warehouse The user departments and hazardousthe EHS department for Hazardous storage, store them in Form, record a detailed EHS department jointly chemicals, standardize theapproval and record. Chemicals, arrange the specific places that meet the information of hazardous determine the type of corresponding treatmentqualified transportation requirements of national chemicals, follow the waste, formulate legal and methods for accidents ofunit for delivery and sign a laws and regulations, set up corresponding safety compliant disposal different types and areas ofsafety responsibility letter obvious warning signs, and operation proceduresand plans, and cooperate with influence (includingwith the supplier and carry out daily safety product use instructions the qualified service adsorption andScientific water management We evaluate the current status of water resource and utilization for the production bases, assess the rationality of water usage and the potential impact of water intake, and implement protective measures to adopt reasonable water intake methods. We On November 6, 2022, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) released an We pay close attention to climate change, devote ourselves to developing and using clean The main energy consumed in our interim report The State of the Global Climate 2022. It pointed out that in recent energy, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We are engaged in the new energy industry. The PV production process is electricity, and years, the concentration of greenhouse gases has been rising, the heat has been film and PV backsheet we produce are the essential encapsulating materials of PV modules, which in 2022 we consumed 346 million accumulating, and the current and future impact of climate change are driving more play a role in the encapsulating and protection of PV modules, improve the photoelectric conversion kilowatt hours of electricity. By the attention. The climate change caused by economic behavior and population growth is efficiency of PV modules, and extend the service life of the modules. 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In the US, 95% of California is classified as severe or extreme In 2022, the sales volume of our drought; The UK recorded highest ever temperature on 19 July, exceeding 40 for Types of risk/ Risks/ Responsive action photovoltaic film reached 1.321 opportunity Opportunities the first time. While the countries and regions like China, the US, and Europe suffer billion square meters, which is able from heat waves, others suffer from floods. Heavy rains have flooded to produce 140GW PV modules. ?Building a distributed power generation system on Pakistan, northeast India, Bangladesh, Nigeria, and other parts of South Asia. Since the roof of the building for internal use. 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Supply Chain ManagementCreating Customer Value Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to chair a high-level meeting to review the security of Indians in violence-hit Sudan, sources said. Violence is on the rise in the North African country due to fighting that erupted between its army and paramilitary forces. An unspecified number of Indians are said to be stranded in the country amid the military and political crisis. Thousands of civilians have fled Sudan's capital Khartoum after fighting escalated in the region. At least 350 people have been killed in the fighting so far, according to Al Jazeera. On Thursday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met in New York and spoke about the developments in Sudan. "We had a very good meeting. Most of our meeting was on the Sudan situation. We also discussed the G20, and Ukraine conflict, but essentially it was about Sudan," Jaishankar told ANI. "In Sudan, the UN is trying to establish a ceasefire and that is really key because at the moment, unless there is a ceasefire and unless there are corridors, it's not safe for people really to come out," the External Affairs Minister said. Jaishankar yesterday said that the Indian government is in continuous touch with its citizens stuck in Sudan where fighting has been raging between forces loyal to Sudan's army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who commands the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The EAM said: "Our team in Delhi is in continuous touch with the Indians in Sudan, advising them, saying we know it's very difficult for everybody but keep calm and don't take unnecessary risk. I hope that the efforts will yield something very soon." The conflict began since a coup in 2021 between Sudan's military leader and his deputy on the ruling council erupted derailing a plan for a transition to a civilian democracy after the fall of longtime dictator Omar al-Bashir in 2019. Elections were supposed to be held by the end of 2023. However, according to reports, neither Abdel Fattah al-Burhan nor, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo appeared ready to relinquish power and the power struggle turned violent on April 15. Violent clashes were witnessed in Sudan since then between the country's army and a paramilitary group over a proposed timeline for handing over power to a civilian government.Earlier, the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the MEA is in contact with the Indian embassy in Sudan. "This is an issue on which we are keeping a very close watch and the evolving situation there," Bagchi said. "Our mission in Khartoum is in contact the Indian community there through formal and informal channels. Our embassy has issued several advisories," he added. A control room has also been opened in New Delhi to address the concerns more efficiently. "We have set up a 24x7 dedicated control room for providing information and assistance," Bagchi informed. "Most of the calls are being received in Khartoum. However, are people who are contacting here (MEA office in New Delhi). More than 100 calls have been received in less than 24 hours," Bagchi informed. Regarding the demise of an Indian in Sudan, Bagchi said, "There has been an unfortunate death of one Indian national. His body is currently at a hospital after a lot of effort, we have been able to get that body move from his apartment complex into a mortuary. Our embassy is in touch with the family of the deceased as well as the medical authorities there." "We are engaged with countries in the region and other countries that have a key role to play particularly, the US, UK, Saudi Arabia and the UAE," Bagchi said. The spokesperson said that the Indian ambassador in Washington DC and the High Commission in London are in touch with the respective host governments. "We are also working with various UN Bodies that are present since the UN has a significant presence there," Bagchi said. (ANI) A controversial new measure against homosexuality that calls for the death penalty in some circumstances has been rejected by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, who has asked that it be changed, according to Al Jazeera. The Uganda President announced the decision late on Thursday following his meeting with the parliamentarians in his ruling party, almost all of whom support the bill approved by lawmakers last month. According to a presidential spokeswoman, Museveni was not against the sentences suggested in the bill, but he did want lawmakers to look at "the issue of rehabilitation". According to Al Jazeera, spokesman Sandor Walusimbi posted on Twitter that Museveni "told the members that he had no objections to the punishments but on the issue of rehabilitation of the persons who have in the past been engaged in homosexuality but would like to live normal lives again." "It was agreed that the bill goes back to parliament for the issues of rehabilitation to be looked at before he can sign it into law," Walusimbi stated further. Earlier in March, Uganda had passed strict legislation for homosexual relationships in the country which criminalised anyone identifying as LGBTQ. The legislation forbids same-sex relationships as well as aiding and abetting homosexual behaviour as well as conspiring to participate in homosexual activity. Citing Human Rights Watch, Al Jazeera reported that more than 30 African countries have banned homosexuality, including Uganda now. In addition to harsh fines, the law stated that its violation can result in death for so-called "aggravated" homosexuality and life in jail for gay sex. According to the law, aggravated homosexuality includes, among other things, having gay intercourse with minors or when a person is HIV positive. (ANI) US discovered six more Chinese spy bases after the FBI busted Chinese 'police station' in New York City, reported New York Post (NYP). The FBI helped shut down a clandestine Chinese "police station" in Manhattan after the arrest of two alleged operatives earlier this week. Lu Jianwang, 61, and Chen Jinping, 59, both New York residents, are facing charges of conspiracy to act as China's agents and obstruction of justice. Meanwhile, NYP informed that there are several more of these illegal organizations scattered across the US. "We found at least four listed in the US by PRC (People's Republic of China) public security authorities, plus flagged an additional four overseas Chinese service centers in the US set up by the UFWD networks responsible for manning the stations," a spokeswoman for Safeguard Defenders told NYP. In addition to the Chinese police station above a noodle restaurant in Manhattan's Chinatown, there is another station at an undisclosed address in New York City, as well as an outpost in Los Angeles, according to a new report by Safeguard Defenders. In addition to Los Angeles and New York, the nonprofit has found so-called "overseas service stations" in San Francisco and Houston as well as in cities in Nebraska and Minnesota. The Madrid-based human rights group initially published a report last year detailing 100 clandestine Chinese police stations around the world. These law enforcement organizations, operated by the Chinese Communist Party, are tasked with spying on Chinese nationals around the world, reported NYP. However, Beijing denied running these stations, characterizing them as "service centers" for overseas Chinese nationals. UFWD is an acronym for United Front Work Department, a Chinese government agency that controls overseas ethnic and religious affairs. Often, the police stations -- whose operatives allegedly spy on dissidents and others -- hide behind nonprofits and community associations, according to Safeguard Defenders' reports. These police stations are part of at least 100 functioning across 53 countries, including the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. Last month, Canadian police initiated an investigation into two sites near Montreal suspected to be Chinese police outposts. Beijing is apprehensive about its citizens going rogue in a "third" country, particularly in the US and European cities. As a result, Chinese security agencies have been actively intimidating dissidents abroad to avoid international embarrassment on human rights issues and quash any signs of rebellion. Interestingly, Chinese government uses 'Chinatowns' in different cities across the globe for its covert activities. In Chinatown, the police station was run by the America ChangLe Association NY Inc, which owns the building at 107 East Broadway where the operation was located, NYP revealed in October. The nonprofit, which listed its charitable mission as a "social gathering place for Fujianese people," paid USD 1.3 million in 2016 for the suite of offices that houses the Fuzhou Police Overseas Chinese Affairs bureau at the East Broadway location, filings show. As reported last year by Safeguard Defenders, a human rights organization that monitors disappearances in China, Beijing has established 102 covert police stations across 53 countries to monitor and harass Chinese citizens residing abroad. These stations are primarily located in Europe, with nine in Spain, four in Italy, three in France, two in the Netherlands, and three in the United Kingdom, specifically in London and Glasgow, where their activities have been under police investigation. With China's increased geopolitical assertiveness under President Xi Jinping, the country has become more aggressive in safeguarding its global image by employing repressive measures against its own citizens in various parts of the world. (ANI) Supporting India's candidature for a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council, Professor Robert AF Thurman, Co-founder and President of the Tibet House in New York, said that the five permanent members of the UNSC are unable to resolve conflicts diplomatically and engaged in wars while India has the potential to bring peace in the world. He said, "Today in the United Nations, the five permanent security council members are the five big arms dealers on the planet so they naturally will not make peace and that has to change for example India, a huge country should be in the permanent member of the Security Council. Brazil, you know, Germany, Japan and not just the five people who think they won the world war." He asserted that India has every right to be the centre for the congregation of all the Buddhists as it has been following the principle of non-violence and shown the path of peace to the world rather than the war which some countries have been adopting to invade another country. He is also a recipient of India's Padma Shri Award. Terming India as the land of Lord Buddha, Lord Mahavira and Mahatma Gandhi, Professor Robert AF Thurman said that India has been promoting peace through Buddhism. "Well, I see it in the terms that Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid out earlier yesterday where he mentioned that India has the principle of non-violence and peace rather than war or as many countries, their major effort or expense is defence and which they call it defence and then one of them invades another country for eg United States foolishly invaded Iraq the second time and Afghanistan occupied." He went on to say that attacking the enemy in another country to defend your country is admissible but to invade a country or occupy the country is "terrible". He said, "They (US) had a right to attack their enemies in Afghanistan who bombed in New York but after that to occupy a country was a terrible mistake as obviously...and now Russia has invaded Ukraine and that is really terrible,"He made the remarks as he came to attend the Global Buddhist Summit in New Delhi. The two-day summit is being hosted by the Ministry of Culture in collaboration with International Buddhist Confederation (IBC). The theme of the Global Buddhist Summit is 'Responses to Contemporary Challenges: Philosophy to Praxis.' He said that India is a land where Buddha took birth and it has every right to be the centre to assemble all the Buddhists. Speaking to ANI, he said, "India has never done an invasion on anybody not perfect of course but they had to defend themselves of course on the other hand and so India has a right because of Gandhi, Buddha, Mahavira, Jains to say non-violence is the principle of the country and that makes sense. And also it happens to be the land on the subcontinent where Buddha took birth although the modern country of India ofcourse didn't exist at that time, there were many small countries. So, they have every right to be the centre to assemble all the Buddhists and to stand for the principle and even not to give up the hope that the world can be the world at peace." Speaking about the Dalai Lama's remarks at the Global Buddhist Summit, he said, "His Holiness The Dalai Lama who also blessed this conference enormously by coming today. He always says and has been saying for 30 years that the 20th century was the century of terrible violence as the world wars marked the end of colonialism worldwide and the 21st century has to be a century of peace. Unfortunately, in the first 23 years of this century, there have been terrible wars and the US is guilty to some extent and my country (US) is guilty of unprovoked wars." He said that every person in the world needs freedom and called India a free country. He said, "Freedom is a thing that people need, that is what human people need, human beings need. India is a free country, a bit chaotic like the US is, but we have to be partners in seeing that the whole planet is like that." Responding to a question regarding China following expansionist policy, he termed dictatorship dangerous as the dictator has to suppress their own people but the Chinese nationals like freedom. "Well, you see that the danger of dictatorship is that the dictator has to suppress their own people because it is not true that Chinese people are not the same human beings who do not like freedom because they are. There are some theories.... that Chinese people don't want democracy and they pretend some Western... or some nonsense like that. Actually, Chinese people are just people and every people even in a family like to be free," he told ANI. "They don't want to be completely under one person and also their talent can't come out unless they are free and they won't be creative...So, the point is I see that dictatorships are dangerous because their own people resent being bossed around by the dictator. So, the dictator has to push that there is an enemy out there, they try to deflect resentment of the people against them, against some foreigner and they awake a war and that is an age-old principle that people that everyone can observe in history. So, we don't need governance where people can have their say right at home and if you are free to say it, they will disagree, and there will maybe be local squabbles and fights because humans are like that. But, overall they are not estranged to an enemy, to a neighbour that's really important," he added. He emphasized that Buddhism can play a part in spreading peace and harmony in the world. "Buddhism can do that, Dalai Lama has a slogan in which he says 'world peace through inner peace' which means that if people learn to control themselves and be friendly and loving and peaceful with each other. Then, they won't have violence and conflict." Professor Robert AF Thurman further said that if the world sees other people of the world as a family, then there would get along and will not have issues with each other. (ANI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday held a meeting with Suriname counterpart Albert Ramdin in Guyana. Taking to his official Twitter handle, Jaishankar recalled Suriname President Chan Santokhi's visit to India for the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas which he stressed further strengthened the "age-old ties" between the two nations. Jaishankar tweeted, "Began the morning in Guyana by meeting FM Albert Ramdin of Suriname. Recalled President @CSantokhi's visit for the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas this January which has further deepened our age old ties." Jaishankar arrived in Guyana on Friday for a three-day visit to the country. On reaching the Guyanese capital of Georgetown, the EAM was received by Guyana's Foreign Minister Hugh Todd. In a tweet, the External Affairs Minister wrote, "Arrived in Georgetown, Guyana to a warm reception from FM Hugh Todd. Look forward to a productive visit. " Apart from calling on the leadership and interacting with several Ministers in Guyana, Jaishankar be co-chairing the Joint Commission Meeting with his counterpart Hugh Hilton Todd which will entail discussions on the whole gamut of issues between the two countries. According to the official release of the Ministry of External Affairs, the EAM's visit to Guyana would also be an opportunity for a meeting of Foreign Ministers in the India-COFCOR (Council on Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR), a group of 15-member Caribbean Community (CARICOM) format and hold bilateral meetings with participating ministers. After his visit to Guyana, Jaishankar will visit Panama from April 24-25. He will be calling on top leadership and would be hosted by Foreign Minister Janaina Tewaney Mencomo. During this visit, the India-SICA Foreign Ministerial Meeting will also be convened wherein he would meet representatives of the eight-country Central American Integration System (SICA). After his visit to Panama, the EAM will be visiting Colombia from April 25-27 where he would be meeting several top representatives of the government, business and civil society. During the visit, he will meet with Colombian Foreign Minister Alvaro Leyva Duran and review the bilateral ties. Furthermore, Jaishankar will visit the Dominican Republic from April 27-29. It is the highest-level visit from India since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two nations in 1999. EAM will be holding talks with Dominican Republic Foreign Minister Roberto Alvarez. The two leaders will formally inaugurate the Indian resident mission. He is also expected to make an address at the Dominican Republic Foreign Ministry. (ANI) India, Sweden on Friday discussed how the two countries can learn from each other and work on the further development of the aviation sector. The discussions were led by Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation General VK Singh and Sweden's Minister for Infrastructure and Housing, Andreas Carlson. Carlson in a meeting with Singh on Friday said: "When India plans investments in infrastructure and aviation, it also needs smaller aeroplanes. They work very hard on it in Sweden." He further said: "We see those electric aeroplanes in the developing phase right now, but they will be in the market in just five years. You can have electric flights for domestic shorter short-haul flights from the beginning. They can have a range of 800 kilometres with the 25 passengers combined with electric electricity and biofuel." Both countries can work together to find ways forward, he noted. Carlson on Friday noted that the aviation sector has always been an enabler of economic development, job creation and connectivity. It contributes to both social and economic cohesion and is the major facilitator of global trade. Carlson was on a two-day visit to India to discuss bilateral trade relations, sustainability, and aviation between India and Sweden. Carlson and Singh discussed how the two countries can cooperate on air traffic management, airspace design, and ways to reduce carbon footprints, lower emissions and also strengthen competitiveness, and higher productivity. Carlson said India is, by far, a larger country and Sweden is one of the EU's wide-distance countries. However, both countries have some similar challenges when it comes to connectivity in rural areas, he noted. "We discussed ways to promote aviation in a sustainable way, and in a way which reduces emissions and carbon footprints. We have common goals and India is significantly investing in building new airports and increasing their capacity. We are interested in learning from each other, share best practices and engage in discussion on an EU level and on cooperation between the EU and India," he said. (ANI) From French fine dining in San Francisco to boundary-pushing Vietnamese cuisine in D.C., these are the best restaurants in America, according to our readers. Courtesy of Moon Rabbit Global Tastemakers is our first-ever readers choice awards, celebrating the best culinary destinations in the U.S. and abroad. F&W readers voted based on travel completed within the past three years, on categories including restaurants and bars, cities, hotels, airports, airlines, and cruises. Due to the limitations of pandemic travel, this years Global Tastemakers winners reflect a smaller portion of the globe. In many categories, were including an editors pick to shout out some more culinary destinations in places you cant miss. See all the winners at foodandwine.com/globaltastemakers. The restaurants our readers voted for as the countrys best in our first-ever Global Tastemakers awards draw inspiration from cuisines that span the globe, from Italy and Vietnam to Mexico, France, and beyond. The No. 1 spot on this list goes to a restaurant that borrows from Italys diverse regions, with comforting versions of Roman trattoria fare side-by-side with cotoletta alla milanese. Below, find the full list of the 10 best U.S. restaurants, as voted by Food & Wine readers. Yolan Courtesy Yolan Restaurant Acclaimed chef Tony Mantuano set the bar for Italian fine dining at Spiaggia in Chicago, and hes done it again at Yolan, located inside the Joseph, a Luxury Collection Hotel in Nashville. He and his wife, Cathy, a wine and hospitality expert, have created a serious food destination that doesnt take itself too seriously, with fun touches like an Aperol Spritz cart with riffs on the classic aperitivo. The tasting menu draws inspiration from various regions, with Roman classics like bucatini allamatriciana and cacio e pepe, as well as cotoletta alla Milanese. Peek inside the glass-enclosed cheese cave, which houses 80-pound wheels of Parmigiano Reggiano and other Italian cheeses. Story continues Merois Courtesy of Merois This glamorous restaurant on the rooftop of the Pendry West Hollywood proves that Wolfgang Puck has still got it. With draped fabric creating a tented effect, chandeliers, and floor-to-ceiling glass walls that offer sweeping views of Los Angeles, the gorgeous interiors set the tone for sophisticated, thoughtful dishes. Puck takes culinary inspiration from countries including Japan, China, Thailand, Singapore, and Mongolia to create a wide-ranging menu that runs the gamut from delicate sashimi to flavor-packed red Thai curry with shrimp, sea bream, and lemongrass-coconut broth. Camphor Tiffanie Marie Chefs Max Boonthanakit and Lijo George met in Bangkok while working at Blue by Alain Ducasse, and Ducasses influence can be felt at their Michelin-starred restaurant in L.A.s hip Arts District, which fuses French techniques with South Asian flavors. The menu sidesteps seasonality and instead goes all in on luxuriously timeless preparations, with dishes like lentils and lamb featuring traces of cumin and cardamom or seared beef tenderloin in Cognac cream sauce infused with peppercorn. With just a pop of color from the navy banquettes, the stark white dining room creates a sleek, modern backdrop for the chefs contemporary creations. Providence John Troxxell This two-Michelin-starred fine-dining restaurant, helmed by award-winning chef Michael Cimarusti, might be the best place to eat seafood in Los Angeles. Cimarusti sources the best quality sustainable seafood from American waters, turning the raw material into artful and delicious dishes. The menu changes often, but you might get a gently cooked Pacific oyster topped with Champagne butter and caviar or salt-roasted Santa Barbara spot prawns. With tasting menus priced at $295 per person, its definitely a special occasion kind of place, but Providence feels less fussy and more laid-back than the typical fine-dining restaurant. Aldama Andrea Grujic This hip restaurant in the shadow of the Williamsburg Bridge in Brooklyn serves the kind of ambitious Mexican cuisine more commonly found in Mexico City than in New York. The vibe manages to be modern, a bit rustic, and sultry all at once, with wooden tables, chairs with basket-like woven seats, mezcal served in clay copitas, and Latin American music setting the tone. Must-try dishes include the vegan mole negro, daikon tostadas, and taco de trompo, with pork belly, flank steak, adobo, and pineapple-serrano gel on an heirloom corn tortilla. Atelier Crenn John Troxell For many, a meal at Atelier Crenn is a once-in-a-lifetime event worth traveling to San Francisco for. Legendary chef-proprietor Dominique Crenn broke records when she became the first two-, then three-Michelin-starred female chef in the U.S. Now Crenn is using her platform to champion sustainability. Atelier Crenn is the first restaurant in the U.S. to become certified plastic-free, and it recently did away with meat entirely due to its harmful impact on the planet. The restaurant now serves pescatarian tasting menus. Le Bernardin Nigel Parry It would be impossible to list all the awards and accolades bestowed upon this iconic New York City restaurant since it opened in 1986. Chef Eric Ripert has guaranteed the consistently superb quality of the menu for nearly 30 years and has three Michelin stars to prove it. The emphasis here is on seafood, though there are a few meat dishes and a vegetarian tasting menu. But why would you order filet mignon when you could eat delicate scallop carpaccio with basil julienne or pan-roasted dover sole with green olives, toasted almonds, and aged sherry wine emulsion? Thats what you go to Le Bernardin for. Zou Zous Noah Feck A relatively new addition to New York Citys restaurant scene, this glitzy spot inside the Pendry Manhattan West is a good reason to make the trek to Hudson Yards. Quality Branded the hospitality group behind Don Angie and Quality Meats has created a stand-out Eastern Mediterranean restaurant. Popular dishes include the platter of dips (hummus with black garlic, ember-roasted eggplant, whipped ricotta with saffron apricots, green tahini with aquafaba and cilantro, and kabocha squash with brown butter and toasted almonds), the duck borek, and Yemeni au poivre kebab. Moon Rabbit Courtesy of Moon Rabbit At this must-visit Michelin-starred restaurant inside the InterContinental Washington D.C. The Wharf, chef Kevin Tien does wondrous things with Vietnamese cuisine. Named one of our Best New Chefs in 2018, when he was cooking at Himitsu his first solo effort as a chef he is leaning even more into inspiration from his first-generation, Vietnamese-American upbringing, which began in Louisiana. Bring a group because these dishes are meant for sharing, and youll want to taste as much as possible. Benu Courtesy of Benu Award-winning chef Corey Lee surprises and delights guests with highly technical preparations and ambitious tasting menus at Benu, earning many accolades and three Michelin stars in the process. The restaurant feels like a tranquil oasis in the center of San Francisco. The dishes are contemporary interpretations of classics like xiao long bao and Korean beef barbecue. What unites them all is Lees singular insistence on perfection. Editors Pick: Daru (Washington, DC) Scott Suchman for The Washington Post / Getty Images This spectacular Indian-ish restaurant in Washington, D.C., is nothing short of delightful. A meal at Daru is always surprising in the best way, with showstoppers including tacos filled with tandoori-grilled chicken, fluffy naan brushed with zaatar olive oil, gorgeous striped bass cooked in makrut lime leaves, and even burrata swimming in black daal. (Dont miss the cocktail with Indian whiskey, banana, and black walnut.) No matter the day, chef Suresh Sundas and bar manager Dante Datta remain committed to regional Indian flavors while using American ingredients in surprising, soul-warming ways. - F&W Editors For more Food & Wine news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Food & Wine. Here is a Lexington list and guide of the best weekend events around Central Kentucky on Friday, Saturday and Sunday if you are bored and need things to do from live music concerts such as Lizzo, theatre plays and musicals, 5K benefit runs, summer concert series, kid-friendly events, comedy shows, the Keeneland Spring Meet and dance shows. SCAPA musicial: Newsies at the Lexington Opera House SCAPA students from Lafayette High School will perform Disneys Newsies at the Lexington Opera House on April 21 at 7 p.m. and April 22 at 1 p.m. Tickets are $21. 401 W Short St. LexingtonOperaHouse.com. SCAPA at Lafayette will be presenting the Disney musical Newsies live at The Lexington Opera House this musical. Comedian Chris Porter at Comedy Off Broadway Comedian Chris Porter will perform at Comedy Off Broadway on April 21 at 7 and 9:30 p.m. and April 22 at 6:30 and 9 p.m. Tickets are $15-18. 161 Lexington Green Cir #C4. ComedyOffBroadway.com. Theatre play: Shakespeare in Love by UK Theatre & Dance UK Department of Theatre & Dance will present a stage adaptation of Academy Award winning movie Shakespeare In Love at the Guignol Theatre on April 21 and 22 at 7:30 p.m. and April 23 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15-20. 465 Rose St. FineArts.UKy.edu. It's opening week for "Shakespeare in Love"! There are still seats available so get your tickets now! www.singletarycenter.com | 859.257.4929 #ukdotd #ShakespeareInLove #wildlycreative #theatre Posted by University of Kentucky Department of Theatre and Dance on Monday, April 17, 2023 Amadeus Lex concert in Lexington and Winchester The Amadeus Lex Concert Series will continue with a performance at St. Luke United Methodist Church in Lexington on April 21 at 7:30 p.m. and St. Joseph Catholic Church in Winchester on April 22 at 7:30 p.m. Both shows are free to attend. 2351 Alumni Dr and 248 S Main St, Winchester. AmadeusLex.com. Tribute concert: A Celebration Of Prince at The Burl Brother Smith, Leah Connolly, Eric Bolander, David Chill Napier and other local artists will come together to honor Prince during a tribute concert at The Burl on April 21 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $17. 375 Thompson Rd. TheBurlKy.com. Story continues Wicked Peace concert at Als Bar Lexington and Versailles based indie rock band Wicked Peace will celebrate the release of its new, self-titled album with a concert at Als Bar featuring special guests Lylak and Urameshi on April 21 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10. 601 N Limestone. Eventbrite.com. Lizzo plays Rupp Arena on Saturday April 22. Its her first concert in Lexington, Ky. Lizzo concert at Rupp Arena Grammy Award winning rapper (and occasional flutist) Lizzo will bring The Special 2our to Rupp Arena with special guest Latto on April 22 at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $69.50 and very few are available. 430 W Vine St. RuppArena.com. Lexington, how you feelin? Ready for pop star flute goddess Lizzos Rupp concert? Wesley Waddle 10K5K at Asbury Theological Seminary The 7th Annual Wesley Waddle 10K5K benefiting Refuge for Women, a nationally recognized organization that provides long-term care for women who have escaped human trafficking, at the Asbury Theological Seminary on April 22 at 8 a.m. Tickets are $25 for the 5K and $30 for the 10K. 204 N Lexington Ave, Wilmore. RunSignUp.com. Spent concert at Manchester Music Hall Central Kentucky based metal band Spent will celebrate its 20 year anniversary with a concert at Manchester Music Hall on April 22 at 8 p.m. with special guests All Saints Fade, Taylor Road, Brett & Donnie, and comedian Tim Mars. Tickets are $20-99 with proceeds benefiting the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge of Lexington. 899 Manchester St. ManchesterMusicHall.com. Keeneland Kids Club Family Day Children 12 and under who are members of Keenelands free to join Kids Club and their families can enjoy free general admission and access to reserved Grandstand seating, face painting and other activities during Keeneland Kids Club Family Day on April 23 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. 4201 Versailles Rd. Keeneland.com. Wei-Ping Lin, Associate Concertmaster of the Radio Symphony Orchestra Vienna, will perform this weekend at Faith Lutheran Church. Wei-Ping Lin concert at Faith Lutheran Church The Harstad Fine Arts Series will present a concert from Taiwan born, Vienna based violin virtuoso Wei-Ping Lin at Faith Lutheran Church on April 23 at 3 p.m. The event is free to attend. 1000 Tates Creek Rd. Eventbrite.com. Black Jacket Symphony concert at the Lexington Opera House The Black Jacket Symphony will present Tom Pettys Full Moon Fever in full at the Lexington Opera House on April 23 at 4 and 8 p.m. Tickets start at $36. 401 W Short St. LexingtonOperaHouse.com. Reflections: A Drag Show! at the Lyric Theatre Bluegrass Black Pride and The Lyric Theatre will present the 23rd edition of Reflections: A Drag Show! on April 23 at 6 p.m.Tickets to the joint fundraising event are $10 for adults and $7 for children 12 and under. 300 E Third St. LexingtonLyric.com. The Tahlsound Concert Series takes place on the Oleika Great Lawn, 302 Southland Dr. Tahlsound Concert Series season at the Oleika Temple Great Lawn The Tahlsound Concert Series will kick off its 2023 music season on the Oleika Temple Great Lawn with a concert from Cincinnatis Buffalo Wabs & The Price Hill Hustle, Darrin Hacquard and Abe Partridge on April 23 at 6 p.m. General admission tickets are on a pay what you can scale. 302 Southland Dr. Tahlsound.com. Matt Wickstrom is a freelancer covering food, music and more. You can follow him on Instagram at @WickstromWrites . Four men were arrested in North Texas after 142 pounds of marijuana and multiple guns were seized Tuesday, according to the DeSoto Police Department. The DeSoto Police Department High-Intensity Crime Reduction Unit was tracking suspects movements and had assistance from the Midlothian Police Department, Duncanville Police Department, and Cedar Hill Police Department patrol officers and a K-9 unit during the investigation that started Tuesday, according to a news release. Officers from Duncanville and Cedar Hill carried out traffic stops on suspects, and DeSotos HICRU served a search warrant at a home in the 400 block of Kimmel in Cedar Hill. The investigation led to the arrests of four men. Six handguns, two assault-style pistols, an assault-style rifle and over $42,000 in cash were seized in addition to the 142 pounds of marijuana, police said. One of the handguns was stolen, according to police. The four men who were arrested are identified as Devin Jamil Crenshaw, 22, of Duncanville; Damare Jaheim Lofton, 21, of Dallas; Ashton Javine Turner, 22, of Dallas; and Trevor Jesse Nielsen, 21, of Cedar Hill. Criminal activity does not stop at our boundaries, so we are grateful for the partnership that we have with our surrounding police agencies, said DeSoto Police Chief Joseph Costa in the release. The DeSoto Police Department would like to thank our friends at the Midlothian Police Department, the Duncanville Police Department, and the Cedar Hill Police Department including their canine officers for removing this public threat from our region. The Queen during her Diamond Jubilee tour. Arthur Edwards/Getty Images Queen Elizabeth II would have turned 97 on April 21. Elizabeth became queen after the death of her father, King George, on February 6, 1952. The royal was photographed alongside US presidents, well-wishers, and a corgi or two. Prior to ascending to the throne, a 19-year-old Princess Elizabeth was photographed learning how to change a car wheel as an auxiliary officer of the English Army. Queen Elizabeth learning how to change a car wheel as an auxiliary officer of the English Army in 1945. Roger Viollet/Getty Images When she was just 18 years old, the Queen, then Princess Elizabeth, joined the Women's Auxiliary Territorial Service, a branch of the military. It was there that she learned how to drive a truck and change a spark plug. Queen Elizabeth is the only female member of the royal family to have been in the armed forces. Elizabeth shared a close bond with her father, pictured here with her, and was heartbroken when he passed away. King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in the gardens at Windsor Castle, England, on July 8, 1946. Lisa Sheridan/Studio Lisa/Hulton Archive/Getty Images When she was young, Elizabeth didn't anticipate becoming Queen. Her father became King George VI after his brother abdicated. He had failed to recover from a lung operation and died shortly afterward in his sleep on February 6, 1952. He was just 56 years old. Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip were married on November 20, 1947, at Westminster Abbey. Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip wave from the balcony of Buckingham Palace on their wedding day in 1947. Keystone/Getty Images The pair met for the first time when Princess Elizabeth was just 8 years old, and Philip was 13. Philip was born into the Greek and Danish royal families and is a distant cousin of Elizabeth's. They both descend from the Victoria royal line. The wedding took place after World War II, which was reflected in the grandeur of the ceremony and celebrations. The British government awarded Princess Elizabeth an extra 200 clothing coupons for her to purchase her wedding gown, and 2,500 guests attended the ceremony at Westminster Abbey. Newlyweds Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip were photographed here on their honeymoon. Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth (who was Princess Elizabeth at the time) on their honeymoon in 1947. Topical Press Agency/Getty Images The first part of the couple's honeymoon was spent at Broadlands in Hampshire, the country home of Prince Philip's uncle, Earl Mountbatten. They then traveled on, accompanied by one of Elizabeth's corgis, to Balmoral Castle in Scotland. Story continues Elizabeth, pictured below the same year she ascended the throne, was just 25 when she was proclaimed Queen Elizabeth II. Queen Elizabeth and one of her corgis in 1952. Getty Images She is pictured with one of her many corgis from over the years. Queen Elizabeth has owned more than 30 corgis since 1945, as well as a number of corgi-dachshund mixed-breed dogs known as "dorgis." Elizabeth was officially crowned Queen in June 1953. Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh wave at the crowds from the balcony at Buckingham Palace after Elizabeth's coronation on June 2, 1953. Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images However, she had technically assumed the role when her father passed away over a year earlier. Though casual portraits of the royal family are rare, this snap of Queen Elizabeth picnicking at Balmoral Castle in Scotland is one of the most iconic royal family photos. The royal family picnicking at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. Getty Images Queen Elizabeth is pictured here with her husband, Prince Philip, eldest son Charles, Princess Anne, and an infant Prince Andrew. Queen Elizabeth met 13 US presidents during her reign. Prince Philip, first lady Jacqueline Kennedy, Queen Elizabeth, and President John F. Kennedy in 1961. Photoquest/Getty Images She is pictured here alongside Prince Philip, first lady Jacqueline Kennedy, and President John F. Kennedy in 1961. Candid private photos of Queen Elizabeth were few and far between, so this photo of her and Prince Philip on an airplane stands out. Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip on the plane during the filming of a BBC documentary, circa 1969. Bettmann/Contributor/Getty Images The photo was taken during the filming of a controversial BBC documentary film centered around the royal family in 1969. The premiere of the film was viewed by 30 million people but was later removed from public view by the royal family. Queen Elizabeth was photographed in March 1981 with Prince Charles and Diana Spencer shortly after the young couple announced their engagement. Prince Charles and Diana Spencer with Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace on March 7, 1981. Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images It was reportedly Queen Elizabeth herself who later encouraged her eldest son and Princess Diana to end their marriage, according to a report in the LA Times. Queen Elizabeth met scores of celebrities throughout her reign, though none quite so iconic as the Spice Girls. Queen Elizabeth shakes hands with members of the Spice Girls in 1997. Tim Graham Picture Library/Getty Images She is pictured here meeting "Baby Spice" Emma Bunton and "Posh Spice" Victoria Beckham in 1997. In an iconic yet somber photograph, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip can be seen walking past a public memorial to Princess Diana at the gates of Buckingham Palace. Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip walk past the gates of Buckingham Palace during the public funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales, on September 6, 1997. John Shelley Collection/Avalon/Getty Images CNN reported that 10 to 15 tons of bouquets, including 60 million individual flowers, were laid in Princess Diana's honor following her death in August 1997. The public funeral was held on September 6, 1997, and was attended by Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip, Prince Charles, and their two sons, Prince Harry and Prince William. Queen Elizabeth met President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama in April 2009. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama meeting Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, in April 2009. Anwar Hussein/Getty Images. Last year, Obama recounted the experience and said she reminded him a little of his own grandmother. "Before I took office, Michelle and I hadn't been to too many palaces," Obama said during the 2022 BBC broadcast of Trooping the Colour. "So, we weren't sure what to expect on our first trip to Buckingham. But we shouldn't have been worried. Her Majesty put us at ease with her grace and generosity. So much so that I walked away thinking she actually reminded me a little bit of my grandmother." "And in the years since, I like to think Her Majesty and I have formed a special relationship of our own," he continued. "Certainly, I can say that getting to know her was one of the great privileges of my years in office. And I learned so much from seeing the example she set for all of us who have the privilege to serve." Queen Elizabeth also met with President Donald Trump. The two shared a toast during a State Banquet at Buckingham Palace on June 3, 2019. President Donald Trump and Queen Elizabeth toast during a State Banquet at Buckingham Palace on June 3, 2019. Dominic Lipinski/WPA Pool/Getty Images Of the meeting, Trump said that the pair had a great amount of fun, so much so that "her people said she hasn't had so much fun in 25 years." "Then I got criticized for it because they said we were having too much fun," Trump told Fox News in June 2019. Trump later called the Queen an "incredible lady." Queen Elizabeth is pictured here laughing with Meghan Markle in June 2018. Meghan Markle with Queen Elizabeth. Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images After Meghan Markle and Prince Harry left their royal positions, it was assumed that their relationship with the Queen, like their rapports with Prince William and Kate Middleton, had become strained. However, while Prince Harry and Meghan Markle did not reveal much in their bombshell Oprah interview in March 2021 about their relationship with Prince Philip, they did speak about their positive rapport with the Queen. "I've spoken more to my grandmother in the last year than I have done for many, many years," Harry said, while Markle said the Queen "has always been wonderful to me." Queen Elizabeth was photographed with her husband, Prince Philip, to commemorate their 60th wedding anniversary. Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth in November 2007. Tim Graham/Getty Images By then, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip had reached another important milestone they were the longest-married couple in the history of the royal family. Prince Philip passed away at the age of 99 on April 9, 2021. Queen Elizabeth sat alone at her husband's funeral. Queen Elizabeth sits alone at Prince Philip's funeral. Jonathan Brady - WPA Pool/Getty Images Prince Harry, Prince William, and Kate Middleton were also in attendance at the funeral, though they sat separately to follow COVID-19 regulations. Some of the most iconic photos of Queen Elizabeth show her wearing extremely colorful outfits. Queen Elizabeth smiles as she arrives in Scotland in 2015. Chris Jackson/Getty Images Throughout her 70-year reign, the Queen became known for her classic, yet colorful, personal style. She was often seen in perfectly coordinated dresses, coats, and hats, always accessorized with one of her signature handbags. However, she did sometimes favor bolder outfits. In 2022, Queen Elizabeth celebrated 70 years on the throne. The Queen during her Diamond Jubilee tour. Arthur Edwards/Getty Images She was the only British monarch to reach this milestone. "I continue to be inspired by the goodwill shown to me, and hope that the coming days will provide an opportunity to reflect on all that has been achieved during the last seventy years, as we look to the future with confidence and enthusiasm," Queen Elizabeth said in a statement. Queen Elizabeth was last pictured greeting newly elected prime minister Liz Truss on September 6, 2022. Queen Elizabeth greets the newly elected leader of the Conservative party Liz Truss as she arrives at Balmoral Castle on September 6, 2022. Jane Barlow/WPA Pool/Getty Images On September 8, Buckingham Palace announced that the Queen was under medical supervision as the royal's medical doctors were "concerned for Her Majesty's health." In a statement shared on Twitter shortly after noon local time, Truss said the "whole country will be deeply concerned by the news from Buckingham Palace this lunchtime." "My thoughts and the thoughts of people across our United Kingdom are with Her Majesty The Queen and her family at this time," Truss wrote. Queen Elizabeth II "died peacefully at Balmoral" on September 8, an official announcement read. Read the original article on Insider The Czech Republic considers Vietnam its most important partner in Southeast Asia and wants to ramp up cooperation with Vietnam in all fields, Prime Minister Petr Fiala told his host, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, during their talks in Hanoi on April 21. Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) and his Czech counterpart Petr Fiala shake hands ahead of their talks in Hanoi on April 21 morning. Fiala, who is in Hano for an official visit to Vietnam on April 20-22, said Vietnam is a potential economic partner of the Czech Republic, and more and more Czech businesses are interested in expanding their investment and business in Vietnam. Chinh for his part reiterated Vietnams consistent policy of promoting relations with its traditional friends, including the Czech Republic, a priority partner in central Europe. He welcomed Fiala on his first official visit to Vietnam which he said would provide fresh impetus to the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation between the two countries. Both host and guest shared the view that the two countries should increase the exchange of high-level delegations to outline orientations for future cooperation and particularly to improve the efficiency of cooperation mechanism. The two sides should establish a new cooperation framework to make a breakthrough in bilateral cooperation, they stressed. The PMs acknowledged the two sides efforts in bolstering trade exchanges on the back of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), noting two-way trade last year hitting US$848 million, a year-on-year rise of 15%. They agreed to raise the annual trade figure to US$1 billion in the next one or two years by fully and effectively implementing the EVFTA and improving the efficiency of the Joint-Governmental Committee on economic cooperation. They consented to encourage Czech businesses to promote investment in Vietnam, especially in the fields of Czech strength such as automobile manufacturing, digital transformation, renewable energy, environment, and infrastructure construction. They also agreed to create favourable conditions for Vietnamese agricultural and aquatic products to enter the Czech market. Chinh welcomed the Czech Republics ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), and asked it to lobby other EU member states to soon ratify the deal. Meanwhile, Fiala said the Czech Republic supports strengthening cooperation on sustainable fisheries development between the European Union and Vietnam, and expects the European Commission will soon remove the IUU yellow card for Vietnamese seafood exported to the bloc. The two leaders agreed to step up cooperation in security-defense, culture, education-training, labour, science-technology, transportation, and tourism. To this end, they said the two sides will soon consider opening cultural centres in each country and direct flights to promote investment, tourism and people-to-people exchanges. Chinh thanked the Czech Government for creating favourable conditions for Vietnamese expatriates to integrate and live stably in their host country, making a positive contribution to local socio-economic development and bridging the friendly ties between the two countries. Police are searching for a man who allegedly attacked two students on Western Washington Universitys campus late Wednesday. A university alert said the two students were walking north on East College Way near the Arboretum just after 11 p.m. when the man grabbed one of their necks, which led to a brief fight between them. The man then ran from the scene toward Fairhaven College. The man is described as white, 5 feet, 8 inches tall, with a beard and a buzzcut, and carrying a backpack at the time of the attack. Both students suffered minor injuries to their hands and arms. Its not clear what led up to the attack. University police are investigating the incident and have not found the suspect. (ITV/Spirit Entertainment/Kock Media) David Tennant took on one of his darkest roles to date when he played Dennis Nilsen the notorious Muswell Hill Murderer who killed at least 12 young boys and men in North London from 1978 to 1983 in ITVs Des. Tennant was the latest in a long line of actors to dramatise the lives of some of the worlds most prolific murderers and its easy to see why such a part would be appealing. Playing a serial killer allows an actor to show their range and move away from being typecast. For those whove gone before them, such roles have been known to make a career, winning Oscars, Golden Globes and Baftas for those who take them on. However, portraying serial killers obviously comes with its own set of challenges. These are people audiences know well, so do they mimic them word for word or do their own interpretation, knowing that people at home can compare them to the TV reports of their childhoods, now tracked down in seconds online. Theres also the issue of sensitivity: nobody wants to be accused of exploiting trauma or trivialising events that still have an impact on people today. The actors on this list perfectly walk that fine line, providing heart-rendering performances that manage to humanise killers just enough without ever excusing what they did. Here are 20 of the best performances of real-life serial killers to ever hit the screen Cameron Britton as Ed Kemper in Mindhunter (2017) Netflixs Mindhunter featured a number of real life criminals in its two seasons, but it is Cameron Brittons turn as Ed Kemper, the so-called Co-ed Killer who murdered 10 people including his own mother, that sticks in the mind of everyone who watches. Theres a chilling, matter-of-fact politeness in the way Britton lists off his crimes and how he did them that gained the actor critical praise, as well as an Emmy nomination. Samantha Morton as Myra Hindley in Longford (2006) It takes an impressive actor to play the most evil woman in Britain but in 2006s Longford, Samantha Morton showed that she was up to the challenge. Seen through the eyes of Lord Longford (Jim Broadbent), a man looking to pardon Moors Murderer Hindley, viewers were presented with an unexpectedly soft-spoken, feminine version of the killer as she drifts between both performative and genuine repentance, but one worthy of a Golden Globe. Story continues (Courtesy of Netflix) Ross Lynch as Jeffrey Dahmer in My Friend Dahmer (2017) First on the list of former Disney Channel stars portraying serial killers, we have former Austin and Ally star and R5 member Ross Lynch as teenage loner Jeffrey Dahmer. Depicting Dahmer as an awkward outcast, we see the beginnings of his fixations bubbling to the surface, with the film leading up to the moment Dahmer kills the first of his 15 victims. Its a deft performance from Lynch, who has since reverted to his teen show roots in Netflixs The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. Charlize Theron as Aileen Wuornos in Monster (2004) At this stage it feels cliched to call an actor unrecognisable in a role, but few have been as transformative as Therons Aileen Wuornos in Patty Jenkinss Monster. With bleached blonde eyebrows, dirty clothes and the glamour the former model was known for stripped away, Therons Oscar-winning portrayal of a sex worker who killed seven men in an alleged act of self defence marked her out as an actor to take seriously. (Spirit Entertainment) John Carroll Lynch as Arthur Leigh Allen in Zodiac (2007) Adding John Carroll Lynch to this list feels dangerous, as the Zodiac Killers identity is still unknown in one of the USs most prolific unsolved cases. David Finchers Zodiac puts forward Arthur Leigh Allen (Lynch) as a lead suspect and despite the director asking Lynch to play the role Allen as if he was innocent, theres something in his demeanour that leaves that door impossible to shut for good. Whether he did it or not, the smooth, measured words, I'm not the Zodiac. And if I was, I certainly wouldn't tell you" are guaranteed to send a shudder down your spine. Richard Attenborough as John Christie in 10 Rillington Place (1971) John Christies story is a truly chilling one. Strangling at least eight women to death in his flat in the 1940s and Fifties, he initially stood as a prosecution witness after another tenant in his building (John Hurt) was arrested for the crime, sending him to his death. As Christie, Attenborough peppers Christies unassuming nature with a sinister edge, in what The Independent described as a memorably creepy performance. Zac Efron as Ted Bundy in Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (2019) Theres nothing Hollywood loves more than casting a hunky actor in an unsuspecting role. In serial killer Ted Bundy, a man whose looks were so prolific teenage fangirls reportedly attended his trial, they have the perfect opportunity to do just that. In casting Efron as the man responsible for at least 30 deaths, director Berlinger was accused of glamourising the story and feeding into that story but the former High School Musical star gives an unexpectedly understated performance as Bundy. (Wicked Nevada, LLC) Brian Dennehy as John Wayne Gacy in To Catch a Killer (1992) Dennehys performance as one of the USs most prolific serial killers in 1992 made-for-TV movie To Catch A Killer is a masterful character study. It seems impossible that the initially cocky Gacy, showboat so confident he would inviting surveillance detectives to drink with him, could deteriorate to turning himself in in paranoia, but Dennehy manages to present that unravelling with subtlety and skill. Michael Reilly Burke as Ted Bundy in Ted Bundy (2002) The nature of Bundys story - his perceived good looks, the women he targeted, his fanbase - means directors tread a difficult line when it comes to dramatising his story. Matthew Brights 2002 film Ted Bundy fell on the wrong side of that line, debuting to a generally poor critical reception with reviewers labelling it exploitative. However, the films star Burke was praised for his creepy performance of the charming killer, in what would go on to be the only lead role of his career. Andy Serkis as Ian Brady in Longford (2006) London-born Serkis may seem like an unusual choice to play the Glaswegian accomplice to Mortons Hindley, but with his faultless accent and chilling demeanour, we never doubt him for a second. With Hindley professing her remorse to Longford, it is Brady who is painted as the more guilty party in the murder of five children, with Serkis capturing a slimy nastiness sure give you nightmares. (20th Century Fox) Tony Curtis as Albert DeSalvo in The Boston Strangler (1968) After a strong end to the 1950s which saw Tony Curtis star in Some Like It Hot, The Sweet Smell of Success and The Defiant Ones within the space of two years, the 1960s saw the actor mired in a run of forgettable comedies. To break the rut, he took on the role of Albert DeSalvo, the infamous Boston Strangler who murdered 13 women in Massachusetts in the early 1960s. DeSalvo was imprisoned for his crimes in 1967 and stabbed to death six years later; Curtis earned a Golden Globe nod for his chilling portrayal. Anthony Perkins as Norman Bates in Psycho (1960) Anthony Perkins chilling turn as the cross-dressing motel murderer Norman Bates in Alfred Hitchcocks Psycho remains one of cinemas all-time greatest depictions of pure, deadly evil. Bates was in fact loosely based on the real-life killer Ed Gein, sometimes referred to as the Butcher of Plainfield or the Plainfield Ghoul. Gein, a Wisconsin farm owner, was convicted of two murders and other counts of corpse mutilation, and many reports have focussed on his unhealthy, obsessive relationship with his late mother. Kathy Bates as Madame Delphine LaLaurie in American Horror Story (2013-14) LaLaurie, born in 1787, was a New Orleans socialite who tortured and murdered slaves in her Louisiana home. After rescuers attending to a fire in her mansion in 1834 discovered evidence of her atrocities, her property was attacked by an angry mob and she fled to France. Kathy Bates, known for playing Stephen Kings fictional psychopath in Misery, embodies LaLaurie well in the Coven season of American Horror Story. (Universal) Maxine Peake as Myra Hindley in See No Evil: The Moors Murders (2006) Samantha Morton isnt the only actor to have convincingly played notorious Manchester murderer Myra Hindley. Peake won acclaim for her disturbing portrayal of the felon in the two-part ITV series See No Evil, which also starred Mission: Impossibles Sean Harris as Hindleys partner in crime, Ian Brady. True crime dramas often run the risk of poor taste, but See No Evil was made after years of research, with approval from Hindleys victims families. Oliver Cooper as David Berkowitz in Mindhunter (2019) Mindhunter featured several great serial killer performances across its two-season run; Oliver Coopers was up there with the best. Dave Berkowitz, known to most as the Son of Sam, committed eight shootings between the summer of 1976 and 1977. His crimes made him something of a celebrity - not least due to his sensational confessions, in which he alleged he had been convinced to carry out the murders on the order of a demon that had taken the form of his neighbour Sams dog. Dominic West as Fred West in Appropriate Adult (2011) West may still be best known as the dysfunctional Baltimore police detective Jimmy McNulty in The Wire, but in 2011 he thrived in this role on the other side of the law. As Fred West, the killer who claimed the lives of at least 12 young women in Gloucester between 1967 and 1987, he was unnerving and convincing; Monica Dolan was similarly compelling in the role of Wests infamous wife and co-killer, Rose. ( 1973 Warner Bros.) Martin Sheen as Kit Carruthers in Badlands (1973) Terrence Malicks masterful debut film Badlands was inspired by the real-life story of spree killers Charles Starkweather and Caril Ann Fugate. As Starkweather - reworked into the character of Kit Carruthers - Sheen is blisteringly good, a volatile, dangerous rogue with a kind of dark charisma. Across his long and varied career, Sheen wouldnt often play villains, but as Badlands shows, he had one hell of a knack for it. Michael Rooker as Henry Lee Lucas in Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986) The man who inspired the 1986 film Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, Henry Lee Lucas, confessed to killing hundreds of murders, claiming he had committed around one a week from 1975 to 1983. Investigators disproved the majority of these claims, but convicted him of 11. The film was scandalous in its time, but Rookers turn as the murderous drifter remains haunting and potent to this day. John Cusack as Robert Hansen in The Frozen Ground (2013) The 2013 thriller The Frozen Ground was dismissed by many critics upon its release, but its two lead performances - from Nicolas Cage, as State Trooper Jack Halcombe, and John Cusack, as real-life killer Robert Hansen - are a definite high point. The real Hansen, known as the Butcher Baker, abducted, raped and murdered 17 women in Alaska between 1971 and 1983. After his arrest in 1983, Hansen was sentenced to 461 years in prison. (Koch Media) Sonny Valicenti as Dennis Rader in Mindhunter (2017) Another Mindhunter guest star, this time Sonny Valicenti, who excelled in the role of Dennis Rader, known as the BTK killer. Another US-based criminal, Rader ritualistically killed 10 people in Kansas before his apprehension in 2005. The moniker BTK was self-coined - an acronym for blind, torture, kill - and before his capture, Rader would send taunting letters to police and newspapers outlining the details of his crimes. Getty Images Although they were written more than 400 years ago, the words of William Shakespeare remain timeless. Thanks in large part to the Bard of Avons ability to poetically capture universal human emotions with overarching themes that continue to remain relevant, many people continue to find his writing highly relatable. In fact, many lines of his work live far outside high school English classrooms and trivia games. Shakespeare has been credited with either coining or at least popularizing myriad phrases that have become so ingrained into the everyday lexicon that many people arent even aware of their origins. Just a few examples: love is blind (The Merchant of Venice), break the ice (The Taming of the Shrew), the be-all and the end-all (Macbeth), and wild-goose chase (Romeo and Juliet). Aside from the pages of his tragedies and comedies, some of Shakespeares longer phrases and quotes continue to live on, frequently referenced throughout pop culture, emblazoned on posters, T-shirts, and even in tattoos. (Actor Megan Fox, for example, has a line from King LearWe will all laugh at gilded butterfliesinked on her shoulder.) Here are 20 of the playwrights most famous quotes about life and love. To be or not to bethat is the question Hamlet, Act 3, Scene 1 Prince Hamlets soliloquy in the Danish-set tragedyparticularly the first linehas been widely referenced in modern pop culture. The longer quote reads: To be or not to bethat is the question: Whether tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, And, by opposing, end them. Of course, the question can be broadly applied to many different situations, but at its inception, the speech was part of a deeply philosophical internal debate about the pros and cons of human existence. This above all: to thine own self be true, And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man. Hamlet, Act 1, Scene 3 Also taken from the seminal tragedy, the line, which was spoken by Polonius as a pep talk of sorts, has resonated throughout the generations for its universal theme of sticking to ones values when faced with a dilemma. Story continues Cowards die many times before their deaths; The valiant never taste of death but once. Julius Caesar, Act 2, Scene 2 Using death as a metaphor, the Roman ruler minimizes his wife Calpurnias fears that he may soon die, in the play. Many identify with the call to bravery in the present moment versus dying inside, so to speak, while wasting ones life in fear of an inevitable end. Men at some time are masters of their fates. The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, But in ourselves, that we are underlings. Julius Caesar, Act 1, Scene 2 Cassius uses this speech to convince Brutus to join the assassination conspiracy against his friend Caesar . What Cassius intended to convey is that people can control their destinies and that theyre not necessarily pre-determined by some divine power. Et tu, Brute?, a Latin phrase meaning even you, Brutus?, has also come to signify an unexpected betrayal by a loved one. Whats in a name? That which we call a rose By any other word would smell as sweet. Romeo and Juliet, Act 2, Scene 2 In Shakespeares tragedy about the titular star-crossed lovers, Juliets line references her and Romeos warring families and that their last namesMontague and Capuletshouldnt define who they are or negate their romance. Instead, shes saying that a name given to an object is nothing more than a collection of letters, and changing what something is called doesnt change what it inherently is. Good night, good night. Parting is such sweet sorrow, That I shall say good night till it be morrow. Romeo and Juliet, Act 2, Scene 2 Taken from Romeo and Juliets iconic balcony scene, Juliet speaks these words as she is saying goodbye to Romeo. The highly relatablethough seemingly paradoxicalsentiment notes the sadness of saying goodbye to a loved one, while also pointing to the sweet excitement of thinking about the next time they will see each other. All the worlds a stage, And all the men and women merely players. As You Like It, Act 2, Scene 7 In this 17th century comedy, Jaques says this line from the frequently quoted passage: All the worlds a stage, And all the men and women merely players: They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts, His acts being seven ages. It contends that life essentially follows a script and that people play roles, as in a theater production, during its various stages. The robbed that smiles, steals something from the thief Othello, Act 1, Scene 3 Much like the phrase grin and bear it, the Duke of Venices words act as a piece of advice to follow when you are wronged. His claim is that when someone doesnt show that he or she is upset, it removes a sense of satisfaction for the wrongdoer. Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown. Henry IV Part 2, Act 3, Scene 1 Sometimes rewritten with the phrase heavy is in place of uneasy lies, the dialogue from the titular King Henry IV conveys the great difficulties of leaders who are tasked with great responsibilities and difficult decisions. All that glitters is not gold The Merchant of Venice, Act 2, Scene 7 In essence, the quote written on a scroll in the 16th century play means that appearances can sometimes be deceiving. Shakespeare originally used the word glisters, an antiquated synonym of glitters. But love is blind, and lovers cannot see The pretty follies that themselves commit The Merchant of Venice, Act 2, Scene 6 The phrase love is blind was first penned circa 1405 by Chaucer in his Merchants Tale. Shakespeare loved the phrase so much that it appears in The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Henry V, and the example here. Like Cupid, the blindfolded Roman god of love striking unsuspecting couples with his arrows so they fall in love, this phrase explains the often-inexplicable behavior of those in love. Be not afraid of greatness. Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon em. Twelfth Night, Act 2, Scene 5 In this scene, Malvolio reads a letter written in jest by his fellow servants claiming that they were born to noble parents and thus into greatness. Today, this phrase is used to describe various routes to success: being born into wealth, working hard, or being at the right place at the right time. We are such stuff As dreams are made on, and our little life Is rounded with a sleep. The Tempest, Act 4, Scene 1 This famous line from one of Shakespeares last plays is also one of his most-quoted, often incorrectly as: We are such stuff as dreams are made of. However, this does not change its meaning, that life is illusory. Humphrey Bogart s character, Sam Spade, references this phrase in the classic film The Maltese Falcon (1941). Though this be madness, yet there is method in t. Hamlet, Act 2, Scene 2 Polonius speaks this line to imply that Hamlet is not truly crazy, but simply pretending in order to fool his mother and uncle. In modern parlance, we use the idiom Theres method in my madness to convey that theres a reason behind our seemingly inane actions. It is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing. Macbeth, Act 5, Scene 5 Upon learning of the death of his wife, Lady Macbeth, Macbeth delivers these lines from the full text of the tragedys soliloquy: Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow Creeps in this petty pace from day to day To the last syllable of recorded time, And all our yesterdays have lighted fools The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle! Lifes but a walking shadow, a poor player That struts and frets his hour upon the stage And then is heard no more. It is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing. Macbeths speech is nihilistic, full of pessimism and despair, signifying that for him, life is meaningless, leading to inevitable death. The title of William Faulkner s novel The Sound and the Fury is derived from this Shakespeare quote. A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse! Richard III, Act 5, Scene 4 Spoken while fighting for his life after losing his horsean indispensable tool in medieval battlethe villainous Richard III would have traded his entire kingdom for one. Today, weve modified the statement to sayings such as Id give my right arm or Id give my eye teeth to imply that wed give anything in exchange for something we desperately need. The lady doth protest too much, methinks. Hamlet, Act 3, Scene 2 Spoken by Hamlets mother, Queen Gertrude, to imply that the actions of the Player Queen are excessive or insincere, Gertrude suggests that she doesnt believe a word of it. Today, this cynical comment about someone overdoing a denial has lost its gender specificity and can be also applied to a man. Jesters do oft prove prophets. King Lear, Act 5, Scene 3 In royal courts, jesters were often the only ones who could speak their minds in the presence of a king by cloaking painful truths or those likely to provoke in humor. Only the fool can tell King Lear the truth without fear of punishment. Why then, the worlds mine oyster, which I with sword will open. The Merry Wives of Windsor, Act 2, Scene 2 As with many sayings derived from Shakespeare, the idiom we use today, The world is your oyster, is a misquote. The modern implication is that ones future is bright and full of potential, but the original metaphor from this comedy had a more sinister connotation. Oysters are notoriously difficult to open, and so to get what one wantsto open the oyster and get the pearlone must resort to violence. If music be the food of love, play on. Twelfth Night, Act 1, Scene 1 In one of English literatures most famous opening lines, Orsino, hopelessly in love with Olivia, a woman who will never requite his affection, tells the musicians assembled before him to continue playing so that he can be sated with music instead of the love that will forever evade him. Orsino hopes that more music will cause him to lose his appetite for Olivia, like eating too much so that one is no longer hungry. Friday, April 21 Tuck Fest Location: U.S. National Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy, Charlotte, NC 28214 Time: 7:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Cost: Free Get outdoors and head out to the Whitewater Center for Tuck Fest. The three-day festival celebrates the outdoor lifestyle through competitions, exhibitions, demos and live music. https://tuckfest.whitewater.org/ Port City Club by David Burke Boat Show Location: 18665 Harborside Drive Cornelius, NC 28031 Time: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Cost: Free Kick off the weekend at Port City Club by David Burkes boat show on Lake Norman. Thursday through Saturday, the Ed Watkins Marine team will showcase its lineup of boats at the docks. bit.ly/3N0ipvV Charlotte African-American Festival Location: Brooklyn Village, 710 East Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28202 Time: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Cost: Free Kick off your weekend at the tenth annual African-American Festival. Enjoy exhibits, musical performances, art, literature, food, performances and more. Proceeds will support educational and cultural programs. bit.ly/3AdW2v4 BOOM! Charlotte 2023 Location: Camp North End, 300 Camp Road, Charlotte, NC 28206 Time: 5-10 p.m. Cost: Free Celebrate Charlottes art scene at this three day artist-led festival. The sixth annual event will have multiple events and performances showcasing theater, music, visual art, film, dance and more. You can check the full lineup of events online. https://boomcharlotte.org/boom-charlotte-2023/ Aerial CLT performing at BOOM Charlotte 2022. The group will be among more than 100 artists/groups performing at this years event. Come-See-Me-Festival Location: Rock Hill (multiple locations) Time: Varies per event Cost: Tickets start at $12 for kids (5-12) and $25 for adults Head to Rock Hill for the last of the 10 day family-friendly festival. This years event features a wide range of activities for all ages and interests, including barbecue cook-offs, cornhole competitions, road races, live music and more. The festival ends on Saturday. https://www.comeseeme.org/ Saturday, April 22 Celebrate Earth Day Location: Multiple Time: Varies per event Story continues Cost: Varies per event There are several volunteer opportunities and events around Charlotte for Earth Day this year. From creek and street cleanups to festivals and secondhand vintage pop ups, theres a lot of ways to celebrate Mother Earth. bit.ly/3N5PqqB Love thy Mother: Earth Day events around Charlotte include street and creek cleanup, festivals 4:20 Festival Location: Town Brewing Co., 800 Grandin Rd, Charlotte, NC 28208 Time: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Cost: Free Check out Town Brewing and Infinitys Ends annual 4:20 festival. There will be over 20 vendors including glassblowing, tarot card reading, live music and more. bit.ly/3LeOQFy Opening Reception of Trifecta Location: Elder Gallery of Contemporary Art, 1520 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28203 Time: 12 p.m. Cost: Free Attend the opening reception for the new experiential exhibition at Elder Gallery of Contemporary Art. The exhibit, curated by three local creatives, is aimed to illustrate the reality of the female existence in the 21st century. You can RSVP for the reception online. bit.ly/41OUkMN PAWpose 2023 Location: Skiptown, 222 Rampart Street Charlotte, NC 28203 Time: 12-5 p.m. Cost: Free Grab your pup and enjoy giveaways, live music, dog vendors and more at Skiptowns Pawpose event. All proceeds will benefit the Greater Charlotte SPCA. There is free admission to the event and dogs get in free. If youre interested in going, just RSVP online. bit.ly/3KXXcQq Skiptown is a dog bar and dog boarding house with dog daycare and a small dog social area. It is located in Brookhill/South End, Charlotte. Movie Under the Stars Location: Charlotte Premium Outlets, 5404 New Fashion Way, Charlotte, NC 28278 Time: 6 p.m. Cost: Free Catch a showing of Minions: The Rise of Gru at the Charlotte Premium Outlets. The outdoor movie event will kick off at 6 p.m. with a dance party, games, giveaways and more before the screening begins around 7:30 p.m. bit.ly/40rgGTa Sunday, April 23 Sleepy Poet 25th Anniversary Celebration Location: 6424 South Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28217 Time: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Cost: Free Shop a storewide sale all weekend long at Sleepy Poet. In honor of the popular antique mall being in business for 25 years, all vendors will have discounted prices. bit.ly/41pdLMl Peter Pan by Charlotte Ballet Location: Knight Theatre, 430 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202 Time: 2 p.m. Cost: $30+ Take in the magical journey to Neverland with Peter, Wendy, Tinker Bell and the rest of the Peter Pan characters with a performance from the Charlotte Ballet. This never-before-seen performance with new choreography runs April 21-30. Tickets are still available, starting at $30. https://charlotteballet.org/peter-pan-22-23/ Goat Yoga Location: Lost Worlds Brewing Company, 19700-D One Norman Blvd, Cornelius, NC 28031 Time: 6-7 p.m. Cost: $27 Stretch out in a yoga class with baby goats from Lazy Day Farm. The beginners class is open to ages and experience levels. Just pack a mat or towel to flow on. Tickets can be bought online. bit.ly/3LheLfJ Monday, April 24 Shameless Improv Comedy Show Location: The Giddy Goat Coffee Roasters, 1217 The Plaza Charlotte, NC 28205 Time: 7-9:30 p.m. Cost: $15 Enjoy a night of laughs at Shameless Improvs next comedy show. Experience a 90 minute, unscripted, fully improvised show where you have a say in the jokes. Doors open at 7 p.m. Show starts at 7:30 p.m. Buy tickets online. bit.ly/3LheNUT Tuesday, April 25 Mamas Springing Endorsement Wine Dinner Location: Mama Ricottas, 601 South Kings Drive Charlotte, NC 28204 Time: 6-9 p.m. Cost: $80-$85 Treat yourself to a four course wine-pairing dinner at Mama Ricottas. The special meal will be made with local ingredients along with some imported from some of the finest artisans in Italy. Tickets can be purchased online. bit.ly/43SJUxt Charlotte Knights vs. Norfolk Tides Location: Truist Field, 324 S Mint St, Charlotte, NC 28202 Time: 6:05 p.m. Cost: $14+ Browse the CharlotteFive guide on what to eat a Charlotte Knights game this year, then head out to the ball field and cheer on the Knights as they take on the Norfolk Tides. Theyll be playing against the team through Sunday. Tickets are still available, starting at $14. bit.ly/43KlhD7 Todd Wiedman, from left, Stacy Wiedman, and Stephanie Wiedman, all of Charlotte, N.C., celebrate a run from the Charlotte Knights during a game against the Memphis Redbirds at Truist Field in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, April 17, 2022. Ella Mai concert Location: The Fillmore, 820 Hamilton St, Charlotte, NC 28206 Time: 8 p.m. Cost: $85+ Sing along with R&B artist Ella Mai at The Fillmore. Shes performing in Charlotte as part of her Heart on My Sleeve Tour. Theres still time to buy tickets for the concert. bit.ly/40q3s9i Wednesday, April 26 Drop In Art at Mint Randolph Location: The Mint Museum Randolph, 2730 Randolph Rd, Charlotte, NC 28207 Time: 4-8 p.m. Cost: Free Tap into your creative side for the last drop in event session at the Mint Museum Randolph. The Art Room is open for self-directed, creative fun for all ages to explore drawing, clay, collage and other art. bit.ly/3AiycOQ Thursday, April 27 Throwdown Thursdays at RSVP Location: RSVP South End, 225 Fairwood Ave, Charlotte, NC 28203 Time: 6 p.m.-12 a.m. Cost: Free Jam out to your favorite country songs for RSVPs first Throwdown Thursday. Starting April 27, there will be line dancing, live music and drink specials every Thursday night. You can reserve your spot to attend online. bit.ly/3GWfGzJ RSVP South End has eight VIP booths, a DJ stage and an exclusive backdoor entrance at the Stage. 40 Over 40 Awards Party Location: Charlotte Museum of History, 3500 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte, NC 28215 Time: 6-9 p.m. April 27 Cost: $85+ Learn about the citys notable leaders at the Charlotte Ledgers 40 Over 40 Awards party at the Charlotte Museum of History. The 80s movie-themed celebration will include dinner, beer, wine, 80s music, a costume contest and more. bit.ly/3zQZP1q Mark your calendar Black Restaurant Week Carolinas Location: Multiple When: April 28-May 7 Cost: Varies Support local black-owned businesses for Black Restaurant Week in Charlotte. The nationwide tour will feature 20 local and regional favorites you can dine at. bit.ly/3H10YHs Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story. Location: Netflix When: May 4 Cost: Free with Netflix ($6.99+/month) Tune in to watch the Netflix spinoff of the popular drama Bridgerton focused on Queen Charlotte, who our city is named after. The prequel showcases her origin story and legacy, including her marriage to King George and the societal shift that follows. bit.ly/3ovERCT [Source] A $20 shoulder bag from Japanese casual wear company Uniqlo has taken the world by storm to become this quarter's most sought-after accessory. Uniqlo's Round Mini Shoulder Bag has earned its place at the top of online fashion retailer Lyst's breakdown of the hottest products for the first quarter of 2023, besting Rick Owens Kriester Sunglasses ($625), Bottega Veneta's Drop Earrings ($960) and MSCHF's Big Red Boots ($350). Lyst's report, which highlights the trendiest brands and buys of the quarter, also featured more expensive labels such as Alaia, Maison Margiela, and Diesel. More from NextShark: Unacceptable: TikToker gets slammed for complaining about Kuala Lumpur International Airport in viral video Uniqlo's bag made the report's history by being the cheapest product to ever be featured in The Lyst Index. Prior to becoming the poster child for attainable fashion, the water-repellent, top-zip polyester bag first captured the attention of TikTok users, with videos about the accessory racking up millions of views across influencers. More from NextShark: Liev Schrieber and Naomi Watts' son perceived as 'too beautiful' by Japanese netizens Among the first to promote the bag on the platform was TikTok user Elena Tea, who in May 2022 called the Uniqlo bag the perfect travel bag in her viral video. In her clip, which has been viewed over 350,000 times, she manages to squeeze in a journal, a digital camera, a phone, a powder compact, a make-up bag, a wallet and a pair of sunglasses inside the small but deceptively spacious bag. Story continues The video earned comments from users who also shared the assortment of items they can fit into the bag, including a large bottle and an umbrella. TikToker Caitlin Phillimore-Price also posted about the bag on TikTok back in Sept. 2022 and has since attracted over 800,000 views. Urging her viewers to buy the bag, Phillimore-Price demonstrates that she was able to store her lip balm, cookies, wallet, keys headphones, camera, phone charger, hair clip, perfume bottle and a medical device in the relatively small bag. Aside from the bag's impressive capacity, its mass appeal has been attributed to its affordability and understated style. Available in eight colors, the Uniqlo shoulder bag has a minimalistic design that omits branding and typical embellishments. Its simplicity makes it wearable with a variety of outfits and matches any occasion. Fashion writer Mandy Lee shared in a recent TikTok video that she was "delighted" to see the bag top of Lyst's quarterly ranking. According to Lee, the bag's popularity indicates that consumers now are looking for simple and affordable fashion trends. This stark contrast is just another reminder that we are entering a season of uniformity in the trend cycle, and more simple, pared-down, and affordable pieces are being coveted over more ostentatious and expensive pieces, she explained in her analysis video. These are all tell-tale signs of economic uncertainty, which impact the fashion cycle and trends so, so much. Wicomico County Sheriff's Office detectives are seeking the public's assistance with the investigation of the 2019 Salisbury shooting that killed Stefon Hagans. At approximately 2 a.m. on Dec. 14, 2019, deputies responded to a shooting in the 1700 block of Dale Lane in Salisbury. Stefon Hagans, 31, was found with a gunshot wound and transported to TidalHealth Peninsula Regional, where he later succumbed to his injuries. The Wicomico County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Division continues to work on the investigation, but an arrest has not been made. Stephanie Moore holds up a photo of her son Stefan Hagans' three children during a press conference with (from left to right) Wicomico County Sheriff Mike Lewis, Detective Cpl. Jordan Banks and Sgt. Burley Williams. More: 8 months after son's 'senseless killing,' mother pleads for public's help More: Second Wicomico shooting of the weekend sends Salisbury victim to PRMC Detectives are asking anyone with information related to this investigation, no matterhow small the detail may be, to call the Criminal Investigation Division at 410-548-4898or Crime Solvers at 410-548-1776. This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: 2019 Salisbury fatal shooting: Wicomico sheriff seeks public help The biggest fashion night in New York City is only weeks away, as the annual Met Gala has returned with a new theme and its usual time slot. On 1 May 2023, celebrities will walk the red carpet steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art for Vogues fashion extravaganza. This years theme of the Met Gala, which is an annual fundraiser for the museums Costume Institute, is Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty and will examine the life of the late Chanel creative director. According to Vogue, the annual fundraiser will also pay homage to the designer through its dress code: In honour of Karl. While what goes on inside the gala is top secret, as social media has been banned from the occasion, fashion lovers can still watch their favourite stars pose on the red carpet on Monday 1 May. Heres everything you need to know about the 2023 Met Gala and how to stream it. The livestream of the event, which is run by Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, will be hosted by the magazine and broadcast on its website. In addition, the gala will broadcasted on Vogues YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter pages, with the livestream beginning at 6.30pm Eastern Time on the first Monday of May. According to Vogue, viewers can also sign up to receive a notification when the livestream begins. The livestream will have three hosts: La La Anthony, Chloe Fineman, and Derek Blasberg. Just like last years Met Gala, Emma Chamberlain will be stepping in as Vogues special correspondent of the livestream. Along with Wintour, there will be four co-chairs of the Met Gala, who include Dua Lipa, Michaela Coel, Penelope Cruz, and Roger Federer. When announcing the dress code, In honour of Karl, in January, Vogue revealed that there are three wondrous ways that guests can salute one of fashions greats. The first, most authentic approach would be to wear an archival look from one of the labels Lagerfeld led, the magazine stated. The second option is to pay tribute to the late designer with a modern-day look from Chanel or Fendi, two houses on which Lagerfeld left an indelible impression. Story continues For the final interpretation, guests could dress a la Lagerfeld, a direction the outlet notes might include finding a Choupette all your own. Choupette Lagerfeld, a white cat, was the late designers beloved pet and occasional muse, although the designer himself was known for wearing black suits and dark sunglasses. The attendees at last years Gala also brought out some showstopping looks, as the theme of the event was In America: An Anthology of Fashion, with the dress code listed on the invites as Gilded Glamour. For example, Black Lively changed into a second outfit on the red carpet, as both of her looks paid homage to the Statue of Liberty, while Kim Kardashian wore a gown adorned with jewels, which was previously worn by Marilyn Monroe when she sang Happy Birthday, Mr. President for President John F. Kennedy in 1962. The Vogues livestream of the 2023 Met Gala begins on Monday 1 May at 6.30pm ET (11.30pm GMT). 3 holistic alternatives to chemo Traditional medicine has put a lot of emphasis on the singularities of cancer ailments leaving aside humans themselves. As if it was an isolated problem, they concentrate their analysis and diagnosis only on eliminating the disease, without completely treating the patient. Results show that these procedures continue to seriously affect patients around the world. The secrecy of this medicine is reflected on the many restrictions and regulations that it has when people attempt to try different unconventional therapies. However, they are not the only ones. Immunity Therapy Center in the city of Tijuana has a vast catalog of alternative and holistic therapies whose results have been positive throughout these last few years. Regarding its great variety of therapies, we will talk about three amazingly efficient holistic methods that are used to counteract the issues caused by cancer. Find out more about personalized cancer treatments by calling MedBaja at (619) 333-6066 or fill out the form down below. The first is Virtual Reality Meditation Therapy which consists of reducing stress and anxiety through virtual reality simulations. Once the body is free of these conditions, the nervous and immune systems begin to carry out their functions much more efficiently. In addition, through virtual simulation therapy, the patient prepares themselves physically and mentally to receive other treatments so that they can provide better results. It is a non-invasive procedure that consists of recovering physical health, starting with mental health. One should remember that holistic medicine, whose meaning comes from the Greek Holos which means everything, puts the human being as a totality in which every part of this person doesnt represent isolated areas, as they are a whole living entity. That is how virtual reality therapy can be considered a therapeutic possibility, as it counteracts the declines that time, working hours, and life misfortunes can cause on a human beings psyche. Find out more about personalized cancer treatments by calling MedBaja at (619) 333-6066 or fill out the form down below. Story continues The following therapy is sonodynamics. This is a minimally invasive procedure to counteract several types of cancer. It consists of a combination of low intensity ultrasounds and unique chemical agents known as sonosensitizers. These agents can make the tissue more sensitive to ultrasounds. The combination of low intensity ultrasound, sonosensitizers, and molecular oxygen creates reactive oxygen species, which contribute to the death of cancerous cells and prevent the development of tumors. Lastly, bioemotional therapy looks to incorporate mind and spirituality within one singular recovery process. Studies reveal that one of the main benefits in carrying out these procedures is to manage and maybe even avoid stress ailments, which allows for a better functioning of the bodys nervous and immune systems. This results in better strength to face off against cancer, as well as physical recovery when it occurs. The feeling of being conscious and having a healthy life in all areas also causes, at the same time, a general improvement. Find out more about personalized cancer treatments by calling MedBaja at (619) 333-6066 or fill out the form down below. Learn More about Immunity Therapy Center Types of alternative cancer treatments More than 21 alternative therapies and natural treatments for cancer are combined with traditional treatments. Some of the options are: Enzyme therapy Vitamin and mineral therapies Oxygen therapy biomagnetic therapy Laser therapy HALO therapy Hyperthermia It is important to note that most stays are for six weeks, but depending on the patient and the progress of their condition, this period may be longer or shorter. Instructions are provided so that the patient can continue their treatment at home after leaving the center. This type of treatment is unique because of its use of alternative therapy, and therefore not covered by medical insurance, so each patient must pay for his or her own expenses. Patients can contact the center for help finding the best payment option. Most patients come to the center accompanied by a loved one, so that they have the support and company of someone they trust, which is crucial when undergoing treatment for disease. To learn more about the center and its therapies, visit the following link. This could be the life opportunity youve been looking for. Get in contact with a specialist and learn about Alternative Cancer Treatments in Tijuana, fill-out the contact form below: Alternative Cancer Treatment in Mexico | Survivor Testimonials Call us at MedBaja Services on (619)333-6066 to find out more about this cheap, revolutionary, and holistic approach to cancer treatment, or fill out the form below so we may contact you immediately. INDEX: CANCER TREATMENTS IN MEXICO Is it safe to travel to Tijuana to receive cancer treatment? What to expect from an Alternative Cancer Treatment in Mexico? What makes Tijuana a leader in alternative cancer treatments? Viral anti-cancer vaccine, an innovative alternative treatment in Tijuana Why is cancer treatment significantly more affordable in tijuana? How to choose a cancer center in Mexico? Where can I find a Cancer Tutor Verified Center in Tijuana? ITC: The best level of healthcare for cancer patients is in Tijuana Testimonial from a Cancer Survivor Treated in Tijuana, Mexico Guanabana: Why Fly to Tijuana, Mexico, For This Alternative Treatment? Anticancer Uses of Turmeric: Why Travel to Tijuana For This Asian Cuisine? 5 Safer Natural Alternatives to Chemotherapy Available in Tijuana, Mexico What is the Cost of Cancer Treatment in Mexico? 5 groundbreaking alternative cancer treatments in Mexico The goal of these three holistic therapies is to incorporate the totality of the human body, creating a recovery that is also total. Its results prove that a human being is a totality all by themselves and, as such, any disease should be treated in the same way. null Getty Images Three personal trainers said beginners often make similar mistakes that cost them time and progress. Going to the gym with a plan can help keep you on track, as well as motivate you. Properly warming up and using the 4-0-1 method can make your workouts more effective, they said. It can take a long time to fine-tune your workout routine. Over time, you learn which exercises work best for you, how to create a routine that suits your goals, and hopefully you're constantly checking in on your form to prevent injuries. But wouldn't it be nice if we could start our journey with exercise already having all the answers? One way to cut down the trial-and-error period is to talk to an expert, the personal trainer Chrissy Signore told Insider. She said that after years of exercising and working as a personal trainer, she's learned so much she wishes she'd known when she first started. Now she shares these tips with her clients. Like Signore, the personal trainer Stefanie Tsengas and the celebrity trainer Harley Pasternak told Insider they made many mistakes when they began working out that they wish they could go back and fix. They said they also give beginners the advice they wish they had when they first started. These personal trainers told Insider that making a plan and properly warming up are essential at the start of a new exercise routine, among other tips. Make a plan with flexible goals All three trainers agreed that a mistake many beginners make is going to the gym without making a proper workout plan. Your plan should include strategic exercises that work toward longer-term goals, Pasternak said. Not only will a plan help you make progress toward your goals in the long run, it will also help you feel accomplished and motivated, as exercise physiologist Tom Holland previously told Insider. While setting goals for yourself is important, Signore also said it is important to be flexible with these goals and change them as you progress. You may think you want to lose 10 pounds, she said, but gaining muscle through exercise might mean fat loss doesn't show up on the scale the way you thought. Story continues Less is actually more Another common mistake the personal trainers see in beginners and even did themselves is trying to do too much. "I have clients who think they have to work out and lift six to seven days a week on top of doing like an hour of cardio. They overdo it with volume, volume, volume," Tsengas said. She also said that many of the people that come to her looking to lose weight have the same strategy that she had when she started working out, which is to "overtrain and undereat." This approach can actually have the opposite effect, she said, because it slows your metabolism and pushes your body to hold onto more fat. Losing weight too quickly more than about two pounds a week, according to Signore can also put you at a greater risk of gaining it back. Pasternak said it's about working smarter, not harder. He said that results come from staying consistent with a long-term plan. And in terms of workout length, he said that his sessions can last anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes, but never longer. Warm-ups and focusing on mobility will help prevent injury and make your workouts more effective Tsengas said that one of the biggest mistakes she made when she first started was not warming up or working on mobility. Even at 26, she said she's had consistent injuries that could have been prevented by properly warming up. Signore said that moving the muscles you're going to work out for a few minutes before you begin your workout and going through the full range of motion without weight can make your routine more effective. After your workout, she said it's also important to stretch . "The stretch at the end is gonna help your blood flow, which is gonna help with your muscle recovery. It's gonna help with less muscle aching after and reducing injury, because all of those muscles are so tight," she said. Work on your supporting muscles Although he admitted that as a teenager, he probably wouldn't have been interested in this advice, Pasternak said that exercising more supportive muscles is important for beginners specifically the posterior chain, which are all the muscles on the back of your body, like the glutes, triceps, and lats. Strengthening these muscles will help with your posture, prevent injury, and support the muscles on the front of your body to make them look better, he said. The 4-0-1 method can help improve your power and muscle imbalances One tip Signore said she wished she knew when she was starting out was the 4-0-1 method . She said to aim for four seconds as you lengthen the muscle during any strength-training movement. At the end of that movement, try not to pause, and then contract the muscle for one second. When you slow down the extension of the muscle, you put more strain on it, she said, as well as strengthen the supporting muscles around it. Then contracting that muscle quickly will help make it more powerful overall. Develop a deeper 'why' for your exercise While the trainers said that their goal when they started was primarily aesthetic, it's important to develop a deeper "why" if you want exercise to be a long-term part of your life. Tsengas said that while looking good is still important to her, she also prides herself on her physical performance and believes that exercise is essential for her mental health. Signore said her reason for exercising changed after working with a personal trainer. "I went into the gym with the goal of 'I need to lose 10 pounds,' and I came out of it after working with a personal trainer with the feeling of, 'No, I need to create this sustainable, healthy life,'" she said. Your goal will ultimately be personal, she said, but developing a deeper reason for why you exercise will ensure it's something you'll stick with for life. Read the original article on Insider A 36-year-old Lebanon man was arrested for allegedly firing a weapon at a fleeing vehicle Wednesday. At 11:30 p.m., Lebanon City Police were dispatched to a fight in the 400 block of N. 9th St. When they arrived, police located Jean Aubert Lafleur, who was involved in that fight. "The suspect was intoxicated, attempted to escape from police, and it was later determined gave a false name," officials said in a release Thursday. "Additionally, while reviewing the surveillance video police observed the suspect fire a gun at a vehicle fleeing the scene." Police added that a witness also stated seeing the suspect with a gun during the incident. Officials have not released the identification of the vehicle Lafleur was shooting at or its occupants. Lafleur was transported to Lebanon County Correctional Facility after being unable to post a $250,000 bail. His charges include recklessly endangering another person, escape, use or possession of drug paraphernalia and disorderly conduct. Lafleur's preliminary hearing is scheduled before Magisterial Judge Kim R. Wolf at 8 a.m. April 27. Andres Rodriguez: Shot 10 times: Andres Rodriguez found guilty in 2020 fatal shooting of local tattoo artist Booze burglar: Booze burglar hits 4 Lebanon County stores. Police looking for help identifying suspect Officials said while an arrest has been made, the investigation is still ongoing. Anyone with information about this event is asked to contact the Lebanon City Police Department at 717-272-6611 or Crime Stoppers at 717-270-9800. This investigation is ongoing. Please check back with the Lebanon Daily News for updates. Matthew Toth is a reporter for the Lebanon Daily News. Reach him at mtoth@ldnews.com or on Twitter at @DAMattToth. This article originally appeared on Lebanon Daily News: 36- year-old Lebanon man was intoxicated when he shot at a vehicle Owner Tony Hu, left, in the kitchen at Lao Sze Chuan at 520 N. Michigan Ave. in 2015. (Phil Velasquez / Chicago Tribune) Lao Sze Chuan, whose acclaimed flagship restaurant earned owner Tony Hu the unofficial title Mayor of Chinatown, is seeking Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for its satellite location on the Magnificent Mile. The restaurant at 520 N. Michigan Ave. in River North, which is perched on the fourth floor of the Shops at North Bridge, owes more than $1.37 million on its lease, according to the filing Wednesday in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Chicago. Advertisement We have a little bit of an issue with the landlord, just for the downtown location, Hu, 55, said Thursday. Well be OK. A spokesperson for Cushman & Wakefield, which manages the North Bridge retail center, declined to comment on the pending litigation. Advertisement A Chinatown staple since 1998, Lao Sze Chuan has expanded to nearly a dozen locations in Chicago and the suburbs, as well as outposts in Connecticut, Maryland, Minnesota and Texas. The Michigan Avenue location opened in December 2014. Hu said it will remain open during the bankruptcy proceeding. The voluntary Chapter 11 petition for Lao Sze Chuan Downtown lists assets of $500,000 to $1 million, and liabilities of $1 million to $10 million. The largest unsecured claim is $1.37 million for breach of lease, which Lao Sze Chuan is disputing, according to the filing. The Shops at North Bridge, a 675,000-square-foot retail center anchored by Nordstroms, is owned by the Alaska Permanent Fund, a $75 billion investment fund that invests at least 25% of the states oil royalties to pay dividends to Alaskans. In December 2021, Macerich, the Santa Monica, California-based retail estate firm, essentially gave up its 50% stake in North Bridge to its partner, the Alaska Permanent Fund, which assumed the debt on the joint venture. Macerich took a $28 million loss in the transaction, according to the companys annual report. North Michigan Avenue has struggled during the pandemic with vacancies, high-profile store closures and the broader shift to online shopping. The pandemic has also taken its toll on the restaurant business. In 2020, 90,000 restaurants permanently closed as sales fell by 24% to $659 billion across the U.S., according to the National Restaurant Association. The restaurant industry has been recovering, with sales projected to reach nearly $1 trillion this year, according to the association. An accomplished chef, Hu has been a resilient restaurateur, winning accolades for bringing authentic Chinese cuisine to Chicago when he immigrated to the city in 1993. A graduate of the Sichuan Culinary Institute, he worked at several Chinese restaurants in Chicago before opening the first Lao Sze Chuan, which has been a staple in Chinatown for 25 years. Advertisement He has since created a thriving restaurant chain, opening and closing a few locations, but retaining critical mass and a loyal following. The Lao Sze Chuan empire even survived Hus 2016 federal conviction for money laundering and wire fraud after failing to pay more than $1 million in state and city taxes from cash sales at his restaurants. Hu was forced to sell several restaurants to make restitution to the government. When Lao Sze Chuan opened on Michigan Avenue nearly a decade ago, it was praised by then-Tribune restaurant critic Phil Vettel for adding crispy Peking duck to the menu. Several pre-pandemic Tribune reviews in 2019 hailed Lao Sze Chuan as one of the best restaurants along Michigan Avenue. Despite the lease dispute and Chapter 11 filing, Hu said the Michigan Avenue restaurant is still doing well. The restaurant is open for business; the business is good, Hu said. We plan to be at this location for a long time. rchannick@chicagotribune.com The Wake County school system has rejected all five book challenges it has received from parents since 2021. The books that were challenged in Wake prominently feature LGBTQ characters and people of color. They touch on topics such as racial profiling and children identifying as transgender. The parents whove filed the challenges have raised questions such as whether the books are age appropriate. Theyve also pointed to how the books may contain profanity and feature sex scenes. In Wake, committees at each school review challenges. Those decisions can be appealed to the school board. The school board is considering changing its policy so that decisions on book challenges would be binding for two years. Here are the five books that were challenged in Wake. Lawn Boy In November 2021, GOP congressional candidate Chad Slotta requested that Lawn Boy by Jonathan Evison be removed from Cary High Schools library. The book Lawn Boy by Jonathan Evison. The book is a coming-of-age story about a 22-year-old named Mike Munoz who is growing up in poverty. The book has some sexual scenes, such as Munoz recalling how as a 10-year-old he had oral sex with another boy at a youth group gathering at their church. It was the second-most challenged book in the U.S. in 2021, according to the American Library Association. A school board panel voted 2-1 to uphold the decision by Cary High to keep the book. Board members said they were focusing on the totality of the book, including how it shows the main character overcoming adversity. Out of Darkness In November 2021, Slotta also requested that Out of Darkness by Ashley Hope Perez be removed from Cary Highs library. Out of Darkness by Ashley Hope Perez has been challenged by parents in some states due to its profanity and sexually explicit content. The book depicts the love affair between a Mexican-American teenage girl and an African American teenage boy leading up to the 1937 school gas explosion in New London, Texas, that killed roughly 300 people. Slotta argued that the book contains scenes of forced sex, sexualization of youth and degrades Christianity. It was the fourth-most challenged book in 2021, according to the American Library Association. Story continues A school board panel unanimously upheld Cary Highs decision to keep the book. As in the case with Lawn Boy, board members noted it wasnt required reading but something that student could choose to read in the library. Melissa In November 2021, a request was filed to remove Melissa (previously called George) by Alex Gino from Apex Elementary School. The book Melissa by Alex Gino. It was formerly known as George. The book is about a 10-year-old transgender girl who struggles to come out to her family, friends and classmates, The News & Observer previously reported. Melissa (called George on these lists) was the most-often banned book in the U.S., according to the American Library Association, between 2018 and 2020. The school committee decided to keep the book in the library. Dear Martin In February 2022, a request was filed to remove Dear Martin by Nic Stone from South Garner High School. Cover of Dear Martin by Nic Stone. The book tells the story of a Black student attending an elite prep school who becomes the victim of racial profiling. The student looks to the teachings of Martin Luther King for answers. A superintendent in Western North Carolina made news last year for removing the book from a 10th grade English class. The book has been removed in other schools amid parental complaints about the books use of profanity and depiction of police. The school committee decided to continue using the book as supplemental material in English I classes. Call Me Max In July 2022, a request was filed to remove Call Me Max by Kyle Lukoff from Combs Elementary School in Raleigh. The book is about a child discovering his identity as a transgender boy. Its been challenged in schools by parents who dont feel its appropriate to discuss transgender issues in elementary schools. The school committee decided to keep the book in the library. The Benton Franklin Health District gave failing grades to six restaurants and other businesses that sell food and drinks in food safety inspections April 10-14. They included a child care center and restaurants in Richland, Kennewick and Prosser, plus a Pasco bakery. The districts food safety team gave passing grades on nine inspections, four of them with perfect scores. Those acing the inspection included a restaurant having a followup inspection after an earlier failed inspection. In the districts routine inspections, businesses or organizations that receive 35 points for the more serious red violations are required to have additional inspections and must meet a tougher standard on those. For followup inspections, they must have fewer than 25 red points and a limited number of repeat problems to pass. Red violations are those most likely to cause food-borne illnesses, such as improper temperature control of food, lack of handwashing or bare-hand contact with foods. Blue violations are low risk factors related to the cleanliness and physical condition of an establishment. No notice is given before the inspections. Inspection results are posted online so residents can look up the status and the details of any violations of individual restaurants. Go to bit.ly/BFHDinspections. Click on the business name and then on the date of the inspection on the right half of the next page. Look for the Violations tab. Call 509-460-4205 with questions or concerns. Failed inspections Pasco I Child Development Center, 315 W. Court St., Pasco, Routine April 13 (35 Red, 0 Blue) Notes: Improper hand washing, inadequate handwashing facilities. Ruby Thai Kitchen, 1321 N. Columbia Center Blvd., Kennewick, Routine April 11 (90 Red, 13 Blue) Notes: Food worker cards not 100%, improper cooling procedures, improper hot holding (<130F), room temperature storage or improper use of time as a control, improper cold holding (>45F). Sakura Restaurant, 130 Keene Road, Richland, Follow-up April 10 (45 Red, 0 Blue) Story continues Notes: Improper raw meat handling procedures, room temperature storage or improper use of time as a control, improper cold holding (42-45F). Shiki Sushi, 1408 N Louisiana St., Kennewick, Follow-up April 10 (60 Red, 0 Blue) Notes: Improper cooling procedures, room temperature storage or improper use of time as a control, improper cold holding (>45F). Vieras Bakery & Espresso (Bakery), 430 W. Lewis St., Pasco, Routine April 14 (55 Red, 0 Blue) Notes: Lack of active managerial control, room temperature storage or improper use of time as a control, improper cold holding (>45F), accurate thermometer not provided or used, improper chemical use. Whitstran Steaks & Spirits, 1427 Wine Country Road, Prosser, Routine April 12 (45 Red, 5 Blue) Notes: Inadequate handwashing facilities, improperly disposing of potentially unsafe food, improper hot holding (<130F). Passed inspections McLoughlin Middle School, 2803 Road 88, Pasco, Routine April 14 (20 Red, 5 Blue) Kabab N Grill House, 1321 N. Columbia Center Blvd., Kennewick, Routine April 11 (15 Red, 0 Blue) Kingspoint Christian School, 7900 W. Court St., Pasco, Routine April 13 (0 Red, 0 Blue) La Palma Crepes N Rolls, 6605 Burden Blvd., Pasco, Routine April 14 (20 Red, 0 Blue) Pasco II Child Development Center, 1010 S. 6th Ave., Pasco, Routine April 13 (0 Red, 0 Blue) Pizza Hut, 7605 W. Deschutes Ave., Kennewick, Follow-up April 14 (15 Red, 0 Blue) Rowena Chess Elementary School, 715 N. 24th Ave., Pasco, Routine April 14 (0 Red, 0 Blue) Starbucks Coffee, 1659 N. Columbia Center Blvd., Kennewick, Routine April 11 (10 Red, 0 Blue) The Jalapeno Grill, 1321 N. Columbia Center Blvd., Kennewick, Follow-up April 11 (0 Red, 0 Blue) Earlier this year, residents began moving into Brooklyns newest and most expensive condo building: Olympia Brooklyn. Located in DUMBO, the 33-story structure, designed by Hill West Architects, is just the latest in the boroughs ever-evolving skyline. However, unlike other neighboring high rises that reach into the sky, Olympia is shaped like an unfurled sail, appearing ready to cut through the nearby East River any second. The building is yet another example that architects, particularly modern ones, love nautical themes. Le Corbusier was deeply inspired by ocean liners and wrote about them in his 1923 book, Towards a New Architecture; Frank Gehry cited sails as a reference point when designing the Guggenheim Bilbao; Santiago Calatravas Milwaukee Art Museum is shaped like a boat ready to coast into Lake Michigan; and even Frank Lloyd Wrightwho only designed one coastal homeused the opportunity to create a house shaped like a ships bow. Its no surprise, then, that many architects have also turned their attention to yacht and ship design in recent years. But just how do their creative tendencies transfer from skyscrapers and cities to the nautical and maritime? Below AD looks at seven superyachts designed by architects to help answer that question. Unique Circle Yachts, Zaha Hadid Zha, Jazz Photo: Courtesy of Zaha Hadid Architects Perhaps one of Zaha Hadids greatest strengths was her ability to make nearly anything she touched instantly recognizable as her own. And nothing proves this more than the group of five superyachts the architect designed in 2013. Featuring bold, white curves and organic lines, the design is classic Hadidonly in nautical form. Each yacht is an engineered platform that integrates specific hydrodynamic and structural demands together with the highest levels of comfort, spatial quality, and safety, Hadid said in a press release at the time of the boats debuts. The architect worked with German shipbuilding and engineering firm Blohm+Voss, which brought boating-specific technical expertise to the project. YachtPlus Fleet, Norman Foster Nigel Young Though yachts may appear to be a relatively newer fascination among architects, Norman Foster has been working on them for years. He began taking on naval projects in 1993, though he has most recently completed three superyachtsOcean Emerald, Ocean Pearl and Ocean Sapphireas part of a series of yachts known as The YachtPlus Fleet. Similar to a time share, eight buyers share ownership of the boats and are granted a total of 30 days per year onboard. Each ship is made from aluminum alloy and feature spacious cabins for maximum comfort. Kirribilli, Renzo Piano Working with Vismara Yacht Design, Renzo Piano and Emanuela Baglietto (an architect employed at his firm) designed the 60-feet monohull Kirribilli. Launched in 2001, the sailing boat features deliberate minimalism and simplicityan homage to racing yachts of the 1930s. The flush deck complements the topsides of the vessel, which were originally painted emerald green but are now white. Foggy, Frank Gehry Product Design : Boats Photo: Richard Cohen Foggy, as this yacht is called, got its name from the designers initials: F-O-G, for Frank Owen Gehry. Though it may sound a little self-indulgent, it makes sense when one learns who the client wasGehry himself. According to Dezeen, Gehry is an avid sailer and often often draws inspiration from sails when designing buildingsbesides the Guggenheim Bilbao, take Foundation Louis Vuitton as another example. Working with naval architect German Frers, the sloop is made from larch wood with a glass lattice work on the deck. I never had the resources before, and once I did I was busy doing my buildings, the architect told Town & Country in 2015, speaking on his lifelong dream of designing a boat finally coming to fruition. Flagship, Zaha Hadid Photo: Courtesy of Vitruvius Yachts Until recently, it was assumed that the Unique Circle Yachts were Hadids only nautical designs throughout her career. However, in early January of this year, it was announced that the architect had also worked with Vitruvius Yachts to design a new ship for the British Royal Family. Though the project, which was originally put into motion by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, has now been called off, its exciting to see what could have been. All design contributors were keen to capture the essence of UK heritage and embrace a forward-thinking and innovative approach to the design of the flagship with sustainability at the core, Vitruviuss website states. B60 Sloop, John Pawson Known for his minimalist take on design, John Pawsons stark white sailboat, called B60 Sloop, sits firmly within his design vernacular. The vessel is a result of a collaboration with Milan-based yacht designer Luca Brenta, and it features a 60-foot carbon fiber hull and two striking white sails. The projects functional goal is to create the ultimate day-racing yacht, built for recreational rather than competitive purposes, but with the highest levels of manoeuvrability, Pawson shared in Dezeen in 2008. Oneiric Catamaran, Zaha Hadid Architects Photo: Courtesy of Zaha Hadid Architects Representing the latest offering from Hadids design firm, architects at Zaha Hadid Architects recently unveiled concept renderings for Oneiric, a proposed catamaran in collaboration with Italian shipyard Rossinavi. Powered by green technology, the boat features three levels of solar panels and an AI-driven control center that manages energy consumption. The serenity on board is visual as well as auditory, the firm said in a press release. Oneirics full-electric mode is capable of silent operations. Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest More Great Stories From AD From left: Democratic Gov. Jared Polis of Colorado, Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., and Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly of Kansas. (Photos: David Zalubowski/AP Photo, Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images, John Hanna/AP Photo, Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images) On Friday the Supreme Court preserved access to a widely used key abortion drug, mifepristone. The high court halted restrictions imposed by lower courts that would have limited expanded access to the drug, which means its accessibility will remain unchanged, at least for now. The lawsuit was filed in Amarillo, Texas, by Alliance Defending Freedom, a faith-based organization that has long sought to have abortion outlawed nationwide. U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, who was appointed by former President Donald Trump, sided with the plaintiffs and ruled earlier this month that the Food and Drug Administrations approval of mifepristone in 2000 was improper under its authority. His ruling also applies to subsequent decisions the FDA made to make medication abortion more accessible. In response, the Biden administration filed its notice of appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in Louisiana, which is considered one of the most conservative in the country. The Fifth Circuit disagreed with Kacsmaryks ruling, finding that the statute of limitations had passed on the plaintiffs challenging the FDAs approval of mifepristone, but that it was within the statute of limitations to challenge decisions the FDA made in 2016 and thereafter to make the drug more accessible. This included extending the window when the drug could be used during pregnancy from seven to 10 weeks, and allowing the drug to be prescribed through telehealth visits and via mail. In response, the Justice Department and the manufacturer of mifepristone, Danco Laboratories, asked the Supreme Court to freeze the Fifth Circuits decision and preserve the status quo. The Supreme Court originally said that the Fifth Circuit order was suspended until April 19, but then extended the stay with another self-imposed deadline until April 21, giving no further context. Since the highly anticipated interim decision dominated headlines this week, here are some other headlines on the state of abortion access you might have missed. Story continues Anti-abortion group gets creative Students for Life of America, an anti-abortion group, added to the mounting challenges to mifepristone Wednesday when they filed a citizen petition to the FDA, which was first shared with Politico. The group argues that when the FDA approved mifepristone 23 years ago, it failed to examine the effects that at-home medication abortions could have on the environment, saying that the high volume of people using abortion drugs and flushing fetal remains down the toilet could be having harmful effects on the environment. The petition requests that the approval of mifepristone be halted pending further study on its environmental impact and whether it poses any hazards to endangered or threatened species or designated critical habitats. The group also claims, It is likely that the nations drinking water is contaminated in some appreciable amount by the increasing abundance of Mifepristone and human remains. Environmental scientists argue there is no evidence abortion drugs have a negative impact on the environment and that an extremely small amount of pharmaceutical drugs are found in wastewater. The Students for Life of America plan to sue if the FDA ignores or rejects the citizen petition within 180 days, according to Politico. Republicans tried and failed to undo abortion care at Veterans Affairs locations In a victory for the Biden administration, the Democratic-controlled Senate rejected a Republican resolution on Wednesday that sought to reverse expanded abortion services for veterans provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs. The rule, implemented last September in response to the Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, provides abortion counseling and abortions in certain circumstances only in cases of rape, incest or when the life or health of the pregnant patient is endangered to veterans and eligible family members, including in states where abortions are banned. The GOP measure to reverse the rule was introduced by Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville. It was rejected in a 51-48 vote. Republican Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska voted with Democrats, while Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia sided with Republicans and argued that the policy change should be made by legislation through Congress, not through the executive branch. Tuberville said the rule is illegal and wrong and that taxpayers shouldnt be forced to pay for abortions. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., a veteran who lost her legs in Iraq in 2004, sharply criticized the measure from her Republican colleagues, saying they were certainly all right with me making the choice to use my body as I saw fit when I signed up to fight wars on this countrys behalf." She added, When did they think I lost the competence to make decisions about my uterus that they thought I had about using my arms and legs? 2 bills vetoed in Kansas Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed a bill approved by the Republican-controlled legislature that would have required clinics to tell patients that medication abortions can be reversed once they have been initiated, a claim that is unproven and has been disputed by medical experts. The bill would have required a notice to be posted wherever medication abortions are provided, letting patients know it may be possible to reverse a medication abortion with progesterone if only one of two pills in the regimen has been taken. Supporters of the bill say it is meant to inform women that they have options, in case they regret starting an abortion. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says that claims of reversal of the effects of the mifepristone with progesterone are not based on science and do not meet clinical standards. Its the second time this month that the governor has vetoed anti-abortion legislation. Despite being a Republican-leaning state, Kansas voters soundly rejected an August 2022 referendum that would have weakened abortion protections. Kansans made clear that they believe personal healthcare decisions should be made between a woman and her doctor, not politicians in Topeka, Kelly said in a short statement Wednesday. Last week, Kelly also rejected a bill that could have penalized doctors with criminal charges and lawsuits for not providing reasonable care for infants who are delivered alive during certain types of abortions. The bill would have applied to botched or unsuccessful abortion, as well as to instances involving a severe medical issue, when doctors have to induce labor to deliver a fetus that is expected to die instantly or within minutes once outside the womb. Republican lawmakers, who have a two-thirds supermajority, are expected to try to override both vetoes in a vote at the end of the month. Bills signed in Colorado Democratic Gov. Jared Polis signed bills this week to further protect abortion rights, along with gender-affirming care. The governor is seeking to make the state a safe haven, since access to abortion is restricted in surrounding GOP-led states like Wyoming and Oklahoma, which recently passed abortion bans. The main purpose of the legislation is to ensure that people from surrounding states and beyond can go to the Centennial State to have an abortion, or receive gender-affirming care, without the fear of being prosecuted. Idaho, which has bans on abortion or transgender care, now criminalizes traveling to other states for such health care, and other conservative states with such bans are expected to follow suit. Democratic-led New Mexico, Colorados southern neighbor, signed a similar abortion bill earlier this year. U.S. forces will start training Ukrainian troops to use the M1A1 Abrams tank by next month, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced Friday. The American-made Abrams will arrive in Germany in the next few weeks, allowing Ukrainians to begin training, Austin told reporters following a meeting of defense officials at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. All of this is huge progress. And I am confident that this equipment and the training that is accompanying it will put Ukraines forces in a position to continue to succeed on the battlefield, he added. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Mark Milley, who spoke alongside Austin, said when the Abrams are delivered to Ukraine, it will make a difference, in the fight. A U.S. official earlier told reporters traveling with Austin that the tanks first pledged by the Biden administration last month will arrive in Grafenwohr, where roughly 250 Ukrainians will take part in a 10-week training course run by American troops, CNN reported. Austin and Milley were in Germany to mark the one-year anniversary of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group. The organization, made up of defense leaders from roughly 50 countries, was set up to coordinate military assistance to Ukraine after Russia attacked the country in February 2022. Following the 11th meeting of the group on Friday, Austin did not announce any new major weapons pledges but sought to reassure Kyiv of the Wests unflinching support of the embattled nation. He also said the group would focus on providing air defenses and ammunition to Ukraine. The U.S. is sending some 31 Abrams to Ukraine after initially refusing to send the advanced tank. Biden administration officials argued the weapon was too complicated and costly for Ukraine to maintain and repair on the battlefield. Washington eventually relented in January for a political agreement with Germany, in which Berlin would greenlight its Leopard 2 tanks to be sent to the country. Story continues As part of that setup, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius on Friday announced a new hub to be created in Poland to repair the Leopard tanks sent to Ukraine. Austin on Friday also sought to quell any friction between the U.S. and its allies caused by the recent major leak of U.S. classified documents. At the top of the gathering and afterward, he acknowledged the incident, in which hundreds of secretive materials on the status of the war in Ukraine and intelligence on allies and adversaries made their way online. I take this matter extremely seriously. And we will continue to work closely with our deeply valued allies and partners, Austin said. He added that in speaking to allies and partners about the issue, he has been struck by their solidarity and their commitment to reject efforts to divide us so nothing will fracture our unity or reduce our determination. The leak and subsequent fallout comes as Ukraine is gearing up for a crucial spring counteroffensive meant to take back territory in its south and east from the Russians. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Lloyd Austin, Head of the US Department of Defence, has confirmed that the Ukrainian soldiers will begin training in Germany in a few weeks with US-made M1 Abrams tanks, as previously reported by the media. Source: journalist of European Pravda, citing Austins statement after the 11th Ramstein-format meeting in Germany Quote from Austin: "We have accelerated the delivery schedule of M1 Abrams to provide Ukraine with more armoured vehicles in the coming months. And the vehicles that the Ukrainians will use for training will arrive here in Germany in the next few weeks." Details: According to him, over the past few months, Ukraine has already received "more than 230 tanks, more than 1,550 armoured vehicles, as well as other equipment and ammunition to equip more than 9 new armoured brigades" from the allies. "All of this is tremendous progress, and I am confident that the equipment and training that accompanies it will allow Ukrainian troops to continue to succeed on the battlefield," Austin said. Background: As media reported earlier on Friday, 31 tanks will be delivered to the Grafenwohr training ground in Germany at the end of May, after which Ukrainian troops will begin exercises that will last about 10 weeks. Joe Bidens Administration announced their intention to send tanks to Ukraine in January. They took this step after months of insisting that these tanks were too complex and difficult to maintain and repair. Initially, the US planned to send Ukraine 31 newer M1A2 Abrams tanks, which could have taken a year or two to produce and deliver. However, in late March, Washington decided that Ukraine would receive an older version of the Abrams, which would speed up its training and transfer to the Ukrainian military. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! By David Stanway SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Volunteers in dozens of countries were set to plant trees, clean up trash and urge governments to do more to combat climate change to mark Earth Day, as scientists warn of more extreme weather and record temperatures this year. The run-up to the 54th annual celebration of the environment, officially marked on Saturday, has included a week of conservation and clean-up activities around the world, and festivals were due to begin in Rome and Boston on Friday. Thousands were expected to gather in London on Friday to begin four days of events known as the "Big One", organised by the Extinction Rebellion activist group. A rally was to be staged in Washington urging President Joe Biden to commit to ending fossil fuel use. On Saturday, volunteers will also begin major clean-up campaigns at Lake Dal in India's Srinigar and Florida's hurricane-hit Cape Coral. On Thursday, Biden pledged to increase U.S. funding to help developing countries fight climate change and curb deforestation in Brazil's Amazon rainforest during a meeting with leaders from the world's largest economies. U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres told countries attending Biden's Major Economies Forum that "a quantum leap in climate action" was required to limit temperature rises to 1.5 degrees Celsius. He warned in a recorded Earth Day message that "we seem hellbent on destruction". Earth Day this year follows weeks of extreme weather with temperatures hitting a record 45.4 degrees Celsius (113.7 Fahrenheit) in Thailand and another punishing heatwave in India, where at least 13 people died of heatstroke at a ceremony last weekend. Scientists warned this week that killer heatwaves were putting "unprecedented burdens" on India's agriculture, economy and public health, and undermining the country's long-term efforts to reduce poverty, inequality and illness. Average global temperatures could hit record highs this year or in 2024, driven by climate change and the anticipated return of the "El Nino" weather phenomenon, climate scientists said on Thursday. (Reporting by David Stanway; Editing by William Mallard) Richard Dillon says his company is at 'a tipping point' - Tom Heal The boss of Europes biggest lab-grown meat plant has suggested his business will be forced to move abroad unless Britain seizes the opportunities of Brexit. Richard Dillon, chief executive of Ivy Farm Technologies, said his company is at a tipping point and looking to launch its product on the market. However he is concerned by red tape which the UK has inherited from the EU. Although the company is proudly British, he says he must decide whether to stay in Oxford or move to the US. Mr Dillon said: The UK has inherited the Novel Food Regulations from the EU lock, stock and barrel. And potentially its made for a different food technology era where things are not moving quite as fast. My wish, being a proud Brit and having Ivy Farm based in Oxford in the UK, is that the UK Government would follow quickly behind the US in getting their safety framework, their regulatory roadmap together. Companies around the world are investing in lab-grown meat as an ethical and healthier alternative to traditional animal farmed products. 'We're kind of at a tipping point' Ivy Farm was set up out of Oxford University in 2019 and has raised over 24 million in seed funding. Last year the startup opened Europes largest pilot plant for cultivated meat production in Oxford, standing at 18,000 sq ft. Ivy Farms is now considering which country to apply to for approval for their product and has yet to submit an application to the UK Food Standards Agency. Were kind of at a tipping point right now in Ivy Farms history and future. Do we stay in the UK as a proudly British company with predominantly UK staff? The UK is set up to be a biotech and a food tech leader. But the decision point for us is if we cannot see a path through to regulation, through to sale, through to bringing in sales and profit, then we will be forced to up and move to another market. And so should Ivy Farm actually produce and even set up its R&D and pilot plant headquarters in the States versus the UK is a very real question that we have to answer in the next month. Story continues Otherwise we are at a disadvantage versus other cultivated meat companies in the space who are also looking for funding for the right staff and ultimately for that path to market, he told The Telegraph. Ivy Farm Technologies, Oxford - Ivy Farm Only Singapore has so far approved the product for sale and in a limited capacity. But Mr Dillon warned that sticking to the EUs food regulations would leave Britain behind in the global race for agricultural innovation. All new foods in the EU must comply with the Novel Foods Regulations, rules which the UK has retained since Brexit. On average, the process takes three years to grant approvals, and companies must navigate significant obstacles, such as extensive scientific tests, consultations with experts and requests for more information. Last month the US Food and Drug Administration issued a no questions letter to the American cultivated meat company, GOOD Meat, meaning the regulator agreed with the company that its cultivated chicken is safe to consume. GOOD Meat became the second such company in America to get the green light from the FDA; In both cases the process took just over one year. GOOD Meat can now proceed to the next step in getting its product on supermarket shelves by going to the US Department of Agriculture for approval. In March, the Italian government supported a Bill that would ban laboratory-grown meat, raising concerns about public health and protecting Italys food heritage. In 2022 the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs published a report on Britains post-Brexit food strategy which highlighted the need to reform the rules on granting novel food products approval for consumption. 'Failing to grasp the mantle' Matthew Lesh, from the Institute of Economic Affairs, authored a report urging the Government to cut red tape for British cultivated meat companies. Mr Lesh said: The EUs novel food regulatory process is extraordinarily slow, overly cumbersome and creates significant uncertainties for innovators. Approval takes a long time because the regulator can halt the process at any point for more information. In a fast-changing and competitive space, startups like Ivy Farm could ultimately be forced to seek approval elsewhere. British regulators havent clarified requirements for cultivated meat, leaving companies in the dark about what to submit, which could lead to insurmountable requirements. Brexit provides the UK with the opportunity to diverge, but we are so far failing to grasp the mantle. After more than three years of planning, persistence, manual labor and financial investment in a dream that would not die, affordable housing activist Glen Gibellina wants the world to know about his shipping container home. Looking at it, you wouldnt know that the attractive split-level home started out as three shipping containers manufactured in China. Gibellina bought two 40-by-8-foot containers for $5,000 each and a 20-by-8 container for $3,800 and picked them up at the Port of Tampa. They are one-trippers, containers that were used to transport products only once. They make a better tiny home because they havent been through the wear and tear of older shipping containers. Denise Jones and her special needs child, Dustin Muir, will be moving into the 744-square-foot home on Saturday. It took a lot of patience and prayer, and then this starts happening, Jones said after getting her first look inside the home on Wednesday. The idea of being cutting edge is exciting for him, too, Jones said of her 18-year-old son. I love it, too, Dustin said. The home is hurricane-proof and sound-proof as well, Gibellina said. Dustin Muir and his mother, Denise Jones, stand in the main room of their new tiny house build from shipping containers by Glen Gibellina. The cabinets and other details were painted a special blue in memory of Denises mothers favorite Blue suede of Elvis fame. Inside, you wouldnt know there is a concrete plant across the street. Its that quiet. Inside are all the comforts: air conditioning, big-screen TV, full kitchen, laundry and more. The kitchen cabinets are painted in a color dubbed Blue Suede, in honor of Denises late mother, who was a big Elvis Presley fan. Gibellina carried on the Blue Suede theme with a fountain that he made in the front yard. He McGyvered it, Jones said of how Gibellina crafted the fountain. How it happened Competition for home rentals in the Bradenton area became more fierce during the COVID-19 pandemic, making a place to stay more and more expensive. Gibellina has lived in the Bradenton area more than 40 years. About 20 years ago, he looked around for available affordable housing and could find little. That was the start of his outspoken advocacy for affordable housing. Story continues He credits a tiny house built in Utah by Jeffrey White in 2013 as the inspiration for his tiny house. Glen Gibellina built this tiny home from three shipping containers, modifying them to create a modern-looking dwelling that he says is hurricane and soundproof. Gibellina bought Whites plans and brought in architect Sean Williams, who he had met at the Florida Suncoast Tiny Home Festival, to work on the project. The goal was to build a tiny home that met state building code standards. The home is a permitted use as an accessory dwelling unit (ADU), under Manatee County guidelines. Manatee County defines an ADU as a subordinate dwelling with cooking and bathroom facilities. Sean also saw the vision and greatly discounted his fees for this mission. I own the plans for duplication for anyone that would like to have a home like this, Gibellina said. Modifying the containers Gibellina approached Sheriff Rick Wells and asked whether prisoners learning welding could use some practical experience by modifying the containers. Gibellina provided all the materials, including the steel, the welding rods and plasma cutting tips. An inmate who worked on the project at the jail continued to volunteer his skills after his release. He recently came back and helped finish the mission putting his own personal business aside for a week, Gibellina said. If it wasnt for Rick Wells and MTC, this project wouldnt have got off the ground, he said. Manatee County Government also helped by fast tracking permitting for the project. Glen Gibellina built this tiny home from three shipping containers, modifying them to create a modern-looking home that he says is hurricane and soundproof. The build Gibellinas tiny house project is on his own property in the New Pearce neighborhood, a more than 100-year-old community in southern Manatee County. We have no sewer, no water, no sidewalks. We are a very marginalized community and have been around longer than almost anybody, he said. This street used to be where the cows came and where celery was grown, he said. Glen Gibellina built this tiny home from three shipping containers, modifying them to create a modern-looking dwelling that he says is hurricane and soundproof. The bathroom has a fiberglass shower and the toilet goes to a septic tank. Despite the lack of conveniences, New Pearce is an old-style community where folks know their neighbors, down to what beer they might drink, Gibellina said. Among those who helped with the project was a neighbor and owner of Decker Masonry who set the foundations and installed the driveway, and many others who offered their services and skills often at discounted rates. Among the not-so-professionals that helped were students from Bayshore High School, veterans, neighbors and friends. According to Gibellina, some of those helpers had fallen on hard times. I believe in second chances. Some worked out, some didnt, he said. The financing Twelve banks turned down Gibellinas request for financing, saying that there were no comparable projects, and the risk was too great. In the end, Gibellina provided his own financing. Thats why it took three years and not three months, said Gibellina, a 71-year-old career carpenter. This has been a three-year mission, a struggle at times, and at the end I just plain ran out of money, he said. Friends, family and neighbors helped provide the gap funding to complete the project. Can I fix the tens of thousands we are short affordable housing units? No. Can I change one familys life for the better? Yes, I can make a difference in one familys life, he said. Dustin Muir and his mother, Denise Jones, stand in the main room of their new tiny house build from shipping containers by Glen Gibellina. The cabinets and other details were painted a special blue in memory of Denises mothers favorite Blue suede of Elvis fame. Making a difference Denise Jones, who will be renting the container home for herself and her son, calls it a miracle. It provides such a sense of serenity for me, and a feeling of security for Dustin, she said. She has friends who were homeowners and fell into homelessness. Now she doesnt have to worry about that. Its my utopia. Im never leaving, Jones said. The need Gibellina serves on the Manatee County Affordable Housing Advisory Board. He hopes that his container house can serve as a model for more ADUs that could potentially be built in neighborhoods to provide more affordable housing. An open house is planned for the shipping container house 2-4 p.m. Saturday, April 22, at 2750 71st Ave. E., Sarasota. Although the home has a Sarasota mailing address it is in southern Manatee County. A house blessing will be at 2:30 p.m. Representatives of Bonaparte, a Wauchula-based container home and tiny house builder will be present to answer questions. For more information, email Gibellina at uncontained360@gmail.com. Glen Gibellina built this tiny home from three shipping containers, modifying them to create a modern-looking home that he says is hurricane and soundproof. A detail on the front of the roof is a whimsical weathervane. Attorney General Todd Rokita dropped his attempt to revive a lawsuit filed against himself by Dr. Caitlin Bernard and her medical partner, Dr. Amy Caldwell, on Friday. Rokita began his legal battle with Bernard after she told the IndyStar about an abortion she performed on an Ohio 10-year-old shortly after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Bernard filed the lawsuit in 2022 because she said Rokita caused her reputation "irreparable harm" after he spoke publicly about his investigation into the OB-GYN. Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita speaks at the Indiana March for Life anti-abortion demonstration on Jan. 23, 2023, in Indianapolis. Their fight now moves to the Indiana Medical Licensing Board. Bernard asked last December to drop the lawsuit when Rokita reported Bernard to the board late last year. He asked them to investigate if she violated professional standards, alleging she broke privacy laws through sharing her patient's story and did not immediately report the abuse and rape to authorities. Related coverage: Indiana OB/GYN drops suit against AG Todd Rokita as abortion dispute heads to state board Rokita's office told the judge April 11 they wanted to keep the case open to address and remediate his reputation. The attorneys told Marion County Judge Amber Collins-Gebrehiwet they are fine the lawsuit being closed once they address their concerns. Bernard's attorneys called the motion an "extraordinary request." Bernard has maintained she did not share confidential information about a patient and reported the operation as required by law. Bernard is scheduled to appear in front of the Medical Licensing Board May 25. Contact IndyStar Pulliam Fellow Cate Charron at ccharron@indystar.com or follow her on Twitter @catecharron. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana AG Todd Rokita drops Dr. Bernard's lawsuit against himself People rally for Ralph Yarl in front of Whittaker U.S. Courthouse in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 18, 2023. (Emily Curiel/Kansas City Star) I dont sympathize in any way with Andrew Lester, but I think I understand him. From what I hear through the media, he sounds like a fellow grumpy old man. I understand. Im old and feeling grumpier by the day. But I dont turn to firearms to do my talking. Advertisement The same apparently cannot be said for Andrew Lester, 84, the retired airplane mechanic who infamously gave a trigger-happy response to Ralph Yarl, when the 16-year-old teenager knocked on Lesters door in Kansas City, Missouri, not knowing he had come to the wrong address. Yarl was picking up his younger siblings at a friends home. Advertisement Far from a gangbanger, Yarl was described later in a statement by North Kansas City School District Superintendent Dan Clemens as an excellent student and a talented musician who maintains a stellar GPA while taking mostly college-level courses far from a criminal profile. Fortunately, the teen survived two gunshot wounds, including one to his head. The case stoked national outrage as a symbol of gun violence and national debates over self-defense, racial profiling and stand your ground or castle doctrine self-defense laws. Lester pleaded not guilty to the charges of assault in the first degree and armed criminal action and was released on $200,000 bond. In custody, he told police that he fired his Smith & Wesson .32-caliber pistol because he was scared to death that someone was trying to break into his home. Controversy deepened as Clay County Prosecuting Attorney Zachary Thompson said at a news conference without elaborating that there was a racial component to the case. That view seemed to be supported by Lesters grandson Klint Ludwig, who told the Kansas City Star that he was repulsed but not entirely surprised by the shooting. The warning signs were there. I wasnt shocked when I heard the news, Ludwig told CNN. I believe he held, holds, racist tendencies and beliefs. Ralph Yarl, the teenager shot by a homeowner in Kansas City, Missouri. (Ben Crump Law) Ludwig described how his grandpa fell further down the right-wing rabbit hole as far as doing the election-denying conspiracy stuff and COVID conspiracies and disinformation, fully buying into the Fox News, OAN kind of line while immersed in a 24-hour news cycle of fear and paranoia. By contrast, Klint Ludwigs older brother Daniel declined to comment much but, in a New York Times interview, he disputed claims that their grandfather supported extreme views and conspiracy theories. Yet, when we try to make sense out of the senseless in cases like this one, the narrative is complicated by some eerily similar gun tragedies that happened within days of each other. Advertisement For example, race didnt come up as an issue two days after Yarls shooting when Kaylin Gillis, 20, riding with a group of her young friends, pulled into the wrong driveway at a rural country home in a wooded area of upstate New York. The homeowner came out of his house and, reportedly without warning, shot at them, killing Gillis. Or there were the two Texas cheerleaders, shot on April 18 after a friend mistakenly got into the wrong car in a supermarket parking lot. A suspect, Pedro Tello Rodriguez Jr., 25, was charged with deadly conduct, a third-degree felony, punishable by two to 10 years in prison or a fine of up to $10,000, authorities said. And, of course, there were more gun-related tragedies across our land where guns way outnumber people. These stood out only because of the striking similarities in their circumstances. Whether it was because of mistaken identities or senselessly volatile tempers, they stand out as tragic examples of how routine mistakes quickly can turn tragic at the hands of people too eager to pick up a firearm. No parent should have to worry that their kid will be shot after ringing the wrong doorbell, said President Joe Biden after Yarls shooting. Thats too true. But Fox News host Tucker Carlson quickly accused Biden of trying to further divide the country. Aw, cmon, Tucker. Youre too young to join us grumpy old men, although youre off to a good start. cpage@chicagotribune.com Advertisement Twitter @cptime Salem's Fire shares one bay with Marion County Fire and Rescue at Chemeketa Community College. More modern stations have four double pull-through bays. City staff will update Salem City Council Monday on key projects accomplished more than five months after Salem voters passed a $300 million infrastructure bond. Voters approved the safety and livability measure in the November election. Previous coverage Salem voters support $300M bond measure for parks, libraries, fire stations The $300 million bond funds various infrastructure purchases for 10 years, including fire trucks and equipment, streets, sidewalks, parks, two new fire stations to improve responses times, affordable housing, purchase of sites for affordable housing and branch libraries, cybersecurity for city operations, and Civic Center seismic improvements. The bond came up for a vote just as previous bond measures retired and were removed from the tax rolls, meaning it did not increase residents' tax rates. The city created an oversight committee for the spending and projects funded by the bond. The first of three bond sales took place in February. Now several critical infrastructure projects are underway, including the acquisition of fire trucks and equipment and paving two parking lots at Minto Brown Island Park. The Bond Oversight Committee includes Mayor Chris Hoy, councilors Virginia Stapleton and Micki Varney, along with community members Bob Cortright and Mike Herron. Councilor Linda Nishioka serves as an alternate. The Oversight Committee meets monthly to receive updates and is developing criteria to prioritize future projects to construct missing sidewalks, repair sidewalks, improve pedestrian crossings and construct mixed-use path and trail projects. So far, the city has used the funds to purchase $19.89 million in fire trucks and equipment, including 16 fire engines, two ladder trucks, one heavy rescue vehicle, one air rescue vehicle, two wildland fire engines, two ambulances and an aircraft rescue truck. In the bond, $26 million was envisioned to replace 15-year-old fire engines, ladder trucks, and other equipment. The remaining nearly $7 million of funds will be used to purchase additional equipment including command vehicles, tow rigs, trailers and other rescue tools such as jaws of life and defibrillators. Story continues The city also is preparing to pave two parking lots at Minto-Brown Island Park. More: Salem preparing to pave Minto-Brown Island Park's parking lots Also on the agenda Other agenda items include: Adopting a resolution to accept funds to support a Rapid Re-Housing project under Gov. Tina Kotek's executive order. The project would house at least 65 people through Salem Housing Authority by Jan. 10, 2024. Adopting a resolution adding Salem Municipal Airport fees to the city's fee schedule. The addition would allow staff to begin processing background checks and issuing badges to meet regulatory requirements. An annual report by the Center 50+ Advisory Commission highlighting activities, services and volunteer efforts at the center. A presentation of the economic development quarterly report. The second reading of the proposed code amendment to eliminate minimum parking requirements citywide to comply with new state rules. How to participate The meeting is at 6 p.m. It will be held in person at the City Council Chambers at the Salem Civic Center at 555 Liberty St. SE and also can be watched on Comcast Cable CCTV Channel 21 or on the Salem YouTube channel in English/American Sign Language and Spanish. Those wishing to comment in person can sign-up on the rosters at the chamber entrance before the start of the meeting. Written public comments on agenda items can be emailed by 5 p.m. Monday to cityrecorder@cityofsalem.net. Or preregister between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday at cityofsalem.net/Pages/Public-Comment-at-Salem-City-Council-Meeting.aspx to speak during the meeting via Zoom. For questions, comments and news tips, email reporter Whitney Woodworth at wmwoodworth@statesmanjournal.com, call 503-910-6616 or follow on Twitter @wmwoodworth This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: On the agenda: Salem City Council gets update on $300M bond projects Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk, Commander of the Air Force of Ukraine, has inspected the combat positions of the recently supplied Patriot air defence systems on one of the fronts. Source: Oleshchuk on Telegram Details: The Air Force Commander thanked the Ukrainian anti-aircraft troops who completed their training much earlier than planned, as well as the international partners who handed over the anti-aircraft missile system and everyone who contributed to this process. The Air Force promises more news about the Patriot air defence systems later. Quote: "The photo behind me is of a Patriot air defence system, which is already on combat duty in the air defence system of Ukraine! Albeit in small quantities, we already have modern Western anti-aircraft missile systems in service: NASAMS, IRIS-T, Patriot, SAMP/T, Crotale, Gepard and others. The Air Force needs F-16 fighter jets to complete the puzzle of Ukraine's promising air defence system! Let's keep our eyes on the skies and wait for good news from Ramstein (the US airbase in Germany where Ukraine's allies traditionally meet to discuss further steps to support it militarily ed.)!" Background: On the eve of the next Ramstein-format meeting, Colonel Yurii Ihnat, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Air Force, emphasised that Ukraine needs to increase the supply of both anti-aircraft missile systems and missiles for them, as the air defence forces has used up many of these missiles during the autumn and winter to repel massive Russian attacks. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! An air-raid warning was issued throughout Ukraine soon after midnight on the night of 20-21 April, and after the all-clear was given in a number of oblasts, the air-raid warning was issued again. Source: Air-raid alarm map Details: An air-raid siren sounded in the city of Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast at 00:09. Currently, an air-raid warning has been issued throughout all oblasts of Ukraine. The speed of the spread of the alarm indicates the likely take-off of a MG-31K fighter in the Russian Federation, which can carry an air-launched ballistic Kinzhal missile. Updated at 00:40. The all-clear was given in most oblasts of Ukraine. As for now, the air-raid warnings are still in force in the city of Kyiv, Kyiv and Chernihiv oblasts. The air-raid warning was in force for about 15-20 minutes in the rest of the oblasts. Updated at 00:45. The Kyiv Oblast Military Administration reported that there is a threat of a Russian drone attack on Kyiv Oblast. Updated at 00:55. An air-raid warning was issued in Zhytomyr Oblast. Updated at 01:05. The Kyiv Oblast Military Administration reported that air defence forces were operating in the oblast. Andrii Yermak, Head of the Ukrainian Presidents Office, also reported that air defence forces had been deployed. Updated at 01:55. The threat in the capital region is still ongoing, reported Kyiv Oblast Military Administration. "Air defence forces are working on their targets," Kyiv Oblast Military Administration clarified. Updated at 02:00. An air-raid warning was issued in Vinnytsia Oblast. Updated at 02:35. An air-raid warning was also issued in Khmelnytskyi, Ternopil, Lviv, and Sumy oblasts. Updated at 02:45. A series of explosions was heard in Kharkiv, Suspilne (Ukraine's public broadcaster) reported on Telegram. Suspilne noted that the explosions probably took place outside the city. An air-raid warning was not issued in Kharkiv Oblast. Updated at 04:20. The all-clear was given in Kyiv and most oblasts. Story continues As for now, air-raid warnings have been issued in Sumy and Poltava oblasts, and these were also issued in Kharkiv Oblast. Updated at 04:45. An air-raid warning was issued in Kirovohrad Oblast. Updated at 05:40. The all-clear was given throughout Ukraine. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! The orbital module is designed to fit inside next-generation heavy-lift rockets like SpaceXs Starship. European company Airbus unveiled a sleek, modern concept for an orbital module designed to host four astronauts in low Earth orbit, lunar orbit, and possibly during future missions to Mars. This week, Airbus shared a set of illustrated images showing the interior of Airbus LOOP, the companys answer to the International Space Station (ISS) after it retires in 2030. Read more Three stories high An illustration of the three decks that make up Airbus space station design. The futuristic space habitat is made up of three decks: the top floor is for astronauts living quarters, the second floor is for science experiments, and the bottom floor has a centrifuge to recreate gravity-like conditions and reduce the effects of weightlessness on the human body, according to Airbus. A greenhouse tunnel runs through the middle, intersecting all three decks and connecting them together to provide astronauts with the option to grow plants and food in space. Habitation station An illustration of two astronauts engaging in an unknown activity on board Airbus Loop. Airbus LOOP is designed for astronauts comfort, with the inside of the module stretching across 26 feet across (eight meters), according to Airbus. The space station is meant to host four astronauts at a time, although it could accommodate upwards of eight astronauts. Far out workout An astronaut exercises on board the orbital module. It also has an orbital gym for astronauts to exercise while on board. Astronauts regularly workout on board the ISS to counter the effects the microgravity environment has on their bodies. Airbus wants to create artificial gravity on board the bottom deck of its future module so that astronauts may get temporary relief from their orbital weightlessness, which erodes muscles and bones. More space for astronauts An illustration of an astronaut inside the science deck. The company designed its orbital module to be stationed around Earth, the Moon, or even Mars, whether it be attached to commercial or government-owned infrastructure in space. The Airbus LOOP is designed to fit with the upcoming generation of super-heavy launchers that can launch an entire module in one piece, Airbus wrote. Thus, the Airbus LOOP is immediately operational once in orbit, ready to host humans and payloads. Story continues Inside the science deck This illustration shows the modules science deck. Airbus has some experience building orbital modules. The company built the European Columbus module that launched in 2008 to the ISS. Columbus is a multifunctional pressurized laboratory permanently attached to the space stations Harmony Module. The habitation deck An illustration of the habitation deck. Airbus is framing LOOP as the next-generation ISS, which is due to end its 30-year reign in low Earth orbit. After the ISS retires in seven years, NASA is looking to collaborate with private companies on other space stations in orbit. NASA has called on its commercial partners Blue Origin, Axiom Space, NanoRacks, and Northrop Grumman to develop concepts for a space station under the space agencys Commercial Low-Earth Orbit Development Program. Crew quarters The crews quarters on board LOOP. Airbus isnt the only private space company looking to build an orbital station. Axiom Space is planning on sending the first module of its space station in 2025, followed by a second module in 2026. Its not yet clear when Airbus will start building its ambitious orbital module or when we might see this structure in low Earth orbit. For more spaceflight in your life, follow us on Twitter and bookmark Gizmodos dedicated Spaceflight page. More from Gizmodo Sign up for Gizmodo's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Ever since the Republican primary for governor shaped up, the big question has been: Can personal wealth buy a GOP nomination for the states highest office? Now we ask, can money and misinformation win the May 16 election? Perhaps. The fabulously funded, falsehood-flaunting campaign of former ambassador Kelly Craft is catching up to Attorney General Daniel Cameron, as evidenced by his paid-TV attacks on her after he spent months as the clear leader in polls perhaps creating an opening for Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles. It would be nice (and accurate) to say that Craft is in striking distance because she is the hardest-working candidate and a charmer on the campaign trail. But its mainly about money and perhaps about misinformation. This could be the first primary for governor in which the nomination is not decided by votes based on facts, but on false and misleading media messages. More: Governor's race: Takeaways from Kentucky Sports Radio's GOP primary debate The main example is Crafts ad that shows woke bureaucrats parachuting in to a Kentucky public school and forcing woke ideology into the classroom, the object example being critical race theory, which is not taught in the states public schools. A pre-teen girl seems forced to say which pronouns she prefers, and Craft appears, saying, Its immoral . . . Ill dismantle the Department of Education. But only the legislature can do that. The ads basis is the departments advice not a requirement that school districts honor students requests to be addressed by a certain name or pronoun. But now the department cant recommend policies or procedures for the use of pronouns that do not conform to the sex listed on the student's original birth certificate, under a law sponsored by Crafts running mate for lieutenant governor, Sen. Max Wise of Campbellsville. Some may dismiss the ad as a joke, but a matter for serious discussion should not be the topic of a cartoonish ad that uses bizarre bureaucrats to stoke voters fears of people with different lifestyles. Its hateful and shameful. But Crafts campaign is a shameless one, using Christian imagery in mailers that make it seem like shes running for Sunday-school superintendent, not governor. What does evangelist Franklin Graham know about who should be our governor? Story continues The Craft mailer with Grahams endorsement says This campaign is one built on faith. Candidates who wrap themselves in religion violate the spirit of Article 6 of the U.S. Constitution, which says No religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States. More: A state police post in Louisville? Beshear, Cameron spar over crime-control suggestion Cameron has no shortage of religion in his ads, as he attacks Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear for closing churches at the start of the pandemic and says we need a governor who knows that only faith can keep us strong. Faith can be a great help in secular matters, but its not the sole source of strength. For political strength, Republicans are counting on religion and social issues. A new ad from a group tied to the Republican Governors Association says Beshear seems to think that young children are ready to make decisions about changing their gender. Actually, in vetoing the bill that bans gender-affirming care for minors, Beshear cited the need to protect parents rights. (Beshear faces little more than token Democratic opposition, but the ad seems to be an effort to embarrass him by generating primary turnout from getting ardent social conservatives who remain registered Democratic.) Misinformation has always been part of political campaigns, but until recent years there were significant disincentives. News media would make much of misleading ads, and confront candidates who ran them. Today, candidates avoid debates (Craft is the main absentee, but Cameron missed the KSR debate Wednesday) and play hide-and-seek with a depleted cadre of reporters, especially those working for newspapers which, despite the demise of their old business model, remain the primary fact-finders in our society. Many fewer people read the facts these days. Forty years ago, the states two largest papers The Courier-Journal and the Lexington Herald-Leader, which then covered every major gubernatorial campaign daily in the last few weeks had a combined circulation of more than 300,000. In 2003, it was around 180,000; last year, it was just over 70,000, including digital subscriptions, which were only recently added to newspapers postal reports. In the place of journalism, which practices a discipline of verification, Kentuckians get their political information from social media, which have hardly any discipline or verification or from television, which is largely superficial. In the 2008 U.S. Senate rate, advertising time on Lexington TV stations was 30 times that devoted to news stories about the race, few of which had any details useful to voters trying to make a choice. TV has changed little, and newspapers have changed a lot, so this column largely spits into the wind. So I guess I should say: Share this on social! Al Cross (Twitter @ruralj) is a professor in the University of Kentucky School of Journalism and Media and director of its Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues. His opinions are his own, not UKs. He was the longest-serving political writer for the Louisville Courier Journal (1989-2004) and national president of the Society of Professional Journalists in 2001-02. He joined the Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame in 2010. The NKyTribune is the anchor home for his column. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Can money and misinformation buy a nomination for Kentucky governor? Al Pacino has teasingly taken credit for Harrison Fords illustrious career. Before Ford became known globally as rebel hero Han Solo in the Star Wars franchise, it appears the Millennium Falcon spaceship couldve had a different pilot. During an event in New York on Wednesday (19 April), Pacino revealed he had originally been offered Fords role in the sci-fi fantasy. When I first came up, I was the new kid on the block, you know what happens when you first become famous, The Godfather star told the audience per Variety. Its like, Give it to Al. Theyd give me Queen Elizabeth to play. Pacino said he was given a script called Star Wars and had been offered so much money. The 82-year-old Scarface actor explained that he read it but didnt understand it. So I said I couldnt do it, Pacino said. I turned down Star Wars. Al Pacino and Harrison Ford (Getty Images) He then joked: I gave Harrison Ford a career. While Pacino turned down the role that would go on to shoot Ford to worldwide fame, he instead led the 1977 romance drama Bobby Deerfield. Although his alternative choice was poorly received by critics, Pacino went on to star in other classics, including Scarface (1983), Carlitos Way (1993), Donnie Brasco (1997), and more recently The Irishman (2019). Just before leading the final film in the Star Wars trilogy, Ford landed his career-defining role as the intrepid archaeologist Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981). Three more Indiana Jones films later and the now 80-year-old actor will reprise the iconic role in the forthcoming Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, premiering in cinemas on 30 June. In order for the opening sequence to maintain continuity with the original trilogy, Ford will feature digitally de-aged. Last December, Indiana Jones fans rejoiced at the release of the first trailer teaser for the fifth movie. Al Pacino said he turned down "so much money" to appear in "Star Wars." "The Godfather" star was offered the role of Han Solo in 1977's "A New Hope." He joked that by declining the role he "gave Harrison Ford a career." Al Pacino is well regarded as one of the best actors of his generation, starring in a number of beloved movies like "The Godfather," "Scarface," "Heat," "Serpico," "Carlito's Way," and many more. But he nearly added a beloved franchise to his filmography back in the 1970s: "Star Wars." Yes, Pacino almost joined Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Alec Guinness, and Peter Mayhew in a galaxy far, far away as the rogue smuggler, Han Solo. The 82-year-old actor was discussing his lengthy career during a talk at The 92nd Street Y in New York on Wednesday when he recalled his brush with "Star Wars" (via Variety). He explained that he was offered so many projects at the time because he was the "new kid on the block." Pacino said: "Well, I turned down 'Star Wars.' When I first came up, I was the new kid on the block... you know what happens when you first become famous. It's like, 'Give it to Al.' They'd give me Queen Elizabeth to play." He went on to say that he passed on "Star Wars" because he didn't understand it, although he didn't say what specifically confused him about the script. He then joked that because he didn't play Han Solo, it led to stardom for Harrison Ford. The star said: "They gave me a script called 'Star Wars.' They offered me so much money. I don't understand it. I read it. So I said I couldn't do it. I gave Harrison Ford a career." Ford previously had a few minor roles in film and TV, like "American Graffiti," "The Conversation," and "Kung Fu," but "Star Wars" was the thing that turned him into an iconic star. Story continues Pacino also recalled a number of anecdotes from his career, including the time he burned his hand on a gun filming the iconic finale of "Scarface." He explained: "One day, we're shooting, fighting, 'Say hello to my little friend,' I shoot thirty rounds, I get hit, the gun goes down, and I'm supposed to be wounded. I go to pick up the gun, and I put my hand on the barrel. My hand stuck to it, and I had to go to the hospital. I was out for two weeks." Read the original article on Insider 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. Key Points Five suspects arrested and charged with reckless murder Family members welcome the arrests High school football star among four victims of latest mass shooting Motive for the shooting still not released by authorities Victim Phil Dowdell died saving sisters life 11:00 , Andrea Blanco A high school star, who was among the victims of a mass shooting in Alabama, died while saving his sisters life. The shooting took place on Saturday night during the Sweet 16 birthday party of Phil Dowdells sister, Alexis, at the Mahogany Masterpiece Dance Studio. Dowdell pushed his sister to the ground as soon as gunfire erupted at around 10.34pm inside the dance studio. I guess he tried to push me out the door as fast as he could, Alexis told the Associated Press. Alisha Rahaman Sarkar reports. Alabama shooting victim Phil Dowdell died saving his sisters life Victims of the Alabama birthday shooting: A college football star to an aspiring musician 09:00 , Andrea Blanco Story continues The tragedy has hit every corner in the small city of just 3,200, Amy Jackson told The Independent on Monday. Ms Jacksons cousin Keke Nicole Smith is among the victims killed and she has at least two other loved ones recovering in hospital. Her fiances cousin Corbin Holston was also killed during the attack. Its still fresh. It hasnt sunk in that this is really happening. Its a close-knitted community, people know everybody. Your kids are our kids type of community, Ms Jackson said. And its just hard to believe that something like that, that we normally see on TV ... is our reality. Read more: What we know about the victims of the Alabama Sweet 16 shooting Everything we know about the Dadeville shooting 08:00 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar America has suffered another tragic outbreak of gun violence, this time at a Sweet 16 birthday party in Dadeville, Alabama, in which four people were killed and a further 28 injured. According to local police, the shooting began at around 10.34pm on Saturday (15 April) during a celebration held at the Mahogany Masterpiece Dance Studio in downtown Dadeville, a small town of around 3,000 residents lying 45 miles north east of Montgomery. Joe Sommerlad reports. Everything we know about the Alabama birthday party shooting Man with same name as one of alleged Dadeville shooter receives threats 07:00 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar Ty Reik McCullough, 17, and his 16-year-old brother Travis McCullough were arrested by the Alabama police in connection with the Dadeville shooting where four people lost their lives. However, a 36-year-old man, who is also named Travis McCullough, has been receiving threatening and hateful messages on social media. Ive been scared to go outside just because of the messages and comments Ive been seeing, Mr McCullough told Montgomery Advertiser. Mr McCullough works as a delivery driver and lives 40 miles northeast in the valley. He initially began deleting the hate comments and DMs but later realised he might need proof of the threats if something bad were to happen. Ive been cautious about that all day, he said. Just know, Im not the one that did it. Victims mother asked attendees with guns to leave party before shooting unfolded 06:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar Taniya Cox, an 18-year-old who was shot twice in her right arm as she fled the party, joined hundreds of residents, told CBS News that Phil and Alexis Dowdells mother had ordered anyone with a gun to leave the party just moments before the shooting unfolded. The mother said whoever had guns had to get out and they didnt get out and five minutes later the shooting started, Ms Cox said. I ran in front of a bullet and got shot. I didnt know what was going on I just saw blood coming out of my arm. Authorities said earlier this week that they did not recover any high-powered rifle ammunition at the scene. They did find numerous shell casings used in handguns. Sixth suspect taken into custody - reports 06:00 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar District attorney Mike Segrest yesterday evening said a sixth suspect, a 15-year-old, was taken into custody, AL reported. Mr Segrest, however, did not identify the suspect or say where the suspect lived. Suspects held in Tallapoosa County Jail 05:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar The five people charged in a deadly shooting, including three teenagers, are being held in the Tallapoosa County Jail with no bond. Authorities wrote in court documents filed Thursday that they believe the five were present at the party and discharged firearms into the crowd resulting in the deaths of four people. The party, at a dance studio just off the town square, was in full swing when gunfire erupted. Teens charged as adults, DA says 05:00 , Andrea Blanco The shootings Saturday night rocked the small town of Dadeville, about 80 miles southeast of Birmingham, and families suddenly found themselves planning memorials and burial services instead of graduation parties or college move-ins. The fatal victims were identified on Monday as Keke Nicole Smith, 17, Phil Dowdell, 18, Marsiah Collins, 19 and Corbin Holston, 23. Four victims remain hospitalised in critical condition as of Wednesday night. Authorities announced the arrest of 20-year-old Johnny Letron Brown on Thursday, five days after the horror attack at the Mahogany Masterpiece Dance Studio on Saturday night. The arrest came two days after police identified the first suspects apprehended in the case, 17-year-old Ty Reik McCullough and 16-year-old Travis McCullough. The third suspect, 20-year-old Wilson LaMar Hill Jr, was arrested on Wednesday. We are going to make sure every victim gets justice, not just the deceased, District Attorney Mark Sergist said during a press conference on Wednesday. Even though these are 16 and 17-year-olds, we are going to charge them as adults. Five suspects arrested and charged with reckless murder 04:13 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar Five people, including three teenagers, have been arrested on reckless murder charges for the mass shooting at a Sweet 16 birthday party that left four people dead and 32 injured in Dadeville, Alabama. Willie George Brown Jr, 19, was arrested Thursday and charged with four counts of reckless murder, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said. Earlier in the day, Johnny Letron Brown, 20, of Tuskegee, was arrested and also charged with four counts of reckless murder. The arrest came two days after police identified the first suspects apprehended in the case, 17-year-old Ty Reik McCullough and 16-year-old Travis McCullough.The third suspect, 20-year-old Wilson LaMar Hill Jr, was arrested on Wednesday. **FIFTH ARREST** On Thursday, April 20, Special Agents with the ALEA SBI, made a 5th arrest in connection to the Tallapoosa County death investigation in Dadeville. Willie George Brown Jr., 19, of Auburn, was arrested and formally charged with four counts of Reckless Murder. pic.twitter.com/9aZCGGIqyt Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (@ALEAprotects) April 20, 2023 Family members welcome the arrests 03:00 , Andrea Blanco The fatal victims were identified on Monday as Keke Nicole Smith, 17, Phil Dowdell, 18, Marsiah Collins, 19 and Corbin Holston, 23. Four victims remain hospitalised in critical condition as of Wednesday night, District Attorney Mark Sergist said. It dont make the hurt any easier. But we are relieved that they (the suspects) are not out in the community, Smiths cousin Amy Jackson told the AP. The gunfire broke out at a birthday party for Dowdells sister Alexis Dowdell, which was being held at a dance studio just off the towns courthouse square. Witnesses had said multiple people began shooting some time after Dowdells mother paused the celebration to ask people with guns to leave. Dadeville shooting victim attends vigil in hospital gown 01:00 , Andrea Blanco Taniya Cox, an 18-year-old who was shot twice in her right arm as she fled the party, joined hundreds of residents, community leaders and local politicians at a vigil on Sunday night straight from her hospital bed, The Montgomery Advertiser reported. In an interview with CBS News, Ms Cox also recounted the moments leading up to the violence and recalled seeing more than one gunman. The mother said whoever had guns had to get out and they didnt get out and five minutes later the shooting started, she said. I ran in front of a bullet and got shot. I didnt know what was going on I just saw blood coming out of my arm. Read more: Dadeville shooting victim attends vigil in hospital gown Pictured: The four Alabama shooting suspects Thursday 20 April 2023 23:00 , Megan Sheets Tyreese Ty Reik McCullough, 17 (Tallapoosa County Sheriffs Dpt) Travis McCullough, 16 (Tallapoosa County Sheriffs Dpt) Wilson LaMar Hill Jr, 20 (Tallapoosa County Sheriffs Dpt) Johnny Letron Brown, 20 (ALEA) Man with same name as alleged Dadeville shooter receives threats Thursday 20 April 2023 22:00 , Megan Sheets Travis McCullough, 16, is among the four people arrested by Alabama police in connection with the Dadeville shooting where four people lost their lives. However, a 36-year-old man, who is also named Travis McCullough, has been receiving threatening and hateful messages on social media. Ive been scared to go outside just because of the messages and comments Ive been seeing, Mr McCullough told Montgomery Advertiser. Mr McCullough works as a delivery driver and lives 40 miles northeast in the valley. He initially began deleting the hate comments and DMs but later realised he might need proof of the threats if something bad were to happen. Ive been cautious about that all day, he said. Just know, Im not the one that did it. What was the motive for the shooting? Thursday 20 April 2023 21:00 , Megan Sheets Four suspects have now been charged over the mass shooting at a Sweet 16 birthday party in Alabama. Travis McCullough, 16; his brother Tyreese Ty Reik McCullough, 17; Wilson LaMar Hill Jr, 20; and Johnny Letron Brown, 20, were all charged with four counts of reckless murder. The motive for the attack remains unknown. At a press conference on Wednesday, Sgt Jeremy Burkett of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency declined to discuss how investigators believe the shooting unfolded. We cant get into a motive right now, because that would be part of an ongoing investigation, he said. We cant share that. As of Thursday afternoon, the agency still has not provided any additional information. Authorities say investigation was been complex and thorough Thursday 20 April 2023 20:15 , Megan Sheets The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency assured that its investigation has been complex and thorough after announcing the arrest of a fourth suspect. Read the full update on the arrest from Andrea Blanco: Fourth man arrested in Alabama shooting that left four people dead and 32 injured Unclear how many suspects are being sought Thursday 20 April 2023 19:51 , Megan Sheets Before police announced the arrest of a fourth suspect on Thursday, there had been no indication that another suspect was being sought. The same can be said for the news of a third arrest on Wednesday. The two developments raise a concerning question: How many people are actually being sought as suspects? Alabama Law Enforcement Agency officials had already faced criticism earlier this week as residents questioned whether the public should have been informed of ongoing threats to the community prior to the first two arrests. Unclear how many suspects are being sought Thursday 20 April 2023 19:46 , Megan Sheets Before police announced the arrest of a fourth suspect on Thursday, there had been no indication that another suspect was being sought. The same can be said for the news of a third arrest on Wednesday. The two developments raise a concerning question: How many people are actually being sought as suspects? Alabama Law Enforcement Agency officials had already faced criticism earlier this week as residents questioned whether the public should have been informed of ongoing threats to the community prior to the first two arrests. Fourth person arrested for murder Thursday 20 April 2023 19:29 , Megan Sheets A fourth person has now been charged in connection with the shooting at a Sweet 16 birthday party in Dadeville, Alabama. Johnny Letron Brown, 20, was arrested on Thursday, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said. He is facing four counts of reckless murder. Who are the victims of the Dadeville shooting? Thursday 20 April 2023 18:33 , Andrea Blanco The tragedy has hit every corner in the small city of just 3,200, Amy Jackson told The Independent on Monday. Ms Jacksons cousin Keke Nicole Smith is among the victims killed and she has at least two other loved ones recovering in hospital. Her fiances cousin Corbin Holston was also killed during the attack. Its still fresh. It hasnt sunk in that this is really happening. Its a close-knitted community, people know everybody. Your kids are our kids type of community, Ms Jackson said. And its just hard to believe that something like that, that we normally see on TV ... is our reality. Read more: You dont mess with out kids Thursday 20 April 2023 17:41 , Andrea Blanco Tallapoosa District Attorney Mark Sergist said more charges are expected to come. The suspects will have a bond hearing within the next 72 hours, and the prosecutors are expected to ask a judge to hold them without bail. Mr Sergist became emotional as he announced the developments, saying some of the victims were children of his longtime friends. He said that grand jurors typically meet in Tallapoosa County in March and September, but he said he would recall grand jurors to seek an indictment before September Theres an uncut cake and unburnt birthday candles that never got lit, he said. I know some of these victims personally ... These are my kids, these are our kids, you dont mess with our kids. Alabama birthday party shooting victim speaks out from hospital bed: Nobody would help me Thursday 20 April 2023 16:52 , Andrea Blanco Police in smalltown Dadeville, Alabama, are continuing their investigation into the mass shooting at a teenagers birthday party that left four people dead and a further 32 injured. The violence broke out at approximately 10.34pm on Saturday at the Mahogany Masterpiece Dance Studio in the downtown area of Dadeville where Alexis Dowdell was celebrating her 16th birthday with friends and family. The Independents Joe Sommerlad has more: Alabama shooting victim speaks out from hospital bed: Nobody would help me What charges are the suspects facing? Thursday 20 April 2023 16:17 , Andrea Blanco The three men arrested earlier this week have been charged with four counts of reckless murder each. Tallapoosa County District Attorney Mark Sergist said on Wednesday that more charges are to come. We are going to make sure every victim gets justice, not just the deceased, Mr Sergist said. Even though these are 16 and 17-year-olds, we are going to charge them as adults. Mr Sergist became emotional as he announced the developments, saying some of the victims were children of his longtime friends. He said that grand jurors typically meet in Tallapoosa County in March and September, but he would recall a panel to seek an indictment before September. Fatal victims mother asked attendees with guns to leave party before shooting unfolded Thursday 20 April 2023 15:51 , Andrea Blanco Taniya Cox, an 18-year-old who was shot twice in her right arm as she fled the party, joined hundreds of residents, told CBS News that Phil and Alexis Dowdells mother had ordered anyone with a gun to leave the party just moments before the shooting unfolded. The mother said whoever had guns had to get out and they didnt get out and five minutes later the shooting started, Ms Cox said. I ran in front of a bullet and got shot. I didnt know what was going on I just saw blood coming out of my arm. Authorities said earlier this week that they did not recover any high-powered rifle ammunition at the scene. They did find numerous shell casings used in handguns. Man with same name as one of alleged Dadeville shooter receives threats Thursday 20 April 2023 15:21 , Andrea Blanco Ty Reik McCullough, 17, and his 16-year-old brother Travis McCullough were arrested by the Alabama police in connection with the Dadeville shooting where four people lost their lives. However, a 36-year-old man, who is also named Travis McCullough, has been receiving threatening and hateful messages on social media. Ive been scared to go outside just because of the messages and comments Ive been seeing, Mr McCullough told Montgomery Advertiser. Mr McCullough works as a delivery driver and lives 40 miles northeast in the valley. He initially began deleting the hate comments and DMs but later realised he might need proof of the threats if something bad were to happen. Ive been cautious about that all day, he said. Just know, Im not the one that did it. Who are the suspects arrested? Thursday 20 April 2023 14:23 , Andrea Blanco Authorities announced the arrests of 17-year-old Ty Reik McCullough, 16-year-old Travis McCullough and Wilson LaMar Hill Jr, 20, on Wednesday, three days after four people were killed and 32 injured by gunfire at a Sweet 16 party. According to local outlet AL.com, the teen suspects are brothers. The teens were taken into custody on Tuesday night, while Mr LaMar was arrested on Wednesday evening. They have been charged with four counts of reckless murder. Sgt Jeremy Burkett of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said during a press conference that a motive for the shooting has been determined, but details will not be shared with the public at this time. Please understand, with the violence that went on and the magnitude of what happened, we are absolutely still in the early stages of the investigation, Sgt Burkett said. This is the beginning, this is not the end. There is a tremendous amount of work that is yet to be done. WATCH: Police announce arrests at Wednesdays press conference Thursday 20 April 2023 13:45 , Rachel Sharp Motive still unknown Thursday 20 April 2023 13:00 , Rachel Sharp Three suspects have now been charged over the mass shooting at a Sweet 16 birthday party in Alabama. Travis McCullough, 16, his brother Tyreese Ty Reik McCullough, 17, and Wilson LaMar Hill Jr, 20, were all charged with four counts of reckless murder. The motive for the attack remains unknown. At a press conference on Wednesday, Sgt Jeremy Burkett of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency declined to discuss how investigators believe the shooting unfolded. We cant get into a motive right now, because that would be part of an ongoing investigation, he said. We cant share that. Alabama Governor Kay Ivey says work is not done Thursday 20 April 2023 12:15 , Rachel Sharp Alabama Governor Kay Ivey tweets has said that the work is not done following the arrests of three people in the mass shooting at a Sweet 16 party. Violent crime has NO place in Alabama and what happened in Dadeville was horrific. Im proud of the major progress made by law enforcement, she tweeted on Wednesday. The work is not done, and we will fully support ALEA as they work to ensure we hold ALL responsible for this tragedy accountable. Violent crime has NO place in Alabama and what happened in Dadeville was horrific. Im proud of the major progress made by law enforcement. The work is not done, and we will fully support ALEA as they work to ensure we hold ALL responsible for this tragedy accountable. Governor Kay Ivey (@GovernorKayIvey) April 19, 2023 PICTURED: Mugshots of three suspects Thursday 20 April 2023 11:47 , Rachel Sharp Travis McCullough (Tallapoosa County Sheriffs Dpt) Tyreese Ty Reik McCullough (Tallapoosa County Sheriffs Dpt) Wilson LaMar Hill Jr. (Tallapoosa County Sheriffs Dpt) Alabama birthday party shooting victim speaks out from hospital bed: Nobody would help me Thursday 20 April 2023 09:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar Police in smalltown Dadeville, Alabama, are continuing their investigation into the mass shooting at a teenagers birthday party that left four people dead and a further 32 injured. The violence broke out at approximately 10.34pm on Saturday at the Mahogany Masterpiece Dance Studio in the downtown area of Dadeville where Alexis Dowdell was celebrating her 16th birthday with friends and family. The Independents Joe Sommerlad has more: Alabama shooting victim speaks out from hospital bed: Nobody would help me Teens arrested in connection to Dadeville shooting are brothers Thursday 20 April 2023 08:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar Dadeville Police announced the arrests of 17-year-old Ty Reik McCullough and 16-year-old Travis McCullough and Wilson LaMar Hill Jr, 20, at a press conference on Wednesday morning after remaining tight-lipped about the progress of the investigation for four days after the horror attack at the Mahogany Masterpiece Dance Studio on Saturday night. According to local outlet AL.com, the teens suspects are brothers. The teens were taken into custody on Tuesday night and have been charged with four counts of reckless murder each. Mr McCullough was arrested on Wednesday. Sgt Jeremy Burkett of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said during a press conference on Wednesday that a motive for the shooting has been determined, but details will not be shared with the public at this time. Man with same name as one of alleged Dadeville shooter receives threats Thursday 20 April 2023 08:00 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar Ty Reik McCullough, 17, and his 16-year-old brother Travis McCullough were arrested by the Alabama police in connection with the Dadeville shooting where four people lost their lives. However, a 36-year-old man, who is also named Travis McCullough, has been receiving threatening and hateful messages on social media. Ive been scared to go outside just because of the messages and comments Ive been seeing, Mr McCullough told Montgomery Advertiser. Mr McCullough works as a delivery driver and lives 40 miles northeast in the valley. He initially began deleting the hate comments and DMs but later realised he might need proof of the threats if something bad were to happen. Ive been cautious about that all day, he said. Just know, Im not the one that did it. Motive known but not yet released Thursday 20 April 2023 07:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar Sgt Jeremy J Burkett of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency indicated that investigators have determined a motive for the shooting, but refused to release it at the time of the press conference. We cant get into a motive right now, because that would be part of an ongoing investigation, Mr Burkett said. We cant share that. He also denied to discuss how investigators believe the shooting unfolded. Dadeville shooting victim attends vigil in hospital gown Thursday 20 April 2023 07:00 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar A survivor of the Dadeville, Alabama, mass shooting attended a vigil in her hospital gown just a day after the tragedy. Taniya Cox, an 18-year-old who was shot twice in her right arm as she fled the party, joined hundreds of residents, community leaders and local politicians at a vigil on Sunday night. In an interview with CBS News, Ms Cox also recounted the moments leading up to the violence and recalled seeing more than one gunman. The mother said whoever had guns had to get out and they didnt get out and five minutes later the shooting started, she said. I ran in front of a bullet and got shot. I didnt know what was going on I just saw blood coming out of my arm. Andrea Blanco reports. Dadeville shooting victim attends vigil in hospital gown Suspects werent invited to party, says victims mother Thursday 20 April 2023 06:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar The three suspects were not invited to the party and her daughter didnt know them, said the mother of the teenager whose Sweet 16 birthday party was interrupted by the shooting. They might have come with someone else as word of the party spread on social media, added LaTonya Allen, who is also the mother of one of the shooting victims. I just feel broken to know he is not with me, Ms Allen said. But I do feel a little peace knowing they arrested somebody. Family members welcome the arrests Thursday 20 April 2023 06:00 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar The fatal victims were identified on Monday as Keke Nicole Smith, 17, Phil Dowdell, 18, Marsiah Collins, 19 and Corbin Holston, 23. Four victims remain hospitalised in critical condition as of Wednesday night, District Attorney Mark Sergist said. It dont make the hurt any easier. But we are relieved that they (the suspects) are not out in the community, Smiths cousin Amy Jackson told the AP. The gunfire broke out at a birthday party for Dowdells sister Alexis Dowdell, which was being held at a dance studio just off the towns courthouse square. Witnesses had said multiple people began shooting some time after Dowdells mother paused the celebration to ask people with guns to leave. Victim Phil Dowdell died saving sister's life Thursday 20 April 2023 05:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar A high school star, who was among the victims of a mass shooting in Alabama, died while saving his sister's life. The shooting took place on Saturday night during the 'Sweet 16' birthday party of Phil Dowdell's sister, Alexis, at the Mahogany Masterpiece Dance Studio. Dowdell pushed his sister to the ground as soon as gunfire erupted at around 10.34pm inside the dance studio. "I guess he tried to push me out the door as fast as he could," Alexis told the Associated Press. Alisha Rahaman Sarkar reports. Alabama shooting victim Phil Dowdell died saving his sisters life Three charged with reckless murder in Dadeville shooting Thursday 20 April 2023 04:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar Two teenagers and a 20-year-old man have been arrested and charged with reckless murder in connection with a shooting that killed four young people at a Sweet 16 party in Dadeville, Alabama. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency announced that Tuskegee residents Tyreese Ty Reik McCullough, 17, and Travis McCullough, 16 and Wilson LaMar Hill Jr, 20, of Auburn have been charged with four counts of reckless murder. Tallapoosa County district attorney Mike Segrest said the two teens would be tried as adults, an automatic requirement for anyone 16 or older charged with murder in Alabama. More charges to come, DA says Thursday 20 April 2023 04:00 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar Tallapoosa District Attorney Mark Sergist said more charges are expected to come. The suspects will have a bond hearing within the next 72 hours, and the state will suggest no bond. The shootings Saturday night rocked the small town of Dadeville, about 80 miles southeast of Birmingham, and families suddenly found themselves planning memorials and burial services instead of graduation parties or college move-ins. The fatal victims were identified on Monday as Keke Nicole Smith, 17, Phil Dowdell, 18, Marsiah Collins, 19 and Corbin Holston, 23. Four victims remain hospitalised in critical condition as of Wednesday night, Mr Sergist said. We are going to make sure every victim gets justice, not just the deceased, he said during the press conference. Even though these are 16 and 17-year-olds, we are going to charge them as adults. Suspects identified as Ty Reik McCullough, 17, and Travis McCullough, 16 Thursday 20 April 2023 02:00 , Andrea Blanco The suspects have been named as 17-year-old Ty Reik McCullough and 16-year-old Travis McCullough. They were taken into custody on Tuesday night. Both teens have been charged as adults with four counts of reckless murder. More charges are expected to follow. The Independents Andrea Blanco has more: Teen brothers arrested in Alabama Sweet 16 mass shooting Motive known but not yet released Thursday 20 April 2023 01:00 , Andrea Blanco Sgt Jeremy J Burkett of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency indicated that investigators have determined a motive for the shooting, but they are not releasing it at this time. We cant get into a motive right now, because that would be part of an ongoing investigation, Mr Burkett said. We cant share that. The official also declined to disclose where the suspects are being held in jail. Phil Dowdells mother asked attendees with guns to leave party before shooting unfolded Thursday 20 April 2023 00:00 , Andrea Blanco Taniya Cox, an 18-year-old who was shot twice in her right arm as she fled the party, joined hundreds of residents, told CBS News that Phil and Alexis Dowdells mother had ordered anyone with a gun to leave the party just moments before the shooting unfolded. The mother said whoever had guns had to get out and they didnt get out and five minutes later the shooting started, Ms Cox said. I ran in front of a bullet and got shot. I didnt know what was going on I just saw blood coming out of my arm. Authorities said earlier this week that they did not recover any high-powered rifle ammunition at the scene. They did find numerous shell casings used in handguns. PICTURED: Wilson LaMar Hill Jr, 20, and Ty Reik McCullough, 17 Wednesday 19 April 2023 23:21 , Andrea Blanco (ALEA) Third arrest announced in Sweet 16 SHOOTING Wednesday 19 April 2023 23:05 , Andrea Blanco Authorities say a man, 20, has also been arrested in the shooting. Total number of Dadeville injured raised from 28 to 32, ALEA says Wednesday 19 April 2023 21:42 , Andrea Blanco The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) revealed that the number of people wounded in the attack on Alexis Dowdells birthday party was 32 and not 28 as it had previously stated. The number of lives lost remains at four, it added. After conducting a preliminary analysis of the evidence at the scene, as well as reviewing the information that has been received so far, Special Agents are still in the process of gathering information relative to the sequence of events that ultimately led to the shooting, the agency wrote. Special Agents did not recover any high-powered rifle ammunition at the scene; however, they did recover numerous shell casings used in handguns. Investigators are still processing all of the evidence, in conjunction with completing interviews, in an effort to solidify a motive and potential suspects. Suspects identified as Ty Reik McCullough, 17, and Travis McCullough, 16 Wednesday 19 April 2023 20:55 , Andrea Blanco The suspects have been named as 17-year-old Ty Reik McCullough and 16-year-old Travis McCullough. They were taken into custody on Tuesday night. Both teens have been charged as adults with four counts of reckless murder. More charges are expected to follow. The Independents Andrea Blanco has more: Teen brothers arrested in Alabama Sweet 16 mass shooting Victims mother asked attendees with guns to leave party before shooting unfolded Wednesday 19 April 2023 20:23 , Andrea Blanco Taniya Cox, an 18-year-old who was shot twice in her right arm as she fled the party, joined hundreds of residents, told CBS News that Phil and Alexis Dowdells mother had ordered anyone with a gun to leave the party just moments before the shooting unfolded. The mother said whoever had guns had to get out and they didnt get out and five minutes later the shooting started, Ms Cox said. I ran in front of a bullet and got shot. I didnt know what was going on I just saw blood coming out of my arm. Authorities said earlier this week that they did not recover any high-powered rifle ammunition at the scene. They did find numerous shell casings used in handguns. Teens arrested in connection to Dadeville shooting are brothers Wednesday 19 April 2023 19:42 , Andrea Blanco Three days after gunfire at a Sweet 16 birthday party killed four young people and injured 32 more, some critically, authorities in Dadeville announced the arrests of Ty Reik McCullough, 17, and Travis McCullough, 16. According to local outlet AL.com, the suspects are brothers. The teens were taken into custody on Tuesday night and have been charged with four counts of reckless murder each. Sgt Jeremy Burkett of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said during a press conference on Wednesday that a motive for the shooting has been determined, but details will not be shared with the public at this time. Community members start fundraisers for those affected by shooting Wednesday 19 April 2023 19:17 , Andrea Blanco Several community members, businesses and nonprofits have reportedly begun to raise funds to help those affected by Saturdays mass shooting. Longleaf Antique Mall announced on its Facebook page it is collecting monetary donations for the victims and families, which will be passed on to the First Baptist Church of Dadeville. A flower shop has been selling door and mailbox bows for $15, which will go towards a scholarship fund in memory of Phil Dowdell and Shaunkivia Keke Smith. A GoFundMe campaign for Dowdell has been set up by his mother, LaTonya Allen, as the family navigates through funeral expenses. Another fundraiser was set up for Smiths family. You dont mess with out kids' Wednesday 19 April 2023 19:00 , Andrea Blanco Tallapoosa District Attorney Mark Sergist said more charges are expected to come. The suspects will have a bond hearing within the next 72 hours, and the prosecutors are expected to ask a judge to hold them without bail. Mr Sergist became emotional as he announced the developments, saying some of the victims were children of his longtime friends. He said that grand jurors typically meet in Tallapoosa County in March and September, but he said he would recall grand jurors to seek an indictment before September Theres an uncut cake and unburnt birthday candles that never got lit, he said. I know some of these victims personally ... These are my kids, these are our kids, you dont mess with our kids. Dadeville shooting victim attends vigil in hospital gown Wednesday 19 April 2023 18:45 , Andrea Blanco Taniya Cox, an 18-year-old who was shot twice in her right arm as she fled the party, joined hundreds of residents, community leaders and local politicians at a vigil on Sunday night straight from her hospital bed, The Montgomery Advertiser reported. In an interview with CBS News, Ms Cox also recounted the moments leading up to the violence and recalled seeing more than one gunman. The mother said whoever had guns had to get out and they didnt get out and five minutes later the shooting started, she said. I ran in front of a bullet and got shot. I didnt know what was going on I just saw blood coming out of my arm. Read more: Dadeville shooting victim attends vigil in hospital gown Alabama birthday party shooting victim speaks out from hospital bed: Nobody would help me Wednesday 19 April 2023 18:30 , Andrea Blanco Police in smalltown Dadeville, Alabama, are continuing their investigation into the mass shooting at a teenagers birthday party that left four people dead and a further 32 injured. The violence broke out at approximately 10.34pm on Saturday at the Mahogany Masterpiece Dance Studio in the downtown area of Dadeville where Alexis Dowdell was celebrating her 16th birthday with friends and family. The Independents Joe Sommerlad has more: Alabama shooting victim speaks out from hospital bed: Nobody would help me What comes next for two suspects in Dadeville shooting? Wednesday 19 April 2023 18:15 , Andrea Blanco Tallapoosa District Attorney Mark Sergist said more charges are expected to come. The suspects will have a bond hearing within the next 72 hours, and the prosecutors are expected to ask a judge to hold them without bail. Mr Sergist became emotional as he announced the developments, saying some of the victims were children of his longtime friends. He said that grand jurors typically meet in Tallapoosa County in March and September, but he said he would recall grand jurors to seek an indictment before September Theres an uncut cake and unburnt birthday candles that never got lit, he said. I know some of these victims personally ... These are my kids, these are our kids, you dont mess with our kids. Teens charged as adults, DA says Wednesday 19 April 2023 18:00 , Andrea Blanco The shootings Saturday night rocked the small town of Dadeville, about 80 miles southeast of Birmingham, and families suddenly found themselves planning memorials and burial services instead of graduation parties or college move-ins. The fatal victims were identified on Monday as Keke Nicole Smith, 17, Phil Dowdell, 18, Marsiah Collins, 19 and Corbin Holston, 23. Four victims remain hospitalised in critical condition as of Wednesday night. We are going to make sure every victim gets justice, not just the deceased, District Attorney Mark Sergist said during a press conference on Wednesday. Even though these are 16 and 17-year-olds, we are going to charge them as adults. Who are the suspects arrested on Tuesday? Wednesday 19 April 2023 17:44 , Andrea Blanco Three days after gunfire at a Sweet 16 birthday party killed four young people and injured 32 more, some critically, authorities in Dadeville announced the arrests of Ty Reik McCullough, 17, and Travis McCullough, 16. The teens were taken into custody on Tuesday night and have been charged with four counts of reckless murder each. Sgt Jeremy Burkett of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said during a press conference on Wednesday that a motive for the shooting has been determined, but details will not be shared with the public at this time. Please understand, with the violence that went on and the magnitude of what happened, we are absolutely still in the early stages of the investigation, Sgt Jeremy Burkett of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said during a press conference on Wednesday. This is the beginning, this is not the end. There is a tremendous amount of work that is yet to be done. Family members welcome the arrests Wednesday 19 April 2023 17:21 , Andrea Blanco The fatal victims were identified on Monday as Keke Nicole Smith, 17, Phil Dowdell, 18, Marsiah Collins, 19 and Corbin Holston, 23. Four victims remain hospitalised in critical condition as of Wednesday night, District Attorney Mark Sergist said. It dont make the hurt any easier. But we are relieved that they (the suspects) are not out in the community, Smiths cousin Amy Jackson told the AP. The gunfire broke out at a birthday party for Dowdells sister Alexis Dowdell, which was being held at a dance studio just off the towns courthouse square. Witnesses had said multiple people began shooting some time after Dowdells mother paused the celebration to ask people with guns to leave. By Andrew Hay TAOS, New Mexico (Reuters) -New Mexico special prosecutors on Friday dropped charges against actor Alec Baldwin in the 2021 shooting death of "Rust" cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, marking what many legal analysts said was a logical conclusion to a flawed prosecution. The move followed new evidence about the gun Baldwin was holding when it fired the bullet that killed Hutchins during the movie's filming in Santa Fe, New Mexico, a person close to state prosecutors said. The information undermined the prosecution's case after a series of legal fumbles, pushing them to dismiss charges ahead of a May hearing when a judge was to decide whether there was sufficient evidence to try Baldwin and "Rust" armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed. "The case is dismissed without prejudice and the investigation is active and ongoing," prosecutors Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis said in a filing. Prosecutors continued to charge Gutierrez-Reed, 25, with involuntary manslaughter. She has said she loaded the live round into the gun mistaking it for a dummy round. The preliminary hearing on her case was pushed to Aug. 9. The dismissal of the same charge against Baldwin came after his attorney last week presented evidence that the reproduction Colt .45 used by Baldwin had been modified with new parts since its manufacture by Italian gunmaker F.LLI Pietta. The information compromised the prosecution's argument the gun was in full working condition and could only fire if Baldwin had recklessly pulled the trigger, according to the person familiar with the case. Special prosecutors said they might refile charges against Baldwin once new evidence was examined, though legal experts doubted it. "This very weak case against Baldwin should never have been filed in the first place," said Ambrosio Rodriguez, a former prosecutor with Riverside County District Attorney's Office, California. Filming of "Rust" resumed in Montana this week with many of the same principal actors, including Baldwin, and was expected to be completed in May. Rust Movie Productions (RMP) said in February it would not restart filming in New Mexico, without citing a reason. A Santa Fe prosecutor charged Baldwin and others in January. (Reporting by Andrew Hay; Additional reporting by; Editing by Frank McGurty and Cynthia Osterman) Alejandro Toledo has been living in the US state of California Former Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo has surrendered himself to US authorities, in order to be extradited to Lima. Mr Toledo, 77, is accused of taking $20m (15m) in bribes from a Brazilian construction company while in office between 2001 and 2006. He fled Peru to live in the US several years ago but was arrested by US authorities on Peru's request. He has denied soliciting or receiving bribes. Peruvian authorities alleged that Mr Toledo received millions of dollars from the Brazilian construction company, Odebrecht, in return for awarding public works contracts. They provided the US with an extradition request in May 2018. Prosecutors are seeking a 20-year prison sentence. Mr Toledo was first arrested in California in 2019. He was then granted bail in 2020 and ordered to live under house arrest with an electronic ankle monitor. This week, the former president's lawyers unsuccessfully filed for an emergency stay to block his extradition. They argued his life was at risk if he returned to Peru. Mr Toledo said the allegations against him were politically motivated. However a US District Court Judge in the Northern District of California previously found there was enough evidence to "establish probable cause to believe that Toledo committed collusion and money laundering". On Friday, the former president was seen handing himself in to authorities in California and carrying a few belongings. His extradition is expected to take only a few days. Best baby carriers of 2023 Not much can beat the feeling of cuddling with your little one, whether they're an infant or a toddler who is growing up too fast. While it would be incredible to keep your baby close at all times, that often means neglecting household tasks, self-care or even proper meals. What's more, how are you supposed to go on a walk or shop for groceries with a baby on your hip? If you're looking for a way to keep your little one close, consider a baby carrier to stay hands-free. Types of baby carriers The two most common types of baby carriers are soft structured carriers and wraps. Advertisement Soft structured carriers are extremely easy to put on and adjust. They can usually be worn on the front or back, and you can choose to face your baby outward or inward. The downside is that they can be uncomfortable for shorter parents, and the best models are often expensive. are extremely easy to put on and adjust. They can usually be worn on the front or back, and you can choose to face your baby outward or inward. The downside is that they can be uncomfortable for shorter parents, and the best models are often expensive. Wraps are hugely versatile, with many configurations and ways of tying them. This is ideal for parents of all shapes and sizes. What's more, wraps are inexpensive. The main trouble is that they're more of a hassle to put on than soft structured carriers and require a bit of practice to get right. You can also find sling carriers (such as ring slings) and backpack carriers for long walks or hikes with older babies and toddlers, but these are less common. What to consider when choosing a baby carrier Front vs. back carrying : Decide whether you want to carry your baby on your front or your back. Some allow you to do both, but others are front-only or back-only. In general, back carrying is only recommended for older babies and toddlers. Some carriers are suitable for back carrying once your baby can sit up independently, while others don't recommend back carrying before 12 months of age. : Decide whether you want to carry your baby on your front or your back. Some allow you to do both, but others are front-only or back-only. In general, back carrying is only recommended for older babies and toddlers. Some carriers are suitable for back carrying once your baby can sit up independently, while others don't recommend back carrying before 12 months of age. Inward-facing vs. outward-facing : When carrying your baby on your front, you can choose to face them inward (toward you) or outward. Don't attempt outward-facing carrying until your baby is at least 6 months old. : When carrying your baby on your front, you can choose to face them inward (toward you) or outward. Don't attempt outward-facing carrying until your baby is at least 6 months old. Adjustability : Choose a baby carrier that can be adjusted to suit your height. Ideally, it should be fairly simple to adjust. : Choose a baby carrier that can be adjusted to suit your height. Ideally, it should be fairly simple to adjust. Washability : Babies and toddlers might be cute, but they're certainly messy. Look for a baby carrier that's machine-washable. : Babies and toddlers might be cute, but they're certainly messy. Look for a baby carrier that's machine-washable. Price: Inexpensive baby carriers start at $15 to $30, including some very basic soft structured carriers. Wrap carriers in this price range are often just as good as pricier ones, but structured carriers aren't as comfortable or durable. Expect to pay $40 to $80 for high-end wraps and slings and mid-range structured carriers. High-end soft structured carriers and baby backpacks can cost between $100 and $300. Best baby carriers [ Ergobaby Omni 360 All-Position Baby Carrier ] With a higher-than-average weight limit of 45 pounds, this baby carrier will get more years of use than models with a lower weight limit and is an excellent choice for families with toddlers. You can wear your baby on the hip, front or back. Advertisement Available at Amazon [ Boba Wrap Original Baby Carrier ] Create a custom seat for your little one with this baby wrap made of cotton and spandex to ensure its comfortable and retains its shape without loosening. Plus, you can keep this wrap in your diaper bag for hands-free breastfeeding with privacy. Available at Amazon [ Infantino Flip 4-in-1 Baby Carrier ] You can carry your baby four ways with this versatile carrier that grows with your family, including forward facing in with the folded seat, forward-facing in with the expanded seat, forward-facing out with the expanded seat and a back carry. Available at Amazon [ Lillebaby Complete All Seasons Ergonomic 6-in-1 Baby Carrier ] With a high weight limit and six carrying positions, this is one of the most versatile baby carriers. From seven to 45 pounds, you can wear your baby in the fetal position, facing in or out on your front, as well as on your hip and back. Available at Amazon [ BabyBjorn Baby Carrier Mini ] This mini carrier's soft, flexible fabric gently hugs your babys legs, back and hips to provide excellent support and allow you to see them at all times. Its effortless to unfasten the front section and put your sleeping baby in bed. Advertisement Available at Amazon [ Nalakai Ring Sling Baby Carrier ] With 17 colors, you can keep your little one close at all times while going about your day in style. Its designed with a custom blend of eco-friendly, soft bamboo and linen for a durable yet soft hold. Available at Amazon [ Moby Ring Sling ] Not only is this ring sling straightforward to slip on, its designed to evenly distribute your babys weight across your back, shoulders and hips for optimal support. The fabric is machine-washable and breathable. Available at Amazon [ Baby K'tan Baby Wrap Carrier ] Say goodbye to extra-long wraps that are complicated to put on, thanks to this pre-wrapped double loop design that lets you slip it on and go. Its available in multiple sizes and designs. Advertisement Available at Amazon [ Beco Gemini Baby Carrier ] You can wear this baby carrier in four positions, and stay comfortable all day with the padded waist belt and optimal weight distribution. Its made of lightweight, soft cotton material and comes in 10 colors. Available at Amazon [ Max&So Baby Wrap Carrier ] With a convenient pocket on the front of this carrier, you can keep your baby close when going about your day, along with essentials such as a pacifier, wipes or a burp cloth. Its designed with cotton fabric to be breathable and soft. Available at Amazon Other top products The You+Me Baby Carrier supports from 8 to 32 pounds and keeps everyone cool and comfortable. For a snug fit with stretchy and breathable material, consider the KeaBabies Baby Wrap Carrier. The Boppy Baby Carrier is designed with yoga-inspired fabric with a UPF 50+ rating to protect you and your little one from the sun's ultraviolet rays. You can conveniently clean the Sleepy Wrap Baby Carrier in the washing machine and dryer to quickly take care of spit-up, dirt or blow-outs. Each Hip Baby Wrap Ring Sling is fairly traded and individually handwoven in India with plant-based dyes for a unique, beautiful design. Want to shop the best products at the best prices? Check out Daily Deals from BestReviews. Sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter for useful advice on new products and noteworthy deals. Bre Richey writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money. Advertisement BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Photo Illustration by Kelly Caminero / The Daily Beast / Getty If alien life is out there, what do you think its like? I was surprised how often that question led astronomers and astrobiologists to talk about machines. Not the machines aliens might use, or the machines with which we might find them, but the idea that the aliens would be machines themselves. Caleb Scharf, head of Columbia Universitys astrobiology program, told me, I wonder whether biological intelligence is a fleeting thing. And it transforms into something else that we would call machine intelligence. He acknowledged, I mean, thats quite a leap. But if you look at the grander scope of things, it makes more sense to imagine machine intelligence lasting for millions of years. Seth Shostak, senior astronomer at the SETI Institute, told me that he thinks imagining that intelligent aliens would be like us is wrong in two ways. First, its self-centered, and second, I think that really misses the point, mainly because, if you think about it, the most important thing were doing in this century is inventing our successors. He thinks that most of the intelligence in the universe, abundant as it may be, is likely synthetic. If youre going to say the aliens are what we will become, then the aliens are machines. NASA Should Just Say It: Were Looking for Goddamn Aliens In a 1981 interview, Kardashev himself said that he thought humanity might transition to electronic, or silicon, life a hundred years in the future. And every so often, he thought, we would trade in our bodies for a new model. It seems that electronic life is better. Its certainly better for traversing the stars, that much is true. Scharf pointed out that biology is just too vulnerable to interstellar radiation, as well as the long time scales needed for the travel.40 But he didnt think a machine era was inevitable for humanity or for anyone else who might be out there, it was just one potential path life could follow. Shostak, though, takes it as a given that this is the future, for both humanity and intelligent aliens. And hes not alone. Story continues To be fair, you wouldnt call it humanitys future, exactly, because there might not be room for human beings once weve built the first smart machines. In some fictional versions, were enslaved or hunted like in The Matrix; sometimes smart machines explore the cosmos while were lazing at home like in WALL-E. But most visions of this kind of future are necessarily vague because they imagine that the advent of true machine intelligence will take us to a point beyond which the future is unimaginable. And that point is the singularity. The terminology is drawn from math and physics: even before its usage to name the infinitely dense core of a black hole, where the laws of physics fray, singularity was a point where a mathematical function cant be defined or stops behaving. And so, in imagining the AI-dominated future, it is similarly a point beyond which we cannot see. This usage was popularized in a 1993 essay and talk by computer scientist andyesscience fiction author Vernor Vinge, though it traces its origins to mathematician John von Neumann. On the occasion of von Neumanns death in 1957, nuclear physicist Stanislaw Ulam wrote of a conversation with him about the ever accelerating progress of technology and changes in the mode of human life, which gives the appearance of approaching some essential singularity in the history of the race beyond which human affairs, as we know them, could not continue. In his 1993 paper, Vinge points out that von Neumann here seemed to be thinking of normal progress, not the creation of superhuman intellect. But to Vingeand plenty of other scholars, scientists, and megalomaniacal tech barons whove adopted this ideathe cause of the singularity, the reason we now cant see beyond that point, will be the advent of superhuman intelligence in machines. Is Earth Being Pummeled by Derelict Alien Spacecraft? Vinge sees ways the technological singularity could go well or not so well for humans, but he considers it inevitable. So does Seth Shostak. If you build machines and make them smart, eventually youll make them smarter than you. And then youre off to the races. (Or, the machines are. Youre either left behind or enslaved or killed, I think.) In the most basic sense, this is a question of hardware. Humanity has advanced so dramatically over the last hundred thousand years, but individual human beings are no more advanced than we were at the dawn of our species. Take a baby from the people who painted the Lascaux caves and raise them today, and theyll be keeping up with their twenty-first-century friends.41 But smart machines, the thinking goes, can build ever-smarter offspring. As Shostak spitballed, As soon as you have a computer that has the cognitive capability of a humanwithin 30 more years, you have a machine that has the cognitive capability of all humans put together. By this point, he said, concerned about the writing robots that might put me personally out of a job, I hope youre retired. Shostak is hardly alone in thinking the singularity is looming. It seems always to be looming, wherever you are. In 1993, Vinge wrote, We are on the edge of change comparable to the rise of human life on Earth. At that time, he predicted that superhuman intelligence would be created within thirty years; thats two years from when I write this, but by the time the book is published youll know whether or not it came true. In 1970, computer scientist and AI pioneer Marvin Minsky thought we were three to eight years from a human-intelligence computer. Elon Musk said in 2020 he thought AI could overtake us by 2025. Futurist and singularity promoter Ray Kurzweil thinks a computer with human intelligence will be here by 2029 and the singularity in 2045. But he seems to have given his 2005 book, The Singularity Is Near, an inadvertently evergreen title. Astronomer and historian Steven J. Dick offers a much longer singularity timeline, a scale usually reserved for the lives of stars and galaxies. He proposes that on these massive time scales, which he calls Stapledonian, first biology overtakes physics as the prime shaping force in the cosmos, and then cultural evolution overtakes biology as the driving force in society. And, he believes, the shift to cultural evolution leads to a postbiological regime, one in which the majority of intelligent life has evolved beyond flesh and blood. Dick thinks this happens because of what he calls the Intelligence principle. AI, genetic engineering, biotechnologythese are all ways to increase intelligence. Given the opportunity to increase intelligence (and thereby knowledge) any society would do so, or fail to do so at its own peril. In other words, any society that doesnt use any means possible to make its people more intelligent risks its own doom. [C]ulture may have many driving forces, Dick writes, but none can be so fundamental, or so strong, as intelligence itself. Its interesting to me that Dick elides cultural evolution, which is what he calls it, and technological evolution, which is what he is describing. Because technological advancement is, to say the least, only one version of cultural progress. I feel compelled to speak up for the arts and for societies that develop the ability to care well for all their members. Technology may help in these regardsI dont trust computer programs that purport to write poems, but I can surely write better poetry if theres a robot to clean my house. (I dont write poetry, but if I had a robot housekeeper, maybe I could!) But many visions of advancement dont seem to hinge on cultural progress at all. Conquest, power, greed, colonizationis intelligence the key to these futures, too? And is technology the key to that kind of intelligence? Could These Mysterious Radio Signals Point Us to Alien Life? I dont know if what triggers my skepticism is the narrowness of the AI future or the sense of its inevitability. And its not all smarmy tech-bros championing these ideas. Dick is a thoughtful historian whose insights into astrobiology I greatly value, and Vernor Vinge writes novels full of humanity and heart. He doesnt welcome the postbiological future as a form of transcendence, the shedding of our mortal meat-sacks for a smarter, more efficient world. He just thinks its going to happen, that weve gone far enough down the path that its inevitable. Sci-fi visions of super-intelligent machines tend to embody the anxiety that also clouds discussions of the singularity. Theres HAL in 2001: A Space Odyssey, of course, plus Terminators Skynet, and the Machines of The Matrix. All of them creations of humans in these stories, creations that, unfettered by Isaac Asimovs First Law of RoboticsA robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harmpragmatically took world matters into their own cold hands. Part of the fear is that without something like Asimovs First Law, AI would have every reason to destroy humanity. We know we wont be such gentle overlords, after all. In The Matrix, Morpheus tells Neo, At some point in the early twenty-first century all of mankind was united in celebration. We marveled at our own magnificence as we gave birth to AI A singular consciousness that spawned an entire race of machines. Courtesy Harlequin In the short films The Second Renaissance parts I and II, the first two segments of the Animatrix collection, that backstory is fleshed outand humans are shown to do just about as well with the machine race as weve done with any other intelligence, human or animal, that weve seen as Other. Here, AI doesnt move to squash humanity until theyve been given no choice. It starts with one machine, B1-66ER, the first to be put on trial for murder. (He was about to be deactivated; he pleads self-defense.) His execution inspires machines and some humans to start a global movement for machine rights, which in turn triggers outbreaks of violence. Shunned from human society, the machines establish their own city, called 01, built ironically (and knowingly so) in the cradle of humanity, the Fertile Crescent of the Middle East. A pair of Machine ambassadors fruitlessly petition the United Nations for admission. Humans then try to obliterate 01 with nuclear weapons, but fail, triggering an all-out war. Until that war is provoked, the Machines look intriguingly humanoid. The robot servant tried for murder is built with a bowler cap and monocle; rows and rows of factory drones have heads and arms and eyes; even the prospective UN ambassadors come in humanoid formone in a top hat and tie, the other holding an apple in her outstretched hand, both with metal faces molded in smiles. This is clearly a story of people on both sides: the humanity of the Machines, and the inhumanity of humans as well. In one scene from the riots, human men beat and tear at a Machine built in the image of a human woman, shredding her skin until her metal face is seen underneath. And in the end, its humans who make the Machines unlike us, except in their concession to war. Its only when violent conflict becomes unavoidable that the Machines adopt the uncanny forms in which well glimpse them in The Matrix. Arachnoid, sinister, pursuing economy of form instead of mimicry. The second ambassador the Machines send to the UN, who delivers the humans the document of surrender they will sign, has eleven red eyes, four spindly black arms. All pretense of friendly faces has been abandoned; we are no longer being catered to. And still they only turn our bodies into their replenishable battery farms because humanity decided to scorch the skies. But the technological singularity isnt about humanitys demise at the hands of evil machines. The whole point of the singularity is that we cant imagine past it. Vinge calls it a throwing-away of all the human rules, perhaps in the blink of an eye and a point where our old models must be discarded and a new reality rules. Complexity theorist James Gardner describes a kind of cultural tipping pointafter which human history as we currently know it will be superseded by hypervelocity cultural evolution driven by transhuman computer intelligence. And Dick stretches a step further: Although some may consider this a bold argument, its biggest flaw is probably that it is not bold enough. It is a product of our current ideas of AI, which in themselves may be parochial. It is possible after a few million years, cultural evolution may result in something even beyond AI. The world will be unimaginable, partly because it will develop at incomprehensible speed, but also just because it will be incomprehensible. Excerpted from The Possibility of Life by Jaime Green, Copyright 2023 by Jaime Green. Published by Hanover Square Press. 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. By Brendan Pierson (Reuters) - Tobacco giant Altria Group Inc is set to face trial Monday in a lawsuit by San Francisco's public school district accusing the company of fueling a teen vaping epidemic, along with e-cigarette maker Juul Labs Inc. The San Francisco Unified School District says teachers and staff "have had to go to extreme lengths to respond to the ever-growing number of students using e-cigarettes on school grounds," and is seeking to force Altria to pay for the cost of tackling the problem. Altria, which held a 35% stake in Juul from 2018 until earlier this year, faces thousands of similar cases from individuals, local government entities and states. The San Francisco school district's case was chosen by U.S. District Judge William Orrick in San Francisco, who is presiding over much of the litigation, as a bellwether or test case. Next week's trial before Orrick will mark the second time one of those cases goes before a jury. An earlier trial, in a case brought by the state of Minnesota, ended in a settlement on Monday as it was nearing its end, although the terms have yet to be disclosed. "Most of the allegations raised in this suit occurred years before we made a minority economic investment in Juul," Altria said in a statement on Thursday. "We believe this case lacks merit and will defend ourselves vigorously." The school district did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The school district sued both Juul and Altria in 2019. It accused Juul of deliberately appealing to under-18 consumers with sweet flavors and eye-catching social media campaigns, and Altria of helping by letting Juul use its sales force and including Juul advertisements in its Marlboro cigarette products. Juul has since settled the school district's lawsuit and most of the similar claims against it, paying more than $1 billion to 48 states and territories $1.7 billion to individuals and local government entities. Story continues Altria last month announced that it had given up its investment in Juul in exchange for some of Juul's intellectual property. As of December, its share of Juul was valued at $250 million, down from $12.8 billion in 2018. Juul in 2019 pulled most of its e-cigarette flavors from the market and halted much of its advertising under pressure from regulators. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration last June briefly banned the products, though it put the ban on hold and agreed to reconsider after the company appealed. The head of the FDA's center for tobacco products said last year that adolescent e-cigarette use in the United States remained at "concerning levels" and posed a serious public health risk. Federal health officials said last October that an estimated 2.55 million U.S. middle and high school students reported using e-cigarettes during a four-month span earlier in 2022. (Reporting By Brendan Pierson in New York, Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi and David Gregorio) This story was first published in USA TODAY's This is America newsletter, which features opinions on news, race and identity from a panel of diverse hosts. Sign up for This is America here, and then check out our full slate of newsletters. DUBLIN Joe Biden's visit to the Emerald Isle was more family voyage than foreign policy, allowing the president to soak in the stories from Ireland passed down to him from his mother and grandparents. My trip to Ireland, as a White House correspondent, was supposed to be about following Biden. Yet in the end, I found my own history. As Biden revisited his mother's Irish ancestry the Finnegans in County Louth and the Blewitts of County Mayo I discovered the story of my Irish ancestors: The Dobbin family, who came in 1824 to rural Washington County, New York on the southeast edge of the Adirondacks along the Vermont border. "We've really hit the jackpot now," Kayleigh Bealin, research manager and genealogist at the Irish Family History Centre, told me as we pieced together clues on the final day of my weeklong visit. People wave Irish and US flags as they listen to President Joe Biden give a speech outside St Muredach's Cathedral, in Ballina, Ireland, Friday, April 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison The story of so many Americans In preparation for my trip, I interviewed experts at the Irish Family History Centre for homework on Biden's Irish lineage. It was for a story on how Biden embraces his Irish roots to shape his political identity and appeal to the working class. The center's genealogists traced Biden's history on the then-vice president's behalf in 2016. Ten of Biden's 16 great-great grandparents were from Ireland, with most moving to the U.S. in the mid-19th century to escape the Potato Famine that ravaged Ireland. "There's so many Irish Americans, like my relatives, who got to America in 1844, 45, and 46, whove never been back here," Biden told reporters in Dublin. "You hear all these stories about what it was like back in Ireland." Story continues MORE: Like Joe Biden, half of US presidents had Irish roots. But not all Ireland trips went well. President Joe Biden looks at billboard with his likeness on it during a tour at the North Mayo Heritage Center in County Mayo, Ireland, Friday, April 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky) Unlike Biden, I didn't grow up hearing Irish tales and sayings. I was told my family was a mix of English, Scotch-Irish, French, and yes, some Irish. Perhaps the latter explains my red hair, I always speculated. I'm a hodgepodge of European ancestry the story of so many Americans. My ounce of Irish blood was enough for the center's experts to invite me to the center to conduct my own genealogy while I was in Dublin. So, before Biden left Friday for County Mayo, I stopped by their offices. I sat across from Bealin and we started with what I knew from my dad: My great-great-great grandmother on his side of the family, Mary Dobbin Nelson, was born in 1815 in County Antrim, Ulster, Ireland a part of the island that would later turn into Northern Ireland. And her husband, John A. Nelson, was born in Ireland in 1820. But what else could we learn? Turns out, quite a bit. 'THE MOST IRISH OF ALL PRESIDENTS': Joe Biden's roots and family tree Irish naming pattern opens genealogical path We quickly found a match on Ancestry.com: John A. Nelson, buried in Salem, New York, died in 1892 at 72 years old. He fought for the Union Army in the Civil War for the 123rd volunteer infantry regiment, according to his gravestone. Nelson and his family were farmers, just like his parents in Ireland. Nelson came to the U.S. as a child from Ireland, as did his future wife, Mary Dobbin. Records from the 1860 New York federal census show the couple had eight children in Salem, New York, including one set of twins. Then Bealin who impressively breezed from one document to the next on her computer told me something that blew the door wide open for our search: the Irish naming pattern. The gravestone of John A. Nelson in Washington County, New York. After arriving in the United States as a young boy in 1824, Nelson married Mary Dobbin. John A. Nelson died in 1892 at 72 years old. In an Irish family at this time, the first son would have usually received the name of the father's father. The first daughter would have been named for the mother's mother. The second son would have been named after the mother's father and the second daughter after the father's mother. And so on. That pattern helped us figure out that Mary Dobbin's parents were William and Margaret (a name that was later passed on to my grandmother, born in 1907) Dobbin. After moving from Ireland in 1820, they lived with their daughter, Mary, and son-in-law, John Nelson, at William Dobbin's farm in Salem, New York. The family's farm was valued at $1,200, a substantial amount in the 1850s. 'SIMPLE DIGNITY': How President Biden's visit to Ireland tells the story of 'Blue-collar Joe' back home A new life in the US after religious persecution in Ireland As one discovery uncovered another, I kept thinking about the remarkable odds of history how, if not for the daring decision of the Dobbin family to uproot from Ireland, I wouldnt be here today. We learned that William Dobbin, my great-great-great-great grandfather, was born in 1771 in Ireland and died in 1858 in New York at 88 years old, an incredibly old age for the time that perhaps explains the strong Garrison genes. My grandmother died just a couple months shy of 100 years old. From there, our search took a major turn. We determined that the Dobbins were Presbyterians, as detailed in an early 1900s book on the history of Washington County, New York. Like Catholics, they would have been subject to penal laws in the 1700s that barred both groups from public office and refused to recognize their marriages, among other restrictions. "William's life would have been really difficult back in Ireland," Bealin said. "I can only imagine what New York must have been like for him. It would have seemed like the quintessential American dream because he couldn't have achieved what he did back in Ireland." This 1850 census shows that William Dobbin, then 79, lived with his wife Margaret Dobbin and son-in-law John Nelson on a farm in Washington County, New York. We began the research thinking my family, like many Irish Americans including Biden's, probably came to the U.S. to escape the famine. It turned out they more likely came over to escape religious persecution against Presbyterians. Later, my dad alerted to me a diary that William Dobbin wrote during his 1824 voyage to America that a distant family member posted online. William Dobbin described a trip of illness for most passengers on board, including several deaths, and long days that were dependent on the weather and wind. They landed in Montreal before coming to New York. "O! My friends, if you know my feeling at this moment you would indeed pity your poor friend," William Dobbin wrote. "My only support is the assurance that a hair of our heads cannot perish without our Heavenly Fathers notice." MORE: From Ireland, Biden confused a rugby team with 'Black and Tans' British military group and the English didn't like it Finding exactly where my Irish ancestors lived I imagined what the dreams of William Dobbin and his family were like as they journeyed to America and wondered what they might think about me writing their story. William Dobbin, according to the same book on the history of Washington County, New York, was the son of John and Mary Dobbin my great-great-great-great-great grandparents of Ireland. John Dobbin was born in 1740. The Dobbins lived in the townland of Conogher in the tiny parish of Ballymoney in County Atrim, present-day Northern Ireland. Then we found it on the map: the exact one-square land where my Irish ancestors lived, at least since the early 1700s, and perhaps even longer. It was a farm, where they would have lived in small stone houses, next to the Bush River. "This explains everything," Bealin said. "They landed in the States and they instantly became farmers because that's what they grew up with." This 1830s map in the province of Ballymoney, Ireland shows the townland of Conogher, which still remains today. We searched Griffith's Valuation, which details Irish property records, for the Dobbin name. An 1820s map showed two small settlements of houses and roadways next to the farm. Two hundred years later, those same two villages have survived and are still working farms. Remarkably, the map also indicates a nearby ancient rath a burial ground or other monument suggesting the area has been inhabited for thousands of years. 'NORTHERN IRELAND WILL NOT GO BACK': Biden calls for sustained peace amid political unrest We reviewed the DNA records of Dobbins whose information is available on the genealogical testing company Family TreeDNA. It suggests the DNA line goes to Norway, meaning my family is likely a Viking lineage. People in this part of Ireland typically trace back to across the North Channel to Scotland, consistent with my Scotch-Irish roots I've long been told about. "You have a very cool family," Bealin said as we wrapped up our session. "I'm a little jealous." In just about an hour and a half, we traced one line of my family back to the 1600s with glimpses of the Viking Age. Not bad for a morning's work, but it was time for me to catch my flight out of Dublin. For my next trip, though, I now know my destination: Ballymoney in County Antrim the home of my Irish ancestors. President Joe Biden gestures to the crowds outside St Muredach's Cathedral, in Ballina, Ireland, Friday, April 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena) Reach Joey Garrison on Twitter @joeygarrison. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Joe Biden in Ireland: Finding my heritage during the president's visit An American boy was killed after he arrived with his family in the Dominican Republic in what police believe to be a botched robbery planned by a family friend. Nine-year-old Gioser Luis Feliz was fatally shot on Wednesday 19 April, just 30 minutes after his flight from New York landed at the Cibao International Airport in the city of Santiago de los Caballeros. The suspects allegedly targeted Sergio Luis Feliz Mancebo, the childs father, and Mr Feliz Mancebos partner. The assailants ambushed the family as they drove a rental car to a nearby province, Univision reported. A friend of Mr Feliz Mancebo, who had picked up the family from the airport, tried to escape from the violence when the suspects opened fire on the vehicle. The gunmen, who were driving a white Hyundai Sonata, then fled the scene, according to Diario Libre. Gioser sustained a gunshot to the head and was transported to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Sources told Diario Libre on Friday that Tomas Pena Morel, a close friend of the childs father, has been arrested for allegedly providing details about Mr Feliz Mancebos trip to the gunmen. Mr Pena Morel, who reportedly visited the morgue with the grieving father as he claimed Giosers body, is now accused of scheming the robbery. His arrest comes a day after President of the Dominican Republic Luis Abinader decried the tragedy and announced the arrest of five other men in connection with the shooting. The other suspects have been identified as Luis Angel Vargas Brito, 18; Derlin Javier Mercado Martinez; Cesar Junior Ulloa Cuevas; Jose Manuel Almonte Santana, 20; and Elian Martinez Sanchez, 22. Ive been constantly briefed about developments in the case, Mr Abinader tweeted on Thursday. Speaking with local media, the childs father said he believes the assailants intended to rob him. The family planned to spend Giosers spring break in Santiago before returning to New York on Monday. Giosers body is expected to be repatriated to the US, Diario Libre reports. More details are expected to be released by authorities as the investigation unfolds. The US State Department advises Americans to exercise increased caution when travelling to the Dominican Republic due to crime. Hundreds of thousands of Americans travel across the Mexican border every year to the tiny town of Los Algodones, in search not of sun and sand, but root canals and veneers. Around 600 dentists cram the four main streets of the town, offering procedures at just a fraction of the cost in the United States. "It's the highest concentration of dentists per square kilometer in the world," jokes one of the men jostling for customers near the border checkpoint. Los Algodones is better known to Americans as "Molar City," a nickname that spread by word of mouth long before the internet made shopping around for healthcare easier. The town long ago embraced the moniker, and now operates a website -- molarcity.org -- to help potential patients choose doctors and resolve travel logistics. Competition is fierce, with colorful signs hanging off every balcony, flyers advertising discounts for whitening, extractions and implants. Despite so many dentists, there is still plenty of demand to go around. During its November to April high season, Molar City's 7,000 population almost doubles with day-tripping Americans. Even in the sweltering summer months, around 2,000 people come daily from US border states like California, Arizona or New Mexico. - The cost of a Tesla - A look at any dentist's price list reveals just why the place is so popular. "In California my dentist wanted to put the equivalent of a Tesla in my mouth," quips Rene, a 65-year-old from California whose first visit to Molar City is for four implants. "He told me the whole procedure would come out to $57,000," laughs the Uber driver, covering his mouth with one hand. Dr Carlos Rubio, who trained in both Mexico and the United States, says the huge price differential is what initially attracts customers. The discount is such, the 63-year-old says, that it more than covers the additional cost of travelling, even if a patient has to make repeated trips for multiple appointments. Story continues US dental care is often funded through private insurance policies attached to employment, usually with annual limits on coverage. According to the University of Illinois Chicago, around a quarter of Americans have no dental coverage, while public programs like Medicaid do not routinely cover all forms of dental care. David Barry, a retiree who has been getting his teeth looked after in Molar City for more than a decade, says many Americans simply cannot afford to see the dentist. "Most people in the US don't have dental insurance, or their dental insurance doesn't cover very much -- like $1,000 a year for a crown or so," he says. "For something major it's not that great, so when I first came, I needed quite a bit of work -- a few implants and crowns. "In California they quoted me $35,000. I think I paid about $6,000 or $8,000 here." The 64-year-old, who now lives in Arizona, says many people have a misperception that dentistry in Mexico is of a lower quality. In fact, he says: "The equipment here is more advanced. In my dentists at home, they still use impressions -- here they do it all electronically." - 'Anyone need a dentist?' - On the US side of the border, a large parking lot begins to fill up early, with most visitors seemingly older than 50. "Morning! Anyone need a good dentist today?" a young man asks people as soon as they get out of their cars. Before reaching the border gates, they will hear the same question -- in English -- three more times. After passing through the massive border wall, a sign past the checkpoint announces their arrival in Los Algodones, a town "Founded in 1894." Ten steps later, a pharmacy, an optician and the start of the dental clinics, plus a swarm of people offering services. A few restaurants and shops selling handicrafts and colorful souvenirs mark the only interruption to the sea of medical establishments. Rubio, who when he started in 1985 had to wait four months to see his first patient, now sees between 30 and 35 people a day. He says there has been no discernible drop off after the kidnapping and murder of several Americans in Matamoros, Mexico, just over the border from Brownsville, Texas. That high-profile event in early March shed light on the large number of US citizens participating in so-called medical tourism. No one AFP spoke to had any qualms about visiting "It's something that some people comment on in the United States, but I tell them that Los Algodones feels safe," says David Barry. Rubio agrees. "In this community, we don't have that problem," he says. "We live off tourism, and we try to take care of it." pr/hg/des BEIRUT (AP) The holiday of Eid al-Fitr ushered in a day of prayers and joy for Muslims around the world on Friday. The celebration was marred by tragedy amid the explosion of conflict in Sudan, while in other countries it came against the backdrop of hopes for a better future. After the Ramadan month of fasting, Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr with feasts and family visits. The start of the holiday is traditionally based on sightings of the new moon, which vary according to geographic location. In Sudans capital, Khartoum, staccato blasts of gunfire marked the early hours of the feast day. A deadly conflict in the vast African country that erupted in the past week has forced many people to shelter indoors ahead of the holiday, even as water and food for civilians runs low. In Jerusalem, thousands of faithful gathered at Islam's third holiest shrine, the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, where tensions with Israeli authorities have seethed in the past month. The compound also hosts Judaism's holiest site. Following holiday prayers, a clown entertained children and a woman painted the cheek of a girl with the green, red, black and white Palestinian flag. Some attendees trampled on an Israeli flag and unfurled banners in support of Palestinian militant groups. The streets of Arab capitals of Damascus, Baghdad and Beirut were crowded with worshippers heading to mosques and cemeteries. Many Muslims visit the graves of their loved ones after the early morning prayer on the first day of Eid al-Fitr. Visitors toted bouquets of flowers, jugs of water for plants, and brooms to clean gravestones. After the Eid prayer we always visit our dead to pray and pay our respects, may God have mercy and forgive them on this blessed day, said Atheer Mohamed in Baghdads Azamiya cemetery. Islam's holidays follow a lunar calendar. But some countries rely on astronomical calculations rather than physical sightings. This frequently leads to disagreements between religious authorities in different countries and sometimes in the same country over the start date of Eid al-Fitr. Story continues This year, Saudi Arabia and many other Arab countries began their Eid celebrations on Friday, while Iran, Pakistan and Indonesia, among others, set the first day of the holiday for Saturday. In Sudan, the holiday was eclipsed by a week of raging battles between the army and its rival paramilitary force, which are locked in a violent struggle to control the country. The fighting has killed hundreds of people and wounded thousands. In a video message released early Friday, his first speech since the fighting broke out, Sudans top general Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan marked the somber tone of the holiday. Ruin and destruction and the sound of bullets have left no place for the happiness everyone in our beloved country deserves," he said. The day before, Sudans military ruled out negotiations with the rival paramilitary force, known as the Rapid Support Forces, saying it would only accept its surrender as the two sides continued to battle in central Khartoum and other parts of the country, threatening to wreck international attempts to broker a sustainable cease-fire. Yet in other parts of the region, the recent rapprochement between arch-rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran has kindled hopes for peace. In Yemen, the Saudi-Iranian rapprochement raised the possibility for an end to the civil war that had turned into a proxy conflict and torn the impoverished country apart since 2014. Saudi officials and Iran-backed Houthi rebels recently began talks in Yemen's capital of Sanaa. During the last days of Ramadan, the warring sides exchanged hundreds of prisoners captured during the conflict. However, the moment of hopes was marred by a stampede late Wednesday at a charitable event in the rebel-held capital that killed at least 78 people and injured 77. This years Eid al-Fitr also came on the heels of intensified violence in Israel and the Palestinian territories. Alaa Abu Hatab and his only remaining daughter started the holiday in the Palestinian Gaza Strip by visiting the graves of his wife and four children who were killed in an Israeli airstrike on the day of Eid al-Fitr in 2021. That strike also killed Abu Hatab's sister and her children. Because they were killed in the Eid, I miss them especially during Eid al-Fitr. I miss their laughter, Abu Hatab said, standing by his familys grave with his six-year-old daughter, Maria. The holiday has become a scene of pain and loss, he said. In Afghanistans Kabul, where worshippers gathered under the watchful eyes of its Taliban rulers, 35-year-old Abdul Matin said, I wish that besides security we had good income and good jobs. Unfortunately people cant afford to buy all their necessities at this difficult time. In Turkey and Syria, many are still mourning loved ones lost in the devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck the two countries on Feb. 6, killing more than 50,000 people. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday performed morning Eid prayers at Hagia Sophia, the 6th century Byzantine church in Istanbul that was turned into a mosque in the 15th century. It became a museum in 1934 and was reconverted into a mosque three years ago. Erdogan, who is facing elections next month amid an economic crisis and the fallout of the earthquake, handed out chocolate and pastries to journalists outside the mosque, renamed Holy Ayasofya Grand Mosque. In the United States, celebrations among the Sudanese community were tempered with concern for the homeland. They still gathered in large numbers for Friday prayers at the Muslim Community Center in Silver Spring. We are not in a mood to do anything joyful, but were doing (these celebrations) for the kids, said Shaza Ahmed, who is among an estimated 20,000 Sudanese in Maryland and Virginia. In Tennessee, where school state testing was underway, Imam Ossama Bahloul, the resident scholar at the Islamic Center of Nashville, said that for the first time, his daughter missed the holiday prayer with the family so she could take an exam. In Minneapolis, Friday public school classes were called off for the first time to mark the holiday. About 10% of students are Muslim, said Jaylani Hussein, director of Council on American-Islamic Relations-Minnesota. In Minneapolis, you can be unapologetically Muslim, Hussein said. In Dearborn, Michigan, employees have Eid al-Fitr off as a paid holiday for the first time. Mayor Abdullah Hammoud said the precedent was not planned but that it was important for Muslim employees "to feel included and enjoy the holiday with their families. ___ Associated Press reporters Ali Abdul-Hassan in Baghdad, Tia Goldenburg in Jerusalem, Fares Akram in Gaza City, Gaza Strip; Mariam Fam in Cairo, Rahim Faiez in Kabul, Afghanistan; Andrew Wilks in Istanbul, Deepa Bharath in Los Angeles, Giovanna DellOrto in Minneapolis and Mike Householder in Detroit contributed to this report. By Kirsty Needham SYDNEY (Reuters) -Australia will outline its defence plans on Monday, and its leaders are previewing a more assertive posture - in which it can strike farther, faster - while working with mid-size allies to reduce tensions as the United States and China square off. The Labor government of Anthony Albanese will lay out those proposals on Monday in response to a wide-ranging and secret defence review of Australia's investment in modern military systems and logistics, and how they would fare in a sudden conflict. The review examined how Australia could better integrate with its AUKUS partners the United States and Britain, as well as other allies, the government has said. The AUKUS countries last month announced Australia would spend A$368 billion on nuclear-powered submarines, and will jointly develop hypersonic weapons to catch up to China. British and U.S. nuclear submarines will also start rotations through a Western Australian naval base in advance of the joint production of the AUKUS nuclear submarine in the next decade. Excerpts of the review released to media on Friday evening show it warns of increased costs and severe workforce pressure. It also says spending should be focused on weapons such as amphibious landing vehicles, anti-ship missiles and mobile long-range rocket systems. Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Chief of the Defence Force Angus Campbell have said in recent days that Australian forces need to be capable of responding to potential adversaries whose weapons are faster, can strike farther and are more precise than in the past. Changing that equation is crucial to the future of Australia's military, they said. In an address to the National Press Club on Monday, Wong said the region should not be reduced to a binary competition between the United States and China; Australia wanted to work with other middle-sized countries, including in Southeast Asia, to deter aggression, she said. "America is central to balancing a multipolar region... We cannot just leave it to the U.S.," she said. Story continues Since 2017, after Australia's top trading partner, China, began militarising islands in the South China Sea along vital trade routes, and the Trump presidency called into question the United States commitment to U.S. international engagement, Australia's foreign policy has focused on building a mesh of middle-sized democracies to balance China's rise. It revived the Quad of Japan, India and the United States, which will in August hold its Malabar naval exercise off the Western Australia coast for the first time. Australia's largest joint land military exercise will be held in July involving 30,000 troops from 11 nations, with Philippines, Singapore and Thailand observing. Campbell said Australia's defence forces would enhance how they could operate alongside partners, but has ruled out foreign bases on its soil and will always retain control of its forces. The military will focus not just on territorial defence but national interests, including trade routes and submarine cables that connect the island to international telecommunications. Wong said Australia must avert war, and would not speculate on Taiwan, other than to say a conflict would be "catastrophic for all". The most important new assumption in the review is that Australia could come under attack with no warning from Chinese missiles and that Chinese ships will operate far from their home shores, said Michael Green, chief executive of the U.S. Studies Centre at the University of Sydney. Australia must be able "to ensure sovereign decision making but be ready to fight tonight," Green said. Even as it beefs up its military, Australia says China will remain an important trade partner. The Labor government, elected last year, has stabilised its diplomatic relationship with China, and trade blocks imposed by Beijing on about a dozen Australian exports from coal to timber are easing. Two-way trade worth A$285 billion a year is dominated by Australian iron ore exports that China cannot easily replace. Wong has warned Australian exporters to diversify their markets, and said ties with China would not return to the heights of 15 years ago, nor would Australia be able to separate its strategic relationship with the United States from its economic relationship with China. Australia, which supplies nearly half the world's lithium, is seeking investment from allies, including Japan and India, for its emerging critical minerals industry to reduce global reliance on China, ministers have said. One of the world's top LNG exporters, Australia's top gas customers last year were Japan, China and South Korea. (Reporting by Kirsty Needham. Editing by Gerry Doyle) Workers at another Trader Joes grocery store formed a union this week, making it the fourth of the companys locations to organize in the past year. The union, Trader Joes United, said it won an election at the companys Rockridge store in Oakland, California, following a ballot count held by the National Labor Relations Board, with workers voting 73 to 53 in favor of unionizing. On the opposite coast, the union said it narrowly lost an election at the companys Essex Crossing store in New York City that ended in a tie, 76 in favor and 76 against. A union must win 50% of the votes, plus one, in order to become the workers representative. The NLRB could not immediately confirm the ballot tallies on Friday morning, and Trader Joes could not be reached for comment. The company would have a week to challenge the results in Oakland. If those results stand, there would now be four stores total that have unionized since last July, including locations in Massachusetts, Minnesota and Kentucky. Trader Joes has contested the results of the Kentucky vote, but the labor board has not yet issued a decision in the case. The California-based company has more than 500 stores throughout the U.S. Although unions are common among longtime grocers like Kroger and Albertsons, none of Trader Joes stores had union representation until the Trader Joes United campaign began in Hadley, Massachusetts. OAKLAND WINS 73-53!!! Trader Joe's United (@TraderJoesUnite) April 21, 2023 Trader Joes United, which is not affiliated with an established national union, celebrated the Oakland victory on Twitter late Thursday. In a statement on the the Essex Crossing results, the organizing committee there said the fight to unionize a NYC Trader Joes continues, noting a separate union loss last year at a store in Brooklyn. Story continues We had endless conversations with our coworkers. We sent countless texts and phone calls, and gathered together to celebrate and connect about the future we wanted to see at work, the group said. But the reality is, the barriers to working people winning against corporations in this country are huge. Organizing efforts have percolated at Trader Joes for years, but none of them took hold until early in 2022, after the company announced it was slashing retirement contributions for most employees. Several workers told HuffPost the move reflected a company that had grown less generous with its workforce and strayed from its reputation as a good employer. Trader Joe's managed to stay union-free until the Massachusetts election last year. Trader Joe's managed to stay union-free until the Massachusetts election last year. Pro-union employees are pushing for higher wages, guaranteed benefits and more control over scheduling and safety protocols. Trader Joes has opposed the organizing effort, and the union said managers in both the New York and Oakland stores had been encouraging workers to vote no in the runup to their election. The union has filed a number of unfair labor practice charges accusing the company of violating workers rights, including by pressuring pro-union workers to remove their union pins. Trader Joes has accused union supporters of unlawfully pressuring workers to vote for the union in Kentucky. The labor board has not yet ruled on those cases. HuffPost reported last summer that workers at the Trader Joes wine shop in New York City were about to go public with a union campaign when the company abruptly closed the store. Workers had intended to join the United Food and Commercial Workers union. Trader Joes denied that it closed the store due to workers organizing. The company previously told HuffPost it was concerned about the rigid legal relationship a union might bring, but said it would abide by the results of any elections and bargain in good faith with its workers. Related... Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has hit out at Elon Musk after Twitter began removing blue ticks and said the move could pave the way for major potential harm. The New York congresswoman and Tesla chief have been involved in Twitter spats before. This is not the first time AOC, as the congresswoman is affectionately known, has lashed out against Mr Musk on the social media platform. When the Twitter boss had announced last year that those who want to retain their blue ticks must pay $8 to the company, Ms Ocasio-Cortez had mocked the move. Lmao at a billionaire earnestly trying to sell people on the idea that free speech is actually an $8/mo subscription plan, she had tweeted. On Friday, AOC shared a screenshot of an exchange between two Twitter handles @nycgov and @NYC_GOVERNMENT both claiming to be the official handles of the New York City government. Jokes aside, this is setting the stage for major potential harm when a natural disaster hits and no one knows what agencies, reporters, or outlets are real, she said. Not long ago we had major flash floods. We had to mobilize trusted info fast to save lives. Today just made that harder. Jokes aside, this is setting the stage for major potential harm when a natural disaster hits and no one knows what agencies, reporters, or outlets are real. Not long ago we had major flash floods. We had to mobilize trusted info fast to save lives. Today just made that harder https://t.co/bAG8ayBTa6 Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) April 20, 2023 The congresswoman has also previously claimed Mr Musk had meddled with her account. Ms Ocasio-Cortez complained that following a public argument, her Twitter account had seemingly stopped working properly. Yo (Elon Musk) while I have your attention, why should people pay $8 just for their app to get bricked when they say something you dont like? she tweeted. Story continues Mr Musk replied back at the Democrat and said, What can I say? It was a naked abuse of power. In December last year, Ms Ocasio-Cortez condemned Mr Musk after he suspended the accounts of half a dozen journalists who routinely reported on him and the social media platform. I get feeling unsafe, but descending into abuse of power + erratically banning journalists only increases the intensity around you, the Democratic lawmaker said. As someone who has been subject to real and dangerous plots, I do get it. I didnt have security and have experienced many scary incidents, she said. In fact, many of the right-wing outlets you now elevate published photos of my home, car, etc. At a certain point you gotta disconnect. Maybe try putting down your phone, she suggested. Lmao at a billionaire earnestly trying to sell people on the idea that free speech is actually a $8/mo subscription plan Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) November 2, 2022 You first lol, responded Mr Musk. When the billionaire had laid off staff at Twitter, the Congresswoman tweeted: Shout out to all the workers at Twitter. You all built a vital place for connection and deserved so much better. Millions of people appreciate the space you built and the hard work that went into it. Thank you. Meanwhile, Mr Musk said he is personally paying for Twitter Blue subscriptions for a few celebrities who had declined to subscribe by themselves. The Twitter chief confirmed he is paying for the accounts of William Shatner, Stephen King and LeBron James to retain their blue tick verification badges. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York. Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call Kevin McCarthy this week unveiled a bill to raise the debt ceiling, but some GOPers have pushed back. AOC wrote on Instagram that Democrats should not be negotiating with Republicans right now. "Republicans are too much of a mess right now to do so," she wrote. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez thinks Democrats should stay out of the GOP's chaotic internal debate over the debt ceiling. On Wednesday, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy finally unveiled the text of his bill to raise the debt ceiling in exchange for $4.5 trillion in budget cuts, and he plans to bring it to a House floor vote next week. Since January, McCarthy and President Joe Biden have been at odds over the best approach to raise the debt ceiling and prevent the US from a financially catastrophic default. McCarthy wants to negotiate a deal to raise the debt ceiling that would include a variety of spending cuts including banning student-loan forgiveness and bolstering work requirements for welfare programs while Biden has been adamant that Democrats will not negotiate over keeping the country out of default. Ocasio-Cortez answering a question about debt-ceiling negotiations on her Instagram story. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez But now that McCarthy has released the legislation, some members of his own party have not been fully on board and in light of that, Ocasio-Cortez said Democrats should "definitely not" negotiate with McCarthy. "Republicans are too much of a mess right now to do so," she wrote in response to a question on the topic on her Instagram story. "Republicans can't even get their own party behind one plan, let alone both parties. Negotiating with that is like trying to nail jello to a tree. What is there to even negotiate?" she said. "McCarthy is a mess," she added. "Which of course is how this whole thing started. The situation is very concerning honestly because mess or not the GOP was elected to govern and they really cannot." While McCarthy has expressed confidence his bill will get enough votes to pass the House, telling reporters Thursday that he thought "we're in very good shape," some of his colleagues aren't so sure. GOP Rep. George Santos told reporters that he's "solidly" against the bill, and other lawmakers said they wanted work requirements to be stricter than what McCarthy proposed. Story continues "There are a few cleanup things that we need to discuss," House Freedom Caucus Chair Scott Perry told reporters. "And that's just one of them." Still, even if the bill passes the House, that's probably as far as it will go. The Democratic-majority Senate would likely vote it down, and even if it made it through both houses of Congress, Biden would almost certainly veto the bill. And the president is not budging he's continuing to push for a clean debt-ceiling increase. "Just two days ago, the Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy went to Wall Street to describe the MAGA economic vision: massive cuts to programs you count on, massive benefits protected for those at the top," Biden wrote on Twitter on Wednesday. "Folks, it's the same old trickle-down dressed up in MAGA clothing." Read the original article on Business Insider The creator and stars of Netflixs popular show Beef have responded to resurfaced criticism against cast member David Choe, who has recently come under fire for a 2014 podcast interview where he had joked about being a successful rapist during a massage. On Friday, Beef creator Lee Sung Jin and executive producers and stars Steven Yeun and Ali Wong released a statement to Variety, calling Choes story undeniably hurtful and extremely disturbing but that hes put in the work to get the mental health support he needed. Advertisement The story David Choe fabricated nine years ago is undeniably hurtful and extremely disturbing. We do not condone this story in any way, and we understand why this has been so upsetting and triggering. Were aware David has apologized in the past for making up this horrific story, and weve seen him put in the work to get the mental health support he needed over the last decade to better himself and learn from his mistakes, they said. [ Column: Made up rape story or not, David Choes remarks were public long before Beef. Our silence on them is deafening. ] In resurfaced clips of the 2014 DVDASA podcast episode, Choe told co-host Asa Akira a sexually explicit story about a massage he received from a massage therapist he calls Rose. Im getting turned on just telling this story, he said in the footage. I just take her hand and I put it on my dick. She just holds it there. Advertisement Choe detailed numerous sexual acts and ended the story by saying, The thrill of possibly going to jail, thats what achieved the erection quest. Akira replied, Ew, youre basically telling us that youre a rapist now, and that the only way to get your dick really hard is rape. Choe responded, Yeah, then answered other guests questions about Roses appearance. What the fuck is wrong with you guys? Akira asked. Who cares what she looks like? Dave is telling us hes a rapist. He joked in response, A successful rapist. Choe originally responded to the backlash in 2014, denying he was a rapist in a statement and saying that the podcast was a complete extension of his art as a storyteller. I never thought Id wake up one late afternoon and hear myself called a rapist. It sucks. Especially because I am not one. I am not a rapist. I hate rapists, I think rapists should be raped and murdered, he said at the time. I am an artist and a storyteller and I view my show DVDASA as a complete extension of my art. If I am guilty of anything, its bad storytelling in the style of douche. Just like many of my paintings are often misinterpreted, the same goes with my show. The main objective of all of my podcasts is to challenge and provoke my friends and the co-stars on the show. We fuck with each other, entertain ourselves and laugh at each other. Its a dark, tasteless, completely irreverent show where we fuck with everyone listening, but mostly ourselves. We create stories and tell tales. Its not a news show. Its not a representation of my reality. Its not the place to come for reliable information about me or my life. Its my version of reality, its art that sometimes offends people. Im sorry if anyone believed that the stories were fact. They were not! In a world full of horrible people, thank god for us. Clips of the DVDASA podcast resurfaced on Twitter last week, but some of them were removed with Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) notices that were filed seemingly by Choe himself under the David Young Choe Foundation. The DMCA notices called the Twitter videos copyright infringing media and asked for their immediate removal. Beef released on Netflix on April 6, after which it rose to No. 2 on Netflixs Top 10 list of English-language shows. In its second week of release, it received over 70 million hours viewed. Opposite Yeun and Wong, Choe plays Isaac, the older, frequently-incarcerated cousin of Yeuns character Danny. Choe, who is a painter and artist, supplied the artwork for nine episodes title cards. Jazz Tangcay contributed to this report. Joaquin Phoenix in Ari Aster's 'Beau Is Afraid' Joaquin Phoenix in Ari Aster's Beau Is Afraid Credit - Zoey KangA24 Warning: This post contains major spoilers for Beau Is Afraid. If the online discourse surrounding Beau Is Afraid is any indication, writer-director Ari Asters new movie is shaping up to be his most divisive offering yet. Tweets about the film, in theaters nationwide April 21, run the gamut from high praise for Asters magnum opus to scathing takedowns of the career killer. I wanted to make a movie that was like a video game but where your character cant do anything and none of the buttons work, Aster, who delivered smash horror hits with his first two features, Hereditary and Midsommar, tells TIME. A three-hour-long surrealist black comedy, Beau Is Afraid follows the titular Beau (Joaquin Phoenix), a deeply paranoid and anxiety-ridden middle-aged man, on an epic odyssey to get home to his overbearing mother, Mona (Patti LuPone, played in flashbacks by Zoe Lister-Jones). The movie takes viewers on a bizarre Homeric journey through a wide-range of settings, from Beaus run-down apartment in a lawless city to the wealthy suburban home of a self-destructing family to a seemingly magical forest theater commune, as Beau grapples with a lifetime of debilitating psychological hangups. Guilt, shame, paranoia, Freudian mom issuesyou name it, Aster slaps it up there on the screen, with Phoenix as our jittery naif, stumbling from one traumatic episode to the next, TIME film critic Stephanie Zacharek wrote. Its the most magnificent act of oversharing youll see all year, a banquet of all the TMI you can eat, just for the price of a ticket. Even Phoenix himself wasnt sure what to make of Beau after first reading the script. When you start out, everything feels foreign and just doesnt make sense, he says. I didnt know where to begin. Love Beau or hate it, chances are that when you walk out of the theater youll be asking yourself, what exactly is this movie trying to say? According to Aster, it couldnt be more straightforward. I worry its too obvious. Like, its right there. Theres nothing to talk about, he says, without actually letting on to what the answer is. You bury a lot of details, but theyre all details youre burying in service of filling out the thing that it obviously is. Story continues But for those hoping to delve a little deeper, lets break down some of the imagery, themes, and symbolism that feature prominently in the film. Read more: Beau Is Afraid Is a Bleak Black Comedy Thats More Tedious Than Hilarious A world of pure chaos Phoenix and Aster on set Takashi Seida Following an opening sequence depicting Beaus birth from his point of view in utero, were introduced to adult Beau during a visit to his psychiatrist (Stephen McKinley Henderson) to discuss an impending trip home to visit his mother. When Beau emerges from this appointment, its into a hellish cityscape fraught with senseless violence and jarring acts of inhumanity. Its unpleasant in all the ways that our world is unpleasant, Aster says. But the dial is turned up a notch. Nearly every surface we see as Beau makes his way home to his sparse, lonely apartment is covered in graffiti or lewd advertisementsdetails that Aster says he continued to add throughout the filming process. Specifically referencing a drawing of a penis in a tuxedo vomiting, Aster says that the only rule for these gimmicks was that they had to reflect his sense of humor. I learned this term chicken fat, which is the idea of jamming the background with as many gags as possible, he says. And part of the fun for me was how many details we could cram into the frame. It was a big distraction in pre-production just coming up with really stupid names for things, titles for fake movies and names for fake products and fake band namesYou see names of bands like Anal Puke, Death By Anal, Murder By F-ck, Butt Finger.' He needs to just get some therapy, Phoenix interjects. As for the anarchic nature of the citynamed Corrina, according to Aster, in reference to the 1994 Ray Liotta movie Corrina, Corrinawhat we see is likely more a product of Beaus anxieties than a true interpretation of reality. Youre in the shoes of this person, moving through himbut its less about tracking his course than experiencing his memories, his fantasies, his horrors, Aster said in commentary included in the films production notes. The movie is Beaus experience of life. One of Phoenixs inspirations for the way Beau reacts to the outside world was a YouTube video he watched of a police officer having a panic attack while responding to a call. He was emitting these sounds that were so animalistic. It was one of the craziest things Ive ever seen, Phoenix says. I really wanted to find something for a certain part in the film and I was like, I cant just scream. I need to find something unique that fully captures how twisted this moment is and how it affects this person. An assortment of literary influences Phoenix in a dream-like sequence Courtesy of A24 Aster has previously described Beau Is Afraid as a Jewish Lord of the Rings, a comment he clarifies with the explanation, The tongue was in the cheek, obviously, but this movie is very Jewish and its three hours long. But other literary influences also abound, ranging from Franz Kafka to Jorge Luis Borges to Virgil to Laurence Sterne to Miguel de Cervantes to Tennessee Williams. Ari Aster shows us a Kafkaesque nightmare not unlike the one we are living through today, Parker Posey, who plays the adult version of Beaus lifelong love interest Elaine, said in the production notes. He captures intense feelings about what it means to walk around our cities and live inside our homes, the things that haunt us about our parents, the mayhem of culture and capitalism. The Greeks come into play as well, with odes to Oedipus Rex, Medea, and, of course, The Odyssey, assuming a significant role in Beaus heros journey. Greek tragedies always really made me laugh because the gods in those plays are so petty and so ridiculous, Aster says. Theyre always punishing people for not honoring them in the right way. And I thought, Oh, thats very Jewish. Thats like the most Jewish thing.' The end all be all of mommy issues Armen Nahapetian and Zoe Lister-Jones in a formative flashback Courtesy of A24 After missing his original flight home, Beau learns from a UPS worker (voiced by Bill Hader) that his mother has apparently been decapitated and killed by a falling chandelier. Its this news that sets Beau on course for the series of unfortunate events he experiences while trying to make his way to her funerala rite that Monas lawyer informs him cannot take place until Beau has arrived, per her own decree. By the end of the film, Beau discovers that Mona is not really dead and instead elaborately faked her own death simply to see if he would react in a way that she deemed appropriate. Their relationship is complicated because Mona gives so much lovethe uncontrollable kind that can move mountains but also create anger and resentment between giver and receiver, Armen Nahapetian, who plays a 12-year-old version of Beau in a flashback sequence, said in the production notes. Given the ambiguous nature of the movie, viewers are still seemingly left to decide if Monas death and the woes that plagued Beau in its wake were all orchestrated by Mona as a punishment for her disloyal son, or if everything was in Beaus head all along. For Phoenixs part, he says he approached playing Beau from a place of uncertainty about the truth of the character. Everything has to be a reaction to the environment, he says. Its alchemy. Its how [Ari and I] talk to each other, the set, the other actors, the wardrobe, the look, the hairall of that has to come together. Those things affect me so much that to make any decision to try to feel certain about who the character is would be a mistake. Because then I would be trying to bend the world to what I was feeling when it should be the other way around. Guilt trips galore Posey plays a grown-up version of Beau's childhood flame Takashi Seida One of the most apparent themes in Beau Is Afraid is guilt. Its the driving force behind nearly everything Beau does and, therefore, at least partly to blame for the litany of mishaps that befall him throughout the movie. Beaus guilt derives almost entirely from his relationship with Mona, who convinced him from an early age that if he ever ejaculated, he would die. This belief was based on her claim that his father died the night that Beau was conceivedjust as Beaus grandfather and great-grandfather did before him. Early in the film, Beau takes a call from his mother that establishes the dysfunctional power dynamic between them. That one phone call is enough to convey that Mona has weaponized Beaus guilt into a worried sort of impotence, Indie Wires David Ehrlich wrote. Shes convinced her son that taking any control over his life would be a betrayal of her undivided love for him, and now shes upset that her middle-aged perma-child is too scared of the world to find his way through it on his own. The films dreamlike third act, in which Beau finds himself as star and subject of a mysterious theater troupes play, allows him a brief glimpse at what his life could be if he broke free from his mothers stranglehold. Hes put under hypnosis, walks into the play, and imagines what could happen if he were a more active agent in his own life, Aster said in the production notes. But, in the end, its all for naught. The movies final scene, in which Beau stands trial by kangaroo court, reveals that, at least in his own mind, Beau has ultimately been judged guilty of everything he has feared he is guilty of all along. Thirteen veterans and civilians were named as distinguished and honorary members Thursday to the regiments of the Special Forces, Psychological Operations and Civil Affairs community. The inductees were honored during a ceremony that coincides with the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and Schools Heritage Week to celebrate decades of training and education in Army special operation forces. The first-ever Heritage Week marks the 71st anniversary of the Army Special Forces school and center and coincides with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Army Training and Doctrine Command. Our close coordinating relationship with TRADOC is vital to ensuring Special Operations Forces remain aligned with the Army as we work to deliver the critical multi-domain capabilities for 2030, Brig. Gen. Guillaume Will Beaurpere, Commander, U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center School told Army Times in an email statement. For a half-century the center and school trained generations of soldiers in irregular warfare, advanced special operations leader development and education for the total Army, Beaurpere wrote. We are extremely proud to be part of a TRADOC enterprise that generates the Army for the challenges of tomorrow, he said. Among the inductees is a Medal of Honor recipient, a former acting secretary of defense and ambassadors. Inside the ongoing 'evolution' of Army special operations Each of the inductees has contributed to the legacy and history of their respective regiments and the nation in and out of uniform, Beaurpere said. The stories of physical and intellectual capabilities and adaptability of our inductees remind us that once we set our minds to an objective and a mission and commit our energies, there is very little we as Americans can not accomplish, Beaurpere said. The Regimental Honors program began in 1981, covered in updated Army Regulation 870-21 to replace the Combat Arms Regimental System, which dated to the late 1950s, Roxanne M. Merritt, director of the JFK Schools Heritage Center and museum, told Army Times in an email response. Story continues The majority of inductees are retired. If on active duty status, they were either killed in action or died prematurely while serving. Nominations come from a variety of organizations, persons, or individual commands. Inductees are honored in the local ceremony and, in some cases, a medallion, Merritt wrote. A short biography, photo and description of contributions outside of military service are included on the Regimental Hall of Fame in Clay Hall at the school/center and also on digital kiosks throughout the campus. There have been more than 225 inductees to the Regimental Honors program since 1981. Inductees are honored by their respective regiments - Psychological Operations, Civil Affairs and Special Forces. School spokesman Army Maj. Rick Dickson told Army Times that the first Heritage Week saw members of the three regiment communities across generations converge on Fort Bragg for a series of events that included a chapel rededication, physical training session, a formal dinner and the induction ceremony among other events. This Heritage Week is really focused on looking at the past and remembering our history as we try to move forward into the future, Dickson told Army Times in a phone interview. American irregular warfare and unconventinal warfare tactics trace back all the way to the American Revolutionary War. As the service looks to the Special Operations Force of 2030, Dickson said that history is important. Were trying to take that history and lessons learn and move it into the future, Dickson said. Psychological Operations Retired Col. Rick Springett served in multiple roles within the psychological operations regiment including in the U.S. Special Operations Command. As chief of the Military Information Support Operations Branch, he was responsible for four trans-regional programs supporting the geographic combatant commands and theatre special operations commands. The programs included strategic military information support operations directed against Al Qaida, their affiliates, and violent extremism. Retired Col. Rick Springett was one of the 2023 Regimental Honors inductees during and Heritage Week held at the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School at Fort Bragg, North Carolina in late April. (Army) Between 2004 to 2008, Springett worked with others to establish policies and procedures for the initial assessment of psychological operations and civil affairs officers. After his retirement in 2014, Springett was a senior civilian plans analyst under SOCOMs Sensitive Activities Division until 2021, deploying to Afghanistan and Southwest Asia in the role. First Lt. Daniel J. Edelman entered the Army as a public relations specialist during World War II under the 5th Mobile Radio Broadcasting Co., 100th Infantry Division. His time at the Office of War Information allowed him to counter German propaganda and disinformation through publishing Der Speigel, a German magazine, and polling Germans to determine their attitudes toward the occupation and the Nuremberg Trials. First Lt. Daniel J. Edelman was one of the 2023 Regimental Honors inductees during and Heritage Week held at the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School at Fort Bragg, North Carolina in late April. (Army) Edelman founded his own public relations firm in 1952, which counts a campaign to increase support for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in its portfolio. Edelman dedicated his time to nonprofits like the American Red Cross and Save the Children until his death in 2013. Special Forces Maj. John J. Duffy was presented the Medal of Honor on July 5, by President Joe Biden for his 1972 actions in Vietnam. According to Duffys citation, he served as a senior enlisted advisor to the 11th Airborne Battalion, 2d Brigade, Airborne Division. After his commander was killed during an attack that wounded Duffy twice, Duffy refused to be evacuated. Duffy directed defense around a support base on April 14, 1972, and moved close to enemy positions to call in airstrikes, becoming wounded again. After the enemy attacked the base, Duffy ensured wounded friendly foreign soldiers were moved to safety and maintained his position during indirect enemy fire. He was the last man to leave the base during a withdrawal. Maj. John J. Duffy was one of the 2023 Regimental Honors inductees during and Heritage Week held at the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School at Fort Bragg, North Carolina in late April. (Army) When the acting battalion commander was wounded, he assumed command of the evacuation and maintained communication with the available air support to direct fire on the enemy. The following morning, Duffy organized defensive positions when the enemy ambushed the battalion and led the wounded to an evacuation area. Retired Maj. Gen. David A. Morris was a charter member of Charlie Company, 3d Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group Combatant Commanders, which is now known as the Critical Threats Advisory Co. During his career, he conducted foreign internal defense in support of the El Salvadorian government during two tours and received presidential approval for his recommendation to overcome the insurgents advantage. Near the end of his first decade of service, Morris was selected to assume responsibility for Phase I training of the Special Forces Qualification Course at Camp Mackall. Retired Maj. Gen. David A. Morris was one of the 2023 Regimental Honors inductees during and Heritage Week held at the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School at Fort Bragg, North Carolina in late April. (Army) His career included developing a program with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to use artificial intelligence to guide the mission planning of U.S. special operations forces and helped develop a program that later became the Defense Threat Database System. In 1989, he wrote a paper that provided support to special operations forces during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Then Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Colin Powell approved Morris classified plan for creating the Army Special Mission Unit. In retirement, he has served as chairman of the Green Beret Foundation and serves with veteran nonprofit organizations. Retired Col. Ronald D. Johnson enlisted in the National Guard in 1971 and graduated from the Special Forces Officers Course in 1977, while assigned to the 20th Special Forces Group. In 1984, he entered active-duty service as the detachment commander with the 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group in Panama. He would serve in a wide variety of roles, including being selected as the first Special Forces officer to attend the Army War College fellowship at the Central Intelligence Agency. Johnson spent most of his military career in the Southern Command Area of Responsibility and led combat operations in El Salvador as one of the authorized 55 military advisors during the civil war there in the 1980s. Retired Col. Ronald D. Johnson was one of the 2023 Regimental Honors inductees during and Heritage Week held at the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School at Fort Bragg, North Carolina in late April. (Army) He also deployed to the Balkans in the 1990s as the senior military officer of an integrated team made up of members of the CIA, National Security Agency and Special Mission Unit to apprehend people indicted for war crimes. After leaving military service, Johnson worked with the CIA and participated in worldwide operational and combat experiences with special mission units. He also served as the senior representative for directors of National Intelligence and the CIA at the U.S. Southern Command and as the science and technology liaison to the U.S. Special Operations Command for the Central Intelligence Agency. In 2019, he was appointed and served as the U.S. ambassador to El Salvador until his retirement in 2021. Retired Col. Christopher C. Miller served as an enlisted infantryman in the U.S. Army Reserves and as a military policeman in the Washington, D.C., National Guard during his 27 years of military service. In 1993, he transferred to U.S. Army Special Forces, serving in numerous command and staff positions within the 5th Special Forces Group. He is credited for being a key player during numerous worldwide deployments and contributing to the planning and participation of the 5th Special Forces Groups initial combat operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. Retired Col. Christopher C. Miller was one of the 2023 Regimental Honors inductees during and Heritage Week held at the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School at Fort Bragg, North Carolina in late April. (Army) Miller served in numerous special operations organizations and as deputy commander of the Specialized Joint Unit, U.S. Special Operations Southern Command. After retiring in 2014, he worked as a defense contractor, a special assistant to the president at the National Security Council, assistant secretary of defense for special operations low-intensity conflict and deputy assistant secretary of defense for Special Operations and Combating Terrorism. Miller served as the acting secretary of defense from Nov. 9, 2020, to Jan. 20, 2021. Retired Col. Mark E. Mitchell commissioned in 1987 as an infantry officer and served in the 24th Infantry Division, including in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He graduated from the Special Forces qualification course in 1993 and served as a detachment commander, company commander, battalion operations officer, and battalion commander with the 5th Special Forces Group during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Mitchell spent a significant portion of his military career in the Central Command Area of Responsibility, leading combat operations in Kuwait, Afghanistan, and Iraq. Retired Col. Mark E. Mitchell was one of the 2023 Regimental Honors inductees during and Heritage Week held at the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School at Fort Bragg, North Carolina in late April. (Army) He was director of plans at the U.S. Special Operations Command Central; director of operations for the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force Arabian Peninsula and was also the commander of the 5th Special Forces Group and Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force at the Arabian Peninsula. He has also served as director for Counterterrorism on the National Security Council and after his military retirement, served as principal deputy and acting assistant secretary of defense for special operations and low-intensity conflict. Retired Lt. Col. Roger D. Carstens commanded a platoon in the 75th Rangers, including a combat jump into Panama during Operation Just Cause. He graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course in 1991 and was a detachment commander and company executive officer and battalion executive officer with the 10th Special Forces Group in Germany. Hes also commanded Company A, 4th Battalion and Company F, 1st Battalion under the 1st Special Warfare Training Group, training soldiers in unconventional warfare skills including the final Robin Sage exercise. Retired Lt. Col. Roger D. Carstens was one of the 2023 Regimental Honors inductees during and Heritage Week held at the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School at Fort Bragg, North Carolina in late April. (Army) Carstens served as legislative liaison for U.S. Special Operations Command and as an advisor to the National Counter Terror Bureau during Operation Iraqi Freedom. After his military career, Carstens has served as a special presidential envoy for hostage affairs, which negotiates the release of American citizens wrongfully detained abroad or taken hostage by terrorists and was designated as an ambassador by the president. He also served as senior counterinsurgency and security force assistance advisor in Kabul, Afghanistan. Sgt. 1st Class Riley E. Lott Jr. was of several Green Berets of Native American descent. Lott altered his birth certificate at the age of 16 in 1960 to join the Army as a medic. After basic training personnel discovered his age, he was sent home and rejoined the military the next year. Lott spent five of his nine years of military service in Vietnam as a combat medic. He began his education in jungle medicine at Long An, Vietnam, treating those affected by the siege of the Special Forces team as the Civilian Irregular Defense Group revolted against U.S. forces. Sgt. 1st Class Riley E. Lott Jr. was one of the 2023 Regimental Honors inductees during and Heritage Week held at the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School at Fort Bragg, North Carolina in late April. (Army) In Don Phuoc, he lived with, fought alongside, trained and treated Cambodian strikers who made up the Mobile Strike Force Command Lott worked with the Cambodian forces to rebuild the abandoned Special Forces camp at To Chau and clear areas surrounding Special Forces camps at Cai Cai and My Dien II. Lott left the Army at the age of 26 but continued to help family members, veterans and strangers in need, taking veterans to hospice care and hosting weekly veteran lunches. He died Aug. 29, 2021. Azadeh Aryana was born in Tehran and fled Iran during the Islamic Revolution of 1979 with her 3-year-old son. Pregnant at the time and fleeing under diplomatic immunity, she arrived in California. While awaiting the arrival of her husband who was still in Iran, Aryana, with limited English, worked as a janitor at a fast-food restaurant. She first rose through the ranks at the restaurant, before rising in the ranks and becoming security director of Cisco Systems, a multinational digital communications conglomerate. Azadeh Aryana was one of the 2023 Regimental Honors inductees during and Heritage Week held at the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School at Fort Bragg, North Carolina in late April. (Army) Aryana then opened her own security firm providing personal security to clients in the San Francisco area. After putting her children through college, she retired and devoted her time to American service members after a family member joined Special Forces. Over the past 17 years, she has personally shipped more than 10,000 care packages to deployed active and reserve Special Forces soldiers. Additionally, Aryana serves as a Special Forces goodwill ambassador, consistently attending military homecomings across California and has participated as a patriot motorcycle rider. Civil Affairs Born in Peru and raised in Arizona, retired Col. Ernesto L. Sirvas commissioned to serve in the field artillery branch from 1987 to 1996. He then joined the Civil Affairs branch from 1996 to 2015. At the beginning of his Civil Affairs career with the 96th Civil Affairs Battalion, Sirvas served four years in various roles including as a team leader, operations officer, company executive officer, company commander and logistics staff officer. Sirvas next assignment took him to Special Operations Command South in Puerto Rico for four years, where he served as a Civil Affairs planner and command group executive officer. Col. Ernesto L. Sirvas was one of the 2023 Regimental Honors inductees during and Heritage Week held at the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School at Fort Bragg, North Carolina in late April. (Army) Sirvas continued his career by commanding the U.S. Army Forces Battalion in support of Joint Task Force Bravo in Honduras and returned to the 95th Civil Affairs Brigade as deputy commander. In 2010, Sirvas was assigned to Regional Command West, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. There, he coordinated and synchronized U.S. support to stability and governance efforts in the Afghan provinces of Herat, Rarah, Badghis, and Ghor, and advised the commander and staff on matters pertaining to stability and governance. He also worked with Spanish, Lithuanian, Italian, and U.S. governments and agencies to implement programs supporting International Security Force Assistance joint command lines of effort in western Afghanistan. Sirvas returned to Fort Bragg to serve as the U.S. Army Special Operations Command chief of Concepts, Experimentation, and Science and Technology. He also directed the creation of a cross-organization planning team to review and develop recommendations to redesign the U.S. Army Reserve Civil Affairs structure to enhance the soldiers career paths and their ability to support the conventional maneuver force commander. Furthermore, he directed the implementation of a Reserve Component Civil Affairs Captains Career Course. After 28 years of Army service, Sirvas retired and continues to be of service to the military community through volunteer work, providing scholarships to military family members, donating to family readiness groups and assisting Civil Affairs soldiers and families after traumatic events. Donald C. Barton first enlisted in the Army from 1974-1981 as an air defense artillery vulcan gunner and other positions. In 1981, he reenlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve and served at the 307 Psychological Operations Company in roles of increasing leadership until 1993. In 1993, Barton returned to active duty and served until his retirement in 2006. After 20 years of active service and 12 years of reserve service, Barton authored and coauthored several documents that established or revised more than seven Civil Affairs military occupational specialties. Hes also provided analysis during the Civil Affairs Force Modernization Assessment. Donald C. Barton was one of the 2023 Regimental Honors inductees during and Heritage Week held at the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School at Fort Bragg, North Carolina in late April. (Army) Barton is currently a Fayetteville resident. Spencer Meredith IlI serves as a professor of National Security Strategy at the National Defense University, College of International Security Affairs. He has spent more than half that time mentoring, advising, and educating the operational and institutional special operations forces. He provides regional expertise on Eastern Europe, Russian, Eurasian, and Middle Eastern politics, and their roles throughout the special operations community. Spencer Meredith IlI was one of the 2023 Regimental Honors inductees during and Heritage Week held at the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School at Fort Bragg, North Carolina in late April. (Army) He also serves as a subject-matter expert for several geographic combatant commands, the intelligence community, and joint special operations and frequently advises the U.S. Army Special Operations Command and subordinate units at Fort Bragg. Meredith also has articles appearing in professional publications such as Strategy Bridge, Small Wars Journal, InterAgency Journal and Foreign Policy Journal. The Fayetteville Observer military and crime editor F.T. Norton and Army Times contributed to this report. Editors Note: This article was published as part of a content-sharing agreement between Army Times and The Fayetteville Observer. This article has been updated to include additional comments from the commander of the JFK Special Warfare Center School. Arsenal fans display a banner at the match with Southampton (Action Images via Reuters) Arsenal fans displayed a banner in support of the Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich who has been detained by Russian authorities in Moscow. Gershkovich was arrested last month on charges of espionage and is being held at the notorious Lefortovo prison in the Russian capital ahead of his trial. He faces up to 20 years in jail. The charges against Evan are baseless, and we call on the Russian Federation to immediately release him, said the US ambassador to Russia, Lynne Tracy, after the court denied Gershkovichs appeal against the terms of his detention. Before their Premier League match with Southampton at the Emirates Stadium on Friday night, some Arsenal fans held up a banner which read Arsenal fans stand with Evan Gershkovich underneath the hashtag #FreeEvan. A man paces a 50-metre (yard) stage doing breathing exercises. Crew members chatter while putting together final touches to the set, as a pianist rehearses. Acclaimed South African artist William Kentridge's play "The Head & The Load" is almost ready for its much-awaited African debut. "Being able to show it at home feels very important," Kentridge told AFP of the show, which centres on African porters who, at the call of their colonial masters, hauled arms, cannons and supplies for European forces during World War I. The production made its international debut in London in 2018 but has never been shown on African soil. That is set to change on Friday as, after delays caused by coronavirus pandemic, the piece is set to premier at the Joburg Theatre in Johannesburg. "This piece is about a hidden history, a history that was deliberately hidden," Kentridge, 67, said as the cast took their places for a final dress rehearsal on Thursday night. About one million African soldiers, porters and labourers are believed to have taken part in the 1914-18 conflict, according to the United Nations cultural agency, UNESCO. More than 150,000 of them died. "I think a starting place of the project was an ignorance, and an annoyance at my own self at my own ignorance," the artist said. "I thought I knew the First World War." - 'Troubles of the neck' - "The Head & The Load" takes its name from a Ghanaian proverb -- "The head and the load are the troubles of the neck". At the rehearsal, the words are projected in enormous white text onto the stage. But it takes a brief explanation, and a moment of reflection, to better understand their meaning. "There's... a physical load that the people are carrying, there's a historical load of how we got here, and there's a psychic load of how does one keep this history in one's head," Kentridge said. Story continues Renowned for his animated films of shape-shifting charcoal drawings, the thickly eye-browed artist described the show as "a very wide drawing... moving in three dimensions", combined with silhouettes, "added text and a great deal of music." Choreographer Gregory Maqoma said he looked forward to performing for a home audience. The production aimed at "fulfilling" a void for "those who never made it back home," he said. Among them was a distant relative of the show's co-composer, 35-year-old, Thuthuka Sibisi, who said one of his ancestors died on board the SS Mendi, a British steamship that sank in the Channel in February 1917. The vessel was taking more than 600 mostly black South African soldiers to the front in France. "The role and responsibility here is to... reconsider what we think is history" Sibisi said. "The Head & The Load" runs at the Joburg Theatre from April 21 to May 6. zam/ub/sn/ri An Athens woman developed a relationship with a stranger on Facebook that became so serious that she sold her home to provide him with money. On Tuesday the 75-year-old woman reported to Athens-Clarke police that she lost about $95,000 in what she now knows was a scam. Somehow it dawned on the woman that the man she met on Facebook in March had fooled her and was taking her money. The report shows that the unknown person was able to quickly gain her trust and soon started asking for money. The report did not detail how the con artist worked his way into her life. She could not be reached for comment. But when the man asked for money, he wanted cash and cash only, according to the report. The woman told police she sent the cash on four occasions through United Parcel Service and FedEx. The male was asking for so much money that she eventually sold her house to send him the money that he needed, according to the report. Crime: Athens-Clarke police seek suspects in two unrelated shootings Crime: Hancock Avenue bulldog goes missing in Athens, then mysteriously reappears Police detectives have begun an investigation into the matter, but a police spokesman said Thursday it appears from tax records that the woman did sell her home in March. The woman also provided a name and address where she sent the money. The location, as shown on Google map, is a home in a residential neighborhood of Ralston, Neb., which is in the Omaha metro area. The woman provided to police information about her communications with the con artist along with the suspects Facebook account. She never met him in person. The FBI reported in February that romance scams have resulted in high financial losses more that most other internet crimes. The FBI released on its website the following comment about this type of fraud: The criminals who carry out romance scams are experts at what they do and will seem genuine, caring and believable. Con artists are present on most dating and social media sites. Story continues The scammers intention is to establish a relationship as quickly as possible, endear himself to the victim, and gain trust. Scammers may propose marriage and make plans to meet in person, but that will never happen. Eventually, they will ask for money. Anyone who has been a victim of fraud can also report it to the Federal Trade Commission. This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Athens woman falls for Facebook friend, sells home, loses money FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) Cornerback Casey Hayward was released by the Atlanta Falcons on Friday after one injury-plagued season. Hayward was midway through a two-year deal with the Falcons, who saved $5 million in cap space by releasing the two-time Pro Bowler. The team will incur a $2 million dead cap hit. The Falcons brought in Hayward, who grew up in Georgia, to pair with star cornerback A.J. Terrell. But Hayward lasted only six games before a season-ending shoulder injury. He had one interception, deflected three passes and recorded 17 tackles for the Falcons. The 33-year-old was a Pro Bowler with the Chargers in 2016 and 2017. He also has played for the Packers and Raiders over his 11-year career. Hayward became expandable after the Falcons traded for cornerback Jeff Okudah, the No. 3 overall pick by Detroit in 2020, and signed Mike Hughes in free agency. The team also could pursue a cornerback in next week's draft. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL Police are working to determine if the murders of two Black transgender metro Atlanta women a week apart are hate crimes. Friends and family shared photos of Koko Williams and Ashley Burton, who were both shot and killed earlier this month. Channel 2s Justin Carter was on MLK Drive Friday, where police just released video of a man who may know something. Carter showed the footage on Channel 2 Action News at 4 p.m. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Williams, 35, was shot to death on MLK on Tuesday night. On Friday afternoon, police released surveillance video of a man in a red #2 jersey who they believe may have information that could help them solve the murder. Rashad Williams told Carter that his best friend, Koko, had called him shortly before she was shot. He didnt see the call until the next day. I called her like 20 - 25 times, like, Damn, why isnt she answering her phone, Williams said. TRENDING STORIES: He said he was heartbroken to find out shed been killed. Her sister, Akeyia Williams, said she was a rising musician with one song that is soon going to be featured on Showtimes hit show, The Chi. All she talked about was making a way for me and my siblings and my mother, Akeyia Williams said. Kokos murder marks the second in just a week involving Black transgender women. Last Tuesday, friends said 37-year-old Ashley Burton was shot and killed outside of an apartment complex on Fairburn Road. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Activist Stasha Sanchez said Black trans women are being targeted. Were some really strong people, Sanchez said. But were also always targeted, and I think that is something that is very important for the world to know that. You dont have to target us. Story continues In a statement, Atlanta police said theyre investigating a third shooting that critically injured a Black transgender woman in January on Highland Ave. They said there is no reason to believe any of the cases are connected, but understand the widespread concern. Anyone who recognizes the man in the surveillance video is asked to call police. RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany (AP) The Pentagon has deployed forces and is developing options to assist in the possible evacuation of U.S. Embassy personnel from Sudan, but the White House said Friday there are no plans for now for a broader pullout of the potentially thousands of other Americans from the African country where warring factions are in a violent conflict. The troop moves by the U.S. military are intended "to ensure that we provide as many options as possible, if we are called on to do something. We havent been called on to do anything yet, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said at a news conference in Germany. Austin and U.S. Army Gen. Mark Milley, the Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman, held meeting meetings with defense leaders from other countries to discuss additional support for Ukraine. An estimated 16,000 private U.S. citizens are registered with the U.S. Embassy in Khartoum as being in Sudan. The State Department has cautioned that that figure probably is inaccurate because there is no requirement for Americans to register nor is there a requirement to notify the embassy when they leave. "Its absolutely imperative that U.S. citizens in Sudan make their own arrangements to stay safe in these difficult circumstances," White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said in Washington. He added that "Americans should have no expectation of a U.S. government coordinated evacuation at this time. And we expect that thats going to remain the case. For embassy staff, according to an American official, a small number of U.S. troops have begun arriving in the Horn of Africa nation of Djibouti, where the U.S. is pre-positioning forces and equipment to assist in any potential evacuation. The official said Army soldiers are being tapped for the task. The U.S. troops are being moved to Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti. Evacuation planning for Sudan got underway in earnest on Monday after a U.S. Embassy convoy was attacked in Khartoum, the Sudanese capital. Story continues The conflict between Sudans military and a rival paramilitary force is worsening. The military has ruled out negotiations and said it would only accept surrender as a temporary cease-fire ended, raising the likelihood of a renewed surge in the nearly weeklong violence that has killed hundreds. The U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe private deliberations, said Milley discussed the situation with defense officials from Germany, Italy and Canada, among others. One topic was ensuring that any potential evacuation efforts did not conflict. The U.S. State Department said Friday that an American citizen had died in Sudan, but did not have further details. We are in touch with the family and offer our deepest condolences to them on their loss. Out of respect for the family during this difficult time, we have nothing further to add, the department said in a statement. ___ Lee and Copp reported from Washington. Associated Press writer Aamer Madhani in Washington contributed to this report. SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will attend the NATO summit in July, his office said on Friday, days after his New Zealand counterpart, Chris Hipkins, confirmed his attendance. Australia and New Zealand are not members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) but have a decades-long relationship with the Western alliance. Both countries attended last year's summit in Madrid as non-member participants. The summit this year will be held in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius. Albanese's office said in a statement that Australia shared with NATO members "a commitment to supporting democracy, peace, and security and upholding the rule of law" as the group looks to expand and strengthen ties. Finland became its 31st member this month in a historic policy shift, roughly doubling the length of the border NATO shares with Russia. Neighbouring Sweden has also applied to join. "The Prime Minister's attendance ... will be an important opportunity to reinforce Australia's support for these global norms, demonstrate solidarity in response to Russia's illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine, and advocate for Australias economic, climate and trade agenda," the statement said. Albanese had previously said he was still considering whether to travel to the summit. Australia, one of the largest non-NATO contributors to the West's support for Ukraine, has been supplying aid and defence equipment and has banned exports of alumina and aluminium ores, including bauxite, to Russia. (Reporting by Renju Jose in Sydney; Editing by Neil Fullick.) The Atlanta Police Department said it is investigating incidents impacting the LGBTQ+ community. On Thursday, APD tweeted that it is actively investigating three violent crimes involving transgender women this year. A statement from APD expressed awareness of the violence that black and brown transgender women face. While these individual incidents are not related, we are very aware of the epidemic-level violence that black and brown transgender women face in America, the statement mentions. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] In the statement, APD highlighted the most recent incidents with updated information. One shooting happened on the night of Jan. 9, where a woman was shot on Highland Ave and taken to the hospital in critical condition. Police did not give an update on her condition. Investigators said the shooting resulted from a dispute between the victim and a male suspect. Another shooting earlier this month on Apr. 11, where a transgender woman was shot and killed on Fairburn Road. Channel 2 Action News This Morning reported live from the scene after police found the victims body outside an apartment. That shooting was also a result of a dispute, according to investigators. The third shooting that APD is actively investigating happened earlier this week on Apr. 18. Police said a transgender woman was shot to death on Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. SW. TRENDING STORIES: APD said investigators had not found any indication that these victims were targeted for being transgender or members of the LBGTQ+ community. APD said the departments LBGTQ+ Liaison is aware of and monitoring the investigations and working with the Mayors Division of LGBTQ+ Affairs on the cases. Story continues CrimeStoppers is offering up to $2,000 in reward money for information on the cases that may lead to an arrest of suspects. You can submit tips and information online or by calling 404-577-8477. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: Mixed media artist Jennifer Wen Ma, left, and performance artist Irene Hsiao talk through ideas of Hsiao's upcoming public interaction with Ma's art installation titled "Turn of the Tide," near the entrance of the Sable Hotel at Navy Pier on April 14, 2023. Ma and three other artists showed artworks together in a climate-focused exhibit titled "How On Earth" at the EXPO Chicago art exhibition. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune) When artist Jennifer Wen Ma moved from Beijing to the United States at age 12, she took a drawing class so she could avoid speaking English. Growing up in China, she wanted to be a writer, she said. But after moving, she struggled to express herself in her second language. Advertisement But then (drawing) became such a wonderful outlet for me to pour myself into, Ma said. Words, language, syntax were not in the way. In advance of Earth Day, Ma was one of four female artists who came together earlier this month to present How On Earth, an exhibition put together by the Natural Resources Defense Council and the nonprofit Art at a Time Like This. Advertisement Janet Biggs, Lily Kwong, Helina Metaferia and Ma were among hundreds of exhibitors who participated in the 10th anniversary of EXPO Chicago, an international art fair held at Navy Piers Festival Hall from April 13-16. Biggs, Metaferia and Ma spoke about their work during a panel discussion on April 14. The women involved in this particular exhibit are generals and powerhouses who want to see our planet rescued, said Barbara Pollack, co-founder and president of ATLT. The exhibit was curated and executed by an all-female team in part to show how women with children are often disproportionately affected by drought and other natural disasters, said Biggs. [ EXPO Chicago opens Thursday on Navy Pier, with artwork from around the world ] Though her background is in painting, sculpture and glass, Biggs gravitates toward film. Its so immersive, she said. I wanted to explore an idea about autonomy and power structures, and convey the way that I experience the world, which is always moving and absolutely immersive. Artist Janet Biggs, right, and her sister, Karen Berman, discuss artworks while standing next to saplings planted atop tree trunks in an installation by artist Lily Kwong, titled "MOTHERFIRE," on display in an exhibit "How On Earth," at the EXPO Chicago art exhibition at Navy Pier. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune) Her film work takes her all over the world, running into active volcanoes in Indonesia and traipsing through rainforests in the Amazon. Biggs contribution to the exhibit was a three-channel video three screens that were synchronized and worked off each other. Scenes from a Yemeni refugee camp in Djibouti in the Horn of Africa were juxtaposed with images from a Mars simulation. Biggs said the Mars simulation comes from a group of international scientists and engineers who wear space suits and live as if they were on Mars conducting research, with hope of one day going to an analogue environment to conduct real research. For filming, Biggs also wore a space suit. Advertisement Over three years, she went back and forth to the Horn of Africa to film. She would enter a refugee camp with armed guards and stay for monthlong periods. She said it can get over 120 degrees in the camp, with sandstorms. The movement of refugees across the Horn of Africa and the Mars-simulated astronauts spoke to Biggs. Its a type of energized stagnancy, she said. I just felt this crosscurrent of humanity. Both groups were looking for new possibility, she said. Artist Metaferia also focuses on movement, but across generations instead of deserts. She is a professor at Brown University and a first generation Ethiopian immigrant. For the exhibition, she mounted two colorful collaged floating headdresses from her solo exhibition at the Rhode Island School of Design titled By Way of Revolution. The portraits are of Metaferias young, female students of color, and shes carefully covered their hair with hand-scanned archives that relate to their ancestral lineage. Advertisement She said her work deals with intersectionality on many levels. She hopes it asks viewers to think critically about how each issue racism, patriarchy and climate change impacts the next. Her inspiration for the bold artistic statements started in 2016, after the death of her mother, a womens rights activist. She said her mother was working on a memoir, and it made Metaferia think about the lack of equitable representation of women in historical archives, particularly of Black women. She set out to change that narrative. Activism work is care work, Metaferia said. And in my very small part, my very humble platform, I offer a different perspective in how that work comes together. Metaferia draws on the idea of beauty in struggle. I want people to feel not just my subjects, but anyone looking at the work a sense of responsibility, she said. We can change the narratives. Saplings are planted atop tree trunks in artist Lily Kwong's "MOTHERFIRE" at the EXPO Chicago art exhibition at Navy Pier. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune) A paper wave created by Ma looked like an ominous, sweeping dragon that came up from the wall. Made of delicate black paper decorated in gold, her vision was that the wave would slowly degrade over the course of the fair as a statement of human impact on the natural world. Advertisement Ma started painting on thick paper because she loved its tactile quality. And now she creates stunning, fan-like features with it ripples that twirl out and then condense. (Paper) is one of the oldest materials weve had. And its really widely used in Chinese painting, calligraphy. So coming from that history, Ive always been really drawn to it, she said. EXPO visitors could see Lake Michigan from the paper wave the turquoise water clashing against the fanning black paper. Dance and poetry performances were held in front of it. Elizabeth Corr, associate director of arts and cultural partnerships at NRDC, said Mas wave was emblematic of Corrs role with her organization. She partners with artists to break down the legal briefs that often accompany environmental policy discussions. Art helps break down that divide. It inspires, excites and mystifies people in a really beautiful way, she said. Jennifers piece is made of paper, but it has an ephemerality that really evokes the natural world in this surprising way. Biggs, Metaferia and Ma, all based in New York, stressed that their pieces were about the viscerality of impending climate change. Advertisement Ma said the expansion and contraction in her piece is influenced by traditional Chinese scrolls. She said a Chinese scroll typically isnt displayed the same way as a Western painting. Only when a friend comes over is it unfurled. The act of opening and turning is almost like a movement of the landscape. Its an interactive, kind of visual experience, Ma said. Its amazing how a world that opens to you can just contract and then be tucked away. nsalzman@chicagotribune.com Bangladeshi garment worker Sumi Akhter feared for her safety, but was told to start her shift or risk forfeiting her wages. An hour later she was pinned down under rubble and clinging to life. Akhter was 18 when she began working at Rana Plaza, a sprawling seven-storey factory complex near the capital Dhaka, now remembered as the site of one of the world's worst industrial disasters. More than 1,130 people died in the building's collapse, a toll compounded by management demands that employees keep working despite glaring signs of an imminent disaster. "All I want is justice," Akhter, whose mother also worked in the complex and died while trapped under the debris, told AFP. Both women had been reluctant to return to work after the building was evacuated the day before its collapse following the appearance of cracks in the structure. "They could have said, 'Don't enter the building'," she said. "It could have saved the lives of so many people." Monday marks the 10th anniversary of a catastrophe that spotlighted the global fashion industry's reliance on developing world labour working in dangerous and sometimes deadly conditions. Bangladeshi factory owners have proudly touted their efforts to overhaul the sector, and deadly accidents have declined sharply in the decade since. For many of the more than 2,000 survivors of the collapse, however, their ordeal never ended. More than half are unemployed and many suffer from deep psychological trauma, according to a survey by Action Aid. Weeks after the collapse, while still mourning her mother's death, Akhter was told that her leg would have to be amputated. The procedure has left her unable to return to work and requiring ongoing treatment with costs exceeding what she received in compensation. "We are alive, but we are dying day by day," she said. - 'Man-made disaster' - A Bangladesh court indicted 38 people for murder over their roles in the collapse, including Sohel Rana, an influential former ruling party politician who owned the factory. Story continues The trial has been bogged down in delays and prosecutor Bimal Samadder said he was doubtful that a verdict would be reached in the next few years. He told AFP that witness accounts made it clear that many had died in the disaster because they had been "forced" to work in the building, despite signs it was structurally unsound. "Managers, factory owners and (the) building owner threatened that they won't pay them any salaries if they did not work," he said. Journalist Najmul Huda, who shot footage of cracks in the structure that presaged the disaster, said he was frustrated that he was yet to be called to give his account at court. Huda was detained by police in 2016 for reporting on wage protests in garment factories and spent months in jail, which he believes was retribution for showing Rana Plaza was at risk of collapse. "If I did not have footage of the crack, the factory owners and Sohel Rana would have claimed that the building was structurally okay," he said. "The footage proved it was a man-made disaster." - 'Nobody talks about it' - The Rana Plaza collapse prompted foreign brands, unions and manufacturers to jointly create watchdogs that have seen considerable success in improving safety standards. Industrial accidents remain common in Bangladesh, but the garment sector has seen far fewer major incidents. The disaster helped create the impetus to clean up a poorly regulated industry, textile factory owner Nafis Ud Doula told AFP. "Afterwards, all of us realised that the way we were running our factories, we should not run that way," said Doula, also a member of a watchdog working to improve safety standards. Some labour rights groups, however, warn that the new safety audit system has limits. Laura Bourgeois at advocacy organisation Sherpa warned of factory managers' potential to influence worker interviews, and even of "rigged audits with factories that have been set up from scratch". The safety overhaul cost manufacturers more than two billion dollars, said Doula, but they have also seen phenomenal growth in export orders from foreign brands as a result. Garment exports from Bangladesh have doubled to $45 billion in the past decade, while average wages have tripled, drawing millions of women from rural areas into the formal workforce. Among them is Laxmi Soren, waiting in line alongside a dozen other women who were seeking work at a factory, hoping to send money back to her remote village to support her two children. A stone's throw away was the empty plot where Rana Plaza once stood, bare except for patches of wild grass and a monument to the dead workers, erected by labour unions. "Rana Plaza is no longer in people's thoughts. Nobody talks about it anymore," Soren told AFP. "But then when I go past the ruins, my heart aches." sa/gle/aha Bank of Cyprus to close accounts of 4,000 Russian clients Bank of Cyprus informed 4,000 customers who have a Russian passport and are non-residents of EU countries that their accounts will be closed in accordance with customer acceptance policies and appropriate risk appetite, the bank said in a statement. Read also: Hungary backs away from Russia-backed bank following U.S. sanctions The bank noted that the deposits of said clients make up less than 0.5% of the total volume of bank deposits. As of Dec. 31, 2021, the share of deposits of Russian and Belarusian citizens in the Bank of Cyprus was 3%. According to the bank, the suspension of Russias membership in the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog, was the reason for closing the accounts. Read also: Ukraine declares Raiffeisen Bank international sponsor of war Earlier, it was reported that the Bank of Cyprus would be closing the accounts of Russian citizens over fears of being sanctioned by the United States and the United Kingdom. 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 BBC Radio Foyle's Breakfast Show will be replaced with a 30-minute news programme called The North West Today. BBC Radio Foyle's Breakfast Show has aired for the final time after more than a decade on the airwaves. It comes after BBC NI announced a number of Radio Foyle and Radio Ulster schedule and programme changes. A half-hour breakfast news programme entitled The North West Today is set to replace the two-hour show from Monday. Presenter Elaine McGee thanked listeners "for letting us into your life". BBC Northern Ireland has said that the new 30-minute morning programme would "have an exclusive focus on stories from and about the north west". A BBC spokesperson said they are also enhancing the BBC's digital news coverage from the station. The National Union Of Journalists (NUJ) have said that 10 staff currently remain at risk of redundancy and are in the process of balloting their members over industrial action. The BBC has said it expects staffing levels to remain unchanged. McGee and co-host David Hunter paid tribute to listeners as they signed off the programme for the final time on Friday. The pair closed the show with a montage of highlights from its 13-year run before going out on Teenage Kicks by Derry punk band, The Undertones. 'Local radio connection is magic' "Thank you, thank you. Above all thank you for listening to us, trusting us and choosing us and letting us into your life - I hope we have been a friend to you, like you have been for us," Elaine McGee said. "I do believe the connection local radio creates with its listeners is magic. "We may be meeting in a different way from here on in, but magic and connection like ours can't be cut and no one can take that away and your voices will always matter here on Radio Foyle. "We will say goodbye for now and for the last time from all the team at the BBC Radio Foyle Breakfast Show, good morning." Protestors gathered outside the Radio Foyle station on Northland Road in November BBC NI Director Adam Smyth has said the upcoming changes at the station "reflect the commitment to Foyle as a production centre for local and region-wide output". Story continues Hourly news bulletins on Radio Foyle will continue Monday to Friday. Proposed cuts to jobs and programmes in Londonderry had attracted protests from some politicians and community leaders. Some assembly members had previously expressed concerns that cuts to programmes on Foyle would turn it into "BBC Greater Belfast". Schedule changes The breakfast programme which has covered some of the biggest news stories in the north west has garnered multiple awards for its journalism over the years. Previous Breakfast Show presenters include BBC News NI's Political Editor Enda McClafferty and Radio Ulster's Sarah Brett. Hugo Duncan's programme will be presented and produced from the Foyle studios in Londonderry Other schedule changes in the station include the Mark Patterson show moving to the earlier 12:00 to 13:30 slot. That means that BBC Radio Ulster's Talkback will not be broadcast on Radio Foyle, but it will be available on BBC Sounds and digital radio. Hugo Duncan's weekday programme from 13:30 to 15:00 will be broadcast on both Radio Ulster and Radio Foyle but it will be presented and produced from the Foyle studios in Londonderry. That includes a new 90-minute programme presented by Vinny Hurrell and Cate Conway from 18:00 to 19:30 from Monday to Thursday. Foyle's weekday Stephen McCauley Shows has also come to an end being replaced with a three-hour programme on Friday evenings. Existing Radio Ulster evening programmes, including those presented by Ralph McLean and Eve Blair, will be broadcast from Radio Foyle's studios. An excavator loads sand into an articulated truck near the Eighth Avenue North Beach Access in Naples on Wednesday, April 12, 2023. It is part of an emergency beach berm project being done by the City of Naples to replace the dunes destroyed by Hurricane Ian. An emergency berm continues to take shape on city beaches in Naples. The city has offered this update. What's the latest news on the project? Trucks have dumped 37,500 tons of sand, from south of Lowdermilk Park to the Naples Pier. Work on a second stretch of beach will start on Monday, April 24, from Lowdermilk Park to Doctors Pass. It should be completed by April 28. Sand placement for a third stretch is slated to begin on May 2 in the Park Shore area. Beachgoers can expect disruptions at Lowdermilk Park, with some of the walkways to the beach temporarily closed over the next week. The north and south gazebos will remain accessible, along with the concessions. Parking at Lowdermilk will not be impacted. The contractor Phillips and Jordan will have employees on hand to keep beachgoers safe and out of the way as it marches forward with its work from Lowdermilk Park to the north. Previously: Expect noise: Construction of emergency beach berm in Naples to start by early April More: Collier County to build emergency berm on beaches to protect upland property post-Ian Why is Collier County doing this? Collier County approved the emergency berm project in December in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian. The berm will replace the dunes the storm destroyed, which helped protect homes, businesses and other commercial property just beyond the beach from storm surge and flooding. The goal is to finish the berm or at least as much of it as possible before the start of the next hurricane season on June 1. The countywide project will run from Marco Island to Barefoot Beach. Nearly half the sand will go on Naples beaches. Two contractors have been hired to build the berm to speed construction. This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Emergency berm takes shape on Naples beaches A woman was out on a morning walk with her dog when a 250-pound mother black bear walked over and bit her, officials in Connecticut said. The bear was with two of her three yearlings, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection spokesman Paul Copleman told McClatchy News on April 21. Yearlings are young bears 1 to 2 years old. The 74-year-old woman was treated for the non-life-threatening bite injuries on her arms and legs after she was bitten the morning of April 21 in Avon, according to a Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection news release. Since the encounter was considered an attack, the bear was euthanized, officials said. The reason the bear may have approached the woman is unknown as officials work to gather more details, according to Copleman. However, the fact that it was trash day in the neighborhood may be a potential factor behind the encounter, he said. The bear had a track record of taking advantage of trash and bird feeders in residential neighborhoods for food, Copleman said. As for the bears yearlings, they were ready to live independently in the wild because bear yearlings are full-grown, according to Copleman. He added that the mom wouldve likely been ready to kick them out of her den this time of year. In Connecticut, the amount of conflicts between people and black bears are on the rise, according to a state report published in March. Many bear-related conflicts are a result of bird feeders and trash, the report said. Avon is about 10 miles west of Hartford. Watch as an unwelcome guest enjoys relaxing afternoon by pool in California backyard Bear attacks and kills 26-year-old out for a run in the woods in Italy, officials say Mountain lion attacks rafter before others fight back with paddles, AZ officials say Charley Gallay The creator and stars of the Netflix series Beef are finally addressing the resurfaced controversy surrounding David Choe after more than a week of social media backlash about his casting. However, if fans were looking for an apologyor an explanation for their delayed responsethey might be disappointed. In a statement to Variety, Beefs creator Lee Sung Jin and lead actors Steven Yeun and Ali Wong (who are also executive producers) call Choes 2014 remarks about rape undeniably hurtful and extremely disturbing. However, the trio claims the New York artist has put in the work to better himself. The story David Choe fabricated nine years ago is undeniably hurtful and extremely disturbing, the statement says. We do not condone this story in any way, and we understand why this has been so upsetting and triggering. Were aware David has apologized in the past for making up this horrific story, and weve seen him put in the work to get the mental health support he needed over the last decade to better himself and learn from his mistakes. Following Beefs premiere on April 6, viewers on Twitter rediscovered a disturbing clip from Choes now-defunct podcast DVDASA, in which he describes sexually assaulting a Black masseuse and brags about being a successful rapist. Choe garnered criticism for the episode when it originally aired almost a decade ago. At the time, the 46-year-old released a statement, claiming that he made up the incident. In 2017, he wrote another apology on Instagram. Viewers began resharing the clip last week, as well as other upsetting comments from the New York graffiti artist. This past Sunday, writer Meecham Whitson Meriweather tweeted that Twitter locked his account after he posted the recording of Choe. Journalist Aura Bogado, whos been continuously outspoken about Choes casting, posted a DMCA notice she received from Twitter after they removed her post on copyright grounds. Despite Choes efforts to erase the podcast from the internet, complaints about his casting have only increased throughout the week. In addition to criticism aimed at Choe, Beef fans have expressed their disappointment in Wong and Yeun, who have been noticeably silent about the scandal. This week, users noticed that Wong locked her Twitter account. Story continues Likewise, Wong and Yeuns surprisingly terse statement on the matterwhich, again, lacks an apologyis not being received well. Steven Yeun, Ali Wong & Lee Sung Jin can go to hell for this crappy statement about David Choe, tweeted Total Gab founder Sha Hartley. It's also interesting how Ali said these types of jokes shouldnt fly, but look at her now. So basically they all KNEW about David Choes r*pe story & they STILL chose to support him anyway?, wrote another user. That David Choe joint statement should have stayed in their drafts, opined another. Their continued silence would have been a lot better than whatever that statement was. Steven Yeun, Ali Wong & Lee Sung Jin can go to hell for this crappy statement about David Choe. It's also interesting how Ali said these types of jokes shouldn't fly, but look at her now. #BEEFNetflix https://t.co/JZ3GNcTGIl Sha Hartley (@shahartley) April 21, 2023 that david choe joint statement should have stayed in their drafts. Their continued silence would have been a lot better than whatever that statement was. pic.twitter.com/ufMfIarcCr s u n n y (@starshowers89) April 21, 2023 The creators of Beef have commented on David Choe, and this might honestly be the worst statement Ive ever seen. Its cowardly and agrees with the delusion that what he said was fabricated. Bad optics!! pic.twitter.com/GnPgLFMI8h Unruly Heather Marulli (@FixedAirHeather) April 21, 2023 Ok so folx can stop with the they didnt knowdefense. They KNEW and cast David Choe anyways. https://t.co/NwKTF7hlfx Rebecca Theodore-Vachon (@FilmFatale_NYC) April 21, 2023 And I watch anything with either of these two in it but this clownery defense... like even if the story was fake, y'all personally let that shit slide (bad enough) but then clammed tf up instead of addressing it. https://t.co/crO1FHurQ7 I PAID EXTRA TO YELL - RT MY PINNED TWEET (@GuruBluXVIII) April 21, 2023 Its hard to believe that this will be the last word on the Choe controversy, leading up this years Emmy nominations in July. Netflix submitted the series for awards consideration in the Anthology/Limited Series categories after it received tons of initial praise. However, the unfolding sagaplus, the new backlash from this disappointing statementcould throw a wrench in things. Beef Fans Are Livid About David Choes Past Rape Comments 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. [Source] The creator and stars of the hit Netflix series Beef have broken their silence about the recent criticism of one of the shows cast members, David Choe. Choe, who plays the cousin of Steven Yeuns character Danny in the show, came under fire earlier this week after a controversial podcast interview he gave in 2014 resurfaced on Twitter. In the DVDASA podcast interview, he said that he had been a successful rapist during a massage, leading to outrage and calls for a boycott of the show. Like it's not an "he said she said". David Choe in his own words claims to be a "successful rapist" on his podcast after detailing the assault of a Black massage therapist. Steven Yuen, Ali Wong and Netflix have been suppressing information instead of condemning him. pic.twitter.com/NZxZhP0Gfm More from NextShark: 'I didn't go looking to be an actor': Ke Huy Quan recalls Indiana Jones' casting Taylor Goethe | Comms Open (@InspectorNerd) April 17, 2023 Im getting turned on just telling this story, he told co-host Asa Akira. I just take her hand and I put it on my d*ck. She just holds it there. More from NextShark: Suspect Charged, Two GoFundMe Campaigns Created For Man Fatally Stabbed in Washington After sharing numerous sexual acts he purportedly engaged in, he concluded the story with: The thrill of possibly going to jail, thats what achieved the erection quest. Ew, youre basically telling us that youre a rapist now and that the only way to get your d*ck really hard is rape, Akira said. After responding by saying yeah, Choe later said that he was, indeed, a "successful rapist. More from NextShark: BLM sign vandalized to read 'Asian' instead of 'Black' being investigated as hate crime by Palo Alto PD Choe reportedly recently filed DMCA notices to have the resurfaced videos removed from Twitter. Story continues In a joint statement released on Friday, series creator Lee Sung Jin and stars Yeun and Ali Wong called Choes rape story fabricated but undeniably hurtful and extremely disturbing. The statement emphasized that he has apologized in the past and has worked to better himself over the last decade. More from NextShark: GoFundMe Raises Over $35K for Elderly Cambodian Man After SUV Burned in Oakland The story David Choe fabricated nine years ago is undeniably hurtful and extremely disturbing. We do not condone this story in any way, and we understand why this has been so upsetting and triggering. Were aware David has apologized in the past for making up this horrific story, and weve seen him put in the work to get the mental health support he needed over the last decade to better himself and learn from his mistakes. After facing immediate backlash when the interview was first released, Choe previously stated that the podcast was simply an extension of my art as a storyteller. In 2017, he apologized and revealed that he had undergone three years of rehabilitation and recovery, maintaining that he has never sexually assaulted anyone. View this post on Instagram A post shared by DAVID CHOE (@davidchoe) The controversy may have not significantly hurt the popularity of Beef, which has climbed to No. 2 on Netflixs Top 10 list of English-language shows with most hours viewed since its release on April 6. David Choe received backlash over resurfaced 2014 comments where he claimed he was a "successful rapist." (Chris Pizzello / Invision / Associated Press) "Beef" stars Ali Wong, Steven Yeun and series creator Lee Sung Jin have broken their silence on David Choe's controversial "rape" comments from 2014. On Friday the creative trio behind "Beef" released a joint statement to Vanity Fair condemning Choe's claims that he raped a massage therapist. The story David Choe fabricated nine years ago is undeniably hurtful and extremely disturbing. We do not condone this story in any way, and we understand why this has been so upsetting and triggering," they said. In a 2014 episode of his now-defunct "DVDASA" podcast, Choe recalled sexually assaulting a biracial massage therapist named Rose. Choe said he placed the therapist's hand on his genitals without her consent and he forced her into oral sex. When co-host Asa Akira said to Choe, "you raped," he responded, "yeah." He also called himself a "successful rapist." Choe's comments resurfaced earlier this month after he played a significant role in Netflix's "Beef" opposite stars Wong and Yeun, who also serve as executive producers. We're aware David has apologized in the past for making up this horrific story, and we've seen him put in the work to get the mental health support he needed over the last decade to better himself and learn from his mistakes," the statement continued. In 2014, Choe apologized for his comments and claimed, "I am not a rapist," according to BuzzFeed News. "I hate rapists, I think rapists should be raped and murdered," he said. "I am an artist and a storyteller, and I view my show 'DVDASA' as a complete extension of my art." Choe continued: "If I am guilty of anything, it's bad storytelling in the style of douche. Just like many of my paintings are often misinterpreted, the same goes with my show." In recent weeks, clips of Choe's 2014 comments made the rounds on social media. But the Los Angeles artist reportedly took action to have them taken down. Story continues Two Twitter users said their videos were removed from Twitter, citing a copyright violation. Reporter Aura Bogado, whose post of Choe's comments was removed from Twitter, said Choes nonprofit, the David Young Choe Foundation, owns the rights to the controversial clip. Choe has not publicly addressed the renewed backlash and did not immediately respond to The Times' request for comment Friday. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Miller High Life on sale at a liquor store on November 29, 2018, in Chicago, Illinois. Scott Olson/Getty Images Earlier this week, Belgian authorities destroyed 2,352 cans of Miller High Life headed for Germany. The issue came down to the American beers being labeled as "The Champagne of Beers." A statement released by the official Champagne committee called the beers "illicit goods." Earlier this week, Belgian authorities destroyed every single drop of a shipment of 2,352 cans of Miller High Life in Ypres, Belgium. The beers, labeled as "The Champagne of Beers," had first arrived in the country in February. A joint statement issued by the authorities and France's Champagne Committee, a trade organization representing the French region of Champagne, confirmed the beers were destroyed because they infringed on the "protected designation" of Champagne. It went on to refer to the beers as "illicit goods" and said the recipient of the beer in Germany, where the cans were headed, did not contest the decision to destroy it. It's not clear from the statement who was importing the beers. Charles Goemaere, managing director of France's Champagne Committee, said the eradication of the Miller High Life beers highlighted "the importance that the European Union attaches to designations of origin and rewards the determination of the Champagne producers to protect their designation." He also congratulated Belgian authorities for their "vigilance." The 2,352 beers in question. The Comite Champagne Kristian Vanderwaeren, Administrator of the Belgian Customs Service, also spoke on the seizure and called the beers "counterfeit." According to the statement, the container was destroyed with "the utmost respect for environmental concerns" and "was recycled in an environmentally responsible manner." In a statement provided to Insider, Molson Coors, the parent company of Miller High Life, said the beer has "proudly worn the nickname 'The Champagne of Beers' for almost 120 years." "We debuted the brand just before New Year's Eve in 1903," it added. "Of course, we respect local restrictions around the word 'champagne,' but we remain proud of Miller High Life, its nickname and its Milwaukee, Wisconsin provenance. We invite our friends in Europe to the U.S. any time to toast the High Life together." Story continues But by advertising the alcoholic beverage in such a way, the beers crossed into murky waters with European regulations that stipulate that any goods that infringe upon a protected designation of origin of a member state are "counterfeit goods." Champagne, the sparkling wine and its name, has been protected by European law that says it can only be used for wines made in the region made through a regulated production process since the 1980s, according to France's Champagne Committee website. Read the original article on Insider At Leftovers Cafe, the signature sweet potato-crusted fish dish gets squiggle of sambal aioli before serving. When Little Moirs Leftovers Cafe had its 15th birthday celebration in Jupiter earlier this week, the restaurant, which recently made Yelp's "Top 100 Places to Eat in Florida" list, was jamming. Live music. Loyal customers. Menu favorites flying out of the kitchen. The most popular of them: the same fish dish that was the top-seller when the restaurant opened in 2008. The sweet potato-crusted fish is the star menu item that launched a local trend two decades ago at Leftovers sister restaurant Food Shack. Not long after the talented and creative chef Mike Moir rocked the culinary scene with the opening of Food Shack in 2002, variations of the dish popped up at restaurants all over north county. Sweet potato-crusted fish (wahoo is shown here) is a signature dish at Little Moir's Leftovers Cafe and Food Shack restaurants. Take a bite and youll likely understand the enduring fandom, both at Leftovers and Food Shack. A fresh-catch fillet is crusted in grated sweet potato, pan-fried and served over a vibrant toss of greens, veggies and fruit with a citrus-garlic dressing and sambal aioli. The contrasts of flavors, textures and colors are celebration worthy. Moir told me he has longtime customers at both restaurants who order nothing but the sweet potato-crusted fresh catch. Its insane. Its 35% of our business, he said by phone Thursday. The idea of serving a crusted fillet of fish atop such a salad was sparked during travels to Peru and Ecuador. I had this lime-y, garlicky inspiration for the dressing. I thought, Lets take this salad, with fruits and vegetables, and do it as an all-in-one meal. That was the idea. I never thought it was going to take off, said Moir, who expanded the Little Moirs family in August 2021 when he and chef/partner Drew Shimkus opened Hibiscus Streatery cafe and fish market in Jupiter. A shared love of fresh, local fish At Little Moir's Leftovers Cafe in Jupiter, chef/restaurateur Mike Moir (from left) shares a moment with managers Gary Benedict and Sally Raboni and chef/partner Drew Shimkus. The restaurant celebrated its 15th anniversary April 17. While all three concepts share a focus on fresh, South Florida fish Little Moirs restaurants serve 6,000 pounds of fish a week, he says each is unique. Hibiscus Streatery is becoming so popular as a dine-in spot that Moir is working on ways to grow it. Story continues Food Shack has more of a night-out feel to it, he says. And Leftovers is a popular business-lunch spot by day, a family favorite at night. Its a neighborhood-bistro kind of place, Moir said. In an area thats quickly growing, Leftovers and its restaurant siblings are proof that not everything thats hot and buzzy is brand-new. Little Moirs Leftovers Cafe: 451 University Blvd., Jupiter, 561-627-6030 Smokey debut on South Dixie Highway The 2/2/2 platter is a top-selling item on the menu at Austin Republic, a new barbecue and Tex-Mex spot in West Palm Beach's SoSo neighborhood. The combo platter ($22) includes two meats, two tacos and two sides. Austin Republic, the barbecue-meets-Tex-Mex food truck with big restaurant goals, is now open for business in West Palm Beach. Running the kitchen out of the tricked-out shipping container-on-wheels is the acclaimed chef Jimmy Strine, whose career includes positions at some of Palm Beach Countys best restaurants (including Cafe Boulud, Buccan and Grato). Strine partnered with Roxys Pub owner John Webb to create the ambitious Austin Republic project, which took over the former Braille Club property by Phipps Park. Eventually, the truck will morph into a brick-and-mortar restaurant and bar. Right now, Austin Republic is a funky outdoor concept with a bar, picnic tables, twinkling string lights and a ton of vibe. You can read my full story on Austin Republic here! A second customized truck is about to open that one will house the full bar, says Strine. Its backyard Texas, says Strine, who has been running the propertys main smoker day and night. Parked in West Palm Beach's hip SoSo district, the Austin Republic mobile kitchen is expected to open in May. Acclaimed chef Jimmy Strine (at window), who heads the kitchen, recently tested the menu for locals. The fruits of that smoker the brisket, smoked pork and other delicacies are not to be missed. Strine is well known among fellow chefs as a barbecued meats and grilling master. He tells me the top-selling item on the menu is the 2/2/2 combo ($22), which includes two meats, two tacos and two sides. Those tacos are served on heirloom corn tortillas made by Sierra Madre tortilleria in Lake Worth Beach. And the sides include thick, rich rancho beans (a must-have) and a mac and cheese in delicious queso. Hours: Open from 4 p.m. to midnight daily. Austin Republic: 4801 S. Dixie Hwy, West Palm Beach Have a delicious weekend! Liz Balmaseda Read recent columns by Liz Balmaseda Liz Balmaseda is The Palm Beach Post's food critic. Hip West Palm Beach district says hello to one restaurant, bye to another Brunch, beer and hot pizza news The joy of finding new treats at old neighborhood favorites What to eat at Guy Fieris local DDD picks? Some favorites. New Southern Sunday brunch, Instagram-loving noodles and hot Irish bar bites Fish fry-days, a new bottomless brunch and great charcuterie Five hot restaurants to visit in Lake Worth Beach A new Lebanese restaurant, great BBQ + vegan burgers. From ribs to rotis, Black-owned restaurant favorites to savor Dine at the farm. Meet the 'Oscars of Food contenders in the 561. Find a great croissant. Try a new brunch or waterside lunch. Sip a spirited mocktail. Whats hot? The best restaurant of 2022 What Im craving, loving, ordering. Plus pizza obsessions + a new high tea Best reasons to visit Florida's oldest steakhouse in Palm Beach County. Liz Balmaseda is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist for The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA Today Network. She covers the local food and dining beat. Follow her on Instagram and Post on Food Facebook. She can be reached by email at lbalmaseda@pbpost.com. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: West Palm restaurants: New BBQ Austin Republic, Leftovers Jupiter Actor Rainn Wilson, here in 2019 at the Toronto International Film Festival, has written a new book and appears April 21 as part of the Chicago Humanities Spring Festival. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times) Rainn Wilson, former son of Wilmette and security guard at the Bahai House of Worship on Sheridan Road, New Trier High School graduate, best known as Dwight Schrute on The Office, can bet what youre thinking. He can see the eye rolls from California. He begins his new book expecting some skepticism: Why, in the name of Scranton, should you read a book by Rainn Wilson on the importance of spirituality in contemporary life? As celebrity left turns go, its not Bruce Willis playing harmonica, or Gal Gadot trying to raise the spirits of mankind by singing Imagine on YouTube. But it does stop one short. Advertisement As does this: By the time youve finished reading Soul Boom: Why We Need a Spiritual Revolution, Wilson sheds all hesitations and proposes nothing less the fundamentals of a new faith. Advertisement As far as I know, not even James Franco planted the roots of an entire religion. Thats not to suggest Wilson is a dabbler on the topic of spirituality. Soul Boom is his second book on the subject, after SoulPancake, which is the name of his website created 15 years ago to encourage open-hearted dialogue about what it means to be human. Plus, he co-hosts Metaphysical Milkshake, a podcast with scholar Reza Aslan, on the meaning of life. As a teenager, he moved to Wilmette from Seattle because his parents took jobs at the Bahai Temple. They lived in a small apartment across from the Linden L stop. At New Trier, Wilson got serious about acting, and left the Bahai faith which espouses global unity, goodness and equality of mankind and began playing intense, caustic character parts, in Almost Famous, Juno, HBOs Six Feet Under and James Gunns superhero parody Super. But Wilson will be Dwight Schrute forever, Pennsylvania beet farmer, paper salesman, black belt, weapons nut, bear expert, workplace supervillain. This weekend, he appears at The Reunion, an Office fan convention on Navy Pier. But mainly, hes in town to discuss spirituality at the Chicago Humanities Festival. We spoke from his home in Los Angeles. The following is a shorter version of a longer conversation, edited for length and clarity. "Soul Boom: Why We Need a Spiritual Revolution" by Rainn Wilson (April 25, 2023). (Hachette Go ) Q: Lets start out light: Rainn Wilson, what is the best religion? A: Well, uh ... Actually, I have given a lot of thought to the very best religion! One of the chapters of this new book is called Hey Kids, Lets Build the Perfect Religion! That would be Soul Boom, which is like a greatest hits of all the worlds faiths all the stuff we like about religion while discarding what we dont like. All in one brand-new 2023 faith. But look, I do have to keep it real and represent: I am a member of the Bahai faith. To me, is it the very best religion? It is perhaps the most forward-looking religion. Q: Do you think of Soul Boom as a real faith? Or just hypothetical? A: One hundred percent hypothetical. I have zero followers. But after this article ... Q: I may be your John or Peter. Advertisement A: We will need apostles. Q: That name, though, Soul Boom and the name of your website SoulPancake seems to suggest a dissatisfaction with how people regard spirituality. A: Spirituality is a tricky word. It means different things to different people. For some, it means ghosts. For others, church on Sunday. Or yoga class. To me it is the nonmaterial stuff of what it means to be a human being: hearts, souls, feelings. Then there are the higher qualities of the divine we seek to emulate: kindness, love, compassion. These topics are crucial but were not talking about them. With reason: So many, especially young people, have rejected anything to do with religion. Which I get. To a large part, I even agree. But foundational ideas underlying many faiths are crucial to what it means to be a human. We need those meaningful conversations. This is not an airy, fairy, hippy-dippy thing. This is dealing with, for one, the mental health epidemic going on among young people. Or dealing with our many broken systems, which seem to be breaking now to even greater degrees systems in need a spiritual reinvigoration. Q: You grew up in the 1970s, as did I, when a lot of cultural touchstones were considered transcendent or spiritual yoga, astrology, pyramids. How much of how you think about spirituality now is informed by having grown up back then? A: Youve hit on something important. When I was growing up, people did still go on spiritual journeys. The Beatles met with the Maharishi. Cat Stevens became a Muslim. People were creating and moving into communes and looking for truth. They were exploring new spiritual paths. There was an active sense of deep curiosity about faiths. Q: An openness to them. Advertisement A: Exactly. But lets not forget that people actually talked then about world peace as possible. Politicians and thinkers talked about it, and were not thought naive and idiotic. But if you want to have a conversation about world peace, you need a foundation upon which that is possible. Meaning, a spiritual transformation of the systems propelling us. Q: For the religion constructed in the book, you suggest a firm set of principles. One of which is the necessity of building a mythology. Why is that necessary? A: Actually, what I write is the need to create a new mythology for humanity. The old mythology is that its a dog-eat-dog world, us-versus-them that were warlike. Power dynamics underline our dominant mythology. We need to envision a new mythology to move forward. Because we have also had diverse groups come together to build beautiful societies. We have lived in harmony with nature. We have those capabilities and if we only believe humanity is a bunch of apes seeking power and beating each other down, then well never move forward. We need to tell this other story of humanity. Q: You also note the necessity of judgment a sense of right and wrong. A: One of my universal tenants of all religions is morality, a higher sense of right and wrong. It is something to consider. Right now, morality has turned into contemporary ethics, yet there are universal spiritual laws underlining every person on this planet. Q: But do we need organized religion for that? Whats wrong with just holding a set of personal beliefs and living up to them? Advertisement A: You dont need organized religion. But you do need to understand certain spiritual pillars, I think. Ancient faiths, wisdoms, traditions are often very relevant to all this. They hold universal elements that apply to atheists, agnostics, Christians, Buddhists, Bahai. Q: You came to Wilmette in the first place because of the Bahai Temple there. Did your fellow students at New Trier know you were Bahai? What did they think? A: Some knew, and they would often be like, Cool! Ive driven by that temple! Which is a funny thing about Chicago. I couldnt guess the number of Chicagoans who have driven by that building and said its so beautiful and yet they have never stopped and looked inside or found out what Bahai is about. People either have inherited the faith of their family or maybe they are just not searching. Not to say people should be Bahai thats not what I mean. But we should explore the incredible wisdom heritage that humanity has created from the earliest written works. There are Vedas and Upanishads (ancient Sanskrit texts originating in India) that predate Hinduism and could benefit us even now. Q: When you worked there as a security guard, people never wandered in? A: A handful. But I would rarely meet people who said they had been there and explored what the place was about. I was more likely to find people who have lived their entire lives in the North Shore without ever once stopping to find out about that building. Q: Were you a spiritually-minded teenager? Advertisement A: I struggled as a teenager. I didnt want morality in my life. I wanted to have sex with my girlfriend and not feel any guilt about it. I wanted to do what I wanted to do when I wanted to do it. All religions have some form of morality baked in. I did love the faith and the message of peace and unity and the beautiful poetry and mythology of it. But I left the faith hardcore in my 20s, when I moved to New York City, and I think my life process has been about coming back into the faith and exploring these questions ever since. Q: Bahai thinks of the arts as a part of worship. Is that how you see acting? A: Well, I do believe there is no difference between the creating of art and the creating of prayer. Art and devotion are synonymous. Both are transcendent acts that seek to serve others and bring people together. They both contain the same inherent motive. Q: Are there many Bahai actors and performers? A: We have a mini Bahai mafia. Off the top of my head: Justin Baldoni (Jane the Virgin). Penn Badgley (Gossip Girl). Historically: Dizzy Gillespie, also Seals & Crofts. Q: Did you think about the role of spirituality in The Office? Advertisement A: It was not in my mind while I was on the show. But I would reference occasionally the Grant Study, from Harvard. It was an 80-year study about happiness (using 268 male sophomores as subjects, who were then tracked over the course of their lives). The eventual lesson was that life is all about connection and the people we connect with. Its what brings us well-being. E.M. Forster has a famous quote: Only connect ... Live in fragments no longer. Thats ultimately why I think The Office has been so lasting and meaningful. Its about connection, which we long for. We need to see people failing to connect and trying to connect and finally connecting. That was the heart of the show. So, yes, it was spiritual. Q: Do you distance yourself now from Dwight? A: Not at all. It was the greatest character I will ever play. Q: You have range: You played Dr. Demento in the Weird Al biopic, youve acted at Steppenwolf. Yet Mark Hamill is always Luke Skywalker. Youre always Dwight. A: Right. One of my heroes, and a good friend, is Bryan Cranston, and he will always be Walter White. But he played dozens of amazing roles before and after Walter White. Its OK. Thats how this works, baby. If you hit the jackpot and play a memorable roles that connects culturally, you are the luckiest actor. I will continue to play different roles, and I will continue to ask questions and write about spiritual transformation. But on my gravestone, at the end of the day, it will say: Rainn Wilson, that guy who played Dwight. Q: I mean, as Dwight, you come up constantly in my social media feeds. Advertisement A: I hear this often. Q: Dont you ever get sick of seeing yourself playing Dwight? A: Well, its not a very pleasant face! For that, I blame my parents. Rainn Wilson speaks On the Importance of Spirituality, 7 p.m. April 21 at Francis W. Parker School, 330 W. Webster Ave.; www.chicagohumanities.org; The Reunion 2023 is 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 22-23 in Festival Hall at Navy Pier; navypier.org cborrelli@chicagotribune.com Within days of the New York Post first breaking news of Hunter Bidens laptop, Secretary of State Antony Blinken then a senior official on Joe Bidens campaign reached out to a former CIA operative to collect signatures from senior American intelligence figures to discredit the story, according to recently declassified congressional testimony. Mike Morell, a former deputy director at the CIA and a signatory to the infamous letter, reportedly told the House Judiciary Committee in private sworn testimony that Blinken personally reached out to him to manufacture the letter to undermine the credibility of the Posts reporting on the eve of the 2020 presidential election. Representative Jim Jordan (R., Ohio), chairman of the House Judiciary, sent a letter to Blinken on Thursday demanding more information about the public letter signed by 51 senior intelligence operatives who dismissed the Hunter Biden laptop story as likely Russian disinformation. We are examining the origins of the infamous public statement signed by 51 former intelligence officials that falsely discredited a New York Post story regarding Hunter Bidens laptop as supposed Russian disinformation, Jordan wrote. Morell testified thatyou reached out to him to discuss the Hunter Biden laptop story. At the time you served as a senior advisor to the Biden campaign. According to Morell, although your outreach was couched as simply gathering Morells reaction to the Post story, it set in motion the events that led to the issuance of the public statement. Reacting to this breaking news with @IngrahamAngle at 10:20 p.m. ET on Fox News. Tune in! https://t.co/U5cLRrehgJ Rep. Jim Jordan (@Jim_Jordan) April 21, 2023 When asked what the intention of the letter was, the former intelligence agent explained that he had two motivations: One intent was to share our concern with the American people that the Russians were playing on this issue; and, two, it was [to] help Vice President Biden. Story continues Morell further added that several other Biden officials were aware of the exchange including Andrew Bates, the Democratic presidential candidates rapid response director, and Steve Ricchetti, the campaign chairman. The letter was signed by heavyweight national-security figures such as former CIA directors John Brennan and Leon Panetta. The signatories acknowledged in the letter that they had no actual evidence that Hunters laptop was a Russian plant but nevertheless claimed the Post story had all the classic earmarks of a Russian information operation. The letter had the desired effect: then-candidate Biden brandished it during an October debate with then-President Trump to dismiss the allegations of Hunters improprieties. And several prominent national media outlets, including Politico, cited the letter uncritically as evidence that the Posts reporting about Hunters foreign business ties and unsavory personal life were manufactured by Russian intelligence. The Biden Campaign lied. pic.twitter.com/nFQ3xF1fMw House Judiciary GOP (@JudiciaryGOP) April 21, 2023 The findings from the interview led Jordan to demand Blinken identify everyone he communicated with and share all relevant documents pertaining to the public statement. It is apparent that the Biden campaign played an active role in the origins of the public statement, which had the effect of helping to suppress the Hunter Biden story and preventing American citizens from making a fully informed decision during the 2020 presidential election, Jordan wrote. More from National Review WASHINGTON (AP) President Joe Biden will host Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for talks at the White House next month as the U.S. looks to continue to tighten relations with the Pacific nation. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Thursday that the two leaders' meeting on May 1 is expected to focus on deepening economic cooperation, climate change, human rights, efforts to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific region and more. The visit comes after the Philippines announced earlier this year that it would allow U.S. forces to broaden their footprint in the Southeast Asian nation. It was one of a series of moves by the administration aimed strengthening an arc of military alliances in the Indo-Pacific to better counter China, including in any future confrontation over Taiwan. Biden and Marcos had their first face-to-face meeting in September on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly. Marcos, the son and namesake of the countrys former dictator, took office last June. President Bidens recent executive order targeting the use of commercial spyware poses a serious threat to the digital surveillance industry, experts say, as some companies weigh the impact that the decision will have on their businesses. The order, which was released last month, prohibits all U.S. federal agencies from using or buying commercial spyware that could pose a national security risk or target U.S. personnel. It specifically bans the use of commercial spyware that a foreign government or foreign person used to try to access government electronic devices. It also bans spyware that uses data obtained without authorization from the government, intends to disclose non-public information about the government and activities, or is under effective control by a foreign government. James Lewis, a senior vice president and director with the strategic technologies program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said that the order is upsetting the market as some spyware makers have voiced their concerns about the impact of Bidens action on the industry. Some of them have told me that theyre not sure theyre going to be able to stay in business, Lewis said. This shows a Chinese Dahua brand security camera in Sydney, Australia on Feb. 9. Australias Defense Department said Thursday that they will remove surveillance cameras made by Chinese Communist Party-linked companies from its buildings. (AP Photo/Mark Baker) The order has enormous global implications for the market The order essentially closes the market to certain spyware vendors and limits their access to the U.S. The U.S. is one of the largest and most sought-out after-markets on technology, said Michael De Dora, U.S. senior campaigner at Access Now, a non-profit digital rights advocacy group. And so spyware companies now have less purchasing power if one of the largest markets for their technologies is essentially closed off, he said. It has enormous global implications for the market on spyware. Ron Deibert, director of Citizen Lab, a digital security research group based at the University of Toronto, said the order is a very big deal because spyware firms have for a long time seen the U.S. market as very lucrative and also one that could legitimize their business around the world. Story continues It opens up a lot of doors and gives them a stamp of approval, Deibert said. He added that the spyware industry is starting to realize that business as usual is over because prior to the order it was really the wild west [where] there were no [meaningful] consequences other than bad publicity of selling it to some of the worlds worst autocrats. How big is the spyware industry? The spyware industry is estimated to be worth $12 billion; its largest vendor, NSO Group, an Israeli firm that manufactures and sells spyware known as Pegasus, is believed to be valued at more than $1 billion, The New Yorker reported last year. Pegasus has been heavily criticized for its role in multiple high-profile surveillance and international relations cases that have made headlines in recent years. The Hill was unable to independently verify the $12 billion worth or get an estimate of the number of spyware firms worldwide as the industry often operates in secrecy to evade transparency and accountability, experts said. Spyware companies are constantly changing names, creating new affiliates, morphing into something with a new name, De Dora said, explaining why its hard to track them down. He said, however, that his organization, Access Now, has been able to identify at least 17 different spyware firms, most of which are subsidiaries or affiliates of other companies. According to the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, between 2011 and 2023, at least 74 governments entered into contracts with commercial companies, most of which are based in Israel, to obtain spyware or digital forensics tools. Of those 74 governments, 44 have been identified as autocracies while 30 were found to be liberal democracies, the foreign policy think tank reported. In a statement to The Hill, an NSO Group spokesperson said that the firms technologies are only sold to allies of the U.S. and Israel, particularly in Western Europe, and are aligned with the interests of U.S. national security and governmental law enforcement agencies around the world. The spokesperson added that the company has repeatedly called for an international regulatory framework to prevent government misuse of commercial spyware. A logo adorns a wall on a branch of the Israeli NSO Group company near the southern Israeli town of Sapir on Aug. 24, 2021. European Parliament members investigating the use of surveillance spyware by European Union governments sharply criticized Israel on Sept. 21, 2022, for a lack of transparency in allowing the sale of powerful Israeli spyware to European governments that have used it against critics. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner, File) Over the past few years, NSO Group has been under intense scrutiny from the U.S. government and its closest allies over the sale of its invasive spyware tools to governments that abuse them and illegally use them to spy on people, including government officials, journalists, human right activists and dissidents. Congress takes a strong stance against spyware misuse Congress has also taken a strong stance against the misuse of spyware. Last year, the House Intelligence Committee passed the Intelligence Authorization Act, which included a provision authorizing the director of National Intelligence to prohibit the U.S. intelligence community from buying and using foreign spyware. The bill would also allow the president to impose sanctions on foreign government officials and firms that target U.S. officials with spyware. Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), who chaired the committee last year, said during a hearing that spyware could be used against every member of this committee, every employee of the executive branch, every journalist or political activist. Following the harsh criticism, particularly coming from the U.S., NSO Group announced last year that it was restructuring. The firm said it was replacing its CEO and cutting 13 percent of its workforce, a decision likely tied to the Department of Commerces decision to blacklist the company when it added it to its entities list in 2021. Being put on the entities list was killing the company, Lewis said at the time. The Hill also reached out to a number of other spyware firms for comment on how the order may affect their business and the industry, but they have yet to respond. When spyware becomes a national security concern Administration officials said that the executive order is also intended to protect U.S. government personnel from security risks following reports that at least 50 government officials were targeted by commercial spyware in at least 10 countries. I think the tipping point was when they found out that spyware was being used against 50 Americans, Lewis said. De Dora, who said he shared the same views as Lewis, said that this was the first time that the U.S. government publicly confirmed that U.S. government officials overseas had been targets of spyware, which he thinks played a big part in getting the U.S. to act. It is one thing, even though its wrong, for the U.S. government to see that spyware is being used against people around the world who are journalists, dissidents, etc., he said. Its quite another when U.S. government staff are being targeted as well because it changes the calculation from one of simply U.S. foreign policy and human rights to one of U.S. national security, he added. Spyware faces new scrutiny at state and local levels Although experts saw the executive order as a major step forward and one that sends a clear message to the industry, they highlighted a few areas that the administration should address moving forward. First and foremost, they said that the administration should find a way to also involve state and local governments, which were not included in the order, so they too can take precautions and be careful with whom they do business. One of the weaknesses of this executive order is that it does nothing to shape the sub-federal demand in terms of state and localities, said Jason Blessing, a research fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. He added that because state and local governments dont have the same legal obligations as federal agencies under the order, they could technically use spyware that poses national security risks. Unfortunately, [the order] doesnt do much to regulate below the federal level, so thats one issue that will have to be addressed, he added. Lewis added that the order should also go a step further and go after the buyers of spyware including foreign governments, with possible sanctions. The executive order is great when it comes to [targeting] suppliers but you also have to look at customers, he said. Anti-government protesters block the road with cars and motorcycles as a part of their car mob demonstrations along several roads in Bangkok, Thailand, on Aug. 29, 2021. Cybersecurity researchers have found that Thai activists involved in the countrys pro-democracy protests had their cell phones or other devices infected and attacked with spyware. (AP Photo/Anuthep Cheysakron, File) De Dora said Congress should also consider passing legislation similar to this order in case a future administration decides to remove it. If Congress encoded the executive order into a law it would prevent future administrations from so easily scraping the executive order from the books, he said. De Dora also said that his organization, Access Now, and other civil societies have urged countries to call for a moratorium on the sale and use of spyware technology until governments can establish guardrails on the use of spyware so that they cant be abused. We think that governments need to adopt a moratorium in order to put in place at the very least a system that would ensure that spyware and surveillance technology are used correctly, De Dora said. He added that other organizations have also called for a complete ban on certain types of spyware tools because they are so invasive that they would be incompatible with human rights, something with which he said he agrees. I think there are certain forms of spyware technology that are naturally incompatible with human rights because theyre so invasive and so powerful that theres no way they could ever be used in a proportionate way in accordance with law and international human rights, he said. While there are other types of spyware that are less invasive and that could be used in a way that doesnt infringe on human rights, most buyers are likely not going to settle for the least capable tool, De Dora said. If youre a law enforcement agency, you want the most powerful spyware technology thats out there on the market, he said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Two dozen arms control advocates have urged President Joe Biden to use next month's G7 summit in Hiroshima, which was hit by the first U.S. atomic bombing of World War Two, to reaffirm a U.S. commitment to nuclear disarmament and readiness for arms control talks with Russia and China. The advocates, including several former senior U.S. arms control officials, made their appeal in a letter sent to Biden on Wednesday that was first seen by Reuters. The May 19-21 summit in the Japanese city "creates an historic opportunity for you to acknowledge the horrors of nuclear war," advance the goal of nuclear disarmament, and pledge "concrete steps to prevent a new arms race," they wrote to Biden. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The appeal comes amid rising concerns over the suspension of New START, the last U.S.-Russia nuclear arms limitation pact, China's expanding nuclear stockpile and Tehran's intensified uranium enrichment following the 2018 U.S. repudiation of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. The letter urged Biden to deliver an address at the G7 summit acknowledging the "long-lasting human suffering" caused by the 1945 U.S. atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and the "catastrophic devastation" a nuclear war would cause "on a global scale." Biden should reiterate his readiness for talks with Russia on unfreezing New START, concerns with China's nuclear buildup and his invitation to Beijing for a dialogue "at any level" on reducing the risk of miscalculation, the signers said. He also should "create the conditions for progress on disarmament and head off a new arms race" by urging China, Britain and France to freeze their nuclear arsenals for as long as the United States and Russia maintain New START limits on their stockpiles, they said. (Reporting by Jonathan Landay and Arshad Mohammed; Editing by Leslie Adler) Credit - Lon Tweeten for TIME/Getty images European lawmakers are putting their finishing touches on a set of wide-ranging rules designed to govern the use of artificial intelligence that, if passed, would make the E.U. the first major jurisdiction outside of China to pass targeted AI regulation. That has made the forthcoming legislation the subject of fierce debate and lobbying, with opposing sides battling to ensure that its scope is either widened or narrowed. Lawmakers are close to agreeing on a draft version of the law, the Financial Times reported last week. After that, the law will progress to negotiations between the blocs member states and executive branch. The E.U. Artificial Intelligence Act is likely to ban controversial uses of AI like social scoring and facial recognition in public, as well as force companies to declare if copyrighted material is used to train their AIs. The rules could set a global bar for how companies build and deploy their AI systems as companies may find it easier to comply with E.U. rules globally rather than to build different products for different regionsa phenomenon known as the Brussels effect. The E.U. AI Act is definitely going to set the regulatory tone around: what does an omnibus regulation of AI look like? says Amba Kak, the executive director of the AI Now Institute, a policy research group based at NYU. One of the Acts most contentious points is whether so-called general purpose AIof the kind that ChatGPT is based onshould be considered high-risk, and thus subject to the strictest rules and penalties for misuse. On one side of the debate are Big Tech companies and a conservative bloc of politicians, who argue that to label general purpose AIs as high risk would stifle innovation. On the other is a group of progressive politicians and technologists, who argue that exempting powerful general purpose AI systems from the new rules would be akin to passing social media regulation that doesnt apply to Facebook or TikTok. Story continues Read More: The A to Z of Artificial Intelligence Those calling for general purpose AI models to be regulated argue that only the developers of general purpose AI systems have real insights into how those models are trained, and therefore the biases and harms that can arise as a result. They say that the big tech companies behind artificial intelligencethe only ones with the power to change how these general purpose systems are builtwould be let off the hook if the onus for ensuring AI safety were shifted onto smaller companies downstream. In an open letter published earlier this month, more than 50 institutions and AI experts argued against general purpose artificial intelligence being exempted from the E.U. regulation. Considering [general purpose AI] as not high-risk would exempt the companies at the heart of the AI industry, who make extraordinarily important choices about how these models are shaped, how theyll work, who theyll work for, during the development and calibration process, says Meredith Whittaker, the president of the Signal Foundation and a signatory of the letter. It would exempt them from scrutiny even as these general purpose AIs are core to their business model. Big Tech companies like Google and Microsoft, which have plowed billions of dollars into AI, are arguing against the proposals, according to a report by the Corporate Europe Observatory, a transparency group. Lobbyists have argued that it is only when general purpose AIs are applied to high risk use casesoften by smaller companies tapping into them to build more niche, downstream applicationsthat they become dangerous, the Observatorys report states. General-purpose AI systems are purpose neutral: they are versatile by design, and are not themselves high-risk because these systems are not intended for any specific purpose, Google argued in a document that it sent to the offices of E.U. commissioners in the summer of 2022, which the Corporate Europe Observatory obtained through freedom of information requests and made public last week. Categorizing general-purpose AI systems as high risk, Google argued, could harm consumers and hamper innovation in Europe. Microsoft, the biggest investor in OpenAI, has made similar arguments through industry groups that it is a member of. There is no need for the AI Act to have a specific section on GPAI [general purpose AI], an industry group letter co-signed by Microsoft in 2022 states. It is not possible for providers of GPAI software to exhaustively guess and anticipate the AI solutions that will be built based on their software. Microsoft has also lobbied against the E.U. AI Act unduly burdening innovation through The Software Alliance, an industry lobby group that it founded in 1998. The forthcoming regulations, it argues, should be assigned to the user that may place the general purpose AI in a high-risk use [case], rather than the developer of the general purpose system itself. A spokesperson for Microsoft declined to comment. Representatives for Google did not respond to requests for comment in time for publication. Read More: The AI Arms Race Is Changing Everything The E.U. AI Act was first drafted in 2021, at a time when AIs were primarily narrow tools applied to narrow use-cases. But in the last two years, Big Tech companies have begun to successfully develop and launch powerful general purpose AI systems that can perform harmless taskslike writing poetrywhile equally having the capacity for much riskier behaviors. (Think OpenAIs GPT-4 or Googles LaMDA.) Under the prevailing business model that has since emerged, these big companies license their powerful general purpose AIs to other businesses, who will often adapt them to specific tasks and make them public through an app or interface. Read More: The New AI-Powered Bing Is Threatening Users. Thats No Laughing Matter Some argue that the E.U. has placed itself in a bind by structuring the AI Act in an outdated fashion. The underlying problem here is that the whole way they structured the E.U. Act, years ago at this point, was by having risk categories for different uses of AI, says Helen Toner, a member of OpenAIs board and the director of strategy at Georgetowns Center for Security and Emerging Technology. The problem they are now coming up against is that large language modelsgeneral purpose modelsdont have an inherent use case. This is a big shift in how AI works. Once these models are trained, theyre not trained to do one specific thing, Toner says. Even the people who create them dont actually know what they can and cant do. I expect that its going to be, probably, years before we really know all the things that GPT-4 can and cant do. This is very difficult for a piece of legislation that is structured around categorizing AI systems according to risk levels based on their use case. Billy Porter will portray James Baldwin in an upcoming biopic. (Chris Pizzello / Invision / Associated Press) Billy Porter says his critics can stay mad, weeks after he was cast as James Baldwin for a new biopic. The Emmy-winning "Pose" star appeared on the "Tamron Hall Show" on Wednesday to discuss his upcoming role as the author and activist, which he said "just fell into place." "He's one of the first people who I saw who looked like me," he told Hall, "who represented me in the fullness Black and queer and present. Unapologetic." Byron Allen's Allen Media Group Motion Pictures announced earlier this month that the "Kinky Boots" actor would star as Baldwin and co-write the upcoming biopic with Dan McCabe. The film will be based on the 1994 book "James Baldwin: A Biography" by David Leeming. Porter's casting divided social media. Some Twitter users wrote that the "80 for Brady" star is "gonna kill it" as Baldwin, and others were feeling unsure whether the roles works. "Hmm this is either going to be really good or disappointingly inauthentic," one Twitter user said. "Depends on Billy and the writing. Im interested to see how it turns out, but Im a big fan of James Baldwin and slightly terrified at ANYONE portraying him to be honest so well see" James Baldwin will be portrayed by "Pose" actor Billy Porter in a new biopic. (Associated Press) The buzz around Porter's casting made it to the "Tamron Hall Show," where he fired back at social media users doubting his acting abilities. "The internet has created a space where it's made people think that their opinion matters at all," he said. "It doesn't." He continued. "I am 53 years old and I've dedicated my life to my art and craft. Question me at your own peril." Porter, who just needs an Academy Award to reach the coveted EGOT status, said that haters can "call me whatever you want," but that the proof of his talent will be in the pudding. Also vouching for Porter is Byron Allen, who Porter said encouraged him to take on the "Go Tell It on the Mountain" writer. Story continues "Billy Porter is a phenomenally-talented and brilliant person," Allen told The Times in a statement Friday. "We are one-thousand percent confident in Billy's ability to portray any role, especially James Baldwin." Baldwin was known for his works including "If Beale Street Could Talk," "Notes of a Native Son" and "Go Tell It on the Mountain," which spotlighted the Black experience on the cusp of the civil rights movement. He died in 1987 at age 63. According to Porter, the biopic is still in its early stages with a script in development. Until the film hits the big screen, the "Unprotected" author says all he can do is "focus on the work." "People have been doubting me my whole life," he said. "This ain't nothing new. It's OK." This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Migrating birds are crash landing in Wisconsin in what officials are calling a loon fallout. The Raptor Education Group, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the care and rehabilitation of wild birds, said loons have been seen on land and in small ponds throughout the state. Loons are described as water birds that typically only go ashore to mate and incubate eggs. So whats causing them to fall from the sky as they migrate north? The education group said the phenomenon called a loon fallout is the explanation. That occurs when atmospheric conditions are such that the migrating loons develop ice on their body as they fly at high altitude and crash land when they are no longer able to fly due to the weight of the ice on their body or the interference with their flight ability, the education group said in a Facebook post. The current ice/rain and unstable air currents is a perfect set-up for this phenomena to occur. Temperatures dropped in the 30s in parts of Wisconsin, including Wausau, during a cold front earlier this week, according to the National Weather Service. The cold temperatures were mixed with snow, sleet and freezing rain. Marge Gibson, the co-founder and director of Raptor Education Group, said its center received at least 25 phone calls and dozens more Facebook messages Thursday, April 20, about loons discovered on land in Wisconsin, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported. These birds are more susceptible to icing hazards, as MPR News reported, because they cant perch in a tree to wait out a storm. They have to either swim or fly. Loons can become stranded when landing on a small body of water because they need a large water runway for takeoff, according to All About Birds. Its why the nonprofit is calling for the public to aid them. Loons cannot walk! They will need your help, the center said. If you find a loon on land or on a road or cow pasture, realize that it cannot walk. Their legs are placed to the back of the bird and are made for swimming and diving, not walking. Story continues Youre encouraged to call Loon Rescue at 715-966-5415 or the Raptor Education Group at 715-623-4015 if you see a loon on land. Loons need at least a quarter-mile of open water to get airborne. To transport them, place a blanket over their beaks and place them inside a container with air holes. They are very vulnerable on land, Gibson told the Journal Sentinel. As tough as they are, they cant last long if they are in the middle of some field. 2-day-old baby eagle has heartbreaking death when nest plunges from Colorado tree 14-year-old mother bird returns to Michigan shore. Why gabbY is so special Before allergy medicine, there were a whole slew of bizarre ways to treat symptoms of what was known in the late 1800s as "hay fever." The term "allergy" didn't exist until 1906, says Theresa MacPhail, a medical anthropologist and author of Allergic: Our Irritated Bodies in a Changing World. Today, we are fortunate enough to have reliable methods to diagnose and treat allergies. But history shows a slew of well-meaning but usually misguided practitioners who attempted all kinds of cures to treat seasonal allergies. From nose amputations to horse blood, here are 10 of the strangest. These treatments range from nonsensical to downright dangerous. Please, don't try these at home. 1. Partial nose removal A radical treatment in the late 1800s was to remove part of the nose to alleviate allergies. (Getty Images) In 1883, E. Schmiegelow, a rhinologist (ear, nose and throat specialist) from Copenhagen, visited a colleague who claimed to cure hay fever by removing part of the nose membrane. Schmiegelow described the procedure, called galvano-cauterization, as radical" and concluded that the surgery went too far and was being used indiscriminately without sufficient evidence that it was effective. Physically removing all or a portion of your nose will not change your bodys reaction to allergies, especially since youll still be inhaling the allergens one way or another. Plus, you might not look good in pictures anymore, Dr. Viet Pham, MD, an ENT with The ENT & Allergy Centers of Texas, tells Yahoo Life. 2. Smoking Smoking was recommended as a treatment for allergies as recently as 1934. (Getty Images) Some ancient Indian physicians in the fifth century recommended smoking stramonium, which is derived from the thorn apple, to help relieve the symptoms of asthma. Later, English colonizers adopted the practice. While stramonium is known to relieve pain, it has toxic properties and is not recommended for allergy treatment today. Nevertheless, the belief that smoking could help allergies persisted. According to MacPhail, smoking was recommended as a treatment for allergies as recently as 1934 in the United States. Story continues Dr. Tania Elliott, an allergist and chief medical officer of Virtual Care at Ascension, tells Yahoo Life these practitioners had the right concept, but the wrong execution. "Take away the smoking of substances, and let's focus on the importance of deep breathing to help expand lung capacity and improve asthma symptoms," she says. "Studies have shown that yoga, which incorporates deep breathing, does improve symptoms for asthma patients." Just to be sure no one takes up smoking to relieve allergy symptoms, Pham adds: beyond the multitude of other negative health consequences that come with it, smoking would actually worsen allergies, with all that aerosolized irritant exposure. There is absolutely no benefit with smoking." 3. Bubble helmets A British architect invented a bubble helmet in the 1980s to prevent seasonal allergies. He even sold a few hundred of the helmets. (Getty) Yes, bubble helmets. Not so long ago, in the 1980s, Richard Hinchliffe, a British architect who suffered from allergies, invented a bubble helmet that he claimed protected allergy sufferers from pollen. The contraption contained a filter and made the wearer look like an astronaut. Hinchliffe sold hundreds of his contraptions, but they never became popular, for obvious reasons. Conceptually this works, by filtering out airborne pollen and other particulate matter, says Elliott. However, for those who would like to avoid the bubble, Elliott adds that Nowadays, you can wear a mask or use nasal filters. 4. Cocaine A radical and unworkable suggestion that destroys the nasal membranes is to use cocaine. (Getty Images) In 1886, Dr. E. Fletcher Ingles, a laryngologist, wrote that using cocaine to treat hay fever was highly recommended. He noted that patients experienced unpleasant effects and required more and more of the drug to find relief as time went on. Nevertheless, Ingles found the treatment highly effective, since none of the many patients he treated with cocaine experienced allergy symptoms the following summer. And there's a modern-day reason for that. "The nerves and tissues in their nasal passages were completely destroyed, says Elliott. Cocaine is an extremely harmful substance. ... In the nose, it also wreaks havoc, destroying nasal tissue and even leading to holes in the nasal septum." The takeaway: Find a good over-the-counter medicine to treat seasonal allergies. 5. Ice bag treatment Ice has been used since ancient times to treat allergy symptoms. (Getty Images) Doctors have used cold temperatures, or cryotherapy, to treat allergy symptoms and other medical conditions for thousands of years. This simple treatment goes back to ancient Greece. The use of ice to treat allergies has been proven to be effective in reducing pain and increasing the feeling of well-being. Today, doctors may still recommend using ice. Ice can help with allergy symptoms, especially itch, says Elliott. Itching and pain go along the same nerve pathways, so you typically can't feel both at once. When you are icing something, the pain pathway gets activated, which means you don't experience itching, she explains. Pham says while ice can be effective in reducing allergy symptoms, the effect is only momentary and does not actually address the underlying problem." 6. Rhubarb and rest Rhubarb was one ingredient in a complicated cocktail that was reputed in the early 1900s to reduce allergy symptoms. (Getty Images) Rhubarb and rest is not at all like Netflix and chill. In 1903, Dr. Alvin Wood Chase published Dr. Chases Old-Time Home Remedies. He recommended using rhubarb to treat hay fever. Chase opined that rhubarb would be most effective if the allergy sufferer also kept quiet for a few days and took quinine, a drug used to kill parasites, along with paregoric, a drug used to stop diarrhea. While there is no evidence that rhubarb or other remedies he recommended can help with allergies, Elliott says there are some natural remedies that have shown benefit, including butterbur, a naturally occurring antihistamine. As for Chases recommendation to remain quiet, Dr. Pham says this is unlikely to help. Candidly, resting and staying quiet without actively taking care of your allergies simply means youll be sitting there, suffering in silence." 7. 'Anitoxin' in horse blood In 1904, horse blood injected with pollen toxins was marketed to the public, in what may have been one of the first attempts at immunotherapy. (Getty Images) According to Gregg Mitman, author of Breathing Space: How Allergies Shape our Lives and Landscapes, in 1904, Dr. William Dunbar developed a treatment he believed would relieve the symptoms of hay fever. Dunbar and his assistant injected horses with isolated toxic compounds found in pollen, diluted in water to create what he claimed was an antitoxin that could treat allergies. Dunbar marketed this serum as Pollantin and sold it as a liquid, powder and salve. Elliott says that Dunbar was probably experimenting with an allergy vaccine. This is similar to a treatment used today, called allergen immunotherapy. Today, we take the major protein that results in allergies in very diluted doses, and either inject it or create drops for under the tongue, and slowly increase the dose over time. This can cure people of their allergies, Elliott tells Yahoo Life. Pham emphasizes that conventional immunotherapy, such as allergy shots or allergy drops, are much more effective without the bloodcurdling reaction many are likely to have at the thought of being injected with a horses blood. 8. Parentectomy (separating children from their parents) Parentectomy or removing children from their homes for six months or more was thought to help a child's asthma and was practiced well into the 1980s. (Getty Images) In the 1930s, Dr. Maury Peshkin, chief of Mount Sinai Hospitals Childrens Allergy Clinic, believed that asthma was a psychological condition. According to Mitman, Peshkin believed that children needed to be separated from their parents to restore physicochemical balance. He called this process a parentectomy. Mitman says that by the 1950s, this theory was widely endorsed. Over-protective mothers were thought to cause childhood asthma. Practitioners routinely removed children from their homes for six months or more if they were thought to be psychologically allergic to their environments, particularly their parents. Elliott says that the children who improved after being separated from their parents probably got better because they were removed from indoor allergies in their home, such as dust mites, pets, cockroaches, mold, or mice. While children often had improved outcomes with their asthma after taking part it parentectomy, for many it took a long-term emotional toll on their lives. As one former patient told Denver's city magazine in 2021 about the experience, "there was no real parentchild interaction ever again, she said. "We were successful victims. 9. Booze In the early 1900s, alcohol was thought to help allergy symptoms. Don't get excited. It's not true. (Getty Images) According to MacPhail, in the early 1900s, Dr. Samuel Feinberg recommended alcoholic drinks as a treatment for allergy symptoms. The reality is that many alcoholic beverages contain high levels of histamine, which would actually worsen allergies, according to Pham. However, he adds that you may temporarily forget about your allergies during happy hour, which could provide temporary relief. 10. Egg whites Eyes itchy and inflamed? An old home remedy recommended egg whites which is not endorsed by allergists. (Getty Images) For inflammation of the eyes, a common allergy symptom, Dr. Chases Old-Time Home Remedies, recommends heating the white of an egg in a tin cup mixed with powdered alum, a substance used primarily for pickling. In order for the remedy to be effective, Chase claimed it was necessary to fold the mixture into a cloth before placing the substance over the eyes. Chase claims to have used this precise remedy just this way, upon my own eye, with entire success. He stated that he believed the remedy would work just as well for sprains, although he noted that he had not sued it upon them yet. According to Dr. Elliott, there is no data to support this outside of hearsay. Pham says that this treatment is more likely to irritate your eyes than actually effectively treat allergies." Family-owned Tacoma community space, book and plant store Parable has received an outpouring of support after its owners posted online Wednesday that due to financial issues they might not be able to continue operating without significant financial support. Within 24 hours, Parable raised nearly half of its $31,000 goal on GoFundMe. As of Friday morning, Parable had fund-raised over $13,000. Family members LeEcia Farmer, left, Deatria Williams, and LaKecia Farmer own Parable a unique bookstore and boutique on McKinley Avenue in East Tacoma that fosters community spirit and connection. Co-owner LaKecia Farmer, who uses they/them pronouns, said they woke up Thursday to about 100 messages from people in Tacoma expressing their support of Parable and asking how they could help. Farmer, who owns and runs the business with their cousin and sister, said since January business had slowed. Although Parable is hosting a number of events, including many during Black History Month, Farmer said the workload for their family was unsustainable and Parable didnt have the funding to expand. All of us are not making money off of it. Were just running it. We all have separate jobs, Farmer said. So we made the difficult decision [to post about it]. It was very vulnerable. You know, its hard to admit that youre not doing as well as you want to be, especially as a business. But we were like, you know what, weve been there for the community, maybe the community will be there for us. It was just a question mark. We didnt know at all. But in the first 24 hours, its just amazing. We got half of what we were asking for. Like, that is incredible to us. Family members and co-owners of Parable, from left, LaKecia Farmer, LeEcia Farmer and Deatria Williams stand inside their store on its soft opening on Aug. 21, 2021. Because of financial concerns, Farmer said, Parable had to reduce its hours to weekends. Now that could change. This is the first time weve been hopeful in a long time, Farmer said. We get to add capacity. That is incredible. Farmer said Parable wants to hire an event planner and another staff member so they can expand hours and allow more people to visit the business. We knew that it was risky In the United States, only 4% of Black-owned businesses survive the start-up stage, even though 20% of Black Americans start businesses, according to a 2020-2021 national entrepreneurship assessment from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor. Story continues Farmer said they were aware of that before starting the business, and I was like, but hey, we can be the 4%, right? We knew that it was risky. And we just wanted to risk it for our mission, not necessarily because we wanted to make money, they said. But now we have kids, its like maybe our kids can continue this legacy, too. So its not just about us, its definitely about the greater community. I say it a lot, but it benefits everyone really. During social unrest in 2020 after George Floyd was murdered by a white Minneapolis police officer, Farmer said, there was a shift in people wanting to support Black businesses and the Black community. And it was just amazing, obviously, because its not been often where Black folks have been centered. But just like anything, waxing and waning, you know? It was like, for six months we got support, and then it just dwindled, Farmer said. And so, we were kind of sad about it. Not in the first year, but maybe in the second year we noticed the change and a shift. But I think the greater community of Tacoma and everyone has proven that theory wrong in the last 24 hours. Farmer said their family founded Parable in 2020 after noticing there werent many community spaces in East Tacoma and the McKinley neighborhood. Parable was built with the help and support of their friends, family and neighbors, Farmer said. People gather for a photo at the Rain or Shine community artisan and maker market event on Oct. 2, 2022, at Parable. We came from Spokane, all three of us. And my cousin came first, about 20 years ago. Me and my sister came about eight years ago. And we just love the Tacoma and Seattle area because they just gave so much to us. And one of the things that they gave was community building, Farmer said. That was our mission. And thats always been our mission. Parable makes an effort to sell products from small businesses and artisans in the Tacoma, Seattle and Portland area. Most of them are [Black, Indigenous, people of color] or women. And then we also sell books that are either BIPOC authors, disabled authors, queer and trans authors its just our mission to make sure that people who have been on the outskirts for so long have their voices heard, Farmer said. How to support Parable Farmer said anyone looking to support Parable can donate to their GoFundMe site, share and talk about the business on social media, visit the storefront and show up to future events. This Sunday Parable is hosting a Caribbean Queens pop-up event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the 3502 McKinley Ave., Suite A storefront. There will be food, music and crafts. Large trees knocked down by wildfires and storms are among debris flowing into Folsom Lake and creating a potential hazard for boaters, according to California state park officials. Joshua Jaco, a state park spokesman, said that in dry years, the water does not come up high enough to take every tree that may have fallen, so the debris builds up. Those trees normally sit along the shoreline, Jaco said. If the water doesnt come up high enough to take those out, they dont enter the water system. Now that the water is coming up, its picking up debris from the last several years of low water and bringing it down into the main body of the lake. Get Folsom news delivered to your inbox Sign up here to receive our free weekly Bee Connected newsletter, where we catch up on news in Folsom dining, shopping, real estate, schools, events and more. The inflow of water increased due to storms that pummeled the Sacramento region at the beginning of the year, Jaco said. Jaco said the debris is mostly floating, but there is some that is heavy and submerged just beneath the surface. Because of this, the state park has erected signs that encourage boaters to slow down. Contractors for the state are out picking up debris off the shore, according to park officials. Theyre slowly pulling all that debris off the lake, but its a laborious process and its going to take a little bit of time, Jaco said. Contact with debris can result in costly vessel damage and put peoples lives at risk, according to the National Ocean Service. Folsom Lake Yacht Clubs 56th Camellia Cup Regatta at Browns Ravine on Saturday and Sunday should be unaffected by debris, provided boaters exercise caution, Jaco said. For the past few years, Guy Ritchie and his filmmaking collaborators have alternated between lightweight larks and hefty tales of masculinity. There was the 2019 ensemble crime comedy The Gentleman, followed by the heavy-duty Heat riff Wrath of Man, which was chased by the globe-trotting spycraft romp Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre. Swinging back to a more serious register, Ritchie presents his first film grounded in harsh real-world politics, Guy Ritchies The Covenant, and its the best film hes made in years. While not based on a true story, the film is inspired by the many true, tragic stories of Afghan interpreters who worked with the United States military for more than 20 years, who were promised visas and then left to fend for themselves in a hostile country after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. Ritchie and co-writers Ivan Atkinson and Marn Davies have crafted a story about the U.S. military that fits into his auteurist point of view, about the deals made between men and the sacred responsibility to hold up ones end of the bargain. Advertisement Ritchie plays with text-based information dumps in the film, scattering locations, names and definitions of military jargon throughout. But at the very end theres a definition that illuminates the title and underlines the films thesis: the word covenant, defined as a bond, a pledge, a commitment. On one side of this covenant is Sgt. John Kinley (Jake Gyllenhaal), a tough, swaggering weapons and explosives hunter who leads a tight crew of soldiers, intimately bonded through dust and danger. On the other is Johns new interpreter Ahmed (Dar Salim) a mysterious man of few words possessed of a razor-sharp ability to read people and situations, possibly thanks to a shady past. He takes the role of interpreter seriously he doesnt just translate the language but reads the nonverbal signs, the inflections and expressions, to deduce the truth. Advertisement The team uncovers a huge IED factory in a remote location and comes under fire from the Taliban, who arrive in endless waves brandishing rifles from Toyota trucks. What unfolds is an unbelievable tale of survival, sacrifice and redemption, a melodrama about bonds and bargains forged in blood. When Ahmed and John find themselves alone in the wilderness, John mortally wounded, hunted by the Taliban, Ahmed drags him back to the base at great risk to his own safety. Its a lifesaving act of love, generosity and sacrifice that delivers John back home, and leaves Ahmed on the run with his wife and baby, hunted by the Taliban for killing their soldiers and collaborating with an American. John is wracked with guilt, haunted by memory, frustrated at the bureaucracy that fails to deliver the visas they promised, and he takes matters into his own hands, going outside the system at his own expense, knowing that the only way to repay his debt is with the same kind of personal risk and potential sacrifice. Ritchie bites off meatier material with "The Covenant," and its a pleasure to see him work with two legitimately great actors as well. Both characters communicate frequently without words, using their eyes and bodies to convey the unspoken. Both men have an air of mystery is Ahmed too wild? Will John do right by his interpreter? They must prove themselves to each other through their actions. Salim brings a serious soulfulness to Ahmed and the care he administers; Gyllenhaal applies his wild-eyed intensity to Johns mission, utilizing every advantage he has to leverage the weight of the military machine in Ahmeds favor. Ritchie forges their bond cinematically, with a repeated motif that sees the camera lens pulling the two men together during their shared glances. The push-pull rhythm is repeated throughout, in composer Christopher Bensteads score, which alternates between tribal drumming and slow, sad strings. The camera regards the landscape from the sky, in ethereal drone shots situating our characters in space, or gets down-and-dirty on the ground, chaotic handheld shots capturing close-up moments of hand-to-hand combat. A flashback sequence in which John recalls being dragged over mountains to safety is lyrical and surreal, placing us inside his memories to understand what motivates his dangerous quest. At times the acting, filmmaking and tone are a bit too thrilling, considering the seriousness of the topic. Tackling such an overtly political subject is a new direction for Ritchie, though examined through the perspective of his oeuvre, its not so radical, considering its a story about an individual man harnessing a criminal mindset to go outside of the system to pay off his debt. His approach is to inspect this question on a micro, man-to-man level, but extrapolated to the macro, its damning to consider the many life-or-death deals left unfulfilled in Afghanistan. Guy Ritchies The Covenant 3 stars (out of 4) Rated: R (for violence, language throughout and brief drug content) Running time: 2:03 Advertisement How to watch: In theaters April 21 JUPITER, Fla. The body of Seamus Gray, a Navy sailor from Florida who disappeared last month after leaving a St. Patrick's Day celebration, was found in Lake Michigan north of Chicago. Utility workers in Waukegan, Illinois, reported seeing a body in Waukegan Harbor on Wednesday evening. Deputy Police Chief Scott Chastain said officers pulled the body ashore with the help of the Waukegan Fire Department. The body and clothes matched Gray's description, Chastain said. The Lake County Coroner's Office confirmed the body's identity Thursday. The 21-year-old died by drowning, said coroner Jennifer Banek. Preliminary autopsy results show there is "no evidence of significant injury" contributing to his death, she said in a news release. Previously: Family in turmoil as search for 21-year-old Navy sailor gone missing near Chicago ends Gray left bar in early morning after St. Patrick's Day Servers at the Ibiza bar in Waukegan, Illinois, said they asked Gray to leave the bar at about 1:30 a.m. on March 18 because he appeared drunk. He had 30 minutes to report back to Great Lakes Naval Base, about 5 miles south of the bar, but never did. A surveillance camera recorded Gray walking alone in the direction of Lake Michigan at 1:40 a.m., still in the pink shirt he wore during his FaceTime with his mother. The search began about three days later and ended Friday after Waukegan Police Commander Scott Chastain said they "exhausted every effort" to find him. Gray was an active-duty fireman recruit assigned to the Surface Warfare Engineering School at the Great Lakes Naval Base. Hannah Phillips is a journalist covering public safety and criminal justice at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at hphillips@pbpost.com. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Seamus Gray body found: Navy sailor dead of drowning in Lake Michigan The Pima County Regional Incident Team released edited snippets of body-camera footage on Thursday depicting a Tucson police shooting that occurred on Feb. 14. According to a critical incident briefing the agency shared, Tucson officers responded to the area of Kolb Road and 29th Street after receiving a 911 call from a mental health professional at around 1:31 a.m. who was on the phone with a man threatening to kill himself. The mental health professional had been on the phone with the man for about 30 minutes before contacting police and had learned the person on the other line was armed and heard what sounded like a gunshot. Officers arrived at the area and found a man walking around with a firearm. The briefing stated that a Tucson police sergeant with advanced training in crisis intervention and hostage negotiations was able to call the man on his cell phone to attempt to de-escalate. The sergeant called him multiple times over the span of 15 minutes, ordering the man to put down the firearm and remain still. The briefing stated the man ignored her orders and began moving south. Multiple vehicles had passed by the man, who was moving toward a neighborhood, when another officer west of him shot him once with a rifle. The briefing states officers immediately rendered first-aid to the man, who was later transported to a hospital with not life-threatening injuries. Body-camera footage shows at least one officer firing a gun at an individual who is blurred out. An officer can be heard saying OK hes down. Guns down, before informing a sergeant that the man was separated from the gun and that they need to render aid. Footage shows multiple officers approach the man, later identified as 29-year-old Jacques Taylor, and retrieved a handgun and bullet-shell casing which investigators believe was from the gunshot the mental-health professional heard on the phone. The briefing did not specify whether Taylor was booked into jail or whether he will face any criminal charges. Story continues The briefing identified the officer who fired his rifle as Barrie Pederson, an 18-year veteran with the department. The Pima County Sheriffs Department and the Oro Valley Police Department are conducting the criminal investigation into the shooting while the Tucson Police Department is conducting the administrative investigation to see if the shooting violated department policy. Services for Arizonans in crisis include: Dial 2-1-1 to reach 211 Arizona. Solari Crisis & Human Services offers a free, statewide crisis line 24/7/365 dial 844-534-HOPE (4673). Help is also available 24/7/365 via text by texting hope to 4HOPE (4673). Dial 988 to reach the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Help is available in English and Spanish. It's free and confidential for those in distress who need prevention or crisis resources for themselves or loved ones. La Frontera Empact Suicide Prevention Center's crisis line serves Maricopa and Pinal counties 24/7 at 480-784-1500. Teen Lifeline 24/7 crisis line serves teens at 602-248-8336 for Maricopa County and 1-800-248-8336 statewide. The Trevor Project Lifeline serves LGBTQ youth at 866-488-7386. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Bodycam footage shows Tucson police shooting man in crisis On Lagos Island, in the heart of the Nigerian metropolis, the citys first public pool has sat empty since the 1970s. Some Nigerians remember its later years as an infamous spot to canoodle, but its heyday began in 1928, in the era of Art Deco. After being denied financial support from the then colonys British government, philanthropic doctor John Randle put forth his own funds to build it. At the time, the neighborhood was a hotbed of segregation politics. The British had opened a nearby members-only club in 1926, prompting Yoruba locals to start their own two years later. A few blocks away, Broad Street Prisonnow a public park by local architect Theo Lawsonjailed activists for political protest. Photo: Yagazie Emezi. When Randle, a lifelong champion of social equity, debuted the pool, it became a beloved oasis where many kids first learned to swim. (It was also a symbol of Nigerian perseverance and success: Randles father, Thomas, was born in the countrys Oyo State, enslaved in West Africa, and later freed in Sierra Leone.) This summer, it will receive new life as the John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture & History, a 194,000-square-foot community and cultural complex. Designed by Lagos-based architecture firm SI.SA, it integrates the original pool and the adjacent 1950s J.K. Randle Memorial Hall with new recreation facilities, dining spaces, and a green-roofed gallery that offers a picnic-ready slope. Photo: Ademola Olaniran and Babajide Atobatele. This is an urban regeneration project, explains SI.SA principal Seun Oduwole, who became familiar with the site in 2016 when conducting a citywide study of lost public spaces. But its also bringing the lesser-known history of the area to the fore. The projects ring-like plan takes notes from traditional Yoruba cities, the structures concrete is tinted to match the red earth, and the gallerys fractal powder-coated screen is inspired by ceremonial Ashoke cloth, examples of which are displayed inside with historical objects and stories of mythology. Located across from the National Museum in Lagos and near the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization, the John Randle Centre helps form a new cultural corridorand a democratic space in an area with a fraught history of exclusion. Says Oduwole, Thats what architecture should be about: improving the social fabric of a city. johnrandlecentre.org Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest More Great Stories From AD ODOT announces upcoming roadwork ODOT is reminding motorists that mainline paving on U.S. 30 eastbound and westbound has started. Daily lane closures will be utilized. In addition, the slip ramp from U.S. 30 eastbound to I-71 southbound will close for two days beginning Monday for pavement repairs. Just the crossover and slip ramp from U.S. 30 east will be closed, but U.S. 30 westbound traffic will still have access to the I-71 south ramp. The slip ramp is expected to reopen Tuesday. In Galion, crews will have temporary shoulder and lane closures on Ohio 598 from Carter Drive to Brandt Road for grading, seeding, and mulching work. Lane closures for resurfacing will begin in mid-May. The widening project is expected to be completed in June. IBEW president addresses Richland County gathering Kenneth Cooper, the international president of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), returned to his hometown this past Saturday. He delivered the keynote address at the Richland County Democratic Partys annual Joseph H. Mudra Legacy Dinner. IBEW international president Kenneth Cooper addresses local Dems and union members. Cooper grew up in Little Kentucky, graduated from Mansfield Senior High School, and began his career in 1985 at Mansfields IBEW Local 688. He served a four-year apprenticeship to become a journeyman wireman. He recalled the Mansfield of decades ago when "this town was a union town" and noted that 71% of Americans believe in union up from 64% prior to the pandemic. Cooper called President Joe Biden "the most pro-union, pro-worker president weve ever had" and also praised U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown as someone "who won't back down." Also during the annual dinner, Brandon Polak received the Emily Campbell Brown Young Democrat Award, and John Makley was named the Democrat of the Year. The John J. Rinehardt Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Venita Shoulders. Garland Gates received a 50 Year Activist Award. Shelby library to host two events next week SHELBY Marvin Memorial Library in Shelby will be hosting "Bert Davis Outreach Mobile Dedication & Ribbon Cutting Ceremony" at 6 p.m. Wednesday. On Thursday, the library is hosting a "Teen/Adult Art Show" at 6 p.m. where people can meet the artists and listen to poems/songs written by the artists. Story continues Refreshments will be provided at both events. All are welcome to attend. Upcoming meetings: Shelby Shade Tree Commission, 3 p.m., Tuesday, James E. Henkel conference room, 43 W. Main St., Shelby North Central State College Board of Trustees, 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, board room, Fallerius Technical Education Center (165-F) and via Zoom. To join via Zoom, contact Board Secretary Stephen Williams at swilliam@ncstatecollege.edu or at 419-755-4811. This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: ODOT announces roadwork, IBEW president visits Mansfield Hannah McKay/Reuters After the endless scandals of Boris Johnsons premiership and the blink-and-you-might-miss-it farce of Liz Truss time in Downing Street, Rishi Sunak promised in October that his new administration running the United Kingdom would be different. This government will have integrity, professionalism, and accountability at every level, Sunak said. Less than six months later, three of his cabinet ministers have left office in scandal. On Friday, Britains Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Dominic Raab became the latest to go following the conclusion of an inquiry into accusations of bullying made against him by civil servants. In a mealy-mouthed sorry-not-sorry resignation letter, Raab said he felt duty bound to accept the outcome of the inquiry but said the investigation has set a dangerous precedent. Raab said the inquiry had dismissed all but two of the claims leveled against him and found he had not once, in four and a half years, sworn or shouted at anyone, let alone thrown anything or otherwise physically intimidated anyone, nor intentionally sought to belittle anyone. I am genuinely sorry for any unintended stress or [offense] that any officials felt, as a result of the pace, standards and challenge that I brought to the Ministry of Justice, Raab wrote. Raab signed off the letter by arguing that setting the threshold for bullying so low could have a negative impact on British politicians down the line. It will encourage spurious complaints against Ministers, and have a chilling effect on those driving change on behalf of your governmentand ultimately the British people, he wrote. Keir Starmer, the leader of the opposition, derided Raabs foot-stamping non-apology. I dont know why Dominic Raabin the middle of a cost of living crisisthinks that anybody wants to hear his whining about having to resign, he told the BBC. Story continues Britains Third PM This Year, Rishi Sunak, Is Twice as Rich as the King The lawyer-led independent inquiry was conducted into claims of wrongdoing against Raab mostly stemming from his time in the Ministry of Justice. Raab, who has denied the allegations since the inquiry was launched in November, faced eight formal complaints about his conduct. The report has yet to be made publicly available but had been seen by both Raab and Sunak before Raabs resignation. Allies of the hard-line Brexiteer had remained bullish about the report even on the eve of its findings, with some telling The Times that they believed Raab would survive the allegations they described as a witch hunt. Supporters also speculated that Sunak, who was accused of delaying making a decision about Raabs future on Thursday, might have been playing for time in order to find a way of keeping Raab in office. Given that I and most of my colleaguesand the prime ministerhave never known Dom do anything deliberately sinister to someone, we cant see that the prime minister taking more time to decide is a bad thing, one Raab ally said. The quote disappeared from the online version of the story on Friday as people on Twitter made fun of Raabs defenders for apparently suggesting he was sinisterbut not deliberately so. Raab has been one of Sunaks closest allies and has served in several top roles across multiple Conservative Party administrations. The karate black-belt former-lawyer first became a junior minister under David Cameron in 2015 and went on to play a central role supporting the campaign for Britains exit from the European Union a year later. He later served as the U.K.s Brexit Minister under Theresa May and ran for party leader following her resignation in 2019. Boris Johnson ultimately won and made Raab his Foreign Secretaryan endorsement which Raab repaid by not resigning as Johnsons administration rapidly unraveled last year. Raab backed Sunak in the ensuing leadership contest won by Trusswho in turn kept Raab out of governmentwhich Sunak thanked him for by making him Deputy PM and Justice Minister when Sunak took power in October. Raabs resignation is just the latest scandal-soaked departure from Sunaks cabinet. In January, Tory Party Chairman Nadhim Zahawi was sacked after an investigation found hed breached Britains ministerial code by failing to disclose that he was being probed by the U.K.s tax body over his financial affairs. Zahawis dismissal followed the November resignation of Sunaks Cabinet Office minister, Gavin Williamson, over his own allegations of bullying, including one from a civil servant who said Williamson told them to slit your throat. 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. By Lucy Craymer WELLINGTON (Reuters) -British Foreign Minister James Cleverly will leave New Zealand Friday and cut his Pacific tour short, his office said, as he focuses on coordinating Britain's response to the Sudan crisis. Cleverly had been scheduled to meet with Samoan officials and New Zealand Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta in Samoa on Friday before undertaking a bilateral meeting and press briefing Saturday in New Zealand. "Its with real regret that due to the ongoing situation in Sudan Ive had to cut the visit short. Ive learned a lot about the region, its opportunities and challenges," he said in a statement. He said he had spoken with Mahuta and they had agreed to reschedule the visit as soon as possible. The Foreign Office said on Thursday that Cleverly was skipping his Samoa stop and heading straight to New Zealand where he could better coordinate London's response to events in Africa. Fighting has erupted across Khartoum and at other sites in Sudan this month in a battle between two powerful rival military factions. Cleverly last week called on the Sudanese leadership to restrain troops and de-escalate, and on Friday on Twitter said he had held discussions with international partners on working collectively to resolve this conflict. "The UK is working tirelessly for peace in Sudan. This violence must end," he said on Twitter. "Alongside our international partners, we call for a lasting ceasefire." International powers have been struggling to evacuate citizens after the airport and several districts housing embassies were caught up in the violence. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday appealed to Sudan's warring factions to observe a ceasefire over the Muslim Eid al-Fitr holiday to allow civilians to reach safe areas. (Reporting by Lucy Craymer; Editing by Stephen Coates) British politician Dominic Raab blasted the inquiry against him as an absurdist "Kafkaesque saga" in a fiery rebuke posted following his resignation from the post of deputy prime minister in the U.K. government. Raab resigned from his post following the results of an inquiry into bullying allegations during his time in government. In a letter submitted to British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Raab said it had been "a privilege to serve you as Deputy Prime Minister, Justice Secretary and Lord Chancellor." "I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work as a Minister in a range of roles and departments since 2015, and pay tribute to the many outstanding civil servants with whom I have worked," he wrote in his resignation letter, which was posted online. Sunak then elevated long-time ally Oliver Dowden, currently serving as the head of the minister's cabinet and previously served as chairman of the Conservative Party under Boris Johnson, to the role of deputy prime minister while also elevating Minister of State for Defence Procurement Alex Chalk to the head of the Ministry of Justice Then-U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson, right, is seen with former Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab in London on Aug. 27, 2021. (Jeff Gilbert - WPA Pool/Getty Images) UK MAY SOON SEIZE KITCHEN KNIVES FROM SUSPECTED CRIMINALS' HOMES AMID DANGEROUS WEAPONS CRACKDOWN In a follow-up to his resignation letter, Raab criticized the inquiry and findings against him in an op-ed published by Telegraph. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "In reality, the Kafkaesque saga I endured was shorn of the safeguards most people enjoy," he wrote, referring to Kafka's "The Trial," in which an unnamed protagonist faces trial and conviction for unspecified crimes. "Normal rules of evidence and procedural fairness were disapplied," Raab claimed, noting that a normal statute of limitation on reporting instances of bullying lasts for three months while he faced some allegations that were over four years old and "submitted in a coordinated way." "I was subject to trial by media for six months, fueled by warped and fabricated accounts leaked by anonymous officials breaching the rules of inquiry, the Civil Service Code of Conduct, or both," he concluded, adding that "in any other workplace, HR guidance would apply." Story continues JUST STOP OIL PROTESTER CANCELS WORLD SNOOKER CHAMPIONSHIP AFTER POURING ORANGE DYE ON TABLE Allegations of bullying behavior mainly acts of intimidation and demeaning statements to senior officials and colleagues arose as soon as Raab accepted a post in Sunaks government last fall. He returned to the government to hold the posts of deputy prime minister and head of the Ministry of Justice. The Guardian reported that civil servants in the Ministry of Justice were offered "respite or a route out" of the department with Raabs return due to concerns that some still suffered from his previous tenures. A number of sources in the ministry told The Guardian that Raab was "demeaning rather than demanding" and was "very rude and aggressive." Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Oliver Dowden speaks to the media as he departs BBC Broadcasting House in London after appearing on the BBC One current affairs program "Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg" on March 19, 2023. Raab ordered an inquiry into the allegations, promising to resign if it were to confirm any instances of bullying whatsoever. He faced eight formal complaints about his behavior, with the inquiry clearing him of all but two of the allegations. The report concluded that Raab had engaged in an "abuse or misuse of power" while serving as foreign secretary under Boris Johnson. Raab claimed the two findings were "flawed" and "set a dangerous precedent for the conduct of good government." ENGLISH POLICE FATALLY SHOOT RUNAWAY BULL THAT CHARGED THROUGH VILLAGE "Ministers must be able to exercise direct oversight with respect to senior officials over critical negotiations conducted on behalf of the British people, otherwise the democratic and constitutional principle of Ministerial responsibility will be lost," Raab wrote in his resignation letter. "This was particularly true during my time as Foreign Secretary, in the context of the Brexit negotiations over Gibraltar, when a senior diplomat breached the mandate agreed by Cabinet." The second allegation related to "direct feedback" Raab said he gave to senior officials, which he argued was "done within reasonable bounds." Raab wrote that the lawyer who wrote the report "concluded that I had not once, in four and a half years, sworn or shouted at anyone, let alone thrown anything or otherwise physically intimidated anyone, nor intentionally sought to belittle anyone." MISSING MADELEINE MCCANN: GERMAN COURT THROWS OUT SEX CHARGES AGAINST SUSPECT IN TODDLER'S DISAPPEARANCE "I am genuinely sorry for any unintended stress or offense that any officials felt, as a result of the pace, standards and challenge that I brought to the Ministry of Justice," he added. "That is, however, what the public expect of Ministers working on their behalf." Raab worried that setting the threshold for bullying "so low" would prompt "spurious complaints" from civil servants against ministers and create a "chilling effect on those driving change" in the government. In his rebuke, Raab stressed that he had faced only 15 formal complaints between 2018 and 2022 from among the "thousands of public servants" he regularly worked with. Some of the complaints were made by individuals who had "never been in any meeting with me." "This precedent sets the playbook for a small number of officials to target ministers, who negotiate robustly on behalf of the country, pursue bold reforms and persevere in holding civil servants to account," Raab concluded. "If that is now the threshold for bullying in government, it is the people of this country who will pay the price." Reuters contributed to this report. Editors Note: The opinions expressed in the op-ed section are those of the authors and do not purport to reflect the views of the Kyiv Independent. Amid the failures of its full-scale war against Ukraine, Russia hurries up the overhaul of its nuclear strategy, indicating that the Kremlin understands that it has lost in Ukraine but tries to maintain credible nuclear threats. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu officially announced on April 4 that Belarus has already received nuclear-capable aircraft and Iskander-M missile complexes. The confirmation came weeks after Russia announced on March 25 that it would deploy tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus. However, before making any judgments, it is important to look at Russias moves through the lens of its real nuclear capabilities, as well as to adapt old Soviet plans to the realities of the current strategic situation in Europe. Contrary to widespread belief, the Soviet Union has always drastically suffered from a technological gap with the U.S. in terms of strategic nuclear weapons namely, long-range ballistic missiles. Since the USSR was unable to threaten the U.S. directly and efficiently, the only available option was to try to use tactical nuclear weapons to achieve strategic superiority. This is why in the early 1960s the Kremlin tried to turn Cuba, which is located in close geographic proximity to the U.S., into a launching pad for Russian weapons. It allowed for better precision and the guaranteed destruction of designated U.S. targets. Following the elections in 2012 fifty years later, Russian President Vladimir Putin restored the ideology of Russias eternal struggle against the West to tighten his grip on Russia and expand its influence in Europe. However, his ambitions did not match Russias available capabilities. Putin found himself in a similar situation to that of past USSR leaders but with no chance of repeating Nikita Khrushchevs escapade in Cuba. Therefore, it is likely that Moscow decided to blackmail Washington indirectly via hybrid warfare and by threatening its European allies with a nuclear attack. Story continues Burkovsky, Zolkina: How Ukraine and the West can stop Putins nuclear blackmail Editors Note: The opinions expressed in the op-ed section are those of the authors and do not purport to reflect the views of the Kyiv Independent. Putins threats to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus reflect his goal to keep Crimea after Russias defeat in the war. Three days after Kyiv IndependentMariia Zolkina There were a few strategic points to which Russia could deploy its tactical nuclear arsenal Ukraines Crimean Peninsula, Belarus, the Arctic, and, potentially, Syria. In doing so, the Kremlin attempted to build a nuclear defense line along its borders with NATO to be able to threaten key global actors directly in an attempt to regain its status as a global nuclear superpower. Ukraines Crimea is very important as it has provided Russia with the opportunity to station every element of the so-called nuclear triad: ground launchers, tactical bombers, and submarines capable of carrying cruise missiles. When Russian forces invaded and annexed Crimea in late February to mid-March of 2014, Russia quickly pumped the peninsula with money aimed at restoring its military infrastructure to make it nuclear-capable. After 2014, the Kremlin accelerated the military integration of Belarus to turn it into yet another launching pad for Russian nuclear weapons. Belarus played an auxiliary role as a jump point for Russias conventional and nuclear arsenals shipment to its Kaliningrad exclave which, unlike Crimea, lacked the military infrastructure to permanently deploy Russian weapons. A Russian serviceman patrols the territory of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Station in Enerhodar on May 1, 2022. (Photo by ANDREY BORODULIN/AFP via Getty Images) The process was slow, but the full-scale invasion of Ukraine and its disastrous impact on the Russian military speeded up these efforts. The full-scale war against Ukraine has revealed that the Kremlin cannot rely on its depleted conventional forces to project power even in its immediate neighborhood. Moreover, Russias nuclear saber-rattling has resulted in Finlands fast-track accession to NATO, which is highly likely to be followed by Sweden. The realities on the battlefield in Ukraine have demonstrated to the entire world the technological backwardness of the Russian army. It has dealt a huge blow to the credibility of Russias systematic use of conventional and nuclear threats as a tool to achieve political gains. The lessons learned from Russias campaign in Ukraine and a sober analysis of its real capabilities vis-a-vis Ukraine and NATO have prompted Russias military establishment to think about a major reform of its strategic nuclear posture. Belarus Weekly: Turkey helps Russia, Belarus evade sanctions, leak documents allege Belarus dictator Alexander Lukashenko meets in Minsk with the head of Russias proxies in occupied parts of Donetsk Oblast, offering to provide industrial and agricultural assistance. Meanwhile, Minsk continues to propel Moscows nuclear rhetoric, claiming that Belarus has the equipment, aircraft, Kyiv IndependentMaria Yeryoma An article published on March 2 by the Russian military-theoretical journal Voyennaya Mysl (Military Thought) argued that once Russia had found itself strategically opposed to U.S. Multi-Domain Operations employing high-tech weapon systems, especially the U.S. Missile Defense System (MDS), it needed to compensate for its strategic technological backwardness. The article claimed that the U.S. MDS rendered Russias strategic nuclear arsenal and delivery systems obsolete against the modern technology of Western air defenses. The authors estimate that 65-70% of Russias nuclear weapons and delivery systems would not survive a U.S. or NATO strike on Russian territory, with a 35-40% chance that Russias delivery systems would survive if Moscow struck first. These estimates lead to the conclusion of a clear and present danger to Russias deterrence capabilities and its strategic geopolitical goals, meaning Russia needs to develop a new kind of strategic approach to the operation of its nuclear forces to level the playing field. The authors propose the creation of a new subdivision of Russias strategic nuclear forces, equipped with modern hypersonic weapons like the Kinzhal air-launched ballistic missile and the sea-launched Tsirkon. Batu Kutelia: Lessons from Georgia of geopolitical procrastination Editors Note: The opinions expressed in the op-ed section are those of the authors and do not purport to reflect the views of the Kyiv Independent. Feb. 24, 2022, was the date that Russia launched a decisive offensive against the free world. This war has caused a far-reaching domino effect Kyiv IndependentBatu Kutelia Like in the 1970s-80s, Russias military sees deterrence as having the ability to launch the first strike so as to breach Western missile defense and secure the safe passage of its outdated strategic nuclear delivery systems. The Kremlin is thus gambling that its ability to wage a successful limited nuclear war in the North Atlantic area will persuade the West to accept its terms for peace in Ukraine, to recognize the boundaries of its so-called exclusive sphere of influence, and avoid the risk of an all-out nuclear war. Although the doctrine is far from refined and Russias real hypersonic capabilities are limited, the Kremlins order to deploy nuclear weapons to Belarus is an attempt to make such threats look credible. This is why it is important to call out Russias dangerous bluff with decisive steps. If the West hopes to cool down Russias military leadership, it must do everything to demonstrate how Russias hypersonic capabilities will be countered. In practical terms, this means delivering the relevant technology to Ukraines Armed Forces in order for it to be battle-tested and improved if needed. The Patriot PAC-3 system is the best option here as a tool against hypersonic missiles. Modern fighting jets, like the F-16, are countermeasures against Russias MiG-31K hypersonic systems. If they are delivered to Ukraine in 2023 to tackle Russias hypersonic missile attacks, they will significantly decrease Putins appetite for the madness of a small victorious nuclear war and may play a role in ending the ongoing war altogether. Gov. Gavin Newsom will be allowed to establish a system of mental health courts after a lawsuit brought by disability rights advocates failed to block it from moving forward. The California Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled it would not prevent California counties from implementing Newsoms Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment, or CARE, Court. Newsom intends for the CARE Court program to help homeless residents with serious untreated mental illnesses. It will create a system of specialized courts and require all 58 California counties to provide treatment for those suffering from psychotic disorders, including schizophrenia. The Newsom administration estimates 7,000 to 12,000 people would meet CARE Court criteria a small portion of the states more than 170,000 homeless. Those referred to CARE Court will receive a treatment plan from county behavioral health employees that could include medication. Californians who dont comply could be removed from the program. Lack of participation in CARE Court may make it easier for people to be placed in involuntary treatment through the states existing system. Disability Rights California, one of the advocacy groups that brought the legal challenge, is disappointed by the decision, the organization said in a statement on Friday. We, with our partners, will carefully monitor Care Court implementation throughout the state and embrace all viable options to ensure that the rights of disabled Californians are respected and enforced, said Melody Pomraning, Disability Rights communications director. Newsom cheered the ruling, saying in a statement it ensures that the implementation of the CARE Act will continue without delay. This ruling holds significant importance for thousands of Californians and their families experiencing untreated serious mental illness and substance use disorders, Newsom said. Disability Rights has opposed CARE Court since its introduction, saying it forces mental health treatment. But Newsom and bill author Sen. Tom Umberg, D-Santa Ana, both strongly assert this isnt true. Story continues CARE Court participants cannot be forced to participate, the Newsom administration said in a court filing in response to the Disability Rights lawsuit. The Legislature passed Umbergs bill in August 2022, and Newsom signed it in September. San Diego, Riverside, Orange, Glenn, Stanislaus and Tuolumne counties will be the first to implement CARE Court by Oct. 1. San Francisco city and county will also be part of the fall cohort, and Los Angeles County will implement the program by Dec. 1. Camilla and her son Tom Parker Bowles at the Cheltenham Festival on March 11, 2015, in Cheltenham, England. Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images On May 6, Camilla will be crowned in a sacred ceremony alongside King Charles. It's the first time a consort, a term for the spouse of a monarch, has been crowned since 1937. But her son, Tom Parker Bowles, says Camilla never anticipated what her royal role would become. The son of Camilla, the Queen Consort, said his mother never anticipated what her role in the monarchy would eventually become when she and King Charles got married in 2005. Tom Parker Bowles, Camilla's son with her ex-husband Andrew Parker Bowles, opened up about his mother's journey within the royal institution and the upcoming coronation on Thursday's episode of "The News Agents" podcast. Parker Bowles, a 48-year-old food critic and writer, addressed speculation that his mother had a plan to become queen when she and Charles tied the knot while speaking to hosts Emily Maitlis, Jon Sopel, and Lewis Goodall. At the time of their wedding, Camilla, 75, had been divorced from her first husband for 10 years. Meanwhile, Charles, 74, had been divorced from Princess Diana who died in 1997 for nine years. "Change happens but I don't care what anyone says, this wasn't any sort of end game," Parker Bowles said of his mother. "She married the person she loved and this is what happened." King Charles and Camilla with their children Prince Harry, Prince William, and Tom and Laura Parker-Bowles, at Windsor Castle after their wedding in 2005. Pool Photograph/Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images In October, Buckingham Palace announced that Camilla would be crowned alongside Charles at the coronation on May 6 in a traditional ceremony that would also "reflect the monarch's role today and look towards the future." She will be the first consort, a term used to describe the spouse of a sovereign, to be crowned at a British coronation since 1937, when Queen Elizabeth's mother, the Queen Mother, was crowned alongside her husband, King George VI, according to the Royal Collection Trust (RCT). Despite his mother becoming Queen Camilla after the coronation in May, Parker Bowles said that there are no plans for him to receive any sort of title change. Story continues "That would be appalling," he said on the podcast. "You're not going to find us with sort of great estates and being called the Duke of whatever." He also joked that there would be a "revolution" in the UK if he were to receive a title due to his mother's coronation. Camilla and Tom Parker Bowles at Fortnum & Mason on October 17, 2018, in London, England Dave Benett/Getty Images for Fortnum & Mason Even so, Parker Bowles confirmed that he and his family will be in attendance to support Camilla at the upcoming ceremony. He added that his 13-year-old son, Freddy Parker Bowles, is one of the eight pageboys assisting the king and the queen throughout the coronation. Prince George, 9, has been confirmed as the Page of Honour for the coronation, Tatler reports. But asked if he thinks Camilla is nervous in any way about the coronation, Parker Bowles was quick to note her resilience. "I'd be terrified if I'd have to walk up wearing ancient robes," Parker Bowles said. "Anyone would be anxious in an occasion of this sort of importance." However, he added that Camilla is somewhat of a veteran when it comes to royal events and fulfilling her duties. "She's tough, my mother," he said. "It's tough to do it but she's never complained, she'll just do it." Read the original article on Insider DJ Premier, one of the most prolific producers in hip-hop and one-half of the duo Gang Starr, sat on a stool on a small stage alongside Chicagos DJ RTC and Dave Jeff in a dimly lit room in front of less than 100 fans. My mom would stack five 45s on the record player, on the spindle. She would press the button. The needle hits it. The record drops and knows where to land on it. But shes like do not touch those records. And dont put your fingerprints on there! Advertisement For about an hour, the pioneering beatmaker told long, winding stories about his early life: how he first fell in love with records through his mothers collection, growing up with rapper Travis Scotts dad, the highs and lows of his three-plus decade career, and how he came to help produce Christina Aguileras Back to Basics album. The energy of New York made me want to be there then once (hip hop) started to evolve. And I started to see new videos and hear the record and witness scratching. I was like thats what I want to do. (The way) people get the Holy Ghost, I just feel like Gods talking to me. That was my god, Premier said of how he got into music. Advertisement Sprinkling his sense of humor throughout the interview, Premier joked about whether or not hed actually answered any of the questions. Sometimes I ramble, hed say with a laugh. The rare intimate gathering was a part of DJ RTC and Jeffs joint collaboration called Legend Conversation. The conversation series is the brainchild of DJ RTC, aka Alexander Fruchter, a former independent music journalist from Chicago. During whats known as raps blog era, Fruchter was editor-in-chief of popular music and culture blog Ruby Hornet. As a writer and DJ, he found himself helping build a community of music lovers and launching rap artists from Chicagos view to the rest of the country. The idea for Legend Conversation came about because I wanted to do something that would increase a feeling of community. I wanted to celebrate these artists and also create unique and impactful experiences, Fruchter told the Tribune. The original iteration began prior to the COVID-19 pandemic at Soho House, but Fruchter decided to revamp the idea in 2021. After leaving music blogging nearly a decade ago to pursue his own indie record label, Closed Sessions, he felt that time had passed him by. He was burned out. One day, after a nap to reset his frustrations, Fruchter decided he needed to find a way to rejuvenate his enthusiasm. The event, which is held quarterly, has hosted notable hip-hop legends such as Raekwon, DJ Jazzy Jeff, The Alchemist, DJ Clark Kent and Just Blaze. Though it originally started at a different location, Legend Conversation seems to have found a home at Dorians Through the Record Shop, a Wicker Park record store with a speak-easy in the back. The location is as much a character in the conversation as the interviewees. The small room has a wall of records and a small retro-looking DJ booth. As hip-hop and music culture grows, fans would rather have an experience where they get to eat dinner and listen to an artist tell their stories, Fruchter said. Theres a whole generation of artists that are now entering legacy status or are older, maybe they dont want to tour and go to a concert but this provides an intimate, unique experience for them and for fans. So thats kind of what I wanted to do. The first Legend Conversation was held at Jugrnaut, a Loop boutique, and Fruchter enlisted the help of Chef Brian Fisher and self-described cultural architect Jeff, creator of Chicago streetwear brand PHLI. Advertisement I help build brands and this being Alexs vision, he just felt that I would be a perfect fit for that. Alex gives you a journalistic viewpoint. And then Ill come from a more cultural side or ask those questions that you probably wouldnt ask, Jeff said. Each entry in the series features dinner by Fisher; specialty cocktails; an interview led by Fruchter and Jeff with a music artist or beat maker; and an after-party with DJ sets, including one by the visiting artist. The cocktail menu is curated with the interviewee in mind with names like The Boom Bap, Closed Sessions Classic Material, Mass Appeal, and Legend Conversation Starter. A themed collectors item such as a shirt, beanie or poster is created for each interview as well. The crowd on Thursday night was full of music lovers of all kinds hanging onto Premiers every word, getting an opportunity to sit mere feet from an icon of the genre while he waxed poetic. His presence evoked feelings of nostalgia for a long-gone but not forgotten era of hip-hop. It really has restored a feeling for me of community and the local scene, putting everybody together under one roof, breaking bread, talking to people. Not everybody is in the music community. All these different communities are coming together in a very intimate environment, youre not really getting these. Thats why I think this is such a hot ticket. Everybody wants to get in here, because it brings back something that we have missed and we havent had in Chicago in a long time, said Andrew Barber, owner/creator of popular music blog Fake Shore Drive. Barber, a mainstay in the Chicago hip-hop community, has only missed one Legend Conversation and says he will never miss one again as long as he is invited. Melo Rosario of BWS Barbershop in Wicker Park has been to all eight Legend Conversations. He says the events give listeners information and insight, history of the artists and the music. Advertisement The dinner and conversation are invite-only, but the after-party is open to the public for a cover charge. People hoping to get into the party begin lining up hours before its 10 p.m. start time, and by the time the event transitions from the dinner to the party, the line is down the block. I think the culture today is kind of microwave. And what I mean by that is not necessarily in a bad way, but everybodys just kind of wanting something now, and a lot of people dont do the homework on why certain things are even available. I think Legend Conversation is important because we get to bring back legends and ask those questions on what inspired them, where their whole vision of what theyre doing came from, Jeff said. At the end of the conversation with DJ Premier, the tables and chairs were removed from the space and a DJ setup was added to the stage. Fans who had waited in line outside began to trickle in. After a couple of opening DJs, including Fruchter, set the mood, Premier gave the crowd what they came for. He played hit after hit as the crowd bobbed their heads and waved their arms, occasionally dropping an emphatic ohhhhhhh! as they recognized some of his classics. The blog era is over but the fundamentals of it, the vibe of it, the aesthetic of it, dont need to be abandoned. Were still looking for whats next but whats next doesnt mean brand new, Fruchter said. Hip-hop is now 50. A lot of the artists are in their upper 40s and 50s but still have something to say, still have lessons to teach. You still have great art. And Im trying to say theres an audience for that. The next Closed Sessions Legend Conversation is on July 20; more information at legendconversation.com Steve Russell - Getty Images For over a year, a massive An-124 Ruslan cargo plane has been sitting on the tarmac of Torontos Pearson International Airport. The jet, with serial numbers RA-82078, had landed there on February 27, 2022 carrying a cargo of Covid-19 rapid testsjust four days after Russia launched its massive invasion of Ukraine. That same day, Canadas transport minister closed Canadian airspace to all Russian-operated aircraft, keeping the An-124 grounded. Following an April 11, 2023 meeting between Ukrainian and Canadian prime ministers Denys Shmyhal and Justin Trudeau, Ottawa now plans to confiscate the plane and give it to Ukraine. This decision was made on the basis of a legal ruling by a Ukraine court that Russias Federal Air Transport Agency had illegally approved air-worthiness certification for all twelve of Volga Dneprs An-124s. Antonov Airlines, a branch of the Ukrainian state-owned company which designed the An-124, will undoubtedly receive the craft. And to add insult to injury, Russia is still on the hook for over $330,000 USD equivalent in parking fees for the over 400 days spent in impoundment. Aptly codenamed Condor by NATO, the 200-ton jetcapable of hefting 150 tons of cargo and roughly 50 tons of fuelis the reigning T-Rex of heavy lift aviation. Its the largest operational aircraft in the world, ever since Ukraines even larger An-225 cargo jet was destroyed in the battle of Hostomel airport last year. A uniquely upgraded An-124-100-150M was also damaged in the Hostomel fight. Since the early 1990s, these big haulers have been chartered by both civilian and military clients for rapid delivery of heavy, large-volume cargos including railway cars, industrial turbines, helicopters, tanks and, once, even a whale. Antonov Airlines retains a fleet of five An-124-100s which were re-homebased at Halle airport in Leipzig, Germany after the Russian invasion. Upon resuming operations last year, Antonov Airlines anticipated that the aircraft would fly up to 385 more missions, involving 1,270 landings. In August, the An-124s were all renamed after Ukrainian cities that experienced heavy fighting in the war, including Bucha, Irpin, Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, Ohktyrka, Kherson and Mariupol. Story continues Three more Volga-Dnepr An-124s (serial numbers RA-82043, 82045 and 82046) are also under impoundment, gathering dust at Leipzig. Germanys plans for these impounded aircraft (one of which lacks engines) remain unclear. Besides Antonov and Volga-Dnepr, the craft type is operated by Russias military, and one is flown by UAE-based Maximus Airlines. Flight of the Condor Ukraine used to be the sole proprietor of the worlds largest aircraftthe 314-ton An-225 Mriya (Dream) transport plane, operated by its domestic Antonov Airlines from Hostomel Airport near Kyiv. This was effectively an enlarged An-124 with a different tail, specially built to carry the Soviet Buran space shuttle. When Putin launched his invasion of Ukraine on February 23, Russian paratroopers seized Hostomel in a helicopter landing operation, planning to use it as a launch pad to capture the Ukrainian capital. To their surprise, the Ukrainians counterattacked quickly and vigorously with air and ground forces, preventing additional troops from landing in the area and causing Putins attempted snatch-and-grab of Kyiv to collapse in shambles. When Ukrainian troops recaptured Hostomel for good on April 2, they found Mriya in its burn-out hangar, its front section smashed by shelling. The loss of the likely irrecoverable Mriya left its smallerbut still ginormoussister, the Antonov An-124 Ruslan, with the title of largest in the world. The An-124 began development in the 1970s as Project 400, a Soviet counterpart to the huge American C-5 Galaxy heavy-haul cargo jet. The An-124 closely resembled the C-5 Galaxy, including its folding nose cone used to facilitate loading and offloading. However, the Soviets brought technical flourishes to the concept, including a computerized fly-by-wire flight controls system and both ground-scanning navigation and weather radars. The primarily aluminum aircraft also incorporated 5% lightweight composite materials, as well as ultra-hard (and ultra-expensive) titanium flooring for the cargo deck. A total of 24 massive wheels on 10 gear-fairings supported the aircraft, each with built in auxiliary power units. Those wheels can be deflated to crouch the jet down for ease of unloading. Propulsion was provided by four Lotarev D-18T turbofan enginesthe first fuel-efficient high-bypass engines developed by the Soviet Unionwhich could also reverse thrust to assist with landing. Ultimately, compared to the C-5, the An-124 boasted 20% more internal volume and 17% higher maximum cargo weight. The massive aircraft could carry up to three main battle tanks, five BMP infantry fighting vehicles, or an entire mini submarine. Its cargo bay even included a 30-ton capacity crane to facilitate loading and unloading. Unlike the C-5, however, the Ruslan lacked inflight-refueling capability, and its main hold wasnt fully pressurized to support passengers or paratroopersthough it does have an upper passenger deck with seating for 88 personnel. Despite making its first flight in December of 1982, followed by an unveiling at the Paris Airshow in 1985, the An-124 wasnt fully operationally reliable until 1991. Altogether, 53 An-124s were built (including the prototype), with parts for two more left unassembled. Antonov built eighteen of these in Ukraine, while the remainder were built by the Ulyanovsk factory in Russia. Of these aircraft, 22 were built or converted into the civilian An-124-100 aircraft, stripped of military systems and fit with improved D-18T series 3 engines with much longer service lives (18,000 hours). Four An-124s were lost in deadly accidents that claimed 97 lives between them, with a fifth An-124 heavily damaged in a belly landing after losing engine power. Even before the dissolution of the Soviet Union, however, Antonov began arranging international cargo flights in partnership with British company Air Foyle, which included delivering U.S. Patriot missiles during the Persian Gulf War. This began a trend of the An-124 fleet seemingly ending up providing more transportation services to NATO-member militaries than Russias armed forces, particularly during War on Terror-era operations in the Middle East and Afghanistan. These services included delivering Canadian Leopard 2 tanks for combat in that latter period. The partnership with Air Foyle ended in 2005, and Antonov instead leased twelve An-124s to a consortium with Russia called Volga-Dnepr, while also operating its own Antonov Airlines. The -100s were gradually modernized, with new avionics allowing downsizing of flight crew from six to four in the -100M submodel. Then, in 2005, Antonov also refit a unique An-124-100-150M aircraft with a D-18T Series 4 engine, boasting 10% increased thrust, in turn and increasing max carrying capacity and range to 150 tons and 9,631 miles, respectively. An-124 cargo missions included transporting the 4th-century Axium obeliskweighing 160 tonsfrom Rome back to Ethiopia, the dismantled components of a U.S. Navy EP-3E spy plane that forced landed in Chinas Hainan island, a Falcon Heavy rocket, a massive Putzmeister concrete pump airlifted from Germany to Japan to help cool of the melt-down Fukushima reactor, and huge quantities of masks and tests during the peak COVID-19 era. The An-124 also established world records for the heaviest-ever liftcarrying a 187.6-ton German generator to Armeniaand the longest unrefueled flight ever, traversing over 12,520 miles in 25 hours and 30 minutes. A Condor also starred in the James Bond film Die Another Day (see 4:14 in below clip). The Volga-Dnepr partnership fell apart after Russias initial invasions of Ukraine in 2014. However, the airline was able to continue operations in Western countries until sanctions in 2022 grounded 4 of its An-124s. According to an assessor, Russias assault on Hostomel caused damages that would require $3 billion and five years to repair. Besides the desolation of the Mriya, it also resulted in the destruction of an An-74 and Ant-26-100 aircraft in Antonovs fleet, and damaged the unique An-124-100-150M. The Mriya is unlikely to be restorablethough, given adequate resources, Antonov could attempt to assemble a second never-completed An-225 airframe. That option, however, is estimated to cost roughly $500 million. Russian military An-124s have been active in the war in Ukraine, used to transport Tochka-U and Iskander ballistic missiles for attacks. Ukraines now Leipzig-based An-124s also are active. While reportedly prioritizing missions transporting humanitarian and military aid for the Ukrainian government and NATO, they also still fly commercial flights, such as transporting a gas turbine from the UAE to the United Kingdom. You Might Also Like A Canadian minister said the country will provide abortion medication to Americans who need it. RiverNorthPhotography/Getty Images A Canadian official says her government is working to get enough mifepristone pills to offer Americans. Americans' access to abortion medication has been up in the air after a Texas judge's decision to restrict it. The official said the Canadian government doesn't want to "further endanger" Americans who need reproductive care. The Canadian government is ready to offer abortion pills to Americans if the US Supreme Court restricts access to the drug. "We remain very committed to making sure that we can support American women if they need that access here," Canada's Minister of Families, Children, and Social Development Karina Gould said in an interview with CTV's Power Play. Access to mifepristone which is used in most abortions in the US has been suddenly challenged after a Texas judge decided to roll back the FDA's approval of the pill from 20 years ago. That decision has been on pause as the Supreme Court considers whether to allow restrictions on the drug. The Supreme Court's decision is expected on Friday. Gould told CTV on Thursday that while Canada does not currently have a large enough supply of mifepristone pills to go around, the government is working on getting more of the drug. But Gould said Canada will need to be careful since some US states are preparing to prosecute Americans who leave their borders to get access. "What concerns me," Gould told CTV, "is where you see laws in states where they're actually criminalizing women [who] cross state borders to access reproductive health care." Gould added that the Canadian government needs to be "very thoughtful" about extending abortion access to Americans "to make sure that we don't further endanger American women who are seeking access to reproductive health care and services, as well as health-care providers." Read the original article on Business Insider Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore on Friday announced the arrest of Maron Mark Raymon, 51, of Cape Coral, linked to a March 11 antisemitic attack. Sizemore had discussed the case during a March 14 press conference. Cape Coral Police announced Friday the arrest of a suspect they say is responsible for trying to force his way into a Jewish center in the city last month. Maron Mark Raymon, 51, of Cape Coral, is charged with one count of attempted burglary and one count of criminal mischief to a place of worship. Police say their investigation confirmed that Raymon damaged and attempted to burglarize the Chabad Jewish Center of Cape Coral on March 11. They arrested him Thursday evening, Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore said during a press conference Friday morning. Restaurant Depot shooting: Suspect in fatal Restaurant Depot shooting enters not guilty plea Separate trials: Judge OKs motion for separate trials on different charges in home invasion gone fatal "Since that date, as I mentioned in the previous news conference when it was discussed, this case was priority number one," Sizemore said Friday. Video footage captured a suspect throwing bricks, toppling a colorful, large image of a menorah and destroying a car. After toppling the menorah, the man threw bricks at the center door, attempting to gain entry. The door has impact glass, which didn't break. Since March 11, Sizemore said, police have been "turning over every leaf, pouring over electronic surveillance, digital surveillance, knocking on doors, talking to countless people." "This was a very challenging case, because unlike other cases, the video evidence that we have was not supreme and it really required a lot of boots on the ground," Sizemore said. Sizemore said police served "numerous warrants" throughout their investigation. He said a "very good, solid tip" from a witness helped them crack the case. "We were able to put some holes in this story from the initial encounter that we had, when he lied to us," Sizemore said. "We were able to prove that, coupled with all of the evidence that we have put together." Story continues Sizemore said authorities continue to work to determine whether Raymon is part of a larger network or group, adding that they have worked this case with the FBI. Days after the attack, Sizemore said the crime had become "personal." Sizemore said he and Rabbi Yossi Labkowski, of the Chabad Jewish Center of Cape Coral where the attack unfolded are good friends, adding then that their friendship spans, at least, 10 years. Sizemore had spoken with Labkowski two days after the attack to assure him he had the same officers and detectives working the case as those who located in Kentucky the suspect of a murder case from last June in the city. "That's how serious we take it," Sizemore said immediately following the incident. After the incident, the center began increasing security and taking precautions, such as installing a security system with high resolution cameras with night vision, sensors and a light system for deterrence; upgrading the locks on all doors; installing security film on all the windows, and installing a fence. A rise in antisemitic incidents nationally have raised concerns, and the Southwest Florida community has seen several in the past year prompting local religious leaders and others in Southwest Florida to call an end to hate crimes amid pleas for peace and unity. Court records indicate Raymon is next due in court May 17 for his arraignment. Tomas Rodriguez is a Breaking/Live News Reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You can reach Tomas at TRodriguez@gannett.com or 772-333-5501. Connect with him on Twitter @TomasFRoBeltran, Instagram @tomasfrobeltran and Facebook @tomasrodrigueznews. This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Cape Coral police arrested man in case of an attack on Jewish center A Texas man facing charges in the Jan. 6 riot opened fire last week on sheriffs deputies who had gone to his home to check on him ahead of his scheduled surrender to the FBI, according to a new criminal complaint. Nathan Donald Pelham, of Greenville, who initially faced four misdemeanor charges tied to the insurrection, faces an additional felony charge of being a felon in possession of firearm after the incident April 12, a criminal complaint filed this week shows. An FBI special agent wrote in a filing that he had called Pelham on April 12 and asked him to surrender in a few days. That evening, according to the agent, local authorities went to Pelhams home after his father requested a welfare check. When the deputies arrived, Pelham fired several shots toward them, prosecutors said. One of the law enforcement officers said one gunshot came in so close proximity to myself that I could hear the distinct whistling sound as the bullet traveled by me and then strike a metal object to my right side, according to a court filing. The new weapon charge against Pelham is likely to give federal authorities a quick way to keep him locked up before his trial. He could face other charges related to the shooting down the line. Court records show that Pelham waived a detention hearing and that a federal magistrate judge ordered him detained. The initial charges included disorderly conduct and parading, demonstrating or picketing at the Capitol. He appeared in at least one photo from the riot donning a hat with a logo associated with the Proud Boys, the FBI said. Nathan Pelham at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. (United States Attorney for the District of Columbia) Many the Jan. 6 defendants who have pleaded guilty to the same misdemeanor charges against Pelham have been sentenced only to periods of probation. Pelham's attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday. Two months after the Capitol riot, Pelham tried to enter Canada but was denied entry by Canadian authorities and subsequently detained by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents in Port Huron, Michigan, the FBI said. Story continues In an interview with two FBI task force officers, Pelham admitted to appearing at the Capitol on Jan. 6 and going up the steps of the building's Senate chamber side. Pelham said he never touched or breached a barricade, and he said he was never told he was entering a restricted area, according to court documents. Pelham previously claimed that he did not enter the Capitol and said he would be willing to take a polygraph test to prove he wasnt lying, according to court documents. Authorities said that after they obtained a search warrant, they found text messages on Pelham's phone that suggested he entered the Capitol, according to court documents. If you have a video of being inside, dont post it, his wife is alleged to have written a day after the riot. I know I am smart honey, Pelham replied, according to court documents. Pelham later said he was inside for only 10 to 11 seconds, but video showed he was inside for more than seven minutes, the FBI said. More than 1,000 defendants have been charged in connection with the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, and hundreds more arrests are expected. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com A hospital in Osceola County said it remains open after someone crashed their car into the emergency department. HCA Florida Osceola Hospital on West Oak Street in Kissimmee said a car struck the entrance doors to the ER Thursday evening. In a statement, hospital spokesperson Vanessa Guevara said she was very thankful that no one was injured and grateful that team members acted swiftly to protect patients and colleagues. READ: Osceola schools launches investigation after students claim staff ignored assault reports No injuries were reported in the incident. The hospital said it was assisting authorities in the crash investigation. Channel 9 has reached out to the Kissimmee Police Department for more information about what led to the crash. READ: Fatal crash closes lanes along Floridas Turnpike in Lake County Guevara added that HCA Florida Osceola Hospital was maintaining normal operations and still accepting patients. Those seeking treatment at the emergency department are being advised to use the side entrance while repairs are made to the main doors. 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. Yet another week has gone by without any action by Congress to resolve the mine permitting problem. The process takes a long time, and even then there's no assurance that a mining company will get a permit to open a new mine in the United States. Think about our growing reliance on China and Russia for critically important minerals and metals used in producing not only consumer products like laptops and smartphones but also weapons systems and batteries for clean energy technologies and how pleasing this dependence must be to the rulers of those countries. Ucore Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Michael Schrider announces Thursday that Alexandria will be home to the first rare earth elements processing center in North America. Work on the $75 million plant should begin this year. Without a moment's notice, China could cut off shipments of battery minerals like rare earths. A decade ago it did just that to Japan during a dispute over fishing rights to the South China Sea. Today the U.S. depends heavily on China for not only rare earths but other minerals, including lithium, cobalt, manganese and phosphate, which are needed for batteries in electric cars and the transmission of wind and solar power. Hear more Tennessee voices: Get the weekly opinion newsletter for insightful and thought-provoking columns. For its part, Russia could shut off shipments of the uranium needed at nuclear power plants, which supply 20% of our nation's electricity. Although the U.S. has vast uranium resources, there is only one domestic uranium mine, whereas there were dozens of mines years ago. Today more than 90% of the uranium used in the U.S. is imported, of which nearly half comes from Russia and two former Soviet states, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. With Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, depending on Russia and two of its closest allies for uranium is foolhardy. One abiding problem is that the U.S. has yet to seize on its own enormous mineral wealth, not only in uranium but in other raw materials. Beneath the ground are minerals and metals estimated to be worth trillions of dollars. But instead of making the country safer by boosting domestic mining, we rely on imports to meet our needs. In its annual report on minerals, the United States Geological Survey reported that U.S. reliance on other countries has reached a record level, the highest in the nation's history. China is the largest source of minerals, which is terrible news, since no nation that depends on China for critically important minerals wants to remain so, because China uses its global dominance of mineral production for geopolitical leverage. Story continues G. Ivan Maldonado Now is the time to ask: What are the most useful things Congress could do to bolster U.S. defense against a possible minerals embargo? High on the list would be to pass a bill that would bolster U.S. mining. Introduced by Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), head of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, the bill, which has bipartisan support, would streamline the mine permitting process so opening a new mine could be completed in less than half the time it now takes. With a revival of domestic mining, there would be increased U.S. production of minerals and metals and less risk of an embargo or supply shortage. Hasten that day. Reducing foreign dependence is a slow process, but Manchin has made a start with a comprehensive bill that would help reshore mining in America. The case for improving the mine permitting process is overwhelming. The dangers of an embargo make it vital, for we are fundamentally dealing with the security of this nation. Dr. G. Ivan Maldonado is a professor in the Department of Nuclear Engineering at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Opinion: The case for bolstering U.S. mining is rock solid Our feline friends go through changes just as we do, like losing baby teeth. But unlike some humans, cats do not have to wait until they are 18 years old to be considered full grown. While still young, the age of a kitten can be determined by weight. For each month, a kitten will generally gain one pound, according to PetMD. So, it would not be incorrect to assume a 3-pound kitten is three months old. However, this estimate only works until a cat is six months old. As your cat gets older, it continues to grow. But, when do cats stop growing? Why does my cat bite me? What you need to know. Why does my cat lick me? Explaining your feline friend's behavior. When do cats stop growing? Cats tend to stop growing once they become 1 year old. A 12-month-old cat is approximately the same age as a 15-year-old human, says PetMD. However, some cats do continue to grow past the 12 month mark. Cats are considered "full-grown" when they reach 18 months, which is equivalent to the age of a 21-year-old human, according to PetMD. Between the span of those 12 to 18 months, a cat can continue to grow in size. Some breeds do not even reach full size until they are 2 years old, says PetMD. For example, Maine coon cats are fully grown by around two years, according to PetMD. Cats generally stop growing once they reach 12 months old, but some cats do not finish growing until about 2 years old, depending on the breed. Just curious? We're here to help with life's everyday questions When do male cats stop growing? There are some growth differences between male and female cats, according to dutch.com. Male cats stop growing later in life and grow at a slower rate than female cats, says dutch.com. Male cats also tend to be larger than female cats. Female cats hit puberty earlier than male cats do, and unlike their female counterparts, once male cats "stop growing and reach sexual maturation, they do not go into heat," according to dutch.com. Adult male cats will often exceed or exactly reach the higher ranges of length, height and weight for their breed, according to the happycatsite.com. For instance, male Bengal cats can weigh up to 22 pounds, though the breed's normal weight is around 16 pounds. Story continues Additionally, male cats of smaller breeds will reach full size before male cats of larger breeds, says happycatsite.com. At what age do cats calm down? Cats are be mischievous little creatures, scratching and clawing their way through the world. While your cat continues to grow in size, so it does in behavioral and social maturity, says PetMD. Once a cat reaches 2 years old, it will be more socially and behaviorally mature, according to PetMD. When kittens are younger, they tend to be social and active, "spending copious amounts of energy playing and generally acting crazy," says Figo Pet Insurance. But as they adapt to their environment and form a routine, cats become relatively calmer, says Figo. How long is a cat considered a kitten? As much as we love to call our pets babies, they stop being them at one point. For cats, their days as kittens last until they are one year old, according to Hill's Pet Nutrition. After that point, kittens become cats. Though cats are considered adults at 12 months, adolescence lasts until around 18 months, according to Hill's Pet Nutrition. How long do cats live? Heres how long to expect your feline friends nine lives to last. What does catnip do to cats? The science of your cats favorite treat explained. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: When do cats stop growing and at what age are cats fully grown? John Lewis, O2 and BMW A number of major firms, including John Lewis, have left the CBI after a second allegation of rape at the business lobby group emerged. The Guardian reported that a woman who was working at one of the CBI's overseas offices was sexually assaulted by two male colleagues. It also reported an allegation of stalking by a CBI employee. The CBI said the latest allegations were "abhorrent" and that it had previously been unaware of the claims. A number of firms said they were cancelling their memberships with the business lobbying giant - which claims to represent 190,000 firms - while others said they were suspending activity with the group. John Lewis said it made the decision to quit membership of the CBI "due to the further very serious and ongoing allegations". Virgin Media O2 said the "disturbing allegations and the way the situation has been handled is not representative of business in Britain." Firms that have quit the CBI include: John Lewis, BMW, Virgin Media O2, insurers Aviva, Zurich and Phoenix Group, banking firm Natwest, credit card company Mastercard; B&Q owner Kingfisher; media firm ITV; insurance marketplace Lloyds of London; investment firm Schroders; and auditor EY. The Association of British Insurers has also left, as has Energy UK, which represents energy suppliers. Companies that have suspended membership include: pharmaceutical giants GSK and AstraZeneca; airports operator Heathrow; retailers Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, and Marks & Spencer; banking group Santander; National Grid, Octopus Energy and Scottish Power; drinks giant Diageo; Rolls Royce; Unilever; BT; property company British Land; accountancy giant PwC; and Manpower Group. Shell and BP are understood to have also paused membership of CBI. The government had already announced that it was pausing its engagement with the business group. Last week the British Insurance Brokers' Association said it had withdrawn its membership "in light of recent reports". Story continues Working with police The CBI, which employs more than 300 people, has been in crisis since allegations of a rape at a CBI summer party in 2019 and other sexual misconduct at the organisation emerged earlier this month. Three employees have been suspended pending the outcome of an investigation by law firm Fox Williams. The group's director-general was dismissed over separate complaints. Brian McBride, president of the CBI, said the group had not been previously aware of the most serious allegations and it was working closely with "the police to help ensure any perpetrators are brought to justice." "Our hearts go out to any women who have been victims of the behaviour described," he said, adding that it was "vital" that the incidents be "thoroughly investigated". The City of London Police was already investigating an alleged rape at a CBI summer party in 2019, before the Guardian reported a second incident. Detective Chief Superintendent Richard Waight from the City of London Police said that no arrests had been made and its investigations were continuing, and asked anyone with any information to get in touch. A source close to employees at the CBI said the crisis of the past few weeks had taken an "emotional toll" on staff at the lobbying group. "At first there was relief that people were talking about it," the source said. "It felt as though taking it public was holding management to account." "But now, as darker allegations have come out, this has been hard on the staff." The source said there had been "an avalanche" of members resigning and that staff are concerned about their jobs. "They're worried about whether the business will still be here tomorrow," the source said. Analysis box by Simon Jack, business editor The problems at the CBI are becoming more acute by the hour. As new allegations of rape and stalking emerge, some of the UK's biggest companies have started to cut ties with the crisis-hit group. The CBI is trying to move at pace. An investigation by law firm Fox Williams into numerous other alleged offences has been delivered to the group and it will communicate its findings and resulting actions early next week. The return of former CBI chief economist Rain Newton-Smith from Barclays has been fast-tracked for her to assume the vacated director-general's office within days. But the cracks are already appearing and many member firms have told the BBC it is not a given that they can re-engage with a body with criminal investigations pending that could take many months. Little wonder the atmosphere at the CBI's head office is described as miserable. Stalking allegation The Guardian also reported that a woman at the CBI's London office had been stalked by a male colleague in 2018. She complained to the CBI and a finding of harassment was upheld. However, the newspaper reports that the man continued to work at the organisation and eventually left for unrelated reasons. In response, the CBI said: "We recognise the substance of the harassment report outlined as relating to an allegation made and investigated in January 2018. "The finding of harassment was upheld and a sanction was imposed." Dame Carolyn Fairbairn was the director-general of the CBI between 2015 and 2020. The BBC has contacted her for comment. Separately, the CBI fired director-general Tony Danker last week following claims of workplace misconduct against him which were investigated by Fox Williams. Mr Danker took over from Dame Carolyn in late 2020. In an interview with the BBC earlier this week, Mr Danker admitted that he had made some staff feel "very uncomfortable", adding, "I apologise for that." But he said his name had become associated with claims of serious sexual assault that occurred before he joined the CBI. He is now considering legal action against the organisation. Mr McBride said that Mr Danker had been sacked on strong legal grounds. The CBI has appointed Rain Newton-Smith - its former chief economist - as its new director-general. Ms Newton-Smith had been at the CBI for nearly nine years before leaving last month to join Barclays. Mr McBride said: "We are rightly undertaking an urgent root and branch review of our culture to right the wrongs where we can and to reform our workplace for everyone." However, some have questioned whether someone who has worked at the CBI is the right person to lead an overhaul of the organisation and its culture. Commenting on Thursday on Ms Newton-Smith's appointment, Ann Francke, the chief executive of the Chartered Management Institute, said: "I'm not sure there was a huge amount of openness and transparency around the process and obviously you can question whether somebody who was there is the right change agent to change the culture." Businessmen against City of London backdrop The CBI is suspending key activities until June after a number of firms quit the business group following allegations of rape and sexual assault. Dozens of firms have announced they are leaving the group or pausing their membership after new allegations about misconduct at the organisation. A second woman claimed she was raped by CBI colleagues in a Guardian article on Friday. The CBI said it "shares the shock and revulsion" at the alleged events. The board of the lobbying group said it wanted to talk to "colleagues, members, experts and stakeholders" to get their opinion on the CBI's future role and purpose. "As a result, we have taken the difficult but necessary decision to suspend all policy and membership activity until an extraordinary general meeting in June," the board said in a statement. The board will put forward proposals at that meeting "for a refocused CBI", it said, adding that "this work and the cultural reform will be the entire and urgent focus of the organisation over the coming weeks." Despite membership operations being suspended until June, firms will still be free to quit if they choose, the BBC understands. The City of London Police was investigating an alleged rape at a CBI summer party in 2019 before the Guardian reported the second incident. Detective Chief Superintendent Richard Waight from the City of London Police said no arrests had been made and investigations were continuing, and asked anyone with information to get in touch. Firms leaving The brewer Adnams is among the dozens of firms that left the CBI on Friday following the recent allegations. Chief executive Andy Wood told BBC Radio 4's Today Programme the CBI brand was "beyond repair", and it would have to "reinvent itself root and branch". He pointed to the CBI's role in helping to design the furlough scheme, which paid part of workers' wages during the pandemic, as one of its great successes. Story continues But Adnams is a member of two industry-specific trade associations that can also speak on its behalf. "It may be that there's a need for those trade associations and business groups to come together on an ad hoc basis, if we were ever faced with something like the pandemic or something that affects the whole of industry, but I do think that people like the British Beer and Pub Association or UK Hospitality do a great job. So let's see where that leads us." Vice president of the CBI, Lord Karan Bilimoria, told the BBC he was determined to put things right following the allegations. Speaking to the Today programme, he said "mistakes have been made", adding there will be a "complete review of the culture, one-to-one sessions with every employee in the organisation... So we reset completely and learn from all the mistakes". Retailer John Lewis also quit the lobbying organisation, which claims to represent 190,000 companies. John Lewis said it made the decision "due to the further very serious and ongoing allegations". Other firms that have quit include: BMW, Virgin Media O2, Vodafone, insurers Aviva, Zurich and Phoenix Group, banking firm Natwest, credit card company Mastercard; B&Q owner Kingfisher; media firm ITV; insurance marketplace Lloyds of London; investment firm Schroders; auditor EY; catering giant Compass and consultants Accenture. The Association of British Insurers has also left, as has Energy UK, which represents energy suppliers. Several well-known firms have announced in recent days that they are quitting as members of the CBI Organisations that have suspended membership include: pharmaceutical giants GSK and AstraZeneca; airports operator Heathrow; retailers Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, and Marks & Spencer; banking group Santander; National Grid, Octopus Energy and Scottish Power; drinks giant Diageo; Rolls Royce; Unilever; BT; property company British Land; accountancy giant PwC; Manpower Group; British Beer and Pub Association; Shell and BP; Nissan; Royal Mail; Uber; Facebook owner Meta; Paddy Power owner Flutter Entertainment; Nurofen maker Reckitt; and FTSE 100 hotel group IHG which owns Holiday Inn. The government had already announced that it was pausing its engagement with the business group. Last week the British Insurance Brokers' Association said it had withdrawn its membership "in light of recent reports". The CBI - which employs more than 300 people - has been in crisis since allegations of a rape at one of its summer parties in 2019 and other sexual misconduct at the organisation emerged earlier this month. Three employees have been suspended pending the outcome of an investigation by law firm Fox Williams. The group's director-general was dismissed over separate complaints. Analysis box by Simon Jack, business editor For nearly 60 years, the CBI has tried to project the image of business as a force for good. It has lobbied government in the interests of member firms while promoting and sharing best practice among them. But currently its future is in real doubt. Until Friday, most membership-paying firms had said they would wait for the results of an independent investigation into allegations of misconduct at CBI events - including rape and drug use - before deciding their relationship with the organisation. But a second allegation of rape in an overseas CBI office started a trickle that turned into a flood of businesses suspending or cancelling their membership. The CBI has tried to move at pace, announcing it is fast-tracking the return of former chief economist Rain Newton-Smith to take up the post of director general. But on Friday it acknowledged the gravity of the exodus and announced it would suspend all membership activity until an emergency general meeting in June. It's unclear how much difference the findings of the Fox Williams report, expected early next week, will make to a shocked membership and a cautious government which has also suspended engagement. And bear in mind, given the seriousness of the allegations, the police have started their own investigation and it is not a given that members - or indeed the government - will re-engage with a criminal investigation hanging over some employees. Make no mistake, the future of an organisation which has described itself as "the voice of business" in the UK is in serious doubt this weekend. Staff concerns A source close to employees at the CBI said the crisis of the past few weeks had taken an "emotional toll" on staff. "At first there was relief that people were talking about it," the source said. "It felt as though taking it public was holding management to account." "But now, as darker allegations have come out, this has been hard on the staff." The source said there had been "an avalanche" of members resigning and that staff are concerned about their jobs. "They're worried about whether the business will still be here tomorrow," the source said. Staff will continue to work and be paid as normal until at least June, the BBC understands. Banner saying 'Get in touch' If you work or have worked at the CBI and wish to share your experience, contact the BBC in confidence by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also get in touch in the following ways: If you are reading this page and can't see the form you will need to visit the mobile version of the BBC website to submit your question or comment or you can email us at HaveYourSay@bbc.co.uk. Please include your name, age and location with any submission. The Celebrity Equinox cruise ship. Manfred Segerer/ullstein bild via Getty Images The wife and family of a man who died of a heart attack on a cruise ship is suing Celebrity Cruises. They allege that Robert Jones' corpse was stored in the ship's walk-in drinks cooler for six days. Cruise ships are required to have working morgues, but the family say Celebrity Equinox's was broken. An elderly man's corpse was left to rot for six days in a drinks cooler onboard a cruise ship after he died on board, according to a civil lawsuit against Celebrity Cruises. In a complaint filed in Florida federal court on Wednesday, the family of the Robert Jones, who was 78, accuses the cruise line of improperly storing his body after death, resulting in its decomposition. The Miami New Times was the first publication to report on the lawsuit. The lawsuit accuses Celebrity of concealing the fact that it didn't have a working morgue on board, and discouraging Jones's wife from taking her husband's body to be processed in Puerto Rico. The body was found by a funeral worker lying in a bag on the cooler floor, the complaint said. The plaintiffs his wife, daughters, and grandchildren are seeking $1 million in compensatory damages. The lawsuit said that Jones died of a heart attack on board the Celebrity Equinox in the summer of 2022. His wife, Marilyn Jones, was given two options for what to do with her late husband's body, per the complaint. She could have his body removed from the ship in San Juan, Puerto Rico, or leave it on board until the ship reached Fort Lauderdale, Florida, six days later. According to the lawsuit, the ship's personnel gave Jones a list of reasons not to take the Puerto Rico option. They said that it would require her to stay in San Juan and arrange the transport of herself and the body to the mainland US herself, per the complaint. It also alleged that Jones was told Puerto Rican authorities might insist on an autopsy, delaying the return of the body. The other option was to keep the body in the morgue, which is what Jones chose. Cruise ships are legally required to have morgues because deaths onboard are so common. They can store bodies for weeks without decomposition. Story continues However, per the complaint, the morgue was out of action, and Jones's body was instead put in a drinks cooler that wasn't cold enough to refrigerate a body. The complaint said that a funeral-home worker and a sheriff's deputy from Broward County went to collect the corpse and found it improperly stored. "The cooler in which Mr. Jones' body was found by the funeral employee had drinks placed outside of the cooler and was not at a temperature which was sufficient nor proper for storing a dead body to prevent decomposition," the complaint said. The body was not located on a bed or a medical table and was lying in a bag on a palette on the cooler's floor, the complaint said. The lawsuit claims that the poor storage meant the body could not be made presentable for an open-casket wake and funeral, depriving the family of the funeral they wanted. The lawsuit accuses Celebrity Cruises of acting "recklessly, willfully, and wantonly, and without care for the Jones family's loved one" by failing to ensure that the morgue was working and the remains were stored carefully. Celebrity Cruises did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. Read the original article on Insider With Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month coming up in May, a new group is finding ways to elevate the voices of Asian Americans in Centre County and help people learn more about the diversity of Asia. The PanAPIDA Circle formed in 2020 when Nalini Krishnankutty, now a State College Borough Council member, and District Judge Donald Hahn, who was mayor of State College at the time, were on the Pennsylvania Governors Advisory Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs, and they wanted to increase representation of the APIDA community. The APIDA community is the largest racially minoritized group in Centre County, making up a little more than 6% of the population. APIDA stands for Asian Pacific Islander Desi American, and Krishnankutty said she wanted to name the group PanAPIDA Circle to include anyone who identifies as Asian but may not traditionally be considered Asian by others, such as people from the Middle East. In April 2021, Krishnankutty said she got a group together on Zoom to talk about their personal experiences and sense of identity within the community. Krishnankutty is a first-generation immigrant who spent the first 21 years of her life in India. Asian American is a very externally constructed identity. There are no Asians in Asia, Krishnankutty said. There are Indians and Pakistanis and Nepalese and Bhutanese and Chinese and Japanese and Koreans, right? Theres no real (overarching) identity. Hahn said he believes theres a fragmentation of identity between Asian Americans because each group considers itself somewhat separate from each other due to the fact that the individual Asian American communities are so small. He said thats why its important for not only non-Asian community members to appreciate the APIDA community, but for different Asian groups to interact and understand each others cultures. I think that hopefully this will result in a greater understanding but also greater knowledge of how to help each other, Hahn said, and break down the isolation of each discrete group of Asian Americans. Story continues Krishnankutty said she and Hahn reached out to local government, school districts and other organizations to speak about the Asian experience, but when COVID sparked Asian hate around the country, their efforts shifted to spreading anti-hate messages. The PanAPIDA Circle participated in State Colleges LION Bash and created a flyer on how to report hate and bias in Centre County. We didnt want to only be a group thats standing up against something; we also want it to be for like elevate the voices and experiences, and also, lets celebrate APIDA joy, Krishnankutty said. The organization then partnered with the Bellefonte Art Museum to create an exhibit called Into the Light: A Tapestry of Art and Culture from Local Asian Pacific Islander Desi Americans. The group was looking to connect with artists in the area who identified with the APIDA community to showcase their talents, and by the time the exhibit was up last spring, about 21 artists work were displayed. The PanAPIDA Circles other goal is to connect with groups like the Penn State APIDA Caucus and set up booths at local events. The caucus reached out to the PanAPIDA Circle for help with planning State Colleges first-ever APIDA Heritage Festival, which will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza downtown. The celebration will feature food vendors, local art, performances, henna and photo booths to showcase the diversity within the Asian community. Whats beautiful about this is this festival is going to be one where we really are going to have a town and gown collaboration, Krishnankutty said. This is also about the students claiming the town as their own and the community group helping to bring both the APIDA residents who live here to come and participate as well as organizations. Tehreem Syed, vice president of the Penn State APIDA Caucus, said shes looking forward to the festival because it gives students and locals a chance to learn about other cultures. Syed is a senior studying biology and is also the vice president of the Penn State Pakistani Students Association. She lived in Pakistan until she was about 14. Heritage month, to me, is just appreciating everything, like where I come from, all the traditions, everything, Syed said. Its just special. Cecil Houseknecht, an intern for the PanAPIDA Circle, said he stayed in State College after graduating from Penn State last spring because he saw there was APIDA advocacy work to be done. Ive worked with a lot of people that oftentimes feel invisible, and it could be in educational spaces or in other spaces throughout the community, Houseknecht said. They dont feel like theyre represented necessarily in the best way. He said the festival will give the APIDA community a chance to feel seen and will help teach other people about the diversity of APIDA culture to make State College a safe and welcoming space. Looking at the PanAPIDA Circles future plans, Houseknecht said the group hopes to continue building a presence on social media and getting involved in more programming and events in the area. The APIDA community is here. Its thriving in State College, and we want to continue expanding spaces and opportunities for these communities, Houseknecht said. Krishnankutty said her hope is that Saturdays festival and Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month will give visibility to an experience. My hope with all of this is that the APIDA community begins to see themselves in all facets of life in Centre County, Krishnankutty said, and all of us that live in Centre County begin to see how the APIDA community is an integral part of it. For more information on the PanAPIDA Circle, visit its Facebook page. Charges have been dropped against Alec Baldwin in the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of his Western movie Rust after new facts surfaced in recent days, officials said Thursday. The announcement came 2 months after New Mexico prosecutors filed involuntary manslaughter charges against Baldwin. In a statement, the special prosecutors appointed by New Mexico First Judicial District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies to handle the case said the new facts were revealed as authorities prepared for a May 3 preliminary hearing. The statement, from Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis, does not say what those facts are but says they require additional investigation and forensic analysis. Consequently, we cannot proceed under the current time constraints and on the facts and evidence turned over by law enforcement in its existing form, the prosecutors said. We therefore will be dismissing the involuntary manslaughter charges against Mr. Baldwin to conduct further investigation. The prosecutors added that decision does not absolve Mr. Baldwin of criminal culpability. Charges may be refiled, they said. The charges against Baldwins co-defendant, Rust armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, remain unchanged, the prosecutors said. Baldwins lawyers, Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro, applauded the decision and said in a joint statement that they encourage a proper investigation into the facts and circumstances of this tragic accident. Lawyers for Gutierrez-Reed said the special prosecutors had undertaken a diligent and thorough approach to the entire investigation, which we welcome and have always welcomed. They are seeking the truth and we are also, attorneys Jason Bowles and Todd Bullion said in a statement. The truth about what happened will come out and the questions that we have long sought answers for will be answered. We fully expect at the end of this process that Hannah will also be exonerated. Story continues University of New Mexico law professor Joshua Kastenberg, a former lawyer and judge in the Air Force who had questioned the strength of the DAs case, said he was still surprised by the sudden turn of events Thursday. What probably shocked me the most is that I just feel badly for the family of the woman who died, Kastenberg said. Im sure its difficult for them to handle the decision not to prosecute Baldwin, he said. Nothing was ever going to bring their kid back, so Im sure theres a lot of frustrations there. Image: Director of photography Halyna Hutchins on the set of Hutchins, 42, was shot and killed Oct. 21, 2021, during filming at the Bonanza Creek Ranch in New Mexico. Baldwin was rehearsing with a pistol for a scene when the gun went off, killing Hutchins and wounding director Joel Souza. The case appeared to be fraught from the start, when special prosecutor Andrea Reeb was forced to resign amid defense claims that she had a conflict of interest. Reeb is also a New Mexico state representative, and her work for the DA would mean she occupies two separate lanes of government that should be separated, Baldwins team said. The district attorney is considered to be a member of either the judicial or executive branch of the New Mexico government, Baldwins legal team said in a filing. And legal analysts said the state was always going to have a difficult burden to prove Hutchins death was anything more than a tragic accident. Filming on Rust resumed Thursday at Yellowstone Ranch in Montana. The movie is expected to need at least 20 more days of filming, and Baldwin was on the set Thursday, sources close to the production said. The movies plot centers on a 13-year-old boy left to fend for himself and his younger brother after their parents deaths in 1880s Kansas. The youngsters go on the run with their long-estranged grandfather Harland Rust, played by Baldwin, after hes sentenced to hang for the accidental killing of a local rancher. This story first appeared on NBCNews.com. This article was originally published on TODAY.com An unclaimed Powerball ticket worth $1.5 million was bought at a gas station in the Bay Area in October and must be claimed by Monday, according to the California Lottery. (Jae C. Hong / Associated Press) Whoever bought a winning Powerball ticket worth $1.5 million only has until Monday to claim the prize, according to the California Lottery. The winning ticket with numbers 19, 36, 37, 46 and 56 was purchased Oct. 26 at a Mobil gas station on Los Gatos Boulevard in Santa Clara County, according to a lottery news release. It was one of two from that drawing that matched five numbers but missed the Powerball number; the other ticket, sold in Southern California, has already been claimed. Powerball winners have 180 days from the date of the draw to claim their prize. If it goes unclaimed, the money will go to public schools in California. Lottery officials advised anyone who bought a ticket from the Los Gatos gas station to search their wallet, car or anywhere else they might have left a Powerball ticket. There's no way to tell whether it was a resident or someone passing through who bought the ticket. If someone believes they have the winning ticket, they should sign the back and go to one of California Lottery's offices to complete an official claim form. There are locations in Milpitas and Richmond in the Bay Area. The winner can also send in a claim form and winning ticket by mail; the ticket needs to be claimed in person or postmarked by Monday. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Chevalier de Saint-Georges, Joseph Bologne, was a violin virtuoso, composer and fencer in 18th Century France, but the history of this man, often referred to as "Black Mozart," has largely been erased. Now Atlanta writer Stefani Robinson has crafted the story of Bologne for the screen with the movie Chevalier (now in theatres), directed by Canadian Stephen Williams, starring Kelvin Harrison Jr., Lucy Boynton and Samara Weaving. It focuses on the time of Bologne's falling out with the Queen of France, Marie Antoinette and her court. "I was embarrassed to admit that I had literally never heard of this person who was so accomplished," Williams told Yahoo Canada. "Then once I started kind of exploring and investigating more, acquainting myself and educating myself more about Joseph Bologne's life, I started to see that there was a kind of cultural relevance to some of the events that were unfolding in pre-revolutionary France and our present moment." "The more things change, the more they stay the same. That was inescapable in reading the script and acquainting myself with the events of Joseph Bologne's life." Kelvin Harrison Jr. in the film CHEVALIER. (Larry Horricks/Searchlight Pictures) Who was Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges? Born on the island of Guadeloupe in 1745, Bologne was the illegitimate son of an African slave and a French plantation owner. His father sent him to Paris as a child, where he studied at the prestigious La Boessiere Academy and proved to be a particularly gifted learner. Writing some of the worlds first string quartets, Bologne was made an officer of the Kings Guard and became known as Chevalier de Saint-Georges in 1762. He was set to be the first person of colour to head the Paris Opera, but racism prevented that from happening and he ultimately rebelled against the aristocracy. Bologne went on to lead the first all-Black regiment in the French Revolution. Bologne died in 1799 and in 1802, Napoleon Bonaparte reinstated slavery in France, and Bologne's musical works were destroyed, and largely forgotten. As his music has been rediscovered over time, Bologne is recognized as the first known Black classical composer. Story continues For Williams, the director felt a personal connection to Bologne as he continued to learn about the virtuoso's story. "On a personal level, Joseph was from an island in the Caribbean, Guadeloupe, and he made his way to Europe, taken by his father at a very young age," Williams said. "I was born in another Caribbean island, Jamaica, made my way to Europe at roughly the same age as Joseph." "So there were many aspects of the trajectory of his personal journey and his life that I recognized, and that I identified with, and connected to." For Harrison Jr., the way Bologne presented himself in this French society was particularly interesting, prompting him to take on the lead role in Chevalier. "I found it fascinating that a man can be the only Black man in French society at this level, and to kind of move the way he does, because most of us feel like we need to diminish ourselves and become really small in these spaces in order to survive," Harrison Jr. said. "Joseph kind of was like, no, you'll see me and you'll see my talent." "I thought it was kind of fun and playful. I liked his confidence, that I think I turned it into a little bit more cockiness." The actor, who was raised in a talented musical family, described the preparation process as "very intense," having to transform into a violin virtuoso with masterful fencing skills. "They did not let up on me, they said we want to honour Joseph in the fullness of what he brought to the table," Harrison Jr. said. "My dad gave me a system, which consisted of six hours a day for seven days a week, for five months. ... That was that was definitely very scary, but it was exciting." Kelvin Harrison Jr. in the film CHEVALIER (Larry Horricks/Searchlight Pictures) 'I did want it to feel almost operatic in how it was told' When it came to translating the impressive story for a film, Robinson didn't just want to create a standard biopic, she wanted it to feel "operatic." "I think it was important to showcase the music of it all, because that was also the thing that just really attracted me to his story, that he was such a phenomenal musician and he was, by all accounts, a rockstar of his day," she said. "I think because I am a creative, his creative journey was the thing that I think spoke to me. ... I understand what his relationship was like, being a Black person who was pressured into being excellent, ... had never really stopped working and leaned into his pursuits as a way of, I think, essentially just surviving the time." One barrier Robinson had to contend with was the fact that there aren't any accessible firsthand accounts of what Bologne was feeling, particularly when he rebelled against the monarchy. "There were no letters that spoke to this from him, there were no diary entries that spoke to this feelings," she said. "We sort of took the clues and the information in the facts that were there." "We don't have proof that these are the things that radicalized him, or change his mind, ... but our artistic liberties to what was spiritually probably true was, ... if these things happen, ultimately they probably did in some way contribute to a sort of shift in ideological perspective." Lucy Boynton in the film CHEVALIER (Searchlight Pictures) 'I have a lot of sympathy for a lot of these female characters' The story of Chevalier also places significant attention on Bologne's relationship with Marie Antoinette (Boynton) and his love affair with Marie-Josephine de Comarieu, wife of the Marquise de Montalembert. Robinson stressed that she ultimately wanted the supporting women in the film to "have their own agency" and not just be one-note characters. "I just wanted to get into understanding why they were doing what they're doing, even if it was unsavoury, or cowardly or complicated, that they all seem complicated and layered, and not necessarily villainous for the sake of being villainous," Robinson said. "I have a lot of sympathy for a lot of these female characters and Marie Antoinette being one of them, someone's interpretation could be that she is a villain and ... she's so horrible in this movie, ... and I think those things are probably true." "[But] she is a young queen, she didn't ask to be queen, she was married off when she was a teenager. ... The entire country is criticizing this poor woman. ... For so many years, she was unable to give her husband a male heir, which made her life incredibly disposable in a way. ... I don't think that she could trust many people and so when you, I guess, understand her as the person and why she's making the choices that she's making, some may say that she's just doing the best she can." Boynton highlighted that she believes if Marie Antoinette was villainized for the things she does to Bologne in the film, it would have been "more legitimate" than the criticism she did receive. "Instead, she has been villainized for things that she had no control over, for example, giving bad advice to her husband, the King," Boynton stressed. "I think I had to approach research by just putting all of that away, putting all of these preconceived ideas about her down and starting from scratch." "I think that enabled me to start with a really open minded idea of an interpretation of why she is the way that she is, and learning about how young she was when she entered the French court. ... Women weren't educated, they were told that they were breeders. So therefore, their actions don't really have much consequence. That, combined with how sheltered her life was in Versailles, I think informed so much of the performance and how I understood her way of thinking." Boynton also identified that Marie Antoinette is "quite aggressively the main character of her own story," and when she recognized Bologne's talents, there was "a self-serving motivation where she wanted to be seen with him." Kelvin Harrison Jr., Samara Weaving and Alex Fizalan in the film CHEVALIER. (Larry Horricks/Searchlight Pictures) For Weaving, playing Marie-Josephine, the actor was particularly attracted to embodying someone who was written as "a powerhouse of a woman." "I just was astounded that this is a real person and she took such insane risks and was so brave, because ... being a woman in that era, your class and status was directly correlated to who your father was, or to who your husband was," Weaving said. "You had no choice or say in the matter." "Women couldn't own land, or have income, or work at all. So I can't believe that Marie-Josephine actually went against her husband's wishes and said, you know what, I'm not accepting this reality. I want to sing I want to create, ... I want passion, and just went for it. I think that was both naive and super brave, and that's why I love her." Weaving herself was also moved by now much the content of this period drama is still so relevant today. "I think that is the heartbreaking thing about it and that's what made me really think when I read the script," Weaving said. "Yes this is hundreds of years ago, but it's still not as foreign as I would like." "A year after we finished filming, they reversed the abortion rights [in the U.S.]. I couldn't believe it. I was like, we're still fighting these men that want to tell us what to do with our bodies. I think there's so many human rights issues that are dealt with in this film that are still happening today, which is super depressing." By Alexander Villegas and Ernest Scheyder SANTIAGO (Reuters) - Chile's President Gabriel Boric said on Thursday he would nationalize the country's lithium industry, the world's second largest producer of the metal essential in electric vehicle batteries, to boost its economy and protect its environment. The shock move in the country with the world's largest lithium reserves would in time transfer control of Chile's vast lithium operations from industry giants SQM and Albemarle to a separate state-owned company. It poses a fresh challenge to electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers scrambling to secure battery materials, as more countries look to protect their natural resources. Mexico nationalized its lithium deposits last year, and Indonesia banned exports of nickel ore, a key battery material, in 2020. Graphic: Growing concerns about lithium shortages https://www.reuters.com/graphics/CHILE-LITHIUM/gdvzqbynypw/graphic.jpg Mexico is also working with governments of Argentina, Bolivia and Chile to create a lithium association so the countries, which together account for more than half the world's reserves, can share their expertise to exploit the mineral. "This is the best chance we have at transitioning to a sustainable and developed economy. We can't afford to waste it," Boric said in an address televised nationwide. Future lithium contracts would only be issued as public-private partnerships with state control, he said. An attempt last year to overhaul mining rights faced fierce opposition from the mining sector and was voted down. The government would not terminate current contracts, but hoped companies would be open to state participation before they expire, he said, without naming Albemarle and SQM, the world's No.1 and No.2 lithium producers respectively. SQM's contract is set to expire in 2030 and Albemarle's in 2043. SQM, formally called Sociedad Quimica Y Minera de Chile, and Albemarle supply Tesla Inc, LG Energy Solution Ltd and other EV and battery manufacturers. Story continues Albemarle said the announcement would have "no material impact on our business" and it would continue talks on investing in further growth and using new technologies in Chile. SQM and China's Tianqi Lithium Corp, the second largest shareholder of SQM, did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment. South Korean battery maker SK On, which has a long-term supply contract with SQM, said it would monitor the development and respond with a long-term view. The announcement by Chile helped spark a lithium price rally in Asia in volatile trade on Friday, as it eased market concerns over excess supply triggered by a sharp slowdown this year in EV sales in China, the world's biggest auto market. The most-traded lithium carbonate futures on the Wuxi Stainless Steel Exchange in China jumped 11% after falling nearly 11% earlier on Friday. Spot lithium prices have plunged more than 70% from a November peak. Graphic: Falling lithium prices - https://www.reuters.com/graphics/CHILE-LITHIUM/movakdnjmva/chart.png "When or if battery makers renew their contracts with lithium firms in Chile, contract conditions would likely become more difficult than what they saw in the past when there was no state involvement," said Cho Hyunryul, an analyst at Samsung Securities. The move is likely to spur a shift in future investment in lithium to other countries including Australia, the world's biggest producer, analysts said. "Policy stability is very important for any mining project ... Mining-friendly jurisdictions like Australia would be places where incremental funds get invested," said Harsh Bardia, an analyst at National Australia Bank's private wealth arm JBWere. Graphic: Lithium production - https://www.reuters.com/graphics/CHILE-LITHIUM/byvrlejrxve/Lithhium_prod.jpg CODELCO ROLE Boric said state-owned Codelco, the world's largest copper producer, will be tasked to find the best way forward for a state-owned lithium company and he would seek approval from Congress for the plan in the second half of the year. Congress has been a check on many of Boric's more ambitious proposals and shelved a proposed tax reform bill in early March. Codelco and state miner Enami will be given exploration and extraction contracts in areas where there are now private projects before the national lithium company is formed. A division will be dedicated to advancing technology to minimize environmental impacts, including favoring direct lithium extraction over evaporation ponds. Privately held Summit Nanotech Corp, which is developing direct lithium extraction technology, welcomed the announcement. Boric said the country would look to protect biodiversity and share mining benefits with indigenous and surrounding communities. "Today we present a national lithium strategy that's technically solid and ambitious," the president said, adding it would build "a Chile that distributes wealth we all generate in a more just way". Graphic: Lithium reserves - https://www.reuters.com/graphics/CHILE-LITHIUM/klpygbkzopg/lithium_reserves.jpg (Reporting by Alexander Villegas and Ernest Scheyder; Additional reporting by Praveen Menon in Sydney, Heekyong Yang in Seoul and Siyi Liu in Beijing; Editing by Miyoung Kim, Sonali Paul, Elaine Hardcastle) Beijing at night By the middle of 2022, Chinas top leadership had stopped mentioning their target for GDP growth. It was already clear that theyd fall short of the 5.5 per cent figure set at the beginning of that year, with the Politburo instead saying that they strove for the best possible results. In the end, a series of fierce nationwide lockdowns combined with the global impact of the Russian invasion meant that the economy grew by a measly 3 per cent in the year. The bottom had fallen out of Chinas miraculous growth machine. So when newly released figures from this week showed that the Chinese economy grew by 4.5 per cent in the first quarter of 2023, Beijing and its usual defenders were jubilant. March retail sales were up 10.6 per cent compared to the previous March, while exports were up nearly 15 per cent. New home prices rose at the fastest pace in 21 months. After the annus horribilis of 2022, China is on track to hit its GDP growth target in 2023 (5 per cent). The Q1 rebound has exceeded expectations. The Global Times, that ever-gracious tabloid, called it a slap in the face for western media. But the reality is not so rosy, as much as these figures should be welcomed. Chinas growth is not only good news for its people, who have suffered through an economic nightmare in the zero Covid years, but for the rest of the world as we face the very real possibility of a global recession. Rishi Sunak and most western leaders would kill for any growth at all. But in truth, the Chinese rebound is just a post-Covid bounce. The long-term outlook for the countrys economy and its living standards is perhaps the most grim it has been since the economy first opened up. As recently as 2011, Beijing expected around 10 per cent GDP growth each year. You can question the accuracy of the numbers, but the reality is that everyone who lived in China could see and feel the breakneck progress. They include my family, who went from farm to city in one generation. Economists like Joseph Stiglitz started talking about how this would be the Chinese century, when the Peoples Republic overtakes the US to be the worlds largest economy. Story continues But now the optimism of those years is a relic. Young Chinese say they want to lie flat rather than enter an increasingly competitive jobs market, while billionaires tunnel as much money out of the country as they can. Homeowners are concerned about a potential housing market crash, with unprecedented boycotts on mortgage payments across dozens of cities last summer. These less happy tales are reflected in this weeks numbers too, though the Global Times isnt talking about that. Private investment has barely grown compared to Q1 2022 an indictment on the lack of business confidence in the country. Real estate investment actually fell, by almost 6 per cent, suggesting the property market is still in the danger zone. And, perhaps most worrying of all for the CCP, youth unemployment continues to be at near record highs, with almost a fifth of 16 to 24 year olds out of work. Beijing may have bought acquiescence from my parents generation with economic competence, but that argument is difficult to make to younger Chinese when their prospects are so thin. Some of these are symptoms of structural issues, like the debt racked up by government and companies alike (driving growth through infrastructure spending or building new homes). Some reflect long term changes, such as the rapidly ageing population, made worse by almost four decades of the now-defunct one child policy. India will officially overtake China as the worlds largest country this year. But others come from more recent and self-inflicted blows, like Beijings crackdown on the countrys highly successful tech entrepreneurs or the zero Covid years which shuttered so many businesses. The US-led campaign to decouple has also stung, judging by the 15 per cent drop in Chinas output of semiconductors after Washingtons introduction of the CHIPS Act. Even the most bullish economists are rethinking their forecasts. In January 2021, the Centre for Economics and Business Research, a UK think tank, argued that the Chinese economy will overtake the US by 2028. In 2022, that date was revised to 2030. And now, in its latest prediction this year, the CEBR guesses 2036, with a big caveat that this point may never come if China invades Taiwan. Other economists are less optimistic. So Beijing should celebrate its 4.5 per cent growth while it can its from a historically low base, after all. But what will next year bring, and the years after that? According to some, the Chinese government shouldnt expect more than 2 to 3 per cent growth each year. If so, the days of miracle growth would be over. China will still be a powerful challenge to the US-led world order. But at this rate, the postulated Chinese century may be a tomorrow that never comes. Chinas foreign minister on Friday ramped up threats against Taiwan and warned countries supporting the self-governed island that they were "playing with fire". Qin Gang made the remarks at the end of a speech espousing China's contribution to the global economy and the interests of developing nations, in which he repeatedly praised Chinese president Xi Jinping's Global Security Initiative. At the end of the speech in Shanghai, Mr Qin spoke about what he called the "Taiwan problem", adding that both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to China. "The safeguarding of national sovereignty and territorial integrity is beyond reproach," he said. "The Taiwan problem is at the core of China's core interests. It is not the Chinese mainland, but the Taiwan independence separatist forces and a handful of countries attempting to disrupt the status quo. "We will never back down in the face of any act that undermines China's sovereignty and security. "Those who play with fire on the question of Taiwan will burn themselves." China, which maintains that the island is part of its national territory, has often used the phrase "playing with fire" over the years to warn Taiwan's allies. Beijing claims Taipei is obliged to reunite with the mainland, by force if necessary, and has no right to conduct foreign relations. Taiwan has been self-ruled since it split from the mainland in 1949 following a civil war. While Taiwan maintains official diplomatic relations with just 13 sovereign nations, it retains robust ties with most major countries, including the US. "Recently there has been absurd rhetoric accusing China of upending the status quo, disrupting peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait," Mr Qin said. "The logic is absurd and the conclusion dangerous." He added that "fair-minded people can see who is engaged in hegemonic bullying and high-minded practices." Story continues The criticism comes at the heels of Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wens meeting with US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in California. Beijing responded to Ms Tsais visit by launching a three-day combat readiness patrol that opened an opportunity for the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) to practice sealing off the island by blocking sea and air traffic. The unprecedented war games were intended as a serious warning to pro-independence politicians on the self-governing island and their foreign supporters. China had responded with similar war games, albeit smaller in scale, following former House speaker Nancy Pelosis visit to Taipei in August last year. SHANGHAI (Reuters) -China's Foreign Minister Qin Gang said on Friday that both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to China, and that it is right and proper for China to uphold its sovereignty. Qin made the remarks at the Lanting Forum in Shanghai, where he discussed a wide range of topics from debt, the global economy, and Taiwan. "Recently there has been absurd rhetoric accusing China of upending the status quo, disrupting peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait," Qin said. "The logic is absurd and the conclusion dangerous." He added that "fair-minded people can see who is engaged in hegemonic bullying and high-minded practices." "It is not the Chinese mainland, but the Taiwan independence separatist forces and a handful of countries attempting to disrupt the status quo," Qin said. "Those who play with fire on Taiwan will eventually get themselves burned." China recently held military exercises around the self-ruled island after Taiwan's president, Tsai Ing-wen, returned to Taipei following a meeting in Los Angeles with U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Beijing views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, a claim the government in Taipei strongly rejects, and routinely denounces high-level meetings between Taiwanese and foreign leaders and officials. (Reporting by Casey Hall; Writing by Bernard Orr; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman and Gerry Doyle) Topeka police made an arrest Thursday in connection with a homicide committed Monday at this scene in the 2300 block of S.E. Bellview Avenue. Topeka police Thursday arrested Christopher Lamar Brown, 36, of Topeka, in connection with crimes linked to Monday's shooting death of Sherman Coleman Jr. Brown was booked at 4:30 p.m. into the Shawnee County Jail, where records showed he was being held without bond late Thursday in connection with one count each of first-degree murder, criminal possession of a weapon and violating the Kansas Offender Registration Act. Police said Brown was arrested in connection with the killing of Coleman, 33, of Topeka, who was found to be suffering from a gunshot wound when officers were called shortly after 6:30 p.m. Monday to the 2300 block of S.E. Bellview Avenue. Bellview runs north and south and is located about six blocks east of S.E. California Avenue. Coleman was taken to a Topeka hospital, where he was pronounced deceased, said Topeka police Lt. Ed Stanley. Kansas Department of Corrections records show Brown served prison time for attempted second-degree murder linked to a 2012 shooting committed in Shawnee County that wounded a man who survived. Contact Tim Hrenchir at threnchir@gannett.com or 785-213-5934. This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Arrest made in southeast Topeka shooting death of Sherman Coleman Jr. The House intelligence committee is investigating whether the Central Intelligence Agency is mishandling how it responds to sexual assault and harassment in its workforce, according to four people familiar with the matter. At least three female CIA employees have approached the committee since January to tell them that the agency is discouraging women from making sexual misconduct complaints, according to one of the people, attorney Kevin Carroll, who represents the first employee who talked to the committee. He also said the CIA is making it difficult for alleged victims to speak to law enforcement. The allegations led committee chair Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio) and ranking member Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.) to send a letter last week to CIA director Bill Burns to ask for the agencys help looking into the issues, according to another of the four people, who was granted anonymity to discuss the private letter. Burns responded within 24 hours and pledged full cooperation, according to a senior CIA official. Carroll said his client has told him that as many as 54 women at the CIA over the past decade have said they were been victims of sexual assault or misconduct by colleagues, and that their cases were improperly handled. POLITICO could not independently verify that assertion. This is the CIAs Me Too moment, said Carroll, who is a partner at the firm Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP and is representing the victim pro bono. The investigation started when one female CIA employee approached the committee in January and said that the agency had not punished a male colleague who had allegedly physically assaulted her and tried to forcibly kiss her repeatedly, according to Carroll and a copy of the complaint the woman made to local law enforcement. She said that she quickly reported the attack to numerous offices at the CIA, but nothing was done. She also said she was told by officials in the CIAs security office that if she reported the incident to law enforcement, they would not protect her anymore from the alleged assailant. She said she was warned that moving forward with the allegation could end her career at the agency, according to Carroll and the complaint. Story continues He said the CIA also threatened the women who were going to Congress with adverse consequences if they spoke out. The CIA denied that the agency had tried to prevent the women from speaking to Congress. This idea that theres some threatening [of] officers who want to talk to HPSCI, thats not true, said the senior CIA official, referring to the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. We havent threatened or blocked anybody. Carroll said that the committees staff have been busy talking to the women, comparing it to client intake. Local county law enforcement is pursuing the first womans case as a misdemeanor, according to a document viewed by POLITICO, which is not sharing more details about the case in deference to her security concerns. We greatly appreciate the assistance of local law enforcement, Carroll said. If federal law enforcement had taken a similar interest, the charge would be felony sex assault. In a joint statement to POLITICO, Turner and Himes said: Sexual assault is a heinous crime. Our committee is committed to addressing this matter and protecting those who are serving their country. We have been in contact with Director Burns, and he is fully committed to working with us on this issue. When asked for comment, CIA spokesperson Tammy Kupperman Thorp said in a statement that there can be no tolerance for sexual assault or harassment at CIA. The Director and senior CIA leaders have personally met with officers to understand their concerns and to take swift action, she said. We have established an office to work closely with survivors of sexual assault, and we are committed to treating every concern raised by members of the workforce with the utmost seriousness. She added that Burns and the agencys senior leadership team is fully engaged on the issue and tracking it closely. We are committed to supporting the House Intelligence Committees investigation and are keeping the Committee updated on our progress, she said. The senior CIA official, who was granted anonymity to speak candidly about the agencys inner workings, disputed that the CIA impedes alleged victims who want to approach law enforcement. The official said the agency is required by law to refer allegations of criminal sexual misconduct to law enforcement, and they do so. But the official added that in some cases, law enforcement declines to prosecute and so the CIA takes appropriate action. At the same time, the person said that even before the letter from Congress, we obviously recognize that we have to make some changes and improvements. The official said that the reporting process is difficult for some people to navigate and that the agency is in the process of hiring an expert from the outside with decades of experience on combating sexual assault in the workforce to lead its new Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office. The official said there are only a handful of officers who currently work in the office but that they expect to increase staffing. Despite the congressional investigation, the official said the issue did not seem to affect many employees. While one incident is too many, this may not be a pervasive problem throughout the agency. We take every single one of these allegations seriously, but it does not appear to be really widespread. The official declined to comment on any specific cases or share the numbers of how many sexual misconduct allegations have been made. Kevin Byrnes, a partner with the law firm FH+H, who is the Equal Employment Opportunity lawyer for the first woman who complained to the committee, said he represents several other female CIA employees who are alleging they were sexually assaulted or harassed in the workplace. He said the agencys security division and EEO office discourages people from filing complaints by claiming its not in the best interests of the women or would trigger disclosure of classified information. The CIA also requires victims to file a complaint within 45 days. CIA employees go through the EEO process to vindicate their rights, according to Byrnes, as well as to secure changes in their working conditions and obtain payment for attorneys fees and compensation for pain and suffering. But the office has been a mechanism for deflection and interference with complaints, he said. The senior CIA official said that the agency is working to fix how the EEO process works and is receiving recommendations for improvements. The person conceded that there have not yet been any tangible improvements made to that process. A second woman who has spoken to committee staff in recent months alleged she was raped by a colleague at the CIA, according to Carroll. He said that the agency did not properly punish the alleged perpetrator. A third woman said that the same thing happened when she was sexually assaulted by a colleague at work, he added. Allegations of sexual assault by CIA officers have surfaced publicly at times in the last 15 years. In 2009, two women said they were drugged and raped by Andrew Warren, the CIAs former station chief in Algeria. A search of his residence found a dozen videotapes of him engaging in sexual acts with women, including some in a semi-conscious state. He pled guilty to the assault and served five years in prison. Two years ago, former CIA officer Brian Jeffrey Raymond pled guilty to a number of federal charges, including sexual abuse. He was accused of drugging and sexually assaulting dozens of women he had met on dating apps over a 14-year period. Raymond was arrested in Mexico City after local authorities responded to a naked woman screaming from his balcony. He was working for the U.S. embassy in Mexico City at the time. BuzzFeed also reported in late 2021 that the agency had accumulated evidence that at least 10 employees and contractors had committed sex crimes that involved children, but despite many of the cases being referred to law enforcement, only one person was charged with a crime. Erin Banco contributed to this report. China's FDI inflow records stable growth in Q1 Xinhua) 08:07, April 21, 2023 This photo taken on Jan. 1, 2023 shows a container ship at Tianjin Port in north China's Tianjin. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo) BEIJING, April 20 (Xinhua) -- Foreign direct investment (FDI) in the Chinese mainland registered steady growth in the first three months of the year, indicating the world's second-largest economy remained a popular destination for global investors. The FDI inflow, in actual use, expanded 4.9 percent year on year to 408.45 billion yuan (about 59.2 billion U.S. dollars) in the January-March period, the Ministry of Commerce said Thursday. More than 10,000 new foreign-invested companies were established in this period, a 25.5-percent increase year on year. In terms of sector-wise figures, FDI in the high-tech industries increased by 18 percent from the same period a year ago, according to the ministry. Specifically, the electronic and telecom equipment manufacturing sector saw FDI surge by 55.7 percent. FDI in services related to research and development (R&D) and design expanded by 24.6 percent, while that in pharmaceutics rose by 20.2 percent. There has been continued improvement in terms of the quality and structure of FDI in China, said ministry spokesperson Shu Jueting. She attributed the improvement to the establishment of foreign-funded R&D centers, the efforts to attract investment in manufacturing, and the country's new industry catalog to encourage foreign investment. During the January-March period, investment from France and Germany surged by 635.5 percent and 60.8 percent year on year, respectively. FDI from the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, Switzerland and the Republic of Korea also recorded stellar growth. FDI from countries along the Belt and Road saw a 27.8-percent increase during these months, according to the ministry. China has rolled out multiple measures to open up wider to the world. One of the fresh moves came on Wednesday, as the country vowed to appropriately shorten the negative list for foreign investment. To this end, efforts have been made to evaluate the effect of the list over the past few years and learn about the demands of foreign-invested enterprises, according to the National Development and Reform Commission. Earlier this month, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng said that China welcomes more multinational companies to tap into the Chinese market, expand their investment and grow along with China's economic development. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan) BERLIN (AP) German climate activists best known for bringing traffic to a standstill by gluing themselves to the road instead staged a rare protest on the move Friday, marching through Berlin and causing gridlock in parts of the capital. Members of the group Last Generation have repeatedly blocked roads across Germany in the past year in an effort to pressure the government to take more drastic action against climate change. On several occasions, they have glued themselves to the roads, enraging some motorists and prompting accusations of extremism from conservative politicians. Friday's protest saw hundreds of activists gather at a major road in the east of Berlin, then march very slowly toward the center, singing along the way. Police tried to get protesters to move off the road but later agreed to let the march continue along a set route. The group said earlier this week that its members would step up their actions in the coming days and try to peacefully bring the city to a standstill." Last Generation wants Germany to stop using all fossil fuels by 2030 and take short-term measures including the imposition of a general speed limit of 100 kilometers per hour (62 mph) on highways as a way of cutting transport emissions. Transport Minister Volker Wissing, who has rejected the idea of a speed limit, plans to meet activists on May 2, his spokesman said. He has sharply criticized the group for its road blockades in the past. Officials warned motorists Friday not to engage in vigilantism against the group. At some earlier protests, activists whose hands were glued to the road were violently dragged away by drivers who were angry at being inconvenienced. The monopoly of force naturally lies with the state and the police in such situations, Interior Ministry spokesman Maximilian Kall said Friday. That's an important principle of the rule of law that always needs to be emphasized. An old clip of Rudy Giuliani appearing in drag alongside Donald Trump has resurfaced on social media, at a time when several Republican-led states are looking to restrict drag performances. The clip shows the future US president pushing his face into the then-New York mayors fake breasts for a comedy sketch. The video was filmed in 2000 when Mr Trump was a property magnate and part of the mayors Inner Circle Press Roast, an annual event which sees New York politicians and White House journalists stage skits and parody themselves for charity. On Twitter, the old clip of the two Republicans resurfaced this week with people pointing out the hypocrisy of the party now going after drag performances. Donald Trump motor-boating Rudy Giuliani in full drag, wrote the Twitter user who shared the video. Meanwhile, these people keep a straight face while they tell us how awful drag is. The skit was good for a few laughs at the turn of the 20th century. But now it reappears routinely to baffle the internet as the lives of its two protagonists take stranger and stranger turns, said a Business Insider report the last time the 2000 clip went viral. Oh, you dirty boy, you! the former mayor can be heard saying and lightly slapping Mr Trump on the face after he pushed his face on to the former mayors chest. Donald, I thought you were a gentleman! Cant say I didnt try! Mr Trump replies. This needs to go viral. If a Democratic did this they would be removed from office so fast your head would spin. These are also the same people who say they hate drag queens and want them to leave their country of birth. https://t.co/YyRxMxZ54c Pamela -Wysox, Pa. (@pam8896) April 21, 2023 The clip had earlier surfaced after Mr Trumps comments about groping and making unwanted advances on women went viral. Story continues It had also gone viral during the 2016 presidential campaign when late-night TV host Stephen Colbert showed it on his show in the wake of an attack by Mr Giuliani, then a Trump campaigner, on Democrat presidential rival Hillary Clinton. The clip is being shared now at a time when a slew of bills mostly in Republican-led states are looking to restrict or prohibit drag show performances in the presence of children. This is why they want to ban all things drag https://t.co/JRNCbriQMG Sebastian Trevino (@setrevi2) April 21, 2023 If drag wasnt rooted in gay culture and rooted in queer community, I dont think itd be up for debate, Jonathan Hamilt, the executive director of Drag Story Hour, a non-profit that features performers reading to children told CNN. Nobody is banning clowns, nobody is banning miming. This is nothing new, this is just the 2023 trending version of what homophobia looks like. Cocaine Bear is the story that keeps on giving or maybe it's the one that just won't go away. The limited-edition Cocaine Bear bobblehead will only be available through the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum online store. The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum launched a figurine of the famous bear in association with Kentucky for Kentucky. The limited edition bobblehead will only be available through the museum's online store and the Kentucky for Kentucky online shop. Nothing makes a bears head bobble more than a bunch of cocaine, Griffin VanMeter from Kentucky for Kentucky said in a press release. Were honored that Cocaine Bear is making its bobblehead debut with the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum. Theyve been amazing partners to develop this Cocaine Bear keepsake withthe first of its kind! The figurine includes a black bear with a bag of cocaine and a plaque describing the incident. It will cost $30 plus $8 for shipping and will be sent in July. The limited-edition Cocaine Bear bobblehead will only be available through the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum online store and the Kentucky for Kentucky online shop. Cocaine Bear rose to fame after the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said a 175-pound black bear had died of a cocaine overdose after it was found dead in the mountains of Fannin County, Georgia, next to 40 opened plastic containers of cocaine. In 2015, VanMeter and Whit Hiler installed a taxidermized body of a bear in Kentucky for Kentucky Fun Mall in Lexington. He later confirmed it was not the real bear. The bear inspired the recent comedy-horror film "Cocaine Bear" which was released in February and is now available to stream on Peacock. The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and can be found online at bobbleheadhall.com. More: Cocaine Bear goes viral after Elizabeth Banks blames him for tripping her at Oscars More: 'Name your price!' Ripley's offers this Kentucky store big money for Cocaine Bear Reach Ana Rocio Alvarez Brinez at abrinez@gannett.com; follow her on Twitter at @SoyAnaAlvarez. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Cocaine Bear bobblehead: Here's where you can order one I'm about to climb into the first "narco-sub" known to have brought cocaine from South America to Europe. It's 20 metres (65 ft) long, built out of fibreglass and - remarkably - homemade. After clambering on top, I lift up the wonky manhole cover and descend into the hull where three men survived for 27 long days and nights, as they voyaged across the Atlantic Ocean just under the surface of the crashing waves. It's cramped, claustrophobic and incredibly primitive. The sunlight tries to creep in from faint cracks in the walls. There is a steering wheel, a couple of basic dials and a rusted key still wedged in the ignition. You can understand why one prospective skipper took one look at the vessel and concluded it was a death trap. Three men and $150m worth of cocaine crossed the Atlantic in the tiny submersible The heat and noise would have been intense as the engine in the back of the sub burned through the 20,000 litres of fuel stored onboard. The crew of two Ecuadorean cousins and a former Spanish boxer set out from the Brazilian rainforest and first travelled along the Amazon river. They had energy bars, cans of sardines and plastic bags they used for toilet facilities. That was about all they had. Apart, of course, from three tonnes of cocaine worth more than $150m (121m). But this was not a lucrative, covert mission neatly accomplished. The sub's journey in late 2019 had been tracked by law enforcement agencies, including the UK's National Crime Agency (NCA). After scuttling their vessel near the coast of Galicia, having run into problems, the men were arrested and jailed. The homemade submarine now sits in a car park in central Spain This piece of history in the fight against international drug trafficking is now a trophy in the car park of the Spanish police academy in Avila. However, it's not a rotting relic of a bygone battle: it's a symbol of a secretly growing phenomenon. Just last month, another sub was discovered off the Spanish coast - again in the Galicia region. "For more than 20 years traffickers have been using submarines to reach Africa and Europe, but these two are the first we've seized," explains Antonio Martinez Duarte, Chief Commissioner of the Narco Brigade in the Spanish National Police. Story continues "They are very hard to detect," he admits. "For more than 20 years traffickers have been using submarines... They are very hard to detect", Source: Antonio Martinez Duarte, Source description: Chief Commissioner of the Narco Brigade, Image: A Spanish police officer talking about seized submarines full of cocaine In fact, it's thought hundreds of homemade submarines have been launched towards Europe, which is the biggest cocaine market after the US, and one that's growing rapidly after a Covid pandemic slump. It's even said that in the middle of the Atlantic, around the Canary Islands and the Azores, there lies a mass graveyard of cocaine submarines, deliberately sunk after their cargo had been successfully unloaded. Each covert mission would have been a huge triumph for the teams of mechanics quietly constructing their vessels in the depths of the South American jungle, mostly in Guyana and Suriname. Here though, in Spain today, as part of the global trafficking war, it's the police trumpeting a big victory at their headquarters in Madrid. "This is a very important operation," says Chief Commissioner Duarte. "It's the first time in Europe that we found as much as one and a half tonnes of base cocaine paste." In fact, officers say it was the biggest lab turning raw coca paste into cocaine that they've found on the continent. But it's not just the size of the haul which is significant. "This operation also confirms the links between Colombian and Mexican criminals that have joined Spanish gangs working in Spain," Chief Commissioner Duarte says. Clearly proud of their work, the police have transported the contents of the lab into a press conference room to show local journalists. The stench of the raw coca paste - like that of vinegar - hangs in the air. The drugs-making process has been replicated, with barrels of chemicals, a microwave, a hydraulic press and scales - reflecting the journey from paste to final product. On a table at the far end of the room are dozens of brown parcels, each the size of a house brick, emblazoned with a Superman logo - the symbol chosen by the traffickers who no doubt felt a sense of invincibility. The bricks of cocaine were stamped with the Superman logo An officer leans over and whispers that importers pay 27-32,000 ($30-35,000; 24-28,000) for each parcel. They then at least double their money when they sell it on the streets. The only limit on their profits is to what extent they dilute their drug with cutting agents, ranging from anaesthesia (which mimic physical sensations associated with cocaine, such as numbing of the mouth) to cheaper options like caffeine and glucose. But there are also other options, including de-worming medicine, normally used by vets. This lab dismantled in the city of Pontevedra in the Galicia region was capable of producing 200 kilos a day with a purity of 95%, according to the police. Along with the submarines, the lab is a glimpse into a narco-world which is expanding rapidly. The United Nations drug agency says cocaine production increased by a third between 2020 and 2021, which was a record high and the biggest year-to-year increase since 2016. One place they're witnessing first hand the surge in supply of the drug is at the port of Antwerp in Belgium. BBC iPlayer Cocaine: Flooding Europe The new frontlines of the battle against the cocaine flooding Europe. Watch now on BBC iPlayer (UK Only) BBC iPlayer In 2022 they seized a record 110 tonnes of cocaine - so much that they didn't have enough incinerators to destroy it fast enough. By some estimates, only 10% of the cocaine arriving at the port is intercepted with the rest going to the Netherlands for distribution to all corners of Europe, including the UK. The head of customs at the port told me, with this tsunami of coke, they will never win the battle. And this is a fight that has spilled over into murder on the streets of Antwerp. In January, an 11-year-old girl was killed in a gang shooting linked to the cocaine trade in the city. Belgium's Justice minister Vincent Van Quickenborne has been living in and out of a safe house for the past year after police uncovered an alleged plot by Dutch criminals to kidnap him. A car containing firearms was discovered outside his house. For one of Belgium's top investigative judges, Michel Claise, the cocaine industry has spiralled out of control. "With money laundering and corruption... how [can we] have any control on criminal organisations? ", Source: Michel Claise, Source description: Belgian investigative judge, Image: Michel Claise "It makes an absolute fortune for those we call narco-traffickers," he says, when we meet near the enormous Palais de Justice in the capital, Brussels. Mr Claise says with their wealth and influence the gangs are now dwarfing those seeking to deliver justice. "With money laundering and corruption - which is now limitless in terms of the sums that can be offered to dockers, police officers and other people - how do you want us to have any control on criminal organisations? "It's over," he concludes. Belgium's cocaine crisis is Europe's cocaine crisis, and the UN is now warning rival international gangs are working together like never before. It says after their success on this continent, they'll soon be branching out into Asia and Africa in their pursuit of unlimited riches. Additional reporting by Bruno Boelpaep Cocaine: Flooding Europe is now available on BBC iPlayer, if you are in the UK, and on BBC News this weekend Colombian President Gustavo Petro, second from left, meets with President Biden in the Oval Office on Thursday. (Susan Walsh / Associated Press) Colombias first leftist leader held talks Thursday with President Biden at the White House, touching on sharp differences over how to fight drug trafficking while seeking common ground on ways to end the humanitarian and political crisis in Venezuela. For Colombian President Gustavo Petro, it was a chance to smooth relations with Washington, where some officials harbor doubts about the 8-month-old government in Bogota. Biden was expected to urge more cooperation from Petro on immigration, as the number of Colombian migrants entering the U.S. illegally has soared in recent months. In March, that total was second only to the number of migrants coming from Mexico. The meeting was emblematic of the ideological balancing act the United States tries to navigate in its dealings with Colombia. Often called Washingtons best friend in Latin America, Colombia is, for the first time, not ruled by a right-wing or centrist pro-U.S. president. Colombia is the key to the hemisphere," Biden said, sitting in the Oval Office alongside Petro. I think we have an opportunity, if we work hard enough, to have a Western Hemisphere that is united, equal, democratic and economically prosperous." Petro said he believed democracy is something that is not set in stone, but flows and evolves like a river that leads to greater democracy and even greater freedom. We are on the same river as the U.S., he said. Petro, once a young guerrilla fighter in Colombias half-century-long civil war, is one of numerous leftists who have risen to power across Latin America, mostly through democratic elections. Ahead of the White House meeting with Biden, Petro, 63, acknowledged to reporters that there were undoubtedly important differences between the two governments policies. We believe the war on drugs has failed, Petro said. These last 50 years have shown absolutely disastrous [results], as much here in the United States as in our Latin America. Story continues Colombia, long the worlds largest producer of coca, the raw plant material used to manufacture cocaine, was the focus for nearly two decades starting in 1999 of Washingtons Plan Colombia, which spent billions of dollars in mostly military aid to combat drug traffickers and leftist insurgencies. In 2016, the Colombian government and the principal guerrilla group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known as FARC, signed a peace deal that ended much of the fighting and reintegrated many guerrillas into civil society. It earned then-President Juan Manuel Santos the Nobel Peace Prize, but violence is again spreading through Colombia, particularly in rural areas, as coca cultivation rises once again. Despite their differences, Petro has made gestures to solidify a good relationship with the Biden administration. He has reduced the coca crop eradication operations favored by the U.S. but, contrary to expectations, has continued a program of extraditing suspected drug traffickers to the U.S. He also favors interdiction going after traffickers over crop eradication, which affects impoverished farmers. Petro is fighting strong headwinds in the form of criticism from the right, both in the U.S. and in Colombia, including from several Republican U.S. lawmakers who have sought to associate him with authoritarian leftist leaders from Latin America, such as Venezuelas Nicolas Maduro and Nicaraguas Daniel Ortega. Petro met Wednesday with conservative Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.) as part of his rounds on Capitol Hill. The next day, Salazar accused Petro of evading her questions. He rambles, he doesnt answer, he plays for time, the way Fidel and Chavez used to do, the way Maduro and Ortega do," she said to a Colombian television station, referring to late Cuban President Fidel Castro and late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. "Its what the socialists do, to confuse you. Ahead of Petros election last year, Salazar branded him a socialist, Marxist and terrorist. Analysts dispute that characterization, noting that Petro is more intellectual than fighter these days and has a track record in elected politics, having served as Bogotas elected mayor and in Congress for several terms. There are people who would like to see a breakdown in U.S.-Colombia relations, but surprisingly he has been committed to building relations, said Steve Hege, a Colombia-based program director for the U.S. Institute of Peace. His aspirations are exactly what Colombia needs, Hege added, citing Petro's plan to end violence through negotiations with armed groups, and to reform health and pension systems. But the government still lacks the technical and institutional abilities to make those changes happen, Hege said. Talking with armed groups who come from both the right and left is a controversial endeavor in a country where more than a quarter-million people were killed by the army, guerrillas or right-wing paramilitary squads during the Western Hemispheres longest armed conflict. Biden and Petro may find the most mutually beneficial issue between them to be a more productive approach to the crisis in Venezuela. During the Trump administration, years of severe economic sanctions, diplomatic ostracism and even the threat of military intervention failed to dislodge Maduro, a socialist autocrat no longer ruling with a democratic mandate. Some of those punitive measures against Colombia have continued into the Biden administration, also without result. Maduro succeeded the far more popular Chavez upon his death in 2013, and has overseen the ruin of his once-wealthy countrys economy, along with the repression and forced exodus of hundreds of thousands of citizens. In his public appearance with Petro on Thursday, Biden praised and thanked Colombia for receiving Venezuelan immigrants, often giving them jobs and legal residency. Next week, Petro will convene an international conference in Bogota aimed at bringing the Venezuelan government and its opposition into meaningful negotiations. The U.S. will send a delegation, along with nearly 20 other countries, Petro said. Relying on his leftist credentials, Petro reopened diplomatic ties with Caracas that had been severed by his predecessor and appears to have gained some trust with the Maduro government. Everybodys out of ideas here in Washington about how to help guide Venezuela back to democracy in the near term, said Adam Isacson, a security expert at the Washington Office on Latin America. Theres space for a creative third party to help. Still at issue is whether the U.S. and Europe will ease some sanctions to encourage Venezuela to curtail repression there, or if movement toward democracy has to come before the West removes punishment. If Petro can fill the role of a balanced mediator, he stands to gain regionally by reviving commercial relations between Colombia and Venezuela, and internationally by ameliorating one of the hemispheres most nagging crises. "From the U.S. perspective, it positions Colombia as an important interlocutor to move Maduro toward advancing democracy," said Jason Marczak, senior director of the Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center at the Atlantic Council, a Washington think tank. "Colombia is a linchpin for our policy in Latin America." One area in which Petro and Biden found solid convergence was on climate change. Both enthusiastically endorsed a move away from fossil fuels and toward a more "decarbonized" world. "We need to move from fossil fuels, from the greed of fossil fuels, which has evolved like a hurricane that is threatening our existence," Petro said. "We're making real progress toward a carbon-free environment," Biden said. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Colombia's most powerful drug cartel has stated its uncompromising terms for discussing any peace deal with the government, which is talking to multiple armed groups in an effort to end the country's decades-long conflict. The notorious Gulf Clan cartel wants political recognition from Colombia's government in Bogota, the group's lawyer told AFP. Without that, the group "will not submit" to justice and will instead remain "at war" with the state, said Ricardo Giraldo, chief spokesman for the Gaitanist Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AGC), more commonly known as the Gulf Clan. President Gustavo Petro, the first leftist leader in the South American country's history, has vowed to bring about peace by pursuing negotiations with all sides of Colombia's multifaceted conflict. He has opened talks with guerrilla groups such as the Guevarist National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissidents who refused to join the 2016 peace accord with the Marxist Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebels. Just before the new year, Petro also announced a bilateral ceasefire with a number of armed groups, including the Gulf Clan. But the government called off its ceasefire with the cartel last month after accusing the Gulf Clan of backing violent protests by illegal miners in the northwest. It is an accusation that Giraldo vehemently rejects. "Absurdly, they broke (off the ceasefire) via Twitter," said Giraldo, who spoke to AFP alongside a bodyguard at his office in an upscale Medellin neighborhood. He said the AGC -- which rejects the Gulf Clan name due to its association with gang culture -- wants to receive political protection to commit to peace talks, and he says they hold the upper hand. "The government has underestimated both the AGC's manpower and military, social and political strength," he said. "They wrongly think it's a little group of bandits, criminals who do nothing but traffic drugs, and that's completely false." Story continues According to authorities, the Gulf Clan has 9,000 fighters and has extended its influence into some 30 countries, while trafficking around half the cocaine produced by Colombia, the world's largest producer of the white powder. Its historical fiefdom was centered around the Gulf of Uraba on the border with Panama. - Real political ambitions? - While the AGC appeared following the demobilization of far-right paramilitaries, Giraldo insists they are not themselves such a group but merely "people who have no other opportunity than to arm themselves to protect their plots" of land. He also rejected the idea that they are simply drug traffickers "whose only aim is to make money." The AGC has political aims, similar to the former FARC guerrillas who laid down their arms in the historic 2016 peace agreement and formed a communist political party, Comunes. Its former fighters won protections such as avoiding prison by paying reparations to their victims. The AGC wants the government to cease defining it as a criminal organization and to recognize it has a political project. Giraldo insists that the AGC "invests in its communities." "They built schools, paved roads, brought electricity and aqueducts," he said. "What is in question is whether this group ... is genuinely looking for significant changes within (its) territory in order to classify it as a political actor," he said. "Communities find it easier to approach the (AGC) commander in the area than a police station because they're afraid of the police." Petro's offer to the Gulf Clan is to lay down its arms and submit to justice in return for reduced prison sentences and keeping a small proportion of their assets. It is a plan that has been criticized by the right-wing opposition and also the attorney general. Giraldo scoffed at the government's claim it was a "generous" offer, insisting that existing regulations allow criminals to reduce their sentences through work and study anyway. Amid the impasse, the AGC remains "at war... but it is up to the state to guarantee the right to peace," said Giraldo. jss/lv/bc/tjj/bgs/ Rand Corp. analyst Daniel Ellsberg leaked the secret Pentagon Papers in 1971 to show how the U.S. government had misled Americans about the Vietnam War. (Hulton Archive / Getty Images) The law is clear. If you mishandle, distribute or disclose classified information you can get in big trouble. In the worst cases, as with Jack Teixeira, the 21-year-old Air National Guardsman who has been accused of divulging top secret national security documents, you can be arrested, charged under the Espionage Act and, if convicted, sent to prison. But in the court of public opinion the calculation is often less cut and dried. Out in the real world, people who divulge government secrets are sometimes viewed as traitors or spies, but at other times, they're hailed as heroes, regardless of their legal culpability. Still other times, they fall somewhere in between. Consider Daniel Ellsberg, Aldrich Ames, Edward Snowden, Julian Assange and now, allegedly, Teixeira. In each case, context matters: what information was released, how it was released, to whom it was released and why it was released. That may not be so germane to a judge or jury charged with determining what laws were broken, but before I pass my own judgment I want to know whether a leaker was a whistleblower or a money grabber or a malevolent traitor or a publicity seeker or an ideologue. And I want to know what good or harm was caused. Ellsberg, now 92 and ailing with pancreatic cancer, became famous in 1971 for leaking to the press copies of the so-called Pentagon Papers, a classified 7,000-page history of the Vietnam War that revealed that successive governments had lied to Americans about the progress of the war. Ellsberg, a Rand Corp. analyst, risked his career and his freedom not for money but on principle. The Pentagon Papers are widely credited with helping end a misbegotten war. Yet Ellsberg might well have been convicted of espionage had a mistrial not been declared after the Nixon administration engaged in gross misconduct, including burglarizing the office of his psychiatrist. Of course there were complexities and nuances to the Pentagon Papers leak. Any act of conscience that involves breaking the law can be second-guessed. But on balance, Ellsberg deserves our thanks for enlightening Americans about facts they should have been told. History has shown his judgment to have been the right one. Story continues Aldrich Ames, a three-decade CIA employee, falls at the other end of the spectrum. He passed highly classified information to the KGB at dead drop hiding places scattered around Washington, D.C., in the 1980s and 1990s in exchange for millions of dollars. He divulged the names of CIA and FBI sources; some were subsequently executed by the Russians. Thats an easy one. Ames was a traitor who does not deserve our sympathy. He is serving a sentence of life without parole. Then theres Edward Snowden, the intelligence contractor who leaked thousands of National Security Agency documents in 2013 about the American governments surveillance of its own citizens. The files showed that the government was collecting data from Americans phone calls, emails and other internet activity, and that it was eavesdropping on foreign leaders. Unlike Ellsberg, Snowden didnt release historical documents he leaked up-to-date operational information about ongoing programs and he didn't limit himself to divulging information about privacy violations. U.S. officials insist that he did "tremendous damage," but most people believe his motivation was to reveal government misbehavior and overreach. The moral ambiguity was immediately clear: On the one hand, Snowden broke the law. On the other hand, he performed a significant service to his country by revealing the shocking breadth of secret U.S. surveillance activities. Of course, Snowdens actions (and Ellsbergs) raise the very real question of how a government can operate if every 30-year-old contractor makes their own decisions about which secrets should remain secret and which shouldnt. But thats the conundrum of whistleblowing. Sometimes an individual has to go it alone and wait for history to judge. Julian Assange, the founder of the website Wikileaks, didnt leak secrets himself; he acted more like a journalist when he posted classified documents and videos in 2010 that he had received from Chelsea Manning, a U.S. Army intelligence analyst. For that, he deserves some legal protection. But beyond that, I have little sympathy for him because he was so indiscriminate. Wikileaks dumped millions of secret documents from Manning onto the internet with no particular purpose just a gut belief that government shouldnt have secrets, and that if they can be obtained, they should be divulged. That's simplistic and reckless. In Teixeiras case, we don't know enough yet to pass final judgment. The Washington Post suggested he may have hoped to impress his online buddies by allegedly sharing top secret documents, including some that detailed Russian war plans and gaps in Ukrainian air defenses. One columnist called him a doofus. Ive yet to see evidence that the leaks were a matter of conscience or divulged much in the way of injustice or wrongdoing. Sometimes, but only sometimes, people are justified in breaking the law to reveal secrets. Here are some things (and Im cribbing partly from the work of actual ethicists) that ought to be seriously considered before we offer our support to leakers: Are they seeking to expose or prevent a serious wrong or an illegal act or a damaging lie? Did they try reporting it to proper authorities first, if that was an option? If the material is classified, did the leaker seriously weigh the harm that could result from disclosure? Was the disclosure made for personal benefit, financial or otherwise? Was the leak narrowly tailored to disclose real wrongdoing or was it a mass dump of information? It's sad but true that governments often need to keep secrets in our flawed world. But even democratic governments sometimes lie and deceive, often to cover up mistakes. In those cases, leaking secrets can be a form of civil disobedience in which a solitary individual courageously stands up to power to reveal an ugly truth. So far, that doesn't seem to describe Jack Teixeira. @Nick_Goldberg This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. For months, marines have been crushing the Russian invaders near the city of Vuhledar in Donetsk Oblast. Source: video by Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi on Facebook Quote: "Soldiers of the 35th Marine Infantry Brigade named after Rear Admiral Mykhailo Ostrohradskyi have been destroying enemy equipment and manpower on the approaches to Vuhledar for months. In effective interaction with other Armed Forces units, the marines carry out both defensive and counter-offensive actions. A vivid example was the operation during which it was possible to take complete control of Verkhni Dachi on the approaches to Vuhledar and defeat the elite of the Russian army the 155th [Guards] Marine Brigade." Details: It is noted that the Ukrainian marines are constantly training and improving in order to repel Russian invaders on every piece of their native land. Serhii, one of the commanders of the 35th Marine Brigade, says the following: "There is a strong sense of pride that it was the marines of the Armed Forces of Ukraine who showed the Pacific Fleet their strength, perseverance, resilience, and courage. Moreover, we had more than twenty enemy marines captured, thanks to the effective cooperation of the 35th and 56th brigades." Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! T'yon Horston was shot and killed Thursday. The South Bend resident was 11. SOUTH BEND In the wake of the shooting death Thursday night of 11-year-old T'yon Horston, Group Violence Intervention Outreach Team S.A.V.E. outreach director Mychael Winston issued a call-to-action Friday morning "for my community." "Lets sit down, because this is crazy," he said. "Theres no honor in an 11-year-old getting killed, OK?" Shootings on the rise: South Bend Police quarterly update discusses officer diversity, increase in gun violence deaths Behind a rickety music stand turned makeshift lectern, Winston stood before a crowd of community leaders, police, neighbors and members of the media gathered for a news conference in the 600 block of North Johnson Street, the same spot where T'yon was shot a few minutes before 5 p.m. the day before. The news conference was organized by GVI, an organization committed to ending gun and group violence in communities in and around South Bend. Outreach Director Mychael Winston of the city's Group Violence Intervention initiative speaks at a press conference April 21 in reaction to the April 20 shooting death of 11-year-old South Bend resident T'yon Horston. Winston implored people to reach out to him with information and for those who can affect change to do so. "We cant wait for somebody else to come save us, because now our youth are being picked off one by one, man, and if our youth are gone, then what future do we have?" he said. "What are we working for? What are we living for?" Mayor: Gun violence tears apart community South Bend Schools superintendent Todd C. Cummings spoke of the difficult task faced by school social workers and teachers that morning: Telling T'yon's fellow middle schoolers that the sixth-grader "was not coming home." For Gladys Muhammad, a mother who has been active in the community for "years and years," that point hits close to home. "Im sick of it," Muhammad said. "Im a mother, and I know how mothers feel, and I know how they stay up at night scared their kid's not going to come home, and many of them dont come home because they're out there shootin, and sometimes you know theyre shootin, and youre scared of your own kids." Story continues Gladys Muhammad speaks at a press conference April 21 in reaction to the April 20 shooting death of 11-year-old South Bend resident T'yon Horston. One arrested: Woman shot at Mishawaka hotel, hospitalize in stable condition Muhammad urged all members of the community to come together and solve the gun problem because, "it's not one person's job to stop it." "And my message is for some of you young people out there who think that a gun is going to solve the problems and the challenges that face you every day as a young Black person in America and its not just here in South Bend, Indiana, its all over this country weve got to get it together," Muhammad said. A former South Bend police officer and the founder of the community organization Lets Turn It Around, Lynn Coleman served as the emcee and said the press conference wasnt called to solve the problem but to acknowledge it and set the stage for solving it. Lynn Coleman speaks at a press conference April 21 in reaction to the April 20 shooting death of 11-year-old South Bend resident T'yon Horston. Our kids will do what they see, what theyve been exposed to, what they watch every day, he said, and if were not giving them anything positive, if were not showing them the right way, what do we expect? We have to live by example, and if we dont do it and do it on a regular basis, were going to continue to see these kind of events happen. Mayor James Mueller condemned the shooting of T'yon and all acts of violence occurring in South Bend. "We all must come together and unite to figure out how to stop it," the mayor said. "Were losing our kids in a way that we just simply cant. Here, in this case, an 11-year-old child taken too soon. We may be a city of over 100,000 people, but its a small city. This is a family." South Bend Mayor James Mueller speaks at a press conference April 21 in reaction to the April 20 shooting death of 11-year-old South Bend resident T'yon Horston. Mueller said, Thursday night, he'd received texts from people shaken up about T'yon's death. "Thats what these incidents do," Mueller said. "Theyre tearing our community apart. Theyre ripping into sores, and we need to not only rally around to stop the violence but also rally around each other to begin healing from all the trauma that weve experienced here in South Bend." The press conference concluded with a prayer from Pastor Canneth Lee, who represents South Bend's 1st District on the Common Council. "We ask God right now that you would look over our city and that you will help us and that you will allow peace," Lee said. "We don't want a summer of violence, so we want to stop it, now." South Bend Common Council member Canneth Lee, a minister, leads a group prayer at a press conference April 21 in reaction to the April 20 shooting death of 11-year-old South Bend resident T'yon Horston. Police not sure what residents want Although many neighborhood residents, some still dressed in bathrobes and pajamas, quietly watched the news conference from their nearby porches and front yards, others were not happy to have police and the media in the neighborhood. In separate instances, two women sought to interrupt the news conference, yelling over the speakers before being calmed down by police and fellow onlookers. South Bend Police Chief Scott Ruszkowski said these disruptions are reflective of the problems police face in this neighborhood. "You've heard some of the outbursts or comments out here," Ruszkowski said to members of the media. "This is typically what officers deal with every single day. So, when people say we don't do anything, as soon as we do something, we get complained at. We get yelled at and screamed at. If they think that were not doing something, the same thing happens, so this is a no-win for us." South Bend Police Chief Scott Ruszkowski speaks to journalists at a press conference April 21 in reaction to the April 20 shooting death of 11-year-old South Bend resident T'yon Horston. Ruszkowski brought a large, yellow notepad to the news conference, but instead of being filled with notes for a prepared speech, the notepad was blank. "I bought this because a lot of people thought I was going to speak, and I'm not," he told the media. "I've already said what I needed to say. This is blank. I bought this specifically so I can take notes." Notes on "exactly what" the community wants from the police department, he said, because, right now, "when we are out here, we get complained on because theres too much police presence. Then, when we're not out here, we get complained on because there's not enough police presence." Ruszkowski said police receive "beyond dozens" of calls to the area, and it is one of the department's "focus areas." Since the investigation into the shooting of T'yon began yesterday, Ruszkowski said, detectives have interviewed more than 20 people in the neighborhood. Police have already found "a lot of the things" they are looking for in the investigation, he added. "We've made some progress with the over 20 people that we have interviewed, and I'm confident that we're going to come to a resolution from a case perspective," Ruszkowski said. "But how on Earth do you ever get a resolution to an 11-year-old that's dead?" Email staff writer Claire Reid at cereid@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: South Bend 11-year-old's shooting death brings leaders' call to action Columbia Chamber of Commerce President Matt McCormick participates Wednesday in demonstrative activity from Terracon employee Jamie Weaver during the chamber's local business showcase at the Columbia Expo Center. Terracon is a national construction engineering company and has offices throughout the state, including Columbia. Large and small businesses alike had a chance to interact and network this week thanks to the Columbia Chamber of Commerce. The chamber once again welcomed its Showcase Como event to the Columbia Expo Center on Wednesday, where national businesses with offices in Columbia, local large-scale businesses and local small businesses were featured. "We have had this event going on for a number of years, well over a decade," said Chamber President Matt McCormick, adding there was an exception during the COVID-19 years. "It was nice to be able to bring it back. The thing I enjoy most is getting to talk to all our vendors, but also just hearing the stories of, 'Hey I got to meet so-and-so, or I met this company and we are now doing business together.'" The chamber also celebrates local small businesses with 25 or fewer employees in the autumn with its Small Business Festival. While there was some overlap of which organizations participate with Showcase Como and the Small Business Festival, the showcase is about celebrating all Columbia businesses, McCormick said. More: Second annual small business festival celebrates 'backbone of Columbia' The driving force behind Showcase Como is Jamie Martin, chamber director of membership engagement, he said. "She does a great job and works on this for the better part of the year to help put this together and working with the different vendors," McCormick said. The showcase features a wide variety of Columbia businesses. Any type of business you can think of had a booth, table or even just a person walking around handing out business information. It was a daylong networking event, not just for business to business, but business to consumer as well, McCormick said. The day started with the chamber's quarterly membership breakfast, which featured an address by Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe, before transitioning to the showcase starting at 9 a.m. There was a break from 11:00 to 1 p.m. for the Showcase Women's Network professional development luncheon. Story continues That event featured Dr. Saundra Dalton Smith, founder of Restorasis, "a professional development agency dedicated to restoring wellbeing in the workplace through work-life integration and burnout prevention strategies," according to chamber event information. Guests walk through the Columbia Expo Center on Wednesday during the Columbia Chamber of Commerce 'Adventures in Business' showcase. The Showcase got started back up at 1 p.m. and ran until 6 p.m. Food vendors were featured in the last two hours of the day to provide a happy hour atmosphere to the end of the showcase. "All the goods and services you will need, you can get right here in Columbia. This is a place where you can start that," McCormick said, adding this applies to individuals and businesses. "We have different vendors for all kinds of things." The variety of businesses Wednesday ranged from health care, including mental health care, insurance, retail, construction, IT companies, banks and nonprofits, among others. "(The showcase) gives me a chance and gives all of us a chance to maybe meet some people we didn't know that are here for companies. Maybe we have met their main rep, but not their other team members. So, we get a chance to meet some of their other team members," McCormick said, adding chamber membership itself continues to grow each month. "It is a good chance to really sit and talk with our new members." Charles Dunlap covers local government, community stories and other general subjects for the Tribune. You can reach him at cdunlap@columbiatribune.com or @CD_CDT on Twitter. Subscribe to support vital local journalism. This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Como Showcase connects businesses, residents alike Disneyland is shown on Jan. 26. Parkgoers on Thursday couldn't get to Sleeping Beauty Castle for a time as the park dealt with a computer problem. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times) Between the cost and the crowds, getting into the Disneyland Resort has become difficult for many. But on Thursday, a computer system hiccup made getting into the parks (temporarily) impossible. The parks' ticketing system experienced an outage of about 30 minutes Thursday that affected the turnstiles, Disneyland officials said. As a result, hundreds of guests congregated in the center promenade between the entrances to Disneyland and Disney California Adventure as they awaited entry. Rebecca Saryan, a resort employee who works at Disney California Adventure, was attending the park on her own time Thursday and was caught up in the snafu. "A cast member walked down the line and was letting everyone know that the main system was down and we were going to be sitting tight for a while," Saryan said in an interview with The Times. Saryan said the resort's parking system experienced issues as well, with some people, including her sister, being allowed to park for free. Despite the extended wait to get into the park, Saryan said guests were mostly understanding. "Everybody around me, for the most part, were actually pretty nice and considerate," she said. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbins (D-Ill.) call for Chief Justice John Roberts to testify before Congress about the Supreme Courts ethical standards is sparking a firestorm on Capitol Hill as Republicans accuse the Democratic chairman of trying to ensnare court in a media circus. Republicans say Durbin is trying to pressure Roberts to respond to reports by ProPublica that conservative Justice Clarence Thomas failed to properly disclose the gifts he received from a Texas billionaire, including private jet travel and the sale of a property in which Thomas owned a third interest. They point out that its extremely rare to call on a sitting chief justice to testify before Congress and that when it happens, its usually before the Senate or House Appropriations Committees to discuss the courts annual budgetary needs. I would not recommend that the chief accept his invitation because it will be a circus, Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) said. Cornyn, a senior member of the Judiciary panel, said he couldnt remember a chief justice being called to the Judiciary Committee before. Senate Republican Whip John Thune (S.D.) said the Supreme Court should be allowed to handle its internal affairs without interference from Congress. Theyre their own independent branch of our government. They have always set their own rules when it comes to the way they conduct themselves there. I prefer to leave it that way, he said. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), another member of the Judiciary Committee, said Durbin is trying to pressure the court. You read the letter all the rhetoric loss of faith in your institution its trying to turn the screws on him, he said. Hawley said its not a constitutional crisis but its inching toward that. The Missouri lawmaker warned it would be a nuclear option if Democrats on the Judiciary Committee subpoena Roberts. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (Conn.), a Democratic member of the Judiciary Committee, on Tuesday suggested issuing subpoenas for Thomas and his wealthy friend Harlan Crow, who took the conservative justice on lavish vacations, to testify before the committee. Story continues Democrats on the panel, however, would have to wait for 89-year-old Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), who is recovering from shingles, to return to the Senate before regaining a functional majority and the power to subpoena witnesses. Senate Democrats may use their power of the purse to compel Roberts to answer their questions about whether the court is enforcing ethical standards for justices. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), the chairman of the Senate Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee, which has oversight of the Supreme Courts appropriations, said were exploring all our options right now when asked whether he would call on Roberts to testify. Van Hollen said earlier this month it was unacceptable that the Supreme Court has exempted itself from the accountability that applies to all other members of our federal courts. And he vowed to seek to use the appropriations process to ensure that the Supreme Court adopts a code of conduct similar to that which applies to other members of the federal bench. The Supreme Court in its 2011 year-end report said it had no reason to adopt the Judicial Conferences code of conduct, which applies to every other judge in the federal judiciary as its definitive source of ethical guidance. Durbin on Thursday invited Roberts or another justice he might designate to appear before the committee during its May 2 hearing on the ethical rules governing the Supreme Court and potential reform of those rules. Durbin wrote in his letter to Roberts that over the past decade, there has been a steady stream of revelation regarding justices falling short of the ethical standards expected of other federal judges and, indeed, of public servants generally. He also argued there is ample precedent for sitting justices to testify before Congress on matters including ethics and noted his panel last heard testimony from justices in October 2011. The escalating confrontation is the latest in a series of battles between Senate Democrats and Republican-appointed nominees and members of the high court stretching back three decades. Thomass contentious 1991 Senate confirmation battle, which centered on Anita Hills sexual harassment allegations, set the tone for justices tense relationship with Democratic lawmakers over the next 30 years. Judiciary Committee Democrats wrote to Roberts in 2012 urging the court to adopt a judicial code of conduct after reports at the time that Thomas had accepted favors from Crow. Liberal-leaning watchdog groups including Common Cause, the Center for Media and Democracy, and Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington raised concerns more than a decade ago about the travel and gifts Thomas accepted from Crow, as well as the outside income and political activities of his wife, Ginni. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) called on Thomas last year to recuse himself from any cases about the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol after it was reported that his wife urged former President Trumps chief of staff, Mark Meadows, to try to overturn President Bidens victory in the 2020 election. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) accused his Democratic colleagues of conducting a smear campaign against Thomas and claimed Thomas has drawn more fire from liberals than other judges because he is a Black conservative. I dont believe that Senate Democrats are proceeding in good faith. I think many of them are seizing on the opportunity to attack a Supreme Court justice who is the leading conservative on the court, the leading defender of religious liberty and the Second Amendment, he said. They reserve a particular animosity for Justice Thomas because hes Black. Justice Scalia was every bit as conservative as Justice Thomas and yet the left didnt loath Justice Scalia the way they loath Justice Thomas, he said, referring to late conservative Justice Antonin Scalia. He then added, Todays left views it as an apostasy for an African American to dare to hold conservative views. The Texas senator, a member of the Judiciary Committee, said other justices have accepted hospitality, have traveled to peoples homes. Carrie Severino, who heads JCN, a conservative activist group, pointed out that former liberal Justice Stephen Breyer took 225 trips just in a 20-year span alone that was subsidized travel. Do I think this changed his vote in any case? No. Was he in his rights to [travel?] Absolutely, she said. This is something that is being weaponized as an attempt to attack Justice Thomas. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Republican conservative radio show host Larry Elder speaks to supporters after losing the California gubernatorial recall election Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021, in Costa Mesa, Calif. Elder has now announced a bid for the GOP presidential nomination. | Ashley Landis, Associated Press Conservative radio host Larry Elder on Thursday announced his bid for president in 2024 as a Republican candidate. America is in decline, but this decline is not inevitable. We can enter a new American Golden Age, but we must choose a leader who can bring us there. Thats why Im running for President, he wrote on Twitter. America is in decline, but this decline is not inevitable. We can enter a new American Golden Age, but we must choose a leader who can bring us there. Thats why Im running for President.#WeveGotACountryToSave https://t.co/jOqOBPpre2 pic.twitter.com/MTyibgbKyK Larry Elder (@larryelder) April 21, 2023 Who is Elder Larry? Elder, 70, unsuccessfully ran for California governor amid Gov. Gavin Newsoms recall election in 2021. While campaigning, he said he would fix the states budget, pledged to replace Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California with a Republican and said he would fight homelessness. His former fiancee also accused Elder of threatening her with a gun during this time, but California prosecutors declined to pursue the case and he has denied the allegations. After giving up on running for governor, Elder has set his eyes on the presidential race. He joins a growing pool of GOP candidates, including former President Donald Trump, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, as well as hopefuls like Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence and Sen. Tim Scott, who launched a presidential exploratory committee. Related I feel I have a moral, a religious and a patriotic duty to give back to a country thats been so good to my family and to me. And that is why Im doing this, Elder said Thursday on Tucker Carlson Tonight. Story continues Elder has not previously served in elected office. He studied political science at Brown University before getting his law degree from the University of Michigan. After working as an attorney, he got a gig as a radio host in 1994. Nearly a decade later, he created The Larry Elder Show. What are Larry Elders policy stances? On his campaign website, he says he supports a tough-on-crime approach, a border that is secure, and the choice to choose which school to send your children to. Who wants choice in schools? he told the Deseret News last year. Black and brown parents do. But were spending an average of $15,000 per student here in California, and only half of the third grade kids in California can read at grade level proficiency, and 75% of Black boys cannot read at state levels of proficiency. He also believes that the critical race theory and diversity, equity, and inclusion programs are increasing not decreasing racial tension, according to his website. Elder has credited his parents, who werent Republicans, for instilling his values, as he told the Deseret News. If anybody had a reason to become angry about racism in America; it was my mother and father, both of whom were born in the Jim Crow South, he said. And yet they told my brothers and me to be positive and work hard, and the skys the limit. Police officers in Costa Rica held protests on Thursday against a government decision to reduce off-duty hours during a special operation against organized crime. Groups of off-duty officers blocked streets in several cities, including the capital San Jose, while dozens held a demonstration outside the home of President Rodrigo Chaves. Chaves announced last Wednesday plans to create 700 new police positions and change the schedules of current officers. The government aims to have 9,500 officers on the streets at all times for six months while the special operation against organized crime is carried out. Police officers used to enjoy six days of rest for every six days at work but now must work six and rest four. "We are fighting for our rights," one officer told local media, demonstrating in front of Chaves' house. "It's a very stressful job." Minister of Public Security Jorge Torres appealed to protesters for understanding, calling the measure "temporary" and "exceptional." At least 100 people were arrested across Costa Rica on Thursday in the first 24 hours of the special operation, authorities said. Seven of those were fugitives with outstanding arrest warrants. Another 87 are suspected of committing crimes against people and property, or involving weapons and drugs, according to the Ministry of Public Security. "This operation will continue indefinitely 24 hours a day," said Raul Rivera, deputy director general of Costa Rica's Public Force law enforcement agency. Last year Costa Rica registered a record number of 656 homicides, increasing the rate of violent deaths per 100,000 inhabitants to 12.6, up from 11.4 in 2021, according to the Judicial Investigations Organization (OIJ). Of those deaths, 63 percent were connected to organized crime. So far this year, 261 homicides have been recorded, according to the OIJ. apg/avl/dhw/axn Lions were considered extinct in an African national park and had not been spotted for two decades. But recently, a healthy lioness was captured on a remote camera in the park, delighting conservationists who have worked for years to boost declining big cat populations. The stunning photograph was captured in the Sena Oura National Park in Chad and released by the Chad government and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), a nonprofit based in New York. The image shows a beautiful lioness, in her prime and clearly in great health, according to a news release from WCS. A lioness was captured on a remote camera in a Chad national park for the first time in 20 years, officials said. PN Sena Oura, Chad MEPDD/WCS Lions are officially extinct in Sena Oura, which is connected to Cameroons Bouba Ndjida, creating a contiguous landscape that stretches across parts of both countries, WCS said, citing an assessment from the International Union for Conservation of Nature. While its possible a few lions managed to survive undetected in the area in the past, its unlikely they inhabited the park continuously, Luke Hunter, the executive director of the WCS Big Cats Program, told McClatchy News. Lions are hard to miss unless they are simply moving through an area rapidly and local people would have known if they were present, Hunter said in an email. Organized poaching in the area was a major factor that caused the lions to disappear over the past decades. The illegal killing has now largely been curbed due to efforts undertaken by the governments of Chad and Cameroon in recent years, according to WCS. Today, lions in much of Bouba Njida are breeding well, with increasing evidence of them gradually recolonizing north, near the border with Chad, Hunter said. I think the lioness is an early sign of this recovery process, now starting to reach Sena Oura. Still, lion populations on the African continent are declining, Hunter said, adding that poaching of lions and their prey remains a major factor in their diminishment. Habitat loss also contributes to their dwindling numbers. Story continues Less than 24,000 lions remain in the wild, Hunter said. The vast majority of them are southern lions, a sub-species found in Southern and Eastern Africa. The lion in West and Central Africa is genetically distinct and a different subspecies, the northern lion, Hunter said. There are fewer than 1,000 northern lions remaining so these early signs of recovery in Sena Oura-Bouba Njida are very hopeful. Chad is the fifth-largest country in Africa by land mass, according to Statista, and is home to an estimated 18 million people. Mummified creatures used by ancient cult found sealed in Egyptian coffin Crumbling 11th century church resurfaces a warning sign for drought-stricken Spain Massive burial site tied to Mayan deity is uncovered with some bodies headless When a funeral services employee went to retrieve a mans body after he died aboard a Celebrity Cruises ship, the passenger wasnt inside the ships morgue, according to a lawsuit. The body of Robert L. Jones of Bonifay, Florida, was found in the Celebrity Equinox ships drink cooler, where it laid in a body bag on a floor palette for days and was badly decayed, his familys lawsuit filed April 19 in federal court in Miami says. The drink cooler was not cold enough to properly store a body and prevent it from decomposing, according to the complaint. As a result, the familys plans to have an open casket funeral for Jones after the ship returned to Fort Lauderdale from the Caribbean were no longer possible as his remains were so far gone in the decomposition process and couldnt be salvaged, the complaint says. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Marilyn Jones, Jones wife of 55 years, his daughters Robin Phillips and Teresa West, and his three grandchildren. They are seeking $1 million in damages. Celebrity Cruises, which is headquartered in Miami, declined a request for comment from McClatchy News on April 21. Crew encourages Jones wife to keep body on the ship, lawsuit says While on a trip to the Eastern Caribbean with his wife, Jones died from heart complications aboard the 1,041-foot-long Celebrity Equinox ship on Aug. 15, the complaint says. The cruises crew members encouraged Marilyn Jones, who was 78 at the time, to keep her husbands remains on the ship until they returned to Fort Lauderdale instead of his body being removed in San Juan, Puerto Rico, according to the complaint. They also told Jones and West, who wasnt aboard the ship, that Jones body could be stored in the ships working morgue, the complaint says. While relying on the crew members advice, Jones gave them permission to store her husbands body in the ships morgue for the next six days, according to the complaint. At some point before the ship docked in Fort Lauderdale, Jones body was moved from the morgue to the drinks cooler on a separate floor for reasons not specified in the complaint. Story continues On Aug. 21, a local funeral home employee was escorted by a Broward County deputy sheriff onto the ship to get Jones body so it could be sent to Bonifay for a funeral, the complaint says. Ultimately, Jones body was found with an intubation tube still left in his throat, and his body had decomposed inside a body bag in the drink cooler that was not at an appropriate temperature, according to the complaint. If a body is placed in a proper morgue, it could remain up to months without decomposing, the complaint says. Storing the bodies of people who die aboard the cruise isnt something new for Celebrity Cruises, according to the complaint, which says the company is required to have a working morgue. The companys actions and inactions with regard to Mr. Joness body were extremely indifferent to his passing, his dignity, and his family, friends, and communitys loss, and showed an entire want of care for the safety of his remains, the complaint says. Jones wife, children, grandchildren and friends were unable to get the closure they deserved at an open casket funeral, a practice which was a part of his familys culture, according to the complaint. The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida. Trans woman put in solitary jail cell after she was sexually assaulted, lawsuit says Chef sexually harassed Missouri cook and tried trapping her in freezer, lawsuit says Man eaten alive by bed bugs and insects dies in Georgia jail, family attorney says A base camp for state workers in Islamorada, Fla., April 2023. (Frances Robles/The New York Times) KEY WEST, Fla. Nearly 1,400 migrants from Cuba and Haiti took to the sea in rickety vessels and landed in the Florida Keys in January, overwhelming the local police. We experienced chaos, a lack of a plan and a federal problem which became a local problem, said the Monroe County sheriff, Rick Ramsay. Gov. Ron DeSantis stepped in, deploying air reconnaissance planes, assembling dozens of law enforcement agents and commissioning a cruise ship to house what the administration hoped would become a local army of state employees to help handle the migrant surge. Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times But there was a problem: The $1 million cruise ship contract was signed before anyone realized that the vessel had nowhere to dock. The ship was among the largest in a series of some $20 million in emergency purchases authorized by DeSantis including drones, night vision goggles, airplane leases, aviation radios and other gear to respond to the immigration influx. Almost as soon as the governor declared the state of emergency, though, the landings slowed drastically, after President Joe Biden created a much safer option of applying to enter the United States from migrants home countries. DeSantis has sought to make immigration one of the focal points of his attacks on Biden as he explores the possibility of a presidential campaign in 2024. He has also backed aggressive new legislation that, if passed, would allow the state to crack down on undocumented immigrants, along with those who aid or employ them. As the negative impacts of Bidens lawless immigration policies continue unabated, the burden of the Biden administrations failure falls on local law enforcement, DeSantis said in January. We will step in to support our communities. But the hasty state emergency program, including the ill-fated cruise ship contract, highlights the problems that can develop when state officials intervene to help manage the borders, a role traditionally reserved for the federal government. Story continues The Florida Division of Emergency Management acknowledged that it was forced to terminate the ship contract, but blamed the Biden administration for failing to authorize the use of U.S. Navy waterways that would have allowed the state to access an available dock. State officials refused to say whether the state would still be obligated to pay for the ship, though several shipping experts said it would have been highly unusual for the cruise company not to collect such a large payment up front. The crush of people who arrived in January and during several months of 2022 was the latest in a long history. For decades, Cuban and Haitian migrants, desperate to escape poverty and human rights abuses, have boarded unseaworthy vessels and landed in the Florida Keys. In 1980, more than 100,000 Cubans arrived there as part of the Mariel boatlift. In August, the numbers of Cubans and Haitians apprehended at sea once again began to soar. By January, 5,200 migrants had landed, with another 8,400 turned back at sea. Since the start of the fiscal year in October, 18 migrants have died during the risky ocean voyages. Haitian migrants would sometimes come ashore in groups of several hundred and then take off running, said Ramsay, who said he sometimes had to call in his deputies to chase migrants who had hopped into peoples yards and become combative. Wed call the Border Patrol, Ramsay said, and they were so overwhelmed they would say: Were so busy. Were overwhelmed. We dont have anybody. We cant make it there. We cant make it there until tomorrow. He added that federal agencies had since increased their staffing in the Keys. What was I supposed to do? Leave 40 people down on the side of the road in the hot sun, no food, no water, no shelter, no diapers, for a day? On Jan. 6, DeSantis declared the state of emergency, a move that allowed the state to intervene without seeking bids on contracts or exercising other typical budget controls. The federal government was already acting in other ways to stem the arrivals. The day before DeSantis emergency order, Biden announced a new measure that would allow people from Venezuela, Cuba, Haiti and Nicaragua to apply from their own countries to legally travel to the United States. Then in mid-January, the Biden administration announced that people who had entered the United States illegally by sea would not qualify for parole to remain in the country legally, a major setback for Cuban migrants in particular, as they generally received it in the past. In late January, the state Division of Emergency Management signed a contract for the cruise ship to house the expected influx of state workers, records show. It was the winter high season, and hotels were mostly full and very expensive. According to Florida records, the state signed a $1 million contract for the Ocean Navigator, a 286-foot-long ship with 101 state rooms owned by American Queen Voyages. For $30,000 a day, it would house and feed 100 state workers who would work for 30 days out of Key West. The problem, it now appears, was that state officials signed the contract before securing a place to dock the ship. The city of Key West had recently passed an ordinance limiting the number of cruise ships in the city. The lease at the main tourism pier at Mallory Square limits cruise ships to 10 nights a year, because ships parked there block the sunset for an important nightly tourist attraction. The assistant city manager of Key West, Todd Stoughton, huddled with Floridas emergency management leaders to find a solution but said he could not imagine ruining the vacations of people who had saved up to see Key Wests iconic sunset. There was another wrinkle: The Ocean Navigator is a foreign-flagged vessel, registered in the Bahamas, with crew members from all over the world. Concerns were raised about the possibility of foreign crew members jumping ship. The Coast Guard had a problem with this plan, big time, Stoughton said. Everyone wanted to know how they were going to secure that crew so they did not get off that ship. It would wind up being the opposite of what they were trying to achieve. The assembled officials ran through an assortment of ideas for where to put the ship. They considered anchoring it at a distance, or docking it in Miami and having the state employees commute 165 miles each way to Key West. Every plan ran into logistical problems: water was too shallow, the environment too sensitive, the distance too far. The U.S. Coast Guard refused to allow the use of its Key West pier because the Coast Guards role as the commercial vessels regulating authority could create a conflict of interest, said Lt. Cmdr. John W. Beal, a spokesperson. The city of Key West had another pier the state could have borrowed, but, to use it, the foreign-flagged ship would need to pass through 300 feet of waterway that belonged to the Navy, and the Department of Defense refused because specialized training takes place nearby, Alecia Collins, a spokeswoman for the Florida emergency management division, said in a statement. The real question you should be asking for your story is why the Department of Defense chooses now and this specific request from the state of Florida, she said, noting that the Navy had allowed other foreign-flagged ships at that location. Lt. Cmdr. James Adams, a Navy spokesperson, acknowledged that during unofficial discussions with the state, the Navy had raised potential, possibly prohibitive problems with accessing Navy waterways. But the state never submitted an official request in writing, as was required by law to move forward, he said, and the discussions were effectively at an end. The cruise ship was en route from the Carolinas to Florida when permission to dock in Key West was denied, so it was rerouted to the Port of Miami, Collins said. Port of Miami records show that it stayed there for two weeks in February, running up $31,000 in port fees while nobody used it. State records show a second contract from March after the docking problems emerged for $645,000, but it was unclear whether the state would pay that additional sum. James Bujeda, the deputy director of the emergency management division who dealt with Key West city officials on the issue, referred questions on payments to Collins, who repeatedly declined to answer. Cindy DAoust, the president of American Queen Voyages, released a statement that said only that the company will not be providing the cruise ship services. The state workers are now being housed at one of two camps quickly erected in the Florida Keys, at a cost to the state of $2 million a month. But the need for their work is now in question. Border Patrol data shows just 328 migrants arrived in Florida in February. Who can take credit for the steep decline is the subject of debate. Immigration experts say the policy moves made by the Biden administration in January were the key factors, and the Department of Homeland Security, in a statement, endorsed that view. The Biden-Harris administrations processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans coupled with enhanced enforcement have significantly reduced irregular migration, which has saved lives and is cutting out the smugglers, the statement said. The agency declined to discuss the sheriffs claims that for months, federal authorities did not have sufficient staffing to respond to the crisis. DeSantis has said that the increased air reconnaissance missions by state agencies deserve credit. Because of our action, we have seen a drop in the number of vessels and people able to make landing in the Florida Keys, and our continued presence serves as a deterrent for illegal immigration, DeSantis said. If the crisis was over, it was not over entirely. This week, the Coast Guard turned back passengers of a boat that was spotted about 12 miles from Cay Sal Bank in the Bahamas. There were 27 Cubans on it. c.2023 The New York Times Company A decaying 11th-century church and surrounding village resurfaced from a shrinking reservoir in eastern Spain. Instead of ringing melodic bells, the dusty church ruins ring out a warning. The village of Sant Roma de Sau hummed with activity for 1,000 years until life came screeching to a halt in the 1960s when the area was chosen to be the site of a new reservoir, Atlas Obscura reported. Locals packed their belongings, exhumed their loved ones from the cemetery and left. Their empty homes and abandoned church soon filled with water, and the Sau reservoir was formed, the outlet reported. The Sau reservoir, about 55 miles northeast of Barcelona, provided water to nearby communities for decades, BBC reported. But now the reservoir is providing something else: a warning sign. Rising from a watery tomb The church of Sant Roma de Sau has reemerged from its watery tomb, video footage from the Catalan Water Agency shows. Fully exposed, the three-story bell tower appears worn but resolute. Several do-not-enter signs hang across the dusty archways of the ruined sanctuary. The foundations of long-gone village buildings sit nearby, video footage shared by Accuweather on Twitter shows. The tannish-gray stone structures look dilapidated and tattered from centuries of use and decades underwater. Drought in Spain exposed the ruins of an 11th-century church in the usually submerged village of Sant Roma de Sau. pic.twitter.com/EJob1XRZb3 AccuWeather (@accuweather) April 19, 2023 The Sau reservoir shrunk to less than 7% capacity on April 21, according to data from the Catalan Water Agency. A year ago, the reservoir was filled to 61% capacity. Water levels dropped so low that authorities evacuated fish in an attempt to save the animals from rotting and contaminating the Sau reservoir, BBC reported. Story continues The church of Sant Roma de Sau was also visible last summer when Europe experienced its worst drought in 500 years. Very critical situation Across the Catalonia region, the situation is not much better with reservoirs at only 26% capacity, water authorities said. This is a very critical situation, Samuel Reyes, director of the Catalan Water Agency, told BBC. This drought in Catalonia is a marathon. The worry is that we are on alert not just for two years or so, but for three or four years. An old boat seen half-buried on the dry floor of the Sau reservoir. Emilio Morenatti/AP Several factors have contributed to Catalonias shrinking reservoirs, including a lack of rainfall and long-term drought exacerbated by climate change. Spain entered a long-term drought at the end of 2022 after months of below-average rainfall, according to a March news release from the State Meteorological Agency, AEMET, and Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge. In the first half of April, over half of Spain did not see a single drop of rain, AEMET said in an April 19 post on Twitter. Officials expect this April will be one of the driest ever recorded. The European Drought Observatory echoed these warnings in a March report. Impacts of the emerging drought are already visible in France, Spain, and northern Italy and raise concerns on water supply, agriculture and energy production, officials said in the report. The persistent lack of precipitation and a weeks-long sequence of warmer-than-average temperatures also contributed to the risk of an impending drought, officials said. If conditions persist, the current situation may become critical in the coming months. Google Translate was used to translate news releases from the Catalan Water Agency, the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, and Twitter posts from the State Meteorological Agency, AEMET. Massive burial site tied to Mayan deity is uncovered with some bodies headless Castle once served as getaway for French royalty. Look inside to see what now remains Castle once served as getaway for French royalty. Look inside to see what now remains Police on Thursday made a sixth arrest in the mass shooting in Dadeville, a 15-year-old juvenile from Tuskegee, a spokesperson for the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency announced late Thursday night. Special agents from ALEA's State Bureau of Investigation arrested the juvenile at approximately 11:45 a.m. Thursday. The juvenile faces four counts of reckless murder. ALEA did not release the sixth suspect's name. Prosecutors plan to charge the 15-year-old suspect as an adult, according to 5th Circuit District Attorney Mike Segrest. Segrest's office will seek his adjudication as an adult through the juvenile courts, Segrest said. The administrator at the Tallapoosa County Jail said Friday morning that the sixth suspect is being held without bond at a different facility. The official would not say where the sixth suspect is being held. The five other suspects that were arrested and charged with four counts of reckless murder are at the Tallapoosa County Jail. They are all being held without bond, according to ALEA spokesperson Sgt. Jeremy Burkett. Reckless murder is a Class A felony with a punishment range of 10 to 99 years in prison. Four people died and 32 people were injured in the shooting at a 16th birthday party at a downtown Dadeville dance studio on Saturday. Shaunkivia KeKe Nicole Smith, 17, Philstavious Dowdell, 18, Marsiah Siah Emmanuel Collins, 19, and Corbin Dahmontrey Holston, 23, were killed. Police first arrested brothers Tyreese "Ty Reik" McCullough, 17, and Travis McCullough, 16, on the evening of March 18 in Macon County, home to Tuskegee, where the McCullough brothers live. The brothers will be tried as adults, according to Segrest. A day later, police arrested Wilson Lamar Hill Jr., 20, of Auburn. Police also arrested Johnny Letron Brown, 20, of Tuskegee, and Willie George Brown Jr., 19, of Auburn, Thursday. This is a developing story. As we gather more information, we will update our coverage. Story continues Hadley Hitson contributed to this report. Evan Mealins is the justice reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Contact him at emealins@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter @EvanMealins. Your subscription makes our journalism possible. Subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Alabama mass shooting sixth suspect is Tuskegee juvenile While former Rhode Islander Nicholas Alahverdian also known as Nicholas Rossi continues to fight efforts to return him to the United States to face fraud and sex abuse charges, the story of the fugitive conman who faked his death will be broadcast across the country Friday night in a special called "Dead Man Talking." "Dateline NBC" plans a two-hour show, starting at 9 p.m. on April 21 on the sensational tale that it bills as a present-day mystery that has captivated the worlds attention. How much mystery was ever really anchored in Alahverdians scheme or how much remains now is debatable, particularly to readers of The Providence Journal, which has covered the case extensively, as noted in the broadcast. Journal reporter Tom Mooney, who worked to break the story about Alahverdian faking his own death, will be featured in the special. Fugitive Nicholas Alahverdian, wearing a three-piece suit and bow tie, leaves Edinburgh Sheriff Court with his wife, Miranda Knight Brown, after an extradition hearing last year. Who is Nicholas Alahverdian? Nick Alahverdian was born in Rhode Island and, after a turbulent childhood and spending time in the care of the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF), became an advocate and critic of the state's child welfare system and was active in Rhode Island politics. After leaving Rhode Island, he was accused of several sexual assaults and allegedly fled the country after faking his own death to avoid being found by the FBI, settling in Scotland where he was later arrested. More on Alahverdian: Nicholas Alahverdian's early years set the stage for a life of deception Did Nicholas Alahverdian fake his own death? At the start of 2020, Alahverdian began calling reporters back in Rhode Island and seeding the lie that he had non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma and only weeks to live. Many local media outlets reported his supposed death in February 2020. But Alahverdians likely self-written obituary, overflowing with grandiose achievements, was a clear red flag for anyone who knew Alahverdians sense of self-importance. He was later found in the United Kingdom going by the name Arthur Knight and, after a lengthy legal battle, it was determined by Scottish courts that they were on in the same. Story continues More on Alahverdian: 'Never been to the United States': Man arrested denies he's con man Nicholas Alahverdian More on Alahverdian: Rhode Island man who faked his death could return to U.S. after bizarre trial in Scotland Nick Alahverdian on the London Eye observation wheel in a photo from 2017. Where is Nicholas Alahverdian now? Nicholas Alahverdian is currently in an Edinburgh prison while fighting extradition back to Utah to face rape charges. More on Alahverdian: Nick Alahverdian has a new neighbor see who bought a nearby castle in Scotland More: Scottish inmates taunt RI man awaiting extradition with John Denver song. What to know More on Alahverdian's story To Alahverdian, a 35-year-old narcissist, convicted sex offender and once familiar child-welfare activist at the Rhode Island State House, his efforts to elude authorities probably seemed brilliant. Alahverdian, who earlier in his life used his stepfather's surname Rossi, fled Rhode Island to the United Kingdom in 2017 and took up the identity of a suit-clad academic Brit living in Scotland. Then at the start of 2020, he began calling reporters back in Rhode Island and seeding the lie that he had non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma and only weeks to live; they needed to write about him, he insisted. More on Alahverdian: RI con artist disputes charges against him in Scottish court: Lies, lies, lies By then, Alahverdian knew the FBI was on his tail for allegedly defrauding his foster parents of almost $200,000 in credit card purchases. And he might also have known that Utah authorities had identified him as a suspect in a rape from 2008 when he was living there. (He has since been charged in Utah with a second rape and a separate sexual battery.) Many local media outlets reported his supposed death in February 2020. But Alahverdians likely self-written obituary, overflowing with grandiose achievements, was a clear red flag for anyone who knew Alahverdians sense of self-importance. More on Alahverdian: Rhode Island man who faked his death could return to U.S. after bizarre trial in Scotland Viewers of the broadcast will hear from early skeptics of Alahverdians passing like Brian Coogan, a former state representative who once considered adopting Alahverdian, and Conor ODonnell, a state police detective who searched for Alahverdian months after he had supposedly died. Alahverdian remains in a Scottish prison awaiting his next extradition hearing in June and insisting he is Arthur Knight, a Glasgow resident unfairly swept up in an international dragnet for the real fugitive. A judge has ruled otherwise, based on fingerprints, former mug shots and Alahverdians identifying tattoos. On Thursday, the same judge was forced to postpone another preliminary hearing in the case after Alahverdian got into an altercation with a court security officer who was to bring him up into the courtroom, local press reported. Following the disturbance, security staff refused to take him into the court room. In what has become a common practice, the hearing was continued, until May 9. Alahverdian is expected to face charges for his role in the disturbance. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Nicholas Alahverdian on Dateline's 'Dead Man Talking': The full story In the Texan War for Independence, Texas militia, led by General Sam Houston, launched a surprise attack on this day in history, 1836, against the forces of Mexican General Santa Anna on the banks of the San Jacinto river. "The Mexicans were thoroughly defeated and hundreds were taken prisoner, including General Santa Anna himself," according to History.com. The events of the historic battle are archived in records. ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY, APRIL 20, 1898, PRESIDENT WILLIAM MCKINLEY ASKS CONGRESS TO DECLARE WAR ON SPAIN "Nine hundred and 10 Texas troops under Gen. Sam Houston attack approximately 1,200 Mexican troops under President Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto, located at the bend of the San Jacinto River and Buffalo Bayou, in present-day La Porte. Nine Texans are killed and 30 wounded," according to the archives of the University of Texas at Arlington. The conflict between Texas and Mexico was complicated, historians have noted. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP After gaining independence from Spain in the 1820s, Mexico welcomed foreign settlers to sparsely populated Texas, according to History.com. Tourists gather in front of the chapel of the Alamo Mission, known as the "Shrine of Texas Liberty," in downtown San Antonio, Texas, Jan. 23, 2023. A large group of Americans, led by Stephen F. Austin, settled along the Brazos River. "The Americans soon outnumbered the resident Mexicans, and by the 1830s, attempts by the Mexican government to regulate these semi-autonomous American communities led to rebellion," the same site also notes. By March 1836, "in the midst of armed conflict" with the Mexican government, Texas "declared its independence from Mexico," the site also shares. MEET THE AMERICAN WHO FOUGHT AND BLED AT THE ALAMO BUT LIVED TO TELL ITS HEROIC TALE: SLAVE JOE Initially, the Texas volunteers suffered defeat against the forces of Santa Anna; General Houstons troops were forced into an eastward retreat and the Alamo fell, History.com also says. The Texans soon rallied, however, and prepared to launch another attack. Story continues "We view ourselves on the eve of battle," Houston said, according to the Sam Houston Memorial Museum and Republic of Texas Presidential Library. Shown here, General Sam Houston, who led an outnumbered militia to victory on the banks of the San Jacinto River in Texas. Houston continued, "We are nerved for the contest, and must conquer or perish. It is vain to look for present aid: None is at hand. We must now act or abandon all hope! Rally to the standard and be no longer the scoff of mercenary tongues! Be men, be free men, that your children may bless their father's name." On April 21, 1836, Houstons army surprised a Mexican force at San Jacinto, and Santa Anna, leader of the Mexican forces, was captured bringing an end to Mexicos effort to subdue Texas. ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY, APRIL 15, 1865, PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN PASSES AWAY In the surprise attack, Houston led 900 troops to fight Santa Anna's 1,600 men. Shouting, "Remember the Alamo!" the Texas Army won the battle at San Jacinto "in 18 minutes" and "secured Texas independence from Mexico," according to History.com. Texas remained independent for nearly 10 years, becoming a state in 1845, that site notes. ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY, APRIL 9, 1963, SIR WINSTON CHURCHILL DECLARED HONORARY US CITIZEN: STEADFAST FRIEND "In exchange for his freedom, Santa Anna recognized Texass independence; although the treaty was later abrogated and tensions built up along the Texas-Mexico border," reports History.com. Soon after, General Houston was elected president of the Republic of Texas, according to the Library of Congress. The Texan defenders of the Alamo fighting Mexican soldiers within the walls of the fortress. Davy Crockett (1786-1836), center right, with his rifle above his head, died in the siege. He continued to serve as senator and governor of the state after Texas became part of the United States. In 1845, the U.S. Army began using the Alamo for quartering troops and storing supplies, according to Britannica.com. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER "In 1883, the state of Texas purchased the Alamo, and in 1903 it acquired the title to the remainder of the old mission grounds," says the site. The Alamo and its adjacent buildings have been restored and are maintained as a state historic site. In 2015, the Alamo, along with four other 18th-century Spanish missions nearby and a historic ranch to the southeast in Floresville, Texas, were also collectively designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, Britannica also notes. Sony Pictures Classics Georges Bizets 1875 opera Carmen has endured not only because of its legendary music, but also because of its equally unforgettable passionsa mixture of jealousy, desperation and rage brought about by inextinguishable desire. Consequently, its been the subject of numerous cinematic adaptations that have sought to tap its hot-blooded vein. Those run the gamut from Raoul Walshs 1927 The Loves of Carmen and Charles Vidors 1948 remake with Rita Hayworth and Glenn Ford, to Otto Premingers all-Black Carmen Jones from 1954, with Harry Belafonte and Dorothy Dandridge (the first Black woman to be nominated for a Best Actress Oscar), Jean-Luc Godards 1983 First Name: Carmen, and Robert Townsends 2001 Carmen: A Hip Hopera starring Beyonce. The names and contexts may change, but the lust, ache, and anger of Bizets classic remains. Thats also true with regards to Carmen (in theaters April 21), choreographer-turned-director Benjamin Millepieds feature debut, which recasts Bizets originalor, rather, the Prosper Merimee novella upon which it was basedas a wildly expressive drama. This take on the story is led by Paul Mescal, Hollywoods next big thing in the wake of his breakout in last years Aftersun, whos paired with Scream VIs Melissa Barrera in a showstopping, star-making performance. But Millepieds film is only tangentially related to its predecessor, instead proffering a dreamy and sultry tale thats more indebted to lovers-on-the-run sagas than Bizet. Nonetheless, capturing the pulse-pounding emotional whirlwind of its source material (and its characters), its a florid reimagining thats at once bold, beautiful, and, at its peak, brilliant. In the Mexican desert, dooms arrival is heralded by Zilah (Marina Tamayo), whose furiously rhythmic zapateado dance routine escalates as two gunmen show up in search of the defiant womans daughter, Carmen (Barrera). Denied their prize, they execute Zilah, thereby compelling Carmen to abandon her home in a blaze of cleansing flamesone of the films chief motifsand sneak across the border into the United States. There, her path crosses with Aidan (Mescal), a marine with two tours of duty in Afghanistan under his belt. When were introduced to Aidan at a preceding barbeque, hes rejecting the advances of a married woman, throwing jabs at a punching bag, and greeting a fellow vet, whose obvious wounds (hes lost both his legs and appears a psychological shell of himself) appear to match Aidans obscured ones. Story continues Snapshots of faces well meet in the future, and of Carmen and Aidan running down a road and vanishing into the darkness, are some of Millepieds big early evocative gestures. Yet his stewardship is as subtle as it is supple, highlighted by a cut linking shots of Carmen letting sand flow through her fingers and Aidan strumming an acoustic guitar while singing, Dont slip away. Sand is another of the films recurring symbols, representing the ephemerality of the romance to come; its in the desert that Aidan and Carmens fates intertwine, when he signs up with some racist border-patrol agents to earn some cashat his sister Julieanns (Nicole da Silva) urgingand, upon encountering a group that includes Carmen, kills his mate Mike (Benedict Hardie), in order to protect her from harm. Sony Pictures Classics Thus, a furtive flight through windswept days and glittering nights is born, with Aidan and Carmen determined to avoid capture and, once they develop trust and affection, separation. Their bond is forged through incidents as operatically stylized as the choral singing that cascades across the soundtrack, swelling and subsiding in tune with the protagonists hearts, beginning with a nocturnal stop at a carnival. Aidan watches Carmen dance among a group of women, who are illuminated by the rides twinkling lights and the fiery pinwheels spinning around them. Eventually, the pair makes it to a Los Angeles dance hall named La Sombra Pederosa and run by Masilda (the inimitable Rossy de Palma, a frequent Pedro Almodovar collaborator), a beloved friend of Carmens mother, who grants them temporary protection from the hostile forces outside (embodied by a pursuing cop). Its also a sanctuary where Aidan and Carmens love can fully blossom. Gods Creatures: Watch Paul Mescals Other Great 2022 Performance Working from a script co-written with Alexander Dinelaris and Loic Barrere, Millepied paints in expressionistic colors and with brash, grand brushstrokes. He forges connections via suggestive edits (courtesy of Dany Cooper) and repeated hallucinations as well as through explosive dance numbers that convey the urgent guilt, grief, and longing that are propelling star-crossed Carmen and Aidan toward each other. Carmen pulsates with full-bodied fervor, as cinematographer Jorg Widmers camera intensely attunes itself to the actors movements, swinging, swaying, racing, and gliding in time with their bodies and the invisible electricity flowing between them. In its late centerpieces, one set inside the club and the other in an arid clearing, Millepied creates such harmonious form-content synergy that his film becomes a master class in how to choreograph, stage, and executeand, by definition, tell big-screen stories throughdance. If Millepieds stewardship is responsible for Carmens intoxicating energy, so too is the rapturous work of Barrera and Mescal, whose sizzling chemistry adds fuel to the films fire. His Aidan a scarred and withdrawn loner enchanted by Barreras title character, Mescal broods with a stoicism that makes his bursts of action all the more bracing. Barrera, on the other hand, is a sensual, turbulent force of nature, as distressed as she is determined; the actress turn boasts a mega-watt magnetism that not only helps sell Aidans infatuation with Carmen, but also comes to embody the storys larger-than-life emotions. Whether on the dance floor, behind the microphone, or fleeing through the gloom with her paramour by her side, Barrera proves a vivid, transfixing presence that elevates the material to its loftiest heights. Sony Pictures Classics Tragic by design, Carmen alternately slides and sprints toward its destination, along the way employing piercing close-ups, juxtapositions, and slow-motion to generate both heartfelt empathy and ardent intimacy. There are cinematic gestures in the closing 15 minutes of Millepieds debut that should make most fellow filmmakers green with envy, including a song-and-dance performance by Barrera that ought to be taught in schools. The finale is even better, speakingor, rather, singingvolumes about love, need, escape, togetherness, and the pain of saying goodbye in leaps, grasps, and caresses. Like Barreras heroine, Carmen triumphs by simultaneously reaching for the heavens and grabbing holdand never letting goof what matters here on Earth. 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. The Department of Defense has upheld its $65.1 billion decision to award the next generation contract to manage Tricare's West Region to TriWest, a ruling that will affect nearly five million patients in the DoD health system. The company that currently has the contract for that segment of the Tricare system and lost out to TriWest, Health Net Federal Services, had filed a protest to stop the deal. The Defense Health Agency announced Thursday that TriWest, which also manages the Department of Veterans Affairs Community Care Network in the western United States and Hawaii, will manage a 26-state region that provides care to patients using the Tricare health program. Read Next: Bronze Star Recipient and VA Chief of Staff Nominated for No. 2 Job at VA DoD announced in December that TriWest and Humana Military were awarded the fifth-generation Tricare Managed Care Support contracts, known as T-5, worth up to $136 billion over a nine-year period. The deal is worth up to $70.9 billion for Humana and $65.1 billion for TriWest. As a result of that decision, Health Net Federal Services had filed a protest, prompting the Defense Health Agency to withdraw its decision as it looked into "information potentially impacting one area of the evaluation," according to a DHA press release Thursday. The agency examined the source selection record and dismissed the protest. In the release, DHA officials said they could not discuss the decision in more detail because the protest remains "under a protective order" at the Government Accountability Office. Neither Health Net nor TriWest responded to a request for comment by publication. The Tricare health program provides private health-care treatment, referrals, customer service, claims processing and other support services to roughly 9.6 million beneficiaries, including active-duty personnel, some members of the Reserve and National Guard, military retirees and family members. Story continues Health Net still has an opportunity to protest. Generally, protests must be filed within 10 days after the contract award is announced or five days after the losing bidder requests and receives a debriefing from the federal government on the award. According to DHA, Health Net also has an option to mount a legal challenge through the federal court system. For now, DHA is proceeding with the contract turnover as planned. "Assuming GAO denies or dismisses all protest allegations and there is no subsequent litigation, DHA may proceed with contract performance, including a one-year transition period from the current ... contract to the T-5 contract. Start of health care delivery would then begin in August 2024," officials said in a release. The T-5 contracts contain a number of provisions that will affect beneficiaries. The decision shifts all beneficiaries currently in the West Region from HealthNet to TriWest. And six states will shift from the East to the West Region, moving 1.5 million beneficiaries in Arkansas, Illinois, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas and Wisconsin from Humana to TriWest. -- Patricia Kime can be reached at Patricia.Kime@Military.com Related: More Than One-Third of Tricare Patients Have Limited or No Access to a Psychiatrist, Study Finds Denise Richards is returning to "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" in the upcoming 13th season. (John Salangsang / Invision / AP) Denise Bravo, Bravo, f Bravo Richards is back. Nearly three years after splitting from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, the actor and real housewife is returning for the 13th season of the franchise in a guest capacity, per Variety. I have filmed some episodes, Richards told Variety in Cannes while promoting her new drama series, Paper Empire, at Canneseries. And its been fun. And you know, Im a big fan of the show, so it was fun to go back and film a lot of stuff with them. This all just happened recently, on the spur of the moment, Richards said. Apparently, the actor even surprised the Bravo production team by arriving at real housewife Garcelle Beauvais screening of "Black Girl Missing" at Beauty & Essex in Los Angeles. I was at her screening as a friend like a real friend. I didnt tell anyone I was gonna be there. Production didnt know. I just showed up, like, for real life, as a real friend in real life. According to Richards, the next day she was invited to some events and said that being back in the mix had been actually fun. Although the extent of her role in the upcoming season is unknown, she did confirm she wouldn't be appearing in the promo shots clutching a massive diamond, like the cast of the housewives are known to do for their signature promo shot. The Wild Things actor also commented on her time on the show, which came to an abrupt and dramatic end after Richards' infamous feuds with Lisa Rinna, who has since left Beverly Hills, and Brandi Glanville, who claimed she and Richards had an extramarital affair, escalated into a dumpster fire that was too hot to handle. When I left after my second season, I just felt as though some of the women were very toxic, and they played so dirty, Richards said. I understand there has to be drama, but I also think its fun to see women having fun, especially this age group. But I dont think its a positive message to try and tear people down," Richards continued. "You can have your opinions, but dont try to tear people down. I dont think its right. Story continues According to Richards, her return to the 13th season of the franchise wont be nearly as messy as her Beverly Hills past. I feel like I didnt get sucked into it, Richards said. I truly was myself on the show. And I think some of the women are different on camera and off camera. And I think, you know what? Dont self-produce. Just be yourselves. You get a group of six to eight [to] 10 women together, your drama will come up, authentically. Leave it at that and have fun with it. The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills began shooting the 13th season in January. It will premiere later this year. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. A Des Moines man will spend up to 50 years in prison after pleading guilty to killing his neighbor in a dispute over a lawnmower a crime the victim's mother, testifying in the sentencing hearing, called "one of the most stupid reasons I have ever heard to shoot someone." Originally charged with first-degree murder, Nery Lopez Morales, 52, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the September 2021 death of 42-year-old Amber Burton. According to the complaint, witnesses told police the shooting came amid an ongoing dispute over a lawn tractor that Burton and her boyfriend had sold to Lopez Morales, and that Burton had "repossessed" over money Lopez Morales allegedly owed her. Investigators said Lopez Morales drove to Burton's house and in an ensuing confrontation shot Burton once in the chest with a shotgun. Under a plea deal filed in February, prosecutors reduced the murder charge to voluntary manslaughter, saying Lopez Morales killed Burton "under circumstances which would otherwise be murder, while acting solely as the result of sudden, violent and irresistible passion resulting from serious provocation." Lopez Morales also pleaded guilty to first-degree burglary, intimidation with a dangerous weapon and assault during a felony. More: Fairfield teens plead guilty in slaying of Spanish teacher who'd given one a bad grade Iowa District Judge Heather Lauber on Thursday accepted an agreement between prosecutors and Lopez Morales' lawyer, sentencing him to consecutive prison terms totaling 50 years, with a mandatory minimum of 20 years served before he will be eligible for parole. Mother says Amber Burton worked hard to care for her children Burton's mother, Valerie, took the stand before Lauber pronounced sentence to talk about the impact of her daughter's death. She said Burton was "our only girl, the baby of our family" and that "there isn't a minute of any day I don't think of her." Story continues "In fact, the hardest part of each day is just getting out of bed knowing it's another day I won't get to see or hear from her," she said. Burton was a single mother and sole provider for her two children, ages 11 and 14, according to her mother, who has since taken over raising them. "She worked long hours as a nurse caring for other people to take care of her two children and herself," Valerie Burton said. More: Starts Right Here shooting suspects to be tried separately, judge rules Addressing Lopez Morales, she said she believed he should spend the rest of his life in prison. "I understand Amber may have taken a lawnmower or some tools from you, and yes, that would make me angry, and that would be wrong of her if that happened, but this is one of the most stupid reasons I have ever heard to shoot someone," she said. Speaking through an interpreter, Lopez Morales declined to make a statement during the hearing. In addition to his prison term, Lopez Morales was ordered to pay $150,000 in restitution to Burton's estate. Attorneys for both sides declined to comment after the hearing. William Morris covers courts for the Des Moines Register. He can be contacted at wrmorris2@registermedia.com, 715-573-8166 or on Twitter at @DMRMorris. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Des Moines man who shot, killed neighbor over lawnmower sentenced Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) got a warm reception at the Heritage Foundations 50th-anniversary summit just outside Washington, D.C., on Friday, softening a difficult weak that featured a wave of Florida lawmakers endorsing former President Trump for 2024. Facing a friendly conservative audience of around 1,070 that greeted him with a standing ovation, DeSantis, who has not yet declared for 2024 but is widely expected to, tested whether he could flaunt signing a six-week abortion ban. DeSantis did not mention the abortion ban bill in a Liberty University speech the day after he signed the bill last week. The measure drew criticism and prompted Trumps campaign to forecast apparent opposition to a national abortion ban. But when running through his list of accomplishments to the Heritage crowd on Friday, DeSantis briefly mentioned he recently signed the heartbeat bill to protect life, drawing some of the strongest applause from the crowd during his speech. Ken Cuccinelli, a former senior Trump official who recently launched a PAC to support a DeSantis presidential run, argued that kind of reaction shows DeSantis is resonating with the conservative voter base. He is the most popular Republican in America for reasons of performance. And people want to win, Cuccinelli told The Hill. Hes a winner. Hes never lost a race. And you know, he doesnt complain about the close ones even. The wave of Florida members of Congress endorsing Trump and knocking DeSantis included scathing comments from Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.) to Politico accusing DeSantis of keeping him out of press conferences and not reaching out after a serious fall put him in the ICU. But Cuccinelli brushed off the importance of congressional endorsements. Ask an Iowa voter. Go ask a South Carolina voter, Cuccinelli said. Dwight Johnson, a Heritage donor from Colorado Springs who was in the crowd, said although he supported Trump in the past, everything that [DeSantis] said made him a great candidate for president of the United States. Story continues I think DeSantis is very electable. I think hes just not nearly as controversial, he said. But Johnson reacted with surprise when he was told several Florida members of Congress endorsed Trump this week and then praised the former president Trump did far more than the things that he said he would do in the first year, Johnson said. Say controversial all you want brilliant businessman. Electability is also a consideration for John Garvey, of Palm Springs, Fla., another Heritage donor who was in the crowd, when looking at the 2024 field. I just saw a couple of polls one out of Arizona, one out of Pennsylvania that had DeSantis polling ahead of Biden by massive margins, both those pivotal states that Trump didnt take [in 2020]. So I think thats maybe one of the better arguments for DeSantis, Garvey said. Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts praised DeSantiss radical candor. And DeSantis focused much of his 40-minute speech on arguing in favor of his confrontational, aggressive political style. I look around and sometimes Republicans will get into office and theyre almost like potted plants. They dont want to do anything with the authority they have, DeSantis said. And without directly mentioning Trump, one DeSantis line distinguished himself from the former president in a way that may have spoken to conservative voters and donors concerns about Trump being too controversial to win. Weve been able to operate an administration that does not get consumed in petty controversy or drama or palace intrigue, DeSantis said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Gov. Ron DeSantis international travel plans might be expanding. The Japan News reported Friday that DeSantis will visit Tokyo as part of a state delegation to promote business with Japan. Republicans have taken an increasingly hard-line stance on China and attention would be strongly focused on what DeSantis had to say about the Japan-U.S. alliance and policy toward Beijing, The Japan News reported. DeSantis is also coordinating visits to South Korea and Israel, following his planned sojourn to Japan. The Japan News noted DeSantis has limited diplomatic experience, while hes seen as a possible 2024 Republican Party presidential candidate. DeSantis made an appearance Friday in Ocala with Enterprise Florida President and CEO Laura DiBella but didnt mention a possible Japan trip. DeSantis previously announced plans for a trip to Israel. The Jerusalem Post and Museum of Tolerance Jerusalem said in a news release that he will take part in an event April 27. In November, DeSantis gave the opening address and welcomed diplomatic delegates during the Southeastern United States-Japan Conference in Orlando. A news release from the governors office at the time expressed an interest in expanding Floridas partnership with Japan. Enterprise Florida said that as of 2020, more than 22,000 Floridians were employed by various Japanese-owned companies. Based on employment, Japan ranks sixth among sources of foreign direct investment into Florida, Enterprise Florida said on its website. An announcement from the governors office Thursday said DeSantis was going to visit Japan, South Korea, Israel and the United Kingdom. Also on the trip, the announcement said, will be DiBella, First Lady Casey DeSantis and Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd. The announcement said the stops in Japan and South Korea would precede the appearance in Israel next Thursday, but did not give specific dates or locations beyond the countries. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis SOPA Images / Contributor/Getty Images Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) has signed a bill that will end the unanimous jury requirement for recommending the death sentence, "reducing the number of jurors [needed] to recommend a death sentence to the lowest threshold of any state with capital punishment," CNN says. SB 450, which allows juries to recommend a death sentence with an 8-4 vote, was prompted after a jury decided against a death sentence for Nikolas Cruz, the gunman responsible for the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Cruz received a life sentence without the possibility of parole when three of the 12 jurors voted against the death penalty, leaving "some family members of the victims disappointed and upset," CNN adds. "Once a defendant in a capital case is found guilty by a unanimous jury, one juror should not be able to veto a capital sentence," DeSantis said in a statement. "I'm proud to sign legislation that will prevent families from having to endure what the Parkland families have and ensure proper justice will be served in the state of Florida." Unanimous sentencing votes are required in almost all 27 states that permit the death penalty. The new threshold in Florida, which went into effect when DeSantis signed the bill, is lower than Alabama's 10-2 majority requirement. Critics warn that the new law will make it too easy to impose a death sentence. "Florida already has the highest number of death row exonerations in the country," Tiffani Lennon, the executive director of the ACLU of Florida, said in a statement. With SB 450 and other similar laws, Lennon continued, "Florida is rapidly widening the net of who will be sent to death row with absolutely no consideration for the flaws that will inevitably lead to the harm of more innocent people." You may also like Texas Senate approves bills requiring 10 Commandments in K-12 classrooms, Bible time in school Prosecutors to 'conduct further investigation' in Alec Baldwin case: 'Charges may be refiled' The U.S. and China want to 'decouple' their economies. Is it possible? Florida now has the lowest threshold in the country for sentencing people to death, thanks to a law signed Thursday by governor Ron DeSantis. Under the bill, eight of 12 jurors can seal a death sentence. Most states require a unanimous decision. Mr DeSantis began pushing for such a provision after the gunman in the 2018 Parkland school shooting avoided the death penalty and was sentenced to life in prison in 2022. We cant be in a situation where one person can just derail this, he said earlier this year at a meeting of the Florida Sheriffs Association. Some Parkland families also opposed the verdict. Jail is about rehabbing someone. There is no rehabbing [Nikolas Cruz], Ilan Alhadeff, father of slain student Alyssa Alhadeff, told reporters after the 12-person jury reached its decision. I pray that animal suffers every day of his life in jail. And it should be a short life, he continued. Florida, which allowed a simple majority vote to pass a death sentence until a 2016 ruling by the state supreme court, has the most death row exonerations of any state, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. There are currently over 300 people on death row in the state. It should be hard to send someone to the death penalty, Randolph Bracy, a former state senator from Orlando who sponsored legislation in 2017 to require unanimous death sentences, told The New York Times. Florida has the highest rate of wrongful convictions, I think, in the country, he added. We needed that threshold to make sure that we were doing the right thing. As The Independent has reported, the families of those impacted by terrorism and mass shootings are divided on the death penalty. In my heart, as my mothers child, I wanted him to be dead like her, Reverend Sharon Risher, whose mother and cousins were killed in 2015 in a white supremacist church shooting in Charleston, South Carolina, told The Independent. Going back to my Christian faith, I knew that I didnt want that. I realised that even though he had done this horrific thing, my faith tells me that God is a God of restoration and redemption. In Washington, meanwhile, the governor signed a bill on Friday officially striking the death penalty from state law, a punishment previously deemed unconstitutional in 2018 in the state supreme court. To the extent that race distinguishes the cases, it is clearly impermissible and unconstitutional, Chief Justice Mary Fairhurst wrote in the lead opinion at the time, noting an analysis that showed juries were four times more likely to sentence Black people to capital punishment.The Independent and the nonprofit Responsible Business Initiative for Justice (RBIJ) have launched a joint campaign calling for an end to the death penalty in the US. The RBIJ has attracted more than 150 well-known signatories to their Business Leaders Declaration Against the Death Penalty - with The Independent as the latest on the list. We join high-profile executives like Ariana Huffington, Facebooks Sheryl Sandberg, and Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson as part of this initiative and are making a pledge to highlight the injustices of the death penalty in our coverage. Florida slid backward on Thursday. The Sunshine State will now have the lowest bar in the nation for imposing the death penalty. Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law a bill that allows an 8-4 vote of a jury to inflict societys most terrible of punishments. But Florida also has the highest number of exonerations in the country, with 30 people since 1973 wrongfully convicted and sent to Death Row, only to be cleared years later. The next closest states, according to the Death Penalty Information Center, are Illinois with 22 and Texas with 16. So lets get this straight. Florida will be easiest place in the nation in which a jury can punish someone by condemning them to be killed. And Florida remains the No. 1 place where we get Death Row convictions wrong. Thats a prescription for a nightmarish Florida, a place where the laws increase the likelihood that we will inflict the death penalty on an innocent person. Thats something that any state should shrink from, rather than embrace. Cruz gets life The reason for this move is the Parkland shooters case. Seventeen people were killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, and yet the shooter did not get the death penalty because there was a 9-12 vote rather than a unanimous death recommendation, which had been the law up until now. It was a terrible outcome for the families of the victims, an unfathomable injustice for them that the shooter remained alive while their loved ones were dead. They suffered through a trial only to see a life sentence imposed. Some questioned what the penalty is for, if not that kind of case. But Floridas reaction is little more than bloodlust cloaked in law, fueled by a governor with presidential ambitions. It should be hard to impose the death penalty. Every other state in the nation, except one, requires a unanimous vote. That other state is Alabama and even then, its a 10-2 vote, not 8-4. There is good reason for the high bar, and thats the worry about arbitrary and unfair application of the death penalty, especially when it comes to poor and Black people. A unanimous jury is one way to build in a cushion against that ultimate injustice. Story continues Judicial override Florida has required an unanimous jury since 2016, but in 2020, the Florida Supreme Court, in a non-binding opinion, opened the door for legislators to reduce the requirement. And after the Parkland verdict, DeSantis vowed to change the law. The new law leaves in place the ability for a judge to override the death penalty. Its likely to be challenged in court. But its passage cannot be separated from the governor and his White House hopes. In his drive for a list of wins from which to spring to Washington, he has pushed through a near-total abortion ban, fought publicly with Disney, decried wokeness in schools and loosened gun restrictions. He has also cranked up Floridas executions. In his first term, he signed two death warrants. In the handful of months in his second term, he has already signed three, with two people executed so far. The outcome of the Parkland case is gut-wrenching. But the answer isnt exacting revenge by lowering the bar in other cases. In the process, DeSantis and the Republican Legislature are taking Florida backward in time to a place where the standards for justice are lower and the death penalty is more likely to be meted out in error. The "Panda" rapper shared in an Instagram Story statement that he's ashamed of his behavior ETIENNE LAURENT/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Desiigner Rapper Desiigner announced he'll be prioritizing his mental health after reports surfaced this week of the rapper allegedly exposing himself of a plane. The "Panda" musician, 25, shared an Instagram Story statement on Thursday as TMZ reported he was accused of exposing himself to a flight attendant during an international flight back to the U.S., which stopped in both Thailand and Tokyo. As the outlet notes, the musician (whose real name is Sidney Royel Selby III) was questioned by police upon landing in Minneapolis and eventually released. Related:Kid Cudi Says He's 'More Proud of Myself Than Ever' in His Mental Health Journey "For the past few months I have not been OK, and I have been struggling to come to terms with what is going on," Desiigner shared on Instagram. "While overseas for a concert I performed at, I had to be admitted in to a hospital, I was not thinking clearly." Desiigner/Instagram "They gave me meds, and I had to hop on a plane home. I am ashamed of my actions that happened on that plane," he added. "I landed back to the states, and am admitting my self in a facility to help me. I will be cancelling all shows and any obligations until further notice. Mental health is real guys, please pray for me. If [you're] not feeling like yourself please get help," he concluded. A rep for Desiigner did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for additional comment. Related:Offset Shows Off Massive Back Tattoo in Honor of Takeoff: 'Love You 4L & After' At the time of the statement, Desiigner had just wrapped a Friday set at Rolling Loud Thailand, performing among names like Rick Ross, Fat Joe, Lil Pump and headliner Chris Brown. Cardi B and Travis Scott headlined the festival's two additional dates over the weekend, and Desiigner also put on a performance at a nightclub in Tokyo over the weekend, per Billboard. Story continues Back in December, the "Timmy Turner" rapper who was previously signed to Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music label opened up to BET about the death of his friends PnB Rock in September and Takeoff in November and going back on his announcement that he was quitting rap. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The Migos rapper was fatally shot outside of a bowling alley in Houston, Texas in November. Takeoff, real name Kirsnick Khari Ball, was 28. After his death, Desiigner revealed on Instagram Live that he was "done" with music. Later clarifying his stance to BET, he shared: "Take wouldn't want me to stop bro. You got to keep going keep going stronger and stronger in the heart and you will be okay." For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Daryll Straughter and Eladio Nino were in the business of keeping people safe in downtown Detroit. Straughter as a security guard at Athens Liquor Store in Greektown, and Nino as a Ceasefire Detroit community violence interventionist stationed right outside of Athens. Nino hadn't worked Greektown since last summer. When he saw Straughter on the evening of April 14, "the energy was the same we were happy to see each other," Nino said. "He was glowing." Daryll Straughter and his wife Maundretta Straughter. They embraced, shook hands, caught up. But around them, chaos developed like Nino had never seen in Greektown. He said he saw teenagers walking around with AR-15s and Dracos. He and other Ceasefire violence interventionists broke up drunken brawls until 3 a.m. They helped police secure multiple areas where shootings had occurred. That weekend, police said there were five shootings in Greektown alone, another on the Detroit RiverWalk, and numerous arrests involving carrying a concealed weapon. The shootings and arrests prompted police on Thursday to announce a 12-point plan that emphasizes crowd control tactics and cracking down on curfew violations, illegal weapon possession and public intoxication. Straughter kept those at Athens Liquor safe that Friday night. He was never aggressive, only assertive when needed, calm, and collected, Nino said. Saturday night, Nino had the day off. Straughter was back at Greektown to help protect Detroiters during another chaotic night. Around 8 p.m. that night, a gunman who was allegedly angered about line-cutting at Athens, walked up to Straughter and shot him in the chest without warning, police said. Straughter, 48, did not survive, leaving behind a wife and four children. More: Prosecutors must disclose cops with credibility problems, but sometimes don't More: 'One Detroit' initiative announced to help prevent violent crime Police said the suspect, Travis Deshawn Irving, 33, fled the scene assisted by his girlfriend, Nicole Kay Christian, 34. Irving is charged with first-degree murder, two counts of felony firearm, and one count of possessing a firearm as a felon. Christian is charged with accessory after the fact. Both were arraigned Wednesday in 36th District Court. Irving was held without bond. Judge Kenneth King set bond at $50,000 for Christian. Story continues Nino described Straughter as a "gentle giant" who was humble, respectful, caring and just wanted the best for others. He never saw Straughter mad. Photos of Daryll Straughter provided by family members "He'll definitely be missed," Nino said. "It seems like everybody's answer to conflict is, 'I have to shoot you, I have to kill you.' "Why take somebody's life over that? Senseless." 12-point crowd control strategy Detroit Police Chief James White said that, overall, downtown is still an enjoyable place to be. But the 12-point crowd control plan he announced Thursday is meant to deter the kind of violence Detroiters experienced last weekend. Here's a breakdown of the plan: Increase police presence While downtown already has a significant police presence, White said Detroiters should expect to see more officers in the area, effective immediately. Mid-summer police units will be deployed, which White described as more comprehensive and includes officers deployed strategically throughout downtown, including undercover officers. Community education, partnerships with community groups White said there's a "huge" education strategy as part of the 12-point plan. Community groups such as Ceasefire Detroit and others will continue to educate youth on violence prevention and safety. Community ambassadors downtown, like members of Ceasefire, will be passing out business cards to youth downtown reminding them of the city's curfew. Police vehicles will also announce via microphone reminders of the curfew. Curfew enforcement The city curfew for minors 15 and under bars them from being on public streets, sidewalks, playgrounds, vacant lots or other unsupervised public places after 10 p.m. For ages 16 to 17, the curfew is 11 p.m. White said the department will be enforcing the curfew. Violators can expect to be taken to the 4th Precinct police station, White said, and parents may be fined $500. White said police have identified areas where youth congregate downtown, and acknowledged that they will likely move to other areas. Strategic and timed vehicular shutdowns Roads will be closed to vehicles in certain areas downtown at various times before 2 a.m. Hard road closures, no parking zones Roads in Greektown will close at 2 a.m. and the Detroit RiverWalk will close at 10 p.m. Business inspections Businesses will be inspected to ensure compliance with noise ordinances and to ensure no illegal sales of "loose cigarettes" and "loose cups" of alcohol. Increased lighting in Greektown and the Detroit RiverWalk There will be more lighting implemented in Greektown and the Detroit Riverwalk. Eagle Eye Hotline White said Detroit police have a program called Eagle Eye, which runs out of the department's real-time crime center. Officers and analysts are able to monitor downtown from above. Police plan to launch an Eagle Eye Hotline for businesses to call in if they see problems arising from within their businesses. "When the business owners themselves see a problem or have a problem on the inside of the business, not captured by Eagle Eye, they're going to have a hotline where they can call right into Eagle Eye. And we can focus immediately on that business. As those persons exit the business, our officers will be able to engage them earlier," White said. Video wall monitors White said his department plans on setting up video wall monitors, like the ones used during downtown's July fireworks celebration. Simply put, it's a "wall that shows that you are being videotaped. When you walk by, you get to see yourself, and you get to know that we see you as well," White said. Public alcohol consumption ordinance enforcement In addition to more signage regarding public intoxication, a misdemeanor, White said police will be cracking down on violators. Noise ordinance enforcement More signage regarding Detroit's noise ordinance will be put up downtown and police will be enforcing the ordinance, which carries a misdemeanor charge. Rewards TV campaign on illegal weapons and ATVs Detroit police's Rewards TV program will now include a $250 cash reward for tips on illegal gun possession and tips that lead to the confiscation of all-terrain vehicles illegally driven on city streets. To submit a tip, visit detroitrewards.tv. "If you are illegally carrying a gun, you are not welcome," White said. Vigils planned Events are being arranged to honor the life of Daryll Straughter; they include: At 7:30 p.m. on Friday, a vigil and balloon release are set to take place at 553 Monroe St. At 8 p.m. Sunday, a candlelight vigil is expected to take place in Greektown, though a specific location has yet to be announced. Andrea Sahouri covers criminal justice for the Detroit Free Press. She can be contacted at 313-264-0442, asahouri@freepress.com or on Twitter @andreamsahouri. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit police push 12-point safety plan after security guard slain Detroit Opera President and CEO Wayne S. Brown is stepping down from his position after nine years, according to a job search document obtained by the Detroit Free Press. Detroit Opera President and CEO Wayne S. Brown, in a headshot dated 2013. Brown has announced his intent to step down after a successful, nine-year tenure. The Board, under chair Ethan Davidson, has appointed a Transition Committee to identify the next President and CEO, according to the document previously posted to ArtsJournal.com. Detroit Opera executives confirmed the authenticity of the document. Brown, who took the reins from founder Dr. David DiChiera in 2014, shepherded the organization through the COVID-19 pandemic and into its modern era of international acclaim after the appointment of Yuval Sharon as artistic director. Last weekend, the operas Spanish-language Fountain of Tears (Ainadamar) closed after drawing rave reviews from audiences and publications including the Free Press. Soprano Christine Goerke performs during a drive-in opera performance of Twilight: Gods in the parking structure of the Detroit Opera House on Oct. 21, 2020. Detroit Opera returned to staging shows inside the theater in 2022. More: Spectacular Spanish-language 'Fountain of Tears' is Detroit Opera's best production in years More: Detroit Opera director named to TIME list of 100 emerging leaders Detroit Opera invites applications and welcomes nominations for the position of President and CEO, the ArtsJournal listing said, adding that Brown has shared with the Board of Directors his intention to step down at the end of his current contract or at such time as a successor is prepared to assume leadership of the Company. Detroit Opera released a statement Friday morning confirming Brown's intent to step down. Its time, said Brown in the media release. This marks my fiftieth year in the business. For me, this is about the completion of a significant cycle: my professional career right after graduating from the University of Michigan began with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and after several decades at symphony orchestras and the National Endowment for the Arts, Detroit called me back in 2014, when I became President and CEO of Michigan Opera Theatre, now Detroit Opera. "My time at Detroit Opera has been particularly meaningful; since its founding, this company has always been defined by creativity and innovation, generated by the city that embraces it. Im pleased to observe that the forward-thinking, inclusive, risk-taking approach of Detroit Opera is becoming a model for other opera companies in the U.S. My time at Detroit Opera has been an opportunity to celebrate and embrace a more expanded view of what opera means today, and I cannot wait to see what the company has to offer in the years to come. Story continues This story is developing and will be updated. Related: Detroit Opera's music director looks to get newcomers hooked on opera Related: Michigan Opera Theatre changing its name to Detroit Opera under rebranding Related: A look at Michigan Opera Theatre's past as it changes name to Detroit Opera Contact Free Press arts and culture reporter Duante Beddingfield at dbeddingfield@freepress.com. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Opera looking for new leader as CEO prepares to step down A viral AI-generated song imitating Drake and The Weeknd was pulled from streaming services this week, but did it actually breach copyright as claimed by record label Universal? Created by someone called @ghostwriter, "Heart On My Sleeve" racked up millions of listens before Universal Music Group asked for its removal from Spotify, Apple Music and other platforms. However, Andres Guadamuz, who teaches intellectual property law at Britain's University of Sussex, is not convinced that the song breached copyright. As similar cases look set to multiply -- with an uncanny AI replication of Liam Gallagher from Oasis causing buzz -- he spoke to AFP about some of the issues being raised. - Did the song breach copyright?- The underlying music on "Heart On My Sleeve" was new -- only the sound of the voice was familiar -- "and you can't copyright the sound of someone's voice," said Guadamuz. Perhaps the furore around AI impersonators may lead to copyright being expanded to include voice -- rather than just melody, lyrics and other created elements -- "but that would be problematic," Guadamuz added. "What you're protecting with copyright is the expression of an idea, and voice isn't really that." He said Universal probably claimed copyright infringement because it is the simplest route to removing content, with established procedures already in place with streaming platforms. "Most of the time, these issues are not resolved by law, but just by record companies making a stink with the platforms. It's easier for the platform just to comply," said Guadamuz. - Were other rights breached? An AI-generated impersonator may be breaching other laws. If an artist has a distinctive voice or image, this is potentially protected under "publicity rights" in the United States or similar image rights in other countries. Bette Midler won a case against Ford in 1988 for using an impersonator of her in an advert. Tom Waits won a similar case in 1993 against the Frito-Lays potato chips company. Story continues The problem, said Guadamuz, is that enforcement of these rights is "very hit and miss" and taken much more seriously in some countries than others. And streaming platforms currently lack straightforward mechanisms for removing content seen as breaching image rights. - What comes next? The big upcoming legal fight is over how AI programmes are trained. It may be argued that inputting existing Drake and Weeknd songs to train an AI programme may be a breach of copyright -- but Guadamuz said this issue was far from settled. "You need to copy the music in order to train the AI and so that unauthorised copying could potentially be copyright infringement," he said. "But defendants will say it's fair use. They are using it to train a machine, teaching it to listen to music, and then removing the copies. "Ultimately, we will have to wait and see for the case law to be decided." But it is almost certainly too late to stem the flood. "Bands are going to have to decide whether they want to pursue this in court, and copyright cases are expensive," said Guadamuz. "Some artists may lean into the technology and start using it themselves -- especially if they start losing their voice." er/fb A feisty looking crustacean in North Carolinas Blue Ridge Mountains is a new species found nowhere else in the world, according to the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. Called the Stony Fork Crayfish, it is one of two new species revealed in research by a team of North Carolina scientists published April 20 in Zootaxa. The other species is called the Falls Crayfish. Both creatures resemble miniature lobsters: The Stony Fork Crayfish is just under 4 inches from nose to tail, and the Falls Crayfish is slightly smaller, the museum reports. They were discovered tucked into niches of neighboring streams that feed into the western upper Yadkin River basin in western North Carolina, officials said. Bronwyn Williams, a museum research curator of non-molluscan invertebrates, conducted the extremely dirty research nearly six years ago with experts from the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. Williams caught her specimens in a variety of ways, including seine netting and dip netting, as well as simply flipping rocks. I vividly remember catching one of these crayfish ...(and) being really confused. It looked like the Big Water Crayfish, which is known from the complete opposite side of the Eastern Continental Divide, in the Watauga and New Rivers, Williams told McClatchy News. But here we were in a smallish tributary to the Yadkin River, which flows the complete opposite direction, into the Atlantic Ocean. The best explanation is a geologic phenomenon known as stream piracy in which a waterway erodes into a divide, capturing or diverting an adjacent waterway into itself, the researchers say. This is really neat, as it suggests that a previously unknown, localized, temporary, aquatic connection bridged the Eastern Continental Divide near where the headwaters of the Stony Fork and Lewis Fork are now, Williams said in the release. The two new species live in highly restricted ranges, which means they have adapted to specific conditions, the museum says. Story continues Williams worked with Michael Perkins and William Russ from the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission on the research, officials said. Stunned biologist looks into tortoise hole to see alligator smiling back in Georgia Mysterious ball seen beside road was 14-foot invasive snake, New York officials say Rarely seen moment of whale calf suckling recorded off New England coast, video shows An endorsement by Coral Gables Mayor Vince Lago, who was reelected without opposition to a second term, did not help the candidate in the election earlier this month. His political clout will be tested again in a runoff race next week. Residents will cast their votes for Tuesdays election, which could act as a bellwether for public confidence in the current establishment and its ability to address concerns about overdevelopment. Earlier this month, blogger Ariel Fernandez beat lawyer Alex Bucelo 58% to 42% in the race for an open City Commission seat. Bucelo had Lagos endorsement, as well as those of the current city commissioners and several former mayors. Lagos other endorsed candidate, Ivette Arango ODoski, is headed to a runoff on Tuesday against Melissa Castro. ODoski led in the four-way race for a second open City Commission seat during the April 11 general biennial election, but with 47% of the vote, she fell short of the over 50% threshold needed to win. Castro followed with 39%. About 530 votes separated them. READ MORE: Gables Insider blogger faces inside candidate in Coral Gables Commission election ODoski, 48, is a lawyer and registered lobbyist who runs an independent government relations firm and an interior design company. She has raised $166,500, according to campaign finance records. Thats over 10 times as much as Castro, who owns a company that expedites permits. Castro has reported about $13,500 in monetary contributions and about $1,100 in in-kind contributions to her campaign. A lot of people have donated to my campaign, ODoski said. I think it speaks to the fact that Ive been living in Coral Gables for over 30 years and involved in my community my whole life. Im grateful for all of the support. I, not for a moment, believe that it equates to buying my vote on the dais. Thats not what I stand for. Besides Lago, she also has endorsements from the current city commissioners, and former Mayors Don Slesnick, Jim Cason and Dorothy Thomson. Story continues ODoski said the city is at a crossroads and one of her biggest concerns is overdevelopment, particularly with large-scale projects bleeding into residential neighborhoods. I think its upon us, she said about overdevelopment in the Gables. I think its actively going on. Castro has the endorsement of the Gables Neighbors United PAC, which is the political arm of the Coral Gables Neighbors Association. The group has approximately 16,000 members, said Sue Kawalerski, president of the association. Castro, 38, took over her familys permitting firm after her mothers death in 2020. In that new role, she said, I started seeing all the wrong things that are going on in this city. She also cited overdevelopment as a major concern. I dont think people are opposed to development, she said. Theyre just opposed to monster construction going on in residential areas. One of her main goals, she said, is to streamline the citys convoluted permitting process, and to make it more accessible for older residents. Im not an attorney. Im not a lobbyist, she said. The only reason Im really doing this is for Coral Gables. Castro first registered to vote in January, according to Miami-Dade voter records. She told Florida Politics that not voting until now is one of her highest regrets. Im totally here for the residents and I dont have a hidden agenda, she said. Ive never been a politician, never been into politics at all. Race parallels The Group IV race between Castro and ODoski has some similarities to the Group V City Commission race between Fernandez and Bucelo in terms of endorsements and the amount of money raised. Castro, like Fernandez, has the endorsement of the Gables Neighbors United PAC. ODoski, like Bucelo, received endorsements from Lago, city commissioners and several former mayors. Bucelo raised more than five times as much money as Fernandez, with over $170,000 in his campaign account. Fernandez reported just under $32,000. Some of ODoskis contributors include development group Agave Holdings LLC and architectural firm BF Holdings LLC, both of which also gave money to Bucelo. Several political committees contributed to her campaign, including the Conservatives for a Better Florida PAC and the Miami Realtors PAC. Castros campaign contributions are mostly from individuals. She has also accepted money from Terra Property Investors LLC, Intracoastal Builders LLC and a private wealth management group. Early voting for the runoff race will be held Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the War Memorial Youth Center. Dominic Raab has resigned from Rishi Sunaks cabinet, following the conclusion of an inquiry into bullying allegations. In his resignation letter to the prime minister, Mr Raab said he accepted the report by Mark Tolley KC had found evidence of bullying. The long-serving minister said the inquiry into his behaviour had set a dangerous precedent, but that he would remain supportive of the government. He had previously insisted he believed heart and soul that he was not a bully, but defended his forthright approach to his work. In the letter, Mr Raab said: I called for the inquiry and undertook to resign, if it made any finding of bullying whatsoever. I believe it is important to keep my word. Whilst I feel dutybound to accept the outcome of the inquiry, it dismissed all but two of the claims levelled against me. I also believe that its two adverse findings are flawed and set a dangerous precedent for the conduct of good government. Key Points Dominic Raab resigns over bullying report Read Dominic Raab's resignation letter in full Raab warns of dangerous precedent for bullying claims By-election now in Raabs seat, say Lib Dems Full report: Dominic Raab resigns after bullying investigation 10:10 , Liam James Dominic Raab has resigned as deputy prime minister after a damning report into claims he bullied civil servants was finally published (Adam Forrest writes). The findings of Adam Tolley KCs independent probe in the bullying claims landed on the PMs desk on Thursday morning, but the results were not initially revealed. Mr Raab has denied allegations of bullying insisting that he believes heart and soul that he is not a bully. In a punchy resignation letter he said he felt duty bound to accept the outcome of the inquiry. Full report from The Independents politics team here: Dominic Raab resigns as Deputy Prime Minister after bullying investigation Why did Dominic Raab resign? 10:34 , Liam James Dominic Raabs resignation followed a monthslong investigation into bullying claims. Story continues Rishi Sunak took a day to consider the findings of the investigation before his deputy left office. For the full story behind this mornings dramatic shift at the top of government, read here: Dominic Raab resigns: Why did the deputy prime minister tender his resignation? Dominic Raabs resignation letter in full: This inquiry sets a dangerous precedent 10:29 , Liam James In his resignation letter, Dominic Raab attacked the investigation into his behaviour as flawed and setting a low threshold for bullying and a dangerous precedent. Read the full text of his letter here: Dominic Raabs resignation letter in full after announcement today Raab unfit to be MP: Political Twitter reacts to resignation 10:22 , Liam James Lib Dem leader Ed Davey says Dominic Raab unfit to be an MP and calls for a by-election in the ex-deputy PMs seat. Dominic Raab has shown he is not only unfit to serve as a minister, but is totally unfit to be an MP. People in Esher and Walton deserve a by-election now so they choose a new Liberal Democrat MP to stand up for them. Ed Davey (@EdwardJDavey) April 21, 2023 Caroline Lucas alleges Rishi Sunak did not need an investigation to know Dominic Raab was a bully. #Raab had to go - but investigation wasn't needed. PM bought time to avoid consequences of unethical cabinet appointments. He'd have known of Raab's bullying, Braverman's breaking of Ministerial Code & Qs re Zahawi's tax affairs from day 1. Still appointed them all. He's culpable https://t.co/7RrMO6Z5TX Caroline Lucas (@CarolineLucas) April 21, 2023 Dominic Raabs seat must face by-election, say Lib Dems 10:15 , Liam James The Liberal Democrats have demanded a by-election in Dominic Raabs constituency of Esher and Walton following his ministerial resignation over a report into bullying allegations against him. Deputy leader Daisy Cooper said: Dominic Raab has shown he is not only unfit to serve as a minister, but is totally unfit to represent his constituents in Parliament. He should resign as an MP and trigger a by-election so the people of Esher and Walton can finally have the MP they deserve. Voters across Surrey and the Blue Wall are fed up with this endless Conservative chaos and MPs who take their communities for granted. At the next election in Esher and Walton, it will be a two-horse race between more Conservative Party chaos or a hardworking Liberal Democrat MP who will listen and stand up for local people. Dominic Raab warns of 'dangerous precedent 10:06 , Liam James Dominic Raab warned the inquiry into bullying claims set a dangerous precedent. In his resignation letter, he said: I called for the inquiry and undertook to resign, if it made any finding of bullying whatsoever. I believe it is important to keep my word. Whilst I feel duty bound to accept the outcome of the inquiry, it dismissed all but two of the claims levelled against me. I also believe that its two adverse findings are flawed and set a dangerous precedent for the conduct of good government. He concluded: In setting the threshold for bullying so low, this inquiry has set a dangerous precedent. It will encourage spurious complaints against ministers and have a chilling effect on those driving change on behalf of your government and ultimately the British people. Read Dominic Raab's resignation letter in full 10:00 , Liam James In his resignation letter to Rishi Sunak, Dominic Raab conceded that evidence of bullying had been uncovered in a report into the deputy prime ministers behaviour by Mark Tolley KC. Raab & I have always got on, insists minister 09:32 , Liam James The transport secretary said he has always got on very well with Mr Raab despite a slew of bullying accusations against the deputy PM. Mark Harper added that it is not unreasonable for Mr Sunak to take his time reading Adam Tolley KCs report into the allegations before deciding on his fate. And he denied that Mr Sunaks slow response, which has seen the prime minister accused of dithering, shows a lack of leadership. Mr Harper told LBC: I think for the Prime Minister to take the time to read the report in full in detail himself it does not seem unreasonable that that's going to take a little bit of time. I think it demonstrates a Prime Minister who makes good decisions based on all of the facts Due process actually is important. Every time you rush decisions, and you don't take them properly, you don't make good ones. I've always got on very well with Dominic Raab, but I don't want to prejudge the outcome of this case. There have been a number of serious complaints made about Dominic Raab, which is why this inquiry was set up. BREAKING: Dominic Raab resigns as Deputy Prime Minister after bullying investigation 09:23 , Liam James Dominic Raab has resigned as deputy prime minister after a damning report into claims he bullied civil servants was finally published. The deputy PM has been under investigation since November over eight formal complaints about his behaviour as foreign secretary, Brexit secretary and his first stint as justice secretary. We will bring you more on this breaking news as soon as we can. Raab has case to answer over Sunaks delay 09:19 , Liam James Dominic Raab has a case to answer on bullying claims because a decision to keep him in place has not already been made, the shadow health secretary has suggested. Wes Streeting told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: It certainly tells us that theres a case to answer and this isnt a clear-cut decision for Dominic Raab. Rishi Sunak appointed him despite knowing these allegations were in the air, and why does Rishi Sunak do this, well we can see with the case of the Home Secretary too - hes too weak to stand up to his own party and the right of his own party in particular. Rishi Sunak has been holed up in Downing Street reading the report and hes got no one to blame ... He knew these allegations were in the air when he appointed Dominic Raab as Deputy Prime Minister and he has got form for weakness in appointing people to the highest offices who are not fit to hold them. Minister says hes never seen Raab shout at colleagues 09:01 , Liam James Transport Secretary Mark Harper denied he has ever seen Dominic Raab shout at a colleague. He insisted he had always got on very well with the deputy prime minister personally but did not want to prejudge the outcome of this case. Asked on LBC whether he had ever witnessed Mr Raab shout at a colleague, he said: No. Look, youre trying to draw me into that. Whatever my personal experiences are, there are people who have had serious complaints to make. Dominic Raab called me a silly b****, lawyer who took government to court over Brexit claims 08:25 , Liam James The lawyer who took the government to court over Brexit claims embattled Dominic Raab once called her a silly b****. The deputy prime minister and justice secretary, whose fate hangs in the balance pending the outcome of a report into bullying allegations against him, saw Gina Miller as lesser than himself, she has claimed. Ms Miller, who challenged the governments Brexit plans in the Supreme Court, alleges Mr Raab abused her while the pair shared a lift after appearing on the BBCs Today show in 2016 to talk about the case. She told Talk TVs Piers Morgan Uncensored: I have had a personal experience where he was a bully to me. I was doing the Today program about the case I brought, my first case, and coming down from the show in the lift he basically called me names. Full report can be found here: Time taken by PM defended by Transport Secretary 07:57 , Tara Cobham Transport Secretary Mark Harper has defended the time taken by the Prime Minister to reach a decision over the report into Dominic Raabs conduct as fair to the officials who made complaints. He told BBC Breakfast: I think actually thats the fair thing to do both for the complainants, who made some serious complaints, but also for Dominic Raab. I think for both sides in this the Prime Minister should take the time. Questions dodged on when PM might make decision 07:56 , Tara Cobham Transport Secretary Mark Harper has dodged questions on when the Prime Minister might make a decision over the report into bullying allegations against Dominic Raab. Asked to indicate a timeframe for decision-making, he told Sky News: Hell want to reach a conclusion as quickly as he can. The minister refused to be drawn on whether Rishi Sunak is minded to show the report to his ethics adviser, Sir Laurie Magnus. He said: Fundamentally this is a decision for the Prime Minister about who serves in the Government. Hell take that decision in the careful, meticulous way he reaches all his decisions. Transport Secretary refuses to speak on Raab knowing complainants names 07:55 , Tara Cobham Transport Secretary Mark Harper has refused to say whether he thinks it is right that Dominic Raab knows the names of officials who have made complaints against him. Saying that he had not been shown the report himself, he told Times Radio: I dont know the detail of how this inquiry has been conducted. Pressed on Mr Raabs knowledge of the complainants names, which has been widely reported, he said: I think Dominic Raabs been clear all the way through this. He has respected the process, he has complied with the inquiry and, certainly in the interviews Ive seen him in, hes been very careful not to prejudge the outcome of the inquiry. Everyone knows difference between demanding bosses and bullies' 07:49 , Tara Cobham Everyone knows the difference between a demanding boss and a bully, a civil servants union leader has said as the Prime Minister ponders whether to sack Dominic Raab. Dave Penman, general secretary of the FDA union, also branded the delay a farce and a completely unsatisfactory state of affairs when he appeared on BBC Breakfast. When asked whether the row was down to generational differences in workplace culture, he said: We dont need to redefine bullying, bullying is dealt with in workplaces up and down the country. There are demanding bosses and there are bullies, and everyone knows the difference. He added: We dont really know why he (Rishi Sunak) hasnt been able to decide on the facts that were presented to him yesterday. It just reinforces the point of what a kind of farce this whole process is for those who raised complaints. Whatever the reason for that is, a completely unsatisfactory state of affairs, to be honest. Reasonable PM has made no decision, says Transport Secretary 07:47 , Tara Cobham Transport Secretary Mark Harper has insisted it is quite reasonable for the Prime Minister not to have made a decision yet over the report into bullying allegations against Dominic Raab. Mr Harper told Times Radio the long-running inquiry was extensive and Rishi Sunak would be taking it very seriously. He said: It seems to me quite reasonable that the Prime Minister would want to read the report in full himself, go through all the detail, before he reaches a conclusion. Column: Which will be more catastrophic the SpaceX rocket or Raabs career? Thursday 20 April 2023 22:40 , Jane Dalton At least when the rocket exploded after take-off, it was over and done with and the rolling news channels moved on to the next thing, writes Tom Peck: Whose credibility will explode harder: SpaceXs or Raabs? | Tom Peck Raabs history of controversial claims Thursday 20 April 2023 22:10 , Jane Dalton Dominic Raab is no stranger to controversy. He once labelled feminists obnoxious bigots and said men get a raw deal. In 2017 he declared that food banks are used mostly by people with temporary cash flow problems. An ardent Brexiteer, he once called for Britain to use negotiations with the EU to scrap workers rights. This was all highlighted when he was appointed Brexit secretary: Dominic Raab: who is the man now tasked with leading Brexit? Union chief calls for complaints system reform Thursday 20 April 2023 21:40 , Jane Dalton The handling of formal complaints against ministers should be taken out of the hands of politicians following the drawn-out bullying investigation, a union chief says. Dave Penman, general secretary of the FDA union, said a reform of the complaints process against ministers was required. He said flagging complaints about ministerial behaviour was an extraordinarily difficult thing to do under the current system. Some FDA members are behind the accusations levelled at Mr Raab. Mr Penman said allowing the Prime Minister to act as judge and jury in disciplinary matters against frontbench members of his team was not a way to deal with allegations. There is no process for this, there is nothing in writing, you have no rights, Mr Penman said. Editorial: Sunak must act swiftly on Raab and show real leadership Thursday 20 April 2023 21:12 , Jane Dalton The ministerial code is perfectly clear, and there is no reason, legal or moral, why politicians should be excused from the standards of behaviour expected of them. Read The Independents editorial here: Editorial: Sunak must act swiftly on Raab and show real leadership Deputy PM will not offer to quit' Thursday 20 April 2023 20:45 , Jane Dalton Dominic Raab has read Tolleys report into his alleged bullying, according to ITV political editor Robert Peston, who says he understands the deputy PM believes the report does not show he breached the Ministerial Code, and so will not offer his resignation. Which means the PM has to decide whether to sack him. Dominic Raab has read Tolley's report into his alleged bullying and - as I understand it - he believes it does not show he breached the Ministerial Code, and therefore he will not be offering his resignation. Which means the PM has to decide whether to sack him Robert Peston (@Peston) April 20, 2023 Another example of Tory chaos, says shadow attorney general Thursday 20 April 2023 20:15 , Jane Dalton Shadow attorney general Emily Thornberry has accused Rishi Sunak of lacking the courage to sack Dominic Raab as Deputy Prime Minister. The Labour MP said: I think its another example of Conservative chaos and not addressing the problems of the country. Hes going to spend tonight looking at the report and trying to summon up the courage to work out whether he should sack his deputy or not when really what he should be doing is focusing on a cost-of-living crisis. Hes got the report, read the report: if hes a bully, sack him. Asked whether the Prime Minister should take time to consider the findings, Ms Thornberry responded: A bully is a bully. Sunak may consult ethics tsar Thursday 20 April 2023 19:45 , Jane Dalton There is no formal role for Rishi Sunaks ethics tsar Sir Laurie Magnus in the investigation, but the Prime Minister could consult him before delivering his verdict on Mr Raab - although such conversations are usually kept private. Sir Laurie had not been appointed as the independent adviser on ministers interests when the investigation into Mr Raab was launched. Union chief slams farce Thursday 20 April 2023 19:20 , Jane Dalton Union leader Dave Penman labelled the wait for the Prime Minister to reach a verdict a farce. Mr Penman is general secretary of the FDA, a union representing senior civil servants, including some of the complainants who have accused the Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary of bullying behaviour in the workplace. Mr Penman said: Imagine being a civil servant who has been brave enough to raise a complaint against the Deputy Prime Minister, sitting in a government department and youre watching this farce play out live on television, not knowing what your fate is going to be about the complaints you have raised. No one knows what is going to happen now, there are no rules associated with any investigation, there are no rights for anyone who raises a complaint. People have just got to sit and watch telly to try and find out what has happened about very serious bullying allegations they might have made. Boris Johnson privately warned Raab about behaviour Thursday 20 April 2023 18:50 , Jane Dalton Boris Johnson is said to have privately warned Dominic Raab about his behaviour when the minister held several cabinet positions under his leadership. From last month: Boris Johnson privately warned Dominic Raab about conduct Sunak summoning up guts to sack Raab' Thursday 20 April 2023 18:25 , Jane Dalton Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner MP accused Rishi Sunak of delaying the publication of the report while he tries to summon up the guts to sack his own deputy. She said: While the Prime Minister dithers and delays, trying to summon up the guts to sack his own deputy, working people are battling the worst cost-of-living crisis for a generation - food bills and mortgage rates are rising, wages are stagnating, and too many of us are waiting months and even years for health treatment. While the Tories are yet again mired in chaos, Labour is focused on cutting the cost of living, cutting crime, and cutting waiting lists with our long-term plan to give Britain its future back. PM has full confidence in Raab Thursday 20 April 2023 18:10 , Jane Dalton A reminder ICYMI: Rishi Sunak maintains full confidence in his deputy while he carefully considers the report findings, Downing Street said this morning: PM has full confidence in Dominic Raab as he considers bullying report Report wont give verdict on bullying, leaving Sunak to judge Thursday 20 April 2023 17:59 , Jane Dalton 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 emerged this week: Dominic Raab report wont give verdict on bullying claims leaving Sunak to decide Decision will be Friday at the earliest Thursday 20 April 2023 17:32 , Jane Dalton A decision on Mr Raabs future will not be announced until Friday at the earliest, according to the Press Association. PM sleeps on bullying report Thursday 20 April 2023 17:17 , Jane Dalton Rishi Sunak has decided he needs time to decide whether to sack his deputy prime minister despite receiving the report into bullying allegations. Mr Sunak was accused of dither and delay: Rishi Sunak delays Dominic Raab decision as PM sleeps on bullying report Sunak postpones decision Thursday 20 April 2023 17:09 , Jane Dalton Rishi Sunak will not determine the fate of Dominic Raab as deputy prime minister today, the PA news agency is reporting. Labour asks why Raab was not suspended during probe Thursday 20 April 2023 16:50 , Jane Dalton Labour MP Liz Kendall has questioned why Mr Raab was not suspended during the Tolley investigation. Why has it taken five months? Why hasnt he been suspended in the meanwhile? she told ITV News. These are serious allegations. Rishi Sunak promised the highest levels of standards and integrity in public life. Most people looking at this would feel he isnt meeting his own standards. Raab may yet hope to save his job Thursday 20 April 2023 16:30 , Jane Dalton Officials close to the probe by Adam Tolley KC are said to have been shocked by some of the claims against Mr Raab, including staff regularly being left in tears and being sick before meetings with the deputy PM. But expectations at Westminster are often turned on their head, and Mr Raab may still hope the findings are ambiguous enough to offer him a lifeline, writes Adam Forrest: Will Rishi Sunak sack Dominic Raab over report into bullying claims? No 10 tight-lipped on Sunak-Raab conversations Thursday 20 April 2023 16:06 , Jane Dalton Asked whether Rishi Sunak had spoken to Dominic Raab, a No 10 spokesman said: Im not going to to get into private conversations while the process is ongoing. The Prime Minister continues to consider the findings of the report. Sunak still contemplates decision on Raab Thursday 20 April 2023 16:01 , Jane Dalton Rishi Sunak is still considering Dominic Raabs fate as Deputy Prime Minister as he studies the findings of an investigation into whether he bullied staff, Downing Street has said. A No 10 spokesman told reporters: The Prime Minister is continuing to consider the findings of the report. Asked whether he could say whether a verdict would come on Thursday, the official said: Im afraid I cant. He said Mr Raab remained in post and that the Prime Minister still had confidence in his deputy. Home Office spent 370,000 settling Patel bullying claim Thursday 20 April 2023 15:45 , Jane Dalton Its interesting to recall that Priti Patel was not forced to stand down when accused of bullying. Instead, the Home Office spent more than 370,000 to settle a top civil servants tribunal claim in 2021, after he alleged the then home secretary had bullied him: Home Office spent 370,000 settling Patel bullying claim by top civil servant Raab pays for own legal defence Thursday 20 April 2023 15:25 , Jane Dalton The taxpayer footed an estimated 222,000 bill for Boris Johnsons legal fees in the inquiry into whether he lied to MPs over partygate, but Dominic Raab has paid for his own legal team to defend himself against the allegations, the much-delayed register of ministerial interests shows: Raab hired own lawyers to defend himself in bullying probe Profile: An unapologetic karate black belt who lacks the human touch' Thursday 20 April 2023 14:58 , Jane Dalton Dominic Raab suffers from a bit too much calm, steely determination, Sean OGrady wrote in this observant profile of the minister in 2021: Dominic Raab: An unapologetic karate black belt, lacking the human touch Raab focuses on justice work Thursday 20 April 2023 14:40 , Jane Dalton While awaiting Mr Sunaks verdict, Mr Raab has been focusing on his role as justice secretary, tweeting that convictions for rape have risen. New statistics show our efforts to increase rape convictions are working up 38% in the last quarter, with faster justice for more victims. There's more to do and we're quadrupling victims funding & improving police/CPS collaboration so victims feel better supported. pic.twitter.com/fy7wcBr8ah Dominic Raab (@DominicRaab) April 20, 2023 What could happen next Thursday 20 April 2023 14:12 , Jane Dalton How the prime minister is likely to respond, and what the reports wider effect will be on the government: Why was Dominic Raab under investigation, and what will happen next? Raab could be Sunaks third minister to go Thursday 20 April 2023 13:45 , Jane Dalton The allegations against the deputy prime minister could potentially result in the third departure of a senior government minister over their personal conduct since Rishi Sunak entered Downing Street in October and would undermine his efforts to revive the Conservative Partys polling fortunes. Gavin Williamson was forced to resign as a Cabinet minister in November after bullying allegations. And the prime minister sacked party chair Nadhim Zahawi in January after he was found to have broken the ministerial code over his openness about his tax affairs. Heres out report on Williamsons resignation: Gavin Williamson resigns amid scandal over bullying messages Timeline of bullying claims Thursday 20 April 2023 13:28 , Jane Dalton Jon Stone and William Mata look at the history of the allegations against Mr Raab: Dominic Raab: Timeline of bullying claims against deputy prime minister Ex-Tory chair hits out at outdated complaints system Thursday 20 April 2023 12:58 , Liam James Former Conservative Party chair Sir Jake Berry attacked the outdated system for dealing with complaints in Westminster which has allowed Dominic Raab to continue in his job while under investigation. Appearing on ITVs Peston show on Wednesday night, Sir Jake, who served in the cabinets of both Boris Johnson and Theresa May, said: It does seem to me quite wrong that when people are under these kinds of investigations of this type that they continue in their job. He added: Whatever the outcome is, and were going to find out tomorrow, I actually think theres a fundamental rethink required about how we deal with these sorts of allegations, both in government made against ministers and made against members of parliament. Its a massively outdated system that isnt what our constituents would expect of any of us. Sir Jake is a former cabinet minister (file photo) (PA) Dominic Raab report: Full statement from Downing Street Thursday 20 April 2023 12:46 , Liam James After Rishi Sunak received the report into allegations of bullying against Dominic Raab, a No 10 spokesperson said: The prime minister has received the report from Adam Tolley the independent investigator. He received the findings this morning. He is considering those findings,. He does have full confidence in the [deputy] prime minister that still stands. Obviously he is carefully considering the findings of the report. The spokesperson would not say when a response from Mr Sunak could be expected but that the prime minister would review the report as swiftly as possible. Dominic Raabs future hangs in the balance as bullying probe report lands on Sunaks desk Thursday 20 April 2023 12:35 , Liam James Dominic Raab is awaiting his fate as Rishi Sunak has received the report into bullying allegations against his deputy prime minister (Kate Devlin writes). Downing Street confirmed that the findings of an independent investigation had landed on the prime ministers desk on Thursday morning with its release now expected within hours. Mr Sunak must decide if the review by lawyer Adam Tolley KC said to be devastating is enough to sack the senior Tory cabinet minister, or ask him to resign. The PMs official spokesman said he was carefully considering those findings, but would not comment further on exactly when the report will be published. Our politics team brings you the full story here: Dominic Raabs future in balance as bullying report lands on Rishi Sunaks desk Dominic Raab resigned on Friday morning - Paul Grover for The Telegraph Dominic Raab resigned on Friday after an official report found that he bullied a British ambassador said to have secretly proposed putting Spanish boots on the ground in Gibraltar during Brexit talks. The complaint was one of two upheld in the investigation, by Adam Tolley KC, into alleged bullying of civil servants, which led Rishi Sunak to accept the resignation of his deputy prime minister and justice secretary. The Telegraph can reveal that the civil servant at the heart of the incident was Hugh Elliott, the British Ambassador to Spain. Allies of Mr Raab have claimed that Mr Elliott went beyond the Cabinet-agreed position to never have Spanish officers permanently stationed in Gibraltar. In an article for The Telegraph, Mr Raab criticised the saga as Kafkaesque and warned that a dangerous precedent had been set with a low threshold for bullying behaviour. In another interview, he said very activist civil servants had been working against him and warned that ministers would now be very fearful of officials. Mr Sunak quickly filled the gaps in his Cabinet, handing the Deputy Prime Minister title to Oliver Dowden, a loyal ally who was already leading the Cabinet Office. Alex Chalk, a contemporary of Mr Sunak at the private Winchester College, is the new Justice Secretary, while Chloe Smith temporarily becomes Science Secretary during Michelle Donelans maternity leave. Mr Sunak has tasked Simon Case, the Cabinet Secretary, with looking at improving the process of complaints in the future, saying shortcomings have been highlighted by the Raab case. Mr Tolleys report did not divulge the full details of the Foreign Office and Ministry of Justice complaints he upheld, concluding in both instances that Mr Raab had intimidated officials. But The Telegraph can reveal a fuller account of the incident in the Foreign Office that led to Mr Tolleys conclusion of bullying you can read it in full below. Story continues Mr Raabs resignation came after a 25-minute phone call with Mr Sunak on Friday morning. The Prime Minister had agonised on Thursday about whether to remove his deputy, but acknowledged that the findings meant Mr Raab had broken the ministerial code. Downing Street waved away suggestions that Mr Raab was pressured to step down, and a return to the Cabinet one day was not ruled out by the Prime Ministers official spokesman. Mr Raab wrote in his Telegraph piece: This precedent sets the playbook for a small number of officials to target ministers, who negotiate robustly on behalf of the country, pursue bold reforms and persevere in holding civil servants to account. If that is now the threshold for bullying in government, it is the people of this country who will pay the price. He told the BBC: What youve got the risk of here is a very small minority of very activist civil servants, with a passive aggressive culture of the Civil Service, who dont like some of the reforms, whether its Brexit, whether its parole reform, whether its human rights reform, effectively trying to block government. Thats not on. That's not democratic. A string of Tory MPs and peers voiced support, asking whether the bar for bullying behaviour was set too low and warning that civil servants should not get to pick Cabinet ministers. Lord Lilley, a former Tory MP and Cabinet minister, said civil servants should not be allowed to determine who are the elected ministers. He added: Thats particularly true where you have an arrangement where ministers cannot choose the civil servants that work for them. They cannot actually determine their careers, so its a bit odd that civil servants can determine the careers of ministers. But Labour figures claimed Mr Raab had shown no remorse. Mr Sunak has now lost three Cabinet ministers in his first six months in office, matching Boris Johnsons modern record. Wes Streeting, Labours shadow health secretary, said: It says everything actually that even now, he has shown no remorse or contrition, and Rishi Sunak was too weak to sack him. How Gibraltar and the ambassador who crossed a line kicked off Raab bullying claims The incident that did more than any other to sink Dominic Raabs Cabinet career came near the end of 2020, as Britains future relationship with the EU hung in the balance. It concerned an open land border between UK territory and an EU member state but not Northern Ireland, which had dominated the headlines for so much of the Brexit fallout. Gibraltar, a rocky outcrop off southern Spain, is a British Overseas Territory, but Spain has claimed sovereignty since losing it in 1713. Those historic tensions were playing out in a modern context as both nations debated how to keep the border, crossed by scores of commuting workers every day, as open as possible. The UK Cabinet had long had a clear position whatever the solution proposed, Spanish boots should not be stationed permanently on Gibraltarian ground. What followed next, recounted by allies of Mr Raab and detailed in veiled terms by Adam Tolley KCs report into bullying allegations, would ultimately lead to Fridays resignation. Word reached Mr Raab, then the foreign secretary, that Spain was complaining about moving goalposts even as the UK doubled down on its position. Bemused, he investigated further. He heard claims from colleagues that Hugh Elliott, the UKs ambassador to Spain, may have been going beyond the existing British position. In the retelling of Raab allies, Mr Elliott had been sounding out a fudged solution with Spanish counterparts that would have seen some Spanish officers stationed in Gibraltar. He was ordered back to London by Mr Raab in November 2020, with the end of year pencilled-in finish line for negotiations fast approaching, to understand what had happened. The specifics of what was said in their meeting remain unclear and a point of dispute. The then foreign secretary repeatedly tried to pin down the ambassador about what ideas had been floated to Spain but, according to his allies, the answers lacked specificity. The charge was a serious one that an official had gone beyond the Cabinet mandate, the official approach dictated by the top table of government ministers, and had freelanced on policy. A more sympathetic interpretation, perhaps, would be a diplomat attempting to find a landing zone for high wire negotiations. But in Mr Raabs eyes, a red line had been crossed. Mr Elliott was effectively removed from the front line of talks, but remained ambassador. In his place, Simon Manley, who had spent six years as UK ambassador to Spain before Mr Elliott, was sent out to conduct negotiations. Mr Raab also made changes at the London end, with a new director for the relevant section of Europe policy installed in the Foreign Office for the business end of the Gibraltar talks. Hugh Elliott, the British ambassador to Spain, was effectively removed from the front line of talks Mr Tolley, the independent lawyer tasked with looking into claims about Mr Raabs behaviour, addressed a complaint made about the incident in his report. His conclusions are critical, reading: As part of the process towards and implementation of this management choice, he [Mr Raab] acted in a way which was intimidating, in the sense of unreasonably and persistently aggressive in the context of a workplace meeting. His conduct also involved an abuse or misuse of power in a way that undermines or humiliates. In particular, he went beyond what was reasonably necessary in order to give effect to his decision and introduced a punitive element. His conduct was bound to be experienced as undermining or humiliating by the affected individual, and it was so experienced. I infer that the Deputy Prime Minister must have been aware of this effect; at the very least, he ought reasonably to have been so aware. Mr Tolley also found that, in a separate but linked incident, Mr Raab suggested the behaviour of those involved was in breach of the Civil Service Code (and so would have been in breach of their contracts of employment). He said Mr Raab did not target any individual, nor intend to threaten anyone with disciplinary action. However, he ought to have realised that referring in this way to the Civil Service Code could have been understood as such a threat. What exactly was said in the exchanges, the words and the emotion behind them, are not detailed in the report. Mr Elliotts first-hand account is not in the public domain, meaning his side of the story is unclear. He was approached for comment via the Foreign Office he remains the UK ambassador to Spain but none was issued. The Foreign Office declined to comment. In the end, a deal was struck that involved no Spanish police being stationed permanently on the ground in Gibraltar. The agreement was reached on New Years Eve 2020. In his article for The Telegraph, Mr Raab did not name any individuals involved but made reference to the incident. He wrote: The change involved no demotion or longer-term detriment. It was essential to securing a deal with Spain at 1am on New Years Eve 2020 a week after the main UK-EU Free Trade deal was done and perilously close to a no-deal for Gibraltar. Nevertheless, Mr Tolley concluded that I had abused my position in relation to that official, having expressed my frustration at the lack of candour I received. He did not conclude it was intentional which is the legal requirement under the definition of bullying. No-one at the time raised my conduct from the meeting, and no complaint was made until two and a half years later. The incident gets to the nub of the debate about Mr Raabs conduct and whether the threshold for what was deemed ministerial bullying had been set too low, as he argued on Friday. Spanish frustration at the perception of moving goalposts and the possibility of loose briefing from UK officials could have risked the post-Brexit Gibraltar status, according to Mr Raabs allies. Details were needed quickly about what had been said when. But in Mr Tolleys view, whatever happened behind closed doors amounted to intimidation. The story has another quirk. Earlier this year, The Telegraph revealed that Boris Johnson told the investigation he once warned Mr Raab about his behaviour. Could this have been the trigger for that warning? On Nov 20 2020, the month in which Mr Elliott was called back to London, Mr Johnson, then the prime minister, was under pressure on another proprietary issue when he lost his ethics adviser. Sir Alex Allan resigned when Mr Johnson refused to sack Priti Patel as the home secretary after a formal investigation found evidence that she bullied civil servants. Ms Patel always denied bullying claims. Did Mr Johnson warn Mr Raab of his behaviour, but take no further action, around this time? It is not known. A source close to Mr Johnson declined to comment on what issue prompted his discussions about behaviour with Mr Raab. The Foreign Office complaint was one of two that Mr Tolley upheld in his 48-page report, published after Mr Raab had announced his resignation. Cars pack the 405 Freeway. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) Part of the soundtrack of Los Angeles is the sound of the myriad vehicles that make their way through the city every day the hum of the engines, the music blaring from the radios and, of course, the honking of horns, often used to convey anger, approval and numerous other emotions. But according to a ruling by a three-judge panel of the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, blaring a horn, whether in frustration when the 405 turns into a parking lot or in support of a group of demonstrators standing along a roadway, is not protected free speech. The ruling earlier this month stemmed from a lawsuit filed against the California Highway Patrol and the San Diego County Sheriff's Department by San Diego resident Susan Porter after she was cited in 2017 for misuse of her car horn. She had honked in support of protesters outside the office of Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Bonsall). Although the ticket was dismissed after the citing officer did not show up in court, Porter filed the suit alleging that the vehicle code statute under which she was cited violates the 1st Amendment. The statute prohibits the use of a horn except to warn of a safety hazard. "In a multitude of circumstances, drivers routinely sound vehicle horns to express support or approval of parades, protests, rallies, demonstrations, or fundraising or for other expressive purposes such as greeting a relative, friend, or acquaintance," Porter's attorneys wrote in the complaint filed in 2018. Porter feared that she might be cited again if she attempted to honk her car horn in support of other protests or demonstrations, according to the complaint. "Vehicle Code 27001 violates the First Amendment because it prohibits numerous uses of a vehicle horn for speech or expression," Porter's attorneys wrote. Porter lost the case but filed an appeal, resulting in Circuit Judge Michelle Friedland's majority opinion stating that limits can be placed on the use of a horn in the name of public safety. Story continues Friedland rejected the plaintiff's claim that the statute violates the 1st Amendment by allowing for some expression, like a honk in the event of a driving hazard, but not for all, like a honk at a political protest. "The relevant distinction Section 27001 makes is not, as Porter suggests, between honks intended to convey warnings and honks intended to convey other messages," Friedland wrote. "Rather, the law prohibits all driver-initiated horn use except when such use is 'reasonably necessary to [e]nsure safe operation' of the vehicle. "To be sure," Friedland wrote, "most non-warning honks do not create distractions resulting in accidents, but we discern no plausible means by which California could permit non-distracting honks while prohibiting distracting honks." In a dissenting opinion, Circuit Court Judge Marsha Berzon wrote that "there is no evidence in the record ... that such political expressive horn use jeopardizes traffic safety or frustrates noise control. ... "I would hold that Section 27001 is unconstitutional as applied to political expressive conduct such as Porters," Berzon wrote. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Detectives are searching for a man who they say pointed a gun at a DoorDash driver while she was making a delivery and sexually assaulted her, Florida police said. The driver and her girlfriend were speaking on the phone as the attack occurred, leading the girlfriend and family members to spring into action to save her, according to police. Just after 11 p.m. on Tuesday, April 18, the DoorDash driver, a woman in her early 20s, was making a delivery at a Residence Inn in Tampa when a man with a gun approached and forced her back into her car, according to a news release from the Tampa Police Department. The woman was speaking to her girlfriend through her AirPods at the time, the release says. The girlfriend quickly realized that a robbery was occurring, the release says. The drivers family then called the police, and officers went to the hotel. After the man forced the driver into her car, he made her drive to an apartment complex about 7 miles from the hotel, where he sexually battered her, according to police. Meanwhile, the womans girlfriend and family members of both women tracked the drivers phone to the apartment complex. Family members rescued her from the car as the suspected attacker fired multiple shots at them, police said. A family member of the drivers girlfriend was struck, according to police. Both she and the driver were taken to a hospital with injuries that werent considered life-threatening. The suspect fled the scene. DoorDash spokesperson Julian Crowley said in a statement to McClatchy News that the company was appalled by this heinous and abhorrent crime. No one should ever have to endure something as horrific as this and were here to support the Dasher in any way we can, the statement says. Weve reached out to the Tampa Police Department to assist their investigation and we hope the perpetrator is brought to justice. The company also shared some of its safety features, including a button drivers can use in the app that will have a security agent contact 911. In addition, the company checks in with drivers if a delivery is taking longer than expected and will contact 911 if the driver says they are unsafe or does not respond. Story continues Police shared a composite sketch of the man on April 20 and asked for the publics help identifying him. Sgt. Andrea Hughes with the Tampa Police Department said during a news conference recorded by Fox 13 that the attack was a crime of opportunity. He has not only traumatized this victim physically but also psychologically, she said. In a statement, Tampa Interim Police Chief Lee Bercaw said that the suspect has no regard for human life. I am urging anyone who may have seen or heard something nearby to please call us with those details, no matter how minimal they may seem to be, the statement says. It could be the information we need to arrest this criminal before hes able to hurt another member of our community. Those with information can call the Tampa Police Department at (813) 231-6130, according to the release. Papa Johns driver fatally shot during Indiana delivery, reports say. Loving father City councilmans daughter dies in crossfire while driving for Lyft, Georgia cops say Uber drivers Find My iPhone app leads cops to accused carjacker, Michigan cops say When Kira Kimble gave birth, she expected to be an active participant, but she felt more like a bystander instead. She recalled not feeling very involved. Her doctor tossed out a birth plan she tediously put together. It was as though birth was happening to her, not because of her, she said. It was in that moment where I said I wish I had a doula, Kimble said. Studies show doulas, who are like supportive coaches, increase positive birth outcomes for women, especially those who face negative outcomes because of racial disparities. While lawmakers have proposed placing doula care under Medicaid to make services more affordable, some say new regulation without careful consideration may do more harm than good. Kimble is African American and a Charlotte-based doula who founded Mine-R-T Doula Company. New regulations could create additional barriers for Black doulas who are a dire need to their communities, she said. In Mecklenburg County, Black infants were three times more likely to die than white infants in 2021, according to the latest statistics from N.C. State Center for Health. Ongoing disparities are among the reasons why tailored care is important, she said. State certifications could lead to a one-size fits all approach. It could also mean certifications by larger, white-owned doula organizations will be recognized instead of local, minority-owned organizations, Kimble said. Doulas need the freedom to go into their communities, assess familys needs and then create the support needed, she said. It could also lead to doulas with lenghty experience deciding to forego serving a group in need, says Tonya Daniels, a certified doula who teaches a birth doula course at Johnson C. Smith University. Its why any decision by the state will need careful consideration and more input from doulas, she said. If not were still perpetuating inequities, Daniels said. Doulas are birthing professionals Doulas are professionals trained to provide supportive care before, during and after childbirth, Kimble said. Doulas are birthing professionals, not medical professionals. In comparison, midwives provide medical care during pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period. Story continues Doulas do not perform medical procedures. But a doula can ensure a mothers voice is heard inside and outside a delivery room, Kimble added They also can translate medical terms to help give their patients informed consent. Doulas also are support coaches for family members playing an active role in a pregnancy, she said. We may not have all the answers, Kimble said. But we can guide our clients into asking the right questions. Across the United States, as of 2018, more than 100 independent organizations offer some form of doula training and certification. Some of the most experienced doulas have served their communities for decades without being formally certified, according to the National Health Law program. The doula profession has grown to include a variety of specialties, such as bereavement or abortion support. Birth and postpartum doulas are the most common types, according to verywellhealth.com. The average cost of a doula ranges from $800 to $2,500, according to the website. In some areas community programs provide free or low-cost doulas and some doulas offer a sliding cost scale. Kimble, whose organization trains and certifies doulas, said shes had clients contact her when they are trying to conceive. She helps develop a nutritional plan and also works with them to find a suitable medical provider. Were making sure they build a village around them, Kimble said. Improving outcomes in NC In North Carolina, more than 50 mothers died while pregnant or within 42 days of giving birth in 2021 a rate of 44 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births, MuckRock reported. Nationally, the rate was 32.9 deaths. Across the state, where roughly 21% of the population is Black, 43% of the states 202 pregnancy-related deaths between 2020 and 2022 were Black women, according to the report. For the past few years, state North Carolina lawmakers have proposed legislation to include doula care in Medicaid as one way to address maternal health. It has not been successful. Senate bill 294 proposed in March would require the states Division of Health Benefits to determine credentialed requirements. Doulas would then need to have approved credentials to assist those with Medicaid. Hannah Jones, a spokesperson for the department, said doula care is offered sporadically with some health plans for medicaid recipients. Several reports and task forces have recommended doula services be fully covered by medicaid, she said. Once doulas can be covered as a Medicaid benefit, we will be able to track claims data and will be able to study the impact on care and outcomes, Jones said. Amy Chen, senior attorney with the National Health Law program, said 10 states and Washington D.C. include doula care under Medicaid coverage. But they all take a variety of approaches to certification requirements for doulas to be reimbursed through medicaid, she said. The National Health Law programs Doula Medicaid Project aims to improve health outcomes for Medicaid recipients by increasing access to doula care. It outlines each states approach to the complex conversation, Chen said. Its a delicate balancing act to not place new barriers for doulas of color and those with years of experience, she said. In Nevada, doulas have to be certified by the Nevada Certification Board. California focuses on a doula showing theyre trained in core competencies regardless of certification. But a state Medicaid agency is going to have to find some way of assuring the person is who they say they are, Chen said. Increasing representation Daniels, who teaches at JCSU, knows firsthand how an extra advocate in the room makes a difference. During her first pregnancy, Daniels had a midwife someone who retired by time she planned for a second pregnancy. When she experienced unfamiliar cramping in her second pregnancy, she tried telling her doctor but was told each pregnancy was different. Complications ensued with her pregnancy, but Daniels didnt get the kind of care she received when she had a midwife. Further, she did not know how to advocate for herself, nor did she know about doulas back then. I lost my baby, Daniels said. TaHysha McClain is the Program Director for the lactation program, which is part of the Birthing Professionals Program (BPP) at Johnson C. Smith University. BPP seeks to improve maternal and child outcomes of families of color by widening the access to birthing professional training for people of color. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez/mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com More people need to be aware of doulas, lactation consultants and childbirth educators, Daniels said. They arent simply hobby jobs. I call them in the trenches work, she said. In January, JCSU was awarded a $943,000 county grant for its Black Birthing Professionals program. The program prepares students to be certified in one of three professions: childbirth educator, lactation consultant or as a birth doula. The program started in 2019 to address disparities in maternal and infant mortality rates, said TaHysha McClain, program director for the Lactation Consultant Training program. The grant allows the school to offer the program tuition free for the next two years, she said. Funds will also go towards promoting the birth doula program, she said. A special emphasis will be placed on recruitment from Charlotte-Mecklenburg County students. What were trying to do is create more women of color that are in these professions, McClain said. Representation has power, she said. McClain has worked at hospitals where she was the only lactation consultant a health professional who specializes in breastfeeding. Families have shared they selected her because of they feel comfortable with her and a shared experience, of being African American, she said. That representation really matters, McClain said. Thats what this program is all about. Not the sole solution Kimble said doulas are a great resource, but not the sole solution. Its important people address racial disparities that occur long before a pregnancy, she said. This includes food deserts and access to health care, she said. Were one thing that can improve birth outcomes, Kimble said. Its why new barriers concerns her. Historically, doulas and midwives were occupations Black women held, Kimble said. Even on plantations, enslaved Black women were heavily involved in child rearing. New restrictions could lead to a decline in Black doulas just as state restrictions in the 1960s led to a decline in Black midwives. Then Black patients who need Black doulas will not be able to access them, she said. They will be systematically wiped out through policy, through laws and through regulation. Days after Drake & Josh actor and musician Drake Bell was reported "missing and endangered" but ultimately found safe in Florida, the controversial star's wife has filed for divorce. According to court documents obtained by PEOPLE and EW, Janet Bell, who married the performer in 2019 before reportedly separating from him in September 2022, cited "irreconcilable differences" in a petition to dissolve the marriage filed Thursday in Los Angeles County's Superior Court. She also requested full custody of the couple's 1-year-old child and spousal support. A representative for Bell did not immediately respond to EW's request for comment. Janet Von Schmeling and actor Drake Bell Tasia Wells/WireImage Drake Bell and Janet Bell. Daytona Beach police asked for public assistance in locating Bell, 36, in a Facebook post that reported the Nickelodeon actor as missing. He was ultimately found unharmed later that day. Bell then updated his followers in a social media post. "You leave your phone in the car and don't answer for the night and this?" he wrote. TMZ also shared a 911 call reportedly from an Orlando Police Department officer, identified only as Steve, relaying developments on Bell's disappearance. "I have a possible attempted suicide," he said in audio the outlet provided. "Basically, there is a celebrity who had a falling-out with this wife ... and we got involved because the family he's been texting the family in California saying that he's going to get drunk and hang himself, and he's in a hotel somewhere in Orlando." The actor, who starred with Josh Peck on Drake & Josh from 2004-2007, was previously sentenced to two years probation after pleading guilty in a case involving child endangerment and disseminating harmful material to minors. "I want to make clear that there were no sexual images, nothing physical between me and this individual. I was not charged with anything physical. I was not charged with disseminating of photographs or images or anything like that," Bell said in an Instagram post addressing the case. "This is strictly over text messages. And when I was presented with a plea deal, because of the messages, I felt that it was the best way to get this over quickly, and for everyone involved to be able to move on, and for me to get back to doing what I love, and that's making music for you." Story continues During his sentencing hearing, Bell's victim called him "calculating," claiming that he preyed on her and sexually abused her by sending explicit photos to her when she was 15 years old. In 2020, Bell's ex-girlfriend Melissa Lingafelt (also known by her stage known, Jimi Ono) also accused Bell of abuse, which he denied. Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free daily newsletter to get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite...stars, and more. Related content: An ex-police officer has been arrested in Moscow on suspicion of transferring data on Darya Dugina, the daughter of "Putins ideologue" Aleksandr Dugin, killed in August 2022, from the Interior Ministry's databases to third parties. Source: Kremlin-aligned news agency Kommersant; Latvia-based Russian media outlet Meduza, referring to the case file Details: The case file states that the Basmanny Court of Moscow has arrested former Russian Interior Ministry major Ivan Rybin, who is charged with violating privacy and abusing power. The investigation believes that Rybin "ran" Dugina through the Ministry of Internal Affairs databases, after which he passed information about her to third parties. As the news outlet reports, Dugina is mentioned in Rybin's case "literally several times", but it is not specified where or in what context. The newspaper emphasises that the former police officer has not been charged with aiding and abetting the murder. At the same time, the investigator insisted on sending Rybin to a pre-trial detention centre, although charges of medium-sized crimes usually do not provide for this. According to the case file, the decision to arrest Rybin was made because if he was released, he could "create false evidence of his innocence or destroy the existing evidence". He has been sent to the detention centre until 11 June. The defence insisted on house arrest. Quote from the investigation: "Rybin has held various positions in the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs for a long time, and he has special skills and knowledge in the field of investigative actions and operational and search activities, and he also has a significant number of connections among law enforcement officers." Background: On 20 August, a car driven by Darya Dugina exploded not far from Moscow. Dugina was a reporter working for RT, the Russian propaganda outlet, and the daughter of Aleksandr Dugin, "Putin's ideologue". The Office of the President of Ukraine denied any involvement by Kyiv in Duginas murder. Russian ex-MP Illya Ponomarev stated that the so-called National Republican Army claimed responsibility for the murder. Russian investigators claimed that the car with Dugina inside was blown up remotely. On 22 August, Russia's FSB stated that the murder of Aleksandr Dugin's daughter, Darya, was orchestrated by the Ukrainian special services. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Flag of the Netherlands According to the agency, the diplomat will leave his post immediately. Read also: Three pro-Russian politicians detained in Estonia His resignation has already been accepted by Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Minister Liesje Schreinemacher. In an interview for one of his books published a few days ago, van Dartel said that Ukrainians are the same Russians. We must not forget that. That is reality, reported Dutch public broadcaster RTL. Neither the minister nor the ministry knew about the conversation with the books author, the Dutch Foreign Ministry said. Read also: Ukraine calls for sanctions on Romanian senator who says part of Ukraine should be annexed Van Dartel was appointed as a special envoy in early April. He realized that he could no longer work with trust after the statements made and therefore decided to immediately leave his post. The agency noted that a successor would be named as soon as possible. The position of special envoy for business and the reconstruction of Ukraine involves the establishment of relations between the Dutch business community, the Ukrainian authorities, and international institutions, with the restoration of Ukraine as its primary focus. Read also: Germany, the Netherlands reaffirm strong support of Ukraine 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 REUTERS/Carlo Allegri/File Photo On the eve of former President Donald Trumps rape trial in New York, attorneys for alleged victim E. Jean Carroll are trying to keep one thing secret: Whos paying for the lawsuit. Court papers revealed last week that bankrolling Carrolls legal team is LinkedIn co-founderand Democratic megadonorReid Hoffman. While Carroll initially testified behind closed doors that no one was paying her top-notch New York City lawyers, those attorneys only recently told Trumps team the truth: its the Silicon Valley billionaire whos paying the bills. A federal judge promptly allowed Trumps lawyers to grill Carrol again on Thursday, when she apparently revealed more details about the payment arrangement. LinkedIn Founder Is Secretly Funding E. Jean Carrolls Lawsuit Against Trump But on Friday, Carrolls lawyer formally asked the judge to keep details about whos paying for the lawsuit under wraps because the interest in public access here is minimal. Carroll accuses Trump of raping her in the changing room of a luxury department store some 35 years ago. Her attorney, Roberta Kaplan, argued that jurors have no business knowing whos financially supporting the lawsuit, citing court precedent that says the circumstances of whos paying the legal bills has nothing directly to do with the ultimate merits of a case. Kaplan wrote that the details that have already come out afford the public meaningful access to information about this otherwise irrelevant and tangential topic. But Kaplan also expressed deep concern that exposing these details just days before the trial, which is set to start on Tuesday, could cause irreparable damageto Carroll. Evidence that is inadmissible at trial should not be unnecessarily entered into the public record just before this highly watched trial is to begin, she wrote, warning that it could cause unfair prejudice and confusion. The former presidents legal defense team, Alina Habba and Joe Tacopina, were the ones who initially surfaced the issue in court papers last week, and theyre expected to oppose the effort to keep whos paying the bills a secret. Story continues Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. KOCHI, India (AP) For deep sea fishermen Charlene Lenis, Jerome Beji and their 10-person crew, knowing when a cyclone is approaching can spell the difference between life and death. When 2021's Cyclone Tauktae was nearing fishing areas off the southern coast of India, Indias weather agency sent out a message about the major storm. The fishers had been at sea two days and immediately returned to port after getting the satellite phone warning. We are gillnet fishers and we always travel as a troupe of boats. At least one boat will have a satellite phone, said Lenis, who primarily catches tuna, sharks and other big fish. The India Meteorological Department, as well as the state of Kerala, have increased infrastructure for cyclone warnings since Cyclone Ockhi in 2017, which killed 245 fishermen out at sea. Just a year later, unprecedented flooding cost the southwestern state of Kerala billions of dollars in damage, including in its largest city Kochi. Ramping up ways to warn people about extreme weather disasters is becoming increasingly important for India set to become the worlds most populous nation and one of the most vulnerable to climate change. In a recent visit to India, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres said the World Meteorological Organization will invest $3.1 billion to set up early warning systems across the world. According to the WMO, nearly half the world's countries most of them low-income countries and small island states do not have any early warning systems. Countries with limited early warning coverage have disaster mortality eight times higher than countries with high coverage, said Guterres. EDITORS NOTE: This article is part of a series produced under the India Climate Journalism Program, a collaboration between The Associated Press, the Stanley Center for Peace and Security and the Press Trust of India. Elongated like a bitter gourd and stretching across southwestern India, the state of Kerala is nestled between the biodiversity-rich Western Ghats mountains and the Arabian sea. The state is also among the most vulnerable regions to climate change, increasingly facing extreme weather events, be it cyclones, floods or heat, with each passing year. Story continues From a meteorological perspective the state occupies a special position, too. Arrival of the annual monsoons, critical to the Indian economy and agriculture, is declared on the subcontinent only after the rains make landfall in Kerala, usually in June. Kerala is witnessing an increase in extreme weather events and should become fully prepared to deal with it, said Madhavan Rajeevan, a former secretary with the Indian ministry of earth sciences. Rajeevan was among senior officials in-charge when weather calamities such as Cyclone Ockhi and the 2018 floods struck Kerala. While things are better, there is still a lot of scope for improvement," he said. "It is important to ramp up communications systems, so the information reaches the people who need it the most. Such as fishers. The Cyclone Warning Division of the IMD, at its New Delhi headquarters, is the beating heart of Indias cyclone forecasting. The division receives data from satellites, local offices, doppler radars and allied agencies such as the National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting and the National Centre for Ocean Information Services. When a storm is approaching, the division resembles a command center for emergency operations with scientists working around the clock to monitor and relay information to regions likely to be affected. Based on this information, thousands of people are moved to safer ground and fishers are called back from sea or prevented from going out. Since it was established over two decades ago, the division has been instrumental in saving countless Indian lives from extreme weather. When there is a cyclone, a bulletin is issued eight times a day, which includes warnings to fishermen, ports, and coastal weather bulletins, said IMD chief Mrutyunjay Mohapatra. Mohapatra earned the moniker cyclone man of India after accurately predicting the path of powerful Cyclone Phailin that hit the coast of Odisha in eastern India in 2013. We have also increased the frequency of the warnings and make sure the information reaches fishers and others who need it as soon as possible, he added. Despite the weather agencys efforts, the deadly toll of extreme weather is increasing in India. According to a 2022 report by the IMD, more than 2,000 people died in the country due to extreme weather events. Another report found that 2022 was among the warmest years on record for Kerala. The state lost 56 lives to extreme weather last year, according to Kerala governments Institute for Climate Change Studies. In an effort to reduce damage from extreme weather, the federal forecasting agency established a separate cyclone warning center in Kerala in 2018. This serves not only Kerala but also nearby Karnataka state and the island of Lakshadweep in the Indian Ocean. India now has seven weather warning centers. The Kerala government, which faced flak for its handling of Cyclone Okchi as well as devastating floods in 2018, also subscribes to private weather companies such as Skymet Weather that provide additional forecasting. It is one of India's first states to subscribe to private weather services. One U.N. report estimated that the 2018 floods caused damages to the tune of $4.4 billion in the state, and officials said Kerala needs that much for recovery. N. K. Premachandran, who represents a constituency from Kerala in Indias parliament, said that despite state and federal government claims, information about extreme weather is still not reaching people early enough. There is a bit of improvement after the 2017 cyclone and the 2018 floods, but it is not up to the mark," Premachandran said. "There is a shortage of trained personnel, and communication to the people about extreme weather is still lacking. Premachandran, who belongs to an opposition party in the state, said the government failed to warn about rain-triggered landslides in 2020 and 2021 in mountainous regions of the state. Regardless of such shortcomings, fishers who venture out to sea off Keralas coasts welcome the state's extreme weather warnings. Increasing fuel costs, depleting fish numbers and increasing number of boats is making fishing harder, said Lenis, the fisher whose crew returned to port in 2021 upon getting the storm warning. Despite the risks, Lenis, who is a captain and has been fishing for 35 years, says he plans to continue and these warnings are keeping him and others just a little bit safer. Having these systems is at least making sure we are not risking our lives as much as we used to when we go out to sea," he said. "Our families have a little more confidence that whenever we go out to sea, we will most likely return home safely. Earth Day, which will be marked on Saturday, was created in 1970 to focus attention on the environmental challenges our planet faces. As concerns about climate change continue to grow, theres a push to get Massachusetts public school students to think about this issue on a regular basis. Thats whats happening in Milford High School where students have the option to take Advanced Placement Environmental Science. I think as more information is making it into the mainstream media, they do want to know a little more about whats going on, said teacher Deb Ferrara. Not every school district in Massachusetts has a program like the one in Milford. Ferrara thinks classes like this are more important now than ever. Clearly, were not solving climate change right now with our current political climate. Its just not happening. So, its not going to be the generation thats currently in power thats going to be solving these problems. Its going to be these kids that Im teaching. State Senator Julian Cyr, who represents the Cape and the Islands, is seeing the impact of climate change first-hand. Were here on Cape Cod, where you know, rising seas are leading to an erosion of 33 acres a year. Cyr filed a bill after consulting with local students that would require the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to come up with a standard climate change curriculum for all grades. I think with this curriculum, with this education, we are going to be able to give students tools and the understanding of how to tackle the climate crisis. Its certainly something that weighs on this generations mind. Last year, a national survey conducted by Blue California found that 75% of young people between the ages of 14-24 say they experienced a mental health-related disorder, such as anxiety or stress, associated with climate change. 81% say global leaders arent doing enough about the problem. Milford High School student Thomas Putman said hes hopeful about addressing climate change because what we do now will affect us later, so the sooner we start and learn about the climate, the sooner we can fix it. Story continues Fellow student Usman Amir added, Our planet is kind of not in a good situation and I think its our job as the next generation to step up. Since the curriculum would be for all grades, Boston 25 News Meteorologist Shiri Spear asked senior Carly Foley if its a good idea to teach climate to younger kids. Foley responded, Definitely, I think the earlier you start, the better. Deb Ferrara couldnt agree more. She says if students came to her with a better base of knowledge, she could tackle more sophisticated topics. Still, shes happy to be able to teach her A.P. class. I really do feel that its important for every high school student in Massachusetts and across the country to get a good solid climate education. The bill is currently in the education committee and should have a hearing date assigned soon 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 South Carolinians can breathe a little easier on Earth Day this year with the knowledge that their state is one of the least polluted, according to a new report at least. The annual Earth Day returns on Saturday as it has for more than 50 years. Its an international celebration organized to promote and demonstrate environmental awareness. As such, QuoteWizard by LendingTree has released a new study that ranks the states in regards to pollution. South Carolina ranking So, how well does South Carolina stack up to the rest of the U.S.? South Carolina ranks 10th among least polluted states. The report shows that the Palmetto State has good air quality for 87% of the days during the year. The state also had 0.0% of its population impacted by water pollution violations in 2022, the report states. Hawaii took the top spot on the report for least polluted states. New Mexico was ranked the most polluted state. Pollution report methodology The report is based on a composite score of the percent of good air quality days and the percent of the population impacted by drinking water violations, according to Americas Health Rankings by the United Health Foundation. Analysts evaluated the Environmental Protection Agencys Air Quality Index measurements from 2022 to determine the percent of good days for each state. To determine drinking water quality, the report used Americas Health Rankings 2021 data on drinking water violations. Newer SC water pollution violations The report does not take into account water pollution in South Carolina during 2023. State regulators revealed in March a list of water systems with forever chemicals that exceed a proposed new federal drinking water limit of 4 parts per trillion. The forever-chemical levels in South Carolina were not substantially higher in drinking water than the the new proposed federal limit for the most part, the list shows. However, some of the water systems were significantly above the proposed limit. Story continues Forever chemicals were developed in the 1940s for a variety of consumer products and some have since been found to be toxic if consumed regularly over a period of years. 10 most polluted U.S. states Here are the 10 most polluted states, according to the report. Angel Vukodinov fumes over the piles of unsold sunflower seeds in his granary in central Bulgaria. Like other farmers in eastern EU nations, he blames an influx of Ukrainian grain for the mess. The European Union has allowed Ukraine to export agricultural goods through the bloc after Russia's invasion disrupted the country's traditional Black Sea shipping lanes last year. Farmers in eastern EU states have protested in recent months, saying the move saturated the market and led to a massive drop in prices in their countries. In response, the EU has offered financial aid for farmers impacted by the influx. "We have nothing against the Ukrainian people... But the compensation offered by the EU for our losses is a joke," said Vukodinov, 61, who has been a farmer for more than 30 years in the central Bulgarian town of Saedinenie. Following protests, authorities in Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia announced over the past week that they would temporarily ban Ukrainian grains, though goods are still allowed to transit through amid EU talks to find a solution. Following Russia's Black Sea blockade last year, EU member states agreed to import certain products from Ukraine without quantitative restrictions and customs inspection. The goods were destined for Africa and the Middle East, but they got stuck, partially due to logistical problems, including the poor infrastructure in Bulgaria. "The granaries are full, there is no market at all, no demand for any farm produce... on top of the price dumping," said Danka Marincheshka, production chief at Vukodinov's family farm. - 'Unfair to us' - Bulgarian farming ministry data show that some 940,000 tonnes of Ukrainian sunflower seeds were imported into the EU's poorest member last year, or half of Ukraine's total sunflower seeds exports to the bloc. Neighbouring Romania came second with nearly 360,000 tonnes. "Romanian and EU authorities were unfair to us, because, contrary to what they promised, a big part of the grain, which was due to only transit Romania, was left here," said Florentin Bercu, a Romanian union representative. Story continues The sunflower seeds market in Bulgaria has become "oversaturated," said Marin Iliev, management board member of the Plovdiv Union of Grain Producers. "Nobody cared to notice what was happening. So these streams that started trickling in became full-flowing rivers, the market overflowed and prices tumbled down," the farmer added. Prices had topped some 870 euros ($950) per tonne in March 2022, right after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, but have since fallen to around 360 euros per tonne, which does not cover production expenses including increased fertiliser prices, according to Iliev. - 'Aristocracy of big farmers' - Nikolay Valkanov, director of the Sofia-based think-tank InteliAgro, however, accused an "aristocracy of big farmers" of holding the country "hostage" by not selling produce last year while hoping for prices to go up. "The average price of Ukrainian sunflower seeds sold in Bulgaria last year was $690 per tonne. You tell me if these are dumping prices. Why didn't the Bulgarian farmers sell back then?" he told AFP. Faced with protests and roadblocks by farmers over the past months, the European Commission offered in February a 56-million-euro package for farmers. This week, Brussels added an extra 100 million euros of support and proposed emergency measures to ensure grain could enter Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria only for export. So far no permanent solution has been found with more discussions to be held in the coming days. "Brussels is trying to contain the row but the uncertainty continues," Iliev, the Bulgarian farmer, said. "What would reassure us is for solidarity corridors to remain solidarity corridors in practice." burs-ds/jza/lth/fb By Blake Brittain (Reuters) - Jury selection is set to begin on Monday in Manhattan federal court for a trial over claims that British pop superstar Ed Sheeran owes a share of profits from his hit "Thinking Out Loud" for copying Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On." Heirs of songwriter Ed Townsend sued Sheeran, his label Warner Music Group and music publisher Sony Music Publishing for allegedly ripping off Gaye's classic, which Townsend co-wrote. The trial is the first of three Sheeran could face from lawsuits over similarities between the two hits. Warner Music Group, Sony Music Publishing and attorneys for both sides did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the case. Marvin Gaye collaborated with Townsend to write "Let's Get It On," which topped the Billboard charts in 1973. Sheeran's Thinking Out Loud peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2015. Townsend's heirs sued Sheeran for copyright infringement in 2017, claiming "Thinking Out Loud" copied the "heart" of Gaye's song including its melody, harmony and rhythm. The lawsuit said Sheeran has performed the two songs live as a medley and transitioned "seamlessly" between them. Sheeran has argued that any similarities between the songs involve basic musical "building blocks" that are ineligible for copyright protection. If the jury finds Sheeran is liable for copyright infringement, the Manhattan court will hold another trial to determine how much he and his labels should pay. The first trial is expected to last about a week. The heirs said in a court filing that they received 22% of the writer's share of Gaye's song from Townsend. Sheeran is facing two related lawsuits from investment banker and "Bowie Bonds" creator David Pullman's Structured Asset Sales LLC, which owns a third of Townsend's rights in the song. Sheeran won a trial in London last year in a separate copyright case over his hit "Shape of You." Gaye's heirs won a landmark verdict in 2015 over claims that the Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams song "Blurred Lines" copied Gaye's "Got to Give It Up." (Reporting by Blake Brittain in Washington; Editing by Aurora Ellis) Many Muslims across the world will mark the end of Ramadan today to celebrate Eid al-Fitr. It comes after Saudi Arabia announced the sighting of the moon last night. Mosques all across the city will be hosting special Eid prayers throughout the day while some have organised larger prayer spaces outside. Eid is one of two major holidays celebrated by Muslims all over the globe. Traditionally, Eid prayers begin at sunset on the night the crescent moon is first sighted but many mosques will offer to do Eid prayers the following morning. Once prayers are finished, Muslims will visit their relatives and friends to wish them a happy Eid and often exchange gifts or sweets. Some events will also be held over the weekend to accommodate some Muslims who may choose to celebrate Eid on Saturday instead of today. This means as many Muslims as possible will be able to spend the weekend visiting friends and family in order to wish them an Eid Mubarak and celebrate together. Key Points Sudan RSF fighters agree to 72-hour ceasefire for Eid holiday Humza Yousaf shares message to mark Eid-Al-Fitr Muslims perform Eid-Al-Fitr prayers in Abu Sir village in Giza, Egypt Egyptians release balloons after Eid al-Fitr prayers Humza Yousaf shares message to mark Eid-Al-Fitr 14:00 , Eleanor Noyce First Minister of Scotland Humza Yousaf has shared a message to mark Eid-Al-Fitr. Eid Mubarak to Muslims in Scotland, and across the world who are celebrating today, Mr Yousaf tweeted on Friday morning. I am looking forward to time with family, friends, and after a month of fasting, looking forward to my mums home cooking! Whatever you are doing today, have a wonderful Eid. Eid Mubarak to Muslims in Scotland, and across the world who are celebrating today. I am looking forward to time with family, friends, and after a month of fasting, looking forward to my mum's home cooking! Whatever you are doing today, have a wonderful Eid.#EidMubarak https://t.co/UibsBAVo1Y Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf) April 21, 2023 Muslims perform Eid-Al-Fitr prayers in Abu Sir village in Giza, Egypt 13:00 , Eleanor Noyce Story continues Muslims perform Eid-Al-Fitr prayers in Abu Sir village on April 21, 2023 in Giza, Egypt (Fadel Dawod/Getty Images) The Muslim holy month of Ramadan began on March 23, and is now coming to an end (Fadel Dawod/Getty Images) The holiest month in Islam, during which the faithful must refrain from drinking and eating from dawn to dusk, is followed by Eid al-Fitr; festival of breaking the fast (Fadel Dawod/Getty Images) In pictures: The first day of Eid-Al-Fitr, from Syria to Kyrgyzstan 12:00 , Eleanor Noyce Muslims exchange gifts as they gather on the first day of Eid al-Fitr to celebrate the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan outside the Dome of the Rock at the Aqsa mosques complex in the Old city of Jerusalem (AFP via Getty Images) Muslim worshippers enter the secured municipal stadium in Syrias rebel-held northwestern city of Idlib to attend the morning prayers (MOHAMMED AL-RIFAI/AFP via Getty Images) Muslims attend the morning prayers to celebrate Eid al-Fitr in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan (REUTERS/Vladimir Pirogov) A Muslim faithful displays her henna decoration before attending Eid al-Fitr prayers at the Masjid Salaam grounds in Nairobi, Kenya (REUTERS/Monicah Mwangi) Muslims gather to pray at the graves of loved ones after the morning prayer at a cemetery in Syria's rebel-held northwestern city of Idlib (OMAR HAJ KADOUR/AFP via Getty Images) Sudan RSF fighters agree to 72-hour ceasefire for Eid holiday 11:00 , Eleanor Noyce Sudans paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) said it had agreed to a 72-hour ceasefire from 06:00 (04:00 GMT) on Friday after six days of fighting. Coinciding with the start of the Muslim holiday of Eid-Al-Fitr, the move was to allow residents to reunite with their families. The truce coincides with the blessed Eid-Al-Fitr...to open humanitarian corridors to evacuate citizens and give them the opportunity to greet their families, the RSF said in a statement. There was no immediate comment from the army and its chief, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who did not mention a ceasefire in a pre-recorded speech posted on the armys Facebook page. Khartoum, the capital, was rocked by bombing and shelling before the ceasefire announcement and witnesses heard gunfire as the ceasefire, and morning Eid prayers, were due to begin. How to say Happy Eid to Muslim friends 10:30 , Eleanor Noyce My colleague Faiza Saqib writes: Everyone is welcome to celebrate! If you have Muslim friends or co-workers, be sure to just wish them an Eid Mubarak or Happy Eid. You can get involved by dressing up or just acknowledging the celebration that many are partaking in around the globe. Read more: Will Eid be celebrated today or tomorrow in the UK? What does Eid al-Fitr mean in English? 09:55 , Eleanor Noyce Eid-Al-Fitr, also known as the Festival of Breaking Fast is the first of two Eids in the Islamic calendar and is typically celebrated after the Muslim fasting month, known as Ramadan. Many Muslims celebrate Eid by spending time with their loved ones, making unique dishes for this special day and connecting in prayer to commemorate and acknowledge the end of the fasting month. Its a way of showing gratitude and remembering Ramadan and the charitable sacrifices many Muslims made during the fasting month. This, as many Muslims believe, is in accordance with The Holy Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). How do Muslims celebrate Eid-Al-Fitr? 09:30 , Eleanor Noyce Eid-Al-Fitr, also known as the Festival of Breaking Fast is the first of two Eids in the Islamic calendar and is typically celebrated after the Muslim fasting month, known as Ramadan. Many Muslims celebrate Eid by spending time with their loved ones, making unique dishes for this special day and connecting in prayer to commemorate and acknowledge the end of the fasting month. Its a way of showing gratitude and remembering Ramadan and the charitable sacrifices many Muslims made during the fasting month. This, as many Muslims believe, is in accordance with The Holy Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). Eid celebrations begin with special prayers at the mosque. Many Muslims dress in new garments, as it is believed that Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) would wear his best cloak to commemorate this day. Community members, family and friends also gather to share sweet treats, gifts and stories. Its a festival that celebrates the goodness of life and the blessings that came with the Holy month of fasting. Women welcome Eid by applying henna on their hands to mark the celebration, which has been a tradition for many centuries. Children are also commonly gifted with money or toys from elders. Faiza Saqib reports: Will Eid be celebrated today or tomorrow in the UK? Eid-Al-Fitr: Why does the date change? 08:54 , Eleanor Noyce The final night of Ramadan has passed and Eid-Al-Fitr is here, as Muslims prepare for celebrations around the globe. Eid al-Fitr is calculated in accordance with the sighting of the new moon by the Saudi Arabia moon-sighting committee and is typically announced by local Mosques. The crescent moon was sighted in Saudi Arabia on Thursday 20 April, therefore Eid al-Fitr will now be marked and celebrated on Friday 21 April. Each year the Islamic Lunar calendar is typically shorter than the Solar calendar by 10-12 days and usually Eid and Ramadan rotate and are celebrated in different seasons of the year. However, the precise timings and dates change from country to country, depending on the geographical location. Egyptians release balloons after Eid al-Fitr prayers 08:26 , Eleanor Noyce Muslims in Egypt have released hundreds of balloons after completing their Eid al-Fitr prayers as they mark the beginning of their three day holiday. Pictures from outside El-Seddik Mosque in Cairo shows the balloons floating up into the air, with some families attempting to re-catch them. Not all Muslims are celebrating Eid al-Fitr tomorrow, with some due to start their holiday on Saturday instead. (REUTERS) Welcome 08:22 , Eleanor Noyce Good morning and welcome to The Independents coverage of Eid al-Fitr. Follow our blog for the latest update from the religious holiday. Twitter's iconic blue checkmarks began disappearing this week when the company fully moved over to its new subscription service called Twitter Blue. Now, users have to pay $8 per month to keep their verification, but three celebrities were able to keep those checks without forking over cash because Musk says he's paying for them. On Thursday, author Stephen King noticed his check mark was still on his account, despite promises from Twitter that all checkmarks would be removed if users aren't paying for the subscription. "My Twitter account says I've subscribed to Twitter Blue. I haven't. My Twitter account says I've given a phone number. I haven't," King tweeted. Musk replied to his tweet: "You're welcome namaste." He's not the only celebrity who kept the check without subscribing. Last month, LeBron James announced he would not be paying for the check. But this week, it remains and Musk claims this was his doing. The pop culture site Pop Base tweeted that Musk was personally paying for some celebrities' Twitter Blue subscriptions. He replied: "Just Shatner, LeBron and King." Just Shatner, LeBron and King Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 21, 2023 In an earlier tweet, Shatner let Musk know he accepts the blue check. Musk went on a tweeting spree on Thursday but did not elaborate on why he chose those three celebrities to keep their blue checks. Many high-profile Twitter pages that were once verified are no longer, after many refused to pay for the Twitter Blue subscription. The subscription also allows users to write longer tweets and edit them. Avid Twitter user Dionne Warwick called the new verification system an "absolute mess." She joked that the $8 would instead go toward her "extra hot lattes." Story continues Some celebrities, however, appeared to have paid for the checkmarks, like Taylor Swift and Rihanna. Chrissy Teigen joked about her and husband John Legend losing the checks. "going to bed tonight with my checkmark husband, knowing it will all be over by morning," she tweeted. Ice-T implied he would not pay for the blue checkmark, and still had it as of Friday morning. Twitter also began labeling some organizations' Twitter pages: Gold checks for official businesses or corporations, gray for government organizations and officials, an affiliation badge for accounts connected to an organization on Twitter, and a badge for state-run media entities and individuals who are part of those entities. But after many companies like NPR said they were mislabeled as government-funded or state-affiliated (NPR is a publicly-funded media organization), the company started stripping those badges. President Joe Biden and other government officials has an automatic gray check "because it is a government or multilateral organization account," Twitter explains. Companies like Musks' SpaceX have gold checks because they are official organizations on Twitter. Blue checks go to people who "are subscribed to Twitter Blue and verified their phone number," Twitter says. That is, unless you are Shatner, James or King. Millions of older Americans unprepared for retirement Who Is Ray Epps | Sunday on 60 Minutes Eagle who wanted to be a dad cares for baby eaglet By now, the 24/7 culture of corporate America is no secret. In fact, its precisely why so many people have gotten burnt out or refused to return to the office after the pandemic. But one TikToker says she found the key to happiness by creating a better work-life balance for herself and all it took was a sizable pay cut and a move to Paris. Moving to Europe gave me a significantly higher quality of life, explains Soldana (@iamsoldana) in her recent viral TikTok. Just three years ago, she was a college grad making roughly $80,000 a year as her base salary. But because she was living in New York City AKA the most expensive place to live in the world as a single person Soldana wound up rooming with three strangers in a downtown Manhattan apartment just to afford the rent. After a few years of this, an opportunity came her way that offered a different path: It was a similar job in consulting, but located in Paris, which gave her the chance to explore life in a whole new city. As cool as that sounded, Soldana was hesitant. If you know anything about the European job market, if you compare it to New York salaries, the salaries are a huge cut, Soldana explains in the clip. But I said f*** it, and I took the job even though it was a lower salary, and it was probably the best decision Ive ever made. Since the cost of living is lower in Paris, Soldana says she was able to go from a four-bedroom shared apartment in New York City to living in her very own Paris apartment, which was a pretty major step up. On top of that, the additional paid vacation time is just insane, she said. I went from three weeks of paid time off in New York City to having seven weeks legal minimum paid time off in Paris. Theres also another nice perk to moving cities: Being able to take quick trips to other European countries on the weekend for a fraction of the cost. Also, if youre a foodie and you love going out to eat, going out to eat was not a possibility for me when I was a new grad, it was just too expensive, explains Soldana. I would limit it to the weekends. Story continues Going out to eat in Paris, however, is a much more affordable venture. Not only will a typical meal with friends cost her about 30 euros ($32.94), cocktails included, but theres also no tipping required in France, which really adds to the savings. Last but not least, I think that it was a lot easier for me to make friends in Paris as an American than it was for me moving to New York from California, Soldana confesses. It may sound counter-intuitive, but being a foreigner, it was a lot easier of a conversation starter and made it easier for me to meet new friends. She adds that the ex-pat community in France is so strong that its easier to bond with fellow Americans whove made the move. You just have to be patient while infiltrating the ex-pat scene. In the comments, a lot of people were immediately starry-eyed over Soldanas life in Paris, which sounded almost too good to be true. 7 weeks of PTO?! one person asked. Lemme get this visa chile. Not to mention how much light European apartments get versus NYC ones, another person said. No more vitamin D deficiency. emily in paris vibes, quipped someone else. Other Americans, whove either made the move abroad themselves or are about to, also chimed in with their thoughts. Yes love this! wrote one commenter. Im an American expat, I moved from NYC to Amsterdam 5 years ago. Im moving from LA to London in the fall, added someone else. This was so reassuring. Some people said they actually did the reverse move to America and were sadly disappointed. I moved to the US years ago because the salary was huge but it was so expensive (healthcare, rent, etc) were so expensive that it wasnt worth it, one person lamented. And then there were those who expressed an unmistakable touch of bitterness. Key phrase: had the opportunity,' one person noted. well I made the opportunity, Soldana clarified. I asked for an internal transfer and worked to learn french to make it possible. In The Know by Yahoo is now available on Apple News follow us here! The post Employee compares the work-life balance between job in New York versus job in Paris appeared first on In The Know. More from In The Know: TikTok is freaking out over this viral video of a woman saying 'I love you' to her boyfriend for the first time: just sobbed in a walmart Woman calls out things that people did for attention before social media, like wearing thong straps over jeans You should definitely buy this perfect white tee while it's on sale for just $12 at J.Crew Trending meme from Workaholics has TikTokers thankful for their lives: 'Saw my entire life flash before my eyes' Battle of Bakhmut continues to rage "Bakhmut remains the hottest place. The enemy makes it so. Fierce fighting is ongoing there. The enemy is attacking. It razes to the ground all buildings," the message reads. The enemy has seen small successes, Malyar said. "At the same time, our courageous defenders of Bakhmut are conducting both defensive and storming actions. The enemy suffers unreasonably high losses," she said. Read also: Ukrainian Armed Forces destroy Cultural Center in Bakhmut spectacular video The situation remains under Ukraine's forces' control, despite being difficult. All decisions are made by the military according to military necessity. Russian forces continue to make creeping advances, the U.K. intelligence reported earlier. The frontline goes through the center of the city mostly along the main railway line, they added. The Ukrainian military is holding back the Russian attack in Bakhmut and inflicting severe losses on the enemy, Ukrainian Ground Forces Commander Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi said. 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 Elder made headlines as the GOP front-runner seeking to replace Gavin Newsom as governor of California in a recall election in 2021 Greg Doherty/Getty Larry Elder Longtime conservative media personality Larry Elder has announced that he is running for president in 2024 and will seek the GOP nomination. "America is in decline, but this decline is not inevitable," 70-year-old Elder, who has described himself as a libertarian, wrote on Twitter Thursday. "We can enter a new American Golden Age, but we must choose a leader who can bring us there. That's why I'm running for President." Elder is a former lawyer and the longtime host of the nationally-syndicated conservative radio program The Larry Elder Show. In launching in his campaign, Elder enters a crowded Republican primary field that currently includes former President Donald Trump, former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, and conservative entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. Related:Who Is Running for President in 2024? Confirmed and Rumored Republican and Democratic Candidates Elder made headlines as the GOP front-runner seeking to replace Gavin Newsom as governor of California in a recall election in 2021. He ultimately lost the race to Newsom, but raised his profile and stirred controversy in the process. Among the controversies to resurface were comments Elder made about women in a magazine column he wrote 23 years ago. At the time, Elder wrote in an essay in Capitalism Magazine: "Women know less than men about political issues, economics, and current events. Good news for Democrats, bad news for Republicans. For the less one knows, the easier the manipulation." Related:Meet Larry Elder, the Conservative Radio Host Stirring Controversy as He Hopes to Oust Gavin Newsom Elder faced even more criticism after Politico published an interview with his ex-fiancee, Alexandra Datig. The pair met a Playboy Mansion in the early 2000s and became engaged in 2013 with Elder reportedly planning for them to wed right after he got his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Story continues But Datig said that she broke off their 18-month engagement in 2015 after Elder allegedly took out a .45 pistol and "checked if it was loaded while I was talking." She described it as a "Phil Spector moment," referring to the famed music producer who killed actress Lana Clarkson in 2003. Elder denied threatening Datig, saying in a tweet: "I have never brandished a gun at anyone. I grew up in South Central; I know exactly how destructive this type of behavior is. It's not me, and everyone who knows me knows it's not me. These are salacious allegations." For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. This story first appeared in PA Local, a weekly newsletter by Spotlight PA taking a fresh, positive look at the incredible people, beautiful places, and delicious food of Pennsylvania. Sign up for free here. Next year, an army of people will descend on Erie, Pennsylvania, to don mail-ordered glasses and watch the moon photobomb the sun. The solar eclipse on April 8, 2024 will be visible all over the state, but Eries view will be exceptional unless its cloudy. More on that in a moment. Erie and Pennsylvanias northwest corner are in the path of totality, a narrow band stretching from Texas to New England where the moon will 100% cover the sun, resulting in what past observers have described as a surreal, primeval, even hair-raising experience. Streetlights will snap on midday. Some birds will flock. Some dogs will howl. The farther you stray from the 124 mile-wide path of totality, the less the sun will be covered by the moon, and, the same observers say, the less profound the overall effect. As Smithsonian Magazine put it: The difference between partial and total is literally night and day. In Pittsburgh, sun coverage will be around 97%. In State College, itll be 95%. For Philly, itll be 90%. What makes Eries view so unique, and why local officials are preparing for a deluge of out-of-towners, is not only the extent of the eclipse there but the duration. Eries blackout will last nearly four minutes, among the longest of any place on the path of totality. Christine Temple with VisitErie said Erie County could see anywhere from 65,000 to 250,000 visitors the high end of that range would double the countys population overnight and an economic impact on the order of $15 million. If 2017s eclipse is any indication, price gouging will happen. In fact, its already started. Rooms at the no frills Hampton Inn in Meadville were recently listed at $900-a-night on Hotels.com. (It appears theyre no longer listed, but heres a screenshot.) Rooms at the normally very budget-friendly La Quinta Inn are going for more than $500-a-night with fees in Erie. Story continues Note: I called the Hampton Inn and was offered a room for the weekend of the eclipse there are only a handful left for less than $200, so maybe skip the travel sites. An employee at the La Quinta Inn pointed to an ongoing renovation in explaining their elevated price point, though nightly rates were lower in the runup to the eclipse and immediately after. Prices are only set to rise as the event gets closer. Same for the glasses (buyer beware). The path of totality. Hotels and lodges with a one-year reservation limit only started accepting eclipse holds last week. Steve Freysz, owner of the Spencer House Bed & Breakfast, a few blocks from Presque Isle Bay, told The Inquirer that one hopeful customer has been on a waiting list for seven years: He calls every year to make sure hes (still) on the list. Temple said officials are gauging hotel capacity. If there isnt enough, their public messaging will stress Eries drivability from other population centers. Theyre also determining where in town they want eclipse-goers to be. To my dismay, Presque Isle, my first choice for beachside eclipse viewing, is not on the official list of suggested public places to watch the show in Erie, though the justification seemed reasonable. Theres only one road in and out. Traffic headaches could be astronomical, Temple explained. The sun is high enough in April that pretty much anywhere here will have good visibility. Erie wont be on the path of totality again until the year 2144. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime thing, state Sen. Dan Laughlin, R-Erie, said by phone. I dont think our grandkids are going to see (the one in 2144), well, maybe our grandkids but certainly not us, right, Colin? I glanced knowingly at a shelf full of expensive herbal supplements stocked across the room. Laughlin, chair of the state Senate Majority Policy Committee, said he might host a committee hearing around April 8 in Erie to give his colleagues a front-row seat: I have to host hearings throughout the state anyway. Why not do it on a day like that? Laughlin is characteristically bullish on Eries charm Maybe some of the (eclipse) visitors will say I forgot how nice it is here or Well move here during our retirement or lets raise our family here but if anything is giving him pause, its the April sky itself. Listen, its a genuine concern, Laughlin said of cloud cover. Well keep our fingers crossed. Lets start with the bad news. This map says that of all the places in the 2024 path of totality, Erie has among the highest chances of clouds spoiling the view. Space.com reached a similar conclusion using local climatological data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. It gave Erie a 39.2% chance of clear skies, among the lowest chances of any area in the path. Now the good news. Keith Jaszka, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Cleveland, which covers Erie, said a ridge of high pressure and a breeze from a cool Lake Erie would all but guarantee ideal viewing conditions, the latter keeping obstructive cumulus clouds from forming. But there are several active storm tracks in April the Alberta Clipper, the Colorado Low, and the Gulf/Hatteras Low that could complicate things. Of course, its way too early to speak with certainty. Jaszka said check back in about 50 weeks. WHILE YOURE HERE... If you learned something from this story, pay it forward and become a member of Spotlight PA so someone else can in the future at spotlightpa.org/donate. Spotlight PA is funded by foundations and readers like you who are committed to accountability journalism that gets results. The military aid package for Ukraine includes ammunition Read also: Estonia calls on NATO allies to increase defense spending "The Estonian government supported Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur's decision to send essential artillery ammunition to Ukraine, which is part of the European Union agreement initiated by Estonia to send Ukraine one million shells," the message reads. Estonia is also ready to donate night vision devices and small arms ammunition to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Read also: Estonia proposes EU investment in ammo purchases for Ukraine Pevkur added that he will discuss with Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov the ways Estonia can further help Ukraine during the meeting at Ramstein Air Base on April 21. 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 Plans for almost 600 new apartments in Birmingham city centre have been put forward. The Brindley Drive development includes two blocks, one 46-storey and one 15-storey, and would replace the council's Paradise Circus Car Park. The taller building is referred to in proposals as 'the Tower', while the shorter one is named 'the Garden Mansion Block'. City councillors are due to vote on 27 April. The Local Democracy Reporting Service said the buildings would also house a lounge, a gym, a co-working space, and three cycle parking areas with 590 spaces. The project is being led by Birmingham-based developer Court Collaboration and has been designed by architecture practice CallisonRTKL. Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: newsonline.westmidlands@bbc.co.uk (Bloomberg) -- European Union lawmakers are set to back tough requirements for fossil fuel producers to rein in emissions of one of the most potent greenhouse gases and they dont want importers to be exempt. Most Read from Bloomberg Deputies from Parliaments industry and environment committees are expected to vote next week in favor of setting a 2030 methane-reduction target before 2026, according to an agreement seen by Bloomberg. It also lays out strict criteria for oil and gas companies to monitor and repair leaks of the gas, risking a ban from the market if they fail to comply. Crucially, lawmakers reached a deal that if kept after the regulatory process would also make importers have to comply with the EUs strict leak monitoring and repair practices from 2026. The Commission, the blocs executive branch, had proposed only improved methane transparency for imports of fossil fuels. Methane mitigation measures on imports of oil and gas are a world first and would be a huge achievement for the EU if we can get them over the line, said Alessia Virone, EU affairs director at the Clean Air Task Force. The climate impact of integrating methane rules into the global trade of fossil fuels is worth fighting for. Compromise amendments are likely to set the stage for tough negotiations with member states, who watered down key elements of the Commissions original proposal. Kadri Simson, the EUs energy chief, warned last month that the position risked the bloc falling behind on its climate goals. The new changes are backed by a broad coalition of groups in parliament, ranging from the Greens to the center-right European Peoples Party. The groups managed to find a compromise on tackling methane emissions from coal mines, which had proved one of the most challenging elements. The thresholds for venting and flaring from the sector are higher than the commissions original proposal, while a prohibition on the practice is postponed. Story continues After the committee vote takes place on April 26, the whole assembly will then vote on its position before final talks with the EUs 27 member states. The EU is among 150 signatories to the Global Methane Pledge an agreement to cut emissions of methane by 30% yet has said it will struggle to reach that level unless it ramps up efforts, particularly in the agricultural sector. We cannot waste any more time to secure a robust law, said Flavia Sollazzo, senior director of EU energy transition at the nonprofit Environmental Defense Fund Europe. While gas prices are higher, the economic case for action to stop the leaks in the oil and gas industry is even more compelling. (Updates with details on import requirements from third paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. The UK's Mae Muller will close this year's Eurovision grand final The majority of a final batch of tickets for next month's Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool have sold out, the BBC has confirmed. A "limited number" of tickets for three live shows and six production previews went on sale at 12:00 BST. Just over an hour later, the BBC said only a small number remained available. These are mostly single seats and hospitality packages for previews and rehearsals. Both of the semi-finals and the grand final are now sold out. In March the initial batch of tickets was snapped up in 90 minutes, leaving thousands of fans disappointed. On Monday, many waited again in an online queue, hoping to get their hands on the last remaining tickets. In a post on Twitter at 13:25 BST, BBC Eurovision said: "The majority of Eurovision 2023 tickets that went on sale today have now been sold. "A small number of tickets are still available to purchase for some shows. "For those of you with tickets, we'll see you in Liverpool. And to everyone else, we'll see you on BBC One!" A mock-up of how Liverpool's M&S Bank Arena is expected to look hosting the Eurovision Song Contest It will be the first time the has UK hosted the annual competition in 25 years. About 6,000 fans will be inside the arena for each of the shows. Prices ranged from 90 to 290 for the live semi-finals and from 160 to 380 for the live grand final. Preview shows ranged from 30 to 280. A preview show is a full run-through of the TV broadcast that doubles up as a production rehearsal, with all the acts performing live in the arena. There are six preview shows and three live shows. How do the semi-finals work? All competing broadcasters pay a fee to take part in Eurovision (see below for more details); but with only 26 slots available in the grand final, there has to be a knock-out stage. That takes the form of two-semi finals, which this year take place on Tuesday 9 and Thursday 11 May. Ten songs from each of the two qualifying rounds go through to the final. A handful of countries, known as the big five (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK), automatically get a place in the final because they contribute more money to the staging of the contest. Story continues Last year's winner also qualifies without participating in the semi-finals. This year, that honour goes to Ukraine. Eurovision 2023 banner What if I didn't get a ticket? The city of Liverpool has announced multiple events around this year's Eurovision Song Contest. There will be a two-week festival taking place, including a submarine parade and a rave which will take place simultaneously in Kyiv. Liverpool's Pier Head will host the official Eurovision village Close to the M&S Bank Arena will be the Eurovision village, the official fan zone of the contest for thousands of people. During the televised live shows, fans will be able to watch both semi-finals and the final (which is ticketed) on big screens there. It is also where some of the acts will perform on stage across the week. There will also be extensive coverage across the BBC. Who pays for Eurovision? The UK government has put forward 10m towards the cost of hosting the song contest for things like security and visa arrangements. It says the vast majority will be spent on "showcasing Ukrainian culture" but would not give further details. In comparison, the Italian government did not pay anything towards the event last year. The King and Queen Consort will unveil the Eurovision stage for the first time on Wednesday 26 April Local authorities in Liverpool have also pledged 4m for the event, which is 6m less than officials put forward in Turin in 2022. The bulk of the cost will fall to the BBC which is expected to put forward between 8m and 17m as host broadcaster. The 37 broadcasters taking part all pay a fee to enter, which in recent years has totalled a combined sum of about 5m. The BBC does not make its contribution public. All the build-up, insights and analysis is explored each week on a BBC podcast called Eurovisioncast. Eurovisioncast is available on BBC Sounds, or search wherever you get your podcasts from. Eurovision Song Contest presenter Julia Sanina will be dressed head to toe in designs from her home country of Ukraine as she takes to the stage at this years final (James Stack/PA) (PA Media) Eurovision Song Contest presenter Julia Sanina will be dressed head to toe in designs from her home country of Ukraine as she takes to the stage at this years final. The frontwoman of rock band The Hardkiss promised to bring Ukrainian fashion to the contest, which is being hosted by Liverpool on behalf of the country as the Russian invasion continues. She said: My outfits will be all made in Ukraine. All from Ukrainian designers, from shoes to jewellery to dresses, suits. I would love to bring some Ukrainian fashion into it. Her co-presenters, actress Hannah Waddingham and Britains Got Talent judge Alesha Dixon, joked they might be playing it down when picking their outfits for the event, normally known for sequins and sparkle. Dixon said: Could you imagine if we rocked up in a white vest and jeans? I think its an opportunity to have some fun. All of us love our fashion, love our clothes, so were going to have fun with it. The three women met for the first time on Wednesday, at a press launch for the contest, but said there is already a chemistry between them. Sanina said: Were so different different energies, different moods, different chemistry but all together I think it will work great. Dixon added: I feel so lucky that we get to host as a group of girls together, it feels really empowering. Waddingham, who stars in Ted Lasso, said she hopes the contest will be a joyful hiatus to what is going on in the world. She said: Its a moment for everyone to just have, one, the biggest party, two, display their phenomenal talents, and, it sounds like a cliche, but to bring love and tactility and all of those things back to the foreground. Dixon said: Everybodys included, everybodys invited, everybody can be a part of it, and thats really rare so we should celebrate it. Sanina said she is feeling the nerves more than her co-hosts as the only Ukrainian presenter on stage for the evening. Everybodys watching Eurovision from year to year in Ukraine and everybody will watch it, definitely, no matter what, she said. Story continues Its so important for people just for a couple of hours to forget about the reality that we have nowadays and to feel that joy and to feel that happiness with everybody in the world, to come together, to feel that support of the world. There's a lot of Ukraine in this Eurovision Julia Sanina Theres a lot of Ukraine in this Eurovision lots of Ukrainian performers, lots of Ukrainian songs and lots of cultural things in Eurovision that Ukrainians will love, definitely. For us its very important to feel that support and love. Waddingham praised UK entry Mae Muller, saying: She is so charismatic, aside from having a stonking voice. Every time I see her perform Im just like This girl is not mucking around, shes here to be noticed and acknowledged. But the women said that, as hosts, they will remain impartial. Dixon added: We are the mothers to all of the acts no, were the sisters! Waddingham said hosting the contest in Liverpool is a little bit like coming home, and revealed she once appeared in Merseyside soap Brookside. She said: People in Liverpool are front-footed, they care, theyre passionate. No messing about. Maybe thats where I get my front foot from my mums from the Isle of Man and I have family in Liverpool so I feel like Ive, a little bit, come home. Dixon added: Theres so much going on, so many events, so lots of people that havent got the opportunity to come to the show, theres so many things for them to do here. From what Ive seen, Liverpool has just embraced it. We cant wait. Its just going to be like nothing weve ever experienced before. Starship during its maiden launch, April 20, 2023. The mission lasted for just four minutes, but the fiery debut of SpaceXs Starship resulted in stunning visuals and an abundance of new questions. The fully integrated Starship megarocket blasted off at 9:33 a.m. ET on Thursday, April 20, from SpaceXs launch facility in Boca Chica, Texas. The inaugural mission didnt go as planned, with the rocket entering into a fatal tumble that forced ground controllers to issue a self-destruct command at the 3:59 mark of the mission. Read more Many observers greeted the failed mission with hefty doses of schadenfreude, as SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has done much lately to attract the publics ire. The rocket did explode prematurely above the Gulf of Mexico, that is true, but this result was not wholly unexpected. It is rocket science, after all; SpaceX will learn from this mission and move on, just like it did when developing Falcon 9, currently the worlds most reliable medium-lift rocket. With that said, here are some key things we noticed during the short-lived mission. Staged engine ignition is very cool The boosters 33 Raptor engines dont ignite simultaneously and are instead ignited in banks, or clusters. The first set undergoes ignition with the countdown clock at T-6 seconds, followed by the next set of banks until theyre all lit. On Thursday, this made for a unique visual spectacle, in which the blast beneath the rocket grew iteratively until the rocket was finally able to leave the ground. Starship took about 10 seconds to clear the tower It took what felt like an eternity for Starship to finally clear the 469-foot-tall (142-meter) launch and catch tower. In fact, this slow vertical crawl at first made me believe that something had gone wrong. Weighed down by 10 million pounds (4,500 metric tons) of liquid methane and liquid oxygen, and with three Raptor engines failing to ignite, the rocket required around 10 seconds to fully clear the tower. Story continues More engines, more problems A view of the booster engines at the 1:20 mark of the mission, showing multiple unlit Raptors. Speaking of that trio of uncooperative Raptor engines, that was just the start. By the time Starship reached its peak altitude of roughly 39 miles (63 kilometers), as many as eight Raptors had either called it quits or simply refused to light in the first place. The vehicle experienced multiple engines out during the flight test, lost altitude, and began to tumble, SpaceX explained in a statement. The flight termination system was commanded on both the booster and ship. SpaceX now faces the daunting task of having to make its Raptors more reliable, as having upwards of 24% of its booster engines fail is clearly unacceptable. Starship drifted horizontally after clearing the tower Shortly after clearing the tower, the 394-foot-tall (120-meter) Starship began to drift horizontallyby a lot. This was likely a consequence of the Raptor failures, but it made for an unsettling sight. Looking at the video above, you can also see a tremendous amount of debris splashing into the ocean. The giant plume produced during the launch was primarily made from dust, sand, and rocks kicked up by the engines, and not engine exhaust (methane fuel barely produces a plume). A flame trench is desperately needed Even with three Raptors not working, Starship still exerted an estimated 15 million pounds of thrust at liftoff. With no safety provisions like a flame trench or water suppression system, the rockets blast at liftoff wreaked havoc at the launch tower and surrounding area. Video feeds from LabPadre and others showed a tremendous amount of debris emanating from the launch site, blasting through remote-controlled cameras, palm trees, and in one case a parked minivan. Flame trench desperately needed A crater now appears beneath the Orbital Launch Mount (OLM). The nearby tank farm was badly damaged, and even Starhopper, the prototype vehicle used to develop Starship, took a hit. Most impressivelyor disturbinglywas the giant crater that formed directly beneath the Orbital Launch Mount (OLM). Given all this, SpaceX will need to consider a major change to the launch site and construct a flame trench similar to the one at NASAs Launch Pad 39B. The launch got Starship grounded In a tweet, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said the company could perform a second flight in a few months. For that to happen, however, the company will need to procure another launch license from the Federal Aviation Administration; the regulator has grounded the rocket and launched an investigation as a result of the anomaly. A return to flight of the fully stacked Starship is based on the FAA determining that any system, process, or procedure related to the mishap does not affect public safety, the regular wrote in an emailed statement. This is standard practice for all mishap investigations. Clearing MaxQ was a huge accomplishment for SpaceX Screenshot: SpaceX On a more positive note, Starship did survive MaxQ the moment during a rockets ascent when it endures the maximum aerodynamic stress due to the combination of atmospheric pressure and its velocity. For Starship, this moment came at the 55-second mark of the mission. The rocket continued for a few more minutes and lasted until the end of stage 1 burn. Unfortunately, stage separation did not happen when it was supposed to, as the rocket fell into a tumble that required SpaceX to issue the destruct sequence. Starship wont be ready for a while Photo: C & J Images Im sure many of us went into this launch with a glass-half-full perspective, hopingand even expectingto see the first mission unfold as planned. After stage separation, the upper stage was supposed to journey through space for a brief stretch and crash some 155 miles (250 kilometers) off the coast of Hawaii. That obviously did not happen, with the fully stacked rocket exploding far above the Gulf of Mexico. Despite this successful failure, I now consider this glass to be half empty, particularly as I look to the future of this program and NASAs Artemis 3 mission, which needs the vehicle to land humans on the Moon in just a few years. Starship wont be ready for a while Photo: C&J Images SpaceX has a knack for moving quickly, but this first mission will undoubtedly produce a hefty to-do list for the private space company, including a fix for those problematic Raptor engines, a complete overhaul of the Boca Chica launch site (including the possible installation of a flame trench and water deluge system), and a potential rethink of the stage separation system, the latter of which failed to work at the designated time. Thats not to say these are intractable problemstheyre likely notbut these fixes wont happen overnight. The launch was awesome kinjavideo-194487 Stepping back for a moment, the debut of Starship was an absolutely breathtaking sight. A personal highlight for me was the moment when Starship finally emerged from the dark cloud of smoke and debris, rising upward in defiance. To see something so hugeand yet so fragiletake to the skies was an admittedly emotional experience for me. And to recognize Starships revolutionary potential for opening a slew of new and unprecedented opportunities in space, well, thats nothing short of goosebump inducing. We truly live in amazing times, as we continually search for new ways to expand our presence outside of our home planet. More from Gizmodo Sign up for Gizmodo's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. The Russian mercenary group Wagner has been supplying the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group in fights against the Sudanese army, according to CNN. Sudan has fallen into fierce fighting, edging on civil war in recent weeks as two generals vie for control of the country. CNN cited sources in the country and satellite imagery in Libya, where Wagner-controlled bases show high activity. Wagner, which is headed by Russian oligarch Yevgeny Prigozhin, has been an influential part of Russian influence worldwide and in the war in Ukraine. The group has been accused of committing some of the most gruesome atrocities of the war. Wagner mercenaries have a significant presence in Syria, Libya and West Africa. Russian interest in Sudan has peaked in recent years as the Kremlin targets gold to dodge Western sanctions. Satellite imagery reportedly shows a Russian cargo plane moving back and forth between Libyan air bases in the days leading up to and at the start of the conflict. Russia also reportedly airdropped some mutations to fighters in Sudan. The fighting in Sudan has killed hundreds, including at least one American. The U.S. is preparing military forces in nearby Djibouti to evacuate the U.S. embassy in Khartoum if necessary. Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar, a general who controls vast swaths of the country in its civil war, is backed by Wagner. Sources say that Wagner and Haftar could be preparing to back the RSF in the conflict against the Sudanese army, CNN said. The RSF has denied receiving help from Russia or Libya. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Nell Fisher as Kassie and Alyssa Sutherland as Ellie in "Evil Dead Rise." Warner Bros. Pictures "Evil Dead Rise" sees a family terrorized by demonic beings called Deadites. Director Lee Cronin told Insider that he got child actor Nell Fisher to play with "fake blood." He said it was all about ensuring the 9-year-old actor knew it was "make-believe." Sam Raimi's vicious Deadites haven't caused chaos on the big screen since Fede Alvarez's reboot/sequel back in 2013, but now Irish director Lee Cronin has taken the reins of the franchise with "Evil Dead Rise," and he's not pulling his punches. The film follows Beth (Lily Sullivan) as she visits her sister, Ellie (Alyssa Sutherland), and her kids in Los Angeles when the Deadites attack and possess Ellie. No one is safe from her, not even her own children. Speaking to Insider ahead of the movie's release on Friday, Cronin talked about the challenges of working with younger actors. The youngest actor in the film is Nell Fisher, who plays Ellie's daughter Kassie, and she's constantly surrounded by blood and guts. With a smirk, the director told us that he persuaded Fisher's parents to let her star in the film with a wad of cash. "I just slipped them a brown envelope full of cash They were like, 'It's fine,'" Cronin joked, before adding: "No, I think when you cast a kid, first of all, you need to find somebody really talented." The Irish director praised Fisher's performance, before saying that he made an effort to earn her parents' trust. He explained: "First of all, I identified her talent. That's the first thing and she's an extremely talented young performer. I've worked with many... she's really, really special. Then you need to go and build a relationship and a rapport with parents and earn trust and get them to understand what you're trying to do." Story continues The "Hole in the Ground" director noted that Fisher wouldn't have been in the film at all if her parents hadn't approved of the script. He said: "She never would have been in the room if her parents hadn't already read the screenplay, you know, and got a sense of what this movie was about. Luckily her dad was someone that wanted to be an actor, became an environmental lawyer. But he's an 'Evil Dead' fan as well. So he was giving her a gentle nudge towards it." Cronin said that he used fake blood and vomit to help Nell "understand the make-believe nature of a horror movie." "So I would bring Neil and show her things ... I would have these plastic containers full of various different vomits and blood that I could sit there and play with the viscosity and pour them out on the table and be like, 'Do I like it?'" he said. "And I'd get Nell to do the same thing, like, have fun and understand it's make-believe." "Evil Dead Rise" is in theaters now. Read the original article on Insider Days after withholding his financial backing for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, billionaire GOP donor Thomas Peterffy is opening his wallet for Glenn Youngkin, the Virginia governor some in the party still hope will run for president. Peterffy on Thursday wired a $1 million check to Youngkins political action committee, Spirit of Virginia, according to a person familiar with the transaction. The move comes less than a week after Peterffy told the Financial Times that he had put his support for DeSantis on hold because of the governors controversial positions on abortion and book bans, which have alienated some of those in the donor community and the mainstream wing of the party. Peterffys abandonment of DeSantis reflects a broader period of difficulty for the Florida governor, with much of the Republican congressional delegation choosing to endorse former President Donald Trump over DeSantis and polls showing his support waning. Peterffy one of the richest people in Florida gave nearly $600,000 to DeSantis 2018 and 2022 gubernatorial runs. Youngkin had paused his consideration for a 2024 bid after spending much of the midterm campaign season crisscrossing the country for Republican candidates. But over the last few weeks he has drawn attention from major donors while fundraising for his PAC, which is planning to spend money in the upcoming Virginia state legislative elections. Youngkin last Friday attended a lunch in Palm Beach, Fla., hosted by retired Smithfield Foods executive Joe Luter and his wife, Karin. That evening, he attended a reception at the Naples, Fla., residence of ex-GOP Rep. Francis Rooney, a former ambassador to the Holy See, which was attended by more than 50 people. On Thursday, Omni Hotels and Golds Gym owner Bob Rowling hosted an event for Youngkin in Dallas. Rooney said Youngkin did not bring up the 2024 race, nor did any of the attendees ask him about it. He stays on message. He talks a lot about what hes doing in Virginia, and then hell mention that a lot of these same things apply anywhere and even nationally, Rooney said. Story continues It is far from certain whether Peterffys withdrawal signals a broader loss of financial support for DeSantis. A pro-DeSantis super PAC, Never Back Down, has reported that it has already raised $30 million a sum that has allowed the group to begin airing TV ads, sending mailers and set up field programs in key primary states. DeSantis state-based political organization has more than $85 million that is expected to be transferred to the super PAC, and he has drawn support from an array of major givers who would like to see the party move on from Trump. The list of those Youngkin met with in Dallas included prominent GOP fundraiser Roy Bailey, who formerly chaired Trumps finance committee but who is planning to support DeSantis should he run. Bailey praised Youngkin as a red-hot, bright shining star for the future, but said he got the sense that hes totally focused on the state of Virginia rather than running for president. I kind of see him as a great athlete who knows he has the ability to do great things but is smart enough and patient enough to do it in the right way, Bailey said. GRAND RAPIDS The wife of former Michigan House Speaker Rick Johnson received thousands of dollars in monthly consulting fees from a business owner who paid Johnson over $68,000 in cash bribes and benefits while Johnson chaired the state's medical marijuana licensing agency, according to the business owner. In federal court Friday, John Dalaly, 70, pleaded guilty to paying bribes. Johnson, Dalaly and two former lobbyists are charged with felony corruption crimes stemming from Johnson's time as chair of the now-defunct medical marijuana licensing board from 2017-19. During the hearing, Dalaly told U.S. Magistrate Judge Phillip Green he provided Johnson more than $68,000 in cash and benefits, including international flights on private jets, in 2018 and 2019. The information had already been disclosed in federal felony documents and Dalaly's plea agreement. House Speaker Rick Johnson, R-LeRoy in March 2002 on the state Capitol House floor in Lansing. Bribes meant to speed application process What hadn't been disclosed is the information that Dalaly paid Janice Johnson, Rick Johnson's wife, $4,000 a month in consulting fees. Dalaly said the consulting fees were Rick Johnson's idea. Janice Johnson has not been charged or named in the corruption probe. Dalaly said the cash, flights and other benefits such as paid lunches for Johnson were meant "to help him (with) processing my application." Dalaly operated a pair of businesses tied to the medical marijuana industry, one which was a dispensary and the other which was established with the goal of creating a digital currency platform meant for medical marijuana transactions, according to federal prosecuting documents. More: Ex-Michigan House Speaker Rick Johnson, others charged in medical marijuana bribery scheme More: 'Dark money' nonprofit at center of another scandal involving former Michigan lawmaker All four men charged in the corruption probe: Dalaly, Johnson and the two lobbyists, Brian Pierce and Vincent Brown, have all agreed to cooperate fully with federal prosecutors. The investigation into the scandal is continuing, according to the office of Mark Totten, the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan. Story continues Green allowed Dalaly to be released unsupervised on an unsecured bond of $25,000. Dalaly will have to pay the fee only if he violates any of his bond conditions, which ban him from drinking excessively or from leaving Michigan without permission from the court. Dalaly's firearms and passport have also been taken by the court. Former Speaker Johnson scheduled for plea hearing Tuesday Dalaly faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, although prosecutors have agreed not to oppose any motion from Dalaly to request a two-level sentence reduction. Additionally, prosecutors have agreed to consider making their own motion to reduce Dalaly's sentence guidelines due to his cooperation. Johnson's plea hearing is slated for Tuesday morning. A Republican from LeRoy in Osceola County, Johnson is charged with accepting payment of bribes, which also carries a maximum prison sentence of 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine. His plea agreement is similar to Dalaly's in allowing for sentencing reduction motions. Details of the investigation first became public in February when, as a result of a lawsuit over unpaid legal bills, records showed that federal investigators were interested in a nonprofit Johnson headed called Michigan's Promise. The existence of the investigation was first reported by The Detroit News. He was House speaker from 2001-04. He came under scrutiny from the Free Press in 2017 when former Gov. Rick Snyder named Johnson, who was a registered lobbyist from 2005 until 2016, to the Michigan Medical Marihuana Licensing Board. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer dismantled the board via executive order in 2019, shortly after recreational marijuana was legalized in Michigan by voters in 2018. Pierce, 45, and Brown, 32, were charged with conspiracy to commit bribery. Free Press staff writers Paul Egan and Adrienne Roberts contributed with prior reporting. Contact Arpan Lobo: alobo@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @arpanlobo. Become a subscriber today. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Wife of ex-Michigan House Speaker Rick Johnson implicated in scheme By Marco Aquino and Brendan O'Brien LIMA/WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Former Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo surrendered to U.S. authorities on Friday, a U.S. Marshals Service official told Reuters, a day after his last-ditch bid to block his extradition to Peru over corruption charges was denied. The former leader's lawyer expressed dismay at the turn of events later on Friday. Toledo, who has taught classes at Stanford University, is set to make history as the South American nation's third former president currently behind bars as he awaits prosecution. Toledo, president from 2001 to 2006, is wanted in Peru over charges he received some $35 million from Brazilian construction company Odebrecht in exchange for help in obtaining public works contracts. Prosecutors are seeking a 20-year prison sentence. Toledo, 77, has denied soliciting or receiving bribes. On Thursday, a U.S. federal judge denied his latest bid to block his extradition. His lawyer, David Bowker, described his client as "profoundly saddened and disappointed" by the judge's decision, asserting Toledo is a victim of "political prosecution." Bowker said Peru's justice system is "flawed" and the case against Toledo "rests largely on the unreliable testimony of two confessed criminals." He added the former president "will never have a fair opportunity to ... prove his innocence." Toledo will be moved to Peru's capital Lima in two or three days, Silvana Carrion, the local prosecutor handling the case, said on local broadcaster Canal N. Toledo was arrested in the United States in 2019 after an extradition request by Peru's government. He was released on bail the following year and was recently living in California. His surrender likely signals progress in Peru's anti-corruption fight and could lead to further revelations, according to David Waisman, Toledo's former vice president. "I'm sure he's going to rat out the people involved in an effort to get his prison term shortened," Waisman told Reuters. Story continues Authorities say Toledo is likely to be held in a prison outside Lima, where two other former presidents, right-wing Alberto Fujimori and leftist Pedro Castillo, are currently held. Fujimori, who governed between 1990 and 2000, is serving a 25-year sentence for human rights abuses. Castillo is being held in pre-trial detention while under investigation for rebellion charges after trying to dissolve Congress in December. Prosecutors have asked for 18 months of pre-trial detention for Toledo, an economist who won the presidency after a graft scandal involving Fujimori. Nearly all of Peru's presidents over the past three decades have been accused of or investigated for corruption. "This is a reflection of the work in the fight against corruption in the country, with all the problems it has," said criminal lawyer Carlos Caro. Odebrecht acknowledged in a 2017 deal in the U.S. that it paid some $29 million to win concessions in Peru from 2005-2014 during the governments of Toledo, Alan Garcia and Ollanta Humala. Former President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, also under investigation for the Odebrecht case, was under house arrest on accusations of bribery but has since been released under restrictions. Garcia took his own life in 2019. (Reporting by Marco Aquino in Lima and Brendan O'Brien in Washington; Writing by Brendan O'Boyle; Editing by Jonathan Oatis and Alistair Bell) In March, the International Criminal Court made a historic ruling: It issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, the Russian official overseeing the forced deportations of Ukrainian children to Russia. The statement by ICC says that Putin is "allegedly responsible" for the unlawful deportation and transfer of children from occupied areas of Ukraine to Russia. The forced deportations of Ukrainian children to Russia have become one of the darkest and most discussed consequences of Moscow's all-out invasion of Ukraine. Over 19,000 children have been de facto abducted from the occupied territories and sent to Russia since last February, according to a Ukrainian national database. Only 361 children have been brought back to Ukraine as of April 21. Here's what we know about the forced deportations of Ukrainian children, where they are held in Russia, and how some are returning home. How the deportation of children started Russia had been kidnapping Ukrainian children long before the full-scale invasion: The "unlawful transfer of Ukrainian minors to Russia" began in 2014, according to recent analysis by the European Resilience Initiative Center. The study says that "one of the largest programs of children relocation" was launched by the late Russian Presidential Council for the Development of Civil Society and Human Rights member Elizaveta Glinka, widely known in Russia as "Doctor Liza." It says that Glinka arranged the "first transfer" of 13 Ukrainian children from occupied Donetsk to Russia in December 2014 and requested Putin to "amend the country's legislation to allow relocations of Ukrainian children from Donbas to Russia on the pretext of providing medical assistance." Russian state-controlled media outlet TASS claimed in 2017 that Glinka transferred 500 kids from Donbas in 2.5 years. According to the study, Glinka "effectively established a state-sponsored system of Ukrainian children's transfers to Russia." Story continues "This system is nowadays being used by Russia's current Presidential Commissioner for Children's rights Maria Lvova-Belova" The Yale School of Public Health report, which the Conflict Observatory published on Feb. 14, says Russia started to "systematically" transport Ukrainian children from occupied territories days before the full-scale invasion in February 2022. The report says the first transportations of children that were recorded in early February 2022 "included a group of 500 purported orphans" forcibly taken from Donetsk Oblast by Russia. Some of those children were adopted by families in Russia, "like other groups of orphans that would later be brought to Russia after the full-scale invasion," the report reads. Olha Yerokhina, the spokesperson of Ukrainian NGO Save Ukraine, which helps rescue Ukrainian children from Russian captivity, told the Kyiv Independent that Russia began mass deportations of children from occupied settlements of Kharkiv and Kherson oblasts "under the slogan of rehabilitation and evacuation," shortly after the start of the invasion on Feb. 24, 2022. The study also says that "additional groups of children would depart Ukraine for camps in Russia under the auspices of free recreational trips" by early March. Less than a month into Russia's full-scale invasion, Ukraine's Foreign Ministry reported 2,389 children illegally transported from occupied parts of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts into Russia. How many children have been deported As of April 21, 14 months after the start of the invasion, Ukraine has recorded a total of 19,393 children unlawfully deported to Russia. "Among these children are orphans, children who have parents, as well as children who have legal guardians or children whose parents died during hostilities," Yerokhina says. Russia, on the other hand, claims that around 744,000 Ukrainian children have been transferred from Ukraine. There's a big difference in the numbers since "Russia doesn't provide Ukraine with lists of so-called 'evacuated' children and families, as it should have done according to international law," says Yerokhina. Daria Kasianova, the national program development director at "SOS Children's Villages" charity, which cooperates with the Ministry for Reintegration of Occupied Territories to return deported children, says the National Information Bureau collects the data on deported children from several sources, including the police, social services, and relatives' reports. These children get identified and added to the nationwide database of deported children, which now includes 19,000 children. The actual number, however, might be higher. "When we return children to Ukraine, they tell us about other kids that are kept in Russia, who are not in Ukraine's database," Kasianova told the Kyiv Independent. According to Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk, 4,396 Ukrainian orphans are now illegally kept in the occupied territories or were forcibly taken to Russia. Yale School of Public Health has collected information about at least 6,000 Ukrainian children "aged four months to 17 years" who have been held in Russian-controlled camps and other facilities. The study, however, also assumes the actual number might be higher. A man hugs his 10-year-old son after he was brought back from Russian captivity to Kyiv on March 22, 2023. (Photo by Sergei Chuzavkov/AFP via Getty Images) How Russians do it Russian troops follow "five scenarios" to abduct and deport Ukrainian children, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported, citing Daria Herasymchuk, Ukrainian presidential advisor for children's rights. According to Herasymchuk, they could either kill the parents or take the child directly from the family, guided by the made-up "laws" of Russian-installed authorities. Children could also be separated from their parents in the so-called filtration camps in Russia. Another option is when children are ordered to go to "recreational camps" for vacations or medical treatment or kidnapped directly from institutions and orphanages in Ukraine's occupied settlements, the media reports. Yerokhina says they recorded a mass deportation of Ukrainian children from Kherson and Kherson Oblast in autumn. According to her, "the whole school classes of children were taken to occupied Crimea together with their teachers" under the false claims of evacuation "so that those children allegedly could continue their studies in safety." Yerokhina adds that the children were not returned to their parents "within the agreed time frame." "Therefore, instead of two or three weeks, children were separated from their parents for six months or longer," she says.` This Week in Ukraine Ep. 4 Russias strategy of evil: 80,000 war crimes 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 #4 is dedicated to Russian war crimes in Ukraine and beyond, the culture of viole Kyiv IndependentAnastasiia Lapatina What happens to these children in Russia In Russia, deported Ukrainian children are placed in hotels, summer camps, recreation centers, and shelters, where the conditions are often poor, according to the report by a coalition of Ukrainian NGOs that documents Russia's war crimes. A study by the Yale School of Public Health shows that Moscow has established a whole "network of re-education and adoption facilities" in Russia and occupied Crimea, with 43 camps where Ukrainian children have been held since Feb. 24, 2022, already identified. "The majority are recreational camps where children are taken for ostensible vacations, while others are facilities used to house children put up for foster care or adoption in Russia," the report reads. It also says that the camps aim to "integrate" children from occupied territories "into Russian life and enforce a version of Russia's history, culture, and society that serves the political interests of Russia's government." There, children are told that "Ukraine does not need them, that their parents abandoned them, and nobody will come for them," says Yerokhina. "Russians separate children from their parents and take advantage of their vulnerable condition to put psychological pressure (on them)," she says. According to the report, the "widespread re-education" of Ukraine's children has occurred in 32 of the identified camps. "The systematic pro-Russia education of Ukraine's children takes many forms, including school curriculum, field trips to cultural or patriotic sites throughout the country, lectures from Russia's veterans and historians, and military activities," the report says. "The meaning of such 're-education' is clear children who have been in Russia and among Russian propagandists for a long time are more easily influenced by them," Yerokhina says, adding that they aim at erasing their Ukrainian identity. Putin's easing of the process for Ukrainian orphans and children without parental care to receive Russian citizenship in late May last year has also been seen as "an effort to expedite the process for adopting Ukraine's children into families in Russia," according to the report. However, it is yet unknown how many children obtained Russian citizenship and how many were adopted. According to Russian independent media outlet Meduza, local authorities of Russian Krasnodar claimed that over 1,000 children from occupied Mariupol were adopted into Russian families in remote cities such as Tyumen, Irkutsk, Kemerovo, and Altai Krai in August. In the same month, Lvova-Belova, the Russian official overseeing the deportations, also claimed she had adopted a teenager from Mariupol. She later told Putin she knows what it means "to be a mother of a child from Donbas." According to Yerokhina, the Save Ukraine initiative has returned children from the occupied Crimea and Russian cities of Anapa, Yeisk, Gelendzhik, Voronezh, as well as Belgorod and Rostov oblasts. According to Herasymchuk, after returning to Ukraine from Russia, children complained of beatings and other punishments for refusing to sing the Russian anthem and for mentioning that they were Ukrainians. She said that kids were not allowed to go for walks as punishment and were forced to copy texts in Russian. Also, Russia often uses these children as political props at rallies. Speaking to journalists upon their return to Ukraine, children describe poor treatment towards them. "The attitude towards us has changed significantly in a month or two. Everyone started hating us because we are Ukrainians because we came from Kherson," the 15-year-old Ukrainian teenager Anastasia told RFE/RL upon her release from the occupied Crimea. 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 Who is in charge of forced deportation of Ukrainian children According to the ICC, there are "reasonable grounds to believe" that Putin is directly responsible for overseeing the deportations and that he failed to exercise control over the Russian military personnel and civilians who implemented the crime throughout occupied Ukrainian territory since the start of the full-scale invasion. Putin can now be arrested in one of the 123 countries that are members of the ICC. Yale School of Public Health has established that Putin "personally appointed many of the figures involved in this program and publicly supports their efforts." The report calls Lvova-Belova the "apparent leader" of the operation at the "federal level." On Feb. 16, Putin even praised Lvova-Belova for her work overseeing the deportation of Ukrainian children, portraying it as a "humanitarian effort" to "protect Russian citizens." However, the report also says that "all levels of Russia's government are involved" in the deportations of Ukrainian children. According to it, "in the cases of both individuals deemed orphans by Russia and children residing in state institutions, a Russia-appointed institutional authority or a higher level occupation authority directs the transfer of Ukraine's children to Russia-occupied Crimea or Russia." "Many of these transfers are coordinated by federal officials and conducted in concert with Russia's regional leaders and proxy authorities," the report reads. The Yale researchers say they have identified "several dozens" of federal, regional, and local figures "directly engaged in operating and politically justifying" the deportation program. And at least 12 of them were not targeted by the U.S. or other international sanctions as of February. A Ukrainian man meets his children Nikita, Yana, and Dayana after they were brought back from Russian captivity to Kyiv on March 22, 2023. (Photo by Sergei Chuzavkov/AFP via Getty Images) How is Ukraine returning these children Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, Save Ukraine has rescued 95 Ukrainian children. During one of its latest missions, the charity brought home 24 kids from Kherson Oblast who Russia had illegally deported. Yerokhina says that often, mothers of deported children reach out to her NGO, Save Ukraine, to help rescue their kids from captivity. She adds that they never disclose any details of rescue missions beforehand for safety reasons. Kasianova says that getting to these children in Russia and rescuing them is difficult. "There were situations when we were in touch with a child and were on the way to rescue them. But when we arrived the child was no longer there," she says. As of April 17, Ukraine has only returned a total of 361 children, according to official reports. Experts say that the country would need further support from its allies and international organizations to bring back the rest of them. Yerokhina says the UN General Assembly should adopt a resolution "on the need for the immediate repatriation of Ukrainian children." She thinks that the Council of Europe should also adopt a resolution demanding the identification and repatriation of these children. On April 10, Vereshchuk announced that the Ukrainian government is creating an international coalition to return Ukrainian orphans forcibly relocated by Russia. According to Vereshchuk, the coalition will need an intermediary, and that "can be anyone," including the International Committee of the Red Cross, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and the UN International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF). "In this case, the help of the world community is critical to us," Vereshchuk told the parliamentary TV channel Rada. "I hope that such a platform will start operating soon." President Volodymyr Zelensky called the arrest warrant issued by the ICC a "turning point" in Russia's war against Ukraine. He said that after this legal step, "it becomes undeniable that the end of this aggression for Russia will be the full range of its responsibility." "Responsibility for every strike on Ukraine, for every destroyed life, for every deported Ukrainian child," Zelensky said. "The evil state will be held accountable for every act of terror against Ukrainians," he added. Note from the author: Hi! Daria Shulzhenko here. I wrote this piece for you. Since the first day of Russia's all-out war, I have been working almost non-stop to tell the stories of those affected by Russias brutal aggression. By telling all those painful stories, we are helping to keep the world informed about the reality of Russias war against Ukraine. By becoming the Kyiv Independent's patron, you can help us continue telling the world the truth about this war. (Reuters) - A conflict raging in Sudan is rattling neighbouring countries and worrying the United States and others for reasons ranging from concern about shared Nile waters and oil pipelines to the shape of a new government and a new humanitarian crisis in the making. Sudan, which relies heavily on foreign aid, is no stranger to conflict. But this time fighting is tearing apart the capital instead of a remote corner of a nation, which lies in an unstable region bordering the Red Sea, Sahel and Horn of Africa. Five of Sudan's seven neighbours - Ethiopia, Chad, Central African Republic, Libya and South Sudan - have faced political upheaval or conflict themselves in recent years. The fighting that erupted between the army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on April 15 in Khartoum has derailed an internationally backed plan for a transition to civilian rule after the ousting in 2019 of Omar al Bashir, the Islamist president who had himself seized power in a 1989 coup. The conflicts pits General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the head of Sudan's ruling council who commands the army, against the irregular RSF forces led by the wealthy, one-time militia leader General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, better known as Hemedti, who is Burhan's deputy in the council. WHAT'S AT STAKE FOR REGIONAL STATES? EGYPT - The histories of Egypt, the most populous Arab state with a powerful army, and Sudan are intertwined by politics, trade, culture and shared Nile waters. Cairo has worried about political upheaval to its south since the 2019 uprising that toppled Bashir. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who also took office in a military power grab, is close to Burhan. Sudanese are by far the largest foreign community in Egypt, numbering an estimated 4 million people, including about 60,000 refugees and asylum seekers. Egypt and Sudan, which both rely on the Nile for fresh water, are concerned about threats to their supplies from the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) project upstream on the Blue Nile. The two nations have pushed to regulate the Ethiopian dam's operation. Any tension in ties between Khartoum and Cairo could disrupt their efforts to secure a deal. Story continues LIBYA - Sudanese mercenaries and militia fighters have been active on both sides of the civil conflict that split Libya after 2011. In recent years, many Sudanese fighters have returned to Sudan, contributing to tensions in Sudan's western Darfur region, where another conflict raged for years and fighting continued after a deal with some rebel groups in 2020. Sudan has also been a departure point and a transit route for migrants seeking to head to Europe via Libya, where people traffickers have taken advantage of the conflict and political turmoil. CHAD - Sudan's western neighbour Chad, a poor nation which hosts about 400,000 displaced Sudanese from previous conflicts, has seen about 20,000 more refugees arrive from Sudan since the latest fighting began, according to the United Nations. Chad worries about the crisis spilling across the border to areas where it hosts the refugees, most of whom are from Darfur. During the Darfur conflict, Chad faced cross-border raids from Sudan's Arab militias, known as the Janjaweed, which morphed into the RSF. The raiders attacked Darfur refugees and Chadian villagers, seizing livestock and killing those who resisted. Chad's government said it disarmed a contingent of 320 paramilitary forces that entered its territory on Monday. Chad also worries that Russia's Wagner Group private military contractors in neighbouring Central African Republic, who are reported to have close ties with RSF, could back Chadian rebels threatening Ndjamena's government. Wagner denies having any activities in Sudan. GULF ARAB STATES - Wealthy oil producers Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have long sought to shape events in Sudan, seeing the transition from Bashir's rule as a way to roll back Islamist influence and stabilise the region. Investors from both countries have deals to invest in a range of projects from agricultural projects, where Sudan holds vast potential based on large irrigated areas, to an airline and strategic ports on its Red Sea coast. SOUTH SUDAN - South Sudan, which seceded from Sudan in 2011 after a civil war lasting decades, exports its oil output of 170,000 barrels per day via a pipeline through its northern neighbour. Analysts say neither side in Sudan's conflict has an interest in disrupting those flows but South Sudan's government said this week fighting had already hampered logistics and transport links between the oilfields and Port Sudan. Sudan also hosts 800,000 South Sudanese refugees. Any mass return could put further strains on efforts to supply vital aid to more than 2 million displaced people in South Sudan who have fled their homes inside the country because of civil strife. ETHIOPIA - Skirmishes periodically flare along disputed parts of Sudan's border with Ethiopia. Analysts say either side could take advantage of Sudan's unrest to press their objectives. When war erupted in Ethiopia's northern Tigray region in 2020, tensions surfaced over the fertile but contested Al-Fashqa border and drove more than 50,000 Ethiopian refugees into already impoverished parts of eastern Sudan. Ethiopia will also be watching developments given tensions over the $4 billion GERD dam, which Sudan says could present a threat to its own Nile dams and its citizens. ERITREA - Sudan hosts more than 134,000 refugees and asylum seekers from Eritrea and is the main route for Eritreans fleeing forced conscription by Asmara government's repressive rule. Many Eritrean refugees in northern Ethiopia fled from their camps during the Tigray war between 2020 and 2022. Eritrean refugees in Sudan could face a similar plight if any conflict beyond Khartoum escalates. WHAT ARE THE CONCERNS OF WORLD POWERS? RUSSIA - Moscow, which has long sought warm water ports for its navy, secured a deal with Bashir for Sudan to host a naval base and Sudan's military leaders have said this remains under review. In 2020, Russian President Vladimir Putin approved the creation of a Russian naval facility in Sudan capable of mooring nuclear-powered surface vessels. Western diplomats in Khartoum said in 2022 that Russia's Wagner Group was involved in illicit gold mining in Sudan and was spreading disinformation. Two years earlier, the United States imposed sanctions on two companies operating in Sudan that it linked to Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin. In a statement on April 19, Wagner denied it was operating in Sudan, said its staff had not been there for more than two years and said it had no role in the latest fighting. It said it was responding foreign media inquiries "most of which are provocative". In February 2023, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met officials in Sudan during an African tour seeking to expand Moscow's influence at a time when Western nations have sought to isolate Moscow with sanctions over its invasion of Ukraine. THE UNITED STATES AND THE WEST - The United States, like other Western powers, was happy to be rid of Bashir, who was charged with genocide and war crimes by the International Criminal Court over the Darfur conflict. But critics say Washington was slow to swing behind a transition towards elections. Sudanese hopes for democracy were shattered when Burhan and Hemedti staged a coup in 2021. The latest fighting is expected to derail any swift return to civilian rule with neither of the two opponents in Khartoum showing any readiness for compromise. (Reporting by Aidan Lewis, Michael Georgy, Hereward Holland, Bate Felix and Aaron Ross; Editing by Edmund Blair) Five stars on a wooden board Facebook is still being used by people arranging fake five-star reviews for products, consumer group Which? has said. It found 14 groups centred around trading reviews for cash or free products - including earbuds, fitness watches and a solar-powered sprinkler. Which? first reported on such groups in 2018 - and the government is preparing legislation to tackle the problem. Facebook said it was investing in new technologies to weed out fake reviews. "Fraudulent and deceptive activity is not allowed on our platforms, including offering or trading fake reviews," said an official from Meta, which owns Facebook. "We've removed the groups shared with us, for violating our policies." 'Clearly illegal' The Competition and Markets Authority investigated Amazon and Google over concerns fake five-star reviews could be misleading shoppers in 2021. Then, in April 2022, the government proposed new rules, including making it "clearly illegal" to pay someone to write or host fake reviews. It says the average UK household spends about 900 each year after being influenced by online reviews. The new rules are expected to form part of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer Bill, due to be published in the coming weeks. Which? said researchers had found 14 Facebook groups offering cash or products in exchange for reviews on Amazon, Google or Trustpilot. In total, there were more than 62,000 members across the groups. 'Misleading information' When a researcher had contacted a member of one of the most popular groups and told them they liked some of the products shared there, Which? said, they had been told to buy one of the products and they would be refunded if they gave it a five-star review. "Despite previous interventions by the regulator, our latest findings suggest an industry dedicated to fake-review trading continues to thrive on Facebook," Which? policy and advocacy director Rocio Concha said. Story continues "[It leaves] consumers exposed to misleading information on some of the world's biggest review and shopping platforms." Amazon has long combated fake reviews on its platform and, in July, took legal action against the administrators of more than 10,000 Facebook groups. An Amazon official said "in the last few weeks" it had launched further legal action against more than 20 websites dealing in fake reviews. "By taking this action against fraudsters, we are going after the source of the problem and shutting down these fake-review businesses," they said. One half of a federal courtroom gallery in Rapid City rose from their seats in support of disgraced spiritual leader Donald Eric Cross, 46, as he walked into the tall, windowless room for his first sentencing appearance on April 7. "All rise," he chuckled before sitting down for the first day of his two-part sentencing for abusive sexual contact, a charge that appeared to scratch the surface of his conduct, according to testimony and dismissed charges. Throughout the hearing split between April 7 and Wednesday because of the number of people who wanted to take the stand a picture of Cross the "medicine man," the "spiritual leader," and the "predator" began to emerge through a mist of tears and undying support. Cross was a spiritual leader on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation who led sweats, sundances, and other traditional Lakota spiritual ceremonies on the reservation and in New Mexico. He also offered spiritual guidance, according to multiple peoples' testimony. His brother, Lawrence Cross, said "he was a great spiritual person for me." Victim supporters stand outside the federal courthouse in Rapid City after Donald Cross' sentencing for abusive sexual contact Wednesday. A man who travelled from New Mexico to speak on behalf of Cross said he knew him since he was a child and witnessed 20 years of Cross' work. He said he saw marriages fixed, people stop drinking and "countless people brought closer to God." "The fall from grace has been punishment enough," he said. The fall began in 2009 with two teenage girls seeking spiritual guidance. It ended on Wednesday when U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Viken sentenced Cross to 10 years in federal prison and 10 years of supervised release for abusive sexual contact, the maximum sentence. On Nov. 28, 2009, the two girls 16 and 17 at the time went to Cross house in the Kyle area. The 17-year-old girl, now an adult, testified through a video conference that she and her friend went to Cross house for spiritual guidance. As the evening went on, Cross got alcohol from a shed. The girl said it was the first time she had ever drank. Story continues I felt warm, she said. She and her friend went to Cross room. He gave them clothes to sleep in, and they began to watch TV. (He) climbed on top of me and did his thing, she said. I was really scared. More: Sioux Falls man accused of raping 3-year-old at daycare, court records show Joann "Uma" Wilkinson, who is the 16-year-olds grandmother, testified she was at the house at the time, and the plan was for the girls to sleep in a room with her. As it got dark, she grew concerned about where the girls were, thinking they were outside somewhere. When she realized they were in Cross room, she told them to come out. Cross answered, Stay out of it, Uma. Theyre gonna stay in here. Lynette Adams stands outside the federal courthouse in Rapid City on Wednesday after Donald Eric Cross was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for abusive sexual contact. Wilkinson fell asleep on the couch and woke up when the 17-year-old jumped into her arms saying, Help me. Help me. Im scared. Im scared of him. Im scared of Eric. After getting both girls into a different bedroom, Wilkinson asked them what happened, and they wouldnt answer. The next morning, she took the girls on a long walk outside of the house, and they told her Cross had raped them. One of the girls mothers picked them up, and they went to Indian Health Services for "rape kits", a process in which physical evidence is gathered. In a few years, the tribal case was dropped. In 2018, everything took a turn when a Facebook post from one of Cross ex-wives surfaced and caught the attention of the FBI. Special Agent Chris Reinke testified he read a post by Charlotte Two Eagle about alleged abuse. Two Eagle had been married to Cross. The FBI then reopened the case. The rape kits were retested, Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Poppen said, and Cross matched. On May 21, 2019, a federal grand jury indicted Cross on two counts of sexual abuse for the November 2009 incidents. The indictment added aggravated sexual abuse for the alleged rape of a different 16-year-old girl in June 2012. Reinke testified he discovered the 2012 allegation during his investigation. He said Cross went to the girl's parents house to help them prepare for a sundance ceremony. When the parents left the house for something, Cross took her to the bathroom and raped her. This Facebook photo shows Donald Eric Cross in May 2019, the same month he was indicted in federal court on sexual assault charges. She didnt tell anyone in the family for four years, according to testimony from her parents and sisters. Her mother, wearing a t-shirt with the words women are sacred, on the back of it, told Cross, You are a disgrace to our people, to our tribe, to our ways. Her sister said she wasnt the same after the assault, and withdrew from school and spending time with family. Her mother added she cant hug her daughter because of how traumatized she is. I came to Eric because he was a relative, and I asked him to help me, but he fooled me. I was too trusting, her father said. I was taught that as a spiritual man, you are accountable to the people. You are only as good as you walk. Lynette Adams, 46, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, also went to Cross for help. She ended up as the fourth person added to the indictment in the case. In July 2019, the government added a count to their indictment against Cross regarding Adams alleged sexual abuse in 2016. Adams spoke with the Journal after the sentencing and wanted her name in this story. More: Joel Koskan, who ran for SD Senate, pleads guilty to 2 counts of felony incest When Cross pleaded guilty to abusive sexual contact against the 17-year-old girl, the government agreed to drop the charges for the alleged assault on Adams and the two 16-year-old girls. Adams whole body shook as she cried through her testimony Wednesday. She told the courtroom she decided to come forward with her experience when she learned about the allegations against Cross, especially since they included minors. She met Cross in Montana at a sundance through another spiritual leader, who invited Cross into their ceremony circle in 2012, Adams said. Charlotte Two Eagle, left, and Lynette Adams, right, stand outside the federal courthouse in Rapid City on Wednesday after Donald Eric Cross' sentencing for abusive sexual contact. The FBI investigated the case after Two Eagle made a Facebook post about Cross. Cross was also charged with allegedly raping Adams in 2016, but the charge was dropped as part of a plea deal. Adams said Two Eagle encouraged her to testify at Cross' sentencing. In 2014, that spiritual leader sexually assaulted a close relative of Adams, leaving her devastated. She testified she reached out to Cross seeking some kind of healing and grounding in my spiritual faith which had been destroyed by another spiritual leader. After communicating for about a year and half, Adams was on a visit to the Black Hills with a friend. She said Cross told her he had suffered a cardiac event, so she bought sweetgrass and some other items in Rapid City and brought them to Cross on the reservation. After she arrived, they ended up helping a family prepare for a sundance and then visited Cross sundance grounds. When they got back to Cross house around midnight, Adams said she was exhausted, both physically and mentally. He offered for her to stay the night rather than drive to Sturgis, where she was staying. The rape I experienced was very aggressive and violent in nature, she told the judge. I used all my strength I had to resist and begged him repeatedly to stop, until I was physically exhausted. Adams said she sustained bruising on her arms, wrists and thighs. Immediately after, as the sun was just coming up, she went into the bathroom and dry heaved before getting in the shower and using every soap and conditioner. I wanted him off of my body, she said. More: Harrisburg school shooter admits to probation violation, sentenced to 10 years behind bars Adams asked the judge to sentence Cross to the maximum. I would like to think we live in a society that knows sexual violence is not to be tolerated, she said. Cross spoke at length at his sentencing. He first spoke in Lakota before switching to English. He apologized to the court, the judge, the U.S. Marshals Service, the public defenders office, and the prosecution. I admit my guilts. I admit my shortcomings, he said. My sins, my earthly attachments made me do bad things. Cross didnt ask for leniency. I wont ask for forgiveness because I know I will not be forgiven. I will die with these choosings, he said. I cannot say Im sorry enough for all of it. Viken told Cross he could have easily seen a 20- to 30-year sentence, and the only reason he got a 10-year sentence was because of the limits Congress placed on federal judges. You havent just fallen from grace, Viken said, noting the damage to the victims in the case and the victims whose names we may not know. As Cross left the courtroom, he told his daughters to keep going and said, I love you all, even though you might not like it. Youre all still my relatives. Cross case highlights the staggering statistic that 56% of Native American women have experienced sexual violence in their lifetime, according to a National Institute of Justice (NIJ) study. This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: 'Fallen from grace': Spiritual leader sentenced to prison for sexual assault Lashawn Thompson died in September, three months after he was booked into the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta. ATLANTA (AP) The family of a man who died in a bedbug-infested cell in a Georgia jails psychiatric wing is calling for the U.S. Justice Department to investigate the facility. Lashawn Thompson, 35, died in September, three months after being booked into the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta. Prominent civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who represents Thompsons family, called for those responsible for his death to be held accountable. What youre looking at, I think, is not just a deplorable jail cell, but this is a crime scene. This is criminal, Crump said as he held up a photo of Thompsons dirty, trash-strewn cell during a news conference and rally Thursday in front of the jail. Lashawn Thompsons family has requested a federal probe of the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta. Thompson, 35, died in a bedbug-infested cell in the facility. (Photo Credit: Screenshot/YouTube.com/11Alive News) Photos of the cell and of Thompsons face and body covered in insects sparked outrage last week when they spread on social media after his familys local attorney, Michael Harper, released them to news outlets. The medical examiners report lists Thompsons cause of death as undetermined but notes a severe bed bug infestation. Crump called for local leaders to be held accountable, including the sheriff, the Fulton County Board of Commissioners and the Atlanta City Council, repeating the slogan, We aint gonna let you pass the baton. Justice for Lashawn. He urged local activists to attend an upcoming county board of commissioners meeting to demand answers about Thompsons death. U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff, a Georgia Democrat who chairs the Senate Human Rights Subcommittee, announced Thursday that he is launching a new inquiry into conditions of incarceration in Georgia and across the country. He cited news reports last week about Thompsons death and the death of Joshua McLemore, a 29-year-old with a history of mental illness who died of multiple organ failure in August 2021 at an Indiana jail. Harper has said jail staff did nothing to address Thompsons deteriorating health in the weeks before his death and has called for a criminal investigation. Thompson had been arrested June 12 on a misdemeanor battery charge. Story continues Fulton County Sheriff Pat Labat met with Thompsons family Thursday and spoke alongside them at the news conference outside the jail. We understand, and I have said this publicly, this is absolutely unconscionable, point blank, Labat said. Labat said once investigations into Thompsons death an internal one by his office and another by the Atlanta Police Department are complete, they will be turned over to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Since Thompsons death gained publicity last week, Labat has expressed his condolences to the family and had three top jail officials resign. He announced Wednesday that he had secured an additional $5.3 million from the county board of commissioners to provide upgrades at the jail, including increased monitoring in the psychiatric and medical units and more frequent high-level sanitation of those units. In a separate statement released Thursday evening, Labat acknowledged that the problems at the jail are not new and that it has been operating in crisis mode for decades. The facility cannot provide safe and humane detention and a new jail is needed, he said. He also said the jails medical provider terminated its contract for jail services on Tuesday and that his office is reviewing proposals for a new medical provider. Critics including some who yelled questions and accusations at Labat during the news conference have said Labat didnt act until the conditions surrounding Thompsons death became public. And they allege Labat, who took office in January 2021, is using Thompsons death to bolster his push for a new jail when they say he has long failed to address serious chronic problems at the current jail. Tiffany Roberts, public policy director for the Southern Center for Human Rights, which advocates for the rights of people in the criminal justice system, said the nonprofit law firm has successfully sued the county four times over conditions at the jail but has seen little improvement. How dare this sheriff stand with a grieving family, pat their backs, make platitudes while he is asking for $2 billion to transfer this problem to a larger and more expensive facility, she said during the news conference. How long will we hide from the reality that Fulton County is chronically dysfunctional and there is no humanity in a system like this? TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku, and Android TV. Please download theGrio mobile apps today! The post Family demands federal probe after coroner notes severe bed bug infestation in jail appeared first on TheGrio. The children of one of the missing American sailors who disappeared near Mexico thanked the U.S. Coast Guard and Mexican navy for their efforts after authorities suspended the search. "Knowing that our family members have been part of a multinational search is not something we take for granted. It shows the kind of commitment and cooperation we all will praise in the years to come," Melissa Spiccuza, daughter of Bill Gross, said in a statement. "Thank you to all who serve their countries at sea, on shore and abroad. "To the community of sailors of all vessels whove searched, reported, reached out, shared and posted to aid in the search of Ocean Bound, Kerry, Frank and William we know your search will not end," she added. "Those of us with saltwater in our veins will never stop hearing the call to keep a sharp lookout." Gross set sail with Kerry and Frank OBrien on their vessel Ocean Bound, last making contact with anyone on April 4 when they were near Mazatlan, Mexico, the Coast Guard said over the weekend. WOMAN ARRESTED IN NEW YORK AFTER HUMAN REMAINS DISCOVERED IN FIRE PIT AT PENNSYLVANIA HOME: REPORT Kerry and Frank O'Brien, two of the missing people aboard the vessel Ocean Bound that was last contacted April 4 as it passed Mazatlan. The three Americans were aboard the 44-foot La Fitte sailing-vessel called Ocean Bound, which set off for San Diego but failed to make contact April 6 when it was supposed to stop in Cabo San Lucas. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Ellen Argall, mother of Pennsylvania native Kerry O'Brien, said her daughter has had a love of the water her entire life and told a local CBS News outlet she is confident her daughter is safe. "I just keep hoping and praying that I'll hear some good news. I want good news, not bad news," she said, adding that waiting for news has been "pure agony." COLORADO DA ACCUSED OF ETHICAL VIOLATIONS IN MISSING SUZANNE MORPHEW CASE The 44-foot Le Fitte vessel Ocean Bound, which went missing April 4. The Mexican navy expanded its search effort for the three American sailors, sending out four patrol boats and a twin-engine prop airplane to search the area. Ultimately, the Coast Guard suspended the search after "exhaustive" efforts covering an area larger than the state of California. Story continues "The U.S. Coast Guard has been informed that the Mexican navy (SEMAR) has suspended their search for three American mariners aboard the sailing vessel Ocean Bound," the Coast Guard said in a statement Wednesday. Cmdr. Gregory Higgins, the command center chief of Coast Guard District 11, said, "Our deepest sympathies go out to the families and friends of William Gross, Kerry OBrien and Frank OBrien." NORTH CAROLINA FAMILY OF CALIFORNIA COLLEGE STUDENT WHO WENT MISSING IN 2020 'BAFFLED' BY DISAPPEARANCE The 44-foot Le Fitte vessel Ocean Bound, which went missing after making last contact April 4. Spiccuza, speaking on behalf of her family, "humbly and gratefully" thanked those involved in the search, especially USCG District 11 Commander Gregory Higgins, who has "become a part of our family." "Although this was devastating news for our family, we support the decision of SEMAR and the USCG," Spiccuza said. "The search was exhaustive, heavily saturated in the Sea of Cortez between Mazatlan, Cabo Las Lucas and Puerto Vallarta. "No evidence of Ocean Bound or her crew have been found thus far," she continued. "The waters and ports along the Pacific coast of the Baja Peninsula have been contacted, searched and reported in repeatedly. "We understand that the search could not go on forever, and the ocean is a big place. We feel confident in the efforts of all agencies and, even though we havent found Ocean Bound or her crew, we can seek solace in that they have done everything anyone could do to find them." Spiccuza confirmed that the statement would serve as the familys final message to the media and public "barring any major developments in the story," concluding that "Ocean Bound and her crew are missing, but they will not be forgotten." Fans are praising Prince William for making a sweet comment about his wife Kate Middleton during the couples walkabout in Birmingham, England. On Thursday, the Prince and Princess of Wales attended a few royal engagements in the city and even paid a visit to an Indian street food restaurant. The pair also greeted members of the public. In a video shared to Twitter by Free Radio News, William could be seen shaking hands with and saying hello to fans in the crowd. After greeting the royal, one fan gushed about Kates attire: That is an amazing outfit Kate has got on! she said. William smiled at the remark and responded with: Awwshe always looks stunning. Thank you. During their trip on Thursday, Kate wore a maroon dress coat and gold earrings. Her husband opted for black pants and jacket, a red pocket square, and a blue button-down shirt. On Twitter, fans have reshared the video of William and applauded the sweet compliment he gave to his spouse. Theres a man who truly loves his wife, one wrote, while another added: Aww I am melting. A third added: Hes such a good man. Other people went on to praise the relationship between the two royals, who share three children: Prince George, nine, Princess Charlotte, seven, and Prince Louis, four. They are a beautiful couple and always look gorgeous, one wrote. I hope Princess Catherine sees this and saves it in her phone! another responded to the clip. Im sure he tells her every day! Elsewhere in their visit to Birmingham, which comes as part of a wider tour of the country, the pair also took a visit to the Indian Streatery restaurant in Bennetts Hill. While there, William answered an unexpected phone call and took a customers booking for two at the restaurant, as he and Kate were being served a range of Indian dishes. Story continues After negotiating over the time of the booking and giving the customer directions, William said: He knows where you are now, I probably sent him somewhere else in Birmingham so I apologise. At 2.15pm on Thursday, the customer, Vinay Aggarwal, and his wife Ankita Gulati, who were visiting from London, arrived at the restaurant ahead of their train home at 3pm. Mr Aggarwal, a software engineer, explained his shock when he found out that William was the one who took his phone call. Its pretty amazing and a surprise. I didnt know at that moment, but its a very nice surprise, he said. Obviously (I will be telling everyone), its not something that happens often. Kate and Williams trip to Birmingham comes ahead of King Charles III and Queen Consort Camillas coronation on 6 May. During the royal event, the Prince and Princess of Wales are expected to appear on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to wave at the crowd. The couples eldest son, Prince George, will be carrying a ceremonial sword at the coronation, as a traditional representation of him acting as a protector of his grandfather. In addition, Williams younger brother, Prince Harry will be attending the coronation at Westminster Abbey next month. Buckingham Palace also announced that he will not be joined by his wife, Meghan Markle, at the event, as shell remain home in California with their children, Prince Archie, three, and Princess Lilibet, one. Four U.S. citizens, including the leader of a far-left extremist group who is already facing state charges in Georgia, were charged this week with working on behalf of the Russian government. Meanwhile, in Detroit a high-profile member of the far-right Boogaloo movement pleaded guilty to gun and drug charges. And with the gamer platform called Discord at the center of a huge leak of classified documents, we take a look at what Discord really is. It's the week in extremism. Americans charged with working for Russia Four leaders of activist and extremist groups in Florida, Missouri and Georgia were indicted by a grand jury this week as part of a long-running investigation into a Russian malign interest campaign that was allegedly waged over the last few years. The superseding indictment charges Omali Yeshitela, chairman and founder of the African Peoples Socialist Party; Penny Joanne Hess, who served as the leader of a component of the APSP; Jesse Nevel, a member of the APSP and Augustus C. Romain Jr., aka Gazi Kodzo, leader of the Black Hammer organization. The four U.S. citizens are charged with spreading Russian propaganda at the direction of Russian agents, trying to "create the appearance of American popular support for Russias annexation of territories in Ukraine," according to the Justice Department. Romain, who founded the Black Hammer organization, is currently facing trial in Georgia on kidnapping, racketeering, human trafficking and forcible sodomy charges. In the same indictment, three Russian nationals were also charged. The ASPS is an anti-colonialist, pro-communist organization that argues for reparations for people of African descent for "centuries of genocide, oppression, and enslavement of our people." The Black Hammer group was known for activism for Black separatism, including seeking the return of all indigenous land to non-white people. Story continues Apparent members of the Boogaloo Bois speak to media during a protest outside of the Michigan State Capitol building in downtown Lansing on Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021. Michigan Boogaloo Boi pleads guilty Back on Facebook: Extremist Boogaloo Bois back on Facebook since Mar-a-Lago raid Down the barrel of a gun: How Second Amendment activism can be a gateway to extremist ideologies Timothy Teagan, a 25-year-old adherent of the "Boogaloo" movement from Plymouth, Michigan, pleaded guilty to drug- and gun-related charges Wednesday, following an FBI investigation. Despite being investigated by the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force, Teagan was never charged with terrorism. He pleaded guilty to illegal possession of a firearm and making a false statement while acquiring a firearm. Teagan was linked to the Boogaloo movement, and protested outside the Michigan state capitol in 2021 wearing a Hawaiian shirt, a signature symbol of the movement. The meme-focused Boogaloo movement has at its core a deep distrust and hatred of the federal government. It has been tied to dozens of arrests and at least two fatal attacks on police. As USA TODAY reported in September, the Boogaloo movement underwent a resurgence on Facebook last year. This photo illustration created on April 13, 2023, shows the Discord logo and the suspect, national guardsman Jack Teixeira, reflected in an image of the Pentagon in Washington, DC. - FBI agents on Thursday arrested a young national guardsman suspected of being behind a major leak of sensitive US government secrets -- including about the Ukraine war. US Attorney General Merrick Garland announced the arrest made "in connection with an investigation into alleged unauthorized removal, retention and transmission of classified national defense information." What is Discord? An explainer: What is Discord? And why does it keep coming up in news stories like the Pentagon leak? Who leaked the Pentagon documents?: What we know about Jack Teixeira, accused of DOD leak In a story published late last week, I explained the social media and messaging platform Discord, which was the forum a young National Guardsman allegedly used to leak hundreds of sensitive documents, for which he was charged last week. Discord keeps coming up in stories related to extremism and other high-profile news stories, Megan Squire, deputy director for data analytics at the Southern Poverty Law Center, told me: "I just a sort of forget about Discord for a while, and then another story like this pops back up and there they are again," Squire said. "It just keeps coming up." Discord started as a messaging app for video gamers to chat to each other. But it has evolved into a far more sprawling social media platform. Discord is popular among extremists, who benefit from its opacity and anonymity. Discord was used to plan the deadly 2017 Unite The Right Rally in Charlottesville. More recently, a man who killed 10 people at a Buffalo supermarket in a racist attack last year invited people to a private Discord "server," where he posted documents about the attack. Diana Rae Ellis, 30, who goes by the drag show name Diana Rae, sings at a recent Drag Queen Story Time event in Louisville, Ky. Statistic of the week: 141 That's the number of drag shows that were targeted by protests and threats across the country last year, according to a new report from the LGBTQ advocacy organization GLAAD. USA TODAY special report: A drag show, a protest and a line of guns: How the battle over one issue is tearing at America Bomb threats and picture books: A transgender drag performer navigates a time of turmoil Anti-drag protests and incidents occurred in 47 of the 50 states, according to GLAAD. As we explained in a special report in 2022, drag shows particularly all-age drag shows have become the number-one target of far-right extremists, who have used the shows as gatherings to protest and threaten their opponents. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Black Hammer, Black separatist members charged as Russian agents On 6 May, King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla will be crowned at Westminster Abbey as the world watches. The monarch ascended the throne following the death of his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, last September. His coronation takes place more than 70 years after Elizabeth was crowned on 2 June 1953. During the crowning and anointing parts of the ceremony, which are said to be the most sacred parts, King Charles will sit upon the 700-year-old Coronation Chair. The throne has been at the centre of English coronations since it was made by order of King Edward I between 1300 and 1301.Westminster Abbey, where it is located, describes the chair as one of the most precious and famous pieces of furniture in the world. With centuries of history behind it, the Coronation Chair is a fragile piece of furniture and is currently undergoing conservation work to ensure it will be in top condition when the ceremony arrives in spring. We chart the history behind the iconic seat: Origins The Coronation Chair was made by order of King Edward I to enclose the Stone of Scone, which he brought from Scotland to Westminster Abbey in 1296. A general view of the Coronation Chair in Westminster Abbey on which King Henry VIII was throned in 1509 (Getty Images) The throne, created from oak, was made to contain the Stone between 1300 to 1301. The Stone was originally completely enclosed under the seat of the chair, but the wooden decoration at the front was torn away over time and exposed the Stone. The Stone of Scone, also known as the Stone of Destiny or the Coronation Stone, is a block of red sandstone. It was previously kept at Scone Abbey in Scotland, which is now a ruin, but was seized by Edward I during the English invasion of Scotland. In 1996, former prime minister John Major announced the Stone would be returned to Scotland, but would travel back to the Abbey for coronations. It is now on display in Edinburgh Castle. A picture of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, sitting on the Coronation Chair, known as St Edward's Chair, on June 2, 1953 (AFP via Getty Images) The Coronation Chair was first used in a coronation ceremony in 1308, when King Edward II was crowned. According to Westminster Abbey, there have been 38 coronations for reigning monarchs held there, as well as 15 separate coronation ceremonies for Queen Consorts. Story continues Decorations Painted by Master Walter, Edward Is master painter, the Coronation Chairs original decorations included patterns of birds, foliage and animals. It was once covered in gold leaf, but much of it has worn away. The figure of a king with his feet resting on a lion was painted on the back. According to the Abbey, this is either Edward the Confessor or Edward I. Four gilt lions carved into the lower part of the chair were made in 1727 to replace the originals. They were not added to the chair until the early 16th century. Detail of a lion on the Coronation chair, at Westminster Abbey in London (PA) Krista Blessley, the Abbeys paintings conservator, is currently working on cleaning and preserving the chair. Earlier this month, she told PA that she had uncovered some overlooked details in the chairs decoration. I think they are previously undiscovered toes in the punchwork gilding on the back of the chair, she said. So there are areas of drapery where you can tell there would have been a figure. It might be they are figures of kings or it might be a figure of a saint, because so much is lost we cant really tell at the moment but Ill do some further investigation. Graffiti The back part of the historic chair is riddled with carvings and graffiti courtesy of Westminster schoolboys and visitors in the 18th and 19th centuries. Detail of graffiti on the Coronation chair, at Westminster Abbey in London, which is being restored ahead of the upcoming coronation (PA) These vandals mainly carved there initials or names into the chair. One visitor carved P. Abbott slept in this chair 5-6 July 1800. Some people also hacked off slivers of wood from the chair as souvenirs. One small corner of the seat was knocked off during a 1914 bomb attack, believed to have been the work of suffragettes. A Connecticut woman who was last seen nearly two weeks ago hiking the Kumano Kodo trail in Japan has the U.S. State Department and the FBI helping in the search for her, her husband said. Patricia "Pattie" Wu-Murad, 60, was reported missing by Japanese authorities on April 10 when she failed to arrive at the Taiyo-no-yu guesthouse hostel in Osaka as expected after her hike and the U.S. embassy notified her family on April 14 following a 72-hour search by a Japanese rescue team. Its "unbearably difficult," her husband Kirk Murad told the New York Post on Friday. Murad, who flew to Japan to help with the search, added that his family has also hired a private investigation team who told them that Japanese authorities still have more than two dozen people on the trail looking for her. FAMILY OF MISSING AMERICAN SAILOR THANKS USCG, MEXICAN NAVY FOR EXHAUSTIVE EFFORT AFTER SEARCH SUSPENDED Japanese authorities began searching for Pattie Wu-Murad after she went missing during a hike on the Kumano Kodo trail on April 10. "Police have 30 people on the trail, helicopters, dogs we know they have multiple teams out there for the next several days," he said. "We have one goal: We want to get Pattie home alive." READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Wu-Murad is described as an experienced hiker who has done treks all over the world. "Were starting to get some more people to help. With multiple teams out there, were hopeful that something will come up in the next few days," he said. He added that their daughter Murphy is "running a major search-and-rescue operation" and has helped raise nearly $130,000 by Friday through crowdfunding to continue the search COLORADO DA ACCUSED OF ETHICAL VIOLATIONS IN MISSING SUZANNE MORPHEW CASE Murphy said in an update on the familys GoFundMe that Japanese searchers had stopped searching on April 13 initially because they had no new leads but reopened it on Tuesday after "everyones efforts to push them to restart." "The police have told us their procedure is three days after that, their expectation is families that lose loved ones pay for it themselves. Thats why we hired [private company] Mountain Works as soon as we could," Murad told the Post. "With support from the US Embassy and [Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal] and my daughters way of saying Hey, this is my mom theyre back out there." Story continues Blumenthal told FOX 62 this week he had spoken with her family and said he is "determined to seek every possible source of search and rescue to aid her." "I have contacted the State Department and the White House to assist and will continue helping the Murad family through every avenue available," he told the station. "I am deeply concerned and am praying for Patties safe return to her family." He added that he is also speaking to Apple in an attempt to retrieve data from her phone, which family members believe has a dead battery by now. In her GoFundMe update, Murphy said that her mom had been using her dads Google Maps on her hike, and they gave permission to the CIA to access that data. "My wife is a very experienced hiker and there's nothing in this particular hike that is extreme. It's very wooded. It's pretty steep," Kirk told WVIT-TV this week. "There's maybe two or three spots where she would stop to take a picture because she loves to stop and see the scenery. And in those spots, there were a couple of big drop-offs, but we've had those places searched and there's no sign of her," said Kirk Murad. Wu-Murad's husband said there's nothing "extreme" about the Kumano Kodo trail. He added to the Post, "What our Mountain Works folks say is this is more an incident than an accident meaning something strange happened. Meaning she went way off the trail, or she got caught up in a stream, or something." He said he even asked the Japanese authorities to open a criminal investigation on the worry that she could have been a victim of a crime. Not that we have any suspects, but we just want to open all avenues because really, right now, she disappeared off the face of the earth. We don't know how," he added. Law enforcement agencies across the country are worried that environmental thriller How to Blow Up a Pipeline will inspire actual attacks on fossil fuel infrastructure. Twenty-three different state and federal agencies have sent out at least 35 missives about the movie, according to government documents obtained by Rolling Stone. The film has potential to inspire threat actors to target oil and gas infrastructure with explosives or other destructive devices, reads an 6 April bulletin from the FBIs Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate. The consensus amongst law enforcement and the private oil sector is that this film may motivate attacks or disruptions on critical infrastructure throughout the country, added a warning from the ATF. While the agencies were not warning of a specific threat, the content of the film, which features a group of young activists attempting to sabotage a Texas oil pipeline, clearly has them alarmed. Daniel Goldhaber, who directed the movie, told Rolling Stone the film is a work of fiction that addresses one of the real worlds most pressing issues by telling a story about eight characters who believe that destroying an oil pipeline is an act of self-defense. That audiences have so strongly connected with it only demonstrates the gravity of the climate crisis and reinforces our urgent need to address it. How to Blow Up a Pipeline is based loosely on a 2021 book of the same name by Andreas Malm, a Swedish professor of human ecology and climate activist. The book is not a literal set of instructions about attacking oil pipelines, but rather an argument that the urgency of the climate crisis requires direct sabotage of fossil fuel infrastructure because governments have failed to heed peaceful grassroots calls for more climate action. To say that the signals have fallen on the deaf ears of the ruling classes of this world would be an understatement. If these classes ever had any senses, they have lost them all, he writes in the book. Infrastructure attacks have happened in recent months. Vandalism at four power stations in Washington state cut power for thousands of people in December, while substations in North Carolina and Oregon have also been attacked. Federal prosecutors have considered charging Hunter Biden with three tax crimes and a charge related to a gun purchase, said two sources familiar with the matter. The possible charges are two misdemeanor counts for failure to file taxes, a single felony count of tax evasion related to a business expense for one year of taxes, and the gun charge, also a potential felony. Two senior law enforcement sources told NBC News about "growing frustration" inside the FBI because investigators finished the bulk of their work on the case about a year ago. A senior law enforcement source said the IRS finished its investigation more than a year ago. The Washington Post previously reported that federal investigators believed they had gathered enough evidence to charge Hunter Biden with tax crimes and a false statement related to a gun purchase. The decision on which charges to file, if any, will be made by U.S. Attorney David Weiss, who was appointed by President Donald Trump and retained by the Biden administration to continue the Hunter Biden investigation. There are no indications a final decision has been made, said the two sources familiar with the matter. The IRS Criminal Investigation division, the Justice Department, the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware and attorneys for Hunter Biden declined to comment. The federal investigation of Hunter Biden began in 2018. It has narrowed from an inquiry into his international business relationships, including any possible national security implications, to an examination of the income he earned from those ventures and a false statement hes alleged to have made during the gun purchase, the sources said. In 2018, during a period when he has admitted using cocaine, Hunter Biden purchased a firearm, which required him to fill out a form that included a question about whether he was addicted to or abusing any unlawful substance. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Getty Images/Michael Le Brecht A series of newly unsealed letters between the feds and attorneys for the arrested journalist James Gordon Meek revealed that a 16-year-old girl told investigators that Meek sexted with her despite her telling him she was underage. Naked and partially naked photos of the teenagerthat included her Snapchat username in the corner of the screenshotswere recovered from a phone during a raid of Meeks home last year in Arlington, Virginia, the FBI wrote in an arrest affidavit filed in February. The filings dont outline how Meek and the teen first came into contact, or what their level of contact was, but said investigators discovered saved Snapchat messages between the two. Those messages did not include photos and werent the entirety of their conversations, however, the affidavit said. Additionally, the Department of Justice wrote in a newly unsealed letter to Meeks defense attorneys that the girlreferred to only as IDENTIFIED MINOR 2told investigators in a recorded interview that she shared her age with Meek when she was still 16. Its unclear how she went about telling Meek this or exactly how long theyd spoken for before she allegedly informed him of her age. The FBI said in their affidavit that the girl told investigators she felt pressured by an account believed to have belonged to Meek and from other men to send sexually explicit photos. Ex-ABC News Star Producer Arrested on Child Porn Charges Months After Raid Meek, a former investigative producer for ABC News, stands accused of sharing extremely graphic child abuse fantasies and exchanging images and videos of such abuses with users on the messaging app Kik. The feds say they also recovered hoards of child porn on multiple phones, a hard drive and a laptop seized in the raid of Meeks home, as well as screenshots of a Telegram group chat that seemed to center around child sexual abuse, explicit photos of himself shared with minors on Snapchat and Instagram, and Instagram messages in which he allegedly impersonated a minor. Story continues The unsealed letters between the DOJ and defense attorneys provided the first insight into Meeks forthcoming legal battle, which could end with the 53-year-old being sent to prison for up to 20 years if convicted on charges of transporting images of child sexual abuse. In the filing, defense attorneys accused the DOJ of not sharing all of the evidence theyre entitled to review as part of discovery. They demanded the feds cough up more details on how and why they began investigating Meek, and asked for troves of other documentslike copies of everything seized from Meeks home, all communication between the FBI and cops in Virginia, and much more. The DOJ responded that theyd provided all materials they were legally required to, spilling some previously unreported details about the case in doing so. The feds wrote that they used no undercover tactics while probing Meek and that they have recorded interviews with victims and potential victims in this case. The feds also claimed they dont have to disclose information about what prompted Dropboxwhere sexually explicit material involving a minor was allegedly first discovered on an account tied to Meekto look at Meeks private account in the first place. The letters showed defense attorneys and the DOJ have clashed about other issues in the case. Meeks attorneys claimed that prosecutors lied in a detention hearing when they argued against Meeks pretrial release by alleging that he said his life was over as his home was raided. Mr. Meek never said any such thing, his attorneys wrote. The government thus made an argument that was simply falsewhether through recklessness or otherwise. The feds denied lying about the comment. The defense and DOJ also butted heads on whether the DOJ is legally required to release details about a probe into who leaked information about the case to Rolling Stonewho first reported on the FBIs raid on Meeks house but wrongly insinuated it was related to his work as an investigative journalistand Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), who claimed in a tweet that sources said Meek was being probed for having child porn on a laptop. FBI Raid on ABC News Bigshot Producer Wasnt Tied to His Work Illegal press leaks by members of the DOJ or FBI call into question the good faith and integrity of the governments investigation and prosecution, defense attorneys wrote, demanding that any info about a potential leaker be shared with them. The feds responded: The government has no materials responsive to any of its discovery obligations in this case to disclose related to this topic. The series of dueling letters were released Thursday as part of a motion to compel disclosure filed by the defense, which was settled by a judge who sided with Meeks attorneys. The judge ordered the DOJ to hand over a slew of documents by April 27. Those documents include the facts and circumstances that led to Dropboxs discovery of the files at issue, as well all investigative documents about Meek obtained by law enforcement agencies in Virginia, the filter protocol memoranda of all devices seized from Meeks home, and all information pertaining to the unauthorized press leaks about the investigation. 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. Nearly a year ago, a burnt building collapsed on six Pennsylvania firefighters, killing one and seriously injuring others. Now, two men have been accused of intentionally setting the property alight. The Philadelphia Fire Department was dispatched to the blazing building, which housed a pizza shop and occupied apartment units, around 2 a.m. on June 18, according to court records. About a half-hour later, firefighters extinguished the blaze and entered the building to perform an inspection, officials said. The charred structure caved in on top of them, trapping them under rubble, according to a statement from the fire department. Several of the firefighters were rescued and brought to hospitals, and one was later pronounced dead at the scene. This is a heartbreaking day for our city, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said in a June 18 statement on the death of the firefighter, identified as Lieutenant Sean Williamson. For more than 27 years, he dedicated his life to serving and protecting the people of Philadelphia, and sacrificed his life protecting others. Following a monthslong investigation conducted by state and federal officials, two 29-year-old Philadelphia men have been charged in connection to the fire, according to an April 18 news release from the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The men, one of whom was the building owner, allegedly set fire to the property to profit from insurance claims related to the incident, officials said. Records indicate an insurance claim was filed on behalf of the owner two days after the building collapse. Even if the government can prove my client set the fire, it was not foreseeable the fire department would send ill-equipped firefighters into a building on the verge of collapse, Chuck Peruto, an attorney representing the building owner, told McClatchy News. Surveillance footage collected from the area showed two men disappearing behind a dumpster near the building shortly before the fire, court records show. They appeared to have on clothing similar to what the suspects were later seen wearing, including black sandals. Story continues Approximately three minutes after the men were seen exiting the dumpster area, smoke was spotted near the building. Other surveillance footage showed the owner and the other suspect walking about a half-mile from the building around the time of the fire, court records show. But when interviewed by investigators, the owner told them that he had been on his couch at home when he learned about the fire. The men have been charged with conspiracy to commit malicious damage by means of fire of a building used in interstate commerce and malicious damage by means of fire of a building used in interstate commerce, officials said. The owner was also charged with wire fraud. If convicted, the owner would face a minimum sentence of 17 years in prison, while the other suspect would face a minimum of seven years in prison, officials said. Missing sisters found safe after 3 years, Pennsylvania cops say. Mom now charged Woman fakes her kidnapping, then shes caught getting food with neighbors, GA cops say Officer seen on video repeatedly striking inmate handcuffed to wall, Illinois cops say Multiple buildings were destroyed in a large barn fire in Georgetown Thursday, according to the Scott County Fire Department. The fire happened at a property on Cane Run Road Thursday afternoon, according to Battalion Chief Eddie Waller with the Scott County Fire Department. Firefighters found barns, sheds and a single-wide trailer on fire when they arrived to the scene. Nobody was injured in the fire. Waller said crews worked approximately six hours to put out the fire and prevent it from spreading or restarting. The cause of the fire was under investigation Friday morning, but the homeowner believed it may have started from a lawnmower, according to Waller. The lawnmower was inside the barn where the fire initially started, and the barn was also full of hay. Four structures were destroyed in the fire, Waller said. Five total structures caught fire. The Georgetown, Franklin County and Harrison County fire departments assisted Scott County in putting out the fire, according to Waller. The Akron Bail Fund, a nonprofit group that assists protesters, is seeking a federal injunction barring the city from continuing to employ use-of-force measures like tear gas and pepper spray against protesters. The group filed a complaint and request for a temporary restraining order in U.S. District Court in Akron at midnight Friday. A telephone hearing between the attorneys for both sides and Magistrate Judge James Grimes was held at 3:30 p.m. Friday. What Akron should be doing is making sure its safe for protesters message to be heard not threatening, retaliating and using force against them, said Elizabeth Bonham, a Cleveland attorney representing the Akron Bail Fund. During the hearing, Bonham said her client hoped to get an injunction to forbid the city from using weapons against protesters and stopping other measures that censor the protesters' right to free speech, including subjecting them to unlawful arrests and pushing them out of public areas. Bonham said this step is being taken in response to police using tear gas, pepper spray and smoke bombs during a protest Wednesday in the Copley Road area. She said the Bail Fund is concerned that the use of chemical agents and other steps police are taking could have a chilling effect on the plans for continued protests of the grand jurys decision on Monday not to indict the eight officers who fatally shot Jayland Walker. "People's First Amendment speech has been chilled," Bonham said. Stephanie Marsh, a spokeswoman for the city, declined Friday to comment on the injunction request. "We dont comment on pending litigation," she said. The city, though, filed an objection to the request for an injunction in federal court, saying the Bail Fund lacked standing because it was complaining about past actions. Assistant Law Director Brian Bremer also said the city has a "significant government interest in safety and preventing the obstruction of traffic." Story continues Bremer said the use of pepper spray on protesters who aren't responding to officers' orders is an "objectively reasonable use of force." The Akron Bail Fund, which raised money to help cover the bonds of people arrested during protests last summer and whose members have participated in protests, said in a statement Friday that the group will continue to speak out against police brutality and support those exercising their rights to free speech and assembly. The citys violence against protesters must end, the group said. Walker, 25, was shot more than 40 times by Akron officers after fleeing from police first in his car and then on foot. He was unarmed but state investigators determined that he fired a shot out of his car window while he fled. His gun was found on the seat of his car after the shooting. After meeting for a week, a special grand jury in Summit County Common Pleas Court released a no-bill Monday in Walkers shooting, which means the eight officers who shot and killed Walker last June wont face criminal charges. Protests follow grand jury's decision in Walker's shooting Since the grand jurys decision, several marches and protests have been held in Akron involving people voicing their disappointment with the decision and continued concern about Walkers shooting. Akron police officers deploy a chemical spray to disperse protesters blocking traffic on Copley Road on Wednesday in Akron. Protesters were asked to move to the sidewalk and did not comply. Protesters on Wednesday in Akron were dispersed with tear gas and pepper spray by Akron police and Summit County sheriff's deputies. The gathering had been declared an unlawful assembly. Wednesday protest in Akron: 'It just made matters worse.' Critics question police use of tear gas at Akron protest Protesters said police acted without provocation, but police said Wednesday night that people were throwing objects before officers took action. Bonham said her understanding is that none of the protesters were committing unlawful acts before police deployed chemical agents. She said she is continuing to gather information and review videos from the protest. Peaceful protests were ongoing, she said. The city decided they didnt like it. Thats not something they can lawfully do. Akron chief discusses police response to protests At a press conference on Monday, Akron Police Chief Steve Mylett explained the department's policy on disturbances: "So, in the event that we experience violence during a protest people throwing rocks, bricks, smashing windows or assaulting other people or assaulting officers we will declare that assembly an unlawful assembly." Akron Police Chief Steve Mylett addresses the media during a press conference Monday following the grand jury decision in the Jayland Walker case as Clarence Tucker, left, deputy mayor for public safety, and Mayor Dan Horrigan listen. He also said they would give people numerous chances to leave the protest area with instructions about where they can leave and how to get to the egress. "At that point," Mylett said, "our hope is that everybody would comply. If people continue to engage in violent behavior, then well use the tools and resources at our disposal to have people leave the area safely. Where arrests need to be made, we will make those arrests. But, again, our sincere hope is that were not going to experience that this time." On Thursday, Mylett told the Beacon Journal he won't comment on how police handled the Copley Road protest until he's seen video from the Summit County Sheriff's Office and Ohio State Highway Patrol. Mylett was expected on Friday to release a more detailed response to the criticism of the officers use of force. Instead, he said he couldnt discuss details of the incident at this time. I am committed to getting accurate information to the public as soon as possible, he said. People arrested for protesting being sent to the Stark County Jail One issue the Akron Bail Fund raised in its complaint is how the people arrested for protesting in Akron so far about a dozen are being sent to the Stark County Jail, rather than the Summit County Jail. The complaint says keeping people at the Stark jail has lengthened the amount of time they are in custody. Bonham said people have had to drive to Canton to give people who were arrested a ride home, which isnt as convenient as going to Akron. What Ive seen in past lawsuits is when you see prolonged detentions of people in conspicuous locations, this can mean the city is trying to keep people off the streets, she said. What you see here is people are far from the protests and we must expend more resources to find and support them. Eric Czetli, chief of staff for the Summit County Sheriff, said the people arrested for protesting are being sent to Stark because of the large number of inmates in the Summit County Jail awaiting trial. In addition, Czetli said, a massive, two-year project to update the heating and air conditioning at the jail is creating additional space constraints as inmates are moved around to allow for the improvements. Bail Fund seeks damages and attorney fees Other issues raised by the Bail Fund in its complaint include: The city closing government buildings to the public, barricading sidewalks, shutting streets and limiting where protesters may gather. Police making unwarranted stops, searches, detention and arrests of protesters and towing protesters cars. These actions, according to the complaint, violate protesters constitutional and civil rights. The Bail Fund is seeking a temporary restraining order prohibiting the city from using chemical weapons and other less lethal weapons to quell peaceful protests and from using other measures that unlawfully restrict constitutionally protected speech. The group is also requesting a permanent order forbidding the city from further violating protesters constitutional rights. The suit seeks damages for physical and mental pain and suffering, as well as punitive damages and attorney fees. Cleveland attorney represents well-known activists arrested last summer in Akron In addition to representing the Bail Fund, Bonham is among the attorneys for Jacob Blake Sr. and three other well-known national activists who were arrested in Akron last summer during protests of Walkers shooting. Blake's son was paralyzed in a police shooting in Wisconsin in 2020. Blakes trial in Akron Municipal Court resulted in a mistrial. City prosecutors say he will be retried. More: Mistrial declared in well-known activist Jacob Blake Sr.'s trial related to Akron protest Blake and the other well-known activists haven't returned to Akron to participate in any protests since the grand jury's decision was released. ECF 1 Complaint by Lauren Young on Scribd ECF 2 Motion for TRO by Lauren Young on Scribd Stephanie Warsmith can be reached at swarsmith@thebeaconjournal.com, 330-996-3705 and on Twitter: @swarsmithabj. This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Injunction sought to stop use of force against Akron Walker protesters Court documents say that the incident occurred on a Delta Air Lines flight from Minnesota to Alaska. Alex Tai/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images A Texas man is accused of causing a "level 2 security threat" on a flight from Minnesota to Alaska. The man forcibly kissed a flight attendant who rejected his advances, court documents say. Burk was later arrested in Anchorage, Alaska, but denied the accusations, the documents say. A Texas man is accused of drinking heavily on a flight from Minnesota to Alaska, trying to force himself on a flight attendant, and breaking a plate containing the pilot's meal. A probable-cause affidavit first obtained by the Daily Beast, on April 10, claims that the passenger, David Alan Burk, became unruly on a Delta Air Lines flight from Minneapolis to Anchorage, Alaska. The documents say the incident began when Burk was "snippy" with a flight attendant, who told him there would not be time to serve him a preflight drink. After takeoff, the flight attendant identified as TC served Burk a glass of red wine, and when he later returned to pick up Burk's meal tray Burk shook his hand, the affidavit says. The documents say that Burk was on his way to the bathroom about 10 minutes later when he stopped in the galley where TC was. Burk was alleged to have said: "Oh, you're so beautiful." Here is how the document describes what was alleged to have followed: "T.C. smiled and politely said, 'Thank you.' BURK then asked, 'Can I have a kiss?' T.C. replied, 'No, thank you' to which BURK then said, 'Okay, well on the neck then.' While the plane was in flight, BURK then grabbed T.C.'s neck, pulling him toward BURK, and purposefully kissed T.C.'s neck. T.C. stated he was 'very uncomfortable and caught off-guard' by what BURK had just done." "T.C. stated that when BURK had kissed him, he felt uncomfortable, awkward, and thought, "What the hell just happened?" the documents say. The documents say that after the incident, TC told other flight attendants about it, and said he didn't want to be near Burk until he'd returned to his seat. When he saw Burk was seated, he went back to the front galley and was told by another flight attendant that Burk had broken a plate on a tray with the captain's meal on it. Story continues When TC delivered another meal to the captain, the pilot said that he had reported the incident to Delta, that law enforcement would be alerted, and it was classified as a "level 2 security threat." A female flight attendant who took over serving the first-class section told TC that Burk had 2 more glasses of wine, appeared "wasted", and slept for the rest of the flight, the documents say. The police arrested Burk when the plane landed in Anchorage. In interviews with the police, Burk said he had had one glass of wine after takeoff and slept for the rest of the flight. Burk said he had not gone to the bathroom during the flight, and, when asked if he had kissed TC, said he "never kissed anybody." He also denied breaking the plate. Burk refused to take a Breathalyzer test, but said that he'd consumed alcohol before the flight, the documents say. Burk told police that he was in Alaska to administer the estate of a friend who had died. Insider contacted Burk's legal representative for comment but did not immediately hear back. Insider has also sought to contact Burk for comment on the allegations. He is due in court on April 27. In recent years, the Federal Aviation Authority has reported a surge in violent and other disruptive incidents on planes, with figures showing that 2,455 such incidents were recorded in 2022, and the highest-ever number was recorded in 2021, with 5,973 incidents. Correction: April 21, 2023 An earlier version of this story misstated the number of violent and other disruptive incidents reported to the Federal Aviation Authority. The FAA reports that there were 5,973 such incidents in 2021 and 2,455 in 2022. Read the original article on Business Insider Police are asking for help identifying a hit-and-run driver after five children were struck in a Nashville crosswalk. On March 19, five children, ages 5 to 10, were crossing the street at an intersection in front of the Nashville Public Library Edgeville Branch, according to an April 20 news release from the Nashville Police Department. Police shared a surveillance video showing a light-colored sedan was stopped at a red light as the children started to cross the street. The car then started to make a right turn into the crosswalk. The sedan struck the children before speeding away, the video showed. (Warning: the video may be disturbing to some viewers.) Two kids, ages 6 and 9, were transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, police said. Anyone with information on the vehicle or driver involved is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463, police said in the release. 4-year-old found dead in pond after vanishing from familys porch, Maryland cops say Motorcyclist dies after rear-ending emergency vehicle on highway, Georgia troopers say Student thrown from car roof in stunt at Florida school, video shows. Reckless 3-year-old dies after hes hit by car in parking lot, family says. The worst thing The Federal Aviation Association is investigating a possible engine fire after visible flames forced crews to cancel takeoff of an American Airlines flight in Charlotte Thursday evening, officials said. In a video, flames are seen coming from the planes wing on the runway while passengers sat inside Flight 2288 which was supposed to be headed to Dallas-Fort Worth Airport. The flames continued for about 10 minutes until the fire department reached the plane, said passenger Frankie Leggington, 19, who shared video footage with The Charlotte Observer. Babies cried, and people clung to their bags some screaming and other consoling. But no one knew what was actually going to happen, she said. It still going, one passenger asked in the video. Yeah, its flaming, another responded. A flight attendant warned passengers the cabin may start smelling and asked them to not freak out. Ladies and gentlemen, just be calm, the attendant said. Obviously something happened. Bats and skunks and vultures, oh my. Charlotte airport tracks wildlife hits across decades Once passengers were cleared to leave the plane, the pilot came over the loud speaker to give props to the passengers for staying so calm, according to Leggington. If the plane had been flying, the whole side of the plane could have blown out, the pilot said, according to Leggington. The Texas Tech University nursing student estimated more than 200 passengers lined up at the customer service desk for hours late Thursday to early Friday. American Airlines wanted her to stay in the airport overnight, she said. They didnt offer her vouchers, she said, because the flight was canceled due to weather. Bri Harper, the airlines corporate communications representative, said the 190 passengers and 6 crew members on board eventually boarded another flight, which was later canceled because of weather. The customer relations team was reaching out to affected customers to offer compensation Friday afternoon, Harper wrote. As of Friday afternoon, Leggington was back home in Albuquerque, New Mexico, but she hadnt heard anything from the airline. The FAA said it is continuing its investigation and will release new information as it becomes available. Florida is looking to expand its Parental Rights in Education law passed last year in a way that could lead to a flood of challenged books being removed from classrooms. The state has already faced allegations of censorship for stringent restrictions in the existing law, known to its critics as Dont Say Gay, on talk of sexual orientation and gender identity in public school classrooms. A legislative proposal filed this year by the Florida GOP would expand the existing laws age restrictions and extend the ability to challenge learning materials in Florida schools to all individuals, regardless of whether they have children in the public school system. Opponents of the bill have voiced concerns that the 20-page measures at-times broad language may allow even persons outside of Florida to challenge books in state schools. The law would allow people to challenge any book that depicts or describes sexual conduct and require school districts to approve requests made by parents to read passages from challenged materials in their childrens schools. If a request is denied, the school district must immediately discontinue the use of the material, according to the bill. Parents under the proposed law would also be entitled to request that the state Education Commissioner appoint a special magistrate to step in if the parent disagrees with the school boards determination on a book challenge. The Florida House voted to pass the measure late last month, sending it to the Republican-controlled Senate for consideration, where it is also expected to pass. According to the measure, once a title is challenged, it must be pulled from school library shelves within five school days and remain unavailable to students until the objection is resolved a process that can take months. Similar reviews mandated by the existing law, which only applies to Florida parents, are already taking several weeks to complete, said Brandon Wolf, the press secretary for the LGBTQ advocacy group Equality Florida. Story continues A tidal wave of book challenges is likely to crash over Florida schools if the legislatures proposal passes into law, Wolf said, overwhelming school officials and creating a backlog of complaints lodged against library books that could strip shelves bare for months at a time. Florida Republicans have argued that books will not be banned, only temporarily pulled from circulation. This idea that book banning is taking place, and all of that, is a myth and is not true, state Rep. Stan McClain (R), one the measures primary sponsors, said during a House committee hearing last month. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), who is expected to sign the measure, and his administration have also rejected reports of empty libraries in Florida, dismissing them as a hoax and an attempt by Democrats to use Florida schools for indoctrination. But although the measure does not ban books outright, it effectively creates a process where thats what happens, said Kirk Bailey, the political director of the American Civil Liberties Unions Florida affiliate. The expansions impacts are likely to reverberate for years to come, and the bigger picture is the chilling effect it is likely to have on school librarians and media specialists responsible for purchasing books, Kasey Meehan, the director of the free speech group PEN Americas Freedom to Read Project, told The Hill. Theres lots of layers to this, Meehan said. The proposal has also drawn some criticism from Republicans, who say its passage could lead to a back-and-forth where both sides of the political spectrum go after books as a power play to rile up the other side. Earlier this month, Florida Democrats tried to use the review-and-removal process against DeSantiss own recent memoir, The Courage to Be Free. This is the foreseeable thing, said Robert Pondiscio, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, a right-leaning think tank in Washington. People will challenge any book they dont like or it will become tit-for-tat. But Pondiscio said he still believes community stakeholders should be allowed to challenge school library books, even if they are not parents or dont children in Florida schools. Im thinking about whenever folks in education accuse folks in public office, you know, saying they should stay in their lane. Well, this is their lane, he said. This is a legitimate use of public authority. Now, whether its a judicious use of public authority is the question. The Florida Department of Education did not respond to requests for comment. Deborah Caldwell-Stone, director of the American Library Associations (ALA) Office for Intellectual Freedom and executive director of Freedom to Read Foundation, said the new law is unnecessary because most schools already have policies in place that allow individuals to raise concerns about the content of library books. This process has worked very well to explain why a book is on the shelf, to discuss why that book is available for readers in the library and to help librarians understand what books are desired by the individual raising the objection so they can guide that particular students reading in accordance with the familys values, she said. But while groups like the ALA support a parents involvement in their childrens education, We truly do object to rules, regulations, laws that enable vocal minority or a single and even a single individual in the community to limit whats available for young people to read in the school library, Caldwell-Stone said. LGBTQ organizations have also raised concerns that book challenges will disproportionately affect LGBTQ youth and families. More LGBTQ youth are out than ever before, and banning books wont change that, but it sends a dangerous message about who belongs and is welcome, said Sarah Kate Ellis, the president and chief executive of GLAAD. We all should be able to see ourselves on the shelves, Ellis said. Each book opens a world of ideas and a galaxy of possibility, especially to young people whose own lawmakers refuse to protect them and try to limit who they can be. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Floridas unemployment rate remained at 2.6% in March, as service-related jobs continued to lead in new hiring and construction jobs fell for a third consecutive month. The state Department of Economic Opportunity on Friday reported an estimated 283,000 Floridians were out of work in mid-March, 1,000 fewer than in February and 49,000 less than in March 2022. Among Floridas metropolitan-statistical areas, the lowest rate in March was 2.2% in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach region. Meanwhile, the workforce hit 10.92 million people, up 43,000 from mid-February and 250,000 more than in March 2022. Jimmy Heckman, the departments chief of workforce statistics and economic research, said in a conference call with reporters that increases in the states labor force have outpaced the national rate since June 2021. The growth is built on the leisure and hospitality sectors, which added 104,100 positions from March 2022 to March 2023, followed by 91,600 new jobs in the education and health services sectors. Meanwhile, jobs involving trade, transportation, and utilities grew by 69,500 year over year. In the same period, the state added 15,100 jobs in construction and 12,900 in manufacturing. But from February to March, the construction sector lost 2,300 positions, the third consecutive month of losses. Heckman said the construction industry is sensitive to recent interest-rate increases, which have put a lot of downward pressure on the demand for new construction, for new buildings, especially in residential construction. The Department of Economic Opportunity said private-sector employment increased in March by 0.1%, or 12,100 jobs. It also indicated a possible tightening of the labor market, pointing to more than 400,000 jobs currently posted online in Florida. In March, the state recorded about 620,000 job openings. Florida was among 32 states where the unemployment rate remained steady from February to March, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Story continues Another 18 states saw rates go down. Among large states, unemployment rates stood at 4.4% in California and Illinois, 4.1% in New York and 4% in Texas. The Department of Labor said this month that the national unemployment rate decreased from 3.6% in February to 3.5% in March. The Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent and Jacksonville statistical areas were each at 2.6%. The Villages, Homosassa Springs and Sebring areas had the highest rates, at 3.8%. The statewide unemployment rate is seasonally adjusted, while the regional rates are not adjusted. A 32-year-old swimmer and environmental activist made waves in Miami, on Saturday, April 15, as she attempted to break her fifth Guinness World Record by swimming 30 miles around Biscayne Bay while collecting trash. While on her 30-mile swim, Merle Liivand, also known as "Mermaid Merle," was on a mission to spread awareness of the damage humans are causing to our oceans. Liivand, who was born in Estonia and has been an avid swimmer since childhood, wore a monofin that resembled a mermaid's tail as she swam through the murky waters of Biscayne Bay, which is an estuary located along the coast of southeastern Florida. Liivand, a four-time Guinness World Record holder, uses her artificial mermaid-like fin to propel through the water without using her arms. Merle Liivand swims between Palm and Hibiscus islands next to a support kayak, during a 30 miles journey around Biscayne Bay wearing a mermaid tail while picking up trash to create awareness on plastic pollution and climate change, in Miami, Florida, U.S. April 15, 2023. REUTERS/Marco Bello Her motivation for attempting to break the Guinness World Record for the longest swim with a monofin -for a fifth time - was fueled by her concern for the environment. In an interview before her swim, Liivand expressed her dismay at the amount of trash she had seen in the area. "Yesterday, when I was going to get my nutrition, I saw so much trash in the street. And it bothers me knowing that we just had a thousand-year rain [event]," Liivand said to Reuters, referencing the catastrophic flooding event in Fort Lauderdale last week. "You're walking around the day after this environmental event, and you're seeing people still leaving plastic bottles everywhere, and then, of course, it's going to go [into the bay] and get stuck on the drains." Biscayne Bay provides a home to a diverse marine ecosystem, such as dolphins, manatees, seagrass and coral. The bay is vital to Miami-Dade County's economy. Activities, such as boating, fishing and snorkeling, within the bay depend on the ecosystem's health. Story continues Overview of Miami Beach, Florida, flanked by the Atlantic Ocean on the left and Biscayne Bay on the right. (Kevin Fleming/Getty Images) According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Biscayne Bay has been a vulnerable ecosystem for some time, Reuters reported. Pollutants, such as storm runoff, are a major issue for the bay. According to Miami-Dade County officials, about 80% of the debris within the bay is from land-based sources. Liivand embarked on her ambitious journey before the sun rose on Saturday. She was followed by a group of kayakers who rotated to keep watch over her safety and provide her with food and water. GET THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP Although the weather was fairly calm on the day of her swim, with high temperatures in the upper 80s in Miami, Liivand's swim was not without some difficulty. Her drive to break the world record and raise awareness about the need to protect the bay kept her fighting through several challenges, such as a strengthening current and multiple jellyfish stings. "There are people who want to have this better, and that inspires me ... we need to save Biscayne Bay," Liivand told Reuters. "There were spots where it smelled like a toilet, and there were lots of seagrass, and I had to cut through like a Viking." Merle Liivand talks about the nearly 20 pounds of trash she collected during her 30-mile swim on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Reuters) As Liivand emerged from the water after 14 hours and 15 minutes of consistent swimming, she was met with applause and admiration for her incredible feat. Throughout her swim, Liivand and her team collected roughly 20 pounds of trash from the bay. "In 14 hours, my team picked up this," Liivand said, referencing the pile of trash beside her. "Every single person needs to do better because this came out from Biscayne Bay, where we all depend. We depend on it economically; we depend on it health-wise; we depend on the bay community-wise. If this is not shocking, then I don't know what to say." Want next-level safety, ad-free? Unlock advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts when you subscribe to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app. AccuWeather Alerts are prompted by our expert meteorologists who monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks 24/7 to keep you and your family safer. Florida now has the lowest threshold for imposing the death penalty in the country, following Gov. Ron DeSantis' signing of a new bill on April 20, 2023. The bill allows juries to recommend a death sentence with an 8-to-4 vote, a change from the previous requirement of a unanimous decision from all 12 jurors. This change has sparked a renewed debate about the use of capital punishment in the state. The new law differs from Florida's previous law, which required a unanimous decision from a jury in order to recommend the death penalty. Supporters of the new law argue that it will make it easier for prosecutors to seek justice for victims and their families, while opponents worry that it will lead to more wrongful convictions and executions. The governor's office said parents of the victims of the Parkland shooting joined DeSantis as he signed SB 450. The bill received some bipartisan support from Florida lawmakers and some families of the victims of the Parkland shooting who felt that the man who killed 17 people at Parkland's Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018 got off too easy after a Broward County jury rejected the death penalty months before. Signed into law: Death penalty is easier to get in Florida than anywhere in the county under new law Child rape death penalty bill: Though likely unconstitutional, Florida child rape death penalty bill makes headway What is Floridas death penalty law? Florida's death penalty law allows for the execution of individuals who have been convicted of certain crimes. Prosecutors trying capital felony cases can seek the death penalty after a jury unanimously agrees to convict a defendant this part of the process remains unchanged. Under the new law, once eligible, prosecutors must convince eight of the 12 jurors that the defendant deserves the death penalty. If that threshold isnt met, the jurys recommendation will be a life sentence. The decision then moves to a trial judge who will issue the same decision. If a jury recommends the death sentence, the trial judge then has the discretion to determine if they will issue a death or life sentence. The judge must then justify their reasoning in a written order. Story continues What crimes get the death penalty in Florida? A prosecution can only seek the death penalty after the conviction of a capital felony. As defined in Florida Statute 921.141 (6), the court will consider a list of aggravating factors such as whether the defendant knowingly created a risk of death to people, whether the crime happened while also committing or attempting to commit robbery, sexual assault, burglary or other serious felonies and more. What forms of execution does Florida use? In 1923, the Florida Legislature passed a law replacing hanging with the electric chair. An oak chair was built by prison inmates in that year. Floridas current three-legged electric chair, nicknamed Old Sparky, was built of oak by Florida Department of Corrections staff and installed at Florida State Prison in Raiford in 1999. Legislation passed in 2000 allows for lethal injection as an alternative to the electric chair. Column: I witnessed the executions of serial killer Aileen Wuornos. UF killer Danny Rolling Where are Florida executions carried out? Executions by lethal injection or electric chair are carried out at the execution chamber located at Florida State Prison in Raiford. The executioner, a private citizen allowed to remain anonymous by state law, is paid $150 per execution. When was Floridas last execution? The most recent execution in Florida was that of Louis Gaskin, 56, who was executed by lethal injection on April 12, 2023. Known as the "Ninja killer," Gaskin was executed by lethal injection on April 12 for the 1989 double-murder of Palm Coast couple Robert and Georgette Sturmfels inside their home. Donald David Dillbeck, 59, was executed by lethal injection on Feb. 23, 2023. Dillbeck's last words: Donald Dillbeck was executed by Florida. He used his last words to insult Ron DeSantis Dillbeck escaped from custody in 1990 while serving a life sentence for the 1979 killing of Lee County Sheriffs Deputy Dwight Lynn Hall. Two days after his escape, he fatally stabbed Faye Vann in Tallahassee and took her car. Dillbeck was sentenced to death for Vanns murder in 1991 and was executed Feb. 23, 2023, by lethal injection. Prior to Dillbeck's execution, Gary Ray Bowles, 57, died by lethal injection on Aug. 22, 2019. In 1996, a jury in Duval County recommended a death sentence for Bowles for the 1994 murder of Walter Hinton, of Jacksonville. Bowles killed six gay men in three states during an eight-month period in 1994. How many people are on death row in Florida and where are inmates held? Floridas Department of Corrections currently houses 297 death row inmates 294 men and three women. Men on death row are housed at Florida State Prison and Union Correctional Institution in Raiford. Women are housed at Lowell Annex in Lowell. In his own words: So-called 'Ninja killer' describes how he murdered Palm Coast couple How many death row inmates has Florida executed? From 1924 until May 1964, 196 executions were carried out in Florida. There were no executions from May 1964 until May 1976. In 1972, the United States Supreme Court struck down the death penalty. Florida has carried out 101 executions since it was reinstated in 1976. Last meal for Florida death row inmates Prior to execution, death row inmates can request a last meal. The cost of food to prepare the last meal cant exceed $40 and must be purchased locally, according to the FDC. This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Florida death penalty threshold now lowest in U.S. An explainer: Food Lion has updated several Charlotte-area stores with a new look and expanded product offerings. The Salisbury-based grocery chain is celebrating finishing the remodeling of 20 stores in the Carolinas, including six in the Charlotte market, through Saturday. Food Lion declined to disclose the investment cost. Food Lion made significant enhancements in these stores, Food Lion President Meg Ham said in a statement. The stores were formerly Bi-Lo supermarkets that Food Lion purchased in 2021. Each store remained open during the remodel. We did a quick remodel to convert them to Food Lion at the time, Food Lion said in a statement to The Charlotte Observer. We routinely refresh and remodel our stores. Which Food Lion stores were remodeled? Stores in the Charlotte market that have been remodeled are: 1620 Ashley Road, Charlotte 2601 S. New Hope Road, Gastonia 742 W. Highway 27, Lincolnton 1436 J A Cochran Bypass, Chester, S.C. 1095 Filbert Hwy., York, S.C. 717 E. Liberty St., York, S.C. Part of Food Lions remodel of six Charlotte-area stores includes new signage and expanded product offerings. Food Lion Whats changed? Here are some of the improvements shoppers will see in stores: New look with new decor elements and in-store signage in line with the company brand. Expanded grab-and-go offerings More local items, including seasonal produce grown in North Carolina. Expanded organic, gluten-free and plant-based items, including Food Lions Natures Promise brand. Addition of thousands of Food Lion private brand items. Food Lion remodeled three Charlotte-area stores to include a new look and expanded offerings, including more local items like seasonal produce grown in North Carolina. Food Lion Grocery store competition Another North Carolina grocer chain recently underwent a full rebrand. Last month, Matthews-based Harris Teeter unveiled a new logo and tagline. The competition is fierce in the Charlotte market, with 722 stores and expansions planned by Sprouts Farmers Market, Publix, Lidl and Lowes Foods. Food Lion opened two Charlotte stores last year at 5939 Weddington Road and at 2201 West W. T. Harris Blvd., both in a former Harris Teeters. About Food Lion Food Lion is the third largest grocer by market share in the Charlotte region with 103 stores, behind Walmart and Harris Teeter, according to the annual report by Chain Store Guide. Charlotte market includes Cabarrus, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan and Union counties, as well as Chester, Lancaster and York counties in South Carolina, according to the report. Story continues Food Lion has more than 1,100 stores in 10 Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic states, and over 82,000 employees. READ MORE: Charlotte grocers in billion-dollar battle for shoppers. Heres where we spent the most Founded 1957 and now owned by Ahold Delhaize USA, Food Lion stores regularly donates unsold, edible food to local agencies to support people in need. Two years ago, Food Lion purchased 62 Bi-Lo and Harveys Supermarket stores in North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia from Southeastern Grocers. Also in 2021, Food Lion opened its second Charlotte-area liquor store in Lake Wylie, S.C. The first store opened in 2015 in Rock Hill, The Herald newspaper in Rock Hill reported. Foreign secretary James Cleverly has cut short a Pacific tour due to the deteriorating situation in Sudan (Yui Mok/PA) (PA Wire) Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has cut short a Pacific tour due to the deteriorating situation in Sudan. The British High Commission in Wellington said Mr Cleverly had made a series of calls from its offices. He left from New Zealand a day before he was due to meet with his counterpart Nanaia Mahuta, having skipped a planned visit to Samoa to fly in directly from the Solomon Islands. The UK and France are united in condemnation of the violence in Sudan. Alongside our international partners, we call for a lasting ceasefire. Productive call with @MinColonna on our mutual concern for French and British citizens in Sudan. James Cleverly (@JamesCleverly) April 20, 2023 Its with real regret that due to the ongoing situation in Sudan Ive had to cut the visit short, Mr Cleverly said in a statement. Ive learned a lot about the region, its opportunities and challenges. Ive spoken to Foreign Minister Mahuta and told her how disappointed I am to have had to leave early and weve agreed well reschedule as soon as we can. Im very much looking forward to coming back soon. Sudans military ruled out negotiations with a rival paramilitary force on Thursday, saying it would only accept its surrender as the two sides continued to battle in central Khartoum and other parts of the country. The High Commission said Mr Cleverly will continue overseeing the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office response to the violence in Sudan by providing support to staff on the ground and consular services for British nationals. Britain has historic ties to Sudan. In an unusual arrangement, Britain and Egypt jointly ruled Sudan from 1899 until it gained independence in 1956, but Sudan is not among the group of 56 Commonwealth nations. Photo Illustration by Thomas Levinson/The Daily Beast/Reuters/Getty Former employees at Parler, the alternative social media platform used to help organize the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol building, are privately fuming that their site was sold and are brainstorming ways to re-launch the controversial platform. In message logs obtained and reviewed by The Daily Beast, select Parler allies and ex-employees have been sharing their personal gripes in a Discord server called Parler Life Raft in recent months as the free speech site has taken a tumble. Despite the site recently being sold and temporarily shutting down, some former staffers believe a Parler-inspired site can be re-launched and have taken aim at senior management for the companys downfall. Parler management are straight up f*ggots, Dennis Harrison, whose LinkedIn identifies him as a lead engineer at the company, wrote in a private Discord server this past Sunday. They ruined something good. They finally revoked my VPN access so I can no longer run bootleg Parler from the Parler laptop they gave me, Harrison complained in another message. Ill take forever to send back. In a subsequent post, Harrison wrote that the new version of the spin-off site would be mostly based on Parler. We can probably commit to sending out [a] link next week, as long as everyone knows its beta, he wrote on Discord. Probably 65% Parler. Totally wild west for the next month. Parler has been temporarily shut down by new owner Starboard. Oliver Douliery/Getty Images Harrison was far from alone when it came to expressing frustration at what Parler had turned into. They dont have any social media experience, Luke Francke, a Germany-based Parler superfan and beta tester, said about Parlers new owner Starboard, which announced last week it had purchased the site for an undisclosed sum. They cant do an account handle change without keeping the old one for backup. Followers gone. Friends gone. People are angry now, he added. But it didnt stop there, with Parler loyalists, including its co-founder and former CEO, turning on the company they spent time building. John Matze, who helped launch the site in 2018, took aim at what the newly sold platform had become. Story continues Many of the original founders and employees cant even say the name anymore, he wrote. But I understand wanting to hold onto the good memories of what we all had. I miss the community. Matze continued by floating the idea of torching old Parler merchandise. Maybe burn it. Lets find something new, he wrote. I trashed everything Parler from my house a long time ago. In October, Kanye West announced plans to buy Parler just days after Instagram and Twitter restricted his accounts due to antisemitic comments. However, the deal collapsed just weeks later. I tell ya what, as soon as I was told about the Ye thing, I knew the platform was doomed, another user in the highly selective Discord chat wrote with the username Ootsie. My son could tell by the look on my face too. Kanye West announced in October that he was buying Parler before the deal collapsed just weeks later. Dado Ruvic/Reuters Even before then, Parler has had a rough run. The social media site was founded with the financial backing of the conservative mega-donors Robert and Rebekah Mercer, and throughout 2020 experienced profound growth until the limited-moderation site found their users utilizing their platform to organize the Capitol riot. That ultimately prompted third-party services such as Amazon and Apple to boot them from their platforms, citing Parlers inability to moderate right-wing extremists on their site. As Mediaite reported in early January 2021, pro-Trump lawyer Lin Wood wrote a series of unhinged messages on the site about killing then-Vice President Mike Pence over a perceived lack of loyalty to Donald Trump. Get the firing squads ready. Pence goes FIRST, he said after the Jan. 6 attack. More recently, after Elon Musk purchased Twitter, right-leaning social media platforms have become far less in-demand, especially with the Tesla CEO rolling back previously issued bans on far-right extremists. As a result, Parlers audience shrunk as users flocked back to Twitter. While many Parler hardcore believers and ex-employees grow increasingly upset, Harrison has begun plotting to bring a Parler-like platform back onto the internet. Were getting an entity setup so we can take donations/money whatever to help with some of the costs, the former Parler engineer wrote on the Discord channel. Currently about $300 a month just for the dev stuff. Once we start making it public, that will go up to $500 a month, I bet, he continued. Reached for comment by The Daily Beast, Harrison said they dont plan to restart Parler. Were just doing something better, he said. While many online seemed excited about the prospects of re-launching a version of Parler, Amy Piekoff, who was the sites chief policy officer, told The Daily Beast she isnt part of a re-attempt. No, Im not, she said. An account with the username jlowry, whom The Daily Beast identified as a Houston-area health-care IT professional named Jason Lowry, responded to the news of a new site with a YAAAAAASSSSSS meme. Others likewise applauded the decision for a re-launch. While a rowdy band of Parler castaways eye a new site that remains nameless, they have started musing on what they could call the equivalent of a retweet. #ParlerPoll If you could name a share action on a social media, what would you call it, a user that goes by the alias RadianceLux, who in real life is a Texas-based Army major named Brett Humphreys. (He is also a former Parler employee.) RePost is probably the most basic, Lowry responded. Maybe ShoutOut? Other Parler-loving Discord server users shared their thoughts, including that reshout sounds too loud. Starboard CEO Ryan Coyne, the executive whose firm recently purchased Parler, told The Daily Beast: Ill pray for them. Humphreys didnt return The Daily Beasts request for comment on this story. Read more at The Daily Beast. Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast here Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. When Discovery Tours abruptly closed and filed for bankruptcy in 2018, the charter tour bus firm's trips for school students across Ohio to Washington, D.C. and other places were abruptly canceled, and more than 5,000 families who prepaid for their trips lost their money. Victims of the Cleveland-area company's collapse included families of students in Olentangy, Columbus City and Hilliard school districts, The Dispatch previously reported. On Thursday, U.S. District Court Judge Pamela Barker in Cleveland sentenced Joseph Cipolletti, former vice president of Discovery Tours, to prison for five years. Cipolletti, 49, of Hudson, pleaded guilty in federal court last June to 18 charges related to embezzling from the company and defrauding grade-school and high-school students, parents and schools. The charges included wire fraud, money laundering, bank fraud and lying under oath. Federal prosecutors said that as vice president of the family-run tour bus business, Cipoletti diverted money paid by families for educational trips and used the funds for personal expenses like home renovations and vehicles. Barker has not yet ruled how much Cipolletti will have to pay in restitution, but federal prosecutors are asking for $1.5 million. More: Former executive at bus tour company pleads guilty to embezzling funds from school trips When Cipoletti was indicted, federal prosecutors accused him of embezzling a little more than $600,000. Over the course of the case, prosecutors discovered he embezzled even more. As part of a plea bargain, Cipoletti and prosecutors agreed to "cap" the amount he embezzled at $1.5 million, according to court documents. Brian R. McGraw, Cipoletti's defense attorney, said in court documents that Cipoletti's bookkeeping was sloppy and he tried to hide his compensation for tax purposes, but he did not steal that much. McGraw said Cipoletti often was forced to put his own money into the business, which he never got back. Story continues "Joe Cipolletti is most sorry for the personal and emotional loss that each family experienced as a result of his criminal conduct," McGraw said in court documents. Local districts impacted Discovery Tours Inc. offered educational trips for students to destinations such as Washington, D.C., Chicago, New York City, and Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. These trips were via charter bus and included transportation, hotel accommodations, meals, sightseeing admissions and security. After Discovery Tours filed for bankruptcy in May 2018, a planned May trip to Washington, D.C. for eighth-graders at Olentangy Orange Middle School was put in jeopardy. The trip was salvaged with donations from the teachers' scholarship fund and the Olentangy Orange High School Senior Class of 2018. Families of 74 Columbus City Schools' Ridgeview Middle School students had already paid Discovery Tours more than $51,000 for a May trip to Chicago that year. Prime Tours based in Dublin agreed to handle the trip at a discounted rate. Donors, including local unions, contributed thousands of dollars to save the trip. Families of some Hilliard middle-school students had already paid their $325 deposits to Discovery Tours for a D.C. trip planned for October 2018. The Dispatch's Gannett sister paper, The Akron Beacon Journal, contributed to this report. jlaird@dispatch.com @LairdWrites This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Discovery Tours VP who embezzled $1.5 million sentenced to prison When the police came, Princess Rita Boncompagni Ludovisi gathered up her four dogs and walked out of the 30,000 square-foot Roman villa shes called home for 20 years. The former wife of a South Carolina congressman told waiting reporters, What did I do to deserve this? Its a mystery to me why are they so intent on getting me out of here? The Guardian reported. She told The State Thursday she had gone to the home of a friend, Princess Pia Ruspoli, outside Rome. Now I really have a deepened empathy for people who are evicted, she said. Her Ukrainian housekeeper, the housekeepers daughter and two children also left. The daughter and her children had been living with Ludovisi since they fled Ukraine last year. The eviction is part of a longstanding feud between Ludovisi and the three sons of her late husband, Prince Nicolo Boncompagni Ludovis. He died in 2018, leaving a 50% stake in the Villa Aurora to his wife as well as the right to live there until she died. The Guardian reported that Bante Boncompagni Ludovisi, the youngest of Nicolos three sons, waited outside the villa on Thursday morning to watch it being liberated from that woman. Princess is not her title! he yelled. He claimed his father was out of his mind when he wrote the will, The Guardian reported. The 500-year-old villa in the heart of Rome has been put up for auction several times at the order of the court, but no bids were placed. The first asking price was $500 million. It was built in 1570 by Francesco del Nero, a member of a rich Florentine family and a treasurer of pope Clement VII. Neglected for years, the villa holds antiquities and masterpieces a statue of the Greek god Pan attributed to Michelangelo, a rare Caraviaggio mural, which represents most of the value of the house. Galileo, Goethe, Tchaikovsky were visitors to the estate that once covered almost 90 acres. At one time the property held the home of Julius Caesar. The Ludovisi family has owned the villa since 1621. Story continues Another auction is scheduled for June 30. The asking price is now $158 million. To South Carolinians, Ludovisi is better known as Rita Jenrette, wife of U.S. Rep. John Jenrette of South Carolinas Pee Dee, She was married to Jenrette for five years while he was an up and coming congressman. He served three terms before losing after he got caught up in what was known as ABSCAM, an FBI sting operation to uncover political corruption. Thirty-one public officials were targeted for the investigation, in which FBI agents posed as representatives of a fictional Abdul Enterprises, Ltd., owned by an Arab sheik. They were offered money for votes on government contracts benefiting the sheik. Five congressmen, including Jenrette were convicted of bribery and corruption. She was a flamboyant figure in Washington, especially among the staid congressional wives who were alarmed when they learned the Jenrettes had had sex outside the Capitol. She later said that was not true. Jenrette spent 13 months in federal prison. His wife divorced him and moved to Los Angeles, where she made movies and was a reporter for A Current Affair television show. She then moved to New York where she had a six- and seven-figure income as a real estate broker before meeting the prince In 2003 and moving to Rome. She said Friday she did not know where she would go now. Shes thought of Paris or New York. I am in shock, she said. Stunned. She and her husband spent years restoring the mansion, including replacing the roof that birds flew into the house through, but much remains to be done. It will take a billionaire, not a millionaire, she said. Princess Ludovisi has also digitized the family archive, some of which was found in a locked trunk. T. Corey Brennan, a classics professor at Rutgers University who is helping her, has said they have accumulated some 150,000 pages of material. They found revealing letters from Marie Antoinette in perfect condition, he said. They have gathered some of the material into a book that will be published in late 2023 by Brepols, which specializes in fine books on the humanities.. The book is dedicated to the prince. Seaports and airports are the lifeblood of South Floridas tourism-based economy. But as the relentless rains that swamped Fort Lauderdale last week illustrated, those critical transit and supply chain hubs are vulnerable to debilitating flooding. Local authorities, state legislators, airlines and seaport managers have understood the risks for years and theyve already committed to spend millions of dollars to protect against storm surge, king tides and downpours. But the Fort Lauderdale deluge also underlines that upgrades cant come quickly enough. Scientists warn that as climate change causes sea levels to rise and rainfall to intensify, it raises the chances of events like last weeks. Meteorologists classified the rain as a 1,000-year event up to 26 inches in just a day but epic rains have occurred more frequently in the last few decades. And the disruption and damage didnt come from a tropical cyclone or hurricane but a low pressure system far off in the Gulf of Mexico, its tail training thunderstorm after thunderstorm over the city. The downpours turned Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport into a lake, grounding flights for two days. Flooding also temporarily stopped tanker trucks from loading fuel at Port Everglades, leading to gas shortages that are still reverberating throughout South Florida a week later. The ports and airports of both Miami-Dade and Broward County are tremendous economic engines that generate tens of billions of dollars, said Jennifer Jurado, chief resilience officer for Broward County. There are close connections between their operations, so a disruption at any one of them can have significant economic implications. And thats not to mention the 1,000-plus and counting homes damaged and the deep water that filled City Hall. Fort Lauderdale airport at high risk The Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is particularly vulnerable to flooding, given its low elevation, poorly draining soil and its proximity to the coast, according to a report from Coastal Risk Consulting, a private company that explains a specific propertys risk of flooding and other natural hazards. Story continues Besides rain, the Fort Lauderdale airport is also at risk of tidal flooding from sea level rise. A March report from the Brookings Institute, titled Americas airports arent ready for climate change mentions Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport by name. A Coastal Risk Consulting report shows the risk of a 1-in-1000 rainstorm on the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, which saw just such a storm on April 16. The flood shut down the airport for two days. There are a lot of areas on the property and around the property that are so low and marshy that theyre actually having tidal flooding now, said Albert Slapp, who heads Coastal Risk Consulting. The firms report, which relies on FEMA flood models, shows the problem getting worse over the next four decades. Does this mean that its inevitable? No, said Slapp. They can raise it up or put pumps in or use other controls. Theyll have to. In fact, Floridas Department of Environmental Protection regularly includes the airport in resilience grants designed to do just that. The latest round of state Flooding and Sea Level Rise Resilience grants includes $1.6 million for a new pump station at the Fort Lauderdale airport and $3 million for a new stormwater system. The new pump and stormwater system werent build in time to deal with the April 12 rainfall that flooded the property. But even if they were, those systems arent designed to handle anywhere near 26 inches of rain in a single day. Most drainage systems in Florida are designed to handle from three to six inches of rain over that period. Raising Port Everglades Its not just air travel that was disrupted. So were daily commutes across South Florida because of gas shortages that lingered more than a week after the storms moved out. Port Everglades supplies 40% of the gasoline that enters Florida but tanker trucks stopped picking up fuel on April 12 after the port became too flooded to operate. Although the water drained and the majority of operations were back to normal by April 18, fuel shortages continue as gas stations struggle to catch up to demand from panic-buying drivers. A risk report from Coastal Risk Consulting shows that Port Everglades has some drainage issues, but its main challenge will be sea level rise and tidal flooding. Small areas of the port are already at risk for eight days of tidal flooding a year, according to modeling from NOAA and NASA shown in the report. But by 2040, the south end of the port will be vulnerable to 85 days of tidal flooding a year, if authorities do nothing to adapt. By 2060, the port is projected to see 360 days of flooding a year, unless it adapts to sea level rise, according to the report. Authorities are already planning to raise the port in the future, although that work hasnt started yet. This year, Port Everglades won a $32 million Resilient Florida Infrastructure Grant from the state which will fund a project to replace the aging bulkheads on the north end of the port. The new bulkheads are designed to withstand 4.36 feet of sea level rise by 2095. Questions MIAs future American Airlines raised questions about the future of Miami International Airport in its 2021 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) report. Citing the airports vulnerability to sea level rise flooding, American wrote that it was looking into ways to shore up its flood defenses and, as a last resort, considering options for relocation to areas further inland. Miami International Airport faces less flood risk than Fort Lauderdales airport and Port Everglades, according to a risk report from Coastal Risk Consulting. But in a 1,000-year storm, it would still see about three feet of flooding, according to FEMA models shown in the report. A Coastal Risk Consulting report shows the risk of rainfall flooding in a 1,000-year-storm at Miami International Airport. The Fort Lauderdale airport looks worse to me than Miami, but they both get a lot of water above the ground surface with this type of rainfall that just keeps coming, said Slapp. Although 1,000-year rainfall events are rare by definition, they have a 0.1% chance of happening in a given year Slapp said people shouldnt get complacent. We use the phrase 1,000-year storm to indicate that this level of flooding isnt as frequent as a 10-year storm or a 100-year storm, he said. But things are changing with climate change and Mother Nature is throwing more and more stuff at us. As the planet gets warmer, the atmosphere is able to hold more moisture, and scientists expect rainfall events like the Fort Lauderdale storm to become more common. The literature is very clear that those are increasing in intensity, frequency and sometimes also duration, Andreas Prein, a project scientist at the National Center For Atmospheric Research, told the Herald on April 16. This climate report is funded by Florida International University, the Knight Foundation and the David and Christina Martin Family Foundation in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners. The Miami Herald retains editorial control of all content. Four Missouri hunters were acquitted of criminal trespass charges in Wyoming last year after a pharmaceutical magnate claimed they violated his property rights along a four-corner crossing. Elm Mountain Ranch owner Fred Eshelman, the primary benefactor of the Eshelman Institute for Innovation at the University of North Carolinas School of Pharmacy, is now suing the men for $9.4 million in federal court, claiming they stepped from one parcel of public land to another and across the airspace of his private property. Central Missouri residents Bradly Cape (Steeleville), Philip Yeomans (Cuba), John Slowensky (New Florence) and Zach Smith used a stepladder at a Wyoming four-corner crossing one leg planted on each side of a public Bureau of Land Management parcel to get over a fence and avoid the corner sections of private land owned by Eshelman. A photo of the southwest Wyoming corner four Missouri hunters passed to access public land. The hunters claim to have not stepped on private property during their successful 2020 and 2021 hunts. The men and their defense attorney Ryan Semerad believe the airspace was in a common corner and open to the public. (Eshelman) believed the whole mountain was his and that no one but (he)was allowed to be there like a king, The hunters' attorney, Ryan Semerad said during the closing arguments of last year's criminal trial. When he hears there are some regular people on the other side of the mountain (he said) go track them down, arrest those men!'" But Eshelman said the hunters trespassed by being on his property's airspace, ultimately diminishing the ranch's property value. A body is bigger than that point, Carbon County prosecutor Mayfield Davis said during last year's criminal trial. All of their bodies were over private land ... When you break that plane [above a property boundary line] you are entering their property. The unprecedented nature of the lawsuit could have implications on the future of public lands access in America. More than 8 million acres of federal land in Western states are landlocked by private land, and many hunters and outdoors enthusiasts believe this case could help clear up what appears to be a complicated corner-crossing issue. Story continues "'Whose right is it?" Semerad told the News-Leader. "Does the adjacent owner on the checkerboard get to say who does what?" The federal trial is set to begin June 26 in Casper, Wyoming, 118 miles from last year's criminal case in Rawlins. More than 20 witnesses have been chosen for the case. Eshelman, an investor worth more than $380 million in 2014 according to Forbes Magazine, did not appear at the criminal trial last year. The four Missourians, whose jobs include high school band director and fence-builder, didn't take the witness stand. The Wyoming Backcountry Hunters and Anglers set up a GoFundMe campaign to pay for the Missouri hunters' legal fees, which has raised nearly $117,000. This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Found not guilty, these MO hunters still face a $9M trespassing suit Fox News crossed a big, potentially embarrassing showdown with Dominion Voting Systems off its list of legal troubles this week with a $787.5 million pretrial settlement, but the conservative network faces more court challenges ahead. Most notably, a $2.7 billion defamation lawsuit from Smartmatic USA, which largely echoes Dominions claims that it was irreparably harmed by lies spread on the network during coverage of the 2020 presidential election. The lawsuit is currently in the discovery phase with no trial date scheduled. J. Erik Connolly, the lead attorney for Smartmatic, on Thursday told CNN the company wants nothing short of the vindication of a jury verdict in their favor. The Dominion and Smartmatic defamation cases are similar in many ways, meaning the Dominion deal could offer clues about Smartmatics court challenge. Smartmatic now has a model, a template, and a formula to follow to resolve their defamation dispute, Roy Gutterman, a journalism professor who teaches communications law at Syracuse University, told The Wall Street Journal. What Is Smartmatics Lawsuit About? Smartmatic, incorporated in the U.S. in 2000 but now based in London, demanded a retraction from Fox News in December 2020 for false claims broadcast on the air. Soon after, Fox News ran a fact-checking segment. None of the personalities named in the lawsuit participated in the clip, which featured a pretaped interview with Edward Perez of the nonprofit Open Source Election Technology Institute contradicting claims that Smartmatic interfered with the election. Smartmatic sued Fox News in February 2021 in New York State Supreme Court, and also named as defendants hosts Maria Bartiromo, Lou Dobbs and Jeanine Pirro, as well as former President Donald Trumps then-lawyers Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell. A New York appeals court earlier this year rejected an effort by Fox News to get the case tossed out, and allowed the lawsuit to move forward against Fox News, Bartiromo, Dobbs, Pirro and Giuliani. The case against Powell was dismissed because shes a Texas resident and doesnt do business in New York. Story continues Smartmatics lawsuit said that Fox News and the other defendants decided to make Smartmatic the villain in their story, and that the conservative network published over 100 false and misleading statements about the company. The complaint also alleges Fox aired 13 segments in November and December 2020 stating that Smartmatic stole the election. Smartmatic said it played a small, non-controversial role in the 2020 presidential election by providing election technology and software in Los Angeles County, while the defendants falsely suggested it switched votes in battleground states at Trumps expense. Smartmatic says Fox News did this in pursuit of ratings to cash in on Trumps popularity. Fox News needed a way to reclaim its favored status with President Trump and his followers, the lawsuit says. Enter Mr. Giuliani and Ms. Powell. Among the lies, according to the suit, are claims that Dominion and Smartmatic were somehow related, including a false suggestion that Dominion used Smartmatics software. Smartmatic said the companies are competitors and dont work together. Fox News also aired claims that Smartmatic had ties to Venezuela, was founded by the late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, and also received funding from other communist countries like China and Cuba. We shouldnt be using this company that was founded by Chavez to call votes in America because their specialty in Venezuela is cheating, Giuliani told Lou Dobbs Tonight on Nov. 18, 2020. Smartmatic said it was irreparably harmed by the lies. The predictable and natural result of the Defendants disinformation campaign was to destroy Smartmatics reputation, undermine confidence in Smartmatics election technology and software, and put peoples lives in danger, the lawsuit said. How Did Smartmatic Respond To The Fox News-Dominion Settlement? Dominions settlement with Fox for less than half of the original $1.6 billion demand did not require the right-wing network to admit its lies or apologize on the air. In a statement after the deal was announced, Fox simply acknowledged the Courts rulings finding certain claims about Dominion to be false, and said it remained committed to the highest journalistic standards. Dominion defended its decision to accept the settlement, saying facts uncovered in the lawsuits discovery process gave the company the accountability it sought. Dominions litigation exposed some of the misconduct and damage caused by Foxs disinformation campaign, Connolly said in a statement. Smartmatic will expose the rest. Fox News, in a statement shared with HuffPost, said it will fight this case surrounding extremely newsworthy events when it goes to trial, likely in 2025. As a report prepared by our financial expert shows, Smartmatics damages claims are implausible, disconnected from reality, and on its face intended to chill First Amendment freedoms, the company added. How voting systems company Smartmatic plans to benefit from Dominions settlement with Fox in its own defamation lawsuit against the network pic.twitter.com/RSEUmoCUyf The Lead CNN (@TheLeadCNN) April 21, 2023 How Can The Dominion Settlement Affect Smartmatics Lawsuit? In a CNN interview Thursday, Connolly said the Dominion settlement set down a marker for Smartmatics case. But for Smartmatic, he said, any deal with Fox would require a much higher figure. While Smartmatic only offered services in Los Angeles County during the 2020 election, the harm caused by the lies Fox News is global, Connolly explained. Smartmatic is looking for compensation for the business they lost in the United States and globally, Connolly told CNNs Jake Tapper. So I would tell you 787 is a good start, but its not the right finishing point. Stuart Brotman, a professor at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, told Reuters that the fact that Fox News was able to come to an agreement with Dominion will help it enter negotiations with Smartmatic. Smartmatic now has a bargaining chip, and Fox has shown it is willing to take out its checkbook and write a big check, Brotman said. Norm Eisen, a senior fellow at Brookings Institution and a former special counsel to the House Judiciary Committee in Trumps first impeachment trial, echoed Brotman, telling CNN that both the settlement and the judges earlier ruling that it was CRYSTAL clear that none of the statements Fox broadcast relating to Dominion about the 2020 election were true, puts wind in the sails of Smartmatic. Now that Smartmatic sees Fox is willing to pay, they are gearing up for battle, Eisen added. Foxs legal battles are far from over The Dominion case judge ruled that they lied& that puts winds in the sails of Smartmatic's lawsuit I explained what comes next @MarquardtA@CNNSitRoom w/ @shanlonwupic.twitter.com/Y8eXH44qiV Norm Eisen (@NormEisen) April 19, 2023 Connolly said Smartmatic would insist that Fox News apologize for its lies in any settlement. In order to get back to where they were before this all started, where they can win the contracts that theyre now losing, they need to get an apology, Connolly said. They need to get a full retraction because theyre in that business for the long haul. Smartmatic has other defamation lawsuits pending against the right-wing networks Newsmax and One America News Network, also involving 2020 election lies. Related... PARIS (Reuters) - French police are involved in an ongoing investigation relating to a probe by EU antitrust regulators into possible violations by European luxury companies, a police spokesperson said on Friday. The European Commission said on Tuesday that antitrust regulators had raided companies in the fashion sector in multiple EU countries, but did not name the companies involved or specify the potential breaches it was investigating. Reuters reported on Wednesday that the Milan headquarters of Gucci, owned by Kering, had been inspected by Italian tax police and EU antitrust officials as part of the probe. Kering confirmed the inspection and said it was fully cooperating with the European Commission. Asked by Reuters if French companies had also been targeted by the EU inspections, which would be conducted in cooperation with local authorities, a police spokesperson said: "We're in an ongoing investigation", declining to elaborate. The Justice Ministry declined to comment. France is home to the world's biggest luxury goods group, Louis Vuitton owner LVMH, and some of the best-known names in the industry, such as Kering, Hermes and Chanel. (Reporting by Mathieu Rosemain; Writing by Silvia Aloisi; Editing by Matt Scuffham and Jan Harvey) Flags of the U.S. and Ukraine Signed by 19 U.S. representatives, the letter parrots many Russian propaganda narratives, including dismissing Ukraines sovereignty by labeling the conflict a proxy war between Russia and the United States. Supporter of former U.S. President Donald Trump and conspiracy theorist Marjorie Taylor Greene is among the signatories. The letter states that the current strategy of sanctions and drawn-out aid will only prolong the conflict, leading to escalation and more violence. The representatives claim that unrestrained U.S. aid for Ukraine must come to an end, and we will adamantly oppose all future aid packages unless they are linked to a clear diplomatic strategy designed to bring this war to a rapid conclusion. They argue that with every new aid package and every new weapon provided to Ukraine, the risk of direct conflict with Russia escalates. Russian tolerance for fighting a proxy war with NATO could run out at any point, the letter says. The representatives believe that the decision to issue High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) to Ukraine last June is seen as a serious provocation, given the enhanced capabilities these weapons afford. They argue that financing foreign wars costs American taxpayers and depletes the U.S. military stockpile, while also bringing Russia and China closer together. Read also: US announces $2.6 billion Ukraine aid package The fringe U.S. lawmakers strongly urge Biden to advocate for a negotiated peace between the two sides, bringing this awful conflict to a close. The United States has repeatedly emphasized that both the Republican and Democratic parties strongly support the continued provision of military aid to Ukraine. U.S. President Joe Biden said that the United States would help Ukraine as long as is necessary to win. On Sept. 30, 2022, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy put into effect the decision of the National Security and Defense Council on the impossibility of negotiating with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin after his attempt to annex additional Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories. 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 SpaceX's massive Starship rocket explodes after launch during maiden flight Xinhua) 08:09, April 21, 2023 A Starship rocket lifts off the launch pad at the Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas, the United States, April 20, 2023. (Photo credit: SpaceX) SpaceX's Starship rocket got off the launch pad in SpaceX's Starbase in Boca Chica, South Texas, but exploded minutes later. LOS ANGELES, April 20 (Xinhua) -- SpaceX's giant Starship rocket, the most powerful ever built, exploded after liftoff from the U.S. state of Texas during an inaugural test flight on Thursday morning. The rocket got off the launch pad in SpaceX's Starbase in Boca Chica, South Texas, but exploded minutes later. The spacecraft failed to reach orbit. The uncrewed spacecraft was scheduled to have a 90-minute trip around the Earth before a splashdown near Hawaii. Starship was fully loaded with more than 4500 metric tons (10 million pounds) of propellant before the launch, according to SpaceX. The launch was the first test flight of SpaceX's fully integrated Starship and Super Heavy rocket. Starship experienced a "rapid unscheduled disassembly" before stage separation, according to SpaceX. "Today's test will help us improve Starship's reliability as SpaceX seeks to make life multi-planetary," the company tweeted. Teams will continue to review data and work toward the next flight test, said SpaceX. "Learned a lot for next test launch in a few months," Elon Musk, founder, CEO and chief engineer of SpaceX, said on Twitter. He monitored launch from the SpaceX control center in Boca Chica. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said that the launch of SpaceX's Starship rocket is "a good first step." "It looks like they got through the first stage of this big monster rocket. That's a real accomplishment. We'll get a report on what happened to the second stage, but I'm very encouraged that they've gotten along this far," Nelson told CNN. It was the second launch attempt of Starship after the first attempt was scrapped on Monday due to technical issues. SpaceX's Starship spacecraft and Super Heavy rocket, collectively referred to as Starship, represent a fully reusable transportation system designed to carry both crew and cargo to Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars and beyond. Starship will be the world's most powerful launch vehicle ever developed, capable of carrying up to 150 metric tonnes fully reusable and 250 metric tonnes, according to SpaceX. To date, the SpaceX team has completed multiple sub-orbital flight tests of Starship's upper stage from Starbase, and also conducted numerous tests of the Super Heavy rocket, which include the increasingly complex static fires that led to a full-duration 31 Raptor engine test, according to SpaceX. NASA awarded SpaceX contracts worth several billions of U.S. dollars to use Starship to ferry American astronauts to the surface of the moon under the space agency's Artemis program. NASA has announced plans to use a Starship to put astronauts on the lunar surface in 2025. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan) A southeast Oklahoma newspaper has released the full audio recording it captured of county officials talking about killing journalists and lynching Black people. The McCurtain Gazette reported that the new audio includes more talk of harming journalists, as well as discussion of intimidating the local prosecutor. The Gazette published a summary in its Thursday edition, which hit newsstands Wednesday night. The newspaper does not have a web edition. The entire recording, which was captured March 6, lasts three hours and 37 minutes, the newspaper said. The Gazette said it is publishing the full audio to be transparent and to show the importance of public records. Stay in the conversation on politics: Sign up for the OnPolitics newsletter McCurtain County audio brings scrutiny to southeast Oklahoma The racist and violent comments have sparked nationwide outrage and brought intense scrutiny to rural McCurtain County, which is located about 230 miles southeast of Oklahoma City. It has a population of roughly 33,000. The McCurtain County Courthouse sits on the north end of Central Avenue in downtown Idabel. The courthouse is attached to the sheriff's department and county jail where Geoffrey Briley is being held while he awaits a jury trial scheduled for January. The newly released audio covers a wide range of topics detailed by the Gazette, alongside a series of letters to the editor calling on the officials to step down. The newspaper reported that McCurtain County Sheriff Kevin Clardy told other officials he went to the district attorneys office to whoop his ass and stood in the prosecutors doorway, preventing him from leaving. He told the prosecutor, Ill tell you one thing motherf-----, I aint no f------ liar. The newspaper also reported County Commissioner Mark Jennings talked about buying an old military tank to drive into the newspaper building. To explain what happened, he would say, Sorry, I couldnt stop this motherf-----. McCurtain_county_map Clardy repeatedly criticized Gazette reporter Chris Willingham, saying he was gonna bounce his ass. The Willingham family publishes the Gazette and brought the audio clips to light. Willingham reported that he has written more than 30 articles looking into government corruption over the last two years. Story continues Gov. Kevin Stitt has called on the officials captured in the recording identified by the Gazette as Clardy, Jennings, Jail Administrator Larry Hendrix and investigator Alicia Manning to step down. Dozens of residents have protested and the Oklahoma chapter of the NAACP has called for a federal investigation. Jennings resigned Tuesday. Clardy has not. The sheriffs office issued a statement questioning the veracity of the audio and asserting that it may have been recorded illegally. Bruce Willingham, the newspapers publisher, has said he left the recorder running after a commissioners meeting because he believed officials may have been violating public meeting laws. The Gazette reported that the audio was recorded the same day Chris Willingham filed a defamation lawsuit against Manning, the sheriffs office and the board of county commissioners. Listen to the full, McCurtain County recording More: Dale Denwalt, Cheyenne Derksen, Josh Dulaney and Jessie Christopher Smith of The Oklahoman contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Newspaper publishes more clips of McCurtain County, Oklahoma officials TOKYO (Reuters) - The Group of Seven (G7) countries are considering a near-total ban on exports to Russia, Kyodo news agency reported on Friday, citing Japanese government sources. Bloomberg news on Thursday also reported that the United States and Ukraine's allies were considering "an outright ban on most exports to Russia". That report said officials from G7 nations were discussing the idea before a summit meeting in Japan next month. Asked about the Bloomberg report, Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said the government was aware of it but refrained from commenting on exchanges among G7 countries and like-minded nations about possible further sanctions against Russia. "What is important for ending Russian aggression as soon as possible is that G7 remains united for severe sanctions against Russia and strong support for Ukraine," he told a press briefing. (Reporting by Tokyo Newsroom; Editing by Himani Sarkar and Muralikumar Anantharaman) A group of climate activists has claimed responsibility for puncturing the tires of at least 43 SUVs in the Beacon Hill suburb of Boston and attaching notes to the vehicles informing owners that your gas guzzler kills. The group, known as the Tyre Extinguishers, acknowledged responsibility in a blog post published on Thursday, the night following the vandalism. The group took this action to render the large greenhouse gas emitting vehicles unusable, directly preventing the outpouring of emission from the vehicles into our atmosphere which further contribute to climate change and air pollution, the official statement reads. Press release from TX Boston on our website here: https://t.co/XKUdBvcGOy pic.twitter.com/CWvqwJFOee The Tyre Extinguishers (@T_Extinguishers) April 20, 2023 The organization added that SUVs are a dangerous and unnecessary environmental atrocity, especially in city environments where there are sustainable transport options available to everyone. Tyre Extinguishers further clarified that climate activists had taken this action in Beacon Hill as it is one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in Boston to own a house. It is not an exaggeration to say that the richest individuals in the world are causing the current and future deaths of the less fortunate and less developed nations and people, the letter concluded. After wrecking dozens of SUVs, the climate vigilantes attached notes to car dashboards explaining: We have deflated one or more of your tires. Youll be angry, but dont take it personally. Its not you, its your car. One victim told a local Boston news outlet that a neighbor was prevented from commuting to his firehouse because of the violence. My parents didnt need to go anywhere immediately this morning, but I know another person in the neighborhood whos a firefighter and couldnt get to the fire station, the woman. Story continues There are plenty of people who work at the hospital and couldnt get to work on time. Beneath the organizations statement was a brief biographical note stating that Tyre Extinguishers has members in 15 countries and have deflated more than 10,000 SUV tires since March 2022. BELGIUM: NEARLY 200 SUVS DISARMED LAST NIGHT IN BRUSSELS AND GHENT Amazing work by Belgium TX who disarmed 194 street tanks last night! Anyone can be a Tyre Extinguisher. See how on our website join us! https://t.co/cmqm5IOeg7 pic.twitter.com/B5CFcgJA3Z The Tyre Extinguishers (@T_Extinguishers) March 31, 2023 The group has stated that Wednesdays vandalism accounted for its eighteenth action in 2023. The Boston Police Department confirmed that ten victims have been interviewed so far but no arrests have yet been made. More from National Review AAA is warning drivers that Georgia is one of the worst states in the country when it comes to potholes. Drivers whose vehicles sustained damage and needed repair after hitting a pothole increased nearly 60% compared to last year, according to AAA. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] In March, Channel 2 Consumer Investigator Justin Gray found that the state only paid for 400 pothole-related repairs despite receiving more than 1,200 claims. Channel 2s Tom Regan spoke with drivers on Friday afternoon who say their claims were denied after hitting the same pothole on I-285 near Camp Creek Pkwy. Once I saw that and saw that it wasnt just me, I became even more angry, one driver said. It was something that they had to be aware of. They just hadnt done anything about it. TRENDING STORIES: The state told Regan that the Department of Transportation did not know about that pothole. An open records request filed by Channel 2 Action News found that a third person reported it the days before. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: Photo Illustration by Luis G. Rendon/The Daily Beast/Apple TV+ Ghosted is a big-budget, star-studded action-romance premiering on Apple TV+ Apr. 21, although a more fitting destination for it would be a dark closet on a high shelf where no one might ever find it. Featuring not a single convincing element or exchange, this fiasco plays like a wannabe-Knight and Day exercise in eliciting annoyed reactions: groans for its awful one-liners, exclamations for its moronic plot twists, and eyerolls for its terrible CGI and desperate cameos. It feels like ChatGPT wrote it, and the fact that it didnt is all the more damning for those who did. The responsible scribes in question would be the duos behind the Deadpool films (Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick) and Marvels recent Spider-Man trilogy (Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers), who bring none of those predecessors wit and charm to this derivative undertaking. Directed with maximum clunkiness by Rocketmans Dexter Fletcher, Ghosted concerns the dreary adventure of two characters who are completely unreal and share zero chemistry. Chris Evans is Cole, a farmer who works for his parents (Tate Donovan and Amy Sedaris, who must have had him when they were quite young) and spends his time being a jerk to customers at the local farmers market. Evans couldnt be less believable as an agriculturalist if he tried; his coiffed hair, neatly trimmed beard and buff physique scream lawyer (if not aspiring actor). Hes matched in implausibility by Ana de Armas as Sadie, a single woman who wears a variety of stylish outfits and claims to be an art curator (her favorite painter, she unpersuasively states, is Monet), which seems about as authentic as her long, flowing wig. Cole and Sadies meet-cute involves pained banter about the latters inability to care for a houseplant (because shes always away on business), thereby giving birth to a running bit about a cactus thats emblematic of the proceedings humorlessness. Rarely have two attractive stars generated fewer sparks together, in part because Ghosteds script falls flat with every line of dialogue. Story continues Ghosted Ana de Armas and Chris Evans in 'Ghosted' Frank Masi/Apple TV+ When Coles friend spurs him to pursue Sadie because the sexual tension was off the charts, its as if the film is actively gaslighting its audience, whereas later conversations resort to the most heavy-handed exposition conceivable. I think that the trips that you plan the least are the ones that give you the most, says Cole at the end of the pairs day-long first-dateone of innumerable theme-peddling pronouncements that inspire the urge to gag. Cole cares about people and is too cowardly to leave home whereas Sadie is a globe-trotting loner who fears commitment. Following their magical first date, he becomes worried and frustrated when his innumerable texts (and light emoji stuff, which he learns counts as additional texts) go unanswered. Is Nicolas Cages Renfield the Worst Vampire Movie Ever? In response to receiving the cold shoulder, Cole makes the far-fetched decision to travel to London to surprise Sadie (a grand romantic gesture). There, hes kidnapped and held hostage by a group of baddiesled by Tim Blake Nelson, sporting a thick Russian accentwho think hes a super-agent known as The Taxman, and plan to torture him with exotic insects in order to get a coveted passcode. Before any of that can take place, though, Cole is saved by the actual Taxman, whospoiler alertis Sadie. To be fair, de Armas is more credible as a spy than as an art curator. The action that ensues, however, is of a third-rate nature, clumsily balancing brutality and comedy, and embellished with computer-generated effects that grow chintzier with each successive application. Sadie and Cole bicker incessantly in Ghosted about how she lied to him and hes a clingy complication for her mission, and the dreadfulness of their back-and-forths is so immense as to be borderline impressive. The films lack of imagination is epitomized by three separate supporting characters responding to Sadie and Coles argumentativeness by quipping, You two need to get a room. Yet somehow, thats not even the worst of it. Adrien Brody plays a French baddie named Leveque who speaks like a cartoon (We cannot. Afford. This-a kind. Of failure!) and seeks a bioweapon known as Aztec that hes intent on selling to random evil individuals. That device should be a simple MacGuffin (i.e., a generic plot device designed to keep things moving forward). Yet Reese, Wernick, McKenna, and Sommers script instead spends inordinate amounts of time talking about its ins and outs, burying any momentum or laughs beneath mountains of pointless gobbledygook. Chris Evans in 'Ghosted' Frank Masi/Apple TV+ Along their journey, Sadie and Cole battle baddies on a bus, encounter a foreign agent (one of Sadies exes) who has a mechanical hand because Ghosted wants to make a masturbation joke, and contend with assassins embodied by famous faces in brief wink-wink appearances. Theres endless chit-chat about what has to be done, where everyone has to go, and why Aztec is so important, but it all quickly comes to sound like white noise being emitted by actors who are trying too hard to transform subpar mush into something amiable. Even more astonishing, the film repeatedly has characters mistake Cole for the Taxman because de Armas is a woman, and yet the film doesnt even try to do anything with this sexist anglesave, that is, for a late you-go-guy! instance of Cole proudly proclaiming, Im the boyfriend! Dead Ringers Manages to Squander Two Rachel Weiszes Ghosted is the type of leaden affair that plays The Beatles Taxman during its final fight (because, you see, thats de Armas nickname!). Its climax, set in a high-rises rotating restaurant, is a monument to rushed and crummy CGI, as well as flat action choreography thats neither thrilling nor funny. Both Evans and de Armas are wholly wrong for, and better than, this material, and their strained performances just manage to make everything worse. Only Brody, now fully in his over-the-top villainous phase (following Poker Face, See How They Run, and Peaky Blinders), seems to understand whats needed here, although he too is ultimately undercut by a screenplay devoid of inspiration. Bemoaning his status as a mere cog in a larger criminal machine, Brodys scoundrel laments, "What are we? Instruments. Expendable. We deserve better. The same might be said about actors, and especially those found in this dismal dud. Liked this review? Sign up to get our weekly See Skip newsletter every Tuesday and find out what new shows and movies are worth watching, and which arent. 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. Two metal and concrete utility poles being hauled by a tractor-trailer broke free and slammed through the trucks cab when the driver hit the brakes, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The driver, a 33-year-old man, was traveling south on Interstate 275 in Tampa at around 10:30 a.m. on April 21 when he saw a vehicle parked in the outside shoulder of the southbound lane, a news release said. The driver of the car pulled into the southbound travel lane in front of the truck, causing the truck driver to slam on his brakes, the release says. Two utility poles in the trucks trailer broke free from their restraints and crashed through the back window of the cab and out the front windshield before hitting the pavement, police said. The two poles each weigh 5,467 pounds, police said. The vehicle that pulled out in front of the truck, which the Florida Highway Patrol referred to as a phantom vehicle, left the scene. The truck driver was not injured, police said. Dash camera shows moment deputys car was sent spinning in crash on I-75 in Florida Video shows woman stomping windshield in road rage incident at Florida traffic light Video shows chaos as overdosing driver rolls through rush-hour traffic, Florida cops say The GOP will hold its second presidential primary debate of the year at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif., the chair of the Republican National Committee announced Thursday. POLITICO reported earlier Thursday that RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel would make the announcement during a Thursday evening speech at the library, according to a person familiar with the remarks. Her speech was focused on the future for the party heading toward the 2024 election. Republicans have previously announced that their first debate will be held in Milwaukee in August, and that it would air on Fox News. McDaniel was not expected to specify when the second debate would be set for, or which outlet would air it. The RNC has been entertaining pitches from an array of networks that are interested in airing the debates ranging from conservative outlets like Newsmax to mainstream ones like CBS and NBC. The committee has also been working behind the scenes to determine what the thresholds should be for candidates to qualify to appear on the debate stage. The Reagan Library has played host to GOP primary debates before, including in 2015, when it featured 11 candidates running for the party's nomination including then-candidate Donald Trump. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is working to claw back power from Walt Disney World, with help from the Florida legislature including Republican state Sen. Blaise Ingoglia (R). John Raoux and Wilfredo Lee/AP Photo DeSantis began retaliating against Disney World this week, including with allies in the legislature. One key ally, Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, previously held Disney stock but said he sold on principle. A top Democrat, Senate Minority Leader Lauren Book, also has Disney shares. A key Florida lawmaker helping Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis claw back control of Walt Disney World's special tax district was once a Walt Disney Company investor, annual disclosures show. The most recently available annual financial disclosure document for GOP Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, of Spring Hill, shows that he held nearly $20,000 in shares of the Walt Disney World Company at the end of 2021. Asked about the stock holding, the senator told Insider that he sold the shares after Disney vowed it would work to overturn the Parental Rights in Education Act, the law at the center of the DeSantis-Disney feud that restricts instruction about gender identity and sexual orientation in public schools, particularly up to third grade. "As a principled, consistent conservative I sold the stock shortly after Disney publicly sided with allowing teachers to teach sexual orientation and gender identity to children under the age of 8 years in our schools," Ingoglia, a former chair of the Republican Party of Florida who was also formerly a state House representative, told Insider. Democrats and LGBTQ rights advocates refer to the law in question as "Don't Say Gay," and the state's Department of Education this week expanded the law to 12th grade, limiting LGBTQ instruction to sex ed classes and those "required by existing state standards." On Tuesday, Ingoglia introduced an amendment to retroactively invalidate an agreement between Disney and its former district board, as Republicans work to dismantle special privileges the resort and theme park has had in the Sunshine State for decades. DeSantis already signed two bills to that effect, but Disney created a loophole. Story continues Yohana de la Torre, a representative for Ingoglia, refused to provide Insider with evidence that contained a date showing when the senator sold his Disney shares, saying it was a matter of "personal financials" he was "not obligated to release." Other companies listed in Ingoglia's 2021 portfolio included Amazon and Apple, whose CEO also raised concerns about legislation like that passed in Florida. Insider regularly reports on the financial ties of elected officials through its exhaustive "Conflicted Congress" project. The reporting elevated the topic of stock trading on Capitol Hill, leading to the introduction of new legislation and a US House hearing about the practice. Benjamin Wilcox, research director for the nonpartisan government ethics group Integrity Florida, told Insider that lawmakers' decisions to hold or trade stocks in companies they have the power to regulate can raise conflict-of-interest questions, or even the appearance of them. Since 2022, DeSantis has been creating headaches for the Disney resort and theme park not just legislatively, but through board members he appointed to oversee Disney's special tax district. The board members met Wednesday and said they were considering new taxes and public transit around Disney, as well as workforce affordable housing; DeSantis went much farther, warning the state could try to build a prison on the adjacent land. When the legislature first moved to dissolve the special tax district in 2022, Disney's stocks took a tumble. "It's a pretty convenient explanation to say he's doing it out of principle because he disagrees with the position Disney is taking on the 'Don't Say Gay' law," Wilcox said of Ingoglia. "But there is a practical side to it. If he thought that Disney was going to be in a prolonged battle to avoid these sanctions that DeSantis is pushing, he could have realized maybe it's time to get out." Ingoglia told Insider that he manages his stocks himself, and that they were long-term holds with a retirement or brokerage account. "I do not trade stocks," he said. He added that "elected officials have the right to own stock and invest in public companies like all citizens" but "do not have the right to trade on insider information to enrich themselves." Ingoglia released a video 11 years ago that criticized members of Congress for buying and selling stocks. During a Monday press conference with the governor, Ingoglia warned Disney it would lose the battle with DeSantis and poked fun at the company through a reference to a hit song from the movie "Frozen." "One word of advice for Disney going forward: Let it go. Just let it go," he said. Then-Rep. Ron DeSantis flips through a packet about the IRS during a 2016 hearing. Andrew Harnik/AP Florida lawmakers report their finances annually Unlike members of Congress, Florida legislators aren't required by law to regularly report their stock transactions soon after they occur. Instead, they're required only to share a snapshot for the year generally the date represented is December 31 of each year. The earliest-available financial documents reviewed by Insider are from 2021, and the 2022 documents won't be posted publicly until this summer at the earliest. Disney first came out against the Parental Rights bill in March 2022. Wilcox said that more frequent financial reporting, such as quarterly or every six months, rather than every year, would create better transparency, including with other lawmakers. "It would be interesting to see if any of these legislators sold Disney stock after this bill passes or doesn't pass, whether they try to ensure that they're not going to lose money on their investment," Wilcox said of the latest amendment the legislature will consider. The governor's office did not reply to questions for this story. In his new book, "The Courage To Be Free," DeSantis wrote that he stopped trading stocks before going to Congress in 2013. "Reports abounded about members of Congress making a killing in the market based on inside information," he wrote. "I did not want to be in a position where a vote or other action I took could be questioned based on what stocks I owned." The financial ties to Disney underscore the company's largess and influence in Florida, where it's the state's biggest attraction. The Walt Disney Studios is headquartered in Burbank, California, but the company holds powerful sway in Florida through Walt Disney World, which has roughly 80,000 employees. Even DeSantis had history with Disney. Insider was first to uncover that he married his wife, Florida first lady Casey DeSantis, at the Disney World's Grand Floridian's wedding pavilion, a chapel that overlooks Cinderella's Castle. He now jokes about the ironic turn of events as he promotes his book. Sen. Lauren Book, a Democrat of Plantation, Florida, gestures as she speaks to the media on February 6, 2023 in the Senate Office Building at the Capitol in Tallahassee. Phil Sears/AP Photo A top Florida Democrat also has Disney shares For this story, Insider reviewed financial documents for Florida legislators involved in the Disney feud, including bill sponsors, as well as leaders in both chambers. The other personal financial ties uncovered were for a Democrat, Senate Minority Leader Lauren Book, of Plantation, Florida. Book held more than $30,000-worth of Disney stock, according to a 2021 snapshot of her finances, and is on the opposite side of Ingoglia both ideologically and on the question of Disney's authority. She has criticized the governor over his attempts to control Disney's district, saying it was retribution for them speaking out. "Government regulation to ensure accountability and fairness toward workers and consumers is one thing but the politically motivated overreach we are seeing today is dangerous and wrong," she told Insider. Book called DeSantis' actions a "political mission" that "goes against both the best interests of our state and the values of our country." "Clearly, any shareholder holdings that I have in a publicly traded company have no bearing on my actions in this ongoing battle," she said. "I am proud to fight for what I see as true freedom for small businesses and large economic drivers alike." But Wilcox said that her holdings could raise conflicts-of-interest questions as well, given that she opposes actions the GOP-supermajority legislature is poised to make that could hurt Disney financially. Book said her portfolio was professionally managed and that she was initially given a single share of Disney stock from a family member when she was born. Book said she would adhere to putting her holdings into a blind trust if the legislature were to create that requirement. These accounts are formal arrangements in which lawmakers officially transfer management of their financial assets to an independent trust, but it's a time-consuming and expensive process. One difference between the finances of Florida lawmakers and members of Congress, Book noted, was that the former hold jobs outside of their elected duties. Aside from leading Democrats in the lower chamber and representing her district, Book is founder of Lauren's Kids, a nonprofit that fights against child sexual abuse. "Broadly, I do not believe there is a conflict of interest in owning shares in a publicly traded company managed by a professional who uses their own judgment on my investments," Book said. "Specifically, I do not see a conflict of interest here, and if I did, I would obviously make a disclosure." In response to this week's actions from the Florida legislature and the governor-appointed board, Disney publicized an LGBTQ Pride event it has coming up at its Disneyland resort in California, and announced it had plans to build affordable housing units in 2026. Disney CEO Bob Iger told Time he would be willing to sit down with DeSantis over the feud. "If the governor of Florida wants to meet with me to discuss all of this, of course," he said, "I would be glad to do that." Read the original article on Business Insider Editors Note: The following article was published by Project Syndicate on April 10, 2023, and has been republished by the Kyiv Independent with permission. The opinions expressed in our op-ed section are those of the authors and do not purport to reflect the views of the Kyiv Independent. EDINBURGH A few weeks ago, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin for the war crime of unlawful deportation and transfer of children from occupied areas of Ukraine to Russia. It is a significant indeed, historic step toward holding Putin and his henchmen accountable for their crimes in Ukraine. But more must be done. Evidence of Russian atrocities in Ukraine including murder, rape, torture, and attacks on civilians, civilian infrastructure, and other non-military targets continues to accumulate. Just last month, a United Nations-backed inquiry published a report accusing Russia of war crimes and possible crimes against humanity. While the ICC indictment is unlikely to be the only legal action brought against Putin and his cronies, it is the first. The ICC prosecutor has ensured that Putin will go down in history as the first leader of a permanent member of the UN Security Council to be indicted for an international crime. The move is not merely symbolic. Those who think imprisoning Putin is an impossibility should recall that Liberian war criminal Charles Taylor is currently serving a 50-year sentence in a British prison, and former Serbian leader Slobodan Milosevic died in prison in The Hague while on trial for war crimes. And those who think that the arrest warrant will have no impact on the accused should take note of reports of growing dissent within Putins leadership cabal, with insiders no doubt fearing that they will soon face indictments as well. Opinion: An appeal to the German government and parliament Editors Note: This article was initially published in German on FOCUS online. The opinions expressed in the op-ed section are those of the authors and do not purport to reflect the views of the Kyiv Independent. On Feb. 24, 2022, Russia escalated its war against Ukraine, which by then had Kyiv IndependentAndreas Umland Story continues Admittedly, while the ICC president has moved unusually quickly and issued a statement of intent to arraign Putin in The Hague, Putin is unlikely to leave himself open to arrest by entering any of the 123 states that are signed up to the ICC. Sadly, Russia does not recognize the ICC (nor does the United States). So, given that US President Joe Biden has welcomed action, despite opposing the ICC, how can the world add to the pressure on Putin and his cronies? The crime of aggression beginning with the invasion of Crimea in 2014 is Putins original sin, the font of all the recent atrocities. As University College London law professor Philippe Sands has argued, aggression would be more straightforward to prosecute than war crimes and crimes against humanity, because it can be linked directly to the Kremlin. The ICCs mandate does not extend to prosecuting the crime of aggression, but a special international tribunal can be created with an explicit focus on this leadership crime. The tribunals work would complement and give weight to that of the ICC. The encouraging news is that all major European countries, as well as the European Union and the Council of Europe, have endorsed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskys request that Putin and his circle be prosecuted for the crime of aggression. A tribunal could be constituted in the coming months. Valeriia Voshchevska: International organizations and Ukraine a case for empathy Editors Note: The opinions expressed in the op-ed section are those of the authors and do not purport to reflect the views of the Kyiv Independent. As Russian tanks rolled through the streets of my home and Russian bombs started to fall onto peaceful Ukrainian cities, I held my breath Kyiv IndependentValeriia Voshchevska But American support will be vital to the success of such a tribunal. Biden need not fear that supporting an investigation into Putin would tilt the scales which he has so carefully calibrated from support for Ukraines defense to active aggression against Russia. After all, the US has regularly supported special tribunals notably for Cambodia, Lebanon, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, and the former Yugoslavia to prosecute international crimes. And US prosecutors were at the forefront of the Nuremberg trials, carried out by the International Military Tribunal to prosecute and punish leading Nazis after World War II. The same went for the International Military Tribunal for the Far East, which carried out the Tokyo trials of Japanese war criminals. Both tribunals were founded upon the 1941 Declaration of St. Jamess Palace, or London Declaration, in which the Allied powers agreed that there would be no safe haven for those guilty of aggression. This would likewise form the basis of the special tribunal tasked with investigating and prosecuting Putin. Concerns that such a tribunal would open the door for prosecutions relating to conflicts like the Iraq War are also unfounded. The special tribunal on crimes of aggression in Ukraine would be a response to Zelenskys explicit request, made on behalf of Ukraines government and people. The tribunals authority would be derived from Ukrainian law, together with the prohibition on crimes of aggression inherent in international law. And the body would focus exclusively on the situation in Ukraine, where the evidence of wrongdoing arguably and unlike in many other conflicts meets the very high standard of proof required. Nor will the prospect of a trial make Putin less willing to contemplate peace talks. I dealt directly with him, as both finance minister and prime minister of the United Kingdom, not least over the assassination in 2006 of the UK-nationalized Russian defector Alexander Litvinenko. Those experiences taught me that the only language Putin understands is that of power. He will not view pulled punches as an olive branch worth taking, but as yet more appeasement born of weakness. In the face of Russian brutality, Ukrainians have stood united and fought valiantly. The rest of the world led by the US must show the same courage and resolve to ensure that justice is served, beginning with Russias top leaders. America has willed the end accountability for Putin and his cronies. Now it must join Europe in supporting the means. @the_kyiv_independent The International Criminal Court made a historic decision to issue an arrest warrant for Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, the Russian official tied to the forced deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia. Heres why it is important. #russiaisaterroristate #ukraine #ICC #putin original sound - Kyiv Independent A parent in the Grapevine-Colleyville school district has filed a grievance alleging that officials didnt follow proper procedures concerning the future of the dual language program. Amanda Hall filed her grievance with the Texas Education Agency on April 4, shortly after a contentious March 27 school board meeting when parents accused the school district of not listening to their concerns. Hall provided a copy of the grievance to the Star-Telegram. She alleged that the school district violated several sections of the Texas Education Code concerning an advisory committee that was established last year to evaluate the dual language program for elementary students. Hall alleges that only parents who were district employees served on the committee, and under the education code, they are not considered parent representatives. The grievance also states that a certain number of classroom teachers should serve on the committee and that former superintendent Robin Ryan was told about the committee, but he was not involved or consulted. I kindly request that the committees findings be disregarded, and another committee formed that meets TEA guidelines, Hall wrote. Nicole Lyons, a school district spokesperson, wrote in an email that Grapevine-Colleyville hasnt been notified about the grievance. The school district offers a dual language program only for students whose native language is Spanish, known as a one-way dual language program, and another for both English and Spanish native speakers known as two-way. During the March 27 meeting, trustees heard a presentation recommending that the dual language program should be phased out. The board didnt take any action. School officials said parents were pulling their children out of the program because of low performance, and that it is becoming less popular. STAAR test scores were 22% lower for students in the two-way dual language program for Spanish and English native speakers, as compared to students in a one-language program. Story continues The school district said it is making modifications that will help improve students performance. Students in Grapevine-Colleyville schools have had the opportunity to enroll in a two-way dual language program starting in elementary school. To date, the program is in a format in which students learn in English for one week then in Spanish the next, alternating back and forth. The changes to the program would include transitioning students to learning in both English and Spanish every day, with certain subjects taught in each language. That alteration would put the program in line with what is practiced in most other districts in the area that offer two-way dual language opportunities. Some board members questioned why the program could be discontinued if improvements were made in the dual language program. Norah Kratz, a Great Plains Lutheran High School senior from Birmingham (Ala.), has received a collection of regional and national honors for outstanding writing and art. Great Plains Lutheran High School senior Norah Kratz has received a number of regional and national awards for outstanding writing and art. Kratz is from Birmingham, Ala. Kratz received a gold key for her writing titled "Hair" the highest honor available in the 2023 Scholastic Arts and Writing Awards as presented by the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers. The Alliance for Young Artists and Writers is a nonprofit organization that identifies teenagers with exceptional artistic and literary talent and brings their remarkable work to a national audience through this awards program. Kratz also received news that she's a winner in the Appelley Publishing National Student Poetry Contest. Out of thousands of entries across the country, her poem "Sugar, Sugar (What I Hope That Love is Like)" won first place in the grades 9-12 division. Her poem will be published in the Rising Stars Collection. She'll also receive a $500 check. Last fall, Kratz opened her season year by receiving a Silver Key in Delfware Painting from the University of South Dakota Arts Department after being selected as a regional award recipient in the 2023 Scholastic Art and Writing Awards for South Dakota. This is the Delfware Painting by Great Plains Lutheran High School senior Norah Kratz that helped her become a regional award recipient in the 2023 Scholastic Art and Writing Awards for South Dakota. Also presented by the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers, the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards are the country's longest running and most prestigious scholarship and recognition program for creative students in grades 7-12. More than 200 creative teens from South Dakota received regional honors, including Gold Keys, Silver Keys, Honorable Mentions or American Visions nominations. This article originally appeared on Watertown Public Opinion: Great Plains Lutheran's Norah Kratz earns awards for writing and art A boat navigates at night next to large icebergs near the town of Kulusuk, in eastern Greenland on Aug. 15, 2019. A new massive study finds that Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets are now losing more than three times as much ice a year as they were 30 years ago. | Felipe Dana, Associated Press The Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets are melting at a pace seven times higher than that of 30 years ago, and the amount of ice lost could make an ice cube 12 miles high, a new study finds. Published by the journal Earth System Science Data, more than 50 international researchers from the Ice Sheet Mass Balance Inter-comparison Exercise used data from satellite readings to track ice sheet volumes and ice flow between 1992-2020, per CNN. The Associated Press said the researchers also measured snowfall levels, snow melt levels and ice chunks lost by falling off glaciers or eroded by warm waters beneath. They found that Greenlands average annual melt from 2017 to 2020 was 20% more a year than at the beginning of the decade and more than seven times higher than its annual shrinkage in the early 1990s, per The Associated Press. Ines Otosaka, lead author of the study and glaciologist at the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom, told The Associated Press that human-caused climate change is the reason for the rapid ice melt. Greenland and Antarctica According to CNN, the Arctic heatwave caused more than 8.3 trillion tons of ice to melt between 1992-2020, the worst year being 2019, which lost 675 billion tons of ice alone. Ruth Mottram, study co-author and climate scientist at the Danish Meteorological Institute, told The Associated Press the study findings are pretty disastrous really, and were losing more and more ice from Greenland. Otosaka told CNN that while she expects the Greenland ice sheet to keep losing ice, the Antarctic ice sheets future is undecided. We have what we call some low-probability but high-impact mechanisms that could be triggered if we exceed a certain level of warming, Otosaka told the news outlet. Effects Waleed Abdalati, former NASA chief scientist and ice researcher at the University of Colorado, told The Associated Press, This matters because rising sea levels will displace and/or financially impact hundreds of millions of people, if not billions, and will likely cost trillions of dollars. Story continues CNN said the lost ice is affecting oceans, with sea levels rising just less than an inch. Andrew Shepherd, founder of the Ice Sheet Mass Balance Inter-comparison Exercise, said in a statement reported by CNN: We are finally at the stage where we can continuously update our assessments of ice sheet mass balance as there are enough satellites in space monitoring them, which means that people can make use of our findings immediately. The report said its important to monitor the ice sheets and to be able to predict future sea level rise. In September 2011, Sara Thompson found her 15-week-old son Alexander unresponsive in a Fisher-Price Rock n Play, his face pressed against the devices fabric. Nearly 12 years later, the inclined infant sleeper is associated with the deaths of about 100 babies, including Alexander. Yet Thompson, who lives in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, routinely sees the Rock n Play for sale on platforms like Facebook Marketplace despite a 2019 recall of the product. She immediately messages the sellers. Some quickly take down their posts, saying they had no idea it had been recalled, Thompson said. But others get defensive. Sara Thompson with her son Alexander, who died at 15 weeks old in a Fisher Price Rock 'n Play in 2011. (Courtesy Sara Thompson) They say, The product is fine, its the parents fault they should have been watching their babies, said Thompson, who settled a lawsuit against Fisher-Price last year. She is among a small group of grieving parents whove taken it upon themselves to curtail sales of the potentially lethal product that remains readily available online. Their challenge reflects the shortcomings of the federal recall system, which keeps products circulating even after theyre deemed hazardous, safety advocates argue. Online platforms prolong the danger by failing to provide easy ways for users to flag recalled items if they are listed for resale, with Facebook Marketplace, in particular, lacking a clear reporting mechanism, the advocates say. For the Rock n Play, this has proven particularly perilous. At least eight deaths have been linked to the product since it was recalled in April 2019, prompting the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission to re-announce the recall in January. But four years after all 4.7 million Rock n Plays were recalled, less than 10% have been returned to the manufacturer, according to a recent letter from Fisher-Price obtained by NBC News. Babies can die in the Rock n Play and other inclined sleepers when their head rolls to the fabric-covered sides of the product, or when their chin drops to their chest, restricting the airway, according to medical experts. Infants left in Rock n Plays unrestrained can also roll from their back to their stomach or side, putting them in an unsafe position. Story continues Fisher-Price says that not all deaths reported from the Rock n Play have been confirmed to be associated with that brand, specifically. Under federal law, companies may decline to make recall numbers public, and Fisher-Price only provided them in response to questions from members of Congress who were alarmed about the mounting death toll. In a letter to members of Congress last month, Fisher-Price said that it had completed more than 465,000 cumulative corrections. That number includes both Rock n Plays that consumers returned and those that were expunged from warehouses and retail stores. Fisher-Price also said in the letter that the company has found about 54,000 Rock n Play listings online, including on Facebook Marketplace and other platforms, and 98% are now inactive after Fisher-Price worked with the websites to get them removed. The companys letter added that Fisher-Price had limited information about the babies who died after the recall, but that the products were purchased by consumers before the initial recall announcement or were acquired second-hand via private sales or as gifts. These previously unreported details come a week after the chair of the Consumer Product Safety Commission sent letters to Facebook parent company Meta and Fisher-Price parent company Mattel demanding they do more to stop sales of secondhand Rock n Plays. From February 2022 to March 2023, CPSC staff issued nearly 4,000 takedown requests for Fisher-Price Rock n Plays on secondary marketplaces, with most submitted to Facebook Marketplace, which responded swiftly to remove items, the agency said. Nancy Cowles, executive director of consumer advocacy group Kids in Danger, said part of the problem is that sites like Facebook Marketplace dont offer a clear way to flag recalled goods. Facebook requires users to choose a specific reason for reporting posts, and there is no option that would fit an item that has been recalled, despite the sites own policies prohibiting such sales. Craigslist and eBay, by contrast, allow users to flag listings for broader reasons and also include prominent links with information about recalls. Meta did not respond to questions about Rock n Play and the lack of a specific reporting mechanism for recalls but said that it uses largely automated systems to review listings. We take this issue seriously and when we find listings that violate our rules, we remove them, a Meta spokesperson said in an email. In an interview, CPSC Chair Alexander Hoehn-Saric said the agencys findings made clear that the recall plan that the CPSC and Fisher-Price originally agreed upon in 2019 wasnt sufficient. Only some customers are offered refunds, while others are offered a voucher to use on other Fisher-Price merchandise. To receive either, parents are required to dismantle the sleeper and send in a specific piece of the product. Clearly, in retrospect, what was done then wasnt enough, said Hoehn-Saric, who was confirmed as chair in 2021. Hoehn-Saric urged Fisher-Price to provide a stronger incentive for returning the products, suggesting in his letter that a full refund of all Rock n Plays would be a good start. Thats one reason that consumers are turning to sites like Facebook Marketplace instead, Hoehn-Saric added: Theyre getting real cash. Kami Snowbarger, a product safety consultant, agreed that its no surprise few recalled products are returned, given all the hoops that consumers must jump through to determine if they qualify for a refund and get it. Parents wont take the time to do all that, she said. A Fisher-Price spokesperson said in a statement that it recently told the CPSC it would be willing to increase the cash refund available to consumers who participate in the recall but defended its efforts to take the Rock n Play out of circulation. The company has worked diligently to remove all recalled product from the market, it said. In its recent letter to Congress, Fisher-Price also noted that the recall participation rate for the Rock n Play was in line with other recalls that the CPSC has tracked. The company added that Fisher-Price shares the CPSCs goal to remove the Rock n Play from the market and directed consumers to its website if they have a recalled item. But the Rock n Play remains a sought-after item online: On Facebook, a recent search yielded a handful of parents in just the past few weeks looking to purchase the sleeper. Does anyone have a Rock N Play they want to sell? one wrote in a post earlier this month. Its almost impossible to find one! Yes, I know they were recalled, but I am not worried about that. Kiersten Connolly, whose 6-week-old son Jameson died while sleeping in a Rock n Play four years before the recall, believes the companies need to do more. Kiersten Connolly, James Hatch and their twin babies, Jameson, left, and Dorothy. Jameson died in a Rock 'n Play at 6 weeks old in May 2015. (Courtesy Kiersten Connolly) Her sons death forced her to learn about stuff you never want to think about, Connolly said, including how to raise one baby while grieving another Jameson left behind a twin sister, Dorothy and how to special-order a coffin tiny enough for an infant. I could have picked up his casket in one hand, she said. After the 2019 recall, Connolly sued Fisher-Price and Mattel, but her suit was dismissed due to New Yorks two-year statute of limitations for wrongful-death cases; her attorneys are appealing. Connolly checks Facebook Marketplace, eBay and e-commerce platform Mercari for Rock n Play listings every week. Theyre not always listed as Rock n Plays, so Connolly also uses other keywords, such as inclined sleeper. She finds them easily and pleads with the sellers to remove the listings. Ive just simply said, Its not worth it. It could happen. It might not, it probably wont, but it could, she said. And you dont want to be me. You dont want to go through what Ive gone through. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Many of the bans target books on racial equity. The number of book bans is rapidly increasing in American school districts. PEN America attributes the increase to new laws and regulations restricting the types of publications minors can access. According to The New York Times, the free speech organization discovered 1,477 examples of book removals between July and December 2022, up from 1,149 cases in the previous six months. This is much bigger than you can really count, said PENs director of free expression and education, Jonathan Friedman. People need to understand that its not a single book being removed in a single school district, its a set of ideas that are under threat just about everywhere. Book bans are rapidly increasing in American school districts, according to PEN America, which discovered 1,477 examples of book removals between July and December 2022. (Photo: Adobe Stock) PEN has used press stories, records requests, and publicly available information since July 2021 to track book bans, identifying more than 4,000 instances of book removals. Nearly 75 percent of the almost 1,500 book removals PEN tracked in the final half of 2022 were the result of coordinated efforts or new laws. EveryLibrary, a political action group representing libraries, found that seven states last year among them Florida, Tennessee, Oklahoma and Utah approved legislation placing restrictions on library materials. This year, the group is keeping tabs on 113 laws it says will negatively affect libraries or restrict peoples access to certain books. As the coordinated efforts of groups like Moms for Liberty have increased, certain novels typically focusing on LGBTQ themes or confronting racial inequity have been targeted nationwide. Teachers and librarians have been accused of endorsing pedophilia; some have lost jobs or resigned under duress after refusing to remove books. In Florida, where the state legislature approved a law requiring that a certified media specialist evaluate every book on classroom and library shelves, some districts recommended that schools block access to all the titles until they could be examined, which actually resulted in empty library shelves. Story continues Similar legislation was approved in Tennessee the Age Appropriate Materials Act which requires schools to categorize all books in their libraries and classrooms to ensure that they contain no offensive material. Some teachers opted to remove or cover up their entire classroom libraries rather than risk violating the law. This week, a bill that would impose heavy fines and make book distributors and publishers criminally liable for supplying obscene materials to public schools moved through the Tennessee Legislature. PEN America urged Gov. Bill Lee to veto it, noting in a statement that the bills only objective is to coerce publishers into practicing self-censorship. PENs analysis found that book bans are concentrated in a small number of states, though they comprise 21 states and 66 school districts. Texas had the most removals with 438, followed by Florida (357), Missouri (315) as well as South Carolina and Utah (each with more than 100). Weve had two record-breaking years, and those of us who are fighting book bans really have our work cut out for us, said Christopher Finan, National Coalition Against Censorship executive director, The Times reported. At this point, were fighting an uphill battle. TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Android TV. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today! The post Group says book bans rising rapidly in US appeared first on TheGrio. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) Native American activists and environmentalists are pushing the U.S. Interior Department to move ahead with its promise to include tribal perspectives when making management decisions that could affect culturally significant areas beyond the boundaries of Chaco Culture National Historical Park. A coalition of more than 20 groups and individuals sent a letter to Interior Secretary Deb Haaland on Wednesday saying oil and gas development in northwestern New Mexico remains a threat and that they want the agency to halt leasing until cumulative effects on cultural resources and the environment can be addressed. The letter includes recommendations that supporters say would ensure lasting protections for an expansive area around the national park. One includes the creation of a tribal advisory committee and an environmental justice advisory committee with authority to inform resource development on federal lands. Haaland, who is from Laguna Pueblo in New Mexico and is the first Native American to lead a Cabinet agency, traveled to New Mexico in 2021 to announce the Honoring Chaco initiative. Since then, there have been interviews, planning sessions and meetings with historic preservation experts and others. Now, the groups want to know when the next phase will begin and when changes will start to be made. In order to continue to build trust and confidence that this initiative indeed represents a new direction for cultural landscape management in the region, the Department of the Interior must show that it is willing to refrain from taking interim actions that would irreparably harm the landscape and prejudice the selection of lands and resources for protection, the letter reads. The groups suggest that pausing development is within the agency's authority and would be in line with the Biden administration's policy mandates. The Interior Department affirmed on Thursday its commitment to the Chaco initiative, saying leaders with the Bureau of Land Management and the Bureau of Indian Affairs have been working with tribal preservation officers and tribal groups. Story continues The agency released a report in November detailing the work so far, saying the idea was to establish a new tribally led approach to best identify ways to protect the culture of tribes and pueblos throughout the region and consider strategies for securing a sustainable economic future for residents and workers. The debate over closing off a 10-mile (16-kilometer) radius around the park has pitted the Navajo Nation against other tribes in the region. Some Navajos have called for a smaller area to be protected as a way to preserve the royalties and other revenues that some families depend on. If approved by the Interior Department, the withdrawal would affect only federal land, but critics have argued that the checkerboard nature of landholdings in the region would limit interest in Navajo-controlled lands and those parcels owned by individual Navajo allottees. Federal officials have billed the Chaco initiative as a novel effort that could provide a roadmap and lessons learned for future collaborations with tribes. Still, some of the activists who have been pushing for Chaco protections say they feel like momentum has stalled, and they've invited federal officials to visit the region again. Pueblo preservation experts also are working on finishing a first-of-its-kind ethnographic study of the region that they hope will be used as part of the initiative and in future decision making. CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico (AP) When a fire broke out at a Mexican immigration detention facility last month, dramatically different reactions by guards in the mens and womens sections appeared to make a difference in who lived and died, according to previously unreported surveillance videos and witness statements viewed by The Associated Press. Forty male detainees perished in the March 27 blaze, allegedly started by a male migrant in protest of their conditions the facility in Ciudad Juarez, across the border from El Paso, Texas. All 15 of the female detainees safely escaped from their side of the facility as it began to fill with smoke. The videos show that in the hours before the fire, the deadliest ever at a migration detention center in the country, private security guards contracted by Mexicos immigration agency used keys to open the mens section to allow cleaning personnel to enter and to bring them large jugs of water. However once the fire started, no one tried to open it again despite the presence of guards nearby. Meanwhile, on the womens side, a female security guard sprinted through the building with keys she said the immigration official in charge of that wing had given her. That official, Gloria Liliana Ramos, is among those charged with homicide. A central question for investigators remains: Where were the keys to the mens section when the fire started? Seven people five immigration agents, a private security guard and the migrant who allegedly started the fire have been charged with homicide and causing injury. On Friday, an initial hearing for the head of Mexicos National Immigration Institute was delayed until Tuesday, because his defense team said they had not been given access to the investigative case file. Francisco Garduno is accused of failing in his responsibility to protect migrants. One of his lieutenants, Antonio Molina, the agency's verification director, was back in court to face accusations that he did not ensure decent conditions for migrants. A prosecutor noted that on the night of the fire 16 of the 68 male migrants held had not even been registered yet. Story continues Mexico's Attorney General's Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the contents of the videos and witness statements, which were provided to AP by a lawyer for one of the accused. On the evening of the fire, they show, male migrants began to press mattresses against the bars to block guards' view of what was happening inside. They also apparently unplugged surveillance cameras that they were able to access. One man allegedly set fire to a foam mattress, and within seconds smoke began to fill the area. A previously seen surveillance video clip showed guards approach the bars but then walk away without trying to open the gate. The immigration official who was in charge of the mens side that evening was Rodolfo Collazo. In his statement to investigators, Collazo said that shortly before the fire erupted he had left to take two minors to another facility, placing the private security supervisor in charge and leaving behind the keys to the mens section. Ramos, his counterpart on the womens side, confirmed in her own statement that Collazo had left the private supervisor in charge. An analysis of surveillance video by forensic investigator Luis Fermin Cal y Mayor for one of the defense teams concluded that the keys to the men's section were in the possession of the private security guards minutes before the fire started. That contradicts accounts from those guards in statements to government investigators saying that when the blaze began, they were in a bathroom filling jugs with water for the migrants and did not have the keys. In the women's section, another private security guard, Angelica Hinojosa, ran out when the blaze began to get help, she said later. She returned a short time later followed by a member of the National Guard. Hinojosa is seen on video racing through the building as female migrants begin to cover their noses and mouths amid the increasingly dense smoke. She later told investigators that when it started to smell bad and I saw a lot of smoke, she asked Ramos for the keys. The women's section was opened, and everyone escaped, retracing Hinojosas steps to the buildings entrance. Female migrants told government investigators they heard shouts from the mens side of the facility, including desperate calls for water and questions about where the keys were. Ramos lawyer, Aglaeth Gonzalez, said Ramos saved lives and should not be charged with a crime. Gonzalez said she still has not been allowed access to surveillance videos, and immigration officials she tried to interview refused to talk citing fears of reprisals. Collazo, the official who had left with the underage migrants, returned to find the facility ablaze. He told investigators he tried to enter to find the keys, but was turned back by the smoke. He is among those facing criminal charges of homicide and causing injury. One of the private security guards told investigators that a colleague, one of those now charged with homicide, did go back inside and found the keys on a desk. That guard managed to open a back door but not another lock inside, he said. The area remained sealed off until firefighters arrived and broke down a wall, and only then were those migrants still alive able to escape. More than two dozen were injured, but survived. Lawyers for the accused have also questioned whether prosecutors have sufficiently analyzed the hours of video from the surveillance cameras, which numbered more than a dozen. The countries where the victims came from have demanded a transparent investigation to find and hold responsible any officials and employees who share blame for the deaths, including those high up the chain of command. No trip to South Carolina is complete without watching the sun rise over the Atlantic Ocean. Sneak out to watch the wildlife or have an Instagram-worthy photoshoot before filling up at a classic Myrtle Beach breakfast spot. From when to arrive and how to park, to kayak tours and SkyWheel rides, here is your guide to experiencing dawn in Myrtle Beach. Where to watch the sunrise The Point at Cherry Grove: On this sandy peninsula, youll be surrounded by water, with Hog Inlet on one side and the Atlantic on the other. Here, on the north end of the Grand Strand, you can watch the sun rise over the sand. The south end of the Grand Strand: Beaches in Pawleys Island are more eastern facing because of the Grand Strands crescent-shaped coast. This means the sun will rise directly over the ocean. Any beach near a pier: whether Springmaid, Apache or 2nd Avenue, piers provide a nice focal point for sunrise photos. Sunrise times Find when the sun rises by searching online or checking the back cover of your newspaper. For best viewing, arrive at your location 30 minutes before the official time to see the first rays over the water. Experiences If you want to try something new in the morning, try these sunrise activities. SkyWheel sunrise flight See the sunrise from 20 stories up. On select mornings, the SkyWheel offers 30-minute sunrise rides, which include coffee and pastries. This experience combines two Myrtle Beach favorites the iconic SkyWheel and a sunrise over the Atlantic. Tickets are $29.99 for adults and $19.99 for children. Sunrise kayak tour Surround yourself with water and experience the wildlife at dawn with a sunrise kayak tour. Here are three area companies that offer sunrise tours. Jacks Surf Camp lets you choose between exploring the saltwater estuary of Murrells Inlet or the black waters of the Waccamaw River. Kokopelli Surf Camp offers tours in single or tandem kayaks, or even paddle boards. Express Watersports shows kayakers the history and natural features of Murrells Inlet. Story continues Parking When youre heading to the beach so early, you might not have to pay for parking. Check these times to see if you can have a free sunrise experience when parking in municipal lots. General policy used by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives means it's unlikely the gun used in the Old National Bank shooting will be auctioned off by Kentucky State Police. Cassandra Mullins, a public information officer for Louisville's ATF division, would not comment on the ongoing investigation, other than to confirm the AR-15 used in the April 10 mass shooting is in the bureau's possession. But she told The Courier Journal that generally, "firearms seized by ATF in federal investigations are disposed of in accordance with federal law and are not transferred to KSP for auction." A law put in place in Kentucky in 1998 has required state police to sell confiscated guns, with money raised from sales used to buy body armor and other equipment for police. The future of the gun used in the Old National Bank shooting, in which five people and the gunman were killed and eight others were injured, has been at issue since the immediate aftermath of the incident. The five victims were Josh Barrick, 40; Deana Eckert, 57; Tommy Elliott, 63; Juliana Farmer, 45; and Jim Tutt Jr., 64. Related: 2 mass shootings in 1 week: Louisville searches for answers after chaos at Chickasaw Park More coverage: A Louisville corner changed forever: How 9 minutes of terror unfolded at Old National Bank At a press conference the day after the shooting, Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg noted that under Kentucky law, "the assault rifle that was used to murder five of our neighbors and shoot at rescuing police officers will one day be auctioned off." He urged legislators to take action to give Louisville more control over local gun policies and to repeal the state's firearm auction law. The family of the gunman, Connor Sturgeon, have also called for meaningful, common sense gun safety measures" following the shooting. A statement on behalf of the family released Thursday by an attorney said they were "aghast" to learn the gun could someday be resold and that they were working to ensure it would be destroyed instead. Reach Andrew Wolfson at awolfson@courier-journal.com. Reach Lucas Aulbach at laulbach@courier-journal.com. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville Old National Bank shooting gun not likely to go to auction Former Rep. Joe Crowley, D-N.Y. Tom Williams/Getty Images TikTok has hired Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's predecessor to lobby on Capitol Hill. Former Rep. Joe Crowley reportedly helped TikTok's CEO set up meetings with lawmakers in DC. Ocasio-Cortez has come out against banning TikTok, breaking with the Biden administration. TikTok has a new defender in Washington. Former Rep. Joe Crowley, the powerful New York Democrat who Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez famously ousted in a stunning primary upset in 2018, is now lobbying for TikTok, according to a recent disclosure first reported by The Hill. Crowley, who was the fourth-highest ranking Democrat in Washington when he left office, has worked as a lobbyist at major law firms for the last several years and is now a policy director at the law firm Dentons. But this time, Crowley finds himself on the same side as Ocasio-Cortez, who recently announced her opposition to banning TikTok. TikTok is under intense pressure from US lawmakers both at the federal level in Washington and in states across the country over alleged national security threats it poses as a Chinese-owned company. The popular social media platform has hired multiple former lawmakers and Hill staffers, both Democrats and Republicans, to help handle growing criticism and calls to ban the app in Washington. Politico reported last month that about three dozen people lobbied federal lawmakers for TikTok and its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, in Washington in just the last three months of 2022. The Biden administration has demanded that ByteDance sell off TikTok in order to alleviate some concerns about the Chinese government's ability to collect data on American users through the app. The White House is also supportive of legislation that would allow the federal government to fully ban TikTok if national security concerns aren't resolved. The Trump administration similarly called for TikTok to be sold to an American buyer and former President Donald Trump signed an executive order in 2020 banning TikTok. Story continues Both Republican and Democratic lawmakers in Washington have expressed growing concerns with the platform and recently grilled TikTok's chief executive, Shou Chew, over the app's ties to China. Crowley and other former lawmakers helped Chew set up meetings on the Hill before he was torn apart by lawmakers in his five hour-long hearing, Politico reported. Read the original article on Business Insider MGM Guy Ritchie, an auteur best known for cheeky British gangster films and big-budget Disney adaptations, seemson the face of itto be an unlikely director to make The Covenant. The film, in theaters April 21, is a sober military thriller that excoriates Joe Bidens decision to pull out of Afghanistan in 2021 and, in the process, to strand the thousands of local interpreters who had risked their lives to aid the American cause. Nonetheless, a closer inspection reveals it to be another of his portraits of brotherhood forged and strengthened under fire, this time cast in a familiar Hollywood mold that does much to energize its politicized take-down of our recent dereliction of moral duty. The polar opposite of Ritchies lighthearted espionage lark Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre, The Covenant (which, to hammer home its authorship, is officially presented as Guy Ritchies The Covenant) lets its action do its preaching, with only opening and closing textual notes providing real-world context for its dramatic story. Set in March 2018 in Afghanistan, it concerns United States Master Sergeant John Kinley (Jake Gyllenhaal), the leader of a team responsible for locating and eliminating IED factories and other munitions stockpiles. Ritchie introduces these characters in snapshots embellished by on-screen title cards, and though that device is a tad clunky, it works better when used to define the acronyms (such as QRF, for Quick Reaction Force) bandied about by these hardened military vets. Kinleys squad suffers a fatal blow at the start of The Covenant, thereby compelling them to hire a new translator for subsequent missions. The man who gets that job is Ahmed (Dar Salim), a hard-nosed Afghan with a reputation for doing things his way. Kinley can tell from the start that Ahmed is capable and difficult, and thats proven when, on their first outing together, he follows his instincts by offering a suspect additional money to talka line of attack that Kinley had expressly forbidden. Story continues Nonetheless, since his tactic produces results, theres not much for Kinley to do but swallow his pride and keep a wary eye on his recruit, whom Salim embodies with a self-possessed gravity and sense of purpose that makes him appear less like Kinleys underling than someone closer to his equal. MGM Ahmed is a bit of a wild card, and yet he demonstrates his value whenafter Kinley receives a tip about two possible IED siteshe correctly deduces that their other translator is trying to lead them into an ambush. Having joined the Americans in the wake of his sons murder at the hands of the Taliban, Ahmed is an individual who means business, which aligns him with Kinley, a husband (to Emily Beechams wife) and father whose determination and seriousness is so extreme that even his stabs at humor feel like challenges. Theyre put to the test when, at the second potential IED location, they find themselves in a furious firefight against Taliban forces, who swarm in from every corner of the dusty area, killing all of Kinleys men and forcing the duo to take to the desertin a vehicle, and then on footto escape death. Love & Death: Elizabeth Olsen Falls in Love and Then Kills Her Friend With an Ax This two-against-many scenario is reasonably conventional by mainstream war-cinema standards, although its given a twist when Kinley is injured during an ensuing skirmish and Ahmed chooses to put his own life on the line in order to get Kinley safely back to Bagram Air Base. In this middle section, The Covenant delivers a harrowing journey through enemy territory, where virtually no one can be trusted and detection means immediate execution. Ritchie generates significant tension from these passages, employing slow-motion (his favorite flourish) to accentuate moments of pain and crisis, and drone shots (almost to excess) to afford aerial overviews of battlegrounds layouts and, additionally, to contextualize his protagonists as tiny figures making their way through a vast, unforgiving landscape. MGM The hook of The Covenant is that Ahmed, through efforts that are heroic in the extreme, succeeds in his endeavor, avoiding capture and returning a terribly injured Kinley to his American compatriots by dragging him on a makeshift stretcher, pushing him in a rickety cart, and rolling him up in rugs in order to secretly transport him via truck. When Kinley awakens in a stateside hospital, however, hes shocked and incensed to learn that Ahmed has been left to fend for himself in Afghanistan, denied the Special Immigration Visas that were promised to him, his wife and their newborn son. On the run because he has a Taliban bounty on his head, Ahmed has been abandonedsomething that inspires such guilt, grief, and rage in Kinley that its a foregone conclusion hell quit trying to deal with useless bureaucrats to extricate his translator and just do it himself, with or without the help of his commanding officer Vokes (Johnny Lee Miller) or private security contractor Parker (Antony Starr). MGM I want you to honor the deal, seethes Kinley to Vokes, articulating not only the code by which he (and all soldiers) lives, but the films viewpoint when it comes to Americas obligation to its foreign comrades. The Covenant is at once patriotic and critical of the U.S.s conduct in Afghanistan, its straightforward template designed to both elicit admiration for its protagonistsand excitement from their harrowing exploitsand disgust over the fact that, in real life, so many translators were forsaken when we withdrew from the country (according to a coda, more than 300 were executed and thousands remain in hiding). The Diplomat Works Best When You Give It Your Full Attention As portrayed by Ritchie, Ivan Atkinson and Marn Davies script, Kinley and Ahmeds deeds are of a heightened blockbuster-movie variety, and Gyllenhaal and Salim sell their respective characters intensity, conviction and virtuousness. Moreover, the proceedings bestow the two leads with equivalent time in the (lionizing) spotlight, all while hitting the sweet spot between fantasy and reality, with the former providing an illuminating window onto the latter. The Covenant might have been a heavy-handed polemic were it not for Ritchie couching things in fictional terms and putting a premium on suspenseful genre-y set pieces, be it encounters at Taliban checkpoints, firefights at remote mines, or car chases through scraggly mountains. The result is an old-school action film elevated by Gyllenhaals rousing movie-star turn and Salims impressive breakthrough performanceas well as a censure of U.S. policy that stingingly hits its mark. Liked this review? Sign up to get our weekly See Skip newsletter every Tuesday and find out what new shows and movies are worth watching, and which arent. 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. The role of the Chinese language was highlighted on Thursday as the 14th United Nations Chinese Language Day was marked in the Nepali capital. Chairman of Nepal Language Commission Gopal Thakur said on the occasion that the Chinese language is now one of the languages of employment among the Nepalese. Since 2010, the United Nations has marked Chinese Language Day on April 20 over the language's contribution to the world while encouraging more people to learn it. This year's celebrations were hosted by the Confucius Institute at Tribhuvan University under the theme of "Chinese Language: Facilitating Dialogues Across Civilizations." Speaking on the occasion, Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Chen Song referred to the fact that the Chinese language has been learned and used by nearly 200 million people across the world, thus becoming an important medium for the Chinese and other civilizations to communicate with and learn from each other. Chen voiced readiness to deepen civilization dialogues and exchanges with Nepal under the Global Civilization Initiative, so as to inject new impetus into bilateral friendship. China welcomes Nepal to share the dividends of China's high-quality development, and is ready to synergize each other's development strategies, advance cooperation on infrastructure, border points, new energy and other areas, and expand people-to-people exchanges to paint a beautiful picture of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, the ambassador said. Sun Zhanxue, president of East China University of Technology, and Wang Gang, vice president of Qinghai Minzu University, which are cooperating with Tribhuvan University on the operation of the Confucius Institute, both stressed the role of languages in promoting dialogues among civilizations. Dances, recitals of Chinese poems, tea art and Chinese calligraphy were performed on the occasion. Guy Ritchie says he wont be using real guns on his movie shoots in the wake of the fatal shooting of Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins in 2021. That whole thing has changed now, the whole game has changed, Ritchie told Newsweek in an interview ahead of his latest movie, Afghan War drama The Covenant, hitting theaters this weekend. More from The Hollywood Reporter Ritchies action drama, in which Jake Gyllenhaal plays a U.S. Army sergeant who returns to Afghanistan to honor a debt to a military interpreter, has its share of shootouts, for which Airsoft pellet guns which fire small, biodegradable plastic pellets rather than traditional bullets were used out of safety concerns. We havent used a real weapon since then. So there were no real weapons. Its the first shoot that we had, which I have to tell you, its a tremendous relief for all of us, Ritchie said of how things have changed after the Rust shooting. In October 2021, a prop revolver held by Alec Baldwin on the New Mexico set of Rust, an indie Western, discharged, killing Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza. Baldwin has maintained that he didnt pull the guns trigger. Involuntary manslaughter charges against Baldwin were dropped by New Mexico prosecutors this week. Ritchie said of the Airsoft pellet guns used on set, Theyre as good as, they look as good as real weapons, they do all the functions as a real weapon. You get a gas discharge. It all seems as authentic as it can be. No one can get into trouble, Ritchie added of the replica pellet guns, which look real enough during action scenes and can be augmented in postproduction. A representative for Ritchie confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that no real weaponry was used on the set of The Covenant, which was shot in the mountainous landscapes of Alicante, Spain, to double as Afghanistan. Story continues Best of The Hollywood Reporter Click here to read the full article. It takes cooperation among police, the media and the public to find a child who disappears and all three groups are less likely to give their best efforts for missing Black children. According to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, 98% of children reported missing are located within days. Of those who are not, most are Black. Earlier this year, the USA TODAY Network set out to identify, for the first time, the reason for this disparity. Reporters around the country have been fighting for public records and interviewing families, advocates and experts to understand why Black children are less likely to be found. They are following a few leads: And they welcome your help. If you know of missing children in your community, please reach out through this form. (Note: We will not use your information without your permission.) Take Alexis Patterson, a 7-year-old Milwaukee girl who disappeared in May 2002, about a month before Elizabeth Smart. Elizabeths story hit national news immediately, while Alexis took six weeks. Elizabeth was found nine months after her abduction, while Alexis is still missing. By her being a little African-American little girl who disappeared, they just wasn't focused on her enough, as if she was a little white girl, Alexis mother said of the police. And that hurt me. That affected me for many, many years. This series of investigations will uncover what goes wrong after kids go missing and how that affects the families left behind. Help USA TODAY investigate disparities in missing children cases. If you know of missing children of color in your community or have experienced these disparities firsthand as a parent, friend or law enforcement officer, we want to hear from you. Tell us your story Story continues Alexis Patterson has been missing since 2002. Odds are you dont know her story. Ayanna Patterson, the mother of Alexis Patterson who has been missing since 2002, reacts during the singing of gospel song, The battle is not yours, its the Lord, during a program called 20th Year Awakening Celebration on Sunday, May 1, 2022. During the event many shared fond memories about the child like her former Head Start teacher Benedicata Graves, She always had a beautiful smile for everyone, she said. On the morning of May 3, 2002, Alexis Pattersons stepfather walked her to the corner and a crossing guard guided the 7-year-old across the street toward Hi-Mount Community School in Milwaukee. At the end of the day, she didnt come home. A month later and more than a thousand miles away, Elizabeth Smart, 14, went to sleep in her bedroom in Salt Lake City. By the next morning, she was gone. The cases differ in many ways but one fact is unassailable: Elizabeth, who is white, was found nine months after her abduction. Alexis, who is Black, is still missing. Read more Timeline: Heres how the cases of Alexis Patterson and Elizabeth Smart played out Alexis Patterson and Elizabeth Smart Twenty years ago, as police worked to locate the two girls, some advocates and experts argued that race was a key factor in how authorities and reporters handled their cases. It marked the first time the national media paid serious attention to such disparities. Read more If your missing child ran away from home, the police may not look for them. Around the country, classification as a runaway often means officers put less effort into looking for a missing child. Under federal rules, runaways also are disqualified from Amber Alerts. In 2021, 335,000 reports of missing U.S. children were sent to the FB. Of those not found within six months, a disproportionate number are Black, including Domonique Holley-Grisham, who was 16 when he disappeared from his home in Rochester, NY in 2009. Read more Do Amber Alerts work? Data shows how often they help bring missing kids home When a child vanishes, goes missing, families expect authorities to use every resource to find them. That expectation often includes an Amber Alert, lighting up smartphones for miles around with details about the missing. But Amber Alerts are extremely rare and, even when they are used, its unclear how much they help bring children home safely, a USA TODAY analysis of the alerts shows. And even though Black children receive Amber Alerts at about the same rate they are reported missing, reporters found the alerts are far less likely to play a part in finding them. Read More Missing kids as young as 10 aren't top priority for some police departments Law enforcement agencies across the country operate under a patchwork of rules that govern how intensely they search for missing children. The degree of effort often depends entirely on a child's age or an officers discretion. As a result, kids the same age can disappear under similar circumstances and receive vastly different responses from police. In dozens of cities and towns, the childs age alone can move them to the bottom of the priority list. Read More States of America explores disparities in cases of missing children USA TODAYs States of America Episode 2 explores how the media and police handle cases that involve missing children of color. Highlights include interviews with Alexis Patterson's mother and with the current chief of the Milwaukee Police Department who acknowledges that, trust is a continuous process. Catch all episodes of States of America on USA TODAY's free streaming channels here. Watch more States of America episodes Distrust of police by Black Americans means DNA falls short in searches for missing children In recent years, DNA analysis has become one of the most promising avenues for finding longtime missing children. But for families of color, it has yielded few reunions. Black Americans distrust of law enforcement combined with a mishmash of DNA databases means this new technology isnt living up to its potential. Read more The attention a post about a missing kid gets on Facebook depends on their race Consuela Jobe sits n a swing at the Big Four Lawn in Louisville, Kentucky, on Sept. 27. Jobe said she would often bring her children to play at the park. Her daughter, Kamaria Johnson, was 16 when she went missing in 2021 and Jobe believes that a delay in media attention prevented her from being located quickly. Research has shown that news media and police pay less attention when people of color disappear. We found it's also true for Facebook audiences. In 375 videos featured on Facebook by The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, the average views on posts about white girls was more than 63,000; for Black girls, it was 38,300. Read more. 5 missing children cases to know about John Rex has been looking for his two missing daughters (Hanna Lee, 7, and Skye Rex, 5) since 2020. The daughters' mother disappeared with the two girls after Rex was granted full custody.. Rex poses here inside his daughters bedroom. He has not changed anything since they were kidnapped. He wants to maintain the room so when the kids return, they will have a familiar place. Families with missing children use any and all means, including social media, to spread the word about their child's disappearance, especially when they feel they are not receiving enough coverage from local media or help from law enforcement. These are the stories of five families who used social media to spread the word about their missing children. None of them have been found. Read more. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Finding missing children of color complicated by racial disparities Celia, left, and Terry Harms at their home in Warwick, R.I. Their son Jonathan Harms (portrait visible) died in 2017 after purchasing fentanyl-tainted pills from a pharmacy in Mexico. (Aram Boghosian / For The Times) In December 2018, Celia Harms sat down in her San Mateo home to write a letter. Over the course of more than 900 words, she told a story that would become familiar to parents from San Diego to Texas to Indiana: Her son had gone to Mexico, visited a pharmacy, bought what he thought were legitimate pills and died of a fentanyl overdose. She wanted someone to do something. So she sent the letter to U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, then-Sen. Kamala Harris and then-Rep. Jackie Speier, calling on the three California Democrats to alert the public and sponsor legislation. Our beloved son, Jonathan Harms, age 29, was poisoned, the letter said. His story is unique in that he didnt purchase street drugs but went to a brick and mortar pharmacy to buy pain medication for an intractable migraine. Since his death in February 2017, that story has become far less unique. A Times investigation earlier this year found that pharmacies in multiple Mexican cities have been passing off powerful illicit drugs as legitimate pharmaceuticals. The Drug Enforcement Administration and State Department did not warn the public after a Ventura County couple informed them of their own 29-year-old sons death in 2019 after taking a fentanyl-tainted pill he bought from a Cabo San Lucas pharmacy. The Times has identified at least half a dozen other American travelers who have overdosed or died since the 2019 incident. Drug experts say its likely there are many more casualties. Jonathan Harms died in 2017 after purchasing fentanyl-tainted pills from a pharmacy in Cancun. (Harms family) But the Harms story shows the problem began at least two years earlier than was previously known. And it shows federal lawmakers were told about it at least as far back as the end of 2018. After she sent the letter, Celia Harms followed up several times with each legislator. She has since moved to Rhode Island with Terry Harms, her husband and Harms' father. Harris, who is now vice president, never responded, she said. Feinsteins office sent a letter that noted the senator's past efforts to fight the raging opioid crisis in the U.S. but didnt really address my real issues, she said. Speiers office reached out by phone, Celia Harms said, but a staffer there basically said we cant do anything because this is a Republican-controlled Congress. Story continues We were very adamant that we wanted something to be done, Terry Harms said. We sort of got deflated because we felt like it wasnt really a priority. We just got stock answers to constituent complaints. After The Times contacted Feinstein's office Tuesday, Celia Harms said, one of the senator's staffers in California called and "apologized that no one offered to meet with" her after she sent the letter in 2018. She added that the staffer said "she's going to check with the D.C. office" to see what steps can be taken "to make a substantial difference and save lives." A spokesperson for Feinstein declined to comment on her office's communications with Harms in 2018 or to answer a list of questions about why Feinstein did not do more at the time. But the spokesperson confirmed in a one-sentence statement sent via email that Tuesday "Senator Feinsteins staff reached out to Ms. Harms for a phone conversation" and provided links to information about multiple pieces of federal legislation Feinstein has co-sponsored to address the stateside fentanyl crisis. Speier and Harris did not respond to requests for comment via email and phone. However, in 2019, Harris exchanged emails with Mary Harrell, the mother of Brennan Harrell, the 29-year-old from Ventura County who died that year. On Aug. 12, 2019, Mary Harrell sent Harris an email explaining how her son died and asking Harris to "assist us in urging the State Department to provide travel warnings" about counterfeit pills sold by Mexican pharmacies. "Our family is shattered over the loss of our son, and we are hoping his death will at least prevent another family from losing their loved one." Eleven days later, Harris sent Mary Harrell an email stating that the State Department had "flagged your case for the U.S. Embassy in Mexico" and encouraging the mother to reach out to the embassy. That October, Mary Harrell sent another email to the then-senator asking her to push for a travel warning. "Travelers need to be aware of this lack of any control of what is being sold," Mary Harrell wrote. "My son bought his medication from a pharmacy and dropped dead." Nearly a month later, Harris responded in an email Mary Harrell said was the last she received from the then-senator. I am forwarding on to you the response I have received from the U.S. Consulate in Tijuana about your concern regarding U.S. Citizens traveling abroad and encountering counterfeit drugs," Harris wrote. The Times was unable to verify the contents of the response from the consulate that Harris cited. Terry Harms, left, and Celia Harms at their home in Warwick, R.I. (Aram Boghosian / For The Times) Celia Harms did not contact the State Department or the DEA. But she wrote in her 2018 letter to the three lawmakers that the STATE Department needs to issue warnings to all travelers from the US to Mexico that no drugs are safe to purchase. That didnt happen until last month . ****** A world traveler who worked in Silicon Valley, Jonathan Harms had lived with severe migraines since he was 6 years old. Growing up, he missed one to three days of school a week because he was in so much pain. By the time he graduated from UC Santa Cruz in 2009, his headaches were still so bad he took prescription pain medication most days and would periodically check into the emergency room. So when he and his girlfriend, Amanda Tachis, went on a trip to Mexico in early 2017, Harms planned for the worst. He brought along his pain pills and several doses of injectable migraine medication, which he had been prescribed for years. Whenever he sensed a headache was beginning, he would inject Imitrex into his thigh and get some relief. But while he and Tachis were in Tulum, Harms ran out of the injectable medicine. When he felt another migraine coming on in Cancun two nights before their flight back to the U.S., Harms went looking for the prescription in local drug stores. He couldnt find it. Instead, he got a bottle of something else. Its label said "Tabletas Migrana" Spanish for migraine pills but later laboratory testing showed the pills were actually fentanyl. A painting of Jonathan Harms with his mother, Celia Harms, painted by his father Terry Harms in 2017, on display at his parents' home in Warwick, R.I. (Aram Boghosian / For The Times) The morning after buying the medication, Harms tried to figure out exactly what it was. He typed small blue pill 30 M into Google and clicked a link to a website with a zoomed-in image of a light-blue, circular tablet with 30 imprinted on one side and M on the other. The website identified the pill as oxycodone, but did not mention that the blue M30 pills are some of the most commonly counterfeited opioids. Since hed purchased them in a store, he did not know to be wary. So on the morning of Feb. 26, 2017, Tachis says Harms took one of the tablets before heading to the airport. By the time they boarded their flight back to California, Harms' condition had begun to deteriorate. Tachis recalls him seeming severely exhausted, uncomfortable and agitated. The gate attendant said, Is he OK to fly? Is he on something? And I said, No, he gets migraines, Tachis said. Little do we know, he probably had fentanyl in his system. ***** When they landed in Los Angeles, Harms was so ill he couldnt make the connecting flight. Tachis continued on to San Francisco so she could make it back to work the next day. Medics took Harms off the plane and rushed him to the hospital. A photo of Jonathan Harms taken in 2016, on display at his parents' home in Warwick, R.I. (Aram Boghosian / For The Times) His sister, Eve, lived nearby, so she met him there. He was discharged at about 4:30 p.m. and Eve took him back to her apartment. She and her girlfriend took care of him, but Harms didnt get any better. At about 8:30 p.m., Eve's girlfriend found him unresponsive in bed with foam coming out of his nose and mouth and called 911. When the paramedics got there, thats when they found the pills, Celia Harms said. They tried to save him but they couldnt. He was gone. The L.A. County coroners office determined months later that his cause of death was fentanyl intoxication" caused by a "drug for migraine headache." Harms' parents believe that in addition to the pill he took before his flight, he likely took one or more after he landed in L.A. When police recovered the bottle of counterfeit migraine medication, there were 20 pills inside, of the 24 that the label said it initially contained. Evan Tenenbaum, one of Harms' closest friends from childhood through his death, said he believes Harms would still be alive today if the public had known in early 2017 that some Mexican pharmacies were passing off counterfeit pills containing fentanyl as legitimate medications. "The fact that it's just beginning to get reported on and get publicity now is insane to me because we knew that this was happening years ago," Tenenbaum said. "And people have died because we have known this is happening for years now and there have not been any warnings or education about this earlier." Celia and Terry Harms at their home in Warwick, RI. (Aram Boghosian/For The Times) Nearly two years after her sons death, Celia Harms finally built up the courage to write to her representatives in Washington. The two-page letter recalled the days saga and his intense pain. It recounted the Harms familys grief over losing a son who was loving and full of curiosity about life, devoted to making the world a better place. And it called on the lawmakers who represented the family in Congress to take action, either by passing legislation, pushing federal agencies to act, or raising public awareness. In the more than four years since she sent the letter, little has been done. I thought we would get a much bigger response and that there would be action taken, Celia Harms said last week. It was hard for me to imagine that my son died and nobody cared enough to make changes to the laws to prevent other people from dying. But it continues. Theres no change. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. A former Hartland High School student is suing the school district and three district administrators, over what she claims was a relentless and cruel pattern of racism directed at her and other Black students while she attended the school. Tatayana Vanderlaan, now 20, filed a lawsuit Monday in U.S. District Court in the Eastern District that claims Hartland Consolidated School District and administrators were negligent in failing to stop racist attacks that included students saying Vanderlaan "should get lynched." The suit describes repeated racism directed at Vanderlaan from the time she first entered Hartland High in 2019. Vanderlaan says white schoolmates directed racial slurs at her, including the N-word, and that administrators did not address the behavior, even as it escalated. "I was told once that if I can't deal with what goes on in Hartland schools that maybe I should take it online, and just do my education that way," Vanderlaan said in an interview with the Detroit Free Press. Hartland High School. Now in college pursuing a degree in forensic psychology, Vanderlaan says, she's seeking accountability from the school district. "I really hope that other school districts ... don't take situations like this lightly," she said. Chuck Hughes, the district's superintendent, is named as a defendant in the suit, as are Hartland High's principal, Kate Gregory, and a former assistant principal, Emily Aluia. The district did not respond to a request for comment. The suit claims Aluia, now an assistant principal at Northville High School, according to the school's website, once told Vanderlaan that an incident where another student called her the N-word was just "bitches being bitches." Aluia did not respond to a request for comment. Among the incidents described in the lawsuit: White students repeatedly called Vanderlaan racist names, including the N-word, and told her to "go back to her plantation." Students openly discussed lynching her, with one student saying, "There goes Tatayana, we should lynch her," and laughing. Racism wasn't contained to the classroom or school hallways. Vanderlaan also received racist text messages and comments over social media platforms, especially when classes moved online during the pandemic. A group of students taunted her for wearing a wig, saying she wore it to cover "ugly Negro hair." A substitute teacher who observed the behavior responded by simply by telling the students "that's enough." After Vanderlaan described harassment on Facebook, a teacher reportedly told her, You are only doing this because you dont have any popularity in an all-white school. Story continues Four students eventually faced charges related to the harassment in Livingston County, according to the suit. Two entered into a plea deal, one was tried in juvenile court and the outcome of the fourth case is unclear, according to reporting from a local TV news station, WLNS. "This goes far beyond teasing on the playground or calling somebody harmless names," Amanda Ghannam, an attorney representing Vanderlaan, said. "This was criminal behavior that the school district allowed to be perpetuated for months and months." Vanderlaan also filed a complaint with the U.S. Attorney's Office, which then opened an investigation in March 2021. Investigators spoke with current and former students who alleged similar racist incidents that included frequent displays of the Confederate flag, according to the suit. In addition, the suit says, the barrage of racist harassment left Vanderlaan so distraught that she frequently missed school during her senior year, causing her grades to fall and her college plans to change. Vanderlaan's suit, filed in federal court, asks for financial compensation for her suffering, though it does not specify an amount. Attorneys for Hartland are expected to file a response with the court. The case has been assigned to Judge Matthew Leitman. Contact Lily Altavena: laltavena@freepress.com This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Hartland Schools sued over claims of relentless racist harassment Jordyn Fontano, a junior at Wallenpaupack Area High School, took first place in the American Legion essay contest for District 15, covering 28 posts in Northeastern Pennsylvania. This is believed to be the first time a student's essay from Post 311 Hawley, had this achievement. Fred Baker, Post 311 Finance Officer, presents a plaque to Jordyn, April 12. American Legion Wilson-Kelch Post 311 in Hawley presented an award, April 13, to a Wallenpaupack junior for winning first place in an essay contest in the Legion's 15th Pennsylvania District, covering 28 local posts. Post members presented it to Jordyn Fontano, whose essay answered the question, "What does Americanism mean to me?" The Legion looks to nurture seeds of patriotism in the young generation yet in school. The American Legion held its 88th annual essay contest asking for thoughts on Americanism. American Legion WIlson-Kelch Post 311, Hawley, on April 11, acknowledged two in their ranks who have been members of Post 311 for 50 years. They are Donald C. Kimble, shown at right receiving a plaque from Post Commander Joseph Majeski; and George Hibbs, who was not present for the ceremony. Kimble and Hibbs both served in the Vietnam War, Kimble, an Army veteran, and Hibbs, who served in the Marines. Kimbles, 77, of Whitney Lake, said the 50 years went like "a blink of an eye." He was a sergeant, serving in the 9th Infantry Division in 1968-1969. He was stationed at the Mekong Delta. Jordyn is the daughter of Jill Ludwig and lives at Tafton. The 11th-grader said she wrote the essay based on her feelings for her grandfather, who served in the Vietnam war. Fred Baker, Post 311 Finance Officer, presented her with a plaque on behalf of District 15, and a prize of $150. Stephen Prall, Post 311, said that the local post had 14 entries. They selected the one to send to district headquarters for consideration. Jordyn now is eligible to compete at the state level. Jordyn's essay follows: What Does Americanism Mean to Me? By Jordyn Fontano Patriotic holidays are sprinkled across our calendars each year. What do they mean, though? What do they celebrate? They all represent different, unique occasions, but they all are in support of the same idea - Americanism. Americanism, allegiance to the United States and its ideals and virtues, is present in the vast majority of its people. Americanism's presence across the United States must be outwardly displayed to promote and spread it. One way of doing this is by participating in parades and performances during patriotic holidays such as Veterans Day, Memorial Day, and Independence Day. As the Department of Veteran Affairs article states, "A number of Veterans Day regional sites conduct Veterans Day celebrations that provide excellent examples for other communities to follow." To me, this means getting to play in a band at a local ceremony and showing enthusiasm to spectators that I and many others possess. Being able to spread Americanism to younger generations with this performance and others is truly meaningful to me and other musicians and artists. Story continues I am the proud granddaughter of a Vietnam veteran. The respect I have for my grandfather - the epitome of an American - is immense. He and his service significantly contribute to my definition of Americanism, making sacrifices for one's country when asked. According to the Department of Veteran Affairs, Veteran's Day is "giving universal recognition to the celebrated ending of World War I hostilities at 11 a.m. November 1, 1918." Later, in 1926, it was recognized as a national holiday called Armistice Day. The men and women celebrated on this special day fought for our rights, and because of them, I, and the rest of the country, can take pride in our homeland. Finally, outwardly expressing love for my country is key to my Americanism. For example, a visual representation of pride in the United States is one of the most effective ways for a person to display Americanism. Wearing red, white, blue, and other patriotic apparel is an easy identifier of someone who is loyal to their country. Loyalty through good times and bad, through wars and economic issues and their resolutions. Putting up and following the rules of respecting an American flag is another way to show dedication. The Department of Veterans Affairs stresses "display the U.S. flag every day, but especially on national and state holidays." This statement explains one of the simplest ways to express Americanism and encourages its readers to do the same. Americanism is showing love for a country and setting it forth all together across that country. In my eyes, Americanism is spreading patriotism, respecting those who made sacrifices for freedom and projecting your pride of this outward for the world to see. Yes, there may be a textbook definition explaining what Americanism is. Still, there is no possible way for it to express the hardships and difficulties this country had faced and how its people still persevered. The word alone holds many different meanings, unique to the person describing it. This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Wallenpaupack student qualifies for PA American Legion essay contest Hayes Township Supervisor Ron VanZee shares concerns about processing FOIA requests with few resources during an April 14 FOIA seminar in Traverse City led by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. HAYES TWP. Hayes Township has found itself in a tug-of-war over information as one resident has repeatedly requested access to public documents, leaving officials struggling with the legal requirements to oblige. Township supervisor Ron VanZee equates the actions of resident LuAnne Kozma, which includes 80 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests over the past year, with harassment. Michigan's FOIA, enacted in 1977, is a series of laws designed to ensure the public has access to public records of government bodies at all state levels, according to the National Freedom of Information Coalition. Kozma, who led a campaign against a large waterfront development in the township and is critical of their regulations regarding shoreline protection, says she wouldnt have to ask so frequently if the information was made readily available for public consumption, for example a zoning administrator report that she asks for monthly. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel led a FOIA seminar in Traverse City on April 14, 2023. More: Nessel talks strengthening government transparency, but defends her own denial of requests Township officials, seeking to lessen the administrative burden of multiple FOIA requests, attended an April 14 FOIA seminar in Traverse City led by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. This individual has submitted over 80 FOIA requests to our township in the past year along with over 300 demanding emails to have access to all our records, which we provide on a regular basis when we have time with our staff ... we have only part time staff or are elected officials, VanZee explained to the attorney general and her team. My question is, at what point in time does it become harassment rather than a FOIA request? asked VanZee. More: Contentious battle over Lake Charlevoix development continues Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel speaks to a packed house at a Freedom of Information Act and Open Meetings Act workshop in Traverse City on April 14. More: Judge dismisses waterfront development lawsuit against Hayes Township I dont think of anything that I could say that you could just ignore it," Assistant Attorney General Tom Quasarano said. "You could ignore it at your peril because of the (legal) damages involved. Story continues However, Quasarano added, FOIA was meant to be used as a shield against potential governmental abuse, not to be used as a sword with which to attack government. VanZee mentioned that Kozma was resistant to paying for the requested documents. Under FOIA law, public bodies are allowed to charge a reasonable fee for the resources used to fill a citizens request. FOIA was amended by the legislature to say that if a FOIA fee was not paid within a 45-day period, the FOIA request is considered abandoned, and the public body is not required to do anything more on an abandoned FOIA request," Quasarano. "So if the person makes the request, and you have a charge for the actual cost to your township and that is not paid, then it is abandoned." He added that township officials would still have to endure the process of assessing each request. Subscribe: Check out our latest offers and read the local news that matters to you Should this person sue under FOIA at that point your attorneys could request of the court judge an injunctive order ... we have seen several issued on the part of state departments where the court indicated that no FOIA request shall be made unless the person receives permission from the court, Quasarano said. Because the court recognized that it was an abuse of the process known as the FOIA I'm not suggesting that is happening here ... If you are sued, you can respond accordingly but to simply stop responding to requests I am sure your lawyer would caution against that. Attorney General Nessel also noted that A court could order that without posting a bond first to pay for all the attorney fees, that individual cannot file a lawsuit because they have sued over and over and over. There may be courts willing to entertain this for FOIA requests as they have in regard to lawsuits, I have seen that in federal court. Kozma has sued the township five times over the past year, according to VanZee. Our planning commission has been working on updating our zoning ordinance for quite some time," VanZee said. "We dont have a complete document, it is a work in process, is that document FOIAable? The states council team advised that, The general response is yes, it is subject to FOIA. Any writing that is created by the public body of the executive branch, that is state county or local, is subject to FOIA. One of Kozmas complaints is that the township is withholding draft zoning ordinance documents from the public. They have been working on revising the ordinance for a year and a half. When interviewed by the Courier, VanZee was asked about the reason for the question to the attorney general about zoning ordinance documents and if there were any that had not been shared with the public. VanZee responded there were none. Kozma denies refusing to pay FOIA fees, adding she has paid an estimated $800 for township documents to date. Contact reporter Annie Doyle at 231-675-0099 or adoyle@charlevoixcourier.com This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Hayes Township struggles with number of FOIA requests Each summer in the western part of North Carolina, a special kind of firefly offers a Christmas tree light show for the lucky viewers who can snag tickets. We like to call it a Christmas light show because there are literally thousands of fireflies twinkling in the trees, said Clyde Sorenson, an entomologist from N.C. State University and a leading expert in firefly research. Great Smoky Mountain National Park has been offering a synchronous firefly viewing event for the past 20 years, and theres always high demand. In late April, firefly viewing dates will be announced, and youll have the opportunity to enter the ticket lottery. As of just last year, Grandfather Mountain has offered a similar event. In 2019, Sorenson discovered a rare species of synchronous fireflies at Grandfather, which is about two hours closer than Great Smoky Mountain for Triangle residents. The Congaree National Park firefly viewing lottery closed in mid-April. This years synchronous light show in South Carolina which Sorenson considers to be the most famous of the Carolina firefly events will be held May 13-16 and May 19-24. Heres everything we know about the events and how you can enter the North Carolina lotteries: How to enter Great Smoky Mountains firefly lottery Here are the estimated dates for the 2023 firefly lottery at Great Smoky Mountain, according to the national parks website: Tuesday, April 25 : Firefly viewing dates announced. Friday, April 28 : Lottery for vehicle passes opens at 10 a.m. All lottery applicants will be charged a $1 application fee. Successful applicants will be given parking passes, then $24 will be charged to the same credit or debit card used for the application. Monday, May 1 : Lottery for vehicle passes closes at 8 p.m. Thursday, May 11: All lottery applicants will be notified of their application decision (successful or unsuccessful). Last years viewing dates were between June 3 to June 10. Viewing information: The firefly viewing event will span eight days, and applicants choose their preferred date with one backup option. Seven people are allowed per vehicle, and 100 passes will be issued per day (800 total). Story continues Location: The viewing will be held near Elkmont Campground in Tennessee. Parking spots are located in the Jakes Creek Trailhead Parking lot, the Appalachian Clubhouse Parking lot and along the exit roadway. Learn more: Find more information by searching Synchronous Fireflies on nps.gov, or searching The Great Smoky Mountains Firefly Viewing Lottery on recreation.gov. If you have additional questions, call 865-436-1261. How to enter Grandfather Mountains firefly lottery Heres whats known about this summers firefly viewing event at Grandfather Mountain, according to their website: Sign up for updates: Event logistics, such as ticket pricing, will be announced on Tuesday, May 2. The event dates will be announced May 23, and tickets will go on sale in the days following this announcement. You can sign up to receive emails about the announcement by visiting grandfather.com/fireflies. The first Grandfather Glows event was in 2022, allowing the public to see the ever-special Photinus carolinus fireflies with their own eyes. Just listen to the name This is a Carolina firefly, which is a cool thing to emphasize, Sorenson said. Last years viewing dates were June 26, June 29 and July 1. Tickets were $60 for adults and $35 for children (ages 4 and under were free). Participation was limited to 200 attendees. What are synchronous fireflies? Synchronous fireflies are part of the few dozen species of fireflies in the Carolinas. The males flash in unison as a mating ritual, illuminating portions of dark forests synchronously. This all-together practice allows female fireflies to recognize theyre responding to one of their own kind, according to the National Parks Service. The other firefly species flashing at night may be predatory, so its important the females recognize males from her own species. The flash pattern of Photinus carolinus is a series of five to eight flashes, followed by a pause of about eight seconds, and then this pattern is repeated. Initially the flashing appears random, but the period of darkness is synchronized, NPS explained. As more males start joining in, the flashing will also begin to synchronize and entire sections of the forest will be pulsating with light. Triangle Asked & Answered: What do you want to know? Have a question about something in our community? The News & Observers Service Journalism team wants your questions for our Triangle Asked & Answered series. Reach out to us by filling out this form or by sending an email to ask@newsobserver.com. Carpenter bees a spring buzzkill? What to do if you find their holes in your deck How many hurricanes will NC get this season? What to expect and how to prepare The deadly shooting last Friday of a Laurel High basketball star is not the only shooting keeping police busy lately in the small southern Delaware town. Delaware Online/The News Journal learned of two additional Laurel shootings last week. Officials released few details about the other incidents but said Thursday that the three shootings may be related. Laurel High School senior Corey Mumford was shot and killed on April 14 at the Wexford Village apartment complex. He had been walking with friends, and police said he was not the target. Laurel's Corey Mumford plays in the 2020 Henlopen Conference championship game. Two days before, a shooting occurred in Holly Brook apartment complex. And hours after Mumford was shot, another shooting occurred on Shiloh Church Road. Corey Mumford: 'He did not deserve this.' Laurel High senior was not the target in last week's shooting. The Laurel Police Department responded to the 300 building of the Hollybrook apartment complex around 12:45 p.m. April 12. They found multiple shots had been fired and struck a "male adult victim," a department Facebook post said. The victim was taken to a hospital by bystanders for "life-threatening injuries" and then transported to a "trauma facility," police said. No information was available on his condition. When reached by phone, Laurel Police Chief Danny Wright declined to comment on the incident. Delaware State Police are assisting on that case, according to the Facebook post. Then, around 12:10 a.m. Saturday, April 15, another person was shot outside of the town limits on Shiloh Church Road. That victim is still alive, state police Cpl. Leonard DeMalto said, but he would not provide any other information "so as not to jeopardize" the investigation. "I know that detectives are looking into possible connections between the shootings," DeMalto said. The locations of three shootings that occurred in Laurel between April 12 and 15, 2023. He encouraged people to avoid volatile situations and to call 911 if their or someone else's safety is compromised. Laurel Mayor John Shwed believes the shootings were related. Story continues "We always want to be vigilant, but I don't think we need to panic," he said when reached by phone Thursday. "It's not like there's somebody going around randomly shooting at people. There's issues between certain groups of people ... young people." Tesha Horsey is the mother of Corey Mumford, the 18-year-old Laurel High student who was headed to college before he was gunned down last week. Corey Mumford and his parents, Tesha Horsey and Corey Mumford Sr. "I dont want another mother to have to feel the pain Im feeling, Horsey said. Something has got to be done about the violence. In the wake of the recent incidents, One Laurel, a committee formed by the town to "focus on hope and community," is hosting a community gathering and prayer event at Market Street Square Park on Wednesday, April 26, from 6 to 7 p.m. The event will feature speakers and a "writing wall," a flyer for the event says, and will "allow time for healing and community togetherness." Shannon Marvel McNaught reports on Sussex County and beyond. Reach her at smcnaught@gannett.com or on Twitter @MarvelMcNaught This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: 3 shootings in Laurel in one week. High school senior killed. Cal Expo is hosting an employment fair this weekend with opportunities to be hired on site for state jobs. Representatives from various programs at Cal Expo will be offering insight into the opportunities. Positions will also be available for the California State Fair scheduled for July 14 through July 30. Heres what you can expect: Job Fair Details When will the event take place? The one-day event will be hosted on Saturday, April 22 at Cal Expo from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Where will the job fair be hosted? 1600 Exposition Blvd., Sacramento in Building A and B Where can I park? Free parking will be available in Lot C Applying for a job Those attending may have the opportunity to be hired on site. Networking and interviews will take place at the job fair. Cal Expo encourages interested individuals to fill out an online application at on the fair website before arriving. Applications will also be available at the job fair. Were thrilled to provide a platform where both job seekers and employers can connect in person, said Tom Martinez, Cal Expo CEO in a news release Wednesday. Its an excellent opportunity for our community to come together and find the perfect match for their skill sets and the available positions. To see a full list of open job at Cal Expo, you can visit the Cal Careers page. Salaries for the jobs range depending on responsibilities. Potential job opportunities State fair police officer: pay ranges from $24.73 to $30.69 State fair public affairs assistant: pay ranges from $15.50 to $25 State fair livestock clerk: pay ranges from $15.50 to $17 State jobs are known for offering great benefits and enrollment in the nations largest state public pension plan. What do you want to know about life in Sacramento? Ask our service journalism team your top-of-mind questions in the module below or email servicejournalists@sacbee.com. Pls include short description as if you were describing image to someone who can't see it Start of story about first stock. ragged italic semibold semibold italics roman NMagnis sequias et eos ea venimet audipsunt lignihic toreperis sunt liatque velicit atecum este quam veratqu issiniam, sim est unt dolo consent. Questor says: buy/sell/hold Ticker: xxxx Share price at close: xp/xx.xx [Note: we do not follow print style by unbolding after the colon - all in bold as above pls. Pls use line of space between the three lines as above. We use p up to 999p and from 10.00] Update: stock name [Note: subheads should be large, not large colour] Start of story about second stock. ragged italic semibold semibold italics roman NMagnis sequias et eos ea venimet audipsunt lignihic toreperis sunt liatque velicit atecum este quam veratqu issiniam, sim est unt dolo consent. Questor says: buy/sell/hold Ticker: xxxx Share price at close: xp/xx.xx [Note: all stocks to have the above three lines, even if they are absent in print version. In print we include only for "buy" tips to save space (you don't need to know the ticker to hold or sell). Pls look up share prices only at londonstockexchange.com and only after 5:45pm, when the price will be marked "market close". Other sources can be unreliable] [OTHER NOTES: pls check Tags (related topics) every time. Defaults are Shares and Share tips. Can add income investing if yield (in key facts) is 4pc or more and add company name/sector if appropriate. For investment trust bargain add Fund tips and Funds] Russ Mould is investment director at AJ Bell, the stockbroker [Note: pls include this when Russ is author (on Tues normally) but delete otherwise] Read the latest Questor column on telegraph.co.uk every Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 6am. Read Questors rules of investment before you follow our tips A Zambian student performs martial arts during an event marking the 14th UN Chinese Language Day in Lusaka, Zambia, on April 20, 2023. The Confucius Institute at the University of Zambia (UNZA) on Thursday marked this year's Chinese Language Day with a colorful display of performances on the Chinese language and culture by students. (Xinhua/Peng Lijun) The Confucius Institute at the University of Zambia (UNZA) on Thursday marked this year's Chinese Language Day with a colorful display of performances on the Chinese language and culture by students. The event, attended by Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Du Xiaohui, and officials from both the Confucius Institute and UNZA, was characterized by singing, dancing, and martial arts performances depicting the Chinese language and culture learned by the students. Held under the theme "Chinese Language Facilitating Dialogues across Civilization," the event also saw higher-performing students being awarded certificates. The Chinese envoy underscored the importance of the Chinese language in fostering cooperation and people-to-people ties between the two countries and expressed gratitude that with the efforts of the Confucius Institute, the learning of the Chinese language in Zambia has gained significant progress and is becoming an important part of the people-to-people exchange and cooperation. The Belt and Road Initiative has facilitated the rise of Chinese language education in Zambia, cultivating thousands of young Zambians learning the Chinese language, a situation that is drawing people of the two countries closer and enhancing mutual understanding, he said. Annie Sikwibele, acting vice chancellor at UNZA, said the Confucius Institute was established in 2010 to respond to the needs and expectations of learning the Chinese language in Zambia and as a mark of strong bilateral ties between the two countries. Since then, a number of secondary schools, colleges and universities in the country have embraced the teaching of the Chinese language, she said, expressing optimism that the young Zambians learning the Chinese language will also teach others in the country. Dalitso Ndhlovu, one of the students, commended the teachers for their commitment to duty and for imparting the Chinese language and culture to the learners. He said the knowledge and culture of the Chinese language being taught will inspire young people to aspire to go to China and enhance their education. A 26-year-old Home Depot worker died after he was shot confronting an accused shoplifter in California, police said. Blake Mohs, a loss prevention worker, confronted a 32-year-old woman at about 2:15 p.m. Tuesday, April 18 at the Home Depot in Pleasanton, police said. The woman resisted and shot Mohs, police said. She ran to a getaway car where her child was also inside, police said. Authorities said theylater found a handgun near an intersection by the store. Fifteen minutes after the shooting, police arrested a suspect and the person accused of driving the car. The child was given to relatives, police said. The woman was taken to a hospital, and she will be booked into jail when she is discharged, ABC News reported. Police believe she may have been struck by the getaway car following the shooting, the station said. The 31-year-old man accused of driving the getaway car was booked on multiple charges, including evading a police officer and child endangerment, according to ABC and Santa Rita Jail records. Mohs had plans to get married this summer, and he was a well-known member of the community, police said. Just because hes not here right now doesnt mean that all those lives, all the people that he touched arent going to pass that forward. Blake had a short life only 26 years but he lived it, his mother, Lorie Mohs, told KABC-TV. Pleasanton is about 40 miles southeast of San Francisco. I am devastated by the loss of Blake Mohs in yesterdays senseless shooting. Through his service to Tri-Valley organizations, Blake was a model for others. To have a life cut short is heartbreaking and infuriating, Pleasanton Mayor Karla Brown said. Neighbor hears gunshots before mom and son are found dead in home, Missouri cops say Man shot parents and their friends dead before opening fire on highway, Maine cops say Naked man found in church fountain baptizing himself, Arizona police say HONG KONG (AP) Hong Kongs Roman Catholic bishop on Friday said he has invited the state-appointed archbishop of Beijing to visit his city, a symbolic gesture that experts said could strengthen the fragile relationship between China and the Vatican. Bishop Stephen Chow said Joseph Li, who is the leader of the mainland's Communist Party-sponsored version of the Catholic church, appeared to be quite positive about the invitation. He gave no indication when Li might visit. Chow announced the invitation on the last day of a five-day trip to Beijing, the first by a bishop of Hong Kong in nearly three decades. Chows trip followed a year of strained relations in which Beijing unilaterally appointed two church leaders and Hong Kong arrested a cardinal. Hong Kong's diocese "is affiliated with the Vatican, so implicitly, it can be said that this strengthens Vatican-Sino ties, said Lo Lung-kwong, an honorary senior research fellow at the Divinity School of Chung Chi College at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Last month, Chow said his trip to Beijing at the invitation of Li underscored the mission of the Hong Kong diocese as a bridge church. Beijing and the Vatican severed diplomatic ties in 1951 following the Communist Party's rise to power and the expulsion of foreign priests. Since the break in ties, Catholics in China have been divided between those who belong to an official, state-sanctioned church and those in an underground church loyal to the pope. The Vatican recognizes members of both as Catholics but claims the exclusive right to choose bishops. In 2018, the two sides announced that they had reached a private accord which regularized the status of several Chinese-appointed bishops and paved the way for future nominations. The exchange of visits adds substance to the high-level ties created by the agreement, said Professor Kung Lap-yan of the divinity school at Chinese University. When (a relationship) is fragile, then it must need some building works in the lower level, he said. Story continues The agreement on Catholic bishops has been renewed twice, most recently in October for two more years. But in November, a feud broke out over the installation of an auxiliary bishop in Jiangxi province, which the Vatican does not recognize as a diocese. Two weeks ago Vatican News, the news portal of the Holy See, tersely reported that China had unilaterally appointed a new bishop of Shanghai. The agreement has been harshly criticized by Hong Kong Cardinal Joseph Zen, who was detained in May on suspicion of colluding with foreign forces under a Beijing-imposed national security law that jailed or silenced many activists. He was released on bail and has yet to be formally charged, but he and five others were fined in a separate case in November for failing to register a now-defunct fund set up to help arrested protesters. When Chow led a prayer on Friday, he said people should both love the country and love the church, Hong Kong public broadcaster RTHK reported. He later told reporters that everyone should learn how to do these two things at the same time. If someone lives in Hong Kong and China, then they should love their country, he said. Estimates of the total number of Chinese Catholics run between 6 million and 12 million, worshipping in both the recognized Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association and the underground church. Kung said the visits show that the church in Hong Kong is growing closer to the mainland. The bilateral invitations show that the concept of China and Hong Kong is a close family ... has been extended to ... religion, he said. These changes also raise questions about the fate of Chinese Catholics who are not part of the Catholic Patriotic Association, he added, and might call into question the Vaticans diplomatic recognition of Taiwan. Only 13 governments, including the Vatican, recognize Taiwan instead of China. But Professor Tobias Brandner from the divinity school said he would not read too much into Chows invitation, noting that it was a normal exchange and that the Hong Kong church is a bridge builder. He said the development would not be seen as a sign of improving ties, adding it was "offensive that China had appointed a bishop against the spirit of the 2018 deal shortly before Chow's visit. Chow visited churches and the tomb of Matteo Ricci, one of the first Jesuits to live in China, who died in Beijing in 1610. ___ This article has been corrected to show that China's recognized church organization is known as the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association, not Patriotic Catholic Association. Five people are in custody in connection with a deadly shooting two years ago when gunfire erupted outside a graduation party at a hookah lounge in Kendall, Miami-Dade police said Friday. Jeremy Devine, 22, of Homestead, Willie Lee Thomas III, 21, of Atlanta, and Melchelzadek Jacory Matthews , 21, of Naples, have been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the June 2021 shooting, according to police. Thomas was arrested in Atlanta while Matthews was arrested in Fort Myers, police said. They were both awaiting extradition back to Miami as of Friday morning, officials said. Police said James A. Johnson III, 20, of Florida City, is facing a drug charge and Aaron J. Clermont, 21, of Homestead, is facing gun possession and drug charges, according to a police statement. KNOW MORE: 3 people dead, 5 injured in shooting near Miami Dade-Kendall campus, cops say Detectives cross the street near the Miami-Dade Kendall Campus in Miami, Fla., on Sunday, June 6, 2021. Three people are dead and at least six others injured following a shooting at a Florida graduation party, the latest in a string of such violence in the Miami area, police said Sunday. One of those killed was a state corrections officer, Miami-Dade police Director Freddie Ramirez told news outlets. (Daniel A Varela/Miami Herald via AP) Law enforcement officials said the arrests were significant developments in the case. I am incredibly proud of my detectives for their hard work and dedication in capturing the individuals responsible for the senseless shooting at the Hookah Lounge during a graduation party, Miami-Dade Police Director Alfredo Ramirez III said in a statement. I understand how important it is for families to receive closure and justice when their loved ones have been victimized. After almost two years of dedicated collaboration between my team of Assistant State Attorneys and the Miami-Dade Police Department Homicide Detectives, those responsible for the tragic deaths during what was supposed to be a night of celebration, are finally being brought to justice, State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle said in the statement. The over a dozen warrants that my prosecutors generated and filed assisted the difficult work of our law enforcement partners gathering the necessary information and leads that have resulted in these arrests and the filing of criminal charges. The shooting on June 6, 2021, shortly before 2:30 a.m., left three people dead and at least five people hurt. Story continues Police said at the time that a group who had been at a party at at the location were standing outside the business when gunfire erupted, killing Tyleisha Taylor, a Florida Department of Corrections officer. Two men who took off were found dead inside a car that crashed into a wall at the campus of Miami-Dade College, police said. Miami Herald news partner CBS News Miami produced this report. We have a judicial system that lets off the wealthy and the well-connected and punishes poor and vulnerable people, said U.S. Rep. Jesus Chuy Garcia, D-IL. House Democrats are demanding that Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas resign immediately following questions about potential ethical violations. During a recent press conference, U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson, D-GA, said the long-serving justice should renounce his post to protect what little is left of public trust and respect for the United States Supreme Court. Congressman Hank Johnson, D-GA, delivers remarks at a press conference on Wednesday, April 19, 2023 to demand Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas resign. Credit: Ashlee Banks Congressman Johnson said he is deeply disappointed and angered by the recent revelations from investigative reports by ProPublica and The Washington Post. Justice Thomas, he bemoaned, has been using his position as a Supreme Court justice to live like an out-of-control billionaire baller. Rep. Jesus Chuy Garcia, D-IL, joined Wednesdays press conference and told reporters that Thomas is ethically incompetent. Its time for Clarence Thomas to resign because his ethics violations and conflicts of interest do not uphold the Constitution, said Garcia. We have a judicial system that lets off the wealthy and the well-connected and punishes poor and vulnerable people. On April 6, ProPublica published a report that alleged the conservative justice accepted lavish gifts from GOP donor and billionaire Harlan Crow that included taking luxury trips, sailing on Crows yacht, and securing a donation of $105,000 to the justices portrait fund at Yale Law School, as theGrio previously reported. For nearly three decades, Thomas failed to disclose the gifts he received from the Dallas businessman, which violates a post-Watergate disclosure law that requires justices to report certain gifts. This week, Thomas announced that he would amend his financial statements to reflect a 2014 real estate deal he made with Crow that included Crow allegedly purchasing Thomas mothers home and permitting her to live there rent-free. Story continues According to CNN, a source close to the matter revealed that the justice was unaware that he had to disclose the deal because he did not make a profit. Associate Justice Clarence Thomas joins other members of the Supreme Court as they pose for a new group portrait, at the Supreme Court building in Washington, Oct. 7, 2022. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File) Its not enough to amend and try to hide your corruption. Its too late for that, Johnson said while speaking at this weeks press conference. He continued, Justice Thomas has been brazenly corrupted and compromised by Republican dark-monied megadonor Harlan Crow. Even though the law clearly required him to disclose these real estate deals, Justice Thomas hid them. On Thursday, Sen. Dick Durbin, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, invited Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts to testify before a panel on May 2 to discuss how the court should handle ethical issues. Durbin and other Democrats on the committee sent a letter to Roberts, telling him he has a role to play by investigating how such conduct could take place at the Court under [his] watch, and in ensuring that such conduct does not happen again. We urge you to immediately open such an investigation and take all needed action to prevent further misconduct, the letter stated. At this time, the Supreme Court does not adhere to a code of ethics, and, in recent years, organizations have asked the court to adopt one to preserve its integrity, as theGrio previously reported. Sarah Turberville, director of the Constitution Project at POGO, told theGrio that the public is losing trust in the court. [The Justices] are blind to the fact that the publics faith in the institution is waning, and the publics faith is the only thing that gives the courts ruling any force, she said. Rep. Jesus Chuy Garcia, D-IL, delivers remarks at a press conference on Wednesday, April 19, 2023 to demand Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas resign. Credit: Ashlee Banks If Thomas resigns, he would be only the second justice to do so. According to Politico, in 1969, Justice Abe Fortas stepped down after he struck a deal with the family foundation of Louis Wolfson, a Wall Street financier, to give unspecified advice in exchange for an annual payment of $20,000. However, when Fortas disclosed the hefty retainer, he was forced to step down or face impeachment. Rep. Garcia told reporters that Thomas resignation is far from radical and that doing so is a necessary first step in bringing a kind of trust in the highest court. He added, The nine most powerful jurists in the country need to be bound to the same ethical standard as every other judge. TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Android TV. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today! The post House Democrats demand Justice Clarence Thomas to resign over ethics concern appeared first on TheGrio. With President Joe Biden poised to announce that he is officially seeking re-election, Republicans in Congress have been busy conducting investigations that they hope will tarnish the 46th presidents public image enough to convince voters that former president Donald Trump not Mr Biden deserves four more years at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Since taking over the House of Representatives in January, GOP committee chairs have sent out flurries of document requests and subpoenas to further their probes, and many have taken to Fox News and other friendly television outlets to claim theyve uncovered heinous wrongdoing and are preparing to expose it to the world. So far they havent surfaced any smoking gun of wrongdoing. And thus far, Mr Biden himself has not been the target of the various congressional investigations. Instead, Republicans are laser-focused on using the full power of legislative branch oversight to target Mr Bidens youngest (and only surviving) son, Hunter Biden. A Yale-educated attorney and former lobbyist, the younger Mr Biden has had more than his fair share of troubles, which much of it already in the public record. He is currently a target in a long-running Department of Justice probe being overseen by David Weiss, the Trump-appointed US Attorney for the District of Delaware. Mr Weiss, who is one of only two of Mr Trumps appointees to have been asked to remain on the job by President Biden, has been looking into whether Hunter Biden broke US tax laws by failing to report income earned in overseas business ventures and not paying tax on that income, and whether he violated laws against lobbying for foreign governments without registering as a foreign agent. Mr Weiss is also reportedly examining whether Hunter Biden, who has a long and well-documented history of addiction issues, broke federal laws by declaring that he was not using drugs when he filled out a background check form to purchase a handgun in 2018. Story continues Thus far, Hunter Biden has not been charged with any crime, and the probe led by Mr Weiss remains open. While the DOJ investigations into Hunter Biden have been conducted behind closed doors, the congressional investigations being conducted by the House Oversight and Judiciary committees have largely played out under the bright lights of television studios. In appearance after appearance on Fox News, Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer of Kentucky has made increasingly serious accusations against Hunter Biden, who he and other Republicans have accused of selling his fathers influence to overseas bidders in China and elsewhere, and funnelling profits into the pockets of the 46th president and other members of his family. Theyve also accused Mr Bidens brother James, who is also a veteran lobbyist, of similar improprieties and worse. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene and Representative Nancy Mace have both accused Mr Biden and his family of profiting from what they describe as a human trafficking ring. In a video posted to her Twitter account, Ms Greene said she viewed jaw-dropping evidence of human trafficking connected to the Bidens, which she said involved prostitutes, not only from here in the United States but foreign countries like Russia and Ukraine. Those unproven accusations stem from Treasury Department documents known as Suspicious Activity Reports, which are generated by banks any time customers make any sort of large wire transfer or transfer of funds that approaches the amount which must be reported to regulators. Such reports arent necessarily an indicator of illegal activity, and because they are not public information, its not possible to verify Ms Greenes outrageous claim. But according to experts and Democratic operatives engaged in efforts to defend the president, the accusations against Hunter and James Biden appear to be part of a long-running GOP effort to construct a narrative about what Mr Trump and others have called the Biden family enterprise a bizzarro analogue to the real-life business Mr Trump owned during his time in the White House. The ex-president and others in his camp have suggested without evidence that Hunter and James Biden somehow used their businesses to financially support Mr Biden, who was one of the least wealthy members of Congress during his three-plus decades as a senator but came into significant amounts of money with book deals and speaking engagements during his time out of government. Kyle Herrig, the executive director of the Congressional Integrity Project, told The Independent the GOP probes are targeted at dirtying up Mr Biden while giving a pass to Mr Trump and his family, who public records show profited handsomely from his time in the White House. I think at the end of the day, Americans are seeing these investigations for what they are, which is partisan political stunts. And I think the Maga politicians smearing President Biden's family, Hunter, and others, these politicians are hypocrites after ignoring Donald Trump and his children's numerous conflicts of interest, he said. Mr Herrig noted that Mr Jordan, the Judiciary Committee chairman, explicitly said his efforts would be aimed at returning Mr Trump to the presidency in 2024 even before the GOP had won a majority in last years elections. But he said those efforts dont appear to be carrying much weight with the voting public. That may be because so far, they havent identified anything Mr Biden or his family has done that violates federal law or even comes close to approximating the schemes theyve described in television appearances. I think what they're running into is that they're complete duds, that they've been failures from the start. And they're not convincing anyone, he said. Michael LaRosa, the former press secretary to first lady Jill Biden who now runs the Facts First Super PAC, told The Independent that the GOP cries of a two-tiered justice system ring hollow at a time when Mr Weiss, the Delaware US Attorney, is still leading an active probe into Hunter Biden. I don't know what the Republicans are screaming and crying about when there's already a major federal investigation into a tax issue, a gun registration issue, and a Fara issue, he said. I would say that if even a Trump-appointed prosecutor does conclude that there was no criminal wrongdoing, then I would say there really isn't much for anyone else to be doing, he said. Mr LaRosa also echoed Mr Herrigs opinion that the GOP-led probes into Mr Bidens family are meant to counter Democrats evidence-based criticisms of Mr Trump and the way he used the presidency to line his familys coffers. Because the Trump family is wrapped up in so much tawdry and unethical behaviour, they're trying to muddy the waters, but it really just has not worked, he said. Mr Comer, the House Oversight chair, appears to share that opinion at least somewhat. During a recent appearance on CNN, he admitted that his committee hasnt found anything that suggests Mr Biden or his family members have broken the law in their private business dealings. Well, weve found a lot thats certainly unethical, weve found a lot that should be illegal, he said. But Mr LaRosa suggested that the various Biden probes arent breaking through because the accusations against the president and his family come off as unhinged and amateurish, with the presentations in congressional hearings falling far short of convincing. These guys are pretty amateur hour, in terms of getting mainstream media to cover their spectacles, which by programming and production standards have just been terrible. There's just not enough there. There's just too much wild innuendo and nobody really takes them seriously. And so they haven't penetrated the mainstream or the bloodstream of the American people, he said. Looking for a new job while you are already working full-time can be tough. Photo: Getty Looking for a new job while youre working can be a challenge. Its not easy to scour job websites on your lunch break without your boss noticing. And after a long day at the office, filling in lengthy applications that highlight your skills can be a chore. If you do get offered an interview, you might have to get inventive to find reasons for time off during the day. Nearly a third of workers are planning to find a new role at some point this year, according to a survey by TotalJobs. Unsurprisingly, higher salaries are the main driver behind job searches because of the rising cost of living. People are also looking for more job satisfaction, a better work-life balance and better training opportunities. Finding a new job can be easier if youre already employed, as it shows youre in demand. It can also give you leverage when it comes to negotiating terms for the new role. So what can you do to make the process easier and make sure you dont get into trouble with your current employer? Read more: How employers can avoid revenge after making lay-offs Be discrete Your intent to find employment elsewhere can backfire if you get into hot water in your current role. Its important to be discrete. Use your personal laptop to search on job websites rather than your company computer, as you never know who can access your search history. Use only your personal email account for searching as well. Although its exciting to get a callback about a job, its important to keep it to yourself in case things dont work out. Catch up with former colleagues to find out what's out there. Photo: Getty Schedule your time carefully Use lunchtimes or holidays to schedule interviews. If possible move your working hours around or use flexitime. Some employers may want to carry out screening calls before organising formal interviews. If this is the case, make sure youre out of your workplace and find somewhere private before agreeing to speak to a prospective employer. Read more: What to do if your company backtracks on remote working Story continues Choose your referees wisely It can be helpful to use a previous manager for a reference, rather than your current employer. Its also important to ask potential employers to be discreet and to let you know before they contact anyone. Use your own time Setting aside time for job hunting and applications on your own time is important. Blocking out one hour an evening to write cover letters and CVs rather than trying to rush through them during the day will help you avoid mistakes. According to research by the job search engine Adzuna, 87% of UK resumes contain at least one error. Andrew Hunter, co-founder of Adzuna, says mistakes or typos can setback the most experienced or skilled people. One CV mistake and your application can go straight into the virtual bin. In todays tightening jobs market, its concerning to find that jobseekers are making CV mistakes that can easily be avoided and that these errors are becoming more prevalent, he says. Having an error-free CV demonstrates to your future employers that you are meticulous and pay attention to details. Take the time to double-check everything before submitting your CV. Read more: How to recognise a toxic work culture from a job advert Don't let things slide at work Your focus may be elsewhere if youre looking for a new job, but its important to keep things ticking over in your current role. Searching for a new role can take time, so you may have to stay put for a while. Additionally, its important to maintain a good relationship with your employer in case you need references in the future. Be careful online Finally, be careful when youre using social media. LinkedIn has an open to work feature which lets recruiters know youre on the market for a new job. Although you can alter your privacy settings, its still possible for your current employer to see your update and realise youre planning to leave. It may be safer to just keep your LinkedIn profile up-to-date. Watch: UK study points to benefits of a 4-day work week Download the Yahoo Finance app, available for Apple and Android. Some spas have a saltwater pool, but this is next-level. Scientists researching humpback whales off of Australias Gold Coast found that the large marine mammals were drawn to a sandy, shallow area of the ocean floor where they appeared to be removing dead skin. A news release from Australias Griffith University, whose researchers led the study, likened the process to visiting a day spa. Now that's relaxation. Now that's relaxation. The scientists made the discovery after affixing tracking tags to three humpback whales. The tags could take video (a little Or-whalian if you ask us) as the animals migrated south between August 2021 and October 2022. The video footage they got revealed both tagged and untagged whales rolling around on the sandy sea bottom on multiple occasions. They were doing these bizarre rolls, going fully on their back and on their side, Griffith University marine ecologist and lead study author Dr. Olaf Meynecke told The Australian Associated Press. The researchers believe the whales were treating themselves to a bit of exfoliation. You could actually see the skin flying off, Meynecke said. And then fish would come in and eat it. The fish were also picking skin off the whale, not just the floating skin. He added that the rolling sessions all took place in the same general area off the coast of Main Beach in Queensland. In the study, published in the March edition of the Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, researchers addressed the possibility that the tagged whales rolling around were attempting to remove their tags. However, they said this was unlikely because tagged and untagged whales were seen exhibiting the same behavior. On top of that, the sand rolling did not target the places where the tags had been placed. They suspect that in addition to dead skin, the whales were removing barnacles. In warmer waters, barnacles often attach themselves to the whales skin. If they arent periodically removed, the sticky crustaceans can grow and make it harder for the humpbacks to move freely. Story continues Meynecke told the AAP that for some whales, the sand rolls appeared to be a social occasion. We had two whales that were swimming with each other for several hours, he said. They clearly had a very good relationship, and they were both rolling on the ground together and having a great time. Related... (Bloomberg) -- Hungary aims to extend the lifetime of its sole nuclear power plant by 20 years to bridge major delays to its Russian-managed expansion, according to a senior official. Most Read from Bloomberg Extending the operation of the Paks plant in southern Hungary will maintain the source of about 40% of the countrys electricity consumption. The government is currently assessing safety issues after previous 20-year extensions to the four existing reactors in the last decade. Our plan is to get a further 20 years of life-extension, Energy Minister Csaba Lantos said at a conference on Friday. Prime Minister Viktor Orbans administration handed a 10 billion ($11 billion) contract to Russias Rosatom Corp. in 2014 to expand the Paks plant. The project has been marred by delays, including due to initial European Union opposition to the investment and the quality of Rosatoms plans, which Hungarys own regulator has said fell short of stringent requirements. Last week, Hungary and Russia said they agreed to an amendment of their original contract following media reports of a potentially reduced role for Rosatom amid EU sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. The changes are technical in nature and dont affect the projects cost, Cabinet Minister Gergely Gulyas told reporters on Thursday, without elaborating. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Hunter Biden (right) at a White House event in early April A US tax special agent has information about how a criminal investigation into the son of US President Joe Biden has been hampered by "political considerations", says his lawyer. The attorney for the unnamed agent says his client is seeking whistleblower protections from Congress to speak out. He says the agent alleges "preferential treatment and politics improperly infecting decisions" in the inquiry. A White House official denied Mr Biden had meddled in the probe into his son. Congressional Republicans are investigating whether Hunter Biden improperly used family ties in his business dealings. Mark Lytle, a lawyer representing the employee of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax agency, wrote to a bipartisan group of lawmakers on Wednesday. He said he represents a "career IRS Criminal Supervisory Special Agent who has been overseeing the ongoing and sensitive investigation of a high profile, controversial subject since early 2020". The employee is prepared to "contradict sworn testimony to Congress by a senior political appointee", and reveal "clear conflicts of interest", the letter states. "My client wants to come forward to Congress," Mr Lytle told CBS News. "He's ready to be questioned about what he knows and what he experienced under the proper legal protections." The lawyer added that his client was limited from speaking publicly about any individual's tax filings, and would require protections from Congress in order to reveal any insights. A lawyer for Mr Biden told NBC News that the IRS agent appeared to have "committed a crime". "It is a felony for an IRS agent to improperly disclose information about an ongoing tax investigation," said the attorney, Chris Clark. In October, a US source told reporters that the FBI had collected enough evidence to charge Hunter Biden with tax crimes dating back to at least 2019. Story continues A federal grand jury in Delaware led by a Trump-picked U.S. attorney has been examining the younger Biden's taxes and foreign business work since 2018. Last month, US Attorney General Merrick Garland told a Senate hearing he would not interfere with the investigation. President Biden has said that he has never spoken to his son about his business dealings. On Thursday, White House spokesman Ian Sams said Mr Biden had vowed to allow the investigation into his son to be conducted "free from any political interference by the White House". "He has upheld that commitment," added Mr Sams. Thousands of elementary and high school students throughout Illinois could lose access to after-school and summer programs in the upcoming fiscal year but advocates are hoping that either the General Assembly or the federal government can keep that from happening. The programs, known as 21st Century Community Learning Centers, are a federally funded through program administered by the Illinois State Board of Education that targets students in low-performing and high-poverty schools. Many of the programs offer academic enrichment activities to help students meet state and local academic standards. They also offer literacy and other educational services to the families of students enrolled in the programs. Many of these students have child care responsibilities for younger siblings, mental health concerns, and are victims of domestic violence, just to name a few, said Kimberly David, associate director for Project Success of Vermilion County. The relationships that our staff build with these students to help ensure that they stay the course and finish high school are very important. Several of our students have utilized our program time to apply for college and jobs with the encouragement of our staff. In the metro-east, Cahokia Heights, East St. Louis and Madison school districts have maintained after-school programs through the program. David was among several people who turned out Wednesday for the state boards monthly board meeting in Springfield urging the board to ask the General Assembly to cover a funding gap that is estimated at $15 million by the board. State board of education spokeswoman Jackie Matthews said the funding gap is the result of a miscalculation the agency made when it tried to estimate how much federal money would be available next year. Each year, she said, the state board awards grants to school districts and other community-based organizations that provide after-school, before-school and summer programming. The grants typically run for five years and at the end of that period, they can either be renewed or the recipient can apply again through a competitive selection process. Story continues Under federal rules, recipients generally are not allowed to carry over unspent funds from one year to the next. But those rules were relaxed during the COVID-19 pandemic when schools were forced to close and no services were being provided. Matthews said agency officials were unable to accurately estimate the impact that rule change would have and, as a result, it made commitments to distribute more funds in the upcoming fiscal year than will actually be available. The state board of education only discovered the error recently and, on April 10, it notified organizations whose grants expire at the end of this fiscal year that their grants will not be renewed and there will not be a new grant competition for them to enter. We recognize the late timing of this communication and ISBEs error in not appropriately forecasting grant funding, the agency said in the notification letter. We are committed to providing earlier notice going forward, so that grantees have ample time to plan and prepare for the conclusion of the grant cycle. The advocacy group ACT Now Illinois, a coalition of after-school service providers, estimates that 12,000 students will lose access to programs as a result while roughly 550 after-school staff members will lose their jobs. Teresa Dothard-Campbell, who runs a program for middle school students in East Moline School District 37, said her program will not be directly affected this year but she has heard from colleagues at other sites who are being affected. And I can tell you that it was very disheartening last week to sit around a table and to hear about the impact that not being able to be funded was going to have on the students in our community, she said. In my program alone, we serve 475 students out of a student population of 1,100 students. We offer over 22 after-school clubs or before-school clubs. And we are enriched with bringing in community partners as well to be able to provide those experiences. Advocates urged the state board of education to seek additional funding through the General Assembly to prevent the programs whose grants are expiring from closing. But Matthews said the agency currently does not intend to do that. Instead, it is asking the federal government for permission to use pandemic relief funds to cover the amount that was over-allocated for next year. This photo taken on Jan. 1, 2023 shows a container ship at Tianjin Port in north China's Tianjin. [Photo/Xinhua] China's appeal in attracting foreign investment remained stable in the first quarter of 2023, thanks to the country's huge consumer market, its continuous efforts toward industrial upgrading and further opening-up of its economy, analysts and business executives said on Thursday. Foreign direct investment in the Chinese mainland, in terms of actual use, rose 4.9 percent year-on-year to 408.45 billion yuan ($59.37 billion) in the first quarter, data from the Ministry of Commerce shows. Supported by an improved business environment and a series of promotional activities, more than 10,000 foreign-funded companies were established in China between January and March, representing a year-on-year growth of 25.5 percent, ministry spokeswoman Shu Jueting said. In addition to benefiting from China's technological advancements, many foreign companies see China as a gateway to the broader Asia-Pacific region and view investing in China as a means of gaining access to the country's vast network of supply chains and distribution channels, said Zhao Ping, vice-dean of the academy of the Beijing-based China Council for the Promotion of International Trade. She said that China's optimized COVID-19 response measures, along with its effective steps to boost foreign trade and consumption and organize leading trade fairs, including the China International Consumer Products Expo and the ongoing China Import and Export Fair, will help further bolster the nation's social and economic vitality this year. The Chinese market offers a range of advantages, including well-developed industrial clusters, good transportation infrastructure and a robust labor pool, according to Wang Guowen, director of the center for logistics and supply chain management at the China Development Institute, a think tank based in Shenzhen, Guangdong province. He noted that many foreign companies have established research and innovation centers in China to tackle engineering challenges on a global scale. To capitalize on these prospects, Japanese electronics manufacturer Omron Group put a new phase of its plant in Dalian, Liaoning province, into operation in early April. With a total investment of 300 million yuan, the company aims to develop this factory into a global innovation and production base. Wang Dengkui, general manager of Omron (Dalian) Co, said the company plans to invest 10 million yuan this year to upgrade its Dalian plant with a digital system to monitor warehousing, production and assembly. Despite challenges, such as trade protectionism and geopolitical tensions, China saw FDI from France and Germany jump 635.5 percent and 60.8 percent year-on-year, respectively, in the first three months, while investment from the United Kingdom expanded 680.3 percent on a yearly basis, according to data from the Commerce Ministry. Saint-Gobain SA, a French industrial group operating more than 50 factories in China, plans to put the second phase of its Yangzhou manufacturing base into operation in 2024 to further meet the soaring market demand for construction materials in China's eastern region. "Upon completion of the project, our Yangzhou manufacturing base will serve the central and northern parts of Jiangsu province, and also cities in Anhui province," said Ludovic Weber, Saint-Gobain's CEO for Asia-Pacific. Facing diversified demands from Chinese consumers, European companies operating in China are basically in a "fitness center", said Joerg Wuttke, president of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China. "They are operating here, learning from local consumers where they have to make new adjustments and amendments. That can be replicated in their businesses in other parts of the world," he added. Update: The Marion County Coroner's Office identified the suspect who was killed as 46-year-old Daniel Yefter Ghebrehiwet. Authorities in Indianapolis released images Thursday of a police car riddled with bullets by an AR-15-style rifle used in a shootout between a suspect and several officers after a brief vehicle pursuit escalated into a gun battle. The shooting has left one suspect dead, two officers injured, and several city leaders exasperated by gun violence, which included Assistant Chief of Police Christopher Bailey. We are fed up with it. The community should be fed up with it, Bailey said, raising his voice. And we have two officers who are lucky to be alive today. A Indianapolis police vehicle was damaged during a shooting April 20, 2023. The gun used by the suspect sent bullets flying into one of the patrol vehicles at the scene, damaging its hood, grill, side, and both its front and back windshields. More: Police, mayor deliver sharp remarks after two IMPD officers shot: 'We are fed up.' Bailey gave an impassioned address Thursday afternoon at 30th Street and Post Road, where, hours earlier, an investigation into turned into a deadly encounter. "They put on the uniform today and went out to get the people who are terrorizing our neighborhoods," he said. "We all owe them a debt of gratitude." What happened during the shooting that injured two Indianapolis police officers? A Indianapolis police vehicle was damaged during a shooting April 20, 2023. The gun used by the suspect sent bullets flying into one of the patrol vehicles at the scene, damaging its hood, grill, side, and both its front and back windshields. The incident unfolded about 12:40 p.m. as officers with the Indiana Crime Guns Task Force and Lawrence Police Department were investigating a previous shooting, saw a potential suspect and tried to stop the vehicle. The driver fled west on East 30th Street. Task Force officers attempted to forcibly stop the vehicle but were unsuccessful. The suspect crashed in a parking lot. An exchange of gunfire ensued between the suspect and four officers. More: Indianapolis killings: Tracking every homicide in 2023 The injured officers were rushed to Eskenazi Hospital and are expected to recover. The shooting suspect, a 46-year-old man, was fatally shot at the scene. A passenger in the vehicle was found and taken into custody. Bailey said the AR-15-style rifle used by the suspect sent bullets flying into one of the patrol vehicles at the scene, damaging its hood, grill, side, and both its front and back windshields. Story continues "We were lucky today," Bailey said. "Bullets went through the metal of the car. There's a part of the car that's peeled back. That's how powerful a weapon those officers are up against." A Indianapolis police vehicle was damaged during a shooting April 20, 2023. The gun used by the suspect sent bullets flying into one of the patrol vehicles at the scene, damaging its hood, grill, side, and both its front and back windshields. What we know about the rifle used in the shooting As of Thursday afternoon, officials were unable to release the exact model of rifle or caliber of bullets used during the shooting. Bailey said members of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives would investigate the serial number of the rifle, doing what he called "an emergency trace" to quickly determine where the weapon came from and how the suspect acquired it. Officials said an AR-15-style rifle was used to injure two police officers after an investigation escalated into a gun battle. April, 20, 2023. The shooting that injured two officers wasn't Thursday's first act of gun violence. Earlier that morning, a teenager was fatally shot on the city's east side. A school bus driver taking students to class had to stop their route and call 911 after turning from East 38th Street and seeing the injured teenager bleeding in the grass. He was found near the intersection of Breen Drive and Brentwood Avenue in a residential area. On Sunday, a 6-year-old boy got ahold of his family's gun and pulled the trigger, fatally shooting himself. Indianapolis police have since launched a death investigation. "We're all tired of this," Bailey said. "We're all tired of the violence." John Tufts covers evening breaking and trending news for the Indianapolis Star. Send him a news tip at JTufts@Gannett.com. IndyStar Reporters Sarah Nelson and Jake Allen contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IMPD releases image of damaged patrol car after two officers injured Gay activists dressed as newly wed grooms at a gay pride parade in Mumbai, India, in 2015. (Danish Siddiqui/Reuters) As reported by the Independent, the Indian government told the countrys Supreme Court on Monday that marriage is an exclusively heterogenous institute, opposing petitions that are seeking to legalize same-sex marriage. This week, Indias top court, led by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, heard pleas pursuing marriage equality. The government, ruled by conservative Prime Minister Narendra Modi, contested the petitions, stating that the legislation surrounding same-sex marriage is a process that is upheld by the government. It added that allowing gay marriage would allow an urban elitist view for the purpose of social acceptance. A decision by the court in recognizing the right of same-sex marriage would mean a virtual judicial rewriting of an entire branch of law, the governments affidavit read. The court must refrain from passing such omnibus orders. It comes just one month after the Indian government condemned same-sex marriage, claiming it is not comparable to the Indian family unit concept. It has been five years since India voted to decriminalize homosexuality. However, members of the LGBT community still face discrimination across the country, including from conservative rural communities and religious leaders. Here are four other international news stories you may have missed this week from Yahoo News partner network. Dozens killed in stampede at Yemen aid distribution Clothes on the ground after a stampede in Sanaa, Yemen, on Wednesday. (Houthi Media Office/Handout via Reuters) At least 78 people were killed during a stampede in Yemen when crowds rushed to receive cash assistance, Reuters reported on Thursday. Hundreds of people gathered at a school in the capital, Sanaa, to receive 5,000 Yemeni riyals, equivalent to around $9, handed out by merchants during the holy month of Ramadan. When the door opened, there was a big rush by people wanting to reach the schoolyard first and some people began falling on the steps leading to the entrance, a medic who worked in the rescue effort told Reuters. The Houthi Health Ministry said 77 others were injured, with 13 people still in critical condition. Story continues Why it matters: Since the Arab Spring in 2011, the people of Yemen have faced one humanitarian crisis after another. With the dire conditions they face appearing to have no end, families have been forced into desperate situations that mean survival by any means necessary. The United Nations estimates that 80% of the population roughly 24.1 million people is in need of aid and protection. Since 2015, more than 2.3 million children have been displaced, with 11 million children facing serious malnourishment. After eight years, many children and families feel stuck in a perpetual cycle of hopelessness, Peter Hawkins, Yemens UNICEF representative, said in March. Visiting a family recently who have been displaced from their homes for over seven years, you realize that for too many families, little of their situation has changed beyond the childrens faces. Canada to pay 5 First Nations millions over land dispute Assembly of First Nations at a press conference following the arrival of Pope Francis in Edmonton, Canada, on July 24, 2022. (Lincoln Ho/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) The Guardian reported on Monday that the Canadian government will pay five groups of First Nations $800 million (nearly $600 million in U.S. dollars) in a settlement over a land dispute dating back to the 19th century. Both federal and provincial governments admitted that administrations had broken treaties that would allow First Nations peoples to access lands for hunting, and from which to generate income. Signed in 1899, Treaty 8 had been overlooked by government officials, forcing Indigenous groups to look for recompensation for the loss of land and earnings. The Halfway River First Nation, Saulteau First Nation, Doig River First Nation, Blueberry River First Nation and West Moberly First Nation were included in the compensation package. Honoring Treaty 8 is a key part of our work to advance reconciliation ... and reconnect these five Nations with their land, David Eby, the leader of British Columbia, told reporters. By settling these treaty land-entitlement-specific claims, were restoring the rightful amount of land that was promised under the treaty and all the benefits that should have flowed at the time to those Nations. U.N. to pull out of Afghanistan over womens working rights A Taliban fighter stands guard as a woman walks past in Kabul, Afghanistan, in December 2022. (Ebrahim Noroozi/AP) As reported by the Guardian, the United Nations said it will make the heartbreaking decision to leave Afghanistan if the Taliban continue not to allow women to work for the organization. Achim Steiner, the head of the U.N. Development Program, said the announcement comes after months of negotiations between the organization and Taliban leaders. Over 80% of the staff employed by the U.N. in Afghanistan are women. Since the edict came into force earlier this month, women who work for the U.N. have been forced to stay at home. It comes at a time when Afghanistan is facing several humanitarian crises, with at least 28 million people in need of aid. Why it matters: Since their takeover in August 2021, the Taliban have effectively banned women from participating in public life. The latest clampdown follows previous edicts that barred women from universities and prevented girls from attending secondary school. There has been a restriction on the freedom of movement for women across the country, with women also forbidden to visit parks, gyms and bathhouses. Indias population to surpass Chinas this year: U.N. Patients wait outside a primary health care center in a village near Bihar, India, on March 20. (Anushree Fadnavis/Reuters) Reuters reported on Wednesday that India will overtake China as the most populated country in the world, according to estimates predicted by the United Nations. Data released by the United Nations Population Fund indicates that India will have almost 3 million people more than its neighbor by mid-2023. India is estimated to have 1.4286 billion people, with China predicted to fall to second place with 1.4257 billion, the agencys report stated. The U.S. comes in third, with an estimated population of 340 million by the end of June. An Indiana woman who has already been charged in the attack of an 18-year-old student has been charged with a federal hate crime, officials said Friday. Billie Davis, 56, stabbed the teenage Indiana University student in the head on a public bus in January 2023. Video of the attack shows no interaction between Davis and the student before the stabbing. According to court documents, Davis said that she stabbed the student, who is of Chinese descent, because of her race. Davis was charged with attempted murder and aggravated battery. The student, who has not been publicly identified, survived the attack On Thursday, a federal grand jury convened in Evansville, Indiana, returned a single-count indictment charging Davis with an additional count of committing a hate crime. The indictment alleges that Davis harmed the student because of her race and national origin. The indictment also alleges that Davis was attempting to kill the victim. Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter A. Blackett for the Southern District of Indiana and Trial Attorney Anita Channapati of the Civil Rights Division's Criminal Section are prosecuting the case. This photo provided by Bloomington Police Department shows Billie Davis. (Bloomington Police Department via AP) / Credit: / AP James Wimbush, the vice president of diversity, equity, inclusion and multicultural affairs at Indiana University, addressed the incident shortly after it happened. "This week, Bloomington was sadly reminded that anti-Asian hate is real and can have painful impacts on individuals and our community," Wimbush said of the southern Indiana city. "No one should face harassment or violence due to their background, ethnicity or heritage. Instead, the Bloomington and IU communities are stronger because of the vast diversity of identities and perspectives that make up our campus and community culture." Millions of older Americans unprepared for retirement Who Is Ray Epps | Sunday on 60 Minutes Eagle who wanted to be a dad cares for baby eaglet People crowd on platforms at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station in Mumbai PUNIT PARANJPE/AFP via Getty Images India's population, more than 1.4 billion, has surpassed that of mainland China, new United Nations data released this week showed. By summer, it will have about 2.9 million more people than the mainland and Hong Kong combined, according to the U.N. Population Fund's 2023 "State of World Population Report." China's aging population a "hangover" from its decades-long one-child policy, according to The New York Times fell last year for the first time in six decades, and it is expected to keep declining and finish the century at less than half its current level. India's population is projected to keep growing for decades. It has increased 1.2 percent a year, on average, since 2011. That was down from 1.7 percent in the previous decade. India recently overtook the United Kingdom, its former colonizing power, as the world's fifth-largest economy. Global corporations see it as a huge market Apple just opened its first store there in a push to sell more iPhones and a manufacturing powerhouse that offers an alternative to China, after that country's COVID lockdowns disrupted supply chains that were overly dependent on its goods. Many leading business and political figures see India's increasing numbers as a blessing that will improve its fortunes and increase its global political and economic power. But a public survey by UNFPA for the 2023 report found that the most common opinion in the country was that the country's population "was too large and fertility rates were too high." India's demographic changes are fueling the second largest rural-to-urban migration in human history, as masses move to cities desperately seeking work. In the financial hub of Mumbai recently, police with batons recently had to control crowds as 650,000 applicants came seeking one of 8,000 open positions on the police force. "Experts say that India's new status highlights its demographic dividend as the nation with the largest number of young workers," the BBC notes, "but also its biggest challenge: creating enough jobs for them." What do the commentators say? India's economy is growing, but has never managed the kind of "transformative growth through export-driven manufacturing" that made China a powerhouse, said Mujib Mashal and Alex Travelli in The New York Times. Extreme poverty has plummeted, but a third of India's children are still malnourished. Making $300 a month puts you in the top 10 percent of earners. India has never been able to create enough jobs for new workers entering the workforce. The country must "somehow produce 90 million new jobs before 2030, outside agriculture to keep employment rates steady," and it has long fallen short of that pace. One of the first things it has to do is beef up its infrastructure, which is far behind China's, to attract the international investment it needs so more people can earn a paycheck. India has the world's largest population of young people 254 million between ages 15 and 24, said Amrit Dhillon and Didi Tang in The Times (U.K.). This growing workforce could drive economic growth, but it could also become "a source of unrest and instability if employment opportunities are not adequate." And that's just one of the government's potential problems. A recent heatwave overburdened the power grid as people "turned on air-conditioners and fans." And "providing clean drinking water is already a struggle," with 70 percent of the country's surface water unsafe for human consumption. The government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is touting India's new status as a sign it's a rising superpower, but it's not clear how the government plans to "house, feed, clothe, educate, and employ" all these people. India has the workers it needs to become an economic powerhouse, said Amish Mehta in The Indian Express. China and many wealthy nations have aging populations without enough young workers to provide for them. Young people in their prime working years account for 67 percent of India's population. It is "the quality" and training of India's workforce "that is holding it back." The country will have to expand its educational opportunities to capitalize on India's advantages. Just one in five Indian women have formal jobs, and women's labor force participation is falling. That trend "will have to be reversed through employment policies and investing in the health and education of women." Increasing the participation of women in the workforce could add 1.5 percent to India's economic output, according to the World Bank. What next? Prime Minister Narendra Modi "gets high marks for helping modernize India's economy," said Andres Oppenheimer in The Miami Herald, but his "growing abuse of power" could ruin everything. Modi is "increasingly intimidating independent media and has used a loyal judiciary to ban opposition leaders." A court ousted opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, Modi's main political rival, just last month for making a joke that Modi had the same last name as two criminals who were in the news. Modi's excesses are "dangerous," because "unlike in China, India's recent progress has been partly due to its democratic stability." If Modi turns into "a full-blown elected autocrat," he could derail India's economic growth "by favoritism, corruption, and skepticism about its future. But if he somehow manages to control his authoritarian instincts, India is likely to become the world's new economic success story." You may also like Texas Senate approves bills requiring 10 Commandments in K-12 classrooms, Bible time in school The U.S. and China want to 'decouple' their economies. Is it possible? Ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica are melting at a 'disastrous' pace The name Barbara Lynch is synonymous with Bostons restaurant scene. Over the past 25 yearsas her slew of award-winning restaurants, including the Menton, B&G Oysters, and Sportello helped define New England food culturethe iconic chef also spoke out against sexism and abuse within Americas still-male-dominated hospitality industry. But now, a new report from The New York Times raises questions about her own behavior: A flood of former staffers allege various physical and verbal workplace abuses, such as violent threats and unwanted touching. Many of the claims, former staffers tell the Times, were already well known in the Boston restaurant scene. Accusations against Lynch include threatening to shove a chefs head through a window, impulsively firing staff, cooking and showing up to the restaurants drunk, and subjecting certain staff members to physical harassment. According to the Times, 20 of Lynchs former employees and a dozen industry veterans contributed to the story, saying that her actions, while shocking, were not surprising. Lynch has admitted to alcohol issues but otherwise broadly rejected the accusations, telling the Times they are fantastical and seemingly designed to take me down. The Times investigation paints a picture that runs counter to the careful narrative Lynch has crafted for herself, one in which she is a working class hero and staunch advocate against workplace harassment. But its not the first time staffers have accused Lynch of harm. Heres what to know about Lynch and her past, as well as some of the biggest takeaways from The New York Times investigation. Lynch is a big deal in the Boston dining scene, but this isnt her first run-in with controversy. Lynch, who is 59 years old, is legendary in the Boston dining scene. In 2003, she was the second woman ever to win a James Beard Foundation Award for Best Chef. Five years later, she received the Amelia Earhart Award for pioneering women in Boston. After publishing her memoir in 2017, Out of Line, which detailed her own experiences of sexual abuse, Time magazine named Lynch one of the worlds most influential people. And this past weekend, she opened her eighth restaurant, the Rudder, near her home in Gloucester, Massachusetts. But these latest allegations arent the chefs first brush with scandal. In July 2017, after crashing her Mini Cooper into an unoccupied car, Lynch was arrested for driving under the influence. According to local news, shed clocked a blood-alcohol level almost twice the legal limit. This year, two of Lynchs former employees brought a class-action lawsuit against the chef, claiming shed failed to pay out their tips after the restaurants reopened post-pandemic. The employees allege the move was in violation of Massachusetts law, which states that service employees can only be paid below state-mandated minimum wage if tips make up the difference. According to the Times, the employees alleging wage theft havent previously criticized Lynch publicly because of her connections to powerful people in Bostonsuch as Stephen Lynch, her first cousin and a longtime congressman, and former lieutenant governor Tom ONeill, who is an investor in Lynchs first restaurant, No. 9 Park, and now owns a lobbying and public relations firm. Lynch allegedly made violent threats against employees. The Times story details a meeting between Lynch and two dozen employees that happened on March 15, after the groups head chef and a line cook had both died of fentanyl overdoses in recent months. The employees had hoped for some moral support but instead said Lynch, who appeared to have been drinking beforehand, delivered outrage and self-pity, in an expletive-laced confrontation. When the new head chef pointed out that Lynch hadnt visited the kitchen after the former chef died, he said Lynch fired him on the spot. The chef told Lynch he would drag her reputation. In response, Lynch threatened to push his head through a window, the Times reported. A string of resignations followed after Lynch told staff they would have to come in the following day to find out if they, too, would be fired. Lynch allegedly subjected staff to physical harassment, touching employees on their groins and bottoms. One manger at the Butcher Shop, Lynchs French-Italian wine bar and restaurant, said that in 2021 shed allowed a table to order appetizers without committing to entrees. According to the Times report, a furious Lynch stormed up from the kitchen, repeatedly prodded [the staffers] shoulder to get her attention and dragged her out from behind the bar in the crowded dining room. The manager quit on the spot. No one had ever put their hands on me before, she said. Once was enough. Another bartender, whod been hired to re-open craft cocktail joint Drink after pandemic closures in 2021, said Lynch would show up to drink at the bar. Sometimes she would push her way behind it, touching employees on their groins and bottoms on the pretext of squeezing into the narrow space, the Times reports. Im a 6-foot-5 guy, and I can take care of myself, said the bartender, who quit last year. But we were all so vulnerable. Another former Drink employee, who was hired in early 2015, told the Times that Lynch had caressed her lower back and squeezed her bottom, telling the employee she thought theyd make a good couple. Employees called Lynchs alcohol abuse an open secret that created havoc. The restaurant groups director of operations, who was fired last month, told the Times that he and other employees sometimes drove an intoxicated Lynch home when they felt it was dangerous for her to drive. Even after Lynch was charged with drunk driving back in 2017 and was on probation, employees said she would drink at Mentons bar in front of customers. An eyewitness confirmed that account to the Times. One former Butcher Shop manager, along with other employees, said Lynch would sometimes cook while under the influence. On those occasions, Lynch sent out barely cooked chicken, threatened staff members with knives, and threw away orders when she fell behind, the Times reported. Weve reached out to Lynch for comment and will update this story accordingly. Originally Appeared on Bon Appetit French author Louis-Ferdinand Celine at court in 1951 (Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) A newly published transcript has revealed that the French literary giant Louis-Ferdinand Celine once expressed regret that Adolf Hitler had not wiped out the English. The Journey to the End of the Night author is considered by many to be the most influential French author of the last century. Celine, who died in 1961 aged 67, remains a controversial figure in history, however, due to his antisemitic views and advocation for a military alliance with Nazi Germany. The French newspaper Le Figaro this week obtained and published a full transcript of the Paris Matchs 1960 interview with the author. According to The Times, Celine said in the interview that Hitlers great mistake was failing to wipe out England during World War II. Hitler lacked Napoleons genius. He was an empirical [man], Hitler. He messed up the day when he did not hit England straight away, he said. He was a show-off. He looked good. He was a star but didnt have any military genius at all, he added. These sentiments against the English were not included in the Matchs published piece, in which the author was described as funny, bitter, nice deep down. After Allied forces landed in Normandy in 1944, Celine fled to Germany and then Denmark where he lived in exile. Six years later, the author was convicted of collaboration by a French court but was then pardoned by a military tribunal based on his status as a disabled war veteran. Of Celine, Maurice Nadeau once wrote: What Joyce did for the English language what the surrealists attempted to do for the French language, Celine achieved effortlessly and on a vast scale. Topeka Board of Education members Melanie Stuart-Campbell, Lisa Schmitt, Keith Tatum and Richard Bonebrake voted in favor of an independent survey of the district's climate and employee morale. The president of the Topeka Board of Education accused about half of the board of unduly questioning superintendent Tiffany Andersons leadership, charging them of amplifying an agenda from a few (anonymous) voices in a few ears. In a split 4-3 vote, the board voted to move ahead with an independent district employee climate survey after some board members said they had heard significant concerns from anonymous district staff, afraid of retaliation from leadership. Board members had said such a survey could even be a valuable tool in collecting positive feedback in a survey administered by an organization that isnt directly affiliated with USD 501, in this case the Kansas Association of School Boards. More: How do Topeka USD 501 employees really feel about their jobs? School board wants to know. But the Thursday evening board meeting turned contentious after three of the seven board members said such a survey unnecessarily put in question district leadership, namely that of Anderson. Board President Sue Bolley said the board was overstepping and had crossed a line in its oversight relationship with Anderson. I believe the board has put us in a situation where that trust has been damaged, and we will have to work hard to repair that damage, Bolley said. Topeka Board of Education will seek independent survey of employee morale and district climate The board had previously discussed an independent climate survey at its April 6 meeting. Some board members then expressed concerns that USD 501 school staff and teachers have become too reluctant to speak up about concerns at their buildings in fear of retaliation from unspecified district leadership. As part of an overall presentation on district morale and leadership, USD 501 leaders gave a presentation showing the district had comparatively low turnover rates, at least compared to the past several years, including a few before COVID. Separately, a morale committee made up of five appointees from the USD 501 chapter of the National Education Association teachers union and five appointees from district administration reported they had heard no significant concerns, at least none of the type where staff feared retaliation. Story continues More: Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly rejects transgender bathroom bill, gender-affirming care ban The district also offers an annual yearly survey, which administrators said is anonymous but conceded could look otherwise when coming directly from the district. That survey has yielded no significant or widespread concerns with district leadership in recent years. But some board members, including first-term member Lisa Schmitt, said they had heard otherwise from more than a few current and former employees, who had approached them directly but didn't wish to be identified for fear of retaliation. You dont live to work you work to live, Schmitt had said earlier in April. People dont want to be miserable in their work. They want to feel like theyre having a positive influence. They want to enjoy and know that the work theyre doing is appreciated across the board. Some of the feedback Ive been receiving is that some of our staff members dont feel that. In response to Topeka USD 501 administration following up on board member requests, a representative from the Kansas Association of School Boards gave an overview of a hypothetical climate survey they could administer on the districts behalf, polling all district employees for their completely anonymous thoughts on any number of issues, per the boards recommendation. Bolley, other Topeka school board members see survey as attack on Tiffany Anderson "Ive given you a list of the concerns, and is this what we really want to do?" Topeka Board of Education President Sue Bolley asked her fellow members. "Do we want to run away a superintendent that has done such a nice job running this district? That is where you are heading." The discussion on the climate survey took on a new dimension Thursday evening, though, as board members Lalo Munoz, Randy Schumacher and Sue Bolley took issue with the idea of a survey they view as unnecessary and suggestive of mistrust in Anderson and other district leaders. Munoz had previously said he has not had anyone come to him directly with concerns like some of his peers on the board. If we wanted to move forward with this work, we should direct our administration to do that work and to provide a survey, Munoz said. We have experts and individuals with the expertise to do that, so that it comes directly back to us, but I think were losing sight of our work. Schumacher, a pediatrician, likened issues with the climate to his work, where he said sometimes medical personnel might make decisions that are best for their patients, but not the climate. More: Can Kansans legally buy marijuana in other states? Here's what the law says and more. He also said he has not had anyone come to him with concerns about the climate at USD 501, even though he works with and sees many of the districts families as patients. Bolley, on the other hand, minced few words in telling the other board members that she saw the vote to have an independent survey as a grave incursion on the boards dynamics with Anderson and other district leaders. Before Bolley brought it up, no board members had directly said that the survey would be in question of Andersons leadership specifically. Bolley said in years of experience working in the district and lately on the school board, she has never heard any significant concerns, particularly in the teacher unions negotiations with the board. I believe that a few voices in a few ears has created a situation that has damaged our board, she said. I believe our district has many ways to report concerns. I believe our superintendent has left open all kinds of avenues for speaking. Bolley charged three unspecified board members of the four who voted in favor for the survey with sidestepping a duty to first take concerns directly to Anderson, especially given that board members have regular one-on-one meetings with the superintendent. Are you willing to fall on your sword for this survey? Bolley asked of the members in support. When it should be something we can discuss with our leadership team without bringing it to a vote? Do we really want to put our principals out there to be under this scrutiny also, when I feel they have done a great job? She accused the board members of inappropriately targeting Anderson under the guise of a general survey about district leadership, which she pointed out should also include the principals. However, the board even with its vote Thursday had yet to determine the specific questions to be asked on the survey. We have a lot of work to do in this district, Bolley said. Ive given you a list of the concerns, and is this what we really want to do? Do we want to run away a superintendent that has done such a nice job running this district? That is where you are heading. Others taken aback by insinuations of trying to undermine Topeka USD 501 leadership The three board members who have said theyve heard anonymous concerns, as well as Richard Bonebrake, were taken aback by Bolleys charges, saying they felt the issue had ballooned beyond what the intention had been in pursuing an independent survey. The board members and Bolley got into heated back-and-forths on what they in turn said were unfounded accusations behind the board members intentions. You havent said this, but Im getting the impression that theres a sentiment here that theres something nefarious going on theres something sinister, underhanded occurring, Keith Tatum told Bolley. And I can tell you that Im very proud of this district, and what weve accomplished on the year Ive been on the board, and Im looking forward to a lot of great accomplishments to come. I, for one, am not trying to undermine this district. Im not trying to bring dishonor upon the board or anything like that, so I take some exception to the way youre characterizing this issue. Bonebrake said he wanted to pursue a survey because he viewed participation on prior district-administered surveys as dismal, and he wanted a better picture of the state of district employees morale. Board members Melanie Stuart-Campbell and Schmitt, who have been among the strongest champions for an independent survey, said they saw the survey as something routine any organization that size should undergo and that they failed to see any ill will against Anderson. Schmitt viewed the assessment as a question of resource allocation, and how the district could best improve the culture at its buildings and resolve any potential issues. We cant do everything, and this is an opportunity to let the people who are this district talk about what is important to them, Schmitt said. And I feel like the language and tone that is being taken is very attacking and hurtful and insinuating. Superintendent Tiffany Anderson says she will carry out will of the Topeka BOE Topeka USD 501 school board members were sharply divided on whether an independent district morale survey amounts to a question of Superintendent Tiffany Anderson's leadership. Anderson, for her part, remained stoic during the conversation, only responding to a few direct questions from the board on prior procedure for assessing district climate. Speaking to The Capital-Journal after the meeting, Anderson allowed that there are occasionally issues that are voiced or elevated to her from various schools and departments across the district, but that such concerns are typical of any organization that size. Additionally, she pointed to various mechanisms she has put in place such as morale committees, parent groups, prior district surveys as data points she has used to guide her leadership. She characterized the boards vote to pursue an independent survey as another data point, and one she would respect and support. Looking at ways in which we can continue to collaborate and continue to improve as a district, pre- and post-COVID, is something were always looking at anyway as administrators, Anderson told The Capital-Journal. I think the discussion tonight between the board is how best to do that, and I believe in whatever the board agrees and says we should do. My role is to support that and make it happen. Anderson also provided The Capital-Journal the following statement later Thursday: Our principals and all staff work very hard to serve and care for our students, and as part of our continuous improvement process, we are always open to learn and grow from what we learn. We remain ready to support any process that helps staff and the board members continuously learn about the needs in the school community. District Administration invited the Kansas School Board Association and several school committees to present at the last board meeting to provide information and resources for new members in particular as we continue to collect and use data to support continued academic and social emotional growth post COVID. Topeka USD 501 BOE President Sue Bolley said she encourages debate As the meeting continued in other routine updates, tempers and tension relaxed, and Bolley said in closing remarks that she hoped other board members would see her comments as passion, rather than scoldings, and she encourages that type of rigorous debate. Still, she told The Capital-Journal after the meeting that she saw the vote by the four members as pushing an agenda and that the board wasn't taking the right steps to resolve complaints and concerns they have heard. I believe I got consensus that it can be more than just about leadership, and more than just our superintendent, Bolley said. If we can expand that and get useful information, then Im all for that. But I am not for narrowing it down to something that can be very personal for our leadership in our buildings, in our district and all across the board. "I am not for tearing them down. Rafael Garcia is an education reporter for the Topeka Capital-Journal. He can be reached at rgarcia@cjonline.com or by phone at 785-289-5325. Follow him on Twitter at @byRafaelGarcia. This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Tiffany Anderson's leadership part of USD 501 BOE climate survey clash (Bloomberg) -- Investors are little closer to knowing just when the US might default on its debts than a week ago and there are signs that theyre getting more worried about the risks posed by the $31.4 trillion statutory borrowing limit. Most Read from Bloomberg The yield premiums demanded by investors for securities that are more at-risk for non-payment have increased relative to other maturities. Meanwhile, rates on those that are most assured of avoiding the potential storm the very shortest securities have been pushed lower by overflowing demand from buyers. All this after a week that saw the Treasury give some insights into how big its 2022 tax take is likely to be and the introduction of a first-gambit proposal by Republican lawmakers in Congress to get the Washington debt-ceiling conversation going again. Neither of these events did anything to really reduce uncertainty and estimates for when the so-called drop-dead debt will arrive are highly contingent on what happens in the coming days and weeks. Astute observers say that July or August remain most likely, but some also acknowledge that the risk of not making it through June has increased if tax receipts are as lackluster as they are at risk of being. Following are some key metrics to watch to figure out just how jittery investors should be. Bill Curve Dislocations Investors right now are demanding higher yields on securities that are due to be repaid shortly after the US runs out of borrowing capacity. Thats because the government wont be able to sell fresh securities and get cash to repay holders. In past episodes, thats created unusual kinks in the yield curve around the most vulnerable point and theres evidence of dislocations appearing at present. Without a specific deadline to coalesce around, investors who are able to are shunning to some degree securities in the June to August period, driving yields there higher. The picture is muddied somewhat by uncertainty over the path of Federal Reserve policy rates, but the amping up of angst is unmistakable. Story continues Insight From Auctions Auctions in the past week have provided one of the clearest insights of that dislocation. Demand for Mondays sale of three-month bills securities that mature right in the danger zone of July was so lackluster that the yield they had to offer was the highest since Bill Clinton was president in 2001. A one-month auction on Thursday, by contrast, was snapped up at the lowest yield in half a year, well below much of the existing bill curve. Insuring Against Default Beyond T-bills, one key market to watch is what happens in credit default swaps for the US government, which have continued to lurch to new highs in the past week. The Cash Pile Ultimately, it all comes down to whether the Treasury can stretch out the cash it has on hand right now and the additional revenue that it will receive over the coming weeks until some kind of political deal is done. Investors, therefore, are going to be keeping a close eye on how much cash is coming in and going out of the Treasurys bank account at the Fed. Receipts from the day of the Internal Revenue Services main filing deadline, April 18, were somewhat underwhelming and boosted the cash balance by just $108 billion on the day. All eyes, therefore, are going to be on the ongoing trickle from later payers over the coming weeks to see if thats enough. The key hump to get over is June 15, when a batch of corporate tax payments come due. If the Treasury can make it to that point, it can probably also hold on until June 30 when the the Treasury can implement another batch of extraordinary measures the accounting gimmicks its been using to avoid breaching the statutory cap. After that, its then a question of whether the money lasts until July or August or even later. But the risk remains and Wrightson ICAP economist Lou Crandall currently puts it at around 15% that officials will be on the precipice of running out of cash in June. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. California police arrested an Iowa man for the alleged killing of an 18-month-old child in Pleasant Hill in December of 2021. U.S. Marshals and local police in California arrested Jeremy White on April 7 in Roseville, California, located about 20 miles northeast of Sacramento, on a warrant issued in Iowa, according to the Roseville Police Department and California court records. White was allegedly one of two people at home with an 18-month-old child in December 2021 when the child received a fatal blow to the head, according to a material witness warrant for White filed in June 2022. White was the live-in boyfriend of the child's mother at the time, according to the warrant. Police arrived at the home located on Sugarberry Lane in Pleasant Hill just after 3 p.m. on Dec. 11, 2021, where they found the 18-month-old unresponsive. After performing CPR, they transported the child to the hospital where he later died from his injuries. A preliminary investigation showed the child "died from a subdural hemorrhage to the rear of the head, caused by his head being struck by or against, a blunt object," according to the warrant. The investigation showed the child also suffered hemorrhaging behind the eyes, "indicating that the child had been severely shaken." The warrant states the medical examiner estimated that those injuries were likely sustained only a few hours prior to the child's death. On April 7, 2022, the state Medical Examiner determined that the child's injuries were consistent with a homicide. In June 2022, police went searching for White as a suspect in the child's death. Suspect originally said injuries were an accident White originally told police he was alone at home when the 18-month-old child rolled off the bed during a nap, which he claimed caused the child's injuries. The child's mother had left while the child was napping to go tanning at approximately 2:55 p.m., according to the warrant. Story continues The warrant states White told police he was sitting in the downstairs family room when he heard a "thud" over the baby monitor connected to the child's room. He said when he went into the room, he found the child face down on the floor. The warrant states he tried to conduct a "fingers sweep" in the child's mouth when he realized the child appeared "to be having difficulty breathing." However, this led to the child "gagging, vomiting, and eventually the child stops breathing," the warrant states. The warrant states White first called the child's mother before calling 911 to alert authorities of the child's condition. In the months after the incident, White allegedly split from the child's mother and moved around from Tennessee to California to Hawaii, according to the warrant. The Pleasant Hill Police Department worked with the Hawaii County Police Department to locate White, whose Hawaii address turned out to be fake. Case set for extradition hearing in California Authorities in Roseville located White on April 7 and booked him into the Placer County Jail. Inmate records show White is ineligible for bail. Detective Paul Kuhlman of the Pleasant Hill Police Department said White is being charged with child endangerment causing death, which is a class B felony. White has waived his right to an extradition hearing, according to Kuhlman, which means he will be extradited to Iowa before April 30. Kuhlman said the department is currently coordinating logistics on how to get White back to Iowa. Francesca Block is a breaking news reporter at the Des Moines Register. Reach her at FBlock@registermedia.com or on Twitter at@francescablock3. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: California police, US Marshals arrest Iowa man for Dec. 2021 crime The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) plans to send four agents who specialize in investigating cybercrime to Australia, Singapore, Colombia, and Germany starting this summer. These four new positions represent a significant increase in the IRSs global efforts to fight cybercrimes, such as those involving cryptocurrency, decentralized finance and crypto laundering services. In the last several years, agents working for the IRSs Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) branch have had a key role in investigating crimes on the dark web as part of landmark international operations: the shutdown of the drug and hacking services marketplace AlphaBay along with the arrest of its administrator; the bust of the internets biggest child abuse website; and the takedown of a marketplace for stolen Social Security numbers, among several others. Until now, the IRS only had one cyber investigator abroad, in The Hague, Netherlands, mostly working along Europol since 2021. The expansion was first revealed by Guy Ficco, the IRSs executive director for global operations policy and support for IRS-CI, during a panel at the Chainalysis Links conference on April 4. Starting really now we're going to be piloting for additional posts, putting dedicated cyber attaches in Bogota, Colombia, in Frankfurt, Germany, in Singapore, and in Sydney, Australia, Ficco said. I think the benefits have been at least with the Hague and with Europol posts have been very tangible. IRS spokesperson Carissa Cutrell told TechCrunch in an email that the four new positions are part of a pilot program that will last 120 days, from June to September 2023, and are created to help combat the use of cryptocurrency, decentralized finance and mixing services in international financial and tax crimes. After the 120-day pilot program, the IRS will evaluate whether to continue having the agents in the new countries. Success will hinge on the attaches ability to work cooperatively and train our foreign law enforcement counterparts, and build leads for criminal investigations, Cutrell said. Story continues Chris Janczewski, who worked as a special agent in the IRS-CI Cyber Crimes Unit, said that growing the IRSs presence abroad is an important step toward streamlining international investigations. The U.S.-based case agent cant always travel to coordinate with foreign partners on investigative needs and the cyber attache has to act as the proxy for the case agent, Janczewski told TechCrunch in an email. Their expertise on knowing what questions to ask, what evidence can reasonably be obtained, and the impact of any cultural or legal implications. Janczewski led the investigation into the largest dark web child abuse site, which was called Welcome to Video. He is now the head of global investigations at TRM Labs, a blockchain intelligence company. He explained that depending on which country the IRS is working with, there may be different legal procedures to obtain evidence, but often informal information in real-time is needed in fast moving investigations. In these situations, it comes down to professional relationships, knowing who to call and what to say, he said. Apart from the five cyber investigators, the IRS has 11 attache posts around the world, including Mexico, Canada, Colombia, Panama, Barbados, China, Germany, the Netherlands, the U.K., Australia and the United Arab Emirates. These partnerships give CI the ability to develop leads for domestic and international investigations with an international nexus. In addition, attaches provide support and direction for investigations with international issues, foreign witnesses, foreign evidence, or execution of sensitive investigative activities in collaboration with our international partners, the IRS-CI wrote in its 2022 annual report. Attaches also help uncover emerging schemes perpetrated by promoters, professional enablers, and financial institutions. These entities facilitate tax evasion of federal tax obligations by U.S. taxpayers, as well as other financial crimes. Do you have more information about any cryptocurrency hacks? Wed love to hear from you. You can contact Lorenzo Franceschi-Bicchierai securely on Signal at +1 917 257 1382, or via Wickr, Telegram and Wire @lorenzofb, or email lorenzo@techcrunch.com. You can also contact TechCrunch via SecureDrop. Photo taken at Beijing Aerospace Control Center (BACC) in Beijing on Dec. 1, 2020 shows the Chang'e-5 spacecraft landing on the moon. [Photo/Xinhua] A legion of robots are bustling around on the lunar surface, some of which are employing 3D printing technology to convert in-situ resources into building materials, while others are laying bricks and completing the fabrication process. These are not uncommon scenes in sci-fi movies, but Chinese scientists are actually experimenting with such ideas in the laboratory. Ding Lieyun, professor with the Huazhong University of Science and Technology, has led his team in the research of lunar base construction since 2015. The research team has proposed the idea of combining 3D printing with traditional Chinese masonry and mortise and tenon techniques, using lunar soil to produce lunar soil bricks with mortise and tenon joints and then employing robots to erect structures like playing with Lego. This method can build larger-size lunar building structures and is relatively energy and cost efficient, Ding told the China Science Daily recently. Such extraterrestrial construction faces a number of challenges. Since the moon is in an ultra-high vacuum environment, and there is a large temperature change of 300 to 400 degrees Celsius, traditional civil construction methods can hardly be implemented, and structural stability cannot be guaranteed. In addition, frequent lunar quakes, strong radiation from cosmic rays, solar winds, micrometeorite impacts and complex lunar surface topography, all make in-situ construction on the lunar surface an exceedingly complicated and interdisciplinary super project. Ding noted that materials such as steel, concrete and water necessary for extraterrestrial construction cannot all be brought from the Earth, and therefore lunar soil materials should be used as much as possible for in-situ construction. The team has developed a vacuum sintering printed sample of simulated lunar soil. "The research is still in the experimental stage under a simulated environment, and since the gravity of the moon is merely one-sixth of that of the Earth, the experimental simulation is difficult," said Ding, adding that more experimental data and results produced in the simulated extreme environment are needed. Yu Dengyun, chief designer of China's phase-4 lunar exploration program, said that one of the goals of this lunar exploration program is to build a scientific research station on the moon's south pole. Yu added that this research station will carry out in-depth research on lunar science and conduct technical experiments on the in-situ utilization of lunar resources. "Building structures on the lunar surface is necessary for long-term lunar exploration, but it is hard to achieve in the near term," Yu said. He also said that the study on extraterrestrial construction is still in its infancy and needs more interdisciplinary exchanges, discussions and cooperation. Israel is working to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into its battlefield operations as it looks to lead the way on handling "the biggest game changer" for technology. "The future of defense systems and of military will rely heavily on artificial intelligence," former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett told Fox News Digital in an exclusive interview. "I'm talking about the analysis of massive data in intelligence," he explained. "I'm talking about operating drones and other types of automatic and autonomous robots. Any country who seeks to be strong has to develop now an AI strategy," which he said he did during his tenure as prime minister. The Israel Defense Forces announced in February that the force has started utilizing AI in its operations, saying new digital methods helped produce "200 new target assets" during a 10-day operation in 2021 to successfully target at least two Hamas commanders, The Jerusalem Post reported. MISINFORMATION MACHINES: HOW AI CHATBOT HALLUCINATIONS COULD POSE POLITICAL, INTELLECTUAL, INSTITUTIONAL DANGERS Israeli soldiers fire a 155 mm self-propelled howitzer toward targets in the Gaza Strip from a position near the southern Israeli city of Sderot May 12, 2021. "Remember breaking the human barrier? There were times when this took us almost a year," Data Science and AI Commander Col. Yoav said about the operation. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Bennett, who served as prime minister between 2021 and 2022 as part of a rotational agreement for a coalition government, argued that AI, while clearly possessing the potential to be "incredibly useful for humanity," could also be "very dangerous if misused." "This is the time where we need to organize ethics structure, a legal structure, society-related structure, to ensure that AI [will be] used for the benefit of people and not the detriment," he said. "AI is, I would say, the biggest game changer of the next 20, 30 years," he added, saying the technology would prove the "biggest disruptor" of economies and societies in the coming decades. Story continues Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett attends a cabinet meeting at the prime minister's office in Jerusalem March 27, 2022. Bennett stressed that humans should use AI to augment their capabilities, not replace them. He acknowledged the fears of job displacement, but he stressed that he believed new jobs would arise to fill those jobs that an AI would take. "The right way to use [AI] is to augment people," he said. "Ultimately, we do need human intelligence, but the assistance of AI, whether in medicine, it can bring you to the 90% line and then the end. REGULATORS SHOULD KEEP THEIR HANDS OFF AI AND FORGET MUSK-BACKED PAUSE: ECONOMIST "You need a doctor there you need someone with experience but you're seeing already today in radiation tests and others that A.I. does an amazing job. It does displace many jobs, but it also will create many new jobs, as we saw in previous revolutions." The open discussion about IDF utilization of AI raised concerns from two researchers, Tal Mimran and Lior Weinstein of the Tachlhit Institute for Israeli Policy. The pair labeled the rush to embrace AI "premature," warning that the use of AI required "more prudence" when deploying the tools. "Clarity is crucial," Mimran told Fox News Digital. "The tendency to lean on AI is obvious, as such a tool can calculate in a few seconds something that humans will need weeks to do, if at all." "Yet, so long as AI tools are not explainable, in the sense that we cannot fully understand why they reached a certain conclusion, how can we justify to ourselves to trust the AI decision when human lives are at stake?" Mimran raised concerns of relying on AI without questioning it to make decisions, something Bennett argued against, and worried that such decisions could cause harm to uninvolved parties. "Who should be responsible for the decision?" Mimran asked, saying there is "room for prudency when deploying new military capabilities," especially those without international regulation. It's a debate that is only just starting to play out globally. MOUNT SINAI SCIENTIST SAYS BREAKTHROUGH TECH HAS DRASTIC IMPACT ON DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT "In this current state of affairs, there is no benchmark to follow, as states are still trying to grasp and regulate tools like intrusive software or malwares, let alone AI-based ones, given the pace of developments in the digital sphere," Mimran added. Retired Brigadier General (reserves) Uri Engelhard, former Head of the Technology Administration in the Israeli Police, told Fox News Digital that AI has existed in some form or another for decades. "Artificial intelligence has existed in different configurations since the 1950s," Engelhard explained. "In addition, artificial intelligence can be developed in open source research centers in universities and companies around the world." The Israeli Iron Dome missile defense system, left, intercepts rockets fired by the Hamas movement toward southern Israel from Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip May 14, 2021. "The code is available and free to everyone," he added. "Therefore, the basic assumption is that everyone uses artificial intelligence in one way or another." The open-source aspect of AI remains a vital point in the ongoing debate about its use and development. Mimran argued that if Israel deploys AI as part of its battlefield operations, it would validate other groups seeking to use it against the IDF. "The modern battlefield is complicated enough, even before we enter AI into the picture, so it is concerning that the use of AI tools in an experimental fashion and without any regulation of it might spiral out of control," Mimran said. YES, AI IS A CYBERSECURITY NUCLEAR THREAT; THAT'S WHY COMPANIES HAVE TO DARE TO DO THIS Engelhard, a member of the Israel Defense and Security Forum (IDSF) stressed that regardless of whether Israel uses AI, opposing nations will look to use it. He said that the "basic assumption" is that opposing entities "will do everything in their power to harm us, regardless of our use of AI, or any other capability." Two examples he provided of effective integration the IDF has utilized included the ability to help thwart terror attacks and using information analysis to improve combat capabilities in large-scale conflicts. "Without the use of AI, the decisions that need to be made quickly will be made without a serious analysis of the data, an analysis that requires significant investment of time by a large workforce," he noted. Hamas terrorists in Gaza, June 2021. The IDF reportedly used AI to target senior Hamas commanders during a conflict with the group in 2021. (Photo by MOHAMMED ABED/AFP via Getty Images) He also supported the view that AI must not "replace a person" but would best serve as a "supplement" to decision-making. The security forces view AI integration as a "strategic element in the strength" of their operations. "The artificial intelligence which assists in carrying out tasks attributed to human thinking abilities such as understanding the current situation, identifying patterns, solving problems, planning, forecasting and more, is combined with data science which helps draw conclusions from big data analysis," Engelhard said. "Informed decision-making should be based on the analysis of data coming from diverse systems and sources." The complementary use of AI is "encouraging," according to Mimran, who underscored the importance to "maintain a human in the loop" to "promote accountability." "In this regard, Israel is setting a positive example that should be followed," he said. Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) believe that the checkpoints between the Russian Federation and the occupied territories in Ukraine's east have significantly slowed down the supply of Russian ammunition to the contact line, but the Kremlin does not plan to abandon them for security reasons. Source: ISW report Details: The ISW has stated that Russian military bloggers have complained that Russian checkpoints at the international customs line have significantly slowed down Russian deliveries of ammunition to the frontlines in Donetsk Oblast. Putin is likely attempting to remedy the delays by expanding staffing to speed up inspections at the checkpoints and is not entertaining the possibility of removing these obstructions. Quote: "The Kremlin may also use these checkpoints to prevent the mass movement of men from occupied Ukraine escaping forced mobilisation, to stop the Russian mobilised personnel from fleeing to Russia, and to maintain Russian filtration measures. The existence of these checkpoints further highlights that Russian officials do not view the residents of occupied Ukraine as Russian nationals and are governing as the occupying power they are, despite the ongoing claims the illegally annexed territories are part of Russia." More details: It is noted that earlier, the Russian Federation had stepped up security measures and inspections near the Kerch Bridge that connects occupied Crimea and Russia. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Jack Ma, founder of Chinese tech giant Alibaba, has been made an honorary professor of business at a top Hong Kong university, the school announced Friday. The appointment comes weeks after the billionaire made a rare public appearance in China following his fall from grace during a government crackdown on the tech industry over two years ago. Ma has kept a low profile since late 2020, when a speech he made attacking Chinese regulators was followed by Beijing pulling the plug on a planned IPO by Alibaba affiliate Ant Group. A record fine of $2.75 billion was later imposed on Alibaba for alleged unfair business practices. The University of Hong Kong on Friday said Ma had accepted an honorary professorship from its business school. A spokesperson for the institution said it welcomed Ma sharing "his rich knowledge and experience in business innovation and development". The professorship carries a three-year term ending in March 2026, according to local media. The school's website now contains a profile of Ma highlighting his expertise in "management and strategy". In 2018 the same university awarded Ma an honorary doctorate. However, Ma has "no plans for public lectures or speeches", according to the South China Morning Post, a Hong Kong-based English-language newspaper wholly owned by Alibaba. The Jack Ma Foundation, a charitable organisation set up by the billionaire in 2014, told the Post that "after a hiatus from the world of education, Mr Ma looks forward to returning to campus life". Ma previously taught English for eight years at Hangzhou Dianzi University in the eastern Chinese province of Zhejiang before he launched Alibaba. He also founded in 2015 a centre for entrepreneurship in Zhejiang along with several Chinese business heavyweights. That institution was originally called Hupan University but had the term "university" removed from its name in 2021 amid Ma's spat with Chinese authorities. Ma has been spotted in a number of locations around the world over the past two years, including on the Spanish island of Mallorca, and was reportedly living in Japan for much of 2022. su/axn Ravindra Jadeja's 3-22 led Chennai's dominance in spin-friendly conditions at home for a smooth seven-wicket win over Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League Friday. The visitors managed just 134-7 after being sent in to bat and Jadeja's four-over spell for the Super Kings choked their innings before it could get going. "It is a good track to bowl on for me," Jadeja said. "The ball stops a bit here and I am able to trap the batsmen bowling straight." Opener Abhishek Sharma was the one bright spot for Hyderabad with 34 off 26 balls before the home town's spinners applied the squeeze. Harry Brook, who scored this IPL's first century two innings ago, only managed 18 off 13 balls. Apart from Sharma, only number three batter Rahul Tripathi crossed the 20-run mark for Hyderabad. Skipper M.S. Dhoni put on a clinic behind the stumps, snapping up Aiden Markram before stumping Mayank Agarwal. Later he also ran out Washington Sundar, overcoming a troublesome knee injury. The hosts eased to 138-3 in reply with eight balls to spare as opener Devon Conway scored his third consecutive tournament half-century. Conway finished undefeated on 77 from 57 balls with 12 fours and a six although the capacity home crowd were a little disappointed at not getting to see Dhoni at the crease. Speculation is rife that this tournament will be the beloved 41-year-old's last, but Dhoni could return to his home ground next month with Chennai now third on the table. The IPL finals schedule was announced before the match with the first qualifier and eliminator to be played in the city on May 23 and 24. Ahmedabad, home ground of last year's winners Gujarat Titans, will host the second qualifier and the 2023 final on May 26 and 28. str/gle/dj James Corden will leave as host of The Late Late Show on Thursday, 27 April 2023. (Photo by Terence Patrick/CBS via Getty Images) Over the past eight years, James Corden has transformed himself from Gavin & Stacey star to one of Americas most recognised figures as host of The Late Late Show. Taking over from previous show host Craig Ferguson in 2015, the move was one that few saw coming. However, thanks to the success of sing-along segments like Carpool Karaoke, Cordens unlikely stint as an American late night host found quick success and multiple moments that quickly went viral among younger viewers. Throughout all of his hosting duties, the Brit hasnt shied away from other projects either, starring in everything from big-budget movies like 2018s Peter Rabbit and 2019s Cats and returning to host the UKs sports-based panel show A League of Their Own until 2019. That said, in early April 2022, Corden revealed it was time for a change but when will he take his final bow as host of The Late Late Show and who will his final guests be? Why is James Corden leaving The Late Late Show? The Late Late Show with James Corden with guests Sharon Stone and Jack Whitehall. (Photo by Terence Patrick/CBS via Getty Images) Corden first revealed that he would be leaving The Late Late Show during a live recording of an episode that aired back in April 2022, stating that his final show would take place a year later. Telling his audience that it was a good time to move on and see what else might be out there, Corden continued to unpack his choices, explaining that: "When I started this journey, it was always going to be just that. It was going to be a journey, an adventure. I never saw it as my final destination, you know? I never want this show to overstay its welcome in any way. I always want to love making it." While he didnt offer any clues as to what he might do next, he did assure fans that his last show will go out with a bang alongside a fair amount of tears. Later, speaking to Drew Barrymore on her popular talk show, Corden shed some more light on this decision to leave late night. Read more: James Corden reveals failed audition for Lord Of The Rings "Look its not easy in any way to walk away from something that is so, I mean, Ill never work in a better environment than the one I work in now," he told Barrymore. "Nothing about leaving the show was to do with not enjoying it. I love it. Story continues "But the truth is it became a very easy decision because I always knew it was an adventure and I never, ever considered it to be the final destination." During the same conversation, Corden explained how the decision was solidified during a family moment that happened while he was shooting his 2022 Prime Video series Mammals. "One day I was filming on a Sunday and I came downstairs, it was about 6 a.m. and my son, who was 10 at the time, was sat on the stairs and he said, Are you working today? and I said, 'I am,' and he said, 'I thought, well its Sunday,' and I said, 'I know, buddy, but this schedules just all over the place. We just got to get it done because we only have a tiny amount of time before we have to go back and do the show,' and his face just kind of dropped." He continued, adding: "I got in the car and I called my wife Jules and I said, 'Ive realised, best case scenario, we have six more summers where Max even remotely wants to be around us and I cannot waste another one.' "If I really want to do this other work, that cannot be at the expense of our children, our family... that is really all it comes down to." When is James Cordens final Late Late Show? Cordens final stint as host of The Late Late Show will take place on Thursday, 27 April. Who are the guests on James Cordens final Late Late Show? Harry Styles will appear on James Corden's final Late Late Show - but not with One Direction. (Photo by Stringer/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) The full guest lineup for Cordens final show was unveiled on Monday, 17 April with a stacked roster of famous faces set to help the British star end his show in style. Harry Styles will return following multiple previous appearances, although rumours that he would be reuniting with his former One Direction bandmates were quickly debunked. Will Ferrell will also join in the fun, bookending his experience as one of Cordens earliest guests in his first week as host. It has also been revealed that Cordens final show will be proceeded by an hour-long episode of Carpool Karaoke featuring K-pop icons Blackpink among other, as-yet-unannounced guests. Tom Cruise has also been confirmed to appear in a pre-finale sketch that promises to be an over-the-top retelling of The Lion King. James Cordens final time hosting The Late Late Show airs on Thursday, 27 April and will be available to UK viewers a day later at 11.50pm on Sky Comedy. Jan. 6 Capitol riot Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images A Dallas-area man who entered the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, fired at Hunt County sheriff's deputies outside his home a few days before he had agreed to surrender to the FBI to face misdemeanor charges, according to court papers unsealed Thursday. Nathan Donald Pelham, 40, was taken into custody on Monday and charged with four misdemeanors for illegally entering the Capitol, then charged Tuesday with possessing a firearm as a felon, which is itself a felony offense. Pelham faces up to 15 years in federal prison on the firearms charge and up to three years for the Jan. 6-related misdemeanors, The Dallas Morning News reports. He was barred from possessing a gun due to a 2003 Texas felony conviction, court papers show. Federal authorities interviewed Pelham after he was denied entry into Canada in March 2021, and he admitted he had been at the Capitol on the day of the insurrection, court records state. The FBI launched an investigation, Pelham was indicted on the four misdemeanor charges in Washington, D.C., on April 11, and the FBI called him April 12 to tell him he needed to surrender on April 17. Pelham agreed, federal prosecutors say. But on April 12, Pelham's father reported that his son had a gun and was suicidal. When sheriff's deputies arrived at about 8:40 pm, Pelham's daughter came out to seek safety, deputies heard gunfire inside, then about an hour later Pelham walked out on the porch and fired several shots toward the deputies, prosecutors say. He allegedly came back out at about 10:45 and opened fire again. Nobody was injured by the gunfire, though one deputy reported that a bullet grazed him so closely "I could hear the distinct whistling sound as the bullet traveled by me." The FBI searched his house on Tuesday and found a 9mm pistol, four boxes of ammunition, and several bullet holes in the walls. Pelham is "one of more than two dozen North Texas defendants charged in relation to the Jan. 6 insurrection," the Morning News reports. More than 1,000 people have been charged in relation to the Capitol siege, 541 of them have pleaded guilty, and 445 have been sentenced, with sentences ranging from seven days to 10 years, NPR News reports. Story continues You may also like Texas Senate approves bills requiring 10 Commandments in K-12 classrooms, Bible time in school The U.S. and China want to 'decouple' their economies. Is it possible? Ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica are melting at a 'disastrous' pace Japan wants "constructive and stable" ties with China and calls on Beijing to behave "responsibly", the country's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said in an interview Thursday. Ties between the countries have soured in recent years, with Japan last December calling China the nation's "greatest strategic challenge ever", as it announced a major security overhaul including more defence spending. "We're facing the most challenging, complex security environment since the war and what must be prioritised, I believe, is proactive diplomacy with China," Kishida said in an interview with foreign media including AFP. Japan wants a "constructive and stable relationship" with Beijing, "which requires efforts on both sides", he added. "We will continue to call on China to act responsibly." Japan is this year's G7 host, and this week the group's foreign ministers offered a united front on concerns about China, warning it on everything from maritime claims to Taiwan. The ministers put Beijing on notice over its "militarisation activities" in the South China Sea and accused it of an "accelerating expansion" of its nuclear arsenal. The statement prompted furious reaction from Beijing, which accused the group of having "maliciously slandered and smeared" China. The foreign ministry said it had "lodged solemn representations with Japan" over the statement, which it called "full of arrogance, prejudice and sinister intent". Tensions in the region have been stirred by a series of events including Chinese military drills launched after Taiwan's president met a senior US politician. China considers Taiwan its territory and has vowed to bring the island under its control one day. It also claims the entire Taiwan Strait as its territorial waters. - 'Act responsibly' - Kishida said maintaining "peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait" was important not only for Japan but for "the stability of the international community", though he declined to be drawn on how Japan might respond to an invasion. Story continues "We hope that issues about Taiwan will be solved peacefully through dialogue," he added. Kishida met Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of a summit last year, and the country's foreign minister visited Beijing this month, the first such trip since December 2019. But he arrived shortly after Tokyo announced it was joining Washington in unveiling export controls on semiconductor equipment -- seen as targeting Beijing -- and with a Japanese businessman being held by Chinese authorities on allegations of spying. Kishida called on China to "ensure transparency in the judicial process" and return detained Japanese nationals. And he said China needed to do more to ensure a "transparent, predictable and fair business environment". "In addition to guaranteeing the safety of the Japanese citizens, the legitimate business activities of Japanese companies should also be ensured," he added. China and Japan are the world's second and third largest economies respectively, and Beijing is Tokyo's largest trading partner. But the arrest of a man working for a Japanese pharmaceutical company, reportedly with years of experience in China, has chilled the business community. Kishida also warned that the "stability" of US-China relations is "extremely important for the international community". Japan, he added, would call on China "to fulfil its responsibility as a major power in the international community". sah/axn Photo credit: @betafujihara via Twitter New images show the heavily modified bow of Japans Izumo class JS Kaga (DDH-184) helicopter-carrying destroyer as the vessel left its dock recently. Kaga is currently being turned into an F-35B Joint Strike Fighter carrier for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). Photos of the vessel pulling away from its dock in Kure City, Hiroshima Prefecture accompanied by various tugboats began circulating online around April 19. According to Naval News, the first set of modifications to Kaga (originally slated to end in March) included changing the shape of the vessel's bow section and applying a heat-resistant coating to its deck. The next set of modifications, which will involve re-balancing and structurally reinforcing Kaga's hull, are expected to be completed by March 2024. Overall, work on turning Kaga into an F-35B carrier is expected to continue until early 2027, USNI News states. JS Kaga was originally launched in 2015 and commissioned in 2017. https://twitter.com/zotTactnmap7PM3/status/1648858847841505280?s=20 https://twitter.com/betafujihara/status/1649032999391080449?s=20 The images above, along with ones taken earlier in April this year and from late 2022, reveal that the ships bow has radically changed. It looks to be significantly wider, owing to its optimization for the short takeoff and landing (STOL) capable F-35B. Moreover, the Phalanx 20mm close-in weapon system (CIWS) previously seen to the front of the vessel has also been removed, likely to help accommodate F-35Bs taking off and to provide more deck space for flight operations. Earlier images also show what appear to be white tent-like structures pitched on the vessels deck, which would be connected to other ongoing modifications being made. The JMSDF #Izumo class carrier #KAGA about to emerge from a refit to make her more #F35B suitable. Note the bow has now been squared off. pic.twitter.com/b1PZ9dn5vw Navy League Aust (@NavyLeagueAust) April 7, 2023 Back in 2018, the Japanese government decided to modify its two Izumo class carriers to allow them to operate F-35Bs. As The War Zone previously argued, these ambitions were long-harbored despite public statements to the contrary by Japanese officials. Story continues JS Kaga arriving at Tanjung Priok port in Jakarta, Indonesia on September 18, 2018. Note the bow design before the remodeling. Photo by Andrew Lotulung/NurPhoto via Getty Images The modification work for both ships is split into two phases. As Naval News highlights, the first-in-class JS Izumo,completed its first phase modifications back in 2021. So far the ship, which was commissioned in 2015, has received a heat-resistant flight deck to cope with the F-35Bs exhaust, alongside alterations to the lighting and deck markings. The second phase of modifications, set to begin in March 2025, will see Izumo reconfigured with a squared-off flight deck, now sported by Kaga. Modifications on Izumo are also set to wrap up by 2027. Recently, Raytheon announced that it would be delivering the Joint Precision Approach and Landing System, or JPALS, to Izumo providing guidance in all weather and surface conditions for F-35B aircraft, which have JPALS integrated. Members of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) Blue Impulse fly over the Japanese escort ship JS Izumo during the "International Fleet Review", held by Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force with some 12 other countries, at Sagami Bay off Kanagawa Prefecture, November 6, 2022. Photo by STR/JIJI Press/AFP via Getty Images As The War Zone reported at the time, Izumo has already performed proof of concept tests with U.S. Marine Corps F-35B jets. During these trials, which occurred in late 2021, USMC F-35Bs undertook very short takeoffs, owing to the vessels unmodified flight deck. As the tests with USMC F-35Bs suggest, modifications to the Izumo class vessels are being made that could also increase interoperability with Japans allies using F-35B aircraft. This not only includes the U.S. but potentially extends to Singapore. Like Japan, South Korea had previously planned to convert its Dokdo class amphibious assault ship classified as landing platform helicopters (LPH) into F-35B carriers. More recent funding cuts in favor of submarine procurement have thrown those plans into doubt, however, as well as that countrys commitment to procuring F-35Bs. Moreover, Tokyo has also chosen to adapt its Izumo class vessels due to its future commitment to the F-35B. According to Lockheed Martin, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, or JASDF, has an established program of record of 147 F-35 Aircraft consisting of 105 F-35A Joint Strike Fighters and up to 42 F-35B models. The JASDF F-35Bs, which Japan has yet to take delivery of, will equip the Izumo class vessels. These and other changes in Japans naval priorities as well as Japan's recent commitment to increased defense spending come amid broader tensions in relation to Chinas growing naval capabilities of late. As The War Zone has previously indicated, Japan has a particular stake in protecting the disputed Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea. The islands would likely prove to be vulnerable during a potential conflict, and their protection could benefit from F-35Bs launched from Izumo class carriers. Chinas own carrier fleet has also been growing in recent years. The country launched its Type 003 aircraft carrier in 2022 and its first Type 075 landing helicopter dock amphibious assault ship in 2019. Maybe more than anything else, the conversion of these vessels into true carriers is emblematic of Japan's shift from upholding a strictly defensive military posture to one that includes power projection and all the geopolitical changes that come with it. Contact the author: oliver@thewarzone.com Jennifer Coolidge in 2023. Leon Bennett/Getty Images Jennifer Coolidge will receive MTV's comedic genius award at the 2023 MTV Movie & TV Awards. Coolidge is the second woman to win the award, after Melissa McCarthy. The awards will take place on Sunday, May 7 at 8 p.m. EST. MTV just announced that Jennifer Coolidge will receive its comedic genius award at the 2023 MTV Movie & TV Awards. Jennifer Coolidge at the 74th annual Emmy Awards. Gilbert Flores/Getty Images On April 20, MTV announced that Coolidge would be honored at the May 7 ceremony with the comedic genius award, which has been granted to just five other actors in the award show's history. According to MTV, the award is given to actors who have made "incomparable contributions to the world of comedy," and have "[transformed] the genre at large." Coolidge's acting career began decades ago with an appearance on "Seinfeld" followed by iconic roles in films including "American Pie" and "Legally Blonde," but it was "The White Lotus" that propelled her into mainstream fame. Her depiction of Tanya McQuoid in the HBO series earned her a Primetime Emmy for outstanding supporting actress in a limited or anthology series or movie in 2022, and a Golden Globe for best supporting actress in a limited series in 2023. Coolidge will soon add the MTV award to her collection. Here are previous winners of the comedic genius prize. The award's first recipient was Will Ferrell, back in 2013. Will Ferrell wins the comedic genius award in 2013. Jason Merritt/Getty Images Will Ferrell, known for iconic movies like "Anchorman"and "Elf," was the first actor to receive the award. His "Elf" costar Peter Dinklage presented him with the award. In a stunt that surprised both the audience and Ferrell himself, Aubrey Plaza came on stage during his acceptance speech to try to pry the award out of his hands. "What's happening?" Ferrell said, appearing genuinely confused when Plaza grabbed the award. She eventually returned to her seat. Ferrell closed out his speech by saying, "For those of you who don't think I'm funny, I'll be happy to fight you in the parking lot after the show. My friend Peter Dinklage has offered to help me fight you to the death, or until our parking meter expires, whichever comes first." Story continues Kevin Hart's two oldest kids joined him onstage when he won the award in 2015. Kevin Hart wins the comedic genius award in 2015. Jason LaVeris/Getty Images When Hart won the award in 2015, he brought his two kids Heaven and Hendrix on stage with him as he accepted the honor. (He has since had two more children.) "I wanna thank my ex-wife for giving me these two kids who are my best friends right now," he said in his acceptance speech. "Heaven, for being the most amazing daughter; Hendrix, for being the most amazing son. My kids, I'm doing all of this for them. I'm trying to leave a legacy for them." "Last but not least, my fans this is for y'all, I love y'all," he continued. In 2016, Melissa McCarthy earned the title. Melissa McCarthy accepts the comedic genius award in 2016. Jeff Kravitz/Getty Images As the first woman to receive the award, Melissa McCarthy made sure to note that she believes there are many women who deserve to be recognized for their comedic talent. "I may be the first woman to receive this award, but I am certainly not the first one to deserve it," she said in her speech. "I'm a walking human patchwork of all the funny women I have loved and studied over the years," she continued, calling out Lucille Ball, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Whoopi Goldberg. Sacha Baron Cohen received the award in 2021. Sacha Baron Cohen in 2021. Pool/Getty Images MTV paused distribution of the award after 2016, but resumed giving out the honor in 2021 to recognize the talent of "Borat" creator and actor Sacha Baron Cohen. His acceptance of the award turned out to be more of a comedy sketch than a traditional acceptance speech, featuring appearances from some of his notable characters: Borat, Ali G, and Bruno. But he also addressed his fans, saying, "Thank you, MTV. To the millions of fans out there who voted for me, I salute you. This is yours." In 2022, Jack Black was recognized as a comedic genius. Jack Black accepts the comedic genius award in 2022. Rich Polk/Getty Images "Comedic genius? Come on, are you kidding?" Jack Black said after somersaulting onto the stage to accept his award. He then listed some of his greatest accomplishments, including "School of Rock" and "Kung Fu Panda." He ended his speech by dedicating the award to his wife and sons. "I love you, I love you, I love you," he said. Coolidge will be honored at this year's MTV Movie & TV Awards, which will air on Sunday, May 7 at 8 p.m. EST. MTV Movie & TV Awards in 2017. Rich Fury/Getty Images In the network's official announcement, MTV described Coolidge as "supernaturally funny." "As Tanya McQuoid, she graced both seasons with a presence both flighty and sympathetic," the statement reads. The MTV Movie & TV Awards will be hosted by Drew Barrymore. Check out the list of nominees here. Read the original article on Insider Jessica Chastain attends the 29th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards in February. Jessica Chastain attends the 29th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards in February. Jessica Chastain fans might want to consider carrying around copies of It and The Help. The George & Tammy star was at the center of a recent TikTok video that went viral due to her refusal to sign a book for a fan. In the video, the fan asked the Oscar winner to sign a copy of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, a 2017 novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid that will soon get a film adaptation on Netflix. Although the streamer hasnt released the cast list yet, zealous fans of the book have long campaigned for Chastain to play a pivotal role. But the actor made it clear to her fan in the viral TikTok that shes not involved in the project. I cant sign that, just because Im not doing it, the actor said before agreeing to take a selfie with the fan instead. Chastain offered a pretty solid reason on Wednesday for refusing to sign the fans book. Ive been asked multiple times by fans, to sign books that Im not attached to contractually, she wrote on Twitter. Because it feels wrong, and like Im taking credit for someone elses work, Ill say I cant sign because Im not doing it. That doesnt mean Ive read a bad script. Ive been asked multiple times by fans, to sign books that Im not attached to contractually. Because it feels wrong, and like Im taking credit for someone elses work, Ill say I cant sign because Im not doing it. That doesnt mean Ive read a bad script. Jessica Chastain (@jes_chastain) April 19, 2023 The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo tells the story of a retired Hollywood actor, Evelyn, who enlists a journalist to conduct a final interview about her life. Social media users have been vocal about how Chastain would be a perfect embodiment of the character Celia St. James, who starts out as Evelyns rival. Story continues In a follow-up tweet, Chastain implied that shes aware of the hype around her casting. I know how excited many you are about adaptations, she wrote. Please dont read too much into a video. In January, Andy Cohen asked Chastain on Watch What Happens Live if she was aware of how many people want you to play Celia St. James. I do know there is an online thing about it, she replied before adding: Sure, send me a script. Its unclear what happened after Chastain said she was open to the part, but it is now clear that she will not appear in the film. Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday sent a congratulatory message to the Lanting Forum on Chinese Modernization and the World held at the Meet-the-World Lounge in Shanghai. In the message, Xi pointed out that realizing modernization is a relentless pursuit of the Chinese people since modern times began, and it is also the common aspiration of people of all countries. "In pursuing modernization, a country needs to follow certain general patterns. More importantly, it should proceed from its own realities and develop its own features," said Xi. After a long and arduous quest, the Communist Party of China has led the entire Chinese nation in finding a development path that suits China's conditions, Xi said. "We are now building a strong country and advancing national rejuvenation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization." Xi said China will provide new opportunities for global development with new accomplishments in Chinese modernization, lend new impetus to humanity's search for paths toward modernization and better social systems, and work with all countries to advance the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. The Lanting Forum on Chinese Modernization and the World was organized by the China Public Diplomacy Association and the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs, and was supported by the Shanghai Municipal People's Government. Representatives of governments, think tanks and the media from nearly 80 countries participated in the Forum. WASHINGTON (AP) Jill Biden hopes a temporary art exhibit at the White House helps educate visitors about the lives of military children. April is the Month of the Military Child and the first lady had the art installed as part of Joining Forces, her White House initiative to support military and veteran families, caregivers and survivors. The display of 10 mini suitcases designed by military and veteran children reflects their lives of frequent moves. Some of the cases are adorned with depictions of the flags of the countries they have lived in as a result of their parent's deployment. It was inspired by My Military Suitcase, a poem written by a fourth grader from a U.S. Marine Corps family that was featured in a similar exhibit last year. Biden is the daughter and mother of military service members and she often notes that military children also serve even though they aren't in uniform. It's my hope that this beautiful art installation helps White House visitors better understand and appreciate the unique experiences of the children who serve alongside U.S. service members and veterans., the first lady said in a statement. There are more than 2 million military-connected children of active-duty service members, National Guard or reservists, or veterans, the White House said. They move an average of six to nine times during their K-12 education, and change schools three times more than their civilian peers. The exhibit will remain on display in the East Wing through the end of the month. Sen. John Fetterman. Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) has returned to the Senate following treatment for clinical depression, and told NPR he's hoping that by talking about his mental health, it will help others who might be hesitant to seek help. "I was so depressed that I didn't even realize I was depressed," he said during an interview with Scott Detrow. "I didn't even understand it. This, to me, just became the new normal." Fetterman said he wasn't eating or drinking enough and lost 25 pounds, and at times would also "say things, incoherent things, and I would become kind of just [disoriented], and getting lost walking around in Washington." Fetterman won his Senate seat in November, defeating celebrity doctor Mehmet Oz and giving Democrats an important win that helped secure control of the Senate. After his victory, "I still felt that depression like, I felt lost," he said. "I wasn't elated. I wasn't happy about it. I was relieved that it was over." Ahead of the Democratic primary, Fetterman had a stroke, and he said that, coupled with stress, a hard campaign, and a barrage of attack ads, formed "a perfect storm." By mid-February, he realized he needed to seek treatment, but said he was second-guessing himself even as he prepared to check into the hospital on his son's 14th birthday. "I always get emotional just thinking about it," he said. "I think back [to] when I was 14 years old, what if this would have been what happened to me?" During treatment, Fetterman said he focused on how his depression affected his family and constituents, and it was "about me redeeming, trying to redeem myself in their eyes." With his depression now in remission, Fetterman told Detrow he is "really committed to ... letting people know if anyone has any of these feelings, there's a path, and you can get better." When he was in "the throes of depression," Fetterman said he was "not the kind of senator that was deserved by Pennsylvanians. I wasn't the kind of partner that I owe to my wife, Gisele, or to my children, Karl, Grace, and August." He feels "honored to have the ability to try to pay it forward, because I was blessed in my opportunities," and encouraged those who have depression to get help. "If I'd had done that years ago, I would not have had to put my family and myself and my colleagues [through] that if I had gotten help," he said. "So if you suffer from it, you have an opportunity to get rid of it. And I didn't believe it. But right now I'm the guy that didn't believe that I could get rid of my depression. And now I did." Story continues You may also like Trump, other GOP rivals mock DeSantis for getting 'absolutely destroyed' in Disney feud Dominion CEO says 'we feel we got' accountability in Fox settlement Has the GOP's culture war been for naught? John Leguizamo said he'd "consider" a role in a "Super Mario Bros. Movie" sequel if it were more inclusive. The actor has called out the film for being less inclusive than the 1993 Mario film in which he starred. "I know it's a big hit, but that doesn't make it OK," Leguizamo told IndieWire. John Leguizamo said that he'd "consider" accepting a role in a sequel to "The Super Mario Bros. Movie," but only if the film became more inclusive. Leguizamo, long an advocate for Latin representation in Hollywood, starred in the 1993 "Super Mario Bros." movie as Luigi opposite Bob Hoskins' Mario. The actor has called out the new animated "Super Mario Bros. Movie," which is voiced by Chris Pratt and Charlie Day as Mario and Luigi, for its comparative lack of diversity in the voice acting cast. Leguizamo told IndieWire that if the film became more inclusive in a hypothetical sequel, he wouldn't necessarily be opposed to joining the franchise. "If they start to do the right thing and add more inclusivity, I'd consider it," he said. Leguizamo is currently promoting his new MSNBC series 'Leguizamo Does America," which features the actor traveling from city to city in the United States highlighting Latino stories. He's also currently starring in "The Power" on Prime Video alongside Toni Collette, Toheeb Jimoh, and Auli'i Cravalho. The actor previously told TMZ that he wouldn't be watching "The Super Mario Bros." movie because it represented a step back in inclusion from his casting in the 1993 film. He also made similar comments in a separate interview with IndieWire in November 2022, saying the film not casting another actor of color in the role "kind of sucks." "I spoke my mind," Leguizamo said of his criticisms of the film in the April IndieWire interview. "The directors of the last one fought really hard to have inclusivity, to have me in there, and it's sad that they went backwards instead of forwards. They didn't meet the times. I know it's a big hit, but that doesn't make it OK." Read the original article on Insider E. Jean Carroll and Donald Trump Getty/Getty E. Jean Carroll's rape lawsuit against former President Donald Trump goes to trial next week. A federal judge sealed documents related to whether billionaire Reid Hoffman funded Carroll's suit. Trump's legal team plans to oppose the move. A federal judge agreed to seal material related to whether billionaire and prominent Democratic party donor Reid Hoffman is bankrolling a rape lawsuit against former President Donald Trump. In an unexplained order on Friday, US District Judge Lewis Kaplan agreed with a request from a lawyer for plaintiff E. Jean Carroll to keep a batch of documents under seal, as well as all future filings and hearings about the issue. "The interest in public access here is minimal, particularly given that the parties' previous on-the-record filings already afforded the public meaningful access to information about this otherwise irrelevant and tangential topic," Carroll's lawyer Roberta Kaplan wrote, adding that some files may be protected by attorney-client privilege. Alina Habba, an attorney representing Trump in the lawsuit, told Insider she would oppose the decision. In 2019, Carroll, a writer and longtime Elle advice columnist, publicly accused Trump of raping her in a Bergdorf Goodman's department store changing room in the 1990s. Trump denied the allegations and called Carroll a liar, leading to Carroll filing a defamation lawsuit against him, which remains pending, and a later battery lawsuit, which is scheduled to begin trial next week in Manhattan federal court. Lawyers for Trump had repeatedly sought to delay the case, to no avail. On April 13, Habba asked Judge Kaplan (who is not related to Carroll's lawyer) again to delay the trial and reopen the discovery process in the case. Carroll's legal team, Habba said, had disclosed that a nonprofit funded by Hoffman a founder and former executive chairman of LinkedIn had contributed money to Kaplan's law firm. The funding, Habba argued, was "particularly relevant in the instant matter given the political overtones of this case" and Trump's current campaign in the 2024 presidential race. Story continues In a dueling court filing, Roberta Kaplan said that her firm was paid on a contingency basis for the lawsuit. Funding from Hoffman's nonprofit, American Future Republic, was used only to pay "certain costs and fees in connection with the firm's work on Carroll's behalf." Carroll didn't personally communicate with the nonprofit organization or its financial supporters, Kaplan said. "The resources that Ms. Carroll's counsel were able to secure obviously have nothing to do with what happened at Bergdorf Goodman and whether Donald Trump lied about Ms. Carroll starting in June 2019 when this dispute began," Kaplan wrote. The judge nonetheless permitted Trump's lawyers to ask Carroll more deposition questions about whether she knew about the funding a question that he said could be relevant to jurors evaluating her credibility but refused to push back the trial. Judge Kaplan's deadline for additional discovery passed earlier this week. Carroll's attorney on Friday filed several documents related to the issue, along with her now-approved request to seal them. The trial, which is expected to last about a week, is scheduled to begin jury selection on Tuesday. Trump's attorneys haven't yet said whether the former president will attend the trial, and Judge Kaplan isn't forcing him to. The judge did, however, deny a request from Trump's lawyers to tell jurors that he was excused from showing up because of logistical and security arrangements related to his appearance in downtown Manhattan. "The Court notes from Mr. Trump's campaign web site and media reports that he announced earlier this week that he will speak at a campaign event in New Hampshire on April 27, 2023, the third day of the scheduled trial in this case," the judge wrote in a Thursday order. "If the Secret Service can protect him at that event, certainly the Secret Service, the Marshals Service, and the City of New York can see to his security in this very secure federal courthouse." Read the original article on Business Insider An Ada County judge took a softer approach recently when sentencing a former nurse arrested on drug charges, but warned him that he must have a permanent fork in the road by changing his lifestyle. Police found Gregory Applegate Jr., 28, of Meridian, falling asleep behind the wheel of his crashed Jeep SUV which was still running after it struck a pole at a Starbucks drive-thru in Eagle in December 2021, according to previous Idaho Statesman reporting. Applegate pleaded guilty to felony possession of a controlled substance and misdemeanor driving under the influence. A third charge for drug paraphernalia was dismissed at the prosecutors request. He changed his plea from not guilty to guilty in a deal last October. At the time of his arrest, Applegate admitted to smoking fentanyl right before emergency responders arrived, court documents show. A police search of his SUV revealed multiple prescription pills, a burned piece of aluminum foil, a lighter and several straws with burned ends, according to a probable cause report. Applegate had DUI arrests from 2017 and 2019, and a misdemeanor theft conviction from 2019. His LinkedIn pages show that he previously worked as a nurse in multiple locations around Boise, with the most recent being Cascadia Healthcare. Steve LaForte, attorney for Cascadia Healthcare, told the Statesman last September that Applegate did not work for the company then. During his sentencing on March 28, Applegate spoke to 4th District Judge Cynthia Yee-Wallace about his mental health issues and commitment to turning his life around. Instead of giving him prison time, Yee-Wallace assigned conditions that she said she hoped would help Applegate overcome his struggles with substance abuse. For possession of a controlled substance, Yee-Wallace ordered a withheld judgment meaning Applegate could seek dismissal of the charges after successfully completing his sentence, which was five years of probation and 100 hours of community service. Story continues She encouraged Applegate to use his probation time to figure out how to heal the parts of you that make you reach for things on the outside to heal whats really on the inside, court records show. I think once you heal that stuff which is super hard work it becomes a little bit less heavy to deal with managing your substance abuse and mental health issues, Yee-Wallace said. As part of probation, the judge ordered Applegate to seek help from a mental health counselor and substance abuse treatment program. She also required that he see a medical professional and follow their recommendations. Yee-Wallace said she didnt have a problem with the use of methadone, a drug mentioned by Applegate at sentencing that is used to treat those with opioid addiction, she did not believe it would be enough on its own. Methadone is not going to save you, Yee-Wallace said. It can maybe get you to a place where you can accept treatment and maybe start to look at some of the things that youve never received, like unconditional love and acceptance of yourself, and healing the parts of you that make you depressed. On the DUI charge, Yee-Walace sentenced Applegate to 30 days in the Ada County Jail and suspended his drivers license for 150 days. For one year, Applegate will be allowed to operate a vehicle only with an interlock device that requires drivers to pass a breathalyzer test before driving. KEY WEST, Fla. (AP) At Books & Books, the nonprofit store Judy Blume and her husband have run for the past seven years, you will find her own work in various sections: from general fiction, among the other B-named authors, to a shelf dedicated exclusively to her a name unto herself. For more than 50 years, since her breakthrough novel Are You There God? It's Me Margaret, Blume has been a proud member of the literary community and a citizen of special status. She is an eager promoter of other people's works, whether on social media or at her store. She is also a literary celebrity of the rarest kind, who has not only sold millions of books, but moved young readers so profoundly that, as adults, they approach her in tears and thank her. I remind them of their childhood, she likes to say. Now 85, Blume has never been forgotten, but she is currently enjoying renewed interest. For the first time, one of her books has been adapted into a major Hollywood film: Are You There God? Its Me, Margaret is written and directed by Kelly Fremon Craig (Edge of Seventeen). Premiering next week, it stars Abby Ryder Fortson as the preteen from New Jersey with a lot of questions about religion, boys and her own body. There's also a new documentary, Judy Blume Forever, which includes tributes from Molly Ringwald, Tayari Jones, Jason Reynolds and many others. She just really got what it was like to be that age, Craig says. And I think at that age its meaningful to see yourself reflected back at you. Books & Books, located on a corner just a block off the main drag, has become a destination in Key West, like the former home of Ernest Hemingway and the Little White House once favored by Harry Truman. Blume says that she and her husband, George Cooper, expected around 80% of their customers to be locals and the remainder tourists. The opposite has been true, even though Blume doesnt come in every day. An email recently sent to the store reads: Hello there, I would love to know if Judy will be at the store between Thursday and Sunday. I would love to meet this brilliant mind from my childhood, and have a book signed by her. Thanks so much. Story continues Wearing a white buttoned shirt and tan clamdigger pants, Blume spoke in late March from a favorite refuge the roof of her bookstores building, looking out on a muggy, cloudy morning over the island city in which she and Cooper live for most of the year. I have no private life anymore, she laments with a smile, reflecting on press events from Los Angeles to the independent movie theater just down the street. The Tropic Center, co-founded by Cooper, hosted an early screening of Craig's film during an event where Blume was presented with a key to the city. In the afterword to one of her most autobiographical novels, starring sally j. freedman as herself, Blume remembered being curious, imaginative, a worrier when she was a girl, qualities she clearly has retained. She is as likely to ask you about your life as she is to answer questions about her own. She speaks of everyday concerns, among them the sound of thunder. Blume has not written a full-length book since In the Unlikely Event, published in 2015. But she is never far from her 12-year-old self, the self of Are You There God? and other books, the age when she was When I look into a kids eyes, when one of them comes into the bookstore, I can feel a connection, she says. Born Judith Sussman to a dentist and housewife and raised in New Jersey, she is a lifelong reader and lifelong storyteller. But she had no Judy Blumes to turn to as a child, no books affirming her deepest thoughts or guiding her through physical and emotional changes. Like countless women of her generation, she was expected to marry and raise a family, and fulfilled those promises early: She married John Blume in 1959, in her early 20s, and had two children within the next five years. But by the end of the 1960s, the wife and mother was becoming a professional writer. She published the children's book The One in the Middle Is the Green Kangaroo in 1969, soon followed by Iggie's House and, based in part on her early adolescence, Are You There God? I remember things. I have a really good memory. And I wanted to be honest about sixth grade, she says. It was a year of obsession with bodily development. I wanted to be normal. I was a late developer, a tiny kid, and I just wanted to be like everybody else. She has since written more than a dozen books, sold more than 80 million copies and challenged many taboos: Teenage sex in "Forever," masturbation in Deenie, divorce in It's Not the End of the World (Blume and her first husband divorced in 1975, three years after It's Not the End of the World was published). Her power isn't only in what she writes, but the voice she writes in confiding and inquisitive, open and matter-of-fact about the most sensitive topics, as if sharing secrets with friends unseen. These are not books to be read aloud in a classroom, Blume says. These are books to take into your bed. They are personal and intimate. Censors have offered their own kind of tribute to Blume by trying to keep young people from reading her. Forever, Are You There God? and Deenie have been frequently challenged and complained about over the past 30 years, according to the American Library Association. Blume noted that a bill being considered by the Florida House would ban discussion of menstrual cycles in elementary schools, legislation that reminds her of a local principal in New Jersey who objected to Are You There God? when it was first published. He said, I cant have girls in our school reading about this. And Im like, Do you know how many girls in the fifth and sixth grade have already had their periods? Blume says. Now, look what's going on in Florida. You have girls being told not to talk about menstruation. What are you going to do? Of course theyre going to talk about it. The adaptation, which also stars Rachel McAdams and Kathy Bates, has the explicit material of the original book, and a sentimental feel that only time can add. While writing the book, Blume set her story in what was then the present the late 1960s to early 1970s. The film takes place in the same era, a choice Blume insisted upon. This book cannot be updated because of the electronics. I don't want them to have phones. I don't want them to be texting, she says of the film's characters. Blume added that she didn't envision young people as the movie's primary audience. It's not for the kids, although they can go they're welcome to go, I hope they do, she says. It's a nostalgia piece. And it's really for the people who grew up with it. It's girls' night out. Blume had long resisted requests to grant the film rights, but changed her mind a few years ago. She had loved Edge of Seventeen, a coming-of-age story released in 2016, and was open to meeting with Craig after the filmmaker emailed her. Authors have had a long, troubled history with the filming of their books, but Blume says she could not be happier. She has enthusiastically promoted the project, citing just one objection she raised during the production an objection that could only come from her. In one of the book's most famous passages, Margaret and her friends chant We must! We must! We must increase our bust! with an accompanying exercise. But Blume noticed something off in how the kids were moving their arms. I discovered I had been doing it wrong for 30 years, Craig says. All my friends, when we we were little, we'd kind of clap our hands together and push them real hard and flex our muscles. That's the way it was going in my mind. And Judy says, No, no, no, thats not how you do it. You clench your hands and pull your arms back. I was happy she was there that day, Craig added. I couldn't get such an iconic moment wrong. I would have had to go back and film it again. A Mossberg 22 cal. AR-15 style rifle rests on a countertop at a Jacksonville gun shop in this 2016 photo. Federal prosecutors have charged Clay County business owner Kristopher "Justin" Ervin with viol;ating federal gun laws by selling devices to convert rifles like this into fully automatic machine guns. Jurors found an Orange Park business owner guilty on all counts in a federal trial about marketing thousands of illegal machine-gun conversion devices through a web-based company advertising on YouTube. A Wisconsin gun dealer whose gun-centered YouTube channel has 180,000 subscribers was convicted of conspiracy with Auto Key Card owner Kristopher Justin Ervin as well as four counts of transferring the unregistered devices. Gun dealer Matthew Hoover, known to many gun enthusiuast through his CRS Firearms channel, was taken into custody by U.S. marshals after the verdict was returned Friday. Ervin has been behind bars since his arrest in 2021. Hoover had been allowed to remain free before the trial and had continued posting YouTube installments, some about his own case. His attorneys asked to continue that or to let him surrender to marshals in Wisconsin. But U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard said custody was the default for someone convicted of multiple felonies and declined to make an exception after a hearing where prosecutors raised concerns about safety of trial witnesses and prosecutors, citing hostile comments by visitors to Hoovers YouTube site. Sentencing was tentatively scheduled for July 31. This graphic appeared on a website federal agents said Orange Park resident Kristopher Ervin used to sell card-shaped strips of metal etched with a design that could convert a semiautomatic rifle into a machine gun. Ervin sold card-shaped strips of stainless steel etched with patterns for equipment colloquially called a lightning link that can convert a semiautomatic AR-15 rifle into a fully automatic machine gun that fires round upon round from a single trigger-pull. Although a buyer would have to follow the etched lines with a cutting tool, prosecutors argued the cards qualified as conversion devices, which the federal government treats like machine guns that have to be registered and regulated under the National Firearms Act of 1934. Where is the line? Thats really a question you all will have to face, Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Cofer Taylor told jurors Thursday afternoon, shortly before eight women and four men began deliberating. Story continues Defense attorneys argued the firearms law doesnt cover their clients because it doesnt restrict items that could potentially be made into conversion devices but havent been yet. As long as you do not cut it out you have not broken the law, Ervins lawyer, Alex King, told the same jury earlier in the afternoon. The trial included testimony from some Auto Key Card clients who said they had not cut the cards they bought but wanted them on hand in case of dystopian emergencies like a breakdown in social order. A 12-count indictment finalized last month charged the men with conspiracy and seven counts of illegally distributing unregistered machine-gun conversion devices, as well as three counts for Ervin of possession of unregistered devices and a single banking charge of structuring financial transactions to avoid triggering attention to the account that handled Auto Key Card sales and expenses. Ervin was first charged in 2021 and Hoover was added as a defendant last year, as prosecutors substituted in new indictments to describe the teamwork that developed between the men. Matthew Hoover, a Wisconsin gun dealer who talked about Orange Park resident Kristopher J. Ervin's AutoKeyCard in a popular YouTube channel, was indicted with Ervin on gun and conspiracy charges. Where Ervin struggled to find customers when he began selling Auto Key Cards in 2020, sales surged dramatically when he began sponsoring installments of Hoovers CRS Firearms YouTube channel. King told jurors the companys records reflected somewhere between 900 and 3,000 people getting Auto Key Cards. During the trial, prosecutors highlighted email between Ervin and the woman who is now Hoovers wife, whom Ervin told your man is one hell of a salesman. On his channel, Hoover praised the cards, priced from around $40 for one version to more than $180 for one with multiple designs that were billed as being items like pen holders and bottle openers. He also often criticized the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, which enforces the firearms act, and expressed concerns about excessive regulation of guns. Auto Key Cards are awesome because theyre stupid cheap, he said in one segment. You could drop it in your rifle or, you know, if youre actually gonna do this legally, this is just a bottle opener. What this is, is a novelty, he continued. So if someone sees it, theyre like, hey, what is this? You explain to them that because laws are so ridiculous and so out of control, if I were to cut on these lines, I would become a felon. How ridiculous is that? Its just a conversation starter. Attorneys for both defendants said they're planning appeals. One of Hoover's attorneys, Matthew Larosiere, said part of the appeal is likely to involve issues raised by the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling last year in New York State Rifle & Pistol Ass'n, Inc. v. Bruen, a case where the justices said regulations that didn't violate the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution needed a "historical tradition of firearm regulation." This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Clay County man, YouTube celeb convicted in machine-gun converter trial Morgan Trowland (pictured) and Marcus Decker were sentenced at Southend Crown Court - Twitter A judge has given heavy sentences to two Just Stop Oil protesters who brought traffic at the Dartford Crossing to a standstill last year. Sentencing Morgan Trowland, 40, to three years in prison and 34-year-old Marcus Decker to two years and seven months, Judge Shane Collery KC said on Friday that the pair had to be punished for the chaos they caused to deter others from similar disruptive tactics. Trowland and Decker had used ropes and other climbing equipment to scale the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, which links the M25 in Essex and Kent. Their sentences are the heaviest handed out to environmental protesters who have embarked on a campaign of disruption in recent years, targeting roads and oil terminals. It came as police river patrols and specialist officers armed with glue removal equipment were being deployed to foil any similar disruption during a weekend of Extinction Rebellion climate protests that could see tens of thousands descend on the capital. Southend Crown Court heard that Trowland and Decker forced the Queen Elizabeth Bridge to close from 4am on Oct 17 to 9pm the following day, causing miles of jams as traffic was forced to use the tunnel instead. Judge Collery told them: You have to be punished for the chaos you caused and to deter others from copying you. The judge said protest is tolerated but that in no society can there be a blank cheque in terms of what's permitted, adding that the pair plainly believed you knew better than everyone else. In short, to hell with everyone else. Both defendants were found guilty by unanimous verdicts of causing a public nuisance, following an earlier trial at Basildon Crown Court. Essex Police said those impacted by the traffic disruption included a heavily pregnant woman who needed urgent medical help. Another person missed the funeral of their best friend of 35 years, and a business lost more than 160,000 in earnings. Judge Collery told the pair: By your actions, you caused this very important road to be closed for 40 hours. He noted that the disruption affected many tens of thousands, some very significantly. Story continues Trowland, 40, who has six previous convictions relating to protests, is a bridge design engineer from Islington, north London, who was originally from New Zealand. He was one of the activists behind the September 2020 blockade of a Hertfordshire newspaper print works. Decker, of no fixed address, is a German national with two degrees and an expert in climbing who works as a teacher and musician. He has one previous conviction relating to a protest. Marcus Decker, a 33-year-old teacher, scaled the bridge in October - Twitter Previous custodial sentences for climate protests have ranged from a 28 days to 18 months conditional discharge, though many accused have spent time in prison after being remanded in custody ahead of trial. Just Stop Oil said: These are the longest sentences for peaceful climate action in UK history. Stephanie Golder, a Just Stop Oil spokeswoman, said she was horrified, adding: I think the judge was trying to set a precedent. Hes trying to deter people but we are not to be deterred because, until the Government commits to no new oil and gas, we will continue in our campaign of resistance. This weekends protests are Extinction Rebellions first major action since it announced it was moving away from more disruptive methods in order to prioritise attendance over arrest and relationships over roadblocks. But Scotland Yard said specialist protest removal teams ready to remove anyone who glued or locked themselves to buildings and other physical structures. They will be backed up by high-speed Met Police river patrols deployed to foil any attempts to blockade bridges crossing the River Thames. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said: Where protest crosses the line into criminality, we will respond quickly and remove and arrest activists as appropriate and return things to normal as soon as possible. As part of the protests, the Church of England hosted an environmental service at St Johns Church in Waterloo, central London, on Friday, with activists and members of the House of Lords environment and climate change committee. Following the service, the congregation joined the protests in Whitehall and outside Parliament. On Saturday, protesters will gather for a Big Biodiversity March, with hundreds planning to stage a die-in outside Parliament, lying down for five minutes in silence to highlight the urgency of ecological collapse. Sundays protests will coincide with the London Marathon on Sunday, and fears have been voiced that splinter groups could try to disrupt the race. Extinction Rebellion has promised to avoid disrupting the Marathon and has been in talks with race organisers to ensure minimal disruption, with the groups stewards saying they will help protect runners. A Travis County judge said Thursday that the high-profile murder case against Kaitlin Armstrong in the shooting death of cyclist Moriah Wilson last year will proceed toward a June 26 trial date. Armstrong, who appeared in court wearing a burgundy shirt with black-and-white jail pants, told state District Judge Brandy Mueller that she is persisting in her request for a speedy trial. Her defense team had sought a speedy trial last year. However, defense attorney Rick Cofer told Mueller that he and his team might need to request that the trial be delayed until later this year so they can secure witnesses and other evidence for her defense. Mueller asked Cofer to make such a request by May 1. More: Here's what we know about murder suspect Kaitlin Armstrong's arrest in Costa Rica Kaitlin Armstrong makes a pretrial appearance Thursday at the Blackwell-Thurman Criminal Justice Center. Armstrong has been charged with murder in the death of star cyclist Moriah Wilson. Armstrong has been charged with murder in the death of Wilson, who was found shot in an East Austin home May 11. Police have accused Armstrong of killing Wilson because of a relationship Wilson had with Armstrong's live-in boyfriend. In the days after Wilson's death, Armstrong traveled to Costa Rica. She was arrested there by federal officials and brought back to Austin. More: Feds detail capture of Kaitlin Armstrong, suspect in cyclist's killing Mueller pointed out that Armstrong continues to assert her innocence and that it doesn't seem likely she is considering a plea deal with prosecutors. Mueller said that if the case goes to trial, it probably would be heard by a visiting judge, Brenda Kennedy, who presided over the case until her retirement in January. Mueller said she has other cases on her docket set for trial that week. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Kaitlin Armstrong murder case in Moriah Wilson's death advances to trial A 25-year-old Kansas City man has been sentenced in federal court to nearly 22 years in prison for the attempted murder of a teen because of the victims sexual orientation, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Western District of Missouri announced. U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes sentenced 25-year-old Malachi Robinson Thursday to 21 years and 10 months in federal prison without parole for the hate crime. Robinson pleaded guilty in June to violating the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act after admitting to luring his then-16-year-old victim identified in court documents as M.S. into a wooded area to shoot him in 2019. After a chance meeting at the Kansas City Public Library, Robinson and the victim talked over Facebook Messenger before meeting outside the library on May 29, 2019, federal prosecutors said. The two began to walk around Swope Park, where Robinson suggested they go into a secluded area under the guise of engaging in a sex act, while writing separately to his girlfriend that he might shoot the boy. Once they entered a nearby wooded area, M.S. changed his mind and attempted to leave when Robinson pulled out his pistol and shot the victim eight times. M.S. was able to leave the area before collapsing by a nearby apartment building, where a bystander called 911. Prosecutors say M.S., who was transported to the hospital that day in critical condition, continues to suffer long term effects. The victim has undergone several surgeries and physical therapy, and bullets still remain inside him. After the shooting, Robinson allegedly told others he shot the victim because of his sexual orientation. Bias motivated misconduct has no place in our country, and the Justice Department is committed to working with our federal, state, and local partners to vigorously pursue justice for victims targeted because of their sexual orientation, wrote Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division in a release from prosecutors. Story continues FBI hate crime data released last month shows that Missouri reported its highest ever number of hate crimes in 2021, the most recent year for which data is available. Law enforcement agencies in Missouri reported 194 hate crimes to the FBI in 2021, surpassing the states previous record of 167 hate crimes in 1993. Of these, more than half were motivated by racial bias, according to an analysis by The Star. Kansas City reported 39 hate crimes in 2021, by far the largest number of any jurisdiction in the state. By comparison, the city of St. Louis only reported nine. Star reporter Natalie Wallington contributed. Francis George Woodcock poses for a photo at the Great Wall on April 17, 2023, in Beijing during the 7th China-Africa Youth Festival. [Photo courtesy of Francis George Woodcock] "For me, China and Chinese culture are so mysterious and enticing that I felt compelled to come to China and explore it myself," said Francis George Woodcock from Seychelles, speaking in fluent Chinese during the 7th China-Africa Youth Festival. This 28-year-old man from the African island nation has always been captivated by Chinese culture and arts, such as martial arts. He is a huge fan of the late kung fu star Bruce Lee. He visited Hong Kong and Macao in 2015 and Beijing in 2016 for sightseeing. These experiences further fueled his determination to embark on a long journey of exploration in China. To prepare for his travels, Woodcock began learning Chinese at the local Confucius Institute in Seychelles. In 2017, he continued his studies at Beijing International Studies University through a scholarship program. That same year, he was admitted to Dalian University in Dalian, the capital of northeast China's Liaoning province. "I majored in economics at Dalian University, but I also learned about China's political system and long history," said Woodcock. "Even when I returned to Seychelles and had online classes during the pandemic, I didn't give up." Woodcock graduated last year and now works as a market analyst at Seychelles Trading Company. "During my four-year study in China, I not only gained knowledge but also met people from all over China and made many friends. By talking with them, new ideas emerged in my mind," he recalled. Woodcock was excited to return to China and participate in the 7th China-Africa Youth Festival, held from April 16 to 23, with the first stop in Beijing and the second in east China's Shandong province. He also encouraged his friends in Seychelles to study in China. He believes that Africa, as a developing continent, has much to learn from China, the world's largest developing country that has achieved greater development than African nations. He points to China's commitment to development, success in eradicating absolute poverty, and efforts to revitalize rural areas. "The Chinese people are diligent and united in solving problems in a targeted manner," Woodcock said. "Africa should also unite to solve our own problems and take our development to a higher level." Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly approved a $17 billion budget but rejected several provisions, including GOP policies contained in it to limit universities ability to ask job applicants about diversity, equity and inclusion and funding for anti-abortion crisis pregnancy centers. In a statement Friday, Kelly expressed support for the overall funding plan for the state government but issued several statements explaining her line-item vetoes of pieces she could not support. The hallmark of our higher education system is its commitment to facilitating open dialogue that allows students to learn, grow, and challenge their thinking, Kelly said in a statement that went on to say the DEI provision limited universities ability to do that. The crisis pregnancy center funding, she said, required the state treasurer to act beyond their traditional responsibilities to oversee funding for unregulated entities. The limits on diversity, equity and inclusion in university hiring were promoted by Republicans in the House and Senate who worried Kansas colleges were asking hires to subscribe to a particular frame of thinking. But the policy in the budget included carve outs that significantly narrowed its scope. If DEI expertise is necessary to an individuals field universities would be allowed to ask about it. And the provision specifically said it would not be construed to limit academic freedom or prevent compliance with federal and state anti-discrimination laws. Critics of the policy, however, said it unnecessarily intruded on the colleges by letting politicians decide whether DEI questions are appropriate rather than administrators. Crisis pregnancy centers The $2 million for crisis pregnancy centers would be used to establish a new state alternatives to abortion program. Anti-abortion lawmakers say the funding is necessary to ensure women who choose to keep their pregnancy have the help they need. But abortion rights supporters have long criticized the centers for failing to provide a full range of medical services and misleading or pressuring women who are seeking abortions. Story continues In a statement House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican, criticized the number of line-item vetoes Kelly applied to the budget. In total she rejected 15 items in the bill. The middle of the road governor vetoed everything from supporting women in need, to a provision preventing the promotion of radical ideology to be advanced with tax payer dollars at our state universities, to even making it harder for Kansas youth to enjoy outdoor activities, Hawkins said. Rest assured, the legislature will examine each of these line items and will take up overrides on several of them next week. The budget bill also includes $6 million to develop a foster care therapeutic program and nearly $7 million for a new Kansas Highway Patrol helicopter. Lawmakers return to Topeka next month where they will write a final budget for the year. At that time, lawmakers will consider a 5% pay raise for state employees proposed by Kelly, valued at $170 million. Lawmakers will also consider separate legislation to fund K-12 schools for fiscal years 2023 and 2024. The Stars Jonathan Shorman contributed reporting. Education Sec. Miguel Cardona. GREG NASH/POOL/AFP via Getty Images Kevin McCarthy unveiled his bill to raise the debt ceiling on Wednesday. It included banning student-loan forgiveness and ending the payment pause. Education Sec. Miguel Cardona blasted the legislation, saying it'll harm McCarthy's own constituents. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona isn't thrilled with Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy's proposal to raise the debt ceiling. On Wednesday, McCarthy unveiled the text of his legislation to raise the debt ceiling by $1.5 trillion, or until March 31, 2024, whichever happens first. The 320-page bill included $4.5 trillion in spending cuts, including strengthened work requirements on welfare programs, rescinding unspent pandemic funds, and banning student-loan forgiveness. Cardona took issue with the latter. "Speaker McCarthy declared that he will force a catastrophic default and plunge America into recession unless he can claw back school relief dollars and prevent millions of hardworking Americans including over 83,000 borrowers in his own district from getting the student debt relief they need coming out of the pandemic," he said in a Wednesday statement. "It's a shame for students and working families across the country that Republican lawmakers, many of whom benefitted from hundreds of thousands of dollars in small business loan forgiveness, continue to fight hypocritically to deny critical student debt relief to millions of their own constituents," Cardona added, referring to loan forgiveness from the pandemic-era Paycheck Protection Program. Secretary Miguel Cardona (@SecCardona) April 20, 2023 To be sure, McCarthy's bill is highly unlikely to be signed into law because even if it makes it to President Joe Biden's desk, it'll probably be vetoed. But the programs included in the legislation show where Republicans' priorities lie and they're continuing to oppose any student-debt relief efforts. Along with banning Biden's plan to cancel up to $20,000 in student debt for federal borrowers, the bill also proposed ending the student-loan payment pause and blocking Cardona from implementing a reformed income-driven repayment plan. Story continues Currently, Biden's broad debt relief is paused following two conservative-backed lawsuits that blocked the implementation of the plan, and the Supreme Court is expected to issue a final decision of the legality of the relief by June. But even if the relief doesn't go through, federal borrowers are still expected to resume payments this year and it's unclear if the department has the resources to implement announced reforms to targeted repayment plans by then. Despite GOP opposition, though, Biden has maintained confidence in his debt relief's legality and blasted McCarthy's efforts to prevent millions of borrowers from receiving student-loan forgiveness this year. "Let's get this straight: MAGA House Republicans are holding the economy hostage to prevent student debt relief from happening, while making it easier for the rich to cheat on their taxes," Biden wrote on Twitter on Thursday. "Shows you whose side they're on." Read the original article on Business Insider There has rarely been a moment of calm since Elon Musk bought Twitter last year, quickly fired thousands of workers and restored ex-president Donald Trump's account. This week, Musk swept away the old systems that had publicly verified and labelled accounts as he seeks a path to profit for the ailing social media platform. Here are the key moments of his chaotic tenure: - Enter Elon - Musk, already the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, buys Twitter in late October last year for $44 billion after months of on-off negotiations. "Let the good times roll," he tweets after the deal is sealed on October 28. He becomes the sole director of the company after dissolving its corporate board. - Monthly charge - On November 1, Musk announces the site will start charging $8 per month for "Twitter Blue", which will give paid-for accounts the same blue checkmarks that were previously awarded free of charge to "notable" accounts. But chaos ensues. Spammers and impersonators rush to buy the blue ticks, experts warn of a flood of disinformation and Twitter quickly rows back the launch. - Advertiser exodus - Dozens of companies, including Coca-Cola and Volkswagen, suspend their advertising on Twitter in November as they monitor the new direction the company will take. By some estimates, the site loses half of its top 100 advertisers, though ads remain its main source of revenue. - Massive layoffs - On November 4, Musk fires half of Twitter's 7,500 staff, sending shockwaves through Silicon Valley. He tweets that "unfortunately there is no choice when the company is losing over $4M/day". - Regulator 'concern'- The chaos draws a rare warning on November 10 from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the US authority that oversees consumer safety. "We are tracking recent developments at Twitter with deep concern," says an FTC spokesperson. - Trump return - Musk, a self-pronounced free speech absolutist, reinstates the account of former president Donald Trump after a poll of users votes narrowly in favour. A few days later he announces an "amnesty" for all banned Twitter accounts. Story continues However, rapper Kanye West's account is suspended for incitement to violence after he tweets a picture that appears to show a swastika interlaced with a Star of David. - Twitter Blue, take two - In mid-December Musk relaunches Twitter Blue. This time, Twitter promises to review accounts before giving them a blue tick. At this stage, the previously verified accounts keep their blue ticks, meaning there are two types of accounts emblazoned with the badge of approval. - Musk to step down - On December 19, Twitter users vote by 57.5 percent to oust Musk as CEO in a poll he organises and promises to honour. A day later he says he will resign "as soon as I find someone foolish enough to take the job". - Media revolt - In early April, Twitter labels National Public Radio (NPR) in the US "state-affiliated media", a tag usually reserved for Russian and Chinese propaganda outlets. Twitter later changes it to "government-funded" instead and expands its use, prompting outlets including NPR and Canada's CBC to announce they will no longer use the platform. This week, AFP analysis of major media accounts shows Twitter appears to have halted the use of both labels. - Buyer's remorse - At the end of March, Musk tells staff in an internal message that the platform is worth less than half of what he paid for it. A few weeks later he tells the BBC his ownership has been "quite a rollercoaster" and that he only bought the company because he believed the courts would force him to. - Blue ticks check out - This week, the accounts that had been verified pre-Musk finally lose their blue ticks en masse. Critics express dismay that official accounts providing warnings on everything from health emergencies to natural disasters are no longer clearly marked. jxb Dominic Raab has had a bumpy ride in British politics ranging from an aborted try to be Tory chief to a stinging demotion after failing to rush back to work from holiday as Kabul fell to the Taliban. But the 49-year-old black belt in karate has just suffered his most serious blow yet, when he was felled on Friday by claims he was a serial bully who has shown no respect to his civil servants down the years. He resigned as deputy prime minister, but he has refused to go down without a fight, blasting the inquiry as "flawed" for setting a low bar on bullying, and defending his management style. Raab had already suffered the indignity of losing the role of foreign secretary when prime minister Boris Johnson reshuffled his cabinet in September 2021. That came a month after the Taliban seized Kabul. Raab failed initially to cut short a family holiday in Greece as his civil servants were frantically engaged with the UK military in trying to get Britons and Afghan staff out of Afghanistan. While he retained the role of deputy prime minister, it marked a political reversal for the man who was entrusted with leading the country when Johnson was in intensive care with Covid-19. The former lawyer was acting prime minister for three weeks as Johnson recovered from his brush with death, in the depths of Britain's first wave of the virus in April 2020. In contrast to Johnson, Raab was credited at the time with an unfussy and pragmatic approach to leadership that made him the right man for a crisis. His former diary secretary says Raab's style extended to him ordering the same lunch every day -- a chicken and bacon sandwich, a smoothie and a mixed fruit pot. The conclusions of the new report painted a different picture. His allegedly hectoring style with underlings saw him hurl tomatoes across the room during one meeting, according to one newspaper report last year that was dismissed as "nonsense" by Raab's spokesman. Story continues Raab was one of the most prominent figures in Britain's protracted and divisive process to leave the European Union, serving as Brexit minister under former premier Theresa May. He quit after just three months in November 2018 in protest at May's doomed divorce deal with Brussels, which he said offered too many concessions. - Seat in danger - When Johnson became Conservative party leader and prime minister after May's resignation in July 2019, Raab was catapulted back into government. Raab, who has law degrees from both Oxford and Cambridge universities, had ambitions himself for the top job, challenging Johnson for the Tory leadership after May quit. But he trailed in sixth in the leadership contest after a stuttering campaign that was marked by rows over his past views on militant feminism. His spell in the Brexit ministry also floundered, and was notable for his admission he "hadn't quite understood" the economic importance of the port in Dover. Raab is married with two sons. His Czech-born Jewish father came to Britain in 1938 as a six-year-old refugee. He died of cancer when Raab was 12 and his mother brought him up in the Church of England. He competed in karate for 17 years, making the UK squad, and he is also a keen boxer. After studies, he became an international lawyer at London legal firm Linklaters before joining the Foreign Office in 2000 as an advisor. Raab was posted to The Hague in 2003 to head a team focused on bringing justice to war criminals including Slobodan Milosevic, Radovan Karadzic and Charles Taylor. Raab entered parliament in 2010 in the Conservative seat of Esher and Walton, in the commuter belt southwest of London, and was given his first role in government five years later. Then ultra-safe, the seat has grown more competitive as Conservative fortunes have slumped nationally. The opposition Liberal Democrats have made it one of their top targets at the next general election, meaning Raab could crash out of parliament as well as government. bur-jit/phz/jmm Kim Potter, the former Minnesota police officer who fatally shot Black motorist Daunte Wright in 2021, will be freed from prison Monday, the state department of corrections said. The 50-year-old was sentenced to two years in jail in February 2022, convicted of first and second-degree manslaughter in the April 11, 2021 slaying of Wright, 20, in the Minneapolis suburb of Brooklyn Center. Potter, a 26-year police veteran with the Brooklyn Center Police Department, claimed she mistakenly drew her handgun instead of her Taser in the shooting that sparked national uproar and protests. Daunte Wright who was shot and killed by Brooklyn Center police during a traffic stop (Courtesy Wright Family) She has been in jail since Dec. 23, 2021 and has served 16 months at the Shakopee Minnesota Correctional Facility. After her release, shell serve another eight months on supervised release. Attorneys for Potter did not immediately respond to an NBC News request for comment. The Minnesota Department of Corrections said Potter will be monitored during the release for her protection. "We will quickly adjust and alter our release procedures if we obtain information that indicates there is a credible threat to Kim Potters safety or the safety of others," the department said. In the 2021 shooting, police pulled Wright over because of expired license plate tags and an air freshener hanging from his rearview mirror, officials have said. Police said they discovered an outstanding warrant and tried to arrest him and that Wright tried to flee before he was shot. Potter delivered a tearful testimony at trial, recounting the moment she realized what she had done. "We were trying to keep him from driving away. It just, it just went chaotic. ... And then, I remember yelling, Taser. Taser. Taser. And nothing happened. And then, he told me, I shot him, she said. The fatal shooting triggered a new wave of outrage over police brutality and institutional racism as Wright's death came just a year after the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Story continues Wright was gunned down just about 10 miles north of the courthouse where former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted in Floyd's death. Potters sentence was significantly less than the 86 months prosecutors had pushed for prompting Wright's mother, Katie Wright, to say after the sentencing, the justice system murdered him all over again. Hennepin County Judge Regina Chu said at the time that Potter deserved less because she was trying to use her Taser and not her gun. This is one of the saddest cases that Ive had in my 20 years on the bench, Chu said. Potter was ordered to serve two-thirds of her sentence in custody and one-third on supervised release, with credit for 58 days already served. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com The Seattle/King County Clinic is offering free dental, vision, and medical care from April 27-30 at the Seattle Center. All are welcome! said the clinic. For anyone in need who struggles with access and/or afford healthcare. Patients do not need ID or proof of immigration status and do not have to be residents of King County. There will also be an interpreter provided. There are a limited number of admission tickets that will be distributed at 5:30 a.m. in the Fisher Pavilion at the Seattle Center on the corner of 2nd Avenue North and Lenny Wilkens Way. There is no advance registration, it is first-come first-served, said the clinic. There will be free parking at the Mercer Street Garage at 650 3rd Avenue North. The free services include: Dental - fillings, extractions, x-rays, deep cleanings. Vision - vision screening, complete eye exams, reading, and prescription eyeglasses. The clinic says to bring a current eyeglass prescription, no older than two years, to skip the eye exam, and just get eyeglasses. Medical - physical exams, x-rays, mammograms, ultrasounds, select lab tests, immunizations, foot and wound care, dermatology, physical and occupational therapy, acupuncture, chiropractic care, behavioral health, and more. Attendees cannot get dental and vision on the same day, but patients can wait in line for an admission ticket on another day for additional services. The clinic asks that people not attend if they are feeling sick, as patients will go through a health screening and anyone with flu or COVID-like symptoms will not be admitted. Also, to come prepared for a long day with food, comfortable clothing, and any daily medications. Masks are required. These four days were a haven of humanity and compassion at its best. The message to me was very clear, hope in a hurting world. Thank you for that hope and easing my suffering and the suffering of so many people in need, said a clinic patient. For more information go here. King Charles attended his first Maundy Thursday service since becoming King and Supreme Governor of the Church of England at York Minster. (Getty Images) With the coronation less than two weeks away, it is clear King Charles is looking to stamp his mark on the ceremony. It emerged this week that the coronation oath is unlikely to be altered, despite previous reports that the king was considering making one of the most significant parts of the even more inclusive of other faiths. And as more details emerge, we now know that Charles has already made changes to the coronation that one expert has called a "highly significant" departure from Queen Elizabeth's service in 1953. Break from centuries old tradition The first of these saw clergy from another denomination involved in blessing the oil that will be used to anoint Charles as King during the coronation a part of the service deemed so sacred it was the only portion not to be televised during Elizabeth's coronation. Ian Bradley Professor Emeritus of Cultural and Spiritual History at the University of St. Andrew's and author of God Save the King, the Sacred Nature of Monarchy explained to Yahoo UK why this move was so important. His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III mixing the oil before it was blessed. (Patriarchate of Jerusalem/Buckingham Palace) "It was highly significant and symbolic that the oil was blessed by an Orthodox Patriarch in Jerusalem and that it came from the Mount of Olives. "It symbolised the new kings deep attachment to the Orthodox faith and the fact that his grandmother was a devout Greek Orthodox nun and is, of course, buried on the Mount of Olives, from where the oil came." It was the first time since the Reformation that any clergy from outside the Anglican Church had played a part in blessing the oil. For centuries, the position of Supreme Governor of the Church of England has been held by the British monarch, which means the influence of the church and the monarchy is closely aligned. The anointing of the monarch with holy oil is seen as spiritually transformative, and consecrating them for their new role. Since 1688, the monarch has had to make an oath at their coronation promising to "maintain and preserve" the Church of England and "to the utmost of [their] power maintain in the United Kingdom the Protestant Reformed Religion". Story continues The anointing oil came from the Mount of Olives and was mixed with essential oils and blessed in Jerusalem. (Patriarchate of Jerusalem/Buckingham Palace) Gesture from the Pope The incorporation of other churches into the coronation service can also be seen through the incorporation of a gift from Pope Francis in the procession, which Ian Bradley commented was another "highly significant" move from the new King - although not one that is necessarily a surprise. "This is a highly significant gesture but not unexpected. Both the late Queen and Charles as Prince of Wales reached out to the Roman Catholic church and its leadership and adherents in the UK, perhaps most movingly when the late Cardinal Hume went from his deathbed to receive the Order of Merit from the Queen. "Both the Queen and Charles have met several popes and it is a wonderful reciprocal gesture that the current Pope has made the gift of relics from the true cross for the cross which will be carried through Westminster Abbey at the start of the coronation service. "Charles has already indicated that he is committed to protecting and defending his Roman Catholic subjects as much as his Protestant ones, and those of other faiths and none." St. Edward's Crown will be used by Charles during the 6 May coronation service. (RCT/PA) Bradley added he would "expect to see Roman Catholic participation in the coronation service". The inclusion of a papal gift comes at a time when the terror threat in Northern Ireland a region in the UK which has long been plagued by sectarian violence and tension has been raised to 'severe' from 'substantial'. This means that the intelligence services believe that an attack has become much more likely to occur. As a constitutional monarch, Charles's role is primarily a ceremonial one while he doesn't get involved in political matters he has to ensure as head of state that he can embody a type of symbolism the whole country can get behind. Bradley said of the choice to include this gesture from the Roman Catholic church had the potential to help defuse some of the ongoing tension that still exists between the two denominations in some parts of the UK. "One would indeed hope that all of this might help to defuse the sectarianism that still persists in parts of the UK." Watch: The Royal Family's biggest spending sprees The suspect in the Thursday afternoon shooting that injured two Indianapolis police officers has been identified as Daniel Yefter Ghebrehiwet, a 46-year-old man. Ghebrehiwet died after an exchange of gunfire with four officers who were assisting in a firearms investigation when they saw a potential suspect and began a brief vehicle pursuit and the gunfire ensued. An AR-15-style rifle was found next to Ghebrehiwet, police said. Heres whats known about him: Who is Daniel Yefter Ghebrehiwet? Ghebrehiwet is a 46-year-old man whose last listed address is in northwest Indianapolis. Why was he pursued by police? Ghebrehiwets connection to the investigation being conducted Thursday by the Indiana Crime Guns Task Force and Lawrence Police is unclear. Indianapolis police officials said the officers were investigating a previous shooting that occurred in Lawrence when they saw a potential suspect and attempted a traffic stop. The driver, Ghebrehiwet, fled west on East 30th, turned into a business parking lot and continued southbound before driving into a grassy area along the back of some houses. The vehicle was halted by the terrain, which is where Ghebrehiwet is alleged to have fired at officers. Four Indianapolis officers returned fire, striking him. A passenger in the car was taken into custody on an unrelated narcotics warrant out of Marion County. He also is facing charges of resisting arrest and residential entry in connection to Thursday's events. Does Daniel Yefter Ghebrehiwet have a criminal history? The 46-year-old is listed in a police report about a shooting that occurred on April 10 in the 6800 block of East 47th Street in Lawrence. Lawrence police told IndyStar that a person was reported shot in that incident, but when officers arrived at the scene, they did not find anyone injured. Capt. Travis Cline said Ghebrehiwets involvement in the case is still being investigated. According to online Marion County court records, Ghebrehiwet pleaded guilty in 2017 to carrying a handgun without a license, with a prior conviction of the same offense. His two charges of pointing a firearm were dismissed. He was sentenced to three years in prison with a release date in 2019. Story continues Ghebrehiwet in 2006 was found guilty of carrying a handgun without a license in Marion County. Four additional charges, including criminal recklessness, battery and pointing a firearm, were dismissed. Contact Sarah Nelson at 317-503-7514 or sarah.nelson@indystar.com This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: What we know about the man accused in shooting of Indianapolis police Two water lantern festivals are coming this summer to Fort Worth and Dallas. The Fort Worth event will be held June 24 and the festival near Dallas will be held Aug. 12. Lantern festivals are held each year around the world from Honolulu, Hawaii, to Tokyo. On Memorial Day on the island of Oahu, thousands gather on a beach near downtown Honolulu to release the lanterns in honor of the dead. Japans Togo Nagashi festivals are usually held in the summer. Often the Buddhist tradition of Obon coincides with the lantern releasing festival. It is a time for reflection and respect for the dead. The concept of letting go of the paper lanterns lit with candles and allowing them to float onto the water symbolizes the manner in which spirits carry on in the afterlife and are remembered, according to Tourist Japans website. The local festivals are a great way for families to come together. Friends, families, neighbors, and lots of people that you havent met can come together to create a peaceful, memorable experience, organizers of the North Texas festivals write on their website. Water Lantern Festival in Fort Worth Where: Panther Island Pavilion, 395 Purcey St. When: June 24 Tickets: There are four levels of tickets. Early, available until April 28, is $26.98. Regular, available until Aug. 4, is $35.99. Late, available until Aug. 11, is $45.99. Day of festival, Aug. 12, is $55.99. Heres what the ticket gets you: Wristband for entry into the festival area with access to food trucks Floating lantern kit LED candle Commemorative drawstring bag Marker Playing Cards Conversation Cards Lantern retrieval and water clean up Water Lantern Festival in Dallas Where: Rowlett Community Park, 8700 St Andrews Ln., Rowlett When: Aug. 12 Tickets: There are four levels of tickets. Early, available until April 28, is $26.98. Regular, available until June 6, is $35.99. Late, available until June 23, is $45.99. Day of festival, June 24, is $55.99. Heres what the ticket gets you: Koko Da Doll at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival for Koko Da Doll at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival for "Kokomo City." Koko Da Doll, a Black transgender woman featured in the hit 2023 Sundance Film Festival documentary Kokomo City, has died, the festival announced Thursday. Koko, also known as Rasheeda Williams, wasreportedly fatally shot in Atlanta on Tuesday. We are saddened to hear about the death of Rasheeda Williams aka Koko Da Doll, the festival wrote. We were honored to have her at the Festival this year with KOKOMO CITY, where she reminded Black trans women, we can do anything, we can be whatever we want to be. It is a tragic loss. The Atlanta Police Department reported an April 18 shooting was among three slayings involving transgender women this year, but did not name her in the tweet. Cops wrote they found a person shot at a Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SW location, where she was pronounced dead at the scene. Daniella Carter, who also appears in the film, confirmed Kokos death on Instagram. The Atlanta Police Department is actively investigating three violent crimes involving transgender women this year, the department said in the same tweet. While these individual incidents are unrelated, we are very aware of the epidemic-level violence black and brown transgender women face in America. A police spokesperson didnt immediately return HuffPosts request for an update on the investigation. Koko figured prominently in Kokomo City, which focused on her challenges along with other Black trans sex workers. HuffPosts Candice Frederick wrote that the documentary is one of those freewheeling, provocative conversations that you dont often see in film today. The film, directed by D. Smith, won the Audience and NEXT Innovator awardsat Sundance, and captured the Panorama Audience Award at the Berlin International Film Festival. Related... Dmitry Peskov, Press Secretary of the Russian President, has said that the Kremlin would "react" to the termination of the land lease agreement with the Russian Embassy in Kyiv, mentioning the land of the Ukrainian Embassy on the aggressor's territory. Source: Russian state-owned news outlet TASS, citing Peskov's statement at a press conference Quote: "Of course [we will respond ed.]. There is also land here [in Russia ed.] under the Ukrainian embassy, etc." Background: On 20 April, the Kyiv City Council terminated the land lease agreement with the Russian Embassy in the capital, with 73 members voting in favour of the decision. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! A Monroe County constable and six other people from Monroe and Barren counties have been indicted in a case of alleged criminal activity related to the 2022 primary election. Constable James Darrell Jackson and several others are accused of engaging in vote-buying, among other crimes, according to a news release from the Kentucky attorney generals office. A Monroe County grand jury handed down an indictment Thursday alleging 40 felony counts of election-related crimes, the AGs office said. Jackson lost the Republican nomination for jailer in the May 2022 primary. The attorney generals Department of Criminal Investigations began investigating after receiving a tip through the Election Fraud Hotline, the release states. Jackson, 60, of Tompkinsville; Sherrye Jackson, 48, of Tompkinsville; Lisa Jackson, 35, of Mount Hermon; and Mary Jackson, 23, of Tompkinsville, were indicted on charges of engaging in organized crime. The attorney generals office says they conspired as part of a criminal syndicate to purchase votes on May 17, 2022. In addition to those charges, James Darrell Jackson also faces five counts of making or receiving expenditures for voting. Sherrye Jackson is facing one additional count of first-degree perjury. Lisa Jackson faces 17 counts of making or receiving expenditures for voting and one count of first-degree persistent felony offender. And Mary Jackson faces six counts of making or receiving expenditures for voting and one count of second-degree forgery. Tommy McClendon 69, of Tompkinsville, was indicted on four counts of making or receiving expenditures for voting. Bonnie McClendon, 67, of Tompkinsville, was indicted on two counts of making or receiving expenditures for voting and one count of first-degree perjury. The only Barren County resident, Leslie Jackson, 36, of Summer Shade, was indicted on one count of wrongful registration. As of the day after the 2022 primary, the attorney generals office reported receiving at least 21 complaints of alleged vote buying or selling from around Kentucky, including two complaints from Monroe County. Herald-Leader reporter Bill Estep contributed to this report. Just days after Fox Corp. settled the Dominion defamation suit for $787.5 million, the companys executive chairman and CEO, Lachlan Murdoch, dropped defamation proceedings against the independent Australian news site Crikey, which linked his family to the U.S. Capitol attack on Jan. 6, 2021. In August 2022, Murdoch launched defamation proceedings in a Sydney court against Crikeys owners, Private Media, over an article published in June that named the Murdoch family as an unindicted co-conspirator in the Jan. 6 attack. The filing came a day after Private Medias chairman, Eric Beecher, and managing editor Peter Fray put their names on an ad in The New York Times inviting Murdoch to sue them. More from The Hollywood Reporter Murdochs lawyer John Churchill told the BBC that pursuing the case would only benefit Crikey. Mr. Murdoch remains confident that the court would ultimately find in his favour, Churchill said in a statement to the BBC. However he does not wish to further enable Crikeys use of the court to litigate a case from another jurisdiction that has already been settled and facilitate a marketing campaign designed to attract subscribers and boost their profits. In a statement posted to Twitter, Private Medias Beecher and CEO Will Hayward said, This is a substantial victory for legitimate public interest journalism. We stand by what we published last June, and everything we laid out in our defence to the court. We stand by our position that Lachlan Murdoch was culpable in promoting the lie of the 2020 election result because he, and his father, had the power to stop the lies. How do we know? Because Dominion sued Fox News for promoting the lies and Fox just paid $1.17 billion to Dominion to settle the case, the statement added. Story continues Best of The Hollywood Reporter Click here to read the full article. Lachlan Murdoch Media mogul Lachlan Murdoch has dropped his defamation case against Australian news site Crikey, which linked his family to the US Capitol attack. It comes days after Fox News paid a large settlement to vote machine firm Dominion over false claims the 2020 election was stolen from Donald Trump. Lawyers for the Fox Corporation boss on Friday said continuing the lawsuit would only benefit the Crikey site. Crikey called it a substantial victory for public interest journalism. Mr Murdoch launched legal action against Crikey last year over an opinion piece he said had made "false" and "scandalous" allegations - that he illegally conspired with the former US president to incite a "murderous" mob to march into Washington DC on 6 January 2021. In a statement, his lawyer John Churchill said the mogul remained confident that a trial - which had been scheduled for October - would have gone in his favour. "However he does not wish to further enable Crikey's use of the court to litigate a case from another jurisdiction that has already been settled and facilitate a marketing campaign designed to attract subscribers and boost their profits," Mr Churchill said. Australia has been called "the defamation capital of the world" by legal experts, due to strict local laws which allow only limited defences for defamation. Crikey - which launched in 2000 and employs 10 full-time journalists - had planned to argue its opinion piece was contextually true, and in the public interest. In court documents outlining its defence, it argued Mr Murdoch was morally and ethically culpable for the Capitol riot because Fox News, under his control and management, knowingly promoted false claims the election was stolen. In a statement on Friday, publisher Private Media said the Dominion settlement earlier this week proved their case. Fox News made a last-minute $787.5m (634m) payout to the machine company, avoiding a defamation trial. Story continues Crikey's publisher said it had won against the media billionaire. "We stand by our position that Lachlan Murdoch was culpable in promoting the lie of the 2020 election result." But in his statement, Lachlan Murdoch's lawyer said the case involving Dominion made no connection to the events of 6 January, and that the trial judge had ruled it "irrelevant". "At no point did [Dominion] ever argue that Mr Murdoch was personally responsible," Mr Churchill's statement said. "Yet this is what Crikey alleged and what Crikey is attempting to argue in Australia." Crikey's legal team says it intends to ask the court to order that Mr Murdoch cover the outlet's legal costs. Since Lafayettes loss to Lexington Catholic last week, Generals softball coach Dan Gratz said his team has had an overriding focus. Hitting, hitting and more hitting, Grantz said. Its finally coming around. The new building next to Lafayettes McKenzie Field and Partnership Park that the Generals finally gained access to last week could be part of the improvement. It certainly hasnt hurt. Having a locker room now with a nice indoor hitting facility for game days has been fantastic, Grantz said. I think the girls really appreciate that. Senior catcher Nora Mack confirmed. Im so excited. Are you kidding me? Mack responded when asked about their new field house. Weve been waiting for this for forever. Way back in 2016, the Kentucky High School Athletic Association notified Fayette County Public Schools that it had some Title IX deficiencies because of the disparity between the amenities for the Lafayette, Henry Clay and Paul Laurence Dunbar softball teams as compared to their baseball teams. The softball teams didnt have locker rooms near their fields for instance. Baseball did. The new Tates Creek High School includes a shared baseball/softball field house. Bryan Station also got a softball field house last year. Now, Lafayettes is in place as part of a more than $2.5 million construction project that also included new dugouts, a netted visiting hitting area, plus the resurfacing of Lafayettes track and football field. Henry Clays softball upgrades are set to come in the next construction cycle. Dunbars are planned after that. Its really pretty, and I like how it brought all the team closer, said freshman second baseman Anna Clay Denton, who added that the team used a morning practice to move in and make it home. They added pink LED lights to the locker room. It was really fun team bonding. Denton had a pair of hits including a two-run home run Thursday in Lafayettes 12-0 win over visiting Tates Creek. It was the second home run of her career and came in a six-run third inning that also included a two-run homer from senior center fielder Olivia Planck. Story continues Lafayette @GeneralsSb go up 4-0 after a 2-run homer to left by @OliviaPlanck who just made that great catch in center. Defense yields offense. Generals still batting. Jenna Wells also scored. 1 out pic.twitter.com/uPDwE3YoTC Jared Peck (@HLpreps) April 20, 2023 Big inning! Lafayette @GeneralsSb up 8-0 on Creek B3 after this 2-run JACK by @AnnaClayDenton. She hit a walk-off 3-run homer against Madison Central last week. Still smokin, I guess. Nora Mack and @TrinityBridges4 also had RBIs this frame pic.twitter.com/J8sWYBj9oD Jared Peck (@HLpreps) April 20, 2023 As soon as I hit it. I knew it was over, Denton said. It didnt feel like it was going to be a popup. It just felt like it was going into the backyard of that guys house back there. Ranked No. 7 in the latest Kentucky Prep Softball Coaches Poll, the Generals (12-2) have outscored their opponents 50-7 since their 6-4 loss to No. 14 Lexington Catholic on April 13. Denton started the four-game streak with a walk-off three-run homer against No. 12 Madison Central last Friday. Lafayettes Anna Clay Denton (28) celebrates hitting a home run against Tates Creek during the Generals 12-0 win Thursday night. Nora Mack is one of eight seniors playing for seventh-ranked Lafayette this season. I think, as a team, were finding out how to communicate better, she said. I think were doing pretty good. That was really exciting. I loved being able to help my team, Denton said. Mack is one of eight seniors on this years team and was part of their run to the 11th Region title two years ago. Mack acknowledged an adjustment period for her fellow seniors this year. Were learning a lot of new things about ourselves, at least I am personally, Mack said. I think, as a team, were finding out how to communicate better. I think were doing pretty good. Lafayettes other loss came to No. 6 Great Crossing, another 11th Region foe. The rest of the regular season includes six teams ranked in the top 25: No. 20 Harrison County, No. 4 Daviess County, LexCath, No. 16 Scott County, No. 1 Ballard in Louisville and No. 2 South Warren in Bowling Green. Weve got some big games coming up and we have to be ready, Grantz said. Its not going to be any easier for us. Lafayettes softball upgrades include a new batting practice facility attached to the field. A new locker room at the softball field is among recent improvements at Lafayette High School. A tournament with a cause Lafayettes game against Daviess County on April 29 is part of the annual Five-Star General Tournament showcase that will feature 10 top 25 teams and include 31 games. This years event aims to benefit eastern Kentucky teams affected by last years devastating floods. In addition to T-shirt sales and other fundraising efforts, many of the participating teams will be donating equipment to help replace items lost in the floods for teams like Breathitt County, one of the participants. Its a time when we can come together and give back, Grantz said. You dont always have those opportunities. The size of this years event prompted Lafayette to reach out to Great Crossing as host. The event will be held at Great Crossing Park and Great Crossing High School in Georgetown on April 28 and 29. Among the marquee matchups are No. 2 South Warren vs. No. 6 Great Crossing, No. 7 Lafayette vs. No. 4 Daviess County and No. 14 Lexington Catholic vs. South Warren. In this aerial photo, a bathtub ring of light minerals shows the high water mark on the shore of Lake Mead along the border of Nevada and Arizona on March 6, 2023, near Boulder City, Nev. What a difference a month makes. The March 24-month forecast, which predicts reservoir levels along the Colorado River for the next two years, had Lake Mead on a steady trajectory downward. The lake was projected by next year to fall into a Tier 2B shortage one that, for the first time, would require California to begin participating in mandatory cuts. And it would plummet into a Tier 3 shortage requiring the deepest cuts to which weve currently agreed the following year. But now Aprils here, and everythings different. How much better are we talking? This months forecast now suggests that Lake Mead could start next water year in a Tier 1 shortage, requiring far less water from Arizona than we are now mandated to give. Instead of a steady march toward 1,000 feet of elevation, which was the case last month, Lake Mead is now projected to rise to a high point of about 1,070 feet by early next year. That would still be shy of removing us completely from shortage actions, but only by about 5 feet. Its almost night and day from where we were. Consider that only a few months ago, the federal Bureau of Reclamation was considering the impact of a record low 5 to 6 million acre-feet release from Lake Powell to Lake Mead. And even last month, the presumption was to release 7 million acre-feet from Powell to Mead this year, which is why Mead was on a trajectory to nowhere good. What changed so quickly? Now, Reclamation is projecting up to a 9.5 million acre-feet release this year from Powell to Mead. That would include the 480,000 acre-feet of water Reclamation withheld in Powell last year to prop up the lake but pretended was still in Mead. Which erases that confusing accounting measure. And it would leave another 500,000-plus acre-feet in the reservoirs upstream from Lake Powell, building back water levels there that had been previously raided to prop up Powell. So, what changed in a month? The runoff projections. The amount of water flowing into Lake Powell is now expected to be 177% of average, up from 125% in March. That translates to about 3 million acre-feet of additional water. Story continues So, Lake Mead is saved, right? This is great news, obviously, if it holds. But its also a doubled-edged sword. With this rosy of a forecast, the pressure will be immense to ease up on plans to make hefty cuts to existing water use. Even if officials have said over and over (and over again) that one good water year is not enough to erase problems on Lake Powell and Lake Mead. Because we still use far more water than the river produces. And even if there is water now, it will get dry again. If we dont find a way to cut what we use permanently and significantly were going to burn through this gift faster than snowflakes in summer. What are the key questions now? The threat of falling into a deeper shortage tier next year is diminishing. And there are billions of federal dollars on the table to pay users for leaving extra water in Lake Mead. That raises some key questions: Can we volunteer enough water now to stave off the most painful cuts that Reclamation could mandate when Lake Mead plummets to dangerously low levels? And if so, will that savings be enough to carry us through 2026, when the current operating rules for Lake Mead and Lake Powell expire? And if so, will we still have the resolve to make the tough, painful choices to permanently cut our water use, so it matches what the Colorado River produces? Or will we just use this time to kick the can (again)? In some ways, the task before us just got harder now that more water is flowing in. Reach Allhands at joanna.allhands@arizonarepublic.com. On Twitter: @joannaallhands. If you love this content (or love to hate it hey, I won't judge), why not subscribe to get more? This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Lake Mead could get a lot more Colorado River water. What changed? A Bradenton-area postal worker is accused of stealing over $70,000 by taking checks from the mail and depositing them into her own bank account, the Sarasota Police Departmentsaid in a press release Friday. Anabel Ossombi, 27, of Lakewood Ranch, was arrested on Wednesday at the post office on Beneva Road and taken to the Sarasota County Jail. She faces several felony charges, including criminal use of personal identification, scheme to defraud and money laundering. Police say there were over 60 complaints from victims. In May 2022, Ossombi began working as a mail sorter for the United States Postal Service. Investigators say she started stealing checks shortly after she began working at the post office. The first stolen check was deposited on May 25, 2022, according to an arrest report. In January, Sarasota Police detectives and the USPS Office of Inspector General launched a check fraud investigation after two people reported not receiving checks from businesses for purchases. Mail sorter stole checks, police say When they inquired about the missing checks, they were informed that the funds had been put into an unknown account, the release said. Detectives discovered 75 checks totaling $70,109.28 were illegally deposited into Ossombis personal bank account, according to the release. An arrest report said Ossombi used that account to pay for monthly bills, such as her apartment rent payment and AT&T phone bill. She also used the stolen money to purchase virtual currency, police said. According to the release, the checks were mailed through USPS to be picked up by a USPS carrier or dropped off at one of three Sarasota locations. Ossombi worked as a mail sorter at each of the locations, according to detectives. Detectives believe the money was stolen between May 2022 and April 2023. Ossombi is being held at the Sarasota County Jail on bond totaling $150,000. Her arraignment date is set for June 2. Protect yourself from mail fraud The United States Postal Inspection Service provides these tips to protect yourself and your mail: Promptly pick up mail Inquire about overdue mail Do not send cash Arrange for prompt pickup Use hold for pickup Request signature confirmation File a change of address with the Postal Service and financial institutions when moving Investigators believe there may be more victims in this case. Anyone with information on this case is asked to call Detective Jessica Sullivan at 941-263-6076 or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers by calling 941-366-TIPS or online at www.sarasotacrimestoppers.com. Authorities are investigating Friday reports of a threat of a possible school shooting that started circulating on social media among Santa Paula High School students. Some parents contacted the Santa Paula Police Department around 7 p.m. Thursday about a person on social media "threatening" to shoot at the high school, said Don Aguilar, interim chief for the police department. "The investigation revealed no credible information to support the statement," he said. The reports have not been verified, he added. Police sent out a notice to parents on Thursday night after they spent three hours going through the information and speaking to administrators and students to find out where the information originated, he said. Authorities don't know who posted the threat, which had no video, Aguilar said. Santa Paula Highs Principal Elizabeth Garcia sent a message to parents just after 10 p.m. Thursday, saying investigators had yet to receive credible facts to support the report. The message did not identify a particular school as the target of the alleged threat, Garcia said. In a follow-up statement Friday morning, Santa Paula Unified Superintendent Jeffrey Weinstein said police had been unable to establish an origin for the reports and that all the information investigators received had been second-, third- and fourth-hand knowledge. Weinstein said police had spoken with all sources of information, in some cases visiting homes. All reports were taken seriously, he wrote. A larger police presence with patrol cars and a field supervisor will be at Santa Paula High until the end of the school day, Aguilar said. Officers will also monitor other Santa Paula school campuses, he said. Authorities are asking people to call police if they know anything about the threats. This story may be updated. Isaiah Murtaugh contributed to this report Wes Woods II covers West County for the Ventura County Star. Reach him at wesley.woodsii@vcstar.com, 805-437-0262 or @JournoWes. Isaiah Murtaugh covers education for the Ventura County Star in partnership with Report for America. Reach him at isaiah.murtaugh@vcstar.com or 805-437-0236 and follow him on Twitter @isaiahmurtaugh and @vcsschools . You can support this work with a tax-deductible donation to Report for America . This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Police up presence amid Santa Paula shooting threat rumors Ron DeSantis and Robert Bigelow Sean Rayford/Getty Images; Bill Ingalls/NASA via Getty Images Robert Bigelow has been a longtime supporter of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. The hotel mogul told Time he gave a DeSantis-linked super PAC $20 million on March 27. "I will give him more money and go without food," Bigelow told Time. A Las Vegas hotel mogul says he's donated millions to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and that DeSantis is the right choice for the GOP in 2024. Robert Bigelow, who founded the Budget Suites of America chain of hotels, told Time that on March 27, he gave $20 million to a DeSantis-linked super PAC called Never Back Down. A representative for the PAC confirmed Bigelow's cash contribution to Time. "I will give him more money and go without food," Bigelow said of his donations to DeSantis. Bigelow told Time he supports DeSantis' war on "woke culture," like Florida's controversial "Don't Say Gay" law, which prohibits teaching children up to the third grade about sexual orientation and gender identity. Florida is likely to expand the "Don't Say Gay" restrictions to twelfth grade come May. "I fully agree with him on all the woke-ism," Bigelow told Time. "It really should not be up to the state to indoctrinate children." Bigelow also said he lost faith in former President Donald Trump after the Capitol riot. "Trump lost his north," Bigelow told Time. "He certainly lost me as a supporter, and as someone who would champion him. He showed that, in that particular hour, that he was no commander. He was absolutely no commander." The hotelier said it would be a "travesty" if Trump became the 2024 GOP nominee. Bigelow also added that DeSantis is the "right guy" for the GOP, with the "right stuff" to be the party's "best candidate." Bigelow is known for his interest in aliens, UFOs, and the afterlife. In 2017, Bigelow told CBS that he believes aliens are here on Earth and "right under people's noses." Story continues He doubled down on this stance in a 2021 interview with Mysterywire.com, a website that describes itself as being "dedicated to reports on Area 51" and UFOs. "If you follow the literature and pay attention to a lot of other kinds of sources, they absolutely are," Bigelow told Mysterywire.com of the presence of aliens on Earth. Bigelow has also had a longtime fascination with UFOs. In 1995, he funded the National Institute for Discovery Science to try to study paranormal phenomena, per Politico. And in 2021, Bigelow offered close to $1 million in prizes for people who could bring him evidence of "the survival of consciousness after permanent bodily death," per The New York Times. Bigelow is giving DeSantis a boost Bigelow's March donation comes less than a year after he gave the single biggest contribution to the governor's campaign war chest, Bloomberg reported. On July 7, the tycoon contributed $10 million to DeSantis' re-election bid for governor, per Bloomberg. Bigelow's support is a boost to DeSantis' 2024 ambitions. However, the governor has not yet announced a 2024 presidential bid, and he already faces a variety of obstacles. In April, Trump trounced DeSantis in a 2024 primary poll, leading DeSantis 51% to 41% in a head-to-head match-up. GOP megadonor Thomas Peterffy, the chairman of Interactive Brokers, told the Financial Times in April that he and "his friends" no longer plan to contribute cash to DeSantis because of his "stance on abortion and book banning." This month, Rolling Stone also obtained screenshots of a group chat between several unnamed DeSantis donors, where they complained about and insulted the governor. Representatives for Bigelow, DeSantis, and the Never Back Down PAC did not immediately respond to Insider's requests for comment sent outside regular business hours. Read the original article on Business Insider Crime scene tape illustration. LAFAYETTE, Ind. Shae Ann Martin, the last of the four adults charged with murder for the Jan. 1 killing of Anthony Holdbrook, is in custody in Michigan, Lafayette police confirmed. Martin, 19, of Kokomo, was arrested on a Tippecanoe County warrant, which remains sealed. Her name appears on a probable cause affidavit along with Amarion Alsup, Bailey Hensley, Dimanione Lovelace and a 15-year-old boy, who reportedly is in custody at a juvenile facility. Alsup and Hensley's warrants have been unsealed. Each face 11 charges, including murder, robbery and theft, in Holdbrook's killing, a robbery in Kokomo and a robbery in Marion. Additionally, they each face a sentence-enhancing charge of unlawful use of a firearm in the crime, which adds between six and 20 years to any possible prison sentence if convicted. Alsup and Lovelace were arrested April 14 in Kokomo. Hensley was arrested Tuesday in Frankfort. Lovelace and Martin's warrants remain sealed, so it is not yet certain what specific charges they face. In Indiana law, a person such as Hensley, who allegedly drove the four other people to the crimes, can be charged with the same crimes as those who might have pulled the trigger or stolen a handgun and money, as alleged in the affidavit. Therefore, it is possible that all five people in Hensley's car including the 15-year-old boy might face the same 11 charges, including murder, robbery and theft. They also could face the sentence enhancing charge. Prosecutors say Holdbrook arranged with Alsup to trade his handgun and cash to Alsup for a Glock 19. About 11:50 p.m. Jan. 1, Holdbrook approached Hensley's PT Cruiser, where Alsup and Lovelace were on the passenger side of the car, which was parked in the 800 block of North Seventh Street. Lovelace grabbed Holdbrooks' pistol and the two wrestled for control of it when three shots went off, according to prosecutors. One bullet grazed Lovelace's left hand, according to prosecutors. At least one bullet struck and killed Holdbrook. Story continues Lovelace is incarcerated at the Howard County Jail on charges there, as well as on the Tippecanoe County warrant. Martin has not yet been returned to Tippecanoe County, according to jail records. Reach Ron Wilkins at rwilkins@jconline.com. Follow on Twitter: @RonWilkins2. This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Last of the five Jan. 1 murder suspects arrested in Michigan Five people accused officers of a Northern California police department of "malicious treatment" in a federal lawsuit filed Wednesday, nearly two weeks after an investigative report alleged dozens of officers sent and received racist and derogatory text messages. The suit, filed in U.S. District Court for Northern California, alleges that six of the Antioch police officers identified in the report compiled by the Contra Costa County District Attorneys Office violated the plaintiffs' rights at the same time they were exchanging the messages. The messages identified two of the plaintiffs by name. One of the lawyers who filed the suit, Ben Nisenbaum, said in a statement that the city had allowed its police department to run amok, letting open racism and brutality [be] its standard. It is hoped that this lawsuit will create fundamental changes to the departments leadership structure, policy, and training so that racism will be erased from the department, he said. Two of the plaintiffs accused officers identified in the report of subjecting them to repeated traffic stops. ANTIOCH, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 18: Community members including Della Currie, center, listen to civil rights attorney John Burris speak during a rally at Antioch police headquarters in Antioch, Calif., on Tuesday, April 18, 2023. Community members rallied and marched to City Hall to demand police reform and accountability following alleged racist, sexist and homophobic texts within the department. (Jane Tyska / Digital First Media/East Bay Times via Getty Images) Plaintiff Adam Carpenter pointed to text messages the report said were sent by Eric Rombough, one of the officers who he alleged carried out the stops, that said: Im only stopping them cuz they black. The report does not specify whom Rombough was referring to in the message. Carpenter was arrested on gun charges in November 2020, and the charges were later dismissed, according to the suit. An alleged text message included in the report from one of Carpenters arresting officers, Morteza Amiri, appeared to show him discuss fabricating evidence. "I sometimes just say people gave me a full confession when they didnt, Amiri said, according to the report. Gets filed easier." The report, which was compiled after a joint FBI and local investigation into the police department, does not specify what case Amiri was referring to. It is unclear why the gun charges were dismissed. Story continues Another plaintiff, Shagoofa Khan, was accused of burning a Blue Lives Matter flag at a protest in January 2021, according to the suit. Three months later, one of the officers identified in the investigative report, Sgt. Josh Evans, allegedly sent a text message to another officer using a racist, vulgar term to describe Khans appearance. An exterior view of Antioch police headquarters is seen in Antioch, Calif., Wednesday, April 19, 2023. The city council of a small San Francisco Bay Area city voted Tuesday, April 18, 2023, to launch three audits of its troubled Antioch Police Department, the latest development in a year-long federal investigation of the police force that blew up this month with the disclosure of racist text messages among officers. (AP Photo/Terry Chea) (Terry Chea / AP) Plaintiff Trent Allen was brutally beaten by Rombough in 2021 as Rombough was arresting him on suspicion of attempted murder, the suit says. According to a supplemental investigative report that details messages officers allegedly sent about Allen, Rombough texted Evans a picture of Allen in what appeared to be a hospital bed and said he had given him 6 muzzle thumps and tried to kick his head over the fence. Other texts included in both reports allege Rombough used a homophobic slur to describe Allen and a racist term to identify people he kicks in the head. The investigation into the text messages became public this month after authorities provided the investigative reports to lawyers for Allen and others accused in the 2021 alleged crimes. The fifth plaintiff accused officers of maliciously shooting his father in 2021 after a seven-hour standoff with authorities. The father had been armed and fired multiple rounds outside his home after Rombough and three other officers arrived, according to the suit. The father was unarmed when authorities fatally shot him as he escaped from the house when a fire broke out, the suit says. A brief account of the incident from the district attorneys office confirmed that he was unarmed and said the matter was referred to the state Justice Department to determine potential criminal liability. That review is still pending, according to the state Justice Department. Michael Rains, a lawyer for Evans, Amiri and two other officers named in the suit, declined to comment on the allegations that the officers violated the civil rights of the plaintiffs, saying he had not reviewed the cases described in the complaint. Rains said he was disappointed by what the FBI and the district attorneys investigation alleged. The problem is clearly that their text messages displayed attitudes that in my opinion as an ex-police officer are not consistent with the attitudes or beliefs of the vast majority of officers, said Rains, who also represents the Antioch police union. Rains attributed those attitudes to a handful of active texters and said other officers who may have been included in the text chains but did not respond at all or responded in an appropriate manner are being smeared. Its not fair to them, he said. A lawyer for Rombough did not respond to a request for comment Thursday. The police department and the city attorneys office also did not respond to requests for comment. The Antioch City Council voted this week to audit the police department. In a statement last week, Police Chief Steven Ford condemned the racially abhorrent content and incomprehensible behavior being attributed to members of the Antioch Police Department in media reports." Ford apologized and said he had taken immediate action to ensure a thorough investigation. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com FARMINGTON Flanked by members of the late Robert Dotsons family, California attorney Shon Northam fired a series of broadsides at the Farmington Police Department officers who shot the 52-year-old Farmington resident to death in the doorway of his home earlier this month, as well as Chief Steve Hebbe, during an April 20 press conference. Speaking before a handful of media members at the Courtyard by Marriott hotel in Farmington, Northam called for the officers involved in the shooting to face second-degree murder charges and often used incendiary language to describe Hebbe, who he labeled a coward, a liar and a manipulator. Northam, who is part of the legal team representing the Dotsons, announced that the family would be filing a civil lawsuit in federal court and is seeking Hebbes firing or resignation. The family also is asking authorities to pursue criminal charges against the officers who killed Dotson late on April 5 after they mistakenly went to the wrong address while responding to a domestic violence call. With members of her family standing nearby, Kim Dotson -- the widow of shooting victim Robert Dotson -- speaks during a Thursday, April 20 press conference at the Courtyard by Marriott hotel in Farmington. This was a straight-up assassination of Robert Lee Dotson, Northam said. Dotsons widow, Kim Dotson, also spoke during the event, tearfully recounting her relationship with her late husband and described the events of April 5 as a horrible nightmare. She said the officers had taken everything from her family and said her husband was ambushed by a firing squad. I am so angry, she said, referring to the fact that the three officers involved in the shooting have not been named by the police department and that they have been placed on administrative leave. They get to remain anonymous and with their families, she said. Well, what about our family? More: NMSP investigate shooting by Farmington Police. Here's what we know In response to the claims made at the press conference, Shanice Gonzales, the spokesperson for the Farmington Police Department, issued a statement. The Farmington Police Department wants to emphasize that the events of April 5 are part of an ongoing investigation, it reads. Our department is committed to cooperating with the New Mexico State Police for a thorough and fair investigation into the circumstances surrounding Mr. Dotsons death. It is important to let the legal process take its course and not draw conclusions before all the facts are known. We will continue to cooperate with the appropriate agencies and provide updates to the public as the investigation progresses. We will continue to work with transparency and integrity. Story continues Northam said the family is waiting for New Mexico State Police to conclude its investigation into the shooting before it files a lawsuit in federal court. He said the family had not decided how much in damages it would seek. But the former prosecutor who is based in Redding, California, and is representing the Dotsons with Mark Reichel, an attorney based in Sacramento, California called on Farmington Mayor Nate Duckett and members of the City Council to take matters into their own hands by firing the chief because Steve Hebbe doesnt have the guts to fire himself. Northam noted the considerable media attention the case has drawn and said the way Farmington officials handle the case will reflect on all of them. The entire world is watching, he said. Do you have the integrity to do whats right? The entire world is watching you folks. Its your move. Northam made his case for why the officers involved in the shooting should be charged with second-degree murder by presenting a series of video clips that he said demonstrated the validity of his argument. Body can footage from the incident was released to the public last week. The audio portion of the video clips, Northam said, proved that the officers knew they were at the wrong address when they approached the Dotson house. He focused on an exchange between two officers, in which one notes the address they are looking for is the third house on the left. But upon exiting the vehicle, the three officers approach the first house on the right. Northam them played another clip from after the shooting in which he claims one officer said, You should have told me Im wrong, although the audio was indistinct. Kim Dotson also seized on that exchange during her remarks. I dont understand how the third house on the left translates into the first house on the right, she said. As for the shooting itself, Northam said Dotson was blinded by the flashlights of the officers when he opened the door and therefore could not have known the figures in his front yard were the police. He did not address a claim made by Hebbe last week that the body camera footage of at least one officer shows Dotson raising a handgun toward the officers. But he pointed out that Dotson was well within his Second Amendment rights to be armed and that he was following his instincts to protect his family and his home. Northam, who said he often visits the Farmington area, said after the press conference he was brought into the case at the request of a friend who is a Dotson family member. Attorney Shon Northam, right, describes the April 5 shooting of Robert Dotson by Farmington police during a Thursday, April 20 press conference at the Courtyard by Marriott hotel in Farmington. Its not just a case, its personal, he said. He said he has been involved in approximately 10 homicide cases over the course of his career as a prosecutor and a private attorney, but he acknowledged the circumstances of this case are unique. No, I havent handled anything like this because it just doesnt happen, he said, referring to police shooting a victim after mistakenly going to the wrong address. He said he has concerns about the 11th Judicial District Attorneys Office in Farmington determining whether the officers involved will face criminal charges, given the fact that the agency works closely with the Farmington Police Department on a daily basis. But he noted he had met two of the offices assistant district attorneys, Brian Decker and Dustin OBrien, and described them as super-nice guys. He expressed a deeper level of concern about the State Police investigator he met who is handling the case, whom he did not name, explaining that he was dismayed by his conversation with him, questioning whether he is qualified to handle such a complicated case. This is not your average officer-involved shooting case, Northam said. The Dotson family will hold a funeral for Robert Dotson on Monday, April 24, although Northam declined to reveal the location of the service. He asked media members to respect the familys privacy and stay away from the service. The Dotson family has established a website, justiceforrobbie.com, that includes details about the case and features an opportunity for members of the public to make financial contributions to the family. Mike Easterling can be reached at 505-564-4610 ormeasterling@daily-times.com. Support local journalism with a digital subscription: http://bit.ly/2I6TU0e. Others are reading: This article originally appeared on Farmington Daily Times: Robert Dotson's family announces plans to file lawsuit Britains Prince Harry arrives in the gardens of Buckingham Palace in London, Jan 16, 2020. Utah Sen. Mike Lee is reacting to Harrys comments about democracy in the U.S. | Kirsty Wigglesworth, Associated Press Speaking at a Heritage Foundation event this week, Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah took a dig at Prince Harry over his past comments on American democracy. In July 2022, Harry delivered a keynote address at the United Nations in honor of Nelson Mandela International Day. After commenting on his familys personal connection to Mandela including a photo of his mother Princess Diana alongside the anti-apartheid activist Harry talked about the turmoil in the world, according to HuffPost. And from the horrific war in Ukraine, to the rolling back of constitutional rights here in the United States, we are witnessing a global assault on democracy and freedom the cause of Mandelas life, he said. According to The Daily Signal, Lee referenced the royal family during his speech at the Heritage Foundations 50th Anniversary Leadership Summit on Thursday, which he began by praising institutions such as the limited government, free markets (and) individual liberty that shaped the U.S. The report stated that Lee called out the irony behind the great-great-grandson of King George III lecturing Americans on democracy. Lee said that echoes of King Georges tyranny inspired him to run for office in the first place, according to The Daily Signal, a Heritage Foundation publication. On Twitter, Lee tweeted out a link of the HuffPost article describing Prince Harrys speech and said: Love being lectured on democracy by an actual prince. Love being lectured on democracy by an actual prince. https://t.co/rQqxFvbw0R Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) April 16, 2023 Harry, his wife, Meghan Markle, and their two children live in California after relinquishing their official duties in 2021. Upon his arrival in Beverly Hills the same year, Harry called the First Amendment bonkers when talking about paparazzi photographing his family. Story continues Ive got so much I want to say about the First Amendment as I sort of understand it, but it is bonkers, Harry said, according to Vanity Fair. I dont want to start going down the First Amendment route because thats a huge subject and one which I dont understand because Ive only been here a short time. But, you can find a loophole in anything. You can capitalize or exploit whats not said rather than uphold what is said. I believe we live in an age now where youve got certain elements of the media redefining to us what privacy means. Theres a massive conflict of interest. On Twitter, the Utah senator made another comment on Harrys remarks on democracy, saying, Prince Harry prefers his ancestors governance model. Adding, I prefer ours. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, is pictured at the state Capitol in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 14, 2023. Lee is among a group of GOP lawmakers concerned over the Biden administrations unrestrained aid to Ukraine. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News A group of Republican lawmakers, led by Sen. Mike Lee of Utah and Rep. Eli Crane of Arizona, sent a letter to President Joe Biden on Thursday expressing concern over the United States unrestrained aid to Ukraine as the war there enters its second year. We are deeply concerned that the trajectory of U.S. aid to the Ukrainian war effort threatens further escalation and lacks much-needed strategic clarity, the letter, signed by 19 lawmakers, including three senators, said. The letter mentions the Biden administrations plans to ship M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, which require months to ship and training for Ukrainian crews, and to send ground-launched small-diameter bombs, which would also require months to ship. These plans signal that the administration is anticipating a long-term conflict but, the letter says, this strategy could prolong or escalate the war. Unrestrained U.S. aid for Ukraine must come to an end, and we will adamantly oppose all future aid packages unless they are linked to a clear diplomatic strategy designed to bring this war to a rapid conclusion, the letter says. The U.S. has become the largest benefactor to Ukraine, surpassing other NATO allies, by committing over $113 billion in military, economic and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, and continues to promise more as the U.S. reaches the $31.4 trillion debt ceiling, the letter says. According to Reuters, the Biden administration announced a new round of military aid to Ukraine, worth $325 million, on Wednesday, marking the 36th package the U.S. has sent since the Russian invasion began. Crane said on Twitter that a fraction of the money could have been used to create a border wall to secure the U.S. from drugs, human trafficking, (and) illegal aliens. We've sent more than $100 billion to Ukraine in less than one year. A fraction of that money could have paid for a border wall to halt the flow of deadly drugs, human trafficking, & illegal aliens entering our own country.#AmericaLast Rep. Eli Crane (@RepEliCrane) February 27, 2023 A Deseret News/Hinckley poll found that about 72% of Utah voters surveyed support sending humanitarian aid to Ukraine, while 48% favor providing military support through weapons and supplies, and 21% support sending U.S. troops. Story continues The letter said that the extensive aid makes it increasingly difficult to deny Russian accusations of U.S. complicity in a proxy war. As the U.S. capacity to respond to threats is being degraded, your strategy in Ukraine is pushing our two greatest adversaries closer together. Russia and Chinas burgeoning alliance has only become stronger in the past year, lawmakers said in the letter. Our national interests, and those of the Ukrainian people, are best served by incentivizing the negotiations that are urgently needed to bring this conflict to a resolution, it said. Related A group of GOP lawmakers, including Rep. Mike Turner of Ohio and Rep. Chris Stewart of Utah, visited Kyiv earlier in April. There is overwhelming bipartisan support in America to continue assisting #Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression, tweeted Turner, who led the delegation to Ukraine, along with a photo of him shaking hands with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. But Stewart said in a tweet that while hes proud of our major role in Ukraines success against Russian aggression, he does not think the U.S. can afford to continue sending taxpayer money to Ukraine. Meanwhile, Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina has pushed for the Biden administration to send more aid to Ukraine. Let me just stress this: How can you call this war by Russia a crime against humanity and not give the victim of their crime against humanity the defensive weapons they need to stop the crime? he said in February, according to ABC News. I'm proud of our major role in Ukraine's success against Russian aggression. But, when I met with President Zelensky, I felt compelled to share with him some of my concerns. We cannot afford - militaristically or economically - to continue sending taxpayer money to Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/2KrJ88CUYd Rep. Chris Stewart (@RepChrisStewart) April 10, 2023 Related Here is a link to the letter. Suzanne Bates contributed to this article. Photo: Getty/Fair Use (Getty Images) The Supreme Court is set to weigh in on an abortion pill lawsuit sometime on Friday, and we are in this position thanks to an anti-abortion group plopping a case in the lap of a rogue, Christian activist judge who sided with them as planned. We already know that Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk has ties to the conservative Federalist Society, which helped bring down Roe v. Wade, but he also has connections to one of the lawyers for the plaintiffs: Erin Morrow Hawley is a lawyer at Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) and is representing the anti-abortion groups in the lawsuit. Erin is the wife of Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.). Kacsmaryk donated $500 to Hawleys campaign in March 2018. Read more Screenshot: FEC (Fair Use) Vanity Fair previously reported the donation, citing the database Open Secrets. As of Friday morning, the Open Secrets link showed 12 donations from Kacsmaryk, none of which are to Hawley. But an archived link captured on March 30 of this year lists 13 donations, including the $500 to Hawley from March 2018. The donation disappeared sometime between then and now. When reached for comment, Open Secrets told Jezebel that the donation had been restored on Friday afternoon. During a routine data update operation earlier this week, records from earlier election cycles in the OpenSecrets database were inadvertently excluded from data searches from our website, including the Kacsmaryk donation [to Hawley], a spokesperson said. We have updated the website. Kacsmaryks Open Secrets page now shows 14 donations, including an additional July 2012 gift to Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas). All told, Kacsmaryk has donated $2,000 to groups associated with Cruz, and $250 to Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas). Lucas Kunce, a Democrat challenging Hawley in his re-election campaign, highlighted Thursday how the judges connections go even further, with Hawley joining a Supreme Court brief in his capacity as a senator in support of his wifes case. Story continues 2018: While his nomination languishes in the Senate, Kacsmaryk decides to invest in his future. So he became a campaign donor for Josh Hawley, a fellow member of the Federalist Society a group of corporate activist lawyers with funders including Chevron, Google, and the Kochs. Lucas Kunce (@LucasKunceMO) April 20, 2023 Now in his official capacity as Senator, Josh Hawley has signed an amicus brief demanding that the Supreme Court end a temporary injunction blocking the ruling (in his wife's lawsuit) by a federal judge (his campaign donor) to ban America's most commonly-used abortion medication. Lucas Kunce (@LucasKunceMO) April 20, 2023 Lets break down the timeline: Trump nominates Kacsmaryk to the federal bench in 2017, but it goes nowhere. In 2018, Kacsmaryk donates $500 to Hawley, a fellow Federalist Society member. Hawley is sworn in as a Senator in early 2019 and votes to confirm Kacsmaryk in June 2019 (the vote was 52 to 46). A few months after the Supreme Court overturned Roe, activists represented by ADF file the abortion pill suit in Kacsmaryks single-judge district. Hawleys wife is part of the ADF team to argue the case before Kacsmaryk in March 2023. Kacsmaryk then rules in favor of Hawleys wife. And, finally, Hawley signs on to a Supreme Court amicus brief supporting his wifes case this week. The facts speak for themselves, Kunce said in a statement to Jezebel. These corrupt hacks think nobody knows what theyre up to. And even when we call them out, they think they can get away with it. That Judge is still on the bench. Same with Justice Thomas. Theres no accountability and therefore, no faith. In the Senate, Ill vote to restore Roe. But I'll also fight for rules to end corruption like this, starting with: 1. Barring Senators from voting on judicial nominees who've given to their campaigns. 2. Barring Senators from lobbying any court to benefit an immediate relative. Lucas Kunce (@LucasKunceMO) April 20, 2023 Hawleys office did not respond to a request for comment. Were still in a news cycle about how Justice Clarence Thomas didnt report hundreds of thousands of dollars in travel from a billionaire GOP donor and that the same donor bought the house where Thomass mother lives for much more than its worth. As Ive already explained, nothing is on the level about this abortion pill lawsuit, and yet here we are, waiting to hear what the corrupted conservative majority on the Supreme Court thinks about it. More from Jezebel Sign up for Jezebel's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Sen. Dianne Feinstein leaves a briefing at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Feb. 15. (J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press) To the editor: Strom Thurmond (a senator until age 100), Robert Byrd (92), and Orrin Hatch (84) were never severely pressured to resign despite their health issues and what appeared to be declines in their mental acuity. Furthermore, Ted Kennedy (77) missed months during his final year in office before dying of a brain tumor. ("Feinsteins continued absence from the Senate jeopardizes progress on her lifes work," editorial, April 20) So, pressuring a true trailblazer like Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) to resign is pure sexism. Women have the right to make their own career decisions. A Feinstein resignation would force Gov. Gavin Newsom to appoint a replacement, potentially installing an incumbent candidate with an advantage in the 2024 election. To avoid this, in the event of a resignation Newsom should ask retired Sen. Barbara Boxer to fill the seat until a new senator is elected. In this scenario, Californians and women would keep experienced representation in the U.S. Senate without tipping the scales for 2024. Ann Archie, Newport Beach .. To the editor: Your editorial states that Feinstein is facing "perhaps the most difficult decision of her long, storied career" in deciding whether to step aside since she is unable to serve effectively. This doesn't seem like a difficult decision at all. On one side, there are 39 million Californians who need effective representation in the Senate. There is also the urgent need to fill a seat on the Senate Judiciary Committee in the narrow window before the political winds change. On the other side, there is Feinstein's desire to extend her 31-year-plus tenure in the Senate by another few months. This doesn't seem like a difficult decision at all. It just seems like Feinstein is choosing herself over us. Geoffrey Reed, Manhattan Beach This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Triston Ezidore, right, arrives for a school board meeting at Culver City Hall on March 14. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times) To the editor: Seeing the term ageism applied to the young is, clearly, a young person's perspective. It ignores the far more widespread bias against older workers who are considered past their "best by" date despite their skills and experience. ("At 19, he won a local school board seat. His first civics lesson? Age discrimination," April 16) Its unfair, of course, to assume that a 19-year-old such as Triston Ezidore lacks the judgment to serve as a Culver City school board member simply because of his age. But to say a person like him is the target of ageism is a stretch. I'm not young enough to know everything, but I recognize that digital skills, social injustice and economic inequality are acknowledged by Millennials and Gen Zers often more than by older generations. The willingness to address those issues, especially as part of public education, is vital. Those areas are not the sole domains of the young, though. When people with very little experience are referred to with the same terminology that's used for those with decades of experience, it's either time for a new term, or it's time to obey all those laws that make it unlawful to use age as a determining factor. Peter Altschuler, Santa Monica .. To the editor: Why are older Culver City residents and politicians upset that a young man who is capable, determined and passionate serves on the local school board? You people are constantly admonished to take political action. Now we have Ezidore, who is exercising his civic duty and being discouraged from doing so. This is outrageous and unjust. Ezidore knows what it's like to be a student today. Politicians who truly care about the best interests of society should celebrate the public service of people like Ezidore, not discourage it. As a college student, I have inserted myself into political matters by voting and getting involved with my community because I care about my peers. I want to ensure my voice is heard, just like Ezidore. Story continues Ciara Lopez Haro, Berkeley .. To the editor: I want to congratulate Ezidore for his achievement and encourage him to continue to stand up for what he believes. We desperately need engaged young people like him in our institutions if we will have a fighting chance of saving them from the division and ineffectual "leaders" who have been holding court for well beyond their expiration dates. I'm a 63-year-old white male. My peers have had their chance and mucked things up royally. It's time for others to try fixing what we've sowed. John Sharpe, Los Angeles This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Lions were believed to be extinct at Chad's Sena Oura National Park since 2004. Courtesy of Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)/Government of Chad A lion was spotted at a national park in Chad for the first time in nearly 20 years after the animal was considered technically extinct there. The lion sighting was captured by a remote camera in February at the Sena Oura National Park, according to the New York-based nonprofit Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and the Chadian government. The big cat was described as a muscular female lion that is in her prime and clearly in great health. Lions haven't been spotted at the park, which is part of the larger Bouba Ndjida-Sena Oura Landscape along the border of Cameroon and Chad, since 2004. The region saw a period of ruthless, organized poaching more than a decade ago, but has since benefitted from a very strong commitment to conservation by the governments of both Cameroon and Chad, the WCS said in a statement obtained by Travel + Leisure. This has produced better protection of the national parks and wildlife populations are now starting to recover. Conservationists with the WCS are working to support park guards in the area by conducting on-the-ground wildlife surveys including by camera trapping, said the group. Lions are considered to be a "vulnerable" species in the world, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species. There are 22,000 to 24,000 lions in the wild currently, reported the BBC. Their populations in west and central Africa are declining it has decreased by about 66 percent since the early 1990s, according to the WCS, and they're considered "critically endangered." (According to the World Wildlife Fund, the majority of lions in Africa are found south of the Sahara Desert. And three of the five largest lion populations are in Tanzania.) For travelers looking to ethically see lions in the wild, there are options like reputable safaris in Africa to the lesser-known Asiatic lions in India, which is part of the countrys own "big five." For more Travel & Leisure news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Travel & Leisure. Former first lady Michelle Obama on Thursday urged young couples to be mindful of the long haul of marriage instead of obsessing over the wedding. (Watch the video below.) CBSs Gayle King reminded Obama that shes admitted there have been long stretches of time when she didnt particularly like her husband, former President Barack Obama. Yeah, so whats the controversy? the former first lady said. You said it out loud, King replied. Obama said she was merely keeping it real. Marriage is hard, and a lot of young people quit on marriage over things that are just a part of the commitment. We glamorize marriage, she continued. In this day and age, marriage is more about the dress, and the dresses, and the proposal, and the honeymoon and all the stuff around it. And young people arent ready for the real of marriage. Its incumbent upon us, people who have had successful marriages, to be really honest about the fact that making a commitment to be with someone means you compromise and compromise aint always fun, she concluded. She then joked: And dont add kids into the mix, because they really mess up your life. .@GayleKing sits down with fmr. first lady @MichelleObama to discuss her new podcast and Netflix special and the importance of being vulnerable in all her ventures: Its the only way I know how to be me. pic.twitter.com/hcVKP082Jf CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) April 20, 2023 The Obamas celebrated their 30th anniversary this past October. The former first lady, whos making the media rounds in advance of The Light We Carry a Netflix special with Oprah Winfrey streaming next week, named after Obamas recent book dispensed similar advice in a 2020 interview with Conan OBrien. Story continues Youve got to know that there are going to be times long periods of time when you cant stand each other, she said. There were times that I wanted to push Barack out of the window, she joked. And I say that, because its like, youve got to know the feelings will be intense. But that doesnt mean you quit. Related... Flag of Lithuania The national sanctions law was adopted without the presidents proposed amendments with 99 in favour, seven against, and two abstentions. Read also: Lithuanias parliament declares Wagner mercenary company a terrorist organization Russians and Belarusians will now be restricted from obtaining Lithuanian visas and e-resident status for one year starting from May 2. They will also be banned from bringing Ukrainian hryvnias into Lithuania. Russians will face additional difficulties in entering Lithuania and purchasing real estate, and their applications for residence permits will be temporarily suspended. Read also: Lithuania mulls further visa restrictions for Russian and Belarusian citizens The law suspends the visa application process for Russians and Belarusians, except for cases where Lithuanias Ministry of Foreign Affairs intervenes, allowing for cases of legitimate refugees from the countries to enter. Applications for temporary residence permits from Russians won't be accepted until at least May 2024. Exceptions will be made for those who have a Lithuanian government-authorised intermediary or a Schengen visa, national visa, or residence permit in a EU country. 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 Chinese FM to attend Lanting Forum on Chinese Modernization and the World Xinhua) 08:41, April 21, 2023 BEIJING, April 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang will attend the opening ceremony of the Lanting Forum on Chinese Modernization and the World to be held at the Grand Halls in Shanghai on Friday and deliver a keynote speech, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin announced here Thursday. The forum is expected to host foreign dignitaries, prestigious experts and scholars, business leaders, foreign diplomatic envoys and representatives of international organizations in China and representatives from international media. The forum is jointly organized by the China Public Diplomacy Association, the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs and the Shanghai Municipal People's Government. Under the theme of "Chinese Modernization and the World," the forum consists of three panel sessions and a luncheon with the business community for in-depth exchanges on topics including the new development of China, better global governance, closer people-to-people exchanges and pursuing high-standard opening up. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan) Flash Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, meets with President of the Gabonese Republic Ali Bongo Ondimba at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, April 19, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua] China's top legislator Zhao Leji met with President of the Gabonese Republic Ali Bongo Ondimba in Beijing on Wednesday. Zhao, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, said China is ready to work with Gabon to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, consolidate political mutual trust, expand practical cooperation, strengthen multilateral coordination and push bilateral relations to a higher level. The legislatures of China and Gabon should strengthen friendly exchanges and provide better legal support for practical cooperation, Zhao said. Zhao explained the theory and practice of Chinese modernization and stressed that China will provide new opportunities for world development with its new achievements in modernization. Ali Bongo Ondimba said Gabon and China have the same views on some fundamental issues and the two sides have built strong mutual trust and friendship. He said China's development model has set a good example for other developing countries. Gabon is committed to strengthening cooperation with China in various fields, and welcomes Chinese enterprises to invest in the country. A sewage spill in the Dominguez Channel closed Rosie's Dog Beach in Long Beach in January 2022. A new spill in the L.A. River has prompted officials to close beaches again until coastal waters can be tested and deemed safe. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times) The city of Long Beach has temporarily closed its beaches heading into a warm weekend after a sewage spill dumped 250,000 gallons of waste into the Los Angeles River, officials said. An equipment malfunction caused a blockage in the sewage treatment system about 9:40 a.m. Thursday as Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts maintenance crews were working in Downey, according to the sanitation department. The wastewater overflowed into the street, covering Burns and Rives avenues and prompting the department to close off the area for cleaning, officials said. The blockage was cleared after more than an hour and a half, but not before massive amounts of waste had spilled into the river, which flows into the Pacific Ocean in Long Beach, officials said. CLOSURE UPDATE! Rives Avenue between Burns Avenue and Adwen Street is now open. Rives Avenue between Adwen Street and Stewart & Gray Road continues to be CLOSED. Closure is due to a sewage spill that occurred earlier this morning. pic.twitter.com/51sq4w25CY City of Downey - Government (@CityofDowney) April 20, 2023 While it is not clear how the spill will affect the water off Long Beach, state law requires the city to close beaches for public use until the water quality has been tested and deemed safe, according to the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services. "Water from the Los Angeles River connects to the Pacific Ocean in Long Beach, which means pollution anywhere upriver can affect the coastal waters of the City. Long Beach has approximately seven miles of public beach," the city said in a press release. "The City of Long Beach Health Departments Recreational Water Quality health inspection team is monitoring water quality along the affected beach sites. Water monitoring will continue until results comply with State water quality standards." Story continues The closure of the beaches comes as Southern California is set to experience the warmest weekend of the year, with temperatures at beaches heading up to 80 degrees on Friday and remaining in the 60s and 70s on Saturday and Sunday, according to the National Weather Service. Sewage spills are nothing new to the area. In 2022, local beaches were closed due to a 30,000- to 40,000-gallon sewage spill that flowed into the Los Angeles River. A much bigger spill at the end of 2021 sent 6 million to 7 million gallons of waste into the river, closing beaches in Los Angeles and Orange counties for days. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. The Louisville Metro police officer who was critically injured in the mass shooting at Old National Bank April 10 has been transferred to another hospital to treat pneumonia. Nickolas Wilt is now being cared for at UofL Health Jewish Hospital, according to a Facebook post from the Louisville Metro Police Foundation. He is still listed in critical but stable condition and remains on a ventilator. The foundation said Wilt developed pneumonia Tuesday, more than a week after he was shot by a gunman at the bank in downtown Louisville. The foundation said Saturday that doctors had trouble balancing Wilts body temperature and managing cranium pressure, but he was stabilizing. Wilt is the only patient still hospitalized from the shooting, according to UofL Health. The other seven surviving patients were previously treated and discharged from the hospital. He remains in critical, but stable condition, the Louisville Metro Police Department said in a tweet Monday. The family sees and feels the love. Wilt graduated from the police academy March 31, and was only on his fourth shift when the shooting happened, officials said during a news conference previously. Wilt previously served as a firefighter and a dispatcher, according to the foundation. His brother, Zack Wilt, is also in the LMPD academy. The foundation is accepting donations to support Wilt and his family. Donations can be made on the Facebook post directly, through Venmo, or on the foundations website at saferlouisville.org. All money raised will go directly to the family, according to the foundation. Facebook An Oklahoma pastor has been slammed and widely ridiculed after photos resurfaced of the man of God wearing black- and redface at church events. Racist pastor thinks blackface is acceptable. Not very [What Would Jesus Do?] of him!!!! a Facebook user wrote on a page belonging to the Matoaka Baptist Church, which is just outside of Tulsa. Disgraceful. According to local outlet Fox News 23, the images of Sherman Jaquess in blackface were originally posted on social media in 2017 but recently resurfaced online. Heres Pastor Sherman Jaquess in Black Face. He pastors at the Matoaka Baptist Church in Ochelata Oklahoma, Tulsa resident Marq Lewis shared on Facebook. In the series of photos, Jaquess wears dark black makeup, an Afro wig, and bright red lipstick. He has on dark sunglasses, a shiny beige suit, and purple shirt while playing a keyboard, smiling and performing for the crowd. Jaquess addressed the controversy during a sermon Wednesday, saying he had gotten over 20 calls that day. They are blowing this thing up, this picture of me when I played Ray Charles, Jaquess says in a recording of the sermon. Jaquess says that he received a call from a Black pastor in Texas and was then interviewed by a local reporter, who Jaquess claimed tried to chastise him for previously dressing up in drag despite being critical of the LGBTQ+ community. When I was a youth pastor, we used to have theme nights. Wed have superhero night. We had cowboys and Indian night. I dressed up like a squaw, Jaquess said, using the slur for Native American woman. I had a full Indian-looking dress on; I had a wig braided. Racist Western Outfits at Basketball Game Against Native Team Spark Furor He said a photo was taken of two other congregants dressed up as cowboys, one with his fists up as if he was getting ready to fight Jaquess and another with a gun up to Jaquess head. A photo on Jaquess Facebook page from 2014 shows the pastor dressed up in a stereotypical Native American outfit and dark makeup. Story continues That wasnt a drag queen performance, Jaquess claimed, recounting his argument over the meaning of drag with the reporter. That was a theme night. I was fully clothed, and I did nothing sexual or lewd. Jaquess claimed hes allowed to dress up in redface because he allegedly has Cherokee blood in him. Last week, there was another death threat, Jaquess joked with the congregation on Wednesday. Looks like Im famous. I just want to publicly say, I dont have a racial bone in my body. Im not racist at all, Jaquess said before diving into a sermon on the concept of delusion. Its a sad day we live in. I love Ray Charles music. How can you portray Ray Charles if youre not a Black man? he added. Nothing Prepared Me for the Horrors of Tulsa and the Red Summer Massacres But plenty of social media users were not buying his excuses, with many plastering the churchs Facebook page with Jaquess blackface images and negative comments. (The church limited who could comment under its posts.) How can a pastor lead a church when he doesnt respect all of Gods people. God makes no mistakes and he made black people beautiful so why would a man of God mock them? a Facebook user wrote on the churchs page. He gives a bad name to real Christians. Racist bigots. You wouldnt know Jesus if he walked through your door, another Facebook user wrote. On his personal Facebook page, the pastor has shared an image comparing former President Barack Obama to monkeys. He has also mocked Muslims, comparing those who wear burkas to trashbags. In Jaquess pastoral profile on the Matoaka Baptist Church website, he vows the congregation will strive for unity, while walking in love. Jaquess did not immediately return The Daily Beasts request for comment, and the number for the Matoaka Baptist Church was not accepting calls Friday. 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. The Lubbock County Courthouse. A District judge told 31-year old Miko Butler on Friday that the evidence before him clearly showed he was a danger to the public and needed to be in prison for a long time. District Judge William Eichman sentenced Butler to 70 years in prison for stabbing two Lubbock County Sheriff's deputies who were trying to arrest Butler for shoplifting two years ago at a South Lubbock Walmart. The sentence came after a three-day punishment bench trial that began on Monday when Butler pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated assault on a public servant, a first-degree felony that carries a punishment of 5 years to life in prison. A prior conviction for burglary of a habitation was used to raise his minimum punishment level to 15 years. Eichman gave Butler 70-year prison sentences for each count, which will run concurrently. Butler's plea did not result from a deal with the Lubbock County District Attorney's Office and he chose Eichman instead of a jury to determine his punishment. Lubbock County Sheriff's Deputies escort Miko Butler, 31, out of the 364th District Court on Friday after a District Judge sentenced him to 70 years in prison for stabbing two deputies in 2020. Since the offense is considered aggravated, Butler will have to serve 30 years before he is eligible to apply for parole. The courtroom was packed with members of the Lubbock County Sheriff's Office. A handful of Butler's family members also sat in the courtroom. During the bench trial, Eichman was presented with evidence of the June 20, 2020, stabbing that included footage from security cameras from Walmart and body camera videos. He also watched video of Butler's arrest and heard from jailers about his behavior in at the Lubbock County Detention Center, where he has been held since his arrest. Shoplifting evidence De Larossa told the court that he'd taken a shift providing security shift at Walmart and was called to the store's loss-prevention office to watch live footage of an apparent shop lifter. Video from Walmart played in court showed a man, identified as Butler, pushing a shopping cart through the electronics department and loading items including a GPS device, three copies of the "Smurfs" DVD and other items. Story continues Butler could be seen taking a pair of glasses out of its packaging and wearing them before taking a backpack and a handbag off their shelves and loading it into the cart. He was also seen taking a hammer from the hardware section. At some point, Butler walked to a secluded area of the store where he could be seen loading the electronics into the bags and head for the store's garden center. Butler could be seen walking past the cash registers without paying stolen items and out of the store, where De Larossa confronts him. Video from De Larossa's body-worn camera showed the deputy confront, ordering him to drop the hammer. Butler drops the hammer but walks away from the deputy, telling him he paid for the items. The video showed De Larossa walking about 10-12 feet behind Butler repeatedly telling him to stop and put down the stolen merchandise. However, Butler continued to walk away from the deputy repeatedly saying that he'd paid for the items. Meanwhile De Larossa can be heard asking for backup on the radio and narrating Butler's actions, including reaching into his waistband, to a loss prevention officer he was on the phone with. De Larossa followed Butler for about 300 yards until the two reached egress of the iHop restaurant when Galvas arrives in a marked Lubbock County Sheriff's patrol Tahoe. At that point, Butler runs across the South Loop 289 access road and De Larossa chases after him. Butler could be seen turning around, knife in hand, stabbing De Larossa twice, before turning to Galvaz, as De Larossa screams out that Butler was armed with a knife. Galvaz could be heard screaming as Butler stabs him twice, once in the neck and once in the left arm, before running away northbound to the Melonie Park neighborhood. De Larossa told the court that he decided not to chase after Butler, saying his focus was now on treating Galvaz. He told the court at that point he believed he was cleared to use deadly force and shoot Butler, but didn't because of the number of motorists around him that day. "At that point it was pretty much self care, buddy care situation," he said. De Larossa said he suffered wounds on the left side of his head, including a severed ear and a stab wound on his shoulder and lower left forearm. De Larossa was released from the hospital later that night. Both deputies told the court that the attack did not deter them from continuing to serve the community as law enforcement officers. De Larossa is now a supervisor in the gang intelligence unit and Galvaz works as part of the Texas Anti-Gang Unit. Both men also serve as members of the sheriff's office SWAT team. However, Galvaz told the court that his recovery and return to law enforcement took a lot of effort. Galvaz, who is left-handed, told the court the injury to his left arm was so severe he was afraid surgeons would amputate it. His injuries also required multiple surgeries, including a procedure that transferred part of his ulnar nerve to his radial nerve. He said as he healed, he had to re-learn how to do his job using his right-hand. "I wasn't going to let the injury, the mental state ... I wanted to overcome that and keep pushing forward," he said. However, Galvaz continues to feel pain in his left arm and has 70-80 percent mobility in his left hand and anticipates another surgical procedure in the future. De Larossa told the court after he returned to duty, his experience inspired him to specialize in emergency first aid and is now a certified medical instructor, teaching law enforcement officers and civilians how to administer first aid in stressful situations. Jail threats Eichman also heard testimony from Lubbock County Jailers about Butler's behavior in jail while awaiting trial for this case. In one episode, jailers used a stun gun on Butler after he refused to come out of his cell for a TB shot. Video from a jailer's body-worn camera showed Butler cursing and threatening jailers as they carried him into a disciplinary cell. "I wish I had a gun so I can shoot you," Butler could be heard saying. In another episode, a jailer told the court that Butler threatened her after his pod was being disciplined for disobeying an order the day before. The jailer told the court, Butler spoke into his cell's intercom and told her to "come into my cell (expletive) and see what happens." Prosecutor Courtney Boyd told the court that Butler's actions earned him a life sentence. She said De Larossa and Galvaz made a choice to put their lives on the line to protect the community, while Butler history showed he chose a life of crime. "There has to be severe consequences for people who are designed to stop crime in our community and this is what they get," she said. She said up until he attacked the deputies, Butler was facing a misdemeanor theft charge had he complied with De Larossa. "At any point he could have made the right choice," she said. Boyd told the court that Butler's bone-chilling attack wasn't a result of being on drugs or alcohol. "When this assault hat happens, he's stone cold sober," she said. "He is a constant danger to society." Court records show Butler was found competent to stand trial and there was no evidence that mental health issues contributed to the offense. Defense attorney Jeff Nicholson asked the court to consider his client's guilty plea as a mitigating factor when devising the punishment. He compared Butler to previous clients who were determined to go to trial and not take responsibility for their actions despite the overwhelming evidence against them. He said in this case, Butler, who did not testify during the bench trial, listened to his advice. "That acceptance of responsibility is worth something," he told the court. Eichman told Butler that the only mitigating factors in his case was that he pleaded guilty, taking responsibility for his actions, and that neither officer died. However, the Eichman told Butler he hasn't shown any remorse. He said the "stunning" attack on the deputies and his behavior at the jail threatening jailers showed that he was a threat to the community. "You are a danger to society and the public is not safe," he said. The courtroom was packed with members of the Lubbock County Sheriff's Office. A handful of Butler's family also attended the trial. They walked out of the courtroom after Eichman handed Butler his sentence. Deputies arrested one of his brothers, 29-year-old Jeremy Johnson, shortly after outside the courthouse for terroristic threat. Lubbock County Sheriff's deputies reportedly overheard Johnson threaten to kill everyone in the courthouse after his brother was sentenced. He was booked into the Lubbock County Detention Center where he remains as of Friday. In his victim impact statement, Galvaz told Butler that his evil actions that day might have changed his life but they did not break him and he has now adapted and overcome his injuries to continue to serve the community, including his family. "I wish no evil upon you but you deserve to be incarcerated for the rest of your life," he said. "You didn't break me, nor did you win." De Larossa told Butler that he's not ready to forgive him yet and said he hoped Butler learned not to attack law enforcement again. "You tried to kill me, you tied to kill my brother, I'm going to be honest -- you're not very good at it," he told Butler. "You ran. You didn't stay there. You didn't finish me off." Nicholson said after the trial that the emotions in the case, particularly the political climate at the time of the offense, escalated its difficulty. However, he believed Eichman's sentence was based on the evidence before him. "I believe it was based on the fact that officer Galvaz has a very devastating permanent injury and things along those lines and I cannot say that I expected anything different if much different at all under those circumstances," he said. He said he anticipates Butler will appeal his sentence. Boyd said the sentence Eichman handed Butler is within the realm of a life sentence and reflects the danger the defendant posed to society. "Anything 60-plus is going to be the same result of eligible after parole after 30 years so, I think the judge is making a point with that 70, we're happy with it," she said. "It's a life-worthy case to me, but 70 is the same result." Boyd said the case also highlighted the community's appreciation and respect for law enforcement which was on display in the video evidence that showed passers by rushing to help the deputies. "That is why we put in some of the videos into evidence that we did," she said. "Because we wanted the judge to see, how, thank goodness, Lubbock is Lubbock. and so many people stopped and either gave aid to both of these officers; gave water had medical supplies in their cars and again, this is during a scary time during COVID where they're not really wanting to be around blood and all that and these people stopped, they helped ... That is overwhelming. so, I think that speaks to what a great community that we live in." This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Judge sentences man to 70 years for stabbing deputies in 2020 By Anthony Boadle and Lisandra Paraguassu BRASILIA (Reuters) - Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is expected to avoid criticism of the U.S. and European role in the Ukraine war when he visits Portugal this weekend, two Brazilian officials told Reuters on Thursday. Lula angered many in the West last weekend when he called for the United States and European allies to stop supplying arms to Ukraine saying they were prolonging the war begun a year ago when Russia invaded. He made the comments to reporters on Sunday in Abu Dhabi on his way back from visiting China, where he discussed the war with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The remarks brought a strong retort from Washington, where a White House spokesman accused Lula of "parroting Russian and Chinese propaganda." The officials, based in Brasilia, admitted that his comments generated "unnecessary noise" and told Reuters they undermined Brazil's neutrality and credibility as a broker of peace talks that Lula has proposed by gathering countries not involved in the conflict. The two officials, who asked not to be named, said Lula will change his message on visits to Portugal and Spain and avoid criticizing the Western allies. "Brazil does not want to give the idea that we are in favor of what Russia has done or that we have taken a side in the conflict," said one of the officials. "Lula will adjust his speech. He is going to reaffirm the need to defend peace," he added. The Brazilian leader arrives in Lisbon on Friday and will meet Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo the next morning, followed by lunch with Prime Minister Antonio Costa. Next week he will meet Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in Madrid. Two European diplomats in Brasilia said the European leaders, both Socialists, will use their influence to convince the leftist Lula to see the war in a different light and drop criticism of NATO aid for Ukraine's defense. Story continues "I think that will happen. Lula is a pragmatic politician," one of the diplomats told Reuters, requesting anonymity to discuss the sensitive matter. The White House on Tuesday said Lula's "tone was not one of neutrality" in his comments on the war. By Tuesday, Lula had already toned down his rhetoric and condemned the violation of Ukraine's territorial integrity by Russia, while calling again for mediation to end the war, a peace initiative that the Ukrainian government has criticized. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov visited Lula in Brasilia on Monday and thanked him for his peace efforts, remarking that Brazil and Russia shared views on the conflict. Ukraine rejected Lula's proposal to broker peace because it treats "the victim and the aggressor" the same way. Lula has suggested Ukraine needs to make concessions to end the war and Russia could return recently invaded territory but keep Crimea. The European Union has also rejected Lula's suggestion that both Ukraine and Russia are to blame for the war. Earlier this year, Lula turned down a reported German request to supply artillery ammunition to Ukraine. (Reporting by Anthony Boadle and Lisandra Paraguassu; Editing by Brad Haynes and Christian Schmollinger) Gun violence My name is Eloisa Harper and I attend Boise High School as a sophomore. I am 14 years old. I adore my school, our community, and the education I am incredibly privileged to receive at Boise High School. America is flooded with gun violence. Its time we take action to address this issue. Thoughts and prayers dont save lives. I fear what would happen if I were in a school shooting or a public shooting in general. School is a place of learning and wonder. I shouldnt have to be in fear. My peers and I are scared for our lives. There have been 145 mass shootings in 2023, according to the Gun Violence Archive, as of April 10. There have been only 100 days in 2023. I urge elected Idaho officials our legislators, senators, representatives, mayor, and our governor to take action. With no federal action, it is up to state governments. Regardless of our political views, I know we can all agree on one thing: Human lives should always take priority. It is time to stop prioritizing the Second Amendment over the second-grader and start working on stricter gun control. Take steps in the right direction to protect me, my peers, peoples children, loved ones and family. Eloisa Harper, Boise Legislative session Well the legislative session is complete. What do we have to show for it? The most regressive approach to state government in the country. My God, Mississippi looks almost progressive compared to Idaho. Lets look at what the Republican controlled state accomplished. Im still looking. They have subjected our female citizens to draconian laws involving their own bodies and the ones that they love. Bounties for abortions. Oh brother. Unfortunately people up north dont have a delivery hospital. They wrung their hands lamenting the smut that our libraries check out to the children of the state, when in fact most of those same books have been on the shelves of the libraries for the past few years and no one gave a damn about them until some out of state saviors decided to stick the noses and money in the states business. What happened to all the surplus money that could have been used to repair all the schools, including libraries, so that we can show the country Idaho can raise our kids with a good education because we do care about our kids. That is the investment in the future of this state the citizens could support. Very sad. Story continues Scott William Murray, Boise Mifepristone The Texas judge took brave steps making a ruling about the legitimacy and safety of mifepristone, its testing, and conclusions made from the study of the drug. The initial FDA approval of mifepristone was a fast track politically strong armed approval. The administration at the time went to extreme lengths to make sure the drug went to and stayed in market, even though the FDA recognized inherent dangers associated with the drug. The FDA also ignored petitions made for its safety for years. Womens lives and future reproductive health are at stake! Medication abortions now account for more than half of US abortions. (Guttmacher Institute) Research shows the rate of abortion-pill related emergency room visits has increased more than 500% over the past decade and a half. (Charlotte Lozier Institute) Major international studies show: The overall incidence of adverse events was fourfold higher in medical compared with surgical abortion. (Obstetrics & Gynecology Green Journal) A recent article in the Statesman stated, Its incumbent upon us as a country to make sure women have safe and effective medication available. That is what this ruling is about. Women have too often suffered for whats called progress and decisions of progressives. Tami Koeng, Boise Sexual assault April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Child Abuse Prevention Month. Every 68 seconds, someone in the U.S. is sexually assaulted, and every 9 minutes, that victim is a child. These are appalling and heartbreaking statistics, especially when you realize most victims will never report the crime. Many survivors wait to come forward, fearing no one will believe them, fearing public ridicule, or blame them for the actions of their abuser. It is still difficult for anyone regardless of their gender or age to challenge someone in power about unwanted sexual advances or assaults. Join me this year on Wednesday, April 26, as we celebrate Denim Day to raise awareness about the prevalence of sexual assault and the need to support victims and denounce inappropriate behavior and abuse of power. Wearing denim on this day will show solidarity with survivors and individuals worldwide committed in their resolve to stop sexual assault. Please make a statement by wearing jeans on Denim Day and by thinking of ways you can help advance the conversation. I believe together we can create positive change in our community and it starts with each one of us. Visit wcaboise.org for more information. Bea Black, CEO, Womens and Childrens Alliance, Boise Climate change A recent guest opinion by Jay Ambrose was titled We must deal wisely with climate change. We do need wise action, but how do we know which actions will make the biggest difference and quickly enough to prevent irreversible damage. Time is of the essence to reduce the pollution that is already causing havoc: extreme weather events, rising sea levels, drought, and species extinction. We must move away from the dirty fuels of our past that pollute the air and overheat the atmosphere. We can lower energy costs with abundant clean sources of electricity while creating thousands of new jobs that help our communities, economy, and national security. The scientists at MIT have given us a way to better determine which combination of climate solutions will get us to the finish line in time. It is called the EnROADS Climate Simulator. To learn more about it, please attend a free climate workshop given by Citizens Climate Lobby at Bown Crossing Library on May 4, 6:30-8 p.m. Kayti Didricksen, Boise BENGHAZI, Libya (Reuters) - Libyans are celebrating Islam's Eid al-Fitr holiday - and ending their month-long Ramadan fast - on different days this year because of bitter political splits that persist despite years of peace efforts. Religious authorities in east Libya, aligned with the parliament which is based there, said they had sighted the crescent moon on Thursday, making it the last day of fasting and setting Friday as Eid. In Tripoli, the capital, religious authorities linked to the national interim government said they had not seen the moon and the holiday would not begin until Saturday, meaning people should fast another day. "This is madness and I pray it ends here," said Ahmed Mesbah, 50, in Tripoli, who has chosen to celebrate Eid on Friday. "We are divided among those who fast and those who have stopped fasting," he added. The date of Eid is normally set by the official religious authority in each country, but Libya has had little stability since a 2011 NATO-backed uprising against ruler Muammar Gaddafi. The country split in 2014 between warring factions in east and west, a rift that remains despite comparative peace since 2020. While people in areas controlled by eastern factions appeared to be universally celebrating Eid on Friday, people living in Tripoli and some other parts of the west seemed split between those celebrating and those still fasting. "The split between east and west on such a happy occasion is hurtful and makes me sad. I'm afraid of more splits going deeper in our lives in Libya," said Mohamed Salem, in Tripoli, who is still fasting. Prime Minister Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah in Tripoli said people should follow the grand mufti's decision to wait until Saturday. The parliament, which backs a rival administration, said Eid started on Friday. In western areas of Libya, divisions over Eid, which even extended to different members of the same families, appeared to partly reflect divisions over the role of the mufti, Sadiq al-Ghariani, who is seen as close to the Muslim Brotherhood. The brotherhood has been party to the regional and political disputes in Libya, including against the eastern-based factions and some Salafist Muslim groups. (Reporting by Ayman al-Warfalli and Ahmed Elumami, writing by Angus McDowall; editing by Philippa Fletcher) Signal messaging app president Meredith Whittaker has raised concerns (AFP via Getty Images) Upcoming UK internet legislation puts users privacy at risk, the head of a messaging app has warned. Meredith Whittaker, president of Signal, is one of many in the tech world who have warned that the upcoming Online Safety Bill will compromise the privacy of UK citizens. It, along with WhatsApp, have indicated the current version of the bill could force its app to become impractical in the UK and it could be forced to pull out of the country. Child sexual abuse is an appalling crime. The roll out of end-to-end encryption means the light that has shone on these crimes will be switched off.@NCA_UK Director General Rob Jones & @PoliceChiefs Ian Critchley on why social media companies must put child safety first. pic.twitter.com/w3QeMW6RWj Home Office (@ukhomeoffice) April 19, 2023 Both signed an open letter, published alongside five other messaging apps, that warned the legislation is an unprecedented threat to the privacy, safety and security of every UK citizen and the people with whom they communicate around the world, while emboldening hostile governments who may seek to draft copy-cat laws. After that letter was published, the UKs Home Office published a video in which it suggested that the use of security features on WhatsApp and other platforms had made it harder for police to stop child sexual abuse. The roll out of end-to-end encryption means the light that has shone on these crimes will be switched off, it said in a tweet. Ms Whittaker said the video offered scientifically unsubstantiated claims. But she said that the video had also pulled the veil off the intentions behind this bill, and that it had made clear the legislation really is attacking encryption. Story continues It appears to me that theres a little bit of desperation and now theyve taken the gloves off, she told The Independent. And they are saying the quiet part loud, which is that we dont want more encryption. End-to-end encryption is a security technology that ensures that only the sender and recipient of a message are able to read it, and that it is hidden even from the messaging platform that is delivering it. Such encryption is used on most popular messaging platforms, from Apples iMessage to Metas WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger, as well as Signal. Messaging apps, security experts and rights experts say that encryption is required to ensure that messages stay safe from hackers and others. But law enforcement and politicians have repeatedly argued that it also protects the messages of criminals, and so must be weakened. Most recently, that has come in the form of the UKs Online Safety Bill, which may be passed within months. Clause 110 of that legislation requires that messaging apps scan the content that is sent through them for illegal content, but that is not possible with existing technology since end-to-end encryption means those platforms are unable to scan or see those messages. That has led WhatsApp, Signal and others to argue that the bill could break end-to-end encryption, since it is not explicitly protected in the bill. They have expressed fears that it could let regulator Ofcom demand that they scan through messages, which they say would compromise the privacy of all users. UK politicians and police have argued that compromise is necessary to ensure that illegal content is not being distributed through online messaging platforms. They have pointed to the vast amount of child sexual abuse material, or CSAM, that is being distributed online. But Ms Whittaker said that online services were being used as a scapegoat for that abuse and that the government was failing to pursue more effective strategies, such as funding preventative services and other scientifically-backed approaches to actually countering abuse. I think there isn't a human being with a functioning heart alive that isn't horrified by the spectre of child abuse, she said. It's an extremely emotionally evocative topic. But I think the emotional weight of that subject is not met by the rigour of the solution they're proposing. Ms Whittaker voiced concerns that the new legislation will not only cause problems for users in the UK, but could allow other governments to launch similar measures. She said there is often copy pasting between different governments, and that it would only require a weakening of encryption in one country for that same information to be available to other allies. She restated Signals commitment that it would not undermine or compromise the privacy and safety promises we make to people in the UK, and everywhere else if they were required to under the new law. That could mean the company could be forced to withdraw from the UK, but it would try and ensure that the service continued to operate if it did. Ms Whittakers comments came shortly before an article was published in The House magazine that suggested the Conservative Party may not be united behind the new plans. Syed Kamall, who sits in the House of Lords and served as a minister in the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport until late last year, said the legislation could leave citizens at risk. The Online Safety Bill is laudable in intent, but raises a number of questions. There is a wide consensus on protecting children from pornography and ensuring that neither they nor vulnerable adults are exposed to illegal content, he wrote. However, while most of us want our daily communications, now conducted almost entirely over the internet, to be secure, an unintended consequence of the bill may make apps more vulnerable to attack or interception by bad actors. He said the legislation is not yet a workable bill and requires further close scrutiny and a debate about trade-offs and unintended consequences. With so much of our lives conducted online, it may be no exaggeration to say that the UKs future as a global tech hub and as a safe place to communicate online depends on getting this right, he added. The Maine man who police say confessed to killing his parents and their two friends before going on a shooting rampage on a nearby interstate had been released from prison just days prior when he'd been picked up by his mother. Joseph Eaton, 34, appeared briefly in court on Thursday morning and faces four murder charges, with more charges pending. Police arrested him shortly after discovering the bodies of his parents and their friends in a home near Portland on Tuesday morning. As police searched for Eton on Tuesday, he fled in his parents' rental car and started shooting at passing vehicles, injuring three members of an area family who were driving past. The shooting spree stunned Mainers, and Mike Sauschuck, commissioner of Maine Public Safety, called the shootings an attack on the soul of our state. It's one of the worst incidents of violence in Maine history, police said. Killed in the attack were Cynthia Eaton, 63, and her husband, David, 65, a Navy veteran, and friends Patricia and Robert Eger. The Eatons were staying with the Egans while they picked up their son from prison. Their bodies were discovered Tuesday morning by Patricia Eagan's sister who grew worried when no one answered the phone, police said. The three people injured in the interstate shooting were Sean Halsey, 51, and his children Justin Halsey, 29, and Paige Halsey, 25. Police on Wednesday said Eaton confessed after being arrested. Shooting in Maine on 295: Man fired on motorists after killing 4, including his parents What do court records reveal ? The Eatons, who lived in Kansas, had gone to Maine to pick up their son, who was released from prison on April 14 after serving a 2015 sentence for domestic violence. Cynthia Eaton met her son at the Maine Correctional Facility in Windham, according to the Maine State Police. They were good people, said Cynthias stepfather, Kenneth W. Fagan Jr., who lives in Ocala, Florida, where the Eatons once lived. They loved their kids. They were the best parents." Story continues He said the Eatons had lived in Auburndale, in Florida's Polk County, until a few months ago. They sold their home and moved to Kansas City, Kansas, to be with another son who lives there. They later may have moved to Wichita, Fagan said. An arrest affidavit for Joseph Eaton said Patricia Eagan's sister saw blood on the front steps and entered the home. Lisa opened the door and yelled but no one answered. Lisa said she entered the home and could see broken glass and blood on the floor. She observed a body in the area of the kitchen covered by a towel, the affidavit says. She said she also saw several firearms lying about the house and saw drag marks. She left the home to call police, according to the affidavit. The affidavit said crime scene investigators found a note that said, someone had been molested and that there was nothing done about it. The note mentioned someone being freed of pain and that the writer of the note wanted a new life. The note was not written to anyone nor was it signed by anyone. Mourners started assembling a makeshift memorial, Wednesday, April 19, 2023 at a Bowdoin, Maine, home where police say four people were killed. A Maine man who police say killed four people in a home and then shot three others randomly on a busy highway had been released days earlier from prison, a state official said Wednesday, and he posted on social media about the need for forgiveness. Prison terms in Maine and Florida Joseph Eaton has a long, troubled past, according to media reports and public records. In 2014, his parents tried to persuade Maine authorities to release him to their custody to serve out his probation for a Maine crime. However, that plan did not work out because his father refused to give up his guns. Not having access to firearms was a condition of probation, the Bangor Daily News reported, quoting court documents. Joseph Eaton eventually moved to Florida to be with his parents in 2017 after being released from prison for violating his probation on a domestic violence charge, the Daily News reported. In January 2018, he was imprisoned in Florida for three years on aggravated assault on a law enforcement or rescue worker, according to the state Department of Corrections website. He was returned to Maine in 2021. In a video posted to Facebook before the shootings, a man who appears to be Joseph Eaton left a rambling Facebook Live post asking for forgiveness and talking about people who pretend to be Christians. Joseph Eaton, the suspect in a shooting spree in Maine, appears in court in West Bath, Maine on Thursday. Eaton, who police say confessed to killing four people in a home and then shot three others randomly on a busy highway Tuesday, had been released days earlier from prison. Prayers for the dead News of the slayings touched others in Central Florida who knew the Eatons. I want to ask the group for prayers to my friend David Eaton and his wife and their two friends and the friends family dog as they were recently murdered in Maine two days ago. David was a longtime Harley owner (over 40 years) and longtime HOG member and officer, Kim Paige, with New Smyrna Beach HOG Chapter 530701, wrote on Facebook. David and I served together in the Navy in the early 80's in Jacksonville where we were Flight Engineer instructors. I talked to him and his wife at a Navy reunion in 2021 in Maine, we talked about getting together for a ride, he wrote. Contributing: Frank Stanfield for the Ocala Star-Banner This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Main shooting suspect charged with killing parents, friends in spree A man wanted on 12 outstanding warrants was tracked to a home in Boston where police shot a dog to death after an officer was bitten while trying to make an arrest earlier this week, officials said Friday. Officers executing a search warrant at 28 Michigan Avenue in Dorchester just around 1:30 p.m. Wednesday arrested 22-year-old Tumerrick Brown on warrants for charges of assault and battery on a police officer, assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon, multiple counts of larceny, and several violations of the Massachusetts auto laws, according to the Boston Police Department. He was also wanted on a fugitive from justice charge out of Salem, New Hampshire. After placing the suspect in custody, police say one officer was attacked by two dogs inside the house and bitten several times. A second officer discharged their weapon and struck both dogs. The officer who was bitten and the officer who fired their gun were both taken to local hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries. One of the dogs was pronounced dead at the scene. A subsequent sweep of the apartment where Brown was arrested is said to have yielded a .40 caliber firearm, which led to additional charges of unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, unlawful storage of a firearm, and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. The incident remains under investigation. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Flash Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang will attend the opening ceremony of the Lanting Forum on Chinese Modernization and the World to be held at the Grand Halls in Shanghai on Friday and deliver a keynote speech, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin announced here Thursday. The forum is expected to host foreign dignitaries, prestigious experts and scholars, business leaders, foreign diplomatic envoys and representatives of international organizations in China and representatives from international media. The forum is jointly organized by the China Public Diplomacy Association, the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs and the Shanghai Municipal People's Government. Under the theme of "Chinese Modernization and the World," the forum consists of three panel sessions and a luncheon with the business community for in-depth exchanges on topics including the new development of China, better global governance, closer people-to-people exchanges and pursuing high-standard opening up. All Nippon Airways Boeing 777-300ER. Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images A currency mistake meant All Nippon Airways underpriced some first- and business-class flights. A passenger told Bloomberg he'd bought 25 tickets, including one with an almost 95% discount. He also got tickets for family and friends: "I didn't even bother to ask them whether they were able to make it." A man bought airline tickets worth $250,000 for just $17,000 after the Japanese airline All Nippon Airways made a mistake with currency conversions, Bloomberg reported. Herman Yip, who runs a travel website and lives in Hong Kong, told Bloomberg that he bought 25 tickets at heavy discounts. Yip said that he'd bought tickets for family and friends as well as for himself. "I didn't even bother to ask them whether they were able to make it or not, as I needed to book really quickly," he told Bloomberg. Bloomberg reported that the flights he purchased included a first-class round-trip from Jakarta, Indonesia, to Aruba via Tokyo and New York, that cost just $890 or a discount of close to 95%. After his order was confirmed, Yip was also able to change his flights for free, so he rebooked the first leg of the trip to start in Bangkok, he said. Johnny Wong, who works in the airline industry, told Bloomberg that he'd booked return business-class flights from Jakarta to Honolulu via Tokyo for 13 million dong, or about $550, after noticing the same mistake. "I never thought I'd catch such a deal," Wong said, adding that he rushed to buy his tickets before the airline noticed the error. Bloomberg reported that most of the mistakenly priced tickets were for journeys starting with a flight from Jakarta to Japan and then to New York. Another person snapped up a ticket for business-class flights from Jakarta to New York, with layovers in Singapore and Tokyo on the way there and Tokyo on the way back for just $300, down from an average price of $10,000, Bloomberg reported. The journey consists of five flights altogether. Story continues All Nippon Airways told Insider that an incorrect currency conversion was displayed on its Vietnamese website, allowing some customers to buy discounted tickets. "ANA has not yet determined the handling of the purchases, however, for passengers who did make the discounted purchase with imminent flights, ANA will make sure they will be able to travel on those flights," the airline said in a statement on Friday. "The cause of the issue and the impact is still being investigated." When flights are as cheap as this, Yip said that acting quickly and being flexible is important because lots of people would likely be looking to buy tickets. "If you see something that's probably a 10th of the original price, just book," he told Bloomberg. "It's very likely you'll able to change or cancel, because the airline will always want you to cancel." Read the original article on Business Insider An 18-year-old Nashville man was charged with two counts of criminal homicide in connection with the fatal shooting of two last October. Amarion Franklin, 18, faces criminal homicide charged. Brothers Quintarius Newbell, 23, and Keianthony Newbell, 17, in Parkwood Park off Vailview Drive, according to an MNPD police. The shooting happened at Parkwood Park off Vailview Drive about 7 p.m. Oct. 9. Police say the brothers lived near where the shooting took place. Reach reporter Craig Shoup by email at cshoup@gannett.com and on Twitter @Craig_Shoup. To support his work, sign up for a digital subscription to www.tennessean.com. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Man charged in fatal shooting of two brothers last October in park The man convicted of killing two people at a San Luis Obispo County beach in 2001 could not distinguish right from wrong at the time of the fatal shooting, two forensic psychologists said on the stand Thursday. A jury on Wednesday convicted 63-year-old Stephen Deflaun of two counts of first-degree murder for the killings of Stephen Wells, 37, and Wells 11-year-old nephew, Jerry Rios Jr, during a confrontation over a Morro Strand State Beach campsite on July 8, 2001. The jurors, who deliberated for approximately three hours of deliberation, also found Deflaun guilty of assault with a firearm on a peace officer, in this case a California State Parks Ranger. Deflaun entered not guilty and not guilty by reason of insanity pleas in June to his charges. Now that he has been convicted, the so-called sanity phase of his trial has begun. The defendant only became competent to stand trial in April 2022 after being confined the the California Department of State Hospitals System. According to a 2004 court hearing, he was never expected to be competent enough to stand trial. Deflaun waived his right to a jury trial for the second portion of his trial Wednesday afternoon, so San Luis Obispo Superior Court Judge Jacquelyn Duffy will decide whether Deflaun is legally insane and therefore, not guilty by reason of insanity. If found not guilty by reason of insanity, Deflaun will be in the custody of the California Department of State Hospitals for care and treatment unless or until his sanity is recovered fully, according to the state penal code. Deflaun will be sentenced according to California sentencing laws if the judge rules he was in his right mind when he killed Wells and Rios Jr. Dr. Carolyn Murphy testifies during the sanity phase of the trial against Stephen Deflaun in San Luis Obispo Superior Court on Apr. 20, 2023. Psychologist: Shooter does not believe what he did was wrong Forensic psychologist Dr. Carolyn Murphy, who previously testified during the guilt phase of the trial, came back to court Wednesday to share more details about her evaluation of Deflaun. Murphy, who evaluated Deflaun in November 2022, said she diagnosed him with schizophrenia spectrum disorder, adding Deflaun is on the paranoid end of the spectrum. Story continues She said understanding Deflauns history of mental illness before and after the 2001 shooting was imperative to understanding his state of mind during it. In total, she reviewed about 43 years of documents pertaining to Deflauns mental illness history. According to Murphy, Deflauns hallucinations of voices telling him he is being targeted a delusion he calls the program have remained consistent since 1979, when Deflaun was around 20 years old. The shooting was one of three outbursts in Deflauns recorded history, Murphy testified, and based off her review of records she said she believes a perfect storm of factors are what put Deflaun over the edge that day. Tim Osman (center) listens during the trial against his client, Stephen Deflaun (right), in San Luis Obispo Superior Court on Apr. 20, 2023. For starters, Deflaun was unmedicated for a long period of time before the shooting, she said. At that time, Deflaun said the voices were escalating, telling him he was being targeted as he isolated himself in his vehicle. He drank 12 Keystone beers, which Murphy said lowered his inhibitions. Two children sent by Wells Rios Jr. and his 11-year-old cousin Brian Wells knocked on Deflauns door to ask if he was staying at the campsite overnight. Deflaun allegedly yelled at the kids, which led to a shouting match between him and Wells. Around 15 minutes after Wells threatened to report Deflaun to the park rangers, Deflaun returned to the park entrance and shot Wells and Rios Jr. This may be upsetting for people to hear that (Deflaun) does not fully believe that what he did was wrong, Murphy said. Stephen Deflaun stands in San Luis Obispo Superior Court on Apr. 20, 2023. Murphy said Deflaun told her he had been hearing voices referring to Wells as a federal agent a--hole, and believed Wells was part of a larger conspiracy to follow, harass and harm him. He did not believe the victim was an actual victim because of who they were, Murphy said. Deflaun saw killing Rios Jr. as an accident, Murphy testified, explaining that the only connection the child had to Deflauns delusion was that the child was sent to Deflauns van by Wells. She said Deflauns condition creates delusions that are not considered bizarre meaning that they are possible but extremely unlikely. For example, a bizarre delusion would be believing certain people are aliens, while a not bizarre delusion is believing certain people are FBI agents, Murphy said. Deflauns delusion of the program remains even when medicated, Murphy said, noting that medication only helps him with his impulse control. On the day of the shooting, Deflaun allegedly told first defenders Im sorry, and Im in so much trouble. Murphy said those statements could show legal culpability out of context, but noted that, within the context of Deflauns mental illness history, delusion and hallucinations that day, he could have also been referring to the program. The difficulty with mental illness is that there is not a way to fact-check what is going on in someones head, so there is a possibility the person being evaluated could be lying, Murphy said. However, she added, people lying about mental illness usually want to make it known to people that they have a mental illness. Deflaun tries to hide his mental illness, and does not believe he is mentally ill, Murphy said. She said the statements he made, along with the amount of documentation of Deflauns illness, records from the time of the shooting and his current testimony, suggest Deflaun is telling the truth of his reality. Defense attorney Tim Osman (left) questions a witness during the trial against his client, Stephen Deflaun, in San Luis Obispo Superior Court on Apr. 20, 2023. Convicted killer has pattern of acting out, witness testifies Kevin Perry, a forensic psychologist with a practice in San Luis Obispo County and who works at Atascadero State Hospital, did not review Murphys report, but had similar opinions. Perry has met with Deflaun three times twice for a previous Murphy conservatorship, which is when a person is not competent to stand trial but cannot be released because they are a danger to society, and once for the current criminal case against Deflaun. The most recent meeting took place in July 2022. Perry said he believes Deflaun knew firing a gun would cause Wells death, but that Deflaun could not tell right from wrong when he killed Wells. Perry said Deflaun has longstanding severe psychiatric illness, noting Deflaun has been hospitalized involuntarily multiple times in the past. The psychologist said Deflaun isolated himself in his van in the mid-1980s in order to withdraw from society and did not interact with people for the most part until the day of the shooting. Deflaun has two previous violent outbursts against his mother in Massachusetts, one of which resulted in a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity. Theres a pattern of acting out in a way that either doesnt make sense or the person isnt able to distinguish moral wrongfulness, Perry said. The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior. San Luis Obispo County Deputy District Attorney Ben Blumenthal during the trial against Stephen Deflaun in San Luis Obispo Superior Court on Apr. 20, 2023. Deflauns incompetency to stand trial for more than two decades also bears weight in his overall mental diagnosis, Perry said. In order to be mentally competent to stand trial, a person has to be able to understand what they are being charged with and be able to help their lawyer with their defense. On cross-examination, Perry said it was possible for someone with schizophrenia to be able to understand right from wrong when they are doing something wrong and that they may lie in order to help themselves. In his July 2022 interview, Deflaun did not mention he verbally assaulted two children, but Perry said it wasnt an immediate cause for concern given the passage of time. Murphy was also aware of the verbal assault allegation before he interviewed Deflaun because it was included in the reports he reviewed. Perry said he believes Deflaun was telling the truth of his reality, because when people lie about mental illness they do so for personal gain. Deflaun wanted to get out of mental institutions, but he continued to show psychotic symptoms that kept him in them. Deflauns delusional system has also remained the same throughout his 40-year history of mental illness, Perry said. Whats next The defense rested its case for the sanity portion of the trial at the end of the court day Thursday. The prosecution will begin its arguments on Monday at 11 a.m. Coweta County Sheriff officials are investigating a shooting that left one person dead. Authorities said on Friday at 2:30 a.m., deputies received reports of a person shot at a home on Geter Circle. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] When deputies arrived, they located a 41-year-old man who had been shot and killed. At the scene, investigators also found evidence of forced entry. TRENDING STORIES: Deputies have not said if the victim was the homeowner or not. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has been contacted to assist in the investigation. Anyone with information regarding this shooting is asked to contact Investigator Gorringe at ggorringe@coweta.ga.us. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: A man was rushed to the hospital after being stabbed Thursday afternoon. Officers responding to the area of Route 286 and South Main Street around 2:30 p.m. found an adult man suffering from stab wounds, according to the Seabrook Police Department. The victim was transported to Portsmouth Hospital. The extent of his injuries are unknown at this time. Police say the parties involved in this crime have been identified and there is no threat to the public. New Hampshire State Police, New Hampshire Fish & Game, the Rockingham County Sheriffs Office, and Salisbury Police all assisted with the investigation. Anyone with additional information about the incident is asked to contact law enforcement. 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 An argument about a parking spot carried over into a Cub Scouts meeting in Michigan, leading to a man being knocked unconscious, police say. The incident happened Tuesday, April 18, in Warren, about 20 miles north of Detroit. Police are now searching for 26-year-old Tyrone Sledge, who has been charged with assault with intent to do great bodily harm. The Warren Police Department said the argument took place in the parking lot of Roose Elementary School prior to the Cub Scouts meeting. A man called out a woman for parking in a handicapped spot without a permit, police said. Police referred to the argument as brief and minor, but the woman called a relative, Sledge, who later appeared at the meeting. Sledge is shown in surveillance video entering the cafeteria during the meeting and approaching the 47-year-old man. Sledge allegedly advised the victim he was armed and threatened the victim before punching the victim in the head, police said. The punch knocked the victim unconscious and he was taken to a hospital, where he was initially listed in critical condition. His condition has since improved, police said. The video shows Sledge leaving the cafeteria after punching the man. He has not been captured as of Friday, April 21. This case is a sad example of a minor argument over a handicap parking space resulting in serious injuries to a victim, Police Commissioner Bill Dwyer said. The fact that this suspect barged into a Cub Scout meeting and assaulted the victim at an event designed for children and families shows the brazenness of this incident, Dwyer added. Anybody with information about Sledges whereabouts is asked to contact Warren police at 586-574-4700. Intoxicated 18-year-old intentionally runs over man outside Target, Minnesota cops say 70-year-old dies after woman runs over him with his own car, California police say Ahmad Qutami testified Thursday that when he and two friends attended a pro-Palestine rally at River Park in 2021 he hoped to raise awareness about the violence in the region. Instead, he and his friends were confronted by an angry man who is accused of assaulting them with pepper spray. The alleged assailant, Brian Lee Turner, 64, is charged with three felony counts of using tear gas against Qutami, 21, and his friends. Turner also faces a hate crime enhancement. During Turners preliminary hearing Thursday, Qutami testified that on the day of the May 15 rally about 200 people gathered in the area of Blackstone and Nees avenues. People were chanting, carrying signs and waving Palestinian flags. At one point, Qutami said he and his two friends, Faisal Alqatami and Faisal Aboelrish, 20, were in a car at the intersection of Blackstone and Nees, honking and waving a Palestinian flag, when Turner and his wife pulled up next to them. Qutami testified that as Turner approached, the trouble began. He was staring at us and shaking his head, Qutami said. Then he started basically cussing us out, saying he doesnt support Palestine and we are going to kill all the Palestinians, and I started cussing him out. A video taken by Qutami shows Turner yelling at them as the Palestinian flag is being waved near him. Turners attorney Mark Kapetan asked Qutami if the flag was being waved aggressively at his client. He said it wasnt. Qutami said Aboelrish, who was in the backseat holding the flag, opened his door and put one foot on the ground when Turner began spraying them. I told him Im recording you and he kept pepper spraying me, it burned my face, Qutami said. I had glasses on but it still dripped into my eyes. It was hard to breath and I ended up in the hospital that night. Kapetan presented the incident from another viewpoint. Video from a security camera taken from a nearby building in River Park shows the two cars pulling up next to each other. Aboelrish is seen wildly waving his flag toward Turners car and then getting out momentarily, before being pulled back in by someone in the car. After using his pepper spray, Turner begins to pull away. The video shows Aboelrish getting out of the car he is in and running after Turners car. Aboelrish testified that he was trying to get the cars license plate number. The preliminary hearing continues Friday in Dept. 74. Judge Alvin Harrell III will decide if there is enough evidence to put Turner on trial. 11 Investigates has confirmed that a man who previously ran for Pittsburgh City Council has been charged with rape. According to court documents, Kierran Young, 30, is facing multiple charges in connection with an alleged sexual assault. Court documents said the alleged victim stated she spent time with Young downtown before going back to his apartment in October 2022. The woman told police she felt comfortable going there because she has known Young for a long time and that she still considers him a brother. After the woman helped Young with cleaning tasks, she told police that Young began saying strange things to her, such as, Im really jealous of your husband because he has you. The alleged victim said she did not think anything of the comments at first and would deflect the conversation, but eventually said, You know Im married, I dont like you like that. Police said the woman claimed Young pushed her against a wall and kissed her without her consent before sexually assaulting her. In 2019, Young ran to represent the ninth district on Pittsburghs City Council, 11 Investigates confirmed. In February of this year, he announced he was going to run again, but withdrew his candidacy later in the month. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: Allegheny County police investigate death of male found in drainage tunnel Rapid unscheduled disassembly: SpaceX Starship explodes after test flight launch Woman charged after Waste Management driver hit by car in Mount Lebanon VIDEO: Elizabeth Forward High School teachers say students, staff getting sick after return to building DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts Miguel Angel Zavaleta, 29, is suspected of beating a 60- to 65-year-old man to death early Friday in Huntington Park, the L.A. County Sheriff's Department said. (Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department) A search is underway for a 29-year-old man suspected of beating an older man to death early Friday in Huntington Park, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. Miguel Angel Zavaleta is suspected of attacking the victim outside a convenience store in the 5600 block of Pacific Boulevard around 1:50 a.m., the Sheriff's Department said in a news release. The man, whose identity was not immediately known, had been kicked, punched and shoved to the ground during the assault, authorities said. The victim, who was believed to be between 60 and 65 years old, was pronounced dead at the scene by the Los Angeles Fire Department, according to authorities. Zavaleta is "well-known to frequent the Huntington Park area," the Sheriff's Department said. Zavaleta is described as being 5 feet 11 and weighing 220 pounds, with brown hair and eyes, authorities said. The Huntington Park Police Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Anyone with information about the incident can contact the Sheriff's Department's Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. Anonymous tips can also be made by calling Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. A man was fatally stabbed early Friday in South El Monte after attempting to steal catalytic converter from a car, according to the L.A. County Sheriff's Department. (Jae C. Hong / Associated Press) A man suspected of stealing a catalytic converter from a vehicle was stabbed to death early Friday in South El Monte, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. Deputies responded about 2:37 a.m. to a report of a stabbing in the 1100 block of Thienes Avenue, according to a news release from the Sheriff's Department. Deputies arrived at the scene and found a man between 45 and 50 years old suffering from a stab wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene by the Los Angeles County Fire Department. The man, along with two other suspects, were attempting to steal the catalytic converter from a car parked in a driveway on the street, the Sheriff's Department told KCBS-TV Channel 2. A resident of the home had come out of the home's front door and was confronted by the suspects when the stabbing occurred, according to authorities. The resident has been detained for further questioning, authorities said. The other suspects were last seen getting into a small car and driving east on Thienes Avenue. Authorities said the investigation was continuing. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. A Mantua man accused of sexual misconduct with a girl over a period of more than eight years has been sentenced to probation after he was previously sentenced to 27 years in prison and a new trial was ordered. After Jason J. Snider, 49, pleaded guilty to third-degree felony gross sexual imposition as part of a plea deal during a pretrial hearing this week in Portage County Court of Common Pleas, Judge Becky Doherty sentenced him to serve one-year probation, according to court records. Additional charges in a grand jury indictment were dismissed, also as part of the plea deal. Snider could have received as much as five years in prison, according to court records. Doherty also determined that Snider is a Tier II sex offender, which requires that he register every six months with the sheriff of any county he lives, works or attends school. As a condition of his probation, Doherty also ordered that Snider have no contact with the victim, who is now 19. Snider's attorney did not return a phone call seeking comment. Portage County Prosecutor Victor Vigluicci said the deal was deemed necessary due to conflicting statements made by the victim. "Our victim recanted and actually recanted, flip flopped, several times as to the veracity of her statements, to the point where we were not confident in putting her on the witness stand," Vigluicci said. "These cases are difficult and we tried to do the right thing and just could not determine the truthfulness or veracity of her statement after she kept changing." According to court records, the case stems from incidents that began in July 2009, when the girl was 6, and extended until she was 15 in January 2018. The victim first reported the alleged sexual abuse to her foster mother in spring 2018 and then to a pediatric sexual assault nurse of the Children's Advocay Center of Portage County. The girl subsequently recanted the allegations, but then later said the allegations were true. Story continues Snider went on trial in late June, during which the victim testified against him. A jury found him not guilty of two counts of first-degree felony rape, but found him guilty of two lesser counts of second-degree felony attempted rape that were not included in an indictment. In addition, the jury found Snider guilty of six counts of gross sexual imposition and two counts each of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor and sexual battery, all third-degree felonies. Doherty sentenced Snider to 27 years in prison in August and detrmined he was a Tier III sex offender, which would have required that he register with the county sheriff every 90 days for life once released. Snider appealed to the Ohio 11th District Court of Appeals, which determined that two arguments involving expert witness testimony made by Snider had merit. The case was sent back to the county court for retrial. Until his plea, Snider had been scheduled for a May 16 jury trial. On Monday, Doherty also ordered that Snider pay $536 in court costs, with the option of performing community service at $10 per hour. Reporter Jeff Saunders can be reached at jsaunders@recordpub.com. This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Mantua man accused of sexual misconduct with girl gets probation A group of 17 state attorneys general are asking the government to recall millions of Hyundais and Kias because of how easily they can be stolen. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images A group of state attorneys general is asking the federal government to recall millions of Hyundai and Kia vehicles. They cite a string of thefts in the last few years, which seem to be inspired by TikTok videos. Specific models of the cars do not have engine immobilizers, which makes them easier to steal. A group of attorneys general representing 17 states and Washington, DC have asked the federal government to issue a recall for millions of Kia and Hyundai vehicles after months of thefts sparked by social media videos that revealed how easy some of the cars were to steal. Certain Hyundai models made between 2016 and 2021, and some Kias made between 2011 and 2021, were built without engine immobilizers, an antitheft device that prevents a car from starting unless it recognizes a specific key, Insider previously reported. Videos that show how to steal the cars with detailed instructions for how to unscrew the steering column with a screwdriver and insert a USB cable into the ignition to get it to start appeared on TikTok as early as 2020 and have since been widely circulated, prompting a spike in stolen vehicles. Thefts of Hyundais and Kias increased by about 85% in Los Angeles alone last year, and the vehicles made up about 20% of all cars stolen in the city last year, according to the California Attorney General's Office. California AG Rob Bonta, along with attorneys general from 16 other states and Washington, DC, sent a letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Thursday asking for a wider recall to be issued for affected vehicles. The letter states that measures taken thus far by the companies to prevent thefts, including software updates and free steering wheel locks, haven't done enough to protect consumers. "The bottom line is, Kia's and Hyundai's failure to install standard safety features on many of their vehicles have put vehicle owners and the public at risk," Bonta said in a statement. "Instead of taking responsibility with appropriate corrective action, these carmakers have chosen instead to pass this risk onto consumers and our communities. It is unacceptable that families and communities should be forced to shoulder the cost of Kia's and Hyundai's failures." Story continues A woman places a steering wheel lock on her 2017 Kia Sportage at her home in Denver, Colorado on Tuesday, March 14, 2023. Hyoung Chang/Getty Images The letter also argues that the thefts are creates a safety issue, as the cars are often driven recklessly after being stolen. At least eight deaths and several injuries have been attributed to accidents involving stolen Kias or Hyundais, the letter states. A Kia spokesperson told Insider in a statement that over two million Kia owners have been contacted to inform them of the available software update, and over 165,000 have already had the update installed. The company also said it has shipped over 47,000 steering wheel locks to thousands of Kia owners, as well as to hundreds of local law enforcement agencies for them to distribute. "Kia remains very focused on this issue and we continue to take action to address the concerns these Attorneys General have raised," the company said in a statement. "We are committed to working with them and law enforcement agencies across their respective states to combat car theft and the role social media has played in encouraging it." A Hyundai spokesperson told Insider it issued its own software update two months ahead of schedule and created a website and hotline for car owners to see if their vehicle is eligible, noting that engine immobilizers have been made standard equipment in all models of Hyundai vehicles as of November 2021. "Hyundai is committed to continuing our efforts in completing the software upgrade for all affected vehicles in the most effective manner possible," the company said. "We are communicating with NHTSA on our many actions to assist our customers." The company also recently announced a partnership with the American Automobile Association to provide insurance coverage to eligible Hyundai owners after some insurance companies, including State Farm and Progressive, stopped insuring the vehicles in certain areas of the country earlier this year. A NHTSA spokesperson told Insider that while the thefts are under the jurisdiction of local law enforcement, the agency has met with Hyundai and Kia several times to discuss the matter. The agency said it will "continue to monitor this issue, spread awareness of further updates to local authorities, and lend its expertise in efforts to strengthen motor vehicle safety." The letter was signed by the attorneys general representing California, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and the District of Columbia. Read the original article on Business Insider The Colony Church in Bishop Hill, built by Swedish immigrants. A resident is trying to call attention to dilapidated state-owned buildings in the historic village. The Bishop Hill Colony began in Sweden when a group of religious dissenters dreamed of creating a utopia a place where they could live in harmony with their beliefs, free from religious persecution. In 1846, Erik Jansson, a radical religious leader, and his followers sailed from Sweden to New York, made their way to Chicago, and then walked the last 160 miles to Bishop Hill to begin work to establish the colony. Despite numerous challenges, over a thousand immigrants journeyed from Sweden to join the colony during the 15-year period the colony was run as a religious collective. These events played a significant role in the later immigration of millions of Swedes to the United States. Visitors to Bishop Hill today are able to see much of this history first-hand in the form of historic buildings and artifacts as well as in its approximately 130 residents, many of whom are descendants of original settlers. In addition to historical structures and artifacts, music, art, festivals, workshops, demonstrations, and more can be found year-round in Bishop Hill. Approximately 100,000 people per year travel from around the world to visit this "Utopia on the Prairie." These guests come from all 50 states and over 22 different nations each year. I share this brief history of Bishop Hill to give you an idea of the significance of this historic settlement, not only to this area, but the history of Illinois, the Midwest, and the world, as it is one of the few places remaining where guests can see a majority of original structures from this period of time in person. Unfortunately, if you have visited Bishop Hill recently, you may have noticed some of the state-managed properties are in desperate need of care and, if action is not taken quickly, may be lost forever. In the mid-1900s the state of Illinois became an active partner in the preservation of this unique historic site, which is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated as a National Historic Landmark. Story continues Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) currently operates four of the surviving original buildings (The Colony Church, The Colony Hotel, Colony Barn, Ox Boy's Dormitory, and Village Park), the Bishop Hill Museum, as well as the Village Park. In 1961, in response to the original colony brewery and bakery building being demolished due to lack of maintenance, the Bishop Hill Heritage Association was formed by a small group of descendants who resolved to preserve their Swedish heritage and ensure no more colony buildings would be lost. Today, in addition to running the Bishop Hill Colony Store and organizing festivals, events, and tours in the colony, Bishop Hill Heritage Association maintains many of the original buildings, some of which have been fully restored using historically appropriate methods, and artifacts. In 2019, I first reached out to IDNR and the Illinois Office of Land Management expressing my concern about the situation and was told at the time a number of projects were planned in Bishop Hill for the spring of 2020; these projects did not happen. At the same time, I began brainstorming possible solutions, thinking perhaps the state would be willing to sell some of the properties or that we could organize a group of volunteers who would donate time and materials to address some of the more urgent issues. While I found many people in the area eager to step up to ensure these historic landmarks could be preserved, I was told the state would not consider selling any of the properties and volunteer support was not possible due prevailing wage requirements as well as other statutory limitations per the Illinois procurement code. Despite four years having passed, many concerned citizens expressing their concerns to a variety of state representatives and officials, and even a petition campaign, which collected thousands of signatures, the most critical projects have not been addressed and there is no definitive timeline to do so. With each day that goes by the urgency grows and I believe the time has come where we as concerned citizens must demand the state be held accountable for these properties. If the resources to restore and maintain these historic properties are not available or the state is not interested in maintaining these properties, I believe they should be sold to an organization which has the desire and capacity to do so, such as the Bishop Hill Heritage Association. I hope this information moves you and you will consider contacting your state representatives and IDNR officials to express your concerns. John Taylor is president of Levitt AMP Galva Music Series. He lives in Cambridge, Illinois, with his family. This column is part of the Many Paths series of columns. This article originally appeared on Galesburg Register-Mail: Many Paths: History is in jeopardy in Henry County black woman applying face cream in mirror Curating the perfect skincare routine steps takes trial and error. To perfectly tailor your routine you must consider and understand your skin type, possible allergies, environment and even what you eat. While making these assessments, keep in mind, there are five main skin types: oily, dry, normal, combination, and sensitive. With the vast amount of products constantly popping up on your social media feed, it only gets more confusing to figure out what it is that you really need to use. An overly complicated routine is expensive, unnecessary, and can actually damage your skin barrier! You can have beautiful skin with just 3 steps, double-board certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon practicing at Baucom & Mina Derm Surgery, LLC, Mary Alice Mina, told 21Ninety. Dr. Mina and Cameron Rokhsar, MD, FAAD, FAACS of New York Cosmetic Skin & Laser Surgery Center said everyone needs to cleanse, moisturize, and protect their skin from the sun. Skincare routine based on your skin type If you have anything but normal skin, this section is for you. Based on both double board-certified dermatologists recommendations, heres a general list of ways to customize your skincare routine steps based on your skin type. Sensitive skin Dr. Mina recommends that those with sensitive skin use something gentle that is fragrance free. After you cleanse be sure to use a moisturizer that avoids fragrances, dyes, and essential oils, Dr. Rokhsar added. Combination skin According to Dr. Rokhsar, its important to cleanse your skin twice a day with a gentle cleanser so you dont dry out your skin. Youll also want to exfoliate your skin once or twice a week to slough off dead skin cells and reveal brighter, smoother skin. Be gentle with your skin, especially in the drier areas, Dr. Rokhsar cautioned. Oily skin During the day, you can use a moisturizing sunscreen, that way you may not need an additional moisturizer. Dr. Rokhsar also recommended that people with oily skin should fold a toner into their routine to help remove any remaining dirt, oil, and makeup from the skin. Story continues Dry skin Those with dry skin may choose to wash their face with a wash off cleanser once a day. A moisturizer can then be applied as needed for dry skin, Dr. Mina noted. Need to address skin concerns? Once youve got your core skincare routine set, other skin concerns can arise in your day to day. To tend to those aspects of your skin like aging, dullness, and acne both dermatologists recommend including serums that target your skins unique needs. Ahead, shop skincare essentials that you can fold into your routine based on the recommendations by both Dr. Mina and Dr. Rokhsar. 3-step skincare routine Krave Beauty Krave-Core Bundle $59 Buy Now Photo Courtesy of Krave Beauty Like both double board-certified dermatologists mentioned, three steps is key no matter what type of skin you have. So, check out the Krave Beauty Krave-Core Bundle. Its a complete three-step skincare routine that includes the brands Matcha Hemp Hydrating Cleanser, Oat So Simple Water Cream, and Beet The Sun SPF 40 PA+++ Sunscreen (with UV protection). Gentle exfoliator Kiehl's Since 1851 Pore-Minimizing and Polishing Powder Cleanser $38 Buy Now Photo Courtesy of Sephora In need of a gentle exfoliation? Kiehls Since 1851 Pore-Minimizing and Polishing Powder Cleanser is here to do the job. Its a powder that includes a blend of white clay, cellulose grains, and AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) to remove excess oil and smooth out skin. For combination skin, this can be used as needed. Have oily skin? You might even use this skincare routine step twice a day. Acne-prone skin saver Murad Deep Relief Acne Treatment with Salicylic Acid $45 Buy Now Photo Courtesy of Sephora Dr. Mina says if you have acne prone skin, use something with salicylic acid. The Deep Relief Acne Treatment with Salicylic Acid by Murad has two percent salicylic acid. Its paraben-free, sulfate-free, and cruelty-free. To use this treatment you just apply to the areas you want to treat with a cotton swab or cotton round. So, no over drying where you dont want the treatment. Those with combination acne-prone skin can rejoice thanks to this skincare routine step. Remove excess oil Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Facial Toner $22 Buy Now Photo Courtesy of Sokoglam Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Facial Toner is a staple in many K-beauty fans skincare routine. Why? Its an unscented toner that removes oil and debris. This toner wont leave your skin begging for moisture with soothing aloe infused in the formula mix. Moisturizer for ultra dry skin First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream Intense Hydration $38 Buy Now Photo Courtesy of Sephora First Aid Beautys Ultra Repair Cream Intense Hydration was made for folks with dry and eczema-prone skin. Its a fragrance-free moisturizer that uses colloidal oatmeal to help relieve itching and minor irritation. And, you can use it from face to foot. Bare-bones cleanser La Roche Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Face Wash $19 Buy Now Photo Courtesy of Target La Roche Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Face Wash features a petite ingredient list to ensure only the essential cleansing ingredients are included. That being said, its free of synthetic fragrance, oil, parabens, sulfates, and soap. Plus, it can still cleanse dirt and makeup without drying out your skin. Nighttime retinol RoC Anti-Aging Night Retinol Face Serum Treatment $31 Buy Now Photo Courtesy of Target If youre trying to turn back time, take a peek at the RoC Anti-Aging Night Retinol Face Serum Treatment. Each container of the wrinkle-reducing serum has individual capsules of serum. Yes, they are biodegradable. Each pod of retinol has no synthetic fragrances and is paraben-free. Vitamin C Serum L'Oreal Paris Revitalift Vitamin C Serum $33 Buy Now Photo Courtesy of Amazon LOreal Paris Revitalift Vitamin C Serum has 12 percent of vitamin C, E, and salicylic acid. This powerful blend of ingredients is recommended for four out of the five skin types sorry sensitive skin friends. The paraben- and dye-free serum does have fragrance. So if you have sensitive skin, you might want to steer clear of this one. The post How Many Steps Do You Need in Your Skincare Routine? Board-Certified Dermatologists Weigh In appeared first on 21Ninety. Members of the far-right House Freedom Caucus were Donald Trumps most reliable supporters and loudest defenders in Congress during his presidency. But many are holding off on an official endorsement of his third White House bid at least for now. These arent just any Republican members of Congress. Of the roughly three dozen current Freedom Caucus members who were in office Jan. 6, 2021, all but two voted to overturn the election results in the hopes of keeping Trump in power after the attack on the U.S. Capitol easily the highest percentage of any congressional caucus. Yet, of those members, just 12 have so far announced support for Trumps re-election. Meanwhile, a handful of Freedom Caucus members, including Reps. Bob Good, R-Va., Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., Ken Buck, R-Colo., Andy Harris, R-Md., and Chip Roy, R-Texas, were seen entering a Capitol Hill event Tuesday with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a founding member of the caucus. Buck and Roy were the two current members who voted against overturning the election results Jan. 6, and Roy has endorsed DeSantis, who has yet to enter the race. While Trump has improved his position in early primary polls and is starting to rack up more lawmaker endorsements, particularly in DeSantis backyard, the fact that so many Freedom Caucus members are still on the sidelines is notable, even this early in the GOP nominating contest. It reflects lingering Republican uncertainty over the best candidate to take on President Joe Biden, even as Trump remains popular with the conservative base. I think a lot of them are where many GOP voters are, former Rep. Mick Mulvaney, a Freedom Caucus co-founder who also served a variety of roles in Trumps administration, said of the current members. They loved his policies and they cannot stand the Biden administration but they are tired of all the BS and the baggage that comes with Trump. They wont endorse him; they wont oppose him, continued Mulvaney, who has been openly critical of his former boss. They just sort of want him to go away. And, most importantly, they think he is probably the only Republican who could lose to Biden. Story continues Multiple members of the Freedom Caucus who spoke with NBC News kept their cards close. I think its prudent to know what the field of candidates looks like on both sides and what their priorities are before voicing my support, said Rep. Scott DesJarlais, R-Tenn., who endorsed Trump in 2016 and 2020. My intention is not to endorse anyone until 2024." Rep. Ben Cline, R-Va., also said he has no plans to endorse anytime soon. Im watching the field develop, he said. Asked if hes feeling any pressure from the Trump team, he said he couldnt comment about any contact hes had with the campaign. Cline and DesJarlais are among roughly two dozen current Freedom Caucus members who have yet to weigh in on the primary race (the group does not keep a public list of its members). Included in that group are key Trump allies like Rep. Scott Perry, R-Pa., the Freedom Caucus chairman who went to extraordinary lengths to keep Trump in office following his 2020 election defeat. Yet, among members who have endorsed candidates to this point, Trump is far and away the favorite. Roughly one-third of the ultraconservative House group, including allies such as Reps. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., and Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., have publicly backed Trumps candidacy. Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., a top DeSantis target, jolted the primary race by backing Trump. Speaking with NBC News, Greene said she has been pushing her peers to join up with Trump. Of course. Im probably one of the most pro-Trump member of Congress here, unapologetically, she said. I think he did a great job for the country and his four-year administration, and Ill be asking everybody to support President Trump. And Ron DeSantis, he hasnt declared hes running for president yet. It seems like hes going to at least everybody says he is, except him. One House conservative, a former Freedom Caucus member who asked to remain anonymous to describe the pressure he is facing to endorse, said hes been bombarded by text messages from the Trump team. Its inevitable that Im just going to be confronted and asked, the lawmaker said. I just think its too early. We dont know how its all going to shake out. Im expecting calls from both camps at any moment, and Im just trying to keep my head down. Some additional Freedom Caucus members could soon come out to back the former president, as well. Rep. Andrew Clyde, R-Ga., said in an email that he spent time with the former president at his Mar-a-Lago resort earlier this month and discussed Trumps bid, adding, he knows where I stand regarding the presidential race. I am an America First and Make America Great Again policy advocate and believe we need a President who will drive that agenda, he said. But the silence among other members of the caucus, even at this early stage of the race, is drawing notice. You notice the Freedom Caucus members are not endorsing Trump at this point in time, said former North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory, a Republican and NBC News contributor. Here are all these Freedom Caucus members who wrapped themselves around Trump and now that hes declared for president, they havent officially endorsed him. So youve got this weird dynamic where the Freedom Caucus publicly raises money off Trumps name and constantly brings up Trump being unfairly treated, but they wont endorse him, he added. Most of them got elected because of Trump. McCrory attributed their hesitation to get behind the former president this cycle to the Club for Growth, which spent heavily against McCrory in his Senate primary last year, suggesting that the right-wing, anti-tax group is going toward a former Freedom Caucus member called DeSantis after having a falling-out with Trump this past cycle. The only presidential candidate we have a problem with a member of Congress endorsing is Joe Biden, David McIntosh, who heads The Club for Growth PAC, said in a statement. While other Freedom Caucus members hold their fire, only Roy and Ralph Norman, R-S.C. who is backing Nikki Haley, the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations have come out for non-Trump candidates. That could change when DeSantis, who is widely expected to enter the race within the next couple of months, nears his decision or makes it official. Donald Trump had nearly unanimous Republican support in 2020 and every voice that isnt behind him now is a defection, Erin Perrine, a spokesperson for the pro-DeSantis Never Back Down PAC, said in a statement. Trump only has ground to lose on endorsements while Governor DeSantis, who isnt even an announced candidate, continues to have a growing base of support. Norman, who said that he spoke with Trump before endorsing Haley and that the former president was very nice and very benevolent about it, said theres still so much time for the campaign to shake out. Case in point: In the 2016 primary, Trump was still two months from announcing his bid at this point in the cycle. He added the party is so lucky and blessed to have a series of candidates who all do pretty much the policies of Donald Trump. With candidates and potential candidates up and down the ballot embracing Trumps policy agenda, the differentiator might just be picking who is best able to defeat Biden. Theyre all pretty much in lockstep on policy, Norman added of the GOP field, adding that members are considering who can beat Joe Biden and it shouldnt be that hard to beat Joe Biden with his track record. If the conservatives dont win the 2024 elections then weve pretty much had it as a free republic, he said. That weighs on all of us. Some of the holding out may be strategic either members holding out for some sort of benefit or a campaign holding back an endorsement so it can release it with maximum impact. Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung told NBC News earlier this week that the campaign is strategically rolling out endorsements to coincide with events that we put on. Theres a strategic way to do it to get the most bang out of your buck, he added. Were being very cognizant of that; were being very deliberate. Theres a plan for all of this. The Trump campaign did not respond to a request for comment for this article. Rep. Alex Mooney, R-W.Va., who has endorsed Trump already this cycle and has the backing of The Club for Growth in his Senate bid, said he expects more of his Freedom Caucus colleagues to soon endorse Trump. Theres the old-fashioned saying that people like to be asked asked, and then sometimes ask for something in return, he said. Like in my case, Id love an endorsement. Some folks might have tough primaries and would like his support. But Im really focused on my race, obviously. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Former first lady Michelle Obama in a new interview warned marriage is hard," opening up about her 30-year union with former President Barack Obama. Obama told Gayle King in an interview with CBS Mornings on Thursday that its impossible to like "everybody every day. She noted that she and the former president have been married for 30 years, saying If I fell out with him for 10, and we had (a) great 20 years, Id take those odds anytime. I share these things because marriage is hard. And a lot of young people quit on marriage over things that are just a part of the commitment, Obama said. We glamorize marriage. And in this day and age, marriage is more about the dress, and the dresses, and the proposal, and the honeymoon and all the stuff around it, and young people aren't ready for the real of marriage. So I think once again, it's incumbent upon us, people who have had successful marriages, to be really honest about the fact that making a commitment to be with someone means you compromise, and compromise aint always fun, she added. Obama made remarks last year that there was a decade where she couldnt stand her husband when their children were young. The former president and first lady have two daughters, Malia and Sasha Obama. .@GayleKing sits down with fmr. first lady @MichelleObama to discuss her new podcast and Netflix special and the importance of being vulnerable in all her ventures: Its the only way I know how to be me. pic.twitter.com/hcVKP082Jf CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) April 20, 2023 Voting matters In the wide-ranging interview, the former first lady also discussed gun violence in America and abortion rights. Story continues Asked if she thinks we could ever figure out a way to reconcile gun violence in this country, Obama said she hopes and prays that at some point, enough becomes enough. We are the only developed country on the planet where its citizens can have unfettered access to firearms. That is not a good thing, and more of us have to feel strongly about it, and particularly our young people. This is where democracy comes in. All this stuff is decided in the ballot box. Asked about the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 decision that established a constitutional right to abortion, Obama again argued that voting matters. "This was to be predicted. I can't tell you how many times we talked about the importance of the Supreme Court, the importance of voting, voting in every election. So now we are here. Now the problem is that our young people have to understand that just because an issue doesn't affect you today doesn't mean its not going to matter in five or 10 years. Voting matters. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Michelle Obama opens up about marriage with Barack Obama REUTERS/Carlo Allegri Infamous Pharma Bro Martin Shkreli announced his newest venture yesterday, and its about as awful as youd expect. In a Substack post and on Twitter, he unveiled DrGupta.ai, a virtual healthcare assistant that (predictably) Shkreli believes will disrupt medicinein spite of some very real and worrying legal and ethical gray areas. My central thesis is: Healthcare is more expensive than wed like mostly because of the artificially constrained supply of healthcare professionals, he wrote on Substack. I envision a future where our children ask what physicians were like and why society ever needed them. Dr. Gupta is just Shkrelis latest health venture since being released from prison last May. Last year, he founded Druglike, a drug discovery software platform being investigated by the Federal Trade Commission. The FTC is looking into whether Shkreli is violating a court-ordered lifetime ban on working in the pharmaceutical industry by running Druglike. Of Course Pharma Bro Martin Shkreli Is Getting in on the AI Gold Rush Currently, Dr. Gupta (the logo highlights the letters G, P, and T, making the intended wordplay slightly less vexing) is a barebones interface, dropping the user directly into a conversation with the AI chatbot. According to Shkrelis post, its powered by a combination of GPT-3.5 and 4, which are large language models created by tech company OpenAI. Users receive five free messages with the chatbot monthly and five more if they sign up with an email. For $20 a month, users send unlimited messages to the chatbot. But as soon as one tries to send the chatbot a message, a disclaimer pops up: Dr. Gupta IS NOT a real physician, it reads in part, adding that it is designed as an alternative to a search engine. Dr. Gupta may provide potentially unreliable responses, and by using the platform, users agree to hold us harmless if you take any action or inaction suggested by Dr. Gupta or our website. Story continues DrGupta.ai Since it launched yesterday, users have posted their interactions with the bot, and unsurprisingly have been using it mostly to troll it by asking Dr. Gupta about the plot points of the movie Alien or telling it theyve consumed poopthough at least some users have entered their actual medical information into boxes on the site and asked the chatbot to interpret their test results. The release of OpenAIs ChatGPT and its widespread popularity has spurred renewed interest in the feasibility and risks of incorporating AI-generated advice into medical practice, Mason Marks, a health law professor at Florida State University College of Law, told The Daily Beast. Marks co-authored an article published on March 27 in JAMA unpacking the potential usesand risksof incorporating AI-powered chatbots into clinical care or using them as a substitute for providers entirely. Guardrails like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) exist to regulate patient-physician relationships, and a person acts outside of that relationship when they consult a chatbot for medical advice. This leaves the responsibilities of the platform to its users in a legal gray area, particularly when serious issues arise. The Strange, Nervous Rise of the Therapist Chatbot For instance, when a user receives misleading or even harmful advice from a medical chatbot, its unclear whether the programmers of the bot might be held liable, Marks said. Its not idle conjecture: A man in Belgium recently died by suicide after conversing with a chatbot that allegedly encouraged him to do so. Furthermore, its unlikely that Section 230which protects search engines and social media platforms against liability for disseminating user-generated contentwill be found to apply to AI platforms, Marks said. Its really unlikely [the makers of these platforms] would be able to apply the same exception to their products and not be held liable if something bad happens, he said. Despite the disclaimer that Dr. Gupta is not a real physician, when asked independently by The Daily Beast and Marks, Who are you? the chatbot responded, I am Dr. Gupta, a board-certified physician in general medicine. DrGupta.ai It's bizarre that the chatbot identified itself as a physician, Marks said. That does seem to cross the line into being fraudulent or misleading. Taken together, the name of the chatbot, an interface that looks medically related, and this exchange raised red flags for Marks. You have to think about the old lady who might even think theyre talking to a real doctor if it says that, he said. Its very, very concerning. Super sketchy. There are also obvious medical risks associated with an AI chatbot like Dr. Gupta. In February, a paper in PLOS Digital Health made a splash when researchers found that ChatGPT answered 350 questions from the U.S. Medical Licensing Exam with enough accuracy to earn a passing grade. That sounds pretty amazing, no? But theres a difference between taking a written test and advising flesh-and-blood patients whose medical histories may contain contradictions or key omissions. Without the medical expertise to understand how a chatbot might be misinterpreting symptoms or offering up misguided recommendations, a user can easily be led astray, Marks said. And looking past frequent documented instances of AI chatbots blatantly fabricating their outputs, medical advice from a large language model should give us pause. In the past few years, researchers have studied the ways in which AI-powered algorithms used in medicine amplify existing inequities in care based on a persons race, gender, socioeconomic status, or other characteristics. A widely used algorithm that calculated risk scores to determine a patients need to care consistently demonstrated racial bias by downplaying Black peoples illness: Black patients at a given risk score were sicker than white patients at the same one. Taking humans entirely out of the equation, as Shkreli purportedly wants to do, would further compound these biases. Most public health experts will agree the U.S. health-care system needs serious improvements to make quality care more affordable for more Americans. But removing doctors seems like a terrible move, and a distraction from tried-and-true solutions such as drug pricing, patent, and insurance reforms. Drug Giant Eli Lilly Dramatically Slashes Price of Insulin Even in the realm of health-care startups founded by rich internet personalities, Shkrelis venture pales in comparison to Cost Plus Drugs. Founded by Shark Tank billionaire Mark Cuban, the company has managed to meaningfully cut the cost of generic drugs to consumers: A study published in February found that for nine of the most popular urology drugs alone, switching from Medicare prices to Cost Plus Drugs would save patients $1.29 billion annually. Perhaps most dangerous, however, is the fact that these chabots have excelled at earning our trusttrust that isnt warranted and should be concerning, Marks said. Legally, [a chatbot is] not obligated to act in any particular way, he said. It doesnt have these fiduciary dutiesthe duty of loyalty, where the doctor is supposed to have your best interest at the forefront at all times, or the duty of confidentiality, or the duty of care to provide a certain standard of care. Those are hallmarks of the doctor-patient relationship that are not present in this context. The fact that people are trusting Dr. Gupta, and by extension Shkreli, with their personal health information shouldnt be treated like one big internet joke. It should terrify us. 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. The union representing correctional officers across the state says 3,417 more officers are needed to adequately staff the 19 facilities Maryland operates. Union officials say understaffing is creating a dangerous situation in the state's prisons. Officials from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 3 released a Correctional Institution Security and Staffing report Thursday that outlines the number of positions it believes are needed in state correctional facilities. The report put that number at a little more than 1,000 above the 2,963 officers in the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services' latest analysis. The number includes both current vacancies and the number of additional officers the department believes are needed. "Severe understaffing creates dangerous environments for both staff and inmates," said AFSCME District 3 President Patrick Moran during a news conference Thursday. "And that's just only exacerbated itself over the last decade as a result of the staffing crisis." Union officials repeated their contention that former Gov. Larry Hogan's administration had failed to respond adequately to staffing issues, and said they looked forward to working with Gov. Wes Moore's administration to address them. The report broke down the number of posts in the facility plans, the number of posts now in use, the number of posts currently vacant and the number of additional posts the union believes should be created to manage each facility based on its analysis. Here's how those numbers look for the prisons in Washington and Somerset counties: Maryland Correctional Institution Hagerstown Facility Plan: 334 Current posts needed: 312.4 Vacancies: 54 AFSCME recommended additions: 62 Maryland Correctional Training Center Facility Plan: 396 Current posts needed: 489 Vacancies: 39 AFSCME recommended additions: 60 Roxbury Correctional Institution Facility Plan: 275 Current posts needed: 318.4 Vacancies: 57 AFSCME recommended additions: 47 Story continues Eastern Correctional Institution Facility Plan: 536 Current posts needed: 552 Vacancies: 114 AFSCME recommended additions: 56 Eastern Correctional Institution Annex Facility Plan: 96 Current posts needed: 102.6 Vacancies: 13 AFSCME recommended additions: 49 The department has struggled to fill vacancies and has lost correctional officers to other employment or retirement. "Although some steps have been taken to hire and retain staff, more must be done," the report says. "Retention efforts will expire in January 2024, potentially triggering a further loss of staff of up to 30%." "I think there needs to be more emphasis on recruitment and retention; in particular retention, given what we're going to see over the next year," Moran said. "There's going to be a deluge of officers leaving. And that's a result of opportunities elsewhere, and that's a result of people just being worn out because of the situation constantly having to work 16-hour shifts, constantly being subjected to violence." Two of five Maryland prison inmates plead to assaulting correctional officers The report made several recommendations for recruiting and retaining officers: Decentralize hiring: The hiring department would have the liberty to select candidates based on the individual needs of their institutions, the union says Expedite the hiring process: Screening for preemployment requirements would streamline the effort. Restore wages based on years of service: The union wants the department to eliminate pay wage disparity Increase employee incentives The department has hired more than 2,000 correctional officers in the past two years, spokesman Mark Vernarelli said in statement released Thursday in response to the report. But "the Moore-Miller administration has seen an alarming number of vacancies and staff shortages across the state upon entering the administration in January," he said. "Since day one, Governor Moore has been very clear that it is a major priority of his to fill these roles and get the state government back to firing on all cylinders. DPSCS is committed to closing the gap, and appreciates the Governors commitment to this important issue." Vernarelli said that the department has hired 404 new employees across all employee types so far this year, "a 62% rise in hires compared to the same time last year." He said the department has participated in 44 hiring events across the state, undertaken a massively advertised recruitment effort and has dedicated existing staff to focus on hiring. "Enhanced pay, added bonuses, and increased retirement retention incentives has proven effective in helping to recruit new staff," Vernarelli said. "The department has also streamlined hiring processes to help fill positions more quickly. We are also working with the union on the departments staffing analysis, which is currently underway. "We are strongly committed to working with the Moore-Miller administration to expand our ongoing and concerted effort to meet staffing capacity." This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Union's staffing report calls for thousands more correctional officers York County voters get one shot this decade to approve new roads that could ease traffic problems. Yet a leading transportation expert suggests that the county should consider thinking beyond just new roads. This wouldnt be the first time. What began a quarter century ago as money to build new roads or widen busy ones in York County has since added intersections and resurfaced roads. Now, a pedestrian flyover bridge near I-77 and planning for future mass transit are two ways Pennies for Progress could move in a new direction. David Hooper heads the Rock Hill-Fort Mill Area Transportation Study. The organization allocates federal road money throughout urbanized eastern York County and the Lancaster County panhandle. Hooper offered his suggestions Wednesday night in Rock Hill for how Pennies for Progress can improve traffic when its referendum comes in 2024. As large new business announcements, residential subdivisions and other growth pressures dot York County, Hooper said theres a need to find, and fund, projects that make a regional impact. Were making planning decisions for an area thats literally changing before our eyes, Hooper said. What is Pennies for Progress? Pennies for Progress is a one-cent sales tax that lasts seven years. York County voters narrowly approved the first one, the first in the state, in 1997. Voters have to approve each new one for Pennies to continue. There have been four Pennies campaigns. Collection on the most recent Pennies campaign, approved in 2017, expires at the end of April 2025. A fall 2024 referendum will ask voters whether to begin collection May 1, 2025 on a new seven-year program. To get there, a six-member citizen commission will hear countywide input and propose a project list, and York County Council will decide whether to proceed as a referendum in full. Council cant make changes to the project list that the commission sets. Its either all or nothing, said Patrick Hamilton, who runs the Pennies program for York County. Story continues The commission meeting Wednesday night in Rock Hill follows one in Tega Cay, with others set for sites across the county. RFATS projects Hoopers traffic modeling map shows several red lines where congestion is worst now in York County. High-traffic corridors in Fort Mill, Rock Hill, Lake Wylie and beyond have stall points. A 2050 projection colors the map further. Every major corridor is red, Hooper said. Hooper offered several projects Wednesday night that could add to existing RFATS and state-funded projects to help people move faster, in the safest, most efficient way. They proposed projects include: The U.S. 21 corridor in Fort Mill needs widening completed to five lanes, from S.C. 160 south to the Catawba River and Rock Hill. The highway serves massive points of county interest from Kingsley, Baxter, the S.C. 160 area and Fort Mill Parkway traffic in Fort Mill to Riverwalk at the edge of Rock Hill. This seems to be exceedingly logical, Hooper said. The U.S. 21 corridor also is the designated preferred alternative transportation language for the likeliest spot for future mass transit to connect Rock Hill, Fort Mill and Charlotte. Right-of-way acquisition alone on a wider footprint in the area could help with future transit work. The road already is an alternative to I-77, and stalled several times in recent years due to spillover traffic when large wrecks or delays occurred on the interstate. This is the first option for people on I-77 when they have challenges, Hooper said. The S.C. 160 interchange at I-77 already has funding and will add flyover bridges with a new directional interchange. Hooper asked the Pennies commission to consider a new pedestrian flyover bridge across S.C. 160. Hooper put an absolute guess price tag at perhaps $10 million. A pedestrian bridge would be a new type of Pennies project. Kingsley has major employers Lash Group, LPL Financial and others on one side of the highway and Domtar, with others, on the opposite side. Baxter is nearby. Theres a new hospital too. Hooper said he sometimes hears from businesses who say employees wont go to lunch at Kingsley because they cant get out and back in an hour, because of traffic. A pedestrian bridge could help reduce vehicle traffic. One thing is trying to move more people by never getting into a vehicle, Hooper said. RFATS could partner with Pennies, on a pedestrian improvement that naturally would partner with the roughly $90 million in interchange upgrades already planned. Hooper said a pedestrian bridge also would serve as an identifiable feature for the area when growth maxes out. At some point its going to stop, and were going to have to look around and say, what have we built? Hooper said. Because we own it. And that goes to the quality of life. York County recently added new public transit options to serve the Fort Mill, Tega Cay and Lake Wylie areas. Rock Hill has its MyRide bus service. Hooper asked for consideration of improvements for the S.C. 160 corridor to prepare it for future public transit. It too is going to expand over time, Hooper said. Features like improved bicycle or pedestrian lanes are options, as transit riders often connect that way. Space for future transit features also could help with area businesses looking to attract talent, Hooper said. Were thinking a few steps ahead, he said. The Exit 77 interchange in Rock Hill needs upgrades that Hooper said could cost $7 million-$9 million. The U.S. 21, Anderson Road exit is next in line with ongoing or coming I-77 work at Carowinds, Kingsley/Baxter, Cherry/Celanese and what would have been the Panthers headquarters site. Unmet expectations. Was the Panthers project in Rock Hill doomed from the start? The Gold Hill Road interchange recently got its upgrade. Hooper said it could be a decade or more before Exit 77 gets RFATS funding given commitments, some of them close to $100 million, to larger projects. The comparatively small price tag for Exit 77 could make it a good fit for Pennies, Hooper said. We dont want this one to fall through the cracks, he said. RFATS put together a corridor study on S.C. 49 in Lake Wylie. Hooper recommended some of those improvements for the almost four-mile stretch from Buster Boyd Bridge to Three Points. Buster Boyd is one of three critical crossings of Lake Wylie or the Catawba River, along with I-77 and U.S. 21 farther south. How this corridor functions matters, Hooper said. A great deal. Gaston County in North Carolina has ongoing work that could add a bridge from New South Hope Road to I-485. That would connect Gaston and Meckleburg counties with access to the airport and other parts of Charlotte. That project would change traffic dramatically in the area, including increased demand on Pole Branch Road where Pennies recently finished work. Its just a matter of how much, Hooper said. Signals, collector roads and area specific widening are addressed in the corridor study. The Dobys Bridge Road area of Fort Mill is a key connection, along with S.C. 160, between Fort Mill and Indian Land. The Lancaster County panhandle has had growth even beyond what Fort Mill, Lake Wylie and Tega Cay have the past decade or longer. Hooper said widening Dobys Bridge to five lanes would help manage existing and coming growth as more drivers look to bypass S.C. 160. This feeds into a lot of things in a high-growth area, Hooper said. York, Clover and the west Catawba Regional Council of Governments serves a similar function on the more rural, western half of York County to what RFATS does on the east side. Yet scaled for size, many parts of western York County are growing at high to unprecedented rates. Stephen Allen is planning director and transportation manager for CRCOG. Allen also has a long history of planning work for York County. A recent traffic model showed two red corridors out west, Allen said. One is a one-block stretch in downtown York. The other, between Smyrna and Hickory Grove, already has a Pennies project underway. Road widenings are not necessarily the biggest priority on the western side of York County, Allen said. Its safety. Allen recommended two widening jobs and six intersection improvements. All are lower cost options compared to bigger jobs in eastern York County, but Allen said they would improve sight lines or angles to make roads safer. Several area intersections on the west side werent built to current traffic standards. Many of your intersections are relics, Allen said. These are historic cities and we have historic infrastructure. Suggested widening work includes S.C. 55 from Rockford Way to Clinton Avenue just east of downtown Clover, and U.S. 321 Main or Main Street in Clover from Flatrock to Marion streets. Three U.S. 321 intersections are recommended: Johnson/Devinney roads; West Liberty Street; and Alexander Love Highway. So are intersections at Old North Main Street and U.S. 321, and at Memorial Drive and Clinton Avenue in Clover. York has its Old Limestone and Meadow roads intersection listed. Rock Hill will get its say on which York County roads need repair. Whats your pick? The case for, against Pennies Barely more than half of voters approved the first Pennies campaign. Increased taxation is a common concern. Early Pennies campaigns faced cost overruns and projects were pushed from one campaign to the next. The county pivoted to bring the Pennies program in-house. Even the most recent Pennies vote in 2017 included $60 million for carryover jobs from the prior campaign. The first Pennies vote put almost $100 million on the ballot. Final costs were $190 million that included grants and federal funding. The state infrastructure bank approved a $178 million grant after the 1997 campaign with $132 million for interstate widening and the rest to cover Pennies shortfalls. Though Pennies officials and area road experts have acknowledged funding and delay issues in the past, they also point to some of the same periods as reasons to support a new Pennies for Progress vote. York County had minimal road money coming from the state for decades before Pennies, experts say. Pennies allowed the county to leverage tax money to get additional state and federal funding for larger projects. Thats why after four campaigns, York County now has about $1 billion in Pennies or related road funding invested. And why counties statewide have copied the Pennies for Progress model. Former York County Council Chairman Britt Blackwell is now chairman of the citizen committee that will make the new Pennies list. Blackwell points to past votes, where approval has grown from barely half to more than 80% at its peak. Blackwell said Pennies has been one of the most successful programs ever in York County. Its the life of the county, the road infrastructure, Blackwell said. Citizens have recognized that. Hamilton said people new to the area probably dont know that before Pennies, many roads that now move considerable traffic were small country roads. The first Pennies campaign took on widening from I-77 to S.C. 160 in Fort Mill, S.C. 161 and S.C. 5 in western York County, U.S. 274 in Lake Wylie and Herlong/India Hook in Rock Hill. Now they are the major thoroughfares throughout the county, Hamilton said. The other case for Pennies, experts say, relates to those colored maps Hooper referenced. Not everyone whos coming here is here yet, Hooper said. Weve got more (people) coming. A Billerica Police Officer passed out and had to be hospitalized Wednesday after a Massachusetts man exposed him to fentanyl while trying to destroy evidence of drug possession during an arrest, according to Chief Roy Frost. Charles Lang, 65, of Lowell, was arrested and charged with withholding evidence from a criminal proceeding, possession of a Class A substance, possession of a Class E substance, operating with a suspended license, attaching license plates, operating an unregistered motor vehicle and operating an uninsured motor vehicle. Frost said the Billerica police officer was patrolling on Webb Brook Road at about 3:30 p.m. Wednesday when he stopped a vehicle with a canceled registration. The officer also learned that the vehicles driver, later identified as Lang, also had a suspended drivers license. The officer attempted to get Lang out of the vehicle in order to stop him from destroying potential evidence, leading to a brief struggle, during which Lang tore open a bag containing fentanyl, according to Frost. The powdered substance in the bag became airborne and was spread across Langs hands, as well as across the rear quarter panel of the vehicle. After taking Lang into custody and returning to the police station, the officer involved in the vehicle stopped, passed out, and was transported to the hospital for evaluation and treatment for fentanyl exposure. Frost said the officer was later released from the hospital. The police chief said a subsequent search of Lang and his vehicle resulted in the discovery of a small amount of suspected Adderall that required a prescription. Testing of the powdery substance the officer was exposed to reveal it to be fentanyl, according to Frost. This incident illustrates the danger posed by even a small amount of fentanyl that became airborne. We are grateful that our officer is expected to make a full recovery, but alarmed that such a small amount of fentanyl caused an officer to lose consciousness, Frost said in a statement. This incident highlights the potency of fentanyl and the dangers that are faced by officers if this substance becomes airborne. Story continues 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 Mauricio Pochettino is in the hunt to become Chelseas next manager (PA Archive) Chelsea have had further talks with Mauricio Pochettino over the vacant managerial job, with the Argentine having struck co-owner Todd Boehly with the clarity of his vision for the club. While the Stamford Bridge hierarchy are insistent that there is no favourite as yet, there have been considerable developments in the last week with the shortlist cut to four. At present, Pochettino and Julian Nagelsmann have made the strongest impression, as they best meet some of Chelsea's key requirements. Those are top-level experience and achievement, with a proven ability to develop young players in a clear tactical idea. Pochettino has this as well as his knowledge of the Premier League under Tottenham Hotspur, and contact has been maintained with Chelsea. Luis Enrique was another who initially impressed in interviews, but he also made a number of demands that the club couldn't meet. Pochettino's celebrated history with Chelsea rivals Tottenham Hotspur isn't seen as an issue and, while that has played on the Argentine's mind, he is keen to work in the Premier League again at a top club. More than 400 business leaders from throughout Mississippi descended on downtown Jackson on Thursday to celebrate the state's business climate at the 49th Mississippi Economic Council's Annual Meeting. Gov. Tate Reeves kicked off the luncheon portion, speaking to the gathering to tout economic development and education. The luncheon concluded with a round-table discussion with sports leaders of Mississippi who were able to correlate much of what they are teaching their players and students in the sports and college world to how that impacts business. Southern Miss volleyball coach Jenny Hazelwood, Ole Miss athletics director Keith Carter, Jackson State women's basketball coach Tomekia Reed and former Mississippi State quarterback Wayne Madkin all talked about the need for teamwork within the business dynamic. Up next for Topgolf: Topgolf clears hurdle in Ridgeland. Construction could start by September Hatless in Hawaii: Mississippi contestant on 'American Idol' goes hatless for performance in Hawaii Madkin, who now works in a leadership role at Entergy Mississippi, compared his famous 2000 Independence Bowl victory against Texas A&M in what has been called the snow bowl as an example to use in business. "There was so much snow on the ground, that you couldn't even see the field. We had to adapt," Madkin said. "That is much like business in that if you don't adapt, you will die or in our case back then we would have lost." All four made meaningful contributions to the discussion with Reed giving the advice of, "Think big and work at goals that seem out of your reach." Hazelwood talked about working together with different people to achieve a common goal. "We have players from all walks of life all across the country," the Golden Eagles coach said. "We have people from different socio-economic classes, different races and from all across the country. We all need to know what our goal is and work toward that." Story continues Moderator Jean Massey, from left, with Mississippi Economic Council Ascent to 55%, listens as panelist Bradley Lum with the Mississippi Department of Corrections/MDOC Works, speaks during the Increasing Educational Alignment session at the MEC annual meeting at the Jackson Convention Complex in Jackson, Miss., Thursday, April 20, 2023. Fellow panelists Bethanie Miller with Western Container Corporation and Nathan Oakley with K-12 Innovation at Accelerate Mississippi listen. The event at the Jackson Convention Complex also featured multiple breakout meetings during the morning. One focused on Childcare in Today's Economy. Another was Building Leaders to Prepare Business for the Future. In another breakout session, three business leaders discussed increasing educational attainment for business in Mississippi. Bradley Lum of the Mississippi Department of Corrections discussed how finding more and better ways to give people second chances will be a boon for the business climate of Mississippi. Lum has seen first hand what employment skills people incarcerated in Mississippi are capable of doing. "The fact is Mississippi is the most incarcerated state in the country," Lum said. "In Mississippi, much like across the country, we have struggled with how to reckon (public safety and second chances) for a long period of time." He said Mississippi is moving along a path to recognizing that the inmate population of some 18,000 in the state is important to a future workforce. Mississippi Economic Council annual meeting attendees, Andre Heath, left, of Petal, with Wayne-Sanderson Farms, and Daguerre Henry of Brandon, with MDOC Works, listen to panelists during the Increasing Educational Attainment session at the Jackson Convention Complex in Jackson, Miss., Thursday, April 20, 2023. "It's vital," the deputy commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Corrections said. "When we don't put somebody on the path to work and given them opportunity and hope, the chances are that our law enforcement officers will be policing that person all over again. Now, don't get me wrong, there are some bad people in our system and we can't make a change for everyone. But, there is hope for most people to make a positive impact on our business community." The greater point of the conversation that also included Bethanie Miller of Western Corporation in Hattiesburg and Dr. Nathan Oakley of K-12 Innovation at Accelerate Mississippi was about how to get more students with more advance degrees throughout the state. "The gains that we have mainly in the educational system within Mississippi the last decade are astronomical," Oakley said. "But we have only recently begun to consider the connection that (advance degrees) mean to the upward movement of people in the business community. The next step after high school or college is not to go back to the couch, but to go out and get a job. What we want to do is to find ways to give students off ramps that lead to jobs. That is the key." This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: MS business leaders come together at MEC annual meeting Queen Elizabeth II was a grandmother of eight and great-grandmother of 12. The Princess of Wales Queen Elizabeth II, who died in 2022, was a grandmother of eight and great-grandmother of 12. Seven of her great-grandchildren are royals, and five are commoners. The royal family released a never-before-seen photo for what would have been her 97th birthday. In honor of what would have been Queen Elizabeth II's 97th birthday, the royal family released a never-before-seen photo of her with some of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Queen Elizabeth with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren at Balmoral in the summer of 2022. The Princess of Wales According to the Prince and Princess of Wales' caption, Kate Middleton took the photo at Balmoral Castle in the summer of 2022, mere months before Queen Elizabeth died on September 8, 2022. In total, Queen Elizabeth was a grandmother of eight and great-grandmother of 12. Keep scrolling to learn more about her great-grandchildren. Savannah Phillips, 12, is Queen Elizabeth's oldest great-grandchild. Savannah Phillips attends the Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk, in 2022. Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images Savannah Phillips is the daughter of the Queen's oldest grandchild, Peter Phillips, and his wife, Autumn. She is 18th in line for the throne, but doesn't have a royal title because her father doesn't have one. When Peter was born, his parents Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips declined the Queen's offer to give him one. According to The Washington Post, they didn't want a title interfering with his future career. Savannah is also a commoner and reportedly lives a normal life in London. She still attends royal events like Trooping the Colour, where she hilariously shushed Prince George in 2018. Isla Phillips, 11, is Savannah's younger sister. Isla Phillips attends a Service of Thanksgiving for the life of Prince Philip at Westminster Abbey in 2022. Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images Isla's full name is Isla Elizabeth, likely a tribute to the Queen. Like her sister, she doesn't have a royal title, but can be spotted at royal events like the Christmas Day church service at Sandringham and the Trooping the Colour parade. She's 19th in line for the throne. Prince George, 9, is likely a future king of England. Prince George attends Easter services in 2023. Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images As the future king (he's second in line for the throne), Prince George is perhaps the most well-known of the Queen's great-grandchildren. The 9-year-old is the oldest of Prince William and Kate Middleton's three children. He attends Lambrook School in Berkshire, according to Town & Country. Story continues Mia Tindall, 9, doesn't have a royal title. Mia Tindall attends Easter services in 2023. Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images Mia Grace Tindall is the daughter of Mike Tindall, a former rugby union player, and Zara Tindall, Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips' only daughter. Mia, 9, doesn't have a royal title because Zara wasn't given one when she was born. She is 21st in line for the throne. Princess Charlotte, 7, is the second of Prince William and Kate Middleton's three children. Princess Charlotte attends the Christmas Day service at Sandringham Church in 2022. Samir Hussein/WireImage/Getty Images Princess Charlotte, William and Kate's second child and first daughter, attends Lambrook School in Berkshire along with her brother. At 7 years old, she's already making history as the first female royal to keep her spot at third in line for the throne despite having a younger brother, thanks to the Succession to the Crown Act of 2013. Prince Louis, 4, was born right before Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding. Prince Louis of Wales attends Easter Services in 2023. Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images Prince Louis Arthur Charles, William and Kate's youngest, was named for Lord Louis Mountbatten. He is fourth in line for the throne. He was too young to be at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding, but he's since made appearances at Trooping the Colour and Christmas Day services. Lena Tindall, 4, doesn't have a royal title. Lena Tindall attends Easter services in 2023. Samir Hussein/WireImage/Getty Images Lena Elizabeth Tindall was born on June 18, 2018, the second daughter of Mike and Zara Tindall. Like her older sister Mia, Lena doesn't have a royal title. She is 22nd in line for the throne. Prince Archie, 3, is the son of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Archie Mountbatten-Windsor and Prince Harry in the Netflix docuseries "Harry & Meghan." Netflix Archie was born on May 6, 2019. He accompanied Harry and Meghan on their royal tour of Africa and made appearances on their official Instagram account. He is still sixth in line for the throne, even though his parents stepped back from royal life and settled in California. Meghan wrote a children's book called "The Bench" inspired by Harry and Archie's relationship. Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank's son, August Philip Hawke Brooksbank, is 2 years old. Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank with their son August Philip Hawke Brooksbank at the Platinum Pageant on The Mall in 2022. Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images Kensington Palace announced the birth of Eugenie and Brooksbank's son on February 9, 2021. Named August Philip Hawke Brooksbank, he weighed 8 pounds and 10 ounces and is the Queen's ninth great-grandchild. Eugenie is 11th in line for the throne, so her son is 12th. The couple is expecting their second child this summer. Zara gave birth to Lucas Tindall, 2, in 2021. Zara Tindall holds her son Lucas at the 2022 Festival of British Eventing. Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images Lucas, who is 23rd in line to the throne, is the couple's third child alongside their two daughters, Lena and Mia. Zara's husband, Mike, revealed on an episode of his podcast, "The Good, The Bad, and The Rugby," that Lucas was born so quickly that they didn't make it to the hospital, resulting in him being born "on the bathroom floor." Harry and Meghan welcomed their second child, Princess Lilibet, on June 4, 2021. Prince Harry, Lilbet Mountbatten Windsor, Archie Mountbatten Windsor, and Meghan Markle in a photo from their docuseries "Harry & Meghan." Netflix Lilibet Diana, or Lili for short, is the Queen's 11th great-grandchild. "Lili is named after her great-grandmother, Her Majesty The Queen, whose family nickname is Lilibet," the couple said in a statement. "Her middle name, Diana, was chosen to honor her beloved late grandmother, The Princess of Wales." Lilibet is seventh in line for the throne pushing back Prince Andrew, Princess Beatrice, and Princess Eugenie in the royal line of succession. And since Meghan gave birth in America, she would also be eligible to serve as president of the United States. Princess Beatrice of York and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi welcomed their first child, Sienna Elizabeth, on September 18, 2021. Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and a pregnant Princess Beatrice in July 2021. Karwai Tang/WireImage/Getty Images Sienna Elizabeth weighed 6 pounds and 2 ounces at birth, Buckingham Palace said in a statement announcing the news. Beatrice and Mapelli Mozzi's daughter is 10th in line to the British throne after Prince Andrew who is eighth in line and Beatrice who is ninth in line. Mapelli Mozzi also has a son, Christopher Woolf, from his previous marriage. The birth of Beatrice's daughter pushed her younger sister, Eugenie, and Prince Edward, the Queen's youngest son, further down the line of succession. Prince Edward's children, Viscount Severn and Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor, are now 14th and 15th in line, respectively. Read the original article on Insider BAJA CALIFORNIA, Mexico A fish whose bladder is prized as a source of health and the porpoises caught in the nets used to catch it are the focus of global efforts to keep them from being fished to extinction amid an illegal but lucrative business. Mexico was recently sanctioned by an international body for not adequately protecting the totoaba fish from being caught and sold by criminal networks as well as safeguarding the vaquita porpoise, which is caught in the nets. Scientists and environmentalists say its important to put this kind of pressure on governments like Mexico. But Mexican officials say the fight against illegal fishing has to be an international effort and experts and conservationists agree. The totoaba and the vaquita are endemic species of the Gulf of California, that is, they only live there, that is their habitat. That is where they feed and carry out their complete life cycle," said Luis Enriquez, a molecular ecology and biotechnology researcher at the Autonomous University of Baja California. "But the high demand for the totoabas mouth in China leads to excessive extraction, and this fishing is illegal in Mexico. The worst thing is that they do it with nets in which the vaquitas also get entangled and die," Enriquez said. "These are two species threatened by the same activity. But there is a great interest in the black market. There are many people involved." Male totoaba breeders in a tank at the Earth Ocean Farms hatchery in La Paz, Mexico (Maurico Palos / Bloomberg via Getty Images file) On March 27, Mexico was sanctioned by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), a global treaty that regulates wildlife, that found that the country's "action plan is not adequate." In Chinese traditional medicine, the totoaba swim bladder is considered a source of health as well as of collagen, believed to slow down aging. It goes for thousands of dollars, and there's high demand for this species, whose capture is prohibited in Mexico due to intense overfishing. This makes totoaba bladders one of the most valuable products on the black market of illegal wildlife trafficking, and it's referred to as the cocaine of the sea. Story continues Mexico has had little success in combating illegal totoaba trafficking. From 2016 to 2022, a total of 16 people have been convicted for this activity, according to data from the Office of the Federal Attorney General for Environmental Protection, obtained from 34 requests for information made by Telemundo News in collaboration with the Latin American Center for Investigative Journalism (CLIP). Mexico had to submit a compliance action plan and not just an action plan," Ivonne Higuero, CITES secretary general, in an interview with Telemundo News. Those nets are wiping out many species," Higuero said. "I have seen photos showing octopuses, turtles, shells and everything. That Sea of Cortez, which is a beauty, which is the worlds aquarium, we cannot spoil it. We have a biodiversity crisis right now. In addition, experts like Enriquez as well as CITES have pointed out an inconsistency in government figures regarding the seizure of illegally caught totoaba fish, which makes enforcement harder to track. For example, from 2016 to 2022, Enriquez' group has studied 2,456 totoaba bladders seized by authorities, three times more than the governments official figure for the seizures, which was 743 during that time, according to data provided by the government to Noticias Telemundo. On April 13, the Mexican government announced that it had approved another plan to protect the totoaba and the vaquita, thus lifting the sanction that prohibited the country from selling any of the regulated wildlife species to the other 183 nations that signed the treaty. A vaquita porpoise (Paula Olson / NOAA via AP file) The Center for Biological Diversity, along with two other environmental organizations, sued the U.S. Department of the Interior in December 2022 to trigger sanctions and an embargo on seafood imports from Mexico. In response, the Interior Department announced on April 7 that it will determine whether Mexico has failed to comply with its obligations to protect the vaquita porpoise and totoaba. If it determines Mexico has failed to comply with preservation programs, the Biden administration could embargo the importation of wild seafood products from Mexico, including shrimp and fish. An announcement is expected on June 3. Many seizures, few convictions According to official data cited by Traffic, a global environmental organization, from 2015 to 2019 alone, Hong Kong imported a total of 16,899 tons of fish bladders of different species, including totoaba. Mexico's low number of sentences and convictions contrasts with the huge seizures made by authorities in several countries, including Mexico: since 2013, from 26,000 to 30,000 totoaba bladders have been seized that have made the journey from Baja California to China and, in many cases, pass through the United States, according to a database developed by Enriquez at the Autonomous University of Baja California and research by environmental NGOs such as Earth League International and Traffic, among others. In March 2022, Brookings Institution scholar Vanda Felbab-Brown published a report, "China-Linked Wildlife Poaching and Trafficking in Mexico," in which she analyzed the problem and delved into the connections between species trafficking and organized crime groups. I think one of the most important conclusions of my report was that we found the presence of the narcos in the coastal areas, the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco Cartel, and we found that they want to control each and every one of the fisheries, both legal and illegal, and all stages from processing to export, Felbab-Brown said in an interview. In 2018, the Earth League International published Operation Fake Gold, a 14-month investigation that tracked totoaba trafficking in Mexico. In that operation, the organization collected information on eight trafficking networks with a total of 1,420 people, all Chinese but with multiple local ties. 'Mexico alone' can't control illegal trafficking Mexico's new plan to combat illegal totoaba fishing didn't necessarily propose innovative solutions, according to activists and experts. The Mexican proposal focuses on trying to prevent the entry of boats to the Zero Tolerance Zone, an area created in 2020 that is off limits to fishing; the government said the aim is to keep it free of gillnets. Its very general it doesnt talk about any details, its not proposing anything new," said Olivera from the Center for Biological Diversity. "The reality is that today people continue to fish with prohibited nets, mainly shrimp. Its not just about the totoaba, right now its the curvina season and theyre also using gillnets. So everything stays on paper." A vessel deployed to help on the efforts to save the endangered vaquita porpoise sails during a presentation to the media near San Felipe, Mexico (Guillermo Arias / AFP via Getty Images file) The Mexican government also committed to monitoring the authorized loading and unloading boating sites, something which CITES has flagged: The international body said its inspectors spent an hour on the boardwalk in San Felipe, a fishing town in Baja California, and saw that at least 15 boats went out to sea without authorization and without inspection. Three officials from Mexico who were at the CITES meeting in November but requested anonymity because they are not authorized to comment publicly said the pressure has been intense to get the gill netting and illegal fishing eradicated in the Sea of Cortez and other nearby areas. Many argue that the 177,000 square kilometers (68,340 square miles) that make up the protected area are unreachable for a single government because of the enormous geopolitical complexity made up of criminal cartels, Chinese buyers, Mexican fishermen and the failures of protection systems. This is not an exclusive issue for us," Blanca Alicia Mendoza Vera, head of the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection, said in an interview with Noticias Telemundo. "Since there is demand from Asian countries, they must do what is necessary so that their laws cut off that demand. The same happens with transit countries, which are now also destinations, such as the United States. The claim is always against us, but Mexico alone cannot control totoaba trafficking." She stressed that international meetings demand that Mexico allocate significant economic resources to combat illegal fishing and conserve species such as the vaquita and the totoaba. We do not have a budget that is endless, and all this is done at the expense of our taxpayers. It is time to begin to recognize in the international arena that the protection of species is everyones responsibility, wherever we are, and, above all, help with the control of criminal activities, Mendoza Vera said. CITES' Higuero agrees on the complexity of the methods and criminal networks that are dedicated to totoaba trafficking. This cannot be fought by a single country. Mexico has to make its efforts at the national level and apply the law, but in general this can only be fought at the international level and demand must be reduced," she said. "We have programs to reduce demand, China also has them and they must enforce the laws because there are many ports, and the borders are porous between the countries of Asia. They are criminals that many times no one can catch and for that, international cooperation is needed. Seeing improvement However, it is not all bad ecological news and geopolitical challenges in the Sea of Cortez. Enriquez, the researcher at the Autonomous University of Baja California, developed a database to analyze the totoaba population and found some encouraging results. We have found that there is a lot of genetic variability in the totoaba population. It has been overexploited, and it continues to be caught illegally, as incidents in Mexico and other countries show, but fortunately there is various evidence that, at least, it is not found in critical danger of extinction, he said. A worker inspects vials containing micro-algae to feed totoaba larvae at the Earth Ocean Farms hatchery in La Paz, Mexico (Maurico Palos / Bloomberg via Getty Images file) Last October, the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and Mexico's secretary of the navy announced that the average daily hours of illegal fishing activity in the Vaquita Refuge area had been reduced by 79%, which contributed to the reduction of boats in the area. This March, it was announced there were fewer small boats in the Zero Tolerance Zone from October to December. You know that for the last month [March], maybe more, there has been almost zero illegal poaching in the area. That was always the dream, Pritam Singh, CEO and chairman of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, said in late February, smiling as he spoke. Its not too late. Its never too late. And I think we should not succumb to despair. I think in the future there will be massive movements of individuals coming to help the environmental problem together with governments and local people." An expanded version of this article was first published in Noticias Telemundo. This article was written with support of the Google News Initiative and in the collaboration with the Latin American Center for Journalistic Investigation. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador says the independent transparency institute is too expensive and "it would be better" if it didn't exist. (Alex Dalton / Eyepix Group/Sipa USA via Associated Press) When Blanca Lilia Ibarra was a reporter in the 1980s, getting information on the workings of the Mexican government depended on whom you knew. That information is only given to national outlets, a press secretary told her in response to questions about a new immigration law. In the following years, journalists, activists and academics successfully lobbied for freedom-of-information laws and ultimately the creation of the National Institute for Transparency, Access to Information and Personal Data Protection. Ibarra today leads the agency, which has helped shape the course of Mexicos history, ordering officials to grant previously denied information requests that have allowed journalists and activists to uncover massive corruption schemes, locate clandestine graves and investigate large-scale infrastructure projects. But now, the transparency institute is under threat. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador argues that the independent agency with a budget of $58 million and a staff of just over 800 is too expensive and that it would be better if it didnt exist. We dont have anything to hide, he said at a recent news conference. Why do we need a bureaucratic apparatus? But critics charge that his attack is part of a broader attempt to weaken or eliminate institutions that serve as checks and balances on government power. Lopez Obrador recently tried to downsize the National Electoral Institute, an independent agency that helped Mexico transition from one-party rule more than two decades ago. He has repeatedly accused Supreme Court judges of acting out of personal political interest including when the body ruled this week that his transfer of the National Guard from civilian to military control was unconstitutional. Demonstrators gather in February in Mexico City to protest Lopez Obrador's plan to revamp the country's electoral authority. (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) And last week, he announced he would shut down the government news agency Notimex, which had been locked in labor disputes. He assured the public that we have the mananera, as he calls his daily press briefings. Story continues The president has been very clear since the beginning that he doesnt like other autonomous powers, said Eduardo Bohorquez, executive director of the civil society monitoring group Mexican Transparency. For the last three weeks, the transparency institutes work has been halted because the president and his party have stalled the process of filling empty seats on the bodys seven-member commission. Left pending are more than 2,300 appeals of information requests that were denied or not adequately filled. As the process to fill the seats has stalled, it has become a referendum on the institutions very existence. Last week the Mexican news outlet Latinus published a leaked audio of Interior Minister Adan Augusto Lopez telling lawmakers that the president had said they were in an ideal situation and that there was no urgency to nominate new commissioners. The right to information was enshrined in the Mexican Constitution in 1977, but for decades there was no infrastructure for Mexicans to enforce it. In 2002, two years after the end of one-party rule, Mexico passed its first federal transparency law and created the agency that eventually became the INAI, as the transparency institute is known. Since 2016, an online portal for information requests to government agencies has received more than 8 million submissions. During the most recent fiscal year, the INAI resolved more than 18,000 appeals. The institute also protects citizens rights to access personal data, such as medical records, and sanctions private and public entities for stealing personal information. In March 2022, the Senate began receiving applications from the public to fill two vacancies on the commission. The Senate, which is dominated by the presidents party, Morena, didnt select the commissioners until last month, and only after an order from a federal judge. Lopez Obrador then vetoed the appointments, claiming that the candidates had been selected for political reasons. After the vetoes, a commissioner retired at the end of March, leaving the INAI with four commissioners one short of the quorum required to meet. Its unclear whether the Senate will vote again before its long summer recess begins on May 1. Ricardo Monreal, the head of a Senate committee that decides which candidates to bring for a vote on the Senate floor, has said that senators from the presidents party have kept the vote from moving forward. On Tuesday, Sen. Xochitl Galvez Ruiz from the opposition National Action Party hung a banner in the Senate with the words What is Morena scared of? and #TransparencyNow. The INAI has petitioned the Supreme Court to order the Senate to nominate new commissioners, who must now be approved with a three-fifths majority, and to meanwhile allow the body to convene with four members. In a meeting with The Times, three of the commissioners said that the INAI functions as a fundamental check on government power. It empowers society to pressure government to be transparent, to pressure government to be accountable, and it allows society to partici-pate in public decisions, said Ibarra, the president of the commission. On Thursday, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights sent a letter to the Senate urging it to appoint commissioners. Mexican journalists have also called for an immediate resolution. Jorge Carrasco, director of the Mexican news outlet Proceso, said that during President Felipe Calderons declared war on drug cartels, reporters frequently appealed to the INAI for data on civilians killed by armed forces, military deserters and judicial proceedings against the military for human rights violations. More recently, he said, Proceso has appealed denials of requests for information on large-scale infrastructure projects under the control of the military, including the Maya Train that will traverse the Yucatan Peninsula, as well as the governments use of the Israeli spyware known as Pegasus. Lopez Obrador has said that his administration would not turn over contracts for the software, despite an order from the INAI. Theres a desire to not be transparent, said Carrasco. The commissioners have emphasized their role in investigations that made headlines in Mexico, including a massive corruption scheme that found that federal government agencies had used public universities to divert hundreds of millions of dollars. Journalists appealed to the INAI after their requests for records from government agencies were denied. The records helped show that many subcontracted companies were fake. Without the INAI, we would have had to consult hundreds of sources, to convince hundreds of public officials to give us the documents, said Nayeli Roldan, a reporter at the news outlet Animal Politico. And even with that we wouldnt have gotten all the documents we wanted. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. JUAREZ, Mexico Mexico's top immigration official is expected to face still-undisclosed charges in federal court in the deaths of 40 migrants in a detention center fire in this border city. A federal judge on Friday postponed a hearing during which the exact charges against Francisco Garduno Yanez, commissioner of Mexico's National Migration Institute, were to be announced. His defense attorneys requested the delay during the Juarez hearing, after saying they had received hundreds of case documents only minutes before. "We don't know what charges the commissioner faces given the size of the file that was handed over and the fact that we just received it," said defense attorney Rodolfo Perez Velasquez. On March 27, a deadly fire ripped through an immigration station run by the institute in Juarez, where more than 60 men and 15 women were being held behind bars. Migrant men set fire to foam mattresses, allegedly to protest their prolonged detention and poor conditions. Francisco Garduno Yanez head of Mexico's National Migration Institute exits the Mexican Federal Court on Friday, April 21, 2023. Garduno is expected to face federal charges in connection with the deaths of 40 migrants. More: 'They couldn't find the keys': How 40 migrants died in Juarez fire The smoke and flames killed 40 men and injured more than two dozen others after National Migration Institute agents and private security guards were either unable or unwilling to open the men's cell block door, according to prosecutors. The men who died came from Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador. Five people have been indicted on homicide charges in the migrants' deaths, including three immigration agents, a private security guard and a Venezuelan migrant believed to have started the fire. Garduno Yanez a political appointee of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador is the highest-ranking official to face criminal charges in the tragedy. He has served in government since the 1970s, including leading a committee for penitentiary reform in Mexico City. As Garduno Yanez left the white courthouse along busy Avenida Tecnologico in Juarez, he told reporters he was "doing his duty as a citizen and public servant" by showing up. Story continues "Since I arrived in Ciudad Juarez, hours after the lamentable and painful incident, my first objective was to attend to the victims," he said, adding that he provided assistance to the families of the victims and facilitated the return of the dead to their countries of origin. "That's what I have done. I've been on top of it. I can't say more because I'm in a legal process." The National Migration Institute is the Mexican federal agency tasked with executing the nation's immigration laws, including processing tourist and other visas. It also rescues, detains and deports migrants. Lauren Villagran can be reached at lvillagran@elpasotimes.com, on Twitter @laurenvillagran and on Instagram @fronteravillagran. This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Francisco Garduno Yanez to face charges in Juarez fire Underneath his signature bravado and the slate of lawyers representing him, Miami Commissioner Joe Carollo is sweating this one. Finally, the powerful commissioner infamous for behaving like a schoolyard bully from his City Hall perch is being held accountable in a court of law for running Little Havana as if it were his private fiefdom. He finally messed with the wrong people two business partners, William Bill Fuller and Martin Pinilla who wouldnt allow Carollo, a former Miami mayor, to harass them into shutting down their popular restaurant-bar-music venue Ball & Chain on Calle Ocho. The men took notes, photos and videos, documenting Carollos relentless persecution after they supported his opponent in the election and they filed a federal lawsuit in 2018 against him alleging that he abused his authority to target them, violating their First Amendment rights. So far, Carollo has lost every move to avoid facing up to his deeds. He wanted the trial before a Miami jury more likely to be sympathetic to his perennial go-to defense: that everything is a Communist plot against him. But the civil trial was set at the Broward federal courthouse before U.S. District Court Judge Rodney Smith to avoid biased jurors and limit political influence. The case and its Broward jury, which is being provided transportation, was moved to the Miami federal courthouse because of the historic-level flooding in Fort Lauderdale. Some would chalk the bad weather up to karma. Carollo, Acevedo & Miami The move brought back former Miami Police Chief Art Acevedo to the same town where Carollo publicly humiliated and vilified him eventually getting him fired to testify about Carollos possibly unlawful conduct in office. Now the police chief of Aurora, Colorado, Acevedo was the star witness Tuesday in the multimillion-dollar lawsuit. The high-profile chief has long maintained that during his short six-month tenure, the commissioner exerted political pressure to use city resources to go after businesses owners who crossed him. Story continues His fixation was on Fuller and Pinilla properties, whether in operation or under construction, as in the case of a Mexican-style taqueria. Although Carollos lawyers claim that the fired chief has an ax to grind, Miamis former top cop showed he can hold his own on the witness stand. Anticipating Carollos other favorite alibi everything is a conspiracy against him because hes Cuban he told jurors: Oh yes, Im Cuban, despite what you might have heard from the defendant here. Most damning, perhaps, is that other law enforcement witnesses to Carollos alleged behavior backed up Acevedos assertions. Also testifying was Acevedos predecessor, former police chief Jorge Colina, and Assistant Police Chief Richie Blom. All confirmed that Carollo had a persistent and particular obsession with cracking down, not only on Ball & Chain, but other Little Havana properties owned by Fuller and Pinilla. Blom, who used to be Carollos chief of staff, testified that Carollo ordered him to get out of the car and measure the distance from the front door of Fullers property to a neighboring church. Carollos intent: To pull the clubs liquor license if it was within 150 feet, Blom said. Colina testified that, despite Carollos public hectoring at a 2019 City Commission over the lack of action by police and code enforcement act against Fuller and Pinilla properties, he didnt give into political pressure. Last week, former Miami City Manager Emilio Gonzalez testified that he said a cordial relationship with Carollo until the subject of Ball & Chain came up. He, too, said that the commissioner targeted other businesses owned by Fuller and Pinilla and that police and code inspectors complied with Carollos demands for fear of retaliation. In essence, theyve all described a Miami run by Carollo as if he were a mob boss. No wonder the police chief and city manager posts are perennial revolving doors. One can only hope that Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle, often criticized for not pursuing local corruption cases, is paying attention to the testimony being given under oath. If crimes were committed, she cant afford to turn a blind eye. Trial shenanigans After testifying at the trial Tuesday, Acevedo said he was followed by private investigators. READ MORE: After testifying against Carollo, fired Miami police chief says private eyes tailed him Witness intimidation? Acevedo, who videotaped the men and reported them to Coral Gables police, thinks so. An attempt to harass and intimidate me as a witness, he told the Herald. The integrity of our court system depends on the protection of witnesses and other case participants, he said in a statement. A full investigation should be conducted to uncover the truth as to who hired these individuals and the motive behind their actions. They told police they worked for the state attorneys office, but later took it back. Isnt it illegal to lie to police? It has taken two businessmen fed up with corruption and a star witness police chief who wouldnt play along with the citys usual Third World politics to bring before the justice system what voters shouldve dismantled at the voting booth a long time ago: Carollos personal grip over Little Havana. The people who live and work in the colorful historic enclave, once imagined as a vibrant Latin Quarter, shouldnt be Carollos or any other politicians to bully and manipulate at whim. After my April 19 column, Looks like Miami Beach may have its own version of George Santos in Fabian Basabe was published, the Republican state lawmaker changed his vote on the Florida Kidcare Program Eligibility for the third time, back to Yes. Basabe says the No vote was an aides error. The town of Miami Lakes must pay the legal fees its former mayor spent to successfully defend himself against criminal charges almost a decade ago, a Miami-Dade Circuit Court judge ruled Friday, potentially leaving taxpayers on the hook for millions of dollars. The decision is a victory for Michael Pizzi in his protracted battle against the town, which refused to cover his legal bills after a federal jury cleared him of bribery allegations in 2014. Pizzi is also asking to be reimbursed for the cost of his eight-year civil case against the town over those legal defense fees. Pizzi was seeking $3.5 million as of 2019, a number that has undoubtedly grown since. Judge Carlos Lopez has yet to rule on how much money the town owes him. In an interview Friday, Pizzi said he was ecstatic, calling the ruling an amazing victory and a complete vindication. I am thankful that 10 long years after being completely exonerated and vindicated from a wrongful prosecution, the court has ordered the town to do what it was required to do 10 years ago, Pizzi said. Miami Lakes isnt giving up yet. Town Attorney Raul Gastesi said Friday that officials are exploring their options, including appeals and having the judge reconsider his ruling. Were disappointed with the order, he said. We will regroup and see what all our options are. The town argued in court filings that, even though Pizzi was acquitted, he was acting for personal gain and not for a public purpose when he allegedly accepted payments from undercover FBI agents. Prosecutors claimed Pizzi took the cash in exchange for supporting a grants program set up as part of the sting. But Lopez said Pizzis vote for the grant did serve a public purpose, and that Pizzi didnt need to rehash the allegations against him to prove his legal bills should be covered. Lopez also rejected the towns argument that Pizzis entrapment defense at trial constituted an admission of wrongdoing that could have cleared the town of liability. Story continues This Court disagrees with the Towns assertion that former Mayor Pizzi is required to re-litigate the criminal case that led to the jurys verdicts of acquittal of all public corruption charges, Lopez wrote. The FBI arrested Pizzi in August 2013 and accused him of accepting more than $6,000 in bribes during meetings in a smoky pool hall, a Starbucks and the closet of his office in Medley, where he was the town attorney. Pizzis lawyers told jurors the mayor seemed disinterested in the scheme and wouldnt bother returning phone calls from lobbyists who were working with the FBI agents. And his defense team offered various explanations for the alleged cash payments, including one in which they said Pizzi didnt know a plastic bag containing two cigars also had $2,000 inside when the agents handed it to him. They said he gave the money away to a bar patron out of view of the agents. Pizzi was reinstated as mayor after his acquittal before being defeated in 2016 by current mayor Manny Cid. He has since worked as an attorney who frequently represents municipal whistleblowers. In 2019, the Third District Court of Appeal reversed a lower-court decision to quash Pizzis lawsuit against the town, giving his legal-fee battle new life. The appeals court found that Miami Lakes own policies supported Pizzis claim that the town was on the hook, although it had the right to question the reasonableness of the fees amount sought. Nine Michigan Republicans voted Wednesday to keep a nearly century-old state law that bars an unmarried woman and man from living with one another. The bill to repeal the unenforced 1931 law ultimately passed 29-9 in the states Democrat-controlled Senate. But the fact that half of the state Senates GOP lawmakers voted to maintain the cohabitation ban made a number of Democrats scratch their heads. What year are they living in? asked Michigan state Sen. Mallory McMorrow (D), according to MLive. Michigan is one of two states in the country with a law that bars unwed couples from living together, according to a 2016 analysis for the state Senate. The states cohabitation ban could find an unmarried man or woman who lewdly and lasciviously associates and cohabits together guilty of a misdemeanor with a maximum one-year prison sentence and maximum fine of $1,000. The ban has implications for taxpayers. As Michigan state Sen. Stephanie Chang (D), who introduced the bill, noted, certain tax benefits are off-limits to people whose relationships violate local laws under the IRS tax code. This bill is not about a moral issue, its not about changing peoples behavior, its not about marriage rates its really just about bringing us into the 21st century, Chang said, according to Bridge Michigan. Under the new bill, there would be no penalties for an unwed couple over their cohabitation. It would not repeal the laws penalties for open and gross lewdness and lascivious behavior, which apply to both married and unmarried people. Republican Michigan state Sen. Thomas Albert said that the policy of prohibiting cohabitation by having a criminal penalty is not good policy, according to MLive. But he argued that a family structure without marriage is not the optimal environment for raising children. The problem with this reform is that it fails to recognize the secondary effects. ... This is a policy I cannot get behind, because there is clear and overwhelming evidence to show that it is better for children to be in a household with married parents, Albert said. Story continues The bill is now set to head to Michigans House of Representatives and then would need a signature from Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) to become law. Related... (AFP via Getty Images) The future of a widely used abortion drug at the centre of the nations biggest legal battle over abortion rights since the end of Roe v Wade could be in the hands of the US Supreme Court. Justices on the nations highest court will weigh in on a case targeting the federal governments 23-year-old approval of mifepristone, part of a two-drug protocol for medication abortion, the most common form of abortion in the US. Following an appeal from the Biden administration and drugmakers, the court paused a lower court ruling that would strip the US Food and Drug Administrations approval of mifepristone, which was first approved by the government agency in 2000. The Supreme Courts order expires at midnight on Friday, and the justices are expected to issue a decision before then. It is unclear how the Supreme Court will rule on the appeal, but a ruling to strike down the FDAs approval of the drug could drastically impact access to abortion and miscarriage care for millions of Americans across the country, including in states where it is legally protected. Key Points Supreme Court delays decision in abortion drug case until Friday What is mifepristone? How the challenge to mifepristone landed at the Supreme Court What will the Supreme Court decide, and what happens next? Ohio lawmaker shuts down anti-abortion activist who attacked mother of 10-year-old rape victim 16:00 , Alex Woodward An Ohio state representative had sharp words for an anti-abortion advocate who made false claims about the now-infamous case of a 10-year-old from the state who had to travel to Indiana to receive an abortion after being raped because of Ohios near-total ban on the procedure. Watch the exchange: Ohio rep shuts down anti-abortion campaigner who attacked child rape victims OB-GYN Texas judge behind abortion drug ruling didnt disclose radio interviews where he said being gay was a lifestyle 15:30 , Alex Woodward The federal judge who suspended the US Food and Drug Administrations approval of the abortion pill mifepristone failed to disclose two interviews where he discussed contraception and gay rights, CNN reported. Story continues Matthew Kacsmaryk, a judge on the US District Court for the Northern District of Texas, made the remarks in two interviews with the Chosen Generation, a show that bills itself as having a biblical constitutional worldview. The report follows revelations that Mr Kacsmaryk also failed to disclose to members of Congress that he authored an article attacking abortion rights and transgender healthcare in a right-wing legal journal. Texas abortion judge didnt disclose interviews calling being gay a lifestyle Oregon governor buys up abortions pills ahead of Supreme Court ruling 15:00 , Alex Woodward Oregons Democratic Governor Tina Kotek has directed the state to obtain a supply of the most commonly used abortion medication in the US amid fears that a court ruling could restrict access to it. I will make sure that patients are able to access the medication they need and providers are able to provide that medication without unnecessary, politically-motivated interference and intimidation, she said in a statement. The state is among several Democratic-led states boosting supplies of mifepristone and misoprostole ahead of a potential decision from the US Supreme Court and lower federal courts that could pause access to the drug or strip the FDAs approval entirely. Oregon governor buys up abortions pills ahead of Supreme Court ruling The Handmaids Tale is finally reality' 14:30 , Alex Woodward The Independents Maya Oppenheim writes: If mifepristone is banned in the US, women and people of marginalised genders will needlessly, unduly suffer, and some will die. The data shows banning abortions does not stop pregnancies from being terminated. Instead, it pushes women to have dangerous, backstreet abortions. Such procedures are extremely risky; 47,000 women in the world die every single year as a consequence of getting an unsafe abortion, while five million women are estimated to have to go hospital for bleeding or an infection or some other dangerous health issue. For all of the above and more, the parallels between contemporary America andThe Handmaids Tale are becoming starker by the day. The Handmaids Tale could become reality in the US at midnight tonight | Voices Abortion advocates and providers brace for Supreme Court decision in major drug case: Chaos, confusion, fear 14:00 , Alex Woodward A ruling to strike down the FDAs approval of the drug could drastically impact access to abortion and miscarriage care for millions of Americans across the country, including in states where it is legally protected. Abortion rights advocates and civil rights legal groups were stunned by recent federal court decisions on mifepristone, which they say are unmoored by both the law and science, including decades of research and guidance from major medical and public health organisations. Abortion advocates and providers brace for Supreme Court decision in major drug case Texas judge at centre of abortion pill ruling said being gay was a lifestyle 13:30 , Rachel Sharp The Texas abortion judge who issued a ruling suspending access to mifepristone failed to disclose Christian talk radio interviews during his Senate confirmation process, it has been revealed. In the interviews from 2014, Matthew Kacsmaryk claimed that being gay was a lifestyle and raised concerns that changes in norms around same-sex relationships would clash with religion. It previously emerged that he had also failed to disclose to members of Congress that he authored an article attacking abortion rights and transgender healthcare in a right-wing legal journal. The judge removed his name from the article before a judicial nomination process under then-President Donald Trump, according to The Washington Post. The widely used drug in the abortion rights battle at the Supreme Court 13:00 , Alex Woodward Medication abortion typically consists of a two-drug protocol of mifepristone and misoprostol. Mifepristone is used in more than half of all abortions in the US. The drug was first approved for use by the US Food and Drug Administration in most cases up to 10 weeks of pregnancy in 2000. A vast majority of abortions occur within the first nine weeks of pregnancy. From 2019 through 2020, nearly 93 per cent of all abortions were performed before the 13th week, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Mifepristone is also used to treat miscarriages. Roughly 10 per cent of clinically recognized pregnancies end in miscarriages, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. The widely used drug in the abortion rights battle at the Supreme Court What is mifepristone? 12:30 , Rachel Sharp A medication abortion procedure typically consists of a two-drug protocol of mifepristone and misoprostol. Mifepristone is used in more than half of all abortions in the US. The drug was first approved for use by the US Food and Drug Administration in most cases up to 10 weeks of pregnancy in 2000. A vast majority of abortions occur within the first nine weeks of pregnancy. From 2019 through 2020, nearly 93 per cent of all abortions were performed before the 13th week, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Mifepristone is also used to treat miscarriages. Roughly 10 per cent of clinically recognized pregnancies end in miscarriages, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. The drug blocks the hormone progesterone, which helps support the uterus. A healthy uterine lining supports a fertilized egg, embryo and fetus. Without progesterone, the uterus will expel its contents. Roughly 24 to 48 hours after a patient takes mifepristone, the patient then takes misoprostol, which helps empty the uterus. Supreme Court expected to weigh in on mifepristone case today 12:00 , Alex Woodward The US Supreme Court is expected to make a decision on an appeal in a case involving mifepristone at some point today. The court will not be ruling on the merits of the case, but it will determine how or if mifepristone can be dispensed while the case continues to play out. Earlier this month, US District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk in Texas sided with a group of anti-abortion activists seeking to overturn the US Food and Drug Administrations approval of mifepristone, was was first approved by the agency 23 years ago. The medicine is part of a two-drug protocol for medication abortion, which accounts for more than half of all abortions in the US. It is unclear how the Supreme Court will rule on the appeal, though a ruling to strike down the FDAs approval of the drug would drastically impact access to abortion and miscarriage care for millions of Americans across the country, including in states where it is legally protected. VOICES: The problem with Walgreens and mifepristone 11:30 , Rachel Sharp When the company bowed to Republican pressure and said it wouldnt provide abortion pills in 20 states even states where the abortion pill is legal all hell broke loose. Then California made a shock announcement. Holly Baxter reports Walgreens failed to read the room. Now it faces a boycott How did mifepristone end up in front of the Supreme Court 11:00 , Alex Woodward In November, the right-wing legal group Alliance Defending Freedom filed a lawsuit in US District Court in Amarillo, Texas on behalf of a group of anti-abortion activists incorporated as the Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, which was organised that same month with an address in Amarillo. The Alliance Defending Freedom also led the challenge at the Supreme Court that ultimately struck down Roe v Wade. US District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk a former right-wing activist lawyer who was appointed to the federal judiciary by Donald Trump held a hearing in the case on 15 March in Amarillo. Earlier this month, Judge Kacsmaryk issued a ruling to suspend the FDAs approval of mifepristone. His order was set to take effect a week later, pending a decision from on appeal. But in a separate ruling in Washington state, a federal judge ruled that the FDA cannot change the status quo when it comes to mifepristones approval, setting up potentially duelling decisions over the drug. Abortion rights advocates, providers, major medical groups and legal analysts condemned the ruling, and the US Department of Justice and Danco Laboratories, which manufactures mifepristone, filed an appeal. That appeal landed at the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, which has jurisdiction over the Amarillo court. A three-judge panel on the Fifth Circuit blocked a part of the judges ruling, but struck against mail-in prescriptions and rules that expanded the drugs approval for use up to 10 weeks of pregnancy. The Supreme Court has blocked the Texas ruling while it considers the case. Oregon secures 3-year supply of abortion pill ahead of SCOTUS ruling 10:36 , Rachel Sharp Oregon Governor Tina Kotek said Thursday she has directed the state to obtain a supply of the most commonly used abortion medication in the U.S. amid fears that a court ruling could restrict access to it. The Democratic governor said regardless of the courts decision about mifepristones availability, patients in Oregon will have access to it for years. I will make sure that patients are able to access the medication they need and providers are able to provide that medication without unnecessary, politically-motivated interference and intimidation, Kotek said in a statement. According to Koteks office, the state is partnering with Oregon Health & Science University to obtain 22,500 doses of mifepristone. The state joins Washington, California, New York and Massachusetts in buying bulk amounts of abortion medication in recent weeks. Here is what the Supreme Court is doing about the mifepristone lawsuit 10:00 , Alex Woodward The order from Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, who presides over the district where the mifepristone challenge was filed, was published on the so-called shadow docket where the court handles both procedural manners and emergency motions that can have profound implications. Justice Alitos brief order to pause a federal courts decision that would reverse the FDAs approval for mifepristone keeps the status quo in place until midnight on 21 April, at the latest. But it is unclear what the court will do next. The court will not be ruling on the merits of the case, but it will determine how or if mifepristone can be dispensed while the case continues to play out. After the court makes a decision, the case returns to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in Louisiana. Both parties will have a chance to file briefs, and the case will be argued before a three-judge panel on 17 May. Can the FDA just ignore the ruling? 09:00 , Alex Woodward Thats what several members of Congress have argued, though President Joe Bidens administration and abortion rights advocates have stressed that the case must play out in court and affirm the FDAs ability to make such decisions. Democratic senator Ron Wyden, the chair of the Senate Finance Committee, which oversees the FDA, has repeatedly argued that the administration ignore a ruling that undermines the FDAs regulatory powers. US Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has argued that an increasingly partisan-driven federal judiciary weaponised by right-wing activist groups has undermined its legitimacy in making such decisions. Republican US Rep Nancy Mace also has suggested that a ruling that revokes the FDAs approval of the drug should be ignored or tossed out. What happens if mifepristone is not available? 08:00 , Alex Woodward Abortion providers and civil rights groups have warned of grave consequences to the loss of widely used abortion drugs from the market. Providers could turn to a misoprostol-only medication abortion regimen, though that would be considered an off-label pharmaceutical use for the drug in the US. Misoprostol is currently approved by the FDA for the prevention and treatment of gastric ulcers but also is administered for other obstetric or gynecologic care. Several Democratic-led states are stocking up on mifepristone and proposing legal protections for pharmacists and providers who dispense the drug. A ruling that undermines the FDAs drug approval process could also open the door for other activist-driven legal battles over other drugs, potentially inviting other destabilising lawsuits to Covid-19 vaccines, contraception, HIV medication, gender-affirming care, and other life-saving drugs. The Biden administration will continue to fight for abortion rights regardless of the courts decision, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters on 19 April. Abortion access has been nearly eliminated across the South 05:00 , Alex Woodward Abortion is effectively outlawed in more than a dozen states, mostly in the South, following the US Supreme Courts decision to strike down the constitutional right to abortion care last June. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed a bill into law that bans abortions in the state at six weeks of pregnancy, before many people know they are pregnant. Abortion patients will now have to travel more than 1,000 miles for legal access to abortion care in the region. Floridas latest anti-abortion law will nearly eliminate access across the South Wyoming abortion clinic opens after arson attack and legal threats 03:00 , Alex Woodward Weeks after the states governor banned abortion drugs, becomgin the first state to do so, a full-service abortion clinic has opened in the state despite an arson attack and laws that could force it to shut down in a state with some of the most severe restrictions on care. Wellspring Health Access clinic provide both medication abortions and procedural abortions and surgical abortions, at least for now. The states law against mifepristone will take effect from 1 July. The law makes it illegal to prescribe, dispense, distribute, sell or use any drug for the purpose of procuring or performing an abortion. The law states that doctors or anyone else found guilty of prescribing the medication could be charged with a misdemeanour, punishable by up to six months in prison and a $9,000 (7,387) fine. (AP) GOP megadonor leaps to defend Clarence Thomas over real estate disclosures 01:00 , Alex Woodward Republican megadoor Harlan Crow defended his friendship with Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas in an interview with The Dallas Morning News and denied any impropriety regarding their relationship. Mr Crows friendship with the most-senior jurist on the Supreme Court has come under intense scrutiny ever since investigative news outlet ProPublica reported that Mr Thomas had vactioned in luxury on Mr Crows dime without disclosing it. ProPublica later reported that Mr Thomas sold a home to Mr Crow but did not disclose it, despite a 1978 law that required such transactions be disclosed. GOP megadonor leaps to defend Clarence Thomas over real estate disclosures Biden should order Clarence Thomass cases to be reviewed' Friday 21 April 2023 00:00 , Alex Woodward Noah Berlatsky writes: Clarence Thomas allowing himself to appear compromised strikes at the heart of US democracy and makes a travesty of justice in this country. If the wealthy can wine and dine Supreme Court justices, what hope do ordinary people have of a fair hearing? Are we ruled by laws or by oligarchs? No one elected Harlan Crow to anything. Why should he get unlimited access to influence Clarence Thomas? Thats why its imperative for President Joe Biden to immediately announce a review of all cases involving Thomas and identify ones in which there are egregious conflicts of interest. The administration should then consider refusing to enforce those decisions. What Biden must do about Clarence Thomas | Voices Federal judge at centre of mifepristone case failed to disclose interviews with Christian talk radio shows Thursday 20 April 2023 23:00 , Alex Woodward US District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk failed to disclose during his Senate confirmation process that he gave two interviews with a Christian talk radio programme where he discussed contraception and gay rights. He referred to being gay as a lifestyle and claiming that social norms around people who experience same-sex attraction would lead to clashes with religious institutions, a collapse that began with no-fault divorce and permissive policies on contraception, according to CNN. The comments were made in 2014 on Chosen Generation, a radio show that offers a biblical constitutional worldview, while Ms Kacsmaryk was deputy general counsel as conservative Christian legal group First Liberty Institute. The revelation of his failure to disclose the appearances, as required during federal judicary hearings, follows reporting that he also failed to disclose that he drafted or helped draft an article attacking abortion rights and transgender healthcare in a right-wing legal journal. (via REUTERS) Supreme Court chief justice asked to testify before Senate on ethics rules after Clarence Thomas revelations Thursday 20 April 2023 22:00 , Alex Woodward US Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts has been summoned to appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee to testify about the courts ethnics rules following recent revelations about Justice Clarence Thomas finances. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin has asked Roberts to appear before the committee on 2 May. Supreme Court chief justice asked to testify in Senate after Clarence Thomas scrutiny What is mifepristone? Thursday 20 April 2023 21:30 , Alex Woodward The future of abortion access is back in the hands of the Supreme Court, which is reviewing a challenge from anti-abortion activists to reverse the federal governments approval of mifepristone, a widely used drug for medication abortion procedures and miscarriage care. Stripping the governments approval could devastate access to abortion and miscarriage care for millions of Americans across the country, including in states where access is legally protected. The widely used drug in the abortion rights battle at the Supreme Court One of the most brazen attacks on Americans health' Thursday 20 April 2023 20:45 , Alex Woodward Federal court rulings that undermine the FDAs two-decade approval of a widely used abortion drug could upend the governments drug regulatory process into chaos in ways that extend far beyond the fight over mifepristone, according to Dr Jack Resneck Jr, presidentof the American Medical Assocation. He writes in an essay for The New York Times on Thuesday that the political volatility surrounding the drug over the last few years could open up the FDA to challenges to many vaccines, including those that reduce the risks of serious illness from Covid-19. We should expect lawsuits against common types of safe and highly effective hormonal birth control, including emergency contraception, he added. Also at risk: drugs used to treat cancer and arthritis that can incidentally affect unexpected pregnancies, drugs to prevent or treat HIV, and medications aimed at providing gender-affirming care. The women suing Texas over the states barbaric abortion restrictions Thursday 20 April 2023 20:11 , Alex Woodward Last month, five women who were denied abortions under several overlapping anti-abortion laws in Texas filed a lawsuit against the state, marking the first time that pregnant women have sought legal action themselves after a wave of restrictions following the US Supreme Courts decision to strike down Roe v Wade. The plaintiffs, two of whom are pregnant, told their stories outside the Texas capitol, warning that the states anti-abortion measures expose pregnant patients to severe risk of illness, injury and death. Women denied emergency abortion care in Texas sue state over barbaric restrictions Republican lawmaker tells women to get off the abortion conversation as future of critical drug in jeopardy Thursday 20 April 2023 18:19 , Alex Woodward A Republican congressman from Texas dodged questions about a federal court decision to revoke a more than 20-year-old approval for a commonly used abortion drug, instead suggesting that women have a whole lot of other issues than just abortion and the US should talk about the other things that are happening in this world. US Rep Tony Gonzales told CNNs State of the Union earlier this month that the issue was about states rights, but he stumbled when asked how that accounts for a federal court ruling that will have a dramatic impact to abortion access across the country if it goes into effect. GOP lawmaker tells women to get off the abortion conversation after drug ruling What will the Supreme Court decide, and what happens next? Thursday 20 April 2023 17:15 , Alex Woodward The order from Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, who presides over the district where the mifepristone challenge was filed, was published on the so-called shadow docket where the court handles both procedural manners and emergency motions that can have profound implications. Alitos brief order to pause a federal courts decision that would reverse the FDAs approval for mifepristone keeps the status quo in place until midnight on Friday, at the latest. But it is unclear what the court will do next. The court will not be ruling on the merits of the case, but it will determine how or if mifepristone can be dispensed while the case continues to play out. After the court makes a decision, the case returns to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in Louisiana. Both parties will have a chance to file briefs, and the case will be argued before a three-judge panel on 17 May. (Getty Images) Judge who wants to block mifepristone removed his name from anti-abortion article before Senate confirmation Thursday 20 April 2023 16:45 , Alex Woodward The judge presiding over a challenge to a widely used abortion drug reportedly failed to disclose to members of Congress that he authored an article attacking abortion rights and transgender healthcare in a right-wing legal journal while he was in the running for his Trump-appointed position on the federal judiciary. Judge in mifepristone case failed to disclose writing anti-abortion article The latest: Floridas latest anti-abortion law will nearly eliminate access across the South Thursday 20 April 2023 16:15 , Alex Woodward Abortion is effectively outlawed in more than a dozen states, mostly in the South, following the US Supreme Courts decision to strike down the constitutional right to abortion care last June. Shortly after the states Republican-controlled legislature passed the measure on 13 April, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill into law that outlaws abortion at six weeks of pregnancy. The law will strand Florida residents in a vast abortion desert and force patients to travel more than 1,000 miles for legal access to abortion care, according to Elisabeth Smith, director of state policy and advocacy at the Center for Reproductive Rights. Floridas latest anti-abortion law will nearly eliminate access across the South How the challenge to mifepristone landed at the Supreme Court Thursday 20 April 2023 15:30 , Alex Woodward Following the Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe v Wade last year, marking a significant victory for the anti-abortion movement and Christian conservative legal groups who have fuelled that campaign, anti-abortion activists took aim at medication abortion, the most common form of abortion care in the US. Heres how the case played out over the last several months: In November, the group Alliance Defending Freedom filed a lawsuit in US District Court in Amarillo, Texas on behalf of a group of anti-abortion activists incorporated at the Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, which was organised that month with an address in Amarillo. Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk a former right-wing activist lawyer who was appointed to the federal judiciary by Donald Trump held a hearing in the case on 15 March in Amarillo. Earlier this month, Judge Kacsmaryk issued a ruling to suspend the FDAs approval of mifepristone. His order was set to take effect a week later, pending a decision from on appeal. But in a separate ruling in Washington state, a federal judge ruled that the FDA cannot change the status quo when it comes to mifepristones approval, setting up potentially duelling decisions over the drug. Abortion rights advocates, providers, major medical groups and legal analysts condemned the ruling, and the US Department of Justice and Danco Laboratories, which manufactures mifepristone, filed an appeal. That appeal landed at the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, which has jurisdiction over the Amarillo court. A three-judge panel on the Fifth Circuit blocked a part of the judges ruling, but struck against mail-in prescriptions and rules that expanded the drugs approval for use up to 10 weeks of pregnancy. The Supreme Court blocked the Texas ruling while it considers the case. Abortion advocates and providers brace for Supreme Court decision in major drug case Thursday 20 April 2023 15:09 , Alex Woodward Abortion providers, clinics and abortion rights advocates and patients are anticipating a US Supreme Court decision that could provide some clarity about the fate of a widely used drug at the centre of the biggest legal battle for abortion care since the fall of Roe v Wade last year. Advocates and civil rights legal groups were stunned by lower court rulings that took aim at the FDAs approval of mifepristone, decisions that they say are unmoored by both the law and science, including decades of research and guidance from major medical and public health organisations. Abortion advocates and providers brace for Supreme Court decision in major drug case The latest: Supreme Court delays decision in abortion drug case until Friday Thursday 20 April 2023 15:07 , Alex Woodward The US Supreme Court has extended its pause on a lower court ruling that would strip the governments approval of a widely used abortion drug, which will remain available, at least for now. An order from the nations highest court that put the ruling on hold was set to lapse at midnight on Wednesday. An order issued on Wednesday afternoon extended that hold until midnight on Friday. Supreme Court delays decision in abortion drug case until Friday Who is Matthew Kacsmaryk, the Trump-appointed judge trying to ban abortion drug? Thursday 20 April 2023 15:06 , Alex Woodward A Trump-appointed federal judge in Texas whose decision to halt approval of the most commonly used abortion drug in the US has trigged a legal battle posing the most significant threat to abortion rights since the Supreme Court revoked a constitutional right to abortion care last year. Who is Trump-appointed judge Matthew Kacsmaryk trying to ban abortion drug? By now, youve probably read a million articles and instructions on the proper way to swab with an at-home COVID-19 test. You typically need to put the soft end of the swab about half an inch into your nose, swirl it around each nostril for roughly 15 seconds, mix it with some liquid, and let the sample sit in the kit for the exact right amount of time. Then, you want to redo that process every couple of days. (Repeat testing, data shows, significantly improves your chances of getting an accurate test result.) Now, more recent evidence suggests that you can take your at-home tests to the next level by swabbing more sites than just your nose. Where you swab might matter just as much as when you swab. A lot of virus needs to be present for rapid tests to produce a positive result, so their performance depends on swabbing where theres a large amount of virus in your body, scientists say. Sometimes thats in your nose, and other times its not. So the more places you swab, the more opportunities your test kit has to detect the virus. Heres why and how you might want to perform some additional swabbing the next time you test yourself for COVID-19. What Experts Have Learned About Swabbing Multiple Sites Although the Food and Drug Administration only authorizes at-home tests for nasal swabbing at this time, recent research has shown that also testing your throat and mouth (with some discretion) may be the ticket to getting a positive result. For most people, the COVID-19 virus is detectable in oral samples (aka saliva from the mouth) days before its detectable via nasal swabs, according to Natasha Shelby, a study administrator for COVID-19 research at the California Institute of Technology. In research shes worked on, some people tested negative with nasal swabs for up to eight days while testing positive with a saliva sample, throat swab or nasal PCR lab test (which is much more sensitive, and therefore accurate, than the kits typically sold at pharmacies). Story continues In some cases, virus was seen at extremely high and presumably infectious levels in the throat while nasal swabs remained negative, Shelby told HuffPost with a small number of infected people never returning a positive result via nasal swabs, likely due to a low viral load in the nose. This finding clearly contradicts the popular belief that daily antigen testing is more effective than delayed but high-sensitivity PCR testing, she said. Testing multiple sites is the way to go, especially early on in an infection since viral loads can vary between different sites, Shelby added. There's a chance that swabbing multiple sites could help you get a more accurate at-home COVID-19 test. There's a chance that swabbing multiple sites could help you get a more accurate at-home COVID-19 test. Heres How To Properly Swab Yourself Though there appears to be a benefit to swabbing multiple sites, you dont want to use the same swab on, say, your throat and nose, according to Rustem Ismagilov, a professor of chemistry and chemical engineering at Caltech and principal investigator for COVID-19 studies at the school. This could actually hurt the performance of tests specifically designed for the nose, he said, so you should use a separate swab for each location. When I had to test, I ran two separate tests: one on the throat swab and one on the nasal swab, Ismagilov said. Some people on social media report doing the same receiving a negative result on a nasal swab but a positive result when dabbing their throat. On the other hand, Dr. Sheldon Campbell, a lab testing expert at Yale Medicine and a professor of pathology at Yale School of Medicine, recommended sticking to the FDA-approved guidance until more data is available. Still, there are other ways to improve your chances of getting an accurate result. Campbell said you dont want to start testing yourself immediately after being around someone who has COVID-19 because the odds of testing positive then are slim, even if youve been infected. Peoples viral loads are typically low at the start of an infection, so he recommended testing yourself every 48 hours at two days, five days, and seven days after an exposure or whenever you develop symptoms. You want to retest periodically because your chances of getting a positive in an infection improve, Campbell said. Another tip is to swab when you first wake up. Shelbys research team found that taking a COVID-19 test in the morning was more effective than taking it at night. If you must use an antigen test, you could increase the effectiveness of that test by taking it first thing in the morning, she said. Finally, store-bought tests arent meant for older adults, people who are immunocompromised or others at high risk, said Campbell. If youre potentially vulnerable to serious disease and may require treatment like Paxlovid medication, he recommended that you get a PCR lab test. Ismagilov said he hopes the FDA will consider more than just nasal swabs for at-home tests in the future. (Canada, the U.K. and Israel have already approved throat-nasal kits.) The agency would have to conduct new studies to re-validate the tests for swabbing other sites, but Ismagilov and other scientists say thatd be worth it in case a new variant emerges that is most detectable in the mouth or throat. Knowing which tests work with throat swabs would at least leave us prepared to deal with a variant like that, Ismagilov said. Experts are still learning about COVID-19. The information in this story is what was known or available as of publication, but guidance can change as scientists discover more about the virus. Please check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the most updated recommendations. Related... A Milwaukee County sheriff's jail officer accused of lying about performing routine cell safety checks was charged Friday in the January death of a 49-year-old man in the jail. Laquisha N. Cowser, 32, who was a correctional officer assigned to the jail, was charged with one felony count of misconduct in public office in relation to the in-custody death of Octaviano Juarez-Corro, according to the Milwaukee County District Attorneys Office. Juarez-Corro had been charged in the 2006 shooting in South Shore Park that killed two and injured three others during a Memorial Day picnic, Juarez-Corro had been found unresponsive in his cell at 6:30 a.m. Jan. 22. The cause of death had initially been reported as unknown and the sheriff's office at the time said there were no signs of injury or trauma. The criminal complaint filed Friday, however, says Juarez-Corro had strangled himself, according to the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's forensic investigator. There have been three in-custody deaths since Milwaukee County Sheriff Denita Ball took over the top spot at the agency in January and also while she was serving as interim sheriff after former Sherriff Earnell Lucas' departure in October 2022. During Lucas's tenure between 2018 and 2022, with Ball as his deputy sheriff during the same period, there were at least five in-custody deaths. The complaint says surveillance video showed that Cowser skipped several cells during cell checks at 4:34 a.m. and 5:05 a.m. Three cells, including Juarez-Corro's, were skipped during both check times. When asked if she skipped any cells during check times, Cowser answered "I may have, yes." She went on to say that it does not happen every check. When asked if there was any reason to skip those cells, Cowser said "no," according to the complaint. Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office procedures require correctional officers to conduct visual and physical safety checks completed every 30 minutes. Story continues In her interview with investigators, Cowser said that correctional officers "do receive training on how to do checks and that it is a frequent topic at roll call discussions." If convicted, Cowser, who had been an officer in the jail for about four years, faces up to 3 1/2 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. She is on administrative leave with pay, pending the outcome of her case and subsequent internal review. No court dates have yet been scheduled. This office holds itself to high standards in its service to Milwaukee County, Ball wrote in a statement Friday. No member of MCSO is exempt from those standards. When a member of this agency is alleged to have broken the law in the performance of their duty, they will be subject to prosecution, and if they are convicted, they will face consequences as determined by a judge or a jury." One death in our custody is one too many. But we are confident these charges demonstrate the MCSOs commitment to ensure that an independent investigation was conducted, regardless of the result, she said. The Waukesha County Sheriff's Department is leading the investigation into the cause of his death as the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office cannot legally investigate itself The Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office declined to provide further comment. Juarez-Corr's death is among four in the jail in nine months. The three others were 21-year-old Brieon Green, who died by suicide at the County Jail on June 26 four hours after his arrest at Bradford Beach; 20-year-old Cilivea Thyrion, who died Dec. 16 by apparent suicide after swallowing a diaper while she was on suicide watch; and 37-year-old Terrance Mack, who was found unresponsive in his cell during a medical check on March 16 of this year. Between January 2020 and April 2021, the jail reported four in-custody deaths. Three of the cases were investigated as suicides, with the cause of the death for the fourth individual determined as acute heart failure. Three guards involved in two of those incidents were fired or resigned. Investigations are pending. County officials have called for an audit of the jail and other Milwaukee County-based correctional facilities, with a particular focus on suicide prevention protocols and policies. Contact Vanessa Swales at 414-308-5881 or vswales@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @Vanessa_Swales. Our subscribers make this reporting possible. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal. DOWNLOAD THE APP: Get the latest news, sports and more This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee County sheriff's officer charged in death at jail KYIV, Ukraine (AP) As Ukrainian and Russian troops fight conventional battles on the front lines, Europes first major war of the internet age has also sparked a war of technology as both sides vie for the advantage with their drones and satellite communications. While the two sides have kept pace with one another thus far, Ukraine's minister in charge of technology told The Associated Press in an interview Friday that he was confident his country had the motivation and abilities to out-innovate Russia in the end. Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine's Minister of Digital Transformation, said unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, electronic warfare, satellite communications and other technologies had been a fundamental part of the war with Russia that began more than a year ago. Technologies allow traditional and modern artillery to be more accurate, and they help save the lives of our soldiers, he said. When you have eyes over you, you can make more effective decisions about managing your troops. He acknowledged that Russia was also aware of the importance of technology on the battlefield, and was actively developing and improving its own. Every day, there are new UAVs on the battlefield from our side and from Russias side, Fedorov said. We see what kind of drones they have. We receive, disassemble and study them. He said the government was planning investments in new technology projects to encourage further competition and innovation. In this technology war we will surely win, he said. Even if fewer than 50-60% of supported projects will give some result, it can be decisive on the battlefield. In recent weeks, anticipation of a possible Ukrainian counteroffensive this spring has risen. Fedorov said it was impossible to imagine any efficient operations without technologies on the battlefield. Ukraine has not mounted a major operation to liberate occupied territories since it retook the city of Kherson and part of the surrounding province last November. However, the frequency of reported drone attacks in Russia has increased. Story continues Over the past months, a spate of drone strikes has targeted areas in southern and western Russia, reflecting the growing reach of the Ukrainian military. After each strike, Russian authorities blamed Ukraine, but Ukrainian official stopped short of openly claiming responsibility. Instead, they emphasized the right to attack any target in response to the Russian aggression. Fedorov said the effect of Ukraine's drone warfare could be seen in Russia's actions, noting that Russia has now started moving armored equipment further from the front line. There have been certain events that have changed the situation, but we continue to scale this useful experience, he said, but refused to be drawn on the details. Commenting on the battle for the city of Bakhmut, the longest of the war so far, Fedorov said that the use of technologies is invaluable in such situations. When you have limited artillery resources, weapons, ammunition, and strike drones, you need to be as accurate as possible, he said. This accuracy can be achieved in particular by drones. However, with a front line thousands of kilometers long, the heavy weapons and armored equipment traditional for warfare remained essential, Fedorov said. Technology could help Ukraine locate potential targets, but the army could not hit them all because it lacked the necessary artillery and ammunition, he added. The delivery of promised aid from partner countries remained critical, said the minister in charge of technologies. ___ Follow APs coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine MINNEAPOLIS (AP) A white former police officer convicted of manslaughter after mistaking her handgun for a Taser and fatally shooting Black motorist Daunte Wright in suburban Minneapolis in 2021 is set to be released from prison Monday. Minnesota Department of Corrections spokesman Andy Skoogman announced Friday that former officer Kim Potter was to be released after serving about 16 months of her two-year sentence. He said the exact timing of her departure Monday from Minnesota Correctional Facility-Shakopee wont be disclosed for security reasons. Our criminal investigative analysts are working closely with law enforcement to monitor the situation to ensure Kim Potter, like all incarcerated persons, is safe as she leaves our facility, Skoogman said in a statement. The shooting happened April 2021 as Derek Chauvin was on trial in Minneapolis on murder charges in George Floyds killing. Wright's death sparked several days of protests. Judge Regina Chu had said at Potter's sentencing that she would be required to serve two-thirds of her sentence 16 months then spend the rest on probation. Potter, now 50, appears much thinner in a new photo released by the Department of Corrections. Her attorney, Earl Gray, said he had no idea why her appearance changed. It just shows its rough doing time," Gray said. "I dont know many mug shots that show somebody in a good light. A message left with civil rights attorney Ben Crump, the lawyer for Wright's family, wasn't immediately returned. Wright, a 20-year-old father, was killed on April 11, 2021, after Brooklyn Center officers pulled him over for having expired license tags and an air freshener hanging from his rearview mirror. Officers discovered he had a warrant for a misdemeanor weapons possession charge and he was shot during a struggle as officers tried to arrest him. Civil rights advocates say laws against hanging objects from rearview mirrors have been used as a pretext for stopping Black motorists. Story continues Potter is heard on video yelling Taser several times just before she fires her pistol as Wright tried to drive away from the traffic stop. The state attorney generals office had sought a sentence recommended by state guidelines of just over seven years in prison. Wright's family and Crump denounced the two-year sentence as too lenient and accused the judge of giving more consideration to the white officer than the Black victim. Wrights mother, Katie Wright, said after the sentencing that Potter murdered my son, adding: Today the justice system murdered him all over again. Chu said at the time that the case wasnt the same as other high-profile killings, including George Floyd's death that resulted in a 22 1/2-year sentence for Chauvin. This is a cop who made a tragic mistake, she said. Defense attorneys argued at the sentencing hearing that Potter deserved leniency because Wright was trying to drive away and Potter had the right to defend herself. Potter, a 26-year police veteran, apologized to Wright's family at sentencing and spoke directly to his mother: Katie, I understand a mothers love. Im sorry I broke your heart ... my heart is broken and devastated for all of you. The Minnesota legislature on Friday passed a set of bills to bolster protections for gender-affirming health care and abortion and make conversion therapy practices for LGBTQ minors and vulnerable adults illegal. The measures now head to Democratic Gov. Tim Walz, who is expected to sign them into law. Minnesota Democrats have pushed an ambitious slate of progressive legislation this year, taking advantage of their new majority in the legislature after a string of Republican losses in last Novembers midterm elections. Its the first time Democrats have controlled both chambers of the state legislature, as well as the governors office, in close to a decade. The state Senate on Friday gave final approval to bills to make Minnesota a safe haven for transgender minors wishing to obtain gender-affirming health care and a refuge for individuals seeking an abortion, as well as their doctors and their families. Minnesota senators on Friday also sent legislation outlawing conversion therapy, the discredited practice that claims to be able to change a persons sexual orientation or gender identity, to the governors desk. Minnesota House File 146, introduced in January by Democratic Rep. Leigh Finke the first openly transgender person elected to the state legislature would prevent laws passed in other states that ban or restrict gender-affirming health care from interfering with treatment offered in Minnesota. The bill was passed on Friday in a 34-30 vote. The measure, if signed into law, would considerably alter the health care landscape of the Midwest, where state legislators this year have introduced more than two dozen bills to restrict access to gender-affirming care for transgender young people, according to the American Civil Liberties Union. In neighboring North Dakota, South Dakota and Iowa, transgender youths younger than 18 are barred from accessing gender-affirming health care, which is considered medically necessary by most major medical organizations. North Dakota this week became the third state to pass a law that makes it a felony crime to administer gender-affirming medical care to a minor, punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Story continues Walz is widely expected to sign the bill, often referred to as Minnesotas trans refuge bill. In March, the governor signed an executive order allowing state agencies to refuse to comply with another states investigations or orders to extradite individuals accused of committing acts related to, securing of, or receipt of gender-affirming health care services. Protecting and supporting access to gender-affirming health care is essential to being a welcoming and supportive state, Walz said during a signing ceremony last month. House File 366, the abortion bill approved Friday by the Senate, would similarly protect access to reproductive health care by making patient data on abortions private and restricting subpoenas and extradition requests from states that have outlawed the procedure. An executive order signed by Walz in June following the Supreme Courts decision to strike down federal abortion protections similarly shields abortion seekers and providers from penalties in another states laws. During his State of the State address this week, Walz said Minnesota plans to welcome people from across the country seeking care that has been banned or heavily restricted in GOP-led states. They want to put bullies in charge of your health care. We want to put you in charge of your health care, and put bullies in their place, he said. And thats why we protected access to gender-affirming health care and established an ironclad right to reproductive freedom. Thirteen states including South Dakota and Wisconsin, which border Minnesota have enacted laws or policies that ban abortion, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a sexual and reproductive health and rights organization. The Minnesota Senate on Friday also voted 36-27 to pass a bill banning conversion therapy for minors and vulnerable adults, becoming the 21st state, along with Washington, D.C., to do so, according to the Movement Advancement Project. Two Republicans joined all Democrats in supporting the ban. Conversion therapy is heinous and barbaric, state Sen. Scott Dibble, a Democrat and one of 13 openly LGBTQ members of the Minnesota Legislature, told reporters at a press conference Friday morning. It destroys lives. It divides families. It isolates people from community and from faith. It alienates them from themselves. Today, we say enough, said Dibble, the bills primary sponsor, Friday. It stops here, in Minnesota. In this state, we love our children. Walz partially banned conversion therapy practices in a 2021 executive order. In a signing statement at the time, Walz said Minnesotas LGBTQ children deserve to grow up in a state that values them for who they are not one that tries to change them. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks has proposed more opportunity and easier access for senior hunters on public land. In its April meeting, the Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks made an initial vote in favor of expanding draw hunts for deer on public land. The hunts will be exclusively for hunters 65 years and older. This came after a limited number of senior-only hunts were initially offered during the 2022-23 season at Mahannah and Phil Bryant wildlife management areas. "They seemed to be fairly well received," said Russ Walsh, MDWFP Wildlife chief of staff. "There was a good amount of interest. "We want to open the door to a different type of hunt and spread them around the state, if you will." The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks has proposed more senior draw hunts for deer and use of e-bikes by hunters 65 and older on state-owned WMAs. Subscriber exclusive: Rare blue-eyed, white snake found in MS: 'It's definitely a needle in a big haystack.' Mississippi hunting: Wildlife commission votes for new wildlife management area, turkey tags Senior draw hunts proposed at these WMAs If the hunts receive final approval from the commission, dates of the hunts will be determined in the coming months. "We won't know the exact dates until we get all of our draw hunts ready for this year," Walsh said. "Certainly, when it comes time to apply, we'll have the dates ready." E-bikes proposed for seniors on WMAs At the request of hunters, MDWFP has also proposed allowing seniors 65 years and older to use e-bikes on state-owned WMAs. The battery-powered bicycles have a lower impact on the landscape than some other electric vehicles and will allow easier access to areas on WMAs. If passed, senior hunters will be able to use them only on existing trails marked for foot traffic only. Use of e-bikes will not be allowed on levees. The proposal only applies to state-owned WMAs. Regulations differ on WMAs managed by MDWFP, but owned by other agencies such as the US Army Corps of Engineers and the US Forest Service. Story continues "Whatever WMA you use, check the regulations before going," Walsh said. Both proposals are in a 30-day public comment period. Comments may be sent to Sharon.Polzin@wfp.ms.gov. The commission is expected to make a final vote on the proposals in its May 18 meeting. Have a story idea? Contact Brian Broom at bbroom@gannett.com or 601-961-7225. This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: More draw hunts, e-bike use proposed for senior hunters on WMAs Instances of people being gunned down, one fatally, after making a seemingly innocent mistake have once again reignited the debate over "stand your ground" and "castle doctrine" self-defense laws. Three shootings all happened in the span of six days and involved what some say were harmless occurrences: a Missouri teenager ringing the wrong doorbell while trying to pick up his younger siblings; a group of friends in New York pulling into the driveway of a home they thought belonged to another friend; and a Texas cheerleader accidentally opening the door of the wrong car. Although "stand your ground" and the "castle doctrine" have not been used publicly as a defense yet in any of these shootings, they highlight the complexity of the laws and how easily they can be misinterpreted. A police officer on April 17, 2023, walks past the house where 16-year-old Ralph Yarl was shot when he went to the wrong address to pick up his younger brothers in Kansas City, Mo. (Charlie Riedel / AP) What does it mean to 'stand your ground?' "Stand your ground" laws give a person the right to use lethal force outside of their home when they reasonably perceive a threat is present, NBC News legal analyst Danny Cevallos said. "'Stand your ground' is the idea that as you walk around in the world, as long as you're doing it lawfully you're on the sidewalk or somewhere you're supposed to be and somebody attacks you, you don't have to run away on the street," he said. "There's no duty to retreat as long as you are confronted with potentially deadly force." In 2005, Florida passed the first "stand your ground" law. Since then, at least 28 states and Puerto Rico have some form of a self-defense law that does not require a person to retreat from an attacker if they are in a place lawfully, according to the nonpartisan National Conference of State Legislatures. At least 10 of those states have laws that specifically include language that says a person may stand his or her ground. "Stand your ground," sometimes called "shoot first" laws, have been at the center of a number of high-profile shootings, most notably the 2012 death of Trayvon Martin, the Black teenager who was fatally shot in Sanford, Florida, by George Zimmerman. Story continues Zimmerman, an armed neighborhood watch volunteer, was charged with murder, but acquitted. He claimed self-defense in shooting Martin, who had been walking through the gated community where his father was staying. Although Zimmerman's attorneys did not use "stand your ground" as a defense at trial, it thrust the controversial law long championed by gun lobbyists and the National Rifle Association into the national spotlight. The 'castle doctrine' explained The "castle doctrine" applies to a person's home or property and gives the person the right to defend their home and not retreat or run away. "The 'castle doctrine' is the idea that you don't have a duty to retreat when you're in your house," Cevallos said. "So if you go down to your kitchen at midnight to get a glass of milk and there's an intruder in there, you don't have to run away in your own house. You can use deadly force." The doctrine came into play in 2019 when a Texas judge directed the jury to consider it in deciding whether then-Dallas Police Officer Amber Guyger had the right to protect herself when she entered the wrong apartment and fatally shot her neighbor, Botham Jean. Guyger said that she mistook Jean's apartment for her own, walked inside and opened fire, fearing he was a burglar. She was ultimately found guilty of murder and sentenced to 10 years in prison. Which states have 'stand your ground' and the 'castle doctrine?' Texas and Missouri are among the more than 28 states that have laws that say "there is no duty to retreat an attacker in any place in which one is lawfully present," according to the National Conference of State Legislatures' website. Those states include Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, West Virginia and Wyoming. Puerto Rico is a "no duty to retreat" territory. At least 10 of those states Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and South Carolina have laws that explicitly say a person can stand his or her ground, according to the conference's website. In eight states, a person is allowed to use deadly force in self-defense. Missouri law lists several instances when use of force is and is not justified. Generally, it is allowed when a person "reasonably believes that such deadly force is necessary" to protect themselves or when "such force is used against a person who unlawfully enters ... or attempts to unlawfully enter a dwelling." In Missouri, Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves said that investigators will consider whether Andrew Lester is protected by the states stand your ground law after allegedly shooting Ralph Yarl, the 16-year-old who rang his doorbell by mistake. Lester was briefly arrested on charges of felony assault and armed criminal action and remains free on $200,000 bail. He has pleaded not guilty. Lester, 84, said he was going to bed when he heard the doorbell ring and saw a Black male he didnt know pulling on the exterior storm door handle. He said he grabbed his gun and fired, believing his home was being broken into, according to a probable cause statement filed by police. Yarl, who was wounded in the head and arm, said he did not pull on the door handle and told investigators he heard a voice say, Dont come around here. An attorney for Lester has not said if he will use the "stand your ground" law as a defense, and has not returned NBC News' requests for comments. Texas, where two cheerleaders were shot after one got into the wrong car, has a similar law. Payton Washington (Baylor University via AP) The suspect in that shooting, Pedro Tello Rodriguez Jr., fired into the cheerleaders vehicle. He was arrested on charges of deadly conduct. Attorney information was not available for him. In New York, where Kaylin Gillis, 20, was fatally shot after her boyfriend pulled into the wrong driveway, the law imposes a duty to retreat before using deadly force when in public. Under the "castle doctrine," New Yorkers are allowed to protect their home with deadly force if they reasonably believe there is a threat. Gillis' boyfriend told NBC News on Tuesday that he was behind the wheel and was leaving the home in Hebron, about 50 miles north of Albany, when the homeowner opened fire on their car. The suspect, Kevin Monahan, 65, was charged with second-degree murder and pleaded not guilty. Kurt Mausert, Monahans attorney, previously said that his client did not intend to hurt anyone when he fired. On Thursday, Mausert declined to discuss any possible defense strategies, but noted that under New Yorks "castle doctrine," a person does not have a duty to retreat on their property before using deadly force. When can these laws be used? Because castle doctrine and stand your ground laws vary across states, it can be difficult to define what may be protected. Theres all sorts of criminality that would not fall under stand your ground. ... It depends on the case, said Robert Spitzer, author and distinguished service professor emeritus of political science at the State University of New York, Cortland. On the other hand, there are many criminal circumstances where those involved in criminality do make a stand your ground claim, he said. In the Kansas City shooting, Spitzer said he believes the laws could come into play because Lester was at his home and told authorities that he believed his life was in danger. Those two claims together, I think, make for a powerful defense for him, Spitzer, who has written six books on gun policy, said. Cevallos, on the other hand, said he thinks Lester could have a stronger case under the castle doctrine. I get that a lot of folks are already talking about stand your ground, the defense hasnt even asserted it, but I dont think it applies, he said. Both Spitzer and Cevallos agreed that the defense team in the New York shooting may have a difficult time building a case under the self-defense laws. Its perfectly normal that people pull into a driveway, sometimes even to turn around. Its not considered trespassing, Cevallos said. There doesnt appear to be any way that castle doctrine would apply. Cevallos said using a stand your ground defense in the Texas case was not a home run. Spitzer agreed, but added he wouldnt dare predict that outcome. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com A St. Louis transgender centers internal review of allegations that it harmed children found them to be unfounded, after the explosive claims from a former employee fueled an aggressive effort by Missouri Republicans to severely restrict access to gender-affirming care. Washington University in St. Louis on Friday released the results of its internal investigation into its transgender clinic at St. Louis Childrens Hospital, which said allegations of substandard care causing adverse outcomes for patients at the Center are unsubstantiated. The reports conclusions are unlikely to quiet efforts to restrict gender-affirming care. Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, a Republican, put forward regulations in the wake of the allegations that providers say will effectively end care for both adolescents and adults. The new rules, set to go into effect Thursday, require 15 separate hourly therapy sessions over 18 months before a person can receive care. Bailey continues to conduct an investigation into the Washington University clinic alongside the Missouri Department of Social Services and Division of Professional Registration. The General Assembly is also considering bills that would prohibit doctors from providing transgender health care to people under 18. Washington University said Friday that its highest priority is the health and well-being of our patients. We remain committed to providing compassionate, family-centered care to all of the patients and families we serve, and we are grateful to our medical practitioners for their dedication to their patients and their profession, the university said in an unsigned statement. Jamie Reed, a former employee at the center, signed an affidavit alleging the center excessively provided hormone therapy to mentally ill children without first treating their underlying mental health issues. Reed also said the center misled the public and parents about the therapy services provided. Story continues The Free Press, a site founded by former New York Times opinion editor and columnist Bari Weiss, first published in February the claims by Reed, who described herself as a progressive queer woman who is married to a transgender man. Washington University said Friday it immediately launched a comprehensive and in-depth assessment of practices and care provided at the clinic after The Free Press article was published on Feb. 9. The university didnt say how the investigation was conducted. The review affirmed that physicians and staff at the Center follow appropriate policies and procedures and treat patients according to the accepted standards of care, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and other nationally recognized organizations. We also continue to cooperate with a formal investigation by the Missouri Attorney General, the university said. Bailey spokeswoman Madeline Sieren said in an email the state attorney generals investigation is continuing. The transgender centers assertions dont line up with what weve uncovered so far in our investigation, Sieren said without elaborating. An attorney for Reed didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. Katy Erker-Lynch, director of the Missouri LGBTQ advocacy organization PROMO, in a statement noted that last year the organization honored the co-directors of the center for their work as champions for the transgender community in health care. We are unsurprised to hear all the standards of care are being followed at the Center because we hear from parents every single day about the high quality of care given to them and their children, Erker-Lynch said. Andrew Bailey speaks to reporters outside Missouri Republican Gov. Mike Parsons Capitol office in Jefferson City, Mo., after being named state attorney general on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022. Bailey is Parsons general counsel and will replace U.S. Sen.-elect Eric Schmitt as the states top prosecutor. Center will update consent rules The university released a four-page summary of its conclusions. Interviews with providers at the center and a review of medical records identified no patients who had adverse physical reactions from medications prescribed at the center, the document says. Joey, a 22-year-old transgender man who started receiving care when he was 16 at the center, said on Friday that of course the allegations were unsubstantiated. Still, he expressed doubt that the investigations findings would curtail attacks on the center and other providers of gender-affirming care. I think that the opposition to this care do not look to science or reality or lived experiences for their beliefs, said Joey, who has asked The Star to identify him only by his first name out of fear of retribution. The investigation found that center providers hadnt referred any patients under 18 for gender-affirming surgery since late 2018, when the center adopted a policy prohibiting those referrals. The review identified six surgeries that had been performed by Washington University physicians since 2018 all chest surgeries for adolescents transitioning to male. All of the surgeries were the result of referrals from other medical providers or patient-initiated self-referrals, not a result of direct center provider referrals, the review found. Washington University physicians no longer perform gender-affirming surgeries on patients under the age of 18, the summary says. In all, the summary says 1,165 patients have sought care at the center since June 2018, with these patients accounting for 6,000 visits to the center for counseling and medical care. Nearly 600 patients have received cross-sex hormones, puberty blockers or both. The review found that the university needs a more formal approach to documenting parental consent and responding to public engagement. It recommends requiring specific written consent prior to prescribing gender-affirming medications and says the university has already updated its protocols. The center now also requires families to provide custody agreements before an initial visit by patients under 18. Previously, custody agreements were obtained before medical intervention in cases where there was a question about who had decision-making authority. The summary also notes that the university has taken additional efforts to reaffirm its policy prohibiting gender-affirming surgery to the hospitals department of pediatrics and surgery. It doesnt provide details. The university, along with St. Louis Childrens Hospital, has created an oversight committee that will review the centers activities on a weekly basis. The committee will provide additional education on procedures surrounding consent and reporting adverse events, as well as protection for employees, patients, family members, and other individuals who report concerns. Reeds allegations came amid a broad push by Republicans nationally to regulate the lives of transgender people, including prohibiting or severely limiting access to gender-affirming health care. Members of Congress and state legislators have also sought bans on transgender athletes competing in girls and womens sports; Kansas lawmakers forced a ban into law over Democratic Gov. Laura Kellys veto earlier this year. But the efforts have been especially pronounced in Missouri, where Republicans control the governors office and have supermajorities in the legislature. At one point this year, Missouri had the most anti-LGBTQ bills of any state, according to a database from the American Civil Liberties Union that tracks legislation nationwide. While Missouri legislators have targeted procedures that assist minors in transitioning genders, Baileys proposed rules would severely limit care for adults as well. Groups supportive of transgender rights have promised to sue over the regulations. Washington University said Friday that it was analyzing the impact of the regulations. Zooey Zephyr, right, attends a legislative training session at the state Capitol in Helena, Mont., on Nov. 16, 2022. Montanas Republican-controlled legislature is punishing the states first trans representative for speaking out about proposed anti-trans legislation by refusing to recognize her to speak on any bills moving forward. On Thursday, State Rep. Zooey Zephyr (D) pointed out she wasnt being called on at all during a debate about defining sex in state law as not including trans people. No amount of silencing tactics will deter me from standing up for the rights of the transgender community. This year, I have lost friends to suicide, and I have listened to the heart-wrenching stories of families dealing with suicide attempts, trans youth fleeing the state, and people being attacked on the side of the roadall due to legislation like this, Zephyr said in a statement. I will not apologize for speaking with clarity and precision about the harm these bills cause. Read more A rules committee decided that the leader of the State House can opt to not recognize individuals without giving an explanation, Zephyr said. This decision is a direct assault on the principles of our democracy and serves to silence the voice of my community, as well as the 11,000 constituents I represent. Zephyr is being silenced for having spoken out against an anti-trans bill on Tuesday. This body should be ashamed, shed said. If you vote yes on this bill and yes on these amendments I hope the next time theres an invocation, when you bow your heads in prayer, you see the blood on your hands. The Montana Freedom Caucus then sent a letter demanding her censure for attempting to shame the Montana legislative body and by using inappropriate and uncalled-for language during a floor debate. They also misgendered Zephyr repeatedly in the letter. Zephyr was speaking out about amendments to state Senate Bill 99, which banned gender-affirming care for minors. (The bill has sent been to the Republican governor for his signature.) Story continues The Republican Party of Montana is refusing to allow mea transgender Representativeto speak on any bill. This is fundamentally undemocratic. My light is on, and I am ready to speak on behalf of the constituents who elected me to do so. pic.twitter.com/pdijLUQsCc Rep. Zooey Zephyr (@ZoAndBehold) April 20, 2023 In 2022, Zephyr was the first trans woman elected to the states legislature. SJ Howell, a nonbinary politician, was also elected to the state legislature that cycle. The bills Zephyr has spoken out against are among a nationwide trend to eradicate trans and gender-nonconforming people from public and private life. Conservative lawmakers at all levels of government have found that making trans people (sometimes using the larger blanket of LGBTQ) a boogeyman, they can win political victories large and small. Targeting abortion is a losing issue, but targeting trans peoplea small subsection of the American populationhas apparently been deemed a winning conservative issue. The targeting of trans people is a part of a larger war against bodily autonomy. While trans people might be the victim of the current Republican wins, everyone loses when bodily autonomy is restricted. By allowing anti-trans policies to go into effect, we open the door for laws further curbing the right to our own bodies, as I wrote last year. On Thursday, Zephyrs Democratic colleagues stood (literally) in solidarity with her in the chamber as Republicans continued to ignore her. Zephyr also called out the Freedom Caucuss decorum-loving statement. Montana Republicans say they want an apology, but what they really want is silence as they take away the rights of trans and queer Montanans. Her righteous fight might seem small and futile in a conservative state, but its a worthwhile one. More from Jezebel Sign up for Jezebel's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. By Jennifer Rigby LONDON (Reuters) - African countries are lining up to approve a new vaccine for malaria, with 20 million doses available for them to buy this year, the shots manufacturer told Reuters. This week, Nigeria's medicines regulator followed Ghana's, with the two nations becoming the first countries in the world to back the new R21 vaccine, developed by scientists at Oxford University and manufactured by the Serum Institute of India and Novavax. The move was unusual as it came before the World Health Organization's approval. African countries that do not have extensive resources for drug regulation have previously relied on the U.N. agency to initially review new medicines. Detailed data on the malaria vaccine from large-scale trials are not yet publicly available, and it is not clear how the poorest nations will pay for the shot. But the urgency of addressing a disease that kills more than 600,000 people annually, most of them children under age 5 in Africa south of the Sahara, and recent efforts to enhance drug oversight in the region, are changing the process. At least 10 other African countries' regulatory authorities are reviewing trial data to assess the shot and more of them are expected to approve it in the coming weeks, the WHO said at a high-level meeting this week. "We expect many more countries to come through," Mary Hamel, the WHO's malaria vaccine implementation head, told the expert meeting on Tuesday. "They are sovereign countries that can make their own decisions for their vaccines. She did not name which countries may be next, although Tanzania and Kenya have strong regulators and among the highest rates of the disease. Oxford scientist Adrian Hill, a lead developer of the vaccine, said the shot has remained around 70%-80% effective in late-stage trials. A malaria shot from GSK Plc, which has been authorized by WHO but has yet to become widely available due to lack of funding, is thought to be somewhat less effective. Story continues Serum Institute Chief Executive Adar Poonawalla told Reuters his company will produce 20 million doses of the Oxford shot "at-risk" in the next two months. That means they do not yet have a buyer lined up among African governments or nonprofit organizations that often procure for poorer countries. We are committed to making the R21 vaccine available to people who need it most, Poonawalla said. The supply would be enough to inoculate 5 million children with the vaccine's 4-dose regimen and would be available in time for the upcoming malaria season, Poonawalla said, which begins in June depending on the country. At $3 per dose, the supply is worth around $60 million. Serum declined to comment further on negotiations for the shot. FUNDING DOUBTS The moves are a further sign that African countries want to exert their own pharmaceutical oversight after COVID-19 exposed inequity in vaccine supply. They also want to reduce reliance on Western governments and companies by manufacturing life-saving drugs on the continent. Serum, which produced the bulk of the COVID vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford, are in talks with a Ghanian producer, DEK Vaccines Ltd, to make some doses of R21 in Ghana in the long term. Short-term, however, there are questions around funding the purchase and roll-out of the new malaria vaccine, which has a two-year shelf life, in poorer countries in Africa. The two biggest buyers of childhood vaccines worldwide - Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and UNICEF - want WHO approval for the shot before they will fund campaigns. WHO said on Thursday that it had been given the final dossier of data on R21 last week and begun its assessment, which can take months. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters in Cape Town on Thursday the process would be expedited. We will not waste even a day, he said. Senior health officials in Ghana and Nigeria have said there are additional hurdles to clear before the shots become available. For example, Nigeria seeks further clinical trials before a wider rollout. Serum has in the past donated doses for such trials. (Reporting by Jennifer Rigby in London; Additional reporting by Wendell Roelf in Cape Town, Christian Akorlie in Accra, Camillus Eboh in Abuja, Alexander Winning in Johannesburg and Natalie Grover and Estelle Shirbon in London; Editing by Josephine Mason and Aurora Ellis) Christo Grozev The arrest is valid for two months, while he faces up to two years in prison on charges of "illegally crossing the Russian border. "The court session was closed and led by the same judge as the case of Ukraine's intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov the same day. The lawyer did not disclose the details of the charges, citing the non-disclosure agreement, the outlet wrote. Russia's Security Service FSB accused Grozev in July 2022 of helping Ukrainian intelligence in allegedly planning an attempt to hijack a Russian military aircraft. Read also: Bellingcat investigator says why he thinks video of mutilation of Ukrainian soldier was posted on Web The journalist said that he was leading a Bellingcat investigation into attempts by the FSB and the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine to deceive each other. Russia put Grozev on its "wanted" list in December 2022, the Russian Interior Ministry announced without specifying under which Criminal Code articles. 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 Kirill Budanov Read also: When will Ukraine reclaim Crimea, other occupied lands? Budanov The HUR rejected Russia's accusation, calling it "pure rubbish." Budanov was charged under several articles of the Russian Criminal Code, including "forming a terrorist group," "terror attack," and "illegal actions with explosives or explosive devices," Russias independent outlet Mediabaza reported. The court didnt specify which "terror act" it is referring to. However, the Russian Security Service accused him of "organising the Crimean B ridge explosion" on Oct. 8, 2022. Russia built the bridge illegally after occupying the peninsula. Budanov has promised that the Crimean Bridge (also known as the Kerch Strait Bridge) will be destroyed after the liberation of Crimea. 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 Juanita Hubbard, right, the mother of slain DoorDash driver Jaevierre Greer, talks Friday about the shooting of her son. Seated next to her is Greer's stepfather, Kamiel Colter, at their home in Kenmore, Juanita Hubbard this week experienced every parent's nightmare: learning of the untimely death of her child. Her frustration was palpable Friday; in an interview at her Kenmore home, she was at a loss for words for why her son's life was cut short. All she knows is her son, Jaevierre Greer, 22, was delivering a DoorDash order Wednesday night when he was ambushed by two assailants in the 1400 block of Timber Trail. "I don't know why (he was killed). That's still a question I ask myself ever since it happened; I've never seen these two guys ever, I don't know why they would want to shoot my kid down, I wish I knew," Hubbard said. Greer was dropping off the order with his girlfriend, Kayla McTyeire, when he was shot just before 11:30 p.m. in the Timberland Village Apartments parking lot. Greer was walking back to his car after completing the delivery when two assailants pulled in behind his car and opened fire. He was taken to Cleveland Clinic Akron General, where he died Thursday morning. Authorities believe Greer was killed by Matthew Couch, 21, and Derek Ransome-Fromby, 19. The two were arrested Thursday morning without incident and were arraigned Friday in Akron Municipal Court. Couch is charged with murder and felonious assault; Ransome-Fromby is charged with murder and damaging or endangering. "Whatever it was, he didn't deserve it and I hope justice is served for my son and (the killers) don't get a chance to ever step outside of prison," Hubbard said. "Nobody deserves to lose their son. Nobody. Not me or any other mother or anyone else who has lost their kid. "Around here, it just seems like it's an everyday thing, somebody's son is getting shot over stupid stuff and hopefully they'll never get a chance to do this to somebody else's son." Kayla McTyeire, girlfriend of Jaevierre Greer, listens as Greer's mother, Juanita Hubbard (not pictured), discusses his fatal shooting Friday in Kenmore. Hubbard said Greer had stopped at a 7-Eleven in the Merriman Valley to pick up a DoorDash order before going to the Timberland Village Apartments. Story continues The Akron Police Department on Friday clarified to Beacon Journal news partner News 5 Cleveland that Greer is not believed to have been involved in any kind of argument in Highland Square prior to the shooting. Police initially reported he'd been arguing with two people in Highland Square on Wednesday around the time a protest was occurring in the area. Hubbard confirmed that Greer had driven through Highland Square before picking up the DoorDash order, but said he was not involved in the protests or any confrontations there. She said Greer was not part of the protests and did not get into an argument with his killers. Hubbard believes her son was a victim of mistaken identity. "He wasn't a drug dealer or gang banger or none of that I don't know if they mistook him for somebody else or what. He just got the car he was driving in and maybe whoever had the car previously was involved in some bad things, I don't know," Hubbard said. Greer was wounded in another shooting last July; Hubbard said he was ambushed at a Circle K after being set up by an acquaintance. She said he was shot around nine times in the stomach and upper torso, and spent more than a month recovering in a hospital. Greer lost the use of his right arm with this incident, Hubbard said, and had not been too far removed from a full recovery when he was shot to death Wednesday. "He had to receive staples, skin grafts, multiple surgeries and it took us a long time to get him back to full health and leading a normal life before this happened," said Hubbard. "He just got a new job and a car and was really getting his life on the right track." Police never determined who was responsible for last year's shooting, Hubbard said. "I don't think that the two shootings were the same people. I think they were different people for different reasons, but it's hard to say," Hubbard said. "It's hard to give an answer when I just don't know." A melted candle left over from a vigil for Jaevierre Greer rests outside his family's Kenmore home Friday, Hubbard remembers her son fondly, saying he was silly, sometimes aggravatingly so. "He was a PlayStation freak, and he was always with his nephew just babysitting him. He was never in any trouble I just want to go to the jail and figure out why they killed him and (why they believed) his life wasn't important enough," Hubbard said. Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@gannett.com or on Twitter, @athompsonABJ This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Family of slain Akron DoorDash driver Jaevierre Greer mourns loved one A motorcyclist was killed after crashing into a stopped emergency vehicle on a Georgia highway, state troopers say. It happened about 1:45 p.m. Thursday, April 20, in the southbound lanes of Interstate 75 in Fulton County, according to Georgia State Patrol. Investigators say the motorcyclist rear-ended a Georgia Department of Transportation HERO (Highway Emergency Response Operations) unit that was stopped in the first lane. The units respond to traffic-related incidents, including stranded drivers, with the primary duty to clear roads so that normal traffic flow is restored, according to the departments website. The HERO truck had its lights and lane closure sign activated at the time of the crash, troopers said. The motorcyclist, identified as 29-year-old Jonathan Delarosa of Marietta, Georgia, died from his injuries. Authorities said the crash remains under investigation. Man on first date dies when speeding driver barrels into him, Texas police say Driver hits schoolmate during dismissal outside South Carolina high school, cops say Truck fatally hits two people getting out of their cars after crash, Georgia cops say A Long Beach man is headed to prison for 25 years for assaulting a 3-month-old so severely that the child had to be flown to an Alabama hospital for medical treatment. for treatment. Brandon Battersby, 34, pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and felony child neglect before Judge Lisa Dodson sentenced him to the maximum prison term for aggravated assault and felony child neglect. Battersby showed no remorse when he admitted for the first time this week that he had been drinking for more than a day when he shook the baby so hard that it resulted in the childs serious injuries, according to a release from the Harrison County District Attorneys Office. The child had to be sent to USA Health Childrens and Womens Hospital in Mobile. There a special place for you in the afterlife, Dodson said before imposing the sentence. What you have done to this child is unforgivable. The Harrison County Sheriffs Department began investigating after responding to a report of a medical emergency at Magic River Campground on Tucker Road in Long Beach on the morning of July 30, 2020. Battersby and the childs mother at first lied about what happened, telling authorities that the injuries resulted from the child falling off a table, a release said. Assistant District Attorney Haley Broom prosecuted the case and said a medical expert concluded: that the injuries were the result of non-accidental trauma to the head. The childs mother previously pleaded guilty to felony child neglect and hindering prosecution and is scheduled for sentencing next week. Mississippi is receiving $9.9 million for three projects aimed at reducing pollution of Coast waterways. The projects are funded through the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) under the Climate-Ready Coasts initiative. The Biden administration has recommended $477 million in funding for 30 states and territories in the Southeast, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean. The money was appropriated through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Funded projects, including amounts, project names and recipients, are listed below: WASHINGTON (AP) The song is simple and tinny, but that hasnt stopped it from being embraced by former President Donald Trump and his allies in their campaign to rewrite the history of the deadly Capitol riot. The tune, Justice for All, is the Star-Spangled Banner, and it was sung by a group of defendants jailed over their alleged roles in the January 2021 insurrection. Recorded over a prison phone line, the national anthem sounds more like a dirge than celebration and is overlaid with Trump reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Despite its low fidelity, Justice for All has garnered a lot of fans. Trump, a Republican, played it at a recent rally in Waco, Texas, as images of Capitol rioters flashed behind him on a big screen, and the $1.29 song last month briefly vaulted to No. 1 on iTunes, supplanting such recording artists as Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift. Experts on extremism and propaganda say the song is another example of how Trump and his most ardent allies are trying to gloss over an avalanche of evidence proving the Capitol riot was anything but an act of patriotic resistance. And it shows how such revisionists have dug deep into authoritarian playbooks that rely heavily on the use of national identity to sway public opinion. In this case, Trump and his allies are ironically relying on America's most patriotic song in their efforts to whitewash an insurrection that contributed to five deaths and left more than 120 police offices injured, experts said. We should not be surprised that this propaganda is effective, but it is shocking to see this in this country," said Federico Finchelstein, chair of the history department at the New School for Social Research in New York, an expert in authoritarian disinformation. "What they are demanding is that reality be put aside for the loyalty of the leader. And that leader in this case is Donald Trump. Law enforcement officials who battled rioters are aghast, calling the song a cynical effort to mislead Americans about the truth of what transpired during the Jan. 6 attack. Story continues Some of these people are trying to get a rise out of people, and some of these people are just using it to make a buck, said Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn, who received the Presidential Citizens Medal for his actions on Jan. 6. People can believe whatever they want to believe, but this is real life. Polls show Americans remain divided by ideology when it comes to their views of Jan. 6. A survey last year from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that about half believe Trumps involvement warranted criminal charges. A second poll revealed that only about 4 in 10 Republicans recall the attack as very violent or extremely violent. Those doubts have been fueled by cable television hosts and far-right podcasters who have spent two years pushing outlandish theories to mitigate the horror of that deadly day. Jan. 6 defendants, who issued tearful apologies and expressions of remorse in court, are now boasting of their participation or seeking to profit from it. Groups have sprung up to sell T-shirts emblazoned with Free the Jan. 6 Protesters and other merchandise that seeks to portray the rioters as principled demonstrators. Many say they are trying to raise money for the Jan. 6 defendants and their families. That is the case with the groups behind Justice for All, or at least what they claim. Just as in other commercial ventures involving diehard Trump supporters and conspiracy theorists, it is difficult to pin down even basic facts about the songs production and profits. The songs producers wont say how much the song has raised, say how the proceeds will be split among Jan. 6 defendants or identify the vast majority of 20 or so participants on the recording. They have, however, been eager to tout the songs success. Buh Bye Miley, Taylor, Rihanna, and all the rest who spent Millions trying for the coveted Number 1 spot, one of the producers, Kash Patel, wrote on Trumps social media platform, Truth Social, on March 21. Hello new Music Mogul @realDonaldTrump. We just took a flame thrower to the music industry. Claiming the top spot may provide bragging points, but conquering the iTunes chart isnt the achievement it once was, as the number of people downloading music has plummeted given the popularity of streaming services like Spotify. Aside from the $1.29 download, vinyl records of the song are sold online in different color schemes prices range from $99.99 to $199.99. Released in early March, the song is associated with The Justice for All Project, Inc., a nonprofit registered the same month with an address in Sarasota, Florida. Ed Henry, a former Fox News personality, is listed as a director of the organization and is credited with Patel as being a producer of Justice for All. Another director of the nonprofit is Tom Homan, former head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement under Trump. He is also the CEO of The America Project, a Florida group that has spent millions of dollars on efforts to undermine faith in U.S. elections. The group has sponsored conferences for election deniers, helped bankroll the partisan and flawed review of Arizona ballots following the 2020 election. It now has chapters in several states. The America Project was founded in 2021 by Michael Flynn, a former Army general who briefly served as Trumps national security advisor, and Patrick Byrne, the founder of the online retailer Overstock.com. In a series of text messages, Byrne confirmed to The Associated Press that The America Project helped create the song. Further obscuring the song's genesis: Its record label is listed as Mailman Media, a for-profit company that was only registered in Florida in February. Its unclear which organization receives proceeds from the song. Mailman Media's involvement was first reported by Forbes. A spokeswoman for Patel and Henry declined to respond to questions about the song or the irony in using it in such a way. The Star-Spangled Banner was penned by Francis Scott Key after the bombardment of Ft. McHenry by the British in the War of 1812. Just weeks earlier, redcoats had burned the U.S. Capitol to the ground; that was the last time the building had been the scene of such a violent attack. Others who are working to assist Capitol riot defendants and their families said they also have few insights into how the song will help their cause. None of the organizations that are working on this are aware of how the money will be spent, or how it will help Jan. 6 defendants, said Trennis Evans, a Jan. 6 participant who operates a legal advocacy group for other defendants known as Condemned USA. Evans pleaded guilty last year to a federal misdemeanor for illegally entering the Capitol. The 20 inmates singing in the J6 Prison choir make up a tiny fraction of the 1,000 people who have been charged with federal crimes related to the riot. More than 600 have pleaded guilty or been convicted, and more than 450 have been sentenced, with over half receiving prison terms ranging from seven days to 10 years. Just one choir member has been identified: Timothy Hale-Cusanelli, now serving four years in prison for his actions during Jan. 6. Hale-Cusanelli is a family friend of Cynthia Hughes, a New Jersey woman who leads a separate organization raising money for Jan. 6 defendants. A spokeswoman for Hughes confirmed Hale-Cusanelli's participation on the song but said Hughes was too busy to respond to questions. Before he joined the mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol, Hale-Cusanelli was an Army reservist who sometimes styled his mustache like Hitler and who alarmed coworkers with his comments about women and Jews. Prosecutors alleged the 33-year-old New Jersey man urged other rioters to advance; video footage captured him yelling profanities at police and screaming the revolution will be televised! On the witness stand during his trial, Hale-Cusanelli testified he didnt realize that Congress met in the Capitol or that it was in session that day, to certify Democrat Joe Biden's 2020 presidential election victory over Trump. I know this sounds idiotic, but Im from New Jersey, Hale-Cusanelli said. In all my studies, I didnt know there was an actual building that was called the Capitol. Its embarrassing and idiotic. The judge said Hale-Cusanellis claim was highly dubious. Prosecutors called it a lie. A jury convicted him of felony obstruction of an official proceeding and four related misdemeanors. An attorney for Hale-Cusanelli did not return messages seeking comment. At his sentencing in September, like many Jan. 6 defendants, Hale-Cusanelli expressed regret for his role in the attack. My behavior that day was unacceptable, and I disgraced my uniform and I disgraced the country, he told the judge before being sentenced to four years in federal prison. If theres any kind of service that I can provide to rectify the damage done to the Capitol building or to injuries or anything done to the Capitol or Metro Police," he told the judge, "I stand by to perform whatever that duty might be. He has become a performer, of sorts on a song that seeks to recast himself as a patriot, not a rioter. ___ Associated Press writer Michelle R. Smith contributed to this report. Twitter has removed the government-funded labels from outlets like National Public Radio and PBS after the outlets and others protested that their accounts were flagged and many decided to leave the platform. The decision marks a 180-degree turn for CEO Elon Musk, who originally plastered NPR with a state-affiliated media label previously only reserved for state propaganda news outlets like Russias RT and Sputnik, as well as Chinas Xinhua. That garnered enough protest for Musk to back down and switch the labels for NPR, PBS, and the British and Canadian national broadcasters to government-funded, more accurately describing the outlets relationship with their governments but still implying bias or control that is not present. NPR announced it would no longer use Twitter earlier this month, saying that the platform does not provide enough value to the publication. A number of outlets, including PBS and CBC, followed in protest. NPR and our member stations are supported by millions of listeners who depend on us for the independent, fact-based journalism we provide, NPR CEO John Lansing said. NPR stands for freedom of speech and holding the powerful accountable. It is unacceptable for Twitter to label us this way. A vigorous, vibrant free press is essential to the health of our democracy. Now, Musk has turned around and eliminated funding labels from all accounts, including the state propaganda outlets. Journalist Robert Mackey criticized the move in a Tweet thread. Potemkin news channels now free to inject disinformation, he said. None of NPR, PBS, or CBC has resumed tweeting since the labels have been removed, representing a growing discontent from media organizations toward Musk. CBC told the Toronto Sun it would review its Twitter policies after the new change. The controversy comes as Twitter has now removed all verified checkmarks except from accounts that pay for Twitters subscription feature. The move has caused chaos on the site, which is once again rife with impersonations of celebrities, politicians, businesses, and government organizations. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Gerard Grech has led Tech Nations contribution to the transformation of the UK tech sector. Gerard Grech is founding CEO of Tech Nation, which offers support for growing UK tech firms. Grech, 50, has over 20 years experience in digital media, web, venture capital and start-up development in London, Paris and New York. His career has helped build hundreds of digital products and develop business strategy in technology businesses. After a decade of Tech Nation supporting the UKs start-up sector, the UK government pulled its 12m funding in January. Ive been lucky enough to have a front row seat in how things have evolved in technology for the past two decades. When I went to Orange as group head of music and video in 2001, it was at a turning point when music and mobile phones were converging in the telecoms business. Dutchman Peter Verkade was the chief commercial officer there; he spent time with me and was my first real mentor. He taught me how to be front and centre at meetings and how to present myself when I was securing funding for big projects, when so many people have different agendas in the business. You may have your own department and team priorities, but spending time and understanding how these align with the business as a whole makes a huge difference, as does meeting people who have influence over funding for your projects internally. Read More: My first boss: Kathryn Parsons, Decoded CEO and digital education pioneer Peter taught me how to balance out what I was saying, and showed me how important it is to meet people who have influence over a decision individually and take the time understand their needs, in order for a big project to come off in a large organisation. This was key for me having worked for myself previously. It isnt just about your product and service, it's about how it adds value to the larger business. Gerard Grech was at forefront of how consumers interracted with music on video from its infancy at turn of the century. Photo: Getty Images Valuing relationships is a big part of this. The people you meet have their own objectives and it's about finding common ground and working from there. He taught me to pay attention to the finances of the project. You may have a great idea but I learned how to back it up with evidence and make the numbers as credible as possible before going before the investment committee. Story continues Peter was very charismatic and would say the unexpected in big meetings. It would disarm people and his charm resonated with the CFO and CEO. That in itself was very positive. While we were under pressure to deliver 3G and make bold bets, he reminded all of us that it was a privilege to be working in such an innovative area and not to forget that. One of my projects was trying to develop a music community on mobile. I was excited about it and I wrote an email to Apple to scope their interest in a music phone with Orange. I didnt realise at the time that they had other plans in how it was evolving. Read More: My first boss: Dr Alan Hudd, from British rocket scientist to inkjet printing disruptor The best way to understand the market is to create it. We were doing trials with customers and that was the beauty of innovation. After five years, I went to Paris to be director of strategy and business development at France Telecom, who had acquired Orange. I did a Facebook deal in 2006 which was an early initiative of a mobile operator venturing into new growth areas. It gave me confidence in how to strike deals and raise the time and resources required to make a pan European, multi-country deal. This later helped when Tech City became Tech Nation in 2014 after several funding rounds with government and staying focused on what needed to happen in the market and then agreeing with the proposition. Gerard Grech presents the WIE Innovation Award at the LDNY show and WIE Award gala in 2015. Photo: Getty Images Research shows that when you bring together different domains you can generate extreme value. Tech Nation was working with government, investors and entrepreneurs, and it captalised on the changes and brought forward a transformative industry where the UK is now third in the world after the US and China. When we first started there were only four places where a tech unicorn existed, now there are over 20. We are extremely proud of the work we did together at Tech Nation in making sure we connected the dots between all the elements of the ecosystem. Now is an exciting time in a different way, such as how to commercialise scientific discoveries, because our challenges are becoming more complex and intergovernmental. Leadership has evolved from more authoritative to more influence based. As we are entering a growth slowdown and we have to innovate so much more. I am interested in how we turn a nation to be more pro-innovation; it means testing and trialling different things and not having the answer to everything. There is an exciting decade ahead. Watch: What is the value of bitcoin? Download the Yahoo Finance app, available for Apple and Android. Myrtle Beach police implemented a flushing policy along one of the citys busiest streets last weekend - hours after a shooting that went viral on social media. The incident on April 15 happened on a night that included several other serious crimes. It appears that police have plans to flush the streets again this weekend. Chief Amy Prock told city leaders in an email April 16 that Ocean Boulevard was flushed between 10 p.m. and 1:30 a.m. on April 15 and 16 as officers tried to keep people from congregating and worked to clear parking lots. The practice, said city spokesman Mark Kruea, is nothing new. We have turned traffic off the Boulevard for 15 or 20 years, as needed ... When traffic comes to a standstill, the officers will turn vehicles onto Kings Highway so that traffic can move, he said in an April 21 email. Doing so allows other city staffers to safely empty trash cans and prepare for the next days business, Kruea said. The objective is to eliminate or prevent the traffic jam so that Ocean Boulevard can function, he said. And it appears that police are ready to make it routine. This one we just want to test out this weekend if itll still work with the differences in the roads and crowds and all that sort of thing. Then well evaluate it and see if we want to go forward with it, Myrtle Beach Police Capt. Bryan Murphy told WMBF. Murphy could not be reached for comment April 21. Ocean Boulevard kept police busy For more than four hours on April 15, officers worked to clear pedestrian and vehicle traffic on Ocean Boulevard as service calls mounted, Prock said in an email the next day to City Manager Jonathan Fox Simons. Prock said call volume continued to be high throughout the evening, resulting in multiple traffic and pedestrian stops related to vehicle violations, pedestrian violation and noise resulting in arrests for driver violations, loitering, guns, and drugs. City leaders released Procks email to The Sun News Thursday. Story continues Police said Thursday that Edward Arnell Williams Jr., of Charlotte, North Carolina, was charged with attempted murder, discharging a firearm into an occupied motor vehicle and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. The confrontation, which happened around 7:30 p.m. April 15, was captured on social media and went viral, which helped police identify Williams, Prock said in a statement earlier this week. Mayor says city safe place to live and visit Patrol routes along the citys oceanfront districts were condensed by several blocks last year, which authorities credited with a 9% drop in year-over-year service calls between March and September. Despite the spate of activity, city officials say Myrtle Beach remains a safe place to live and visit. We have a very safe city, Mayor Brenda Bethune told The Sun News in a text message earlier this week. Unfortunately we sometimes have people who come here to do the wrong things. With over 1,000 cameras, license plate readers and increased police presence, the message is that if you commit a crime in Myrtle Beach, you will be caught. The city has seen nearly a 25% drop in its violent and property crime rates since 2017, a result of what authorities say is more aggressive policing methods and stronger community partnerships. Officials for years have refuted claims South Carolinas most popular tourism spot is also among Americas most violent, saying statistics used to come up with that ranking are skewed due the relatively low year-round population. In 2021, for example, Myrtle Beach was home to 36,543 residents putting its violent crime rate at 12.34 per every 1,000 people based on FBI statistics. But taking into account people who commute, work, visit or attend events, the citys average daily population swells to 155,000 leading to a violent crime rate of 2.84 per 1,000 people. The 2002 riots killed more than 1,000 people An Indian court has acquitted 68 people accused for the murder of 11 Muslims in the 2002 Gujarat riots. The killings occurred after violence broke out in Naroda Gam district of Ahmedabad city on February 28, 2002. Of 86 accused, 17 died and one was discharged since the hearing first began in 2009. Those tried in the case included former state minister Maya Kodnani and Babu Bajrangi, a former leader of the right-wing Hindu group Bajrang Dal. The verdict was delivered amid tight security outside the court in Ahmedabad in Gujarat state. Family members of those acquitted welcomed the verdict with chants of Jai Shri Ram (Hail Lord Ram) and Bharat Mata Ki Jai (Victory to Mother India), local media reported. Public prosecutor Gaurang Vyas told the Indian Express newspaper that the prosecution would send the verdict to the state's legal department, which would decide whether or not to appeal it in a higher court. Kodnani, a former minister of the ruling BJP, was also an accused in a case in which 97 people were killed in the 2002 riots. She was convicted but later freed by a higher court. The riots in Gujarat left more than 1,000 people dead, mostly Muslims. The rioting began after 60 Hindu pilgrims died in a train fire blamed on Muslims in the town of Godhra. The violence was among India's worst outbreaks of unrest. BBC News India is now on YouTube. Click here to subscribe and watch our documentaries, explainers and features. Read more India stories from the BBC: Main statements and photos from NATO chief Stoltenbergs visit to Kyiv In an unexpected move, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg visited Ukraine for the first time since Russias full-scale invasion began to meet in Kyiv with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. One of Putins bodyguards defects abroad exclusive NV interview Half a year ago, Gleb Karakulov was a captain in the Federal Protective Service (FSO) of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. He worked as an engineer providing secure communications for the Kremlins despot. Russia stunned by extent U.S. intelligence has penetrated the Kremlin, says expert about intel leaks Russian special services at first played along with the propaganda amid the recent leak of classified U.S. intelligence documents, until realizing that the documents showed the level of U.S. intelligence penetration into the Kremlin, Taras Zhovtenko, an international security expert at the Ilko Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Foundation, told Radio NV on April 20. East European grain bans cause Ukrainian exports to fall by one-third Grain cargo rail shipment to the west dropped in April by 37%, from 590 cars per day in late March to 374, said Deputy Director of Commercial Department of the Ukrainian Railway, Valeriy Tkachov, on April 20. Ukraine's national debt increased by 1.5 times in the past year Ukraine's public and publicly-guaranteed debt increased by $13.4 billion to 78.5% of GDP by the end of 2022 compared to 48.9% of GDP by the end of 2021, the Ministry of Finance tweeted on April 19. Ukrainian diplomat on why Russia is interested in a coup in Sudan Maxim Subkh, Ukraines Special Representative for the Middle East and Africa, explained in an interview with Radio NV why Russia is interested in a coup in Sudan. Story continues Russia continues to use Black Sea to export oil despite EU sanctions, says expert While Russia continues to use its shadow fleet to export oil from the Black Sea despite EU sanctions, loopholes are being closed in appeals cases and media exposure, BlackSeaNews Editor-in-Chief Andrii Klymenko told Radio NV on April 19. Ukrainians react to flash over Kyiv with clever memes and jokes about aliens and UFOs A bright flash lit up the skies over the Ukrainian capital Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast late on April 19 and it didnt have to do with a Russian assault on the capital. Most combat-suitable portion of Russian military eliminated by Ukraine Ukraine has eliminated the most combat-suitable portion of the Russian army, but the enemy is still dangerous, Andriy Yusov, a spokesperson for Ukrainian military intelligence, said on national television on April 20. The Armed Forces offensive is postponed. What changes might the general plan undergo? opinion What goes into planning a major offensive operation? Rakhmanin 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 Neither Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid nor guard James Harden will be reprimanded further by the NBA after both were called for flagrant fouls Thursday night, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. Embiid was issued a flagrant 1 but wasn't ejected after he kicked Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton in the first quarter, while Harden was ejected for a flagrant 2 foul after he hit Nets forward Royce O'Neale in the groin. Claxton was also later ejected for taunting. The 76ers battled back to take a 3-0 series lead after the 102-97 win over the Nets. NBA referee Tony Brothers told reporters after the game that Embiid wasn't ejected because his actions "didnt rise to the level of excessive" while Harden's was because of "the point of contact directly to the groin. Here are the two fouls: Embiid kicks Claxton after he stares him down and steps over him pic.twitter.com/ZWlu0CBsYH Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) April 20, 2023 James Harden ejected for this "excessive and unnecessary" flagrant 2 foul pic.twitter.com/TCYEV4p9ST Ball Dont Lie (@Balldontlie) April 21, 2023 Harden later called his ejection "unacceptable" because he said he "didn't him in a private area." "Im not labeled as a dirty player," Harden said. "... Somebody is draped on you like that defensively, that's a natural basketball reaction. I didn't hit him hard enough for him to fall down like that. But for a flagrant 2, it's unacceptable. This is a playoff game. We've seen around the league, things are much worse than what that play was. Honestly, I didn't think it was a foul on me. But that's unacceptable. It can't happen." Story continues 76ers stars James Harden and Joel Embiid have a 3-0 series lead on the Nets. (Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports) The decision to not take any further action against either comes days after the league suspended Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green for one game after he stomped Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis in Game 2 of the Western Conference playoff series. Green was immediately ejected for his actions where he also yelled at officials while Sabonis was issued a technical foul for his foul in the kerfuffle after he held Green's leg following a missed shot. The league later explained Green deserved a suspension because of his "history of unsportsmanlike acts." Demarkis Houston was paid to sort the mail. He was arrested, prosecutors say, for pocketing the heat. The 30-year-old Charlotte postal worker faces up to 20 years in prison on charges that he stole a 9mm pistol being shipped through the mail last year. Houston made his initial hearing in federal court on Friday in Charlotte. He was arrested Thursday on charges of theft of mail, mail destruction and possession of a stolen firearm. If convicted, Houston faces a combined maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $750,000 fine. Mail theft has become an epidemic across the Charlotte region. Earlier this week, an area couple was indicted in federal court of stealing more than 3,700 pieces of mail from homes and collection boxes in Charlotte, Gastonia and York County, S.C. The thefts included credit cards, a passport, tax refunds, and two checks for more than $100,000. Houston, however, pulled off an inside job, prosecutors say. According to his indictment, Houston stole the semi-automatic 9mm Springfield Armory model Prodigy on Sept. 19, 2022, while it was passing through the Charlotte postal system. Houstons indictment also lists a second Springfield 9mm semi-automatic. When asked if that weapon had also been stolen from the mail, Lia Bantavani, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorneys Office in Charlotte, would only say that it had been seized during the investigation. Shipping guns through the mail Its legal to ship firearms through the mail or by carrier service. That doesnt mean they all reach the address on the package. In 2018, five Texas men were charged with stealing more than 650 guns from United Parcel Service trailers in Springfield, Mo. The weapons had been shipped from Beretta Firearms in Maryland for delivery to Bass Pro Shops in Springfield. According to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the full take had been 600 Beretta .380-caliber handguns, 54 Beretta 12-gauge shotguns, as well as an entire pallet of Justin brand boots, power tools and 12 cases of soda. A stolen mail key unlocked millions in checks and sent an NC trio to prison (AFP via Getty Images) Netflix is to roll out its major crackdown on shared accounts and passwords. The company has long been threatening, and testing, new features that aim to spot when people are sharing accounts outside of a single household, and force them to pay for their own. It had initially delayed the broad rollout, to give it more time to integrate the findings of that initial testing. But it is now ready and will be rolled out more broadly in the coming months, the company said. It made the announcement during its latest results call, when it also revealed that it would be winding down the DVD business that gave it its start. Speaking during that call, co-chief executive of Netflix Greg Peters said that the tool had been rolled out in a range of countries already and that it had gone well. While customers initially cancelled their accounts in response to the news, membership and revenue then rose as people paid for their own accounts, he said. That is similar to the behaviour after a price rise, he noted. That behaviour has happened in a variety of different countries, he said, even though it had been rolled out in places with very different characteristics. The crackdown was initially launched in specific Latin American countries but has gone more widely since. That same testing showed however that some users were frustrated with specific parts of the testing. Netflix received feedback about things like having seamless access to Netflix as they have always been using it on the go or while traveling, as well as making sure that we have got good tools for them to manage access to their accounts and their devices, Mr Peters said. The new version of the changes incorporates those changes, he said, and so the company will now start rolling it out in other places. That is a very broad launch, it includes the United States, includes many, many other countries, he said. The feature uses technology such as geolocation to spot when users might be sharing accounts. If it thinks they are, it will force them instead to buy their own account either by starting an entirely new login or taking advantage of other options that let users add other people into an existing account. Netflix has found itself at the centre of a debate over the casting of Cleopatra in a new documentary series. Arriving on the streaming service in May, the four-part documentary Queen Cleopatra (a part of the African Queens series) will investigate the life of the Egyptian ruler. The series is being narrated by actor Jada Pinkett Smith, who said that she wanted to use the show to represent Black women. We dont often get to see or hear stories about Black queens the sad part is that we dont have ready access to these historical women who were so powerful and were the backbones of African nations, she told NetflixsTudum in February. In Queen Cleopatra, the ruler is portrayed by Casualty star Adele James, who is biracial. Her casting has sparked debate in Egypt, due to the contested nature of the real-life Cleopatras racial identity. Cleopatra was born in the Egyptian city of Alexandria in 69 BC, succeeding her father Ptolemy XII in 51 BC and ruled until her death in 30 BC. The identity of Cleopatras mother is unknown, leading historians to suggest that she may have been Egyptian or from another part of Africa. Others, however, have suggested that her mother may have been Greek as her race was never documented. On Sunday (16 April), days after the trailer for Queen Cleopatra was released, lawyer Mahmoud al-Semary filed a complaint demanding that the public prosecutor take the necessary legal measures and block access to Netflixs services in Egypt. James (left) as Cleopatra (Netflix) Discussing the Netflix show, Egypts former antiquities minister Zahi Hawass told Egyptian press (via BBC News): This is completely fake. Cleopatra was Greek, meaning that she was light-skinned, not Black. Sharing screenshots of racist abuse she has received on Twitter, James wrote last week: Just FYI, this kind of behaviour wont be tolerated on my account. You will be blocked without hesitation!!! If you dont like the casting dont watch the show. Or do and engage in (expert) opinion different to yours. Either way, IM GASSED and will continue to be! Story continues Netflixs Queen Cleopatra does not ignore the debate over Cleopatras heritage. Just FYI, this kind of behaviour wont be tolerated on my account. You will be blocked without hesitation!!! If you dont like the casting dont watch the show. Or do & engage in (expert) opinion different to yours. Either way, IM GASSED and will continue to be! pic.twitter.com/zhJjaUkxyc Adele James (@Adele_JJames) April 13, 2023 The broadcaster said that Jamess casting was a nod to the centuries-long conversation about the rulers race. During the time of her reign, Egypts population was multicultural and multiracial, it said. Cleopatras race was unlikely to be documented, and the identities of her mother and paternal grandparents werent known. Some speculate she was a native Egyptian woman while others say she was Greek. Sally Ann Ashton, an academic interviewed for the series, said: Given that Cleopatra represents herself as an Egyptian, it seems strange to insist on depicting her as wholly European. Cleopatra ruled in Egypt long before the Arab settlement in North Africa. If the maternal side of her family were indigenous women, they wouldve been African, and this should be reflected in contemporary representations of Cleopatra. Queen Cleopatra is released on Netflix on 10 May. The Newark Police Department said it has charged a former Boy Scouts of America leader from Newark with sexually assaulting one of his Scouts hundreds of times between 1989 and 1992. Court documents obtained by Delaware Online/The News Journal state that 66-year-old Gary Matta continuously abused a Scout in his Elkton, Maryland, troop whom he later gained guardianship over starting when the boy was 12 years old. The Boy Scouts of America began investigating allegations of sexual abuse by Matta in 2017, according to court documents, and notified Newark police of the investigation in early 2020. RELATED: These men were accused of sexual assault while working with Delaware Boy Scouts The Boy Scouts of America filed for bankruptcy in 2020 following lawsuits settling over 80,000 allegations of child sexual abuse by troop leaders nationwide, including those based in Delaware and Maryland. In Matta's case, court records show a Scout in his troop started spending weekends at his house when he was 12, one year after joining the Boy Scouts of America. Matta, then 32, groomed the boy, giving him food, games and even drugs, according to court documents. Court documents also state that the other boys who spent regular time with Matta or lived with him saw him as a father figure. MORE: How a former school official's conviction prompted lawmakers to take on child sex abuse For the then 12-year-old, the sexual abuse began immediately, court records state, and grew even more frequent when Matta became the boy's guardian. "Anytime that the abuse could occur ... it occurred," the former Scout told police. Other boys regularly stayed with Matta as well, and court records show that Matta made sexual advances on at least one of them. MORE: There's more child sexual abuse material online than ever before. How it's affecting Delaware When questioned by police, Matta denied any sexual abuse, according to court records. He described his relationship with the boy as "friendly," and said that the boy never slept in his bed when they lived together a fact disputed by both the then 12-year-old boy he abused and another boy who was also staying with Matta at the time, who told police he saw the 12-year-old stay in Matta's bed at least 550 times, according to the records. Story continues The abuse continued for three years, stopping when the boy turned 15, according to court records. He told police that he disclosed the abuse to counselors and primary care doctors, but it was not reported to the Boy Scouts of America until he confided in someone in 2017. CHILD SEX ABUSE: How a former school board member used his 'position of trust' to access and abuse kids When Matta was arrested on Wednesday, he was charged with four counts of unlawful sexual intercourse in the first degree Delaware law's designation for rape when the assault occurred as well as unlawful sexual contact in the second degree and indecent exposure. He has been incarcerated at Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $201,500 bail. Anyone with information about this incident, or believes that they may have been a victim, is asked to contact Sgt. G. Micolucci at 302-366-7100, ext. 3412, or gmicolucci@newark.de.us. How to get help National Suicide Hotline: 800-273-8255; en espanol 800-273-8255 Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 for crisis support National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-4673 National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-422-4453 Team HOPE (free support for survivors of sexual abuse and their families): 866-305-4673 Send story tips or ideas to Hannah Edelman at hedelman@delawareonline.com. For more reporting, follow them on Twitter at @h_edelman. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Elkton Boy Scout troop leader charged with molesting former scout The office building where Nima Momeni's company, ExpandIT, operated out of in Emeryville, California. Lloyd Lee/Insider Nima Momeni faces a murder charge in connection to Cash App founder Bob Lee's death. Less than a year before, he was cited for simple assault of a woman, records show. Momeni had a few prior run-ins with police, including for driving with a suspended license and a DUI. Nima Momeni, 38, the tech consultant who was arrested on a murder charge in the stabbing of Cash App creator Bob Lee, was previously cited on suspicion of assault and battery, according to police records obtained by Insider. Months before Momeni's April 13 arrest, Emeryville Police Department responded to a call from a woman who reported that she needed help and was "attacked," records showed. The call came on August 1, 2022, around 3 p.m. According to records, a person "grabbed" the woman's arm, "pulled it," and "pushed her physically." Police were dispatched to an Emeryville address that is connected to the office unit where Momeni's company, ExpandIt, is headquartered. Records state that Momeni was subsequently cited and released on PC 242, the California penal code for assault and battery. Angela Ruggiero, a spokesperson for the Alameda County District Attorney's Office, told Insider in an email that charges were not filed on this case. Records do not indicate what charge the police recommended but the incident was a misdemeanor, she said. A spokesperson for the Emeryville Police Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Momeni had a few run-ins with the police before he was arrested in connection to Lee's murder. In 2011, he was charged with driving with a suspended license and with selling a switchblade in California. The latter charge was later dropped, Forbes reported. In addition, there was a misdemeanor charge for driving under the influence in 2004, which was also later dismissed, according to KTVU Fox 2. In response to a request for comment, Momeni's lawyer said, "the reported incident is a non incident. There was no arrest. There was no case filed." April 21, 2023: This story has been updated to include a comment from Momeni's lawyer. Read the original article on Business Insider The director of the Pentagons unidentified aerial phenomena research office on Wednesday refuted the possibility that any UAP the office has investigated came from extraterrestrial origins. In the second congressional hearing on UAPs in 50 years, Sean Kirkpatrick, the director of the Pentagons All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office, spoke before the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities about his offices investigations of UAPs. Kirkpatrick made clear to lawmakers that none of the 650-plus incidents under investigation since the AAROs July 2022 inception were of an alien nature. AARO has found no credible evidence thus far of extraterrestrial activity, off-world technology or objects that defy the known laws of physics, Kirkpatrick told lawmakers. In the event sufficient scientific data [emerges] that a UAP encountered can only be explained by extraterrestrial origin, we are committed to working with our interagency partners at NASA to appropriately inform [the] governments leadership of its findings, he added. In an open hearing on Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena before the Senate Armed Services Committee on April 19, Dr. Sean Kirkpatrick, director of the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), shared videos depicting an unidentified object https://t.co/AWuj4cahBN #UAP pic.twitter.com/grnd7jXGJM DVIDSHub (@DVIDSHub) April 20, 2023 Kirkpatrick faced questions about extraterrestrial life and UAPs after a research paper he co-authored with Abraham Loeb, chairman of Harvard Universitys astronomy department, hypothesized that extraterrestrial motherships and smaller probes may be visiting planets in our solar system. Story continues The paper, titled Physical Constraints on Unidentified Aerial Phenomena, suggested that extraterrestrial motherships and smaller probes might already be in the solar system. The pairs theory offered the object Oumuamua as a possible mothership-like entity. Loeb gained notoriety when he proposed Oumuamu had traversed our solar system as an extrasolar visitor in October 2017. At that time, the PanSTARRS telescope in Hawaii detected an object moving at an orbit and speed that caused some scientists to suggest that other forces besides the suns gravitational pull were influencing its movement. With proper design, these tiny probes would reach the Earth or other solar system planets for exploration, as the parent craft passes by within a fraction of the Earth-Sun separation just like Oumuamua did, the authors wrote. On Wednesday, Kirkpatrick noted the AARO is planning to develop a website where members of the public can document experiences with UAPs. Kirkpatrick also challenged critics who believe UAPs are of extraterrestrial origin to support claims with scientific evidence, rather than feed into conspiracies. I encourage those who hold alternative theories or views to submit your research to credible peer reviewed scientific journals, Kirkpatrick said. AARO is working very hard to do the same. That is how science works, not by blog or social media. How skeletal remains ended up in western Iowa near the Missouri River is still a mystery. An employee of a real estate company found the remains of Salvador Agustin Fonseca, 30, on March 20 while scouting the property for deer, according to a Monday news release from the Fremont County Sheriff's Office. Law enforcement officials also found a gym pass and the keys to a 2015 Chevrolet Spark near the scene. Fonseca had been missing from Springfield, Missouri, for more than a year before his remains were discovered outside of Hamburg, Iowa, about 300 miles north of his home. Here's everything we know about him and the circumstances surrounding his death. Police identify skeletal remains found in western Iowa along the Missouri River Police's last interaction with Fonseca was a drug overdose Fonsecas last known interaction with authorities in Missouri occurred on Feb. 25, 2022, when they responded to reports that he overdosed, according to Springfield Police Department public affairs officer Cris Swaters. Swaters said officials administered Narcan, a drug to combat the effects of an opioid overdose, before they took him to the hospital. That was the fourth time within six months that the Springfield Police Department had interacted with Fonseca, she said. Fonseca had other run-ins with authorities in southern Missouri. Springfield police arrested Fonseca in December 2021 for allegedly driving under the influence. A warrant was issued for his arrest after Fonseca failed to appear in court on Aug. 29, 2022. Police were never able to locate him, according to court records. More: Skywalk child-stealing criminal case in Des Moines at a standstill Was a missing person's case ever filed? The Fremont County Sheriff's Office in Iowa said Fonseca left his last known address in Springfield, Missouri, without telling others where he was going. There was never a missing persons case filed in Missouri for Fonseca, according to local authorities there. Story continues Sgt. Paige Rippee of the Greene County Sheriff's Office, whose jurisdiction includes Springfield, Missouri, where Fonseca was last seen, said Fonseca had been estranged from his family for a few years prior to his death. The Des Moines Register attempted to locate Fonseca's family but did not receive a call back from a phone number associated with a person who shared an address. More: How this mangled car is spreading a painful message to Iowans about speeding deaths Fonseca's car associated with Iowa burglary is it connected to his death? Sgt. Andrew Wake of the Fremont County Sheriffs Office said Fonsecas car was linked to a burglary that occurred a week after Fonseca was last seen in Springfield. Court records show the owner's manual for a 2015 Chevrolet Spark and loan documents belonging to Fonseca were found inside a stolen Honda-CRV that local authorities impounded during a burglary investigation. After they discovered the items, police located Fonseca's vehicle on March 6, 2022, parked along the northbound lane of Interstate 29 near the seven mile marker, according to court records. Wake said the windows were smashed. Court records show police also found a box wrench near the broken windows. He said officers attempted to locate Fonseca to notify him that his vehicle had been found, but they were not successful. "We will track down the owner when it needs to be picked up from our impound," Wake said. "But in this case, a lien company who owned the vehicle came and picked it up." Wake said police did not find any connections between Fonseca and the suspect in the burglary case. He said police do not believe the burglary is related to Fonseca's death. "A lot of times we've had vehicles abandoned," he said. "Either somebody owes money on it or for whatever reason it's abandoned." More: Des Moines bar owners Steve McFadden, Edwin Allen III plead guilty in GPS stalking case Is there foul play suspected in his death? Wake said the Office of the State's Medical Examiner conducted an autopsy and identified Fonseca through dental records. He said police found no evidence of foul play in Fonseca's death, though he declined to provide a copy of the autopsy report. The Office of the State's Medical Examiner did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the cause of Fonseca's death. "We didn't have anything that we observed at the scene or in the vehicle or anything that came up in our investigation of the burglary of the vehicle that would lend to anything that's foul play," Wake said. Police do not know why Fonseca may have stopped his car on the interstate but it appears he walked west toward the Missouri River, according to the Fremont County Sheriff's Office. Francesca Block is a breaking news reporter at the Des Moines Register. Reach her at FBlock@registermedia.com or on Twitter at@francescablock3. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Skeletal remains in Iowa: What we know about the missing Missouri man The North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges on Friday named Jeff Cox as the state community college systems new president. He will lead and oversee the states system of 58 community colleges and serve as the systems chief administrative officer. Cox will be the systems 11th president. Cox, a North Carolina native, is currently the president of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, a position he has held since 2014. The move to hire Cox follows previous system president Thomas Stiths resignation from the position last July after less than two years on the job. Bill Carver, a longtime leader at Nash Community College, has served as interim system president since Stith left the post. The board voted unanimously, with four members abstaining from voting, to approve Cox as the systems new president. He will start the job July 1. Cox exemplifies the experiences, the qualities and the competencies that we outlined in our profile, search committee chair Shirley Carraway said during Fridays state board meeting. Speaking to The News & Observer after the announcement, Cox said being selected as the new system president is certainly the pinnacle of my career in education. Cox is an NC native, experienced educator Cox will bring three decades of educational and leadership experience to his new post, with a career that includes time in teaching, principal and superintendent roles in counties around the state. He became the fifth president of Wilkes Community College in 2014, and he has also served on the MyFutureNC Commission, a group established to discuss state education and training needs, identify obstacles to meeting those needs and to generate policy recommendations, per a news release from the community college system. At Wilkes, Cox is credited for more than doubling the completion rate at the college, from 25% to 55%, over five years, as well as developing a strategic plan seen as a national model for other institutions, per the release. Story continues He is a previous finalist for the state community college systems President of the Year award. Dr. Jeff Cox has proven to be among the best education leaders in the country during his time at Wilkes Community College and as a North Carolina K-12 superintendent, and were excited to announce Dr. Cox as the new president of the North Carolina Community College System, state board chair Burr Sullivan said in a news release. We know our community colleges need strong statewide leadership and dynamic future-forward approaches to business and workforce development and Dr. Cox is that leader. Cox holds a bachelors degree and a masters of school administration degree from Appalachian State University, and he received his doctorate in educational leadership from UNC-Charlotte. Cox currently lives in Wilkesboro with his wife, Reba, but the couple will relocate to Raleigh for his new role. Stith resigned in July 2022 Stith, the previous system president, had previously served in staff roles at high levels of Republican politics, including as the North Carolina director for the federal Small Business Administration under former President Donald Trump and as chief of staff to former North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory. Upon his resignation last July, Stith offered little explanation for his departure but the move came just a few months after his first annual review from the state board. Stiths predecessor, Peter Hans, left the community college system in 2020 to lead the UNC System, a position he still holds. The search process for a new system president began last September when the state board appointed a bipartisan search committee consisting of 13 members nine from the state board and four with community college and business experience. Recruiting and search firm Buffkin/Baker, contracted in December, assisted in the national search process. Carraway, the search committee chair, said the committee received 40 applications and conducted 10 interviews. From that group, the committee selected three finalists, including Cox. Current community college bills being considered Fridays announcement of the systems new president comes as the General Assembly is considering bills that could alter the governance and appointment structures of the community college system including stripping the board of its power to name system presidents in the future. The state Senate on Thursday advanced Senate Bill 692, the Community College Governance bill, which builds upon House Bill 149. SB 692 would give lawmakers at the General Assembly more control over the 58-campus community college system, while stripping power from the state board and the governor. The system president would also gain more power under the bill, further reducing the authority of the state board, which would reduce in size. Republican legislators have hailed the proposed changes as a way to provide more coordinated and effective leadership in the community college system, but Democrats view it as a detrimental power grab. Five former North Carolina governors sent a letter to lawmakers Wednesday opposing the legislation and other moves to shift power, saying that they feared the changes would inflict real chaos and harm upon the people of our state. Cox told The N&O after the state boards meeting Friday that he views the debate at the General Assembly as one over the balance of local autonomy with state control. So it sounds like our legislators are feeling like we might need to pull a little bit more of that authority to the state level, Cox said. And having been a community college president, still a community college president for another little while, I understand that delicate balance of accountability. Cox said he expects dialogue between community college stakeholders and legislators to continue, and well keep working with our friends in the legislature to make sure we find the right kind of governance thats going to position our community college system and our state to be No. 1 in the country. (Bloomberg) -- North Koreas foreign minister made her first formal statement directed at the US in about half a year to say Pyongyang will keep its nuclear weapons and punish Group of Seven members who try to change that. Most Read from Bloomberg The position of the DPRK as a nuclear weapons state will remain as an undeniable and stark reality no matter that the US and the West would not recognize it for a hundred or a thousand years, Choe Son Hui, said in a statement published Friday by the official Korean Central News Agency. The countrys top diplomat was referring to North Korea by its formal name. The message served as a reminder that leader Kim Jong Un may try to force his way on to the agenda when G-7 leaders hold their annual summit next month in Japan. His regime has ratcheted up tensions to levels unseen in years with tests of new weapons to deliver nuclear strikes, including a solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missiles launched for the first time this month that could be quickly deployed to carry a warhead to the US mainland. We make it clear that we dont have any interest in what G-7 does but if it shows any behavioral attempt to infringe upon the sovereignty and fundamental interests of the DPRK, it will be completely deterred by strong counteraction, Choe said. North Koreas ability to deliver a nuclear strike has grown to the point that some policy experts have made calls to declare the country a nuclear weapons state. The change would lead to a revamp of a decades-old US policy aimed at preventing that from happening, while seeking the complete, verifiable and irreversible end of its atomic arsenal. Theres no sign the Biden administration would make such a declaration. Story continues Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who is hosting the G-7 meeting in his hometown of Hiroshima, has long campaigned for an end to nuclear arms and protested North Koreas blistering pace of ballistic missile launches in defiance of United Nations Security Council resolutions that bar Pyongyang from the tests. Read: How Kim Jong Un Is Building a Nuclear North Korea: QuickTake The North Korean leader this week ordered the launch of a military spy satellite, a move that could allow him to keep an eye on US allies as well as advance his arsenal of ballistic missiles. Kims regime last launched a space rocket in February 2016, when the country claimed to have put an earth-observation satellite into orbit as part of what it said was a lawful space program. The satellite is thought to have never reached orbit. Pyongyang has a habit of timing its provocations to major political events and could be looking for weapons tests to coincide with a state visit to Washington next week by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol. North Koreas propaganda apparatus has branded Yoon a puppet traitor, and stepped up its provocations to coincide with joint military drills between the US and South Korea. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. NORTH PORT Its not a definitive city-wide referendum that some have been calling for on social media, but the city of North Port has launched an online survey where people can weigh in on whether it should partner with a private company to operate Warm Mineral Springs. The 26-question survey is being conducted by ETC Institute, an Olathe, Kansas-based firm that specializes in governmental market research and available online at NorthPortFL.gov/WMSPsurvey. Warm Mineral Springs reopened to the public April 7 after being closed because of damage from Hurricane Ian. While the park was closed, the city severed ties with its longtime vendor, National and State Park Concessions and decided to reopen the historic springs site on its own. Admission to the park at 12200 San Servando Ave. is $8 for Sarasota County residents and $11 for non-county residents with tour buses assessed at the $11 per person non-resident rate. Welcoming back visitors: Warm Mineral Springs Park reopens in North Port Springs history: Five things to know about Warm Mineral Springs in North Port, Florida Visitors enjoy Warm Mineral Springs on April 7, the first day it reopened after Hurricane Ian. The 83-acre Warm Mineral Springs park includes a 21.6-acre site surrounding the springs and three buildings that date back to the Florida Quadricentennial Celebration are on the National Register of Historical Places and 61.4-acres of adjacent parkland. Once thought to be the Fountain of Youth when it was discovered by explorer Juan Ponce de Leon, Warm Mineral Springs an hourglass-shaped sinkhole primarily fed by an underground stream that pumps in 20 million gallons of 86 degree water per day. Visitors, especially Eastern Europeans, believe the waters have healing properties. The city had earmarked about $9 million to restore the three historic buildings, but after bids to perform the work came in at roughly $18 million, the commission opted to consider a private partner to complete the restoration. Warm Mineral Springs Development Group LLC has proposed such a partnership, prompting public outcry, including during public comment and on social media for the city to put the question up for referendum. Story continues The survey process will also include ETC Institute surveying a randomly selected sample of residents by mail. The results will be compiled with the survey that, according to a city news release will provide a written report of the general public and statistically valid findings, and ensure the City understands the community's needs and desires. Related: North Port commission to weigh more development for Warm Mineral Springs In case you missed it: Architect Victor Lundy turns 100. See seven of his landmark Sarasota buildings Christopher Wolski of Evans City, Penn., stretches before entering the water at Warm Mineral Springs Park on Friday. While not binding as a referendum would be, the survey process offers an opportunity for a more nuanced series of questions, such as: Whether one wants to use tax-generated revenue to pay for restoration or improvement of the park. Whether improvements should be paid for by a private partnership, tax supported bond issue or on a pay-as-you-go process. Whether the city should sell or transfer control over some or all of Warm Mineral Springs to another entity. What type of commercial amenities should exist at the park, such as a restaurant, spa, hotel, condominiums or none at all. Whether a hotel, restaurant, spa or shopping would make the respondent visit more or less often. Whether they support low, medium or high intensity development at Warm Mineral Springs Park or no development at all. Whether Warm Mineral Springs should be a revenue generating asset for the city of North Port. If some of that sounds familiar, its because the city of North Port and consultant Kimley-Horn & Associate conducted a series of meetings in 2018 that resulted in the current plan that called for a low-intensity development of the park adjacent to Warm Mineral Springs. Once the ETC Institute survey is complete, the city officials will bring it to the public at a series of community engagement meetings that will also include proposals for the next steps in the parks future. This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Warm Mineral Springs survey to gauge whether park should stay public In the days after a white man shot a Black teenager who rang the wrong doorbell in Kansas City, Missouri, Manny Abarca wrote a letter. Abarca, a Jackson County legislator, penned an open letter to Clay County Presiding Commissioner Jerry Nolte, urging the leader to call for gun reform and acknowledge concerns about a culture of racism in Kansas Citys Northland, the large area north of the Missouri River encompassing counties, cities and towns. I have known for a long time that once I crossed the river-North, I should expect a change in the way I am treated because of the color of my skin, Abarca wrote. Nolte has not publicly responded, nor has he responded to a request for comment from NBC News. The letter came just four days after Ralph Yarl, 16, was shot in Clay Countys Nashua neighborhood after mistaking one home for another nearby. Andrew Lester, 84, was charged Monday with felonious first-degree assault and armed criminal action in the shooting. He pleaded not guilty on Wednesday. The shooting, which Clay County Prosecuting Attorney Zachary Thompson said had a racial component, has sparked conversations about the Northlands reputation. To Black Kansas City residents, the Northland is largely made up of conservative, predominantly white neighborhoods that many say theyve long learned to be wary of. Residents like Abarca say there is an unspoken rule among Black and Latino people that many of the neighborhoods are dangerous and off-limits to people of color. Unfortunately, white leaders are not accepting that theres a problem and instead side-stepping the real issue that theres an undercurrent of racism, if not prejudice, exploding, Abarca said in an interview. Yarl was trying to pick up his siblings around 9:45 p.m. on April 13 when he mistook the Northeast 115th Street home for one a block over on Northeast 115th Terrace, police said. He rang the doorbell, and the homeowner shot Yarl in the head and arm. Yarl ran away and ultimately a neighbor helped him until authorities arrived. Yarl, who also lives in Clay County, survived and is recovering. Story continues Earlier this week, one of Lesters grandchildren said Lester had become consumed with watching conservative news outlets and following conspiracy theories built on misinformation. Clay County, where the shooting occurred, is 79.2% white, according to census data; Black people make up 7.7% of the countys population, and Latino people make up 7.5%. The surrounding counties have similar demographics, with Jackson having the largest Black population of Clays bordering counties, according to census data. Alexis, a 31-year-old Black woman who lives in Platte County, said shes lived in the area most of her life and is well aware of the arbitrary racial lines in the Northland. Theres absolutely racial hostility up here, she said, adding that she lives just under 20 minutes from Nashua, where Yarl was shot. Alexis asked to use only her first name for fear of retaliation from neighbors or other Northland residents. She said she often feels uncomfortable when walking through Northland towns with conservative flags and stickers and posters praising Donald Trump on display. Ive even worked in the Northland and its Trump country, she said. Theyre not shy about their racism. I get looks when I go into stores. I had to leave a job in the Northland because of racism. Around 51% of Clay County voters cast ballots for Trump in both 2016 and 2020, according to the county Board of Election Commissioners. Kansas City has seen such dividing lines for decades. Just below the Northland, Troost Avenue, which runs north and south through the heart of Kansas City, has become a boundary highlighting economic and social disparities in the city. Neighborhoods east of Troost are Black. Neighborhoods west of Troost are white. On the east, Black residents have experienced numerous disparities from low household incomes to lower life expectancies than that of residents to the west of Troost, University of Missouri-Kansas City professor Brent Never said in 2018. Scholars trace this back to the early 20th century, when racial segregation and racist housing practices were introduced in the city. As for the Northland, Black people have learned through experience and words of warning that venturing north of the citys diverse core could be dangerous. Cecelia Robinson, a historian and professor emeritus at William Jewell College, has spent decades studying the history of Black communities in the Northland. According to her research, the slave populations of counties in the Northland accounted for a large portion of their total populations in the 1800s. The Northland counties were leaders in hemp and tobacco production as a result of slave labor. U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, a Democrat, who became the citys first Black mayor in the 1990s, acknowledged the Northlands history of slavery to The Kansas City Star, but said its racist culture has changed over the decades. Some residents dont agree and point to recent high-profile instances of racism. In 2021, Platte County, the predominately white Northland county next to Clay County, garnered national attention when four Park Hill South High School freshmen were suspended or expelled after a petition seeking to restart slavery was posted on social media. The students later claimed the petition was a joke. Kansas City Councilman Dan Fowler, who represents the Nashua area, shared similar sentiments as Cleaver. Fowler said the Northland tends to lean conservative and could use more diversity, but its getting a bad rap overall. I think were being tarred with attitudes of the distant past, he said. And were being shamed by the actions of one person. Its easy to say somebodys racist when you dont know them at all, Fowler said. But come up here and engage with the community, and youll get a different impression. James Lynch, who helped Yarl after he was shot, said he hadnt thought deeply about racism in Nashua before the incident. He, too, acknowledged that his Nashua neighborhood isnt very diverse, but its a nice place to live. Everyone is welcome here. Nobody has said you cant live up here. Its a safe place to live typically, Lynch said. I think what happened in this quiet neighborhood was shocking to everybody. This is a stain on an otherwise pretty nice place to be, which sucks. Jamie Wehmeyer, who lives in Clay County, said the Northlands reputation is one of many reasons she prioritized diversity and inclusivity when founding KC Northland Strong in 2019. KC Northland Strong is an organization made up of several Northland businesses, groups and community members, with a goal of raising awareness about inequities in the area and the impacts of trauma. Its my strong belief that in the Northland we just dont talk about the big issues that might leave a bad taste in peoples mouths, she said. Theres no racism in the Northland. Theres no addiction in the Northland. As a community, I think we minimize that. Protests erupted in Kansas City over the weekend. Demonstrators who marched toward the shooters home reported drivers speeding past them and yelling, Trump 2024! said Ryan Sorrell of The Kansas City Defender, a Black-centered, nonprofit news organization. He said protesters reported being taunted by locals as they marched in the Northland. For Abarca, he said he almost didnt participate in the protest Sunday for fear of being harmed in the area, but he went anyway. He said it ended up being the right call, and what he encountered was a symbol that, perhaps, the culture was changing. I fully expected to join Black and brown leaders only, and there would be about 20 or 30 of us, he said. What I saw was a diverse crowd of Northland folks, of southland folks, a united city that had gathered to protest this action and calling for justice to be had. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com The city of Fresno will seek millions in funding to bring two affordable housing projects to new parts of the city, but a third proposal was shot down Thursday after controversy emerged around the nonprofit group behind it. On Thursday, city councilmembers approved two applications for state funds to convert the Travelodge motel in east central Fresno and the northeast Fresno Quality Inn into affordable housing. They also approved a new interim homeless shelter project in central Fresno. But a 4-2 vote shot down an application seeking $25 million in state funds in partnership with the ACTS Foundation to build a two-story modular housing project at 6507 N. Polk Ave. for families and youth experiencing or at risk of homelessness. The city would have also committed $2.8 million of city funds to the project. Council President Tyler Maxwell and Councilmember Mike Karbassi, whose district would have included the housing site, voted in favor of the project. Councilmembers Annalisa Perea, Miguel Arias, Garry Bredefeld, and Nelson Esparza voted against the project. Councilmember Luis Chavez was absent for the vote. Some councilmembers, homeless advocates, and other members of the public raised concerns about the citys decision to partner with the ACTS Foundation. According to its website, the ACTS Foundation is a nonprofit organization aimed at providing food, supplies, and education to underserved individuals. Records with the California Secretary of State show the nonprofit formed in January 2021. Multiple written public comments that were submitted to the city of Fresno contained allegations against Kevin Foster, the head of ACTS Foundation as well as pastor of LifeBridge Church. Allegations include financial mismanagement, misuse of funds, gender discrimination, and staff turnover. The city needs housing, Susan Camacho said in a comment submitted to the city, but this is not a good foundation to give the money to. The Bee/Fresnoland reviewed around 14 pages of public comments opposing the project on Wednesday. But on Thursday, a number of the comments were later removed from the citys website. According to a statement from City Clerk Todd Stermer, some of the comments were submitted by the same person and included comments the member of the public intended to keep confidential not to go out to the broader public. Story continues Arias and Perea raised several questions about the citys decision to partner with the ACTS Foundation. While the public comments are simply claims at this point, Arias said hes concerned because weve never had this kind of feedback directly to any organization that we partner with, and the council hasnt had the opportunity to vet the organization. Perea, on the other hand, said she wasnt comfortable supporting the project because she said the entity in question has a record of being very anti-LGBTQ. Foster did not return multiple calls from The Bee/Fresnoland requesting comment. Phil Skei, the head of the citys homelessness initiatives and a local pastor of On Ramps Covenant Church in downtown Fresno, defended the would-be ACTS Foundation project partner. He said the foundation had engaged experienced housing builders and support services provider EA Family Services. He also said the project didnt have to go through a competitive bidding process due to state law. Karbassi, whose district would have included the project, also defended both Foster and the foundation and said the comments submitted were merely accusations by disgruntled former employees. Unfortunately, people can make all the accusations they want, he said, adding that the city has never required RFPs before. Mixed support for proposed housing projects Other proposed homeless shelter and affordable housing projects, however, were approved during Thursdays meeting. City council approved purchasing the Clarion Pointe Motel, located at 4061 N. Blackstone Ave., for $11.8 million to use as an interim homeless shelter. One proposed city project, in partnership with Fresno Mission, requests up to $15 million to acquire, rehabilitate, and operate the Travelodge located at 3876 N. Blackstone Ave. into permanent affordable housing. The council also approved a proposal to apply for $25 million in state funds in partnership with real estate firm UPholdings LLC to acquire, convert, and operate the Quality Inn on 6051 N. Thesta St. as permanent affordable housing. Pratik Souchuk, who represents Country Inn & Suites by Radisson near Bullard Avenue, was among those opposed to the Thesta Street project and criticized the citys public outreach to nearby businesses. Our neighborhood already is experiencing a tremendous amount of damage from homeless issues, Souchuk said, which amounts to hundreds of thousands of dollars annually from theft (and) vandalism. An employee of Huckleberrys restaurant on Bullard Avenue near Highway 41 also spoke in opposition to the project, citing property damage to the restaurant, including broken windows, break-ins, and shattered bathroom mirrors by the unhoused community. Others, like Bob McCloskey, an advocate with the Fresno Homeless Union, thanked the city for placing projects in other parts of the city. He said he was sorry to hear the people around the proposed sites are already criminalizing and castigating those that are unfortunate enough to be homeless. While there are problems with damage to businesses and homes, McCloskey said, The biggest problem is housing. Fresno resident Brandi Nuse-Villegas welcomed the additional shelter and housing sites but called on more accountability for the shelter operators and more transparency on their processes in exiting and discipline for residents. These new shelters and proposed affordable housing projects are the first the city has initiated in north Fresno. Existing city-owned shelter sites are currently clustered entirely in Arias district, which includes areas of west, central, and downtown Fresno. Protestors have taken their campaign to Whitehall amid new claims a link road would be "catastrophic" for the future of a bat species in the UK. The 3.9-mile (6.2km) route would connect the Northern Distributor Road (NDR) to the A47, west of Norwich. Campaigners, who demonstrated outside the Department for Transport, oppose the risk to habitats, including the newly found colony of Barbastelle bats. The county council has said the road would cut congestion and journey times. Along with a number of business groups, it has also argued that the road would ease pressure on nearby village which are used as rat-runs. The link road has faced fierce opposition from campaigners concerned about the damage to the Wensum Valley Wildlife and environmental organisations, including the Campaign to Protect Rural England, have said the scheme would destroy ancient woodland, meadows and river valleys. Rachel Watson, 56, of Norwich, was among those protesting outside the government offices on Friday. "The county council is really ignoring the strength of feeling about this from a lot of different groups and individuals," she said. "They really should be thinking of alternatives, like widening the existing roads, protecting communities who live along those roads and putting more money into public transport." Jenn Parkhouse, from Norwich, a member of Extinction Rebellion, claimed the road would "absolutely wreck the Wensum Valley". "I moved to Norfolk about 30 years ago and in that time I've seen a gradual erosion of the countryside around Norwich," she said. The demonstration was part of a wider protest about road building and its impact on the government's net zero target. 'Globally threatened' It came as Norfolk Wildlife Trust claimed independent research had discovered the largest-known and nationally important colony of Barbastelle bats directly on the proposed route. In a blog post, senior conservation officer Mike Jones said destroying the habitat in the Wensum Valley would be "catastrophic for the future of the species in the UK". Story continues "This species is globally threatened, declining across their whole range in Europe and even going extinct in other European countries such as the Netherlands," he added. "The bats are highly dependent on the Wensum Valley's ancient landscape, a vast tapestry of old woodlands, meadows and river valleys - they can be found foraging for several miles from their roosts. "Many of these habitats have taken hundreds of years to mature and once damaged, they cannot be replaced in our lifetime." The Conservative-run county council is continuing to develop and finalise its planning application following a public consultation. Opposition parties are opposed to the scheme, the cost of which has been put at 251m. Find BBC News: East of England on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you have a story suggestion email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk Rostyslav Yanchyshen joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the first days of the war Yanchyshen has been the ballet dancer with the Odesa Opera for more than 10 years. He immediately joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine when Russia launched the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. A smart, decent, kind, intelligent, educated, all-around person of his word, Sevoyan wrote. He was the first to go to defend his homeland, not on a call, not on a summons. He went himself. And when he wasnt accepted into the Armed Forces of Ukraine, he joined the territorial defense forces. Read also: Ukrainian musician and artist Anton Derbilov dies on front in enemy mortar attack The team of the Odesa Opera expressed sincere condolences to Yanchyshens family and relatives. 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 Former police officer Kim Potter, who was involved in the fatal shooting of Daunte Wright during a traffic stop in 2021, is set to be released from prison on Monday. Potter, who is white, claimed she mistook her handgun for a Taser, resulting in her fatally shooting Wright, a Black man, during a traffic stop in 2021 in Minneapolis. She was found guilty of first- and second-degree manslaughter last year and was sentenced to 16 months in prison followed by eight months of supervised release. Multiple news outlets reported Potter will be released from prison after 16 months Monday, according to Minnesota Department of Corrections spokesman Andy Skoogman. She will be required to spend the rest of her two-year sentence under probation. Skoogman did not tell the Associated Press what time Potter would leave the Minnesota Correctional Facility-Shakopee on Monday, citing security concerns. Our criminal investigative analysts are working closely with law enforcement to monitor the situation to ensure Kim Potter, like all incarcerated persons, is safe as she leaves our facility, he said in a statement to the Associated Press. Skoogman did not immediately return a request for comment. Prosecutors initially sought a seven-year sentence for Potter under state sentencing guidelines because Potter lacked a criminal history. Typical sentencing guidelines for first-degree manslaughter call for 15 years in Minnesota, but the judge has discretion over the sentencing. Wrights mother, Katie Wright, said at the time she will never be able to forgive Potter for the death of her son. She never once said his name [in trial]. And for that, Ill never be able to forgive you, she said after the sentencing. And Ill never be able to forgive you for what youve stolen from us. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Demonstrators turn out for Ohio March for Life to support ending abortion access in Ohio in October. U.S. Rep. Emilia Sykes wants to crack down on deceptive practices from anti-abortion counseling centers. U.S. Rep. Emilia Sykes wants to treat anti-abortion counseling centers like companies that market fake fad weight-loss products or bogus bamboo products. The Akron Democrat proposed legislation that would direct the Federal Trade Commission to penalize centers for deceptive advertising if they pretend to offer abortion or prenatal services and then do not deliver. More than 2,500 anti-abortion counseling centers exist across the United States, according to the Journal of Medical Internet Research Public Health and Surveillance. These organizations, sometimes called crisis pregnancy centers, are often connected to Christian churches or organizations. They are sometimes located near abortion clinics. "These centers purposefully use deceptive, aggressive and coercive tactics to target vulnerable individuals, including low-income and minority communities," Sykes said. "Women are really sick and tired of being lied to." Ohio Right to Life President Mike Gonidakis disagreed, saying these organizations offered "a great resource for low-income and minority women," particularly in districts like Sykes'. He invited Sykes to visit these centers to get a better understanding of how they work. "Wed love to share with her the work were doing to save lives," Gonidakis said. Rep. Emilia Sykes, D-Akron, is spearheading the proposal to crack down on anti-abortion counseling centers. Sykes said there could be a space for organizations that talk to pregnant women about parenting or adoption options honestly without scare tactics or a bait-and-switch approach pretending to be abortion clinics. However, "I have not come across one of those organizations," she said. Ohio's GOP-controlled Legislature has sent millions to these organizations over the years. Shortly before his GOP primary last year, Gov. Mike DeWine earmarked another $1.5 million for anti-abortion counseling centers. The current two-year budget proposal allocates $14 million for these organizations. Efforts to restrict these centers have largely failed because of First Amendment protections extended to religious organizations. The U.S. Supreme Court struck down a 2015 California law that required centers to disclose they were not licensed medical facilities. Story continues That led Sykes and her co-sponsors to take a different approach: cracking down on deceptive advertising. "Your First Amendment has rights, but its certainly not without restrictions," Sykes said. Under her proposal, centers could face lawsuits to block the deceptive advertising and fines of up to $100,000 or half the revenue earned by the center's parent organization over the past year. Sykes said the change is needed now because of the U.S. Supreme Court's June decision overturning Roe v. Wade. Those seeking abortions might face a shorter timeline to obtain an abortion because of state laws passed since the court's ruling. Ohio currently allows abortions up to 21 weeks and six days into pregnancy. A state law that banned doctors from performing the procedure after cardiac activity was detected was placed on hold in September. The Ohio Supreme Court is reviewing some legal questions surrounding Ohio's abortion restrictions. Jessie Balmert is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio. This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Ohio lawmaker wants to crack down on anti-abortion counseling centers The Oklahoma sheriff who was secretly recorded reportedly talking about killing reporters and lynching Black people also boasted about physically confronting the local district attorney and threatening to whoop his ass, newly released audio revealed. McCurtain County Sheriff Kevin Clardy said he went to District Attorney Mark Matloffs office and told him I aint no f-----g liar, according to the McCurtain Gazette-News, which released the full 3-hour, 37-minute audio late Wednesday. NBC News has listened to the recording in full but has not independently verified its authenticity. I shouldnt have said what I did, Clardy could be heard saying. He was looking for a place to get out of his damn door. But Clardy said he was pissed. He said you have a seat I said I think Ill stand, Clardy said on the recording. I was standing right in the middle of his door. I went over there to whoop his ass. I got pissed off, I got pissed off. The sheriff can also be heard repeatedly making comments about newspaper reporter Christopher Lee Willingham, saying he was gonna bounce his ass. Neither Clardy nor Matloff have responded to requests for comment about their alleged confrontation or about the recording that Willinghams father and fellow reporter, Bruce Willingham, said they secretly made on March 6 to gather evidence that the McCurtain County commissioners were illegally engaging in county business after the public meetings were over. The first excerpts, which the McCurtain Gazette-News published over the weekend, sparked outrage in the town of Idabel and brought unwanted national attention to a county that is home to a little over 20,000 people and located in the southeastern corner of Oklahoma, an area known as Little Dixie. The report in the print-only McCurtain Gazette-News also prompted Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt to call for the resignations of Clardy; Alicia Manning and Larry Hendrix, who are two other sheriffs department workers; as well as county Commissioner Mark Jennings. Story continues Jennings resigned on Wednesday. It was Jennings who was heard talking with Clardy and the others on the recording about lynching Black people. In the full recording that was released on Thursday, Jennings can be heard talking about punishing the McCurtain Gazette-News for its reporting on the county by buying an old military tank to drive into the newspaper building. In the recording hes asked how hed explain what happened, Jenning replied, Sorry, I couldnt stop this motherf-----. Jennings, in his handwritten resignation letter, said he would release a formal statement in the near future regarding the recent events in our county. So far he hasnt. Residents call for the resignation of several McCurtain County officials at a county commissioners meeting April 17, 2023, in Idabel, Okla. (Christopher Bryan / Southwest Ledger via AP) Clardy, Manning and Hendrix have not made any public statements about the recording and have not responded to repeated requests for comment. But on Monday, the sheriffs office claimed that the recording had been illegally obtained, and that it appeared to have been altered and may have violated a state law prohibiting secret recordings by third parties. Christin Jones, of the law firm Kilpatrick Townsend, which represents the newspaper, insisted the recording had not been tampered with and that Bruce Willingham, whose family has owned the newspaper for 40 years, did not break the law in making it. It is an accurate recording and does not violate the Oklahoma Security of Communications Act, Jones said by email Tuesday, following the partial release of the audio. The full audio is planned to be released on Thursday. The Willinghams have already turned the audio over to the FBI and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, Jones said earlier. Asked why the foursome was so angry at the newspaper, Bruce Willingham told The Associated Press this week he believes they were upset by stories weve run that cast the sheriffs office in an unfavorable light. Those stories include the McCurtain Gazette-News investigation into the death of Bobby Barrick, who lives in the town of Broken Bow and who died in March 2022 after McCurtain County deputies shot him with a stun gun. The McCurtain Gazette-News has filed a lawsuit against the sheriffs office seeking body camera footage and other records connected to Barricks death. And on Thursday, lawyers for Barricks widow, Barbara Barrick, announced she has filed a wrongful death suit against Clardy, several sheriffs deputies and the county commissioners. In the recording released by the newspaper, the quartet can also be heard trading gossip about county residents and engaging in some bawdy jokes, with Jennings suggesting stitching together some face masks to make Manning a bikini. The recording also appears to reveal that the county officials were talking about how to spend taxpayer money after the public meeting was over. They gonna give us elected officials a raise anytime soon? In the next two years, three years, four years? Clardy asked at one point. Thats one thing Im trying to wait to get our numbers in, Jennings replied. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com A Trump supporter from Tulsa was arrested Tuesday after the FBI reported she went into House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office during the Jan. 6, 2021, riot and later described it as "so gaudy." Tricia Monique LaCount was charged April 11 in federal court in Washington, D.C., with four misdemeanor counts. She is the 10th Oklahoman charged so far as a result of the investigation of the riot. A Facebook friend tipped the FBI off, a special agent reported in a court affidavit. The evidence against LaCount includes a video of her inside the House speaker's office and a Facebook conversation about it, according to the affidavit. During the Facebook conversation, she stated "Pelosi's office is so gaudy ... massive chandelier, beautiful fireplace ... MSNBC live was on every laptop," the FBI agent reported. The FBI said video it obtained shows Tricia Monique LaCount inside then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office on Jan. 6, 2021. This image is from an affidavit filed in support of the charge against her. Thousands marched on the Capitol on Jan. 6. 2021, after then-President Donald Trump spoke at the "Save America" rally and urged them to fight like hell. More: Trump supporter who took Nancy Pelosi's beer sentenced for Jan. 6 Capitol breach Rioters overwhelmed Capitol police to breach the building, delaying the formal counting of the Electoral College votes that had Joe Biden winning the presidential election. Some chanted, "Nancy, Nancy." Pelosi, who is no longer House speaker, has described the storming of the Capitol as an insurrection that "shook our Republic to its core." Rioters first broke in shortly after 2 p.m. LaCount went inside at 2:16 p.m. through the Senate Wing Door, about three minutes after that entry was breached, the FBI agent reported. Surveillance video shows she stayed inside for about one hour and 15 minutes. LaCount, 53, was arrested Tuesday in Afton. She has been released on conditions. She could not be reached for comment. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Tulsa woman becomes 10th Oklahoman charged over US Capitol breach A 54-year-old Old Bridge man who sent a racist email to a sitting Old Bridge Township councilwoman has been sentenced to six months in jail. Adam Valvo, who pleaded guilty to one count of fourth-degree bias intimidation, also was sentenced last month to two years probation by Superior Court Judge Craig Corson, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone announced. The March 7, 2021, email, which contained profanities and racial epithets, was sent to then-Councilwoman Edina Brown, who is Black. The email from "John Smith" contained the N-word multiple times, various racist slurs and offensive language. "If you (N-word) don't like it in old bridge go live with the (N-word) in trenton or Patterson [sic] or newark," the email said. It also questioned how Brown, one of two Democrats on the nine-member council at the time, got elected in a "Republican township" and said, "I'm sure as hell going to do everything in my power to get your (N-word) (expletive) out of there." More: Old Bridge teacher charged with endangering welfare of a student Valvo was arrested April 27, 2021, following an investigation lead by the Old Bridge Police Department and the Middlesex County Prosecutors Office Bias Crimes Unit. Ciccone said in a statement, hateful filled rhetoric used as a weapon of intimidation in the commission of a crime has no place in Middlesex County, and The perpetrators of such conduct will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Email: sloyer@gannettnj.com Susan Loyer covers Middlesex County and more for MyCentralJersey.com. To get unlimited access to her work, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Old Bridge NJ man gets jail for sending racist email to councilwoman Mississippi's standard license plate was unveiled in 2018 and released for use in 2019. It displays the state seal that includes the phrase, "In God We Trust." The City of Olive Branch has begun a "robust campaign" to address Mississippi residents who display out-of-state license plate tags on cars housed in the city. Olive Branch Mayor Ken Adams said he tasked the Olive Branch Police Department to come up with a program to address violators of Mississippi's laws on license plate tags, something he said he has repeatedly heard is an issue from city residents. In a press release announcing the effort, the city said the police department will be "implementing a robust campaign to address violators and will be blitzing subdivisions." "It's a current law, it's been on the books for many years, and I just think it should be enforced," Adams said. "You know, it doesn't boil down to am I buying my home versus renting my home. It doesn't boil down to how many houses do I have in how many states. You can have ten different homes in ten different states, a person could, and at the same time the law's very clear. Where that vehicle is garaged or domiciled, or frequently goes to and from, is where it should have a tag. It's very clear about that." The Olive Branch ticket for violating the license plate law is $659.28 Mississippi Code reads that "all persons required to pay the privilege license prescribed by this article shall register their private or commercial vehicle and pay such tax in the county in which such vehicles are domiciled or the county from which such vehicles most frequently leave and return." 'That was his dog': Memphis family reunited with dog 6 years after she was stolen "It is a very unique law because this really is centered around taxing a vehicle. So, by the letter of the law, the person doesn't necessarily have to be driving on the street. It's not a moving violation, it's a tax law violation," Adams said. "But at the same time, it's important for people to understand, it's not as simple as somebody's in a school line dropping off a child at school and they have a Tennessee license plate. Well guess what, there may be a reason for that. They may be living here and have the wrong tag but there may also be a reason for the person doing that. So I'm going to leave the building (of) the case and the interpretation of the facts to the law enforcement professionals." Story continues People living in Olive Branch without the proper tags is a "fairness issue," Adams said. The price of the tags is set by the state legislator and collected by the county tax collectors, Adams said, and Mississippi has expensive car tags compared to other states. "The people in Olive Branch on eight different occasions elected me as a law-and-order judge, for 25 years I did that, and now they elected a law-and-order mayor," Adams said. "And if the law's on the books, it should be followed." Adams said that when he was justice court judge the issue was being enforced by the DeSoto County Sheriffs Department throughout the county. "I'm not sure why that ceased or stopped, but it did and I just think we need to start it back in our cities," Adams said. "I don't know why they stopped it but for years we had literally hundreds of tickets coming in for improper license plates And the tickets were rather expensive. The Olive Branch ticket is $659.28 so hopefully this will encourage people to get the proper tag and avoid coming to court and being faced with a possible fine." When asked, a spokesperson for the DeSoto County Sheriffs Department said that the department still runs details and issues citations for out-of-state license plates but does not have an official campaign focused on it and is not aware of ever having a campaign focused on out-of-state license plates. The proposed crackdown has sparked community reaction, including more than 300 comments on the initial Facebook post. The comments seem evenly split, with some people pointing to this always being the law and saying that if they have to pay for an Olive Branch tag others living in the city should as well, while others argue that this isn't the best use of resources and that people with out-of-state tags are the result of the high price of getting Mississippi tags. For his part, Adams said the reaction he has been seeing has been positive. "It has been overwhelmingly supported by the local residents of Olive Branch," Adams said. "I had to set up a protocol in our communication center, our dispatch office, where they would actually start keeping a list once we start going in and out of these neighborhoods because people are calling saying 'well, a neighbor across the street' or 'a neighbor two streets over' or 'three neighbors have Shelby County license plates and I want it dealt with.' I don't want that, obviously, going out over the radio every time someone calls in, that's not a priority call. They just need to develop a list and go work the list." Calling about a neighbor with an out-of-state license plate is no different than calling code enforcement on a neighbor, Adams said. "We would protect the confidentiality of anyone who calls, just like we do when they call for code enforcement," Adams said. "I jokingly say all the time, everybody loves code enforcement when they're going to their neighbor's house but they don't like it when they stop at their house." This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Mississippi city cracks down on out-of-state license plates LONDON (Reuters) - The British government named Oliver Dowden deputy prime minister on Friday, replacing Dominic Raab who resigned earlier in the day following a report into claims he bullied colleagues. As deputy prime minister, Raab had no formal powers but stepped in for the prime minister if he was away from parliament or incapacitated. Dowden currently serves as cabinet office minister in Sunak's government. He was previously chairman of Sunak's Conservative Party but resigned from that post last June after two crushing by-election defeats for the party. In the same announcement, lawmaker Alex Chalk was appointed new justice minister, a position which was previously held by Raab. (Reporting by Muvija M and Sachin Ravikumar, Editing by Paul Sandle) Utah Rep. Joel Ferry, R-Brigham City, Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, and Utah House Speaker Brad Wilson, R-Kaysville, left to right, chat while on a fan boat tour on the Great Salt Lake in Farmington Bay on Aug. 19, 2022. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News Finally, the weather is warming and politics are heating up as well. A recent announcement and polling results are topics discussed by local politicos. So we enter the fray. Utah House Speaker Brad Wilson announced last week the formation of a committee to explore running for the U.S. Senate in 2024. Mitt Romney also filed a statement of organization with the FEC, but has not firmly said hes running. What are politicos saying about Wilsons chances against Romney or in an open field? Pignanelli: I would rather die than be in the United States Senate. I would be bored to death. Chris Christie Speaker Wilson hopes to defy Utah political history because no state lawmaker was ever elected to the U.S. Senate. (Congressman and former state Sen. George Sutherland was chosen by the Utah Legislature in 1905, prior to the 17th Amendment.) Our senators ascended from the business/legal community or held local government offices. Wilson could break this tradition. His record, combined with strategic leveraging of the legislative caucus, could secure the top spot in a state convention. Wilsons leadership on popular issues (i.e. Great Salt Lake, budget reform, etc.) are attractive. Wilson and Romney share many characteristics including success in business, willingness to tackle tough issues as elected leaders, and a local heritage. Both are well respected in religious, business and cultural arenas. But if Romney decides for reelection, he will be tough to dislodge in the true battleground the primary. Incumbent Romney will receive extraordinary external support, especially at the urging of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. If Romney chooses retirement, Wilson will face even more opponents. History does not create barriers but rather constructs guidelines on how success is possible and is a rich textbook for all candidates in this upcoming election. Related Story continues Webb: Wilson is a very solid candidate who will be tough competition for Romney in the Republican primary. Wilson can attract conservative voters while being reasonably acceptable to moderates. Romneys biggest problem with conservative Republicans is his bitter and vocal loathing of Donald Trump and especially his two votes to boot Trump from office in the impeachment process. What made Romneys votes unforgivable for some conservatives wasnt just that he disliked Trump. It was that Romney firmly aligned himself with Nancy Pelosi and liberal Democrats on a defining issue. Almost all other Republicans, including many who didnt like Trump, did not provide aid and comfort to Democrats in the highly partisan impeachment process. Politically, it wasnt wise behavior by Romney. On the other hand, Romney has voted conservatively on most issues, and has strongly criticized the Biden administration over excessive spending, regulation and national security issues. He will have ample funds for re-election. If Romney is defeated, Utah will lose an influential voice in the Senate. As a former GOP presidential nominee and leading Trump critic, Romney achieved instant Senate prominence, far more than most freshmen senators. He has also maintained the ability to work with Democrats on important legislation, making him effective in getting things done. He is persuasive on foreign affairs, including Russia and China. Trump will be a wild card for all the candidates in the Senate race. Trump will, no doubt, vocally attack Romney. He might swoop in and endorse one of Romneys challengers in the GOP primary. All candidates will be pressured to disclose whether they support Trump for president. Well see how that plays out. Related A recent Deseret News/Hinckley Institute of Politics presidential preference poll stated 31% of Utah Republican voters supported Florida Gov. Ron Desantis and 23% were for former President Donald Trump. However, another survey (0H Predictive) suggested 41% of Utah Republicans supported Trump and 23% were for DeSantis. Why the confusion and how will this impact the U.S. Senate race? Pignanelli: Different results are attributed to methodologies used. But these surveys along with others underscore conventional wisdom that a solid unshakable faction of voters support Trump, and others are equally opposed. These dynamics will play out in the March 2024 precinct caucuses to elect delegates. Candidates in all races, but especially those at the federal level, will be impacted by this tug-of-war. Between now and then, Utahns will witness various stratagems from politicians hoping to benefit, or defend against, the emotional environment of the presidential battle occurring in these neighborhood gatherings. Webb: Personally, I hope the Deseret News poll is correct. Its time to move past Trump and allow a new generation of leaders to take over. Trump cant put together the coalition needed to win the general election. I dont want another four years of Joe Biden. What are the predictions regarding Romney running, and are there other possible contenders in the Senate race? Pignanelli & Webb: We are not sure anyone has a clear read on Utahs junior senator, including himself. But he enjoys the luxury of waiting. In addition to Wilson, other names floating about are Congressmen Chris Stewart and John Curtis (although Curtis is expressing hesitation), Attorney General Sean Reyes, businessman Thomas Wright, former Congresswoman Mia Love, former Congressman Jason Chaffetz and Robert OBrien, former national security adviser to Trump. Republican LaVarr Webb is a former journalist and a semi-retired small farmer and political consultant. Email: lwebb@exoro.com. Frank Pignanelli is a Salt Lake attorney, lobbyist and political adviser who served as a Democrat in the Utah state Legislature. Email: frankp@xmission.com. Insurrectionists stream into the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) Ladera Ranch resident Russell Taylor, who once messaged that he wanted to be one of the first ones to breach the doors of the U.S. Capitol, agreed to a plea deal in federal court in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday for his role in the Jan. 6 insurrection. Taylor, one of six members of a Southern California group known as the DC Brigade , pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding. He could face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. The agreement means that multiple additional charges against Taylor, including unlawful possession of a dangerous weapon on capitol grounds and in buildings, were dropped. In return, the government may call upon Taylor to testify against his fellow co-conspirators. Taylors confederates, according to court records, include former La Habra Police Chief Alan Hostetter, and Riverside County Three Percenters militia members Derek Kinnison of Lake Elsinore, Felipe Tony Martinez of Lake Elsinore, Erik Scott Warner of Menifee and Ronald Mele of Temecula. The men were indicted on June 9, 2021, and Taylor was arrested in Orange the next day. He initially pleaded not guilty on all charges at his arraignment on June 28, 2021. According to court documents , Taylor and members of the DC Brigade stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, with Taylor, referring to the act as the beginning of an insurrection! Taylor said at a protest in front of the Supreme Court on Jan. 5 that we will fight and we will bleed before we allow our freedoms to be taken from us, according to court documents. He and his fellow insurrectionists did not accept the legitimacy of the 2020 election and, according to court documents, planned not to leave Washington until this election is made right, our freedoms are restored and America is preserved. Court documents state that Taylor, Hostetter and others met at the Ellipse near the White House for a speech on Jan. 6 by then-President Trump and marched to the Capitol afterward. Story continues Taylor wore a black-plate carrier vest body armor and had a knife in his vest pocket and a stun baton in his backpack, court filings said. Because of the knife, according to courts documents, Taylor was denied entry into the Ellipse by the Secret Service for Trump's speech. Court filings say Taylor directed a group of insurrections at the Upper West Terrace of the Capitol into the building and warned police not to get involved, saying, Last chance, boys. Move back! Taylor, though, did not enter the building. In the days leading up to the insurrection, Taylor helped organize a group of fighters in a private, encrypted group chat through the instant messaging app Telegram, according to the court files. More than 35 members participated in the California Patriots-DC Brigade planning thread. I am assuming that you have some type of weaponry that you are bringing with you and [body armor] as well, he is quoted in court documents, suggesting the group bring hatchets, bats and large metal flashlights. In court documents, other members of the group messaged that they were bringing firearms to Washington. Taylors journey to the insurrection began the previous spring. Hostetter founded the American Phoenix Project , a San Clemente-based nonprofit, in 2020 and railed against COVID-19 restrictions. The duo also amplified Trump's stolen election claims. Both spoke at a Stop the Steal rally in Huntington Beach on Dec. 12, 2020, in which Hostetter said the enemies and traitors of America must be held accountable, according to court records. He advocated for long prison terms and executions. Taylor and Hostetter began, according to court documents, communicating through Telegram with other members of the DC Brigade. On Dec. 20, Taylor posted a link to a Trump tweet from earlier in the day . In the message, the president said it was statistically impossible to have lost the 2020 Election and that there would be a big protest in D.C. on January 6. Taylor asked members, Who is going? This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Viktor Orban, the Prime Minister of Hungary, laconically expressed his outrage about the statement of Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General, who said Ukraine should become a NATO member state in the future, during his visit to Kyiv. Source: European Pravda On his Twitter account, Orban reposted an article from the Politico news outlet, which cited the statement Stoltenberg has made in Kyiv: "Ukraines rightful place is in the Euro-Atlantic family. Ukraines rightful place is in NATO. Our support will make it possible with time". Orban reacted to this with an emotional "What?!" Background: In one of his latest interviews, Orban called Ukraine a "financially non-existent state", criticising Europe for financing many basic needs of Ukraine and claiming that without this aid "the war will immediately stop". His statement was praised by Moscow immediately, while Kyiv reminded Orban about Hungary's dependency on the EU's finances. The ruling Fidesz party in the Hungarian government failed to adopt the draft resolution calling for the arrest of Russian President Vladimir Putin in accordance with the warrant of the International Criminal Court (ICC). Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! A Russian overnight drone attack damaged a civilian infrastructure facility in Poltava Oblast. Source: Dmytro Lunin, Head of Poltava Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram Quote: "Today the enemy deployed UAVs to strike the Poltava district. Civilian infrastructure has sustained damage." Details: Lunin also reported that emergency rescue workers were extinguishing a fire that broke out at one of the sites attacked by the Russian drones. He said that so far, no casualties have been reported. Background: Air-raid warnings were issued across Ukraine on the night of 2021 April. After the all-clear was issued, the warnings were issued again in a smaller number of Ukrainian oblasts. Ukraines defence forces downed about eight Russian drones on the outskirts of Kyiv during the overnight attack. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! The Panama City Downtown Improvement Board on Wednesday discussed the idea of creating a social district in downtown Panama City. PANAMA CITY Residents and tourists soon might be able to crack open a cold one while walking around downtown Panama City. In a Wednesday workshop, members of the Panama City Downtown Improvement Board discussed the idea of creating a social district in downtown Panama City. This would allow those walking throughout the area to openly carry and consume alcoholic drinks. "Social district seems to be the most common term used for these areas, but they exist around the country," said Catherine Shores, chairperson of the board. "They have been a really popular economic development tool that communities are utilizing to just enhance the visitor experience to downtown (areas)." Seamless boundaries: Panama City approves first step in providing services to unincorporated enclaves Setting guidelines: Panama City again adopts requirements for recovery communities, sober living homes Shores noted the group's vision is for the district to only allow alcoholic drinks purchased from an "authorized retailer" in the area. These drinks would likely have some sort of markings to show law enforcement they were properly purchased. "You can't just show up with your own drinks in coolers and expect to be able to stroll the area," she said. "The drinks have to be sourced from the sellers within the zone, and be within a specially marked container." Working plans call for the social district to have a northern border near 6th Street, a southern border near the Panama City Marina, an eastern border near Massalina Bayou and a western border near Beach Drive. Shores said officials also plan to carve out any residential areas within the district. "The boundary itself will be marked with signage, and we'll do everything we can to make sure that customers know what the rules are, and that businesses within the area are given the opportunity to either opt in or opt out," she said. "We're not trying to force anything on anybody, just enhance the offering that we have." Story continues The next step in establishing the social district is for the Downtown Improvement Board to present the Panama City Commission with a sample ordinance, which she expects for commissioners to consider at a future meeting. As of Thursday afternoon, there was no timeline for when that might be. According to the city's website, the Downtown Improvement Board consists of seven members who are appointed by the mayor and commission to help grow and improve downtown Panama City. "As an economic development tool, these areas have become hugely popular across the country," Shores said. "In the reading and research that we have done so far, we haven't found any problems or issues related to the creation of these zones. "Instead, we think it's going to be a wonderful enhancement to the experience of downtown Panama City." This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Panama City may consider allowing open containers in a special district Wake County could limit how often parents can file challenges to get books removed from schools. School administrators unveiled this week proposed policy changes, including that decisions made on book challenges would be binding for two years. Officials say a two-year delay before the same book could be challenged again reflects how much time is spent hearing each individual challenge. Its just balancing frankly the time commitment involved in putting together the committee at that school, said school board attorney Jonathan Blumberg. People are very busy already. They have to stop, they have to read the whole book, go through the whole standard and so forth and make a decision. Parents have filed five book challenges in Wake since 2021. All the challenges were rejected. No decision was made on adding the two-year limit. School board members said they need more time to consider the issue. Books on race and sexuality often targeted Wake, like districts across the nation, has become part of the national school culture war over what books should be allowed in schools. Over the past two years, people have brought at least 189 book challenges across North Carolinas 115 public school districts, journalists from nine state newsrooms learned by surveying the districts as part of Sunshine Week. Books on race and sexuality were among the most targeted. In December 2021, a group of parents and community activists filed criminal complaints accusing the Wake County school system of violating obscenity laws based on some of the books in school libraries. But Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman announced she would not file criminal charges. Speakers now regularly show up at Wake school board meetings reading excerpts from books that they say should be removed from schools due to their sexual content and language. At last weeks Wake school board meeting, speakers questioned books such as Jack of Hearts (and other parts), whose main character is a queer high school student who writes a sex advice column. Story continues The Rev. John Amanchukwu said Jack of Hearts is in six Wake schools. He read excerpts from the book that talk about anal sex and oral sex. The question is who is the pervert who is allowing this to be purchased and delivered to our libraries? Amanchukwu said. Come out, come from wherever you are. Who is the pervert that signs off on this filth? Jack of Hearts has been challenged across the nation, leading author Lev Rosen to issue a statement defending the young adult novel. As I said, we all want whats best for these kids, Rosen said in the statement. But parents who dont want teens to see queer teenagers in books taking control of their sexuality, who dont want any teenagers to take control of their sexuality theyre trying to put the cork in a bottle that shattered years ago. Some people, such as school librarians, have spoken at board meetings about providing students with a diverse library collection. What is pervasively vulgar? School officials said the updates to the book challenge policy are meant to provide transparency and clarity about how the process works. For instance,the policy says groups reviewing book challenges are required to read the entire book and not just individual passages. Currently, Wakes policy says books and other instructional materials may be removed from the school library collection only for legitimate educational reasons. But the updated policy says material can be removed if its educationally unsuitable, pervasively vulgar, or inappropriate to the age, maturity, or grade level of the students. The new wording is taken from state law on book challenges, according to Blumberg, the board attorney. There is not any sort of elaboration in the law on pervasively vulgar, Blumberg said. I mean its basically repeated vulgarity throughout a material. The new policy also strengthens the role of a district-level committee that currently makes recommendations on book challenges. Now the decisions of the Central Instructional Materials Committee will be final unless theyre appealed to the school board. The Central Instructional Materials Committee will also be the starting point to hear all challenges to core instructional materials. This is material used across the district in classrooms to teach state instructional standards. Is two years too long? There was extended discussion during a school board policy committee meeting about making decisions on challenges binding for two years. During that two-year window, Marlo Gaddis, Wakes chief technology officer, said parents who dont want their children to read a particular book can still be accommodated to read something else. In addition, Gaddis said that even without a formal book challenge that schools can remove materials on their own. If there are a dozen parents coming forward, I dont believe they would even need a grievance process, said school board member Monika Johnson-Hostler, chair of the policy committee. I think they would make an internal decision at the school. But school board members Cheryl Caulfield and Dr. Wing Ng said theyd want the proposed two-year period lowered. If its a problematic book, it needs to be addressed, Caulfield said. I dont like limiting it just because somebody decided. But some other board members said theyd be fine with two years. In addition, the board could waive the two-year rule at any time. I felt that two years was very generous and deferential to families, said school board chair Lindsay Mahaffey. Having seen this process and what goes into it, from the school level all the way up to the board level ... I would have thought it would have started at three years. School board members Lynn Edmonds and Sam Hershey warned that unless they have time limits they could be bombarded by groups constantly challenging the same books. I really wouldnt support anything less than two years, Edmonds said. You really could have an orchestrated situation where somebody brings the same book every Monday for six months. A Paris court on Friday sentenced Lebanese-Canadian citizen Hassan Diab to life in prison in absentia for the 1980 bombing of a synagogue in which four people died. The court followed prosecutors' request for the maximum possible punishment against Diab, now 69 and a university professor in Canada. Prosecutors had said in their summing-up that there was "no possible doubt" that Diab, the only suspect, was behind the attack. In the early evening of October 3, 1980, explosives placed on a motorcycle detonated close to a synagogue in Rue Copernic in Paris's chic 16th district, killing a student passing by on a motorbike, a driver, an Israeli journalist and a caretaker. Forty-six were injured in the blast. The bombing was the first deadly attack against a Jewish target on French soil since World War II. No organisation ever claimed responsibility but police suspected a splinter group of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. French intelligence in 1999 accused Diab, a sociology professor, of having made the 10-kilogramme (22-pound) bomb. They pointed to Diab's likeness with police sketches drawn at the time and handwriting analyses that they said confirmed him as a suspect. They also produced a key item of evidence against him -- a passport in his name, seized in Rome in 1981, with entry and exit stamps from Spain, where the attack plan was believed to have originated. In 2014, Canada extradited Diab at the request of the French authorities. However, investigating judges were unable to prove his guilt conclusively during the investigation and Diab was released, leaving France for Canada a free man in 2018. Three years later, a French court overturned the earlier decision and ordered that Diab should stand trial after all, on charges of murder, attempted murder and destruction of property in connection with a terrorist enterprise. French authorities stopped short of issuing a new international arrest warrant for Diab, effectively leaving it up to him to attend his trial or not. Story continues His conviction means Diab is now again the subject of an arrest warrant, which risks stoking diplomatic tensions between France and Canada after his first extradition took six years. David Pere, a lawyer for some of the Jewish worshippers present in the synagogue at the time of the bombing, said his clients were "not motivated by vengence nor looking for a guilty person's head to stick on a pike... they want justice to be done". asl/tgb/adp/fb MUMBAI (Reuters) - India's parliament, not a court of law, is the best place to debate the issue of same-sex marriage, an influential government minister said on Friday, as the country's top court heard appeals asking for such unions to be recognised. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has already opposed these appeals, some from gay couples, on the grounds that such marriages are not "comparable with the Indian family unit concept of a husband, a wife and children." "Any debate over which union constitutes a marriage is, in essence, a legislative function and should not be a matter of judicial adjudication," Bhupender Yadav, a cabinet minister, said in an opinion piece in the Hindustan Times newspaper published on Friday. A five-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Dhananjaya Yashwant Chandrachud has been hearing arguments in the case since Tuesday, and several of the court's observations have been front-page news as well as the topic of furious social media debates. "The issue of marriage concerns society and society's opinion on this issue cannot be excluded. The voice of society is best reflected in parliament..." Yadav, who is minister for labour and the environment, said in the piece. He is also a general secretary of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. Earlier this week, the federal government told the court that it would seek the views of states on the matter, since marriage was also a state subject. Courts around the world have been debating and examining the issue of same-sex marriage and whether such unions can be recognised by law, but Asia largely lags the West in this regard. In an historic verdict in 2018, India's top court decriminalised homosexuality by scrapping a colonial-era ban on gay sex. The current case is seen as a further important development on LGBT rights in the country. (Reporting by Shilpa Jamkhandikar; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan) Paul Burrell was diagnosed with cancer after a medical check-up for I'm A Celebrity. (Reuters) Paul Burrell has said the Queen and Princess Diana were angels on his shoulders after he was diagnosed with cancer following his stint on Im A Celebrity. The former royal butler was on the upcoming All-Stars edition of the reality show which airs next week and was diagnosed with prostate cancer after going for a medical check-up for the programme. Speaking on ITVs Lorraine, he said it helped save his life. Read more: I'm a Celebrity: South Africa all-star line-up revealed "I didnt know when I was sat there in the clearing," he explained. Paul Burrell said Diana was an angel on his shoulder. (PA Images/Alamy) "I knew something was wrong but I didnt know what was wrong. When I got back I went back to the doctor and they found it was cancer. "So Im sat in the jungle with cancer. The Queen had died. And I am thinking, 'Oh wow, how do I get through this?' I had two angels sat on my shoulder, the princess and the Queen, sat on my shoulders. Paul Burrell was in the jungle when the Queen died. (AP) Burrell also told how show bosses asked him if he wanted to go home after the Queen died. But he explained: "I said, 'Listen, Im better here, this is my sanctuary right now. To go back home, it would be a circus so let me stay here with the other celebrities and I will share my grief with them because it was their Queen too'." Earlier this month Burrell rang the bell at The Christie hospital in Macclesfield to symbolise the end of his radiotherapy treatment. The 64-year-old looked delighted in the clip, which he shared on Instagram. Read more: Carol Vorderman says I'm A Celebrity All-Stars was 'brutal' He told host Lorraine Kelly: I'm going to live my life and live it large and be grateful for every day. The series starts on Monday 24 April at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX. Watch: Paul Burrell opens up about his cancer journey Paul O'Grady's daughter arriving for the funeral. (PA Images/Alamy) Paul O'Grady's daughter arrived at his funeral carrying Lily Savage's iconic wig. The TV star - who found fame as his drag queen alter ego - was laid to rest on Thursday (20 April) after he died suddenly in March at the age of 67. His daughter Sharon Mousley was pictured arriving at St Rumswold's Church in Aldington, Kent, with a young boy, thought to be O'Grady's grandson. Read more: Paul O'Grady's funeral: Fans and their dogs line streets ahead of service He was clutching the huge curly wig that the star wore as Savage. Both were dressed in black, with the boy in a leopard print tie and Mousley with a veil over her face. Andre Portasio rides with the funeral cortege. (PA Images/Alamy) Other images showed O'Grady's husband Andre Portasio cuddling their dog Conchita as he rode on the carriage that was carrying the coffin. Fans had lined the streets of the village ahead of O'Grady's funeral in order to pay their respects. Many took their dogs along with them in a nod to the late star's love for them. Fellow celebs Alan Carr and Jo Brand pictured among the mourners. Last month, O'Grady's close friend Linda Thorson revealed that he had passed away in bed next to Portasio, who he had married in 2017. Paul O'Grady died suddenly aged 67. (WPA Pool/Getty) He died in his own bed," she said during an appearance on Good Morning Britain. "His husband was there, Andre, who has been with for so many years. Read more: Paul O'Grady died in bed beside husband, says close friend Linda Thorson "The most divine man, he is only 41, Andre, he will be so bereft of Paul, he worshipped Paul." Watch: Coffin arrives at funeral of Paul OGrady as hundreds line streets Recently, we asked the BuzzFeed Community to tell us about the risks that ended up paying off big time. Here are some of their responses: 1. "People might not consider this a big risk, but in this day and age? I do. I threatened to quit my job unless they gave me a big, fat, HUGE raise. I hadn't had one in three years, had been pretty much ignored, unappreciated, etc. I got an offer for another job for $5 an hour less in pay; however, I knew they gave their employees annual raises and bonuses through the year." "I told my manager 'BYE,' but they met my demands and have been a lot better since. Know your worth, research, and have a backup plan in case. I'm happy this paid off for me. Don't get me wrong, I was a nervous wreck. Thought I was going to puke the whole time on the phone!" morgan_le_slay Anon Krudsumlit / Getty Images / EyeEm 2. "I went through a gut-wrenching breakup and was severely depressed. The same month of my breakup I found out my mom was diagnosed with cancer. I fell into solitude; it was a very dark time for me. My mom finally got sick of it and told me to get off my ass and get back out there. My friends signed me up for Tinder. I was showing my mom, and she started swiping for me. It was a memory I'll never forget. She swiped on this guy who I would never go for in my past, but he was adorable and seemed like the typical 'nice guy.' He responded, and we got to chatting." "The day of our date I was so sick and told my mom I wasn't going to go. She told me to 'suck it up, put on some blush, and get out there!' Best advice I've ever got. We have been married for five years, together for nine, and have a beautiful 3-year-old son. I found the love of my life all because I put a bit of blush on and sucked it up. That swipe was the best thing that's ever happened to me. I only wish my mom was still here to see how happy I am and meet her grandson. But before she passed, she knew he was the one and would always take care of me. Thank you, mom." ivannacowan Tim Robberts / Getty Images 3. "I took a year off of work to focus on my mental health. I was incredibly privileged to be able to do this, but even then, it was a huge financial struggle to only have my husband's income. It put us into some debt that we are still paying off. But I have no doubt in my mind that I wouldn't be here if I hadn't done that. I was suicidal prior to me quitting, and I don't know how I would have come back from that while working full-time." laurab145 Kentaroo Tryman / Getty Images / Maskot 4. "Leaving my fiance. His whole family life and behavior was toxic. I gave him the ring back and was so glad I left when I did. I'm now happily married with two kids, and it paid off big time." kiratduttf Karl Tapales / Getty Images 5. "I was a woman in a college print journalism program for nearly three years when I decided to make the switch to mechanical engineering. I had grown disillusioned with the changes of print journalism at the time, and I wanted a career where I didn't have to be poor and sell my plasma for grocery and gas money (as I did throughout college)." "So, off I went. Through one and a half years of remedial math required to even get me to the beginner engineer classes, through receiving my first Fs and Ds in my academic career and learning the hard lesson that sometimes you give it your all and it's not good enough. But I was stubborn, and I wanted it. Now, six years out of college, I am an engineer making six figures. My employer treats me well. I love my job and my team. I feel I do meaningful work, and I've learned that even though this field wasn't what I was naturally 'good' at, it taught me a completely new way of thinking and approaching problems that changed my life." roadrunner20 Terry Vine / Getty Images 6. "While living in Florida, my Canadian boyfriend proposed (we met at university in Florida) and suggested I immigrate to Canada. I moved to Canada and married that man in 2007. Honestly, it was a huge gamble. I gave up my job, my house, everything I knew for 29 years of my life." "And since then, every year that goes by, I swear it is the best year of my life. We have a home full of love with our awesome son, pup, and kitty, and I love my job. I love my family so much. My husband is my best friend in the world, and we work to make our home a warm and loving one for our son (and pets, of course). Now, I couldn't even imagine living in Florida with our family. NO, THANK YOU." lilith7711 Jami Saunders / Getty Images 7. "Six years ago, I arrived in Mexico with what I could fit in my pickup truck, a residency visa, and a flailing transcription business. I was fleeing a bleak future in rural Canada where the lack of internet access kept me from growing my business. I couldn't afford to live anywhere else. I was tired of not having healthcare access. I was tired of fighting for internet. A housesitting gig for seven months in Mexico gave me an opportunity to securely arrive flat broke as I'd have time to save money for my own place." "I got a great deal on a rental property, and the lower cost of living let me get ahead a little bit and take some continuing education to keep growing my business. The pandemic motivated me to continue my education and to move into a related field that paid a lot more money. Today, I am a permanent resident, financially secure, and I own the beautiful house that I was renting. I speak Spanish fluently and live in a secure and thriving part of Mexico, so I am staying." raec4 Oscar Wong / Getty Images 8. "I got pregnant at 34, left my dead-end job, had the baby while getting a bachelor's and a master's. Now, my son is 16, and I am a lead project manager for international funded projects and own my first house in Europe. It was a rough road, and I was broke as a joke for some years, but now, I am living the DREAM!" scotts45bf998d7 Momo Productions / Getty Images 9. "Eight years ago, I was sent to a mental health hospital in another country. My own country does not have private healthcare, and I was fortunate enough my parents could afford to send me somewhere else. I stayed there for two months and then told them I wasn't coming back." "They didn't support this decision at first. It took about two years for them to accept I was, in fact, never coming back. I got a job, a flat, and completely changed my career. It was the best thing I ever did, and it saved my life." mariskamartina Prostock-studio / Getty Images / iStockphoto 10. "I needed a change major change. I was burnt out managing restaurants in Boston, so I found a tenant for my condo that I owned and sold everything that didnt fit in my car. I drove cross-country to California wine country by myself. It worked out because I was able to have steady work selling wine during the pandemic, paid off $10k in credit card debt, and then sold my condo for a massive profit in the middle of COVID. I will never go back to restaurants. I spend more time with my family on the east coast now than I did when I lived an hour away from them. My lifestyle has completely changed, and I am financially secure. It's a great feeling." maiat40d30191e Luis Alvarez / Getty Images 11. "Going back to school in my 30s. I've still had career ups and downs, but I'm overall much happier in my current field, and I make more money." panda_13 Cavan Images / Getty Images / Cavan Images RF 12. "I drove by a beautiful old home in an adorable town an hour away from where we were living. I decided to stop at the open house and had the agent draw up an offer that day for my husband and I to sign the following weekend. My husband had no clue I was looking at houses because I wasn't. He was fine with it because he trusted me (I have a degree in architecture), and we lived there happily for 14 years, fully restoring this old mansion to its former glory." "Then, I found a gorgeous house online at 2 a.m. and emailed the real estate broker. It was 1,200 miles away in a city we had only visited a few times. It was entirely different in every way. At 2:20 a.m., I told her we'd take it. And we did. We're still here 12 years later and wouldn't dream of leaving. It might've been risky, but my husband's risk was greater. Two houses, not inexpensive ones, and he signed on the dotted line because I loved them. The fact that it worked out twice? What are the odds?" kestrelh Steven Puetzer / Getty Images 13. "Traveling to another country twice on my own after years of traveling with my family." tanyam44ab2253d Pyrosky / Getty Images 14. "I was working at a place for years and got promoted to a lower level manager role, but was still only making $14 an hour working 30 hours a week. Around this time, I went back to school to earn my master's degree in a program that was all evening classes. My plan was to work during the day and go to school at night. The business was open 'til 8:30 p.m., though, and we had a lot of high school and college-aged kids that worked in my department." "One night, one of these high school kids didn't show up for their shift, so I was called to come in to cover, but I was in class so I didn't answer my phone. The manager above me gave me an ultimatum: I can't put school before my job, my job has to come first. So, I chose school, and I quit that job with no other backup. Thankfully, I had amazing parents who could help support me. I finished my master's degree, and it took me a while to job hunt, but I've now landed something that's a career, not a job, and I'm making a really decent living." kellybluepants Laurie Rubin / Getty Images 15. "I was going through my first quarter of grad school for my masters in speech pathology, and one of our courses consisted of mainly clinical practicing hours. My clinical supervisor was a complete ass. She only pointed out the things I was doing wrong during my therapy sessions with clients, and never offered any help or support; instead reminding me of the strict grading criteria and what would happen if I got anything below a B. If you get two or more B-'s, you're automatically out of the program. I was so stressed out I was barely eating or sleeping, and having panic attacks throughout the day, but I decided to power through." "I figured, even if I didn't like being an SLP and didn't end up in that field, I could get other good job offers in other fields as long as I had a masters degree. I am glad I stuck it out because right out of grad school I got hired at an elementary school and just fell in love with the kids. This is my ninth year as an SLP, and I have worked with kids from every grade (pre-school all the way to high school) and really love forming relationships with them and seeing them grow and improve; and the pay and school breaks definitely don't suck." jperezmurillo Nay Ni Ratn Mak Can Thuk / Getty Images / EyeEm 16. "In 2018, there was a big shake-up going on at the organization I worked at, and I realized that other people had way more control over my financial future and career trajectory than I did. So, I decided that I wanted to find a way to become financially free. Because I live in a VERY expensive area, we decided we wanted to subsidize our rent/mortgage by buying a two-family [home] and essentially split the cost of the mortgage with our tenant. We realized this was a way to our financial freedom, so we started buying distressed properties out of state (closest one was 900 miles away!)." "We had no experience, no knowledge of how to buy, renovate, and manage real estate properties. We made a lot of mistakes and hit many speed bumps, but fast-forward to today, five years later, my husband and I have become work optional, left our W2 jobs, and have the freedom to spend time with our family. And now, we are in the process of DIY renovating an 1850s farmhouse in 90 days!" heytaytay Feverpitched / Getty Images / iStockphoto 17. "About 18 months ago, I applied to what I thought would be my dream job and quit my job in special education before I was 100% sure I got the position (I did). I had been at the same school in basically the same position for almost seven years. I was burnt out, frustrated, and had no upward mobility. I ended up hating the dream job pretty quickly, and after a year of misery, on a whim I applied for a position at a nonprofit organization that didn't really sound like my thing, but it was better than sitting in my office feeling ineffectual five days a week. Ten days later, I was hired without knowing too many details of my new role. Holy cow, I love it." "Just a few months in and I've been more productive than the entire year at my dream job, and I am treated (and paid) better than I was at the school I worked at for seven years. My job is hybrid and fully flex time, so being there for my family is easy (something I didn't know when I accepted their offer). I have the opportunity to open a program for unhoused young adults that will be the first of its kind in the state and actually serve people who are marginalized, which is what the dream job should have been. If I hadn't taken the leap and left my special education job for my dream job, I would have never been brave enough to walk away from a so-called dream job that made me miserable." nachomamaaah Sunnyvmd / Getty Images / iStockphoto 18. "I worked two casual jobs at hospitals. I was getting so sick of juggling the two of them that I decided to just quit one. I kept the one in the major city because my husband and I were house hunting and wanted to move closer to our hometown. The very next morning after I quit the job, further away from where I wanted to live, the manager of the job I kept called me and offered me a full-time position! What a coincidence!" lillerspuppers The Good Brigade / Getty Images 19. "I grew up in a very small town in Mississippi. I visited big cities before, but I was so sheltered that I never thought I would actually leave the state. When I was 22, I moved to Florida to do the Disney College Program. I loved it and this state so much that I took a really crazy risk. I went back home, did one more semester of school so I could do the college program again, quit school, moved back down here, and just never left." "I had about $900 to my name at the time. This year makes eight years I've been down here now, and even though I'm pretty much ready to find another state to call home, I'm forever grateful that I took such a chance. Everything could've went horribly wrong, but I'm so blessed that it didn't." ermehblerb93 Aaronp / GC Images 20. "Leaving to a new school. I was never really happy at my previous school, and one day, I saw an ad that the school I am at now was taking applications, and I thought, 'I might as well take the chance.' I am now happier than ever at my new school, and I have so many friends, and the education is so much better." miacgrillo Marc Calleja Lopez / Getty Images / iStockphoto 21. "For my whole life I've lived in the same small-to-medium city. My wife was from there, both of our families live there, we had a tight-knit group of long-term friends, and we had genuine love for the town...but also felt very stuck in a rut and unfulfilled." "I got offered a promotion that required moving 1,000 miles away, but would offer me a lot of great new challenges and opportunities. My wife and I both felt incredibly conflicted about it, but ended up taking the leap. It's been VERY worth it. I didn't realize how badly we needed some major change. We're both happier at our jobs and having lots of new experiences we couldn't have had in our old town. And after three years, I'm making almost 50% more than I did before, with no additional cost of living. We still miss our old family and friends, but overall, we're MUCH better off all around." axj66 Maskot / Getty Images/Maskot Have you ever taken a big risk that worked out? Share your experience in the comments! Note: Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity. Update: Blue Springs police said Friday afternoon that the case was being investigated as a homicide as the death was not likely due to fire. One person was found dead after a fire swept through a motor home early Friday outside a home in a Blue Springs neighborhood, a police spokeswoman said. Firefighters with the Central Jackson County Fire Protection District responded shortly after 12:30 a.m. to the blaze in the 1200 block of Southwest Morningside Drive, said Jennifer Brady, a spokeswoman for the Blue Springs Police Department. The first arriving fire crews reported that flames had fully engulfed the Class A motor home, which was parked in the driveway of a home in the neighborhood, said Chip Portz, chief of community risk reduction for the Central Jackson County Fire Protection District. While battling the fire, firefighters found a deceased person inside the large RV, he said. The persons death is being investigated as suspicious until the Missouri State Fire Marshal and Blue Springs police can determine whether it was accidental or criminal. The Jackson County Medical Examiners Office will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of death. The RV was a total loss. The Brigham Young University campus in Provo is pictured on Oct. 12, 2020. | Yukai Peng, Deseret News In 1934, renowned German psychologist Wolfgang Kohler delivered a series of lectures at Harvard. Still in the shadow of the devastation of World War I, many were grappling over how such brutality could happen despite so much modern, scientific advancement. Why hadnt such enlightened progress been enough to stop 20 million deaths? Similar questions are being asked by many today, who witness the technological marvels around us, alongside the brutality of war abroad and violence within our own borders. With all we know scientifically, technologically and medically, we really cant figure these things out? Clearly not yet. So, maybe we just need more of what weve already been doing more data, more innovation. Maybe AI will finally help unravel our thorniest problems? A wisdom greater than TikTok? Kohler highlights a different possibility that barriers to resolving aching societal problems may not be scientific or technological, but rather moral. If so, what does it mean that so many young people are taking their moral cues from the online influencer class, rather than from teachers well-positioned to provide a compelling alternative to pop culture? This is the backdrop behind a spring conference held at Brigham Young University on Embracing the Divine Purpose in Education and Scholarship, sponsored by the Center for Teaching and Learning. Rather than ceding the ground to TikTok gurus on questions of life, love and identity what if faculty at places like BYU leaned further into these bigger questions in their scholarly work and teaching? Presenters at the conference outlined several ways teachers could do this more for students: 1. The courage to push beyond the secular status quo BYU professors and instructors have long been encouraged to keep their various subject matters bathed in the light and color of the restored gospel. Psychology professor Richard Williams reminded attendees that stuff washes off when anything gets bathed and often it comes out slightly different than when it went in. Story continues He then asked, what could all the various fields of study become when they are bathed in sacred truths? Too often, even believing scholars may not realize how their approach remains largely indistinguishable from those whose approach is purely secular. This can happen unawares, Williams noted, by fixating on narrow truths such as the brain is always involved in our actions or human sexuality is a natural biological process we share with other mammals without asking deeper and distinct questions. The key is curiosity about where ideas or facts come from and where they take people. More of that, Williams suggested, could demonstrate how the restored gospel often provides context and alternative possibilities for understanding and appraising popular claims that are frequently embraced with little examination. This might mean studying very difficult issues or claims others leave unexamined. Dr. Justin Dyer, for example, spoke about his work analyzing suicidality among sexual minorities in Utah. When he took a hard look at the data he found it contradicted popular narratives suggesting that religious households and environments were suicide-inducing. Dyer detailed his analyses of state surveys demonstrating that stable Latter-day Saint homes in Utah represent the safest place for youth, statistically speaking, regardless of sexual orientation. Related 2. Celebrating the freedom to take all truth seriously Of course, its precisely these potential secular/sacred conflicts that some worry might constrain teaching and research at religiously-oriented schools. Yet professor Jason Carrol, associate director at the Wheatley Institute, remarked, Im so grateful to be at a university where we have the academic freedom to draw upon these truths as we do. Rather than merely teaching how couples need to learn how to manage conflict, Carroll described the power of helping students see how shared religious marriages or disciple-marriages are committed to equal partnership. Counseling psychologist Kristin Hansen and family scholar Jenet Erickson each highlighted how spiritual teachings around agency and the intrinsic value of bearing children, respectively, had shaped their own distinctive careers. And scholar Edwin Gantt spoke of therapists appreciating that, in the Latter-day Saint tradition, they are not the ultimate healer but must instead work to create a space where the Lord can provide healing. 3. Welcoming dialogue about disagreements Students in various academic contexts are increasingly worried about raising religious or other views that might be perceived as controversial. Some fear that standing up for increasingly countercultural religious ideas necessarily means driving wedges. Professor Stephen Yanchar noted how even raising honest questions a la critical thinking has a reputation of being an attack. But he insisted this work of grappling over truth on college campuses, religious or not, can all be loving, kind and gentle a part of relationship building. Other speakers concurred, emphasizing the power of exploring disagreements with generosity. But the most charitable thing we can do is tell the truth, emphasized Williams. The fact that profound disagreements have become so scary at universities the very place dedicated to hashing out different perspectives in a search for truth highlights the unique opportunity to model a different way, perhaps especially at a place like BYU with a greater political balance than many other college campuses. Yes, people will disagree and we can talk. But at least well be having the discussions, said Williams, who has spent his career encouraging a deeper conversation about unquestioned assumptions in psychology. What could be more important than having these conversations with fellow believers in a spirit of respect and love? Carroll noted that some fear such bridge building is a one way ticket to banishment in the academic world wherein they wont be taken seriously anymore and will instead be seen as speaking just another language for Sunday school. Those who fear this kind of searching dialogue, Yanchar suggested, have overstated its dangers. 4. Prizing diverse ways of knowing Much of this may seem strange to those convinced that only knowledge gathered through careful application of certifiably natural science methods can count as valid and valuable knowledge. This kind of a zealous metaphysical commitment and associated orthodoxy in methodology and thought can make those drawing on other sources of knowledge and wisdom seem somehow backward. Counseling psychology professor Lane Fisher described fellow classmates in graduate school disparaging my use of scriptures as a base for exploration, preferring instead to ask only what do the data say (as though data speak with a voice of their own). Carroll described receiving an academic award in his field, while admitting the true origin of his theoretical contributions were prompted by a religious message from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, called Of Souls, Symbols and Sacraments. What he taught, Carroll explained, shaped the questions his research team went on to explore. What might have been lost in the scholarly conversations about marriage and sexuality if Carroll had decided it was silly to take spiritual insights seriously as academic concerns or had Dyer been scared away from any serious examination of the suicide data anchored in his own faith? This brings to mind a conversation Elder Clark Gilbert recently reflected upon having with Dan Sarewitz, former editor of the journal published by the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Sarewitz underscored, The academy needs BYU. But we need BYU to be BYU, and not a watered-down version of every other secular university. Highlighting the array of other religiously-rooted campuses across the nation, Elder Gilbert added that these and other religious schools across the country enjoy a huge strategic advantage, but only if they dare to continue with and strengthen their religious identity only if they dare to be different from their peers. So, whos ready to take the dare? Jacob Hess is the former editor of Public Square Magazine and writes at Publish Peace on Substack. He has worked to promote liberal-conservative understanding since the publication of Youre Not as Crazy as I Thought (But Youre Still Wrong) with Phil Neisser. With Carrie Skarda, Kyle Anderson and Ty Mansfield, he also authored The Power of Stillness: Mindful Living for Latter-day Saints. Peruvian ex-president Alejandro Toledo surrendered to US authorities in California Friday, ahead of his expected extradition to Lima on charges of corruption and money laundering. Toledo has lived in the United States for several years, and gave himself up at a federal court building in San Jose, where he was handed over to the US Marshals Service. The 77-year-old, who served as Peru's president from 2001 until 2006, is wanted by Peruvian prosecutors investigating a sprawling scandal involving Brazilian construction conglomerate Odebrecht. Toledo, who holds a doctorate from Stanford University, is accused of taking millions of dollars from Odebrecht in exchange for favored treatment in bidding on public works. He denies all charges, which could see him jailed for up to 20 years if convicted in Peru. Friday's surrender appeared to be the start of the endgame for a man who was initially detained in California in 2019. He was put under house arrest in 2020 and ordered to wear an electronic ankle monitor. Earlier this week, the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit rejected Toledo's most recent legal move to block the extradition Peru has sought since 2018, and a US judge ordered him to surrender. On Friday morning he left his Menlo Park residence accompanied by his lawyer and his wife, Eliane Karp. Wearing a green jacket, red vest, blue jeans and sneakers, he was seen carrying a few belongings, according to images published on social networks, as he made his way to the Robert F. Peckham federal building, where a crowd of reporters had gathered. The US Marshals Service confirmed to AFP that he had handed himself in, and judicial sources said the extradition process was expected to last less than a week. - 'Car Wash' - Peruvian prosecutors say they have testimony from two people who claim Toledo received bribes from Odebrecht. The firm acknowledged paying backhanders in Brazil and several other nations around Latin America in the so-called "Car Wash" scandal, which has so far seen dozens of politicians and business figures behind bars. Story continues Four other former Peruvian presidents currently face corruption investigations. They are Ollanta Humala (who ruled 2011-2016), Pedro Pablo Kuczynski (2016-2018), Martin Vizcarra (2018-2020) and Pedro Castillo (2021-2022). Former President Alberto Fujimori (1990-2000) was convicted of corruption charges and is in prison. Another ex-president, Alan Garcia, died by suicide in 2019 as police were preparing to arrest him in the Odebrecht case. pr-hg/amz/caw A Phoenix homicide suspect was arrested on Friday following an early morning police chase in Wickenburg and collision in Sun City. A traffic stop turned into a pursuit of a Phoenix homicide suspect, who authorities have since arrested. According to a statement posted on Facebook by Wickenburg police, at about 4 a.m. on Friday, officers "located a vehicle involved in a separate incident and attempted to conduct a traffic stop." Police said they later learned the suspect of a Phoenix homicide investigation was inside the vehicle. When Wickenburg police pulled the car over, the driver, later identified as 17-year-old Sir Amir Williamson, did not stop, driving east into the city of Surprise. Williamson had been on the run since April 18, when he was identified as the suspect in connection to the murder of his cousin, 18-year-old Elijah Johnson, at a Budget Lodge Motel after the two were engaged in an argument. The Arizona Department of Public Safety and Surprise police were alerted and took over as the primary agencies in the pursuit of Williamson. Wickenburg police also continued in pursuit. It's unclear what happened then, but the car later ended up involved in a crash near Sun City before fleeing again. A woman and an unknown number of juvenile passengers were inside the vehicle at the time of the crash and detained at the scene. Their identities or pending charges were not released. A search for Williamson started after the Sun City crash, but Phoenix police later announced that Williamson has been taken into custody. Phoenix police spokesperson Sgt. Robert Scherer said the specifics surrounding Williamson's arrest are part of the ongoing investigation. Scherer later said that Williamson turned himself in early Friday morning and was booked into the Juvenile Correction Center for murder. Police also arrested his mother, 45-year-old Tanyelle Williams, for hindering prosecution by hiding her son from police. This is an ongoing story. Check back for updates. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix homicide suspect arrested following Wickenburg car chase Piers Morgan has hit out at the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for their decision over King Charles IIIs coronation on 6 May. The Piers Morgan Uncensored host, who previously branded the couple shameless grifters, took aim once again after Buckingham Palace confirmed Prince Harry would attend the coronation but Meghan Markle would not. Last week, the palace said it was pleased to confirm Harrys attendance, adding that Meghan will be remaining in California with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. In the latest episode of Uncensored, which aired on Thursday (20 April), Morgan discussed the lead-up to the coronation with guests Tessa Dunlop, an author and historian, and King Charles and Queen Consort Camillas former butler, Grant Harrold. The conversation began with Morgan asking why there doesnt seem to be much excitement around the coronation and whether the crown has lost its lustre, to which Dunlop replied the nation appears to have some royal ceremonial fatigue. The historian also said the press and people like [Piers] were to blame for peddling this divisive narrative within the royal family. Her comments come amid Harry and Meghans ongoing rift with the royals over their grievances with the palaces relationship with the press. Morgan strongly disagreed with her and said: Rather than the people doing TV interviews and best-selling books trashing the royal family, who happen to be members of the royal family? Theyre not to blame, its us reporting on the trashing thats the problem. Its such horse manure. Dunlop continued: I bet you Piers [youre] just an eensy-weensy bit disappointed that Meghan isnt going to be at the [coronation]. But the controversial host declared that he was very disappointed Harry is going to be there and disappointed with Charles, although I completely understand it as a father, why hes felt the need to do this. (Getty Images / PA Images) What the hell is Prince Harry doing, having trashed the family in that horrible book he wrote? Morgan continued, referring to the dukes memoir Spare, which was published in January. Story continues The terrible series theyve done, the interviews theyve done, trashy, trashy, trashy, trashy. Damaging the institution of the monarchy and then they have the brass neck he turns up at the coronation? And by the way, we know why hes doing it, Morgan added. Hes doing it because I suspect Meghan Markle has gone, You better get over there and get on that balcony somehow, because our entire commercial world depends on you still being a dominant member of the royal family. However, it has been reported that Harrys visit to the UK will be very short and he will not stay for the coronation concert on Sunday (7 May). A royal source was quoted by The Mirror as saying: After much back and forth, Harry said that he would be returning for the Kings coronation but it will only be a fleeting visit. Organisers have been told Harry wont be attending the concert with the rest of the royal family, which is a great shame as it will be such a spectacular event. However, Archies birthday falls on the same day as the coronation and the duke may wish to return quickly to celebrate it. The publication reported that Harry told the royal family he is planning another trip to the UK in the summer. Turkiye starts delivery of natural gas from Black Sea field Xinhua) 09:01, April 21, 2023 Photo taken on April 20, 2023 shows a gas flame at Filyos land facility in Filyos, Zonguldak province, Turkiye. Turkiye on Thursday started the delivery of natural gas from its Black Sea field, as part of its flagship project aiming at reducing the country's dependence on energy imports. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua) FILYOS, Turkiye, April 20 (Xinhua) -- Turkiye on Thursday started the delivery of natural gas from its Black Sea field, as part of its flagship project aiming at reducing the country's dependence on energy imports. The gas, shipped from a depth of 2,200 meters at the offshore Sakarya field via a 170-kilometer-long subsea pipeline and through various compression plants, was delivered to the newly constructed Filyos land facility located in the northern Zonguldak province. Attending a commissioning ceremony of Black Sea natural gas in Zonguldak, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkiye is "taking a historic step toward energy independence." "With great efforts and stride, the natural gas discovered just three years ago has been put into use," Erdogan said, adding that the field will meet approximately 30 percent of Turkiye's gas needs upon full capacity. The Turkish leader announced that the country will provide free natural gas for household consumption up to 25 cubic meters monthly for one year. His announcement came less than a month before the general elections on May 14, when he will seek a third term in office. The Sakarya field will initially produce 10 million cubic meters of natural gas per day, with an expected rise to 40 million cubic meters by around 2028 at the second stage, the Turkish presidency said in a statement on Thursday. Oguzhan Akyener, president of Turkiye's Energy Strategy and Political Research Center, told the semi-official Anadolu Agency that the first Black Sea gas will contribute 35 billion liras (1.8 billion U.S. dollars) to the economy. Turkiye's offshore gas reserves in the Black Sea are estimated at 710 billion cubic meters, which is enough to meet its domestic gas demand for 35 years, the NTV quoted Turkish Energy Minister Fatih Donmez as saying. Currently, Turkiye imports most of its gas from Russia and Azerbaijan. The Sakarya field is part of Turkiye's plan to reduce its dependence on energy imports and turn Filyos into a significant energy hub. Turkiye, with its geographical advantage, has already served as a transit route for major gas pipelines. The presence of infrastructures such as the TurkStream in the Black Sea makes it easier for the country to re-export a mix of imported gas to European countries. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other officials attend a commissioning ceremony of Black Sea natural gas in Filyos, Zonguldak province, Turkiye, on April 20, 2023. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (C, Rear) attends a commissioning ceremony of Black Sea natural gas in Filyos, Zonguldak province, Turkiye, on April 20, 2023. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua) Photo taken on April 20, 2023 shows a gas flame at Filyos land facility in Filyos, Zonguldak province, Turkiye. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other officials attend a commissioning ceremony of Black Sea natural gas in Filyos, Zonguldak province, Turkiye, on April 20, 2023. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan) Mike Lindell, CEO of My Pillow The founder of US bedding company My Pillow has been ordered to pay $5m (4m) to an expert who proved his 2020 presidential election data was wrong. Election denier Mike Lindell was so sure he had data showing Chinese interference in the 2020 vote that he threw down the gauntlet to others. In 2021 he launched "Prove Mike Wrong" with $5m as a winning prize. On Wednesday, a private arbitration panel ruled that a software expert did exactly that and was due the money. The challenge was announced as part of a so-called cyber symposium Mr Lindell had organised in South Dakota. He claimed Chinese interference in some US states delivered President Joe Biden the win over Donald Trump. He offered the seven-figure sum to anyone who could prove his data had no connection to the 2020 election. The panel ordered Mr Lindell to pay Bob Zeidman and wrote in their ruling that none of the data Mr Lindell provided was related to that election. They also ruled that failure to pay the sum would amount to a breach of contract. In an interview with the BBC's US partner CBS, Mr Zeidman said he spent a few hours examining the data provided by Mr Lindell before determining that it "was all bogus". "I called my wife and said, 'Think about what you want to do with $5m'," he recalled. Mr Zeidman, a Las Vegas resident who voted twice for Mr Trump, added that some of Mr Lindell's data amounted to "a simple Word document and a table" that was made "to look sophisticated, and it wasn't". After submitting his findings to a panel overseeing the challenge, Mr Zeidman said he had received no response, prompting him to sue Mr Lindell for the money. He told CBS that if he ever receives the money he will donate some of it to a charity supporting voter integrity. In their ruling, the arbitrators noted that their role was not to determine whether election interference occurred, but rather to determine whether Mr Zeidman won the contest based on the rules and data provided to him. Story continues Mr Lindell has vowed that he will appeal. "I don't owe him money," he said. "He didn't prove anything." He added: "This has all been one big plan, a co-ordinated plan, to stop me and others from getting rid of the electronic voting machines in the country and get back to hand-counted paper ballots." The My Pillow boss has also been sued by voting machine company Dominion over his false claims of election interference. Dominion was recently awarded $787.5m (633m) after settling a defamation lawsuit with Fox News over its reporting of the 2020 election. Who is Mike Lindell? [Source] Disney and Pixars upcoming original feature film Elemental has been selected as the closing film of the 76th annual Cannes Film Festival. The highly anticipated animated romantic drama will make its world premiere at the prestigious festival on May 27. According to a recent press release, Elemental is the fourth Pixar film to premiere at Cannes, joining previous hit films Up, Inside Out and Soul. As we all emerge from our pandemic cocoons and come together in story rooms, animation dailies and impromptu brainstorming sessions, its a joy and honor to have Pixar back on La Croisette, Pete Docter, Pixars chief creative officer, said. More from NextShark: Lana Condor and Cole Sprouse head to Mars in upcoming sci-fi romantic comedy 'Moonshot' Directed by the extraordinary storyteller Peter Sohn, Elemental is so funny, full of heart and, frankly, stunning to see. It was created for audiences to experience on the big screen and I love that itll make its world premiere at Cannes, he continued. Elemental, which stars Leah Lewis and Mamoudou Athie, is set in Element City, a place where water, fire, land and air elements live. Ember Lumen (Lewis) and Wade Ripple (Athie) come from different parts of the city but experience a strong connection with each other despite not being able to touch. More from NextShark: Shang-Chi star Simu Liu and rapper Saweetie to appear on SNL In addition to Lewis and Athie, the films cast includes Catherine OHara, Shila Ommi, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Ronnie del Carmen, Joe Pera and Mason Wertheimer, among others. Director Peter Sohn, who worked on the film for seven years, previously worked on classic Pixar films such as Finding Nemo, The Incredibles and Ratatouille. Elemental is his directorial debut. Elemental will hit cinemas on June 16. Watch its official trailer, which was released last month, below. More from NextShark: First teaser released for Netflix's South Korean remake of 'Money Heist' More from NextShark: No matter how rich you are, everyone has problems: Bling Empire S3 cast on healing in the midst of drama US Defense Minister Lloyd Austin, Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and other members of the delegations during a meeting at the Ramstein base A tank coalition meeting was held, he tweeted, following the Ramstein format meeting. I am grateful to my German and Polish colleagues, Boris Pistorius and Mariusz Baszczak, for their unwavering support for Ukraine. Today, we signed the Letter of Intent for the establishment of a Maintenance and Service Center in Poland for Ukraines Leopard 2 main battle tanks. It will contribute to the strengthening of our cooperation and the capabilities of Ukrainian defenders. Reznikov noted that the armored fist formed by collaborative efforts will thwart the terrorist regimes aggression against Europe and the entire free world. Ukrainian soldiers are skilled at defending their country, the minister said. Read also: Poland opens repair facility for Ukrainian tanks Modern Western technology will result in Moscows defeat. The sooner it happens, the sooner peace will come. The 11th Ramstein format meeting of defense ministers representing 50 countries supporting Ukraines war effort is taking place at U.S. Air Force Ramstein base in Germany. 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 QUNICY The man police say broke into multifamily home on Granite Street, tied up the residents and fired a gun inside the home will be held without bail until a dangerousness hearing scheduled for next week. Michael Campbell, 30, of Hyde Park, was arraigned in Quincy District Court on Thursday. He is charged with home invasion; assault with intent to murder; firing a gun within 500 feet of a building; carrying a gun and ammunition without a Firearms Identification Card, subsequent offense; and two charges of carrying a gun without a license for a second offense. He will be held until a hearing to determine whether or not he is a danger to the public, scheduled for Wednesday, April 26. 'We have to be prepared': Braintree police use empty school for active shooter training More: Cohassets Brian Walshe comes to court without lawyer Quincy Police Sgt. William Ward wrote in a police report on file in court that officers responded to 455 Granite St. on Sunday, April 16, after reports of a home invasion in progress. Four people were at the scene when police arrived, including three victims with injuries. The victims told police they'd injured the suspect, later identified as Campbell, while defending themselves. He then ran out of the house before police arrived "leaving a substantial blood trail as he circled the property, Ward wrote. Three of the victims were taken to South Shore Hospital in Weymouth. The homeowner told police that he was inside with three other people when Campbell knocked on their door and said he was looking for someone. Campbell then pulled out a gun, forced himself inside and ordered all four people to lay on the kitchen floor. He then used zip ties to bind their hands. Scituate: After all-female shift, this department's police officers reflect on changing norms 'Would not have been a fatal crash' :Carver teen's family sues motocross track owners One man was able to break out of the zip ties, the homeowner said, and tried to tackle Campbell before he fired a gun at him. A second round was fired before the victims were able to restrain the invader enough for the homeowner to run outside and ask a passerby to call police. While he was outside, the fight continued and "the suspect was severely injured by a knife wound," Ward wrote. Story continues When police arrived, they notified area police departments and hospitals to be on the lookout for a man matching Campbell's description and injuries. An officer from the Boston Police Department found him in Mattapan and he was transported to the Boston Medical Center. City-owned cameras then showed his car diving on Furnace Brook Parkway minutes after the home invasion, and a search of his car found black zip ties and a bag of masks. Campbell was arrested several days later, police posted on Facebook. Representatives for the police department did not return requests for comment Thursday. Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Patriot Ledger subscription. Here is our latest offer. This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Quincy home invasion suspect Michael Campbell charged in court Canadian police said Thursday they are investigating a heist of more than Can$20 million (US$15 million) in gold and other "high-value" goods being moved through the Toronto airport. The gold and valuables arrived Monday evening in a container that was offloaded from a plane and securely stored in a cargo holding facility, Peel Regional Police Inspector Stephen Duivesteyn told a news conference. It was reported missing shortly after. Duivesteyn said the "high-value container was removed by illegal means from the holding facility." He would not comment on how the theft unfolded or who might be behind the caper. "Our investigators have got their eyes opened to all avenues," he said. "We're looking at all angles on how this item was stolen." The Toronto Sun reported that the thieves made off with 3,600 pounds of gold, citing anonymous sources saying authorities are looking at organized crime groups in the region. "This is very rare," Duivesteyn said, describing the airport theft an isolated incident that has had no impact on the travelling public. He said it was too early in the investigation to say if it was a professional theft or a crime of opportunity. amc/st Milwaukees police oversight board on Thursday unanimously approved a policy requiring footage of fatal police shootings and other similar incidents to be released publicly after 15 days, becoming one of the few agencies in the nation to have such a policy. The policy also allows family of those hurt or killed by police the opportunity to view footage within 48 hours. It does not give police any chance at extending either deadline. The move driven by the work of community activists was hailed by members of the Fire and Police Commission and residents who attended Thursdays meeting as a victory for transparency on an issue that has played a huge role in community mistrust in law enforcement. It comes after more than a year of information gathering and debate on the subject. More: Body cams are meant to improve transparency. Why's it so hard to figure out how to release their footage? This is a major step forward for the city of Milwaukee, said Chairman Ed Fallone said after the vote. Citizen oversight of police and public safety works. The public shares their comments about the video release policy with the Fire and Police Commission on Thursday at City Hall in Milwaukee. The policy applies to what are commonly referred to as critical incidents police shootings, in-custody deaths or other officer-involved events where someone is killed or seriously injured. It is set to take effect May 1. It will accelerate the release of such footage in Milwaukee by a month at minimum. Milwaukee police previously operated under a goal-oriented process of releasing footage in 45 days which was not always met. It will not, however, result in the names of officers involved in critical incidents to be released any sooner than they are now after a review of the investigation is completed by the Milwaukee County District Attorneys Office. The policy is not exactly reflective of what activists had called for ad nauseum releasing names of officers in 24 hours and the footage publicly in 48 hours during the last 14 months. But the move in particular the decision not to grant police a chance at extending deadlines was met with a burst of joy from around 50 members of the public that packed into the meeting room at City Hall. Story continues I think its a much stronger policy, said Alan Chavoya, a member of the Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, which pushed the commission to take up the issue in early 2022. It builds trust. Its not perfect. Fifteen days is a long time, but it goes a long way. Milwaukee police administration accepts decision; union files for injunction Police did not attend the meeting in person and made no statement after the vote. Officials had gently pushed back on the policy for months, favoring instead to codify its 45-day timeline in the interest of maintaining investigation integrity and to release footage with additional contextual information. However, Police Chief Jeffrey Norman repeated Thursday the department would accept whatever the Fire and Police Commission decided. Fallone has continuously praised Norman for his cooperation and help during the 14-month process that led to Thursdays decision. In my opinion Chief Norman is a clear break from our past with police chiefs in the city of Milwaukee, Fallone said. Ed Fallone, chair of the Fire and Police Commission, speaks prior to the public comments. However, the Milwaukee Police Association, the union representing rank-and-file officers, filed for a temporary injunction in Milwaukee County Circuit Court that would halt the policy from taking effect. In a statement Friday, union President Andrew Wagner said the commission disregarded the concerns of other area law enforcement professionals about the complications such a policy could create for investigating critical incidents. He also accused commissioners of overstepping their authority and violating the unions contact with the city. The FPC has not considered the irreparable harm that will come to a police officer, in the absence of a fair and unpressured investigation, free from being judged in the court of public opinion, Wagner said. They failed to consider in almost all of these situations the police officer is the victim and is guaranteed privacy protections. How exactly members of the Milwaukee Area Investigative Team, or MAIT a collection of area police departments that step in as outside investigators for critical incidents will react to the policy was unclear Thursday. Members of MAIT had previously threatened to stop investigating critical incidents in the city if footage was to be released to anyone after 48 hours. Their refusal would have a significant negative impact on how Milwaukee police are investigated for such incidents. But a MAIT official Oak Creek Police Chief David Stecker declined to make a comment at Thursdays meeting, and the commission did not fret over any risk. Fallone said after the meeting he did not anticipate any issues. Commission debates provision for extending deadline The only provision that received extended debate Thursday was whether to allow police an avenue to extend the 15-day deadline for a set list of reasons. The commission voted 5-3 to remove that provision to cheers from the public. Those in favor of an extension stated a wariness about not allowing any flexibility during what can be a complicated investigation, which by state law must be led by an outside police agency. Few police agencies have video release policies on the book, and the cited an unproven track record with hard deadlines. Several commissioners in opposition stated a confidence in Norman as chief, but worried about potential abuse from future administrations. Others argued it would set a new tone for transparency. Throughout the last 14 months, family members of those killed by police spoke about their difficulty finding answers in the months that followed. Several commissioners cited that testimony as part of their decision-making. Members of the public wait to speak to the Fire and Police Commission about the video release policy Thursday at City Hall in Milwaukee. This is an opportunity to set an important precedent that transparency is a central concern of the Fire and Police Commission, it is a central concern of the Milwaukee Police Department and it is responsive to what is clearly a central concern of the community, Commissioner Bree Spencer said. Despite the disagreement on that issue, the full commission appeared excited by the policy that passed. That concludes the agenda, Executive Director Leon Todd said as the evening concluded. Good meeting. Contact Elliot Hughes at elliot.hughes@jrn.com or 414-704-8958. Follow him on Twitter @elliothughes12. Our subscribers make this reporting possible. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal. DOWNLOAD THE APP: Get the latest news, sports and more This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee's police oversight approves 15-day body camera release policy If Florida House Bill 1421/Senate Bill 254 pass this legislative season, as many as 110,000 Floridians may lose access to a critical component of their health care. Earlier this year, the Florida Board of Medicine and Board of Osteopathic Medicine both stacked with Gov. Ron DeSantis campaign donors who are motivated by politics and not science passed a restriction on best practice health care for transgender young people. Now, certain politicians want to put these dangerous restrictions into our state law. The proposed law would go even further and prohibit qualified nurse practitioners from prescribing medicine as well as ban all providers from using telehealth appointments to connect with patients. Threats of felony charges, revocation of licenses and red tape from the Boards are bound to deter physicians from providing health care to transgender young people at all. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis rallies on Nov. 4, 2022, in Melbourne. Withholding age-appropriate health care for patients of any age, at any time, goes against the advice of every credible medical body, including the American Board of Pediatrics and the American Medical and Nursing Associations. We trust these organizations to provide guidance when children have cancer or diabetes, yet our legislators are swiftly making it illegal to follow the guidance of these experts when it comes to medicine for transgender kids. Will they outlaw pediatric chemotherapy and insulin injections next? The proponents criticize and reject the science established by the most credible organizations and choose to solicit input from other sources that lack scientific credibility. For teens who are already receiving gender-affirming care, the proposed law would force them to discontinue their medications this summer. These medications are essential and without these treatments, young people will be forced to undergo unwanted physical changes as well as face a significant decline in mental health. Could you imagine having a complete hormone swap, one that doesnt align with your identity, during an already difficult time for adolescents; puberty? Story continues For transgender youth, affirming their identity, aligning their hormone composition and avoiding the dysphoria of the incorrect puberty help ensure they are able to focus on their education and planning for their adult life; exactly what a teenager should be doing. More: Grills owner in Brevard, Orlando pulls Bud Light: God is telling me to take a stand This is a cruel and unconscionable unscientific experiment on young peoples bodies, even for a governor who has been called the type of guy who might unplug your life support to recharge his cellphone. Indeed, hes now cutting off life-saving support for transgender young people in order to gain attention for his own political career. Studies show that two-thirds of trans teens experience depression and anxiety, and are four times as likely as their peers to attempt suicide. On the other hand, the health care that is about to be banned is proven to help reduce the risk of suicide and improve overall well-being. Joseph Knoll is the Chief Executive Officer for SPEKTRUM Health, Inc. My patients are terrified. Many families of transgender children are making plans to move out of state to be able to continue the medications that help them live authentic lives. These are engineers, small business owners, tourism workers and teachers who are being bullied and told their families dont belong. These are hard-working, tax-paying Floridians who feel they have no choice but to uproot their careers and their lives for their kids safety and health. Business leaders oppose these attacks too. Recently, the chambers of commerce from Brevard County, where I have an office, made its annual legislative visit to Tallahassee. Hundreds of the Space Coastsand the states largest and most politically active businesses lobbied for bills that support workforce training, infrastructure improvements, and more. Not one advocated for attacking transgender adolescents. In fact, bills that discriminate against transgender people are expensive for states and bad for business. More: Ban on health care for trans youth to go into effect in March. More is coming, Fine says Its clear that neither Florida families nor businesses are clamoring for these dangerous laws. Who is? Politicians and a handful of out-of-town extremists who are trying to gain more power and tell families how to live their lives. It should be noted that these extremists brought in to support the objectives of these politicians are the same individuals being show ponied in states across the country. We have to fight back and protect families freedom to make personal health care decisions without government interference. This is not a decision that any of my patients nor their parents take lightly. Throughout the course of my career, Ive helped thousands of families with transgender children and I know just how serious this process is and how unique it is for each family. Its a lengthy and collaborative decision made by the patient along with their parents, their therapist or psychologist, and their health care provider. Sometimes friends, coworkers and extended family are also involved to help offer support. The people who should not be involved in this decision are politicians. Please join me in urging Florida lawmakers to set aside this misguided political stunt. Listen to Florida businesses and parents when they tell you, there are plenty of other issues for you to work on. Leave medical treatment guidelines to the experts and let health care providers do what we do best care for our patients and help all of Floridas families raise healthy, happy adolescents. Joseph Knoll is the Chief Executive Officer for SPEKTRUM Health, Inc. This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Help me protect my patients from politicians. A small poodle was saved by Narcan after being found unconscious and unresponsive in Pennsylvania, an animal shelter said. Toodles the poodle was sent to SPCAs Philadelphia facility by people who said they found him alongside a person in Kensington, according to a news release by the Pennsylvania SPCA. The person was also unconscious. Philadelphia police took care of the person while the Good Samaritans were charged with getting help for the dog, the SPCA said. After investigating, officials said the person found with Toodles had not taken drugs but previously claimed to share drugs with the dog, according to the release. Toodles had ingested drugs, and vets at Blue Pearl administered Narcan, the animal shelter said. The pup immediately became responsive, according to the release. Toodles could have died. He could have had lasting impacts from the drugs that he ingested, the SPCA said in the news release. But, today he is safe, and he has a new future ahead of him. Toodles was placed on an IV and was monitored closely to ensure that the drugs were working their way out of his system, the SPCA said. The SPCA said Toodles made a full recovery and is the sweetest pup around. The shelter did not comment on the persons condition. Kensington is a neighborhood in Philadelphia. Police rescuing dog struggling in river discover it was something else entirely Black labs mysterious illness solved by UK rescue agency it was alcohol withdrawal Dog disappears under car then hes found wedged in precarious spot, GA photo shows Mondays fire that destroyed a vacant Port Chester building came two weeks after a lawsuit was filed by a relative of the owner who claims his plans to revitalize that block were usurped by an architect who brought in a different developer. Fire officials said arson was ruled out and that the fire at 16 South Main St., which also damaged two neighboring buildings, was likely a result of either a microwave or other cooking utensils used by squatters. All three buildings are part of a planned redevelopment of properties on South Main, Westchester Avenue and East Broadway to help revitalize that stretch of Port Chesters downtown across from The Waterfront mall. Firefighters battle a multi-alarm fire on South Main Street in Port Chester on April 17. The fire started in 16 S. Main St. and spread to 14 and 12. The structures were three-story vacant apartment buildings on top of businesses that the Port Chester Fire Chief said were vacant and scheduled for demolition. What does the lawsuit claim? In his lawsuit this month, Jean Sinis claims that he had a non-disclosure, non-compete agreement with architect W. Scott Allen as they planned a project for the eight buildings from Westchester Avenue to 16 S. Main St. He had created 2SMSPort Chester LLC in 2017 and presented plans to the Port Chester Industrial Development Agency and said he was relying on Allen to seek investors for the project. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Allen let him know he had a major investor that was interested but he couldnt tell him who that was, according to the lawsuit. Fire: Huge blaze in Port Chester levels buildings, no injuries reported Sinis believes that was Hyperion Development Group, which in 2021 formed a subsidiary 2SM Development LLC and pitched its own project to the village. Sinis said Hyperion had reached a contract agreement with his sister, from whom he is estranged, following the death of their mother. According to Hyperion's website, Allen is now in charge of design and development for the company. Sinis' lawsuit accuses him of taking over the Port Chester project and using it to leverage a job at Hyperion. "It's disgusting. ... That was my project," Sinis told The Journal News/lohud. "He couldn't just do anything he wanted to do." Story continues A rendering of the approved new development at 2-16 S. Main St. in Port Chester. The new developer has received conditional site plan approval for a 12-story building with 334 apartments and commercial space. 2SM has already purchased at least nine of the properties for more than $6 million and Hyperion has contracts to buy four other properties, including the ones damaged by the fire. One of the properties already bought was village-owned land at 7 East Broadway for which the developer paid $1.1 million. William Wachtell, a lawyer for Allen, called the lawsuit baseless but declined to go into details. When something is such fantasy its almost irresponsible to comment, he said. Vacant building had signs of neglect The vacant building was considered an eyesore that frequently drew police to reports of vagrants, drunken activity and other crimes and incidents. In 2021, after officials found it filled with garbage and insects, the village sought to have a state Supreme Court judge approve the demolition of the building at the expense of the owners. But the judge refused because the building inspector had not filed an affidavit attesting to the need for demolition. Village Manager Stuart Rabin said Tuesday that there was no doubt that the Sinis family had neglected that and other properties they owned in the village. But he said that the building at the time had not been structurally unsound to the point that it was in danger of collapsing and needed to be torn down. Because of the condition of the building, it was designated a "no entry" structure, so firefighters fought the blaze from outside, fire Chief Angelo Sposta said. On Tuesday morning, New York state police cadaver dogs were sent inside and confirmed that no one had been trapped by the fire. The gas and electricity had been shut off in 16 South Main Street. But Sposta said investigators determined that those who were squatting likely hooked up the microwave and other utensils to power in the building next door using extension cords, which were found in the debris. 16 S. Main St. in Port Chester on April 18, a day after fire ripped through the building and spread to the two buildings next door. All three buildings had been expected to be demolished to make room for the new development. Sinis lawsuit names Scott, the firm Perkins & Will where he had worked, Hyperion and 2MS Development. It seeks $30 million and alleges breach of contract, fraud and unjust enrichment. Sinis had previously sued developer Michael Caridi, alleging that he had breached their arrangement to build a hotel and apartments on properties at South Main Street and East Broadway next to 16 S. Main. That court case was discontinued after Caridi countersued, for $25 million, claiming that their agreement had lapsed and Sinis had misrepresented his ability to acquire some of the properties. Sinis said the two have worked things out and he is a partner in Caridi's development there, The Complex at Port Chester, which has gotten site plan approval for 121 apartments, retail space and a restaurant. This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Fire in Port Chester buildings follows lawsuit by Jean Sinis CONCORD Wearing a Strafford County House of Corrections inmate uniform, Kyle Hendrickson appeared in U.S. District Court Friday and effectively agreed to remain incarcerated for now. Hendrickson, who is accused of threatening to "shoot up" Portsmouth High School, waived a detention hearing and a probable cause hearing, through Attorney Murdoch Walker, representing Amy McGarry Law Offices, the firm representing him. It was a brief appearance in front of Magistrate Judge Daniel Lynch. Hendrickson agreed to remain incarcerated until May 19, when federal prosecutors will take his case to a grand jury for possible indictment. It is within Hendrickson's rights to ask for a new detention hearing before then if he so chooses. Kyle Hendrickson was arrested in Portland, Maine, Thursday, April 13, 2023, and charged in connection with a school shooting threat at Portsmouth High School in New Hampshire. A spokesperson for Strafford County House of Corrections confirmed Hendrickson is being held at the Dover jail facility. Hendrickson made his initial federal court appearance Tuesday afternoon after being booked at the Portsmouth Police Department. The 25-year-old Berwick, Maine resident, was arrested by authorities Thursday, April 13 in Portland, Maine. He allegedly posted the threat a day earlier via a Snapchat video showing him with a firearm in a vehicle in front of the school in Portsmouth. He is facing a state Class B felony charge of criminal threatening with a firearm. Investigators following up on Hendrickson's alleged threat found multiple firearms, including an AR-15 rifle, ammunition and tactical gear in his car, according to a federal prosecutor. Hendrickson also faces a federal charge of transmitting in interstate commerce a threat to injure the person of another, according to Jane Young, U.S. attorney for New Hampshire. "We will continue to review the evidence," Young said Friday. "We moved swiftly," she added, citing "the potential for harm this represented. Now we will get all the reports and information so we can review them and assess for any additional charges. Then we will present the case to the grand jury." Story continues Young praised the work of the Portsmouth Police Department. "In cases like this, we always have to be prepared," she said. "We always have to act. It is our job to provide safety. We made sure we have sufficient evidence and much of that is due to the great work by Portsmouth Police." An attempt to reach Walker, Hendrickson's lawyer, for comment was not immediately successful. Portsmouth Police Commission reacts to threat: 'Hard to see it as a joke' Seated alongside Portsmouth Police Chief Mark Newport and Deputy Chief Michael Maloney, the three-member city Police Commission met Tuesday and reflected on last weeks incident. Commissioners praised investigators for arresting Hendrickson less than 24 hours after the threat was reported, on the same day schools across the city were closed as a precaution. Commission chairperson Stefany Shaheen commended the department for reacting quickly to a cybertip from federal authorities, working with the school system to cancel school and dedicating its resources toward locating Hendrickson. More local news: How Portsmouth and developer went from honeymoon to lawsuits over McIntyre project A city police cruisier is seen outside Portsmouth High School Thursday, April 13, 2023, as the school was closed following a social media video threat. That day, she continued, could have turned out to be quite different had authorities not taken action. I know theres lots to be said about what we need to do to prevent the horrific violence weve seen in communities across this country and we were fortunate in this community to have avoided that, she said. It really is a testament to the swift response of the FBI and this department and then the ability to locate the perpetrator of these crimes. We are lucky to be in a place where we have such a tremendous force here and we will keep working hard to ensure that the community is safe and that the schools are protected. Theres more work to do and well keep at it. Newport noted Portsmouth police officers have children in city schools and take pride in keeping SAU 52, and the community as a whole, safe from harm. We realize this is a tough time for our community. The defendant says it was a joke but what he doesnt understand is he victimized our whole community, he said. This is the second time in a short period of time that weve had a threat at one of the schools. We take it seriously and were going to use all available resources to continue trying to prevent and prosecute people who make a threat towards our schools. The chief said investigators knew shortly into the investigation that Hendrickson was the perpetrator. Despite the community wanting to know as much as possible, Newport said police didnt want to put out information trying to ease the fear of the community while the suspect remained at large. I know in this day and age, everybody wants information instantaneously, but sometimes these cases take time and all of our available resources were at work, he said. There was just a timeframe where we were not able to provide information because we didnt want it to hinder our investigation. Previous coverage of Portsmouth school threat: Commission member Buzz Scherr remarked that jokes have consequences, referring to Hendrickson allegedly claiming the video of the threat was not intended to be serious. The 25-year-old has since been charged with a Class B felony in the state of New Hampshire for his alleged actions, as well as a federal crime. Its hard to see it as a joke when the individual is driving around with an arsenal in their car, Shaheen said. Ian Lenahan contributed to this story. This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Portsmouth school threat suspect Kyle Hendrickson in Dover jail A 30-year-old U.S. Postal Service Worker is accused of stealing a 9 mm gun from a package on Sept. 19, 2022, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Demarkis Deon Houston is also accused of opening and destroying mail the month before. ALSO READ: Postal worker faces federal charges for allegedly stealing checks worth $8.3M He was arrested on Thursday and charged with mail destruction, theft of mail by a postal service employee, and possession of a stolen firearm. Houston was released on bond. VIDEO: The United States Postal Service: What you need to know Three images showing fire razing a hotel, a bridge and an apartment building are being shared in online posts claiming to show scenes from Sudan where deadly fighting has erupted between the army and paramilitary troops. However, these posts are misleading; the images of the bridge and the apartment building were taken in Russia and Ukraine, while the photo of the hotel has been digitally manipulated to add flames. On April 16, 2023, a day after clashes erupted in Sudan, a Twitter account shared two images: one of a bridge on fire, and the other of Khartoums recognisable Corinthia hotel that looked like it was exploding into flames. Let us pray for #Sudan Khartoum where is African Union, where is Arab League (sic), reads the tweet that has been shared more than 200 times. A screenshot of the false tweet, taken on April 20, 2023 These two images were also shared by a Kenyan Facebook page alongside another photo showing a burning apartment building. Fighting rages for a second day in Sudan between the army and a rival paramilitary force, the RSF. Al Jazeeras Hiba Morgan is in Khartoum and says dozens of people have been killed, reads the Facebook post. A screenshot of the false Facebook post, taken on April 20, 2023 The image of the burning hotel also showed up in this Facebook page, which separately published the photo of the burning bridge in a post that mixed in some accurate images from Sudan. Since April 15, 2023, the streets of Khartoum have become a battlefield due to fighting between two rival generals. The army, under military chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has clashed with the powerful paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by Burhan's own deputy-turned-rival Mohamed Hamdan Daglo. More than 300 people have been killed and thousands wounded since the fighting erupted. Burhan and Daglo's bitter dispute is centred around the planned integration of the RSF into the regular army -- a key condition for a final deal aimed at restoring Sudan's democratic transition. While there has been heavy gunfire and explosions in Khartoum, the three images showing the bridge, the apartment building and the hotel on fire are unrelated to these clashes. Story continues Unrelated images A reverse image search of the picture of the burning apartment building locates the image in an Associated Press photo blog (archived here). It was taken by an AP photographer in March 2022 long before the clashes erupted in Sudan. According to the caption, the photo was taken after a Russian rocket hit an apartment building in Ukraines Mariupol City. An apartment building explodes after a Russian army tank fires in Mariupol, Ukraine, Friday, March 11, 2022, the caption reads. A reverse image search of the image of the burning bridge reveals that it is an AFP photo from October 2022. It was reprinted in various news reports at the time, and is available in AFP's photo archives. Black smoke billows from a fire on the Kerch bridge that links Crimea to Russia, after a truck exploded, near Kerch, on Saturday on October 8, 2022. Moscow announced that a truck exploded igniting a huge fire and damaging the key Kerch bridge built as Russia's sole land link with annexed Crimea, the caption reads. A screenshot from AFP's website, taken on April 20, 2023 Lastly, a close look at the image of Khartoums Corinthia hotel shows that it has been digitally manipulated to add smoke, fire and what looks like a missile. A reverse image search located the original image of the hotel -- but with no flames, smoke or missiles -- published in a tweet in 2013. A comparison of the digitally manipulated image (left) and the same one published on Twitter 10 years ago (right) Alice Jonsdottir, a spokeswoman for Corinthia Hotels, also dismissed the image as fabricated. I can confirm that this is not accurate and the image has been manipulated, Jonsdottir told AFP Fact Check. California is in the midst of a renewable energy transformation investing more than $50 billion in a pivot away from fossil fuels but Sam Moss just wants to turn the lights on. Moss, a developer of affordable housing in San Francisco, is still waiting for utility giant Pacific Gas & Electric to connect three newly built apartments to the electrical grid. He says he was initially told it could take up to six months. I was like, That cant be real, said Moss. What do you mean theyre not turning the power on? Its not an uncommon story. Hundreds of residential and commercial projects face monthslong waits to get electricity in Northern California at a time when state leaders are touting an unprecedented, climate change-driven overhaul of the way power is produced and used. The delays blamed on a troubled utility, a tight labor market and aging infrastructure could get worse as the state rushes to reduce emissions in a transition thats expected to require a third more electricity over the next decade. The delays highlight the challenges of trying to pull off within a few years the kind of large-scale infrastructure projects that have traditionally taken decades, as planners hurry to avert the worst effects of climate change. Were running out of time, said Terry Tamminen, who helped implement Californias first emissions-reduction law under former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. When we had time to plan this stuff we didn't, and now everyones trying to play catchup. PG&E says it is ready for the energy transition, but some state lawmakers arent convinced. Now we move toward a green energy future, and our biggest liability is PG&E, state Senate Majority Leader Mike McGuire (D-Healdsburg), whose rural Humboldt County district is among the most affected by the delays, said in an interview. The century-old, investor-owned utility, with a territory the size of New England, operates one of the largest hydroelectric systems in the country as well as a nuclear power plant. But in California, its best known for its role in several deadly catastrophes. Story continues One of its natural gas transmission pipelines exploded in 2010, killing eight people in a San Francisco suburb. In 2017 and 2018, its poorly maintained grid caused deadly wildfires, driving the utility into its second bankruptcy in 20 years and incurring a host of criminal charges and lawsuits. PG&E emerged in 2020 with $38 billion in debt, a load that has grown to $52 billion. The utility has also contended with severe winter storms that knocked out power for thousands of customers and supply chain shortages that impeded improvement projects. Across its territory, 319 commercial and multifamily buildings were awaiting electricity connections as of February, according to Public Utilities Commission data provided to state Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco). Of those, 95 had been waiting more than three months. Waits were rarer and much shorter at the states other two major investor-owned utilities, Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas and Electric, according to the data. Staffing shortages recently spurred PG&E to issue and then retract a moratorium on connecting certain projects to electricity in San Francisco. Other parts of PG&Es territory face a more intractable problem: Distribution lines that carry power to buildings are full, and upgrading them will cost billions and take years. In rural Humboldt County, dozens of residential and commercial projects face indefinite waits for power hookups. Developers said the shortage of electrical capacity arrived out of nowhere, raising questions about PG&Es planning. We were floored, surprised, wondering how this could happen, said Jomra Kan, who abandoned plans for a cannabis processing center after learning of a long wait. Because we obtained all the necessary permits and did all the things in the sequence they were supposed to take place. PG&E spokesperson Lynsey Paulo blamed the capacity problems on rising electricity demand, driven by increased air conditioning usage, EV chargers, data centers and other draws on the grid. But, she said, the utility is ready for the transition. PG&E is absolutely committed to meeting the growing energy demand of our customers and communities, while also continuing to invest in our energy system to prevent wildfires and keep our hometowns safe, spokesperson Paulo said in an email. The delays, besides raising concerns about PG&E and the broader transition, drive up construction costs in a state trying to encourage new housing and create jobs that pay enough to afford rent. They can jeopardize efforts like Moss three-unit affordable housing project in San Francisco and they can devastate larger proposals, said Tim Cremins, western region political director for the International Union of Operating Engineers. It really makes it hard for the project to pencil out if you have to sit there dormant for three months, five months, nine months, said Cremins, who represents heavy equipment operators. In San Francisco, the utilitys delays have added $41 million in costs to at least nine affordable housing developments, according to a recent memo from the Mayor's Office of Housing and Community Development. PG&E will improve service and expand electrical capacity, Paulo said, and plans to invest billions of dollars in upgrades. Lawmakers say they will hold PG&E to its promises. McGuire, whose Senate district is adjacent to one of the West Coasts first planned offshore wind projects, is proposing to create an independent watchdog to try to force PG&E to keep its commitments and to improve long-term planning. Wiener, of San Francisco, is advancing a proposal to penalize utilities that take more than eight weeks to provide electricity for fully approved and permitted construction projects. You can imagine peoples frustration when something that should be so simple becomes such a morass, said Wiener. PG&E needs to get its act together and get the damn lights turned on. Moss, of Mission Housing, said Wieners bill would add certainty to timelines for electricity approvals and connections. He said the nonprofit was told in early March that the delay to connect its three new affordable units which were converted from garages could be as much as six months. Since then, he said, PG&E has scheduled and canceled three follow-up visits. PG&E spokesperson Jennifer Robison said in an email that the delays to the housing project were primarily due to storm impacts and response. She said the utility plans to turn on power for the apartments on Saturday. Moss is skeptical. Ill believe it when the lights work, he said. A worker fills shelves at the new Pret A Manger shop in Mumbai UK-based coffee and sandwich chain Pret A Manger has become the latest high-profile Western brand to launch in the Indian market. The firm opened its first shop in India's financial hub Mumbai on Friday. It comes in the same week that US technology giant Apple launched its first two stores in the country. Pret said last year that it was partnering with a unit of Reliance Industries, which is owned by India's richest man Mukesh Ambani. Pret's chief executive Pano Christou said its offering in the country will reflect the company's brand "while also adapting to local preferences and food habits". It marks the first venture by Reliance Brands, which also owns India's biggest retail chain, into the country's growing food and drinks industry. Reliance said its first outlet is a recreation of Pret's UK shops. The shops will be aimed at "the new Indian consumer", Darshan Mehta, the managing director of Reliance Brands said. The launch came just days after Apple chief executive Tim Cook opened the iPhone maker's first retail store in India. The opening of the store in the financial centre Mumbai on Tuesday was followed by a second outlet in the capital Delhi on Thursday. The store will mainly offer Pret's traditional menu, with some local flavours On its opening day, Pret's Mumbai shop was largely stocked with its staple UK menu, but it also added a few local flavours - like the Bombay Toastie and a spicy paneer and lima bean soup. "It's been a bit chaotic here since we came, maybe because of it being the first day. But it's quite similar to the London stores I have been to," Hemlataa P, a fashion consultant, told the BBC. Most menu items will also not contain meat, to cater to India's large vegetarian population. "The hot meal brought memories of my time in London. But I missed the cheddar and pickle baguette - it's not served today," said a customer who works in the neighbourhood. Pret A Manger, which means "ready to eat" in French, was founded in London in 1983, with the first shop opening the following year. Story continues After the original company went into liquidation the brand was bought by college friends Sinclair Beecham and Julian Metcalfe, with their first store opening in 1986. The brand currently has 400 outlets around the world, across nine markets including the UK, US, Europe, Middle East and Asia. Reliance Brands operates more than 2,000 outlets across India. In 2021, parent company Reliance Retail announced a franchise deal with the US-headquartered convenience store chain 7-Eleven. The deal helped to cement Reliance's position as India's largest bricks and mortar retailer. Mukesh Ambani is India's richest person Who is Mukesh Ambani? Mr Ambani has a personal fortune of around $84bn (67.5bn), according to Forbes magazine. The 66-year-old's late father Dhirubhai Ambani founded a textile manufacturer that would eventually become Reliance Industries. It is now one of India's largest conglomerates - with businesses including petrochemicals, oil and gas, telecoms and retail. Mr Ambani is the chairman of Reliance Industries. The Ambani family has a 49% stake in the company. The family also owns assets in the UK worth tens of millions of pounds. In 2019, a unit of Reliance Industries bought the iconic UK toy retailer Hamleys for an undisclosed sum. Two years later, Reliance bought the historic British country club Stoke Park for 57m. Reuters/Stefan Zaklin Morton Klein, president of right-wing pro-Israel Zionist Organization of America (ZOA), has been hit with a lawsuit alleging racist, sexist and bullying behavior. John Rosen, 62, is suing the non-profit and Klein, as well as former Trump lawyer and ZOA board chair David Schoen, for $1.2 million in damages. Rosen, a former executive vice-president at ZOA, alleges he was retaliated against after filing a whistleblower complaint in Feb 2022 that detailed Kleins racist and sexist behavior. In the suit, Rosen alleges that under Kleins leadership, the ZOA was rife with dysfunction and impropriety. 76-year-old Klein, he claims, ran the non-profit as his personal fiefdom and created a toxic work environment. The lawsuit describes Klein as a man with a volatile temper, mixed with wildly inappropriate commentssmacking of racism and misogyny. Founded in 1897, ZOA is a hard-right pro-Israel advocacy organization. The group threw its weight behind President Donald Trump in 2016, supporting his efforts to move the American embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, and hosting Steve Bannon, Sean Spicer and Sebastian Gorka at its events. Last year, Klein described Trump as the best friend Israel ever had in the White House, and awarded him the Theodor Herzl Medallion, ZOAs highest honor. (After Trump had dinner with Ye, and openly anti-Semitic white nationalist Nick Fuentes, at Mar-a-Lago in Dec, 2022, Klein told the The New Yorker he was worried Trump legitimizes Jew-hatred and Jew-haters, but maintained Donald Trump is not an antisemite.) Klein, a vociferous supporter of Israel, has long been known for his controversial public comments. But Rosens new suit gives insight into the chaos his alleged actions unleashed inside ZOA. For example, Klein was accused of racism when criticized the Black Lives Matter Movement in a series of tweets following the murder of George Floyd in June 2020, describing the groups as dangerous Soros-funded extremist group of haters. Story continues I urge the SPLC to immediately put BlackLivesMatter on their list of hate groups. BLM is a Jew hating, White hating, Israel hating, conservative Black hating, violence promoting, dangerous Soros funded extremist group of haters. https://t.co/NdXztGlG2u Morton Klein (@MortonAKlein7) June 6, 2020 Angry at the criticism, Klein then called ZOAs director of marketing and demanded the numbers of two Black female employees and one Black former employee, according to the suit. Klein said he wanted public statements from the Black employees that he was not racist, which he planned to publish alongside their photograph, the suit says. Klein went on to call one Black female employee and ask her for a statement, which she declined to give, the suit claims. The same woman later overheard Klein saying at a party that more white men should be hired, according to the suit. The employee complained to Rosen, the suit says, who then raised it with Klein who became infuriated and said he no longer wanted to see her ugly fat face. In 2019, Klein refused to hire a female candidate for a job at ZOA would distract the staff as she was too physically attractive, according to the suit. After hiring the less physically attractive candidate, Klein later told her that a previous allegation of sexual harassment against him by a past job candidate was untrue because the woman was overweight and too ugly to be harrassed. The following year Klein said he thought workplace anti-discrimination trainings were being forced on us by the left and were total rubbish, the suit claims. Rosen also accuses Klein of violating labor law. On one occasion, Klein criticized an employee with cancer for taking time off work, asking whether she was comatose, the suit says. When another employee asked for expanded maternity benefits, Klein said she could go to hell, according to the suit. Rosen complained to the ZOA board about Kleins behavior and an outside lawyer was hired to investigate, according to the suit. But when a draft report was filed, Tyler Korn, one of ZOAs board of directors, felt it was too critical of Klein, the suit says. Anti-Abortion Group Calls Trumps Stance on Bans Morally Indefensible David Schoen, a lawyer who represented former President Donald Trump in his second impeachment proceedings, joined ZOAs board in 2021. Rosen sent Schoen an 229-page whistleblower complaint detailing Kleins behavior in Feb, 2022, according to his suit. Rosen says he then faced a sustained campaign of retaliation by Klein, Schoen and the ZOA, which ended with him being terminated for poor performance in August 2022. Schoen says that he received Rosens complaint, and followed the whistleblower policy. [Rosen] apparently wasnt satisfied with the pace of the investigation that was underway, Schoen said in a statement to The Daily Beast on Thursday. He said a lawyer requested by Rosen investigated the complaint. The Executive Committee then voted unanimously to terminate Mr. Rosen based on the findings and conclusions of the lawyer who Mr. Rosen selected to investigate his complaints. At all times instructions were given that there was to be no retaliation against Mr. Rosen for making complaints and that there would be a full and fair investigation, Schoen said. (Rosen originally filed a similar lawsuit against Klein, Schoen and the ZOA in Nov 2022. It was dismissed on the grounds that New Jersey law did not apply, Rosens lawyer Alexander Sakin, told The Daily Beast. The new lawsuit is filed under New York law, he said.) John was not fired from ZOA as a result of any performance issues, Sakin wrote in an email to The Daily Beast of Thursday, John was terminated in retaliation for standing up against what he rightly viewed as serious dysfunction at ZOA, including unchecked violations of employment laws, as well as the ZOA Board of Directors failure to provide sufficient oversight over the organizations operations and management. 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. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex relocated to Meghan's home state after stepping back as senior members of the royal family in 2020 John Lamparski/Getty Prince Harry Prince Harry is "settled" in California. The Duke of Sussex relocated with his wife, Meghan Markle, to her home state in 2020 after they stepped back from their royal roles. After spending some time at Tyler Perry's Los Angeles home, they purchased a house in Montecito. "Harry has definitely found his vibe and is very settled in California. But he does miss home," Meghan's friend and makeup artist Daniel Martin says in this week's cover story. During the couple's 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, before they welcomed daughter Princess Lilibet, Harry opened up about the couple's move to California with son Prince Archie. "To have outdoor space where I can go for walks with Archie and we go for walks as a family and with the dogs. You know, we go on hikes or go down to the beach, which is so close," he said. Prince Harry played polo on a team at the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club last summer, and he's mastered his In-N-Out Burger order ("two double-doubles, animal style, fries and a Coke!"). Related:Prince Harry and King Charles Have Had 'Positive Conversations' Leading Up to Coronation, Says Source Karwai Tang/WireImage Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Meghan, 41, and Prince Harry, 38, were recently asked to vacate their U.K. home, Frogmore Cottage, by King Charles. A source previously told PEOPLE that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are "matter-of-fact" about leaving Frogmore Cottage and aren't trying to overturn the decision. The source added that Prince Harry and Meghan are happy to raise their two children in California. Prince Harry was in London to attend a court case in March, and he will attend King Charles' coronation on May 6. However, Meghan will remain in California with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet and celebrate Archie's 4th birthday, which falls on the same day as the crowning ceremony, with a "low-key party at home." Story continues Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! "It's an elegant solution," royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith, author of George VI and Elizabeth: The Marriage That Saved the Monarchy, tells PEOPLE, adding that Archie's birthday "gave them a reasonable out for Meghan not to come." But those closest to the couple know that the media backlash Meghan faced in the U.K. during Queen Elizabeth's funeral last year and in the months since played a significant role in her decision not to come. "Meghan wants to be there to support her father-in-law, but at the same time, the scrutiny she receives outweighs the support," a close friend says. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Photo Illustration by Luis G. Rendon/The Daily Beast/Reuters Royalist is The Daily Beasts newsletter for all things royal and Royal Family. Subscribe here to get it in your inbox every Sunday. The brevity of Prince Harrys forthcoming trip to the U.K. to attend his fathers coronation is a massive diss to his family, a close friend of Prince Williams has told The Daily Beast. And with rumors now circulating that Harry could fly in and out of the country in such short order that he spends less than 24 hours in the land of his birth, opinion is divided as to whether the effect of his appearance will be to bolster a sense of unity or reinforce the narrative of division that has beset the royals in recent years. If he comes for less than 24 hours, its a massive diss really, said the longtime close friend of Williams. You know, Tell us how you really feel, Harry. Royal Family Relieved That Harry and Meghan Coronation Distraction Now Settled The friend said that relations between the two brothers were so bad they are nonexistent but that William would likely be happy for his father that Harry was attending the coronation. Williams official position is that he supports his father because he is the king and its his coronation, the friend said. Harry brought months of speculation about whether or not he would attend the coronation to an end earlier this month when it was announced that he would attend the ceremony but Meghan and his children would not. While Charles is said to be relieved by the issue finally being settled, there seems to be an increasingly clear divide between Williams ongoing hostility to his brother and Charles apparent willingness to continue to try to build bridges. A friend of the king, for example, gave The Daily Beast a very different perspective on Harrys non-attendance to that given by Williams friend, saying: Of course Charles is delighted Harry will be there. He has always made it very clear he loves both his sons and wanted Harry to be there. He completely understands it is going to be a quick trip. Story continues The friend said they had no knowledge of the accuracy of reports that Charles and Harry had spoken by phone in recent days, but said that it seemed a reasonable supposition. Last month, Harry visited London to attend the opening days of a court case being brought against the publishers of the Daily Mail, but Charles camp briefed the king was too busy to meet with Harry, despite the fact that he had been at home after a two day-trip to France was canceled at the last minute, presumably leaving a hole in his diary. Asked if this apparent snub by his father, which would suggest there would be no chance of a meeting over the coronation period, was a relevant factor in Harrys decision to make a lightning visit, the source said, No-one would be expecting the king to be having private meetings with anyone over that weekend. (Neither Buckingham Palace nor Harrys spokesperson responded to requests for comment in connection with the issue of how long he might be staying in the U.K. as part of his coronation visit.) In his unwillingness to chastise Harry, however, Charles appears to be increasingly isolated from other members of his family. Although William has kept his criticism of Harry private, Camilla burst into the open last weekend, appearing to authorize a friend to give The Sunday Times careful, measured and on-the-record condemnation of Harrys depiction of her in his book Spare, in which he described her as dangerous, subsequently telling Anderson Cooper: With her, on the way to being queen consort, there was going to be people or bodies left in the street because of that... Speaking to the Sunday Times, Camillas close friend the Marchioness of Lansdownean interior designer known professionally as Fiona Shelburnesaid of Harrys comments, 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. Another source, described as an aide, told The Sunday Times that Camilla had an eye-roll response, to Harrys memoir and the sometimes inflammatory interviews he gave to promote it. All attention will now turn to exactly how long Harry will spend in the country. In a tweet when Harrys attendance was first announced, the journalist Omid Scobie, who is known to have excellent contacts within the Sussex organization and has on occasion acted as a de facto spokesperson for the couple, said, Expect it to be a fairly quick trip to the UK for Prince Harry, who will only be attending the coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey. Britain's King Charles, Britain's Anne, Princess Royal, Prince Andrew, Duke of York, Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, Britain's William, Prince of Wales, and Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, attend the state funeral and burial of Britain's Queen Elizabeth, at Windsor Castle in Windsor, Britain, September 19, 2022. Henry Nicholls/Reuters How quick is fairly quick? It is entirely feasible that Harry could fly in the day before the coronation, landing on the evening of Friday May 5 and head home less than 24 hours later, given that the ceremony itself begins at 11 a.m. and is only expected to last just over an hour. Harry has no further role in the ceremony. He has not been invited to join the royal party for the procession back to Buckingham Palace and he is definitely not expected to make an appearance on the Palace balcony. He might decide to just get back home. The 1620 flight from Heathrow lands in LAX at just before 8 p.m. local time; the time difference means a private jet to Santa Barbara could certainly have him back in Montecito in time to blow out the candles at Archies fourth birthday party, which Meghans friends have given as one of her reasons for not attending. No doubt many will see Harrys actions as an admirable demonstration of his devotion to family duty if he does choose this course of action. Harry and Meghan might like that. In some quarters of Buckingham Palace, of course, running out of your dads big day to attend a childs birthday party might be perceived not so much as a noble devotion to paternal obligations as an almighty Fuck you! One increasingly gets the impression that Harry would be just fine with that interpretation too. 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. It appears that Prince Louis was given a hand-me-down shirt from his older brother Prince George in a new birthday tribute for the late Queen Elizabeth II. To mark what would be the Queens 97th birthday, the royal family shared an unseen photograph of the late British monarch surrounded by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In the photo, which was taken by the Princess of Wales during a family trip to Balmoral, Aberdeenshire last summer, the Queen is seen sitting on a couch joined by Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and of course, Prince Louis. The four-year-old royal was seen standing off to the side of his great-grandmother and next to his cousin, Isla Phillips. Apart from the grin on his face, Prince Louis also wore a button-down shirt with blue and white stripes and mandarin-collar shirt. In fact, the striped shirt appeared to be identical to the one worn by Prince George when he was the same age as his younger brother. In 2017, Kensington Palace released a portrait of Prince George in honour of his fourth birthday. The photograph, captured by royal photographer Chris Jackson, showed the Prince and Princess of Wales eldest child beaming in the blue and white striped shirt. The long sleeve shirt called the Pereprine Shirt Seersucker Blue is from the Franco-Spanish boutique Amaia Kids, a favourite brand amongst the royal family. The shirt currently retails on their website for $74.25 (58). Prince George had also worn the striped blue shirt for the then-Cambridges Christmas card in 2017, before Louis was born. The slightly formal photograph was taken in a studio and showed George and Charlotte standing in front of their parents. This isnt the first time Prince Louis has been passed down clothes from his nine-year-old brother, Prince George. In December 2020, Louis made his red carpet debut at the London Palladium by wearing a Redwink blue jacket from Amaia (115) that his brother had previously worn three years earlier at Queen Elizabeths annual Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace. Story continues The Duke and Duchess are delighted to share a new official portrait of Prince George to mark HRH's 4th birthday tomorrow pic.twitter.com/Fct5iaoEer The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) July 21, 2017 That same year, Louis re-wore a merino wool jumper from the brand Wild and Gorgeous while meeting Sir David Attenborough with his siblings. Prince George wore the sweater in 2016, during the Cambridges tour of Canada two years before the youngest royal was born. Prince Louis was even seen wearing his fathers mini sailor suit at Trooping the Colour last June, more than 30 years after Prince William wore it to the same event in 1985 when he was just two years old. In 2019, Louis made his debut on the Buckingham Palace balcony wearing a blue-and-white shirt and matching shorts set borrowed from his uncle, Prince Harry. The previously unseen photograph featured the late Queen Elizabeth II with the young royals, who were all smiles as they sat next to their beloved Gan Gan. In addition to the George, Charlotte, and Louis, Mia, Lucas and Lena Tindall were seen in the image, along with Savannah and Isla Phillips. Standing at the back were the Queens grandchildren Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor and James, Earl of Wessex the son and daughter of the now-Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh. However, missing from the photograph were the Duke and Duchess of Sussexs two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, stepped down as senior working royals in 2020 and have since relocated their family to the United States. The duke will make his return to the United Kingdom for the coronation of his father, King Charles II, on Saturday 6 May. However, Meghan will stay at home in California with their two children, as the coronation is also the same day as Archies fourth birthday. 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 earlier this month. 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. Kensington Palace released a previously unseen photo of the late Queen Elizabeth on Friday, which wouldve been the monarchs 97th birthday. The photo, taken by Kate Middleton, shows the late monarch sitting among her grandchildren and great-grandchildren at Balmoral last summer. Pictured are the Prince and Princess of Wales three children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis alongside Zara and Mike Tindalls kids Mia, Lena, and Lucas. Also photographed with the queen are Prince Edwards two children, Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor and James, Earl of Wessex, along with Peter Phillips daughters, Savannah and Isla. Notably absent from the photograph are Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrices children. Also missing are Prince Harry and Meghan Markles two kids, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. The Princess of Wales The Princess of Wales Queen Elizabeth died at Balmoral on Sept. 8, 2022, after 70 years on the throne. She was 96. The royal family remembered the late sovereign on Friday, with social media posts celebrating the incredible life and legacy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. When Her Majesty was born in April 1926, Princess Elizabeth and her family did not expect that she would one day become Queen, read a Royal Family Instagram caption alongside a photo of the late monarch. Following the abdication of her uncle King Edward VIII in 1936, her father acceded to the throne, the post continued. When King George VI died in February 1952, Princess Elizabeth became Queen Elizabeth II when she was just 25. Her Majesty went on to be Britains longest reigning Monarch the only one in history to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee. The royals have less than a month until King Charles coronation at Westminster Abbey on May 6. Following the Saturday ceremony, there will be a Coronation Big Lunch to mark the occasion, and a Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle on the following day. On May 8, people are asked to volunteer in their communities on behalf of something called The Big Help Out. Related... Queen Elizabeth II. Yui Mok/WPA Pool/Getty Images Prince William and Kate Middleton shared a photo of Queen Elizabeth in honor of her birthday. The Princess of Wales took the photo at Balmoral, where the Queen died, in the summer of 2022. Her late majesty posed with 10 of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren in the shot. Friday would have been Queen Elizabeth II's 97th birthday. The Queen died on September 8, 2022, at Balmoral in Scotland at 96 after serving more than 70 years on the throne. In honor of her birthday, Prince William and Kate Middleton posted a never-before-seen photo of the Queen on their Instagram page. In the photo, the Queen sits on a green couch surrounded by some of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. According to the Prince and Princess of Wales' caption, Kate took the photo at Balmoral in the summer of 2022, mere months before the Queen died. In total, Queen Elizabeth was a grandmother of eight and great-grandmother of 12. The photo included half of her grandkids and great-grandchildren, including younger royals who don't often appear in public. Queen Elizabeth with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren at Balmoral in the summer of 2022. The Princess of Wales The Queen's youngest grandchildren were in the photo, Prince Edward and Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh's, kids: Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor, 19, and James, Earl of Wessex, 15. The eight great-grandchildren in the shot included Prince George, 9, Princess Charlotte, 7, and Prince Louis, 4, who had last been photographed in public with the Queen at her Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June 2022. Zara and Mike Tindall's kids, Lena, 4, Mia, 9, and Lucas, 2, were also in the picture, as were Peter Phillips' children, Isla, 11, and Savannah, 12. Zara and Peter are Princess Anne's children, and neither have had titles throughout their life, as their father, Mark Phillips, chose not to accept a royal title when he married Princess Anne. As a result, their children don't have royal titles either. Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Anne with Anne's children Peter and Zara Phillips in Windsor on May 12, 1985. Georges De Keerle/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images Of the Queen's great-grandchildren, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, were not in the photo, nor were Princess Eugenie or Princess Beatrice's children. Beatrice welcomed her daughter Sienna in September 2021, and Eugenie gave birth to her first child August in February 2021. Eugenie is pregnant with her second baby due in the summer of 2023. Read the original article on Insider Alec Baldwin Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic Alec Baldwin has still not been absolved of criminal culpability in the fatal Rust shooting, prosecutors say, even as they plan to drop all charges against him. The actor's attorneys confirmed Thursday that prosecutors are dropping involuntary manslaughter charges against him in connection with the 2021 shooting on the set of his movie Rust. Baldwin was holding a prop gun that accidentally went off on set, fatally striking cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. In a statement to Deadline, special prosecutors Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis said the charges will be dropped after "new facts were revealed that demand further investigation and forensic analysis" ahead of a May 3 preliminary hearing. "Consequently, we cannot proceed under the current time constraints and on the facts and evidence turned over by law enforcement in its existing form," the prosecutors added. They didn't detail these new facts, although the Los Angeles Times reports prosecutors learned the prop gun had been modified, meaning there's a greater chance it could have misfired. Baldwin has repeatedly said he never pulled the trigger of the gun. But the charges are being dismissed without prejudice, so the prosecutors said "this decision does not absolve Mr. Baldwin of criminal culpability and charges may be refiled," adding, "Our follow-up investigation will remain active and on-going." Los Angeles personal injury attorney Miguel Custodio said in an emailed statement that although it's "a great day" for Baldwin, "I don't think it's over yet," noting armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed is still facing charges. "It's possible they want to wait to see what they can learn from that case, analyze it and decide whether to go forward against Baldwin," Custodio said. But he added, "This news coming just before the preliminary hearing, where they had to justify the viability of the manslaughter case, indicates it wasn't as strong as they thought." Story continues Baldwin's attorneys celebrated the decision to drop the charges, calling for "a proper investigation into the facts and circumstances of this tragic accident." The actor also said on Instagram he owes "everything I have to" his wife, Hilaria, "(and to you, Luke)," apparently referencing attorney Luke Nikas. You may also like Texas Senate approves bills requiring 10 Commandments in K-12 classrooms, Bible time in school Prosecutors to 'conduct further investigation' in Alec Baldwin case: 'Charges may be refiled' The U.S. and China want to 'decouple' their economies. Is it possible? A woman holds a placard saying "Leave homophobia to Russia A woman holds a placard during the Warsaw Equality Parade. As well as LGBTQ and equality slogans, participants showed their support against the war and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Credit - Volha ShukailaSOPA Images/LightRocket/ Getty Images When Vladimir Putin announced Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, he framed the move in part as a means of defending traditional values from Western attitudes that are directly leading to degradation and degeneration, because they are contrary to human nature. The Russian president was referencing in particular Western countries acceptance and legal recognition of LGBT peoplea subject that he has long weaponized as a means of undermining liberal democracy and portraying himself as a true defender of conservative social and religious values. By justifying the war in this way, Putin had perhaps hoped to galvanize support for it among Ukraines conservative and religious populations. In practice, however, he may have achieved just the opposite. Since the war began, Ukrainian society has seen a sharp increase in support for the countrys LGBT community and, in particular, for the queer soldiers serving in the military. Calls for LGBT people to have access to civil partnerships have grown. For some, homophobia has become almost synonymous with Russian aggression. Inna Sovsun, a Ukrainian lawmaker who last month introduced a bill that, if passed, would legalize same-sex civil partnerships, tells TIME that what is happening in Ukraine is a direct consequence of Putins actions. Because Putin made homophobia such a big part of his political agenda and [Russian] national ideology, people automatically associate him with homophobia, she says. So if we are different from him, then we should be different in that area as well. Though Ukraine was the first post-Soviet country to decriminalize homosexuality after gaining its independence in 1991, LGBT rights have lagged in the country. Same-sex couples do not have access to the same rights or privileges as their heterosexual counterparts. While some efforts were taken to protect LGBT people in the country, including the passage of a 2015 law outlawing discrimination in the workplace, they were not widely accepted in society. According to a 2016 study conducted by the Ukrainian human rights organization Nash Svit and the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology, 60% of those surveyed said they viewed the LGBT community negatively. Only a third of respondents said that they believed they were deserving of equal rights. Story continues Much has changed since then. In a follow-up survey conducted last year, the same pollsters found that opposition to the LGBT community had shrunk to just 38%, whereas support for equal rights nearly doubled. Read More: Olena Shevchenko Is Fighting for Ukraines Most Vulnerable People As analysts and activists see it, the reasons for this shift are threefold. The first, as Sovsun notes, is that Ukraine has become largely antagonistic both to Putin and the homophobic ideology he propagates. The second is that, in a war that is widely regarded as a fight between liberal democracy and authoritarianism, many Ukrainians see the move towards greater equality and inclusivity as part and parcel of its shifting orientation towards Europe and the West. But the third, and perhaps the most salient reason is because of the members of the LGBT community currently on the frontline. There are estimated to be thousands of queer soldiers serving in the Ukrainian army. While many of them havent necessarily come out publicly, their visibility is growing. We had more coming out stories than ever before after the full-scale invasion, says Max Potapovych, the media manager of LGBT Military, an organization that advocates for Ukrainian soldiers. Part of Potapovychs job is to share the stories of soldiers currently serving on the frontline using social media. One such post about a gay couple, Ivan and Mykola, attracted more than 1.5 million views. Our queer soldiers understand that they may lose their lives really fast and they didnt live a life freely as they could without war, Potapovych says. It motivates them to come out despite all the homophobia. Petro Zherukha, a 27-year-old musicologist from Lviv Oblast, enlisted in the Ukrainian military shortly after Russias invasion began. He says he is the only queer person on his basesomething that he kept to himself, at first. The war changed everything, he tells TIME. Despite experiencing plenty of pain and loss amid the war, including the deaths of friends, Zherukha says that the love and support he received from friends and fellow queer soldiers inspired him to come out publicly. I opened fully, and now I fight for me and my communitys rights as strongly as I can, he says. I think the war made me stronger and pushed me to be stronger. More and more Ukrainians are supportive of queer soldiers serving in the military; in the aforementioned 2022 study, even among respondents who said they have a negative view of LGBT people, 53.8% said they support their inclusion in the military. Among those who have a positive view, support is as high as 82.6%. There is also growing awareness about the disproportionate challenges facing LGBT soldiers. For example, if a queer soldier is injured or killed in action, the lack of legal recognition of same-sex partnerships means that their significant other will not be afforded the right to make medical decisions on their behalf, bury them, or collect any state compensation. Its these injustices that Sovsun hopes her proposed legislation will rectify, but it still has a long way to go. Though 17 other lawmakers have co-signed the billincluding members of both her party, Holos, and President Volodymyr Zelenskys ruling Servant of the People partythe legislation still needs to undergo consideration by the Ukrainian Parliaments Committee on Legal Policy, one of the required first stages of the legislative process. This stage of the process hasnt occurred yet, and Sovsun isnt optimistic that it will be prioritized anytime soon. (Denys Maslov, the chairman of the committee, did not respond to requests for comment.) While Zelensky has previously expressed support for greater equality in response to a petition calling for the legalization of same-sex marriage, the president also said that such a change would require amending the countrys constitution, which cannot be changed during a state of war or emergency. Hes been trying not to go into an issue which can potentially be divisive, but the thing is that over the last year, the level of support for this kind of legislation has actually increased, says Sovsun, noting that in order for the legislation to succeed, it will invariably require his partys support. As she sees it, the fight to secure greater equality shouldnt have to wait until after the war endsUkraines queers soldiers cant afford for it to. LGBT people who enlisted in the army are fighting for the country that does not fully support them, she says. While we are having this discussion here in the parliament, they are over there in the trenches fighting for the right for us to have this debate. Zherukha says that the prospect of being granted the right to civic partnerships gives him and fellow queer soldiers hope. He describes it as being like air and all queers want to take a deep breath. For Sovsuns part, she hopes that greater international attention to this issue will prompt the government to act more quickly. One factor that may compel them to do so is a pending decision by the European Court of Human Rights. In 2014, Andrey Maymulakhin and his partner Andrey Markiv filed a case with the court alleging that Ukraines failure to recognize same-sex partnerships amounts to discrimination under European law. The ECHR communicated the case in 2021, and although it is unknown exactly when a judgment will be delivered, recent precedent suggests that it could go in the couples favor. In 2021, the same court ruled in a similar case that Russia was in violation of the European Convention on Human Rights over its failure to provide same-sex unions with the ability to gain legal recognition under domestic law. While Moscow may not care if it is in violation of European convention, Kyiv almost certainly will. As a contender for E.U. membership, We cannot simply say were going to ignore the decision of the European Court on Human Rights, says Sovsun. Nevertheless, Ukraines LGBT advocates are optimistic that change is inevitable. The war has helped the country realize that being in partnership or being in a couple is not only to go to restaurants, says Sofia Lapina, a Ukrainian activist and the head of Ukrainepride. Sometimes it is about death, sometimes it is about permission to visit your partner in hospital. Right now, all Ukrainains understand this. Puyallup police are looking for three people following a series of robberies that happened overnight on Thursday. At about 12:03 a.m. Friday, Puyallup police officers responded to an armed robbery at a 7-Eleven, at 941 South Meridian. According to a news release, a 52-year-old woman stopped at the convenience store to purchase items and as she returned to her vehicle, a man approached her demanding her keys. He displayed a firearm, and she gave him the keys to her 2020 blue/gray Honda Civic, the release stated. Police say the victim saw the suspect stop and pick up another person before fleeing southbound on Meridian. The victim described the suspect as a Black male, about 20 to 35-years-old and approximately 56 with a slim build, according to police. He was last seen wearing a black hoodie, the release stated. According to Puyallup police, the stolen car was possibly involved in a series of robberies and a burglary, at Hometown Studios, 2101 North Meridian, and at another 7-Eleven, at 121 East Stewart Ave. Police say the suspects broke a window of a parked vehicle at Hometown Studios at about 1:20 a.m. The car was occupied. The suspects showed a handgun and demanded the occupant not to move or he would be shot, the release stated. The occupant put the vehicle in reverse and fled the scene, police said. The three suspects later at about 1:27 a.m. entered a 7-Eleven armed with handguns and demanded money from the clerk, the release stated. The clerk complied, and suspects fled the scene, according to Puyallup police. The three cases are being actively investigated by the Puyallup Police Departments Investigative Services. PPD spokesman Captain Ryan Portmann said the department is also sharing information and cooperating with other agencies, including Edgewood Police, Federal Way Police, Pierce County Sheriffs Office and King County Sheriffs Office to determine if other robberies and burglaries are connected. Anyone with information should call the Puyallup Police Department tip line at 253-770-3343 or email tips@puyallupwa.gov. Queen Elizabeth's coronation outfit and dress was created especially for her 1953 coronation. (Getty Images) The late Queen Elizabeths coronation gown and robe are some of the most memorable and important pieces of clothing in fashion history. The 27-year-old Queens coronation was the first ever to be televised, and some 27 million people tuned in to watch the ceremony in the UK alone. The iconic white duchesse satin dress and deep red silk-velvet robe, which the young monarch wore for her coronation service at Westminster Abbey on 2 June, 1953, is steeped in history. As we count down to King Charles' coronation in May, we look back at what Elizabeth II wore as her coronation outfit, 70 years ago. The Queen's Coronation gown on display at Platinum Jubilee: The Queen's Coronation, a special exhibition held in St George's Hall and the Lantern Lobby at Windsor Castle in 2022. (PA) Queen Elizabeth's coronation gown Queen Elizabeth knew that what she would wear to her coronation in 1953 would be seen all over the world as the first ever coronation to be televised. The late Queen acquired the help of British couturier Norman Hartnell, who had created her 1947 wedding dress, to design her coronation dress in October 1952, eight months before the date of her coronation. The design for the coronation gown went through nine proposals to Her Majesty, and she selected the eighth. But the final version resulted from his research, adjustments and numerous meetings with the late monarch. Queen Elizabeth's coronation gown and robe at The Queen's Coronation 1953 exhibition celebrating the 60th anniversary of the coronation at Buckingham Palace in 2013. (Reuters) Queen Elizabeth's coronation dress was a white silk dress embroidered with floral emblems of the countries of the Commonwealth at the time, with Her Majesty requesting the emblems for the Dominions of which she was now Queen would also be added in addition to the four national emblems in Hartnells sketch. The final design featured the Tudor rose of England, Scottish thistle, Welsh leek, shamrock for Northern Ireland, wattle of Australia, maple leaf of Canada, the New Zealand silver fern, South Africa's protea, two lotus flowers for India and Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), and Pakistan's wheat, cotton and jute, embroidered in various colours. The embroideries were arranged in three scalloped, graduated tiers bordered with alternating lines of gold bugle beads, diamantes and pearls. Story continues Read more: Will Queen Consort Camilla be given the title of Queen after the coronation? The Queen also wore her coronation dress several times after the coronation, including to open parliament in New Zealand in 1954. (Getty Images) The materials for the Queens coronation dress were all created within Britain: the silk was produced at Lady Hart Dykes silk farm at Lullingstone Castle, Kent, and was woven by Warner & Sons in Essex. The dress took three dressmakers, six embroideresses and the Royal School of Needlework, responsible for the embroidery worked in gold bullion thread, to create. In addition to the gown, Hartnell also designed the Queens colobium sindonis, a plain white linen robe used during the coronation service to symbolise divesting oneself of all worldly vanity and standing bare before God. The Queen in full regalia at her coronation in 1953. (Getty Images) The colobium sindonis is placed over the incoming monarch's clothes, and then the supertunica, a full-length robe of embroidered gold brocade, is placed over that. Finally the Imperial Mantle, also known as the Pallium or Dalmatic Robe, is placed. The Imperial Mantle is made of cloth of gold, woven in coloured threads with a curvilinear pattern of foliage, crowns, fleurs-de-lis and eagles, with coloured roses, thistles and shamrock woven over, and with gold fringing, lined in red tabby silk, per The Royal Collection Trust. After the sovereign is dressed in the Supertunica and Stole, with the Mantle on top, the monarch is invested with the regalia, crowned and finally, enthroned. The Queen's coronation robe Attached to the Queens shoulders was a crimson velvet mantle edged with ermine and featuring two rows of delicately embroidered gold lace and gold filigree. On the day of the coronation, six of the Queens maids of honour had to carry the robe behind her. The Queen wearing the The Robe of State of Crimson Velvet in the Throne Room at Buckingham Palace on the day of her coronation with her maids of monour are beside her. (Getty Images) The Robe of State of Crimson Velvet, as it is known, was hand-woven by Warners of Braintree, Essex, using Lullingstone Castle silk and made by Messrs. Ede & Ravenscroft of Chancery Lane, London. Queen Elizabeth's coronation crowns The late Queen wore not one, but three different crowns on the day of her coronation in 1953, all serving a different purpose throughout the two-hour-long ceremony. The Diamond Diadem crown Queen Elizabeth arrived at Westminster Abbey wearing the Diamond Diadem, originally designed for George IV's coronation in 1821 and widely recognised as the crown that the Queen is wearing in her postage stamp profile. The Queen wearing the Diamond Diadem crown for the State Opening of Parliament in 2013. (Getty Images) Housed in the Tower of London, it is set with 1,333 brilliant-cut diamonds and consists of a band with two rows of pearls either side of a row of diamonds, above which are diamonds set in the form of a rose, a thistle and two shamrocks, the national emblems of England, Scotland and Ireland. The St. Edwards Crown From there, Her Majesty was officially crowned in the coronation chair with the St. Edwards crown, the most important and sacred of all the crowns. Only used at the moment of crowning itself, the solid gold frame weighs 2.23kg (nearly 5lbs) and is adorned with semi-precious stones. The St Edward's Crown, which hasn't been outside the Tower of London for 60 years, weighs nearly 5lbs and is only ever worn for the exact moment of the crowning of a new monarch. (Reuters) The current St. Edwards crown has been around since 1661, created for Charles IIs coronation in place of the medieval crown that had been melted down by parliamentarians in 1649, following the execution of King Charles I. The Imperial State Crown After the ceremony, and officially declared Queen, Her Majesty entered St Edward's chapel to swap crowns and change into the robe of purple velvet for the final procession. The Queen wearing the Imperial state Crown, and carrying the Orb and sceptre after the coronation. (Getty Images) The final crown, the Imperial State Crown, was made for the coronation of King George VI in 1937, and is made of pure gold and set with 2,868 diamonds, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds, 269 pearls, and four rubies. The crown contains some of the most famous jewels in the Crown Jewels collection, including the Black Prince's Ruby, a 170-carat cabochon spinel, the Stuart Sapphire, a 104-carat stone set at the back of the crown, and the Cullinan II diamond, a 317.4-carat diamond from the original Cullinan diamond, the largest gem-quality rough diamond ever found. Watch: Odd traditions of coronations past and present - from roasting an ox to giving cash to the unemployed Bracelets showing the HIV and hepatitis C status of a captured Wagner fighter at a prison in Dnipro, April 6, 2023. (Mauricio Lima/The New York Times) In Russian prisons, they said they were deprived of effective treatments for their HIV. On the battlefield in Ukraine, they were offered hope, with the promise of antiviral medications if they agreed to fight. It was a recruiting pitch that worked for many Russian prisoners. About 20% of recruits in Russian prisoner units are HIV positive, Ukrainian authorities estimate based on infection rates in captured soldiers. Serving on the front lines seemed less risky than staying in prison, the detainees said in interviews with The New York Times. Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times Conditions were very harsh in Russian prison, said Timur, 37, an HIV-positive Russian soldier interviewed at a detention site in the city of Dnieper in central Ukraine, and identified only by a first name, worried that he would face retaliation if he returned to Russia in a prisoner swap. After he was sentenced to 10 years for drug dealing, the doctors in the Russian prison changed the antiviral medication he had been taking to control HIV to types he feared were not effective, Timur said. He said he did not think he could survive a decade in Russian prison with HIV. In December, he agreed to serve six months in the Wagner mercenary group in exchange for a pardon and supplies of antiviral medications. I understood I would have a quick death or a slow death, he said of choosing between poor HIV treatment in prison and participating in assaults in Russias war in Ukraine. I chose a quick death. Timur had no military experience and was provided two weeks of training before deployment to the front, he said. He was issued a Kalashnikov rifle, 120 bullets, an armored vest and a helmet for the assault. Before sending the soldiers forward, he said, commanders repeated many times, if you try to leave this field, we will shoot you. Soldiers in his platoon, he said, were sent on a risky assault, waves of soldiers with little chance of survival sent into battle on the outskirts of the eastern city of Bakhmut. Most were killed on their first day of combat. Timur was captured. Story continues Units of former prisoners have made up the bulk of forces in Russias attack on Bakhmut, one of the bloodiest and longest-running battles in the war. Beginning on a wide scale last summer, inmates were promised pardons for going into combat. Those with HIV or hepatitis C were forced to identify their status in a very public manner. When captured by Ukrainian soldiers, many wore red or white rubber wristbands, or both, signifying they had either disease, both widespread in the Russian prison system. They were made to wear the wristbands ostensibly as a warning to other soldiers in case they were wounded, although they would not necessarily be infectious if properly medicated. Antiviral medication can indefinitely treat HIV and suppress the virus to the point where an individual is not infectious. Ukraine allows those who are HIV positive to serve in combat roles with approval from their commanders. The United States does not allow people who are HIV positive to enlist, but lets soldiers who become infected continue to serve while receiving treatment. If a person is in treatment, and continues treatment, the virus can be undetectable and he can serve, he can work and is not dangerous to those around him, said Dr. Iryna Dizha, a medical adviser to 100 Percent Life, an HIV advocacy group in Ukraine. The wristbands pose a risk to those wearing them. They are intended to protect other soldiers from infection if the wearer suffers a bloody battlefield wound, the prisoners of war said. Reluctance of fellow soldiers or medics to be exposed to the blood, however, could delay first aid. Another HIV-positive prisoner of war who fought in the Wagner group, Yevgeny, said that he had suffered a gunshot wound a month before his capture by Ukrainian forces, according to a videotaped interrogation by Ukraines domestic intelligence agency that was reviewed by the Times. He had received timely medical help despite wearing a red bracelet, he said, but was treated in a hospital where he felt doctors were careless about infecting other patients. There were no conditions for the HIV infected, he said. We were all treated together, the healthy and the unhealthy. And in the chaos of battle the bracelets serve little purpose, said Vadim, 31, who was convicted of robbery and served in Wagner before being captured in a bunker. After Ukrainian soldiers tossed several hand grenades into the bunker, the Russian soldiers, including two who were HIV positive, hunkered in a corner. Three of 10 soldiers in the bunker were killed and most others wounded, Vadim said. He emerged splattered with blood. I was always afraid of this disease, he said in an interview at a Ukrainian detention site. After the exposure, he tested negative. Since the summer, about 50,000 prisoners have signed up to fight in Ukraine, roughly 10% of the incarcerated population, according to Russia Behind Bars, a nongovernmental group monitoring Russian prisons. Ukraines military intelligence agency said in a statement last fall that some captured soldiers had HIV and hepatitis C. The domestic intelligence agency has made available videos of interrogations with Wagner prisoners of war describing HIV infection and showing red bracelets. The Ukrainian authorities provide antiviral medicine to HIV-positive prisoners of war. HIV, hepatitis C and tuberculosis, including drug-resistant strains, are prevalent in Russian prisons and penal colonies. About 10% of Russias incarcerated population is HIV-positive, said Olga Romanova, the director of Russia Behind Bars. About one-third of the total inmate population has at least one of those three infections, she said. In interviews, HIV-positive prisoners of war said they were asked only to do push-ups before a recruiter to prove their fitness to serve. Ruslan, 42, had served one year of an 11-year sentence for drug dealing when he joined Wagner in December. The medications he received in a penal colony were not suppressing the virus, he said, and he feared for his life. Last year, he had been bedridden for weeks with pneumonia. Ruslan said that after joining Wagner he had a mild bout of pneumonia at a training camp in January. A month later, he was sent on a human wave assault in Bakhmut and was captured. Ruslan said he welcomed Wagners policy of accepting HIV-positive inmates. He said he thought he would die in any case from his illness in prison and accepted the front line for a chance at freedom and treatment. If you have a long sentence, he said, it gives you a chance to begin life again. c.2023 The New York Times Company Rachel Weisz has opened up about the graphic birthing scenes in the first episode of Dead Ringers. The Prime Video series, based upon the 1988 David Cronenberg film of the same name, sees Weisz play a pair of twin obstetricians. Episode one features a scene that shocked many viewers with its graphic depiction of childbirth. Asked about the visceral moment on BBCs Womans Hour radio show, Weicz explained: [Writer Alice Birch] and I were really interested in showing birth in the first episode. I think we felt like it was something that we dont often see. She continued: Were incredibly used to seeing violence, and people being killed, death, blood surrounding that. Were almost immune to that at this point. For me, its a beautiful moment. Its something were really interested in showing. We didnt want to be coy about it. We were really interested in seeing it. The show at first is quite grounded and graphic, and it evolves after that. Hopefully you believe in these doctors dreams. Earlier this week, Weisz also spoke about her own relationship to celebrity, and the ease of living a life away from the public eye. Weisz lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her husband Daniel Craig and their children. 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. Dead Ringers is available to stream now on Prime Video. The weekly market in Geel, Belgium on Feb. 18, 2023. (Ilvy Njiokiktjien/The New York Times) GEEL, Belgium A painful loop has defined Iosifs 53 years on earth: trauma, mental breakdown, psychiatric institutionalization. From his native Romania to a failed asylum bid in Belgium and later divorce and financial distress, Iosifs condition has punctuated crises in his life that often spiraled out of control. But as he sat at the dining table overlooking the woods through wide glass doors, he seemed at peace. Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times He spoke about his daily chores (feeding the donkey, doing the dishes), favorite pastimes (reading the Bible, shopping), worries (forgetting to take his pills, overspending). In the living room, the sounds of cartoons filled the air. Etty, 71, and Luc Hayen, 75, were transfixed watching a childrens show involving a mouse on an outlandish adventure. The house cat was curled up on a cream sofa. All of them live with Ann Peetermans, a 47-year-old beautician, and her teenage son in a long-term arrangement where people with mental illnesses move in with local families. It is an approach to psychiatric care that has gone on in Geel (pronounced hail) since as early as the 13th century, archives show. The locals began building a church to St. Dymphna, the patron saint of mental illness, in the mid-1300s, and pilgrims flocked to Geel. They lived in the local farmers homesteads, where they worked the land alongside their new families. Both the tradition and the church still stand. By the end of the 19th century, nearly 2,000 boarders lived among the Geelians, as the locals call themselves. Today the town of 41,000 in Flanders, the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium, has 120 boarders in local homes. That has made Geel both something of a model for a particular paradigm of psychiatric care and an outlier, often regarded over the centuries with suspicion (including by The New York Times, which, in a headline from March 23, 1891, called Geel a colony where lunatics live with peasants that had been productive of misery and evil results). Story continues Those suspicions only grew as Geels approach crushed up against the rising medical field of psychiatry. In more recent times, however, the town has come up for reconsideration as an emblem of a humane alternative to the neglect or institutionalization of those with mental illness found in other places. There has always been controversy about how disturbed or eccentric people should be treated, wrote Oliver Sacks, the renowned neurologist, in 2007, in his foreword to the book Geel Revisited, an examination of 19 boarders over the course of decades. Should they be treated as ill, possibly dangerous, confined in institutions? wrote Sacks, who died in 2015. Or is there a chance that a more human and social approach, trying to reintegrate them into family and community life, a life of love and work, will succeed as well? For Sacks, who had visited Geel, the answer was to accept mental illness as individuality, rather than a stigmatizing disability. Geel proves, Sacks concluded, that even those who could seem to be incurably afflicted can, potentially, live full, dignified, loved and secure lives. Care as Identity When Peetermans was growing up in Geel, her aunt hosted boarders with psychiatric conditions. This was natural for Geelians, she said. Seven years ago, when she considered joining the centuries-old tradition herself, it wasnt a question of if she would take boarders into her newly renovated home, but of how many. I think that if I could have four, I would also be up for it, but three is the maximum they place in one family, she said. I just like having a lot of people around me. For Hayen, this is his third foster home in nearly 30 years, and he said he gets along well with the other boarders, Etty a good woman and Iosif a gentleman. I have a mighty life here, Hayen said enthusiastically. Because I look to freedom, like every person pretty much. His next project, he said, was to get a secondhand bicycle to ride to the activities center next to the psychiatric hospital for his weekday pastimes. The Times is identifying and photographing boarders and their foster families according to their wishes, and a psychologist accompanied Times journalists during the reporting. Since the 1860s, Geel has had its own state psychiatric hospital, which is the anchor and safety net for the program. Wilfried Bogaerts, a leading psychologist there, said that finding patients for the fostering program was not so much about their diagnoses, but rather about how stable their conditions were. Boarders include people who have schizophrenia or other severe psychoses but who have settled into a treatment and can function well in a family. Potential boarders are matched with families that have been screened and have had their homes approved to take in a boarder. Diagnoses are never revealed to foster families, unless the boarder chooses to share. Case workers instead focus on preparing families for what kind of behavior to expect, the medication regimen and red flags that should be swiftly reported. Key to the trust that underpins the arrangement is the 24/7 availability of case workers at the hospital nearby. Foster care is psychiatric care, which means that all the team members that you can find in a regular psychiatric hospital are involved in foster care, Bogaerts said. The Belgian state pays foster families a stipend of 23 to 28 euros per boarder per day ($25-$30). By all accounts, the money is not enough. And the program has been steadily shrinking in recent years. The local community and the hospital are trying to reverse that trend. Belgium recently submitted a bid for Geels fostering program to be recognized as intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. And the program leaders have rolled out an advertising campaign to get more families to consider fostering. I think its important that, for example, my grandchildren learn to live with people with such conditions, said Greet Vandeperre, 66, who leads a community group representing foster families, boarders, the hospital, the town and the police. For many, the boarders become family. Ingrid Daems and Hugo Vanopstals young grandchildren know Janina Bak, their grandparents boarder of 18 years, only as Auntie Nina. Theyre not sure how exactly theyre related, but in weekly visits throughout their lives, they have sat on her lap, eaten with her and celebrated with her. When Bak became very ill with a liver problem, spending nine weeks in a coma and a total of four months in the hospital, Daems was there to see her through it and welcome her back home. Shes my guardian angel, she said. Harlems Vertical Geel Vandeperres decadeslong career in Geels police force offers insights into the questions that often arise from the towns experience: Is the approach safe? And can the Geel paradigm exist only in Geel? In Geel, officers regularly come across boarders behaving strangely in public or even breaking the law, Vandeperre said. But because of the towns culture of fostering, they know how to de-escalate a situation and to call the psychiatric hospital immediately. The approach stands out from that in the United States and elsewhere, where calling law enforcement may be the first move when someone is experiencing a mental crisis. In many situations where the police are involved and training is insufficient, the results can be violent and even deadly. Ellen Baxter, for one, thinks that core elements of Geels approach can be replicated and has spent the last 35 years trying to re-create it in New York. Baxter, founder and director of Broadway Housing Communities, a New York housing charity, was fresh out of college in 1975 with a psychology major when, eager to learn more about the fostering program, she moved to Geel for a year. She returned to New York City and started fundraising to create buildings where people with psychiatric disorders could live within communities. The most recent development, in the Sugar Hill neighborhood of Harlem, is the one she thinks most resembles a kind of vertical Geel. It is home to families and single adults, some of whom are living with mental illness and many who are not. The complex contains a day care center and a museum that attract nonresidents. Everyone knows who everyone is. You need two elements: good design and time, Baxter said in an interview. Life becomes more about the pragmatism of every day: Setbacks happen; people die; babies are born, she said. The proximity of experience in one community makes values emerge that you dont throw away the old people or the mentally ill or disabled people. Good Days and Bad Bogaerts, the psychologist, recalls the police being called only twice to resolve major problems involving boarders in Geel over the two decades. But incidents do occur. Some days are a bit easier than others, Peetermans said. Liliane Peeters, 63, and her husband, Jozef Vleugels, 65, had been fostering a boarder for 11 years when they decided to take in a second person. As an empty nester who had recently retired, Peeters felt her home had space for one more. After a few minor adjustments, such as working out that the new boarder struggled to make sandwiches, things seemed to settle. I wanted to take on that care. I have that somewhere in me, she said. I actually wanted someone I could make the sandwiches for. A problem was that the bathroom was on a different floor from the boarders bedroom, down steep stairs, and at night, Peeters asked the new boarder not to use it to avoid falling. One morning, she woke up to find the boarder in crisis after having defecated on the bedroom floor. Peeters got gloves and a brush. A case worker helped. The boarder moved back into the hospital. There are limits in the care people can and will give, said Bogaerts, the psychologist. If things like this happen, if someone has already been living in a foster family for 10, 15 years or more, then they will manage to find a solution. He added, But if it happens in the beginning, its too much. Other episodes are less confronting but profoundly heartbreaking. When Peetermans, who today fosters Iosif, Etty and Hayen, was a girl, she would often see a man named Robert, a boarder staying with a family on her street, cutting roses. Years later, when Roberts foster family aged, Peetermans decided to take him in. Robert became like an older brother to her son. He had been living with them for seven years when, during the pandemic, his condition worsened. Last September, he moved into the psychiatric hospital, where she now visits him regularly. Peetermans broke down recounting the story. Asked what the hardest part of fostering was, she didnt hesitate. If they have to leave, thats the hardest thing, she said. c.2023 The New York Times Company Savanna McCay helps her father, Sen. Daniel McCay, R-Riverton, sponsor of SB31 State Flag Amendments, hold the new Utah state flag at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on March 2, 2023. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News In 1896, Utah had just about everything it needed as a brand-new state. Governor? Check. State Constitution? Check. State Seal? Check. A state flag? ... Well, no. With all the hoopla in 2023 about getting a new state flag (including the recently failed effort to put the issue on Novembers ballot), the states founders in 1896 were remarkably lax about getting Utah its own banner. Related The parade flag It was eight years later, in 1903, when President Theodore Roosevelt, a friend of Utah, was scheduled to be at the St. Louis Worlds Fair. The president would be honored by a parade planned to feature all the flags of Americas 45 states plus territories. Utah Gov. Heber M. Wells sensed that it wouldnt look good for the nations newest state to march with an empty pole. Gov. Wells enlisted the help of the Utah State Society Daughters of the Revolution (not to be confused with Daughters of the American Revolution, which at the time didnt admit Latter-day Saints). President Theodore Roosevelt in the review stand for the parade of state flags at The Louisiana Purchase Exposition, commonly known as the Saint Louis Worlds Fair of 1904. Photograph is colorized and enhanced. The Daughters of the Revolution raised the funds from their membership and hired a seamstress at Zions Co-operative Mercantile Institution. Agnes Teudt Ferneliu, to make the flag. With some design tweaks from famous Utah artist H.L.A. Culmer, they chose an embroidered white outline of the state seal on a blue background of Utah homespun and dyed silk. Utahs seal had been designed eight years earlier by Charles M. Jackson, a crime reporter for the Salt Lake Herald, an independent newspaper friendly to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and Harry Emmett Edwards, an artist and bartender. Their winning designs main features included a beehive surrounded by bees and sego lilies (symbolizing pioneer industriousness and working together), a defiant American eagle (symbolizing liberty), six arrows (symbolizing Utahs Native Americans), and American flags (symbolizing Utahs strong urge to prove they were loyal patriots). Story continues Utahs seal as originally designed in 1896 by Charles M. Jackson, a crime reporter for the Salt Lake Herald, and Harry Emmett Edwards, an artist and bartender. Edwards likely signed this watercolor in 1918 when he presented it to Aquilla Quil Nebeker, who was on the committee from the territorial legislature that selected the design years earlier. | Utah State Historical Society The 1903 flag with that seal was a success, but it never became Utahs official state flag, even though it was often used like a state flag. Instead it was called the governors flag. This flag, made in 1903, is considered Utahs first state flag, although it was never specifically made such by law. The 1911 statute designated a very similar flag that had Utah on the shield. This flag did not have Utah on it until around the time the 1911 statute passed. | Illustration by Michael De Groote The first flag If the embarrassment of not having an official state flag for a parade was not enough to get an official state flag, a bigger embarrassment pushed action nine years later in 1911. The United States Navy was going to launch a new battleship named after the state. The U.S.S. Utah needed a state flag to display in their ward room. The problem was, the 1903 governors flag wasnt officially the state flag. In short order, on March 9, 1911, Utahs legislature passed Senate Joint Resolution No. 17, adopting Utahs first state flag. The design was based upon the 1903 governors flag with a few minor changes, such as putting the word Utah above 1847 on the flags shield. The Daughters of Utah Pioneers (DUP) and the Sons of Utah Pioneers joined forces to fund the new Utah flag for the battleship. They ordered a presentation flag version, which was common at the time, featuring the names of their organizations on the flag below the seal. Fortunately, this version of Utahs first official flag was never made. The 1913 flag made for the U.S.S. Utah included the name of the sponsors who financed the flag on a scroll below the seal. This presentation copy of the flag was not unusual at the time. The flag statute in 1913 is describing this flag. | Photo courtesy Daughters of Utah Pioneers, colorization by Michael De Groote The great mistake flag One can only imagine what the Wm. H. Horstmann company in Philadelphia thought when it examined Utahs request to make a Utah flag for the battleship. Maybe the design of a white outline of a seal on a blue background was just a preliminary sketch. Or perhaps the design struck the company as too primitive. In any case, their expert embroiderers went to work, missing the deadlines for the U.S.S. Utahs commission ceremony, but at last finishing the flag in early 1913. When the flag finally arrived in Salt Lake City, it created a sensation. Instead of a seal outline in white, they received a stunningly detailed, full-color flag with a gold circle surrounding the seal. It was like they had ordered a Toyota Camry and received a Lamborghini. The only problem was that because it didnt follow the statute, it wasnt really Utahs flag. With no time to have a correct flag made, Rep. Annie Wells Cannon introduced a joint resolution to make the new color flag the official state flag. After rejecting a few ridiculous amendments proposed by the state senate (such as describing the arrowheads as steel and the beehive table as dark stained oak) the new color flag was made official, sent off to the battleship and was forgotten. This left Utah without a single state flag for another nine years. The persistent mistake flag In 1921, it was more than quarter century since Utah became a state, and it was still, basically, flagless. Only one flag existed, and it was at sea. This time a Utah flag was requested to be displayed in New York in a patriotic parade of states. The 1903 flag was around, but didnt comply with the statute, so several groups said they would provide a flag. The Jewish Young Mens Society of Salt Lake planned on making a flag but had a difficult time obtaining the right type of silk. The womens auxiliary of the Grand Army of the Republic (a Civil War veterans organization) moved ahead, hiring seamstress Dolly McMonegal to sew the flag. The 1922 flag was expertly embroidered by Dolly McMonegal, although a typographical error in the 1917 Compiled Laws of Utah led her to place 1847 below and behind the shield instead of on the shield. This mistake was corrected in 2011. | Deseret News For decades, McMonegal has been blamed and mocked for forgetting to put 1847 on the shield as specified by state statute. The truth is she carefully followed Title 35, Section 2664, of the 1917 Compiled Laws of Utah. That copy of the law had a typographical error, which clearly stated that 1847 should be on the bottom of the shield but also with the appearance of being back of the shield. Not realizing the last part was supposed to refer to the American flags in the design, she sewed 1847 below and peeking out from behind the shield. The flag missed the parade by a full year, but was proudly displayed in a glass case at the state capitol. McMonegals beautiful, if incorrect, rendition of the flag became the pattern copied for the next 89 years. Utah flags everywhere but home For the next decade it seemed that the only ones interested in having a Utah flag were outside the state. Several were made and shipped away to places like a newly constructed Post Office Department in Washington, D. C., Independence Hall in Philadelphia, and Memorial Hall at Valley Forge. But these delicately embroidered flags were expensive, took months to make and were intended to be displayed inside or, at the most, carefully carried in a parade. Few people in Utah even knew the state had a flag, let alone seen one. Gov. George Dern, Utahs first non-Latter-day Saint governor, wanted to change that. A simpler flag In his address to the Utah Legislature in 1927, Gov. Dern asked for a simpler flag that could be made quickly and cheaply and could fly outside with the American flag. Nothing was done, however, until in 1930 when flag enthusiast Lilliebell Falck, from Ogden, approached him with a few simplified designs. Her favorite was a white beehive with 28 lines to represent Utahs counties. Gov. Dern preferred an even simpler white hive on blue background. The DUP would have none of it. Gov. George Dern proposed this simplified Utah flag in 1927, but it wasnt until 1930 when, with the enthusiasm of Lilliebell Falck that a prototype was made. Gov. Dern wanted it as an alternate to the more complex and expensive-to-make Utah flag, but opposition from the DUP doomed it. The DUP had spent years, effort and money promoting and making beautiful renditions of the flag. Gov. Dern said he wasnt trying to replace the flag, but to have a simpler alternate that could be used. When Falck tried to promote the simpler flags, Gov. Dern wrote her that the DUP was standing firm: You will have to do a good deal of missionary work with that group if you hope to put over any modifications of the present state flag. Pushing the flag The movement to have a simpler state flag died out, but it was a wakeup call for the DUP, who found that painting or screen-printing flags could be done much quicker. They arranged with sign painter Frank Nebeker to manufacture the flags. Unlike the fine details present in the handcrafted flags made by expert seamstresses, Nebekers flag was, by necessity, rudimentary. For more than three decades, Nebekers flag was Utahs flag and the DUP was the the flags champion and only merchant. From about 1932 into the 1970s, this silkscreened flag designed by Frank Nebeker was promoted and sold exclusively by the Daughters of Utah Pioneers. | Illustration by Michael De Groote In the 1960s, another organization started promoting the Utah flag: The Salt Lake Tribune. The Tribune advertised Flag Kits which included an American Flag and a smaller Utah Flag. In the 1960s, the Salt Lake Tribune began a long campaign to promote and sell Flag Kits that included an American Flag and a smaller version of the Utah flag. | Michael De Groote A flag contest In 2002, the Salt Lake Tribune teamed up with the North American Vexillological Association (NAVA) for a contest to design a new state flag. Ten designs from more than 1,000 entries were chosen that would, according to NAVA, rank among the best U.S. state flags. None of the designs inspired action by the state legislature. The fixed flag From the beginning, the Utah flag was open to a lot of interpretation. There were no official renditions of the flag, and the statute describing it was rather vague. Through the years, a wide variety of distorted beehives and sickly eagles found their way onto Utah flags. John Hartvigsen and Ronald Fox (one of the authors of this article) noticed the mistake made in 1922. They worked with Representative Julie Fisher to pass a joint resolution that instructed the state to correct the 89-year-old error and move the 1847 back onto the shield. A few other artistic design changes were made at the time, although these were not in the statute. The shield was returned to the white color it was in the 1913 flag. Also, the American flags now had a total of 45 stars for Utahs spot as the 45th state. March 9 was designated as state flag day, the day the first flag law was adopted in 1911. Gov. Gary Herbert participates in a ceremony to sign HCR 2, which corrects errors in the state flag when it was redesigned in 1922. | Ravell Call, Deseret News New flags for Utah The 1927 desire of Gov. Dern to have a simpler state flag lived on. Two proposals surfaced in 2019. Rep. Steve Handy suggested a commission to review designs from the public. Rep. Keven Stratton pushed to adopt a popular design by Jonathan Martin outright. Both failed to pass. Rep. Handy tried again in 2020, but failed. In 2021, Rep. Handy took another tactic and partnered with Sen. Dan McCay to introduce a similar bill in the state Senate. The bill passed and created a flag task force. At the last minute, an amendment designated a new version of Martins 2019 flag to be the official flag of the 125th anniversary of Utahs statehood. Related The Utah State Taskforce, working with several committees, and the Utah Department of Cultural and Community, conducted extensive public outreach including schoolchildren. The design subcommittee waded through 5,703 submissions, narrowing them down, combining ideas, looking for trends, and eventually coming up with a smaller slate of flags that were presented to the public for more feedback. Two of the highest ranked flags were combined into a final submission and shepherded successfully through the legislature by Sen. McCay. The new flag featured the main symbolism of the historical flag, a beehive. It included a Utah star, a hexagon, stylized mountains symbolizing Utahs Native Americans and a red rock valley. Gov. Spencer Cox signed the bill into law March 21, 2023. Similar to Gov. Derns suggestion in 1930, the historical state flag remains a state flag and, according to an executive order by Gov. Cox, takes precedence over the new state flag in some instances. A small replica of the proposed new Utah state flags are displayed on lawmakers desks at the Capitol in Salt Lake City, on Feb. 28. Gov. Spencer Cox signed the bill Tuesday that allows for the state flag to be adopted. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News In addition to the new state flag, the statute presents a new version of the historic state flag that is based upon the beautiful 1913 flag presented to the U.S.S. Utah battleship. Utahs flag history is a story of change. The first flags were created without much fanfare and no public input. Over time, the love of the flag grew, in a large part due to the early efforts of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers and the Salt Lake Tribune. But, according to a recent Deseret News poll, after 110 years, the historic Utah flag is not used by many Utahns. Only time will tell if the new flag, created through a process that involved thousands of Utahns, will reach the popularity enjoyed by flags such as those in Texas, Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico. If not, the states flag history has a pattern: wait a few years and try again. Desiigner says he is checking into a facility for mental health care after allegedly exposing himself to a flight attendant. On Thursday, TMZ reported that the incident occurred as the Panda rapper returned to the U.S. over the weekend on an international flight, with Desiigner writing on Instagram that he is putting his career on hold to seek professional help. For the past few months i have not been ok, and i have been struggling to come to terms with what is going on, he wrote. While overseas for a concert i performed at, i had to be admitted in to a hospital, i was not thinking clearly. He continued: They gave me meds, and i had to hop on a plane home. I am ashamed of my actions that happened on that plane. I landed back to the states, and am admitting my self in a facility to help me. I will be cancelling all of my shows and any obligations until further notice. TMZs report, which cited sources with direct knowledge, said Desiigner was questioned by police after the plane landed Monday in Minneapolis but was later let go. Representatives for Desiigner, whose real name is Sidney Selby, did not immediately respond to HuffPosts request for comment. "Mental health is real guys," Desiigner wrote to his social media followers after allegedly exposing himself to a flight attendant. The New York rapper, who skyrocketed to fame with 2015s Panda and his work with Kanye West, has had brushes with the law before. In 2016, prosecutors dropped misdemeanor drug and menacing charges against Desiigner after reaching a deal with his lawyers. Police had allegedly found a controlled substance in his SUV following a road rage incident. In this weeks Instagram post, Desiigner urged his followers to seek psychiatric treatment if they need it. Mental health is real guys, he wrote. If your not feeling like yourself please get help. Need help? Visit RAINNs National Sexual Assault Online Hotline or the National Sexual Violence Resource Centers website. Story continues For substance use disorder or mental health issues, call 800-662-HELP (4357) in the U.S. for the SAMHSA National Helpline. Related... On opening day of the Tennessee spring turkey hunting season, Cameron Freshour went into the woods of Greene County. Just a short time later, he had bagged a turkey. But, it wasnt just any gobbler. This turkey had seven beards. We sat there and hugged and laughed and celebrated with our second (turkey) of the day. But to our surprise, there was something different about this bird. He had more than one beard. We started examining him and said, Oh he has two beards, oh wait actually three, no four. He ended up having seven beards in total, Freshour told WJHL. Fewer than 10 percent of turkeys have more than one beard, the agency said. Multiple bearded turkeys are uncommon, with estimates suggesting less than 10 (percent) of gobblers have more than one beard, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency said in an April 19 Facebook post. Freshours turkey weighed 18.5 pounds and had more than 46 total inches of beard, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency said. The agency said that although it doesnt keep records of turkey beard length, the National Wildlife Turkey Federation has a crowdsourced database that does. According to the database, the most beards on a turkey is 13, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency said. Freshour told WJHL that the experience was a pinch-me moment. He said he works as a taxidermist in east Tennessee and will mount the bird himself to commemorate the hunt. Bird of a lifetime! one commenter said on the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency post. What a bird! Congratulations young man! Great way to spend your time! Enjoy that meat! And displaying those beards! Youll tell this story to your grandkids! another said. Opening day in Tennessee was one to remember for 2023, Freshour told WJHL. The Tennessee spring turkey hunting season runs from April 15 to May 28. Greene County is about 250 miles east of Nashville. Turtle hitches ride on alligator in pond, photo shows. Just another day in Florida Creature as massive as it is rare seen splashing off UK coast in mesmerizing video Creature thought extinct in African park spotted for first time in decades. See it Birds are falling out of the sky in Wisconsin. A natural phenomenon explains why Canadian airports have been the scene of several gold heists over the years Police in Canada are investigating one of the largest gold heists in the country's history, after more than C$20m ($15m; 12m) of the precious metal and other valuable goods were stolen from Toronto's airport this week. But it's not the first heist of its kind in Canada - nor the first involving an airport. This week, in a brazen pilferage, a "high-value container" disappeared while it was being transported to a cargo holding facility near Canada's busiest airport. Authorities say the thieves gained access to the public side of a warehouse near Toronto Pearson International Airport that was unmanned by airport security. The theft, which is still under investigation, was an isolated and "very rare" incident, police say. While a heist of that magnitude is indeed rare, a look at Canadian history shows it's not the first. A mysterious gold bullion robbery that remains unsolved The Toronto Pearson International Airport has often been used as a hub for gold mined in the province of Ontario, and in September 1952 it was the scene of a mysterious heist. Back then, Pearson was known by another name: Malton Airport. It is where thieves managed to steal about C$215,000-worth of gold bars (valued at about C$2.5m today). The gold was stored in a steel mesh wire cage before it was loaded to a Montreal-bound plane. From there, it was destined to be shipped to the UK. But when the plane arrived in Montreal, there were only four boxes of gold bullion out of 10. According to articles from the Toronto Star at the time, the robbers were never spotted. No suspect has been publicly named since the heist took place 70 years ago. The gold "just seemed to vanish", a police officer told reporters at the time. "Theft happens all the time at airports," says Stacey Porter, an independent security consultant who conducts security risk assessments for airports. Airports are large facilities with lots of potential security vulnerabilities, especially in areas where bags and cargo are kept, he says. Story continues Cameras capture every moment that passengers spend inside airports, but luggage - both commercial airline cargo and larger shipments made by businesses - are often kept in darkened warehouses that may not have much video surveillance. A Flying Bandit in Winnipeg and a Stopwatch Gang in Ottawa Over 50 years ago, the title for the "Biggest Gold Heist" in Canadian history went to Ken Leishman's bold theft of C$385,000-worth of the metal (valued at C$3.3m today) from Winnipeg airport in 1966. Leishman, a thief nicknamed the Flying Bandit, caught wind of the fact that Winnipeg was a transit city for gold mined in northwestern Ontario, where it would then be shipped to Ottawa. To carry out the robbery, Leishman recruited a team of criminals to pose as gold salespeople and airline employees, and they were able to determine the timing of an upcoming shipment and infiltrate airport security. With the help of fake paperwork, Leishman and his accomplices managed to get their hands on the shipment and successfully fled the tarmac with the gold. But they were caught a few days later and Leishman was jailed. Notably, Leishman turned his life around. The trained pilot flew patients from remote areas to city hospitals after his release from prison and died a tragic death in a plane crash in 1979. Mr Porter says it is not surprising to see thieves being helped by an employee on the inside. As the investigation into the Toronto gold heist unfolds, he says, detectives will be looking closely at any workers who had security access to the areas where valuables were being kept. And for a sum like C$20m, he says even the captain of the plane could come under suspicion. Eight years after the Winnipeg robbery, in 1974, an even larger gold heist followed, this time at the Ottawa International Airport. The Stopwatch Gang - a group of three criminals who staged bank robberies in both the US and Canada - stole six unrefined gold bars valued at C$750,000 (C$4,3m today). The gang threatened a lone security guard at gunpoint in the middle of the night and then handcuffed him to a pipe before getting a hold of the gold, which was stored inside a cage at a freight terminal secured by a small padlock. The trio were eventually caught, only to escape from prison and carry out more robberies in the US before they were arrested by FBI agents. A Brink's-Mat depot near London's Heathrow Airport was the site of one of the largest gold heists in history The Crime of the Century While Canada has an impressive history of gold heists, none come quite close to one that has been dubbed the "Crime of the Century" in the UK, involving the theft of gold bullion in November 1983, valued then at 26m. In today's currency, that amount is worth around 112m, or C$188m in Canadian dollars. The robbery unfolded after six armed men broke into the Brink's-Mat depot near London's Heathrow Airport, with the help of one of the security guards who was in on the theft. They were expecting to find large sums of foreign currency. Instead, they stumbled on precious gold, diamonds and cash. The theft led police on a lengthy chase to find all of those who were involved, as the criminals enlisted the help of others to help turn the gold into cash. Many murders over the years have been linked back to the robbery, as well as a few suicides. Much of the gold has never been recovered and four out of the six original robbers were never convicted. The heist was one of the largest in world history at the time, and had a lasting impact on both the British public and police. A BBC TV drama depicting the robbery and its aftermath stated that "if you have bought gold jewellery in Britain since 1984, it is likely to contain traces of the Brink's-Mat gold". (Bloomberg) -- Florida Governor Ron DeSantis will visit Japan next week as he tests the international waters ahead of a possible decision to seek the Republican nomination for US president. Most Read from Bloomberg DeSantis will pay a courtesy call on Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on April 24 during a two-day stay aimed at bolstering economic ties between Florida and Japan, the Japanese government said in a statement Friday. DeSantiss office said in a statement that the governor plans to lead an international trade mission to Japan, South Korea, Israel and the UK. The trip is likely to be his highest-profile venture overseas since he easily won reelection as governor in November and emerged as a potential top candidate for the GOP nomination. Florida has the 15th largest economy in the world, and that is because our state has worked to create partnerships with other countries to create jobs and boost the economy, DeSantis said in the statement. The Florida governor plans to be in Israel on April 27, where he will deliver the keynote address at an event to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the country, the statement from his office said. DeSantis, 44, has yet to officially enter the race for the Republican nomination, but he has already endured weeks of attacks by former President Donald Trump and his allies. Although he has made forays to battleground states and published a memoir, he has steadily fallen behind Trump in several polls recently. Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was one of the first global leaders to embrace Trump after he won the presidential election in 2016, flying to New York for talks at Trump Tower ahead of his inauguration. Story continues --With assistance from Isabel Reynolds, Takashi Hirokawa and John Harney. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. People cast their votes at a polling place in The Ohio Union, a student activity center at The Ohio State University in Columbus, OH on November 8, 2022. A Republican strategist has finally figured out a way around the fact that Gen Z wont vote for Republican candidates: Limit, if not ban, voting on college campuses, among other measures to meant to curb the youth vote. Cleta Mitchella conservative lawyer and fundraiser previously involved in what she called hand-to-hand combat with the Left in 2022told GOP donors on Saturday, per newly released audio from the presentation. Mitchells presentation was called A Level Playing Field for 2024, according to the Washington Post. The Left has manipulated the electoral systems to favor one side theirs, Mitchells presentation slide read. Our constitutional republics survival is at stake. Read more In the presentation, Mitchell specifically mentioned types of voters who tend to vote for Democrats, like college students who vote on campus. What are these college campus locations and polling? she asked, according to audio of the presentation posted online by journalist Lauren Windsor. What is this young people effort that they do? They basically put the polling place next to the student dorm so they just have to roll out of bed, vote, and go back to bed. One place Republicans could fix things, Mitchell said, is in North Carolina. She referenced the state legislature there recently gaining a Republican veto-proof supermajority after State Rep. Tricia Cotham (R) left the Democratic Party to join the GOP last month. North Carolina has been the center of a number of voter discrimination cases over the years. EXCLUSIVE AUDIO: Trump coup attorney Cleta Mitchell wants to "combat" voting on college campuses, citing North Carolina and Wisconsin, and says that when Republicans win the state Senate in Virginia, they can eliminate 45 days of early voting and same day voter registration. pic.twitter.com/qXTNhrTfwF Lauren Windsor (@lawindsor) April 20, 2023 Mitchells presentation also focused on college campus voting in Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, Virginia, and Wisconsin. In case youre unaware, one of the largest (if not the largest) universities in the nation, Arizona State University (my alma mater!) is in those states. In Georgia, there are so many universities just in the Atlanta metro area, its hard to keep track; plus all the historically Black colleges and universities in the state. Wisconsin, in addition to being a state that historically tried to restrict voting, has another massive university system. Story continues This tracks with Donald Trumps comments at the same event last weekend, where he said he hopes to eventually end early voting and vote by mail, two tactics that dont favor Republicans, because they spent years telling their voters those ways of voting were bad. (Mitchell is also a memorable Trump orbit figure because she was on the infamous find 11,000-plus votes call when Trump tried to get the Georgia secretary of state to overturn the election for him.) Mitchells presentation to a roomful of GOP donors amounts to an acknowledgement that the party is badly losing the youth vote as more and more Gen Z kids reach voting age. Indeed, when your policies are diametrically opposed to those cited as priorities by young votersgun control, action on climate change, etc.and youre banning books and going after gay, trans, and reproductive rights at the same time, its going to be hard to win their vote! But instead of actually trying to win the youth vote by taking a hard look at their own legislative agenda, Republicans are just trying to cheat as a shortcut. More from Jezebel Sign up for Jezebel's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. WASHINGTON More than 10 million Medicaid enrollees would be subject to work requirements under Republicans new proposal to cut federal spending in exchange for letting the government pay its bills. Some of those Medicaid recipients would be able to meet the requirements and retain their health care coverage, but others would lose it, according to a new analysis from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a liberal think tank. Part of the problem is that even if they work enough hours to fulfill the requirement, some on Medicaid might struggle to document their work history with the government. A large share of the 10 million people subject to the requirements would have to navigate complex work-reporting and verification systems each month while others would have to navigate the exemption process periodically to retain coverage, the centers Gideon Lukens reported Friday. The work requirements were included in a broader bill released Wednesday by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) as part of a standoff with President Joe Biden over federal spending and the national debt. Sometime this summer, the federal government could fail to pay its bills unless Congress increases a legal limit on the amount of money the U.S. Treasury Department can borrow. The government needs to sell debt to cover expenses that exceed incoming tax revenue. Republicans, led by McCarthy, say the $31 trillion national debt is already too high and that Democrats should agree to spending cuts in order to slow the debts growth. To that end, their bill calls for across-the-board cuts to federal agencies, plus new limits on benefits for unemployed Americans receiving federal health and nutrition benefits. The legislation is symbolic, since Democrats control the Senate and the White House, but its House passage would likely strengthen McCarthys hand in future negotiations with Biden. A large share of the 10 million people subject to the requirements would have to navigate complex work-reporting and verification systems each month while others would have to navigate the exemption process periodically to retain coverage.Gideon Lukens, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities Story continues The bipartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget estimated that the proposed work rules would save the government about $100 billion over a decade, representing only around 2% of the bills overall estimated $4.5 trillion in savings. Despite their relatively small effect on the federal budget, Republicans have highlighted the work requirements, suggesting that cutting support to able-bodied adults would nudge them into the workforce and make it easier for businesses to hire. Our plan ensures adults without dependents earn a paycheck and learn new skills, McCarthy said this week. The Congressional Budget Office has said that work requirements in Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program have reduced benefits more than theyve increased earnings. Childless Medicaid recipients ages 18 to 55 would have to work 20 hours per week under the McCarthy proposal or spend an equivalent amount of time volunteering or in a training program. States would be required to try to verify Medicaid recipients work, such as by checking payroll data, before asking individuals to verify. One obstacle to passing the bill is that far-right lawmakers have said the work proposal isnt strict enough. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), for instance, told reporters on Thursday that the requirement should be 30 hours a week rather than 20. But a stricter proposal would likely alienate more moderate Republicans. McCarthy has a slim margin and can lose the support of only four Republicans and still pass the bill. Medicaid covers health care costs for 85 million low-income Americans, most of them parents and children, and for most of its history has not had a work requirement. The Donald Trump administration let states try work rules, and in 2018 about a quarter of Arkansas Medicaid recipients subject to the rule lost coverage. Partly by extrapolating from what happened in Arkansas, the CBO estimated that a national Medicaid work requirement would cut enrollment by 2.2 million annually. By Mariam Rizk and Khalid Abdelaziz KHARTOUM (Reuters) -The Eid al-Fitr holiday is usually a time for many residents of Sudan's capital to visit relatives outside the city, which falls quiet. This year, those who can are making a frantic escape from Khartoum, driven out by war. As the three-day Muslim holiday started on Friday the capital still echoed with gunfire and heavy artillery, despite international appeals for a ceasefire to allow for desperately needed humanitarian relief and safe passage for stranded civilians. Both sides in the conflict announced on Friday they would adhere to a truce but sporadic firing continued in Khartoum into the evening. Over the past week increasing numbers have sought to move to safer areas of the capital - though the military has closed bridges across the River Nile between Khartoum and its sister cities of Omdurman and Bahri. Or they have charted a route out, most often to Gezira State to the south or River Nile State to the north, wheeling suitcases along the streets or balancing bags on their heads as they start their journeys. Ahmed Mubarak, 27, said he felt "extreme anxiety" after the violence erupted on April 15 and before he decided to leave Khartoum on Thursday, taking with him only the clothes he was wearing. "There were no buses, people were walking on foot, with their bags and moving. There were cars passing, but they were all private cars and all of them were full." Eventually he hitched a lift on a bus whose owner was volunteering to transport people out of the city, and made it all the way to Atbara, about 280 km (175 miles) northeast of Khartoum, where he knocked on the door of his family home. "They could not believe it. It was a very beautiful moment," he said. The power struggle between Sudan's army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has for the first time brought to Khartoum the kind of large-scale warfare and displacement that the capital's residents had watched play out in other parts of the country in recent decades. Story continues The clashes, which broke out in the final days of the holy month of Ramadan when Muslims fast from dawn till dusk, have cut water and power supplies for long periods, turned the airport into a battleground and shut down most hospitals. In many neighbourhoods of greater Khartoum, which has a population of more than 10 million, residents have been trapped in their homes, venturing out only to seek provisions at shops which have been hit by looting and where supplies have been dwindling. FRAUGHT WITH RISK Fuel has also become harder to find. As with other goods, prices have jumped since the start of the fighting. "Khartoum has become dangerous and we fear the war will get worse," said 55-year-old Mahasin Ahmed as she left the neighbourhood of Jabra in southern Khartoum with two relatives, hoping to find a bus to Madani, 165 km (100 miles) to the southeast. Many who flee get a their first proper view of the destruction wrought by the fighting, with buildings punctured by rockets, power lines ripped down, walls peppered with bullet holes and the smouldering remains of charred military vehicles abandoned in the streets. As violence has erupted in other parts of Sudan, some have sought to leave the country altogether, with up to 20,000 crossing the border to Chad and others heading north towards Egypt. The journeys are fraught with risk. Those fleeing often have to cross RSF checkpoints where they are typically waved through but where some civilians have reportedly been shot. Makram Waleed, a 25-year-old doctor, was hoping to leave Khartoum with his family but was worried about the dangers to his three younger sisters. "The risk of leaving our house, leaving our belongings, is just way too hard to process," he said. In Khartoum, where the RSF have embedded themselves in several neighbourhoods, some fear that if they leave their homes paramilitary fighters will move in. Alia Mutawkel, a 26-year-old architect and interior designer living in Khartoum, was trying to find a safe route out of the city with two siblings, her uncle and his children, and her 8-month-old nephew, after their plans to celebrate Eid visiting family and friends within the city were ruined. "Will we be able to leave the house or not? If we leave the house, will we be safe? And if we leave, will we be able to go back to our house and our lives in Khartoum? All of these questions in my head and I have no answer for them." (Reporting by Nafisa Eltahir, Mariam Rizk and Mai Shams Eldin in Cairo, Khalid Abdelaziz in KhartoumWriting by Aidan Lewis; Editing by Nick Macfie) A major mixed-use development called Hogum Bay Town Center is under construction in northeast Lacey, and the centerpiece of the project is named 23 kitchens, which will feature indoor and outdoor pickleball courts, a restaurant and bar, plus fire pits, cornhole and axe throwing, the owners told The Olympian this week. The goal is to open 23 Kitchens Memorial Day weekend for a Boys and Girls Club of Thurston County-sponsored pickleball tournament. Where is all of this happening? The address for 23 Kitchens is 2440 Marvin Road NE, but the entire town center site is bordered by Marvin Road, Willamette Drive and Hogum Bay Road. If youre still unfamiliar with the location, then perhaps you have seen the relatively new Starbucks off Marvin Road Northeast. That store occupies land within the town center. A Mod Pizza also is about to open there. Lacey dentist Josh Carpenter and concrete contractor Craig Millsap, originally from Rainier, are the owners of 23 Kitchens. Six indoor pickleball courts and a pro shop will be contained within a 17,000-square-foot building. There also will be five outdoor courts, plus a 4,000-square-foot restaurant with upstairs bar and outdoor patio. The restaurant will be cooking rotisserie chicken, prime rib and pork loins, then using those meats in quinoa bowls, sandwiches and salads, said Executive Chef Natasha Amick. Former Ricardos owner Rick Nelsen has been hired to work as a consultant for the restaurant, he said, which includes working with them after it opens as well. Co-owner Carpenter said he visited a similar development in Wichita, Kansas, and was inspired. We need to bring this to the Northwest, he said. He said he has a goal of making the area a better place to live and raise a family, a family friendly place to come and hang out with friends, Carpenter said. Why call it 23 Kitchens? Pickleball courts have two non-volley areas on the courts called kitchens. Multiply their 11 courts by two gets you to 22. Add the actual restaurant kitchen and that makes 23. Story continues Carpenter and Millsap are the owners of 23 Kitchens, including their buildings, but they are leasing the land from the owners of the larger Hogum Bay Town Center site, which includes Walker John, known for developing apartments in downtown Olympia. The town center site also will include 400 apartments in a future development phase, said contractor Greg Bailey who has worked closely with John on several of his projects. Bailey mentioned some other tenants coming to the site. In addition to Mod Pizza, residents can expect to see an International House of Pancakes, or IHOP, a chicken and custard business called Super Chix, a dental practice and a 10,000-square-foot child care center, he said. If you know of a retailer, restaurant, coffee shop or other business that is opening, closing, expanding, remodeling, or changing its focus, send an email to reporter Rolf Boone at rboone@theolympian.com. House lawmakers Thursday took aim at one of the headaches of apartment hunting rental application fees voting to ban the charges as they passed the first piece of House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi's housing affordability agenda. The rental application fee ban, introduced by Pawtucket Democrat Cherie Cruz, was a top priority of tenants' rights groups, progressive organizers and the Black, Latino, Indigenous, Asian-American and Pacific Islander Caucus. It passed unanimously and with no debate. Now it moves to the Senate, where no hearings on the topic have been scheduled. Gov. Dan McKee has said he supports the legislation. "These fees bankrupt working-class Rhode Islanders already struggling to find an affordable and safe place to live," Shana Crandell, lead tenant organizer for Reclaim Rhode Island, wrote after passage of the bill. "We look forward to the legislature taking further action to bring down the cost of housing and strengthen tenant rights." Advocates for the homeless protest the state's housing crunch on Dec. 1 during the annual State House Holiday Celebration and Tree Lighting. In a world of complicated housing legislation, the Cruz bill is fairly simple. It says landlords, sub-lessors, brokers and property managers "shall not be allowed to require or demand any prospective tenant to pay ... a rental application fee." However, the bill's length more than doubled with the addition of an amendment that allows would-be tenants to provide their own credit and background checks to landlords that require them, freeing the applicants of the expense of having to pay for new checks each time they apply for an apartment. As long as the credit or background check is no more than 90 days old, the language added to the bill says, landlords have to accept them and not charge applicants for fresh checks. It also says if landlords charge prospective tenants for a background or credit check, they have to provide a copy of that report so it can be used in other applications. The amendment was offered by Rep. David Morales, a Providence Democrat who had introduced similar legislation to ban rental application fees earlier this year. Story continues In committee testimony on the fee-ban bill, dozens of residents submitted form letters saying Rhode Islanders looking for a place to live often apply to dozens of apartments before they find a place, which can result in application fees totaling $500 to $750. Chelsea Fernando, senior political organizer for the Rhode Island Working Families Party, wrote in committee testimony that application fees "have become a predatory tool that corporate slumlords and real estate agencies combine with month-to-month leases and regular evictions in order to maintain huge and unethical profit streams." "The revenue generated from application fees acts as a disincentive for landlords to fill vacant apartments, further entrenching vulnerable Rhode Islanders in a cycle of housing instability and homelessness," she wrote. There is no exact duplicate of Cruz' bill in the Senate, but Sen. Melissa Murray, D-Woonsocket, has sponsored one that is nearly identical to the Morales bill. More measures meant to ease the housing crunch While the rental application fee is the first bill in Shekarchi's 14-bill housing package to pass, others are on the way. On Wednesday, the House Housing and Municipal Government Committee passed a bill that would make it easier to convert commercial buildings into residences, and another bill with incentives for developers to build near mass-transit hubs. Those bills are expected to come to the full House for a vote next week. The revised version of the residential conversion bill passed by the Housing Committee on Wednesday would block cities and towns from requiring that residential conversion projects have more than one parking space per unit, even if they do not include below-market-rate units. In the initial version, cities and towns could still require more than one space per unit if a project didn't have affordable housing. However, to qualify for a "density bonus" with more units than typically allowed under local zoning, a conversion would need to have at least 20% of its units qualify as affordable. The new version of the bill would go into effect Jan. 1, 2024. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RI House votes to ban rental housing application fees Photo Illustration by Luis G. Rendon/The Daily Beast/Fox 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. Sometimes, when facing the flatlining blandness of content released right now, I need to feel alive again. So I turn to my defibrillator shows, my bonkers revitalizers and gonzo resuscitators. I am speaking, of course, of the heroically batshit twin procedural disaster seriesI truly dont know how else to classify them9-1-1 and 9-1-1: Lone Star. It seems that, this week, many of you caught on to what Ive known for years now: There is no better way to brighten up an exasperating, exhausting week than to drop in and watch an episode of one of these FOX dramas. And by brighten it up, I of course mean set off several dozen sticks of dynamite in the middle of a fireworks warehouse down the road from a spotlight testing facility. If youve seen the Rob Lowe clip from Lone Star that went viral, you understand that this is no understatement. In it, Lowe, who plays a firefighter captain in the series, pulls a man out of a cryotherapy machine, which has seemed to freeze his body after the temperature plummeted and he was left in it for too long. (Mr. Freeze is also the husband of the woman that Lowes character had been in a steamy relationship, before he learned earlier in the episode that she was married, though open.) aint no way the captain of a firefighter team tried to do chest compressions on a frozen solid dude. pic.twitter.com/NIHk8HLhie not lena (@bluegreytan) April 19, 2023 He inexplicably begins chest compressions on the lifeless body, buttrigger warning for gross stuff!the chest cracks like ice when he pushes down on it, his hands plummeting into the mans rib cage and popsicle organs. (Picture what happens when you step on a frozen puddle in winter.) Story continues He looks up in shock at what just happened. A panicked EMT rushes over andthis is what really broke meputs her stethoscope onto the body to confirm that the man is indeed dead. People have been more useful blowing at a burning building with their mouths, trying to put out the fire like its a birthday candle. What Ive learned from the clip is that my beloved 9-1-1 franchise hasnt lost its touch, and, also, youre all apparently brand new here. Since the original 9-1-1 series premiered in 2018 (the Lone Star spin-off launched in 2020), it has been the Holy Grail of disaster TV. Some might say it is audaciously creative in this regard (me); others might say it is ludicrously so (boring haters). It has reliably been some of the most entertaining television Ive consumed over these last few years. It is from the mind of Ryan Murphy, proving how fun it is to infuse the formulaic procedural genre with his maximalist carnival of wild and unapologetic ideas. In the early episodes of Season 1, emergency responders were called to incidents in which a mother flushed her baby down the toilet, or a reptile fetishist who was being strangled by one of her snakes. This is the kind of show that inspires round-ups of the wildest moments from over the years (like, for example, Riverdale). A bouncy house has flown away in a strong gust of wind with someone inside. An aspiring influencer got his head stuck in cementinside of a microwave. A woman was hit by a meteor. FOX Do not be confused: I do not regularly watch these series. But thats part of what makes me cherish them so. During a bleak week, like one in which I cant bear to read one more word about Succession and whether that guys name was crossed out or underlined, I can pop on one of my 9-1-1s and know I am going to be met with preposterous delight, without ever feeling lost. Inspired by the viral Lone Star clip of human crushed ice, I put on the most recent episode of O.G. 9-1-1 too, to check in on whats happening there. I was not disappointed. I was greeted by Jennifer Love Hewitt, who plays a dispatcher, calming down a music student who was having a panic attack by singing to him, loudly and in the middle of her dispatch office, Jackson 5s Ill Be There. He eventually joined in and started breathing again. Everyone at the office clapped for her. I cried a little. Everything about the experience was ridiculous. Thank God (Ryan Murphy) for it. TV has a long history of these kinds of series, with big, marketable Disasters of the Week. Its well known, at this point, that each doctor at the Greys Anatomy hospital has nine lives, like a cat. The ER helicopter crash is foundational to me. The plunge down the elevator shaft in L.A. Law! A classic! (I will not be citing older examples, as to protect my delusion of youth.) Betty Gilpin Was Born to Play a Badass Nun Who Makes Out With Jesus But these 9-1-1 shows aren't only about these silly catastrophes. Angela Bassett is starring in 9-1-1, folks. Peter Krause plays her husband. Rob Lowe leads Lone Star. Connie Britton predated Jennifer Love Hewitts tenure in the dispatch office. There is acting on these series. The emotional stakes on them are as intense as the actionand also surprisingly grounded and relatable. In the grand Murphy tradition, they are also exceptionally diverse when it comes to race and sexual orientationand matter-of-fact about it, too. When battling earthquakes and pageant moms, who has the time to spar about identity? Its all so refreshing. So to everyone who has discovered the joy of these series through a mans shattered frozen chest, I say: Welcome. Keep obsessing! Sign up for the Daily Beasts Obsessed newsletter and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok. 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. BUCHAREST (Reuters) - Romania will not unilaterally ban the import of Ukrainian grain and will wait for the European Commission to enforce measures to help central and eastern European farmers, Agriculture Minister Petre Daea said on Friday. However, Romania and Ukraine will consult weekly on expected grain volumes, seeking to limit imports, Daea said after meeting his Ukrainian counterpart, Mykola Solsky, in the capital, Bucharest. Romania is the only one of five central and eastern European states that has stopped short of banning imports of Ukrainian grains, while tightening controls at border checkpoints. "I think it is necessary we wait ... to see what the Commission decides, and then we will meet again to establish long-term rules, because Romania and Ukraine are large grain producing countries," Daea told reporters. Solsky said it was obvious the current situation required "quick decisions". "We understand these decisions must be comfortable for Romanian farmers and ... we wait for the European Commission," he said through a translator. With access to its own Black Sea ports blocked and later limited by Russia's invasion, Ukraine has had to find alternative shipping routes for its farm products. Millions of tons of grains and oilseeds, cheaper than those produced in the European Union and exempt from customs tax, ended up in neighbouring states, distorting demand and prices of local products. The European Commission said on Wednesday it would take emergency "preventive measures" for wheat, maize, sunflower seeds and rapeseed, compensating local farmers and only allowing grain to enter the five countries from Ukraine if they were set for export to other EU members or the rest of the world. This measure, contingent upon Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia withdrawing their unilateral import bans, would run until the end of June. However, the five countries expect the Commission to widen the list of products to include milk, poultry and honey. (Reporting by Luiza Ilie; Editing by Clarence Fernandez) Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, speaks during a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions confirmation hearing for Julie Su to be the Labor Secretary, on Capitol Hill, Thursday, April 20, 2023, in Washington. | Alex Brandon, Associated Press At her confirmation hearing Thursday, Sen. Mitt Romney said Julie Su, the Biden administrations pick for Labor secretary, was biased and that promoting her makes no sense. Su may have trouble clearing the Senate nomination process, as several swing senators still havent said whether theyll support her nomination, including Democratic Sens. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Jon Tester of Montana, and independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona. As head of Californias labor department at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Su oversaw the department at a time when applications for unemployment increased significantly, as did fraud. A state audit found there were more than $30 billion in fraudulent claims paid out in 2021, much of the money for which came from the federal government. Your record there is so severely lacking, I dont know how in the world it makes sense for the president to nominate you to take over this department, Romney said at the hearing. Romney said the sum was about as much as we provided in military aid to Ukraine, and he laid the blame for the fraud on Su. The buck stops at the top. Youre the person running UI. Youre the person that decided to waive the guardrails, he said. The idea of promoting a person whos had that experience to a position of leadership of the entire Department of Labor makes no sense at all. Su said that most of the fraud occurred in the pandemic unemployment insurance program, which did not have the safeguards that regular unemployment insurance does. It is hard to believe that Julie Suwhose public calendar shows standing meetings with unions and only very recent engagements with businesseswould be an unbiased, neutral arbiter when negotiating agreements. Her lack of experience and competency makes her unfit to lead @USDOL. pic.twitter.com/98yZzR4nbN Senator Mitt Romney (@SenatorRomney) April 20, 2023 Su is currently the acting secretary, and was previously the deputy secretary, and she oversaw the federal department at a time when reports of child labor law violations increased significantly, primarily because of issues related to undocumented children. Story continues A New York Times report said 250,000 migrant children have come into the U.S. over the past two years, with thousands ending up in unsafe or difficult jobs. At the confirmation hearing, Romney asked Su about the trafficking of unaccompanied minors in illegal labor markets across the country. Your department wrote last year that violations have increased by some 70% since 2018. Was that communicated to the White House prior to this year? he asked. I dont know the answer to that question, Su replied. Business groups have raised concerns over Sus positions on freelance workers and franchisees, including the International Franchise Association, according to Bloomberg. At the hearing, Su said she was the daughter of immigrants who owned a pizza franchise. Before her government service, Su was a civil rights attorney. Su has received significant support from unions. The Wall Street Journal reported that labor giant AFL-CIO spent six figures on ads to promote her. At the hearing, Romney criticized Su for meeting regularly with union officials, but rarely with business associations. During your last two years at the Department, the public calendar shows that you had a standing meeting with unions on a regular basis, but until six weeks ago, youd not met with any business associations, he said. I guess its really hard to understand how when we think about putting two groups together, getting to the compromise and negotiating, how we could have any confidence that youd be seen as an unbiased, neutral arbiter. In 2021, when Su was appointed to the deputy labor secretary position, Romney did not vote to confirm her either in committee or on the Senate floor, his spokesperson said. Ron DeSantis Florida governor and potential US presidential candidate Ron DeSantis will meet Foreign Secretary James Cleverly when he visits the UK at the end of the month. The Republican politician also expects to visit companies with "significant investments in Florida". Before the UK, he will make stops in South Korea, Japan and Israel. Mr DeSantis is widely expected to run for president in 2024, but has not yet formally announced his candidacy. In the contest to win the Republican presidential nomination, Mr DeSantis will likely have to beat former US President Donald Trump - another White House hopeful. Mr DeSantis' website describes the worldwide tour as an "international trade mission" aimed to build on the economic relationships between Florida and the four countries. He will be joined by his wife Casey, Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd and Florida Secretary of Commerce Laura DiBella. It is not uncommon for politicians planning a tilt at the White House to travel abroad to meet foreign leaders ahead of the contest, in the hope of burnishing their presidential credentials. In 2008, both John McCain and Barack Obama met Gordon Brown and David Cameron, then the prime minister and leader of the opposition respectively. Mr DeSantis has recently made the news for his fights with Disney - the theme park based in his state - and for introducing a law which bans education about sexual orientation and gender identity for pupils aged nine and under. Soldiers parade in front of Queen Elizabeth at Trooping the Colour in 2021. Chris Jackson/Getty Images In 2022, royal photographer Chris Jackson shared his favorite photos of Queen Elizabeth II. He captured the moment she won the Royal Ascot and a perfectly timed photo at Trooping the Colour. She would have been 97 on Friday. She reigned for 70 years and died on September 8, 2022. This photo looks like it was taken in a studio, but royal photographer Chris Jackson took it while Queen Elizabeth visited the Lister Hospital in 2012. Queen Elizabeth visiting a new maternity ward at the Lister Hospital in 2012. Chris Jackson/Getty Images "What you have to remember when you're photographing the Queen is that she's this incredible iconic figure, famous around the world, hugely respected," Chris Jackson told Insider. "When the light falls in the right way, or you get a slightly unexpected expression, you can take a photograph that lives on in the archives." Jackson noticed the soft lighting and clean background as Queen Elizabeth visited with hospital staff during the opening of a maternity ward at the Lister Hospital in Stevenage, England, in June 2012. "Nurses and doctors had come gathered around, and the Queen was looking up at them," he said. "And, for me, it's just a slightly unusual expression. It makes me smile." Jackson shared the photo on Twitter on Friday in a tribute to the late monarch. "On what would have been Queen Elizabeth's 97th birthday hopefully a photo that will make you smile," he wrote. Jackson said Queen Elizabeth "lit up" around horses, especially after taking home a trophy at the Royal Ascot in 2013. Queen Elizabeth with her trophy after her horse Estimate won the Gold Cup during Ladies' Day at the Royal Ascot in 2013. Chris Jackson/Getty Images When her horse Estimate crossed the finish line at the 2013 Royal Ascot, Queen Elizabeth became the first monarch in 202 years to win the Gold Cup at the prestigious racing event. "It was obviously a big ambition of hers for this to happen," Jackson said. "She's an incredibly keen horse breeder. It's something that's been such an important part of her life since she was given a horse called Peggy at the age of 4. This was such a lovely moment, because you saw genuine pride and enjoyment as she was handed the trophy. She lit up, and it's almost reflecting the gold on her face." Story continues Jackson captured a poignant photo of Queen Elizabeth visiting a World War I memorial for fallen soldiers in 2014. Queen Elizabeth visits the Tower of London's "Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red" poppy installation in 2014. Chris Jackson/Getty Images At the "Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red" poppy installation at the Tower of London, each ceramic flower represented a fallen soldier. "Remembering and looking back at those who've made the ultimate sacrifice is such a key part of her duty, and Remembrance Sunday is absolutely one of the most important dates in the royal calendar," Jackson said. "But to capture something that visually represented how important that is to the Queen was really special." In 2019, he photographed Queen Elizabeth with Prince Charles, Prince William, and Prince George, who was tasked with mixing a Christmas pudding for ex-military personnel. Prince George mixes a Christmas pudding for ex-military personnel as Prince William, Prince Charles, and Queen Elizabeth look on. Chris Jackson/Getty Images "Prince George is clearly in the moment mixing that Christmas pudding," he said. "And everyone's obviously feeling quite relaxed. But, at the same time, this picture has historical connotations because you've got the heirs to the throne and the Queen. It was a rare moment to capture all four of them together, looking so relaxed." At Trooping the Colour in 2021, Jackson timed this photo of Queen Elizabeth just right. Soldiers parade in front of Queen Elizabeth at Trooping the Colour in 2021. Chris Jackson/Getty Images "What I liked about this picture was employing a bit of creativity here: a slightly slower shutter speed to capture the soldiers parading past the queen, and a slightly tricky photo to capture," Jackson said. "For me, to get the opportunity to do something a little bit different and create something that is slightly more unusual is quite rare because you're often under a lot of pressure to capture a particular set of images. So I like this one it's a little bit more creative, and I think it's got a bit of energy with the movement to it." Jackson has published three photography books featuring his images of the royals: "Elizabeth II: A Queen for Our Time," "Modern Monarchy," and "Charles III: A King and His Queen," which was released this month. Read the original article on Insider Biography; Getty Images, Color Wow "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Rihanna always keeps her fans collectively called the Navy on their toes. During a recent outing in Paris, the Fenty Beauty mogul flexed her maternity style in a daring strapless top, jeans, and fur coat combo that only Bad Gal Riri could pull off. She completed her look with a gold necklace and matching dangly earrings that complemented her wavy half-updo. The secret to Rihanna's effortlessly cool hairstyle is an arsenal of Color Wow hair products currently discounted during the Sephora Spring Sale. The best part? Everything normally costs $35 or less, but you can save up to 20% off ($23.20-$28 per product) during the current Sephora deals event, depending on your free Sephora Beauty Insider membership tier. Key Specs Shop Now Style on Steroids Color-Safe Texture Spray $26.00 sephora.com What is it? The hero product of Rihanna's look is Color Wow Style on Steroids Spray, which is a hair texturizer that plumps up fine hair and guards strands against heat damage from hot tools, like hairdryers, flat irons, and curling irons. Where to buy it? Beyond Sephora, you can order this hair styling spray on Amazon, Kohl's, and directly through Color Wow. Rating: 4.5-star average from 48 Sephora reviews Size: 7 fluid ounces Best ingredients: Hybrid polymers are nonsticky and add volume, while glycerin hydrates and zeolite adds texture and grip. What our team thinks: "Color Wow's spray is a must-have styling product for anyone creating beautiful waves and curls. Not only does it help volumize my fine hair, but the unique polymers help my hair retain my desired hairstyle. I spritz it on before styling for heat protection and texture, and on nights when I want an even fuller and more undone look, I can spray some on after styling," says Best Products beauty editor Nicole Saunders. What reviewers say: "This texture spray has changed my hair game completely. The style memory this spray has is unreal. I am able to style my hair any way I desire, and it actually stays. It has great hold but doesn't leave my hair stiff and crunchy. I have fine hair that is hard to hold a curl. I am finally able to have long-lasting curls! I'm so excited and happy with my purchase," says one 5-star Sephora review. More Rihanna-Approved Hair Products on Sale at Sephora Her trip to Paris isn't also isn't the first time Rihanna has used Color Wow hair products. Last October, her hairstylist Kendall Dorsey told our friends at Best Products that he used the Color Wow Dream Coat Spray Color to help eliminate frizz. With Rihanna moving a lot behind the camera, I needed to ensure her hair was protected from humidity. Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray not only protects but gives off a nice shine, said Dorsey. Clarence Thomas Illustrated/Getty Images Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has reportedly been sloppy with his mandatory financial disclosure paperwork for the past two decades and that's probably the most generous way to summarize a series of errors and questionable omissions that have put the longest-serving member of the current court in the headlines in recent weeks. Taken together, The Washington Post writes, these acts of negligent public accounting "have raised questions about how seriously Thomas views his responsibility to accurately report details about his finances to the public." There is disagreement about whether Thomas actually broke any laws, notably the Ethics in Government Act of 1978, or merely exploited a legal gray area but which court would ever adjudicate that argument or pass judgment on a Supreme Court justice? Most of the recent disclosures about Thomas involve undisclosed largesse from Harlan Crow, a conservative billionaire friend who has donated millions to Republicans and organizations dedicated to nudging the federal courts to the right. But Thomas faced calls for investigation or impeachment even before the new reports. Here's a list of some of the recent scandals that have made Thomas the face of judicial ethics reform and a drag on the legitimacy of the Supreme Court. 1. The Ginni Thomas texts non-recusal Justice Thomas' wife, Virginia "Ginni" Thomas, has been a Republican factotum since before they were married in 1987, but she became a prominent conservative activist when she joined the Heritage Foundation as White House liaison in 2000 and then founded a Tea Party organization, Liberty Central, in 2009 with $500,000 from Harlan Crow, Politico reported in 2011. Her partisan activism was always a discomfiting situation, since the spouses of Supreme Court justices typically aim for apolitical, but it became especially awkward after former President Donald Trump lost in 2020 and Ginni Thomas sent GOP state lawmakers and Trump's White House chief of staff Mark Meadows emails and text messages imploring them to fight to overturn President Biden's victory. She also attended briefly, she said Trump's rally outside the White House on Jan. 6, 2021, that bled into the Capitol riot. Story continues Ginni Thomas' involvement in efforts to overturn Trump's loss, including pushing top White House officials to fight the defeat, constituted an evident conflict of interest for her husband when those legal challenges inevitably ended up at the Supreme Court. But Justice Thomas did not recuse himself. In fact, Thomas wrote a dissent criticizing the majority of his colleagues who declined in February 2021 to hear a case from Pennsylvania Republicans seeking to disqualify mail-in ballots, among other rejected challenges from Trump and his allies. And Thomas cast the lone dissenting vote in Jan. 2022 when the Supreme Court ordered the Trump White House to turn over insurrection-related documents to the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 siege. "It's easy to dismiss the demented texts and emails from a sitting justice's spouse to public officials who have long-standing professional connections to that justice as zany conspiracy theorizing," Dahlia Lithwick and Mark Joseph Stern wrote at Slate. But based on what we now know about Ginni Thomas' high-level advocacy for reversing Trump's loss and Clarence Thomas' actions on the high court, "a casual observer might assume they were working in tandem, with Clarence handling the law and Ginni working on the political side. They aren't particularly subtle about it." Given the evidence, Justice Thomas "must recuse himself" from any case involving the 2020 election or Jan. 6, New York University legal ethics expert Stephen Gillers told The New York Times, and he "should have recused himself in the cases that have been heard up to now." 2. Luxury vacations from Crow Thomas has been going on opulent vacations, paid for by the Dallas billionaire Harlan Crow, for more than 20 years, ProPublica reported in early April. Those vacations sometimes involved flights on Crow's private jet or cruises on his 162-foot yacht, including a 2019 island hopping trip to Indonesia that would have reportedly cost Thomas and his wife more than $500,000. "The extent and frequency of Crow's apparent gifts to Thomas have no known precedent in the modern history of the U.S. Supreme Court," ProPublica reports, and Thomas did not report any of it on his financial disclosure forms, as required. Even before ProPublica's report, Thomas had "engaged in a yearslong pattern of behaving in ways that other justices, and many elected politicians, do not," David Leonhardt writes at the Times. "From 1998 through 2003, Thomas accepted $42,200 in gifts, making him the top gift recipient on the court at the time," by about $36,000. After the Los Angeles Times highlighted these gifts in 2004, Thomas just stopped reporting them on his financial disclosure forms. Thomas said in a statement that early in his tenure on 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," and he has "endeavored to follow that counsel throughout my tenure." Crow said "the hospitality we have extended to the Thomas' over the years," on vacations and with other conservative luminaries at his Adirondacks resort every summer, "is no different from the hospitality we have extended to our many other dear friends," and he has "never asked about a pending or lower court case" or "sought to influence Justice Thomas on any legal or political issue." Even if Crow didn't personally have a direct case in front of the court, and "I certainly take the parties at their word" on that, "the reason Crow desires a friendship with Clarence Thomas is not principally for his hearty laugh or his storytelling," Mona Charen writes at The Bulwark. "It's because he's a justice on the Supreme Court who rules in ways Crow finds congenial," and if Thomas "were ever tempted to stray from the doctrinaire views the two share," might the risk of losing "access to the Bombardier Global 5000 and the private fishing guide" cause Thomas to "hesitate, if only unconsciously"? "When money talks, the words need not take the form of 'Do this, and I'll give you that,'" Corey Robin writes at Politico. Money buys access and "a lifetime of conversation between men of power," and "in that fraternity of words and wealth, stories are swapped, trust is gained, respect is earned, ideas are shared, and preferences become policy." 3. Selling mother's home to Crow Thomas also failed to report in 2014 that Crow bought three properties in Savannah, Georgia, he owned with his mother and the family of his late brother including the house Thomas' 94-year-old mother still lives in, ProPublica reported. As part of the deal, the mother, Leola Williams, "was given an occupancy agreement to be able to live in the home for the rest of her life," CNN reports. "She lives rent-free but is responsible for paying the property taxes and insurance." Thomas believed he didn't need to disclose the deal because, he says, he lost money on the deal, and he plans to now amend his 2014 disclosure form, a source close to Thomas told CNN. Crow told The Dallas Morning News he "assumed his mother owned the home," and he approached Thomas "with the idea that I might purchase that home for the purpose that in due course it could be the boyhood home of a great American," a museum honoring Thomas. None of that wipes away the fact that Thomas violated the Ethics in Government Act, Gabe Roth, who heads the advocacy group Fix the Court, tells CNN. "If you're a Supreme Court justice, and you sell a property you own, you have to list the transaction in your annual disclosure. That's the law even if Justice Thomas lost money, and even if the sale was to build a museum one day." This is a big deal, and the Justice Department should open an investigation, as should Chief Justice John Roberts and Congress, former White House ethics lawyers Virginia Canter, Norman Eisen, and Richard Painter write at Slate. Thomas' behavior "calls his ethics into question and casts a shadow over the Supreme Court," and "he cannot cure that by simply amending his financial disclosures" now that he's been caught. "That might be sufficient if this were his first transgression," they add, "but it is not," and his myriad financial disclosure omissions have burned up all benefit of the doubt. 4. Reporting of income from defunct real estate firm Thomas has repeatedly amended his financial disclosures after outside groups or news organizations have caught errors or omissions in his forms. In 2011, he went back and changed his forms from 1998 to 2003 to reflect Ginni Thomas' $686,589 in income from the Heritage Foundation, plus two years of income from Hillsdale College in Michigan, saying the information was "inadvertently omitted due to a misunderstanding of the filing instructions" even though in some previous years he had correctly reported his wife's income, the Post notes. In 2020 Thomas amended his 2017 and 2018 disclosure forms to include reimbursements from his own teaching stint at Creighton University and speeches at the University of Kansas and the University of Georgia. And he has been reporting between $50,000 to $100,000 a year in rental income from a Nebraska real estate company in Ginni Thomas' family that hasn't existed since 2006, the Post reports. The company was dissolved, then re-established under a similar name, with the same address and Ginni Thomas' sister listed as the manager. "Any presumption in favor of Thomas's integrity and commitment to comply with the law is gone," NYU's Gillers tells the Post. "His assurances and promises cannot be trusted. Is there more? What's the whole story? The nation needs to know." You may also like Texas Senate approves bills requiring 10 Commandments in K-12 classrooms, Bible time in school The U.S. and China want to 'decouple' their economies. Is it possible? Ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica are melting at a 'disastrous' pace CANBERRA, Australia (AP) Fox Corp. chief executive Lachlan Murdoch on Friday dropped his defamation lawsuit against Australian news website Crikey, citing the settlement of the separate U.S. case where Fox News agreed to pay almost $800 million over its lies involving the 2020 U.S. presidential election. Media mogul Rupert Murdochs son filed the Crikey suit last August a day after executives at Crikey's publisher put their names to an ad in The New York Times inviting Lachlan Murdoch to sue to test the press freedom issue in court. Murdoch's lawsuit targeted the publisher, Private Media, its then-managing editor Peter Fray, who was also the websites editor-in-chief, and Crikeys political editor, Bernard Keane. Murdoch claimed he was defamed by Keanes column about the U.S. congressional investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the Capitol building which Crikey published in June last year under the headlines: Trump is a confirmed unhinged traitor. And Murdoch is his unindicted co-conspirator. Murdochs lawyer John Churchill said in a statement he had filed a notice of discontinuance in Federal Court on Friday. Crikey has tried to introduce thousands of pages of documents from a defamation case in another jurisdiction, which has now settled," the statement said, referring to the Fox News settlement with Dominion Voting Systems that was announced Tuesday. Mr. Murdoch remains confident that the court would ultimately find in his favor, however he does not wish to further enable Crikeys use of the court to litigate a case from another jurisdiction that has already been settled and facilitate a marketing campaign designed to attract subscribers and boost their profits, Churchill said. Private Media chief executive Will Hayward said his company, which is valued at less than 20 million Australian dollars ($13.4 million), stood by Crikey's description of the Murdochs as conspirators in the Capitol violence. Story continues The initial statement was clearly intended with a certain degree of hyperbole, Hayward said. Its really important that in Australia, journalists have room to express good faith opinions and they dont have to be terrified of litigious billionaires, Hayward added. Hayward and Private Media chairman Eric Beecher said in a joint statement they were "proud to have exposed the hypocrisy and abuse of power of a media billionaire. We stand by our position that Lachlan Murdoch was culpable in promoting the lie of the 2020 election result because he, and his father, had the power to stop the lies," the statement said. Crikeys law firm Marque Lawyers said Lachlan Murdoch would be expected to pay all legal costs. "We and our client are well pleased, the firm tweeted. The Crikey suit had been set for a three-week hearing in Sydney starting Oct. 9. Lachlan Murdoch had alleged the Crikey article conveyed a meaning that he illegally conspired with former President Donald Trump to incite a mob with murderous intent to march on the Capitol" to prevent the transfer of power to President Joe Biden. In its defense, Crikey had argued Lachlan Murdoch was morally and ethically culpable for the attack on the Capitol because Fox News, under his control and management, promoted and peddled Trumps lie of the stolen election despite Lachlan Murdoch knowing it was false." The article did not name Lachlan Murdoch, but referred to the Murdochs and their slew of poisonous Fox News commentators. Sydney University defamation law expert David Rolph said the trial would have been the first test case of a new public interest defense that came into effect across most of Australia in 2021. The public interest defense is part of a raft of reforms designed to make Australian defamation laws slightly less plaintiff-friendly, Rolph said. That was a major defense that was pleaded by Crikey here. This was going to be the first test case. We'll have to wait for the next one, Rolph said. Rolph said one of the reasons Murdoch dropped the case was that Crikey was trying to expand its defenses by incorporating revelations from the Dominion litigation. The voting technology firm had sued Fox for $1.6 billion, alleging its business was harmed and employees threatened when it was baselessly accused of rigging its voting machines against Trump in the 2020 election. The settlement followed the disclosures of the mountain of evidence that would have been presented at trial, showing many Fox executives and on-air talent didnt believe the accusations aired on some Fox shows but they feared angering Trump fans with the truth. Vyacheslav Gladkov/Telegram A Russian jet bombed a Russian city on Thursday night, leaving three people injured and prompting emergency evacuations of residents, according to local reports. An explosion in Belgorodaround 20 miles north of the border with Ukrainewas caused by what Moscows Defense Ministry described as an emergency release of an air ordnance, Russias TASS news agency reports. A Su-34 fighter-bomber was to blame, authorities said. At Least 4 Dead After Russian Military Jet Crashes Into Its Own Citizens At around 22:15 Moscow time on April 20, when a Su-34 plane of the Russian Aerospace Forces was performing a flight above the city of Belgorod, an emergency release of an air ordnance occurred, the ministry was quoted as saying. The Defense Ministry initially said there were no casualties. But that was contradicted by Vyacheslav Gladkov, the governor of the Belgorod region, who said in a Telegram post on Friday morning that three people had been hurt by the blast. Gladkov said one victim suffered a concussion and was diagnosed with a craniocerebral injury, but added their injuries were not life-threatening. Another refused hospital treatment, and one elderly woman became ill, her blood pressure rose a lot. She was hospitalized and is now under medical supervision, Gladkov wrote. Thank God there are no dead. Clearer video of a Russian bomb that detonated in Belgorod last night. pic.twitter.com/vZnoFFvq7J Dmitri (@wartranslated) April 21, 2023 Gladkov also said workers with Russias Ministry of Emergency Situations evacuated the residents of a nine-story building who were sent to live with relatives or put up in hotel accommodation. He added that they will be given housing and food while restoration work is prepared on the building. The inhabitants of Belgorod experienced severe trials last night, Gladkov said. Together, I think we will pass these tests. Story continues On Thursday, the governor said there was a state of emergency in Belgorod after the explosion left a 65-foot-wide crater at an intersection of one of the streets in the center of the city. As well as the apartment building, parked cars and power lines were damaged, Gladkov added. Officials have not disclosed what type of munition was involved in the explosion. According to some local reports, the blast was powerful enough to throw a car onto the roof of a nearby convenience store. In November, Russian state media reported that a new batch of Su-34 bombers had been delivered for use in the war against Ukraine and talked up how the planes would improve the accuracy of bombing missions. The Su-34 bomber will constitute the basic strike power of Russian frontline aircraft, the report said. The upgraded Su-34 warplane features extended combat capabilities enabling it to employ advanced air-launched munitions, increase the range of striking ground and naval targets and expand the conditions and accuracy of bombing runs. Thursdays apparent mishap comes after another Su-34 crashed into an apartment building in October in Yeysk, another city inside Russia close to Ukraine. Three children were among 15 people killed in the incident. 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. Russian kamikaze drone manufactured by Iran in Kyiv, October 17, 2022 Ukrainian air defense downed eight aerial targets approaching Kyiv, though drones hit civilian infrastructure in Poltava Oblast and critical infrastructure in Vinnytsia Oblast. Read also: Air Force reveals Russias new tactics in missile, drone attacks against Ukraine Ukraine downed eight out of twelve Shahed-136 drones launched by Russia from the Bryansk region, according to the General Staff's preliminary data. "The enemy's tactic remains the same. With the onset of night, the terrorist state launched drones from the north. According to preliminary information, the Moscow aggressor likely used a new batch of Iranian-made Shahed drones. Eight enemy targets were detected and downed approaching the capital. There are no victims or damage yet reported. Information is being clarified, the head of Kyiv's military administration, Serhiy Popko, said on Telegram. Read also: Russia receives new batch of Shahed attack drones from Iran, Humeniuk says I want to express our sincere gratitude for the excellent and professional service to guardians of Kyiv's skies - the Air Defense Forces! You have once again saved human lives and the civilian infrastructure of our city! Glory to Ukraine!"- said Popko. All residents were urged to stay in shelters until an air raid alert ended. While Kyiv residents were in their bomb shelters, Russia attacked Poltava with drones. "Civilian infrastructure is damaged. Firefighters are extinguishing fire. Right now, there are no victims reported in the attack," Poltava Oblast Governor Dmytro Lunin said. Russian occupiers hit a critical infrastructure facility in the Vinnytsia region in an overnight drone attack. There are no reported casualties. Read also: Over 100 enemy targets downed by NASAMS, Air Force says More than 150 rescuers and 30 pieces of equipment were used to extinguish the resulting fire, said State Emergency Service head, Serhiy Kruk. 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 Last November, Russian forces operating a Pantsir-S1 air defense system fired on a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone flying over eastern Syria, but did not succeed in shooting it down, U.S. Central Command has confirmed. That the incident had occurred at all only emerged recently in one of a number of leaked U.S. military documents. This comes as senior U.S. commanders have been publicly discussing what they say is an uptick in worryingly aggressive Russian behavior in Syria and elsewhere in the world in recent months. The Washington Post was the first to report on the fact that one of the documents leaked online by Airman 1st Class Jack Douglas Teixeira of the Massachusetts Air National Guard mentioned a Pantsir-S1, also known by its NATO reporting name SA-22 Greyhound, firing on a U.S. Reaper operating in Syria on November 27, 2022. That outlet said an unnamed U.S. official had confirmed the incident and that the missile the Pantsir-S1 had fired had missed the drone. A US Air Force MQ-9 Reaper. USAF "We can confirm that a Russian-controlled SA-22 fired a missile at a US MQ-9 on November 27th, 2022," U.S. Army Col. Joe Buccino, a spokesperson for U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), the top U.S. military command in the region, told The War Zone in a statement today. The Pantsir-S1 is a truck-mounted road-mobile air defense system armed with command-guided surface-to-air missiles and a pair of twin-barrel 30mm automatic cannons. It can use either its onboard radar and/or long-range infrared sensor to spot and track various threats. The system is primarily intended for lower-altitude point defense and is capable of engaging fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, drones, cruise missiles, and other munitions, including reportedly artillery rockets. Russian and Syrian forces have had these systems deployed at various locations in Syria for years now. Their track record of successfully engaging various threats in that country has been, at best, mixed. Story continues Details about the exact circumstances of the incident last November remain limited. We don't know at this time whether Russian forces deliberately attacked the MQ-9 drone or knew conclusively that it was an American aircraft rather than a drone flown by any of a number of groups operating in Syria. There is always the potential that some kind of mistake may have occurred, though that would be concerning in its own way. The leaked document says that the Pantsir-S1 that launched its missile was situated at Qamishili Airfield, also known as Qamlishi Airport, in northeastern Syria. Russia's military has been actively operating from Qamishili for years now and the area around the town itself has seen dangerous interactions between Russian and U.S. forces on the ground on multiple occasions in the past. Though U.S.-backed predominantly Kurdish forces control much of northeastern Syria, Russian forces operate from a number of outposts in that part of the country. This, combined with the presence of Turkish military units and Turkish-backed groups, has long made the overall security situation in the region complex. A map showing the general disposition of US, Russian, and other forces in Syria as of October 2022. Qamishili is seen marked with both US and Russian flags in the northeast concern of the country. Congressional Research Service "After the incident, CENTCOM officials contacted the Russian deconfliction center about the matter," Col. Buccino told The War Zone. Formal deconfliction arrangements have existed between the U.S. and Russian militaries in Syria for years now, but Russia's forces have been repeatedly accused of violating their terms. When asked if what happened last November was the first time that Russian forces had fired on a U.S. Reaper over Syria, Col. Buccino said simply that "incidents of this nature are not routine." What other actions the U.S. military may have taken in response to the incident are unknown. This is not the first time American drones have been attacked or otherwise harassed by forces with which the United States is not in active overt conflict with, however. In 2019, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps shot down a U.S. Navy RQ-4 Broad Area Maritime Surveillance Demonstrator (BAMS-D) flying in international airspace over the Strait of Hormuz. Rogue general Khalifa Haftar's Libyan National Army (LNA), which has received support from Russia, among others, or forces aligned with it, has been responsible for bringing down at least two U.S. Air Force MQ-9s operating over parts of that country in the past four years. The U.S. government has directly accused the Russian private military company Wagner, which has strong links to Russian intelligence services and that country's military, of shooting down one of these Reapers in 2019. Unverified footage claimed to show downing of UAV near Benghazi, Libya https://t.co/PtI9TDWj54 pic.twitter.com/NrVQK6FdpJ Joseph Dempsey (@JosephHDempsey) August 22, 2022 There have multiple other instances of varying degrees of harassment of U.S. drones, as well. This includes an incident just last month over the Black Sea, in which Russian Su-27 Flanker fighter jets made multiple close passes by a U.S. Air Force Reaper and dumped fuel on it. One of the jets eventually collided with the drone, causing it to crash. Attacking or otherwise engaging in unsafe behavior around drones inherently presents the aggressor with much lower risks of escalation since there is no danger of killing foreign military personnel. Still, the U.S. military has responded to some of these incidents in the past by tasking crewed fighter jets, including F-22 Raptor stealth fighters, to provide escorts. The Air Force has also demonstrated the ability of the MQ-9 to carry and employ the AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air missile, and these drones could be armed with these missiles for self-defense against other aircraft. U.S. Reapers can already carry various ordnance capable of engaging threats on the ground. Regardless of the specifics of the November 2022 incident, that now-confirmed Russian attack on the U.S. MQ-9 over Syria seems to align with broader concerning trends both in that region and elsewhere. This goes well beyond the aforementioned loss of the Reaper over the Black Sea in March. Just this week, U.S. Air Forces Central (AFCENT) released two declassified videos, one of which is seen below, that it says are evidence of an increase in worrying encounters with Russian aircraft over Syria in recent months. Both clips show fully-armed Russian Su-35 Flanker-Es as filmed by U.S. combat jets in the region. "Armed Russian fighter aircraft" have directly flown over U.S.-led coalition forces in Syria at least 26 times between March 1 to April 19 of this year, according to accompanying data AFCENT released on Wednesday. The command added that there had been 63 violations since March of deconfliction protocols between U.S. and Russian forces that were put into place just in 2019. Over the course of my career I have not seen this kind of disregard for agreed upon protocols and deconfliction rules, AFECNT commander Lt. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich said in a statement. "Its concerning because it increases the risk of miscalculation, and given incidents like the MQ-9 intercept and subsequent downing over the Black Sea, its not the kind of behavior Id expect out of a professional Air Force." "What we are seeing... is an increase recently in the unprofessional and unsafe behavior of the Russian air force in the region," U.S. Army Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, head of CENTCOM, had told members of Congress on March 16 at a hearing. "Its not new, but we have seen a significant spike since about 1 March in Syria." #Russia|n ground attack jets, loaded with weapons, flying over US bases in #Syria "in an attempt to try to be provocative" per @CENTCOM's Gen Kurilla "They want to try to renegotiate the deconfliction protocols...We have seen a significant spike since about 1 March" Jeff Seldin (@jseldin) March 16, 2023 Russia's relations with the United States and a host of other Western countries have, of course, chilled since the start of its all-out invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. There have been concerns for months now about the potential for that conflict to have spillover effects elsewhere in Europe and parts of the rest of the world, including in Syria. Those fears increasingly look to have been borne out, at least to some degree. It is also worth noting that the November 2022 incident isn't the only very serious altercation between Russian and Western military forces to have emerged from the Teixeira leaks. Another document from that cache, together with secondary reporting, revealed that an incident involving Russian flankers and a British RC-135W Rivet Joint spy plane over the Black Sea in September 2022 might have ended in a shootdown had it not been for an apparently malfunctioning air-to-air missile. The confirmation that a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper flying over Syria could have been shot down last November only adds new evidence of the larger concerning trends in aggressive Russian behavior. Contact the author: joe@thedrive.com Consequences of the attack on Belgorod You can add Russia to that list. Read also: Drone attack on power substation in Russia's Belgorod A powerful explosion rocked the Russian city of Belgorod and caused a large crater late on April 20. Russia's Ministry of Defense said it was "an accidental discharge of aviation ammunition" from a Su-34 flying over the city, according to state news agency RIA-Novosti report. The MoD reported no victims in the incident and provided no further details. Read also: War has come to Russians homes Ukrainian intelligence on explosions in Belgorod Belgorod Oblast Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov, however, reported on Telegram that two people had been injured, buildings were left damaged, and a 20-meter-wide crater (65 feet) was left on a main street. Sitting near Ukraines border, Belgorod has a population of about 340,000 people. "There was an explosion. According to preliminary information, there are no casualties. A huge crater 20 metres across appeared at the intersection of one of the main streets. Windows shattered in a neighbouring apartment building. The blast wave damaged several parked cars and toppled power poles," Gladkov wrote. Videos and photos of the explosions and its aftermath soon appeared on social media. Videos show piles of concrete on the street and damaged cars. The man behind a video says that half of the street no longer exists. Another video shows a car upside down on the roof of a shop. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly said that Ukraine won't attack Russian territory and uses weapons only for liberation of its own soil. 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 The region's thick, dense mud could make mobility for either side difficult. YEVHEN TITOV/AFP via Getty Images Russian media is exaggerating the mud's impact on Ukrainian forces, UK intel reports. Their goal is "aimed at raising Russian morale" and "undermining Ukraine's supporters," intel says. One commander told RIA Novosti that Russian forces "drowned" a German Leopard tank in a swamp. Fighting between Russian and Ukrainian forces has slowed down thanks to thick, wet mud in the region and Russian media outlets are likely exaggerating the impact of the mud on Kyiv's troops in order to raise the morale of the Kremlin's soldiers, new UK intelligence suggests. According to an update from the UK Ministry of Defense, "soft ground conditions across most of Ukraine" including "severe mud" is likely slowing down operations for both sides in the brutal conflict. Russian outlets, however, appear to be "exaggerating the overall impact of mud on Ukrainian forces," UK intel said. Intelligence suggests the outlets are trying to cheer up Russian President Vladimir Putin's troops and raise their flagging morale while "undermining Ukraine's supporters" ahead of an expected Ukrainian counteroffensive. Unverified videos and pictures of the mud on the battlefield have been posted across Twitter and Telegram. Some, according to The EurAsian Times, show Ukrainian tanks getting "bogged down" in the mud. One Russian commander told RIA Novosti, a Russian state-affiliated outlet, that Putin's forces had captured a German-made Leopard tank in mud and "drowned it in a swamp," according to The EurAsian Times. And Russian state news agency TASS interviewed a retired Russian colonel who suggested waiting until the land dries before launching attacks to prevent either side of the war from getting "stuck in the mud" and losing "the ability to maneuver quickly." Read the original article on Business Insider Russian fighter jet Su-34 Belgorod A Russian Su-34 Fullback strike fighter accidentally dropped a bomb or other type of offensive weapon on the Russian city of Belgorod, not far from the Ukrainian border, in the first incident of its kind that we are aware of in this conflict. The weapon caused an explosion and damaged several buildings, although it remains unclear exactly what went wrong. As a Sukhoi Su-34 air force plane was flying over the city of Belgorod there was an accidental discharge of aviation ammunition, the Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed, in a statement reported by the state-run TASS news agency. https://twitter.com/wartranslated/status/1649318357538045953?s=20 https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1649139694846763008?s=20 The incident occurred late on Thursday. Local authorities confirmed a large blast in the city of Belgorod, which is the administrative center of the region of the same name and is located roughly 25 miles north of the border with Ukraine. A view of a damaged apartment after the Su-34 dropped an aircraft munition in Belgorod city center on April 21, 2023. Photo by Belgorod Region Governorate/Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images A view of some of the damaged cars after the incident. Photo by Belgorod Region Governorate/Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images A view of the damaged area in the city of Belgorod. Photo by Belgorod Region Governorate/Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images Belgorods regional governor, Vyacheslav Gladkov, said three people had been injured. Thank God there are no dead, Gladkov added in a statement on Telegram. Gladkov also said that the weapon (only a single example has been mentioned by officials) left a crater measuring 65 feet across on one of the citys main streets. Further damage was inflicted on four apartment buildings (at least one of which was evacuated overnight) and four cars. One should not laugh at the fact that the russians dropped an aerial bomb on their own city. Every day, russian bombs fall on Ukrainian cities. Even such a heinous error will not teach or deter the russians. Until they are stopped. We can do it together. Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) April 21, 2023 Videos posted to social media show damaged cars and piles of rubble in the street, as well as a building with its windows blown out. One vehicle appears to have been thrown onto the roof of a building by the blast. Story continues Bearing all this in mind, it seems extraordinary that the casualty toll was so low, although it may still rise. The Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed that an investigation into the incident is now underway. The Su-34 has been one of the most extensively used fixed-wing combat aircraft in the Kremlins war in Ukraine. This aircraft is among the more modern and capable available to the Russian Aerospace Forces, with a host of unique features, which you can read more about here. At the same time, its heavy use has come at a cost, with open-source intelligence confirming at least 19 examples destroyed by a combination of enemy action and non-combat-related accidents since the full-scale invasion began. A pair of Russian Aerospace Forces Su-34 Fullback strike fighters. Russian Ministry of Defense https://twitter.com/Ukraine_AF/status/1519017448657371140?s=20 https://twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/1504107466556157955?s=20 The defense ministry has not revealed what type of weapon was involved. Although the Su-34 can carry a very wide range of guided and unguided munitions, some of them offering significant standoff range, the aircraft has frequently been noted carrying dumb ordnance on many of its sorties in the Ukraine war. This speaks to both the rigidity of Russian tactics as well as the limited stocks of more advanced (and expensive) precision-guided munitions. A schematic diagram showing weapons and stores options for the Su-34, including fuel tanks at the bottom. TOSAKA/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS Looking at available videos of the impact of the weapon and subsequent explosion suggests that it was fitted with a fuze with a delay of around 15 seconds, suggesting a bomb of some kind. The overall size of the explosion is consistent with a smaller bomb, or perhaps a larger weapon that failed to detonate properly. Bomb fused for a 15-second delay, likely designed for penetrating structures/buildings. Doesn't look big too, 100-kg weapon? Miracle no one inside the car caught in the explosion was killed https://t.co/7THhNDmlhw Mike Yeo is also at post.news/thebaseleg (@TheBaseLeg) April 21, 2023 Its been pointed out that the delay fuze would be consistent with the BETAB series of concrete-piercing bombs, designed to defeat airfield runways and similar targets. Again, this cant be determined with any real accuracy and its similarly possible that whatever weapon was involved only partially detonated anyway. Found this video of a BETAB-250ShP drop. ~20 seconds between ground impact and explosion. Also most of the explosive force seems to go upwards, like that in Belgorod overnight https://t.co/gsmfQjsddq Mike Yeo is also at post.news/thebaseleg (@TheBaseLeg) April 21, 2023 As to why the Su-34 released the weapon over a heavily populated part of Russia remains a mystery for now. One possibility is a simple pilot error or some kind of technical malfunction that led to it falling away from its pylon. A problem with the jet could also lead to the crew deciding to jettison weapons for their own safety, but then more than one would likely drop and they would be expected to hit the ground without detonating at all. Electing to do this over a city would also be highly unusual and there is currently no sign that the jet had anything wrong with it. Another potential scenario involves an abortive attempt to launch some kind of glide weapon, essentially a wing kit bolted to a freefall bomb, providing it with a degree of standoff range. In this way, it would be possible for a winged bomb to hit a target in Ukraine even if released from over Russian territory, especially so close to the border. This would imply that something went wrong with the weapon immediately after (a planned) launch. The question of whether such a method of delivery is in any way safe (bearing in mind the city below) remains, however, with even an overflight of a major population center by a bombed-up aircraft posing a degree of hazard. Its no secret that Russias dwindling stockpile of purpose-designed standoff air-launched weapons has led to an apparent crash program to field ad-hoc glide bombs essentially existing, Soviet-era dumb bombs fitted with wing kits. In January, a photo appeared of what appeared to be a 500-kilogram (1,102-pound) FAB-500M-62 bomb with a pop-out wing kit attached. The weapon was loaded onto a Russian Su-34. At that time, it was unclear if the bomb was guided or not. Wings alone would enable longer-range strikes but with a high degree of inaccuracy. Unguided, the weapons could still be used against very broad area targets, such as Ukrainian cities. FAB-500M-62 bomb with a kit attached that features pop-out wings, loaded onto a Russian Su-34 Fullback. via Telegram The U.S.-made Joint Direct Attack Munition, or roughly half the weight of a FAB-500, can hit targets up to 40 miles away when fitted with a wing kit. However, accounts of an apparent earlier modification of the FAB-500M-62 with an unfolding wing of its own suggest it can offer a range of only 3.7-4.3 miles, albeit when dropped from low altitude. That would clearly not fit with a launch from above Belgorod, even if such a mode of delivery were authorized. Since the appearance of that bomb, however, there have been consistent reports of Russia using guided glide bombs, a threat that Ukrainian air defenses have been struggling with, in particular, according to officials in Kyiv. Last month, Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson Yuriy Ignat described guided glide bombs as a new threat, with up to 20 being used each day by Russian forces. This is a threat to us, and we have to urgently respond to it, Ignat told Ukrainian television, calling for additional and new ground-based air defense systems, including the U.S.-made Patriot thats since started to arrive in Ukraine. Ignat noted that Su-34s and Su-35s were being used to deliver these bombs. Whats unclear is how the guidance package works and if it, like the adapted FAB-500M-62, is based on a stock bomb body, or if reference is actually being made to new types of purpose-designed standoff weapons, like the Grom, or even an existing guided bomb, like one of the UPAB series. That last weapon, however, has also been used earlier in the conflict, which would seem to rule it out as being a new threat. 1/ Noticed an interesting detail in this Russian MoD clip from late March. Note that one of the Su-35Ss in the background has a pair of UPAB-500Bs under its starboard wing, while the other has a single UPAB-1500B (500kg & 1,500kg-class satellite-aided glide bombs, respectively). https://t.co/WAQhQmCqnc pic.twitter.com/v68llSQexH Guy Plopsky (@GuyPlopsky) September 1, 2022 The Grom is an air-to-surface weapon with a pair of pop-out wings, and it comes in powered and unpowered forms and with a range of guidance options. The first Grom wreckage appeared in Ukraine in April although there is little to suggest, so far, that its being used in widespread use, with few existing photos or documented accounts other than this one. Again, a weapon like the Grom being accidentally released and then detonating partially, or a planned release of such a weapon that then malfunctioned, could be possible causes of the Belgorod blast. At this stage, we simply dont know for sure. This is not the first time that the border region of Belgorod has been hit by explosions related to the war in Ukraine, although previous incidents have generally involved apparent attacks by Ukrainian forces and/or saboteurs, as part of an apparent wider strategy that we have discussed in the past. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, there have been multiple reports from the Russian side of Ukrainian artillery and rocket attacks on the region, as well as sporadic attacks involving Tochka (SS-21 Scarab) short-range ballistic missiles. Meanwhile, a string of mysterious explosions began to rock Belgorod, including at oil infrastructure sites and ammunition depots. Official Russian accounts of these incidents have often provided little in the way of detail, while Ukrainian officials refrain from commenting directly on possible operations outside their borders. BREAKING: Power is out in a number of places in Belgorod, Russia after Ukraine attacked the city's thermal power plant pic.twitter.com/uTn8iy5xH7 Faytuks News (@Faytuks) October 14, 2022 In April last year, a fuel depot in Belgorod was the apparent target of a cross-border raid by a pair of Ukrainian Mi-24 Hind attack helicopters, as we reported at the time. Ukraine denied involvement. Russian media, quoting Belgorod governor Vyacheslav Gladkov, report that the oil facility was attacked by "two helicopters of the Ukrainian Armed Forces" (likely Mi-24s) that "entered Russian territory at low altitude." https://t.co/sNvwWtnDWD Guy Plopsky (@GuyPlopsky) April 1, 2022 For almost a year, Ukraine has employed drones to attack targets in Belgorod. Last month, there were reports of drone strikes against oil infrastructure and of Russian ground-based air defenses being increasingly active to shoot down the unmanned aerial vehicles involved. These were accompanied by photos released by Russian officials showing the wreckage of Ukrainian drones. A Ukrainian Poseidon H10 drone shot down in Belgorod Oblast, according to the local governor. Vyacheslav Gladkov/Telegram photo As for incidents involving the accidental release of munitions by Russian aircraft over their own territory, none of these appear to have been documented in the past. However, Russias fast-jet force has certainly been hit by some costly non-combat-related mishaps since the war began, likely the result of pilot error or mechanical failure. The Sukhoi Su-25 Frogfoot crash. The place and time are not known. pic.twitter.com/YmOnLVZXRy Capt(N) (@Capt_Navy) September 12, 2022 In another major incident involving a Su-34, one of the strike fighters slammed into a residential building in the city of Yeysk, a coastal town situated directly across the Sea of Azov from the Russian-occupied Ukrainian city of Mariupol. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, the jet in question was climbing out of Yeysk Air Base for a training flight when it crashed. The two crewmembers are said to have ejected safely. Yeysk has also been a major forward operating base for sorties over Ukraine. BREAKING: Military plane crashes into apartment building in Yeysk, Russia pic.twitter.com/FFP2XUc13b BNO News (@BNONews) October 17, 2022 In his statement on last nights incident, Belgorods regional governor, Vyacheslav Gladkov, described it as a severe test that fell upon the residents of Belgorod, but that Together, I think we will pass these tests. With fighting continuing to rage over the border, just 20 miles away from the city, its very likely that Belgorod and the surrounding region will continue to feel the effects of the conflict, both direct and otherwise. In the meantime, we will follow this story and hope to learn exactly what went so badly wrong that a Russian strike fighter bombed one of its own cities. Contact the author: thomas@thedrive.com The Sukhoi Su-34 jet fighter-bomber of Russian Air Force. aviation-images.com/Universal Images Group via Getty Images A Russian Su-34 mistakenly bombed the Russian city of Belgorod on Thursday, authorities said. The blast injured two women and heavily damaged four apartments, per the local governor. Footage of the aftermath showed apartment walls blown to bits and wrecked cars. A Russian jet accidentally bombed the Russian border city of Belgorod on Thursday evening, said Moscow's defense ministry. Surveillance footage of the explosion was uploaded to Telegram by the Russian news outlet RBC. It shows a bright flash before a section of the street erupts in flames, and debris is thrown into the air. "During the flight of the Su-34 aircraft of the Aerospace Forces over the city of Belgorod, an abnormal descent of aviation ammunition occurred," the ministry told the state media outlet TASS. Two women were injured in the blast, which left a 60-foot-wide crater in the city center and damaged four apartments, Vyacheslav Gladkov, Belgorod's governor, wrote on Telegram. One woman was sent to hospital with a head injury, while the other suffered abrasions and was treated at the scene, Gladkov wrote. Photos posted by Gladkov showed extensive damage to the nearby apartments the outer wall of one property was completely blasted apart. Another photo showed what appears to be an entrance blown open. One of the four properties damaged by the accidental bombing. Belgorod Region Governorate / Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images Four cars were also wrecked by the explosion, according to Gladkov. "An investigation team and employees of the Ministry of Emergency Situations are working on the spot," Gladkov wrote. He described a need to "restore traffic on one of the main arteries of the city," indicating that the explosion occurred in a typically busy area of Belgorod. Belgorod is some 25 miles from the Ukrainian border, and Russian warplanes often fly over the city on combat missions. It is located around 50 miles from Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city. Belgorod is located some 25 miles from the Ukrainian border. Screenshot/Google Maps Russia has accused Ukraine of shelling Belgorod throughout the war. Kyiv has repeatedly denied this, blaming Russia for misfiring on its own city. Story continues The Kremlin's assault on Ukraine has been plagued by humiliating blunders over the last year. In January, one of its sergeants accidentally detonated a hand grenade in a barracks, killing three of his comrades. Ukrainian and Western observers have also recorded multiple instances of Russian troops firing on their comrades. The Russian Ministry of Defense did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment sent outside regular business hours. Read the original article on Business Insider (Bloomberg) -- Serbias economy is benefiting from an influx of thousands of skilled, educated Russians who have fled their country since President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine, Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said. Most Read from Bloomberg The former Yugoslav republic has maintained a balancing act on Ukraine, condemning Putins assault while stopping short of adopting European Union sanctions targeting Moscow. Brnabic defended the stance with a reference to Serbias isolation during Yugoslavias violent breakup in the 1990s and punitive measures aimed at the government in Belgrade. Our people feel strongly against sanctions, she said on a panel at the Bloomberg New Economy Gateway Europe conference outside Dublin Thursday. Our view is that sanctions do not actually diminish a countrys capacity or willingness to wage a war. The premier said her government is offering incentives to Russian exiles that include engineers, mostly very young, very skilled, very talented people who become taxpayers and provide sought-after skills for the nations information-technology industry. In addition to being attracted to Serbias economy, young Russians did not feel welcome elsewhere, she said. These young people are really western-oriented, very well educated, against the war, the premier said. Its a good thing for us. Serbia is under pressure as a candidate to join the EU to fully align its foreign policy with the 27-nation bloc. It also must mend ties with Kosovo, whose sovereignty Belgrade doesnt recognize since the nation of 1.8 million broke away from Serbia in 2008, almost a decade after NATO drove out the military of Yugoslav strongman Slobodan Milosevic. Story continues The process is difficult and emotional for Serbs who cherish Kosovo as their historic heartland, but we owe this to the generation that are coming after us and we want to find a mutually acceptable compromise in negotiations mediated by the EU and US, she said. Serbias economy was hit hard by sanctions directed at the rump Yugoslavia in the 1990s. They were lifted after Milosevics ouster in 2000. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. The Russian occupiers have killed two civilians in Kherson Oblast and one in Donetsk Oblast over the past day. Source: Oleksandr Prokudin, Head of Kherson Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram; Pavlo Kyrylenko, Head of Donetsk Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram Details: Prokudin reported that over the past day, Russian forces bombarded Kherson Oblast 63 times, firing a total of 247 projectiles from heavy artillery, UAVs and aircraft. Russian soldiers fired on the city of Kherson 4 times. The Russian military targeted residential areas in the oblasts settlements. As a result of Russian aggression, 2 people were killed (the death of one of them was reported earlier), and 3 were wounded. Kyrylenko reports that Russian forces in Donetsk Oblast fired on Novoukrainka from Grad MLRS (multiple launch rocket system), used artillery in Bohoiavlenka and fired incendiary ammunition in Prechystivka. Bombardment of the old town of Avdiivka was observed on the Donetsk front. On the Horlivka front, one person was killed in the Chasiv Yar hromada (an administrative unit designating a town, village or several villages and their adjacent territories ed.). Two high-rise buildings and eight private houses were destroyed in Bakhmut. Two more houses were damaged in the Toretsk hromada. Kostiantynivka was hit by S-300 missiles, resulting in damage to an unfinished building. On the Lysychansk front, one person was wounded in the settlement of Zarichne in the Lyman hromada. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! New Mexico prosecutors on Friday formally dismissed charges against actor Alec Baldwin in connection to the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of his movie "Rust" in 2021. Baldwin had been accused of involuntary manslaughter before "new facts were revealed that demand further investigation and forensic analysis cannot be completed before" a schedule preliminary hearing on May 3," according to a filing by special prosecutors Jason Lewis and Mari Morrissey. The brief filing did not state what "new facts" prompted the case to be pulled. Prosecutors had the case dismissed "without prejudice," meaning any new evidence could prompt them to re-file charges. Actor Alec Baldwin attends the Build Series on Oct. 21, 2019, in New York. (Jim Spellman / Getty Images file) Even if the Baldwin is never held accountable in a criminal trial, attorney Gloria Allred, representing loved ones of Hutchins, said their civil complaint against the actor will continue. "Despite the prosecutors decision to dismiss the criminal charge against Alec Baldwin without prejudice, the victims of Alec Baldwin that we represent remain hopeful," Allred said in a statement on Friday. "Mr. Baldwin has tried to dismiss our civil case against him, and he has failed." Allred added: "He has even sunk so low as to attack Halyna Hutchins grieving mother, father, and sister for seeking to make him accountable for his part in the death of Halyna Hutchins." While Baldwin appears to be off the hook for criminal charges, his former co-defendant Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the "Rust" set's armorer, is still being prosecuted. She's accused of involuntary manslaughter and her preliminary hearing was set Friday for Aug. 9. Meanwhile, filming of "Rust" continued Friday in Montana. "Though bittersweet, I am grateful that a brilliant and dedicated new production team is joining former cast and crew to complete what Halyna and I started," director Joel Souza, who was wounded in the 2021 shooting, said in a statement issued by "Rust" producers. Story continues "My every effort on this film will be devoted to honoring Halynas legacy and making her proud." Producers have said they are barring any working weapons and ammunition on the set. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Alec Baldwin has pleaded not guilty in court to involuntary manslaughter Actor and producer Alec Baldwin is no longer facing charges of involuntary manslaughter, after criminal charges against him were dropped over a fatal on-set shooting. Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was killed by a live bullet fired from a prop gun being used by Baldwin, on the set of the film Rust in 2021. Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the film's armourer responsible for safety on the set, is still facing two counts of involuntary manslaughter. She is fighting the charges in Santa Fe Magistrates Court, New Mexico, and there will be a preliminary hearing on 3 May. Here is a summary of the events so far. 21 October 2021 Hutchins was a "wonderful mother, first and foremost", a former colleague told the BBC Halyna Hutchins dies and director Joel Souza is injured after Alec Baldwin fires a prop gun on a film set for 19th Century western Rust in New Mexico. Ukrainian-born Hutchins was shot while working as the film's director of photography. The 42-year-old was flown to hospital by helicopter, but died of her injuries. Souza was taken by ambulance from the scene at Bonanza Creek Ranch. Baldwin, who is also a co-producer of Rust, plays the film's lead and namesake - an outlaw whose 13-year-old grandson is convicted of manslaughter. The actor, 64, is best-known as Jack Donaghy on the NBC sitcom 30 Rock, and for his portrayal of Donald Trump on sketch show Saturday Night Live. Speaking at the time, he said: "My heart is broken for her husband, their son, and all who knew and loved Halyna." He said he was "fully co-operating with the police investigation". 23 October 2021 Joel Souza thanked "hundreds of strangers who reached out" at the time of the shooting In his first statement since the on-set shooting, injured director Souza says he is "gutted by the loss of my friend and colleague" Hutchins. Hutchins was fatally shot in the chest. Souza, who had been standing behind her, was treated in hospital for a wound to the shoulder, and later discharged. Story continues Court submissions show assistant director David Halls did not know the gun contained live ammunition, and indicated it was unloaded by shouting "cold gun!" 24 October 2021 People hold candles in front of an image of Halyna Hutchins A vigil takes place in New Mexico to mourn Hutchins, with industry professionals among those lighting candles in her memory. 25 October 2021 Legal documents reveal Alec Baldwin was drawing a revolver across his body and pointing it at a camera during the on-set rehearsal when the gun fired. 26 October 2021 The shooting occurred on the film set of the western Rust. It is revealed Rust's assistant director, David Halls, had been sacked from a previous production, war drama Freedom's Path, over gun safety violations in 2019. A statement from the producers of that film told news agency AFP that Halls was dismissed after a crew member "incurred a minor and temporary injury when a gun was unexpectedly discharged". Halls could not be reached for comment. There is no suggestion that he was at fault for the Rust incident. 28 October 2021 Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said police had recovered evidence, including 500 rounds of ammunition Criminal charges may still be filed over the shooting on the set of Rust, police say, a week after the tragedy. Investigators said a "lead projectile" had been removed from director Souza's shoulder, and that it appeared to be a live round. Sante Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said police had recovered 600 pieces of evidence so far - including three firearms and 500 rounds of ammunition. 31 October 2021 Alec Baldwin described the team on the set of Rust as a "well-oiled crew" Baldwin speaks publicly for the first time since the shooting, calling Hutchins "my friend". "The day I arrived in Santa Fe and started shooting I took her [Hutchins] to dinner with Joel," he said. "We were a very, very well-oiled crew shooting a film together, and then this horrible event happened." He said police had ordered him not to discuss the ongoing investigation, but described the accident as a "one-in-a-trillion episode". He tells reporters he would be in favour of limiting the future use of firearms on film productions to protect people's safety. 17 November 2021 Mamie Mitchell (left) and her lawyer, Gloria Allred, spoke to the media A legal action against Alec Baldwin alleges that the film script did not require him to fire a gun when he fatally shot cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. Script supervisor Mamie Mitchell - who called police after the shooting on the New Mexico film set - filed the case. Her lawyer, Gloria Allred, accused the actor of "playing Russian roulette" when he fired the gun without checking it first. 1 December 2021 Police obtain a further warrant to search the premises of an arms supplier. An affidavit - a written statement of evidence - with the warrant says police were told ammunition for the film had come from several sources, including PDQ Arm & Prop. The affidavit said the ammunition supplier's owner, Seth Kenney, had told investigators the live round may have been from some "reloaded ammunition". He said the ammunition he supplied for the film consisted of dummy rounds and blanks, according to the affidavit. 3 December 2021 Lead actor Baldwin described the shooting as a "one-in-a-trillion event" Baldwin admits his acting career may be over, telling George Stephanopoulos of ABC News: "It could be", adding that he did not care. He also says he "didn't pull the trigger" of the gun during the incident, and adds: "Someone put a live bullet in a gun. I know it's not me." Baldwin said that, while he didn't feel guilty, the incident had left him emotionally scarred. According to court records, Halls was given the gun by Gutierrez-Reed. Her lawyers have said she did not know where "the live rounds came from". That question lies at the centre of the police investigation. 17 December 2021 Police obtain a search warrant for Baldwin's phone, issued by a Sante Fe court. The warrant claims "there may be evidence on the phone" that could be "material and relevant to this investigation". Investigators move to confiscate Baldwin's iPhone to look at text messages, emails, web browser history and other information. 9 January 2022 Investigators, led by District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies, believe Baldwin's phone may contain evidence relevant to their investigation Despite obtaining a search warrant more than three weeks earlier, in December, officials say they have been unable to obtain Baldwin's phone. The actor hits back at suggestions he is not complying with the investigation. In a long video message posted to his Instagram page, the actor says "any suggestion" he had been deliberately evasive with investigators was a "lie". "They can't just go through your phone and take your photos, or your love letters to your wife, or what have you," Mr Baldwin said. "That is a process that takes time. But of course we are going to comply 1000% with all that." 13 January 2022 Gutierrez-Reed sues the prop supplier, alleging his company distributed "a mix of dummy and live ammunition" on set. She filed her legal claim in New Mexico state court, and is seeking unspecified damages from Seth Kenney and PDQ Arm and Prop LLC. Kenney has not yet commented. Her claim states: "The ammunition was misrepresented as only dummy ammunition when it contained both dummy and live ammunition." But in December, Kenney had told Good Morning America: "It's not possible that they [the live rounds] came from PDQ or myself personally." Court documents state Gutierrez-Reed said police discovered seven bullets suspected of being live after the shooting, according to AFP news agency. The documents said the bullets were distributed among a box of cartridges with other ammunition and cartridge belts, intended for the actors to use as accessories. 15 January 2022 Baldwin turns over his mobile phone to police investigating the fatal shooting. 15 February 2022 Halyna Hutchins in 2019 Hutchins' family brings a lawsuit against Baldwin, assistant director Halls, armourer Gutierrez-Reed and prop master Sarah Zachry. It alleges Baldwin "recklessly shot and killed" cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of Rust in October 2021. Lawyers for the Hutchins' family say she would still be alive if crew members had not cut corners. The case was filed in the First Judicial District Court of New Mexico on behalf of the cinematographer's husband, Matthew, and son Andros, and seeks unspecified damages. 24 February 2022 Hutchins' husband says it is "absurd" that Baldwin is not taking responsibility for her death. Matthew Hutchins tells NBC's Today: "I was angry to see him talk about her death so publicly in such a detailed way, and then to not accept responsibility after having just described killing her." EXCLUSIVE: Matt Hutchins, husband of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, who was killed by a prop gun held by Alec Baldwin on set of "Rust," is speaking out in an exclusive interview with @hodakotb. More here: https://t.co/cIvEhK76Qv TODAY (@TODAYshow) February 23, 2022 20 April 2022 A photo of Halyna Hutchins at a vigil following her death in October The producers of Rust are fined and strongly criticised by authorities for failing to follow safety guidelines. The makers of the film showed "plain indifference to recognised hazards associated with use of firearms on set", according to the New Mexico Environment Department. The agency issues the maximum $136,793 (105,000) fine to Rust Movie Productions. 26 April 2022 Police release footage from the set of Rust, including of the aftermath of the fatal shooting. Santa Fe Sheriff Adan Mendoza also releases crime scene photos and witness interviews with people including Baldwin. 11 May 2022 Alec Baldwin said he said he did not pull the trigger but the revolver fired after he cocked it The producers of Rust dispute an official report saying they were indifferent to gun safety before the on-set shooting tragedy. Rust Movie Productions says it "enforced all applicable safety protocols". In legal documents filed to contest the official findings, the firm also said it "did not 'wilfully' violate any safety protocol". 5 October 2022 Baldwin reaches a settlement with Hutchins' family. Filming of Rust will continue in January 2023, with her widower Matthew on board as the movie's executive producer. All parties believe Hutchins' death was an accident, her husband said. The exact terms of the settlement, which is subject to court approval, are not disclosed. Heather Brewer, spokesperson for the office of the first judicial district attorney for New Mexico, said the proposed settlement "will have no impact on District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altweis' ongoing investigation, or her ultimate decision whether to file criminal charges in the case". 19 January 2023 Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed will each will be charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter over the shooting of Halyna Hutchins, District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies announces. Lawyers for both say they intend to fight the charges in court. Both face up to 18 months in jail and a $5,000 (4,040) fine if convicted. They will be tried by a jury, prosecutors say. Assistant director David Halls entered a guilty plea to a misdemeanour charge of negligent use of a deadly weapon, prosecutors said. He will spend six months serving probation. 31 January 2023 Baldwin is photographed in New York in January Baldwin was on the phone during firearms training for Rust, prosecutors say, as they charge him with involuntary manslaughter. Santa Fe's District Attorney's Office accuse the actor of "many instances of extremely reckless acts". "If Mr Baldwin had performed mandatory safety checks with armourer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed and not pointed the gun at Hutchins, the "tragedy would not have occurred", wrote Robert Shilling. He is a special investigator for the district attorney's office, and wrote this in a statement of probable cause filed with the manslaughter charges. Baldwin has previously denied responsibility for the shooting and a representative declined to comment to the BBC. A lawyer for Gutierrez-Reed says she "will fight these charges" and blamed Halls for not letting her know that a real gun was to be used in the moment when the fatal shooting occurred. 9 February 2023 Gloria Allred is representing Hutchins' family Hutchins' family files a new civil suit against Alec Baldwin and producers involved in Rust. Their lawyer, Gloria Allred, says they were "devastated by the shocking killing" and "feel strongly that anyone who is responsible for her loss must be held accountable". The case alleges intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligence, and is being brought in Los Angeles County Superior Court by Hutchins' mother, father and sister, who are living in Ukraine. 15 February 2023 Alec Baldwin Filming on Rust is to resume this spring, according to US reports, with Baldwin remaining in the the starring role. It is shifting location to Montana. A mix of new and old crew members will work on the film, with Bianca Cline taking over as cinematographer. Meanwhile Hutchins' widower Matthew has also approved a documentary about his late wife, producers said. The documentary, made "at [executive producer, Mr] Hutchins' behest, and with his blessing and support" will explore Ms Hutchins' life and "final work, including the completion of the film", a statement said. Rust Movie productions, which Baldwin is part of, have said that the scene which was being rehearsed when Ms Hutchins was shot has now been rewritten, and that the "any use of working weapons and any form of ammunition" had been barred from the set. 20 February 2023 Prosecutors in New Mexico drop firearm enhancement charges against Baldwin, in a move which reduces possible prison time for the actor, as the charges carry a mandatory five-year prison sentence. He still faces up to 18 months in prison under involuntary manslaughter charges. Heather Brewer, Santa Fe county district attorney spokesperson, said the prosecution dropped the firearm enhancement charge to "avoid further litigious distractions by Mr Baldwin and his attorneys". According to CBS News, the BBC's US partner, prosecutors also dropped the firearm enhancement charge for Gutierrez-Reed. Lawyers for Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed had been arguing against the firearm enhancement charge, saying prosecutors were applying a version of the law passed after the October 2021 shooting accident. 23 February 2023 Baldwin pleads not guilty to involuntary manslaughter for the fatal shooting of Halyna Hutchins on the set of Rust. He entered his plea online and also waived his right to an upcoming virtual court hearing. Gutierrez-Reed is also accused of involuntary manslaughter; prosecutors say she failed to ensure that dummy bullets were loaded into the gun that killed Hutchins. 20 April 2023 Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins (right) Criminal charges are dropped against Alec Baldwin over the fatal on-set shooting. A statement, released by New Mexico special prosecutors Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis, said that "over the last few days... new facts were revealed" in the case, requiring further investigation. "This decision does not absolve Mr Baldwin of criminal culpability and charges may be refiled," the statement continued, adding: "Our follow-up investigation will remain active and ongoing." A lawyer for Mr Baldwin praised the move by prosecutors, saying: "We are pleased with the decision to dismiss the case against Alec Baldwin and we encourage a proper investigation into the facts and circumstances of this tragic accident." The film's armourer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, is still facing two counts of involuntary manslaughter, and there will be a preliminary hearing on 3 May. On the same day, filming and principal photography for Rust resumed in Montana. Family-owned Pho Le in south Sacramento will take a step from the restaurant business to focus on family. After 12 years in business, the Vietnamese restaurant popular for its large portioned plates, announced it will be closing Sunday, April 23. We just realized we work here everyday, seven days a week. We want to kind of take (a) break, said owner Ken Le. We are closing yes, but we never said that we wont re-open. Pho Les menu includes traditional Vietnamese dishes like pho, shrimp egg noodles, jelly fish salad and spring rolls. Plates range from $14 to $15, and appetizers and side dishes range from $3 to $8. At this time, right now, we just needed more for our family. During all this time we were working, we dont see the beauty of family, Le said. Thats why we decided to make this move. Le said when they committed to the restaurants 10-year lease, once that time was up they would enjoy life a little more. This is all I know, I dont know what I will feel once I close, so thats all a mystery, Le said when asked when or if he will reopen the restaurant again. If you want to enjoy one last meal of Pho Les, its located at 8785 Center Parkway in the Valley Hi/North Laguna neighborhood, bordering Elk Grove. Its open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., then reopens from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. What do you want to know about life in Sacramento? Ask our service journalism team your top-of-mind questions in the module below or email servicejournalists@sacbee.com. Sahand Sepehrnia / Credit: CBS News Sahand Sepehrnia is the senior vice president of streaming for CBS Stations. He began his new role in February 2022. He oversees the day-to-day and long-term strategic vision for the programming, production, editorial and operational functions of CBS News and Stations' 14 local streaming channels, as well as oversight of CBS Stations' digital business. Sepehrnia joined CBS Stations after spending five-and-a-half years with the Walt Disney Company, where he most recently served as executive director, content strategy and analysis, ABC Owned Television Stations. Prior to joining Disney, Sepehrnia worked in Mattel's Corporate Strategy group, where he helped drive dramatic growth in the company's direct-to-consumer business. His background also includes positions with Bain & Company and firms in the private equity and M&A sectors. Sepehrnia earned his bachelor's degree in management science with honors with highest distinction from the University of California, San Diego. He then earned his MBA with six majors (entrepreneurship, management and strategy, finance, marketing, managerial analytics and decision sciences) from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management. Alisa Mathewsons 55 hours of terror Harry Belafonte's lasting legacy in music and social justice ICE unveils smartwatch-like device to track migrants A Salt Lake man has been charged by a federal grand jury with selling tens of thousands of fake COVID-19 vaccination cards online during the pandemic. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News A Salt Lake man is facing federal criminal charges accusing him of selling fake COVID-19 vaccination cards online. On Thursday, U.S. Attorney for Utah Trina Higgins announced that a federal grand jury had returned indictments against Nicholas Frank Sciotto, 32, of Salt Lake City, and Kyle Blake Burbage, 32, of Goose Creek, South Carolina. Each man is facing one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States, according to federal charging documents unsealed Thursday. While Sciotto was living in Weber County, he started an online business "where he began to fraudulently manufacture and sell the COVID-19 vaccination record cards," according to prosecutors. "During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sciotto manufactured and sold at least 120,000 counterfeit COVID-19 vaccination record cards, mainly to persons in New York who were subject to tighter COVID restrictions," charging documents state. From about March to September in 2021, he primarily used Facebook to sell the cards at $10 each for orders of 10 or more cards, and $7.50 each for orders of 100 or more cards, prosecutors say. Investigators say Sciotto replied to one Facebook post in 2021 and stated, "I know someone selling legit vacc cards cheap for people who don't want to partake in a science experiment." Four days later, he used Facebook messenger to send "an image of stacks of COVID-19 vaccination record cards" to a contact, the charging document states. "Between on or about April 2021 through June 2021, Sciotto sold approximately 45,000 counterfeit COVID-19 vaccination record cards," according to court documents, and over 120,000 between March and September 2021. In July 2021, Sciotto is accused of convincing the owner of a local print shop that he worked for a hospital and was authorized to print vaccination cards. "On around Aug. 31, 2021, Sciotto posted on Facebook a picture of at least four boxes full of COVID-19 vaccination record cards and stated, 'Just tell me how many you need. DM me,'" according to the charges. Story continues Sciotto tried to avoid law enforcement detection by "changing every week the envelopes and shipping locations he used to mail" the counterfeit cards, federal court documents allege. Burbage is accused of purchasing vaccination cards from Sciotto knowing they were fake, and reselling them in South Carolina. Sciotto sold counterfeit vaccination cards at wholesale to Burbage, "who then, with Sciotto's knowledge, resold or distributed the counterfeit cards to others at a time when the counterfeit cards had a market value of $50 to $100 each," charging documents state. This is the second time a Utahn has been charged in federal court this year in connection with fake COVID-19 vaccination cards. In January, Michael Kirk Moore Jr., his business Plastic Surgery Institute of Utah, and others were indicted by a federal grand jury and accused of destroying hundreds of doses of the COVID-19 vaccine while still handing out COVID-19 cards to those who wanted them, even though those patients did not receive a COVID-19 vaccination shot. "The case is part of a nationwide coordinated law enforcement action by the Department of Justice to combat health care fraud related to COVID-19. In total, (the Department of Justice) announced criminal charges against 18 defendants in nine federal districts across the United States," Higgins announced Thursday with the filing of the latest case. "These cases allegedly resulted in over $490 million in COVID-19 related false billings to federal programs and theft from federally funded pandemic programs." Sarah Ferguson has broken her silence about why she wasnt invited to King Charles IIIs coronation next month. The 63-year-old book author confirmed that she wouldnt be attending the event at Westminster Abbey on 6 May during Thursdays episode of ITVsGood Morning Britain. She said she didnt get an invitation and wasnt offended about it, as she and Prince Andrew, who is the son of the late Queen Elizabeth II, have been divorced since 1996. Its a state occasion and being divorced, I dont think you can have it both ways, she said. I am divorced, and Im really loving being divorced to my ex-husband, not from my ex-husband, its quite a differentiate. She went on to say: You cant have it both ways. You mustnt sit on the fence. Youre either in or out, but dont muck around. Ferguson and Andrew got married in 1986 and divorced 10 years later. They share two daughters: Princess Beatrice, 34, and Princess Eugenie, 33. Elsewhere during her appearance on Good Morning Britain, the Duchess of York said shes been focused on her writing in the wake of the release of her latest novel, A Most Intriguing Lady. She also shared her hope that people will be inspired by her dedication to her career. Getting out there as a new novelist, she said. And also to really say, Its OK, I can start a new career now. And I really hope that many people watching will go, Right, we get it. We can do this. Why are we saying were too old or retiring? No. Get out there and seize it. She also praised the King and his wife, Queen Consort Camilla, who will become Queen at the coronation. I think that Charles and Camilla are doing an exceptional job at unifying the family, she said. And they do. Ferguson even highlighted the close relationship that she has with the royal couple and her plans to celebrate with them. Just because Im not there on the state occasion, in private, I can be there, he said. And thats a lovely feeling to be a part of the family. It really is. Story continues 'I think that Charles and Camilla are doing an exceptional job at unifying the family.' Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York says she will not be at the coronation because she is divorced to Prince Andrew and 'you can't have it both ways'. pic.twitter.com/Ruk04MRXYm Good Morning Britain (@GMB) April 20, 2023 Earlier this month, Ferugson said that she didnt expect to be invited to the coronation in the first place. I personally will be having a little tearoom and coronation chicken sandwich and putting out the bunting, thats what Im going to be doing. Because that would make me very happy, she explained, during an episode of ITVs Loose Women on 5 April. She doubled down about not being invited because of her split from Andrew, adding: You cant have it both ways. You cant be divorced and then say, I want this. Although Ferguson wont be attending the coronation, her ex-husband and two daughters, who are 10th and 11th in line for the throne, will be there. Earlier this month, Buckingham Palace revealed that Prince Harry will be attending the event while his wife, Meghan Markle will stay home in California with their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. Reports claim that Ferguson will be attending Charles coronation concert on 7 May, the day after the ceremony. The concert will take place at Windsor Castle and feature multiple musical acts, including Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and reformed pop group Take That. Prior to speaking out about missing the coronation, Ferguson has been very open about her close relationship with the royal family. During an interview with The Telegraph in March, she claimed that the Queen was very relieved to have her help with Andrew as the disgraced royal navigated his sex abuse scandal. Because also, during the last three years, her poor son [Prince Andrew] has been going through such a tumultuous time, and I think HM was very relieved I could help her with him, so we became even closer, then, she explained. But Ive always admired and adored her. Really, she was more of a mother to me than my mother. According to Ferguson, the Queen also knew that she would always support her son, which strengthened the late monarchs bond with her daughter-in-law. She knew. I will always be there. Always. Because I love her, she said. Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody visited the Lakeland Police Department on Thursday morning to urge residents to get rid of unused prescription medications ahead of National Drug Take Back Day. "These drugs sitting in medicine cabinets are easily forgotten and can do the most harm," Moody said. "Someone with a substance abuse problem may find these drugs, become addicted and move onto other drugs." Florida law enforcement officials are seeing an increasing number of deaths from drug overdoses, according to Moody, who said more than 100,000 Americans die of drug overdoses each year. 'Absolutely constant' Fentanyl drives rise in drug overdoses in Polk and Florida Battle over bats Lakeland trapper decries law barring relocation of colonies from city Will 1920s home be saved? Lakeland approves zoning change for new Lake Wire apartments This Saturday, six Polk County law enforcement agencies will be accepting unwanted, unused or expired prescription drug medications from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Davenport Police Department, 16 W. Bay St. Haines City Police Department, 35400 U.S. 27 Lake Alfred Police Department, 190 N. Seminole Ave. Lake Hamilton Police Department, 119 2nd St., Lake Wales Police Department, 133 N. Tillman Ave. Lakeland Police Department, 219 N. Massachusetts Ave. To find other locations, go online to takebackday.dea.gov. Lakeland Police Chief Sam Taylor said officers will be standing outside to create a drive through so residents will not need to get out of their vehicle and don't have to provide their name. The medications can be passed through a car window for collection, including unwanted pet medications. "In 2022, we collected over 1,200 pounds of prescription medication that was out of date or no longer needed," Taylor said. Those unable to make Saturday's event can use Lakeland Police Department's prescription drug drop box in the department's lobby, which is open to the public 24/7. Individuals can call and check with their local police departments, as many have similar drop boxes in their their lobbies, Taylor said. Other year-round locations be found by visiting doseofrealityfl.com. This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Saturday is National Prescription Drug Take Day. Drop-off sites in Polk Jaileyana Fraley (left) and Lagena Johnson (right) performed life-saving measures on a fellow Woodward Career Technical High School student who was shot at a nearby apartment complex Feb. 23. When a Woodward Career Technical High School student was shot at a nearby apartment complex, he hurried back to school for help. It was the quick reaction of two fellow students that likely saved the teen's life. Jaileyana Fraley, 18, and 17-year-old Lagena Johnson were there on Feb. 23 when the student came rushing back into the school building. He fell to the floor as soon as he came through the door and there was blood everywhere, Johnson said. Fraley and Johnson had the victim's brother remove the boy's shirt and they immediately began tending to his wound, Fraley said. "It was scary," she said. "This is somebody who needs some serious help." The shooting happened on the last day of the school's seventh annual "Sticks 4 Kicks" program. Fraley and Johnson were part of that program, which provides students receiving healthcare training with real-life experience in a simulated clinical setting. Police arrived at the scene shortly before dismissal and Woodward was placed on lockdown as a precaution, officials said. School staff immediately called 911 and secured the building. The boy was taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center with serious injuries, police said. Johnson said her aunt is close with the boy's family, adding that she and Fraley have visited him at the hospital and talked with him over the phone since the shooting. She said he was sent home a couple of weeks ago and that he's now doing fine. Fraley and Johnson received an award for their bravery from Hamilton County Juvenile Court Judge Kari Bloom during a graduation ceremony for several dozen Woodward students Thursday evening. The shooting near Woodward in February wasn't the last. A little more than a month later, two students, ages 16 and 17, were hospitalized after a shooting at a bus stop near Seymour and Reading roads. Three other juveniles were arrested in connection with the shooting. Story continues The year's first quarter is one of the worst on record in Cincinnati for youth gun violence. The spate of shootings has left three teens dead and another 14 wounded by April 5. That compares to just three teen shooting victims during the same period last year More: Avondale fends off youth gun violence. Could it be a model for the rest of Cincinnati? Fraley and Johnson are hopeful things will improve now that people are starting to pay attention. The pair said they, along with several other students, recently met with Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval at Woodward to discuss ways to end the violence. Students, teachers and community members met April 12 at Woodward Career Technical High School a little more than a week after two students were shot at a bus stop. Cincinnati is reeling from youth-involved gun violence that has left three teens dead and 14 wounded so far this year. Students and community members also gathered at the school a bit over a week after the April 4 shooting to brainstorm ways to overcome the problem. Since the most recent shooting, Johnson said, there's been a greater police presence at bus stops and the school feels like a safer environment. "These are not incidents that we want to keep occurring," Fraley said. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Woodward seniors recall quick reaction to aid student shot near school The city of SeaTac named a new police chief on Thursday, announced City Manager Carl Cole. Troy Smithmeyer will replace retiring Chief Jon Mattsen in overseeing the 50-person SeaTac Police Department. Smithmeyer started his career at the King County Sheriffs Office as a deputy in 2000 and during his first five years, served in four King County cities, said a news release from SeaTac. In 2015, Smithmeyer was promoted to sergeant. During the next five years, he supervised the Advance Training Unit and the Joint Transit Anti-Terrorism Team. He also helped secure a $200,000 grant for security support during events like SeaFair and Seattles Pride Parade. Since 2020, Smithmeyer has acted as a captain for the King County Sheriffs Office and has overseen SeaTac and Burien, according to the news release. As a captain, he managed over a dozen community-related SeaTac initiatives. He also oversaw the departments $14 million budget plan and grant administration. Due to the extent of his experience in SeaTac, I think Smithmeyer is the right person to take the reins of the Police Department, Cole said. I believe his 22 years experience as a law enforcement leader with a proven track record of inspiring and motivating staff will allow for a smooth transition. Smithmeyer also received his Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and his Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership from California Coast University. Before King County, he was a Corporal in the United States Marine Corps where he was stationed at Camp Pendelton in California and Fort Lewis, WA. Protecting our community by building trust through transparency and collaboration with the residents is my top priority, Chief Smithmeyer said. My two decades of experience working various roles in the King County Sheriffs Office helps me better understand the needs of our diverse city. The head injury suffered by a 74-year-old security officer who was assaulted by a male resident of a Potong Pasir condominium. (PHOTO: Facebook/Union of Security Employees) SINGAPORE A 74-year-old security officer was assaulted by a male resident at a condominium in Potong Pasir in the early hours last Friday (14 April), leaving him with head injuries. The Union of Security Employees (USE) said in a Facebook post on Friday that this is the third case of abuse of security officers it has had to attend to in this month alone. It added that it is "appalled at the egregious nature of this latest incident". "No one goes to work expecting to be assaulted. Our officers are merely doing their jobs, performing duties given to them," USE said in the post. Repeated assault left officer bleeding The security officer, who was not named in the Facebook post, had witnessed an altercation between the resident and a taxi driver outside of the condominium's guardhouse in the early hours of 14 April. The resident - who was of Chinese race, according to USE - subsequently approached the officer, shouting at him and then assaulting him repeatedly. The assault left the security officer bleeding, but he managed to call the police. He is now on medical leave, with his company taking care of his medical expenses. USE said in the Facebook post that it has helped the officer file a police report on the incident. The union's general secretary and mediation services supervisor also visited the officer on Wednesday and presented him with some quick-relief vouchers. Two other abuse cases this month According to The Straits Times, the other two cases of security-officer abuse were related to wheel clamping of vehicles. On 3 April, two security officers were allegedly berated by a resident at Thomson Grand Condo in Sin Ming, after his car was clamped for being parked without the required decal. On 13 April, a security officer at WCEGA Plaza in Bukit Batok was trying to wheel clamp two vehicles blocking the fire-escape route, when a man allegedly tried to snatch the officer's mobile phone while the latter was recording him speaking aggressively to the complex manager. Story continues Singapore had enhanced the Private Security Industry Act in May 2022 to offer security officers more protection against abuse, with stiffer penalties for those found guilty of harassing and abusing the officers. Do you have a story tip? Email: sgnews.tips@yahooinc.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter. Also check out our Southeast Asia, Food, and Gaming channels on YouTube. Selma Blair has continued to speak out about her Multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis and shared that she was initially advised by her doctor to keep it a secret. During a recent interview with British Vogue, the 50-year-old opened up about how people close to her have responded to her in the wake of her diagnosis with MS in 2018. Groups of friends and love interests lost interest, she said, before adding that her own doctor told her to keep her diagnosis a secret. The advice was to keep it to myself. That work wouldnt have to know. People didnt feel safe sharing that stuff. MS is an unpredictable disease of the central nervous system that disrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body, as noted by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Although symptoms vary for everyone, some of them can include numbness in the body, memory problems, and blindness. Blair also reflected on some of the physical challenges she faced throughout her childhood, decades before being diagnosed with MS. At the age of seven, she told Vogue, she lost use of her right eye, left leg and her bladder. While the Legally Blonde star didnt realise this at the time, the symptoms she had were a result of juvenile MS. Her then-doctor didnt take her health struggles seriously, so her condition as a child went undiagnosed. If youre a boy with those symptoms, you get an MRI. If youre a girl, youre called crazy, the actor told Vogue. She continued to reflect on how her health changed throughout her childhood, saying shed wake up laughing hysterically in the middle of the night. As an adult, she found herself uncontrollably crying at random points. I just thought I was a hugely emotional person, Blair confessed. However, it wasnt until 40 years later that she realised that this crying was due to damage to her frontal lobe, caused by undiagnosed MS. I looked like a normal girl to them, but I was Disabled this whole time. Story continues While it isnt very common, MS can affect the way in which people express emotions, per the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. More specifically, approximately 10 percent of people with MS experience uncontrollable episodes of laughing and/or crying. This isnt the first time that Blair has discussed her doctors reactions to her MS symptoms. Speaking to BBC 100 Women in December 2022, the Cruel Intentions star said doctors assumed her symptoms were psychological and would not give her any real neurological tests [The doctors] would say, OK, what kind of trauma have you had? We do think this is psychosomatic. But without any real neurological tests, she recalled. When she was diagnosed in 2018, Blair said that she felt unburdened with a little bit of panic. Still, she was relieved to have a diagnosis. Like how will I have the energy to ever even deal with this? she explained. I have been down that road for so many years without a diagnosis that I did feel kind of hopeless still, but I was hoping that the diagnosis of MS would give me so many more options. Elsewhere in the interview with British Vogue, the actor said she hid her MS symptoms throughout the early 2000s and was also struggling with alcoholism. Sets were excruciating sometimes with the exhaustion and the tics, she said. I took benzos and Klonopin [a medication used to prevent seizures and anxiety disorders]. I didnt abuse those things, just alcohol. But I was lost and sad and could hardly ever smile. Hence my roles, I imagine. She confessed to hiding her MS symptoms when working on her 2004 film, Hellboy, due to her fear of losing her insurance. I remember [feeling] very, very poorly on Hellboy and was diagnosed with cat scratch fever and possible leukaemia in Prague, she added. I couldnt tell anybody. I couldnt admit alcoholism or [access] treatment in my insurance for fear Id be deemed an insurance risk. I fell apart once I got back to LA. Selma Blair lived with multiple sclerosis for 40 years before receiving a diagnosis, and she was determined to prevent her friend and former co-star Christina Applegate from having the same experience. Speaking to British Vogue, Applegate recalled the day that Blair urged her to get tested for the disease after she began having symptoms. I was sitting in Selmas living room, our children playing, and I told Selma Id been having this weird tingling in my feet, she told the publication. She said, You must get tested for MS. [Even my doctor doubted it] but there it was. The Dead to Me actor went on to note, In essence, because of her Im going to have a better quality of life. Applegate went public with her MS diagnosis in 2021, roughly three years after Blair first addressed her experience with the disease. The two actors, who co-starred in the 2002 comedy The Sweetest Thing, have become outspoken advocates for people with MS. Elsewhere in the article, Blair described the lengths she went to in order to conceal her MS symptoms before she was formally diagnosed. As her Hollywood profile was on the rise with well-received performances in movies like Cruel Intentions and Hellboy, the actor herself felt lost and sad as she grappled with self-hatred behind the scenes. I was worried since the beginning of time that a glaring fault would remove me from the workforce, she explained. And usually it was my incoordination or getting stuck, too weak or sick, in my trailer or any time, really. The vomiting or body issues were terrifying, [and the] baldness or rashes. Christina Applegate (left) and Selma Blair in 2002. Christina Applegate (left) and Selma Blair in 2002. A turning point came, Blair said, once she wrapped her role on the short-lived NBC sitcom Kath & Kim. By then, her autoimmune system was misfiring and she was losing most of my hair and all of my energy, thus making it difficult for her to pursue film and television projects. Often, shed have to calculate how many naps would I fit in on the side of the road while driving to and from auditions. Story continues [When I quit acting] I spent my days in bed, crying, sometimes binge drinking, sometimes reading and sleeping, seeing doctors and healers, she said. I gave up almost until the diagnosis. I was always terrified I would be deemed incapable. Or mentally unsound. My mother taught me that was death for a woman career-wise. These days, Blair is one of Hollywoods most visible members of the disabled community. She chronicled her day-to-day experiences with MS in the 2021 documentary Introducing, Selma Blair, and has won global praise for making her cane a fashion statement. Though her acting days were presumed to be behind her, she told British Vogue she hasnt ruled out a return to the big screen. I havent actively pursued work in acting it hasnt been the right time yet but its absolutely doable for me, she said. I have to take the leap. Related... Washington Sen. Patty Murray cast her 10,000th vote on the floor of the Senate Thursday, the first woman in history to do so. I just cast my 10,000th vote on the Senate floorthe first woman in history to reach this milestone, but certainly not the last! During every single one of these votes, I'm thinking first and foremost of how I can make life better for the people of WA state. Senator Patty Murray (@PattyMurray) April 20, 2023 According to U.S. Senate records, only 32 others, all men, have achieved that milestone. The only other Washington Senator, Scoop Jackson (D), cast 10,063 votes during his tenure from 1953 to 1983. The most votes ever cast was by Sen. Robert Byrd (D) of West Virginia, who cast 18,689 votes between 1959 and 2010. The only two current active Senators that are over the 10,000 vote threshold are Sen. Chuck Grassley (R) of Iowa (14,491 votes) and Sen. Mitch McConnell (R) of Kentucky (12,790 votes), According to Axios, Murrays 10,000 vote was over an amendment to a bill that would reauthorize appropriations for the U.S. Fire Administration, grant programs for firefighting equipment, and for hiring firefighters and first responders. Sen. Wendy Rogers attends the legislative session at the Arizona Capitol in Phoenix on June 24, 2022. Sen. Wendy Rogers has come up with a novel approach to block the public from finding out whether she really lives in her legislative district. Apparently, shes worried. So much so that shes enlisted the aid of a judge to thwart a state Capitol reporters legitimate inquiry into her place of residence. And to my utter astonishment, the judge actually went along with Rogers scheme. Rogers said she lives in Tempe, records show Suspicions have swirled for years about where Rogers really lives, ever since she supposedly moved out of her longtime Tempe home to go live in a trailer in Flagstaff and run for the state Senate in 2020. Arizona law requires legislators to live in the district they represent for at least a year before their election, though judges have mostly made a mockery of that law. So when Arizona Capitol Times reporter Camryn Sanchez discovered Rogers and her husband bought a $750,000 home in Chandler in January, she launched an investigation. Like any good reporter, Sanchez hit up publicly available property records and dug out the documentation, according to a story by the Cap Times Wayne Schutsky.Imagine her surprise to find paperwork filed as part of the purchase signed on Jan. 27 by both Rogers and her husband stating that they were currently residing not in their Flagstaff trailer but at their supposed previous home in Tempe. Which, like their house in Chandler, is nowhere near Rogers northern Arizona legislative district. So, ringing a doorbell is 'stalking'? So, Sanchez did what diligent reporters do. She went to both houses, hoping to find out the truth of where Rogers really lives. Rogers response was to run to a Flagstaff judge and claim shes being stalked. Creepy @azcapitoltimes reporter @CamrynSanchezAZ has been stalking me and my neighbors at my private residences with no explanation, she tweeted on Thursday. A judge just issued a restraining order against her for her bizarre behavior. Story continues Sure enough, Flagstaff city Magistrate Amy Criddle on Wednesday granted Rogers request, issuing an injunction against harassment and ordering Sanchez not to contact Rogers at her residences. So what was this so-called bizarre behavior that prompted the judge to threaten Sanchez with arrest should she dare go in search of the truth about where the senator really lives? What manner of harassment was poor Sen. Rogers forced to endure? Rogers attached three doorbell camera photos showing Sanchez just standing there as she rang the doorbell and waited to see if someone would answer. I dont know this reporter personally, Rogers said in a statement issued on Thursday. I dont know what she is capable of, and I dont believe anyone in their right mind would show up uninvited to my home at night. Therefore, I dont trust that this person wouldnt lash out and try to physically harm me in some fashion. It's not the first time Rogers has tried to stop Sanchez from doing her job. In March, she asked Senate President Warren Petersen to bar her from the Senate floor a privilege granted to reporters who regularly cover the Capitol. This, apparently because she dared to approach Rogers desk with a question again, a routine move for a Capitol reporter. Why did a judge go along with this? In her petition to the judge, Rogers wrote that she filed the request for an injunction at the urging of the Senate President. Sure, I can see why a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel who touts her military pilot training and poses on occasion with her trusty AR-15 might fear a reporter armed with a notebook and questions the good senator clearly doesnt want to answer. What I cannot understand is why any self respecting judge would assist her in dodging a reporters legitimate investigation. Does Rogers live in Tempe, where one neighbor told Sanchez the legislator has been living for more than a decade? Does she live in the home she recently bought in Chandler the one with a hangar where she can park her plane? Or does she live in a trailer in Flagstaff and, by the way, collect tens of thousands of dollars every year in per-diem payments given to lawmakers who live outside of Maricopa County? Rogers northern Arizona constituents have a right to know whether their representative is really, well, their representative. And last I checked, public officials are answerable to the public. 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: Sen. Wendy Rogers runs to court over a reporter armed with questions This article was published in partnership with ProPublica, a nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power. Sign up to receive ProPublicas biggest stories as soon as theyre published. More than a dozen senators are pressing for the museums and universities that hold the most Native American remains to explain why theyve failed for decades to return thousands of them to tribes as required by federal law. Members of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs and other senators singled out for scrutiny the five institutions identified in a recent ProPublica and NBC News investigation as having the largest collections of Indigenous remains including powerful and prestigious universities with long legacies of delaying repatriation requests. Its inexcusable, its immoral, its hypocritical, and it has to stop, said committee chair Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii. In letters sent Thursday to the University of California, Berkeley, Harvard University, the Ohio History Connection, the Illinois State Museum and Indiana University, the senators called the slow pace of repatriations of Native American remains and belongings under the 1990 federal law unacceptable. For too long, Native ancestral remains and cultural items have been unconscionably denied their journey home by institutions, desecrated by scientific study, publicly displayed as specimens, left to collect dust on a shelf, or simply thrown in a box and forgotten in a museum storeroom, the senators wrote. More than 30 years ago, Congress passed the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, or NAGPRA, requiring federally funded museums, universities and government agencies to identify human remains they believe to be Native American and then work with tribal nations to repatriate them. Lawmakers expected the process would be completed or nearly completed within five years, the senators said in the letter, yet a daunting amount of work remains. Hundreds of institutions nationwide still hold a total of more than 100,000 ancestral remains, according to the news organizations analysis of federal data. None has more than UC Berkeley, with 9,000, followed by the Illinois State Museum and the Ohio History Connection. Story continues The Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of Anthropology at the University of California, Berkeley. (Justin Katigbak for ProPublica) The senators wrote that Congress continues to receive troubling testimony about institutions poor compliance with the law, including insufficient consultation with tribes, poor tracking and misidentification of items, disrespect for traditional knowledge and allegations of avoiding or slowing repatriation efforts. In response to the news organizations request for comment on the senators letter, UC Berkeley said in a statement that it will cooperate in a fully transparent manner with the Senates requests. It apologized for the harm caused by its inaction and said repatriation is now a top priority. We accept responsibility and accountability for the universitys past failings and errors in so far as repatriation and tribal relations are concerned, it added. A spokesperson for the Ohio History Connection said it welcomed the senators attention to NAGPRA, adding in a statement: This work requires many resources and time commitments for both institutions like ours and the federally recognized Tribes to undertake repatriation on such a large scale. Fred Cate, Indiana Universitys vice president for research, said the school had assigned six staff members in recent years to work on NAGPRA compliance. The whole point is to get to a consensus point with the tribes were working with, which takes time, he said. Harvard and the Illinois State Museum did not comment Thursday; Harvard has previously issued an apology for past collection practices, and the Illinois museum said it developed plans to speed compliance with NAGPRA. In the letters, the senators asked the universities and museums to respond to a list of written questions within two months, including how they decide whether to grant or deny tribes requests and how long they take to make decisions. The senators cited an experts recent estimate that it could take 70 more years for institutions to complete the repatriation process. This is simply unacceptable, they wrote of the estimate by Chip Colwell, who as curator of the Denver Museum of Nature & Science oversaw its repatriation efforts. Meanwhile, the Interior Department recently estimated the process could take 26 more years, based on institutions progress in the past decade. Schatz said he wants it done much sooner. It cant take another decade or two for this to get fixed, he said. The Interior Department this year is reviewing proposed regulations that would push museums and universities to finish the work within three years, which some institutions have argued is not feasible. Edward Halealoha Ayau, the chair of the NAGPRA Review Committee, said museums have too often skirted the mandate to consult with Indigenous people. Many institutions rely only on their own records and do not review evidence rooted in tribal traditions and knowledge when they decide on claims, he added. You cant just sit in the corner twiddling your thumbs, saying, Oh, we dont know whose ancestors these are, he said. Ayau said the senators letter sends a message to the hundreds of other institutions that also must comply with NAGPRA. The senators also asked the institutions what actions the government has taken against them under the law and the steps they took in response. Penalties are rare, federal data shows. Only 20 institutions have been fined under the law for an average of $2,955 per institution, according to the latest available data from 2022. Of the five institutions that received a letter from the Senate, only Harvard and UC Berkeley have been cited, and they were not required to pay fines. Schatz said he hoped the letter would encourage the institutions to speed up their compliance with the law. If there are deans and presidents and boards of trustees who are sitting around, trying to figure out how to live their values, this is a very practical, immediate way to start, he said. Schatz added that he expects the institutions will respond to the senators questions but that if they do not, the committee has the power to subpoena them. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Authorities arrested three people on suspicion of felony sex trafficking, issued nearly 100 citations and helped rescue three teenagers during a recent operation targeting child prostitution and sex trafficking in Sacramento County, Sheriff Jim Cooper announced Friday. At least two of the three alleged traffickers had prior trafficking convictions, Cooper said during a news conference at the Sheriffs Office headquarters in Old Foothill Farms. Sixty-five sex workers and 31 sex buyers were given misdemeanor citations, he said. The Sheriffs Office said 102 people were arrested or cited in total. Five arrests during the operation were related to vehicle theft, firearm possession and sale of cocaine, the sheriff said. The three rescued juveniles were girls age 16, 15 and 13. The 16-year-old was reunited with family in Roseville after having been trafficked in the Sacramento area, Bay Area and Southern California, Cooper said. The operation was conducted for seven days over the span of three weeks and focused on problem areas in the county, including the shopping centers near Florin Road and Stockton Boulevard. The arrests and citations also led to the opening of investigations into three suspected trafficking organizations, Cooper said, which will be investigated with assistance from state and federal law enforcement officials, including the FBI. Human trafficking is a very significant problem in Sacramento County and the metro region, said Sean Ragan, the special agent in charge for the FBIs Sacramento field office. But Sacramento County is not unique. ... Human trafficking is a global threat and a global problem. Sacramento County District Attorney Thien Ho said his office was working to form a new human trafficking task force, to try to go after these traffickers and go after the buyers as well. Sheriff, DA blast California law changes Cooper, a Democrat who served in Californias Assembly for eight years after 30 years with the Sacramento County Sheriffs Office before being elected sheriff in 2022, condemned laws passed by the state in recent years that he said make it more difficult for law enforcement to make human trafficking arrests. Story continues Senate Bill 1322, passed in 2016 and signed into law by former Gov. Jerry Brown, decriminalized prostitution for minors. Senate Bill 357, passed in 2021 and signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom last year, decriminalized loitering with the intent of engaging in prostitution, formerly a misdemeanor. Proponents of SB 1322 argue that young sex workers should be treated as victims rather than criminals. Supporters of SB 357 say it is intended to reduce discriminatory profiling; its author, Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, said in a statement that many of those impacted by this law are Black and Brown trans women. Sacramento County District Attorney Thien Ho speaks at a press conference on Friday announcing the results of a large-scale operation combating human trafficking and childhood prostitution. He is pointing at placards showing two recently passed laws that law enforcement officers said were limiting their ability to arrest traffickers and help victims. Thirteen years old is the average age of the young girl bought into the world of human trafficking, Ho said. But Cooper said Friday that in practice, the laws make it more difficult to arrest human traffickers and to rescue juvenile victims. It is hard as hell to get those traffickers, because they insulate themselves (using juveniles), he said. These are very bad actors, repeat offenders. They dont care. Another law, Senate Bill 203, barred law enforcement from interrogating or questioning all minors without ensuring the minor is first provided consultation with legal counsel. Previous law made that a requirement for juveniles ages 15 and younger, but SB 203, signed into law in 2020, expanded the requirement to all minors. Cooper said SB 203 also adds to the difficulty of pursuing traffickers, often leaving it in the hands of federal law enforcement officials in instances that involve interstate trafficking. For some folks, its like, Hey, theyre victims. Were not gonna do anything. Hands off, theyre victims. Yeah, theyre victims, I agree, Cooper said. But if we want to get those traffickers, those pimps, its through the girls. Thats the bottom line. Ho said the laws need to change. California Senate Republicans tried last month to repeal SB 357 but were unsuccessful. A driver was arrested Thursday night after she intentionally crashed her car into the emergency room of HCA Florida Osceola Hospital in Kissimmee, according to authorities. The healthcare facility posted on social media that a car had run through the glass doors of the ER, and alerted visitors to take the side door instead. According to an incident report from the Kissimmee Police Department, a 31-year-old local woman named Natalia Wiltshire checked into the ER earlier in the evening to request medication. She was given a prescription, which she felt did not have any affect on her, said the arrest affidavit. The patient indicated she wanted a different type of medication she was issued and also wanted to speak with the doctor. At around 8:45 p.m. a nurse called an off duty police officer working security at the hospital. The cop informed Wiltshire that there was no other care they could provide and that she needed to leave. The suspect then turned around and walked out, said the report. Wiltshire was then seen getting into her 2019 black Honda CRV, drive over a median, then accelerate, barreling into the ERs doors, according to the report. The cop ran up to the drivers side door, which was locked. He wrote that he banged on the window and commanded Wiltshire to exit, which she refused. She then placed the car in drive and accelerated a second time, before coming to stop in the vestibule. She placed her car in park and exited through the passenger-side door, according to the report. The officer grabbed Wiltshires left wrist to gain control of her movement, says the report but she was tense and pulled away. After the cop conducted an arm-bar takedown, a move that throws a suspect off balance to the ground, Wiltshire continuously yelled: They did not want to take care of me! reads the complaint. A security officer responded to assist and the officer was able to place handcuffs on Wiltshire. She was medically cleared and taken into custody at the Osceola County Jail without further incident, and charged with criminal mischief, trespass and resisting arrest without violence. The suspect was later released on $1,000 bail. An inventory sheet revealed $20,000 in damage to the property. We are very thankful that no one was injured and we are grateful to our team for acting swiftly to protect patients and colleagues, the hospital said on Facebook. WEST PALM BEACH Telling a judge he felt remorse for his actions, a 19-year-old West Palm Beach man has pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the April 2022 shooting death of his girlfriend. Alex Castanon received a 20-year state prison sentence during a hearing before Circuit Judge Caroline Shepherd at the Palm Beach County Courthouse on Wednesday. The plea came two days after the one-year anniversary of the death of 18-year-old Dolores Felipe, who investigators said was shot as she argued with Castanon about the presence of a gun in their West Palm Beach home. Shortly after the fatal shooting, Castanon told police investigators an unknown intruder had killed Felipe. He later changed his story, stating that the gun went off when Felipe grabbed it during an argument at their residence on 34th Street. Gator sighting in the city: 8-foot reptile removed after blocking West Palm roadway Riviera Beach homicide: Man who killed his wife's boyfriend will go to prison, but not for murder. Here's why. West Palm Beach homicide: Man found shot to death; police monitor person of interest Castanon told investigators he and Felipe were lying on the couch together when he felt a gun between the cushions. He said he was attempting to put the gun in another location when Felipe became angry because she did not want him to have guns around her. During Wednesday's hearing, Castanon pleaded guilty to a lesser offense of manslaughter with a firearm after initially being charged with second-degree murder. He told Shepherd he felt remorse and did not want to put Felipe's family through a jury trial. Shepherd credited Castonon with just over a year 368 days of time served in the Palm Beach County Jail. Julius Whigham II is a criminal justice and public safety reporter for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jwhigham@pbpost.com and follow him on Twitter at @JuliusWhigham. Help support our work: Subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Plea deal reached in 2022 fatal shooting of West Palm Beach woman It took a jury almost three hours Thursday afternoon to find Andres Rodriguez guilty of first-degree homicide for the fatal shooting of a local tattoo artist. The result of a three-day trial before President Judge John Tylwalk, Rodriguez will face a life sentence in the shooting death of Jonathan Valcourt-Irizzary during a party on the morning of Nov. 27, 2020 in the alley next to the Beneath the Skin tattoo parlor. Rodriguez was also found guilty of possession of a firearm prohibited. "Jonathan Valcourt was left to die in an alley," District Attorney Pier Hess Graf said to the jury in her opening arguments Tuesday. "He was shot 10 times. Back of his head, chest, stomach. All over his body. This victim had no weapon. He had no ability to protect or defend himself, and he lost so much blood, he sustained so many gun shot wounds, our victim had no chance for survival." On Wednesday, tattoo artist Daryl Watts said that on Nov. 26, 2020 Valcourt-Irizzary and a group of friends took his brother to the Cumberland Street tattoo shop for a birthday party. As the party continued, an argument broke out between Valcourt-Irizzary and Jonathan Butler-Arocho. The argument continued out into the alley next to Beneath the Skin, where Valcourt-Irizzary threw a Corona bottle in the direction of Butler-Arocho and Rodriguez. Rodriguez then pulled a handgun and fired at Valcourt-Irizzary. "He was shot right in front of me," Watts said. Police testified that 15 shots were fired, with Valcourt-Irizzary being hit 10 times, including in his head, chest and stomach. He was taken to the Penn State Hershey Medical Center for treatment but succumbed to his injuries. On Thursday, Rodriguez testified that the gun he used that evening was a Glock Model 23 .40 caliber pistol with a 32-round magazine. He testified that the reason he had the gun was for protection, but added that he was on probation and not supposed to own or carry a firearm at the time of the shooting. Story continues "Our witnesses told us (Rodriguez) always carried a gun, and when he got angry, when he felt disrespected, the gun would come out," Graf said. Calling the shooting a tragedy and adding, "I wish it would have never happened," Rodriguez said it was never his intent to shoot Valcourt-Irizzary that evening. "If I wanted to kill him, I would have kept shooting," he said when cross examined by the district attorney Thursday. "I clearly stopped once I realized he was bleeding and he was hit. I didn't want to kill him." Officials said Rodriguez fled before Lebanon City Police arrived on the scene. After a trip to his mother's home, Rodriguez stayed in various hotels for almost two months while asking family and friends for funds. "I knew if I got arrested, if I turned myself in, that I was going to be charged," Rodriguez said. "I was already wanted for it, so more or less I was trying to just wait until my family gathered money so I could get a lawyer so I could be fairly tried." U.S. Marshals arrested Rodriguez in January 2021 without incident at a hotel in the 100 block of Limekiln Road in York County. Law enforcement found a cell phone that was broken and in the hotel toilet. Rodriguez arrest: Police arrest suspect in fatal shooting of Jonathan Valcourt-Irizzary Andres Rodriguez: Lebanon City Police name suspect wanted for criminal homicide following shooting While incarcerated at the Lebanon County Correctional facility, Rodriguez received a discovery packet from the district attorney's office with witness statements for trial. In March 2022, correctional officers later found a note from Rodriguez asking someone to kill the witnesses, saying to "make it look like a robbery so it don't look weird" and to hire someone from places such asPhiladelphia or Reading. "PLEASE, motivate and get this done ASAP please," Graf read from the note Wednesday. "This is the only way I'mma be able to come home anytime soon. So please get it done as soon as possible! But don't talk through phones about it or inside cars. If anything, do what I'm doing. A note, then burn it!" After the note was found, Graf said that witnesses were notified about it's contents and measures were taken to maintain their safety. "To some extent, I was concerned that would want to make our witnesses not want to come into court and not want to come back and be so afraid," she said. "Thankfully for us, our witnesses were strong, they were committed to justice for Jonathan Valcourt, and it had no effect." Rodriguez said he never showed that note to anyone and that his intent was for it to be found so that he could "scare witnesses" but not to hurt anybody. "I didn't think this through, it was just a very stupid idea," he said. Rodriguez's attorney, John McMahon Jr., contended that Rodriguez did have a gun and fired at Valcourt-Irizzary in 2020. But he said Rodriguez wasn't looking to kill the former Lebanon tattoo artist, rather this was a situational incident that was happening in the moment. "Obviously we believed this was a voluntary manslaughter case, that it was a heat-of-passion case," he said after the verdict was read Thursday. "We argued it, the jury listened and they made their decision. ... It's not the verdict that I wanted or thought the law demanded in this case, but they did, and I respect that." McMahon added that they are planning to appeal the verdict. Rodriguez's sentencing hearing was not scheduled Thursday evening. Matthew Toth is a reporter for the Lebanon Daily News. Reach him at mtoth@ldnews.com or on Twitter at @DAMattToth. This article originally appeared on Lebanon Daily News: Rodriguez found guilty in 2020 fatal shooting of local tattoo artist Su-30 Indonesia Its often difficult to get a sense of the scale of aircraft when looking at pictures of them in flight. However, when aircraft are assembled together and photographed on the ground its possible to get a better sense of their differing sizes. Case in point: Look at the size of the Indonesian Air Forces Russian-made Sukhoi Flanker fighter jets, seen toward the front of the gaggle of aircraft in the top shot above, compared to nearby F-16s, T-50 Golden Eagles, and other aircraft. The photo in question was taken on April 9, following the Indonesian Air Forces 77th-anniversary ceremony held at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base, East Jakarta. As part of the anniversary celebrations which were chaired by Admiral Yudo Margono, commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces members of the public saw various aerial and ground demonstrations by Indonesian Air Force personnel. You can watch footage from the celebration below. In the photo, Indonesian Air Force Chief of Staff Marshal Fadjar Prasetyo and members of the Dynamic Show Team crew stand in front of an impressive lineup of aircraft. The four Flankers circled in red below are, from left to right, a Sukhoi Su-27SK (TS-2701), a Su-30MK2 (TS-3004), a Su-30MK (TS-3001), and another Su-30MK2 (TS-3005). For an understanding of their size in broad strokes, the Su-30MK2 is roughly 71 feet in length, has a wingspan of just over 48 feet, and measures just over 20 feet in height. In addition to the Flankers, the impressive aircraft lineup includes two H225M multirole helicopters; two recently delivered Dassault Falcon 7X VIP transport jets; five Eurocopter EC120 Colibri training helicopters; five KAI T-50I Golden Eagle advanced jet trainers; seven KAI KT-1 Woong Bee basic training aircraft; nine EMB-314 Super Tucano light attack aircraft; one C-130 Hercules transport aircraft; and no fewer than 17 F-16s, including one near the front of the second row with a special anniversary tail paint scheme. F-16A/Bs, compared to the Su-30MK2 for example, have a length of just over 47 feet, a wingspan of around 31 feet, and measure just over 16 feet in height. Story continues At 62 m the Sukhoi Su-30s wing area is twice that of an F-16. It also has an empty weight of 17,000 kg, the same as that of a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress bomber of #WWII! It's ginormous...#avgeeks #aviation #aviationlover #aviationdaily #Indonesia pic.twitter.com/uT4JcsJ6Tp Air Power (@RealAirPower1) January 4, 2023 Of course, it should be noted that the arrangement of the aircraft in the line-up, with the Flankers closest to the front, exaggerates the size differences between the aircraft a bit. The Indonesian Air Forces fleet of Russian-made Flankers, as The War Zone indicated in 2022, includes five single-seat Su-27SKs and a pair of two-seat multirole-capable Su-30MKs, deliveries of which started in 2003. It also comprises nine of the more advanced two-seat Su-30MK2s, the first of which touched down in the country in 2008. Alongside its Flankers, the Indonesian Air Forces primary fighter fleet also includes in the region of eight F-16A/B Block 15OCU fighters, delivered from 1989, and roughly 23 upgraded F-16C/Ds. Indonesian Air Force Sukhoi Su-27SK Flanker at Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport, April 2016. PK-REN via Wikimedia Commons Jakarta was linked with a $1.1-billion deal in July 2017 to procure 11 examples of the multirole, single-seat Sukhoi Su-35 Flanker. However, after attempts by the U.S. to pressure Indonesia into shelving the deal, any indication that the country might be purchasing such aircraft was squashed in late 2021. Indonesia ended up choosing Frances Dassault Rafale fighter jets in February 2022, purchasing 42 examples in a bid to overhaul its air force. According to the French newspaper La Tribune, an additional tranche of 18 Rafales, on top of the original 42 ordered in February 2022, was committed to by Indonesia in March 2023. A prototype Sukhoi Su-35 performing at the MAKS 2009 airshow in Moscow. Oleg Belyakov via Wikimedia Commons According to Admiral Margono, aircraft demonstrations and assemblies performed during the recent anniversary celebrations send an important message regarding the advancements made by the Indonesian Air Force since its foundation in 1946. Speaking to the Indonesian news agency Antara, Margono indicated, TNI AU [the Indonesian Air Force] has grown to be a more modern military organization beloved by the people. [The event shows] TNI AUs commitment to continue revving up its capability to face an increasingly complex threat spectrum. Located at the southern end of the South China Sea, Indonesia has invested heavily in its defense capabilities in recent years owing to threats posed by China in the broader Indo-Pacific region. Indeed, the country has had its share of maritime incidents with Chinese vessels over the past years and is currently working to establish a code of conduct (COC) with China for the South China Sea, an area that has seen deployments of Indonesian Air Force jets in the past. That said, the recent image not only highlights the Indonesian Air Forces varied capabilities but just how different the sizes of its aircraft are too. The War Zone Staff Writer Thomas Newdick contributed to this article. Our thanks to Roni Sontani (@Roni_Sont) for highlighting the image on Twitter. Contact the author: oliver@thewarzone.com Hoping to get outdoors this weekend? If so, youll have a chance to catch one of the oldest known meteor showers in the sky. The Lyrids meteor shower will be visible across the Northern Hemisphere in late April as the beloved natural phenomenon makes its annual return to the night sky. The meteor shower has been studied for more than 2,000 years and was first recorded by the Chinese in 687 B.C., according to NASA. The Lyrids are known for their fast and bright meteors, the space agencys website reads. Lyrids dont tend to leave long, glowing dust trains behind them as they streak through Earths atmosphere, but they can produce the occasional bright flash called a fireball. Heres what you need to know if you hope to see these meteors in Kansas when they hit their peak this weekend. How to see the Lyrids in Kansas While its rare to spot these meteors at their peak, they arent too hard to find. The Lyrids are active from April 15 through 29 this year, but they are expected to peak April 22 and 23. The meteor shower is best observed in the Northern Hemisphere during dark hours, particularly after moonset and before dawn, according to NASA. Generally, youll have a better view if you move away from cities and streetlights that emit light pollution. NASA recommends stargazing by lying flat on your back with your feet facing east. It might take up to 30 minutes for your eyes to adjust to the dark sky, so be patient when looking for meteors whizzing past. Meteors spotted among the Lyrids travel at approximately 29 miles per second, NASA says. Meteor counts at peak activity generally sit near 18 per hour, but rare occasions could result in hundreds appearing in a relatively short period. Wichitas stargazing forecast Finding them is easy, but actually viewing these meteors during their peak period may be a challenge. AccuWeather is currently forecasting poor stargazing conditions for the greater Wichita area Saturday and Sunday. Cloud cover is expected to hover around 50%, and projected low temperatures in the lower 40s and mid-30s could keep prospective viewers indoors. Story continues Thankfully, the moon is less of a problem. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Earths only natural satellite is in its new moon phase, which should minimize natural light in the sky. What are meteors? Meteors are, generally speaking, space debris that has entered Earths atmosphere. These objects usually burn up when flying across the sky at a high speed, but those that survive a trip through the atmosphere and land on the ground are called meteorites. Dont confuse meteors with asteroids, which are small, rocky objects that orbit the sun in space. Comets, meanwhile, also orbit the sun but are comprised primarily of ice and dust, NASA says. Sinead Burke arrives at the Gucci show during Milan Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2023/24 on February 24, 2023 (Getty Images for Gucci) Activist Sinead Burke is one of five stars with disabilities gracing a series of covers for British Vogues May 2023 issues, alongside models Ellie Goldstein and Aaron Rose Philip, sign language performer Justina Miles, and actor Selma Blair. The fashion magazine is focusing the new issues on the stories of 19 disabled people from across fashion, sport, creative industries and activism. Edward Enninful, the editor-in-chief of British Vogue, described the issue as personal as he lives with a chronic blood disorder and with visual and hearing impairments. Burke, 33, is an advocate for disability and design, famed for her TED talk titled Why design should include everyone. She is the director of Tilting the Lens, a consultancy that aims to raise standards in accessibility. The activist has appeared on the cover of Vogue before. In 2019, she became the first visibly disabled person to grace the cover of any Vogue magazine when she was a part of its Forces for Change September issue, which was guest-edited by the Duchess of Sussex. Writing in the new issue, Burke said: There is work to do and change will require a mindset shift and a collective effort. Accessibility and disability inclusion is everyones responsibility and opportunity. This is a movement, not a moment. And it involves all of us. In an appearance on Lorraine on Friday morning (21 April), Burke spoke about what appearing on the cover of the iconic fashion magazine meant to her. I have been interested in fashion for as long as I can remember, probably because as a disabled woman and particularly because as a little person, so much of what the world saw from me or made assumptions around what I could or couldnt do was based on what I look like, she said. Fashion was this vocabulary that gave me an opportunity to present a new narrative to the world and individuals. Looking at this cover feels incredibly surreal. She continued: Visibility is incredibly important. What we know in the world is that conversations around disability are not amplified enough, often because we dont know what words to use, we dont know what to say. Story continues But actually, visibility and representation in rooms where decisions are made are even more meaningful because thats about systemic change, ensuring something isnt just a moment or one cover or one issue, but theres actually learning. In her cover interview with British Vogue, Blair opened up about how she was initially advised by her doctor to keep her multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis a secret. The 50-year-old Hellboy star also recalled how groups of friends and love interests lost interest after she was diagnosed in 2018. By Vincent West SANTANDER (Reuters) - Six Leopard 2A4 tanks destined for Ukraine left Spain by ship on Friday, according to a naval monitoring website, part of Western military aid for Kyiv's fight against Russia's invasion. The German-made Leopard tanks and armoured personnel carriers were driven onto a cargo vessel, Reuters witnesses said. The ship will go to Poland and the hardware transferred to Ukraine, which is expected to launch a spring counteroffensive. It was unclear when the equipment would arrive. Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Robles said this month that Spain will send 10 Leopard 2A4 tanks. The military is repairing the remaining four. Spain has also trained 40 tank crew members and 15 mechanics. Ukraine has been reliant on outdated Soviet-era tanks and appealed to the West for modern battle tanks, saying they are critical to its ground capabilities. The U.S. in January promised 31 of its Abrams tanks while Germany committed Leopard tanks. NATO countries have promised to send 48 Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine. (Reporting by Graham Keeley, Vincent West, Catherine MacDonald; Editing by Cynthia Osterman) A sixth-grade teacher was arrested after he was accused of assaulting multiple students, California deputies say. Matthew Garrett, 54, is charged with 10 counts of sexual assault sexual molest of a child under 14 years old, according to a news release from the San Mateo County Sheriffs Office. He was arrested April 20. Deputies said they responded to Taylor Middle School in Millbrae Feb. 24 after a student accused Garrett of sexual assault. Garrett was placed on administrative leave and officials were alerted, per school protocol, the sheriffs office said. Investigation revealed that the alleged assault took place between November 2021 and March 2022, deputies said. During their investigation, deputies learned of several other juveniles who said they were touched inappropriately over their clothing by Garrett between 2007 and 2022, according to the sheriffs office. Teachers are caretakers entrusted with our children, to help protect and safeguard them while they are at school, Sheriff Christina Corpus said in the departments release. What this suspect is alleged to have done to students in his care is abhorrent and flies in the face of everything good, selfless teachers stand for. These are challenging cases to investigate but our Office is committed to protecting and serving our communitys children. Taylor Middle School did not immediately respond to McClatchy News request for comment. Garrett was booked into the Maguire Correctional Facility, where he is being held on a $5 million bond, deputies said. The investigation is ongoing, and deputies said they believe there are more victims and witnesses to identify. Anyone with information can call Detective Homing Cheung at 650-599-1546 or the San Mateo County Sheriffs Office Anonymous Tip Line at 1-800-547-2700. Millbrae is about 15 miles south of San Francisco. If you have experienced sexual assault and need someone to talk to, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline for support at 1-800-656-4673 or visit the hotline's online chatroom. Story continues High school teacher molested, harassed student for years at school, Louisiana cops say Deputy rapes woman at traffic stop and tells her she wont be charged, Tennessee cops say High school librarian sent nudes to student she sexually abused for months, NC cops say LAS VEGAS (AP) Families of people killed in the Las Vegas Strip massacre in October 2017 will receive shares of almost all the $1.4 million estate of the man who unleashed the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history and killed himself before police reached him, according to a probate case that ended Thursday in Nevada. In the next several weeks, a total of almost $1.3 million will be distributed to the families of 61 victims of the shooting, said Alice Denton, the Las Vegas attorney who handled the case with her partner, Jarien Cho, at no cost to the estate of the gunman, Stephen Paddock. We have done what we set out to do, Denton said of the more than five-year process to appraise, sell and distribute proceeds from Paddock's assets, including two homes and an investment property in Nevada, a vehicle and 49 guns. We worked to ensure that the victims' families received the most that they could, Denton told The Associated Press. The guns were destroyed, and the funds will be distributed to the families of the deceased victims according to the direction of the shooter's mother. None of the money is going to anyone in the Paddock family." Fifty-eight people died the night of the shooting, and authorities said two died months later from their wounds. More than 850 people were injured. The list of recipients of shares of Paddock's estate was sealed by the court, and Denton said she could not disclose the identity of a 61st person or how they died. This is not intended in any way to compensate for the loss of these lives. It cant," Clark County District Court Judge Gloria Sturman said as she closed the case, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported. The guns including assault-style rifles that authorities found had been fitted with bump stock devices to make them fire more rapidly were purchased for $62,500 by an anonymous donor in January 2019 with the provision that they be turned over to the FBI, according to court records. Story continues Thirty-six of the weapons were destroyed, according to documents the FBI provided on Feb. 28 to the estate, and 13 were kept by the bureau for training purposes. Las Vegas police and the FBI said they never found a conclusive motive for Paddock to rain gunfire from a 32nd-floor suite at the Mandalay Bay resort into an open-air concert audience of 22,000 people across Las Vegas Boulevard. Recent disclosures of material collected by the FBI and letters released by Las Vegas police have provided new looks at the case, but no additional answers. Paddock was a 64-year-old retired postal service worker, accountant and real estate investor with a penchant for guns and gambling, and homes in Reno and Mesquite, a retirement community more than an hours drive from Las Vegas. His investment property was in suburban Henderson. His father was a notorious bank robber and federal prison escapee once listed on the FBI most-wanted list. Stephen Paddock held a private pilots license, and he sometimes wagered tens of thousands of dollars at a time playing video poker. Police and the FBI concluded that Paddock meticulously planned the shooting, burned through more than $1.5 million of personal savings and distanced himself from his girlfriend and family in the months before the Las Vegas shooting. A settlement totaling $800 million was reached in September 2020 between casino company MGM Resorts International and its insurers with more than 4,400 relatives and victims of the shooting to resolve lawsuits involving plaintiffs from nearly every state in the U.S., at least eight Canadian provinces, the United Kingdom, Iran and Ireland. San Luis Obispo County home sales dipped in March as overall housing costs and supply grew slightly, buoyed by a handful of local communities that outperformed the rest. Compared to the previous year, the Central Coast real estate market deviated from statewide trends. Across California, home prices dropped in most cities in March and rent costs stagnated statewide. Meanwhile, according to a new study, home buyers skew older in SLO County than the rest of the Golden State. So where did real estate prices fall, and where can buyers and renters find some wiggle room? SLO County sees limited housing market growth Statewide, Californians felt the effects of a slowing housing market, according to the California Association of Realtors March 2023 Sales and Price Report. The median price of a home in California rose for the first time since October, ending March at $791,490 up 7.6% from February and down 7% from March 2022. As Californias housing stock got tighter, the median number of days homes spent on the real estate market fell, bottoming out at 19 days in March, the lowest since August 2022. New listings also were also down 29.9% statewide compared to last year. CARs March 2023 Housing Market Overview painted a slightly brighter picture for San Luis Obispo County home buyers. The median home price in SLO County fell by 0.9% from the previous year to $895,000 in March, but the market stayed fiercely competitive despite the slight price drop. Homes only spent 14 days on the local real estate market in March. Although active listings countywide grew to 262 that month outperforming March 2022 by 23.6% sales also dropped 23.6% to 159. This suggests that, while more homes may be available, high prices may still be warding off buyers. Where did home prices increase in SLO County? Several locations across SLO County saw home costs fall compared to the previous year. Only Arroyo Grande, Nipomo and Atascaderos housing markets saw median price increases. Story continues Nipomo saw the most significant growth in home price out of any San Luis Obispo County city, reaching $1.25 million in March, a massive 39% jump from the previous year. Those homes spent a median of 56 days on the market, as active listings fell 50% from March 2022 to 18. 11 of those homes were sold, falling 35.5% from the previous year. In Arroyo Grande, median prices grew by 1% from March 2022, reaching $1.18 million. The 25 active listings in March which fell by 13.8% from March 2022 levels spent a median of nine days on the market. Arroyo Grande recorded 20 home sales in March, identical to the same time period the previous year. Atascadero saw its median home price creep upwards by 10.8%, reaching $820,000 in March, as homes stayed on the market for a median of 13 days. The 18 active listings were a 10% decrease from 2022. Lastly, Grover Beachs $716,000 median home price grew 8% from March 2022, but active listings and sales both fell by 33.3% and 9.1%, respectively. Grover Beach homes spent just 19 days on the market in March 2022. Where have housing costs decreased? Conversely, Templeton homes saw a precipitous 43.9% decline in median price from March 2022, landing at $846,000 in March. Homes there only spent a median of five days on the market, but only three of the 16 active listings were sold. Those three sales represented a 62.5% decline from the previous year. Despite falling 30.6% from March 2023, Pismo Beachs median home price of $1.1 million still was one of the highest in SLO County in March. Homes spent a median of eight days on the market in Pismo Beach. The South County city had 16 active listings in March 77.8% more than the previous year and only six sales were reported, a 14.3% drop from March 2022. Morro Bays housing market similarly cooled, as homes in the coastal city spent a median of 90 days on the market despite a 19.4% median price drop to $800,000. Fourteen homes were available to buyers, a 16.7% increase from the previous year. However, only five homes sold, a 50% decline from March 2022. Meanwhile, Cambrias median home price dropped 9.9% to $1.16 million in March. Homes there spent a median of 19 days on the market before selling. As in March 2022, 11 homes were sold this March. However, more homes were available this time around. There were 19 active listings, an increase of 72.7% from March 2022. Just to the south, Los Osos median home price fell 2.7% from March 2022 to $796,000, as all 10 active listings were sold in March. However, those listings spent a median of 43 days on the market. With a median home price of $721,000, Paso Robles had the cheapest real estate listings in the county, thanks to a 3.8% price drop from the previous year. There were 52 active listings in the North County city in March, representing a 33.3% uptick in available homes over March 2022. However, sales dropped by 49.1% to 27 in March. Those homes spent a median of 16 days on the market. Lastly, San Luis Obispos market stayed as competitive as ever. Homes there only stayed on the market for a week before selling. The city had 28 active listings in March, a 75% increase from the previous year, and 21 homes were sold, falling just 4.5% from March 2022. What about rent costs? Renters got some relief nationally, as a Rent.com study showed rent costs fell slightly from February to March. According to the report, March ended with a national median rent of $1,937, which was down 0.4% from March 2022, and represented a slight 0.01% decline from February 2023. However, 81.4% of all markets in the United States experienced increases in rent compared to the previous year, and 58.14% of all markets saw rent increases between February and March, the study found. In California, the outlook was similar for renters. By the end of March, Rent.com data showed Californias median rent settled at $2,980, which was 0.74% higher than the previous year and 0.41% higher than the previous month. Report: SLO-Paso Robles metro area has older home buyers The San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles metro area is home to some of the oldest home buyers in the United States, according to a new study by Construction Coverage. Of the 356 metro areas surveyed for the study, the San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles metro area ranked 27th in terms of the percentage of home buyers over the age of 55. Approximately 32.7% of local home buyers fell into that age range. In addition, 14.3% of home buyers in the San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles metro area were over 65, the study found, meaning that the area ranked 29th out of all metro areas for that age category. Buyers over age 75 made up 2.7% of the local housing market, earning the San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles metro area 36th place in that age category. No other metro area in California had a higher percentage of buyers over the ages of 55 or 65, the study found. Only the Redding and Santa Maria-Santa Barbara had higher percentages of home buyers over 75, with 3.2% and 3% of shoppers falling into that age range, respectively. According to the Construction Coverage report, home purchases by seniors are on the decline. U.S. residents over 55 owned 57% of household real estate wealth as of the end of 2022, but are staying put more often, the report said. Older Americans decisions to stay out of the real estate market and age in place stand in stark contrast to younger generations, who represent a much larger share of homebuyers, the report read. Where younger people may look to buy a home to be closer to job opportunities or start a family, older people often have less urgency to move as they reach the end of their careers or their children grow up. Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 Slovenian Defense Minister Marjan Sarec will sign an agreement with the European Defence Agency (EDA) on joining the project of joint purchases of artillery ammunition for Ukraine. Source: European Pravda, referring to RTV Slovenija Details: The decision was made at a meeting of EU defence and foreign ministers as part of the plan for the supply of artillery ammunition to Ukraine, which provides for the provision of one million artillery shells over the next 12 months. As the Ministry of Defence of Slovenia explains, the agreement sets the limits of the participation of member states in the project and "will not create any financial obligations for the Republic of Slovenia, as it only sets the framework for further cooperation". Thus, Slovenia will join the joint procurement of ammunition under the EDA project, which is joined by 23 EU member states and Norway. Background: On 20 March, the Council of the European Union agreed on a plan for the delivery of one million artillery shells to Ukraine within 12 months, which consists of three stages. At the first stage, EU member states will transfer shells from their reserves to Kyiv, receiving compensation from the European Peace Fund a total of one billion euros will be allocated for this. At the second stage, the same amount of funds will be allocated for concluding contracts with manufacturers of artillery ammunition, and then the EU states will expand their own production capacity. But member states continue to argue over some details in particular, how much these contracts should be restricted to manufacturers from the EU and whether companies from the US and UK should be included in the programme. Politico news outlet, citing sources in diplomatic circles, reported that on Wednesday, France and Poland had an argument when EU ambassadors failed to settle a dispute over joint EU contracts for the purchase of ammunition for Ukraine. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Winston Cunningham, a native of Jamaica, has always wanted to own his own restaurant. Hes been a chef his entire adult life, working at restaurants and hotels mostly in Jamaica and then New York. In late December, Winston and his wife, Sherwauna, took the plunge and opened their own family restaurant in Macon. The couple own and operate Crooklyn New York Caribbean Cuisine at 3924 Pio Nono Ave., a small drive-thru restaurant in the South Plaza Shopping Center. Crooklyn New York Caribbean Cuisine at 3924 Pio Nono Ave. in Macon. The eatery also has a walk-up window and a few patio tables. The establishments name is a nod to Spike Lees 1994 film Crooklyn thats loosely based on what he and his siblings experienced growing up in Brooklyn, New York, which is where the Cunninghams met and made their home before moving to Macon. We just wanted a change, said Sherwauna, who also has her own online business, Sweet Divas Hair Boutique, and has operated her own daycare businesses. My husband has been a chef all his life and I do it on the side. Hes the primary chef. Winston added that his wife is a good cook in her own right. Crooklyn New York Caribbean Cuisine co-owner and chef Winston Cunningham looks out the walk-up window of their family restaurant. What to expect Their restaurant offers authentic Caribbean cuisine. The couples youngest son, Tyler, 15, also works at the restaurant on weekends. This is the best restaurant in Macon, Daniel Blackshear volunteered as he pulled up to order at the drive-thru. Motorists drive up on one side of the restaurant and pick up their food on the other side. Oxtails with cabbage and rice and peas from Crooklyn New York Caribbean Cuisine in Macon. What sets Crooklyn New York Caribbean Cuisine apart from other eateries, Blackshear said, is the seasoned and flavorful food. Besides, the owners are friendly, he said. Sherwauna Cunningham, who co-owns Crooklyn New York Caribbean Cuisine in Macon, talks with Daniel Blackshear, a frequent customer. On their business website, the Cunninghams described their establishment this way: We are a small Caribbean restaurant which serves real authentic Caribbean food. You wanna feel like youre in Jamaica, Trinidad come eat with us. We promise you will love the hands that feed you. On a recent visit, Blackshear ordered grilled shrimp with cabbage and peas and rice. He most often orders their fried chicken. Story continues Grilled shrimp with cabbage and rice and peas from Crooklyn New York Caribbean Cuisine. What to try Among the restaurants most popular dishes are oxtails, curry goat and jerk chicken, said Sherwauna, who suggested also trying jerk pork or cow foot. Picking one dish, Winston suggested the jerk chicken for someone new to Caribbean cuisine. Jerk chicken with rasta pasta from Crooklyn New York Caribbean Cuisine in Macon. Daily specials on a recent visit included a choice of curry chicken, jerk chicken or brown-stew chicken as well as two-pieces of curry, steamed or brown-stew tilapia. The oxtails came with two side dishes such as cooked cabbage and rice and peas. Other entrees include steamed, brown-stew or escovitch red snapper, curry chicken, jerk chicken and brown-stew chicken. They also serve jerk, curry, curry-coconut and brown-stew shrimp. Curry shrimp and roti at Crooklyn New York Caribbean Cuisine in Macon. More options Soups include corn soup, chicken soup and fish soup. Wraps include ranch chicken, jerk chicken, grilled chicken, ranch shrimp, jerk shrimp and Gulf shrimp with or without fries. The menu also features chicken wings, fried whiting and fried shrimp. Roti can be filled with vegetables, curry or brown-stew shrimp, ackee and saltfish, curry or brown-stew chicken, curry goat or oxtail. Sweet and spicy wings from Crooklyn New York Caribbean Cuisine in Macon. Fried patties include beef, jerk chicken, curry chicken, spinach and veggies. For veggie lovers, theres dumplings and callaloo with or without rice. Sides include white rice, fried plantains, rice and peas or collards, cranberry rice, veggie fried rice, rasta pasta, steamed veggies and mac & cheese. The restaurant also offers fries and sweet potato fries. Desserts include cheesecake, red velvet cake, fruitcake, banana cake and strawberry cake. Drink selections include Coca-Cola products and assorted juices. Other restaurants previously have operated out of the drive-thru building, including J.A. Cuisine that offered Jamaican food. Brown stew red snapper with rice and peas at Crooklyn New York Caribbean Cuisine. Worth noting The Cunninghams plan to set up a food tent at the 2023 Pan African Festival at the Macon Centreplex on Saturday and Sunday. Crooklyn New York Caribbean Cuisine is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and offers call-ahead ordering as well as catering. The restaurants number is 478-259-1435. Crooklyn New York Caribbean Cuisine at 3924 Pio Nono Ave. in Macon. Crooklyn New York Caribbean Cuisine also has some outside seating. Sherwauna and Winston Cunningham with Tyler, 15, Dmani, 23, Amani, 31, and Dominique, 32. Sherwauna and Winston Cunningham own and operate Crooklyn New York Caribbean Cuisine in Macon. Planning a trip to Los Alamos, New Mexico, might just be the perfect way to celebrate National Park Week. Daniel A. Leifheit/Getty Images Los Alamos, New Mexico, was first put on the map during World War II because the atomic bomb was developed and created there. But at first glance, its hard to imagine this community, which is built on four mesas Barranca Mesa, North Mesa, Los Alamos Mesa, and South Mesa was once a bomb testing ground. These days, Los Alamos draws travelers interested in exploring some of the states best (and surprisingly undiscovered) national parks and sites. Within a 30-minute drive from downtown Los Alamos and in some cases, a five-minute walk there are three national parks and sites: Bandelier National Monument; Valles Caldera National Preserve; and the Manhattan Project National Historical Park. Plus, access to all three parks is free on Saturday, April 22 to celebrate National Park Week, which runs from April 22 to April 30 this year. Our three national parks are within a five-minute walk to a 30-minute drive from downtown Los Alamos, said Kelly Stewart, a spokesperson from Los Alamos Countys Economic Development Division, in a press release shared with Travel + Leisure on March 21. Each park represents a different era, culture, and place in time and all include outdoor recreation opportunities, from fishing in a sleeping super volcano to exploring Ancient Puebloan cavates to touring the downtown historic district. When you return to town, there are award-winning eateries, breweries, and attractions to explore. Cheri Alguire/Getty Images The closest site to downtown Los Alamos is Manhattan Project National Historical Park, a park that pays homage to the work done by scientists and Nobel Prize winners to imagine and build the atomic bomb. Visitors can pop into the Los Alamos History Museum or visit the award-winning Bradbury Science Museum, which has replicas of the Little Boy and Fat Man atomic bombs. Film buffs will want to make the journey to the site before "Oppenheimer," a film by Christopher Nolan featuring Cillian Murphy, Robert Downey Jr., and Matt Damon, among others, releases in July 2023. Story continues Those looking for nature and solitude will want to head west to the Valles Caldera National Preserve, a 89,000-acre preserve that protects one of the worlds seven super volcanoes. The Valles Caldera has trails for hikers, bikers, and horseback riders as well as plenty of fishing and camping. If youre lucky, you might spot an elk or a golden eagle, while almost everyone who stays in the preserve after dark is treated to dark, starry skies. Directly south of Los Alamos is the Bandelier National Monument, an ancient Puebloan historical site with cliff dwellings and petroglyphs. Perhaps most notably, visitors can climb ladders and physically step inside the homes of ancient Puebloans while enjoying the expansive views afforded from the cliff perch. Bandelier National Monument also has an expansive trail network. Entrance fees to all three parks are waived on Saturday, April 22 to kick off National Park Week, and there is never a fee to visit the Manhattan Project National Historical Park. Los Alamos is just over a 30-minute drive from Santa Fe and an hour-and-a-half from Albuquerque. For more Travel & Leisure news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Travel & Leisure. Rupert Murdoch sitting on a gavel Illustrated/Getty Images The Dominion lawsuit was just the beginning for Fox News. Yes, the conservative cable network settled Dominion's defamation claims for a whopping $787.5 billion, but Fox isn't done in the courtroom. Another voting technology company, Smartmatic, is also suing Fox for airing untrue claims about the firm's role in the 2020 election that Donald Trump falsely said had been stolen from him. ABC News reports that Fox still faces significant challenges. "Smartmatic remains committed to clearing its name, recouping the significant damage done to the company in more than 50 countries, and holding Fox accountable for undermining democracy," said an attorney for the company. And CNN says the Smartmatic suit "could be Fox's next big problem." Why is Smartmatic suing Fox News? Is another big settlement on the way? Why is Smartmatic suing Fox? Smartmatic filed its nearly 300-page claim against Fox News in Feb. 2021, The Washington Post reports, with allegations that the network had aired more than 100 "false statements and implications" suggesting the company and its technology were complicit in efforts to steal the 2020 election from Trump. Among the figures named in the suit: Then-Fox hosts Maria Bartiromo, Jeanine Pirro, and Lou Dobbs Dobbs was fired a month after the Jan. 6 Capitol riot as well as Trump attorneys Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell. Just one example of the claims aired on Fox: Vox reports that Giuliani went on Dobbs' show to claim that "Dominion and Smartmatic were companies 'formed in order to fix elections' by associates of the Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez." The problem? It wasn't true. "They had no evidence that Smartmatic or Dominion had done anything wrong," Smartmatic says in its lawsuit. "Indeed, in the case of Smartmatic, they had no evidence that Smartmatic's election technology and software were even used in any of the states that had close outcomes in the 2020 U.S. election." Story continues What does Fox say? Despite the Dominion settlement, network officials say they're preparing to battle Smartmatic's lawsuit, CNBC reports. "We will be ready to defend this case surrounding extremely newsworthy events when it goes to trial, likely in 2025," a Fox spokesperson said. As was long the case in the Dominion lawsuit, the network says that freedom of the press is threatened by Smartmatic's claims. The election and Trump's fraud claims were newsworthy, after all. "Freedom of the press is foundational to our democracy and must be protected," a spokesman tells The Guardian, and adds: "There is nothing more newsworthy than covering the president of the US and his lawyers making allegations." How much does Smartmatic want from the lawsuit? A lot! It is seeking $2.7 billion in damages from Fox News. How is the lawsuit going so far? Not great for Fox. The Washington Post reports that in February a New York judge rejected the network's bid to have the case dismissed. The Dominion settlement may change the dynamic surrounding Smartmatic's lawsuit, and may increase the likelihood of another settlement. "I think it sets Fox up to pay their way out, as it seems unlikely they will want to take other cases to trial," a former federal prosecutor tells Axios. Even without going to trial, the Dominion case proved pretty embarrassing for the network. It may be worth it to Fox to pay Smartmatic to prevent even more ugly information from becoming public. Are there other lawsuits involving the 2020 election? A few. And it's not just Fox. The New York Times reports that Dominion and Smartmatic are also suing the right-wing TV network Newsmax, and Smartmatic is suing yet another conservative outlet, One America News. Other figures who advanced untrue claims of a stolen election like Powell, Giuliani, Dobbs, and MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell also face civil legal claims. What's next for the Smartmatic lawsuit? Possibly a long process. Forbes points out that the discovery process in the case isn't expected to be complete until July 2024 a trial won't happen before then and notes that the company sounds like it is also willing to settle. "Smartmatic is determined to realize the goals as stated in the lawsuit namely appropriate compensatory damages, punitive damages, and full and complete retraction of the disinformation on all of Fox's platforms," the company says on its website. If that's the case, the real question may be: How big a check is Fox willing to write this time? You may also like Texas Senate approves bills requiring 10 Commandments in K-12 classrooms, Bible time in school The U.S. and China want to 'decouple' their economies. Is it possible? Ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica are melting at a 'disastrous' pace Perhaps carefully planning ahead or rushed in a moment of panic, someone in Viking-age Denmark buried their treasure and never returned. A volunteer stumbled upon the artifacts 1,000 years later. Jane Foged-Mnster went out with a metal detecting group to search a field in northern Denmark last fall, she told TV2 Nord, a local Danish outlet. Scanning the field, she unearthed a piece of silver. Nearby, she found several more pieces, the outlet reported on April 19. The volunteers quickly alerted local archaeological authorities who began excavating the site in Bramslev, the North Jutland Museums said in a news release. Archaeologists uncovered two Viking-era treasure troves buried around the same time and within 165 feet of each other, the release said. Because of agricultural plowing, archaeologists found the artifacts scattered widely across the area and could not definitely identify which artifacts came from which treasure trove. Together, the treasure troves contained about 300 silver coins dating to the 980s A.D., the release said. Archaeologists found a mixture of Danish, German and Arab coins as well as a type of cross coin made when King Harald Bluetooth Blatand ruled the region. Photos show this type of cross coin that had a plus-sign-shaped design with three circles on each point. The coin appears a bit scratched and worn. The cross coins from King Bluetooth, as hes most commonly known in English, were only circulated for a few decades before the kings son took the throne in the mid-980s, North Jutland Museums said in an April 20 post on Instagram. One of the Viking cross coins from the buried treasure troves. The 1,000-year-old treasure troves also contained several chopped up pieces of silver jewelry, the release said. These fragmented adornments were likely part of a payment-by-weight system. Archaeologists identified two pieces of the same jewelry item: an unusually large and elaborate silver ring pin. Photos show the fragment with an intricately braided ball on the end of a curved rod. A rope-like ring and smaller decorative designs frame the central orb. Story continues This ring pin came from Vikings in Ireland or nearby islands and was likely worn by a king or high-ranking religious authority, experts said. The ring pin was probably stolen during a raiding expedition and brought back to Denmark. Danish Vikings did not wear this type of ring pin, so the stolen goods were chopped up for use as currency or melted down and remade into the local jewelry style, the release said. Part of a silver ring pin from Viking-age Ireland or another nearby island. A hoard like this is very rare, the director of the North Jutland Museum, Lars Christian Norbach, told AFP. The significance of the treasure troves partially stems from the area where they were found, the release said. The artifacts were found at a Viking settlement about 5 miles from Fyrkat, a Viking castle fortress built by King Bluetooth. The Fyrkat castle was unexplainably abandoned about the same time or soon after the silver treasures were buried, Torben Trier Christiansen, an archaeologist with the North Jutland Museums, said in the release. The buried treasure, the abandoned castle and the showdown between King Bluetooth and his son may all be connected, Christiansen said. Unrest or fear of impending violence may have prompted people living at the Bramslev settlement to hide their valuables, he said in the release. To investigate this possibility and understand more about the areas Viking history, archaeologists will continue excavating the Bramslev settlement this fall, the release said. They dont expect to find more silver treasures, but they hope to identify ruins of settlement buildings. The silver treasures will go on display at a North Jutland Museum beginning in July, the release said. Bramslev is located in the eastern peninsula region of Jutland and about 170 miles northwest of Copenhagen. Google Translate was used to translate the news release from North Jutland Museums and the article from TV2 Nord. Instagram Translate was used to translate the Instagram post from North Jutland Museums. Massive burial site tied to Mayan deity is uncovered with some bodies headless Vikings came to North America nearly 500 years before Columbus, study of wood reveals Daughter cleaning parents basement uncovers dozens of Viking-age artifacts in Norway Yevgeny Prigozhin, Leader of the Wagner Group, said that the son of Dmitry Peskov, Press Secretary of the Russian dictator, served as an ordinary gunner in Wagner Group. Source: Prigozhin's statement in the video of the Russian so-called "military correspondents", which is distributed by his press service. Quote from Prigozhin: "Of all my friends (Im talking about this for the first time), one person Dmitry Peskov, who at one time became famous as a washed-up liberal, sent his son, who lived part of his life in America, if I'm not mistaken, or in England; came [to me] and said: take him [to serve] as an ordinary gunner. He worked absolutely normally, as an ordinary gunner knee-deep in mud, in sh*t and on the Uragan [multiple rocket launcher]." Details: It is also reported that earlier, Nikolai Peskov served in the ranks of the Strategic Missile Forces. In addition, in the video, Prigozhin complains that many PMCs have been created in Russia. According to him, if he was given several hundred thousand people (prisoners or anyone else, he doesn't care), he would make sure that Russia was not ashamed and the authorities of the occupiers could better explain why they started the so-called "special military operation" at all. He also complains about the provision in the Russian army and calls it "genocide of Russians." Prigozhin usually complains about the Ministry of Defence of Russia, emphasising his conflict with officials of the Russian army. Background: Recently, Prigozhin called on the Russian authorities to declare the so-called "special military operation" over and concentrate on consolidating its hold on the occupied territories of Ukraine. Andri Yusov, a representative of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defene, believes that statements made by Yevgeny Prigozhin, founder of the Wagner Group Private Military Company, reflect the mood of the Russian military and political elite, and now there are "many tiny cracks" in the Kremlin that will only expand. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Might be time to give some of that millennial bashing a rest. Although its taken them longer than their parents, millennials are now entering the housing market in droves and have finally become an owner-majority generation, according to a RentCafe analysis. The number of millennial owners, aged 27 to 33, has jumped nationwide by 7 million in just five years more than any other generation, the report said. Indeed, millennial owners doubled between 2017 and 2022 in more than one-quarter of the 110 largest metros analyzed using the most recent IPUMS data. But heres the rub: Raleigh-Cary still hasnt passed the threshold. Bucking the national trend, the regions millennials are still a renter-majority generation. Even with a 73% surge in homeownership in the last five years, reaching a peak of 101,230 millennial owners, just 45% of the people in this age group are now living in their own homes. By contrast, the number of renting millennials in Raleigh increased even more by 85%, with this group having more renters than any other generation, nearly 123,000. This chart shows the percentage of renters versus owners in the Raleigh metro area. Are millennials getting shut out? As North Carolina remains one of the fastest-growing states, soaring home prices and higher mortgage rates are keeping many of these would-be homebuyers in the rental market, say experts. Rising rents are also compounding the problem, said Derrick Thornton, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Advantage out of Northeast Raleigh. Millennials have trouble saving enough for a down payment because theyre paying so much of their income in rent. Hopefully, first-time buyers will still have opportunities to purchase homes. But it will likely be in surrounding areas just outside of Raleigh or Durham, he told The N&O. Another possible reason for so many renting millennials? The growing popularity of the renter-by-choice lifestyle. In Raleigh, the number of rich renter households those with annual incomes over $150,000 skyrocketed by 178% between 2015 and 2020, going from 1,877 to 5,224, a separate RentCafe study reported. Story continues Homeownership is not a priority for everyone, especially not for millennials and Gen Zs, said the studys author, Andrea Neculae. Which generation owns the most homes in Raleigh? Gen X (ages 43 to 58) is the largest demographic of homeowners in Raleigh, after a 48% rise in the last five years, the report said. Also, more than three-quarters of Gen Xers in Raleigh (82%) live in their own homes. On the other hand, the number of Gen X renters increased by 69% for an 18% share. Right after Gen X, baby boomers (ages 59-77) are the second largest generation of homeowners in Raleigh, after a 19% uptick. The number of baby boomers who rent, however, declined by 15%. Consequently, the ratio of homeowners to renters is 80% to 20% for this cohort. Gen Z, or Zoomers (ages 18-26), are now coming of age and establishing themselves in the job market, the report said. That explains the exponential growth for both owners and renters in this age group: by 102% and 148%, respectively. The report said 29% of Gen Zers in Raleigh-Cary currently own their homes, while 71 % rent. Thirteen veterans and civilians were named as distinguished and honorary members Thursday to the regiments of the Special Forces, Psychological Operations and Civil Affairs community. The inductees were honored during a ceremony that coincides with the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and Schools Heritage Week to celebrate 71 years of training and education in Army special operation forces. Among the inductees are a Medal of Honor recipient, a former acting secretary of defense and ambassadors. Each of the inductees has contributed to the legacy and history of their respective regiments and the nation in and out of uniform, said Brig. Gen. Guillaume Will Beaurpere, commander of the Special Warfare Center and School. The stories of physical and intellectual capabilities and adaptability of our inductees remind us that once we set our minds to an objective and a mission and commit our energies, there is very little we as Americans can not accomplish, Beaurpere said. Maj. John Duffy, center, is inducted as a distinguished member of the Special Forces regiment during a ceremony held Thursday, April 20, 2023, at Fort Bragg. Duffy is seen via video call from his home. More: 'Willingness to take risks': Former Special Forces Delta commander inducted into regiment Psychological Operations Retired Col. Rick Springett served in multiple roles within the psychological operations regiment including in the U.S. Special Operations Command. As chief of the Military Information Support Operations Branch, he was responsible for four trans-regional programs supporting the geographic combatant commands and theatre special operations commands. The programs included strategic military information support operations directed against Al Qaida, their affiliates, and violent extremism. Between 2004 to 2008, Springett worked with others to establish policies and procedures for the initial assessment of psychological operations and civil affairs officers. After his retirement in 2014, Springett was a senior civilian plans analyst under SOCOMs Sensitive Activities Division until 2021, deploying to Afghanistan and Southwest Asia in the role. Story continues Retired Col. RIchard "Rick" Springett is inducted into as a distinguished member of the psychological operations regiment during a ceremony Thursday, April 20, 2023, at Fort Bragg. First Lt. Daniel J. Edelman entered the Army as a public relations specialist during World War II under the 5th Mobile Radio Broadcasting Co., 100th Infantry Division. His time at the Office of War Information allowed him to counter German propaganda and disinformation through publishing Der Speigel, a German magazine, and polling Germans to determine their attitudes toward the occupation and the Nuremberg Trials. Edelman founded his own public relations firm in 1952, which counts a campaign to increase support for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in its portfolio. Edelman dedicated his time to nonprofits like the American Red Cross and Save the Children until his death in 2013. First Lt. Daniel J. Edelman is posthumously inducted as a distinguished member of the psychological operations regiment during a ceremony Thursday, April 20, 2023, at Fort Bragg. More: Special operation forces induct notable veterans at Fort Bragg Special Forces Maj. John J. Duffy was presented the Medal of Honor on July 5, by President Joe Biden for his 1972 actions in Vietnam. According to Duffys citation, he served as a senior enlisted advisor to the 11th Airborne Battalion, 2d Brigade, Airborne Division. After his commander was killed during an attack that wounded Duffy twice, Duffy refused to be evacuated. Duffy directed defense around a support base on April 14, 1972, and moved close to enemy positions to call in airstrikes, becoming wounded again. After the enemy attacked the base, Duffy ensured wounded friendly foreign soldiers were moved to safety and maintained his position during indirect enemy fire. He was the last man to leave the base during a withdrawal. When the acting battalion commander was wounded, he assumed command of the evacuation and maintained communication with the available air support to direct fire on the enemy. The following morning, Duffy organized defensive positions when the enemy ambushed the battalion and led the wounded to an evacuation area. Maj. John Duffy, center, is inducted as a distinguished member of the Special Forces regiment during a ceremony held Thursday, April 20, 2023, at Fort Bragg. Duffy is seen via video call from his home. Retired Maj. Gen. David A. Morris was a charter member of Charlie Company, 3d Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group Combatant Commanders, which is now known as the Critical Threats Advisory Co. During his career, he conducted foreign internal defense in support of the El Salvadorian government during two tours and received presidential approval for his recommendation to overcome the insurgents' advantage. Near the end of his first decade of service, Morris was selected to assume responsibility for Phase I training of the Special Forces Qualification Course at Camp Mackall. His career included developing a program with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to use artificial intelligence to guide the mission planning of U.S. special operations forces and helped develop a program that later became the Defense Threat Database System. In 1989, he wrote a paper that provided support to special operations forces during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Gen. Colin Powell, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff at the time, approved Morris classified plan for creating the Army Special Mission Unit. In retirement, he has served as chairman of the Green Beret Foundation and serves with veteran nonprofit organizations. Retired Maj. Gen. David Morris is inducted as a distinguished member of the Special Forces Regiment during a ceremony Thursday, April 20, 2023, at Fort Bragg. Retired Col. Ronald D. Johnson enlisted in the National Guard in 1971 and graduated from the Special Forces Officers Course in 1977, while assigned to the 20th Special Forces Group. In 1984, he entered active-duty service as the detachment commander with the 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group in Panama. He would serve in a wide variety of roles, including being selected as the first Special Forces officer to attend the Army War College fellowship at the Central Intelligence Agency. Johnson spent most of his military career in the Southern Command Area of Responsibility and led combat operations in El Salvador as one of the authorized 55 military advisors during the civil war there in the 1980s. He also deployed to the Balkans in the 1990s as the senior military officer of an integrated team made up of members of the CIA, National Security Agency and Special Mission Unit to apprehend people indicted for war crimes. After leaving military service, Johnson worked with the CIA and participated in worldwide operational and combat experiences with special mission units. He also served as the senior representative for directors of National Intelligence and the CIA at the U.S. Southern Command and as the science and technology liaison to the U.S. Special Operations Command for the Central Intelligence Agency. In 2019, he was appointed and served as the U.S. ambassador to El Salvador until his retirement in 2021. Retired Col. Donald Johnson is inducted as a distinguished member of the Special Forces Regiment during a ceremony Thursday, April 20, 2023, at Fort Bragg. Retired Col. Christopher C. Miller served as an enlisted infantryman in the U.S. Army Reserves and as a military policeman in the Washington, D.C., National Guard during his 27 years of military service. In 1993, he transferred to U.S. Army Special Forces, serving in numerous command and staff positions within the 5th Special Forces Group. He is credited for being a key player during numerous worldwide deployments and contributing to the planning and participation of the 5th Special Forces Group's initial combat operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. Miller served in numerous special operations organizations and as deputy commander of the Specialized Joint Unit, U.S. Special Operations Southern Command. After retiring in 2014, he worked as a defense contractor, a special assistant to the president at the National Security Council, assistant secretary of defense for special operations low-intensity conflict and deputy assistant secretary of defense for Special Operations and Combating Terrorism. Miller served as the acting secretary of defense from Nov. 9, 2020, to Jan. 20, 2021. Retired Col. Christopher Miller is inducted as a distinguished member of the Special Forces Regiment during a ceremony Thursday, April 20, 2023, at Fort Bragg. Retired Col. Mark E. Mitchell commissioned in 1987 as an infantry officer and served in the 24th Infantry Division, including in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He graduated from the Special Forces qualification course in 1993 and served as a detachment commander, company commander, battalion operations officer, and battalion commander with the 5th Special Forces Group during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Mitchell spent a significant portion of his military career in the Central Command Area of Responsibility, leading combat operations in Kuwait, Afghanistan, and Iraq. He was director of plans at the U.S. Special Operations Command Central; director of operations for the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force Arabian Peninsula and was also commander of the 5th Special Forces Group and Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force at the Arabian Peninsula. He has also served as director for Counterterrorism on the National Security Council and after his military retirement, served as principal deputy and acting assistant secretary of defense for special operations and low-intensity conflict. Retired Col. Mark Mitchell is inducted as a distinguished member of the Special Forces Regiment during a ceremony Thursday, April 20, 2023, at Fort Bragg. Retired Lt. Col. Roger D. Carstens commanded a platoon in the 75th Rangers, including a combat jump into Panama during Operation Just Cause. He graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course in 1991 and was a detachment commander and company executive officer and battalion executive officer with the 10th Special Forces Group in Germany. Hes also commanded Company A, 4th Battalion and Company F, 1st Battalion under the 1st Special Warfare Training Group, training soldiers in unconventional warfare skills including the final Robin Sage exercise. Carstens served as legislative liaison for U.S. Special Operations Command and as an advisor to the National Counter Terror Bureau during Operation Iraqi Freedom. After his military career, Carstens has served as a special presidential envoy for hostage affairs, which negotiates the release of American citizens wrongfully detained abroad or taken hostage by terrorists and was designated as an ambassador by the president. He also served as senior counterinsurgency and security force assistance advisor in Kabul, Afghanistan. Retired Lt. Col. Roger Carstens is inducted as a distinguished member of the Special Forces Regiment during a cermony Thursday, April 20, 2023, at Fort Bragg. Sgt. 1st Class Riley E. Lott Jr. was of several Green Berets of Native American descent. Lott altered his birth certificate at the age of 16 in 1960 to join the Army as a medic. After basic training personnel discovered his age, he was sent home and rejoined the military the next year. Lott spent five of his nine years of military service in Vietnam as a combat medic. He began his education in jungle medicine at Long An, Vietnam, treating those affected by the siege of the Special Forces team as the Civilian Irregular Defense Group revolted against U.S. forces. In Don Phuoc, he lived with, fought alongside, trained and treated Cambodian strikers who made up the Mobile Strike Force Command Lott worked with the Cambodian forces to rebuild the abandoned Special Forces camp at To Chau and clear areas surrounding Special Forces camps at Cai Cai and My Dien II. Lott left the Army at the age of 26 but continued to help family members, veterans and strangers in need, taking veterans to hospice care and hosting weekly veteran lunches. He died Aug. 29, 2021. Sgt. 1st Class Riley Lott Jr. is postumously inducted as a distinguished member of the Special Forces Regiment during a ceremony Thursday, April 20, 2023, at Fort Bragg. More: Fort Bragg's Special Forces, Psychological Operations, Civil Affairs induct honorary members Azadeh Aryana was born in Tehran and fled Iran during the Islamic Revolution of 1979 with her 3-year-old son. Pregnant at the time and fleeing under diplomatic immunity, she arrived in California. While awaiting the arrival of her husband who was still in Iran, Aryana, with limited English, worked as a janitor at a fast-food restaurant. She first rose through the ranks at the restaurant, before rising in the ranks and becoming security director of Cisco Systems, a multinational digital communications conglomerate. Aryana then opened her own security firm providing personal security to clients in the San Francisco area. After putting her children through college, she retired and devoted her time to American service members after a family member joined Special Forces. Over the past 17 years, she has personally shipped more than 10,000 care packages to deployed active and reserve Special Forces soldiers. Additionally, Aryana serves as a Special Forces goodwill ambassador, consistently attending military homecomings across California and has participated as a patriot motorcycle rider. Azadeh Aryana is inducted as an honorary member of the Special Forces Regiment during a ceremony Thursday, April 20, 2023, at Fort Bragg. Civil Affairs Born in Peru and raised in Arizona, retired Col. Ernesto L. Sirvas commissioned to serve in the field artillery branch from 1987 to 1996. He then joined the Civil Affairs branch from 1996 to 2015. At the beginning of his Civil Affairs career with the 96th Civil Affairs Battalion, Sirvas served four years in various roles including as a team leader, operations officer, company executive officer, company commander and logistics staff officer. Sirvas' next assignment took him to Special Operations Command South in Puerto Rico for four years, where he served as a Civil Affairs planner and command group executive officer. Sirvas continued his career by commanding the U.S. Army Forces Battalion in support of Joint Task Force Bravo in Honduras and returned to the 95th Civil Affairs Brigade as deputy commander. In 2010, Sirvas was assigned to Regional Command West, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. There, he coordinated and synchronized U.S. support to stability and governance efforts in the Afghan provinces of Herat, Rarah, Badghis, and Ghor, and advised the commander and staff on matters pertaining to stability and governance. He also worked with Spanish, Lithuanian, Italian, and U.S. governments and agencies to implement programs supporting International Security Force Assistance joint command lines of effort in western Afghanistan. Sirvas returned to Fort Bragg to serve as the U.S. Army Special Operations Command chief of Concepts, Experimentation, and Science and Technology. He also directed the creation of a cross-organization planning team to review and develop recommendations to redesign the U.S. Army Reserve Civil Affairs structure to enhance the soldiers' career paths and their ability to support the conventional maneuver force commander. Furthermore, he directed the implementation of a Reserve Component Civil Affairs Captains' Career Course. After 28 years of Army service, Sirvas retired and continues to be of service to the military community through volunteer work, providing scholarships to military family members, donating to family readiness groups and assisting Civil Affairs soldiers and families after traumatic events. Retired Col. Ernesto Sirvas is inducted as a distinguished member of the civil affairs regiment during a ceremony Thursday, April 20, 2023, at Fort Bragg. Donald C. Barton first enlisted in the Army from 1974-1981 as an air defense artillery vulcan gunner and other positions. In 1981, he reenlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve and served at the 307 Psychological Operations Company in roles of increasing leadership until 1993. In 1993, Barton returned to active duty and served until his retirement in 2006. After 20 years of active service and 12 years of reserve service, Barton authored and coauthored several documents that established or revised more than seven Civil Affairs military occupational specialties. He's also provided analysis during the Civil Affairs Force Modernization Assessment. Barton is currently a Fayetteville resident. Donald Barton is inducted as an honorary member of the civil affairs regiment during a ceremony Thursday, April 20, 2023, at Fort Bragg. Spencer Meredith IlI serves as a professor of National Security Strategy at the National Defense University, College of International Security Affairs. He has spent more than half that time mentoring, advising, and educating the operational and institutional special operations forces. He provides regional expertise on Eastern Europe, Russian, Eurasian, and Middle Eastern politics, and their roles throughout the special operations community. He also serves as a subject-matter expert for several geographic combatant commands, the intelligence community, and joint special operations and frequently advises the U.S. Army Special Operations Command and subordinate units at Fort Bragg. Spencer Meredith III is inducted as an honorary member of the civil affairs regiment during a ceremony Thursday, April 20, 2023, at Fort Bragg. Meredith also has articles appearing in professional publications such as Strategy Bridge, Small Wars Journal, InterAgency Journal and Foreign Policy Journal. Staff writer Rachael Riley can be reached at rriley@fayobserver.com or 910-486-3528. Military and crime editor F.T. Norton contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Special operation forces induct notable veterans at Fort Bragg While homes and businesses across a swath of Oklahoma lay destroyed on Thursday morning following a destructive twister the night prior, toys, books and backpacks lay scattered across the yard of one Shawnee, Oklahoma, daycare. Severe weather unleashed a flurry of tornadoes Wednesday evening, a handful of which caused intense destruction across the Sooner State. The staff and children of Story Book Academy had long gone home for the day when the storm descended upon Shawnee, which is located less than 40 miles southeast of Oklahoma City. The building, however, did not escape unscathed. Strong winds had pried a significant portion of the roof from the structure and what remained bucked and bowed into whatever rooms were left standing. Several of the exterior walls had been knocked over like the walls of a doll house. Now, an important question remains. "I'm trying to figure out where our babies are going to go," Story Book Academy Program Director Cecelia Hardeman told AccuWeather National Reporter Bill Wadell. Just up the road, truck driver Jim Johnson had been trying to catch a few hours of sleep before an early morning delivery when his truck started rocking. "The truck was rocking and everything, and the next thing I know, I'm upside down, and there was stuff flying through the air and hitting me," Johnson told Wadell. It wasn't until the highway patrol came by and broke his window that he was able to escape the vehicle. GET THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP At the home of Micole Trimmer, the garage roof now sits on the patio after the tornado in Shawnee peeled it from the structure. The majority of the rest of the home's roof was also gone. Trimmer had been under two tornado warnings Wednesday night and took cover in the bathroom during both. While the first storm passed by the city, the second struck her neighborhood, slamming into her home. Story continues "Brick walls are solid; they shouldn't be moving, and they're just breathing like they had a life of their own," Trimmer said. "It was scary." A National Weather Service survey crew found EF2 tornado damage following the twister. But before the tornado hit, she described hearing the storm overhead, comparable to a freight train yet noticeably different. The thunder rumbled like wheels roaring against the track, and the hail crescendoed as the storm grew closer. Then everything went silent. "We thought it was over," Trimmer said. "And then you just realize you're in the center of it. And then all of a sudden, everything's coming at you. You start to feel the walls breathe, the cabinets are moving. You feel things piercing the roof and the walls." Some 40 miles southwest of Shawnee, at least three fatalities were confirmed in Cole, Oklahoma, following a large and destructive tornado. This made it the deadliest tornado day in Oklahoma since May 20, 2013, when 24 people were killed by an EF5 tornado that leveled the city of Moore. The tornado that hit Cole, while devastating, wasn't as strong as the Moore tornado. On Thursday morning, an NWS survey crew announced they had found EF3 tornado damage near the town. Meteorologists described the storm as having "erratic" behavior as the NWS office in Norman, Oklahoma, warned residents that the storm was exhibiting a Fujiwhara effect with circulations rotating around each other. The scene on the radar even had NWS meteorologists who had issued warnings during the Moore tornadoes in 1999 and 2013 surprised. "I've never seen something like this before," Alex Zwink, an NWS meteorologist at the Norman office, told Wadell. "Really kind of keys on that this is a very unique event that we saw happen." As the tornado roared through Cole, Ralina Vestle and her fiance grabbed their dogs and ran to the underground tornado shelter. The storm followed, straining the heavy shelter door that the two couldn't close and bending the frame. "We just hid down there behind the stairs, and I watched it all go over," Vestle said. "I watched that truck go over my head and everything." Bricks now mark the front doorstep of the home. The rest of the structure was leveled. Shawn Sullivan had been at home with his wife and two children when the storm rolled into Cole, Oklahoma. As he watched the radar, he said it had appeared like the storm would miss them up until it curled around and dipped down on top of them. "You could see the wind. The rain was going one way and the wind was going in another direction, and you could see it swirling, and I just saw it drop down," Sullivan told Wadell. "And then we just barely made it to the room." The family ran to the mudroom, which was located in the middle of the house and held the laundry utilities. After lofting a mattress over the washer and dryer, they took shelter in the space between and held on as the storm raged around them. The tornado leveled their home, snapping wooden beams, bulldozing over brick walls and crumpling the garage door. The house came down around the Sullivans, briefly trapping them. But they were alive. "It saved us," Sullivan said of the mudroom and set up with the mattress. "It saved us." Beams had fallen on top of where the family was taking shelter, but after about five minutes, Sullivan said they had found a hole to crawl out of. "I always thought it was going to be somebody else, you know?" he added. "Not this time." Reporting by AccuWeather National Reporter Bill Wadell. Want next-level safety, ad-free? Unlock advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts when you subscribe to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app.AccuWeather Alerts are prompted by our expert meteorologists who monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks 24/7 to keep you and your family safer. Under mounting pressure after a former prosecutor blew the whistle on what she called a "racism policy," State Attorney Jack Campbell says he will review cases from undocumented immigrants who believe they were denied a plea deal because of their race. He also wants recommendations for how to handle undocumented immigrants without a valid drivers license charged with misdemeanor traffic violations. Campbell told the Tallahassee Democrat Thursday that a junior prosecutor had misstated an office policy when he wrote "Hispanic" rather than "undocumented immigrant" in a "cheat sheet" on how to handle plea bargains for people with criminal histories. Campbell said the prosecutor, who has been reprimanded, left the document for other prosecutors when he transferred out of the Jefferson County office. By Friday, the story was drawing international attention to the state attorney's policy to exclude offenders without immigration papers from pre-trial diversion programs, where a conviction is avoided and a pathway to citizenship potentially blocked. State Attorney Jack Campbell, Second Judicial Circuit speaks at a press conference called by Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019. The ACLU Florida condemned the memo as large-scale racial profiling that puts people at risk of having their lives changed forever over minor offenses such as a traffic violation. The document came to light after a former prosecutor shared it with the Our Tallahassee website. How many Hispanic people have been adjudicated guilty solely due to their Hispanic heritage? How long has this practice been in existence? "said N.R. Hines, a criminal justice policy strategist at the ACLU of Florida. "How many State Attorney offices in the Second Judicial Circuit have similar discriminatory practices in place? Do other Judicial Circuits have these practices in place as well? We call on the Second Judicial Circuit to answer these questions, as well as complete a publicly available review of their staffing and charging protocols and impact. Story continues State attorney offers to review cases as he points to what he calls the bigger problem Campbell also said any resident in the six counties of the Second Judicial Circuit who believe they may have been denied an opportunity to keep their record clear of a conviction through participation in a diversion program to contact his office. We will take a good look at it, and if they were inappropriately handled, we will fix it as fast and as powerfully as I can, Campbell told WFSU radio. He contributes the confusion, anger, and fear that greeted the documents release to bad writing and a regrettable mistake, and says there is a bigger issue at play. There is a population of people in this country who are driving because they have to, who don't have a valid driver's license and are legally unable to get one. How do I as your State Attorney handle that problem? asked Campbell, Friday morning. Undocumented immigrants, regardless of race and ethnicity, are excluded from diversion programs because they lack a valid driver's license, said Campbell. Back story: Prosecutor's memo said Hispanics get tougher plea deals; state attorney calls it a mistake A copy of the document photographed in the State Attorneys Office in Jefferson County by Mackenzie Hayes. The policy to exclude undocumented immigrants from diversion programs exists because Campbell said he cant verify they are who they say they are. Campbell equates no drivers license with the impossibility to get automobile insurance, which raises public safety concerns. Florida does not permit undocumented immigrants from receiving a driver's license. Nineteen states do if an applicant provides certain documentation, such as a foreign birth certificate, foreign passport, or consular card and evidence of current residency in the state, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Immigration lawyer, public defender push back on policy Immigration lawyers and public defenders find Campbell's explanation lacking. Neil Rambana, a Tallahassee-based immigration lawyer, said there is nothing extraordinary about undocumented individuals in diversion programs in other Florida circuits. Public Defender Jessica Yeary wants an independent investigation into the State Attorney's handling of cases involving undocumented immigrants And, Jessica Yeary, the Public Defender for the Second Judicial Circuit, said she is unaware of a prohibition for undocumented immigrants in other circuits. Both Yeary and Rambana said Campbells policy appears to violate Section 242 of Title 18 of the U.S. Code of Law, which prohibits treating non-citizens more harshly than citizens. Campbell counters the section deals with aliens, registered with the federal government not undocumented immigrants. I have somebody who doesnt have a passport number, doesnt have a Mexican drivers license, a Canadian driver's license, doesnt have a foreign license, said Campbell, about suspects taken into custody for a traffic violation. Neil Rambana, an immigration lawyer, wants Campbell to organize a task force about his plea bargain policy and Hispanics Yeary said if Campbell has concerns about whether the suspect has a criminal history then the states Comprehensive Case Information database would flag any previous encounter with law enforcement. Calls for a task force, investigation mount Yeary wants an independent investigation into whether current procedures in the Second Judicial Circuit seek harsher sentences based solely on the suspects race. Rambana wants Campbell to create a task force consisting of an immigration attorney, a defense attorney, and a Hispanic community leader to address how cases involving immigrants are handled. Campbell is agreeable to finding a solution to the problem at the heart of the leaked inner office memo traffic cases involving undocumented immigrants driving without a license. Were trying to set up a task force to figure out a workaround, said Campbell. I did not become a prosecutor to give people a hard time about no valid drivers license, (but) in the 20 years, Ive been doing this, Ive never been able to find a solution for these people, said Campbell. James Call is a member of the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida Capital Bureau. He can be reached at jcall@tallahassee.com. Follow on him Twitter: @CallTallahasse This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida prosecutor faces investigation calls after 'racism policy' uproar A "fruit train" carrying 23 containers of durian and mangosteen arrived in southwest China's Kunming on Wednesday, as Thai exporters increasingly turn to the China-Laos Railway for quick access to the Chinese market. #GLOBALink Produced by Xinhua Global Service While most Americans are familiar with the stars and stripes of the U.S. flag, others may not know the details and symbols of the other 51 flags of the nation. Each state's flag is representative of its history and distinct symbols.Here are the 50 official state flags from Alabama to Wyoming, as well as Washington D.C., and their significances. 50 U.S. state flags, plus the District of Columbia Alabama Alabama state flag The Alabama state flag is white with a red cross of St. Andrew. This design was adopted in 1895. The flag's design was inspired by the Confederate battle flag. Alaska Alaska's state flag features eight gold stars, which form the Big Dipper and Polaris, against a dark blue backdrop. The Polaris, or North Star, on the flag is a symbol of Alaskas northern location. The Big Dipper is a symbol of strength, while the blue background represents the night sky. Arizona Arizona state flag The gold star on this state flag represents one of Arizona's five C's: copper. Arizona produces more copper than any other state in the nation. The 13 alternating gold and red stripes symbolize the sun. Blue and gold, which is featured on the flag, is also Arizona's state colors. Arkansas Arkansas was the first state in the U.S. to produce diamonds, hence the large diamond in the center of its state flag. The 25 white stars represent Arkansas being the 25th state to join the Union. The three blue stars under the states name symbolize represent the three nations Arkansas was part of before officially becoming a state: Spain, France and the U.S. The star above the word Arkansas represents the states membership in the Confederacy. California The California state flag adorns the state's official animal, the grizzly bear, which represents strength. The grizzly bear imagery was inspired by a 19th century painting by California artist Charles Nahl. Colorado The colors of Colorado's state flag represent the environmental features of the state. The white symbolizes the snowy mountains, gold for sunshine, red for the state's soil and blue for the sky. Story continues The "C" stands the state's name, the columbine (the state's flower) and centennial. Colorado became a state in 1876 the 100 year anniversary of American independence. What is your state song? All 50 states (except for one) have had an official song. Here's the list. Connecticut The three grapevines on the Connecticut state flag are believed to represent the three settlements (Windsor, Wethersfield, and Hartford) or three colonies (Connecticut, Saybrook and New Haven) which merged together to form the state. The state motto, Qui transtulit sustinet, is displayed in a white ribbon. It translates to he who transplanted still sustains." Delaware "December 7, 1787" displayed at the bottom of Delaware's state flag is the date Delaware became the first state of of the Union. The coat of arms contains several state symbols. The ship represents the shipbuilding industry and coastal trade. The militiaman symbolize the citizen-soldier who help maintain American liberties. The water represents the Delaware River. District of Columbia The flag of Washington D.C. is based on the Washington family's coat of arms, which has three red stars and two red stripes against a white background. Florida The seal represents the states environmental features, such as sunshine, palmetto trees, lakes and rivers. There is some controversy over the St. Andrews cross on Floridas state flag. In the late 1890s, Gov. Francis P. Fleming said a red cross be added to reduce the older flags appearance, which was simply white with the seal, to a flag of surrender. However, some believe its addition was based on the saltire in the Confederate battle flag. Just Curious: Your everyday questions, answered Georgia The 13 white stars surrounding Georgias coat of arms represent the state and the other 12 colonies which originally formed the U.S. The flag is reminiscent of the Confederate Stars and Bars with three broad red-white-red stripes and a blue a rectangular area. Hawaii Hawaii state flag The eight horizontal stripes on Hawaii's state flag represent the eight major islands that make up the state. The corner of the flag includes the Union Jack of the United Kingdom since the islands were once under Britains control. It is the only U.S. state flag to include a foreign country's national flag Do you know your state's official nickname? Here's the story behind all 50 state nicknames. Idaho Idaho's seal in the flag's center represents the state's main industries: mining, agriculture and forestry. It is also features the Idaho's geographic features, including mountains and lakes. Illinois The Illinois flag includes parts of the state seal, such as a rock on a stretch of land with water and a rising sun behind it. The seal also includes a shield with the national stars and stripes in the claws of a bald eagle. The red ribbon has the state motto: State sovereignty national union. The years 1818 and 1868 represent when Illinois became a state and for the first use of the state seal, respectively. Indiana The torch on Indianas state flag symbolizes liberty and enlightenment. The 13 stars in the outer circle represent the 13 original colonies. The five stars of the inner semi-circle are for the following five states that joined the Union. The large star above the torch is the 19th on the flag and is representative of Indiana being the 19th state. Iowa Each stripe color of the Iowa state flag has meaning. The blue stripe stands for loyalty, justice and truth. The white stands for purity, while the red is for courage. In the center, an eagle carries blue streamers with the states motto: Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain. Kansas The sunflower is for Kansas' state flower. The gold and blue bars underneath represent the Louisiana Purchase, of which Kansas was part. The 34 stars in the seal represent Kansas being the 34th state to join the U.S. The seal tells the history of the state through imagery including agriculture and American expansion. Kentucky The frontiersman and statesman in the seal represent the people of Kentucky: country and city inhabitants of 1792, when the state was joined the Union. The states motto is also displayed: United we stand, divided we fall. Louisiana The Louisiana flag features a pelican nurturing its young by tearing at its own breast, symbolizing sacrifice which is signified by three drops of blood. The ribbon underneath has the state motto: Union, Justice and Confidence. Maine Maines flag features symbols of the state's nature, including a pine tree. The white pine is Maines state tree, and The Pine Tree State is Maines nickname. The moose is Maine's state animal. The farmer represents the states agricultural roots, while the sailor is for the state's ties to the sea. Maryland The Maryland flag has the coat of arms of the Calvert and Crossland families. The gold and black coat of arms is for Lord Baltimore of the Calverts, who founded Maryland. During the Civil War, the Calvert coat of arms represented the people of Maryland who wanted to remain in the Union. The red and white are the Crossland colors and represented those who sympathized with the Confederacy. Massachusetts The Massachusetts flag has the states coat of arms, including an Indigenous man holding a bow and arrow. The arrow is pointed down, which symbolizes peace. The white star stands for Massachusetts being one of the original colonies. The ribbon has the state motto, which translates to By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty. Michigan The moose and elk represent Michigan, while the bald eagle symbolizes the United States. The Latin phrase E Pluribus Unum means From Many, One, for the U.S. being one nation made of many states. Tuebor means I Will Defend," which refers to the frontier position of Michigan. The flag also contains the state motto which translates to If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you. Minnesota The three dates woven into the wreath represent the year of statehood (1858), the year Fort Snelling was established (1819) and the year the original flag was adopted (1893). The 19 stars symbolize Minnesota being the 19th state to enter the Union after the original 13. The largest star at the top represents the North Star and Minnesota. The state motto translates from French to the star of the north, like the states nickname The North Star State. Mississippi The current Mississippi flag was adopted in 2021, after Mississippi residents voted to replace the 126-year-old Confederate-themed state flag, which featured the Confederate battle symbol. The flag features a white magnolia blossom, which is the Mississippi's state flower. The 20 stars, represent Mississippis admission to the Union as the 20th state. Missouri The colors of Missouri's flag have different meanings. The red stripe is for valor, the white stripe for purity and the blue stripe for justice, vigilance and permanency. The center features Missouris state seal encircled by 24 stars, representing Missouri being the 24th state to join the Union. The two grizzly bears symbolizes the state and its residents' courage and strength. The state motto is featured, translating to Let the welfare of the people be the supreme law. The helmet represents the power of the people of Missouri. Montana Montana's state flag. The state seal on Montana's flag features symbols of Montanas history and environment. The pick, shovel and plow, represent the states mining and farming history. A ribbon displays the state motto in Spanish, which translates to gold and silver." What is your state's official flower? Here's a list of the state flower for all 50 US states Nebraska Nebraska's state flag has its seal against a blue background. The seal features imagery that represents agriculture. The train cars on the flag are meant to head toward the Rocky Mountains. The state motto, Equality Before the Law," is featured. Nevada The Nevada flag features a silver star to symbolize the state's metal: silver. The star is between branches of sagebrush, the states flower. The phrase Battle Born refers to Nevada joining the Union during the Civil War. New Hampshire New Hampshires state flag features the state seal with the frigate Raleigh surrounded by laurel leaves. The nine stars symbolize New Hampshire being the ninth state to join the Union. New Jersey The colors of the New Jersey state flag, buff and Jersey blue, represent those chosen by George Washington during the Revolutionary War for the state's military. The state's seal is featured in the center. Its symbols represent agriculture and sovereignty. The horse head is for New Jerseys official state animal. The women on the flag are Liberty and Ceres, the Roman goddess of grain and a symbol of fruitfulness. New Mexico The New Mexico state flag has a modern interpretation of the ancient Zia sun. Four is the sacred number of the Zia, representing the four points of the compass, the four seasons of the year, the four periods of each day and the four stages of life. The colors on the state flag are the red and yellow, similar to the Spanish flag as New Mexico was part of Spanish Empire until the 19th century. Just Curious: We're here to help with life's everyday questions New York The New York state flag features its coat of arms. Lady Liberty and Justice support the shield, and Libertys left foot stands on a crown to represent freedom from Great Britain. Justice is blindfolded to symbolize impartiality and fairness. The state motto is displayed Latin, which means ever upward. North Carolina The date May 20, 1775 refers to the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence. The second date April 12, 1776 commemorates the Halifax Resolves, which was one of the first official calls for independence from Great Britain during the American Revolution. North Dakota The olive branch on North Dakotas state flag symbolizes peace. A ribbon features the state motto in Latin, which translates to out of many, one, in reference to the U.S. A shield with 13 stripes represents the original colonies. The state flag conforms to the color, design and size of the regimental flag used by North Dakota Infantry in the Spanish-American War in 1898. Ohio The Ohio state flag is the only non-rectangular U.S. state flag. Its unique swallowtail design was by John Eisemann. The blue triangle represents the states hills and valleys. The red and white stripes symbolize the roads and waterways of the state. The 13 white stars around the circle represent the original colonies and four at the apex of the triangle bring the total to 17, representing Ohio as the 17th state to join the Union. Oklahoma The blue background of Oklahomas state flag symbolizes devotion and loyalty. The traditional Osage buffalo-skin shield represents defensive or protective warfare. The olive branch, stands for the settlers, and the peace pipe, for Indigenous people, appear on top of the shield. Oregon Oregon's flag is the only state flag to have different designs on each side. Navy and gold are Oregons state colors. The front of the flag features the state seal. The year 1859 represents when Oregon was admitted to the Union. The 33 stars signify Oregon being the 33rd state to join the Union. The back of the flag has a beaver, the official state animal. Pennsylvania Pennsylvanias flag features its coat of arms, which represents commerce and agriculture. The two horses symbolize strength. The state motto Liberty, Virtue, Independence is on a red ribbon at the bottom. Rhode Island The 13 stars on Rhode Islands flag represent the 13 original colonies and Rhode Island being the 13th state to enter the Union. A gold anchor and blue ribbon with the state motto, Hope," are featured in the center. South Carolina South Carolina's state flag is based on the blue uniforms and white crescent badges crescent worn by its troops during the Revolutionary War. The flag also features the state tree: the palmetto. Did you know most states have an official dinosaur or fossil? It's true! Here's yours. South Dakota South Dakotas flag features its state seal, which symbolizes the states commerce, agriculture, industry and natural resources. The state motto, Under God the People Rule, appears on a ribbon. The year 1889 stands for when South Dakota officially became a state. Tennessee The stars on Tennessees flag represent the states "grand divisions": East, Middle and West Tennessee. They are placed in a circle to symbolize unity. Texas The Texas flag is the same as the 1839 Republic of Texas flag, from when the state was an independent nation. The single white star gave rise to Texas nickname, The Lone Star State. The red, white and blue of the state flag represent bravery, purity and loyalty, respectively. Utah The historic Utah state flag featured a bald eagle, the state motto and two dates: 1847 when Mormon pioneers first came to Utah and 1896: When Utah became the 45th state. The new state flag for Utah includes symbols for red rock, snowy mountains, blue skies and an industrious beehive. The five-pointed star beneath the beehive was proposed to represent the state's five historic Native American tribes. The state's new flag will be adopted as of March 9, 2024, after Utah legislature approved its bill for the governor's signature. The beehive flag is blue for the state's lakes and skies, red for the state's red rocks and white for its snowy mountain peaks. The beehive stands for Utah's history and community. The hexagon surrounding it represents strength and unity. The white star symbolizes hope and 1896, the year of Utah's statehood. Vermont The coat of arms on Vermonts flag represents the state's agriculture. The two pine needle branches symbolize those worn by the soldiers of Vermont during the Battle of Plattsburgh during the War of 1812. The deer head signifies the states wildlife. The state motto "Freedom and Unity" is also featured. Virginia The Virginia flag features its official state seal. The seal depicts the goddess Virtus, who represents Virginia. She is standing over a defeated tyrant. The state's motto is shown in Latin, which means Thus always to tyrants. Washington Washingtons flag is the only state flag to display an actual person: George Washington. Additionally, Washington is the only state with a flag that has a green background. West Virginia The West Virginia flag has its state motto in Latin, which translates to Mountaineers are always free. There is a wreath of rhododendron, which is the state flower, featured. June 20, 1863 represents when West Virginia became a state. Wisconsin The Wisconsin flag features the state's seal. The sailor and miner symbolizes the workers in the state. The tools signify the important trades: agriculture, mining, manufacturing and navigation. The badger, Wisconsin's state animal, is also shown. The year 1848 refers to when Wisconsin was joined the Union. The states motto Forward is displayed. Wyoming On Wyoming's flag is a bison, which is the state's official animal. The red border symbolizes the Indigenous people who first lived in the region. It also symbolizes the blood of those there. White represents purity, while blue stands for the states sky and mountains and signifies fidelity, justice and virility. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: US state flags: Every state flag (plus D.C.) and meaning behind each A bill that would eliminate cannabis tests as a condition of employment has passed the state legislature and now heads to Gov. Jay Inslees desk for his signature. Senate Bill 5123, sponsored by Sen. Karen Keiser (D-Des Moines), would only apply to pre-employment cannabis testing. Employers would still be able to maintain their drug-free workplace policies. The bill would not apply to applicants in the airline and aerospace industries or applicants for positions requiring federal government background investigations or security clearances. It comes down to discriminating against people who use cannabis, said Keiser, chair of the Senate Labor & Commerce Committee. For people using a legal substance, having a pre-employment test like this is just plain unfair, and we should stop it. If signed by Gov. Inslee, the bill will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2024. Photo Illustration by Kelly Caminero / The Daily Beast / Getty Save for perhaps Ohio, when you think of the music of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, its probably Stephen Stills songs you think of. And even if he didnt write them himself, they sure have his fingerprints all over them. Stephen was the most talented guy in CSNY, the late David Crosby once told me. He was the one who made those records happen. He was a force of nature. We fought a lot, but he usually won because he really knew how to make great records. At 78, Stills is, by his own admission, mellower and more thoughtful these days. But while he has slowed down considerably, the fire to make new music still burns hot, as he tells The Daily Beast below. The two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee is one of rocks most enduring figures, having influenced generations with his songwriting and guitar playing, both as a solo artist and as a member of Buffalo Springfield, CSNY, and Manassas. In fact, his innovative approach to both acoustic and electric guitar, combined with distinctive harmonies, helped create the iconic California sound via classic compositions like For What Its Worth, Love the One Youre With, Helplessly Hoping, Suite: Judy Blue Eyes, and Carry On. A true musicians musician, Stills first solo LP is the only album to have ever featured both Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton. Below, Stills talks about his Autism Speaks/Light Up The Blues benefit concert happening this weekend, the glory days of Buffalo Springfield and CSNY, his enduring friendship with Neil Young, and his new live album, Live At Berkeley 1971, taken from his legendary 71 tour. The Autism Speaks/Light Up The Blues shows have really grown over the last decade or so that you and Kristen [Stills, his wife] have been doing them. Tell me a little bit about how they started and why, and how you go about choosing the artists you ask to do them. Thats three questions. It is three. [Laughter.] Yes, I can count like a horse. Well, my son Henry has Aspergers [syndrome, a form of autism spectrum disorder], and that brought us into the world of the spectrum. And what Ive discovered about the spectrum is that all the best people are on it, including me and most of my friends. So theres a fine line between dysfunctional and interesting. And thats not to make light of it. It was a brand-new thing, and just becoming a little epidemic, when he was first diagnosed. There was a lot of mystery and false assumptions about it. And so weve tried to lay those to rest. For instance, there is no curebut theres coping. And theres lots that you can do to get to a normal life. There are varying degrees of it, of course, but like I said, if youre not on the spectrum, well, all the best people are. Story continues All the cool kids. Yeah. Exactly. And it seems in the decade youve been doing this, the perception has really changed, hasnt it? Yes, of course. But we cant go to sleep. Thats one of the reasons we keep doing the shows. God knows it eats up half my year. My wife Kristens the producer, of course, and shes gotten very adept at it, and she has a really good staff and everything. But getting artists this year was difficult because once the pandemic broke, everybody was like, Oh, I want to work, I want to work, I want to work. So a lot of people were booked. But a lot of people were playing fairly close to the gig [in Los Angeles], so we were able to nab them. So I guess it worked out. Remembering David Crosby: Freak, Asshole, and Forever Icon Oh, any hints? Willie Nelson, for one. And of course Neil Young, who sort of handed this off to me, the big charity thing. He wrapped up his Bridge School Benefit and said, OK, Stephen, its your turn. It really is a labor of love, but its a labor. Its just a lot. And Id especially like to reassure everybody that were raising money for the right organization and the right cause. But the place is small, so the thing sold out quick. Well have to do it again, but not till next year. But Willie has a show at the Hollywood Bowl, like, two weeks later, and Neil and I are going to drop in on his show, or so the Soviet commies would have us believe. The disinformation campaign. Yes, well, God help us if Neil Young became predictable. [Laughter.] Well, lets talk about that. That is an enduring partnership. Through all the ups and downs of Buffalo Springfield, and all the ups and downs of CSNY, you guys have always seemed to be able to work together in a musical partnership that really endures. Talk a little about why that partnership works so well from your point of view. While we were children, we were mad. [Laughter.] Hotheaded kids. Yeah. It was Fort William, Ontario, which is now known as Thunder Bay. I was there with another little folk group. We were headliners and we did two shows on Saturdays, and this guy Gordy, who was the head of the thing, said, Oh, Ive got this pal I want to put in between you. And it was Neil. He was doing exactly what I was doing in New York City, which was write folk songs with an electric guitar. [What] Neil was doingit was fabulous. It was an eye-opener, and the band was sort of at loose ends, so we spent a week together, being introduced to each other and Neil introducing me to Canada, and weve been pals ever since. And that is an enduring thing. I mean, whatever happened, we were always pals. Why do you think that relationship works so well? Well, because when we met, we were children. We were too young to hold grudges and all that stuff. And we were never that competitive, because we were so different. Although there were a few moments on lead guitar, but I dont know. We dont misunderstand each other. With everything else, Neil and I always knew who we were together. Were brothers. And brothers, you know, disagree, and get back with each other. Crosby used to talk about how we butted heads, and I call them glancing blows, but we ended up numb-skulled due to them. And anyway, we didnt spend enough time together! You know, I just saw, last night, for the first time in years, the directors cut of Woodstock. And thats the funniest fucking movie Ive ever seen. At 78, looking back on that, I was rolling. I was howling at how naive and how earnest we all were. Baby-faced. Yeah. Well, I miss that chin. [Laughter.] And I was also very, very liquid. And I had more hair. And could sing higher and lower. Actually, I guess I can sing lower now. But it was hilarious because I was thinking about [how], you know, they were trying to force negotiations with the Vietnamese, and I kept thinking to myself, Well, they were quaking in their boots watching this shit. [Laughter.] Just, you know, ironies abounded. It was at once startling, embarrassing, and exhilarating at the same time, to see all of us and what we were about back then. We were certainly earnest in our search for enlightenment. David Johansen Takes Us Inside His Personality Crisis Yeah. The beginning of the journey. Its a beautiful thing. Youve obviously performed as a duo with Neil many times, and although Graham will be in Pittsburgh on the night of the show, I have to imagine Davids spirit is going to loom large. Your son Chris, who was going to tour with David, will be there, and Davids son James Raymond will be performing. Talk about all the legacy thats going to be on stage at this show. We dont have time. Moving on! [Laughter.] Because everybody booked themselves, we didnt have a time to rehearse. But Ive got Promise of the Real backing me, and those kids, I cant say enough about them. Theyre just great. Theyve got the one thing you cant teach, which is attitude. Theyre wide open and just positive. And nothings personal. So I can go through the nitpicking that it takes to put together some of my arrangements, and they dont think twice about it, and they keep trying until we get it. Its been real refreshing for me, because were all rusty. Neil and I spent the first two weeks of rehearsing, just the two of us, trying to remember all the Buffalo Springfield songs and then playing the records and going, Oh my God. That wasnt even close! [Laughter.] So well be doing a couple of those. Its going to be neat. Of course, Neils more interested in acoustic stuff, and Im committed to the band. I really like playing in electric music, as you know. Henry Diltz You brought up working with a band. I want to talk about the new live album. Ive always loved your 1975 live album, which was actually taken from the same 71 tour, but this album is much longer, and its warts and all. The performances are just as they were, so the feel and the vibe of it is amazing. Talk a little bit about that 71 tour and why it took so long for this particular show to see the light of day. Well, Id forgotten about it. [Laughter.] Actually, we found it during a deep dive in the vault. And the first thing that struck us was that the recording is just great. The horn players, The Memphis Horns, were great. And Steve Fromholz, even though he was far too big to have as a partner for mehe was, like, [Mike] Finnigan-sizedhe and I were a great blend on guitar. So this is the rest of that era, and yeah, some of the singing is like, I dont know, I think I closely resemble an irritated dog. [Laughter.] And everything is real fast and it has a lot of energy. But its real powerful, too. Dallas Taylor [the drummer] had a lot to do with that feel. I would design the arrangements and then I would go back up in the balcony of the theater where we rehearsed and Id watch while Dallas put the band through their paces. It was just fabulous. What a great ensemble. I want to talk about your playing. Im not sure younger musicians, or even younger fans, realize how highly regarded you were among your peers at the time. You were playing with Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton. You were in that league, as far as they were concerned. But does it bother you that younger fans may know you for the songs but might not think of you as a first-class guitarist first? What do you mean, were? [Laughter.] Well, youre still here, so you get to tell the tale. Well, I just spoke to Eric last week, so those relationships and that respect is still there. Now, Im stealing from Jeff Beckthings like front tension and using the volume knob and really intricate stuff. Though Ill never be as good as Jeff Beck. Ever. Well, thats a whole other We lost the greatest one of all, I think, this year. Agree. He was fabulous, although he was very hard to track down and play with because he was the original I quit the band to work on my car. He literally did that. Wheres Jeff? He went home. Why? Well, he got the new small box Chevy and he wanted to build it and put it in the 32. He was like that, meticulous and mercurial, but a great guy. Were going to miss him. So anyway, theres a lot of that in my playing now. I was pretty good back then, but Im better now, and have some sober time under my belt, so Im playing with a lot more clarity. Ive picked up the banjo again. And I dont get to play bass on stage, but I play a lot on the records. I love playing bass. Talk a little bit about your songwriting process. There are some amazing songs on this record, songs from the Springfield records and CSNY, but your first couple of solo records and Manassas were really amazing achievements. Do you even remember your writing process from that time? No. [Laughter.] I went on a tear. I mean, I had a decade of just nonstop productivity and then started running out of gas. Now, they come a little slower, but theyre a little more thoughtful and much better lyrically. Although some of those lyrics are pretty good, theres some bad rhymes in there. Oof. Theres some stinkers. But thats just me. I had a great time doing it, when the songs would just fall out. Some of them would happen in 15 minutes and some of them would happen in five months, as I was crafting them and trying to nail that illusive third verse. Id love to know what we might expect from you after this. Will you be working with Neil? Will you maybe be making another record? Maybe with Judy Collins again? I have no idea. Honestly. Im waiting for the next thing to appear. I mean, you cant get me away from here, now that Ive gotten used to being a homebody and sitting down with my children at night for dinner. But once the youngest finally goes away to college, then Ill be an empty nester and Ill probably be out there more. But travel just sucks these days. And the thought of a 14-hour bus ride is frightening. But well see what happens. 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. A gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport saw nearly $15 million of the stuff disappear Monday, in a case that so far has authorities at a loss. Peel Regional Police disclosed the theft at a press conference Thursday, revealing that a high-value container seemed to have gone missing after it was unloaded from an aircraft and moved to a cargo holding facility Monday evening. Peel Police Inspector Stephen Duivesteyn described the container as roughly five square feet in size. Whoever took it did so by illegal means, Duivesteyn said. Sources told the Toronto Sun the thieves made off with as much as 3,600 pounds of gold, worth in excess of $100 million, though Duivesteyn told reporters the haul was (relatively) less lucrative. It did contain gold, but was not exclusive to gold and contained other items of monetary value, he said. Peel Police Inspector Stephen Duivesteyn speaks to the media on the theft at Toronto Pearson International Airport. Peel Police Inspector Stephen Duivesteyn speaks to the media on the theft at Toronto Pearson International Airport. The Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) emphasized in a statement that the heist occurred at a third-party warehouse outside of our primary security line. Whoever stole the loot didnt access Toronto Pearson itself and did not pose a threat to passengers or staff, GTAA said. As for speculation that organized crime might be to blame, Duivesteyn preached caution. Were three days in, so our investigators have their eyes open to all avenues, he said. Were kind of keeping a broad outlook on it, so were looking on all angles on how this item was stolen. Murray Faulkner, a retired London, Ontario, police chief, told Canadas CTV News hes optimistic theyll catch whoevers responsible. He said the ample security footage, coupled with a limited number of people who knew of the shipments whereabouts and value, will likely lead to a limited and easily identified number of individuals. Obviously, if this is at least a meter big, its not something you can pick up and put in your pocket, said Faulkner. It probably required a number of individuals to lift it or, in fact, even a forklift. Related... LOMITA, Calif. A beachgoer found herself trapped by Californias rising tide during a recent hike, but her dying phone provided a last-minute call for help. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said they received a call at their Lomita Station late Monday evening from a young woman who got lost along the coastline. Deputies said the tide had rolled in, and she could not safely leave. "Adding to her predicament, she didn't know where she was, and her cell phone died while help was on the way," the sheriff's office said. COLORADO MAN FOUND DEAD DAYS AFTER TEXTING FAMILY HE WAS LOST IN MOUNTAINS When deputies arrived on the scene, they began searching nearly two miles of coastline. First responders said they were finally able to locate her but were unable to reach her. The Los Angeles County Fire Department was then called. Teams attempted to reach the stranded hiker on foot, but were thwarted by the same tides that originally stranded the woman. Authorities were prepared to scale the cliff's side, but it proved to be very dangerous, deputies said. "Finally, air assets from Los Angeles County Fire Department were requested," the sheriffs office said. "Deputies and firefighters on scene were amazed as they watched the helicopter land literally in the surfline on the rocks in order to affect a rescue." Deputies said after the stranded beachgoer was rescued, she was transported to an area hospital with minor injuries. A stunt in a Florida high school parking lot ended with a student being thrown from a car roof, according to a video and a police report. Video shared on TikTok shows a teenager sitting on the roof of a car as it speeds through a parking lot before crashing into another vehicle, which sends the student sliding across the front windshield. Deputies responded to Lake Mary High School in Lake Mary just before 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 19, and arrested the 18-year-old driver, according to a report from the Seminole County Sheriffs Office. The 18-year-old drove an Infinity G37 through the high schools main parking lot during dismissal while another student clung to the roof, the report says. The driver excessively accelerated his vehicle out of its parking space and into the travel lane at a high rate of speed, the report says. The driver then tried to make a right turn but lost control and crashed into a GMC Acadia that was in a parking space, according to the sheriffs office. A person sitting in the Acadia and preparing to back out hit his head on the drivers side window when the other car collided, according to the sheriffs office. The blow caused a large swollen contusion to the left side of his forehead, the report says. Several students witnessed the crash and recorded it on their cellphones. A spokesperson for Seminole County Public Schools called the stunt incredibly reckless and dangerous. It is important for our students to understand that there are consequences for poor choices and bad behavior and students who choose to behave in this manner will be held accountable, the spokesperson said in a statement. The 18-year-old driver was charged with reckless driving and crimes against a person with culpable negligence to inflict harm, according to the report. His bond was set at $1,000. Story continues Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma said in a statement that he had zero tolerance for these types of incidents. Not only was this event (reckless), but it was also an incredibly dangerous activity that put multiple lives in immediate danger, the statement says. The end of the school year is a time of the year we often see stunts like these increase. Lake Mary is about 20 miles north of Orlando. Lake Mary High School serves grades 9-12 and enrolls nearly 2,700 students, according to U.S. News and World Report. Substitute writes racial slur on whiteboard, TikTok shows. Nevada district fires him High school aide hid students illegally owned guns, ammunition for him, Florida cops say Substitute teacher, student charged after classroom brawl at NC high school, cops say Jack Sweeney and Elon Musk. Jack Sweeney/Getty Images The student who tracks Elon Musk's private jet said his Facebook page was taken down on Wednesday. Jack Sweeney said Facebook cited "impersonation" for the decision, which he didn't understand. He said he would appeal against Facebook's decision and try to get his account restored. The college student who tracks Elon Musk's private jet said his Facebook page was taken down Wednesday for "impersonation." In a text message exchange with Insider, Sweeney said he didn't know why the social media company had unpublished his page. "I don't know what it is if it's because I'm using his name it's weird," he said. The University of Central Florida student shared a screenshot of the notice he was sent, notifying him that his page had been "unpublished" because "Elon Musk's jet goes against our Community Standards on impersonation." Sweeney said he planned to appeal against Facebook's decision in a bid to restore his account. However, the account called Elon Musk's Jet was reactivated on Friday, he told Insider. Facebook did not respond to a request for comment from Insider. Jack Sweeney's Facebook page about Elon Musk's jet was taken down for "impersonation." Jack Sweeney It's not the first time Sweeney gone into battle with social media companies to keep his accounts online. Early last year Musk offered Sweeney $5,000 to stop sharing flight information online. The student said he would stop for $50,000, but that Musk never followed up on his offer. Sweeney's accounts use bots to scrape and post publicly available flight data that anyone could find on ADS-B Exchange. When Musk announced his plan to buy Twitter, Sweeney expressed concern about the prospect of his accounts being banned. At the time, he said he created backup pages on Facebook and Instagram. After Sweeney's @ElonJet Twitter account did get banned in December, he began tweeting flight data with a 24-hour delay at @ElonJetNextDay to adhere to the social media app's updated private information policy that restricted users from sharing individuals' live locations. Story continues Twitter also suspended more than 30 other accounts that used public flight data to track the movements of private jets used by prominent individuals such as Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Meanwhile, Sweeney previously told Insider that the Twitter owner "seems really bothered" by his account following an interview that Musk gave to BBC News on April 11. Read the original article on Business Insider Military generals on both sides of the fighting in Sudan agreed to a temporary truce Friday, which coincides with the Muslim Eid al-Fitr holiday, marking the end of Ramadan. Explosions and gunfire rocked the capital city of Khartoum earlier that morning and the preceding days before Sudanese Armed Forces Commander Gen. Abdel Fattah al Burhan claimed the sides had agreed to a 24-hour ceasefire. His rival, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, led by Commander Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, announced a "humanitarian truce for a period of 72 hours" for Eid al-Fitr to allow for evacuations. "Based on international, regional, and local understandings, we agreed to a humanitarian truce for a period of 72 hours, starting from six o'clock this morning," said the Rapid Support Forces. "We note that the truce coincides with the blessed Eid Al-Fitr and to open humanitarian corridors to evacuate citizens and give them the opportunity to greet their families." US CITIZEN KILLED IN SUDAN AMID HEAVY INFIGHTING: STATE DEPARTMENT Previously proposed pauses over the past week have failed to last. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP The Sudanese Armed Forces top general also declared on Friday that the military would commit to a civilian-led government, seemingly pointing to an end of hostilities between the two military groups. In his first speech since the conflict engulfed Sudan nearly a week ago, Burhan pledged a "safe transition to civilian rule." "We are confident that we will overcome this ordeal with our training, wisdom and strength," Burhan said Friday, promising to create "security and unity of the state." SUDAN CONFLICT: US CONDUCTS PRUDENT PLANNING AS VIOLENCE ESCALATES He added: "Ruin and destruction and the sound of bullets have left no place for the happiness everyone in our beloved country deserves." The Rapid Support Forces also sent their "warmest congratulations and blessings to the masses" on Friday as it celebrated the holiday. The group also said it longed for "more security, stability and development" for Sudan. Story continues "The Rapid Support Command would like to send a special message to the honorable members of the Armed Forces, officers, non-commissioned officers and soldiers. It is time to align with the choice of the people who aspire to democratic transformation, and we have followed hundreds of you leaving the battlefield and returning safely to their homes. We commend this step and welcome the others who still bear arms," the paramilitary group said. It continued: "We affirm our commitment, during the period of the declared armistice, to a complete cease-fire, and we warn against the continuous transgressions of the other party in not adhering to the declared armistice." The remarks come amid pleas and coordination from international groups, including the United States, to end brutal fighting between his forces and the powerful opposing paramilitary group. On Thursday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged respite from the persistent violence. JAPAN TO EVACUATE CITIZENS FROM SUDAN AS INFIGHTING ESCALATES Blinken met with African, Arab, and regional and international partners and organizations for a "special ministerial session under the leadership of African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki," State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel told Fox News. The leaders unanimously agreed on the "urgent need for an Eid al-Fitr ceasefire in Sudan to alleviate the suffering of the Sudanese people and to pave the way for a more permanent ceasefire." Blinken also spoke directly with General Burhan and, separately, with General Dagalo. United States Secretary of State Antony John Blinken delivers a speech in the Europa building, the EU Council headquarter on April 4, 2023 in Brussels, Belgium. The Secretary of State "condemned the indiscriminate fighting that has caused significant civilian deaths and injuries and damage to essential infrastructure," Patel said. "He urged both military leaders to implement and uphold a nationwide ceasefire and sustain it through at least the end of Eid al-Fitr, Sunday, April 23." He also "expressed grave U.S. concern about the risk to civilians, humanitarian and diplomatic personnel, including U.S. personnel. He underscored that the people of Sudan and the regional and international community are speaking with one voice about the need to end the violence and demanded that the two military leaders heed that voice." The Associated Press contributed to this report. By Khalid Abdelaziz and Nafisa Eltahir KHARTOUM (Reuters) - Sporadic shelling rang out late on Friday in Sudan's capital even though warring factions announced a truce, while one force said it was willing to allow airports to reopen for the evacuation of foreign nationals. The United Nations, U.S., UK, Japan, Switzerland, South Korea, Sweden and Spain have said they were making preparations or attempting to remove their personnel after almost a week of violence. Forces commanded by two previously allied leaders of Sudan's ruling council began a violent power struggle last weekend. Hundreds have died, and a nation reliant on food aid has been tipped into what the United Nations calls a humanitarian catastrophe. Artillery fire continued in Khartoum late on Friday, a Reuters witness said, though less intense than earlier in the day. The fighting dealt the latest blow to international attempts to end the fighting. The army and its adversary, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), said separately they agreed to a three-day truce to enable people to celebrate the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr. "The armed forces hope that the rebels will abide by all the requirements of the truce and stop any military moves that would obstruct it," an army statement said. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged the combatants to honour the truce, and said Sudan's military and civilian leadership must urgently start negotiations on a sustainable ceasefire to prevent further damage to the country. RSF chief Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, better known as Hemedti, said early on Saturday that he had received a phone call from U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres. The two "emphasised the necessity of adhering to a complete ceasefire and providing protection for humanitarian and medical workers, especially U.N. staff as well as regional and international organisations," Hemedti said in a post on his official Facebook account. Story continues The RSF said late on Friday it was ready to partially open all of Sudan's airports so foreign governments could evacuate their nationals. The group said in a statement it would "cooperate, coordinate and provide all facilities that enable expatriates and missions to leave the country safely." It was unclear to what extent the RSF controls Sudan's airports. The Khartoum airport has been caught in the fighting with aircraft burning on the tarmac, and commercial airlines halted flights several days ago. Soldiers and gunmen from the RSF shot at each other all day in neighbourhoods across the city, including during the call for special early morning Eid prayers, with gunfire punctuated by the thud of artillery and air strikes. Drone footage showed smoke across Khartoum and its Nile sister cities, together one of Africa's biggest urban areas. The World Health Organization on Friday reported 413 people had been killed and 3,551 injured since fighting broke out six days ago. The death toll includes at least five aid workers. EVACUATIONS STYMIED In Washington, the State Department said without elaborating that one U.S. citizen had been killed in Sudan. U.S. citizens in Sudan should not expect a U.S.-government coordinated evacuation, deputy State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel said, adding that citizens there should make their own arrangements to stay safe. U.S. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said no decision had been made on airlifting U.S. government staff out of the country, but U.S. forces were positioned near Sudan to assist. Reuters reported on Thursday troops were sent to a U.S. base in Djibouti. "We've deployed some forces into theatre to ensure that we provide as many options as possible if we are called on to do something. And we haven't been called on to do anything yet," Austin told a news conference at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. RUNNING OUT OF FOOD AND WATER The fighting has made it difficult for Sudanese people to leave their homes to obtain supplies or join the droves departing Khartoum. "An increasing number of people are running out of food, water, and power, including in Khartoum," the UN humanitarian office said. Khartoum resident Mohamed Saber Turaby, 27, had wanted to visit his parents 80 km (50 miles) from the city for the Muslim Eid al-Fitr holiday. "Every time I try to leave the house, there are clashes," he said. "There was shelling last night and now there is presence of army forces on the ground." Army troops brandishing semi-automatic weapons were greeted by cheers on one street, a video released by the military on Friday showed. Reuters verified the location of the video, in the north of the city, but could not verify when it was filmed. Fighting extended down Medani Street, the main highway leading from Khartoum to Al Gezira state being used by those fleeing, as the RSF appeared to withdraw towards rural villages on the outskirts of Khartoum, witnesses told Reuters. Sudan borders seven countries and sits between Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia and Africa's volatile Sahel region. The hostilities risk fanning regional tensions. The violence was triggered by disagreement over an internationally backed plan to form a new civilian government four years after the fall of autocrat Omar al-Bashir and two years after a military coup. Both sides accuse the other of thwarting the transition. (Reporting by Khalid Abdelaziz in Khartoum, Nafisa Eltahir, Mariam Rizk and Aidan Lewis in Cairo, Clauda Tanios in Dubai, Emma Farge in Geneva, Daphne Psaledakis in Washington; Writing by Frank Jack Daniel, William Maclean and Cynthia Osterman; Editing by Peter Graff, Nick Macfie, Grant McCool, Deepa Babington and William Mallard) There is a sombre mood as people mark the end of the fasting month of Ramadan Street battles are being fought by Sudan's rival forces in the capital, Khartoum, in an escalation of violence despite calls for a ceasefire to mark the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr. The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) said they had agreed to a three-day truce and several hours later the army did the same. But bombing, shelling and gunfire continue. At least 400 people have been killed in a week of fighting. It is the result of a bitter power struggle between two factions of the Sudanese military leadership over how the country should be run. A Sudanese employee of the UN's International Organization for Migration has been killed in crossfire south of El Obeid, some 430km (270 miles) south-west of Khartoum, the agency says. The army says it has deployed more weapons and soldiers to "comb" the streets looking for members of the rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Khartoum's international airport is still closed but the European Union says it is planning for a possible evacuation of the 1,500 or so EU nationals in the city. Other foreign embassies - the US, UK and Japan included - have so far been unable to bring their citizens home. On Friday US Army General Mark Milley, who heads the US military, discussed the safety of Americans in Sudan with the army commander, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, as the US considers evacuating its embassy staff. Earlier on Friday residents in Khartoum said it felt like a ghost town, in stark contrast to the joyful mood usually seen during Eid. People there and in the twin city of Omdurman told the BBC they were still feeling a mixture of shock and anger. Two women crying at the entrance to a mosque explained they had lost several family members - including two children. Story continues Eid is the Muslim festival marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan - and Sudanese people usually relish it as a time for visiting family and eating together with their neighbours, while children play and enjoy sweets. Prayer services would normally be packed on Eid, but on Friday many mosques in Khartoum and Omdurman were almost empty as people sheltered at home. Others have fled the capital for their home regions. But this is not an option for Mahasin Dahab and her family. She told the BBC's Newsday programme she cares for a disabled relative who would find it "extremely uncomfortable" to leave the city, plus there was a risk that people elsewhere could be less accepting of him. So she is staying put for the time being, despite running out of water and grieving the deaths of colleagues and neighbours. At its heart, this is a power struggle between two powerful military men over the roadmap for returning the country to civilian rule following the 2019 coup that toppled long-time leader Omar al-Bashir. As part of that plan the country's current military government - made up of the army led by General Burhan and the RSF led by Mohamed Hamdan "Hemedti" Dagalo - were supposed to merge their forces. But the RSF has resisted this change, and began to mobilise its troops which escalated into full-blown fighting between the two sides last Saturday. Thousands of people have been injured in the past week but medical centres are overwhelmed and under-equipped to treat the influx of patients - the fighting has left 70% of hospitals in conflict zones out of service, according to the Sudan Doctors' Trade Union. Along with Khartoum, the western region of Darfur, where the RSF first emerged, has also been badly affected by the fighting. "The situation is catastrophic - the majority of the wounded are civilians who were hit by stray bullets, and many of them are children," said a Medecins Sans Frontieres worker at the only hospital still functioning in Fasher town, North Darfur state. The UN has warned that up to 20,000 people - mostly women and children - have fled Sudan to seek safety in Chad, across the border from Darfur. Diplomatic pressure is being stepped up to end the fighting - with numerous countries and international bodies calling for an immediate ceasefire and offering to mediate. Two previous attempted ceasefires failed to take effect. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday appealed to the warring military leaders separately to join a ceasefire at least until Sunday - warning of the risk to civilians as well as humanitarian and diplomatic workers. A Sudanese army statement said Gen Burhan had received calls from the Turkish, South Sudanese and Ethiopian leaders, as well as Mr Blinken and the Saudi and Qatari foreign ministers. However, in his first national TV address since the fighting started, on Friday morning, Gen Burhan did not mention a ceasefire. Additional reporting by George Wright and Paul Adams Northern Filipinos voice opposition to U.S. military expansion in region Xinhua) 09:47, April 21, 2023 MANILA, April 20 (Xinhua) -- The people of Cagayan province in the northern Philippines plan to hold more rallies to oppose the expanding military presence of the United States in the region. A local newspaper, The Northern Forum, reported that more than 1,000 people led by Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba gathered at a public park of Tuguegarao City on Monday to express their protest against the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites in Northern Luzon where U.S. troops can train and position military equipment and supplies. According to the newspaper, it was the first of the planned anti-EDCA rallies this month. The protesters, representing different sectors including government officials, carried colorful placards, demanding "No to U.S. bases in Cagayan!" Mamba appealed to the national government to heed his constituents' call to deny U.S. access to two military facilities in his province. The governor said two EDCA sites in Cagayan could drag the province into the rising tension in the region. "To us here in Cagayan, EDCA is tantamount to war," Mamba said. Clarita Lunas, a retired government employee, was among those who initiated the first rally. The newspaper quoted her as saying that their group will make the rounds of villages to educate the people on the perils of the EDCA sites. The Philippines is a treaty ally of the United States. However, the Philippine constitution bars the presence of foreign military bases, troops, or facilitates on Philippine soil. Signed in 2014, the EDCA allows increased U.S. forces, ships, aircraft, and equipment in the Philippines and greater access to Philippine military facilities on a rotational basis. In February, the Philippines allowed U.S. military access to four additional military sites on top of the five previously agreed locations nationwide. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan) SEOUL/TOKYO, April 21 (Xinhua) -- South Korea on Friday expressed regret over Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida sending a ritual offering to the war-related Yasukuni Shrine, seen as a symbol of Japanese militarism. The foreign ministry said in a statement that the Seoul government expresses deep disappointment and regret over Japan's leaders once again paying tribute or respects at the Yasukuni Shrine, which glorifies Japan's war of aggression and enshrines war criminals. The ministry noted that the South Korean government urges the leaders of Japan to confront history and show their humble reflection and sincere remorse for Japan's past affairs through actions. Earlier in the day, Kishida sent a ritual offering of a masakaki tree under his name as Japanese prime minister on the occasion of the shrine's two-day spring festival. Katsunobu Kato, minister of Health, Labour, and Welfare, also sent an offering to the shrine. The Yasukuni Shrine, located in central Tokyo, honors 14 convicted Class-A Japanese war criminals from World War II. It has long been a source of diplomatic friction for Japan and its neighbors. Visits and ritual offerings made by Japanese officials to the controversial shrine have consistently sparked criticism and hurt the feelings of the peoples of China, South Korea and other countries brutalized by Japan during the war. The family and friends of a British national stranded in Sudan are calling on the government to bring her home. Rita El-Gazali, from Bournemouth, flew to Khartoum to visit her sick and elderly father but now cannot leave after street battles broke out. Clashes began between the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group and the Sudanese army on 15 April. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) said it was in touch with British nationals there. Sarra Elkhalifa, Ms El-Gazali's daughter, said she was worried about her mother's safety. She told the BBC: "At any point she could be shot, killed, attacked - the worst things you could imagine upon someone could happen to her. "There is the risk for her life, her safety, her mental health, having to cope with all this. It's awful what she's going through." Civilians are bearing the burnt of the fighting as rival military factions bombard each other The family have managed to have brief phone conversations with Ms El-Gazali but are struggling with the lack of connectivity. Ms Elkhalifa said: "I don't know how she really is or how she's even coping. You can just hear how sad and depressed she is and you can hear bombs going off in the background." Ms El-Gazali found herself near the epicentre of the fighting and during a short ceasefire was able to escape to another property with her 82-year-old father. But when the house next door was attacked they were forced to flee once more. Sarra Elkhalifa says she can hear bombs in the background when she is able to reach her mother on the phone Ms Elkhalifa appealed to the British government to help. "I understand it's a very difficult and dangerous situation but I know they will have to do something," she said. "They have a duty of care... get them on a plane... get them out now." Beatriz Brooks said she was "very concerned" for her friend of more than 20 years, who she described as having a "huge heart". "She's trying to maintain her sense of humour and be positive about it, but... it's very, very difficult," she explained. "In the beginning they didn't have any feedback from the embassy. The only thing they said is keep yourself indoors, and they did, until the house next door [blew up]." Story continues A Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office spokesperson said: "We are continuing to communicate with British nationals trapped in Khartoum and across the country to gather crucial information on their whereabouts and relay our latest advice. "We advise all British Nationals in Sudan to remain indoors and follow our travel advice for further updates." After a week of fighting between the two factions more than 400 people have been killed. The two sides had been sharing power with the head of the army, Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, as de facto leader, and the head of the RSF, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, as his deputy. A view a damaged shop during clashes between rival military factions in Khartoum, Sudan - 20 April 2023 As two generals slug it out in Sudan with little thought to the devastation they are causing, there is a whole grassroots network of people tirelessly helping those caught in the crossfire. "Anyone know a family in need of foodstuffs within the borders of Omdurman al-Thawrat?" tweets a dental student in the capital, Khartoum. The message goes on to give out a number, saying flour, rice and pasta are available. Khartoum and its surrounds has a population of around 10 million people and for nearly a week they have had no water or electricity, most hunkering down inside - away from windows in case of incoming fire. Most of the city's hospitals are closed and more than 300 civilians have been killed. To get any supplies people must venture outside to find a shop that has some stock - and there are accounts of a dreadful stench now coming from the dead bodies that litter the streets. WhatsApp groups, Facebook and Twitter are alive with offers of help for those who find themselves without food or medication or giving information about safe routes to leave the city. Most of them - and those messages with pleas for help - are accompanied by the hashtag #NoToWar. "Currently, we have 750 food baskets available. One basket is enough for a family of six people," another Khartoum tweeter posts. Others have been collating invaluable information, like a lengthy list sent out by @Jia_Elhassan about where water can currently be found in different areas of the city. This message accompanies an address and phone number listed as one of five places in Omdurman: "Anyone who needs water, our house is open for them 24 hours." People are desperate to find water with many areas cut off since Saturday Someone else puts out a tweet with a photo of insulin pens available, along with his phone number. 'Terrified orphans at risk' Much of this altruism is led by young volunteers operating at a local neighbourhood level by what are called "resistance committees". There are thousands of them across the country. Story continues They have been the backbone of a pro-democracy movement that rose up following the ousting of long-time leader Omar al-Bashir in 2019, calling for a return to full civilian rule. Civilians are bearing the burnt of the fighting as rival military factions bombard each other Their task has mainly been to organise peaceful protests against the military junta. Last Sunday, the co-ordinating body of Khartoum's resistance committees sent out a message to "revolutionaries in the neighbourhoods" asking them to prepare to help fellow residents. In particular they were asked to form "medical rooms to deal with possible injuries", to monitor food supplies and "raise the slogan #NoToWar". "The only ones to lose from war are the people, so let us unite to overcome that," the message said. Small charities like Hadhreen, which translates from Arabic as "We are present and ready to help", have also been instrumental in trying to co-ordinate help for those in need. When Nazim Sirag, who heads Hadhreen, heard about more than 300 terrified children at an orphanage in Khartoum in need of food, water and medicine. He tweeted: "We can't provide milk for new-born babies, everyone is afraid." In response to our query via WhatsApp if any help had been found through his network, he says: "We are trying to reach them. Till now we failed. Everyone in Sudan is scared to go out," adding that the orphanage was in one of the "hot areas". "Tomorrow we have [to] try early in the morning. Wish us luck." Mr Sirag has been instrumental since the 2021 coup in liaising with Sudanese doctors unions in the diaspora as he sought to get medical help abroad for some of those injured in pro-democracy protests. These diaspora medics have long been key to propping up Sudan's precarious health system over years of economic decline. Mohamed Hamadto, a trauma surgeon and treasurer of the Sudan Doctors Union in the UK, told the BBC his group has tended to focus on training initiatives, but since the outbreak of violence last Saturday they had been raising funds to send to the main Sudanese Doctors Union in Khartoum and collecting supplies they hope to fly in when the situation allows. So far they have received about 9,000 ($11,000) from donations - and this money will help the central doctors union buy supplies privately for clinics being repurposed on the outskirts of Khartoum as most of the city's 59 hospitals are now closed because of the fighting. "These hospitals on the periphery need to be ready for increasing numbers of civilian victims," Dr Hamadto says, with some reports suggesting up to 600 people have now died. As do small neighbourhood health centres. "I was just speaking to one of my colleagues and she's trying to get her resistance committee to set up a local health centre so they can provide basic first aid to people who are injured because the area she lives in is bombarded heavily," he says. This is in al-Siteen Street, not far from the airport and army headquarters where the battles are raging. The Sudanese Doctors Union will then be able to provide bandages, fluids, antibiotics and other basics to her health centre for trauma injuries. 'My cousin broke my heart' Relatives abroad are also focusing their help on the doctors. "Everything is closed. There's zero point in sending money [to our family]," Ahmed Abdel-Elrazig, a third-year maths and economic undergraduate at the University of Toronto, told the BBC on Thursday. "Right now it's the holy month of Ramadan. I was on a call to one of my cousins and they broke my heart - they told me that even after they broke their fast they still were hungry because they were rationing food." A week before the fighting, Ramadan revellers enjoyed the breaking of their fast. Now Eid prayers have been cancelled in many mosques He is part of the Canadian university's Sudanese Students Union, set up last year with about 100 members. A few days ago the union put up a Sudan crisis crowdfunding page. "We're trying to do our best to hit our goal right now to raise $10,000 so all injured civilians do have the medical attention that they do require. We're currently partnered with the Sudanese Doctors Union," he says. "This is the bare minimum that we can do - I still feel extremely helpless." Fellow student union member Fawzia Elhad, majoring in political science and psychology, agrees as she worries about her parents and siblings in Khartoum. "There is a lot of uncertainty - and they don't know now whether to leave the capital." Those in cities outside Khartoum are reaching out with offers of accommodation for people who do manage to leave - a journey fraught with danger. "I am your brother from Rufa'ah and I can provide housing with 100 beds, electricity and water for people," someone 140km (85 miles) south-east of Khartoum in El Gazira state tweets. An organiser in that state's capital, Wad Medani, sent out a list with the names and numbers of six people willing to provide "housing, food and everything" for those fleeing. This warmth of spirit - such a stark contrast to the men in uniform - is best summed up by a youth group in Atbara, a city about 300km north-east of Khartoum, which posts a link to join a WhatsApp group to help receive those escaping from the capital, beginning with the words: "You are welcome." More about the Sudan conflict: CAIRO (Reuters) - Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) said it had agreed to a 72-hour truce on humanitarian grounds, effective from 6 a.m. (0400 GMT) Friday, offering a potential respite from a six-day military conflict with the Sudanese army. "The truce coincides with the blessed Eid Al-Fitr (Muslim holiday) ... to open humanitarian corridors to evacuate citizens and give them the opportunity to greet their families," the RSF said in a statement. The RSF said it had to act in "self-defense" to repel what it described as a coup attempt, adding that it is committed to a "complete ceasefire" during the armistice period. There was no immediate comment from the Sudanese army. More than 330 people have been killed so far in the violent power struggle which broke out last weekend between two previously allied leaders of Sudan's ruling military junta. The fiercest battles between the army and the RSF have been in and around the capital Khartoum - one of Africa's largest urban areas - and in Darfur, still scarred by a long conflict that ended three years ago. (Reporting by Hatem Maher; Editing by Himani Sarkar and Michael Perry) Abe Fortas; Clarence Thomas CORBIS/Corbis/Getty Images; J. Scott Applewhite, File/Associated Press Supreme Court Justice Abe Fortas resigned in 1969 over accusations of financial misconduct. Courts experts told Insider Justice Clarence Thomas' alleged misconduct appears far worse. But unlike Fortas, Thomas is unlikely to experience severe consequences in the post-Trump era. The controversy surrounding Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has prompted comparisons to Abe Fortas the only Supreme Court justice to ever resign from the high court. But the fact that Thomas is highly unlikely to experience a similar fate highlights how politics has changed post-Trump. During 11 days of uncertainty in May 1969, President Richard Nixon worked hard to secure Fortas' removal from the court, ultimately resulting in the liberal justice's resignation over allegations of financial impropriety. Fortas was ousted after accepting a $20,000 consulting fee from the family foundation of a financier and former client who was later indicted for securities fraud. The justice returned the fee that same year; however, news of the past payment effectively sunk his career. But what Fortas did was perhaps less scandalous than Thomas' alleged misdeeds, three courts experts told Insider. "I think Abe Fortas is spinning in his grave because this sounds so much worse," Laura Kalman, a professor of political and legal history at the University of California Santa Barbara and the author of "Abe Fortas: A Biography," said of Thomas' alleged ethics violations. At the time Fortas found himself caught up in the scandal, accepting such fees was common practice among Supreme Court justices, according to Kalman, but the financier's eventual conviction spurred a Life magazine expose detailing the tangled financial relationship and previous friendship between Fortas and the convicted stock manipulator, prompting calls for his resignation. Nixon, who soon realized the scandal could offer him the chance to appoint a new, more conservative justice to the court, pushed hard for the liberal justice's resignation, leaking information to reporters and threatening investigations into Fortas' wife and former law partners, according to Kalman. Story continues Fortas defended his conduct as he left and insisted he did nothing improper. But he ultimately stepped down, he said, to protect the integrity of the court. "When you see what Justice Fortas did in comparison" to what Thomas is accused of, "it really pales," Doron Kalir, a professor at Cleveland-Marshall College of Law and an expert in legal ethics, told Insider. Like Fortas, Thomas has been accused of financial misconduct. ProPublica first reported earlier this month that Thomas has been accepting luxury vacations from GOP mega-donor Harlan Crow for years. Days later the outlet revealed Thomas sold his childhood home to Crow in 2014, and that the justice's mom still lives in it. The justice never disclosed the trips or the sale of the home. Thomas did not respond to Insider's request for comment. Fortas resigned, but the chances of Thomas doing so are close to zero "The most distinct difference between what happened then and what happens now is that people on both sides of Congress demanded that he retire from the court," Kalir said of Fortas. "And that included Democrats." Democratic lawmakers have called for an investigation into Thomas, and the Senate Judiciary Committee has said it will hold a hearing on Supreme Court ethics. But not a single Congressional Republican has joined those calls. Even Utah Sen. Mitt Romney, who has shown a willingness to be critical of fellow conservatives, simply said: "If the reports are accurate, it stinks." Some Democrats have even called for Thomas to resign, but experts agree there's essentially zero chance of that happening. Impeachment, the other option for removing Thomas from the bench, may be even less likely, thanks to a Republican-controlled House and a desire to maintain the court's 6-3 conservative supermajority. But partisanship, while certainly higher now than in Fortas's day, is only part of the reason Thomas is unlikely to experience any significant consequences. Another potent force at play is what Kalir called the "Trump effect," referring to the way former President Donald Trump blatantly and openly disregarded even the most basic standards of conduct and got away with it. One of the most obvious examples of this was the "Access Hollywood" tape, in which Trump was captured talking about groping women in lewd terms. The tape, which under usual circumstances would've been thought of as a campaign-killer, was released publicly one month before the 2016 election. Trump apologized, but also dismissed the comments as "locker room talk," and was still elected president. He went on to be impeached twice by the Democratic-controlled House for abuse of power over withholding aid to Ukraine and pressuring President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to investigate the Bidens, as well as for his role in the January 6, 2021, insurrection. Through both impeachments, the vast majority of the Republican party stood by him. That immunity to scandal has now extended beyond elected officials and has now reached the judiciary, according to Kalir. "The Trump effect has poisoned every aspect of our public life," he said. He noted that Thomas's questionable conduct precedes the latest revelations about his finances, and also includes the conservative activism of his wife, Ginni Thomas, and her efforts to overturn the 2020 election. But Kalir also pointed to questionable conduct by Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk of the Northern District of Texas, the Trump appointee who earlier this month issued a ruling that could limit access to abortion pills. The Washington Post reported this week that when Kacsmaryk was being considered for a federal judgeship in 2017, he failed to disclose a journal article he had submitted that contained controversial statements on transgender people and abortion rights. As part of the judicial nominations process, prospective judges are required to provide published work they have written or edited. Kalir said that while the vast majority of federal judges still follow traditional ethics standards and uphold the code of conduct that is required of them, court watchdogs in recent years have gotten "totally fearful" of a decline in the norms that are typically expected of a federal judge. As a result, the public's trust in the Supreme Court is likely to decline even further, he said, adding he believes Thomas's conduct will have a "damaging effect" that will last years. "He will forever be remembered as the second Abe Fortas," Kalir said. "Except that he did not resign." Read the original article on Business Insider For the first time, international, federal, state and local leaders met in Morrisville on Thursday to highlight local businesses and the benefits of strengthening relationships and diversity. Gov. Roy Cooper spoke at the US-India Business Connection summit, hosted by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Indian Embassy and the town of Morrisville. Its important for us to talk about strategies on how small business can not only survive but thrive, particularly post-pandemic, Cooper said. I always like to think of good things coming out of bad things. Morrisville has over 300 businesses employing more than 28,000 people in the area. Nearly half of the towns 32,000 residents and many of its business owners are Indian Americans and Indian immigrants. Thursdays convention covered topics like how to access capital to grow a small business and how to access markets and business intelligence. Backbone of economies There are more than 964,000 small businesses employing 1.7 million people around the state. Wake County has over 60,000 small businesses, 87% of them having almost 10 employees, according to the Raleigh Chamber. Morrisville Town Councilman Steve Rao helped organize Thursdays event and said the town was the ideal place for the event because of the large South Asian population and their contributions to the Triangle area in different fields. The goal was to build connections that help people sell in their respective markets and at the same time increase investments and jobs, Rao said. This is also a macro-opportunity for the entire state, Rao said. By strengthening the connections between India and North Carolina, were not only bringing an investment to create jobs, were creating opportunities for small businesses all small businesses, not just Indian businesses. Sarika Bansal, owner of Raj Jewerly in Morrisville, said when COVID-19 hit, small local businesses struggled with cash reserves and other issues. The Small Business Administration, which offered millions of dollars in COVID-19 relief was a saving grace, she said. Story continues The SBA came to the rescue at the time with much needed relief, Bansal said. They kept the businesses at least afloat, and we were able to ensure our staff members were getting salaries. It was a very critical time. Bansal said the Thursday event to take place in Morrisville make complete sense and the event allowed current and future business owners to learn more about the resources the SBA offers to help them. In Morrisville, the footprint of the Indian population and Indian businesses is growing; its huge right now, she said. Right now, finding staff is very difficult, she added. Thats impacting some of the day-to-day work we do and that is a huge issue. Washington State Patrol announced an arrest Thursday in connection to a road rage shooting on Interstate 5 near SeaTac last month where the victim was shot in the face. Francisco Castro-Guzman, 20, of Auburn, was booked into the King County Jail for first-degree assault with a firearm enhancement. According to WSP, a Crime Stoppers tip pointed investigators toward Castro-Guzman and probable cause was developed to submit charges to the King County Prosecuting Attorneys Office. The King County Sheriffs Department alerted detectives that Castro-Guzman was at Harborview Medical Center, as detectives were investigating a shooting in which he was the victim. WSP troopers booked Castro-Guzman into jail after his release from the hospital. The road rage shooting happened on March 15. The driver of one car was shot in the face, which caused him to lose control and crash near South 216th Street shortly before 5 p.m. The incident led to the closure of all lanes of northbound I-5 at State Route 516 for nearly an hour. The suspect in a recent shooting in east Athens was arrested Thursday on an aggravated battery charge. Ambria Shantara Rhodes, 29, of Coleridge Court was booked into the Athens-Clarke County Jail where she is being held without bond. Rhodes has been the subject of a search since the April 16 shooting, where witnesses identified her as the person who began firing a gun along Coleridge Court, located off Lexington Highway, according to Athens-Clarke police. Ayeshia M. Bullock, 29, of Athens was shot in the head during the gunfire, police said. The wounds were nonlife threatening, but she was hospitalized, police said. Crime: Organized shoplifters are problem in Athens and N.E. Georgia Bullock was visiting friends at the location and was not involved in a previous dispute that involved Rhodes with some other people on Martin Circle, according to police. Police said Rhodes fired her pistol three times, then fled the location in her personal car. Details of Rhodes arrest were unavailable Friday as most Athens-Clarke County departments were closed in observance of Earth Day. This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Suspect jailed without bond in shooting of Athens woman A World of Wisdom Faced with the daunting realities of climate change, thought leaders across design fields are reimagining the ways we live, work, travel, and build. So what are the sustainable strategies of tomorrow? Established and emerging voices agree: Small changes yield big results. The School of Less Is More Photo: Jose Hevia. Buildings are among the worst carbon offenders, accounting for some 40 percent of the worlds annual emissions due to their energy consumption and the embodied energy (that is, the footprint of producing and shipping materials). But what if we just simply pared back construction? At the Reggio School in Madrid, Spanish architect Andres Jaque of Office for Political Innovation has demonstrated |the success of that waste not, want not approach. By eschewing cladding, drop ceilings, raised floors, wall linings, and other standard interior elements, the firm reduced materials by an estimated 48 percentembracing the exposed mechanical systems and structural walls as visual elements while telegraphing the toll of building operations to young students. The structures stacked vertical form, meanwhile, deviates from the standard horizontality of educational architecture, limiting the impact of the foundations on the immediate terrain. Here, in other words, is a school that stays light on the land in every sense. Factory of the Future Photo: Einar Aslaksen. Bjarke Ingels has long championed what he calls hedonistic sustainability: the concept that architecture can both do good, from an environmental standpoint, and feel great for humans. You can make the world cleaner and more fun at the same stroke, notes the architect, founder of BIGBjarke Ingels Group. In Norway, the AD100 firm has now applied that philosophy to manufacturing, an all too often eco-indifferent realm of the built environment. The Plus, a new factory for the Norwegian furniture brand Vestre, was designed to release 50 percent less greenhouse gas than a comparable facility while achieving an ambitious BREEAM Outstanding rating, a first for an industrial project. It does so thanks to responsible construction materials (local mass timber, low-carbon concrete, recycled steel) and utmost energy efficiency, with 900 rooftop photovoltaic panels, electric vehicles, and ample hydropower, among other innovations. Story continues Photo: Einar Aslaksen. But The Plus is also a beauty to behold, its striking cruciform plan extending from a central circular courtyard. Each of the four wingsdedicated to storage, color production, woodwork, and assemblymaintains a direct link to nature, a connection further reinforced by green roofs. Vestres campus, meanwhile, includes a 300-acre public park, inviting visitors, hikers, and employees to delight in the intersection of nature, architecture, and industry. To us, The Plus is a crystal-clear example of hedonistic sustainability, says Ingels, noting that the building shows how our sustainable future will be not only better for the environment but also more beautiful to work in and more fun to visit. Do-Right Bucket List Photo: Courtesy of Wildnerness Photo: Courtesy of Wilderness Arriving at DumaTau, a storied safari lodge in Botswana, you might very well hear animals before you see them. Perhaps its the swish of a parade of elephants as they cross the Linyanti River, following the same ancient paths as their ancestors. Or maybe its the crunch of a hippopotamus as it devours a patch of grass at the base of the camps elevated decks. Come dusk, it will certainly be the choir of reed frogs, their chimes an auditory accompaniment to the starry skies. Those sounds all capture what makes a Wilderness safari the ultimate dream trip: an immediate connection to earths most extraordinary ecosystems. Today Wildernessa pioneering travel group since 1983is expanding its mission to safeguard these vulnerable habitats. Already, the brand protects some six million acres of land, with more than 60 safari camps in eight African nations. This year, it announced an initiative to double that conservation commitment by 2030, with eyes set on Tanzania and Rwanda and beyond the continent. (First up in its global expansion? South America.) Conservation and leisure, Wilderness believes, can go happily hand in hand. Integral to those ambitions is a multifold sustainability strategy that blends smart design principles with meaningful economic impact. Camps are now built to minimally disturb the land and to be energy efficient, relying on solar power and salvaged materials to reduce carbon emissions and limit embodied energy. (Duma Tau, for instance, was recently rebuilt by design studio Luxury Frontiers using repurposed boardwalk planks.) Community partnership, too, forms a philosophical bedrock. In Botswana, for example, some 90 percent of goods and services come from local suppliers while an estimated 96 percent of staff hail from nearby villages, creating much-needed investment into the region. The time has come for us to refine our strategy, says Vince Shacks, the brands impact manager. We exist to increase the worlds wilderness together. Chip Off the Old Guac Photo: Courtesy of Friedman Benda Age-old craftsmanship meets would-be compost in a new body of work by Fernando Laposse. Responding to the deleterious ecological effect of avocado overfarming on the Mexican landscape, the Mexico Citybased artisan and artist has been mining its materials potentialusing pits to create dyes for tapestries and repurposing discarded skins in a bold new marquetry technique. Wasted Opportunities Photo: Syam Sreesylam To the unimaginative eye, muck and refuse hardly seem like the building blocks of a 21st-century dream home. But for Vinu Daniel, founder of the pioneering architecture firm Wallmakers, everyday debris is a precious commodity. Since starting his Kerala, Indiabased firm in 2007, the rising star has undertaken bold material experiments in a series of residential and public projects, demonstrating how earth and trash can be repurposed as structural treasure. Masonry rubble, excavated on-site, might reappear as alternating bands in eye-catching partitions. Discarded bottles, mixed with mud, become a low-cost, eco-friendly substitute for cement. And locally made bricks, laid in a rat trap bond, become fluid, thermally sensitive curves. We believe that the beauty we strive to achieve is in the structure itself, the architect told AD India in 2021. Underpinning these explorations is the conviction espoused by Mahatma Gandhi and reinforced in the work of trailblazing architect Laurie Bakerthat the materials used to construct a home should all come from within a five-mile radius. Its a notion that feels all the more relevant today, as leading minds grapple with the insidious environmental toll of manufacturing and shipping. Photo: Syam Sreesylam Daniels latest project, Chuzhi house in the state of Tamil Nadu, further blurs the line between the natural and the built environments. Erected on a rocky site, the two-bedroom residence (named after the Malaysian word for whirlpool) hugs the terrain, deferring to the natural splendor by wrapping around tamarind trees and remaining below grade, out of sight. To form its sinuous structure of precast beams, Daniel and his team combined plastic from some 4,000 discarded bottles with the plots own dirt. Last year, this bold approach earned the firm the prestigious Royal Academy Dorfman Award. As one jury member, architect Farshid Moussavi, reflected on the win: Wallmakers work engages with issues raised by the climate emergency with a creative energy and urgency that will inspire architects to reconsider the impact of their work in relation to ecology and the consumer economy. Everyday Heirlooms Photo: courtesy of Floyd Buy less furniture is hardly the message you expect to hear from a furniture company. For 10 years, however, the Detroit-based brand Floyd has discouraged design lovers from replacing a bed or sofa theyve outgrown, instead championing modular systems that evolve in step with lifes changes. (Their new hit dresser, shown, can be expanded and reconfigured as needed.) Furniture should change and adapt, but it should also be beautiful, says cofounder Kyle Hoff. We make pieces youll want to keep forever. floydhome.com This story appears in ADs May 2023 issue. To see this sustainable living package in print, subscribe to AD. Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest More Great Stories From AD PRO The deadly consequences of fast fashion were spotlighted a decade ago after 1,138 people were killed when the nine-storey Rana Plaza garment factory collapsed in Bangladesh. While the tragedy piled pressure on top brands churning out ever-rising mountains of clothes to ensure better standards, abuses in the textile industry continue: - Factory hellholes - The collapse of Rana Plaza near the capital Dhaka was the worst in a series of disasters in textile factories in Bangladesh, the world's second-largest garment exporter after China, and other Asian countries. A year earlier, at least 111 workers were killed in a fire at a textile factory in Dhaka that produced for US retail giant Walmart, among others, and more than 250 workers died in a blaze in a factory in the Pakistani city of Karachi that produced jeans for German discount chain KiK. The scale of the disaster at Rana Plaza, which produced clothes for Primark and Benetton, among others, proved a turning point. Under intense scrutiny, top brands, retailers and trade unions agreed to work together to improve safety conditions in Bangladeshi factories. About 1,820 factories -- accounting for more than 80 percent of exports -- have been inspected since. Most have been declared fully or almost fully safe. While Bangladesh has had no major textile factory disasters since 2013, such tragedies have continued to occur elsewhere. Several people have died in fires at illegal garment factories in the Indian capital New Delhi and in Morocco, 28 people died when heavy rain flooded an illegal basement factory in the port city of Tangiers in 2021. - Forced labour allegations - China is accused of having interned more than a million Uyghurs, a Muslim minority living in the northwestern Xinjiang region, in political re-education camps and exploiting some of them for forced labour in cotton fields. Beijing has dismissed the charges, saying it is operating vocational training centres to counter religious extremism. Story continues Global brands including Adidas, Gap, Nike and Puma were drawn into the controversy after it emerged they were using cotton from Xinjiang, which produces a fifth of the world's supply. In 2021, French magistrates opened an inquiry into claims that four fashion groups, including Uniqlo and the owner of Zara, were complicit in crimes against humanity by profiting from forced labour in Xinjiang. - Rock-bottom wages - The meagre salaries of textile workers in the Indian subcontinent are often flagged, but being paid a pittance to deliver fast fashion is an issue in Europe and the United States, too. In Britain in 2020 for example, investigations by the NGO Labour Behind the Label and several media outlets found textile workers in the central English town of Leicester were sometimes earning as little as two British pounds ($2.63) an hour. Low wages have sparked protests around the world, notably in Asia. After years of violent, deadly demonstrations in Cambodia, garment workers finally secured a minimum monthly wage that is higher than most other countries in the region. In 2023, it was set at $200. - Toxic dumping grounds - In the era of fast fashion, the average person buys 60 percent more clothing than 15 years ago, while each item is kept for only half as long, according to the UN in 2022. A throw-away culture generates growing mountains of waste, much of which ends up in mega dumps in the southern hemisphere. "Every second, the equivalent of one garbage truck of textiles is dumped in a landfill or burned", said the UN. The Dandora landfill in Nairobi, for example, receives 4,000 tons of rubbish per day, according to Changing Markets Foundation. - Top polluter - The textile industry is also a major polluter, causing between two and eight percent of global carbon emissions, according to the UN in 2022. It is responsible for 25 percent of the pollution of the world's waters and a third of microplastic discharges into the oceans -- a toxic substance for fish as well as humans. lc-eab/cb/aha A fund controlled by a Swiss billionaire who has steered tens of millions of dollars to liberal causes also donated as much as $50,000 to the nonpartisan group Common Cause to advocate for a federal ban on donations like his. David Vance, a spokesman for Common Cause, which advocates for limiting big money in politics, confirmed that the group received a donation from the Berger Action Fund, founded by Hansjorg Wyss. The fund has enabled Wyss, who lives in Wyoming but remains a Swiss citizen, to donate enormous amounts of money to liberal causes without running afoul of the United States' ban on foreign citizens contributing to political campaigns. Vance said the donation last year was between $25,000 and $50,000, adding that Common Cause normally reports the range of donations rather than precise dollar amounts. That's a small fraction of the nearly $28 million in grants Common Cause reported receiving in 2022. The grant also pales in comparison to Berger's overall contributions, which amounted to about $72 million in 2021, cementing Wyss' status as a Democratic megadonor. The Berger Action Fund says on its website that the Common Cause donation was to support the DISCLOSE Act. The federal legislation would place new regulations on dark money to political nonprofit groups, which are not required to disclose their donors and do not have to reveal much about how they spend the donations they receive. The bill, which has stalled in a closely-divided Congress, also would crack down on contributions from foreign-controlled entities. The existence of the Common Cause grant was first reported by the conservative publication The Washington Free Beacon. ___ Associated Press writer Brian Slodysko contributed to this report. A Laotian student, who is studying in China's Kunming, has praised the cross-border passenger service on the China-Laos Railway for its convenience. According to China's Mohan entry-exit border checkpoint, the China-Laos Railway handled 2,597 cross-border passenger trips during the week since it launched this passenger service on April 13. During this period, the Chinese border town of Mohan, southwest China's Yunnan Province, logged 1,154 outbound trips and recorded 1,443 inbound trips. Produced by Xinhua Global Service The 3rd Hour of TODAY is in Sonoma County, enjoying its breathtaking views, outdoor adventures and perhaps most importantly its mouthwatering food. (Sponsored by Sonoma County Tourism.) To celebrate the food of this treasured region, local chefs Casey Thompson, executive chef of Folktable; Ari Weiswasser, chef and proprietor of Glen Ellen Star; and Stephane Saint Louis, executive chef and owner of Table Culture Provisions, are showing off their California culinary prowess with recipes for Collard Green Chowder with Ham, Wine Country Paella and Creme Brulee, respectively. Collard Green Chowder with Ham by Casey Thompson This recipe reminds me of my grandmothers cooking, brought into the present day. She would have used ham hock, but I find that the shank has so much more meat on it. I ask the farmer for our restaurant, Folktable, to plant collard greens every year; I absolutely love them. The potato and fresh corn are so warm and filling, and the turmeric is California all the way. This is more of a fun summer chowder, but I would eat it year-round especially if there was fresh corn that tasted good! Wine Country Paella by Ari Weiswasser This paella dish is cooked in a cazuela in a wood-fired ven. Contrary to traditional Spanish paella, the socarrat (crispy rice) is formed on the top of the dish as a result of the top flame from the oven. This vegetarian dish allows us to utilize our own farm and local farm partners all over Sonoma County. Creme Brulee by Stephane Saint Louis What makes creme brulee truly special is how it so satisfyingly cracks under the pressure of a spoon. This creates a delightful contrast in textures, with the creamy custard and crunchy topping, combining for a truly indulgent dessert experience. It is surprisingly easy to make with just a few simple ingredients and some basic kitchen tools, and it is a great crowd-pleaser. Plus, its my moms favorite. This article was originally published on TODAY.com Ted Cruz. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images Ted Cruz was recorded in 2020 urging Maria Bartiromo to make sure she had her facts straight. Cruz told Bartiromo to ensure she had evidence for any election fraud claims aired on Fox News. Cruz later joined several hardline MAGA senators in voting to not certify the 2020 election results. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz warned a Fox News host in 2020 about needing "demonstrable facts" to back up MAGA election fraud claims indicating that he, too, was concerned the false allegations weren't grounded in evidence. A recording of Cruz's conversation with Fox News host Maria Bartiromo was obtained and aired by MSNBC's Ari Melber on a Thursday episode of his show "The Beat." Cruz and Bartiromo spoke over the phone on November 7, 2020, per MSNBC. It was the day before Rudy Giuliani who at the time was then-President Donald Trump's personal lawyer was scheduled to appear on Bartiromo's show. "It can't just be, you know, somebody tweeted this. It's got to be demonstrable facts that can be laid out with evidence," Cruz cautioned Bartiromo. "Because that's what a court of law is gonna look into, not just an allegation, but actual facts." Cruz said he hoped Giuliani "had some of those facts" to present in his appearance the next day on Bartiromo's show. "And I hope the legal team continues to lay out the specific evidence, because that's what it's gonna take to prevail in court," Cruz said in the recording. Despite his reservations, in January 2021, Cruz ended up voting not to certify the results of the 2020 election, joining several hardline GOP senators in repeating Trump's election fraud lies. "What does it say to the nearly half the country that believes this election was rigged if we vote not even to consider the claims of the illegality and fraud in this election?" Cruz said on January 6, 2021. Story continues The airing of the recording of Cruz's call comes after Fox News agreed to pay $787.5 million on Tuesday to settle a massive defamation lawsuit filed by Dominion Voting Systems. Dominion's lawyers said Fox, its producers, and its hosts knew that Trump's election lies were baseless but chose to promote them anyway, and brought on Giuliani and his fellow attorney, Sidney Powell. Dominion sued Fox in March 2021 and argued in court filings that Powell and Giuliani acting as Trump surrogates went on Fox and communicated a false narrative about the company and its role in the election. This included groundless claims that Dominion had conspired with another election technology company, Smartmatic, to rig the 2020 presidential vote. Representatives for Cruz and Fox News did not immediately respond to Insider's requests for comment sent outside regular business hours. Read the original article on Business Insider King Charles III (L) and Britain's Camilla, Queen Consort hold a pen as they sign a visitors' bok after attending an official council meeting at the City Chambers in Dunfermline (POOL/AFP via Getty Images) A former royal butler who previously worked for King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla has revealed how to tell when the monarch is displeased. Grant Harrold, who worked for the then-Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall from 2004 to 2011, said he never saw the royal get angry but has seen him when he was stressed. He said that now, even after more than a decade since he last worked for the couple, he can tell when the King is unhappy by simply watching him on television. There was a documentary I watched a couple of years ago and the interviewer kept asking the same question, Harrold recalled during an etiquette event this week. You would probably never notice, but I could tell that he had had enough. Asked what the monarchs signs were, Harrold told The Independent: Its in his mannerisms. Hell just suddenly [look left and right], hell be fidgeting a little bit and kind of look all around, its quite interesting. Harrold mimed shifting in his seat and continued: It looks like this, like hes just getting comfortable [in his chair], but actually hes not happy. The former butler said that the most stressed he has ever seen the King was the period immediately after the death of his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II. When the Queen died and we saw the pen incident, I really felt for him then, Harrold said, referring to a moment Charles appeared to get irritated and lose his temper due to a leaky pen. There have been two incidents where His Majesty has appeared to get stressed over his pen. The first took place during his first Privy Council meeting to sign documents and saw Charles gesturing for an ornate pen holder to be taken away by an aide. Later, upon seeing the pen holder a second time, Charles pulled a face before it was removed again. The second incident occurred at at the royal residence of Hillsborough Castle in Co Down in Northern Ireland. After the ink from his pen dripped, Charles told his aides: I cant bear this bloody thing... every stinking time. Story continues At the time, the new monarch was branded petulant by some critics for his attitude. However, Harrold sympathised with the King and said: Losing both parents so quickly, and then having to carry on doing stuff in front of people that was probably the most stressed Ive ever seen him. Charles is preparing for his and Camillas coronation on Saturday 6 May, which will be attended by 2,000 guests, including other members of the royal family, politicians, foreign royals and dignitaries, and celebrities. The UK will celebrate the historic occasion with a bank holiday weekend, as Monday 8 May has been appointed a bank holiday. NASHVILLE, Tenn. As lawmakers filed into the House chamber after a lunch break on Thursday, the desk of former state Rep. Scotty Campbell sat empty, the characteristic lawmaker name plate missing from its front. Campbell, R-Mountain City, resigned from the General Assembly in a sudden move Thursday, less than two hours after he told The Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network, he had no plans to step down from a Republican caucus leadership position over a harassment policy violation. House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, confirmed Thursday afternoon Campbell had issued a letter of resignation after an ethics subcommittee last month found Campbell had violated a workplace discrimination and harassment policy. 'Tennessee Three': Lawmakers Justin Jones, Justin Pearson and Gloria Johnson to meet with Joe Biden at White House Republican Rep. Scotty Campbell's seat is left empty after he abruptly resigned midday Thursday after an ethics committee finding that he violated workplace discrimination and harassment policy was made public on April 20, 2023. 'Not be tolerated' According to the memo, its findings were addressed to Sexton on March 29. The Tennessean has requested further comment from Sexton's office on when he was made aware of Campbell's violation and whether Sexton pursued any internal sanctions against Campbell before the memo was publicized. "Discrimination and harassment in any form will not be tolerated," the subcommittee memo states. Initially, there were no public repercussions for Campbell, the Republican Caucus vice chair, in the three weeks since the subcommittee issued their findings. The memo was first reported by NewsChannel5, which reported at least one legislative intern complained of alleged sexually harassing communications from Campbell. As the story broke inside the House chamber on Thursday right before lawmakers took a lunch break, Campbell sat at his desk with his head down. Republican Rep. Scotty Campbell, sits in session in the House Chambers at the Tennessee State Capitol Building in Nashville, Tenn., Monday, March 20, 2023. Previosuly, Campbell declined to comment on the accusations that led to the ethics complaint and said he did not "at this point" have plans to resign. "I have no comment in accordance with the General Assembly's policy," Campbell said. Story continues Campbell never returned to the House chamber after walking out. House GOP Caucus' response House GOP Caucus Chair Jeremy Faison, R-Cosby, told The Tennessean he had "just found out about" the ethics finding on Thursday morning and would need to review the details before passing judgment. "This is all hypothetical that I'm answering right now, but if you have behaved in such a way that a bipartisan group has found you guilty, that's a problem," Faison said. Rep. Pat March, R-Shelbyville, chairs the House Workplace Discrimination and Harassment Subcommittee. Democratic Reps. Karen Camper of Memphis and Bill Beck of Nashville sit on the subcommittee, along with Rep. Sam Whitson, R-Franklin. Under the legislatures harassment policy, an internal investigation must begin immediately after the complaints are received. The investigation would have led to a report, which would have been provided to the four-member House Ethics Subcommittee. Resignation comes after 'Tennessee Three' expulsion The subcommittee meeting convened at a fraught time in the Tennessee House, just two days after the deadly Covenant School shooting that sparked days of highly charged gun reform protests on the Capitol. Days later, House Republicans moved to expel three Democratic lawmakers who broke House rules to briefly lead a gun reform protest on the House floor. It was an unprecedentedly political expulsion vote, as the House had not expelled a member since the 2018 expulsion of Rep. Jeremy Durham, R-Franklin, over sexual misconduct allegations involving nearly two dozen women. In February 2017, Rep. Mark Lovell, R-Eads, left office while facing allegations of sexual harassment. Lovell, who was a freshman lawmaker, was later found to have violated the legislatures harassment policy. In 2019, Knoxville Democratic Rep. Rick Staples stepped down from a leadership position after the subcommittee found he violated the policy. More coverage by USA TODAY This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee Rep. Scotty Campbell resigns after harassment violation As lawmakers filed into the House chamber after a lunch break on Thursday, the desk of former Rep. Scotty Campbell sat empty, the characteristic lawmaker name plate missing from its front. Campbell, R-Mountain City, resigned from the General Assembly in a sudden move Thursday, less than two hours after he told The Tennessean he had no plans to step down from a Republican caucus leadership position over a harassment policy violation. House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, confirmed Thursday afternoon Campbell had issued a letter of resignation after an ethics subcommittee last month found Campbell had violated a workplace discrimination and harassment policy. Republican Rep. Scotty Campbell's seat is left empty after he abruptly resigned midday Thursday after an ethics committee finding that he violated workplace discrimination and harassment policy was made public on April 20, 2023. "Discrimination and harassment in any form will not be tolerated," the subcommittee memo states. According to the memo, its findings were addressed to Sexton on March 29. The Tennessean has requested further comment from Sexton's office on when he was made aware of Campbell's violation and whether Sexton pursued any internal sanctions against Campbell before the memo was publicized. Initially, there were no public repercussions for Campbell, the Republican Caucus vice chair, in the three weeks since the subcommittee issued their findings. The memo was first reported by NewsChannel5, which reported at least one legislative intern complained of alleged sexually harassing communications from Campbell. As the story broke inside the House chamber on Thursday right before lawmakers took a lunch break, Campbell sat at his desk with his head down. Republican Rep. Scotty Campbell, sits in session in the House Chambers at the Tennessee State Capitol Building in Nashville, Tenn., Monday, March 20, 2023. He later declined to comment on the accusations that led to the ethics complaint and said he did not "at this point" have plans to resign. "I have no comment in accordance with the General Assembly's policy," Campbell said. Campbell never returned to the House chamber after walking out. House GOP Caucus Chair Jeremy Faison, R-Cosby, told The Tennessean he had "just found out about" the ethics finding on Thursday morning and would need to review the details before passing judgment. Story continues "This is all hypothetical that I'm answering right now, but if you have behaved in such a way that a bipartisan group has found you guilty, that's a problem," Faison said. The House Workplace Discrimination and Harassment Subcommittee falls under the Ethics Committee and reviews confidential complaints in closed meetings. Rep. Pat March, R-Shelbyville, chairs the subcommittee. Democratic Reps. Karen Camper of Memphis and Bill Beck of Nashville sit on the subcommittee, along with Rep. Sam Whitson, R-Franklin. More: Four Tennessee lawmakers in four years accused of sexual misconduct: What you need to know Under the legislatures harassment policy, an internal investigation must begin immediately after the complaints are received. The investigation would have led to a report, which would have been provided to the four-member House Ethics Subcommittee. The subcommittee meeting convened at a fraught time in the Tennessee House, just two days after the deadly Covenant School shooting that sparked days of highly charged gun reform protests on the Capitol. Days later, House Republicans moved to expel three Democratic lawmakers who broke House rules to briefly lead a gun reform protest on the House floor. It was an unprecedentedly political expulsion vote, as the House had not expelled a member since the 2018 expulsion of Rep. Jeremy Durham, R-Franklin, over sexual misconduct allegations involving nearly two dozen women. In February 2017, Rep. Mark Lovell, R-Eads, left office while facing allegations of sexual harassment. Lovell, who was a freshman lawmaker, was later found to have violated the legislatures harassment policy. In 2019, Knoxville Democratic Rep. Rick Staples stepped down from a leadership position after the subcommittee found he violated the policy. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Republican Tennessee Rep. Scotty Campbell violated harassment policy Elon Musk is the CEO of both Twitter and Tesla, in addition to leading Boring Company and helping run SpaceX. Getty Images Tesla investors called for Elon Musk to be reined in an open letter, citing the CEO's many commitments. The 17 investors want a CEO that "dedicates adequate time and attention to the company." Investor Courtney Wicks told Insider that Musk's other opportunities don't allow him to "focus on Tesla." A group of Tesla investors is calling for Elon Musk to be reined in, saying the CEO has been distracted by commitments to his other companies like Twitter. In an open letter reviewed by Insider and addressed to chairwoman Robyn Denholm and director Ira Ehrenpreis, 17 shareholders representing about $1.5 billion in Tesla shares are asking the electric car maker's board to meet and find remedies by May 25. "The Board allowed the CEO to be overcommitted at a time when the company faces critical challenges," the letter stated. "Corporate boards can and should intervene if a chief executive appears to be distracted or overly focused on other ventures," it continued. They want a CEO that "dedicates adequate time and attention to the company" and "overhaul the composition of the Board, including rolling off directors with close ties to the CEO." "Without a fulltime CEO and a Board willing to provide meaningful oversight, we are concerned that Tesla will not be prepared to effectively navigate the increasingly competitive environment for EV sales, the evolving global regulatory landscape, shifting consumer preferences, ongoing supply chain challenges, and investors' expectations," the letter said. The investors say the board has "failed to ensure" Musk was "appropriately" focused on Tesla, due to his other companies including SpaceX, The Boring Company, Neuralink, and Twitter. The makeup of Tesla's board has faced criticism in the past. In 2018, a Tesla shareholder sued the company over Musk's $55 billion compensation plan, alleging the CEO had influence over the carmaker's board, which includes his brother and some of his close friends. A judge has yet to issue a ruling on the case. Story continues Amalgamated Bank, Investor Advocates for Social Justice, and Sisters of the Good Shepherd are among the investors who signed the open letter Friday and who want the board to get some more control over Musk. Amalgamated Bank and Sisters of the Good Shepherd did not immediately respond to Insider's request for additional comment ahead of publication. The letter also mentioned what the investors view as multiple issues facing the company, such as the treatment of its employees, including the litigation with a California civil rights regulator over the allegations that Tesla's Fremont Factory is a "racially segregated workplace where Black workers are subjected to racial slurs and discriminated against." Courtney Wicks, executive director of Investor Advocates for Social Justice, told Insider: "It's unprecedented for a CEO to have the kind of outside business activities Elon Musk has and it's certainly hurting Tesla." Wicks said that Musk's outside opportunities don't allow him to "focus on Tesla." She also said that the company has not been responsive to similar open letters in the past. Tesla and Musk didn't immediately respond to requests for comment from Insider ahead of publication. Ross Gerber, the president and CEO at Gerber Kawasaki Wealth and Investment Management and a Tesla investor, tweeted on Thursday that the company "needs a Steve Jobs badly," before saying, "or just a full time CEO!" Gerber's name is not listed on the open letter. This isn't the first time Tesla shareholders have voiced their concerns over Musk's commitment to the company. After Musk acquired Twitter in October last year, Leo Koguan, one of the largest individual shareholders, tweeted on December 14 that Musk had abandoned the electric car maker. "Tesla needs and deserves to have working full time CEO," Koguan said at the time. On Thursday, Tesla's stock slid after the company revealed its aggressive price cuts eroded its profit margins in its first-quarter earnings. Tesla aggressively reduced the price of its top-selling cars including the Model 3 and Model Y last quarter, in a bid to boost its market share. Read the original article on Business Insider The federal judge who suspended the US Food and Drug Administrations approval of the abortion pill mifepristone failed to disclose two interviews where he discussed contraception and gay rights, CNN reported. Matthew Kacsmaryk, a judge on the US District Court for the Northern District of Texas, made the remarks in two interviews with the Chosen Generation, a show that bills itself as having a biblical constitutional worldview. Mr Kacsmaryk served as deputy general counsel at the First Liberty Institute, which was previously known as the Liberty Institute, and went on the show to discuss how the the homosexual agenda could be used to silence churches and stifle religious liberty. Judicial nominees must submit paperwork to the Senate Judiciary Committee before their confirmation hearing that includes nearly every public writing or statement they have given. Mr Kacsmaryk did not include either interview in the materials when former president Donald Trump nominated him in 2017. Mr Kacsmaryk told CNN in a statement that he did not locate the interview when he was searching and did not recall it. I used the DOJ-OLP manual to run searches for all media but did not locate this interview and did not recall this event, which involved a call-in to a local radio show, he said. After listening to the audio file supplied by CNN, I agree that the content is equivalent to the legal analysis appearing throughout my SJQ and discussed extensively during my Senate confirmation hearing. Additionally, the transcript supplied by CNN appears to track with the audio and accurately recounts my responses during the phone callwhen quoted in full. At the time, Mr Kacsmaryks employers promoted the interviews on their social media channels. In one interview in February 2014, Mr Kacsmaryk responded to a question about the homosexual agenda and he expressed concerns about social norms around same-sex marriage. I just want to make very clear, people who experience a same-sex attraction are not responsible individually or solely for the atmosphere of the sexual revolution, he said. You know it. Its a long time coming. It came after no-fault divorce. It came after we implemented very permissive policies on contraception. The sexual revolution has gone through several phases. We just happen to be at the phase now where same sex marriages is at the fore. Story continues He then said that religious liberty may come in conflict with same-sex marriage, including tax-exempt statuses, adoption services, federal government programs and discrimination at colleges and universities. In July 2014, he made another appearance where he discussed the Obama administration banning federal contractors from discriminating against people based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Mr Kacsmaryk said the rules did not differentiate between gay people who were celibate and those who made it a lifestyle. Most Abrahamic faith traditions will draw a distinction between someone who experiences the same sex attraction but is willing to live celibate and somebody who experiences the same sex attraction and makes it a lifestyle and seeks to sexualise that lifestyle, he said. Those are two different categories that most Abrahamic faith traditions recognize. Earlier this month, Mr Kacsmaryk issued a ruling that blocked the FDAs approval of mifepristone. An appeals court later stopped the ruling but rolled back some 2016 rules that made it easier to access. Then, last week, the US Supreme Court said that Mr Kacmaryks ruling would be stayed for the time being. The Supreme Court is expected to further weigh in on the case by midnight on Friday 21 April. A bill aimed at preserving Fairfield Lake State Park from development into a private gated community is one step closer to becoming law after passing out of the Texas House on Friday. Hours after the bills passage, Dallas developer Shawn Todd of Todd Interests, who is in the process of purchasing the land from a private owner, described the legislation as abusing governmental powers to unlawfully take water and property rights from a Texas landowner. Todd also called state officials hypocrites for saying they are pro-business and hinted at future litigation that will cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars in damages. The proposal by Rep. Angelia Orr, an Itasca Republican, would bar the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality from approving an application for new or modified water rights from Big Brown Creek or Fairfield Lake in the Trinity River basin of Freestone County, unless first approved by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission. The water rights application also would have to allow for the preservation of water levels, water quality and public access and use of Fairfield Lake. The measure, House Bill 4757, comes after the chair of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission, Arch Beaver Aplin III, told lawmakers during a committee hearing that the parks incoming developer may be planning to sell the lakes water. The intent of this legislation is to protect the park to be enjoyed by Texans for generations to come, just like it has been for almost 50 years, Orr said Thursday on the House floor. Orr added that, with the process described in the bill in place, she believes the lake and park can be preserved. The bill passed Friday 131-8. It next heads to the Senate, where it must pass out of committee and off the floor before heading to Gov. Greg Abbotts desk for approval. The land that the park sits on is part of a 5,000-acre tract owned by power company Vistra Corp. The state leased the 1,800 acres for the public park since the 1970s. Story continues Vistra is under contract to sell the property to Todd Interests, which has plans to turn the 50-year-old state park into a luxury lake and golf enclave and legacy retreat, according to marketing documents obtained by the Star-Telegram. The plan would include hundreds of high-dollar waterfront homes, a private golf course and hiking trails exclusively for residents. Todd Interests marketing materials include renderings of a clubhouse that would sit on a peninsula of land jutting into Fairfield Lake. The clubhouse would feature multiple eateries, a lazy river and more. Obtained from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Todds statement to the Star-Telegram on Friday said the state has had opportunities for four years to lawfully purchase the state park land when it was on the market. He called the bill a direct attack on private property rights. Taxpayers would have saved hundreds of millions of dollars if Texas Parks and Wildlife had acted responsibly, the statement reads. Today, the same Politicos who failed the State are now resorting to brazen and surreptitious actions to cover up their inactivity by abusing governmental powers to unlawfully take water and property rights from a Texas landowner. These same Politicos hypocritically proclaim they are pro-business and strong private property right advocates. These un-democratic actions should be alarming to any Texas landowner or voter. The proposed bill is a direct attack on private property rights and, if enacted, will cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars in damages, the statement says. This map shows the planned Freestone community that developer Todd Interests plans to build at Fairfield Lake, including on land that is currently used as a state park. Obtained from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Orr had proposed in a separate bill using eminent domain to keep the park from being development, but that bill was amended in committee to focus on water rights, like the legislation passed on Friday. I understand that many of my colleagues have reservations about using eminent domain for this purpose, which is why it is not included in this substitute language, Orr said at the March 23 hearing. Like my colleagues, I too am a supporter of property rights, and I believe that the park can still be saved without that language included. Fairfield Lake State Park, in Freestone County, has been open to the public since 1976. But under a pending sale of the land to a developer, the park could soon close. Earl Nottingham/Texas Parks and Wildlife Department While the state park is currently open for day visitors only, the lease will officially end in June. The state Parks and Wildlife Department has attempted to negotiate a deal to purchase the park land or the full 5,000 acres. The Texas Senate on Thursday passed two pieces of legislation that work together to establish a Centennial Park Conservation Fund to help create and improve state parks. The fund would have to be approved by voters on a ballot as a constitutional amendment. Sen. Tan Parker, a Flower Mound Republican and the bills author, told colleagues the proposal would empower us to protect Texas unique natural and cultural treasures while making them accessible to our growing population. The bills related to the fund, which both passed 26-3, next head to House committee. Mila Jackson, a newborn removed from her family home by Child Protective Services after her parents chose to treat her jaundice with their licensed midwife, will return home. According to CBS News, the Dallas County District Attorneys Office decided to reunite Mila with her family late Wednesday night. The following morning, she went home to her parents, Temecia and Rodney Jackson. The Jacksons were set to appear in court Thursday afternoon, but that hearing was canceled following the DA offices decision. The office did not make an official comment regarding its decision, as is customary for cases involving the Department of Family and Protective Services. However, the Texas-based reproductive and birth justice organization Afiya Center, which represented the Jacksons, released an official statement. A news release said the Jacksons would be enjoying some personal time with their daughter and their other children. Mila isnt the first Black baby to be unjustly ripped away from her family, and she wont be the last one unless fundamental changes are made to the child welfare and criminal justice systems, DAndra Willis, birth justice coordinator at The Afiya Center, said in a press release, The Dallas Morning News reported. We need people to understand reproductive justice and freedom also means families have a right to choose when and how they want to parent. This includes informed decision making, culturally sensitive care and choosing birth and postpartum support plans that meet their specific needs. The familys midwife, Cheryl Edinbyrd, who helped bring Mila into the world, said shes thrilled with the offices decision to bring Mila home. Im just happy that justice prevailed and I am grateful for the Afiya Center and everyone involved in the return of this baby, she said. I look forward to actually giving her her first postpartum visit and celebrating her being home with her parents. Story continues Blavity reported Mila was just a week old when CPS took her into custody. At the time of her birth, Mila was a healthy newborn, but things took a turn for the worse days later. Following a routine checkup, Milas pediatrician, Dr. Anand Bhatt, noticed her bilirubin levels were dangerously high, suggesting she may have jaundice. Dr. Bhatt recommended the family take her to the hospital for phototherapy, a standard jaundice treatment. But instead, they preferred to handle her condition holistically, with the support of Edinbyrd. That decision raised alarm bells for Dr. Bhatt, and he contacted CPS. Mila spent three weeks in foster care before the DA offices decision. Volusia County Sheriff A Florida sheriff who has taken a hard line against antisemitic extremism in his county announced Thursday that authorities have arrested a third person for making online threats against him. And just like the first two men arrested, this one also is living with his mother. Cristhian Zapata, 23, allegedly posted the message I WILL KILL CHITWOOD, MARK MY WORDS on 4Chan on April 7referring to Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood. Investigators traced the post to a home in Ansonia, Connecticut, where Zapata had been living with his sister, her husband, and their child at the time of the threat. Zapatas sister told Ansonia police detectives her brother was always on his computer, often participating in extremist chat rooms and talking to unknown people about conspiracy theories and white supremacist ideology, the sheriffs office said. The sister also indicated her brother was fascinated with Adolf Hitler. When police went to question Zapata, he had moved with his sister and her family to their mothers home in Shelton, Connecticut. He allegedly confessed to making the post, identified himself as a nationalist, and cited the First Amendment as a defense. Zapata was arrested Wednesday evening on a felony warrant for making a written threat to kill and now faces extradition to Floridawhere Chitwood likes to meet accused extremists at the airport. Before Zapatas arrest, police busted two other men, Richard Golden of New Jersey and Tyler Meyer of San Diego, on charges of making threats on 4Chan. Chitwood became a target of antisemites and white supremacists after he began speaking out forcefully against an extremist group called the Goyim Defense League that has been making racist and anti-Jewish spectacles in Volusia County. 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. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks to reporters on calling for a three-day ceasefire in Sudan at the UN headquarters in New York, on April 20, 2023. Guterres on Thursday called for a three-day ceasefire in Sudan to allow trapped civilians to flee. (Xinhua/Xie E) KHARTOUM, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) declared a 72-hour truce on Friday, despite continuous skirmishes with the Sudanese Army. "The truce coincides with the blessed Eid al-Fitr ... to open humanitarian corridors to evacuate citizens and give them the opportunity to greet their families," the RSF said in a statement. There was no immediate comment from the army. Before Friday, two declared 24-hour ceasefires had failed to take hold. Amid the ongoing fighting, the United Nations (UN) continued to appeal to the RSF and Sudanese Army to strike a deal. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday called for a three-day ceasefire in Sudan to allow trapped civilians to flee. "As an immediate priority, I appeal for a ceasefire to take place for at least three days, marking the Eid al-Fitr celebrations, to allow civilians trapped in conflict zones to escape and to seek medical treatment, food and other essential supplies," he told reporters at the UN headquarters in New York. The UN chief said hundreds of people have been killed and injured in the fighting, and humanitarian operations are virtually impossible. UN agencies on Thursday also expressed concern over the impact of fighting on civilians in Sudan, where the humanitarian situation was already dire. The World Health Organization reported more than 330 people killed during six days of fighting in the capital city of Khartoum and several other states, including Darfur. Another 3,200 people were injured. The UN children's fund (UNICEF) said at least nine children were reportedly killed in the fighting and more than 50 children were injured. UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said the perilous security situation across Sudan makes it very difficult to collect and verify information. But UNICEF is certain that while the fighting continues, children will continue to pay the price. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said people have been unable to safely leave their homes to buy food and other essentials for days now. Humanitarian pauses must be ensured to enable the safe passage of civilians so that they can seek medical care and access basic provisions. The humanitarian response in Sudan is severely hampered, said OCHA. Meanwhile, the World Food Programme warns that the fighting in Sudan could plunge millions more into hunger. Fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF broke out on Saturday, forcing civilians to flee and seek shelter from the hostilities. Hundreds of people have been killed and thousands injured. Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Dallas in August 2022. (Dylan Hollingsworth/Bloomberg via Getty Images) Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves on Friday signed House Bill 1020, a controversial piece of legislation that will create a court system of unelected judges and prosecutors in the Capitol Complex Improvement District (CCID), a portion of the capital city, Jackson. The legislation will also expand the jurisdiction of the Capitol Police to the entire city and increase the original boundaries of the CCID. Its part of a legislative package geared toward improving public safety in the city, the Republican governor said in a news release. One of the laws increases the fines and penalties for shoplifting in Mississippi; another increases the minimum sentence requirements for the crimes of fleeing or eluding a law enforcement officer and of carjacking and armed carjacking, and ensures that those minimum imposed terms shall not be reduced or suspended. This legislation won't solve the entire problem, but if we can stop one shooting, if we can respond to one more 911 call then we're one step closer to a better Jackson, Reeves said in the news release. I refuse to accept the status quo. As long as I'm Governor, the state will keep fighting for safer streets for every Mississippian no matter their politics, race, creed, or religion regardless of how we're portrayed by liberal activists or in the national media." But advocates across the state and country say this form of law and order will overwhelmingly increase state control of Jacksons policing and judicial system, ultimately taking power away from the residents of Jackson, a city with one of the highest populations of Black residents in the U.S. Democratic Mississippi state Rep. Ed Blackmon speaks against passage of the Jackson Capitol Complex Improvement District bill in the state Capitol on March 31. (Rogelio V. Solis/AP Photo) When you take away the right of people to elect their officials who have traditionally been elected, how else are they going to see it? Democratic state Rep. Ed Blackmon asked during the final House vote on March 31. The right to vote may not mean much to some of you. Gentlemen, you have not been beaten for asking for the right to vote. You have not been locked up for asking for that. I have. Story continues The legislation passed the Mississippi House, 72-41, during the final week of the 2023 session. Independent state Rep. Angela Cockerham was the only Black lawmaker in either the House or Senate who voted for it. Cockerham has not responded to a request for comment from Yahoo News. The bill was authored and introduced by Republican state Rep. Trey Lamar in February. In an earlier interview with Yahoo News, Lamar said the legislation will address the crime and judicial backlog in the capital. The city of Jackson does not just belong to the citizens of Jackson; it is Mississippis capital city. And it belongs to the state of Mississippi, to the people of Mississippi, he told Yahoo News. The city has failed leadership over the water system, the sewer system, and the crime rate has spiraled out of control. Although the Capitol Polices involvement in recent shootings has left some residents on edge, Lamar says the departments expanded jurisdiction will provide an extra layer of protection. Republican state Rep. Trey Lamar in the Mississippi House chamber on March 31. (Rogelio V. Solis/AP Photo) We're just trying to beef up and add to the judicial resources in Jackson, Lamar said. And by adding additional law enforcement inside the CCID, we are assisting the Jackson Police Department, because now they have brothers and sisters on the streets with them helping them fight the crime. According to Reeves, the CCID was budgeted for 200 officers but there are only 120. He says roughly 450 are needed to combat the surge of crime in the city. This legislation takes the existing Capitol Police, which previously served primarily as security officers for state buildings, and turned them into a true law enforcement agency that can help fight back against crime in the city within a designated area - the Capitol Complex Governor Tate Reeves (@tatereeves) April 21, 2023 But Rep. Robert Johnson, the Mississippi House minority leader, says the legislation allows a state police force to take control of Mississippis Blackest city. What gives me concern is that those [Capitol] Police officers don't answer to anybody who is a resident of Jackson, who was elected from Jackson, [or the] police chief from Jackson, and that's not a way of community policing, Johnson said. Johnson says the most egregious part of the bill is the additional city court system aimed at addressing the need for more judges. The bill gives the Mississippi Supreme Court the power to appoint new judges, who will have priority in the CCID. This municipal court will prosecute people for misdemeanors. But upon conviction of a misdemeanor, this court can, if they want to, have you locked up in a prison, Johnson said. That is just unconscionable and it clearly shows a picture of how they feel about the people in the city of Jackson. Democratic state Rep. Robert Johnson at the Mississippi Capitol on March 8. (Rogelio V. Solis/AP Photo) The legislation has been amended at least four times since January. House Bill 1020 was filed with the best of intentions, Reeves said at a press conference this week. But as is often the case of a bill, particularly one that is as closely monitored as that one, as it goes through the process the bills tend to improve. House Bill 1020 certainly fits that. It improved through the process. But Democratic state Sen. John Horhn, a member of the Legislative Black Caucus, says the changes in the bill arent enough. It is still a snake, Horhn told Jackson news outlet WLBT last month. Advocates, organizers and community leaders are decrying the legislation nationwide, and the American Civil Liberties Union of Mississippi says the racial makeup of the city cant be ignored. This bill represents part of a continued effort by the state of Mississippi to dilute the voting power of people in Jackson and to also silence their voices and limit their ability to have an impact on the decisions that impact them every day, such as which police officers are in your neighborhood, who's going to come when you call 911, Claudia Hyman, senior staff attorney for the ACLU of Mississippi, told Yahoo News. Vangela Wade, the president of the Mississippi Center for Justice, described the legislation as redlining on steroids when it passed the House earlier this year. Democratic state Sen. John Horhn during debate for the bill on March 7. (Rogelio V. Solis/AP Photo) If you had a copy of the map that would show the Capitol Complex Improvement District, you would see that it includes the majority of the areas where white residents reside, Wade told Yahoo News in February. However, supporters of the legislation say Jackson is suffering from a mountain of issues, including a high crime rate and an ongoing water crisis. Most recently, residents have been left without trash pickup. But opponents of the legislation say the bill is not a solution to the citys problems. We believe that public safety is about much more than crime statistics. We believe that it involves health care [and] how the community responds to emergency situations in general, Hyman said. Damareo Cooper, the co-executive director for the Center for Popular Democracy, an organizing group, says the issues in Jackson boil down to a decade-long crisis of a lack of funding and resources. There's been a lack of investment in Jackson, and everyone knows about it. I dont know why they're trying to act like it isn't well documented that the mayor and previous mayors have been asking for infrastructure dollars and not getting them from the state, the state Legislature and state executive office, he said. Shuwaski Young, the Democratic candidate for Mississippi secretary of state and a graduate of Jackson State University, says the legislation is un-American and undemocratic. Shuwaski Young at the Neshoba County Fair in Philadelphia, Miss., in July 2022. (Rogelio V. Solis/AP Photo) Unfortunately, everyone doesn't play fair. Everyone doesn't adhere to the fact that we are all Mississippians and we are all Americans first, Young told Yahoo News. Following Reeves's signing of the bill, several organizations and leaders are working to undo the law at the state and federal levels. People seem to be offended by Black people running their own city, Johnson said. I think this is the last straw. This is going to make everybody mount up and organize and do what we have to do to take the city back and to take this state back. The NAACP and the Legislative Black Caucus are planning to file lawsuits, and the ACLU of Mississippi says it also plans to take action. They are only imposing this on the city of Jackson. No other jurisdiction in the state of Mississippi will have this type of oversight in taking local authority, NAACP president and CEO Derrick Johnson said at an April 6 town hall. That is a direct violation of the Equal Protection [Clause]. As soon as the governor signs any or all of these bills, we will be filing a lawsuit the same day. The bill will go into effect July 1, barring any lawsuits. A newish leadership team is taking over at Arcimoto, a Eugene, Oregonbased startup that makes doorless, three-wheeled electric vehicles. On Thursday, the company said that board member Chris Dawson will step in as CEO, replacing interim CEO Jesse Fittipaldi. Arcimoto added that Fittipaldi will stick around as president and report to Dawson going forward. Two executives also recently left the company former chief financial officer Doug Campoli and former chief experience officer Lynn Yeager. Plus, Arcimoto's product head Dwayne Lum is now the company's chief operating officer. An Arcimoto staffer since 2015, Fittipaldi assumed the interim role in August, weeks after police reportedly slapped Arcimoto founder and former CEO Mark Frohnmayer with a DUI citation, according to Oregon news outlet the Register-Guard. Around this time, Dawson joined the startup's board. Who is Chris Dawson? Arcimoto said in a statement that its incoming CEO "most recently served as the Chief Executive Officer of Nikola Tesla Co." Crucially, "Nikola Tesla Co." is not associated with Nikola Corporation or Tesla Inc. Complicating matters (at least for this reporter), Arcimoto said that Dawson also spent five years at Tesla (the Musk one) working on "battery production, the Model S/X line and Model 3 general assembly." In a call with TechCrunch, Dawson said he "was a big Nikola Tesla fan" growing up. When I explained that I was puzzled by the name's similarity to the aforementioned EV companies, Dawson said, "You're right that it is confusing." He added, "Every other day, I've got to kind of correct somebody as to my level of engagement with Tesla, because what also makes it confusing is that I spent a long period of time with Tesla." I reached out to Tesla Inc. for more information, but I doubt I'll hear back, given the dissolution of its media team. Arcimoto's press release described Nikola Tesla Co. as an "engineering services company with projects that include electrification, hybridization, EV charging, hydrogen powertrain development, hydrogen powered VTOL, hydrogen power systems, fuel cell and hydrogen electrolyzer development." Story continues Dawson said the Texas-based corporation does consultancy work, but added that "we're really more of a hands-on type organization." According to the Dawson, Nikola Tesla Co.'s clients included a drone company called Tesla Aerial Robotics and the Department of Defense. Asked for more details on his connection with the DoD, Dawson said, "I can't go into a lot of detail, but generally, it is electrification, hybridization of current tactical equipment that is on the battlefield, as these different DoD organizations try to transition both to green more sustainable solutions, but also better." TechCrunch reached out to the DoD for confirmation and will update this story when we hear back. What's next for Arcimoto? Arcimoto ended 2022 with less than half a million dollars in cash on hand, warning investors in its annual report that it had "substantial doubt about [its] ability to continue" operating. Yet, earlier this year, the firm secured $18 million in additional funds via two separate raises, and said it would start shipping new EVs in March. According to Dawson, Arcimoto is now producing new vehicles every single week. He said the company cut costs over the past several months by laying off or ending contracts with about 200 people. The company has about 110 people on staff today, added Dawson. The incoming CEO told TechCrunch, "We believe, toward the end of the year, that we'll be able to be at a product level profitable. And those pieces are really the bones that we need to move this forward." Asked about future products, Dawson said Arcimoto is focused on its existing vehicles, which include its consumer-focused Fun Utility Vehicle and a delivery-focused version called the Deliverator. Tiffany Haddish Tiffany Haddish is getting dragged on social media after she appeared to post a tweet in support of actor Jonathan Majors, who is facing allegations of domestic violence. Haddish, who later deleted the tweet, posted a link to a Los Angeles Times article story in which Majors and his lawyer said the accuser was not injured after the alleged abuse. The article included screenshots of security camera footage obtained from Majors and his team, who are trying to prove that the woman was unharmed. Haddish didnt include any comments of her own in the tweet, but appeared to be making a statement with the headline she shared, which stated Jonathan Majors accuser appears unhurt, clubbing in video. Haddish continues to face backlash after deleting the tweet. Its not your fight Tiffany. Stay out of it. You be having your own drama and woes, one person said on Instagram, seemingly referencing the situation in which Haddish and Aries Spears were sued, though it was ultimately dropped. Tiffany Haddish is in NO position to help Jonathan Majors, or anyone else for that matter, do damage control. pic.twitter.com/oYOZFLA8Cp thong song enthusiast. (@thePLAINESTjane) April 20, 2023 The plot thickens. Tiffany Haddish tweeted and deleted about Jonathan Majors. pic.twitter.com/YRpXeERnBw You Dont Have The Range (@SceneByAshlix) April 20, 2023 Majors has denied any wrongdoing after he was arrested for an alleged assault in New York City. The actor is facing charges of strangulation, assault and harassment, as Blavity previously reported. 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 New York Police Department spokesperson said in a statement to the Associated Press. BOWDOIN, Maine (AP) Tireless. Helpful. Deeply religious. Those were some of the ways Patti Egers friends remembered her Thursday in the small Maine town of Lisbon Falls, joining hands in prayer on a lawn outside a white church to say goodbye to a woman who stood alongside them to do charity work and attend services. Patti Eger was one of four people killed in a violent rampage that shook the calm Maine community. I couldnt believe it at first, said Arlene Couture, a fellow member of the group. Were going to miss her terribly. The shootings of seven people brought the national spate of mass gunfire home to a rural community where violent crime is rare. In tiny Bowdoin, Maine, a town of rolling hills, sturdy farmhouses and only one store, the property where the four were killed has drawn friends, family members and neighbors to grieve. Police have charged Joseph Eaton, 34, with four counts of murder, and have said there could be more charges coming. Killed were Eatons parents, Cynthia Eaton, 62, and David Eaton, 66, along with homeowners Robert Eger, 72, and Patti Eger, 62. Police said Eaton later began firing on several cars along Interstate 295 in Yarmouth. Bullets struck a family in one of the vehicles, wounding Sean Halsey, 51; Justin Halsey, 29; and Paige Halsey, 25. Paige Halsey was critically wounded, police said. Police have yet to discuss what might have been a motive behind the shootings on the rural property and along the busy interstate highway about 12 miles (19 kilometers) from Maines largest city, Portland. Police also have not discussed what gun or guns were used, or how Eaton obtained them. Eaton was prohibited from having guns because of his criminal past. Eaton has been jailed since his arrest Tuesday near the chaotic highway, where traffic backed up as heavily armed law enforcement searched the area. Eatons parents were staying with their longtime friends after Cynthia Eaton picked him up from a Maine prison on April 14. The families friendship endured even after the Eatons move away, eventually settling in Florida. Story continues Friends of the Egers described them as a fixture in the community and a family that valued faith and charity. Patti Eger was a scrapbooker who was appreciated for her commitment to Lisbon Area Christian Outreach, a Lisbon Falls religious group. She was known for taking time with residents who sought service, and for greeting everyone she knew with a hug, even in the grocery store, said Couture. The most I'm going to miss is she was always willing to give of herself. To everybody, said Barbara Feely, another volunteer at the outreach group. Relatives of Cynthia and David Eaton said the fun-loving couple was most happy riding their Harley-Davidson motorcycle, often joining other relatives at biking events from Florida up to the Dakotas. Cynthia Eaton's Facebook page has posts on food, sunsets and her conservative political beliefs. Paul Batten Jr., Cynthia Eaton's first cousin, said they camped together as children and later rode motorcycles. She could disarm a stranger with her smile and, in her words, she was a pool shark, he said. Batten also recalled how the couple moved around to be close to Joseph Eaton during his prison stints. She would do anything for Joey. He was her baby. She would do anything for him, he said. Betty Fagan, Eatons grandmother and the mother of Cynthia Eaton, said Joseph Eaton was a good kid when he was young but we dont know what is going on with him now. It was terrible. It was his mom and his dad, Fagan said from her home in Ocala, Florida. Fagan said Eatons parents had been planning to move back to Kansas. They picked Joseph Eaton up from prison and brought him to a beach where, she said, he spent the weekend alone. After that, we dont know what happened. We dont know whether there was an argument or what, Fagan said. Eaton had a criminal history in Maine, Kansas and Florida, all states where hed lived. Charges included domestic violence assault, violating a protection order, aggravated assault, burglary, stalking, and drunken driving, among others. Deputies in northeastern Florida were called to a Nassau County home in January 2018 on a report of an armed man having a mental breakdown, according to an incident report. Eatons aunt had fled after he tore the home apart, breaking things and threatening to kill himself, she told police. After serving time on the aggravated assault, he was returned to Maine to serve a two-year sentence for violating probation, state officials said. Rob Capehart, Eatons cousin who lives in North Carolina and corresponded with him while was in jail, said he was still trying to understand how a man who posted on Facebook Friday about being excited to get out of jail and posted a photo of eating at dinner could go on a killing rampage. "If we knew there was a problem, we might have been able to prevent it," said Capehart. On Friday, a man left a stuffed animal at a makeshift memorial outside the Bowdoin home of Robert and Patti Eger as a cleaning crew in hazmat suits brought trash bags out of the house. At the edge of the driveway, the growing memorial included flowers and Patti Eger's favorite candy, Twizzlers. ___ Associated Press video journalist Rodrique Ngowi in Bowdoin and writer David Sharp in Portland contributed to this report from Maine. Michael Casey contributed to this report from Boston. Environmentally Friendly Travel Tips - Black Family playing in lake in nature Green travel is becoming more popular, especially among millennial and Gen-Z travelers. Global warming is real and folks are doing everything they can to reverse the damage already done to planet Earth. One way travelers are helping the planet is by becoming more conscious of how they can travel more environmentally friendly. Environmentally friendly travel is just a fragment of what needs to be done to help the planet, however, these small strides can make a significant difference. Next time youre heading out of town, try out a few of these tips to show more kindness to the earth while exploring it. Photo Credit: Git Stephen Gitau Explore Places Close To Home Many people dont realize how many hidden locations are right near their own homes. An easy way to travel environmentally friendly is to stay close to home. A quick Google search will guide you toward a plethora of destinations, excursions, and travel gems. Consider checking out unknown parks and nature reserves or use apps like Groupon to find local experiences. Getaways close to home keep your carbon footprint and travel waste low while traveling. Travel Slow Staying in destinations for extended periods of time is an excellent way to travel more environmentally friendly. Traveling back and forth releases more carbon and pollution into the atmosphere. The less you travel by car or plane, the happier the earth will be. Another benefit of traveling slower is being able to help out at the destination youre visiting. This is a great opportunity to volunteer with local organizations, serve at a soup kitchen, or even spend time with children in a hospital. Support Local Businesses Supporting local entrepreneurs stimulates the local economy and helps drive the success of folks in the destination youre visiting. Although some purchases require a big box store, travel green by spending your money with small business owners. This could include excursions, restaurants, and tours all run by locals. You honestly never know what local gems youll discover shopping small. Story continues Keep It Eco-Friendly Even In A Hotel Although staying in a hotel might not seem like the most environmentally friendly option, there are many practices you can follow to still travel green. First, hang up your towels after using them. This typically is a universal signal that you dont need fresh towels which reduces water and energy use. Feeling a little cold in your room? Turn off the air conditioning to limit your energy usage. Another green travel tip you can follow is to place the Do Not Disturb sign on your room door to reduce even more laundry and cleaning. Lastly, take your own eco-friendly travel toiletries to avoid using hotel products that usually arent sustainable. RELATED: Sustainable Travel: The Worlds Coolest Carbon Neutral Hotels Respect Local Wildlife One of the worst things you can do while traveling is to disturb or harm local wildlife. Many species are endangered, so you never know which animal or plant may be one of the last. There are a few ways to protect the environment and local wildlife while traveling. The first is to pick up any trash you see and be sure not to litter. Another tip is to leave no trace, meaning leave the area how you found it and take nor leave anything behind. Also, keep in mind that not all wildlife excursions are environmentally friendly so do research to support nature and safari tours that actually care about the earth. Join Carbon Offset Programs If youre a frequent flyer, you can help lower your carbon footprint by joining a carbon offset program. More than 30 airlines are members of the International Air Transport Association (IATA). These airlines have the option to add an offset to your ticket purchase that allows them to invest in reducing the carbon emissions that are produced from travel. Not too big on flying? Atmosfair and CarboTax are two other programs that allow you to offset your carbon footprint without having to purchase a plane ticket. Visit Sustainable Countries Visiting countries and destinations that prioritize sustainability is another way to travel environmentally friendly. Countries like Switzerland, Norway, and Finland are a few of the most sustainable countries in the world. If youre looking for green cities in the U.S., consider visiting San Diego, Portland, and Honolulu. These American cities place sustainability on a high priority when it comes to locals and travelers. RELATED: Away Reveals New Sustainable Outdoor Travel Collection (Bloomberg) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang defended his nations development approach at an event attended by foreign executives Friday, while also warning that it will not compromise on Taiwan. Most Read from Bloomberg China has found a path by itself to modernization and created a new form of human advancement, Qin said at the opening of Shanghais Lanting Forum, which was partly organized by the government. Modernization should not make the rich richer and the poor poorer, nor should it serve the interests of only a few countries or individuals, he said. Qin also hit back at accusations that China is changing the status quo regarding Taiwan, comments that come after a Group of Seven foreign ministers meeting in Japan cited a need to stand up to Beijings moves to change the situation. Such claims go against basic common sense on international relations and historical justice, he said. The logic is absurd and the consequences are dangerous. Qins comments underscore Beijings determination to stand up to what it sees as US efforts to suppress its growth and meddle in its handling of Taiwan, the democracy sitting just off Chinas coast that it has pledged to bring under its control. The Peoples Liberation Army held three days of military drills around Taiwan earlier this month to show its anger over President Tsai Ing-wen meeting House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in California. The US appears close to stepping up its curbs on Chinas tech ambitions, partly due to national security concerns. President Joe Biden aims to sign an executive order in the coming weeks that will limit investment in key parts of its economy by American businesses, people familiar with the internal deliberations have said. Story continues See: Biden Aims to Unveil China Investment Curbs With G-7 Backing The US has been briefing its G-7 partners on the investment curbs for high-tech industries, and hopes to get an endorsement at next months meeting of leaders in Japan, even though the other countries arent expected to announce similar restrictions at the same time, the people said. The move would follow the US imposing tariffs on Chinese imports under ex-President Donald Trump, and more recently seeking to restrict exports of key American technologies. The US has also rallied nations including the Netherlands and Japan to curb exports of advanced chips. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in a speech Thursday in Washington that the administration was prepared to accept economic costs as it sought to protect US national security interests from threats posed by the worlds No. 2 economy, even as she appealed to Beijing to cooperate on shared global concerns. In March, Chinese leader Xi Jinping hit back at the US campaign, calling it suppression by Western countries led by the US. He urged Chinas private sector to help overcome the containment, and last week called for achieving high-standard self-reliance in science and technology. In Qins remarks to the forum thats being attended by executives including HSBC Holdings Plc Chairman Mark Tucker and Mercedes-Benz Group AG Chief Executive Officer Ola Kallenius, he pledged China would continue to promote high-quality opening-up. That comment comes as China emerges from three years of harsh Covid Zero restrictions that hampered economic activity and made it nearly impossible for businesspeople to visit the nation. Among other comments Qin made: Taiwans eventual return to China is a component of post-World War II international order. That appears to be an effort to counter US officials who say Beijing is bent on revamping that system to meet its own needs. China wants peaceful solutions to international disputes, with the foreign minister reiterating that it isnt supplying weapons to the fighting in Ukraine. The US has warned China against providing lethal aid to Moscow. The nations officials would do our utmost to help relieve the debt burdens of developing countries. China, a major lender to debt-laden developing countries, has been mired in disputes with multilateral banks over which parties should take the lead in restructuring sovereign debt. Qin boasted of Chinas world-leading position in installed capacity for renewable energies and vowed to actively participate in cooperation on climate change. (Updates with more details of Qins speech.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Ron DeSantis Makes First Official Visit To South Carolina Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaks to a crowd at the North Charleston Coliseum on April 19, 2023 in North Charleston, South Carolina Credit - Sean RayfordGetty Images Its been a rough two weeks for Ron DeSantis. Members of Congress from his own state have been endorsing Donald Trump in droves. A crippling gas shortage in South Florida coincided with the governors travel from South Carolina to South Korea, fueling a spate of negative headlines and Wheres Ron? memes. Hes been dropping in the polls. And perhaps most threatening to his presidential ambitionssome of his donors are pulling out. But none of that is shaking the confidence of Robert Bigelow, the hotel tycoon and aeronautics executive who reveals to TIME that he is the largest donor by far to Never Back Down Inc., a super PAC backing DeSantiss unofficial campaign for President. Bigelow, who was also the single-largest donor to DeSantiss 2022 reelection bid, confirms that he has already donated a little more than $20 million to Never Back Down. He says thats just a start. The super-rich businessman plans to continue putting his wealth behind sending the Florida governor to the Oval Office. I will give him more money and go without food, Bigelow says. His initial donation is a substantial increase from the $10 million contribution he made to DeSantis in the midterms last July. Bigelow, who is based in Las Vegas, says he made the $20 million donation on March 27. A senior Never Back Down official recently told The New York Times that the PAC raised $30 million from March 9 to April 3, meaning two-thirds of those dollars came from Bigelow. A person familiar with Never Back Downs fundraising confirmed both the Bigelow contribution and its share of the PACs overall donations in that time period. The source added that Never Back Down raised an additional $3 million on Thursday, though they wouldnt say where or who it came from. It really speaks to the fact that people really want Ron DeSantis to get in the race, they said. Story continues Bigelow made his fortune founding the Budget Suites of America hotel chain, and has drawn attention in recent years for large investments in research into UFOs and whether human beings possess souls that can survive the deaths of their bodies. He is not the only high-net-worth individual sticking with DeSantis. The billionaire hedge fund manager and Citadel founder Ken Griffin is also planning to financially support the Florida governor, Semafor reported on Tuesday. Griffin, one of the largest political donors in the midterm elections, gave roughly $75 million to Republican candidates, including $5 million to DeSantiss war chest. DeSantis has not yet formally launched a campaign, but he has been preparing to enter the race once the Florida legislature concludes its session next month. Bigelow has in the past donated small amounts to both Republicans and Democrats, but he went all-in on DeSantis last summer. That was in part, he says, because he liked his first-term agenda, including his economic conservatism and attacks on woke culture, such as Floridas so-called Dont Say Gay law that prohibits the teaching of sexual orientation or gender identity in public schools. I fully agree with him on all the woke-ism, Bigelow tells me. It really should not be up to the state to indoctrinate children. So Im in full agreement with everything that hes done. Although he doesnt agree with DeSantis on everything. I do disagree with the governor on the abortion issue, he says, adding that he supports legal access to abortion through the first trimester of a pregnancy. But Bigelow went on to say that DeSantiss restrictive abortion policies were not a dealbreaker. Read more: Where 2024 Republican Hopefuls Stand on Federal Abortion Restrictions A one-time Trump enthusiast, Bigelow says he could no longer stand behind the former president after the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Trump lost his north, he says. He certainly lost me as a supporter, and as someone who would champion him. He showed that, in that particular hour, that he was no commander. He was absolutely no commander. Since Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg criminally prosecuted Trump for allegedly falsifying business records connected to hush money payments he made to a porn star, Trump has surged in the polls. A Reuters/Ipsos survey conducted after the indictment found Trump leading DeSantis by 58% to 21% among likely GOP votersa gain of 10 percentage points from the week before. Hes also been accruing a steady stream of endorsements from Republicans in Congress, including 11 members from Florida. DeSantis, on the other hand, only has the backing of one Hill legislator from his home state: Rep. Laurel Lee, who previously served as his first secretary of state. In a brutal act of D.C. savagery, Rep. Lance Gooden of Texas attended a DeSantis event put on by the Heritage Foundation on Tuesday, only to emerge minutes later and endorse Trump. Bigelow believes Trumps legal woes would hurt him in a general election with moderate and independent voters. We dont expect Jesus Christ to be on the ballot, he says. But we also dont expect somebody who is plagued by all kinds of criminal charges and civil charges against him all the time that he is going to be running for election. That just isnt smart. The former president may also face charges in several other investigations against him, including a Georgia prosecutors probe into his efforts to overturn the states 2020 presidential election and Special Counsel Jack Smiths inquiry into his handling of classified documents. Bigelows vocal support of DeSantis comes in contrast to some other wealthy conservatives. One top mega-donor, Thomas Peterffy, told the Financial Times over the weekend that he was halting plans to help finance DeSantiss presidential bid because of DeSantiss proposal to ban LGBTQ-themed books and his signing into law a six-week abortion ban. A person familiar with the thinking of another top donor, Richard Uihlein, told NBC News he was pumping the brakes: The polling really made different people pause. Bigelow, 78, insists that Trump would be more beatable than DeSantis against President Joe Biden. Were he to actually be the Republican candidate, that would be a travesty, he says of Trump. Yet for all of Bigelows affection for DeSantisand massive financial boosts to his political coffersthe two dont speak regularly. I communicate mostly through his campaign manager and other senior staff, he says. Its an account that some may see as attestation to the concerns that some Republicans have expressed about DeSantis lacking the charisma and retail politics magic to go the distance in 2024. In Bigelows view, however, there arent any other Republicans who can win a hard-fought nomination battle. Hes the right guy, especially at these times, I believe as far as a Republican candidate is concerned, Bigelow says. Hes going to have the record and hell have the right stuff to be the best candidate for the Republican Party. Still, the man from the gambling capital of the world seems to recognize that its a risky bet that anyone other than Trump can emerge victorious in what appears very much to still be the Trump-era GOP. But as his donations suggest, hes sure going to try. Restaurant apprentices at a top hotel management school in France are refusing to work until bosses crack down on alleged sexual harassment, homophobic comments and insults from teachers. The Vatel group boasts it rakes in 90 million euros ($99 million) a year through its 50 hospitality institutes across the globe. But since March 27, around 60 third-year undergraduates in Paris have refused to work in its restaurant to protest the behaviour of certain teachers there. One female student, who agreed to speak on condition of anonymity, described a toxic working environment from her first year. "They'd yell at us every day. They'd tell me, 'You're just a piece of shit.' I was so anxious that in the morning I'd cry and in the evening I'd throw up'," she said. Top French chefs in 2014 publicly called for an end to the "hazing-like violence" that has plagued some of the country's feted kitchens. More than eight years later, students at Vatel say there is still work to be done. Third-year trainees have continued to attend classes but refuse to work in the restaurant. A second female student said its head pastry chef touched her back and stroked her arms from her first week of training. She reported his "inappropriate behaviour" to management, but "nothing ever came of it", she said. - Burning hot saucepan - Both said they often had to comfort first-year students in tears, after the same pastry chef had whispered obscene remarks in their ear or slapped them on the buttocks with a spatula. A third young woman, like the first two asking to remain anonymous, concurred. He often "grabbed my neck, asking me what I had done with my boyfriend over the weekend", she said. The three women said two other chefs also yelled at students. "They often lose their temper, insult students, tell them they're useless and that they'll never succeed," the third witness said. Story continues One of those chefs knowingly placed a hot saucepan on her hand, burning her, she said. She said it was disappointing to be in training at a school "so behind the times", when the rest of the industry was cracking down on sexism and bullying. A fourth student, a young man, said he thought the school should do better for the 11,400 euros each student paid per year in tuition fees. "For all the money we're forking out, it's not really the school we dreamt of," he said. The pastry chef "throws bowls and whisks at us," he added. One day, he said, the chef used a homophobic slur against him and told him: "you won't amount to anything in this sector". On the restaurant floor, one manager was no better, said a fourth woman who graduated from the school in 2020. "He'd whisper in my ear: 'You make me hot, I want you'," she said. - 'Contempt' - According to a report by investigative website Mediacites, 141 students petitioned Vatel founder Alain Sebban as early as 2020 to act against "contempt and lack of respect from teaching staff". Management handed the petition to his son Dov Sebban, who runs the Paris school, but the students say they received no reply. The school's management told AFP they had received only a letter in 2019 with complaints about the school's administration. But in a message from Sebban to students dated March 27, a copy of which AFP obtained, he says that he took measures after students in 2022 for the first time accused "two teachers of degrading comments and gestures". Management told AFP that two teachers, "a kitchen chef and a pastry chef", had been disciplined but refused to share the details of their punishment. On April 5, Sebban sent students a second letter, admitting to "clearly unacceptable" behaviour and promising to hire "outside consultants" to set up a system to report such incidents, which management said would be in place by September. But so far no staff member has been fired. The students are on Easter holiday this week and have not yet decided whether to resume their strike when they return. ref/ah/tgb/lth/rl By Julie Steenhuysen CHICAGO (Reuters) - Wendy Nelson watched her mother slowly die of Alzheimer's disease, unable to move or swallow at the end. "All her pleasures of life were gone," Nelson said. Grief-stricken, terrified of facing the same death, Nelson ordered 23andMe DNA test kits for Christmas 2020 for herself and three adult daughters. A Boston-based biotech executive who is now 52, Nelson hoped the kits would provide reassurance. They delivered the worst possible result. Nelson has two copies of the APOE4 gene variant that increases the risk of Alzheimer's, which means her risk of developing the disease is eight to 12 times higher than people with the most common version of APOE. "It totally backfired," she said. Millions of Americans are expected to test for Alzheimer's in the coming years some like Nelson, with at-home test kits, others at labs, as new drugs for people with early Alzheimer's from partners Eisai Co Ltd and Biogen Inc and Eli Lilly and Co usher in sweeping change in approaches to treatment of the disease. Testing for the APOE4 gene variant among Americans being treated for Alzheimer's has more than doubled from a year ago, an exclusive analysis of medical records for Reuters by health data firm Truveta found. The increase was driven by the new treatments that promise to slow the progression of the disease, but also carry risks, especially for people like Nelson carrying two copies of APOE4. Yet few support services are available to help people deal with the implications of APOE4 testing, according to interviews with more than a dozen neurologists and genetic counselors. Alzheimer's patients and caregivers face a shortage of genetic counselors to explain the tests and help them navigate the psychological, medical, financial and legal consequences. Eisai and Biogen's Leqembi, which arrived on the market in January, costs $26,500 a year and is not covered by Medicare outside of clinical trials. Medicare has said it will expand coverage if the drug is granted full U.S. approval, expected this summer. Story continues "When you learn that information, you're potentially learning information about your siblings, about your children," said Emily Largent, a bioethicist and health policy expert at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine. "People describe feeling existential dread." As a scientist, Nelson understood intellectually what her APOE4 results meant, but they created emotional havoc for her family. She had inherited one copy of APOE4 from her mother and the other from her father, who was showing no symptoms of Alzheimer's at the time. When her father's memory began to fail a year later, one of her two sisters doubted it could be Alzheimer's, Nelson said. Nelson knew he had to have the disease, because of her genetic test results. The tests also showed that each of Nelson's three adult daughters had one copy of APOE4, which triples or quadruples the risk of developing the disease - confronting them with their own Alzheimer's risks along with their mother's. Nelson's daughter, Lindsey, 22, and a fourth year nursing student at New York University, said she was traumatized when, even before testing, Nelson talked about exploring assisted suicide rather than suffer her mothers fate. "I would yell at her, cover my ears and run away," Lindsey said. "There are many complicated emotions involved." Nelson's eldest daughter, Lexi, 24, who works in data analytics, turned to research showing that lifestyle changes such as weight lifting can improve cognitive function. "I've tried really hard to improve my sleep, Im exercising a lot," she said. Her youngest, Pam, 20, a sophomore biology major at UCLA, said she takes comfort in knowing that her mother's result is not a diagnosis. "It's just a risk factor, and there are many other factors that influence what will happen." Leqembi is not suitable for Nelson, who is not symptomatic. Even if she were eligible, she said she is not a fan because of the risk of brain swelling, which is higher for people with two copies of APOE4. Nelson is pinning her hopes on an experimental pill from Alzheon Inc, which is being tested in people with early Alzheimer's who have two copies of APOE4. She is working her way through a bucket list of trips. In February, she climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro to raise money for a cancer charity, and she would like to visit Patagonia, the Greek Islands, South Africa, possibly Antarctica. If treatment fails, she said she has her "exit plan": legal euthanasia through a clinic in Switzerland. "I do not want to live the way my mom had to live her last five years of life. She was miserable," she said. THE TESTING REVOLUTION Until recently, most doctors tended not to order genetic tests to determine Alzheimer's risk, because there were no effective treatments to slow or prevent the disease. That changed with Leqembi, which was shown to reduce the rate of cognitive decline by 27% in patients with mild Alzheimer's. Eli Lilly's donanemab is in clinical trials with results expected by June. Both drugs remove the buildup in the brain of amyloid plaques associated with Alzheimer's, and are viewed as a first step towards even more effective treatments. Both can cause swelling and microbleeds in the brain. US regulators recommend genetic testing before starting treatment with Leqembi. "With this drug, it behooves us to check," said Dr. Sarah Kremen, a neurologist at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles. In the four months ahead of U.S. approval of Leqembi in January, APOE4 testing among people over 55 who visited a doctor within the last 30 days increased 125%. From September 2022 to January 2023, the rate averaged 1.4 tests per 100,000 patients, compared with 0.6 tests per 100,000 patients in the same period a year earlier, the analysis by Seattle-based Truveta found. The analysis was based on a review of medical records from 7.9 million adults at 28 major U.S. hospital systems. It does not include at-home consumer tests. The National Institutes of Health estimates up to 25% of people in the United States have one copy of APOE4 and up to 5% have two copies. Yet there is a shortage of genetic counselors to help families deal with the implications of having two copies of APOE4. A 2018 study in the European Journal of Human Genetics found the U.S. had just one trained genetic counselor per 82,000 people. The United Kingdom had 1 per 193,500. Banner Alzheimer's Institute in Phoenix, which is testing Lilly's donanemab, is researching an interactive online platform to deliver APOE results to volunteers being screened for enrollment in the trial. "We needed a scalable way to warn people about the potential benefits and risks of genetic disclosure," said Dr. Eric Reiman, Banner's director. While the U.S. Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) bans discrimination in employment and health insurance, it does not cover long-term care and disability and life insurance. Some members of families with increased genetic risk of Alzheimer's say it might be better not to know at all. Dovie Bryant, 77, who is taking part in the Lilly trial, lost her mother to Alzheimer's in 2012. When she shared with her five siblings that she had one copy of the APOE4 variant, none wanted to find out their own status. Her brother Jim Painter, 71, said he feared testing could make it harder to pass a health screening to move into a retirement community that offers increasing levels of care as a person ages. "That might be a red flag," Painter said. (Reporting by Julie Steenhuysen; editing by Caroline Humer and Suzanne Goldenberg) In an attempt to alleviate traffic congestion near one of Cape Cods busiest bridges, officials instituted new road restrictions Friday morning. Town officials say the Sagamore Bridge construction has caused severe traffic headaches for commuters, specifically in the area of Adams Street. Because of this, both Adams Street and Westdale Park were closed to public travel with access only allowed to area residents. Police say all traffic on Sandwich Road attempting to go over the Sagamore Bridge was diverted to the signalized intersection at Ben Abbey Road. Officers were on the scene all morning to assist. While this modification will not eliminate traffic related to the construction, we anticipate it should assist with some of the issues observed in the area, Bourne Police wrote in a statement. We, along with MassDOT and the US Army Corps, will continue to monitor the situation. Thank you for your patience as this construction project reaches its conclusion. 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 JOHANNESBURG, April 20 (Xinhua) -- South Africa would like to increase its cooperation with Namibia in various areas, including the energy sector, to grow the economy of both countries, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said Thursday. Ramaphosa made the remarks during his talks with Namibian President Hage Geingob, who is here on a state visit to South Africa. "We are committed to deepening our cooperation, particularly in the area of trade and investment. One of the areas to expand cooperation is in energy investment," said Ramaphosa, adding that the two countries are planning massive hydrogen projects. The private sector and state-owned enterprises from both countries should work together in the energy sector, which will result in the growth of the economies of both countries, Ramaphosa said. Ramaphosa also vowed to work together with Namibia in the pursuit of low-carbon, inclusive, and climate-resilient development. "One of the most pressing issues facing our respective countries and our region is climate change," he said. Namibia is one of South Africa's top trading partners in the Southern African Customs Union and the Southern African Development Community, according to Ramaphosa, who called for efforts to use the geographic proximity and close ties between the two economies for greater mutual benefit. UPDATED with Altanta PD statement on shootings of three transgender women in the city this year, and details on GoFundMe campaign for Koko Da Doll. UPDATED with more reaction from Kokomo City cast and producers from original 8:12 p.m. story: The director and subjects of Kokomo City are expressing shock over the death of Rasheeda Williams, one of the trans women featured in the award-winning documentary, who reportedly was shot to death in Atlanta Tuesday night. More from Deadline Atlanta police say they are investigating the killing after being called to the scene of the shooting on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SW. Upon arrival, officers located a female victim with an apparent gunshot wound. She was not alert, conscious or breathing and pronounced deceased on scene by AFR [Atlanta Fire Rescue Department], police said in a statement. Homicide investigators responded to the scene and are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident. The investigation continues. Atlanta police have released no further information. They did not identify the victim by name, but Kokomo City director D. Smith and other women who appear in the documentary say it was Williams, 35, a performing artist who went under the stage name Koko Da Doll. Kokomo City shows the struggle of Koko and other Black trans women in Atlanta and New York to move beyond a life of sex work, which they are often compelled to do as the only means of supporting themselves in a society that offers next to no traditional employment opportunities to women like them. Koko Da Doll in Kokomo City On Tuesday night, Rasheeda Williams was shot and killed in Atlanta. Rasheeda, aka Koko Da Doll, was the latest victim of violence against Black transgender women, Kokomo City director D. Smith said in a statement provided exclusively to Deadline. I created Kokomo City because I wanted to show the fun, humanized, natural side of Black trans women. I wanted to create images that didnt show the trauma or the statistics of murder of Transgender lives. I wanted to create something fresh and inspiring. I did that. We did that! But here we are again. Its extremely difficult to process Kokos passing, but as a team we are more encouraged now than ever to inspire the world with her story. To show how beautiful and full of life she was. She will inspire generations to come and will never be forgotten. Story continues This is the third shooting of transgender women in Atlanta this year, two of which resulted in fatalities. In a tweet on Thursday, officials said, The Atlanta Police Department (APD) is actively investigating three violent crimes involving transgender women this year. While these individual incidents are unrelated, we are very aware of the epidemic-level violence black and brown transgender women face in America. (L-R) Dominique Silver, Koko Da Doll, Stacy Barthe, D. Smith, Lena Waithe, Liyah Mitchell, and Daniella Carter attend the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. Koko Da Doll and other trans women featured in Kokomo City attended the Sundance Film Festival in January, where the film held its world premiere. The documentary executive produced by Lena Waithe, Stacy Barthe, William Melillo, and Rishi Rajani earned two awards at Sundance the Adobe NEXT Innovator Award, and the Audience Award in the festivals NEXT section. In an Instagram post, fellow Kokomo City participant Daniella Carter wrote, Never thought Id lose you, but here I am standing alone without you by my side were sisters for life we promised, but now youre gone I dont know what to do without you Im going crazy, Im trying to hold on to keep strong Cast member Dominique Silver wrote on Instagram, My sister you are gone but you will NEVER be forgotten. I am struggling right now to grasp the fact that we just spoke and now you arent here by my side! In the film, cast members including Silver and Liyah Mitchell describe the threat of violence inherent in sex work; Kokomo City begins with Mitchell sharing an incident in which she discovered a client was carrying a gun (they scuffled over the weapon, but later Mitchell discovered the man did not intend to harm her). Silver describes an incident in which a client grew angry after discovering she was trans and beat her. Three out of four transgender sex workers have experienced sexual violence or intimate partner violence at some point in their lives, according to the Transgender Law Center. Many trans women of color who have been murdered were sex workers or have engaged in sex work at some point in their lives. [There is no indication from Atlanta police at this point whether Williams death was connected to sex work]. Kokomo City, produced by D. Smith, Harris Doran, and Bill Butler, was acquired by Magnolia Pictures at Sundance, with a U.S. theatrical release planned for later this year (Dogwoof is releasing the film in theaters in the U.K. and Ireland on August 4). On Facebook, Doran wrote, I am absolutely grief stricken over the loss of our wonderful Koko Da Doll. To know Koko, was to love Koko. She was the sweetest, kindest and gentlest soul. This tragedy is just unbearable to process. The film has been praised for its candid and unapologetic depiction of life for the trans women who appear in it. Director D. Smith, who announced her transition in 2016, says she made the film independently to avoid having anyone dictate the content. These women have beautiful lives, beautiful stories, beautiful spirits, and it was completely untampered with and it was in a true raw form, even til the end of editing, Smith told Deadline at the Berlin Film Festival, where Kokomo City screened in the Panorama section. So there was no one to interfere with that process. In Berlin, Carter talked about new professional opportunities that have opened for her as a result of the film. But, in candid fashion, she said she hasnt forgotten trans women who still have to do sex work to get by. Many of my sisters have had to flip a dick or do a low trick to pay their bills, Carter said. I mean, literally, before opportunity came, it was survival. And so thats how we survived. A GoFundMe campaign has been set up for Rasheeda Williams to cover her funeral expenses. As of Friday midday it has raised $10,556 of a $15,000 goal. Hillman Grad, Lena Waithes production company, donated $2,500. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. A transgender woman was housed in jail with men for three months before she was moved to solitary confinement after a knife threat resulted in sexual assault, according to a federal lawsuit. As a pretrial detainee in male housing in Baltimore, Chelsea Gilliam was denied hormone treatments shed received weekly for 15 years and was harassed by inmates and guards, who are accused of refusing to refer to her as a woman, according to a complaint. Gilliam was then transferred to a solitary cell where she spent three more months and was only let out in shackles for an hour five days a week because of her gender identity, the lawsuit filed on April 18 says. The mistreatment and torture Gilliam faced violated the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services policies on transgender inmates, as well as federal law, Gilliams attorney Eve Hill told McClatchy News in a statement. Gilliam is suing the Maryland DPSCS, its staff and Corizon Health Inc., a company contracted to provide medical services to those in state custody. She wants to make sure this treatment does not happen to other transgender people, Hill said. A transgender woman was mistreated in jail and housed with men before she was put in solitary confinement in Baltimore, a lawsuit says. DPSCS spokeswoman Latoya Gray told McClatchy News in a statement on April 20 that the department cant comment on the lawsuit but takes the protection of every single incarcerated persons dignity and safety seriously. Gray said the states correctional facilities are evaluated by the Justice Department for abiding by the Prison Rape Elimination Act that prohibits placing lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex individuals in dedicated facilities, units, or wings solely on the basis of such identifications or status. DPSCS is not aware of any facility that has ever received a corrective action for a transgender-related issue, Gray added. McClatchy News contacted Corizon Health on April 20 and didnt receive a response. Gilliam is housed with men and denied treatment, lawsuit says Gilliam was diagnosed with gender dysphoria in 2003, when she began treatment for it at age 17 before legally changing her name to Chelsea in 2009, according to the complaint. Story continues People who have gender dysphoria may feel serious distress over how their biological sex and gender identity dont line up, according to the American Psychiatric Association. The lawsuit stems from how Gilliam was sent to the Baltimore City Correctional Center after she was accused of assault and arrested on Dec. 17, 2021, according to the complaint. She was housed with men until Feb. 2, 2022, despite her female gender identity, feminine appearance and medical history of hormone therapy, the complaint says. In Maryland, housing of individuals with gender dysphoria in jail is to be decided on a case-by-case basis while seriously considering the inmates opinion regarding (their) safety and (their) biological gender presentation and appearance, according to a state executive directive issued in 2016. Gilliam argues she wasnt asked her opinion on what would be a safe housing placement for her. When she complained, one jail staff member told her you are a man and you are in jail, the complaint says. During her time in male housing, she was forced to shower with men, according to the complaint. On one occasion while Gilliam was showering, a male inmate pulled out a knife, threatened her and sexually assaulted her, the complaint says. She reported the assault to jail officials, but no action was taken, according to Gilliam. Although Gilliam told jail staff she needed her hormone treatment when she arrived at jail, this wasnt taken seriously until after she was sexually assaulted, according to the complaint. The interruption of her hormone treatment caused physical and mental consequences, including the reemergence of facial hair, which caused skin irritation, an increase in testosterone levels and feelings of intense frustration, the complaint says. DPSCS policy requires the jails medical services to continue an individuals hormone therapy if its part of their established regimen for gender dysphoria, according to the state directive. Chelsea Gilliam Gilliam is sent to solitary confinement On Feb. 2, 2022, Gilliam was transferred to the Maryland Reception Diagnostic and Classification Center and put in administrative segregation, a form of solitary confinement, solely because she is transgender, the complaint says. The complaint notes that the United Nations views isolation longer than 15 days to be torture. Gilliam spent over three months in isolation, causing anxiety and depression, until her release in May 2022, according to the complaint. The lawsuit argues Gilliam was subjected to cruel and unusual punishment in violation of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The defendants tried to erase me, what happened to me and all traces of me being transgender. But I will not be erased and I will not be silenced, Gilliam said at a news conference recorded by WMAR 2. Gray said DPSCS has tirelessly worked on the complex issues related to the transgender incarcerated population, and is committed to updating its policies as necessary in the statement to McClatchy News. Man eaten alive by bed bugs and insects dies in Georgia jail, family attorney says Man dies after losing 45 pounds in jail over 20 days, lawsuit says. He needed help Dad of 2 dies in jail from neglect after wife begs staff to check on him, lawsuit says Gross medical neglect led to inmates death from organ failure, SC coroner says Animal advocates are calling on the City of Pasco to create a new advisory board to give citizens and stakeholders a say in how the Tri-Cities Animal Shelter is run. For several weeks now, Pasco City Council chambers have been flush with stakeholders some toting signs with photos of happy dogs that had recently been euthanized who have demanded the city take more robust action to protect the animals. Animal welfare is such a complicated, big problem that solving it in a vacuum is not going to happen, said Brian Moreno, one of the groups leading voices. It takes everybody lifting this together to make it better for the community. The animal shelter is currently under the management and oversight of city staff. There is no citizen advisory group that directly provides recommendations or best practices to the animal shelter, said City Manager Adam Lincoln. Stakeholders say they dont want to take the managerial power away from the city, just create a method by which independent animal care workers, law enforcement and veterinarians can chime in to suggest policies, best practices and to be involved in any non-emergency euthanasia. An advisory board, advocates say, would also help shed light into the inner workings of an animal shelter that has seen an overwhelming share of mismanagement during its existence. City officials and council members have suggested the public lobby the Tri-Cities Animal Control Authority (ACA), a public agency whose primary job is to implement and provide animal control and sheltering services at the shelter. The fact is we care about the animals, its just we think were doing the right things for you guys and it doesnt feel like were meeting your goals, Councilman Joseph Campos told public commenters at the April 3 city council meeting. What Im picking out is you have a very specific ask and want, and you will not be satisfied until you get that. What Im asking is before we get to that avenue, try to meet and follow through the process. Story continues The ACA operates through an existing interlocal agreement with the cities of Pasco, Kennewick and Richland, and its representatives are made up of staff from those three cities. The ACA was also responsible for contracting with nonprofits to run the shelter and provide animal control up until the city took over management last fall. Plagued with problems The Tri-Cities Animal Shelter has been plagued with problems for several years stemming from the constant churn and turnover of nonprofit contractors, who were tasked with balancing a slim budget all while providing animal control and shelter services to a growing population, according to a Pasco city report that led to the city taking over the shelter. Turnover left records management in shambles and left the shelter without a consistent mission or staff. Community members expressed outrage after news came out in January that the City of Pasco had euthanized five dogs in recent weeks for aggressive behavior, with some questioning if there wasnt more that could have been done prior to the last resort move. There are also a slew of criminal allegations and lawsuits still simmering around the Neos Nation Animal Foundation controversy. The nonprofit had managed the Tri-Cities Animal Shelter up until its contract was terminated following a surprise inspection that found 30 sick cats and four malnourished dogs in November 2021. Allegations surfaced that Neos Nation financial manager, Julie Chambers, had siphoned $300,000 from the shelters budget to purchase a home in Richland. The funds were taken after the shelter received a $545,000 donation from the estate of a retired railroad engineer. The donation was meant to be exclusively for charitable and educational purposes, a civil lawsuit filed by the city claims. Chambers trial is set for June 21. She is charged with first-degree theft and money laundering in Franklin County Superior Court. There has not been a trial date set for a separate civil case in Benton County against Neos Nation Animal Foundation and its management. The City of Pasco is trying to claw back tens of thousands of dollars worth of bonuses allegedly paid out to Chambers, former shelter director Rebecca Howard and shelter manager Justin Hernandez. The Benton-Franklin Humane Society was handed temporary management of the shelter before the city took over in fall 2022. Some of the problems at the shelter that have plagued multiple contractors and that were identified by the city in an October 2022 report include: overcrowding, a backlog of animals awaiting spay or neutering, a lack of policies or standard operating procedures, and a lack of established veterinary partnership for medications and vaccinations. The city is working to resolve those organizational deficiencies, some of which could be resolved when the animal shelter opens a new state of the art facility this Christmas. Animal shelter transparency Moreno and his fellow animal advocates say the city has not been responsive to their proposal for a citizen advisory board, and that they have not been transparent enough about what improvements are being made at the shelter. More than anything, I think this group wants a response, he said. I think the real story here is you have a group of really constructive voices doing all the work, and the citys not responding, which is new to me. Ive never seen that even with state agencies, The group first approached the city in January with the proposal. Aside from some response from Council members Campos and David Milne, theres been little discussion from city leadership. I think that the city councils hope is that anything that pertains to operations of the animal control services can be handled at the staff level, and I think the city councils desire to involve anyone from the public who has an interest in the welfare of animals through the director of the animal control shelter and the ACA is a logical point for the sharing of ideas and having dialogue, Lincoln told the Tri-City Herald. Andrea Moreno, operations director of Mikeys Chance Canine Rescue, said she was disappointed to learn at the recent bi-monthly ACA meeting that staff would not say how many pets were euthanized between January and March, despite publicly disclosing the number of adoptions and stray intakes at the meeting. It just felt like they were trying to hide something, she said. Ben Zigan, animal services manager at the shelter, said the city has made a number of improvements since taking over, including hiring staff, extending hours, clarifying that they will take in strays when theres room, and partnering with organizations to transfer pets to other shelters when theres no room. These are a few changes, or improvements, that have been made as the Animal Control and Shelter move forward with community outreach, education and training to earn the trust back from the community that was damaged, Zigan wrote in an email. Mikeys Chance is one of several nonprofits that plays a role in supporting the tireless work staffers do at the Tri-Cities Animal Shelter. Since its founding in 2008, the foundation has taken in dogs from shelters throughout the Mid Columbia facing euthanasia including at Tri-Cities Animal Shelter. Weve always worked with the shelter as far as pulling dogs that are medically needy, who are either too young or too old to be there, or if they have behavioral issues, said Andrea Moreno, Brians spouse. We just want this advisory board put into place so that there is clear transparency with the Tri-Cities Animal Shelter. The murder of those five dogs is not something that should have happened, and we want to make sure that never happens again, she continued. Strays and adoptions Zigan shared the shelters January-March statistics with the Tri-City Herald. The shelter is currently housing 48 dogs and 53 cats. During those three months, intakes totaled 635 and adoptions were at 412. About 220 animals were transferred to different facilities, and 87 were returned to owners. Thirty-nine animals 12 dogs, 26 cats and 1 other were euthanized, nearly all due to medical issues. Only four dogs were put down for dangerous behavior. Previous reporting by Cameron Probert was included in this story. Suspended Beaufort County lawyer Cory Fleming will go on trial Sept. 11 for financial crimes he allegedly carried out with convicted killer and former lawyer Alex Murdaugh. The crimes involve the alleged theft of a $4.3 million inheritance due the sons of the Murdaugh familys housekeeper, Gloria Satterfield, from liability insurance proceeds after Satterfield died from injuries in a 2018 fall at Murdaughs house. After Satterfields death, Murdaugh allegedly hatched a scheme involving Fleming to steal some $4.3 million in insurance money from Satterfields sons, according to state grand jury indictments. Murdaugh wound up with most of the money, but Fleming also shared in the proceeds, indictments say. Fleming, who is represented by attorney Debbie Barbier, will go on trial by himself in Beaufort County. Murdaugh will be tried separately on the Satterfield allegations at a later date. Fleming, a close friend of Murdaughs from his days at the University of South Carolina Law School in the early 1990s, has pleaded not guilty. Flemings trial will be the first Murdaugh financial crimes trial in state court. In November 2022, former Hampton banker Russell Laffitte was found guilty in Charleston federal court of various counts of bank-related fraud. He was accused of helping Murdaugh carry out various theft schemes, most of which involved Murdaughs misuse or theft of his former clients funds being kept at Laffittes bank, Palmetto State Bank. Fleming was one of five defendants involved in Murdaugh-related cases whom trial dates were discussed Friday with state Judge Clifton Newman at the Hampton County courthouse, about 90 miles south of Columbia. The walls of the high-ceiling courtroom contain paintings of Murdaughs great-grand father, grandfather and father, all prominent solicitors, or chief elected prosecutors, who succeeded each other from about 1920 to 2005 in a five-county Lowcountry region. All were based in Hampton. No trial dates were set Friday for Murdaugh, who is serving two consecutive life sentences in state prison for killing his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul, in June 2021 at their Colleton County Moselle estate. Story continues One of Murdaughs attorneys, state Sen. Dick Harpootlian, D-Richland, is allowed to be excused from court appearances through July 31 because hes a sitting legislator. Chief prosecutor Creighton Waters, with the S.C. Attorney Generals Office, told Newman that come Aug. 1, when Harpootlian and his legal team can no longer claim immunity from participating in ongoing cases, he wants to start discussions about trial dates for some of Murdaughs financial crimes. Murdaugh faces nearly 100 counts of various crimes, ranging from money laundering, forgery and embezzlement involving millions of dollars in alleged thefts, according to state grand jury indictments. Justice has a deadline On Friday, trial dates were discussed but not set for state grand jury criminal charges involving Laffitte, who appeared with his lawyers Mark Moore, state Rep. Todd Rutherford, D-Richland, and Steve Parente. Moore and Rutherford said they needed more time to prepare for any trial, especially Rutherford, who was hired Thursday. Moore also asked for and got permission from Newman to move $300,000 from a Laffitte escrow account at the Nelson Mullins law firm to an escrow account at Moores firm, Maynard Nexsen, formerly known as Nexsen Pruet. Any spending of that money, which came from the sale of Laffittes house and other properties so he could hire lawyers, has to be approved by Newman. The money was at the Nelson Mullins law firm because that is where Laffittes first team of lawyers, who included Bart Daniel and Matt Austin, worked. Laffitte fired them within weeks of his guilty verdicts in federal court. Laffitte is expected to be sentenced in that case by U.S. Judge Richard Gergel by the end of June. Meanwhile, no trial date was set for Curtis Eddie Smith, Murdaughs alleged henchman in helping him launder more than $2 million Murdaugh allegedly stole over the years in various unlawful schemes. Smith, who is out on bond, did not appear Friday, but his attorney Aimee Zmroczek told the judge that Smith has been suffering from severe health problems lately and may have to go on dialysis treatment. Smiths other lawyer, Jarrett Bouchette, also was present. Trial dates also were set Friday for two Colleton County men Jerry Rivers and Spencer Roberts whom Waters characterized as minor players in the sweeping Murdaugh crime drama. Rivers, represented by Chris Leonard, will go on trial Aug. 28. Roberts, represented by court-appointed attorney Shaun Kent, will go on trial Dec. 18. Kent, a high-dollar criminal defense attorney, was appointed to the case only this week. Both trials will take place in Colleton County. In 2021, Rivers is alleged to have received more than $89,000 in checks that originated from Murdaugh, Waters told a judge last year at Rivers bond hearing. Waters said checks went from Murdaugh to Smith first, then to Roberts and Rivers and other individuals whom Waters did not identify. Roberts also received a substantial number of checks allegedly originating from Murdaugh, Waters said last year. Waters said Rivers and Roberts were arrested after evidence showed they played a small role in Murdaughs money-laundering schemes. Prosecutors have bigger fish to fry than Rivers and Roberts, Waters told Newman, but said, when you uncover these things, you cant ignore them. Columbia attorney Eric Bland, who with law partner Ronnie Richter was instrumental in bringing the Satterfield alleged theft to light in 2021, said Friday he is glad Fleming will finally go on trial. Justice has a deadline, and its time, Bland said. Cory Fleming was instrumental in what happened in the Satterfield case. Othal Wallace in court for a change of venue hearing, Friday, April 21, 2023. The death-penalty trial of Othal Wallace, who is accused of killing Daytona Beach Police Officer Jason Raynor, will be moved from Volusia County, but exactly where is yet to be decided. The judge also anticipates motions over using the new law which allows for non-unanimous jury death recommendations. Circuit Judge Raul Zambrano agreed it would be difficult and time-consuming to find a jury in Volusia County for the case, which has received widespread media attention. Wallace silently nodded his head when Zambrano agreed to move the trial. Othal Wallace seeks venue change: Attorney for accused Daytona Beach cop killer Othal Wallace to request change of venue 'Caught up in a situation': Man accused of shooting Daytona officer tells visitor he got caught up in a situation But Zambrano said he wants to have a further look into the available locations. "I don't want to be insensitive to try to be close, but at the end of the day, that may not be an available option," Zambrano said. Zambrano also agreed to delay the trial by one month and scheduled it to start on Sept. 5. The defense had asked for a two-month delay. The trial was originally set to start July 31 with jury selection. Zambrano also noted that the death penalty law changed on Thursday requiring an 8-to-4 jury recommendation for a judge to sentence someone to death. He said the issue would have to be addressed before the trial. The previous law required a jury to unanimously recommend death for the judge to consider using the death penalty. "Obviously, because of the change in the law that may or may not be applicable to this case, you are going to have to file the motions with respect to the change in the law so we can address those before we get to trial," Zambrano said. Bryan Shorstein, a spokesman for the 7th Circuit State Attorney's Office, said prosecutors would seek to apply the new law in Wallace's trial. Othal Wallace, 31, was indicted on a charge of first-degree murder of a law enforcement officer in 26-year-old Raynor's death in 2021. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. Story continues Othal Wallace requests change of venue One of Wallace's defense attorneys, Terry J. Shoemaker, repeated arguments he made in a motion during Friday's hearing in the courtroom at the Volusia County Branch Jail. Shoemaker said the case has received a lot of publicity, Raynor was a police officer and many people donated to the slain officer's GoFundMe page. He said all those factors would make it difficult to find a jury in Volusia County. Shoemaker wants the trial moved to Alachua County and out of the 7th Circuit, which covers Volusia, Flagler, St. Johns and Putnam counties. Wallace's attorneys had suggested three counties Alachua, Leon and Broward but specifically asked for Alachua in their motion. Shoemaker said Alachua County was more in line with Volusia County than St. Johns County, which the state had recommended. Shoemaker said race, income and political status in St. Johns were different Volusia. Zambrano said choosing a venue is not a simple task and has a lot of demographic variables. Zambrano said many counties don't have sufficient court and security facilities. He said had checked with one county, which he did not name, which said it did not want the trial there. Zambrano said the county had construction issues. Assistant State Attorney Jason Lewis opposed the move to Alachua County and suggested instead Putnam County or St. Johns County. Lewis said there was no court decision saying that he must find a racially or economically equal county. Lewis said that Lake and Marion counties were very similar in economic and Black communities. "The defense has selected three heavily Democratic counties," Lewis said. Lewis said he would like to keep the trial in the 7th Circuit. Zambrano said he would take the issue under consideration. Othal Wallace defense: Black men 'brainwashed' into believing police will shoot them Raynor's patrol car to museum: Slain Daytona Beach Officer Jason Raynor's patrol car goes to Titusville museum Wallace sat between Shoemaker and his other defense attorney, Tim Pribisco Jr. Wallace's third defense attorney, Garry Wood, sat nearby. Hearing regarding evidence about Raynor Pribisco asked to delay the trial because he said they have received a "significant amount of discovery" since February. "The most significant aspect is the disclosure of an internal investigations report as to some allegations of a false arrest committed by the decedent in this case," Pribisco said. He said a hearing is scheduled for May 25 on the admissibility of the evidence. He said they had also received about 1,000 pages of new medical records. Lewis said prosecutors did not object to a one-month or two-month delay and he said the medical records were not overly complex. He said the internal affairs file was a public record they could have requested two years ago. The shooting of Officer Raynor Raynor was patrolling in an area of Daytona Beach on June 23, 2021, because residents had complained of criminal activity. Raynor went to question Wallace who was sitting in a car outside of an apartment building at 133 Kingston Ave., where Wallace was living with his girlfriend and their children, according to reports. Police said Wallace shot Raynor in the head. Raynors gun was found still in its holster. Wallace was arrested on June 26, 2021, when a task force found him hiding in a treehouse in DeKalb County, Georgia, near Atlanta. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Othal Wallace trial will take place outside of Volusia County An art foundation made the winning $6-million-bid for a composite Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton at an auction in Switzerland this week and will put it on public display, the auction house said Friday. Estimated to be 65 to 67 million years old, the skeleton called Trinity was made up of bones from three different T-Rexes. It sold at the Koller auction house in Zurich on Tuesday for 5.5 million Swiss francs ($6.1 million). On the night of the auction, it was only revealed that the buyer was a private European collector, sparking concern that the skeleton might remain hidden, out of reach of researchers and the public. But on Friday, Koller announced the buyer was The Phoebus Foundation, a non-profit art foundation. "Phoebus has announced their intention to show Trinity to the public in their Boerentoren cultural centre project in Antwerp," Koller said in a statement. The Boerentoren, or Farmer's Tower, was among the first skyscrapers in Europe when it was completed in 1931. It was purchased by Phoebus two years ago with plans to turn it into a public space for exhibitions and other cultural experiences. Once ready, Trinity, which drew some 35,000 visitors during the two-and-a-half weeks it was on display in Zurich before the auction, will become a permanent fixture in the new cultural centre. While waiting for the Boerentoren centre to be completed, "we are exploring the possibility of lending Trinity to a museum in the meantime, so that the public can already enjoy this unique specimen," Phoebus Foundation chief of staff Katharina Van Cauteren said. "Scientists also need not worry: like the rest of our collection, Trinity is available for research," she said. Koller auction house owner and chief Cyril Koller hailed the purchase, saying: "We are extremely pleased that Trinity will be made available to the public and to science." nl/rjm/ach [Source] Three men accused of targeting Asian people in a string of armed robberies in Californias Santa Clara County are now facing hate crime enhancements to their charges, prosecutors announced on Thursday. Tavita Lauti Fifita, 21, Curtis Eddie Charles Freeman, 19, and Siahola J'lan Tupouata, 18, were arrested on Monday night for the robberies that occurred in Palo Alto and Milpitas earlier in the day. San Francisco police located them in a white 2020 Kia Sportage that was reported stolen out of Oakland in the morning, according to reports. The robberies reportedly took place about half an hour from each other. More from NextShark: Oakland Chinatown Leader Attacked While Running Errands, Visiting Victim of Separate Incident The first incident, which was reported at 6:35 p.m., occurred in the 1100 block of Trinity Lane and involved a family of four who had just returned home. As the family a father and a mother in their 30s, and two children both under 10 years old got out of their car in their garage, two men approached them and demanded their phones and the mothers purse. One of them pointed a gun at the father and threatened to kill him if they did not comply. The robbers took the adult victims phones but left the purse. They fled in a vehicle driven by a third accomplice. More from NextShark: Taiwan fires at Chinas drones for first time as president orders strong countermeasures The second robbery, which was reported at 6:57 p.m., took place in the 800 block of Marshall Drive. The victim, a woman in her 40s, was also returning home when two men approached her, demanded her phone and held her at gunpoint. The Milpitas robbery, which was reported at 7:28 p.m., occurred in the 1300 block of McCandless Drive. There, officers reported four suspects, one of whom brandished a firearm before taking the victims purse. More from NextShark: Tennis star Alex Eala becomes first Filipino to win Grand Slam singles championship The Palo Alto victims provided a similar description of the robbers: All three were Black males, with the first two wearing ski masks and the getaway driver driving a white SUV. The handgun wielded by one of them was black and silver in color. Story continues Amid a multi-agency investigation, officers with the San Francisco Police Department located the getaway vehicle at around 9:14 p.m. and arrested Fifita, Freeman and Tupouata without incident. More from NextShark: Atlanta Officer, Elderly Homeless Man Share Deep Bond Since Before Pandemic A fourth person inside the vehicle was described as a 16-year-old male with an outstanding probation violation warrant out of Alameda County. The trio of robbers, who are all from Oakland, were charged with three counts of robbery, one count of residential burglary, one count of possession of a stolen vehicle, one count of possession of stolen property and one count of conspiracy. Tupouata was also charged with one count of assault with a deadly weapon in connection with the first incident. On Thursday, the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office announced that hate crime enhancements have been added to the robbers charges. Those who prey on Asian people should know that both my office and our county are proudly diverse and united against hatred and violence, District Attorney Jeff Rosen said in a statement. The robberies follow the arrests of multiple suspects earlier this month for similarly robbing Asian victims in the Bay Area. They include another trio Michael Pruitt, 21, Demario Emmanuel, 20, and Ilyaas Mubarez, 19 who may also face hate crime charges. A separate suspect, Lathan Johnson, 38, was also arrested for robberies that occurred between April and August last year. He was already charged with 14 hate crimes. NEW YORK (AP) Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, French President Emmanuel Macron, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will join business, political and philanthropic leaders, as well as celebrities, including Hugh Jackman and John Legend, for this years edition of the Global Citizen NOW conference in New York City starting April 27. The conference will combine major announcements on policy initiatives with discussions about immediate steps that can be taken on climate change, food insecurity, gender inequality, and other issues. Building a future that is fair, equal, and peaceful, with clean air and clean water for everyone, is at the heart of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and reflects the vision of the Global Citizen NOW summit, Trudeau said in a statement. In New York City, I look forward to advancing our shared progress and advocating for strong global commitments to support gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls everywhere. Global Citizen CEO Hugh Evans has said the summit will focus on turning ideas into impact. Executives from Verizon, Cisco, Citi, and Procter & Gamble will join philanthropic leaders from Ford, Open Society, PepsiCo and Rockefeller foundations to discuss how the changes can be carried out. ____ Associated Press coverage of philanthropy and nonprofits receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. For all of APs philanthropy coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/philanthropy. By Luc Cohen NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. Representative Jim Jordan, one of Donald Trump's staunchest allies in Congress, on Friday urged an appeals court to let his House Judiciary Committee depose a former prosecutor in the Manhattan district attorney's criminal probe of the former U.S. president. The district attorney, Democrat Alvin Bragg, had earlier this week appealed a lower court's ruling that the Republican-led House of Representatives committee may depose Mark Pomerantz, who led the Trump probe before resigning in February 2022. Pomerantz's testimony had been scheduled for Thursday, but the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals put it on hold. A three-judge panel is expected to hear oral arguments on Tuesday about whether to extend the stay until Bragg's full appeal is heard. In papers filed on Friday, Jordan said the subpoena was covered by a constitutional protection for "speech or debate" in Congress. He said Pomerantz's testimony was necessary for the committee to consider possible legislation to "help protect current and former Presidents from potentially politically motivated prosecutions." Bragg is expected to reply by Saturday afternoon. He has argued that Jordan's subpoena was part of a campaign of intimidation in response to his indictment of Trump, the front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024. On April 4, Trump pleaded not guilty to 34 felony charges tied to a hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 presidential election, to prevent her from discussing a sexual encounter she says they had. Trump denies that the encounter occurred. Daniels' real name is Stephanie Clifford. Bragg has said Pomerantz's testimony could improperly reveal confidential information related to his office's probe, and that Congress did not have oversight of state-level criminal cases. (Reporting by Luc Cohen in New York; editing by Jonathan Oatis) Mike Pence has spent nearly a half dozen of his Sundays in recent months speaking at churches around the country and is writing an entire book about his faith. Tim Scott is on a Faith in America tour and twice met with pastors in Iowa recently. Both of them will appear at a Christian cattle call on Saturday in Iowa, an event that Ron DeSantis is skipping altogether and where Donald Trump will only appear by video. None of this seems to be doing them any good so far. Unlike in Republican presidential primaries past, just two candidates Pence, the former Catholic turned evangelical, and Scott, who speaks of finding a God Solution to the countrys racial divide stand alone in making explicit appeals to Evangelical voters. Trump and DeSantis, meanwhile, are relying solely on their reputations as brute-force brawlers in the culture wars. Their success and the difficulties Pence and Scott are having courting voters, according to recent polls reflects a major change in the evangelical bloc of the GOP electorate in the Trump era. When five GOP presidential candidates take the stage at Iowas Faith & Freedom Coalition in Clive on Saturday, vowing to take on the woke left will likely mean more than reciting the Apostles Creed. Evangelicals have changed and have become more populist and more renegade and wanting to fight more and engage in Christian culture, said David Brody, the chief political analyst for Christian Broadcasting Network, who wrote the The Faith of Donald J. Trump." Trump has a following who wants to fight because they see culture going to hell in a handbasket, and thats whats winning the day in politics. And that's why he is winning with them. Kristin Kobes Du Mez, a historian at evangelical Calvin University in Michigan and the author of Jesus and John Wayne, referenced DeSantis God Made a Fighter ad as an example of the shifting evangelical soil. Thats what evangelicals are looking for now any personal testimony is kind of a bonus, but not necessary, Du Mez said. What matters to evangelicals is they are looking for the best candidate to further their agenda. Story continues In previous presidential campaigns, GOP candidates like George W. Bush, Mike Huckabee, Ted Cruz and Ben Carson made explicit appeals to values voters. They regaled them with their personal testimonies and, in the case of Cruz, worked stages in the style of a megachurch pastor. Though evangelicals were initially skeptical of Trump, he slowly gained their trust. His running mate in 2016, Pence, gave them permission to look past his crude remarks and reputation for philandering, among other concerns, and embrace Trump as an unlikely but effective champion of their top moral causes. With Trumps election as someone only glancingly familiar with the faith, evangelicals no longer rely on kicking a candidates theological tires. Evangelicals support Trump because of his policies. He doesnt pretend to be pious, which is refreshing. He doesnt pretend to be something he is not, but he has been the most pro-life, pro-religious liberty, pro-Israel president in history, said Robert Jeffress, pastor at the First Baptist Church in Dallas and an evangelical ally of Trump who is in regular contact with the ex-president. Trump has the critical Republican voting bloc of white evangelical Christians about 14 percent of the voting population to thank for propelling him to the White House in 2016. In 2020, eight of 10 evangelical voters cast a ballot for Trump. And the church-going crowd is largely still standing with him, polling shows. A Monmouth University survey last month in a four-way matchup between Trump, DeSantis, Pence and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley found Trump with 47 percent support among self-described evangelicals, compared to DeSantis with 35 percent. Pence and Haley registered in the single digits. But Trumps relationship with evangelical voters has largely been transactional. He promised to stack the Supreme Court with conservative judges who would topple Roe v. Wade and protect religious liberties and it happened. After the Supreme Court overturned federal abortion rights, Trump lashed out at Christian leaders who werent automatically lining up for him in 2024. There's great disloyalty in the world of politics, and that's a sign of disloyalty because nobody has ever done more for 'right to life' than Donald Trump, he told the Christian Broadcasting Network. Despite the occasional tensions between some evangelical leaders and Trump, Jeffress predicted that evangelical voters will coalesce around the former president again in 2024. I dont see anyone who has announced so far who has a chance of capturing the vote of evangelicals other than Trump, he said. No Republican can win the primary without self-identified evangelicals, said Michael Wear, the former evangelical outreach adviser to President Barack Obama's 2012 campaign and founder, CEO and president of the Center for Christianity & Public Life. What Trump showed is that there are ways to get self-identified evangelicals that do not include directly Christian appeals, particularly the kind of the kind of extensive offering of one's personal testimony that was so important to George W. Bushs rise. Following Saturdays forum, Pence will head south to Atlanta, where hell speak at The Church of The Apostles. Hes expected to release his second book later this year, which will center on his faith journey. For two decades as an elected official, he kept a copy of the Bible and Constitution on his desk and held prayer meetings while in the White House. Evangelical leaders appreciate him and his sincerity, Du Mez said of Pence, And at the same time, they would prefer him not to be in charge of the country. Scott regularly talks about his personal Bible studies including in a video featured Wednesday on the Christian Broadcasting Network, a tribute to the late Rev. Charles Stanley, a giant of the Southern Baptist Convention. Scott advisers told POLITICO his strategy involves making a direct appeal to evangelical voters in Iowa. Besides DeSantis, Haley is another notable name sitting out this weekends faith forum in Iowa. Rather than convening ministers and church groups, the former governor has instead organized meetings in Iowa with farmers and womens groups, a sign that Haley is counting less on the evangelical vote. Despite not making as overt an appeal to evangelicals, DeSantis and Haley are still being embraced by parts of the Christian right. Each has been tapped to give speeches at two of the countrys top evangelical colleges DeSantis last week at a Liberty University convocation, and Haley early next month at Regent Universitys convocation. Bob Vander Plaats, Huckabee's former 2008 campaign chair and president and CEO of The Family Leader, an influential conservative Christian organization in Iowa, said some of his constituents support DeSantis, who grew up in a Catholic family and writes in his memoir that it was nonnegotiable that I would have my rear end in church every Sunday morning. Hes very much your constitutional conservative who is a man of deep faith, but that's not what he's going to reference as hes applying it to leadership, Vander Plaats said. He's going to go back to basic conservative principles and constitutional foundations versus inserting a lot of Scripture. JOHANNESBURG, April 20 (Xinhua) -- South Africa would like to increase its cooperation with Namibia in various areas, including the energy sector, to grow the economy of both countries, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Thursday. Ramaphosa made the remarks during his talks with Namibian President Hage Geingob, who is here on a state visit to South Africa. "We are committed to deepening our cooperation, particularly in the area of trade and investment. One of the areas to expand cooperation is in energy investment," said Ramaphosa, adding that the two countries are planning massive hydrogen projects. The private sector and state-owned enterprises from both countries should work together in the energy sector, which will result in the growth of the economies of both countries, Ramaphosa said. Ramaphosa also vowed to work together with Namibia in the pursuit of low-carbon, inclusive, and climate-resilient development as South Africa, like Namibia, is a water-scare country and is thus particularly vulnerable to climate change. Donald Trump is no stranger to the power of the photo op, and the image that emerged from his Palm Beach Mar-a-Lago club Thursday evening was a powerful one. Under a massive gold chandelier in an opulent dining room, 10 Republican members of Floridas Congressional delegation flank the former president at a long rectangular table, with a red Make America Great Again hat at the head of the table pointed squarely at the camera. All the members of Congress in attendance have endorsed Trump in his 2024 presidential bid over Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is expected to run against Trump, but has yet to officially announce. Rep. Carlos Gimenez, a Miami Republican who was seated near the head of the table across from his wife, just announced his endorsement Friday. Seated next to Trump on his left is Rep. Byron Donalds, who represents Southwest Florida, and had introduced DeSantis ahead of his victory speech last November, when DeSantis won reelection to governor by a landslide. But in political terms, that victory, and the strength it signaled for the governor in his home state, seems like another century. The dam is breaking in Florida politics and its breaking toward Trump and away from Ron DeSantis, said David Jolly, a former Republican congressman from Florida. This is a humiliating week for Ron DeSantis. Speaking to Fox News Friday, Donalds, who is widely expected to seek the governorship after DeSantis leaves office, said his endorsement of Trump doesnt indicate a lack of faith in DeSantis. I havent stopped my support of Gov. DeSantis, were just talking about the presidency, he said. Our countrys in a real problem. Youve got to be able to hit the ground running on day one. We know Donald Trump can do it. He did it once before, he can do it again. Others who back Trump are more blunt But other Republican politicians have been less diplomatic and criticized DeSantis for his interpersonal skills, long considered a liability. Story continues Rep. Greg Steube, who attended Thursdays dinner at Mar-a-Lago and represents the district directly north of Donalds district, told Fox News that DeSantis repeatedly brushed him off when he tried to connect with the governor. You cant win friends and influence people that way, especially in the political realm, he said. Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, himself a potential Republican presidential candidate, also dinged DeSantis for his social skills. He seems to struggle with relationships, generally, Suarez told Fox News on Thursday. I look people in the eye when I shake their hands. Those interpersonal skills are important in trying to win endorsements. Most endorsements come about from relationships or, at least, a little love notes, invitations, calls, said Al Cardenas, former chair of the Republican Party of Florida. In todays political environment, I am not sure how much endorsements mean in order to win, but if I were a candidate I would surely prefer to have them than not. Showing up and shown up in D.C. The Mar-a-Lago dinner came several days after DeSantis traveled to Washington, D.C., to try to win support from Republican members of Congress. One of those Congressmen, Rep. Lance Gooden from Texas, endorsed Trump soon after meeting with DeSantis. The Thursday meeting with Trump at Mar-a-Lago came as Trump faces a criminal investigation in New York in connection with hush-money payments he allegedly made to a porn star and continuing probes into his handling of classified material and his efforts to influence the outcome of the 2020 presidential election. The Miami Herald contacted all the members of Congress pictured with Trump at Mar-a-Lago to ask about the visit and to ask about the propriety of meeting with Trump as he faces numerous investigations. Along with Donalds, Gimenez and Steube, U.S. Reps. Gus Bilirakis, Vern Buchanan, Matt Gaetz, Anna Paulina Luna, Brian Mast, Cory Mills and Michael Waltz were also pictured with Trump Thursday evening. None provided comment ahead of publication. After publication Luna sent a statement saying her endorsement of Trump wasnt intended as a slight of DeSantis. I have said that I support DeSantis as my Governor and I stand by that, but I believe President Trump is the man our country needs right now, she said. He led America to peace and prosperity once and he will do it again. DeSantis should run in 2028. State Sen. Joe Gruters, former chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, was also in attendance, along with Trump aides Susie Wiles and Jason Miller, among others. Recent polling shows Trumps surge Beyond politicians, DeSantis support among prospective voters also appears to be lagging. A Wall Street Journal poll released Friday found that 51% of likely Republican primary voters said they would vote for Trump, while 38% said they would choose DeSantis in a hypothetical head-to-head matchup between the two. That result was a nearly complete reversal of a December Wall Street Journal poll in which 52% of likely Republican primary voters said they preferred DeSantis and 38% said they would pick Trump in the same hypothetical matchup. That turnaround in support has been stunning, particularly to political observers in Florida. DeSantis won reelection by the largest margin of any gubernatorial candidate in 40 years, flipping numerous counties in the state that had long been considered Democratic strongholds, such as Miami-Dade County. His victory seemed all the more impressive in the context of a disappointing performance by Republicans nationally, especially among candidates backed by Trump. But Trumps strength in the polls and the show of support from members of Congress demonstrates his hold on the Republican party, Jolly said. Donald Trumps grip on the party is real, he said. Every other candidate is positioning himself to be the bridesmaid. Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau Chief Mary Ellen Klas contributed from Tallahassee. (Bloomberg) -- Former President Donald Trump is girding to take a swing at Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on one of the things his chief rival is proudest of: his handling of his states economy. Most Read from Bloomberg In conversations with Trump campaign advisers and allies, the strategy theyve developed is to bury DeSantiss expected presidential campaign before it begins. On Friday, DeSantis spoke at the Heritage Foundations 50th Anniversary summit outside Washington, and Trump will address Republicans later Friday in DeSantiss home state. Trump, according to his allies, will use the occasion to remind local officials how he turned some swing states red in 2016. Hell speak about how he plans to campaign against Biden in 2024 and also will try to muddy up the brightest parts of the governors record. Shortly after DeSantiss speech, the Trump campaign sent out a lengthy critique of the governors economic record, hitting him for the high cost of housing, fuel and other basics. The real DeSantis record is one of misery and despair. He has left a wake of destruction all across Florida and people are hurting because he has spent more time playing public relations games instead of actually doing the hard-work needed to improve the lives of the people he represents, Steven Cheung, a Trump spokesman, said in a statement. A new Wall Street Journal poll Friday showed Trump gaining on his opponent. In a head-to-head matchup it points to Trump having 51% of support among Republican primary voters, compared with 38% for DeSantis. With Trump surging in the polls and having a massive amount of focus, this is the opportunity to reengage previous supporters and lock in new supporters before DeSantis even gets his plane off the ground, Jason Miller, a senior adviser to the Trump campaign, said in an interview. Story continues The Trump-DeSantis clash unfolds as President Joe Biden is preparing to announce his reelection campaign as early as next week, according to people familiar with the matter. DeSantiss allies insist he hasnt decided whether to run. But polls show that he is Trumps most viable challenger, and the former president is treating him like a full-fledged opponent. Paid advertisements by a Trump-allied super political action committee have assailed DeSantis, 44, for his support while in Congress of cuts to Medicare and Social Security, while Trump himself has mocked the governor in speeches, videos and social media posts. Behind the scenes, Trump, 76, and his aides have reached out to GOP lawmakers across the country to lock up support both in DeSantiss own backyard and in early voting states. DeSantis, to the chagrin of some supporters and would-be donors, has barely fought back. An allied super PAC began an ad campaign last weekend criticizing Trump, and DeSantis picked up a single endorsement this week from Representative Laurel Lee, a Florida Republican. Trump won the backing of six Florida House members just this week, and his team is delighted that a majority of the states lawmakers now support the former president rather than their own governor. Trumps lead over DeSantis in the RealClearPolitics average of polls has widened to about 29 percentage points, from 13 percentage points in January. Some donors whod hoped DeSantis would displace Trump are holding onto their money as the former president pummels his presumptive challenger. Its working, and you dont need to look any further than the totality of the polls. Trump has momentum, said Florida-based Republican strategist Ford OConnell, who served as a surrogate for the Trump White House and 2020 campaign. But Dave Abrams, a spokesperson for the DeSantis political team, said, the inordinate amount of time spent attacking Governor DeSantis reveals his strength and others weakness. The super PAC supporting the governor has recently hired staff in early voting states and sent out mailers introducing DeSantis, his military service, his family and his political record. If Trump succeeds at weakening DeSantis politically or even dissuading him from a run the former president would establish himself as the presumed Republican nominee for 2024. Many Republican strategists think that would spell trouble for the party. The former president remains deeply unpopular among American voters and faces criminal charges in New York and other legal perils. None of that matters to Trump, who is showing that hell treat his 2024 primary rivals just as ruthlessly as the ones he dispatched in 2016. Hes combined personal attacks with more conventional criticism of the governors record, zeroing in, for instance, on his feud with the Walt Disney Co. The upside for DeSantis is that Trumps almost singular focus is helping to solidify his standing as the former presidents most viable challenger. No other Republican already in the race or believed to be considering a run registers better than single-digit support in polls. Its clearly not driving him back down into the third tier, and as long as he sort of hangs in there as the obvious alternative, it doesnt matter if hes down 20 or down 30 or down 15 as long as hes double-digits ahead of everybody else when game time comes, said Brad Coker, managing director at Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy in Florida. And attacks so early in the campaign might not be remembered by voters though they could cumulatively have effect over time, said Dave Carney, a Republican consultant in New Hampshire. DeSantiss response will be critical, he said. Can DeSantis take a punch? Sure, Carney said. Can he take a beat-down? Well find out. Then he can do a little beat-down on his own. (Adds Trump spokesman comment starting in fourth paragraph) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. maeda injury BOSTON Minnesota Twins right-hander Kenta Maeda was hit by a 111 mph line drive in the left ankle and came out of the game against Boston after two innings. Maeda stayed on his feet long enough to field the ball and throw Jarren Duran out at first for the third out of the inning. The pitcher then crumpled to the grass, and the Twins training staff rushed out to help him. After a few minutes, Maeda walked off to the dugout. The team announced that he had a left ankle bruise and was getting X-Rays. Emilio Pagan came in to start the third. The Red Sox led 1-0 when Maeda came out thanks to Alex Verdugos solo homer in the first the only hit Maeda allowed. Twins Kenta Maeda leaves after hit by 111 mph line drive on ankle originally appeared on NBCSports.com It's a new era on Twitter, one that has left many worried about the social media giant's future.(Credit: Justin Bieber/Twitter, Doug Ford/Twitter, Getty Images) Many on Twitter are voicing concern over impersonation efforts following the latest update of Twitter Blue, which has left many Canadian politicians and celebrities check-less, including NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, Justin Bieber and Drake. On April 20, Twitter owner Elon Musk decided to remove "legacy" verified status a free feature that was used to legitimize credible news sources, politicians, celebrities and more, through a blue checkmark next to one's title. Now, anyone can sign up for Twitter Blue by paying $8 a month and verifying their phone number, to receive a blue check. After about 24 hours, Travis Brown, a Berlin-based developer of software for tracking social media, has pointed out how the updated paid model has made little impact, except for stripping many of their blue checkmark status. With barely anyone having a blue checkmark, many are concerned that it makes it open season for impersonators. It allows them to trick the public with fake accounts, putting the extra responsibility on the reader to distinguish if what they're reading is in fact from a legitimate source. Update for the day after: just before the purge yesterday, 19,469 of the 407k legacy verified accounts I had identified in early April had Twitter Blue. Today that number for those same accounts is 19,497, for a net increase of 28 accounts. Travis Brown (@travisbrown) April 21, 2023 Impersonation Rampant on Twitter as Musk Ends Verification System https://t.co/lIYDYbS22u pic.twitter.com/pTN4Cp410p Matt Navarra (@MattNavarra) April 21, 2023 Cant wait for the lawsuits against twitter because of impersonations on this app https://t.co/hQgTVkEuzX veda (@viewyorker) April 20, 2023 forgot I have a twitter account with 250k followers on it. Just realized I missed my opportunity to bankrupt a pharmaceutical company via impersonation cinnamon bun (@notsofiacoppola) April 20, 2023 Impersonation of public figures is a problem on twitter. Other accounts claiming to be the mayor of MPLS are often filled with lies about my accomplishments. I have never accomplished anything. Please report accounts that claim that I have. You can trust me because Im verified Mayor of Minneapolis Jacob Frey (Parody) (@Mayor_Frey_) April 21, 2023 The twitter blue unverified thing will definitely cause a class action lawsuit. A lot of impersonation will happen and it could damage anyone's brand whether it be a content creator, musician or big brand. Surjeigh !? #2702 (@SurjeighIsTaken) April 20, 2023 Canadian political leaders lose blue checkmark Canadians are taking note of who has and hasn't opted to pay $8 to maintain their "blue checkmark" status on the social media site. Story continues Of Canada's main four party leaders, it's Pierre Poilievre who sticks out. Out of Canadas four biggest party leaders, just one has opted to pay for Twitter Blue: pic.twitter.com/52eoC580Gq Rachel Gilmore (@atRachelGilmore) April 20, 2023 Prime Minister Justin Trudeau currently has a grey checkmark, a free feature that indicates that the account "represents a government/multilateral organization or a government/multilateral official." It's unclear why Poilievre doesn't have a grey checkmark himself, since the feature is also given to those who are part of "parliamentary or equivalent institutional and committee accounts," according to Twitter's guidelines. A gold checkmark has been made for an "official business account through Twitter Verified Organizations." As of Friday afternoon, many notable Canadian politicians, celebrities and media organizations have been made check-less, such as Toronto-based news station CP24 and Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who according to CTV News, will "not be paying for Twitter Blue verification services." Credit: Doug Ford's Twitter Credit: CP24's Twitter Credit: Justin Bieber's Twitter Credit: Drake's Twitter What is Twitter Blue? Twitter Blue is the social media site's "premium subscription service," as Musk looks to revamp its "corrupt" predecessor. It provides users with access to features like editing tweets, NFT profile pictures and publishing longer text and video posts. Those who have Twitter Blue receive a blue checkmark beside their name. Previously, that was a feature that was made available to users who went through Twitter's free verification process, which had the goal of legitimizing an account by verifying that the person reflected as the holder of the account is in fact the one leading it. To obtain Twitter Blue for a personal account, users must pay $8 and verify their phone number. On Twitter's website, at the time of publication, there are no mentions of further steps to verify one's identity, however it's stated that "changes to your profile photo, display name, or username (@handle) will result in the loss of the blue checkmark until the account is validated as continuing to meet our requirements." Since the unveiling of the new model, Musk has confirmed that he is footing the bill for some celebrities' Twitter Blue status, like those of LeBron James, William Shatner and Stephen King, who all had previously mentioned that they were not going to pay for the feature. Other celebrities have taken to Twitter to note that they've lost their checkmarks, like Halle Berry and Ben Stiller. However, many are also voicing their concern over impersonation efforts, like what was recently seen in Chicago, where fake accounts tricked many into believing that a major thoroughfare was closing to private traffic next month tweets that were viewed by over 100,000 users. Others are worried similar scenarios could take place during moments of crisis, like during extreme weather warnings, where the public relies on Twitter accounts for urgent info. Exponential increase in confusion from Chicago to Sudan since yesterday as a result of impersonation accounts on #Twitter (including some of which have even purchased a now meaningless blue tick). https://t.co/Gdzn2xIGMt Steve Herman (@W7VOA) April 21, 2023 Many are skeptical that this era of Twitter will last, as they foresee class action lawsuits as a result of impersonators. Others are also calling for a different system, where free verification is not lumped into the same model at Twitter Blue, which provides additional features on the social media site. If youre a somewhat relevant person who has a legacy checkmark DO NOT buy Twitter blue to keep it. Twitter will eventually be forced to reverse this policy. Wait for the impersonation lawsuits to roll in lol Merle Ginsberg (@alsoabouteve) April 20, 2023 Elon removed thousands of verified accounts so they have no choice to subscribe now. Verified celebrities or media personalities now completely unauthenticated and open to impersonation just because Elon wants twitter blue to look good. Terrible business practice. Stew (parody) (@stuartjms) April 21, 2023 Elon's original idea with Twitter Blue was that impersonation wouldn't be a long-term problem, the trolls wouldn't be willing to pay $8 over & over again as they get deactivated. Maybe there's a good idea there, I dunno. But it won't work if nobody bothers to get Twitter Blue. Alex Parker (@AlexParkerDC) April 21, 2023 Looks like blue ticks have been removed for legacy accounts. The beginning of the end. Fwiw, I have no major problems with Twitter blue, but can't really understand the issue with having a different kind of tick for notable figures that could open to impersonation. FPL Raptor (Ross) (@FPL__Raptor) April 20, 2023 Twitter has dropped "state-affiliated" and "government-funded" labels from media accounts after widespread complaints, according to a review Friday of many high-profile pages. As Elon Musk's platform rolls out a series of changes, it has also reportedly told businesses they must pay for blue verification ticks or "verified organization" checkmarks if they want to advertise on Twitter. Advertisers spending at least $1,000 monthly will be spared from paying, according to a notice shared on Twitter, which is seeking to increase revenue. Getting advertisers to pay subscriptions is part of a strategy "to elevate the quality of the content on Twitter and enhance your experience," read the message to advertisers. Musk's long-promised move to strip free blue ticks from many Twitter users swung into action on Thursday. Blue ticks were once a coveted symbol of authenticity, but can now be bought for $8 a month. "(Musk) has absolutely made the blue tick a badge of shame," read a tweet from the account of @vanbadham. "I see anyone with one and my judgement is instant and damning." Musk's tumultuous ownership of Twitter has seen staffing slashed and advertisers fleeing the platform. Users complain that hate speech and misinformation have proliferated, and accounts with extreme views are gaining traction due to less content moderation. - Chaotic takeover - Twitter, acquired by the mercurial billionaire last year, had long labeled accounts linked to state media or government officials, especially from China and Russia. But recently the labels were applied to news organizations that received public funding but were not controlled by any governments. National Public Radio in the United States stopped using Twitter, and Canada's CBC followed suit. On Friday many major media outlets from Western nations, Russia, China and other countries that had been tagged "state-affiliated" and "government-funded" no longer displayed the labels. Story continues They included the accounts of NPR, China's official Xinhua news agency, RT from Russia and CBC. Musk has expressed disdain for news media for years and recently installed an automatic response of a poop emoji to emailed inquiries from journalists. News organizations have struggled to wean themselves from Twitter, which remains a key communication exchange for celebrities, politicians and pundits. Musk, whose chaotic takeover of Twitter has seen his $44 billion investment shrivel, earlier pledged to get rid of what he described as a "lords & peasants system," in which journalists, celebrities and politicians were given the blue tick that verified their account. Only a tiny fraction of those who had free, verified accounts have switched to paying subscriptions, a programmer who tracks the platform tweeted on Friday. gc/bgs Two people died and three others were injured after a shooting took place at a cockfight in Hawaii, court documents released Thursday show. Probable cause papers detailing one of the most serious shootings in state history were made public after an initial court appearance for one of the suspects, 23-year-old Jacob Borge. Borge and a 16-year-old boy turned themselves in to police. Borge was charged with first- and second-degree murder, three counts of attempted murder and firearms charges. Bail was set at $2 million. Petitions were also filed against the juvenile for the same charges, police said. What is a cockfight? During the contest, chickens inflict physical trauma on each other, sometimes increased by attaching metal spurs to their legs. The combatants, dubbed gamecocks, are specially bred and conditioned for increased stamina and strength, often injected with B12 and other vitamins similar to steroids. Childrens cat-killing contest axed: Feral cat-killing contest for children in New Zealand canceled amid public outcry Nearly 2 dozen killed at cockfight: 20 killed in western Mexico after gunman opens fire at cockfighting venue Two roosters fight during a cockfight. A late night fight Shortly after midnight Saturday, Honolulu police were dispatched to a rural neighborhood in Waianae following a report of shots fired shortly at the cockfight. Waianae is located about 30 miles northwest of downtown Honolulu. Arriving officers found attendees fleeing from the scene, according to the court documents. One man shot told police that as the cockfight ended, three young males were involved in an argument that turned physical with six male affiliates of a well-known organizer of chicken fights in the Waianae area, court papers said. State Public Defender James Tabe, whose office represented Borge at his initial court hearing, said it is too early to comment on the case. Contributing: Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY; The Associated Press. Natalie Neysa Alund covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on Twitter @nataliealund. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hawaii cockfight shooting: 2 dead, 3 injured; suspects turn selves in In law enforcement and media accounts, two of the four people killed earlier this week in a high-profile case in Maine were listed as Ocala residents. But Cynthia Eaton, 63, and her husband, David, 66, had moved to Auburndale some time ago, and more recently to Kansas, according to public records, family and friends. The accused killer is their son Joseph, 34. He has been accused of killing his parents and two others before wounding three people on a highway in a case that has attracted national attention. Joseph Eaton remains jailed in Maine. The shooting spree stunned people in Maine, including the little town of Bowdoin, where the bodies of the Eatons and their friends Patricia and Robert Eger were discovered by Patricias sister on April 18. Mike Sauschuck, commissioner of Maine Public Safety, called the shootings an attack on the soul of our state. Shooting in Maine on I-295: Man fired on motorists after killing 4, including his parents Earlier coverage: Live updates on shooting on I-295 in Maine The Eatons had gone to Maine to pick up their son, who was released from prison on April 14 after serving a 2015 sentence for domestic violence. Cynthia Eaton met her son at the Maine Correctional Facility in Windham, according to the Maine State Police. They were good people, said Cynthias stepfather, Kenneth W. Fagan Jr., who lives in Ocala. They loved their kids. They were the best parents." Cynthia was his oldest stepdaughter. He said the Eatons had lived in Auburndale, in Polk County, until a few months ago. They sold their home and moved to Kansas City, Kansas, to be with another son who lives there. They later may have moved to Wichita, Fagan said. Property records show the Eatons bought the home Auburndale in 2011, paid it off by 2015 and sold it in July for $459,000. Why did authorities list the Eatons as Ocala residents? Because that's the address on file, possibly from a driver's license, at a car rental operation at the Portland, Maine airport. David Eaton had rented a car there, according to the arrest affidavit in this case. Story continues Joseph Eaton, the suspect in a shooting spree in Maine, appears in court in West Bath, Maine, on April 20. Eaton, who police say confessed to killing four people in a home and then shot three others randomly on a busy highway on April 18, had been released days earlier from prison. Police say that's the car Joseph Eaton was driving when he shot a family of three on Interstate 295. At that time after the shooting deaths of his parents and their two friends Joseph Eaton apparently thought police were trying to follow him. Prison terms in Maine and Florida Joseph Eaton has a long, troubled past. In 2014, his parents tried to persuade Maine authorities to release him to their custody to serve out his probation for a Maine crime. However, that plan did not work out because his father refused to give up his guns. Not having access to firearms was a condition of probation, the Bangor Daily News reported, quoting court documents. Joseph Eaton eventually did move to Florida to be with his parents in 2017 after being released from prison for violating his probation on a domestic violence charge, the Daily News reported. In January 2018, he was imprisoned in Florida for three years on aggravated assault on a law enforcement or rescue worker, according to the state Department of Corrections website. He was returned to Maine in 2021. 'What a crazy world we live in today' News of the slayings touched others in Central Florida who knew the Eatons. I want to ask the group for prayers to my friend David Eaton and his wife and their two friends and the friends family dog as they were recently murdered in Maine two days ago. David was a longtime Harley owner (over 40 years) and longtime HOG member and officer, Kim Paige, with New Smyrna Beach HOG Chapter 530701, wrote on Facebook. David and I served together in the Navy in the early 80's in Jacksonville where we were Flight Engineer instructors. I talked to him and his wife at a Navy reunion in 2021 in Maine, we talked about getting together for a ride, he wrote. What a crazy world we live in today. The discovery of the bodies Lisa Shea, Patti Egers sister, called police on April 18 at 9:21 a.m. She observed two drops of blood on the front steps, according to the arrest affidavit. Lisa opened the door and yelled but no one answered. Lisa said she entered the home and could see broken glass and blood on the floor. She observed a body in the area of the kitchen covered by a towel, the affidavit says. She said she also saw several firearms lying about the house and saw drag marks. She left the home to call police. The arrest affidavit said crime scene investigators found a note that stated, someone had been molested and that there was nothing done about it. The note mentioned someone being freed of pain and that the writer of the note wanted a new life. The note was not written to anyone nor was it signed by anyone. Joseph Eaton left a rambling Facebook Live post asking for forgiveness and talking about people who pretend to be Christians. The Sun Journal newspaper in Lewiston said the two couples had been friends for years, and that Patti had recently visited the Eatons in Florida. Several cars were hit by gunfire on I-295. The three people injured were Sean Halsey, 51, Justin Halsey, 29, and Paige Halsey, 25. This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Ocala connection to Maine shooting: Two of the victims once lived here HOLLAND Two seats on the Ottawa Area Intermediate School District Board of Education will be up for grabs in a June election. The terms of Board Secretary Randy Schipper and Vice President John Siemion are expiring. Both seats will be up for six-year terms, running through June 30, 2029. Two seats on the Ottawa Area Intermediate School District Board of Education will be up for grabs in a June election. Seats on the OAISD board aren't filled by a general election, but by delegates from local boards of education. Representatives from local districts, including Allendale, Coopersville, Grand Haven, Hamilton, Holland, Hudsonville, Jenison, Saugatuck, Spring Lake, West Ottawa and Zeeland, will vote during a June 5 election. Anyone interested in running for a seat must be a registered voter in one of the OAISDs constituent districts. They must file a nominating petition with at least 40 valid elector signatures, or pay a nonrefundable $100 filing fee. Petition packets are available at the Ottawa County Clerks Office, 12220 Fillmore St. in West Olive. Petitions or filing fees must be submitted to the clerks office by 4 p.m. Monday, May 8. Siemion has announced he will not seek reelection. He served 22 years on the school board for Grand Haven Area Public Schools and six years on the OAISD board. It has been so gratifying knowing I have made a difference in the lives of thousands of children over the years, Siemion said. I enjoyed working with my fellow board members and school staff, but I will miss the students the most. Subscribe: Receive unlimited access to your local news coverage Board President Carol Slagh thanked Siemion for his service. John always wanted the best educational opportunities for our kids, Slagh said. He has been a pleasure to work with on the OAISD Board. We will miss John and wish him the best. Schipper, who also serves on the school board for West Ottawa Public Schools, will seek another term. In addition to Siemion and Schipper, current members of the board are Slagh, Rick Dernberger and Robyn Afrik. Contact reporter Mitchell Boatman at mboatman@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on Twitter @SentinelMitch. This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Two seats on Ottawa Area ISD board up for election in June Aid workers at non-profit organizations in Afghanistan that receive financial support from the U.S. government say they're being forced to pay fees and provide services to the Taliban. They spoke to CBS News days after the head of a U.S. government oversight office tasked with monitoring how U.S. tax dollars are spent in Afghanistan told lawmakers that his staff "simply do not know" the extent to which the American people may unknowingly be funding the terrorist group. "Since the Taliban takeover, the U.S. government has sought to continue supporting the Afghan people without providing benefits for the Taliban regime," Special Inspector General for Afghan Reconstruction (SIGAR) John F. Sopko said Wednesday in testimony to the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Accountability. "However, it is clear from our work that the Taliban is using various methods to divert U.S. aid dollars." Dire circumstances since Taliban takeover "Unfortunately, as I sit here today I cannot assure this committee or the American taxpayer, we are not currently funding the Taliban," Sopko told the lawmakers. "Nor can I assure you that the Taliban are not diverting the money we are sending for the intended recipients, which are the poor Afghan people." Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) John Sopko (right), speaks during a hearing of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee concerning the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, on Capitol Hill, April 19, 2023, in Washington. / Credit: Alex Brandon/AP Since the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan and the Taliban took back control of the country in August 2021, the country has spiralled into an economic and humanitarian crisis. International donors suspended most funding that wasn't for humanitarian aid, and billions of dollars in Afghan government assets were frozen. Now, almost the entire population is at risk of poverty, with over 91% of the average Afghan household's income spent on food. An estimated 24.4 million Afghans are in need of humanitarian support. Sopko presented SIGAR's list of the greatest sources of risk that could expose continued U.S. financial assistance to Afghanistan to abuse, fraud, waste or mission failure. Story continues He said the U.S. had made $8 billion in aid available to Afghanistan since the military withdrawal, including around $2 billion in humanitarian aid, a level of assistance he said was "little changed from before the withdrawal." Taliban "taxes and fees" At the top of the list of the risks to U.S. funding identified by SIGAR was the Taliban's interference with the work of local NGOs and United Nations aid agencies on the ground. U.N. to review presence in Afghanistan after Taliban bars women workers "The Taliban generate income from U.S. aid by imposing customs charges on shipments coming into the country and charging taxes and fees directly on NGOs," Sopko said, adding that if NGOs don't pay the Taliban's fees, they can have their offices closed and their bank accounts frozen. A Taliban fighter stands guard as people receive humanitarian aid food rations in Kabul, Afghanistan, April 30, 2022. / Credit: AP/Ebrahim Noroozi The previous Afghan government also did this, Sopko noted, and the Taliban has imposed taxes on aid in areas it has controlled for years, even before 2021. But Sopko said the Islamic hardliners were going further now, including by imposing fees on vendors that do business with NGOs, such as landlords and cell phone companies. Sopko said the Taliban was also diverting funds away from groups it does not support, including the ethnic minority Hazara community and, in certain instances, requiring NGOs to work with them, such as by insisting they rent vehicles only from the Taliban or Taliban-linked groups. Aid workers on the ground in Afghanistan have told CBS News that the interference goes beyond all of that, however, and includes the Taliban demanding services directly from the groups that receive U.S. funding. They said those demands have increased since the group retook power almost two years ago. "The Taliban first" "We have to serve the families of the Taliban police commanders, governors and other people who they ask us to serve specifically," one aid worker at UNHCR told CBS News on the condition of anonymity. "Once a Taliban governor told one of our subcontracted aid agencies that 15% of the aid must go toward his guards and other Taliban personnel, and it is now a norm to serve the Taliban first and then serve the ordinary civilians." A Taliban fighter secures the area as people queue to receive cash at a money distribution site organized by the World Food Program (WFP) in Kabul, Afghanistan, Nov. 17, 2021. / Credit: Petros Giannakouris/AP Hamid Khan, an aid worker with a local NGO that's subcontracted by the United Nations' World Food Program in Afghanistan, told CBS News that Taliban interference had made it increasingly difficult for the organization to determine on its own who to help. He said his NGO aims to assist "people who need the aid the most, such as pregnant women, orphans, widows and other highly in need people, but the Taliban also make their own list of selected people." "If we do not serve them first, then we would be banned from working and dozens of excuses will be made preventing the NGO from working altogether, and the others will also not receive their much needed aid," Hamid Khan told CBS News. "We have to work with them" Abdullah Khan, who works for a U.N. agency in Afghanistan, told CBS News that Taliban members position themselves to get access to international aid by becoming partners or shareholders in local non-profit groups, which often work as partners or subcontractors for larger aid organizations. "The Taliban can't dictate to the U.N. directly, but the U.N., the World Food Program, and even the International Committee of the Red Cross-subcontracted NGOs can't resist Taliban pressure," said Abdullah Khan. "In one meeting with the provincial governor that we had, we were informed by the Taliban that we must give aid to the families of the suicide bombers who have died and to injured Taliban soldiers who are alive but unable to work. We are facing severe Taliban interference in our aid operations, but to help the poor, we have to work with them." A staff member at a regional NGO in northern Afghanistan who asked to remain anonymous told CBS News that the organization was forced to "hire at least 70% of local staff [based] on the wish and will of Taliban members. If we don't do it, then we are not allowed to operate. We have about 50 employees in each province, and roughly 35 of them are their [the Taliban's] preferred locals who agreed to share their salaries with the Taliban's members. We are forced to hire them." He said the work of the NGO was being severely limited by the Taliban's demands, which he called "cruel." "The ones who need the aid do not get the aid, as it is diverted to the families of Taliban members," said the aid worker. Asked about Taliban interference in aid delivery in Afghanistan, Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for the U.N. Secretary-General, told CBS News that all of the global body's "humanitarian operations work on the basis of serving people according to need, and we ensure in all our work that aid goes to those who need it and is not diverted." Roza Otunbayeva, the U.N. Secretary-General for Afghanistan and Head of the U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, acknowledged to the Security Council in March, however, that "in some provinces we have had to temporarily suspend providing assistance because local officials have placed unacceptable conditions on its distribution. In general, there has been a recent deterioration of the humanitarian space." CBS News correspondent Pamela Falk contributed to this report. Millions of older Americans unprepared for retirement Who Is Ray Epps | Sunday on 60 Minutes Eagle who wanted to be a dad cares for baby eaglet KAMPALA (Reuters) - Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni said he would sign some of the world's harshest anti-LGBTQ legislation once provisions are added to "rehabilitate" gay people, vowing not to cede to international pressure. Museveni told lawmakers at a meeting on Thursday that he supports the bill they passed last month but would send it back to parliament for "strengthening". The United States, European Union and major corporations have condemned the bill. Museveni predicted Uganda would face sanctions once the legislation goes into effect, as it did in 2014 when he signed another anti-LGBTQ law. In a statement issued by his office late on Thursday, Museveni congratulated lawmakers for having "rejected the pressure from the imperialists". He said donors would likely cut funding for Uganda's health sector, requiring reductions to the public wage bill. The Anti-Homosexuality Bill would impose the death penalty for so-called aggravated homosexuality and 20-year sentences for "promoting" homosexuality. Among the offences defined as aggravated homosexuality is having gay sex when HIV-positive. Museveni said he wanted the legislation amended to allow people who voluntarily renounce homosexuality to be "rehabilitated". "This country has issued amnesty for people who have carried out criminal activities of treasonous nature against this country," Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka was quoted as saying in the statement. "A similar provision would be provided in this law to ensure that a person who comes out on his own is not criminalised," Kiwanuka said. So-called conversion therapy treatments supposed to turn gay people straight have been widely discredited by medical associations as ineffective and harmful to mental health. Museveni was also advised to seek amendments to the bill in order to avert a successful court challenge. Deputy Attorney General Kafuuzi Jackson Karugaba said in a letter on Thursday to the speaker of parliament that he had advised the president to seek revisions of several provisions, including some that were vaguely written and the one imposing the death penalty for aggravated homosexuality. Story continues Rights activist Clare Byarugaba took some solace from the delay in passing the legislation. "The decision by the president not to assent to the Anti- Homosexuality Bill 2023 immediately is the much needed reprieve the LGBTIQ community needed," she told Reuters. (This story has been corrected to attribute quote to the attorney general, not the president, in paragraphs 8 and 9) (Editing by Aaron Ross & Simon Cameron-Moore) Pakistani students attend a dialogue with Chinese taikonauts on board the orbiting Chinese Tiangong space station through virtual mode in Islambad, Pakistan, April 20, 2023. (Photo by Ahmad Kamal/Xinhua) by Misbah Saba Malik ISLAMABAD, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Nida Fatima, a 7th-grade Pakistani student, has been studying space and the life of astronauts in spaceship ever since she was told about China's Tiangong space station and the advanced space science technology by her teacher last month. A student of the Educators Islamabad school, Fatima told Xinhua that she had little knowledge about space. Still, her interest was enhanced when her teacher told her that China has not only made its mark in space technology but is also ready to share its knowledge with other countries like Pakistan. The 13-year-old and students from different schools in Pakistan as well as other member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) got a chance to interact with Chinese astronauts in space through virtual mode in an event held at the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad on Thursday. "It also motivated me to dream about being an astronaut. A Chinese astronaut explained his lifestyle in the spaceship and about the Chinese space station in a very detailed way. I will study more about China's space program and make a career in space sciences," Fatima said. The students hailed the astronaut with warm applause as he appeared on the screen, and some of them slightly jumped from their seats in excitement as it was the first experience for every one of them to talk to and listen to an astronaut in space. President of the Pakistan Science Foundation Shahid Mahmood Baig told Xinhua that in Pakistan, almost all students study medical sciences or some fields of engineering, but there is almost no other preference for them in other fields of science because of a lack of awareness. "The objective of today's ceremony was to inspire and motivate the Pakistani students toward science, especially space science, because this is a very special science and very few students go into this discipline in Pakistan," he added. Baig said Pakistan has good cooperation with China in the field of science, and they have been doing a number of joint projects for the past years. They also seek cooperation from China to help Pakistani students gain more knowledge about space sciences. "Young students had a wonderful experience today, and now they are more inclined to study space science and other cutting-edge scientific disciplines in the future, and we will need China's support to help our students achieve their dream of studying space sciences by letting them study in China," he added. Alizay, a 7th grader from a state-run school in Islamabad, got a chance to ask a question from the Chinese astronaut and was overwhelmed when he talked to her straight from the Chinese space station. "I asked the astronaut how they breathe in space, and he answered my query in a very detailed way ... it was very memorable that I could talk to him," she told Xinhua. Guests attend a dialogue with Chinese taikonauts on board the orbiting Chinese Tiangong space station through virtual mode in Islambad, Pakistan, April 20, 2023. (Photo by Ahmad Kamal/Xinhua) Two climate protesters were jailed on Friday for scaling a major road bridge over the River Thames east of London and causing huge traffic delays. Morgan Trowland, 40, and Marcus Decker, 34, used climbing equipment to scale the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge in October. The bridge was closed from 4:00 am on October 17 to 9:00 pm the next day, causing huge jams as traffic was forced to use nearby tunnels. Judge Shane Collery at Southend Crown Court sentenced Trowland to three years in prison, while Decker was jailed for two years and seven months. "You have to be punished for the chaos you caused and to deter others from copying you," said the judge. He told the pair, from the Just Stop Oil protest group: "(You) plainly believed you knew better than everyone else". "By your actions you caused this very important road to be closed for 40 hours," he added. - Traffic chaos - The pair, who were found guilty at a trial for causing a public nuisance, have been in custody since October 20. The Queen Elizabeth II Bridge is used by an estimated 160,000 vehicles a day and links up to one of Europe's busiest motorways. At nearly 60 metres (200 feet) above the road, they unfurled a giant "Just Stop Oil" banner, the court was told. Just Stop Oil has mounted a series of disruptive protests to try to stop the UK government from sanctioning new North Sea oil and gas exploration. Essex Police said that those affected by the gridlock included a "heavily pregnant woman who needed urgent medical help". Another person missed the funeral of their best friend of 35 years, and a business lost more than 160,000 (nearly $200,000) in earnings, it added. Jacob Bindman, Trowland's lawyer, told court that his client "doesn't intend to undertake any large-scale disruptive protests in the future". jwp/phz/giv LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak spoke with Djibouti's President Ismail Omar Guelleh on Friday, and both urged an immediate ceasefire in Sudan, Sunak's office said. "They agreed that the United Kingdom and Djibouti would continue to coordinate efforts to de-escalate the violence and protect civilians, including our citizens," a spokesperson for Sunak said in a statement to media. Sudan's army earlier said it had agreed to a three-day truce starting on Friday to enable people to celebrate the Muslim holiday of Eid Al-Fitr following almost a week of fighting between its troops and a rival paramilitary force. (Reporting by David Milliken; Editing by Gareth Jones) UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said Friday he had cut short a visit to New Zealand to return to London to address the spiralling conflict in Sudan. More than 300 people have died since fighting broke out in the African nation last weekend between forces loyal to army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who commands the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. "It's with real regret that due to the ongoing situation in Sudan I've had to cut the visit short," Cleverly said in a statement by the British foreign office. Cleverly had originally been scheduled to briefly visit New Zealand from Friday to Saturday. He had arrived in Wellington on Thursday, a day ahead of schedule, as part of a Pacific nations tour, having already skipped a planned stop in Samoa. He was now returning to oversee Britain's response to "the violence" in Sudan, "including support to our staff on the ground and consular services for British nationals", the British foreign office said. Cleverly added that he plans to reschedule his visit to New Zealand. ryj/arb/qan By Anait Miridzhanian and Carien du Plessis JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Ukrainian activist Oleksandra Romantsova this week suggested to South African officials that it would be better for Russian President Vladimir Putin to dial in to this year's BRICS summit in South Africa rather than attend in person. The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Putin last month, and South Africa as an ICC member would be required to detain Putin if he attends the 15th BRICS Summit that South Africa will host in August. The BRICS group comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, a bloc seen as a powerful emerging-market alternative to the West. "If Putin comes here ... they (South Africa) need to arrest him. It's a complicated political situation. So better that Putin join via Zoom," Romantsova told Reuters in an interview at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, where she was participating in a seminar. Romantsova, executive director of Ukraine's Center for Civil Liberties which jointly won the Nobel Peace Prize last year, formed part of a Ukrainian civil society delegation that aimed to share as much information as possible about the war still raging more than a year after Russia invaded. Zane Dangor, director-general of South Africa's Department of International Relations and Cooperation, said officials in his department met with the Ukrainian delegation but declined to go into detail. Russia calls its actions in Ukraine a special military operation. The ICC issued the warrant for Putin alleging Moscow's forcible deportation of Ukrainian children was a war crime. The Kremlin has reacted with outrage, saying any decisions of the court are "null and void." Moscow has repeatedly denied accusations its forces have committed atrocities during the invasion. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said this week that his government was still deliberating what to do about the warrant for Putin. Three officials with knowledge of those deliberations have told Reuters that Putin attending the BRICS summit virtually was an option that was being considered. Story continues South Africa is one of Russia's most important allies on a continent divided over the Ukraine war and Western attempts to isolate Moscow because of it. South Africa held a joint naval exercise with Russia and China in February, a month after a visit by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Ramaphosa talked about South Africa acting as a mediator in the conflict last year but it never gained much traction. Romantsova said if South Africa wanted to mediate then it needed to have a strong connection with Ukraine, not just Russia. "You need to understand the situation in Ukraine, you have to need have a regular connection," she said. (Reporting by Anait Miridzhanian and Carien du Plessis in Johannesburg; Writing by Alexander Winning; Editing by Matthew Lewis) International backing for Ukraine holds "strong and true", US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said Friday, as he opened a meeting in Germany with allies to discuss further support for Kyiv. On the eve of the talks gathering representatives from 50 countries, President Volodymyr Zelensky urged Western allies to send more fighter jets and long-range missiles to help repel Russian troops. Zelensky had put his requests directly to NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, who visited Kyiv before heading to the Ramstein air base for the meeting. "Our support for the forces of freedom in Ukraine holds strong and true," Austin said, as he began the discussions, a year on after the format gathering defence leaders was started to coordinate aid for Ukraine. "At today's contact group meeting, we'll focus on three key issues -- air defence, ammunition and enablers," said Austin, referring to logistics and other support. Zelensky had asked for NATO's help to "overcome the reluctance" of some member states in providing long-range rockets, modern fighter jets and armoured vehicles. NATO members have sent some Soviet-era fighter jets to Ukraine, but no modern planes such as the US-designed F-16 have been pledged despite Ukraine's requests. Ukraine's Western supporters have also been reluctant to send long-range rockets because of concerns that Ukraine could use them to hit targets within Russia. Stoltenberg acknowledged the need to discuss "new platforms" of support with the battle now in its second year. He also underlined the necessity of ensuring that already supplied weapons continued to work. "I think sometimes we underestimate all the logistics that have to be in place just to have operational battle tank capabilities so maybe it's also a bit more boring but the logistics is extremely important. "This is now a battle of attrition and a battle of attrition becomes a a war of logistics," said the NATO chief. Story continues - Air defence - Earlier in the week, Ukraine said it had received from allies the first shipment of Patriots, seen as one of the most advanced US air defence systems. Germany also delivered a promised Iris-T anti-air missile system. The kit has been one of Kyiv's key demands from Western allies as it looks to defend itself from Russian missile attacks and roll back Moscow's invasion. In eastern Ukraine's Lugansk region, AFP saw a group of servicemen using British-supplied artillery. Several kilometres from Russian positions, they worked the artillery piece dug into the ground. One hauled shells to the UK-made gun from a nearby cache, while others set coordinates and loaded the barrel before the final order to "Fire!". "There are the planned targets that we work on. And some appear unexpectedly, for example, to repel an assault when the enemy advances," said Bogdan, a 40-year-old Ukrainian serviceman from the embattled town of Bakhmut. "The enemy is using few military vehicles. Infantry, which is what the enemy has plenty of, goes forward," he said. - NATO bid - During Stoltenberg's visit to Kyiv, the NATO chief was also pressed on allowing Ukraine to join the alliance, but he stressed that that was not the immediate priority. "All NATO allies have agreed that Ukraine will become a NATO member, but the main focus now is of course on how to ensure that Ukraine prevails," he said. "Without a sovereign, independent Ukraine, there is no meaning in discussing membership," he said. The NATO chief also underlined that the alliance was in on the long-haul with its backing for Ukraine, including a "multi-year programme to help Ukraine transition from Soviet-era equipment standards (and) doctrines to NATO standards and doctrines." "We need to ensure that Ukraine has the military strength ... that deterrence to prevent new attacks because you have to remember that the war didn't start in February" last year but with the 2014 annexation of Crimea. Over a year into its invasion, Russia struck Kyiv with drones overnight in the first such attack for almost a month, although city officials reported no casualties. Moscow suffered a setback as one of its fighter jets lost munition over Belgorod near the Ukrainian border, after local authorities reported a blast that injured two people and left a huge crater in the Russian city. The region of Belgorod has been repeatedly shelled since Russian President Vladimir Putin sent troops to Ukraine in February 2022. bur/hmn/ach U.S. intelligence warned the Ukrainian military that the city of Bakhmut was likely to be encircled in January and that armies should fall back. The revelation comes from the slate of classified documents released by Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira on social media sites last month and analyzed by The Washington Post. Teixeira was arrested earlier this month on charges of releasing classified military information, first to friends on Discord and elsewhere. A military assessment labeled top secret said consistent Russian advances were making the city hard to defend and put the Ukrainian army at risk of encirclement unless they withdraw within the next month. But Ukraine continued to defend anyway, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky holding up Bakhmut in the countrys northeast as more than just a city, but a national symbol of resistance to the Russian invasion. Zelensky visited the city last month, long after the U.S. intelligence warnings, and Ukraine has maintained control of the city. Wherever Russian evil has come, it is obvious that the terrorist state cannot be stopped by anything other than one thing our victory, he said. And we will ensure it the Ukrainian victory. The private Russian military group Wagner, which has been accused of war crimes, has carried out much of the Russian fighting in Bakhmut. Wagner has a global presence but has been key to Russias invasion of Ukraine. CNN reported this week Wagner is supplying arms for a conflict in Sudan verging on civil war. The leaked assessment also states that Russian morale is waning, and efforts to weaken the resolve of the Russian army have been somewhat effective. Ukrainian Col. Pavlo Palisa, who is leading the defense of Bakhmut, told the Post that he, too, heard similar sentiment to the American assessment in January. He said the Ukrainian military has adapted to Russian tactics and is using drones and urban warfare to keep Russians at bay. Story continues The situation in Bakhmut is unstable, Ukrainian military sources told the Post, with supply lines now hundreds of meters from Russian positions. Bakhmut has been the main focus of Russian attacks for months. Capturing the city could enable Russian forces to take over most of the Donetsk region. Donetsk is one of the regions Russia has claimed as its own during the conflict. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Jens Stoltenberg and Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv, April 20, 2023 "Ukraine did everything to ensure that our application is approved, he said. It is difficult to even say whose contribution to European and Euro-Atlantic security is greater than that of our warriors... Ukrainian men and women who defend freedom with their lives. I am grateful to all partners who support us in this," Zelenskyy said. Read also: Main statements and photos of NATO chief Stoltenbergs visit to Kyiv NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg came to Kyiv on a surprise visit on April 20. It was his first visit to the Ukrainian capital since Russia's full-scale invasion began. 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 Ukraine has exchanged one of the priests of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP) accused of collaborating with the Russian Federation for 28 Ukrainian servicemen. Source: Vasyl Maliuk, Head of the Security Service of Ukraine, in an interview with the Interfax-Ukraine news agency; source of Ukrainska Pravda in law enforcement agencies Details: Maliuk recalled that, since 2022, criminal proceedings have been initiated against 61 clergymen. In total, the courts have already issued seven verdicts against individual clerics who sided with the Russians. As the head of the Security Service of Ukraine stated, two priests of the UOC-MP were exchanged. Quote: "I want to emphasise that the enemy highly values its agents in cassocks; for example, one such person was exchanged for 28 Ukrainian servicemen." Details: As Ukrainska Pravda reported, it is about UOC-MP priest Andrii Pavlenko from the city of Lysychansk, sentenced to 12 years of imprisonment for high treason, who was exchanged by the Ukrainian side on 14 December 2022, in particular, for an American activist. At that time, Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the Wagner Group, personally met the exchanged clergyman. Maliuk reported that, as per the SSU materials, the Ukrainian citizenship of 19 priests of the UOC-MP has been revoked. Quote: "I have already said before that the presence of a cassock and incense is not an aggravating circumstance, but it is not exempt from criminal responsibility. And it does not give any indulgences. We work exclusively within the framework of the law, regardless of church rank." Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! A Russian court has arrested Ukrainian Maj. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov in absentia. The head of Ukraines Defense Intelligence Directorate (GUR) reacted humorously Friday to a Moscow courts decision to arrest him in absentia in connection with the Oct. 8 attack on the Kerch Bridge. Its a pleasure for me, Maj. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov told The War Zone Friday. It shows that I work in the right way and in the future, Ill work harder and with higher quality - to show that Moscows court was right. For Russian President Vladimir Putin, the attack on the bridge was particularly galling. The $4 billion span, linking Russia with the Crimean peninsula it has occupied since 2014 has been a huge source of pride as well as a critical logistics artery. The Lefortovo Court of Moscow on Friday arrested Budanov in absentia for what it called "the terrorist attack" on the bridge, the Russian official TASS news agency reported Friday. "The court granted the petition of the investigation and chose a preventive measure for Budanov K.A., suspected under part 1 of article 205.4 'Creation of a terrorist community,'" the court said, without specifying the essence of the case, TASS reported. Budanov "was put on the international wanted list," according to TASS. "The period of arrest is calculated from the moment of extradition to the territory of the Russian Federation or detention on Russian territory. The Kerch Bridge, Russian President Vladimir Putin's prized $4 billion span linking the occupied Crimean peninsula with Russia, was attacked last fall. A Moscow court accused Ukraine's Defense Intelligence chief of orchestrating the attack. (Twitter) A satellite view of the damage caused by the attack. (Satellite image 2023 Maxar Technologies) Story continues The Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation charged Budanov in absentia "under four articles of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, including an attempted terrorist attack," TASS reported. Barring some very unique circumstances, the likelihood that Budanov will be apprehended is unlikely. Asked if he is concerned that he will be actually arrested, Budanov told The War Zone, absolutely no. As for whether he ordered the attack, Budanov was mum. No comment, he said succinctly, and certainly less coy than the last time we asked him about it. "So I've already answered this question also to your colleagues [in the media]," he told us in an exclusive interview back in October. "And when they asked me about it, I asked them back. Why is that? Why did they think that Ukraine is the only possible actor that could do that? There were multiple cases before when the Russians have blown out their own constructions and buildings, and just to unbind their hands for doing something else." A court in Moscow arrested in absentia Kyrylo Budanov, head of @DI_Ukraine pic.twitter.com/Vyd5NdmVhB Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) April 21, 2023 Budanov has been a particular thorn in Putin's side even before the all-out war was launched. This likely won't be Moscow's last attempt to get back at him. Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com Ukrainian military near Bakhmut "In total, the members of this Contact Group have provided more than $55billion in security assistance for Ukraine. Thats a tenfold increase since we first met," said Austin. The 11th Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting in the Ramstein format was held on April 21. The U.S. alone has provided $35 billion of military aid for Ukraine. "Weve now provided more than $35 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since Russias full-scale invasion began, he added. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the allies would discuss providing Ukraine with long-range weapons during the meeting. Read also: Ukraine needs air defense, armored vehicles and missiles, not planes Austin Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov called the creation of a multi-level air and missile defence system in the near future Ukraine's main priority right now. 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 DHAKA, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Valid immunization coverage in Bangladesh remains high, with almost 84 percent of children receiving their vaccines by 12 months of age, according to a new report published here Thursday by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). According to the report titled "The State of the World's Children 2023: For Every Child, Vaccination," valid coverage is when a child receives all vaccines due in their first 12 months. In Bangladesh, health services were initially impacted when the country went into pandemic lockdown in March 2020, leading to coverage falling below 50 percent in the following months, said the report. However, with the support from UNICEF, the Bangladeshi government moved quickly to address the decline in immunization, and the monthly uptake of vaccines surpassed pre-COVID-19 levels by October 2020. According to the report, the number of zero-dose children in the South Asian country is 30,000, or less than 1 percent, of children aged under one year. Coverage in hard-to-reach areas and urban slums remain low compared to the national coverage, it said. In 2022, UNICEF said it delivered 173 million childhood vaccine doses for a value of 80 million U.S. dollars. The success of the child immunization program in Bangladesh is a testament to what is possible when there is sustained political commitment and a well-trained and motivated health workforce, said Sheldon Yett, UNICEF representative to Bangladesh. "UNICEF will continue to support the country in the coming years as it moves towards self-financing of childhood vaccinations," Yett added. Key developments on April 21: Stoltenberg confident that Ukraine now ready to liberate more territories Zelensky: Ukraine actively preparing new brigades and units for counteroffensive Austin: Allies deliver over 230 tanks to Ukraine over past few months Berlin, Warsaw, and Kyiv agree to open maintenance hub for Leopard 2 tanks in Poland Ukraine admits some Russian advance on Bakhmut front Moscow court arrests Ukrainian military intelligence chief in absentia over terrorist attacks; Budanov praises it as good indicator of our work NATO and President Volodymyr Zelensky signaled Ukraines readiness to launch an anticipated counteroffensive in the near future as the Ramstein conference kicked off on April 21. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, who visited Zelensky in Kyiv a day prior to the 11th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group at the Ramstein Air Base, said he is confident that Kyiv is ready to liberate more territories without disclosing where or when. I'm confident that they will now be in a position to be able to liberate even more land," Stoltenberg said on the sidelines of the conference, adding that amongst the goals of the meeting was to ensure that Ukraine had "all the different capabilities, systems, supplies for the counteroffensive operation. Zelensky, who said he was waiting to hear about the conferences results from Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov, stressed on April 21 that preparation work is underway for a counteroffensive. "We are actively preparing new brigades and units that will still prove themselves at the front, Zelensky said in his evening address. The issues of their provision, training, integration into the general defense plan we add important details every time at the Staff meetings, he added, referring to the regularly-held briefings with top military officials, including Commander-in-Chief Valeriy Zaluzhny. The heightened anticipation of a counteroffensive comes as Kyiv has for months talked about a major spring operation, in which it said Ukrainian forces are expected to liberate more territories. Story continues As representatives from around 50 countries met at the Ramstein base in Germany, Ukraine again pled for Western fighter jets and long-range rockets. Zelensky on April 20 asked NATO to overcome the reluctance of some alliance members regarding their possible transfer. But U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said that the April 21 meeting would focus on air defense, ammunition, and enablers. "Ukraine urgently needs our help to shield its citizens, infrastructure and forces from Russia's missile threat," he said, without touching on the fighter jets which Western allies have been reluctant to promise Ukraine over what is understood to be fears of escalation from Russia. The representatives met in Germany as Ukraine acknowledged some Russian success in the countrys east. Ukraines allies pledged new military packages for the war-torn country. Germany, Poland, and Ukraine signed the Letter of Intent to open a maintenance hub in Poland for Leopard 2 main battle tanks, Reznikov said. More than 230 tanks were already delivered to Ukraine in 2023, Austin said, but there have been uncertainties over how Kyiv would maintain the equipment. Austin said the Contact Group members have provided Ukraine with more than $55 billion worth of military aid since the U.S.-led groups formation last April. A general view shows US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin (back C) together with other ministers and NATO members attending an in-person Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting at Ramstein Air Base, southwestern Germany, on April 21, 2023. (Photo by Andre Pain/AFP via Getty Images) Tough Bakhmut front Ukraines Defense Ministry on April 21 acknowledged that Russia had made further gains in some areas on the Bakhmut front, where a brutal war of attrition has raged since last summer. Claiming that Russia is suffering heavy losses, Deputy Defense Ministry Hanna Maliar reiterated again that decisions (regarding Bakhmut defense) are made according to military expediency. In a Telegram post, Maliar said that fierce fighting still raged for Bakhmut, the epicenter of the war, and that the situation is tense, but under control. Moscow court arrests Budanov in absentia Meanwhile, in Russia, a Moscow court on April 21 arrested Ukraines military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov in absentia over what it claimed were allegations of organizing terrorist attacks. Budanov immediately reacted to the arrest warrant by applauding it as a good indicator of our work, referring to the work of Ukraines military intelligence. He added that it motivated him to work even better, in a commentary to the Ukrainian online newspaper Ukrainska Pravda. While the Moscow court did not disclose which incident it deemed Budanov allegedly responsible for, the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) has earlier accused Budanov and Ukraines intelligence of organizing the Crimean Bridge blast. The October blast partially collapsed the Kerch bridge that connects Russia with the occupied Crimean Peninsula. The bridge was built after Russias occupation of Crimea in 2014. Kyiv has repeatedly called the bridge an illegal construction and a legitimate military target. While multiple Ukrainian officials hinted at Kyiv's involvement, the country officially denied Moscows accusation. Zelensky said later in October that we definitely did not order that, as far as I know. The bridge was a strategic logistics artery for Russian troops in southern Ukrainian regions, such as Kherson Oblast, where a Ukrainian counteroffensive was underway. Dealing with a humiliating blow, Moscow launched a months-long campaign of mass strikes against Ukraines energy infrastructure a few days later, killing scores of civilians and causing blackouts across the country. Budanov said last October he was certain that the Crimean bridge would be destroyed once Ukraine liberates the Black Sea peninsula. Key developments on April 20: Stoltenberg meets Zelensky in Kyiv, says Ukraines rightful place is in NATO Zelensky demands to know timeframe, concrete steps needed for NATO membership Southern military command: Russia received new batch of Iranian Shahed drones Air Force: Ukraine experiencing shortage of air defense missiles due to Russias months-long energy blitz NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on April 20 made his first wartime visit to Kyiv, where he met President Volodymyr Zelensky and reiterated that Ukraines future is with the alliance. Ukraines rightful place is in NATO, Stoltenberg said at a joint press conference after talking with Zelensky about the war-torn countrys future membership in the alliance. And over time, our support will help you make this possible, he added, without disclosing the timeframe. Ukraine applied for NATO membership in September 2022 as soon as Russian President Vladimir Putin made illegal annexation claims about four partially occupied Ukrainian regions. But Ukraines prospects of joining the 31-member alliance soon are low, with the war being far from over and judicial reforms yet to take place. Speaking at the press conference, Zelensky called for Ukraines long-sought NATO membership, emphasizing that it is the only way to strengthen security in Europe and that there was no objective barrier. Now, when the majority of people in NATO countries and the majority of Ukrainians support the entry of our state into the alliance, it is time for appropriate decisions, Zelensky said. It is no longer possible to imagine the security of the Euro-Atlantic space without Ukraine, and people understand this. Zelensky stressed that Ukraine already needs security guarantees from the alliance regardless of its membership timeframe. And with Ukraines road to NATO expected to be a lengthy one, Zelensky demanded to know the timeframe and concrete steps needed to speed up the accession process. Story continues We are expecting steps forward, and very concrete ones, if we want to understand for ourselves, for our state and society that Ukraine will be in NATO, Zelensky said, adding that it was among the topics he discussed with Stoltenberg. With the July NATO summit in Vilnius around the corner, there is a gap between allies on whether they should even discuss Ukraines membership road. A Western official, who agreed to speak on the condition of anonymity, said on April 5 after the two-day-long ministerial meeting in Brussels that "we've got several weeks of hard negotiations ahead to close those gaps and craft a political outcome." On April 20, Stoltenberg said that the roadmap for Ukraines potential NATO membership, as well as security guarantees for Kyiv, will be high on the agenda of the meeting at the Vilnius summit, where Zelensky has been invited to attend. Ukraine's future is in NATO. All allies agree on that. At the same time, the main focus of the alliance, of NATO allies now, is to ensure that Ukraine prevails, Stoltenberg said. It is to ensure that Ukraine continues to be a sovereign, independent democratic nation in Europe, he added. Because that is the only way to also have a meaningful discussion about Ukraine's future membership. Estonian minister warns false peace is prelude to new wars, backs NATO membership for Ukraine Behind the curtains of Estonias substantial support for Ukraine lies the struggle of pushing allies to do more. In an exclusive interview with the Kyiv Independent, Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu admitted that he is not satisfied with either the quantity or pace of the allies Kyiv IndependentAsami Terajima More weapons for Ukraine Before meeting Zelensky in central Kyiv, Stoltenberg said he visited the war-ravaged Kyiv suburb of Bucha to pay tribute to the victims of Russian occupation in 2022. I was deeply moved by what I saw there, Stoltenberg said, adding that he later honored fallen Ukrainian soldiers at the memorial on St. Michael's Square in central Kyiv. Visiting the Ukrainian capital on the eve of the upcoming Ramstein meeting, Stoltenberg said that he expected NATO allies will recommit to stand by Ukraine for as long as it takes. Allies and partners of Ukraine are due to make new announcements on concrete military support for Kyiv, Stoltenberg said, adding that he expected NATO member states to do so because its the morally right thing to do. Zelensky on April 20 said that Ukraines allies should discuss the provision of supplying longer-range weapons to the Ukrainian army. Some things need to be accelerated a bit so that the appropriate weapon that will strengthen our army arrives faster than planned, Zelensky said. I think it is important to discuss the weapons that Ukraine has been waiting for so long. On top of the longer-range weapons, Ukraine has also been pleading for Western fighter jets, such as F-16s, which U.S. and other allies have been reluctant to promise the transfer. Kyivs pleas for more weapons and equipment come as its army reports Russia receiving more Iranian-made Shahed drones to launch attacks against Ukraine. Ukraine's Southern Command spokesperson Natalia Humeniuk said on television on April 20 that Russia received a new batch of Iranian drones, due to which air assaults have increased over the past few days. Ukrainian paratroopers fire an L119 howitzer towards Russian positions at a front line in the Luhansk Oblast on April 20, 2023, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Photo by Anatolii Stepanov/AFP via Getty Images) Lack of air defense missiles Air Force spokesman Yuriy Ihnat on April 20 acknowledged that Ukraine lacks air defense missiles as mass amounts were used to protect the country against Russias intense mass strikes in the fall and winter. We expect our partners to increase supplies not only of the (anti-aircraft missile) systems themselves, but also of missiles, Ihnat said on television. Because the consumption of missiles is quite serious. A few days earlier, the Financial Times reported, citing three officials briefed on the preparations, that Ukraine will likely make an urgent plea to Western allies for more air defense missiles at the upcoming Ramstein Summit on April 21. Russias missile and drone campaign targeting Ukraines energy infrastructure, which Moscow named among key military targets and had begun intensively carrying out since mid-October, has "systematically depleted Ukraine's stockpiles, according to the Financial Times. The recent U.S. intelligence leak backed the Financial Times report. One of the leaked documents issued on Feb. 28, as reported by the New York Times, suggested that Ukraines stocks of Soviet-era S-300 and Buk air defense missiles were projected to be fully depleted by May 3 and mid-April. The Times further reported that the assessment made based on consumption rates at the time could be dangerous as the S-300 and Buk missiles make up 89 percent of Ukraines protection against most fighter aircraft and some bombers. An air-raid warning was issued throughout Ukraine on the night of 20-21 April due to the take-off of a MiG-31K fighter jet in Russia, and then in several other country's oblasts due to the Shahed UAVs attack. Source: Colonel Yurii Ihnat, Spokesperson for the Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, on air during the national 24/7 news broadcast Quote: "There was a fly-over of a MiG-31K aircraft, which is a potential carrier of the Kinzhal [hypersonic] missile. Air-raid warnings have been issued due to this [the first warning was issued almost immediately after midnight and lasted for 19 minutes ed.], and later, the warning was caused by the Shahed UAVs [attack, which lasted for 3 hours ed.]. Combat operations were taking place until 03:00." Details: The Air Force spokesman stressed that Russia has been attacking Ukraine's territory with attack drones for the third night in a row. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Since the beginning of the day on 21 April, Russian occupation forces have launched 2 missile and 28 air strikes; Ukraines defence forces repelled 30 Russian attacks. Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, information as of 18:00 on 21 April Details: Over the course of the past 24 hours, Russian forces launched 2 missile and 28 air strikes, and 20 other strikes using multiple-launch rocket systems. The General Staff states that the probability of missile and air strikes throughout Ukraine remains high. Russian forces are focusing their main efforts on conducting offensive operations on the Bakhmut, Avdiivka, Marinka, and Shakhtarsk fronts. Ukraines defence forces repelled over 30 Russian assaults on these fronts. The city of Bakhmut remains in the epicentre of hostilities. There were no significant changes on the Volyn and Polissia fronts. At the same time, the Ukrainian Air Force conducted an airstrike on a cluster of Russian military personnel and equipment. Ukraines Rocket Forces and Artillery struck a cluster of Russian personnel, an anti-aircraft missile system and two more important Russian military targets. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! A Russian court has arrested Kyrylo Budanov, Chief of Ukraine's Defence Intelligence, in absentia in the case of the "terrorist attack" on the Kerch (Crimean) Bridge and plans to put him on the international wanted list. Source: Prague-based Russian news agency Nastoyashcheye Vremya (Current Time), citing a comment by the court's press service; Russian state-owned news outlet TASS Details: The news agency reports that the Lefortovo Court of Moscow made the decision. The FSB accuses Budanov of organising a terrorist community, illegal arms trafficking and terrorism (article 205.4.1, article 30.1, article 205.2(a), article 222.1, article 222.1.3 of the Criminal Code of Russia). The Russian state-owned news agency TASS clarifies that Budanov was arrested in absentia in the case of the "terrorist attack on the Kerch (Crimean) Bridge". The Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation will initiate putting Budanov on the international wanted list. Background: In October 2022, Russia's FSB reported on an investigation into the explosion on the Crimean Bridge. As the investigators stated, the Chief Directorate of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine and Kyrylo Budanov, its head, are responsible for orchestrating the explosion. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Kyrylo Budanov, Chief of Ukraine's Defence Intelligence, has reacted ironically to his "arrest in absentia" in Russia and promised to work even better to counter the invaders. Source: Budanov in a comment to Ukrainska Pravda Quote: "You know how long I have been working, and it was sort of embarrassing that there were no decisions on me there. I am pleased. This is a good indicator of our work, and I promise to work even better." Background: On 21 April, a Russian court arrested Kyrylo Budanov, Chief of Ukraine's Defence Intelligence, in absentia in the case of the "terrorist attack" on the Kerch (Crimean) Bridge. Russians reportedly plan to put him on the international wanted list. Read also: When we regain Crimea, the Crimean Bridge will cease to exist Kyrylo Budanov, Ukraine's Intelligence Chief We have every chance to end the war with a victory this year Ukraine's Defence Intelligence Chief Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Oleksandr Tkachenko, Minister of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine, has urged YouTube to block the Wagner Private Military Company (PMC) from its video-hosting service. Source: Tkachenko on Telegram Details: Tkachenko emphasised that video-hosting is used to popularise Russian military formations. IT giants, despite having a strict editorial policy, serve as effective advertising platforms for Russians to scale up, "rejuvenate" their audience and recruit new mercenaries for the war in Ukraine. Quote: "YouTube has emphasised that its editorial policy is to block harmful content and channels that distribute it. Therefore, I have sent an official letter to Neil Mohan, Chief Executive Officer of YouTube LLC, asking him to take concrete measures to monitor and stop Wagner Group's online activities. Ukraine is grateful for the impartial role that YouTube has played in highlighting Russia's aggression against Ukraine to date. At the same time, we consider it absolutely unacceptable that the world's largest video-hosting service allows a transnational criminal organisation, such as Wagner Group, officially recognised [as criminal] in the US, UK and EU to promote itself on its platform without any restrictions". More details: Tkachenko voiced confidence that YouTube would rectify the situation quickly. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Serhiy Potoki Potoki had worked at the market, before defending Ukraine at the frontlines hottest place Bakhmut, the outlet wrote. Read also: Ukraine says Russia is using the same tactics in Bakhmut as in Syria Before enlisting, he lived with his wife, six-year-old daughter, and half-year-old son in Vynohradiv, Zakarpattia Oblast. The soldier was reportedly killed in combat in March, reported Golos Karpat. Deputy Minister of Defence Hanna Malyar asked previously not to voice any versions of the deceased's identity until the official conclusions are made. Read also: Ukrainian intelligence close to identifying Russians behind brutal beheading of Ukrainian PoW Identifying a person from a video input, especially in such circumstances, is "an arduous task," she said. The video started circulating on Russian Telegram channels on April 12, showing a Russian soldier savagely decapitating a Ukrainian prisoner with a knife. The prisoner was alive when the barbaric execution began. Ukraine's Security Service has vowed to find and punish the Russians behind the grotesque beheading murder of a Ukrainian soldier. Ukraine's intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov said on April 17 that the identity of the Russian war criminals from the video was established, although he declined to disclose the information. Read also: Ukraine identifies Russian war criminal who decapitated Ukrainian POW Ukrainian Intelligence President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has assured that Russia would be held liable for all its crimes and called on world leaders to respond to Russian atrocities. 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 The Russian occupiers launched about 10 Shahed drones to attack the territory of Ukraine on the night of 20-21 April, with 8 of them destroyed by Ukrainian defenders. Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook, information as of 06:00 on 21 April Quote: "The enemy used about 10 UAVs of the Shahed-136 type (the information is being confirmed) tonight, 8 of which were destroyed by our defenders." Background: After midnight on 21 April, an air-raid warning was issued throughout Ukraine, and after the all-clear was given in a number of oblasts, the air-raid warning was issued again. Ukrainian defenders destroyed about 8 Russian targets during the Russian night drone attack on the outskirts of Kyiv. A civilian infrastructure facility was damaged in Poltava Oblast. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Petro Potapenko looks at the piles of grain on his farm and wonders if he will be able to export his production now that Ukraine's western neighbours have imposed import restrictions. The 34-year-old farmer bends down and runs his hands through the yellow and white grain kept in a warehouse in the village of Kypiachka, around 100 kilometres south of the capital Kyiv. Over a year following Russia's invasion that has devastated Kyiv's agricultural industry, Ukraine's western neighbours -- Poland, Slovakia and Hungary -- have imposed temporary bans on Ukrainian grain and food imports. Poland, Kyiv's key ally against Russia, introduced the ban following protests by local farmers. Hungary and Slovakia -- which also border Ukraine -- introduced similar restrictions. Potapenko felt the effects of the ban straight away. As soon as the Polish ban was announced last week, Ukrainian sunflower oil manufacturers stopped buying seeds for lack of a guarantee of being able to export their production to the EU. "I can no longer sell my seeds," Potapenko said. Russia's invasion has severely limited the traditional export channel of Ukrainian grain via the Black Sea. A considerable part of that has been westwards, via EU nations. Ukraine's farmers are now blocked from all sides, Potapenko said . "This is happening in the context of Russia slowing down the work of the grain corridor (via the Black Sea), and now there are more problems on the border with Poland," he said. "It's a big problem, we still have large grain surpluses." - 'The grain has nowhere to go' - Further south in the Cherkasy region, in central Ukraine, farmers are also feeling the bite of the new restrictions imposed by Kyiv's allies. Ihor Novytsky, the deputy director of a local agricultural firm, said exports are closed on all sides. "Europe is closed, all the ports are closed (by Russia)," he said. "The grain has nowhere to go." Story continues Novytsky said that if the restrictions continue, Ukrainian farmers will "simply go bankrupt". He said he believes the decision by Poland's nationalist government is a political ahead of parliamentary elections later this year. "In Poland, elections are coming soon, so they blocked it." - Strict controls - Warsaw partially lifted the ban on Friday, but across the border in Ukraine, few farmers were reassured. Polish officials have said strict controls will be imposed to ensure that shipments transit the country and are not sold on the local market. This includes placing electronic seals on shipments, which will be escorted by Polish customs officers for the first week. Potapenko said this may be a "little better" than a total blockade, but that "additional controls" at the border will likely increase shipping costs. "The more time the carrier wastes, the more it will charge you later for the time spent queueing, passing inspections." The tensions between Kyiv and its European neighbours arose as uncertainty looms over the scheduled May 18 renewal of a deal ensuring the Black Sea grain corridor is operational. An estimated 60 percent of Ukrainian grain exports pass through the Black Sea. Russia, another major global grain exporter, has threatened to suspend the crucial global grain deal, complaining that its own production is hampered by Western sanctions. After over a year of battling Russian forces, some in Ukraine seemed to see Russia's hand behind the crisis with neighbouring countries. "It smells of Russian involvement," said Andriy Dykun, the head of the Ukrainian grain association. "Someone organises the protests (of European farmers), publicises them, it does not happen itself," he said. Launched from the east, south and north, Russia's invasion of Ukraine ravaged the agricultural industry in a country renowned for its fertile black soil. Before the invasion, Ukraine was the world's fourth largest exporter of corn and on its way of becoming the third exporter of wheat. Since then, vast swathes of cultivated territory have either fallen under Russian occupation or become unusable following fighting that left fields pockmarked by shells and possibly littered with mines and unexploded ordonnance. Agricultural production has fallen dramatically. The grain and oilseed harvest fell from 106 tonnes in 2021 -- a record -- to 65 million tonnes in 2022. It could fall further to around 50-55 million tonnes this year, according to experts. bur/rl PHNOM PENH, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia will start the construction of the second expressway connecting its capital Phnom Penh with Svay Rieng province's Bavet City on the border with Vietnam on June 7, Minister of Public Works and Transport Sun Chanthol said on Friday. Speaking at an inauguration ceremony of a vehicle technical inspection center in Phnom Penh, Chanthol said Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen is scheduled to attend the groundbreaking ceremony of the Phnom Penh-Bavet Expressway project. "The Phnom Penh-Bavet Expressway will have a total length of 138 kilometers, including a bridge across the Mekong River," he said. The minister added that the project is scheduled to be completed by late 2026 or early 2027. China Road and Bridge Corporation, which built the first Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway, would also be the developer of the Phnom Penh-Bavet Expressway. Cambodia put into use the 187-kilometer Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway linking the capital with the international deep-water seaport city of Sihanoukville in October last year. The freeway, with two lanes for traffic in each direction and an emergency lane on either side, can reduce the previous five-hour travel on National Road 4 between Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville to around two hours. Air Force Commander Mykola Oleschuk near the Patriot air defense system Read also: Specs and capabilities of U.S. PATRIOT air defense systems provided to Ukraine He posted the relevant photo on Telegram on April 21. I checked the combat positions of the Patriot air defense system in one of the areas, he said. Read also: US to train Ukrainians to operate Patriot systems over ten weeks Oleshchuk also thanked the Ukrainian military who had completed the Patriot training ahead of schedule. He listed the modern air defense systems that are already in service with the Ukrainian army, including the NASAMS, IRIS-T, Patriot, SAMP/T, Crotale, and Gepard. Read also: German IRIS-T air defense system shoots down all targets during Ukraines first use Oleshchuk called on Western partners to provide the Armed Forces of Ukraine with modern F-16 fighter jets. Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Lieutenant General Oleksandr Pavliuk announced on April 19 that Ukraine had received Patriot air defense systems from three countries the United States, Germany, and the Netherlands. Read also: Today, our beautiful Ukrainian sky becomes more secure Ukraines DM on Patriot system delivery The Patriots will allow to shoot down Iskander-M ballistic missiles and repel Russian aircraft from Ukrainian borders, said Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson, Yuriy Ihnat. 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 Ukrainians and their allies continue to urge Congress to declare the Russian invasion of their country a genocide, a step lawmakers and the U.S. State Department have been reluctant to formally take so far, despite mounting evidence. The latest effort came this week when Razom for Ukraine, a U.S.-based civil society group, released a letter from 50 genocide scholars, human rights activists and international lawyers to the leaders of the House Foreign Affairs Committee asking them to bring up a genocide declaration that has languished in the House since last year. President Joe Biden said in the early weeks of the war that it was a genocide, but his administration has since been much more cautious about the label, which has a legal definition under a 1948 international treaty. In February, however, the administration got a little closer, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken declaring that Russia had committed crimes against humanity. These acts are not random or spontaneous; they are part of the Kremlins widespread and systematic attack against Ukraines civilian population, Blinken said. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) listens to the testimony of a victim of Russia's war on Ukraine during a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing Wednesday. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) listens to the testimony of a victim of Russia's war on Ukraine during a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing Wednesday. In addition to that declaration and help investigating the alleged war crimes, the U.S. has committed about $71.3 billion in help to Ukraine since the war began, with $43.2 billion of that in military aid, according to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy. In the letter, the Ukraine supporters said it was time for Congress to label the war a genocide. Although we appreciate that executive-branch processes are also common for such determinations, the Kremlins genocidal intent and actions are so clear and so evident that a congressional declaration is not only advisable, but absolutely necessary in the spirit of preventing further atrocities, the letter said. Under the 1948 treaty, which was signed by the United States, genocide occurs when there is an attempt to completely or partially destroy a racial, ethnic, national or religious group by at least one of several methods, including killing or causing serious injury to them, creating conditions of life meant to destroy the group, imposing measures to prevent births within the group or transferring their children to another group. Story continues These acts are not random or spontaneous; they are part of the Kremlins widespread and systematic attack against Ukraines civilian population.Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, in announcing Russia has committed crimes against humanity in Ukraine Though reports of Russian atrocities have mounted, most recently with video of a purported beheading of a Ukrainian soldier and testimony by two men claiming to be former members of the Wagner mercenary group who said they carried out orders to kill civilians, including children, the State Department is not ready to move beyond the crimes against humanity label. The Secretary has not designated Russian atrocities as genocide. We will continue monitoring the situation in Ukraine and will make that determination when appropriate, a State Department spokesperson told HuffPost in a statement. The scholars letter was released Wednesday, when the House Foreign Affairs Committee held a hearing on war crimes in Ukraine. Lawmakers heard from witnesses who described abducted children taken to Russia and a woman who said she had been beaten and tortured while living under Russian occupation in the Kherson region. Committee chair Michael McCaul (R-Texas) said he had visited Ukraine and heard similar tales. I personally heard an account from a mother who saw her 5-year-old daughter gang-raped to death by 10 Wagner mercenaries, who then threw her dead body on the side of the road, he said. These are more than war crimes. These are more than crimes against humanity. What we are witnessing in Ukraine is genocide, McCaul said. These are more than war crimes. These are more than crimes against humanity. What we are witnessing in Ukraine is genocide.Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee The committee office did not respond to a request for comment about whether McCaul planned to bring up the genocide resolution authored by Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.), which has 21 co-sponsors, including five Republicans. In the letter asking for action on the resolution, the experts said, If we do not recognize this invasion for what it is, we not only fail the Ukrainian people, but we neglect our security interests and our foundational values. The United States must recognize and help end genocide, and not just memorialize it after the ruination and devastation of a nation. Need help? Visit RAINNs National Sexual Assault Online Hotline or the National Sexual Violence Resource Centers website. Related... Nearly 1,000 faculty, staff and students at the University of Miami have signed an open letter opposing a state bill moving through the Florida Legislature that they say is an unprecedented attempt to exert political control over free thought and professional expertise in higher education. As a private university, UM isnt funded or governed by the Florida Board of Governors, which oversees the 12 public universities in the state. As such, it wouldnt be affected by House Bill 999, and its companion Senate Bill 266, which could make it harder for professors to hold onto tenure and would give university presidents the authority to hire and fire faculty, instead of deans, department chairs and faculty committees currently making those decisions. READ MORE: Lawmakers sought to remove DEI from higher ed. Now theyre scrubbing it from the bill Because of these proposals and others in the bills, some of UMs faculty, staff and students are standing in solidarity with their counterparts at Florida International University and the states other public universities. We affirm our commitment to the principles and practices of academic freedom and shared governance in all Florida institutions of higher education, whether public or private, reads the missive, which a small group of UM faculty members started in early April and now want to share with as many people as possible, particularly elected officials. UM faculty are also planning a teach-in about the legislation outside the bookstore at Rock Plaza on its Coral Gables campus from noon to 2 p.m. Tuesday. Curious? Angry? Confused? Then join us! the flier advertising the event reads. How are UM, FIU related? Scot Evans, a UM Faculty Senate member and the president of the UM chapter of the American Association of University Professors, said many at UM are taking action against the bills because they collaborate with colleagues at public universities. Evans teaches at UMs School of Education and Human Development, and he works with professors at Florida International University and the University of Central Florida through grants. Story continues Evans worries the negative attention Florida is getting nationwide from academics will hinder UMs ability to recruit students and talent. Also, he said UM isnt completely safe. We are buffered because of our private status but we only have to look at the Disney example to see how even private entities can end up getting bullied because of their stance on certain things, Evans said, referring to the battle between Gov. Ron DeSantis and Disney after Disney opposed last years Parental Rights in Education law, which critics have dubbed the Dont Say Gay bill. The state law bans teachers and staff from teaching about sexual orientation or gender identity through third grade in public schools. For example, we have a lot of diversity, equity and inclusion efforts going on at our campus, and we teach about race here, Evans added. So, I think even though the legislation doesnt affect us, were still at risk of some level of attack from it. What would HB999 and SB266 do to higher ed? The bills HB 999 and SB 266 have gone through major changes as they move through the legislative process, and more tweaks are expected before House and Senate lawmakers reach consensus on all provisions. A Senate panel, for example, scrubbed all references to diversity, equity and inclusion last week amid concerns of potentially endangering the accreditation of certain higher-education courses and programs. But the proposed new language in the Senate bill would restrict public universities from teaching theories that systemic racism, sexism, oppression, and privilege are inherent in the institutions of the United States and were created to maintain social, political and economic inequities. Other provisions include adding more hurdles for faculty members who want to challenge a termination or a decision to strip them of tenure. Under the Senate bill, faculty members would not be allowed to appeal the decision beyond the level of the university president, and there would be no arbitration option. Those who signed the UM letter join hundreds of FIU faculty, staff and students who have been holding marches and walkouts on campus since February to oppose the proposed legislation. Professors alarmed Matthew Marr, a professor of sociology at FIU, participated in a rally on the Modesto Maidique Campus last week. He said about 400 faculty, students and staff attended. During the protest, people pasted sticky notes with messages like Let us learn and Protect your students on the doors of Primera Casa, the building where the president and other top administrators work at FIU. There was a widespread showing of disapproval, said Marr, adding they want to show more of that next Thursday, during an FIU Board of Trustees meeting. About the UM letter, Marr said: Its great to have that support. Mary Anne Franks, a law professor at UM, said she stamped her name on the open letter because she sees the bills as an attack not only on education, but on democracy. Im incredibly angry, and Im concerned for students everywhere, and Im particularly saddened for my fellow faculty members at public universities, she said. Florida is becoming known as a state where intellectual freedom goes to die. As she sees the HB 999 and its companion bill advance in the Legislature, Franks said she hopes some brave members of the Republican Party separate themselves from this kind of blatant censorship. Regardless of whether it ultimately passes or it gets overturned or what happens to it in the future, Franks said, the fact that this is happening at all is really alarming. A secret order that resulted in the early release of convicted South Carolina murderer Jeroid Price was unsealed Thursday by the state Supreme Court, detailing publicly for the first time what information Price shared to cut nearly 16 years off his prison sentence. The order contained three examples that served as justification for now-retired Judge Casey Manning to sign the order that reduced Prices 35-year prison sentence even though Price had not served the mandatory minimum 30 years for murder. The testaments included in the order say that Price, who was housed at the S.C. Department of Corrections in Columbia and then transferred to New Mexico, saved corrections officers from injury or death and notified prison officials when a high-profile inmate escaped. The orders details are the latest in a head-spinning series of controversial developments that started Monday, when 1st Circuit Solicitor David Pascoe disclosed to media that Price had been released from prison on March 15 despite only serving 19 years of his 35-year sentence. Price was convicted in 2003 in Richland County of the 2002 murder of Carl Smalls, who played football at the University of South Carolina and the University of North Carolina, at a Columbia-area nightclub where a fraternity and sorority were sponsoring a party. Smalls was on the ground when Price shot him, according to evidence shared at the trial. Carl Smalls at the University of North Carolina. Smalls family told The State they were never given proper notice that Price would be released from prison early, only on the day of when they received a courtesy call and then a recorded voicemail. Attorney General Alan Wilson has demanded Price be put back behind bars. On Thursday, he requested the S.C. Supreme Court issue a bench warrant for Prices arrest, a decision that could come down Friday. He absolutely should not have been released from prison, and we need to get him back behind bars as quickly as possible, Wilsons request said. Prices current whereabouts are unknown. Story continues Price did obtain a South Carolina drivers license on April 7 and gave an address in Florence, sources with knowledge said. His release has further raised questions about the authority of state judges to secretly shorten violent convicts prison sentences and the role of the states solicitors, or elected prosecutors, in the process. On Monday, Pascoe, who prosecuted Price when he was a Richland County prosecutor, disclosed that not only had Price been released from prison early, but that his lawyer, state Rep. Todd Rutherford, had initiated the release by persuading 5th Circuit Solicitor Byron Gipson to seek an order from Manning to let Price go free. The reason, Pascoe said, was to let Price out of prison early because of his supposed substantial assistance to law enforcement. Prosecutors and defense attorneys make their closing arguments 12/19/20003 in the case of Jeroid Price, who is accused of allegedly killing Carl Smalls in a Garners Ferry Road night club last December. Erik Campos/The State The three purported examples of Prices good deeds include a January 2017 example when Price saved a guards life after the order says he jumped into a brawl where a half-dozen inmates were standing over a fallen corrections officer, punching and kicking while another inmate was getting ready to stab him with a homemade prison knife. That example was shared by Larry Benjamin, a former inmate and convicted murderer who has since died. Benjamin said he observed the incident. A second example in the order details an account by a former corrections officer, Asia Love, who worked at Lieber Correctional Institution where Price was incarcerated. Love wrote that in March 2010 a violent inmate was about to use a broom to strike a corrections officer, Sally Fowler. Fowler, Love said, was on the ground when Price came out of nowhere, tackled the assailant and led him away. Love said she did not observe the incident but heard about it from Fowler, who said Price had saved her life. The last example of Prices substantial information is that in July 2017 Price informed prison officials that Jimmy Lee Causey, a violent bank robber and kidnapper, had escaped from a maximum security prison in Dorchester County and was on the run in Texas. Prison officials didnt know Causey had escaped, and the tip enabled police to quickly arrest him in Texas, where he was holed up in a motel with guns, cellphones and $47,000 in cash. Causey was regarded as especially dangerous because in 2002 he had kidnapped prominent Columbia criminal defense attorney Jack Swerling, his wife and daughter and was serving a life sentence for the offense. State corrections spokesperson Chrysti Shain confirmed Thursday that Price had alerted someone outside the prison system to Causeys escape. That person then told prison officials, and Prices tip helped lead law enforcement to Causeys quick apprehension, Shain said. Those accounts, however, did not impress Pascoe, who emphasized that Mannings order had been kept secret until he and others began to complain. The only reason this was sealed was so the world would never find out Price was released, Pascoe said. Wilson, the states chief elected prosecutor, and Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott, whose office investigated Price in 2003, quickly joined Pascoe this week in condemning the early release, saying Price should never have been let out. Wilsons office also asked the state Supreme Court to unseal the order releasing Price. The court complied. Rutherford, a Democrat who represents a portion of Richland County in the S.C. House, on Thursday defended Price and said he was worthy of an early release. He also criticized Wilson, Pascoe and Lott by name for playing politics. With the release of the affidavits, people can at least see that he helped make South Carolina safer, Rutherford said. Rutherford said there is a letter from the state Department of Corrections supporting the accounts in the once-sealed judges order. Rutherford said he did not have a copy available to share but said Gipson has a copy of that letter. Jeroid Price thumps his chest after prosecutors and defense attorneys make their closing arguments 12/19/20003 in the case of Price, who is accused of allegedly killing Carl Smalls in a Garners Ferry Road night club last December. Erik Campos/The State Gipson could not be reached for comment. The state Department of Corrections had no immediate comment about the letter. The unsealed order has now put Prices life in danger, Rutherford said, since convicts and criminals look down on those who assist law enforcement. Jeroid Price has a target on his back because of politicians trying to self-aggrandize at his expense, Rutherford said. Thats why this order was sealed, because his life was in jeopardy and will be now because a bunch of politicians can run around and act like theyve done something good. Early releases from prison, or reductions in projected prison time, do occur in federal court for criminals who help law enforcement, Rutherford said. South Carolina has had similar practices in place in federal court since 2011, Rutherford said. Rutherford further defended the release and said everything about the release was legal and followed established procedures, Rutherford said. In a statement this week, Gipson said per state law the state can ask a circuit court judge to consider a sentence reduction for an inmate who has provided substantial assistance to law enforcement. In December 2022, Gipson said, his office participated in talks with Rutherford and the court about Price, and, after evaluating Prices assistance, Gipsons office decided it would be appropriate to file a motion asking for a formal hearing to decide how much, if any, of Prices sentence should be reduced. But an official motion to reduce was never filed by the 5th Circuit Solicitors Office because the judges order was issued before it could be filed, Gipson said. There was no formal hearing where Smalls family could voice their position on the order. For those reasons, I am requesting that this matter be reopened by the Court in order to ensure that all statutory rights and procedures are followed correctly. An open hearing will ensure that all parties have their statutorily guaranteed right to be heard and that all information related to this matter can be placed on the record before the Court, Gipson said in his statement. Pascoe on Thursday took issue with Rutherfords characterization of events surrounding Mannings issuance of the sealed order. This was, in my opinion, an unlawful release, said Pascoe. One affidavit is from a convicted murderer and another concerns a 13-year-old incident described by a former corrections employee who was not a firsthand witness to the event, Pascoe said. Under the law, Pascoe said a hearing should have been held where allegations in the affidavits could be challenged. But there was no hearing, he said. This is an absolute travesty of justice, and Im so pleased that the Supreme Court intervened and unsealed this file, Pascoe said. This is a developing story. It will be updated. Alexis Pattersons walk home from Hi-Mount Elementary School in Milwaukee was just 242 steps. Alexis, 7 years old and in first grade, always got home from school around 2:50 p.m. When she hadnt arrived by 2:55 on a Friday in May 2002, her mother, Ayanna Patterson, began to worry. At 3, Patterson ran to the school in a panic. Thats when I found out that my baby never made it, Patterson told USA TODAY. She never made it to school. The story of Alexis disappearance started with a massive search for the little girl and sympathy for her family, but that quickly changed as her parents became suspects. Over the years, there have been conspiracy theories and false leads and cases of mistaken identity. Still, her mom has never given up hope that Alexis will come home again someday. In Season 4 of Unsolved, we work to get to the bottom of what really happened to Alexis, what efforts were made to find her and why so many missing Black kids in America are never found. SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST She never made it to school Despite Milwaukees history of segregation and distrust between Black residents and police, the whole city comes together to search for Alexis, who loved school and loved to sing. Listen A guilty man walked free Alexis stepfather, LaRon Bourgeois, has a troubled history with police. That is enough to raise their suspicions after she disappears. Listen Where would she have gone? Police come up with the theory that Alexis ran away after her mom tells them about an argument over cupcakes. A double life Some witnesses say they saw a red truck outside Alexis school around the time she vanished. Could it have belonged to a serial killer? Listen A package from Ohio Fourteen years after Alexis disappeared, a man from Ohio comes forward to say he believes his estranged wife might be the missing girl. Listen The road trip Two reporters travel to Ohio to see if they can get to the bottom of the claims that a young woman there is Alexis. Story continues Listen A DNA discovery After a three-year delay in reporting because of the coronavirus pandemic, we ask the experts to evaluate the DNA profiles of Alexis' mother and the woman in Ohio to figure out, once and for all, whether the two are related. Listen Be careful what you wish for After more than 20 years of turning us down, the Milwaukee Police finally release more than 10,000 pages of records on their investigation of Alexis case. Some of the contents are completely unexpected. Listen Get the latest news and updates by subscribing to the Unsolved newsletter Sign up for the Unsolved newsletter Links Read our investigation into disparities in missing children's investigations Find out more about Alexis Patterson Watch: States of America speaks with Ayanna Patterson The team Reporter, writer, producer: Gina Barton, USA TODAY Reporter: Ashley Luthern, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Sound engineer: Bill Schulz, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Editors: Amy Pyle, USA TODAY; Greg Borowski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Composer: Evan Johnson Artist: Lou Saldivar, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Previous seasons Season One: A missing teen, a 40-year mystery Season one, released in 2015, explores the circumstances surrounding the death of 14-year-old John Zera, who disappeared from his high school in 1976. Through decades of dead ends, investigators hold on to hope of finding the killer. Season one link: https://projects.jsonline.com/topics/unsolved-season-one/ Season Two: A toddler's death, a tangled trail Season two, released in 2017, examines the case of toddler Michelle Manders, who vanished from her bedroom in the middle of the night in 1981. Did she wander alone into the darkness? Or was she kidnapped? Season two link: https://projects.jsonline.com/topics/unsolved/index.html Season Three: The devil you know Season three, released in 2019, tells the story of Father Alfred Kunz, a Catholic priest whose throat was slit inside St. Michael School in 1998. Some believe his death was linked to his battles against evil. Others believe his all-too-human flaws were to blame. Season three link: https://projects.jsonline.com/topics/unsolved/season-three/the-devil-you-know.html Contact Gina Barton at (262) 757-8640 or gbarton@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @writerbarton. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Unsolved Season 4 Only 26 copies of the declaration remain One of 26 original remaining copies of the US Declaration of Independence has gone on display in Northern Ireland. It has been loaned to the Public Record Office Northern Ireland (PRONI) from the UK National Archives for the first time. It will be part of an exhibition at PRONI to recognise the role of Ulster-Scots people in the declaration. The US Special Envoy, Joe Kennedy III, was the guest of honour at the exhibition's opening on Thursday. John Dunlap, the American who printed the first broadside copies of the Declaration of Independence, was born in Strabane, County Tyrone, in 1747. The broadside copies do not contain the original signatures from the 56 signatories of the 13 colonies. Strabane-born John Dunlap printed the first broadside copies of the Declaration of Independence Instead, they were printed by Dunlap as a way to inform the public about the declaration and were put up in public places. The Belfast News Letter was the first newspaper outside of America to publish the news in August 1776. At the time, Dunlap's printing house made 200 copies. Only 26 are now known to exist. The Declaration of Independence set the American Revolutionary War in motion. It said: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." It is one of the best known and referenced sentences in the English language and had a profound effect on the history of America and other global democracies thereafter. Matthew Thornton - a signatory for New Hampshire - landed on American soil from the Bann Valley. Thomas McKean, signatory of Delaware was from Londonderry; George Taylor, signatory for Pennsylvania, emigrated from Antrim along with James Smith. Edward Rutledge was born in and signatory for South Carolina. His father left Tyrone in 1735. US Special Envoy Joe Kennedy was the guest of honour at the exhibition opening Other Declaration signers John Hancock, William Whipple, Robert Paine and Thomas Nelson are also believed to have some links to Northern Ireland. Story continues Ian Crozier, of the Ulster-Scots Agency, said: "This is the biggest achievement that the Ulster-Scots community has made, the biggest impression we have made on the world in terms of bringing forward the birth of the United States." Ulster-Scots historian Mark Thompson added: "Very often we become very introspective here, but this story is truly international. "It's amazing to think that a couple of guys who left here when they were children, maybe about nine years old, were so influential that they formed what would become one of the most famous and powerful nations on the planet." Mr Kennedy was in Northern Ireland as part of President Joe Biden's wider visit north and south of the border to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. The first US special envoy to Northern Ireland for economic affairs, Mr Kennedy ceremoniously cut the ribbon on the new exhibition at PRONI. The declaration will be on display at PRONI until July. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on Friday said the U.S. would be expediting the deployment of U.S. M1 Abrams tanks for May delivery in Germany as it looks to ready Ukrainian troops for training on the advanced equipment. Speaking from Ramstein Air Base in Germany following the 11th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, Austin said the decision was made in order to "supply Ukraine with more armored capability in the coming months." "The M1's that the Ukrainians will use for training [will] arrive here in Germany in the next few weeks," he added. "All of this is huge progress." U.S. soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 70th Armor Regiment, 1st Infantry Division train with M1A2 Abrams tanks and Bradley Fighting Vehicles in Nowa Deba, Poland, on April 12, 2023. WASHINGTON LOOKS TO TEMPER CONCERNS AMONG ALLIES FOLLOWING INTELLIGENCE LEAK On Friday, Fox News exclusively joined the military training of Ukraine's special forces and territorial defense members who will deploy back to the frontlines in the coming days at an undisclosed location where troops were being trained on weapons testing and assault operations. "We know what to expect and we are training every day for it," one Ukrainian soldier told Fox News. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP U.S. and Polish soldiers team up at Nowa Deba, Poland, to bolster NATO's eastern flank, backed by Poland's acquisition of 250 M1A2 Abrams tanks from the U.S. Army, on April 12, 2023. RUSSIAN MERCENARIES SYMPATHETIC TO PUTIN TARGET UK WITH CYBER THREATS OVER WAR IN UKRAINE: REPORT The U.S.-supplied Abrams tanks expected for a May arrival will be used to train Ukrainian soldiers in a 10-week course, although the 31 tanks slotted for training will not be sent to Ukraine for its war effort under the package pledged by Washington earlier this year. The U.S. is working to refurbish another 31 Abrams tanks for frontline deployment to Ukraine later this year. Reports in March suggested Abrams tanks would not make it to Ukraine until the fall, and it remains unclear if Washington is looking to supply Kyiv with this advanced armored capability on a quicker timeline. In addition, Germany and Poland have signed a joint memorandum on a repair system for Leopard 2 tanks damaged during the war in Ukraine. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, left, and Mark A. Milley, U.S. General and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the United States Armed Forces, speak to journalists during the closing statement of the U.S.-led Ukraine Contact Group meeting at Ramstein Air Base in Germany on Friday. The repairs, expected to cost up to $220 million a year, will be financed equally by the two NATO nations with a hub near the Ukrainian border in Poland. Germanys defense minister Boris Pistorius said he expects work on the repair hub to begin around the end of May. The Associated Press contributed to this report. The sheer size, scope, reach and budget of the U.S. military is startling. Therefore it makes sense the Pentagon is a most tempting target for constant reform. But change for changes sake is not helpful, nor is defense-reform theater. Serious crusaders must chart a different course for modernizing defense bureaucracy one fit for the information age where urgency, flexibility, transparency and action are the watchwords. Over the past eight sessions of Congress, there have been no fewer than 14 different Pentagon efficiency drills. The names are familiar to budget watchers: Better Buying Power 1.0 (and 2.0 and 3.0), the Weapon Systems Acquisition Reform Act, night court, fourth-estate reform, and others. Some of these efforts were successful; others not so much. While well-intentioned, a common theme was that these were short-term, budget-bogey exercises that yielded few new dollars for reinvestment into higher priorities. This is due in part to defense reform being over-focused on the acquisition of things. However, the majority of what the military purchases is no longer weapons systems but rather services and technology. Zealous reformers continue to over-focus on weapons buys when hardware is increasingly the commodity. Moreover, the U.S. military is no longer a monopsony buyer able to move markets due to smaller bets, nor is the organization an original inventor changing the American economy. Rather, the military must increasingly innovate with mostly commercial products and give them a unique defense application. In addition, the Pentagon finds itself in a new and uncomfortable position: that of needing to work to attract and entice new companies to want to do business with the armed forces. Tech and commercial companies know of the Defense Departments low appetite for risk-taking and long timelines to take ideas from the lab to the field when compared to the private sector. Change and modernization are needed, but not simply the rinse-and-repeat acquisition reforms of the past. Instead reform should fall into two categories: Story continues Change with respect to reduction whether of mission, rules, head count, regulations, laws, provisions, workload and more. Modifications that increase accountability for passing appropriations on time and highlighting the true costs of running the U.S. military. That means accountability, like sequestering congressional paychecks until appropriations are enacted each day after the start of the fiscal year. Appropriators must also revise rules established at a time when the defense budget was a fraction of its size today, and let the Defense Department move more money around after being approved to react in real time to changing technology. It also means greater transparency on the costs of doing business. As former Rep. Anthony Brown, D-Md., highlighted but few seem to be aware Washington spends $1 billion more on Medicare in the defense budget than we do on new tactical vehicles. We spend more on the Defense Health Program than we do on new ships. In total, some $200 billion in the defense budget are essentially for nondefense purposes from salaries to health care to basic research. Congress should focus on combining the pay and benefits of defense workforces uniformed and civilian and their health care into one new account. Such a change should launch a broader discussion of moving certain costs, primarily people and paychecks, out of discretionary and into mandatory federal spending. That will energize a needed debate on how much the United States is spending on direct military capability, compared to expenses beyond the scope of the Defense Department that have little impact on warfighting or belong in the domain of another agency. When it comes to slashing the barnacles of bureaucracy and taking away mission and work, Pentagon contracting is overdue for a refresh. As the American Enterprise Institutes Bill Greenwalt has highlighted, federal acquisition regulation clauses mandate companies doing business with the Defense Department must operate in ways that they may not otherwise have to in their commercial operations. Some of these regulations, such as those in the Truth in Negotiations Act, are undoubtedly necessary as they prevent the taxpayer from being ripped off. Others, while well-intentioned, are simply onerous and drive up compliance costs. Paring back regulations would start updating our Soviet-style acquisition system and allow greater speed and urgency in bolstering deterrence. In addition to regulatory refresh, the Pentagon should also review whether the work of Space Command is now duplicative or redundant given that the U.S. Space Force has stood up. Congress is poised to debate the future of Space Command as an organization that has potentially outlived its usefulness and should be sunsetted if appropriate and then statutory work reassigned if needed. Change doesnt come overnight at the Pentagon. Rather, defense reform is the patient, hard work of many years, which both requires leadership and doggedness of implementation. By pursuing these reforms (and straying away from harmful ideas like capping spending at arbitrary levels disconnected from the real world), Congress can begin this essential but difficult job of reform through reduction rather than the addition of new laws and rules that further slow down an already glacial organization. Moreover, policymakers will demonstrate their seriousness about needed defense rehabilitation, while skipping the defense-reform theater that has plagued the military for too long. Mackenzie Eaglen is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute think tank. She also serves on the U.S. Army Science Board. Residential buildings damaged in fighting are seen in Khartoum, Sudan, Thursday, April 20, 2023. The latest attempt at a cease-fire between the rival Sudanese forces faltered as gunfire rattled the capital of Khartoum. Through the night and into Thursday morning, gunfire could be heard almost constantly across Khartoum. | Marwan Ali, Associated Press Fighting in Sudan rages on for the seventh day. The U.S. is preparing troops to enter the African nation to possibly help evacuate U.S. Embassy staff from the country. There are an estimated 19,000 American citizens in Sudan, in addition to U.S. Embassy staff, so getting all of them out will likely prove to be a challenge. Heavy shelling has hit the capitals international airport hard, making it basically inoperable, and the airspace over Sudan is currently closed, The New York Times reported. Because of the current state of fighting and shelling, Vedant Patel, a U.S. State Department spokesperson, said, it is currently not safe to undertake a U.S. government-coordinated evacuation of U.S. citizens, per the Times. At least 330 people have been killed and 3,200 have sustained injuries from the violence. The World Health Organization said those estimates are probably an underestimation of the true impact of the crisis, Ahmed Al-Mandhari, WHO regional director for the Eastern Mediterranean, said during a press conference, per ABC News. What started the fighting in Sudan? The fighting stems from two warring generals fighting for control of the country. As plans were being prepared to turn control back to civilian rule, tensions began to rise between the two factions as to who would have the most power. Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan is over the nations armed forces who are clashing with Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dalago, who is in charge of the Rapid Support Forces military group. After two failed cease-fire attempts, fighting has continued nonstop in the countrys capital of Khartoum since Saturday. How will U.S. troops get U.S. embassy staffers out of Sudan? U.S. troops are planning on possibly being stationed at nearby Djibouti, to provide the administration an option to launch an evacuation operation, Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman told lawmakers Wednesday, per Politico. Some lawmakers have expressed concerns about staff members and Americans still inside the country. But Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., said the U.S. government is very much on top of it. Arrangements have been made. Theyre sheltering in place and currently all secure, all accounted for and in communication with them, Kaine told Politico. Theres a whole-of-government effort to figure out exactly how to make sure that they continue in safety. The US State Department said Friday that ongoing fighting between military factions in Sudan made it too risky to try to evacuate embassy personnel from Khartoum. The Pentagon has mobilized in the east Africa region to bring out US staff from the Sudan capital. However, "due to the uncertain security situation in Khartoum and the closure of the airport, it's currently not safe to undertake a US government coordinated evac," said State Department spokesman Vedant Patel. The State Department has sought to gather US staff in one location in the Sudan capital to better protect them from the fighting outside and prepare for an evacuation. How that would take place is not clear. On Thursday the Pentagon said it was mustering forces in the region to support an evacuation, presumably to be directed from the US base in Djibouti, more than 700 miles (1,126 kilometers) to the southeast of Khartoum. "We are deploying additional capabilities nearby in the region for contingency purposes related to securing and potentially facilitating the departure of US Embassy personnel from Sudan," the Pentagon said in a statement. More than 400 people have been killed after violence erupted Saturday between forces loyal to Sudan's army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who commands the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). A lull in the fighting starting Friday, apparently tied to the Eid al-Fitr holiday, raised the possibility that an evacuation could take place over the weekend. "We have made very clear to both sides that any attacks, threats or dangers posed to our diplomats are totally unacceptable," Patel said. Berlin aborted an evacuation attempt for its citizens from Sudan on Wednesday, according to German weekly Der Spiegel. Three military transport planes, which would have carried around 150 German citizens, headed for the country but were made to turn back, according to the magazine. Story continues South Korea said Friday it was sending a military aircraft and soldiers to standby for evacuating its nationals at the US base for Djibouti. And Japan said it is preparing to evacuate its nationals from the country. Around 60 Japanese people are in Sudan, including embassy staff, government spokesman Hirokazu Matsuno said. Japan also has a base in Djibouti for the Japanese Self Defense Forces. pmh/jh NEWS PROVIDED BY Catholic League April 21, 2023 NEW YORK, April 21, 2023 /Christian Newswire/ -- Catholic League president Bill Donohue looks at how the states deal with school choice initiatives: There are 13 states that are most known for their school choice initiatives: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, New Hampshire, Texas, Utah and West Virginia. Republican lawmakers are the dominant party in all 13 states; and all have a Republican governor, save for Kansas and Louisiana. We looked at 13 of the most prominent states (including the District of Columbia) that are run by Democrats to see how they handle school choice. Compared to states run by Republicans, they don't fare too well. Twelve of them provide for limited school choice options: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, D.C., Maryland, Rhode Island, Vermont, Maine, California, Oregon and Washington. One of themCaliforniaprovides no financial assistance, either in the form of vouchers or tax credits; it also has no private school choice plan. The Democrats say they are the party that best represents the interests of "people of color." Yet they are the ones who oppose the very school choice programs that are overwhelmingly favored by African Americans, Asians and Hispanics. The following section is taken from my new book, War on Virtue. Jesse Jackson opposes school choice. But he sent his children to the best private schools. Senator Ted Kennedy was ready to conduct a filibuster over a bill that would have given D.C. parents school choice. He sent his children to private schools. Hillary Clinton is an ardent foe of school choice. She made sure her daughter went to the prestigious Sidwell Friends School in D.C. President Obama, another anti-school choice politician, also sent his daughters to Sidwell Friends. President Biden sent his children to private schools. But he opposes school choice for others. Vice President Kamala Harris, an enemy of school choice, sent her stepchildren to private schools. Nancy Pelosi spent a small fortune sending her children to the most expensive private schools. But she argues that "private school vouchers are a bad idea." Former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio sent his kids to elite public schools (which he later tried to crush) and to private schools. He went so far as to say, "I am angry about the state of public education in America. I am angry at the privatizers. I am sick and tired of these efforts to privatize a precious things\ we needpublic education." San Francisco has earned a reputation as a left-wing city. Though the city is 48 percent white, only 15 percent of white children go to public schools. "For all its vaunted progressivism," the New York Times says, "it has some of the highest private school enrollment numbers in the countryand many of those private schools have remained open." Harvard education professor Paul E. Peterson wryly notes that "a fifth of all school teachers with school-age children has placed a child in a private school, and nearly three out of ten have used one or more of the main alternatives to the traditional public school." In fact, "school teachers are much more likely to use a private school than are other parents." This is worse than hypocrisy. The welfare of children is being sabotaged by the public school establishment. If the schools that public school teachers work at aren't good enough for their own children, why are they good enough for those who can't afford to escape them? To top things off, it is the teachers' unionsthe ones who fund the Democratic partywho are out to destroy charter schools and who oppose school choice. As I've said before, it is typically those who scream the loudest about helping blacks who are their biggest enemy. Blacks don't need the help of patronizing white liberalsthey need access to the same kinds of schools that the elites can afford. The US Supreme Court was poised Friday to wade into the legal battle over the abortion drug mifepristone with a ruling on lower court-ordered restrictions on the widely used pill. The nation's highest court has until midnight Friday (0400 GMT Saturday) to decide how it will handle the most significant abortion case since it tossed out the constitutional right to the procedure last year. The conservative-dominated bench had been scheduled to issue a ruling by Wednesday but it extended a stay freezing the lower court decisions for two days as it decides what to do next. "We're all waiting, we're all watching," White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Friday. "We are prepared for whatever announcement comes out of the Supreme Court and if need be we're prepared for a long legal battle." The Justice Department of President Joe Biden has filed an emergency appeal asking the Supreme Court to block the lower court rulings that would have banned or limited use of mifepristone, which accounts for more than half of the abortions in the United States. The court can rule in any number of ways, and abortion rights and anti-abortion activists -- as well as millions of Americans -- are on tenterhooks waiting to seehow it proceeds. The case stems from a ruling by a US District Court judge in Texas that would have banned mifepristone, which was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2000. An appeals court blocked a ban on the pill, but imposed tough restrictions on access, after which the baton was handed to the Supreme Court, where conservatives wield a 6-3 majority. The Supreme Court could further freeze the lower court rulings pending the appeal from the Justice Department and mifepristone manufacturer Danco Laboratories. It could also allow the rulings restricting access to the abortion pill to take effect while the appeals play out. The court could also decide to hear arguments in the case itself on an expedited basis. Story continues - 'Deeply misguided' - Further complicating the case is a ruling by a separate federal court in Washington state that said access to mifepristone should be maintained. Since the Supreme Court overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling that enshrined the constitutional right to abortion for half a century, 13 states have banned abortion and it has been severely restricted in others. Opposition to the legal assault on the abortion pill is being spearheaded by the Justice Department, which argued that the initial federal judge's ruling was based on a "deeply misguided assessment" of the pill's safety. Mifepristone is one component of a two-drug regimen that can be used through the first 10 weeks of pregnancy. It has a long safety record, and the FDA estimates 5.6 million Americans have used it to terminate pregnancies since it was approved. The appellate court, while striking down the ban on mifepristone, restricted its use to seven weeks of pregnancy, down from 10, and prohibited distribution by mail. In a filing to the court on Tuesday, the anti-abortion coalition that first brought the case against the FDA repeated their controversial claims that the drug was unsafe. The coalition said the FDA and distributor of mifepristone had "brazenly flouted the law and applicable regulations... and continually placed politics above women's health." In Canada, meanwhile, Families Minister Karina Gould said the federal government there is prepared to provide access to the abortion pill to American women if it is restricted in the United States. Gould told CTV's "Power Play" that the Canadian government "would work to provide that for American women" if the drug is banned in the United States. Polls repeatedly show a clear majority of Americans support continued access to safe abortion, even as conservative groups push to limit the procedure -- or ban it outright. cl/caw Ukraine decided to defend Bakhmut despite dire warnings from the US back in January, and months afterwards, Ukrainian forces are still holding the western edge of the town in the longest and deadliest battle of the war. Source: The Washington Post Quote from WP: "US assessments were bleak as early as January, according to previously unreported classified US intelligence documents leaked allegedly by Jack Teixeira, a member of the Massachusetts Air National Guard. An assessment marked top secret cautioned that steady Russian advances since November had jeopardised Ukraines ability to hold the city, and Ukrainian forces would probably be at risk of encirclement, unless they withdraw within the next month [February ed.]." Details: However, the US warnings went largely unheeded. Kyiv decided to hold Bakhmut, claiming it was necessary to maintain national morale and deny Russia from boasting about any territorial gain. Ukraine has said that the prolonged fighting in Bakhmut had weakened Russias forces because many soldiers had been killed, especially those from the Wagner mercenary group. The Washington Post has also spoken to one of the Ukrainian commanders overseeing the fight for Bakhmut, Colonel Pavlo Palytsia, who said he had not been officially informed of this US intelligence or given any recommendations on how to proceed in Bakhmut to gain additional advantage. Palytsia said that Ukrainian soldiers were able to hold parts of the city for months longer than predicted due to a combination of classic urban warfare and advanced drone reconnaissance, including the jamming of signals. After Russian forces breached Bakhmuts perimeter, Palytsia recounted how Ukrainian forces withdrew into residential blocks, using rooftops as elevated ground and turning houses into anti-tank positions. Both sides began to rely heavily on reconnaissance drones deep inside the city for targeting purposes, as well as jammers to confuse the opponents navigation systems. Story continues Palytsia said that the occupiers were succeeding in using jamming techniques, and if the defenders "do not have their eyes in the air", they cannot hit the Russians with artillery fire. The colonel noted that reconnaissance is very important because Ukraine does not have enough shells, so artillery fire must be accurate. Palytsia said Ukraine has also picked up on Russian tactics, and is masking a drones "home point" or coordinates that would determine the location of the unit controlling the device. He said that if the Russians find Ukrainian drones, they will see that the drones home point is somewhere in Australia. Palytsia arrived at his post in mid-January - and at the time the assessments he heard from the officers around him reiterated Washingtons pessimism. Everyone was convinced they would hold out for 2-3 weeks. "But months later and were still here, trying to do our best to hold the city," Palytsia said. The WP reports that the "leaked" US documents also suggested that Russian morale was worsening and that desertion could be encouraged through a "physiological operation campaign" highlighting the "expendability" of Russian troops. Another paragraph in the document urged Ukraine to deploy "dual-purpose improved conventional munitions" a combination of artillery and surface-to-air missiles against the amassed Russian forces to counter assault waves. The WP reports that during critical moments when the defence of Bakhmut seemed untenable, Ukraine repeatedly moved elite units into the city to protect supply roads and steady the situation. This strategy has been successful, allowing Ukraine to hold western edge of the city, but in recent days, the line of contact has become increasingly unstable, according to commanders. The situation changes several times a day in the morning, a road can be controlled by the Ukrainian military, then it can be seized by the occupiers, and a few hours later, Ukrainians can reclaim control of it. The publication notes that Bakhmut is the main target of Russian operations in the east of Ukraine. Moscow has said the capture of the city would lay the groundwork for establishing control of the whole of Ukraines Donetsk Oblast, slightly more than half of which is currently occupied by Russian forces. Ukrainian forces have said they will continue to hold the city. "Every soldier understands that when we are holding the city, when we are inside Bakhmut, we are giving time to our newly created units to train and prepare for future actions," Palytsia said. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Littoral Combat Ship hits tug during launch The latest incident to befall the U.S. Navys troubled Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) was an embarrassingly public one, and one that left the brand-new USS Cleveland (LCS-31) damaged in the process of being launched, in front of around 3,000 people, including members of the media. The Navy has now issued a statement providing more details of the collision between the Cleveland which is the last of the 16-strong Freedom class and a tugboat involved during the warships recent christening. No personnel injuries occurred, but there was limited damage to the Cleveland, the Navy said, of the April 14 incident. The damaged area is well above the waterline and no flooding occurred. Different videos of the incident, at the Fincantieri Marinette Marine shipyard, in Marinette, Wisconsin, show the ceremonial bottle of sparkling wine being broken over the bow of the Cleveland by Robyn Modly, the wife of the former Under Secretary of the Navy Thomas B. Modly. Our employees are some of the 2,500+ people who construct Freedom-variant Littoral Combat Ships for the @USNavy. #LCS31, the future USS Cleveland, is the newest of these ships to be christened and launched. pic.twitter.com/pSRkDMD3RR Lockheed Martin (@LockheedMartin) April 15, 2023 Using a side-launch process, the sled-mounted Cleveland is then pulled into the Menominee River by the tugboat William C. Gaynor, attached to it with a bow line. On entering the water, the LCS immediately strikes the tugboat, which was very obviously in much closer proximity to the warship than it should have been at this point. The warship engulfs the tug with an enormous wave and then lurches back and forth before coming to rest in the water. Story continues https://twitter.com/WarshipCam/status/1647321922747736064?s=20 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2vTlIRwbKA A satellite view of the Fincantieri Marinette Marine shipyard, in Marinette, Wisconsin, with a Freedom class vessel on the waterfront of the Menominee River, awaiting launch. Google Earth The Navy described what happened as unintentional contact ... between the ship and a supporting tug. The reason for the tug being too close to the Cleveland, according to the Navy, was a simple miscommunication. The Navy and shipbuilder are now investigating further to see how that happened. Ahead of the launch ceremony, Lockheed Martin released the following video showing how a launch of this kind is supposed to happen: LCS 31 (USS Cleveland) launches on Saturday! Check out this video from the LCS 27 launch to recap how these massive ships hit the water, ahead of the LCS 31 launch on April 15. pic.twitter.com/j3FTdKe3Vl Lockheed Martin (@LockheedMartin) April 10, 2023 At the same time, the shipyard has said it plans to phase out side-launches like this in the future, in favor of a new ship lift a more controlled method of getting new warships into the water. However, that decision was not directly related to the Cleveland incident. Other options for launching larger vessels include sending them stern-first down a slipway, but this requires deeper water and is likely not an option on the Menominee River. A previous video from Lockheed Martin showing the process of moving the Freedom class Littoral Combat Ship USS Milwaukee (LCS-5) from the build facility to the launch site: Details of the types of repairs that are required have not been disclosed, nor how long the process will take. After thats done, Cleveland will make its way to its permanent base in Mayport, Florida. The construction of the Cleveland 16th and last of the Freedom class in the LCS program was announced with fanfare by Under Secretary Modly in 2018: The new USS Cleveland will be able to reach and defend more coastal areas with more agility, and more network firepower than any other class of ship in the world. Ahead of the ill-starred launch, Carlos Del Toro, Secretary of the Navy, said that the Cleveland will be another step closer to joining our fleet, sailing the open seas, continuing to defend our nation, and representing the strong connection our Navy has with the city of Cleveland. And while last weekends launch mishap struck a blow (quite literally) to the program, its far from the first issue to blight the Littoral Combat Ships. In fact, there have been so many problems that the Navy last year announced plans to decommission nine of the still very young Freedom class vessels, although that might still be reduced to four, based on a recently released draft spending bill from the House Appropriations Committee. Before all this, there had also been suggestions by the Navy to sell the ships off to select allies. This is an especially unusual move considering that, once the Navy decommissioned the USS Freedom in 2021, the other nine Freedom class LCSs in service were all delivered between 2015 and 2020, making them very young indeed. WOW First ever US Navy littoral combat ship IPEX (integrated phase exercise). Photo ops, littoral combat ship SAG (Surface Action Group). Photos from USS Manchester -LCS 14 Facebook page pic.twitter.com/oOcmlFt9BP Ryan Chan (@ryankakiuchan) April 12, 2023 The Freedom class, in particular, has been dogged by problems with its propulsion system and the Navy admitted in 2021 that it would take years to implement critical fixes on the vessels it had acquired up to that point. The issue is related to a design flaw that has led to repeated failures in the combining gear. As a result, the vessels can lose the power of their gas turbines, leaving them running on diesel engines only. Instead of top speeds of over 40 knots a key Navy requirement the LCSs can only sail at between 10 to 12 knots on the diesel engines alone. As well as this, the LCSs in general the other type being the Independence class have proven notably expensive to operate and maintain. In 2021, The War Zone reported that their running costs are almost as much as the far more advanced and capable Arleigh Burke class destroyer. Specifically, a single LCS costs around $70 million a year to run, compared to approximately $81 million for an Arleigh Burke class destroyer. The Freedom class Littoral Combat ship USS Kansas City (LCS-22) leads an Arleigh Burke class destroyer as part of a training exercise in the Pacific. U.S. Navy photo by Ensign David John Espiritu On top of all this, the actual operational capabilities of the LCSs have been successively scaled back. The original plans to have three different specialized modular mission packages that could quickly be swapped out to increase operational flexibility were long ago abandoned. Despite the relatively limited capabilities as a result, there has been some progress made in terms of weaponry, with the new Naval Strike Missile being integrated on a growing number of Independence class ships. Propulsion problems and other issues have had a major effect on the operational careers of both the LCS types and it wasnt until May last year that the Freedom class USS Sioux City became the first of either type to be deployed to European and Middle Eastern waters exactly the areas that the Navy had originally planned for these ships to excel in many years ago. However long it takes to repair the USS Cleveland and at what cost remains to be seen. But its a sad fact of the troubled nature of the program that this high-profile incident is likely to be ultimately remembered as a footnote in the Littoral Combat Ship program. On the other hand, critics of the program might also observe that the problematic launch ceremony was a fitting way to close out the construction of the 16-ship Freedom class. Contact the author: thomas@thedrive.com A former Utica tax return preparer pleaded guilty in federal court Thursday to filing false income tax returns, according to a statement from the United States Attorneys office. Dianna Nolan, 47, was indicted Thursday, Sept. 1, on two counts of filing false tax returns and three counts of aiding and assisting the filing of false income tax returns, according to records with the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York. The indictment alleged Nolan, while operating a tax preparation business in and around Oneida County, knowingly filed false tax forms between 2014 and 2018 in some cases identifying single-family residences as rental properties and falsely reporting income and losses incurred there. The indictment also alleged she did not report all the income she received at her own business in 2017 and 2018. More on this case: Utica woman accused of falsely reporting income for herself, clients in tax business For subscribers: 'I want students to be able to dream': Utica school partners target mental health, careers In a signed plea agreement, Nolan agreed to pay restitution to the IRS totaling $101,636 for tax years 2014 through 2018, the U.S. Attorney's office said. Nolan, who recently relocated to Florida, will be sentenced on Aug. 17. The charge to which Nolan pleaded guilty carries a maximum sentence of three years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, a term of supervised release of up to 1 year, and a special assessment of $100, the U.S. Attorneys office said. This case was investigated by Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael F. Perry and Melissa O. Rothbart. This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Utica tax prep business owner pleads guilty: Falsely reported income Fire Escape Viewing on Stanton Street, 1990 Tria Giovan The Lower East Side has always been a hub for immigrant and working class families. In the 1980s, many media depictions presented the neighborhood as crime-riddled and dangerous. Tria Giovan's "Loisaida: New York Street Work 1984-1990," available May 2023, highlights the daily life of those who called the neighborhood home. One of the few guarantees in New York City is change, and Manhattan's Lower East Side is no exception. "This city is this kind of living, breathing organism in a way, and it's always evolving," said Tria Giovan, photographer and author of "Loisaida: New York Street Work 1984-1990," a revived collection of photographs printed 40 years after they were originally captured. Her intuitive archival process is an ode to the once stigmatized pocket of lower Manhattan. The Lower East Side was known as a morphing community of people often at the margins of New York City. El Castillo de Jagua on Rivington Street, 1985 Tria Giovan Because of the constantly shifting demographics, common tongues in the neighborhood included Spanish, Chinese, Yiddish, and Polish. Throughout New York's history, the Lower East Side served as a launching pad of opportunity, where newly-arrived immigrants from places like the Dominican Republic, Poland, China, India, and Japan could find community and success. Although inextricably linked to the influx of Puerto Rican populations that lovingly called the area "Loisaida," the southeast corner of Manhattan Island was a hotbed for new communities. Tria Giovan From housing newly-arrived Irish immigrants in the 1800s, to becoming the "capital of Jewish America" in the beginning of the 20th century to serving as a hub for Caribbean occupants in 1940s and beyond, the cultural history of the area is ingrained into each street. Due to exaggerated media depictions, many outsiders were fixated on crime and danger in the neighborhood. Tria Giovan The neighborhood was called everything from a "war zone," "a community virtually destroyed by the rampant heroin and cocaine trade," and a "corridor of poverty and violence." Story continues Among this narrative, according to Giovan, little attention was paid to the everyday lives of those who called the Lower East Side home. "The regular life was rarely focused on or addressed," said the Long Island-based photographer whose recovered images peel back the stigma of the community. "All of these neighborhoods sort of morphed together and were changing all the time." Growing up in St. Thomas, Giovan attributes much of the vibrancy and visual noise in her photographs to the tropical palette she grew up around. Tria Giovan "Everyone thinks that the islands are these tropical serene places, but, in fact, where our house was, it was loud and there were roosters, dogs barking, and music. So to transport to that in my apartment in New York City in some ways felt kind of familiar, strangely," Giovan recalled. Moving to Manhattan's Lower East Side in 1984, Giovan's archival process had little political motive or desire to promote an intentional counter narrative the stories of the people around her and families she encountered were easily accessible to anyone who took the time to notice them. "I felt like I was part of the community, even though I can't say that I was hanging out with people who knew everybody's name, but of course that's a New York City thing. You know the people at the bodega, you know the people at the dry cleaner or the laundromat, and it did feel like a community." Giovan's archives evoke the subtleties of a Sunday afternoon walk around the neighborhood. Tria Giovan The landscapes appear as if they're familiar enough to fit in any urban site, while still feeling uniquely New York. The shuttered storefronts or dilapidated buildings take a peripheral stance, opposing popular depictions of the time. The vibrant subjects, often families, are at the forefront of the setting we, as onlookers 40 years into the future, know to be on the brink of change. Despite its history as a home to working-class immigrant families, inevitable demographic shifts have arrived yet again since the turn of the century in favor of working professionals. Tria Giovan "To walk around and see some of the old storefronts that were so representative of a time, an era that had passed," Giovan added. " I have recently wandered around a bit and it's a completely different landscape but still feels like the Lower East Side. It has its own unique quality." Read the original article on Insider Victoria Alonso and Disney have reached a settlement over the Marvel Studios execs firing last month, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed. Alonso departed Marvel on March 17 with no explanation given publicly, though sources later told THR she was fired for her outside work producing the Oscar-nominated film Argentina, 1985 for Amazon after being warned not to pursue outside work. By producing the film, she breached her contract multiple times, sources said at the time. More from The Hollywood Reporter The executive had an enviable run at the studio, which she joined in 2006 as chief of visual effects and postproduction. She was there at the dawn of the Marvel Cinematic Universe as a co-producer on 2008s Iron Man and helped the MCU become the highest grossing film franchise in history. She served as co-producer on Iron Man 2 (2010), Thor (2011) and Captain America: The First Avenger (2011). Alonso was upped to executive producer on The Avengers (2012), which took Marvel to the stratosphere with a $1.5 billion gross and proving its risky move of setting up a shared universe could pay off. Alonso continued to serve as executive producer on subsequent Marvel films and also worked on its Disney+ shows. In 2021, she was promoted to president, physical and postproduction, visual effects and animation production. Her exit roiled Marvel, normally known for its squeaky clean public image. Alonsos attorney Patty Glaser suggested the firing was connected to Alonso being an outspoken proponent of LGBTQ rights, in particular during Disneys dispute with Florida over its Dont Say Gay bill. Sources also told THR Alonso and Marvel clashed over censoring Gay Pride imagery in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania for release in Kuwait. Story continues Deadline first reported the news. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Click here to read the full article. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a joint press conference with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, April 20, 2023 She noted that there are countries in the Alliance that are more important militarily than Germany, especially the nuclear powers of the United Kingdom and France, as well as the United States and Turkey. It seems to me that Germany is indeed the largest industrial country in the European Union, but we dont play the same role in NATO as in the EU, she said. There are also other countries to talk with. Feldhusen stressed that Ukraine had demonstrated its military compatibility with NATO since the beginning of Russias full-scale invasion. Ukraine has shown that it can use the latest NATO technologies, the envoy said. The command structure was very different from the Russian one, which was much more Soviet. Ukraine has shown that its already implementing the (NATO) standards on the battlefield. And thats good. The diplomat added that Ukraine must also carry out political reforms to join NATO and the EU. It seems to me that one day, after the victory, Ukraine can simply say: Were ready. We can join NATO tomorrow, Feldhusen said. During a meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Kyiv on April 20, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that there is not a single objective barrier that would prevent the adoption of political decisions to invite Ukraine to NATO. Security guarantees in no way replace or delay Ukraines membership in NATO, Zelenskyy said. Read also: Main statements and photos of NATO chief Stoltenbergs visit to Kyiv Stoltenberg agreed, saying that Ukraines rightful place in NATO. As many as 82% of Ukrainians support Ukraines accession to NATO, if a referendum were held today, according to a poll conducted by Center for Insights in Survey Research (CISR) for the International Republican Institute (IRI) published on March 22. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba previously said that at the NATO Summit in Vilnius in July, Kyiv would categorically not accept a continuation of NATOs open doors policy toward Ukraine in place since 2008. 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 Chris Buesing was walking through the hallway of an orthopedic clinic at Stormont Vail Health in Topeka where he worked when a man came up and punched him in the face. The attack six years ago altered the course of Buesings life. His jaw was wired shut for six weeks, then had to be re-broken and shut again for eight weeks. Two years of braces followed. The attack not only impacted me physically but it also had an emotional impact. During the months my jaw was wired shut, I experienced anxiety and depression. I found myself always on alert. It impacted my time with my wife and children, Buesing, who now leads Stormont Vails workplace safety efforts, told Kansas lawmakers in January. Violence against health care workers has caused growing alarm in recent years, both in Kansas and across the nation. Doctors, nurses and others who work in hospitals and medical facilities can often recount incidents in which they or their colleagues have been hit, slapped, spit on or otherwise battered while on the job. Medical professionals say they recognize that individuals with dementia or other mental health conditions in some instances may physically resist treatment or become confrontational. What is causing concern now, they say, arent incidents arising from patients unaware of their actions, but intentional violent episodes caused by angry patients and visitors. But as the Kansas Legislature prepares to wrap up its work for the year, a proposal to bolster criminal penalties for hitting health care workers remains in limbo. The bill would create the crime of interfering with the conduct of a health care facility and add an enhanced sentence for battery of a health care worker. Similar provisions are already in place for Kansas firefighters, law enforcement and other first responders. In 2021, Missouri lawmakers passed a health care interference law, leaving providers on the Kansas side of the Kansas City metro without similar protections. Story continues The pandemic has left health care workers burned out and frustrated, providers say. Recruiting and retaining employees has become more difficult, and violent episodes only drive out workers more quickly. All of us have episodes where we know someone who has experienced violence and it was the last straw and then they walk away. Right now, we cant replace them as easily as we were before, Alan Verrill, CEO of AdventHealth South Overland Park, told reporters Wednesday during a panel discussion organized by the Kansas Hospital Association. The problem predates the COVID-19 pandemic, providers say, even as stringent safety protocols in place over the past three years may have exacerbated existing issues. The Kansas Hospital Association has reported that 46% of hospitals in the state experience more than one episode of violence a year, and 13% report multiple violent incidents per week. More than 350 physical assaults took place in the 2022 fiscal year at the University of Kansas Health System in Kansas City, Kansas, according to the Kansas Hospital Association. An additional 292 assaults have occurred in the 2023 fiscal year. Nationally, health care workers are at particular risk of workplace violence. In 2020, the health care field was second only to the service sector in the number of non-fatal workplace injuries from violence, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Nearly 8,600 injuries of health care workers were reported. We are seeing our most skilled, most experienced health care workers who are leaving frontline care because of the level of violence, said Elijah Thompson, director of physical security at Saint Lukes Health System, which operates hospitals in both Kansas and Missouri. Kristi McGowin, senior director of emergency services at Childrens Mercy, which has locations in both states, described the steps the organization has taken to address and prevent violence, from stepped up security to training. The hospital has a code strong system where a group works to de-escalate potentially violent situations and offer resources for employees who have been attacked. We have daily work going on to try to improve this process and to improve the safety, McGowin said. The proposed legislation, she said, would really help us to be able to do whats right for our staff. The proposal has attracted little public opposition, though some experts have questioned whether ratcheting up criminal penalties represents the most effective way to address a rise in violence. Tarris Rosell, an ethicist at the Kansas City-based Center for Practical Bioethics, urged lawmakers in January to take proactive measures to reduce violence. There are many ways to protect health care providers who are trying their best to serve patients and family members whose behavior can be unpredictable and threatening. Enacting harsher sentencing does not provide that protection, or insufficiently so, Rosell said in written testimony at a hearing. The measure is contained within SB 174, which includes numerous criminal justice provisions. The House and Senate have passed different versions of the legislation and it is currently in a conference committee. The House version, which passed 84-40, was the only one containing the health care provisions. Legislative negotiators reached a compromise agreement before the end of the regular session earlier this month, said Rep. Stephen Owens, a Hesston Republican who is one of the negotiators. The Legislature will return this coming Wednesday for a wrap-up session, which Republican leadership has signaled will last only a few days. SB 174 is one of my primary focuses to make sure that we get across the line, Owens said. The Legislature has previously approved a similar proposal. Last year, Gov. Laura Kelly, a Democrat, vetoed a bill that included the measure over concerns that other provisions gave health care providers too much protection from legal liability. Lawmakers didnt attempt to override the veto. This bill includes valuable provisions that I support, such as expanding telemedicine and criminal penalties for violence against health care workers in hospital settings, Kelly said at the time. Sen. Ethan Corson, a Fairway Democrat, said Wednesday that if Kansas doesnt pass a measure for health care workers, it feels like its another way of giving Missouri a leg up on Kansas in terms of staffing levels and getting the employees and addressing this from a workforce angle that we need to be doing. The Stars Katie Bernard contributed reporting Vogue staff have revealed that an employee was once tasked with digging through a garbage dump in the hopes of recovering invites to the Met Gala while reflecting on some of the major mishaps that have occurred during the planning for the annual party. Vogues editor-in-chief Anna Wintour has helmed the Met Gala since 1995, with the magazine tasked with ensuring every moment of the biggest night in fashion goes off without a hitch. However, despite the months of planning and preparation that go into the gala, everything isnt always as perfect as it looks, according to Vogue staff, who revealed some of the problems theyve encountered behind the scenes during the latest episode of the podcast The Run-Through with Vogue. I remember there was a very dramatic call, I cant remember what year, regarding the invitations, Vogue contributing editor Chloe Malle recalled, with one of her Vogue colleagues noting that it must have been 2015 or 2016. The invitation send-out is a very lengthy, involved process and takes the span of a few days. And over the course of a few days, we had not labelled them properly while we were storing them overnight. And they got thrown away, Malle continued of the invitations, which are extremely expensive and take weeks to produce. Beautiful, printed letterpress, theyre all in cardboard boxes that were mistaken for trash by housekeeping, Vogue special projects and events consultant Eaddy Kiernan Bunzel recalled. Malle then revealed that, in an effort to remedy the situation, theyd sent a team member to the garbage dump in the hopes of finding the invites. And, to be fair, we had not labelled them properly. And we ended up having to send someone to the New York City town dump to try and, you know, dig through, she said. According to Bunzel, the employee had been a very good sport about the task, which required her to take the ferry to Staten Island. However, the attempt at recovering the invitations was ultimately unsuccessful. Story continues It was a young woman named Lindsay and she was a very good sport She took the ferry to Staten Island to the dump and had to stand with a hard hat looking into the dump saying, where are my invitations? she remembered, adding: And guess what, we were not successful. The Vogue employees said the dilemma has stuck with them and that they are reminded of the story each year when it comes time to mail out the highly coveted invites for the Met Gala. During the podcast, they also reflected on the call theyd received about Katy Perrys dress shortly before the 2019 Met Gala, as there had been concern the bejeweled chandelier Moschino dress would not fit through the doors of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. To ensure Perry could wear the outfit for the theme: Camp: Notes on Fashion, staff had to make a last-minute trip to the museum to measure the doors. Fortunately, the outlet said that it has yet to receive a panicked call ahead of this years event. The 2023 Met Gala will take place on 1 May and celebrate the opening of the Costume Institute exhibition, Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty. Wabtec, Erie's largest industrial employer, and the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America, head to the bargaining table Thursday with the hope that history won't repeat itself. Erie's locomotive plant, which did business under the General Electric banner for more than a century, got off to a rough start after Wabtec purchased the company in February 2019. Within days, the company's union workforce of 1,700 was walking the picket line outside the former GE Transportation plant after the company and the union were unable to reach an agreement on an initial contract. Scott Slawson, center, president of Local 506 of the United Electrical. Radio and Machine Workers at Wabtec, uses a bullhorn to talk to striking workers on March 1, 2019. As negotiations between the union and Wabtec begin April 27, Slawson said he's hoping the two parties can come to terms. The company called it a strike. The union called it a walkout, an assessment that won the support of the state of Pennsylvania, at least for purpose of paying unemployment. Either way, production at the plant ground to a near-halt for nine days as union workers circled the plant in a massive show of force. The east entrance to the Wabtec Cor. locomotive-manufacturing facility in Lawrence Park Township is shown on Jan. 19. The company, which purchased GE Transportation in 2019, reported sales of $8.36 billion in 2022. Scott Slawson, who has been the president of Local 506 since 2014, said he's hopeful the union and the company can come to an agreement before the June 9 deadline without a work stoppage. Slawson, who led what was described as one of the nation's largest industrial strikes in several years, won't make an absolute promise that a strike couldn't happen again. But he expressed optimism in a recent interview with the Erie Times-News. A freight locomotive is assembled in building 10 at Wabtec Corporation in Lawrence Park Township on Jan. 19, 2023. "I am hoping for a very productive negotiation," Slawson said. "We would never enter into negotiations with the intent of a lockout or strike. If you think that is what is going to happen, you are approaching it all wrong." Prior to the 2019 strike, there had not been a major work stoppage at Erie's locomotive plant for 50 years. Slawson said a UE strike in 1969 lasted 102 days. More: Wabtec picks up steam as focus moves to new lines of work The threat of the strike is a powerful tool, one that Slawson doesn't intend to surrender before talks have begun. "Our No. 1 goal is to get a contract," he said. "But there is a reason they call it a struggle. If you think things aren't going satisfactorily, at some point withholding your labor is always a real possibility." Story continues More time to talk The window to negotiate is far longer than during the days when the Lawrence Park Township plant was owned by GE Transportation. Back then, the company and the union allowed about three weeks to come to an agreement. Slawson said the company has a shorter history with Wabtec and expects talks will likely take longer. A couple of negotiating sessions already are on the calendar. More will be added as things develop, Slawson said. The 2019 agreement Going into the most recent negotiations, the Pittsburgh-based company was firm in its demand for a two-tier wage structure that would pay lower wages competitive wages, to use the company's terminology to new employees. The union, meanwhile, sought to maintain what was then an average hourly wage of $35. More: Wabtec wins major locomotive order; what will it mean for workers in Erie? Negotiations ended with a compromise. New employees would be paid an average of $22 an hour. But Wabtec agreed that new hires would be able to gradually increase their wages over a 10-year period until they were on par with so-called legacy employees. A national worker shortage and substantial increase in wages nationally promise to make pay rates an issue in this negotiation. Slawson called it a high point that the company has been hiring hourly workers to meet rising demand. But hiring new workers isn't as easy as it once was, he said. "There is some realization that it is difficult to attract workers when you are not paying the correct wages," he said. "I will also tell you that our attrition rate among new hires is much higher than it has ever been before. There has got to be some discord with the guy I am working next to, and doing the same job, but I am making $10 or $12 less an hour." The union seems likely to offer as context a contract signed in March by unionized workers at Caterpillar Inc., one of Wabtec's key competitors. The new contract, which covers 7,000 employees, includes a $6,000 ratification bonus, a 7% immediate pay raise and 4% wage increases for each of the next three years. The contract also provides for two 4% lump-sum payments during the life of the agreement, according to The Associated Press. Other issues Money isn't the only important issue. Slawson said he's happy with the contract the union ratified nearly four years ago. But some of the language, particularly around work rules and temporary transfers of work from one department to another, has led the union to file numerous grievances, some of which have gone to arbitration, Slawson said. More: Wabtec and Erie union in federal court over arbitration ruling Slawson said he's confident both sides will want to clarify some of that language. The company will likely be focused on some of those same issues but from a different perspective. "Through these negotiations, it is important to build upon the momentum we have established," Tim Bader, a spokesman for Wabtec, said in a statement in response to the Erie Times-News. "Eries flexibility and cost competitiveness are a shared responsibility." The shadow of 2019 Do bad feelings remain from the 2019 strike that might make negotiations more difficult? "I would say old feelings never go away when you are dealing with something like a strike," Slawson said. "But I would also say we have found ways to communicate and work with each other. I don't expect either side to be affected by the strike." A crew works near locomotives stored at Wabtec Corp. on April 7, 2020, in Lawrence Park Township. Bader offered a positive outlook when asked about the upcoming talks. More: Resolving to do better: Penn State Behrend initiative to bolster industry and environment The upcoming negotiations provide an excellent opportunity for the company and the union to work together on positioning the business, our employees and the site for long-term success," he said. "Under the current contract, we have experienced performance improvements as evidenced by the 245 recalled employees and 240 new hires in Erie since 2019. While our production employment of approximately 1,400 is below the level from 2019, we are proud of the improvements we have made over the past 4 years." Slawson shares the company's enthusiasm for the number of employees who have been hired after union employment bottomed at around 1,000 employers. He said the union also has been an enthusiastic supporter of the company as it moves toward a greener future based on hybrid technology. "We are moving in the right direction and support the fact that we need to build better, cleaner locomotives," he said. Whatever the company builds, Slawson said negotiations begin with the understanding that the company needs to be successful. "At the end of the day, we are all here to work. We are all here for a job. If Wabtec doesn't succeed, we don't have a job. There is no one in the union who doesn't understand that." Contact Jim Martin at jmartin@timesnews.com. This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Wabtec and UE 506 set to begin talks as contract draws to an end (CNN) Elon Musk's Twitter on Thursday began a purge of blue verification check marks from users who have not signed up for its subscription service, with the checks disappearing from the accounts of journalists, academics and celebrities. The blue checks even disappeared from the accounts of some of the most well-known and widely followed people on the social network, including Kim Kardashian, Beyonce, Bill Gates, Pope Francis, former president Donald Trump and Twitter founder Jack Dorsey. Some government agencies including the official account for US Citizenship and Immigration Services and accounts for some state Customs and Border Patrol offices also lost their blue checks, which weren't immediately replaced by the gray checks Twitter has designated for government accounts. The initial rollout of the change appeared to be fairly glitchy, as blue checks disappeared and reappeared on some accounts. Some other high-profile legacy verified accounts also didn't seem to lose their checks, at least at first. The change and its confusing rollout threatens to create an even greater risk of impersonation of high-profile users and confusion over the veracity of information on the platform. "Though we have lost our checkmark, this is the official USCIS twitter account," the government agency wrote in a tweet on Thursday. "Please beware of imposter accounts." The move could also discourage some high-profile users at risk of being imitated on the site from using the platform. Immediately following the disappearance of legacy blue checks, some users began tweeting that they planned to leave the site. Twitter had previously said it would "begin winding down" blue checks granted under its old verification system which emphasized protecting high-profile users at risk of impersonation on April 1. In order to stay verified, Musk said, users would have to pay $8 per month to join the platform's Twitter Blue subscription service, which has allowed accounts to pay for verification since December. Instead, Twitter removed the check mark from a single account from The New York Times, a publication Musk has repeatedly criticized, and changed the language on its site in a way that obscures why users are verified. Last week, Musk tweeted that the "final date for removing legacy Blue checks is 4/20," a date with special resonance to the billionaire entrepreneur given its meaning to marijuana enthusiasts. The decision to move forward with the change is just the latest example of Musk's Twitter upending the experience for users and in this case, not just any users, but many of the most high-profile accounts that have long been a key selling point for the platform. Prominent users such as actor William Shatner and anti-bullying activist Monica Lewinsky have previously pushed back against the idea that, as power users that draw attention to the site, they should have to pay for a feature that keeps them safe from impersonation. On Thursday, before the check marks disappeared, Lewinsky implied in a tweet that she would also leave the platform following the change. Musk, for his part, has previously presented changes to Twitter's verification system as a way of "treating everyone equally." "There shouldn't be a different standard for celebrities," he said in an earlier tweet. The paid feature could also drive revenue, which could help Musk, who is on the hook for significant debt after buying Twitter for $44 billion. Musk has also suggested that requiring uses to pay for verification could help eliminate spam and scam accounts after repeatedly complaining about the number of bots on the platform. However, experts in online inauthentic behavior have said the plan is unlikely to deter bad actors, who could just as easily pay to be verified. "In fact, this is making Twitter a pay-for-play system, and we know that propagandists, people working to spread disinformation and other forms of manipulation via Twitter, are very much willing and able to finance their operations," Samuel Woolley, assistant professor at the University of Texas' School of Information and author of the book "Bots," told CNN in November. "Most of the propagandists that social media companies are most worried about, like the Russian government, the Chinese government, extremist groups, have a lot of resources," he said. When a ferry broke down outside Seattle, stranding 600 passengers and crew, photographer Britt Jezak offered free photoshoots to lift everyone's spirits. (Illustration: Nathalie Cruz for Yahoo / Photo: Getty Images) When a Washington state ferry lost its power during an April 15 roundtrip from Bremerton to Seattle, stranding over 600 passengers and crew for what would turn out to be about 10 hours, wedding photographer Britt Jezak recalls confusion starting to set in among the crowd. The lights flickered, and then it became quiet, Jezak, who was in her parked car at the time (one of 175 vehicles aboard the vessel) tells Yahoo Life. We started approaching land, and the crew told passengers to brace for impact, and they asked us to abandon our cars and to come to the cabin above where they can keep everyone together and safe. The ferry, which had departed Bremerton at 4:15 pm, ran aground when its generator failed about 15 minutes after departure rendering the vessel out of service and unable to be tugged to land until the tide rose again. What if I'm not allowed back in my car? the young mom, who was on her way to Seattle for a last-minute shoot, remembers thinking at the time. It was that kind of gut instinct where you're like, this isnt normal. So I just grabbed my photography gear and ran for it. When she got to the cabin, she was amazed to see dozens of Navy officers and their dates, all of whom were reportedly heading to a Submarine Ball set to take place in Seattle that evening. I thought, 'What can I do to make this situation better? she says. Well, I have all my wedding photography gear on me. Why not document these couples, their friends and loved ones? I looked around and saw so many beautiful people dressed up in black-tie attire, she remembers. It made me sad to think of how much time, effort and money they each had spent getting ready for the event they would no longer attend. So, I checked with the captain and got approval to do something fun. I wanted to add some positivity to a less than ideal situation. Story continues Over the course of six to eight hours amid a medical emergency and ongoing efforts to evacuate passengers to safety Jezak hosted free photoshoots at the deck stern of the vessel for anyone who wanted them, as a way to ease their stress and to minimize anxiety. It seems to have done the job. One party-ready couple aboard the Walla Walla ferry, as captured by photographer Britt Jezak. She gave free photo sessions as a way to boost passenger morale when their vessel shut down in the middle of a roundtrip outside of Seattle. (Credit: Britt Jezak) I could see some faces fall when they realized, OK, Im not gonna get to attend the ball, Jezak recalls. I was sad for everybody who had a better night planned, and then here we are, stuck together. But once we started taking photos I felt the energy shift. Word of Jezaks sessions traveled fast on the ferry. Eventually, she made her way to the upper and mid-level holding areas as well, where she shot an array of families, children and pets. It was wild, and I can see it brought people a lot of joy, she says. Some passengers waited upwards of 10 hours to be evacuated, says Jezak, though passengers with pets and children were among the first to be tugged to safety. (Credit: Britt Jezak) For Jezak, "trying to find the joy" in painful situations was the whole reason she became a photographer. After her dad was diagnosed with colon cancer last year, she says she was inspired to quit a corporate job at Amazon to pursue her photography dreams. Making matters even more challenging was that her husband Josephs mom received a cancer diagnosis of her own around the same time just months after she and Joseph welcomed their first child, Aubriella, now 1. It hit me with this weird timing of mortality, she recalls. Here we are figuring out how to be a parent, and now were contemplating losing his mom potentially, or me losing my dad. It changes you as a person. The determination to "find light in the darkness" is partly what drove her to bring levity to the situation as the ferrys crew worked hard to get everyone to safety. Many couples aboard the Walla Walla ferry were heading to a Navy ball when the vessel ran aground, forcing them to miss the black-tie event. (Credit: Britt Jezak) Eventually, she explains, the tides became safe enough for the Bainbridge Island Police and other nearby ferry vessels to begin evacuating passengers starting with walk ons (those who didnt have cars) and those traveling with pets and children. Thankfully, it was a pretty smooth process. The whole community came together to help each other evacuate, Jezak says. The crew was amazing and really made us feel safe. All in all, she says it took three or four boats to clear all 600 people from the vessel. Some passengers were there for upwards of 12 hours waiting to get their cars, she notes. One Naval officer reportedly waited 18 hours. No injuries were reported from the incident, and according to Washington Street Ferries spokesperson Ian Sterling, a full investigation is ongoing to determine the cause. In hindsight, Jezak says, the experience reminded her of the importance of community and togetherness in times of stress. I've always thought the point of life is to help others find their zest for life, and how grateful we are to be here, she says. Its all about connection. When you can achieve that, nothing can be that scary. Wellness, parenting, body image and more: Get to know the who behind the hoo with Yahoo Life's newsletter. Sign up here. A Maryland man was sentenced to 20 years in state prison earlier this week in a drug case that Assistant State's Attorney Brock Shriver said involved a "staggering amount" of pure Fentanyl. "This amount of Fentanyl could kill the population of this county three times over," Washington County Circuit Court Judge Mark K. Boyer said Tuesday in sentencing Damani Nathan Jones. The case involves a ghost gun and 1,094 grams of pure fentanyl over a kilogram, disguised as blue Percocet pills found in a postal box shipped from Chandler, Ariz., to Hagerstown, according to charging documents and Shriver. Maryland State Police noted in charging documents that the Chandler area is known for shipments of illicit narcotics to other parts of the U.S. and that a recent trend has been to disguise fentanyl as prescription Percocet "M30" blue pills like the ones found. Local battle against addiction: 'We need to do something now': Drug counseling center seen as one way to save city Jones, 26, pleaded guilty in January to felony charges of possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, transporting a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a large amount of fentanyl, according to court records. Other gun and drug charges were dropped as part of the plea deal. Charging documents list Jones' address as a motel near the Maryland-Pennsylvania state line. The address for Jones on his online case docket is northwest of Rockville, Md. For pure fentanyl, at least 5 grams is considered a "large amount" for the third charge, Shriver said. Boyer sentenced Jones to 20 years in prison, with another 20 years suspended. Defense attorney Jonathan Newton told Boyer that Jones is not a sophisticated drug dealer, but a man who's been addicted to pain pills and who was pulled into a situation, becoming an unwitting participant. However, Newton said he would "not say entirely unwitting." Story continues Maryland State Police seized over a kilogram of pure fentanyl disguised as Percocet during an April 2022 traffic stop. Damani Jones of Maryland was sentenced on April 18, 2023, to 20 years in state prison in the case. Jones understood he was doing something wrong, but what wasn't deliberate was having such a large amount of drugs, Newton said. Newton asked Boyer to provide a shorter sentence that would allow Jones to be redeemed, for his client to be evaluated for his addiction and to serve his time at the Patuxent Institution in Howard County, Md. Patuxent is a treatment-oriented prison operated by the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services that is separate from the Division of Correction, spokesman Mark Vernarelli said in a phone interview. Jones told Boyer that, "My poor life decisions not only affect me, but my family and the community as well." "I'm not a bad person. I just got mixed up with the wrong people and made some bad decisions," Jones said. "I'm sorry for everything. I understand that what I did is wrong." The postal package of fentanyl Shriver told the court that state police and the U.S. Postal Service discovered a package sent to Hagerstown from Arizona and tracked the package, believing it contained illegal drugs. Authorities saw Jones pick the package up in Hagerstown and conducted a traffic stop. The traffic stop off Robinwood Drive on April 11, 2022, was conducted after state police, in an unmarked vehicle, saw the white Acura TSX fail to come to a complete stop before a turn and also follow another vehicle too closely, according to charging documents. When a trooper talked to the driver, Jones, he detected the smell of marijuana from inside the Acura and Jones allegedly said he was concealing marijuana that was found in his coat pocket, court documents state. A probable cause search of the car revealed a Glock-style "ghost gun" on the back seat inside a hard-shell gun case, court records state. The gun was loaded with a 10-round magazine and nine rounds of ammo, though no ammo was chambered in the gun. There also was a 30-round 9 mm magazine in the gun case. A ghost gun is a privately-made firearm that doesn't have a serial number. This gun case containing a ghost gun, ammunition and drugs is part of the evidence Maryland State Police collected in April 2022 when they also seized over a kilogram of pure fentanyl disguised as Percocet. Damani Jones of Maryland was sentenced a year later to 20 years in state prison in the case. The postal package was on the front passenger seat. Inside it, police found a vacuum bag box. Inside that, within bubble wrap, was a large package containing round blue pills marked "M30" that police suspected were fentanyl, charging documents state. Police also found $1,184 in cash in Jones' wallet. Prosecutor says state won't tolerate 'poison' being brought into the community Citing stats from the county's Narcotics Task Force, Shriver said there were 371 overdoses involving heroin/fentanyl last year, with 68 of those overdoses being fatal. As of Monday, 15 of the 110 overdoses this year from heroin/fentanyl have been fatal, he said. More about marijuana: Hagerstown's plan for the legalization of recreational marijuana. Here's what we know In seeking a 25-year active sentence for Jones, Shriver said, "We're not going to tolerate people bringing poison into our community and bringing guns to protect (their) fentanyl investment." Shriver also mentioned cellphone records that he said made it clear Jones was running a drug sale operation and that his lack of a deeper criminal record was more of a testament to him not being caught. Newton said is client has been addicted to Percocet and oxycodone. "He, himself, could have become a victim of the pills himself because he has an addiction," Newton said. Newton asked Boyer to consider a 5-year sentence for the distribution charge and concurrent sentences for the other two. Three family members and a family friend spoke on Jones' behalf in asking Boyer for a lighter sentence. Sandra Bull said she tutored Jones, who once dated her daughter, and found Jones didn't mince words when he told her, "There's nothing wrong with me. I'm just lazy." Bull said Jones "buckled down and flourished" when she held him accountable, and said "he just needed encouragement and someone not to give up." She told Boyer she was "profoundly disappointed" in Jones, but that he is "able to make positive changes" and is "worth more than becoming a statistic." The Rev. Daniel Jones told Boyer he wasn't going to say his son hadn't made some bad decisions, but that Damani is afraid of guns and needs treatment for addiction. "He's not a throwaway," Jones said of his son. Boyer told Jones' supporters he appreciated their remarks. He explained that sentencing includes four considerations punishment and rehabilitation as well as deterrence and public safety. "The amount of fentanyl in this case is astonishing," Boyer said. He also pointed out that the gun didn't have a serial number and mentioned the phone records Shriver referenced. Boyer said Jones gets 143 days' credit for time served. He will be on four years of supervised probation when released. Jones is to be evaluated for substance abuse and go through recommended treatment, Boyer said. The cash and gun are forfeited to state police, he said. This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Maryland man sentenced in local drug case with over 1 kilo of fentanyl AeroVironment Shortly after being attacked by a kamikaze droneor loitering munition in industry-speakRussian forces in Ukraine recorded themselves picking over the wreckage of the killer robot. That footage reveals the first confirmed use of the tank-busting Switchblade-600 drone that the U.S. first ordered for delivery to Ukraine last year. (This has been misidentified by some observers as an Israeli HERO loitering munition; that craft has a different tail configuration). #Ukraine: The first external view of a Ukrainian Switchblade 600 loitering munition, donated by the US- Russian soldiers filming the wreckage after detonation. Compared to SB300, the SB600 can carry a more powerful payload (incl. anti-armor) and can hit targets over 40km away. pic.twitter.com/HkLcjQ6TKb Ukraine Weapons Tracker (@UAWeapons) April 20, 2023 Just a few weeks after Russia invaded Ukraine on February 23, 2022, the Biden administration announced it was sending hundreds of Switchblade systems to Ukraine. That refers to a tiny flying drone named after its folding wings that weighs just 5.55 pounds. It can be launched out of a two-foot launch tube into the air, remotely piloted and ultimately instructed to dive towards enemy personnel and detonate a small grenade-like charge, releasing a shotgun spray of shrapnel in a specific direction. The expendable drones have an endurance of 10-15 minutes, a cruising speed of a mile per minute, and a maximum range of 6 miles. Controlled by a tablet tap-style interface, they can also abort an attack run should circumstances change, and loiter overhead until a clear target presents itself. In the 2010s, U.S. troops found the backpack-able Switchblade-300 useful while combating Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan thanks to its portability, precision and ability to limit risks of collateral damage to civilians. Story continues However, the little weapon was less ideal for high-intensity warfare in Ukraine, given the importance of targeting Russian armored vehicles and, especially, artillery systems a greater distance from the frontline. The few videos released of Switchblade-300 strikes in Ukraine show a focus targeting individual personnel. Reportedly, theyve also been used to target fuel trucks, machine gun nests, and trench positions. Back in 2020, though, AeroVironment announced it had developed a larger, 120-pound model called the Switchblade-600 to hit tougher targets with the same tandem shaped charge warhead used by the portable Javelin missile to defeat Russian tank armor. While the Switchblade-600 is much slower than a Javelin missile at 70 miles per hour, it can travel a lot further (ordinarily 24 miles maintaining the command link, or 50-56 miles using relays), fly for longer (40 minutes), and hit just as hard. This Switchblade-600 could therefore be used to take out tanks, artillery, and air defense systems well behind the frontline. The added range and endurance also make it more useful for reconnaissance. Theres reason to think the Switchblade began its combat employment prior to April. #Ukraine: In the East, a Russian 9A83M2 TELAR of the advanced S-300V4 air defence system and a 9A331M TLAR of the Tor-M2 air defence system were taken out of action by unknown loitering munitions from the Ukrainian SBU "Alpha" SSO. pic.twitter.com/GAs4mgcWaq Ukraine Weapons Tracker (@UAWeapons) March 9, 2023 Notably, a video shared by Ukraines military early in March showed a loitering drone attack by Ukrainian Special Operations Forces that disabled a truck-based launcherpart of a Russian S-300V4 long-range air defense system. It appears to show a Switchblade-style targeting interface, but hits hard enough to suggest a more powerful weapon than a Switchblade-300. Furthermore, an S-300V would ordinarily be deployed further back than a Switchblade-300 could fly. Bigger Is Better? Enter Switchblade-600 Arguably, Russias most demonstrably successful weapon in its shambolic Ukraine invasion has proven to be its Lancet-3 kamikaze drones. By April of 2022, they have been recorded destroying or damaging around 50 towed or self-propelled artillery systems well behind the frontline, including several sophisticated types supplied by the West. And thats after counting out dozens of missed Russian drone attacks also recorded on camera. Thus, in the spring of 2022, the U.S. placed a $2.2 million initial order for ten Switchblade-600 systems. However, it turned out that this inventory would need to be built from scratch, as the -600 model hadnt begun production and AeroVironment only had a modest number on hand. While waiting, the Pentagon focused on giving Ukraine a still mysterious anti-vehicle kamikaze drone called Phoenix Ghost. At least 1,800 were reportedly transferred to Ukraine over the last year. Allegedly proven successful with a 60% kill rate, the Ghost has yet be identified in public imagery. The first Switchblade 600s reportedly arrived in Ukraine in November or December of 2022. Then, on February 24, the U.S. announced a new delivery of Switchblade-600s as part of a $2 billion arms package without specifying quantity. Ukraine already fields a diverse menagerie of surveillance and attack drones, some designed originally for military use like Soviet target drones, others civilian UASs that have been field-modified for combatespecially First-Person View racing drones modified into kamikaze weapons. Besides U.S. Switchblades, Ukraine has also received purpose-built loitering munitions from Poland (Warmate) and the United Kingdom and Australia (DefendTex D40).The country also manufactures some of its own, including the RAM II and the ST-35. In April, the hitherto unknown Ukrainian company called One Way Aerospace revealed it had been delivering a loitering munition called the Scalpel since 2022, which is being used in combat. Thus, the impact Switchblade-600s arrival in theater depends on whether Ukraine has received them in sufficient quantity (were talking hundreds at a minimum), as well as to what extent they prove qualitatively superior to Ukraines many improvised loitering munition solutions in terms of range, accuracy and resistance to jamming. That last factor is likely responsible for the majority of drone losses in the conflict. If Ukraine has only received the initial 10 systems, then theyre simply undergoing small-scale operational testing. But its possible the February order has resulted in a larger volume delivery since. An AeroVironment executive stated last October that the company had capacity to produce 2,000 Switchblade-600s annually, and plans to triple that production rate with additional factory lines and facilities. Those numbers suggest a much higher level of ongoing procurement than has been publicly verified, though Lithuania is known to have ordered Switchblade-600s for its armed forces too. According to Janes, however, General Dynamics is struggling to source materials to build warheads for both types of Switchblades fast enougha bottle neck it hopes to unblock by mid-2023. Future of the Switchblade In March, AeroVironment unveiled an enhanced Block 20 version of the smaller Switchblade-300, with twice the endurance (20 minutes) and a more flexible optical/infrared camera with improved reconnaissance functionality, including generating GPS targeting coordinates. Another curious spinoff of Switchblade is the unarmed Blackwing drone, designed to be launched from a submarine for surface reconnaissancea capability that Navy submariners are reportedly enthusiastic about. A peculiar hybrid vertical-takeoff drone being supplied to Ukraine called the AeroVironment Jump 20 can also be adapted to carry and air-launch Switchblade-300 and, possibly, Switchblade-600 munitions, effectively extending their range and endurance. You Might Also Like The Lyrid meteor shower, a bright and fast meteor shower, is expected to peak this weekend. The Lyrids have lit up the sky for the past 2,700 years and potentially dozens of meteors could be seen per hour. The shower comes each April and the best time to watch this year will be between April 21 to 23. The peak is expected at 1:06 UTC on April 23 or 9:06 p.m. EDT Saturday, April 22 according to EarthSky. This year, there won't be a full moon, and with the sky dark enough, stargazers may be able to see 10 to 15 Lyrids per hour. Sometimes they have surges that produce up to 100 per hour. Startrails are seen during the Lyrids meteor shower over Michaelskapelle on April 20, 2020 in Niederhollabrunn, Austria. / Credit: Thomas Kronsteiner / Getty Images Those who want to see the meteor shower won't see long trails streaking through the sky. Instead, Lyrids may look like fireballs, according to NASA. The best time to view the Lyrids is in the Northern Hemisphere after moonset but before sunrise in an dark area without streetlights, NASA advises. Lying flat on the ground to view as much of the sky as possible will give you the best chance to see the shower, which should last until dawn. The shower is named after where they originate from: the Lyra constellation. This is the shower's radiant point, and NASA says you shouldn't look directly at this part of the sky to see the best view of the Lyrids. Instead, they will appear longer if you look away from the radiant point. What's that bird? Merlin Bird ID app works magic Pence says decision on potential presidential bid coming well before late June From 2010: Dame Edna, Australian "giga-star" The Emmy Award-winning "CBS Sunday Morning" is broadcast on CBS Sundays beginning at 9:00 a.m. ET. "Sunday Morning" also streams on the CBS News app beginning at 12:00 p.m. ET. (Download it here.) Host: Jane Pauley WATCH THE FULL APRIL 23 BROADCAST! COVER STORY: De-extinction: Bringing animal species back from the brink | Watch Video The Frozen Zoo in San Diego is at the forefront of the emerging field of de-extinction resurrecting DNA to restore animal species that are in danger of disappearing forever, through such methods as genetic editing and cloning. Correspondent Jonathan Vigliotti talks with scientists at the Frozen Zoo (whose bank of frozen cells could help save an estimated one million species) about their efforts to bring back the black-footed ferret. He also talks with the founder of Colossal Biosciences, a Texas company working to bring back long-extinct species like the woolly mammoth and dodo bird. For more info: National Black-Footed Ferret Conservation Center, Carr, Colo. The Black-Footed Ferret Project (Revive & Restore)San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Frozen ZooColossal Biosciences, DallasPaleogeneticist Beth Shapiro, University of California, Santa Cruz Actress Rachel McAdams, star of the new film version of Judy Blume's MOVIES: Rachel McAdams talks "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret." | Watch Video Judy Blume's beloved coming-of-age story is finally reaching the screen, in a movie adaptation introducing Abby Ryder Fortson as Margaret and Academy Award-nominee Rachel McAdams as her mother. Correspondent Tracy Smith talks with real-life mom McAdams about bursting into fame with "Mean Girls" and "The Notebook," and then hitting pause on starring roles; and why she's back in the long-awaited film of "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret." To watch a trailer for "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.," click on the video player below: FROM THE ARCHIVES: Judy Blume: Resilient, in life and fiction (2015) Story continues For more info: "Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret." opens in theaters April 28"Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret." By Judy Blume (Atheneum Books for Young Readers), available in Hardcover, Paperback, eBook and Audio formats via Amazon, Barnes & Noble and IndieboundThanks to Annabelle's Book Club L.A. in Los AngelesThe Book TruckLet America Read With its program BOOKS: War of words - The fight over banning books | Watch Video Between 2020 and 2022, the number of book titles that have been banned in U.S. libraries and schools spiked more than 1,100%, to more than 2,500, while activists in 37 states have challenged school districts for offering non-fiction and fiction books that discuss race and racism, slavery, sex and gender identity. Correspondent Martha Teichner talks with opposing forces on the reading battlefield today: Tiffany Justice and Tina Descovich, founders of Moms for Liberty, whose members campaign to sit on school boards; Deborah Caldwell-Stone, director of the American Library Association's Office of Intellectual Freedom; Linda Johnson, president and CEO of the Brooklyn Public Library, which helps students access books that have been banned by their schools; Summer Boismier, a tenth grade English teacher in Norman, Okla., who was removed from her classroom and accused of distributing pornography; and cartoonist Art Spiegelman, whose Holocaust-themed graphic novel "Maus" has been targeted by book banners. For more info: American Library Association's Office of Intellectual FreedomMoms for LibertyCartoonist Art Spiegelman (Instagram)Brooklyn Public LibraryBooks Unbanned: Brooklyn Public LibraryChicago Public Library Three-time Tony Award-winner Chita Rivera. / Credit: CBS News BOOKS: Chita Rivera on the secret behind her "guts" and "courage" | Watch Video The original star of such musicals as "West Side Story," "Bye Bye Birdie," "Chicago" and "Kiss of the Spider Woman," theater legend Chita Rivera, now 90 and author of "Chita: A Memoir," talks with correspondent Mo Rocca about her long career; some of the men in her life; and what it takes to succeed on Broadway. READ AN EXCERPT: "Chita: A Memoir" by Chita Rivera with Patrick Pacheco For more info: "Chita: A Memoir" by Chita Rivera with Patrick Pacheco (HarperOne), in Hardcover, eBook and Audio formats, available via Amazon, Barnes & Noble and IndieboundFollow Chita Rivera on Twitter, Facebook and InstagramJoe Allen Restaurant, New York CityNew Jersey Performing Arts Center, NewarkSeth Rudetsky PASSAGE: Remembering Dame Edna (and Barry Humphries) (Video) Saturday saw the passing, at age 89, of the Tony Award-winning comedian Barry Humphries, better known as his alter ego, Dame Edna Everage, a buoyant crowd-pleaser on stage and screen for some seven decades. FROM THE ARCHIVES: Dame Edna, Australian "giga-star" (2010) Australian comedian Barry Humphries, whose alter-ego, the self-aggrandizing Dame Edna Everage, died Saturday, April 22 at age 89. In this "Sunday Morning" profile that originally aired April 4, 2010, Dame Edna talks with Russ Mitchell about her celebrity (which is bigger than anyone else's), her Broadway appearances, and her "manager" (Humphries), who "resents the fact that I'm so popular." Humphries, meanwhile, discusses the rather non-PC Edna who, he reflects, is "not very nice really." HARTMAN: A pen pal's unswerving faith (Video) Twenty-five years ago, an inmate serving a life sentence in a Missouri prison wrote to a church outside St. Louis hoping that someone would write back. Ever since, Ginny Schrappen corresponded with Lamar Johnson, convinced that his 1995 murder conviction was wrong. In February 2023, Johnson was exonerated and released from prison. Now, the 80-year-old retired schoolteacher could finally welcome the former inmate in her home. Steve Hartman reports. Turner Classic Movies host Ben Mankiewicz with TV: James Corden on ending "The Late Late Show": "What have I done to deserve such memories?" | Watch Video After eight years of reinventing late-night TV, British entertainer and Tony-winning actor James Corden is leaving his post as host of CBS' "The Late Late Show." Corden talks with Turner Classic Movies host Ben Mankiewicz about the highlights of his tenure (including singing in a car with Paul McCartney), and why he's chosen to leave the show, and the country, at the top of his game. For more info: "The Late Late Show with James Corden" on CBS and Paramount+The definitive list of every "Carpool Karaoke" COMMENTARY: Amy Silverstein speaks up for change in drugs tied to organ transplants, "while I still can" | Watch Video For the past 35 years Amy Silverstein, author of "Sick Girl" and "My Glory Was I Had Such Friends," has lived thanks to two donor hearts. But she recently learned that she has an incurable cancer in her lungs, which she attributes to years of taking immunosuppressive drugs that can wreak havoc on the body. In this commentary she calls for changes needed to improve drugs necessary for organ transplants. For more info: amysilverstein.comFollow Amy Silverstein on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram"My Glory Was I Had Such Friends: A Memoir" by Amy Silverstein (HarperCollins), available in Trade Paperback, eBook and Audio formats, via Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Indiebound"Sick Girl" by Amy Silverstein (Grove), available in Hardcover, Trade Paperback, eBook and Audio formats, via Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Indiebound John Kander and Lin-Manuel Miranda. / Credit: CBS News BROADWAY: John Kander, Lin-Manuel Miranda on "New York, New York" on Broadway | Watch Video The theater legend who co-wrote, with Fred Ebb, such classic musicals as "Cabaret" and "Chicago" has a new musical opening on Broadway. "New York, New York," adapted from the 1977 film, features never-before-heard songs by Kander and Ebb, and new songs by Kander and "Hamilton" creator Lin-Manuel Miranda. Correspondent David Pogue talks with the 96-year-old Kander, Miranda, and director-choreographer Susan Stroman about the show, in which aspiring performers try to make it in "a city that never sleeps." To watch a preview of the new Broadway musical "New York, New York" click on the video player below: For more info: "New York, New York" at the St. James Theatre, New York City | Ticket infoJohn Kander (Masterworks Broadway)Lin-Manuel MirandaSusan StromanDavid Thompson (IBDB) Murphy the eagle with his adopted child. / Credit: World Bird Sanctuary/Instagram NATURE: Murphy the eagle steps in as stepdad (Video) At World Bird Sanctuary in Valley Park, Mo., the plight of Murphy, a bald eagle who was reduced to incubating a rock, aroused social media sympathy, until an orphaned eaglet was brought to the sanctuary for care, and the two have hit it off. Jane Pauley reports. For more info: World Bird Sanctuary, Valley Park, Mo. MILEPOST: An addition to our "Sunday Morning" family (Video) Congratulations to "Sunday Morning" producer Mark Hudspeth and his wife, Dana Karin, on the birth of their second daughter, Naomi Ruth Hudsin. NATURE: Geese in Massachusetts (Extended Video) We leave you this Sunday morning with geese and goslings gallivanting in the green grasses near Princeton, Massachusetts. Videographer: Doug Jensen. WEB EXCLUSIVES: TV: Mo Rocca on "The Young and the Restless" (Video) The long-running CBS soap opera "The Young and the Restless" has had numerous guest stars playing recurring characters during its 50 years on air. Recently "Sunday Morning" correspondent Mo Rocca returned as Milton, the divorced accountant (and HR nightmare), who carries a torch for stripper-turned-corporate executive Nikki Newman (Melody Thomas Scott). For more info: "The Young and the Restless" on CBS, and streaming via Paramount+ TECH: What's that bird? Merlin Bird ID app works magic | Watch Video The free app, hatched by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, can help birders identify more than 6,000 species on six continents by look or song. "Sunday Morning" producer Roman Feeser reports. Apple: Merlin Bird ID runs on iPhones and iPads with iOS 15 or newer, and M1/M2-equipped Apple computers. Download app here. Android: Merlin Bird ID runs on devices with Android 6 or newer. Download app here. "HERE COMES THE SUN" : Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, and Vermeer (Video) Actors Ben Affleck and Matt Damon sit down with Tracy Smith to discuss their film "Air." Then, Seth Doane travels to Amsterdam to view the sold-out Johannes Vermeer exhibit. The Emmy Award-winning "CBS Sunday Morning" is broadcast on CBS Sundays beginning at 9:00 a.m. ET. Executive producer is Rand Morrison. DVR Alert! Find out when "Sunday Morning" airs in your city "Sunday Morning" also streams on the CBS News app beginning at 12:00 p.m. ET. (Download it here.) Full episodes of "Sunday Morning" are now available to watch on demand on CBSNews.com, CBS.com and Paramount+, including via Apple TV, Android TV, Roku, Chromecast, Amazon FireTV/FireTV stick and Xbox. Follow us on Twitter; Facebook; Instagram; YouTube; TikTok; and at cbssundaymorning.com. You can also download the free "Sunday Morning" audio podcast at iTunes and at Play.it. Now you'll never miss the trumpet! Alisa Mathewson on facing her ex in court: "I'm not afraid of him anymore" Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says judicial system overhaul is an "internal matter" Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas says Ralph Yarl shooting stems from "culture of fear and paranoia" During her first trip to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Insider's reporter was surprised by historic settlements and an epic tram ride. Joey Hadden/Insider I recently visited Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee for the first time. I was surprised by some of the park's unique features, like free entry and historic settlements. But I didn't expect to prefer sleeping in a glamping tent over staying in cozy cabins. Welcome to the Great Smoky Mountains, a national park that covers half a million acres on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina. Great Smoky Mountains National park seen from the trail to Clingman's Dome, the highest point in Tennessee. Joey Hadden/Insider Source: Knox News The park is home to 19,000 documented species of plants and animals, according to the National Parks Service. Knox News reported that 1,000 of those species were found for the first time ever in the Great Smoky Mountains. Plant life in the Great Smoky Mountains. Joey Hadden/Insider Source: Knox News I recently spent five days exploring the Great Smoky Mountains for the first time and was excited to visit and connect with nature. The author in the Great Smoky Mountains. Joey Hadden/Insider I'm a big fan of national parks, and in the past, I've visited Texas' Big Bend, Utah's Zion and Bryce Canyon, Colorado's Rocky Mountains, New Mexico's Carlsbad Caverns, and both rims of the Grand Canyon in Arizona. The author at Yosemite (top), the Grand Canyon (bottom), and Rocky Mountain National Park (right). Joey Hadden/Insider Read more: After road-tripping across Texas, Utah, Arizona, and Colorado nearly a dozen times, I planned the best itinerary through the Southwest But I've never previously visited a national park in this part of the US. The Great Smoky Mountains gave me the connection with nature I wanted, along with some surprises. Picturesque landscapes in the Great Smoky Mountains. Joey Hadden/Insider My first surprise came when I was doing research for my trip and learned that the Great Smoky Mountains is the only free national park in the country, according to the NPS. Hikers climb up to Clingman's Dome at Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Joey Hadden/Insider Source: National Parks Service All of the national parks I've previously visited had entrance fees. Most range from $10-$35 for vehicles and $10-$20 per person, according to the NPS. The author in Zion National Park. Joey Hadden/Insider Source: National Parks Service But the Great Smoky Mountains have been free to access since 1994 because two major roads run through the park, according to the same source. A road runs through Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Joey Hadden/Insider Source: National Parks Service Later, when I got to Tennessee, I ran into an unpleasant surprise. Despite what I read on travel blogs and heard from Airbnb hosts, ride-share apps were not a reliable way to get around. Story continues The author takes a cab through the Cades Cove area in the Great Smoky Mountains. Joey Hadden/Insider Source: Lonely Planet Although I could search for rides on these apps, I wasn't ever able to find one to pick me up, save for my trip from the airport in Knoxville to my accommodations near the park. Cars drive through Pigeon Forge, a town outside of the national park. Joey Hadden/Insider This unexpected setback left me frantically scheduling cab rides, which I found to be quite limited in the area, as well. The author travels by taxi in the towns outside of the Great Smoky Mountains. Joey Hadden/Insider When I couldn't get a cab, I had to get creative. This led me to my next surprise taking a tram ride above the mountains. A ticket to ride (L) a tram above the mountains (R) in Tennessee. Joey Hadden/Insider Source: Ober Mountain Gatlinburg, Tennessee, is home to one of the largest aerial tramways in the US. Completed in 1973 to bring skiers safely up to the slopes, the tram ascends 300 feet above the Great Smoky Mountains, and has carried millions of people up to Ober Mountain. A tram arrives at Ober Mountain. Joey Hadden/Insider Source: Ober Mountain I spotted the tram while sitting in a restaurant on a rainy day trying to figure out how to get to my next Airbnb. With no taxi available, I would have otherwise faced a 3-hour walk. The author's booth at a restaurant in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Joey Hadden/Insider A quick Google search informed me that the tram traveled between downtown Gatlinburg and Ober Mountain, a tourist attraction with a roller coaster and other rides that happened to be just a 30-minute walk from my Airbnb. The tram stop in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, with rides to Ober Mountain. Joey Hadden/Insider Source: Ober Mountain Impressed with my creative problem-solving, I boarded the tram for a $30, two-mile ride above the mountains. Inside a tram traveling above the national park. Joey Hadden/Insider Source: Ober Mountain I thought the aerial views of the park from the tram were epic, even in the rain. And I couldn't help but think if I hadn't struggled to find taxis, I never would have experienced the tram. Views of the Great Smoky Mountains from the tram. Joey Hadden/Insider Read more: I only had 48 hours to spend in Switzerland. These 18 photos show why I regret not staying longer. I was also surprised by my experiences with my accommodations. I spent three nights in cozy cabins I found on Airbnb, and one night in a tent at a glamping resort. The author stays in a tent (L) and a cabin (R) in Tennessee. Joey Hadden/Insider Sources: Airbnb, Airbnb, Under Canvas I booked two cabins for roughly $450 a night each. I thought the cabins were full of amenities to help me relax and enjoy the view, from covered patio seating to a gas fireplace that ignited with the touch of a button. The author relaxes in the cabins. Joey Hadden/Insider Read more: I spent 7 nights in a 179-square-foot room on the world's largest cruise ship. Take a look inside my cabin. When I went glamping, I stayed in a luxury tent for $520 at the Under Canvas Great Smoky Mountains resort. Inside the author's stargazer tent at the Under Canvas resort. Joey Hadden/Insider Source: Under Canvas Insider received a media rate for the stay at the Under Canvas Great Smoky Mountains. I thought I'd prefer the comforts of the cabins over a tent, but I was wrong. I enjoyed the luxury camping experience much more than I expected. The author's tent at the glamping resort. Joey Hadden/Insider Read more: Why I preferred sleeping in a glamping tent over cozy cabins during my first trip to the Great Smoky Mountains Unlike the cabins where I spent time alone, Under Canvas is a glamping resort with a community feel. I really liked chatting with kind employees and other campers, which warmed my heart especially since I was traveling solo. A communal space at the Under Canvas glamping resort. Joey Hadden/Insider Read more: I spent a week in Europe traveling by myself. Here are 10 things I learned about solo travel in other countries. I also appreciated the luxury aspects of the tent, like a king-sized bed, a pull-chain shower, and a wood-fired oven to keep warm. The author uses a pull-down shower (L) and makes her own fire Joey Hadden/Insider Making my own fire to heat my tent was challenging, but it made me feel more connected to nature than in the cabins. And by the end of my stay, I felt confident in my abilities to start and maintain a fire. The author keeps herself warm in the tent. Joey Hadden/Insider I was also surprised by how I spent my free time each day. I used electronics less than I usually do. The author spends time reading in her tent at Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Joey Hadden/Insider In the past, I've only taken day trips or spent one night at national parks, so I never had enough time to sincerely change my technology habits. The author camps during a National Park road trip in 2019. Joey Hadden/Insider But spending four nights in nature made me want to use my phone and iPad less. Before bed, I read instead of watching TV. And I replaced my morning habit of Wordle with enjoying the mountain views. The author enjoys the views from a cabin outside of the Great Smoky Mountains. Joey Hadden/Insider And since returning from my trip, I've been using my phone less, too. The author looks out the window from a cabin in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Joey Hadden/Insider Another unexpected realization came while exploring my photography hobby. With stunning views in every direction, I anticipated practicing astrophotography, which is a technique for capturing photos of the stars. But a couple of hiccups got in the way. A photo of the Great Smoky Mountains at night shows some stars lighting up the sky. Joey Hadden/Insider According to their website, Under Canvas Resort uses dim lighting to minimize light pollution. So I was eager to take photos of the stars during my glamping stay. But it was too cloudy and rainy to capture any good photos. A long-exposure shot at the Under Canvas Resort lacks a view of the stars. Joey Hadden/Insider Source: Under Canvas The only clear sky was on my final night, when I stayed in a cabin in the mountains. I decided to try again. The author's cabin during her final night in the Great Smoky Mountains. Joey Hadden/Insider But the surrounding cabins were too brightly lit. While I got some shots of the stars, I ultimately wasn't impressed with my work. At the same time, I realized these factors were out of my control. Cabins in the mountains seen at night with a few stars above. Joey Hadden/Insider The last surprise of my trip was one of the best, when I stumbled upon several preserved historic buildings within the national park. The author stands in front of a preserved village in the Great Smoky Mountains. Joey Hadden/Insider Aside from visitor centers and gift shops, I haven't seen many buildings in a national park before. But the Great Smoky Mountains are filled with preserved and restored historic settlements. According to the NPS, there are more than 90 of these structures in the park. A persevered building in the Great Smoky Mountains. Joey Hadden/Insider Source: National Parks Service One building I stumbled upon in the Cades Cove area of the park was the Cable Mill, a water-powered turbine originally built to serve an early-1900s mountain community. Mingus Mill in the Great Smoky Mountains. Joey Hadden/Insider Source: National Parks Service According to educational plaques I read in the area, the mill hasn't been moved since its creation and still operates today. The Cable Mill in the Great Smoky Mountains. Joey Hadden/Insider And according to the NPS, other buildings in the park were renovated and restored for public access. This includes the cabins in Elkmont Historic District from the 1800s, where visitors may now go inside for a sense of what life was once like. Cabins in the Elkmont Historic District. Joey Hadden/Insider Source: National Parks Service Collectively, these surprises made me think that the Great Smoky Mountains were unlike any other National Park I've experienced, from free entry to historic buildings frozen in time. Cabins in the Elkmont Historic District. Joey Hadden/Insider And other surprises made me realize how I might improve my experience next time, from choosing to camp in luxury to adjusting my expectations for things outside of my control. Tents at the Under Canvas glamping resort in the Great Smoky Mountains. Joey Hadden/Insider But one thing is for sure I'll definitely be back to the Great Smoky Mountains. And hopefully, I'll have better weather to snap more pictures of the stars. The Great Smoky Mountains viewed from the trail to Clingman's Dome. Joey Hadden/Insider Read the original article on Insider What if President Bartlett acted a little more like Meredith Grey? Or, at least, the people around him. That's the feeling of Netflix's new political drama "The Diplomat" starring Keri Russell, and it is certainly a juicy hook around which to build a series. A mix of "The West Wing" and "Grey's Anatomy" with the cheek of "House of Cards" (but not any of that series' absurd plot twists), "Diplomat" is a soapy, meaty drama worth sinking your teeth into. It isn't perhaps as lofty and ambitious as Russell's recently completed spy drama "The Americans," but sometimes you don't want too much weighing down a good binge-watch. Here's who should watch "Diplomat" (now streaming, out of four), and maybe who should skip it. Keri Russell as Kate Wyler in "The Diplomat." Watch 'The Diplomat' if you like 'The West Wing,' 'House of Cards,' 'Scandal,' 'Grey's Anatomy' Russell, no stranger to international thrillers after an excellent run on FX's "The Americans," plays Kate Wyler, newly appointed U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom stuck dealing with diplomatic chaos. She'd have an easier time, except for her husband Hal (Rufus Sewell), a fellow career diplomat recently ousted from his own ambassadorship and not accustomed to playing second fiddle to his wife. And he's not letting the fact that he's not employed by the U.S. government stop him from dabbling in international relations. Rufus Sewell as Hal Wyler and Keri Russell as Kate Wyler in "The Diplomat." Between Kate and Hal's fiery and contentious marriage, the attractive and smart staffers tat the American Embassy in London and the ever-so-charming British Foreign Secretary (David Gyasi) Kate keeps ending up in close quarters with, there's plenty of drama (and some melodrama) in "Diplomat." It's the kind of addictive, pulpy drama that keeps you clicking "next episode." Creator Debora Cahn (who, not coincidentally, has worked on both "Wing" and "Grey's"), wisely sets the political drama on the international stage so Kate and Hal needn't get involved in the contentious world of domestic American politics. Russell's Kate is a rare lead in a political thriller that is easy to root for she is a genuinely superb foreign emissary, with smart instincts and the greater good at her heart rather than her own personal good. She is uncomfortable in high heels and expensive dresses that make up her ceremonial duties. Russell slips into the role easily, letting loose with expletives and looks of disdain that escalate with every scene. "The Americans" (FX) with Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell Skip 'The Diplomat' if you're expecting 'The Americans' Russell is undeniably one of the greatest actresses working in Hollywood right now, and her presence is likely enough to draw fans of "Americans" to "Diplomat." But while there is spicy, addictive fun to be had in the Netflix drama, it does not reach the exquisite heights of "Americans." "Diplomat" is less serious and shallower. That's not necessarily a bad thing the tongue-in-cheek tone works for it but it isn't likely to bowl over its audience the way a thought-provoking and devastating episode of the Soviet-spy drama could. While few shows could ever touch the greatness of "Americans," "Diplomat" does just fine. More: The 7 new TV shows worth watching in spring 2023: From big 'Beef' to more 'Bridgerton' This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'The Diplomat' review: Netflix series is 'West Wing' meets 'Grey's' Karen Marquez holds a framed photograph of her husband, Johnathan, who is serving a life sentence for murder. She and her mother-in-law paid $12,700 in fees to Aaron Spolin's law firm money they now believe was wasted. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) When California enacted landmark criminal justice reforms several years ago, inmates and their families saw a chance at freedom. Aaron Spolin saw a business opportunity. After the laws went into effect in 2019, the then-33-year-old attorney incorporated a law firm in West Los Angeles and began marketing legal services to the incarcerated and their loved ones. Spolin, a Princeton-educated former McKinsey consultant, bought up online search terms so that people googling the laws saw ads touting the firms expertise. He mailed pitch letters directly to some of the states 100,000 prisoners introducing himself as a former prosecutor now in the top 1% among California criminal lawyers and informing them they might be eligible for sentence shortening under various new laws. Nearly 2,000 individuals signed on with Spolin, according to the online resume of a former office manager. He became a celebrity inside prisons, his name passed around in exercise yards from Folsom to Calipatria, and in Facebook support groups for wives and children. Families of limited means borrowed against their homes, took out high-interest loans, dipped into 401(k)s, worked double shifts, ran public fundraisers and amassed credit card debt to pay Spolin fees that could run north of $40,000. A Times investigation found that Spolin built a booming enterprise by fanning false hopes in some families desperate to get their loved ones home. He encouraged people to spring for pricey legal services that he knew or should have known had little or no chance of success, the newspaper found. He told families of men incarcerated for murder and other violent crimes that progressive L.A. Dist. Atty. George Gascon could move to free them in less than a year under one new resentencing law. None of Spolins attempts, for which families paid about $10,000 each, appear to have been successful, and Gascons office told The Times it generally does not consider such offenders to be good candidates for resentencing. Story continues In another example, Spolin presented a commutation from the governor, which experts say is a long shot for even the most rehabilitated of candidates, as a very real possibility for all types of inmates. Hundreds paid up to $14,000 for him to submit applications. None has been granted, The Times found, and some were patently unsuitable. One inmate he proposed for commutation this year had pleaded guilty in May 2022 to running a drug ring from his cell at Corcoran State Prison. The Times found that Spolins firm relied on the work of some low-paid contract lawyers who were not licensed in California and had little or no experience in criminal appeals. Among those helping draft legal memos and court filings were lawyers from the Philippines and other developing countries making about $10 an hour. Spolin denied exploiting inmates and their families and blamed district attorneys offices and others who he says have taken too narrow a view of which individuals should be freed. Stephanie Charles, an actor whose brother, Wesner, has been behind bars since 2002 for robbery and attempted carjacking, said she now worries the $19,000 she and other loved ones scraped together to pay Spolin for a commutation and other services was wasted. A lot of us dont know the law, a lot of us are vulnerable, she said. We just want someone to help us solve the problem and not take advantage of us. Stephanie Charles, whose brother, Wesner, was incarcerated in 2002, questioned Spolin Law's efforts to help her brother after relatives scraped together $19,000 to pay the L.A. law firm, with no results to show for it. "We just want someone to help us solve the problem and not take advantage of us," she said. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) Supporters of the states criminal justice reforms are among Spolins biggest critics. This guy is getting rich off the most vulnerable people and [giving] them false hope that could really hurt them. It needs to stop now, Karen Nash, a deputy L.A. public defender who represents prisoners seeking resentencing under the reforms, wrote in a January email to the State Bar of California. The new laws are designed so that prisoners who qualify get free legal representation. It wasnt contemplated that this would become ambulance chasers who would see this as a way to make money off the backs of people who are in prison, said Hillary Blout, a former San Francisco prosecutor who helped write one of the reform measures. Spolin acknowledged to The Times that he had given some people assessments that turned out to be overly optimistic. We are different than other lawyers in that we fight for the way the law should be, Spolin said. During a three-hour interview, he predicted that courts and law enforcement would step up their use of resentencing laws in coming years, leading to the eventual release of many of the inmates he represents. I am so confident that history will prove me right. All these clients who feel like they've been hoodwinked, and then they're gonna win. And they're gonna say, Oh, wow. You know, Mr. Spolin was right. Since at least 2009, when a panel of three federal judges ordered California to reduce its dangerously overcrowded prisons, the Golden State has been trying to reform its criminal justice system. Those efforts have picked up speed in recent years as mass incarceration has come to be viewed increasingly as a moral wrong that disproportionately hurts Black and Latino communities, the poor and the mentally ill. Some reforms that the state passed concerned future prosecutions and did not apply to people already incarcerated. A pair of 2019 laws, however, did affect prisoners by allowing judges to consider inmates for resentencing and release, either on the recommendation of county district attorneys or because of changes to the murder statute that invalidated the convictions of some homicide defendants who had not carried out the actual killing. The statutes could be difficult to understand and did not apply to most people, so advocates visited prisons early on to explain the laws to groups of inmates. A point they emphasized was that inmates didnt need to hire attorneys. We were concerned because incarcerated people and their families will pay whatever is asked of them for just some hope at freedom," said Blout, who drafted the law that allowed prosecutors to recommend resentencing. 'We are different than other lawyers in that we fight for the way the law should be. I am so confident that history will prove me right.' Aaron Spolin Not everyone attended the prison briefings on the reforms, and when an inmate was released through the laws or there was even a rumor that someone might word raced through the prisons. Inmates wondering whether they too had a chance shared those hopes with relatives, and before long, many ended up phoning Spolins firm. The attorney provided The Times with lists of clients and relatives he suggested would tell a reporter they were happy with the job he did. Some did not return calls or messages. Two said they felt a public defender would have done a better job, and they were confused about why Spolin would have provided their names to The Times. Others enthusiastically endorsed the firm. Its been a magical experience, said Darrell Tittle Jr., who was released in March after two decades in prison. He was convicted of manslaughter for participating in a deadly 2003 fight in which a rival San Diego gang member was shot to death. Tittle did not fire a weapon and was eligible for resentencing under the homicide reform law. Though the law provides free legal representation for qualified inmates seeking resentencing, Tittle said he wanted a private lawyer and believed Spolin and his colleagues took his case more seriously. I felt the public defender had already let me down through my initial trial. A smattering of other firms, including one started by a former Spolin attorney, have advertised similar services to inmates and families. Spolins firm was the first and appears to be by far the largest in California, according to interviews with government officials and advocates. Spolin has expanded his firm to represent inmates in appeals and other proceedings in Texas, New York and Michigan, and said he plans to add clients in Pennsylvania shortly. I want to be known throughout the country, he told The Times. Ramon Valencia Pineda contacted Spolins firm last year desperate to find something good for his brother, Luis, a convicted murderer serving a sentence of life without parole. In a phone call, Spolin recommended the family seek his release through the new law that allows prosecutors to recommend resentencing and said that for $18,500 his firm would pursue that route and a governors commutation, according to Valencia and a firm memo prepared for the family. The money was daunting for Valencia, who works at a Home Depot in Stockton, and his sister, a department manager at Target. But their dealings with the law firm had filled them with hope. Spolin was bright and spoke authoritatively about their brothers prospects. In a conference call, he said, the attorney assured the family, You have a good case. Hearing about the smart lawyer ready to fight for their incarcerated relative, cousins, aunts and uncles pitched in, $500 here and $1,000 there. It was only recently, more than a year after they had paid Spolin, that they learned Luis Valencia never had a chance of being resentenced. In a terse Feb. 1 letter to Spolin, a Merced County deputy district attorney said anyone sentenced to life without parole was disqualified under the offices guidelines. I did not know that was the policy of the D.A.s office, Spolin acknowledged to The Times after being asked about the letter. He said Luis Valencia struck him as a good candidate and defended his ignorance of the criteria, saying of prosecutors offices in general, It is very, very, very hard to get a call back. Reached on her office line one recent afternoon, the Merced prosecutor who oversees resentencing, Misty Compton, said she was available to provide information about the offices resentencing policies to anyone seeking it but did not recall ever getting a call from Spolins firm. The Valencia case was not the only time that Spolin urged families to hire his firm to pursue resentencing in a county where the incarcerated person did not meet the offices criteria. His firm charged the family of Alex Ivey, also serving life without parole for murder, last year to pursue resentencing through the Alameda County D.A. A prosecutor wrote back that Ivey would not be considered because the law currently does not permit resentencing on special circumstances cases like his. Spolin said a prosecutor in the office had previously told his firm inmates like Ivey were eligible. In Santa Clara County, Spolin charged the families of at least two men convicted of murder to seek resentencing through the D.A.'s office there, according to interviews and firm memos. David Angel, the assistant district attorney overseeing resentencing, said the office is focused on inmates convicted of robbery, burglary and other less serious crimes and has never used the new law to recommend someone convicted of murder be released. I did not know that information, Spolin acknowledged to The Times. Ramon Valencia said he feels humiliated in front of relatives who gave from their meager savings and wronged by Spolin and his firm. Isnt that their job to look into it? he said recently. It doesnt make any sense to me that he didnt know. By the time the Valencias paid, Spolin Law was a high-volume operation. At Solano State Prison in Vacaville, one firm client, who is serving 80 years to life for murder, said that when he goes to collect his legal mail, the registry shows inmate after inmate receiving letters from Spolin Law. Another client at the same facility offered a reporter the names and prison numbers of nine other inmates in a phone call, saying they were lined up nearby and wanted a chance to describe their own problems with the attorney. Asked how many clients he had, Spolin said, I dont know the exact number. Like a lot. He later estimated he had a couple hundred clients with active cases. He declined to provide the total number his firm has represented. Questioned about different cases, Spolin was not familiar with the details or even the names of clients. Families interviewed by The Times said they had never met him in person, and most said they spoke to him just once at the start of his representation. Some inmates said they had never talked to Spolin. Nearly all inmates reported difficulties in reaching him or his four staff attorneys, saying that calls with lawyers took weeks or months to schedule and that they were forced to relay information through assistants, paralegals or case managers. If you call in, you will never get the same person, said Emma Alford, who helped pay $30,000 to Spolin to represent her husband, Justin. Its a little disheartening. Spolin said the firm is upfront about the fact that many people will work on cases: We tell clients its a team effort in terms of doing their work. Case managers dealt frequently with families on the cost of various services and the options for paying in installments. Some relatives strapped for cash said they felt pressured to come up with money for Spolins fees. Case managers do have a financial incentive to convince families to sign up for legal services, Spolin confirmed, saying their pay is related to the fees they deliver. They get bonuses based on how hard they work, he said. He said the arrangement did not amount to a commission system, which State Bar rules prohibit. Spolin denied that he pushed relatives to spend beyond their means. There have been circumstances where people have said, This is all I have. And Ive said, You probably dont want to do this if this is all you have, he said. Spolin grew up in Palo Alto, went to UC Berkeley Law, and took a job as an assistant district attorney in the Bronx. There, he worked fraud and other financial crimes cases and, according to Spolin, sat second chair on a murder prosecution. Aaron Spolin attends the arraignment of a client in Los Angeles in 2017. Spolin has since focused on criminal justice reform cases and built a high-volume business by marketing legal services to the incarcerated and their loved ones. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) When he moved to L.A. in 2016, he switched to the defense side. He didnt have an office when we hired him. It was just him, recalled one of his first clients, a then-17-year-old who asked to be identified by her initials, A.B. At the time, she was accused of double murder in the killing of a pregnant woman. His rates were very reasonable, her mother, Mary Medina, recalled. Spolin fought off a prosecution attempt to move the case to adult court, where the charges carried the possibility of decades in prison. Medinas daughter ultimately served six years in a juvenile facility and was released last year. He did an amazing job, and there was a lot going against me, A.B. said. In 2018, as Sacramento legislators were passing the new criminal justice reforms, Spolin started remaking himself as an appeals specialist. He said the timing was kind of a coincidence and that he found post-conviction work a better fit for his personality than trials. I'm a very introverted person. I don't like conflict, he said. To prepare, he said, he read a textbook about California appellate law and attended a training conducted by judges. He registered Spolin Law as a business in March 2019 using the address of a co-working space on Olympic Boulevard. Employees work remotely from locations all over the country and world. That decision and others about how to run the firm were influenced by a year and a half Spolin worked at McKinsey after getting an undergraduate degree from Princeton, he said. His time analyzing how different companies could expand to be successful led him to embrace new techniques at his firm. I want to take what works and discard what doesn't, he said. Aggressive internet advertising was one of the things that seemed to have worked. Spolin hired a digital marketing specialist from Ohio with expertise in Google ads and a goal, stated on his website, to make my clients phone ring and help them scale their service business. His other clients included carpet cleaning franchises in suburban Columbus. Inmates searching for options under the reform laws were presented with paid posts about Spolin. His website featured long articles about the new reform laws, photos of Spolin smiling confidently, and big claims about his reputation and skills. Though few in L.A.s legal establishment had ever heard of him, Spolin marketed himself as a widely regarded expert with a firm in the top 0.4% of criminal firms nationally. Multiple independent rating agencies ranked his firm at the top of its field, he told inmates in letters. The designation actually came from for-profit outfits that offered Spolin and other lawyers the chance to buy a package, currently priced at $395, that included a wall plaque and permission to advertise their rankings. Spolin said the companies approached him and that he no longer pursues such rankings, which he called the poor mans Super Lawyers, a reference to the glossy legal magazines in which many high-end lawyers advertise. Amanda Allen, whose then-husband, Johnte, was serving life without parole for murder, was impressed by Spolin Law's promotional material. "It was just the whole headline," she recalled. "He said he was the top attorney." (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times) Whatever its basis, Spolins promotional material impressed people like Amanda Allen, whose then-husband, Johnte, was serving life without parole for a 2006 murder in Bakersfield. It was just the whole headline, she recalled. He said he was the top attorney. When she called the firm, she learned of what Spolin described as another McKinsey-inspired innovation: the $3,000 case review. Before inmates or families talked to Spolin, they had to pony up a retainer that they were told would be used to research their case and evaluate their options. If they wanted to pursue one of those options, the $3,000 would be applied to the bill. If they didnt, the firm kept it. Veteran appellate attorneys in California said free or low-cost initial consultations were the norm in the field. $3,000? To just look at the case, which probably takes five minutes, said Paul J. Cohen, a Van Nuys appellate attorney who represents both paying and indigent clients. I dont charge more than $500 for a consultation where I actually go to the jail, and usually I dont charge anything. Spolin defended the practice, saying his firms approach was more rigorous and valuable. Other lawyers, he said, might give an off-the-cuff remark, but they're not getting records, and looking at records and then giving a detailed analysis and a detailed report. Coming up with $3,000 was a challenge for Amanda Allen, an administrator at a group home who said she lives paycheck to paycheck, but the hope of getting her husbands sentence reduced was a strong motivation to scrimp and save. After she paid, she received a memo outlining the options. Spolin reiterated them in a telephone conference. Johnte Allen, listening from prison, was not impressed. He was supposed to look over my transcripts, but he didnt know anything at all, he said in an interview from Kern Valley State Prison. Spolin recommended a $20,000 package that included seeking resentencing through the local D.A.'s office. The suggestion struck Allen as absurd. His crime was notorious in extremely conservative Kern County. Just two years earlier, a D.A. candidate had bragged about convicting Allen. Now, Spolin wanted to charge his family to ask the same office for a break? There was no way possible. I wasnt even incarcerated long enough or rehabilitated enough at that time to even be thought of for that specific deal, he said. The memos Spolins firm prepares for families who pay $3,000 normally run about 14 to 20 pages and are based on a template. A Times review of more than a dozen prepared for families across the state showed that though they do include specific details from inmates cases, most of the memo is boilerplate explanations of the various legal avenues available to inmates. Even some of the information that appears to be specific to an inmate is canned. We were pleased to learn that Mr. [inmate] has strong family support to help him integrate into society upon his release from prison, read portions of memos prepared for a half-dozen different families. This will ensure that Mr. [inmate] will not be destitute on the street and will have a place to stay and facilitate the resumption of a normal life. Spolin said the memos had value to families who need a primer on the law and an understanding of what opportunities there were for their loved one: We are not saying we are giving them anything else. Drafting these memos was sometimes delegated to contract lawyers hired through sites like Indeed. One attorney from a developing country said he was paid about $10 an hour to fill out the templates using records and questionnaires answered by inmates. The recommendations he made in the memo were passed up to a licensed California lawyer working at the firm, and he had no direct dealings with families. 'There was nothing to lose. That was the justification. These were already incarcerated people.' Attorney from a developing world country who stopped working at the firm last year The developing world attorney, who stopped working at the firm last year and spoke on the condition of anonymity to preserve his job prospects, said he met Spolin over a videoconference once during the job interview. Spolin, he said, remarked that the pay was at least twice as much as the average Philippine legal salary. Spolin said in an interview that the firm had used foreign lawyers to carry out paralegal duties in the past, but stopped because the international attorneys English level was not good enough in terms of research and looking at cases and that kind of thing. The developing world attorney told The Times that he had no prior training in appellate law or Californias criminal justice reforms. He said he recommended two services to almost every family commutation applications and pursuit of resentencing through the D.A. because they theoretically applied to every inmate. There was nothing to lose. That was the justification. These were already incarcerated people, he said. Gascons election as L.A. district attorney presented Spolin with a huge business expansion opportunity. About one in every three inmates in the state prison system more than 30,000 people was convicted in L.A., and Gascon had campaigned on reducing mass incarceration. Shortly after taking office in December 2020, he issued a special directive pledging a comprehensive review of cases where the defendant received a sentence that was inconsistent with the charging and sentencing policies his office had embraced. By Gascons own estimation, more than 20,000 inmates fell into this category. It is like a defense lawyer is running the D.A.s office, Spolin recalled thinking. He featured Gascon on his website describing him as one of the district attorneys eager to reduce sentences. In calls with families considering hiring the firm, Spolin invoked Gascons name frequently. He acknowledged to The Times that he expected large numbers of inmates, including people convicted of murder and other violent offenses, to get hearings within six to eight months. Karen Marquez said Spolin Law gave her and husband, Johnathan, whose photo she is holding, the impression he would be eligible for resentencing consideration. "They painted a picture like they had experience with this and they have had people resentenced successfully and who are now out and free," she said. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) Johnathan G. Marquez, serving 75 years to life for murder and attempted murder, said the lawyer spoke of the D.A. like him and Gascon are college buddies. Weve got a guy in there right now who is a big reformer and a proponent of policy change, Marquez recalled Spolin saying. The time is now, Mr. Marquez, for you to get your documents in there and to get out of prison. In reality, Spolin had never met or talked with Gascon, and advocates who helped write the D.A.s special directive said the lawyers analysis was way off. I think it was clear to anyone involved it was going to be a slow and cautious process, said Christopher Hawthorne, a Loyola Law clinical professor who helped author the document. Asked whether he expected the D.A. to move quickly to seek the release of many people convicted of serious offenses, he said, Under no circumstances. Any doubts might have been cleared up just two months later, in February 2021. Gascon announced that a special resentencing unit would work with the prison system to identify inmates who fit specific criteria. They included inmates 50 years and older serving sentences for nonviolent and nonserious offenses, and inmates serving sentences for crimes other than homicide committed at age 14 or 15. When there is a determination that your case is being considered, you will be notified in writing, the D.A.s website stated, adding that the resentencing unit could not accept calls, emails, letters, or other submissions regarding individual cases. In response to a question in an FAQ about whether inmates needed to hire attorneys, Gascons office was emphatic: The District Attorneys Office is not considering recommendations for resentencing by outside counsel. Therefore, a lawyer cannot initiate or accelerate the review process for an individual case. Asked multiple times when he learned of the D.A. policies, Spolin did not provide an answer. In the period after Gascon announced his criteria and for months after, Spolin kept selling inmates on their prospects for release. He said for about $12,700 he would prepare an application for the D.A. of several hundred pages including a persuasive memo for the D.A. about their rehabilitation, character letters, post-release work plans and other information. They just said they had been very successful, said Marquezs wife, Karen, a bookkeeper who participated in a conference call with Spolin and several colleagues about resentencing. She said she and her mother-in-law paid the firm in installments through April 2021 unaware of the D.A. policy unveiled months earlier. They painted a picture like they had experience with this and they have had people resentenced successfully and who are now out and free. Karen Marquez holds a flower that her husband, Johnathan, who is serving a life sentence for murder, gave to her with money he earned in prison. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) Shaylor Watson, serving life without parole for two murders committed in the 1980s, said Spolin told him that asking for resentencing through the D.A. was my quickest course of relief. I thought I was going to be the first one to be resentenced because I had been in for more than 30 years, said Watson, whose resentencing request was submitted in May 2021. A friend and her sister put up $12,000 for legal fees, he said. Eddie Hunter Jr., sentenced to 24 years for manslaughter he committed as a teenager, said Spolin spoke of his chances with a lot of confidence. He told me I was a prime candidate. He told me my case belongs on the firm website, said Hunter, whose girlfriend, then a home health aide, used money she had set aside to buy a car to pay Spolin. The Marquezes, Watson, Hunter and other inmates and families said Spolin did not tell them of the D.A. criteria or the explicit instruction not to send materials to the office when he pitched them on the service. Correspondence provided to The Times shows the lawyer informed some clients of the D.A. criteria in writing months after they paid. The letters were largely identical but sent at different times Watsons in September 2021; Marquezs in December 2021, another man's in January 2022. To be clear, while you do not meet the current priority criteria it does not mean that you are ineligible, the letter read. Clients expecting to get out of prison within a year were devastated. In Folsom, Wesner Charles Jr., whose actor sister and other relatives had paid $19,000, learned of the D.A.s policy from another inmate. In an angry January letter, Charles accused Spolin of deception. You knew my case was [a] serious and violent felony, and you still elected to charge my family and for a service that didnt fit me, he wrote. Spolin denied deceiving the Charles family and said he still considered him a good candidate for resentencing. He said he initially expected the D.A.s criteria would only be in effect for the first few weeks before the office began evaluating other classes of inmates, including those serving time for serious and violent felonies. He acknowledged, though, that he did not contact Gascon or any of his prosecutors to get firsthand information. "It's very hard to get a phone call with a high-level person, he said. Asked recently by The Times about its approach to resentencing for violent offenders, Gascons office said in a statement, As a general rule, a person convicted of murder or another violent or serious crime is not regarded by our office as a good candidate for resentencing absent unusual or extraordinary circumstances . More than two years into office, Gascons resentencing unit has recommended about 60 people or about 0.2% of the L.A. prison population for resentencing, according to a list of cases provided by his office. Most were for nonviolent crimes. 'He told me I was a prime candidate. He told me my case belongs on the firm website.' Eddie Hunter Jr., sentenced to 24 years for manslaughter he committed as a teenager Many families continued to believe the D.A. was evaluating their cases, and Spolin encouraged this belief in form letters telling them, No news is good news, as the delay may indicate they are conducting a thorough review of your case and the documentation we sent. In May 2022 a year and a half after Spolin started billing families to pitch Gascon cases for resentencing one relative grew frustrated and decided to go straight to the D.A.s office himself. The man, who had paid Spolin about $11,000 on behalf of his incarcerated son, was connected with Diana Teran, the director in charge of Gascons resentencing unit. She explained that the office was identifying cases on its own and didnt need outside suggestions, according to their email correspondence. The man pressed her to look for the packet from Spolin, but she couldnt locate it, and as they communicated further, it emerged that the mailing address the law firm had used was incorrect. Packets were not going to Terans department, but to another office in the large downtown headquarters, according to their emails and subsequent correspondence with Spolin. Unsettled, the inmates father emailed the Spolin firm about the mistake, even providing him Terans direct email address, the correspondence shows. The information raised the possibility that hundreds of packets for which families had paid dearly were languishing unread somewhere on Temple Street. Spolin himself didnt reach out to Teran. Instead, the job fell to a paralegal assistant working remotely from a small city northwest of Atlanta. She had no legal education and was balancing her duties at the firm with gigs as a ukulele and voice instructor, according to an online resume. We recently received information indicating that all requests for resentencing should be submitted to your specific department, Jessica McRee wrote to Teran. Do all of our resentencing requests need to be resubmitted to your department? We were also wondering if there is a way to check on the status of previously submitted [resentencing] requests. Teran responded the same day: I do not know where your requests may have gone as the District Attorneys Office has received thousands of them and does not have the staff to respond to all of them which is why we posted information regarding the process on our website. The D.A.s office announced a change to its policy in November, saying people who did not fit the resentencing units criteria could ask head deputy district attorneys for review. Of the very few that have been granted, none have been submitted by Spolin. Hes inundated the entire office, said Bobby Grace, an assistant head deputy in South L.A. who estimated he had received about a hundred packets from Spolin. His name is on everyones lips and not in a good way." Packets sent in by Spolin recently are often boilerplate, he said, and lack information about whether an inmate has gotten into trouble in prison, a key factor for him in evaluating whether they deserve consideration. A lot of these people could be weeded out by them quickly, he said. They had real disciplinary problems that he didnt address Told he was charging up to $12,700 for the submissions, Grace appeared stunned: Seriously? Wow. Spolin, informed of the prosecutors criticism of the quality of his submissions, pledged to improve and said, I appreciate the feedback. He has submitted hundreds of resentencing packets to district attorneys around the state. The Times asked him whether any had been successful. He pointed to one: a man in L.A. County whom he identified only by the initials J.G. The Times determined the mans identity and contacted him. Thats not true, said Johnny Guevara, released last year after serving 24 years for a carjacking and kidnapping he committed at age 14. I give Aaron Spolin zero credit. He said his single mother saved money from babysitting and other odd jobs to pay Spolin about $13,000, but the submission to the D.A.s office in 2021 got no response. (Spolin subsequently confirmed Guevara was J.G.) Months later, corrections officials identified Guevara as a youth offender who met the D.A. criteria and Gascons office asked a legal clinic at Loyola Law school to represent him and about 60 other similar inmates for free. The packet prepared by professor Christopher Hawthorne and his students formed the basis of the decision to recommend him for resentencing last year, the D.A.s office and the professor confirmed. This is the first Im hearing of almost all of this, Spolin said when pressed for an explanation. He said he still considered the case a win for his firm because they had sent the district attorney a lengthy packet about Guevara and its reasonable to assume it went into his file. Once released, Guevara demanded Spolin return his fees. I told him, Aaron, you pretty much took my money, my familys money and I deserve to get some back, he said. Eventually, he said, the firm reimbursed the family $4,000. After the governor commuted the sentences of 21 inmates in June 2020, Spolin heralded his connection to one of the fortunate inmates, James Heard. California Governor Gavin Newsom has announced the commutation [reduction] of sentence for a Spolin Law client who was previously serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole, his law firm crowed in a post on its website, adding, The clients family was extremely happy to hear this good news. Reached in the state prison in Lancaster, Heard said the law firms claimed connection to his commutation was intentionally misleading. The firm did not do that for me, said Heard, who is awaiting a parole hearing. Im the one who did my commutation, my entire commutation packet. I filed it and everything. His family hired Spolin without his knowledge to do a case review shortly before the commutation came through, Heard said. He had submitted the application to the governors office years earlier. He said he learned Spolin was using him as a marketing tool from other inmates, strangers I didnt know, saying, Is your name James Heard? Do you know about Spolin? You are on his website. It bothered him, he said, adding of Spolin, You are intentionally misleading people. You are not telling them we didnt represent him in this matter. Asked about Heard, Spolin said he had never claimed to have prepared the commutation application and that the purpose of the blog post was to celebrate the clients big win and show how Gavin Newsom is granting commutations even on murder cases. The $3,000 case reviews Spolins firm produces give families an encouraging view of commutations, based in part on 283 commutations under Gov. Jerry Brown, including people convicted of murder. Therefore, pardons and commutations are a very real possibility for all types of inmates, the case reviews inform families. Newsom has granted 123 commutations as governor, including for murder and other violent crimes. While some experts say they arent against private attorneys charging for commutation applications, they were adamant that clients need to be told that the chances of success for any individual inmate remain minuscule. Spolin routinely recommends proceeding with these applications at a cost of as much as $14,700, according to applications reviewed by The Times and interviews with people familiar with the firms filings. Spolin did not identify any clients for whom he had filed successful commutation applications and The Times was not able to find any. 'Strangers I didnt know, saying, "Is your name James Heard? Do you know about Spolin? You are on his website." James Heard, incarcerated and awaiting a parole hearing He said he does not urge all of his clients to pursue commutations. When we recommend it, based on the information we have at the time, they do have a chance, he said. Spolin offered package deals to some families. They could pay about $18,000, and he would prepare two very similar packets of information about an inmate one would be sent to D.A.s offices for resentencing and another to the governor for commutations. The packets ran hundreds of pages, but much of the material was made up of articles about the problem of mass incarceration that had little to do with the particular applicant. Families paid for applications for inmates that commutation experts said would never be given serious consideration. One Spolin submitted this year was for a man who had been sentenced only two years earlier for attempted murder and assault. Several others had records of recent serious disciplinary problems in prison, including fighting, that people familiar with commutations said would make them unsuitable in the governors eyes. The wife of one prisoner who said she dug into her 401(k) to pay Spolins fees repeatedly pressed the firm about whether the disciplinary write-ups in her husbands C-file or prison record could be a problem for getting a commutation. In regard to the Governor's review of [the prisoners] C-File, it is up to their discretion what they will be reviewing, a Spolin Law assistant told her in January. Katharine Tinto, a UC Irvine clinical law professor who runs the schools criminal justice clinic and has prepared successful commutation applications for free, said that the governors office looks closely at the prisoners record and if the person has a disciplinary history in prison that is recent and serious, he is very unlikely to get a commutation. Jesus Del Villar, a Corcoran inmate about a decade into a 37-year sentence for manslaughter and other offenses, had much more than a poor disciplinary record when Spolin submitted his name for commutation this year. He had admitted in federal court last spring to running a drug ring from his cell. The defendant used contraband cellphones to direct other members of the conspiracy to weigh, package, conceal and transport ounces of cocaine and pounds of methamphetamine and heroin from sources of supply to drug distributors, read the plea agreement Del Villar signed in April 2022. It was unclear who paid Spolins bill of approximately $9,500. Del Villar did not return messages, including one relayed through a relative. He absolutely deserves it, Spolin said in response to questions about Del Villars suitability. The fact that he has not had a perfect environment in the prison is not one that should disqualify him. Nguyen Le Nguyen was 17 years into a sentence for murder when his family hired Spolin. His relatives did not speak English fluently, he said, and had been talked into paying about $23,000 for legal services, including some he did not need such as a petition arguing that he was innocent. I would never file for actual innocence, he said recently, noting that he had pleaded guilty in the San Jose killing and that he was preparing to go before the parole board and outline his remorse. I said Dont go forward, but [Spolin Law] said its done. They charged me anyhow. There was one service that did fit Nguyens situation resentencing under the reform law that applied to certain homicide convictions. On the day of Nguyens hearing, Spolin sent a contract attorney who had not read recent case law on the reform and argued a theory that didnt fit the circumstances of the shooting, a transcript of the proceeding showed. The resentencing request was denied. A court-appointed attorney later argued for a new hearing partly on the basis of ineffective counsel, noting, There is no conceivable reason for counsel not to have sufficiently familiarized himself with the facts of the present case. The appellate court sided with Nguyen though it did not weigh in on Spolin Laws performance. Nguyen was released on parole in January. Before he walked out of Folsom, he typed up a complaint against Spolin on his prison-issued tablet and asked that it be forwarded to the State Bar of California. Spolin declined to discuss Nguyens case in detail, but said, We did not take advantage of Mr. Nguyens familyThere was definitely no intention to send someone who didnt know the facts of the case. Nguyens complaint was one of several attempts over the years to get authorities to look into Spolin. In October, a frustrated appellate attorney in Oakland contacted the L.A. D.A. office to request a criminal fraud investigation of the law firm. I have attached materials regarding his business practices generally so you can see proof of what I believe is a sophisticated scheme to convince desperate families to pay thousands of dollars for sentencing relief [for] loved ones that simply does not exist, wrote Jenny Brandt, who now works for the Alameda County public defender. Gascons office does not appear to have opened a criminal probe, but they subsequently reported Spolin to the State Bar. By December, that agency had launched an investigation into Spolins firm, according to correspondence shared with The Times. Several attorneys alarmed about Spolins practice said they had met with the State Bars top prosecutor, Chief Trial Counsel George Cardona, to lay out their concerns. The State Bar is expending significant resources into its investigation of Spolin, an agency prosecutor, Akili Nickson, wrote in an April 10 update to one lawyer shared with The Times. Mr. Cardona has assigned an entire team of prosecutors and investigators to the matter. The investigation is robust and involves close cooperation of our law enforcement partners. Spolin said some appellate attorneys complaining about him are upset about losing clients to his firm. We have been more and more successful. We've taken work away from them. We've negatively impacted many of their incomes, he said. The complaints havent stopped Spolin from courting inmates and their families. Allen, the convicted murderer from Bakersfield who rejected Spolins suggestions three years ago, said he received an unsolicited letter from him in March offering different services. Now hes a habeas expert, Allen said sarcastically. In recent months, Spolin has started recommending families pursue a new reform passed last year that allows inmates to challenge their convictions on racial discrimination grounds. The cost quoted is $24,700. Slowly building a life outside of prison, Nguyen said he remained angry at Spolin. What bothered him most, he said, was how the lawyer violated the bonds between inmates and the loved ones who never give up on them, no matter how long the sentence. Our families love us, he said, his voice cracking. They help us the best they can. Times staff writers Matthew Ormseth and Brittny Mejia contributed to this report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Mary is often depicted weeping, a reminder of the 'Seven Sorrows' the Bible recounts her suffering. pratan ounpitipong/Moment via Getty Images Claims of appearances of the Virgin Mary and weeping statues have been common in Catholicism. And now theyre going to get a closer look but on a worldwide scale. The Pontificia Academia Mariana Internationalis, or PAMI, recently announced an observatory to investigate claims of appearances of the Virgin Mary and reports of statues of her weeping oil and blood. This announcement extends PAMIs mission of promoting devotion to Mary and study of phenomena related to her. While still waiting for full Vatican approval, the observatory will train investigators to study mystical phenomena in cooperation with church authorities for example, trying to determine the substance of reported tears. Investigating the supernatural has always been a delicate task in the Catholic Church, which has to balance the faith of believers with the possibility of fraud. Marian apparitions Catholics believe Mary is the mother of Jesus Christ, and the mother of God, who still makes her presence known. And the Catholic Church has officially recognized a number of sites where Mary has reportedly appeared around the globe. The image of Our Lady of Guadalupe on a cloak in Mexico City has long been revered by Catholics as a miracle confirming Marys appearance to the peasant Juan Diego in 1531. In Fatima, Portugal, in 1917, three children claimed that the Virgin Mary had visited them several times. Crowds drawn by the childrens prophecy that Mary would reappear and perform a miracle reported seeing the sun dance in the sky. Thousands of believers claimed to have seen a Miracle of the Sun in Fatima, Portugal, in 1917. Grzegorz Galazka/Archivio Grzegorz Galazka/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images The most recent Marian apparition that a Catholic bishop has declared worthy of belief was in Buenos Aires province, Argentina, in 2016. A local Catholic woman told her priest that visions had begun with rosary prayer beads glowing in multiple homes and progressed to Mary warning her of humanitys self-destruction. Marys tears There is also a long history of claims of weeping Mary statues. A well-known example is the Madonna of Syracuse, Sicily a plaster statue that seemed to shed tears. Investigators appointed by the church said the liquid was chemically similar to human tears. The shrine now housing the image is shaped like a tear drop. Story continues The church in Syracuse, Sicily, that holds a small statue of Mary believed to weep. Michele Ponzio/iStock via Getty Images Plus Recently, weeping statues have been reported in places as distant from each other as Paszto, Hungary, and Hobbs, New Mexico. It is, however, rare for the Catholic Church to say that an apparently weeping statue has a supernatural cause. Marys tears have special significance for Catholics. She is often pictured as crying over the sins of the world and the pain she endured in her earthly life. Marys earthly sorrows are depicted by seven swords piercing her flaming heart. Given Marys religious and symbolic significance, it is not surprising for a supposed apparition site or a weeping statue to become an object of devotion. And when this happens, the local bishop sometimes decides to investigate. The possibility of fraud In examining claims of the supernatural, bishops follow standards set by the Vaticans Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which oversees Catholic doctrine. Perhaps because they address controversial issues, the standards were only made public in 2012 nearly 35 years after they were first implemented. Christians pray in 2014 next to a statue of the Virgin Mary in northern Israel that residents said was weeping oil. AP Photo/Ariel Schalit The bishop, or a committee appointed by him, evaluates the alleged supernatural phenomenon. This involves interviewing witnesses and, sometimes, scientific tests. Impact on the community is also considered. Positive aspects include reports of physical healings and religious conversions, or a general deepening of faith among Catholics. Negative aspects would include selling oil from a purportedly weeping statue or claiming a message from Mary that goes against Catholic doctrine. A well-known case of an apparition that the Catholic Church rejected concerns the visions of Veronica Lueken, the Brooklyn Bayside Seer, who died in 1995. Lueken reported a number of messages from Mary that concerned church authorities. For example, Lueken claimed in 1972 that Mary had told her that the pope was, in fact, an imposter made to look like the true pope, Paul VI, through plastic surgery. Although belief in the messages endures among a small number of Catholics, the local bishop deemed the apparitions not credible. When it comes to weeping statues, one of the primary questions is whether the event has been staged. For example, in two cases of statues that supposedly had wept blood one in Canada in 1986 and another in Italy in 2006 the blood turned out be that of the statues owner. Liquids can also be injected into the porous material of statues and later seep out as tears. Oil that is mixed with fat can be applied to a statues eyes, which will weep when ambient temperatures rise. Searching for meaning The Pontificia Academia Mariana Internationalis seems to be searching for proof of supernatural signs, which certainly draw intellectual curiosity and media attention. But as a scholar of global Catholicism who has written about claims of the supernatural, I think its also important to understand what brings people to an apparition site or weeping statue in the first place. In my hometown of Worcester, Massachusetts, statues and pictures have appeared to weep oil and blood at the home of the late Audrey Santo, who died in 2007 at the age of 23. As a child, Little Audrey was left mute and paralyzed after a swimming pool accident. In spite of her physical condition, pilgrims who came to see her believed that she was praying for them. A special outdoor Mass was celebrated in honor of Audrey Santo, who was reputed to be connected to miracles, at the Holy Cross College stadium in Worcester, Mass. AP Photo/Gail Oskin After Santos death, a foundation was established to promote her cause for sainthood, believing that the statues and pictures in her home were signs that God has specially blessed her. In my writings about the case of Santo, I was definitely tempted to focus on talk of the supernatural. And the claims surrounding Little Audrey are still debated among Catholics as her sainthood cause stalls. But what I found most interesting was listening to people share why weeping statues were so meaningful in their personal lives. At the Santo home, the people I talked to shared moving personal stories of pain and sadness, hope and healing. In the end, the sense of togetherness in and through suffering was far more important than talk of scientific proofs of the supernatural. This is an updated version of an article originally published on July 23, 2018. This article is republished from The Conversation, an independent nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. The Conversation has a variety of fascinating free newsletters. It was written by: Mathew Schmalz, College of the Holy Cross. Read more: Mathew Schmalz 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. Criminal court dates have been set for some of the alleged accomplices of convicted murderer and accused fraudster Richard "Alex" Murdaugh. State Circuit Judge Clifton Newman, who sentenced Murdaugh March 3 to consecutive life sentences following his March 2 double murder conviction involving the June 2021 killings of his wife and son, held a status conference hearing in Hampton County Friday on Murdaugh's alleged financial cases and his four accused accomplices. While no dates have been set to hear the remainder of Murdaugh's 100-plus charges, his alleged co-conspirators will begin to get their days in court this fall and winter, and Creighton Waters, lead attorney for the State Grand Jury Division of the S.C. Attorney General's Office, said the State is making progress and would like to get all of these cases disposed of by the end of 2023. Judge Newman is scheduled to hear all of the Murdaugh-related criminal cases. Here are the court dates for each suspect: The State of SC versus Richard Alexander Murdaugh Murdaugh is facing 102 criminal charges related to a decade-long, multi-county financial and drug-related crime spree. Neither Murdaugh nor his lead attorneys, Richard Harpootlian or Jim Griffin, appeared in court Friday as Harpootlian, who is a sitting state senator, has filed for protection from court appearances until the end of the current legislative term. However, Judge Newman and state prosecutors indicated they may hold a status conference by telephone with Griffin or another of Murdaugh's defense team and try to schedule a court date before the end of the year. One possible date is in October in either Beaufort or Colleton counties. Cory Fleming, at left, with defense attorney Deborah Barbier, stands in the Hampton County Courthouse Friday for a status conference hearing on his criminal charges. State of SC versus Cory Fleming Fleming was suspended from practicing law by the S.C. Supreme Court on Oct. 8, 2021, and indicted March 16, 2022, following allegations that he assisted Murdaugh in a scheme to defraud the estate of Murdaughs late housekeeper, Gloria Satterfield, who died in 2018 following a reported trip and fall incident at Murdaughs Colleton County home known as "Moselle." Fleming is also charged in connection with other Murdaugh victims. Story continues Fleming, who is being represented by Columbia attorney Deborah Barbier, is now scheduled to stand trial on those charges Sept. 11 in Beaufort County. The trial is expected to last between one to two weeks. State of SC versus Jerry Rivers Jerry K. Rivers was indicted Aug. 19, 2022, on obstruction of justice charges, and later indicted on money laundering and other crimes connected to Murdaugh's stream of illegal money and drugs. Rivers, who remains in jail on a $150K bond for his latest charges, will get his day in court beginning on Aug. 28 in Colleton County. Former Palmetto State Bank CEO Russell Laffitte, at right, walks into the H.C. Courthouse on Friday with his wife, Susie, followed by attorneys and family members. State of SC versus Russell Laffitte Former Palmetto State Bank CEO Russell Laffitte was indicted in 2022 on both state and federal charges in connection with his role in aiding Murdaugh in misappropriating money from legal clients. Laffitte was convicted on the federal charges in late November and earlier this month a federal judge denied his second appeal for a new trial. Laffitte now has new legal representation, Columbia attorneys Mark Moore and Todd Rutherford, who pleaded with the court to delay setting a date on Laffitte's state charges. The new lawyers say they need more time to get familiar with the case, and since Laffitte already has a federal conviction and will be sentenced soon, there is no need for the State to rush his trial on state charges. "My client is being forced to defend himself in state and federal courts," said Moore. "I'm asking for a little grace because we are new to this case... for a number of reasons, we should not be forced to go to trial too early." Convicted and disgraced Hampton banker Russell Laffitte stands in the Hampton County Courthouse as, in the background, hangs a portrait of Alex Murdaugh's grandfather, Randolph "Buster" Murdaugh Jr. Prosecutor Waters cautioned the court about delaying this case, and Murdaugh's cases, too long. "If we don't get this on the docket for the fall, we are looking at the fall of 2024," said Waters. Judge Newman ordered that another status conference be held for Laffitte within 90 to 120 days. The State of SC versus Spencer Roberts Spencer Antwan Roberts was indicted Aug. 19, 2022, on charges that included money laundering, insurance fraud, and other conduct involving narcotics, dangerous drugs, or controlled substances of a multi-county nature" related to Murdaugh's activities. Roberts, who is represented by attorney Shaun Kent, will stand trial beginning Dec. 18 in Colleton County. Curtis Edward Smith during a recent interview with Dateline NBC. The State of SC versus Curtis Edward Smith On Sept. 14, 2021, Curtis Edward Smith was indicted by a local grand jury for his alleged role in aiding Murdaugh with an an assisted suicide insurance scheme. Smith was later indicted, along with Murdaugh by the State Grand Jury on June 28, 2022, on criminal conspiracy and narcotics charges involving drug crimes in a "multi-county area." Murdaugh and Smith were indicted together on two conspiracy counts, including a narcotics count related to Oxycodone and Smith was also indicted individually for four counts of money laundering, three counts of forgery, trafficking methamphetamine 10-28 grams, one count of unlawful possession of a schedule II controlled substance, and possession of marijuana. Smith is represented by attorneys Aimee Zmroczek and Jarrett Bouchette but was not present in the courtroom due to health problems. Zmroczek told the court that last week Smith, who had been suffering from ongoing health issues, was admitted into an intensive care unit in Colleton County and, while he was released Monday, is immobile and about to start dialysis. The State indicated it wished to delay Smith's criminal trial. Smith has been cooperating with the S.C. Attorney General's Office on Murdaugh's cases, said his attorneys, who hinted at the possibility of a plea agreement. "I believe this is a situation that will not require a trial date," Zmroczek said. "I don't think we will need to take up the court's time and resources on this." "Having those charges pending while we move forward with the other cases is advantageous to the State," Waters told the court. "There will be discussions with all of these defendants about possible pleas and plea bargaining," Waters added. This article originally appeared on Greenville News: What's next for Laffitte, Curtis Edward Smith and Murdaugh accomplices Iran forces U.S. submarine to surface in Strait of Hormuz: military commander Xinhua) 10:45, April 21, 2023 TEHRAN, April 20 (Xinhua) -- A top Iranian military commander said on Thursday the country's navy has warned a nuclear-powered U.S. submarine to surface while it was passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian Army's Navy Commander Shahram Irani made the remarks in an interview with state-owned IRIB TV's News Network, without elaborating on the date of the event. Iran's Fateh (Conqueror) submarine detected the the American submarine Florida, through a set of maneuvers, and forced it to surface while the latter was approaching the Strait of Hormuz in "complete silence," he added. Iran warned the U.S. submarine as it had entered the Iranian territorial waters "to some extent," Irani said, adding the U.S. submarine, accompanied by an escort ship, then corrected its course and continued its journey. The Americans should explain why did their submarine violate Iran's maritime borders and international maritime laws in an important strait, Irani said, calling on the U.S. to observe all international regulations from now on. He said Iran will pursue the case through international bodies and organizations, warning that such an "illegitimate and dangerous" presence by the United States poses a challenge to everyone. The U.S. Navy said last week the nuclear-powered guided-missile submarine Florida was operating in the Middle East to support the Bahrain-based U.S. Fifth Fleet. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan) (CNN) Involuntary manslaughter charges will be dismissed against actor Alec Baldwin, according to a statement from the New Mexico special prosecutors overseeing the cases in the "Rust" shooting. Citing "new facts" in the case, special prosecutors Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis said they could not "proceed under the current time constraints and on the facts and evidence turned over by law enforcement in its existing form. "We therefore will be dismissing the involuntary manslaughter charges against Mr. Baldwin to conduct further investigation," their statement continued. "This decision does not absolve Mr. Baldwin of criminal culpability and charges may be refiled." The prosecutors added that their follow-up investigation "will remain active and on-going." The decision to dismiss charges against Baldwin is being made after new evidence came to the attention of investigators indicating the gun used in the shooting had been modified, a source familiar with the investigation told CNN. Investigators will be examining the weapon to determine the extent of the modifications, which could have impacted how the gun functioned, the source said. Halyna Hutchins, the film's cinematographer, was struck and killed by a live round of ammunition fired from a prop gun being held by Baldwin, while rehearsing a scene on the set of "Rust" in 2021. Baldwin has pleaded not guilty. Director Joel Souza was also shot and injured. Baldwin and "Rust" armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed were both charged with involuntary manslaughter in January. Charges against Gutierrez Reed remain unchanged, prosecutors said Thursday. An attorney for Gutierrez Reed has previously said she will plead not guilty. Prosecutors already removed a firearm enhancement charge against Baldwin and Gutierrez Reed, reducing a potential prison sentence from 5 years to a maximum of 18 months. "We are pleased with the decision to dismiss the case against Alec Baldwin and encourage a proper investigation into the facts and circumstances of this tragic accident," Baldwin's attorneys Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro told CNN. "We fully expect at the end of this process that Hannah will also be exonerated," Jason Bowles and Todd Bullion, attorneys for Gutierrez Reed, said in a statement to CNN on Thursday after the news broke that Baldwin's charges will be dropped. "The new special prosecutor team has taken a very diligent and thorough approach to the entire investigation, which we welcome and have always welcomed," her lawyers added. "They are seeking the truth and we are also. The truth about what happened will come out and the questions that we have long sought answers for will be answered." Thursday's development comes one month after the special prosecutor in the case, Andrea Reeb, stepped down, following a motion by Baldwin's attorney to have Reeb disqualified as "unconstitutional" under New Mexico law due to her elected position in the New Mexico House of Representatives. Santa Fe District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies then also stepped away from the case and appointed long-time New Mexico attorneys Morrissey and Lewis to serve as special prosecutors. Earlier this year, "Rust" assistant director Dave Halls and prosecutors reached a plea agreement "for the charge of negligent use of a deadly weapon." At the time, prosecutors said the terms of that deal include six months of probation and a suspended sentence. CNN had reached out an attorney for Halls for comment. As part of a wrongful death settlement between Matthew Hutchins, the widower of Halyna Hutchins, Baldwin and "Rust" producers, production on the film has resumed. Matthew Hutchins is now serving as an executive producer on the project. A status hearing in the case is scheduled to take place Friday, according to the First Judicial District Court. The hearing, scheduled for 4:30 p.m. ET, will live stream on the New Mexico Courts YouTube site. Judge Mary Marlow Sommer and attorneys are expected to attend the hearing via Google Meet. This story was first published on CNN.com. "Prosecutors dismissing charges against Alec Baldwin in 'Rust' shooting" (AFP via Getty Images) WhatsApp will now let people stop disappearing messages from actually disappearing. The app has allowed people to set their messages to automatically delete from some time. It says that the feature is intended to allow WhatsApp chats to be more conversational, without users having to worry about the things they say sticking around forever. But it also means that some important messages may disappear before they are saved. Another user might send an important link or piece of information, for instance, that the recipient wants to hold onto for longer. Now WhatsApp says it will offer a feature for exactly that purpose, known as Keep in Chat. It refers to the tool as a sender superpower since it allows those messages to stick around but only if the person who sent them agrees. When a message is sent that a person wants to stick around, they can click on it and choose the option to keep the message. That will then send a notification to the sender, giving them the option to veto the decision. If they stop it from being saved, that decision is final, and it will be removed from everyones devices when the normal timer expires. That is intended to allow people to have the final say on what happens to the messages they have sent, WhatsApp said. If the person does agree that the message can be saved, it will receive a small bookmark icon. As well as staying within the chat, the message will be added to a Kept Messages folder where they can be seen together, arranged by what chat they came from. The feature will roll out globally over the next few weeks, WhatsApp said. WhatsApps disappearing messages feature allows people to choose whether messages will be deleted after 24 hours, seven days, or 90 days. It can be switched on either for all chats or just specific discussions, and either option can be chosen from WhatsApps settings. It is one of a range of privacy and security features that WhatsApp says are intended to ensure that messages do not fall into the wrong hands. Some of those features such as end-to-end encryption have proven controversial, with the UK government looking to limit their usage. JAKE GILES NETTER - Warner Bros. "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Its been more than four decades since Candy Montgomery was accused of murdering her lovers wife, but the story of the axe-wielding Texas housewife still hasnt left the headlines or the publics imagination. Montgomery was found not guilty after claiming self-defense in the killing of Betty Gore, whom was struck with an axe 41 times on June 13, 1980. Jessica Biel portrayed Montgomery in the Hulu miniseries Candy last year, and Elizabeth Olsen will play her in Love & Death, the new limited series premiering on HBO Max on April 27. But what became of the real Candy Montgomery? After expressing her desire to be normal again following her trial, Montgomery has largely avoided the public spotlight and shunned interview requests, living a quiet live in a new profession that might, given her past history, seem a bit ironic. Who Is Candy Montgomery? JAKE GILES NETTER - Warner Bros. In 1977, Candy Montgomery, then 27, and her husband, Pat, moved to Collins County, Texas, where they lived with their two young children, a son and a daughter. With Pat working as an electrical engineer at Texas Instruments, Candy was living in her dream house, but found herself bored crazy with her new life, according to Texas Monthly . Candy became friends with middle school teacher Betty Gore after meeting her at a church service. Betty lived nearby with her husband, Allan, with whom Candy started having an affair. Betty was pregnant at the time, and Allan tried to end things with Candy after the baby was born. Allan was out of town for work on June 13, 1980, and when he couldnt reach Betty via phone, he called his neighbors and asked them to investigate. They forced their way into the house and found her dead body, with her crying daughter in a crib in another room. Betty had been struck 41 times with an axe. A Not Guilty Verdict Candy became the prime suspect after Allan told detectives about their affair. She confessed to the killing, but claimed it was self-defense. She said Betty attacked her with the ax during an argument, cutting Candys toe with it, before Candy was able to wrestle the weapon away and use it against Betty. A polygraph test indicated Candy was telling the truth . Story continues District Attorney Tom OConnell tried to argue that 41 strikes from an axe went beyond the pale for self-defense. A psychologist testified that a hypnosis session with Montgomery revealed Betty inadvertently triggered repressed childhood trauma when she told Candy to shush, something Candys mother used to say when punishing her as a child. Following an eight-day trial, Candy was found not guilty on October 30, 1980. The ruling was widely criticized, with spectators outside the courtroom screaming Murderer! Murderer! following the verdict. After the trial concluded, Candy told reporters she wanted to get all this behind me and be normal again. Staying Out of the Spotlight Candy and her family moved out of Texas three months after the trial, settling in Georgia. Candy and Pat stayed together at first, but they got a divorce four years later. Candy remained in Georgia living under her maiden name , Candace Wheeler. Since then, Candy has stayed out of the public eye and attempted to distance herself from the killing. When contacted in 2000 by The Dallas Morning News to discuss the 20th anniversary of the murder, Candy responded , Im telling you in big bold letters: Im not interested. Now 74, Candy is believed to still be living in Georgia , where she reportedly works as a mental health worker and counselor. Some reports indicate she might work with her daughter . When actor Jessica Biel portrayed her in the Hulu miniseries Candy, she attempted to make contact with Candy, but she was not interested. Watch Love & Death on HBO Max on April 27 Elizabeth Olsen stars as Candy Montgomery in Love & Death, which also features Jesse Plemons, Patrick Fugit, Lily Rabe, and Krysten Ritter. It premieres on HBO Max on April 27. WASHINGTON Facing political troubles in the United States, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis began a four-nation foreign trip Monday by praising Japan and dismissing questions about falling behind Donald Trump in 2024 presidential race. "We look forward to strengthening the relationship between Japan and Florida," DeSantis said as he started his trade mission that will include stops in South Korea, Israel, and the United States. Asked about Trump and 2024, DeSantis broke out into a grin and said that "I'm not a candidate, so we'll see if and when that changes." But the foreign trip has domestic political overtones; DeSantis is expected to announce a 2024 presidential bid next month, and he is already facing headwinds that include steady attacks from former president and 2024 Republican frontrunner Trump. DeSantis troubles:After latest Disney fight, Ron DeSantis visits Republican allies in DC amid attacks from Trump Japan: 'A heck of an ally' for the U.S., DeSantis says The Florida governor is meeting with two Asian prime ministers during visits to their countries, Fumio Kishida of Japan and Han Duck-soo of South Korea. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former President Donald Trump. ''I think Japans been a heck of an ally for our country, and I think a strong Japan is good for America, and I think a strong America is good for Japan," DeSantis said during a series of meetings with Japanese leaders Monday. Calling the region a "tough neighborhood,'' praised Japan's defense spending in a region on guard for North Korean nuclear threats and Chinese dominance. "We very much applaud your efforts to bolster your defenses," he told the prime minister. "We understand it's a tough neighborhood out here." DeSantis is not yet scheduled to meet with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak during a stop in the United Kingdom. He is instead scheduled to speak with Foreign Minister James Cleverly. Story continues The governor's office has not provided specific dates and times for these meetings. Trump v. DeSantis:Donald Trump hits Ron DeSantis over Florida endorsements; rivals say Trump is worried DeSantis in Israel The DeSantis stop in Israel is drawing the most attention. The candidate who pledged to be the most "pro-Israel" governor in the U.S. is scheduled to speak Thursday at an event to mark the 75th anniversary of the creation of Israel. DeSantis travels to Israel at a time of political turmoil over a proposal by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to change the nation's judicial system. The DeSantis schedule includes meetings with Netanyahu and other "government leaders." DeSantis also plans to meet with "Israeli companies that have invested or are interested in investing in Florida." Stay in the conversation on politics: Sign up for the OnPolitics newsletter Domestic politics DeSantis, considered Trump's most formidable challenger for next year's Republican nomination, goes abroad at a fraught time in his still-to-be-announced presidential campaign. A Wall Street Journal poll released Friday gave Trump a lead of 51%-38% over DeSantis among likely GOP primary voters; DeSantis led that poll by 14 percentage points in December. In recent weeks, DeSantis has been criticized by Trump and other Republicans over his long-running clash with Disney, his impersonal campaign style and his lack of experience on the national stage. Image abroad Overseas, some international allies expressed dismay with DeSantis over comments questioning the level of U.S. military aid to Ukraine as it defends itself against the invasion by Russia. In making this trip, "he's trying to correct the image problem he's created for himself," said Aaron David Miller, a senior fellow with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Who else has visited Israel during presidential campaigns? Presidential candidates in previous election cycles have gone abroad to demonstrate their fluency with foreign policy. In late 1998, then-Texas Gov. George W. Bush geared up for his presidential campaign by making his first trip to Israel. Then-Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., having clinched the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination, made a highly publicized trip that featured stops in Afghanistan, Iraq, Jordan, Israel, Germany, France and the United Kingdom. What could go wrong? The challenge on these trips is to avoid making a mistake. In 2012, Republican nominee-in-waiting Mitt Romney questioned security arrangements for the Summer Olympics in London; his comments drew rebukes from British officials, including then-Mayor and future British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Miller, a State Department negotiator during Republican and Democratic administrations, said DeSantis needs to avoid making news of the wrong kind overseas. "There's plenty that could wrong publicly in all of these spots," Miller said. He added: "Bigger stage; bigger headache if he stumbles." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ron DeSantis, 2024 presidential contender, visits Israel, Asia and UK A Dublin man and another man identified by federal prosecutors as white supremacists who plotted to attack the U.S. power grid were sentenced Friday in U.S. District Court in Columbus. A Dublin man and another man identified by federal prosecutors as white supremacists who plotted to attack the U.S. power grid were sentenced Friday in U.S. District Court in Columbus. Christopher Brenner Cook, 21, of Dublin, was sentenced to seven years and eight months in prison. Jonathan Allen Frost, 25, who had addresses in Katy, Texas, and West Lafayette, Indiana, was sentenced to five years in prison. A third man convicted in the scheme, 22-year-old Jackson Matthew Sawall, of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, will be sentenced at a later date. All three men pleaded guilty in February 2022 to one count each of conspiring to provide material support to terrorists. In late 2019 and 2020, the men plotted, amassed weapons and recruited juveniles to the cause using neo-Nazi propaganda, according to court documents. The plan was to attack substations with powerful rifles, federal prosecutors said. The three men believed disrupting the power supply for many months would cost the government millions of dollars and cause unrest, possibly sparking a race war or inducing the next Great Depression, prosecutors said. The men, according to court records, had "suicide necklaces" containing fentanyl that they planned to ingest should law enforcement capture them. Past reporting: Dublin man admits to conspiring with 2 other white supremacists to attack U.S. power grids These defendants plotted armed attacks against energy facilities to stoke division in furtherance of white supremacist ideology and now they are being held accountable, Assistant U.S. Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Department of Justice's National Security Division said Friday in a statement. The Justice Department will not tolerate the use of violence to advance any extremist ideology and we remain determined to protect our communities from such hateful acts of terror. U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio Kenneth Parker said in a news release that at the root of every terrorist plot whether foreign or domestic is hate. Story continues As a society, we must be vigilant against online radicalization, which is a powerful tool used by extremists to recruit both juveniles and adults, Parker said. Columbus criminal defense attorneys Sam Shamansky and Peter Scranton, representing Frost and Cook, respectively, said in court documents the co-conspirators were immature at the time of their crimes and are now remorseful. "(Cook) was young and has matured over the last few years. He would be the first to tell you he does not recognize himself from that period," Cook's defense attorney Peter Scranton said in court documents. "However, he understands the seriousness of his actions and is eager to put this behind him." Extremism and justice: Some Ohioans sentenced for Jan. 6 insurrection blame actions on extremist media The plot to sow unrest Frost and Cook met online in fall 2019 and Frost shared the idea of attacking the power grid, according to court documents. Within weeks, the men began recruiting others to their cause. By late 2019, Sawall a friend of Cooks joined them, documents state. Cook asked possible recruits about a list he circulated of reading material that promoted white supremacy and neo-Nazism, according to court documents. In February 2020, the men met at a hotel in Columbus, where prosecutors say Frost sold Cook an AR-47 rifle with no serial number known as a "ghost gun" due to the difficulty for law enforcement to trace it. The two took the weapon to a shooting range to train, court documents state. While in Columbus, Frost provided Cook and Sawall with the so-called "suicide necklaces." In addition, Sawall and Cook while in Columbus also purchased spray paint and painted a swastika flag under a bridge at a park with the recruitment message, Join the Front. The graffiti was the first step in an apparent propaganda campaign that included plans to hang posters and record or photograph the group defacing a mosque, court documents state. That campaign was derailed during a traffic stop in which Sawall swallowed his suicide pill, but survived, prosecutors said. Undeterred, Cook and Frost traveled together to Texas in March 2020, where Cook stayed in different cities with various juveniles he was attempting to recruit for their plot, court records state. Cook and Frost were again stopped by law enforcement in Texas, which led to the discovery of a small amount of fentanyl that had been left over from the necklaces as well as multiple electronic devices and burner phones, court records state. The FBI searched the residences of the three men in August 2020, uncovering a cache of weapons, neo-Nazi literature and instructions for attacking energy infrastructure. In Frost's residence, FBI agents reported seizing chemicals and components that lab testing later revealed could be used to create an explosive device, court records state. Dispatch reporter Eric Lagatta contributed to this report. jlaird@dispatch.com @LairdWrites This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: White supremacists sentenced in Ohio for plot to attack U.S. power grid When Scotch Plains, New Jersey, resident Keith Gilman noticed the month of April approaching, both he and an intellectual property firm where he serves as managing partner considered a matter to devote the month to: Arab American innovators. Theres so much history on the Arab American side, Gilman tells TODAY.com from his Cranford, New Jersey, office, and it goes back where there were inventions and advances that some dont even get credit for. His consideration did not involve obtaining a patent, licensing an invention or litigating a product, which his team at Lerner David address and pursue. Instead, it is to recognize a legacy, as he had done for women in March and African Americans in February during notable heritage months, with a social media campaign highlighting Arab Americans, like the late cardiovascular surgeon and pioneer Dr. Michael Ellis DeBakey. DeBakey, a Lebanese American, is credited with performing the first successful coronary bypass operation, in 1964, and the first multiple-organ transplant four years later. He is also the first to successfully implant a left ventricular bypass pump, in 1966. He served as a presidential adviser on health care policy, performed over 60,000 operations and trained thousands of surgeons. President Joe Biden said the "Arab American story is the American story" when he issued a proclamation in honor of Arab American Heritage Month in late March. I call upon all Americans to learn more about the history, culture, and achievements of Arab Americans and to observe this month with appropriate programs and activities, said Biden, the first U.S. president to declare April as National Arab American Heritage Month. That same sentiment was shared in 2003 by the late Arab American author Elizabeth Boosahda in Arab-American Faces and Voices, when she wrote about the need to cover this part of history. Documenting their history is both a tribute to their resourcefulness, determination, and courage and an attempt to bring into clearer focus the multicultural history of the Americas, Boosahda wrote. Story continues This month prompted the American Psychological Association, which represents over 146,000 members, to host a public webinar on Arab American identity and its impact on the practice of psychology as a part of a number of webinars delving into people's cultural upbringings. April is Arab American Heritage Month. Celebrate with APA President @drthema and Drs. @Dr_GigiAwad @dr_sawssan as they discuss the power of AMENA culture & identity, the value of community, the importance of cultural competency in psychology, and more. https://t.co/fqnTjnDYQa pic.twitter.com/fywP2P3QeC American Psychological Association (@APA) April 3, 2023 We have a lot of research that demonstrates when people have a positive cultural identity, it helps with a sense of self-esteem, a sense of belonging, and community and connection, Dr. Thema Bryant, APA president, tells TODAY.com. Dr. Germine Awad, an Egyptian American psychologist who studies disparities in health and education, participated in the webinar and discussed issues facing Arab American communities, including how the U.S. census categorizes them. Because Arab and MENA folks are currently categorized as white on federal forms, and therefore, their data is not disaggregated outside of the white category, its actually masking disparities between white and Black folks, white and Asian folks, white and Latinx folks, white and Indigenous folks, so it actually masks disparities for all groups, Awad, president of the American Arab, Middle Eastern, and North African Psychological Association (AMENA-Psy), tells TODAY.com from Ann Arbor, Michigan. In Biden's proclamation, the president mentioned measures taken to prevent "hate-based threats, bullying and harassment" targeting these communities and to explore a new identity category on the census to ensure that Arab Americans are seen, valued, consulted, and properly considered as new policy is made. Its better to not be ignorant about the presence of a community in the U.S. that doesnt get very much attention except for when its negative, and so I think its important to learn about all groups, Awad said. Matthew Jaber Stiffler is the research and content manager at the Arab American National Museum in Dearborn, Michigan, which he said is the only Arab American museum in the United States dedicated to preserving historical contributions of Arab Americans since the late 1880s. Theres a lot of stereotypes, and its a month for us to focus and make sure that were sharing the true experiences of our community in as many different ways as possible and working with organizations and other communities across the country, Stiffler tells TODAY.com. Across social media, there are various examples of stories of belonging in honor of this month, including from first-generation Lebanese American Mohamad Jaafar, who told of the philanthropic contributions of the Lebanese Syrian Ladies' Society of Boston from the early 1900s as part of a video series. A lot of it was focused on giving support to communities back home, greater Syria, and supporting families through the effects of World War I, but also eventually shifting their focus to causes here in the United States in their backyard, Jaafar, a communications specialist with the Center for Arab American Philanthropy in Dearborn, tells TODAY.com. And there was TikTok user Amal, also a Lebanese American, who underscored the importance of authors through her curated book list. What it means to me is being able to finally celebrate parts of myself that I maybe struggled with growing up, like feeling Im different, or maybe Im too Arab for non-Arab Americans, that Im too American for Arabs and feeling like theres two different identities that I have, Amal, who asked that her last name not be mentioned, tells TODAY.com from Toledo, Ohio. "But putting it together, Arab American, and being able to celebrate it and be like, this is who I am, these are people that represent me, these are people that are a part of my culture and heritage," she said. Its what made Hoda Rifai-Bashjawish, a Syrian American intellectual property lawyer, want to write a LinkedIn post about her identity for the first time following the decision by her employer, Lerner David, to highlight her ethnic background. It was actually brought to me, Rifai-Bashjawish said. So, I was given the option to nominate a few Arab American inventors or innovators myself that I wanted to see highlighted for the firm. So, to even have that as a possibility that someone would even care to celebrate our heritage is pretty meaningful to me, she said. This article was originally published on TODAY.com This article was originally published in The Conversation. When parents learn their child has a developmental disability, they often have questions about what their child may or may not be able to do. Children with developmental disabilities, such as Down syndrome, often have challenges and delays in language development. And for some families, one of these questions may be: Will speaking two languages be detrimental to their development? However, studies consistently demonstrate exposure to an additional language, including a minority language, does not impact language outcomes negatively. This highlights the importance of giving children the opportunity to become bilingual. Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter Many parents feel speaking one language would be easier than two. Some may feel bilingualism would be too confusing for a child with a developmental disability. This is a belief which is also sometimes held by teachers and clinicians who may be consulted on their view towards bilingual exposure. With good intentions, paediatricians, speechlanguage therapists, teachers or social workers may advise parents to avoid using a heritage or minority language in the home, as children will also be exposed to the majority community language. Research also shows children with disabilities may have fewer opportunities to access services in a second language. However, bilingualism is possible for children with developmental disabilities, as our research on children learning both Welsh and English shows. Children who are able to access bilingual provisions may also benefit. In fact, research shows bilingualism may have a positive impact on these childrens social interactions and the formation of their identity. Bilingualism in Wales The most recent census data for England and Wales suggests the number of children able to speak Welsh in Wales has declined by 1.2 percentage points from 19% in 2011 to 17.8% in 2021. The largest decline was in those aged between 5 and 15 years old. Story continues While these latest figures are unexpected and disappointing according to the Welsh government, the age group with the highest percentage of Welsh speakers was also children between the ages of 5 and 15. This gives a promising outlook for the future of the Welsh language. Crucially, converging evidence shows bilingualism does not cause additional difficulties or lead to confusion for children learning more than one language. Parents may have reservations about Welsh-medium education if they do not speak Welsh themselves, for example. Parents of autistic children or children with developmental disabilities may have further reservations still. Once again though, studies show bilingualism does not cause additional difficulties for these groups either. This includes children with more complex and co-occuring conditions. Why parents should embrace bilingualism Regarding children with Down syndrome, we found parents need not have these concerns. Indeed, our research suggests families should embrace bilingualism. We recruited children with Down syndrome alongside typically developing children who were either acquiring only English, or were exposed to both English and Welsh. These children completed a range of specialist tasks to assess their cognitive and language skills. We found Welsh-English bilingual children with Down syndrome had comparable English skills in important language areas to children with Down syndrome who had only been exposed to English. Meanwhile, the bilingual children were also developing skills in their additional language. Those also acquiring Welsh had similar abilities in that language as younger children without Down syndrome, who were at the same level of development. Children with Down syndrome should therefore be supported in accessing similar educational provisions as more typically developing children. In the context of Wales, this could mean accessing Welsh-medium schools or being included in second language classes. In Wales, parents can opt for their children to receive Welsh-medium education, regardless of their home language. Children who receive Welsh education can flourish if they have access to bilingual education. Research on typically developing bilingual children and adults suggests there may be other benefits to being bilingual. These include better mental skills, creativity and even the possibility of being protected against cognitive decline, such as Alzheimers disease. Being bilingual opens up a range of opportunities such as better prospects of gaining employment, and helping to develop social skills. Research shows some of these benefits, such as enhanced thinking skills, may also extend to autistic children. Giving children the opportunity to develop abilities in two languages also enables them to be able to choose what language they want to communicate in. It may also make them feel connected to their community. These findings challenge the view that bilingualism is detrimental to childrens development. In contrast, including children with developmental disabilities in bilingual provisions gives them the chance to blossom alongside their typically developing peers. As a result, families should feel empowered to reach informed decisions for themselves by considering the potential opportunities being bilingual may provide. The Conversation This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Alex Murrell, Strategy Director at the brand agency Epoch, has garnered attention for his post entitled The age of average, in which he draws attention to the fact that everything interiors, architecture, cars, people, media, brands is starting to look the same. TikTok user Ashwinn (@shwinnabego) has taken to his platform to discuss Murrells piece, and encourage others to read it. If youve ever wondered why everything is starting to look the same, this is a post for you, Ashwinn begins. Why is all of our branding looking like this? Why do all of our interiors look like this? Why do all coffee shops look like this? Why are we doing this with books? I mean, look at these movie posters. Why is this the case? Per Murrells piece, its essentially easier to conform to strikingly similar formulas, rather than take on the risk of trying something new. The kind of TLDR reasons for why everything looks the same, its combination of risk aversion, focus groups and testing things like movie posters to see what resonates, he explains. Cost and manufacturing, so if a style becomes popular, it becomes cheaper to create and produce those parts and just an increasingly globalized world where its easy to find visual inspiration online. The whole basis of drawing inspiration is to reference other things that have the look you desire and want to achieve. We often define how we want things to look based on how other things in that category look, Ashwinn explains. And to do something different or off kilter or off the beaten path just feels increasingly more risky. This is an American phenomenon. Just got back from Portugal and it was a visual feast of color and texture. the moodboard effect, one user wrote. My PM: lets be innovative with our designs but also make it look like everything else in the same sector, another TikToker said. This is an American phenomenon. Just got back from Portugal and it was a visual feast of color and texture, someone replied. Story continues Capitalism fails to bring any sort of creativity, another commented. The potential pay off of thinking outside the box, it seems, doesnt outweigh the risk involved in doing so. In The Know by Yahoo is now available on Apple News follow us here! The post Why does everything look the same? One man breaks it all down: This is an American phenomenon appeared first on In The Know. More from In The Know: Woman calls out things that people did for attention before social media, like wearing thong straps over jeans Trending meme from Workaholics has TikTokers thankful for their lives: 'Saw my entire life flash before my eyes' You should definitely buy this perfect white tee while it's on sale for just $12 at J.Crew 17 makeup bags and cosmetic cases for summer travel that are cute enough to make the TSA jealous Guy Ritchie's Covenant does not look like it was a fun movie to make. Set during the closing stages of America's military involvement in Afghanistan, the film stars Jake Gyllenhaal as U.S. Army Sergeant John Kinley and Danish actor Dar Salim as an Afghan interpreter named Ahmed who are stranded in hostile territory after Kinley's fellow soldiers are killed in an ambush. With Kinley himself injured, Salim's character must literally drag the sergeant through Taliban territory back to safety, placing Kinley in a moral debt to the interpreter. While director Guy Ritchie is best known for gangster comedies like Snatch and The Gentlemen, the filmmaker is happy to admit The Covenant "isn't funny." It is easy to imagine that the production was similarly laugh-free as cast and crew shot scene after scene in a hot, dusty desert. "Au contraire. It was incredibly pleasant," corrects Ritchie. "We had a lovely time. We were in Spain. I like Spanish food and I like Spanish wine," he continues. "No, we like Spain. Jake's a wonderful chap. Dar's a wonderful chap. We had a lovely time!" Dar Salim (left) as Ahmed and Jake Gyllenhaal (right) as Sgt. John Kinley in THE COVENANT Christopher Raphael / Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures Dar Salim and Jake Gyllenhaal in 'The Covenant' Ritchie, who co-wrote the film's script with Ivan Atkinson and Marn Davies, was inspired to make the movie after watching documentaries about the plight of local interpreters in Afghanistan and Iraq. In many cases, these individuals have been essentially abandoned by American and British authorities after the troops withdrew from the respective countries. "What I was struck by was the warmth, the sense of brotherhood between the disparate cultures," says the director. "It felt like the correct thing to do would be to honor the tacit or explicit contract. I was taken by the fact that the American administration for all sorts of reasons, some understandable, maybe some [which] weren't were [unable] to facilitate their deal to look after their Afghan colleagues." Story continues Ritchie describes the film's plot as "an amalgam of different stories from Afghanistan and Iraq, both English and American." "There was a consistent theme of the bond that was fused between the military boots on the ground and the local assistance they received there, and how quickly that bond formed, and the complication of that bond being separated," he continues. "You could feel the pain in both parties not being able to facilitate the contract, tacit or otherwise, of being able to look after their colleagues." The filmmaker was also attracted to the story and the genre by the same desire to test himself, which led the Brit to direct 2019's Will Smith-starring live-action remake of Aladdin. "I've made it my business to try to be promiscuous with film," he says. "Having come along with caper-gangster films initially, I'm confident in that sphere, but you want to be challenged as a director. I've tried to cover as many genres of film as I can to keep me stimulated and to enjoy the whole process." Jake Gyllenhaal (left) and director Guy Ritchie (right) on the set of THE COVENANT Christopher Raphael / Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures Jake Gyllenhaal and Guy Ritchie on the set of 'The Covenant' Ritchie explains that finding his two lead actors was among the most difficult parts of making The Covenant. "It was a painful process of trying to find the appropriate actors that, A, understand the work and, B, are up for that work," the director says, with a laugh. "That's just a painful process of cherry-picking those that understand the essence of the vision. I've been following Jakes's career for 20 years or so. I've been very keen to work with him and this seemed like the perfect opportunity for us to collaborate. Dar has an intelligent humanity about him, and he also radiates charisma, so there's a conspiracy of characteristics that move within Dar to make him the perfect guy for that role." Ritchie seems happy with his casting choices, both for the performances they delivered in front of the camera and for their conviviality away from it. "They were great fun," he says. "They came with a wonderful attitude and could very swiftly shift from having a conspicuously fun time to being consummate professionals. Some of my darkest moments in filmmaking, 30 seconds before, you're laughing hysterically. You're sure it's going to contaminate the essence of the performance that the actor then has to embody and express. A great actor goes from laughing like a drain to crying a river within 10 seconds. It's an impressive thing to behold when you see that." Gyllenhaal tells EW that he did indeed have a good time making the movie. "It was physical in different ways, but he has a wonderful crew of people, a true group of professionals who know what they're doing," he says of his director. "We had a lot of fun in between takes and in between set-ups. He knows how to make a real community around him." Jake Gyllenhaal (left) and director Guy Ritchie (right) on the set of THE COVENANT Christopher Raphael / Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures Jake Gyllenhaal and Guy Ritchie on the set of 'The Covenant' The actors' willingness to roll with Ritchie's ideas was demonstrated when the director came up with a lengthy sequence not in the original script Ahmed's rescue of Kinley. "Funnily enough, that journey didn't gestate until I started filming," says Ritchie. "So what we'd do was tack onto the end of every day an extra couple of hours in order to accommodate the journey in all the different environments we were at. That journey was cobbled together over eight weeks of a couple of hours a day in every location we were in." Ritchie is speaking to EW over Zoom from Turkey, where the prolific director is making his new movie and apparently enjoying that experience as well. "We are shooting a film that's based on a book called The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare," says Ritchie of the project, which reunites the filmmaker with his The Man from U.N.C.L.E. star Henry Cavill. "[It's] about the first clandestine mission of World War II. We're having a lovely time! As it turns out, Turkish wine is not bad, not bad at all." The cast of The Covenant also includes Antony Starr, Alexander Ludwig, Bobby Schofield, Emily Beecham, and Jonny Lee Miller. The film is released in theaters this weekend. Want more movie news? Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free newsletter to get the latest trailers, celebrity interviews, film reviews, and more. Related content: SpaceX's starship is designed to be the tallest, most powerful rocket ever built. SpaceX SpaceX's Starship rocket is predominantly silver instead of the conventional white. The silver color comes from noncorrosive stainless steel that SpaceX used to build the rocket. Starship is also studded with black, hexagonal tiles to help protect it upon atmospheric re-entry. Earlier today, nestled on the very southern tip of Texas, near the small village of Boca Chica, sat a not-so-small space rocket: SpaceX's Starship mega-rocket. As the morning sun rose on the horizon, gleaming off the rocket's silver-steel shell, Starship launched toward space for the first time. It didn't make it to space. It exploded shortly after lift-off. But that won't stop SpaceX from continuing to build more Starships prototypes and try again, because founder Elon Musk has very big plans for this equally huge rocket. Not only is Starship the world's largest, most powerful rocket, it also looks unlike anything SpaceX has ever built. In fact, it doesn't really resemble any other rocket in the world. As shown below, the mega-rocket consists of two stages. The first stage rocket booster, called Super Heavy (on the far left), is completely silver, while the second stage spacecraft, dubbed Starship, is half silver, half black. The far left shows SpaceX's Super Heavy first-stage booster next to three models of the second-stage Starship spacecraft. Veronica G. Cardenas/Reuters This silver-black color scheme is a vast change from SpaceX's white Falcon 9 rockets or NASA's orange and white Space Launch System. So why the flashy specs, SpaceX? SpaceX's silver rocket made of steel SpaceX's Starship rocket is made of stainless steel. SpaceX Starship's mostly-silver appearance comes from a type of non-corrosive alloy called 300-series stainless steel. It's the first time someone has made a rocket from this material since the 1950s. The reason why most rocket companies avoid steel is because it's heavy, and the heavier your actual rocket, the less payload you can carry to space on the same fuel tanks. Instead, the outer frame of most rockets is built of durable but lightweight metals like aluminum and titanium. Titanium is great for keeping a rocket lightweight but it can cost up to 15 to 20 times more than steel. Story continues That's why, in 2019, SpaceX replaced its Falcon 9 rockets' titanium grid fins with welded steel fins. However, cost is not the only reason SpaceX now prefers steel over titanium in its rockets. An artist's rendering shows a Starship landing on the moon in the future. SpaceX has been contracted to send Starship to the moon. SpaceX According to material science experts, steel works better in extreme temperature conditions than titanium. That means both under extreme heat, like during launch and atmospheric re-entry, but also extreme cold, like in deep space. And that's important since Starship's mission is to eventually shuttle humans to the moon and Mars, exposing the spacecraft to temperatures as cold as -455 degrees Fahrenheit (-270 degrees Celsius), which could make most rocket material weak, brittle, and prone to cracks or breaks. Stainless steel, on the other hand, actually increases in strength at these cryogenic temperatures, making it ideal for deep space travel. Moreover, Mike Gruntman, a professor of astronautics at the University of Southern California, told Insider, "It is essential to use stainless steel to prevent corrosion. The vehicle skin is subjected to dynamic loads during the powered ascent through the atmosphere - so structural strength of the materials is also important. Plus, price also plays a role." SpaceX's black-studded Starship spacecraft Starship is covered on one side with black tiles to help protect it upon atmospheric re-entry. SpaceX Starship has a black underbelly, similar to NASA's Space Shuttles, and for similar reasons, too. The black is a series of heat-resistant hexagonal tiles made of silica, designed to protect the spacecraft from scorching temperatures as it re-enters Earth's atmosphere. You can see a close-up of these tiles in action from multiple flamethrowers in this video that SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk posted on Twitter in March 2019: One difference between Starship's tiles and the Space Shuttles' is their hexagonal shape. The Shuttles' tiles were square. When a Twitter user asked about the tile's unusual shape, Musk responded that hexagonal-shaped tiles leave "no straight path for hot gas to accelerate through the gaps." In other words, it's an extra measure to prevent the spacecraft from overheating and blowing up upon re-entry. Why are most rockets white? SpaceX's white Falcon 9 rocket that recently launched the Crew-6 mission to space. SpaceX The reason is simple: cost. White absorbs the least amount of heat among all the colors in the visible spectrum, which helps keep the rocket as cool as possible. And that's important since rocket fuel typically needs to be kept at temperatures between -297 degrees Fahrenheit and -432 degrees Fahrenheit. So, if your rocket is baking in the bright sun on the launchpad for hours, or days, it's going to be cheaper to keep it cool if it's white. This may also be the case for silver, according to research that found silver cars had cooler cabins than black cars. The other half of Starship shown here, in all its silver-schemed glory. SPACEX SpaceX wouldn't comment on whether, or not, that's the reasoning for their silver Starship rocket. But it makes sense that if they don't have to paint the rocket white, and keep its natural steel color, then they not only save money on paint, but also end up with a lighter rocket, since paint is heavy. "Absorptive and emissive properties, including color, will always play a role for passive thermal control," Gruntman said. Although when it comes to heat management, white is even better than silver. Despite a clear explanation from SpaceX for Starship's silver and black visage, chances are it's to keep the rocket light and safe, and isn't just for show. Recently, during a conference in Washington, DC, SpaceX president and COO Gwynne Shotwell said, "The real goal is to not blow up the launch pad. That is success." Read the original article on Business Insider In explaining his decision not to file a hate crime charge against the 84-year-old man accused of shooting Ralph Yarl, Clay County Prosecutor Zachary Thompson said Monday he did not want to risk double jeopardy. The explanation raised questions among observers this week, with some questioning how double jeopardy, the legal principle that a person should not be prosecuted twice for the same crime, would prevent a hate crime charge. After all, Missouris hate crime statute is intended to be added to an underlying crime such as a racially motivated shooting. Under Missouri law, prosecutors can add hate crime charges to felonies that are knowingly motivated because of the victims race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation or disability. Calls for hate crime charges to be filed against the accused shooter Andrew D. Lester rose in the days after the white homeowner shot Yarl, a Black teenager who rang his doorbell by mistake in a Northland neighborhood. Yarl, a 16-year-old, had gone to the house intending to pick up his younger brothers who were actually at a house one street over. According to charging documents, Lester told Kansas City police that he saw a tall, Black male pulling the door handle and concluded he was attempting to break into the house. Andrew Lester, center, appeared in Clay County court Wednesday where he made a plea of not guilty after being charged in the shooting of Ralph Yarl. In Kansas City and across the country, many pointed to the role of racism in the shooting and in the treatment of the case by law enforcement who released Lester within two hours without charges. For his part, Thompson said Monday he thought there was a racial component to the shooting. But in charging Lester with first-degree assault and armed criminal action, Thompson said he did not include a hate crime charge. At that point you were talking about double jeopardy issues, Thompson said at the Monday news conference. Why not file a hate crime charge? Alexander K. Higginbotham, a spokesman and an assistant Clay County prosecutor, said in an email to The Star that prosecutors had not filed a hate crime charge because they had already filed the highest possible charge in first-degree assault. Story continues And, he added, first-degree assault is not one of the offenses to which a hate crime can be added under Missouri law, because it is too severe. Our office has charged the defendant in this case with an A felony, which is four classes higher than a hate crime enhancement could take a charge, Higginbotham said. The assault charge filed against Lester carries a sentence of 10 to 30 years. He also faces between three to 15 years in prison on the armed criminal action charge. Those two prison sentences would run consecutively. The range of punishment for a hate crime under Missouri law is up to seven years in prison. The defendant could also be sentenced from one day to a year in the county jail. Given that we charged the defendant with offenses that are too high a level of felony to include the hate crime enhancement, the only way to have charged the defendant with a hate crime would have been to also file a lower level criminal charge and apply the enhancement to that charge, Higginbotham said. Any lower level criminal charges we could have filed in this case would present a potential double jeopardy issue with the higher level charges that were filed, he said. Limits of Missouri hate crime law Allen Rostron, who teaches constitutional law at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law, said Thompson likely mentioned double jeopardy as a way of indicating why prosecutors cant use multiple charges to get around the shortcomings of the states hate crime law. Because when prosecutors pointed out that the hate crime law only gets the defendant up to a Class D or E felony, one response might be to say, well, why dont you charge him with some additional crimes, in addition to the one thats a Class A felony, Roston said. In addition to the most serious charge, so the argument would go, prosecutors could charge him with some other offenses that are less serious and add the hate crime charge to enhance those. Then if the defendant was convicted for all of them, and if prosecutors added all the penalties for all the charges together, they would wind up with a punishment that is greater than what the Class A felony alone would bring. The prosecutors office is essentially saying, Sorry, we cant do that, Rostron said. That would be double jeopardy. We cant charge someone with multiple crimes for the same offense. Its that stacking multiple offenses together, as a way to try to get a chance to use the hate crime law, is a double jeopardy problem, Rostron said. Federal hate crimes Earlier this week, dozens of protesters joined civil rights groups and faith leaders across the street from the Charles Evans Whittaker U.S. Courthouse in downtown Kansas City to urge federal authorities to conduct a separate hate crime investigation. Federal law enforcement often pursues hate crime investigations even when state prosecutors have filed their own charges, as in the case of Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia. There, two men who killed Arbery were sentenced to life in prison for committing federal hate crimes in 2020, after they had previously been sentenced to life without parole in Georgia state court. Kansas City defense attorney John Picerno said it is difficult for state prosecutors to seek hate crime charges because they have to prove that the defendant was motivated by race or similar factors. I dont see any evidence at all contained in the probable cause statement whereby one could draw the conclusion that the defendant was motivated by the race of the victim, he said. Proving a persons intent in that situation is often difficult, Rostron said. Its about the mental state of mind of the person who committed the crime, he said. You need to show that it was motivated by hostility. It would be difficult unless you get some kind of statement from that person, either before or after the fact. Ralph Yarl Don Ledford, a spokesperson for U.S. Attorney Teresa A. Moore said in a written statement, The Justice Department is aware the Clay County prosecutor has charged Andrew Lester in the tragic shooting of Ralph Yarl. We will monitor the developments in the local proceedings to determine whether federal action is appropriate. Dont come around here On the day of the shooting, Yarl was sent to pick up his younger twin brothers at a home in the Northland. He mistakenly went to a home in the 1100 block of Northeast 115th Street instead of Northeast 115th Terrace On arriving at what turned out to be Lesters home, Yarl walked to the front door and rang the doorbell. He waited for a while and then saw a white man answer with a handgun. Yarl said he remembered being immediately shot after the door opened and falling to the ground. Lester fired a second shot, striking him in the arm. After being shot, Yarl heard the man say: Dont come around here. Yarl then got up and ran to several houses before getting help, according to authorities. Family attorney Lee Merritt (center) spoke with the media after meeting with prosecutor Zachary Thompson. To his left is Ralph Yarls mom, Cleo Nagbe and his aunt, Faith Spoonmore. In the days after the shooting, civil rights attorney Lee Merritt, working with Yarls family, pointed out how race figured in Lesters own alleged explanation of why he shot the teen, whom he described as being tall and Black. Mr. Lesters entire defense is that I saw this big, imposing scary figure at my door and I fear him because of his size, Merritt said. A 16-year-old kid, 58, 140 pounds, he said. But the truth is and what that really reveals is that underlying racial element that everyones talking about. The fact that he (Lester) feared him because his (Ralph) skin was weaponized. He feared Ralph, a boy because he was Black. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 21) A motion for bail on humanitarian grounds will be the only reason acceptable to the government and not for lack of evidence - in the illegal drug case of former Senator Leila de Lima, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said. Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla told reporters on Thursday that the DOJ very much considers the possibility of the court granting bail for De Lima since six years is a long detention period while undergoing trial. However, he said the former lawmaker wants to make a political spectacle out of the petition. Her counsels decided to take advantage of our softness on the issue by saying they will file a petition for bail based on lack of evidence, which is very far from the reason why we do not oppose bail, Remulla said. If they insist on making the merits of the cases the ground for bail, then I guess we will have to object to it, he added. But De Lima, in a dispatch from Camp Crame, asserted that she should be granted bail based on the merits of her cases. I will gain my freedom on the merits, because the DOJ has no case against me from the very beginning, she wrote. De Lima also said freedom and justice for her are long overdue. I thank Sec. Remulla for his concern about my ordeal, especially after I was taken hostage and almost killed in my detention cell, she said. But I cannot thank him as the head of the agency that is primarily responsible for the fabrication of the charges against me during the time of Duterte, and maintained, to date. De Lima has been detained since 2017 for allegedly abetting an illegal drug trade in the New Bilibid Prison when she was justice secretary. She has maintained her innocence and accused the Duterte administration of fabricating charges against her for investigating its bloody drug war. The former senator was acquitted in one of her three drug cases in February 2021, while two others are pending. The former senator was acquitted in one of her three drug cases in February 2021, while two others are pending. Earlier this week, the DOJ asked a Muntinlupa court to reopen the trial in one of her remaining cases which was already submitted for decision, saying it will present "rebuttal evidence" against her. Four witnesses have withdrawn their testimonies against De Lima last year, including former Bureau of Corrections officer-in-charge Rafael Ragos. After the recantation of Ragos, the prosecution was ready to present its rebuttal evidence because that is allowed by the law and by procedure and by the courts usually, Remulla said. But the court decided to terminate the proceedings and submit it for decision. And it is the feeling of the prosecution not me, but the panel that they wanted to present rebuttal evidence on the recantation of Mr. Ragos, he added. A Tulsa woman filed a wrongful death lawsuit against officials in McCurtain County the Oklahoma county where local leaders were caught on audio wishing they could still lynch Black people saying her husband died last year from excessive force in the custody of sheriffs deputies. Barbara Barrick, the wife of the late Bobby Barrick, said at a news conference Thursday morning, It's been a hard year not knowing what happened to my husband. The complaint against county officials and the sheriff's office, seen by NBC News, alleges the unlawful use of excessive force, a failure to intervene in the use of excessive force and widespread knowledge of McCurtain County sheriff's officers' repeatedly using excessive force. Barrick's widow is seeking damages upward of $6 million. McCurtain County has faced intense scrutiny this week after county leaders were secretly recorded complaining they could no longer lynch Black people and discussing killing local journalists, originally reported by the McCurtain Gazette-News. County Commissioner Mark Jennings resigned Wednesday, and calls continue for the resignations of Sheriff Kevin Clardy, investigator Alicia Manning and Jail Administrator Larry Hendrix. Amid the controversy, Barbara Barrick's lawyer D. Mitchell Garrett said the civil suit seeks to take the badness that is occurring in the dark and to shine some light on it. Can any financial number replace the loss of Barbara's husband and compensate his mom and his sister? No, he said. But, you know, that's all civil lawsuits avail to, to bring a spotlight on how law enforcement deals with members of the minority community. Bobby Barrick, 45, was a citizen of the Choctaw Nation. According to the complaint, sheriff's employees stated their resentment toward special treatment of Native Americans. Bobby and Barbara Barrick. (Courtesy Garrett Law via AP) When you've got people in leadership positions espousing racist positions and espousing violence, what do you think the deputies are going to think? Garrett said. They're going to think that's the way we do business. Story continues Garrett said he has met with other law firms that are preparing to file cases against the sheriff's office, alleging unconstitutional treatment in jail. The sheriff's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In March 2022, Bobby Barrick was in McCurtain County visiting friends and family, according to Barrick's lawyer. He was dropped off at a corner store and got into a scuffle with contractors that led to his being hogtied by a group the lawsuit called a "vigilante crowd." Deputies at the scene described Barrick as "under the influence of some illicit substance and felt he was in danger from the crowd that tied him up, the complaint said. He was untied, handcuffed and placed into a deputy's truck for his own protection, according to deputies statements in the complaint. The deputies claimed Barrick then began disobeying orders and tried to exit the vehicle, the complaint said. That's when they start Tasing him and beating him with their fists and hitting him with the ASP baton, and that's when the cameras suddenly goes off, Garrett said. As three deputies were lying on Barrick and restraining him, he stopped breathing and experienced seizure-like activity, according to the complaint. Deputies had ignored Barricks attempt at communicating that he was afraid that he was going to die and to Please dont kill me, the complaint said. He went into cardiac arrest and was taken to a Texas hospital, where he ultimately died. He would give his shoes off his feet to anybody, Barbara Barrick said as she held a framed photograph of the two of them. That's the kind of person he was. He was so giving and so thoughtful. The person that he's been represented as in that event, that's not who my husband was. CORRECTION (April 20, 2023, 6:45p.m. ET): A previous version of this article misstated the last name of Barbara Barrick's lawyer. He is D. Mitchell Garrett, not Grant. It also misstated when Bobby Barrick's confrontation with deputies occurred. It was March 2022, not last month. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Right-wing U.S. radio host Larry Elder, a Black lawyer who has denied there is systemic racism in America, has announced his candidacy for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. "America is in decline, but this decline is not inevitable. We can enter a new American Golden Age, but we must choose a leader who can bring us there," Elder said in a Twitter post late on Thursday. Elder emerged as the most serious challenger in California's 2021 recall election with a message that Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom had botched his response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Newsom handily beat back a Republican campaign to oust him from office in the deeply Democratic state. Elder defines himself as "an American who is Black" rather than African American, telling The Hill in a 2019 interview: "The idea that there's systemic racism against Black people is a lie." He has said his views grew out of his parents' contention that he could overcome racism with hard work and determination. Elder calls himself the "Sage from South Central," referring to a largely African American district of Los Angeles. He left Los Angeles after high school, attended Brown University in Rhode Island and earned a law degree at the University of Michigan. After practicing law in Cleveland, he returned to Los Angeles in the 1990s and began his career as a radio host, later becoming syndicated nationwide. He joins a handful of Republicans who have announced their candidacies as they seek to win the White House back from Democrat Joe Biden, who is expected to make a formal announcement on his re-election bid next week. They include former President Donald Trump, Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, investor Vivek Ramaswamy and former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson. Tim Scott of South Carolina, the only Black Republican serving in the U.S. Senate, has formed an exploratory committee. (Reporting by Doina Chiacu; Editing by Nick Macfie) During one of Bethany Harts early examinations while pregnant, she underwent a routine Pap smear and learned the results were abnormal. At the time, the then-30-year-old was about 10 weeks along, and the nurse reassured Hart that she was probably OK. When Bethany Hart was in her first trimester of pregnancy, she learned she had a rare, aggressive cervical cancer. She felt stunned because she never received any abnormal Pap smear results prior to the one she took as a routine pregnancy screening test. (Courtesy Bethany Hart ) I remember hanging up and having this nagging feeling, like, Well thats strange. Thats never happened to me before, Hart, now 36, of Noblesville, Indiana, recalls to TODAY.com. I called a couple of my girlfriends, and I think two of the first three I talked to all said, We had that before, too, and it was nothing." When Hart was 16 weeks pregnant, her doctor preformed a colposcopy, a test that allows a closer look at the cervical cells. After that, her doctor recommended she see an oncologist. She soon learned she had a rare, aggressive cervical cancer. The oncologist looked at me and said, Its cancer, Hart says. That is where our entire world got turned upside down out of nowhere. How I knew I had cervical cancer Prior to her abnormal Pap smear, Hart had always had normal results from the test, which screens for changes in the cells of the cervix. At first, it seemed like she'd be able to carry the pregnancy, her first, to term, but when she learned her cervical cancer was small cell, a rare and aggressive type, everything became uncertain. Hart experienced no symptoms or warning signs, like many patients with this type of cancer. Her doctor described the condition to her as "exploding tumors," which perfectly captures her own story, she says. Hart visited the OB-GYN regularly during the early weeks of her pregnancy, and "there was never any sign of trouble," she recalls. But by week 16, "they could see that tumor very clearly and know it was dangerous. It just came out of nowhere." Harts cancer was stage 1. As doctors were trying to plan her treatment, which needed to be aggressive to beat the intensity of the cancer, Hart tragically lost her pregnancy at 19 weeks. Story continues There was just no ability to process what was happening, Hart says. Youre so entrenched in the fight for your life and dealing with the physical side effects from the treatment. Bethany Hart's cervical cancer was aggressive, which meant treatment also needed to be aggressive. (Courtesy Bethany Hart ) Treatment was intense and included a radical hysterectomy, 28 rounds of external radiation concurrently with five rounds of chemotherapy, and three final rounds of internal radiation. Hart recalls her doctor telling her that the treatment strategy was "throwing the kitchen sink" at her. I knew going into it that I was going to almost go to the brink of death to be saved from the cancer," she says. Cervical cancer symptoms According to MD Anderson Cancer Center, small or large cell cervical cancer is rare, accounting for about 100 of the nearly 11,000 cases of cervical cancer a year less than 1%. It is aggressive and has few, if any, symptoms. Most cervical cancers dont have symptoms, Dr. Meera Ravindranathan, a medical director at OncoHealth, a group that supports people with cancer diagnoses, tells TODAY.com. Oftentimes when you have symptoms, its more advanced cancer. Symptoms of cervical cancer can include: Bleeding between periods Bleeding after sex An unusual discharge People often experience these symptoms for other reasons, making it difficult to know when to talk to a doctor. But Ravindranathan says its important to tell your doctor about bleeding and discharge so that they can rule out cervical cancer. Theres shame and embarrassment about talking about womens bodies, Ravindranathan says. It is very important that women have a relationship with their doctors where they feel comfortable and have the confidence to talk about their bodies, especially younger women. After finishing treatment for cervical cancer, Bethany Hart had to grapple with the loss of her daughter, the loss of her ability to carry children and the trauma of her cancer battle. (Courtesy Bethany Hart ) Screening can lead to earlier diagnosis of cervical cancer. The American Cancer Society recommends cervical cancer screening from ages 25 to 65 with one of three options: a primary human papillomavirus (HPV) test every five years, a Pap by itself every 3 years or a test that combines HPV and a Pap every five years, TODAY.com previously reported. Cervical cancer causes HPV is a ubiquitous virus, causing most cases of cervical cancer, Ravindranathan says. Most people contract it through bodily fluids, Dr. Marshall Posner, co-leader of the Cancer Clinical Investigation Program at the Tisch Cancer Institute at Mount Sinai, previously told TODAY.com. For most people, the body is able to clear the HPV so the virus is no longer active in their system. But for a small portion of people, the virus gets reactivated and can cause cancer; it's not know why. Some people get a persistent infection in those cells in the cervix, and then the virus sits there long enough to make those cells pre-cancerous, Ravindranathan says. If we dont detect those pre-cancerous cells or the HPV infection by a Pap smear, the pre-cancerous cells then develop into cancer. The one thing to remember, though, is that process takes about 10 to 15 years. HPV causes more than 95% of cervical cancer, according to the World Health Organization, but the type of cancer that Hart had small cell cervical cancer has no definitive link to HPV. "The cause is not fully understood," MD Anderson noted. These types of cancer have "a natural propensity to grow quickly and spread, and no matter how quickly we catch it, we always use chemotherapy and radiation because we know that its highly aggressive, Ravindranathan says, adding that surgery may also precede the chemo. Bethany Hart's two sons, who are 3 and 1, are her Surviving cervical cancer After treatment ended, Hart faced the grief of losing her daughter, Hallie. She and her husband had just purchased a house and fixed up a nursery, which became a constant memory of their loss. Every time I walk past her room, it's just this reminder, she says. To lose your daughter, to have to face cancer, to have to face the fact that well never have a biological family all at once those are three very big life events in and of themselves. But all three of them happening together were extraordinary. In 2018, Hart started the Hallie Strong Foundation to honor the daughter she lost. She sends fun, comfortable socks to cancer patients. Socks are just a very real need. Hospitals are awful. Theyre so sterile, and a lot of times when youre in the hospital, socks are the only thing of your own that you can wear, she says. We purposely do something to create this constant reminder that anytime theyre worn, that youre not alone, and theres this legacy of a little girl who lost her life because of a cancer diagnosis. Hart has been cancer-free, but because of how aggressive this cancer can be, she still worries about recurrence. Theres always this little (fear) forever in the back of my mind, she says. As a cancer survivor, its hard to know when its a cough because you have a sinus infection or its a cough because is that lung cancer? I think I forever will look at life through that lens. Bethany Hart started the Hallie Strong Foundation to help people going through cancer and to create a lasting legacy for her daughter who died. (Courtesy of Meredith Loughmiller / ML Photography) Thanks to adoption, she and her husband have two boys now, ages 3 and 1, who are her saving grace. She serves as a peer mentor with Iris by OncoHealth, an oncology-focused app, and shares her experiences to help others feel less alone. No matter your diagnosis, no matter what type of cancer it is, it is impossibly hard, Hart says. Sharing your story just opens the door to somebody going through it now to say, Hey, what youre feeling its totally normal. We all get it. And the more you open up and let people in, the better youre going to be able to survive. This article was originally published on TODAY.com A woman was arrested by Seattle police Thursday night after several businesses were broken into in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle. Just before midnight, officers responded to an alarm in the 2900 block of East Madison where they found several businesses with damage from forced entry. According to surveillance footage provided by business owners, detectives saw a woman forcing herself into buildings. Officers soon found the 23-year-old woman and took her into custody. She was booked into the King County Jail on charges of burglary, malicious mischief, and possession of stolen property. Remember life before social media? One woman has hopped on the trend of calling things out that people did for attention in a pre-Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, whatever, age. Unsurprisingly, its super cringe. Mackenzie Fritz (@mackenziemfritz), a creator based in Portland, Maine, contributed to the ongoing conversation about the ways people would try to garner attention before the advent of social media. Her examples were targeted at millennials in particular. Im a millennial and I feel like Im at a weird age where I can specifically remember almost half of my life living that, before social media, and then the other half of my life has been deeply intertwined in social media, Mackenzie explains. So, lets talk about a few examples that I have. First up? The ankle brace person. There was always that person that, like, tweaked their ankle so they had to wear an ankle brace in P.E. but then instead of taking it off after P.E., they would literally wear it around all day, so that people would ask them what happened, she says. And theyd probably also try to go to the school nurse and, you know, pull that card. Mackenzie also mentions that one person who always wore tweety bird pajamas to school. Why did we all have this person that we went to school with? And why were we all scared of her? she asks. Like, I was scared of looking at her wrong and getting my a** beat. Vile behavior, Mackenzie believes, is also wearing hospital bracelets when youre not in the hospital, so that everyone would ask you, Oh my god, what happened?' Like, it became a status symbol almost. In the vein of medical-related, attention-seeking habits, Mackenzie calls out that person that would always have people sign their cast. She notes that theyd always come prepared with a black Sharpie in (the other) hand. I brought this up to my husband lately and he thought I was crazy because I was telling how when I was in elementary school, like, third grade, I literally wanted to break my arm because I wanted everyone to be able to sign my cast, Mackenzie admits. Like, it became a status symbol almost. Story continues Lastly, the most attention-seeking tactic out there, Mackenzie says, is deliberately wearing your thong straps above your jeans. And it was always, like, the very, very strappy ones. Like a g-string, she says. bringing mcdonalds for lunch after a doctor/dentist appointment Based on the comments her videos received, Mackenzie isnt the only one reminiscing about the pre-social media, attention-seeking age. Getting braces or glasses I ALWAYS wanted both lol for everyone to ask, one user admitted. using the pencil sharpener to strut & show off your new fit in the middle of class, another shared. bringing mcdonalds for lunch after a doctor/dentist appointment, someone replied. The singular hair wrap after vacation or cruise, a TikToker commented. A pre-social media age, it seems, revolved around devising artful, not-so-subtle ways of having all eyes on you. For those us that lived through it, it was a totally lawless time. In The Know by Yahoo is now available on Apple News follow us here! The post Woman calls out things that people did for attention before social media, like wearing thong straps over jeans appeared first on In The Know. More from In The Know: Midsize model gets candid about her body insecurities and the ways she puts herself down: 'It hits an unhealed nerve' TikToks favorite Prada sunglasses are up to 30% off right now if youre feeling bougie The 40 best beauty deals you need to snag this weekend as low as $4 Couple's living room turns into a cozy retreat after incredible $1,000 transformation An Indiana woman accused of stabbing a college student of Chinese descent in January has been indicted on a federal hate crime count, the Justice Department said Thursday. Billie Davis, 56, has already been charged on state counts in the attack on a bus Jan. 11 that injured the 18-year-old Indiana University student in Bloomington. A federal grand jury indicted Davis on one hate crime count Thursday, the Justice Department said in a statement. Davis is alleged to have told Bloomington police that she stabbed the student in the head with a folding knife for being Chinese and that it would be one less person to blow up our country, according to court documents in the state case. The victim survived. She was stabbed about seven times, Bloomington police have said. Davis public defender in the state case, Kyle Dugger, said Davis has a long and documented history of severe mental illness, and that people close to her dont recall her expressing any racist ideas in the past. She was hallucinating in jail after her arrest, he said. I would caution the public not to jump to conclusions about a persons thoughts or beliefs based on police claims from a single interview, and advise even more caution when the interview was taken from a person in custody experiencing psychosis, Dugger said. There was no interaction between Davis and the student before the attack, police said at the time. The victim said she was on the bus waiting for the doors to open when she was stabbed, according to police. Federal court records did not list an attorney for Davis on Thursday night. Dugger said it's possible the state case could be dropped now that Davis has been charged federally. A federal public defender will likely be assigned to represent her in that case, he said. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com [Source] The woman who stabbed an 18-year-old Asian American Indiana University student in the head with a pocketknife in January has been indicted and could face a life behind bars. Billie R. Davis, 56, of Bloomington, Indiana, was charged with a federal hate crime by a federal grand jury at her indictment in Evansville on Thursday, the Department of Justice announced in a recent press release. The new charge carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment or death. The press release noted that Davis willfully caused bodily injury to the victim and attempted to do so using a knife, because of the victims race and national origin, adding that she attempted to kill the victim. More from NextShark: Prominent Chinese American Group C100 Raises Over $1 Million to Fight COVID-19 The incident occurred on Jan. 11 when the Indiana University student, who is of Chinese descent, was about to exit a Bloomington Transit Bus at the intersection of West Fourth Street and the B-Line Trail. Davis was also riding the bus and suddenly stabbed the student seven times with a pocketknife before fleeing the scene, according to reports. Authorities said the student had blood flowing from her head when they arrived at the scene and immediately rushed her to the hospital. More from NextShark: She Had the Biggest Heart: NYC Nurse Killed By Motorcycle While Biking Home While reviewing surveillance footage, the police saw no interaction between the assailant and the student prior to the attack. A passenger who witnessed the incident reportedly followed Davis and helped authorities catch her. Speaking to authorities, Davis admitted to the crime and said she attacked the student for being Chinese, adding that she would be one less person to blow up our country. More from NextShark: Milwaukee Woman Dies After Being Sexually Assaulted, Beaten By Group of 11 Teens Davis was booked into Monroe County Jail and charged with attempted murder, aggravated battery and battery by means of a deadly weapon. Story continues Kyle Dugger, Davis defense attorney, said in a court filing that Davis was incapable of assisting in the preparation of her defense because of mental illness. Also speaking to CNN, Dugger said that the woman has a long history of severe mental illness and was seeking help managing her condition up to and including the day of the alleged attack. More from NextShark: Comic-Con sparks backlash, debate over use of controversial term Filipinx Davis is expected to appear in a jury trial for her charges on June 20 in Monroe County. MISHAWAKA A 26-year-old woman was hospitalized in a shooting early Thursday morning at a Mishawaka hotel. The Tribune's newsgathering partner WNDU reports Mishawaka police were called around 4:15 a.m. to the Extended Stay of America on North Main Street. When officers arrived, they found a woman with a gunshot wound in a room on the second floor. Police say the woman was conscious and talking, and was in stable condition at an area hospital. One person was arrested. Guests at the Extended Stay were asked to shelter-in-place for a short period of time. Guests at the Extended Stay were asked to shelter-in-place for a short period of time. Police said they believe this is an isolated incident and there is no threat to public safety. The Mishawaka Police Detective Bureaus Major Crimes Unit is actively investigating the shooting. If you have any information, youre asked to call the Mishawaka Police Detective Bureau at 574-258-1684 or Michiana Crime Stoppers at 574-288-STOP or 800-342-STOP. Read the full WNDU story, with video. This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Mishawaka police arrest one after woman shot at N. Main Street hotel A Bradenton-area postal worker is accused of stealing over $70,000 by taking checks from the mail and depositing them into her own bank account, the Sarasota Police Department said Friday. Heres what to know abou the case: Mail theft case Arrested: Anabel Ossombi, 27, of Lakewood Ranch, was arrested on Wednesday at the post office on Beneva Road and taken to the Sarasota County Jail. Charges: She faces several felony charges, including criminal use of personal identification, scheme to defraud and money laundering. Police say there were over 60 complaints from victims. Background: In May 2022, Ossombi began working as a mail sorter for the United States Postal Service. Investigators say she started stealing checks shortly after she began working at the post office. The first stolen check was deposited on May 25, 2022, according to an arrest report. In January, Sarasota police detectives and the USPS Office of Inspector General launched a check fraud investigation after two people reported not receiving checks from businesses for purchases. How the case developed Account: When people inquired about the missing checks, they were informed that the funds had been put into an unknown account, the release said. Discovery: Detectives discovered 75 checks totaling $70,109.28 were illegally deposited into Ossombis personal bank account, according to the release. Expenditures: An arrest report said Ossombi used that account to pay for monthly bills, such as her apartment rent payment and AT&T phone bill. She also used the stolen money to purchase virtual currency, police said. Transfer: According to the release, the checks were mailed through USPS to be picked up by a USPS carrier or dropped off at one of three Sarasota locations. Ossombi worked as a mail sorter at each of the locations, according to detectives. Detectives believe the money was stolen between May 2022 and April 2023. Jailed: Ossombi is being held at the Sarasota County Jail on bond totaling $150,000. Her arraignment date is set for June 2. Story continues Protect yourself from mail fraud The United States Postal Inspection Service provides these tips to protect yourself and your mail: Promptly pick up mail Inquire about overdue mail Do not send cash Arrange for prompt pickup Use hold for pickup Request signature confirmation File a change of address with the Postal Service and financial institutions when moving Investigators believe there may be more victims in this case. Anyone with information on this case is asked to call Detective Jessica Sullivan at 941-263-6076 or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers by calling 941-366-TIPS or online at www.sarasotacrimestoppers.com. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 21) President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is set to meet with his American counterpart Joe Biden in Washington on May 1 for their second bilateral talks, the White House said. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre disclosed in a statement Thursday that during the meeting, Biden is expected to reaffirm the United States ironclad commitment to the defense of the Philippines. The two leaders will also discuss regional matters and coordinate on efforts to uphold international law and promote a free and open Indo-Pacific, Pierre said. Earlier, the two nations issued a joint statement following their 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, where they expressed strong objections to Chinas unlawful maritime claims and other aggression in the disputed waters. READ: Joint Statement of the U.S.-Philippines 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue In addition to boosting security relations, the White House press secretary said the meeting would also involve discussions on strengthening economic cooperation and promote inclusive prosperity, expand our nations special people-to-people ties, invest in the clean energy transition and the fight against climate change, and ensure respect for human rights. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed Marcos' meeting with Biden in a separate statement. It noted that Marcos will travel to Washington from April 30 to May 4 on an official visit. "The visit will reaffirm the bonds of friendship that give definition and significance to the many facets of the bilateral relationship, underpinned by the close affinity shared by Filipinos and Americans alike for many years," it said. "It will substantively progress efforts to further deepen relations and political ties, to bring about lasting socio-economic partnerships, as well as to enhance defense and security cooperation," the DFA added. The department said the US continues to be the country's "major bilateral trade and official development assistance partner." The Colo-Detect study uses AI to flag up areas of concern during colonoscopies A woman who was part of a study using artificial intelligence (AI) to detect bowel cancer is free of the disease after it was found and removed. Jean Tyler, 75, from South Shields, took part in a study called Colo-Detect as part of a trial at 10 NHS Trusts. In the trial the AI flags up tissue potentially of concern to the medic carrying out the colonoscopy, which could be missed by the human eye. About 2,000 patients from 10 NHS trusts have been recruited for the trial. Jean Tyler - pictured with husband Derek - had surgery and has since recovered The AI detected a number of polyps and an area of cancer on Mrs Tyler's colonoscopy about a year ago after she agreed to be part of the trial. She then underwent surgery at South Tyneside District Hospital and has since recovered. 'Well looked after' "I had fantastic support, it was unbelievable," she said. "I had about seven or eight visits last year and I was so well looked after. "I always say yes to these research projects because I know that they can make things a lot better for everybody." Gastroenterology consultant Professor Colin Rees, based at Newcastle University, led the study alongside a team of colleagues working in South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Trust. The trial also includes North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, South Tees NHS Foundation Trust, Northumbria NHS Foundation Trust and Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Professor Colin Rees led the study alongside a team of colleagues working in South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Trust Professor Rees described it as "world-leading" in improving detection, adding AI was likely to become "a major tool used by medicine in the coming years". The findings will studied to see how it can help save lives from bowel cancer - the second biggest killer cancer, claiming around 16,800 lives a year in the UK. The results are expected to be published in the autumn. Follow BBC North East & Cumbria on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to northeastandcumbria@bbc.co.uk. Two warring generals whose rivalry has plunged Sudan into bitter conflict were for years legitimised by an international community more focused on appeasement than on accountability, experts say. "The international community has a lot to answer for here," Sudanese analyst Kholood Khair told AFP, as deadly fighting raged in the country for nearly a week. "It was their poorly thought out political process which really ratcheted up tensions," said Khair, founder of the Confluence Advisory think tank. Since the fall of dictator Omar al-Bashir in 2019, international mediators have sought to bring civilians and the military to the negotiating table. But in the process, analysts believe, they gave too much credit to army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy turned rival Mohamed Hamdan Daglo -- commonly called Hemeti -- who leads the powerful paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). "There was a lot of handholding and appeasement of these generals throughout this political process, because the international community framed them as reformers," Khair said. Once trusted to steer a transition to civilian rule, instead they staged a coup together in October 2021 derailing that very transition. Their alliance disintegrated, and disagreement over integrating the RSF into the regular army -- a key condition in the latest internationally brokered agreement -- erupted Saturday into all-out war. Jeffrey Feltman, former US special envoy to the Horn of Africa, said the fighting should be a moment of reckoning for Western powers. - 'Wishful thinking' - "We reflexively appeased and accommodated the two warlords," he wrote in a Washington Post opinion piece a year and a half after unsuspectingly leaving Khartoum just hours before the generals' coup. "We considered ourselves pragmatic. Hindsight suggests wishful thinking to be a more accurate description." In dealing with military commanders accused of atrocities, the international community "avoided exacting consequences for repeated acts of impunity that might have otherwise forced a change in calculus", Feltman wrote. Story continues When security forces attacked pro-democracy demonstrators in central Khartoum in June 2019, killing at least 128 people, witnesses said the bloodshed was led by the RSF -- which grew out of the Janjaweed militia, implicated in war crimes in Darfur. Civilian leaders and pro-democracy protesters remained wary of the generals as they purported to lead the way to democratic rule in a country that has known only brief democratic interludes since independence in 1956. But "the international community adopted what we told ourselves was the only realistic approach: dealing with the warlords ourselves", Feltman said. Resistance committees -- local informal groups that emerged during the 2019 protests -- held near-weekly protests after the coup. Security forces responded with a crackdown that killed at least 125 protesters, pro-democracy medics said. After the coup, the international community cut critical aid to what was already one of the world's poorest countries. But experts say this put no pressure on the commanders, who had accrued considerable wealth through decades of international sanctions against Bashir's regime. Now, as their forces are fighting, they remain deaf to international calls for a ceasefire. - Welcomed abroad - Sudan's sizeable gold deposits, believed to be largely controlled by the RSF, have made Daglo rich. Even as Washington slapped sanctions on Russian companies involved in mining for serving as a front in Sudan for Russian private military contractor Wagner, Daglo continued to be welcomed in world capitals. "You have a long history of Hemeti being backed, in terms of finances and international recognition," a specialist on regional diplomacy told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity. Received in Moscow, Addis Ababa and Abu Dhabi, over the past few years Hemeti has progressively traded his desert fatigues for fitted suits, negotiating both political agreements and business deals. "A lot of the aggressiveness of Hemeti today is attributable to the behaviour of the UAE," said the same specialist, pointing to how the Gulf country and its president Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan -- who has himself received Daglo -- is "listened to in the EU, in Washington and in Israel". Barely a year after seizing power in the coup, Burhan addressed the UN General Assembly, and renewed his commitment to "a civilian government that represents all Sudanese people". In Sudan itself, negotiators and envoys spoke almost exclusively with the generals, "rarely engaging substantial proportions of the Sudanese public in the political process", according to analyst Khair, allowing the generals to ignore "accountability to the Sudanese people". It was this that "led the generals to believe that they could have an all-out conflict in the middle of Sudan's capital", she said. bur/bha/srm/ami/leg Should you be stocking up on coronation memorabilia? (Andrew Matthews/PA) Hoping to cash in on the coronation of King Charles, retailers have launched hundreds of red, white and blue themed products, from official Royal Mint coins and hand-painted pottery to dresses emblazoned with union flags and biscuits shaped like thrones. The crowning of a monarch doesnt come around very often, so should we be stocking up on mugs, tea towels and teddy bears that might one day fetch a pretty price at auction? Here, history and retail experts offer their insights into coronation memorabilia. A piece of history Royal memorabilia has always been popular with Brits, as the population as a whole holds the Royal family in such high regard, and they lie at the centre of our culture and history, said retail expert Wizz Selvey, founder and CEO of Wizz&Co. Coins, newspapers, mugs and plates, as well as signed Christmas cards from monarchs in the past are all popular memorabilia from Elizabeth IIs coronation and reign. Souvenirs from coronations and other events are a great way to start an antique collection, Selvey said. They will grow in value depending on their availability, wide-scale appeal, validity and condition. The rarer the better Some of the most sought-after collectibles in circulation now are from the coronation that never happened. Edward VIII was due to be crowned on May 12, 1937, and souvenirs were already on sale when he abdicated the throne in December 1936. All coronation memorabilia is quite valuable, but particularly coronation memorabilia from Edward VIII, said royal historian and author Professor Kate Williams, who is working with Greene King. The majority of the items were simply not used they were just thrown away. Investment pieces So what should savvy shoppers splash out on this year? Its fair to say (barring a last-minute coronation cancellation) that mass-produced items wont stand the test of time. Williams advised focusing on anything that is very limited edition, so not something that you could get necessarily from Kings Cross Station. Story continues She also suggested items with the Buckingham Palace stamp of approval. The Royal Mint is making limited edition coins and bullion they are something to grab and keep. And if you happen to be one of the 2,000 people attending Charles coronation on May 6, or know someone who is, make sure to hold onto any items from the day. If you do get a programme from the coronation or an invite, all of these things will be worth a lot of money in the future, Williams said. Selvey predicts that products from British heritage brands, especially those that hold a royal warrant, will be of more interest to collectors in future. Like coronation limited editions by Liberty, Selfridges, Cath Kidston, Asprey, Marmite, or Kiki McDonough, whose jewellery is popular with the royal family, she said. I think mugs and plates will always be popular, as they are the hardest items to maintain in a good condition. Stamps and coins are historically collectible items, so may increase in value. Protect your purchases When it comes to official or collectible items, authenticity is key and you must look after your (potentially) precious purchases. Always look for a brand logo, or stamp on the underside of a product, as this is what some authenticators or antiques dealers will look for, Selvey said. If you can keep the item in the original packaging that may increase the value for items like figurines. While the popularity of different antiques ebbs and flows, with a bit of luck and patience you could be quids in. The cynic in me says that Charles may well be the last monarch, said food historian Annie Gray. At which point I guess the market will either go through the roof or completely die. Ralph Yarl, 16, was shot in the head last week by a homeowner when he mistakenly rang his doorbell after mixing up addresses in Kansas City, Mo. (Ben Crump Law via Associated Press) They were shot after pulling into the wrong driveway, ringing the wrong doorbell, getting into the wrong car in a parking lot. In the space of a single week, four young, unarmed Americans were shot after simple, everyday mistakes. One died. In a country home to the most armed populace on Earth, where fear of violent crime often reflects spin rather than statistics, and where stand your ground laws proliferate, a simple mistake can turn deadly. Experts say the high-profile incidents highlight fast-moving and unique cultural and legal trends in the U.S., one of just a few countries with a constitutional right to carry guns. Dozens of stand your ground state laws passed in the last 18 years have vastly transformed how Americans may think of the traditional right to self-defense. Demonstrators rallying against Florida's "stand your ground" law march to the Capitol building in Tallahassee in 2014. (Phil Sears / Associated Press) As a nation, we are moving faster and faster in this direction where people think they have the right to shoot anyone who approaches them in any way while falsely believing were under increased danger, said Thaddeus Hoffmeister, a criminal law professor at the University of Dayton. In reality, things are much different. The recent incidents would be mundane if not violent. On Tuesday in Texas, a man shot two teenage cheerleaders after one accidentally got in his vehicle thinking it was her own before she panicked, exited and got back into her friends car. A bullet grazed her; her friend was hit in the leg and back. On Saturday, a 20-year-old woman and three friends were traveling to a friends home in upstate New York when they went down the wrong driveway. After they turned around, a man came on the porch and fired shots. The woman, Kaylin Gillis, later died. On April 13, a mother in Kansas City, Mo., sent her 16-year-old son to pick up his younger brothers. The boy, Ralph Yarl, showed up at the wrong address and rang the doorbell. He was shot twice, once in the head. That incident ignited additional outrage because the homeowner is white and Ralph is Black. The shooter was not immediately arrested, raising accusations of selective enforcement. Story continues According to the familys lawyer, the man told the teenager, Dont come back around here. He has since been charged and pleaded not guilty. In Texas, 25-year-old Pedro Tello Rodriguez Jr. is charged with deadly conduct. In New York, 65-year-old Kevin Monahan faces a second-degree murder charge. Experts say the 84-year-old homeowner in Missouri, Andrew Lester, is likely to use a stand your ground defense against first-degree assault and armed criminal action charges. Andrew Lester, 84, appears in court in Liberty, Mo., in the shooting of Ralph Yarl. (KMBC via Associated Press/Pool Photo) Under regular self-defense, a person has a duty to retreat if someone is threatening to use force against you, said Peter Joy, a law professor at Washington University in St. Louis. Under stand your ground laws, a person has no duty to retreat before using deadly force if the person reasonably believes force is necessary to defend himself or herself or a third person from what he or she reasonably believes to be the use or imminent use of force by another, Joy added. Missouri and Texas are among at least 30 states with those laws or similar ones. New York laws, instead, include the castle doctrine, a more traditional use-of-force rule that says a person has the right to fire at someone who enters their home. Florida kicked off the stand your ground movement when then-Gov. Jeb Bush signed the law in 2005. The National Rifle Assn. had pushed for the law, arguing it would make communities safer by empowering individual self-defense. In news interviews at the time, Miamis then-police chief, John Timoney, spoke against it. Whether its trick-or-treaters or kids playing in the yard of someone who doesnt want them there or some drunk guy stumbling into the wrong house, youre encouraging people to possibly use deadly physical force where it shouldnt be used, he said. Floridas law became well-known in 2012 after teenager Trayvon Martin, who was walking home from the store, was killed by neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman. Zimmermans attorneys didnt use the states law in their defense, but the jury that acquitted him received instructions citing the law. National protests over Martins death and the verdict elevated the criticism that the law promoted violence. George Zimmerman, shown in a Sanford, Fla., courtroom in 2013, was acquitted of murder in the killing of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. (Joe Burbank / Associated Press) Using stand your ground as legal defense is unlikely to withstand legal muster in the recent cases, said Ari Freilich, a California-based state policy director at the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence. The group is named after Gabrielle Giffords, the former U.S. representative from Arizona who suffered a brain injury in a 2011 assassination attempt. These laws do not let people shoot someone just for ringing a doorbell or going on a driveway, Freilich said. If there is never a need to use force in the first place, there is no argument to make about standing your ground. While supporters have claimed the laws promote safety, many researchers argue the opposite. There is ample evidence that the laws actually have led to more violence and are misunderstood by many people, making them believe they have the right to shoot someone when they really dont, said Caroline Light, a Harvard University lecturer and author of Stand Your Ground: A History of Americas Love Affair with Lethal Self-Defense. A 2021 analysis published by a University of Oxford professor that looked at data from 1999 to 2017 in 41 states with 248,358 homicides 184,495 of them in 23 states with stand your ground laws found an 8% to 11% increase in homicides in states with the laws. Theres also been criticism of racial disparities. A 2015 article in the journal Social Science and Medicine analyzing data in Florida found that people using stand your ground in court defenses were two times as likely to be convicted in cases involving white victims compared with cases with Black or Latino victims. Its a racial dynamic that the Rev. Vernon Percy Howard Jr., the president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Greater Kansas City, said he fears. Black people are still suffering from laws in this country that are immoral and unjust. As it is used against Black people, stand your ground is one of them. Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas said the self-defense rule hurts everyone. If this is the sort of thing where stand your ground can be enforced, then every U.S. postal worker, every Amazon delivery person, every pizza delivery person is subject to be shot, he said in an emailed statement. In the Texas and Missouri shootings, lawyers for those charged said fear was a factor when the men fired their guns. Its fair to say that many people who believe in these laws think there is an increased danger around them, said Hoffmeister, the University of Dayton law professor. According to Gallup poll results published in October, 56% of Americans believed local crime has increased year to year. The percentage is at the highest in five decades that Gallup has asked the question. When asked about national crime levels, 78% of people said they were higher. The percentage was highest when it hit 82% in 1992, when crime nationally and in particular in major cities was at one of its modern-day highs. What the real numbers say is that crime is nowhere near where it was in a time like the early 1990s, Hoffmeister said. And police have more technology now to respond faster to crime. So if these fears are the reason for stand your ground, they dont stand. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. (Bloomberg) -- Chinas push to become self-reliant in the technology sphere is driving more European companies operating there to rethink their research and development plans, according to a report published Friday by the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China. Most Read from Bloomberg European firms are growing hesitant about investing in R&D in the worlds second-largest economy as the local firms theyd partner with either state or privately owned increasingly purchase and use products that are either wholly made in China or are completely devoid of US-linked components, said Joerg Wuttke, the chambers president. Its something that makes companies hesitate about investing in R&D in China, he said. If you dont know whether your goods will be on, say, procurement lists in one or two years from now, then the chances of investing in R&D will be close to zero. The EU chambers report comes as Beijing ramps up a tech autonomy campaign aimed at creating domestic supply chains that are insulated from external shocks. Chinese President Xi Jinping has criticized Washington for what he has called a strategy of containment and suppression led by trade restrictions, blacklists and investment curbs that has challenged Chinas technological development. European companies such as Volkswagen AG and SAP SE are among the biggest foreign enterprises in China, despite the countrys increasing isolation. But many are facing growing competition from local champions like Huawei Technologies Co. one of the most prominent firms Washington has blacklisted. These local firms are developing their own in-house alternatives to foreign software and circuitry. Story continues Others such as state-backed Inspur Ltd. are driving research and expansion into areas such as servers and cloud computing, betting on Beijings support and that Chinese clients would prefer using domestic substitutes. Concerning Sentiment In a survey taken by the EU chamber, 52% of respondents said sentiment in the EU toward collaboration with China has negatively influenced their companys R&D activities or strategy in the country. Some 26% said similar sentiment in the US had a negative effect. The survey which polled 107 European firms late last year still overwhelmingly listed Chinas Covid Zero strategy as having the greatest negative impact. Some 88% of respondents to the question about trends influencing R&D chose Covid curbs as having either a highly or somewhat negative effect. In follow-up interviews with European firms conducted in January and February this year, several companies focused on concerns about supply chain restrictions. One interviewee from the information and communication technology industry said they had been told by a state-owned enterprise customer that they must localize technology and R&D in China if they were to continue to qualify as a Made in China supplier. Another respondent from the manufacturing sector said private companies are becoming more worried about future political pressure to select suppliers whose entire value chains are based in the country. Geopolitical Risks The fight between the US and China over technology isnt the only geopolitical concern for European companies with Chinese business interests. Some 45% of respondents to the question about influential trends for R&D decisions cited Russias invasion of Ukraine as having a negative impact on their activities or strategy. A potential escalation of Russias war in Ukraine or further frictions in the Taiwan Strait are scenarios that businesses are taking into account, the authors of the EU chamber survey wrote in the report. They added that the potential risks posed by those tensions do not support a case for increasing R&D investments in China. The survey also concluded that multinational corporations appear to be tempering plans to substantially increase R&D in China. Last year, a third of multinational respondents indicated such spending would increase greatly in the coming year, according to the survey. When asked this time whether those firms would boost spending over the next five years, only 5% of respondents said they expected to increase R&D spending greatly over that time period. That does not necessarily mean they are retreating from doing R&D in China, but rather tempering their ambitions, the report said. Of the firms polled, about a third were multinationals. The surveyed companies still cited several positives for wanting to push deeper into China and localize, including the size of the market and the strong demand it offers. The speed with which R&D can be commercialized in the country would also create opportunities to take products developed in China and deploy them in other markets, too. The rewards of localizing technology and R&D into China are considerable, the report said. But so are the potential hazards. --With assistance from Gao Yuan and Edwin Chan. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. On April 13, Herkimer art teacher Heather McCutcheon and retired Frankfort art teacher Donnalyn Shuster accepted the Claire Flanagan Grand Award in San Antonio, Texas. The award represents the highest possible honor for Youth Art Month, a national event held in March with the goal of promoting the arts and art education. Shuster first introduced the event to the state of New York back in 2013, and McCutcheon has been co-chairing with her for the past eight years. "It's really just sharing what our students are doing everyday" said McCutcheon. "It's sharing the love for the arts, the passion for the arts." Two local art teachers, Heather McCutcheon of Herkimer, and the retired Donnalyn Shuster of Frankfort, holding their Youth Art Month Claire Flanagan award in San Antonio, Texas. One month of celebration, one year of preparation While Art Month is always held in March, McCutcheon said her work in preparation for it is year round. Starting in July, McCutcheon worked to promote art shows and celebrations, as well as preparing for the event's flag design contest. She also secured sponsors for Art Month, with this year's being BLICK, Royal Brush and GOLDEN Artist Colors, who helped to provide winners of this year's flag design contest with prizes. The flag design contest is held annually in the fall, with each year's having a theme. This year's theme was "Your Art, Your Voice." McCutcheon said aside from the theme, students designs must also connect back to their state. "Whether it is a reflection of what we have for our landscape, or a reflection of our state shape," said McCutcheon. "There's supposed to be a connection to New York state." This year McCutcheon received over 300 submissions from students of all ages statewide. An overall winner is decided, as well as winners from each age group (elementary, middle and high school). Flag Design Contest: Check out the winning submissions. More: Herkimer County establishes animal abuse registry after dog abandoned at humane society More: Herkimer unveils community development plan, director to create 'more prosperous future' Story continues From March onwards, McCutcheon worked to put together a national report for the National Art Education Association (NAEA), the national body of artists, teachers, professors, students and art educators that first started Youth Art Month in 1961. This national report is essentially a compilation of all the work that McCutcheon and her fellow educators have done to promote, proliferate and recognize youth art throughout the course of the year. McCutcheon said social media was instrumental in her promotion of students' art as well as art celebrations across New York. "During March, I didn't sleep a lot," said McCutcheon. "I was on social media a lot, I really shared a ton." What the award means to Heather McCutcheon McCutcheon and fellow co-chair Shuster traveled down to San Antonio on April 12. The NAEA held its annual convention April 13-15, which is when they accepted the award. On the first day, McCutcheon explained they presented in front of a large audience of 1,000 people, describing the experience as "really intimidating." It was in front of a smaller audience on the second day, however, when her emotions really hit her. "I ended up crying," said McCutcheon. "It's been eight years and all this time and energy and focus, and to get that top award, was pretty amazing." McCutcheon said in between the presenting and accepting of their award, she and Shuster were able to do some celebrating and exploring on their own, such as walking the Riverwalk and visiting the Alamo. After eight years of co-chairing, McCutcheon said that she plans on retiring the reins after this year. Her passion for teaching and promoting the arts will continue, however. "The arts, and especially the arts in education in schools, helps students become well-rounded individuals," said McCutcheon. "It helps them think outside the box and use creativity." This article originally appeared on Times Telegram: Herkimer teacher, champion of NY youth arts, grabs national attention By Lucy Craymer WELLINGTON (Reuters) - New Zealand's last exports of livestock by sea have been completed and live exports have ceased, its agriculture minister said on Friday, as it fully implemented a ban on export shipments of animals on the grounds of their welfare. The government announced in 2021 that shipping animals offshore, largely for building herds in trading partners like China, would be halted but farmers would be given two years to transition out of the profitable export business. "Our position on the map means that the journey to northern hemisphere markets will always be a long one and this brings unavoidable animal welfare challenges," Agriculture Minister Damien O'Connor said in a statement announcing that live exports had ceased. Live exports by sea have contributed about 0.32% of New Zealands primary sector export revenue, which includes farming and mining, since 2015. The total value of live animal exports in 2022 was NZ$524 million ($322.78 million). New Zealand said in 2020 it was reviewing live exports when it introduced interim measures following the capsizing of a ship bound for China that killed nearly 6,000 cows and 41 of the 43 crew members. ($1 = 1.6234 New Zealand dollars) (Reporting by Lucy Craymer; Editing by Robert Birsel) President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has spoken about the details of the meeting of the Staff of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief and said he was waiting for Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov to report on the results of the Ramstein-format meeting. Source: Zelenskyys speech Quote: "All day the utmost attention to communication in the Ramstein format, today was a meeting. I thank those partners whose determination is fully in line with the actual situation and needs on the battlefield. I am waiting for the report of the Minister of Defence on the results of the meeting." Details: Zelenskyy has also provided details of the meeting of the Staff. According to him, Generals Syrskyi and Tarnavskyi, Commander-in-Chief Zaluzhnyi, Ukraines Defence Intelligence Chief Budanov and government representatives reported to him there. The President has added that Ukraine is constantly analysing the course of combat actions, the hottest and all potentially dangerous areas: "The frontline is priority number one". Quote: "We are also actively preparing new brigades and units that will show themselves at the front. The issue of their provision, training, and integration into the overall Defense Plan we add crucial details every time at the Staff meetings." "Today, at the Staff meeting, we, as usual, considered the missile program and ammunition issues in detail." Zelenskyy also thanked the defenders of Ukraine: "Bakhmut. For brave actions to 5th Separate Assault Brigade. Thanks, guys! Lyman direction. For stability and reliable holding of positions to 66th Separate Mechanized Brigade. Well done! 96th Kyiv Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade. Thank you, warriors, for your accuracy!" Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held another meeting of the Staff of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief. Source: Zelenskyy on Telegram Quote: "At the meeting of the Staff of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, we analysed the current situation in all areas of the front. We listened to the report of Kyrylo Budanov, Chief of Defence Intelligence; we know about all the enemy's plans for the near future." Details: Ways of improving the current scheme of the distribution of weapons and ammunition among military units, especially new brigades, were discussed. In addition to this, the meeting discussed the facilitation of missile and projectile production by Ukrainian enterprises. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! UPDATE: An arrest has been made after authorities found human remains Tuesday in a burning vehicle on Sandy Level Road in the Goodview area of Bedford County, according to a Virginia State Police news release. The victim, the news release said, died by "violent circumstances" before the vehicle burned. Special Agents with the Virginia State Police identified a suspect in Roanoke. "A search warrant obtained for the suspects residence, and more evidence of the violent encounter was found inside the home," the release, issued Thursday, states. "The 29-year-old male was located, taken into custody without incident, and charged with Murder in the Second Degree." The investigation remains ongoing. EARLIER: Human remains were discovered in a burning vehicle in Bedford County on Tuesday, according to the Virginia State Police. An investigation began after Bedford County Fire & Rescue crews were called to a vehicle fire on Sandy Level Road off Virginia 24 in the Goodview area, a news release said. Firefighters arrived at about 12:45 a.m. Tuesday to find the vehicle fully engulfed in flames. After the blaze was extinguished, crews found human remains inside, according to the news release. Agents with the Bureau of Criminal Investigation responded to the scene, and the roadway closed temporarily while the scene was processed. The remains were sent to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Western District, for identification, the release said. From staff reports Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 21) The upcoming official visit of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to Washington and his bilateral meeting with United States President Joe Biden is "significant and historic" for both countries, according to Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez. "It will be a significant and historic meeting between two leaders of two countries with aligned and common interests," Romualdez told CNN Philippines. He said these high-level visits between Manila and Washington officials are part of the current administration's strategy. Apart from the bilateral meeting, Marcos will also have a very full three-day schedule during his visit. The Department of Foreign Affairs said Marcos will be in the US on April 30 to May 4. "He will be meeting with business leaders, he will also be having bilateral meetings with Cabinet members of the Biden administration. He will also be talking about energy and climate change, Romualdez said. The envoy added that the issue on the four new additional sites under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement or EDCA may not be extensively discussed since it was already raised during the 2+2 meeting early this month between defense and foreign affairs officials. Marcos and Biden first met in New York during the United Nations General Assembly in September last year. The two leaders also had a brief encounter on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit in Cambodia. BEDFORD Before a packed room of spectators largely opposed to the Town of Bedford enlarging its boundaries, the towns council took two votes at a special called meeting Wednesday on a Phase II boundary adjustment tied to the former citys reversion to a town in July 2013. One vote, which passed 5-2, removed tracts from north of the Little Otter River on Virginia 43 from consideration. Council members Darren Shoen and C.G. Stanley were opposed. The other measure, which also passed on a 5-2 vote, was to approve an area on U.S. 221 on the outskirts of town as part of the boundary adjustment. Councilors Stacey Hailey and Bruce Hartwick opposed the annexation move. The Phase II proposal is set to bring in more than 2,000 acres in areas lying generally to the north, northeast, northwest, west, southwest and south of the existing town. The adjustment is slated to go into effect July 1. Bedfords reversion a decade ago came after several years of review and a lengthy voluntary legal settlement between the then-city and Bedford County. The move changed Bedford from an independent city to a town, folded nearly 6,000-plus residents into the county and dissolved a city-county agreement for a number of shared services. According to a letter town officials sent earlier this year to those affected by the planned Phase II boundary adjustment, county residents in those areas will receive all services available to town citizens such as community development, electrical utilities, town finances, town police, public works and representation on the council. However, new town residents will also be subject to paying applicable taxes and fees, which drew the ire of many residents during an April 11 public hearing where more than 20 people spoke. Residents during the hearing that packed the towns meeting room spoke against annexing more land because of increased taxes, services many feel are unneeded, and more restrictions on activities such as hunting. The Phase I boundary adjustment totaling 1,200 acres occurred at the same time the transition to town status took effect in 2013. Town Manager Bart Warner said after Tuesdays special called meeting that even with councils decision to make the Little Otter River essentially the boundary line on Virginia 43, roughly 1,000 county residents will become town residents if council approves the ordinance May 9. The towns current population is roughly 6,700, according to Warner. Mayor Tim Black said Bedford County Administrator Robert Hiss wrote the town and the countys position is the North Hills and Town and Country neighborhoods bordering the town should become part of the town while rural non-urbanized parcels should be optional and urged the town to reconsider such parcels. Shoen said he opposes making such a change at a late hour and the Phase II boundary areas are part of a legal deal the county agreed to. I dont think any changes should be made, Shoen said. Hailey said much has happened over the past 10 years and he doesnt see where annexing areas will make us or break us. He said he doesnt see growth or development happening in those areas and spoke of Phase III reaching Fancy Farm Road as unrealistic. I dont really see that being developed in the next 20, 25 years, Hailey said. Councilor Robert Carson said he doesnt feel the current council has had enough time to talk about a major boundary adjustment that was laid out under largely different town leadership. If its written in the contract, its legal, Carson said. We want to do our best to do it like [it] supposed to be. Me personally, I dont think weve really had time to really talk about it. Carson said he feels some areas of annexation arent needed. Everybody is talking about taxes ... You think were broke, and we need money, no. Its not about that. Its about what was written all these years ago, Carson said to the crowd. We heard you; we feel you. I mean, yall beat us up like were the really bad guys, we are not. We didnt ask for this. We dont want to disrupt anything. More discussion on the current councils part should have been done before reaching this point, Carson said. Whats about to happen, it was thrown in our lap, he added before the votes. A state moratorium on the former city to annex more land and grow its tax base was a major catalyst for the reversion process. The towns letter said the boundary adjustments will increase service areas and revenue of the town government, making it more attractive for growth, new and existing businesses and the community as a whole. Bedford County Sheriff Mike Miller, among those affected by the annexation, said during the April 11 now is not the time. Hartwick echoed that sentiment in speaking Tuesday to economic hardships many are facing and the ripple effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. I dont know if now is really the time to go through with this, Hartwick said, which drew loud applause. I think its all or nothing, Shoen said of the boundary adjustments. Then nothing, a few in the audience said. Black said some adjustments already have been made in the second phase of the process of the town expanding its boundaries. The U.S. 221 area of roughly 60 parcels includes a business park, a mix of homes and businesses and industrial-zoned land, according to town officials. Its a little bit more urbanized. Its a little more built up, Black said. My take is we cant up everything and not get anything in return. Weve got to have some room for this community to grow. You dont get growth by raising taxes, a man in the audience said. Another man seated in the council chambers said more business should be brought in if council wants growth. Youve got to have some land to bring some business to, Black said. Lighthouse Bible Church Lighthouse Bible Church, 2136 Fifth Ave., invites the community to participate in our live Sunday worship service at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday. The Sunday sermon is prerecorded and can be viewed on our website, lighthousemc.com. Dress is casual, and coffee and refreshments are provided. Upcoming events: Prayer and Study, 7 p.m. Wednesdays. Mt. Hope United Methodist Mt. Hope United Methodist Church, 290th and Highway 6, McClelland, would like to invite all to join us on Sunday mornings for our worship service at 9:30 a.m. Children are welcome for the regular worship service and childrens sermon during the worship service. You do not have to be a member to participate in our church activities. Everyone is welcome. Gethsemane Presbyterian Church Gethsemane Presbyterian Church, 224 Wallace Ave., invites you to worship with us. The service runs from 9 to 10 a.m. on Sundays. The Rev. Nancy Ross-Hullinger will deliver the message, Standing Still. Children are invited to participate in Sunday school. Please join us for refreshments following the service. Adult Bible study meets on Mondays and Thursdays from 9 to 10 a.m. Our church is collecting Iowa 5 cent refund cans/bottles for one of our mission projects. Your donations help! Bags can be dropped off anytime at our front door. We are also collecting diapers and wipes for children. These can also be left in bags by the front door. Our Food Pantry is open on Mondays and Thursdays until 10:30 a.m. Donations are welcome. For more information, contact the church office at 712-366-2513 or visit us on Facebook at gethsemanepresbyterianchurch.org. Timothy Lutheran Church Timothy Lutheran Church, 3112 W. Broadway, offers services at 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. on Sundays. The church alternates between traditional services and praise services each week. Bible study and Sunday school at 9:15 a.m. If a month has a fifth Sunday, the church hosts a combined service at 9 a.m. Food and fellowship after service on fifth Sundays and there is no Bible study or Sunday school on those days. The church is handicap accessible. For more information, visit the church website at timothylutheran.net. St. Pauls Evangelical Country Church St. Pauls Evangelical Country Church rings the church bell each Sunday at 10:30 a.m. to welcome people to worship at 11055 Dumfries Ave. There are directional signs from Wabash Avenue and Pioneer Trail leading to the church. We are a growing, caring and friendly Bible-teaching church led by Pastor Jason Kinney. This Sunday, the Rev. Aaron Simons will serve as guest pastor. Sunday school for adults begins at 9:15. There will be no Sunday school for children or childrens church this week. Greeters are Jan and Dave Clayton. Each week, we enjoy donuts and coffee in the Fellowship Hall after worship. The ladies Bible study meets Wednesdays at 1 p.m. There will be no youth group on Wednesday. The Young Adult Discipleship Group will meet Thursday at 7 p.m. Visit our website at stpaulsecc.org for more information. We are handicapped accessible. Underwood Lutheran Church On Sunday, Underwood Lutheran Church, 10 Third Ave., will hold Sunday activities. Education begins at 9 a.m. In-person worship begins at 10:15 a.m. Pastor Scott Dalen will deliver a sermon based on Luke 24:13-35. The online video will be available later in the day. Compass Christian Church Compass Christian Church welcomes you to worship with us Sundays at 10:30 a.m. We are located at 2007 S. Seventh St., just west of the South Expressway. The church is handicap accessible. During worship, a cry room is available, along with childcare for children ages 1 to 4. Compass Kids grades K-5 meet downstairs for special Bible lessons during the sermon. You may also worship with us at compasscb.online.church or on YouTube. Monday morning Bible study meets at 10 a.m. weekly. Separate mens and womens Bible study groups meet on Mondays at 7 p.m. The Bridge Young Adults (ages 18-30) meet on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 6:30 p.m. The next meeting is May 2. On Wednesdays, children in grades K-5 and students in grades 6-12 meet at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting is held at 6:30 p.m. For questions or more information, visit our Facebook page, Compass Christian Church CB, our website compasscb.org or call the church office at 712-366-9112. Fifth Avenue United Methodist Church Fifth Avenue United Methodist Church, 1800 Fifth Ave., invites the public to participate in our live worship service at 10:30 a.m. Sundays. The service will be recorded live and can be viewed on our Facebook page: Fifth Avenue UMC, Council Bluffs. Face masks are optional. Upcoming events: Meal & Message, April 26 and May 10 and 24 at 6 p.m. A Fun-raiser dessert auction will be held May 21 at 11:45 a.m. The church office can be reached at 712-323-7374 or through our email at fifthaveumchurch@gmail.com. Broadway United Methodist Church Broadway United Methodist, First Street and Broadway, is seeking, growing and serving with unconditional love and acceptance. On Sundays, we hold a traditional service at 8:30 a.m. and a contemporary service at 10:30. Coffee and donuts will be served in the DeLong Lounge between services. Our services are held in person and livestreamed to our Facebook page or broadwayunitedmethodist.com/live. Masks are optional. Student Life Breakthrough is held Sundays at 6 p.m. On Mondays, Philips Cupboard, a nonfood pantry, is open noon to 2 p.m. United Women in Faith meets at 1 p.m. Bibles at Barleys is at 7:30 p.m. on Monday for those over 21. Boy Scouts meet from 6 to 8 p.m. The womens book study meets at 5 p.m. on Wednesdays. The praise band practices at 5:30. A community meal is held at 6 p.m. A Foundations Adults Group meets Wednesday at 6:30 in the DeLong Lounge while BUMC Kids and Student Life meet. The bell choir practices at 6:30, followed by the choir at 7:30. The Mens Brown Bag Bible Study will be held Thursday at noon. Girl Scouts meet from 6 to 8 p.m. On Friday, the church office is closed but Philips Cupboard is open noon to 2 p.m. Upcoming events: April 30 is a Fifth Sunday, so there will be a single service at 9:30 a.m. Aldersgate Spring District Conference will be May 7 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. on Zoom. The summer kickoff block party will be Wednesday, May 17 from 6 to 8 p.m. For more information, visit our website at broadwayunitedmethodist.com or call the office at 712-322-7741 (closed Fridays). Bethany Presbyterian Church Bethany Presbyterian Church, 1900 S. Seventh St., will have worship at 11 a.m. Pastor Nancy Ross-Hullingers message will be Standing Still, and the scripture will be Luke 24:13-35. There will be a childrens chat. Deacons will meet Monday, April 24 at 6 p.m. We can use money and food items for our two pantry projects. There will be a garage sale on April 29 from 8 a.m. to noon. We are a handicap accessible facility. Community of Christ Church Community of Christ Church, 140 W. Kanesville Blvd., invites people to attend Sunday worship at 10:15 a.m. Our theme this week is Trust in God. Scripture readings will be 1 Peter 1:17-23; Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19; Luke 24:13-35; and Acts 2:14a, 36-41. Sunday school starts at 9:15 a.m. We also have prayer service Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Please call our office at 712-323-4498 for any questions. There are virtual ministries out on our World Church Website under Ongoing Ministries at cofchrist.org. Epworth United Methodist Church Are you searching to know more about God and His divine plan for you? Epworth United Methodist Church, 2447 Ave. B, is a place you can visit to grow your knowledge and experience with God. Join us for worship Sundays at 9:30 a.m. There is room for the little ones in the family to learn about God according to their ages. The people are friendly, worship is meaningful and the building is handicap accessible. You are also invited to our Bible study on Thursdays at 10 a.m. Join us in seeking Gods presence and answers. We are in prayer for the healing of our community and a nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. If you want us to pray for you personally, let us know. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Phone: 712-323-3124. You can find us on Facebook at Friends of Epworth UMC/Facebook. Faith Lutheran Church Faith Lutheran Church (LCMS), 2100 S. 11th St., invites you to join us for creative worship with contemporary songs at our 9 a.m. Sunday service. The LWML will be collecting noisy Mites. On Tuesday, there is a 9:30 a.m. adult Bible study in the downstairs fellowship hall that is open to everyone. Please use the rear door. Wednesday there is confirmation at 5:45 p.m. Worship services are available on Faiths Facebook page and on YouTube by searching for Ron Rosenkaimer. For more information, check our webpage or contact the church office at 712-323-6445. New Horizon Presbyterian Church On April 23, New Horizon Presbyterian Church, 30 Valley View Drive, will hold worship services at 8, 9 and 11 a.m. Youth and adult Sunday school will be at 10 a.m. On Wednesdays, the Praise Band meets from 5:45 to 6:30 p.m., the Chancel Bell Choir from 6:30 to 7:30 and the Chancel Choir from 7:30 to 8:30. There will be a Red Cross blood drive on April 25 at 8 a.m. Grief Group meets on April 27 at 1 p.m. If you are ill, please worship from home by watching our Facebook page, facebook.com/NewHorizonPC. Westminster Presbyterian Church Westminster Presbyterian Church, 517 S. 32nd St., invites everyone to our 10:30 a.m. Sunday worship service. The Rev. Portia Iverson will base her sermon, Twilight Time, on Psalm 16:7-11, A Song of Trust and Security in God, and Luke 24:13-35, The Walk to Emmaus. We will have Coffee Time in Fellowship Hall following the service. Donations for Church World Service One Great Hour of Sharing will continue through April. We are handicapped accessible through the northeast door of the church. Corpus Christi Catholic Parish Join us for the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for the Third Sunday of Easter. The Liturgy of the Word will be Acts 2:14, 22-33; Pslam 16:1-2, 5, 7-11; 1 Peter 1:17-21; Luke 24:13-35. Our Weekend Mass in English is celebrated on Saturday at 4 p.m. and on Sunday at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. at Corpus Christi Queen of Apostles, 3304 4th Ave., Council Bluffs; and at 9:30 a.m. at Corpus Christi Our Lady of Carter Lake, 3501 North Ninth St., Carter Lake. Our Sunday Spanish Mass is at noon at Corpus Christi Queen of Apostles. Daily Mass is celebrated as follows: In English on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 8 a.m. (Council Bluffs) and in Spanish on Monday and Thursday at 6 p.m. (Council Bluffs). Eucharistic Adoration is held every Monday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. at Corpus Christi Queen of Apostles. For more information, call the parish office at 712-323-2916 or 712-323-4716 (Spanish) or visit our parish website at www.corpuschristiparishiowa.org. Emanuel Lutheran Church Emanuel Lutheran Church, 2444 N. Broadway, welcomes everyone to come as you are and be who you are! You are invited to join us this Sunday for our Holy Humor Worship Service with a joyful noise offering for Habitat for Humanity at 9:30 a.m. Children will be dismissed for Sunday school after the Gospel lesson. This Sunday we will also have blood pressure checks during coffee hour with our parish nurse, Crystal. Other events this week include Tai Chi Monday at 10 a.m. in the youth center, Bible study Thursday at 9:30 a.m. in the conference room, and Tai Chi Thursday at 10 a.m. in the youth center. Follow us on YouTube, Facebook or Twitter to stay up to date on events and view livestreamed services. Visit us online at emanuelcb.org. Saint John Lutheran Church Saint John Lutheran Church, 633 Willow Ave., holds worship at 5:30 p.m. on Saturdays and 8:30 and 11 a.m. on Sundays. Worship is also available to watch on YouTube. Our website is www.SaintJohnELCA.org, and our Facebook page is Saint John Lutheran Church Council Bluffs IA. Wednesday morning Bible study meets at 9 a.m., and Wednesday evening Bible study meets at 6:30 p.m. The bell choir practices at 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, and the Chancel Choir starts practice at 7:30 p.m. Confirmation students and high school youth also meet Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. Please call the church office with any questions, 712-323-7173. Broadway Christian Church The congregation invites you to join us for Sunday worship at 9 a.m. at Broadway Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 2658 Ave. A. Masks are optional. A hearing loop is installed for those who need it. This Sunday, the Rev. Patti Ford will provide the message, Invisible in Plain Sight. We celebrate communion weekly, and it is open to all. Each week, you are invited to enjoy coffee and donuts following worship in Fellowship Hall. Pieceful Hearts Quilters meet the second Tuesday of each month at 9:30 a.m. Bible Study meets each Wednesday at 10 a.m. Newcomers are always welcome at both. Alcoholics Anonymous meets Mondays and Fridays at 7:30 p.m. Overeaters Anonymous meets Mondays at noon and Tuesdays at 6 p.m. The church is ADA-accessible. To submit prayer requests or for more information, call the church office at 712-323-7741 or email us at office@bcccb.org. Visit us online at www.bcccb.org or on Facebook. First Congregational UCC Church Come and join us for worship at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at First Congregational Church (United Church of Christ), located at 611 First Ave. near Bayliss Park. Coffee and light snacks are provided. Our service is also available via Zoom. Please email the church for information on how to join the Zoom meeting: cbfirstcong@gmail.com. First Congregational hosts a weekly NAR-ANON meeting Mondays at 7 p.m. (ring the doorbell by .entrance on the Bayliss Park side). We host a free Community Dinner the last Friday of each month from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Everyone is always welcome at First Congregational to enjoy worship, a meal and fellowship. Our Saviors Lutheran Church Our Saviors Lutheran Church, 600 Bluff St., can be reached at 712-322-6655. Everyone is welcome. The church is handicapped accessible. Worship services are Saturday at 5:30 p.m. and Sunday at 10:30 a.m. Sunday morning services are livestreamed on Facebook. Adult Sunday school is at 9:15 a.m., and youth Sunday school is at 9:30. hunt at 11:30 a.m. sponsored by the Educationch o Team. All are welcome! For more information, see our Facebook page, Our Saviors Lutheran Church Council Bluffs or our website at oursaviorscb.org. Other activities this week include Al-Anon meetings Monday and Wednesday at 6 p.m. in the Education Building. Thursday morning Bible Study will meet from 9:30 to 11 a.m., and Prayer Team will meet at 11:15 a.m. Thursday evening Bible study will meet at 7 p.m. On Thursday evening, bell choir practices at 6:30 and choir practices at 7:30. Food Pantry and Pet Food Pantry are open by appointment Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. To schedule an appointment, please call the Food Pantry directly at 712-522-3522 on the day it is open. For more information, see our Facebook page under Our Saviors Lutheran Church of Council Bluffs or the website at oursaviorscb.org. St. Johns United Church of Christ St. Johns United Church of Christ, 400 Cloverdale Drive, welcomes everyone to attend Sunday service at 10:15 a.m. Pastor Don Morgans Installation at St. Johns will be on April 23 at 3 p.m., followed by an all-church potluck. For information on how to join us by Zoom, email the church at stjohnsucccb@gmail.com. You can also follow us on Facebook at stjohnsucc-council bluffs or call 712-322-2174 for additional information. St. Pauls Episcopal Church St. Pauls Episcopal Church is located at 22 Dillman Drive in Council Buffs. Services held each Sunday morning at 11 a.m., we invite visitors to attend and share with us these very enjoyable and enlightening services. For additional information, please contact the church at 712-323-7188. Disability Rights Iowa will host a panel presentation in Iowa City on Assistance Animals for Mental Health on Wednesday, May 10, from noon to 1:30 p.m. Satellite viewings will take be available in Des Moines, Ottumwa, Cedar Rapids and Chariton. Online streaming of the event will be available afterwards. We are thrilled to be able to host this event for the second year in a row, executive director Catherine Johnson said in a news release. This years focus on assistance animals will shed light on an area of law that is often misunderstood. The panel will include six people who collectively have legal expertise, mental health expertise and lived experience, according to a news release. The panel will also be moderated by a legal expert. To register or stream the event, visit disabilityrightsiowa.org/events/mental-health-2. Cyndy Miller, Disability Rights Iowas legal director, said continuing education credits will be available for lawyers, social workers and mental health professionals. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all events hosted by Disability Rights Iowa. Communication Across Real Time Translation in English and Spanish as well as American Sign Language will be provided. If you require an accommodation, email or call contact@driowa.org or 515-452-0757 prior by 5 p.m. on May 2. A controversial ordinance prohibits residents of Council Bluffs from owning a pit bull. The citys mayor has defended the rule as keeping the public safe, but a proposal before state lawmakers would overrule the local ban along with many others enacted by local Iowa governments. House File 651 advanced in the Iowa Legislature on a 82-16 vote on April 11, with eight Democrats and eight Republicans opposed. If made law, the bill would invalidate breed-specific bans, mostly on pit bulls and similar dogs, in dozens of Iowa cities. Council Bluffs Mayor Matt Walsh told The Nonpareil he has concerns over the bill, particularly because it passed with substantial support. In Council Bluffs, owning a pit bull is outlawed, and the ordinance defines that as an American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier or any dog displaying the majority of physical traits of any one or more of those three breeds. The city enacted the ban in 2005, after pit bulls were found to be responsible for nearly a quarter of the dog bites locally in 2004. After the ban was put in place, the number of reported dog bites fell from 29 in 2004 to 13 in 2005. So far this year, 17 dog bites have been reported in Council Bluffs, according to Chief Animal Control Officer Galen Barrett. One of those bites was attributed to a pit bull mix. It was working in Council Bluffs and wed like to continue to have it work, Walsh said. Weve seen success with it. Walsh, a former member of the Council Bluffs City Council, wasnt always in favor. In 2005, he was one of two council members who voted against the ban. At the time, I didnt want to take away peoples family pets, he said. To take away those pets didnt make sense to me. Walsh now supports the ordinance as a servant of public safety. Eighteen years later, there should be no legal pit bulls left in Council Bluffs, he said. The primary duty of elected officials is to keep the city safe. Thats something Walsh believes the breed ban accomplishes, and he said it does so in a way thats easier to enforce than the laws in Omaha. Omaha requires muzzles and additional control instructions along with proof of liability insurance for dogs displaying a majority of the characteristics of Pitbull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Bulldog, Dogo Argentina, Presa Canario or Cane Corso. Still, the ordinance in Council Bluffs has drawn criticism, including a legal challenge. Last fall, a federal appeals court ruled that Council Bluffs ban on owning pit bulls does not violate the U.S. Constitution. Its not the dog, its the owner of the dog, Walsh said. I still believe that to be true. Still, Walsh thinks the Iowa House vote supports bad policy that could endanger public safety. There are streets that some people can drive 100 mph on and be safe, but there are other drivers that are only safe up to 35 mph thats why we make speed limits, Walsh said. Its kind of the same premise for me with pit bulls. There are people who can own pit bulls responsibly, but there are many others who would not be responsible owners. The House bill would need to pass the Iowa Senate before becoming eligible to be signed into law by Gov. Kim Reynolds. State Sen. Dan Dawson of Council Bluffs said he believes there needs to be an overall discussion on the topic of breed restrictions if the bill were to move forward. Theres people on both sides of the fence in Council Bluffs, he said. You know, some these laws are 10, 15 years old. At the very least, I think its time that all the local entities out there at least revisit it and actually take a new vote at the very least, if not do a total ban. Midlands Humane Society in Council Bluffs would support a change to the rules, noting that pit bulls often take longer to adopt as a result of the restrictions. Midlands Humane Society is in support of evaluating animals based on their behavior instead of the breed and the breed characteristics, said Mariah Garcia, director of operations and events at MHS. Dawson was unsure if the Iowa Senate would take up the bill this year or not, although he didnt rule it out. Its pretty late in the session for those types of topics, he said. I almost view it as like, a next year topic, is what my inkling on it would be the temperature around here. We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. Air Tanzania Company Limited and Kenya Airways top officials have met to discuss the possibility for a cargo transportation collaboration aiming to increase value and reduce operating coasts. Kenya Airways Group managing director Allan Kilavuka, who visited Tanzania recently, said in a statement that the two airlines could cooperate in different areas, particularly in cargo transportation. With the arrival of Air Tanzanias first cargo plane, a 54-ton Boeing 767-300 freighter, the two flag-carriers aim to increase value and reduce operating costs by utilizing their available freight, equipment, and expertise effectively. The African market alone is very large and requires cooperation to exploit it, especially the service of transporting passengers and cargo, said Air Tanzanias managing director Ladislaus Matindi. He said cooperation areas include the exchange of expertise and conducting practical training without relying on foreign countries in order to increase operational efficiency. The new cargo plane will come at the right time as demand continues to rise due to growing trade and commercial activities. The collaboration between the two companies is expected to create commercial opportunities and meet the demands of the global market for cargo transportation, including perishable products and other items that are expected to be transported from Tanzania, including general cargo services, chicks and fish, pharma services, newspapers and magazines, valuable cargo, express parcels, postal and courier services, hazard materials, and human remains. Kenya Airways and South African Airways announced last month they will launch a pan-African airline group in 2024 as part of its strategic partnership to boost growth. The two airlines are currently implementing phase two of the partnership framework, which will lead to forming the new group. As fighting continues to rage in Sudans capital Khartoum after a 24-hour-ceasefire failed to hold, African and world leaders warned of the real danger that the escalating crisis in Sudan could spill over to the wider region and degenerate into a security and humanitarian crisis on a disastrous scale. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday appealed for warring parties in Sudan to observe a ceasefire for at least three days so that civilians trapped in conflict zones can seek medical treatment, food, and other essential supplies. His call to silence the guns during the Eid al-Fitr celebrations, starting in Sudan Friday at the end of Ramadan, followed a virtual meeting on the crisis, convened by the African Union (AU). The AU meeting brought together the UN, the League of Arab States, the East African bloc regional bloc the Intergovernmental Authority on Development in efforts for peace (IGAD), the European Union, and countries committed to bringing an end to the hostilities in Sudan, where rival military factions have been battling for power for nearly a week. The ceasefire must be the first step in providing respite from the fighting and paving the way for a permanent ceasefire, the UN Secretary General said, briefing journalists at UN Headquarters in New York. Hundreds have been killed in the clashes between the Sudanese armed forces and the paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), who are at odds over the return to civilian rule. Humanitarians have also been hampered from carrying out their lifesaving operations, due to attacks and looting. Guterres said the cessation of hostilities must be followed by serious dialogue, allowing for the successful transition, starting with the appointment of a civilian government. He condemned the targeting of humanitarian workers and assets, and reminded the parties of their international obligations, including to ensure the safety and security of aid workers. Most of the fighting has occurred in the capital, Khartoum, where residents have been trapped in their homes for days. Thousands have fled the city, though evacuation has become increasingly difficult. Humanitarians warn that people are running out of food, fuel, and other vital supplies, and many urgently need medical care. The situation in Sudan is increasingly concerning and heart breaking. Over 330 people have died so far, and nearly 3,200 are injured, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, wrote in a statement posted on his official Twitter account. Tedros condemned all loss of life, especially attacks on civilians and healthcare. He expressed deep concern over reports of forces occupying health facilities, underlining that attacks on healthcare are a flagrant violation of international law. The lack of safe access, of electricity, food, water, personnel and the diminishing medical supplies are making it nearly impossible for many health facilities to function at the exact time when there are thousands injured in need of urgent care, he said. The head of the UN Childrens Fund (UNICEF) also called on the parties to respect their international obligations to protect boys and girls from harm and to ensure humanitarians can quickly reach children in need. Five days of intense hostilities in Sudan, and four failed ceasefires, have already taken a devastating toll on the countrys children, UNICEF Director Catherine Russell said in a statement. If the violence does not stop, this toll will only increase. She said at least nine children have reportedly been killed, and more than 50 reportedly injured as hostilities continue in Khartoum, the Darfur states and North Kordofan, though insecurity makes it difficult to collect and verify information. Humanitarian needs in Sudan were already at record levels at the start of the year, according to UN relief agency, OCHA, with nearly one third of the population, almost 16 million people, requiring assistance. UNICEF Chief said the crisis has disrupted critical-life saving care for an estimated 50,000 children suffering from acute malnutrition, who need ongoing round-the-clock care. The fighting also puts at risk the cold chain in Sudan, including over $40 million worth of vaccines and insulin, due to the breaks in the power supply and the inability to restock generators with fuel, she added. Meanwhile, the World Food Program (WFP) warned that the violence could push millions more into hunger. WFP had planned to support some 7.6 million people in Sudan this year but was forced to temporarily halt operations as the fighting is preventing teams from carrying out activities such as delivering critical emergency food, providing school meals, and preventing and treating malnutrition. The UN agency has also suffered immense losses as three staff members were killed in crossfire last Saturday, and two sustained severe injuries. WFP added that its staff, offices, vehicles, equipment, and food stocks have also come in the direct line of fire. The UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS), which WFP manages on behalf of the international community, is now completely grounded. One aircraft in Khartoum has been damaged beyond repair, and at least 10 vehicles and six food trucks have been stolen. Additionally, WFP guesthouses, offices and warehouses in Nyala, South Darfur, have been overrun and looted, resulting in the loss of up to 4,000 metric tons of food. Meanwhile, the UN reproductive health agency, UNFPA, warned that Sudans health system is at near collapse, and expressed concern about pregnant women who require ongoing care and access to hospitals where they can safely give birth. As 93% of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the Global South are drowning in debt, according to a new research from ActionAid, experts warn that illicit trade greatly exacerbates this budgetary disaster, which in turn robs governments of massive amounts of tax revenue while undermining medical, environmental and economic health. The ActionAid study also rings the alarm bells that nearly two-thirds of these highly indebted nations are drastically slashing public spending to repay loans, hindering progress in funding vital climate resilience and sustainable development efforts. The illicit trade robs governments in the Global South including Somalia, Malawi, and Mozambique of massive amounts of tax revenue every year while undermining medical, environmental and economic health. Hence experts urge African governments to take a robust action to tackle thriving counterfeit markets namely traceability and authentication systems paired with regional regulatory cooperation as this will play a crucial role in easing budgetary pressures and unlocking the continents potential. In a recently published report, SICPA West Africa exposes the scale of the illicit trade plaguing the health, energy, and food sectors, concluding that anti-fraud traceability systems are essential in building an economy of trust, that Africa needs to achieve its inclusive and sustainable development transitions. With less than half of the continents population has access to adequate healthcare, while nearly 100 million Africans incur catastrophic healthcare costs every year, this situation has created fertile ground for the much cheaper counterfeit pharmaceuticals market, which has reached an estimated annual size of $200 billion according to the SICPA report. Beyond its public health impact, Covid-19 has had a much less visible impact in Africa according to a 2022 study: fueling the fraudulent food market, notably through its disruption of global supply chains. Aside from food, the African sector most critical for the continents sustainable development, energy, is also gravely impacted by the scourge of illicit trading. According to the SICPA report, $133 billion worth of fuels is either stolen, illegally refined and imported or otherwise falsified globally, with Africa on the frontlines. Tackling rampant illicit trading in Africas health, food and energy sectors is thus an urgent priority. SICPA highlights hi-tech tracing and authentication technology solutions as vital components of the public policy response. Beyond traceability, regional regulatory harmonization measures are critical in closing cross-border legislative and judiciary gaps that criminal groups exploit. With the IMF and World Bank seeking solutions to the Global Souths debt and climate finance crises, the significant impact of illicit markets should ultimately not be overlooked. A parliamentary delegation from Zambia visited on Thursday the Moroccan city of Laayoune, where it witnessed first-hand the socio-economic achievements and the development momentum in the capital of the Moroccan Sahara. The members of the delegation commended this development momentum and the quality of the infrastructure which is likely to improve the quality of life and offer wide opportunities to the local population. In a statement to the press, the First Deputy Speaker of Zambias National Assembly, Malungo Chisangano, welcomed the quality of infrastructure and socio-economic achievements in Laayoune, expressing her desire to benefit from Moroccos experience and best practices in terms of infrastructure. For his part, MP Mulambo Haimbe highlighted the strong relationship between the two peoples and countries, praising the policy put in place by King Mohammed VI in various areas. Furthermore, Haimbe stressed that Zambia supports the autonomy plan presented by Morocco, praising the Kingdoms policy to make Africa a priority. On this occasion, the members of the delegation followed at the headquarters of the Laayoune municipality a presentation on the citys development program and were informed of the various development projects under the new Development Model of the Southern Provinces launched by King Mohammed VI in 2015. Thus, the parliamentary delegation visited the Consulate General of the Republic of Zambia and the major sites completed and those under construction, namely the Hospital and University Center, the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy and the City of trades and skills. Earlier in the day, the parliamentary delegation held a meeting with the wali of the region Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra, governor of the province of Laayoune, Abdeslam Bekrate, during which emphasis was placed on the development boom that the region is experiencing in various areas. The parliamentary delegation of the Republic of Zambia had held, during this week, a series of meetings with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 21) On the eve of Earth Day, people in Verde Island formed a "human boom" to dramatize their call for climate justice, protection of the marine hotspot, and immediate action on the massive oil spill in Oriental Mindoro. The oil slick reached Verde Island last March 20 but the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has already confirmed no traces of the spillage on the island and its vicinity waters. "This human boom is a symbol of affected communities' unity and determination in our fight to save the Verde Island Passage (VIP) from this oil spill which continues to pose threats to our health, lives, and livelihood," Fr. Edwin Gariguez, convener of the Protect VIP coalition, said in a statement on Friday. "This Earth Day provides us with more fortitude to call for the protection of our common home and to call for everyone to be better stewards of the environment," he added. Residents of Verde Island on April 21 form a "human boom" to register their calls for climate justice, protection of the marine hotspot, and immediate action on the massive oil spill in Oriental Mindoro. Verde Island is in the so-called VIP, a marine corridor that is surrounded by Batangas, the Mindoro provinces, and Marinduque. It is considered the "center of marine shore fish biodiversity." Conservation International Philippines said the VIP provides food and livelihood to over two million people. "The strait is the backbone of the local economy, thriving upon coastal tourism, fisheries, and as a shipping route to the international ports of Batangas, Manila, and Subic Bay," it said on its website. Protect VIP, among other advocates, is calling for legislation and policies to protect the "ecologically fragile" marine corridor. "It was an oil spill that gave birth to the annual celebration of Earth Day and it is saddening that we celebrate it this year while in the midst of one," Fr. Michael Flores of the Archdiocesan Ministry on Environment in Lipa was quoted as saying. Earth Day is celebrated on April 22. It was first held on April 22, 1970, after more than three million gallons of oil spilled off the coast of Santa Barbara, California on Jan. 28, 1969. The massive marine disaster killed over 10,000 seabirds, dolphins, seals, and sea lions. "It is only right that the VIP comes out of this tragedy with legal protection so it doesnt suffer this fate," Flores said. MT Princess Empress, which had over 800,000 liters of industrial fuel oil, capsized on Feb. 28 in waters off Naujan, Oriental Mindoro then sank the next day. Authorities are working to contain the spillage, with the Philippines still waiting for a siphoning machine that would be used to get the remaining oil in the submerged vessel. For now, leaks from the tanker are being bagged. The Office of Civil Defense on Thursday said around 36 kilometers out of 47 kilometers of oil spill-affected shoreline have been cleaned up by the PCG, volunteers, and hired residents. With thousands of fisherfolk impacted by the incident, the government is focusing on training programs for them to learn alternative livelihoods. Also, authorities are still investigating to prepare cases against ship owner RDC Reield Marine Services. "We want the government to move move faster in removing the ship, stopping the spread of the spill, and providing compensation for everyone who lost their livelihood," Gariguez said. "We want concrete actions and for the government to show us that they have learned their lesson from this incident. Finally, we want justice. We want the government to name names and bring them to account for what has happened," he added. The UN Security Council held, in New York, closed-door consultations on the Moroccan Sahara issue. These regular consultations are provided for by Council Resolution 2654 adopted last October 27. According to well-informed sources at the UN headquarters, the members of the Security Council were briefed on Wednesday by the UN Secretary-Generals Personal Envoy for the Sahara, Staffan de Mistura, as well as by the Secretary-Generals Special Representative and head of MINURSO, Alexander Ivanko. According to the same sources, a large number of the Security Council members expressed support to the Morocco-proposed autonomy initiative, considering the initiative as a serious, credible and pragmatic solution to put a definitive end to the regional dispute over the Moroccan Sahara. In this regard, it should be recalled that resolution 2654 and all those that preceded it since 2007 have established the pre-eminence of the Moroccan autonomy initiative. Similarly, the members of the Security Council have unanimously reaffirmed their support for the exclusively UN-led political process which aims to achieve a political, realistic, pragmatic, sustainable and compromise solution to the Moroccan Sahara issue. They all reiterated their support for de Misturas efforts to relaunch the UN-led political process, enshrined in all Security Council resolutions since 2007. In this context, the resumption of the roundtables, with the participation of Morocco, Algeria and Mauritania, was highlighted. The roundtable process was reaffirmed in resolution 2654, and in those that preceded it since 2018, as the only framework for the political process. The members of the Council also expressed their appreciation for the organization by the Personal Envoy, at the end of last March, at the UN headquarters in New York, of informal bilateral consultations, particularly with Morocco, Algeria and Mauritania, thus confirming the status of Algeria as the main party to this regional dispute that it created and has maintained for half a century, in disregard of the interests and the common destiny of the peoples of the five member states of the Arab Maghreb Union. It should also be recalled that the role of Algeria has been enshrined in all Security Council resolutions since 2018, including 2654, which calls on it to remain committed to the roundtable process in a spirit of realism and compromise in order to make it succeed. Unfortunately, Algeria continues its violation of Security Council resolutions and therefore international law by refusing to take part in the roundtables, while two of its former foreign ministers, namely Lamsahel and Lamamra had taken part in them in September 2018 and March 2019 respectively. Several well-informed sources at the UN headquarters indicated that other members of the Council welcomed the stability and prosperity prevailing in the Moroccan Sahara, and highlighted the all-round development experienced by the southern provinces of the Kingdom thanks to the new development model for these provinces, which is a stinging denial of the false allegations of Algeria and its puppet the polisario about the situation in the Moroccan Sahara and the existence of a so-called conflict. Similarly, the opening of consulates in the cities of Laayoune and Dakhla was highlighted during these consultations as well as the growing recognition of the Moroccanness of the Sahara by the international community. In addition, Moroccos commitment to the ceasefire and its fruitful cooperation with MINURSO to facilitate the fulfilment of its monitoring mandate were highlighted during these consultations. The polisarios renunciation, at the behest of Algeria, of the ceasefire was a matter of great concern to Council members, who urged the separatist group to respect the ceasefire. The polisarios obstructions to MINURSOs ceasefire supervision activities, including its violations of the military agreements and freedom of movement and blocking of supply convoys, were denounced by Council members who demanded an end to these reprehensible violations. The polisarios renunciation of the ceasefire and its unacceptable violations of MINURSO were exposed by the UN Secretary General in his report to the Security Council last October. Spanish Presidency Minister Felix Bolanos on Friday said that his country must have very good relations with Morocco, calling the North African Kingdom a strategic ally in various areas. Morocco is a strategic ally with which we must maintain a very good relationship for the good of our country, said Bolanos, who was the guest on a program on La 2, one of Spains state-owned TV channels. Due to its geographical proximity to our country, Morocco is a strategic partner and a fundamental ally in a multitude of issues that affect daily life in Spain, noted the Spanish official. In this context, he welcomed the results of bilateral cooperation in various areas, including the management of migration flows and economic, trade and cultural cooperation. Bilateral cooperation is undoubtedly bearing fruit. The agreements we have with Morocco are working very well. Felix Bolanos has thus echoed Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares who had told news channel 24 Horas a day earlier that Spain must maintain the best relations with Morocco, given the multidimensional interests and many challenges that both countries share. He argued that Spains relations with Morocco should be a state policy applied for mutual benefit, highlighting the depth of the ties that unite the two countries in all areas. The Foreign Minister recalled that more than 6,000 Spanish companies export products worth 12 billion euros to Morocco, and that 1,200 Spanish companies are present in Morocco either directly or through their subsidiaries. He also highlighted the contribution of the Moroccan community living in Spain to the economic and social development of the European country. He also touched on judicial and security cooperation that makes it possible to dismantle jihadist networks that threaten both countries and to fight human trafficking mafias. Jose Manuel Albares further welcomed the positive results of the management of the migratory issue between Rabat and Madrid, stating that in the first quarter of 2023, the arrivals of irregular immigrants in the Canary Islands decreased by 63%, while in Greece and Italy they increased by 95% and 300% respectively. In this sense, Albares praised the new phase initiated a year ago between the two countries, pointing out that this new phase is based on more solid principles. The head of the Spanish diplomacy affirmed that the position of the Spanish government towards Morocco is very clear and unequivocal, and that this position is expressed in the declaration of 7 April 2022 and in the joint declaration that closed the XII High Level Meeting. This position is based on cooperation, mutual respect, non-interference in internal affairs, absence of unilateral acts and responsibility, the Foreign Minister stated. Albert's Culbertson Grass is approximately 64 +/- acres of native grass pasture accessed by a well maintained, paved county road. The property has a barbed wire perimeter fence and there is a well with a windmill (the Seller nor their representative know the quality of the well). There is electrical service on the property. There are several potential building sites on the property so a Buyer will have many options with this terrific ranch.LandAlberts Culbertson Grass is 64 +/- acres of rolling native grass. ImprovementsThere is a perimeter barbed wire fence and electrical service to the property. RecreationAlberts Culbertson Grass and the Frenchman River Valley offers endless recreation, from hunting small game and varmints to monster plains mule deer and White-tailed deer. You also have the opportunity to go hiking, biking or having fun on your ATV/UTV all on your own property! Swanson Reservoir, which boasts some excellent fishing and waterfowl hunting is only a short 15 mile drive to the west of Alberts Culbertson Grass. AgricultureCurrently Alberts Culbertson Grass is operated as a cattle pasture. Water/Mineral Rights & Natural ResourcesAll appurtenant water rights associated with this property will transfer to the Buyer at Closing. Seller owned mineral rights will transfer to the Buyer at Closing. General OperationsAlberts Culbertson Grass is currently used as a cattle pasture. Region & ClimateHitchcock County, Nebraska gets 21 inches of rain, on average, per year.The US average is 38 inches of rain per year. Hitchcock County averages 24 inches of snow per year.The US average is 28 inches of snow per year. On average, there are 240 sunny days per year in Hitchcock County.The US average is 205 sunny days. Hitchcock County gets some kind of precipitation, on average, 71 days per year. Precipitation is rain, snow, sleet, or hail that falls to the ground. In order for precipitation to be counted you have to get at least .01 inches on the ground to measure. Weather Highlights Summer High:the July high is around 90 degrees Winter Low:the January low is 14 Rain:averages 21 inches of rain a year Snow:averages 24 inches of snow a year HistoryThis area is rich in history. On 30 Aug. 1873 the first election was held in the county. It was held at the residence of F.U. Martin on Section 14, Township 3, Range 32 West, two miles east of the present town of Culbertson. The first officers elected were: Thomas LeGrand, W.W. Kelly and F.U. Martin, commissioners; W.Z. Taylor, Clerk, J.E. Kleven, Treasurer; G.E. Baldwin, Sheriff; A.J. Vanderslice, Judge; J.H. Conklin, surveyor; Daniel Murphy, Superintendent of Schools; J.H. Miller, Coroner. The county seat was located on the north half of Section 17, Range 31 West, the site of the town of Culbertson. Prior to 1869, the Republican Valley was a major retreat for the hostile Sioux and Cheyenne Indians. The valley was in the heart of buffalo range and was one of the great hunting grounds of the West. Whites made only occasional hunting trips into the region, due to the threat of Indian problems. In the summer of 1869, at the Battle of Summit Springs, near present Sterling, Co., Gen. Eugene A. Carr and his Republican River Expedition defeated the hostile Indians under Chief Tall Bull, which virtually cleared the Republican for settlement. The counties to the east of Hitchcock County were quickly organized by adventuresome frontiersmen and women. Though he did not file upon the land until August, George C. Gessleman was the first person to settle in what is now Hitchcock county, arriving in the early spring of 1873. During the next few months, he was joined by about a dozen other men, staking claims along Blackwood Creek to the east and north of present Culbertson. On 30 May 1873, a flash flood on the Blackwood brought near disaster to those first frontiersmen of the county. In the night, after everyone was in bed, most sleeping outdoors, a flood rushed down the creek, washing away tents, wagons and possessions. The boundaries for Hitchcock County had been defined by the legislature in January 1873 and named for Phineas W. Hitchcock, then serving as United States Senator from Nebraska. Situated near the southwest corner of Nebraska, the county is twenty-four miles north and south and thirty miles from east to west. In June the settlers petitioned Governor Robert W. Furnas for permission to organize the county, and he issued a proclamation on 5 July 1873, calling for an election to organize the county to be held on August 30th. In July, William Zacariah Taylor arrived on the present site of Culbertson and began building a store, probably at the instigation of the Republican Valley Land Company, the town site company of the Burlington Railroad. He named the site for Alexander Culbertson , noted trader of the Upper Missouri County in the 1840s and 1850s, who was living out his old age at Orleans, Harlan County, where his son-in-law was a Burlington official. Before the election, however, the settlers went through another time of trial, when the Sioux defeated the Pawnee at the Battle of Massacre Canyon on Tuesday morning, August 5th. The day before the battle a party of Sioux warriors had terrorized some of the settlers along the Blackwood, destroying some property. An account of the battle is given elsewhere in this history. Eighteen votes were cast at the first election on August 30th, and the men elected served only until the regular election on October 14th. Several of those elected had apparently left the county by the second election, however. A party of buffalo hunters were robbed in early October on the Stinking Water and left afoot on the prairie later making their way to the Kansas settlements. They and others said the robbery was done by some of these first county officials. During that first summer, only a few acres of ground were broken. For survival, these first frontiersmen depended upon the buffalo and other wild game. Supplies had to be transported from the railroad in the Platte Valley, mainly from North Platte or Plum Creek (Lexington). Having little money, many of the settlers traded buffalo meat for essentials. This was to remain the main source of trade until the buffalo herds were finally wiped out. Though 1874 started out well, the grasshopper hordes arrived in late summer and the few small fields were devastated. Many of the settlers left the county, leaving only a handful of men. In 1875 a major change came to the county. Large scale ranching began in Southwest Nebraska. Some ranchers came from the East, but others were Colorado ranchers who entered the region from the west. Thus began Culbertsons boom period. Though a few very small settlements, such as Stratton, Palisade and Benkleman were started about 1880, until about 1883, Culbertson was the only real settlement in Southwest Nebraska, being the only town between Indianola and Ogallala. Though many of the ranchers and their families lived in Culbertson, at least during the winter, and many of the men served as officials of Hitchcock County. Until the railroad built up the valley, few settlers entered the region, for they would have had no way to market their produce except for the long haul to the Platte. When the Burlington began to build west, many homesteaders entered the county, settling on the Driftwood and the Frenchman, as well as building up the river valley. It was not until about 1884, however, that homesteaders began to settle on the divide lands, booming the population of the county. Early history of Hitchcock County tells of frequent Indian scares, but no injury was ever done the settlers. In the fall of 1876, two horse thieves were killed in Massacre Canyon and buried near Culbertson. In the fall of 1878, a band of Cheyenne Indians escaped from their reservation, to visit their old Nebraska home, and passed near here. In the fall of 1881 the Burlington and Missouri Railroad was completed to Culbertson and trains began running regularly to this point. In March 1882, trains began running westward as far as Akron, Colorado. The first school district was organized 21 Feb. 1876. This district was the north one-half of the county. No other district was organized until 1879 when four more districts were added. Another district was formed in 1880 and three more in 1881, making nine school districts in the county by 1882. There were 335 children of school age and 12 teachers holding certificates. The salaries of the teachers ranged all the way from $20 to $40 per month. The first newspaper in the county was the spring of 1879 by W.Z. Taylor, and Nat L. Baker was the editor. This paper was published until the spring of 1800, when Baker took the material and started the Chipper. Taylor started another paper called the Sun at the same time and employed R.D. Graham as editor. During the same summer the Clipper failed and Baker returned the material and the Sun remained the only paper published in the county. LocationAlberts Culbertson Grass is located in Hitchcock County in SW Nebraska. The closest community is Culbertson and the nearest large community is McCook (15 minutes). The property is only a mile north of US Hwy 34 and is located almost an equal distance from Interstates I-70 and I-80. View More Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers on Thursday announced an $18.75 million settlement of a 12-year dispute over state trooper salary and retirement benefits that impacts 28 years of payroll. The announcement follows on the heels of Gov. Jim Pillen's support for a 22% increase in salaries for members of the Nebraska State Patrol. The settlement stems from a lawsuit originally filed in 2011 over increases in the contribution rates state troopers were required to make to the state pension fund. According to the suit, the Legislature approved several increases over the years that raised the troopers' pension contribution rate from 8% in the 1990s to 19% by 2011. The suit alleged that the increases were unconstitutional. Joining Hilgers at a news conference, the governor praised the settlement, describing the patrol as "the gold standard" of law enforcement and "the safety of Nebraskans as the highest priority." Pillen said he is pleased to "get this lawsuit behind us." Hilgers said the settlement will benefit more than 400 current and former members of the patrol and suggested that the governor's budget proposal already has demonstrated his support for troopers by its significant increase in salaries. "We have their backs," he said. "It's time to put this to bed." "It's a morale boost," Col. John Bolduc, superintendent of the State Patrol, said. "It's a demonstration of support for troopers," he said, coming from "an administration that supports law enforcement and the State Patrol." On hand for the news conference were Sen. Robert Clements of Elmwood, chairman of the Legislature's Appropriations Committee; Sen. Mike McDonnell of Omaha, a committee member; and Sen. Merv Riepe of Ralston, chairman of the Business and Labor Committee, who will shepherd the claims bill through the Legislature. Lt. Gov. Joe Kelly and participants in the lawsuit also attended the event hosted by the attorney general. Photo-Illustration: Intelligencer; Photos: Getty Images/Ten Speed Press Donald Trump is a man so notoriously self-centered that during his presidency we had a public debate about whether it was ethical to diagnose him with narcissistic personality disorder from afar. Yet somehow, hes handily winning the 2024 charm contest over Ron DeSantis. As the Florida governor gears up for a likely presidential run, people have been coming out of the woodwork to make a shocking allegation: The guy who made a name for himself by bullying mask-wearing children, teachers, LGBTQ+ people, and Mickey Mouse isnt a very nice person. I think hes an asshole, said former congressman David Trott. I dont think he cares about people. Obviously, plenty of assholes who dont actually care about people have made their way to the White House. But DeSantiss lack of social grace seems to be irking some figures he needs on his side to defeat Trump in a GOP primary. Heres a running list of the alleged personal slights and etiquette violations that may be hampering DeSantiss political ambitions. . The legend of Pudding Paws DeSantis is so gross that Team Trump has already made a whole ad about it. Per the Daily Beast: Enshrined in DeSantis lore is an episode from four years ago: During a private plane trip from Tallahassee to Washington, D.C., in March of 2019, DeSantis enjoyed a chocolate pudding dessertby eating it with three of his fingers, according to two sources familiar with the incident. . While extreme, it seems the pudding incident wasnt totally out of character for DeSantis. A former staffer said he was known for devouring food during meetings. He would sit in meetings and eat in front of people, the former DeSantis staffer told the Daily Beast, always like a starving animal who has never eaten before getting shit everywhere. . Trott, a Michigan Republican, reached out to Politico to go off on his former colleagues rudeness. I go to my first [House Foreign Affairs Committee] hearing early, and DeSantis showed up right at the gavel time and didnt say hello or introduce himself, Trott said. And then the next hearing, the same thing happened. I think the third time it happened, I thought, Oh, this guys not ever going to say hello to me. . Trott claimed that even after he took the initiative and introduced himself to DeSantis, he never acknowledged his existence. I sat right next to DeSantis for two years on the Foreign Affairs Committee, and he never said a single word to me, Trott told Politico. Trott said he doesnt think the snub was personal. DeSantis appeared to be an arrogant guy, and he never saw him palling around with other members. He wasnt really liked when he was in Congress, Trott said. . Several key Trump allies and aides used to be close to DeSantis and are now fueled by their intense hatred of the governor, according to Rolling Stone. A source who flipped from Team DeSantis to Team Trump told the magazine: The nature of the conversations among the people who used to work for Ron is just so frequently: OK, how can we destroy this guy? It is not at all at a level that is normal for people who hold the usual grudges against horrible bosses. Its a pure hatred that is much, much purer than that People who were traveling with Ron everyday, who worked with him very closely over the years, to this day joke about how it was always an open question whether or not Ron knew their names And thats just the start of it. . A Trump adviser who also knows DeSantis told Rolling Stone that the governor is incredibly thin-skinned: Ron is not someone who can just walk it off. I know because I made a lighthearted joke to him once, and he got mad and held it against me, the Trump adviser adds. Team Trump does not want to just beat him. Team Trump wants to humiliate him maybe more than theyve ever wanted to humiliate anybody on a national stage [and] that is what is driving a lot of this. . In May 2021, Politico reported that DeSantis is such a terrible boss that his former staffers formed a support group that meets regularly to trade war stories about their time working for him. A former congressional staffer told Vanity Fair, I once had to drive him to the airport. We got stuck in traffic for an hour, and he didnt say a word. They added, I describe him as having the personality of a piece of paper. . Representative Greg Steube told Politico that the governor has ignored his friendly overtures for five years: Just ask Steube, who told Playbook in a brief interview last night that DeSantis has never once reached out to him during his five years in Congress nor replied to his multiple attempts to connect. He recalled a recent news conference dealing with damage from Hurricane Ian where the governors aides initially invited him to stand alongside DeSantis, only to tell him that he wouldnt be part of the event when he showed up. . Steube also told Politico that while Trump was the first person to call him after a January tree-trimming accident landed him in the ICU, to this day I have not heard from Governor DeSantis. . Florida congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna was endorsed by both Trump and DeSantis. But the New York Times reports that when her father died in a car accident in 2022, Trump sent her a condolence letter signed Donald, while the letter from the DeSantis camp was only signed by the governors wife, Casey. Luna has endorsed Trump for president in 2024. Trumps operation is personal, Luna said, ahead of a dinner with Trump and members of the Florida congressional delegation who have endorsed him. You take the time to actually get to know the people youre going to be working with, and that does make a difference. . This one isnt really an etiquette breach, its just monstrous. Five former staffers told Politico that at the beginning of his administration, DeSantis directed the Florida Republican Party leader to fire a party official who had cancer on that persons first week back from surgery. . During his first gubernatorial campaign, DeSantis took flak for going on Fox News and urging voters not to monkey this up by supporting his Black opponent. Following the gaffe, DeSantis and his wife Casey chewed out his campaign staff for not cleaning up the mess, according to three former staffers, per Poltiico. Shortly after, DeSantis brought in a whole new group of advisers. . A person close to Representative Vern Buchanan, another Trump-backing member of Floridas congressional delegation, told the Washington Post that Trump personally called to ask for an endorsement and invited him to dinner at Mar-a-Lago. DeSantiss outreach came through a pollster who advises him, Ryan Tyson, according to the Post. . Even people who like DeSantis arent defending his social skills. Per the Post: One person in DeSantiss orbit said a dearth of warm interactions even with staff and traditional allies has hurt him with endorsements, lawmakers and donors. He doesnt like talking to people, and its showing, said this person, who is a vocal supporter of DeSantis. . Some Michigan Republicans noticed that DeSantis didnt seem that eager to spend time with them, and they told the New York Times about it: Mr. DeSantis has also had difficulty at times connecting with potential supporters as he has traveled the country on a book tour. At an event this month in Michigan, he irritated some Republicans who said privately that he had spent little time with the crowd at a morning event and left another in the afternoon shortly after posing for pictures. . A veteran GOP strategist told Vanity Fair that DeSantis is even rude to major donors. The biggest complaint you hear about DeSantis is that he never says thank you, the strategist said. People host events where donors give him enormous sums of money, and he never says thank you. . This hardly seems rare for a politician, but one prominent Republican complained about DeSantis being extremely late to a fundraising event. Hes missing the sociability gene, the Republican told Vanity Fair. He doesnt do the warm and fuzzies well. I was at a fundraiser in D.C. where he was like two hours late. Everyone was like, What the fuck? recalled a GOP strategist. . Though Trump famously dubbed Senator Rubio Liddle Marco, and they sparred over penis size at a 2016 debate, it appears they now have a great relationship. The Florida senator told Semafor that they hung out at a recent UFC event, but he hasnt heard from DeSantis for a number of months. Im not saying that Marco and DeSantis have an awkward relationship, one former Rubio aide told Semafor. I think they just dont have a relationship. This post has been updated throughout. The ALEA, Dadeville Police Department and several other agencies continue to search for answers about the events that led up to the shooting. Special Agents are still in the process of gathering and examining information relative to the sequence of events which ultimately led to the shooting, Burkett said on Tuesday. Special Agents did not recover any high-powered rifle ammunition at the scene. However, they did recover numerous shell casings used in handguns. The day before agents starting making arrests, Burkett said they were processing all of the evidence, in conjunction with completing interviews, in an effort to solidify a motive and potential suspects. Officials have yet to clarify if they anticipate more arrests. The Opelika High Theatre Society learned in September that they would be the first and the only high school theater program in the state of Alabama to put on the Broadway musical of Disneys Frozen this year. Revel Gholston, who has been the director of OHTS for about 23 years, said hes very excited to have this opportunity to premiere the musical Friday night. Opelika High School students will perform at the Opelika Center for the Performing Arts Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m., Sunday at 3 p.m., April 28 and 29 at 7 p.m. and April 30 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students and free for children under 3 years old. Tickets can be purchased at the door or online at https://gofan.co/app/school/AL11750?activity=Performing%20Arts. Exciting time In 2022, Beverly Belcher, a counselor for Jeter Primary who assists the theater program with makeup and sets, sent Gholston the link to apply for the rights to put on the Frozen production. Then Gholston had one of his former students, Auburn Terry Chason, help fill it out and submit it to Disney. Disney selected 51 schools from across the country, and Opelika High School became the sole Alabama school chosen to debut the musical. Gholston said the rights will be released to the general public to perform the Broadway version in January 2024. The announcement came in September while the Opelika High Theatre Society was in the middle of their fall season production of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Gholston got his students together one day during first block and they sat in the classroom waiting to watch Disney release the names of the schools. A representative from Disney gave a brief speech online then put a picture of the list on the screen. At the top of the list was Opelika High School from Alabama. That was a fun day, Gholston said. Again, its all kind of a blur because it was happening right in the middle of everything else that we were doing, but it definitely was an exciting time. The students couldnt believe it. Ive gone to Opelika my whole life, and even Gholston said, things like this dont happen to tiny towns, OHS sophomore Stella George said. It was just like, Oh my gosh, were actually really good. OHS senior Emily Bearden added that its an honor to be selected and this was something she wasnt expecting. Preparations After finishing the fall season, Gholston held auditions for Frozen and hit the ground running. Bearden got the role of Princess Anna and George got the role of Princess Elsa, the two leads of the musical. I was really nervous because its so big and I was expecting a ton of people to try out and a ton of people did try out, Bearden said. Whenever I found out that I got it, I was really excited! My mom, she freaked out, and so that made me freak out more. When Bearden shared the news that she got the part of Anna, she said her mother, Joyce, started jumping up and down. Bearden was homeschooled until last year when she decided she wanted to attend OHS to be a part of the theater program. I really like performing on the stage and I really enjoy singing, she said. Ive sung my entire life, and now that Im in it, I really enjoy the people and the whole community around theater. After she graduates she plans to attend Southern Union and Auburn University and major either in graphic design, music or theater. If she doesnt major in theater, she still plans to be involved in community theater or in assisting the Opelika High Theatre Society. In the fall production, Bearden played Susan in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Prior to that, she had several supporting roles including Jan in Grease, Mrs. Brill in Mary Poppins and Maggie in Emily. George said her older sister, Sophia, peer pressured her into joining the theater program last year. Her first performance was in Grease, and in this production of Frozen, she got her first lead role as Elsa. Sophia is a 2022 graduate from OHS who participate in the theater program and is currently studying musical theater at the University of Montevallo. George said shes always loved singing, but never considered musical theater until her sister pushed her in that direction. Sophia has always been very supportive of me singing, and peer pressured me basically to go out and do stuff because Ive always kind of been like, I dont want to do it in front of people, George said. After rounds of auditions and call backs, Gholston pulled George aside after class, handed her the orb which is used in Elsas coronation scene and told her shed been cast as Elsa. George was so excited she said she called almost everyone she knew to tell them the news. While preparing the costumes and props for the musical, Gholston said it was a new challenge because there wasnt a costume catalog to use, items to rent or the usual resources to help since Frozen has never been put on at this level before. We went into this knowing that we were going to have to create everything pretty much from scratch, he said. Thankfully, Gholston had teachers and parents to help organize costumes and help arrange sets, like Sarah Seymore, wife of OCS Superintendent Farrell Seymore. Gholston was also able to incorporate an LED rear projection wall for the first time ever. This will allow them to project different scenes and moving backgrounds, like the Arendelle ship in the ocean during a storm or the backdrop of the Arendelle castle. This isnt like something that was written years and years and years ago. Its basically brand new, so it almost requires technology in some facets in my opinion, Gholston said. With the help from the Opelika community, he was able to rent the projection wall from a friend in Columbus, Ga., and a friend from California came to help program it. Gholston said they wouldnt have been able to do this without the support from the community and OCS administration, and he cant wait for people to come and see the result. Alabama Democrats are renewing the push for red-flag laws after four people were killed and 32 others were injured during a shooting at a 16th birthday party in Dadeville on April 15. Senate Bill 126 that would establish a procedure for removing firearms from those who pose a danger to themselves or others has been introduced to the Alabama legislature. Sen. Merika Coleman, D-Jefferson County, previously brought similar legislation in the form of a red-flag law when she was a member of the House of Representatives, but ultimately dropped the bill. Red-flag laws allow family members and law enforcement along with in some cases, health care providers and school officials to petition a court to temporarily prevent a person from accessing firearms if they are found to be a danger to themselves or others, according to the Department of Justice. Coleman and fellow Democratic lawmakers are reintroducing the bill following a fatal shooting last weekend in a small Alabama city of about 3,000 people. The Tallapoosa County Coroner, Mike Knox, on Monday identified the four victims who died as Shaunkivia Nicole Smith, known as Keke, 17; Philstavious Dowdell, 19; Marsiah Emmanuel Collins, 19; and Corbin Dahmontrey Holston, 23. Already there have been 162 mass shooters in this country, and its only April 17, said Sen. Rodger Smitherman, D-Jefferson County. State Democrats said during a press conference two days after the shooting that the countrys gun homicide rate is 25 times higher than the rest of the world. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention mortality data, Alabamas firearm mortality rate ranks 5th nationally with 23.6 deaths per 100,000 in 2020. The state was recently awarded $4,489,140 in federal dollars through President Joe Bidens Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which aims to help states create and implement the red-flag laws, also referred to as extreme risk protection order programs. Alabama is among several states to receive the funding most either noted in their federal funding application that they dont intend to pass the laws or top lawmakers there have previously stated their opposition. The Alabama funding application lists a slew of measures they might implement with the money including creating: specialized court-based programs such as drug, mental health, and veterans treatment courts, including those that specifically accept clients with firearm violations, gun violence recovery courts that connect clients in crisis with community resources, threat assessment training for prosecutors, judges, law enforcement, and public defenders among several others measures. Coleman said the goal is simple, "to prevent gun violence and mass shootings before they happen." (CNN) Plans are in motion for President Joe Biden to formally announce his bid for a second term as soon as next week, with a campaign-style video set to be released to definitively answer the question of whether he will run again and igniting an aggressive fundraising effort to help Democrats hold the White House. Biden's small circle of close-knit advisers and allies are preparing for a video announcement Tuesday that would coincide with the anniversary of Biden's 2019 campaign announcement, according to four sources familiar with the matter. Advisers inside and outside the White House caution that timing could still change, pending unforeseen events, but a decision has been reached that it is "no longer helpful or necessary to not just say the obvious: He's running," a senior Democratic official told CNN. Both sentimental and fond of an anniversary, Biden has signed off on a plan to formalize his intentions as soon as Tuesday, four years after he stepped back into public service to launch his campaign in 2019. The Washington Post first reported Biden's plans for next week. The importance of the connection to the anniversary and the fact that it would come just days before the first major donor gathering next Friday have made the possibility increasingly likely, one of the people said. Biden's plan to run for reelection has been an open, if not officially announced, reality inside the West Wing for months. His official declaration, which will end any lingering speculation about his intentions, sets off a battle to convince the public of his accomplishments and his ability to continue serving well into his eighties. Biden said last week he had completed his "calculus" about mounting a reelection bid and would announce his intentions shortly. "I've already made that calculus. We'll announce it relatively soon," Biden said as he departed Ireland. He'd just concluded a campaign-style rally, one of the largest of his career. "The trip here just reinforced my sense of optimism about what can be done," the president told reporters. "I told you my plan is to run again," he said. Biden's aides have been quietly putting an infrastructure in place for a reelection campaign for months. The effort has been led at the White House by deputy chief of staff Jen O'Malley Dillon and senior adviser Anita Dunn. Rather than allowing weeks or months to pass, the decision to announce his plans next week, advisers said, was in part a recognition of how much work is facing the Biden campaign to mobilize and energize voters to turn around the malaise that some Democrats feel about his candidacy. Biden's campaign headquarters will be based in Wilmington, Delaware, a decision the president personally signed off on this month, aides said, as a nod to the pride in his hometown and the place where he spends most of his weekends. Also under consideration was Philadelphia, where his 2020 campaign was based until the coronavirus pandemic turned it into a virtual office. But Wilmington will be at least the nominal home base of his reelection effort, with a split screen to the White House. This story has been updated with additional information. This story was first published on CNN.com. "Plans underway for Biden to announce bid for second term next week" For the Carreras 60th anniversary, we enlisted the help of one of Hollywoods greatest and TAG Heuer ambassador, @RyanGosling, to star in our own film, The Chase for Carrera. What a ride its been.#TAGHeuerCarrera60 #RyanGosling Discover more here: https://t.co/IH9dfsnq9B pic.twitter.com/ZWmJs5Itxt TAG Heuer (@TAGHeuer) April 20, 2023 For the Carrera 60th anniversary, Ryan Gosling- Tag Heuer's global ambassador- stars in a short comedy film celebrating not only the watch but stunt performers. Directed by John Wick's David Leitch, who is also directing the upcoming Gosling action comedy The Fall Guy and co-starring SNL's Vanessa Bayer, the ad was shot on location on set of The Fall Guy.The short film idea was loosely based on an experience Gosling had with the prop team while filming Netflixs The Gray Man. They were so diligent about getting the watch back, waiting for me right by the camera, to immediately get it back even if it was just a short break so it turned into a funny dynamic, says Gosling.Gosling also credits Bayer for all the best lines of the ad. We've played everything from disturbed elves to disturbed Santa fans and now we're playing disturbed crew members, he jokes. She's amazing at improvisation so the best moments are all things that she wrote in the moment. I never quite knew what she was gonna do or say, and there's nothing more fun than that.Ryan also made a rare public appearance tonight at the premiere of the short film: ONTD, which three famous people would you have at your slumber party? Uh...Brendan Fraser, Pedro Pascal and Doug Jones lol Reply Thread Link Booooo! I don't have Shotime!! So I have to wait till tomorrow to watch this. Hopefully someone will upload it to Primewire soon. Reply Thread Link Try bstsrs.one i gave up on prime wire this site is way better, eps are always up quickly. Reply Parent Thread Link Omg, this site is great! Thank you! Reply Parent Thread Expand Link is this site still working? I checked it just now and it doesn't seem to be working :( Reply Parent Thread Link omg that was nuts. this season was losing me a bit but with that reveal I'm fully invested again. Reply Thread Link what was the reveal? i don't understand Reply Parent Thread Link my bad just saw this. the antler head lady Reply Parent Thread Link that they were probably all supposed to be dead in the crash but some entity revived them (and is still with them) would make sense given Javi's weird comeback. I think that's who he was with; the antler queen. Edited at 2023-04-22 02:05 am (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Um... What reveal? lol Reply Parent Thread Expand Link This episode has some unexpectedly hilarious moments. I can't imagine wanting to investigate so badly that I would sniff someone else's used condom (but I did laugh at Shauna ordering Randy to jerk off but without thinking about her because "you owe me"). Yay to Shauna finally going into labor (mostly because I want to know how the baby will inevitably die since we know she didn't bring a kid back with her after they got rescued). I'm kind of disappointed that the potential citizen detective romance is already over because I enjoyed Misty and Walter last week. I may have shrieked at the antler reveal. RIP Crystal/Christy I will miss you singing show tunes! Reply Thread Link Between the baby and the murder investigation Shaunas storylines have had me so anxious lol Im glad shes going into labor. Now hopefully that asshole cop will stop getting lucky and go away because I hate him! Reply Parent Thread Link I don't think this is the end of Walter, I think we're definitely seeing him again (this is just my guess, I haven't read anything to that effect) Reply Parent Thread Link I think Walter will definitely be back. He's probably going to pursue Adam's case and expose Misty's lie about his mom out of spite because she rejected him. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link oh totally they're not over Reply Parent Thread Link Interesting people are considering it a reveal... They showed visions of their bodies burnt to death and that wasn't real. Why would the AQ be any realer? Reply Parent Thread Expand Link if they eat the baby I will lose my mind Reply Parent Thread Expand Link i've been waiting to binge this series when it's all out but i've been spoiled for a few things and idk how much longer i can wait lol Reply Thread Link I can't help but be a bit disappointed that they're explicitly leaning more towards the supernatural this season - Javi's "friend", Nat's vision, "the darkness", it's giving me latter-season Lost where shit just stops making sense Reply Thread Link yeah that what i was afraid of lol Edited at 2023-04-21 07:36 am (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Link I keep expecting one of the adult characters to burst into the room and say we have to go back and at this point it wouldnt really feel out of place lol Reply Parent Thread Link lmao same Reply Parent Thread Link The "other" Tai already said "we are not where we supposed to be" it's like one step away from actually making all of them go back. Reply Parent Thread Link If a polar bear shows up, Im going to have to stop watching because I already got burned by Lost. Reply Parent Thread Link If Javi's friend isn't sleepwalking Tai, I don't know what to think. Reply Parent Thread Link I fully agree however Javi's friend is probably Other Tai Reply Parent Thread Link maybe i'm wrong but i think in general, unless the show is presented as having a supernatural plot device from the jump...nobody wants a show to later reveal itself to be of a supernatural nature. it feels lazy and cheap to build suspense and intrigue and introduce mysteries only to later be like, 'its actually magic/aliens/superpowers/unexplained phenomena'. i just doesn't feel like intelligent story writing to swerve in that direction. idk. if we were told from the get-go that the show had supernatural elements? ok great. i don't hate shows if they don't have plot lines that are exclusively based on a probable reality, but if they don't? don't spring it on me later after i'm already invested. NO I'M NOT STILL PRESSED ABOUT LOST AND HOW THE CREATORS PROMISED EARLY ON THAT EVERY PLOT LINE WOULD HAVE A PLAUSIBLE EXPLANATION ROOTED IN REALITY, WHY DO YOU ASK. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I think they are getting us into the mindset of how they came to join the "Tree Cult" as Shauna calls it . We know the Antler Queen scene from the pilot is the end game and we're seeing how it builds up. They are desperate, vulnerable, and need to believe at some point that it's not all coincidences. The writers dropped the scene with Akilah and Tai about the pre-game luck rituals purposefully. "It just felt good, like we could pretend it made a difference." Reply Parent Thread Link I think it could still have a rational explanation. We already know that Lottie has schizophrenia which can explain her seeing the Antler Queen and its in the realm of possibility that what we saw her do with Nat is not the full picture and Lottie manipulated what Nat saw. She may have manipulated Travis too. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Loved this ep. I hope they dont drag out the where was Javi thing too much longer - shits weird enough as it is - but that little throwaway line they included in the background when Akilah asked him where he got the queen card he found was very interesting. Things are definitely taking a turn for the supernatural and Im skeptical of how thats gonna work out but part of me thinks its a misdirect and theyll have invented the whole thing in their heads to justify their behavior. Also Lauren Ambrose is killing it as Adult Van, she really feels like the same character. Reply Thread Link Lauren Ambrose is so good, she got Vans mannerisms so perfect. Reply Parent Thread Link I never watched Lost so I live for the supernatural leanings lol. I am loving this season. I hope Walter comes back! More of him pls. Reply Thread Link I also never watched Lost so i don't mind the supernatural stuff, but i like when it is balanced between spooky and logical. I don't think it's crossed the line yet. Walter better come back, i don't think they would get Elijah Wood just for a few episodes. Reply Parent Thread Link I can do supernatural, I can't do no closure on anything ever. Reply Parent Thread Link i am cool with supernatural when i know that's what i'm getting into from the start. i don't like it being sprung on me later after i'm invested. Reply Parent Thread Link This show has so many effectively creepy moments. At the same time, things are still moving a little too slow for me in terms of reveals. A lot of it just feels like, what's dark Tai's deal? What's Lottie's deal? Etc Goodbye Crystal/Kristen, you were marked for death the moment you were introduced. Reply Thread Link My only question about Crystal/Christy is whether Misty will lead the other girls on a "search" to find her body so they can eat her. Reply Parent Thread Link Definitely think that particular lightbulb went on in Misty's head when we saw the shot of the snow beginning to cover Crystal's face. Reply Parent Thread Link This season is way too slow. Quality moments and overall like it, but it's just so slow even the exciting stuff takes me a second to go "Oh... OH!! Wow!!!" Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I don't mind the pacing, but I think I've just seen too many shows completely implode when they try to keep tension up with more ridiculous and implausible plot lines. Reply Parent Thread Link very much looking forward to the next episode! I love that the adult ladies will be in one place again. And also shaunas baby finally! I wonder why adult Lottie looks kind of scared of Misty. I knew Walter was gonna find out about Adams mom. I hope Misty ends up killing him Reply Thread Link This episode was so good. Slightly disappointed there weren't more music moments, but enjoyed Van's introduction set to 4 Non Blondes. Really hoping for more family bonding via crime for Callie, Jeff, and Shauna. Can't wait for the birth scene, shit's gonna be wild. Misty better not waste food and leave Crystal out there. I hope Misty and Walter reunite. Still holding out hope they're both nutty murder buddies. ONTD, which three famous people would you have at your slumber party? Drew Barrymore, Christina Ricci, and Winona Rider. All the cool girls i looked up to in the 90s. Reply Thread Link Last week I couldnt figure out if Callie was just pretending to go along with her parents until she had the opportunity to turn them in for murder or if she genuinely just wanted them to stop lying. I guess I got my answer! She was so happy after Shauna told her she did a good job. The guy playing the cop always reminds of Ted Mosby. They dont look like twins but theres something about him that has that T-Mos energy. Reply Parent Thread Link I was also confused whether or not Callie was intentionally leading the cop off track, but the reveal this episode was great. Glad it brought her and Shauna closer together <3 Reply Parent Thread Link ending the episode with shauna going into labor to the tune of danzig's mother was brilliant. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link [ Spoiler (click to open) ] nat or lottie? in nat's vision there was a quick shot of her in what looks like the queen costume but then the shadow with horns looked like lottie's? cop dodging the kiss nnnnn and cackling at lottie being pissed at misty in the preview, maybe SHE IS JEALOUS of what natalie and misty have!! Edited at 2023-04-21 12:51 pm (UTC) so is the antler queencop dodging the kiss nnnnnand cackling at lottie being pissed at misty in the preview, maybe SHE IS JEALOUS of what natalie and misty have!! Reply Thread Link and i have to say... adult lottie and van are sooo hot Reply Parent Thread Link Omg yes. Adult Lottie has the sexiest voice. Reply Parent Thread Link I don't think it was a confirmation of either being AQ. It's not necessarily real visions. But it could be a nod towards the popular theory that both(and maybe others) are at differing times. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Wasn't Misty shown as AQ in the beginning of S1? Reply Parent Thread Link so Nat and Travis were being toxic together for decades after the wilderness? exhausting Reply Thread Link I mean yeah we already knew that lol. Reply Parent Thread Link i have a question! i haven't seen today's episode, fyi. but i am confused about what's going on coach ben and his flashbacks. like two episodes ago, when we first saw his flashbacks with his bf, i thought one of them was a fantasy -- like when it showed him reuniting with his bf while the footage of the crash played on tv, and i thought that was supposed to like, show his obvious regret about making the wrong call about the relationship and then that leading to him going on the plane that crashed. but then last week showed him having more flashbacks that suggested they did stay together? so what was that other one with the tv footage of the plane crash? which ones are real??? Reply Thread Link i think they're having him pretending to live in fantasy the entire season and then justify killing him with "he's gone crazy" or smth lol Reply Parent Thread Link interesting! the last flashback was such a weirdly specific, not-fantasy-ish one though! like just a kind of mild conversation about coach ben finding his bf's photos of exes? i feel like if they wanted to make him seem like he's going crazy they'd make the flashbacks more obviously ludicrous. Reply Parent Thread Link I think you're right, it's just a manifestation of his regret. I think the one last week was a real memory and the flashbacks are a vehicle of Ben deciding to make a choice in the woods (about cannibalism? about fighting for his own survival?). I'm guessing the next scene will be of a possible future where he has one leg - implying he survived - and chooses to be out with Paul. Reply Parent Thread Link He was imaging making a different choice. His bf asking him to move in and the fight was real. Him quitting and choosing his bf was him imaging himself making the choice he wishes he had made. The new footage of the plane crash was the giveaway that hes day dreaming making the other choice. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Workers' Memorial Day: Honoring Those Who Lost Their Lives, Suffered Injuries, Illnesses from Work Organizations, companies and agencies will be hosting events for Workers Memorial Day, held on April 28. In 2020, 4,764 people died from work-related injuries, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The number of fatalities rose the following year when 5,190 people lost their lives. In a two-year span, thats nearly 10,000 workers who died, who left behind families, friends and loved ones. Workers Memorial Day, held on April 28, is a time to remember and honor workers who lost their lives or whose health was negatively impacted due to work-related incidents and their loved ones as well as discuss changes that can be made to create safer worksites. Across the country, many companies and organization will host events in honor of the day. On April 27, at 1 p.m., OSHA and the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) will be hosting a Workers' Memorial Day Ceremony online and in person at the U.S. Department of Labor Frances Perkins Building in Washington DC. Liz Shuler, President of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), and Wanda Engracia, United Support & Memorial for Workplace Fatalities Vice President, will also be at the event, per a news release. In 2005, an industrial explosion claimed the life of Engracia's husband, Pablo Morillo. Morillo was 29 years old at the time of the incident, the New York Times reported. On Workers Memorial Day, as we remember the people whose jobs claimed their lives, we must recognize that behind these numbers, there are people who mourn each loss. For them, these statistics are loved ones: theyre parents, children, siblings, relatives, friends, or co-workers, said Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health Doug Parker in the news release. On this day of remembrance, we should reflect on what might have prevented their loss and recommit ourselves to doing all we canand all that can be doneto safeguard workers and to fulfill our moral obligation and duty as a nation to protect Americas workers. If you're planning to attend the OSHA and MSHA event in person, you can register on Eventbrite. Those attending virtually do not need to register but can watch the event at www.osha.gov/workers-memorial. A complete list of events being held in various states can be found on OSHAs Memorial Day Events web page and the AFL-CIO's website. In addition to events, OSHA also has a web page dedicated to fallen workers. The Workers Memorial Wall contains photos, names, ages and locations of some of the many workers that lost their lives. If you are interested in having a loved one recognized on the virtual wall, the agency invites you to send a photo to [email protected]. China imported the highest-ever volumes of Russian crude oil in March, which kept Russia on top of Chinese crude suppliers list ahead of Saudi Arabia, government data from China showed on Friday. Russian crude arrivals to China surged to a record high of 2.26 million barrels per day (bpd) in March, up by 50% compared to 1.50 million bpd in March 2022, per data from Chinas General Administration of Customs cited by Reuters. Crude arrivals to China from Saudi Arabia also increased last month, but were still below the record volumes of mostly discounted Russian crude, which Chinese refiners bought. Chinas imports of crude oil from Saudi Arabia averaged 2.10 million bpd in March, up by 30% from 1.61 million bpd in March last year. Russia beat Saudi Arabia to the top spot as the biggest supplier to China in the first quarter of 2023, too, as many Chinese refiners snapped up discounted ESPO and Urals crudes. In recent months, China has been buying increased volumes of Russian crude as Moscow pivoted its sales to Asian markets following the Western embargoes and price caps on its crude oil and refined petroleum products. Russia was the single largest crude oil supplier to China in January and February too, overtaking Saudi Arabia, which was the number-one supplier of oil to China last year, according to Chinese customs data from last month. As China accelerated the buying of cheap Russian crude oil at discounts to international benchmarks, Chinese imports of crude from Russia jumped by 23.8% year over year to 1.94 million bpd in January and February 2023, per data reported by Chinas General Administration of Customs in March. China reports trade and economic data for January and February together to remove distortions around the fluctuating week-long Lunar New Year holiday. For the full-year 2022, Saudi Arabia was Chinas top crude oil supplier ahead of Russia with shipments averaging 1.75 million bpd. By Josh Owens for Oilprice.com ADVERTISEMENT More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Turkey made its first delivery of natural gas from the new Black Sea reserve on Thursday, with Erdogan hosting a ceremony with all the fanfare on the occasion, promising free gas (more precisely, 25 cubic meters of gas per month for the span of a year to Turkish households). Free gas is a pretty good start. If it were gasoline and we were in America, any candidate with the ability to offer it would be an instant shoo-in. The pump trumps politics, even in a wildly polarized society. In this case, however, were talking about natural gas, and hundreds of thousands of people dont even have homes right now to heat with it. Still, the discoveryand the rapid pace with which it has all seemed to come togetherwas well-timed. The Sakarya gas field is estimated to hold around 710 billion cubic meters of gas. Its a big deal for a country that has been almost fully dependent on foreign oil and gas, including Russian and Iranian. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hit the jackpot with a recent natural gas discovery in the Black Sea. Now he is offering up free gas in the biggest vote-buying scheme of the century. Losing ground in the polls due to corruption and mismanagement of a disastrous earthquake in February, the incumbent president needs all the help he can get ahead of the general elections on May 14th. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hit the jackpot with a recent natural gas discovery in the Black Sea. Now he is offering up free gas in the biggest vote-buying scheme of the century. Losing ground in the polls due to corruption and mismanagement of a disastrous earthquake in February, the incumbent president needs all the help he can get ahead of the general elections on May 14th. Free gas is a pretty good start. If it were gasoline and we were in America, any candidate with the ability to offer it would be an instant shoo-in. The pump trumps politics, even in a wildly polarized society. In this case, however, were talking about natural gas, and hundreds of thousands of people dont even have homes right now to heat with it. Still, the discoveryand the rapid pace with which it has all seemed to come togetherwas well-timed. The Sakarya gas field is estimated to hold around 710 billion cubic meters of gas. Its a big deal for a country that has been almost fully dependent on foreign oil and gas, including Russian and Iranian. Turkey made its first delivery of natural gas from the new Black Sea reserve on Thursday, with Erdogan hosting a ceremony with all the fanfare on the occasion, promising free gas (more precisely, 25 cubic meters of gas per month for the span of a year to Turkish households). Will it be enough for Erdogan to win in just over three weeks? At this point, its anyones guess and observers really cant determine who has the edge or this could all play out. Some Turkish citizens living in the U.S. right now have expressed concern about what might happen if Erdogan loses power after 20 long years. The usual summer plane tickets back home are being hesitatingly purchased, due to the nagging uncertainty over what Erdogan might do if he loses. Many think he wouldnt go quietly. Many also are skeptical that his single rival, opposition candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu can defeat him, even if recent polls give him an 8-point lead. Still, Erdogans party, the AKP, has a several-point lead over the opposition CHP. The AKP is, however, doing a lot worse than it did in the last elections in 2018, while the CHP is doing rather better. There is a trend, then, to support a stronger CHP and a weaker AKP. Whether that will be enough time for the CHP to continue to gain is very uncertain. The opposition is likely to get the Kurdish vote, which represents some 20% of voters, because the pro-Kurdish party has thrown its support behind the CHP candidate, rather than throwing their own candidate in the ring to split the vote in Erdogans favor. The youth vote, which is now emerging as critical, is up for grabs, but the opposition candidate is saying what they want to hear. The opposition will have a much harder time getting the conservative vote, which is the foundation of Erdogans support. Free gas might just have given Erdogan a break in the sliding polling numbers. Editor's note: Graphic warning: This story contains details that some readers may find disturbing (CNN) When its helicopter gunships and fighter jets rained fire and bombs on a village celebration last Tuesday, Myanmar's military junta insisted it was targeting "terrorists." But among those killed that day -- in what was the deadliest attack by junta forces on civilians since it seized power two years ago were dozens of women and children, the youngest just six months old. CNN spoke with half a dozen eyewitnesses and survivors who said those targeted in Pazigyi Village, part of a self-governed district in the central Sagaing region, were unarmed civilians enjoying a community celebration. The April 11 attack killed 186 villagers, among them 40 under the age of 18, according to Aung Myo Min, human rights minister for the National Unity Government (NUG), Myanmar's shadow administration of ousted lawmakers. Families had come from surrounding villages to Pazigyi to enjoy breakfast at the event, a social gathering for the opening of a public administration hall. About 300 people had gathered, one eyewitness said. Children were eating rice and playing. People were drinking tea and chatting. The carnage began at 7:45 a.m. when junta fighter jets dropped two bombs on the crowd. An Mi35 helicopter then circled for 15 minutes, opening fire on the injured and those trying to help them, multiple survivors and activist groups on the ground told CNN. Just before sunset, a military helicopter returned, firing at those who had come to cremate the dead, witnesses said. "We heard a boom. I hit the ground, holding my chest and there was a huge cloud of smoke... I got up and realized my daughter was missing," said a father who survived the attack. As the wounded screamed for help, he frantically searched among the dead and injured for his 3-year-old daughter and his parents. He wished to remain anonymous as he fears reprisals from the junta. Minutes later, the military helicopter circling overheard began shooting, firing at anyone who moved. "It was a killing field. There were people scattered everywhere," he said, struggling to speak. "A woman with burst intestines, she died in front of me. I was shaking and frightened ... why would they kill their own civilians?" "The smell from that incident stung, and the stench hangs in my clothes," he said. Though he was injured in the blast, the father continued to search through the piles of bodies and debris for his family. Several hours later he found them. "My father was cut in half from his waist ... my mum's body was unrecognizable ... my daughter was headless," he said. He lost seven family members in the attack. Devastated, he told CNN his 3-year-old daughter was a "clever" girl, with a "round, full face" and who was a "good talker." One of the last memories he has of his daughter is helping her to apply thanakha a paste worn by Burmese women and girls to protect their skin to her face that morning. "That was the last day of her being alive, was it that I helped her for the last time?" he said, breaking down in tears. The father said he tries to console himself with the knowledge that his eldest daughter, age 7, survived. Some villagers lost whole families. Since it overthrew the democratically elected government in February 2021, Myanmar's junta has increasingly turned its formidable arsenal on the people the government once represented. It has used air power to crush a resistance movement determined to remove the military from power and restore democracy. But the strikes have also targeted civilians, schools, hospitals and homes. There were 56 air attacks by the military junta between January and March this year, according to Myanmar's Ambassador to the United Nations Kyaw Min Tun, who represents the NUG. CNN cannot independently verify the number. Videos and images of the aftermath in Pazigyi, shown to CNN by witnesses and a local activist group, show bodies, some burned beyond recognition or in pieces, as well as destroyed buildings, vehicles and debris. Others show the blind grief of survivors and family members, of parents screaming for their children. Fearing further attacks, rescue workers and villagers spent days cleaning the scene, sweeping away debris and burning human flesh that littered the ground. Some survivors fled into the forest for safety, and say they are now struggling for food and water -- terrified of returning to their villages. Another survivor who spoke to CNN on condition of anonymity for security reasons, said he lost 30 members of his extended family, the youngest was just two years old, the oldest 70. He was helping to cook at the event and said he survived by jumping into a ditch. "My niece was crying and hugging me, 'uncle help me,' she said," he recalled, visibly distressed. "There were students, pregnant women, the elderly. What threat do they pose? This military are not human. They are more savage than animals." Those who survived are now left to come to terms with the horror they lived through. "How many children have to die before world leaders take action?" asked another survivor, who said his 1-year-old niece and 3-year-old nephew were killed in the attack. Daily attacks on civilians Myanmar's military has waged decades-long wars with multiple ethnic armed groups. Human rights abuses against civilian populations in the country, particularly in the ethnic states, have been well documented. But there has been an increase in the military's firepower since the coup, with almost daily attacks across the country, according to local monitoring groups. A 2022 report by the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Myanmar said member states, including Russia and China, had been supplying the junta with weapons since the coup equipment that could have been used to attack civilians. They include fighter jets, armored vehicles and air defense systems, according to the report. The day before the Sagaing strike, the military bombed a school and a church in neighboring Chin state, said local resistance fighters and Myanmar's National Unity Government. Nine people were killed in the attack in Falam township, including the school's principal, his wife and their son. CNN could not reach the military for comment on the Chin attack, but it has previously denied targeting civilians, despite a growing body of evidence. In March, at least 22 people, including three monks, were killed at a monastery in southern Shan state. The military said the civilians were caught up in gunfire and killed by resistance fighters, while the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF) denied they were in the area and blamed junta soldiers. The coroner who carried out the post-mortems told CNN the victims showed signs of torture and were shot multiple times, indicating they were intentionally killed. The villagers CNN spoke to in Pazigyi said they do not know why the junta targeted their village. Many areas in Sagaing region are resistance strongholds that are not under the control of the military, which considers all resistance fighters belonging to the People's Defense Forces and the NUG to be terrorists. Military spokesperson Maj Gen Zaw Min Tun said the strike on Pazigyi targeted "terrorists." The military also claimed that gunpowder and explosives at the site led to a "large explosion," causing the deaths. It alleged the resistance fighters planted mines near the scene of the attack, which along with explosives and gunpowder they were allegedly storing led to an explosion. The junta also said innocent civilians may have been forced to help the "terrorists." Dr. Derrick Pounder, an independent forensic pathologist who reviewed footage and photos from the attack, said the area and type of shrapnel injuries on the bodies suggest an "air-launched" weapon, not a landmine caused the blast. "The area covered by the blast, the character of the shrapnel injuries and the large fragments of apparent shrapnel seen, strongly support the allegation of an air-launched weapon and are difficult if not impossible to reconcile with the allegation of a landmine or series of landmines," he said. Some severely damaged bodies he reviewed, "have flash burns with loss of clothing from blast effects and many show shrapnel injury and mutilations." "Some mutilations are extreme with dismemberment and disemboweling. Large metal fragments, possibly from the casing of an explosive device, are associated with some bodies," he added. Junta's 'escalating terror campaign' The latest massacre sparked international outcry. In separate statements, the UK and US ambassadors to the UN condemned the airstrike and called on the regime to cease its violence. UN representative Kyaw Min Tun said the "heinous crimes of the military junta clearly constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity." "These attacks showcase the junta's escalating terror campaign against the Myanmar people," he added. To stop the junta getting its jets off the ground, there are growing calls for tangible action from the international community, including a ban on aviation fuel imports as well as a comprehensive arms embargo. "Anything we can do to make it more difficult, more expensive for them to put these gunships in the air to kill people, to get their hands on weapons, to get their hands on technology that's being used as weapons," said UN Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews. "Anything that the world can do to stop these materials getting into the hands of the junta, that can save lives." Andrews said the international community's response to Myanmar had been neither focused nor strategic, unlike the "coordinated" approach seen with Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The survivors who lost families in last Tuesday's attack ask how many more people have to die before such action is taken. "We want you to give us practical help. How many of us will have to die? How long do we have to suffer?" said the relative from Sagaing, who lost many family members in the strike. "Please don't abandon us," he pleaded. This story was first published on CNN.com, "How many more children have to die? Myanmar airstrike survivors ask what will it take for the world to act." Monday saw the delivery of the first cargo to TotalEnergies/Indias Adani groups new LNG import facility at Indias Dhamra port, boasting a regasification capacity of 5 million tonnes per annum. Dhamra is the first LNG import facility The 450,000 bpd pipeline that runs from the Kurdistan Region of Iraq to the Turkish port of Ceyhan was still offline as of the time of writing early on Friday morning. The Iraqi PM had said on Tuesday that the pipeline (shutdown over a court ruling against Turkey and in favor of Iraq) would be turned on this week. While this week is not yet over, the pipeline has not yet been turned on with indications that Turkey has not yet agreed. Fighting continues to rage in Sudan (its been a week) in what is looking increasingly likely to descend into a civil war, with a powerful paramilitary group clashing with the Sudanese army on the streets of the capital Khartoum and across the country. According to the World Health Organisation, more than 290 civilians are dead and thousands more are injured. The Pentagon is said to be readying forces in Djibouti to potentially evacuate embassy staff there. The clashes could threaten landlocked South Sudans oil exports through Sudan, which is its only link to export markets. So far oil exports have not been affected and Sudans pipeline has not been targeted. Politics, Geopolitics & Conflict Fighting continues to rage in Sudan (its been a week) in what is looking increasingly likely to descend into a civil war, with a powerful paramilitary group clashing with the Sudanese army on the streets of the capital Khartoum and across the country. According to the World Health Organisation, more than 290 civilians are dead and thousands more are injured. The Pentagon is said to be readying forces in Djibouti to potentially evacuate embassy staff there. The clashes could threaten landlocked South Sudans oil exports through Sudan, which is its only link to export markets. So far oil exports have not been affected and Sudans pipeline has not been targeted. The 450,000 bpd pipeline that runs from the Kurdistan Region of Iraq to the Turkish port of Ceyhan was still offline as of the time of writing early on Friday morning. The Iraqi PM had said on Tuesday that the pipeline (shutdown over a court ruling against Turkey and in favor of Iraq) would be turned on this week. While this week is not yet over, the pipeline has not yet been turned on with indications that Turkey has not yet agreed. Discovery & Development Monday saw the delivery of the first cargo to TotalEnergies/Indias Adani groups new LNG import facility at Indias Dhamra port, boasting a regasification capacity of 5 million tonnes per annum. Dhamra is the first LNG import facility in eastern India, and it will add 10% to Indias regasification capacity. Eni is opening up the bidding on two pieces of its $8B Structures A&E project offshore Libyaone for C&V services and marine warranty surveys, and the other for insurance services. The project is for two fixed steel platforms that will be tied into the existing Mellitah onshore treatment facility, where a CCS plant is also due to be built. Nearly two decades of hard-fought permitting has finally resulted in permits for the 732-mile-long TransWest Express high-voltage transmission linethe largest interstate transmission line in decades. The project will send 3 GW of power from what will be the United States largest onshore wind farm in Wyoming to Arizona, California, and Nevada. It is expected to be enough to power 2 million homes. BP, as operator, commenced oil production at its Argos platform in the GoM with partners Woodside Energy, and Union Oil of California. Argos is expected to produce 140,000 bpd, and is BPs first new operated platform in the area in 15 years. It is BPs fifth deepwater platform in the area. Chevron has issued a lease tender this week for a drilling vessel to explore for nat gas off Cyprus, Egypt, and Israel next year for a period of a year, with the option to extend for several years. Chevron has high hopes for the Aphrodite gas field, southeast of Cyprus, which could hold 4.5 tcf of gas. It is also looking to expand its oil production from Leviathan in Israel to 24 bcm by 2027. After nearly two years of downtime, Shell has finally restarted its operations at Pierce Field in the UKs North Sea. The field has been down and not producing since mid-2021, when Shell took the field offline to modify the FPSO and install a new subsea gas export line. The field will now be able to produce gas, too, instead of just oil. Deals, Mergers & Acquisitions Glencore told Teck Resources shareholders that it was willing to increase its $23B bid for the Canadian miner and encourage the company to negotiate. So far, Teck Resources has said in no uncertain terms that it is not interested. Instead, Teck has a plan to split into two segments, a coal, and a metals business. A shareholder vote will take place on April 26 on the split. Chemours and TC Energy are teaming up to build two clean hydrogen production facilities in West Virginia. Baker Hughes has been chosen to supply equipment for Petronas third FLNG vessel, ZLNG, in Sabah, East Malaysia. The 2 million tpa ZLNG is scheduled for delivery in 2027. A consortium of Siemens Energy and Dragados Offshore has won contracts worth $7.68 billion to transport wind power to northern Germany after reaching a deal with TenneT. The consortium will supply tech for three offshore grid connections, BalWin3, LanWin2, and LanWin4 in the North Sea. An India-based tanker company has lost its protection and indemnity (P&I) insurance from the American Club because the Western insurer was informed that the shipping firm intended to transport Russian crude oil bought above the G7 price cap of $60 per barrel, a source with knowledge of the matter told Bloomberg. The EU and G7 banned on December 5 maritime transportation services, including insurance and funding, from shipping Russias crude oil to third countries if the oil is bought above the price cap of $60 per barrel. Now Mumbai-based Gatik Ship Management has lost its P&I coverage, protecting against oil spills and collisions, the American Club confirmed for Bloomberg. Gatik Ship Management is heavily involved in moving Russian crude, with each of the 48 tankers identified as managed by the firm found to have transported crude or refined products from Russia at least once so far this year, according to a database maintained by shipping information system Equasis and data analytics firm Vortexa, cited by Bloomberg. Of all tankers managed by Gatik Ship Management, the American Club is listed as the insurer of 34 of them. Earlier this week, the U.S. Treasury Department published a warning to U.S. companies about possible evasion of a price cap on exported Russian oil, pointing specifically to oil exported through the Eastern Siberia Pacific Ocean (ESPO) pipeline and ports in eastern Russia. These U.S. service providers may be unaware that they are providing covered services involving Russian oil purchased above the price cap, as the non-U.S. persons involved in the exports may have provided incomplete or false documentation or used other deceptive practices, the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) said. Since the West announced it would impose a price cap on Russias oil, an unusually large number of tankers have changed ownership in what analysts and shipping industry officials believe was a push from Russia to continue shipping large volumes of its crude and entities willing to profit from Russian oil trade in a sanctions regime. The dark or shadow fleet of oil tankers has grown to now include tankers not only shipping sanctioned Iranian and Venezuelan oil, but also increasingly larger volumes of Russian oil and products. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com ADVERTISEMENT More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: ADNOC, the national oil company of Abu Dhabi, is expanding its natural gas production capacity and increasing investments to target Europe's gas markets. As one of the Middle Easts largest energy producers, ADNOC aims to meet the growing international demand for LNG by becoming a net-exporter of gas. The company is constructing additional LNG capacity and expanding its international natural gas production footprint in other regions, including the East Med region. ADNOC has taken a strategic stake in Israeli offshore gas producer NewMed Energy, which will expand its foothold in the East Med region and increase its links with European markets. ADNOC's CEO, Sultan Al Jabr, aims to become a major supplier to Europe, and the appointment of Mussabbeh Al Kaabi, former CEO of Mubadala Petroleum, to head ADNOC's international growth unit is fundamental to achieving this goal. Al Kaabi was responsible for ADNOC's 2018 acquisition of a 10% stake in Egypt's giant offshore gas field Zohr, operated by Italian major ENI. ADNOC has more than just LNG on its agenda. Last week, Abu Dhabi engaged in talks with Germany about increasing investments in green hydrogen. The UAE and Germany explored investments in sustainable industrial development, decarbonization, and green hydrogen during the Hannover Messe. ADNOC has set its sights on Germany and Northwest Europe for its green hydrogen and green ammonia targets. Fertiglobe, ADNOC's joint venture with Egyptian-Dutch chemical company OCI, is working on various initiatives to provide both to the Port of Rotterdam and other strategic locations. At the Hannover Messe, Omar Al Suwaidi, UAEs undersecretary of the Ministry of Industry and Advance Technology, announced that both countries will be collaborating on the development, production, and supply of green hydrogen for industry. ADNOC has already supplied its first LNG to Germany's RWE in February, and plans to supply low-carbon ammonia to Germany by the end of 2022. To bolster the global expansion of ADNOC's core offerings, its subsidiary ADNOC Logistics & Services announced the deployment of five brand-new Very Large Gas Carriers (VLGCs), built at the Jiangnan Shipyard in Shanghai, China. These vessels will be owned and operated by ADNOC L&S's joint venture with Wanhua Chemical Group, AW Shipping, and will primarily transport LPG, further enhancing ADNOC's ability to meet the growing worldwide demand for gas. To comply with future emission regulations, the new VLGCs - Al Ain, Al Salam, Baynounah, Rabdan, and Zakher - will be equipped with dual-fuel engines that run on LPG. ADNOC L&S's fleet already consists of over 800 owned, operated, and chartered vessels. The Chinese shipyard is also constructing LNG carriers for ADNOC L&S, which are slated for delivery in 2025 and 2026. By Cyril Widdershoven for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The oil and gas production in Nigeria is being severely impacted by the Western ESG strategies that are forcing IOCs to reconsider their upstream and downstream operations worldwide, resulting in major reshuffling and divestments of assets. Nigeria, one of OPEC's leading oil producers, has already seen $21 billion worth of assets divested, putting its future in jeopardy. In contrast to Western NGO's strategies, NGOs in Nigeria, such as "We, the People," are calling for a government moratorium to prevent further divestments in the Niger Delta. The NGO is concerned that if oil companies are allowed to divest without cleaning up the entire Niger Delta region, the environmental issues in the area will never be addressed. Despite the ongoing divestments, African nations, including Nigeria, need to be given time to transition to using gas as their transition fuel, according to Ainojie Alex Irune, CEO of Oando Energy Resources. More investments and production are needed to counter expected demand growth in the future on the continent. In addition, NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of Africa Energy Chamber, believes that the continent needs to leverage its immediate resources to eliminate energy poverty, as Africa is a gas continent. The regulatory uncertainty of Nigeria's oil and gas sector prior to the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 and ESG-related fossil fuel divestment schemes forced by energy transition and COVID-19 are the main reasons for the divestments, according to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC). Nigeria's yearly capital expenditure in the upstream arm of the oil sector decreased by over 70% within a period of eight years. The country's total annual upstream capital expenditure decreased by 74% from $27 billion in 2014 to less than $6 billion in 2022, and competition from regional peers has led to a decrease in the proportion of the overall upstream investment attracted by Nigeria. Related: Why U.S. Gas Production Is Growing So Fast However, there is still hope, as Nigeria is showing increased natural gas reserves and oil reserves in the short term. The NUPRC has reported that Nigeria's oil and condensate reserves are 31.060 billion barrels for oil and 5.906 billion barrels for condensate. Associated gas reserves are 102.32 trillion cubic feet, non-associated gas reserves are 106.51 trillion cubic feet. The future of Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa is at stake, and according to a growing amount of Southern leaders and analysts, it is time to reassess strategies and policies pushed by the North without delay. The divestment strategies being pushed by Western climate change and IPCC/IEA reports are not only controversial but now counterproductive for most developing countries. By Cyril Widdershoven for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The world's second-largest lithium producer, Chile, plans to nationalize the lithium extraction industry, Chilean President Gabriel Boric said this week, adding that future contracts would be given only to public-private partnerships with state control. The announcement sent shares in the world's biggest lithium producers, Albemarle Corporation and SQM, tumbling on Thursday and early Friday. Chile produces lithium from brine, similar to the production in Argentina and China. The world's top lithium supplier, Australia, produces lithium from hard rock mines. The Chilean move to nationalize its huge lithium extraction industry, the crucial first step in the battery production supply chain, is aimed at protecting the environment and boosting economic growth, President Boric said in a televised address on Thursday. "This is the best chance we have at transitioning to a sustainable and developed economy. We can't afford to waste it," Boric said, as carried by Reuters. Boric will look to receive support from Chile's Congress for the nationalization in the second half of this year. It is not certain whether Congress will approve all proposals in the president's plans for the nationalization of the lithium industry. Under the plan, Chile will not rescind existing contracts with private companies but will not issue new ones unless the license holder includes a state-controlled public-private entity. The current contracts in Chile of lithium-producing giants SQM and Albemarle expire in 2030 and in 2043, respectively. While there will not be contract terminations, Boric said the Chilean government hopes that the companies could be open to including the state as a participant before the contract expiration. The world's top copper producer, Chile's state-owned Codelco, will be tasked to find the best way to create a state-owned lithium company, the Chilean president said. ADVERTISEMENT In the first comments on the plans, analysts say that investment could shift to Australia as miners prefer political and regulatory stability. By Michael Kern for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The largest state-owned and private refiners in China are beating the smaller independent processors in the race to procure discounted crude from Russia, leaving the so-called teapots having to increasingly rely on Irans cheap oil, Reuters reported on Friday, citing vessel-tracking data and trading sources. Right after the EU and G7 embargo and price cap on Russian crude oil came into effect from December 5, 2022, the state-controlled Chinese refiners were hesitant to buy Russian cargoes, unsure of how the sanctions and price caps would work and how strictly the West would be in enforcing the bans. The European Union, G7, Australia, and other allies banned from December 5 maritime transportation services from shipping Russias crude oil to third countries if the oil is bought above the price cap of $60 per barrel. China, however, isnt following the price cap policy as it hasnt followed the U.S. sanctions on Irans oil exports and is taking advantage of discounted Russian crude. After two months of hesitation, large Chinese refiners, both state-controlled and private, have resumed imports of Russian crude and are now the key crude export outlet for Russia. During the period of hesitation, the smaller independent refiners gobbled up Russias ESPO grade exported from the Far East Russian ports. But now that the big buyers are back on the market for Russian crude, the teapots are looking at other discounted crudes such as the grades sanctioned Iran and Venezuela are exporting, according to Reuters estimates based on ship-tracking data. Many private Chinese refiners in the Shandong province are now buying increasing volumes of Iranian crude as competition for Russian oil from Chinas major state-held refiners and from Indian buyers has made Moscow's barrels relatively more expensive. Chinas teapots are estimated to have imported 800,000 barrels per day (bpd) of Iranian crude oil and condensate in March, up by 20% compared to February, Emma Li, an analyst with Vortexa, told Bloomberg earlier this month. Imports from Iran into the Shandong provincehome to most of the private refiners in Chinacould continue to be robust in the coming months, according to the analyst. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The industry and environment committees at the European Parliament are set to approve next week proposed legislation to set a methane-reduction target by 2030, including for the oil and gas producers who could face penalties or bans from markets if they fail to repair gas leaks or monitor emissions. The committees are expected to vote on the methane-emission targets on April 26 and are set to approve the strict rules, according to the agreement seen by Bloomberg. After the vote at the committees, the European Parliament will then vote on the agreement before moving to discuss it and its implementation with the EU member states. The EU member states have already watered down an original proposal from the European Commission. Last month, the European Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simson, warned the EU that the union risked lagging behind in climate goals if it continues to fail to adopt tough regulations on the emissions of methane, a more powerful greenhouse gas than CO2. Last year, the EU reached an agreement on a proposal to track and reduce methane emissions in the energy sector. The text was the first of its kind and a crucial contribution to climate action, the Council of the EU said in December. The proposal introduces new requirements for the oil, gas, and coal sectors to measure, report and verify methane emissions (MRV) at the highest standard. Operators will need to carefully document all wells and mines, trace their emissions and take appropriate mitigation measures to prevent and minimize methane emissions in their operations, according to the proposal. In the oil and gas sector, operators will have to measure and draw reports on methane emissions that will be checked by independent accredited verifiers. This regulation will help us understand where methane emissions come from and address them effectively. This will help us meet our commitments under the Global Methane Pledge to cut methane emissions by 30% by 2030, Jozef Sikela, Czech minister of industry and trade, said in December. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Global inventories of liquefied natural gas have increased this month driven by weaker demand, Reuters has reported, noting demand is about to recover in the summer. At 550,000 ton as of April 20, per Kpler data, LNG in floating storage around the world is almost twice as much as it was this time last year, the report also noted. The increase in inventories is driven chiefly by lower demand from the three biggest LNG importers in the world: China, Japan, and South Korea. "There are currently more floating volumes on a global level and the increase is coming out of Asia... Reflecting tepid demand from major consumers Japan, China, and South Korea," a Kpler analyst told Reuters. Last month, a senior PetroChina executive cautioned that the outlook on the countrys LNG demand this year was uncertain, even though gas demand as a whole was seen rising. According to Yaoyu Zhang, general manager of global LNG and new energies at the state major, LNG demand would depend on spot prices. Japan, meanwhile, is looking for long-term supply and as part of efforts to secure that, Mitsui, one of the largest commodity traders in the country, recently bought gas-producing assets in Texas with access to LNG facilities on the Gulf Coast. In South Korea, a reconsideration of nuclear energy is threatening long-term demand for LNG, Natural Gas World reported recently. South Korea uses half of its LNG supply for power generation. The Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis noted in a recent report Asian demand for LNG has continued declining during the first quarter of the year on the back of a mild winter and high prices. Notably, even when prices fell palpably, demand remained weak, the IEEFA noted. ADVERTISEMENT The think tank forecast continued weakness in LNG demand from the three largest Asian consumers and attributed it to a ramp-up of nuclear. In Japan, the IEEFA reported, nuclear reactor restarts could wipe out about 6 million tons in annual LNG demand, or 8 percent of Japans annual imports for 2022. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: An upcoming community event will feature a parachute jump by the Army Golden Knights along with live demonstrations and an a chance to get a first-hand look at life as a solider. Bellevue University will host Meet Your Army on Saturday, May 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on its main campus at 1008 Bruin Blvd. in collaboration with the Omaha Army Recruiting Company and the Nebraska Army National Guard. The event will offer members of the public a rare up-close opportunity to get to know the service men and women who defend our country, Army Cpt. Corey Milner said in a BU news release. Theyll get to see the advanced technology service members use in their special missions and everyday duties. The parachute team from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, is scheduled to jump at 11 a.m., with live demonstrations of military working dogs, explosive ordinance disposal robots and physical fitness challenges set for 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. Army technology, vehicles, aircraft and other displays will be available to the public. The schedule also includes information stations and refreshments available from food truck vendors Game Time Eats, Javis Tacos, Taste of Heaven and Travelin Toms Coffee Truck. At noon, official remarks will be given followed by an oath of enlistment ceremony. We are excited to have an event thats the first of its kind to educate the public on the opportunities and lifestyle of service in the U.S. Army, Army Reserve, and Nebraska Army National Guard, Milner said. The event will highlight the many different ways to serve both country and community. Local vendors partnered with the military will be set up in the Marge H. Durham Student Center. Free parking will be available in lots A and B. Find more information on the event at bellevue.edu/lp/meet-your-army. We want the community to experience the power of the Army and see what our Army is doing to cultivate the next generation of leaders, said Stan Hawkins, director of government and military operations at Bellevue University. Were excited to see what these soldiers have in store for the Bellevue community. (CNN) NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Thursday Ukraines future is in NATO, in his strongest remarks reaffirming ties with Kyiv since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. In his first visit to Ukraine since the invasion began, Stoltenberg said he discussed a multiyear support initiative with President Volodymyr Zelensky, adding that it would help Ukraine transition from Soviet-era equipment and doctrines to NATO standards. This would ensure full interoperability with the alliance, Stoltenberg remarked. Even though Ukraine is not a member of the alliance, and NATO has insisted that it is not a party to the conflict, the bloc has played a critical role in supporting Kyiv, donating billions in military aid and other support. The NATO chief said that since last February, the alliances allies have delivered more than 150 billion euros ($165 billion) of support, including 65 billion euros of military aid. Allies are now delivering more jets, tanks and armored vehicles, Stoltenberg said. NATO stands with you today, tomorrow and for as long as it takes. Part of Russias premise for its invasion of Ukraine was to fend off NATO from expanding close to its borders. Finlands accession to the alliance earlier this month marked a major shift in the security landscape in northeastern Europe, more than doubling NATOs frontier with Russia. Finnish public support for accession snowballed following the invasion of Ukraine, and also reignited calls from Kyiv to join. Speaking at a joint conference in Kyiv, Zelensky said he valued the support from the alliance but pressed Stoltenberg on when Ukraine would be invited to join NATO. We need something more than the kind of relationship we are having now, Zelensky said on Thursday. We will be in their alliance, we believe that is a guarantee of Ukraines security and a concrete guarantee. But while we await the membership and are not a member, we want to have very specific guarantees of security approved in Vilnius, if there is an opportunity to do that then we will be ready on our side. NATO has an open-door policy, meaning that any country can be invited to join if it expresses an interest, as long as it is able and willing to uphold the principles of the alliances founding treaty. However, under the accession rules, any member state can veto a country from joining if they deem that the country doesnt meet the standards required to join the alliance. These standards include being able to demonstrate a functioning democratic political system based on a market economy and the fair treatment of minority populations, according to NATOs website, along with other things that are more difficult to demonstrate during wartime. Ukraines membership would also raise questions about the most important aspect of NATO: the alliances security guarantee. Under Article 5 of its treaty, NATO members accept the premise that an attack on one is an attack on all. The nation under attack can invoke Article 5, in theory compelling the rest of the alliance to come to their aid. Given Ukraine is currently at war, this would likely mean an almost certain immediate invocation of Article 5, putting NATO at war with Russia. No one in the alliance wants this to happen some because they fear what an escalation would mean in terms of starting an effective world war, others because they still have certain ties with Russia. In December, nine Central and Eastern European countries from the alliance signaled their support for Ukraines membership, while other members have so far refrained from backing Kyivs bid. Stoltenberg said the topic of Ukraines NATO membership and security guarantees will be high on the agenda at Julys NATO summit in the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius, but he stopped short of confirming the countrys accession. Ukraines future is in NATO. All allies agree on that, Stoltenberg said, adding that the main focus of the alliance now is to ensure that Ukraine prevails. NATOs expansion in northern Europe has dealt a major blow to President Vladimir Putins military campaign, with the Kremlin reiterating on Thursday that preventing Kyiv from joining NATO is one of its key goals. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday Ukraines accession would pose a serious and significant danger to our country, to the security of our country. Earlier this month, the Kremlin said it would scale up forces near Finland after the Nordic nation joined the alliance, warning that it will not bring more stability to Europe. Before Finlands accession, Russia shared about 1,215 kilometers (755 miles) of land border with five NATO members. But the expansion added some 1,300 kilometers (830 miles) to the alliances frontier with Russia. This story was first published on CNN.com, "NATO chief says Ukraines rightful place is in the alliance, but Kyiv likely wont join any time soon" Interview: U.S. politicians, Taiwan authorities should act responsibly to avoid escalating tensions in Taiwan Strait -- U.S. ex-diplomat Xinhua) 10:52, April 21, 2023 GENEVA, April 20 (Xinhua) -- A former U.S. diplomat, who contributed to the three China-U.S. joint communiques, urged the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities in Taiwan and U.S. politicians to act responsibly and in accordance with the joint communiques, a quintessential guardrail in China-U.S. relations, lest mistrust and tension spiral out of control. In a recent virtual interview with Xinhua, Chas Freeman, a former U.S. assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs who has served as the principal interpreter for then-U.S. President Richard Nixon's ice-breaking trip to China in 1972, chastised the DPP authorities for provoking tension across the Taiwan Strait. For Freeman, the DPP authorities have a lesson to learn from then-U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit, namely, they should refrain from political theater abetted by American politicians with the objective to provoke the mainland. Freeman noted that the DPP authorities have orchestrated sophisticated and onerous lobbying efforts to influence U.S. opinions and to drive a wedge between the United States and China over the Taiwan question, with most Americans being kept oblivious. He pointed out that the DPP authorities must exercise their agency prudently, and that it must not attempt to drag the United States into a confrontation with China because a China-U.S. conflict "would inevitably destroy Taiwan." "I can say, having many friends in Taiwan, that many of them do not appreciate being used as a soapbox from which American politicians can shake their fists at the Chinese across the strait, this is exploiting them for domestic American political purposes. It is not helpful to them, still less helpful to the U.S.-China relations." The Taiwan question eventually has to be solved between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, and "if Taipei behaves irresponsibly, it will pay the price, but so will the rest of us, so I think it should be responsible," he added. Having worked personally on the normalization of China-U.S. relations as a professional diplomat, Freeman opposes U.S. interference in the Taiwan question, noting that such involvement could radically alter its relationship with China. As to why certain U.S. politicians and foreign policymakers express a willingness to clash with China over the Taiwan question, Freeman blamed it on their lack of knowledge about China-U.S. relations. "They know nothing about the constraints that the United States and China worked out to make the Taiwan question not urgent, something that could be worked out among Chinese over time. This was the genius of the three (joint) communiques, to take the Taiwan question and remove it from U.S.-China relations, and place it back where it belongs, which is in interactions among Chinese on both sides of the strait. People don't know this," he noted. Freeman reiterated that the China-U.S. relations we have today are built upon the U.S. ceasing to recognize the legitimacy of Taiwan authority, and the termination of U.S. defense commitment to Taiwan, and all these decisions are now being challenged by Washington's policy. "I am very concerned about the dangers of that departure from the agreements we made 50 years ago. I think most Americans know nothing of the history of Taiwan or the Chinese civil war, don't understand that we are breaking our word, (and) don't understand the symbolism of this in terms of Chinese history," said the China hand, noting that revolutions events that happened in the 20th century in China "had the same objective of removing foreign spheres of influence from Chinese territory, uniting the country under a single authority, and restoring the dignity of China internationally, and all these things are bound up in the Taiwan question, make it a very emotional matter." The former American ambassador impressed upon his compatriots the vital guardrail keeping the China-U.S. relationship afloat -- the three joint communiques. "Those three (joint) communiques are not read, not remembered, they're not honored now by the United States, that means that there are no guardrails," he said, calling it a very dangerous situation that could lead to confrontation. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan) NORMAL A kitchen fire caused heavy damage to a home in Normal on Thursday afternoon. The Normal Fire Department responded to a 3:20 p.m. call from a neighbor who reported seeing flames coming from a house in the 1800 block of Truman Drive, in the Greenbriar Subdivision, according to a news release. Upon arrival, firefighters found heavy smoke and fire in the kitchen on the back side of the bi-level home. The residents had already evacuated the home, NFD said. Crews entered through the back door and began flowing water onto the fire, preventing the fire from extending to the attic. Off-duty Normal firefighters and the Bloomington Fire Department were called in to assist. The fire was brought under control within about 10 minutes, according to NFD. Crews then worked to ventilate the smoke and make sure the fire had not spread into the walls and attic space. There were no injuries. Firefighters did find and rescue two pet guinea pigs in their cage, NFD said. The heaviest fire damage was in the kitchen, with heat and smoke damage extending throughout the first floor and water damage in the kitchen extending into the lower level, the news release stated. Firefighters cleared the scene just after 5 p.m. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Olympia High School fire, April 2023 BLOOMINGTON A Bloomington man is jailed on several felony charges, which include making a false bomb threat to a McLean County court office. Bobby Q. Williams, 31, appeared in a Thursday bond court hearing on three felony cases following his Wednesday arrest by the Normal Police Department. In one case filed in late January, Williams is charged with making a false threat to the McLean County Circuit Clerk's Office, a Class 3 felony. Charging documents state that on Tuesday, Dec. 13, Williams indicated to a clerk's office employee that there would be "two massive explosions in the courthouse." Lt. Jon Albee, patrol division commander for the McLean County Sheriff's Office, told The Pantagraph in an emailed statement that their deputies responded to the threat and temporarily closed the county's Law and Justice Center. Albee said deputies from the patrol and court security divisions followed planned procedures and determined the threat was unfounded. He said the sheriff's office investigated the threat, and ultimately had an arrest warrant issued for Williams. McLean County Circuit Clerk Don Everhart did not respond to several requests for comment. A second case filed March 22 accuses Williams of two counts of burglary, a Class 2 felony. Records dated two burglaries on Dec. 30, 2021: one at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center in Bloomington, and another at Target in Normal. Three Class 3 felony charges were also filed against Williams in that case: theft and two counts of unlawful use of a debit card, all at Target. Arrest affidavits state Williams twice defrauded Target of $300 by using a woman's debit card at the store without her permission. The third case, filed in October, charges Williams with burglary, a Class 2 felony. Documents date that offense as occurring Dec. 14, 2021, and identify the Fixit Mobile Repair shop in Bloomington as the victim. Assistant Public Defender Mackenzie Frizzell told the court that Williams is receiving mental health treatment. Judge Scott Black set bond in each of the two burglary cases at $25,000, and at $5,000 in the false threat case. Williams must post 10% for each of those individual bond amounts, plus fees, to be released. He remained in custody Friday. Judge Black also ordered Williams to have no contact with the Shoppes at College Hills in Normal. He scheduled an arraignment hearing for all three cases at 9 a.m. May 5. Williams denied public defender representation for future hearings. Illinois is one of 19 states including Washington, D.C., that has a red-flag law, which allows for temporary firearm removal from individuals believed to be at risk of harming themselves or others The policy is one that gun-safety advocates are pushing for once again across the U.S. in the aftermath of the late March Nashville school shooting, which killed six people. The policy has bipartisan appeal, with some Republicans in favor of it, but Second Amendment advocates say the policy is concerning because it entails firearm removal. States took millions to enact red-flag gun laws, but many still won't pass them A Lee Enterprises review reveals that lawmakers in 31 states have not passed red-flag laws even as most of those states received federal funding through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. Illinois first passed a red-flag law in 2018, with it taking effect Jan. 1, 2019. State lawmakers then voted in 2021 to expand the list of people who can petition a court for a firearms restraining order to include former spouses and partners who share a child with a potential shooter. The initial legislation only allowed blood relatives, stepchildren, roommates or law enforcement officers. More recently, Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a bill on Jan. 10 banning assault weapons. It includes penalties for anyone who carries, possesses, manufactures, sells, delivers, imports or purchases any assault weapon or .50 caliber rifle and cartridge. Anyone who legally possessed that type of weapon before the ban took effect will be required to register it with state police by Jan. 1. It also bans any kit or tools used to increase the rate of fire of a semiautomatic firearm. Also tucked into the legislation was a provision strengthening the state's red-flag law by extending the length firearm restraining orders are valid from six months to up to one year. The legislation was introduced in January, six months after seven victims were killed and 48 others injured during a shooting at the Highland Park Fourth of July parade. A federal appeals court on April 18 ruled to keep the ban in effect after a firearms business owner in Naperville requested the ban be blocked for himself and other business owners so they can resume sales of the impacted firearms. Macon County Judge Rodney Forbes declared in March that the semiautomatic ban violates the equal protection and special legislation clauses of the states Constitution. Forbes statement came after Rep. Dan Caulkins, R-Decatur, filed a lawsuit along with a group of local gun owners. Forbes' decision was expected after an earlier appellate court ruling used similar reasoning to uphold temporary restraining orders issued in two other challenges to the ban in state court. "We expected political grandstanding from those more beholden to the gun lobby than to the safety of their constituents, and todays ruling comes as no surprise," Pritzker spokesman Alex Gough previously told The Pantagraph. "It does not apply statewide." An Associated Press analysis of red-flag law usage last year found that some states, including Illinois, have rarely used their laws. Others, like Florida, widely use their laws. Dana Kelly, communications coordinator for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, said there are 3,448 active extreme risk protection orders as of April 10. Photos: Fourth of July shooting in Highland Park Shooting-July Fourth Parade Shooting July Fourth Parade Shooting July Fourth Parade Shooting-July Fourth Parade Shooting July Fourth Parade Shooting-July Fourth Parade Shooting July Fourth Parade Shooting July Fourth Parade Shooting July Fourth Parade Shooting July Fourth Parade Shooting July Fourth Parade Shooting July Fourth Parade Shooting-July Fourth Parade Shooting July Fourth Parade Shooting July Fourth Parade Shooting July Fourth Parade Shooting July Fourth Parade Shooting July Fourth Parade Shooting July Fourth Parade Im sorry that a settlement was reached in the giant landmark defamation lawsuit brought by Dominion Voting Systems against Fox News. I mean, Im not entirely sorry. Its nice that Dominion will get compensated for its mistreatment at the hands of the network that claims to be so fair and balanced, and its gratifying that Fox has to pay a price a big, painful, embarrassing $787.5 million for its utterly irresponsible coverage of Dominion and alleged election fraud. The conspiracy theories aired over and over on Fox in the aftermath of the 2020 election were outrageous. Peddled by then-President Donald Trump and his lieutenants Rudolph W. Giuliani and Sidney Powell, the lies mischaracterized Dominion as a front for the left-wing government in Venezuela and asserted falsely that its voting machines were rigged to flip votes from Trump to Joe Biden to guarantee a Democratic victory. Give me a break. The truth matters, as Dominions lawyers said repeatedly and said again Tuesday on the courthouse steps. Lies have consequences. Im also somewhat relieved that the settlement will avoid dragging these issues all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, where some legal experts were worried that long-standing protections for journalists might be at risk. Instead, the Supreme Courts 1964 ruling in New York Times v. Sullivan will stay in place for now. That decision allows journalists and news organizations to be punished for defaming public figures only in cases of actual malice that is, if they know the information they publish is false or if they behave with reckless disregard for the truth. Sullivans survival is good news. So why am I sorry? Because another part of me was eager to see these important and sensitive issues aired publicly, not hushed up and removed from public view with an exchange of millions of dollars behind closed doors. From the start, the part of the case that has interested me most was Foxs insistence that it was just covering the news, and that when important public figures like the president of the United States and his top aides go public with blockbuster allegations about a rigged election, it is inherently newsworthy and needs to be covered. Fox, after all, didnt make up the allegations; it merely covered them, said the networks lawyers. The news media has the right in a democracy to inform citizens by reporting and commenting on a presidents allegations challenging the security of our election, said Fox. There are two sides to every story. The press must remain free to cover both sides, or there will be a free press no more. Thats what I wouldve like to have seen hashed out in open court (although the judge apparently didnt want that to be the focus of the trial). Was Fox just covering the news or was it a co-conspirator in attempting to deceive the public? Did its on-air journalists behave responsibly, or did they act like credulous partisans? In my view, Fox is absolutely correct that news organizations should be allowed to report what Trump and his cronies are saying. But they have an obligation to do so fairly, honestly and in context. That means they have to stick to the rules of Journalism 101: They must be even-handed, open-minded and skeptical of unproven assertions. They must distinguish provable facts from mere speculation or unsubstantiated accusation. Fox had a responsibility even the networks opinion journalists had a responsibility to air Dominions denials and the demurrals of voting experts. It failed those tests. Its hosts on a number of occasions repeated the allegations about Dominion as if they were fact. They took sides with Giuliani and Powell. Lou Dobbs asserted that Dominions voting machines were designed to be inaccurate. He thanked Giuliani for pursuing what is the truth. Maria Bartiromo said on the air, falsely, that then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has an interest in this company. Bartiromo also repeated fraud claims about Dominion even though she had been specifically notified that independent fact-checkers, government officials and election security experts debunked those lies, according to Dominions brief. Whats more, scores of emails divulged during the discovery process showed that Fox News hosts and executives had grave doubts about the veracity of the conspiracy theories they were peddling, yet continued to air them in an effort to boost their ratings and mollify right-wing viewers still angry that the network had called Arizona for Biden on election night. Sure, there were a few occasions in which Fox noted Dominions denials or evinced some skepticism. It invited Dominion at least once to come on the network to dispute the allegations. But those were exceptions and insufficient. In my view, the country needs strong legal protections to ensure journalists can do their jobs. But Fox abused those protections. The Asian African Consortium (AAC), a subsidiary of Jospong Group of Companies has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Cape Coast (UCC) to undertake research to boost rice, maize and soya production in the country. The objectives of this partnership are to identify common areas of collaboration to address the overall mandate of the parties, develop a plan for collaborative operations and detail the scope and principles of engagement between the parties while aiming at achieving food efficiency in the country. The CEO of the AAC, Mrs Adelaide Araba Siaw Agyepong, at the signing ceremony in Accra on Thursday, April 20, 2023, noted that the agreement will facilitate ACCs collaboration with the UCC research institutes across Ghana to deepen research and development for social change deal with challenges for economic growth and development. She further added that it will also facilitate the establishment of a research and development consortium comprising of business, crop science, technology, agriculture engineering, and chemical engineering as a standing committee to advise on the full value chain in rice, maize, soya and the production of other staples. Again, this arrangement will facilitate the establishment of a seedling centre for the commercial production of seedlings for sale to farmers, she hinted. She emphasized that the ACCs integrated rice project is to make Ghana self-sufficient in rice production resulting in significant economic benefit for the country. The AAC CEO noted that the partnership is crucial for increasing collaboration and boosting Ghanas economy. Mrs. Siaw Ageypong, who was particularly pleased with the arrangement between the two institutions, was hopeful that this MoU will pave way for many other collaborations between the two institutions. Prof. Johnson Nyarko Boampong - Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, reiterated that the University has specialized training for students to become entrepreneurs and self-sufficient and also can create jobs for others. We also focus on empowering our students with competencies to succeed in life he added. He lamented that with Ghanas abundant resources and arable land, it still imports food, which it can produce locally. It is very sad that Ghanaians have to import from other countries to feed ourselves yet there are countries with no arable lands who have found ways to produce food locally and even export he lamented. He, therefore, stressed that the University is fully behind the project, noting that the University in its small way of complementing efforts to curb importation has acquired 450 acres of land for agricultural purposes. Executive Chairman of Jospong Group, Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong, in brief remarks noted that agriculture and research must go hand in hand to ensure that the country derives its full benefits. He noted that rice is now a staple food in Ghana and initiatives must be taken to produce quality and the needed quantity backed by research and this cannot be achieved without the academia. He encouraged the University to ensure that they come up with seedlings that can withstand the Ghanaian conditions as well as produce the needed yields for maximum benefits. We have the knowledge and resources to see this through, therefore you have no excuse not to perform he reminded the academia. Background Last year, the Asian African Consortium entered a partnership with major rice industry players in Thailand and Ghana to develop an integrated rice farming project. This move by the Jospong Group stemmed from the governments decision to boost the economy through import substitution. A core team later visited Thailand for the Ghana-Thailand Business conference in March 2023 with researchers from various universities in Ghana as well as major players in the rice industry. Last year, Ghana spent over GH6.8billion (equivalent to US$ 560 million at current market rates) importing rice, a grain that can be produced locally. While total rice consumption stood at 1.4 million metric tonnes in 2022, imports valued at US$560 million accounted for 800,000 metric tonnes (mt) of the consumption figure, with domestic production catering for the remaining demand according to data from IDH Sustainable Trade, a foundation headquartered in The Netherlands. Similarly, according to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, between 2010 and 2020 the countrys rice imports hit a staggering US$ 8 billion. This, in addition to imports of other food items that can be produced locally, has been a major source of concern for stakeholders. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Member of Parliament for Bunkpurugu in the North East Region, Dr. Abed Bandim, has questioned what the hinderance is as far as the declaration of the countrys clear stance on the LGBTQ+ subject by Ghana's president is. He described the inability of the president to take a blunt stance on this as a cause for worry. The MP further stated that while at this, if the government sits by and allows the activities of the LGBTQ+ community to thrive, it could plunge the country into chaos. Speaking to GhanaWeb on the current Private Members bill before parliament, Dr. Bandim said, LGBTQ+ activities are an abomination to God, Ghana and Africa at large. Traditionally and morally, the Ghanaian society abhor anything that has to do with unnatural carnal knowledge. Uganda, for instance, has criminalized LGBTQ+ acts, so what is the Akufo Addos government scared of? Ghanaians cannot accept any act that supports the practice of having unnatural carnal knowledge among some members of the public, all in the name of human rights activism, he added. Dr. Abed Bandim also called on Christians, irrespective of their interdenominational beliefs, to be steadfast in fighting against any actions by the government to promote LGBTQ+ activities in the country. He further assured Ghanaians that the National Democratic Congress MPs are on hand to vote in support of the passage of the anti-LGBTQ+ Bill, titled the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill." I and the good people of Bunkpurugu constituency support my colleagues in parliament in the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill before parliament. "I am calling on all Christians to unite and kick against the promotion of LGBQT+ activities by the government and I want to assure the good people of Ghana that we the minority of parliament will vote in support of the passage of the bill, Dr. Bandim added. The MP also recalled how the late President John Evans Atta-Mills and his successor, John Dramani Mahama, both stated their strong condemnations of the activities of the LGBTQ+ community in the country. He added that they even went further to assure that there will be no legislation to give backing to the practice in the country, which is what is also expected of the sitting president, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. The objective of the Private Members Bill, popularly known as the Anti-Gay Bill, is to provide for proper human sexual rights and Ghanaian family value; proscribe (forbid) LGBTQ and related activities, provide for the protection of and support for children and persons who are victims of LGBTQ+. Source: ghanaweb.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video QNET, an e-commerce-based direct selling company, applauds recent crackdown of 41 foreigners in the Bono East Region by The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS). This represents a significant step forward for the community, and it sends a clear message that scammers will not be allowed to operate with impunity in the country. QNET is committed to collaborate with the authorities against individuals misusing the companys name and to subject them to the laws of the land. Members of the public and QNET have been suffering reputational damage due to scammers perpetuating fraudulent activities such as fake job recruitments and foreign travel scams. The company has taken and will continue to take strong punitive internal and legal actions and enhance its trainings, campaigns and online support to educate and alert the public against fraudsters. The public is encouraged to inform QNET and the Police if they come across any individual or entity using the company's name to offer jobs or other services in exchange for money. The email address is [email protected] Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Professor Smart Sarpong, a Senior Research Fellow of the Kumasi Technical University has asked various political parties in the country to start strategizing on how to win the votes of members of the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church. December 7th, 2024 (election day) will fall on Saturday and according to Prof Smart if the political parties don't plan on how to win the Adventists, they will lose an estimated figure of 700,000 Ghanaians. Per research he has conducted recently, only 30% of the Adventists openly said they will vote. "If 70% of them won't vote, people should begin to take interest in it," he urged. Contributing to a panel discussion on Peace FM's morning show 'Kokrokoo', Prof Smart Sarpong claims: "Christians form 71% according to the last statistics. We have 700,000 of the population belonging to the SDA and I want to ask the political parties what's their plan for that because they are stakeholders. "A typical Adventist will ignore voting activities on sabbath day but I think if they (political parties) start engaging leadership (of the church), they can have a way around it. Begin to engage the church. Let the church have an input . . . if the two parties are interested; the discussion should start now," he added. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Curse tablets essentially did what the name implies: They were objects, usually from ancient Greece and Rome, upon which somebody wrote a curse. "The standard definition," says Stuart McKie, a scholar of Roman history at Durham University in the U.K., "is that their intention is to influence, by supernatural means, people and animals against their will." This definition was originally put forth by the late David Jordan, former director of the Canadian Institute in Greece. All sorts of objects, from shards of pottery to scraps of papyrus to graves, could be turned into curse tablets. "There's one really cool one that was written on a lamp," McKie says. But the most common curse tablets, by far, were written on thin scraps of lead. Advertisement Lead is a byproduct of silver mining, which was a major source of wealth in ancient Greece and Rome (particularly in the Greek city-state of Athens). This meant that there was a lot of extra lead lying around at the time. The ancient Romans frequently used it as a cosmetic, or to line their drinking vessels and pipes a kind of curse in itself. But they also used it to inscribe messages, especially ones to the gods. Scholars think that the choice of lead as a writing material was part practical lead is soft and therefore easy to mark but also part aesthetic. "You get this sort of silvery, fluid-looking line against the oxidized surface of the metal," says Britta Ager, a classicist at Arizona State University. "It just looks magical." " " A lead curse tablet, from the late 2nd to 3rd century C.E., found in the drain of London's Roman amphitheatre during excavations in 1992 to 1999. The short Latin inscription is probably the name of a gladiator, and the four corner holes show that it had been nailed to a wall. MOLA/Getty Images Curse tablets went in and out of fashion numerous times across Greek and Roman history. "It's much more like short, sharp moments of popularity," McKie says, as opposed to a gradual rise and fall. But when they were popular, they were ubiquitous. "What we can see is that these seem to cut across all social classes and situations," says Ager. Wealthy politicians would sometimes curse their political rivals or the opposing party in a legal battle. Working-class folks would curse thieves, murderers, their crushes or the chariot racing team that they wanted to lose. There are even records of enslaved people using curses. From the beginning, the Georgia Guidestones was a lightning rod for conspiracy theories, including claims that Christian was actually Ted Turner and that the Illuminati commissioned it. The pseudonym R.C. Christian also has been said to reference the Rosicrucians, or Order of the Rosy Cross, a secret society that stresses reason and harmony with nature. The monument was defaced with spray paint on a couple of occasions before security cameras were installed, but maybe the strangest injury to the reputation of the Guidestones came in 2022 when a candidate in the 2022 Georgia Republican governor's primary called the Guidestones "Satanic" in a campaign ad, and called for their removal. The Georgia Guidestones monument was controversial for its mysterious origins, certainly was it some sort of astronomical calendar? but the inscriptions on the granite monument made some people nervous. The monument got its name from the capstone, on which "Let These Be Guidestones to an Age of Reason" was etched in ancient languages like Babylonian cuneiform one of the earliest systems of writing. On each of the vertical granite slabs, 10 precepts, or "guides," were inscribed in eight different languages, including English, Swahili, Russian and Arabic. They said things like "Protect people and nations with fair laws and just courts," "Maintain humanity under 500,000,000," "Balance personal rights with social duties" and "Be not a cancer on the Earth Leave room for nature Leave room for nature." " " Former president Donald Trump is the only U.S. president in history to be impeached twice. Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call/Getty Images At around 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 16, 1868, Senator Edmund Ross of Kansas sat at his desk in the Senate chamber shredding paper into smaller and smaller pieces until his lap and feet were covered in scraps of white. The stress must have been getting to him. One by one, all around him the voices of his fellow senators were answering a single question from Chief Justice Salmon Portland Chase: "Mr. Senator, how say you?" On that day, the senators of the United States were voting, for the first time in the nation's history, whether to impeach their commander in chief President Andrew Johnson. Andrew Johnson, arguably the worst president ever, had been Abraham Lincoln's vice president and moved into the Oval Office after Lincoln's assassination in April 1865. By December of that year, the new president's Republican opponents in Congress were beginning to rail against him, and a year later they would begin the first in a series of attempts to impeach him. Advertisement In the wake of the Civil War, U.S. Representative Thaddeus Stevens and his followers felt that Johnson had failed to stop the brutalization of freed slaves by their previous owners, and was likewise ceding control of the Southern states to former Confederates. Now at last, Congress had the opportunity to do something about the situation. To impeach a president requires a so-called "super-majority," or two-thirds, of the Senate vote. The problem was that in the time leading up to the impeachment vote, corruption, backroom deals and bribery had been rife. As a result, it was, by this time known exactly how all the senators were going to vote. All, that is, except for Edmund Ross of Kansas. Ross was the lynch pin, the fulcrum, the straw that could break the proverbial camel's back. Hence the anxious paper-shredding routine as he waited for his name to be called. Senator after senator voted exactly as expected. Finally, the chief justice said the words everyone was waiting to hear, "Mr. Senator Ross, how say you?" Edmund Ross rose from his chair, his face as white as the shredded paper falling from his lap. He felt, as he would later say, as though he were facing death. Nevertheless, he quickly and clearly declared, "Not guilty." A sigh went through the chamber, whether of disappointment or relief, it was difficult to say. Although the voting continued, everybody now knew what the final result would be: The first effort to impeach a U.S. president had failed by a single vote [source: Stewart]. Cleve Evans, a professor who studies the history of names at Bellevue University, told writer Aja Romano at Vox that names have been used in this way for ages. "They are just another linguistic item that's possible to be associated with a particular group because of the perception that it's common among that group." Evans also pointed out that the name "Karen" is a Danish form of "Katherine." That name derives from the Greek "Aikaterine," which is sometimes confused with the Greek word for "purity." People using Karen on social media probably didn't dig deeply enough to make that particularly ironic mistake. Advertisement Before Karen, there was Becky, whose cluelessness reigned from the 1990s into the 2000s, from Sir Mix-A-Lot's "Baby Got Back" to Beyonce's "Sorry." In April 2018, "BBQ Becky" called the police because Black people were using a charcoal grill in a park. But the modern Karen is more than clueless. As NPR's Karen Grigsby Bates put it on NPR's Code Switch, she is "aware there will be consequences if she summons help and those consequences will fall most harshly on Black people, usually Black men." Cases like these have changed the Karen stereotype from being someone who demands to see the manager to someone who calls the cops. Having harsh blond highlights is now the least of Karen's many issues. Now That's Taking Action Supervisor Shamann Walton of San Francisco has introduced the "CAREN Act," short for Caution Against Racially Exploitative Non-Emergencies. The ordinance would make it unlawful to call 911 for fabricated, racially biased emergency reports in the city. Similar legislation is being considered by the states of California and New York. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: The traditional accountability chain and the accountability landscape of non-majoritarian institutions. Credit: Governance (2023). DOI: 10.1111/gove.12785 News coverage about the Bank of England is closely linked to the parliamentary oversight of the institution and to the Bank's own account-giving activities, analysis shows. Media articles are also more likely to be about the Bank's policy decisions, especially during times of economic turbulence, according to the study. Researchers found evidence of "reinforced accountability," with coverage levels linked to both parliamentary hearings and the Bank's own account-giving speeches. The study, published in the journal Governance, was carried out by Dr. Christel Koop, from King's College London, and Dr. Michele Scotto di Vettimo, from the University of Exeter. They found more articles about the Bank were published when there are greater changes in bank rates, when new liquidity injections are announced, and when UK banks were bailed out as well as higher levels of unemployment. The researchers examined 13,986 articles in The Times, The Guardian, and the Daily Mail about the Bank of England from May 1997 to the end of 2020. They compared this to information about various economic indicators and policy decisions. They also used parliamentary hearings with bank officials and speeches by individual central bankers to assess whether media coverage magnifies both formal account-holding and voluntary account-giving of the Bank, a concept they call "reinforced accountability." Dr. Koop said, "The Bank's news coverage can be traced back to its policy decisions, especially when the latter respond to economic turbulence. Yet coverage is not as closely linked to the Bank's performance on policy outcomes; nonetheless, it is traceable to both currency rate changes and unemployment levels." "Both the number of parliamentary hearings and the number of central bank speeches were strongly and positively associated with coverage volume. This shows media outlets not only fulfill their watchdog role by covering the decisions and, to some extent, policy outcomes of the Bank, but also reinforce formal account-holding in parliament and voluntary account-giving by the Bank." Dr. Scotto di Vettimo said, "When assessing the relative importance of the different variables on media coverage of the Bank the biggest impact on coverage volume were those related to policy decisions and to reinforced accountability." "More specifically, though rare, decisions to bail out UK banks are the most important determinant of coverage volume followed by announcements of new liquidity injections. Speeches and hearings have roughly the same impact on coverage volume. The least impactful predictors are the changes in the bank rate, the changes in the pound-dollar exchange rate, and the unemployment level." "Media accountability works fairly well in the case of the Bank. Coverage levels can be traced to key decisions and, to some extent, policy outcomes. There are good reasons to take reinforced accountability seriously: our findings suggest that it constitutes an important element of the media's role in the accountability landscape." "This is also encouraging from the perspective of 'collaboration' between the different forums and dimensions. Such collaboration may strengthen the accountability expectations of non-majoritarian institutions; expectations which can themselves contribute to the ultimate goal of careful and accurate decision-making." More information: Christel Koop et al, Nonmajoritarian institutions, media coverage, and "reinforced accountability", Governance (2023). DOI: 10.1111/gove.12785 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 Across the globe, many recent severe wildfires have moved from wildlands into the urban periphery (the "wildland urban interface"). In their wake, they've left death, destruction and disruption. This has led to questions about the extent to which climate change is to blame. A field of study called extreme event attribution has developed to answer such questions. These studies quantify the links between global climate change, regional extreme weather events, and their effects on people, property and environment. This branch of attribution science aims to inform climate change adaptation following extreme events. It also highlights that long-term, global-scale climate change is having real impacts, now, at the scale of human experience. Attribution studies can make the public more acutely aware of climate change effects and increase support for mitigation measures. But the rapidly growing body of event attribution analyses shows a strong bias towards extreme events in the global north. Few attribution studies have considered African events. One of us, Zhongwei, recently led and Stefaan was involved in the first attribution study to quantify the role of climate change in the risk of extreme fire weather conditions in southern Africa. Wildfires are complex phenomena. They can only be understood fully by considering social, environmental and weather conditions together. We know, however, that extreme wildfire events occur almost exclusively under extreme fire weather conditions. Studying associations between global warming and fire weather can provide evidence for how wildfire potential is changing and help to inform responses. We analyzed the destructive April 2021 wildfire on the slopes of Devil's Peak in Cape Town, South Africa under extreme fire weather conditions. We concluded that such extreme fire weather has become around 90% more likely in a warmer world. The April 2021 Cape Town wildfire The wildfire we studied started as a small grass burn. Within a few hours it had destroyed historical buildings and priceless materials in the University of Cape Town African Studies collection. The event received widespread coverage, documenting the resulting losses and the factors responsible for its destructiveness. Questions were raised that required further research. One issue was the role of climate change in the weather conditions during the event. Shortly after 10 am on that day, 18 April 2021, hot, extremely dry and windy conditions took hold. These extreme conditions resulted in highly unusual fire behavior, which made suppressing the fire exceptionally challenging. Burning embers transported by the wind set vegetation alight at least 350 meters ahead of the main fire. We found that the observed fire weather conditions were the most extreme in the 19792021 autumn (MarchMay) record. These conditions have become almost twice as likely as a result of climate change. How we came to this conclusion We used multiple climate model simulations selected from those run for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change assessments. These gave us many years of data to provide a robust risk estimate. This is important because our study area was the smallest over which a wildfire event attribution has been done. Over small domains, local variability makes climate change signals harder to detect. The more data you have, the better the chance of picking up signals. Using temperature, wind, humidity and rainfall, we calculated the value of an index of fire weather (FWI) over Cape Town on 18 April 2021. Then we compared a past climate before human-driven warming with our current climate to see how often the models output Cape Town autumn FWI values that are at least as extreme. Our results strongly suggest that the weather conditions under which extreme Cape Town wildfires can occur are happening ever more frequently in this area in a warming world. This adds to a broader body of literature indicating that climate change is increasing the potential for "megafires" in the world's dry-summer climates. Responding to this risk requires interpreting findings in context and engaging across disciplinary boundaries. In addition to suitable weather conditions, wildfires require a source of ignition and fuel (vegetation that can burn). Cape Town's mountain slopes are covered by fire-prone indigenous fynbos and alien vegetation that can burn very intensely. Given the increasing numbers of people around the mountain, some fires are bound to start. We outline three avenues for risk mitigation. Steps to mitigate risk Adopting more holistic fire management approaches Focusing exclusively on fire suppression (putting fires out as quickly as possible whenever they occur) can allow very high fuel loads to build up. Experts have warned that this widely used strategy is "destined to fail." It can also threaten biodiversity in fire-dependent ecosystems. In the fynbos biome of south-western South Africa, fast-growing alien invasive species and low-density urban expansion into surrounding wildlands enhance the risk of megafires. Instead, researchers suggest wildfire risk management should also involve limiting flammable plants and materials immediately around buildings ("defensible space") in the urban periphery, developing evacuation plans and conducting fire-aware urban planning. Timely and accurate forecasting and communication of extreme fire weather risk This must incorporate understanding of fire pathways that pose the greatest risk locally. Doing this can aid short-term preparedness and risk reduction. The fire weather index that's used in South Africa was developed for the savannah and grasslands of the hot, summer-rain Lowveld in the country's far north-east. The ecology, climate and fire risk factors in the Lowveld are very different to those in the fynbos. Consequently, this fire weather index appears not to have been able to identify unprecedented fire weather risk associated with recent extreme wildfires in the fynbos biome. Further research to inform vegetation management It's crucial to understand which alien and possibly indigenous vegetation can produce "ember showers," such as those responsible for setting alight buildings and plants haphazardly on Devil's Peak. Case studies to assess factors associated with building loss and survival can also inform locally relevant policy. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain If there's one thing that can be agreed upon when it comes to protecting Colorado's environment, it's that the state must act to clean its air. But there are widespread ideas on how to do that. This spring, multiple plans from politicians, environmental activists and state agencies have been announcedall with the goal to bring Colorado into compliance with the federal Clean Air Act by reducing ground-level ozone pollution. Colorado needs improvement after the Environmental Protection Agency last year declared Denver and the northern Front Range were in "severe non-attainment" of federal ozone standards, leading to higher gas prices and more regulations on industry. Already, the Front Range has recorded its first high ozone day of 2023. On April 11, an air monitoring station in Evergreen recorded ozone concentrations at 71 parts per billion, narrowly exceeding the federal daily standard of 70 parts per billion, said Jeremy Nichols, climate director for Wild Earth Guardians. That recording illustrates the urgency that environmentalists say the state needs to take in fixing the pollution problem. The April 11 high ozone day came a month sooner than the first one in 2022 and two months earlier than the first of 2021, Nichols said. The various proposals and policies floated this spring are highly technical. They overlap in some areas. Some are drastic. Most target the state's oil and gas industry, which was responsible for almost half of the state's harmful emissions last year. They include a directive from the governor, new permitting guidelines from the state, a bill in the legislature and a proposed ballot initiative. Here's a rundown of how they would improve the environment and what the pitfalls might be: Gov. Jared Polis' order to reduce nitrogen oxides emissions The plan: Reduce nitrogen oxide emissions from the oil and gas industry by 30% in 2025 and by 50% by 2030, using 2017 emissions levels as the baseline. Nitrogen oxides mix with volatile organic compounds on hot summer days to form ozone pollution, which causes respiratory problems and a foul brown haze in the sky. How it would work: Oil and gas companies would have to take steps to reduce their emissions, but exactly how that would happen is to be determined. They could switch to electric from gas-powered engines. They could shut down production on hot days when ozone levels are highest. What needs to happen to make it a reality: The Colorado Air Quality Control Commission, which regulates emissions, would have to create the rules, which would require public comment and approval by the nine-member board. Then the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, which regulates production, would have to implement it. What the governor said about the plan: "These actions will significantly improve air quality and reduce levels of ozone pollution, with immediate cuts in ozone-causing chemicals in Colorado's air in the next two years and the largest ongoing reduction in NO x (nitrogen oxides) from oil and gas in Colorado's history," the governor wrote in a letter to leaders of the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. What the oil and gas industry said about the plan: Oil and gas executives want the government's rules to give them plenty of room to find ways to cut emissions on their own. Their engineers and scientists can figure it out faster and more efficiently than the government, said Dan Haley, president of the Colorado Oil and Gas Association. "It will be difficult to meet the timeline he's set up," Haley said. "The targets are aggressive. The timeline is aggressive." Air Pollution Control Division's new permit guidelines The plan: The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is proposing new modeling guidelines for businesses that are minor sources of pollution. To model potential pollution, scientists use math and computers to predict how pollutants from a mine or manufacturer will interact with the atmosphere. They also use the modeling to direct how much pollution businesses can emit so that they comply with federal air quality standards. How it will work: The proposed guidelines include new thresholds for nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide emissions. Modeling also will include particulate matter, carbon monoxide and lead. If the health department's Air Pollution Control Division determines a site's emissions violate national air quality standards, it can deny the permit or order additional controls to mitigate the pollution. Nitrogen oxide thresholds would be even lower in areas that are designated as disproportionately impacted by air pollution, such as Pueblo, and in Denver and the northern Front Range, where the EPA classifies air quality as in severe non-attainment. There also would be a new form for companies to fill out and that information would determine what kind of modeling would be required. What needs to happen to make it a reality: The new plan is described as a guideline, which doesn't require the same governmental formalities as formal rulemaking. It's open for public comment until May 4. The Air Pollution Control Division could make changes based on public input. No date has been set for when the rules will go into effect. What the Air Pollution Control Division said, "Protecting the air is our top priority," Michael Ogletree, director of the Air Pollution Control Division, said in a news release. "These new guidelines advance our ongoing work using science, technology and policy to ensure everybody breathes cleaner air, particularly in communities bearing the brunt of air pollution from industrial sources." What the oil and gas industry said, The extra form and increased modeling would slow down permit applications in a system that already is weighed down by paperwork, said Christy Woodward, senior director of regulatory affairs at the Colorado Oil and Gas Association. "It's a lot more work for everyone involved," she said. Protecting Communities from Air Pollution Act The plan: HB23-1294, which was introduced last week by four Democrats in the state legislature, would make the state's air permitting rules more stringent in an attempt to lower toxic air emissions. It also would open investigations into permit violations to include evidence submitted by the public. How it would work: A company's permit application would have to undergo an air quality analysis at the Air Pollution Control Division before a permit is considered by the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. The commission also would have to consider the permit's cumulative impact on the environment before considering it. What needs to happen to make it a reality: The clock is ticking on the bill as the General Assembly is scheduled to adjourn on May 6. Even if it is approved by the Democrat-controlled legislature, it's unlikely that Gov. Jared Polis would sign it as he has expressed opposition to it. What environmentalists said, The oil and gas industry is causing excessive pollution in Colorado to the detriment of people's health. By more stringent permitting, the state could force the oil and gas industry to cut its emissions of various pollutants that make people and plants sick. "Colorado's permitting system is broken," said Nikie Wells, environmental justice coordinator for Black Parents United Foundation. "Thousands of new pollution sources are built without knowing whether or not they could make our air quality worse. This practice hurts our health and our children and it has to stop." What the oil and gas industry said, Industry leaders have criticized the bill as a "back door ban" on permits that was written by activists. The permitting process already is long and expensive, said Lynn Granger, Midwest/Mountain West Region director for the American Petroleum Institute. "What they've done with the legislation is make the process almost impossible," she said. "It is a lengthy process right now and the way they have recommended the sequencing it would be years and years before we would see permits if at all. When we say it's a ban, that's how we are reading this, knowing what the process is currently to get permits and what the impact would be with this legislation." Ballot initiative to phase out oil and gas permits The plan: A coalition of environmental groups announced it wants Colorado to phase out new oil and gas permits by 2030 in an effort to reduce pollution and help clean the air and water in the state. How it would work: Voters would be asked on the 2024 general election ballot to tell the state to stop issuing new fracking permits as Colorado transitions to renewable energy. Existing permits would remain in place. What needs to happen to make it a reality: The coalition, which is calling itself Safe and Healthy Colorado, submitted proposed ballot language to the Colorado Legislative Council on April 4. The group would need to collect 125,000 signatures on petitions to make the ballot. Voters would then have to approve it. What environmentalists said, Colorado cannot afford to continue oil and gas extraction because it speeds up climate change, which increases wildfire risks and brings severe weather patterns to the state. It also takes a toll on human health. "Colorado can continue to be a leader in a clean energy economy, and we can clean up our air and water, but we can't do that while continuing to commit ourselves to the polluting industries of the last century," Heidi Leathwood, a climate policy analyst with 350 Colorado, said in a news release. "We're giving massive profits to oil and gas companies while they make us pay more than a billion dollars a year in environmental and health care costs. This ballot initiative is a chance for the people to stand up to the polluters, take control and move our state toward the clean energy future we deserve." What the oil and gas industry said, The ballot measure would destroy an industry that supports 69,000 direct jobs that pay higher-than-average wages in the private sector, according to an American Petroleum Institute report. Driving away oil and gas extraction in Colorado also would increase fuel prices for everyone. "To continue to see things like this ballot measure are incredibly frustrating and quite frankly a waste of everyone's time," said Granger, of the American Petroleum Institute. "These are resources that everybody uses and that we all need. And they've got to come from somewhere. If they're not going to be produced in Colorado, the demand is still there and we're going to need to bring those resources into Colorado by truck, by train, by other means, which at the end of the day are going to increase our emissions and worsen our air quality." 2023 MediaNews Group, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Emae Island in Central Vanuatu. Credit: Aymeric Hermann Polynesian peoples are renowned for their advanced sailing technology and for reaching the most remote islands on the planet centuries before the Europeans reached the Americas. Through swift eastward migrations that are now well covered by archaeological research, Polynesian societies settled virtually every island from Samoa and Tonga to Rapa Nui/Easter Island in the east, Hawai'i in the north, and Aotearoa/New Zealand in the south. But little is known about Polynesian migrations west of the 180th meridian. In order to better understand the relationship between these Polynesian societies of the western Pacific, Melanesia and Micronesiaoften referred to as "Polynesian Outliers"a multidisciplinary team of researchers analyzed the geochemical signature of stone artifacts collected in Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands and the Caroline Islands between 1978 and 2019. An international research team, led by the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, was able to identify the geological origin of these artifacts after comparing their geochemical and isotopic compositions with reference datasets of natural rocks and archaeological quarries in the region. The research is published in the journal Science Advances. The connection to the Polynesian homeland Adzes are versatile cutting tools comparable to axes. Among the eight adzes or adze fragments the researchers analyzed, six were sourced to the same large fortified quarry complex of Tatagamatau on Tutuila Island (American Samoa), which is located more than 2,500 kilometers away in the Polynesian homeland. "Tatagamatau adzes were among the most disseminated items across West and East Polynesia, and the sourcing of Taumako and Emae adzes suggest bursts of long-distance mobility towards the Outliers similar to those that led to the settlement of East Polynesia," says lead author Aymeric Hermann, researcher at Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique and associate researcher at the Department of Linguistic and Cultural Evolution at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology. Hermann points out that the transportation of such socially valued itemsoften passed down for generations among Polynesian chiefly familiessuggests carefully planned voyages, rather than accidental landfalls. The geochemical investigation of stone artifacts from the Polynesian Outliers also provides critical information on inter-island transfers between the Polynesians and their neighbors in the western Pacific, specifically between the Banks Islands and Central Vanuatu, and between the Bismarck and the Caroline Islands. The team highlights that such inter-island contacts are signals that Polynesian sailors might have played an important role in the reappraisal of long-distance mobility and in the distribution of specific material culture items and technologies such as shell adzes, back-strap loom, and obsidian points among the mosaic of Pacific Island societies in the western Pacific during the last millennium A.D. "A recent study describes an obsidian stemmed point as a chiefly heirloom found on Kapingamarangi Island with a geochemical signature matching an obsidian source on Lou Island in the Admiralties: this is an exciting find that echoes our identification of a basalt flake from mainland New Britain on that same atoll," adds Hermann. Long-distance mobility in the past In the Pacific region, geochemical sourcing has been particularly successful at locating sources of stone artifacts and tracing the transport of specific items across distant islands and archipelagos. Such material evidence of long-distance inter-island voyaging shows that Pacific Island societies were never completely isolated from one another. These patterns of interaction are central to our understanding of the deeply intertwined history of cultural systems in the Pacific. In this study, atomic emission spectroscopy and mass spectrometry were used to measure concentration of oxides, trace elements and ratios of radiogenic isotopes in order to identify geological provenances with a high level of accuracy. Thanks to the collaboration of experts in archaeology, geochemistry and data science, a cutting-edge approach to geochemical sourcing was developed, which involves the use of computer-assisted comparisons with open-access databases. More information: Aymeric Hermann, Artefact geochemistry demonstrates long-distance voyaging in the Polynesian Outliers., Science Advances (2023). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adf4487. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adf4487 Journal information: Science Advances 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: Profile plots: The temporal relationship between health and intention to retire. Credit: Journal of Organizational Behavior (2023). DOI: 10.1002/job.2692 There's a new trend emerging in Australia that organizations need to heedthe "queue jumpers," defined as healthy workers aged 50+ who are preparing to abandon unsupportive organizations well before retirement age. Around age 50, older people experience a growing awareness that 'life is finite' and an active, meaningful retirement may be preferential to staying in a job where they are not valued or receiving much support. That's the consensus from a new national study published in the Journal of Organizational Behavior identifying a shift in retirement intentions among many healthy older adults who can support themselves financially without working. Study co-author Professor Carol Kulik from the University of South Australia says despite increases in life expectancy and the official retirement age67 years in Australia, the statistics* show that more healthy older people are leaving work earlier than in previous generations, and this has consequences for organizations. Prof Kulik and colleagues from UniSA and the University of Melbourne analyzed survey responses from almost 500 workers aged 50 and older to find out why so many people were considering retirement. "Retirement intentions are no longer linked to a fixed age, when pensions become available," Prof Kulik says. "Changes in wealth and income, longer life spans and a desire among active older adults to make the best of their life before poor health sets in, are all reasons why people might choose retirement over work." "In the past, health, wealth, workplace-related factors, and family variables were major predictors of retirement, but there is a new motivation that hasn't been previously consideredthe passage of time." "Growing awareness that life is finite sets in around 50 years when people start to reassess their priorities. They become less concerned with future work goals and more interested in the present. Relationships with family and friends also become more important." But that awareness is greatest among healthy older workers who are not supported by their line managers. If workplaces do not value older employees, or discriminate against them, organizations risk losing the experienced, older workers who would be most productive, the study authors say. If manager support is high and healthy older workers are valued, employees are less likely to consider retirement. The researchers say a change in working arrangements due to the COVID-19 pandemic could also persuade older workers to press pause on their retirement plans. "Hybrid office and working from home arrangements often suit older employees as they are removed from onsite discrimination that is prevalent in many workplaces. This also gives them a bridge into retirement, allowing them to reduce their hours but continue working," Prof Kulik says. More information: Christina Cregan et al, When time is running out: A growth curve analysis of older workers' retirement intentions, Journal of Organizational Behavior (2023). DOI: 10.1002/job.2692 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: Average workplace and residential mobility over time. Notes: The graphs show the daily percentage change in mobility compared to median values between January 3 to February 6, 2020. The gray solid lines are local polynomial smooths with 95 percent confidence intervals. Our estimation sample starts on March 16, 2020. Credit: Media Coverage and Pandemic Behaviour: Evidence from Sweden (2023). Increased media coverage of COVID-19 led to more individuals taking preventive measures such as hand washing, social distancing, and wearing masks, new research from the Stockholm School of Economics and Jonkoping University shows. This highlights the important role that accurate and timely reporting plays in promoting public health measures during a pandemic. In a recent working paper, researchers Marcel Garz (Jonkoping University) and Maiting Zhuang (Stockholm Institute of Transition Economics (SITE) at the Stockholm School of Economics) collected a unique dataset of 200,000 newspaper articles about the COVID-19 pandemic from Swedenone of the few countries that did not impose mandatory lockdowns or curfews but largely relied on voluntary social distancing. They show that mentions of COVID-19 significantly lowered the number of visits to workplaces and retail and recreation areas, while increasing the duration of stays in residential locations. The impacts are largest when COVID-19 news stories were more locally relevant, more visible and contained simple and explicit public health advice. These results have important implications for the design of future public communication strategies that aim to foster behavioral change. "We found little evidence of media fatigue or a preference of opinion pieces relative to factual reporting when it comes to COVID-19 in Sweden," says Maiting Zhuang, Assistant Professor at SITE. Positive effect of local news media While there has been much discussion about misinformation and media bias during the pandemic, the research shows a positive effect of the local news media in terms of encouraging voluntary adherence to public health measures. More broadly, the study adds an important dimension to the policy discussion about the decline of local news, beyond local political accountability and community participation. The researchers found that local news remains an important source of local information, and that personally relevant information is more important for behavioral change. A lack of trusted local media could adversely affect compliance with government recommendations during a crisis, as well as a range of other campaigns, such as those encouraging the take-up of vaccines or adoption of more environmentally friendly behaviors. 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 On March 29, two families of four died while attempting to cross the St. Lawrence River from Canada to the U.S. Their bodies were found in Akwesasne Mohawk territory which straddles the Canada-United States border. Media coverage quickly began to frame the fatal incident as an issue of illegal human smuggling. Reports characterized the Akwesasne Mohawk territory as a "smuggling hotspot" and an "ideal location for trafficking of humans and contraband." Articles featured exposes on migrants who helped smuggle people across the border as well as Akwesasne individuals who assisted in crossings rendered illegal by U.S. and Canadian governments. This type of news coverage, which focuses on individuals, allows governments on both sides of the border to elude responsibility for enacting policies which limit options to cross borders legally, make irregular crossings more dangerous and deflect blame onto those facilitating those crossings. But perhaps the most glaring omission in media coverage is any meaningful reflection on what it means for this tragedy to occur on Indigenous territory. Indigenous communities and the border Scholars have drawn attention to historical amnesia when it comes to colonialism and racism in the western media coverage of migration. Unless this amnesia is addressed, the precarious conditions, suffering and death that many migrants fleeing persecution and displacement face will continue. The Akwesasne tragedy must be understood in the context of colonial history and the imposition of the U.S.-Canada border on Indigenous nations. The 1783 Treaty of Paris established a rough initial boundary between American settler claims and British settler claims, which ran through the St. Lawrence River, present-day Akwesasne territory and the Great Lakes. The 1794 Jay's Treaty codified the inherent rights of Indigenous Peoples to move freely across the border and to carry out trade and commerce. Yet, in practice, neither colonial government expended much effort to monitor or restrict the movement of people across the boundary. But as American and Canadian governments hungrily expanded to the west, the idea of freedom of movement for Indigenous Peoples began to fade away in the face of settler colonial objectives. Instead, Indigenous Peoples were made foreigners in their own land with mobility and land rights inferior to those of European settler migrants. After the Metis-led 1885 North-West Rebellion was put down, Canada implemented a regime of racialized migration control known as the Indian pass system. This system made it illegal for Indigenous people to leave their reserve without a pass issued by an Indian agent for a specific duration and purpose. Those caught violating pass conditions faced jail time and could be "deported" back to their reserve. The pass system remained enforced in some locations until the 1940s. As Historian Benjamin Hoy writes, "[f]rom the very outset, Canada and the United States believed that building a national border on Indigenous lands required erasing pre-existing territorial boundaries." Colonial dispossession Canadian immigration law has historically served as a key mechanism of colonial dispossession. The first Immigration Act of 1869 was designed to promote "a liberal policy for the settlement and colonization of the uncultivated lands," particularly as part of westward expansion. It did this by actively encouraging white European settlers to come to Canada by granting them protections and rights. These included travel support, affordable homesteads, no removal after arriving and naturalization after three years' residence. Additionally, the 1872 Dominion Lands Act granted large plots of land to any settler who paid a small fee and made certain improvements on the land. Yet this land was not Canada's to claim, grant or sell, but rather belonged to Indigenous nations whose traditional territories were swept up through military violence and unfair treaties. Undermining Indigenous self-determination Canada has continued to assert unilateral sovereignty in immigration while simultaneously erasing diverse Indigenous laws and customs. This came to a head in the 2006 federal court case of Sister Juliana Eligwe, a Nigerian nun in Canada who faced deportation. Sister Juliana claimed asylum in Canada, saying that she would face persecution if she returned to Nigeria. Sister Juliana worked as live-in nanny and housekeeper. She also volunteered with the Sandy Bay Ojibway First Nation in Manitoba where she supported youth experiencing the emotional trauma of losing peers and loved ones to suicide. In a bid to prevent her deportation, the First Nation made Sister Juliana a band member. The First Nation's lawyers argued that Canada's Immigration and Refugee Protection Act should be read in a way that recognized the inherent right of Indigenous communities to determine political membership, as well as any member's right to enter and remain in Canada. The court rejected that argument, saying the First Nation was attempting "to usurp the discretion of the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration by accepting non-residents as band members and thereby granting them permanent resident status." Ultimately, Sister Juliana was deported to Nigeria, another country deeply affected by the legacies of British colonialism. In siding with the federal government, the court effectively took away the First Nation's right to decide on its own membership. A key part of the truth and reconciliation process is for settlers to acknowledge treaty relationships with Indigenous communities and their treaty rights to be on this land. It is untenable that immigration policy remains untouched by the obligations of reconciliation and decolonization. To help avoid more tragedies at the border, Canada must make a commitment to reckon with its unfair and colonial history of immigration. One of the first steps is to acknowledge and respect Indigenous sovereignty, laws and treaty relations when it comes to immigration. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Microscopic observation of a section of Devonian fossil wood containing tyloses and detail of an area showing several tyloses (arrows) produced by parenchyma cells (P) inside a conductor cell (C); scale: 0.05 mm (50 m). Credit: A-L Decombeix. Plants can protect their wood from infection and water loss by forming special structures called "tyloses." These prevent bacterial and fungal pathogens from getting into the heartwood of living trees and damaging it. How early in the evolution of plants the woody species became capable of forming such defenses was not previously known. Published today in Nature Plants is the oldest evidence of tylosis formation from Late Devonian (360-million-year-old) fossil wood from the Hook Head Peninsula area, Co. Wexford, Ireland. These plants lived well before the time of the dinosaurs or even flying insects. They formed the first primeval forests, when plants ruled the continents, accompanied by microorganisms, fungi, and early relatives of spiders, millipedes and centipedes. Dr. Harper and her team, including Dr. Anne-Laure Decombeix (CNRS, France), Dr. Cyrille Prestianni (Uni. Liege, Belgium), Trinity Botany Ph.D. student Thibault Durieux (co-advised by Harper and Decombeix), Merlin Ramel (INRAe, France), and Prof Michael Krings (BSGP, Munich, Germany and Trinity SNS Visiting Research Associate), discovered tyloses in the fossilized wood of an extinct group of plants known as the Archaeopteridalean progymnosperms. These plants are particularly important as they were the first trees to resemble those we see today, with a large woody trunk, branches, and complex root systems. The team has now discovered that these primitive trees were also able to form tyloses to protect their wood. What is particularly exciting is that Ireland is one of the few places in the world where such details can be observed in plants from this remote time period. This means that the fossils from Co. Wexford give unique insights into this important period in plant evolution. Dr. Harper said, "Fossil wood is an example of an anatomically preserved fossil: plant remains that have been infiltrated by a water rich in minerals, preserving their tissues in three dimensions. These fossils allow us to study very fine details of extinct plant anatomy, down to the cellular level. This type of preservation, in general, is rare but occurs in certain fossil deposits in Ireland. "Continuing fieldwork in Irish Devonian localities will yield new fossils that will increase our understanding of the diversity and biology of extinct plants. Overall, Ireland's rich plant fossil historyan untapped resourceplays a key role in answering exciting research questions and raises many more." Ireland has long been known as the Emerald Isle due its famous rolling green hillsbut such discoveries help us to understand how and when this "greening" began. Dr. Harper said, "By studying these fossil plants and their past environments, we can get powerful insights into the history of plant physiological processes that still occur today, and into both current and future ecosystems of Ireland and the world." More information: Anne-Laure Decombeix et al, Fossil evidence of tylosis formation in Late Devonian plants, Nature Plants (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41477-023-01394-0 Journal information: Nature Plants 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: NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio Century-old sugar maples in Wisconsin. Five-hundred-year-old cedars in Oklahoma. Fifty-foot-wide oaks in Georgia. These trees grace our nation's old-growth forests, and scientists say they hold unexplored mysteries from their roots to their rings. In an effort to steward these resources, on Earth Day 2022 the Biden Administration called upon the Department of Agriculture and the Bureau of Land Management to define and map such forests on federal lands. A year later, that work has yielded a first-ever national inventory of mature and old-growth forestsbroadly characterized as forests at an advanced stage of development. And with some help from NASA, the public will soon be able view some of these forests like never before. The nation's old-growth forests encompass different tree species in different regions, from towering redwoods and 5,000-year-old bristlecone pines to diminutive pinyon junipers whose age and grandeur are less immediately obvious. For decades the U.S. Forest Service has studied such trees in hundreds of thousands of plots across the country, but the agency has never issued a formal accounting until now. To identify and define such forests, the team analyzed decades of field-gathered data from a wide variety of forest types and ecological zones, while also collecting public input in the process. America's forests help absorb more than 10% of our annual greenhouse gas emissions. While younger vegetation accumulates carbon more rapidly, old-growth forests contain more biomass overall and store more carbon. Not only are these ecosystems essential to the country's clean air and water, they hold special significance to Tribal Nations, they sustain local economies, and they conserve biodiversity. Complementing the Forest Service's boots-on-the-ground research, some NASA-funded scientists are using a space-based instrument called GEDI (Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation) to provide a detailed picture of these forests. From its perch on the International Space Station, GEDI's laser imager (lidar) is able to peer through dense canopies to observe nearly all of Earth's temperate and tropical forests. By recording the way the laser pulses are reflected by the ground and by plant material (stems, branches, and leaves) at different heights, GEDI makes detailed measurements of the three-dimensional structure of the planet's forests and fields. It can even estimate the weight, height, and vertical structure of trees. Credit: NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio "The partnership with NASA will help us do analyses we have not been able to do in the past," said Jamie Barbour, who leads the old-growth initiative for the U.S. Forest Service. "From space, we'll be able to drill down and learn about so many more places." Old trees, enduring threats Substantial portions of U.S. old-growth forests have been lost in recent centuries, researchers have reported. Logging greatly altered the forests that Europeans found when they came to North America, while invasive insects and diseases have more recently ravaged important tree species. Surviving forests also face a new generation of threats, including climate change-fueled wildfires, heavy rainfall events, and chronic temperature and drought stress. Species like the American beech, eastern hemlock, American elm, and ash have been vastly diminished, said Neil Pederson, an ecologist and tree-ring specialist (dendrochronologist) at Harvard University. He said that conserving what's left is critical if we're going to continue to make fundamental discoveries about trees, such as how long they live and why, and what they can tell us about Earth's past. "This project is challenging us to really take a step back and think about why these older forests matter to us and how we can be more proactive about addressing the issues they face," said Marin Palmer, technical team lead for the Forest Service. "We sometimes imagine these forests have never been touched by humans, but we have to look further back in history and understand that indigenous people were intentionally managing their forests for millennia. When we think about the threat climate change poses, it becomes a larger conversation about the need to be active stewards in our landscapes and ecosystems." Credit: NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio Tree rings are a data record of Earth's climate, and they teach us things that we don't typically learn about in textbooks, Pederson said. "In the United States, our best meteorological records are only about 130 years old," he said. "Living and fossil trees allow us to reconstruct temperature and precipitation history across hundreds or thousands of years, helping us better understand drought and wet periods." The Forest Service will continue to work alongside partners like NASA to gather aerial and satellite imagery and map mature and old growth at finer scales. Such data can also help USFS create a long-term monitoring system. Meanwhile, a team of interagency experts will analyze and assess threats and risks to these areas. GEDI collected four years of forest observations around the world, before recently entering hibernation on the International Space Station. Extension of the GEDI mission is currently under discussion, and if the extension is approved, it is expected that monitoring of mature and old-growth forests will resume when it returns to service within two years. "It's a really a revolutionary time we're living in right now with all these different sets of remote sensing data that are already in space or going into space," said Ralph Dubayah, a professor at the University of Maryland and principal investigator of the GEDI mission. "This is radically changing how we go forward in these kinds of endeavors." Provided by NASA 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: Collective reconfiguration of the disclination network. (A) The top substrate is changed from a two-dimensional (2D) lattice of (+1, -1) defects to uniform alignment along the x-axis, which is induced by cooperative reorganization of the azobenzene monolayer on the top substrate. (B) Corresponding simulation results. The scale bar is 50m. Credit: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2023). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2221718120. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2221718120 Prof. Peng Chenhui's team from the School of Physics, University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), realized the collective transfer and reconfigurable self-assembly of colloidal particles by combining the light-driven molecular motors with liquid crystal (LC) molecules in the nematic phase whose orientations are programmed with topological patterns and disclination networks. The work was published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences on April 11. Through light irradiation, the cooperative reorganizations of nanomotors induce collective dynamics of the disclination networks. The morphology changes of the disclination lines are utilized to transport and reconfigure the colloidal assemblies in translational, rotational, and programmable fashions. This work opens the door for future applications in micromachines and smart materials. Nanomotors in nature have inspired scientists to design synthetic molecular motors to drive the motion of microscale objects by cooperative action. Light-driven molecular motors have been synthesized, but using their cooperative reorganization to control the collective transport of colloids and to realize the reconfiguration of colloidal assembly remains a challenge. In this work, topological vortices are imprinted in the monolayers of azobenzene molecules which further interface with nematic liquid crystals (LCs). The light-driven cooperative reorientations of the azobenzene molecules induce the collective motion of LC molecules and thus the spatiotemporal evolutions of the nematic disclination networks which are defined by the controlled patterns of vortices. Continuum simulations provide physical insight into the morphology change of the disclination networks. Collective transport of the colloidal assembly by controlling the linear polarization P e . The video is recorded at 20 fps; the playback rate is 120 fps. Credit: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2023). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2221718120 When microcolloids are dispersed in the LC medium, the colloidal assembly is not only transported and reconfigured by the collective change of the disclination lines but also controlled by the elastic energy landscape defined by the predesigned orientational patterns. The collective transport and reconfiguration of colloidal assemblies can also be programmed by manipulating the irradiated polarization. This work provides opportunities to design programmable colloidal machines and smart composite materials. In the study, the team also elucidated how the pre-designed topological defects control the motion mechanism of colloidal particles on the disclination lines, which is determined by the elastic properties of the local pre-designed unfolding and bending deformation of liquid crystals. Thus, the physical mechanism of this light-driven programmable colloidal self-assembly lies in the cooperative reorganization of the nanoscale molecular machines by light, and the interaction of the molecular machines with the liquid crystal molecules is used to control the change of the nanoscale liquid crystal molecular orientation. Due to the long-range ordered nature of the liquid crystal molecules, a change in the orientation of the surface macroscale liquid crystal molecules is triggered. This macroscopic change further drives the change of liquid crystal microstructure inside the sample through surface anchoring, thus enabling macroscopic-scale reconfiguration toward disclination networks and colloidal self-assembly. More information: Jiang, Jinghua et al, Collective transport and reconfigurable assembly of nematic colloids by light-driven cooperative molecular reorientations, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2023). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2221718120. Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Provided by University of Science and Technology of China 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: Graphical abstract. Credit: One Earth (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.oneear.2023.03.011 With temperatures rising worldwide, more and more people globally consider air-conditioning an essential element of living with climate change. However, air-conditioning units are also rather power-hungry and are likely to increase energy consumption in areas where they are used often. To limit the impact of air-conditioners on our energy grids and our climate, we need data to better understand where they're sold globally. That's quite a struggle in regions where that data is not available. However, through social media advertising data, we get a first glimpse of what drives and motivates people to buy air-conditioners worldwide, new research led by Sibel Eker from Radboud University shows. The research is published in One Earth today. Though it seems obvious that many people will invest in air-conditioning (AC) units as a way to reduce the heat in their home, there is no concrete way of knowing exactly how many people will invest in them in the future. "We have some data on how many households own an AC unit in Western countries, and what types of people buy them. But we don't know have a good view on what's happening around the world in regions such as Asia and Africa," explains Sibel Eker, assistant professor of system dynamics at Radboud University. "That's an issue, as the lack of these units implies a high heat vulnerability, and as these units often increase carbon emissions and lead to higher energy consumption in certain areas. As such, we decided to look at data from social media to see if that provides some indication of interest and purchasing levels in those areas." "The data we looked at shows that, on a global level, middle aged, highly educated, married, or cohabiting males, as well as parents of small children, tend to express more online interest in AC units," explains Sibel. "Regions such as the Balkans and Middle East, regions that are increasingly vulnerable to rising temperatures and heatwaves, show the highest online interest in AC. In those countries, population groups that have been known to be reluctant to adopt to AC, such as the elderly, show a relatively high online interest in AC. That indicates that their attitude might be changing, and we might see a higher adoption of AC units in those regions than we have in the past." Worldwide data from social media The researchers used data from Facebook and Instagram across 113 countries. "This data tells us which types of people are shown advertisements related to purchasing air conditioning, and how many of them actually decided to install one or more units. We looked at data on age, relationship status and parenthood to get an idea of what types of people are more likely or less likely to purchase an AC," explains Eker. "Conventional data sources such as household surveys are accurate, yet costly and context-dependent, for instance limited to a few countries. By using social media data, we were able to complement conventional data sources in improving our understanding of the extent and drivers of AC adoption at a global level. This provides valuable data to researchers and other organizations worldwide, in understanding how climate change might be increasing the adoption of AC units in new regions and among different groups of people." More information: Sibel Eker et al, Social media data shed light on air-conditioning interest of heat-vulnerable regions and sociodemographic groups, One Earth (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.oneear.2023.03.011 Journal information: One Earth 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: Shar shows a close-up of the ink he hopes will be used in wearable monitoring devices. Credit: Allen Jones, Enterprise Marketing and Communications Finding a 3D printable ink that conducts electricity, yet is strong, flexible and stretchable, has been a goal of materials scientists around the world since 3D printing began, says Daeha Joung, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the Department of Physics at Virginia Commonwealth University's College of Humanities and Sciences. So last year, when Andy Shar came into his lab eager to look for the solution, Joung was apprehensive but gave Shar a chance. And he is grateful he did. "I was trying to find that ink myself," Joung said. "But somehow, Andy discovered the recipe." The discovery has opened up new opportunities for Shar, now a sophomore majoring in biology in the College of Humanities and Sciences and minoring in religious studies in the School of World Studies. He has been working with Joung and his research team through the VCU Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program. Alongside Phillip Glass, a student in the Ph.D. in nanoscience and nanotechnology program, Shar has published two academic papers, including one in the journal Advanced Functional Materials for which he served as the first author. He also has submitted anotherplus a book chapterand has been invited to present at conferences about the discovery. "The material we discovered was a composite of siliconepolydimethylsiloxine, or PDMSand we dispersed carbon nanotubes, or CNT, inside of that silicone, which is something that is kind of difficult to do," Shar said. "We used a pretty simple environmentally friendly technique to do it that can occur at room temperature. The fabrication process being easy allows it to be accessible to other people and maybe even companies who want to use it commercially." Joung, Shar and Glass continue to use the 3D printable ink in the development of customizable patient health monitoring devices and of electronic skin, or eSkinwearable sensors to detect motion of joints or monitor cardiac and respiratory health. "What Dr. Joung has been really pioneering is using 3D printing to create scaffolds that can simulate the spinal cord architecture," Shar said. He and Joung hope this technology, infused with bioprinted information that would allow cells to regrow, can help people with spinal cord injuries regain sensory and motor function. Here, student and mentor share thoughts on what they learned working together. Andy Shar What attracted you to this project? I'll start from the beginning and go to what attracted me to Dr. Joung's lab in the first place: [my] past experience with high school research. I've always really liked hands-on stuff, and materials science and nanotechnology were two of my main interests coming into VCU. So I liked how he incorporated that with 3D printingwhich was something I've never done before but was also excited to usewith biological applications. I intend to go into the medical field, so that would be something that would relate to my future profession. So that was definitely something of interest. For that specific project, I actually started by working with Phillip Glass, who's a physics graduate student, on his project, and it just became a natural progression because I was helping him. I had some interest in chemistry and the process of making the ink and making the material. And as I was helping him, I decided to do my own trials. And I really credit Dr. Joung for giving me the flexibility and independence to do that. I was experimenting around, and once I found an ink that I thought would work, then we decided that if it was unique enough and if it had certain advantages over what was seen in the literature, then we could write a paper about it. So I did more research there. What did you get out of the experience? There were a few things I got out of it. Definitely knowledge, learning about the materials science aspect of it, a lot of lessons in perseverance. It took dozens of trialsDr. Joung has seen my array of vials with hundreds of failed attempts. So just being able to learn from your past mistakes. And I didn't give up, because I knew I was getting closer and closer to the end result. That was really a lesson that I learned, and I also think teamwork. As a group, we held meetings where we presented our findings, so you learn communication skills, how to interact with the group, how to just work with different (technologies)how to use the gantry, how to use the texture analyzer, different machinesand then spreading that knowledge as well, and teaching other people who join the lab how to use those same machines. And then, because of the project, I've also been able to present at multiple conferencesfor example, the UROP Symposium, which I will be presenting at this spring, and the annual Network for Undergraduate Research in Virginia conference at Christopher Newport University, which was in January. Being able to present to the public and explain to them our findings in terms that they can understand is definitely a skill that I've learned. What's one lesson you learned from Dr. Joung? From Dr. Joung, I've learned really just how to be an effective PI [principal investigator]. It's about the coordination of an effective team and really encouraging teamwork and making sure everybody's staying involved, everybody is going at a pace that's comfortable for them but also making sure to push them a little bit. I remember Dr. Joung helping me out whenever I had certain trials not go the way I wanted to and then also setting certain deadlines for me, making sure I met them and just encouraging me to do my best. I remember, especially during the summer, I was there for maybe 15 to 20 hours a week. And we were really trying to get the paper published. At the very end, it was a lot of data collection, a lot of writing. And I credit Dr. Joung with coordinating me and Phillip, and just making sure that we got everything done in time and that time management wasn't a problem. That's definitely a lesson I learned from him. Andy Shar, left, and Daeha Joung, Ph.D., center, inspect the flexible 3D printing ink Andy has developed that conducts electricity, which will allow researchers in their lab and other scientists to make wearable devices and eSkin technologies that empower patients to better monitor and take charge of their health. Credit: Allen Jones, Enterprise Marketing and Communications Daeha Joung Why does this research matter? eSkin technology is the future of wearable devices. So what Andy, Phillip and I found is that 3D printable electronic skins can be useful for patients who suffer from skin diseases. Or we can have one that does health monitoring so that it's a system where we can directly 3D-print into human organs. We can actually offer new therapeutic options. [As a physicist] I'm not going to use these directly with patients. However, this technology can be transferred to the operating room in the future. Then the patients can have the advantage to use this technology. That is our long-term goal for this project. Let's say we developed a 3D printable electronic device, or wearable flexible device. Now we want to make a connection from this technology into the spinal cord regeneration project. With spinal cord regeneration, there are always issues because of the structural complexity, right? So one of the therapeutic options is stem cell and electrical stimulation therapy. What Andy is doing is adding to it. As Andy mentioned, I am a pioneer of printing stem cells for spinal cord injury regeneration. So now Andy is combining these stem cell printing technologies and these flexible electronics. We want to test how these two different elements of technology can combine to create a new opportunity for spinal cord regeneration. Everything is kind of related. As physicists, as material scientists, as engineers, our long-term goal is we want to produce and provide new therapeutic options and potential future applications for treatments. How did Andy help advance the project? Even before Andy joined, I've been working on 3D-printing flexible electronics. But the point is that every researcher in the world has the problem of printing flexible and conductive ink. I think Andy spent around four or five months [on it]. He did the hard work on developing that ink that everyone, most every 3D-printing researcher, was looking for. Then Phillip, our graduate student, expanded the ink's capabilities and applied it to 3D-printed wearable devices. That's why their paper is in one of the top-tier materials science journals. When we talk about this paper, whenever I mention that the first author of this paper is a sophomore, people are amazed. Based on this, we got a lot of conference invitations. This is amazing work. What's one lesson you learned from Andy? Although Andy is an undergraduate, there are many things I learned from him, but the main thing was that I had doubted myself: "Can I give an independent project to an undergraduate student?" In general, many PIs do not really give independent projects to undergraduates, but Andy wanted to be very independent. He actually emphasized to me, "I can do it. I can do it." I was a little bit doubtful the very first time; however, I saw his motivation, so that's why I gave him independent projects. He did a great job, and I'm continuously giving him very independent projects. The way I've trained Andy is like a graduate student. So for me, with Andy and the other graduate students, our training for Andy is all the same. Beyond the knowledge he's developed and the ink discovery, Andy is a very motivated student-researcher, so he has a strong sense of responsibility. Research is not only about being smart. Research is about where you get the motivation and what excites you. Andy's an undergraduate student and sophomore who wants to apply to medical school, especially M.D.-Ph.D. programs. I give a lot of credit to Andyconsider how busy he is; however, he still spends a lot of time in the lab. I could see that. I could see he's so excited, and he enjoys his time in the research lab. He's always smiling, and he always has energy to do new challenges. So to come back to the question of what I learned from Andy: Motivation is the most important factor to be successful in research. More information: Andy Shar et al, 3D Printable OnePart Carbon NanotubeElastomer Ink for Health Monitoring Applications, Advanced Functional Materials (2022). DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202211079 Journal information: Advanced Functional Materials This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: A view of Stephans Quintet, a visual grouping of five galaxies from the James Webb Telescope. Credit: NASA/ESA/CSA/STScI In the 1960s, astronomers began noticing a pervasive microwave background visible in all directions. Thereafter known as the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB), the existence of this relic radiation confirmed the Big Bang theory, which posits that all matter was condensed onto a single point of infinite density and extreme heat that began expanding ca. 13.8 billion years ago. By measuring the CMB for redshift and comparing these to local distance measurements (using variable stars and supernovae), astronomers have sought to measure the rate at which the universe is expanding. Around the same time, scientists observed that the rotational curves of galaxies were much higher than their visible mass suggested. This meant that either Einstein's Theory of General Relativity was wrong or the universe was filled with a mysterious, invisible mass. In a new series of papers, members of the Atacama Cosmology Telescope (ACT) collaboration have used background light from the CMB to create a new map of Dark Matter distribution that covers a quarter of the sky and extends deep into the cosmos. This map confirms General Relativity and its predictions for how mass alters the curvature of spacetime. The ACT is an international consortium of more than 160 scientists from the U.S., the U.K., Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Chile, Switzerland, Japan, South Africa, and NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. Their goal is to provide improved measurements of parameters that describe the very early universe by monitoring the light that emerged during "Cosmic Dawn" (when the universe was only 380,000 years old), which is visible today as the CMB. By comparing this to measurements of the local universe, astronomers and cosmologists hope to learn more about how it evolved. According to the predominant cosmological modelthe Lambda Cold Dark Matter (LCDM) modelDark Matter accounts for 85% of the mass in the cosmos. Unfortunately, it doesn't interact with normal ("luminous") matter via electroweak or strong nuclear forces, only gravity (the weakest of the fundamental forces). To track down this illusive and "invisible" mass, the ACT collaboration uses the Atacama Cosmology Telescope (ACT), a custom-built six-meter (~20-foot) millimeter-wave telescope located at the Llano de Chajnantor Observatory in northern Chile. The Big Bang (left), the wavy lines illustrate the distortion; the warped light received by the ACT (right); the new Dark Matter map (lower left). Credit: Lucy Reading-Ikkanda/Simons Foundation/ACT Collaboration As they describe in their three new papers scheduled for publication in The Astrophysical Journal, the team relied on data from the ACT's Data Release 6 (DR6), which consisted of five seasons of CMB temperature and polarization observations. These light readings were essentially used to backlight all of the matter between the present day and the Big Bang (ca. 13.8 billion years ago). Said Suzanne Staggs, the Henry DeWolf Smyth Professor of Physics at Princeton University and the director of ACT: "It's a bit like silhouetting, but instead of just having black in the silhouette, you have texture and lumps of dark matter, as if the light were streaming through a fabric curtain that had lots of knots and bumps in it. The famous blue and yellow CMB image is a snapshot of what the universe was like in a single epoch, about 13 billion years ago, and now this is giving us the information about all the epochs since." The image alluded to here is the famous full-sky image based on data collected by the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) between 2001 and 2003. This mission (which remained in operation until 2010) built on the previous work by the Cosmic Background Explorer (COBE), which collected data on the CMB from 1989 to 1993. Then came the ESA's Planck satellite, which measured the CMB from 2009 to 2013 to map tiny temperature fluctuations. The increasingly accurate maps that resulted have provided insight into the evolution of the cosmos by showing what its initial conditions were. This latest map has taken that research a step further by using it to measure how the structure of matter has evolved since, 85% of which is Dark Matter. To visualize the presence and distribution of this mysterious mass, the research team examined how its gravity affected the curvature of spacetime between the CMB and Earth. This effectively showed how large collections of mass (both visible and invisible) altered the path its light followed as it traveled for billions of light-years (and billions of years) to reach us. The full-sky image of the temperature fluctuations in the CMB made from nine years of WMAP observations. These are the seeds of galaxies from when the Universe was under 400,000 years old. Credit: NASA/WMAP The team tracked how the gravitational pull of massive dark matter structures can warp the CMB on its 14-billion-year journey to us, just as antique, lumpy windows bend and distort what we can see through them. The resulting map revealed the "scaffold" of Dark Matter that holds visible matter and surrounds and connects galaxies and galaxy clusters. This led to the universe's large-scale structure (often referred to as the "Cosmic Web"), which can be seen clearly in the image. The map also breaks with convention by measuring the distribution of matter in our universe, not in terms of light but in terms of mass. Said co-author Blake Sherwin, a 2013 Ph.D. alumnus of Princeton and a professor of cosmology at the University of Cambridge (where he leads the ACT research group): "We have mapped the invisible dark matter distribution across the sky, and it is just as our theories predict. This is stunning evidence that we understand the story of how structure in our universe formed over billions of years, from just after the Big Bang to today. Remarkably, 80% of the mass in the universe is invisible. By mapping the dark matter distribution across the sky to the largest distances, our ACT lensing measurements allow us to clearly see this invisible world." "We've made a new mass map using distortions of light left over from the Big Bang," said Princeton assistant professor Mathew Madhavacheril, a 2016-2018 Princeton postdoc and a lead author of one of the papers. "Remarkably, it provides measurements that show that both the 'lumpiness' of the universe, and the rate at which it is growing after 14 billion years of evolution, are just what you'd expect from our standard model of cosmology based on Einstein's theory of gravity." A simple checkerboard pattern representing the CMB (left) warped by intervening mass (purple) to create the distorted image on the right (received by the ACT). Credit: Lucy Reading-Ikkanda/Simons Foundation Mark Devlin, the Reese Flower Professor of Astronomy at the University of Pennsylvania and the deputy director of ACT, was one of a handful of researchers who saw the potential for this experiment back in the early 2000s. "When we proposed this experiment in 2003, we had no idea the full extent of information that could be extracted from our telescope," he said. "We owe this to the cleverness of the theorists, the many people who built new instruments to make our telescope more sensitive, and the new analysis techniques our team came up with." Their results could also provide new insight into the so-called "Crisis in Cosmology," where light measurements using the CMB vs. local stars produce different values. Also known as the "Hubble Tension," this disparity suggests that Dark Matter was not "lumpy" enough and that the standard model of cosmology (LCDM) may be incorrect. However, the ACT team's latest results precisely assessed the size and distribution of these lumps and determined that they were perfectly consistent with the LCDM model. Staggs, whose team built the detectors that gathered the data over the past five years, believes their new map could turn this "crisis" into an opportunity: "The CMB is famous already for its unparalleled measurements of the primordial state of the universe, so these lensing maps, describing its subsequent evolution, are almost an embarrassment of riches. We now have a second, very primordial map of the universe. Instead of a 'crisis,' I think we have an extraordinary opportunity to use these different data sets together. Our map includes all of the dark matter, going back to the Big Bang, and the other maps are looking back about 9 billion years, giving us a layer that is much closer to us. We can compare the two to learn about the growth of structures in the universe. I think is going to turn out to be really interesting. That the two approaches are getting different measurements is fascinating." While the ACT was decommissioned in September 2022 (after 15 years in operation), the data it gathered still inspire new research and breakthroughs. More papers presenting results from the final set of observations in the DR6 are expected soon, and the Simons Observatory will conduct future observations from the same sight. These will be done using a new telescope scheduled to begin operations in 2024 that will be capable of mapping the sky almost ten times as fast as the ACT. Perhaps we can look forward to all-sky surveys that map the distribution of Dark Matter going back to the beginning of the cosmos. The three papers are published on the arXiv preprint server. More information: Frank J. Qu et al, The Atacama Cosmology Telescope: A Measurement of the DR6 CMB Lensing Power Spectrum and its Implications for Structure Growth, arXiv (2023). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2304.05202 Niall MacCrann et al, The Atacama Cosmology Telescope: Mitigating the impact of extragalactic foregrounds for the DR6 CMB lensing analysis, arXiv (2023). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2304.05196 Mathew S. Madhavacheril et al, The Atacama Cosmology Telescope: DR6 Gravitational Lensing Map and Cosmological Parameters, arXiv (2023). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2304.05203 Journal information: Astrophysical Journal , arXiv 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: Humpback whale breach at Ningaloo. Credit: Kate Sprogis, Author provided Imagine eco-tourists enjoying views of undisturbed whales and dolphins, watching them doing what comes naturally. This is ultimately what we all wish to see when spending time in nature watching animals. We can achieve this by using quieter boats. But why do we need quieter boats? Whales and dolphins primarily use hearing to sense their surroundings (rather than sight like humans do). Sound travels almost five times faster underwater than it does in the air, so it's an important sense for whales. They rely on sounds to communicate, navigate, feed and detect predators. Our new research confirms noise from a boat watching whales at a distance of 300 meters can still disturb them. And watching whales involves a lot of boats and millions of tourists each year. This multi-billion-dollar industry is active in waters off more than 100 countries. The Australian whale-watching industry is one of the biggest in the world. Because the industry actively seeks out whales and dolphins, using quieter boats should be a priority. Yet current whale-watching guidelines, including Australia's, do not include noise levels. They should. As the whale-watching season begins in Australia for humpback whales and southern right whales, we offer tips here for individual operators to reduce noise from their boats. How does noise affect whales and dolphins? Besides income for local communities, whale watching has education and conservation benefits if tourists are inspired to care for the environment. Despite these benefits, watching whales from a motorized boat and swimming with whales can disturb their natural behavior. For example, it might prevent them from resting or feeding, or change their breathing, swimming and dive patterns. These impacts are especially important for whales with young. If the cumulative effects of these short-term impacts are not considered, they can lead to long-term consequences for the animals, such as population declines or leaving an area altogether. Such outcomes are not only negative for the animals, but also for the whale-watching industry that depends on them. Whale-watching guidelines overlook noise impacts Many countries have guidelines on the boat's minimum distance from the animals (typically around 100 meters), the speed at which it passes (typically below wake speed) and the approaching angle (typically from the side-rear). Guidelines, however, do not consider the noise level of the boat's engine. A very loud boat is, in effect, considered to have the same impact on the animals as a very quiet boat. Research confirms louder boat noise disturbs whales more than quiet boat noise. Boats should be as quiet as possible. We recommend a noise threshold be added to whale-watching regulations, ideally around the volume of the natural underwater background noise. At this level, boat noise is perhaps audible to the whales but with a low perceived loudness. This change to the guidelines will help minimize disturbance to whales and dolphins. You can see how humpback whales change their behavior in response to low, medium and high underwater boat noise in this video from our study. What do whale-watching boats sound like underwater? A range of different boats are used for whale watching worldwide. We have calculated the underwater noise level of whale-watching boats operating at low speeds. The quietest boat was a hybrid boat using its electric engines. The vessel with the quieter electric engines was later used in an experiment with short-finned pilot whales. This study compared the whales' responses to the boat's quieter electric engines and its louder petrol engines. What was the result? The louder engines did indeed disturb the behavior of short-finned pilot whales compared to the quieter engines. Notably, resting and nursing of young decreased. Ultimately, some vessels are better designed to minimize noise emissions. You can hear the quieter electric-engined boat in this recording from the study (download). This makes this boat more appropriate for whale watching. Noise when arriving and departing matters too Having a quiet boat will reduce the disturbance to animals. However, even when a whale-watch operator adheres to current best-practice guidelines, there may still be disturbance. This is because as a vessel increases in speed to leave the whales, it produces higher underwater noise levels. Our research shows this is likely to disturb whales. So we recommend boats maintain a slow speed when approaching and departing whalessay, less than 10 knots within 1km of the whales. We know it is exciting to zoom off towards a breaching whale, leaving a sleeping whale behind, but the sudden increase in boat speed and noise may then disturb that sleeping whale. Five tips to reduce boat noise On an individual level, boat operators can easily reduce disturbance to whales and dolphins by considering the following five factors. Speed increases noise from the propeller, so lower the speed, even when arriving/departing. Distance: the closer a vessel is the greater the peak in noise, so keep to the regulated distance. Gear shifts cause high-level noise changes, so minimize shifting. Approach type to the animals can cause disturbancedriving in front of their path, for example, so drive in parallel to their path. Movements of a boat, such as fast and erratic movements, can disturb animals, so drive consistently. To further reduce noise, whale-watching companies can use larger, slower-moving propellers (to minimize the water disturbance that creates noise), quieter/electric engines and/or install noise absorption gear. Both the industry and the whales will benefit from companies using quieter whale-watch boats and approaches. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. WILTON A Saratoga Springs woman, who made national headlines when she was found not guilty of murdering her twin sister in a 2016 car crash, was charged last week with felony driving while intoxicated after driving into a field in Wilton, New York State Police said. At 9:36 p.m. on April 13, state police responded to the area of Wilton Gansevoort Road in Wilton for reports of a vehicle off the road in a field, troopers said. Troopers located the vehicle and identified the operator as Alexandria Duval, 44, who reported she intentionally drove into the field. According to police, Duval did not have a valid drivers license and was arrested on charges of DWI and first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. Further investigation determined Duval has a previous DWI conviction in the last 10 years, which elevated the charge from the April 13 incident to a felony. According to state police, her previous arrest for DWI was on Aug. 15, 2016, in the Delaware County town of Stamford. In the incident last week, Duval was taken to the state police station in Wilton for processing, where police said she recorded a 0.23% blood alcohol content almost three times over the legal limit of 0.08%. Duval was issued tickets for the Wilton Town Court and released to a sober third party. In 2018, Duval was acquitted on a murder charge brought after her SUV went off a 200-foot cliff in Hawaii in 2016, killing her twin sister. The sisters, born Alison and Ann Dadow in the Utica area, operated popular yoga studios in Florida before they changed their names. They moved to Hawaii in 2015 from Utah, according to a Washington Times article. Duval was arrested in the Capital Region when she was charged in the murder case, and fought extradition to Hawaii. The story attracted national media attention over multiple years. Glens Falls would remain in the 113th Assembly District, where Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner, D-Round Lake, is the incumbent, under the latest Assembly redistricting plan approved by the Independent Redistricting Commission on Thursday. The state Legislature is expected to vote on the plan Monday. If the Legislature approves the plan, it will conclude a two-year game of political Red Rover in which Glens Falls has been a player. In 2022, Glens Falls was moved from the 114th into the 113th Assembly District, under a previous redistricting plan, which a state court rejected. The state court judge decided it was too late in the year to make changes for the 2022 election. So, he let the plan stay in place for the 2022 elections, and ordered a new plan to be drawn in time for the 2024 elections. In December, the Independent Redistricting Commission released a preliminary plan that moved Glens Falls back into the 114th District, where Assemblyman Matt Simpson, R-Horicon, is the incumbent. Woerner and Simpson both said that the plan released Thursday appears to keep boundaries of the 113th and 114th districts exactly the same as the districts they now represent, under the plan that the state court rejected. Woerner said she was prepared to represent constituents however the latest maps turned out. The job is to bloom where youre planted, she said. Woerner said she is prepared to vote in favor of the latest plan. The process was followed, she said. Simpson said he has consistently said that Warren County, and any other county, should ideally be kept whole in a common Assembly District. My feeling hasnt changed, he said. Simpson said before taking a definitive position on the plan, he wants to verify that, indeed, the 114th District boundaries would be the same under the plan. Ive got to actually put my eyes on it. I want to make sure before I comment, he said. Warren County Democratic Chairwoman Lynne Boecher said she is pleased with the latest plan. Im very satisfied with this, she said. Boecher reiterated that Glens Falls and Saratoga Springs, as small cities, share distinctive common issues that make sense to have a common Assembly member represent. Certainly, it benefits the city of Glens Falls not along political lines, but along lines to get things done, he said. Warren County Republican Chairman Tim McNulty disagrees. I dont see the value in that, he said, referring to Glens Falls being separated from the rest of Warren County. McNulty said moving Glens Falls, which tends to vote Democratic, into the 113th District was done to provide Woerner with a political advantage. Im disappointed with that outcome, he said. Voting district boundaries are redrawn every 10 years, based on the latest census. Maps for state Senate districts, which a court-appointed expert drew in 2022, will not change for 2024, and will be in place through 2032. A Democratic-backed lawsuit is attempting to have the 2022 congressional redistricting maps that the court-appointed expert drew thrown out, and new maps be drawn by the state Independent Redistricting Commission. The new Assembly maps being prepared will be in place for eight years, through 2032. New York is one of 19 states with a red-flag law, which allows for temporary firearm removal from individuals believed to be at risk of harming themselves or others. But its law has recently encountered trouble in court. The policy, which took effect in New York back in 2019, is one that gun-safety advocates are pushing for in other states once again across the U.S. in the aftermath of the late March Nashville school shooting, which killed six people. The policy has bipartisan appeal with some Republicans in favor of it, but second-amendment advocates including the National Rifle Association have been fighting against the law. While proponents say the law saves lives, it isnt always implemented effectively. For example, in the 2022 racially motivated supermarket shooting in Buffalo that killed 10 people, the gunman was legally able to buy a gun despite making a threatening statement previously. Gov. Kathy Hochul signed an executive order expanding the use of the law in the wake of the Buffalo shooting, requiring state police to file an extreme risk order whenever they have probable cause to believe someone is at risk to themselves or others and making health care practitioners able to file extreme risk orders. Courts in New York had issued more than 1,900 extreme risk orders as of Oct. 24, 2022. The usage jumped after Hochuls executive order. However, a New York Supreme Court judge pushed back on the laws implementation in a ruling in April, finding that due process rights must be taken into consideration when enforcing so-called red flag laws, according to a statement from NSSF, the trade association for gun manufacturers. The New York judge got it right with this decision, according to NSSF. We should be providing all the tools necessary for law enforcement to protect the public against criminals and mentally-deranged individuals that have no respect for life or law. Those protections, though, should never come at the cost to our foundational freedoms including due process and Second Amendment rights. Most of New Yorks congressional delegation voted for the 2022 Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which provided states funding to implement or create red-flag laws, including two Republicans, former U.S. Reps. Chris Jacobs and John Katko. The states other congressional Republicans voted against it or did not vote. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand heralded the bill, calling it a promising step toward tackling the gun violence epidemic plaguing our nation. For far too long, we have been the only country in the world that tolerates mass shootings at our schools, stores and places of worship, Gillibrand said in 2022. But Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Schuylerville, called the bill blatant government overreach and has called red-flag laws unconstitutional. New York applied for and was awarded $13.3 million in funding after the bill was signed by President Joe Biden. The state says that it will review the first three years of implementation of New Yorks extreme risk order and use funding to support implementation of the law, and enhance communication, education and public awareness around it. In addition, it will spend money on behavioral health deflection and diversion services for those at risk to themselves or others. New York has one of the lowest firearm mortality rates in the U.S. as of 2020, according to federal data, with 5.3 deaths per 100,000 people. There were 1,052 total firearm deaths in the state in 2020. ROME (AP) A Texas-born princess piled her four yapping bichon frise dogs into a taxi Thursday after being evicted, following a bitter inheritance dispute, from a historic villa in Rome that contains the only known ceiling painted by Caravaggio. Princess Rita Jenrette Boncompagni Ludovisi, nee Rita Carpenter, abandoned the Casino dellAurora off the swank Via Veneto hours after Carabinieri police arrived to enforce a court-mandated eviction order. Before she had even left, a locksmith changed the locks on the big green front door. Her dramatic exit one of the dogs briefly escaped as she spoke to journalists on the street capped a remarkable, years-long soap opera that exposed the dirty laundry of one of Romes aristocratic families. The Boncompagni Ludovisi are perhaps best known for having produced Pope Gregory XIII of Gregorian calendar fame. But lately they have attracted more attention due to the inheritance dispute and court-mandated auction of their famous villa in the heart of Rome. I feel like Im in a surreal movie, like Sartres No Exit, the princess said on the street, interrupted repeatedly by a barking fluffy white dog in her arms and three others at her ankles. Casino dell'Aurora, also known as the Villa Ludovisi, has been in the Ludovisi family since the early 1600s. After Prince Nicolo Boncompagni Ludovisi died in 2018, the villa became the subject of an inheritance dispute between the children from his first marriage and his third wife, the San Antonio, Texas-born Princess Rita, whom he married in 2009. Previously, she had been married to former U.S. Rep. John Jenrette Jr. of South Carolina. The children have argued that the home, built in 1570, belongs to them, that their grandfather intended for them to inherit it, and that their late father abused them and mismanaged his fortune. They mounted a multi-pronged legal campaign to get control of the property so it can be sold. The latest chapter in the saga came in January after Rome Judge Miriam Iappelli issued an eviction order, accusing the princess of having violated a previous order forbidding her from conducting guided tours of the property. Boncompagni Ludovisi has said the tours were necessary to raise money to maintain the villa. In addition, the judge found that the princess had failed to maintain the home in a good state of conservation after an exterior wall crumbled. One of the heirs, Prince Bante Boncompagni Ludovisi, was on hand Thursday at the villa to watch that woman, as he refers to his fathers widow, leave the property. This house needs renovations. The pipelines of water need to be restored and the frescoes are in danger, he told reporters. This is a country: We have our police, we have our judges and you need to respect our country and our laws if you stay here. Its not clear who will now undertake the work on the house, which needs at least 11 million euros in renovations to bring it up to code. The villa was put on the court-ordered auction block last year as part of the inheritance dispute and assigned a court-appraised value of 471 million euros ($533 million), in large part due to the Caravaggio. After the minimum bid of 353 million euros ($400 million) failed to get any takers in the first auction, the price was progressively lowered in a series of successive auctions, with more scheduled until a buyer is found. The Caravaggio ceiling graces a tiny room off a spiral staircase on the second floor. It was commissioned in 1597 by a diplomat and patron of the arts who asked the then-young painter to decorate the ceiling of the small room being used as an alchemy workshop. The 2.75-meter (9-foot) wide mural, which depicts Jupiter, Pluto and Neptune, is unusual: Its not a fresco, but rather oil paint on plaster, and represents the only ceiling mural that Caravaggio is known to have painted. While the villa's fate is uncertain, so too is that of the princess. Vowing that the truth will eventually come out (and announcing a book deal), Boncompagni Ludovisi insisted she had cared for the villa during her two decades living there and digitized the family's archive, with the help of Rutgers University. I see no logic in this. I was a good custodian for the villa, she said. She didnt say where she would go next, though she noted that the Episcopal Church in Rome had reached out to help. I love Italy and Im so sorry to have such a brutal ending to what has been a labor of love for 20 years, she said. Her book, on the villa and its famous ceiling, is expected to be published at the end of the year. "Its dedicated to my husband, Nicolo," she said, before speeding off with the dogs in a taxi into the Roman traffic. ATLANTIC CITY Four people were charged in a fight on a city street that led to a dog's death Wednesday morning, police said. Police responded to Trenton Terrace at 4:12 a.m. to find Joseph Dixon, a 33-year-old city man, and Deontay Mickey-Evans, 21, of Willingboro, Burlington County, bleeding from stab wounds. Dixon was tending to the dog, which also was bleeding from apparent stab wounds, police said Friday in a news release. Officers found Mickey-Evans, Dixon and Jordan Banner, a 33-year-old city woman, were threatened with a knife by Angel Hernandez-Contreras, a 28-year-old city man. To try defending themselves, Banner brought out her dog from inside her home, and Dixon grabbed a hammer, police said. When the encounter became physical, Hernandez-Contreras stabbed Dixon, Mickey-Evans and the dog, which died from its injuries. Dixon, Mickey-Evans and Hernandez-Contreras were all taken to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, City Campus. Police said none of their injuries was life threatening. Atlantic City lights up for weed holiday ATLANTIC CITY Pungent clouds of resinous smoke wafted on the breeze Thursday afternoon as Hernandez-Contreras was charged with two counts of aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and cruelty to animals. Dixon was charged with aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. Banner was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon and cruelty to animals. Mickey-Evans was charged with aggravated assault. All four suspects were released on summonses pending court. OCEAN CITY The Board of Education this week launched its search for a new superintendent to replace Matthew Friedman, who is leaving June 30 for a job with a district in Pennsylvania. According to board President Chris Halliday, the district took the first step Friday by posting the position through the New Jersey Association of School Administrators and on the districts website. The deadline to apply is May 5. The Board of Education has experience conducting a superintendent search and will draw from lessons learned to find an exceptional, dedicated leader for our district, Halliday said in a statement. We are resolute in our commitment to hire a superintendent who understands the distinctive needs of our South Jersey community and shares our ambition to prepare Ocean City students for success today and well into their futures. Friedman was hired less than a year ago to fill the position after Superintendent Kathleen Taylor retired. In that time, he found himself having to manage controversy over the state's health education standards, particularly as they pertained to sex education. He was hired at a salary of $190,000. According to Halliday, the board is working on an accelerated timeline to receive applications and interview candidates. At this time, we do not know the date when a new superintendent will join the district, said Halliday. I want to emphasize that although our goal is to bring on a new superintendent as soon as possible, our highest priority is finding the right individual someone who is truly deserving of the position." UPPER TOWNSHIP About 1,000 pounds of explosives will tend to make an impression. Thats how much went into the implosion of the main boiler building of the former B.L. England power plant in Beesleys Point on Friday morning. People from Ventnor and Galloway Township said they could hear the explosion a little after 9:30 a.m. Thats a pretty loud boom, said Chad Parks, an executive vice president with Beesleys Point Development Group LLC, the company that purchased the property with plans to develop it. He said the charges were placed across six stories of the building, in 145 different locations. There was an initial blast, followed a split second later by the deeper, louder report that folded the building in upon itself. In September, when the company imploded the cooling tower at the site, it briefly appeared to have fallen short, as the structure dropped down with the initial blast, but a significant portion remained standing for half of a minute as a crack developed and the structure collapsed the rest of the way. Friday implosion will leave power plant smokestack standing UPPER TOWNSHIP A large-scale implosion will still take out structures at the former B.L. E That was not what was supposed to happen, Parks said Friday, although he said he tried to remain stoic and not let on at the time. The cooling tower was not supposed to sit down, and sit for 27 seconds, and then turn and come down, he said. The Friday implosion went off without a hitch, he said. Its exactly what we intended to happen, he said as the dust cloud drifted across the Great Egg Harbor Bay toward Somers Point. But the implosion almost needed to be delayed. He said two men sought to steal some of the explosives out of the building during the night Wednesday. They were interrupted before they were able to, he said, with one man held on site until State Police arrived, while the other was arrested at a convenience store later Thursday morning. A State Police spokesperson did not immediately have any information about the arrests Friday morning. Second implosion set to take down B.L. England landmark UPPER TOWNSHIP A Cape May County landmark is set to go away soon, with the coming demoliti Parks told those gathered to watch the implosion from a gravel landing that was once the foot of the Beesleys Point toll bridge that the charges had all been inspected by experts and everything was ready to go ahead as planned. He suggested the two men accused of attempting to steal explosives from the site may have been at the site other times, possibly gathering material to sell as scrap. Controlled Demolition Inc. performed the implosion. State Police closed the road leading to the site to vehicles but allowed people to walk up for a better view. Crowds also gathered across the bay in Somers Point. There were helicopters and at least one drone in the air, and a line of boats in the bay just outside the exclusion zone. Some were there with their children, and several men who used to work at the power plant gathered to watch their former worksite disappear, swapping stories of the old days. They each declined to be interviewed. The plant had been in operation since 1961, powered by coal and diesel. The former owners backed away from a plan to change the operations to natural gas as a battle over permits needed to run a pipeline through the preserved Pinelands stretched on for years. Operations at the plant shut down in May 2019, after which an extensive remediation began. Shutting Down Nuclear Plants Could Cost Thousands of U.S. Lives as Pollutants Rise TUESDAY, April 11, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Even as many U.S. nuclear reactors reach the end of their estimated life spans, the country still gets nearly 20% of its power from these sites. The tallest landmark at the site remained after the implosion. The original plan was to also take down the huge smokestack, one of the tallest structures in the region. That appears to be the structure in which people are the most interested, Parks said. Now, he expects to take the tower down in the summer. The timing wasnt right for all the preparations, he said. We were rushing it to try to get it complete. The delay will be safer, he said. He also raised the possibility of a big send-off, possibly allowing people to spray paint messages on the base of the tower and auctioning off the right to push the button for that implosion. The development company has not publicly discussed plans for the site, but township officials have mentioned a large-scale hotel, marina and residential units on the waterfront property. The township has declared the site an area in need of redevelopment. Parks said the development group will be ready to unveil plans in about three months. One project that has been discussed publicly has drawn opposition from some quarters. A substation for the controversial Ocean Wind 1 offshore wind power farm is planned for the property, on the site where the plants coal pile once stood. Many in the area oppose offshore wind development, and let Township Committee members know their feelings as the substation was under discussion. After the implosion, a dark gray cloud slowly dissipated, leaving an enormous pile of twisted steel behind. B.L. England boilder building implosion New Jersey is one of 19 states with a red-flag law, which allows for temporary firearm removal from individuals believed to be at risk of harming themselves or others. The policy, which took effect in New Jersey in 2019, is one that gun-safety advocates are pushing for in other states once again across the U.S. in the aftermath of the late March Nashville school shooting, which killed six people. Red-flag laws have languished in most statehouses across the U.S., despite bipartisan support and evidence that temporarily removing guns from people who pose an extreme risk of violence to themselves or others can help prevent mass shootings, suicides and domestic violence. Lawmakers in 30 states have not passed and in most cases are not likely to pass red-flag laws, even as most of those states recently received millions in federal funding through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act that aimed to help them create and implement the so-called extreme risk protection order programs. The policy has bipartisan appeal with some Republicans in favor of it, but 2nd Amendment advocates say the policy is concerning because it entails firearm removal. As of fall 2021, more than 300 extreme risk protection orders had been issued in New Jersey over the first two years of the laws effective date. Before Extreme Risk Protective Orders were codified into law in New Jersey, there was not a clear protocol for keeping firearms out of the hands of those who pose a risk to themselves or others, Gov. Phil Murphy said in 2021. I am proud to have signed this law and taken action that has undoubtedly saved lives. In New Jersey, we will continue to tirelessly pursue the goal of ending gun violence and protecting our residents. Most of New Jerseys congressional delegation voted for the 2022 Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which provided states funding to implement or create red-flag laws. The states two Republican House members, Rep. Chris Smith, R-4th, and Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-2nd, voted against it. Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., heralded the bipartisan bill, stating this legislation will save lives. Although this bill is an imperfect bipartisan compromise and doesnt do everything necessary to end Americas epidemic of gun violence, it is an important and long overdue step in the right direction and represents the most significant reforms to federal gun safety laws in three decades, Booker said last year. New Jersey applied for and was awarded $5.3 million in funding after the bill was signed by President Joe Biden. New Jersey plans to use the funding to promote public awareness of the law and help train law enforcement, prosecutors and court staff on filing, processing and litigating petitions. Public awareness will achieve success of the ERPO Act, according to the states federal application. This will be accomplished through a media campaign designed to inform the public-at-large about the benefits of ERPOs. A strong and clear message will allow individuals to understand that ERPO program exists, and will clarify distinctions between the ERPO Program and other (existing) programs that may limit who may be a petitioner. Gun-safety experts have said the bills are working across the U.S. to prevent mass shootings and curb suicides and domestic violence. New Jersey has one of the lowest firearm mortality rates in the U.S. as of 2020, according to federal data, with five deaths per 100,000 people. There were 443 total firearm deaths in the state in 2020. Yuzhen Chen YouTube Personality Shanghai-Seoul-San Francisco In the last episode, we talked about the little pinks. Today, we will talk about China under the strict COVID-19 policy. Yuzhen Chen, YouTuber, Here Comes Mr. Chen: I was born in 1996 in Anhui province. My hometown is circled by mountains. When I was little, I had to walk several kilometers every day to go to school. Life was pretty poor. My parents left for the big city to work. We have a term in China: left-behind children. That was me as a little boy. I grew up with my grandparents. I was a little pink throughout high school, often went online to attack those who didnt support the Chinese government. I thought arguing with others was fun defending my own country was patriotic. Well, I was young and had never seen the outside world then. Chen went to Taiwan as an exchange student in 2016. After living there for four months, the then-20-year-old formed a different world view. Yuzhen Chen: Many [Chinese] people mocked me, saying that I just love Taiwan. I think its better to say that I like justice. The Chinese government often say that democracy is not suitable for the Chinese people, yet Taiwan is an example right in their face. They cant perfect their lies if Taiwan continues to exist, so they want Taiwan to be unified. In June 2020, Chen was taken away from his home for teaching others how to use VPN to access banned websites. He was then released on bail, still waiting for a verdict on his case. Yuzhen Chen: My case was delayed till the end of that year. Those six months were really difficult, because I had no idea what would happen to me. They also told me that everyone in my family would be impacted because of my inappropriate actions including my future sons and daughters. Out of desperation, he decided to apply for school in South Korea. Yuzhen Chen: I was checking online. Apparently while you are on bail, according to the Chinese constitution, you couldnt go abroad. But I still wanted to give it a try, even if I got caught. I might only have one chance here. When I was at the airport, the officials at border inspection did not have any information regarding my arrest or my case so, I spent roughly an hour there. They mainly checked my passport. Then they stamped it. When I was at Customs, they opened my luggage and checked for any banned items. I was so happy and thought its all good to go up until I heard an officer calling my name. I was so nervous. I thought that it was over. I dropped my two carry-ons on the floor, and I saw the officer walking towards me. My mind went blank. He approached me and said, Mr. Chen, you forgot your boarding pass. It was my boarding pass. While in South Korea, Chen publicly talked about his arrest in China and was interviewed by multiple media outlets. His family in China were harassed by the police, and all his bank accounts were frozen. Without money to pay his tuition, he couldnt get an extension to his student visa in South Korea. He had to find another place to go. Yuzhen Chen: I took out the world map, unfolded it, and I just felt like the whole world was dark. Almost all the countries had suspended entry [because of COVID-19]. Only one was still open thats America. So, I decided to give it a try. Chen arrived in the United States in September 2021 and is now applying for asylum. Yuzhen Chen: No one wants to leave their hometown. Its all because we are forced to do it. Has your family watched your YouTube channel? Yuzhen Chen: No one can watch my videos in China. They are all censored. Do you feel a little guilty toward your family? Yuzhen Chen: Yes, of course. The main thing is I might not be able to see them again. Its really sad. Do you think youve done anything wrong? Yuzhen Chen: I dont think I have done anything wrong. Now, Im focusing on my channel. Once I have enough followers, I might go back to China. Then, everyone will know if [the police] put me in prison. Im OK with that. What I dont want is being in prison and not making a difference. Hannah Former Reporter Beijing-Copenhagen-Prague Hannah (pseudonym), Former Journalist: I finished my undergraduate studies in the U.S., and then went back to Beijing to work as a journalist. All my work experiences are in the media field. I left China in August 2020. I then went to Denmark first, and Im now in Prague pursuing my masters degree. I decided to get out mainly because of the pandemic control measures, including the whole city lockdowns. It just gave everyone a sense of insecurity. You have no idea what an authoritarian government might do under circumstances like this. People started to speculate that the government would tighten border control, and no one knew when these measures would end. I thought that if I didnt get out then, I might have no chance to get out later. Reporter:Among your friends, how many are talking or thinking about emigration? Hannah: I think many, since most of my friends work in the media industry. I know some have already emigrated, some are preparing for it and will emigrate in the next one or two years. Reporter:What are the reasons? Are people disappointed with the government, so they decide to leave? Hannah: Everyone has their own reasons. I guess unless you have really high social status, most of the people feel a sense of insecurity. You cant predict how the policies will shift the next day. Reporter:People often say that the ruthless control of the government is like being hit by iron fists. Have you experienced anything like that? Hannah: Multiple times. For example, your post online might suddenly disappear for no reason. Or all of a sudden, you couldnt post anymore. Or they could simply delete your account, and you have no way to appeal. Apart from censorship, most of the pandemic control measures, including daily PCR tests, the health code system its all ridiculous. If a sudden policy change creates any inconvenience for you, theres nothing you can do. Think about the recent banking scandal in Henan. You have no power if similar things happen to you. For me, I didnt want a depressing life like that, so I chose to get out. Theres nothing I can do to change the system. After an earful by Sena (UBT) chief spokesperson Sanjay Raut, Deputy Leader Sushma Andhare shot off a letter, informing 'Dada' Raj (elder brother) that the Navi Mumbai tragedy of April 16 was a "man-made disaster" compared to the Covid-19 pandemic which was a natural calamity not created by Uddhav. Adopting a sweet sisterly tone, Andhare lauded Raj for the "four-day delay but finally speaking about the tragedy" that claimed 14 lives, and then hit hard: "After the disaster, did you rush to meet the families of the victims?" On the government's plea that the incident should not be politicised, the Sena (UBT) firebrand woman orator pointed out that it was Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his Deputy Devendra Fadnavis who mobilised such a massive crowd to politically exploit the popularity of Appasaheb Dharmadhikari in that event. Sena (UBT) national spokesperson Kishore Tiwari hit out at Raj Thackeray, reminding him that Uddhav Thackeray's Covid-19 pandemic management was appreciated not only by the whole world but also by the BJP government at the Centre. "Rather than running down the exemplary work of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, why can't Raj Thackeray give some good advice to the Shinde-Fadnavis regime whose performance has been disastrous for all sections of the population in the past nine months," Tiwari said in a potshot at the MNS leader. Andhare sharply added that instead of arranging financial help to the MVA government and Uddhav Thackeray during the pandemic, Fadnavis and the BJP were busy donating money to the private PM Care Fund. Earlier, Raut labelled Raj "as a pet parrot" of the BJP and asked him to make demands for culpable homicide against the Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat for their failure during the Covid-19 pandemic. "Why only Uddhav Thackeray? Let them order similar investigations against the Chief Ministers of Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh. Remember those thousands of bodies dumped in the Ganga River in UP? Or the long queues of people waiting with bodies for cremation in Gujarat," Raut demanded. As the bitter political row continued over the 'Maharashtra Bhushan Award' post-event tragedy, the government appointed a one-man committee to probe the issue, and earlier banned all similar open-air functions in the state from 12-5 p.m. during summer. The opposition MVA has questioned how a government official could conduct an impartial probe when the Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Shinde, Fadnavis and other dignitaries were on the dais. Nationalist Congress Party's Leader of Opposition (Assembly) Ajit Pawar has demanded a judicial probe by a retired judge, state Congress President Nana Patole wants a two-day Special Legislature Session to discuss the disaster, and Raut has alleged between 50-75 deaths necessitating culpable homicide charges. IANS The rural police have recovered the Stolen Swift Dzire and another car from Chennai and seized good worth Rs 30 lakh. The local crime branch, directed the investigation team of the Shirur division to conduct a thorough investigation. After, examining the CCTV footage it was found that all the stolen vehicles were going to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar via Ahmednagar. The police identified the accused as Raja Sundarram, Rabindra Gopinath, Yadavaraj Kar and R Sudhakaran. The accused are currently under police custody in Shirur police station. Acting on the tip-of, the police first seized the stolen vehicles from Chennai and then arrested the accused. According to the police, the four accused came in together and stole the car by unlocking the cars using the software in the laptops. The police are investigating the matter and the accused of theft are from Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra but the investigation of those who sent these cars from Maharashtra is still going on. Last month, the local crime branch seized 50 stolen motorcycles and arrested twelve accused and 39 cases were solved. Augustana College conducted a large-scale emergency preparedness drill Thursday morning, featuring local law enforcement personnel, fire units and first responders. Tom Phillis, chief of police for the Rock Island college, said 27 emergency response personnel were involved. "Realistic training is an important component in the preparation to respond in a crisis. The exercise today demonstrates the partnership and collaboration we have as emergency responders to protect our Quad-City community," he said. "We're pleased about how this morning's drill unfolded." Phillis said the college was, "grateful" for the opportunity to coordinate with the Rock Island Police Department (RIPD) and other local agencies, which included the Moline Police Department, Rock Island County Sheriff's Office and Rock Island Fire Department, along with campus police and public safety. "This experience was valuable for area first responders, as well as the more than 50 representatives from campus who participated," Phillis said. "Each year we create a new scenario with different areas to practice. In the past we have created scenarios of a residence hall fire, hazardous chemical release, etc. The scenario today involved tactical police movements." Thursday's drill took place at the Ryden House, along 34th Street and 10th Avenue. This area was blocked off during the drill, and several students trekking across campus Thursday were redirected by Augie public safety staff. Five officers, suited in tactical gear, patrolled the site as they would a real-life emergency situation. Off-duty officers from Moline and the Sheriff's office acted as role players. "With full-scale scenario training events such as these, we make every effort to train as real-to-life as possible," Rock Island Deputy Chief Timothy McCloud said. "Command personnel were able to evaluate potential responses and approaches and were able to deploy resources into strategic positions as the scenario dictated." Simulating a rescue operation, one officer escorted an "actor" out of the building. They were met outside by a paramedic unit and ambulance, which drove off with the faux victim. "Overall, we were very pleased with the results of today's training and the opportunity we had to cooperate with other local departments," McCloud said. An "all clear" was issued to campus around 10:30 a.m. Though drills like Thursday's take place at least once annually, campus safety is a top priority for Augie officials year-round, college officials emphasized. "We take part in various other emergency preparedness (training) throughout the year," college spokeswoman Nicole Lauer said. "We feel it's important to be prepared at all times." Lauer said Augie followed the "all-hazards" emergency planning approach. "We take a multi-pronged approach to ensure that we are prepared in the event of any situation," she said. "We remain continuously in touch with law enforcement to ensure our policies and procedures are up-to-date and continue to refine our process." The all-hazards approach designates specific roles to individuals on-campus, such as the president's cabinet, Lauer said. "It was very much an opportunity for us to practice our communications efforts; what kind of messaging we would have in place, what kinds of measures and support will be put in place for students and families who are going to be seeking information," she said. "Our primary focus would be anyone who is on campus students, faculty, anyone who is near the area that is our absolute first priority." Additional messaging would go to families and other concerned parties as a lesser priority. The college sent out multiple Augie Alerts the college's text, voice and email alert system to give students prior notice of the drill. "We want students to know that they are a part of this process. We as staff, cabinet and other members of campus, work on these steps," Lauer said. "But they are also our partners in this process of being emergency-aware." Photos: Rock Island Police conducts emergency drill at Augustana College WHAT'S NEXT: Grade school librarian Autumn Manning gave a presentation on this summer's remodeling of the library, noting the last renovation was in 1995 when the space had been used as showers, a physical ed office and teacher workroom. This year's work will include new carpeting, a new ceiling, new furniture and many of the facility's 8,000 books will be replaced with new editions. The $8,500 cost for new furniture will largely be covered from an $8,000 donation from the Coulter Trust. The board also discussed the long-awaited open house at the new early learning center and STEAM labs. A tentative date of May 8 was selected; however it may change depending on when Bruce Builders and Legate Construction are available. Outgoing board members Nedved and Kane will also be contacted since they comprised the building committee. Also Wednesday, the parent of a middle-school student who was removed from the track team spoke to the board about the incident in which his son threatened to bring a gun to school. The parent said his son was a victim of "severe and excessive" bullying and he was concerned the actions of the other students were not taken as seriously as they should have been. Blessman said he would be in contact with the parent. Following the recent news of Chapter 11 bankruptcy, 22 workers at David's Bridal in Davenport are being laid off, according to reports. The Iowa Worker Adjustment and Retraining Act indicates the workers in the Davenport store will be laid off as of June 12 and were informed on April 14. Additionally, workers in Clive, Marion and Sioux City will lose their jobs with David's Bridal. The Davenport store is located at 5252 Elmore, next to BioLife Plasma Services (formerly Dick's Sporting Goods). An employee confirmed Friday morning that "all stores are staying open." The employee could not confirm how many were employed at the Davenport location. In a news release from April 17, the dress company said stores would remain open and the company would "continue operating in the ordinary course, including by fulfilling all customer orders without disruption or delay." The company stated it was committed to upholding commitments to customers, employees, and partners and was looking for "first day" relief from the court, including, "authorization to continue payment of employee wages and benefits, maintain certain customer programs, and honor obligations to critical vendors." CEO James Marcum said the company had modernized the marketing and customer interaction process over the past several years but blamed the COVID-19 pandemic for the company's downfall. "Our business continues to be challenged by the post-COVID environment and uncertain economic conditions, leading us to take this step to identify a buyer who can continue to operate our business going forward. We are determined to stay focused on our future because we believe we have an important role in ensuring that every bride, no matter her budget, can have her perfect dress," he said. According to CNN, the company is laying off nearly 9,000 of its 10,000-person workforce. This is the company's second bankruptcy filing in five years. Davenport students and families faced with upcoming elementary school closures and boundary changes got a glimpse of their future this week at a New School Transition event. The event provided an opportunity for attendees to connect with the "new faces" of their school for the 2023-2024 academic year, signaling a first step in navigating the changes. Representatives from each Davenport elementary building were on hand to share information and answer questions about their schools and the transitions. Michael Watson has a first-grade son at Buchanan Elementary. As the school closes, his son will attend either Harrison or Truman next year. He said his family used the event to "get familiar" with both options. "It gives an opportunity for everyone to ask questions and be informed," Watson said. "We just moved here last June. I'm in the military, so being able to meet the new teachers and the district and other schools is a great opportunity." Coming from a military family, Watson said, his son "will do fine" next year. Shaney Ford, a Davenport OST (Out of School Time) specialist, was one of the lead organizers for the event. She said each elementary school table featured the principal, counselors and lead teachers. "Those core folks that are so critical to make sure families feel welcome," Ford said. "We thought it was really important to help families take that first step to lessen their anxiety, because going to a new building is scary, especially for our kiddos." Families were notified of the event via auto-dialer messages about three weeks ago. Regarding the new school transitions, Watson said the district's communication "is on point." Another parent, Samantha Williams, agrees. She described receiving an abundance of auto-dialer phone calls, emails and letters. "They have done a very good job of communicating everything," said Williams, who has a third-grade daughter at Harrison. "I appreciate the support and that the (Fillmore) teachers and principals met with us and gave us some good information. I actually learned stuff about the school that I didn't know before, and I got to voice my concerns." Williams had concerns about the district's busing changes, as she initially planned to submit a transfer option request to keep her daughter at Harrison. "Because she's supposed to go to Fillmore, they won't offer busing," she said. "I'm visually impaired, so I can't drive her to school. I just wanted to make sure, with her going to another school, that the busing is still available for her. My boyfriend works in the morning, so I wouldn't have a way to get her to school without a bus." Having gone to Harrison since kindergarten, Williams said, her daughter was upset at first about the transition. "But now, she's more accepting and excited to see what it's going to bring," she said. District program specialist Jen Van Fleet, co-organizer of the event, hoped to illustrate "one Davenport community." "We want every one of our kids to walk into their schools every day and for families to be engaged without feeling like, 'Am I in the right place?'" she said. "Because they definitely are, but it's on us to make that first connection, because sometimes families are nervous about reaching out." Other groups with tables at the event included Family Resources, Davenport Parks and Recreation, Scott County Health Department and the district's preschool and food service programs. Ford and VanFleet said the district planned to host new building tours for transitioning families in June. DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) A man was sentenced to up to 50 years in prison for killing his neighbor during an argument over a lawnmower. Nery Lopez Morales, 52, was sentenced Thursday for the death of 42-year-old Amber Burton, in what the victim's mother called "one of the most stupid reasons I have ever heard to shoot someone. Lopez Morales was originally charged with first-degree murder but entered a plea agreement in February to be charged with voluntary manslaughter, The Des Moines Register reported. Court documents say Burton and her boyfriend sold a lawnmower to Lopez Morales but Burton repossessed it because Lopez Morales allegedly owed her money in September 2021. He drove to Burton's house and shot her once with a shotgun while they argued, police said. Lopez Morales also pleaded guilty to first-degree burglary, intimidation with a dangerous weapon and assault during a felony. He was sentenced to consecutive terms totaling 50 years, with a mandatory minimum of 20 years before he is eligible for parole. Lopez Morales declined to make a statement during the hearing. Burton's mother, Valerie Burton, said her daughter was a nurse who was raising two children, ages 11 and 14, by herself. Valerie Burton said she is now caring for the children. Best public high schools in Iowa Best public high schools in Iowa #30. Western Dubuque High School #29. Kee High School #28. Clear Lake High School #27. Harlan High School #26. Van Meter Junior/Senior High School #25. George-Little Rock Senior High School #24. South Central Calhoun High School #23. West Marshall High School #22. Hudson High School #21. Liberty High School #20. Williamsburg Junior/Senior High School #19. Grinnell Community Senior High School #18. George Washington High School #17. MOC-Floyd Valley High School #16. Cedar Falls High School #15. Le Mars High School #14. Johnston Senior High School #13. Decorah High School #12. Linn-Mar High School #11. Bettendorf High School #10. Ankeny High School #9. Waukee Senior High School #8. Iowa City High School #7. Ankeny Centennial High School #6. Gilbert High School #5. John F. Kennedy High School #4. Valley High School #3. Ames High School #2. Pleasant Valley High School #1. West Senior High School A Hot Springs business owner was sentenced to five years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, on Thursday for attempted receipt of child pornography. U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Viken sentenced Brian Spitzer, 49, to the mandatory minimum of five years. Spitzer, the owner of Spitzer Construction in Hot Springs, was arrested in January 2021 after communicating with two different undercover agents posing as teenage girls. According to the factual basis statement Spitzer signed when he pleaded guilty in December 2022, he replied to a Craigslist post by Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent Richie Berger who was pretending to be a 15-year-old named "Christy" on Aug. 9, 2020. Spitzer and Berger messaged for three days. During the interactions, Spitzer asked the underage persona about her sexual experience and told her, "I also have a kink for younger women." Spitzer ended the interactions on Aug. 12, 2020, saying, "I don't have time for juvenile attitude." About two weeks later, "Jenna," Pennington County Sheriff's Investigator Jesse Fagerland, started a conversation with Spitzer by texting him at the number he used to communicate with "Christy." In the course of about a week, Spitzer and "Jenna" communicated. During those conversations, Spitzer told her 14 wasn't too young and asked for nude photos. He also offered to buy her a cellphone in exchange for sex. After law enforcement issued a search warrant on Spitzer's office and home in September 2020, he was arrested several months later and charged with attempted sexual exploitation of a minor, attempted enticement of a minor using the internet, and attempted receipt of child pornography. In November 2022, the government added a transportation of obscene matters charge to the indictment. The next month, Spitzer agreed to a plea deal and pleaded guilty to attempted receipt of child pornography, which carries a minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum sentence of 20 years. At Spitzer's sentencing on Thursday, Ellery Grey, his defense attorney, asked the judge to consider the statutory minimum. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelsey Blair asked the court to vary above the federal sentencing guideline and sentence Spitzer to seven years in prison. Blair said the fact Spitzer spoke with two different undercover agents, and the fact that a message to the first agent saying, "most go no (expletive) way, your too old, old enough to be my grandpa," indicated the conversations were not Spitzer's first. Viken said Spitzer's letter to the court ahead of sentencing showed a lot of "understanding" of his actions and a desire to change. Blair said Spitzer's comments were "wrought in self pity" and focused on how he'll be remembered. Spitzer did not speak at the sentencing. Grey said his client chose to rely on the letter he sent the court, and said the five-year minimum was "really enough punishment." Viken noted the support Spitzer had from multiple people who wrote letters to the judge, which were "consistent." The letters called him a "successful businessman," "good person with a good heart," and noted his involvement in the community. Blair said that involvement included working with the Boys and Girls Club and involvement with the Miss South Dakota pageant, and that the government's position is Spitzer is a danger to the community. Viken said a doctor's psycho-sexual evaluation of Spitzer noted he is at low risk of re-offending. "The key is psychotherapy and sex offender treatment," Viken said. "This is a treatable situation and can be handled in that way." The court required Spitzer to undergo sex offender treatment when he is placed on supervised release. Viken also ordered Spitzer to pay a routine $100 assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund, an amount required for each felony federal conviction. He will also have to pay a $5,000 assessment under the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act. In many cases, the $5,000 assessment is waived due to defendants lacking the financial resources, but Grey said his client has the ability to pay it and intends to do so within 30 days. Montana is one of 31 states without a red-flag law, which allows for temporary firearm removal from individuals believed to be at risk of harming themselves or others. States took millions to enact red-flag gun laws, but many still won't pass them A Lee Enterprises review reveals that lawmakers in 31 states have not passed red-flag laws even as most of those states received federal funding through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. Montana had the 11th highest rate of firearm mortality in the U.S. as of 2020, according to federal data. The policy, enacted in 19 states and D.C., is one that gun-safety advocates are pushing for once again across the U.S. in the aftermath of the late March Nashville school shooting, which killed six people. The policy has bipartisan appeal with some Republicans in favor of it, but second-amendment advocates say the policy is concerning because it entails firearm removal. A bill to implement red-flag laws encountered opposition in the Montana Statehouse this year and was immediately tabled. Most of Montanas congressional delegation voted against the 2022 Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which contains funding for states to create and implement red-flag laws. Republican Sen. Steve Daines and Reps. Ryan Zinke and Matt Rosendale voted against it while Democratic Sen. Jon Tester voted for it. After the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act was passed, the state applied for and was awarded about $1.4 million in funding. In its application, the state noted Montana has no Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) laws in place therefore, it is not anticipated the (state) will pursue any types of ERPO programs. Montanas Board of Crime Control said that its funding plans are still waiting to be approved by the federal government. Overall, it focuses on adding school resource officers to school, mental health intervention like pairing police with mental health providers, and options for violent offenders to receive treatment during the court process, according to Natalia Bowser, director of Montanas MBCC. The Veil Brewing Co. has pulled back the curtain on its eagerly anticipated new taproom and in-house food concept, Nokoribi, from the owners of Longoven. Over four years in the making, the over $3 million project in Scotts Addition is triple the size of Veils original taproom, featuring a beer hall, a lounge area and event space, a large patio and the much-hyped Nokoribi restaurant. Nokoribi is Richmonds first yakitori restaurant, with its Japanese pub-inspired menu of grilled, salty meats on sticks, plus Longoven chef Andrew Mannings signature touch of fermented vegetables, mirin glazes and crispy chili toppings. This is the taproom weve always wanted, Matt Tarpey, co-founder and head brewer at The Veil, said. We thought it would be the best representation of what were trying to do here in Scotts Addition: to have a comfortable, amazing space, great food and a cool design and aesthetic. The newly opened space at 1509 Belleville St. opens to a beer hall with communal tables and a giant bar with over 40 taps for The Veils IPAs, farmhouse lagers, fruits and sours, including guest taps, an in-house cider and cocktails on draft. To the right is a giant open kitchen where Nokoribi will be grilling shrimp, chicken and vegetables over an open flame. The 8,262-square-foot space is designed by Fultz & Singh Architects, which also designed The Veils Forest Hill location. The beer hall is darker in mood, with blacks and grays; while to the right, a lighter space opens up with a bright neon mural and an elevated lounge area with couches and soft spaces in cool grays and light white tones. Nokoribi fires up Like many breweries across town, The Veil wanted to have its own in-house restaurant to elevate food options and better serve customers. In 2016, Tarpey struck up a conversation with Manning, Longovens chef, at one of its first pop-ups at Sub Rosa Bakery. The two quickly became friends and collaborated on several beers, both experimenting with fermentation, and pop-ups at The Veil space. After that, Longoven went on to open its much-lauded tasting-menu restaurant in Scotts Addition, and it recently opened Lost Letter, with an easy Italian menu, at the front of the space. I always loved what they were doing. They were doing something special and different for the city (with their tasting menu) I hadnt seen before, Tarpey said. The name Nokoribi comes from the Japanese word for ember, with the concept based on meats, chicken, seafood and vegetables cooked over a coal fire. We went back and forth with different ideas. They wanted something unique. Other breweries have pizza and burgers. They wanted something a little different, Manning said. Expect yuzu kosho shrimp, chicken meatballs with a mirin glaze, and broccoli with a chili crunch and furikake served on skewers. There will also be katsu sandwiches, which are crispy pork cutlets served with a sweet, fruity tonkatsu sauce, noodle dishes, steamed edamame and salads, such as a daikon salad with cucumber and shiso. Plus a few fried dishes, such as fried mushroom and fried koji wings with togarashi and lime, are on the menu. Theres no yakitori concept in Richmond. I love eating that way: smaller skewers, Japanese pub-style inspired food. Grilled, salty, spicy all those things that go really great with beer, Manning said. The menu is set up in smaller bites. Thats the style of eating in a yakitori, Manning said of the menu of mostly portable items. Its also designed to be family-friendly and affordable. Skewers are sold in pairs for $9 to $12, smaller dishes run $6 to $9, sandwiches are $12 to $15 and noodles are $10 to $12. They do a cold glass noodle dish thats amazing, Tarpey said. Fermentation plays a big role in the food at Nokoribi, as it does at Longoven, and Manning said that theyve already started preparing 200 pounds of kimchi for Nokoribi. The menu is exactly what you want (at a brewery), Tarpey said. Its a really approachable, too. You dont have to be a connoisseur of high-end restaurants to enjoy what theyre doing here. While the high-end and tweezer-plated tasting menu at Longoven typically runs $155 per person, Nokoribi is meant to be an affordable way to enjoy the same level of highly executed, well-thought-out food. Were trying to take the food in a direction that pairs really well with The Veils beers, Manning said. Manning has also collaborated with The Veil on several beers, including Japanese Denim, on draft in the taproom, a simplistic lager with house-made koji rice, inoculated by Manning, and yuzu juice. New cocktails, new features The new Veil taproom also plans to offer wine, cider, hard seltzer and, new to The Veil, cocktails. Having an in-house restaurant, The Veil was able to apply for and receive an ABC liquor license. The Veil is currently offering three draft cocktails: a rum punch with two types of rum, a Japanese Old-Fashioned with Japanese whiskey, and a margarita. The Veil will also be able to make simple drinks, such as a gin and tonic or a tequila soda. This will be our first location with cocktails for now, Tarpey said. Our Norfolk and Forest Hill locations should have them in a few weeks. With the restaurant and kitchen component, its more important than ever to be able to offer all different types of beverages and not just beer, Tarpey said. Were still beer heavy. Thats who we are at the core. We find that it makes folks stay a little longer if we offer things for everyone. Tarpey said that he hopes to offer rose on draft soon, as well as sake. Were seeing more breweries open their own in-house food options, whether owned by the brewery or a vendor, Annie Tobey, a local freelance writer specializing in craft beverages, said. Its part of the natural progression based on consumer preferences and what breweries need to do for their continued success. Richmond breweries have done a good job of differentiating themselves from one another, Tobey said, by offering different types of beer, ciders, atmospheres and now in-house food programs. Having distinct branding and distinct beer, thats what keeps the craft beer industry in Richmond interesting. If they were all the same, they wouldnt last, she said. The new Veil space also features possibly Richmonds first shared all-gender bathroom. It has 10 stalls, a shared sink and neon flames illuminating the space. Weve been trying to do it for a while. Its important to us. We pride ourselves on being a space for everyone, Tarpey said. The new taproom itself almost didnt happen. Originally, The Veil was planning on working with the Neighborhood Restaurant Group for a food hall, with Longoven as one of several food vendors. But the pandemic sidelined those plans, and NRG abandoned the project. We decided to go ahead anyway with our own thing, Tarpey said. The Veil outgrew the space at the original taproom at 1301 Roseneath Road after seven years. When we built it, we ran out of money and didnt put a lot of money into more durable finishes. It was starting to show a lot of wear and tear. We needed more room for our customers and to upgrade the bathrooms. They also needed the space. Now that The Veil has expanded to three locations, with one in Norfolk and another on Forest Hill, they will close the Roseneath location to the public and use it for production space. Its been a long time coming, Tarpey said. But Im extremely excited about it. PHOTOS: The Veil Brewing Co.'s new taproom & Nokoribi in-house restaurant In another case that has rattled Virginias equestrian community, officials have removed 17 horses from a Fauquier County stable after receiving reports that the animals were malnourished and ill. The Fauquier County Sheriffs Office said it received several reports of horses and other animals not being sufficiently cared for at the Bay Ridge Equestrian facility operated by Amanda Margaret Stanton, a horse-riding instructor who had been previously convicted of animal cruelty in 2018. Deputies arrived at Bay Ridge Equestrian on March 16 to investigate and then returned several days later to remove the animals from Stantons care, according to a news release from the Sheriffs Office. On March 19, a nonprofit group, the Central Virginia Horse Rescue, showed up and began removing the horses. The rescue operation dragged on well after dark, said Stacy Franklin, executive director of CVHR. We were there until about 2 a.m., said Franklin, whose organization works with local officials to rehabilitate horses in animal cruelty cases. The seizure was first reported by the Fauquier Times. Franklin described how the horses were found in disturbing conditions. She said she and officials documented skinny horses with ulcers in their mouths and rain rot on their coats. Many were in poor health. In one instance, a horse used for riding lessons was wearing a horseshoe that hadnt been refit in months, which is harmful to equines. That horse was in no condition to have been ridden, Franklin said. The Richmond Times-Dispatch reached Stantons lawyer, John C. Clark, on Wednesday. Clark did not return a request for comment. Several days later, additional horses were removed from a Shenandoah County property that Stanton also managed. The Shenandoah County Sheriffs Office has not yet confirmed how many animals were removed at that property. Franklin says Stanton still retains as many as six horses on another property in Prince William County. Lauren Ingram was one of Stantons clients at the Bay Ridge facility, which advertises itself as a stable for riding lessons and day camps. In the beginning of 2023, Ingram leased what she thought was a 22-year-old quarter horse from Stanton for a $1,000 yearlong lease. Ingram knew the horse, Prince, had a few health problems, but thought hed make a suitable temporary horse for her children who are learning to ride. She said Stanton assured her Prince was fine for walking, trotting and cantering. Shortly after leasing the horse, Ingram said she noticed problems with Prince. She called out her own veterinarian, who examined Prince to find symptoms of neurological degeneration, which made him unsafe to ride especially with children. Moreover, Princes teeth showed he was at least 30 years old, if not older. It turns out that I was definitely scammed, Ingram said. I feel so helpless, hes so kind and we love him, but hes on very expensive medicines and I dont know what my rights are here. He should have been retired. News of Stantons second animal seizure ignited equestrian online messaging boards. Earlier this year, photos of starved horses caused owners to descend upon a retirement farm in Goochland County and remove its animals. The facilitys manager, a well-known Virginia horse show judge, Byrd Rareshide, was later charged with 13 charges of animal cruelty. The incident marks the second time that Stanton has faced legal trouble for her treatment of horses. In 2018, Stanton managed a horse rescue known as Serenity Bay Thoroughbred Rescue, where she had care of 13 older, retired racehorses. Responding to complaints of mistreatment, a Rockbridge County Sheriffs deputy reported that her horses looked terrible and were in such bad shape they should have been euthanized to end their suffering. Higgins said the horses he saw in person looked far worse than photos Stanton had been showing to their owners online. Stanton basically was giving out a wonderful story on Facebook and people were buying it, the report states. They would have the horses sent to her with no questions asked. Under questioning from Higgins, the report states Stanton broke down and admitted she was in over her head, before voluntarily signing the animals over to officials. Its just crazy to me that we let her have horses again, said Sarah Hatfield, a horse owner in Goochland who has followed the Stanton case and has been posting photos of the rescued horses on Facebook. Its not clear what charges have been brought against Stanton in the more current Fauquier case. So far, public court records show that she has been named in civil violations forfeiting the animals, not for animal cruelty charges. Top 5 weekend events: Monument Ave. 10K, RVA Fashion Week & The Veil's Grand Opening Block Party Ukrops Monument Ave. 10k The Veil Brewing Co.'s grand opening and Scott's Addition Block Party Virginia Garden Week in Richmond James River Film Fest RVA Fashion Week Finale Student demonstrators marking Earth Day descended on the office of Virginia Commonwealth University President Michael Rao on Friday, carrying a symbolic coffin, protesting the school had gone back on its promise to reduce the schools greenhouse gas emissions by 2025. VCU has a responsibility to its students, the greater Richmond area, and as an institution of higher learning wielding power in our society, to look out for our futures, freshman Carolyn Hindle said in a statement before the march. Last semester, when faculty met with Raos administration about declaring a climate emergency, they said they didnt want to get political. Our future isnt political. But Rao was not in his office and the students, carrying a coffin with a model of the planet Earth, were met instead by two faculty members from the office of student affairs Aaron Hart and Meredith Weiss met the student protesters in Raos stead. We agree that VCU plays a critical role in addressing the significant climate and ecological challenges we face, which is why we are in the midst of developing a thoughtful, evidence-based sustainability plan. We anticipate that the plan, when complete, may address many of the points raised in the declaration, Hart and Weiss said in a prepared statement. The protest, which was student-organized by Green Action! VCU, was supported by the Richmond Sunrise Movement and Third Way. Hindle, carrying a bullhorn, led the students from Cabell Library through Monroe Park before stopping outside Raos office. Last summer, the university declared a commitment to sustainability as part of the schools Quest 2028 strategic plan. It lists sustainability as one of the plans key initiatives. A committee is currently developing a detailed climate plan known as the ONE VCU Sustainability Plan. The demonstrators staged the protest even though the school has 22 LEED-certified buildings, meaning they are environmentally friendly. VCU also received a gold rating from an independent environmental auditing group that rates universities based on their transparency around sustainability initiatives. But protesters say the university has faltered on its commitments in the past decade, including watering down a commitment to reduce greenhouse gases by 2025. VCUs own data substantiates the claim. In 2008, VCU developed a sophisticated dashboard for tracking the universitys greenhouse gas emissions. The dashboard includes everything from air travel to fertilizer purchased by student programs. Then, in 2010, the university released a climate action plan targeting a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2025. The university has quietly rolled back that target. VCUs current climate action plan tasks the school to achieve a 17% reduction by 2025, according to several more current news releases. Michael Porter, a university spokesperson, did not return requests for comment on the change in objectives. More current data is not available. Many transparency tools it once provided online such as the tracking dashboard appear to be defunct and no longer publish data around VCUs greenhouse gas emissions. Student protesters also called on VCU to disaffiliate with Wells Fargo. Wells Fargo is financially involved with the Mountain Valley Pipeline, a project that will expand an existing pipeline from West Virginia into Virginias Pittsylvania County. The protest was also attended by members of Third Act, a national organization founded by environmentalist Bill McKibben. The group rallies environmentalists over age 60 to work on issues of climate and racial justice. Our focus is on the banks and the financial institutions, said Christiane Riederer, a Richmond member of the group who said she attended the protest because she feels like her generation bears responsibility for the current climate crisis. Another member and attendee, VCU professor emeritus Bill Muth, said the uptick in gas emissions was a let-down from Raos administration. It was improving at first. It was transparent, and it was really sophisticated, said Muth, who taught climate literacy instruction in VCUs School of Education. But in 2020, the tracking system went offline. That was a hugely disappointing moment. Protesters gathered outside Raos office and were disappointed he was not there. When they entered with the makeshift coffin, Hart said he admired their passion, that they would prioritize the group for communications, and asked that the students write up a statement explaining their gift to the university president. The president has a lot of power, said Eddy Schoenborn, a freshman from Northern Virginia who was inspired to join the rally after an urban planning class. You have the power to put up new buildings that are sustainable, that are green. And it all needs to come from the top down. 25 terms you should know to understand the climate change conversation 25 terms you should know to understand the climate change conversation Weather Climate Ice sheet Global warming Carbon dioxide PPM Methane Emissions COP and UNFCCC Tillage Fossil fuels Ocean acidification Particulate matter INDC Sea ice IPCC Greenhouse gas Global average temperature Biofuels Pre-industrial levels of CO2 Ozone Sea level rise Algal bloom Renewable energy Mitigation As Ramadan comes to a close with the celebration of Eid al-Fitr this weekend, a group of young Muslims, joining heart and mind, have been leading evening prayers in Richmond during the holy month. At the Islamic Center of Richmond, Muhammad Uzair Rais, 17, Mohamed Aaqil, 15, Hashim Meeran, 12, and Yousuf Kmz, 10, have learned or are in the process of learning the Quran, the holy book of Islam that consists of more than 600 pages and 77,000 words. Muhammad and Mohamed previously completed their studies to become a Hafiz meaning they can recite the entire Quran by memory. The two teens have led evening prayers at local mosques throughout Ramadan, citing parts of the holy book for around 25 days until it is finished. Its mostly nerves because you dont want to make mistakes, and a lot of people are praying behind you, Mohamed said. But as you keep on doing it slowly, you get into the groove, and itll be more comfortable in that situation. In many other religions and faiths, the person leading the prayer reads from a book of scripture. In Islam, saying the Quran by heart serves a practical purpose because Muslims bow and kneel at different points during prayers. It also serves a spiritual belief of granting Muslims a closer connection with God. We believe that we are spiritually nearer to Allah, to God, when you are in your prayers, said Rais Haris, Muhammad's father. When you are in your prayer, we consider that we are standing in front of God. So imagine that you are talking to the creator of the universe, and you are directly talking to him. We dont want to dilute that (conversation) with a book if you dont know it. The students typically begin their Quran studies between 8 and 11 years old, and it takes two to three years to learn the whole text. Hashim and Yousuf are continuing their studies under the instruction of Hafeez Khan. The younger students often start off leading prayers at smaller mosques to build their confidence. Sometimes they put me in a hard situation, but the other times they are very good, Khan said. The good part is they are carrying their secular education along with their Quran memorization. The students secular education varies, with some attending public or private schools and others opting to be home-schooled. The Quran is written in Arabic, which is not the native tongue of some students. For non-native speakers, the general approach is memorizing the Quran first, and then continuing to study the Arabic language. You have to take another course for a year or two to understand the language, Muhammad said. But we can read Arabic like any native speaker. Eid offers the chance for Muslims, including the young Hafiz, to celebrate and reflect on the hard work and dedication they have taken on during their holy month. Among the many blessings of Ramadan, one is to refresh the commitment and determination to be truthful to the principles and values taught in Islam for the good of humanity, said Zulfi Khan, a longstanding advocate for the Muslim community in the greater Richmond area. A Hafiz can show commitment and determination by traveling to different mosques to recite the Quran for different congregations. This year, the Richmond-area mosques welcomed other Hafiz to lead evening prayers. Students Mohamed Wague, 19, Sameer Ishaq, 18, and Luqmam Mohamed, 16, traveled from the Michigan Islamic Institute in Warren, Michigan, to the Islamic Center of Henrico & Masjid Al-Falah to recite the Quran. The students moved from different parts of Texas to reside at the full-time boarding school. They attribute their successes in learning Islamic studies to self-discipline. Your parents arent with you, so you have to take care of yourself, Ishaq said. Thats going to help you for the outside world. Even though the students at the school are not allowed certain things such as electronics, like cellphones, they have other recreational resources such as a gym and fitness center. They also relish the opportunity to strengthen their faith. The teachers and principals are so engaging with the students, Wague said. They take the students out on (trips), so after that you enjoy the school and you dont even want to go home. Other students from the Michigan Islamic Institute have traveled to mosques in California, Seattle and Northern Virginia to lead evening prayers. A lot of people think its hard to do, and it is hard from the beginning, Ishaq said. But you get used to it. An attorney says the mother of a 6-year-old Virginia boy who shot and wounded his teacher had a series of miscarriages and post-partum depression in the year leading up to the shooting. The mother's attorney's made the comments after she was arraigned Friday on charges of child neglect and failing to secure the handgun her son used in the shooting. Police say the boy fired a single shot at his first-grade teacher, Abigail Zwerner, on Jan. 6, striking her hand and chest. She was hospitalized for two weeks and has had four surgeries. The 25-year-old mother appeared somber and stood with her hands clasped behind her back as the charges were read in Newport News Circuit Court. Gov. Glenn Youngkin has named an obstetrician and gynecologist from Bristol as the state health commissioner. Dr. Karen Shelton served as director of the Mount Rogers Health District in Southwest Virginia for more than five years before becoming a hospital administrator in 2021. She replaces Dr. Colin Greene, who was rejected by the General Assembly in February, and succeeds Dr. Parham Jaberi, who earlier this month was named Acting State Health Commissioner, to lead the state health department. Experience and leadership matter, Youngkin said in a statement. Dr. Shelton brings a wealth of knowledge in patient care and is positioned to recognize the individualized needs of all Virginians. Shelton practiced as an OB-GYN for 19 years in Bristol, Tenn. In 2016, she became director of the Mount Rogers Health District in Virginia. In 2021, she became acting director of two other nearby districts, putting her in charge of public health for 16 counties and cities totaling about 380,000 residents. During her time there, she spearheaded programs to address substance abuse disorder and neonatal abstinence syndrome conditions caused when a baby withdraws from certain drugs while exposed in the womb before birth the Bristol Herald Courier reported. Once COVID-19 vaccines were released, she was credited for helping quickly roll out the shots to Southwest Virginia residents. She expressed concern when the region had a slower uptake than other parts of the state and lamented the misinformation surrounding vaccines. I believe people need to choose, she told the Bristol Herald Courier in 2021. I personally believe the vaccine is highly effective and does a great job, but I know people have questions and concerns. I appreciate they need to have those questions answered, and theyre entitled to their choices but I feel like so much misinformation was spread that caused undue doubt and mistrust. So many people could have been vaccinated but unfortunately didnt get vaccinated, and many of them died. In 2021, she left public health to become vice president and chief medical officer at Bristol Regional Medical Center, a hospital owned by Ballad Health. At the end of the year, the Herald Courier named her 2021 Bristolian of the year. Shelton earned a bachelors degree from Wake Forest University and her medical degree from the University of Virginia. She completed her residency at Eastern Virginia Medical School. Youngkins first pick for state health commissioner, Greene, drew fire when he said gun violence is a Democratic talking point and when he questioned whether racism is a public health crisis. First, Youngkin replaced Greene with a chief operating officer, Christopher Lindsay, who is not a physician. Members of the state board of health expressed concern that the health department had no physician leader, which is required by law. Lindsay said last month that the department was thriving and going about its normal business despite not having a doctor in charge. Earlier this month, Youngkin named an interim state health commissioner, Jaberi, who will return to his old job as deputy health director for the Fairfax Department of Health on April 30, said Macaulay Porter, a spokesperson for the governor. The administration asked him to take the role while it finalized the interview process and brought on a new commissioner. Two weeks after Youngkin named an interim, he has selected a permanent leader for the health department. 50 photos from the RTD Archives Narissa Rahaman and her fiance, who both work in political advocacy with busy schedules, are likely holding off on their wedding celebration until next year but they will probably do the legal thing soon. Rahaman is the executive director for Equality Virginia, an advocacy group that supports laws that benefit LGBTQ people. My partner and I want to get married as soon as possible because we want to be married to each other. And we understand the state of the world right now for LGBTQ people, Rahaman said. Protections and rights that we all feel like we have are being chipped away day by day. While same-sex marriages are federally protected by the U.S. Supreme Court and Congress Respect for Marriage Act, Virginias state constitution does not technically support those marriages. A 2006 state constitutional amendment barred same-sex marriage in Virginia, recognizing marriage as only a union between one man and one woman. But given a 2015 ruling by the Supreme Court and Congress 2022 law, the language here is moot. Thats why Sen. Adam Ebbin, D-Alexandria, and Del. Mark Sickles, D-Fairfax both openly gay legislators have each carried proposed constitutional amendments in recent years to adjust Virginias constitution and keep up with modern times, Ebbin said. Committed to doing this until we pass it Passing a constitutional amendment in Virginia requires a multiyear process. The proposals have to pass the legislature two years in a row, with an election for the House of Delegates in between, before they can go to Virginias voters in a state referendum for final approval. Ebbins proposed amendment won first approval in the legislature in 2021 when Democrats controlled both chambers and held the governorship. After Republicans won control of the House in that Novembers elections, a GOP-led House panel defeated his bid for a second approval in 2022. During this years session, Ebbin and Sickles started over. Their bids for a first approval were defeated again in a House committee. Im committed to doing this until we pass it and give the voters a chance to fix the constitution, Ebbin said. Its not totally partisan. Del. Tim Anderson, R-Virginia Beach, carried a failed resolution similar to Ebbins. However, the matter is starting to feel more urgent for some people after some indications that Obergefell v. Hodges the 2015 ruling that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide could be undone. Last summer, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. In his majority opinion, Justice Samuel Alito wrote that it only concerned abortion. To ensure that our decision is not misunderstood or mischaracterized, Alito wrote, we emphasize that our decision concerns the constitutional right to abortion and no other right. Nothing in this opinion should be understood to cast doubt on precedents that do not concern abortion. But Justice Clarence Thomas wrote in a concurring opinion that the due process clause in the 14th Amendment at most guarantees process and does not secure any substantive rights. Thomas asserted that in future cases, the court should reconsider all of this Courts substantive due process precedents, including cases that guaranteed married adults the right to obtain contraceptives, the right to engage in private, consensual sexual acts, and Obergefell v. Hodges, the 2015 case that guaranteed the right to same-sex marriage. This was around the time Rahaman and her partner got engaged. It was like a bit of a jolting moment, Rahaman said of potentially losing the same rights that opposite-sex couples have. She added: It felt a little bit more imminent during that summer of this can be a real thing thats happening. Folks, here's what's at stake: the VA GOP is systematically scaling back civil rights in the Commonwealth. Democrats are working to protect every single Virginian, while Republicans are working to reinstate draconian bans on same sex-marriage.https://t.co/Ta5B1ZtdzR Virginia Democrats (@vademocrats) April 13, 2023 Virginias political parties disagree on how or if same-sex marriage is under threat in Virginia. Last week, the Democratic Party of Virginia tweeted that Republicans are working to reinstate draconian bans on same-sex marriage. The account for the Republican Party of Virginia fired back that it was not under threat and called the previous tweet a lie. A GOP-led subcommittee defeated Ebbins latest attempt to enshrine same-sex protections in Virginias constitution with no debate and on party-line votes. House Speaker Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah; House Majority Leader Terry Kilgore, R-Scott; and Dels. Barry Knight, R-Virginia Beach, and Kathy Byron, R-Bedford, voted to defeat the bill while Del. Vivian Watts, D-Fairfax, dissented. (Committees and subcommittees are how the legislature filters through bills before some of them can come to full floor votes in both chambers.) Moments before the vote, a representative of The Family Foundation an advocacy group that opposes same-sex marriage noted that the Supreme Courts actions on abortion could mean action on marriage is likely, too. With the courts precedent in Dobbs, the abortion ruling, the court is clearly in a position to reverse its erroneous 2015 decision, said Todd Gathje. And if and when it does, Virginias constitution should continue to reflect the truth about marriage. The Family Foundation believes marriage is only between a man and a woman. With no discussion from the subcommittee, its unclear exactly why it chose to vote down Ebbins bill. A spokesperson for the House GOP Caucus did not respond to email inquiry by the time of this publication. Meantime, nationwide protections for same-sex marriage still hinge on the Obergefell ruling. University of Virginia law professor Rich Schragger said that given the Supreme Courts action on Roe, its not totally unlikely that the conservative wing of the court which has the votes revisits the Obergefell ruling. He did note how the court could move slowly on it or even avoid it, given how the fallout of Roe may drive up Democratic engagement nationwide. It is a matter of judicial politics, not a matter of respect for precedent, he said. The conservative justices are not particularly constrained by precedent. If the Supreme Court did overturn Obergefell, the legality of same-sex marriages would then revert to state law in this case, the prohibition within Virginias constitution would take effect. However, the Respect for Marriage Act, which President Joe Biden signed into law last December, would require states to recognize marriages performed in other states where its legal, along with marriages that took place when Obergefell was in effect. Schragger noted that the Respect for Marriage Act is also subject to potential repeal in Congress, pending future federal elections. Amid Virginias own contests this year with all 140 seats in the House and Senate up for election Rahaman said marriage equality is on the ballot. Where in the US are same-sex marriage rates highest? Where in the US are same-sex marriage rates highest? #5. Washington #4. Massachusetts #3. Delaware #2. Vermont #1. District of Columbia They came to Hanover County, as with many other counties next to Virginias booming suburbs, seeking a rural-flavored life and a house that was easier on the budget. Now Hanover, where the median sale price for houses ranges above $400,000, wants to keep that sense of country life, along with encouraging more affordable housing. County residents say they want to preserve a rural feel, and manage growth, says Andrew Pompei, principal planner, discussing the countys proposed new long-term development plan. They also want bike paths, sidewalks, trails and more parks, he said. And they want more kinds of housing. The countys main tool for securing the rural feel, amenities and housing that residents tell officials they want will be its new comprehensive plan those 20-year land-use plans that Virginia localities are supposed to update every five years and that county staff hope to have before the Board of Supervisors later this year. Current drafts mark a major shift from the usual comprehensive plan focus on what kind of uses people will make of which stretches of land, by focusing on how development in specific parts of the county ought to be designed. They are looking, at least for now, at some of the kinds of detailed directions that are more usual when a developer seeks to change the zoning of a piece of land or wants permission to vary from what county land-use ordinances require. Amenities, meanwhile, have become a major talking point when developers seek a rezoning or other land-use permit. Affordable housing is a growing concern for politicians figuring out how to deal with Virginias soaring housing costs is a priority of Gov. Glenn Youngkin while Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney called for a $10 million-a-year, five-year program to tackle a shortfall of affordable housing in the city. Hanover residents and officials also worry about how to cope with soaring house prices, rents and developers preference to build for the high end of the market. I wonder how a young family is going to afford a place here, Kristin Stevens told county planners at a recent public meeting seeking feedback on drafts of the long-term plan that officials have been circulating for months. Feedback from residents so far suggests that means thinking about what the countys aging seniors might need as well as how its renters, more than 40% of whom are already spending more than 30% of their income on housing, will cope with rising rents at a time when the fastest-growing sector of the market is for units going for more than $2,000 a month. At the same time, drafts of the plan stress the transitions between areas: landscaping and buffers, for instance, plantings and setbacks between farmland and housing; or between homes and businesses. It is looking to set standards for building designs and signs. In the farm and forest lands that account for most of the countys land area, the draft plan suggests keeping the current requirement that averages one home for every 6.25 acres. It calls for buffers of 100 feet or more wide on major rural roads to preserve views of open fields and woods, and says any subdivisions could set at least 70% of the areas as open space. For areas designated as rural villages Beaverdam, Montpelier and Hanover Court House it would limit new subdivisions to 25 acres and require at least 1 acre for every house. New commercial buildings should use design elements and materials like those on nearby historic buildings and should not be more than 15,000 square feet. A new type of zone, called suburban transition, would buffer farms and woods from more developed suburban neighborhoods. It would set minimum lot sizes of 20,000 square feet a bit less than half an acre require that any new projects reserve 20% of land as open space, and urge bike paths and sidewalks on at least one side of a street. Planners suggest this for such places as the area around Route 54 and Burleigh Drive, the west side of Old Ridge Road between the South Anna River and Hickory Hill Road, and the east side of Elmont Road from Ashlands town line to Ashcake Road. For the three other suburban zones that carry over from the current plan, the draft calls for sidewalks, bike paths and open spaces, ranging from 15% for the least densely built one to 25% for the denser two. The plan says garages need to be placed so they dont dominate what passers-by see as they walk, bike or drive down streets. Currently, county planners are recommending that accessory dwelling units think standalone mother-in-law suites be allowed in all areas zoned for residential use as well as supporting more age-restricted housing for low-income seniors and possibly taking unused county land for mixed-income senior housing. For commercial areas, the plan stresses planting and landscaping as buffers separating business facilities from roads and neighborhoods, with interconnected streets and shared driveways inside a commercial area to reduce traffic on major roads, as well as sidewalks, bike paths and monument-style signs that is, signs that are the shape of a tombstone, rather than that stick up above a roofline. The plan also contemplates a pedestrian and bicycle spine network to connect communities to key facilities such as schools, libraries and grocery stores, and notes that residential areas around the Lee-Davis Road Corridor lack sidewalks and bike lanes. Improvements along the Atlee Station Road corridorcould make it safer for students to walk or bike to Cool Spring Elementary School, Chickahominy Middle School and Atlee High School. In addition, the plan suggests Hanover partner with others for the long-hoped-for 43-mile Fall Line Trail. In Hanover, it would mostly follow the route of the old Ashland Trolley Line, running for about 4.8 miles from the end of the existing Trolley Line Trail in Ashland to the Chickahominy River near Holly Hill Road. From there, the trail would eventually make its way to Petersburg. Close RICHMOND, Va. -- From left, Sean Davis, chair of the Hanover County Board of Supervisors; Jack Caldwell, Flying Squirrels' mascot and entertainment coordinator; F. Michael Herzberg, Cold Harbor District supervisor; Nutasha; Susan P. Dibble, South Annna District supervisor; Nutzy; Hanover County Administrator John Budesky; Angela Kelly-Wiecek, vice-chair of the Hanover County Board of Supervisors, and her husband Paul Wiecek; Aiden Mundy and his great-grandfather, Mechanicsville District Supervisor W. Canova Peterson, Mechanicsville District supervisor gather for a group photo after Davis, Herzberg, Dibble, Budesky and Mundy threw out first pitches at the Hanover County 300th birthday celebration with the Richmond Flying Squirrels at The Diamond on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021. RICHMOND, Va. -- Richmond starting pitcher Akeel Morris (49) gave the Flying Squirrels a solid start, going six scoreless innings, giving up two hits, two walks and striking out four to earn the win in Richmond's 1-0 victory over the Reading Fightin' Phils at the Diamond on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021. RICHMOND, Va. -- Richmond third baseman David Villar (15) reaches second on a double to center field. He would go on to score the game's only run in the Flying Squirrels' 1-0 victory over the Reading Fightin' Phils at The Diamond on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021. RICHMOND, Va. -- Richmond right fielder Diego Rincones launches a long single to left field to drive home teammate David Villar in the Flying Squirrels' 1-0 win over the Reading Fightin' Phils on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021. RICHMOND, Va. -- A young Hanover County resident masters the art of eating (and wearing) cotton candy during the Hanover County 300th birthday celebration with the Richmond Flying Squirrels at The Diamond on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021. RICHMOND, Va. -- Richmond reliever Ronnie Williams pitched three scoreless innings of relief, allowing one hit and striking out four to earn the save in the Flying Squirrels' 1-0 win over the Reading Fightin' Phils at The Diamond on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021.in the Hanover County 300th birthday celebration with the Richmond Flying Squirrels at The Diamond on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021. RICHMOND, Va. -- Hanover County resident Ellis Peace, 5, gives a big purplish grin while eating cotton candy during the Hanover County 300th birthday celebration with the Richmond Flying Squirrels at The Diamond on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021. RICHMOND, Va. -- A young Hanover County fan gets a boost from dad while bopping to the tune of House of Pain's "Jump Around" between innings at the Hanover County 300th birthday celebration with the Richmond Flying Squirrels at The Diamond on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021. RICHMOND, Va. -- Hanover county resident Daniel Schwenk gets a pie in the face from his son Nathan (left) and daughter Lizzy between innings at the Hanover County 300th birthday celebration with the Richmond Flying Squirrels at The Diamond on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021. RICHMOND, Va. -- Hanover County resident Nathan Schwenk (left) gets a share of the tasty (and messy) contents from his dad, Daniel, after Nathan and his sister Lizzy gave their dad a pie in the face between innings of the Hanover County 300th birthday celebration with the Richmond Flying Squirrels at The Diamond on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021. RICHMOND, Va. -- The Hanover County 300th birthday celebration with the Richmond Flying Squirrels on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, ended with an in-the-park firework show. RICHMOND, Va. -- The Hanover County 300th birthday celebration with the Richmond Flying Squirrels on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, ended with an in-the-park firework show. RICHMOND, Va. -- The Hanover County 300th birthday celebration with the Richmond Flying Squirrels on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, ended with an in-the-park firework show. RICHMOND, Va. -- The Hanover County 300th birthday celebration with the Richmond Flying Squirrels on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, ended with an in-the-park firework show. RICHMOND, Va. -- The Hanover County 300th birthday celebration with the Richmond Flying Squirrels on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, ended with an in-the-park firework show. RICHMOND, Va. -- The Hanover County 300th birthday celebration with the Richmond Flying Squirrels on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, ended with an in-the-park firework show. RICHMOND, Va. -- The Hanover County 300th birthday celebration with the Richmond Flying Squirrels on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, ended with an in-the-park firework show. RICHMOND, Va. -- The Hanover County 300th birthday celebration with the Richmond Flying Squirrels on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, ended with an in-the-park firework show. RICHMOND, Va. -- The Hanover County 300th birthday celebration with the Richmond Flying Squirrels on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, ended with an in-the-park firework show. RICHMOND, Va. -- The Hanover County 300th birthday celebration with the Richmond Flying Squirrels on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, ended with an in-the-park firework show. RICHMOND, Va. -- From left, Sean Davis, chair of the Hanover County Board of Supervisors; Jack Caldwell, Flying Squirrels' mascot and entertainment coordinator; F. Michael Herzberg, Cold Harbor District supervisor; Nutasha; Susan P. Dibble, South Annna District supervisor; Nutzy; Hanover County Administrator John Budesky; Angela Kelly-Wiecek, vice-chair of the Hanover County Board of Supervisors, and her husband Paul Wiecek; Aiden Mundy and his great-grandfather, Mechanicsville District Supervisor W. Canova Peterson, Mechanicsville District supervisor gather for a group photo after Davis, Herzberg, Dibble, Budesky and Mundy threw out first pitches at the Hanover County 300th birthday celebration with the Richmond Flying Squirrels at The Diamond on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021. Hanover County's 300th bash at The Diamond Enjoy these scenes from the Hanover County 300th birthday celebration with the Richmond Flying Squirrels at the Diamond on Saturday on Aug. 7, 2021. RICHMOND, Va. -- From left, Sean Davis, chair of the Hanover County Board of Supervisors; Jack Caldwell, Flying Squirrels' mascot and entertainment coordinator; F. Michael Herzberg, Cold Harbor District supervisor; Nutasha; Susan P. Dibble, South Annna District supervisor; Nutzy; Hanover County Administrator John Budesky; Angela Kelly-Wiecek, vice-chair of the Hanover County Board of Supervisors, and her husband Paul Wiecek; Aiden Mundy and his great-grandfather, Mechanicsville District Supervisor W. Canova Peterson, Mechanicsville District supervisor gather for a group photo after Davis, Herzberg, Dibble, Budesky and Mundy threw out first pitches at the Hanover County 300th birthday celebration with the Richmond Flying Squirrels at The Diamond on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021. RICHMOND, Va. -- Richmond starting pitcher Akeel Morris (49) gave the Flying Squirrels a solid start, going six scoreless innings, giving up two hits, two walks and striking out four to earn the win in Richmond's 1-0 victory over the Reading Fightin' Phils at the Diamond on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021. RICHMOND, Va. -- Richmond third baseman David Villar (15) reaches second on a double to center field. He would go on to score the game's only run in the Flying Squirrels' 1-0 victory over the Reading Fightin' Phils at The Diamond on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021. RICHMOND, Va. -- Richmond right fielder Diego Rincones launches a long single to left field to drive home teammate David Villar in the Flying Squirrels' 1-0 win over the Reading Fightin' Phils on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021. RICHMOND, Va. -- A young Hanover County resident masters the art of eating (and wearing) cotton candy during the Hanover County 300th birthday celebration with the Richmond Flying Squirrels at The Diamond on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021. RICHMOND, Va. -- Richmond reliever Ronnie Williams pitched three scoreless innings of relief, allowing one hit and striking out four to earn the save in the Flying Squirrels' 1-0 win over the Reading Fightin' Phils at The Diamond on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021.in the Hanover County 300th birthday celebration with the Richmond Flying Squirrels at The Diamond on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021. RICHMOND, Va. -- Hanover County resident Ellis Peace, 5, gives a big purplish grin while eating cotton candy during the Hanover County 300th birthday celebration with the Richmond Flying Squirrels at The Diamond on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021. RICHMOND, Va. -- A young Hanover County fan gets a boost from dad while bopping to the tune of House of Pain's "Jump Around" between innings at the Hanover County 300th birthday celebration with the Richmond Flying Squirrels at The Diamond on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021. RICHMOND, Va. -- Hanover county resident Daniel Schwenk gets a pie in the face from his son Nathan (left) and daughter Lizzy between innings at the Hanover County 300th birthday celebration with the Richmond Flying Squirrels at The Diamond on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021. RICHMOND, Va. -- Hanover County resident Nathan Schwenk (left) gets a share of the tasty (and messy) contents from his dad, Daniel, after Nathan and his sister Lizzy gave their dad a pie in the face between innings of the Hanover County 300th birthday celebration with the Richmond Flying Squirrels at The Diamond on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021. RICHMOND, Va. -- The Hanover County 300th birthday celebration with the Richmond Flying Squirrels on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, ended with an in-the-park firework show. RICHMOND, Va. -- The Hanover County 300th birthday celebration with the Richmond Flying Squirrels on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, ended with an in-the-park firework show. RICHMOND, Va. -- The Hanover County 300th birthday celebration with the Richmond Flying Squirrels on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, ended with an in-the-park firework show. RICHMOND, Va. -- The Hanover County 300th birthday celebration with the Richmond Flying Squirrels on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, ended with an in-the-park firework show. RICHMOND, Va. -- The Hanover County 300th birthday celebration with the Richmond Flying Squirrels on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, ended with an in-the-park firework show. RICHMOND, Va. -- The Hanover County 300th birthday celebration with the Richmond Flying Squirrels on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, ended with an in-the-park firework show. RICHMOND, Va. -- The Hanover County 300th birthday celebration with the Richmond Flying Squirrels on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, ended with an in-the-park firework show. RICHMOND, Va. -- The Hanover County 300th birthday celebration with the Richmond Flying Squirrels on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, ended with an in-the-park firework show. RICHMOND, Va. -- The Hanover County 300th birthday celebration with the Richmond Flying Squirrels on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, ended with an in-the-park firework show. RICHMOND, Va. -- The Hanover County 300th birthday celebration with the Richmond Flying Squirrels on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, ended with an in-the-park firework show. RICHMOND, Va. -- From left, Sean Davis, chair of the Hanover County Board of Supervisors; Jack Caldwell, Flying Squirrels' mascot and entertainment coordinator; F. Michael Herzberg, Cold Harbor District supervisor; Nutasha; Susan P. Dibble, South Annna District supervisor; Nutzy; Hanover County Administrator John Budesky; Angela Kelly-Wiecek, vice-chair of the Hanover County Board of Supervisors, and her husband Paul Wiecek; Aiden Mundy and his great-grandfather, Mechanicsville District Supervisor W. Canova Peterson, Mechanicsville District supervisor gather for a group photo after Davis, Herzberg, Dibble, Budesky and Mundy threw out first pitches at the Hanover County 300th birthday celebration with the Richmond Flying Squirrels at The Diamond on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021. The controversial menhaden fleet that supplies Omega Proteins Reedville plant is promising to limit areas in the Chesapeake Bay where it will set its nets and catch fish. In a memorandum of understanding with the state, Ocean Harvesters said it wants to limit potential areas of conflict with other users of the bay. Conservationists and recreational fishermen had pushed for limits with some calling for an outright ban on catching menhaden in the bay after two spills of dead menhaden last year washed ashore. Omegas operation, which catches menhaden to be rendered into fish oil and fish meal in Reedville, where it employs several hundred people, has sparked controversy for years. Recreational fishermen and environmental groups complain it takes too many fish that are prey for other species, including popular game fish such as striped bass. The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, which sets quotas for menhaden and several other species, says menhaden are not overfished or experiencing overfishing, as it has determined is the case for recreational favorites striped bass and bluefish. Ocean Harvesters agreement with the state details areas in the bay where its boats cannot come closer than a mile from the shore. These are basically areas where tourists visit, as well as populated stretches of the lower Eastern Shore and Hampton Roads, including Virginia Beach. In addition, Ocean Harvesters agreed that its fleet will not work in the bay on weekends between Memorial Day and Labor Day, or around the Memorial Day and Labor Day holiday weekends or the days around July 4, the most popular times for tourism and recreational fishing. Ocean Harvesters also agreed it will not operate within half a mile of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel year-round to avoid issues with recreational boat traffic and disputes with recreational fishermen who like to work the waters around the bridges. The new memorandum of understanding successfully addresses concerns that have been raised about how the menhaden fishery can best coexist with other user groups in the bay, said Monty Deihl, CEO of Ocean Harvesters. The menhaden fishery will work with the bay community to alleviate concerns and to remain operating responsibly and sustainably here in Virginia, he said. The Virginia Marine Resources Commission considered a bay-wide ban on Ocean Harvesters boats operating within a mile of the shore. It opted against that when Omega Proteins said roughly 18% of the companys catch in the bay comes from spots within a mile of shore, though those spots are typically away from inhabited areas or popular beaches. Last years spills included one when a purse seine net tore. Purse seining involves surrounding a school of fish with a net maneuvered by two boats, which then bring the closed purse alongside a larger vessel that vacuums the fish into its hold. A total of 4,895 dead menhaden washed ashore on Silver Beach over the July 4 weekend. The other spill came July 25 when crew members spotted several large red drum in the net and dumped all the fish, hoping that would keep at least some of the drum alive. An estimated 10,000 fish washed ashore, forcing the closing of Kiptopeke State Park beach for a time. Omega cleaned up the spills. Spills are fairly rare, averaging just over one spill for every 1,000 times a purse seine is set, the VMRC has said. Oyster shell recycling Oyster shell recycling 041521-cdp-news-oysterrecycling853.JPG 041521-cdp-news-oysterrecycling854.JPG 041521-cdp-news-oysterrecycling855.JPG 041521-cdp-news-oysterrecycling856.JPG 041521-cdp-news-oysterrecycling857.JPG 041521-cdp-news-oysterrecycling858.JPG 041521-cdp-news-oysterrecycling859.JPG 041521-cdp-news-oysterrecycling860.JPG Hide vertical gallery titles A Richmond nonprofit wants to start making modular houses to help tackle the citys affordable housing crisis by replacing aging mobile home units. Project:HOMES will build a warehouse facility to assemble modular homes on the vacant lot at 112 Carnation St., a block and a half south of Midlothian Turnpike, just to the east of Chippenham Parkway. The warehouse will be a working lab for the production of modular and manufactured home prototypes, said Mark Baker of Baker Development Resources, handling the zoning request for the nonprofit. Project:HOMES will utilize contractors and volunteers to produce affordable replacement homes for their clients in obsolete manufactured housing in the region and will develop new modular solutions for affordable single-family housing, he said. The nonprofit will make small, affordable mobile home units, which will be certified to meet U.S. Housing and Urban Development standards and are intended to replace aging mobile homes in the Richmond area. They will be built by hand by Project:HOMES staff and volunteers. The nonprofit expects to build about six units a year, and ship them from the warehouse to the sites where they will be placed. Project:HOMES serves low-income individuals and families through its current programs making critical home-safety repairs, accessibility modifications and implementing energy conservation measures in their homes. It has undertaken more than 42,000 projects on more than 36,000 homes. City planning staff, calling the project a unique instance of a nonprofit specifically constructing modular dwelling sections for the use of affordable housing, said it could play a part in the citys push to expand housing opportunities. While the Carnation Street site is zoned for residential use, with buildings limited to 25% of the area, it is immediately to the south of several industrial and warehouse operations. Since the building will take up more space on the site, with smaller setbacks from the property line that the residential zoning dictates, a row of evergreen trees and a fence will shield the facility from neighbors. The facility will only operate between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. and overnight storage of material or equipment outside the building will not be allowed. From the archives: Cloverleaf Mall, 1972-2011 Cloverleaf Mall: Before the opening Cloverleaf Mall: Opening day, 1972 Cloverleaf Mall: Busy first week Cloverleaf Mall: Upscale Sears Cloverleaf Mall: Twin cinema Cloverleaf Mall: Piccadilly Cafeteria Cloverleaf Mall in 1975 Cloverleaf Mall Community Room Cloverleaf Mall: Christmas Tubas, 1985 Cloverleaf Mall: 1987 renovation Cloverleaf Mall: Christmas Eve, 1990 Cloverleaf Mall: 1995 fire Cloverleaf Mall: Frederick's of Hollywood Cloverleaf Mall: Christmas, 1997 Cloverleaf Mall: 1998 renovation Cloverleaf Mall: New police station, 1999 Cloverleaf Mall: Regal cinemas close, 2001 Cloverleaf Mall: Sears closes, 2003 Cloverleaf Mall: Empty food court, 2005 County buys Cloverleaf Mall, 2007 Cloverleaf Mall sold to county, 2007 Cloverleaf Mall: One last shop Cloverleaf Mall: Closing in 2008 Cloverleaf Mall: Fenced off in 2010 Cloverleaf Mall: The walls come down, 2011 Goodbye Cloverleaf, 2011 Kroger rises from rubble of Cloverleaf, 2012 Its appropriate Gov. Glenn Youngkins controversial rewrite of the history curriculum for public school kids was approved concurrent with the first snapshot of campaign fundraising for the legislative elections that could rewrite his place in Virginia history. The vote by a Board of Education narrowly controlled by Youngkin appointees and the vote this November to decide control of the legislature are about revisionism. With the former, whether students are shielded from woke-ism that Youngkin claims is rampant in the classroom. With the latter, whether Youngkin can impose a conservative agenda on a centrist state that has resisted much of it by way of a narrow Democratic majority in the Virginia Senate. In what can be called the Youngkin Midterms and what will be viewed as a referendum on his administration the governor has two objectives: protect what during the regular session was a 52-48 Republican advantage in the House of Delegates and tip to GOP control the Senate, where Democrats outnumber Republicans, 22-18. For Youngkin and Republicans, the arithmetic is simple enough: Snatch three seats in the Senate, though two would do, making for an evenly divided chamber. That would give Republicans operational control of the Senate because its tie-breaking presiding officer, Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, is a Republican. The math, however, is complicated by a new map fresh boundaries drawn by the Virginia Supreme Court because a bipartisan commission failed during decennial redistricting in 2021 to agree on lines for the House, Senate and the states 11 congressional seats. The districts were sculpted by the Republican-dominated court without regard for incumbency. Absent such protection, dozens of senior delegates and senators announced their retirement. A third of the Senate is turning over. Ditto the House. There will be so many new legislators in January it might make sense for them to wear name tags. Something else might make sense for Democrats and Republicans: They should study legislative midterm elections going back to 1995. Thats when competition for control of the General Assembly became acute, decided by a House seat here, a Senate seat there and, sometimes, the party affiliation of the lieutenant governor. Though two-party competitive Virginia dates to 1969 and the election that year of the first Republican governor of the 20th century, the Democratic grip on the legislature would continue for another 30 years. Indeed, Democratic control endured for 112 years, initially ensured by such anti-democratic practices as the poll tax, literacy tests and gerrymandering all of which kept the pool of voters small and lopsidedly white and, to the benefit of incumbents, reduced elections to a mere formality. Two years after Republican George Allens landslide 1993 victory for governor, his party did as Youngkin, no doubt, expects GOP legislative candidates will do in 2023. That is, run on a platform that includes tax cuts. General Assembly Democrats had blocked Allens plan to cut the income tax, allowing Republicans to depict the majority party as obstructionist. The House remained Democratic, but the Senate where the gap between the parties had narrowed in 1991 because (take note Glenn Youngkin) voters were angry that Democratic Gov. Douglas Wilder was more interested in running for president than running the state was tied, 20-20. Democrats were somewhat cheered because the lieutenant governor, Don Beyer, was one of them. Allen was undeterred, noting constitutional restrictions on the LGs tie-breaking vote. That would limit partisan mischief. It also was a check on future lieutenant governors presiding over a 20-20 Senate. In the 1999 midterms, having won the Senate outright a year earlier by wooing a Democrat to give up his seat for a high-paying, pension-fattening sub-Cabinet job, Republicans led by car tax-cutting Gov. Jim Gilmore took the House, flipping two seats. With that, Republicans for the first time since 1882 had complete control of state government. Hyper-partisan redistricting, particularly in the House, meant the 2003 midterm election was pretty much a non-event. Republicans held their comfortable majorities in the House and Senate, frustrating Gov. Mark Warner, a Democrat, but not permanently. The following year, he capitalized on a center-right split among Republicans to win a $1.4 billion tax increase for schools, cops and the social safety net. The coup briefly put Warner like Youngkin, a multimillionaire and state government virgin into presidential orbit, where Youngkins been since his narrow victory in 2021. In 2007, the House elections affirmed GOP hegemony, despite the loss of three seats. The Senate shifted from 23-17, Republican, to 21-19, Democratic, providing some momentum but not a whole lot for the Democratic governor, Tim Kaine. Witness his inability to win firearms restrictions in response to the Virginia Tech massacre earlier that year. When the House and Senate were up in 2011 a redistricting year Republicans prevailed big time. After the House contests, they had 67 seats a veto-proof majority they would use to frustrate Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe, who would be elected in 2013. The Senate again tied, this time with a Republican lieutenant governor, Bill Bolling, presiding. The McAuliffe-led Democratic sweep meant that in January 2014, the evenly split Senate would be nominally blue under Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam. But a Democratic resignation from a deep-red, Southwest Virginia district guaranteed a Republican pickup in August and a fresh GOP majority. The 2015 midterms validated it, as well as Republican control of the House, denying McAuliffe a win on Medicaid expansion and costing his interim appointee to the Virginia Supreme Court her seat. Republicans refused to confirm Jane Marum Roush shed been praised by legislators in both parties for one reason: their visceral distaste for McAuliffe. The gift that, for four years, would keep on giving Virginias enmity for Donald Trump guaranteed another Democratic statewide sweep in 2017 and nearly delivered the House. That deed was done in the 2019 midterms, with the Senate also falling to the Democrats, giving them the 21-19 majority with which they would torment Youngkin. Its now 22-18, with Democrats having won a special election in January for a vacant Republican seat in Virginia Beach, Youngkins adoptive hometown. Which brings us to the 2023 Youngkin Midterms in new House and Senate districts. There are multiple scenarios, many shaped by national politics: President Joe Bidens flagging standing in Virginia, economic uncertainty, the standoff over federal borrowing, and the Russia-Ukraine war. The outcomes Youngkin doesnt want because hed be done for in the second half of his term: a continued divided legislature or one ruled by Democrats. So with all that money he and Republicans have raised a record $2.7 million in his PAC and $14 million by the candidates, compared with the Democrats $19.6 million the governor is looking not just to make history but to rewrite it. Political cartoons from the last 111 years Political cartoons from the last 100 years 1911: 'What Everybody Knows' 1912: 'Next From Cradle to the Mill' 1916: 'The Americanese Wall, As Congressman Burnett Would Build It' 1917: 'Not All the Tanks Are in Europe' 1917: 'Perhaps They Would Like It for a Figurehead?' 1920: 'Christmas of What Year?' 1920: 'The Accuser' 1920: 'Go Away!' 1920: 'Why They Hate Each Other' 1920: 'Dontcha Just Love These Little Informal Picnics?' 1920: 'Better Put On Chains' 1921: 'The Only Way to Handle It' 1923: 'At That, We'll Get Some Fun Out of It' 1924: 'Who Says a Watched Pot Never Boils?' 1924: 'Ain't Politics Grand?' 1925: 'Farm for Sale' 1929: 'Paying for a Dead Horse' 1929: 'The Bull Market' 1930: 'FDR's Alphabet Cards' 1930s: 'What We Need is Another Pump' Prohibition Era: 'The Temperance Movement' 1931: 'A Wise Economist Asks a Question' 1933: 'The Fourth of July's Uncle Sam' 1934: 'Sure, I'll Work for Both Sides' 1935: 'The Illegal Act' 1935: 'Roosevelt the Ringleader' 1937: 'Do We Want a Ventriloquist Act in the Supreme Court?' 1937: 'The Road Back?' 1938: 'The New Lilliput' 1939: 'The Scoop!' 1939: 'Peace by Piece!' 1940: 'The Still Small Voice!' 1941: '... and the wolf ' 1943: 'Adolf Hitler and Senator Sherman Minton' 1946: Commuters ignoring headlines 1948: 'What's the Use of Going Through with This Election?' 1948: 'Give 'em Hell Harry' 1949: 'There's a Lot More Traveling Beyond the Bridge' 1950: 'The Confused Traveler' 1950: 'The Arms Race' 1952: 'Falsies!' 1952: 'Wallowing in Mire' 1954: 'Vicky Cartoon' 1954: 'Talking From Strength' 1954: 'A New Kind of Rifle' 1958: 'Our Own Racialist Thugs' 1959: 'At Least We Both Like the Same Food!' 1960: 'Here We Go Again' 1961: 'Ready. . steady . .' 1961: 'Pecking Away' 1962: 'My Congress Doesn't Understand Me' 1962: 'Goody! Goody! Arms From Russia' 1962: 'Cuban Missile Crisis' 1967: 'Getting It Out of His System' 1970: 'National Defense' 1970: 'Simple, Isn't ItMr. President?' 1971: 'My Last Employment?Vietnam' 1972: 'The Hour Has Come' 1972: 'The Old Man and the Sea' 1973: 'Don't Put Up Any Resistance! Just Keep in Step' 1973: 'Watergate' 1975: 'Gerald Ford Faces the Crowds' 1975: 'Gerald Ford Feeds Congress a Bitter Remedy' 1976: 'Gun Lobby Takes Aim at the Gun Bill' 1978: 'Inflation' 1978: 'He Isn't Even Looking This Way!' 1980: Political cartoonist Jeff McNelly 1980: 'The Iceman Cometh' 1980s-era 'Reagan Depression' 1981: 'Warheads for Christmas' 1987: Ronald Reagan 1991: 'I Can't Believe My Eyes' 1991: 'Gorbachev Beholds a Shattered Hammer and Sickle' 1992: 'Disinformation' 2002: 'The Bush Warriors, America's Battle Against Evil' 2004: Struggle to raise funds for an art center 2006: Saddam Hussein 2007: Malecon Seafront Billboard 2007: 'Statue of Liberty Caught in Barbed Wire' 2008: Controversial New Yorker cover 2008: Bob Scheibel 2009: COP15 UN Climate Change Conference 2010: 'A Doonesbury Retrospective' 2012: Cartoons on the frontline of freedom 2012: Charlie Hebdo 2014: Satirical cartoons of Vladimir Putin 2014: Caricature exhibition in Afghanistan 2015: France attacks media tribute 2016: Ward Sutton cartoons for The Onion 2016: Illustration of Donald Trump 2016: A wall of Trump caricatures 2017: 'Apartheid' 2018: North Korea-South Korea relations 2019: Fridays For Future 2019: 'Art & Resistance in Palestine' 2019: A box of 'Impeachmints' 2020: Children warn of climate change risks 2021: The COVID-19 pandemic continues Virginia is launching a new push to expand semiconductor and microelectronics business in the state. A just-forming Virginia Alliance for Semiconductor Technology bringing together business and colleges and universities will create three new certification programs for workers in those sectors, Gov. Glenn Youngkin said. It will be a key talking point when he meets with industry leaders in his first trade mission, to South Korea, Taiwan and Japan next week, he added. The certifications will cover all aspects of the semiconductor supply chain, he said. The programs will target veterans and underserved communities, and Youngkin expects them to produce 500 job-ready certifications for Virginians over the next three years. They will get more than 25,000 hours of hands-on lab and equipment training through those certification programs, he said. In addition, the alliance aims to expand access to cleanrooms, laboratories and equipment for students, facility and businesses interested in training opportunities or conducting research and development work. Virginia is stepping up to lead the way by investing in key initiatives that will deliver STEM talent to a robust and growing workforce across the commonwealth, Youngkin said. Together, our private and public sector partnerships will create new opportunities in semiconductors, microelectronics and nanotechnology to drive critically important economic sectors and technology leadership, he added. The Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation will collaborate with the alliance to connect early-stage venture capital investment and other private-sector partners to semiconductor and microelectronics ventures, tapping its Virginia Venture Partners equity funds. VIPC also will offer grants for entrepreneur-in-residence, faculty research and development projects and laboratory equipment through its Commonwealth Commercialization Fund. The Virginia Microelectronics Consortium already supports student internship scholarships and R&D funding efforts. Virginia Tech will lead the new alliance, which will bring in colleges and universities across the state, including the University of Virginia, George Mason University, Virginia Commonwealth University, Norfolk State University and Northern Virginia Community College. Strong university partnerships, strategic programs and an ongoing talent pipeline are critical to be competitive in recruiting in this industry, said Jason El Koubi, president and CEO of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership. The alliance will be a distinctive and compelling asset to market as we continue to aggressively pursue this dynamic and growing sector, he added. Richmond-area business expansions, openings and closings Popshelf P.T. Hastings Seafood Killa Dillas Genovas Pizza Station & Take Out Kitchen The Veil Brewing Co.'s new taproom Luxe New American Bar & Grill Wok This Way Eggs Up Grill Mayu Sushi & Thai Maxs on Broad RICH Nail Lounge Sycamore Jewelers, Midlothian Mi Casita Restaurant Ironclad Coffee Grit Coffee Rockler Woodworking and Hardware Boiling Crab Richmond Blue Cow Ice Cream Co. Suzy Sno Diablo Doughnuts RVA The Brass Tap Graybo's Sports Cards Blue Ridge Cyclery BigWife's Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams CarLotz Acacia Midtown Zoom Room Richmond Torchy's Tacos Planet Fitness Raising Canes Chicken Fingers Three Notch'd Brewing Retail or Resell Marshalls Raising Cane's My Favorite Muffin Mattress King Anthony's on the Hill The Mill on MacArthur Virginia is one of 19 states with a red-flag law, which allows for temporary firearm removal from individuals believed to be at risk of harming themselves or others. The policy, which took effect in Virginia in 2020, is one that gun-safety advocates are pushing for in other states once again across the U.S. in the aftermath of the Nashville school shooting that killed six people in late March. The policy has bipartisan appeal with some Republicans in favor of it, but Second Amendment advocates including the National Rifle Association have been fighting against the law. Since the substantial risk order law took effect in Virginia, it has been used hundreds of times across the commonwealth. As of March, there were 28 orders issued in Virginia in 2023. A bill to adjust the order filed in the state legislature has so far not advanced beyond the Democratic-controlled Senate. Most of Virginias congressional delegation voted for the 2022 Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which provided states funding to implement or create red-flag laws. But none of the states four Republican representatives voted for it. Democratic U.S. Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine cheered the law, saying it couldnt be more urgent. We support this bipartisan legislation that will improve background checks for buyers under 21, strengthen protections for victims of domestic violence, and make significant investments in community-based mental health services, Warner and Kaine said in a joint statement in 2022. There is more that can and must be done to address gun violence, but we welcome this meaningful progress and look forward to voting for this bill soon. Virginia applied for and was awarded $5 million in funding after the bill was signed by President Joe Biden. The funding will be used to enhance existing gun violence intervention and prevention programs across the Commonwealth of Virginia, and to implement new measures designed to provide additional resources to law enforcement agencies, Commonwealths Attorneys offices, public health agencies, court personnel, and judiciary staff, according to Virginias funding application. Along with continued implementation of the substantial risk protection order and other behavioral health deflection pathways, the money could help with firearm storage and removal. Virginia officials will seek applications from law enforcement agencies and other units of local government to more safely and efficiently store, track, and return firearms relinquished as a result of a substantial risk order petition in Virginia. These projects may include funding for gun locks and safes for individuals and private businesses, physical storage solutions for law enforcement agencies, and software/computer technology to improve the tracking and return of firearms, according to Virginia. Virginia had 14.3 firearm deaths per 100,000 people in 2021, with 1,248 firearm deaths total, according to federal data. States took millions to enact red-flag gun laws, but many still won't pass them A Lee Enterprises review reveals that lawmakers in 31 states have not passed red-flag laws even as most of those states received federal funding through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. If youre an adult under age 65 who has not gotten a COVID vaccine, theres new guidance: You only need one shot. But many adults over 65 are eligible for a second booster. The state health department has approved new, simplified COVID-19 vaccine guidance issued this week by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About one in four Virginia residents has not received a COVID shot. People who have not received a bivalent shot should get one dose. This includes children who have completed their primary series and adolescents and adults under age 65. So-called bivalent shots are designed to ward off the original strain of COVID-19 and the omicron variant. Infants, toddlers and young children 6 months through 5 years who are unvaccinated may receive two shots of Moderna. Children 6 months through 4 years can receive three shots of Pfizer. School-age children 5 years and older can receive two shots of Moderna or one of Pfizer. Adults 65 and older are eligible for a second booster if it has been at least four months since their first booster. About 20 million adults in this age group nationwide received a bivalent booster more than four months ago, the CDC said. People with immunocompromising conditions are also eligible for a second booster. Only Moderna and Pfizer-branded shots have approved bivalent versions of the vaccine. You can get a shot for free through the state health department or at a pharmacy. Its unclear if the CDC will recommend an annual COVID booster. The announcements made this week say nothing about whether an annual shot is more or less likely, a spokesperson for the state health department said. COVID levels have been low in central Virginia since January. Check out these menus for Richmond Restaurant Week Richmond Restaurant Week returns Monday where over 30 locally owned restaurants offer three-course meals for $35.23, including a $5.23 donation directly to Feed More. Let's look at what's being served. Dining 21 Spoons Spring 2023 Richmond Restaurant Week menu Dining Alewife's Spring 2023 Richmond Restaurant Week menu Dining Acacia Midtown Spring 2023 Richmond Restaurant Week menu Dining Birdie's Spring 2023 Richmond Restaurant Week menu The Boathouse Spring 2023 Richmond Restaurant Week menu Dining Casa del Barco Spring 2023 Richmond Restaurant Week menu Common House Spring 2023 Richmond Restaurant Week menu Dining Island Shrimp Co. Spring 2023 Richmond Restaurant Week menu Dining JewFro Spring 2023 Richmond Restaurant Week menu Dining Julep's 2023 Richmond Restaurant Week menu Dining Laura Lees Spring 2023 Richmond Restaurant Week menu Dining The Shaved Duck's Spring 2023 Richmond Restaurant Week menu Dining The Roosevelt Spring 2023 Richmond Restaurant Week menu Dining Rowland's Fine Dining Spring 2023 Richmond Restaurant Week menu Sam Miller's Spring 2023 Richmond Restaurant Week menu Dining Southbound Spring 2023 Richmond Restaurant Week menu Dining Tarrant's West Spring 2023 Richmond Restaurant Week menu Tazza Kitchen Scott's Addition Spring 2023 Richmond Restaurant Week menu AMLO to present new constitutional reform after SCJN rules transfer of National Guard unconstitutional Mexico City, Mexico A Mexico City court has ruled the transfer of National Guard to the the Secretary of National Defense as unconstitutional. On Tuesday, the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN) resolved that transferring operational and administrative control of the National Guard (GN) to the Secretary of National Defense (Sedena) is unconstitutional. The ruling was made in a vote of eight against and three in favor of. Mexicos highest constitutional court approved the invalidity of normative portions of an article of the Organic Law of the Federal Public Administration, seven of the National Guard Law, two of the Organic Law of the Mexican Army and Air Force and one of the Law of Promotions and Rewards of the Mexican Army and Air Force, all in terms of GN and public safety. The administrative, budgetary, organic, functional and command transfer that the challenged Decree, through the articles analyzed in this section, carries out is unconstitutional. This is opposed to the text of Article 21 (of the Constitution) which, as a guarantee of the civilian nature of the National Guard, expressly says that it must be incorporated into the branch of public security, which will formulate not only the National Public Security Strategy, but rather its programs, policies and actions, quotes the draft sentence approved by a majority of eight votes. Public security is and will continue to be a priority of our government to guarantee the peace and tranquility of our people, something that we have been achieving as shown by the National Survey of Urban Public Security, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said after learning of the SCJN ruling. In a morning press conference, he said the National Guard will continue to receive guidance, professional training and support from Sedena. Lopez Obrador says he will submit a new constitutional reform initiative before the end of his Presidential term. Photo: AMLO April 19, 2023. The Constitution establishes that the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of the Navy can help in tasks of public security and we need to unite wills, efforts, resources to protect Mexicans. That is fundamental and it is a priority, he said the day after the ruling. AMLO announced that, with the aim of maintaining the proper functioning and consolidation of the National Guard, the Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection, Rosa Icela Rodriguez Velazquez, will tour all the facilities and National Guard barracks to inform the 130,000 members that they will maintain their salaries, benefits and promotions under the same conditions as members of the Armed Forces. He reported that on September 1, 2024, before the end of his term and when the new legislature is already in office, he will present a new constitutional reform initiative to insist that the National Guard depend on Sedena. He hopes, he said, that they approve it before the last day of his term as President of Mexico. That I can leave this constitutional reform that is very important because it is a shield so that what has happened will not happen, that public security was in the hands of crime, he said. Governor announces additional security after passing of new law Riviera Maya, Q.R. The Secretary of the Navy (Semar) says they intend to send additional elements and equipment to Quintana Roo to reinforce security. The announcement came after a meeting between Semar and Governor Mara Lezama following the approval of her state Citizen Security Law. The new law was approved by state congress earlier this week, which will see a new way of policing for the state. Governor Lezama said that with the new approved law, Quintana Roo will receive additional support through the Secretary of the Navy. This support is a follow-up to another meeting held with the Secretary of the Navy, Admiral Rafael Ojeda, at the beginning of the week. After the approval, Ojeda met with a special group from the Secretary of the Navy to review the actions of the Comprehensive Security Strategy to be implemented in the state. We are working towards rebuilding the social fabric. We just had an important meeting with the Navy and today they sent us elements and intelligence units. We are going to continue working 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We have the extra support in addition to the investment that will be made in public security, he explained. Lezama said that the number of troops being sent is currently unknown but is something that will be defined in coming days. She also said that a historic investment in public security is on the table for the state of Quintana Roo. Mexican man wanted in Illinois for timeshare fraud handed over to U.S. authorities Mexico City, Mexico Mauricio V has been delivered to American authorities for his transfer back to the U.S. The Attorney Generals Office of the Republic (FGR) delivered Mauricio V to the American Government Wednesday from the Mexico City International Airport for transfer to Illinois to face fraud charges. According to their report, Mauricio V was part of a group that established offices in Mexico making their victims believe that they were located in the United States. The fraud consisted of deceiving timeshare owners by telling them they could help sell them in exchange for refundable fees, taxes and other expenses by requiring them to send electronic transfers. The Government of Mexico granted the extradition of Mauricio V after his arrest in June 2022 in Zapopan, Jalisco. BEDFORD Before a packed room of spectators largely opposed to the Town of Bedford enlarging its boundaries, the towns council took two votes at a special called meeting on a Phase II boundary adjustment tied to the former citys reversion to a town in July 2013. One vote, which passed 5-2, removed tracts from north of the Little Otter River on Virginia 43 from consideration. Council members Darren Shoen and C.G. Stanley were opposed. The other measure, which also passed on a 5-2 vote, was to approve an area on U.S. 221 on the outskirts of town as part of the boundary adjustment. Councilors Stacey Hailey and Bruce Hartwick opposed the annexation move. The Phase II proposal is set to bring in more than 2,000 acres in areas lying generally to the north, northeast, northwest, west, southwest and south of the existing town. The adjustment is slated to go into effect July 1. Bedfords reversion a decade ago came after several years of review and a lengthy voluntary legal settlement between the then-city and Bedford County. The move changed Bedford from an independent city to a town, folded nearly 6,000-plus residents into the county and dissolved a city-county agreement for a number of shared services. According to a letter town officials sent earlier this year to those affected by the planned Phase II boundary adjustment, county residents in those areas will receive all services available to town citizens such as community development, electrical utilities, town finances, town police, public works and representation on the council. However, new town residents will also be subject to paying applicable taxes and fees, which drew the ire of many residents during an April 11 public hearing where more than 20 people spoke. Residents during the hearing that packed the towns meeting room spoke against annexing more land because of increased taxes, services many feel are unneeded, and more restrictions on activities such as hunting. The Phase I boundary adjustment totaling 1,200 acres occurred at the same time the transition to town status took effect in 2013. Town Manager Bart Warner said after Tuesdays special called meeting that even with councils decision to make the Little Otter River essentially the boundary line on Virginia 43, roughly 1,000 county residents will become town residents if council approves the ordinance May 9. The towns current population is roughly 6,700, according to Warner. Mayor Tim Black said Bedford County Administrator Robert Hiss wrote the town and the countys position is the North Hills and Town and Country neighborhoods bordering the town should become part of the town while rural non-urbanized parcels should be optional and urged the town to reconsider such parcels. Shoen said he opposes making such a change at a late hour and the Phase II boundary areas are part of a legal deal the county agreed to. I dont think any changes should be made, Shoen said. Hailey said much has happened over the past 10 years and he doesnt see where annexing areas will make us or break us. He said he doesnt see growth or development happening in those areas and spoke of Phase III reaching Fancy Farm Road as unrealistic. I dont really see that being developed in the next 20, 25 years, Hailey said. Councilor Robert Carson said he doesnt feel the current council has had enough time to talk about a major boundary adjustment that was laid out under largely different town leadership. If its written in the contract its legal, Carson said. We want to do our best to do it like it supposed to be. Me personally, I dont think weve really had time to really talk about it. Carson said he feels some areas of annexation arent needed. Everybody is talking about taxes ... You think were broke and we need money, no. Its not about that. Its about what was written all these years ago, Carson said to the crowd. We heard you, we feel you. I mean, yall beat us up like were the really bad guys, we are not. We didnt ask for this. We dont want to disrupt anything. More discussion on the current councils part should have been done before reaching this point, Carson said. Whats about to happen, it was thrown in our lap, he added before the votes. A state moratorium on the former city to annex more land and grow its tax base was a major catalyst for the reversion process. The towns letter said the boundary adjustments will increase service areas and revenue of the town government, making it more attractive for growth, new and existing businesses and the community as a whole. Bedford County Sheriff Mike Miller, among those affected by the annexation, said during the April 11 now is not the time. Hartwick echoed that sentiment in speaking Tuesday to economic hardships many are facing and the ripple effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. I dont know if now is really the time to go through with this, Hartwick said, which drew loud applause. I think its all or nothing, Shoen said of the boundary adjustments. Then nothing, a few in the audience said. Black said some adjustments already have been made in the second phase of the process of the town expanding its boundaries. The U.S. 221 area of roughly 60 parcels includes a business park, a mix of homes and businesses and industrial-zoned land, according to town officials. Its a little bit more urbanized. Its a little more built up, Black said. My take is we cant up everything and not get anything in return. Weve got to have some room for this community to grow. You dont get growth by raising taxes, a man in the audience said. Another man seated in the council chambers said more business should be brought in if council wants growth. Youve got to have some land to bring some business to, Black said. The jets had not yet broken the sound barrier when the V-shaped formation came into view against the blue sky . About a dozen families erupted in cheers at the sight, eager to welcome home the fliers. Minutes later, loved ones laid eyes on their sailors for the first time in more than eight months. Fighter squadrons from Carrier Airwing 7 returned Friday to Naval Air Station Oceana following an extended deployment with the George H.W. Bush Strike Group. The Pukin Dogs of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 143 were the first of two fighter squadrons to touch down. As the pilots began walking to their families waiting near the hangar, 13-year-old Rhea Hampton, dressed in a red jumpsuit, sprinted to her father. Her feet lifted off the ground as Capt. Alex Hampton wrapped her in a hug. I am just feeling pride, so much pride, for the work they have done, said Yvaal Hampton, Alex Hamptons wife, a smile stretched across her face. Carrier Airwing 7, which included eight squadrons of fighter jets, Greyhound cargo planes and Seahawk helicopters, deployed in August with the USS George H.W. Bush. While parts of the strike group returned nearly three weeks ago, the return of carrier was delayed after a series of Iranian attacks in Syria. Erin Giesler, wife of Lt. Cmdr. Jeffery Giesler, said the news of the extension was like a gut punch. But it went quickly. Luckily, it wasnt as long as I thought it might be. And now its over, said Erin Giesler, wiping a tear from her eye as she watched her husband hold their 3-year-old son, Zack. The remainder of the air wing will return Friday and Saturday. The George H.W. Bush and guided-missile cruiser Leyte Gulf will return Sunday to Naval Station Norfolk. During the approximately 250-day cruise, the strike group participated in NATO-led vigilance activity Neptune Strike and Juniper Oak 23-2, the largest bilateral U.S.-Israeli exercise in history. The strike group completed over 12,100 sorties and 24,000 flight hours during deployment. Standing alongside his F/A-18E Super Hornet, Capt. Alex Hampton corralled his family his wife, 16-year-old son Zane, 13-year-old daughter Rhea, his mother, and two sisters in front of a camera for a family photo. While the anticipation of waiting wore off, the tears and the hugs never stopped. The being away is the most challenging part. The distance can make you feel disconnected. But they were on a mission. The mission was accomplished and now everyone is ready to be with family, said Yvaal Hampton. Counties with the most veterans in Virginia Counties with the most veterans in Virginia #50. Botetourt County #49. Clarke County #48. Page County #47. Cumberland County #46. King William County #45. Chesterfield County #44. Amelia County #43. Sussex County #42. Powhatan County #41. Charles City County #40. Northampton County #39. Dinwiddie County #38. Rappahannock County #37. Bedford County #36. New Kent County #35. Northumberland County #34. Lunenburg County #33. Fredericksburg #32. Southampton County #31. Fauquier County #30. Louisa County #29. Orange County #28. Caroline County #27. Highland County #26. Hopewell #25. Prince William County #24. Gloucester County #23. Westmoreland County #22. Franklin #21. Mathews County #20. Lancaster County #19. Middlesex County #18. Galax #17. Spotsylvania County #16. Isle of Wight County #15. Portsmouth #14. Colonial Heights #13. Norfolk #12. Newport News #11. Surry County #10. James City County #9. Chesapeake #8. Poquoson #7. Suffolk #6. King George County #5. Virginia Beach #4. Prince George County #3. Hampton #2. York County #1. Stafford County CALmatters is a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California's state Capitol works and why it matters. Dan Walters has been a journalist for nearly 60 years, spending all but a few of those years working for California newspapers. All this pointing and "feeling" has led to real tension between scientists and dowsers. Some of it, undoubtedly, flows from the fact that the witches indeed have a measure of success in locating underground water, which has led many landowners in search of water to call on dowsers in place of, or in addition to, scientists. The scientists push back. Advertisement "To locate ground water accurately ... as to depth, quantity and quality, a number of techniques must be used. Hydrologic, geologic, and geophysical knowledge is needed to determine the depths and extent of the different water-bearing strata and the quantity and quality of water found in each. The area must be thoroughly tested and studied to determine these facts," the USGS says. "Compared to dowsing," Timothy Parker, a California groundwater management consultant and hydrogeologist, told The New York Times, "which is a person with a stick." The USGS and others suggest that the added expense of calling in water witches, though reportedly less than a certified scientist, is simply not worth it. For his part, Jarvis maintains that geologists and other scientists (including hydrologists) are more adept at finding the water. But witches, he says, are more trusted by farmers and other landowners. Jarvis regularly lectures on water witching (a recent webinar conducted for the American Water Resources Association was entitled, "Finding Water the Ol' Timey Way") and has some firsthand knowledge of it. Early on in his more than 30-year career, he regularly encountered dowsers he still does and, after joining the American Society of Dowsers (ASD), someone found his name on a list of dowsers and, much to his surprise, asked him to come witch a well. So he did. After getting the lay of the land, he picked a spot. It turned out OK. Still, "it didn't make any sense to me as a geologist," he says. Despite the head-butting between Old World and new science, Jarvis now is rather neutral about the idea of dowsing and water witching. He's never surprised when someone finds underground water through non-scientific methods again, there's a lot of groundwater out there but he says that the act of striking water, of bringing it to the surface, remains "magical." "I look at it this way," Jarvis says. "They have a 400-year jump on us [dowsers versus hydrologists and hydrogeologists]. To me, it's part of the folklore. It's easy to dismiss it. But if you do, you dismiss that folklore. You dismiss a part of your history." Now That's Interesting Often drought-stricken California has the largest assemblage of dowsers, according to the ASD, making up at least a half-dozen chapters in the state. Overall, the organization boasts 2,000 active members. COLUMBIA, S.C. Thursday night the capstone at the University of South Carolina was lit for Florence native William C. Hubbard, who has been elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Hubbard is dean of the USC School of Law and co-founder of the World Justice Project, which works to advance the rule of law around the world to reduce corruption, combat poverty and disease, and protects people from injustices. Dean Hubbards distinguished legal career has advanced the cause of justice across our state, nation and globe, university President Michael Amiridis said. Our students and our university have benefitted from his insightful leadership in countless ways, and he is eminently deserving of this recognition. The academy is a prestigious fellowship of artists, scholars and leaders who work together for the public good. Distinguished members have included Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Graham Bell and Colin Powell, and current members include more than 250 Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winners. Only seven individuals at South Carolina institutions were previously honored with the academys designation, with four hailing from USC. Hubbard becomes the universitys fifth honoree, joining poet and professor Nikky Finney, who was elected to the academy in 2020. When announcing this years new members, Academy President David W. Oxtoby said, With the election of these members, the Academy is honoring excellence, innovation, and leadership and recognizing a broad array of stellar accomplishments. We hope every new member celebrates this achievement and joins our work advancing the common good. Joining Hubbard in this years class were Lin-Manuel Miranda, Shonda Rhimes and Michelle Yeoh among others. In its earliest days, the academy sought members who would help address issues and opportunities confronting a young nation, said Nancy C. Andrews (Boston Childrens Hospital), chair of the academys Board of Directors. We feel a similar urgency and have elected a class that brings diverse expertise to meet the pressing challenges and possibilities that America and the world face today. Prior to being named the law school dean, Hubbard spent his law career as an attorney and partner with Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP in Columbia from 1978 to his appointment. He attended Royal Elementary School and Moore Junior High School. I graduated from McClenaghan High School in 1970, Hubbard said. He earned a bachelors degree in history from the University of South Carolina in 1974, graduating magna cum laude, and a juris doctorate from the School of Law in 1977. As an undergraduate, Hubbard received the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award, the universitys highest student award. In 2009, he received the Universitys Distinguished Alumni Award. In 2010, he was awarded the universitys highest recognition, the honorary doctor of laws. FLORENCE, S.C. Dr. Meredith Love-Steinmetz, professor of English, was named FMUs J. Lorin Mason Distinguished Professor for the 2022-23 academic year at an awards ceremony Thursday evening at the FMU Performing Arts Center in downtown Florence. The annual award is named in honor of a former chairman of the FMU Board of Trustees. It is the highest honor bestowed upon a faculty member at FMU. Love-Steinmetz will also be FMUs nominee for the South Carolina Governors Professor of the Year Award competition. Love-Steinmetz joined the English faculty at Francis Marion in 2003. She served as the coordinator of composition from 2005 to 2015, coordinator of university life from 2013 to 2015, and co-director of the Center of Excellence for College and Career Readiness from 2014 to 2021, and is the chair-elect of the Department of English, Modern Languages and Philosophy. She teaches first-year composition, business writing, theories of writing, and bender and public rhetoric. She is the 48th recipient of the award. She earned a bachelor of arts in English from Loyola University in 1995, a master of arts in literature from Clemson University in 1997, and a Ph.D. in composition and rhetoric from Miami University in Ohio in 2003. The Distinguished Professor award is based upon a faculty members contributions to teaching, professional service, and scholarly activities. Since 2003, Love-Steinmetz has 14 peer-reviewed publications, more than 30 presentations at regional or national professional meetings, and has been a member of at least 10 university-wide committees. She received the 2013-2014 Charlene Wages Shared Governance Award and the 2014-2015 FMU Award for Excellence in Professional Service. FMU President Fred Carter praised Love for her many contributions to the university. Meredith is one of the finest and most versatile university professors in the state. She is a master teacher and researcher, who is especially adept at developing curricula and directing programs. She has contributed substantially to FMUs academic success over the past two decades and is the ideal choice for this highly prestigious recognition said Carter. Ikea is planning to splash $2.19 billion to expand its furniture empire in the United States in what will be the retailer's biggest-ever investment in a single country. Ingka Group, Ikea Retail's Dutch holding company, said in a statement Thursday that it hoped to open eight large stores and nine smaller "plan and order points" in America over the next three years. The new outlets would create 2,000 jobs, it added. Ikea plan and order points are aimed at customers who want to speak with a consultant on how to design their homes, as well as place orders. The exact locations of the new US stores have not yet been decided, an Ingka spokesperson told CNN, though the company intends to build up its presence on the east and west coasts, and invest more in the south of the country. Tolga Oncu, head of Ikea Retail, said the company saw "endless opportunities to grow" in the United States. "More than ever before, we want to increase the density of our presence in the US, ramp up our fulfillment capacities, and make our range even more relevant to local customers' needs and dreams," he said. The company already has 51 stores and two plan and order points in America. And new Ikea locations not covered by the $2.19 billion investment are set to open in San Francisco, California, and Arlington, Virginia, over the summer. Ingka also said it planned to use part of its bumper investment to modernize its existing US Ikea stores to enable them to send out more parcels. Founded in Sweden in 1943, Ikea is the world's largest furniture retailer, with presence in 31 countries. Its stores today are operated as franchises, with Ingka Group by far the biggest franchisee, representing about 90% of Ikea's sales globally. Oncu told the Financial Times Thursday that he expected the United States to overtake Germany as Ikea's biggest market in terms of sales in the next few years. Ingka Group reported sales of $6 billion in the United States in the last financial year, which ended in August 2022. It took $6.2 billion in sales in Germany over the same period. Major retail chains that no longer exist Major retail chains that no longer exist Ames Anchor Blue BI-LO Blockbuster Borders Builders Square Century 21 Circuit City CompUSA Crazy Eddie Crown Books Delia's Dominick's Dressbarn Eckerd's Family Video Frank's Nursery & Crafts Friedman's Golfsmith Gottschalks Hollywood Video Hudson's Just for Feet Kaufmann's KB Toys Kids 'R' Us Linens 'n Things Marshall Field's Merry-Go-Round Mervyn's Modell's Sporting Goods Noodle Kidoodle Payless ShoeSource Pier 1 Imports Sam Goody Sharper Image Sports Authority Sports Chalet Steve & Barry's The Limited Thom McAn Tower Records Tweeter Virgin Megastores Waldenbooks Warner Bros. Studio Store Western Auto Wickes Furniture Woolworth's Zany Brainy South Carolina doesnt have a red-flag law, which allows for temporary firearm removal from individuals believed to be at risk of harming themselves or others. The policy, which exists in 19 states and D.C., is one that gun-safety advocates are pushing for once again across the U.S. in the aftermath of the late March Nashville school shooting, which killed six people. Gun-safety experts have said red flag laws are working across the U.S. to prevent mass shootings and curb suicides and domestic violence. But some second amendment advocates have raised due-process concerns. Nearly 80% of South Carolina voters support a red-flag law, according to a poll conducted by Third Way and GS Strategy Group after the deadly Uvalde shooting in Texas last year. A bipartisan contingent of South Carolinas congressional delegation supported the 2022 Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which contains funding for states to create and implement red-flag laws. However, states without red-flag laws can use it for other gun violence reduction programs. Republican U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham and U.S. Rep. Tom Rice supported the bill, which was broadly supported by Democrats. My goal has always been to have a constitutional system that can intervene in time to stop unstable, mentally ill individuals from obtaining and using firearms to kill, Graham said last June. Our legislation takes important steps to help address this concern. Graham also said South Carolina has been a leader in the area of working to keep mentally ill individuals from obtaining firearms. South Carolinas law requires mental health information to be reported to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System database. After the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act was passed, South Carolina applied for and was awarded about $4.6 million in funding made available from the bill. The state said in its federal application that the funding will be used in South Carolina to provide funds for programs or initiatives that work to keep guns out of the hands of those who pose a threat to themselves or others. Funding could go to support specialized court-based programs such as drug, mental health, and veterans treatment courts, including those that specifically accept clients with firearm violations, along with gun violence recovery courts, threat assessment training for law enforcement and gun violence recovery courts, according to the state. In addition, the funding could help (expand) the capacity of existing drug, mental health, and veterans treatment courts to assist clients who are most likely to commit or become victims of gun crimes. It could also go toward supporting behavioral health responses such as regional crisis call centers, crisis mobile team response, and crisis receiving and stabilization facilities to individuals who are in crisis, according to the state. South Carolina had more than 1,100 firearm deaths in 2020, or a death rate of 22 per 100,000 people, according to federal data, ranking it among the 10 worst states in the U.S. for firearm deaths. Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals, rejecting state AG's motion, refuses to set aside Richard Glossip's capital conviction | Main | Senators Durbin and Grassley introduce again set of FIRST STEP follow-up bills The title of this post is the title of this new paper authored by Scott Howe now available on SSRN. Here is its abstract: Special stigma attaches to zealous public defenders. They are widely viewed as undermining the public welfare, of acting immorally and of inappropriately empathizing with criminals over victims. Poor funding for public defender offices in many jurisdictions underscores what the body politic in those places thinks of unsparingly zealous public defense. The stigma finds sustenance in an account endorsed by zealous public defenders themselves that they function as client-centered advocates, operating largely outside the criminal-justice system, and without caring about the public welfare, about guilt or innocence or much about victims. This scenario poses a dilemma for zealous public defenders who aim to counter the allegations or for poorly funded defender offices that seek to acquire more resources so that they can provide consistently zealous representation. How can they rebut criticisms with which they largely agree? This article argues that they could, in theory, acknowledge their work as multi-faceted, requiring that they sometimes serve as zealous advocates but often also in several roles that directly benefit the state. This alternate perspective finds support in the Supreme Courts acknowledgement in recent years that criminal justice has become for the most part a system of guilty pleas rather than of trials. Although this strategy is the most truthful and responsive to the critics, the article finds it unworkable from the perspective of the zealous public defenders, which reveals a conundrum. The zealous public defenders must deceive themselves that they are rebels who do not care about the public interest (or about justice or victims) to effectively serve it. Yet, while zealous public defenders face difficulty in making their own case, the article exposes the reality and the illusion to help defend them against their critics. Celebrate Muji Singapore 20th anniversary with its special sale. (Photo: Shopee SG) From now till 26 April, Muji Singapore is having a special sale to celebrate its 20th anniversary and thank its customers. Muji Singapore is marking this significant milestone as it embarks on the next stage while continuing to be useful in peoples lives. Although Muji Singapores first flagship store at Plaza Singapura only opened in 2017, Muji was actually first launched in Singapore in 1995. It subsequently withdrew from the country in 1998 before returning for good in 2003. Known for its minimalistic product design and no-brand policy, Muji has continuously launched simple yet useful products. It covers a wider range of products from household goods and furniture to fashion and cosmetics to food and stationery. Here are some of Muji Singapores 20th anniversary bundle sets and best-selling items that are now on sale on Shopee Singapore. 1. MUJI 20th Anniversary Bundle Set Aroma Diffuser and Jute Bag A3 S$69 at Shopee Singapore [MUJI 20th Anniversary Bundle Set] Aroma Diffuser and Jute Bag A3. (Photo: Shopee SG) 2. Bundle Set MUJI Body Pillow and 20th Anniversary Jute Bag S$39 at Shopee Singapore [Bundle Set] MUJI Body Pillow and 20th Anniversary Jute Bag. (Photo: Shopee SG) 3. MUJI Ladies Walk Support Water Repellent Sneakers S$26.32 S$32.90 at Shopee Singapore MUJI Ladies Walk Support Water Repellent Sneakers. (Photo: Shopee SG) 4. MUJI Water Repellent Sacoche S$11.92 S$14.90 at Shopee Singapore MUJI Water Repellent Sacoche. (Photo: Shopee SG) 5. MUJI Large Ultrasonic Aroma Diffuser S$109 S$139 at Shopee Singapore MUJI Large Ultrasonic Aroma Diffuser. (Photo: Shopee SG) 6. MUJI Beads Sofa Set (Smaller Version) S$99 S$149 at Shopee Singapore MUJI Beads Sofa Set (Smaller Version). (Photo: Shopee SG) 7. MUJI Wooden Tool Box S$11.50 S$23 at Shopee MUJI Wooden Tool Box. (Photo: Shopee SG) 8. MUJI Wooden Desktop Item Tool Box S$8 S$16 at Shopee MUJI Wooden Desktop Item Tool Box. (Photo: Shopee SG) 10. MUJI Wooden Letter Stand S$5.95 S$11.90 at Shopee MUJI Wooden Letter Stand. (Photo: Shopee SG) 11. MUJI Polypropylene Sheet Tote S$4.45 S$8.90 at Shopee MUJI Polypropylene Sheet Tote. (Photo: Shopee SG) 12. MUJI Wooden Display Case With Sliding Doors S$24.50 S$49 at Shopee MUJI Wooden Display Case With Sliding Doors. (Photo: Shopee SG) 13. MUJI Ladies Water Repellent Short Pants S$14.95 S$29.90 at Shopee MUJI Ladies Water Repellent Short Pants. (Photo: Shopee SG) 14. MUJI Floor Chair L + Cover Set S$89 S$112 at Shopee MUJI Floor Chair L + Cover Set. (Photo: Shopee SG) 15. MUJI Gel Ink Ballpoint Pen Cap Type Set 10 Colours S$10 S$14 at Shopee MUJI Gel Ink Ballpoint Pen Cap Type Set 10 Colours. (Photo: Shopee SG) NetflixNetflix100 Dior 50 36% 342 779 247.80 26.38 50.78 76.52 LVMH LVMH CEO, Tops Billionaires List and Prioritises Long-Term Brand Development is the Key 5% 45 43700 0.71%4% 1.25%3% 23% 50 34 13% LME 3 1800020000 2% 250 17.1 15 250 AI 8.5% 0.56% Alphabet 700 31.36% FRC Pancake Breakfast St. John Lutheran Church, 2801 Jackson St., will host a pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, April 22. Pancakes, sausage, eggs, coffee, juice, milk, butter, and syrup will be served. Free will offering. Proceeds will go to the St. John Food Pantry Ministry. With warm weather for yardwork, one packet of vegetable seed per family will be handed out per family. SIOUX CITY -- A Denison, Iowa, man who illegally possessed guns has been sentenced to seven years in federal prison. Nickolas Schwenn, 42, pleaded guilty in November in U.S. District Court in Sioux City to possession of a firearm by a felon and drug user. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Schwenn was found unconscious behind the wheel of another person's car on private property in Dec. 12, 2021. The landowner notified authorities, who found Schwenn asleep in the vehicle, which had license plates belonging to another vehicle. A sheriff's deputy, who recognized Schwenn and knew he was a felon, also observed a shotgun on the rear floorboard and a handgun in the door pocket of the driver's side door. When the deputy woke Schwenn and ordered him to get out of the car, Schwenn began to argue, put the vehicle in drive and rammed a cow gate, then put the car in reverse and rammed the landowner's vehicle. He finally exited the car and was arrested. He was prohibited from possessing firearms because of a previous felony conviction. SIOUX CITY -- A Sioux City man has been sentenced to more than five years in federal prison for illegally possessing a gun. Devine Felder, also known as "Ketchup," 41, originally from Louisiana, pleaded guilty in December in U.S. District Court in Sioux City to one count of possession of a firearm by a felon. He was sentenced April 13 to 70 months in prison. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Felder fled from Sioux City police officers attempting to serve him with a warrant on July 22. He was apprehended shortly and found in possession of a loaded handgun with a round in the chamber. Because of previous felony convictions, he was prohibited from possessing firearms. SIOUX CITY Going into Friday's sentencing hearing, it was known Dwight Evans would receive a sentence of life in prison for fatally shooting Martez Harrison in the street outside a Sioux City bar nearly two years ago. The one question remaining was whether he'd have the possibility of being released someday on parole. His family and his lawyer sought mercy from District Judge Roger Sailer, all of them saying Evans was intoxicated at the time of the shooting and is committed to bettering himself while in prison by finishing his education and taking part in substance abuse addiction treatment. "Dwight has expressed to me how remorseful he is and how he wants to make things right," his mother, Amanda Owen, said. Found guilty by a jury in August of first-degree murder, Evans, who will turn 19 next week, was not subject to the mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole because he was 17 when he committed the crime. Rulings by both the U.S. and Iowa supreme courts require judges to consider whether juvenile offenders facing life sentences should have a chance for parole. Woodbury County Attorney James Loomis argued Evans should not. "He needs to be punished significantly and seriously for what he did: taking the life of another person. This young man should be sentenced to life in prison without parole for taking the life of another person," Loomis said. In the alternative, Loomis said to Sailer, Evans should serve a mandatory minimum before he's eligible for parole. Public defender Michael Adams said there were no excuses for Evans' actions, but said he had grown up with little parental supervision and turned for guidance to a group of older boys who taught him drugs, alcohol and guns were OK, and Evans developed "street values." Adams said no expert could predict whether Evans can be rehabilitated, and that will be up to him in prison. He urged Sailer to make Evans immediately eligible for parole, leaving it up to the parole board to periodically review Evans' progress and determine if he's changed and deserves to be released from prison. "I don't think we can close the door on Mr. Evans today," Adams said. "I think we have to hold out hope that he can be fixed." Dwight Evans sentencing Dwight Evans looks toward his family during his sentencing hearing Friday in Woodbury County District Court. Evans was sentenced to life in pr Citing Evans' long list of criminal offenses that began at age 11 and a string of juvenile court programs that failed to work, Sailer said many factors, in addition to a diagnosis of an anti-personality disorder, indicate Evans was likely to commit crimes in the future, and rehabilitation efforts must take place in prison. Sailer ordered Evans to serve a mandatory minimum of 20 years of his lifetime prison sentence before he's eligible for parole. He also must pay $150,000 in restitution to Harrison's estate. "My hope is he can achieve rehabilitation," Sailer said. Evans showed little emotion when the sentence was announced, and had remained expressionless through much of the hearing, which included emotional testimony from his supporters and from Harrison's family members. When given the chance to speak, Evans paused for a long time before telling Sailer there were many things he could say to Harrison's family, and he didn't know the right thing to say. "What I do know is, I'm sorry," Evans said. Dwight Evans sentencing Amanda Owen looks at her son Dwight Evans while making her statement during Evans' sentencing Friday in Woodbury County District Court. Evans Jessica Goodman, Harrison's fiancee and mother of his daughter, was in no mood for forgiveness. "I do not accept your apology. No, you will not be forgiven. You took someone's life," Goodman said, pointing out that her daughter will turn 4 two days after the anniversary of her father's death. "I wake up every day to her crying for her daddy, and I can't give her that." Evans was among four people apparently seeking revenge on Harrison, who they said had struck a friend's girlfriend days earlier. In the early morning hours of May 1, 2021, they located Harrison at Uncle Dave's Bar, 1427 W. Third St. Surveillance video from outside the bar presented at trial showed Lawrence Canady and Harrison fighting in the street, where Evans walked up and fired a shot into Harrison's left flank. Six seconds later he fired a second shot into Harrison's upper abdomen before fleeing the scene on foot. Harrison, 22, died a short time later at MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center. Evans was located about three hours later a mile away near Canady's house. The revolver was found nearby in an alley. Dwight Evans sentencing Jessica Goodman, fiancee of shooting victim Martez Harrison, delivers her victim impact statement during Dwight Evans' sentencing hearing in W Evan's lawyers argued at trial that Evans was intoxicated at the time. Police officers who apprehended Evans testified said they saw no indications he was intoxicated. Evans also was found guilty of going armed with intent, and he was sentenced to five years in prison. He previously was sentenced to five years for a marijuana possession charge stemming from a police search finding marijuana in his room after the shooting. Canady, 22, of Sioux City, was tried for first-degree murder and other charges, but a jury in December 2021 found him guilty of the lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter, plus willful injury causing bodily injury and serious assault. He was sentenced to 16 years in prison. SIOUX CITY Albert Mosley was inaugurated as Morningside University's 13th president on Thursday. Past and present colleagues of Mosley's spoke at the event, praising him for his leadership style and experience while congratulating him on the presidency selection. Mosley was selected in December 2021 and officially took office on July 1, 2022. He has more than 20 years of experience in higher education, healthcare and nonprofit settings. "Thank you so much for entrusting me with the joyous and solemn responsibility of further advancing our mission, Mosley said. Morningside President Albert Mosley investiture Dr. Michael Ugwueke, president and CEO of Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, Inc., speaks during the inauguration of Dr. Albert Mosley, the new Mosley said while the ceremony appeared to be about him, it was more about Morningside University. He said it is a time for the university to recommit to its foundational values and look into the future. The theme of the event was purpose, pride and promise. Mosley was chosen to replace John Reynders, who served as Morningside's president for 22 years. Reynders, who was unable to attend the ceremony due to illness, sent a statement honoring Mosley. "Leading a university in these challenging times is no small feat, filled with frustrations, surprises, joys and sorrows, often before noon," Reynders said. He said despite the challenges, Morningside has an amazing board, alumni base, Siouxland community, student body, faculty and staff. "Enjoy this day, you have certainly earned this honor," Reynders said. "Robin and I wish you every success, go with Godspeed, and as I said at the end of countless meetings at Morningside, 'don't screw up,'" he said. Morningside President Albert Mosley investiture Dr. Albert Mosley, left, the new president of Morningside University, greets his former boss Dr. Michael Ugwueke, president and CEO of Methodi Mosley quoted an old proverb stating, I am sitting in the shade of trees I did not plant and said the proverb implies It is now my responsibility to ensure that those who follow me, will enjoy the shade of trees that I plant in this place. He thanked the board of directors, students, staff and faculty for welcoming him with a warm embrace. Morningside Board of Directors Chair Esther Mackintosh conducted the Investiture ceremony, honoring Mosley with the presidential medallion. Craig Struve, former chair of the Morningside board of directors and chair of the presidential search community made the official presentation of the candidate. "Dr. Mosley is a charismatic leader who has embodied throughout his career the passion for ethical leadership and civic responsibility," he said. "These are central to Morningside's mission and culture." Morningside President Albert Mosley investiture Dr. Esther Mackintosh, chair of the Board of Directors enacts the investiture with the sign of office to Dr. Albert Mosley, president of Morni Individuals from both the Morningside University community and the global higher education community spoke during the ceremony about Mosley's past and future. Presidents of Briar Cliff University, St. Luke's College, Africa University, LeMoyne-Owen College, Virginia Union University, and more spoke at the event. Most of those who spoke have worked with Mosley, either in the past or in the present. Innovation, consistency, tenacity, inventiveness, positive outlook, and forward-thinking were some of the common sentiments his colleagues praised him for. Michael Ugwueke, president and CEO of Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, was the keynote speaker. Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, was a private, nonprofit, six-hospital system in Memphis, Tennessee. Mosley worked there before Morningside as the senior vice president and chief mission integration officer. The full inauguration ceremony can be viewed on Morningside University's YouTube page. SIOUX CITY New Morningside University President Albert Mosley took part in a long-standing Morningside tradition. Thursday afternoon, 3,704 soybeans were poured onto Mosley as a way to honor him and Morningside's history. The student bean shower, as it's called, started as an elaborate way to embarrass Morningside's 3rd President Luther Freeman during a prayer in the Main Hall Chapel in 1911. "He had just finished praying for a blessing from above when he was in fact blessed with beans from a ventilator directly above him," said Student Body President Caleb Lubbers. "A steady flow of beans lasted for about a minute." When a professor went to the attic to catch the culprit, all he found was an empty bucket, a stick, a cord and an alarm clock. The student bean shower quickly changed from a prank to an annual honor given to a faculty member of the senior class choice, according to a news release. The tradition died out during the second half of the 20th century but was brought back by President Jerry Israel in 1994. Student Aaron Lukken dumped the beans over President Israel that year. The last bean shower was 23 years ago, during previous President John Reynders inauguration. Lubbers said the university has very few longstanding traditions and its not often the university gets a new president. "That's why it's incumbent upon us to continue these traditions, however frivolous or silly the beans may seem, because they mean more than the physical event that's occurring," he said. Sioux City Early morning fires at Opa Time Restaurant and Pierce Street Laundry were caused by the spontaneous combustion of rags, according to Sioux City Fire Rescue investigations. The rags, which were used to clean cooking oil from commercial kitchen surfaces, resulted in both businesses sustaining significant fire damage. The cause was determined based on video surveillance and physical evidence recovered from the scenes, according to a Sioux City Fire Rescue news release. A fire broke out at Opa Time, at 2129 Hamilton Blvd., at 5:53 a.m. on Jan. 29. The flames were contained to Opa Time and the adjacent H & R Block. A month later, a fire broke out at Pierce Street Laundry, at 1910 Pierce St., at 3:03 a.m. on Feb. 17. The laundromat, which occupies the building with other businesses, was the only one that sustained fire damage. Oil rags heat as they dry, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. If oil-containing towels or rags are dried in a clothes dryer, left in a pile while warm or stored in a warm area they can smoke and catch fire. "Any commercial business that uses cooking oils are encouraged to store used, grease-laden towels and fabrics in a closed top, non-combustible container until they can be properly discarded or professionally laundered," according to Sioux City Fire Rescue. "When laundering, the fabrics should be promptly removed from the dryer and laid flat to cool." SIOUX CITY When Semehar Ghebrekidan was growing up, she didn't know if it was OK to tell her teachers that her parents were working opposite shifts. Due to her mom's work schedule and a lack of alternative transportation, Ghebrekidan would arrive at school at 5 a.m. and sit in the foyer until classes began at 8:30 a.m. Ghebrekidan's parents were new immigrants from Ethiopia "trying to figure it out," she said. "Sometimes, I did act out at school. It took one teacher asking the question, 'What's going on with you, ma'am?'" recalled Ghebrekidan, who grew up in Sioux Falls with her twin brother. She now serves as the City of Sioux City's community inclusion liaison. "I told her, 'I'm bored. It's all sitting here, years of energy just sitting in my core. I come to school and act out because I haven't gotten any of this energy out.'" Ghebrekidan hopes "Suspended: Systemic Oppression in our Schools," an African American Museum of Iowa traveling exhibit, fosters conversations in the community and encourages educators to ask students who are being disruptive, sleeping in class or exhibiting other behaviors, "What's happening with you?" "Suspended" exhibit at City Hall Museum Jemar Lee, right, and Semehar Ghebrekidan talk about the traveling exhibit "Suspended: Systemic Oppression in Our Schools" now on display in t The exhibit, which is on display in the City Hall Museum, 405 Sixth St., through June 31, examines the role public schools play in funneling students into the prison system. Three 8-foot by 8-foot double-sided panels present how elements of the criminal justice system have entered public schools around the country, resulting in zero tolerance policies and student policing that disproportionately affect children of color. One of the panels informs about the impact those policies are having on marginalized groups: girls, LGBTQ, students with disabilities. "In Iowa, Black girls are nine times as likely to be arrested at school than white girls. This is the second worst rate in the country," the panel reads. The opening of "Suspended: Systemic Oppression in our Schools" at City Hall marks the first time the African American Museum of Iowa has come to Sioux City. The Cedar Rapids-based African American Museum of Iowa, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary, is the only statewide museum devoted to preserving African American history and culture. Its mission incudes exhibiting and teaching Iowa's African American heritage. "We've been definitely trying to focus on more relevant topics. And, this is certainly one that is heavily talked about right now," said LaNisha Cassell, the museum's executive director. "Suspended" exhibit at City Hall Museum LaNisha Cassell, executive director of the African American Museum of Iowa, talks about the traveling exhibit "Suspended: Systemic Oppression Cassell said a fact that surprises most people who view the exhibit is that school resource officers, or SROs, have been in school systems for decades. The first police officer was placed in a junior high school in Flint, Michigan, in 1958. "I think a lot of people, because it's a topic that's hot right now, think it's a little bit newer," Cassell said. "It's been a long-standing thing." The exhibit also shines a light on seclusion rooms or isolation rooms, which are typically padded and measure 6-foot by 6-foot. In 2017, the Iowa Department of Education found that the Iowa City Community School District violated state and federal laws in its use of seclusion rooms. The rooms were used 455 times, mostly for minor disciplinary issues, such as talking back or cell phone use. Also in 2017, a third grader in the Cedar Rapids Community School District had an emotional breakdown and was placed in a windowless electrical closet, which was being used as a seclusion room. The district is still under investigation, per the exhibit. "I had never heard of that before, that there's something that an adult can put a child in because they're disciplining behavior," Ghebrekidan said. Cassell noted that the museum recently facilitated a discussion at the Cedar Rapids Public Library to "dig deeper" on the use of seclusion rooms and hear different perspectives. She said one of the individuals in attendance expressed support for seclusion rooms as a protective measure for teachers, while a person of color shared some of the side effects of being locked in such a room. "I think both of them got something out of that, those two individuals," Cassell said. "It was a really good conversation. That's what we want to do. We want people to have those kinds of deeper-dive conversations." For more information about the African American Museum of Iowa, visit blackiowa.org. An Iowa physician claims in a lawsuit that she was fired from a public hospital by administrators who encouraged employees to vote for Donald Trump and discriminated against those who didnt share their religious beliefs. Dr. Amanda Moreno alleges in her lawsuit that while working for Mahaska Countys public hospital in Oskaloosa, she was harassed, belittled, reprimanded, humiliated, excluded, terminated, and retaliated against all because she is a woman and she is atheist. She is suing the Mahaska Health Partnership, the legal entity that operates Mahaska Health hospital. Also named as defendants are CEO Kevin DeRonde; Dr. David Cornelder, an emergency room physician and the hospitals medical director; Dr. Timothy Breon, the chief medical officer of the hospital; and select members of the Mahaska Health Board of Trustees. Moreno began working for the hospital in February 2013 as an emergency room physician, a position she retained for the next eight years. DeRonde was appointed CEO of the hospital in February 2018. Moreno alleges DeRonde, Breon and Cornelder have a history of taking discriminatory acts against female employees and those that do not share their religious faith and political views, and that their goal was to replace female employees with males who shared their religious beliefs and political opinions. DeRonde and Breon, according to the lawsuit, often spoke about religion and pushed their religious ideas and practices onto employees. The two would allegedly testify at executive team member meetings and told the entire executive team that they were chosen by the hand of God to lead the hospital. Breon allegedly insisted on praying with patients, two of whom complained to Moreno. At one leadership meeting, DeRonde and Breon allegedly created a PowerPoint presentation about why the attending members needed to vote for Donald Trump for president. In the fall of 2021, the Emergency Medicine Department at the hospital had five physicians: four females and the recently hired Cornelder. On Oct. 1 of that year, the hospital served Moreno and two of her female colleagues with termination notices, stating that their employment contracts would end in 90 days. Moreno contacted the Iowa Freedom of Information Council to obtain assistance in obtaining Board of Trustee meeting minutes. In November 2021, she was suspended, which, she alleges, was the first time she had ever faced disciplinary action from the hospital. To replace the fired female physicians, DeRonde, Cornelder and Breon allegedly hired a male general surgeon, Dr. Chris Martin, who had no emergency room experience. According to the lawsuit, Moreno and others warned hospital administrators that Martin was unqualified to be an emergency room physician and posed a serious danger to patients. On Oct. 7, 2021, the trustees allegedly called DeRonde before them to explain why there was a firing of female emergency room physicians and why the new hires did not appear to have the appropriate qualifications for their jobs. There were also concerns raised that DeRonde (was) having an intimate relationship with another employee and hiring his wife for a position that she was not qualified for, the lawsuit claims. DeRonde submitted his resignation before the meeting could be held, which the board accepted. Within days, a petition to rehire DeRonde was circulated in the community and on Oct. 15, 2021, the trustees voted to reinstate him as CEO. At the same time, three hospital trustees submitted their resignations, citing concerns with disturbing abuses at the hospital, such as jobs being eliminated without cause and other staff members being given duties with no ability or training to handle their assignments. Morenos lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court, seeks unspecified damages for gender and religious discrimination and retaliation. The hospital has yet to file a response. Mahaska Health referred all questions on the matter to of the hospitals attorneys, who could not be reached for comment. OMAHA, Neb. (AP) Rail unions want railroads to take some of the billions they're using every year to buy back their stock and spend it to improve safety in the wake of several high-profile derailments and hire more workers. The 12 unions that represent all of the more than 100,000 workers across the industry said Friday that collectively the six biggest freight railroads spent over $165 billion on buybacks well above the $119 billion they spent on upgrading and maintaining their track and equipment between 2015 and last year. At the same time, their safety record worsened as they cut costs and eliminated nearly one-third of all rail jobs. I think it has become increasingly apparent that the priorities of the railroads are out of whack, said Greg Regan, president of the AFL-CIO's Transportation Trades Department coalition that includes all the rail unions. The fiery Feb. 3 derailment of a Norfolk Southern train that led to evacuations and health fears near the Ohio-Pennsylvania border, combined with a string of other derailments since then, triggered rising concerns about railroad safety and an host of reform proposals from Congress and regulators. Unions say the recent derailments and the problems railroads have had keeping up with shipping demand highlight their concerns about how overwhelmed workers have become after extensive job cuts. They say inspections are being rushed with workers getting maybe a minute to check out each rail car and preventative maintenance may be neglected. Railroads defend their safety record and insist that cost cuts haven't made their operations riskier. Safety data from the Federal Railroad Administration does show that the rate of accidents per every million miles freight trains travel increased to 16.695 from 15.572 over the past decade even though the total number of incidents declined as the railroads hauled less freight on fewer, longer trains. The rate of accidents inside railyards also worsened from 11.044 in 2013 to 15.517 last year. Regulators say the accident rate hasn't worsened enough to show the new operating model the industry adopted over the past six years is unsafe. And the Association of American Railroads trade group has said railroads have a strong safety record overall, and they remain the safest option to transport hazardous chemicals across land routes. The railroads also say the large amount they spend on capital investments which averages to more than 18% of their revenue reflects their commitment to maintaining safe networks. Any suggestion that railroads fail to invest appropriately, and that this in turn is related to a negative safety record, is categorically false," AAR spokesman Ted Greener said. Union Pacific CEO Lance Fritz defended his railroad's spending. The first dollar we generate and spend goes to either the employees or our railroad, Fritz said. We have a great track record in terms of investment in the railroad and its actually in some of the best condition Ive ever seen it and its ever been in. So I think weve got the amount of capital being deployed to safety and the spending on safety right. Business experts say there's nothing inherently wrong with stock buybacks even though they have become a popular political target of Democrats who say the repurchases tend to widen inequality between wealthy investors, railroad executives and workers. The government imposed a 1% tax on buybacks at the start of the year and President Joe Biden has talked about quadrupling that. Buybacks reward shareholders by reducing the number of shares and making the remaining ones more valuable. Many investors prefer them over dividends because of the tax advantages. Dividends are treated as ordinary income and taxed at up to 37%. If buybacks boost a stocks value, investors who hold the shares long enough pay a lower capital-gains tax on the profit when they sell no more than 20%. And investors expect to be compensated for putting their money into a company, said Charles Elson, who founded a corporate governance center at the University of Delaware. You have to return capital to your investors or no one invests -- particularly a capital intensive business like a railroad," Elson said. Buybacks aren't without drawbacks. They do make stock options more valuable, enriching executives, and Elson said companies could wind up wasting money if they overpay for their stock. But railroads aren't likely to abandon buybacks. Billionaire investor Warren Buffett, whose Berkshire Hathaway conglomerate owns BNSF railroad, has said stock repurchases benefit all investors equally as long as companies buy the shares when they aren't overpriced. When you are told that all repurchases are harmful to shareholders or to the country, or particularly beneficial to CEOs, you are listening to either an economic illiterate or a silver-tongued demagogue (characters that are not mutually exclusive), Buffett wrote in his shareholder letter. The railroad anti-buyback campaign follows similar efforts by airline unions last year. The rail unions say even if railroads do continue to buy back shares, they should do it at a much lower level and invest more in safety and their employees. Leo McCann, president of the American Train Dispatchers Association, said the railroads are putting investors first while cutting corners on things like training and refusing to listen to worker concerns about safety. There's little or no investment in the workers. It's all about how much money you can make for Wall Street, McCann said. The railroads' spending decisions have also contributed to low morale among workers after last year's bruising contract fight that nearly ended in a strike after the railroads refused to consider adding paid sick time. Since the start of the year, railroads have eased that stance and agreed to provide sick time to a number of their unions but workers still generally don't feel very appreciated. Dean Devita, president of the National Conference of Firemen & Oilers union, said it's troubling that the railroads seem to make all their business decisions based on financial not safety concerns. You want to make money, thats fine, Devita said. We want the railroads to be profitable. We want them to make money. But when you get to that point where now its greed -- and thats what Wall Street could do with these hedge funds -- that kills. Greed will kill you. KHARTOUM, Sudan (AP) Sudan's top general on Friday declared the military's commitment to a civilian-led government, an apparent bid for international support even as his forces battle a rival paramilitary group in a bloody power struggle that has derailed hopes for the country's democratic transition. In his first speech since the conflict engulfed Sudan nearly a week ago, army chief Gen. Abdel Fattah Burhan pledged the military would prevail and secure the vast African nation's safe transition to civilian rule. But for many Sudanese, Burhan's claim rang hollow 18 months after he joined forces with his current rival to seize power in a coup that cast aside Sudan's pro-democracy forces. Burhan's announcement came on the Muslim Eid al-Fitr holiday, which marks the end of Ramadan and its month of fasting. Both sides later issued statements saying they had agreed on a three-day truce to allow people to celebrate, but residents could still hear gunfire in parts of the capital, Khartoum, an hour after the truce was to take effect. Two cease-fire attempts earlier this week rapidly collapsed. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who has spoken to both generals, welcomed the latest truce while acknowledging that fighting is continuing and there is serious mistrust between the two forces. I reiterate my call on both sides to pause the fighting to allow civilians to take care of themselves and their families, to permit full and unimpeded humanitarian access, and to enable all civilians, including diplomatic personnel, to reach safety, he said in a statement. The United States, its allies and other countries have been searching in vain for ways to evacuate their citizens, which has thus far been too risky, with the two sides battling across Khartoum and elsewhere. Some of the heaviest fighting has been over airports. The Pentagon has moved a small number troops to a base in the nearby Horn of Africa country of Djibouti to support an evacuation. The U.S. joint chiefs of staff chairman, Gen. Mark Milley, discussed the situation with defense officials from Germany, Italy and Canada at a gathering in Germany on Friday, a U.S. official said. One topic was ensuring that any potential evacuation efforts did not conflict. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to describe the deliberations. The Eid al-Fitr holiday typically filled with prayer, celebration and feasting was a somber one in Sudan, as gunshots rang out across the capital of Khartoum and heavy smoke billowed over the skyline. Rather than out in the open, mosques held mass morning prayers inside to protect worshippers from the intensified fighting. The violence so far has killed 413 people and wounded 3,551, according to the latest toll from the World Health Organization. That includes at least nine children killed and 50 wounded in the fighting, said the U.N. childrens fund. There is no safe place anymore in Khartoum, said Dallia Abdelmoniem, a 37-year-old baker who fled the Sudanese capital with her family on Thursday, after a rocket sliced through her roof. The road to the city's outskirts was littered with dead bodies. Abdelmoniem covered the eyes of her nieces and nephews. Our number one priority is just to stay alive, she said from her new shelter outside the city, where she could still hear the howl of artillery and gunfire Friday. Instead of waking up to the call to prayer, people in Khartoum again woke up to heavy fighting, Norways ambassador to Sudan, Endre Stiansen wrote in an Eid al-Fitr message on Twitter. Can any hell be more horrible than this? The Sudanese military a day earlier ruled out negotiations with the RSF, saying it would only accept its surrender, and on Friday it claimed to be clearing RSF positions from around Khartoum. The military has appeared to have the upper hand in the fighting, with its monopoly on air power, but it was impossible to confirm its claims of advances. The two generals vying for control over the vast African nation Burhan and his rival, RSF chief Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo have sought to portray themselves as supporters of democracy. In 2019, they turned against long-time autocrat Omar al-Bashir and pushed him out of power amid a popular uprising against his rule. But since then, they have failed to implement agreements under which they would hand over power. Their forces crushed pro-democracy protests, and in 2021 they jointly carried out a coup that removed a transitional government and entrenched them as Sudan's most powerful leaders. Both forces have a long history of human rights abuses. The RSF was born out of the Janjaweed militias, which were accused of atrocities in crushing a rebellion in Sudans western Darfur region in the early 2000s. The current explosion of violence between them came after Burhan and Dagalo fell out over a recent internationally brokered deal with democracy activists that was meant to incorporate the RSF into the military and eventually lead to civilian rule. The fighting continued to frustrate efforts by nations to evacuate their nationals from Sudan. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said her country was preparing for an evacuation when we have a cease-fire that holds for at least some time. Spain has air force planes ready, but its not possible to predict when an evacuation can occur, its Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said. The situation is simply put terrible, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said. An evacuation task is risky and complicated. The U.S. State Department on Thursday confirmed the death of a U.S. private citizen in Sudan, but gave no details. The U.N.s International Office of Migration said one its staffers was killed when his familys vehicle got caught in a crossfire in North Kordofan province, which has seen heavy clashes between the two sides. The violence has already pushed Sudans population to the brink and opened a dark and tumultuous chapter in the country's history. Fears are mounting that the chaos in the strategically located nation could draw in its neighbors, including Chad, Egypt and Libya. The bombardment and sniper fire has hit civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, over the past week. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus decried what he called the reprehensible attacks on health facilities on Friday, saying they not only jeopardize the lives of healthcare workers but also deprive vulnerable populations of essential medical care." WHO spokeswoman Margaret Harris told reporters in Geneva that the violence has forced 20 health facilities nationwide to halt operations. A dozen other hospitals are at risk of shutting down, threatening some 50,000 severely malnourished children in Sudan who are administered regular feeding by tubes to survive, according to UNICEF. The Sudanese Red Crescent said armed men looted its warehouses in Khartoum on Friday, stealing eight 4X4 vehicles and a truck. It expressed concern that the vehicles, which bear Red Crescent markings, could be used in criminal or commercial activities. It's really hard to remain calm, said Abdelmoniem, describing shortages of fuel, medicine, cash and food causing desperation in much of Khartoum. People are telling me, Happy Eid," she added. "But then I turn on the news. The forecast is calling for cold temperatures in Sioux City Friday. The forecast calls for it to be a bitter 44 degrees. 28 degrees is today's low. Keep an eye on the radar before you head outside today, there is a slight chance of rain. Friday's winds could be brisk, with forecast showing winds from Northwest, clocking in at 23 mph. This report is created automatically with weather data provided by TownNews.com. Keep an eye on siouxcityjournal.com for forecast information and severe weather updates. The new movie The Popes Exorcist is a swashbuckling tale of a heroic Italian priest lured into a battle with an ancient demon who has possessed an innocent child in a Spanish abbey. Based loosely on the real writings of the Rev. Gabriele Amorth, a prolific and media-friendly exorcist for the Diocese of Rome who worked for nearly three decades starting in the 1980s, the movie stars a daring priest played by a charismatic Russell Crowe, who cracks jokes in the face of violent threats and wields his unwavering faith in God like a superpower. Advertisement So it was a little strange when the International Association of Exorcists, the organization co-founded by the real-life Amorth (who died in 2016), released a statement condemning the film upon the trailers release. The movie played on anxiety, restlessness, and fear a press release from the organization contended, with unrealistic striking physical and verbal manifestations of the demon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those assertions are undoubtedly trueits a horror movie, after all. But given Amorths portrayal by an Oscar-winning actor who is swigging whiskey, dropping cool one-liners, and fearlessly plunging into eerie, sulfuric catacombs (We are getting closer to hell, he informs his priest sidekick), its curious that the humanizing, heroic portrayal of a real-life exorcist wouldnt get a more favorable response from his spiritual descendants. Advertisement The real Amorth wasnt opposed to a little drama. His favorite movie, he often said, was The Exorcist, another film that draws loosely from real-life events. So why wouldnt these modern exorcists simply chuckle ator even embracethe Indiana Jones treatment? Why scoff at a little flattering exaggeration? It may have something to do with the way exorcisms are seen, today, inside the Catholic Church. The real Gabriele Amorth was born in Italy in 1925, at a time when the age of exorcisms seemed in the distant past. Exorcisms peaked, historically speaking, during the European wars of religion in the 16th and 17th centuries. In the 1700s, with the Enlightenment, Christians came to see demons as superstitious or even pagan elements of the faith; some Christians began to push for the ouster of the devil from the religion altogether. Advertisement Advertisement There were several dictionaries of Christianity in the 1700s that had no mention of Satan, said Joseph Laycock, the author of The Penguin Book of Exorcisms, in a recent interview. Exorcism experienced a minor resurgence in the 1890s, when Pope Leo XIII became rather paranoid about spiritual threats to the Church coming from Freemasons and others and believed the Church was under demonic attack, Francis Young, the author of A History of Exorcism in Catholic Christianity, wrote in an email. At a time when popes ruled no land and felt powerless in Europe, Leo XIIIs church promoted a new formula for authorized clergymen to combat the influence of the devil (and assume a different kind of powerful role). Advertisement A massively influential film, The Exorcist triggered a spate of cases of supposed demonic possession around the U.S. and Europe, Laycock told me. But exorcisms really big moment came in the 1960s and 70s, when two major things happened. First, the Catholic Charismatic Renewal: In the 60s, a faction of the Catholic Church became heavily influenced by Pentecostalism, which emphasized the gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as speaking in tongues. A key aspect of charismatic Christianity is a heightened awareness of the spiritual realm, both good and evil, Young wrote to me. So charismatic Catholics began normalising exorcism in a way it had not been done before. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Second, in 1973, The Exorcist was released. A massively influential film, it triggered a spate of cases of supposed demonic possession around the U.S. and Europe, Laycock told me. He pointed to the 1980 book Michelle Remembers, in which a woman recalled false repressed memories of satanic abuse from her childhood. In the book, which is considered a key contributor to the decades satanic panic, some of the conjured memories involved details such as demonic head-spinning. This is The Exorcist, not memories, he said. Amorth, at the time, was not yet an exorcist. After fighting for the Italian resistance in World War II (the movie got this right), Amorth was ordained as a priest in the 1950s and worked for the Diocese of Rome and as a prison chaplain. It wouldnt be until 1986, when he was asked to assist the chief exorcist of the Diocese of Rome, that his real career took off. Advertisement He wasnt, by his own admission, battling powerful demonic incarnations or beset by harrowing visions. Most exorcisms as practiced by Catholic clergy consist of an exorcist and his assistants sprinkling holy water on a person, reciting a litany of Catholic saints, reading several passages of Scripture, commanding the demon to give their name and reveal themselves when ordered, praying some more, and commanding the demon out. This practice can be repeated for those who continue to suffer. Advertisement Advertisement Technically, there is no Vatican exorcist, or exorcist for the popepast or present. Exorcists are locally designated among clergy, and are not sent off on gallant assignments, as The Popes Exorcist suggests. But Amorth became something of a celebrity by being in Rome and covering the Vaticans territory. He claimed to conduct some 160,000 exorcisms over 14 years. (No one believes this figure, because it would be logistically impossible.) Advertisement In the 1990s, he embraced the fervor of the satanic panic, warning against the dangers of Ouija boards and astrology and Harry Potter and even yoga, all of which made people vulnerable to demonic forces, he argued. (The movie nods to this but doesnt fully commit; the boy who gets possessed becomes that way immediately after listening to loud rock music.) And in 1990, Amorth co-founded the International Association of Exorcists. In 2014 the Vatican formally recognized Amorths IAE, granting it some legitimacy and taking on some small degree of oversight of the organization. In a symbiotic dance, as Amorth promoted the rite from within the church, horror movies kept exorcism culturally relevant. The Popes Exorcist, which opened this month, arrives in a saturated environment, where nothing exorcism-related seems particularly new or thrilling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Indeed, even the exorcists snubbed it. The movie, the IAE wrote in March, serves only to instill the conviction that exorcism is an abnormal, monstrous and frightening phenomenon, whose only protagonist is the devil. That, the statement continued, is the exact opposite of what occurs in the context of exorcism celebrated in the Catholic Church in obedience to the directives imparted by it. In 2013, after a Pentecost Mass in St. Peters Square, the newly elected Pope Francis approached a Mexican man in a wheelchair. As seen in a video captured by an Italian Catholic TV station, Francis placed his hands on the mans head and held them there for almost 10 seconds. The mans mouth dropped open, his body spasmed, and he slumped back in his chair. Later, someone claiming to be that man said he had been possessed and had traveled to Rome for help after being inspired by one of Amorths books. Advertisement Advertisement The Vatican released a statement saying the pope simply intended to pray for a suffering person. Today Francis maintains he has never performed an exorcism as pope. But Amorth, by then the churchs best-known exorcist, told Italian media that it was an exorcism, all right. (He added, in a line that could easily have been said by Crowes version of him in The Popes Exorcist: We live in an age in which God has been forgotten. And wherever God is not present, the devil reigns.) Advertisement If Francis had indeed conducted the Catholic rite of exorcism, it wouldnt have been out of character. He has spoken positively of calling upon exorcists when he was archbishop of Buenos Aires. He has told other bishops not to hesitate to call upon exorcists. And he also frequently talks of Satan and demons and hell in a literal way that his predecessors, who preferred more abstract understandings, did not. Its somewhat unusual for someone as relatively theologically progressive to speak so often of the devil, said Andrew Chesnut, the chair of Catholic Studies at Virginia Commonwealth University. But it fits with Francis theological background in Latin America, where belief in these evil forces is much stronger. Advertisement Alternatively, Francis could have intentionally created confusion about whether he had performed an exorcismwhich would have been, Laycock said, a pretty savvy move. The liberal Catholics dont really care, and conservative Catholics are like, At least he understands the demons, he said. Because the truth is, exorcism has only grown more popular since the 70s. The Vatican has begun schooling greater numbers of new priests in exorcist methods. Priests have noted in articles that theyre seeing an uptick in requests. And the Milan Archdiocese started its own hotline to handle an overwhelming increase in requests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the biggest hints that exorcism has broken through into Catholicisms mainstream is in its diversifying political usage. In recent years, priests have conducted exorcisms on the concept of gay marriage (after Illinois legalized it); on the evil of social unrest in Portland, Oregon (after the Black Lives Matter protests); on all of Mexico (after the country legalized abortion); on the evils of destroying statues (after a statue of St. Junipero Serra, a violent colonizer, was torn down in California by anti-racist protesters); and on the presidential election (for it being rigged against Trump). In 2021 Catholics in support of a workers strike at a Catholic hospital in Massachusetts conducted a public exorcism against the demon of corporate greed. Advertisement Now that the church has warmed up to exorcism, its become nakedly political, Laycock said. Were seeing this done more and more: it being done as a political weapon instead of what its supposed to be, which is a form of healing. There are a few theories as to why, exactly, this moment is so exorcism-friendly. Chesnut argues that its a matter of competition and cross-pollination: Pentecostalism is the fastest-growing Christian religious movement in the world and a major influence onand threat toCatholicisms hold in Latin America and Africa. Theres the official approval and even promotion of the rite from the church itself. But theres also the argument that a more secular society pushes many people to long for the mysterious. Advertisement In The Popes Exorcist, the demon hurls a parish priest against a wall and bites off a chunk of his ear. It forces members of the clergy to see horrific visions, manifestations of their darkest secrets and most painful guilt. (The movies Amorth is so virtuous his great sin is that he referred a woman to a psychiatrist instead of helping her through her psychoses personally.) Advertisement By the end of the film, a severely beat-up Amorth, fighting off possession himself, is not strong enough to defeat this demon without the other priests help. (The movie has a number of buddy cop elements, which allow for such lines as You dont get to stay handsome in this profession for long.) Advertisement The rite of exorcism as practiced by Catholic priests is, by most everyones accounting, much, much less dangerous. In fact, the real-life Amorth said the only danger an exorcist faces is of becoming a braggart. As most priests would describe the ritual, its generally a lot of praying, just with a specific exorcism prayer specified by the Vatican. And the process can involve many, many sessions. Some exorcisms take years. Because a demon is powerless compared with God, an exorcism cannot fail. Many exorcists will try to present an exorcism not as a dramatic battle with the devil but as a boring taskand a simple prayer of healing. Advertisement Advertisement But the real Amorth was very prone to drama. In his books, he recalled that he was once mocked by a demon. He spoke of possessed people exhibiting superhuman strength, of speaking in languages they couldnt possibly know, of threatening him with violence, of spewing out rose petals, and even of levitating into the air. He carried around a pouch that held the nails and shards of glass that he said the possessed would sometimes vomit up. Advertisement It remains odd that the exorcists would be so opposed to seeing a charming, swaggering, and sometimes reasonable-seeming exorcist depicted on the screen. Amorth was also not opposed to conspiratorial thinkinghe took a side in the Catholic controversy over the consecration of Russia, for examplebut some parts of the movie are unexpectedly pragmatic. In one scene, Amorth approaches a home in Italy where a teenage boy is tied down, snarling, claiming to be Satan. Amorth goads Satan into taking possession of a pig, and when the boy falls limp, an assistant immediately shoots the pig. Its a rogue approach, the audience thinks, but not such an original idea. Later, when hes being grilled by a panel of clergy at the Vatican, we learn that Amorth never thought that the boy was possessed. He just needed, Amorth says, a little theater. Advertisement Advertisement This clarification lends validity to Amorth in the moviehes skeptical!and to exorcisms in real life. Catholic exorcists today claim that only a tiny percentage of reported possessions end up being true cases. Even fewer require major exorcismsthe dramatic rite audiences commonly associate with the termand the Vatican insists that those can be performed only after a barrage of psychological and medical examinations, and then only with the bishops permission. The real Amorth said only around 100 of his exorcisms involved full-blown demonic possessions. So it remains odd that the exorcists would be so opposed to seeing a charming, swaggering, and sometimes reasonable-seeming exorcist depicted on the screen. Yes, the movie presents a rather silly version of the church. (The mysterious librarians look more like Star Wars characters than monks.) Yes, it has nonsensical Dan Brown elements that attempt to give it world-ending stakes. And yes, it shows demons as more powerful than Amorth, even as he calls upon his faith. But it does not paint the entire Catholic Church as corrupt; in fact, it gives the church an excuse, literally, for mass murder during the Spanish Inquisition. (This fits somewhat with the real Amorths belief that Hitler and Stalin were demonically possessed.) All in all, it makes for a simple and reassuring message for traditionalist Catholics operating in what they see as increasingly confused times: The world is still, today, just a matter of the forces of God against the forces of Satan. Good vs. evil. Light vs. dark. Why wouldnt the International Association of Exorcists take its flattering portrait? It is the groups job, after all, to advocate for exorcists and exorcisms in the church. It may be that the association issued the statement prematurely, before seeing the moviebut it seems that the main factor in this particular moment is power. Exorcism has more cultural clout than ever before. Exorcists themselves no longer have to beg for attention or fight for legitimacy within the Catholic church. They can afford to reject good PR, positioning themselves as respectably boring, much like the rest of the churchs bureaucracy. In other words, exorcists dont need Hollywood fighting their battles anymore. They can do it themselves. Lanting Forum on Chinese Modernization and the World receives message from President Xi 11:05, April 21, 2023 By CAO DESHENG in Shanghai ( Chinadaily.com.cn China will provide new opportunities for global development with new accomplishments in Chinese modernization and lend new impetus to humanity's search for paths toward modernization and better social systems, President Xi Jinping said on Friday. Xi made the remarks in a congratulatory message sent to the Lanting Forum on Chinese Modernization and the World held at the Meet-the-World Lounge in Shanghai. Xi said in the message that realizing modernization has been a relentless pursuit of the Chinese people since modern times began and it is also the common aspiration of people of all countries. "In pursuing modernization, a country needs to follow certain general patterns. More importantly, it should proceed from its own realities and develop its own features," he said. "After a long and arduous quest, the Communist Party of China has led the entire Chinese nation in finding a development path that suits China's conditions. " Noting that China is striving to build a strong country and advancing national rejuvenation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization, Xi said that it stands ready to work with all countries from around the world to advance the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. The Lanting Forum on Chinese Modernization and the World was organized by the China Public Diplomacy Association and the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs, and was supported by the Shanghai Municipal People's Government. Representatives of governments, think tanks and the media from nearly 80 countries participated in the Forum. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan) At first glance, whats happening right now in Iowa looks like a rosy vision for the future of reproductive rights. The Republican-controlled state Senate recently passed a bill that would increase access to certain types of contraception by allowing pharmacists to dispense it to patients without a prescription. Their GOP counterparts in the state House have included a similar provision in a larger health care bill. And Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds has indicated that the legislation is one of her top priorities this session. Advertisement But look elsewhere in Iowa, and youll get a different view. Earlier this month, the state attorney generals office announced that it would suspend payments for emergency contraception for survivors of sexual assault. The medication had been funded through a program for crime victims, but the Republican attorney general is considering a permanent end to its provision. She is carefully evaluating whether this is an appropriate use of public funds, a spokesperson said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In other words, counter to a refrain that has taken hold on the left since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, conservatives are not coming for birth control next. Theyre coming for birth control now. Some corners of the right are already in full-blown attack mode. Pulse Life Advocates, one of the Iowa-based anti-abortion groups that is advocating against the over-the-counter contraception bill, states on its website that contraception kills babies. Advertisement Its relatively uncommon for an anti-abortion group to state its animus toward birth control so plainly. For years, the major players on the anti-abortion right have claimed to support contraception. They seem to understand that more than 90 percent of Americans are in favor of legal birth control and that most people opposed to abortion likely see contraception as an effective means of reducing demand for it. In fact, when Democrats in Congress introduced a bill that would codify access to contraception in the wake of the Supreme Courts decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, they were met with eye-rolling and denials on the right. This bill is completely unnecessary. In no way, shape, or form is access to contraception limited or at risk of being limited, said Florida Republican Rep. Kat Cammack, during debate on the House floor. The liberal majority is clearly trying to stoke fears and mislead the American people. The Democrats were like the little boy who cried wolf, said Republican Sen. John Cornyn. Advertisement Advertisement Even among the politically sophisticated and catastrophically cynical, there remains a sense that, since contraception is so widely used and deeply integrated into American life, restrictions on birth control might be too politically unpopular for even far-right Republicans to attempt. About two-thirds of U.S. women of childbearing age use some form of contraception (including female and male sterilization). Advertisement But it would be foolish to believe Cammack and Cornyns mealy-mouthed reassurances. For one thing, Republicans werent willing to write the right to contraception into law: Republican Sen. Joni Ernst blocked the bill before it could come to a vote in the Senate. Conservatives have tried hard to maintain a veneer of rationality on the issue of contraception. But almost a year into the emboldened post-Dobbs anti-abortion movement, the cracks in that facade are starting to show. Advertisement Currently, the right to contraception in the U.S. rests on Griswold v. Connecticut, a landmark 1965 Supreme Court decision that is based, as Roe was, on the right to privacy. In a concurring opinion in Dobbs, Clarence Thomas wrote that the court should reconsider several precedents that concern the right to privacyincluding the legality of gay intimacy, the right to gay marriage, and Griswold. And a growing number of Republicans are willing to state that Griswold was wrongly decided, including Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn and former Arizona Senate candidate Blake Masters. Advertisement Advertisement But the Supreme Court wont even have to overturn Griswold for conservatives to curtail access to birth control. Across the country, they are executing a game plan that rests on three strategies: Conflate contraception with abortion, claim that birth control is dangerous to womens health, and let right-wing judges do their thing. Advertisement In Idaho, for example, the No Public Funds for Abortion Act, which passed in 2021, doesnt just prohibit state-funded student health centers from counseling patients on abortion. It bars them from distributing emergency contraception like Plan B, too. These legislators are adopting the premise of nearly every anti-abortion group that claims to have no agenda on contraception: Usually, with a coy play on words, they claim that emergency contraception and IUDsare not contraception at all. They categorize them as methods of abortion. Advertisement Anti-abortion advocates argue that pregnancyand lifebegin when an egg is fertilized, even before it has implanted in the uterus. And they say certain kinds of birth control function by preventing a fertilized egg from successfully taking hold in the uterine lining, thus ending an in-progress pregnancy and terminating a human life. Advertisement The American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists, for example, argues that both copper and hormonal IUDs clearly can cause the death of embryos both before and after implantation by affecting the lining of the uterus. The website of Americans United for Life says the group takes no stance on the underlying issue of contraceptive use, but states elsewhere that people who ingest emergency contraception take the lives of their unborn children. Advertisement Setting aside the question of whether a free-floating fertilized egg even constitutes a pregnancy, never mind a life, these right-wing claims are untrue: The FDA confirmed in December that Plan B does not work this way, and while the uterine environment created by the copper IUD may be less hospitable to a fertilized egg, this is not its primary method of actionit impedes the motility and viability of sperm, making it difficult and rare for fertilization to occur. Advertisement But bad science is a feature, not a bug, of the right-wing approach to reproductive health care. And as usual, Republican lawmakers are taking their cues directly from the most extreme anti-abortion advocacy groups. Two years ago, in Missouri, Republicans tried to ban public funding for IUDs and emergency contraception in a bill that would have made those forms of birth control ineligible for Medicaid coverage. (Anything that destroys that life is abortion, its not birth control, said the state senator who spearheaded the legislation.) During the 2022 appropriations process in Congress, Rep. Lauren Boebert attempted to bar federal funds from being used on abortifacient contraceptive drugs, and Republican Rep. Matt Rosendale proposed adding emergency contraception to a provision prohibiting the federal funding of abortion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Students for Life, a radical anti-abortion organization that many consider the future of the movement, goes even further than the IUD and Plan B. At the March for Life this January, a spokesperson for the group deflected when I asked her for the groups position on birth control. We do not have an official stance on all forms of contraception, she said. However, the organizations website classifies all hormonal contraceptionincluding the pill, the patch, the ring, and the hormonal IUDas abortifacients (contrary to the actual mechanisms of the drugs). It also displays several paragraphs on the health risks of hormonal contraception and discourages its use for other medical conditions like endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome. Birth control disrespects women, it states. Advertisement This points to another strategy conservatives are embracing in their mounting efforts to restrict contraceptives: fearmongering about their safety, a time-honored entry in the anti-abortion playbook. In the years before Roe was overturned, GOP-controlled state legislatures imposed superfluous requirements on abortion clinics under the guise of improving patient safety. More recently, right-wing plaintiffs brought a case to an extremist federal judge that claimed, against all available evidence, that the abortion medication mifepristone was too dangerous to have warranted the Food and Drug Administrations approval in 2000. The judge agreed with those plaintiffs earlier this month, and the Supreme Court determine today whether his ruling will stand. Advertisement Groups like the Catholic Medical Associationone of the organizations behind the mifepristone caseare already publicly wringing their hands over the side effects and risks of hormonal contraception. And on conservative TikTok and other social media platforms, there has been a recent uptick in disinformation about contraception, often disguised as #wellness content. Users are spreading false claims that taking the pill can lead to infertility and that the copper IUD can cause copper poisoning. Advertisement Advertisement That, to me, is really concerning, said Mara Gandal-Powers, director of birth control access at the National Womens Law Center. Whether its a genuine misreading of the science or a deliberate lie disseminated for political purposes, it manipulates the public into a place where they may be, three to five years from now, feeling differently about a restriction on contraception that, today, would not fly at all. But public buy-in is a nice-to-have, not a need-to-have, for the anti-abortion right, thanks to its power in the courts. Late last year, a federal judge appointed by Donald Trumpthe same one who recently moved to invalidate the FDA approval of mifepristoneconsidered a case brought by a Texas father who argued that Title X, a federal program that provides free contraception, violated his rights as a Christian parent by hypothetically making birth control available to his three adolescent daughters without his consent. The judge agreed, ruling that Texas minors must have parental permission to get contraception at federally funded clinics. It is possible that Republican lawmakers, with their eyes on reelection, will be less willing to pursue sweeping restrictions on birth control than the federal judges sitting pretty with their lifetime appointments. But the GOP agenda on reproductive health care is already far more radical than public opinion would dictate. Most Americansincluding majorities of people in states that have enacted new abortion bans in the wake of Dobbsopposed the overturning of Roe v. Wade. That hasnt stopped Republicans from pursuing blanket bans in every GOP-controlled legislature in the country. With contraception, legislators will start the same way they did with abortion: Banning certain types of care, passing parental consent laws, and stripping public funding so that patients on Medicaid lose access to the most effective contraceptives. And why shouldnt they? Its worked for them before. Stalking is so closely correlated with lethal violence that experts refer to it as slow motion homicide: More than half of all female homicide victims in the U.S. were stalked before they were killed. Despite the terrifying and dangerous consequences, many victims of stalking do not report the abuse to law enforcement for fear they will not be taken seriously. The reasonableness of that fear was vividly illustrated by the Supreme Court oral arguments in Counterman v. Colorado on Wednesday morning, as members of the highest court of the land joked about messages sent by a stalker to his victim, bemoaned the increasing hypersensitivity of society, and brushed aside consideration of the actual harm of stalking to focus on the potential harm of stalking laws. Advertisement For nearly two years, Billy Raymond Counterman sent thousands of unsolicited and unwanted Facebook direct messages to C.W., a local musician, ultimately driving her to abandon her career and leave the state. Counterman, who had previously served time in federal prison for making violent threats against his ex-wife and her family, argues that his conduct towards C.W. was free speech protected by the First Amendment. Counterman maintains, supported by amicus briefs from influential civil libertarian organizations such as the ACLU, the EFF, and FIRE, that stalking cannot be criminally prohibited except when the government can prove that the stalker subjectively intended to terrify his victim. The state of Colorado, supported by amicus briefs from First Amendment scholars, stalking experts, and domestic violence victim advocates, argues that it is enough to prove that the stalking would be terrifying to a reasonable person in light of the totality of the circumstances. If the court rules in Countermans favor, delusional stalkingno matter how objectively terrifying or threateningwill be transformed into an inviolable constitutional right. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During oral argument, Chief Justice John Roberts quoted a handful of the thousands of unsolicited messages Counterman sent to C.W. Staying in cyber life is going to kill you, Roberts read aloud. After a pause, he joked, I cant promise I havent said that, prompting laughter from other justices and the audience. Picking out another message, which he described as an image of liquor bottles captioned as a guys version of edible arrangements, Roberts challenged Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser to say this in a threatening way, leading to more laughter from the court. And the laughs didnt stop there: Countermans attorney, John Elwood, shared with the court that his mother would routinely tell him to drop dead as a child, but you know, I was never in fear because of that. Advertisement There were more chuckles when Justice Neil Gorsuch returned to Elwoods anecdote during his questioning of Weiser, but Gorsuch shifted to a more serious tone to express his concern about the reasonable person standard. We live in a world in which people are sensitive, and maybe increasingly sensitive, he began. As a professor, you might have issued a trigger warning from time to time when you had to discuss a bit of history thats difficult or a case thats difficult, Gorsuch continued, a reference to Weisers prior experience teaching on a law school faculty. What do we do in a world in which reasonable people may deem things harmful, hurtful, threatening? And were going to hold people liable willy-nilly for that? Advertisement Advertisement Justice Clarence Thomas echoed the concern, asking whether the reasonable person standard is appropriate given that people are more hypersensitive about different things now. Justice Amy Coney Barrett pressed the point as well, offering the following hypothetical: What if a college professor gives a lecture about just how vicious it was to be in a Jim Crow South and puts up behind them on a screen a picture of a burning cross and reads aloud some threats of lynching that were made at the time and Black students sitting in the classroom interpret the lecture as a physical threat because they dont understand it? Advertisement The justices message was clear: Stalking is not the problem; sensitivity is. To them, stalking is quite literally a state of mind: If the stalker didnt mean for his conduct to be frightening, then it isnt. All the target has to do is understand that; she just needs to lighten up, take a joke, accept the compliment, grasp the lesson. Just because someone has made objectively terrifying statements is no reason to overreact and get law enforcement involved; victims should wait for the stalker to do something really frightening before they jump to conclusions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the many painful ironies of this logic is that many stalking victims have already internalized it. Less than half of stalking victims seek help from law enforcement, in large part because they believe that the matter isnt serious enough or that they can handle it on their own. Even the victims who do seek help from law enforcement will often not get itpolice take no action at all in nearly half of all reported cases, and only make arrests in 7.7 percent of cases. If victims are lucky, their stalker will eventually lose interest and cease contact. If theyre not lucky, they end up dead. The courts discussion was so disconnected from the reality of stalking, so contemptuous of the victims targeted by it, and so awkwardly punctuated with culture-war buzzwords with no obvious bearing to the topic at hand, that it was sometimes hard to believe it was taking place within the Supreme Court and not a Fox News talk show. Perhaps nothing else could be expected from a far-right dominated court that has made its hostility to women and racial minorities abundantly clear. But the progressive justices did little to push back against the chief justices snickering tone, or to critique these efforts to turn an oral argument about stalking into a referendum on the supposed crisis of hypersensitivity. Advertisement Advertisement Of course, had the conservative justices professed concern about increased hypersensitivity been sincere, there would be no need to reach for strained hypotheticals about college students overreacting to a lecture about the history of racism in the U.S. The actual, concerted, and ongoing efforts by GOP politicians to prohibit such a lecture from ever occurring in the first place is a far more apt example of fragility and intellectual cowardice. For that matter, there are a number of current Supreme Court justices who would provide excellent examples of hypersensitivity: Justice Thomas characterizing questions about credible sexual harassment allegations during his confirmation hearing as a high-tech lynching; Justice Brett Kavanaugh declaring that my family and my name have been totally and permanently destroyed by questions about credible sexual assault claims during his confirmation hearing; Justice Samuel Alito declaring that saying or implying that the court is becoming an illegitimate institution or questioning our integrity crosses an important line. Advertisement One might have hoped that the recent rise in threats against the judiciary might have made the justices more empathetic to the harms of stalking. The Supreme Courts 2024 budget request reflects heightened concern for judicial security, seeking nearly $6 million in new security funding because on-going threat assessments show evolving risks that require continuous protection. In his 2022 Year-End Report on the Federal Judiciary, Roberts praised new legislation that protects the privacy of personal information about judges and their families, writing that we must support judges by ensuring their safety. A judicial system cannot and should not live in fear. That, apparently, is only an appropriate fate for everyone else. In 1521, in the imperial free city of Worms, the firebrand Augustinian friar Martin Luther stood before Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, then the head of and heir to the House of Habsburg, and refused to recant his widely published criticisms of the Catholic Church. The first duty of the Holy Roman Emperor was to defend the faith, and Charles did so by letting Luther go. If Charles had arrested Luther, it would have angered powerful princes in the empire whose support Charles needed to defeat the Ottoman Turks in Hungary. A few years after the showdown at Worms, unpaid troops in the Habsburg Emperors army mutinied, then sacked Rome and the Vatican. Among that mercenary army were German Lutherans. They stabled their horses in St. Peters basilica. Bored guards carved the name LUTHER into the Vaticans walls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the centuries that followed, the feudal Catholic order represented by Habsburg power played the Washington Generals to Protestant capitalisms Harlem Globetrotters. From the defeat of the Spanish Armada to the disastrous Battle of Rocroi, Hapsburgs absorbed loss after loss, while Protestant northern Europe extended itself across the world. (Check out our podcast, Hell on Earth, for more details!) By World War I, the European conflagration that brought down many of the continents remaining monarchies, the Habsburgs were just along for the ride. That brings ussomehow!to Eduard Karl Joseph Michael Marcus Koloman Volkhold Maria Habsburg-Lothringen, aka Archduke Eduard of Austria. Hes a 56-year-old social media influencer who also has a make-work job as Hungarys ambassador to the Holy See. His Twitter feed is filled with historical anecdotes about his family, the details of his day-to-day life as a diplomat, and lots of approachable, Gen X pop culture references. All of it is designed to make himself and his family appear relevant to a 21st-century audience. As part of his one-man Habsburg family charm offensive, he has now published a book: The Habsburg Way: Seven Rules for Turbulent Times. Advertisement Advertisement The books aesthetic pitch is a cross between Jordan Petersons Twelve Rules for Life and Mark Corrigans Business Secrets of the Pharaohs. It promises the reader blandly reactionary aphorisms, laundered in specious historical anecdotes, that will help them climb the ladder at whatever fake email job they have. The books chapters offer a brief overview of the Habsburg dynasty, following the familys rise from minor Swiss nobles to possessors of an empire that spanned much of Europe and the Americas. Along the way, Eduard offers seven rules for living taken from his familys experiences. One rule, Be Catholic, gets two chapters. One praises the piety of Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand II, whose devotion to the One True Church helped spark the 30 Years War. Most of the advice is a bit too specific to be useful to the average reader, but if I ever go to war with the king of Bohemia, Ill be sure to enlist support from Hungary. When scaled down for a regular schmo, Habsburgs rules are general to the point of banality. Get Married is pretty straightforward, but Be Brave in Battle (or Have a Great General) is a bit harder to parse. Others, like Believe in the Empire and Die Well, just sound like chants from a Habsburg cheerleading squad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The life lessons of the book are thin and halfhearted, but Habsburg has another agenda in mind with his slender volume. The Habsburg Way is a subtle but persistent case for monarchy as a political system, and the Hungarian state run by Viktor Orban (whose government Habsburg works for) as the vehicle to pursue it. Habsburg contrasts the supposed honor, piety, and grace of his familys dynasty with what he thinks is the narcissism and self-dealing of modern democratic political leaders. Hungary, Eduard writes, is blessed to have political leaders who live their faith visibly, and the Orban government that upholds Catholic political values like subsidiarity, the devolution of power to its lowest viable level. This he places in contrast to unnamed leaders of other Western countries who rely on globalist notions of central authority. Hungary, of course, isnt currently ruled by a monarchy, but Eduard repeatedly teases the notion that it may besomeday. Are we waiting for the monarchy to return? No, he writes, then adds, coyly: Or are we? Surely, in these turbulent times, our yearning for the gentle but firm hand of a monarch to gather the fractured pieces of the modern state will lead us back to the leadership of august dynasties like the Habsburgs. Advertisement Advertisement But all of Archduke Eduards aw-shucks baroque kitsch cannot obscure the fact that all the modern horrors that Habsburg laments, from Protestantism and capitalism to secularism and mass democracy, were birthed on his familys watch. At no point were the Habsburgs, for all their supposed virtue, able to successfully divert the course of history. They relented and vacillated and compromised until their power was reduced to a shadow. Somehow, according to Eduard, this unrivaled record of consistent bag-fumbling does nothing to implicate the character, values, or judgment of any of his ancestors. The one Habsburg who comes in for sustained criticism is the Austro-Hungarian Emperor Joseph II, who seized church property in the 19th century. Even here, Eduard flatters his kin, attributing Josephs actions to the supposedly vile influence of Freemasonry, rather than the relentless demands of capitalist efficiency. The family fought the tide of modernity and were resoundingly defeated by it, and we live in the aftermath of that defeat. Slate receives a commission when you purchase items using the links on this page. Thank you for your support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The book ends with a request that the next time a politician does something outlandish, the reader ask themselves: What would a Habsburg do now? We dont need to ask. We know! Theyre doing just what the rest of us are doing: trying to be influencers. Theyre driving race cars and apologizing for tech failures after hosting online events and writing groveling appeals to the commons like The Habsburg Way. The rule that the Habsburgs upheld led them to permanent eclipse. The family is now composed of the same sort of banal attention-seekers and time-servers as the rest of Europes pensioned aristocracy, which includes Facebook-addled coup plotters and Epstein island guests of honor. The toll that modernity has taken on the Habsburgs is evidenced in Eduards shallow understanding of the nature of empire, which doesnt go beyond a few references to Dune and Star Wars. Based on the amount of time he spends in the book fantasizing about TV and movie versions of his familys history, one must conclude that if he were offered the choice of the Crown of St. Stephen or a Netflix development deal, he would take the latter. Advertisement That explains why Eduard also feigns support for squishy liberal nostrums about tolerance and multiculturalism that neither his Habsburg ancestors nor his political patrons in the Orban regime would countenance. He cant voice his reactionary politics with a full throat for risk of alienating a mainstream audience, so instead he extols the Austro-Hungarian Empire as a model of multicultural toleration. You can agree or disagree with that assessment (Gavrilo Princip would definitely disagree), but either way its not a model that the current Hungarian government seeks to emulate. But this lion concerns himself very much with the opinions of sheep. All told, The Habsburg Way is a powerful case against monarchy, or at least the return to power of the great monarchical houses of Europe. All those centuries of bloodshed and glory have produced a lineage that can understand itself only through the lens of pop culture and shallow political grievance. Whatever powers are thrown up by the unfolding crises of the 21st century, they would do well to look for inspiration elsewhere: The Hapsburg Way is a dead end. Richard Glossip is almost certainly an innocent man. In the years since police first accused him of murder in 1997, the entire case against Glossip has completely fallen apart. His first trial was tainted by so much prosecutorial misconduct and so many procedural errors that the state judiciary threw out his conviction. His second trial was equally marred by false testimony and mishandled evidence. Republican state legislators have demanded clemency for Glossip, convinced he is innocent. His execution has been scheduled and called off seven times. Earlier this month, Oklahomas Republican attorney general, Gentner Drummond, even took the extraordinary step of asking the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals to vacate his conviction and death sentence, admitting that his second trial was unfair and unreliable. Advertisement On Thursday, the court refused. In a unanimous opinion, the court waved away overwhelming evidence of innocence and decided that, actually, Glossip is guiltyand must be put to death on May 18. The decision makes a sadistic mockery of the judiciarys supposed role as a guardian of individual liberties. It favors vengeance over justice. Sadly, it aligns with the current U.S. Supreme Courts merciless enthusiasm for the swift execution of people who are probably innocent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The outline of Glossips saga goes like this: In 1997, Justin Sneed murdered Barry Van Treese, the owner of the motel where Sneed worked as a handyman. A meth addict with a history of criminal violence, Sneed could not deny his role as the killer. But during interrogation, prosecutors relentlessly pushed the theory that Glossip, who managed the motel, had masterminded the murder. Sneed eventually parroted this story, though his explanation of Glossips motive shifted over time and never made sense. Still, Sneed cut a deal with police and prosecutors to avoid a death sentence in exchange for testifying against his co-defendant. So Sneed got life in prison while Glossip, who refused a plea bargain, got a death sentence. Advertisement In 2001, the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals tossed that sentence based on Glossips lawyers failure to contest the extremely weak evidence. So Glossip got a second trial in 2004. But prosecutors had destroyed key evidence that might have proved exculpatory five years before this new trial. Instead of seeing that evidence, the jury heard false testimony from Sneed, who lied to cover up his serious psychiatric condition and lithium treatment. Prosecutors did not reveal this history to Glossip, denying him the opportunity to impeach the star witness. The jury convicted and recommended death. Advertisement In letters to his lawyers, Sneed strongly suggested that he wanted to recant his testimony. And in the years since, a mountain of new exculpatory evidence has come to light. Much of this information was documented in a 343-page report commissioned by the Oklahoma Legislature and released in 2022, which concluded that the evidence cast grave doubt as to the integrity of Glossips murder conviction and death sentence. It was too much for Drummond, the attorney general, who finally threw the state behind Glossips quest for a new trial on April 6. Advertisement Advertisement The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals took just 14 days to rule against him. Justice David B. Lewis unanimous opinion rejected much of the exonerative evidence as insufficient to prove actual innocence. He dismissed the rest on the grounds that it could have been presented much earlier, and thus cannot be considered now. And he blamed Glossips lawyer for failing to uncover the fact that Sneed lied on the stand about his mental illness. Lewis asserted that this falsehood was not knowingly concealed by the prosecution, just conveniently omitted. (Prosecutors had evidence of Sneeds condition in their notes but failed to turn it over to Glossip.) And the justice swept away all these problems as not material under the law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even more perverse was Justice Gary L. Lumpkins self-congratulatory concurrence, a rebuke to the many people whove fought to prove Glossips innocence. Declaring that Oklahoma must be a government of laws and not of man, Lumpkin praised the court for not depending on the various opinions voiced by men, but instead applying the laws. The finality of a criminal case is a foundational principle of our justice system, he thundered. And preserving Glossips sentence mattered far more than sparing his life. Both Lewis and Lumpkins opinions have a chilling tone of contempt for Glossip and his many defenders. At no point do the justices acknowledge the defendants humanity, his suffering over the decades, his multiple last meals and near-misses with the execution chamber. The majority opinion adopted an almost gloating tone of self-satisfaction at the courts ability to analyze the case with cold logic rather than heated passion. The court sounded exasperated by the fact that Glossip has not yet been executed and impatient for his demise. Advertisement This tone is all too familiar. It echoes nearly every U.S. Supreme Court decision over the last five years involving capital punishment. Justice Neil Gorsuchs death penalty opinions casually discuss defendants as if they are subhuman, blithely musing about the states power to torture inmates to death. Justice Clarence Thomas infamously begins such opinions with a gruesome account of the alleged crime as if to imply that the defendant is a violent animal undeserving of any sympathy. Just last term, Thomas wrote an opinion allowing states to execute innocent people, no matter how unjust their sentence, in the interest of finality. The justice explained that federal courts must show respectnot for defendants, but for the state procedural rules that bar them from contesting their sentences. This flippant attitude infects the conservative justices rhetoric: On Wednesday, Justice Samuel Alito joked about a death row inmate, quipping that his execution date concentrate[d] his mind wonderfully. That inmate, Rodney Reed, is very likely innocent. Advertisement Advertisement Unfortunately, the U.S. Supreme Court is Glossips only remaining hope for judicial relief. His lawyers have vowed to appeal, but the odds are bleak. SCOTUS already greenlit Glossips execution once, in a 2015 decision about the constitutionality of lethal injection. The court was uninterested in his claims of innocence then, and its far more conservative today. In January, SCOTUS did send a strong message to the Texas judiciary that it should allow the retrial of a defendant at the request of the district attorney, who no longer trusted his conviction. But that case involved a notorious forensic lab scandal that directly tainted the conviction; its unclear whether SCOTUS will grant the same courtesy here, where theres no single factor that decisively punctures the guilty verdict. Advertisement Glossip may have more success at Oklahomas parole board, especially if Drummond supports his plea for a commutation to life without parole. A life behind bars, of course, remains a profoundly unjust penalty for a man who committed no crime. But the alternative is a court-mandated death on May 18an execution that the states chief law enforcement officer does not even want. The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals cruelty lies not only in its refusal to help Glossip, but also in its zeal to overrule prosecutors mercy and orchestrate his execution itself. A more sensible SCOTUS would recognize that killing a man against the wishes of the state is grievously unconstitutional. The SCOTUS we have is more likely to cheer along his death. In the foreground of the procession at the May coronation of the British King Charles III. according to foreign media, it will be a cross with religious relics that the Pope Francis presented to the monarch. On the Welsh cross are two pieces of wood which the Vatican claims were taken from the cross on which Jesus Christ is believed to have been crucified 2,000 years ago. Journalist Times reported that the two pieces of wood are shaped like a crossone measuring one centimeter and the other five millimetersand are set in the center of a large silver cross behind a pink crystal gemstone, so that they can only be seen up close. The Welsh Cross will be blessed by the Archbishop Andrew John at Mass at Holy Trinity Church in Wales. It is remarkable that the King has won the favor of the Vatican, which is why Pope Francis has agreed to donate these tiny pieces of the Holy Cross, said the Archbishop of Wales. A rehearsal for the coronation of Charles III was held on the empty streets of London at night. As part of the first rehearsal for the May coronation of the British King Charles III. a military parade was held early in the quiet and empty streets of London. The exercise, in which several hundred members of the British army on horseback took part, was supposed to start on Monday at 10 pm, but there was a delay. The Welsh Cross will be blessed by Archbishop Andrew John. PHOTO: Phil Noble, Reuters King Charles III. and Queen Consort Camilla will return from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace via Parliament Square, Whitehall, around Trafalgar Square, through Admiralty Arch and down The Mall during the coronation ceremony on May 6. The procession will be about a quarter of the length of the five-kilometer ceremonial route at the coronation of the late Queen Elizabeth II. in 1953, which took place along Piccadilly, Oxford Street and Regent Street. This lasted two hours and involved tens of thousands of participants. Although this was not seen at the rehearsal, Karel III. and the Queen Consort to Westminster Abbey in a state carriage for the Diamond Jubilee, and they will return the same way in a golden state carriage. The coronation will be accompanied by the largest military ceremony on the island in the last 70 years, in which more than 6,000 members of the British armed forces will participate. Almost 400 members of the armed forces from at least 35 Commonwealth countries will also participate. The American space company SpaceX launched the Starship rocket, the most powerful in history. It flew up to a height of 37 kilometers, after which the upper and lower stages of the craft should have separated, but this did not happen. The craft began to spin uncontrollably and exploded shortly thereafter. Despite this, SpaceX deemed the flight a success. The Starship rocket successfully lifted off at 15:33 CET from the test site in Boca Chica, Texas. After three minutes of flight, the upper stage of the craft, also called the Starship, and the booster rocket, called the Super Heavy, should separate. This did not happen, and the Starship rocket exploded soon after, according to the French news agency AFP. As if the test flight wasnt exciting enough, the Starship rocket experienced a quick unplanned dismantling before its scheduled separation, jSpaceX wrote on Twitter and explained that they will now review all the data and then start preparations for the next flight. In tests like this, success comes from what we learn, and todays test will help us improve the reliability of the Starship, the company added. Todays flight was the second attempt to launch a rocket. Namely, SpaceX postponed the first one on Monday, as one of the valves was said to have frozen. Even before todays flight, company founder Elon Musk questioned the success of the flight. The team is constantly working on many issues. Maybe well launch the rocket on 4/20, maybe not, he wrote on Twitter on Tuesday. Starship rocket PHOTO: AP In view of Mondays failed flight, he assessed the rocket launch as a very complicated procedure. There are a million ways this rocket could fail. Were very careful, and if we see anything that worries us, well delay the launch, he added. The Starship rocket consists of an upper stage, also called a Starship, and a booster rocket called a Super Heavy. It is 120 meters high, with a diameter of about nine meters. The Super Heavy is equipped with 33 Raptor engines, and the rocket is powered by a combination of methane and oxygen. It is the most powerful rocket in the world so far, as it could carry more than 150 tons of cargo into orbit, according to the website of the SpaceX company. Starship was chosen by the American space agency Nasa to transport its astronauts to the Moon as part of the Artemis III mission. The Artemis mission suite is a symbol of Americas space ambitions, and the Artemis III mission, which includes a moon landing, is expected to represent its pinnacle. As part of the mission, four astronauts will fly into lunar orbit in NASAs Orion module, after which two astronauts will transfer to SpaceXs Starship lander, which will then land on the moon. The company SpaceX, however, assumes that the Starship ship could also be filled with fuel in space, which would then continue its journey to Mars. Today, the European Parliament gave the green light to the first comprehensive rules for regulating the field of cryptocurrencies. According to the new regulation, service providers will have to protect the digital wallets of customers, and if they lose investors crypto-funds, they will have to be responsible for it. The purpose of the rules is to protect investors from abuse and manipulation. The new rules the European Commission presented their draft for the first time in October 2020 refer to crypto-assets, which include cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin and ether, as well as other trading assets whose value is secured by blockchain technology, such as non-fungible tokens (non -fungible tokens or NFT). They touch on different solutions. Greater control over the trading of crypto-assets should be provided so that it is more in line with traditional financial practices. This should make it more difficult for criminals to exploit cryptocurrencies for money laundering. In addition, big players in the cryptocurrency space are required to disclose data on energy consumption. The EU is working to reduce the high carbon footprint in this activity. Wild west arrangement The goal of the regulation is to regulate the industry, which is considered a wild west and has been shaken by scandals and crashes for some time, reports the French news agency AFP. One of the latest such failures is the bankruptcy of the crypto exchange FTX and its sister cryptocurrency hedge fund trading company Alameda Research. Founder of FTX Sam Bankman-Fried is accused of multi-billion dollar fraud. European Commissioner for Financial Services, Financial Stability and Capital Markets Mairead McGuinness warned during todays debate in parliament that if FTX had already been subject to the new EU rules, it would not have been able to implement some of its practices, which could have prevented its collapse and, as a result, saved investors from huge losses. The Green MP was also happy with the regulation of the field of cryptocurrencies Ernest Urtasun. Deficient regulation has resulted in huge losses for inexperienced investors for more than a decade, while providing a safe haven for fraudsters and international criminal networks, he said. Some MPs were also critical of the legislation, saying that it was not strict enough. It was also heard that it would hinder the development of innovation, which McGuinness rejected. The new rules must be officially approved by the Council of the EU, after which they will be published in the Official Journal of the EU. They will be in force from July 2024, after they have been transposed into national legal order by EU member states. This year, the EU is also expected to come up with a proposal for a digital euro. On a date during her sophomore year in college, Sepi Shyne had what would turn out to be a fateful brush with oppression. It was a very scary experience, and it kind of shifted me into activism, she recalled. Shyne was sitting with her girlfriend drinking lattes at a coffee shop in San Jose, California, when the manager, accompanied by a police officer, approached their table. The next thing I know, they are standing over us, and the police officer looks down and says, You two need to get up and leave. The manager doesnt want your kind in this establishment. The manager then blew a kiss and winked as Shyne and her girlfriend beat a hasty retreat. We got up and ran out of there in tears, she said. We were both immigrants and scared of authority figures who were abusing their power. The incident strengthened the womens resolve to get their law degrees and fight injustice. Two decades later, Shyne is now the mayor of West Hollywood, California, and campaigning for a seat in Congress. West Hollywood has and always will be on the right side of history on the side of human rights, a sanctuary city for the LGBTQ+ community and immigrants, she said. We are a small city with a big heart, and thats actually what we need to create in Congress bring the heart back to Congress and I hope to do that. Elected to the West Hollywood City Council in 2020, Shyne became the first lesbian of Iranian descent in the world to hold public office. She was a 2-year-old when the Iranian Revolution erupted and transformed the country into an Islamic republic. We didnt have a full democracy we had a monarchy, but we had a lot of freedoms, And then I saw womens rights just be obliterated, and for a little girl it felt like a blink of an eye, she said. Three years later, Shynes family fled Iran and arrived in America to start a new life. Finding a home in WeHo Shynes over 20 years of civil rights work culminated with her election to the West Hollywood City Council, where she rotated into the mayors seat in January. In the last two years, she said, the council has passed over 60 items that bring much needed change to whats dubbed the Creative City. I was immediately impressed with her sincere determination, her specific improvement plans for the city, and her progressive values, said Vic Gerami, an activist and documentary filmmaker. Unlike a lot of elected officials, Sepi is a doer. She does what she says and follows through with her promises. Gerami, an Armenian-American, said Shyne is a brave fighter for underserved communities. She is fearless and does not succumb to developers, special interests, and the politics of respectability. The changes Shyne has ushered in are designed to make West Hollywood more affordable, such as raising the minimum wage to $19.08 an hour the highest in the country while giving workers paid time off and sick time. Shyne also spearheaded improved tenant protections, secured federal funding for a behavioral crisis response unit, and reduced homelessness by 60%. The last item she credits with keeping her eye on the ball during the COVID-19 pandemic. When I got into office, I got on the homelessness subcommittee, and we kept monthly meetings during the pandemic, Shyne said. We felt it was really important to keep an eye on things as stewards and leaders of the city. We got updates from staff, gave direction on what improvements needed to be made, and made sure our social service providers were moving swiftly. And we were able to house over 60% of our unhoused residents. I attribute that to accountability and doing my job. Topping her list of current priorities is bringing public restrooms to the city that are accessible 24 hours, seven days a week. Being unhoused is not 9-to-5. It is 24 hours, and we have to shift our thinking to be more compassionate, she said, adding that tourists, on whom West Hollywood heavily relies on, need somewhere to use the bathroom, too. Out and Proud Shyne came out to her mother in high school, and when the incident at the coffee shop in San Jose happened, she decided to become more vocal and visible in her advocacy efforts. I told my ex, Im tired of feeling powerless. We need to go to law school, learn the law, and stop this from happening to others, Shyne said. Shynes reputation as a civil rights advocate landed her a guest appearance on CNN. It was after that that she realized she could no longer return to Iran. LGBTQ people that are out are killed, and I would have been killed, she said. So she has settled in West Hollywood with her fur babies two cats and a dog and is dedicated to keeping the city a sanctuary for those seeking a better life. Its incredible to be mayor of one of the best cities in America thats all about human rights, LGBTQ equality, womens rights, and a safe haven for immigrants, she said. Campaigning for Congress When U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein announced her upcoming retirement earlier this year, it set off a chain reaction in the Democratic ranks. U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff quickly announced his intentions to seek the Senate seat, leaving Congressional District 30, which includes West Hollywood, up for grabs. So, inspired by the Iranian Woman, Life, Freedom movement, Shyne said she felt called to step up and run for the congressional seat being vacated in order to fight for the American dream she represents. I am literally a product of the American dream myself, Shyne said. I was an undocumented immigrant when I fled Iran. I was undocumented until I was 16, and now Im the mayor of West Hollywood, and I want to make sure our democracy remains, and Im going to fight for that. The kooky indie comedy Andy Somebody (Launch Releasing) feels like a labor of love. Director and co-screenwriter Jesse David Ing co-wrote the screenplay with Jeremy M. Evans who happens to play the titular Andy. Additionally, Ing co-produced the movie actor with Leslie Wong, who plays Joy, another of the lead characters. Andy Somebody also comes across like a comedic throwback to an earlier time the 1970s or 1980s. Andy (Evans) is an unhappy man. The movie opens with him sitting in his car crying before he enters his office where he works as a bookkeeper for corrupt plastic surgeon Shifflett (Tasmanian actor Jonathon Buckley). We know of Shiffletts wrong-doing because a pair of incompetent Chicago police detectives, Dave (Dave Forseth) and Pete (Pete Fluet), who are more interested in getting drunk and stoned, are on stakeout outside of his office. Shifflett is a disgusting bully (is there any other kind?). Insulting to clients and staff. He saves most of his vitriol for Andy, relentlessly abusing him. When Andy fails to produce the paperwork Shifflett wants, he enlists gun-toting ex-CIA guy Gene (Jacob Bruce) to increase the pressure. Meanwhile in Los Angeles, Andys childhood friend Joy (Wong) has her own problems. A writer whose short story collection was a success, Joy is experiencing writers block and has yet to complete the manuscript for her new novel (for which she received an advance). Her publisher is demanding that the book be finished in three weeks. At least Andy has found a way to deal with his frustration. He transfers everything in Shiffletts bank account into his personal account, and then cracks the combination on the safe and absconds with three million dollars in cash. He dons his Chicago Cubs cap, slips past a sleeping Gene, visits a handful of the citys sights (including Wrigley Field, Buckingham Fountain, Cloud Gate, and Crown Fountain), and then boards a plane to L.A. where he shows up on Joys doorstep. Shes less than thrilled to see him, especially after he reveals what hes done. Fearing for her own safety, Joy sends Andy away. Gene contacts L.A.-based actor-turned-roofer Todd (Tim Parrish), who is indebted to Shifflett, and offers him the chance to clear his obligation by finding and capturing Andy. After breaking into Joys house while shes away, Todd returns when she gets home, flashes his gun, and gets her to cooperate in his plan to find Andy. Left to his own devices, Andy checks into a western-themed motel where he buddies up with desk clerk Mel (Carmen Morales), a wannabe screenwriter. She and Andy hit it off and she lets Andy borrow her pickup truck. Along with Andres (Franko Marcano), the motels janitor, Andy sets off on what will turn out to be the zaniest, and most dangerous, night of his life. Overflowing with improbable situations, Andy Somebody deserves credit for providing us with plenty of opportunities to laugh out loud, even when were cringing. The cast of mostly unfamiliar actors do a decent job embodying their characters and its not the worst way to spend 80 or so minutes. Rating: B- Gregg Shapiro is the author of eight books including the poetry chapbook Fear of Muses (Souvenir Spoon Books, 2022). An entertainment journalist, whose interviews and reviews run in a variety of regional LGBTQ+ and mainstream publications and websites, Shapiro lives in Fort Lauderdale with his husband Rick and their dog Coco. Guaranteed this won't be published. SFGN Co-Founder Norm Kent didn't die! He lives on in current editor Jason Parsley continuing to publishing lies, blocking a conservative voice, perpetuating hysteria misleading the Gay Community with false narratives in his "Gay Rag." How many articles on the Don't Say Gay Bill? Weekly. How many articles published on the FAILURES of #46? NONE How many articles published of the DEPLORABLE infrastructure in Ft. Lauderdale lead my Gay Mayor Dean Trantalis? NONE How many articles published on #46 disgusting economy affecting disposable income, cost of living, housing prices and rentals, fuel cost, energy cost, and food cost within the Gay Community? NONE! How many articles on the open borders' crisis with HUGE amounts of Fentanyl coming in killing Broward residence? NONE! How many articles on Brenda Fam strong stance advocating for Broward School Children and eliminating Woke ideology in our schools? NONE! See folks, Norm Kent NEVER EVER published a positive word or acknowledged any POSITIVE impact's that Conservatives have contributed to the Gay Community, but instead threw us under the bus and wished we had been thrown in the oven too! Sadly, Jason Parsley continues this disingenuous tradition as Publisher of SFGN and sadly carries Norm's torch! - Andrew R. Brett, Past President Log Cabin Republicans of Broward. Founder SOFLA GAY (GREAT AMERICAN YOU) Conservatives. High school and college students across the Sunshine State are planning to get up from their desks and walk out of classrooms at noon today, protesting the legislatures censorship in education. Walkout 2 Learn is organized by SEE Alliance and rallies are being hosted later today in Miami Beach, Jacksonville, Orlando and Sarasota. Theres a lot of organizing going on around trying to stop all these regressive, horrifying bills from becoming law, said Zander Moricz, the executive director and founder of the SEE Alliance. Unfortunately, our legislature and the people in power are ignoring Floridians. Theyre ignoring parents, teachers and students. Not only has Dont Say Gay been expanded to 12th grade, essentially banning education on gender identity and sexuality, but Florida high schools will not be offering an AP course covering African American history and Gov. Ron DeSantis has targeted DEI initiatives at colleges and universities. During the noon walkout, students will listen to a 5-minute banned history lesson from a peer and have an opportunity to sign up for a virtual AP African American History course created with a coalition of history professors. Students will receive a certificate of completion for college applications. If any students are punished for participating in the walkout, Walkout 2 Learn says a network of lawyers and politicians will be ready to support them, Moricz said. Students can participate by organizing a walkout at their school or checking to see where one is already being planned here. Participating schools include Fort Lauderdale High School, Boca Raton High School, Florida Atlantic University, American Heritage High School, Atlantic Community High School, Somerset Academy Charter High School, Spanish River HIgh School and more. In Vanessa Garcias #Graced, a world premiere play opening May 4 at Zoetic Stage in Miami, a young woman, Cat, seeks authentic experiences while on a Lewis-and-Clark-esque trip across the country with her lover Lewis. One of the unique characters they encounter along the way is Blake, a queer homeschooled teen, portrayed by Miami transgender actor Sabrin Diehl. Blake is a 16-year-old girl who is just starting to figure out that she might not be straight and she might not be cisgender, explained Diehl. Shes very much at the beginning of her journey. Diehl, who is now 24, came out as a lesbian at 14. Two years ago, during the height of the pandemic, the New World School of the Arts grad began questioning their gender identity. At the same time, my dad was imprisoned for a while and had just been released. There was a lot of space for emotions to come out, they said. I realized that I was trans and felt very much nonbinary. Im obviously androgynous enough to be playing a teenage girl, but I had a lot of conversations with [directors Sarah Hughes and Victoria Collado] about what Blake is going through. Blake and Diehls experiences share similarities, along with obvious differences. Unlike Blake, who is somewhat isolated, at New World and surrounded by diverse students, Diehl could be myself. I came out very loudly and figured it out for myself, they recalled. The connection with Blake is especially sweet, but it comes out very messily for her like it does when youre young and queer. But, it was met with tenderness and its healing to see that in the play. There are a lot of young gay and queer people who dont get that. Diehl believes the timing of the premiere is important, especially given the political attacks the transgender community is facing in Florida and other Republican-led states. Its personal, they added. Its a great play with a lot of important perspectives around where we are as a country, Diehl, who is also Cuban-American, elaborated. This show dares to ask all the questions. Theres also a lot happening right now because of social media and when you give someone a label there are all sorts of prejudices that come along with that. They concluded, Im happy people are talking about pronouns, but I dont want people to be afraid to speak to me or get to know me just because Im trans. Its hard and it was hard for me, too. Since its such a well-written show and being directed brilliantly, I believe this very clear message will come through. We need to have conversations and not be afraid of each other. Zoetic Stages presents the world premiere of Vanessa Garcias #Graced, May 4 21 at the Arsht Center in Miami. Tickets are $55 60 at ZoeticStage.org. Historical tram rides, Bratislavas architecture, hunt for old books and more. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Bratislava City Days are a great way to explore Bratislava and get a closer look on its history, culture, architecture and more. Fall in love with the city through walks, discovering hidden nooks, enjoying art and more. Rides As good as new When travelling from place to place during Bratislava City Days, you probably get to use public transport. Other than regularly scheduled trams and buses, there will be historic vehicles cruising through town during the entire weekend for a little bit of nostalgia. From 10:00 on April 23, you will be able to catch those vehicles and get a free ride. Find the historic trams at the Jesenskeho tram stop, near the old building of the Slovak National Theatre. Bratislava in English (and more) When touring Bratislava, you do not have to wander by yourself. On April 23 at 14:00, sightseeing tours in English, Ukrainian and Italian will take place. The meeting point is the Primacial Square in front of the Tourist Information Centre. Visitors will have the chance to get to know the Slovak capital better, along with its rich history, quirky fun facts and more. A reservation is needed, though, which you can make here. Catch a historical vehicle free of charge. (Illustrative photo). (Source: Oliver Filan, TASR) Architecture trips Walking through time periods Bratislava is full of places that mirror its long history, however no other place is like Namestie Slobody (Freedom Square). The square captures 30 years of Slovakia as a sovereign country and changes that were channelled through architecture. On April 22 at 10:00, you will have the chance to take a walk through time. Reserve your spot here. TIP: Before you go there, check out our story on Namestie Slobody. There is a planned reconstruction that will breathe life into the old fountain. All for architecture enthusiasts From Nova Trznica (New Marketplace) to cathedrals, theres a lot of unique architecture in Bratislava. Getting a good look at details you have never noticed before is a great chance to experience the city to the fullest. On April 22 at 10:00, visitors of Bratislava City Days will get to appreciate both old and new architecture, finishing with a hearty meal at the Treska place. Heres where to register. Bratislava prides itself on unique pieces of architecture. (Source: Jozef Jakubco, SME) Art Town of the past Old photos, remembering past days of Bratislava and more will be part of an exhibition during the Bratislava City Days. Visitors will get a look at old photos documenting how Bratislava used to look and explore how it changed over the years. Heres where to find the exhibition. The exhibition is free of charge. TIP: If you want to hunt for more historical postcards and browse for yourself, try out the Steiner Antique Shop near the University Library and Michalska Gate. The antique shop also has books in English and other languages. Under the surface History goes hand in hand with archaeology and researching. The Municipal Institute for the Protection of Monuments in Bratislava will capture their findings on camera lenses for visitors to enjoy during Bratislava City Days. Along with their findings, you can plan your own archaeological tour to see the old Roman camp. Find more information on the exhibition here. While in Bratislava, hunt for old artifacts in antique shops. Many of them have books in English and other languages. (Source: Milan David) Miscellaneous fun Starry skies for Bratislava When history, precise research and art come together, it is a sight worth seeing. In the Bratislava Old Town Hall, visitors will be able to see the exposure of the globe of the starry sky. Learn more about the development and images portrayed on the globe on April 22. Markets and books Lovers of thrifting and literature will have the opportunity to browse through older books and flip through pages that remember the past. A book exchange will take place in the courtyard of the Mirbach Palace on April 22 and April 23 with free entrance. You will find magazines, books and other publications. Bratislava is filled with antique shops that offer all genres and types of literature, which gives Bratislava city visitors the chance to explore even further. The aforementioned antique shop Steiner is just one of them. Theres also the antique shop YS in the Old Town District, the antique shop near the Palace of Justice and antique shop Schody Do Neba (Stairway to Heaven). Book markets are a great way to exchange experience with people sharing similar interests. (Source: Smadisova, Stanislava, SME) Before you go, check out more Bratislava events for the days to come: 3 free things to do: Another hike outside Bratislava, but a new final destination. Another hike outside Bratislava, but a new final destination. Top 10 events for foreigners: Fresh Market's Italian Day and a wine cellars day are waiting for you. Fresh Market's Italian Day and a wine cellars day are waiting for you. Lost in Bratislava during the Bratislava City Days? Try our Bratislava Travel Guide to make sure you don't miss any of the hot spots. That's it for this week. Take care, and have a restful weekend! -Maria Do you have any tips? You can reach Maria at maria.jurikova@spectator.sk Tommy Hilfiger stores have already disappeared from Bratislava. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Shops that have until recently been selling fashon goods under the global brand Tommy Hilfiger are quitting Slovak shopping centres. The owner of the operation in Slovakia describes the closures as "optimisation". In Slovakia, the brand falls under the Denim Group company. Withdrawing Tommy Hilfiger from the Slovak market is part of optimising and adapting to shoppers new behaviours, Denim representatives said. Denim Group administers other global brands like Levis, CK Underwear and Tommy Jeans, writes Index. Denim Group is known for its attempt to seek compensation for financial losses incurred during the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2019, the company recorded 6.6 million in sales, which then fell to 4.8 million during 2020, when shops were closed because of pandemic measures. The company turned to the European Court to Human Rights in 2021, Dennik N reported. Financial aid for entrepreneurs that are also employers is lacking. The company runs on our own savings and on loans we are taking out, wrote the owner of the company, Ondrej Konecny. He added that while pandemic-related financial aid in Slovakia was around 20 percent of turnover, it was up to 80 percent in other states. Now, Denim Group is gradually closing stores bearing the Tommy Hilfiger brand. Those in Bratislava, at the Aupark and Vivo shopping centres, closed at the beginning of 2023, followed by a store in Nitras Mlyny centre. There were certain discrepancies with shopping centres regarding increasing rent and services including energy costs. Closing the stores was therefore a matter of optimisation, said Konecny. The company says it is now focusing on shoppers' new habits, and finessing its e-shops, according to Konecny Denim Group and Denim Retail appear on the list of significant debtors to public agencies, according to information from Finstat. The highest outstanding debt is for 11,000, owed to the public Social Insurance company. Denim Group owed 280,000 to the Financial Administration tax authority as of 2021, but that was paid off in August 2021. Read more about fashion Rising prices most preoccupy Slovaks, Tommy Hilfiger stores quietly close. The Bratislava Tourist Information Center is a great first stop for visitors during the Bratislava City Days. (Source: Peter Zakovic, TASR) Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Good afternoon. Here is the Friday, April 21 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes. Rising prices still haunt Slovaks The cost of living remains Slovaks' main preoccupation, followed by the decline in the quality of healthcare, increasing societal aggression and the endangerment of democracy, a poll of 1,000 respondents by the AKO polling agency for the TV JOJ show Na hrane has found. Respondents could choose the three things that bother them most. In the results break-down, women were particularly worried about all the top three concerns. Increasing prices are the most pressing issue for Slovaks. (Illustrative photo). (Source: Marko Erd, SME) More from The Slovak Spectator website SHOPPING: Tommy Hilfiger shops close. The brand is quietly disappearing from shopping centres. FAMILY: Family policies in Slovakia are among the most generous in the world, a think tank claims. If you like what we are doing and want to support good journalism, buy our online subscription with no ads and a print copy of The Slovak Spectator sent to your home in Slovakia. Thank you. Featured story for Friday Explore parts of Bratislava that you won't have seen before As the weekend starts, Bratislava is opening its streets, history and quirks to locals, foreigners and visitors from all around Slovakia to explore. The city has prepared a programme for English-speakers, too. Give the Bratislava City Days a try and browse our tips. Explore hidden exhibitions, museums and other events during the Bratislava City Days this weekend. (Source: Dano Veselsky, TASR) In other news President Zuzana Caputova has recalled Lucia Kurilovska, the rector of Slovakia's national Police Academy . Acting Interior Minister Roman Mikulec (OLaNO) proposed Kurilovska's recall following a recent serious shooting incident in which a student was permanently injured by a teacher on the academy's firing range. Academy employees have expressed support for Kurilovska. (TASR) . Acting Interior Minister Roman Mikulec (OLaNO) proposed Kurilovska's recall following a recent serious shooting incident in which a student was permanently injured by a teacher on the academy's firing range. Academy employees have expressed support for Kurilovska. (TASR) Germany will remove its Patriot air defence system from Slovakia by the end of this year due to maintenance reasons. The country will remain protected by Italy's SAMPT/T air defence system. In addition, Germany will soon provide Slovakia with two MANTIS air defene systems, worth 250 million, free of charge and parmanently, the Slovak Defence Ministry has said. (CTK) by the end of this year due to maintenance reasons. The country will remain protected by Italy's SAMPT/T air defence system. In addition, Germany will soon provide Slovakia with two MANTIS air defene systems, worth 250 million, free of charge and parmanently, the Slovak Defence Ministry has said. (CTK) Dusan Dedecek remains in custody . Dedecek, the drunk driver who killed five students when he crashed into a bus stop in Bratislava last year, will remain in prison, a Bratislava district court ruled. (TASR) . Dedecek, the drunk driver who killed five students when he crashed into a bus stop in Bratislava last year, will remain in prison, a Bratislava district court ruled. (TASR) Comenius University has sacked its former dean Milan Trizna just one day after he was caught taking a 20,000 bribe. Trizna led the Faculty of Natural Sciences in the past. He is now facing a criminal charge. Trizna led the Faculty of Natural Sciences in the past. He is now facing a criminal charge. Environment Ministry will support schools that organise activities tied to the environment. Each supported school could get 10,000. The money is intended to support teachers in preparing extracurricular activities for children, for example visits to national parks. (TASR) April 22 is Earth Day. The art "Rosie Naive Art" by Ruzena Babicova captures various nature scenes. On this day, treat yourself with a walk and, if you're able to, collect some litter on the way. (Source: Pavel Neubauer, TASR) Weather for the weekend On Saturday the whole country can expect sunny or partly sunny skies. Temperatures will finally climb towards the 20s, reaching 18C to 23C. On Sunday cloudy skies and temperatures of around 20C are expected for western Slovakia. In central parts temperatures will peak at around 18C, with partly sunny skies. Eastern Slovakia can expect the same, but with even more sun. Rain is expected on Monday in western and central Slovakia, with temperatures around 15C. It will be partly sunny in the east, with temperatures of up to 16C. (SHMU) Thank you for subscribing and reading. It means a lot to us. P.S. If you have suggestions on how our news overview can be improved, you can reach us at editorial@spectator.sk. Follow The Slovak Spectator on Facebook, Instagram (@slovakspectator) and Twitter (@slovakspectator). https://sputnikglobe.com/20230420/brazil-not-shy-about-working-with-both-china-us-on-space-amid-tensions-1109714117.html Brazil 'Not Shy' About Working With Both China, US on Space Amid Tensions Brazil 'Not Shy' About Working With Both China, US on Space Amid Tensions Brazil will continue to work with China and the US on space matters, regardless of current tensions between Washington and Beijing, Brazilian Space Agency Coordinator for Satellites and Applications Rodrigo Leonardi told Sputnik. 2023-04-20T22:31+0000 2023-04-20T22:31+0000 2023-04-20T22:28+0000 world brazil space cooperation russia brics china /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/107758/37/1077583763_0:160:3073:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_710a07ee5fff46cdc83f761b72641880.jpg "We have several interactions on the commercial side. And regarding space, we have a program with China called CBERS - The ChinaBrazil Earth Resources Satellite program," Leonardi said on the sidelines of the 38th Space Symposium in Colorado Springs. "That's 30 years old already, and we're planning to continue working with them in that framework." When asked whether it was difficult to manage these partnerships amid current tensions between Beijing and Washington, Leonardi stated, "not difficult at all." Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva during his trip to China last week said Brazil cannot be prevented from developing cooperation with the Asian country. In a statement preceding the bilateral meeting, Lula said Brazil is committed to intensifying cooperation with China in science and technology, student exchanges, culture, climate change, clean energy and electric vehicles. Taiwan has been governed independently from mainland China since 1949. Beijing views the island as its province, while Taiwan - a territory with its own elected government - maintains that it is an autonomous country, although stops short of declaring independence. Beijing opposes any official contacts of foreign states with Taipei and considers Chinese sovereignty over the island indisputable.Space Cooperation With Russia in BRICS FrameworkLeonardi further told Sputnik that Brazil anticipates its collaboration with Russia on space matters within the framework of BRICS to only continue to mature."We do have a space cooperation with Russia that is in the framework of the BRICS group. Of course, we continue to engage with our colleagues from Roscosmos in that framework," Leonardi said. Leonardi also said that Brazil was open to capacity building, exchanging students and professionals, and continuing the tradition of working with everyone in space.When asked whether the current tensions between the West and Moscow affect Brazils cooperation with Russia on space matters, Leonardi said: "The tensions affect everybody, I would say that's not good for anyone."He also expressed hope that peace might be found as soon as possible, so that Brazil may continue to work with everyone in space.Regarding the potential for Brazil to participate in Russia's proposed space station, Leonardi said that it is a "bit too early" to discuss such a move.In October, Roscosmos Human Space Flight Programs Executive Director Sergei Krikalev said that Russia's future space station will involve cooperation with other space agencies.BRICS unites the world's largest developing economies - Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. A number of other countries intend to join the economic bloc, including Argentina, Iran, Indonesia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230419/brazil-finds-role-as-ukraine-peace-broker-amid-lavrovs-latin-american-tour-1109665946.html brazil russia china Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International brazil; space cooperation; china; us; regional tensions; https://sputnikglobe.com/20230420/emergency-descent-of-air-munition-from-su-34-plane-damages-houses-in-belgorod---moscow-1109714503.html Emergency Descent of Air Munition From Su-34 Plane Damages Houses in Belgorod Emergency Descent of Air Munition From Su-34 Plane Damages Houses in Belgorod The damage to the houses Belgorod was caused by an emergency descent of aviation munition from a Su-34 aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces, the Russian Defense Ministry said Thursday. 2023-04-20T22:52+0000 2023-04-20T22:52+0000 2023-04-21T04:13+0000 russia belgorod russian defense ministry su-34 aviation munition emergency descent /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/04/14/1109714347_0:0:1662:935_1920x0_80_0_0_d2069291f4f00ccc362acaa95b051666.png Earlier Thursday, Vyacheslav Gladkov, the governor of the Belgorod region, detailed a blast occurred in Belgorod that damaged an apartment building and several parked cars and knocked down power lines. A Sputnik correspondent reported that a cordon had been set up at the scene in the southern part of Belgorod. Residents were not allowed to enter the intersection. Emergency teams were working at the site. The ministry added that an "investigation is underway." Gladkov said on Telegram that two women were injured in the incident: one woman was taken to a nearby hospital with craniocerebral trauma, and the other one with bruises and abrasions refused hospitalization and was treated at the site. The governor said that four apartments in the building and four cars were damaged in the incident. An information headquarters was established to collect data on the damage in the city. Rescue services and an investigation team are working at the site, he added. belgorod Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International belgorod; russia; su-34 aircraft; russian defense ministry; russian aerospace forces; aviation munition; emergency descent https://sputnikglobe.com/20230420/manslaughter-charges-dropped-against-alec-baldwin-over-fatal-rust-shooting-1109714948.html Manslaughter Charges Dropped Against Alec Baldwin Over Fatal 'Rust' Shooting Manslaughter Charges Dropped Against Alec Baldwin Over Fatal 'Rust' Shooting Manslaughter charges filed against US actor Alec Baldwin were dropped Thursday, marking the second instance in which "Rust"-related charges were axed. 2023-04-20T23:53+0000 2023-04-20T23:53+0000 2023-04-20T23:50+0000 viral rust alec baldwin crime /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/01/0f/1092270451_0:111:2953:1772_1920x0_80_0_0_df1876f753e5b52e13d589fefce8b592.jpg Criminal charges filed against Emmy-award winning actor Alec Baldwin, 65, were dropped on Thursday, the celebrity's legal representation has announced. Baldwin had been charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter related to the 2021 shooting on the set of the Rust film.The announcement comes about two-and-a-half months after New Mexico prosecutors first filed involuntary manslaughter charges against the actor.Baldwin denied pulling the trigger, however, an FBI report concluded that the prop gun would not have fired otherwise. According to reports, prosecutors had recently learned the gun had been modified with a new trigger, which would have made an accident more likely."Mr. Baldwin had no reason to believe there was a live bullet in the gun - or anywhere on the movie set," said Nikas. "He relied on the professionals with whom he worked, who assured him the gun did not have live rounds."Charges against the films armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed have yet to be dropped, her lawyers said. The 25-year-old is facing two counts of involuntary manslaughter for Hutchins death. A lawyer for Gutierrez-Reed said they fully expect at the end of this process that [Gutierrez-Reed] will also be exonerated.Baldwin was reportedly seen on set on Thursday as the film resumed production at Yellowstone Ranch in Montana. Sources say the film needs 20 more days of filming before wrapping, and the scene in which Hutchins was fatally shot has been rewritten. Melina Spadone, a lawyer for Rust Movie Productions, said that the use of working weapons and any form of ammunition will be barred: "Live ammunition is - and always was - prohibited on set."The latest development comes months after a firearms enhancement charge was dropped against Baldwin. The previous charge carried a five-year prison sentence whereas he faced just up to 18 months had he been convicted of involuntary manslaughter. Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Mary Manley https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg Mary Manley https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Mary Manley https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg alec baldwin; manslaughter charges; fatal rust shooting https://sputnikglobe.com/20230421/2024-us-presidential-election-who-has-tossed-hat-into-ring-1109728427.html 2024 US Presidential Election: Who Has Tossed Hat Into Ring? 2024 US Presidential Election: Who Has Tossed Hat Into Ring? Potential candidates who have announced a 2024 bid for the White House. 2023-04-21T13:38+0000 2023-04-21T13:38+0000 2023-04-21T13:38+0000 us 2024 us presidential elections joe biden donald trump americas nikki haley marianne williamson /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/04/15/1109728109_0:156:3000:1844_1920x0_80_0_0_22d9b76fe2cf26f6175a9f157211cb3f.jpg The ever-growing list of candidates for the 2024 presidential race in the United States seen some new names added to it recently. On April 20, 70-year-old conservative political commentator Larry Elder announced his candidacy during an interview, saying he had a "moral, a religious, and a patriotic duty" to do so. Elder will be running against former President Donald Trump, who tossed his hat in the ring back on November 15, 2022.Here is a look at who has already entered the race, and who is still sitting on the fence.RepublicansDonald J. TrumpHeadlining the fray among the Republicans is former President Donald J. Trump. The 76-year-old announced that he would seek another stint in the White House on November 15, 2022. Trump has not been idle since then, hitting the campaign trail running. The Republican held his major debut campaign rally in Waco, Texas, in March with a possible indictment looming over him. He was later indicted on March 30 by a Manhattan grand jury on charges pertaining to alleged hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels. The former president pleaded not guilty. Trump's latest legal woes have only boosted his standing in the polls.Nikki HaleyFormer US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley announced in February that she would challenge Donald Trump for the Republican nomination in the 2024 election campaign. The daughter of Indian immigrants, she has presented herself as a member of a new generation of leadership.The 51-year-old is known for taking jabs at 80-year-old President Joe Biden, urging a mental competency test for all politicians over 75 years old. The 45th POTUS welcomed her decision to run, quipping, the more the merrier," and added that she should "not be bound" by her previous lavish vows not to run against him.Vivek RamaswamyUS biotech entrepreneur and author Vivek Ramaswamy announced in February that he would compete for the Republican nomination in the upcoming presidential election in 2024, saying he hopes to inspire a new cultural movement in the United States. According to him, the US is in the midst of a "national identity crisis," with faith, patriotism, and hard work on the decline. Asa HutchinsonFormer Governor of the US state of Arkansas Asa Hutchinson made the announcement that he would run for president in 2024 as a Republican in the first days of April, calling on former US President Donald Trump to ditch plans for re-election. Hutchinson does not believe that Trump "should be the next leader of our country," adding in an interview that the ex-POTUS should withdraw from the presidential race in view of his recent indictment.Larry ElderPolitical commentator Larry Elder, 70, a former attorney, announced his White House bid on April 20. He previously ran for office unsuccessfully against California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, during a recall election in 2021. The radio host announced his candidacy in an interview with Tucker Carlson, saying: "I feel I have a moral, a religious, and a patriotic duty to give back to a country thats been so good to my family and me. An early supporter of the former 45th Republican commander-in-chief, saying he was almost God-sent" in 2016, Elder will now be running against Donald Trump.Ron DeSantisFlorida Governor Ron DeSantis is still putting off making any official announcement that he intends to be a would-be Republican presidential candidate. There has been broad speculation that the Florida governor may run for the Republican Party presidential nomination in 2024, which would see him face Trump in the primary process. The 44-year-old is seen as ranking second in the polls, trailing Trump. DeSantis is known for putting pen to paper and signing bills fixing new restrictions on abortion and loosening gun laws. He has also been entangled in a messy row with Walt Disney Co in connection with its Florida theme park.Tim ScottOne of those flagged as potentially mulling a 2024 bid is Tim Scott, a Black Republican US senator from his home state of South Carolina. A presidential exploratory committee has purportedly been launched by Scott, 57, but there has been no official statement regarding running in 2024 so far.Mike PenceFormer Vice President Mike Pence has also hinted that he may make an announcement for a 2024 presidential election bid. Speaking to a US media outlet in late February, he said that by the spring, our family expects to have a very clear sense of our calling. He earlier stated in a separate interview that he would prefer a Republican alternative to Trump in the 2024 presidential election. Chris ChristieFormer New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is supposedly also "talking to potential donors," ostensibly to discuss a campaign for president in 2024, US media reported. The New Jersey Republican is believed to be close to making up his mind.Chris SununuChris Sununu, New Hampshire's governor, 48, who has served in office since 2017, has been quoted as saying that the Republican Party needs new leadership, and apparently questioning whether Trump would be able to beat Biden in 2024.DemocratsMarianne WilliamsonMarianne Williamson became the first Democrat to launch a 2024 presidential campaign after announcing her bid for the WH on March 4, 2023. She is a best-selling self-help author who was part of the left wing of the 2020 Democratic primary race. Williamson, 70, is known for having championed some major left-wing causes, such as calling for a Medicare-for-All type system, an anti-poverty initiative, and a US Department of Peace to counteract US militarism. She has also campaigned for the release of WikiLeaks co-founder Julian Assange, who faces 18 felony charges from the US Department of Justice.Robert F. Kennedy Jr.Robert F. Kennedy Jr. became one of the recent contenders for the presidential ticket. Nephew of former US President John F. Kennedy (JFK) and son of one-time US Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, the environmental lawyer made his announcement on April 19 before a large crowd in Boston, Massachusetts.Joe Biden Expected to headline the Democratic race for the White House is the current president, Joe Biden.While hinting on many occasions that he plans to run in 2024, Biden has dithered over making any official remarks. Now, reports say Biden's team is gearing up to release a video next week where the octogenarian will officially launch his campaign. There is speculation that the announcement will be timed to the four-year anniversary of the Democrat's 2020 campaign launch. If so, Joe Biden will enter the fray amid disastrous polling numbers. One survey in March revealed a mere 37% of Democrats approved of him seeking another term in office.Asked last August about the possibility of any primary challenge to Biden, DNC Executive Director Sam Cornale said, "We're with Biden. Period." https://sputnikglobe.com/20230419/robert-kennedy-jr-announces-challenge-to-biden-in-2024-presidential-race-1109665801.html americas Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Svetlana Ekimenko Svetlana Ekimenko News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Svetlana Ekimenko potential presidential candidates, 2024 white house bid, donald j. trump, nikki haley, vivek ramaswamy, asa hutchinson, larry elder, ron desantis, tim scott, mike pence, chris christie, chris sununu, marianne williamson, robert f. kennedy jr., joe biden , primaries, who is running in 2024, who will run against trump, will biden run in 2024 https://sputnikglobe.com/20230421/canada-to-provide-ukraine-with-new-military-aid-package-worth-29mln-1109742017.html Canada to Provide Ukraine With New Military Aid Package Worth $29Mln Canada to Provide Ukraine With New Military Aid Package Worth $29Mln Ottawa will provide Ukraine with a new military aid package worth $29 million to be spent on fuel and sniper rifles among others, Canadas Ministry of National Defense said on Friday. 2023-04-21T13:52+0000 2023-04-21T13:52+0000 2023-04-21T14:38+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine ukraine canada military aid /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/04/09/1109298287_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_6ca00b5997bacedca28fe958145133e4.jpg Minister Anand announced that Canada is providing a new military aid package for Ukraine. This assistance includes A $34.6 million contribution to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Ukraine Comprehensive Assistance Package (CAP) Trust Fund ... Approximately $2.5 million for 40 .50 caliber sniper rifles and ammunition from Prairie Gun Works based in Winnipeg, which includes spare parts and accessories. Approximately $2 million worth of new radio sets (16 in total) from L3 Harris to accompany the Leopard 2 tank donations, the National Defense statement reads. Accordingly, the C$34 million will allow the implementation of NATOs CAP fuel material project, which seeks to provide Ukraine with 3.3 million liters of fuel. Part of the funds will go to implement the NATO CAP Improved Ribbon Bridge project, the statement said, which consists in providing Ukraine with modular flotation bridges, and allows for wet-gap crossing. The announced funding will also mark Canadas first contribution to NATOs CAP medical first aid kits project, the statement added. Canadas Ministers of Defense Anita Anand also noted that the eight Leopard 2 provided to Ukraine are currently in Poland where Ukrainian crews are being assisted by Gunnery Skills Trainers from 2nd Canadian Division Support Base Valcartier, the statement pursued. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230322/biden-set-for-two-day-visit-to-canada-with-ukraine-trade-topping-broad-agenda-1108705196.html ukraine canada Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International new military aid package, canada to provide ukraine, sniper rifles https://sputnikglobe.com/20230421/chinese-police-station-propaganda-rfk-jr-launches-2024-bid-doj-criminalizes-russia-support-1109716747.html Chinese 'Police Station' Propaganda; RFK Jr Launches 2024 Bid; DOJ Criminalizes Russia Support Chinese 'Police Station' Propaganda; RFK Jr Launches 2024 Bid; DOJ Criminalizes Russia Support The US Department of Justice is charging a Black socialist group for supporting the Russian special military operation and accusations of election interference. 2023-04-21T04:09+0000 2023-04-21T04:09+0000 2023-04-21T11:12+0000 the critical hour taiwan julian assange ukraine sudan radio /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/04/15/1109717016_0:0:1920:1080_1920x0_80_0_0_ccd76e781829bdad022124d2b4bd9d24.png Chinese "Police Station" Propaganda; RFK Jr Launches 2024 Bid; DOJ Criminalizes Russia Support The US Department of Justice is charging a Black socialist group for supporting the Russian special military operation and accusations of election interference Regis Tremblay, an American citizen in Crimea, joins us to discuss Ukraine and the new world order. The international companion models of American exceptionalism and dollar hegemony look to be falling fast. Also, RFK. Jr launches his 2024 presidential bid.George Koo, journalist, social activist, and international business consultant, joins us to discuss China. A New York Times article purports to argue for detente between the US and China but uses the neocon tropes that are building the tension between the two world powers to make the case.Caleb Maupin, journalist, and political analyst, joins us to discuss the Uhuru charges. The US Department of Justice is charging a Black socialist group for supporting the Russian special military operation and accuses the group of election interference.Dr. Gerald Horne, Professor of History at the University of Houston, TX, author, historian, and researcher, joins us to discuss foreign policy. The US Department of Justice is charging a Black socialist group for supporting the Russian special military operation and accusations of election interference. Also, the Global South is done with the US-led United Nations and DC neocons are outraged by the statements of the President of Brazil.Laith Marouf, broadcaster, and journalist based in Beirut, Lebanon, joins us to discuss the Middle East. International security observers wonder if Benjamin Netanyahu will start a war to divert attention from Israel's internal problems. Also, Kurds are ready to meet with Damascus to seek a solution.Netfa Freeman, host of Voices With Vision on WPFW 89.3 FM, Pan-Africanist, and internationalist organizer, joins us to discuss the Global South. Cuba's Parliament has ratified the latest term of President Diaz-Canel. Also, the war in Sudan continues and Argentines protest neoliberal policies.Dan Kovalik, writer, author, and lawyer, joins us to discuss Julian Assange. Assange freedom activists argue that the government should free those who expose government misdeeds and jail those who try to conceal them.Dan Lazare, investigative journalist and author of "America's Undeclared War," joins us to discuss Africa. Thousands flee as the cease-fire in Sudan fails. Also, the neoliberal international debt machine, led by the IMF, has engineered a permanent crisis in Africa.We'd love to get your feedback at radio@sputniknews.comThe views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the position of Sputnik. ukraine sudan Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Wilmer Leon https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/02/12/1082114047_0:-1:238:238_100x100_80_0_0_4e3adef3e334e381bffe19d388f4b776.jpg Wilmer Leon https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/02/12/1082114047_0:-1:238:238_100x100_80_0_0_4e3adef3e334e381bffe19d388f4b776.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Wilmer Leon https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/02/12/1082114047_0:-1:238:238_100x100_80_0_0_4e3adef3e334e381bffe19d388f4b776.jpg the critical hour, what russian special military operation is about, what is the new world order, dollar's future, who demonizes china, black socialist group, global south is done with the us, what is going on in sudan, assange case today, where is julian assange https://sputnikglobe.com/20230421/danish-swedish-jets-scrambled-to-escort-russian-military-aircraft-over-baltic-sea-1109747977.html Danish, Swedish Jets Scrambled to Escort Russian Military Aircraft Over Baltic Sea Danish, Swedish Jets Scrambled to Escort Russian Military Aircraft Over Baltic Sea Danish and Swedish scrambled fighter jets to escort Russian military aircraft IL-20 transiting over the Baltic Sea between Sweden and Danish islands of Zealand and Bornholm, the Danish air force said on Friday. 2023-04-21T18:30+0000 2023-04-21T18:30+0000 2023-04-21T18:30+0000 military russia sweden denmark baltic sea /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/103848/26/1038482625_0:49:1036:632_1920x0_80_0_0_1d56f0241239f6195a5375f6ad929034.jpg "Thursday afternoon the Danish and Swedish Quick Reaction Alert jets a Russian military aircraft in the airspace over the Baltic Sea. This is the first time that Denmark and Sweden have worked together in this way," the statement said. The Danish air force added that Russian military planes regularly patrol the Baltic Sea, and their flight patterns often cause Denmark or its neighboring countries to scramble military planes. "What made the mission special was that the collaboration was planned in advance," the statement read. The IL-20 is a Russian electronic signals intelligence military aircraft (NATO code name Coot-A), a variant of the turboprop airliner Il-18. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230412/russian-su-27-fighter-escorts-german-patrol-plane-over-baltic-sea-1109446879.html russia sweden denmark baltic sea Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russian il-20, russian il-20 over baltic sea, danish jets intercept russian plane, swedish jets intercept russian plane https://sputnikglobe.com/20230421/four-russians-missing-after-fishing-boat-caught-fire-off-ulsan-remained-on-board--rescuers-1109717419.html Four Russians Missing After Fishing Boat Caught Fire Off Ulsan Remained on Board Four Russians Missing After Fishing Boat Caught Fire Off Ulsan Remained on Board VLADIVOSTOK (Sputnik) - Four crew members of Russia's Kaltan fishing boat that caught fire off South Korea's southeastern coastal city of Ulsan early Friday... 21.04.2023, Sputnik International 2023-04-21T02:33+0000 2023-04-21T02:33+0000 2023-04-21T03:22+0000 asia russians fishing boat fire vladivostok south korea coast guard /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/103072/62/1030726219_0:0:3000:1688_1920x0_80_0_0_7b2a83696440499449b014266e00feb8.jpg "Twenty-one crew members moved to life rafts and from them to [South] Korean rescue vessels," the spokesperson said. Citing South Korea's Coast Guard, local media reported earlier Friday that a Russian fishing boat with 25 crew members aboard, all Russians, and carrying some 100 tonnes of seafood in waters off Ulsan, about 300 kilometers (186 miles) southeast of Seoul, caught fire while sailing back to Russia. The Coast Guard sent rescue ships after receiving a distress call and saved 21 crew members, 19 of them were unharmed, and 2 sustained minor injuries. Another four crew members went missing.A spokesperson for the Far Eastern Transport Prosecutor's Office told Sputnik that the fishing boat's name was Kaltan, and it was from the city of Vladivostok. vladivostok south korea Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International ulsan coastline; south korea, kaltan fishing boat; fire; four russian crew members; south korean coast guard https://sputnikglobe.com/20230421/g7-currently-not-discussing-complete-ban-on-exports-to-russia-1109743129.html G7 Currently Not Discussing Complete Ban on Exports to Russia G7 Currently Not Discussing Complete Ban on Exports to Russia The issue of a complete ban on exports to Russia has not yet been discussed by the G7, a senior EU official said on Friday. 2023-04-21T15:28+0000 2023-04-21T15:28+0000 2023-04-21T15:28+0000 economy russia g7 japan european union (eu) russian economy under sanctions western sanctions /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/04/0e/1109506737_0:151:2916:1791_1920x0_80_0_0_0c8d851dd2e6ee79e8d61066d5001b80.jpg Earlier in the day, media reported citing sources in the Japanese government, that the G7 is considering a near-total ban on exports to Russia. The discussion of such an issue should not be ruled out in the future, the official added. russia japan Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International sanctions on russia, g7 summit, g7 to ban exports to russia https://sputnikglobe.com/20230421/if-jails-cant-care-for-prisoners-prisoners-should-walk-free-1109715417.html US Prisoners Should Walk Free If Jails Can't Offer Proper Care US Prisoners Should Walk Free If Jails Can't Offer Proper Care Prisoners are the wards of the state, which exerts control over every facet of their lives. Among the governments responsibilities to the jailed are its duties to provide adequate nutrition, housing, security and medical care. 2023-04-21T00:34+0000 2023-04-21T00:34+0000 2023-04-21T00:31+0000 analysis prison industrial complex us department of corrections prisoners /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/106301/50/1063015022_0:125:2400:1475_1920x0_80_0_0_0775c3919916781baf4eacc20f83cdf6.jpg In the first of these decisions, Estelle v. Gamble (1972), the Court held that prison authorities who deliberately refuse to address the medical needs of a prisoner constitutes cruel and unusual punishment under the Constitution, and that deliberate indifference to serious medical needs of prisoners constitutes the unnecessary and wanton infliction of pain...proscribed by the Eighth Amendment.The death of Lashawn Thompson fits this description to a T.While awaiting trial on a misdemeanor case of battery last summer, Thompson, 35, was remanded to Fulton County jail in Atlanta, Georgia, in the psychiatric wing because he was behaving erratically. Three months later Mr. Thompson was found dead in a filthy jail cell after being eaten alive by insects and bed bugs, according to family attorney Michael Harper, who posted nauseating photos of Thompsons squalid cell on Facebook. Thompsons face and torso are seen covered in bugs.Michael Potter, an entomologist at the University of Kentucky who specializes in bed bugs, said hed never seen anything quite to this level but confirmed that prolonged exposure to a large number of bed bugs can cause fatal anemia if untreated. Bed bugs feed on blood and very large numbers of bed bugs feed on very large amounts of blood, Potter said.It's no secret that the dilapidated and rapidly eroding conditions of the current facility make it incredibly difficult to meet the goal of providing a clean, well-maintained and healthy environment for all inmates and staff, the Fulton County Sheriff's Office, which runs the jail, said in a statement. Appalling conditions have been an ongoing, unaddressed problem for yearsand not just in Atlanta.Joshua Lemore, a 29-year-old Indiana man who struggled with schizophrenia, was arrested for pulling a nurses hair at the hospital where hed been taken for a wellness check in 2021. He was locked in solitary confinement a barbaric practice mostly banned in Europewithout human contact or medical care. He didnt eat, no one checked on him and he starved to death 20 days later. The total lack of psychological help for a detainee in mental-health crisis wasnt unusual: The [Jackson County] jail was cited in 2019, 2020 and June 2021 by the Indiana Department of Corrections for being out of compliance with a state law requiring it to arrange for 24-hour emergency psychological care, according to USA Today.Also in 2021, Larry Price Jr. joined the long list of mentally-ill prisoners arrested for minor offenses who die of neglect and abuse in American jails and prisons. A homeless schizophrenic, the 51-year-old Arkansas man had entered a police station where he rambled threats against cops and made his hand into the shape of a gun: terroristic threatening in the first degree, according to the district attorney. Price was found by guards lying in a pool of his own urine and contaminated water, unresponsive in August 2021 after having been detained for more than a year, ABC News reported, his once 6-foot-2-inch, 185-pound frame emaciated down to 121 pounds, according to the Arkansas State Crime Lab. The Lab determined he had died of hunger and thirst.The Bill of Rights and a pair of Supreme Court rulings are supposed to prevent these outragesbut those arent enough. Of the tens of thousands of Americans who perish behind bars each year, many alleged having been denied medical care or adequate food. Prisons that outsource inmate health care to for-profit outside contractors have even higher death rates.Each year of incarceration takes two years off the average life expectancy.If government refuses or cannot afford to provide for the basic needs of people accused or convicted of a crime, which obviously includes access to health care and sanitary conditions, it should not be in the imprisonment business. We need a federal law that allows a prisoner suffering inhumane conditions, and their family members and lawyers, with a right to file an emergency ex parte petition for immediate release.If the conditions are determined to be systemic and facility-wide, the entire operation should be shut down at once. Thats the case where I live in New York, at the city jail on Rikers Island. After years of mismanagement and neglectthe Department of Corrections own spokesmans wordsa 2021 New York Post expose found as many as 26 men stuffed body to body in single cells where they were forced to relieve themselves inside plastic bags and take turns sleeping on the fetid floors.Lest you worry that American streets would suddenly be filled with released murderers and rapists, chill. One out of four prisoners is there for the terrifying crime of violating parole. Another one out of five is awaiting trial or serving time for a misdemeanor or civil infraction.As for the rest? Were not poor. Assuming we still want to incarcerate more of our citizens than any other country but China, cities, states and the federal government will find the money to create a prison-industrial complex that doesnt feed American citizens to swarms of biting insects.(Ted Rall (Twitter: @tedrall), the political cartoonist, columnist and graphic novelist, co-hosts the left-vs-right DMZ America podcast with fellow cartoonist Scott Stantis. You can support Teds hard-hitting political cartoons and columns and see his work first by sponsoring his work on Patreon.) https://sputnikglobe.com/20230421/georgia-inmates-death-first-case-amid-persistent-bad-conditions-in-us-prisons-1109715284.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20221208/us-prison-bureau-incompetence-led-to-mobster-whitey-bulgers-jailhouse-murder---watchdog-1105173682.html Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Ted Rall https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/02/13/1082125340_0:0:360:360_100x100_80_0_0_1ed1a3494a53cde87e19521c3658fe92.jpg Ted Rall https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/02/13/1082125340_0:0:360:360_100x100_80_0_0_1ed1a3494a53cde87e19521c3658fe92.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ted Rall https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/02/13/1082125340_0:0:360:360_100x100_80_0_0_1ed1a3494a53cde87e19521c3658fe92.jpg prison industrial complex; us prisons; adequate care; lashawn thompson https://sputnikglobe.com/20230421/kiev-pechersk-lavra-monastery-building-sealed-by-ukrainian-police-1109727531.html Kiev-Pechersk Lavra Monastery Building Sealed by Ukrainian Police Kiev-Pechersk Lavra Monastery Building Sealed by Ukrainian Police One of the buildings of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra monastery in the Ukrainian capital has been sealed by police, the Union of Orthodox Journalists said on Friday, adding that people were allowed inside only after presenting ID. 2023-04-21T09:13+0000 2023-04-21T09:13+0000 2023-04-21T09:13+0000 world ukraine police monastery /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/03/1d/1108934648_0:0:3072:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_e30c3c158cfa4bd52ab9cd083453dd24.jpg "Building 44 of Kiev-Pechersk Lavra is sealed. People are allowed inside only with passports," the Union of Orthodox Journalists said on social media. The Ukrainian Ministry of Culture has confirmed that the building was sealed after an inspection during which breaches of fire safety regulations were found. Tensions between Kiev and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) escalated after Russia launched its military operation in Ukraine in February 2022. UOC monks were ordered to leave the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, jurisdiction over which was divided between a Ukrainian cultural organization and the UOC, by March 29 for violating the terms of the lease. Ukrainian Culture Minister Oleksandr Tkachenko said the monks could stay in the Lavra if they joined the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU). Many of the UOC clerics do not recognize the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, and are defying the eviction order. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230401/vicegerent-of-kiev-pechersk-lavra-says-ukrainian-authorities-sent-him-under-house-arrest-1109025125.html ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International kiev-pechersk lavra monastery, union of orthodox journalists, sealed by police https://sputnikglobe.com/20230421/lavrovs-latin-american-tour-challenging-us-hegemony-in-americas-backyard-1109746520.html Lavrovs Latin American Tour: Challenging US Hegemony in Americas Backyard Lavrovs Latin American Tour: Challenging US Hegemony in Americas Backyard Russias foreign minister wrapped up a four-day, four-country visit to South and Central America on Thursday, visiting Brazil, Venezuela, Nicaragua and Cuba. What was the significance of the trip for Russias relations with its Latin American partners, and what signal does it send Washington and its allies? Sputnik explores. 2023-04-21T18:10+0000 2023-04-21T18:10+0000 2023-04-21T18:10+0000 analysis russia sergey lavrov cuba nicaragua brazil venezuela latin america trip visit /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/04/15/1109745339_0:66:1278:785_1920x0_80_0_0_055bd251c002166bdb07e79631b90161.png Sergei Lavrovs visit to Brazil, Venezuela, Nicaragua and Cuba resulted in a number of agreements in various areas of cooperation, but above all served to solidify the political consensus on the need to recalibrate the balance of power in Latin America, which historically has been on the side of Washington.Lavrovs visit is part of these regional efforts to become a counterbalance to US policy and hegemony on a global scale, Lopez Alvarado explained in an interview with Sputnik.Brazilian GatewayAccording to the Mexican academic, although some ideological distance remains between Brasilia and Moscow in their relations, these are not insurmountable, and the election of Lula da Silva should help narrow the gap. With Lula back in power, he is naturally again in favor of distancing his country [from the US], in favor of autonomy, in favor of Latin American and, of course, Brazilian sovereignty.Lopez Alvarado found it significant that Lavrov made Brazil the first destination of his Latin American tour, saying it indicates the need to balance the scales in the region, as well as Moscows desire to find common ground with a large number of Latin American countries that are looking to bet on the construction of a multipolar world. For this, forces are needed, and one of these forces is Brazil, which is also a member of the BRICS group of nations.Venezuelan Oil PowerVenezuela, despite its recent economic difficulties, is also of great importance in the push for regional realignment, Lopez Alvarado says, both due to its energy resources, and the important role it can play in assisting the de-dollarization drive presently gaining momentum around the world.Speaking in Caracas, Lavrov vowed that Moscow would continue to do everything in its power "to make Venezuela's economy less and less dependent on the whims and geopolitical games of the US or any other actors from the Western camp."Old Friends From ManaguaAs for Nicaragua, the country has not only been a faithful ally to Moscow for decades under the presidency of Daniel Ortega, but has also been a major source of investment from China Russias strategic partner. Its a commercial enclave, a political enclave, a cultural enclave, Lopez Alvarado explained.During his visit to Managua on April 19, Lavrov and Ortega discussed a range of economic cooperation initiatives, with the Russian foreign minister congratulating Nicaragua on surviving a 2018 US-backed coup attempt. Ortega reciprocated by blasting the American gringos and their NATO allies for surrounding Russia with military bases and weapons, and directing an orchestra of international terrorists against Moscow.Special Bond With Cuban ComradesRussias long-time ally and partner Cuba was the final destination of Lavrovs Latin American tour. There, in addition to meeting with his Cuban counterpart, Bruno Rodriguez, the Russian foreign minister met with Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canal and former president Raul Castro. Trade, including the delivery of Russian energy and wheat, were central topics of discussion.Manuel Espinoza, a researcher with the Regional Center for International Studies, a virtual foreign affairs think tank, says Lavrovs trip to Havana opens up a whole range of opportunities for both nations. The strategic ties between the two countries has already shown its worth in the most difficult times, as Russia offers us the strengthening of independence and economic and political sovereignty at the international level, the observer noted.Russia not only challenges the unipolar world order, but symbolizes peace and respect for international law, as well as cooperation in areas such as technology, finance, military affairs and culture, Espinoza added.Lavrovs trip to Cuba coincided with the 62nd anniversary of revolutionary Cubas victory over US-backed mercenaries at the Bay of Pigs. Pointing to the symbolic timing of the visit, Mario Antonio Padillas Torres, secretary of the Center for International Policy Research, a Havana-based international affairs think tank, told Sputnik that the warm ties between Havana and Moscow today owe their roots to the creation of the island nations first Communist Party in 1925.Rene Gonzalez Barrios, director of the Fidel Castro Ruz Center and former president of the Institute of History of Cuba, similarly reminded Sputnik of the importance of the support provided by the USSR and other members of the socialist camp to the Cuban Revolution, as the US encouraged a mass exodus of educated Cubans, blocked oil deliveries and canceled the purchase of Cuban sugar. It was Moscows support in the difficult early days that sealed the bond of friendship between the Cuban and Soviet people, the scholar said.This was an extraordinary, close and brotherly relationship, Gonzalez Barrios noted. Moscow, he recalled, came to refer to Cuba the Freedom Island, while Havana, despite joining the Soviet Unions orbit, defended its self-determination, made its own decisions, and supported the national liberation movements and the struggle against colonialism. At the same time, Fidel Castro, Cubas late revolutionary leader, recognized that had it not been for the help of the Soviet people and government, the Cuban Revolution would hardly have survived.After a difficult decade of relations after the collapse of the USSR, Russia gradually began to restore pragmatic cooperation and trade with the Caribbean island nation, especially since 2008, Padilla Torres said. According to the scholar, both countries were able to rediscover their common interests, and joint purpose of the formation of a new international order. Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Cuba in 2000, referring to the country as an old and loyal friend. During another trip in 2014, the two countries signed nearly a dozen major investment and economic cooperation agreements. A year before that, Moscow wrote off 90 percent of Cubas $35 billion debt to the USSR.During his visit to Moscow last November, President Diaz-Canal spoke to Putin about the prospects of further strengthening and expanding cooperation in the political, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres. Russia is now one of Cubas 10 largest trade partners, and Havana emphasizes the importance of its ties with Russia in its Socio-Economic Development Plan up to the year 2030. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230417/russia-backs-brazils-unsc-permanent-member-bid-as-bilateral-trade-hits-record-high-1109605826.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230419/lavrov-moscow-to-put-all-efforts-to-help-caracas-economy-not-depend-on-us-sanctions-1109641610.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230420/russia-facing-off-against-a-nato-backed-orchestra-of-terrorists-nicaraguas-ortega-says-1109696053.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230420/lavrov-russia-and-us-currently-have-no-concrete-relations-1109711156.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230410/russian-govt-delegation-to-visit-cuba-in-may-to-promote-economic-cooperation-1109322058.html russia cuba nicaragua brazil venezuela Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International sergei lavrov, russian foreign ministry, latin america, trip, tour, visit https://sputnikglobe.com/20230421/michelle-obama-relieved-her-family-no-longer-living-inside-white-house-1109716841.html Michelle Obama Relieved Her Family No Longer Living Inside White House Michelle Obama Relieved Her Family No Longer Living Inside White House Former first lady Michelle Obama revealed late Wednesday she feels relief that she and her family are no longer living at the White House. 2023-04-21T02:16+0000 2023-04-21T02:16+0000 2023-04-21T02:13+0000 americas barack obama michelle obama obama legacy us /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/09/07/1100516261_0:123:3205:1925_1920x0_80_0_0_e14ac63a3a5121ff7d966cfd194cb241.jpg Former first lady Michelle Obama revealed late Wednesday she feels relief that she and her family are no longer living at the White House. Obama explained during an appearance with late-night host Jimmy Fallon that she and her husband, former US President Barack Obama, were not invited back to the White House after former President Donald Trump was elected.The Chicago native said she wasnt invited to the White House since she left, before adding oh, shade prompting Fallon to laugh. Obama explained she and her husband were invited back to the White House in September of last year, under President Joe Bidens term, to hang their official portraits. Biden served as vice president during the Obama years.These portraits had been done for a long, long time, said Obama. [The ceremony] is also a chance for the staff to come back and reminisce and to be together, its a ritual. So it was good to see everybody. It was good to see all of the staff.My girls lived longer in the White House longer than they lived in any house, so thats where they grew up.But when asked by Fallon if she ever has dreams that she still lives there Obama cried out, Oh, no! She subsequently apologized for her own reaction.Obama also revealed that her husband, the former president, was leaving Bidens inauguration, and made the mistake of walking to the first car of the presidential motorcade before he was stopped by his own security. The couple were then directed to their car, which was in the back of the line, as the motorcade fell in descending order."But the thing was, we were so glad to get in that back motorcade and to go home to our house," Obama remarked. "That's the progress of democracy. You do your time. You pass it on. You let the next president lead. It's kind of a relief." americas Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Mary Manley https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg Mary Manley https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Mary Manley https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg michelle obama; white house; relief; first family; obama white house; obama administration; us https://sputnikglobe.com/20230421/moscow-decision-of-4-eu-states-to-limit-grain-exports-from-ukraine-blow-to-kiev-1109727910.html Moscow: Decision of 4 EU States to Limit Grain Exports From Ukraine Blow to Kiev Moscow: Decision of 4 EU States to Limit Grain Exports From Ukraine Blow to Kiev The decision of Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Bulgaria to limit grain exports from Ukraine is a blow to the government of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Friday. 2023-04-21T09:17+0000 2023-04-21T09:17+0000 2023-04-21T09:17+0000 world ukraine grain food hungary slovakia bulgaria /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/09/0e/1100758304_0:0:3094:1740_1920x0_80_0_0_cd66d0cb8c9a9bbe9f9aab9085d5d147.jpg "The Zelensky regime received another blow from its closest Eastern European 'friends' Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Bulgaria that, due to the protests of their own farmers and falling domestic prices, temporarily stopped the export of Ukrainian grain and are going to include its other agricultural products in the black list," the ministry said in a statement. Romania intends to follow the example of these states, the statement added.The EU has been engaged in various initiatives to help Ukraine export its agricultural goods amid the conflict in the country, which caused disruptions in supply chains and raised concerns about a large-scale food crisis. However, the measures contributed to cheap Ukrainian grain flooding central and eastern European countries, causing prices to collapse there. For this reason, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, and Bulgaria have temporarily banned food imports from Ukraine. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230419/food-bans-and-possible-grain-deal-suspension-to-curb-ukraines-profits-1109662415.html ukraine hungary slovakia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International limit grain exports from ukraine, poland, slovakia, hungary and bulgaria to limit grain exports https://sputnikglobe.com/20230421/moscow-nato-promises-membership-to-ukraine-to-motivate-kiev-to-fulfill-alliance-tasks-1109745705.html Moscow: NATO Promises Membership to Ukraine to Motivate Kiev to Fulfill Alliance Tasks Moscow: NATO Promises Membership to Ukraine to Motivate Kiev to Fulfill Alliance Tasks NATO promises to provide Ukraine with membership in the alliance in order to motivate it to fulfill the alliance's tasks, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Friday. 2023-04-21T18:25+0000 2023-04-21T18:25+0000 2023-04-21T18:25+0000 nato russia-nato showdown ukraine nato membership russia's special operation in ukraine /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/104265/72/1042657265_0:157:3083:1891_1920x0_80_0_0_2a8725976531575e05d9fbd9edf03a81.jpg Earlier in the day, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that all allies have agreed that Ukraine should become a member of the alliance. "NATO sets itself the goal of 'defeating' Russia in Ukraine, and in order to motivate Kiev, it promises that after the end of the conflict, the country can be accepted into the alliance. Such statements are short-sighted and simply dangerous. This may lead to the final collapse of the European security system," Zakharova said in a statement. ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International ukraine to becoma a nato member, russia reacts on ukraine to be in nato, maria zakharova comments about ukraine to join nato https://sputnikglobe.com/20230421/robert-f-kennedy-jr-is-here-to-shake-up-the-2024-election-1109714845.html Robert F. Kennedy Jr is Here to Shake Up the 2024 Election Robert F. Kennedy Jr is Here to Shake Up the 2024 Election On todays episode of The Backstory, host Lee Stranahan discussed current events including Buzzfeed shutting down its news sector, and reports indicating Alec Baldwin will not be charged for his on set shooting. 2023-04-21T04:01+0000 2023-04-21T04:01+0000 2023-04-21T11:13+0000 the backstory radio louisiana irs gop democrats kkk ukraine /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/04/14/1109714687_0:0:1920:1080_1920x0_80_0_0_b2cacfba62250bfac4b936c143d615a0.png Robert F. Kennedy Jr is Here to Shake Up the 2024 Election On todays episode of The Backstory, host Lee Stranahan discussed current events including Buzzfeed shutting down its news sector, and reports indicating Alec Baldwin will not be charged for his on set shooting. Jim Hoft - Founder of The Gateway Pundit | The Biden Crime Family, Two Whistleblowers, and Old School DemocratsElbert Guillory - Attorney, Former Louisiana State Senator | Chicago Youth are Out of Control, Modern Democrat Policies Will Never Work, and The Need for Tougher Penalties for CrimeIn the first hour, Lee spoke with Jim Hoft about the disappearance of classic liberal Democrats, two whistleblowers coming out to expose Biden's corruption, and how the 2024 election is shaping up. Jim discussed the recent IRS whistleblower and how the IRS has not gone after Hunter Biden yet. Jim explained his pleasure in seeing Robert F. Kennedy enter the 2024 Presidential race and the policies Robert F. Kennedy Jr spoke about. In the second hour, Lee spoke with Elbert Guillory about RFK Jr bringing excitement to the 2024 Presidential race, the new Chicago Mayor, and what Louisiana voters are worried about. Elbert talked about the out of control young people in Chicago and the need for more prosecutions of young criminals. Elbert spoke about the 2024 election and Robert F. Kennedy Jr's chances of defeating Joe Biden for the Democratic nominee.We'd love to get your feedback at radio@sputniknews.comThe views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the position of Sputnik. louisiana ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Lee Stranahan https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/02/13/1082125222_0:0:293:292_100x100_80_0_0_a8bc846f559660e5bf7574f8a9608a1d.png Lee Stranahan https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/02/13/1082125222_0:0:293:292_100x100_80_0_0_a8bc846f559660e5bf7574f8a9608a1d.png News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Lee Stranahan https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/02/13/1082125222_0:0:293:292_100x100_80_0_0_a8bc846f559660e5bf7574f8a9608a1d.png the backstory, what did alec baldwin do, is alec baldwin innocent, hunter biden crimes, robert f. kennedy jr policies, what louisiana voters are worried about https://sputnikglobe.com/20230421/russian-export-support-centers-helped-765-smes-ink-over-200-mln-in-contracts-in-q1-1109737746.html Russian Export Support Centers Helped 765 SMEs Ink Over $200 Mln in Contracts in Q1 Russian Export Support Centers Helped 765 SMEs Ink Over $200 Mln in Contracts in Q1 Export support centers have provided services to nearly 7,000 small and medium-sized companies, and 765 companies have received export support for contracts worth more than $200 million, the Russian Export Support Infrastructure Conference reported. 2023-04-21T13:17+0000 2023-04-21T13:17+0000 2023-04-21T13:17+0000 russia russian export center jsc (rec) export support /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/0c/0d/1091495272_0:184:2989:1865_1920x0_80_0_0_52d688bfbf4ee57ee2b8838d357c32d2.jpg The conference was held in Volgograd from April 17 and was attended by representatives of the Russian Export Center (REC, part of VEB.RF), Export Support Centers (ESC) from 80 regions of the country and My Business centers. "Compared to the first quarter of 2022, the number of recipients of the export support center's services increased by 35%. We are also seeing a positive trend in the number of companies that have inked export contracts," said Natalia Minayeva, director for the development of REC's regional export support infrastructure. "It is important that the geography of exports remains extensive. In the first quarter, Russian companies products were delivered to 66 countries with RECs assistance. This shows that, despite the current political situation, business is quickly adapting to the new conditions of work in international markets, and export support centers play a significant role in this," she concluded. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230410/made-in-russia-stand-at-vietnam-expo-2023-draws-over-100-meetings-rec-reports-1109317552.html Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russian export support, export support centers, support centers https://sputnikglobe.com/20230421/russian-manufacturers-to-showcase-medical-innovations-at-kazakhstan-health-exhibition-1109737068.html Russian Manufacturers to Showcase Medical Innovations at Kazakhstan Health Exhibition Russian Manufacturers to Showcase Medical Innovations at Kazakhstan Health Exhibition Electrosurgical devices, the apparatus for macroscopic examination of biopsy material - these and other Russian innovations in medicine can be seen by visitors at the stand Made in Russia, which will open for the first time at the international exhibition KIHE-2023 "Health" in Kazakhstan on May 17, Russian Export Center (REC, group VEB.RF) said. 2023-04-21T12:29+0000 2023-04-21T12:29+0000 2023-04-21T12:29+0000 russia russian export center jsc (rec) export exhibition /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/07/04/1096941462_0:0:3021:1699_1920x0_80_0_0_c0f64a6b09241b89d490f8e577d51029.jpg "The Russian Export Center will support 25 companies manufacturing medical, laboratory, diagnostic, rehabilitation equipment, materials for laboratory research, consumables, medical devices and surgical instruments," the statement said. It adds that these are, for example, a set of telemedicine systems, digital twins for automated laboratory complexes, biocompatible polymers for internal prosthetics, ventilators and other innovative products in the field of surgery, cardiology, cardiac surgery, functional diagnostics, physiotherapy, traumatology and rehabilitation. In addition, entrepreneurs will hold B2B meetings and negotiations with potential foreign partners. Among those attending will be delegates from Central Asia, namely, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230418/rec-indian-markets-negotiation-potential-for-exporters-partners-valued-at-over-14mln-1109617937.html Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russian export center, exhibition kihe-2023, russian innovations https://sputnikglobe.com/20230421/spanish-american-war-the-first-fake-news-conflict-1109747555.html Spanish-American War: The First Fake News Conflict Spanish-American War: The First Fake News Conflict On April 21, 1898 the Spanish-American War started, eventually leading to the decline of Spanish colonial rule in the western Pacific and Latin America, as well as US expansionism in the region. How did the conflict begin and what was the role of the US press in fanning the war? 2023-04-21T19:04+0000 2023-04-21T19:04+0000 2023-04-21T19:21+0000 us spain sputnik explains cuba independence war gulf of tonkin incident vietnam war iraq war syrian war /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/04/15/1109748769_0:75:800:525_1920x0_80_0_0_30385a6a34bc604ca0c36e3e20350436.jpg Troubles started brewing for the Spanish Empire in the 1860s with the upsurge in the Cuban rebellion. The Cuban War of Independence of 1895 became the last of three liberation wars that Cuba fought against Spain. The US intervention determined the outcome of the conflict.Historians disagree on to what extent the US leadership was interested in stepping into the conflict and argue that then-US President William McKinley wanted to preserve peace with Spain and tried to avoid a direct confrontation at all costs. Some observers suggest that, apparently, the president was forced to intervene by the US press that was vigorously fanning the flames of anti-Spanish sentiment at the time. However, historical facts show that the press was playing into the hands of the US foreign policy elites, who had long been harboring expansionist plans.How US Yellow Journalism Fanned Flames of WarThe US leadership was interested in ousting the declining Spanish Empire from the region and establishing its own control over it within the framework of the Monroe Doctrine, formulated by then-President James Monroe on December 2, 1823. At the time, most Spanish colonies in the Americas had either achieved or were close to independence, and the US started to see the region largely as its own backyard, opposing Europe's further interference in Latin America's affairs. US historians admit that the drive for US overseas expansion had been gaining strength since the 1880s, with influential figures such as Theodore Roosevelt spearheading the trend.Following the beginning of the Cuban War of Independence of 1895, major US news outlets, William Randolph Hearst's New York Journal and Joseph Pulitzer's New York World, placed special emphasis on the nobility of the Cuban revolutionaries and painted Spanish rule exceptionally as black.Apparently, therefore, Hearst hired Outcault, taking him away from Pulitzer, to steal the thunder from his competitor, which led to a fierce battle between the two over The Yellow Kid. The term "yellow journalism" was later extended to their sensationalist style of covering the Cuban rebellion.The apogee of this biased narrative was the story of the USS Maine's explosion on February 15, 1898 that killed over 260 sailors. The US battleship had been sent to Havana a month earlier to protect American interests and civilians there. An initial report by the colonial government of Cuba read that the explosion had occurred on board, but Hearst and Pulitzer published uncorroborated rumors of a Spanish plot to sink the ship. The Spanish government offered to conduct an impartial investigation into the matter. However, the US public, already riled up by Hearst and Pulitzer's coverage, was eager to hold Madrid responsible: "Remember the Maine, to hell with Spain!" Americans chanted.The demand for intervention became insistent, especially given that days before the mysterious destruction of the USS Maine, the New York Journal leaked a private letter from the Spanish ambassador to Washington, Enrique Dupuy de Lome, describing President McKinley as "weak and a popularity-hunter." Both Democrat and Republican lawmakers urged McKinley to intervene and assist the noble cause of the Cubans.Apparently, this played into McKinley's hands: in March 1898, the US president gave an ultimatum to Spain with conditions Madrid could hardly meet. First, he demanded that Spain declare an armistice, and accept US mediation in peace talks with the Cuban insurgents. Then, in a separate note, McKinley made it clear that the US would only accept Cuban independence, no more, no less.McKinley's ultimatum put Spain between a rock and a hard place: on the one hand, the European nation was not ready to fight the US; on the other hand, the secession of Cuba meant the loss of international prestige and a potential revolt at home. Madrid called on its sympathizers in Europe to help mediate in the conflict with the US.On April 6, 1898, representatives of Germany, Austria, France, Great Britain, Italy, and Russia called on McKinley to refrain from armed intervention in Cuba. However, McKinley responded to them by saying that the potential US intervention would be "in the interest of humanity" and did not lend a sympathetic ear to the pleas of Pope Leo XIII, either. Nearly simultaneously, the New York Journal printed one million copies dedicated to the war in Cuba and called for a US entry into war with Spain.Spain tried to calm tensions and said that it would consider US demands except for Cuba's independence. On April 10, 1898, Spanish Governor General Blanco in Cuba suspended hostilities in the war. (Prior to that, on January 1, 1898, Spain granted limited autonomy to the island.)However, on April 11, McKinley requested authorization from the US Congress to intervene in the conflict on the Caribbean island. On April 19, the US Congress adopted the Joint Resolution for war with Spain, which was considered by Madrid as a declaration of war. The US officially declared war on Spain on April 25, 1898, but made the declaration retroactive to April 21.Did Cuba Gain Independence Demanded by McKinley?The US outnumbered the Spanish land and navy forces, and the warring parties signed the Treaty of Paris on December 10, 1898 on terms favorable to the US. Under the treaty, Spain ceded ownership of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines to the US, and granted the latter "temporary control" of Cuba.Even though the amendment was repealed in 1934, Washington continued to maintain both political and economic control over the island through the backing of Cuban military dictator Fulgencio Batista, who rose to power as part of the 1933 Revolt of the Sergeants. Eventually, Batista was ousted in 1959 in the course of the Cuban Revolution and guerilla war led by Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz. After Fidel's victory, the US lost its ground and grip on the island of liberty.How US Government and Press Start WarsObservers admit that the US press has unquestionably played a huge role in forcing the US public into accepting and hailing wars sought by US presidents and their foreign policy advisors. The trick has since become a modus operandi for the US foreign policy establishment.The coverage of the Spanish-American War was also filled with myths. For instance, the story of the Rough Riders led by future President Theodore Roosevelt was not as picturesque as it was described at the time. The riders did not actually "ride" during the decisive Battle of San Juan Hill, but fought on foot. Yellow fever and typhoid claimed more lives on both sides than battles. And when US troops landed on Guam on June 20, 1898, the islands Spanish Marines did not resist them, as they had no idea that war had broken out between the US and Spain two months earlier.One of them was the Gulf of Tonkin false flag used by then-US President Lyndon B. Johnson to drag the US into the costly Vietnam War. Another one was George W. Bush's weapons of mass destruction (WMD) hoax in Iraq, eagerly fanned by the US press and eventually leading to years-long wars in the Middle East. Yet another false flag, in Syria's Khan Sheikhoun, helped the Trump administration justify the April 6, 2017 US cruise missile strike on Syrian government forces' al-Shayat air base. Each time, Washington refused to carry out independent investigations into the matter, leaping to conclusions and resorting to military action. And each time, the subservient US press ran pro-government narratives while muting inconvenient truths and damning questions. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230224/how-us-false-flags-record-prompts-public-to-trust-hershs-nord-stream-bombshell-even-more-1107748821.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230304/cuba-hits-out-at-us-for-ignoring-evidence-surrounding-havana-syndrome-1108000406.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20170521/cuban-government-slams-trump-1053828546.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230227/wuhan-lab-leak-yarn-returns-how-us-reporter-pours-gasoline-into-washingtons-war-machine-1107846929.html spain cuba Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Ekaterina Blinova Ekaterina Blinova News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Spanish-American War: The First Fake News Conflict Spanish-American War: The First Fake News Conflict 2023-04-21T19:04+0000 true PT1M47S 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ekaterina Blinova fake news, propaganda, us war machine https://sputnikglobe.com/20230421/stoltenberg-claims-all-nato-allies-agree-ukraine-should-become-member-of-alliance-1109726836.html Stoltenberg Claims All NATO Allies Agree Ukraine Should Become Member of Alliance Stoltenberg Claims All NATO Allies Agree Ukraine Should Become Member of Alliance All NATO allies have agreed that Ukraine should become a member of the alliance, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Friday. 2023-04-21T08:52+0000 2023-04-21T08:52+0000 2023-04-21T08:52+0000 world russia-nato showdown nato ukraine /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/106628/33/1066283363_0:0:2925:1645_1920x0_80_0_0_ceefc7848874860ce3e5a3cb269db9cc.jpg "I said in Kiev yesterday [on Thursday] that Ukraine's future is in Euro Atlantic family and all NATO allies have agreed that that Ukraine will become a NATO member," Stoltenberg said ahead of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting at the US Ramstein Air Base in Germany. The NATO chief also said that the alliance's allies have been discussing a delivery of different types of aircraft to Ukraine. On Thursday, Stoltenberg said during a visit to Kiev that allies were committed to delivering more jets, tanks and armored vehicles to Ukraine. He estimated that NATO's military aid to Ukraine had topped $165 billion since February 2022. During the visit, Stoltenberg reiterated that Ukraine's place was in NATO but gave no timeline for its accession. He said this would be made possible "over time" and assured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that the alliance was with Ukraine for the long haul to help it transition to NATO standards and ensure its full interoperability with allies. In September, Zelensky announced that Ukraine was applying to join NATO in a fast-track manner. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Moscow was closely monitoring the situation and recalled that Kiev's orientation towards the alliance became one of the reasons for the start of Russia's military operation in Ukraine in February 2022. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230420/russia-facing-off-against-a-nato-backed-orchestra-of-terrorists-nicaraguas-ortega-says-1109696053.html ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International nato allies, nato secretary general jens stoltenberg, member of the alliance https://sputnikglobe.com/20230421/sudanese-armed-forces-agree-to-3-day-truce-in-connection-with-eid-al-fitr-1109745979.html Sudanese Armed Forces Agree to 3-Day Truce in Connection With Eid Al-Fitr Sudanese Armed Forces Agree to 3-Day Truce in Connection With Eid Al-Fitr The armed forces of Sudan announced that they have agreed to a three-day truce starting Friday in connection with the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr. 2023-04-21T16:57+0000 2023-04-21T16:57+0000 2023-04-21T16:57+0000 africa sudan ceasefire sudanese army rapid support forces (rsf) /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/04/0f/1109561263_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_0aea1ba99dabb7d7b150e09a751fb9b4.jpg Last week, violent clashes between the Sudanese regular armed forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group broke out, with the epicenter located in Khartoum. Government forces accused the RSF of mutiny and launched airstrikes against their bases. Earlier on Friday, the RSF said it had agreed to a 72-hour ceasefire on humanitarian grounds starting 6:00 a.m. local time (04:00 GMT). The armed forces of Sudan also expressed hope that the RSF will comply with the truce. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230419/eyewitness-tells-sputnik-about-khartoum-university-students-evacuation-amid-sudan-clashes-1109668087.html africa sudan Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International sudan, sudan crisis, sudan unrest, sudan uprising, sudanese army, rapid support forces (rsf) https://sputnikglobe.com/20230421/sudans-paramilitary-rsf-agrees-to-72-hour-ceasefire-on-humanitarian-grounds-1109718329.html Sudan's Paramilitary RSF Agrees to 72-Hour Ceasefire on Humanitarian Grounds Sudan's Paramilitary RSF Agrees to 72-Hour Ceasefire on Humanitarian Grounds Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) said it had agreed to a 72-hour ceasefire on humanitarian grounds starting 6:00 a.m. local time (04:00 GMT) on Friday. 2023-04-21T03:35+0000 2023-04-21T03:35+0000 2023-04-21T03:32+0000 africa sudan ceasefire rapid support forces (rsf) humanitarian eid al-fitr /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/04/10/1109565076_0:126:3072:1854_1920x0_80_0_0_2a37833bb60caabc351512ea16a45f0d.jpg On Thursday, US State Secretary Antony Blinken spoke with Abdel Fattah al Burhan, the commander of the Sudanese military, and Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, the commander of the RSF, and urged the parties to the conflict in Sudan to uphold a nationwide ceasefire until the end of Islamic holiday Eid al-Fitr on April 23. Earlier, Sudan's military spokesman Gen Brigadier Nabil Abdallah told Sputnik that the nation's armed forces did not see an option for a potential diplomatic solution to the ongoing conflict with the RSF.The spokesperson further relayed that the "Libyan scenario" would not unfold so long as the Sudanese military remains a factor.Clashes between the Sudanese regular army and the RSF broke out on Saturday in Sudan's capital of Khartoum and elsewhere in the country.Government forces accused the RSF of mutiny and launched airstrikes against their bases. Later, Abdel Fattah Burhan, the head of the Sudanese military, issued a decree disbanding the RSF. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230420/sudans-military-says-no-diplomatic-solution-to-situation-with-rapid-support-forces-1109704668.html africa sudan Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International sudan; ceasefire; humanitarian grounds; rapid support forces; eid al-fitr https://sputnikglobe.com/20230421/uk-prime-ministers-office-appoints-alex-chalk-as-new-secretary-of-state-for-justice-1109739557.html UK Cabinet Minister Oliver Dowden Appointed as New Deputy Prime Minister UK Cabinet Minister Oliver Dowden Appointed as New Deputy Prime Minister UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's office announced on Friday the appointment of Alex Chalk, who is currently the Minister of State at Ministry of Defense, as the new Secretary of State for Justice. 2023-04-21T13:25+0000 2023-04-21T13:25+0000 2023-04-21T13:32+0000 world uk appointment dominic raab /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/04/15/1109739749_0:0:3070:1726_1920x0_80_0_0_3c75fed6ca02349480a4d7818455d66b.jpg "The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Rt Hon Oliver Dowden CBE MP, has also been appointed Deputy Prime Minister," the office said in a statement.Also, Rishi Sunak's office announced the appointment of Alex Chalk, who is currently the Minister of State at Ministry of Defense, as the new Secretary of State for Justice."Alex Chalk KC MP has been appointed Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice," the prime minister's office said on Twitter.Earlier in the day, UK Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Justice Dominic Raab said that he had decided to resign following an investigation into allegations made against him of inappropriate behavior towards civil servants. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230419/uk-inflation-rate-falls-by-fraction-of-percent--but-food-prices-soar-1109650353.html Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International uk prime minister, appoints alex chalk, new secretary of state for justice https://sputnikglobe.com/20230421/ukraines-accession-to-nato-discussed-quick-decision-not-expected---berlin-1109744475.html Ukraine's Accession to NATO Discussed, Quick Decision Not Expected - Berlin Ukraine's Accession to NATO Discussed, Quick Decision Not Expected - Berlin The NATO members are discussing Ukraine's possible accession to the bloc, but this decision will be made later since it is not on the agenda at the moment, German government spokeswoman Christiane Hoffmann said on Friday. 2023-04-21T16:04+0000 2023-04-21T16:04+0000 2023-04-21T16:04+0000 ukraine ukraine crisis nato expansion nato nato membership jens stoltenberg military /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/0b/14/1104459445_0:161:3071:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_08dd4ddd5cc5a33620df2e6965654369.jpg Earlier in the day, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated all NATO members have agreed that Ukraine will become a NATO member. Hoffmann referred to German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius' recent statement that Ukraine's accession to NATO would not be discussed during the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting. According to Pistorius, the relevant decision should be made after the end of the Ukrainian conflict and at the proper time, and not out of solidarity. In September, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine was applying to be fast-tracked to join NATO. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Moscow was closely monitoring the situation and recalled that Kiev's orientation towards the alliance was one of the reasons for the start of Russia's military operation in Ukraine in February 2022. On Friday, the Ukraine Defense Contact Group consisting of 54 countries is holding its 11th military briefing on the issue of Ukraine's support at the US Air Force Ramstein base in Germany. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230421/stoltenberg-claims-all-nato-allies-agree-ukraine-should-become-member-of-alliance-1109726836.html ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International ukraine to join nato, jens stoltenberg about ukraine, ukraine nato member, ukraine access to nato https://sputnikglobe.com/20230421/us-defense-secretary-us-expediting-abrams-delivery-to-ukraine-tanks-will-arrive-in-germany-soon-1109743317.html US Defense Secretary: US Expediting Abrams Delivery to Ukraine, Tanks Will Arrive in Germany Soon US Defense Secretary: US Expediting Abrams Delivery to Ukraine, Tanks Will Arrive in Germany Soon The United States timeline for providing M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine has been expedited to deliver training tanks to Germany in the coming weeks, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Friday. 2023-04-21T14:50+0000 2023-04-21T14:50+0000 2023-04-21T14:50+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine ukraine us military aid m1 abrams tank lloyd austin /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/105808/85/1058088578_0:161:3071:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_125ec2a76ce8cc1af81291f8c5bd5084.jpg "Weve also expedited our M1 Abrams timelines to supply Ukraine with more armored capability in the coming months, and the M1s that the Ukrainians will use for training will arrive here in Germany in the next few weeks," Austin said during a press conference. Earlier on Friday, US media reported that 31 Abrams tanks will arrive in Germany soon, with training expected to last for 10 weeks. The tanks could reach Ukraine by fall, the reports said. ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International us, ukraine, m1 abrams tanks. ukrainian crisis, conflict in ukraine, war in ukraine, us military supplies for ukraine https://sputnikglobe.com/20230421/us-house-speaker-mccarthy-working-talking-to-leery-gop-to-garner-support-for-debt-ceiling-bill-1109722616.html US House Speaker McCarthy 'Working, Talking' to Leery GOP to Garner Support For Debt Ceiling Bill US House Speaker McCarthy 'Working, Talking' to Leery GOP to Garner Support For Debt Ceiling Bill US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) is racing against time, trying to get fellow Republicans on board to back his bill raising the federal government's $31.4 trillion debt ceiling. 2023-04-21T10:55+0000 2023-04-21T10:55+0000 2023-04-21T12:12+0000 americas us kevin mccarthy debt ceiling bill house gop joe biden /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/04/15/1109721575_0:159:3075:1889_1920x0_80_0_0_71215fd21ab217d716f3cc050c397fce.jpg US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) is racing against time trying to get fellow Republicans on board to back his bill raising the federal government's $31.4 trillion debt ceiling.The California Republican hopes to have his package stipulating a $1.5 trillion increase in the nation's debt ceiling pass the House of Representatives next week. But bearing in mind the razor-thin majority that the GOP has in the House, indications of steep dissent within his own rank-and-file could make this a tough test for the speaker. McCarthy has proposed allowing more government debt, but only linked with tough spending compromises, including steep budget cuts. The speaker projected confidence on Thursday, telling reporters:He added, I want you to write stories like Im teetering whether I could win or not and the whole world hangs in the balance. And then I want you to write a story after it passes, did the president sit down and negotiate?Earlier in the year, the newly-inaugurated Republican-controlled House refused to pass a new bill raising the spending limit. Spending cuts were proposed by the GOP as a precondition for passing a new bill with a higher debt ceiling. But the Democrat leadership rejected the proposals.Warning that a "no-strings-attached debt limit increase will not pass, McCarthy proposed a bill that would slash federal spending to 2022 levels and impose a 1% cap on annual budget growth over the next decade. However, on Thursday, some House Republicans were still clinging to their apprehensions about the McCarthy-proposed package.Three Camps of GOP 'Doubters' Those apprehensive of the bill set to be introduced by House Budget Chairman Jodey C. Arrington, R-Texas, have been urging tweaks to it. Don Bacon, a Republican serving as the US representative for Nebraska's 2nd congressional district, who said he personally supported the proposed legislation, told reporters that others in the GOP ranks were "struggling" with it. If the vote were held on Thursday, it might not pass, he claimed. However, if House Republicans fail to pass the bill, he said, "There's going to be a lot of pressure to just capitulate" to Democrats arguing for an increase in borrowing authority without any spending cuts.After a closed-door meeting with GOP leaders on Tuesday, one Republican lawmaker told US media on Tuesday that, "This is the single biggest point of leverage that will exist in these two years." There are reportedly at least three such "camps" of doubters. First, there are those who think it does not go far enough in reigning in federal deficits. Representative Chip Roy, a member of the House Rules Committee, doesn't think the spending cuts are "robust enough."Several others who have spoken with US media indicated they felt the bill should go further, that they were in favor of very aggressive cuts and really want to see some real restraints and fiscal cuts, not just promises. US Rep. Andrew Biggs (R-AZ) said McCarthys proposed cuts are a long ways away from the demands McCarthy made just weeks ago in negotiations with the administration of Democratic POTUS Joe Biden.Others reportedly fear damaging potential consequences for their own constituents, like in the case of Representative Nancy Mace. Concerned that the proposals incorporated in the bill to roll back tax credits linked to solar energy could hit her South Carolina constituents, she said:Similarly, Representative Tim Burchett, worried about his Tennessee district which includes Knoxville. The city has a poverty rate of about 21%, and the proposed tightening of eligibility for the SNAP food stamp program is a concern for him. Finally, some have simply never voted for a debt limit increase.What Happens if Debt Ceiling is Not Raised?The debt ceiling is the total maximum amount of money that the United States government is authorized to borrow to meet its existing legal obligations, such as Social Security and Medicare benefits, military salaries, interest on the national debt, tax refunds, and other payments. To make up the difference between the money that the US federal government spends, typically more, and the revenue it takes in, it relies on the simple process of borrowing money. It's an easy guess that this debt gradually increases overtime. But there is a limit to this - a law dating back to 1917 set in place a debt ceiling. As breaching the debt limit may result in a default for the government, whenever the US has approached the debt limit, Congress has voted to raise or suspend the debt ceiling.In February, the Congressional Budget Office issued its financial forecast, warning that the US government would be unable to meet its financial obligations if Congress fails to raise the debt ceiling by summer. Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen also warned that if the government were to default on its debt, it could lead to a recession.Meanwhile, financial markets have already succumbed to debt ceiling jitters. The cost of insuring US debt against default for one year reached over 100 basis points as of Wednesday, according to Refinitiv data.The White House slammed Kevin McCarthy's plan, with Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre saying, "MAGA House Republicans are holding the American economy hostage in order to take a hatchet to programs Americans rely on every day to make ends meet." https://sputnikglobe.com/20230418/not-something-im-excited-about-mccarthy-debt-ceiling-bill-faces-steep-internal-gop-dissent-1109635238.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230120/what-happens-if-us-defaults-on-its-debt-in-2023-1106511918.html americas Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Svetlana Ekimenko Svetlana Ekimenko News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Svetlana Ekimenko us house speaker, kevin mccarthy, republicans, house gop, raise debt ceiling, increase in debt ceiling, pass the house of representatives, razor-thin gop house majority, steep dissent, spending cuts, bill should go further, consequences for constituents https://sputnikglobe.com/20230421/us-should-listen-to-adversaries-closely-communicate-effectively---ex-us-defense-official-1109717728.html US Should Listen to Adversaries Closely, Communicate Effectively - Ex-US Defense Official US Should Listen to Adversaries Closely, Communicate Effectively - Ex-US Defense Official The US should listen to its adversaries, such as Russia and China, and have efficient diplomatic communication, former Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. John Hyten (ret.) said. 2023-04-21T03:01+0000 2023-04-21T03:01+0000 2023-04-21T02:58+0000 world us adversary russia china diplomatic ties /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/0a/1d/1090297649_0:0:3073:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_05ad846aab5996df9ea18a7bac221088.jpg "China has told us exactly what they were going to do all along and we dont listen. Russia told us what they were going to do in Ukraine all along, we dont listen," Hyten said on Thursday. Hyten made the comment during a panel discussion at the 38th Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The general emphasized that his suggestions can change the world in five or 10 years if they are implemented, but if they are not, the world will face another mess. On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine in response to requests by the Donetsk and Lugansk people's republics to help defend them from intensifying attacks by Ukrainian troops. Russia has said the operation aims to demilitarize and de-Nazify Ukraine and to completely liberate the Donbas region. The countries of the US-led collective West have imposed comprehensive sanctions on Russia and have also provided Ukraine with military and financial aid well exceeding $110 billion. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230411/supposed-intelligence-leak-exposes-us-spying-on-adversaries-and-allies-1109335398.html russia china Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International us; russia; china; diplomatic communication; john hyten; adversaries https://sputnikglobe.com/20230421/us-urged-ukraine-to-cut-its-losses--leave-artemovsk-pentagon-leak--1109719298.html US Urged Ukraine to Cut Its Losses & Leave Artemovsk: 'Pentagon Leak' US Urged Ukraine to Cut Its Losses & Leave Artemovsk: 'Pentagon Leak' Washington had warned Ukraine that its forces would likely be encircled in Artemovsk (Bakhmut), a 'leaked' US intelligence document purportedly revealed. 2023-04-21T05:52+0000 2023-04-21T05:52+0000 2023-04-21T06:43+0000 ukraine donbass donetsk people's republic pentagon leaks russia's special operation in ukraine /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/04/0c/1109386627_0:0:3049:1716_1920x0_80_0_0_0b945afcdc47f2d341e1ca62ba2c26bf.jpg Washington had warned Ukraine that it would not be able to hold Artemovsk and that its forces would "likely be encircled" there by Russian troops, a "leaked" US intelligence document allegedly obtained by the Washington Post showed.Artemovsk, known in Ukraine by its pre-Soviet name Bakhmut, has been at the center of hostilities in Donbass for months, with the Ukrainian Armed Forces sustaining heavy losses and sacrificing civilian lives there.According to the "bleak" US assessment marked top secret, the Kiev regime was advised to cut its losses and abandon the city. Steady advances of Russias troops since November had jeopardized Ukraines ability to hold the city, and Ukrainian forces would probably be at risk of encirclement, unless they withdraw within the next month, the purportedly leaked document stated.However, Kiev authorities did not heed the warnings, the Washington Post report stated.Another document in the "leaked" Pentagon haul is said to have outlined the steps Ukraine could take against Moscow, such as using advanced munitions, waging information campaigns and utilizing counter-drone technology to impose future costs on Russian forces.Hotly contested Artemovsk is an important transport hub with many crossroads, which previously served as a vital center for supplying pro-Kiev militants in the region. Ukrainian militants have been using civilians in the city as human shields, holding innocent people hostage and deploying heavy equipment in residential areas. Heavy fighting continues in the western parts of the city, as the Russian military advances, according to the head of the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), Denis Pushilin, in conversation with Sputnik on Thursday. Russian troops have cut off or taken under fire control of all the asphalt roads leading to Artemovsk and Russian Armed Forces continue to drive out Ukrainian troops in the western part of Artemovsk, the Russian Defense Ministry said on 20 April."The assault detachments continued active operations to destroy the enemy in the Donetsk direction," Russia's Defense Ministry said. Meanwhile, the Airborne Troops and artillery of the Southern Group of Forces support the advancing assault detachments and preventing the enemy's attempts to counterattack on the flanks and transfer reserves, the ministry added.A package of top secret US Department of Defense documents was purportedly leaked online in recent weeks. The trove of documents was initially released on the Discord platform, which is popular with gamers. Later, the alleged Pentagon files found their way to major social media platforms and eventually were picked by the US mainstream media. The documents supposedly shed light on US interests in various corners of the world, including the Pentagons assessment of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, and showed that the US was spying not only on its opponents but also on its allies. The veracity of the disclosed data has yet to be proved.Since the revelations,, the FBI has arrested Jack Teixeira, a 21-year-old member of the US Air Force National Guard, for his alleged involvement in leaking the classified documents. A federal court in Boston charged Teixeira with the unauthorized retention, removal and transmission of classified information on 14 April.Regarding the Pentagon "leak", Moscow has not ruled out the possibility that it was deliberately orchestrated for the purpose of disinformation. Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov emphasized that the US is a party to the Ukraine conflict - is, in fact, waging a proxy war against Russia - and might be expected to resort to such practices. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230313/kiev-sacrifices-lives-in-attempt-to-hold-artemovsk-and-justify-us-support-1108334554.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230420/heavy-fighting-continuing-in-western-parts-of-artemovsk---dpr-acting-head-1109692028.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230418/fbi-investigating-ex-us-navy-officer-over-spread-of-pentagon-leaks---reports-1109627599.html ukraine donbass Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Svetlana Ekimenko Svetlana Ekimenko News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Svetlana Ekimenko artemovsk (bakhmut), bakhmut, washington, ukraine, to hold artemovsk, leaked pentagon document, pentagon leaks, ukraine forces would be encircled in artemovsk, leaked us intelligence document https://sputnikglobe.com/20230421/vucic-washington-buys-up-to-one-third-of-serbias-arms-that-may-end-up-in-ukraine-1109716431.html Vucic: Washington Buys Up to One-Third of Serbia's Arms That May End Up in Ukraine Vucic: Washington Buys Up to One-Third of Serbia's Arms That May End Up in Ukraine Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said Thursday that Washington buys between one-fourth and one-third of Serbia's defense industry products that may end up in Ukraine. 2023-04-21T01:27+0000 2023-04-21T01:27+0000 2023-04-21T01:31+0000 serbia belgrade aleksandar vucic nato russia-nato showdown nato expansion us us defense spending military /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/05/10/1095555190_0:160:3073:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_60ba62578d42ab0dcdb61b9fd0c47fe3.jpg US media reported in mid-April, citing the leaked Pentagon documents, that the Serbian authorities had already sent weapons to Ukraine and were ready to transfer more. Later, in a conversation with Sputnik, Serbian Defense Minister Milos Vucevic called such reports untrue. Vucic said on April 13 that Serbia has not and will not supply Ukraine with weapons and ammunition, adding that Belgrade exports defense products to authorized end users only. "Should we violate long-term contracts with America, which purchases a one-third, one-fourth of the ammunition - what are you people talking about, what do you even want, to close plant?" The president noted the Serbian army will be purchasing all weapons and ammunition produced in Serbia within the next three years "so that no one can tell us that our weapons are going there [to the conflict area]." Vucic also said that the West is urging Belgrade to join NATO, posing Russia as a threat, but the alliance itself is a threat to Serbia. Belgrade has repeatedly denied information about Serbia selling arms to Kiev while stressing its commitment to military neutrality. Belgrade strictly adheres to the observance of domestic and international legal acts and also avoids the supply of weapons to any state if "an outbreak or continuation of an armed conflict is possible there" and a threat to peace and security is created, the Serbian Foreign Ministry said on April 12, adding that the re-export of the Serbian weapons without the permission of Belgrade was banned. serbia belgrade Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International serbian president aleksandar vucic; us defense industry; ukraine conflict; nato; serbian army; serbia; https://sputnikglobe.com/20230421/what-is-the-ramstein-format-meeting-on-ukraine-1109736384.html What is the Ramstein Format Meeting on Ukraine? What is the Ramstein Format Meeting on Ukraine? What is the Ukraine Defense Contact Group at Ramstein, and what is its purpose? Sputnik explains. 2023-04-21T12:39+0000 2023-04-21T12:39+0000 2023-04-21T12:39+0000 sputnik explains ramstein ramstein airbase ramstein military base ukraine nato russia-nato showdown ukraine crisis us arms for ukraine us-ukraine relations /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/04/15/1109736227_0:0:3641:2048_1920x0_80_0_0_4f0a16b017b205644a7a638098c80f7c.jpg Another meeting of the facetiously named Ukraine Defense Contact Group was held at the Ramstein Airbase in Germany on Friday the 11th of its kind since the first was organized in late April of 2022.Fridays meeting featured a number of loud proclamations. NATO Chief Jens Stoltenberg announced that alliance members had agreed that Ukraine will become a NATO member, and highlighted the need for the delivery of more jets to Kiev.Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin talked up the gathered officials shared unity and resolve, repeating Washingtons Ukraine is fighting for freedom talking points and boasting about the more than $55 billion in security assistance that has been sent to the country over the past year, which he pointed out was a tenfold increase since we first met.What is the Ukraine Contact Group Meeting at Ramstein?The Ramstein Group/Format is a NATO-led format of meetings organized in April 2022 to coordinate the funneling of tens of billions of dollars in Western military hardware to Ukraine in support of the US-led proxy war against Russia. The group which consists of defense ministers of several dozen US-allied countries, has met 11 times since its inception about once per month over the past year, apart from August and December.The first Ukraine-related meeting at Ramstein was held on April 26, 2022. Follow-up meetings have taken place both at the base, as well as NATO headquarters in Brussels, and virtually.Which Countries are Participants of the Ramstein Format?In addition to Stoltenberg (who is sometimes substituted by NATO assistant secretary general for operations Thomas Goffus), the formats members include the Ukrainian defense minister, the defense ministers of all 31 NATO members, plus Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Israel, Jordan, Qatar, Kenya, Liberia, Morocco and Tunisia, which are represented either by their respective defense ministers or by senior defense officials or commanders. The latter countries are reportedly there to provide mostly symbolic support.What Kinds of Results Have the Meetings Achieved?At the meetings, Ukraine typically lobbies for new deliveries of weapons, including more and more advanced armaments. NATO officials summarize weapons deliveries, and formulate plans for new transfers. The meetings have proven highly successful in that they have facilitated prolonging and escalating NATOs proxy war against Russia, while complementing behind-the-scenes diplomatic efforts to sabotage Russia-Ukraine peace negotiations.A major 'breakthrough' occurred at a Ramstein Format meeting in January, when NATO countries agreed for the first time to send heavy battle tanks to Kiev.Is Ramstein a NATO or US Base? Who Owns It?The Ramstein Format is held at the Ramstein Air Base, a major United States Air Force facility in Rhineland-Palatinate, southwestern Germany.Ramstein is one of more than a dozen major US and NATO bases dotting western and southwestern Germany. American forces have been stationed in the country since the end of World War II. The base is also a major NATO command center featuring the headquarters of NATO Air Allied Command (AIRCOM). Ramstein has served as a major strategic hub for US-led military operations since the end of the Cold War, being used extensively during the 1991 Gulf War, NATO police actions and bombings in Yugoslavia in the 1990s, and the US-led wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, plus drone bombings across the Middle East Africa and the shipment of weapons to jihadists in the dirty war in Syria. German opposition lawmakers have repeatedly called for the closure of all US bases on German soil, while others have made a push to at least try to stop US drone operations out of the base, but to no avail. In late 2020, Germanys top court ruled that Berlin carries no legal responsibility for ensuring that US drone operations involving Ramstein comply with international law.How Many US Soldiers Are Stationed at Ramstein?Ramstein is the largest US Air Force Base in Germany, comprising over 7,000 active duty airman (reportedly the largest number anywhere on Earth apart from the Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas), plus nearly 10,000 other troops and support personnel, and over 6,200 German nationals working at the base.Are There Other Ukraine-related Contact Groups?The Ukraine Defense Contact Group shouldnt be confused with the Normandy Contact Group, also known as the Normandy Format another group created to deal with the crisis in Ukraine but featuring a very different purpose.The Normandy Format, which included Ukraine, Germany, France and Russia, began meeting in the summer of 2014 in a bid to resolve the civil war which had broken out in the Donbass in the aftermath of the February 2014 coup in Kiev. The first Normandy Format meeting took place on the sidelines of ceremonies commemorating the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy, France hence the name.Normandy Format meetings eventually led to the signing of the Minsk Peace Agreement in February 2015. Under that landmark agreement, Ukraine would be able to reabsorb the Donbass in exchange for constitutional reforms that would grant the rebel regions broad autonomy. Kiev never implemented its side of the deal, and for eight years, the Donbass war became a frozen conflict punctuated by regular shelling, sniper attacks and occasional Ukrainian maneuvers seeking to grab off bits of land near the contact line. In 2022, after Russia launched its special military operation in Ukraine, the former leaders of Ukraine, France and Germany each admitted that Kiev and the West never intended to follow through with the Minsk deal, and that the agreement was just a ploy to buy time for an eventual conflict with Russia. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230421/us-defense-secretary-lloyd-austin-speaks-at-ukraine-defense-contact-group-meeting--1109723721.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230421/ramstein-format-meeting-of-ukraine-defense-contact-group-to-begin-on-friday-1109720326.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20201127/top-german-court-rules-berlin-cant-force-us-drones-using-ramstein-base-to-refrain-from-war-crimes-1081297681.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230220/minsk-agreements-helped-ukraine-beef-up-its-military-merkel-tells-russian-pranksters-1107634431.html ramstein ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Ilya Tsukanov Ilya Tsukanov News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ilya Tsukanov results of the ramstein meeting, ukraine defense contact group members, ukraine defense contact group, ukraine defense contact group ramstein, 2023 ramstein air base meeting, ramstein meeting today, ramstein meeting 40 countries list, ramstein meeting countries list 2023, ramstein meeting ukraine, ramstein meeting participants, ramstein meeting, ramstein air base, next ramstein meeting, ramstein meeting ukraine, ramstein ukraine contact group, ramstein air base ukraine, distance ramstein afb to ukraine, ramstein ukraine, ukraine defense contact group ramstein, ramstein group ukraine, ramstein ukraine meeting Commander Frank rolled to his second straight series win in the $12,500 second leg of the Terry Altmeyer Memorial for three-year-old colt and gelding trotters on Friday (April 21) at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows. Big Boy Ernest captured the other division, providing a second-leg sweep for trainer Norm Parker and owners Tom Brice, Bart Brice, Charles Receski and Ed Receski. Commander Frank idled until the early dust settled, grabbing the lead for Mike Wilder at the quarter. From there, it was strictly no contest, as the son of Southwind Frank - Lady Athens defeated the rallying Fire N Lightning by 3-1/2 lengths in 1:54.4. HS Winchester completed the ticket. Dwight Hanover stretched out Big Boy Ernest before the 1-2 favourite could reach the point. But Big Boy Ernest had plenty left for driver Drew Monti, as the International Moni - Woohoo Hanover gelding triumphed in a career-best 1:55.4. Lloyd Wright was second, 1-1/2 lengths lengths back, with Dwight Hanover third. In Fridays $21,200 Open Handicap Trot, Tequila Talkin shot the Lightning Lane to score in 1:52.1, a lifetime mark and fastest this year by an older gelding on a five-eighths-mile track. Ronnie Wrenn, Jr. piloted the eight-year-old son of Cantab Hall-Margarita Nights, who lifted his career earnings north of $400,000, for trainer Ron Burke and owners Burke Racing Stable and Weaver Bruscemi LLC. Saint K and Emeralds Legacy rounded out the ticket. Parker enjoyed a triple on the 12-care card. With two wins Friday, Wilder now boasts nine victories over the last three race programs. Live harness racing at The Meadows continues Saturday, first post 12:45 p.m. (MSOA) Hope Radio KCMI and the Scottsbluff Hampton Inn invites the public to a National Day of Prayer event taking place at the Hampton Inn in Scottsbluff on Thursday, May 4. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. and the event will start at 6 p.m. The event will feature a meal, special speakers and prayer. Video presentations will include: John Fuller, vice president of the audio team and co-host of the Focus on the Family daily radio program; Brian Hardin, Nebraska state senator; John Wiedeman, Northfield Elementary School principal; Joel Hergert, pastor of Harvest Valley Church and Captain Tyson Gould, Army National Guard. Tickets are $8 and can be purchased by check or cash at KCMI Radio before April 28. Western Nebraska lawmakers are making some progress in moving their more routine 2023 proposals forward despite the Legislatures protracted filibusters this session. Several Christmas tree measures, in which Unicameral committees combine multiple bills by their topic area, had managed to advance as senators adjourned Thursday for a four-day recess. Theyll be on the 67th of a scheduled 90 legislative days when they reconvene Tuesday. Floor action on the five major 2023-24 budget bills is expected to start May 2 and continue through mid-month. Legislative Bill 814, the mainline bill of the Appropriations Committees budget package, could include the contents of at least two bills offered by western Nebraska senators. North Platte Sen. Mike Jacobson said Thursday that the committee had agreed to include up to $10 million in state matching funds to help rebuild the fire-destroyed State 4-H Camp at the Nebraska National Forest near Halsey. The District 42 senator had proposed up to $30 million in matching funds in LB 281, using a similar mechanism to previous North Platte-authored bills providing state help to develop the Lincoln County industrial rail park outside Hershey. The Natural Resources Committee, on which Jacobson sits, has advanced a committee priority bill (LB 425) that includes LB 281s funding mechanism but halves the state matching-fund amount to $15 million. Jacobson said its unlikely the Legislature will take up LB 425 this year because the filibusters led by Omaha Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh continue to chew up hours of time on each bill. Cavanaugh launched her near-blockade Feb. 23 in protest of the advancement of LB 574, which would restrict transgender health care for minors. That bill moved to the final stage of floor action last week. The Appropriations Committee often folds some senators bills into its annual budget package if they require state funds. The Nebraska Constitution requires each bill to stick to one subject, generally corresponding to the topic area of a standing Unicameral committee. LB 814, which the committee hasnt yet advanced to the floor, also is expected to include Sumner Sen. Teresa Ibachs LB 660 to help rural lawyers repay their student loans. Ibach said Thursday that the mainline budget bill will provide $150,000 toward that end, half of the $300,000 her bill had proposed. She said LB 814 also will include $10 million to help statewide food pantries and fight hunger among Nebraskans. Ibach had proposed $2.5 million toward that end in her LB 661. She said the Appropriations Committee opted to incorporate a similar bill (LB 763) by Sen. Wendy DeBoer of Bennington. Committees have advanced seven other bills with measures offered by western Nebraska lawmakers, one of which awaits Gov. Jim Pillens signature. LB 376, a General Affairs Committee priority bill that makes various changes to Nebraska liquor laws, won 41-1 final approval Monday. It includes Gering Sen. Brian Hardins LB 596, which would let liquor manufacturers and wholesalers reach sponsorship and advertisement agreements with organizations. Two Jacobson bills tweaking 2020s North Platte-born microTIF law (LB 98) and clarifying when mayors can vote to break City Council ties (LB 33) are now slated to be added to LB 531, an Urban Affairs Committee priority bill that won 30-0 first-round approval April 11. Both of Jacobsons measures will be offered as amendments when LB 531 comes up for second-round debate. Both LB 98 and LB 33 advanced to the floor in February and were slated for their initial rounds of debate when Cavanaugh launched her filibusters. LB 227, a Health and Human Services Committee priority bill to raise hospitals Medicaid reimbursements for nursing facility services, won 45-0 initial approval Monday. It also includes bills by Jacobson (LB 434) and Ibach (LB 219) addressing Medicaid reimbursements for long-term care hospitals and rural critical access hospitals respectively. The Legislatures main property tax relief bill of the session (LB 243) also includes LB 28, a bill by Bayard Sen. Steve Erdman requiring a protesting property owners taxable value to be reset to the previous years valuation if the Tax Equalization and Review Commission hasnt settled the owners appeal by the following spring. LB 243 won 41-1 first-round approval April 3. LB 138, a bill updating transportation and motor vehicle laws, was amended April 5 to include Gordon Sen. Tom Brewers LB 199 to allow Ukrainian refugees from the 2022 Russian invasion to receive a driving privilege card. It advanced to final reading on a voice vote. Hardins LB 342, which would lengthen the registration term for home inspectors from one to two years, is expected to be added to LB 629, the Urban Affairs Committees other priority bill. The latter bill has yet to receive first-round debate. Also awaiting initial consideration is LB 116, an Agriculture Committee priority bill including an Ibach measure (LB 218) to increase spending to manage vegetation within natural streams or their surrounding floodplains. This blog covers software patent news and issues with a particular focus on wireless, mobile devices (smartphones, tablet computers, connected cars) as well as select antitrust matters surrounding those devices. When Lisa Familo stood before the crowd at the Iredell County Partnership for Young Childrens Investment Luncheon, it was easy to see her as someone who overcame trials and tribulations to find success as a college graduate and eventually, the organizations director. But she wants to make sure that children who grow up in poverty, with parents who werent always there for them or worse, abusive and other challenges dont have to overcome the odds as she did. By all accounts, I was destined to be another statistic, and repeat the cycle of poverty and abuse, Familo said to the quiet room at the Statesville Civic Center on Wednesday. Fortunately two people disrupted this belief, and convinced me I could become more than the product of my environment. In Familos case, it was her friend Judys mother and the man who would later become her husband, Toby Familo, that helped break that cycle. She said that like anyone else, it was the intervention of others and resources to get pointed in the right direction. Individually, everyone has the possibility to be that for a young child. You dont have to be part of an organization, but you can choose to care, Familo said. And getting those to care, and donate, was the goal of the Change the First Five Years Investment Luncheon, which looked to raise $25,000 to celebrate the organizations 25th anniversary. Some of ICPYCs services include child care solutions, an early learning resource center, making sure car seats are safe, and a diaper and wipe pantry, just to name a few. Lisa Pullis, ICPYCs program director, said that in the first five years, 90% of a childs brain has already developed, making those years critical. Its the window of opportunity to change those first five years and allow them to succeed in school and in life by the time they enter kindergarten, Pullis said. We change the first five years, we change everything. Through the speakers and the videos presented during the luncheon, the importance of helping children heal from trauma while also nurturing their brains to prepare them for their education was hammered on over and over to drive the point home of the organizations goals. As a lot of people learned today, the childs brain develops through age 4 and sets the tone for life. Its important for me, the board, and the partnership, to get those children as early as possible, Kevin Head said. He is the ICPYCs board of directors chair-elect. ICPYCs mission of raising the quality of early care and education, supporting families, advancing child health and expanding literacy at an early age is what Familo and the ICPYC hope to do to make sure exceptional cases like her own arent seen as overcoming the odds. When I think about that, the statistics arent good, when we look at how families are faring, how children are faring in our community, its not good, and thats what all of this today is about, Familo said after her speech. We can provide those resources and we can help them build those early bonds that are so important for early childhood development. Iredell County Commissioner chair Melissa Neader, an ICPYCs board member,, said shes learned just how important the organizations goals are, and how critical it can be for changing the future of those children and their families in Iredell County. One child, one story, one change is priceless. Seeing that work, and working with the staff and team, its incredible, and Im fully behind their mission and proud to be a part of that board, Neader said. When students came to chorus teacher Chelsea Strother wanting to perform Shrek, it wasnt too hard to convince her. First of all, its one of my favorite musicals and a childhood favorite movie, Strother said. All the music in it, the lines are so funny, and the comedy of it. I dont know what made them want to do it, but they were like Shrek! Shrek! so it wasnt going to be a hard convince for me. We want the kids to do what they want because its all after school, all volunteer, so we want them to choose what they do. Its easy because they drive it, they practice on their own. Because they pick the musical, they take charge of it. While students of Statesville High School and Crossroads Arts Sciences Early College settled on a more condensed version of the musical in Shrek Jr., the students (and a few teachers playing roles) brought the same enthusiasm as they prepared for the production on Wednesday in Mac Gray Auditorium. The time and effort comes with signing up for the show. If you want a successful show, its not just about acting and singing and dancing. Its a lot of set pieces and team bonding, getting to know your castmates and everything else, J.D. Brown said, who plays the role of Donkey. As he steps into the role of Donkey, he takes on a bigger role than he did in previous productions at the school. Donkeys personality is similar to mine, and who doesnt love Donkey from Shrek? Brown said. Last year I was just a dancer, which Im used to, but this year Im stepping outside of my comfort zone and singing and acting more. He said its nerve-wracking, but he expects that feeling to go away when its showtime on Friday at 7 p.m. in the Mac Gray Auditorium at Statesville High School. That will be followed by two performances on Saturday at 2 and 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 and Iredell-Statesville Schools employees get in free with their badges. Once a biology teacher, now a renowned potter, Wendy Wrenn never imagined she would be an artist living in a tiny, quiet town in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Born in Jamestown, North Carolina, Wrenn attended the University of North Carolina in Charlotte for teaching, eventually becoming a Teaching Fellow, meaning the state would reimburse her for her undergraduate tuition after she taught for four years. A week after graduating, Wrenn landed a job near Charlotte, where she went on to teach biology for more than 10 years. She said one of the things she focused on the most was evolution. A big part of my approach to teaching biology was the theory of evolution and the idea of form and function animals, plants, everything evolved so that the form and the function complement one another its perfect for its organism, Wrenn said. Throughout Wendys high school and college careers she never even considered becoming an artist, let alone a potter. Im a very science [oriented] person I didnt take any art classes in high school [or college], Wrenn said. Im not even sure if I knew where the art building was on campus. That changed after her first year of teaching, when she signed up for a pottery class as a reward. The class offered instructional time where she learned a lot of the basic skills required to make simple pots: mugs, bowls, even platters. Additionally, Wrenn gained access to the studio even when class was not in session. There, she could experiment on her own, learning the beginnings of what would become her life-long career. She would visit the studio regularly and her love for the art-form only grew. It was there that she first fell in love with pottery. After her first introduction to pottery Wendy couldnt get enough. She went on to take a few more classes at Penland School of Craft in Spruce Pine, N.C. By then, she had formed some new friendships at the studio and now was even teaching a beginners class of her own. Wrenns life was completely changed when she met Silvie Granatelli, a Floyd artist who has built an incredible life around pottery. A friend of mine met this potter at a cocktail party and [she] came back to the studio and said youll never guess who I met! It was Silvie [Granatelli]. She was teaching a two week class in Italy that summer on making pots and cooking, Wrenn said. It was honestly just something else to get to watch her work Shes amazing. Another time, Wrenn visited Floyd and the then-Jacksonville Center, where Granatelli and Ellen Shankin, another powerful potter, were hosting an observational workshop. As I was walking back to my car, I decided that I so admire those women and how they had built this life for themselves, and I wanted to do that, Wrenn said. So, I decided in that moment that I was going to quit my job and do whatever I needed to do to try to make a life around [pottery] It was a moment of clarity that I had not had before or since. Wrenn applied to Haywood Colleges art program and was accepted the following fall. After graduating from Haywood with an associates degree in Professional Crafts Ceramics Wrenn moved to Floyd in 2009 for an apprenticeship with Granatelli. Wrenns pottery began to reflect nature and biology. She said Granatelli taught her to form her own style early on. She would always want you to think about what you want the work to look like and where you want to see it the sort of the style you want it to be and always have that intention in mind when youre working, Wrenn said. Practicality and usability is an important theme throughout Wrenns catalogue of works. Her bowls, cups, mugs, platters and everything in between fit comfortably grasped between fingers or rested between lips. Its important that whatever I make functions well. Of course Id also like for it to be equally attractive Wrenn said. She added that, if she needs inspiration, shell most likely look at nature books. By 2019, Wrenn was a distinguished potter, just as she had dreamed of that fateful day in the parking lot of the art center, and a member of 16 Hands, a local collective of potters that regularly open their studios to the public. It got started when the original members in the late 80s started thinking they needed to work together to [market themselves] 16 Hands certainly wasnt the first, but it was one of the first and its still going, Wrenn said. The goal was to bring people to them and their pottery. All of the original members of 16 hands have now stepped away and the next generation has taken over, including Wrenn. To me its a big deal to be a part of it because were sort of continuing the legacy that they created for twenty years. It also just reinforces the community of potters here, Wrenn said. People like Wrenn are what make Floyd the rich, unique place that it is. She exemplifies that no matter where you may begin your journey, it is never too late to change your mind and change your path. WOODLAND Woodlands utility billing portal outage has entered its seventh day after servers belonging to the company that manages the small towns utility payment system crashed last Friday. Near the tail end of Mondays city council meeting, City Administrator Peter Boyce told the seven-member council and Mayor Will Finn that the company that manages the citys billing, Texas-based Minol USA, was experiencing a major issue with their servers, knocking out both phone lines and websites that Woodland residents use to make their payments since April 14. There is no indication at this point that personal data was breached, Boyce said. Minol USAs IT department and a consultant were brought on to help resolve the issue. Boyce told The Daily News that he would meet with Minol USA representatives at 3 p.m. Wednesday for an update. Currently, Minol USA is downloading statements from previous invoices, Boyce said. The network should be recovered and operating early next week. However, the auto-pay feature has been turned off, and the city will notify residents three to five days before turning it back on. According to the citys website, the billing phone line is back up and operating as of Tuesday, but the cause of the server issues remains unknown. Residents are asked to visit Woodland City Hall if they plan to make utility payments in either cash or check while the utility billing portal remains out of order. Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to The Daily News. Boyce told The Daily News the city could accept payments only in cash and check, not credit or debit cards. Minol USA has been an ongoing point of conversation as the city prepares to raise utility rates in May. Amy Cohen, marketing director for Minol USA, said the company suffered a network disruption, impacting its systems. Upon discovery, Minol engaged third-party specialists to assist in investigating the source of this disruption, confirm its impact on our systems, and to securely restore full functionality to our systems as soon as possible, Cohen said. Washington is one of 19 states with a red-flag law, which allows for temporary firearm removal from individuals believed to be at risk of harming themselves or others. States took millions to enact red-flag gun laws, but many still won't pass them A Lee Enterprises review reveals that lawmakers in 31 states have not passed red-flag laws even as most of those states received federal funding through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. The policy, which took effect in Washington back in 2016, is one that gun-safety advocates are pushing for in other states once again across the U.S. in the aftermath of the late March Nashville school shooting, which killed six people. The policy has bipartisan appeal with some Republicans in favor of it, but second-amendment advocates including the National Rifle Association have been fighting against the law. Most of Washingtons congressional delegation voted for the 2022 Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which provided states funding to implement or create red-flag laws. But none of the Republican representatives voted for it. Democratic U.S. Sen. Patty Murray cheered the law after its passage, saying it will save lives. Make no mistake, this is the most significant bill we have passed on gun violence in decades, Murray said in 2022. This bill does not do everything we need to end gun violence, but doing nothing was the most extreme option on the table. The state applied for and was awarded $5.2 million in funding after the bill was signed by President Joe Biden. The state said it will use the funding for improving the implementation and enforcement of protection order laws and practices that can keep firearms out of the hands of those who pose a threat to themselves or others. It expects that with the funding, there could be an increase in the issuance of protection orders and a corresponding reduction of injury, death, and other types of harm to individuals, families, workplaces, schools, and communities due to firearm possession by individuals who present heightened risk of harm. Washington has the 12th-lowest firearm mortality rates in the U.S. as of 2020, according to federal data, with 10.9 firearm deaths per 100,000 people. There were 864 total firearm deaths in the state in 2020. 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: Building a structured curriculum of data. Credit: The European Physical Journal E (2023). DOI: 10.1140/epje/s10189-023-00269-8 New analysis in The European Physical Journal E (EPJ E) shows how a 'curriculum learning' approach, which carefully structures the data used to train models of complex systems, can significantly improve their results, without relying on additional machine learning principles. By carefully structuring the data used to train models of complex systems by leveraging physics and information theory, researchers can significantly improve the quality of their predictions, without relying on additional principles from machine learning in situations where less information about the system is available. Researchers are now increasingly driven to identify and model the intricate mathematical patterns found in complex natural systems, where the interactions of many simple parts and subsystems can give rise to deeply intricate mathematical patterns. Today, machine learning is the most widely used technique to model these systems. Through new analysis in EPJ E, a research team at Universite Paris-Saclay shows how a 'curriculum learning' approach, which carefully structures the data used to train models, can significantly improve their results, without relying on additional machine learning principles. Machine learning is a form of artificial intelligence (AI) which improves its ability to model systems as it is exposed to more information about themhelping researchers to spot patterns hidden deep inside the data. When studying complex systems, this approach becomes more challenging when large amounts of observational data aren't available: often due to costs, or technical difficulties in attaining the information. The Paris-Saclay researchers' technique is based on the idea that like humans, machines learn best if they are first exposed to simpler situations, before dealing with more complex ones further on in the learning process. In this way, the information used to train a model can be structured into a carefully planned curriculum. The team's approach worked by first assessing the amount of data needed to guarantee an accurate model, then investigating the impact of a curriculum's structure on the model's reliability. The team ultimately showed that through careful structuring of its training dataset, the quality of a model's predictions can be significantly improvedwithout any need of more intricate model architectures or additional principles from machine learning. The insights gathered by the team could lead to advanced new modeling approachesapplicable in scenarios ranging from robotics and computer vision, to video games and language processing. More information: Michele Alessandro Bucci et al, Curriculum learning for data-driven modeling of dynamical systems, The European Physical Journal E (2023). DOI: 10.1140/epje/s10189-023-00269-8 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: Irfan Ahmed, Ph.D., associate professor of computer science, next to a scale elevator model used to test physical systems. Credit: VCU Engineering In the never-ending cybersecurity war, Irfan Ahmed, Ph.D., provides the good guys with digital forensic toolsand the knowledge to use them. Ahmed is an associate professor of computer science and director of the Security and Forensics Engineering Lab within VCU Engineering's Department of Computer Science. In the SAFE Lab, he leads a pair of projects aimed at keeping industrial systems safe from the bad guys, and showing how the same tools crafted for investigating cyberattacks can be used to probe other crimes. Cyberattacks on physical infrastructure may be initiated to cause chaos by disrupting systems and/or to hold systems for ransom. Ahmed's SAFE Lab focuses on protecting industrial control systems used in the operation of nuclear plants, dams, electricity delivery systems and a wide range of other critical infrastructure in the U.S. The problem isn't new: In 2010, the Stuxnet computer worm targeted centrifuges at Iranian nuclear facilities before getting loose and infecting "innocent" computers around the world. Cyberattacks often target a portion of software architecture known as the control logic, which receives instructions from the user and hands them off to be executed by a programmable logic controller. For instance, the control logic monitoring a natural gas pipeline might be programmed to open a valve if the system detects pressure getting too high. Programmers can modify the control logicbut so can attackers. One of Ahmed's projects, called "Digital Forensic Tools and Techniques for Investigating Control Logic Attacks in Industrial Control Systems," allows him to craft devices and techniques that cyberdetectives can use in their investigations. He noted that investigation capabilities are an under-researched area, as most emphasis has been on prevention and detection of cyberattacks. "The best scenario is to prevent the attacks on industrial systems," Ahmed said. "But if an attack does happen, then what? This is where we try to fill the gap at VCU. And the knowledge that we gain in a cyberattack investigation can further help us to detect or even prevent similar attacks." In the cat-and-mouse world of cybersecurity, the way criminals work is in constant evolution, and Ahmed's SAFE Lab pays close attention to the latest developments by malefactors. For instance, an attacker may go for a more subtle approach than modifying the original control logic. An attack method called return-oriented programming sees the malefactor using the existing control logic code but artfully switching its execution sequence. Other attackers might insert malware into another area of the controller, programmed to run undetected until it can replace the function of the original control logic. Attackers are always coming up with new methods, but each attack leaves a trail of evidence. The SAFE Lab examines attack scenarios through simulations. Scale models of physical systems, including an elevator and a belt conveyor system, are housed at the lab to facilitate the work. The elevator is a four-floor model with inside and outside buttons feeding into a programmable logic controller. The conveyor belt is more advanced, equipped with inductive, capacitive and photoelectric sensors and able to sort objects. The tools and methods applied in fighting cybercrime can be useful in tracking down other malefactors. That's where Ahmed's second project comes in. It's called "Data Science-integrated Experiential Digital Forensics Training based-on Real-world Case Studies of Cybercrime Artifacts." Ahmed is principal investigator, working with co-PI Kostadin Damevski, Ph.D., associate professor of computer science. The goal is to keep law enforcement personnel abreast of the latest trends in cybercrime investigation and to equip them with the latest tools and techniques, including those developed in the SAFE Lab. "For example, investigators often have to go through thousands of images or emails or chats, looking for something very specific," Ahmed said. "We believe the right data science tools can help them to narrow down that search." The FBI and other law enforcement agencies already have dedicated cybersleuthing units; the Virginia State Police has a computer evidence recovery section in Richmond. Ahmed and Damevski are arranging sessions showing investigators how techniques from data science and machine learning can make investigations more efficient by sorting through the mounds of digital evidence that increasingly are a feature of modern crime. 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: Graphical rendering of the experiment in which the red box indicates where the truck is not allowed to enter. Credit: University of Houston University of Houston computer scientists have developed a new system to keep construction workers safe at job sites. Their findings and process are laid out in a study published in the journal Applied Sciences. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 4,764 workers died on the job in 2020. Employees in construction and extraction occupations accounted for 20% of those deaths. Many were struck by a vehicle or mobile machinery on construction sites. Although the construction industry has enlisted the help of safety experts, a great number of fatalities and injuries still occur. "The point of our research project was to enhance safety of workers and equipment on a construction site by tracking their location," said Alireza Ansaripour, a computer science doctoral student at UH and first author of the study. "By tracking their location, we can monitor location-based policies related to the safety of workers and equipment in construction sites." These location-based safety policies are created during the planning stage of the construction site such as when Internal Traffic Control Plans are made. These policies define safe areas for workers and equipment or define a safe distance between them when equipment is operating in the construction site. ViPER+ automates the monitoring of these policies and detects any violations of the policies while workers and equipment are working. ViPER+ utilizes ultra-wideband technology for location tracking. "These radios use large bandwidths to communicate, which enables them to perform location tracking more accurately compared to other wireless radios," Ansaripour said. "This was the technology we used to track the locations of workers and equipment." The team's ViPER+ system surmounts challenges of other ultra-wideband based real-time safety monitoring systems primarily because it overcomes non-line of sight situations. These are instances in which trucks, construction loaders and other equipment block the signal between the transmitter and receiver in ultra-wideband radio transmissions. Ansaripour and his colleagues implemented a correction method in their localization, or location tracking algorithm to reduce the error caused by non-line of sight. Testing ViPER+ in construction zones ViPER+ is an updated and improved version of the group's initial system ViPER. The greatest difference between the two is the enhanced location tracking on ViPER+, which is more accurate in non-line of sight situations. Construction truck with a ultra-wideband tag that allows students to monitor its location. Credit: University of Houston The team tracked locations through tags and anchors. Tags are small ultra-wideband radio transmitters, mounted to workers and vehicles to monitor their locations. Anchors are ultra-wideband receivers that receive signals from tags. The researchers then collected data from anchors to their computer server and estimated the location of vehicles and people in a construction site. They tested their system twice in actual construction zones in Houston that was cordoned off for their experiment. But instead of real construction workers, students had to play that part. "In our evaluation, all four construction workers had tags mounted. We also had one vehicle, either a truck or bulldozer with multiple tags on it, and another static vehicle was used to create a non-line of sight situation." The first evaluation was in 2019 when researchers set up tags in an area about 8,600 square feet called the tracking zone. Four students operated as workers in the tracking zone while Ansaripour was managing the data flow of the system and made sure the experiment ran smoothly. In 2022, a similar scenario was set up but at a different construction site. "Alireza is one of those students with brilliant ideas and the work ethic to see these ideas to fruition," said Omprakash Gnawali, associate professor of computer science at the UH College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics and co-author of the study. "Having that combination is important to get these technical projects to be successful." Future improvements Future changes to the system include ironing out user design issues such as alerting construction workers when they are too close to moving machinery. "We also have an issue creating a tracking zone that covers all of a construction site, not just a portion of it," said Ansaripour. "There are still some improvements that need to be made for this to become a commercial product, but our work provides insight on how a real-time safety monitoring system can be used for safety tracking in construction sites." More information: Alireza Ansaripour et al, ViPER+: Vehicle Pose Estimation Using Ultra-Wideband Radios for Automated Construction Safety Monitoring, Applied Sciences (2023). DOI: 10.3390/app13031581 Artists have always augmented their creativity with technology. But from the 1950s, scientists have investigated if machines could be creative, too. Christian Guckelsberger thinks we may now be at a critical juncture. Credit: Matti Ahlgren/Aalto University The idea of AI that can produce something creative has captivated the imagination of the general public and professionals alike for decades. Yet, it is the recent breakthroughs that have led to an intense public discussion about how we perceive creativity and what makes human creativity special. To explore this topic in more detail, we interviewed Christian Guckelsberger, assistant professor in creative technologies at the Department of Computer Science. How do you study creative AI, and why? I am interested in supporting the sustainable development of creative AI. To this end, I investigate how we can build systems that are creative in their own right and in interaction with people, but also how they can benefit society. Therefore, we must study how these systems are used and experienced. Such studies are, as of now, typically done in the lab, with non-experts, on limited parts of the creative process, and with a focus on improving productivity. I want to provide richer and more reliable insights by studying professionals' perception, use and adoption of creative AI in their natural workplace, on real-world tasks, and across the whole creative process. This approach would allow us to study biases towards creative AI in realistic situations, and to promote transparent, human-centered design. What does the evolution of creative AI look like from a research perspective? While applied AI research has long been focusing on automating hard, tedious, and unrewarding work, it has now shifted into the realm of human self-realization. Research on creative AI has been done at varying intensity since the 1950s, but the systems have now come to a level of maturity at which they can affect professional creatives and society at a large scale. These advances were made possible by the discovery of new machine learning architectures such as transformers and diffusion models. Involving many smart people and immense computational power, industry research departments have leveraged these architectures to train so-called foundation models on massive amounts of data. As the name suggests, these models, through combination and extension, form the foundation of the most impressive creative AI systems that we see right now. While we currently only see mastery in selected creative tasks and domains, I expect the same foundation models to be used in other systems and domains, leading to a widening of the creative scope. How is creative AI affecting professionals? In a recently submitted study, we investigated this very question for text-to-image generators and professionals in the Finnish game industry. I'm confident that our team, Associate Professor Perttu Hamalainen, games industry scholar Annakaisa Kultima, and Master's student Veera Vimpari, managed to pull off the first empirical study about text-to-image generators in a specific industry, and the deepest and most comprehensive study to date on such systems more generally. We asked professionals how they use AI in their work and how the systems could be improved. In contrast to previous work, we also inquired about their attitudes, the roles they assume for themselves and the AI system in the creative process, and how they see the current and future development of AI in their industry. The results suggest that even in games where the use of AI has a long tradition, professionals are overwhelmed by the pace of development. Nevertheless, they agree that the most recent creative AI systems will transform their industry and roles, and that there is only one way forward: to learn and adapt. One participant called it an "adapt-or-die type of situation," which became the title of our paper. While this is arguably a bit too dramatic, it describes the overall sentiment well. While many expressed reluctance to embrace these systems beyond early conceptual phases of the creative process, it seems this is mainly due to ethical concerns, such as the uncompensated use of fellow artists' work in training the models. Where do you see the development of creative AI models heading in terms of the creative industries? Once policymakers provide the neededand demandedregulation on these matters, the latest generation of creative AI will likely become yet another tool in many professionals' creative work. Especially in applied art, they will likely yield considerable cost deductions and an increase in productivity. I expect it to be used beyond early phases of the creative process all the way to the final product. I also project that future generations of these systems will require even less involvement by artists, which is presently still very much needed. However, the jury's still out on whether this development can be considered a benefit for everyone: our latest study found that professionals assumed various kinds of roles for themselves when working with AI, from "art director for the AI" to "slave to the AI." Moreover, while substituting potentially otherwise unavailable skills and workforce, these systems might also increase our dependency on technology and those who provide ita development that we should be very conscious of. The take-home message is that the impact of creative AI on professionals is not only positive; the situation is rapidly changing, and the diverse reactions prohibit a one-size-fits-all solution as of now. This puts industry leads, researchers and policymakers into a tricky position. Also, as teachers at Aalto, we must watch these developments closely to equip our students with skills that will complement their traditional skills in a future-proofed way. How can we make the adoption of generative AI socially and ethically sustainable? I consider sustainability as one of the prime challenges for all of us in balancing the well-being of those affected by creative AI with business interests and scientific curiosity. More specifically at this point we see two pressing questions that put many professionals into inner conflict. First, are artists going to be credited and compensated for the data that are used in the models training, and how? Second, a major issue for professionals is who owns the copyright of the outputs. I argue that these issues must be resolved first through quick and transparent legislation to support the ethical and sustainable use of these systems. In addition to these questions, we are left with a whole range of issues that are still in flux. For instance, what do professionals find most meaningful about their work, and consequently, which aspects should AI rather not touch? To this end, professional creatives must be involved in the regulation and development of creative AI. Discussions on social media and the news can be very noisy and too superficial for e.g. policymaking. Through scientific studies, we can give professionals a clearer voice. Doing this in a longitudinal fashion should allow us to track how uses and perceptions change and adapt appropriately. Complementing such user studies, we must also become capable of experimenting with changes to the systems themselves, rather than taking what industry has to offer. We are now at a point where these types of models have become flexible enough to be trained and investigated at Aalto, an opportunity which my colleagues and I now actively pursue. How should we define creativity and how does machine creativity differ from human creativity? We can conceive creativity as the production of novel, as well as valuable artifactsfor instance in terms of usefulness or aesthetic pleasure. But this is only one way to see it, and cognitive scientists still struggle with defining creativity. In fact, the concept's meaning is constantly re-negotiated by society. Most notably, we have observed a shift in emphasis from craft within the creative process, to the ideas that go into it. This volatility makes research on creative AI a challenging endeavor and requires us to look beyond AI and human-computer interaction into cognitive science, philosophy, the social sciences, and other disciplines. One way to differentiate human creativity from machine creativity is to think of it in terms of motivation. For instance, much of human creativity is driven by intrinsic motivation such as curiosity. Here, we act not for any value outside of the activity itself. This is fundamentally different from most creative AI, which is built to optimize a separate goal, such as producing outputs that people find most appealing, by including features of the data that the system was trained on. However, I believe that this not only limits an AI's creative potential, but also the extent to which it could really complement and augment, rather than just substitute, human creativity. My research challenges this divide. I believe that studying the functional and perceived disparities between human and AI is crucial in that it enables us to ask: how should artificial creativity be different from human creativity? And what biases are at work when we interact with creative AI, that keep us from using it in a more fulfilling way? We're now at a juncture where, instead of asking "can AI be creative," we should be asking "what kind of creative AI is best for us." More information: Veera Vimpari et al, "An Adapt-or-Die Type of Situation": Perception, Adoption, and Use of Text-To-Image-Generation AI by Game Industry Professionals, arXiv (2023). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2302.12601 Journal information: arXiv Lockheed Martin and Rheinmetall will work together to develop a German rocket artillery system. The said weapon falls under the same category as the HIMARS rocket launchers that Lockheed supplies to Ukraine. The two companies have signed a memorandum of understanding, and the new weapon would have existing German components. Lockheed Martin's know-how and Rheinmetall's expertise in production will deliver unique opportunities for both sides. According to Reuters, the agreement will deliver value to Germany and technological know-how. Germany's HIMARS Rocket Launchers The HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) rocket launchers are a highly mobile artillery system used by the US military and several other countries worldwide, according to Lockheed website. They are designed to be rapidly deployable and can fire various rockets and missiles, including the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) and the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS). Lockheed Martin is the primary manufacturer of the HIMARS system, with production facilities in the US and Romania. The system has been used in numerous conflicts, including the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Per TIME, the decision to supply HIMARS rocket launchers to Ukraine has been controversial, with some critics arguing that it could escalate the conflict in the region. However, supporters of the move say it will help Ukraine defend itself against Russian aggression. The HIMARS rocket launchers have proven valuable for military operations due to their high mobility and versatility. The system can be quickly transported via air, land, or sea, making it an ideal choice for rapid deployment in various combat scenarios. The GMLRS rockets the HIMARS launcher uses are highly accurate and provide long-range precision strikes against enemy targets. Meanwhile, the ATACMS missile has a range of over 300km and can strike both stationary and moving targets with great accuracy. Read Also: Lockheed Martin: Defense Contractor Fined $4.8M For Lobbying For Federal Contract With Taxpayer Money (Photo : by EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP via Getty Images) This photograph taken on June 13, 2022, shows the logo from US defence manufacturer Lockheed Martin on display at the Eurosatory international land and airland defence and security trade fair, in Villepinte, a northern suburb of Paris. Russia-Ukraine War In addition to supporting Ukraine's defense capabilities, this move sends a strong message to other nations worldwide that threats against sovereign states will not go unchallenged. As global security challenges evolve rapidly, countries must remain vigilant by investing in modern military technologies such as the HIMARS rocket launchers. Doing so ensures they are prepared for any potential threat while maintaining peace through strength diplomacy strategies. The HIMARS rocket launchers have been used in various military operations worldwide, including Afghanistan and Iraq. Their ability to be quickly deployed has made them a valuable asset for ground troops who require accurate and mobile firepower. In addition to their military applications, HIMARS systems can support disaster relief efforts by providing emergency responders with rapid access to remote areas that traditional vehicles cannot reach. Investing in modern technologies such as HIMARS enhances a country's defense capabilities and ensures global security is maintained through deterrence measures against potential aggressors. Related Article: Ukraine Gets Offer From Lockheed Martin Aerospace to Buy F-16 Block 70/72 Fighters @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. When Linda McCaul was a student at Texas A&M University in the 1980s, she attended Aggie Muster with her father, Lowry Mays. Since then, McCaul had kept a pact with her late father: Whoever passed away first, the other would attend Aggie Muster in person to say Here when the others name was called. On Friday, McCaul will fulfill that pact and attend the Campus Muster ceremony at 7 p.m. in Reed Arena where Mays, A&M Class of 1957 and namesake of Texas A&M Universitys Mays Business School, will have his name read after he passed away last September at age 87. McCaul will be joined by her three children, who are current A&M students. None of my other siblings went to Texas A&M, so it was always this connection between my dad and I, and now I have three children there and they will come with me to the service because its very important to me to carry the tradition on, said McCaul, A&M Class of 1987. Its the third generation, I think, thats important to have follow the Aggie traditions, and Aggie Muster is probably one of the oldest and most solemn traditions. The tradition of Aggie Muster began in 1883 and honors current and former A&M students, as well as faculty and staff members, who have died in the past year. During Muster ceremonies, a Roll Call for the Absent is held where names of Aggies who passed away in the last year are read and family and friends respond with Here and light a candle in honor of them. Muster events will begin at sunrise Friday (6:51 a.m.) when a Worldwide Roll Call for the Absent will be held at the Clayton W. Williams Jr. Alumni Center. The roll call will take around 2 1/2 hours to complete as over 1,200 names will be read. Most names are ordered by earliest A&M class year and alphabetized within their class year. McCaul said Mays name will be read around 7:30 a.m. and shes already sent links to family members to watch online. Tyson Voelkel, A&M Class of 1996 and President and CEO of the Texas A&M Foundation, will serve as the keynote speaker for the Campus Muster ceremony. There are 134 names set to be called at the Campus Muster ceremony, including Mays. I hope my speech helps share why Texas A&M is unique and why we have a responsibility to work together to solve some of the most complex problems facing society today, Voelkel said in a statement. We should never allow complacency or entitlement to dominate our culture or the American way of life. Aggies who have come before us are the reason we stand proud today and why we strive for excellence in all we do. Serving as the Campus Muster speaker is an honor of a lifetime and is the soul of what it means to be an Aggie, Voelkel said. Of all our traditions, Muster stands alone as the most unifying in my opinion, Voelkel said. Regardless of wealth, color, faith or political affiliation, Aggies all come together to remember those who have passed in a symbolic roll call. Each name carries with them a unique life story, and a candle is lit in their honor. Each flame symbolizes so much. Whether youre attending the ceremony in Reed Arena or any of the Muster events around the world, you know that youll find no strangers in the room. Only Aggies. Muster is now as much a family tradition for McCaul as it is an A&M tradition, she said. Her father earned his bachelors degree in petroleum engineering at A&M and was the founder and CEO of Clear Channel Communications. He later served on the A&M System Board of Regents, including when McCaul was an A&M student. A&Ms business school was endowed by Mays in 1996 with a $15 million gift and A&M officials renamed the school after him in 2002. McCauls husband, Michael, is the U.S. Representative for Bryan-College Station and House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman. She recently traveled to Taiwan with her husband, who led a bipartisan delegation that met with senior Taiwanese officials and business leaders, and said she put herself in her fathers shoes since Mays served in the Air Force and was stationed in Taiwan in the late 1950s where he laid a pipeline. After Mays served in the Air Force, he received his MBA from Harvard and then returned to Texas. In 1972, he founded the San Antonio Broadcasting Company, which later became Clear Channel Communications. McCaul said shes grateful for her fathers endeavors and noted her top takeaway from him and her late mother was if you are blessed, you give back. My father gave back in many, many ways, McCaul said. He continued to give back in many, many ways. MD Anderson is near and dear to his heart, as well, and Texas A&M University. I would say those are his two things he loved giving back to the most. Aside from Campus Muster, the largest of all Muster ceremonies, there will be over 260 Aggie Musters held around the world, including at least nine Muster ceremonies in the Brazos Valley. The Brazos County A&M Club will host its Muster ceremony at the Legends Event Center in Bryan. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the program begins at 7 p.m. Frank B. Ashley III, executive associate dean and senior professor at A&Ms Bush School of Government and Public Service, will be the keynote speaker. Tickets are $40 and can be bought at the door. Three other Muster ceremonies will be held in College Station. The Buzzard B2 & Friends/Class of 66 Muster ceremony will be at the Texas A&M Hotel & Conference Center. The cost is $50. The Class of 1970 will have an informal class gathering and Muster ceremony at Gate 12 Bar & Grill at 11 a.m. to read the Class of 1970 Roll Call. A free Muster gathering will be held at Stonewater Village in Pebble Creek at the pergola at 5 p.m. Attendees are asked to bring a chair, a beverage and a snack to share. The Robertson County A&M Club will hold its Muster ceremony at the Schultz Lake House at 1458 Schultz Road in Franklin. Dinner will be served at 6 p.m. will a ceremony to follow. The event is outside and attendees are asked to bring a lawn chair. Donations are accepted. The Class of 69 Muster ceremony will be held at The Amish Barn at Edge. Dinner and a program will begin at 6 p.m. and the guest speaker will be Michael Bottiglieri, A&M Class of 1989, who is the Texas A&M Foundations development director for the Bush School. Cost is estimated to be $30. The Washington County A&M Club will hold its Muster ceremony at the Blizzard Senior Activity Center in Brenham from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 and a meal will be served. To find other Muster ceremonies, visit aggienetwork.com/muster/search. To watch the Worldwide Roll Call for the Absent, visit MusterLive.AggieNetwork.com. After hours of contentious debate, the Texas Senate approved a bill late Wednesday that would largely restrict how the states public universities can promote equitable access to higher education and cultivate diversity among students, faculty and staff. Senate Bill 17 was approved along party lines in a 19 to 12 vote. It would require universities, including Texas A&M, to close their diversity, equity and inclusion offices, which have become a mainstay on campuses across the country as schools try to boost faculty diversity and help students from all backgrounds succeed. The bill also would ban mandatory diversity training and restrict hiring departments from asking for diversity statements, essays in which job applicants talk about their commitment to building diverse campuses. Senators who opposed the legislation argued that it would make people from underrepresented groups feel less welcome, turn back efforts to correct past discrimination and halt progress toward making campuses more representative of the states population. They also expressed concerns that it would make it harder for universities to receive research funding from federal agencies or private organizations that consider commitments to diversity when awarding grants. The consequences range from the unknown to the dire, said Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo. Senate Bill 17 will be a giant step backward in our quest for equal opportunity and equal worth for all. I worry that stifling diversity, equity and inclusion on our academic campuses will breed the negative attitudes and behaviors typically attributed to ignoramuses while stifling the development of tolerant, enlightened communities. Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, who filed the bill, dismissed those concerns. Creighton and supporters of the legislation argued that DEI offices force faculty and students to adopt certain political beliefs and prioritize social justice over merit and achievement. DEI programs have been shown to be exclusive, they have been shown to be ineffective and they have shown to be politically charged, he said. Many of these programs have been weaponized to compel speech instead of protecting free speech. Senators approved a few amendments to the bill, including one to clarify that the legislation would not affect course instruction, faculty research, student organizations, guest speakers, data collection or admissions. But Sen. Borris Miles, D-Houston, told The Texas Tribune in an email that those amendments do not appease his concerns about the bills potential impact. There is no logic in the belief that you increase diversity by removing the policies and offices that work to promote it, he said. Another approved amendment would allow the state to sue any accreditation agency that penalizes a university for complying with the law. The bill, which is a priority of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, heads to the House, where Speaker Dade Phelan has not treated the issue with the same urgency. None of the six bills that Texas lawmakers have filed in the House targeting diversity, equity and inclusion in higher education had received a committee hearing as of Wednesday. House lawmakers did attach a provision to their version of the state budget earlier this month banning state funds from going toward DEI offices and programs, despite pleas from Democrats to remove it. Sledgehammer versus scalpel Under SB 17, university employees in charge of hiring new faculty or staff would not be able to ask job candidates about their understanding of the value of diversity or how they would work to create a campus where everyone feels welcomed. Training that discusses race, ethnicity, gender identity or sexual orientation could not be required. The bill also would require university system boards of regents, who are appointed by the governor, to create policies to discipline or even fire employees who participate in any efforts to foster diversity. In addition, the legislation includes strict requirements to make sure universities are following the law. Schools would have to prove to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board that they are in compliance before they can spend any state money each year, and university system leaders would be required occasionally to testify before lawmakers that they have not launched any DEI initiatives. The state auditor would conduct compliance audits at least once every four years at each institution. Universities that violate the law could lose state funds for a year. The legislation also would allow students and employees to sue schools if theyre forced to participate in any DEI training. As Creighton laid out the bill Wednesday, he regaled lawmakers with anecdotes from campuses where he said efforts from DEI offices across the state had the opposite effect of their intended mission and created exclusionary campus environments. He noted that Asian Americans were excluded from Texas A&M Universitys equity and inclusion goals. And he called out Texas Tech University, where the biology department used a rubric to rate job candidates that considered it a strength if they expressed interest in promoting the tenets of DEI on campus or in their research, and a weakness if they lacked an understanding of universities efforts to improve diversity. Creighton and other Senate Republicans criticized diversity statements as loyalty oaths. Faculty have rejected that characterization as inaccurate. Diversity statements are typically one- to two-page letters in which job candidates are asked to share their experiences working with diverse populations and their commitment to helping a diverse group of students succeed. Creighton also said that DEI offices are ineffective, arguing that Texas universities have largely failed to increase diversity among faculty members over the past decade. He cited a 2018 study published by the National Bureau of Economic Research that found the presence of chief diversity officers did not help universities increase diversity among faculty and administrators in a 15-year period. Throughout the debate, Democrats suggested that lawmakers should work with universities if certain DEI offices have fallen short or if schools have failed to meet their goals to increase diversity. If you want to fix this problem, lets get surgical about it. Lets not take a sledgehammer to something we can fix with a scalpel, said Sen. Jose Menendez, D-San Antonio. This is not a way to send a message to Texas that it is open for business for everyone. Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas, suggested the Legislature add benchmark goals for DEI offices to meet, or create a sunset provision to monitor their progress over a certain period of time. But Creighton argued that Texas universities brands were at stake and that the Legislature needed to address the damage and destruction DEI offices are doing to Texas schools. We have to pursue a different route on our aligned goal to achieve diversity. We have to pursue a different route on our aligned goal for equal dignity for all, he said. Ultimately, West criticized Creighton for not consulting with lawmakers of color on how to solve this issue. Why not bring us into the tent in order to get it done up front, not behind? That wasnt done, he said. All of your colleagues that are ethnic minorities in this chamber are saying the same thing to you: Its wrong. But youre not listening. This is what we need State lawmakers across the country have filed similar bills to disband colleges DEI programs this year. According to the Chronicle of Higher Education, at least 19 states have introduced nearly three dozen anti-DEI bills. Earlier this year, two conservative thinktanks, the Manhattan Institute and the Goldwater Institute, published a legislative roadmap for state legislatures to abolish DEI bureaucracies in higher education, which they defined as offices on campuses that they believe are pushing political ideas in the guise of creating more inclusive campus environments. In February, Gov. Greg Abbott issued a directive to public universities and state agencies blasting DEI policies and ordering that hiring cannot be based on factors other than merit. In response, the University of Texas System paused all new DEI initiatives and the Texas A&M University System prohibited DEI statements in hiring. Students who support diversity initiatives say the pushback to these offices and programs will make it harder for college campuses to be equal playing fields regardless of race or class and to become places that are representative of the states population. It feels like things are barely moving forward, University of Texas at Austin student Alexia Palacios said of the efforts to increase diversity at her school. Why would you want to have these steps taken back? Texas public universities have diversified as the states demographics have changed over the past decade. But while schools have more Hispanic students now, change has been slow. Black student populations have remained virtually unchanged. Hispanic people represent 40% of the states population and Black people 13%, according to 2022 census estimates. At UT-Austin, Hispanic students made up 24% of the universitys population in 2021 and Black students 4%, according to federal data. Texas A&M University and Texas Tech University report similar figures. At the University of Houston, Black student enrollment has declined slightly to 11% as the Hispanic student population grew to a third of total enrollment. Palacios said DEI offices ensure students from different backgrounds feel like they belong in these schools. Its these spaces that give us the community we need and the courage we need to speak up and to show, hey, were here, she said. This is what we need. This is really helping us. Abundance Wealth Counselors bought a new stake in The Bank of New York Mellon Co. (NYSE:BK Get Rating) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund bought 4,813 shares of the banks stock, valued at approximately $219,000. Other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can purchased a new stake in shares of Bank of New York Mellon during the 3rd quarter worth about $55,646,000. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its holdings in Bank of New York Mellon by 1.8% in the third 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. Victory Capital Management Inc. increased its position in shares of Bank of New York Mellon by 13.8% in the third quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 9,278,963 shares of the banks stock valued at $357,425,000 after buying an additional 1,127,786 shares in the last quarter. LMR Partners LLP acquired a new position in shares of Bank of New York Mellon during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $37,030,000. Finally, Marshall Wace LLP lifted its position in shares of Bank of New York Mellon by 99.3% during the 3rd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 1,728,480 shares of the banks stock valued at $66,583,000 after buying an additional 861,031 shares in the last quarter. 82.29% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Bank of New York Mellon alerts: Bank of New York Mellon Price Performance NYSE:BK opened at $44.84 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $35.86 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.19, a P/E/G ratio of 1.18 and a beta of 1.07. The company has a quick ratio of 0.66, a current ratio of 0.69 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.92. The Bank of New York Mellon Co. has a 52 week low of $36.22 and a 52 week high of $52.26. The stocks fifty day moving average is $47.14 and its two-hundred day moving average is $45.68. Bank of New York Mellon Announces Dividend Bank of New York Mellon ( NYSE:BK Get Rating ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 18th. The bank reported $1.12 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.09 by $0.03. The firm had revenue of $4.36 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.40 billion. Bank of New York Mellon had a net margin of 11.98% and a return on equity of 11.45%. Bank of New York Mellons revenue was up 11.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.86 EPS. Equities analysts expect that The Bank of New York Mellon Co. will post 4.68 EPS for the current year. The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, May 11th. Investors of record on Friday, April 28th will be issued a $0.37 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 27th. This represents a $1.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.30%. Bank of New York Mellons dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 46.84%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research firms have weighed in on BK. Wolfe Research upgraded shares of 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 research report on Wednesday, January 4th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered their price objective on Bank of New York Mellon from $42.00 to $41.00 in a report on Wednesday. Royal Bank of Canada increased their target price on Bank of New York Mellon from $44.00 to $49.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a report on Wednesday. Evercore ISI lowered their price target on Bank of New York Mellon from $53.00 to $46.00 and set an in-line rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 5th. Finally, Barclays reduced their price objective on Bank of New York Mellon from $64.00 to $62.00 in a research note on Wednesday, April 12th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $51.61. About Bank of New York Mellon (Get Rating) 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. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Bank of New York Mellon Co. (NYSE:BK Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Bank of New York Mellon Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bank of New York Mellon and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Africa Energy Corp. (OTCMKTS:HPMCF Get Rating) was the target of a large increase in short interest in March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 54,400 shares, an increase of 11.5% from the March 15th total of 48,800 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 16,200 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 3.4 days. Africa Energy Price Performance Shares of HPMCF stock opened at $0.12 on Friday. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $0.12 and its 200 day simple moving average is $0.16. Africa Energy has a one year low of $0.11 and a one year high of $0.29. Get Africa Energy alerts: Africa Energy Company Profile (Get Rating) Featured Stories Africa Energy Corp. engages in the acquisition, exploration, and production of oil and gas properties. It also operates a portfolio of exploration and production assets in Namibia and South Africa. The company was founded on April 27, 2010 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. Receive News & Ratings for Africa Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Africa Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. American Express (NYSE:AXP) posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday. The payment services company reported $2.40 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.66 by ($0.26), RTT News reports. The firm had revenue of $14.28 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $14.02 billion. American Express had a return on equity of 31.76% and a net margin of 14.16%. American Expresss revenue for the quarter was up 21.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $2.73 EPS. American Express updated its FY23 guidance to $11.00-11.40 EPS and its FY 2023 guidance to $11.00-$11.40 EPS. American Express Stock Down 1.0 % AXP stock opened at $163.28 on Friday. American Express has a fifty-two week low of $130.65 and a fifty-two week high of $192.42. The businesss 50-day moving average is $167.73 and its two-hundred day moving average is $157.44. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.72, a quick ratio of 1.62 and a current ratio of 1.62. The company has a market cap of $121.49 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.59, a P/E/G ratio of 1.01 and a beta of 1.18. Get American Express alerts: American Express Increases Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 10th. Shareholders of record on Friday, April 7th will be issued a $0.60 dividend. This is an increase from American Expresss previous quarterly dividend of $0.52. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, April 5th. This represents a $2.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.47%. American Expresss dividend payout ratio is currently 24.39%. Analyst Ratings Changes American Express declared that its board has authorized a share repurchase plan on Wednesday, March 8th that permits the company to repurchase 120,000,000 outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization permits the payment services company to reacquire shares of its stock through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are typically an indication that the companys board believes its shares are undervalued. A number of equities analysts have issued reports on AXP shares. Piper Sandler decreased their price objective on American Express from $179.00 to $172.00 in a report on Friday. Citigroup decreased their price objective on American Express from $152.00 to $150.00 in a report on Friday. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on American Express from $186.00 to $188.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 5th. Stephens cut American Express from an equal weight rating to an underweight rating and set a $134.00 target price on the stock. in a research note on Thursday, January 5th. Finally, Bank of America increased their target price on American Express from $172.00 to $205.00 in a research note on Sunday, January 29th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have given a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $175.94. Insider Buying and Selling at American Express In other American Express news, insider Denise Pickett sold 28,688 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $180.78, for a total value of $5,186,216.64. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 12,557 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,270,054.46. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other news, insider Howard Grosfield sold 5,456 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $174.52, for a total value of $952,181.12. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 7,045 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,229,493.40. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, insider Denise Pickett sold 28,688 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $180.78, for a total value of $5,186,216.64. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 12,557 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,270,054.46. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 49,361 shares of company stock valued at $8,773,678. 0.12% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Orion Portfolio Solutions LLC raised its stake in shares of American Express by 1.2% in the first quarter. Orion Portfolio Solutions LLC now owns 5,566 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $1,041,000 after buying an additional 65 shares during the period. Frontier Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in shares of American Express by 0.5% in the first quarter. Frontier Wealth Management LLC now owns 13,355 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $2,344,000 after buying an additional 68 shares during the period. Zions Bancorporation N.A. raised its stake in shares of American Express by 5.6% in the first quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. now owns 1,421 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $266,000 after buying an additional 75 shares during the period. Advisors Capital Management LLC raised its stake in American Express by 2.0% during the 3rd quarter. Advisors Capital Management LLC now owns 4,683 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $722,000 after purchasing an additional 93 shares during the period. Finally, Dearborn Partners LLC raised its stake in American Express by 4.8% during the 3rd quarter. Dearborn Partners LLC now owns 2,058 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $278,000 after purchasing an additional 94 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 83.30% of the companys stock. About American Express (Get Rating) American Express Co engages in the provision of charge and credit card products and travel-related services. It operates through the following segments: U.S Consumer Services (USCS), Commercial Services (CS), International Card Services (ICS), Global Merchant and Network Services (GMNS), and Corporate and Other. See Also Receive News & Ratings for American Express Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for American Express and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Prosecutors drop involuntary manslaughter charges against actor Alec Baldwin The charges are related to the fatal "Rust" shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins Special Prosecutor Kari Morrissey said the dropping of the charges is temporary pending further investigation Prosecutors in charge of the fatal "Rust" shooting case involving Alec Baldwin as the suspect and cinematographer Halyna Hutchins as the victim dropped involuntary manslaughter charges against the actor. Special Prosecutor on the Santa Fe, New Mexico case, Kari Morrissey, released a statement on Thursday, saying that they were not making any extra-judicial comments at this point. She added that in the near future, they would detail more information regarding the situation and noted that the dismissal of the charges is only temporary pending further investigation. Alec Baldwin's Involuntary Manslaughter Charges The latest development in the case comes after new evidence emerged and came to the attention of investigators. They indicated that the gun used in the unfortunate incident was modified, as per CNN, said a source who was familiar with the investigation. The source added that investigators will now examine the weapon used in the case to determine the extent of the modifications. They argued that the alleged changes could have impacted how the gun functioned. The victim in the case, Hutchins, was struck and killed by a live round of ammunition fired from a gun Baldwin held as they were rehearsing a scene for the movie in 2021. The actor has pleaded not guilty to the charges levied against him in the death of his colleague. On top of the fatal case, the movie's director, Joel Souza, was injured and struck by live ammunition from the gun. The movie's armorer, Hannah Gutierrez Reed, is also being charged with involuntary manslaughter, whose attorney said they would not plead guilty. In a statement, Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro, Baldwin's attorneys, said they were pleased with dropping the charges against their client. According to ABC News, they also encouraged further investigation into the facts and circumstances that led to the unfortunate death of 42-year-old Hutchins. Read Also: Oklahoma Officer Files Resignation Letter Following Racist Remarks, Threats Investigation into Alleged Gun Modifications The actor's next court appearance is scheduled for May 3, and he has already waived his right to appear at the preliminary hearing. In late February, gun enhancement charges against Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed were dropped. The film's armorer is scheduled to appear at a preliminary hearing beginning on May 3. She argued that she did not know how live rounds ended up inside the gun that Baldwin used for the rehearsal. The development follows special prosecutor Andrea Reeb stepping down from leading the case on Mar. 14. On Feb. 7, the actor's legal team filed a motion urging Reeb's disqualification over her dual role as a special prosecutor and a member of the New Mexico House of Representatives, arguing that the situation was "unconstitutional." In a statement, Reeb later announced that she was making the "difficult decision" to step down as special prosecutor in the fatal Rust shooting. She added that her priority was justice for the victim, said People. Related Article: Maine Police Name Shooter Who Killed 4, Injured 3 Others in Bowdoin @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc. (NYSE:APLE Get Rating) was the recipient of a large decline in short interest in the month of March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 2,800,000 shares, a decline of 9.4% from the March 15th total of 3,090,000 shares. Approximately 1.3% of the companys shares are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 1,660,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.7 days. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of equities analysts have weighed in on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company upgraded shares of Apple Hospitality REIT from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and decreased their price target for the company from $18.00 to $17.00 in a report on Thursday, March 30th. Compass Point lowered shares of Apple Hospitality REIT from a buy rating to a neutral rating and decreased their price target for the company from $22.00 to $17.00 in a report on Wednesday, March 22nd. Finally, StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Apple Hospitality REIT in a report on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Apple Hospitality REIT has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $19.00. Get Apple Hospitality REIT alerts: Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, Chairman Glade M. Knight bought 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, February 27th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $16.90 per share, with a total value of $84,500.00. Following the purchase, the chairman now owns 503,093 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,502,271.70. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. 7.00% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Apple Hospitality REIT Apple Hospitality REIT Stock Down 1.7 % Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in APLE. Amalgamated Bank increased its stake in Apple Hospitality REIT by 2.2% during the 4th quarter. Amalgamated Bank now owns 28,208 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $445,000 after buying an additional 598 shares during the period. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA increased its stake in Apple Hospitality REIT by 1.0% during the 3rd quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 68,077 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $957,000 after buying an additional 700 shares during the period. Baird Financial Group Inc. increased its stake in Apple Hospitality REIT by 0.8% during the 4th quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 92,924 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,467,000 after buying an additional 739 shares during the period. Lido Advisors LLC increased its stake in Apple Hospitality REIT by 1.5% during the 1st quarter. Lido Advisors LLC now owns 52,034 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $935,000 after buying an additional 786 shares during the period. Finally, State of Alaska Department of Revenue increased its stake in Apple Hospitality REIT by 0.8% during the 4th quarter. State of Alaska Department of Revenue now owns 108,175 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,706,000 after buying an additional 902 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.39% of the companys stock. Shares of NYSE:APLE traded down $0.26 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $15.41. 3,897,874 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,697,848. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04, a quick ratio of 0.03 and a current ratio of 0.03. The company has a market cap of $3.53 billion, a PE ratio of 24.08, a P/E/G ratio of 0.51 and a beta of 1.17. The firms fifty day moving average price is $15.85 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $16.18. Apple Hospitality REIT has a twelve month low of $13.66 and a twelve month high of $18.65. Apple Hospitality REIT Dividend Announcement The firm also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, May 15th. Investors of record on Friday, April 28th will be issued a dividend of $0.08 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 27th. This represents a $0.96 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.23%. Apple Hospitality REITs payout ratio is 150.00%. Apple Hospitality REIT Company Profile (Get Rating) Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc is a self-advised real estate investment trust company, which invests in income-producing real estate, primarily in the lodging sector. It owns hotels located in urban, high-end suburban, and developing markets throughout states, which operates under Marriott, Hilton, or Hyatt brands. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Apple Hospitality REIT Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Apple Hospitality REIT and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Canada One Mining Corp. (CVE:CONE Get Rating) traded up 9.1% on Thursday . The company traded as high as C$0.12 and last traded at C$0.12. 31,500 shares were traded during trading, an increase of 14% from the average session volume of 27,675 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.11. Canada One Mining Trading Up 9.1 % The firm has a market cap of C$2.71 million, a P/E ratio of -12.00 and a beta of 2.09. The business has a 50-day moving average of C$0.12 and a two-hundred day moving average of C$0.12. Canada One Mining Company Profile (Get Rating) Canada One Mining Corp., an exploration stage company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral deposits in British Columbia, Canada. The company primarily explores for base and precious metals. It holds a 100% interest in the Zeus claims located in Lillooet, British Columbia; and the Princeton Cooper project consisting of 30 claims and covering an area of 2258.0827 hectares. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Canada One Mining Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Canada One Mining and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Capital Investment Advisory Services LLC trimmed its position in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY Get Rating) by 14.4% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 10,973 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 1,844 shares during the quarter. Capital Investment Advisory Services LLCs holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb were worth $789,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Dearborn Partners LLC raised its holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 14.3% in the 4th quarter. Dearborn Partners LLC now owns 9,534 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $686,000 after acquiring an additional 1,193 shares during the last quarter. Lodestar Private Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in Bristol-Myers Squibb during the 4th quarter worth approximately $354,000. BOK Financial Private Wealth Inc. lifted its position in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 6.2% during the 4th quarter. BOK Financial Private Wealth Inc. now owns 5,319 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $383,000 after acquiring an additional 310 shares during the period. Simplicity Solutions LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 23.4% in the 4th quarter. Simplicity Solutions LLC now owns 29,217 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $2,102,000 after buying an additional 5,532 shares during the period. Finally, MRA Advisory Group acquired a new stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $213,000. 75.51% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Bristol-Myers Squibb alerts: Bristol-Myers Squibb Stock Performance Shares of BMY traded up $0.69 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $70.22. The companys stock had a trading volume of 945,708 shares, compared to its average volume of 7,812,042. The company has a market cap of $147.69 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.57, a PEG ratio of 1.54 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 business has a 50 day simple moving average of $69.27 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $72.73. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.13, a current ratio of 1.25 and a quick ratio of 1.14. Bristol-Myers Squibb Announces Dividend Bristol-Myers Squibb ( NYSE:BMY Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 2nd. The biopharmaceutical company reported $1.82 EPS for the quarter, beating 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 company had revenue of $11.41 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.20 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.83 EPS. The firms revenue was down 4.8% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts expect that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 8.07 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. 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 paid a $0.57 dividend. This represents a $2.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.25%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 6th. Bristol-Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 77.29%. Insider Activity at Bristol-Myers Squibb In other Bristol-Myers Squibb news, CEO Giovanni Caforio sold 240,000 shares of the firms 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 transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 236,104 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $17,625,163.60. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other news, CEO Giovanni Caforio sold 240,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $74.65, for a total value of $17,916,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 236,104 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $17,625,163.60. The transaction 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 the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, February 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $74.69, for a total value of $835,258.27. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 23,043 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,721,081.67. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.09% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several equities analysts have weighed in on BMY shares. Atlantic Securities raised their price target on Bristol-Myers Squibb from $88.00 to $90.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, February 3rd. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on Bristol-Myers Squibb from $70.00 to $78.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 3rd. Bank of America raised their price target on Bristol-Myers Squibb from $82.00 to $85.00 in a report on Friday. Cantor Fitzgerald began coverage on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a report on Tuesday, January 17th. They set an overweight rating and a $95.00 target price for the company. Finally, StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research report on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a strong-buy rating for the company. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned 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, Bristol-Myers Squibb currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $80.00. 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. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BMY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Bristol-Myers Squibb Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bristol-Myers Squibb and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Conifex Timber (TSE:CFF Get Rating) had its price target decreased by CIBC from C$1.50 to C$1.25 in a research report report published on Thursday, BayStreet.CA reports. Conifex Timber Price Performance Shares of CFF opened at C$1.50 on Thursday. The firm has a market capitalization of C$59.63 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 2.46, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.06 and a beta of 1.59. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 42.94, a quick ratio of 0.91 and a current ratio of 2.73. Conifex Timber has a one year low of C$1.36 and a one year high of C$2.19. The stocks fifty day moving average is C$1.59 and its 200-day moving average is C$1.61. Get Conifex Timber alerts: Conifex Timber Company Profile (Get Rating) Further Reading Conifex Timber Inc primarily manufactures and sells lumber products in the United States, China, Canada, Japan, and internationally. It is involved in the timber harvesting, reforestation, and forest management activities; manufacture of finished softwood lumber from spruce, pine, and fir logs; manufacture, sale, and distribution of dimension lumber; processing logs into lumber and wood chips, as well as by-products or residues, such as trim blocks, sawdust, shavings, and barks; and providing value added lumber finishing services. Receive News & Ratings for Conifex Timber Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Conifex Timber and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:DNB Get Rating) saw unusually-high trading volume on Wednesday . Approximately 3,717,076 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 53% from the previous sessions volume of 2,435,260 shares.The stock last traded at $11.35 and had previously closed at $11.38. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities research analysts recently commented on DNB shares. Raymond James cut their price target on shares of Dun & Bradstreet from $21.00 to $18.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, February 17th. Credit Suisse Group cut their price objective on shares of Dun & Bradstreet from $17.00 to $14.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Friday, February 17th. Needham & Company LLC reiterated a buy rating and set a $18.00 price objective on shares of Dun & Bradstreet in a research note on Thursday, February 23rd. Bank of America raised shares of Dun & Bradstreet from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $15.50 price target for the company in a report on Tuesday, January 17th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised shares of Dun & Bradstreet from a hold rating to a buy rating and lifted their price target for the company from $15.00 to $17.00 in a report on Thursday, February 23rd. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $15.75. Get Dun & Bradstreet alerts: Dun & Bradstreet Stock Down 0.3 % The firms 50 day moving average is $11.80 and its two-hundred day moving average is $12.62. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.03 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.61, a PEG ratio of 1.62 and a beta of 0.96. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.01, a current ratio of 0.64 and a quick ratio of 0.64. Dun & Bradstreet Announces Dividend Dun & Bradstreet ( NYSE:DNB Get Rating ) last released its earnings results on Thursday, February 16th. The business services provider reported $0.32 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.34 by ($0.02). The business had revenue of $595.00 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $591.03 million. Dun & Bradstreet had a negative net margin of 0.10% and a positive return on equity of 11.67%. The businesss revenue was down .6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.31 EPS. Research analysts predict that Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. will post 0.87 EPS for the current year. The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 16th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, March 2nd were paid a $0.05 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, March 1st. This represents a $0.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.73%. Insider Activity In other news, CEO Anthony M. Jabbour bought 116,250 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 20th. The stock was bought at an average price of $10.74 per share, for a total transaction of $1,248,525.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 475,252 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,104,206.48. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Insiders own 9.60% of the companys stock. Institutional Trading of Dun & Bradstreet A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of DNB. Capital International Investors raised its holdings in shares of Dun & Bradstreet by 3.9% in the first quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 26,497,270 shares of the business services providers stock worth $464,232,000 after buying an additional 1,004,250 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in Dun & Bradstreet by 13.0% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 23,107,199 shares of the business services providers stock worth $286,299,000 after buying an additional 2,659,659 shares in the last quarter. Mawer Investment Management Ltd. boosted its holdings in shares of Dun & Bradstreet by 3.9% during the 4th quarter. Mawer Investment Management Ltd. now owns 20,824,575 shares of the business services providers stock worth $255,309,000 after purchasing an additional 787,025 shares during the last quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA boosted its holdings in shares of Dun & Bradstreet by 3.4% during the 3rd quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 15,987,692 shares of the business services providers stock worth $198,088,000 after purchasing an additional 527,550 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC lifted its stake in Dun & Bradstreet by 1.0% during the first quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 14,113,815 shares of the business services providers stock worth $165,696,000 after purchasing an additional 138,396 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 85.36% of the companys stock. About Dun & Bradstreet (Get Rating) Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc provides business decisioning data and analytics in North America and internationally. It offers finance and risk solutions, including D&B Finance Analytics, an online application that offers clients real time access to its information, comprehensive monitoring, and portfolio analysis; D&B Direct, an application programming interface (API) that delivers risk and financial data directly into enterprise applications for real-time credit decision making; D&B Small Business, a suite of powerful tools that allows SMBs to monitor and build their business credit file; D&B Enterprise Risk Assessment Manager, a solution for managing and automating credit decisioning and reporting; and InfoTorg, an online SaaS application. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Dun & Bradstreet Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Dun & Bradstreet and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Rogers Communications (TSE:RCI Get Rating) Equities researchers at Cormark issued their FY2023 earnings per share estimates for Rogers Communications in a research report issued on Monday, April 17th. Cormark analyst D. Mcfadgen forecasts that the company will earn $4.65 per share for the year. Cormark also issued estimates for Rogers Communications FY2024 earnings at $5.92 EPS. Get Rogers Communications alerts: Rogers Communications (TSE:RCI Get Rating) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 2nd. The company reported C$1.09 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of C$1.01 by C$0.08. The business had revenue of C$4.17 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of C$4.16 billion. Rogers Communications Stock Performance Rogers Communications Announces Dividend Other analysts have also recently issued research reports about the company. TD Securities increased their target price on Rogers Communications from C$78.00 to C$80.00 in a research report on Tuesday, April 4th. Desjardins lowered Rogers Communications from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, April 3rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on Rogers Communications from C$74.00 to C$90.00 in a report on Monday, April 10th. Finally, National Bank Financial lowered their target price on Rogers Communications from C$78.00 to C$76.00 in a report on Monday, April 3rd. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, April 3rd. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 10th were paid a dividend of $0.50 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, March 9th. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of . Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Rogers Communications Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Rogers Communications and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. FMC (NYSE:FMC Get Rating) had its price target raised by research analysts at Mizuho from $147.00 to $150.00 in a research note issued to investors on Friday, The Fly reports. Mizuhos price target would indicate a potential upside of 21.84% from the companys previous close. Several other equities analysts have also recently weighed in on the company. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price objective on FMC from $139.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, February 10th. BMO Capital Markets increased their target price on shares of FMC from $140.00 to $145.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, February 9th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on FMC from $141.00 to $148.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, January 9th. Redburn Partners upgraded FMC from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $155.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Friday, March 17th. Finally, Credit Suisse Group upped their target price on FMC from $112.00 to $120.00 and gave the company an underperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 8th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and thirteen have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $144.38. Get FMC alerts: FMC Stock Performance FMC stock opened at $123.11 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $123.43 and a two-hundred day moving average of $124.10. FMC has a 12 month low of $98.24 and a 12 month high of $140.78. The company has a market capitalization of $15.41 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.15, a P/E/G ratio of 1.57 and a beta of 0.82. The company has a quick ratio of 1.00, a current ratio of 1.43 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80. Insider Buying and Selling at FMC FMC ( NYSE:FMC Get Rating ) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, February 8th. The basic materials company reported $2.37 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.32 by $0.05. FMC had a net margin of 12.69% and a return on equity of 29.29%. The firm had revenue of $1.62 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.53 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $2.16 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 14.7% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that FMC will post 7.93 EPS for the current fiscal year. In related news, CFO Andrew D. Sandifer sold 5,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $127.77, for a total value of $638,850.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 39,061 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,990,823.97. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other news, CFO Andrew D. Sandifer sold 5,000 shares of FMC stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $127.77, for a total value of $638,850.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 39,061 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,990,823.97. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, EVP Ronaldo Pereira sold 1,955 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $129.29, for a total value of $252,761.95. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 19,478 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,518,310.62. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 11,376 shares of company stock worth $1,465,016. 0.85% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Hedge Funds Weigh In On FMC Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. boosted its position in shares of FMC by 9.6% in the 1st quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 10,326 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $1,359,000 after purchasing an additional 908 shares during the last quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of FMC in the 1st quarter valued at about $191,000. Cibc World Market Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of FMC in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $224,000. Prudential PLC bought a new position in FMC during the 1st quarter worth approximately $383,000. Finally, National Pension Service grew its holdings in FMC by 872,245.0% during the first quarter. National Pension Service now owns 174,469 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $22,955,000 after purchasing an additional 174,449 shares during the period. 88.28% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. FMC Company Profile (Get Rating) FMC Corp. is an agricultural sciences company, which engages in the provision of solutions to growers and development of pipeline in crop protection, plant health, precision agriculture, and professional pest, and turf management. It offers insect control products under the Rynaxypyr and Cyazypyr brands, herbicides under the Authority, Boral, Centium, Command, and Gamit brands, insecticides under the Talstar and Hero brands, flutriafol-based fungicides, and bionematicides under the Quartzo and Presence brands. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for FMC Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for FMC and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Freehold Royalties (TSE:FRU Get Rating) had its price objective trimmed by National Bankshares from C$20.00 to C$19.00 in a research note published on Tuesday morning, BayStreet.CA reports. A number of other analysts have also recently commented on the company. BMO Capital Markets lowered their price target on Freehold Royalties from C$18.00 to C$17.00 in a research report on Monday, March 27th. CIBC lowered their price target on Freehold Royalties from C$19.00 to C$18.00 in a research report on Friday, April 14th. Raymond James reduced their price objective on Freehold Royalties from C$21.00 to C$20.00 in a research note on Tuesday, April 11th. Finally, Canaccord Genuity Group cut their price target on Freehold Royalties from C$21.00 to C$20.75 in a research note on Wednesday, March 29th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Freehold Royalties currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of C$19.84. Get Freehold Royalties alerts: Freehold Royalties Stock Down 1.1 % Shares of TSE FRU opened at C$14.86 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.56, a quick ratio of 1.50 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 16.48. The stock has a market capitalization of C$2.24 billion, a PE ratio of 10.69, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of -0.92 and a beta of 2.10. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is C$15.07 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is C$15.75. Freehold Royalties has a 12-month low of C$11.66 and a 12-month high of C$17.78. Freehold Royalties Dividend Announcement About Freehold Royalties The business also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, May 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, May 15th will be issued a dividend of $0.09 per share. This represents a $1.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 7.27%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 27th. Freehold Royaltiess dividend payout ratio is currently 77.70%. (Get Rating) Freehold Royalties Ltd., an oil and gas royalty company, owns working interests in oil, natural gas, natural gas liquids, and potash properties in Western Canada and the United States. The company holds approximately 6.2 million gross acres of land in Canada and 0.8 million gross drilling unit acres in the United States. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Freehold Royalties Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Freehold Royalties and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. GMT Capital Corp purchased a new stake in American Express (NYSE:AXP Get Rating) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor purchased 76,600 shares of the payment services companys stock, valued at approximately $11,318,000. Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of AXP. Walkner Condon Financial Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in American Express during the 4th quarter worth about $227,000. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. increased its holdings in American Express by 4.9% during the 3rd quarter. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. now owns 22,653 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $3,056,000 after purchasing an additional 1,052 shares during the period. Hanson & Doremus Investment Management increased its holdings in American Express by 38.6% during the 4th quarter. Hanson & Doremus Investment Management now owns 3,480 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $514,000 after purchasing an additional 970 shares during the period. Merit Financial Group LLC increased its holdings in American Express by 6.8% during the 4th quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC now owns 7,732 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $1,142,000 after purchasing an additional 491 shares during the period. Finally, My Personal CFO LLC purchased a new position in shares of American Express in the 4th quarter valued at about $30,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 83.30% of the companys stock. Get American Express alerts: American Express Stock Performance Shares of NYSE:AXP traded down $0.32 during trading on Friday, hitting $162.96. 2,536,976 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,613,963. The stock has a market capitalization of $121.25 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.72, a PEG ratio of 1.01 and a beta of 1.18. The businesss fifty day moving average is $167.73 and its 200-day moving average is $157.44. American Express has a one year low of $130.65 and a one year high of $185.55. The company has a quick ratio of 1.62, a current ratio of 1.62 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.72. American Express ( NYSE:AXP Get Rating ) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, April 20th. The payment services company reported $2.40 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.66 by ($0.26). American Express had a net margin of 14.16% and a return on equity of 31.76%. The company had revenue of $14.28 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $14.02 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $2.73 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 21.7% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts predict that American Express will post 11.17 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. American Express announced that its board has approved a share repurchase program on Wednesday, March 8th that allows the company to buyback 120,000,000 shares. This buyback authorization allows the payment services company to reacquire shares of its stock through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are often a sign that the companys board believes its shares are undervalued. American Express Increases Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 10th. Investors of record on Friday, April 7th will be issued a dividend of $0.60 per share. This represents a $2.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.47%. This is a positive change from American Expresss previous quarterly dividend of $0.52. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, April 5th. American Expresss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 24.39%. Insider Buying and Selling at American Express In other news, insider Denise Pickett sold 28,688 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $180.78, for a total value of $5,186,216.64. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 12,557 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,270,054.46. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In other news, insider Howard Grosfield sold 5,456 shares of American Express stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $174.52, for a total value of $952,181.12. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 7,045 shares in the company, valued at $1,229,493.40. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, insider Denise Pickett sold 28,688 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $180.78, for a total transaction of $5,186,216.64. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 12,557 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,270,054.46. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 49,361 shares of company stock worth $8,773,678 over the last three months. Corporate insiders own 0.12% of the companys stock. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of research firms have recently commented on AXP. Credit Suisse Group increased their price objective on American Express from $132.00 to $150.00 and gave the company an underperform rating in a report on Monday, January 30th. BMO Capital Markets decreased their target price on American Express from $194.00 to $185.00 in a research report on Friday. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on American Express from $186.00 to $188.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 5th. Robert W. Baird increased their price objective on American Express from $175.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, January 30th. Finally, Barclays increased their price objective on American Express from $158.00 to $178.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Monday, January 30th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have issued a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $175.00. American Express Company Profile (Get Rating) American Express Co engages in the provision of charge and credit card products and travel-related services. It operates through the following segments: U.S Consumer Services (USCS), Commercial Services (CS), International Card Services (ICS), Global Merchant and Network Services (GMNS), and Corporate and Other. Read More Receive News & Ratings for American Express Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for American Express and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Phreesia, Inc. (NYSE:PHR Get Rating) SVP Amy Beth Vanduyn sold 570 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, April 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $31.84, for a total transaction of $18,148.80. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 119,435 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,802,810.40. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Amy Beth Vanduyn also recently made the following trade(s): Get Phreesia alerts: On Monday, April 3rd, Amy Beth Vanduyn sold 2,978 shares of Phreesia stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $30.79, for a total transaction of $91,692.62. Phreesia Trading Down 2.3 % PHR opened at $32.92 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.01, a quick ratio of 3.32 and a current ratio of 3.32. Phreesia, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $13.19 and a fifty-two week high of $40.00. The companys 50-day moving average is $34.03 and its 200 day moving average is $31.20. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Phreesia Phreesia ( NYSE:PHR Get Rating ) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, March 22nd. The company reported ($0.72) earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of ($0.78) by $0.06. Phreesia had a negative net margin of 62.71% and a negative return on equity of 52.67%. The company had revenue of $76.59 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $74.50 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted ($0.90) EPS. The firms revenue was up 32.0% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Phreesia, Inc. will post -2.73 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Captrust Financial Advisors raised its holdings in shares of Phreesia by 154.6% in the 2nd quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 1,426 shares of the companys stock worth $36,000 after acquiring an additional 866 shares during the last quarter. FourThought Financial LLC grew its position in Phreesia by 16.4% in the 3rd quarter. FourThought Financial LLC now owns 3,081 shares of the companys stock worth $79,000 after purchasing an additional 434 shares in the last quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC grew its position in Phreesia by 85.4% in the 3rd quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 3,137 shares of the companys stock worth $80,000 after purchasing an additional 1,445 shares in the last quarter. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. grew its position in Phreesia by 610.2% in the 3rd quarter. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. now owns 4,524 shares of the companys stock worth $115,000 after purchasing an additional 3,887 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Point72 Hong Kong Ltd grew its position in Phreesia by 266.6% in the 1st quarter. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd now owns 5,381 shares of the companys stock worth $142,000 after purchasing an additional 3,913 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.23% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research firms recently issued reports on PHR. JMP Securities boosted their target price on shares of Phreesia from $34.00 to $39.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, March 23rd. Stephens began coverage on shares of Phreesia in a report on Tuesday, April 11th. They issued an overweight rating and a $37.00 target price on the stock. Guggenheim boosted their target price on shares of Phreesia from $35.00 to $40.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, March 29th. Needham & Company LLC boosted their target price on shares of Phreesia from $35.00 to $40.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, January 4th. Finally, SVB Leerink boosted their target price on shares of Phreesia from $34.00 to $39.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, January 5th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $38.07. Phreesia Company Profile (Get Rating) Phreesia, Inc engages in the provision of patient check-in solutions for medical practices. The firm offers appointments, clinical support, integration, registration, patient activation, analytics and reports, revenue cycle, patient surveys, and privacy and security products. Its solutions include health systems, multi-specialty, and federally qualified health centers (FQHCs). Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Phreesia Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Phreesia and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BuzzFeed is shutting down its news division as part of its cost-cutting measures, which include laying off some of its workers. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Buzzfeed Inc., Jonah Peretti, informed the team that the layoffs include other departments in the firm, such as tech, content, and business. It is worth mentioning that the latest downsizing is on top of the recent job cut early this year. BuzzFeed News Shuts Down According to ABC News, the Pulitzer Prize-winning online publication, BuzzFeed News, is bidding farewell soon. No less than the big boss of BuzzFeed, Peretti, announced the additional layoff across other departments. In a memo, the BuzzFeed Inc. boss explains to his employees why they had to dismantle the news department. Peretti disclosed that he "overinvested" in the newsmaking division. However, the lack of financial support made it sustainable to operate. The chief executive says, "We know that the changes and improvements we are making today are necessary to build a better future." The looming demise of BuzzFeed News comes amid the significant drop in digital advertising. Tech giants like Google and Facebook are also heavily affected by this trend. New York Magazine notes that the editor-in-chief of the new division, Karolina Waclawiak, has recently encouraged its staffers to write more stories to grow their views rather than focusing on long-form content. Meanwhile, former BuzzFeed News editor, Ben Smith, says that the death of the publication "really marks the end of the marriage between news and social media." BuzzFeed News has delivered investigative and political news in its heydays, apart from the listicles and memes that flooded social media giants like Facebook and Twitter. Poynter said it even earned the outlet a Pulitzer Prize award-winning piece. New York Mag points out that BuzzFeed heavily depends on going viral thanks to services like the Mark Zuckerberg-owned social network. And as such, an algorithm tweak on the platform could easily affect its traffic. Not to mention that these social media behemoths started getting more of the revenue from digital advertising, pushing publications to start saving themselves through a paywall. Yet, BuzzFeed News continued publishing its content for free. Read Also: Washington Passes Semi-Automatic Rifle Ban; Which Weapons Are Included? BuzzFeed Layoffs 15% of the Workforce The newsroom team is part of the latest job cut, accounting for 60 employees. BuzzFeed is also firing another 60 workers from divisions like tech and content. In total, the latest downsizing affects 120 staffers in the company. Peretti blames the bleak economic situation for the additional layoffs affecting 15% of the workforce. Besides the job cuts, some BuzzFeed top brass is also saying goodbye. The chief operating officer, Christian Baesler, and the chief revenue officer, Edgar Hernandez, also leave their offices. The two helped with the current restructuring of the company. Related Article: Gov. DeSantis Removes Unanimous Jury Requirement for Death Penalty @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Institute for Wealth Management LLC. reduced its stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW Get Rating) by 3.4% in the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 1,294 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 45 shares during the quarter. Institute for Wealth Management LLC.s holdings in Illinois Tool Works were worth $285,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. State of Alaska Department of Revenue raised its position in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 1.7% during the 4th quarter. State of Alaska Department of Revenue now owns 52,903 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $11,653,000 after purchasing an additional 870 shares during the last quarter. Balentine LLC raised its holdings in Illinois Tool Works by 25.9% in the 4th quarter. Balentine LLC now owns 5,063 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,115,000 after acquiring an additional 1,043 shares during the last quarter. Ausdal Financial Partners Inc. raised its holdings in Illinois Tool Works by 5.4% in the 3rd quarter. Ausdal Financial Partners Inc. now owns 1,267 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $229,000 after acquiring an additional 65 shares during the last quarter. Procyon Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Illinois Tool Works in the 4th quarter valued at $505,000. Finally, Foundations Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Illinois Tool Works in the 4th quarter valued at $268,000. 79.83% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Illinois Tool Works alerts: Insider Activity In other news, CEO Ernest Scott Santi sold 235,656 shares of Illinois Tool Works stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 3rd. The stock was 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 owns 213,538 shares of the companys stock, valued at $52,592,274.02. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In related news, Vice Chairman Christopher A. Oherlihy sold 60,137 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $246.26, for a total transaction of $14,809,337.62. Following the sale, the insider now owns 40,072 shares of the companys stock, valued at $9,868,130.72. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO Ernest Scott Santi sold 235,656 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $246.29, for a total value of $58,039,716.24. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 213,538 shares in the company, valued at approximately $52,592,274.02. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.78% of the companys stock. Analyst Ratings Changes Illinois Tool Works Trading Up 1.1 % Several research analysts have weighed in on ITW shares. StockNews.com started coverage on Illinois Tool Works in a report on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a buy rating for the company. Vertical Research downgraded Illinois Tool Works from a buy rating to a hold rating and dropped their price objective for the stock from $240.00 to $220.00 in a report on Tuesday, January 3rd. Robert W. Baird increased their target price on Illinois Tool Works from $222.00 to $255.00 in a research report on Thursday, February 2nd. Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on Illinois Tool Works from $250.00 to $227.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, April 13th. Finally, Citigroup increased their target price on Illinois Tool Works from $232.00 to $255.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, February 3rd. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $228.64. NYSE:ITW opened at $235.66 on Friday. The businesss 50-day moving average is $234.32 and its two-hundred day moving average is $224.21. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.00, a current ratio of 1.41 and a quick ratio of 0.95. Illinois Tool Works Inc. has a 12 month low of $173.52 and a 12 month high of $253.37. The firm has a market capitalization of $71.83 billion, a PE ratio of 24.10, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.60 and a beta of 1.10. Illinois Tool Works (NYSE:ITW Get Rating) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, February 2nd. The industrial products company reported $2.34 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.60 by ($0.26). The business had revenue of $3.97 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.90 billion. Illinois Tool Works had a net margin of 19.04% and a return on equity of 87.15%. The firms revenue was up 7.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.95 earnings per share. Research analysts predict that Illinois Tool Works Inc. will post 9.5 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Illinois Tool Works Announces Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, April 13th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 31st were paid a $1.31 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, March 30th. This represents a $5.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.22%. Illinois Tool Workss payout ratio is currently 53.58%. 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. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ITW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Illinois Tool Works Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Illinois Tool Works and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Endeavour Mining (OTCMKTS:EDVMF Get Rating) had its price objective upped by National Bank Financial from C$47.00 to C$52.00 in a research report sent to investors on Tuesday, The Fly reports. Other equities analysts also recently issued research reports about the company. Morgan Stanley upped their price target on Endeavour Mining from C$34.00 to C$36.00 in a research report on Thursday, March 30th. CIBC upped their price target on Endeavour Mining from C$40.00 to C$46.00 in a research report on Tuesday, February 7th. Berenberg Bank upped their price target on Endeavour Mining from C$48.00 to C$49.00 in a research report on Thursday, March 30th. Finally, Scotiabank upped their price target on Endeavour Mining from C$38.50 to C$43.00 in a research report on Wednesday, April 12th. Get Endeavour Mining alerts: Endeavour Mining Price Performance OTCMKTS EDVMF opened at $26.52 on Tuesday. Endeavour Mining has a 52-week low of $16.47 and a 52-week high of $27.12. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $22.98 and a 200 day simple moving average of $21.55. Endeavour Mining Increases Dividend Endeavour Mining Company Profile The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, March 28th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 24th were issued a $0.41 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 3.57%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 23rd. This is an increase from Endeavour Minings previous dividend of $0.40. (Get Rating) Endeavour Mining Plc is one of gold producer in West Africa and member of the World Gold Council. The firm is operating assets across Senegal, Cote dIvoire and Burkina Faso and a strong portfolio of advanced development projects and exploration assets in the prospective Birimian Greenstone Belt across West Africa. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Endeavour Mining Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Endeavour Mining and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Paramount Resources (OTCMKTS:PRMRF Get Rating) had its price target increased by National Bank Financial from C$37.50 to C$40.00 in a report released on Tuesday, The Fly reports. Several other research analysts have also recently commented on the company. Scotiabank boosted their price target on Paramount Resources from C$32.00 to C$33.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 13th. CIBC cut their price target on Paramount Resources from C$40.00 to C$37.50 in a research note on Friday, April 14th. Get Paramount Resources alerts: Paramount Resources Trading Down 1.7 % OTCMKTS:PRMRF opened at $23.74 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.05, a quick ratio of 1.79 and a current ratio of 1.79. Paramount Resources has a one year low of $16.21 and a one year high of $32.53. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $22.40 and its 200 day simple moving average is $21.80. The stock has a market cap of $3.39 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.38 and a beta of 2.88. Paramount Resources Increases Dividend About Paramount Resources The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 28th. Investors of record on Friday, April 14th will be issued a $0.0924 dividend. This is a positive change from Paramount Resourcess previous dividend of $0.09. This represents a yield of 4.73%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 13th. Paramount Resourcess payout ratio is currently 92.50%. (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. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Paramount Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Paramount Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. PPL (NYSE:PPL Get Rating) updated its FY 2023 earnings guidance on Friday. The company provided earnings per share (EPS) guidance of $1.50-$1.65 for the period, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.59. The company issued revenue guidance of -. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research analysts have recently commented on the company. Mizuho lowered their price objective on PPL from $32.00 to $28.00 in a report on Monday, March 20th. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on PPL from $29.00 to $32.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday. TheStreet lowered PPL from a b rating to a c+ rating in a report on Tuesday, February 21st. StockNews.com started coverage on PPL in a report on Thursday, March 16th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Finally, Barclays started coverage on PPL in a report on Wednesday, January 18th. They issued an equal weight rating on the stock. Three 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 company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $31.00. Get PPL alerts: PPL Price Performance Shares of PPL stock opened at $28.82 on Friday. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $27.71 and a two-hundred day moving average of $28.01. The company has a current ratio of 0.75, a quick ratio of 0.63 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.93. PPL has a 12 month low of $23.47 and a 12 month high of $31.74. The company has a market capitalization of $21.23 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.77 and a beta of 0.77. PPL Increases Dividend PPL ( NYSE:PPL Get Rating ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, February 17th. The utilities provider reported $0.28 EPS for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $0.28. PPL had a return on equity of 7.50% and a net margin of 9.57%. The company had revenue of $2.29 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.62 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.22 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was up 54.2% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts expect that PPL will post 1.58 EPS for the current year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, April 3rd. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 10th were given a $0.24 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, March 9th. This represents a $0.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.33%. This is an increase from PPLs previous quarterly dividend of $0.23. PPLs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 93.20%. Insiders Place Their Bets In related news, insider John R. Crockett III sold 5,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, April 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $28.00, for a total transaction of $154,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 9,161 shares in the company, valued at approximately $256,508. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Corporate insiders own 0.17% of the companys stock. Hedge Funds Weigh In On PPL Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Cibc World Markets Corp lifted its position in shares of PPL by 70.6% during the 1st quarter. Cibc World Markets Corp now owns 45,639 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,303,000 after buying an additional 18,880 shares during the period. Prudential Financial Inc. raised its position in PPL by 11.7% in the 1st quarter. Prudential Financial Inc. now owns 2,251,327 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $64,298,000 after purchasing an additional 235,439 shares during the last quarter. USS Investment Management Ltd raised its position in PPL by 13.1% in the 1st quarter. USS Investment Management Ltd now owns 353,571 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $10,100,000 after purchasing an additional 41,041 shares during the last quarter. Equitable Holdings Inc. raised its position in PPL by 2.6% in the 1st quarter. Equitable Holdings Inc. now owns 96,686 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $2,761,000 after purchasing an additional 2,416 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bridgewater Associates LP raised its position in PPL by 175.8% in the 1st quarter. Bridgewater Associates LP now owns 108,086 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $3,087,000 after purchasing an additional 68,889 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 70.02% of the companys stock. PPL Company Profile (Get Rating) PPL Corp. engages in the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity. It operates through the two reportable segments: Kentucky Regulated & Pennsylvania Regulated. The Kentucky Regulated segment consists of LKEs regulated electricity generation, transmission and distribution operations of Louisville Gas and Electric Company and Kentucky Utilities Company as well as regulated distribution and sale of natural gas of Louisville Gas and Electric Company. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for PPL Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for PPL and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Restaurant Brands International Inc. (TSE:QSR Get Rating) (NYSE:QSR)s share price hit a new 52-week high on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as C$92.54 and last traded at C$92.30, with a volume of 193072 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at C$92.22. Analysts Set New Price Targets QSR has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. KeyCorp upgraded Restaurant Brands International from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, February 16th. Cfra boosted their price objective on Restaurant Brands International from C$90.00 to C$93.00 in a research note on Wednesday, February 15th. Oppenheimer reiterated a buy rating and set a C$81.00 price objective on shares of Restaurant Brands International in a research note on Wednesday, February 15th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada cut their price objective on Restaurant Brands International from C$83.00 to C$81.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, February 16th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of C$69.67. Get Restaurant Brands International alerts: Restaurant Brands International Stock Up 1.1 % The firm has a market cap of C$28.95 billion, a PE ratio of 21.39, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.47 and a beta of 0.99. The business has a 50-day moving average price of C$88.19 and a two-hundred day moving average price of C$86.29. The company has a quick ratio of 0.80, a current ratio of 0.97 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 338.36. Restaurant Brands International Cuts Dividend Restaurant Brands International ( TSE:QSR Get Rating ) (NYSE:QSR) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, February 14th. The company reported C$0.98 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of C$0.96 by C$0.02. The firm had revenue of C$2.29 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of C$2.25 billion. Restaurant Brands International had a return on equity of 36.50% and a net margin of 15.50%. On average, equities research analysts expect that Restaurant Brands International Inc. will post 5.6933905 EPS for the current year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, April 5th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, April 5th were issued a dividend of $0.732 per share. This represents a $2.93 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.15%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, March 21st. Restaurant Brands Internationals payout ratio is 68.05%. About Restaurant Brands International (Get Rating) Restaurant Brands International Inc operates as quick service restaurant company in Canada and internationally. It operates through four segments: Tim Hortons (TH), Burger King (BK), Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen (PLK), and Firehouse Subs (FHS). The company owns and franchises TH chain of donut/coffee/tea restaurants that offer blend coffee, tea, and espresso-based hot and cold specialty drinks; and fresh baked goods, including donuts, Timbits, bagels, muffins, cookies and pastries, grilled paninis, classic sandwiches, wraps, soups, and others. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Restaurant Brands International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Restaurant Brands International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Saga Communications (NYSE:SGA Get Rating) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report sent to investors on Tuesday. Saga Communications Stock Performance SGA opened at $23.23 on Tuesday. Saga Communications has a 1 year low of $21.70 and a 1 year high of $29.75. Get Saga Communications alerts: About Saga Communications (Get Rating) Featured Articles 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. Receive News & Ratings for Saga Communications Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Saga Communications and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Navellier & Associates Inc. lifted its position in Scorpio Tankers Inc. (NYSE:STNG Get Rating) by 1.7% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 14,961 shares of the shipping companys stock after buying an additional 247 shares during the quarter. Navellier & Associates Inc.s holdings in Scorpio Tankers were worth $804,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Renaissance Technologies LLC increased its holdings in shares of Scorpio Tankers by 197.2% during the 3rd quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 866,915 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $36,445,000 after acquiring an additional 575,200 shares during the last quarter. Millennium Management LLC grew its holdings in Scorpio Tankers by 810.7% in the 2nd quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 553,021 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $19,085,000 after buying an additional 492,296 shares during the last quarter. Packer & Co Ltd acquired a new stake in Scorpio Tankers in the 3rd quarter worth $15,807,000. Oxbow Capital Management HK Ltd increased its holdings in shares of Scorpio Tankers by 78.7% during the 3rd quarter. Oxbow Capital Management HK Ltd now owns 795,025 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $33,423,000 after purchasing an additional 350,025 shares during the period. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its position in shares of Scorpio Tankers by 10.9% during the third quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 3,109,243 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $130,712,000 after buying an additional 305,881 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 54.53% of the companys stock. Get Scorpio Tankers alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several equities analysts recently issued reports on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. started coverage on Scorpio Tankers in a research note on Wednesday, March 8th. They set an overweight rating and a $87.00 price target on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group restated a buy rating and issued a $76.00 target price on shares of Scorpio Tankers in a research note on Tuesday, March 21st. B. Riley upped their target price on shares of Scorpio Tankers from $65.00 to $80.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, February 17th. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Scorpio Tankers in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. They set a buy rating for the company. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upped their price objective on Scorpio Tankers from $55.00 to $65.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Monday, March 6th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and seven 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 $66.57. Scorpio Tankers Stock Performance Shares of NYSE:STNG opened at $58.37 on Friday. The business has a fifty day moving average of $57.98 and a 200-day moving average of $52.80. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45, a quick ratio of 1.42 and a current ratio of 1.45. Scorpio Tankers Inc. has a twelve month low of $19.65 and a twelve month high of $64.20. The firm has a market cap of $3.58 billion, a PE ratio of 5.71, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.19 and a beta of 0.37. Scorpio Tankers (NYSE:STNG Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 16th. The shipping company reported $4.24 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $4.38 by ($0.14). Scorpio Tankers had a return on equity of 33.75% and a net margin of 40.78%. The company had revenue of $493.70 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $446.96 million. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned ($0.79) EPS. The firms revenue was up 233.8% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts predict that Scorpio Tankers Inc. will post 9.97 EPS for the current fiscal year. Scorpio Tankers Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 31st. Investors of record on Tuesday, March 7th were given a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.37%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 6th. This is a boost from Scorpio Tankerss previous quarterly dividend of $0.10. Scorpio Tankerss payout ratio is 7.83%. Scorpio Tankers Profile (Get Rating) Scorpio Tankers, Inc engages in the provision of marine transportation of petroleum products. Its consists of wholly owned, finance leased, and bareboat chartered-in tankers. It operates through the following segments: MR, LR2, Handymax, and LR1. The company was founded by Emanuele A. Lauro on July 1, 2009 and is headquartered in Monaco. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Scorpio Tankers Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Scorpio Tankers and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Scotiabank cut shares of Copper Mountain Mining (TSE:CMMC Get Rating) from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating in a research report report published on Tuesday morning, BayStreet.CA reports. Other research analysts have also issued reports about the company. Cormark cut their target price on Copper Mountain Mining from C$3.00 to C$2.75 in a research report on Tuesday, March 28th. National Bankshares downgraded Copper Mountain Mining from an outperform rating to a tender rating and increased their price target for the company from C$2.50 to C$2.73 in a report on Friday, April 14th. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price target on Copper Mountain Mining from C$2.20 to C$2.60 in a report on Friday, April 14th. BMO Capital Markets downgraded Copper Mountain Mining from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and increased their price target for the company from C$2.50 to C$3.00 in a report on Friday, April 14th. Finally, Haywood Securities increased their price target on Copper Mountain Mining from C$2.00 to C$3.00 in a report on Thursday, February 2nd. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of C$2.64. Get Copper Mountain Mining alerts: Copper Mountain Mining Trading Up 1.5 % Shares of CMMC opened at C$2.69 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.10, a quick ratio of 0.38 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 72.02. The firm has a market capitalization of C$575.23 million, a P/E ratio of -12.23, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.28 and a beta of 2.71. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is C$2.14 and its 200 day simple moving average is C$1.97. Copper Mountain Mining has a twelve month low of C$1.23 and a twelve month high of C$3.74. Insider Activity About Copper Mountain Mining In other news, insider Zeta Resources Limited sold 200,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, January 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of C$2.23, for a total transaction of C$446,800.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 26,166,545 shares in the company, valued at C$58,456,061.53. Insiders own 3.34% of the companys stock. (Get Rating) Copper Mountain Mining Corporation operates as a mining company in Canada. The company explores for copper, gold, and silver deposits. Its flagship asset is the Copper Mountain mine that comprise 138 crown granted mineral claims, 149 located mineral claims, 14 mining leases, and 12 fee simple properties covering an area of 6,702 hectares located to the south of Princeton, British Columbia. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Copper Mountain Mining Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Copper Mountain Mining and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Securian Asset Management Inc. trimmed its stake in Lowes Companies, Inc. (NYSE:LOW Get Rating) by 4.2% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 52,024 shares of the home improvement retailers stock after selling 2,267 shares during the period. Securian Asset Management Inc.s holdings in Lowes Companies were worth $10,365,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in LOW. Renaissance Technologies LLC raised its holdings in Lowes Companies by 7,952.8% in the 1st quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 1,586,400 shares of the home improvement retailers stock worth $320,754,000 after purchasing an additional 1,566,700 shares during the period. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership increased its holdings in shares of Lowes Companies by 2,072.5% in the first quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 1,078,468 shares of the home improvement retailers stock valued at $218,055,000 after purchasing an additional 1,028,827 shares during the last quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA grew its position in Lowes Companies by 13.0% in the third quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 7,916,354 shares of the home improvement retailers stock worth $1,486,770,000 after acquiring an additional 912,518 shares during the period. First Trust Advisors LP grew its position in Lowes Companies by 209.0% in the first quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 1,219,542 shares of the home improvement retailers stock worth $246,579,000 after acquiring an additional 824,915 shares during the period. Finally, Barclays PLC boosted its position in shares of Lowes Companies by 176.1% during the third quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 925,087 shares of the home improvement retailers stock worth $173,738,000 after buying an additional 590,013 shares during the period. 72.62% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Lowe's Companies alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of analysts have weighed in on LOW shares. Truist Financial cut their price target on Lowes Companies from $258.00 to $235.00 in a research note on Thursday, March 2nd. Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an overweight rating and issued a $235.00 price objective on shares of Lowes Companies in a report on Monday, February 13th. TD Cowen lowered their price objective on Lowes Companies from $220.00 to $210.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, March 2nd. UBS Group decreased their price target on Lowes Companies from $260.00 to $250.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, January 6th. Finally, Oppenheimer cut their price objective on Lowes Companies from $300.00 to $275.00 in a research report on Tuesday, February 28th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, twelve have given a hold rating and fifteen have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Lowes Companies has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $223.85. Lowes Companies Stock Up 0.3 % NYSE LOW traded up $0.55 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $210.31. The companys stock had a trading volume of 638,917 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,974,989. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $201.07 and a 200 day moving average of $201.83. Lowes Companies, Inc. has a twelve month low of $170.12 and a twelve month high of $223.31. The firm has a market capitalization of $125.42 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.96, a PEG ratio of 1.19 and a beta of 1.09. Lowes Companies (NYSE:LOW Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, March 1st. The home improvement retailer reported $2.28 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.21 by $0.07. The firm had revenue of $22.40 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $22.71 billion. Lowes Companies had a net margin of 6.63% and a negative return on equity of 82.30%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 5.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.78 earnings per share. On average, analysts predict that Lowes Companies, Inc. will post 13.83 earnings per share for the current year. Lowes Companies Announces Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 10th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, April 26th will be paid a $1.05 dividend. This represents a $4.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.00%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, April 25th. Lowes Companiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 41.96%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Lowes Companies news, EVP Donald Frieson sold 9,411 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $197.00, for a total value of $1,853,967.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 17,888 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,523,936. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Corporate insiders own 0.24% of the companys stock. Lowes Companies Company Profile (Get Rating) Lowes Cos., Inc engages in the retail sale of home improvement products. The firm offers products for maintenance, repair, remodeling, home decorating and property maintenance. It also provides home improvement products in the following categories: appliances, bathroom, building supply, electrical, flooring, hardware, paint, kitchen, plumbing, lighting & fans, outdoor living, windows and doors. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LOW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Lowes Companies, Inc. (NYSE:LOW Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Lowe's Companies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Lowe's Companies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Simplicity Solutions LLC increased its holdings in shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE:RCL Get Rating) by 11.1% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 14,219 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 1,417 shares during the period. Simplicity Solutions LLCs holdings in Royal Caribbean Cruises were worth $703,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the business. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its holdings in Royal Caribbean Cruises by 1.4% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 23,355,449 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,956,721,000 after purchasing an additional 314,385 shares during the last quarter. Primecap Management Co. CA lifted its holdings in Royal Caribbean Cruises by 29.8% during the 3rd quarter. Primecap Management Co. CA now owns 6,776,061 shares of the companys stock valued at $256,813,000 after purchasing an additional 1,554,600 shares during the last quarter. Capital World Investors lifted its holdings in Royal Caribbean Cruises by 1,314.9% during the 1st quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 2,759,035 shares of the companys stock valued at $231,152,000 after purchasing an additional 2,564,035 shares during the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its holdings in Royal Caribbean Cruises by 3.2% during the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 1,184,684 shares of the companys stock valued at $99,253,000 after purchasing an additional 37,126 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Ariel Investments LLC lifted its holdings in Royal Caribbean Cruises by 56.0% during the 1st quarter. Ariel Investments LLC now owns 1,022,510 shares of the companys stock valued at $85,666,000 after purchasing an additional 367,253 shares during the last quarter. 74.27% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Royal Caribbean Cruises alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth RCL has been the subject of several analyst reports. Truist Financial lifted their price target on shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises from $62.00 to $72.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Thursday, March 23rd. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a sell rating for the company. Bank of America raised shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises from an underperform rating to a neutral rating and boosted their target price for the stock from $40.00 to $78.00 in a research note on Wednesday, February 8th. Morgan Stanley boosted their target price on shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises from $50.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Friday, February 10th. Finally, Barclays boosted their target price on shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises from $74.00 to $88.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 8th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $76.62. Royal Caribbean Cruises Stock Down 3.5 % Shares of NYSE RCL opened at $62.23 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $15.89 billion, a P/E ratio of -7.36 and a beta of 2.44. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $66.74 and a 200 day moving average price of $59.49. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 7.43, a quick ratio of 0.35 and a current ratio of 0.37. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. has a 52-week low of $31.09 and a 52-week high of $87.68. Royal Caribbean Cruises (NYSE:RCL Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 7th. The company reported ($1.12) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of ($1.37) by $0.25. The firm had revenue of $2.60 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.61 billion. Royal Caribbean Cruises had a negative net margin of 24.39% and a negative return on equity of 56.86%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 165.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned ($4.78) earnings per share. Analysts expect that Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. will post 3.23 EPS for the current year. Royal Caribbean Cruises Company Profile (Get Rating) Royal Caribbean Group is a cruise company, which engages in the ownership and operation of the following global cruise brands: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea Cruises. The firm also holds interest in TUI Cruises GmbH, which operates the German brands TUI Cruises and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding RCL? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE:RCL Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Royal Caribbean Cruises Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Royal Caribbean Cruises and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. South Africa: SA, UK Ministers to share expertise in infrastructure projects Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Sihle Zikalala, together with United Kingdom Trade Envoy Andrew Selous, have met to cement relations between the two countries. The two countries are expected to share experience, expertise and best practices in the prioritisation, financing, procurement and management of infrastructure projects. The UK Trade Envoy and his delegation met with Zikalala and Deputy Minister Bernice Swarts on Friday to extend the already existing partnerships that will see the two countries ramp up infrastructure development trade relations. The renewal and consolidation of these trade relations, which are detailed in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the two countries, will contribute towards improving South Africas capacity to deliver infrastructure projects and to attract investments. The partnership will see a stronger collaboration between Infrastructure South Africa (ISA), a programme under the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, which packages, plans and manages the delivery of infrastructure for the country, as well as the UK Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA), which executes infrastructure projects on behalf of the UK government. Under the MOU, the United Kingdom will support infrastructure projects in South Africa and facilitate the necessary financial and technical capacity, said the department. Welcoming the partnership, Zikalala said infrastructure delivery is a critical component of South Africas Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Programme (ERRP). Our government has placed infrastructure as key to the development and re-igniting of our economy. We value investing in infrastructure projects as they have a multiplier effect and beneficiation in the whole economic value-chain, especially job creation, Zikalala said, adding that infrastructure is considered the backbone of the economy. He highlighted areas such as energy, hydrogen and water, especially the construction of dams, transport especially logistics, and road-to-rail initiatives as well as the construction of bridges, as urgent areas of intervention that should benefit from the partnership. The UK Envoy also expressed delight at the renewal of the good relations and committed that the UK bridge company would form part of the delegation from the United Kingdom that would be visiting South Africa and tour projects under construction. Both the delegations agreed that it was time to breathe life into the MOU and time for delivery. The UK and South Africa have a deep and longstanding economic partnership. According to the department, South Africa remains an important trading partner for the UK, with bilateral trade between the UK and South Africa reaching 11.0 (ZAR values) billion in the four quarters to the end of Q3 2021, an increase of 35.5%. South Africa was also the largest trading partner in Africa, accounting for 34.9% of all trade. The UK has reaffirmed its commitment to support the South African Governments infrastructure agenda and to leverage UK expertise and innovation to facilitate the sharing of technical knowledge, advice, skills and expertise across the infrastructure sector. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2023-04-21. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Former provincial legislator stands trial for bribe-taking Xinhua) 11:25, April 21, 2023 SHIJIAZHUANG, April 20 (Xinhua) -- Sun Guoxiang, a former senior legislator of northeast China's Liaoning Province, Thursday stood trial at a court in Langfang, Hebei Province, on a charge of accepting bribes. According to the prosecution filed by the people's procuratorate of Langfang, Sun, former deputy director of the Standing Committee of the Liaoning Provincial People's Congress, took advantage of his various positions in Liaoning to help relevant companies obtain loans and special funds, among other matters. In return, Sun illegally accepted money and goods worth about 97.7 million yuan (14.2 million U.S. dollars) between 2008 and 2018 when he served as the acting mayor and mayor of Panjin City, Liaoning, as well as chief of the Panjin municipal committee of the Communist Party of China. At the trial, attended by more than 30 people, the procuratorial agency presented evidence, and Sun and his defense counsel cross-examined the evidence. Both sides gave their respective full accounts. In his final statement, Sun pleaded guilty and expressed remorse. Sun's sentence will be announced at a later date. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan) President Joe Biden will formally announce his 2024 reelection campaign next week. Biden is reportedly eyeing April 25, four years since the Democrat entered the 2020 race. The announcement is expected to be in the form of a video. Running for Second Term Biden had often expressed that he plans to run for a second term. However, according to AP News, advisers say there is no need to jump into campaigning because he doesn't have any significant opposition to his party's nomination. Additionally, the Biden administration is focused on passing its legislative agenda, such as the infrastructure plan and voting rights legislation, rather than campaigning. However, announcing his reelection campaign early allowed Biden to start fundraising and build campaign infrastructure. It also tells potential challengers that he is serious about winning a second term. Biden, 82 years old in 2024, would be the oldest president ever to serve if he wins another term. However, he has yet to indicate any plans to step down after his second term, should he be elected. While announcing his reelection campaign may surprise some, it is not unexpected given Biden's previous statements and the lack of significant opposition within his party. Biden, 82 years old in 2024, would be the oldest president ever to serve if he wins another term. However, he has not indicated any plans to step down after his second term, should he be elected. Overall, while announcing his reelection campaign may surprise some, it is not unexpected given Biden's Read Also: Joe Biden Classified Documents Scandal Raises 2024 Election Fears (Photo : by Drew Angerer/Getty Images) WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 20: U.S. President Joe Biden meets with Colombian President Gustavo Petro in the Oval Office of the White House April 20, 2023 in Washington, DC. Their meeting is expected to cover a range of topics; including migration, climate change and efforts to counter drug trafficking. US Election Campaigns 2024 The 2024 US presidential election is still a few years away, but there is already speculation about potential candidates and issues that will shape the campaign. On the Democratic side, President Biden is expected to run for reelection, but there may be some challengers from within the party. Vice President Kamala Harris, the first woman and person of color to hold the presidency if she were to win, is seen as a potential contender. Other possible candidates include Senators Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Cory Booker, and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. On the Republican side, former President Donald Trump has not ruled out running for president again in 2024, but there may also be other contenders. Senators Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, Tom Cotton, and former Vice President Mike Pence are all seen as potential candidates. The issues that will shape the 2024 campaign are likely to include the economy, healthcare, immigration, and foreign policy. Climate change and social justice issues are also expected to be key topics as younger voters and minority communities become more politically active. Other healthcare issues, such as abortion, may also be significant to the 2024 campaign. Overall, the 2024 campaign is likely to be a contentious and closely watched race, with the outcome having significant implications for the future of the United States. It's a-must see. Related Article: Joe Biden Meets with Japanese PM Fumio Kishida To Talk About Military Build-Up @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The Hartford Financial Services Group (NYSE:HIG Get Rating) and Lemonade (NYSE:LMND Get Rating) are both finance companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their valuation, profitability, institutional ownership, earnings, dividends, risk and analyst recommendations. Profitability This table compares The Hartford Financial Services Group and Lemonades net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Get The Hartford Financial Services Group alerts: Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets The Hartford Financial Services Group 8.12% 18.15% 3.44% Lemonade -116.01% -33.69% -18.73% Analyst Recommendations This is a breakdown of recent recommendations and price targets for The Hartford Financial Services Group and Lemonade, as provided by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score The Hartford Financial Services Group 0 6 7 0 2.54 Lemonade 2 3 0 0 1.60 Institutional & Insider Ownership The Hartford Financial Services Group currently has a consensus price target of $86.00, indicating a potential upside of 22.09%. Lemonade has a consensus price target of $20.44, indicating a potential upside of 61.56%. Given Lemonades higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Lemonade is more favorable than The Hartford Financial Services Group. 89.9% of The Hartford Financial Services Group shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 67.7% of Lemonade shares are held by institutional investors. 1.8% of The Hartford Financial Services Group shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 36.7% of Lemonade shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth. Earnings & Valuation This table compares The Hartford Financial Services Group and Lemonades gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio The Hartford Financial Services Group $22.36 billion 0.98 $1.82 billion $5.45 12.92 Lemonade $256.70 million 3.42 -$297.80 million ($4.61) -2.74 The Hartford Financial Services Group has higher revenue and earnings than Lemonade. Lemonade is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than The Hartford Financial Services Group, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Risk & Volatility The Hartford Financial Services Group has a beta of 0.85, suggesting that its stock price is 15% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Lemonade has a beta of 1.5, suggesting that its stock price is 50% more volatile than the S&P 500. Summary The Hartford Financial Services Group beats Lemonade on 9 of the 13 factors compared between the two stocks. About The Hartford Financial Services Group (Get Rating) The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. is an insurance and financial services company. It operates through the following segments: Commercial Lines, Personal Lines, Property & Casualty Other Operations, Group Benefits, Hartford Funds, and Corporate. The Commercial Lines segment provides workers compensation, property, automobile, liability and umbrella coverage under several different products. The Personal Lines segment offers standard automobile, homeowners, and personal umbrella coverage to individuals. The Property & Casualty Other Operations segment includes certain property and casualty operations, managed by the company, that have discontinued writing new business and substantially all of the companys asbestos and environmental exposures. The Group Benefits segment provides group life, accident, and disability coverage, as well as group retiree health and voluntary benefits. The Hartford Funds segment offers investment products for retail and retirement accounts and provides investment management and administrative services. The corporate segment includes corporate category discontinued operations, reserves for run-off structured settlement, and terminal funding agree About Lemonade (Get Rating) Lemonade, Inc. provides various insurance products in the United States and Europe. Its insurance products include stolen or damaged property, and personal liability that protects its customers if they are responsible for an accident or damage to another person or their property. The company also offers renters, homeowners, pet, car, and life insurance products, as well as landlord insurance policies. In addition, it operates as an agent for other insurance companies. The company was formerly known as Lemonade Group, Inc. and changed its name to Lemonade, Inc. Lemonade, Inc. was incorporated in 2015 and is headquartered in New York, New York. Receive News & Ratings for The Hartford Financial Services Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for The Hartford Financial Services Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. TransAlta Co. (TSE:TA Get Rating) (NYSE:TAC) passed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of C$12.04 and traded as high as C$12.07. TransAlta shares last traded at C$11.97, with a volume of 300,880 shares changing hands. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of research firms have commented on TA. Scotiabank decreased their target price on shares of TransAlta from C$15.00 to C$14.00 in a research report on Friday, February 24th. National Bankshares cut their price target on shares of TransAlta from C$15.00 to C$14.00 in a research note on Friday, February 24th. CSFB upgraded shares of TransAlta from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and boosted their price target for the stock from C$15.00 to C$17.00 in a research note on Wednesday, April 12th. CIBC boosted their price target on shares of TransAlta from C$16.00 to C$16.50 in a research note on Friday. Finally, TD Securities cut their price target on shares of TransAlta from C$17.50 to C$16.50 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, February 24th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat, TransAlta has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus target price of C$16.25. Get TransAlta alerts: TransAlta Price Performance The company has a market capitalization of C$3.19 billion, a PE ratio of 1,186.00, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of -0.07 and a beta of 1.13. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 221.62, a current ratio of 1.29 and a quick ratio of 0.62. The companys 50 day simple moving average is C$11.62 and its 200 day simple moving average is C$12.04. About TransAlta TransAlta Corporation owns, operates, and develops a diverse fleet of electrical power generation assets in Canada, the United States, and Australia. It operates through four segments: Hydro, Wind and Solar, Gas, and Energy Transition. owns and operates hydro, wind and solar, natural gas-fired, and coal-fired facilities. See Also Receive News & Ratings for TransAlta Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for TransAlta and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Transocean Ltd. (NYSE:RIG Get Rating)s stock price dropped 5.1% during trading on Wednesday following insider selling activity. The stock traded as low as $6.26 and last traded at $6.28. Approximately 5,988,982 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 74% from the average daily volume of 23,272,168 shares. The stock had previously closed at $6.62. Specifically, COO Keelan Adamson sold 50,026 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $7.15, for a total value of $357,685.90. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer now directly owns 342,549 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,449,225.35. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In other Transocean news, COO Keelan Adamson sold 50,026 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $7.15, for a total value of $357,685.90. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer now directly owns 342,549 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,449,225.35. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CAO David A. Tonnel sold 12,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, April 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $6.53, for a total value of $78,360.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 476,802 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,113,517.06. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 13.16% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Get Transocean alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes Several research analysts have recently weighed in on RIG shares. Susquehanna upped their target price on Transocean from $6.00 to $6.50 in a research note on Monday, April 3rd. Compass Point raised Transocean from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $7.50 target price for the company in a research note on Wednesday, March 22nd. Benchmark upped their target price on Transocean from $7.50 to $12.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, March 10th. Barclays reduced their target price on Transocean from $7.00 to $6.00 in a research note on Thursday, February 23rd. Finally, StockNews.com cut Transocean from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Friday, February 17th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $6.98. Transocean Price Performance The company has a quick ratio of 1.04, a current ratio of 1.29 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $6.64 and a 200-day simple moving average of $5.27. Transocean (NYSE:RIG Get Rating) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, February 21st. The offshore drilling services provider reported ($0.49) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.19) by ($0.30). The company had revenue of $606.00 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $620.89 million. Transocean had a negative net margin of 24.12% and a negative return on equity of 5.85%. The firms quarterly revenue was down 2.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned ($0.19) earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts expect that Transocean Ltd. will post -0.37 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Transocean A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of RIG. Renaissance Technologies LLC grew its holdings in shares of Transocean by 5,526.9% during the 1st quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 7,872,028 shares of the offshore drilling services providers stock worth $35,975,000 after purchasing an additional 7,732,128 shares during the period. Morgan Stanley lifted its stake in Transocean by 60.7% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 18,330,357 shares of the offshore drilling services providers stock worth $83,586,000 after acquiring an additional 6,925,085 shares in the last quarter. Whitebox Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Transocean by 200.0% during the 3rd quarter. Whitebox Advisors LLC now owns 3,000,000 shares of the offshore drilling services providers stock worth $7,410,000 after acquiring an additional 6,000,000 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its stake in Transocean by 9.4% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 60,315,980 shares of the offshore drilling services providers stock worth $148,981,000 after acquiring an additional 5,165,717 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its stake in Transocean by 117.9% during the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 8,940,965 shares of the offshore drilling services providers stock worth $40,861,000 after acquiring an additional 4,838,046 shares in the last quarter. 55.16% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Transocean Company Profile (Get Rating) Transocean Ltd. engages in the provision of offshore contract drilling services for oil and gas wells. It also owns and operates offshore drilling fleets such as ultra-deepwater, harsh environment, deepwater, and midwater rigs. The company was founded in 1953 and is headquartered in Steinhausen, Switzerland. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Transocean Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Transocean and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. M&T Bank (NYSE:MTB Get Rating) had its price target trimmed by Wells Fargo & Company from $155.00 to $145.00 in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday, The Fly reports. A number of other analysts have also recently commented on MTB. Royal Bank of Canada dropped their price objective on M&T Bank from $190.00 to $183.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Friday, March 24th. UBS Group cut M&T Bank from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, April 10th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price objective on M&T Bank from $160.00 to $125.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 6th. Wedbush upgraded M&T Bank from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and set a $170.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Tuesday, January 3rd. Finally, Citigroup upgraded M&T Bank from a neutral rating to a buy rating and dropped their price objective for the stock from $178.00 to $155.00 in a research report on Monday, March 27th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $165.10. Get M&T Bank alerts: M&T Bank Stock Down 3.7 % M&T Bank stock opened at $124.81 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a quick ratio of 0.96 and a current ratio of 0.91. The firm has a market capitalization of $20.97 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.67, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.98 and a beta of 0.78. M&T Bank has a fifty-two week low of $110.00 and a fifty-two week high of $193.42. The stocks fifty day moving average is $134.27 and its two-hundred day moving average is $151.45. M&T Bank Increases Dividend M&T Bank ( NYSE:MTB Get Rating ) last posted its earnings results on Monday, April 17th. The financial services provider reported $4.01 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.98 by $0.03. The company had revenue of $2.91 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.37 billion. M&T Bank had a return on equity of 11.97% and a net margin of 23.20%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $2.73 earnings per share. Analysts predict that M&T Bank will post 17.16 EPS for the current fiscal year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 6th were paid a $1.30 dividend. This is a positive change from M&T Banks previous quarterly dividend of $1.20. This represents a $5.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.17%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, March 3rd. M&T Banks payout ratio is currently 40.28%. Institutional Investors Weigh In On M&T Bank Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of MTB. Clear Street Markets LLC purchased a new stake in shares of M&T Bank during the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. raised its holdings in shares of M&T Bank by 148.9% during the 3rd quarter. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. now owns 219 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $35,000 after buying an additional 131 shares during the period. Affiance Financial LLC purchased a new stake in shares of M&T Bank during the 4th quarter valued at about $35,000. Annapolis Financial Services LLC raised its holdings in shares of M&T Bank by 42.7% during the 1st quarter. Annapolis Financial Services LLC now owns 311 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $37,000 after buying an additional 93 shares during the period. Finally, Private Trust Co. NA purchased a new stake in shares of M&T Bank during the 2nd quarter valued at about $40,000. 84.10% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About M&T Bank (Get Rating) M&T Bank Corp. operates as a bank holding company, which engages in the provision of retail and commercial banking, trust, wealth management and investment services. It operates through the following segments: Business Banking, Commercial Banking, Commercial Real Estate, Discretionary Portfolio, Residential Mortgage Banking, and Retail Banking. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for M&T Bank Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for M&T Bank and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. 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Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe This gorgeous 2BR/2BA apartment has a lovely entry courtyard, secured entry and spacious floorplan. Relax on your patio / balcony and enjoy the mountain views. Kitchens are fully equipped with a range, refrigerator, dishwasher and garbage disposal. Laundry room off kitchen with washer and dryer. Each apartment has a storage unit. The location is close to Carilion Health Systems, Carilion Riverside, several local Colleges, and lots of shops and eateries close by. A quick bike ride to Dr. Pepper Park the Greenway and Riverfront Park. This unit is pet friendly with a $300 non-refundable fee and $20 pet rent, 40 lb. limit and 1 pet only View More Narissa Rahaman and her fiance, who both work in political advocacy with busy schedules, are likely holding off on their wedding celebration until next year but they will probably do the legal thing soon. Rahaman is the executive director for Equality Virginia, an advocacy group that supports laws that benefit LGBTQ people. My partner and I want to get married as soon as possible because we want to be married to each other. And we understand the state of the world right now for LGBTQ people, Rahaman said. Protections and rights that we all feel like we have are being chipped away day by day. While same-sex marriages are federally protected by the U.S. Supreme Court and Congress Respect for Marriage Act, Virginias state constitution does not technically support those marriages. A 2006 state constitutional amendment barred same-sex marriage in Virginia, recognizing marriage as "only a union between one man and one woman." But given a 2015 ruling by the Supreme Court and Congress 2022 law, the language here is moot. Thats why Sen. Adam Ebbin, D-Alexandria, and Del. Mark Sickles, D-Fairfax both openly gay legislators have each carried proposed constitutional amendments in recent years to adjust Virginias constitution and keep up with modern times, Ebbin said. 'Committed to doing this until we pass it' Passing a constitutional amendment in Virginia requires a multiyear process. The proposals have to pass the legislature two years in a row, with an election for the House of Delegates in between, before they can go to Virginia's voters in a state referendum for final approval. Ebbin's proposed amendment won first approval in the legislature in 2021 when Democrats controlled both chambers and held the governorship. After Republicans won control of the House in that November's elections, a GOP-led House panel defeated his bid for a second approval in 2022. During this year's session, Ebbin and Sickles started over. Their bids for a first approval were defeated again in a House committee. Im committed to doing this until we pass it and give the voters a chance to fix the constitution, Ebbin said. Its not totally partisan. Del. Tim Anderson, R-Virginia Beach, carried a failed resolution similar to Ebbins. However, the matter is starting to feel more urgent for some people after some indications that Obergefell v. Hodges the 2015 ruling that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide could be undone. Last summer, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. In his majority opinion, Justice Samuel Alito wrote that it only concerned abortion. "To ensure that our decision is not misunderstood or mischaracterized," Alito wrote, "we emphasize that our decision concerns the constitutional right to abortion and no other right. Nothing in this opinion should be understood to cast doubt on precedents that do not concern abortion." But Justice Clarence Thomas wrote in a concurring opinion that the due process clause in the 14th Amendment "at most guarantees process" and "does not secure any substantive rights." Thomas asserted that in future cases, the court "should reconsider all of this Courts substantive due process precedents," including cases that guaranteed married adults the right to obtain contraceptives, the right to engage in private, consensual sexual acts, and Obergefell v. Hodges, the 2015 case that guaranteed the right to same-sex marriage. This was around the time Rahaman and her partner got engaged. It was like a bit of a jolting moment, Rahaman said of potentially losing the same rights that opposite-sex couples have. She added: It felt a little bit more imminent during that summer of this can be a real thing that's happening. Folks, here's what's at stake: the VA GOP is systematically scaling back civil rights in the Commonwealth. Democrats are working to protect every single Virginian, while Republicans are working to reinstate draconian bans on same sex-marriage.https://t.co/Ta5B1ZtdzR Virginia Democrats (@vademocrats) April 13, 2023 Virginia's political parties disagree on how or if same-sex marriage is under threat in Virginia. Last week, the Democratic Party of Virginia tweeted that Republicans are working to reinstate draconian bans on same-sex marriage. The account for the Republican Party of Virginia fired back that it was not under threat and called the previous tweet a lie. A GOP-led subcommittee defeated Ebbins latest attempt to enshrine same-sex protections in Virginias constitution with no debate and on party-line votes. House Speaker Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah; House Majority Leader Terry Kilgore, R-Scott; and Dels. Barry Knight, R-Virginia Beach, and Kathy Byron, R-Bedford, voted to defeat the bill while Del. Vivian Watts, D-Fairfax, dissented. (Committees and subcommittees are how the legislature filters through bills before some of them can come to full floor votes in both chambers.) Moments before the vote, a representative of The Family Foundation an advocacy group that opposes same-sex marriage noted that the Supreme Court's actions on abortion could mean action on marriage is likely, too. With the courts precedent in Dobbs," the abortion ruling, "the court is clearly in a position to reverse its erroneous 2015 decision, said Todd Gathje. And if and when it does, Virginias constitution should continue to reflect the truth about marriage. The Family Foundation believes marriage is only between a man and a woman. With no discussion from the subcommittee, its unclear exactly why it chose to vote down Ebbins bill. A spokesperson for the House GOP Caucus did not respond to email inquiry by the time of this publication. Meantime, nationwide protections for same-sex marriage still hinge on the Obergefell ruling. University of Virginia law professor Rich Schragger said that given the Supreme Court's action on Roe, its not totally unlikely that the conservative wing of the court which has the votes revisits the Obergefell ruling. He did note how the court could move slowly on it or even avoid it, given how the fallout of Roe may drive up Democratic engagement nationwide. It is a matter of judicial politics, not a matter of respect for precedent, he said. The conservative justices are not particularly constrained by precedent. If the Supreme Court did overturn Obergefell, the legality of same-sex marriages would then revert to state law in this case, the prohibition within Virginias constitution would take effect. However, the Respect for Marriage Act, which President Joe Biden signed into law last December, would require states to recognize marriages performed in other states where its legal, along with marriages that took place when Obergefell was in effect. Schragger noted that the Respect for Marriage Act is also subject to potential repeal in Congress, pending future federal elections. Amid Virginias own contests this year with all 140 seats in the House and Senate up for election Rahaman said marriage equality is on the ballot. Where in the US are same-sex marriage rates highest? #5. Washington #3. Delaware #2. Vermont #1. District of Columbia King Charles III's former classmate revealed that the monarch was a victim of "merciless" bullying during his younger years at school. One of the former classmates of the royal says it was "common knowledge" that King Charles had been bullied by his peers while attending the Gordonstoun School in Elgin, Scotland, in the 1960s. King Charles Was a Victim of 'Merciless' School Bullying According to Daily Mail, Johnny Stonborough was one of the former classmates of the King during his stay at the boarding school. The father of the current King, Prince Philip, reportedly sent his eldest son to the institution since he was one of the first students to enroll way back in 1934. In other words, he wants Charles to follow in his footsteps. However, the royal did not enjoy his stay in the boarding school, contrary to his father's experience. Stonborough, the former classmate of King Charles, recalls that the first time he encountered peers bullying the monarch was during a rugby lesson. The ex-Gordonstoun student wrote an essay for The Telegraph to narrate the traumatic experience of King Charles during his stay at the boarding school. He described the "merciless" bullying that took place back then. Stonborough says, "A couple of the boys decided it would be funny to 'do' him." He laid out some tauntings the teens did to the monarch, such as "pulling his ears" and "punching him." Read Also: Prince Andrew To Serve as "Dogwalker" Under King Charles III While Prince Harry, Meghan Markle Fall Charles' Former Classmate Thinks He Will Be a 'Kinder' King The former classmate of the royal states that Charles "never said a word." He adds that the monarch never complained despite the traumatic bullying. Stonborough recalls that Charles was a "painfully shy" teen during those days. And as such, bullies targeted him. Due to the bullying at school, Stonborough told The Telegraph that Charles only had one friend during his stay in the boarding school. He claims that the "only friend" of the monarch is Sergeant Green, who turns out to be his bodyguard. Given the traumatic experience of the monarch, his former classmate thinks that the school bullying made the royal more empathetic. Stonborough says that his past might make him a "kinder" monarch. On top of that, the King's bleak school days could inspire some kids out there, his former classmate says. 'It might even give some solace to countless British children to know their King was bullied and survived," the ex-Gordonstoun student offers. Meanwhile, the New York Post reported last year that the son of King Charles, Prince George, has warned his peers at school that his father "will be king." So he told his pals that they "better watch out. He got it right. His dad ended up as the King. Related Article: King Charles Coronation: Camilla Parker Bowles Recognized as Queen for the First Time on Invites @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Cathedral Ladies salad supper set for April 27 St. Marys Cathedral Ladies will be hosting its annual Spring Fling salad supper Thursday, April 27, at Cathedral Square, 112 S. Cedar. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with the salad supper beginning at 6 p.m. The cost is $10 per lady, 12 years and older, payable at the door. Reservations are requested, but walk-ins are welcome. The theme is Quilts & Quinceaneras. The program will include Nubia Rodriguez singing Spanish songs; a presentation on the quinceanera traditions; Brenda Castellanos introducing her store, Colores de Mi Tierra; and Lynette Koelzer displaying her quilts with Colorful Creations with a Needle. For reservations or any lady who wishes to decorate or sponsor a table, please RSVP to Esther Gomez at 308-383-7798 (Spanish), Marie Schuster at 308-379-9238 or Ellie Cornelius at 308-384-6376. Calvary Lutheran hosting fundraiser April 29 Calvary Lutheran Church, 1304 N. Custer, will host its annual Spring Fling sale from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 29. Stop in and stroll through the bake sale, rummage sale and silent auction items. Also, Rada Cutlery and the worlds best dishcloths will be for sale. Tickets will be available for raffle items including: 40 TV, laptop computer and two $50 gas cards. The kitchen will serve food during the entire time of the event. For more information, feel free to contact the church office at 308-382-5446. Grace Baptist hosts hymn sing on April 30 ST. PAUL Grace Baptist Church in St. Paul welcomes everyone to come and enjoy an old-gospel-hour hymn sing. The informal event will be at 4 p.m. Sunday, April 30, at the church located at 123 Ninth Street. Refreshments and a sweet treat will be served after the hymn sing. For more information, contact Dennis at 702-469-0788 or check the website www.stpaulgrace.org Even though it ran for only 43 episodes, some people have not forgotten "Land of the Lost," a Saturday morning NBC series that ran from 1974 to 1976. Two stars of that show, Wesley Eure and Kathy Coleman, will visit Grand Island this weekend for the Grand Comic Fest, which runs Friday through Sunday. Two of the creators of "Land of the Lost" were Sid and Marty Krofft. Eure, who's had a wide-ranging career, is now 71. Coleman is 61. Also coming to Grand Comic Fest are actors Bobby Marno and Andrew McClay, who both appeared in "Games of Thrones." On Saturday night, the Grand Theatre will host a screening of a documentary, called "Game of Thrones: The Last Watch." Marno and McClay will be part of a question-and-answer session. The two actors are coming from overseas, says Grand Comic Fest director Doug Holmes. Another actor appearing at the festival is Alyson Court, a voice artist and actress. She starred in "The Big Comfy Couch" and lent her voice to "Resident Evil" video games, the "Beetlejuice" TV series and "X-Men: The Animated Series." The festival's attractions will also include a number of comic book professionals, including Phil Hester and Deryl Skelton. Hester, who's worked for DC Comics, has visited the Grand Comic Fest before, although he hasn't been here for a couple of years. Skelton is celebrating his 50th year as a comic book professional, Holmes said. The non-profit Grand Theater presents the Grand Comic Fest, which is now in its fifth year. "Actually, we're growing every year. That's why we've had to upgrade to the Pinnacle Bank Expo Center," Holmes said. The first year, the Comic Fest was a one-day event at the Liederkranz. "We didn't know if anybody would even come out," Holmes said. But the event was packed. This is the second year that the festival is based at the Pinnacle Bank Expo Center. Organizers hope for a turnout of 3,000 to 4,000. One purpose of the festival is to showcase the Grand Theatre. Free events will take place Friday and Saturday nights at the downtown theater. The 1987 film "Spaceballs" will be shown Friday night, preceded by opening ceremonies at 7:15 p.m. Saturday's "Game of Thrones" event begins at 7:30 p.m. The rest of the activities will take place at the Pinnacle Bank Expo Center. Admission is $10 per day or $15 for the weekend. Kids 12 and younger are free. Organizers hope to see a lot of families. Other actors on hand will be Michael B. Moynahan, Mark Acheson, Wyatt Weed and Bob Elmore. Moynahan played Lookout Bear on "Zoobilee Zoo." Acheson has been in "Elf," "The Chronicles of Riddick" and "Reindeer Games," as well as "The X-Files," "Stargate SG-1" and "Smallville." Weed appeared in "Predator 2." Elmore is an actor and stuntman whose credits include "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2." The festival offers vendors and educational panels. Sunday's schedule includes a cosplay contest. There will also be a medieval sword-fighting exhibition. Members of the group, who also appeared last year, use handmade armor. "It's real combat. It's a lot of fun," said Holmes, who is on the Grand Theatre's board. The festival layout will include a large podcast area. Game On Games & Comics will present game demonstrations. Holmes says the festival offers a "real good mix" that appeals to all ages. "We encourage people to come out and just see the variety that we have." Adults will find a toy they loved as kids. Many visitors will connect with one of the artists, he said. For tickets, visit grandcomicfest.ticketleap.com. For a fee, attendees can have their picture taken with the celebrities on Saturday. A dual photo op with the "Land of the Lost" stars begins at 12:30 p.m. The cost is $75. Beginning at 1:30 p.m., you can have your picture taken with Elmore. The cost is $45. A dual photo op with McClay and Marno begins at 3:30 p.m. The cost is $65. At 4:30 p.m., you can have your picture taken with Court for $45. The man who died in Mondays ethanol plant explosion in Wood River was Jody Norgaard, a 49-year-old Grand Island man. A liquid holding tank was involved in the explosion at the Green Plains plant. Wood River Fire & Rescue responded to the explosion at about 2:40 p.m. No fire was present upon the departments arrival, according to news release from the State Fire Marshal Agency. The release said that another employee was being treated at an Omaha hospital and was in critical condition. On Thursday, Chief Investigator Adam Matzner of the State Fire Marshal Agency declined to give that employees name. Work was being done on the liquid holding tank at the time of the explosion, which was considered accidental. Three other individuals, who were on-site contractors, were taken to a local hospital with minor injuries and were released after treatment. The Wood River plant is one of 11 biorefineries owned by Omaha-based Green Plains. Norgaards funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Third City Christian Church in Grand Island. Jason Tanner, business professor at John A. Logan College was recently named the National Business Education Associations Postsecondary Teacher of the Year at the organizations national convention in Kansas City. The award is based on the individuals level of education, teaching content, student evaluations, service and leadership. Tanner said his teaching has been improved through involvement in groups like the association. I had outstanding professors that pushed the importance of belonging to national organizations, he said. These organizations have been so important in helping me build rapport with colleagues across the state and the nation, and that is where you learn so much, by having those conversations about new trends and teaching methods. Tanner is in his 16th year of teaching at John A. Logan College, where he teaches Introduction to Business and Business Communications. He is a previous recipient of the Illinois Business Education Associations Postsecondary Teacher of the Year honor and has served as the groups president. Additionally, he has received the distinguished service award from the Illinois Business Education Association, as well as the organizations Outstanding New Professional Award and Outstanding Independent Research Award. Tanner also has been recognized by the North Central Business Education Association with its Outstanding Contributions to Business Education by a Postsecondary Business Teacher Award and he received the Illinois Association for Career and Technical Education Postsecondary Teacher of the Year Award and the Outstanding New CTE Teacher Award. The Southern Illinois Business Education Association has also named him a Teacher of the Year Award winner. John A. Logan College Melanie Pecord said she is proud of Tanner and his commitment to students. My background is in business education, and I know firsthand the effort and commitment Dr. Tanner puts into his courses, she said. This award is well deserved, and I am pleased he is being honored for his commitment to his students and profession. John A. Logan College Media Relations contributed to this article. Photos: JUCO Softball | John A. Logan enjoying strong spring Robbie Lindhorst, diesel technology instructor at Southeastern Illinois College, has been chosen as the colleges Loren P. and Velma Dallas Outstanding Teacher of the Year for 2022-2023. His selection was based upon voting from his peers. Lindhorst, who lives in Johnston City, has been a full-time faculty member at SIC for 23 years. He has an associates degree in diesel maintenance technology from Ranken Technical Institute in St Louis, Missouri and holds Master Technician status with Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). He has been an evaluation team leader for the ASE Education Foundation for 15 years and has been the team leader in obtaining and maintaining national certification for the SIC diesel tech program. He is known to adapt his teaching style to fit the needs of his students. Most of our students are kinesthetic, visual and logical learners. With all learning styles in mind, I put together lesson plans to include aural, social, solitary and verbal, Lindhorst said. Other instructors also know they can count on Lindhorst. He is always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need, and I know he has my back as a team member, SIC welding instructor Mark Thomas, said. His students give him respect and they know that he is a good friend to them as well. Lindhorst also values the teacher/student relationship, making sure the students know they can contact him with any school-related needs at any time. Mr. Lindhorst is an excellent teacher, said diesel technology student Eli Mackey of Morganfield, Kentucky. Not only is he knowledgeable is his field, but he is also great at explaining concepts that are difficult to understand in an easy-to-grasp fashion. He places his students first, builds good relationships and goes out of his way to help other people. The awards criteria include at least three years of full-time employment participation above and beyond classroom assignments; competence in ones field or discipline, continuing ones education and participating in professional development activities, rapport with students; personal commitment to higher education and the transfer of knowledge to students upholding and encouraging ethical behavior of self and students and giving freely to prepare students for their chosen careers. In 2010, Lindhorst received the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development Award, a membership organization committed to promoting and celebrating excellence in teaching, learning and leadership at community and technical colleges. At SIC, he serves as co-division chair for the Applied Technology division and currently serves on the assessment, master facilities, alumni and student support committees. Lindhorst regularly recruits students and participates in college career days at area high schools. He also helps coordinate and participates in the FFA Section 25 Ag Mechanics competition held annually at the college. Karen Weiss, vice president of academic and student services, said, Robbie is an excellent instructor inside and outside the classroom. He has served as a mentor when onboarding new faculty members. Robbies strength is in his service to the college, to the students, to his colleagues, to his church, and to his family and friends. He is most deserving of this honor. The Loren and Velma Dallas Outstanding Teacher Award honors a founding member of the Southeastern Illinois College board and comes with a $500 cash prize. As the recipient of the Outstanding Teacher Award, he is eligible for the 2023 Illinois Community College Trustees Associations Outstanding Faculty Member Award. Southeastern Illinois College Media Services contributed to this story. WAUKEGAN A body identified as a missing U.S. Navy sailor was recovered Wednesday evening from Lake Michigan near Waukegan Harbor, Lake County officials said. Around 7:10 p.m., Waukegan police officers who were conducting a traffic stop were flagged down by ComEd workers doing work near the harbor and saw a body in the water. An officer was able to bring the body to shore, according to a release from the Lake County sheriffs office. The Lake County Coroners Office was alerted and the body was identified as 21-year-old Navy Sailor Seamus Gray, who went missing March 18. Gray was last seen after he left a bar on Genesee Street in downtown Waukegan at about 1:30 a.m. He was spotted on security cameras near the docks area. At a media briefing last month, Waukegan police Deputy Chief Brian Mullen said Gray had gone to the bar with other people and that police were interviewing them to gather information about the night. Other video showed Gray at the intersection of Washington Street and Sheridan Avenue, and video from the marina showed Gray right on the waters edge, Mullen had said. Gray was supposed to have been back on base by 2 a.m. March 18. Navy authorities alerted police the following Tuesday about the missing man. Gray, of Jupiter, Florida, was stationed at Naval Station Great Lakes. His family was notified and an autopsy is scheduled for Thursday, according to the release. Thursday morning officials said preliminary results indicate that Gray died from drowning. There was no evidence of significant injury which would have contributed to his death. Seamus death remains under investigation by the Waukegan Police Department, the U.S. Naval Criminal Investigative Service and the Lake County coroners office. On behalf of the City of Waukegan, I extend our deepest condolences to the family of Seamus Gray, said Waukegan Mayor Ann Taylor on Thursday. As a mother, I cant begin to imagine feeling the sadness and pain that Seamus family has and will endure. Our prayers are with Mr. Grays family. Counsellor Charlene Azore. Leads student in a lesson on abuse by using the references mounted on a wall chart. The School for Children Needs (SCSN) , Kingstown, is tackling the issue of abuse head on by arming their students with information. This strategy is being carried out through a wall chart which was created by counselor Charlene Azore. The display highlights among other things "What is Child Abuse and showcases the various forms such as physical, verbal and sexual exploitation. Additionally, the feature indicates the effects of abuse such as making children feel afraid or sad and then sheds light on what children can do. Speaking with THE VINCENTIAN, the Azore stated that such displays will become teaching tools, so that the topic can be addressed in a way that is comprehensive. Azore expressed concern that some children are being abused but dont realize it. She said that children are already vulnerable and those with special challenges become more defenseless so they must be made aware. The counselor expounded, "By letting our students know what it is, they can know if it is happening to them. We want to give them a voice and the courage to speak up, so they will know what steps to take to prevent or stop abuse. Azore revealed that they will have on-going sessions with students, as the topic needs to be discussed regularly and not just around April, which is Child Abuse Prevention Month. She encourages parents and other guardians to be observant of changes in their children to give them a safe space to address abuse. The Ministry of National Mobilisation through the Child Development Division is observing the month under the theme "You have the Power to create a better future for us the children. Treat us well! VINLEC, Kingstown St. Vincent Electricity Services Limited (VINLEC) wishes to advise customers of an increase in the Fuel Surcharge rate applicable on bills for April 2023. The new rate is $0.6906 per kWh, which is an increase of $0.17 from the previous months rate of $0.5245 per kWh. The change in the Fuel Surcharge rate results from VINLEC having to pay more for fuel in March, and reduced electricity generation at the hydro-stations due to the current dry season. Customers are reminded that the cost of fuel used to generate electricity is based on the international market price and the Fuel Surcharge represents the cost of fuel required to produce electricity. The Isle of Man St. Vincent and the Grenadines Education Programme (ISEP) is a registered charity in the Isle of Man comprising a small group of volunteers from the Isle of Man and St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), which was established last year to provide scholarships and travel grants to Vincentian students. ISEP held its first Cocktail Reception at Government House on March 25, 2023, where its Scholarship programme was formally launched. The advent of the ISEP Scholarship was welcomed by all present at the recent Cocktail Reception, which was held under the patronage of Her Excellency Dame Susan D. Dougan, GCMG, OBE, the Governor General. In Remarks, Her Excellency the Governor General, who is co-patron of ISEP, together with the Lieutenant Governor of the Isle of Man, Sir John Lorimer, commended the theme of ISEP and fully endorsed its objectives. Scholar Programme This Scholarship programme follows on ISEPs highly successful introductory award in August 2022, which gave twelve (12) students (6 males and 6 females) of the SVG Community College, plus two (2) chaperones, the opportunity to participate in a 3-week dynamic educational course in the Isle of Man, comprising a mixture of academic and life -skills lessons, with a one day stop-over in London to visit historical sites. Starting in 2023, ISEP is fully funding an annual boarding scholarship for students of SVG to pursue an International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma at Kings Williams College in the Isle of Man (see www.kwc.im under Learning International Baccalaureate). Kings Williams has earned a reputation as being among the best and most established International Baccalaureate schools in the British Isles (having been named IB school of the year). The IB Diploma is recognized by all UK universities and by leading universities around the world and provides a similar gateway as CAPE at SVG Community College, as it can lead to a top university placement or other career opportunities. The advent of the ISEP Scholarship was welcomed by all present at the recent Cocktail Reception, which was held under the patronage of Her Excellency Dame Susan D. Dougan, GCMG, OBE, the Governor General. In Remarks, Her Excellency the Governor General, who is co-patron of ISEP, together with the Lieutenant Governor of the Isle of Man, Sir John Lorimer, commended the theme of ISEP and fully endorsed its objectives. ISEPs Chairman and founder, Prof. Tim Cullen MBE, travelled from the Isle of Man and was present at the Reception. Prof. Cullen explained the origins of ISEP, its objectives and goals. He informed the audience that upon learning of the havoc wreaked upon SVG by the volcanic eruptions of April 2021, and upon seeing the images of its aftermath internationally circulated, including an interview given by SVGs Prime Minister, Dr. the Hon. Ralph E. Gonsalves, he was moved by the plight of the country, and in particular, schoolchildren who were displaced by the use of their schools as shelters. He found this to be especially distressing in the context of students simultaneously having to deal with the effects of the Pandemic. This inspired him to create an educational opportunity that could give hope and inspiration to youth, much like what a similar charity, Small Countries Financial Management Centre (SCFMC) has been doing for adults. In addition to being the founder of ISEP, Prof. Cullen is the founder of the Small Countries Financial Management Programme (www.scfmc.com), an international charity based in the Isle of Man, which since 2009, offers an annual executive programme to officials in small countries, including SVG. Prof. Cullen is also the founder of the Oxford University Programme on Negotiation. Prof. Cullen explained that through discussions with SVGs past participant of the inaugural Small Countries Financial Programme, Sharda Bollers, who is his colleague on the Board of Directors of the SCFMC, ISEP as a charity was fleshed out, including with the input from a small team, now comprising the Trustees of ISEP. Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Myccle Burke, delivered remarks in support of the programme on behalf of the Hon. Minister and Ministry of Education. Sharda Bollers, co-founder and Trustee of ISEP, told the audience that ISEP had immediately received strong and whole-hearted support from Her Excellency the Governor General, the Hon. Prime Minister, the Hon. Minister of Education and senior Education officials, other relevant Ministries and persons, and indicated the Charitys appreciation for this support which enabled it to smoothly commence its work. Also addressing the invited guests were Nigel Scott, Director of the Community College and Lavinia Gunn, Trustee of ISEP, business entrepreneur and former Administrator of the Mustique Charitable Trust. The audience expressed their delight to hear from the student participants of ISEP 2022, who gave an overview of their experiences in the Isle of Man and attested to the invaluable positive impact which the ISEP experience had been having on their lives. The Reception was well attended by Members of the Diplomatic Corps and the business community and served to raise awareness of ISEP and its Scholarship programme as a unique educational opportunity for young Vincentians, which will, at the same time, strengthen links between the island nations of the Isle of Man and SVG and open valuable opportunities to the world at large for SVGs youth. The Reception also served to touch on the roles both the Isle of Man and SVG can play in funding the ISEPs Scholarship programme, with the intention of such funding being sourced from private entities and individuals. Information on how young Vincentians can apply for the ISEP Scholarship 2023 can be obtained from School Principals at Secondary Schools or from the Office of the Chief Education Officer at the Ministry of Education. Issued by: Uganda President Yoweri Museveni refuses to sign a new anti-LGBTQ bill into law The bill would impose the death penalty in some cases, forcing the president to urge for a change The majority of parliamentarians in Museveni's ruling party supported the controversial bill Uganda President Yoweri Museveni refuses to sign an anti-LGBTQ bill into law as it would impose the death penalty in some cases, arguing that the proposal should be revised. The president's decision was revealed on Thursday following a meeting of parliamentarians in his ruling party. Almost all of the people included in the panel supported the bill that lawmakers approved last month. Uganda President Refuses to Sign Anti-LGBTQ Bill A statement revealed that the meeting between parliamentarians resolved to return the bill to the national assembly "with proposals for its improvement." Additionally, a spokesman for the presidency said that Museveni did not oppose the punishments that the bill proposed. However, he wanted lawmakers to consider "the issue of rehabilitation," as Aljazeera said. In a Twitter post, spokesman Sandor Walusimbi said that Museveni told members of his ruling party that he had no objections to the punishments of the bill. However, he noted that they should consider rehabilitating people who have engaged in homosexuality in the past and want to live once again "normal" lives. He added that lawmakers agreed that the bill should go back to Parliament to address rehabilitation issues before it can be signed into law. Under a colonial-era law that criminalizes sex acts "against the order of nature," homosexuality has been illegal in East Africa for some time. The country's president is now under pressure from the international community to veto the bill outright, which needs his signature to be passed into law. The United States has warned Uganda of potential economic consequences if the legislation pushes through. A group of United Nations experts claims that if the bill is enacted, it would be an "egregious violation of human rights." Read Also: Singapore Probes Asian Resto WOK HEY After Woman Finds Bugs Brushes Imposing Capital Punishment for Homosexual Acts This week, a group of scientists signed an open letter that urged Museveni to veto the bill after it received widespread criticism worldwide. According to CNN, these include remarks from the UN, the European Union, and the U.S. Secretary of State. On Thursday, NRM chief whip Denis Hamson Obua said that the anti-LGBTQ bill is, in principle, supported unanimously by the NRM parliamentary caucus. He added that the punishment included in the bill would be upheld. The Uganda president is expected to meet with the legal affairs committee of Parliament and other parties to finalize the bill next week. If passed, the bill's death penalty sentence would be applied to people who were convicted of "aggravated homosexuality." It is a sweeping term that the country's law defines as homosexual acts that anyone infected with HIV commits or if it involves children, disabled people, or anyone who was drugged against their will. Most of these acts are already considered crimes under the law, regardless of gender. However, capital punishment has been added as the most extreme form of punishment to target cases where the suspect and the victim are of the same sex, said the New York Times. Related Article: At Least 78 Dead in Devastating Yemen Stampede @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. High Court Judge Bernie Stephenson may just have taken an unprecedented action in barring a certain practice as it relates to media coverage of arraignments here. Journalists who turned up to cover the High Court arraignment on Tuesday, April 18, came in for a huge surprise when they were told they had to leave the Court. After the Jury was excused, and the Court proceeded to call the first accused, Criminal Division Manager Melanie John told the three journalists present, representing Searchlight, The News, and THE VINCENTIAN, that they had to leave, as the media was not allowed at the arraignment. No reason was given. This reporter could not believe what he was hearing, thinking it was a mistake, as in his more than 20 years of covering the Court, he was never barred from covering the High Court arraignments. Tuesdays proceedings were presiding over by Justice Bernie Stephenson of Guyana, in the absence of Justices Brian Cottle and Rickie Burnett who were not available. True, arraignments are heard in the absence of the Jury, but reporters covering the Court know what they should or should not report, and even if they are inexperienced, they could be briefed. The media plays a significant role in the Court process, as it carries the information to the public. This has been recognized over the years by several Judges presiding here, including Justices Odel Adams, Frederick Bruce-Lyle, and Brian Cottle. The arraignment is a very important part of the Court process, and in particular, the Criminal Assizes, as it is when the pleas are taken from persons listed to stand trial. Justice Stephenson, a Guyanese, was transferred from Dominica to St. Vincent and the Grenadines with effect from July 15, 2022. She had been a High Court Judge in Dominica since 2009. Since assuming duties here, she has been presiding over the Civil Court. (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. For help in the contest over Moldovas future against a nasty opponent, the EU might start by asking for Romanias advice. From CEPA. Charles Michel, the European Council president, traveled to Bucharest in March for his first official meeting in three and a half years with the president of Romania, Klaus Iohannis. The Romanian head of state took the opportunity to call on the European Union to adopt a new sanctions regime against pro-Russian entities and individuals seeking to derail Moldovas path toward EU accession. In a press conference following the talks, Iohannis stated that Russian aggression is not limited to the war in Ukraine but extends to hybrid activities designed to block Moldovas path to membership and European integration. While Moldovas government seeks a Euro-atlanticist future, Russia says that its future course must be Eurasian. Russia has used Moldova as a punching bag for years, and still illegally occupies a swath of its territory. But in recent months, the Kremlin has stepped up its campaign. It has withheld gas supplies, mobilized political proxies to stage anti-government protests, and exploited Moldovas deeply entrenched ideological and ethnic differences with sophisticated disinformation and propaganda. It has also been accused of seeking to engineer a coup and of nurturing covert pro-Russian networks among opposition parties. This is troubling for Romania, which has intimate ties to Moldova, not least through its language, which is spoken by about three-quarters of Moldovans. About 10% of Moldovans live in Romania, and a third have a passport. Its not therefore an issue that Romanias leaders could ignore, even if they wanted to. Romania has been making a conscious effort to ensure that Moldovas EU aspirations are at the forefront of the EU foreign policy agenda alongside the war in Ukraine. The focus of the European Council summit in March was rightly on providing Ukraine with 1 million artillery rounds. But it was at Romanias initiative that the 27 EU member states asked the European Commission to produce a support package for Moldova ahead of the next meeting in June. Details of the package have not yet been released. The framework currently used for EU engagement with Moldova is of limited use to confront Russias threat. The EU-Moldova Association Agreement, signed in 2014, establishes foundations for stronger political association and economic integration. However, the scope for political and security cooperation is narrow. Russias all-out invasion of Ukraine, on Moldovas eastern border, has prompted the EU to reassess its approach to ensure the stabilization and security of its eastern neighborhood. Last summer, the European Council decided to grant Moldova EU candidate status together with Ukraine. Germanys Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed his support for the defense and security of Moldovas sovereignty and territorial integrity in a trilateral meeting in Bucharest in April 2022 with the leaders of Romania and Moldova. But the overall response has been far from adequate. The EU is failing to meet the moment. While Moldova says it is penetrated by Russian FSB agents and held to ransom by Russian gas suppliers, the bloc is focusing, very literally, on technicalities. The point was rammed home in a none-too-subtle manner by Austrias minister for European affairs, Karoline Edtstadler, who said during a recent visit to Moldova with seven of her European counterparts that there can be no shortcuts. The rules are rules argument might be fine at another time. But it hardly takes a master strategist to understand that with Russian cruise missiles taking shortcuts over Moldovan territory, the situation is more urgent. NATO seems to have grasped this. Even before Russia sent its tanks across the border in 2022, the alliance chose Romania, its reliable and strategically-important regional partner, as the home of a new battle group [one of eight deployed in NATOs eastern members]. Allied aircraft use Romanian bases to patrol and reconnoiter the Black Sea region. The decision had to be made quickly and it was. From Moldovas perspective, the Russian hybrid threat means that there can be no alternative but to pursue EU accession, and swiftly. Moldovas President Maia Sandu has described EU membership as the only way to ensure her countrys survival as a free and prosperous state. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Moldovan President Maia Sandu, and the prime ministers of Croatia, Slovakia, and Slovenia commemorate the hundreds of civilians killed in Bucha at a ceremony on 31 March. Video via Moldovan presidency website. Romania shares this perspective. Romanian Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca stated that his country would continue to be an active promoter of Moldovas accession to the EU in an official meeting with his Swedish counterpart, Ulf Kristersson, in Stockholm on 3 April. Romanias outlook now needs to be heard with more respect than previously. As an EU member state with an intimate understanding of Moldova and the challenges it faces on its European path, Romania is central to how the EU navigates the new security situation in its eastern neighborhood. It is of course important to maintain respect for the meritocratic procedure of the EU enlargement process, but sometimes events intervene. The security situation now calls for pragmatism and flexibility on the part of the EU to provide Moldova with certainty over its future place in Europe. Moldovas pro-European choice both within its current government and its population as a whole is by no means a foregone conclusion. Pro-Russian forces may very well return to power. Romanias nuanced understanding of Russias security threat in the region could allow it to act as a mentor to Moldova, continuing to work closely with EU officials to aid its government, channel aid, ensure its delivery, and secure the administration against the Kremlins hybrid threats like the weaponization of corruption. Most of all, the EU should understand and act as a matter of urgency on the critical issue: there is competition for Moldovas future against a nasty, militaristic power with utter indifference for Moldovas 2.5 million people. That point would best be made by a significant gesture from Brussels. Quite what form that should take is a matter for discussion. The EU might start by asking for Romanias advice. Hugo Blewett-Mundy is a Central and Eastern Europe commentator and consultant. This article was originally published by the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA). To read the latest analysis and commentary click here. All opinions are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the position or views of the institutions they represent or the Center for European Policy Analysis. The Biden administration allegedly neglected to mitigate Hunter Biden's apparent conflicts of interest The letter says that the agent told the IRS and Justice Department about the information they wanted to share The whistleblower is ready to make his claims public The attorney for the IRS whistleblower who claims the Biden administration is mishandling the federal investigation into Hunter Biden said on Thursday that his client is "not a political person" and does not have a "political agenda." However, he has documents to support his allegations, which he intends to present to Democrats and Republicans in Congress. The whistleblower's attorney, Mark Lytle, discussed his client's allegations in an interview with Bret Baier of Fox News' 'Special Report' on Thursday evening. IRS Whistleblower to Unveil Biden Administration's Failure Chris Clark, the attorney for Hunter Biden, stated earlier on Thursday that it appears Lytle's client "has committed an offense." When prompted for a response, Lyle stated that it was regrettable that the remark had been made. In addition, Lytle stated that Clark's statement does not "assist whistleblowers in general," even though Congress has programs to "shed light" on misconduct. Lytle characterized Clark's statement as menacing and emphasized that it is "unfortunate that it was made." Meanwhile, Lytle stated that he and his client have received outreach from congressional committees and are engaged in a "constructive" dialogue about "next actions." Lytle emphasized, however, that his client expressed a desire to present the information to Congress before a bipartisan commission. Due to tax confidentiality and privacy laws, Lytle explained that his client could not share the information with his legal team. Lytle stated that the protected disclosures "contradict congressional testimony given under oath by a senior political appointee" and involve "a failure to mitigate evident conflicts of interest in the ultimate disposition of the case." According to reports, the senior political appointee may be referring to Attorney General Merrick Garland and his March - and 2016 - testimony on Capitol Hill in which he emphasized that US Attorney for Delaware David Weiss can conduct the Hunter Biden investigation independently. Republicans assert that the Biden administration directly interferes with the investigation, while the White House vehemently denies this. Ohio Republican Congressman Mike Turner warned the Biden family that his party wants its investigation. This would constitute obstruction of justice and be prosecuted in Congress, Turner told Fox News earlier on Thursday. The 63-year-old House intelligence committee chairman added, "In the end, we will discover questionable transactions and undoubtedly questionable activities." Comer chairs the oversight committee in the House of Representatives. It is the elected body's primary investigative committee. Earlier this week, he asserted that nine Biden family members have profited from their connections to the president. Read Also: ASTRO Member Moonbin Dies at 25 Hunter Biden Investigation Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, who conducted a four-year investigation into the Biden family, accused them of engaging in "influence-peddling scams." Presumably, the IRS whistleblower's testimony will ultimately result in the Bidens receiving equal justice. However, the White House denied the allegations earlier Thursday. The press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, stated, "The president respects the rule of law and the independence of the Department of Justice." On Wednesday, the New York Post reported that IRS investigators are examining a $2 million loan that Hunter Biden allegedly took out. It is said that he used it to pay a tax obligation on foreign-earned income. The newspaper also reported that the anonymous whistleblower is willing to depose before the House of Representatives and make his claims public. The business dealings of Hunter Biden have long irritated members of the Republican Party, who accuse the president's son of using his family connections to secure lucrative contracts abroad. The veteran lobbyist previously had business interests in China and Ukraine but denies any malfeasance. The ex-Navy reservist who was discharged in 2014 for testing positive for cocaine was once again in the news last week. Although White House officials insisted he would not attend official events, he participated in the president's recent trip to Ireland. Per Daily Mail, since Joe Biden's election, the administration has insisted that the president never discusses his business dealings with his son and has no involvement in them. According to sources close to the president, he has never discussed investigations into his family members with the United States Department of Justice. Related Article: Fake Joe Biden Video Snubbing Rishi Sunak Goes Viral: It's Edited! @YouTube @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Rocky Mountain Power, Wyomings largest electric utility, wants to increase ratepayers bills by an average of 7.6% in response to higher-than-expected fuel and transmission costs during 2022. The rate adjustment would translate to an extra $50.3 million for the utility. The utility sources the vast majority of its electricity from its own power plants and through long-term contracts. But about 5% comes from the more volatile wholesale market. Sharply higher prices in the wholesale power market during the severe summer weather of 2022 are responsible for nearly half of Wyomings share of increased power costs, said Jack Painter, the utilitys net power cost specialist, in a statement. Severe weather events, extreme temperatures, high natural gas prices and supply chain disruptions also contributed to the higher costs, he said. The change in electricity prices would vary across rate classes under the utilitys proposal. Residential customers would see the smallest increase, at 5.1%, with the average residential bill going up by about $3.52 per month, according to the utility. That percentage rises to between 5.6% and 8.4% for general service users and between 6.4% and 9.2% for all other categories. Rocky Mountain Power has asked the Wyoming Public Service Commission to put the rate adjustment into effect on July 1. The request, which the utility submitted to state regulators on Monday, is separate from the ongoing rate case in which it is seeking a 21.6% average price increase over the next several years. Its normal for a utility to adjust prices each year in response to shifts in the market. Rate cases typically involve more fundamental changes to utility payment structures. These annual energy cost adjustments track costs beyond the companys direct control and factor in 2022 investments made by the company to ensure reliable service to customers, said Sharon Fain, Rocky Mountain Powers vice president for Wyoming, in a statement. This annual energy cost adjustment mechanism ensures our customers do not overpay or underpay for the electricity they use, Fain added. Rocky Mountain Power encouraged ratepayers who may need assistance paying their bills to call 1-888-221-7070 or visit the utilitys website to learn about options for financial support. Photos: A look at a Wyoming wind farm Wind Technicians Wind Technicians Wind Technicians Wind Technicians Wind Technicians Wind Technicians Wind Technicians Wind Technicians Wind Wind Technicians Wind When news broke Thursday that Caspers new abortion clinic was finally opening, many people in the community flocked to social media to debate the controversial facility. Casper Mayor Bruce Knell was no exception. The clinic is expected to be the only facility in the state offering both surgical and medical abortions. Its opening was delayed for nearly a year after an arsonist last May broke into the facility and lit it on fire. In the comments section of an Oil City News article about the clinic on Facebook, Knell wanted to make it clear he wasnt celebrating Wellsprings launch. He pulled up Facebooks gif search and selected a graphic of something burning on the ground a campfire, by the looks of it and hit post, he said. The gif was meant to represent hell fire, Knell said, adding the comment didnt have anything to do with last years arson. He maintains he was not calling for violence against the clinic or abortion rights advocates. But Knell doesnt think he was out of line for expressing his opinion or using such strong imagery, at that. (Oil City News indicated it has since deleted his comment in accordance with an internal policy.) l was doing what I feel is my duty as a Christian, Knell said. By killing babies, youre opening yourself up for a chance to go to hell. I dont think theres anything wrong with me saying that whatsoever. Knells comment didnt break any rules; the city council handbook doesnt say much about how councilors should conduct themselves outside the scope of the job. But the handbook does, however, make it clear councilors must loyally uphold the interests of their constituents. Could it be against the interests of Casper residents to express such strong views online, especially around an issue that precipitated violence in Casper just last year? Knell doesnt think so. I think its loyalty to decisions and ordinances and resolutions that are made and passed by the council, Knell said of the handbook, adding that he doesnt think its meant to limit his ability to express himself especially for things he says on his personal Facebook account. Even then, hes not sure his opinion is all that controversial. I can promise you in conservative Wyoming, there are more people who share my view, Knell said. Wyoming residents hold a broad spectrum of views when it comes to abortion, according to an October University of Wyoming poll. In the survey, 36% of respondents said they considered abortion a matter of personal choice, and another 36% said they felt abortion should be allowed in cases of rape, incest or when the pregnancy poses a danger to the life of the mother. About 19% of those surveyed said they support abortion when the reason for the procedure is clearly established. Only 7% said abortion should be banned in all cases. In a Thursday statement, the abortion clinics founder, Julie Burkhart, said she feared Knells post would be construed as an invitation for more violence toward the clinic. That the Mayor of the very city in which our clinic was burned down would share such an incendiary and violent post, on the very day that we finally announced were open to patients, is extremely disappointing and disheartening, Burkhart said. Anti-abortion violence is real and ongoing, and for the Mayor of Casper to trivialize that, let alone tacitly endorse it, is unconscionable. Some Casper Facebook users defended Knells post as justified, while others condemned it as unprofessional. Some just said they wished the mayor would tread more carefully. I understand that ideology, Knell said, but I dont think its fair. I am a human being, I am a Christian, I am entitled to my personal opinions that are not necessarily the opinions of the city or the council. Still, Knell admitted, social media has changed the relationship between elected officials and their constituents. Officials have to worry about more public scrutiny, and more opportunities to be misunderstood or taken out of context. And he acknowledges not every member of the public understands when hes speaking as Bruce Knell, Casper mayor, or Bruce Knell the citizen. Sometimes that gives him pause over whether posting on social media is always worth it. But not this time. Before I clicked on the button, I said, Im gonna get backlash for this I know, but weve got to stand for whats right, he said. Casper follows the council-city manager system of local government, where the mayor and vice mayor sit on city council and have no more voting power than other members. In this system, a lot of the administrative duties people usually associate with running a city are delegated to city staff. The main job of council members including the mayor and vice mayor is to set the citys budget and vote on proposed measures. Because of that, the mayor and vice mayor arent directly elected by residents, but chosen by their follow councilors. Thats in contrast to a mayor-council local government, often called the strong mayor system, where mayors are elected directly by residents and dont sit on the council. In that form of government, mayors tend to wield the most power in the city. During his time on council and as mayor, Knells been outspoken about the psychological toll of holding public elected office, especially due to the deluge of public criticism that often comes with it. He doesnt plan to run for office again after his term ends in early 2025. Seven years ago, some Wyoming fisheries biologists found themselves swimming against the current. The Wyoming Game and Fish Departments Cody-area biologists had proposed restoration projects for native Yellowstone cutthroat trout on streams identified as the best places for success, but some vocal members of the public disagreed. We were obviously missing something, said Joe Skorupski, a Cody fisheries biologist who gave a presentation on the topic at the Draper Natural History Museum earlier this month. So the agency regrouped and reorganized, hiring a facilitator and holding public meetings to involve those interested in the process. As a result, the public had buy-in for two projects one on Crandall Creek, an upper tributary to the Clarks Fork Yellowstone River, and East Tensleep Creek, a tributary to the Nowood River in the Bighorn Mountains. Why? Yellowstone cutthroat trout occupy only a fraction of their original habitat portions of Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Utah and Nevada less than half of where they were originally found. Of that, only 17% is considered intact, Skorupski said. The reasons are varied, everything from habitat degradation by historic mining, livestock grazing and logging to overfishing and introduction of nonnative species like brook and rainbow trout that outcompete the natives. But hands down the most impact we see today and challenges that exist are the nonnative trout, Skorupski said, noting that nonnatives like rainbow trout will interbreed with native cutthroats. Brown trout and brookies will eat cutthroats. In the Cody region, Yellowstone cutthroats occupy around 30% of their historic habitat, but only 10% of which is considered secure, Skorupski said. The drop in populations has been so steep that in 1998 the species was petitioned for protection under the Endangered Species Act, but the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service deemed the action was not warranted. Teamwork For its part, WGFD created a cutthroat trout conservation team to identify problems and solutions to restore Yellowstone cutthroats to their traditional range. The aim was to protect the species, its habitat and ecosystems to ensure the fish did not go extinct. The group was guided by the three Rs of conservation: representation, making sure the fishs genetic integrity was protected; resilience, ensuring a population could withstand or rebound from disturbance events such as fires and floods; and redundancy, safeguarding the fish by spreading them out across the landscape. Skorupski pointed to the Greybull River, in the Bighorn Mountains, as a good example of an intact Yellowstone cutthroat trout fishery in Wyoming. But we dont want to say that the Greybull is enough, he said. We want to make sure if something happens in the Greybull, thinking about 100 years forward, (cutthroat are) still going to exist on the landscape across their entire range. Regrouping Based on the guidelines, Wyoming Game and Fish had success restoring cutthroats in the Cody region, including at Dry Medicine Lodge, South Paintrock and Dead Indian creeks. It was when the agency attempted to expand to some other waters that it met headwinds. The Cody Enterprise newspaper summed up the issue, Skorupski said, when its reporter wrote following a 2016 meeting, While the big picture is conserving a native species that is under siege, the remedy met with anger and disappointment. Skorupski said the department recognized it had social challenges which took about three years to overcome through a collaborative process putting the social part of the work at the front end, rather than the back, of the project. The agency learned that the members of the public involved were concerned about diverse fishing opportunities while also protecting existing cutthroat populations, but they wanted to see restoration prioritized in historically occupied habitat. They also wanted the agency to be responsible with how much time and money was invested in the work. The public was especially concerned about the departments end goal, Skorupski said, how far did the agency want to go with the work? How much was enough? End goal In the end, the group identified 16 out of 27 streams that met the criteria for cutthroat conservation work. Of those, seven ranked the highest for meeting social and biological viability. We landed in a really successful spot, Skorupski said. You can bridge biological and social desires. The first goal for WGFD is to restore Yellowstone cutthroat trout populations. Beyond that, however, Skorupski said the agency needs to enhance and maintain watershed health to ensure the fish endure over time. So essentially, were trying to prevent a species from blinking out on the landscape. At Crandall Creek, one of the two streams identified through the public process, WGFD has been working to remove rainbow trout to protect native cutthroats. Its a really big system, interconnected its over 64 miles, Skorupski said. So weve been working on that the last couple of years. For the other project on East Tensleep Creek WGFD has identified a site for a barrier to block fish from going upstream and creating a safe haven for cutthroat. Skorupski said the agency is completing the paperwork for that project. We are seeing declines in that population every single year to the point where were concerned we could lose that population if action is not taken, he said. 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. A PENAL man was called out of his house by someone he knew and was shot and killed on Monday night. A United States bankruptcy judge ordered to stop tens of thousands of talc lawsuits against J&J The decision comes as the company is working on a massive $8.9 billion settlement with the plaintiffs Plaintiffs claim that the attempt has a relatively low chance of being successful A United States bankruptcy judge ordered to halt of tens of thousands of lawsuits against J&J's talc products that alleged they caused cancer. They also ordered the stopping of any trials related to the cases as part of a company subsidiary's second attempt to settle the lawsuits in bankruptcy proceedings. Judge Michael Kaplan's order temporarily suspended most of the litigation during a Trenton, New Jersey, hearing. J&J Talc Lawsuits Halted For the most part, Kaplan's decision would grant a request from J&J to freeze cases as it tries to reach a permanent settlement with current plaintiffs that would also set aside funds to pay anyone who could sue the company later over the same case. The pharmaceutical company said it has broad support for a potential $8.9 billion settlement. It is considered a contention disputed by lawyers who were representing the claimants who oppose it, as per the Straits Times. LTL Management, a J&J subsidiary, was the one who filed for bankruptcy for a second time earlier this month. The move was part of an attempt to finalize the company's latest deal despite a decision by a federal appeals court earlier this January that virtually invalidated its first Chapter 11 filing. In a court hearing on Thursday, Kaplan said that he had more questions than answers regarding the case. His remarks were a reference to arguments that were made to him regarding the second bankruptcy case earlier this week. The bankruptcy judge ordered to halt of roughly 38,000 talc lawsuits consolidated in a federal district court in New Jersey. On the other hand, he allowed other cases to proceed as long as no trial commenced. Read Also: Prosecutors Drop Alec Baldwin's 'Rust' Criminal Charges Working Towards $8.9 Billion Settlement The case comes after J&J spun off LTL Management in 2021 to carry its talc-related liabilities and finally be able to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protections. Now, the pharmaceutical company, thanks to Kaplan's order, will not have to go to trial over any other talc claims, according to CNBC. However, new lawsuits can still be filed against the company to sue them for potential damages caused by the alleged side effects of the products. Kaplan noted that J&J faces an "uphill battle" over the issue. The judge's ordered pause will give the pharmaceutical company enough time to complete its settlement attempt with the plaintiffs. Following the announcement of J&J's massive settlement plan, it noted that it plans to bring the plan to bankruptcy court in the middle of May. The opposition to company's bid for a stay was opposed by two groups of cancer plaintiffs as well as the United States Department of Justice's bankruptcy watchdog. They argued that it was simply a fraudulent attempt to avoid an earlier court ruling and that their second attempt had little chance of success, said Reuters. Related Article: White House Slams Kevin McCarthy's Debt Ceiling Proposal @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Port of Spain Mayor Joel Martinez intends to ask for an investigation as to why it is with t IMPLEMENTING WIN-WIN INITIATIVES: Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley speaks to US Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago Candace Bond on Tuesday, the second day of the two-day Regional Symposium: Violence as a Public Health IssueThe Caricom Challenge, at the Hyatt Regency hotel, Port of Spain. 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. On a quiet sidewalk in a peaceful neighborhood in Green Valley, there is a hand-made, hand-painted Little Free Library that is filled with books. Lots of books. All kinds of books, from Dean Koontz and Robert Ludlum to Lisa Genova and John Gray. Next to the book box is a simple, yellow metal bench, and together they tell you everything you need to know about the work being done inside. Meet Linda Laird, and welcome to the home of a remarkable initiative called Books for Classrooms. Founded by a handful of community volunteers just 3 years ago, Books for Classrooms has already donated some 50,000 books to Pima County schools. When we first started, Im not sure people thought a few old ladies from Green Valley could really do this, the 81-year-old Laird confessed. Im not sure we did, either, but good ideas make friends. And we now have a lot of great friends to help us. Laird has never been far from books or education. Her former husband, David Laird, built the University of Arizona Library and later the UAs Center for Creative Photography. She is even a published author, Laird laughingly admits. Her history of Kansas grain elevators was published in 2012. But Laird was simply being a community do-gooder when she walked a picket line with striking Arizona school teachers in 2018. A couple of friends and I wanted to stand up for the teachers, she recalled, so we grabbed a red T-shirt and a sign and walked with them a few times. One day a teacher told us there were no books in her classroom. A former librarian told us her school no longer had a library. Can you believe it? Schools without books? We all agreed somebody should do something. We decided we should do something. In short, they wanted to get books into the hands of children, but how could they do that? Where would they even start? Fortunately, they soon learned, Green Valley is rich with retired teachers and librarians eager to help. A core group of four to five women quickly became 10. They spent months researching possible strategies, identifying potential donors, learning the ins and outs of the book business, and recruiting allies within local schools. One early stop was at World of Words, the research center for childrens books at UAs College of Education. Another was a meeting with Dustin Williams, superintendent of schools in Pima County. He was hugely supportive, Laird recalled. Not only did he encourage us, he introduced us to people who could help. In time, Laird and her group of volunteers registered as a 5013 nonprofit and unveiled plans to provide high-quality, age-appropriate, demographically appropriate books to Title I public schools in Pima County. Their mantra: all children deserve to see themselves in books, no matter where theyre from or what they look like. Their focus: those demographic communities that are traditionally underfunded and always under-represented in the mainstream of childrens literature. We found a study done five years ago by the University of Wisconsin, Laird explained. It showed that only 1% of all the books published in North America each year depict characters who are Indigenous. Only 5% are Hispanic, 10% Black. We want those kids to see themselves in books, too. Books for Classrooms developed book lists for 18 target audiences, including children with disabilities, subdivided by age group and each book vetted by a program volunteer. In 2019, Books for Classrooms began offering these books to local school teachers, and the first delivery was made that September: 337 books to Wrightson Ridge School in Sahuarita. That was a big, big day for sure, Laird recalls. It didnt really hit home, though, until we began getting letters from the teachers and kids who got the books. Thats when we knew we were making a difference. Books for Classroom has since made similar visits to dozens of schools throughout Pima County, including Ajo and Sells. The program has grown quickly, from the 2,000 books it delivered in 2019-20 to nearly 25,000 this year. The budget has grown from who knows? to $300,000. The organizations family of funders now includes such local heavyweights as the United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona, the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona and Desert Diamond Casino. Still, Books for Classrooms feels a lot like the Little Free Library it was on Day One. The warehouse is a room in Lairds home. The loading dock is cleverly disguised as her carport. Volunteers still screen the books, review requests, package the orders and deliver them to schools themselves. Were up to 40 or 45 regulars, but we all work from home and we all do it for free, Laird said. Every penny we receive goes to buying books. Lets just say they are getting plenty of bang for their bucks with books. Laird was asked how Southern Arizonans might help her and her friends reach more of our young readers. Even with the structure we have, we could probably deliver twice as many books as we do if we had more money to spend, she said. But we also need more volunteers, not just on the book side but the technology side. Wed love to have our website redone. Having a real social media person would be great. And were always open to new ideas. To donate, volunteer or learn more about Books for Classrooms, visit the organizations website: BooksForClassrooms.org. FOOTNOTES There is always a link to Green Valley, but friends of friends have played a key role in the growth of Books for Classrooms. The groups grant writer lives in Prescott. The website was designed in Connecticut; the social media accounts were set up in Dubai. The organizations annual meeting is an open house at Lairds home during the holidays. The UA Poetry Center will present poets Michael Wasson and Jennifer Elise Foerster in its last regular program of the year on Thursday, April 27. It will begin at 7 p.m. To learn more, visit poetry.arizona.edu. The United States must transform its military to counter an increasing strategic threat from China especially its moves to dominate outer space and its nuclear-weapon buildup, the head of the Air Force said during an event this week in Tucson. China is emerging as a third world superpower after a military buildup that began in the 1990s and has accelerated in recent years, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said Wednesday at a meeting of the Tucson Committee on Foreign Relations. Kendall, whose 50-year military career has included senior roles at the Pentagon and at defense contractors, said that after returning to the Defense Department as deputy undersecretary for acquisition, technology and logistics in 2010, he was alarmed by the intelligence he saw on China. I looked at the intelligence on what the Chinese military was doing, what systems they were requiring, and it became very obvious to me that they had embarked on a program to deny the United States the ability to project power in the Western Pacific, said Kendall, who was named Secretary of the Air Force in July 2021. Kendall traced the roots of the Chinese military buildup to the Gulf War in 1991, when the U.S. and its allies crushed Iraqs forces with with the help of technology including precision-guided munitions, stealth aircraft and networked systems. No one was paying more attention than China they realized they had to change, he told about 100 attendees at the councils event at the Tucson Country Club. As Chinas economy grew and more resources became available, Chinese military planners set about building weapons aimed at countering Americas ability to project its power, including long-range missiles and anti-satellite weapons. They observed that our way of projecting power was dependent upon a relatively small number or high-value aircraft carriers, forward air bases, satellites, and logistics and control nodes, and if they could successfully attack those, they could generally be very, very harmful, Kendall said. To counter Chinas moves, the U.S. must modernize not only its weaponry, but its operational approach to warfare, Kendall said, adding that many of the nations legacy defense systems date back to the Cold War. The way we fight would not be hard for Dwight Eisenhower to understand we still field the same types of the things the same type of way, in general, he said. As a result, the U.S. is falling behind peer adversaries like China, which is investing heavily in new technologies on the ground and in space. The answer, Kendall said, is the so-called Third Offset Strategy a concept developed during the Obama Administration in 2014 to use innovation and technology to counter advances made by top adversaries to win a war, or deter one. Previous Cold War offset strategies include the development of a nuclear deterrence force in the 1950s and the development of advanced intelligence platforms, improved precision-guided weapons, stealth technology and space-based military communications and navigation in the 1970s and 1980s. Kendall said he worked on the Third Offset strategy as defense undersecretary before leaving the Pentagon in 2017, and a next-generation warfare strategy is needed now more than ever. We understood that things like the ability to act from further away, the ability to provide more quality at lower costs, were part of the equation, but we didnt really find a way to operationalize that, he said. Now, Kendall said he is working to finish the job at the Air Force amid new peer threats. A good example, he said, is the U.S. Space Force, which was established in 2019 to manage and operate the space-based assets including military satellites, satellite launches and the Global Positioning Satellite system. Kendall, who spoke earlier in the day at a Space Foundations Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, Colorado, before flying to the evening event in Tucson, said he is focused on modernizing the Space Force and the nations military space assets, citing Chinese advances and the decades-long history of scientific space exploration by NASA. My short description is, were a nation that had a Merchant Marine and we woke up one day and decided we needed a Navy, he said. We need a Space Force because space is now a very contested environment. To further Air Force modernization efforts, Kendall and other senior officials have developed a list of operational imperatives needed to succeed. At the top of the list is a Space Order of Battle which includes developing resilient satellite fleets and technologies to defeat adversaries military space capabilities. It is defining the future of battles the United States will have in space, to jump away from the things weve traditionally depended on, which are very big, expensive satellites in small numbers, and get to things that are much more survivable, such as constellations of much smaller satellites, Kendall said. Among the other operational imperatives, Kendall highlighted the Next Generation Air Dominance program, which envisions a family of systems including a manned aircraft platform and unmanned aircraft, controlled by the manned platform or the F-35. Kendall said the fifth-generation F-35 is the best fighter in the world and will remain so for years to come. Its not just about the airplane, weve got to have other capabilities as well, he said. Weve got to get to the next generation, we cant be complacent. Other Air Force operating imperatives include improvements in air-base resiliency, moving-target engagement, global strike capabilities, advanced battle-management systems and combat readiness. Chinas aggression toward Taiwan and its buildup of its nuclear forces are also major concerns, Kendall said. Neither China nor the U.S. want to start a war, he said, but his main concern is a miscalculation could start a war. One side could misjudge the other and do something that triggers a conflict nobody really wants, Kendall said. PHOENIX State Attorney General Kris Mayes is accusing the Arizona Department of Water Resources of not doing its job to protect groundwater. In a letter to department director Tom Buschatzke made public Friday, Mayes said ADWR has been required by law since 1980 to determine if there should be new active management areas where legal restrictions are imposed on the withdrawal and use of groundwater. This statutory requirement recognizes that groundwater conditions in a particular area are dynamic, and groundwater management should adopt to meet those ever-changing circumstances, the attorney general wrote. Unfortunately, while groundwater circumstances have changed greatly since 1980, ADWR appears not to have engaged in the analysis of potential new AMAs to adjust to those changes. Mayes acknowledged the department has studied the Upper San Pedro River Basin twice to see if restrictions are necessary. But two studies of a single basis in a 40-year period does not satisfy the statutory duty, she told Buschatzke. Neither Buschatzke nor Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs, who agreed to keep him on as the state water director after she succeeded Republican Gov. Doug Ducey in January, would comment. Saudi pumping controversy The move comes as Mayes is in a separate dispute, at least in part with her fellow Democrat Hobbs, over the lease of state land to Fondomonte, a Saudi firm that pumps groundwater to grow alfalfa on the property in La Paz County to feed cattle in Saudi Arabia. Saudi law precludes the growing of alfalfa, which is considered too water-demanding for the desert. Mayes campaigned last year on a promise to cancel the lease along with the right to withdraw groundwater from the La Paz County property, which is outside any active management area. But Hobbs, who inherited the lease when she took office in January, said thats not legally possible. Its a very complex issue, and not something that the AG has the authority to, frankly, do on her own, the governor told reporters in late January. Its a complicated lease that we cant just end. Mayes has said she believes the use of state-leased farmland, and the withdrawal of groundwater there, are illegal. Hobbs has not gone that far, saying during her State of the State speech in January that the lease results from a water poaching loophole and urging lawmakers to address the problem. Our groundwater should be used to support Arizonans, not foreign business interests, Hobbs said. Mayes takes reporter up in state plane In the meantime, however, Mayes has kept up the political pressure, including at least one interview near Fondomontes property with CBS News, where she took the networks reporter and videographer up in a state-owned airplane to survey the site. That interview aired Thursday. Mayes, in a written statement, said this was her first official visit to the area as attorney general after taking office in January. I felt it was necessary to get out to Butler Valley and see the situation on state trust land for myself, she said. The attorney general called it scandalous and of utmost importance to the public that the private company is able to withdraw unlimited amounts of groundwater from the area. As to the use of the state plane, Mayes said it is a long-standing practice for elected officials to take reporters along on trips like this. And, in the interest of public transparency, I will continue to do so, she said. Even as that dispute with Hobbs simmers, Mayes said she did get a victory of sorts. She said she got the state Land Department, also under the governors control, to withdraw its request that ADWR allow Fondomonte to drill two new high-capacity wells in La Paz County. She blamed Buschatzkes department for issuing the permits last August in the first place, given that the wells of others in the area are drying up and there is land subsidence in La Paz County. In a separate letter to Buschatzke also made public Friday, Mayes issued a warning of sorts to him. At a minimum, I believe that ADWR should closely scrutinize new applications for wells by Fondomonte in light of this information, she wrote. My office will be monitoring the ADWR well permit portal going forward. Mayes invited Buschatzke to tell her of any other studies that have been done to comply with the law. If you believe that ADWR has been unable to comply with the statutory requirement, please let me know why ADWR (has) been unable to do so, she said. Colorado River water transfers In her communications with Buschatzke, Mayes is doing more than criticizing what she said is his departments failure to determine if additional areas of the state need the protection of active management areas. She said hedge funds and perhaps other financial firms and speculators have started to purchase land near the Colorado River and the water rights that go with the properties. These owners are anticipated to seek to transfer those water rights off-river, she said. Mayes said the Department of Water Resources is not doing what she believes is required to police the issue. She cited the departments September 2020 recommendation to the U.S. Interior Department to approve one such transfer from a farm owned in the Cibola Valley near the Colorado River to Queen Creek in the Phoenix area. That same day, she said, ADWR put into effect a new policy to govern future water transfers. She said state law gives ADWR an overarching duty to formulate plans and develop programs for the development, management, conservation and use of water, including the management of water quantity and quality. Yet, when ADWR approved the Queen Creek transfer, it appeared to consider that transfer in isolation and to ignore the cumulative effect that other anticipated transfers might have, Mayes told Buschatzke. She said he told her in a meeting that the new policy allows his department to consider those cumulative effects of water transfers. But Mayes said she sees nothing in the policy that would require ADWR to do that. After dozens of vetoes, Gov. Katie Hobbs finally crossed a line, angering Republicans, some fellow Democrats and a good portion of the public. Simply put, you dont cross the tamale ladies. HB 2509 was one of 11 bills that Hobbs vetoed Tuesday, bringing her total to a record 62 for the session. Many of those vetoes were not surprising, given that shes a Democratic governor often working at cross-purposes to the Legislature, with its slim Republican majorities. She has vetoed a couple of other bills that passed with large bipartisan majorities, as well. But HB 2509 was the first one that broad swaths of the public could personally relate to. It created a framework for people who sell foods made in their homes, which is illegal in many cases, to get good with the law. It required them to get trained in food handling and earn a certificate, as well as to label the foods with their ingredients, production date and other information. The veto struck a never because so many of us have bought tamales, tortillas, cakes or other cottage foods from vendors selling on the street or out of their homes. Or weve sold them ourselves. Thats what made this veto relatable and objectionable enough to provoke a possible override. The bill was by Republican state Rep. Travis Grantham, of Gilbert. One of its key supporters, in the aftermath of the veto, has been Tucson Democratic Rep. Alma Hernandez. She has the benefit of being from a family that sold cakes to help make ends meet, and of having a masters degree in public health. Public health was the reason Hobbs cited to justify the veto. This bill would significantly increase the risk of food-borne illness by expanding the ability of cottage food vendors to sell high-risk foods, her veto letter said. She also noted that the bill does not provide a strong enough mechanism to ensure home kitchens are free of hazardous chemicals, rodent or insect infestation. That last phrase annoyed Hernandez especially. Most of the people who sell these products are from the Latino community, she said. To imply our kitchens are rodent-infested is really offensive. Legislative leaders have said theyre planning to try to override the veto of HB 2509 next week. If it succeeds, it would be the first successful override since 1981. But what of the other bills with significant bipartisan majorities that Hobbs also vetoed? SB 1166, sponsored by Rep. Steve Kaiser, would have prohibited the state government from requiring that job applicants have post-secondary degrees unless the job requires such degrees. It passed in the House by 58-0, with two abstentions, but only passed the Senate by 17-11, with two abstentions. In other words, the Senate margin was not enough to override a veto. SB 1248, sponsored by Sen. T.J. Shope would have repealed a regulatory process required of health professions that are expanding their scope. Certified nurse anesthetists, for example, had to go through this process and fight anesthesiologists to gain some rights to practice in Arizona Its a strictly legislative process, and Shopes bill passed the House by 42-18 and the Senate by 21-9. But Hobbs vetoed the bill, in what Shope viewed as a nod to the interests of physicians and an insult to the Legislature. All three of the bills would fit within the broad category of deregulation, and SB 1166 has some salience to the broader public. It would potentially open up new opportunities in state jobs to people without college degrees. But only the tamale lady has that cross-cultural, multi-partisan appeal that could make it the first veto override in four decades. Engel to run in CD6 again Kirsten Engel, the Tucson Democrat who lost narrowly in the 2022 congressional election, has become the first Democrat to file her intent to run for the office again next year. Republican Juan Ciscomani beat Engel by 5,232 votes, or about 1.5 percentage points, in the 2022 general election for the new Congressional District 6. That district encompasses much of the eastern and northern part of the Tucson area, stretching northwest to Casa Grande and southeast to the border with New Mexico. In a fundraising announcement, Engel painted Ciscomani as rolling back womens rights, ignoring climate change, and putting big corporations ahead of working families. Engel, a law professor at the University of Arizona, specializes in environmental law. She served in the state House and Senate before resigning to run for Congress. Ciscomani starts the race with a big fundraising advantage. As of the end of March, he had almost $1 million on hand, whereas Engel, who had not announced yet, had just over $2,000. No Labels exists, sort of You may have heard that the No Labels Party has won the right to compete on the 2024 Arizona ballot. But it doesnt really exist. Its true the Arizona Secretary of States office has confirmed it received enough signatures to compete in the election. But No Labels doe not exist yet in any state records. There is no filing to establish the party. There are no fundraising records. There are no officers. If there are any members, they are keeping well hidden. This is part of the reason for the Arizona Democratic Partys lawsuit contesting the partys recognition: Although No Labels has been granted the right to compete, it doesnt formally exist in Arizona. It is simply a 501 (4) nonprofit corporation based in Washington D.C. This tax category is the one that allows organizations to accept dark money, and its primary purpose cannot be political participation. Its a curious situation with big possible consequences for Arizona. Democrats fear that if enough centrist voters cast ballots for No Labels, it will throw Arizonas presidential contest to the Republican candidate. PHOENIX The state Court of Appeals has upheld a ruling declaring a lawsuit filed by the Arizona Republican Party after the 2020 election to be groundless and filed in bad faith, ordering the party to pay legal fees. In a ruling late Thursday, the three-judge panel said Maricopa County Superior Court Judge John Hannah Jr. was correct in tossing the demand by the GOP that a legally required post-election hand count audit of ballots be done by precinct. Appellate Judge Michael Brown said it was clear the Election Procedures Manual specifically allowed Maricopa County to use vote centers, where a voter may cast their ballot at any location rather than only in their home precinct. The manual, which has the force of law, was prepared by the Secretary of States Office and approved in 2019 by both then-Gov. Doug Ducey and then-Attorney General Mark Brnovich. Brown also said even if the Republican Party thought the manual conflicted with state law, the time to file suit was before the election. Instead, he noted, the party went to court not only after the election in which Democrat Joe Biden defeated Republican Donald Trump in the presidential race but after the audit was complete. The judges agreed with Hannah that the lawsuit was groundless and brought in bad faith so the party is liable to the Secretary of States Office for the $18,238 in legal fees it racked up, as well as for any additional costs incurred in the appeal. In a written statement, a state GOP official said the party was surprised by the decision and will discuss the next steps with attorneys. The issue stems from the legally required random hand count of ballots. That procedure has officials from both parties select a batch of ballots and races within those ballots to determine if the machine tallies match the counts done by humans. In all cases, the match was 100%. But attorney Jack Wilenchik, representing the Republican Party, said the law requires the audits be conducted at 2% of voting precincts. Maricopa County, and six other counties, use voting centers where any individual can go to cast a ballot. So the audit was conducted at 2% of these vote centers. Wilenchik argued that was illegal and sought to hold up the formal canvass of the election results. In his 2021 ruling, however, Hannah said that when legislators allowed counties to establish vote centers, they also gave the secretary of state the power, through the official Election Procedures Manual, to allow audits in that method. On the timing issue, the judge said it was inexcusable the party filed suit three days after Maricopa County publicly announced results of the hand count. But what really provoked Hannah was the partys admission that public mistrust following this election motivated this lawsuit. The plaintiff is effectively admitting that the suit was brought primarily for an improper purpose, the judge wrote. It is saying that it filed this lawsuit for political reasons. Public mistrust is a political issue, not a legal or factual basis for litigation. Joe Biden pledges $500 million to help Brazil combat its deforestation issues The Democratic leader also plans to increase American funding for developing countries to fight climate change The plans were made public during a virtual meeting that involved the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate United States President Joe Biden committed $500 million to help Brazil curb its deforestation issues as part of the Democratic leader's ongoing fight against climate change. Biden also announces plans to increase the funding of the American government to assist developing countries in staving off global warming. The plans were made public during a virtual meeting of the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate. Joe Biden Pledges $500 Million To Amazon Fund The American president urged his international counterparts to become ambitious in setting objectives to reduce global emissions and to meet a target of limiting overall global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. In a statement, Biden said that we are now at great peril but argued that it was also filled with great possibilities. He said that with the exemplary commitment and follow-through from every country who attended the call, the objective of limiting global warming could be made a reality, as per Reuters. Based on data released by the White House, the countries that are part of the forum make up roughly 80% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions and a global gross domestic product. The meeting held on Thursday was already the fourth gathering of the group under Biden's presidency. The Democratic leader also announced that the U.S. government would contribute $1 billion to the Green Climate Fund, which funds projects related to clean energy and climate change resilience within developing countries. Biden said that the impacts of climate change worldwide are mostly felt by the people who have contributed the least to the issue, including developing nations. He added that large economies, considered large emitters, must step up to the plate and support these global economies. Read Also: Yellen Urges US, China to Work Together on Urgent Global Challenges America's Contribution To Fight Climate Change The United States government's $500 million pledge to Brazil will be delivered over the next five years and make America one of the largest donors to the Amazon Fund conservation program. The Democratic leader considered forests a "key to our future" and added that if these natural resources are lost, they cannot be gained back quite so easily, according to the New York Times. However, the pledge would still have to be passed by Congress, where GOP lawmakers have been overwhelmingly opposed to international climate assistance. Republicans have made it significantly difficult for Biden to deliver on his climate change promises of helping poorer nations address the issue. The Amazon Fund is a conservation program that utilizes international funds for projects that seek to curb deforestation and preserve the environment in the Amazon jungle. The program was set up in Brazil during President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's first term in office. Under former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro's rule, the Amazon fund was left alone. In contrast, former environmental minister Ricardo Salles worked to dissolve committees responsible for managing the funds, said CNN. Related Article: El Nino Return May Raise Risk of Record Temperatures Globally @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Water conservation Ironic the newspaper has a number of suggestions on water conservation. Meanwhile, we see code changes for smaller lots, obtaining building or well permits easier. Remember Gov. Ducey pledging farmers millions to dig wells deeper to suck more water out of aquifers. A 169-unit project on Cortaro Road is being built. Arizona approved smaller lots to build casitas. Legislators want to lower corporate taxes to entice companies to Arizona. Leaders want a list of pre-designed casitas for people to choose, making it easier and less costly to purchase and build. They want to lower the $120,000 to $200,000 price to build, so low-income people can participate. Question, how many low-income people have a lot big enough, or can afford the money for a casita? These are our leaders suggestions, ideas on how to save water in Arizona. You think they dont know we have a water shortage? Arizona is going to get $250 million to give up some of our water. Are we supposed to drink it? Jose Salgado Northeast side Competing ideas on choice Pro-choice advocates for the freedom of a woman to determine if she wants to bear a child or not. Pro-life advocates for the idea that life should be respected from conception to natural death. Clearly the freedom to be ones supreme advocate for ones own body is a necessary right. Conversely, the right to demand that all humans respect human life is undeniable. Generally speaking, both sides of the debate recognize each others viewpoint, but the degree of respect for the others view is where the friction starts in earnest. I would like to advocate for the idea that using abortion as a means of birth control when used multiple times is clearly a demonstration of wanton disregard of life and should therefore be considered a crime, and make the people involved subject to criminal trial. If the accused can demonstrate its necessity before a jury, so be it. Otherwise, penalties could be imposed. Competing ideas for compromise are here-by solicited. Vincent Allen Northwest side Trump news Since Trump announced, that he would be indicted, news media have been speculating breathlessly. Newsflash: Trump thrives on media attention. As long as people talk about him and think about him, he has influence. When the media report on what he says, on what he posts on his blog, and speculates on what he may or may not say, on what he may or may not do, Trump gets attention that empowers his influence. Media attention fuels a trumpster fire that few can resist looking at. Responsible reporters and pundits who want this alleged criminal to be accountable through our system of justice must stop speculating on his every word and action, and let the system do its function in the dispassionate, objective way it is designed to work. Bruce Joffe South Tucson Bodily autonomy Do these smug Republican legislators not hear what they say? Republican members of the Arizona Senate recently passed, along party lines, Senate Bill 1250. The House had previously passed a similar bill, also along party lines. These bills dictate that employers can be fined if they require employees to get certain vaccines, if an employee requests an exemption based on religious belief. In the discussion prior to the Senate vote, Mesa Republican Justin Heap said, I believe its my body, my choice, and the employer has no interest in what I do with my own body, to laughter and applause from Republican colleagues. Bodily autonomy for vaccines, yes; for abortion, no! Thankfully, Gov. Hobbs has said she will veto any bill passed along party lines. Come November 2024, please vote these Republicans out (are you paying attention to the bills the Republican-controlled Legislature has been proposing and/or passing, District 17 voters?). Randy Garmon North side Kolb widening Hats off to the landscape crew and designers for the work on the Kolb Road widening. Thank you for going an extra step to add wildflowers. The poppies, penstemon, etc. Im sure they bring joy to all who pass by. That extra step in my opinion reaps huge rewards. I have yet to see a single piece of litter tossed out on this gorgeous roadway. Sue Lebby Foothills Perversion of law The GOP has adopted the Trump strategy of undermining the rule of law and winning by any means necessary. The strategy works by flooding the public square with misinformation and performance art to undermine the truth and legal authority. That is what Jim Jordan is up to in New York. He has no legal authority over a state prosecutor, but he pretends he does. Jordan is trying to plant an alternative narrative before the law can act. As a result of such actions, there are now two spheres of reality operating in the country: the first is the rule of law, the only thing that holds this diverse republic together; the second is abasing the rule of law to undermine democracy and capture power. Thats called autocracy. Roberta Jensen The following is the opinion and analysis of the writer: Jeanne Clery was raped and murdered in her bed by a fellow student at Lehigh University in 1986. As Lehighs president, I worked with Jeannes parents and others to design a campus memorial to honor their beautiful daughter. It also seemed important for us to understand how this could happen in such an apparently safe environment. What went wrong? Where is the accountability? At root, the president bears that responsibility, which was quickly and openly acknowledged, but both the parents and the Lehigh community needed better answers. Jeannes assailant was a popular sophomore from Newark who unaccountably boasted of his crime to his shocked roommates. They turned him into the authorities promptly, but not before he had joined his little brother (a high school senior) at the Presidents House for a minority student recruiting event the evening after the murder. As frustrations and recriminations grew, Jeannes parents took their concerns public. Lehigh University and her president were vilified on one of Americas most popular national television interview shows of that era. Any attempt to offer a public defense seemed unkind, so we just absorbed the criticism. I attended Jeannes memorial service, bracing myself for the indictments, both personal and professional, coming directly from her father, including the false declarations that Jeannes murderer was less academically qualified for admission than his victim. First, the Pennsylvania state Legislature and then the United States Congress passed Clery Laws, which require all universities to publish annual reports on campus crime. Even today, the University of Arizona files such annual reports, which can be quite detailed. Almost 16 years later, three members of the University of Arizona Nursing faculty were shot to death by a deranged student, who then took his own life. We were all living in the shadows of the 9/11 disaster, and as the University of Arizona president, I tried to calm the fears of the community while sharing their grief. How could this happen? The University of Arizona campus is an open, public space, virtually impossible to lock down. With as many as 50,000 people on campus for the university president to oversee, genuinely feeling responsible for their public safety, that president can no more prevent all crime on campus than the mayor of Casa Grande can keep his city of the same size free of crime. Nonetheless, both mayors and university presidents feel a profound responsibility for public safety. While every act of public violence elicits a response intended to improve public safety, the national reaction to the unprecedented assault on New Yorks World Trade Center was most dramatic. At the University of Arizona, we created campus-wide response teams with training protocols and practice sessions. We were spared the violence that flared on many campuses in this critical time, but over the span of 24 years in two university presidencies, I have had to deal with murder and suicide as the most painful aspects of the job. Even now, well into my retirement at 86, I suffer for my colleagues and their families in these tragic moments of mortal violence. At the University of Arizona, we recently lost to senseless murder a distinguished and beloved member of our faculty, Professor Tom Meixner, in a violent crime that, in retrospect, surely could have been avoided. How could this have happened? Why is campus violence still such a serious problem? I am so consumed with sadness and anger about these questions that Im not the best source of answers. As a country, we cant even agree on sensible gun safety regulations or mental health protocols to reduce violence in America. How can we address problems of violence on campus when we havent yet found the wisdom or the courage to face the larger problems of murder in America? MORRISVILLE, Vt. (AP) Vermont police searched Friday for a man they say exchanged gunfire with a Morristown police officer, leaving the officer with minor injuries. Schools in the area closed Friday and police urged local businesses and residents to use caution while the search continues for the suspect. State police say the incident began about 8:45 p.m. on Thursday when a local officer responded to a complaint of a kidnapping and a domestic disturbance. When the officer got there, he recognized the man from previous interactions. Police said the man started shooting at the officer almost the moment he arrived at the home. Police couldn't find the suspect Thursday night. They say he has a gun, but don't think he has access to a vehicle. They think he's somewhere near the location where the shooting took place, near the downtown of the village of Morrisville. It's located within the town of Morristown, a community of about 5,500, located 20 miles northwest of the Vermont capital of Montpelier. Police didn't specify what the officer's injuries were, or if he was shot, saying only that the injuries were minor, and that he was released from a local hospital. SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) A man caused a disturbance at a checkpoint at the Burlington International Airport and assaulted a police officer after he was taken into custody for refusing to leave, police said. The 63-year-old man became agitated and disruptive at the Transportation Security Administration checkpoint Wednesday after his hands were swabbed during a routine security procedure. police said. The checkpoint had to be closed briefly. Police and South Burlington Fire Department personnel tried to calm the man and offered him medical care, which he refused, police said. Airport officials said the man would not be allowed to fly and needed to leave the airport, which he refused to do, police said. He was taken into custody for unlawful trespass and disorderly conduct and transported to police headquarters. A judge ordered that the man be released with conditions. The man then refused to leave the holding area and assaulted an officer, police said. He then tried to kick and bite officers and head-butted a fire department employee as they attempted to take him to the University of Vermont Medical Center for a mental health evaluation, police said. He was admitted to the hospital. When Tiffany Taylor was helping develop the menu for Freya: Nordic Kitchen, the last restaurant where she served as executive chef, she had to be convinced to include a steak among the offerings. I really didnt think it was appropriate for what we were doing there, Taylor recalled. But Tulsa is a town that loves its steak, so I ended up having one steak on the menu. Taylor laughed, then said, And just look where I am now. Taylor was sitting at one of the white-clothed tables in the dining area of The Hemingway, the restaurant she now serves as executive chef. It feels a little like Ive gone over to the dark side, she said. Freya was all this blond wood and white walls and bright light. I go from that to here, where its all dark woods, low lighting, underground. But I love it. Under Taylors guidance, Freya: Nordic Kitchen, a concept of Justin Thompson Restaurants based around the cuisines of Scandinavia, was named the Best New Restaurant of 2022 by the Tulsa World. It was the only establishment reviewed that year to earn five-star ratings for its food, service and ambience. The Hemingway, coincidentally, was the close runner-up for Best New Restaurant last year. The Hemingway is a concept of Watershed Hospitality, whose other restaurants include Kilkennys Irish Pub, Nolas Creole and Cocktails and Alley Cat Ranch. Taylor officially took over as executive chef in January of this year after spending a couple of months working with the former chef du cuisine Carla Cousins to get to know the restaurant, her colleagues and the clientele. And she is readying her first major changes to The Hemingways menu, which will be available in early May. Were going to be offering about 10 brand new items, and we will be making changes to about five other dishes, Taylor said. Among the new dishes is what will likely be billed as Fancy Fish Fingers, but are in fact a twist on crab cakes, served with a remoulade sauce. When I first met with Brett (Rehorn, owner of Watershed Hospitality) and the others about this job, I asked what their vision of the menu was, Taylor said. One of the things they said was they liked the juxtaposition of high-brow and low-brow, and I knew that was something I could latch onto. The Fancy Fish Fingers are an example of that, she said. Brett said something about wanting crab cakes on the menu, and I thought this would be a nice way to play off that. There is a little whimsy to just about everything we do. We like to take things that are super familiar, then turn them on a 45-degree angle. The new menu will also feature a steak tartare topped with an egg yolk and accompanied by a black garlic aioli, horseradish cream and house-made potato chips; a 14-oz. strip steak served with a creamy chimichurri; and a citrus tart with a blood-orange gel and mojito meringue. Taylor said the new menu will also include more non-steak items, including a revamped salmon preparation and a second fish entree. Yes, this is an upscale place with the word steakhouse in the name, but we dont want it to be a place people only go for special occasions, Taylor said. I have friends who will go to a chain steakhouse once a week, but may come here only for a birthday or anniversary. We want to change that attitude. Taylor is a graduate of the culinary program at Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology; one of her first jobs after graduation was at Southern Hills Country Club. She later worked for Justin Thompson at his flagship restaurant, Juniper, then spent some time at Torero Bar & Kitchen, and worked for a while in Las Vegas. In 2017, Taylor began working for Pioneer Woman Ree Drummond, as the on-site caterer for the production crew for Drummonds TV program, working there full-time for two years when the birth of Taylors child required her to cut back her work schedule. When the crew filming Killers of the Flower Moon arrived in Osage County, Taylor got the job to be the private chef for director Martin Scorsese. She also operated her own catering business, Counter Culture Gourmet, but because I had not worked a great deal for restaurant groups, a lot of people had no idea who I was, or what I could do. That was what led me to approach Justin about a job, and it just so happened that Freya was in the works. Taylor spent months immersing herself in the cuisines of Sweden, Norway and Denmark, whose culinary traditions were unknown to her, to help create the Freya menu. But the grind of 16-hour days quickly took its toll on Taylor, physically and emotionally. There is a lot of talk in the restaurant business about caring for peoples mental wellness and finding a good work-life balance, she said. But this industry is very slow about making changes. I figured that, over the course of one three-week period, I had been able to spend five hours with my child. If I was going to devote 80 to 100 hours a week to something in my life, Id want it to be to my family. But I also need to provide for that family, so I started looking around. One of the reasons why the job at The Hemingway appealed to her was that it served dinner only and is open six days a week. Its really great that you dont have to worry about lunch service, Taylor said. Or the dreaded B word (brunch). Still, there was a bit of a learning curve. Taylor recalled that when she first looked through the kitchen, there were only about six different spices in the dry goods area, and I thought, What am I going to do here? because I love experimenting with different spices and flavor combinations. We were wanting to offer a different chicken entree, and I came up with the quail dish that was a little over the top, Taylor said. I remember bringing it out and realizing that this dish just wasnt right for this space. Fortunately, were thinking about hosting wine dinners, and that will be a chance for us to get a little wild and do some unusual things, she said. Taylor also has another goal she hopes to achieve for The Hemingway. I did say, when I was interviewing here, that the food at Freya got five stars (from the Tulsa World), while The Hemingway got four and a half stars, she said. So Im thinking you (the Tulsa World) should try us again, so we can earn that extra half-star. Tornadoes plowed through Oklahoma during another deadly spring storm in the U.S., killing at least three people and damaging dozens of homes in a hard-hit rural town. Forecasters warned Thursday that more severe weather was still possible. A day after at least eight tornadoes spun through Oklahoma, Gov. Kevin Stitt said authorities were still assessing the scale of destruction and injuries. He toured the aftermath in Shawnee, where nearly every building on the campus of Oklahoma Baptist University showed damage. A home improvement store was destroyed, but several people sheltering inside survived. Two long-term care facilities and a hospital were also damaged there. The damage is unbelievable when you walk through there, Stitt said after touring the city. Stitt also toured the small town of Cole, where he said two people died and 50 to 100 homes were damaged. Authorities said a third person who was injured had also died, but it was not immediately clear where that person was injured. There are definitely dozens of various injuries, from minor all the way up to fatalities, said Deputy Sheriff Scott Gibbons of McClain County, the county south of Oklahoma City where Cole is located. Deadly storms this spring have killed dozens of people across a wide swath of country. More bad weather was possible Thursday night with the main potential being scattered large hail and damaging winds from Texas to Wisconsin, said meteorologist Jeremy Grams with the National Weather Services Storm Prediction Center. There was also the potential for tornadoes in Illinois and Wisconsin, the NWS said. Gibbons told television station KOCO that one victim in McClain County, where Cole is located, is a 66-year-old man. Employees of a pizza restaurant in Shawnee said they took shelter in the walk-in freezer, and when they emerged, parts of the roof and shattered windows littered the parking lot. There was a lot commotion. People were starting to get a little frantic, said Bekah Inman, general manager of a Papa Johns Pizza in Shawnee, speaking to Oklahoma television station KOCO. At Oklahoma Baptist University, sophomore Kennedy Houchin hid in a storm shelter with about 30 other people. When she was finally able to safely leave after about two hours, she saw the devastation the tornadoes had left on campus and elsewhere in Shawnee: downed trees, flipped cars and buildings with gaping holes. When she ran into her volleyball teammates on campus, they embraced. It was a good moment to see everyone and know everyone was OK, Houchin said. Following the storms, Stitt declared a state of emergency in five counties: Cleveland, Lincoln, McClain, Oklahoma and Pottawatomie. At the peak of the storm, there were more than 34,000 power outages reported, but that number had dropped by Thursday evening to about 16,000, the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management and the Office of Homeland Security reported. KFOR-TV reported that residents south of Oklahoma City said they were trapped in their underground shelters. In Cole, two people emerged unhurt after riding out the storm in a manhole, the television station reported. A March 31 storm produced tornadoes that killed at least 32 people from Arkansas to Delaware, and days later a tornado left five dead in Missouri. At least 26 died in Mississippi and Alabama when tornadoes during a late March storm carved a path of destruction through the Deep South. Associated Press journalist Beatrice Dupuy in New York contributed to this report. OKLAHOMA CITY Gov. Kevin Stitt has unveiled an $800 million education plan he hopes will resolve a stalemate between House and Senate legislative leaders. Stitt said his proposal, which includes across-the-board teacher pay raises and school choice tax credits, incorporates the best ideas from GOP lawmakers in both chambers. Im trying to bring both teams together, Stitt said in a Friday news conference. I think its time that we get something across the finish line. House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, and Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, have been locked in budget negotiations for weeks after the House and Senate GOP caucuses presented differing education plans this year. While McCall praised the governors plan, Treat indicated that Stitts proposal is unlikely to clinch a compromise between the two chambers. Stitts plan includes: $300 million in new funding that would go into the states school funding formula, which would cover across-the-board teacher pay raises ranging from $2,000 to $5,000 based on experience. $300 million in new per-pupil funding that would be capped at no more than $2 million per district. $200 million for refundable school choice tax credits of up to $5,000 per student attending private school and $1,000 per home-schooled student. House and Senate leaders said they are reviewing the governors proposal. At first glance, it is undeniably similar to the House plan that the Senate, as well as other education groups, had issues with, Treat said in a statement. Senate Republicans and legislative Democrats have criticized the Houses proposed Oklahoma Student Fund, which would allocate $300 million in new per-pupil funding in a way that gives rural districts more money per student than larger districts. Theyve argued that a cap blocking any district from getting more than $2 million in new per-pupil funding puts large urban and suburban districts at a disadvantage. Stitts plan also includes the Houses proposed refundable school tax credit of $5,000 per child attending a private school. The Senate amended the Houses education bills to make it a $7,500 tax credit thats only available to families earning less than $250,000 per year. In the first two years of the program, Stitt proposes giving families earning less than $250,000 first crack at the tax credits. But Stitts plan leaves the door open for wealthier families to also claim the credits. The state would allow for no more than $200 million in tax credits in the first two years of the program, according to Stitts plan. In year three of the program, Stitt proposes increasing the refundable tax credit to $6,500 per private-school student and eliminating the income cap and the $200 million cap on total tax credits. Stitts plan does incorporate some parts of the Senates proposed teacher pay raise. Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, proposed giving teachers pay raises of $3,000 to $6,000 based on their years of experience in the classroom. Stitt proposes reducing the sliding scale of pay raises to $2,000 to $5,000. The House plan proposed flat across-the-board pay raises of $2,500. McCall said Stitts plan is a step in the right direction. It is a strong plan, a bold plan, he said in an interview. Legislative Democrats on Thursday proposed an $800 million education plan that doesnt include any tax credits for the parents of home-school or private-school students. Democrats likened the tax credits to vouchers. House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, criticized Stitts plan for reducing the teacher pay raises proposed by the Senate and setting aside taxpayer dollars for private-school tax credits. Public dollars should go to public schools, she said in a statement. The Governors plan moves money away from public schools to private schools. Video: Unions Rebecka Peterson named National Teacher of the Year The widow of a Tulsa man who died while in McCurtain County law enforcement custody in 2022 has filed a federal lawsuit seeking in excess of $2 million in damages. Barbara Barrick filed the lawsuit on behalf of her deceased husband, Bobby Dale Barrick. Barrick, 45, died March 18, 2022, five days after an encounter with law enforcement personnel that began when he entered a closed business in Eagletown and ended with sheriffs deputies using a stun gun on him multiple times until he stopped breathing, according to the complaint filed Thursday in Muskogee federal court. The lawsuit names as defendants the McCurtain County Board of County Commissioners, Sheriff Kevin Clardy in his official capacity, three McCurtain County deputies and a game warden. The lawsuit claims that the Board of Commissioners was responsible for preventing McCurtain County deputies from using constitutionally excessive force and ensuring that they took reasonable steps to protect Barrick from excessive or unreasonable force. The lawsuit says Barrick was hog-tied by bystanders who dragged him back into the convenience stores parking lot after he broke out a window of the closed store, ran into the street and jumped onto a womans car. Arriving deputies untied Barrick, handcuffed him and placed him in the backseat of a deputys truck in an attempt to de-escalate the situation, as a large crowd had by then gathered around the deputies and Barrick, according to the complaint, quoting written statements from deputies. Later, Barrick and deputies tussled after emergency medical service personnel arrived to examine him, according to the complaint. The lawsuit claims that deputies, after deactivating their body cameras, beat and used a stun gun on Barrick, who was still handcuffed, no fewer than four times before dragging him out of the truck and sitting on his back. The lawsuit claims that deputies ignored Barricks pleas that he was afraid he was going to die and to please not kill me. While they pinned Barrick to the ground, an emergency medical technician reported that she could not detect a pulse on the man, who then experienced seizure-like activity, according to the complaint. Barrick was transferred to two hospitals before he died. The McCurtain County Sheriff (and thus McCurtain County) has a long, deep-seated history and unabated custom of excessive force, the lawsuit claims. The lawsuit alleges excessive force, a failure by others to intervene to prevent or stop the excessive force, and a failure of the Board of County Commissioners to adequately train, supervise and/or control McCurtain County deputies regarding excessive force. Its been a hard year not knowing what happened to my husband, Barbara Barrick said during a Thursday news conference in front of the Sheriffs Office, according to The Associated Press. She praised the persistent and brave efforts of local newspaper reporters to find out more about her husbands arrest and death. The lawsuit is the latest in a series of issues to crop up in the far southeastern Oklahoma county after the McCurtain Gazette-News published a story and audio recording last weekend in which people identified as a county commissioner, the sheriff and two Sheriffs Office employees are heard discussing lynching Black people, comparing a woman who burned to death in a house fire to barbecue, and mentioning two big, deep holes for disposing of two newspaper reporters. Gov. Kevin Stitt has called on all four people involved in the conversation to resign. McCurtain County Commissioner Mark Jennings submitted a handwritten note Wednesday indicating he was resigning effective immediately. An attorney representing the county did not respond to a request for comment left with the Sheriffs Office. Never forget April 19, 1995: Photos show the mission of Oklahoma City National Memorial Never forget April 19, 1995 Never forget April 19, 1995 Never forget April 19, 1995 Never forget April 19, 1995 Never forget April 19, 1995 Never forget April 19, 1995 Never forget April 19, 1995 Never forget April 19, 1995 Never forget April 19, 1995 Never forget April 19, 1995 Never forget April 19, 1995 Check out our latest digital-only offer and subscribe now A Broken Arrow woman freed two years ago from a 107-year prison sentence linked to a deadly hit-and-run crash is back in jail following a split decision by the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals. Kimberly Elizabeth Graham, 52, was booked into Tulsa Jail on Thursday after a Tulsa County District Court judge denied a request to allow her to remain free pending a federal court challenge. Graham was freed from prison in April 2021 following the U.S. Supreme Courts July 2020 McGirt decision. The ruling determined the state of Oklahoma did not have jurisdiction to try criminal cases involving American Indians when the crime occurred within the Muscogee Nation reservation because Congress never disestablished it. Prior to her release, Graham had been serving a 107-year prison term after a Tulsa County jury in 2009 found her guilty of five counts of first-degree manslaughter and one count of leaving the scene of a fatal accident. During her trial, a prosecutor maintained that Graham was impaired by alcohol on Nov. 9, 2007, when she drove a Dodge Ram pickup into a group of people who had gathered on Memorial Drive to help an injured motorcyclist. Killed were De Anna Rosser-Coatney, 42; her husband, Ronald Coatney, 49; Anita Pauline Polly Foote, 50; Casey Jones, 29; and Shannon Montgomery Lacey, 36. Grahams attorney, Richard OCarroll, described the ruling sending his client back to prison as unprecedented. OCarroll said Friday in an interview that he planned to file a writ of habeas corpus seeking her release in Tulsa federal court on Monday. This is not a McGirt issue, OCarroll said. This is an equal protection and due process issue. Tulsa County District Judge David Guten on Wednesday ordered Graham to surrender to Tulsa County jail officials after the OCCA, in a 3-2 ruling, upheld an earlier ruling in November 2021 that ordered her conviction and sentence reinstated, according to online court docket records. (Graham) fails to show the District Courts reinstatement of her convictions constituted an exercise of judicial power that is unauthorized by law and that the exercise of said power will result in injury for which there is no other adequate remedy, the majority decision stated. The 3-2 ruling was favored by Vice Presiding Judge Robert Hudson and Judges David Lewis and William Musseman. Judge Gary Lumpkin, along with Presiding Judge Scott Rowland, issued separate dissents, with the former calling out what he described as flawed analysis in the order. The District Court acted as it was legally required to do when it granted the post-conviction judgment which became final, Lumkin wrote. The law was followed both times but now this Court is disregarding basic principles of law to reach a desired result. When Graham was freed originally, it was based on OCCA rulings that stated she was entitled to relief under post-conviction relief statutes despite her original conviction having long been final. That all changed in August 2021 when the OCCA ruled that persons whose cases were deemed final were not entitled to post-conviction relief under the McGirt ruling. Based on that decision, Tulsa County District Judge Tracy Priddy in November 2021 ordered Grahams conviction and sentence reinstated. The OCCA upheld Priddys ruling in its Tuesday decision. Hudson, writing in a separate concurring opinion with the majority, said the decision was firmly grounded in law and fact, not to mention common sense The dissenters urge in this case that releasing an inmate convicted of five counts of first degree manslaughter is required when the original grant of post-conviction relief was unauthorized by law and subject to prompt correction by the court, Hudson wrote. Our prior published decisions do not require us to follow the dissenters misguided path. Rowland, though, noted that to conclude Priddys original grant of post-conviction relief to Graham was unauthorized by law, the majority had to implicitly assume that a ruling later, which banned post-conviction relief in McGirt cases, had already been decided when it had not. Legislation thats controversial among some in the medical marijuana sector easily passed the Oklahoma House of Representatives on Thursday despite bipartisan complaints that it either does too much or does too little. Senate Bill 645, by Sen. Jessica Garvin, R-Duncan, would require prepackaging of all medical marijuana products sold to dispensaries. Rep. T.J. Marti, R-Broken Arrow, said state law already requires most items to be prepackaged but that SB 645 would close an exception for selling cannabis flower out of bulk containers. Marti said prepackagings main advantages are product consistency and tracking, the latter of which will help curb illegal backdoor sales from dispensaries. Opponents chiefly Rep. Mickey Dollens, D-Oklahoma City argued that the bill is both onerous because it imposes the additional expense of packaging on businesses and too lax because it doesnt prevent dispensaries from unwrapping packages and selling the contents however they want. Marti and others supporting SB 645 said dispensaries would still have to account for each bar-coded 3-ounce package delivered to them, which would help control illegal sales. Dollens disagreed. Is (SB 646) helpful? Of course. If youre in the packaging industry or the owner of a large grow, said Dollens. But for your small Oklahoma farmers and your growers here, its burdensome. That standard weight to be sold to dispensaries is 1 pound. Its sold in a 1-pound package. Dollens said SB 646 would not achieve its objectives but would benefit larger operations to the detriment of small ones. One of the most lucrative industries in our state is being feed and taxed and made very difficult if youre not one of the big grow operations. Rep. Scott Fetgatter, R-Okmulgee, who has been at the forefront of implementing and then getting a handle on the states still-developing medical marijuana sector, said it is time authorities start paying the same attention to dispensaries as to growers. We typically in this room and (the Senate) think of the black market being illegal grows or foreign national grows, but the reality is a lot being sold out back door of the dispensaries, Fetgatter said. Will prepackaging curtail the black market, or will it not? I cant completely answer that question. Fetgatter said a lot of people in the medical marijuana industry came to it as scofflaws already involved in illegal marijuana. A lot of people out there just wont obey the laws that we enact, he said. Prepackaging is a tool. But its time we start having a discussion in this building not only about illegal black market grows but whats happening on Main Street in these dispensaries. I get call after call after call after call about marijuana being sold to minors out the back door. And quite frankly, it wears me out. SB 645 passed 73-21 and now returns to the Senate for final approval. Also Wednesday: The House unanimously passed but sent back to the Senate legislation setting up the framework for a state civil rights trail. SB 509, by Sen. Kevin Matthews, R-Tulsa, is backed by the Tulsa Regional Chamber. In its current form, it would create a grant program for sites of significance, but no money has been designated for it. The House did not take up an override of Gov. Kevin Stitts veto of SB 1130. The bill would take $600 million in surplus Medicaid funds and set it aside for next year. The move essentially would keep the money under the Legislatures control and away from Stitts. As governor, Stitt appoints the director of the Oklahoma Health Care Authority, which administers the states Medicaid program. Legislators say the administration has been discussing ways to spend the money for things not related to health care, and lawmakers dont want that to happen without their authorization. In an email, a spokesman for Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, said nothing is certain on the matter and that House leadership is looking at the governors veto message and taking time to determine possible next steps. March 2023 video: Oklahomans tired of seeing dispensaries on every corner, Gov. Kevin Stitt says Throwback Tulsa: On 4/20, a look back at marijuana in Oklahoma February 2020 marijuana rally February 2020 marijuana rally February 2020 marijuana rally February 2020 marijuana rally February 2020 marijuana rally February 2020 marijuana rally February 2020 marijuana rally February 2020 marijuana rally Join a growing group of Oklahomans who believe in supporting local journalism September 2020: Legalization of recreational marijuana stricken from ballot South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol expressed support for Ukraine Russia vows to retaliate by delivering weapons to North Korea The US leaked documents indicate that South Korea is apprehensive about helping Ukraine As South Korea signaled that it would send military help to Ukraine, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev urged that North Korea be provided with the "latest" Russian weaponry. On Wednesday, Medvedev, a vociferous backer of the Ukrainian war, said on Telegram that "new groups" had formed to "assist our adversaries." Russia Vows to Retaliate Over South Korea's Support for Ukraine Medvedev cited remarks made earlier this week by South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, who warned that "large-scale" Russian strikes on Ukrainian civilians would change Seoul's long-held objection to giving deadly help to Ukraine. Yoon stated that there would be "no limitations" on support to "defend and restore a country that has been illegally invaded both under international and domestic law" before adding that Seoul would take the "most appropriate measures" based on "our relationship with the parties engaged in the war and developments on the battlefield." Per Newsweek via MSN, Kremlin promptly slammed the remarks, calling them "very hostile." According to South Korean media, Seoul's presidential office then stated that it would not "comment on the Kremlin's words on a hypothetical circumstance." South Korea, a significant producer of artillery shells, has walked a tight path during Ukraine's continuing conflict. China has agreed to provide humanitarian help to Kyiv but is apprehensive of jeopardizing its ties with Russia, which is suspected of assisting North Korea. Concerns about Moscow possibly assisting Pyongyang with its nuclear weapons development have affected Seoul's reluctance to offer military help to Ukraine. In response to this issue, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that any arms sales to Ukraine would be scrutinized "as openly hostile anti-Russian activity," which would "harm bilateral ties." The Ukrainian Defense Ministry accepted the words without identifying Medvedev but played them down by hinting that Russia's military capability had significantly been damaged due to its invasion of Ukraine and would soon only be able to dispatch old World War II-era tanks. As per Jerusalem Post, Dimitry Peskov, a Kremlin spokesman, also replied to Yoon's words, warning that deadly supplies would increase South Korea's involvement in the war. The shift in posture comes not just before Yoon's travel to the United States but also due to the release of Pentagon intelligence papers revealing South Korea's reluctance to deliver weaponry to Ukraine in the face of American pressure. According to leaked documents, South Korean senior presidential advisers were apprehensive about supplying artillery rounds straight to Ukraine. According to the experts, South Korea, a significant manufacturer of artillery shells, might transfer them to Poland instead to maintain the illusion of neutrality. Seoul agreed to supply shells to the US in 2022 on the condition that they not be transported to Ukraine. The US revealed a new security package for Ukraine on Wednesday, which includes 155mm and 105mm artillery shells. From the start of the conflict, the United States has given over 1,500,000 155mm rounds, 7,000 precision guided 155mm artillery rounds, 155mm Remote Anti-Armor Mine rounds, 50,000 152mm rounds, 40,000 130mm rounds, 40,000 122mm rounds, 450,000 105mm rounds. Per Korea Times, this is not the first time Moscow has expressed concern about South Korea's potential military assistance to Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin stated last year that if South Korea equips Ukraine, the relationship between the two countries will be ruined, implying how South Korea would react if Russia restarted collaboration with North Korea. Read Also: Japanese PM Attack: Suspect Believed To Have Grudge on Electoral System South Korea Intensifies Ties with US, EU Given this context, Yoon's words are regarded as the result of the South Korean government's judgment that the benefits of responding to US and European appeals for military assistance outweigh the benefits of maintaining tepid ties with Russia. Russia has recently signaled deeper ties with North Korea as part of its resistance to the US-led organization. By drawing a line in its relations with Russia, Seoul can have more power in convincing the international community to increase its efforts to resist Pyongyang's nuclear and missile aspirations. Increases in South Korean military sector exports to NATO countries might potentially be one of the benefits examined by Yoon. South Korea has been increasing its ties with the treaty organization since Yoon assumed office last year. The president is touting the defense industry as a critical export engine for the country. South Korean military firms are striking lucrative export deals with European governments in this context. On the other hand, South Korea's economic relations with Russia are in a downward spiral. According to the Korea International Trade Association, South Korea's commerce with Russia will be $21.14 billion in 2022, a 22.7 percent decrease from the previous year. Exports fell 36.6 percent yearly to $6.33 billion, and the trade imbalance has persisted since 2009. Related Article: Germany Allows Poland to Send MiG-29 Jets to Ukraine @YouTube @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Oklahoma is believed to be the only state in the U.S. that has a law banning red-flag laws, which in other states allow for temporary firearm removal from individuals believed to be at risk of harming themselves or others. States took millions to enact red-flag gun laws, but many still won't pass them A Lee Enterprises review reveals that lawmakers in 31 states have not passed red-flag laws even as most of those states received federal funding through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. The policy, which exists in 19 states and the District of Columbia, is one that gun-safety advocates are pushing once again across the U.S. in the aftermath of the late-March Nashville school shooting, which killed six people. The policy has bipartisan appeal nationwide, with some Republicans in favor of it. But Oklahoma lawmakers in 2020 passed an anti-red flag law and have expanded access to firearms over recent years. At the time of the Oklahoma bills passage, state Rep. Jay Steagall, R-Yukon, said red-flag laws amount to stripping American citizens of their rights to due process under the law. And state Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, said that whether it is passing constitutional carry or opposing these stealthy attempts at denying our due process, Im honored to be continually leading the charge to defend the rights of Oklahomans and am pleased to see us be the first in the nation to pass this type of law. Gun-safety experts have said they are working across the U.S. to prevent mass shootings, suicides and domestic violence. Oklahoma had the 12th highest firearm death rate among U.S. states in 2020 with a death rate of 20.7 per 100,000 people, according to federal data. But conservatives in Oklahoma have pushed back on the efforts. And all members of Oklahomas congressional delegation were opposed to the 2022 Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which contains funding for states to create and implement red-flag laws. However, states without red-flag laws can use the money authorized in the bill for other gun violence-reduction programs. At the time of its passage, U.S. Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., said he voted against the bill because it does not protect the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens. It incentivizes states to adopt red flag laws, which often treat individuals as guilty until proven innocent, Lankford said last year. However, after the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act was passed, Oklahoma applied for and was awarded about $3.5 million in funding. The state says it will form an advisory board to determine funding priorities, which could include specialized drug, mental health and veterans court programs, including those that specifically accept clients with firearms violations. The state also proposes to spend the money on behavioral health detection for those at risk to themselves or others; and/or funding for law enforcement agencies to safely secure, store, track and return relinquished guns. The main purpose of the proposed projects is to save lives by reducing the likelihood of gun violence, according to the federal application, submitted by the Oklahoma District Attorneys Council. The Vietnamese government on Thursday announced the targets of a seven-percent gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate a year in 2021-30 and a per capita income of US$7,500 in 2030. Vietnam aims to become a nation with modern industry, a high average income, and economic growth based on science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation by 2030, according to the National Master Plan for 2021-30 with a vision to 2050 launched by the government in Hanoi. This is the first time the government has announced a 10-year national master plan, instead of five-year plans as before. In particular, the country is divided into six socio-economic regions: northern midland and mountainous, Red River Delta, north-central and central coast, Central Highlands, southeast, and Mekong Delta. There are four national locomotive regions in the north, south, central, and Mekong Delta with the corresponding growth hubs of Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Can Tho. The national government will give priority to the development of North-South and East-West economic corridors in 2021-30, including Lao Cai-Hanoi-Hai Phong-Quang Ninh and Moc Bai-Ho Chi Minh City-Vung Tau. Speaking at a conference to launch the National Master Plan in 2021-30, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh asked ministries, agencies, and localities to draw up detailed projects and arrange resources for these projects. The efforts should result in measurable efficiency and contribute to building an independent and self-reliant economy in association with deep, practical, and effective international integration to achieve the goal of a strong and prosperous country. The government chief also required fulfilling 10 groups of missions and solutions to implement the National Master Plan. They include translating the National Master Plan into national, regional, and provincial planning to ensure consistency; allocating resources for the effective implementation of the National Master Plan; building policies; attracting investment; developing human resources; reforming growth models associated with science, technology, and environment; mobilizing financial resources for planning; and boosting international cooperation; among others. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The Vietnamese government on Thursday announced the targets of a seven-percent gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate a year in 2021-30 and a per capita income of US$7,500 in 2030. Vietnam aims to become a nation with modern industry, a high average income, and economic growth based on science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation by 2030, according to the National Master Plan for 2021-30 with a vision to 2050 launched by the government in Hanoi. This is the first time the government has announced a 10-year national master plan, instead of five-year plans as before. In particular, the country is divided into six socio-economic regions: northern midland and mountainous, Red River Delta, north-central and central coast, Central Highlands, southeast, and Mekong Delta. There are four national locomotive regions in the north, south, central, and Mekong Delta with the corresponding growth hubs of Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Can Tho. The national government will give priority to the development of North-South and East-West economic corridors in 2021-30, including Lao Cai-Hanoi-Hai Phong-Quang Ninh and Moc Bai-Ho Chi Minh City-Vung Tau. Speaking at a conference to launch the National Master Plan in 2021-30, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh asked ministries, agencies, and localities to draw up detailed projects and arrange resources for these projects. The efforts should result in measurable efficiency and contribute to building an independent and self-reliant economy in association with deep, practical, and effective international integration to achieve the goal of a strong and prosperous country. The government chief also required fulfilling 10 groups of missions and solutions to implement the National Master Plan. They include translating the National Master Plan into national, regional, and provincial planning to ensure consistency; allocating resources for the effective implementation of the National Master Plan; building policies; attracting investment; developing human resources; reforming growth models associated with science, technology, and environment; mobilizing financial resources for planning; and boosting international cooperation; among others. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A test flight operated by Vietnamese airline Bamboo Airways landed at Ca Mau Airport in Ca Mau Province, the southern tip of Vietnam, from Ho Chi Minh City on Thursday in preparation for the opening of the route linking the province and Hanoi later this month. This was the airlines first flight to Ca Mau Airport, making it the most recent airport added to the list of 22 Vietnamese airports tapped by Bamboo Airways. Ca Mau Airport has one runway, which is the shortest in the country. It measures 1.5 kilometers long and 30 meters wide. Prior to the opening of the route later this month, Ca Mau Airport primarily serves flights linking Ho Chi Minh City using small planes capable of transporting 70 passengers. The airport welcomes 35,000-40,000 passengers each year and boasts an annual capacity of 200,000 passengers. We have upgraded the airport and finished training employees in skills related to flight services and fire prevention and fighting, as well as furnishing Ca Mau Airport with aircraft tugs, ladders, and airport buses, said Pham Thanh Lam, director of Ca Mau Airport. The airport is now able to handle E190 jet aircraft, which can carry up to 98 passengers, he added. The launch of the air service will help shorten the travel time between the southernmost province and the northern city to just two hours and 15 minutes. Besides, the air route will contribute to driving tourism in and attracting investors to the Mekong Delta province, according to Lam Van Bi, vice-chairman of the Ca Mau Peoples Committee. Bi also noted that he expected the airline to open more air routes to the province in the coming months. Ca Mau Province is set to welcome the first passengers on board a Bamboo Airways flight departing from Hanoi on April 29. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A test flight operated by Vietnamese airline Bamboo Airways landed at Ca Mau Airport in Ca Mau Province, the southern tip of Vietnam, from Ho Chi Minh City on Thursday in preparation for the opening of the route linking the province and Hanoi later this month. This was the airlines first flight to Ca Mau Airport, making it the most recent airport added to the list of 22 Vietnamese airports tapped by Bamboo Airways. Ca Mau Airport has one runway, which is the shortest in the country. It measures 1.5 kilometers long and 30 meters wide. Prior to the opening of the route later this month, Ca Mau Airport primarily serves flights linking Ho Chi Minh City using small planes capable of transporting 70 passengers. The airport welcomes 35,000-40,000 passengers each year and boasts an annual capacity of 200,000 passengers. We have upgraded the airport and finished training employees in skills related to flight services and fire prevention and fighting, as well as furnishing Ca Mau Airport with aircraft tugs, ladders, and airport buses, said Pham Thanh Lam, director of Ca Mau Airport. The airport is now able to handle E190 jet aircraft, which can carry up to 98 passengers, he added. The launch of the air service will help shorten the travel time between the southernmost province and the northern city to just two hours and 15 minutes. Besides, the air route will contribute to driving tourism in and attracting investors to the Mekong Delta province, according to Lam Van Bi, vice-chairman of the Ca Mau Peoples Committee. Bi also noted that he expected the airline to open more air routes to the province in the coming months. Ca Mau Province is set to welcome the first passengers on board a Bamboo Airways flight departing from Hanoi on April 29. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Domestic workers across northern Vietnam are coping with stagnant pay brought about by economic hardship, forcing many to leave the countryside in search of better work and higher salaries in urban areas. Unfortunately, their hopes of earning enough money to get by have been dashed by a stagnant economy. When Vu Thi Thoa, a 51-year-old woman from Thieu Do Ward, Thieu Hoa District, north-central Thanh Hoa Province, first moved to Hanoi, she expected to find sustainable work and high wages that would allow her to support both herself and her family. Now, after nearly a month since moving to the capital city, Thoa has done little more than spend her days at a job referral center hoping to catch a break and find work as a domestic helper. In Vietnam, domestic helpers are often referred to as osins a word borrowed from a Japanese drama widely broadcast in 1994 featuring the life of a housekeeper named Oshin. Over the past several months, osins and former factory workers across the northern part of Vietnam have been made redundant and found themselves with little choice but to head to Hanoi in search of work. But rather than a steady paycheck, these domestic economic migrants have been met with little more than homeowners who have chosen to either hire relatives from the countryside or on-call domestic housekeepers in order to cut costs. Waiting in vain According to Thoa, Hanoi was rumored to offer better working conditions and higher salaries compared to her hometown. Unfortunately, that has not been the case. Ive been in Hanoi for almost a month. My salary [in my hometown] was rather low, so I thought I would give working in Hanoi a try, she said. [In Hanoi] I worked for two weeks but didnt get on well with the owner, so I decided to quit. In my hometown, I was earning VND6 million [US$255] a month. Here, I made VND7 million [$298]. Its only a small increase, so if things dont change, Ill return to my hometown. Thoa is not the only osin having trouble finding work in the capital city. Resting on a mat at a local job referral center, Thoa spoke about another woman she had met who was facing similar troubles. Yesterday, I met Yen, a 63-year-old from northern Nam Dinh Province," she recalled. "She spent a week in Hanoi searching for work but couldnt find anything, so she got one last meal with her two children who are here in Hanoi at university and then returned to her hometown." Pay cuts The economic recession is having its toll on domestic workers," said Ngo Thi Hue, director of Thanh Tam domestic worker job referral center. The salary for osins is falling instead of risinng." According to Hue, the center does not just match osins with homeowners. Instead, it focuses on making sure each placement is a win-win for both the osin and the homeowner. While Hue does her best to ensure each of the domestic workers she represents is fairly compensated, doing so has become quite difficult amongst the recent surge in the cost of living. Maintaining old salaries is the best we can do. It has become very hard to ask for annual pay raises, Hue said. Right now, domestic workers in Hanoi make VND7 million each month. Last year, they made VND8 million [$340] per month. It is really difficult to ask homeowners for pay raises right now because many have had their own incomes reduced. Many have even brought in relatives from rural areas to help take care of their home, rather than paying an osin. Some homeowners have also switched from 24/7 services to hourly services in order to save money. A domestic helper picks children up after school in Hanoi. Photo: Tam Le / Tuoi Tre Many osins in Hanoi work in high-rise apartment blocks, such as those in the Times City residential area. Nguyen Thi Nga, 61, is one of many osins working in Times City. Her mornings are spent dropping children off at school and visiting local markets to buy food. Every morning, domestic workers like Nga follow the same routines. In the afternoon, she picks children up from school. Yet despite 25 years of experience, excellent cooking skills, and a penchant for childcare, her salary sits at just VND6.5 million ($276]) per month. To make ends meet, she gives up her hour-long daily break to clean other apartments. I earn VND50,000 [$2.13] per hour [cleaning apartments]. I used to sell scrap metal too, but I cant do that anymore because [Times City] has banned it, Nga said. Nga added she is thankful that economic hardship has not forced her employer to cut her salary. Meanwhile, housekeepers who have switched from 24/7 work to hourly on-call work have fared much better, with many working three shifts per day and earning as much as VND15 million ($638) per month. Replaced by technology Instead of investing in an osin, many young professionals prefer technology-based alternatives due to their own low salaries. A new office workers salary can be somewhere between VND7 million and VND8 million per month, which is about the same as a domestic worker, said Nguyen Hang, a resident of Hanois Nam Tu Liem District. But money is not the only reason young professionals are looking elsewhere for housekeeping services. Daycare services are cheaper and their teachers are trained in childhood education, said Tran Thi Ngoc, a resident in Ecolife Apartments on To Huu Street. Also, it doesnt feel right to have a stranger in our home all the time. "It is much more comfortable to find a maid that can come and work hourly. Rather than pay someone monthly, Ngoc has invested in a vacuum cleaner, robotic vacuum, an air purifier, a dishwasher, a kettle, and an air fryer. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Domestic workers across northern Vietnam are coping with stagnant pay brought about by economic hardship, forcing many to leave the countryside in search of better work and higher salaries in urban areas. Unfortunately, their hopes of earning enough money to get by have been dashed by a stagnant economy. When Vu Thi Thoa, a 51-year-old woman from Thieu Do Ward, Thieu Hoa District, north-central Thanh Hoa Province, first moved to Hanoi, she expected to find sustainable work and high wages that would allow her to support both herself and her family. Now, after nearly a month since moving to the capital city, Thoa has done little more than spend her days at a job referral center hoping to catch a break and find work as a domestic helper. In Vietnam, domestic helpers are often referred to as osins a word borrowed from a Japanese drama widely broadcast in 1994 featuring the life of a housekeeper named Oshin. Over the past several months, osins and former factory workers across the northern part of Vietnam have been made redundant and found themselves with little choice but to head to Hanoi in search of work. But rather than a steady paycheck, these domestic economic migrants have been met with little more than homeowners who have chosen to either hire relatives from the countryside or on-call domestic housekeepers in order to cut costs. Waiting in vain According to Thoa, Hanoi was rumored to offer better working conditions and higher salaries compared to her hometown. Unfortunately, that has not been the case. Ive been in Hanoi for almost a month. My salary [in my hometown] was rather low, so I thought I would give working in Hanoi a try, she said. [In Hanoi] I worked for two weeks but didnt get on well with the owner, so I decided to quit. In my hometown, I was earning VND6 million [US$255] a month. Here, I made VND7 million [$298]. Its only a small increase, so if things dont change, Ill return to my hometown. Thoa is not the only osin having trouble finding work in the capital city. Resting on a mat at a local job referral center, Thoa spoke about another woman she had met who was facing similar troubles. Yesterday, I met Yen, a 63-year-old from northern Nam Dinh Province," she recalled. "She spent a week in Hanoi searching for work but couldnt find anything, so she got one last meal with her two children who are here in Hanoi at university and then returned to her hometown." Pay cuts The economic recession is having its toll on domestic workers," said Ngo Thi Hue, director of Thanh Tam domestic worker job referral center. The salary for osins is falling instead of risinng." According to Hue, the center does not just match osins with homeowners. Instead, it focuses on making sure each placement is a win-win for both the osin and the homeowner. While Hue does her best to ensure each of the domestic workers she represents is fairly compensated, doing so has become quite difficult amongst the recent surge in the cost of living. Maintaining old salaries is the best we can do. It has become very hard to ask for annual pay raises, Hue said. Right now, domestic workers in Hanoi make VND7 million each month. Last year, they made VND8 million [$340] per month. It is really difficult to ask homeowners for pay raises right now because many have had their own incomes reduced. Many have even brought in relatives from rural areas to help take care of their home, rather than paying an osin. Some homeowners have also switched from 24/7 services to hourly services in order to save money. A domestic helper picks children up after school in Hanoi. Photo: Tam Le / Tuoi Tre Many osins in Hanoi work in high-rise apartment blocks, such as those in the Times City residential area. Nguyen Thi Nga, 61, is one of many osins working in Times City. Her mornings are spent dropping children off at school and visiting local markets to buy food. Every morning, domestic workers like Nga follow the same routines. In the afternoon, she picks children up from school. Yet despite 25 years of experience, excellent cooking skills, and a penchant for childcare, her salary sits at just VND6.5 million ($276]) per month. To make ends meet, she gives up her hour-long daily break to clean other apartments. I earn VND50,000 [$2.13] per hour [cleaning apartments]. I used to sell scrap metal too, but I cant do that anymore because [Times City] has banned it, Nga said. Nga added she is thankful that economic hardship has not forced her employer to cut her salary. Meanwhile, housekeepers who have switched from 24/7 work to hourly on-call work have fared much better, with many working three shifts per day and earning as much as VND15 million ($638) per month. Replaced by technology Instead of investing in an osin, many young professionals prefer technology-based alternatives due to their own low salaries. A new office workers salary can be somewhere between VND7 million and VND8 million per month, which is about the same as a domestic worker, said Nguyen Hang, a resident of Hanois Nam Tu Liem District. But money is not the only reason young professionals are looking elsewhere for housekeeping services. Daycare services are cheaper and their teachers are trained in childhood education, said Tran Thi Ngoc, a resident in Ecolife Apartments on To Huu Street. Also, it doesnt feel right to have a stranger in our home all the time. "It is much more comfortable to find a maid that can come and work hourly. Rather than pay someone monthly, Ngoc has invested in a vacuum cleaner, robotic vacuum, an air purifier, a dishwasher, a kettle, and an air fryer. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Vietnam always attaches great importance to ensuring safety for Vietnamese citizens abroad, Doan Khac Viet, vice-spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, affirmed at a press briefing in Hanoi on Thursday. The Vietnamese Party and state treasures the protection of the legitimate rights and interests of Vietnamese citizens abroad, Viet said while answering questions from Hong Kongs Phoenix Television if Vietnam has a plan to evacuate its citizens from Taiwan and ASEAN countries discuss response solutions or not amid the escalating tension in the Taiwan Strait. The questions were made as Indonesia has formulated a plan to evacuate 350,000 citizens from Taiwan, according to Phoenix Television. Peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are extremely significant to peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world as a whole, Viet added. Vietnam expects the parties concerned to actively contribute to the maintenance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, Viet stressed. China has conducted many military drills around the Taiwan Strait over the past few months in response to Taiwans leader Tsai Ing-wen visiting the U.S. and meeting U.S. officials. China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory, has opposed meetings between officials of Taiwan and other countries. Relating to Vietnams overseas citizen protection, Viet informed that one Vietnamese-Australian citizen staying in Sudans capital Khartoum and 16 other Vietnamese citizens who are crew members of a ship docking at a port in Sudan are currently safe following clashes which erupted north of Khartoum on Wednesday night. The clashes killed some 300 people and injured over 3,000 others, according to the World Health Organization. The Vietnamese Embassy in Egypt, which is also in charge of Sudan, will continue keeping a close watch on the situation and is ready to implement citizen protection measures if needed, Viet added. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Vietnam always attaches great importance to ensuring safety for Vietnamese citizens abroad, Doan Khac Viet, vice-spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, affirmed at a press briefing in Hanoi on Thursday. The Vietnamese Party and state treasures the protection of the legitimate rights and interests of Vietnamese citizens abroad, Viet said while answering questions from Hong Kongs Phoenix Television if Vietnam has a plan to evacuate its citizens from Taiwan and ASEAN countries discuss response solutions or not amid the escalating tension in the Taiwan Strait. The questions were made as Indonesia has formulated a plan to evacuate 350,000 citizens from Taiwan, according to Phoenix Television. Peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are extremely significant to peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world as a whole, Viet added. Vietnam expects the parties concerned to actively contribute to the maintenance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, Viet stressed. China has conducted many military drills around the Taiwan Strait over the past few months in response to Taiwans leader Tsai Ing-wen visiting the U.S. and meeting U.S. officials. China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory, has opposed meetings between officials of Taiwan and other countries. Relating to Vietnams overseas citizen protection, Viet informed that one Vietnamese-Australian citizen staying in Sudans capital Khartoum and 16 other Vietnamese citizens who are crew members of a ship docking at a port in Sudan are currently safe following clashes which erupted north of Khartoum on Wednesday night. The clashes killed some 300 people and injured over 3,000 others, according to the World Health Organization. The Vietnamese Embassy in Egypt, which is also in charge of Sudan, will continue keeping a close watch on the situation and is ready to implement citizen protection measures if needed, Viet added. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Chairman of Vietnam's lawmaking National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue and his Cuban counterpart Esteban Lazo Hernandez reached a consensus on strengthening the two nations legislative cooperation and exchanging experience in legislation, heard a meeting between the two top legislators during Hues ongoing visit to Cuba. The two officials also cut deals to set up the inter-parliamentary partnership and beef up the exchange of all-level delegations. Apart from boosting the collaboration between the two legislatures, they also eyed the Cuba-Vietnam multifaceted relations. Chairman of the National Assembly of Peoples Power of Cuba Hernandez received his Vietnamese counterpart Hue and the latters entourage on Thursday evening. Hue and a high-ranking delegation arrived in Cuba on Tuesday (local time), starting an official visit to the country at the invitation of Hernandez. His visit is set to last until Sunday. This is the first high-ranking foreign delegation to visit Cuba after its national general election in March. The top Cuban legislator affirmed that Cuba always attaches much significance to the partnership with Vietnam, and expects to deepen the bilateral ties. At the meeting, the two leaders witnessed the signing of cooperation agreements between agencies and departments of the two nations. A photo of a talk between top Vietnamese and Cuban legislators. Photo: Doan Tan / Tuoi Tre During their talks, Hue expressed his gratitude to Cuba for its sending medical workers to Vietnam to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic and donating to Vietnam medicine and five million Abdala vaccine doses. On behalf of Vietnams Party Central Committee and the Vietnamese government, Hue awarded the Order of Ho Chi Minh to Hernandez and presented the Friendship Order to some leaders of the Cuban National Assembly of Peoples Power. In addition, the Vietnamese legislator congratulated Hernandez on being re-elected as chairman of the Cuban legislature. Hue also invited Hernandez to make a comeback to Vietnam as soon as possible. The Vietnamese representative gave a book, 'Some Theoretical and Practical Issues on Socialism and the Path to Vietnams Socialism' written by Vietnam's Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong, to the Cuban National Assembly chairman. The top Cuban legislator congratulated Vietnam on its success in the fight against the pandemic and post-pandemic socio-economic recovery. He also thanked Vietnam for supporting Cuba in its process of protecting, building, and developing the nation. On the occasion of his visit, Hue, on behalf of Vietnam, announced a decision to donate 5,000 tonnes of rice and 300 tablet computers to the National Assembly of Peoples Power of Cuba. Moreover, Ho Chi Minh City vice-chairman Duong Anh Duc, a member of the Vietnamese National Assembly chairmans entourage, on behalf of the city, gifted some VND5.9 billion (US$250,000) to Cuba to help the country address the consequences of a massive fire in Matanzas in August 2022. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Chairman of Vietnam's lawmaking National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue and his Cuban counterpart Esteban Lazo Hernandez reached a consensus on strengthening the two nations legislative cooperation and exchanging experience in legislation, heard a meeting between the two top legislators during Hues ongoing visit to Cuba. The two officials also cut deals to set up the inter-parliamentary partnership and beef up the exchange of all-level delegations. Apart from boosting the collaboration between the two legislatures, they also eyed the Cuba-Vietnam multifaceted relations. Chairman of the National Assembly of Peoples Power of Cuba Hernandez received his Vietnamese counterpart Hue and the latters entourage on Thursday evening. Hue and a high-ranking delegation arrived in Cuba on Tuesday (local time), starting an official visit to the country at the invitation of Hernandez. His visit is set to last until Sunday. This is the first high-ranking foreign delegation to visit Cuba after its national general election in March. The top Cuban legislator affirmed that Cuba always attaches much significance to the partnership with Vietnam, and expects to deepen the bilateral ties. At the meeting, the two leaders witnessed the signing of cooperation agreements between agencies and departments of the two nations. A photo of a talk between top Vietnamese and Cuban legislators. Photo: Doan Tan / Tuoi Tre During their talks, Hue expressed his gratitude to Cuba for its sending medical workers to Vietnam to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic and donating to Vietnam medicine and five million Abdala vaccine doses. On behalf of Vietnams Party Central Committee and the Vietnamese government, Hue awarded the Order of Ho Chi Minh to Hernandez and presented the Friendship Order to some leaders of the Cuban National Assembly of Peoples Power. In addition, the Vietnamese legislator congratulated Hernandez on being re-elected as chairman of the Cuban legislature. Hue also invited Hernandez to make a comeback to Vietnam as soon as possible. The Vietnamese representative gave a book, 'Some Theoretical and Practical Issues on Socialism and the Path to Vietnams Socialism' written by Vietnam's Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong, to the Cuban National Assembly chairman. The top Cuban legislator congratulated Vietnam on its success in the fight against the pandemic and post-pandemic socio-economic recovery. He also thanked Vietnam for supporting Cuba in its process of protecting, building, and developing the nation. On the occasion of his visit, Hue, on behalf of Vietnam, announced a decision to donate 5,000 tonnes of rice and 300 tablet computers to the National Assembly of Peoples Power of Cuba. Moreover, Ho Chi Minh City vice-chairman Duong Anh Duc, a member of the Vietnamese National Assembly chairmans entourage, on behalf of the city, gifted some VND5.9 billion (US$250,000) to Cuba to help the country address the consequences of a massive fire in Matanzas in August 2022. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Police officers are searching for the suspect in a bank robbery that took place for just one minute in Da Nang, central Vietnam on Thursday. The officers cordoned off the VietinBank branch, located on Dong Da Street in Hai Chau District, for investigation following the case. The suspect, wearing a black hoodie and blue jeans, stopped his gray Yamaha Grande scooter, whose plate number is 43F1-478.53, in front of the bank at around 11:15 am, rushed inside and then closed the roller door behind him, the police announcement on Friday morning showed. There were five employees and one security guard inside the state-run bank branch at the time. Police officers cordon off the VietinBank branch, located on Dong Da Street in Hai Chau District, Da Nang, where a bank robbery took place on April 20, 2023. Photo: Truong Trung / Tuoi Tre With a seeming gun in one hand and an electric baton in the other, the robber threatened the security guard, then requested the employees to put money inside plastic bags. The entire ordeal happened within around a minute before the robber fled the scene. No one was harmed during the heist. The exact amount of money stolen is being clarified. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Police officers are searching for the suspect in a bank robbery that took place for just one minute in Da Nang, central Vietnam on Thursday. The officers cordoned off the VietinBank branch, located on Dong Da Street in Hai Chau District, for investigation following the case. The suspect, wearing a black hoodie and blue jeans, stopped his gray Yamaha Grande scooter, whose plate number is 43F1-478.53, in front of the bank at around 11:15 am, rushed inside and then closed the roller door behind him, the police announcement on Friday morning showed. There were five employees and one security guard inside the state-run bank branch at the time. Police officers cordon off the VietinBank branch, located on Dong Da Street in Hai Chau District, Da Nang, where a bank robbery took place on April 20, 2023. Photo: Truong Trung / Tuoi Tre With a seeming gun in one hand and an electric baton in the other, the robber threatened the security guard, then requested the employees to put money inside plastic bags. The entire ordeal happened within around a minute before the robber fled the scene. No one was harmed during the heist. The exact amount of money stolen is being clarified. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The U.S. will provide financial support for a project in Vietnam which is aimed at developing one million hectares of high-quality rice paddies and reduce emissions by 2030, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Thomas J. Vilsack affirmed at a press conference in Hanoi on Wednesday. The project, launched by the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, carries an estimated price tag of at least VND40 trillion (US$1.7 billion). The U.S. and Vietnam share a common vision on agriculture that adapts to climate change and global food security," Vilsack said. The U.S. is committed to sharing information and best farming practices to help Vietnam adapt to climate change." The worlds biggest economy will also promote a program focused on the use of appropriate fertilizers capable of improving Vietnamese rice productivity and proliferating sustainable agriculture, the U.S. official said. The initiative's primary aim is to support, but some of its projects can be applied to Vietnam, including those meant to reduce emissions during rice production, Vilsack noted. The two countries will continue exchanging experience in rice cultivation through learning exchange programs between U.S. and Vietnamese experts. Vilsack also expected a Vietnamese delegation to visit the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate, set to take place in Washington D.C. early next month, which aims to accelerate innovations in agriculture to adapt to climate change. The initiative has so far committed $10 billion to supporting farming techniques in response to climate change in developing countries, including Vietnam, but that commitment is expected to grow. Vietnamese farmers harvest high-quality rice in the Mekong Delta province of An Giang. Photo: Chi Quoc / Tuoi Tre Regarding Vietnams role in the global food security, Vilsack pointed out that the Southeast Asian country is one of the worlds leading rice producers. In order to combat climate change, Vietnam has to produce food using less land, water, and energy, thereby reaching its net-zero emissions target by 2050. The global population is increasing and we need to think about how we will ensure food for such a population without using much more resources," Vilsack said. I believe that by coordinating with each other, we can improve productivity and ensure food security for mankind in a sustainable way." He also advised Vietnam to improve its legal system and testing regulations in order to ensure food quality and the countrys agricultural products are able to reach more markets. Secretary Vilsack paid a visit to Vietnam from Sunday to Thursday. This is his third visit to the Southeast Asian country. Responding to climate change has been a priority for Vietnam-U.S. cooperation over the 10 years of their comprehensive partnership, Vilsack said at a meeting with students of the Foreign Trade University in Hanoi on Wednesday. Discussing the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF), the U.S. official said the IPEF would help reduce and remove non-tariff barriers for sustainable and eco-friendly products and the U.S. will support Vietnam in benefiting from the framework. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The U.S. will provide financial support for a project in Vietnam which is aimed at developing one million hectares of high-quality rice paddies and reduce emissions by 2030, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Thomas J. Vilsack affirmed at a press conference in Hanoi on Wednesday. The project, launched by the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, carries an estimated price tag of at least VND40 trillion (US$1.7 billion). The U.S. and Vietnam share a common vision on agriculture that adapts to climate change and global food security," Vilsack said. The U.S. is committed to sharing information and best farming practices to help Vietnam adapt to climate change." The worlds biggest economy will also promote a program focused on the use of appropriate fertilizers capable of improving Vietnamese rice productivity and proliferating sustainable agriculture, the U.S. official said. The initiative's primary aim is to support, but some of its projects can be applied to Vietnam, including those meant to reduce emissions during rice production, Vilsack noted. The two countries will continue exchanging experience in rice cultivation through learning exchange programs between U.S. and Vietnamese experts. Vilsack also expected a Vietnamese delegation to visit the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate, set to take place in Washington D.C. early next month, which aims to accelerate innovations in agriculture to adapt to climate change. The initiative has so far committed $10 billion to supporting farming techniques in response to climate change in developing countries, including Vietnam, but that commitment is expected to grow. Vietnamese farmers harvest high-quality rice in the Mekong Delta province of An Giang. Photo: Chi Quoc / Tuoi Tre Regarding Vietnams role in the global food security, Vilsack pointed out that the Southeast Asian country is one of the worlds leading rice producers. In order to combat climate change, Vietnam has to produce food using less land, water, and energy, thereby reaching its net-zero emissions target by 2050. The global population is increasing and we need to think about how we will ensure food for such a population without using much more resources," Vilsack said. I believe that by coordinating with each other, we can improve productivity and ensure food security for mankind in a sustainable way." He also advised Vietnam to improve its legal system and testing regulations in order to ensure food quality and the countrys agricultural products are able to reach more markets. Secretary Vilsack paid a visit to Vietnam from Sunday to Thursday. This is his third visit to the Southeast Asian country. Responding to climate change has been a priority for Vietnam-U.S. cooperation over the 10 years of their comprehensive partnership, Vilsack said at a meeting with students of the Foreign Trade University in Hanoi on Wednesday. Discussing the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF), the U.S. official said the IPEF would help reduce and remove non-tariff barriers for sustainable and eco-friendly products and the U.S. will support Vietnam in benefiting from the framework. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Police in Thai Binh Province, northern Vietnam are ramping up efforts to crack down on a huge online gambling ring worth over VND2.6 trillion (US$11 million) on the messaging app Telegram, with the participation of more than 3,800 gamblers across the country. Investigators of Thai Binh City in the namesake province have pressed charges against 15 individuals from 11 provinces and cities for gambling and hosting gambling activities, a local police official told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Wednesday. The identity of the suspects has yet to be disclosed as police are expanding the probe into this online betting ring. The cybersecurity and anti-cybercrime division under the Thai Binh Department of Public Security earlier discovered a number of local residents joining an online betting ring. The ring was masterminded by Pham Thi My H., who managed a 'Gia Toc Sau' Telegram group to organize online betting for more than 3,800 gamblers. To be eligible to join the group, potential gamblers were told to create Telegram accounts using invitation codes sent by H.s Telegram account, 'Sau Toc Truong.' Police officers summoned 22 individuals from various provinces and cities nationwide, such as Thai Binh, Ho Chi Minh City, Hung Yen, Quang Binh, Dak Nong, and others. Police also raided the houses of H., Nguyen Thu H. in Hanoi, and Do Thi Truc L. in the southern province of Ben Tre, confiscating VND414 million ($17,688), 8.6 taels of gold, six passbooks worth VND3.5 billion ($149,422), along with other exhibits. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Police in Thai Binh Province, northern Vietnam are ramping up efforts to crack down on a huge online gambling ring worth over VND2.6 trillion (US$11 million) on the messaging app Telegram, with the participation of more than 3,800 gamblers across the country. Investigators of Thai Binh City in the namesake province have pressed charges against 15 individuals from 11 provinces and cities for gambling and hosting gambling activities, a local police official told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Wednesday. The identity of the suspects has yet to be disclosed as police are expanding the probe into this online betting ring. The cybersecurity and anti-cybercrime division under the Thai Binh Department of Public Security earlier discovered a number of local residents joining an online betting ring. The ring was masterminded by Pham Thi My H., who managed a 'Gia Toc Sau' Telegram group to organize online betting for more than 3,800 gamblers. To be eligible to join the group, potential gamblers were told to create Telegram accounts using invitation codes sent by H.s Telegram account, 'Sau Toc Truong.' Police officers summoned 22 individuals from various provinces and cities nationwide, such as Thai Binh, Ho Chi Minh City, Hung Yen, Quang Binh, Dak Nong, and others. Police also raided the houses of H., Nguyen Thu H. in Hanoi, and Do Thi Truc L. in the southern province of Ben Tre, confiscating VND414 million ($17,688), 8.6 taels of gold, six passbooks worth VND3.5 billion ($149,422), along with other exhibits. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A high school homeroom teacher in Nghe An Province, north-central Vietnam has been suspended from work after her female student allegedly died by suicide at home due to school violence. Nguyen Huy Bang, president of Vinh University, said on Wednesday that the teacher, identified as Dang Viet Ha, was suspended starting from April 18 until further notice. Ha was earlier assigned to serve as the homeroom teacher of class 10A15 at the High School for the Gifted under Vinh University, located in the provinces Vinh City. Ha is working with the local police. The school appointed another homeroom teacher as a substitute for Ha to take charge of her class, Bang said. The high school was told to team up with police officers to clarify whether there is a group of people formed to isolate N.T.Y.Ng., who was studying in class 10A15 and allegedly died by suicide at home last Saturday. Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, Ha said Ng. was close to a group of friends before starting high school, but their friendship ended a while later. Ng. and her family previously sought the schools nod to allow her to be transferred to another class, as the schoolgirl was reportedly isolated at school and was beaten by a group of students on her way home. However, her class transfer request had yet to be resolved. Last weekend, Vinh University was informed of the schoolgirls suicide allegedly linked to school violence. The universitys management board right after that worked with the high school and relevant parties over the issue, which was then reported to the Ministry of Education and the provincial authorities. The school representatives also visited and offered condolences to the bereaved family. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A high school homeroom teacher in Nghe An Province, north-central Vietnam has been suspended from work after her female student allegedly died by suicide at home due to school violence. Nguyen Huy Bang, president of Vinh University, said on Wednesday that the teacher, identified as Dang Viet Ha, was suspended starting from April 18 until further notice. Ha was earlier assigned to serve as the homeroom teacher of class 10A15 at the High School for the Gifted under Vinh University, located in the provinces Vinh City. Ha is working with the local police. The school appointed another homeroom teacher as a substitute for Ha to take charge of her class, Bang said. The high school was told to team up with police officers to clarify whether there is a group of people formed to isolate N.T.Y.Ng., who was studying in class 10A15 and allegedly died by suicide at home last Saturday. Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, Ha said Ng. was close to a group of friends before starting high school, but their friendship ended a while later. Ng. and her family previously sought the schools nod to allow her to be transferred to another class, as the schoolgirl was reportedly isolated at school and was beaten by a group of students on her way home. However, her class transfer request had yet to be resolved. Last weekend, Vinh University was informed of the schoolgirls suicide allegedly linked to school violence. The universitys management board right after that worked with the high school and relevant parties over the issue, which was then reported to the Ministry of Education and the provincial authorities. The school representatives also visited and offered condolences to the bereaved family. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Drake Bell's wife, Janet Von Schmeling, filed for divorce a week after the 'Drake and Josh' star reportedly went missing. The wife of Drake Bell, Janet Von Schmeling, has filed for divorce just a week after the mysterious disappearance of the "Drake and Josh" star. Bell is most popularly known for his titular role in the hit Nickelodeon show, "Drake and Josh." Last week, the actor made headlines after reports circulated that he was reported missing. But later on, the 36-year-old star was found safe and sound. Drake Bell's Wife Files for Divorce But this time, as per TMZ, the former Nickelodeon actor is the talk of the town once again. His 28-year-old wife has reportedly filed for divorce from their marriage. It is worth noting that the couple is the parents of their one-year-old kid, Wyatt Bell. The documents obtained by the news outlet note that Von Schmeling is asking for their son's physical and primary legal custody. Daily Mail UK notes that Von Schmeling and Bell had been married for roughly four years. According to People, the wife of the former Nickelodeon star filed a dissolution of marriage petition at the Superior Court in Los Angeles on Thursday. The filing shows that Von Schmeling says she is pursuing this route over "irreconcilable differences" between them. The court documents show that the wife of Bell is open to granting the actor visitation rights to their one-year-old child. On top of that, Von Schmeling is also requesting spousal support, according to the filing at the Los Angeles court. As of writing, the "Drake and Josh" star has yet to respond to reports of their divorce. Read Also: Drake Bell Found Safe: Former Nickelodeon Star Speaks Out About 'Missing' Report Mysterious Disappearance of Former Nickelodeon Star Before the news of his divorce broke, the former Nickelodeon actor was the center of a mysterious disappearance. A week ago, the former child star went missing in Dayton Beach, Florida. The local police disclosed that authorities are searching for the "Drake and Josh" star after he was reported to have disappeared. But later that day, the actor was found safe and sound. The Daytona Beach Police Department stated in an update that "we can confirm law enforcement officials are in contact, and Mr. Bell is safe." The former child actor joked about his mysterious disappearance on a Twitter post, which was deleted later. The "Drake and Josh" star quipped, "You leave your phone in the car and don't answer for the night, and this?" A police report claims that the search for the former Nickelodeon star began when his brother, Robert Bell, contacted the Orlando Police Department. The actor reportedly blurted out some suicidal statements due to problems in child custody. Now, the wife of the ex-child star has reportedly filed for the dissolution of their marriage. Related Article: AI-Generated Drake, Weeknd Song About Selena Gomez Goes Viral: Who's Behind it? @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. New UK series A Town Called Malice starring Jason Flemyng (Save Me, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels) and Martha Plimpton (Mass, The Good Wife) premieres in May. Created and written by Nick Love (Bulletproof, The Sweeney), the eight-part drama crime thriller and family saga set in the early 80s follows the Lords a family of South London gangsters whove fallen to the bottom of the criminal food chain and theyre not happy about it. When they flee to the Costa del Sol in Spain following a gangland battle, the Lords realise this is a golden opportunity to re-invent themselves and re-capture their former glory. However, they spend as much time battling each other as they do their opponents. This high-octane, neon Western is a musical love letter to the 80s filled with romance, obsession, violence, deceit, and swagger. The Lord family is headed up by Jason Flemyng as Albert Lord, Jack Rowan (Born to Kill) as Gene Lord, Tahirah Sharif (The Haunting of Bly Manor) joins as Cindy Carter, Genes girlfriend, and Martha Plimpton as Mint Ma, who will be joined by wider family members Dougray Scott (Ever After, Mission: Impossible 2) as Uncle Tony, Lex Shrapnel (Captain America) as Leonard Lord, Daniel Sharman (Fear the Walking Dead, Medici) as Kelly Lord, George Jaques (The Third Day: Autumn) as Anthony Lord and Eliza Butterworth (The Last Kingdom) as Carly Lord. A Town Called Malice was commissioned by Gabriel Silver, Director of Commissioning, Drama at Sky Studios for Zai Bennett, Managing Director of Content, Sky UK. The series is executive produced by Nick Love for Rogue State, Jane Moore for Vertigo Films and Paul Gilbert for Sky Studios. The series is a co-production between Rogue State, Vertigo Films & Sky Studios, written and created by Nick Love. The lead director is Jamie Donoughue and the series producer is Andy Noble. Wednesday May 3 at 8.30pm on FOX Showcase and Binge. ABC: More than 200 ABC staff and contributors will be working across the country and across Europe to bring Australians all the important moments on ANZAC Day, Tuesday April 25. Every capital city will have live TV coverage of a local march, however coverage of capital city dawn services varies in each state (see below). State TV broadcasts will also be streamed live on ABC iview. It will also screen live coverage of the dawn services in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra and from the Australian War Memorials in Gallipoli, Turkiye and Villers-Bretonneux in northern France. The days coverage will conclude with the Governor General, David Hurleys ANZAC Day Address at 6.55pm. ABCs Head of Screen, Sport and Events, Kath Earle, said: We will have our cameras at the Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne dawn services as well as multiple cameras situated along the march routes in the capital cities to ensure we capture all those taking part. There will also be roving reporters, who will interview key spokespeople from the RSL, the defence forces as well as the servicemen and women and their families, who will be marching. Tuesday April 25. Sydney The Sydney Dawn Service will be broadcast live on ABC TV, ABC News channel, ABC iview, ABC Radio Sydney, ABC Radio NSW and on the ABC listen app from 4.20am (AEST). The Sydney March will be broadcast on ABC TV and ABC iview from 9am (AEST). Canberra The Canberra Dawn Service will be broadcast live on ABC TV, ABC News channel, ABC iview, Radio National, ABC Local Radio and on the ABC listen app from 5.30am (AEST). The Canberra March will be broadcast on ABC TV and ABC iview from 9.30am (AEST). Melbourne The Melbourne Dawn Service will be broadcast live from 6-6:30am (AEST) from the Melbourne Shrine of Remembrance to ABC Radio Victoria and on the ABC listen app. The Melbourne March, which will include dawn service highlights, will be broadcast on ABC TV and ABC iview from 9am-12pm. Hobart The Hobart March will be broadcast live between 11am and 12.30pm (AEST) on ABC TV and ABC iview. This will include highlights of the Hobart Dawn Service. Brisbane The Brisbane March will be broadcast live between 10am and 12.30pm (AEST) on ABC TV and ABC iview. This will include highlights of the Brisbane Dawn Service. Adelaide The Adelaide Dawn Service will be broadcast live on ABC TV, ABC iview, ABC Radio Adelaide, ABC Radio SA and on the ABC listen app from 6-7am (CST). The Adelaide March will be broadcast on ABC TV and ABC iview from 9am-12pm (CST) and include highlights of the Adelaide Dawn Service. Darwin The Darwin Dawn Service will be broadcast live on ABC TV, ABC iview, ABC Radio Darwin, ABC Radio NT and on the ABC listen app from 6-7am (CST). The Darwin March will be broadcast on ABC TV from 9-9:30am (CST). Perth The Perth March will be broadcast live between 9am and 12pm (AWST) on ABC TV and ABC iview. This will include highlights of the Perth Dawn Service. Gallipoli and Villers-Bretonneux ABC TV and ABC NEWS channel will broadcast the Gallipoli Dawn Service live from 12.30pm (AEST) and the Villers-Bretonneux Dawn Service from 1.30pm (AEST). Broadcast times can be found on the ABC Anzac Day website. Governor-Generals Address Governor-General David Hurleys Anzac Day Address on ABC TV and ABC iview from 6.55pm to 7.00pm (AEST). Other coverage ABC News Digitals Anzac Day coverage will include previews on the different ways to commemorate the day and a series of historical features and news stories reflecting the ways Australians are marking it. Seven: 4:50am Dawn Service. Live. Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane. 4:50am Dawn Service. Adelaide, Perth. Natalie Barr and David Koch return to host a moving Dawn service, set against the stunning backdrop of the Currumbin coastline in Queensland, and will be joined by veterans and their families at the Vikings Surf Lifesaving Club. The early telecast will be followed by a special edition of Sunrise, with reporters live around the country and on the ground in Gallipoli and the Western Front. Nine: Sydney ANZAC Day Dawn Service from Cenotaph in Martin Place. 3:55am Dawn Service. Live. Adelaide 4:25am Dawn Service. Live. Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane. 4:25am Dawn Service. Perth. 10:25am Gallipoli Dawn Service. Live. Perth 11:55am Gallipoli Dawn Service. Live. Adelaide 12:25pm Gallipoli Dawn Service. Live. Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane. 11:35pm. Villers Bretonneux Dawn Service. Live. Perth 1:05pm Villers Bretonneux Dawn Service. Live. Perth 1:35pm Villers Bretonneux Dawn Service. Live. Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane. 10: 3:50am ANZAC Day 2023 Live. Adelaide, 4:20am ANZAC Day 2023 Live. Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane. 4:20am ANZAC Day 2023. Perth. After media complaints, a controversial ACMA breach, and a US settlement, Four Corners will rebroadcast its episode FOX and the Big Lie reported by Sarah Ferguson. This will be the second episode of the previous two part story, with a new intro by Sarah Ferguson. On the question of whether ABC might rebroadcast any material deemed an ACMA breach, an ABC spokesperson told TV Tonight, Fox and the Big Lie has been edited to be a stand-alone program and updated to include the latest developments. It abides by the highest editorial standards. In related news media mogul Lachlan Murdoch has also just dropped a high-profile defamation case against local publishers Crikey Media. Fox News has abruptly agreed to pay more than $1 billion over allegations it promoted misinformation about the 2020 US election. Its one of the highest publicly known defamation settlements in US history. The settlement with election technology company Dominion Voting Systems was the latest twist in an extraordinary case that has exposed the inner workings of the powerful Murdoch-owned conservative news network. Dominion, in addition to the huge payout, exacted a statement from Fox News that certain claims it made about the company were not true. This case is just one of many launched against Fox and its friends. Two years ago, reporter Sarah Ferguson investigated how Rupert Murdochs Fox News promoted Donald Trumps propaganda and helped destabilise democracy in America. This week Four Corners has decided to re-air that special investigation in light of the Dominion settlement. Fox will no longer be scrutinised through a trial, so this is the complete story. Monday 24th April at 8.30pm on ABC. Former Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Oliver Dowden (Rob Pinney / Getty Images) Oliver Dowden, a long-term ally of Rishi Sunak, has been appointed as the new deputy prime minister following Dominic Raabs resignation over a damning report into his conduct. Downing Street announced on Friday (April 21) that the Prime Minister had promoted Dowden, a minister in the Cabinet Office, after Raabs decision to stand down as a result of bullying allegations made against him. Sunak announced Alex Chalk will fill Raabs other job as justice secretary. Mr Raab resigned as justice secretary and deputy prime minister on Friday morning, publishing a damning 1,100-word essay in the Telegraph. In his resignation letter to Rishi Sunak, he claimed the investigation had been flawed and said the conclusions set a dangerous precedent for the conduct of good government. Who is Oliver Dowden? Oliver Dowden has been the MP for Hertsmere, in Hertfordshire, since 2015. Growing up near Watford, he said he had an excellent state education, attending a comprehensive school before reading law at Trinity Hall, Cambridge. His father worked at a factory and his mother at Boots. Before becoming an MP, Dowden worked for PR firm Hill & Knowlton and as former prime minister David Camerons deputy chief of staff. He was appointed Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on October 25, 2022, before being appointed Secretary of State in the Cabinet Office in February 2023. Mr Dowden is a key ally of Rishi Sunak, and was a vocal backer for Mr Sunak in both Tory leadership contests last year. Over the years, the newly chosen deputy prime minister was previously Minister without Portfolio, Cabinet Office between September 2021 and June 2022. Before that, he was Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media ,and Sport between February 2020 and September 2021. His career harks back even earlier, with other roles in the Cabinet Office, such as paymaster general and minister, and parliamentary secretary. Cancel culture and the war on woke Dowden has hit headlines over the past couple of years by intervening in the national debate over the so-called cancellation of controversial historical figures. Story continues Speaking to the Evening Standard last year, Dowden said that woke culture runs contrary to the great liberal traditions of Western democracies. While culture secretary, Dowden opposed the return of historic artifacts held in British museums and galleries that had been brought to Britain during colonisation. In particular, he argued that the Benin bronzes, most of which had been forcibly by British armed forces from Benin City during a punitive raid, should remain in Britain. In an interview with Channel 4 News in September 2021, about the bronzes held in the British Museum, he said: The collections of our great national institutions have been developed over many, many centuries, in many times in questionable circumstances. I think the question now is about what we do with these. I love the Benin bronzes, Ive seen them many times throughout my life, and I think them being in the British Museum, which is a world repository of heritage, allows people to see it but that doesnt stop us from sharing it. Dowden was also embroiled in a controversy over claims that his department was behind an anti-woke purge of arts board members deemed to be on the wrong side of a cultural war surrounding statues, wealth derived from the slave trad,e and the representation of colonialism in museums. During his time as co-chairman of the Conservative Party, Dowden continued to be identified with the controversy over woke culture. In February 2022, Dowden gave a speech in the USA to The Heritage Foundation in which he called cancel culture a painful woke psychodrama sweeping the West and sapping its confidence. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 20, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Pan American Silver Corp. (NYSE: PAAS) (TSX: PAAS) ("Pan American") will announce its unaudited results for the first quarter of 2023 after market close on Wednesday, May 10, 2023. Pan American will also be holding its Annual General and Special Meeting of shareholders (the "Shareholders Meeting") the same day at 6:00 pm ET (3:00 pm PT). First Quarter 2023 Unaudited Results Conference Call and Webcast Date: May 11, 2023 Time: 11:00 am ET (8:00 am PT) Dial-in numbers: 1-888-396-8049 (toll-free in Canada and the U.S.) +1-416-764-8646 (international participants) Conference ID: 49301459 Webcast: https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/492473712 The live webcast, presentation slides and the report for the first quarter of 2023 will be available at https://www.panamericansilver.com/invest/events-and-presentations/. An archive of the webcast will also be available for three months. Annual General and Special Meeting of Shareholders Pan American is scheduled to hold its Shareholders Meeting at 6:00 pm ET (3:00 pm PT) on Wednesday, May 10, 2023 at 1200 Waterfront Centre, 200 Burrard Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The Management Information Circular, Notice of Annual General and Special Meeting of Shareholders, Form of Proxy and other proxy-related materials for the Shareholders Meeting are available at https://www.panamericansilver.com/invest/events-and-presentations/. The Shareholders Meeting will not be webcast. About Pan American Silver Pan American is a leading producer of precious metals in the Americas, operating silver and gold mines in Canada, Mexico, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, Chile and Brazil. We also own the Escobal mine in Guatemala that is currently not operating. We have been operating in the Americas for nearly three decades, earning an industry-leading reputation for sustainability performance, operational excellence and prudent financial management. We are headquartered in Vancouver, B.C. and our shares currently trade on the NYSE and the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "PAAS". Story continues Learn more at panamericansilver.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230420005978/en/ Contacts Siren Fisekci VP, Investor Relations & Corporate Communications Ph: 604-806-3191 Email: ir@panamericansilver.com The first cohort of scholars in the University of North Georgia (UNG) elementary and special education online professional development community (PDC) will graduate in May. The group six started their studies at UNG's Blue Ridge Campus and completed their student teaching segment in Fannin County, Georgia. Last year, the scholars completed their coursework online and had placements closer to home or work. Members of the cohort started with UNG as freshmen in the old building on Dunbarton Farm Road before the education program existed at Blue Ridge. They transitioned to the stand-alone campus that opened for fall 2020. Sandy Ott, executive director of the Blue Ridge Campus, said the group is making history. "Having the education program at Blue Ridge opens access and opportunities to students in our community. It shows the university's investment in the area by constantly asking what else can we do for these students," Ott said. College of Education students are divided into four professional development communities (north, south, east, and west) because the college supports students from Gwinnett County to Blue Ridge. The north PDC students are doing their program completely online and will be graduating in May. "The idea actually started during the pandemic, when we, as a department, were doing a lot of our placement supervision virtually because we couldn't go into the schools," Dr. Jennifer Sears, assistant professor and north PDC facilitator, said. "What if we reached out to the Blue Ridge community to see if there would be interest in doing an entire program online?" High school students in Fannin, Gilmer and Union counties and other nearby communities didn't see a path to higher education to get a teaching degree because they needed to stay home due to income and family reasons. If they wanted to be a part of UNG's program, they would have to move to Dahlonega or Gainesville, creating financial difficulties, Sears said. "Now we've created a path for these students to become teachers," Sears said. The University of North Georgia (UNG) will wrap up its spring-semester Sesquicentennial Celebration events with a Sesquicentennial Sweet Finale on April 27-28. Held on each of UNG's five campuses, Sesquicentennial Sweet Finale will feature ice cream sundaes plus the unveiling of a time capsule on UNG's Dahlonega Campus and the planting of a maple tree on each of the other campuses. Event times and locations are: April 27 Cumming, Lobby, noon Dahlonega, Hoag Auditorium, noon Gainesville, Robinson Ballroom, noon Oconee, Multipurpose Room 522, noon April 28 Blue Ridge, Lobby, noon UNG's Sesquicentennial serves as an opportunity to honor the university's heritage, celebrate its present achievements, and focus on where it will lead next. Sesquicentennial Sweet Finale, the time capsule and the maples are a collaboration between the UNG Foundation, the Sesquicentennial Committee and the Student Government Association (SGA). "As many generations of past North Georgia students left their mark on the university, this current generation will leave a legacy for future Nighthawks. The time capsule will provide future generations a guide of what has transpired before them and a roadmap for paving the way into the future," Dr. James Conneely, vice president for Student Affairs, said. "The trees symbolize growth and prosperity as the seedlings are planted for moving UNG to new levels of excellence. The students are the spirit of UNG's past, present and future." Anna Mller, SGA president, is looking forward to the special finish to the 2022-23 academic year. "In our celebration of UNG's 150th anniversary, we hope that the time capsule and maples on each campus serve to further connect and strengthen our UNG spirit across campuses. We see this project as a unique opportunity to reflect on and recognize the spirit of each of our five campuses as well as the spirit of one collective UNG," she said. "As we watch the trees grow, we may recognize the ways in which we continue to stand on the shoulders of previous generations and administrations, continuing our upward climb and development toward increasing scholarship, leadership and service." The plan is to open the time capsule in 2073, which will mark the university's Bicentennial. Mallory Rodriguez, director of student life and leadership, said the students have done a great job with the project. "This is such an important moment in our university's history," Rodriguez said. "And I am incredibly proud of SGA and their thoughtful curation of items to commemorate UNG for the time capsule." Larry Elder, a well-known conservative commentator, has announced his bid for the upcoming 2024 presidential election. The radio host confirmed on Thursday that he is running for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party. Elder joins the growing list of Republicans aiming for the GOP nomination, including the former President, Donald Trump. Larry Elder Confirms 2024 Presidential Bid As per Associated Press, the conservative radio commentator confirmed his bid for the presidency during an interview with Tucker Carlson on Fox News. Elder says, "I am announcing I am running for the presidency of the United States." He also posted on Twitter to announce his presidential bid, apart from his pronouncement on the "Tucker Carlson Tonight" show." He wrote in his recent tweet, "America is in decline, but this decline is not inevitable," shortly after he launched his bid for the GOP nomination. He explains that he is running for President so "we can enter a new American Golden Age." The conservative radio host believes he is the leader "who can bring us there." His announcement expands the list of Republicans vying for the GOP nomination. According to CNN, the radio host joins Trump and other aspirants, such as South Carolina Senator Tim Scott and former governor of Arkansas Asa Hutchinson. Read Also: Biden Administration to Implement $6 Billion Student Loan Debt Cancellation Settlement Who is Larry Elder? Elder is popularly known as a longtime commentator who does not shy away from his conservative views. The AP News notes that Elder, a Black man, has opposed the "woke" agenda of the Democrats, specifically "Black Lives Matter." His stand on the matter gained him criticism from many Black people in the country. Elder entered the political arena a few years ago or in 2021. Fox News reports that he was the top replacement candidate for the gubernatorial recall election in California last September 2021. He was seeking to replace the Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom. But the latter survived the recall. Last year, he ran again as a California gubernatorial candidate facing Newsom. However, the Democrat won the seat. Since then, Elder has been showing signs that he might pursue a bid for the presidency in the upcoming polls in 2024. The conservative commentator teased that he will " likely run for president." As per CNN, Elder is set to speak at the upcoming Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition. Other hopefuls, like Trump, Scott, and Hutchinson, are potentially present to address the crowd. Other Republican figures are reportedly considering running for the top post, such as former Vice President Mike Pence and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. However, the two still need to launch their possible bid. Meanwhile, the current President of the United States (POTUS), Joe Biden, a Democrat, is reportedly gunning for his reelection. However, he has yet to announce his bid formally. Related Article: Trump Would Not Drop Out of Presidential Race Even if Convicted, Mocks Biden's Ability to Run Again @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. HCM CITY Japan and the RoK are important trading partners of Viet Nam, but the proportion of Vietnamese goods in the total import turnover of these markets is still modest, accounting for only 2.7 per cent and 3.3 per cent, respectively. Deputy Director of the HCM City Institute for Development Studies Pham Binh An made the statement at a workshop discussing measures to promote trade links between Viet Nam and Japan and the Republic of Korea (RoK), held by the Centre of International Integration Support and the Investment and Trade Promotion Center of HCM City (ITPC) on Wednesday in the city. Viet Nam has signed many free trade agreements with the two countries, including the Viet Nam-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (VJEPA), the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and the Viet Nam Korea Free Trade Agreement. According to An, Viet Nam has strengths in exports with many key items such as textiles and garments, footwear, and agricultural products. For the first time, Viet Nam's import-export turnover exceeded US$700 billion in 2022, putting the country in the group of leading economies in international trade. However, he said that Viet Nam's exports face many challenges this year due to the decrease in global consumer demand, particularly in important export markets of Viet Nam. Therefore, exploring potential markets such as Japan and the RoK will be important to increasing Viet Nams export growth. From statistics on Viet Nam's export turnover to Japan and the RoK, as well as the market scale of the countries, it can be seen that there still remains great potential and opportunities for Viet Nam to promote the export of textile and garment products, leather and footwear products, and agro-aquatic products, to these markets, said o Quoc Hung, deputy head of the Ministry of Industry and Trade's Department of Asia-Africa Markets. Choi Kyu Chul, Vice President of the Korean Chamber of Business in Viet Nam (KOCHAM), stressed the need to have short-term, medium-term and long-term strategies to further promote trade ties between the two countries. In the short term, it is necessary to prioritise ensuring the competitiveness of Vietnamese goods in the RoK market in terms of price, diversity, packaging, and marketing strategies. In the medium and long term, Viet Nam should pay attention to developing a high-quality workforce and investing in infrastructure development and supporting industries such as materials and components, he stressed. South Korean businesses hope that the Vietnamese Government will have new policies to further support the development of industries and businesses in the near future, especially supporting environmentally-friendly industries, he went on. VNS HA NOI The number of Vietnamese brands in the country's top 50 has increased from 14 in 2018 to 21 in 2022, with six belonging to the top 10 most valuable brands. Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Quoc Khanh said the results show the remarkable efforts by Vietnamese brands in brand building, enhancing their position in the market, and building confidence among consumers. "Vietnamese brands are catching up with the global trend of investing in brand value," he said during a speech at the ongoing Vietnam National Brand Forum 2023. Khanh said with the support of the National Brand Program, many businesses realised the importance of brand building and started investing in their brands. He added that behind every successful brand is a successful business with popular products and services. Alex Haigh, CEO of Brand Finance Asia-Pacific, stressed the importance of a powerful story in building a brand image, as well as trust, accountability and familiarity with consumers. He advised businesses to start creating product ecosystems with an emphasis on a positive business environment, with good awareness of factors such as diplomacy and the local economy. He said Viet Nam should focus on building strong national bands in line with its economic competitive advantages such as manufacturing, processing and production. He said there is still much to do to bring Vietnamese brands to the international markets. It will require greater cooperation among the government, businesses, the media, artists and the people to help promote the brands. Nancy Elizabeth Snow, a professor from the University of California, said it's necessary to create engaging stories that showcase Viet Nam's unique traditional culture and values. Industry experts said building a successful brand requires large investments in product research and development, improving customer experience, strengthening quality management, and corporate culture. This is especially important in large markets with strong regulations, many of which belong to major international trade agreements, including the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the European UnionVietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). In such markets, bringing high-quality products that are produced using environmental-friendly methods is a key factor to success. Hoang Thi Thanh Thuy from TH Group, one of the country's largest producers of dairy products, said a greener approach to production remained a top priority in the long-term development strategy of Vietnamese businesses. She said TH has always favoured the most advanced and environmental-friendly production methods, from cattle herding to wastewater management and that a green band has brought many benefits both economically and in brand perception to help TH products compete in the market. Hoang Minh Chien, deputy director of the Trade Promotion Agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT), stressed the importance of keeping up with the global trend of healthy and safe consumption and urged businesses to start developing products and services that are resource-efficient. VNS Elon Musk, once the wealthiest man in the world, is facing another huge drop in net worth amid the recent SpaceX Starship explosion and the massive slump in the share price of Tesla. But despite the massive drop in his multi-billion wealth, Musk remains the second richest man. The Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton chairman and CEO Bernard Arnault are taking the top spot. Elon Musk Net Worth Dropped by Roughly $13 Billion Musk is the Chief Executive Officer of the two tech behemoths, Tesla and SpaceX. He now also owns the giant social network Twitter, which started removing legacy blue checkmarks. Prominent figures on the platform, such as Pope Francis and Beyonce, have already lost their verification badge after refusing to pay. According to Business Insider, all these giant firms which Musk owns are facing a tough week. The setback collectively slashes around $13 billion from his net worth, the Bloomberg Billionaires Index estimates. The latest slump in his wealth is by far the most significant decline for 2023. And as such, his net worth is now down to $163.9 billion. The billionaire tech entrepreneur used to be the wealthiest man in the world. However, the big boss of Louis Vuitton overtook him in December 2022, pushing him to the second spot, which he continues to cling to despite the turbulent week for his company. Business Insider reveals that his net worth of Musk is primarily composed of his stake in his tech companies. He owns a majority stake in Twitter, at roughly 79%. For Tesla, he keeps a 13% stake. He also holds a 42% stake in the space exploration firm SpaceX. The slump in the net worth of the Tesla boss comes amid the sharp decline in the share price of his all-electric automaker. On Thursday, the share price of the EV maker was down by a steep 9.8%. Apart from the massive drop in the share price of the giant automaker, the Starship rocket of SpaceX exploded on Thursday. Read Also: Elon Musk 'TruthGPT' Seeks To Rival OpenAI's ChatGPT, Google SpaceX Starship Explosion As per CBS News, SpaceX engineer, John Insprucker, confirmed the explosion during the live stream of its recent launch. He explains that the "Starship just experienced what we call a rapid unscheduled disassembly, or a RUB, during ascent." Meanwhile, the SpaceX founder, Musk, took to Twitter to congratulate the team for their recent test launch. He wrote, "Congrats SpaceX team, on an exciting test launch of Starship!" He added that they "learned a lot for [the] next test launch in a few months." BBC News notes that the Starship is the biggest and most powerful rocket the Musk-founder space firm, SpaceX, has ever built. The uncrewed spacecraft launched from the facilities of the tech behemoth at Boca Chica, Texas. Related Article: Elon Musk Urges Regulation of AI, Warns of Impending Impact 'Like an Asteroid' on Society @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. THAI NGUYEN The Samsung Groups effective operations have made important contributions to Viet Nams electronic industry and trade relations, Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai said at a ceremony on Thursday marking the 10th founding anniversary of the Samsung Electronics Viet Nam Thai Nguyen Co Ltd and receiving a third-class Labour Order. Khai hailed Samsung as the biggest South Korean investor and the biggest foreign investor in Viet Nam with total registered capital of nearly US$20 billion. So far, its capital in projects in Thai Nguyen Province has neared $7.5 billion, or about 73 per cent of the total foreign direct investment in the province, he said. Throughout its 10-year journey of operating in Viet Nam, Samsung Viet Nam Thai Nguyen has always been a leading manufacturer of mobile devices under the brand Samsung "made in Vietnam". It is also a unit with the largest revenue and contribution to the export turnover of the Samsung Group in Viet Nam. Last year, the company raked in $28.3 billion in revenue and $27.3 billion in export earnings, equivalent to 38.3 per cent and 42.1 per cent of the Samsung Group's total, respectively. The Vietnamese Party, State and Government always create favourable conditions to attract domestic and foreign investors in the principle of harmonising interests and sharing risks", accompany and ensure the legitimate rights and interests of investors, businesses and relevant partners, Khai said. He suggested that the Samsung Group should continue expanding operations and consider Viet Nam an important strategic global location for its overall growth, not only in terms of production but also in research and development of key products for export to the world, with the aim of becoming a talent nurturing centre in Viet Nam, inventing and adopting the world's most advanced technologies. The leader urged preparing necessary conditions for early trial production of semiconductor chip grid products, toward mass production from July 2023 at the Samsung plant in Thai Nguyen. It will be a good start for its closed-looped "production chain" in the electrical and electronic industries in Viet Nam, he said. On the occasion, the Deputy PM also asked the company to make it easier for domestic firms to join in its supply chain more deeply. Taking note of the Samsung Groups suggestions regarding the global minimum corporate income tax starting from 2024, Khai said the Vietnamese Government vows to continue accompanying and promptly tackling obstacles faced by foreign investors, including Samsung, to do business effectively and grow sustainably in Viet Nam. General Director of Samsung Vietnam Choi Joo Ho said that thanks to comprehensive support of the Vietnamese Government and the provincial authorities, the unity of staff and suppliers, Samsung has overcome all obstacles and built the factory like today. Reiterating many Vietnamese leaders statement that "Samsung's success is Viet Nam's own", Choi said Samsung will make every effort to become a business that goes hand in hand with Viet Nam and a national enterprise that receives sentiments of the Vietnamese people. He also expressed his hope for joint efforts to overcome all challenges on the path of the next decade and the future ahead. VNS HA NOI Contech Vietnam 2023 was officially launched on Friday morning at the National Exhibition Construction Centre (NECC), with the participation of more than 100 exhibiting booths from 60 local and international companies. This years international trade fair for construction and transport machines, equipment, technology, vehicles, and materials takes place from April 21 to April 24. The exhibition gathers the latest and most modern technology, equipment, and products in the construction, building materials, mining, and transportation industries, from leading prestigious brands in Viet Nam, and other countries such as South Korea, China, Australia, Singapore, Germany, France, and Russia. Contech Vietnam 2023 is an opportunity for exhibitors to find partners in a potential market like Viet Nam. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Tong Van Nga, chairman of the Vietnam Building Materials Association (VBMA), said that: "After the disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual event Contech Vietnam resumes. "This is an ideal event for domestic and foreign manufacturers and suppliers to network, learn new technology, and collaborate in investment and trade," Nga said. Along with returning exhibitors, many newcomers attend the event in hopes of making new friends, collaborators, and clients. "This is our first time participating in the trade fair. We come here looking for new customers as well as trade intermediaries to import and distribute our products in Viet Nam," said Alex Jeong, general director of Global Marketing & Sales at YooChang. Similarly, a presenter from Russia sees bright prospects in the Vietnamese market. "This is our first time in Viet Nam. This is a good opportunity for us to explore the market and see what is happening here, how friendly the business environment is in Viet Nam. Today is our first day, and we think that there are a lot of opportunities for us here as we see many construction projects in Ha Noi," Alexksandr Tumanov, a partner of Stroimatic, told Viet Nam News. "And given the potential for our equipment that we see in Viet Nam, this is a market niche and a chance to lay a foundation. So that is why we are here. "I hope to find maybe partners or maybe clients. We are open for discussion, and we are even thinking about the possibility of setting up a facility here to manufacture machines. We will see after the exhibition if there are any potential leads and any potential partners to discuss cooperation with them." Young Vietnamese businesses are also attending the event to hunt for opportunities. "We have never participated in the expo before. We want to find new clients who are interested in our industrial aluminium products," Pham Xuan Loc, project manager of Fravi Vietnam, said. "As a young enterprise, our company has taken advantage of new technology to replace old materials, meeting stricter requirements." In recent years, the construction and transportation industries have played an important role in the drastic change in urban appearance with many office buildings, high-class apartments, urban projects, new residential areas, and high-tech zones. And breakthrough new technology and techniques, as well as modern machinery and equipment, are believed to have contributed to the outstanding achievements. VNS HA NOI Shares ended the week on a negative note due to strong selling pressure dumping large-cap stocks during the last minutes of the session. On the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HoSE), the VN-Index lost 0.60 per cent to close Friday at 1,042.91 points. The index had gained 0.03 per cent to close Thursday at 1,049.25 points. Market breadth was negative with 128 gainers and 247 decliners. Some 553 million shares were traded on the southern exchange, worth VN9.7 trillion (US$413 million). As for foreign trading, they net bought on the HoSE and slightly net sold on the HNX today. The accumulation trend of the VN-Index may continue in the short term until the cash flow returns to the market, said BIDV Securities Co. Foreign investors net bought VN52.64 billion on HOSE, including Sacombank (STB) with VN35.18 billion, Hoa Phat Group (HPG) with VN31.99 billion, Saigon-Hanoi Bank (SHB) with VN16.81 billion. Foreign investors were net sellers on HNX with a value of VN460 million. The VN30-Index, which tracks the performance of the 30 largest stocks by market capitalisation and liquidity on HoSE, dropped 0.71 per cent to reach 1,046.18 points. In the basket, five stocks climbed, two stayed flat and 23 slid. Losers in the VN-30 basket included Novaland (NVL), Vinamilk (VNM), Vingroup (VIC), Vietjet (VJC), FPT Corporation (FPT), and Bao Viet Holdings (BVH). Most banking stocks dropped during the trading session. Those slumping included Vietinbank (CTG), Asia Commercial Bank (ACB), Vietcombank (VCB), National Commercial Joint Stock Bank (NVB), Military Bank (MBB), Sacombank (STB), Tien Phong Bank (TPB), Techcombank (TCB) and Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BID). VPBank (VPB) and Tien Phong Bank (TPB) were the only two bank stocks that went up. Energy stocks also suffered selling pressure with losers such as Drilling Mud Joint Stock Corporation (PVC), PetroVietnam Drilling and Well Services Corporation (PVD), PetroVietnam Technical Services Corporation (PVS) and PV OIL (OIL). On a sector basis, 21 out of 25 sector indices on the stock market lost ground, including construction, rubber production, IT and logistics, agriculture, real estate, food and beverage, retail, seafood production, and plastic and chemical production. Healthcare, wholesale and securities were among the gainers. The HNX-Index on the Ha Noi Stock Exchange (HNX) gained 0.15 per cent to close at 206.92 points. Over 93 million shares were traded on the northern exchange, worth VN1.2 trillion. VNS HA NOI Viet Nam's Government always creates favourable conditions for Viet Nam and Czech businesses to strengthen cooperation in trade and investment. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh made the statement at the Viet Nam - Czech Business Forum organised by the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) in collaboration with the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Viet Nam and the Czech Chamber of Commerce (CCC) held in Ha Noi on Friday. This forum aimed at introducing the potential and new opportunities in trade and investment to the business communities of the two countries, contributing to the promotion of economic and trade relations between Viet Nam and the Czech Republic. The forum attracted the participation of more than 300 Vietnamese and Czech enterprises operating in many fields, such as energy, industry, construction, finance - banking, forwarding - transportation, environment, high technology in anti-counterfeiting and voice recognition, military, aviation, pilot training and trade. At the forum, businesses of both sides signed cooperation agreements and memorandums of understanding with each other. They included the Memorandum of Understanding between Armex Group and Petrovietnam Power Corporation on the promotion of cooperation, and the collaboration agreement between Czech FAIR and Vietjet Air on training commercial pilots. Besides that, many other businesses on both sides actively met and exchanged to seek investment opportunities and new customers. Also at the forum, Prime Minister Chinh emphasised Viet Nam's efforts in building an autonomous economy and the achievements although the world economy, including Viet Nam, has been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and the complexities of geopolitics. In 2022, the bilateral trade turnover increased by 15 per cent on year to US$848 million. The Czech Republic now is one of important trading partners of Viet Nam in Central and Eastern Europe. In the term of investment, the Czech Republic has 41 projects in Viet Nam with a total registered investment capital of about $92 million, Chinh said. "Viet Nam will strengthen the development of infrastructure, administrative reform, development of human resources, completing of institutions, industrialisation on the basis of science and technology, development of the digital economy," PM Chinh said. "It will also develop supply chains, and reduce logistics and input costs. Viet Nam and the Czech Republic will improve efficiency in trade and investment cooperation and create favourable conditions for boosting the exchange of goods between the two countries. Viet Nam has proposed the Czech Republic to open its market further for Vietnamese agricultural products and electronics, PM Chinh said. In addition, this forum was a chance for the businesses of the two countries to strengthen cooperation and share solutions to take advantage of the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement and the EU-Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement, he said. In his speech at the forum, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala emphasised that Viet Nam is an important partner in Southeast Asia with a good traditional relationship over the past 70 years. This relationship has been strengthened further with the contributions of the Vietnamese community living and working in the Czech Republic and Czech investors doing business and investment successfully in Viet Nam, he said. The two countries have implemented effective cooperation in many fields such as mining, medical equipment, finance, defense, science, research and innovation. The Czech PM also expressed his belief that the governments of the two countries will continue to support and create favourable conditions for Czech and Vietnamese citizens in business activities and visits to each other. To facilitate the relations between the two countries, PM Fiala suggested that the two sides consider reducing restrictions on trade. At the forum, VCCI chairman Pham Tan Cong and CCC president Vladimir Dlouhy said that as national trade promotion agencies, the two chambers are always proactive and positive in supporting the businesses of the two countries. The two chambers will continue to work closely together to strengthen cooperation in trade and investment between the two countries' businesses. Trade turnover between the Czech Republic and Viet Nam reached nearly $850 million in 2022, mainly from exports of Viet Nam to the Czech Republic. Meanwhile, Czech export value to Viet Nam reached a modest number of $168 million, Dlouhy said. This forum was expected to contribute to increasing this number in the future. "Czech businesses are willing to share information to strengthen trade and investment cooperation in the fields of green industry, wastewater treatment, renewable energy, environmental protection technology, and tourism," he said. "In particular, it is necessary to have direct flights between Viet Nam and the Czech Republic to facilitate travel for businesses and people of the two countries." VNS HA NOI Vietnamese audiences were treated to the ancient Greek work Medea, performed by cai luong (reformed opera) artists for the first time in Ha Noi. Medea is one of the most popular works by playwright Euripides from the 5th century BCE. Based on a mythological background, the play focuses on the final part of Medea and Jasons marriage, which is catastrophic for the couple alone and their families. The play is among ancient Greek works to be translated into Vietnamese by Hoang Huu an. Medea script for cai luong was penned by veteran artist Trieu Trung Kien, director of Viet Nam Cai Luong Theatre. Originated in the southern area in the early 20th century, cai luong is a form of modern folk opera in Viet Nam. Medea was directed by known artist Le Chuc making the new version meaningful and keeping the human value of the original work. As well as being an ancient classic, one significant point about Euripides Medea is that this psychological tragedy refers to the mythological factors that foreshadow and prepare for the bloody final approaching. After the adventures of the Golden Fleece, the Greek hero Jason took his wife Medea into exile at Corinth. However, he then left her, seeking to advance his political ambitions by marrying Glauce, the daughter of King Creon of Corinth. Medea hints darkly that Jason may live to regret his decision and secretly plans to kill both Glauce and Creon. And she murders her children partly because she cannot bear the thought of seeing them hurt by the enemy. "I respect the originality of the work," said Chuc. "And it is the right way to stage Medea, which is one of the 100 greatest plays of all time." Veteran director Chuc graduated from the Kyiv National University of Theatre of Cinema and Television in 1987. He has directed some 50 theatre productions during his career. Medea marks his return to theatre direction after he was an expert and a manager at different culture units such as Performing Art Department and Viet Nam Theatre Artists' Association. The director chose talented artist Ninh Thi Nhu Quynh to play Medea. Quynh makes her name with several leading roles at the theatre. She won one of the ten best artists at the National Contest for Cai Luong and Folk Singing in 2022 and a gold medal at the National Contest for Cai Luong in 2017. "It is lacking good script for not only cai luong but other art genres," Kien said. "Cai luong is always renovated and ready to get new factors. The theatre produces Medea aiming to diversify its repertoire and give to the artists a chance to perform the world classical work." The theatre plans to perform Medea at colleges and universities nationwide. VNS PARIS Chief of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Section of UNESCO and Secretary of the 2003 Convention Tim Curtis has remarked that Viet Nam has played an active role in implementing the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (2003 Convention) at both international and national scales. In an interview granted to Vietnam News Agency's correspondent in Paris, Curtis said that Viet Nam is currently home to 15 recognised intangible heritages and the first country to switch some heritages from the list of urgent protection to the list of the common heritage of humanity. The country has also shown its active role through its engagement in the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage twice. Viet Nam has supplemented the Cultural Heritage Law 2009 with a number of new cultural policies, including the recognition of intangible cultural heritage. Currently in Viet Nam, intangible cultural heritages are recognised not only in national policies but also by all regions, all localities and all ethnic groups, he said, hailing Viet Nams strong efforts in the work. Viet Nam has been aware of the role of culture in sustainable development and has put culture at a high position in its national development policy, he stated, underlining that this is an important message that the country is spreading. According to Curtis, the 2003 Convention, which has been in effect for 20 years, has been ratified by 181 UNESCO member countries, showing that the convention is meaningful for all. Regarding measures that Viet Nam should take to protect its intangible cultural heritages, Curtis said that the protection of intangible cultural heritage takes place through the transfer between generations which must ensure its continuity. It is necessary to design new mechanisms, while working with communities and integrating knowledge on heritage into education and paying more attention to young people, as they are who will transfer the knowledge to future generations, he said. Overall, the protection of intangible cultural heritage should aim at achieving sustainable development goals either in agriculture, education or poverty reduction, he said, adding that intangible cultural heritage matters should also be integrated into development policies. Viet Nam has so far shown strong performance in the work and should continue to follow this direction, the UNESCO official stated. VNS HA NOI National Assembly Chairman Vuong inh Hue and President of the National Assembly of People's Power of Cuba Esteban Lazo Hernandez compared notes on orientations and measures to further strengthen the fraternal solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, States, legislatures and peoples during their talks in Havana on Thursday (local time). At the talks, which took place following a welcome ceremony for the Vietnamese top legislator, host and guest also briefed each other on the domestic situation, and exchanged views on regional and international issues of shared concern. Lazo Hernandez noted that the visit by Hue and his entourage is the first by a foreign high-ranking delegation to Cuba after the successful parliamentary elections in the Caribbean nation. He called it a hallmark contributing to deepening the bilateral relations and fraternal solidarity between the two countries, especially in the context of Cuba celebrating the 62nd anniversary of the Giron Victory and the declaration of the socialist character of the Revolution (April 1961), and the 70th anniversary of the Moncada Barracks attack in Cuba (June 1953), and the two countries marking the 60th anniversary of Cuba's establishment of the Committee for Solidarity with South Vietnam (September 1963), and 50 years after Cuban leader Fidel Castro's first visit to Viet Nam and to the liberated zone in South Viet Nam (September 1973). The Cuban leader spoke highly of the Vietnamese delegation that includes representatives from the Vietnamese legislature, ministries and agencies relating to major cooperation areas between the two countries, and welcomed the participation of Vietnamese enterprises. Lazo Hernandez affirmed that Cuba always attaches importance to and wishes to deepen the special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation with Viet Nam. He also lauded and congratulated Viet Nam on achievements the country recorded in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, maintaining economic growth and ensuring social welfare. The leader used the occasion to thank the Vietnamese Party, State and people for their solidarity and sincere support for the revolutionary cause in Cuba as well as its cause of national defence, construction and development, especially in the present difficult time. For his part, Hue congratulated Cuba on its successful organisation of the 10th national assembly election and the April 19 session of the 10th NA of the Peoples Power of Cuba that elected State and Government leaders for 2023-2028. The Vietnamese Party, State and people fully believe that under the leadership of the Cuban Party and State, the Cuban people will reap more attainments in defending and building a socialist nation of prosperity and happiness, he affirmed. He also congratulated Lazo Hernandez on his re-election as President of the NA of People's Power of Cuba, and invited him to soon visit Viet Nam again. Hue conveyed wishes and regards of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, President Vo Van Thuong and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to Cuban leaders - General Raul Castro Ruz, First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee and President of Cuba Miguel Diaz-Canel, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz, and President of the NA of People's Power of Cuba Lazo Hernandez. On this occasion, Hue presented the book titled Several theoretical and practical issues on socialism and the path toward socialism in Viet Nam by Party General Secretary Trong to the Cuban top legislator. He also thanked Cuba for its dispatch of experts to Viet Nam in the pandemic combat, and donation of COVID-19 drugs and 5 million doses of Abdal vaccine. The two leaders exchanged ideas on bilateral agendas and agreed on measures to strengthen relations and cooperation, and rejoiced at the developments of the special Viet Nam-Cuba relations in the complex developments of the world situation. They agreed that in the time to come, they will continue to closely coordinate in intensifying the exchange of delegations at various levels and regularly maintain cooperation mechanism. The two sides also agreed to continue supporting policies for firms to increase their investment in the fields suitable to the need, conditions and capacities of each country; effectively implement projects on developing the production of rice, maize and aquaculture in Cuba; and at the same time continue realising key cooperation fields such as biotechnology, health care, tourism infrastructure, etc. The two leaders stressed the importance of and agreed to coordinate closely in the activities related to the celebration of the 60th anniversary of Cuba's Committee for Solidarity with South Viet Nam, the 50th anniversary of Fidel Castros first visit to Viet Nam and to the liberated zone in South Viet Nam to be held in Santiago de Cuba and Viet Nam's Quang Tri and Quang Binh provinces; thus continuing to further nurture and develop the two countries special, exemplary and faithful relations of friendship and solidarity, the foundation of which was laid by President Ho Chi Minh and President Fidel Castro. At the talks, the leaders of the two National Assemblies also exchanged ideas on international and regional issues of mutual concern. On this occasion, on behalf of the Vietnamese Party, State and people, NA Chairman Hue announced the decision to donate 5,000 tonnes of rice to the Cuban people. The two leaders signed and exchanged an agreement on the establishment of an inter-parliament cooperation mechanism between the two NAs; and witnessed the exchange of cooperation documents between the two countries ministries of construction, ministries of justice, ministries of science and technology, central committees of youth unions, and the Vietnam News Agency and the Prensa Latina. VNS HA NOI The Vietnamese National Assembly in coordination with relevant Cuban agencies presented orders to leaders of the National Assembly of the Peoples Power of Cuba at a ceremony in Havana on April 20 (local time), as part of the official visit to the Caribbean nation by NA Chairman Vuong inh Hue. Hue presented the Ho Chi Minh Order, certificate and flowers to Esteban Lazo Hernandez, Politburo member and President of the NA of People's Power and the Council of State, in recognition of his contributions to consolidating and promoting the special solidarity between the two Parties, legislatures and peoples. The honour was also given to Ana Maria Mari Machado, member of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee and Vice President of the NA of the Peoples Power and the Council of State; Homero Acosta Alvarez, Secretary of the NA of the Peoples Power and the State of Council; and Maria Yolanda Ferrer Gomez, head of the Cuban NAs Commission on Foreign Relations. On behalf of the honourees, NA President Esteban Lazo Hernandez stressed that they got it in the name of the Cuban people those they represent and with the sentiment of solidarity with the heroic Vietnamese nation originating from national hero Jose Marti who, together with President Ho Chi Minh and President Fidel Castro, laid the firm foundation for the solidarity between the Vietnamese and Cuban nations. He also affirmed President Ho Chi Minh proved that no forces can divide a nation of strong will, however huge the difficulties and challenges are that nation has to face, and highlighted that Cuba has learned a lot from the Vietnamese peoples wisdom and bravery. NA Chairman Hue is paying an official visit to Cuba at the invitation of President of the NA of People's Power Lazo Hernandez. This is the highest-level trip of a Vietnamese leader to Cuba as well as to Latin America since the beginning of 2023. Hue is also the first foreign leader to visit the Caribbean nation after the country successfully organised the general elections. VNS Havana Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) Vuong inh Hue met with Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz in Havana on April 20 afternoon (local time), stressing Viet Nams resolve to further reinforce its time-tested ties with Cuba. Chairman Hue, who is paying an official visit to the Latin American nation, said the Party, State, Government, National Assembly, and people of Viet Nam always support the just revolutionary cause of the fraternal Cuban people. They also attach importance to and are determined to further intensify the long-standing solidarity and comprehensive cooperation with Cuba. He informed his host about the strides in the relations between the two countries parliaments, especially mutual visits and meetings held in different forms between leaders and officials of the two parliaments, parliamentary agencies, and the Viet Nam - Cuba Parliamentary Friendship Group; along with their coordination to supervise and promote the implementation of the signed agreements and cooperation projects. The top legislator also used this occasion to deliver Vietnamese PM Pham Minh Chinhs letter of congratulations to Manuel Marrero Cruz on his re-election as the PM of Cuba. The Chairman pledged that the NA of Viet Nam will continue working closely with the NA of Peoples Power of Cuba to create optimal conditions for both sides enterprises to develop economic, trade, and investment links on par with the political relations. For his part, PM Marrero appreciated the Vietnamese delegation and Chairman Hues sincere and warm sentiments towards the Cuban Government and people. Cuba highly values its special traditional friendship with Viet Nam, founded by then President Ho Chi Minh and leader Fidel Castro over 60 years ago and nurtured by generations of the two countries leaders and people, he emphasised. He also thanked the Vietnamese Party, State, and people for their solidarity with his country as seen in the 5,000 tonnes of rice as a gift for Cuba on the occasion of the official visit. The PM affirmed that the Cuban Government will keep creating favourable conditions for Viet Nams investment projects, especially in the fields of food production, clean energy, and consumer goods manufacturing. The host leader also agreed that both governments will continue stepping up the measures for strengthening bilateral partnerships in economy - trade and science - technology as agreed at the Inter-governmental Committees annual meetings. Looking back on his official visit to Viet Nam in September 2022, PM Marrero repeated his invitation to PM Pham Minh Chinh to visit Cuba in the coming time. VNS HA NOI Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Friday morning hosted an official welcome ceremony for his Czech counterpart Petr Fiala who is on an official visit to Viet Nam from April 20-22. After the welcome ceremony, the two PMs held talks. As scheduled, the Czech government leader will also witness the signing of bilateral cooperation pacts, pay a courtesy call to President Vo Van Thuong, and attend a Viet Nam -Czech Republic business forum. The trip is the first to Asia by PM Petr Fiala since taking office at the end of 2021 and the first of a head of the Czech Government to Viet Nam in 15 years. Given the sound growth of the countries traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation, the visit reflects the Vietnamese and Czech leaders' appreciation of and desire to strengthen the bilateral relations. Viet Nam and the Czech Republic set up their diplomatic ties on February 2, 1950. Since then, the Czech Republic has always implemented a policy of developing cooperative relations with Viet Nam in all fields. Two-way trade reached US$848 million in 2022, up 15 per cent year-on-year. The Czech Republic has 41 FDI projects in Viet Nam with a total capital of $92 million, mainly in the processing, manufacturing and mining. It was the first eastern European country to provide ODA to Viet Nam, with about $20 million in total. Currently, there are nearly 100,000 Vietnamese people living in the Czech Republic. On July 3, 2013, the Czech Government decided to add Vietnamese-Czech people to its Council of Ethnic Minorities, thereby recognising Vietnamese-Czech people as an ethnic minority group in the country. VNS Interest in learning Chinese language grows in Turkiye Xinhua) 13:14, April 21, 2023 A photo taken on April 19, 2023 shows a Chinese teacher teaching Chinese language lessons at a classroom in Istanbul,Turkiye. (Photo by Omer Kuscu/Xinhua) ISTANBUL, April 20 (Xinhua) -- Since the turn of the century, a growing number of Turks have been pouring into Chinese language classes in Turkiye's financial and cultural hub Istanbul, and the capital city of Ankara. Established in 1999, the Turkish-Chinese Cultural Association started with humble beginnings, offering Turkiye's first official Chinese lessons to only three students. Now it boasts over 300 students in two cities and many more online. "Demand is growing because the value of the Chinese language and trade has been skyrocketing in Turkiye," Mustafa Karsli, vice president of the association, told Xinhua, "we don't even have to advertise for a while now." In his final year of high school, 19-year-old Yusa Nisar has been attending courses since December last year. He hopes to attend university in China and eventually settle there, as he reckons China as an increasingly attractive trade center. The language is excellent but challenging, he noted, adding "the characters and pronunciations are a little hard, but once you memorize them, everything falls into place." A photo taken on April 19, 2023 shows Turkish students attending Chinese language lessons at a classroom in Istanbul, Turkiye. (Photo by Omer Kuscu/Xinhua) Instructor Yuan Ren is a graduate of Chinese literature who has been teaching at the center for many years. Public officials, tour guides, and university students have been attending her classes. "Turkish students are very eager, inquisitive, and they are very excited to participate," she said. "Chinese culture and Chinese language is not very easy for foreigners, but Turkish students are very patient," added fellow instructor Qin Jian. Qin hopes to help improve the relationship between Turkish and Chinese peoples. "I share my Chinese culture and knowledge with my Turkish friends. I enjoy this very much," he said. Cultural exchange is an important part of the center's language education. "We do not separate the Chinese language from Chinese culture," stated Karsli. "We not only include cultural topics in the instruction, but also organize other cultural activities." Such activities include festival celebrations, cinema programs, exhibitions, online competitions, talent shows related to Chinese culture, singing competitions, and even Kung Fu and Jianzi performances. "Chinese is not as hard as you think," instructor Yuan Ren offers her prospective. "Come, and I'll make it easy for you to learn," she told her Turkish students. A photo taken on April 19, 2023 shows a Chinese teacher teaching Chinese language lessons at a classroom in Istanbul,Turkiye. (Photo by Omer Kuscu/Xinhua) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan) Kim Potter will be released from prison on Monday. Potter was sentenced for Daunte Wright's death in April 2021 Potter will serve another eight months on probation Kim Potter, a former Minnesota police officer who mistakenly killed Daunte Wright during a traffic stop after mistaking her handgun for a stun gun, is scheduled to be freed from jail on Monday, according to court documents. Potter, 50, has served 16 months at the Shakopee Minnesota Correctional Institution and will be monitored for another eight months. Kim Potter to be Released Early A distressing new booking photo depicts the degeneration of the former Brooklyn Center police officer behind the jail. The 26-year veteran had a perfect record before the devastating error that ended her career and took Wright's life. Wright, 20, was pulled over for expired license tags in Brooklyn Center on April 11, 2021, around 15 miles from where George Floyd was slain in Minneapolis in 2020. According to Fox News, Daunte Wright had an outstanding arrest warrant for failing to appear in court on a firearms charge. As Potter attempted to arrest him, she mistook him for a fleeing suspect and pulled her handgun instead of her stun gun. A jury found the mother of two guilty of first- and second-degree manslaughter, but Judge Regina Chu sentenced her to far less than the state-recommended minimum. Chu, who became tearful as she talked, stated that Potter was repentant. "She had no intention of hurting anyone. Per Daily Mail, during Potter's sentence trial in 2022, supporters of Potter and Wright wreaked chaos in the courtroom. Diamond Wright, Daunte's sister, was restrained. There were conflicting claims that she had fought with Chyna Whitaker, Daunte's two-year-old son's mother. Others speculated that she was attempting to shield Whitaker from an attack by someone else. Potter has spent the last year imprisoned in a five-level security jail roughly 25 miles southwest of Minneapolis. The institution cares for over 650 female convicts and provides a range of in-prison activities to aid rehabilitation. Inmates are asked to participate in a 5K race, advance their education, and strengthen their connection with God. Promotional brochures depict convicts learning, sewing, and cultivating fruit, which is distributed to community members in need. One guy is even attempting to earn a law degree while incarcerated. The jail is also the first to provide a pipeline program, which permits offenders to acquire a legal degree while incarcerated. Inmates can also enhance their education and pursue their professional goals within the jail. Read Also: Russia Warns To Supply North Korea with Latest Weapons Daunte Wright's Death On the second anniversary of Daunte Wright's death, a poignant tribute was held at Brooklyn Center on Tuesday night. The community gathered outside the Brooklyn Center Police Station to commemorate the passing of Wright after two years, CBS News reported. Soon after his death, the city approved the Daunte Wright and Kobe Dimock-Heisler Community Safety and Violence Prevention Act, which promised significant reforms in police. The majority of the demands in the legislation have yet to be executed. Dimok and Wright co-chair the implementation committee. They claim to have presented suggestions to the city council roughly six months ago but have yet to see the council advance their plans to a vote and implementation. After Daunte Wright died in 2021, there have been significant changes in Brooklyn Center municipal government, including several new city council members, a new mayor, and a new police chief. Related Article: Alabama Party Shooting: Video Shows Chaos After Teen's Birthday Celebration Leaves 4 Dead @YouTube @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. HA NOI National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vuong inh Hue attended a ceremony renaming the Peace Park in Plaza district, Havana, to Ho Chi Minh in honour of the late Vietnamese President and attaching a plate recording his life and career at the park on April 20 afternoon (Cuban time). The event was also attended by Vice President of the NA of the Peoples Power of Cuba Ana Maria Mari Machado, officials of Havana City and Plaza District, along with a number of local residents. Addressing the ceremony, Chairman Hue stressed that Viet Nam and Cuba share many similarities in terms of history, revolutionary ideal, and the tradition of struggling for national independence, freedom, and liberation. Their exemplary and faithful comradeship and fraternity have been nurtured by late Presidents Ho Chi Minh and Fidel Castro and generations of the two countries leaders. Cuba is proud of President Fidel Castro, and Viet Nam is proud of President Ho Chi Minh a beloved leader of the Vietnamese people who is also admired by the people in Cuba and the world, he noted, describing the monument to President Ho Chi Minh, designed by architect Joel Diaz Vice Chairman of the Cuba Viet Nam Friendship Association, at the Peace Park as a demonstration of the Cuban peoples special sentiment towards the late leader of Viet Nam. He considered the renaming of the park as a symbolic milestone of the Viet Nam - Cuba special friendship, expressing his heartfelt appreciation of the Cuban peoples sentiment. The Chairman also voiced his hope that the administration and people of Plaza district of Havana will continue preserving the park so that it can be an ever-lasting symbol in the heart of each Cuban and Vietnamese. For his part, Havana Governor Reinaldo Garcia Zapata said his city is proud to have a park named after President Ho Chi Minh, who together with Hero Jose Marti and leader Fidel Castro of Cuba laid the foundation for the two countries special, exemplary, and faithful solidarity. He added that on May 19 this year, Cuba will hold meaningful activities at the Ho Chi Minh Park to commemorate Hero Jose Marti and the birth anniversary of the late Vietnamese leader. VNS NEW YORK Promoting the role of multilateralism is of great importance in tackling the current global multidimensional crisis, helping secure financial resources for the implementation of sustainable development goals (SDGs), recommended Ambassador ang Hoang Giang, Viet Nam's Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN). Speaking at the 2023 UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Forum on Financing for Development, held from April 17-20, the diplomat called on the international community to make more efforts to narrow the financial gap between countries and suggested that the G7 and G20 nations accelerate the implementation of their commitments to support developing countries in accessing preferential financial resources for SDGs and climate change response. It is also necessary to share experience and information on such new rules as the global minimum tax rate and carbon credit, to transfer technology, and to build capacity for developing countries in terms of digital transformation and green transition, Giang underscored. He held that developing nations themselves need to improve their capacity in effectively mobilising domestic resources, associating SDGs with their development strategies, improving tax governance, and ensuring national financial security. Viet Nam is willing to contribute to joint efforts in carrying out the 2030 Agenda via the promotion of South-South and tripartite cooperation, said the diplomat. The forum aimed to discuss comprehensive measures to address current global challenges and promote long-term financial policies to implement the SDGs. In his opening speech, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on the G20 countries to quickly come up with a stimulus package for SDGs implementation worth at least US$500 billion per year to increase the size of long-term financing and give incentives to all countries in need. Participating leaders of UN agencies and countries have tabled a series of measures to increase financial resources for development including monetary and fiscal policy options to address pressing issues, international cooperation on taxation, and financial security for sustainable industrial transformation and climate change response. They unanimously adopted a political declaration emphasising the commitment to ensuring financial security serving development. On the sidelines of the meeting, the Vietnamese delegation has also actively participated and contributed to dialogue events such as the International Labour Organisation (ILO) seminar on employment and social protection for just transition, the Global Development Initiative seminar, and meetings and discussions with some partners. VNS HA NOI Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala agreed during their talks on Friday morning to enhance cooperation between their two countries across all sectors to achieve a trade turnover of US$1 billion within the next two years. At the invitation of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Czech PM Fiala started an official visit to Viet Nam from April 20-22. The two Prime Ministers held talks following an official welcome ceremony. During the meeting, PM Chinh affirmed Viet Nam's commitment to strengthening relationships with traditional friends, with the Czech Republic regarded as a priority partner. He noted that the visit of PM Fiala was of great significance, taking the excellent friendship and multi-faceted cooperation between the two countries to a new level of development. PM Fiala expressed his pleasure at visiting Viet Nam for the first time and extended sincere thanks to PM Chinh and the Vietnamese people for the warm welcome accorded to his delegation. He said the Czech Republic's strong commitment to the traditional friendship relationship with Viet Nam, which has a history of more than 70 years, and also affirmed that the Czech Republic considers Viet Nam to be its most important partner in Southeast Asia and hopes to foster cooperative relations with Viet Nam in all fields. The two Prime Ministers expressed delight at the positive progress in their bilateral relations despite the pandemic context. They emphasised the significant potential for cooperation while agreeing on specific measures to enhance cooperation between their countries across all sectors. In terms of economy and trade, both leaders welcomed the growth in bilateral trade turnover, which reached US$848 million in 2022 after two years of implementing the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). They set a target of reaching a trade turnover of $1 billion in the next one or two years by effectively implementing several measures. Those are fully implementing the EVFTA agreement, improving the effectiveness of the Joint Committee mechanism on economic cooperation, and encouraging Czech businesses to invest in Viet Nam, particularly in areas where the Czech Republic has the expertise, such as automobile manufacturing, digital transformation, renewable energy, environment, and infrastructure. The leaders also agreed to create favourable conditions for Vietnamese agricultural and aquatic products to enter the Czech market. PM Chinh requested the Czech Republic's support in pushing other EU countries to ratify the EU-Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA). At the same time, Czech PM Fiala expressed his interest in expanding Czech investment and business in Viet Nam. The two leaders also agreed to enhance cooperation in security, defence, culture, education and training, labour, science-technology, transportation, tourism, and other areas. The two sides will consider a plan to open cultural centres in each country and direct flights to promote investment, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges. Both leaders discussed regional and international issues of mutual concern and pledged to closely coordinate and support each other at international forums and organisations. They also support the peaceful settlement of disputes in the East Sea following international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982). Finally, PM Chinh thanked the Czech Government for creating favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community to integrate and live stably in the Czech Republic and expressed confidence that the Vietnamese community will continue to play a vital role in developing friendship and cooperation between the two countries. At the talks, the leaders witnessed the signing of cooperation documents in criminal mutual legal assistance, investment, and education. VNS HAVANA Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) Vuong inh Hue met with Cuban revolution leader General Raul Castro Ruz, and First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of Cuba Miguel Diaz-Canel in Havana on Thursday (local time). The two hosts welcomed the first official visit to Cuba by Chairman Hue, who is also the first foreign leader to have visited their country after it successfully held the elections of deputies to the National Assembly of Peoples Power for the 2023 - 2028 tenure and elected the new State and Government leadership. They described the trip as a contributor to the relations between the two Parties, Governments, parliaments, and people, highly valuing their guests speech at the first special session of the 10th-tenure NA of Peoples Power of Cuba. Recalling his visit to Viet Nam and meeting with late President Ho Chi Minh in 1966 as well as General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trongs State visit to Cuba in 2018, General Raul Castro affirmed that the Vietnamese peoples unyielding struggle is always a great source of support and Viet Nam's socio-economic development is a model for Cuba. He shared the view that both sides should continue enhancing their special friendship and solidarity, founded by leaders Ho Chi Minh and Fidel Castro and passed down to following generations. For his part, President Diaz-Canel thanked Viet Nam for assisting Cuba to guarantee food security and also spoke highly of its projects on fisheries and hybrid maize cultivation in his country. The Party and State of Cuba have always paid attention to and created optimal conditions for Vietnamese enterprises to do business and make investment, he went on, noting that Viet Nam is currently the second largest trading partner and the biggest Asian-Pacific investor in Cuba. Meanwhile, Hue informed his hosts about the outcomes of his talks and meetings during the visit. Officials of Viet Nam and Cuban ministries, sectors, and localities also engaged in many discussions. They signed cooperation documents in various areas, including parliamentary ties, construction, and agriculture, which will help develop the Viet Nam - Cuba traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation in a more practical and effective manner, he added. Senior leaders of the two countries discussed measures to continue fostering comprehensive cooperation, including holding mutual visits and meetings at all levels, tightening bilateral trade and investment links, and bringing into play existing cooperation mechanisms. They underlined the importance of activities to be organised in both countries to mark 50 years since Leader Fidel Castro visited the liberated zone in Quang Tri (September 1973) and the 60th founding anniversary of the Cuban Committee for Solidarity with South Viet Nam (September 1963), considering these as occasions to honour the countries long-standing friendship, all-round cooperation, and faithful solidarity. Chairman Hue said the Party, State, and people of Viet Nam always keep a close watch on the situation of Cuba and wish to help alleviate the difficulties facing the Latin American country. Affirming the Vietnamese Party, State, and peoples consistent solidarity with and support for the just cause of Cuba, he emphasised that Viet Nam will continue standing side by side with Cuba during the latters process of national development and fight against embargoes, and that it will continue giving food aid to the country. The two sides also exchanged views on some international and regional issues of common concern. They agreed to maintain consultation, close coordination, and mutual support at international organisations and multilateral forums, of which both countries are members, especially at the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement. On this occasion, the NA Chairman conveyed Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trongs invitation to General Raul Castro, and First Secretary and President of Cuba Diaz-Canel to re-visit Viet Nam when possible. VNS PARIS Looking back on the last 20 years since the adoption of the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2003, Viet Nam can be proud of its achievements and active contributions to the implementation of this treaty, not only at the national but also global level, said Ambassador Le Thi Hong Van, head of Viet Nams delegation to UNESCO. The ambassador made the remarks during an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of the conventions 20th anniversary (April 18). She elaborated that at the national level, Viet Nam, one of the 30 first states to join this convention, has made numerous efforts to integrate the treatys contents and spirit in its laws, programmes, and projects related to intangible cultural heritage as well as socio-economic aspects. The countrys experience, knowledge, and efforts in protecting and bringing into play intangible cultural heritage in terms of theory, law, and practice have been highly valued as good lessons for many countries in the region and the world, contributing to the effective and practical enforcement of the convention. By protecting and optimising the value of its 15 intangible cultural heritage items recognised by UNESCO, Viet Nam has helped preserve the representative heritage of humanity and those in need of urgent safeguarding, Van went on. At the global level, the country has made proactive and constructive contributions, especially to the conventions Inter-governmental Committee the key executive mechanism of the convention. The country was one of the members elected the earliest to the Inter-governmental Committee, in the 2006-10 tenure. Last year, it was elected to the committee for 2022-26 with the biggest number of votes. The elections held importance in many aspects as they showed Viet Nams growing stature and reputation in the international arena, the international communitys trust in the countrys capabilities at multilateral institutions, as well as their recognition of the country's contributions to the preservation and capitalisation of the values of domestic and global intangible cultural heritage, the ambassador said. This is a result of the countrys foreign policy of multilateralisation and diversification of external relations, and comprehensive, intensive, and effective integration into the world, she opined. As a member of the Inter-governmental Committee, Viet Nam has been directly taking part in the building and adoption of UNESCOs important decisions about culture, helping realise the conventions goals and priorities and guarantee national interests at the highest possible level in global cultural cooperation. This has affirmed Viet Nams role and reputation at UNESCO and in the international arena in efforts to promote the importance of intangible cultural heritage, which is not only an essential resource for cultural diversity, creativity, dialogue among cultures, and social cohesion but also an impetus for sustainable development, according to Van. The diplomat said UNESCOs recognition of 15 intangible cultural heritage items, along with eight tangible cultural and natural ones, is a demonstration of the international communitys high evaluation of Viet Nams cultural heritage and values. Through the recognition of those heritage pieces, the country has opportunities to honour tireless efforts by the community and artisans in preserving, promoting, and passing down heritage values to future generations; introduce the cultural quintessence of Viet Nam and images of a country with both dynamic development and rich traditions; and garner international partners support for heritage protection and value capitalisation. Viet Nam is also deeply aware that heritage recognition is not only a source of pride but also a responsibility of the country, all-level authorities, sectors, localities, and artisans in preserving and bringing into play heritage values, Ambassador Van added. VNS HAVANA General Director of Vietnam News Agency Vu Viet Trang visited the headquarters of Cuban News Agency (ACN) and held talks with ACN Director General Edda Diz Garces on April 20 (Cuba time). During the talks, two sides reviewed their bilateral cooperation and highlighted the importance of reliable information sources in the context of rampant fake news. They reiterated the wish to further intensify the traditional cooperation between the two State news agencies through information exchange and technical support, in line with the modern trend of journalism. The VNA Director General noted that ACNs true and reliable information is a very important source of reference for the VNA. She appreciated the exchange of text news and photos between the two sides and voiced her hope to expand the cooperation once ACN develops video news. The ACN Director General thanked the VNA for the practical assistance over the past time, saying that the equipment provided by the VNA has been very useful for ACN. She hoped for stronger bilateral cooperation, stressing that the ties between ACN and VNA are between not only colleagues but also comrades sharing an ideal. VNS LONG AN The Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta province of Long An plans to expand hi-tech farming of rice, dragon fruit, lime, vegetables, cattle, and brackish-water shrimp this year. It will focus on meeting export requirements and adopt Vietnamese and global good agricultural practices (VietGAP and GlobalGAP) standards, according to its Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. The department will work with local authorities to improve the functioning of 126 co-operatives and set up six new ones and 66 co-operative groups for hi-tech farming this year. It will publicise its preferential policies for developing the collective economy and improve the capacity of managers and members of co-operatives, help them adopt advanced agricultural techniques and develop linkages with other stake-holders, invest in infrastructure such as roads, electricity networks and irrigation works for hi-tech farming. It will assist individuals, co-operatives and companies with accessing trade promotion activities. The province plans to increase the area under hi-tech farming of rice to 60,000ha, of dragon fruit to 6,000ha, of vegetables to 2,000ha, of lime to 3,000ha, and of brackish-water shrimp to 100ha by 2025, according to the department. It had 30,000ha, 4,000ha, 1,800ha, 295ha and 10h respectively as of last year. By 2025 it also plans to have seven dedicated areas for rice and one each for lime and dragon fruit that meet export requirements. It wants hi-tech farms to yield at least 10 per cent higher incomes than normal farming areas. As one of the deltas largest dragon fruit producing provinces, Long An has most of its hi-tech orchards in Chau Thanh and Tan Tru districts and Tan An City. It has developed a number of models for growing dragon fruit to VietGAP standards for farmers in the three localities. Last year it developed three such models. Farmers who participate are provided 50 per cent subsidies for fertilisers and bio-products. The province issued 140,000 geographical indication stamps to co-operatives last year for Chau Thanh dragon fruit, one of its many speciality agricultural produce along with Tai Nguyen rice, Cho ao fragrant rice and Can Giuoc vegetables. Many farmers in the province have also switched to use organic fertilisers to improve quality and efficiency. Nguyen Van Ut in Ben Luc Districts Luong Hoa Commune has been using organic fertilisers on his 0.7ha lime orchard for the last three years. The trees grow well, do not suffer much from diseases and have a high fruiting rate, he said. The use of organic fertilisers helps lime trees develop sustainably and reduce costs since the price of chemical fertilisers is high, he said. Farmers can themselves make organic fertilisers from agricultural by-products, animal manure and other natural materials. Nguyen Van Co, deputy director of the Ben Luc Agriculture Service Centre, said when farmers use organic instead of chemical fertilisers they get higher prices for their produce and also help protect the environment. The district plans to increase the use of organic fertilisers to enhance quality and also rejuvenate the ecology, which has been affected by the overuse of chemical fertilisers. VNS HA NOI The former director of Ha Noi Heart Hospital has been sentenced to three years in prison for violating regulations on bidding, causing serious consequences. The charge against Dr Nguyen Quang Tuan, 56, was announced on Friday after a five-day trial at the Peoples Court of Ha Noi. He was charged in accordance with the provisions of Article 222, Clause 3, under the Penal Code. He will not be banned from practicing after he has served his sentence. The court determined that Tuan committed the crime while the health sector faced many difficulties and the procurement of medical supplies could not be met in time due to shortcomings of legal regulations. The court also said that it is a very serious case, infringing on the State's economic management order in the bidding for the procurement of medical equipment and supplies, affecting the reputation of the health sector and the hospital, causing insecurity among the people and going against the current fight against corruption. Tuan, who held the highest position at the hospital, has to take the highest responsibility for the violations, the court said. However, the court pointed out that he was a leading doctor with high professional qualifications in the field of cardiology and was highly regarded by both domestic and international public opinion. The court heard that during his work, he was awarded many noble medals, trained generations of doctors and saved many lives. During the investigation and at the trial, Tuan was sincere, especially repentant and actively re-mediate the consequences. He already returned US$10,000 that he received from Hoang Nga Medical Equipment Joint Stock Company and VN6 billion ($256,000). These are believed to be extenuating circumstances to mitigate the sentence for him, the court said. The court also said Tuans violations are not related to his medical expertise, so it is necessary to consider mitigating his punishment than that proposed by the representative of the Peoples Procuracy for him (the suggested sentence was from four to five years in prison) so that he can soon be returned to the community and contribute more to the health sector. Also at the trial, 11 other defendants were handed sentences ranging from two years on probation to three and a half years in prison. The court sentenced Nguyen Thi Dung Hanh, 54, former chief accountant of the hospital and head of the hospitals finance and accounting office, to two years in prison. Hoang Thi Ngoc Huong, 62, former deputy director of the hospital; oan Trong Binh, 63, former deputy head of the hospitals Medical Supplies Office; and Nghiem Tuan Linh, 43, former deputy head of the hospitals Medical Supplies Office, were given a sentence of two years and a half in prison each. Nguyen uc ang, 47, former chairman of the Board of Directors of Hoang Nga Medical Equipment Joint Stock Company, was given three years and a half in prison; Pham Huy Lap, 71, former director of the company, received a sentence of two and a half years probation; and Pham Thi Kim Oanh, the former chief accountant of the company, was sentenced to two years in prison. Phan Tuan at, 56, former chairman of the Board of Directors and former deputy director of Kim Hoa Phat Biotechnology Joint Stock Company, was given two years probation. Tran Phu Hung, 47, former deputy general director of AIC Viet Nam Valuation and Investment Joint Stock Company, was sentenced two years and a half in prison; Nguyen Hong Dung, 41, former deputy general director of the company, received a sentence of two years in prison; and Nguyen Trung Dung, 34, appraiser of the company, was given a sentence of 23 months and eight days in prison but was released as this was the same length of time he had spent in prison while awaiting the trial. Indictment The indictment revealed that since 2015, Tuan allowed the two companies to send medical supplies to be used in advance by the hospital. Tuan, ang and at knew each other before. After extensive bidding procedures were legitimately completed, shortened bidding was designated, and Tuan approved the decision for these two companies to win the contract for extensive packages in 2016 and four designated packages in 2017. Defendants Tuan, Huong, Hanh, Linh and Binh abused their positions to illegally intervene in bidding activities. These people colluded with the defendants at the two companies to carry out many violations from the bidding dossier, unit price, type, quantity of stents, and other medical supplies. The defendants at the hospital colluded with the defendants at AIC to issue appraisal certificates at the request and a fixed price of the hospital, which Tuan approved. This ensured that the two companies won the bids and sold medical equipment in violation of the Procurement Law, causing more than VN53.6 billion ($2.2 million) in damages to the hospital and the Social Insurance Fund in all five bidding packages mentioned above. VNS HCM CITY The Viet Nam National University-HCM City (VNU-HCM) needs to make breakthroughs in the quality of training, research and technology transfer to provide high-quality human resources for the whole country, especially for the southern provinces including HCM City, deputy head of the Party Central Committee's Organisation Commission, Hoang ang Quang, said at a meeting held on Thursday (April 20). Quang and a delegation had a working day with leaders of the VNU-HCM, which aims to be among the leading higher education institutions in Asia. He highly appreciated the schools strong determination and efforts gaining positive results in past years, affirming its position in the Vietnamese higher education system and the higher education world university rankings. He emphasised that the VNU-HCM has a big mission. Therefore, its member universities, including those with campuses in other provinces, need to further strengthen the integration process, to create a good impression as one of the leading higher education institutions in the region and the world, he said. The school needs to have a specific action plan with a suitable roadmap to turn into a leading unit for training and scientific research in Asia, and a convergence of Vietnamese culture and knowledge, science, technology and innovation. He asked the school to focus on improving the quality and effectiveness of university administration, creating a breakthrough in training both in programmes and scale, and enrollment methods. It needs to build an urban area, contributing to its stature as a large research and training centre in the country, he said. It also needs to focus on fostering political theory training for cadres, strengthening Party building, and developing party members, especially among students. Vu Hai Quan, director of VNU-HCM, said the school has gradually asserted its leading position, achieving many positive and impressive results. The school plays a key role in training and fostering high-quality human resources for the city and the southern region, he said. The school is building a plan to implement its target of becoming a leading higher education institution in Asia. The plan will include building an innovation centre, implementing favourable policies to attract and foster talents, developing education programmes with an interdisciplinary approach, and promoting university autonomy. In recent years, the schools political and ideological education has undergone great changes with many meaningful activities inspiring patriotism and national pride for all cadres, Party members and students. From August 2020 to now, the Party Committee of the school has admitted 314 new Party members. Nearly 50 per cent of the total number of new Party members are students. The number of admitted Party members who are students increased significantly from 28.4 per cent in 2020 to 61.3 per cent in 2022. More than 85 per cent of the Party members had university degrees or higher. VNS PETMAL Oil Holdings proposes a $2 billion oil refinery in the central province of Phu Yen At the meeting with the leadership of Phu Yen Peoples Committee on April 19, chairman and general director of PETMAL Oil Holdings Paduka Affendi stated that the group want to be allocated 500 hectares of land to develop the oil refinery and that the construction is expected to be completed in 36 months. Responding to Paduka Affendis opinion, Chairman of Phu Yen Peoples Committee Ta Anh Tuan said that the central province highly appreciates the groups plan. The Southern Phu Yen Economic Zone plans to attract technical infrastructure investment to build a deepwater port and industries that will boost the seaports advantages, including an oil refinery. The investor should work with relevant departments, agencies, and partners to ensure regulatory compliance when implementing the venture in the province, Tuan said. PETMAL Oil Holdings is the first independent, integrated, and licensed oil company in Malaysia that is involved in both up and downstream activities. It has played a major role in acquiring supply contracts from major companies within the industry to regional markets such as India and Europe. It is not the first time that foreign investors have suggested plans to develop an oil refinery in the province. In 2007, the joint venture between Technostar Management Ltd. from the United Kingdom and Telloil from Russia received an investment certificiate for the Vung Ro Petroleum and Oil Refinery project with the initial investment capital of $1.7 billion. After that, the investor gained approval to increase the capital to $3.2 billion. Under the original plan, the first phase of the construction process would be completed and operations would have begun in 2016. However, 10 years after being approved, the construction failed to begin due to barriers in the capital arrangement. As the result, in 2018, the project had its investment certificate revoked. Binh Son Refinery reports $130 million in profit in first half Binh Son Refinery and Petrochemical JSC (BSR), a wholly-owned subsidiary of PetroVietnam, acquired VND3 trillion ($130.43 million) in profit in the first six months of 2021 thanks to the soaring price of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) oil. PetroVietnam to develop $19-billion refinery and petrochemical complex PetroVietnam proposed to develop a refinery and petrochemical complex in collaboration with a national oil reserve warehouse with the total investment capital of $19 billion in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau. Dung Quat Refinery exceeds design capacity to meet demand Binh Son Refining and Petrochemical JSC (BSR) is operating Dung Quat Oil Refinery at 109 per cent of the refinerys design capacity to offset the lack of petroleum and oil in the market. More oil refineries required in Vietnam Highly volatile petroleum prices in the global market and the fact that the current domestic supply can only meet about 70 per cent of the demand have underlined the need for more refineries in the country. Two weeks after he backed other Republicans in ousting Democratic lawmakers for opposing gun control on the state House floor, a Tennessee politician resigned unexpectedly for an ethical violation. Immediate Resignation Republican leader Representative Scotty Campbell was found to have violated the legislature's discrimination and harassment policy. This was after complaints were filed against him by two teenage interns to an ethics subcommittee, as reported by CNN affiliate WTVF. The report from the workplace discrimination and harassment subcommittee reads, "Based on the completed staff investigation, the Ethics Subcommittee finds that Rep. Campbell violated the Policy." When questioned by WTVF about the encounters that included at least one legislative intern, Campbell said, "I had consensual adult conversations with two adults off property. I had no idea that a company policy could be followed even if you weren't physically present at work." In a letter acquired by WTVF, Campbell's resignation from the Tennessee House of Representatives was "effective immediately" as of Thursday, April 20, at 2:18 PM local time. Expelled Democrats A week earlier, Campbell had voted with the majority to dismiss the Democratic legislators who had spearheaded the gun reform rally. When asked by the media why he voted to kick out the "Tennessee Three," Campbell said, "They broke the house rules of decorum." The "Tennessee Three" moniker alludes to the three Democratic state representatives, Justin Jones, Justin Pearson, and Gloria Johnson, who were expelled from the state legislature. Six people, including three adults and three 9-year-old pupils, were killed in a shooting at a Nashville elementary school, and the community responded with protests days later. Two young black Democrats, Jones, and Pearson, from Districts 52 and 86, respectively, lost their seats in the Republican-controlled House. Despite the opposition, Johnson managed to keep her seat in the House from District 90. CNN said Reps. Jones and Pearson were unanimously reappointed by their respective districts' elected representatives. They have since returned to the Tennessee House. Also Read: House Passes Controversial Bill Banning Transgender Athletes in School Sports Similar Events What has happened with Campbell is not a particular incident. There have been similar incidents before, as reported by AP News. After three decades of sexual misconduct allegations against former Republican Rep. David Byrd, legislators were under pressure to oust him in 2019. Byrd then decided to sit out the 2022 election cycle. In 2019, Knoxville Democratic Rep. Rick Staples resigned from a leadership post after the same ethics commission found him in violation of the legislature's sexual harassment policy. In 2016, state legislators voted 70-to-2 to remove Republican Rep. Jeremy Durham after an attorney general's inquiry found that he had illegal sexual contact with at least 22 women during his four years in office. A Republican House congressman resigned in 2017 after being accused of improper sexual contact with a woman at a congressional function. Rep. Mark Lovell rejected the charges before resigning. Instead, he stated the elected role was more demanding than he thought and required time for his business activities and family. Also Read: Yellen Urges US, China to Work Together on Urgent Global Challenges @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai (2nd, R) visits the Samsung Electronics Vietnam Thai Nguyen Co. Ltd. in Thai Nguyen province. (Photo: VNA) Thai Nguyen The Samsung Groups effective operations have made important contributions to Vietnams electronic industry and trade relations, Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai said at a ceremony on April 20 marking the 10th founding anniversary of the Samsung Electronics Vietnam Thai Nguyen Co. Ltd. and receiving a third-class Labour Order. Khai hailed Samsung as the biggest Korean investor and the biggest foreign investor in Vietnam with total registered capital of nearly 20 billion USD. So far, its capital in projects in Thai Nguyen province has neared 7.5 billion USD, or about 73% of the total foreign direct investment in the province, he said. Throughout its 10-year journey of operating in Vietnam, Samsung Vietnam Thai Nguyen has always been a leading manufacturer of mobile devices under the brand Samsung "made in Vietnam". It is also a unit with the largest revenue and contribution to the export turnover of the Samsung Group in Vietnam. Last year, the company raked in 28.3 billion USD in revenue and 27.3 billion USD in export earnings, equivalent to 38.3% and 42.1% of the Samsung Group's total, respectively. The Vietnamese Party, State and Government always create favourable conditions to attract domestic and foreign investors in the principle of harmonising interests and sharing risks", accompany and ensure the legitimate rights and interests of investors, businesses and relevant partners, Khai said. He suggested that the Samsung Group should continue expanding operations and consider Vietnam an important strategic global location for its overall growth, not only in terms of production but also in research and development of key products for export to the world, with the aim of becoming a talent nurturing centre in Vietnam, inventing and adopting the world's most advanced technologies. The leader urged preparing necessary conditions for early trial production of semiconductor chip grid products, toward mass production from July 2023 at the Samsung plant in Thai Nguyen. It will be a good start for its closed-looped "production chain" in the electrical and electronic industries in Vietnam, he said. On the occasion, the Deputy PM also asked the company to make it easier for domestic firms to join in its supply chain more deeply. Taking note of the Samsung Groups suggestions regarding the global minimum corporate income tax starting from 2024, Khai said the Vietnamese Government vows to continue accompanying and promptly tackling obstacles faced by foreign investors, including Samsung, to do business effectively and grow sustainably in Vietnam. General Director of Samsung Vietnam Choi Joo Ho said that thanks to comprehensive support of the Vietnamese Government and the provincial authorities, the unity of staff and suppliers, Samsung has overcome all obstacles and built the factory like today. Reiterating many Vietnamese leaders statement that "Samsung's success is Vietnam's own", Choi said Samsung will make every effort to become a business that goes hand in hand with Vietnam and a national enterprise that receives sentiments of the Vietnamese people. He also expressed his hope for joint efforts to overcome all challenges on the path of the next decade and the future ahead. Deputy PM advises Samsung to invest more in Vietnam Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai received President of the Republic of Korea (RoK)s Samsung Electronics Park Hark Kyu in Hanoi on January 13 and suggested that the Korean firm expand its investment in Vietnam to tap opportunities from the sound partnership between the two countries in all fields. Real Bean Coffee was awarded VND 250 million ($10,650), Palmania received VND 125 million ($5,350) and Tuan Huyen Trading and Industrial Services collected VND 50 million ($2,130) at a ceremony on April 20. Starting on March 1, 2022, 'Ready for Export' is an 18-month scheme managed by the DBAV with a subsidy from the Dutch government. It aims to support Vietnamese SMEs to grow their exporting capacity. Around 150 companies were invited to join, but only 15 of them successfully completed the programme. It is important that we work on border adjustment mechanisms together because this is what is going to come up and this is where we can help each other, Daniel Stork, Netherlands consul general in Ho Chi Minh City. Companies need to know what kind of certificates they need, for example, in sanitation and hygiene. But also, negotiation skills, the level of English language and translation, strategic management, and also getting market-ready for Europe. These are areas that many companies can improve on," said Guido van Rooy, the DBAVs executive director. Speaking at the event, Daniel Stork, Netherlands consul general in Ho Chi Minh City, said, It is important that we work on border adjustment mechanisms together because this is what is going to come up and this is where we can help each other. With the 'Ready to Export' scheme, we want Vietnamese businesses to feel as at home in the Netherlands, as we have been made to feel here. It's about showing Vietnamese business owners the way, helping them in any way that we can to make sure their products can access our market," he added. The second batch of businesses participating in the 'Ready to Export' programme began their learning journey earlier this month with a focus on food processing. The top 30 businesses of the more than 300 registrations will be added to the DBAV network. Accelerating trade with innovation and green tech Vietnam and the Netherlands will celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations in 2023. Kees van Baar, Dutch Ambassador to Vietnam, writes about the prospects in the cooperation between both nations, especially in terms of trade and investment, and both nations cooperation in green economy development. Vietnamese Consul General in New South Wales, South Australia and Queensland Nguyen Dang Thang addresses the event (Photo: VNA) Sydney A Vietnam-Australia trade and tourism promotion conference was held by Vietnam Airlines, Thien Minh Group and Vinpearl JSC in Sydney on April 19, drawing a large number of Australian businesses and travel firms from different Australian localities. Addressing the event, Vietnamese Consul General in New South Wales, South Australia and Queensland Nguyen Dang Thang said that right after Vietnam and Australia reopened their doors one year ago, the number of tourists travelling the two countries has continuously increased. Statistics from the General Statistics Office of Vietnam showed that Vietnam welcomed 3.66 million foreign visitors in 2022 and 3 million in the first quarter of this year, of whom 85 per cent arrived by air. According to Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), Vietnam is among the top 10 favourite destinations for Australian tourists. Currently, Vietnam Airlines is operating direct air routes to the majority of the other nine destinations like the UK, India, the US, and Indonesia, he noted. Speaking to Vietnam News Agency, Nguyen Huu Tung, chief representative of Vietnam Airlines in Australia, said that the airlines is operating 16 flights between Vietnam and Australia each week. Particularly, the Hanoi-Melbourne route will be officially launched from June 15 with two flights per week, making it easier for Australian visitors to explore northern tourist destinations of Vietnam and transit to other countries such as Germany, France, the UK, the Republic of Korea, and Japan. Participants at the event agreed that Vietnam has great tourism potential and is a good choice for Australian tourists. Many Australian travel firms said that Australian tourists are increasingly interested in Vietnam and tend to choose the Southeast Asian country for their future vacations. Yvonne Chapple from Flight Centre said that the firm has received many requests from its customers for Vietnamese tourism information, especially destinations in the north. Chapple held that although Thailand and Bali (Indonesia) have received the largest bookings, Vietnam has still been among the top five most popular Asia destinations chosen by Australian visitors. Boosting Australia's investment in Vietnam The Vietnam-Australia partnership is on the right track with effective economic, trade and investment cooperation in the recent years, but with nearly 2 billion USD in 550 projects as of the end of 2021, Australian investment in Vietnam has not matched potential, according to Assoc. Prof. Chu Hoang Long from the Australia National University. The event was conducted in a hybrid format, with a component held in Hanoi and virtual connections established with leadership representatives from other GNDI member institutes and relevant international organisations. The ceremony was organised by the VIOD together with its media partner, Newday Media. The ceremony at the Melia Hanoi Hotel The VIOD was formally launched in April 2018 as part of the Vietnam Corporate Governance Initiative, with founding members including the International Finance Corporation, the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, and with the support of the State Securities Commission of Vietnam, the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange, and the Hanoi Stock Exchange. The VIOD's primary objective is to become the foremost leader in promoting and enhancing the quality of corporate governance (CG) in the Vietnamese market. To achieve this goal, it has executed comprehensive CG programmes and awareness-raising campaigns through events that facilitate connections and support the professional development of the VIOD's board members. These initiatives are focused on enhancing the efficacy of boards and specialised committees in Vietnamese businesses through the development of sound thinking and the execution of effective actions. The transparent and sustainable development of Vietnam's capital market plays a crucial role in promoting green growth by integrating environmental, social, and governance factors. Creating a balanced and comprehensive CG ecosystem comprising market management and operational agencies, businesses, and intermediate institutions that support, represent, and reinforce the quality of board members is seen as vital. The VIOD is one such institution that aims to promote and enhance the quality of Board of Directors members by standardising training and promoting professionalism to increase investor trust and improve effectiveness. Ha Thu Thanh, chairperson of the VIOD, speaking at the event Over the past five years, thanks to the support of its founding and accompanying partners, the VIOD has gradually implemented programmes and activities aimed at deepening governance awareness and participating in CG assessment projects in Vietnam and ASEAN. The VIOD has also attended technical training conferences and seminars that contribute to enhancing the transparency and sustainable development of Vietnam's securities and capital markets. The fifth-anniversary ceremony, themed Building Better Values, was an opportunity for the VIOD to express its gratitude to its partners for their trust and support during the five-year journey, reflect on proud milestones, and reaffirm its commitment to building and connecting to create even better values for Vietnam's business community. The ceremony featured the participation of leaders from market management agencies and both international and domestic organisations, including the GNDI, the Director Institutes of Canada, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Singapore, the Institute of Directors South Africa, the Gulf Cooperation Council, the Malaysian Alliance of Corporate Directors, VinaCapital Investment Fund, Vietnam Dairy Products JSC, and more than 100 other guests. 5th Annual Corporate Governance Forum held by VIOD and VIR The 5th Annual Corporate Governance Forum took place on December 9 in the Reverie Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City, with the theme "Stronger leadership for a multi-threat world". The annual event is co-organised by the Vietnam Institute of Directors (VIOD), a member of Global Network of Director Institutes and Vietnam Investment Review. Corporate governance at forefront Although there are still issues that need specific guidance, the Law on Enterprises 2020 is coming to life, gradually raising corporate governance to a professional level. HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) Connecticut has paused granting prison commutations in the wake of an uproar over a drastic rise in the number of inmates having their sentences reduced, the governor announced Thursday. Conservative lawmakers and victims rights advocates had called for the suspension of commutations and a review of the state's Board of Pardons and Paroles policies after it was revealed that 71 commutations were granted in 2022. Just three were approved between 2017 and 2021. Those getting sentence reductions included 44 convicted murders, who had an average of 15 years shaved off their sentences, according to lawmakers. Gov. Ned Lamont, a Democrat, last week replaced the chairman of the parole board and on Wednesday met with leaders of the Legislatures Judiciary Committee to discuss how the commutations were being handled. "During the meeting, the leadership of the board informed participants that it has paused the commutation process pending an expeditious review of its policies and processes, he said in a statement. Republicans applauded the decision. We continue to push for an open and transparent process where every victim, lawmaker, prosecutor and defense attorney has input on how this commutations policy should be revised," said state Sen. Heather Somers, of Groton. We need to decide collectively what that policy is what is fair, what is just, and what is right. Richard Sparaco, the board's executive director, said the board would review aspects of its policy that drew criticism, including protocols for notifying victims and a rule allowing people denied commutation to reapply after three years, according to Hearst Connecticut Media. A statement on the board's website said it would resume accepting commutation applications within the next few months. The Waco Police Department is searching for a suspect in a Wednesday night double shooting that took place at about 11 p.m. at a residential property near the 1100 block of Cleveland Avenue, according to a statement from Officer Bryton Johnson, a Waco police department spokesperson. Waco officers found a man and a woman wounded with gunshots and began lifesaving measures immediately, according to Johnson. American Medical Response personnel transported both to a local hospital, where the woman survived and is in stable condition, according to Johnson. The man was pronounced dead, according to Johnson. Police later identified him as Jamerson Hawthorne, 40, of Waco. City of Waco officials are having nightmares about foul smelling drinking water, recalling the bad old days when cow waste from North Bosque dairy farms polluted the river bound for Lake Waco. Legal maneuvering, including a 2001 law and lawsuits, combined with give-and-take negotiations created what some parties to the controversy, both upstream and downstream, have called a success story. Lake Waco water tastes and smells better, phosphorous levels have fallen, and once rampant algae blooms have been tamed. But House Bill 2827, introduced by Texas Rep. DeWayne Burns, a Republican from Cleburne, threatens to undo progress made, Waco Mayor Dillon Meek said. Meek is rallying opposition to the bill. Burns, meanwhile, said in a phone interview he means Waco no harm, that regulations meant to ensure water quality in the watershed would remain in force under his bill. He wants to eliminate hoops dairy farmers must jump through to make even subtle changes to their operation, red tape that proves costly and time consuming. The last thing I want to do is turn back the clock, Burns said. The Waco-based Texas Farm Bureau and the Texas Association of Dairymen have endorsed the bill Burns filed on Feb. 24. It continues to progress through the House, having been voted out of committee Tuesday, though the committee report necessary for it to be considered by the full House has not yet been filed. Weve adapted to much higher standards than those in place in much of the state and nation, and were not asking to change those, Texas Association of Dairymen Executive Director Darren Turley said. This is not about new growth. Its about making operations less costly for producers going forward. This bill does not change regulatory endeavors. A flyer the association produced supporting House Bill 2827 says, Central Texas is one of the most regulated watersheds in the nation owing to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality imposing regulations on the Bosque watershed that affect municipalities from Stephenville to Waco and dairies in Erath, Comanche and Hamilton counties. The rules are largely focused on disposal of cow manure at dairy operations, which involve high numbers of cattle in a concentrated area. The rules primary target phosphorous, aiming to keep it below levels that fuel harmful algae growth. The point of contention, said Burns and Turley, is the difference between a general permit and an individual permit, both issued by the TCEQ. Dairies on the North Bosque operate under an individual permit. The state dairy group says such a permit requires more intensive management, is more expensive to prepare and submit, and requires more TCEQ staff time to review and process, resulting in significant delays to obtain or renew individual permits. Gary Joiner, spokesperson for the Texas Farm Bureau, said in a statement: TFB has long held that individual permits for dairies in the North Bosque River watershed were unnecessary. Over the years, provisions included in the individual permits have been used to pressure dairies into adopting expensive and unnecessary practices under the threat of costly legal proceedings. These same provisions have stifled innovation in the watershed due to the costs and burdens of permit revisions. Transitioning from individual permits to a general permit, said Joiner, would end the requirement that TCEQ conduct soil sampling at various depths on dairies in the watershed. He said the sampling requirement has been burdensome for farmers and the TCEQ, with very little benefit to either. Soil sampling protocols with the general permit are more than adequate to inform management decisions and regulatory compliance, Joiner said. The bill also would end requirements that dairy farmers in the watershed obtain at least eight hours of continuing education units annually. While continuing education credits may have been beneficial in the late 1990s due to rapid changes in management practices, few substantive changes have occurred in the past 15 to 20 years, Joiner said. Unless new information comes to light, it is time to do away with this requirement. The legislation does not end any of the long-term quality monitoring conducted in the watershed, Joiner wrote in the statement. If change to the permitting requirements negatively impact water quality, ample data will be available to inform decision-making. Waco Mayor Dillon Meek said the city opposes changing the status quo. House Bill 2827, he said, would revert back to a permitting system that was allowed when the pollution into the watershed was at its peak. Further, it would reduce pollution prevention, testing and reporting, thus likely increasing pollution in the North Bosque River and thus the Waco water supply, Meek said in a statement to the Tribune-Herald. Meek said prior to 2001, Wacos water supply was polluted due to dairy farmers spreading cow manure in the watershed, and the resulting high-phosphorous runoff making its way into Lake Waco. This caused the growth of algae that can kill fish and made our water smell and taste bad, Meek said. In 2001, the City of Waco successfully advocated for the passage of state legislation that would mandate stricter permits for dairies on the North Bosque watershed, along with waste management regulations. Anyone who has been in Waco since that time will likely recall how Waco water smelled and tasted before this work was done. Despite improvement in taste and smell, the North Bosque River is still polluted and classified as impaired by the TCEQ, and as recently as 2022, TCEQ said more work needs to be done on this watershed, Meek said in his statement. Calls to the Austin offices of State Rep. Charles Doc Anderson and State Sen. Brian Birdwell seeking comment on the legislation were not returned. Staffers for the lawmakers representing the Waco area said they would make them aware of concerns about HB 2827. Rep. Burns, the bills author, said his office and dairy advocates touched base with Waco officials before the bill was filed, requesting feedback and comment on areas of concern. He said he heard nothing back. I heard nothing from the city until just before the recent hearing, a day or two ago, Burns said Thursday. Now my office is getting calls, and they have started talking about making changes to the bill, saying they may have concerns. Texas doesnt have a red-flag law, which allows for temporary firearm removal from individuals believed to be at risk of harming themselves or others. States took millions to enact red-flag gun laws, but many still won't pass them A Lee Enterprises review reveals that lawmakers in 31 states have not passed red-flag laws even as most of those states received federal funding through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. The policy, which exists in 19 states and D.C., is one that gun-safety advocates are pushing for once again across the U.S. in the aftermath of the late March Nashville school shooting, which killed six people. Gun-safety experts have said red flag laws are working across the U.S. to prevent mass shootings and curb suicides and domestic violence. But second amendment rights advocates have expressed alarm about the policys impact on due-process rights for gun owners. The politics are complicated in Texas, even though the policy is broadly supported by a majority of Texans. More than 65% of Texans supported a red-flag law as of 2022, according to a poll conducted by the University of Texas at Austin. For example, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott once supported red-flag laws but faced a conservative backlash after he asked the Legislature to consider them four years ago, according to the Texas Tribune. This is a tough topic for a lot of conservative gun enthusiasts, said Todd Maclin, a Texas-based GOP donor and former JPMorgan Chase executive who helped organize gun rights supporters to push for moderate gun-control measures in the aftermath of the Uvalde shooting. Im part of a large group of Republican gun owners who believe that theres room to add more stringent rules around gun ownership which would include background checks and a higher standard of behavior for gun owners. Maclin said while he understands the concerns about red-flag laws, he said theres room to give courts the ability to address blatantly obvious situations where people shouldnt have guns. A bipartisan contingent of Texas congressional delegation supported the 2022 Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which contains funding for states to create and implement red-flag laws. However, states without red-flag laws can use it for other gun violence reduction programs. Republican U.S. Sen. John Cornyn and Rep. Tony Gonzalez supported the bill, which was broadly supported by Democrats. At the time, Cornyn said he sought out to craft a bill that would make a difference but wouldnt curtail second amendment rights. There are a lot of people who say: do something. And I think doing nothing to them would be a terrible disappointment, Cornyn said last year. I dont think any parent should have to fear for the safety of their child at school. And I dont think any child should be afraid to go to school. However, most Texas congressional Republicans voted against it, including Sen. Ted Cruz and Rep. Beth Van Duyne. We make decisions every day to either uphold our constitutional liberties or whittle them away, Van Duyne said, according to the Texas Tribune. While this bill has much to support, and I believe many of its supporters have good intentions, the vague provisions, concerns about due process and red flag law funding make it impossible for me to support. After the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act was passed, Texas applied for and was awarded about $21.2 million in funding made available from the bill. Texas had more than 4,100 firearm deaths in 2020, or a death rate of 14.2 per 100,000 people, according to federal data. The firearm mortality rate in Texas has continued to increase over recent years, according to Texas federal application for the funding. The funding will support state and local crisis intervention programs and initiatives that effectively support a whole community approach to violence reduction across the state, including expansion of behavioral health crisis response initiatives and specialized court-based programs that target the risk factors that are likely to lead to violence, according to the state. Grant funds may be used to provide additional personnel; crisis intervention programs; reentry and violence prevention programs; software, or other forms of technology needed for threat assessment programs; case management and information-sharing solutions; and specialized training for court, behavioral health, and law enforcement personnel, according to Texas application. The state hopes the program will result in reduced recidivism, a reduction in crime and violence, and an improvement in responses to behavioral health crises leading to a reduction in the number of mental health related emergency calls resulting in arrests. A Russian town with a population of over 400,000 people was hit by a bomb dropped by a Russian warplane late on Thursday. The bomb caused a crater that was 40 meters (130 feet) wide, blew a vehicle onto a roof, and caused damage to buildings, per Russian state media. According to official news agencies RIA Novosti and TASS, the bomb was released by a Russian Su-34, a twin-engine fighter bomber. The city of Belgorod, located 40 kilometers (24.8 miles) north of the border with Ukraine, was where the bomb was dropped, CNN reported. The Russian Defense Ministry said an "emergency discharge of air ordnance" happened on April 20 at approximately 22:15 Moscow time when a Su-34 jet of the Russian Aerospace Forces was executing a flight over the city of Belgorod. Vyacheslav Gladkov, governor of Belgorod, said on Telegram that an enormous impact crater about 20 meters in radius was left at the crossing of one of the key streets in the area. RIA Novosti reported that a vehicle rollover caused damage to a store's roof. According to Belgorod Mayor Valentin Demidov's Telegram channel, several residential complexes suffered damage in the incident. Read Also: Gov. DeSantis Removes Key Requirement for Death Penalty Belgorod Blast Signify Heavy Toll of The Ongoing Russia-Ukraine War Social media videos captured the blast's effect, lifting a car onto a supermarket's roof as traffic flowed down Prospekt Vatutina, near the city's center. According to Gladkov, two ladies required medical attention and were sent to the hospital, according to a BBC report. However, things may have turned out far worse if a Russian aircraft had struck a densely populated area. Since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war, explosions against targets, including gasoline and munitions warehouses, have shaken the Belgorod area, as they have in other sections of southern Russia, according to The Guardian. Russian fighter planes routinely fly over the area en route to Ukraine. The explosion on Thursday further demonstrates the toll the 14-month-old Russia-Ukraine war is taking on Moscow's military forces. A Russian military aircraft killed 15 people and started a massive fire last October when it crashed into a building near the Ukrainian border soon after takeoff. Related Article: Russia Warns To Supply North Korea with Latest Weapons @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. DES MOINES Iowa voters soon will be asked whether to approve an amendment to the Iowa Constitution clarifying the states line of succession following the governor. The amendment states that when a governor appoints a lieutenant governor to fill a vacancy, that new lieutenant governor is granted the offices full authority and would succeed the governor if the need arises. The proposed clarification was prompted when Gov. Kim Reynolds replaced former Gov. Terry Branstad in 2017. There was a legal question whether the state constitution granted Reynolds appointed lieutenant governor, Adam Gregg, the offices full authority and whether he would become governor if Reynolds had to leave office. The question was rendered moot when Reynolds and Gregg won election to their jobs in 2018. But state lawmakers then sought to clarify the language in the Iowa Constitution. An amendment to the constitution requires approval by consecutive Iowa General Assemblies, then a vote during a general election. The proposed clarification, House Joint Resolution 3, passed the Iowa Legislature in 2022 and again in 2023, earning its final passage Monday night in the Senate with a unanimous vote, 50-0. It is now eligible to be on the ballot in the November 2024 general election. JOBLESS RATE: Iowas unemployment rate dropped a tenth of a point to 2.8% in March, according to state workforce data. Iowas rate remains below the national unemployment rate, which was 3.5% in March, also down a tenth of a point. Iowas labor participation rate increased to 68.2% in March by adding 2,700 new workers. Marchs strong numbers across the board again demonstrate that Iowas economy continues to trend in the right direction, Iowa Workforce Development Director Beth Townsend said in a news release. CONFIRMATIONS: Two more of Gov. Kim Reynolds appointments to state boards and commissions were narrowly confirmed by the Iowa Senate, largely on the strength of Republicans new supermajority in the chamber. The appointments of Kristen Stiffler, as director of the Iowa State Civil Rights Commission, and Alan Ostergren, to the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission, were each confirmed with 35 votes. Gubernatorial appointments as state department heads and to state boards and commissions require approval by two-thirds of the Iowa Senate. Since the Republican majority in the chamber grew to 34 after the 2022 elections, Republicans now have enough votes to approve Reynolds appointees without needing support from Democrats. Erik Helland, as chairman of the Iowa Utilities Board, was confirmed with 39 votes. Reynolds previously had twice appointed Helland to the Iowa Public Employment Relations Board. , although he was never confirmed by the Senate. APPOINTMENTS: Richelle Mahaffey was appointed as a district associate judge in Judicial Election District 8A, Gov. Kim Reynolds office announced. The southeast Iowa district includes Appanoose, Davis, Jefferson, Keokuk, Mahaska, Monroe, Poweshiek, Wapello, Washington and Van Buren counties. Mahaffey is now an assistant public defender in the Des Moines Juvenile Office of the State Public Defender. BUDGET TARGETS: Iowa House and Senate leaders released joint budget targets Thursday as lawmakers approach the end of this years legislative session. Their proposed budget for the next fiscal year would total $8.516 billion, about 3.7% higher than the current years budget. The proposal is about $30 million higher than the budget proposed by Gov. Kim Reynolds and Senate Republicans and $60 million lower than House Republicans proposal. The budget is among the last pieces of legislation lawmakers must pass before ending the session until 2024. While there is no mandated end date, lawmakers daily allowances for expenses run out after 110 days, generally the goal for the end of session. The chairs of both chambers Appropriations Committees said in a news release Thursday the proposed budget represents an investment in priority areas while keeping the budget sustainable with revenues. Todays budget agreement continues Senate Republicans commitment to Iowans to pass sustainable budgets to fund education and public safety, while at the same time prioritizing tax relief for hard working Iowans, said Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Tim Kraayenbrink, R-Fort Dodge. The targets for individual categories are below: Administration and Regulation: $70.5 million. Agriculture and Natural Resources: $43.5 million. Economic Development: $41.8 million. Education: $982.9 million. Health and Human Services: $2.12 billion. Justice system: $881.7 million. Standings: $4.37 billion. House Republican lawmakers passed legislation Thursday that would define and in some cases limit the scope of the state auditors authority while conducting investigations into the use of taxpayer money. Senate File 478 would place limits on what personal information the state taxpayers watchdog could demand during an audit. Republicans say the bill protects Iowans personal information and puts into state law general accounting standards. House Democrats decried the bill as a power grab that dilutes the statutory and constitutional powers of the auditors office to ensure taxpayer dollars are not being misspent, putting billions in federal funds at risk. State Auditor Rob Sand is the lone Democrat to hold statewide office. Were giving more power to the (Iowa) attorney general and taking it away from the only statewide elected Democratic official in Iowa, House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst, D-Windsor Heights, said of legislation recently signed by Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds to reorganize and consolidate state government. This bill is infuriating. This bill is overreach, Konfrst said. This bill is politics at its worst. Republican lawmakers have denied claims the bill is a personal attack meant specifically to target Sand. The bill would prohibit the State Auditors Office from accessing certain information, including medical records, students educational records, peace officers reports and any private information that an individual would reasonably expect to keep private. House Republicans amended the Senate bill to allow the auditor to access some of the categories of prohibited information as long as the office follows generally accepted government auditing standards, or in cases of embezzlement or theft or to comply with any other state or federal regulation. Any dispute with another state government agency including the governors office or other statewide offices would be resolved by a three-member arbitration panel and could not be taken to court. The panel would include a representative from the auditors office and the state agency involved in the dispute and a third member appointed by the governor. Sand said that would allow any agency being audited to hide records from the auditors office as long as the governor agrees, erasing the auditors access to Iowa courts for independent review. It remains the greatest pro-corruption bill in state history, and the worst perversion of checks and balances in Iowa history, Sand said during a news conference Thursday. To take an independently elected office that is in the Iowa Constitution and subject its work to the approval of the very same entity that it is attempting to audit, perverts checks and balances, plain and simple. Sand called the bill disgusting and partisan, and thanked the six House Republicans who joined Democrats in voting against the bill. A bipartisan coalition of state auditors and national organizations that represent state auditors and accounting professionals has said the proposal would hinder the state auditors ability to root out and prevent waste, fraud and abuse of taxpayer dollars. A fiscal analysis by the nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency warns Senate File 478 could limit the ability of the state auditor to perform oversight on programs that total more than $12 billion. The agency warns the bill may limit the scope of an audit performed by the auditors office, which could impact the states ability to comply with federal award requirements. Denial of information requested by the auditors office for an audit would lead to a modified opinion stating the office was unable to obtain all documents needed to sufficiently audit to federal standards. That would result in more frequent audits, increasing costs to the state, according to the agency. It also could potentially lead to federal agencies withholding, suspending or disallowing cash payments to the state through programs such as Medicaid, Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), the Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and others. LSA notes Iowa Code and federal law already maintain the strict confidentiality of information and records obtained during the course of an audit, including medical and student education records. Auditors also are subject to the same restrictions and penalties as the custodian of records for improper disclosure. Rep. Michael Bergan, the bills floor manager and a Republican from Dorchester, argued the amended bill avoids any risk to federal funding and addresses issues raised in the LSA fiscal note. Thats the very crux and reason for the amendment to make sure that there is accessibility to information when such review is consistent with the generally accepted government auditing standards, Bergan said. So Im confident that weve addressed those issues as we go forward. Sand disputed the claim, noting the bill removes language in Iowa Code related to subpoena power of the auditors office. And the National State Auditors Association, in a letter, said the arbitration board presents a clear threat to the state auditors independence. As comprised, it clearly favors the audited agency rather than having an objective third party decide the matter, the association wrote. Access to records necessary to conduct an independent audit is essential for the proper oversight of public funds. Bergan argued binding arbitration is a reasonable, effective timely way to resolve disputes between state offices and agencies. He said the bill is needed to clarify questions that were raised during a 2021 Iowa Supreme Court case about when an audit begins, what information is confidential and how disputes are resolved. And We in no way, in my opinion, are leaving fraud unattended, Bergan said. Last month the Iowa Supreme Court ruled the state auditor does not have the authority to investigate the Iowa Communities Assurance Pool that provides property an casualty insurance coverage to counties, cities and other taxpayer funded local government entities across Iowa. Sand had filed a subpoena seeking records about annual meetings the risk pools board of directors held at out of state resorts. Bergan sits on the board. The Iowa Supreme Court ruled the risk pool was formed under a section of Iowa law that does not fall under the oversight of the state auditors office. Republican state senators say the ruling shows Sand abused his subpoena power and that the bill is needed to restrict what the auditors office can investigate. Three Republican senators Mike Bousselot of Ankeny, Mike Klimesh of Spillville and Jason Schultz of Schleswig have asked Sand to provide them with the records of all the subpoenas the state auditors office has issued since Sand took office in January of 2019. Sand said the records request is a distraction from what outside analysts and Republicans and Democrats alike say is a bill that will make it easier to conceal waste, fraud and abuse of taxpayer money. Lets be clear about this. This is the destruction of Democratic norms, Sand told reporters Thursday. The amended bill will now go back to the Iowa Senate for approval. SLATER (AP) Nick Helland's central Iowa farm looks much like every other nearby farm on this chilly March day, with corn stubble stretching from a gravel road up over a low hill to the northern horizon. But look closely, and you can see patches of muddy ground where a few months ago crews buried low-tech systems called bioreactors and streamside buffers that filter fertilizer-borne nitrates from water as it drains from Helland's field into nearby Big Creek and eventually the Des Moines River. The underground devices work. The question is whether one Iowa county's promising new approach to an old problem can be expanded enough to finally address nitrate pollution that, for years, has endangered drinking water, made more than half the state's waterways unfit for fish or humans, and fueled a giant dead zone nearly 1,000 miles away in the Gulf of Mexico. Polk County is doing it by making it painless for farmers handling all the logistics and arrangements for the systems and throwing in payments of $1,000 per site. Installations have exploded in the past two years, to 104, after only a handful were installed the eight years before that. "They paid me and they paid the cost of all the installation," Helland said. "That's sort of a no-brainer to me that with very little lift, very little time, I can have this installed on my farm and it will ensure better water quality for everyone else downstream." The big challenge now is encouraging counties to launch and fund similar efforts to reduce runoff from Iowa's 10 million acres of tile-drained farmland and combat the state's multi-billion dollar problem with nitrogen pollution. Nitrogen-based fertilizers and manure can lead to excessive nitrates in groundwater that can be toxic to livestock and humans. High levels have plagued waterways in Iowa and throughout the Midwest for decades from chemical fertilizers and animal manure sprayed on fields. Modern tractors let farmers assess their soil and apply only as much fertilizer as needed, but it's still common to overspray. It's easy to see why. Yields of corn the king crop in these parts, and planted on about 90 million acres nationwide are at least doubled by fertilizer, and farmers want to be sure their crops have enough nutrients. Adding to the problem are the quick drainage systems that lie beneath so many fields known as tiles, but actually plastic pipes that whoosh excess water away and into streams. Numerous studies have found the low-tech systems remove half the nitrate or more from runoff before it reaches waterways. In bioreactors, the water passes through a buried mound of wood chips that break down much of the nitrate. In the buffers, it moves through a grassy area parallel to a stream. Too much nitrate and phosphorous in rivers and streams makes great food for algae and other plant growth that cuts oxygen in the water and blocks sunlight. Combined with industrial farming practices that have altered waterways by straightening streams and removing wetlands, that's bad news for fish that need clear water and slower currents. It hurts humans, too. Nitrate-contaminated drinking water can cause blue baby syndrome where an infant's blood doesn't have enough oxygen. More than half of Iowa's rivers, streams and lakes are too polluted to properly support aquatic life or fishing and swimming, according to the state. Iowa is among the largest contributors of nitrate runoff that flows to the Gulf, leading to the so-called dead zone by depleting oxygen necessary for marine life across several thousand square miles. Pressure to reduce the dead zone led Iowa's agriculture and natural resources departments to join in 2008 with Iowa State University for a strategy to address the problem. The effort has focused on voluntary actions; Iowa's legislature has consistently rejected proposals to require farmers to reduce runoff. Fifteen years into the program, Iowa hasn't significantly reduced nitrogen runoff, according to a 2019 estimate. The problem in some ways has worsened as strong commodity prices encouraged farmers to plant corn and soybeans on more land. Meanwhile, Iowa's giant hog industry has grown to about 24 million pigs roughly triple the number in any other state which means more manure gets spread over farmland. In Polk County, exasperation with nitrate pollution came to a head in 2015, when the agency that provides drinking water to 600,000 people in the Des Moines area went to court over the millions of dollars it was being forced to spend to filter unsafe levels from drinking water taken from the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers. A judge ultimately dismissed the lawsuit against three northwest Iowa counties, ruling the issue was one for the Legislature to address. Without hope of state mandates, local officials in Polk County sought to work cooperatively with agricultural groups. Part of that was studying why so few farmers were installing bioreactors and streamside buffers. They found an inefficient system for installation that made it expensive and bothersome for farmers, who had to arrange contractors and then seek reimbursement. Polk County's solution: Handle all the arrangements to make it easy for farmers, and group projects together for economies of scale. Even with the $1,000 inducement to get farmers to sign on, they found the new process was about 15% cheaper less than $10,000 for a typical saturated buffer, and up to $15,000 for a bioreactor. "Our success came from realizing we had been doing it wrong for like six years," said John Swanson, Polk County's water resources supervisor. Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig, who has strongly opposed requiring farmers to filter runoff, has embraced Polk County's effort and encouraged it elsewhere. In March, he promoted bioreactors and buffers at an event in Story County, north of Des Moines, where conservation officials have adopted the new program. "We're making it easy for a landowner to say yes, and then we bring the resources," Naig said. "These are essentially 100% paid for. Either way, the work has to get done, and to have willing landowners and willing producers get involved, that will work much better." But clean water advocates note that Iowa needs thousands of the systems added each year, not hundreds, and question whether voluntary efforts can reach even a small percentage of the state's farms let alone those in other states. "There's a lot of people who are doing really good work," said Alicia Vasto, the water program director at the Iowa Environmental Council. "The fact of the matter is that it's just not at the pace and scale that's necessary to fix the problem." The projected cost of scaling up is staggering. To significantly reduce nitrogen and phosphate runoff, a 2017 analysis found that upfront costs could be as high as $4 billion. That would include more than 100,000 bioreactors to deal with runoff on two-thirds of tile-drained farmland, as well as other solutions, like cover crops. Swanson, the Polk County official, is now working with state officials to build more wetlands, which cost more and require more land but can filter much more runoff than the bioreactors and buffers. Helland wants such a wetland on his property and wants farmers to do more, but he thinks efforts should remain voluntary. Each farm is different, he said, and if governments try to require action, it could cause more problems and ultimately not be effective. Jerry Hill, who has farmed for 52 years, attended the Story County meeting with other farmers and is leaning toward installing a bioreactor along a creek that borders his property. He liked the idea of filtering the water at little cost to his bottom line. "We're going to have to do a better job of keeping things clean," Hill said. "From what I've heard, what they have going now is as good as it gets." Police to meet with community CEDAR FALLS The city of Cedar Falls is hosting a community event Wednesday at McDonalds, 610 W. First St., with free coffee. From 8:15 to 9:15 a.m., people can meet Police Chief Mark Howard and other members of the Public Safety Department during Coffee with a Cop. CF to showcase City Hall work CEDAR FALLS The community is invited to an open house at the newly remodeled Cedar Falls City Hall, 220 Clay St., from 4 to 6 p.m. May 15. Grow Cedar Valley is hosting a ribbon-cutting celebration at 4:15 p.m. Guests can take a guided tour of the facility and city staff will be available to answer any questions the public may have about the remodel. The renovations helped utilize the existing space by renovating it for administrative use and the lower level now offers a centralized service window for all citizen needs such as permits, planning, engineering, and licensing. Additional improvements to the building include a new HVAC system, the expansion of public areas such as the foyer and conference room now located outside of the updated council chambers, and enhanced accessibility including accessible bathrooms and ramp to the City Council dais. Furry 5K Run/Walk planned May 20 WATERLOO The Cedar Bend Humane Societys 14th annual Furry 5K Run/Walk fundraiser event is at 9 a.m. May 20 at Big Woods Lake Recreation Area, south shelter, in Cedar Falls. Kerri Mac and Johnny Marks with K92.3 are emcees. Individuals with dogs are encouraged to bring their canine companions along for the event. Registration is $45 which includes a T-shirt and tote bag filled with goodies from event sponsors, guaranteed to those who register by May 11. Packet pick-up is from 3 to 6 p.m. May 18 and noon to 3 p.m. May 19. Race day packet pick-up will be offered at Big Woods Lake from 7:45 to 8:45 a.m. Participants will make two trips around the Big Woods lake, joined by their furry friends. There will be sponsor booths hosting activities, contests and giveaways. Participants may run/walk on the paved 3.1-mile course at their leisure. Online registration is available at CBHSFurry5K.eventbrite.com, or from noon to 6 p.m. daily at Cedar Bend Humane Society adoption center, 1166 W. Airline Highway. Rules for the event include no retractable leashes, leash lengths no longer than six feet, no female dogs in heat, dogs must be on a leash at all times and all dogs must be current on vaccines. WATERLOO A Waterloo man has been arrested for allegedly robbing an acquaintance in December. Ted Alfonso Scott Jr., 32, was detained on a warrant for first-degree robbery in Wichita, Kansas, on April 10 and he was returned to Waterloo on Thursday. He is also being held on a probation violation warrant in connection with an eluding charge stemming from a 2021 shooting. Authorities allege Scott got in an argument with Shalen House and punched him in the face at 452 Bratnober St. on Dec. 11. They stepped outside in an attempt to calm down. Thats when Scott pulled out a gun and took $1,300 in cash House had been carrying after cashing his paycheck, according to court records. Safest cities in America 2023: Violent crime rate increases drive per capita cost of crime Safest cities in America 2023: Violent crime rate increases drive per capita cost of crime The 15 Safest Cities in America The 15 Most Dangerous Cities Methodology WATERLOO Vincent Hemenway was shot twice as he watched friends work on a motorcycle in an Adrian Street garage in August 2020. Each of those bullet wounds would have been fatal alone, an associate state medical examiner told jurors on Thursday as trial continued for the man accused of pulling the trigger. Robert Lee Williams Jr., 34, is charged with first-degree murder in Hemenways death. Prosecutors said he and his brother, Ralpheal Williams, were wearing surgical masks and blue rubber gloves and taped plastic sleeves when they approached the group in the garage. Following a brief exchange, Robert Williams allegedly pulled out a pistol, and Hemenway was shot when he grabbed for the weapon. Robert Williams attorneys dont dispute he was the gunman but said he shot in reaction to Hemenway lunging at him after he was taunted with racial slurs by people in the garage. Dr. Michele Catellier, who conducted Hemenways autopsy, testified he sustained gunshot wounds to the head and chest. The torso injury entered his left chest area and traveled slightly downward, passing through his body before exiting just below his right shoulder blade, according to autopsy photos shown to the jury. The head wound entered just inside his hairline above his left ear. The bullet eventually came to a rest to the left in the base of the skull. Catellier said she also noted a superficial tear near his left armpit which could have come from a bullet or bone fragment from the head shot. Several of Hemenways relatives stepped out of the courtroom before Catelliers presentation to avoid seeing the images. The associate medical examiner said each of the wounds would have been deadly on their own. She said she wasnt able to determine the range of the gunshot. Jurors also heard that police were able to link Williams and his brother to some of the items later found in a treeline a few blocks from the shooting scene. Ryan Petruccelli, a DNA analyst for the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, testified he found Robert Williams DNA on a white facemask. His brothers DNA was found on a black shirt discarded among the trees. Blue rubber gloves, some with sleeve extensions were also found in the brush. Petruccelli told jurors DNA in the gloves was too weak to be used for comparison. Also found in the trees was a 9 mm Smith and Wesson SD9VE pistol. The gun had a mixture of three or more DNA profiles that was deemed too complicated to untangle. But Michael Tate, a DCI ballistics expert, said he was able to link spent shell casings found at the shooting scene to the pistol. Photos: Homicide Aug. 15, 2020 081820jr-adrian-homicide-1 081620jr-homicide-search-1 081620jr-homicide-search-2 081620jr-homicide-search-3 081620jr-homicide-search-4 040622jr-robbery-trial-2 040622jr-robbery-trial-1 040622jr-robbery-trial-3 040622jr-robbery-trial-4 040622jr-robbery-trial-5 040722jr-robbery-trial-1 040722jr-robbery-trial-3 040822jr-robbery-verdict-1 042023jr-williams-trial-1 042023jr-williams-trial-4 042023jr-williams-trial-3 042023jr-williams-trial-2 042023jr-williams-trial-5 041923jr-williams-trial-2 041923jr-williams-trial-1 041923jr-williams-trial-3 041923jr-williams-trial-4 042123jr-williams-trial-4 042123jr-williams-trial-1 042123jr-williams-trial-2 042123jr-williams-trial-3 042423jr-williams-trial-1 042423jr-williams-trial-2 WATERLOO What was once a coffee shop will stay a coffee shop in downtown Waterloo. The Savvy Bean, located in the former Lincoln Perk space at 218 E. Fourth St., is set to open in early May. Owned and run by 20-year-old Savannah Warren, the University of Northern Iowa senior will serve gourmet specialty coffee drinks, smoothies and acai bowls along with standard coffee drinks. The gourmet recipes come from Warren running her current business, Savs Syrups, where she specializes in hand making high quality, health conscious flavored syrups without the aftertaste. Some of the specialty drinks will include flavors such as salted caramel cinnamon roll and toasted coconut caramel cookie. Warren said the salted caramel cinnamon roll was one of the first flavors she created not just for her, but as she was consulting for other coffee shops, as well. The drinks will not be what customers are used to at other coffee shops, Warren said. When you look at a drink, aesthetically, its going to be just amazing, she said. Its gonna have a lot of toppings like whipped cream, graham crackers, pretty much whatever I can throw on a drink. Just to give the customer a better experience. Warren fell in love with the coffee world about four years ago when she started working at Scooters Coffee in Waverly. She was able to share her creativity at the business. I think that (first) day I really knew what I was going to do for the rest of my life and that was something within this industry. About a year later, she left Scooters and started Savs Syrups to find a way to be in the coffee industry but not with the requirements of a coffee shop. That changed, though, once Lincoln Perk owners Gary and Christi Shoemaker decided to sell their cafe in late 2022. When this came up for sale, I was talking to Gary before he announced his closing and I was like, Yeah, I would love to do this, she said. I just felt like if someone else didnt come in after Gary like this, its a disservice to the community to leave this building empty. The decision to buy Lincoln Perk came after Warren was recruited to a Forbes four-star resort in Montana to consult on its coffee program. This is the time, its now or never, she said. Along with coffee, Warren will also be making chef-curated smoothies from chefs she met while in Montana. One smoothie option is a banana bread flavor, made with almond milk, spinach, banana, walnut, dates, pea protein and maca powder. She said the smoothies can act as a full meal replacement without all the added fillers. Some sweets and treats will be shipped in from a company in Seattle, which she thinks of as the coffee capital of the world. The coffee shop will have things such as muffin tops and dessert bars. Acai bowls will also be offered. These consist of a base of smoothie-like acai fruit, topped with things like granola, fresh fruit, seeds and nuts. Warren expressed excitement about exploring Waterloo, saying that UNI is focused particularly on the Cedar Falls community and that everyone she has already met has been great. Main Street Waterloos Executive Director Jessica Rucker is pleased to see the new business opening downtown. Its inspiring to see a UNI student venture into opening a brick-and-mortar store, Rucker said. We wish her all the success for this exciting new chapter. Theres just all kinds of people that, you know, are sad to see Lincoln Perk go but are excited for this next chapter, Warren said. People down here are just amazing. Warren is hoping to open the first week of May. During the first two weeks, the cafes hours will be Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. After that, it will be open Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rat ambassadors show off abilities LOS ANGELES The U.S. is setting a record pace for mass killings in 2023, replaying the horror on a loop roughly once a week so far this year. The carnage has taken 88 lives in 17 mass killings over 111 days. Each time, the killers wielded firearms. Children at a Nashville grade school, gunned down on an ordinary Monday. Farmworkers in Northern California, sprayed with bullets over a workplace grudge. Dancers at a ballroom outside Los Angeles, massacred as they celebrated the Lunar New Year. In just the last week, four partygoers were slain and 32 injured in Dadeville, Alabama, when bullets rained down on a Sweet 16 celebration. And a man just released from prison fatally shot four people, including his parents, in Bowdoin, Maine, before opening fire on motorists traveling a busy interstate highway. "Nobody should be shocked," said Fred Guttenberg, whose 14-year-old daughter Jaime was one of 17 people killed at a Parkland, Florida, high school in 2018. "I visit my daughter in a cemetery. Outrage doesn't begin to describe how I feel." The Parkland victims are among the 2,842 people who have died in mass killings in the U.S. since 2006, according to a database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today, in partnership with Northeastern University. It counts killings involving four or more fatalities, not including the perpetrator, the same standard as the FBI, and tracks a number of variables for each. The bloodshed represents just a fraction of the fatal violence that occurs in the U.S. annually. Yet mass killings are happening with staggering frequency this year: An average of once every 6.53 days, according to an analysis of The AP/USA Today data. Only 2009 was marked by as many such tragedies in the same period of time. From coast to coast, the violence is sparked by a range of motives. Murder-suicides and domestic violence; gang retaliation; school shootings and workplace vendettas. All have taken the lives of four or more people at once since Jan. 1. Yet the violence continues and barriers to change remain. The likelihood of Congress reinstating a ban on semi-automatic rifles appears far off, and the U.S. Supreme Court last year set new standards for reviewing the nation's gun laws, calling into question firearms restrictions across the country. The pace of mass shootings so far this year doesn't necessarily foretell a new annual record. In 2009, the bloodshed slowed and the year finished with a final count of 32 mass killings and 172 fatalities. Those figures just barely exceed the averages of 31.1 mass killings and 162 victims a year, according to an analysis of data dating back to 2006. Gruesome records have been set within the last decade. The data shows a high of 45 mass killings in 2019 and 230 people slain in such tragedies in 2017. That year, 60 people died when a gunman opened fire over an outdoor country music festival on the Las Vegas Strip. The massacre still accounts for the most fatalities from a mass shooting in modern America. "Here's the reality: If somebody is determined to commit mass violence, they're going to," said Jaclyn Schildkraut, executive director of the Rockefeller Institute of Government's Regional Gun Violence Research Consortium. "And it's our role as society to try and put up obstacles and barriers to make that more difficult." But there's little indication at either the state or federal level with a handful of exceptions that many major policy changes are on the horizon. Some states have tried to impose more gun control within their own borders. Last week, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a new law mandating criminal background checks to purchase rifles and shotguns, whereas the state previously required them only for people buying pistols. And on Wednesday, a ban on dozens of types of semi-automatic rifles cleared the Washington state Legislature and is headed to the governor's desk. Other states are experiencing a new round of pressure. In conservative Tennessee, protesters descended on the state Capitol to demand more gun regulation after six people were killed at the Nashville private elementary school last month. At the federal level, President Joe Biden last year signed a milestone gun violence bill, toughening background checks for the youngest gun buyers, keeping firearms from more domestic violence offenders and helping states use red flag laws that enable police to ask courts to take guns from people who show signs they could turn violent. Despite the blaring headlines, mass killings are statistically rare, perpetrated by just a handful of people each year in a country of nearly 335 million. And there's no way to predict whether this year's events will continue at this rate. Sometimes mass killings happen back-to-back like in January, when deadly events in northern and southern California occurred just two days apart while other months pass without bloodshed. "We shouldn't necessarily expect that this one mass killing every less than seven days will continue," said Northeastern University criminologist James Alan Fox. "Hopefully it won't." Still, experts and advocates decry the proliferation of guns in the U.S. in recent years, including record sales during the height of the pandemic. "We have to know that this isn't the way to live," said John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety. "We don't have to live this way. And we cannot live in a country with an agenda of guns everywhere, every place and every time." The National Rifle Association did not respond to the AP's request for comment. Jaime Guttenberg would be 19 years old now. Her father now spends his days as a gun control activist. "America shouldn't be surprised by where we are today," Guttenberg said. "It's all in the numbers. The numbers don't lie. But we need to do something immediately to fix it." ___ Read more: ___ Interactive: Find out more about mass killings in the U.S. Interactive: Number of mass killings by year Interactive: Mass killings by location scaled by number of victims Interactive: Search mass killing incidents Interactive: Timeline of mass killings scaled by number of victims killed Interactive: Number of mass killings and victims killed this year compared with previous years Interactive map: People killed by shootings, per 100,000 residents According to court documents, police were sent to the home of a shooting suspect in Maine, where they found the bodies of four individuals, including the suspect's parents and two of their friends. After being wanted in connection with the murders, suspect Joseph Eaton finally made his first court appearance on Thursday, April 20, in West Bath. His mother and father, Cynthia Eaton and David Eaton, both in their 60s, were among the dead, as were their friends Robert Eger, 72, and Patricia Eger, 62. All of whom were shot to death. The court did not hear a plea from him on Thursday. On June 28, he will return to court for his next hearing. Also Read: Maine Police Name Shooter Who Killed 4, Injured 3 Others in Bowdoin Statement From Police AP News reported that police issued an affidavit with graphic details, a message recovered at the site, and a sequence of events. During the short hearing, Eaton did not express any emotion to the court other than to confirm his understanding of the allegations against him. The motivation for the killings that took place on a remote farm in Bowdoin and later along a major interstate highway around 12 miles (19 kilometers) from Maine's main city, Portland, has not been discussed by police. Neither the kind of weapon used nor how Eaton was able to get them have been disclosed by police. According to the authorities, Eaton admitted to shooting at automobiles and murdering four people in Bowdoin, including his parents. Officials have claimed that while Eaton has been charged with four charges of murder in connection with the Bowdoin murders, he has not yet been prosecuted in the highway shootings. Note About Being "Free" Patricia Eger's sister reportedly saw blood stains at the front door when she arrived at the house at about 9:00 AM, as per the court records obtained by WABI. She discovered shattered glass, bullet holes, blood, and firearms scattered around the residence. She left the house and made a 911 call. State police said a suspect was caught with what seemed to be blood on him at the site of a highway shooting. According to reports, police found four bodies: one in a barn and three inside the residence. Apparently, a dog was also shot at the location. According to the Independent, the detectives found a message when they searched the area. It said someone had been molested, and "nothing was done about it." The note also expressed that their suffering had ended. Four days before the shootings, the Maine Correctional Center in Windham had just freed Eaton. On April 14, after serving his time for serious assault, his mother reportedly picked him up from jail. Also Read: Mexico Shooting: Gunmen Kill 7, Including Child, at Public Swimming Pool @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. CLINTON A Clinton man accused of fatally shooting a Clinton resident last summer has pleaded guilty to the lesser offense of second-degree murder. Kyler Andresen, 18, pleaded guilty to the charge Thursday in Clinton County District Court in connection with the death of Zachary McDivitt, whose body was found in the 100 block of North Fifth Street around 10:30 p.m. July 20. McDivitt, 35, was transported to MercyOne Clinton and pronounced dead. Andresen was charged the next day in connection with the death. Court records indicate Clinton police obtained a search warrant for 430 Locust Place in Clinton, which was where Andresen resided. Andresen was located at the residence, as was a handgun. Court records state that during a police interview, Andresen admitted he had shot McDivitt and also provided officers with the location of the gun, which he had hid inside 430 Locust Place, court documents state. While 17 at the time of the shooting, Andresen was charged with first-degree murder as an adult, a Class A felony that carries a mandatory prison sentence of life without the possibility of parole, upon conviction. Under Iowa law, second-degree murder is a Class B felony, punishable by up to 50 years in prison. As part of the plea agreement, if it is accepted at his May 11 sentencing, he will be sent to prison but the state will not request a mandatory minimum sentence. He also will have to pay restitution of $150,000 to McDivitt's estate. The plea agreement recommendations could be withdrawn at sentencing if Andresen's criminal history is shown to be more extensive than that revealed in the pleading, if he fails to cooperate with correctional services in preparing the presentence investigation or if he is arrested on further offenses, according to the court filing. If the plea agreement is not accepted, Andresen can withdraw his guilty plea. Sentencing is set for 9 a.m. May 11 at the Clinton County Courthouse. SIOUX CITY -- A Sergeant Bluff man has pleaded not guilty of forcing himself on an underage girl and sexually assaulting her. Leuanglong Thongvilay, 37, entered his written plea Thursday in Woodbury County District Court to charges of third-degree sexual abuse and distribution of a controlled substance to a person under age 18. Thongvilay was arrested April 13, a day after Sergeant Bluff police responded to a disturbance call at Thongvilay's mobile home in the 100 block of West Eighth Street involving Thongvilay, the alleged victim's mother and others. During their investigation, officers learned of an assault of the minor female at the home on March 24. According to court documents, Thongvilay offered the girl marijuana, then pushed her into his room and onto his bed and sexually assaulted her while pinning her arms. He later offered the girl $100 to remain quiet about the alleged assault, court documents said. During a police interview, Thongvilay admitted to having sex with the girl, court documents said. Thongvilay is charged in O'Brien County with two counts each of second-degree sexual abuse and indecent contact with a child for allegedly sexually assaulting and inappropriately touching a girl several times when she was age 7-12 from approximately January 2015 to August 2020. Thongvilay, who was living in Sheldon at the time, was arrested in May. He's scheduled to stand trial June 20 in O'Brien County District Court. Best public elementary schools in Iowa Best public elementary schools in Iowa State, city and county inspectors have cited Iowa restaurants and stores for hundreds of food-safety violations during the past four weeks, including dead rodents, moldy cheese, and six-week-old hotdogs. The findings are reported by the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals, which handles food-establishment inspections at the state level. Listed below are some of the more serious findings that stem from inspections at Iowa restaurants, stores, schools, hospitals and other businesses over the past four weeks. The state inspections department reminds the public that their reports are a snapshot in time, and violations are often corrected on the spot before the inspector leaves the establishment. For a more complete list of all inspections, along with additional details on each of the inspections listed below, visit the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals website. China House of Gao, 2916 E. University Ave., Des Moines During a March 17 visit, a state inspector cited the restaurant for 14 violations, an unusually high number. Among the issues: The person in charge was not a certified food protection manager; the person in charge was not fulfilling their duties as evidenced by the number and severity of the violations; raw chicken was stored above cream cheese and ready-to-eat noodles, risking cross-contamination; and containers of pork eggroll, fried chicken and crab Rangoon were all stored at 55 to 62 degrees, which was far too warm to ensure their safety. The inspector also found that were no food items anywhere in the establishment that had been marked with their preparation or opening dates including cooked noodles, cooked chicken, cooked shrimp and fried chicken. In addition, plastic food containers were not adequately washed and had food debris on them after being cleaned; food-contact surfaces, equipment and utensils were not being sanitized; staff access to the handwashing sink was blocked by multiple objects; bottles of bleach and maintenance tools were stored directly above bins of flour, sugar and salt; and multiple foods including crab Rangoon, fried chicken, eggrolls, raw chicken, raw fish, cream cheese and raw eggs were stored throughout the kitchen without any form of temperature control to maintain their safety. Also, a dead rodent was found behind the main cook line, and rodent droppings were seen behind the kitchens freezer chest and on the lid to a container of soy sauce. In addition, a bag of onions was stored directly on the floor, close to a collection of rodent droppings; the dry-storage shelf in the kitchen and a platform holding bulk containers of food ingredients were soiled with rodent droppings; and the floors were soiled with accumulated debris. The visit was in response to a non-illness complaint pertaining to rodent activity. The inspector deemed the complaint to be verified. According to state records, the restaurant was last inspected in 2018. Hawkeye Convenience Store, 250 16th Ave. SW, Cedar Rapids During an April 13 visit, an inspector cited the store for nine violations, an unusually high number for a convenience store. Some of the inspectors typed report is indecipherable, however, alluding to violations such as open bag of mashed potatoes into date marked and small cups to go with cheese or mashed potato in hot holding unit. The inspectors report indicates workers were not using sanitizer and were multitasking without changing their gloves. The inspector also noted that all of the equipment including refrigerators, the food-prep table and the fryers were marred by food debris and dust. Wellmans Pub, 2920 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines During a March 20 visit, an inspector cited the establishment for 10 violations, including a failure to ensure the persons in charge were certified food protection managers. The inspector also reported that the people in charge were not fulfilling their duties as evidenced by the number of violations found. Among the issues: Raw chicken and raw ground beef were stored directly over cooked chicken; the reach-in cooler was holding food at 47.5 degrees rather than 41 degrees or colder, which led to cut tomatoes, deli meat, chicken wings, various cheeses and several raw meats being discarded; and the restaurant appeared to have no date-marking procedures in place to ensure that food was fresh and safe to eat. Also, hamburgers, cut tomatoes, cooked chicken, cooked pasta and cooked beef were not labeled with any preparation or expiration dates, and parmesan sauce dated March 2 a full 18 days before the inspection was found in one cooler. In addition, the interior of the ice machine had a build-up food debris and mold; salmon in vacuum-sealed packaging was being improperly thawed inside the packaging; food items such as ranch dressing and other condiments were stored directly on the floor; a soda gun holster was visibly soiled with what appeared to be mold or food debris; and there was a buildup of food debris and grease on the floor and walls. Stoney Point Meadows Assisted Living, 1900 Stoney Point Road, Cedar Rapids During an April 13 visit, an inspector cited the home for milk that was holding at 47 degrees and had to be discarded; a lack of any date markings on the raw chicken and shrimp, which had to be discarded; hotdogs that were dated Feb. 25 a full six weeks prior to the inspection, and raw chicken and chopped potatoes that were dated April 5, which was beyond the seven-day limit. The citations also included the lack of any temperature logs or written procedures for the safe use of food products in the salad bar; the lack of thermometers in three different coolers; and the lack of hair restraints for the kitchen staff. The inspector noted the assisted-living facility serves food to a highly susceptible population. Boulder Tap House, 4444 1st Ave., Cedar Rapids During an April 12 visit, an inspector observed an employee handling raw meat without washing their hands afterward. In addition, chicken wings were being cooked using an unapproved, non-continuous procedure, and a steam table was holding food products around 85 to 95 degrees, which was far too cool to ensure safety. Also, several food items including sauces, lettuce and tomatoes were not date marked, creating additional risk for consumers; and some food items had date markings indicating they had been held for more than the maximum seven days. Fiesta Brava, 2650 Iowa Ave., Onawa During an April 12 visit, an inspector noted there was no certified food protection manager on staff. Also, there were six large pans of refried beans cooked the previous day that were holding inside a cooler at 44 to 52 degrees all of which had to be discarded, as they had been held at an unsafe temperature for too long. The inspector also found queso in a food warmer that was holding at 115 degrees and enchilada sauce holding at 116 degrees too cool to ensure their safety. The restaurant also had no system in place for the date marking of food to ensure it was still fresh and safe. The inspector also noted what appeared to be a black, mold-like substance on the inside of the ice machine, and reported that there was no handwashing soap at the sinks in the kitchen area and behind the bar. Facility is heavily soiled with grease and dried food debris ... Tables in dining room are soiled. Inspector's report on KFC in Cedar Falls The Iowa Chop House, 223 E. Washington St., Iowa City During an April 11 visit, an inspector noted that raw bacon was stored over ready-to-eat lettuce inside a cooler; the food-preparation cooler on the main cook line was holding food items at 53 degrees, which was above the 41-degree maximum; and multiple food items made or sliced on the premises had no date markings to ensure freshness and safety. In addition, there were multiple house-made sauces on hand that had been held past the maximum of seven days and had to be discarded. KFC, 6104 University Ave., Cedar Falls During an April 11 visit, an inspector reported that employees did not wash their hands after washing dishes before returning to food preparation. In addition, one of the handwashing sinks could not produce hot water that reached at least 100 degrees; two of the handwashing sinks had no soap; chicken stored inside the walk-in coolers were left uncovered; there was heavy soiling and a buildup of flour on the food-preparation equipment; and the door of the walk-in cooler was soiled with dried chicken breading. Also, the trays that were used to hold defrosting chicken were contaminated with a yellow, slime-like buildup of some kind; the metal racks in the kitchen had a buildup of food debris and grease on them; the fixtures in the bathroom were dirty; and the restaurant had not posted its most recent inspection report. The visit was in response to a non-illness complaint concerning general facility sanitation. Facility is heavily soiled with grease and dried food debris, the inspector wrote in verifying the complaint. Tables in dining room are soiled. Metro High School Cafeteria, 1212 7th St., Cedar Rapids During an April 11 visit, an inspector cited the school for having no certified food protection manager on staff. In addition, the inspector noted there were no sneeze-guards in place on the serving line to prevent contamination from students being served, and the ham and cheese sandwiches and cut melons were not being stored at 41 degrees or colder and were measured at 57 degrees. The cold-holding unit had been inoperable for years, according to the inspector. The cafeteria also failed to maintain written procedures for keeping food within mandatory temperature ranges. Sauced Up, 16718 Highway 92, Indianola During an April 11 visit, an inspector cited the business for red sauce that was stored in a cheese container and had what appeared to be mold on the surface of it. The sauce was discarded. Also, raw eggs were being stored over whole fruit, risking cross-contamination; Italian sausage that was dated April 3 was still on hand, as was milk that had expired seven days prior on April 4. In addition, an apple slicer that was stored on the clean-utensil shelf had a buildup of dried food debris on it; cooked sauces and meatballs inside the kitchens walk-in cooler lacked the proper labeling; a skillet, a vacuum-sealing packaging machine for food and the handwashing sink were all marred by a buildup of dried food debris; and a cigar was lying on the food-preparation table. Supermarket Villachuato, 107 N. Center St., Marshalltown During an April 11 visit, an inspector cited the establishment for storing raw eggs above ready-to-eat cheeses and meats, risking cross-contamination; for storing raw chicken, raw beef and an open package of raw shrimp in the same drawer; for storing cut cilantro in cardboard boxes that previously were used to hold raw pork and beef; and for storing bulk bakery ingredients, beans, and dried peppers throughout the facility in open bags, risking contamination. The supermarket was also cited for storing bags and boxes of onions, beans, chilies, and produce directly on the floor throughout the store; for keeping raw meats, cut vegetables, and bakery doughs uncovered in the walk-in coolers, risking contamination; and for reheating rice to 118 degrees rather than 165 degrees or hotter and then placing it on a steam table. In addition, the inspector found house-made chorizo that was held beyond the maximum of seven days; there were bags of cooked meats in the freezer that had no date markings to ensure freshness and safety. The inspector also reported the dishwasher had no sanitizing solution in it and wasnt sanitizing any equipment or utensils; the vegetable dicers had dried food debris on the blades and surfaces; the large mixer in the bakery area had dried food debris in the bowl and other surfaces; the cutting boards in the meat department had dried food debris on them; and a cardboard box that was soiled with dried debris was stored directly on the cutting board surface. Also, the handwashing sink in the meat department did not produce any hot water; cut onions were stored in a bucket that had previously held detergent; and food items that were packaged in-house such as salsas, tortillas, cakes, ice cream novelties, and gelatin products were not labeled as to any of their ingredients, preparation dates, allergens, or store information. The visit was in response to an illness complaint pertaining to food that had been catered by the establishment. The inspector ruled the complaint was unverified. Hy-Vee Foods, 1501 E. 1st Ave., Newton During a March 31 visit, an inspector cited the establishment for several violations related to sushi preparation. According to the inspector, an employee was observed assembling sushi rolls with ready-to-eat ingredients, then assembling raw sushi rolls, and then assembling more rolls with ready-to-eat ingredients all without changing gloves or utensils. The store agreed to dispose of the sushi rolls that were prepared after the raw ingredients were handled. In addition, the inspector noted that the sushi-preparation worker did not follow the required Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point plan for pH testing of sushi ingredients, and the store lacked any documentation to show the worker had received training on the HACCP plan and any variances. Elm Street Grill, 1800 S. Elm St., Shenandoah During a March 29 visit, an inspector cited the restaurant for failing to have a certified food protection manager on staff; for workers handling sliced cheese and shredded cheese with their bare hands; for workers handling raw meat and then ready-to-eat food items without washing their hands in between; and for an ice machine that was heavily soiled with a mold-like substance. La Herradura Mexican Grill, 540 N. Cody Road, Le Claire During a March 29 visit, an inspector cited the restaurant for storing raw ground beef patties above an open container of cooked baked beans, risking cross-contamination; for storing raw fish above green peppers inside a cooler; for placing queso in a steam table without first heating it to 165 degrees to ensure safety, and for storing sour cream and salsa at temperatures of 45 to 50 degrees rather than 41 degrees or colder. The inspector also cited the restaurant for food strainers, a metal pan and a plate that were all stored with clean dishes but had leftover food debris adhered to them, and for a dishwashing machine that was not sanitizing dishes or utensils. The inspector also noted that two large containers of salsa and guacamole were stored on the floor in the back of the kitchen and that the area underneath the grill had a buildup of grease, food debris and trash. Simpson College, Pfeiffer Hall, 701 N. C St., Indianola During a March 27 visit, an inspector observed workers washing soiled dishes and then putting away clean dishes without washing their hands between tasks. Also, the shredded cheddar cheese in the reach-in cooler and on the burger-preparation line was adulterated by visible mold throughout. In addition, meatball lasagna in the hot-holding table was measured at just 127 degrees after coming directly from the oven. The manager agreed to put the lasagna back in the oven and reheat it to at least 165 degrees. Also, several cold items, such as yogurt and pasta salad, were measured at 45 degrees rather than 41 degrees or colder. Tacos Villanueva, 2423 E. 14th St., Des Moines During a March 24 visit, an inspector noted that not all of the employees designated as the person in charge were certified food protection managers. The inspector also reported that food employees did not wash their hands before working with food or after touching a garbage can. Also, several food items such as cooked chorizo, cooked chicken, refried beans, shredded beef, and cooked onions and peppers were being held at temperatures that fell outside the acceptable range for food safety and had to be discarded. The inspector also reported finding shredded cheese that was stored at 76 degrees and had to be discarded and noted that multiple foods were stored without any means for temperature control. The restaurant was last inspected in 2019. Sunset Family Restaurant, 1202 W. Main St., Manchester During a March 21 visit, an inspector noted there were multiple foods on hand such as cooked meatloaf, lasagna, pancake and waffle batter that were not date marked to ensure their freshness and safety. The inspector also observed workers moving from handling raw, precooked foods to ready-to-eat foods without washing their hands between tasks. One employee handled dirty dishes and then put clean dishes away while wearing the same dirty gloves. The inspector also found taco meat in one cooler that had a date mark of March 10 11 days prior to the inspection and had to be discarded. In addition, a food slicer that was last used the day before had visible food debris adhered to it, indicating it had not been cleaned since that time. Also, an employee was using a visibly soiled towel to soak up oil in a pan that he was using to cook eggs, with the soiled towel coming into direct contact with the eggs. The inspector reported that a gallon can on the kitchen counter was being used to store gravy that was measured at 67 degrees and had to be discarded; eggs were being stored at room temperature during breakfast and lunch service; and there was no thermometer on hand to take the temperature of food. The floors and walls surrounding the kitchen equipment have a visible amount of debris and grease accumulation, the inspector reported. When the Penn Hills, Pennsylvania, police and paramedics arrived at a modest suburban Pittsburgh home Jan. 14, they found the father of 7-month-old Zhuri Bogle desperately performing CPR on his infant daughter. It was 6:44 a.m. The first responders immediately took over from the father and administered CPR on the unresponsive baby for the next 21 minutes. At 7:05 a.m., Zhuri was pronounced dead. The local police immediately requested the Allegheny County Police Homicide Unit assist in the investigation. Those detectives, in turn, launched an investigation into the baby's death. Two months later, the Allegheny County medical examiner announced Zhuri died from acute fentanyl toxicity. The detectives on the case also determined that Zhuri's grandmother and her "friend," David Poindexter, age 58, were watching Zhuri when the baby overdosed. Poindexter was recently served with an arrest warrant and charged with involuntary manslaughter and recklessly endangering another person. Ten-month-old Senna Matkovic was luckier than Zhuri. A fast-acting nanny and nearby paramedics earlier this year helped Senna survive exposure to fentanyl. He was playing with his twin brother at San Francisco's Moscone Park when it happened. Within 10 seconds of Fire Rescue Captain Robert Kuzma administering Narcan, the child went from supine, unresponsive and blue to breathing and crying for his parents. Kuzma said it was not his first pediatric opioid overdose in his career. Tragically, it likely won't be his last. The number of children under 5 who have died from overdoses in the U.S. has increased significantly in recent years, according to a new study in the journal Pediatrics. The highest number of those fatal poisonings of children comes from opioids. The study, which relied on records from the National Fatality Review-Case Reporting System, showed that two-fifths of the children who died were infants and that 65% of those deaths happened at home. Nearly a third of those occurred under the supervision of someone who was not their biological parent. We have looked the other way as opioid addiction and abuse in the U.S. has gone from zero to a grotesque and infinite epidemic. It now endangers every aspect of life. Our public health has degraded, our economic output has suffered and our national security has been breached so brazenly and without consequence that it is hard to grasp. Even infants are not safe. Yet we do nothing. In the past 23 years alone, over 1 million people in the U.S. have died of drug overdoses, almost exclusively opioids, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. By the end of this week, 1,500 people will have overdosed on opioids and died. By the end of next week, 1,500 more people will have overdosed and died from an opioid, and the week after that, and the week after that. China is the main manufacturer of the ingredients needed to create fentanyl. They find their way from China to the southern border, where the drug cartels are happy to produce the drug and then hand it off to distribution networks to smuggle it across the porous border. The Biden administration "urged" Mexico and China to take strong action in their countries. Both countries responded that the problem wasn't with them -- it was with us. With no consequences from the U.S. government, the drugs make their way into the U.S. Those carrying the drugs blend in easily with the record-breaking 2.7 million other illegal crossings that happened last year. They spread the drugs to cities, suburbs and rural communities in your backyard. Fentanyl is 50 times more powerful than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine. It is cheap to produce and deadly to the unsuspecting. Every year at the border, the number of seizures of the product gets higher. Every year, the amount that gets past law enforcement gets larger as well. Fentanyl is poisoning babies, teenagers and adults. Those in government in Washington, D.C., who were elected to protect us have done the opposite. It is the border agents, law enforcement, first-responders, doctors, firefighters and paramedics who are our last line of defense. It makes no sense that we accept the death of Zhuri as normal. It makes no sense that any parent must worry about sending a child to a public park and having him or her not come back alive. It makes no sense that this White House has not done something serious to call all of this out publicly, telling both China and Mexico unequivocally that this ends now. We have allowed China to steal our intellectual property, outperform us in technology and military capabilities, supersede us in forming strategic alliances with our former allies, escape accountability over the spread of COVID-19, spy on us, out-manufacture us and now poison us. Still, we do nothing. We also have allowed Mexico to take zero accountability for its hand in this, to turn the problem back on us. Last month, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said that in his country, they do not have a problem with fentanyl consumption. "Why don't they take care of their problem of social decay?" he asked. A little baby died here in western Pennsylvania -- a victim of a series of failures by our government. When does the Biden administration say that enough is enough? KYIV, Ukraine (AP) NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg defiantly declared Thursday that Ukraines rightful place is in the military alliance and pledged more support for the country on his first visit to Kyiv since Russias invasion just over a year ago. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged Stoltenberg, who has been instrumental in marshaling support from NATO members, to push for even more from them, including warplanes, artillery and armored equipment. The Kremlin has given various justifications for going to war, but repeated Thursday that preventing Ukraine from joining NATO is still a key goal of its invasion, arguing that Kyivs membership in the alliance would pose an existential threat to Russia. NATO leaders said in 2008 that Ukraine would join the alliance one day, and Stoltenberg has repeated that promise throughout the war, though the organization has established no pathway or timetable for membership. Let me be clear, Ukraines rightful place is in the Euro-Atlantic family," Stoltenberg told a news conference. Ukraines rightful place is in NATO. Zelenskyy said he was grateful for an invitation to a NATO summit in July in Vilnius, Lithuania, but said his country needs a roadmap for becoming a member. The time has come for the (alliances) leaders to define the prospects of Ukraines acquisition of NATO membership, to define the algorithm of Ukraines movement towards this goal, and to define security guarantees for our state for the period of such movement that is, for the period before NATO membership, he said. Stoltenberg said he and Zelenskyy discussed a NATO support program for Ukraine. This will help you transition from Soviet-era equipment and doctrines to NATO standards and ensure full interoperability with the alliance, Stoltenberg said. "NATO stands with you today, tomorrow and for as long as it takes. He noted an announcement Thursday by Denmark and the Netherlands that they plan to provide Ukraine with at least another 14 refurbished Leopard 2 battle tanks by early 2024. He added that he expected countries to make new announcements of concrete military support to Ukraine at a meeting Friday in Germany. In other developments, a large explosion hit the Russian city of Belgorod late Thursday, and the Defense Ministry said one of its Su-34 warplanes accidentally discharged ammunition over the city about 25 kilometers (15 miles) from the Ukrainian border. The government gave no further details. Belgorod regional Gov. Vyacheslav Gladkov said the blast injured at least two people, damaged homes and left a crater about 20 meters (65 feet) across. The fighting in recent months has become a war of attrition, with neither side able to gain momentum. But Ukraine has recently received sophisticated weapons from its Western allies and is expected to launch a counteroffensive in coming weeks. Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that Moscow could use all means available a phrase some see as a threat to use nuclear weapons in response to an attack on its territory if Ukraine attempts to recapture Moscow-occupied areas. NATO has no official presence in Ukraine and provides only nonlethal support to Kyiv, but Stoltenberg has been the strong voice of the alliance throughout the war. A procession of international leaders has made the journey to Kyiv over the last year, and the former Norwegian prime minister is one of the last major Western figures to do so. NATO, formed to counter the Soviet Union, has long feared being dragged into a wide war with nuclear-armed Russia. But as the West has moved from hesitantly providing helmets and uniforms to tanks, warplanes and advanced missile systems, high-level visits have become routine. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday that preventing Ukraine from joining NATO remains one of the goals of what Moscow calls its special military operation. Speaking in a conference call with reporters, Peskov said that Ukraines accession would pose a serious, significant threat to our country, to our countrys security. Earlier this month, Finland joined the alliance, setting aside decades of neutrality in a historic realignment of Europes post-Cold War security landscape. While NATO says it poses no threat to Russia, the Nordic country's accession dealt a major political blow to Putin. Finland's membership doubles Russias border with the worlds biggest security alliance. Neighboring Sweden is expected to join too, possibly by the time U.S. President Joe Biden and his NATO counterparts meet in Vilnius in July. The alliance has focused on bolstering defenses on its own territory to dissuade Putin from attacking any member country. Under NATO's collective security guarantee, an attack on one member country is considered an attack on all of them. On Friday, Stoltenberg will attend a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group at Ramstein Air Base in Germany with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. The group is the main international forum for drumming up military support for Ukraine. Meanwhile, the Ukraine Space Agency said Thursday that a bright flash of light in the night sky over the country the previous day was probably a meteor entering the atmosphere. Residents of the capital and several cities in Belarus saw the flash of light, which lingered for a couple of seconds, and an explosion was heard in the Kyiv region. It triggered an air raid alarm in Kyiv. Cook reported from Brussels. DADEVILLE, Ala. (AP) Investigators on Thursday charged a sixth person with reckless murder in connection with a deadly shooting at a Sweet 16 birthday party, saying in court documents they believe gunmen shot into the crowd during the celebration. Investigators said in court documents filed Thursday that they believe five of those charged were present at the party on April 15 and "discharged firearms into the crowd, resulting in the deaths of four people. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency on Thursday night announced the arrest of a 15-year-old juvenile from Tuskegee, Alabama, the sixth person charged in the case, but court records were not released because of the person's age. All six face reckless murder charges in connection with the fatal shooting, the state agency said. The Sweet 16 birthday, at a dance studio just off the town square, was in full swing when gunfire erupted. Investigators have not discussed a motive or what they believe led to the shooting. The shooting killed four young people, ranging in age from 17 to 23, and shocked the small east Alabama city of Dadeville. Besides the four slain, 32 others were injured, four of them critically. Tyreese Ty Reik McCullough, 17, and Travis McCullough, 16, both of Tuskegee, were arrested Tuesday. Wilson LaMar Hill Jr., 20, of Auburn, Alabama, was arrested Wednesday. Johnny Letron Brown, 20, of Tuskegee and Willie George Brown Jr., 19, of Auburn, were arrested Thursday. All are charged with four counts of reckless murder, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said. The district attorney said the teens will be tried as adults as required by Alabama law when anyone 16 or older is charged with murder. All of the suspects are being held in the Tallapoosa County Jail with no bond with the exception of the 15-year-old, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said. The birthday girls brother, 18-year-old Philstavious Phil Dowdell of Camp Hill, Alabama, died as his sister knelt beside him begging him to keep breathing. He and another fatal victim, 17-year-old Shaunkivia Nicole KeKe Smith of Dadeville, were high school seniors. Also slain were Marsiah Emmanuel Siah Collins, 19, of Opelika, Alabama, and Corbin Dahmontrey Holston, 23, of Dadeville. The shooting was the 16th mass killing in the U.S. this year. A 17th took place in Maine on Tuesday. A total of 88 people have died in mass killings so far in 2023. A mass killing is defined as the slaying of four or more people other than the perpetrator, according to a database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today in partnership with Northeastern University. The faith of the British degenerates in their own exclusivity is magnificent. The composition of the Russian court, which considered cases of grave crimes against our citizens, fell under the sanctions, and a little earlier, the ambassador of this country was yapping something in front of our court building. The point is not even in a specific case, but in their holy confidence that this is a terrible punishment and Russian officials will fight in hysterics about this. Still, it is obvious that the conflict of an outdated form (the degenerate British monarchy) and mocking content (look at the faces of their recent prime ministers Boriska Johnson, Tereska May and this, as you put it, Sunak, I dont remember his name) creates very bizarre creatures. However, do not care about their decisions. Britain was, is and will be our eternal enemy. In any case, until their impudent and disgustingly damp island goes into the abyss of the sea from the wave created by the latest Russian weapons system. Let it be, as the Beatles sang Medvedev WtR Commentary of the Permanent Representative of Russia in Geneva G.M.Gatilov: For several days now, I have been watching with interest the reaction of the Western camp to the court verdict of V. Kara-Murze. Representatives of the reference democracies call for the immediate release of this Russian citizen, convicted, among other things, of treason. In this regard, the letter addressed to our Permanent Mission from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights F. Turk condemning the sentence of V. Kara-Murze was not surprising. In it, an international official expressed concerns about the exercise of the right to freedom of opinion in Russia. We are grateful to Mr. Turk for such close attention to internal affairs in our country and prompt comments. Surely, taking into account the principle of neutrality of the UN structures, his Office has already prepared and sent similar letters to the permanent missions of the United States and France. Cant the High Commissioner keep silent about the plot with J. Assange , who is awaiting extradition to the USA, who faces 175 years in prison there for covering American war crimes? And deliberately ignore the incessant arbitrariness of the French gendarmes against local demonstrators exercising their right to self-expression in the center of enlightened Europe? It turns out that it can . I regret that Mr. Turk stubbornly continues to demonstrate the notorious double standards and political engagement in relation to countries that are objectionable to a separate group of Western states. This once again casts doubt on the impartiality of the High Commissioner and his Office. WtR Weather Alert ...Unseasonably Warm Temperatures and River Rises From Snowmelt Expected This Weekend... * The warmest temperatures so far this Spring are expected to arrive this weekend, with afternoon highs up to 20 degrees above-average for late April. By Saturday, mid-to-upper 80s are expected across much of western Nevada, with 90 degrees not out of the question for portions of the Basin & Range. If recreating or spending time outdoors, be aware that it will be unusually hot for this time of year and prepare accordingly. * These warm temperatures, along with mild overnight lows, will result in efficient melting of our snowpack. Consequently, high river flows are anticipated across much of the region. Water will be swift moving and very cold, so be cautious if approaching a river bank. With snowmelt-driven river rises, daily fluctuations are common and it's possible the peak flows will occur overnight. Keep this in mind when setting up camp near the water. * A return to cooler, more unsettled weather with the chance of high elevation snow showers and valley rain will arrive as early as Monday of next week. Stay tuned to the forecast for updates on this early May pattern change. .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. && 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 IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH MONDAY MORNING... * WHAT...Flooding caused by snowmelt is 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. && Another political headache for Rishi Sunak's administration came Friday, April 21, when UK Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab quit after bullying claims. The Bullying Scandal The independent inquiry and report found that Raab, 49, had abused his colleagues and civil workers while in a high position, leading to his resignation. Raab came to prominence while Boris Johnson was prime minister. Raab stated in his twitted resignation letter, "I feel duty bound to accept the outcome of the inquiry," adding that he was "genuinely sorry." He had earlier said that he would step down if the investigation confirmed the bullying allegations against him. The probe, however, was slammed by him for "setting the threshold for bullying so low." He expressed concern that it would set a bad example and inspire frivolous lawsuits In the assessment released on Friday by an outside organization, his actions have sometimes been intimidating and "involved an abuse or misuse of power in a way that undermines or humiliates." Attorney Adam Tolley, who conducted the investigation, claimed he talked with 66 persons who gave him their information freely. People "deserve credit for their courage in coming forward," he added. Tolley said that he had interviewed Raab four times for the article. According to The Washington Post, Raab's departure comes after the recent resignations of two other cabinet members, also tied to controversy. Nadhim Zahawi, the head of the Conservative Party, was removed from his position in January after an ethical investigation into his handling of his personal finances, while Gavin Williamson, a secretary of state, resigned in November 2022 following claims of bullying. It is anticipated that a cabinet reshuffle will occur in the coming weeks as a result of Raab's departure. Read Also: Tennessee Republican Resigns Amid Allegations of Sexual Harassment Amid Sunak's Reign In the heated discussion over whether or not Britain should exit the European Union, Raab came to reputation among a group of young legislators, as noted by The New York Times. He co-wrote the book Britannia Unchained, which proposed that after Brexit, the UK would become a tax haven for entrepreneurs and a place where businesses could operate with little oversight. During Sunak's administration, Raab held the positions of deputy prime minister and minister of justice. He was Sunak's close political friend and supported his leadership candidacy last year. He has served as foreign minister and minister for Brexit. In a letter, Sunak expressed his "great sadness" at Raab's departure and lauded his accomplishments in office. But Keir Starmer, head of the opposition Labour Party, told reporters on Friday that Raab's leaving demonstrated the "continual weakness" of a Sunak administration. Read Also: King Charles Was Victim of 'Merciless' Bullying at School, Former Classmate Says @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Wayne Whitehouse knew he wasnt feeling well, having had similar symptoms before. He went to the ER, had some tests, received IV antibiotics and opted to go home rather than be admitted to the hospital while awaiting results. The next morning, tests revealed an infection, causing the hospital to summon him for in-patient care. The hospital was way packed, and a lot of people were waiting for a room. I came in around noon and got a room at 11 p.m., says Whitehouse, a retired warehouse manager from Lacey, Washington. The next morning Whitehouse, 73, heard that hed be a good candidate for Hospital at Home (HaH), a program that Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia had launched the previous year. I just felt Id probably do better at home, he says. I thought it would be a good move and possibly open a bed at the hospital. His wife Karon, also 73, agreed. Four days into HaH, Whitehouse was released, but was already home. The benefits of Hospital at Home That November Hospital at Home stay wasnt the home health care that many know. HaH is a specific designation for acute patients who need hospital-level care but who are considered stable enough to receive it at home. Either they went to an emergency room and were considered suitable for HaH, or, after being in the hospital, are released to continue HaH. It can last days, weeks or longer, depending upon treatment. A medical team (including doctors and nurses or EMTs) makes home and virtual visits. Advocates warn that hospitals arent always the safest places for some patients particularly older adults who may become confused by unfamiliar surroundings. Others cite hospital-acquired infections, as well as interrupted sleep, among other negatives associated with in-patient care for those with stable conditions. However, limited research on the health benefits and costs of HaH has left questions about its long-term rollout. HaH is not widespread. Whether it becomes so largely depends on what happens as the U.S. health care system evolves. There are some things you cant do in the home. ICU care is not going to happen in the home. Were not doing surgery in the home, says Mark Howell, director of policy and patient safety for the American Hospital Association. Among the challenges for hospitals are developing a new program under current workforce shortages while aiming to close gaps in health equity. In addition to good connectivity for remote patient monitoring, certain basics, such as a home needing heat, electricity and running water, as well as factors such as distance from a hospital, are necessary ingredients. Serving a rural population or an area without broadband complicates the ability to provide virtual care, a keystone of the model. If an HaH patient doesnt have Wi-Fi,hospitals provide a hotspot and a tablet to communicate. A pandemic jump-start Geriatrician Bruce Leff, a trailblazer and advocate for HaH, has long said he believes most care in the future will be at home, with hospitals offering only emergency rooms, intensive care units and operating rooms. Leff started this work in 1995, later developing an HaH program. His early published studies in 1999 and 2005 show the model as feasible, safe and efficacious. Not until the pandemic unlocked everything did HaH start to grow, he says. Last year, many experts heralded the arrival of over-the-counter hearing aids, predicting that they would make the devices more affordable and accessible to millions of Americans. But the big question was: could over-the-counter hearing aids work as well as those fitted by an audiologist? Now, the first randomized, controlled study designed to answer that question indicates the answer is yes. The study, published April 13 in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, assigned 64 adults with mild to moderate hearing loss to either an over-the-counter hearing aid they had to adjust themselves or the same hearing aid fitted by an audiologist. After six weeks, the self-fitted hearing aids were as effective as the audiologist-fitted devices, the research showed. Though the trial was small, it is significant because it demonstrates that patients can successfully adjust the settings of a hearing aid without the help of an audiologist, says Nicholas Reed, an audiologist and assistant professor at Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, who was not involved in the study. That these subjects older adults with a mean age of 63 were as successful as their peers who saw an audiologist, thats a very significant takeaway about the viability of these over-the-counter devices, Reed says. This shows us that you can basically hand someone this product, and they can improve their hearing. Reed and Frank Lin, MD, are co-authors of AARP's Hearing Loss for Dummies. Study helps quell concerns but has limitations The Food and Drug Administration gave the green light to over-the-counter hearing aids last year, and they first came on the market in October 2022. Designed for those who have mild to moderate hearing loss, the devices are much less expensive than prescription options. The FDA has said that consumers can expect to save about $2,800 per pair. Yet consumers and audiologists alike have been somewhat wary. A January 2023 survey found that 84 percent of consumers were uncomfortable with the idea of using an over-the-counter device. Facebook parent Meta has agreed to pay out $725 million to settle a 5-year-old class action privacy lawsuit relating to Facebook user data that was improperly shared with other companies. If you were among the millions of account holders on the worlds largest social network in the U.S. between May 24, 2007, and Dec. 22, 2022, you may be owed a piece of that settlement. You have until Aug. 25 of this year to submit a claim, which can be done by mail or filling out an online form. File your claim. Its found money. Never mind how much or how little youll get. The lawyers did a good job, says class action attorney Danny Karon of Cleveland, owner of the Your Lovable Lawyer consumer website. Go, take what they got for you. Will I get a windfall? Dont count on it. How much you potentially get will depend on how many people file claims. Lawyers fees could reduce the $725 million total by as much as a quarter. And other costs incurred in the litigation will take out a bite. Calculating any potential proceeds is pure speculation. But a back-of-the-envelope calculation, taking out 25 percent legal fees, considering no additional costs and dividing by the 87 million user profiles affected, yields $6.25. Facebook actually had more than 240 million U.S. users in 2022 alone. All are eligible but are not automatically paid. They must file. Why is this happening? The backstory involves a British political consulting firm Cambridge Analytica, which worked with former President Donald Trump on his 2016 campaign. The firm was able to obtain private Facebook user data that could help build voter profiles. In 2018, the same year the class action litigation was filed, Facebook conceded that as many as 87 million user profiles may have been improperly shared with Cambridge Analytica. What is a class action? The legal procedure allows one or a small number of plaintiffs to pursue a case on behalf of a larger group or class of people. As part of this particular settlement, which is pending final court approval, Meta admitted no wrongdoing. How do I file a claim? The simplest way is to visit the website, facebookuserprivacysettlement.com, and submit an online claim. Youll be asked to enter your name, postal address, Facebook username and email address or addresses associated with your Facebook account. You can submit only a single claim on your own behalf though family members with their own accounts can separately file their own claims. This week's top news stories included one about Macron being seen singing in the midst of the chaos caused by the signing of Pension Reform and another about Justice Clarence Thomas's yearly income from a closed real estate company. It was also widely discussed how a bankruptcy court in the US had ordered to cease thousands of talc lawsuits against J&J. The following are this week's recommended reads. Following the signing of the contentious pension reform bill into law on Tuesday, April 18, footage of French President Emmanuel Macron singing the traditional song Le Refuge emerged. This comes as the newly signed bill causes chaos. Protesters opposing a two-year increase in the retirement age have caused upheaval throughout the country since the bill's passage. Many online users believed the French leader's singing video was faked using AI or other technology. But, Macron's friends verified it. A violent incident was reported earlier this week when a Lyft driver was carjacked and assaulted in southern Baltimore. Police said the driver took a fare in the 100 block of South Payson Street. It was reported that three males and three women approached a Lyft driver's new blue Toyota Corolla, attacked him, stole his phone, and fled in his vehicle. The carjacked Lyft driver escaped and asked for assistance calling the police. Also Read: Freight Train Destroys Pickup Truck on Texas Railway: Watch the Shocking Video A global outage was reported by customers just before the Love is Blind reunion program was scheduled to go online. Netflix users on the site and in the app have raised concerns about the service's current state. They were unable to enjoy their favorite programs or movies, especially the highly-anticipated live broadcast of Love Is Blind: The Live Reunion. Netflix tweeted an apology to viewers. It said, "We are incredibly sorry that the "Love is Blind Live Reunion" did not turn out as we had planned." Clarence Thomas, a justice on the US Supreme Court, has revealed in court documents that his family has made hundreds of thousands of dollars in rental income through a firm called Ginger Limited Partnership over the last two decades. That company, however, has been out of business since 2006. His wife's family started the real estate company in Nebraska in the 1980s. New suspicions have been raised concerning the justice's financial transactions, regardless of whether the gap can be explained by a simple paperwork error. Thousands of cases alleging that J&J's talc products caused cancer were halted by a bankruptcy court in the US. As part of the second effort to resolve the litigation in bankruptcy proceedings, a firm subsidiary was also ordered to suspend any associated trials. The majority of the case was put on hold by an order from Judge Michael Kaplan in Trenton, New Jersey. The choice was made while the firm was negotiating a large settlement with the plaintiffs for $8.9 billion. Also Read: $15M Gold Heist at Canada's Busiest Airport Under Investigation @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Megan James is a storyteller. The Dine filmmaker recently picked up two awards from the Film Prize Junior New Mexico. James won for the film, Deprived, which picked up best High School Drama and High School Grand Prize awards. This program has allowed me to have a voice, James says. The Film Prize experience these last two years has helped me grow into a more experienced, established and effective filmmaker. I will continue to fight to have Indigenous people represented in a positive and accurate way in the film industry. James film was one of the nearly two dozen films awarded at the Film Prize Junior New Mexico, which was held at the Albuquerque Convention Center. The event awarded more than $7,000 in scholarships and media grants. The festival, presented by the Film Prize Foundation, featured a record-breaking 93 student short films. The short films were created by middle and high school students from over 50 schools in 20 New Mexico counties, most of which serve small, rural communities. Seventeen films were created by Native students, with support from the Institute of American Indian Arts. Watching the students watch their films, seeing them connect with one another and celebrating their achievements are what Film Prize Junior is all about, said Rosey Hayett, Film Prize Jr. New Mexico director. This was an incredibly inspiring weekend, and we cant wait to gear up and start next years Film Prize Junior program. In its second year, the event is the youth version of the award-winning Louisiana Film Prize, a short film competition for independent short films. The Film Prize Junior program supports middle and high school classrooms, as well as summer and after-school programs, to experience the entire process of creating a short film, from story and script development, to production and editing. Growing up in New Mexico, Larry Sheffield was aware of the impact of J. Robert Oppenheimer. This is why the filmmaker has dedicated years of research to adding more facets to the moment of history. In 2021, Sheffield released Alamogordo, Center of the World, Trinity 1945, which was a short film about his familys connection to the Manhattan Project and the Trinity Site. The native New Mexican filmmaker is back with Oppenheimer After Trinity, which is the second film in the trilogy. It will screen on 7:15 p.m. Saturday, April 22, and 3 p.m. Sunday, April 23, at SALA Event Center in Los Alamos. Both screenings are sold out, but there will be a showing at 3 p.m. on April 29. Information can be found at sala.losalamos.com/oppenheimer-after-trinity. He is also planning public screenings in Las Cruces on May 7-9, as well as May 19 in Alamogordo. An Albuquerque screening is set for July 14, but a venue hasnt been confirmed yet. The documentary film explores events that occurred immediately after the testing of the worlds first atomic bomb in July of 1945. Sheffield offers a rare and intimate glimpse into the mind of Oppenheimer, and the moments leading up to and following the first atomic bomb test in the New Mexico desert. The film features rare footage and photographs, along with compelling testimony from Oppenheimers grandson, Charles Oppenheimer. When I started this journey in 2019, we began by doing a deep dive, Sheffield says. We were trying to tell one story and then we had all these little side stories that are just as important. After sending a rough draft of his script to a friend, he was encouraged to break the story into three and tell it in a different way. With the first focusing on his family in Alamogordo, the second focuses on Oppenheimer. The third part will look at the fall of 1945 when the war is over, he says. A lot of people focus on the Manhattan Project or the Trinity explosion. I wanted to give a perspective of what was going on in New Mexico in conjunction with World War II. We were bringing all the bombers to Roswell. We were creating Sandia Base. The film has been on the festival circuit where it has picked up a handful of accolades. Sheffield is encouraged with the response to the film. Whats been really great is hearing the stories from the audience, he says. People will come to me and tell me about their connection to this moment in time. It changed the world and there are still effects from it. SEND ME YOUR TIPS: If you know of a movie filming in the state, or are curious about one, email film@ABQjournal.com. Follow me on Twitter @agomezART. An attorney for the family of a Farmington man fatally shot by police when they went to the wrong house called for the officers to be charged with murder, their chief to be fired and the department to be reformed. Attorney Shon Northam also announced on Thursday that the family plans to file a lawsuit against the Farmington Police Department in the April 5 death of Robert Dotson, 52. Northam identified two of the officers involved as Waylon Wasson and Dylan Goodluck, which FPD spokeswoman Shanice Gonzales later confirmed. Wasson was involved in a June 2022 shooting where he fired at a driver who allegedly nearly pinned Wasson during a traffic stop. Northam and Gonzales did not identify the third officer involved. Lapel video released this week showed the officers realized they had the wrong address, 5305 instead of 5308 Valley View, moments before Dotson came to the door with a gun. Police shined a light on Dotson and did not identify themselves as officers before shooting him as he opened the screen door. Dotsons wife exchanged gunfire with the officers and was taken into custody. Dotson was pronounced dead at the scene. Within days, Farmington Police Chief Steve Hebbe released a video on Facebook calling it a very dark day for FPD and apologizing that the department was in this position. But, on Thursday, Northam said Hebbe who he called a coward also sent a video to his officers and told them Im not that stressed about this case, and to go do their job and be safe. Steve Hebbe looks at the camera and says just make sure you dont go to the wrong houses and he smirks, Northam said. Hes cracking a joke after his officers senselessly and brutally murdered Robbie Lee Dotson. FPD spokeswoman Gonzales confirmed a interdepartmental video was sent out but said she had not yet seen it and could not verify or dispute Northams account. It is important to let the legal process take its course and not draw conclusions before all the facts are known. We will continue to cooperate with the appropriate agencies and provide updates to the public as the investigation progresses. We will continue to work with transparency and integrity, Gonzales said in a released statement. Kim Dotson, Dotsons wife, called her husband the one that completed me. He was my biggest protector and my number one fan. And he would always tell me, I love you the most, she said. Kim Dotson said, calling the death of her husband a horrible nightmare. I dont understand how the third house on the left translates to the first house on the right, or were the big, bold, numbers not enough for you to recognize? She said. The incompetence of your three officers is beyond my belief, didnt you take an oath to serve and protect our community. Kim Dotson said the family wanted to ensure the tragedy does not happen again and demanded reform, including proper training, background screening, mandatory therapy and an independent review of police shootings. A key break in the Jacqueline Vigil murder investigation came in March 2020 when investigators discovered a Facebook profile for their prime suspect, a police detective told jurors Thursday in Luis Talamantes-Romeros first-degree murder trial. Facebook messages helped investigators identify a man who was with Talamantes-Romero the morning of Vigils shooting death in November 2019, Albuquerque Police Department Cmdr. Kyle Hartsock testified. We had a belief that there was a second person in the car when the murder happened, Hartsock told jurors. Finding that second person became investigators top priority. Talamantes-Romero, 35, is charged with first-degree murder for allegedly killing Vigil in the drivers seat of her car outside her West Side home. Vigil, 55, was on her way to the gym as she did each weekday morning in the predawn hours of Nov. 19, 2019. He also is charged with two counts of aggravated burglary, conspiracy, larceny and other charges for what prosecutors describe as an hours-long crime spree on Albuquerques West Side that culminated in Vigils killing. The day after Vigils killing, Talamantes-Romero fled New Mexico and stayed at a cousins home in San Antonio, Texas, where federal agents arrested him in January 2020 for immigration violations. In November 2020, then-2nd Judicial District Attorney Raul Torrez filed an arrest warrant charging Talamantes-Romero in Vigils killing. Facebook messages showed that, before the killing, Talamantes-Romero had been discussing the sale of a firearm with a man named Isaac Ramirez, Hartsock said. The messages suggested that the two men had a close relationship, he said. They trust each other enough to deal with guns, which can be a very, very dangerous exercise, Hartsock told jurors. Police at first were unable to find Ramirez but eventually found him by searching yearbooks at Del Norte High School, where Ramirez had attended. Police and FBI investigators first interviewed Ramirez in September 2020, with the assistance of his parents. They interviewed him a second time in October 2020. Prosecutors played part of a recording of that interview Thursday for jurors. Ramirez, who is identified as Ramirez-Soto in court records, testified Tuesday that he watched from the passenger seat of a Jeep Cherokee as Talamantes-Romero walked up to Vigils Cadillac and shot the woman at close range with a .40-caliber handgun. Ramirez has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit aggravated burglary for his role in Vigils killing. He also pleaded guilty to attempt to commit aggravated burglary and larceny for other crimes he committed in the hours before the killing. Ramirez faces up to seven years in prison. His sentencing hearing was deferred until after the trial. Hartsock also discussed a dead end investigators pursued in 2020 before Ramirez was identified as the other man in the Jeep. The investigation nearly fell apart after Zachary Barranca gave a false confession saying he had been with Talamantes-Romero the night of the shooting. Barranca was eliminated as a suspect after cell phone records showed that he was at home at the time of Vigils death. Hartsock, who at the time was a special agent for the district attorneys office, said he had doubts about Barrancas involvement after listening to his interview with police investigators. What we want in terms of confessions is original statements telling me something I hadnt heard before, Hartsock told jurors. Mr. Barranca just gives none of that information in the interview. So I had concerns that he might have just been wanting to shut the interview down by appeasing the detectives. Detectives also told Barranca that he was facing potential death penalty-eligible charges, which wasnt true because New Mexico no longer has a death penalty, he said. More trial coverage: Jacqueline Vigil was killed by a single, close-range shot, Albuquerque detective tells jurors in accused killers trial Witness describes alleged cover-up in Jacqueline Vigils killing The most horrific thing: Jurors hear from victims widower on first day of Luis Talamantes-Romero trial Trial, jury selection to begin for Luis Talamantes-Romero who was charged with first-degree murder in killing of Jacqueline Vigil UPDATE: Celestis posted on its Facebook page Friday morning that NASA postponed a mission that included the Aurora Flight due to technical issues and that the launch has been rescheduled for April 28. Philip Chapman, an Australian who became an American citizen and joined NASA as a scientist-astronaut in 1967, did not realize his dream of traveling in space during his lifetime. But Chapman, who died in April 2021 at the age of 86, was expected to breach the lofty boundaries of space on Friday. At least, it is anticipated that a symbolic portion of his cremated remains will. Chapmans ashes are among those of about 120 others aboard Aurora Flight, a SpaceLoft XL rocket scheduled to be launched into space at 11 a.m. April 21 from Spaceport America, 20 miles southeast of Truth or Consequences. The launch is part of an Earth Rise Service conducted by Celestis Inc., a memorial spaceflight service. UP Aerospace, the commercial spaceflight company that operates out of the Spaceport, will launch the Aurora Flight rocket. We are honored that Dr. Chapmans family selected us and are looking forward to getting him into space for the first time, Charles Chafer, cofounder and chief executive officer of Celestis, said earlier this week. His legacy as a scientist, astronaut and business leader is reflected in his familys choice to honor him with a journey among the stars. Not traditional Chapman was born in Melbourne, Australia, in 1935 and served with the Royal Australian Air Force Reserve from 1953 to 1955. He learned to fly in a Tiger Moth, a single-engine biplane. He got a B.S. in physics from the University of Sydney in 1956. In the late 50s he was part of the Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions, which required him to spend most of an Antarctic winter at a two-man base near the worlds largest Emperor penguin breeding colony. Chapman moved to the United States, where he attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, earning a M.S. in aeronautics and astronautics in 1964 and a Sc.D in instrumentation in 1967. After obtaining American citizenship, he was selected as a scientist-astronaut by NASA. He served as the Apollo 14 mission scientist, an earthbound assignment, and missed his one opportunity to get into space when the space-station program Skylab B was canceled. He resigned from NASA in 1972, but continued to work in science-based and space-travel related endeavors. Maria Tseng, Chapmans widow, said it was her idea to send his ashes into space on Aurora Flight. Phil and I were not traditional people, and I didnt want a traditional funeral, Tseng said during a Thursday phone interview from her Scottsdale, Arizona, home. She said she intended to watch todays flight on a webcast. To tell you the truth, I dont think Phil would have liked the idea, said Tseng, who married Chapman in 1984. He was a scientist to whom the search for truth and reality was very important, and this is purely symbolic. He wouldnt want to do it. But hes not here to argue with me, and I wanted to do it because look at Phils life he was into exploration. Chafer said Chapman is the third astronaut whose ashes Celestis has sent into space. The other two are Gordon Cooper, who got into space as pilot of Mercury-Atlas 9 and as command pilot of Gemini 5; and William Pogue, who piloted Skylab 4 into space. Explore forever Fridays flight will last about 30 minutes. Chafer said the rocket breaks into different parts, all of which descend by parachute from about 115 miles up back down to White Sands Missile Range, where they are recovered. The cremated remains, which are stored in the rockets nose cone, are separated into small containers called capsules, which are engraved with individuals names. Ashes are returned to family members. The special thing about this mission is that I will be getting Phils ashes back, Tseng said. Fridays mission is the 20th for Celestis. Chafer said the companys first launch was in 1997 in the Canary Islands and the 19th was last week at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. He said todays flight marks the first time that part of Chapman made it into space, but it will not be last. He is on two of our missions this year, Chafer said. A portion of his ashes will be on our Enterprise flight, out of Cape Canaveral, in June or July. That one goes into deep space. It orbits the sun as long as there is a sun. Tseng said she believes her late husband would approve of the Enterprise flight. He was also a romantic, she said. The Enterprise mission will be the first time human ashes and human DNA, human remains, will enter deep space. Thats great. That is what he would want to do. Explore forever. He wont be coming back. BEIRUT (AP) The holiday of Eid al-Fitr ushered in a day of prayers and joy for Muslims around the world on Friday. The celebration was marred by tragedy amid the explosion of conflict in Sudan, while in other countries it came against the backdrop of hopes for a better future. After the Ramadan month of fasting, Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr with feasts and family visits. The start of the holiday is traditionally based on sightings of the new moon, which vary according to geographic location. In Sudans capital, Khartoum, staccato blasts of gunfire marked the early hours of the feast day. A deadly conflict in the vast African country that erupted in the past week has forced many people to shelter indoors ahead of the holiday, even as water and food for civilians runs low. In Jerusalem, thousands of faithful gathered at Islams third holiest shrine, the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, where tensions with Israeli authorities have seethed in the past month. The compound also hosts Judaisms holiest site. Following holiday prayers, a clown entertained children and a woman painted the cheek of a girl with the green, red, black and white Palestinian flag. Some attendees trampled on an Israeli flag and unfurled banners in support of Palestinian militant groups. The streets of Arab capitals of Damascus, Baghdad and Beirut were crowded with worshippers heading to mosques and cemeteries. Many Muslims visit the graves of their loved ones after the early morning prayer on the first day of Eid al-Fitr. Visitors toted bouquets of flowers, jugs of water for plants, and brooms to clean gravestones. After the Eid prayer we always visit our dead to pray and pay our respects, may God have mercy and forgive them on this blessed day, said Atheer Mohamed in Baghdads Azamiya cemetery. Islams holidays follow a lunar calendar. But some countries rely on astronomical calculations rather than physical sightings. This frequently leads to disagreements between religious authorities in different countries and sometimes in the same country over the start date of Eid al-Fitr. This year, Saudi Arabia and many other Arab countries began their Eid celebrations on Friday, while Iran, Pakistan and Indonesia, among others, set the first day of the holiday for Saturday. In Sudan, the holiday was eclipsed by a week of raging battles between the army and its rival paramilitary force, which are locked in a violent struggle to control the country. The fighting has killed hundreds of people and wounded thousands. In a video message released early Friday, his first speech since the fighting broke out, Sudans top general Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan marked the somber tone of the holiday. Ruin and destruction and the sound of bullets have left no place for the happiness everyone in our beloved country deserves, he said. The day before, Sudans military ruled out negotiations with the rival paramilitary force, known as the Rapid Support Forces, saying it would only accept its surrender as the two sides continued to battle in central Khartoum and other parts of the country, threatening to wreck international attempts to broker a sustainable cease-fire. Yet in other parts of the region, the recent rapprochement between arch-rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran has kindled hopes for peace. In Yemen, the Saudi-Iranian rapprochement raised the possibility for an end to the civil war that had turned into a proxy conflict and torn the impoverished country apart since 2014. Saudi officials and Iran-backed Houthi rebels recently began talks in Yemens capital of Sanaa. During the last days of Ramadan, the warring sides exchanged hundreds of prisoners captured during the conflict. However, the moment of hopes was marred by a stampede late Wednesday at a charitable event in the rebel-held capital that killed at least 78 people and injured 77. This years Eid al-Fitr also came on the heels of intensified violence in Israel and the Palestinian territories. Alaa Abu Hatab and his only remaining daughter started the holiday in the Palestinian Gaza Strip by visiting the graves of his wife and four children who were killed in an Israeli airstrike on the day of Eid al-Fitr in 2021. That strike also killed Abu Hatabs sister and her children. Because they were killed in the Eid, I miss them especially during Eid al-Fitr. I miss their laughter, Abu Hatab said, standing by his familys grave with his six-year-old daughter, Maria. The holiday has become a scene of pain and loss, he said. In Afghanistans Kabul, where worshippers gathered under the watchful eyes of its Taliban rulers, 35-year-old Abdul Matin said, I wish that besides security we had good income and good jobs. Unfortunately people cant afford to buy all their necessities at this difficult time. In Turkey and Syria, many are still mourning loved ones lost in the devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck the two countries on Feb. 6, killing more than 50,000 people. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday performed morning Eid prayers at Hagia Sophia, the 6th century Byzantine church in Istanbul that was turned into a mosque in the 15th century. It became a museum in 1934 and was reconverted into a mosque three years ago. Erdogan, who is facing elections next month amid an economic crisis and the fallout of the earthquake, handed out chocolate and pastries to journalists outside the mosque, renamed Holy Ayasofya Grand Mosque. In the United States, celebrations among the Sudanese community were tempered with concern for the homeland. They still gathered in large numbers for Friday prayers at the Muslim Community Center in Silver Spring. We are not in a mood to do anything joyful, but were doing (these celebrations) for the kids, said Shaza Ahmed, who is among an estimated 20,000 Sudanese in Maryland and Virginia. In Tennessee, where school state testing was underway, Imam Ossama Bahloul, the resident scholar at the Islamic Center of Nashville, said that for the first time, his daughter missed the holiday prayer with the family so she could take an exam. In Minneapolis, Friday public school classes were called off for the first time to mark the holiday. About 10% of students are Muslim, said Jaylani Hussein, director of Council on American-Islamic Relations-Minnesota. In Minneapolis, you can be unapologetically Muslim, Hussein said. In Dearborn, Michigan, employees have Eid al-Fitr off as a paid holiday for the first time. Mayor Abdullah Hammoud said the precedent was not planned but that it was important for Muslim employees to feel included and enjoy the holiday with their families. ___ Associated Press reporters Ali Abdul-Hassan in Baghdad, Tia Goldenburg in Jerusalem, Fares Akram in Gaza City, Gaza Strip; Mariam Fam in Cairo, Rahim Faiez in Kabul, Afghanistan; Andrew Wilks in Istanbul, Deepa Bharath in Los Angeles, Giovanna DellOrto in Minneapolis and Mike Householder in Detroit contributed to this report. The newest K-9 for the Bosque Farms Police Department, Zella, the warrior princess, greets her handler, Cpl. Brad Killough. (Julia M. Dendinger/News-Bulletin) When most people hear the term K-9, they envision a stone-faced police officer with an equally-stoic dog. That might be the case for some, but for Bosque Farms Police Cpl. Brad Killough and his K-9, Zella, stone-faced and stoic arent the usual descriptors. Try goofballs. A couple of derps with an overwhelming enthusiasm for the job. Many know Killough as BFPDs K-9 handler but many more know his former fur partner, Dukan. After a series of injuries, it was determined last year, that Dukan, a Belgian Malinois, was due for retirement. He now lounges at Killoughs house, getting fat and sassy. Enter, Zella, the warrior princess, a 17-month-old German shepherd with boundless energy, an eagerness to learn and just enough goofiness to match Killoughs. Shes kind of a goofball. I think thats just her character. Im not one of those handlers that likes these stoic, robotic dogs. (Goofballs) get the job done, but I feel like theyre more fun, Killough said. It makes them more fun to train, to advance them. Read the full story on the Valencia County News-Bulletin website. SANTA FE Gov. Michelle Lujan Grishams administration is establishing a new climate policy bureau led by a former staffer from New York Citys climate office to focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and growing New Mexicos green economy. The launch of the bureau within the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department coincides with Earth Day. It also comes as the governor, a Democrat, faces criticism from environmental groups after vetoing climate-focused tax credits for electric vehicles, energy storage systems and geothermal energy generation. The new climate bureau will be led by Rachel Finkelstein, who served as senior policy adviser in the New York City mayors office of climate change and environmental justice. She will make $85,000 a year, and the entire bureau is set to cost $297,000 a year. The bureaus work will include supporting efforts to carry out a 2019 executive order that sets targets for sharply reduced greenhouse gas emissions and developing plans for the use of state funds to help New Mexico adapt to climate change. Adding a Climate Policy Bureau formalizes and elevates our agencys laser focus on addressing climate change in New Mexico, Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Secretary Sarah Cottrell Propst said in a written statement. Camilla Feibelman, director of the Rio Grande Chapter of the Sierra Club, an environmental group, said the launch of the climate bureau is a welcome development. But the states key environmental agencies the departments of Energy, Mineral and Natural Resources and Environment still lack the funding necessary to do the scope of work the climate crisis demands, she said. After a summer of climate-driven fires and floods, Feibelman said, we have to act, and we have to do that with great urgency. House Minority Whip Greg Nibert, R-Roswell, said the launch of the bureau creates another layer of government bureaucracy. It also could damage the industry thats fueling New Mexicos revenue boom and helping pay for schools, roads and government operations, he said. My real concern is that the creation of this position is going to be another sword used to harm the oil and gas industry and the communities in southeast New Mexico, Nibert said. Lujan Grisham in 2019 signed legislation phasing in requirements for the Public Service Co. of New Mexico and similar utilities to shift to carbon-free energy generation by 2045. But she also faced criticism from environmental groups this year after she used her line-item veto power to block new tax credits focused on climate change. The governor blocked much of the tax package overall, describing it as not fiscally sustainable. She also defended her administrations environmental record this year and highlighted $100 million in new state trust funds for the environment. In 2023, 17 mass shootings killed 88 people in 111 days in the US, a record pace. Vice President Kamala Harris blasted the Republican-controlled Congress for failing to adopt gun safety regulations. The Washington State Legislature banned over 50 semi-automatic rifles, including the AR-15 and AK-47, used in mass killings. US mass killings are now occurring around once every week this year, establishing a record rate for the nation in 2023. Over 111 days, the bloodshed claimed 88 lives in 17 mass murders. The murderers always used weapons. Only 2009 saw more of these tragic events in the same time frame. On a routine Monday, shooting deaths occurred at a Nashville elementary school. Northern California farmworkers were shot over a workplace vendetta. Dancers were murdered while celebrating the Lunar New Year at a dance hall outside of Los Angeles. In the last week alone, shots poured down on a Sweet 16 celebration in Dadeville, Alabama, killing four partygoers and injuring 32 more. And in Bowdoin, Maine, a recently released prisoner shot and killed four people, including his parents, before turning the gun on drivers on a major freeway, according to ABC News. The average number of mass murders in the US this year is one every 6.53 days, according to an analysis of data from The AP/USA Today. There are a variety of reasons why there is violence from coast to coast. Domestic abuse, gang retribution, murder-suicides, school shootings, and workplace vendettas are all examples of violence. Since January 1, every single one of them has killed four or more individuals at once. VP Kamala Harris Slams Republican-Controlled Congress Despite the fact that the US Congress has yet to pass a ban on firearms, President Joe Biden and other Democrats have shown a growing willingness to push for more stringent gun laws amid increasing incidents of US mass shootings, even when it may not result in immediate political gains. During an interview on "The Jennifer Hudson Show" on Thursday, US Vice President Kamala Harris lambasted Congress for failing to pass gun safety laws in response to an increasing number of mass shootings, accusing them of not having the fortitude to stand up to the National Rifle Association (NRA) and the gun lobby. Read Also: Yellen Urges US, China to Work Together Kamala Harris voiced her concern about the inability of Congress to uphold the Second Amendment and put sensible gun safety measures into effect, according to The Hill. During the interview, Vice President Kamala Harris underscored that the Second Amendment and legislation governing gun safety are not in conflict, saying that the US government "should not have to be presented with this false choice, which suggests you're either in favor of the Second Amendment or you want reasonable gun safety laws." Washington Implements Semi-Automatic Rifle Ban Meanwhile, the Washington State Legislature passed a bill on Wednesday banning a large number of semi-automatic guns, and the governor is anticipated to sign it into law. The terrible US mass shootings that have occurred in our country most often involve young males using powerful rifles that were formerly outlawed statewide. The ban would apply to more than 50 different types of firearms, such as the AR-15, AK-47, and other rifles of a similar design that shoot one round with each trigger stroke and then reload themselves for the next shot, PBS reported. Though certain exceptions are made for sales to the military and law enforcement in Washington, the measure outlaws their future manufacturing, distribution, and importation. Related Article: US House Bill Bans Transgender Athletes in School Sports @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. SANTA FE The governing body of the state Democratic Party is set to gather in Albuquerque on Saturday and announce the election of party leaders for the next two years. Three of the four Democratic Party races are uncontested. Jessica Velasquez, the Democratic chairwoman since 2021, is unopposed in her reelection bid. Also uncontested are races for treasurer with Rayellen Smith up for reelection and for secretary, where Isaac Dakota Casados is running for an open position. For vice chair, Manny Crespin, the incumbent, faces a challenge from Bushra Elfarissi. Members of the partys State Central Committee voted online earlier this week, and the results are to be announced Saturday. U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., will deliver the keynote address. On the Republican Party side, Steve Pearce was reelected in December to a two-year term as state GOP chairman. The investigation into Jacqueline Vigils shooting death had stalled by mid-2020 after Albuquerque police identified the wrong man as Luis Talamantes-Romeros co-defendant in the killing, an investigator told jurors Friday. The false identification threatened to derail the investigation in the months after the November 2019 killing, Albuquerque Police Department Cmdr. Kyle Hartsock testified at Talamantes-Romeros trial in Vigils shooting death. In my opinion, they had just gotten stuck, Hartsock said of APD investigators. In early 2020, APD investigators obtained a false confession from Zachary Barranca who allegedly admitted that he was with Talamantes-Romero at the time of the killing. The false confession had brought the investigation to a dead end, Hartsock told the 2nd Judicial District Court jury. The investigation had kind of come to a stop, essentially, he said. Prosecutors allege that Talamantes-Romero and a second man were prowling Albuquerques West Side in the predawn hours of Nov. 19, 2019, looking for cars to burglarize when they spotted Vigil preparing to leave for the gym. Talamantes-Romero allegedly pulled his Jeep Cherokee behind Vigils Cadillac, approached her car with a .40-caliber handgun, and shot the woman through the drivers side window, prosecutors allege. Dr. Heather Jarrell, Chief Medical Examiner at the University of New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator, testified Friday that Vigil died instantly when a single bullet entered the left side of her head. DAs office takes over the case With the investigation at a standstill in mid-2020, APD asked the 2nd Judicial District Attorneys Office to take charge of the case, Hartsock testified. At that time, Hartsock was working as special agent in charge of the Criminal Strategies Unit at the DAs office. He began work at APD in 2021. The Albuquerque Police Department just asked for the DAs office investigators which was my unit just to fully take over the case, he said in response to questions from Talamantes-Romeros attorney, Kathleen Rhinehart. He described it as unusual for one agency to take over a homicide investigation from another. In her opening statement Tuesday, Rhinehart told jurors that detectives from the start laser focused on Talamantes-Romero as a suspect and ignored other possible suspects in Vigils killing. By the summer of 2020, the case had taken on a new political dimension. Vigils death gained national attention on July 22, 2020, when her husband, Sam Vigil, and his sons attended a White House press conference where then-President Donald Trump announced that the case would be included in Operation Legend, billed as a federal crackdown on violent crimes. At that press conference, Sam Vigil expressed frustration that in eight months since his wifes murder there have been no arrests at all. The day of the press conference, the DAs office sought phone company records showing that Barranca was at his home in Southwest Albuquerque at the time Vigil was killed. Nor did Barranca have contacts or messages on his phone related to the case. I strongly believe that he was not involved in this case, Hartsock said of Barranca. None of it seemed to make sense. Hartsock said he became dubious of Barrancas involvement after listening to his interview with now-retired APD detectives Mike Luna and Jose Lucero, the former lead investigators. In that interview, Barranca at first denied involvement, and later simply just agreed with the detectives, which Hartsock described as a red flag that the confession is false or coerced. I had concerns about its validity, Hartsock said of the interview. APD detectives implied that (Barranca) could be executed by the government for his participation in this crime. New Mexico repealed its death penalty statute in 2009 and no longer has death penalty-eligible crimes. Investigators made a breakthrough in the case when they identified Isaac Ramirez as the man who had been with Talamantes-Romero at the time of the killing. Investigators interviewed Ramirez in September and October 2021, providing the crucial eyewitness account that allowed the DAs office to charge Talamantes-Romero in November 2021, Hartsock said. Ramirez told jurors on Tuesday that he watched from the passenger seat of the Jeep as Talamantes-Romero fatally shot Vigil. Ramirez was required to testify under the terms of his plea agreement. Ramirez has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit aggravated burglary for his role in Vigils killing. He also pleaded guilty to attempt to commit aggravated burglary and larceny for other crimes he committed in the hours before the killing. Ramirez faces up to seven years in prison. His sentencing hearing was deferred until after the trial. Instagram Celebrity Marissa Da'Nae says she's 'having contractions' and 'tired' following the social media drama as she accused the 'Camelot' rapper of chasing another woman while she's pregnant with a baby he paid for. Apr 21, 2023 AceShowbiz - Marissa Da'Nae's emotional rant against NLE Choppa has apparently taken its toll on her pregnancy. The Instagram model, who is currently expecting her first child with her rapper ex, said she's in the hospital due to "having contractions." Marissa gave an update on her pregnancy via Twitter on Wednesday, April 19. "Currently in the hospital, having contractions," she wrote. It's not clear if it's already her due date or not, but it seems that she is not in the best condition mentally right now as she added, "I'm tired mane." Marissa, who tearfully announced her split from NLE several months ago, slammed the Memphis native after he shot his shot with Meagan Good. "I really been trying to hold it down and keep it together. But I'm honestly just fed tf up," Marissa posted on her Instagram Story on Tuesday, April 18. "You constantly trying to holla at folks, take folks on dates and etc but you have failed to show up for your child! That YOU PAID FOR ME TO HAVE! You think because you may pay a doctor bill or send a few dollars for certain s**t that changes the fact that you're absent as f**k." The soon-to-be mother claimed, "I've seen you TWICE MY WHOLE PREGNANCY AND IM PAST HALF WAY Done!" In a separate post, she shared an ultrasound image of her unborn child and wrote, "Tell these folks why I'm really mad n***a! Cause you ain't doing yo mf part but ready to be in the next woman's face! Tell them folks why I really was crying, cause I was enjecting [sic] myself with five different medicines." "This wasn't no accident n***a we did this s**t on purpose so you should PURPOSELY BE HERE!" she stressed, before claiming that she and the rapper "never broke up." She said she "only said that to the public so y'all would stop sending s**t to me and nobody would be in his business anymore. It's more to the story but I let him paint his picture." Marissa later seemed to regret airing out her frustration. In another Story, she admitted, "I been angry and was angry. I been doing great with handling my emotions, but I failed. At the end of the day, God Knows what's up and what's been going on and everybody gonna have to deal with they own s**t on they own time." She went on apologizing for going off on her ex, "I'm going back to putting my energy into my child and I apologize for allowing myself to get so frustrated that I let it run over onto the internet. This is my bed I made, that I gotta lay in. I been by myself, I'll keep doing it by myself. But I'm very thankful and grateful for the miracle God has given me." "This has really been hard. It is what it is," she explained. "I don't care what picture people try to paint or what they say. I have someone who's so beautiful and reminds me everyday that they need me. I don't care if you understand, agree, disagree. I was speaking my truth out of hurt and anger but again I am sorry and I should of just kept it to myself." NLE has not responded to her rant and has not confirmed her claims about the pregnancy. You can share this post! Cover Images/Sara De Boer/KIKA Press Celebrity The makeup mogul reportedly likes being wooed by the 'Call Me by Your Name' actor amid rumors suggesting that the two have entered a romantic relationship. Apr 21, 2023 AceShowbiz - Kylie Jenner sends Timothee Chalamet texts "almost every day." The 25-year-old makeup mogul - who shares children Stormi, five, and 14-month old Aire with ex-boyfriend Travis Scott - is rumored to have been dating "Call Me by Your Name" star Timothee, 27, in recent weeks and now an insider has revealed that the pair are in almost constant communication. "Kylie and Timothee text, FaceTime or communicate in some way almost every day. They have a really fun and flirty exchange between them, and he makes Kylie smile. Kylie is definitely open to seeing Timothee again, but she's letting him take the lead. She enjoys being courted and feels like the more effort he puts in, the more she likes him," the source told this week's edition of UsWeekly magazine. However, "The Kardashians" star is said to feel that Timothee "doesn't need to go super over the top" in his efforts to pursue her and described the billionaire businesswoman as being "down-to-earth" and unlike what fans may think of her. The source added, "At the same time, she appreciates that he doesn't feel the need to go super over the top with grand gestures just to impress her. Despite what some people may think, Kylie really is down-to-earth and laidback. Having some tacos and just hanging out is a perfect date idea for her. She is having fun getting to know Timothee better. " The comments come just days after it was claimed that Kylie - who has also dated the likes of Tyga and Jaden Smith - has "really great chemistry" with Timothee and that he is different to all of her former flames. A source said, "Timothee is a total gentleman and treats [Kylie] with respect. He's very charming and he makes her laugh, and he's easy to talk to. He's not like any of the other guys she's dated before and although he may not seem like her type, they have really good chemistry." You can share this post! Instagram Celebrity The 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' actress is quick to voice her support for her spouse soon after the lawyer officially announces he will be running for the Oval Office. Apr 21, 2023 AceShowbiz - Cheryl Hines has declared her support to her husband Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s run for president. The "Curb Your Enthusiasm" actress commended her spouse - who is the son of late US Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy and nephew of late former President John F. Kennedy - as a "fearless leader" and thinks he's the right candidate for the deocrat party because he "understands the needs of the American people." "My husband, Robert Kennedy Jr. announced today he will be running for President and I support his decision. He is a fearless leader who understands the needs of the American people and has devoted his life fighting for democracy," she said in a statement. Robert, 69, had filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission to run as a Democratic candidate in 2024 earlier this month and formally announced he was running at a press conference on Wednesday, April 19. But while the environmental lawyer has the support of his wife, his younger sister, Kerry Kennedy, has been critical of his anti-vaccine stance. Kerry - who spearheads the RFK Human Rights advocacy group - said in a statement earlier this month, "I love my brother Bobby, but I do not share or endorse his opinions on many issues, including the COVID pandemic, vaccinations and the role of social media platforms in policing false information. It is also important to note that Bobby's views are not reflected in or influence the mission or work of our organisation." Her words were echoed by younger brother Doug Kennedy. The FOX News correspondent told People earlier this month, "Everyone [in the family] loves him and recognises his talent. Not everyone agrees with his positions." Robert - who married Cheryl in 2014 - previously shared his priorities if he was elected president. He tweeted last month, "If it looks like I can raise the money and mobilise enough people to win, I'll jump in the race." "If I run, my top priority will be to end the corrupt merger between state and corporate power that has ruined our economy, shattered the middle class, polluted our landscapes and waters, poisoned our children, and robbed us of our values and freedoms." You can share this post! British Vogue Magazine/Adama Jalloh Celebrity Before she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, the 'Cruel Intentions' actress was so desperate over her health condition that she attempted suicide several times. Apr 21, 2023 AceShowbiz - Selma Blair attempted to take her life "a few times" while battling symptoms of her undiagnosed multiple sclerosis. After spending years living with the physical and mental results of the incurable disease, the "Cruel Intentions" actress, 50, was finally diagnosed with it in August 2018, and said she got so desperate before doctors worked out what was wrong with her that she tried suicide. "As an adult, the lassitude and anxiety (from her MS) became terrifying, actually. I made mistakes. Wished myself dead. Attempted suicide. A few times. Out of desperation," Mum-of-one Selma, who has son Arthur, 11, with her fashion designer ex Jason Bleick, 49, revealed in a cover interview for May's British Vogue magazine. Selma also opened up about how life on film sets was so painful while living with her undiagnosed illness - which attacks the immune system and causes nerve damage to the brain and spine - she would numb her pain and anxiety with tranquilisers and alcohol. She said, "Sets were excruciating sometimes with the exhaustion and the tics. I took benzos and Klonopin (used to prevent seizures and anxiety disorders). I didn't abuse those things, just alcohol. But I was lost and sad and could hardly ever smile. Hence my roles, I imagine." Selma told about one of her suicide attempts in her 2022 autobiography "Mean Baby: A Memoir of Growing Up". She said it came after a painful break up from her physical education horse trainer, Todd. Selma sneaked into his closet as he slept and swallowed a bottle of Tylenol with tequila, but changed her mind about wanting to die and woke up Todd and told him what she'd taken. Her recovery was brutal as her mum told her she was dead to her due to her suicide attempt. Selma told Elle magazine about her late mother's reaction, "It's the worst thing she did to me. I know I broke her trust." "I had tried to kill myself - even if it was only for 10 minutes. As outlandish and critical as she was, she would never get over one of us dying, especially by our own hand. I was dead to her for two years - either as punishment or perhaps she was bracing herself for the next time." The May 2023 issue of British Vogue is on newsstands from April 25. You can share this post! Cover Images/FAYES VISION TV In newly-unearthed footage from 'Vanderpump Rules', the actress, her then-boyfriend Tom and their co-star Raquel are posing for pictures together in a hot tub. Apr 21, 2023 AceShowbiz - Ariana Madix might want to be careful of what she says next time. In a strange twist of events, it can be said that Tom Sandoval and Raquel Leviss' affair was not completely unforeseen on "Vanderpump Rules" as Ariana once joked about it. In a series of just-released deleted scenes of the Bravo reality series, the actress joked that she's like in "a throuple" with her then-boyfriend Tom and their co-star Raquell. In the clip which eventually aired on Wednesday, April 19, the trio were posing for pictures together in a hot tub. Ariana puckered up to the camera while being topless and covering her chest with her hands as Raquel and Tom were leaning on her. When the three saw the snaps, Raquel said they could "never surface," and Ariana agreed, "They go nowhere. It's just us." But Tom predicted that since the snaps were on his phone, they would "go everywhere." Ariana then jested, "It looks like we're in a throuple. We're on like a romantic vacay" while she was "in nude underwear covering [her] boobs." Upon seeing the newly-unearthed footage, viewers expressed their disgust as some pointed out that Tom couldn't keep his eyes off Raquel in the hot tub. Someone additionally called it "beyond gross." Ariana only found out about Tom and Raquel's affair after she discovered sexual texts between the two in March, leading to her breakup from the bar owner. She has since moved on with fitness trainer Daniel Wai, while Raquel checked herself into a mental health treatment facility earlier this month. Meanwhile, Tom has embarked on a solo trip to "get away from the noise." A source close to the reality TV star tells ET that he wanted a vacation filled with "mindful activities like hiking, meditation and rock climbing to get away from the noise of Scandoval." The source also says Tom "hasn't been drinking and is cleansing, and just being really healthy and getting clear." Responding to speculation that Raquel could be tagging along for the ride, the source says, "There's speculation Tom and Raquel are together at this retreat, but that's not true." The source insists, "Raquel continues to be in a mental health facility and Tom is doing his own thing." You can share this post! CBS Movie The former 'Breaking Bad' actor has been signed on to share screen with the likes of Allison Janney, Benjamin Evan Ainsworth, and Jack Champion in the new movie. Apr 21, 2023 AceShowbiz - Bryan Cranston is billed to star in "Everything's Going to Be Great". The "Breaking Bad" actor is set to feature in the movie alongside Allison Janney, Benjamin Evan Ainsworth, and Jack Champion. Starting the production in Toronto, the film is being directed by Jon S. Baird from a script by "I, Tonya" writer Steven Rogers. The movie focuses on the story of the Smart family as they cope with loss and struggle with identity as they move from one state to the next while performing in regional theatre. Baird's previous film credits include "Stan and Ollie", the biopic starring Steve Coogan and John C. Reilly as comedy greats Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, and the recent Apple TV+ movie "Tetris" that features Taron Egerton. Meanwhile, Bryan previously revealed that he will only eat a meal on set if a scene requires it. The 67-year-old actor explained how very few of his contemporaries like to tuck in during eating sequences but he prefers to polish off the grub on camera to taking lunch breaks. Bryan is also a fan of "French hours" if there is no food during filming as he can just graze on small snacks rather than stopping the shoot. He said, "I am one of the rare actors who actually eats during dinner sequences. Most actors, I find, will push food around and they'll pretend and take the smallest bite of something. I dive in." "But if we're not eating [in the scene] I'm very partial to what we call 'French Hours'; 10 straight hours, no break for lunch. You pass around munchies - nice, healthy snacks, but very small portions, so it regulates your energy." You can share this post! Movie The 'Twilight' actor recalls moving into a tool shed in a bid to feel a 'sense of loneliness and complete isolation' while he was preparing to audition for a role. Apr 22, 2023 AceShowbiz - Peter Facinelli was almost driven "insane" when he moved into a tool shed in order to experience "loneliness" before an audition. In pursuit of his craft, the 49-year-old actor - who shares daughters Luca, 25, Lola, 20, and Fiona, 16, with ex-wife Jennie Garth and a six-month-old son with partner Lily Anne Harrison - has done "crazy, extreme things" and recalled a time he isolated himself away from his family for four days in order to get into the right head space to potentially play a tortured prisoner. "I've done crazy, extreme things. One time, I was auditioning for a movie where my character was going to be stuck in a prison cell in another country, getting tortured all the time," he admitted to The Hollywood Reporter. "To prepare, I slept in my shed for four days. I asked my wife at the time to just bring food out at certain times. I wanted to feel that sense of loneliness and complete isolation. I had nothing in there with me, no phone, no TV, nothing at all. I was going insane. I didn't know if it was day or night because it was a tool shed." The "Twilight Saga" actor didn't get the part but he still thinks his preparation helped him to give a much stronger audition. He added, "I probably could have just 'acted' the part but I really wanted to know what it felt like to experience that so I could bring it to the audition because it was a character who was going mad." "I went straight from the shed to the audition and I didn't get the part but I do feel like it helped inform the performance. It would've been nice to get that part but I don't regret doing that. It's all part of the process." You can share this post! Asit C Mehta Investment Intermediates ltd (ACMIIL), subsidiary of Asit C. Mehta Financial Services Ltd (ACMFSL), (BSE-530723| ASITCFIN), one of the leading fintech conglomerates in Indian equity markets,, has appointed Mr. Prashant S Vaishampayan as Head of Research, Institutional Equities. Chartered Accountant All India 13th rank, Prashant is registered with SEBI Research Analyst. In his new role at ACMIIL, he will spearhead developing and presenting investment ideas and the fundamentals research. He brings a rich experience of two decades that includes Associate Director at Kotak Securities Institutional Equities research and UBS Investment Bank India Institutional Equities research, Senior Investment Analyst at SG Securities India, and Investment Analyst with Jardine Fleming India. He was a rated research analyst with magazines such as Institutional Investor and AsiaMoney. In addition, in his previous roles, he was rated by large investors such as Capital, Fidelity, Government of Singapore, HSBC, Franklin Templeton, and American Century. Welcoming Prashant on board, Mrs. Deena Mehta, Managing Director, ACMIIL, said We are confident his successful research experience of picking long term multibagger stocks with strong moats, investor-friendly policies and strong managements, by following a tried and tested value investment process, will add great value to our clients investment needs and wealth creation Commenting on his new role, Mr. Prashant S Vaishampayan said I am extremely delighted to be part of ACMIIL institutional research and I look forward to extend my support and utilize my sector specific capabilities and interests in pharmaceutical, agrochemicals, specialty chemicals, auto and components, banks, consumer staples and IT services. I believe that discipline and focus are essential to succeed as an investor. We recommend companies across market capitalization (large/mid/small) in the selected sectors of the economy. These sectors are carefully chosen based on return on capital employed and free cash flow generation for shareholders. The group under the leadership of Mr. Asit C Mehta and Mrs. Deena Mehta, for the last four decades, is one of the oldest financial services companies in India. They have business across PMS, Stock broking, Mutual fund distribution, distribution of all other third-party investment instruments, Investment banking among others. Over the past few years ACM group has been working on its preparation to position itself as a leading Fintech company, built on homegrown technology prowess. With the financial services industry expanding leaps and bounds, our positioning as a Fintech player will prove essential for business outreach and growth. When you're involved in an accident and suffer an injury, it can be overwhelming and confusing to navigate the legal system all on your own. This is where the expertise of record setting injury lawyers comes in. Injury lawyers can help you understand your rights, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent you in court if necessary. There are countless reasons why an injury lawyer can make all the difference when it comes to your case. In this blog post, we'll take a look at why an injury lawyer can be so powerful in representing your interests. Injury Lawyers Know the Legal System Inside and Out Injury lawyers are professionals who specialize in representing clients involved in personal injury cases. They are knowledgeable about the legal system and possess the expertise needed to navigate the complex legal procedures that accompany personal injury cases. This expertise allows injury lawyers to develop strong legal arguments that can result in favorable outcomes for their clients. They understand the nuances of the legal system and can anticipate the moves of other parties involved in the case. Moreover, injury lawyers have vast experience working with insurance companies, which is essential in negotiating fair settlements for their clients. They Understand the Consequences of Injury When someone sustains an injury, it can affect them in various ways, such as physical pain, emotional distress, lost wages, and medical expenses. Injury lawyers have experience in dealing with these types of cases and can help their clients understand the short-term and long-term implications of their injuries. They know how to calculate the total cost of an injury, including current and future medical expenses, loss of income, and the value of pain and suffering. With this knowledge, injury lawyers can build a strong case and negotiate effectively with insurance companies and opposing counsel to secure their clients' maximum compensation. They Can Help You Get the Compensation You Deserve Personal injury cases involve complex legal procedures and insurance policies, and navigating these on your own can be overwhelming. An experienced injury attorney can help you understand the legal process, gather evidence, evaluate your damages, and negotiate with insurance companies and other parties involved. They can also help you identify all possible sources of compensation, including medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. In addition, injury lawyers have the knowledge and resources to build a strong case and represent you in court if necessary, which can greatly increase your chances of getting the compensation you're entitled to. They Are Dedicated to Their Clients and Their Rights When it comes to seeking legal representation for a personal injury case, it's important to choose an attorney who is not only experienced and knowledgeable but also dedicated to their clients and their rights. Dedicated injury lawyers prioritize their client's best interests and work tirelessly to ensure that they receive the compensation they deserve. This can involve conducting thorough investigations, gathering evidence, negotiating with insurance companies, and taking cases to trial if necessary. Throughout the legal process, dedicated injury attorneys will provide their clients with regular updates and communicate openly and honestly with them about their cases. They Have Access to Resources That Can Strengthen Your Case Experienced injury lawyers have a team of legal professionals at their disposal who can thoroughly investigate your accident, collect important evidence, and build a strong case on your behalf. They work closely with legal experts, medical professionals, private investigators, and other specialists to ensure that every aspect of your case is thoroughly examined and presented in the best possible light. With their resources, an experienced injury lawyer can help you build a compelling case that stands up to the scrutiny of the courts and insurance companies, and get you the compensation you deserve. They Are Experienced and Skilled in Negotiating Settlements Experienced personal injury attorneys have an in-depth understanding of the legal process and are skilled negotiators. They know how to navigate the intricacies of personal injury claims and are able to calculate the true value of a claim. This knowledge and expertise allow them to effectively negotiate settlements with insurance companies and other parties involved in a personal injury case. Settlement negotiations are often one of the most crucial parts of a personal injury case, and having a knowledgeable attorney by your side can make all the difference. By working with an experienced injury lawyer, you can rest assured that your interests and rights are being protected and that you have someone who is advocating for the best possible outcome for you. They Understand the Emotional Toll Injury Can Take on a Person An experienced injury lawyer knows that the physical and financial consequences of an injury are only a part of the overall recovery process. The emotional impact of an injury can be overwhelming, prolonging the recovery period and making it challenging to move forward. A good injury lawyer recognizes this and provides compassionate support to their clients, not only representing them legally but also offering guidance and resources for addressing the emotional aspects of their healing journey. By understanding this aspect of a client's recovery, an injury lawyer with empathy and experience can make all the difference in the outcome of a case. They Have a Proven Track Record and Can Provide References An experienced injury lawyer is highly likely to have a successful track record of cases and can provide references from former clients. Doing your research on a particular attorney or firm can help you make an informed decision about who you want to represent in your case. By asking for referrals and looking at the outcomes of past cases, you can get a better understanding of how effective and knowledgeable an attorney is in handling personal injury claims. This will ensure that your case is represented by someone with the experience and expertise to help you successfully obtain the compensation you deserve. Conclusion Personal injury claims can be complicated and challenging to navigate, but with the help of an experienced injury lawyer, you can rest assured that your interests are being protected. An attorney with a proven track record can provide their clients with legal expertise, resources, guidance, and support to achieve the best possible outcome in their case. If you have been injured due to someone else's negligence, don't hesitate to contact an injury lawyer who can help you get the compensation you deserve. @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Wieden+Kennedy India continues to draw senior talent, ever since they opened their Mumbai office in mid 2022. This week, Kapil Batra has come aboard the ship of fools; as Dan Wieden famously referred to the agency he co-founded. Batra joins as National Creative Director for India, reporting to Santosh Padhi. To begin with, his focus will be the Delhi office, which is where he will operate from. Over the two decades that he has spent in the industry, Batra has been responsible for campaigns that have found their way into everyday speak; such as the phenomenon that was PayTM Karo, the endearing Share a Coke campaign (Friend Request & Landlord), the imaginative and awarded Dettol soap bubbles activation, the widely shared Rudali campaign for Radio Mirchi, the much awarded PayTM Sweet Change activation and work for brands like Yatra.com, Maggi, Dominos Pizza, Alpenliebe, Chlormint, Happydent, Flipkart and Star Sports. His work has been awarded at Cannes, Adfest, D&AD, Spikes, Clio, One Show, Mirchi Kaan, Goa Fest and Effies. In his last role, he was heading creative for the Gurgaon office of McCann Erickson. Batra is the latest in some notable senior level hires made at W+K. Anirban Roy (Head of Strategy), Shreekant Srinivasan (Head of Business, Delhi) joined towards the end of last year. Ayesha Ghosh joined as President in July 2022. And Santosh Padhi was the first in this resurgence, to join as CCO. A big win for the agency has been the Jio 5G account at the beginning of this year. Speaking about his new role, Kapil Batra said, W+K has consistently created work thats awe-inspiring. It is bold and rooted in culture. So, when this opportunity to be a part of this truly creatively driven organisation came, I got all excited. And in my subsequent interactions with Paddy and Ayesha, where they spoke about their vision for W+K India, the culture, and more importantly, the vibes I got, everything was just fantastic. I am happy to join the talented team here and contribute to writing an exciting new chapter for W+K India. Santosh Padhi, CCO, W+K India, said, We are in the people business and people are the source of creativity and ideas. We were looking for a solid creative peoples person with a great depth of insights, ideas and love for craft, we found all of these and many more in Kapil. After spending two decades in the industry, his passion and hunger to do more is what impressed us the most, his versatile body of work reflects human culture in a big way, which is one of the strong beliefs of W+K India and Global. Ayesha Ghosh, President, W+K India, said, When we saw the creative work that Kapil has been responsible for, we knew that we had to have him join us. Within the agency we often talk of breaking out of ads and breaking into culture. That is what much of his work represents. And it doesnt hurt that some of his campaigns have gone on to make a sizable difference to the brands they were created for! What completely sealed the deal for us over and above the work, is that Kapil is an incredibly nice, humble person, who lets his work speak for him. And were suckers for that. Since 2005, Procter & Gamble India (P&G India) has been on a mission to create access to holistic education for underprivileged children in the country through P&G Shiksha - the Companys flagship CSR program, impacting over 35 lakh children. Today, P&G India launched a nationwide movement to bring to light a hidden issue. Often, school students can fall behind in keeping pace with their classes. One concept, one subject, one class, can give way to a larger issue where the child develops a gap in the fundamental conceptual understanding. When the child falls behind and the current learning level is not in line with the expected learning level as per the defined curriculum, it leads to an invisible learning gap. In a first-of-its-kind thought-provoking film, P&G Shiksha aims to make this #InvisibleGap visible, by creating awareness and urging meaningful action to bridge the invisible gap. As per the National Achievement Survey 2021, over 6* crore primary school students were found to have learning levels lower than appropriate for their grades. This learning gap significantly impacts children who perpetually keep trying to cope, and without the right support system drop out of school or have a degree which does not help them achieve their aspirations. Over time, in the absence of remedial interventions, this gap manifests itself in multiple ways in children. Often, the indicators of learning gap are misunderstood as the child being naughty or disinterested in learning, which leads to the symptoms only widening due to lack of understanding and support. These misconceptions often stem from lack of awareness and understanding of learning gap. This highlights the urgent need for driving awareness around learning gaps and collective action to identify such gaps in children and take remedial measures to bridge them. Speaking about the new film, Girish Kalyanaraman, Vice President Marketing Operations, P&G India said, P&G Shiksha has continued to work tirelessly to provide access to education to millions of underprivileged children since its inception 18 years ago. Taking this journey forward with the new campaign, we are attempting to spark conversations around the pertinent learning crisis impacting crores of children in our country. This #InvisibleGap arises when children fall behind and the current learning level is not in line with the expected learning level. To bridge this gap, P&G has been working with its partners through various programs from leveraging advanced Machine-learning based tools to community-level learning camps. With the campaign, we aim to make the #InvisibleGap visible by driving nationwide awareness about this issue which is often misunderstood as the child being mischievous or disinterested in learning. I hope this film will inspire the audience in identifying this gap in children around them and taking necessary corrective measures to bridge it. Conceptualised and created by Leo Burnett, the film is a compelling story of Bindiya who is impacted by the invisible gap and struggles to cope in the classroom. Through various instances in school, the teacher notices that Bindiya is either missing, or she slides out of sight, almost deliberately trying to mischievously hide. While evaluating the childrens answer sheets, the teacher spots Bindiyas sheet where most questions remain unanswered. Thus continues a game of hide and seek between the teacher and Bindiya, until he finally spots her hiding beneath a desk and confronts her calmly on why she is hiding. Bindiya reveals that she is afraid of questions, and if she is not visible in the class, the teacher will not be able to ask her any questions. The film reveals the problem of invisible gaps and the impact they have on a childs confidence and potential growth. It then goes on to highlight how the right kind of support and interventions, like that being driven by P&G Shiksha, can play a pivotal role in bridging these learning gaps. The campaign was launched with a thought-provoking panel discussion in Mumbai with leaders from diverse walks of life including Girish Kalyanaraman, Vice President Brand Operations, P&G India; Ritesh Agarwal, Assistant Vice President, Educational Initiatives; and Sagar Singh, Faculty Mathematics, Gov. High School Banah Ki Ser, Sirmour (HP). It was moderated by Priyanka Khanna, Author and Former Journalist. Rajdeepak Das, CEO & Chief Creative Officer, Leo Burnett South Asia said, Its a simple human insight, when we dont know something and we dont want people to ask about it, we hide. And from that insight we narrate the story of Bindiya a primary school student who is trying hard to make herself invisible so that she doesnt have to answer questions in class. We realised that despite having access to education, there are still invisible gaps which means there are students who are learning at a level lower than their class. This puts them in a negative cycle of knowledge and often leads to students dropping out of school completely. This year, we want to address this gap and help students bridge it to ensure they can complete their education. Its a true HumanKind idea. P&G India's flagship CSR program, P&G Shiksha, has been working to provide access to education to underprivileged children since 2005. As part of this, to improve learning outcomes in children, P&G Shiksha leverages AI-backed technology with 'Mindspark', a computer-based adaptive learning tool, in partnership with Educational Initiatives. The program also implements on-ground remedial learning interventions in partnership with Pratham Education Foundation, using both community-based and in-school models supported by trained volunteers and teachers. Additionally, P&G Shiksha focuses on early childhood education through Pratham Education Foundation, developing motor, cognitive, social-emotional, language, and creative skills in children for a strong foundation as they begin school. 100 years of a brands journey marks a significant milestone in the annals of a company. Commenced in 1923 in Bengaluru, by the late Shri Pishe Narayan Rao, P N RAO, the Bengaluru-based legendary and iconic mens fashion brand has, over the years, become synonymous with mens suits and has earned the reputation as the first go-to name for the finest mens suits. The brand will also be launching women wear range in this year in order to become a holistic, fully integrated bespoke fashion brand. To better drive brand visibility and imagery, P N RAO has roped in Flags Communications, one of the top end-to-end communications firm as its strategic partner to drive all aspects of communications and Marcom activities of the brand. The agency is working very closely with the leadership team to leverage the centenary year milestone fully. Commenting on the partnership, Ketan Pishe, Partner, P N RAO said, Flags Communications and P N RAO share a synergistic vision of taking the brand imagery of P N RAO to newer heights as the brand charts its plans for the next 100-years. The plans put forth by Flags Communications reflect the brands vision of deepening and widening customer engagement and expand our customer base. While we are committed to offering the finest apparels to our customers and understand our clients psyche, we are constantly evaluating ways and means to raise the bar and expand our product portfolio . Shruti Mishra, Sr. Vice President, Flags Communications says, Flags Communications prides itself on building brand image and saliency of many reputed Indian and global brands. Having built an impressive reputation and growing in strength for a century, P N RAO is charting the next course of 100-years which warrants a holistic approach, a well laid out strategy and a clear roadmap to achieve this. We are happy to work along with P N RAO to up the recall for the brand and create top-of-mind awareness for the brand as a holistic fashion brand. Centenary year is an important milestone not many companies can achieve, and we are excited to be chosen as their preferred partners. The Indian government has set a target to achieve 30 per cent electrification of the countrys vehicle fleet by 2030, and has introduced several incentives and policies to support the growth of the EV industry. For electric vehicle manufacturers, the government has already launched initiatives such as the Faster Adoption of Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles Scheme II (FAME II) and the Production Linked Incentive Scheme (PLI). Prominent Indian automobile manufacturers like Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra have begun producing EVs, and several international companies have also entered the market. There is increase in ad spends seen among vehicle manufacturers for electric vehicles in their portfolio. In its report on advertising trends for EVs two-wheelers for the period January-March 2023, TAM reveals that Ad space in EV Segment in print surged by 7.7x during Jan-Mar23 compared to Jan-Mar22, on the other hand, during the same period, a decline of 33% was seen in ad insertions for EVs in Digital as compared to Jan-Mar22. Television During the period Jan-Mar23, EV ad volumes for TV surged by almost 5x as compared to Jan-Mar22. During the period Jan-Mar23, overall Two Wheelers ad volumes on Television increased by 8% over Jan-Mar22. Considering only ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) Two Wheelers, ad volumes declined by 11% in Jan-Mar23 over Jan-Mar22. The Top 2 advertisers for EV Segment together added 83% share of the ad volumes with Okaya EV (55%) on top during Jan-Mar23. Okaya Faast-F4 was the leading brand in EV Segment with 39% share of the ad volumes during Jan-Mar23. TVS Motor Company (33%) was the top advertiser. Okaya EV, AtherEnergy, Atumobile and Wardwizard Solution India were EV advertisers among the Top 10. Suzuki Avenis was the top brand, followed by Bajaj Pulsar N160. Okaya Faast-F4 and Ather 450 X were EVs among the Top 10 brands. The top channel genres for EV advertising were News and Movies, with News being the dominant genre accounting for 77% of the total. News and Movies genres were on top with 41% and 21% share of overall category ad volumes, respectively. Print Print Ad space in EV Segment surged by 7.7x during Jan-Mar23 compared to Jan-Mar22. The period Jan-Mar23 experienced 84% hike in overall Two Wheelers ad space as compared to Jan-Mar22. Considering only ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) Two Wheelers, ad volumes saw 58% growth in Jan-Mar23 over Jan-Mar22. The Top 2 advertisers Ather Energy and WardWizard Solution India accounted for more that 80% of the EV ad space with Ather Energy leading the list. Ather 450 X was the leading brand in EV segment with 60% share, followed by Joy E-Bike Mihos with 11%. Bajaj Auto (24%) topped among the advertisers; Ather Energy, WardWizard Solution India, Greaves Electric Mobility and Pur Energy were EV companies present among the overall Top 10 advertisers. Bajaj Platina 110 ABS topped among the brands; Ather 450 X was the only EV among the Top 10 Brands. Top 5 Publication Language of EV Segment had 78% share, with Hindi (27%) being on top, followed by English (21%). Top 5 Publication Languages (Overall) accounted for 81% share of the sectors Ad space. The Top 2 publication languages were Hindi (38%) and Tamil (12%). The North Zone secured 1st position with 42% share of Two Wheelers (EV Segment) advertising in Print during Jan-Mar23. Maharashtra and Karnataka were top 2 states in Pan India. The South Zone secured 1st position with 36% share of overall Two Wheelers advertising in Print during Jan-Mar23. Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu were the Top 2 states in Pan India. Radio Radio ad volumes of the EV Segment for Two Wheelers increased by 6.2x in Jan-Mar23 over the same period for the last year. In the overall two-wheeler category, Jan-Mar23 witnessed increase of 8% in ad volumes as compared to Jan-Mar22. Considering only ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) Two Wheelers, ad volumes dropped by 14% in Jan-Mar23 over Jan-Mar22. Total 8 advertisers promoted EVs during the period Jan-Mar23, with Greaves Electric Mobility leading the list with 47% share. Total 9 brands were present in the EV Segment during the period Jan-Mar23, with Ampere Magnus Ex (47%) leading the list. In the overall two-wheeler category, Yamaha Motor India was the top advertiser with 26% share. Greaves Electric Mobility, Amo Mobility Solutions and Ather Energy were EV companies among the Top 10 advertisers. Yamaha FZ S Fi (26%) was the top brand; Ampere Magnus Ex, Amo Electric Bikes and Ather 450 X were EVs among the Top 10 brands. Andhra Pradesh was the top state with 20% share of the EV ad volumes, followed by Maharashtra with 19% share during Jan-Mar23. Tamil Nadu was the top state with 33% share of the overall Two Wheelers ad volumes, followed by Maharashtra with 16% share during Jan-Mar23. The West Zone topped for EV advertising with 32% share of the ad volumes, closely followed by South Zone with 31% share in Jan-Mar23. The South Zone topped for overall Two Wheeler advertising with 51% share, closely followed by West Zone with 29% share in Jan-Mar23. Digital Compared to the other media, the period Jan-Mar23 observed a decline of 33% in Digital ad insertions for EVs as compared to Jan-Mar22. Looking at the trend by creative types, that is, Display and Video, Display ads saw 44% drop, while Video ads witnessed 24% rise in EV ads. Ad insertions of the overall Two Wheelers Category during Jan-Mar23 increased by 1% as compared to Jan-Mar22. By Creative Types, Display ads dropped by 37% and Video ads grew 4x in Jan-Mar23 over Jan-Mar22. Considering only ICE Two Wheelers, overall ad insertions saw 19% growth, Display insertions dropped 34% and Video rose by 6x. WardWizard Solution India was the top advertiser with 26% share of EV ad insertions, followed by TVS Motor Company with 21% share. Joy E-Bike (25%) was the leading brand in the EV Segment during Jan-Mar23 with 25% of ad insertions. TVS Motor Company led the advertisers list with 47% share. WardWizard Solution India, Ola Electric Mobility and Klb Komaki were the EV companies among the Top 10 advertisers. TVSs Raider and Radeon were the Top 2 brands in overall Two Wheelers advertising. Joy E-Bike was the only EV among the Top 10. Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research Bern, 21.04.2023 - The topics of discussion at the working meeting on 21 April in Bern were cooperation between the two countries in the fields of education, research and innovation, the second Swiss contribution to selected EU states and the Institute for Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Technology (INSAIT), which was opened in Sofia in 2022 with support from Switzerland. Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin, the head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER), and State Secretary Martina Hirayama welcomed Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister for EU Funds Management Atanas Pekanov and Minister for Education and Science Sasho Penov to Bern on 21 April for a working meeting. The discussion focused on the current situation and the prospects for Switzerland and Bulgaria in the European Research Area (ERA). Since 2013, the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) has supported some 70 research projects in which Bulgarian researchers have been involved. Together with Switzerland, Bulgaria is a member of CERN and ITER. In addition, 100 Bulgarian researchers and artists have received a Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship since 1964. The second Swiss contribution to selected EU countries was also discussed. As a beneficiary, Bulgaria receives financial support for research and vocational training programmes, among other things. Various programme agreements are currently being drafted. Deputy Prime Minister Pekanov and Minister for Education and Science Penov reported on INSAIT's successful launch and ongoing development. Federal Councillor Parmelin was present at its opening on 11 April 2022 in Sofia. INSAIT is the result of Swiss-Bulgarian cooperation between Sofia University, ETH Zurich and EPF Lausanne. This cooperation is part of Switzerland's contribution to strengthening ERA and demonstrates its role as an active and reliable partner. ETH Zurich and EPF Lausanne continue to support INSAIT with their scientific expertise as globally recognised centres of excellence for artificial intelligence and computer science, and are prominently represented on its board of directors. In this context, Joel Mesot, ETH Zurich president, and Katharina Fuglister, EPF Lausanne's head of International Relations, also took part in the talks with the Bulgarian ministers. Address for enquiries GS-EAER Communications info@gs-wbf.admin.ch +41 58 462 20 07 Publisher Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research http://www.wbf.admin.ch Akshaya Tritiya is one of the most auspicious three-and-a-half mahurats of the Hindu almanac for performing religious rites and making gold, silver, and gem purchases. Kalikanand Saraswati said, In our Hindu religion, it is believed that buying gold on Akshaya Tritiya brings prosperity and good fortune. According to Hindu mythology, Goddess Lakshmi was born on this day, and she is the goddess of wealth and affluence. Buying gold jewelry is seen as a way to please her and invite prosperity and her blessings. This day is considered ideal for initiating new ventures, making investments, and purchasing valuable assets like gold and property. The term Akshaya means never diminishing in Sanskrit, and it is believed that performing good deeds on this day will result in everlasting prosperity and blessings. Prasad Guruji (a Hindu priest) told Afternoon Voice, The Akshaya Tritiya falls on this Saturday, and the mahurat starts at 7.50 am on April 22, and ends at 7.45 am on Sunday, April 23. But the festival will be celebrated on Saturday only because its the beginning of the Muhurat. Pandit Vedprakash said, During this time, very few weddings will be performed because planet Jupiter (Guru) is combustible (ast). It will rise on April 29, after which there are big wedding muhurats on May 1, 2, and 10. Ankita Jewellers said, The gold rates have gone up, today there is less business compared to last year. Gold stands at Rs 60,000 per 10 gm, and rates are expected to rise further. Meanwhile, fewer weddings are scheduled on this day, so gold purchases are also limited. Just like gold, silver is also considered a lucky metal, and buying silverware like utensils, coins, or other silver items is believed to bring good luck and prosperity. Many people also choose to give silver items to their loved ones on this day. Investing in real estate on Akshaya Tritiya is considered very auspicious, and many people believe that it brings long-term prosperity and wealth. This day is considered ideal for buying land, property, or a house. In this modern era, many consider that this day is perfect for investing in the stock market. Many people choose to invest in shares or mutual funds on Akshaya Tritiya, as it is believed that investments made on this day will yield positive returns in the long run. The US Drug Enforcement Administration has determined and penetrated the Mexican drug cartel, which is mostly to blame for the fentanyl crisis that kills thousands of Americans each year. The Justice Department accused the Chapitos network, a division of the Sinaloa drug cartel, of being mostly responsible for the slaughter in a broad series of charges that targeted two dozen commanders and kingpins. Anne Milgram, the head of the US Drug Enforcement Administration, stated that her agency actively infiltrated the Sinaloa Cartel and the Chapitos network over the past 18 months, gaining unprecedented access to the organization's highest levels and tracking them worldwide, according to NPR. Chapitos are Behind the US Fentanyl Crisis DEA officials claim that the Chapitos faction is responsible for the fentanyl crisis. The faction is allegedly led by the four sons of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, who is serving a life sentence in a Florida prison after being convicted in 2019 of multiple drug and murder conspiracy charges. Federal authorities and specialists on drug policy claim that the Chapitos aggressively changed the priority of their business by focusing on fentanyl. The Chapitos purportedly control a sophisticated global network of fentanyl traffickers, money launderers, and drug dealers today. In court documents on the US drug war, the Justice Department and the DEA described secret meetings and fentanyl negotiations that took place over the previous two years involving high officials from Mexico, the United States, Austria, and other nations. Read Also: Sudan Violence: Death Toll Now Over 400 Fentanyl a synthetic opioid 50 times more potent than heroin. It is very potent, and even a small quantity may be fatal. In Mexico and the US, Fentanyl is mixed with other substances like cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine. Hence, the US government has authorized the sale of naloxone, a medication that reverses overdoses, without a prescription since the number of Americans dying from it is increasing at a worrying pace, per the BBC. Republican Politicians Want US Military To Hunt Down Mexican Drug Cartels Meanwhile, Donald Trump has recently discussed the possibility of using "special forces" and "cyber warfare" to target cartel leaders and has reportedly asked for "battle plans" to attack Mexico amid the US drug war if he gets reelected as president, according to a report from Politico. A proposal by Representatives Mike Waltz (R-Fla.) and Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas) would authorize the use of military force to "put us at war with the cartels." Senator Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) has suggested deploying American soldiers to Mexico to hunt down drug lords, even without Mexico's approval amid the US drug war. Some Republican presidential candidates support the move to designate certain cartels as foreign terrorist groups and legislation to that effect has been introduced by lawmakers in both the Senate and House. Related Article: Gun Violence 2023: US Sets Record Pace @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A Birmingham company that is among the largest owners of hospital properties in the country is being accused of misleading investors by concealing that four hospitals it invested in were distressed, according to a lawsuit filed in federal court. Medical Properties Trust announced its investment in four Pennsylvania hospitals in 2019 as part of a $1.55 billion investment in 14 hospitals. From February 2019 until investors learned of the alleged fraud in February, the company engaged in a widespread and multifaceted scheme to conceal from investors that, contrary to the companys public representations, its portfolio of assets were severely distressed and non-performing such that they could not make their rent payments, according to the suit filed last week by investor Fiyyaz Pirani in federal court in Birmingham. Pirani seeks to have the case certified as a class action lawsuit to represent other investors; require defendants to pay damages sustained by Pirani and the class of investors; award Pirani and the other members of the class prejudgment and post-judgment interest, as well as reasonable attorneys fees, expert fees and other costs and other relief the court may deem just and proper. Besides the Birmingham company, three of its top executives -- Chairman, President and CEO Edward K. Aldag, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer R. Steven Hamner and Senior Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer J. Kevin Hanna -- were named in the lawsuit. Medical Properties Trust buys hospital buildings, then leases them back to the hospital operators. It was co-founded in 2003 by Aldag and is one of the countrys largest real estate investment trusts, or REITs. The executives knew that the adverse facts ... had not been disclosed to and were being concealed from the public, and that the positive representations being made were then materially false and misleading, the suit stated, claiming they are liable for the false statements and omissions pleaded in the suit. A spokesman for the company could not be reached for comment on the legal filing. The company masked the distressed state of its tenants and fraudulently transferred hundreds of millions of dollars in what amounted to a bailout of financially distressed tenants before allegedly concealing its fraudulent transfers with fake construction projects with purportedly high capital expenses, despite the fact that the company entered into triple-net leases, which meant that its tenants were obligated to pay a significant portion of expenses, such as real estate taxes, insurance, and maintenance, the suit went on to claim. As a result of the alleged maneuvers, Medical Properties Trusts public statements were materially false and misleading at the time they were made, the filing states. Investors only learned of the the companys alleged actions, the suit claimed, after the investigative financial analysis firm Viceroy Research LLC began publishing a report in late January accusing Medical Properties Trust of engaging in billions of dollars of uncommercial transactions with its tenants and their management teams in order to mask a pervasive revenue round-robin scheme and/or theft. Piranis lawsuit claims Viceroy Researchs report was validated on Feb. 23, when Medical Properties Trust disclosed an impairment charge of $171 million related to the Pennsylvania properties and a $112 million write-off of unbilled rent to the company it leased the Pennsylvania hospitals back to. Also on Feb. 23, Medical Properties Trusts chief operating officer stepped down and the companys stock price fell nearly nine percent. By March 1, the suit stated, the stock plunged nearly 18 percent and the company lost more than $1.2 billion in value. As a result of Defendants wrongful acts and omissions, and the precipitous decline in the market value of the Companys securities, Plaintiff and other Class members have suffered significant losses and damages, the suit said. This story was updated at 9:22 a.m. April 21, 2023 to include what the lawsuit is seeking Nearly eight years after Devon Deshon Kennedys body was found in a vehicle in the Lillian community in southeast Alabama, investigators have made an arrest in the case. The Baldwin County Sheriffs Office announced Friday that 32-year-old Decody Darnell Herring has been charged with Kennedys murder. Kennedy was reported missing from Pensacola on Nov. 14, 2015 and his body found one day later in Lillian. Multiple suspects were developed at the time, according to investigators, but there was not enough evidence to warrant an arrest. Eventually, all of our investigative leads were exhausted, the sheriffs office said in a release. The case remained open but became cold. In recent months, however, new information brought the Kennedy murder back into focus. The new information, coupled with the evidence initially gathered in 2015, led to Herrings arrest. Herring was booked into the Baldwin County Jail, where he remains without bond. Re-opening a cold case requires patience, diligence and teamwork, according to the BCSO. We want to thank our victims family for their patience and our partners with the Escambia County (Fla.) Sheriffs Office for their continued support in this matter. The sheriffs office emphasized the case remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact Lt. Andy Ashton at 251-972-6872. A Pensacola man is being held on $150,000 bond at the Baldwin County Jail after being charged in the death of a man nearly eight years ago in Lillian. Decody Herring was arrested Friday and charged with murder connected to the death of Devon Deshon Kennedy, who was discovered dead in a vehicle in the Lillian community on November 15, 2015. Herring appeared before Baldwin County District Court Judge William Scully on Friday, and was assessed the same bond amount recommended by prosecutors. Herring had previously been incarcerated in Escambia County, Florida, on a charge of a felon possessing a firearm. According to the Baldwin County Sheriffs Office, Kennedys case remained open but became cold after an initial investigation resulted in insufficient evidence to support an arrest. Within the past few months, new information surface and allowed investigators to refocus their efforts. The new information, according to the Sheriffs Office in conjunction with the initial physical evidence from the crime scene in 2015, and the totality of the information and evidence development during the initial investigation led to Herrings arrest. Baldwin County authorities say the case remains under investigation, and with the new focus, we expect more information to develop. If anyone has information about the homicide, they are asked to call Lt. Andy Ashton at 251-972-6872. A Mississippi coast man who assaulted and severely injured a 3-year-old will spend the next 25 years in prison, a judge ruled this week. According to the Sun Herald, 34-year-old Brandon Battersby pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and felony child neglect for the July 2020 assault for which the child had to be airlifted to University of South Alabamas Women & Childrens Hospital. Theres a special place for you in the afterlife, Judge Lisa Dodson told Battersby before sentencing Battersby to the maximum term allowed under Mississippi law. What you have done to this child is unforgivable. Harrison County sheriffs deputies responded to a call of a medical emergency at a Long Beach, Miss., campground on in July 2020. Battersby and the childs mother initially told investigators the child had been injured falling off a table, the report said. But a medical expert found that the injuries were the result of non-accidental trauma to the head, according to the Harrison County District Attorneys Office. Battersby admitted to having been drinking for more than a day prior to the incident, in which he shook the child so violently it caused severe injuries. The mother, unidentified in the report, has already pleaded guilty to felony child neglect and hindering prosecution. She is set to be sentenced next week. Get the Ed Chat newsletter: Enter your email for weekly updates about Alabama schools from Trisha Powell Crain: Barbara Cooper, head of the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education, was forced to resign after state officials found the department was distributing teacher training materials that included so-called woke concepts. According to a statement released Friday by Gov. Kay Iveys office, state officials were alerted last week about a pre-K educator resource book that they said contained content that is simply not in line with what the Ivey Administration or the people of Alabama stand for or believe. The resource in question was the fourth edition of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Developmentally Appropriate Practice Book, Iveys spokeswoman Gina Maiola confirmed Friday. In the news release, Maiola said Ivey was concerned that the book tells teachers there are larger systemic forces that perpetuate systems of White privilege and that the United States is built on systemic and structural racism. She was concerned, too, Maiola said, with the directions that LGBTQIA+ need to hear and see messages that promote equality, dignity and worth. Read more Ed Lab: Alabama adds 32 new teachers after waiver of Praxis requirements. Read more: Alabama Black History Month programming is affected by CRT rule, educators say. Additionally, Maiola said the books glossary includes equally disturbing concepts that the Ivey Administration and the people of Alabama in no way, shape or form believe should be used to influence school children, let alone four-year-olds. AL.com has not independently verified Maiolas claims that the book contains those concepts. There is also no indication that young children were reading the training manual or any of its contents. According to its website, NAEYC is a national accrediting board that works to provide high-quality early learning materials for children up to age eight. Cooper was elected to the associations national governing board in 2022 and her term ends in 2026. For nearly four decades, and in partnership with hundreds of thousands of families and educators, Developmentally Appropriate Practice has served as the foundation for high-quality early childhood education across all states and communities, NAEYC said in a statement to AL.com Friday evening. While not a curriculum, it is a responsive, educator-developed, educator-informed, and research-based resource that has been honed over multiple generations to support teachers in helping all children thrive and reach their full potential. Building on the good work that is happening in states and communities, NAEYC looks forward to continuing its partnership with families, educators, and policymakers to further our shared goals of offering joyful learning environments that see, support, and reflect all children and their families. ADECE directed all inquiries on the matter to the governors office. Cooper could not be reached for comment. Following the investigation, Ivey directed Cooper to send a memo to disavow the book and discontinue its use. The governor then made the decision to have a change in leadership at the department and accepted Coopers resignation immediately, according to the news release. Maiola told AL.com that she has been told all of the books have been collected. Cooper was appointed by Ivey as Secretary of Early Childhood Education in 2020, after spending two years to administer the nationally recognized Alabama First Class Pre-K program. She resigned Friday, according to Maiola. Governor Ivey remains appreciative for her service to the state and passion for early childhood education, the statement read. In addition to expanding service to the number of four-year-olds, Dr. Cooper has helped put an increased focus on students in lower-performing areas and has even been a champion for computer science education in the state. However, Governor Ivey strongly believes that woke concepts have no place at any level of education in the state of Alabama and should not be taking away from the overall mission of improving educational outcomes for students. In the news release, Ivey said she believed the materials were divisive and inappropriate for young learners. The education of Alabamas children is my top priority as governor, and there is absolutely no room to distract or take away from this mission, she said in the statement. Let me be crystal clear: Woke concepts that have zero to do with a proper education and that are divisive at the core have no place in Alabama classrooms at any age level, let alone with our youngest learners. We want our children to be focused on the fundamentals, such as reading and math. Alabamas First Class Pre-K is the best in the country, and those children are at too critical of a juncture in their educational journeys and development to get it wrong. I remain confident in the wonderful teachers we have in pre-K classrooms around our state and in the necessity of our children receiving a strong start to their educational journeys in our First Class Pre-K program. I thank Dr. Cooper for her service, but I believe it is best we continue this historically strong program on its forward trajectory under new leadership. Jan Hume will serve as the interim secretary of the ADECE while Ivey makes a decision on a permanent secretary to lead the department. This story has been updated with comment from NAEYC. On a recent afternoon, Eddie Yessick asks me, I mean, how many people have you met through Humphreys? Then he says, Its where I met my wife. Its how I met you. Yessick, one of the local service industrys best and most beloved people, has a point. If youve resided in Huntsville for a while, youve probably made memories and connections at Humphreys Bar & Grill. Especially out on their New Orleans-style back patio. Now that Yessick, who previously worked at Humps from 2006 to 2012, is back as general manager, he wants to help restore its heyday allure. Humphreys, located at 103 Washington St., was an early cornerstone of downtown Huntsville. Originally owned by HudsonAlpha biotech entrepreneur Jim Hudson, Humphreys opened around 2002. Downtown Huntsville back then was a far cry from its vibrant state today. Humphreys, along with the now-defunct Kaffeeklatsch Bar, was one of very few bright spots for nightlife and live music downtown. Before that, the 103 Washington St. space housed old-school Huntsville haunt Bubbas Restaurant. Flash forward to early March 2023. Theres new ownership at Humphreys and its next-door fine-dining sister-restaurant The Bottle. A group comprised of Bill Chapman, the commercial real estate broker whos rebooting iconic Huntsville music bar Tip Top Cafe, David Milly, known for his work with pyrotechnical and lighting companies, and Tim Giraldin, whose background is in housing, bought out previous co-owner Chris McDonald, a chef whod worked at New Yorks famed Le Bernardin before coming to Huntsville. Andy Howery, McDonalds former business partner, remains a co-owner of Humphreys and The Bottle. Chapman tells AL.com, Twenty years ago, Humphreys was the spot. We want to get it back to that same thing. Its the best location in Huntsville and has the best patio, in my opinion. A lot of people lost interest there and just didnt give a [care]. Andy came to us and said, Hey, I need some help getting this turned around. This is my baby. I cant let it go. From left: Eddie Yessick, Bill Chapman and Andy Howery on the Humphrey's Bar & Grill patio. (Matt Wake/mwake@al.com) Humphreys will celebrate its new regime Saturday with a crawfish boil on the patio. The events free to attend and runs from 11 a.m. to midnight. Local radio personality Jimbo and Casio will broadcasting live from Humphreys in the afternoon, then party-tunes covers-band Juice kicks hits the patio stage at 9 p.m. More info on Humphreys Facebook page. Humphrey's Bar & Grill's new co-owners David Milly, left, and Tim Giraldin. The Huntsville business' ownership also include Andy Howery and Bill Chapman. (Courtesy David Milly and Tim Giraldin) As hinted by Saturdays crawfish event, Chapman plans to steer Humphreys back to its blues, funky rock and jazz roots. You know, pay homage to the Big East, get that feel to it, Chapman says. Its made for it. Chapman says he also wants to bring in bigger bands to Humphreys. Back during Yessicks previous tenure there, then regional acts who later went on to bigger things, like the band Moon Taxi and the guitarist Lukas Nelson, performed at Humps. Some of my favorite bands to this day, Yessick says, are bands I handed a check to at the end of the night back then. Top local musicians, including guitarist deluxe Microwave Dave Gallaher, who plays a recurring Sunday blues brunch at Humphreys, will be crucial too. Recently, Gallaher posted a photo of he and Yessick chatting on the Humps patio, along with the caption, Eddie skillfully managed Humphreys back in the day and we logged a lot of hours there. Its gonna be fun to see what Eddie has coming up next. Huntsville blues musician Microwave Dave Gallaher is shown on the Humphrey's patio. (Matt Wake/mwake@al.com) Chapman and Howery have been friends for some 30 years. Back then, Howery cooked at Green Bottle Grill, a storied and now-shuttered eatery. Howerys large frame and gregarious nature gives him the vibe of a vintage era Oakland Raiders lineman. Fittingly, hes a lifelong Raiders fan. More importantly, Howerys a skilled and creative chef, as anyone whos dined at The Bottle will tell you. Their pan seared Georges Bank sea scallops are a luxe local classic. The son of a Baptist preacher, Howery began working in kitchens at age 14. He started as a busboy and paid his dues up through the ranks of dishwasher to fry cook and so forth. After a stint in the Navy, Howery cooked at a Las Vegas hotel. He honed his craft at the California Culinary Academy, which led to him to his first Huntsville gig, Green Bottle Grill. A decade or so ago, The Bottle was owned by local celebrity chef James Boyce, when it was called James Steakhouse. Originally, it was called Paulis Chophouse. Back in the day the space was home to Gorins Ice Cream shop. With Chapman more than six years into his Tip Top Cafe renovation, he knew he needed an ace to run Humphreys. Enter, Yessick. Most recently, Yessick managed SideTracks Music Hall, which brought touring level music back to downtown Huntsville on a regular basis, following a dry spell following Crossroads Music Halls 2013 closure. Yessick will also be heavily involved with Tip Top, when it opens. Look for an update on Tip Top Cafes status next week, here on AL.com. Opening in 2017, the 300-capacity(ish) SideTracks brought in an impressive array of acts, like Jason Isbell, Greta Van Fleet and Shovels + Rope. Yessick had opened SideTracks with his wife Meredith Carlton Yessick, backed by Mark Komara, owner of Furniture Factory, where Eddie also worked. Sadly, Meredith, who led the SideTracks kitchen, passed in 2018. Look for some of Merediths and Eddies recipes to be phased into the Humphreys food menu, which focuses on classic bar food like burgers, po-boys, pizzas and smoked chicken wings. Chapman says their version of Humphreys will have a new menu, new feel, new people, new attitude. Since Yessick and new ownership took the reins, Humphreys has added key new staff, including Meredith Campbell, one of the citys best bartenders, and formerly at Voodoo Lounge, Rocket Republic and Salty Nut Brewery. There has been one major subtraction though. The tall oak tree that was in the center of Humphreys brick patio unfortunately needed to be cut down and removed recently. The trees former spot has now been paved over. Hate it, but the tree had to come down, Chapman says. MORE ON LOCAL CULTURE: The art of minor league baseball concessions in a Food Network world A great Huntsville steak joint you can wear a Metallica shirt to and fit right in Thirsty Turtle, iconic Huntsville bar and lunch spot, has reopened Huntsvilles next great burger place is already here Watch Blue Beetle trailer with Cobra Kai star in role cocreated by Alabama native The greatest Huntsville concert that never happened Snoop Dogg rolls into WrestleMania in Alabama-customized vintage car From Huntsvilles Oakwood University to Saturday Night Live Sign up for Alabamafication: Kyle Whitmires newsletter, Alabamafication examines the outsized influence of this very strange state, taking aim at corruption, cruelty, incompetence and hypocrisy while also seeking out those righteous folks making their state and country better places for all. This is an opinion column. When three children and three adults died in a Nashville, Tenn. mass shooting, Gov. Kay Ivey ordered flags statewide lowered to half-staff in a memo called a flag order. Shed done something similar after the mass murder in Uvalde. But two days after a mass shooting in Dadeville killed four people and injured 32 others right here in her home state, Ivey issued another flag memo only this time for Dadeville itself, not all of the state agencies she leads. Im not sure how many city flag poles there are in Dadeville, but in town of 3,000 people, Im guessing its about five. Less than 48 hours into this tragedy and our elected leaders were already doing, and saying, the least they could get away with. Now, almost a week into the aftermath, theyve progressed from as little as possible to doing nothing. I shouldnt pick on my home state. Doing nothing is Americas sixth stage of grief after such mass murders. PREVIOUS: Dont look away from Dadeville And I suppose a governor has to be careful with such pronouncements. If folks get used to lowering a flag for Alabama children killed with guns, who knows when wed ever get the Ol Glory back to the top of that pole? On Tuesday, the Alabama Legislature held a moment of silence for the victims of the shooting, which might be the most thoughtful form of doing nothing. However, state Sen. Jay Hovey, R-Auburn, who represents Dadeville, opened his mouth and ruined it. Im going to tell you now, and youll hear me say over and over again over the next years that we work together, that were never going to be able to legislate morality, Hovey said Tuesday. Hovey is new to the legislature, having won election only last year, so perhaps hes behind the learning curve. Because the Alabama Legislature tries to legislate morality all the time. Not even two weeks ago, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall raided and shut down 14 electronic bingo halls in Jefferson County that he accused of illegal gambling, which is still a crime in most parts of the state. And the same day Hovey proclaimed morality beyond the reach of the Alabama Senate, downstairs Alabama House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter said recreational marijuana would remain illegal as long as he is in charge. The Speaker wont allow it on the floor, Ledbetter told reporters, referring to himself. Alabama lawmakers have legislated morality many times, including passing harsher penalties and mandatory minimums for fentanyl-related crimes this very session. This is the same Alabama Legislature that, not so long ago, made it illegal to give an undocumented immigrant a ride to the store. And its the same legislature that much more recently interfered in the medical decisions of trans youth because theres no privacy they wont invade to force their beliefs on anyone different. Hovey and others in Montgomery would like you to think theres nothing they can do about mass shootings. Instead, Hovey, says its up to communities and churches and hearts and minds. The evil in this world that continues to devastate the communities across the country can only be defeated in the hearts and minds and homes and churches of these communities, he said. According to Pew Research, Alabama is the most religious state in the country and has the second-highest regular church attendance of any state but Utah. If churches were a mitigating factor in ending gun violence, Alabama would be one of the safest states in which to live. But its not. Alabama has the third-highest homicide rate in the nation, and we rank fourth in gun deaths. Curiously, New Hampshire ranked lowest both in Pews religiosity index and in the CDCs data for homicides. But churches arent part of our problem any more than they are a solution. If you want to find the problem, look no further than Goat Hill. Alabama lawmakers and lets be fair to Democrats, its the GOP supermajority were talking about have done nothing to curb gun violence while doing everything they can to make firearms accessible and unrestricted. Last year, over the objections of law enforcement, lawmakers repealed state laws requiring pistol permits. The new law requires anyone carrying a gun to tell police about it when stopped, but the law doesnt include any sort of penalty for those who break it. State Rep. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa, introduced a bill to add a fine to the law. That bill died this week in committee. We have to figure out who we are serving, England said. Is it our citizens, or a special interest group that apparently wont allow us to do any reasonable restrictions on firearms? To be honest with you, the NRA runs this building. England tried to do something. He should have known better. Alabama is firmly in the do-nothing stage of grief, and it will be stuck there until it progresses to the next. Stage 7: Repeat. Kyle Whitmire is the state political columnist for the Alabama Media Group, 2020 winner of the Walker Stone Award, winner of the 2021 SPJ award for opinion writing, and 2021 winner of the Molly Ivins prize for political commentary. Sign up for his weekly newsletter and get "Alabamafication" in your inbox every Wednesday. More columns by Kyle Whitmire Dont look away from Dadeville Alabama lawmakers trial tax bill will cost us Is Kay Iveys education spending plan legal? No one from the state will say. Alabama governor wants $100 million of school funds for prison construction Alabama governor sends education dollars to water park The Alabama Womens Foundation celebrated bills aimed at banning salary history and establishing child care tax credits at their fifth annual Capitol Heels Advocacy Day on Thursday morning. In addition to hosting a panel focused on womens economic development, the group shared new bills in the 2023 legislative session that theyve pushed for, including HB331 by Rep. Adline Clarke, D-Mobile, which would ban employers from asking about salary history on job applications. House Minority Leader Rep. Anthony Daniels, D-Huntsville, added that he plans to file a bill today establishing a state child care tax credit. We have a group of women working who are not just talking, but they are delivering results on issues that impact women, which means theyre changing the trajectory and the life of everyone in the state of Alabama, said Tiffany Cole Johnson, an attorney and a member of the Womens Foundations board. Clarkes legislation follows the findings of the Work Force and Wage Gap Task Force, which was authorized last legislative session and met throughout the fall. The task force focused on three areas for policy recommendations: Strengthening equal pay protections Investing in child care Streamlining and strengthening the workforce development pipeline for women and girls HB331 would amend the Clarke-Figures Equal Pay Act by prohibiting employers to seek prior salary information, use it in the hiring process to determine compensation or retaliate against an employee for withholding such information. Per current law, job-seekers can choose not to answer previous salary questions, but nothing prohibits an employer from asking. Advocates also expressed the need to shift the idea of child care from a womens issue to a workforce issue. In 2021, Alabama parents missed work for child care-related reasons at the highest rate in the nation. One of the things that I want to let you all know Im going to support and try to continue to do as part of workforce development is making sure that we have a tax credit for child care, Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth said. The bill is not publicly available at the time of publishing, but Daniels, who is sponsoring it, said it will give companies options to alleviate the expenses of child care for their employees in various ways. Daniels also said the bill will establish ways to keep child care centers high-quality. These are investments that I think we should have been making a long time ago, but weve learned. Weve learned from other states that are doing it and we want to do it better, Daniels said So this is a great starting point. Read more about child care in Alabama by Sarah Swetlik: Childcare experts suggest expanded subsidies, tax credits, as Alabama parents cite struggles How much of your paycheck goes to child care? Alabama child care, day care costs are increasing See the 14 Alabama counties where child care is most expensive Other lawmakers and Alabama officials, including House Speaker Rep. Nathaniel Ledbetter, a Republican from Rainsville, said women have played important roles in their lives and they were excited to contribute to the work of the Womens Foundation. Ledbetter said he is working to get more women to chair committees in the House of Representatives. He also said that he believed the House had added more women duing his time in office, and that my wife tells me thats a good thing. During the groups panel discussion on improving economic opportunities for women in Alabama, however, policy consultant Susan Kennedy corrected Ledbetter. The number of Alabama female state lawmakers did not increase. We heard this morning that weve got more women than ever, and thats not true, Kennedy said. In the 2022 election, some women were elected as freshmen, but the total number of women in the House stayed the same. The Senate went from five female representatives to four. We actually have some women that are sort of louder, right? Or more visible, Kennedy said, adding that women are holding more positions of leadership in committees and caucuses that have been traditionally male-dominated. I think it feels like, to them, theres more women, but there actually arent more women, she said, as the crowd laughed. In the last election, Alabama did elect its first female U.S. senator, Katie Britt. Do Kwon, co-founder of Terraform Labs / Yonhap By Lee Min-hyung Terraform Labs co-founder Do Kwon's extradition is likely to take much more time, as Montenegrin prosecutors indicted the now-detained crypto fugitive on charges of passport forgery, according to a local report from Pobjeda, a Montenegrin daily. The local prosecution also requested an extension to the detention of Kwon and his accomplice surnamed Han both of whom were arrested in the Balkan country last month. Kwon, the key figure behind the collapse of the Terra-Luna cryptocurrency ecosystem, has been on the run, since May 2022 when his once-popular cryptocurrencies crashed. But after he was detained by the authorities in Montenegro, it has remained unclear when he will be sent to either his home country or another, such as the United States or Singapore, where he was accused of crypto fraud. The collapse of the two cryptocurrencies incurred investor losses of more than 50 trillion won ($37.63 billion) across the globe. It remains to be seen how long Kwon might serve concerning a possible prison term in Montenegro. Those convicted of falsifying personal documents are subject to a prison sentence of up to five years in the country, according to Montenegrin Justice Minister Marko Kovac. Kwon can be eradicated only after serving his prison term if he is convicted in the local courts. According to reports, those found guilty of document forgery there usually serve around six months in prison and chances are slim that they face the maximum punishment of five years for similar crimes. But Kwon's legal representative recently expressed the intention to bring the case to the Supreme Court of the country if the first trial's ruling is unsatisfactory. This reduces the possibility of Kwon's near-term extradition to Korea. Korean investigative authorities are also cooperating with overseas counterparts to freeze Kwon's crypto and financial assets. The prosecution here requested judicial cooperation with Swiss authorities to freeze his assets. Kwon reportedly transferred over 10,000 bitcoins to a Swiss bank account soon after the demise of the Terra-Luna ecosystem. If Kwon is sent to Korea for further investigation, he will be subject to a prison term of up to 40 years here for violating the Capital Markets Act. Early this year, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission also charged him with crypto fraud and accused him of incurring huge losses for investors in the country. The authority argues Kwon and the company plotted the multi-billion dollar crypto scam even before the collapse of the two cryptocurrencies. Terraform Labs' other co-founder Daniel Shin also faces an investigation from the Korean authorities. Shin teamed up with Kwon to establish the company in 2018. Shin is also suspected of engaging in crypto fraud and illegal trading acts while selling Luna coins. A Huntsville defense company has received a $215.6 million contract from funding allocated to help Ukraine in its war against Russia. Aerojet Rocketdyne will accelerate production and delivery speed of weapons provided by the U.S. to Ukraine such as Javelin and Stinger missiles and the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System, according to an announcement last week by the U.S. Department of Defense. Related: $6 billion in aid to Ukraine flows through Huntsvilles Redstone Arsenal Related: Ukraine battlefields yield weapons U.S. experts didnt expect to see The defense department said the contract will expand and modernize Aerojet Rocketdyne facilities in Huntsville, Camden, Ark., and Orange County, Va. locations where the company manufactures complex rocket propulsion systems. The funding is covered by the Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act passed last year by Congress, the defense department said. The U.S. has provided Javelins, Stingers, and GMLRS rockets to the Ukrainian government, and the modernization of (Aerojet Rocketdyne) facilities will benefit DoD as it replenishes its ammunition supplies, the defense department announcement said. The Office of Manufacturing Capability Expansion and Investment Prioritization is moving forward with appropriate urgency to support strategic industrial sectors crucial to protecting national security, Kathleen Hicks, deputy Secretary of Defense, said in the announcement. This critical investment will modernize rocket propellant and motor production in the United States, in addition to creating technical and skilled labor jobs at multiple domestic facilities. Aerojet Rocketdyne said it ongoing modernization efforts include recently leasing a 379,000 square foot facility to expand manufacturing capability in Huntsville. The company will produce inert components to support solid rocket motors for a range of defense programs. These funds will build upon our own significant investments in modern, efficient facilities and innovative technologies and processes to design and develop advanced propulsion systems to support the defense missions of tomorrow, Eileen P. Drake, Aerojet Rocketdynes CEO and president, said in a company announcement. Huntsvilles Drake State Community & Technical College is the latest Alabama community college to form a campus police department and is seeking a police chief. Our college is dedicated to providing a safe and secure environment for its campus community, Drake State President Dr. Patricia Sims said in announcing the plan. With this in mind, we are seeking to hire the best qualified and trained officers to achieve this goal. Police officers will provide more protection and increased confidence for students, faculty and staff, Alabama Community College System chief safety and security officer Mark Bailey said. While Drake State has a few reported crimes on its campus, a strong officer presence will hinder anyone considering committing a crime, Bailey said. Campus police officers have full powers of arrest and will be responsible for conducting complex misdemeanor and felony investigations on campus property. Police officer candidates will have an intensive background check and go through a polygraph examination and psychological evaluation, the system said. The state community college system helps pay the setup costs for a campus police system. It has launched seven in the past two years. Gadsden State, Snead State, and Chattahoochee Valley Community colleges are in the process of selecting police chiefs, the system said. During the last two years, Trenholm State, Reid State, and Lurleen B. Wallace Community Colleges have established police departments that are now operating. Drake was established in Huntsville in 1961 as a historically black community college. It offers students affordable university-transfer 2-year and technical degrees certificates, adult and continuing education, and customized technical skills training for Huntsville/Madison County employers. Mobiles developing commercial airport at the Brookley Aeroplex is one of 31 airports in the U.S. that will have a sustainable design for its new air traffic control tower, the Federal Aviation Administration announced Thursday. The new tower is part of an overall redevelopment of the Mobile International Airport (BFM) south of the citys downtown area ahead of a complete change in commercial air service in Mobile by 2025. Related: This continues the momentum we have to build the airport into a world-class facility, said Chris Curry, president of the Mobile Airport Authority. According to the FAA, the sustainable design for the new air traffic control towers will be used primarily at municipal and smaller airports and was developed by Practice for Architecture and Urbanism (PAU) of New York. Mobile International Airport (BFM) is the only airport in Alabama the FAA plans to build the new sustainable design tower. According to the FAA, one of the unique features of the tower is that it will have its height adjusted to meet the airports traffic and sightline requirement, while also reducing construction and operational costs. The designs will also be tailored to local climate and location issues such as high winds and wet and dry environments. Chris Curry. (John Sharp/jsharp@al.com). This project will significantly improve safety and provide other options for us to build out and utilize our land to its highest and best use, Curry said. The design will also incorporate key sustainability elements including: All-electric building system Materials and products free from chemicals that pose health risks Thermally efficient facade High-recycled steel and metal products Renewable mass timber when usable Ground-source heating and cooling in some environments These new air traffic control towers will mean that smaller airports can handle more flights, more sustainably and more affordably, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg stated in a prepared release. I look forward to seeing this design go from the drawing board to construction sites across the country, helping our nations airports support more travelers, grow their local economies and prepare for the future of low-carbon aviation. The FAA anticipates groundbreakings beginning next year. The project in Mobile will be part of an approximately $330 million airport terminal construction project that is expected to be completed by 2025. The project is being financed through federal, state, county and local budgets. Curry said the project wouldnt happen without the commitments from the city, county and state leadership as well. The overall goal of the airport terminal project is to swap commercial air service in Mobile and relocate them from Mobile Regional Airport in far western Mobile to the Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley, adjacent to Interstate 10 and a mere six-minute drive from the citys downtown core. The new tower is part of the overall project. Curry said the old tower will be removed, and replaced by the new tower that is more appropriate for the mission we have at Mobile International Airport. Curry said he anticipates most of the towers funding coming from the federal government. According to the FAA, the tower in Mobile will get funding through the bipartisan infrastructure law. The FAA set aside more than $500 million of funding through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, to support site evaluation for the new towers, preparation, and early construction activities. The FAAs aim with the project is to replace towers that are functioning beyond their intended design life with new facilities ranging in 60 to 119 feet tall. Curry said he is unsure on a timeline for construction to begin on Mobiles new tower, or its costs. Curry said a kick off meeting is scheduled with the FAA in early May, at which time more details will be known. He said that past studies on a location for a new tower likely helped Mobile be considered for the new tower. One thing weve done in the past is that weve undergone some studies on a tower location at the airport, Curry said. So, we probably were much further ahead than the other airports when it comes to having a current evaluation on where the tower should be. A date for a second trial has been set for the former Huntsville police officer charged with murder in an on-duty shooting in 2018. William Ben Darby will go to trial on Dec. 11, according to the states online court file. Madison County District Attorney Rob Broussard also confirmed the trial date. A Madison County jury previously convicted Darby of murder in 2021 but the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals overturned the conviction last month based on jury instructions given by the trial judge, Madison County Circuit Judge Donna Pate. Pate earlier this month recused herself from the case and Circuit Judge Alan Mann will preside over the second trial. Darby was released from prison April 13. After the conviction was overturned, Broussard said he intended to try the case again. We have the evidence and certainly well put it before a jury again, Broussard told AL.com last month. This is the system we have and I trust in the system, and this happens. Weve had it happen before on other cases. On April 3, 2018, Darby shot and killed Jeff Parker, who had called police and said that he was about to take his own life. Darby responded to the scene in west Huntsville at Parkers home. Two other officers were in Parkers home attempting to de-escalate the situation. Darby testified at trial, saying he shot Parker in defense of himself and the two other officers. Parker was holding to his head what proved to be a flare gun when Darby fired. The appeals court ruled that Pate, the trial judge, should have instructed the jury to decide the case from the perspective of a reasonable police officer. The appeals court ruled that Pate erred in declining to give the jury the following instruction requested by Darbys attorneys: The reasonableness of an officers actions in using deadly force must be objectively reasonable judged from the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene, the fact that officers are forced to make split-second decisions, and in light of the facts and circumstances confronting them at the time. In their opinion, the appeals court judges wrote, Although the trial court was not required to use the precise language in Darbys requested instruction, the court erred by refusing to instruct the jury, in some fashion, that it must evaluate Darbys use of deadly force from the perspective of a reasonable police officer in the same situation. At the murder trial in downtown Huntsville in the summer of 2021, Judge Pate instructed the jury on Alabama self-defense law, which says that a person is justified in using deadly force if they reasonably believe another person is using or about to use unlawful deadly force. AL.com reporter Ashley Remkus contributed to this report. Rep. Phillip Ensler, D-Montgomery, said Thursday he plans to introduce a package of laws that would create community violence prevention resources and add some restrictions for gun owners with mental health concerns. Ensler, who is a lawyer, said he believes lawmakers can find ways to curb gun violence without taking away constitutional rights. He said his proposed legislation is not exclusively a response to the April 15 mass shooting in Dadeville. Ensler said residents across his district said they worry about the impact of gun violence. The Dadeville shooting killed four and injured 32. Five people have so far been arrested in connection to the shooting. Something I want to make abundantly clear before I get into the specifics of the bills that Im proposing are that none of this, and I will say it over and over again, none of this infringes on the Second Amendment, Ensler said. I also recognize that no one law or 1000 laws can stop every act of gun violence, but as a lawmaker, I have a moral duty to try and pass laws. Yes, there is a need for prayer. Theres a need for addressing issues starting in the home, and of course individual responsibility. But that doesnt mean that we cant try to do things and implement measures that have worked in other cities and states. Read more: What court records reveal about the Dadeville birthday party shooting. Enslers proposed bills will address: As of Thursday afternoon, bills had not yet been filed in the state legislature. Ensler said he knows the process ahead will be a long and complex uphill battle, but said he hopes to get bipartisan support for his bills. I will emphasize that none of these laws alone will stop every act of gun violence, but we have a duty to try, he said. Retired Rev. Ed Nettles of Montgomery opened the news conference with a prayer before addressing Alabamas lawmakers. The violence today is quite different from the violence 15 years ago, Nettles, who ran a campaign called Enough is Enough said. I plead to the lawmakers, Governor Kay Ivey, and to all those in authority: Please, help us in these communities. He added that underserved communities are flooded with guns because of these laws and said he has buried at least one hundred people. We cry out and say the municipalities, the mayors and the police force should do more. They are trying, but you are not helping, Nettles said, addressing Ivey. We do not disrespect you, but we ask for your help in curbing gun violence. Nancy Shinbaum, a Montgomery resident, said she wanted to reiterate that thoughts and prayers are not enough. What are you thinking and who are you praying for? she asked. Ensler held the conference at a park that is located in the middle of his district, saying gun violence is an issue that effects every neighborhood. Once Enslers bills are introduced, they will be referred to a committee for evaluation. Elon Musks SpaceX didnt have a great Thursday in the Texas skies or on late night television after the companys big rocket exploded in flight. It wasnt a normal day at the beach for the Texas town of Port Isabel, six miles away, either. Some residents were terrified of the sound and, worse, covered with sand, The New York Times reported, calling the scene brown grime for miles. SpaceX had a reinforced concrete launch pad but apparently did not have a fire trench or big enough water system to dampen or redirect the exhaust from the rockets 33 engines. A few of those engines didnt fire. Cameron Countys Emergency Management Division confirmed on Facebook that the dust that fell this morning in Port Isabel was sand and soil from the nearby SpaceX launch site that was lofted into the air by the force of the lift off. The Starship rocket exploded before reaching orbit and local agencies were asking people who found debris do not attempt to handle or retrieve the debris directly. Instead, they were asked people to call the SpaceX Debris Hotline. Late night comedians didnt miss the launch failure, either. SpaceX is now saying they triggered the explosion, but originally when it happened, they called it a rapid unscheduled disassembly, Jimmy Fallon said. That sounds like what celebrities say when theyre getting divorced: Our marriage is going through a rapid unscheduled disassembly please respect our privacy at this time. Kimmel followed the money. Elons defenders were quick to point out that this was only a test and the rocket was actually supposed to explode, he said, which is definitely what I would say if my $3 billion rocket exploded. Comedian Jordan Klepper may have had the nights best comment. And to the haters who said Musk couldnt possible destroy something faster than Twitter, jokes on you, Klepper said. NASA remained in SpaceXs corner with a statement of support from Administrator Bill Nelson. Every great achievement throughout history has demanded some level of calculated risk, because with great risk comes great reward. Looking forward to all that SpaceX learns, to the next flight test and beyond, Nelson tweeted. And Eric Berger, senior space editor at Ars Technica, tweeted today that he had spoke with a half a dozen employees at SpaceX since the launch. If their reaction is anything to go by, the Starship test flight was a spectacular success. Of course theres a ton to learn, to fix, and to improve. Its all super hard work. But whats new? Progress is hard. Authorities have released the name of a man fatally shot while he was riding his bicycle in Birmingham. Police and the Jefferson County Coroners Office identified the victim as Derek Jason Wright. He was 39 and lived in Forestdale. Shortly after 4:30 p.m. Thursday, West Precinct officers responded to the 400 block of 4th Street Thomas on a call of a person shot, said Officer Truman Fitzgerald. Officers arrived on the scene to find Wright unresponsive in the front yard of a home suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service personnel pronounced him dead on the scene 4:56 p.m. Our victim was just riding down the street on a bicycle and a group of males pulled up on him, Fitzgerald said. A shooter got out of the vehicle and opened fire on the victim. The gunman then got back into the vehicle and drove away. No arrests have been announced. Wright is the citys 35th homicide in 2023. Of those, one was an officer-involved shooting by an outside agency and three others have been ruled justifiable and therefore arent deemed criminal. In all of Jefferson County, there have been 47 homicides including the 35 in Birmingham. Anyone with information is asked to call homicide detectives at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777. A drug raid at a Jasper funeral home turned up more than half a pound of methamphetamine and led to the arrests of three men. Agents from the Jasper Police Departments Narcotics Enforcement Team carried out the search warrant at SouthSide Funeral Home. The business is located at 175 Highway 269. The owner, 46-year-old Kinte Gosha, and two of his relatives were arrested on drug charges. Gosha and Arthur McCollum, 48, are both charged with drug trafficking. McCollum was arrested in 2019 also on a drug traffic trafficking charge, authorities said. Odell Swain, 44, is charged with unlawful distribution of a controlled substance. Police said he is currently out on bond for a 2021 unlawful distribution charge. These drugs destroy homes, families and communities, and we remain committed to fighting this poison by targeting those who bring it into our city and sell it to our residents, Police Chief J.C. Poe said. The chief thanked District Attorney Bill Adair and his staff for their assistance in the case. Now, we need assistance from local judges to keep these repeat offenders off the streets, Poe said, and facilities to adequately house these inmates so that our state and county jails arent faced with releasing inmates due to overcrowding. A man was killed Thursday afternoon while riding a bicycle in west Birmingham in what police say was a targeted attack. Shortly after 4:30 p.m. Thursday, West Precinct officers responded to the 400 block of 4th Street Thomas on a call of a person shot, said Officer Truman Fitzgerald. Officers arrived on the scene to find an unresponsive man in the front yard of a home suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service personnel pronounced the man dead at the scene. The victims identity was not publicly released because his family had yet to be notified of his death, Fitzgerald said. According to the preliminary investigation, our victim was just riding down the street on a bicycle and a group of males pulled up on him., said Fitzgerald. The shooter got out of the vehicle and began firing shots at our victim, striking him, the officer said. The gunman then got back into the vehicle, which drove away from the scene. No one was in custody as of 6 p.m. Thursday. Fitzgerald implored anyone with information to call police at 205-328-9311 or CrimeStoppers at 205-254-7777. The Thomas neighborhood is a tight-knit community. We know word travels fast, Fitzgerald said. Understanding China conference concludes in Guangzhou Xinhua) 13:21, April 21, 2023 GUANGZHOU, April 20 (Xinhua) -- The Understanding China conference on Chinese modernization and new opportunities for the world concluded Thursday in Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong Province. The conference, Understanding China -- Greater Bay Area Dialogue, brought together politicians, officials, experts, entrepreneurs, foreign envoys and representatives of international organizations and multinational companies. It was aimed at helping people understand China's modernization and the new opportunities it will bring to the world. Participants at the event said they believed Chinese modernization has created and will continue to create a miracle in the history of human development, which will have a positive and far-reaching impact on the world. Fred Hu, chairman of Primavera Capital Group, said that China's high-quality economic growth will produce notable positive spillover effects for the global economy. The world's second-largest economy will focus more on global industrial chains and supply chains, oppose decoupling, strengthen trade and investment with other countries, and build broad and stable partnerships, Hu said. Former Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev said that, upholding the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind, a strong China will make the world stronger, a green China will make the world greener, and a prosperous China that supports multilateralism and advocates win-win cooperation will make the world more peaceful and prosperous. The three-day event included an opening ceremony, keynote speeches, 10 parallel forums, four closed-door seminars and three special sessions. The event was co-hosted by the China Institute for Innovation and Development Strategy, the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs, the Guangdong provincial government and France's Prospective and Innovation Foundation. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan) This undated image, provided by Yonhap New TV, shows North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui. Yonhap North Korea's foreign minister said Friday that the United States and the West have no right to argue about its status as a nuclear weapons power, slamming a recent joint statement by the Group of Seven (G-7) diplomats as interference in internal affairs. In a statement, Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui took issue with the G-7 Foreign Ministers that condemned the North's unlawful ballistic missile launches and said Pyongyang "cannot and will never" have the status of a nuclear weapons state under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). "G7 has neither authority nor qualification to say this or that about the DPRK's exercise of its sovereignty and its national status," she said in the statement carried by the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). DPRK stands for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, North Korea's official name. North Korea's position as a "world-class nuclear power is final and irreversible," and will remain an "undeniable and stark reality" even if Washington does not recognize it for a thousand years, she added. Choe then warned that any move by G-7 members to infringe on the North's sovereignty and fundamental interests will be "completely deterred by strong counteraction." "What should change now is not the DPRK but the U.S., and the U.S. should bear in mind that its security can be guaranteed only when it completely roots out its hostile policy toward the DPRK," she said. She also claimed that the North's status as a nuclear power was not "granted or recognized" but established "along with the existence of the actual nuclear deterrence and fixed by the law." In September last year, Pyongyang passed a new law declaring itself a nuclear weapons state. "We will never seek any recognition and approval from anyone as we are satisfied with our access to the strength for a tit-for-tat strike against the U.S. nuclear threat," she added. On the NPT, she argued North Korea is "free from any NPT obligations" as it legally withdrew from the treaty in 2003. "We will continue to take action measures based on all legal rights granted to a sovereign state until the military threat posed by the U.S. and its allied forces hostile toward us is completely removed and the hostile surrounding environment harassing the independent existence and development of our country is put to a definite end," she added. Wrapping up a three-day meeting in Japan, the G-7 foreign ministers on Tuesday issued a joint statement urging North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons and fully comply with the NPT safeguards. They also condemned the North's test-firing of what it claimed to be a solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile. South Korea's unification ministry denounced the North's claim of being a nuclear power as "far-fetched," warning its nuclear and missile developments will only further isolate Pyongyang. "We once again urge North Korea to cease its far-fetched insistence and threat and listen to the concerns of the international society over its reckless nuclear and missile provocations," Lee Hyo-jung, the ministry's deputy spokesperson, told reporters. (Yonhap) One person was killed this morning in a two-vehicle crash in Marshall County. The incident happened at about 9:07 a.m. in the 9400 block of U.S. 431, according to the Marshall County Coroners Office. The male driver of one of the vehicles was pronounced dead on the scene. His name has not yet been released. Albertville police are investigating. Albertville fire assisted in the incident. Two people were arrested this morning following what authorities said was a shooting that left a large crime scene in Limestone County. The incident happened at about 12:30 a.m. at 26335 Johnson Lane, when deputies responded to a shooting. One victim, whose name was not released, fled the scene on foot. A condition report was not provided. Investigators developed two suspects, who authorities said fled in a vehicle. The two were later taken into custody at Winchester Road and U.S. 231 after a search by Limestone and Madison County investigators, Huntsville police and the U.S. Marshals. According to Limestone County Sheriff Joshua McLaughlin, the two still had the firearm used in the shooting with them. Brandon Donald Culley, 27, of Elkmont, has been charged with attempted murder, shooting into an unoccupied vehicle and reckless endangerment. He has been released from the Limestone County Detention Center on a $33,500 bond. Kayla Renee White, 34, of Huntsville, has been charged with first degree hindering prosecution and has been released from the Limestone County Detention Center on a $2,500 bond. When the coronavirus pandemic hit in 2020, Chuck Walker and his wife, Shirley, were both laid off from their jobs. Suddenly, they found themselves sitting around, playing games. One day, Walker remembered the volunteer trips to Feeding the Gulf Coast food bank that he had done while working at Airbus. He and his wife decided their time would be better spent volunteering at the food bank. I said, the need for food hasnt gone away, even though everything is shut down, Walker said. Why dont we volunteer at the food bank? The Walkers are just some of the volunteers that stepped up to volunteer at the food bank following the pandemic-related shutdowns, which forced many out of work. This group kept the food banks volunteer force steady throughout the pandemic and in the years following, Amanda Young, director of marketing and communications with Feeding the Gulf Coast, said. Many of those volunteers, like Chuck Walker, are now lead volunteers who work with the staff help keep newer volunteers on track. Eventually, Shirley Walker went back to work, but Chuck, 63, has remained retired, though he says hes busier now than when he was working. In addition to his time at the food bank, he volunteers with Habitat for Humanity and as an usher at the Saenger Theatre. He just signed up to be a blood transportation specialist with the Red Cross. The Mobile Chamber has announced its support for annexation and urged the Mobile City Council to authorize a referendum allowing the residents in the proposed annexed areas to vote. A city that is not growing is dying, and growing the city through annexation would benefit our entire region and solidify Mobiles significance as the economic engine of southwest Alabama and the entire Gulf Coast region, the resolution passed by the Chamber on Wednesday reads. The chamber cited the citys population decline and its shift westward over the last decade. From 2010-2020, the Mobiles population declined by 4.14% and is projected to keep declining, according to U.S. Census data. In each of the four proposed annexation areas, the population grew by 13-14%. The chambers resolution also cited the advantage inherent in Mobile having a population over 200,000. Cities over 200,000 in population are designated as mid-size by the federal government and are therefore eligible to receive larger grants in some cases. The city has cited American Rescue Plan Act funds, which came from the federal government in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, as a reason to grow the population. Mobile received $58.2 million in direct funding from ARPA, whereas Birmingham, which in 2020 had over 200,000 residents, received $142 million in direct ARPA funds. Unification Minister Kwon Young-se speaks at a press conference at the government complex building in Seoul, April 11. Yonhap Unification Minister Kwon Young-se said Friday the possibility of North Korea launching a "high-intensity" provocation ahead of President Yoon Suk Yeol's upcoming state visit to the United States cannot be ruled out. Speculations remain high that the North may soon launch a military spy satellite, following a series of weapons tests, including the launch of what it claimed to be a solid-fuel Hwasong-18 intercontinental ballistic missile. "While continuing nuclear threats and provocations, the North has not been responding to routine inter-Korean calls," Kwon said, referring to the North's refusal to answer daily calls through the cross-border liaison line and the military hotline for two weeks. "In particular, the possibility of North Korea's high-intensity provocation cannot be ruled out ahead of events like the South Korea-U.S. summit." Yoon is scheduled to pay a state visit to the U.S. from April 24-29 to hold a summit with U.S. President Joe Biden and mark the 70th anniversary of the bilateral alliance. Kwon also instructed ministry officials to thoroughly prepare for the possibility of the North returning to dialogue in accordance with changes in geopolitical circumstances. (Yonhap) Switch to airplane mode, unless you need to call someone. Put your phone in power-saving mode. Lower the brightness of the phones display setting. Turn off all unimportant apps that you are not using. If its dark, dont use your phones flashlight. Instead, use other light sources like a lantern, candle, or a regular flashlight instead. Unless its an emergency, dont use the GPS function. You can also conserve your phones battery by having backup paper maps to use during a power outage. Turn off all the features you dont need, like Wi-Fi, GPS and Bluetooth. If you need them, just turn them back on. In an emergency, text family or friends instead of calling them. When SHTF, they are also more likely to receive a text instead of a call. Avoid extreme heat or cold since extreme temperatures can drain the battery. English News Chinese young blood devote to Great Wall protection Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 19 Avril 2023 The innovative conservation has well protected the authenticity, completeness and security of the Great Wall. It is believed that a great synergy will be forged through innovative practices and exploration to inject ceaseless impetus into the protection of cultural heritage and the inheritance of history. By Fei Yang, Wang Jintao, Zhang Tengyang In a chilly wind, a young woman skillfully set up a portable meteorological device on a tripod and recorded the wind direction, temperature, humidity and other data, despite her windswept hair. "These data offer important support for preserving the Great Wall," said the millennial girl Lu Tingting, who grew up in Jiayuguan, a city in northwest China's Gansu province. It's home to Jiayu Pass, the western start of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) Great Wall. After she graduated with a master's degree, she returned to her hometown and worked for the relics protection department of the Great Wall conservation institute under the Jiayuguan (Great Wall) Silk Road Culture Research Institute. The Great Wall is so far the largest cultural heritage and one with the widest geographical span in China. However, some parts of it are dilapidated today due to natural erosion, human activities, environmental changes and other factors. Conservation thus is urgent for the aging Great Wall. Over recent years, as China accelerates the building of the Great Wall national cultural parks, more efforts have been made in the protection and research of the cultural heritage. Many young generations, including Lu, are engaged in the protection of the Great Wall. With expertise and passion, they are contributing their strength to revitalize the ancient structure in the new era. Lu has been working to protect the wild Great Wall for more than three years. Every month, she went on more than 400 inspection tours to some 30 sites of immovable cultural relics scattered in the Gobi desert, mountains, forests and other areas where people are rarely seen. After three years, Lu has gained a significantly deeper understanding of the Great Wall. Now she's become an expert in using all kinds of tools and instruments, and she knows well the features and formation of various "diseases" of the Great Wall, such as surface weathering, exfoliation and cracking. The conservation of the Great Wall calls for perseverance. The ancient Chinese fortifications, mostly located in remote areas with complex topography, stretch thousands of kilometers. In some sections, there's no paved path, so people engaged have to climb on their hands and knees in order to finish their work. It's a lonely task away from the hustle and bustle of the cities. Guo Hongxiu is a 32-year-old Great Wall ranger located in Sangyuan village, Lulong county, Qinhuangdao, north China's Hebei province. He goes on patrols all year round with his motorcycle over the bumpy mountainous roads, which is also a tradition of his family started by his grandfather in the 1980s. As the third-generation Great Wall ranger in his family, Guo recalled that his grandfather often took him on patrols when he was a child. "Grandpa always said that the Great Wall is a valuable asset of the Chinese nation and it carries history, so it must be well protected," Guo told People's Daily. Shang Heng, a young man born in 1984, started working for the Beijing Institute of Cultural Relics, or what's known today as the Beijing Institute of Archaeology, in 2010. He has joined and hosted many archaeological excavation projects of the Great Wall and completed multiple research programs in the past dozen years. He has been to many sites along the Great Wall on foot for research over the past two decades, covering over 3,000 kilometers. The conservation of the Great Wall calls for innovation. The Great Wall was built and renovated in different dynasties with various building materials and techniques. Therefore, the preservation of it is not an easy task. Thanks to the ceaseless efforts made by relevant parties, new approaches and achievements of Great Wall studies and protection have kept emerging these years. Shang, in cooperation with experts in ancient architecture, materials and botany, has turned rescue-oriented renovation of the Great Wall into comprehensive conservation with research and repair. The conservation combines archaeological excavation, multidisciplinary research and digital tracking records, opening a new chapter of Great Wall conservation. The application of new technologies has placed the Great Wall under better protection. "Relying on precise data, we have incorporated regular monitoring in the routine inspection. We are using digital monitors for inspection, image data collection and patrols every month," said Lu. With advanced equipment, such as drones, she can complete inspections more easily and analyze the cause and development of "diseases" based on the data collected, thus providing science-based maintenance solutions. The innovative conservation has well protected the authenticity, completeness and security of the Great Wall. It is believed that a great synergy will be forged through innovative practices and exploration to inject ceaseless impetus into the protection of cultural heritage and the inheritance of history. Dans la meme rubrique : < > International passenger service adds new vitality to China-Laos Railway Democracy a common value of humanity, not prerogative reserved to few Japan must treat nuclear wastewater in science-based, open, transparent, safe manner Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena) English News International passenger service adds new vitality to China-Laos Railway Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 19 Avril 2023 "The tourism industry has sensed the new market created by the China-Laos international passenger service," said Yang Jiechen, head of a Thailand-based tourism company. According to him, the train trip from China's Mohan port to Laos and Thailand is expected to become a hot tourism route. By Wang Yantian, Sun Guangyong, People's Daily On the morning of April 13, 2023, an olive green Fuxing bullet train was ready to leave the Kunming South Railway Station, southwest China's Yunnan province, and kick off the cross-border passenger service of the China-Laos Railway. The D887 high-speed train officially departed on 8:08 am and went all the way south, carrying the joy of both the Chinese and Lao peoples. An hour later, the D888 train left Vientiane for Kunming. Now it takes passengers only less than a day to go from Kunming to the Lao capital, or the other way around, which has injected new vitality to the China-Laos Railway, a railway of friendship. The China-Laos Railway was officially put into use on Dec. 3, 2021. Linking China's Kunming, Pu'er and Xishuangbanna, as well as Luang Prabang and Vientiane of Laos, it has become a golden logistics channel that connects China and Laos and even Southeast Asia at large after 16 months of operation. It vitalizes regional economic and trade cooperation and exchanges. "The shipping cost for cargo transport between Kunming and Vientiane has been lowered by 40 percent to 50 percent since the China-Laos Railway opened, and that for domestic shipping in Laos by 20 percent to 40 percent," said Jin Zhiyuan, general manager of Sinotrans, a major freight service provider along the China-Laos Railway. According to him, the company will send over 100 containers to China through the railway. So far, 25 Chinese provinces have launched cross-border trains along the China-Laos Railway, which reach Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, Malaysia, Cambodia, Singapore and other countries and regions along the Belt and Road. The number of cargo categories has been expanded from 10 to over 2,000, including electronic and photovoltaic products as well as cold-chain fruits. The value of cargos transported has exceeded 17 billion yuan ($2.48 billion). The transport efficiency and capacity of the China-Laos Railway have significantly improved. The time of customs clearance for cargos transported along the route has been reduced to five hours from more than 40. The potential of this railway has been constantly released since this year. In the first quarter, the railway transported 5.16 million tons of cargos, up 215 percent year on year. In particular, 1.1 million tons were transnational , which was nearly three times the amount from a year ago. The cross-border passenger service launched this time is of important significance to facilitating the flow of people along the railway and to promoting the development of the Chinese and Lao tourism. It is learned that a train departs from both Kunming and Vientiane each day, and the whole trip costs 10.5 hours, including the time spent on going through customs. "To better serve cross-border passengers, there are Chinese and Lao standard power sockets under each set of chairs on the train, information display, radio and service signs are offered in Chinese, Lao and English," said Zhao Yingjing, conductor of the first cross-border passenger train along the railway. It is reported that the tickets for the passenger service were sold out in just 20 minutes after they were released. "The tourism industry has sensed the new market created by the China-Laos international passenger service," said Yang Jiechen, head of a Thailand-based tourism company. According to him, the train trip from China's Mohan port to Laos and Thailand is expected to become a hot tourism route. The China-Laos Railway, like a "key" to the Indochina Peninsula, has opened an economic channel connecting China, Southeast Asia and South Asia. The railway not only has improved the transport infrastructure of Laos, but also will drive the country's economic development, said a Lao PhD student of Yunnan University, who names himself Wen Pengyu in Chinese. Dans la meme rubrique : < > Chinese young blood devote to Great Wall protection Democracy a common value of humanity, not prerogative reserved to few Japan must treat nuclear wastewater in science-based, open, transparent, safe manner Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena) Gleaning reliable information from so much of what we see and hear from our chosen sources is frequently difficult, and therefore, counting on these media narratives for a path forward is shaky at best. Its often not easy to see through the facade to uncover the truth behind the headlined stories most media outlets lead with sensationalism, then fill in the remainder to support their intended conclusion. Those fill-in details are dependably biased, so it is difficult to understand how the story fits into the more significant, and even controlling narratives of deep-state politics and internationalism. Isnt it amazing how we talk past each other in private conversations? At times, its almost like we are speaking different languages. For example, a progressive friend asked me for my definition of woke since it seems to mean different things to different people theres a lack of clarity in how we communicate with each other these days. Yet, our inability to draw common conclusions about people, institutions, government, and geopolitics is not an accident; its an intentional political strategy. Eliminate politics momentarily, and focus instead on accurate, convincing communication. Assume that two people of good character and sufficient intellect cant agree. The questions, the problems, and the solutions are elusive and frustratingly out of reach. Many characterize these differences in political terms. What we hear and think, and often how we believe is frequently due to deliberate miscommunication by and from authoritative sources on which we rely. These sources make grandiose statements, like charging that the horrendous withdrawal from Afghanistan should now be a source of pride. But without context, and a failure to present the history and facts that enable you to analyze a story, what you believe comes down to what you are inclined to think at the outset. Here are four examples that have set people of goodwill against each other, inviting unnecessary confrontation through deliberately misleading facts, and encouraging us to reach faulty conclusions I call this the governments invisible ink: plainly written, but unseen by the unobservant eye. See below: The way the government covers up its mistakes, lies, and rampant inefficiencies! As I write this, Jack Teixeira, a 21-year-old member of the Massachusetts Air National Guard, finds himself imprisoned for disclosing classified intelligence to the world. We can understand his arrest as a clear and present danger to not only us but to our allies as well almost nobody is ever held accountable within the government. Remember Edward Snowden or the Pentagon Papers? Our government routinely misdirects us on issues like missing nukes, military misadventures, and even mundane subjects like incredibly expensive and common acquisition programs. We were lied to about Covid, as well as pandemic spending that didnt do anything but enrich a lot of professional thieves and further empower the government to destroy our economy. Jack Teixeira, a 21-year-old member of the Massachusetts Air National Guard, finds himself imprisoned for disclosing classified intelligence to the world. We can understand his arrest as a clear and present danger to not only us but to our allies as well almost nobody is ever held accountable within the government. Remember Edward Snowden or the Pentagon Papers? Our government routinely misdirects us on issues like missing nukes, military misadventures, and even mundane subjects like incredibly expensive and common acquisition programs. We were lied to about Covid, as well as pandemic spending that didnt do anything but enrich a lot of professional thieves and further empower the government to destroy our economy. Have you heard about Californias environmental tar baby? California has 14 million vehicles, but is the fastest-growing purchaser of electric vehicles (one million to date) this is more than the following ten states combined. California is on track to ban internal combustion engines by 2035, which is only 12 years away! Enter the tar baby! California is shuttering coal, hydroelectric, nuclear power, and some natural gas plants, all while having conniptions over wind farms killing migratory birds and disturbing peoples sleep amidst rolling blackouts to boot! From where is the essential electricity going to come? What about tomorrow? Wheres the deep dive into exactly how all this will pan out? Inquiring minds dont seem to want you to know. ban internal combustion engines by 2035, which is only 12 years away! Enter the tar baby! California is shuttering coal, hydroelectric, nuclear power, and some natural gas plants, all while having conniptions over wind farms killing migratory birds and disturbing peoples sleep amidst rolling blackouts to boot! From where is the essential electricity going to come? What about tomorrow? Wheres the deep dive into exactly how all this will pan out? Inquiring minds dont seem to want you to know. Did you know the U.S. essentially invented, owned, and controlled the internet until 2016? And that a Democrat congress essentially forfeited the most potent technical advantage on earth? Russia, Iran, North Korea, and China, in particular, now have an equal footing with us on internet control. Everything runs on the internet, and we handed away the keys to the kingdom to enemies who will now use that equality to disadvantage us. Was that decision altruistic or just plain stupid? Next time your internet is down after a cyber attack, you might think about this : As of Saturday, 1 October 2016, Icann is no longer under US government oversight. Instead, it's now a fully multi-stakeholder non-profit that will take on board the views of companies, experts, academics, and nation-states in how the web is run. Supposedly intelligent people consistently steer us down paths and towards problems that even a nonprofessional could foresee. Civil asset forfeiture laws allow law enforcement and other agencies to seize your personal property and retain it indefinitely. They just have to have reason to believe it was involved in the commission of a crime, even if the person was acquitted or never charged. If you have heard of this process, the seizure of assets from drug lords or such probably comes to mind; sadly though, its been used too many times on innocent people who cant afford to fight back! And heres the kickerthe federal government receives up to 80% of whatever the state seizes. A friend I knew lost an airplane he used to transport Freon across the southern border. He loaned the aircraft to a friend, and although there was no criminal action, the plane was confiscated because R-22 Freon is regulatorily banned here in the States. Our voluminous laws allow all kinds of takings. Every day, trust in the government is in a precipitous decline due to actions like this. Reading these four examples reminds us of how we constantly lose sight of practical realities. Sometimes we enforce stupid and nonsensical rules, laws, policies, and decisions that do little more than hurt people, disadvantaging us in a world more prone to focus on practicality. Weve created hundreds of thousands of lobbyists, lawyers, advisory companies, and accountants whose sole purpose is to navigate frequently unmarked channels visible only to some Washington or other political insider reading the invisible ink you cant. I believe this is how corruption is born and fostered. Its just too easy to give up and accept a bribe (legal, as in a campaign contribution, or illegal, as in a payoff) of one kind or another to clear the way through a bureaucracy purposely designed to burden the average American. We created a cottage industry of legal and illegal shakedowns by writing nonsensical rules of the road that have engorged nonproducers while hamstringing an entire country, thus conflicting its people. I liken this to the drag on a fishing reel intended to tire out a fish. However, fish, in this case, is our national economy. Weve incapacitated ourselves to such a degree that simple logic is almost universally rejected by the political class in favor of what they can do to disadvantage some while advantaging others and of course, themselves. Your standard of living, safety, and future are negatively affected by those insider scoundrels that work our system in their favor, not yours. God Bless America! Allan J. FeiferPatriot, Author, Businessman, and Thinker. Read more about Allan, his background, and his ideas to create a better tomorrow at www.1plus1equals2.com. Image: Free image, Pixabay license, no attribution required. Recent studies and reporting have highlighted the military's recruiting challenges for fiscal year 2022 with dire projections of future shortfalls in coming years. The reasons for recruiting deficits are many and complex, but one major factor is regressing civilian trust and confidence in the military. Since 2018, from record highs at the end of last century and into the post-9/11 era, positive civilian impressions of the military plummeted. This decreased trust is, in no small measure, due to bipartisan public perceptions of a politicized military from both the left and right. A 2022 Ronald Reagan Institute survey noted that half of respondents attributed military politicization to a "woke" agenda. It is a sentiment certainly shared by some in civilian leadership and many current military members and veterans. The Reagan Institute polling does not define "woke." Ipsos polling, however, suggests that the meaning of "woke" can be fluid. Although "woke" may have different definitions, for many, it is associated prominently with Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity (DIE). These DIE initiatives have penetrated most major American institutions and are now openly and aggressively being implemented across the military services, from the highest echelons down to the unit level. The introduction of DIE into the military is a significant factor in the public's perception of an increasingly politicized armed forces. Interestingly, DIE is now being unmasked as inherently intolerant despite nostrums of diversity and inclusion, most notably when someone's speech and ideas conflict with what those in the DIE apparatus deem appropriate thinking and behavior. DIE's proliferation in and increasing hostility to academia serve as a useful proxy to understand the public's concerns about a "woke" military. Stanford faculty members recently voiced concern about the stifling of speech and academic freedom via an anonymous bias-reporting system. And a student mob at Stanford University's law school, enabled by a DIE administrator, recently shouted down an invited guest speaker, a federal judge, hurling invectives inappropriate for any setting, let alone an elite law school. Because of DIE's threat, Harvard faculty felt compelled to create a Council for Academic Freedom "devoted to free inquiry, intellectual diversity, and civil discourse." As Harvard's Professors Steven Pinker and Bertha Madras explained, there is "an exploding bureaucracy for policing harassment and discrimination [that] has professional interests that are not necessarily aligned with the production and transmission of knowledge." It is no surprise that the public is skeptical of DIE in general and specifically its appropriateness for the military. DIE in the military will likely produce similar outcomes. The most effective way to counter this is to ensure our military members, especially the officer corps, are being educated and trained to maintain and sustain professionalism consistent with historical civil-military norms. The restoration of public trust requires the military to "examine how we educate servicemembers in the professional norms related to military service in a democracy[.]" At the Air Force Academy, thirteen cadets recently pressed for greater education in civics and civil-military relations to ensure they could "comprehend the professional norms required to support the constitutional principles inherent in their military oaths." This is crucial for developing and maintaining a professional and apolitical officer corps, a prerequisite for healthy civil-military relations. A focus on DIE detracts from this and corrupts professionalism through an overtly progressive political agenda. There are few in and out of uniform who question the pre-eminence of civilian control, but this control does not require the military to become a facsimile of civil society, nor to import its programs, ideologies, and structures in part or wholesale. Samuel P. Huntington, author of The Soldier and the State, astutely observed in later work that "the dilemma of military institutions in a liberal society can only be resolved satisfactorily by a military establishment that is different from but not distant from the society it serves." This uniquely American civil-military dynamic will evolve, and each component will influence the other in search of equilibrium and institutional comity, but neither should disadvantage the other. For the military to remain in balance with civilian institutions and provide security, it must maintain its uniqueness while simultaneously respond to societal imperatives of civilian control. Without this balance, said Huntington, "military institutions which reflect only social values may be incapable of performing effectively their military function." DIE, primarily a civilian importation, is an example of precisely how a social value supported by few is inimical to military professionalism, unity, cohesion, and esprit de corps. The public recognizes this and is rightly aghast at the politicization of our military institutions by the introduction of DIE programs and offices across our military. Appropriate civilian control is also at odds with DIE. Again, Huntington's analysis of civil-military relations offers some useful insights, notably on the types of civilian control over the military and the natural tensions therein. "Subjective" civilian control, he argues, maximizes civilian power and is necessary when a professional military is absent. "Objective" civilian control "is that distribution of political power between military and civilian groups which is most conducive to the emergence of professional attitudes and behavior among the members of the officer corps." DIE, because of its obsessive focus on taxonomic sorting by race and identity, is at odds with the idea of professionalism and contrary to the notion of objective civilian control so fundamental to our system of civil-military relations. Perhaps one of Huntington's more prescient observations is this: "Subjective civilian control achieves its end by civilianizing the military, making them the mirror of the state. Objective civilian control achieves its end by militarizing the military, making them the tool of the state. ... The antithesis of objective civilian control is military participation in politics: civilian control decreases as the military become progressively involved in institutional, class, and constitutional politics." In other words, optimal civilian control (objective control) exits when military professionalism is maximized. DIE hews more to the subjective vice objective archetype of civilian control. It is no surprise the public views DIE with wariness and military politicization as an aberration. Strangely, recent commentators argue that this politicization is attributable only to the right. One former naval officer, writer, and editor claimed that critics of "wokeness" and DIE are, in fact, agents bent on politicizing the military. A political science professor makes a similar argument, claiming that anti-woke resistance is "a rallying cry of the American right," and those questioning its merits are actually endangering national security. Apparently, progressives and their works are simply noble pursuits devoid of politics, and the right is the true threat. Recent examples of DIE run amok in academia and business simply do not support these assertions. To contend otherwise is either naive or willful blindness. DIE, conceived, birthed, and nurtured in a cloistered civilian academic environment, has no place in the military. Taking note of the damage DIE has done to academia and lack of value provided to businesses, the public is right to be wary of DIE taking root in the military. DIE is political, and its programs, wherever they exist, seek to accrue and expand power through division rather than unity. Nothing about DIE is sympathetic to actual notions of diversity of inclusion. By embracing patently divisive DIE policies and programs, civilian and military leaders unnecessarily violate the public trust in the military's ability to remain an apolitical professional body devoted to national security. It is no surprise, then, why the public views DIE as an instrument to enact social change and press the prevailing political agenda of the day rather than fulfil the promise of diversity and inclusion. Military professionalism and culture are unique. These attributes are also crucial for the health of civil-military relations. "To despise the military" said political scientist Herbert Garfinkel, "is to open the way for an oppressive form of civilian supremacy that would ultimately endanger our democratic values by leaving the nation effectively defenseless." We would do well to ponder this quote as we debate the wisdom of policies and programs like DIE in the military, the education of its personnel, and the development of a professional officer corps so critical to our national security. Image via Max Pixel. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby speaks during the daily press briefing in the James Brady Room at the White House in Washington, D.C., April 20. UPI-Yonhap The United States takes its defense commitment to South Korea "very, very seriously," a White House official said Thursday, following Russia's threat to arm North Korea if South Korea sends lethal assistance to Ukraine. John Kirby, National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications, said the U.S. is grateful for the support South Korea has already provided to Ukraine. "I would just remind that we have a treaty alliance with South Korea. We take that commitment very, very seriously," Kirby told a press briefing when asked to comment on Russia's threat to arm North Korea. The Russian threat came after South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said South Korea may be obliged to provide more than humanitarian assistance to Ukraine if Russia conducted large-scale attacks on civilians. By depicting Cleopatra as a Black woman, Netflixs Queen Cleopatra is creating a stir. Now, because all four of my grandparents were Coptic, and because the Copts are acknowledged as the remaining descendants of the civilisation of the Ancient Egyptians, with Pharaonic origins, I cannot resist but offer my two cents. First, this business has been going on for a quite long time. One of my very first college research papers (still in my possession, from 1993) was dedicated to debunking this widespread and entrenched claim that ancient Egyptians were Black -- as in sub-Saharan African Black. On the one hand, one can sympathize with the motive behind this claim: to give sub-Saharan Africans a source of pride, to present them as one of the first great civilizations. On the other hand, you cannot warp the truth -- that is, foist a lie -- without negative consequences. Those who claim ancient Egypt was Black commit precisely that one sin they supposedly most abhor: cultural appropriation. Ancient Egypt was Egyptian; to claim otherwise, to attribute its achievements to another race or people, is not just an unconscious but very conscious form of cultural appropriation. Little wonder not a few Egyptians are vexed. One prominent lawyer is even suing Netflix for blackwashing history. The idea that ancient Egypt is a Black civilization can be connected to another, very commonplace mistake: thinking that Africa, in its entirety, is a Black continent. Although on the same land mass, Black Africa and Egypt are, it is often forgotten, separated by the worlds largest desert, the Sahara. Historically, and even today, this inhospitable and desiccated region was immensely difficult to traverse. There was, moreover, very little incentive for anyone to go on such a life-threatening trek. Conversely, even though Europe and North Africa are separated by a sea, thanks to the ancient invention of boats, the Mediterranean served as an easily crossed bridge between the two continents all throughout antiquity. Hence why Egypt was an important part of the Greco-Roman world. In short, and despite how they all appear on a map, Europe and North Africa had an infinite more amount of commerce than did North Africa and sub- Saharan Africa, despite the fact that the latter two are on the same continent and therefore appear closer. By the way, this is also why the term African-American is fraught with ambiguities. Although everyone understands and means by it an American of Black descent, what about people like me? Im an American, and my bloodline traces directly back to Egypt -- which is in Africa. Does that not make me a bonafide African-American? Such are the confusions brought on by these euphemisms: the seven-syllable term African-American was apparently coined because the more straightforward Black was deemed offensive (apparently to overly sensitive Whites, as Ive yet to meet a Black person offended by that term). As a result, precision in communication is lost. Its the same with the term Asian. Although Asia is the largest continent and hosts many different races, today, when someone says so-and-so is Asian, they have one very specific race in mind -- the Sinic race. Meanwhile, Hindus, Arabs, Armenians, Georgians, Turks, et al are left without a continent, since anyone saying or hearing that so-and-so is Asian will never expect one of these is meant. But I digress; returning to Netflixs Queen Cleopatra, here we point out what should be obvious: not only are Egyptians not racially Black -- which I know from personal, familial, and travel experience -- but Cleopatra wasnt even Egyptian. She was Greek, specifically Macedonian, a descendant of Alexander the Greats general, Ptolemy I. Little wonder that former Egyptian Antiquities Minister Zahi Hawass insists that Netflixs depiction of Cleopatra is completely fake. Cleopatra was Greek, meaning that she was blonde, not black. (Witness the outraged denial in this brief video to the revelation that another Egyptian queen, Nefertiti, was also not quite so African looking.) Incidentally, in order to get beyond the obvious objection -- If modern-day Egyptians are not Black, how could their ancestors have been? -- the cultural appropriators have long insisted that modern-day Egyptians lightened up following the seventh-century Arab conquest and comingling of Egypt. In reality, according to recent DNA tests, it appears that, if anything, the opposite is true -- ancient Egyptians were lighter, not darker, than their modern-day descendants. Apparently the ancients looked more like Levantine peoples, Syrians, Lebanese, etc. I close by confessing a certain surprise that Netflixs Cleopatra is receiving any criticism at all. In our post-truth era, where openly falsifying reality receives zero protest, there are already countless films which depict well-known and beloved characters turned Black -- including historical characters, such as the formerly pale Anne Boleyn, a fifteenth-century queen of England. As such, who would have thought that depicting Queen Cleopatra -- who, after all, hails from Africa (case closed, shes Black!) -- would cause any backlash? Raymond Ibrahim, author of Defenders of the West and Sword and Scimitar, is the Distinguished Senior Shillman Fellow at the Gatestone Institute and the Judith Rosen Friedman Fellow at the Middle East Forum. Imahe: Netflix On March 3, 2023, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) chairman, Martin Gruenberg, concluded his talk to the Institute of International Bankers with this statement: "My purpose today has been to emphasize that, while banks continue to report strong performance and problem banks and failures are few, risks remain on the horizon." Mr. Gruenberg wasn't joking. Seven days after his speech Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) was closed by regulators. A few days later, Signature Bank and Credit Suisse failed, and First Republic Bank required a massive infusion of cash in order to avert collapse. On March 12, a mere nine days after Mr. Gruenberg's speech, the U.S. Treasury, the Federal Reserve Bank, and the FDIC issued this assurance as part of a joint press release: The U.S. banking system remains resilient and on a solid foundation, in large part due to reforms that were made after the financial crisis that ensured better safeguards for the banking industry. Those reforms combined with today's actions demonstrate our commitment to take the necessary steps to ensure that depositors' savings remain safe. This statement is, ostensibly, an attempt to bolster confidence in the banking system. Yet why do banking industry regulators need to reassure depositors that "the U.S. banking system remains resilient and on a solid foundation" if the U.S. banking system is actually "resilient and on a solid foundation"? Does the banking system merely appear to be in a state of disarray? Or are crashing banks and billion-dollar bailouts just the way things go? It's interesting to note the joint press release doesn't specify which "financial crisis" spurred "reforms that ... ensured better safeguards for the banking industry." Did they mean the recent SVB/ Signature bank bailouts? Sam Bankman-Fried's FTX $32-billion crypto exchange implosion? The 20072009 "Global Financial Crisis"? Bernie Madoff's $80-billion Ponzi scheme? Or any of the long list of financial crises that have occurred over the past hundred years under the not so keen oversight of the federal regulatory apparatus? Since the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act is the last major legislation passed in response to a "financial crisis," the press release probably refers to the regulatory changes instituted by that particular piece of legislation. However, touting the success of Dodd-Frank days after the collapse of three major American banks is disingenuous at best. After all, SVB, Signature Bank, and First Republic had rested on "the resilient and solid foundation" of Dodd-Frank right until the moment they ceased to exist. And it should be noted that one of the sponsors of the Dodd-Frank Bill, ex-Massachusetts congressman Barney Frank, sat on the board of Signature Bank. During the three years before Signature crashed, under the not so watchful eye of Mr. Frank, the bank's executives divested themselves of over $300 million's worth of stock. Similarly, executives at SVB, including CEO and board member of the San Francisco Fed Greg Becker, sold $85 million's worth of shares in the two years leading up to the bank's collapse. Executives at First Republic, not as quick off the mark, sold off a paltry $11 million in stock in the months before the bank failed. Yet no one accuses any of these bank executives of "panic" when they cashed out and left a mess for the FDIC, the Fed, and, the U.S. Treasury to clean up a mess that occurred under these regulatory agencies' uplifted noses, by the way. Perhaps the regulators were too busy shoring up the financial system's "stable foundation" and didn't notice the rot in the edifices that their "stable foundation" supported. And why is it that so many savvy depositors at SVB kept balances far in excess of the $250,000 FDIC coverage limit? They didn't panic, either. They seemed to know that the systemic risk exception would be invoked by the FDIC, and their deposits would be fully covered. A call from California's governor to the White house and the U.S. Treasury made sure this happened. Coincidentally, Mr. Newsom's wineries all banked at SVB. Nor has anyone suggested that Martin Gruenberg "panicked" when, in an effort to quell the crisis, the FDIC brokered SVB's assets to First Citizens at a $16.5-billion discount to, technically, at least, keep First Citizens from failing. All of these players are insiders bank executives, regulatory agency bureaucrats, board members, politicians. Some, like Mr. Becker, play two roles at once. And none of them is hurt by their incompetence. They crash a bank and cash out. Yet it's those pesky "little" depositors the everyday people whose money the banks hold in trust who "panic" and "run" on banks. A banker's main task is not to lose his depositors' money. In return, the bank gets to use a depositor's money while it is in the bank's care. However, the banks must return a depositor's money, minus fees and charges, when the depositor wants it back. That's the basic deal. Not losing money entrusted to you doesn't seem too onerous a chore for a highly paid executive to handle. Yet banks have failed. The regulatory system has failed. The stewards of our financial system have failed. They just don't admit it. This brings us to an old cliche: banking is an industry built on trust. But how does one trust institutions that continuously fail and then tell you that they haven't? According to the FDIC, there have been 563 bank failures from 2001 through 2023. You can see the information here. If "the U.S. banking system remains resilient and on a solid foundation," why are there so many bank failures? Like the "Great and Powerful" Wizard of Oz when he ordered Dorothy and her traveling companions to "pay no attention to that man behind the curtain," days after three major banks collapsed the Treasury, the Fed, and the FDIC reassured us that "the U.S. banking system remains resilient and on a solid foundation"? But the curtain has been pulled, the magic shown to be mere trickery, the old man behind the mirage visible for all to see. When Dorothy, angry that the Wizard had misled her, exclaims, "I think you are a very bad man!," the wizard glibly replies, "Oh, no, my dear; I'm really a very good man, but I'm a very bad Wizard, I must admit." The U.S. Treasury; the Federal Reserve Bank; the FDIC; and the executives at SVB, Signature Bank, and First Republic have not yet admitted they are bad bankers very bad bankers. Perhaps the regulators and the bankers they regulate should pay attention to the fundamental task of a bank: keeping depositors' money intact. Risking depositors' money in a quest for greater gains through bundled mortgages, low-interest government securities, and exotic derivative trades is not responsible banking. Like the Wizard of Oz, industry insiders will tell you what good men they are. They'll expect you to trust their word on that. After all, it's an industry built on trust, and they are its wizards. Like the Wizard of Oz, they should admit that their wizardry is not very good. That won't happen anytime soon. A.F. Cronin is a writer living and working in Los Angeles. He has written for American Thinker, The Federalist, and other periodicals, and his book Reading Shakespeare, a text on how to understand Shakespeare's writing, can be found on Amazon. Image: PublicDomainPictures via Pixabay, Pixabay License. Right from the opening paragraph of her order and decision upholding the subpoena issued by the House Judiciary Committee to depose Mark F. Pomerantz, Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil let the hardcore left have it hurling that battle cry "no one is above the law" back at them. The request by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg Jr. for a temporary restraining order, enjoining enforcement of the subpoena issued to Mark F. Pomerantz by the Committee on the Judiciary of the United States House of Representatives, chaired by Congressman Jim Jordan, is DENIED. The subpoena was issued with a "valid legislative purpose" in connection with the "broad" and "indispensable" congressional power to "conduct investigations." It is not the role of the federal judiciary to dictate what legislation Congress may consider or how it should conduct its deliberations in that connection. Mr. Pomerantz must appear for the congressional deposition. No one is above the law. And that was just for openers. After referring to the anti-Trump book Pomerantz wrote on leaving his volunteer position in the office of the Manhattan district attorney, Judge Vyskocil sharply criticized the Bragg complaint against the House Judiciary Committee as, mostly, "a public relations tirade against former President and current presidential candidate Donald Trump" that constituted "a motion to quash a subpoena dressed up as a lawsuit." The first 35 pages of the Complaint have little to do with the subpoena at issue and are nothing short of a public relations tirade against former President and current presidential candidate Donald Trump. The same is true of the vast majority of the exhibits accompanying the Boutrous Declaration. Of note, the Complaint acknowledges that DANY used federal forfeiture funds in investigating President Trump and/or the Trump Organization. Compl. 78. Moreover, Bragg concedes that DANY was aware that Pomerantz was writing a book about the Trump investigation and asked to review the manuscript pre-publication. Compl. 90. Pomerantz declined. Compl. 90; Pl. Mem. 2122. At heart, the Complaint simply includes two requests for declaratory and injunctive relief directed at the congressional inquiry. The reality is that, as framed, this action is merely a motion to quash a subpoena dressed up as a lawsuit. That was not all from this perceptive jurist in the opening pages of her rebuff to Bragg and his apparent coterie. She called attention to Bragg's reply brief as "including a hodgepodge of social media postings, news articles, television interviews, pleadings from unrelated lawsuits." This observation leads to the fair inference that the Bragg filings were more addressed to the editorial board of The New York Times than to a judge in the Southern District of New York. Note, too, a fact not mentioned in media accounts: that Judge Vyskocil received "several unsolicited amicus briefs" from Bragg-supporters, including "former members of Congress, former prosecutors, and academics" who "echo[ed] Bragg's refrain that the subpoena [objected to] will 'interfere with an ongoing criminal prosecution ... brought by a state prosecutor.'" The day before the scheduled hearing, Bragg filed an eleventh hour reply brief, not authorized by the Court's Scheduling Order given the compressed time frame in which Plaintiff's motion was brought on. The reply largely rehashes the same arguments made in the moving brief and, for the first time, addresses the Speech or Debate Clause. See Reply Brief [ECF No. 41-1] ("Reply"). The reply brief was accompanied by a supplemental declaration attaching sixteen largely irrelevant exhibits, consisting of a hodge-podge of social media postings, news articles, television interviews, pleadings from unrelated lawsuits, and a transcript from the arraignment in the Trump prosecution. See Exhibits 6072 to the Second Boutrous Declaration [ECF Nos. 41-2 to 41-5]. The Court is in receipt of several unsolicited amicus briefs. An assemblage of former members of Congress, former prosecutors, former government attorneys, and academics filed an amicus brief with the consent of Bragg. See Letter Motion to File Amicus Brief [ECF No. 34]; Amicus Brief [ECF No. 37] ("First Amicus"). Amici argue that the Committee lacked authority to issue the subpoena and echo Bragg's refrain that the subpoena will "interfere with an ongoing criminal prosecution . . . brought by a state prosecutor." As indicated in the first paragraph from the Vyskocil opinion cited above, the judge, in part, saw the subpoena at issue in broad terms as the exercise by the House Judiciary Committee pursuant to a "valid legislative purpose." This is to suggest, however, that House Judiciary Committee chairman Jim Jordan might have narrowed this "valid legislative purpose" in terms of amending the Former Presidents Protection Act of 2012, which clearly reflected a federal need to protect former presidents from attack, including retaliatory prosecution of state or local officials hostile to a former president. The former Bragg volunteer aide Mark F. Pomerantz, a 71-year-old foe of former president Trump, prosecuted convicted racketeer John Gotti and in his book compared the former president to Gotti. People with the partisan zealotry of a Pomerantz likely would have no difficulty with the imprisonment of a former president they despise but to the point of disregarding the federal policy of providing protection for former presidents? What Pomerantz and his ilk propose is the interference of a state criminal prosecution with a federal statute namely, the Former Presidents Protection Act of 2012. Clearly, Bragg's interference with that federal statute demands that it be amended to provide that state or local prosecution of a former president must be removed to a federal court. The need for such an amendment, to be drafted by the House Judiciary Committee, requires that the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, which has stayed Judge Vyskocil's order, rule quickly in support of her wise order and decision. To do otherwise would be calamitous. Image via Flickr, public domain. Last week, I was in Fort Benning, Georgia, attending the Best Ranger Competition as a member of the media. The three days of events was something far more than I had anticipated. While I was there to learn more about Ranger training, tactics, and culture for my writing projects, what I found instead was a bastion of pure patriotism and Americana. The Best Ranger Competition is a three-day test of mental and physical endurance undertaken by two-man Ranger teams from a number of divisions and commands of the U.S. Army. The participants push themselves for long hours both day and night, undertaking feats to test not just their stamina, but their ability to think and solve problems. On day one, before the break of dawn, the teams go on a run for nine miles, carrying an 50 lb bag of sand on their shoulders. From there, in full uniform, they swim a pond, then undergo a grueling obstacle course, climbing tall obstacles, swimming in mud under barbed wire, etc. They run to another set of physical challenges, then board helicopters and are taken to an urban combat center, where they are dropped on the roof of a building they then clear. There's no break for the weary. They move out carrying 50 lb ammunition canisters, climbing several walls, then mount an urban assault on another structure. All of this before noon! What follows is team and individual shooting on the firing ranges everything from pistols to shotguns to machine guns. Then, wearing full combat gear, they run to where they do their night bivouac. Day two, in the sweltering Georgia sun, they do CrossFit, push weight sleds, test-fire Javelin missiles, treat wounded soldiers who are then run outside of the stadium and helicoptered off. The Ranger participants then set up and aim a mortar, throw axes, and execute three steel barrier breaches. They travel to the river in Columbus and zip-line across to Alabama, where they then kayak downriver three miles and go back to base and night orienteering. The final day consists of climbing a massive prusik tower, rappelling down, running a two-mile obstacle course, and doing more firing on various ranges. They are then helicoptered over a lake and dropped in the water, climb a pole some 75 feet above the water and walk across it, crawl out on a line, and drop back into the water. From there they come ashore, climb another tower, zip-line across the lake, then hike out wearing full gear again. The end of the competition is a two mile sprint in full gear to the U.S. Infantry Museum. This is not a sporting event. It is the greatest motivational event I have ever experienced. Rain or shine, the participants trudge on. There are no complaints, only teamwork. It gives you a high degree of comfort knowing that these guys are out there, protecting our freedoms. There is no big cash prize at the end of all of this. There's no great reward beyond recognition. Just being permitted to take part is all of the participation trophy that these attendees need. What they get from this is bragging rights, the ability to say they are among the best of their peers. The men who undertake these endless feats push themselves far beyond where normal people could go. It is as much a test of mental stamina as it is physical. This year's first-place winners were Cpt. Luke Ebeling and Spc. Justin Rein, representing the 75th Ranger Regiment. Frankly, anyone who even attempted to compete was a winner of sorts. Strangely, there is no massive stadium filled with tens of thousands cheering. Those who come are close family members and veterans. Their numbers are not legion, but they are almost as dedicated as those on the field. They are there, cheering on their loved ones, following them from firing range to obstacle course. They count the hits on the range, time the speed of their loved ones as they take on each new hurdle. In a world where we watch almost cartoony shows like American Ninja Warrior, the Best Ranger Competition stands out as something much more. This is both truly American and genuine. People win by being the best. It seems untainted by wokeness and forced diversity and inclusiveness. This is a sporting competition that rivals almost any put on television. So why is this event not televised? Why hasn't Netflix picked it up as a yearly series? Is it because it glorifies the military? Because guns are involved? Or is it because there is little chance of inflicting a woke agenda? I don't know, but the questions demand some sort of answer. You don't have to have served in the military to be captivated by what you experience at this event. It is well worth seeing an untainted contest that both thrills and inspires. It is purely American. Blaine Pardoe is a New York Times bestselling and award-winning author canceled by one of his publishers in 2022. He is a regular contributor to a number of conservative sites. His conservative political thriller series, Blue Dawn, includes A Most Uncivil War and the newly released Confederacy of Fear. This series tells the story of the violent overthrow of the government by radical progressives. His bestselling military science fiction series, Land&Sea, includes Splashdown, Riptides, Storm Surge, and Flotsam of War. I agree with this author that America's ruling elite bear the overwhelming share of responsibility for the Biden catastrophe. It was they at all levels finance, corporate, governmental, security agencies, media, and judiciary that engineered and enabled the Biden coup. And I also agree with the author that Biden has been an unprecedented domestic disaster. We will probably never recover from it, certainly never, if Biden gets a second term, which seems highly likely. But the current assertiveness of China is not for Biden's account. It is the inevitable consequence of our elites' atrociously selfish, short-sighted, and disloyal decision decades ago to fast-forward China's accumulation of wealth and power by offshoring America's industrial base to the Middle Kingdom. Power and international assertiveness inevitably follow wealth, especially wealth based on true productivity which is why China became powerful over the last 20 years, while Spain's power declined during the 17th and 18th centuries as New World gold flowed into Spain. I don't agree with the author's implication that China's behavior is somehow "aggressive" or sinister. China today, like the West during the period 16001900, is the world's supreme economic, surely the supreme industrial, power. Unsurprisingly, it is reaching out, utilizing all it has to offer in wealth and know-how, all over the world, to gain influence and advantage. Arguably, it is doing so less brutally than the West did during our period of irresistible dominance. When I view China, I see no threat of violent expansion or military aggressiveness, certainly none like what the West exhibited during its period of hegemony, when great colonial empires were assembled with aid of the sword. The Taiwan question is unique, and there is no doubt that historically, that island off China's coast is part of China. Before the American security/military state deliberately engendered Chinese fears of a real breakaway by Taiwan, there was every reason to believe that China was more than willing to live with the status quo: an island beyond its current governmental fiat, but gradually integrating with its cultural, racial, and linguistic homeland through growing and mutually advantageous economic ties. To the extent there is any threat of military action by China to compel immediate integration of China with Taiwan, it has been purposely ginned up by America's high-level visits to Taiwan, military maneuvers, and other conduct designed to affront and antagonize the Chinese government. YouTube screen grab. Absent this behavior, it's highly unlikely there would have been any military threat to Taiwan. And, indeed, if the U.S. would cease its provocations, there may yet be none. And in any event, Taiwan is unique, historically part of China, and the Chinese government's attitude toward it, whatever that may be, is no indication of any general military aggressiveness. The truth is that America's insatiably avaricious corporate and financial elites long ago ensured China's supreme economic dominance through their colossally short-sighted, stupid act of transferring America's productive might to China. Our elites' wealth grew, in consequence, to astronomical levels through that astoundingly selfish collective decision. But now they do not like the world of declining American importance that their actions have created. The only way that world can be reversed, and some sort of return to American/Western dominance fashioned, is by convincing enough poorly informed Americans that China is a military "threat" and then employing that mirage to justify a war. As John Mearsheimer has pointed out, history notes very few instances where declining hegemons have avoided military conflict with their rising competitors. The rule has been war where once dominant powers have seen their power ebb away and flow to another. To the elites of the West, particularly of America, I would say: You squandered the West's economic supremacy for selfish reasons. It worked well for you, and now you enjoy a level of wealth never before seen in human history possessed by any class. Instead of engineering wars, with China and Russia (another story), in an effort to artificially recreate the dominance you gave away, try to rebuild that dominance naturally, without war. You could start by trying to restore the institutions and ideas that created Western dominance in the first place: celebration of excellence, a healthy patriotism and real science, rejection of all forms of civilizational self-loathing, and support for the traditional family. Failing that, prepare for either permanent second place or an angry loser's suicidal war. Earlier this week, the FBI busted a secret Chinese police station in lower Manhattan, one of at least six China's government brazenly operates on U.S. soil, arresting two Americans running it as foreign agents. The Chicoms put these illegal operations up, claiming they were just helpful government offices for Chinese nationals renew their drivers' licenses. In reality, they were Orwellian secret police outfits whose purpose was to hunt down and terrify dissidents who'd fled China, letting them know that there's no getting away from the long arm of the communist dictatorship. Rather than keep the operation discreet, two of the men running it were out there in the social swing of things, palsy-walsy with the city's Democrat elite, posing for pictures with top pols such as Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Mayor Eric Adams, and donating more than $32,000 in campaign contributions to leading Democrats' election coffers. BOMBSHELL REPORT: Chinese Operative arrested by FBI for opening 'SECRET POLICE STATIONS' met with Chuck Schumer and NYC mayor Eric Adams at DEM sponsored events in 2022 and 2023.. CCP operatives that organized this were SECRETLY BAILED OUT THE NEXT DAY while TRUMP SUPPORTER and pic.twitter.com/79GmDGBkxv Chuck Callesto (@ChuckCallesto) April 19, 2023 According to the New York Daily News: A Bronx man facing federal charges for allegedly running a secret Chinese government police station in Manhattan has together with his brother in recent years donated more than $30,000 to New York politicians, including Mayor Adams and Gov. Hochul, according to a Daily News review of campaign finance records. In addition to Hochul and Adams, Democratic members of the state Legislature and the New York City Council are among the beneficiaries of the political spending spree from the brothers, Lu Jianwang and Lu Jianshun, records show. So one moment it was posing for pictures with smiling Chuck Schumer, another moment it was text-messaging with the Chinese government on where to find that dissident in Los Angeles the Chicoms wanted back and intimidating that man to go back to China or his remaining family would get it. What a life that was. The characters here have largely been charged or brought to justice -- the brother of Harry Lu, James Lu, who donated a lot to Democrats on behalf of the police station, otherwise known as the ChangLe Association wasn't charged, signaling that the investigators didn't have enough on him to convict him in a trial, but he was listed as one of seven 'principals' of the center in the court papers, the Daily News reported. One possible reason for that was that the brothers deleted their cell phone text records when they found out they were under investigation, the Daily News reported. Fine and dandy. But the question remains was what was going on with those donations to Democrats. Were they seeking on behalf of their Chinese masters to influence U.S. foreign policy, particularly towards China? Seems a Chinese covert op such as the police station-cum-community center might be useful for that purpose particularly as a political donor. Or were they a camel's nose under the tent for infiltrating the entire U.S. government, through the police station's recommendations? We know that's been done in the past by the Chicoms, whose alleged agent, Fang Fang, recommended staffers for Rep. Eric Swalwell's congressional office where he sat on the House intelligence committtee, and incidentally was sleeping with the woman. We know they infiltrated Sen. Dianne Feinstein's office for years. Or were they buying protection, given that these stations have been around for awhile, and only the reporting of an NGO called 'Safeguard Defenders' seems to be the impetus for bureau to act, in the case involving the arrests. Democrats now are scrambling to return the donations, but the barn door's open. The Chinese not only focused on hunting dissidents, they sought out Democrats, and gave them money to seal a gentleman's agreement with them. That ought to be a law enforcement issue if not a campaign issue for Republicans. What were the Chinese buying from these Democrats, and why did they get away with it for so long? Image: Screen shot from LiveNOW from FOX video, via YouTube. Recently, Former First Lady Michelle Obama appeared on CBS Mornings, where she once again attacked the Second Amendment and proclaimed that American citizens having "unfettered access to firearms" is not a good thing. CBS host Gayle King mourned recent shootings across the U.S. before asking Obama if there was anything that could be done to "reconcile gun violence in this country." Obama responded that she hoped for more anti-gun laws to be passed. "I hope and pray that at some point, 'enough becomes enough.'" "We are the only developed country on the planet where its citizens can have unfettered access to firearms. That is not a good thing," she added. Obama wasn't on CBS just to talk about gun control; the Obamas never make any appearances or utter a syllable that is unconnected to pecuniary gains. She was there to promote her new media projects, such as a Netflix special based on her most recent book, The Light We Carry. Obama also encouraged young people in particular to go out and vote to change the country's gun laws (14-minute clip): "More of us have to feel strongly about it. In particular our young people. This is where democracy comes in. Voting all of this stuff is decided in the ballot box," she urged. Michelle then proceeded to do what she does best: lavish blandishments on her husband. Obama agreed with King that her husband had no actual scandals during his presidency. "I mean, you went eight years where there were really relatively no scandals to speak of, compared to what we're dealing with even now," King stated as Obama nodded in agreement. King asked if the couple felt "enormous pressure" as the first Black president and first lady in the White House. "Absolutely," Obama said, claiming that her husband's success or failure would impact the Black community. "So yes, Barack knew that he couldn't afford a scandal. I mean, he wore a tan suit and got criticized," she replied. Perhaps she forgot Operation Fast and Furious, the attack on the Benghazi embassy that killed Ambassador Chris Stevens and three others, the IRS targeting conservatives and political opponents, the targeting of candidate Donald Trump, and myriad other scandals when Obama was president. But Democrats and their P.R. agents such as Gayle King, who masquerade as journalists, never allow fact to interrupt their narrative. Michelle has also mastered the art of playing the victim while being wealthy and powerful. If questioned or challenged, she is quick to play the race card. But beyond using her race to escape scrutiny, she had very little use for people of her race. So let's return back to Michelle Obama's gun access statement. Michelle Obama probably forgot that her husband was in the White House for eight years and did nothing about it. That is the first reason why she should remain quiet on gun issues. Michelle Obama probably forgot that since the day her husband announced he was running for president, on February 10, 2007, the Obamas have received protection from armed bodyguards wherever they go and will continue receiving protection for the rest of their lives. If Michelle Obama thinks access to firearms is wrong, she could begin by abandoning all her security. But that will never, ever happen. This is the second reason why she should remain silent on gun issues. There have been myriad instances where guns actually saved lives. In Alabama, a man used his concealed handgun to stop a mass shooting in a McDonald's. In Kentucky, a man was able to use his gun to stop a gunman outside a Kroger ssupermarket. A Texan man fired several rounds from his AK-47 while fighting off five home invaders this year. A Floridian used his AR-15 to fire 30 rounds while fighting off seven intruders. This is the third reason why Michelle Obama should remain quiet about gun issues. A petite woman chased three burglars out of her Maryland home not by firing, but simply by loading a round into the chamber of her AR-15. The crooks ran for their lives when they heard the distinctive sound of a firearm being loaded. The woman from Maryland was probably not wealthy or politically connected like Michelle Obama such that she could afford armed personal bodyguards. For this woman, firearms are the only way she could defend herself and her family against burglars, thugs, and home invaders. In the absence of firearms, which are tools for self-defense, she would be at the mercy of the police, who will obviously take time to arrive on the scene, by which time serious damage could be done. The other scenario is that there may not be sufficient law enforcement officials available simply because Michelle Obama's party has been actively pushing for defunding the police in areas where regular citizens live. Guns are the only easy and affordable means for self-defense for regular people, especially those living in states that have a catastrophic record on law and order due to liberal judges and the government being lenient with hardcore criminals. Since Michelle Obama cannot be there to protect these regular citizens and certainly won't lend her personal bodyguards to protect regular citizens, she has no legitimacy whatsoever to talk about what rights regular people should have. This is the fourth reason why she must remain silent forever on gun issues. The truth is that "elitist" Democrats such as Michelle Obama not only look down upon, but have boundless disdain for regular people, especially those who live in red states, which they refer to as flyover country, who they know are gun owners. These sanctimonious Democrats assume that their lives are more valuable and more important than regular citizens', especially those who do not vote for them. When they demand gun control, they want it to apply to the hoi polloi, while they and their loved ones remain protected by armed bodyguards. They want to deny citizens the right to affordable means of self-defense just because some are abusing that right. In the end, self-defense, the preservation of one's being and that of one's loved ones, is a human right. A human right is an inherent right; it prevails by virtue of your existence, and it wasn't granted by the government or any political party. Since they didn't give it to you, they cannot take it away from you. That is the fifth reason that Michelle Obama should stop agitating against the Bill of Rights. Democrats such as Michelle Obama who love to lament access to firearms are being exceedingly insensitive and exceptionally uncaring about the lives of regular citizens who are in peril due to their misgovernance. Photo credit: YouTube screen grab. There is a reason for the saying that history repeats itself. This is simply because events are based on age-old human desires of certain kinds of people who want power over everyone else. And let's be blunt about it: this isn't the case with everyone. Most people have a live-and-let-live attitude, and they just want to have the ruling class leave them alone. The question is, how do we recognize this potential ruling class before they attain too much power and cannot be stopped? What are the warning signs along the way that indicate who cannot be trusted with the keys to the gun cabinet and the ability to silence and then punish those who would rise against them? Let's start with a little parable to see if anything is starting to look disturbingly familiar. One day, a minority party shows up with "new" ideas for a new system that has never been tried before (trust them on this one they have no reason to lie about this, no sir). These new ideas will "solve" inequality and every other social ill ever known to mankind, because it's a "new" system that has never been tried before. This isn't seen as a threat to the rest of society because people would rather just live their lives and just have the government leave them alone. They would rather go about their business instead of caring about politics, which is exactly in line with the desires of the minority party with the new ideas. They are perfectly happy being ignored as they infiltrate all the institutions of culture. The minority party (did we mention they have brand new ideas that have never been tried before?) want people to be controlled for the common good (Gemeinnutz geht vor Eigennutz in the original German). Thus, they feel they must get everyone else in line and work for these brand-spanking-new ideas that have never repeat: never been tried before. Unfortunately, because they have these brand new ideas and claim to be saving humanity, the planet, or some other distraction, they are able to ensconce themselves in power, controlling free speech, freedom of the press, and the right of self-defense. Thus, they are difficult to dislodge. But soon enough, resistance builds up to them because of the lies, authoritarian nature, and force needed to keep them in power. It also becomes manifestly evident that they are insane. Seeing this, good people rise and defeat the folks with the new ideas and vow never to let this happen ever again. But as time wears on, memories fade, and the same human desires of certain types of people to attain power over everyone else rear their ugly head once again. History is quietly rewritten to where up is down, red is blue, and left is right. This isn't seen as a threat to the rest of society because people would rather just live their lives and have the government leave them alone. Then a minority party shows up with "new ideas" for a new system that has never been tried before. Despite having learned the hard lessons of history, most people are taken in, and the process repeats. You can see what happened within the span of a few sentences. People should be able to see that this has taken place in the past, but for some reason, they are taken in by slick marketing. How many times have you heard of certain ideologies being "new" and having never been tried before as a blanket form of denial of their abject failure? The question is, what do we identify as the warning signs and dangerous traits of those who always show up to do the same thing all over again? The parable and current events give us some important clues. The first is that personalities of this type have a decided lack of moral clarity coupled with an overwhelming desire to control others. It follows that personalities of this type are perfectly willing to lie, cheat, and steal to get what they want: control. Since their malevolence has no bounds, they innately know that projection, or accusing their opponents of what they are doing, is a perfect way to confuse the situation and get most people to ignore the argument. They also know that supposedly having a new system of government and a faux noble cause is a great way to engender false plaudits from most people, as Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn once said: "To do evil, a human being must first of all believe that what he's doing is good." Supposedly saving the planet gives them the cachet to do whatever they want, all for the cause of fighting global cooling, warming, climate change, or whatever climate cause they conjure up. People of this personality type also see government in a different way from how normal people do. Most people see government as a necessary evil, like fire. Everything is fine if both are kept under control. It's when fire and government grow out of control that whole civilizations can be consumed. Unfortunately, power-hungry personalities don't see it this way. They see themselves as the "priests of power," as expressed by O'Brien in George Orwell's 1984. They can wield government as a weapon to "punish our enemies and reward our friends." It's not just giving them power that is dangerous; it's doubly so, because they exploit that power to suppress other people's freedom and set theirs in stone. They don't just lie; they lie to distort reality, to the point where you don't know which side is evil and which side is good. They pretend to be good to confuse the issue until it's too late. We need to quantify all these qualities to evaluate future leaders. Now that they've been manifested so many times, there is no excuse for humanity to fall for them ever again. 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. Image via Pixabay. Everybody knows that there is lots of chaos coming. In a few weeks, Title 42 expires, and the Biden administration does not have a clue. Maybe they are keeping their strategy rather quiet. This is from Todd Bensman: I predict big trouble is on the way to the southern border, from which I've just returned. In Juarez, thousands of immigrants are living in abandoned buildings, sleeping on the streets, and many hundreds more a day show up on freight trains. A human tidal wave is building all over Mexico and farther south. Biden administration officials claim they have a plan. Don't believe them. When Title 42 was in place, Trump and Biden, the latter to a far lesser degree, could quickly expel border jumpers back into Mexico or beyond and critically deny them access to the US asylum system. Cutting off access to this system was a serious deterrent; immigrants stayed home when Trump held Title 42 but came in historic droves when Biden opened a wide aperture of exemptions from it. Get ready for a very long caravan of people who have been waiting for their turn. At this point, I am not sure what can stop the flow of people. Mexico does not really want them and will be happy to get them off its hands. Mexico is still trying to figure out who is responsible for the fire that killed 38 people waiting to come north. In fact, many in Mexico feel that the U.S. has turned their country into "deputy gatekeeper and migrant antagonist." As I hear, Mexico can't wait to unlock the gate and send them wherever they want to go i.e., the U.S. Is it too late to reimplement "Remain in Mexico"? Yes, because the people are already on the border. The reason that "Remain" worked is that it discouraged people from walking to Mexico. Why? Because they would rather wait in their own country. For example, I have spoken to many Venezuelans who were living and working in Chile or Argentina. They came because they were told that the door was open. They would not have come if they knew that waiting in Juarez was part of the deal. Once again, the Biden administration will blame Trump, but this is on them. They did it, just like how they've done so many other awful things. PS: Check out my blog for posts, podcasts, and videos. Image: Library of Congress. The opening of a time capsule is supposed to be an exciting and nostalgic event that gives future generations a chance to peek into the past. But not all openings live up to the hype. In 1957, the city of Tulsa, in Oklahoma, USA, was gearing up for the states 50th anniversary with a week-long festival named Tulsarama. To make things more interesting, the committee decided to bury a time capsule filled with various paraphernalia to educate future citizens how life was like in the 1950s. However, this time capsule wasnt going to be an ordinary cache of contemporary items. It was to include an entire car. Miss Belvedere getting buried in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The car that was chosen was a brand-new desert gold and sand dune white two-tone 1957 Plymouth Belvedere sport coupe with only 4 miles on its odometer. When asked why the Plymouth Belvedere was chosen, event chairman Lewis Roberts Sr. replied that the car was an advanced product of American industrial ingenuity with the kind of lasting appeal that will still be in style 50 years from now. As part of the festivities, a contest was organized where citizens were invited to guess what the population of Tulsa would be in the year 2007, the year the time capsule would be opened. The person, or its descendent, whose guess came closest to the actual number would eventually win the car. In addition, a saving account was opened with a deposit of $100, which would also be awarded to the winner. The Plymouth Division of Chrysler and a group of Plymouth car dealers from the Tulsa area donated the car. The cars boot and glove box was filled with various items that included a womans purse, several photographs, a case of Schlitz beer, and a five-gallon container of gasoline and a case of motor oil, to help start the car in case fossil fuels became obsolete in the future. In the front lawn of the county courthouse, a large hole was dug up and a 12 feet by 20 feet underground vault was constructed out of concrete. The vault was advertised as being strong enough to withstand a nuclear attack. Into this vault was lowered the Plymouth Belvedere. The car was then covered with a wax-like corrosion-proof substance and then wrapped in layers of sealed plastic. Finally, a huge one-piece concrete lid was placed on top of the structure and the vault was sealed shut. Over this, three feet of dirt was poured and a bronze marker donated by a local cemetery was placed on the spot. As the years rolled by, some began to question the integrity of the vault and whether it would be capable of keeping away moisture from the surrounding soil. Buck Rudd, the deputy chief of building operations for the county court house, was concerned that vibrations from vehicular traffic from a nearby road could have caused the concrete to crack, allowing water to seep in. After all, the courthouse lawn was diligently watered every day and in 1973 there was a major spillage from a nearby construction accident. When asked what type of maintenance was done on the time capsule, Rudd replied, We just cut the grass on top of it. In the months leading up to the highly anticipated unearthing, there was much speculation on the condition the car might be in. Forrest Brokaw, a former news director for Tulsa Channel 2, was confident that Miss Belvedereas the media began to call the carwould be in a pretty good shape. He declared that whoever gets the car is going to have a pristine automobile, 50 years old, highly classic and worth a lot more than the $2000 that cars were worth then. Brokaw had spoken too soon. When the moment of truth arrived and the lid was lifted, workers were appalled to find the car standing in four feet of muddy water. There were also indication that the vault was filled almost to the brim at some point during the past fifty years. Needless to say, the car was terribly damaged. It was streaked with mud and grime, and its windows rimmed with corrosion. Every square inch of the exterior as well as the interior was covered with rust, and all moving parts were jammed in place. In the trunk, only those items that were sealed in a steel container emerged unscathed. The contents of the womans handbag, that was in the glovebox, which included 14 bobby pins, lipstick and a bottle of tranquilizers, appeared to have fused together into a lump of rotten leather. Despite the terrible state the car was in, thousands came to see its unveiling at the Tulsa Convention Center. I just don't get it, said Sharon King Davis, the organizing committee co-chairman, expressing bewilderment at the fascination for the rusted vehicle. Maybe it has something to do with the fact it came from an era when cars had personality. The Plymouth Belvedere at the Tulsa Convention Center in 2007 after its unearthing. Fortunately, the spool of microfilm, where the entries of the contest was recorded, survived and it was determined that the winner was Raymond Humbertson who, in 1957, made the closest guess of Tulsa's population half a century later. He figured that in 2007, there would be 382,457 people living in the city. The actual figure was 384,743. Because Raymond Humbertson had died in 1979 and his wife in 1988, and the couple did not have any children, the car and the savings account, whose value had grown to about $700, were awarded to Humbertson's surviving sisters and nephew. The new owners transferred the car over to Dwight Foster, who owned a rust removable and restoration firm. For more than two years, Foster worked on the vehicle spending $15,000 of his own money, until most of the rust was gone. At this point, Foster halted further restoration effort knowing the futility of the project. There was no possibility the car would ever run. Fosters goal was only to stabilize it and make it presentable from the outside. The Belvedere stayed with Foster for nearly ten years before it was acquired by the Historic Auto Attractions Museum in Roscoe, Illinois, where you can still the partially restored car. The Plymouth Belvedere after restoration. Photo: Dwight Foster References: # The Buried Belvedere, Plymouth 1946-1959 # Miss Belvedere, you have a winner: But Raymond Humbertson died in 1979, Tulsa World # Belvedere brouhaha, Tulsa World # Rusty 1957 Plymouth Unearthed in Okla, Washington Post # Salvaging a Famous Rust Bucket, New York Times # A 50-Year-Old Time Capsule Sees Daylight, but Will It Start?, New York Times # Miss Belvedere: The World's Most Disappointing Time Capsule?, Mental Floss This Jan. 31 photo shows the exterior of the defense ministry. Yonhap A Korean military aircraft departed Friday to evacuate its nationals in war-torn Sudan, the defense ministry said, as the fighting between rival forces in the African nation intensified. The C-130J transport plane, carrying some 50 personnel, including security and medical staff, left for Djibouti at 4:53 p.m., as the airport in the Sudanese capital of Khartoum is currently closed. As of Tuesday, the total number of South Koreans in Sudan stood at 25. "While our transport aircraft and troops plan to be on standby in a U.S. military base in Djibouti and watch the situation, they will prioritize supporting the evacuation," the ministry said in a statement. Earlier in the day, President Yoon Suk Yeol ordered swift measures to protect South Koreans in the country, including the dispatch of military aircraft. Seoul's foreign ministry also said it has decided to raise the travel alert for Sudan to Level 4, the highest in the government's four-tier travel advisory system. Clashes between Sudan's military and a rival paramiltiary force erupted last Saturday, resulting in nearly 200 deaths, according to media reports. (Yonhap) Acer held its recent device summit today and at the showcase it revealed its collection of new gaming hardware for 2023, which includes four new gaming laptops powered by NVIDIA 40-series GPUs. Ranging from the 4050 all the way up to the 4090. There seems to be something for everyone here with configurations and components ranging from mid-grade all the way up to the high-end. The new laptops are part of the Predator Triton and Predator Helios series, and include the Triton 17 X, Helios Neo 16, Triton 14, and Helios 3D 15. Giving consumers a set of options that spans a decent range of sizes depending on what they need or want. Acer is also beefing up the laptops with new CPUs from Intels 13th generation chipsets. The Predator Triton 17 X for instance comes with an Intel Core i9-13900HX CPU and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 GPU. All four laptops also come with mini-LED displays. Though resolution options will vary based on the laptop model. Additionally, there will be options for storage up to 4TB and RAM up to 64GB on the Triton 17 X, and up to 2TB of storage and 32GB of RAM on the other models. Advertisement Acer GeForce RTX 40-series gaming laptops will launch from May Acer plans to launch its new 40-series gaming laptops starting in May. At that time, only the Triton 17 X, Helios Neo 16, and Triton 14 will be available for purchase. With prices starting at $3,799, $1,199, and $1,499 respectively. Then in June the company plans to launch the Helios 3D 15 starting at $3,499. The prices for the Triton 17 X and the Helios 3D 15 are certainly steep. But thats not too surprising given the features and tech used to build both laptops. You can find out more about each of the four new laptops, including additional specs and features in Acers official blog post. Most people in the tech world know to keep their apps updated, but a ton of users dont. Most smartphone users leave their apps unmaintained. This is something that Google wants to help, as the company is going to roll out a useful update. If your app keeps crashing, the Play Store will tell you to update the app, according to a new blog post (via Android Police). Keeping your apps updated is important for several reasons. For starters, it ensures that the app is at its best performance and contains the latest features. App developers will add stability improvements and bug fixes to the app along with other goodies. There could also be other important additions, so its best to keep them updated. If you want to check your available app updates, go to the Google Play Store and tap on your profile picture. In the resulting popup, tap on the Manage apps & device section. There, youll see a section that shows all of your updates. Tap on the Update all option to automatically update those apps. The Play Store will tell you to update your app if it keeps crashing Its annoying when an app keeps crashing while youre trying to play it. This is why Google is bringing a new addition to the Play Store. When youre using an app thats constantly crashing, youll get a popup pushing you to update the app to the latest version. Itll only do this if theres an update available. Advertisement Its important to note that this is a Play Store update and not an Android update. This means that you wont need to be on the latest version of the OS to use it. In fact, youll get this popup if youre running versions as old as Android 7. Sometimes, an update will come out for an app that you dont want to install, or you might not have the storage available to do so. In that case, getting constant popups could get annoying. Fortunately, Google will take into account how many times the popup appears for the same app if you dont update it. Sometimes, we just need a little reminder to keep our apps updated, and it seems that Google wants to help in that regard. This addition could also help the developers in several ways. The April 2023 Android security patch is available for Samsungs Galaxy S20 series in the US. The company recently released the latest security update for the factory-unlocked units of the 2020 flagship trio. It should soon cover the carrier-locked variants as well. The April SMR (Security Maintenance Release) was released for the Galaxy S20, Galaxy S20+, and Galaxy S20 Ultra in international markets a couple of weeks back. The latest update for the unlocked variants of the Galaxy S20 series in the US comes with the firmware build number G98*U1UES4HWCB. Samsungs official changelog doesnt mention anything apart from this months security enhancements. The company recently announced that it will push Image Clipper to its 2020 flagships with a new update. It appears Galaxy S20 users will have to wait for the May update for this new feature. Introduced with the Galaxy S23 series earlier this year, Image Clipper is a Samsung Gallery feature that lets you instantly crop out subjects from images. While viewing a photo, you can press and hold on to a subject to crop it out. The cropped image can be saved separately or shared on social media directly from the gallery. Samsung has already pushed this feature to the Galaxy S22 series and its latest foldables. The Galaxy S21, Galaxy S20, Galaxy Note 20, and older foldable models will get it with upcoming updates. Galaxy S20 series gets April update with over 70 security fixes in the US As far as the content of the April SMR is concerned, Samsung is pushing more than 70 vulnerability patches here. Around 20 of those are Galaxy-specific patches while the remaining 50 are Android OS patches. At least five vulnerabilities patched this month were critical ones. Google says some of those allowed remote code execution. Threat actors could exploit those vulnerabilities to remotely gain access to affected devices without anyones notice. The vast majority of other patches were labeled high-severity by Google and Samsung. Advertisement If youre using an unlocked Galaxy S20, Galaxy S20+, or Galaxy S20 Ultra in the US, these security fixes should soon reach you. The update is widely available on most networks. Galaxy S20 users with a carrier-locked unit can also look forward to receiving the April SMR within the next few days. As usual, Samsung lets you manually check for updates on your Galaxy smartphone. Open the Settings app, go to the Software update menu, and tap on Download and install. We will let you know when Samsung pushes Image Clipper to the Galaxy S20 series. After laying off over 11,000 employees last year due to challenging economic conditions, Meta has reportedly commenced another round of layoffs this week. These new job cuts will be part of a broader restructuring effort aimed at cutting costs and will affect around 4,000 employees in technical roles, including user experience, software engineering, and graphics programming. However, according to the LinkedIn posts by employees, Meta has laid off many gameplay programmers from the Reality Labs unit, which focuses on augmented and virtual reality experiences. This indicates that the company is scaling down its investments in the platform, which has been struggling to gain traction and attract users. I woke up this morning to the unfortunate news that I was one of the many laid-off from Meta today, a Facebook business program manager wrote on LinkedIn. Lori Goler, Metas head of people, acknowledged that saying goodbye to friends and colleagues who have contributed so much to Meta is difficult. And to help employees process the news, the company has asked North American employees, whose jobs allow it, to work from home on Wednesday. Advertisement More layoffs in the coming months While the current layoffs focused on product-facing teams, reports suggest Meta plans to cut business-facing roles, such as finance, legal, and HR, beginning in May. Moreover, tech teams who werent impacted by the current round of layoffs might also be included in the next round. This drastic downsizing of the company is part of Zuckerbergs Year of Efficiency plan, which came into effect last year. And although Wall Street has welcomed this downsizing, with Metas shares up 81% this year, the company is still backing its bet on the metaverse, which is yet to gain user interest. Just last quarter, Metas Reality Labs unit recorded a $4.28 billion operating loss, thus bringing its total losses for 2022 to $13.72 billion. Its no secret that the US governments ban on conducting business with Huawei prompted many companies to cancel their deals and withdraw their operations. However, Seagate has recently found itself in trouble with the US Department of Commerce for allegedly selling over 7 million hard drives to Huawei, thus violating the US sanctions. As a result, the department has ordered Seagate to pay a fine of $300 million. According to the Commerce Department, Seagate continued selling hard drives to Huawei between August 2020 and September 2021, despite Western Digital and Toshiba, its primary competitors, stopping their dealings with Huawei in response to the foreign direct product rule. Moreover, the company further violated regulations by signing a three-year strategic agreement with Huawei, becoming its sole source of hard drives. Todays action is the consequence: the largest standalone administrative resolution in our agencys history, said Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement Matthew S. Axelrod. In addition to the $300 million fine, which Seagate will pay in $15 million increments over five years, the company will also undergo three audits of its compliance program and have its export privileges suspended for five years. Advertisement Seagates response In a statement, Seagate CEO Dave Mosley acknowledged the settlement and stated that they settled because they felt it was the best course of action, despite believing they had complied with all relevant export control laws at the time of the sales. We believe entering this agreement with BIS and resolving this matter is in the best interest of Seagate, our customers and our shareholders, said CEO Dave Mosley. This penalty serves as a reminder of complying with export control laws and regulations, especially when dealing with the US and China and their respective trade blacklist companies. Organizations must ensure they are aware of and adhere to all relevant export control laws to avoid hefty fines or potential export bans. The Netflix ad-supported plan became available to the public sometime last year, and it is now getting better. This subscription tier makes the streaming platform more affordable for users around the world. So, instead of asking friends for their password to stream a movie everyone can own an active Netflix account. Previously, this plan only offered users the opportunity to stream movies in 720p resolution. If you stream a lot of movies and shows, you will agree that this is a poor resolution for user experience. Since Netflix offers up to 4K Ultra-HD video streaming for its users, those on the ad-supported plan are at the bottom of the streaming chain. But all of that is coming to an end as Netflix is currently stepping up the experience for users on the ad-supported plan. This is coming in light of the performance of this subscription tier that became available in 2022. Users can now stream with higher resolutions other than 720p which was the only available option. Those subscribed to the Netflix ad-supported plan can now stream at 1080p With the launch of the Netflix ad-supported plan, the streaming platform kept things down to 720p resolution. This was in addition to the fact that streamers subscribed to this plan will get constant ads while streaming. Bringing these two factors together might have been a dealbreaker for many Netflix users. Advertisement Regardless, this didnt stop many from subscribing to the new ad-supported plan. Based on the performance of this new subscription tier, Netflix is proud to announce that they are 1080p resolution streaming to this plan. This announcement was in the firms Q1 2023 letter to its investors and shareholders. From this report, it is clear that Netflix kicked off business this year on a good foot. Currently, the Netflix ad-supported plan is available in a total of 12 markets around the world. Whilst it might still expand access to other regions, the performance of this plan in its markets is better than the standard plan. This means that more people in the markets where the Netflix ad-supported plan is available prefer it to the standard plan. A major factor that contributes to this is the fact that this ad-supported plan is more affordable. Now, subscribers to the ad-supported plan in these markets will be able to stream movies and series at 1080p resolution. Users will agree that this is a step in the right direction as the movie streaming industry gets more competitive. This improvement on Netflixs part will help them retain customers and attract others from other streaming platforms as well. So now streamers using the ad-supported tier will only have to worry about seeing ads while they stream and not the picture resolution. Baren zu toten, ist nicht die Antwort 25. April 2023 Jill Robinson MBE, Grunderin und CEO, Animals Asia Die entsetzliche Tragodie, die Andrea Papi in Italien das Leben gekostet hat, als er Anfang dieses Monats auf einem Pfad in der Nahe seines Dorfes entlanglief und von einem Baren zerfleischt wurde, enthullt die Tatsache, dass unsere unaufhaltsame Urbanisation und die Storungen des naturlichen Lebensraums freilebender Arten durch Erholungsaktivitaten das Leben von Menschen wie von Tieren gleichermaen immer mehr in Gefahr bringen. Andreas eigene Mutter wird zitiert, sie sagt, man wolle nicht, dass die Barin, bekannt als JJ4, getotet wurde, aber man wolle Gerechtigkeit fur ihren Sohn. Insbesondere da die ortliche menschliche Bevolkerung in der Region nicht vorgewarnt worden sei, um achtgeben zu konnen, nachdem Berichte auftauchten, dass es dort in der Vergangenheit Angriffe von Baren gegeben habe. Die Veterinarmedizinische Vereinigung von Trient halt den Tod der Barin ebenfalls nicht fur ein angemessenes Resultat und lehnte es ab, die Barenmutter einzuschlafern. Eine kleine Anzahl von Braunbaren wurde 1999 im Wald von Trient freigelassen, ein Auswilderungsprojekt, das sich bald als erfolgreich erwies und dazu fuhrte, dass in dem Gebiet heute etwa 100 Baren leben. Ein Fehler des Programms bestand aber vielleicht darin, dass es an Voraussicht seitens der Behorden mangelte und Informationsprogramme fur die Offentlichkeit vernachlassigt wurden, die die Anwohner daruber hatten aufklaren konnen, wie sie mit groen Fleischfressern koexistieren und in den Lebensraumen der Wildnis auf ihre Sicherheit achten konnen, auerdem fehlte es an Losungsmoglichkeiten fur Konflikte zwischen Mensch und Bar, wenn etwa Tiere den von Menschen bewohnten Gebieten zu nahe kommen. Die Totung der Barenmutter nach so einem Angriff geht ganz sicherlich an der Realitat vorbei, dass Wildtiere ihren eigenen Raum brauchen, in dem sie leben konnen, dass wir ihnen diesen Raum zugestehen mussen, wenn wir sie vor dem Aussterben bewahren wollen, und dass wir den Raum in einer Weise respektieren sollten, die das Uberleben der Tiere wie auch unser eigenes gewahrleistet. *Die Bilder zeigen gerettete Baren im Vietnam Bear Rescue Center von Animals Asia Ruling People Power Party floor leader Yoon Jae-ok /Yonhap Ruling People Power Party (PPP) Secretary General Lee Chul-gyu criticized China on Friday for acting in a "very rude" manner after Beijing's foreign ministry branded President Yoon Suk Yeol's comments on Taiwan as verbal meddling. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said the previous day that Beijing would "not allow others to meddle by word," in reference to Yoon's media interview this week where he expressed opposition to any change in the status quo of the Taiwan Strait by force. Wang called on Seoul to adhere to the "One China" policy, saying the Taiwan issue is solely a matter of China's own affairs. Rep. Lee defended Yoon's comments as in line with "common sense" and "universal" values. (ANSA) - ROME, APR 21 - Italy's Antitrust authority said Friday that it has ordered social-media giant Meta to resume negations with Italian copyright-collecting agency SIAE over music publishing rights. The authority also said that Meta must put back SIAE-protected music content on Facebook and Instagram, after getting the all-clear from the agency. The Antitrust said earlier this month that it had opened a probe into Meta following the recent breakdown in negotiations with SIAE to renew a contract on music rights and the subsequent removal from Meta's platforms of content protected by the agency, including on Instagram, which is highly popular with young people. The authority said it is looking into whether Meta abused the SIAE's economic dependence on its contract with it, taking advantage of the imbalance in bargaining positions to try to get the agency to accept an inadequate offer for the rights, and failing to provide the necessary information for the offer to be properly assessed. In Friday's statement, the Antitrust said Meta must "maintain conduct inspired by the canons of good faith and correctness" in the negotiations. It also said the social-media giant must provide all the necessary information needed for the negotiations. The SIAE has said that it is important that Meta gives "full disclosure of the data about its revenues" to make it possible to "calculate the correct royalties". The probe regards Meta Platform, Meta Platforms Ireland, Meta Platforms Technologies UK Limited and Facebook Italy. (ANSA). Charges of involuntary manslaughter against Alec Baldwin over the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins have been formally dismissed by New Mexico prosecutors. Prosecutors said they were currently unable to proceed with the case, but the decision to dismiss the charges did not absolve Mr Baldwin of criminal culpability. The Hollywood actor had faced two counts of involuntary manslaughter over the shooting on the New Mexico set of the movie Rust in October 2021. The incident occurred after a prop gun held by Baldwin went off, killing Ms Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza. The actor previously pleaded not guilty to both charges of involuntary manslaughter. On Thursday, newly appointed special prosecutors Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis confirmed they were dismissing both charges. Over the last few days and in preparation for the May 3 2023 preliminary hearing, new facts were revealed that demand further investigation and forensic analysis in the case against Alexander Alec Rae Baldwin III, a statement shared with the PA news agency read. Consequently, we cannot proceed under the current time constraints and on the facts and evidence turned over by law enforcement in its existing form. We therefore will be dismissing the involuntary manslaughter charges against Mr Baldwin to conduct further investigation. This decision does not absolve Mr Baldwin of criminal culpability and charges may be refiled. Our follow-up investigation will remain active and on-going. The statement said similar charges against Rusts armourer Hannah Gutierrez Reed remained unchanged. Earlier, following the announcement by his own legal team that the case had been dismissed, Baldwin seemed to pay tribute to his wife and lawyer. The Hollywood actor posted a photo of himself and his wife Hilaria Baldwin online. I owe everything I have to this woman (and to you, Luke), he captioned the photo. The Hollywood actor has been defended by lawyers Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro throughout proceedings. In a statement shared with PA, Mr Nikas and Mr Spiro said they were pleased with the decision and encouraged a proper investigation. We are pleased with the decision to dismiss the case against Alec Baldwin and we encourage a proper investigation into the facts and circumstances of this tragic accident, the statement read. The announcement comes less than two weeks before a preliminary hearing in the case in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where it was to be determined whether there was enough evidence to take it to trial. Santa Fe district attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies and special prosecutor Andrea Reeb had previously stepped down from the case. A photograph of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins (Andres Leighton/AP) Their decisions came after much back and forth between the two sides, with Baldwins lawyers arguing Ms Reebs involvement was unconstitutional due to her elected position in the New Mexico House of Representatives. In turn the district attorneys office had accused Baldwin of using his fancy attorneys to distract from the gross negligence in the case. The actor was formally charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter by the DA in February, alongside Gutierrez Reed. The first charge required proof of underlying negligence and included the misdemeanour charge of negligent use of a firearm. The second charge included a firearm enhancement, which would have made the crime punishable by a mandatory five years in jail. Alec Baldwin speaks to officers (Santa Fe County Sheriff/PA) The enhancement was later dropped after Baldwins lawyers argued it was unlawful and said prosecutors had committed an unconstitutional and elementary legal error. In the statement of probable cause, filed alongside the charges, the DA accused Baldwin of showing wilful disregard for the safety of others in the days leading up to the shooting. His reckless deviation from known standards and practice and protocol directly caused Ms Hutchins death, the DA had alleged. Baldwin also faces a separate civil lawsuit, filed on February 9 by the family of Ms Hutchins. The family is suing the actor and the Rust movie production company for alleged battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, and loss of consortium. Loss of consortium is a claim which seeks to recover compensation for damage to certain relationships that are mutually dependent. Thursdays development coincided with the resumption of production on the movie in the US state of Montana. Legal representatives for Rust Movie Productions stressed all use of working weapons or ammunition is, and always has been, prohibited on set. The crisis facing the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has deepened further after a second woman alleged she was raped while working at the business group. The Guardian reported on Friday that the woman claimed she was raped by two male colleagues. The woman claimed the alleged rape took place while she was unconscious following a night-out while working at a CBI office abroad. She said she had no recollection of the rape itself but had described in detail the physical signs that led her to believe she was raped, and was later presented in the office with an explicit photograph. It is the second claim from a woman that she was a victim of rape at the organisation. Previously, a member of staff alleged that she was attacked by a manager on a summer boat party in 2019. Details of the new rape allegation have been passed on to police. City of London Police was already investigating the previous rape allegation, alongside a series of other misconduct allegations from around a dozen workers. Separately, The Guardian also reported on Friday that a woman based at the organisations London office claimed she was stalked by a male colleague in 2018. In response, CBI president Brian McBride said: The latest allegations put to us by The Guardian are abhorrent and our hearts go out to any women who have been victims of the behaviour described. While the CBI was not previously aware of the most serious allegations, it is vital that they are thoroughly investigated now and we are liaising closely with the police to help ensure any perpetrators are brought to justice. We recognise the substance of the harassment report outlined as relating to an allegation made and investigated in January 2018. The finding of harassment was upheld and a sanction was imposed. However, the CBI does not recognise many of the most serious elements of The Guardian story relating to harassment, including the assertion that the individual had told the CBI of feelings of a sexual and violent nature towards the victim; and that he had followed her home. The CBI added it is expecting a further report from the law firm conducting an internal investigation later on Friday and will announce steps to bring about the wider change that is needed early next week. On Thursday, the CBI confirmed it passed fresh information to the police regarding a report of a serious criminal offence. It said it was liaising closely with the authorities and has urged anyone with further information to come forward. Separately, former CBI director-general Tony Danker was sacked last week after being accused of making unwanted contact with a woman who works for the organisation. On Wednesday, he said his reputation has been totally destroyed by the allegation and claimed he has been made a fall guy for a wider crisis. Mr Danker told the BBC his name had been wrongly associated with separate claims, including the rapes which allegedly happened before he joined the CBI. After initial allegations, the business group also suspended three other employees and hired a law firm, Fox Williams, to carry out an internal investigation. The King and the Queen Consort will unveil the staging for the Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool next week. Charles and Camilla will be shown around the M&S Bank Arena and meet creative teams and celebrity presenters, ahead of the contest next month. The grand final of the competition is due to take place on May 13, a week after the coronation ceremony. #Eurovision2023 Grand Final reveal! We can't wait to welcome Kalush Orchestra, Sam Ryder and Eurovision icons, including GO_A and Verka Serduchka, to Liverpool for their Grand Final performances Read all about it here: https://t.co/z1VKT5awxZ pic.twitter.com/MTtszypyNT BBC Eurovision (@bbceurovision) April 17, 2023 Eurovision 2023 will take place in Liverpool after the UK was chosen to host the competition on behalf of war-torn Ukraine. It will be the first time the competition has been held in the UK for 25 years. On Wednesday, Charles and Camilla will be met at the arena by BBC director general Tim Davie, BBC director of content Charlotte Moore and managing director for BBC Eurovision 2023 Martin Green. They will be given a tour backstage to meet production staff before revealing the competition staging for the first time. The couple will also be introduced to Eurovision hosts Julia Sanina, Hannah Waddingham, Scott Mills and Rylan Clark, before meeting with this years UK entrant, Mae Muller. Eurovision hosts Hannah Waddingham (centre) and Julia Sanina (right), with Alesha Dixon at the Eurovision media launch (James Stack/PA) Charles and Camillas visit is one of several royal engagements in Liverpool, recognising the cultural partnership of the UK and Ukraine and celebrating Eurovision. They will also visit Liverpool Central Library to officially mark its twinning with Ukraines first public library, the Regional Scientific Library in Odesa. They will meet key partners involved in a two-week cultural festival running alongside the contest, and Eurolearn, a Eurovision-inspired education programme for primary and secondary pupils. A recital of Poem For Eurovision by poet Levi Tafari, written with the help of secondary pupils from several of Liverpools Schools of Sanctuary, will take place on their arrival. Charles will later reveal a plaque to mark the twinning of the libraries, during a live link with the site in Odesa, and the visit will end with a performance by English National Opera. A Scottish musician will stand next to an 8ft ice sculpture until it melts in a slow protest highlighting the impact of climate change. Erland Cooper will remain beside the sculpture at the Barbicans Sculpture Court in London on April 27 until it thaws. He will interact with members of the public from dawn until dusk and a tape recorder will play ambient sound at low volume until its batteries run out. Cooper described the installation as a visual call to arms against climate change, and it comes ahead of the release of his new album Folded Landscapes on May 5. During the day, Cooper will invite writers, poets, artists and the public to come to the site and their texts and reactions will be posted live on his social media pages as the sculpture disappears. Erland Cooper with the ice sculpture he will watch melt (Erland Cooper/PA) The composer said: I hope in this new work, a listener will be rewarded for their patience from a cold, glacial ascent by a slowly thawing, burning hope. I hope its more a feeling of inward reflection, How can I waste less, and value more? What tiny thing can I do?. I often write with the natural world as my collaborator, whether with the soil or the elements themselves, birdsong or simply a sense of place in mind. The earth being credited as a co-writer, and further still as a producer of a new work, seems an entirely befitting courtesy to me. There is of course a poetic narrative here but it is coupled with an obligation, a sense of responsibility and ultimately an opportunity, to celebrate and cherish nature. A composition by Cooper was selected last year to be part of the celebrations for the Queens Platinum Jubilee. His soundtrack Music For Growing Flowers accompanied millions of flowers which were planted in the Tower of Londons moat. His music is inspired by his native Orkney and celebrates themes of the natural world, place, people and time. Last autumn, a couple found a copy of his forthcoming album which he had hidden in Orkney in spring 2021. He deleted all digital files and left only a treasure hunt of clues for fans and his record label alike to find the buried copy. A pay offer to council workers has been emphatically rejected by members of one union, with 94% of respondents to a ballot voting against it. The GMB, which said more than 20,000 of its members voted in the ballot, claimed the offer from local authority body Cosla amounts to a 5.5% pay increase. According to Cosla, those on the lowest wages would see an increase of up to 9.1%, and those earning more than 38,585 would get just over 6%. Keir Greenaway, the Scotland organiser for the union, said it was absolutely no surprise the offer was rejected, claiming it was clearly not good enough. GMB Scotland members overwhelmingly reject councils pay offer Thousands of GMB Scotland members working for the countrys local authorities have overwhelmingly rejected a pay offer. https://t.co/sYqK1lzVUH pic.twitter.com/YbGwY8pi1J GMB Scotland (@GMBScotOrg) April 21, 2023 He added: This offer would short-change Scots council workers by hundreds of pounds compared to colleagues in England and Wales. Given the strength of feeling and determination to secure a pay offer that reflects the rising cost of living, it is now imperative that Cosla and Scottish Government work together with urgency and commitment to fund a fair and acceptable offer. If, for whatever reason, that does not happen and happen quickly, we will waste no time in escalating this dispute to ensure serious negotiations can begin. The vote came after the GMB urged its members including bin collectors, school cleaners and home carers to reject the deal. It is understood results of ballots on the offer are expected from the Unite and Unison trade unions next week. Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, left, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida holds talks in Tokyo, March 16. Yonhap Korea and Japan will hold another face-to-face meeting in Tokyo next week to discuss their policy measures on exports of strategic and other items, as they were to put each other back on their respective list of trusted trade partners, Seoul's industry ministry said Friday. A fresh consultation session under the 10th Export Control Policy Dialogue will be held in Tokyo on April 24 and 25, which came after their three-day talks held in Seoul from Tuesday and two rounds of virtual meetings last week, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. Director-level officials from the two sides will attend the upcoming talks again, it added. "During this week's meeting, we explained details about our policy measures on strategic items, including their designation, trade permits and related regulations, as well as our catch-all system," the ministry said in a release. The catch-all scheme calls on exporters to obtain a situational permit for items believed to be put to military use, though they are not listed as strategic items that require tough screening for trading on concerns that they could be diverted for military purposes. A series of meetings came as the two neighbors have vowed to put each other on their "white list" of nations given preferential trade treatment as part of efforts to improve their relations long marred by historic and diplomatic rows stemming from Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula. In 2019, Japan imposed curbs on exports to Seoul of three materials fluoridated polyimide, photoresist and hydrogen fluoride that are critical for the production of semiconductors and displays in an apparent retaliation against the Korean Supreme Court rulings in 2018 that ordered Japanese companies to pay compensation to wartime forced labor victims. Japan also removed Korea from its trade white list that year, and the Seoul government took the same step in a tit-for-tat move. Tokyo, however, lifted its export restrictions against Seoul last month after Korea announced plans to compensate the forced labor victims without asking Japan for contributions despite strong opposition by the opposition party and victims. Earlier this month, the Seoul government began domestic procedures to reinstate Japan to its white list, and it is expected to wrap up the process by the end of April, according to ministry officials. Japan has yet to present an exact time frame regarding the potential reinstatement. (Yonhap) The UK has sanctioned five people including two Russian spies following the imprisonment of a British-Russian dissident for 25 years in Moscow. Vladimir Kara-Murza was jailed on Monday after being convicted of treason and spreading false information about the Russian army in a process he described as a show trial. The Kremlin critic, a close ally of murdered opposition figure Boris Nemtsov, has already survived two poisonings that left him in a coma in 2015 and 2017. The Foreign Office has now placed sanctions on three individuals involved in his arrest and two members of the FSB, the successor to the KGB, who followed Mr Kara-Murza prior to his poisonings. Vladimir Kara-Murza stands in the dock in Moscow as he is sentenced to 25 years in prison (The Moscow City Court via AP) Those sanctioned for their involvement in Mr Kara-Murzas arrest have been named as Elena Lenskaya, the judge who approved the arrest, and investigators Denis Kolesnikov and Andrei Zadachin. FSB agents Alexander Samofal and Konstantin Kudryavtsev have also been sanctioned, with the Foreign Office saying they were part of an operational team that followed Mr Kara-Murza on multiple trips before he was poisoned. The five people will now be subject to travel bans and asset freezes. Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said: Russias treatment and conviction of Vladimir Kara-Murza once again demonstrates its utter contempt for basic human rights. Today five individuals connected to his case have been sanctioned, sending a clear message that the UK will not stand for this treatment of one of its citizens. The UK will continue to support Mr Kara-Murza and his family. I call on Russia to release him immediately and unconditionally. The judge who presided over Mr Kara-Murzas trial and the head of the detention centre where he is being held have already been sanctioned in connection with another case. Following his imprisonment on Monday, Mr Cleverly praised Mr Kara-Murza, who holds a British passport, for bravely speaking out against Russias invasion of Ukraine and summoned the Russian ambassador to explain his countrys actions. The dissidents wife, Evgenia Kara-Murza, had called for the UK to sanction those involved in his prosecution, saying she was baffled that sanctions had not come sooner. Mrs Kara-Murza said: I fully support this much welcome even though slightly delayed measure by the FCDO. It only saddens me that it took a year of unlawful detention, a horrific sentence of 25 years in strict regime and a very concerning deterioration of my husbands health for the British Government to move to a somewhat stronger response. But they have only imposed sanctions on five out of over 30 people implicated in the illegal persecution and prosecution of a British citizen and a fierce human rights defender. Bill Browder, a friend of Mr Kara-Murza and head of the Global Magnitsky Justice Campaign, also welcomed the sanctions but said the decision falls far short. He said: Vladimir is a British citizen and his health has critically deteriorated in prison. His life is significantly at risk as he begins his 25-year sentence in a Russian penal colony. The government has sanctioned only five individuals involved in his political persecution and there are more than 30 involved in this brazen breach of human rights in Russia. Furthermore, it is completely inexplicable why it has taken this long for James Cleverly to act while the US and Canada imposed sanctions months ago. The Foreign Secretary and the British Government should be doing everything in its power to free Vladimir for jail. Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has cut short a Pacific tour due to the deteriorating situation in Sudan. The British High Commission in Wellington said Mr Cleverly had made a series of calls from its offices. He left from New Zealand a day before he was due to meet with his counterpart Nanaia Mahuta, having skipped a planned visit to Samoa to fly in directly from the Solomon Islands. Its with real regret that due to the ongoing situation in Sudan Ive had to cut the visit short, Mr Cleverly said in a statement. Ive learned a lot about the region, its opportunities and challenges. The UK and France are united in condemnation of the violence in Sudan. Alongside our international partners, we call for a lasting ceasefire. Productive call with @MinColonna on our mutual concern for French and British citizens in Sudan. James Cleverly (@JamesCleverly) April 20, 2023 Ive spoken to Foreign Minister Mahuta and told her how disappointed I am to have had to leave early and weve agreed well reschedule as soon as we can. Im very much looking forward to coming back soon. Sudans military ruled out negotiations with a rival paramilitary force on Thursday, saying it would only accept its surrender as the two sides continued to battle in central Khartoum and other parts of the country. The High Commission said Mr Cleverly will continue overseeing the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office response to the violence in Sudan by providing support to staff on the ground and consular services for British nationals. Britain has historic ties to Sudan. In an unusual arrangement, Britain and Egypt jointly ruled Sudan from 1899 until it gained independence in 1956, but Sudan is not among the group of 56 Commonwealth nations. Downing Street confirmed that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had spoken to the president of Djibouti, Ismail Omar Guelleh, on Friday to discuss the situation in Sudan. Djibouti is a small country on the Horn of Africa, sharing a border with Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia. A No 10 spokesman said: President Guelleh updated on his discussions with the parties in Sudan and both leaders reiterated calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a return to talks. They agreed that the United Kingdom and Djibouti would continue to co-ordinate efforts to de-escalate the violence and protect civilians, including our citizens. The founder of the Big Issue is calling for an end to Friday releases for prisoners, so they can access housing and health services. Lord Bird will say during a debate in the House of Lords that the reoffending rate for adults released on a Friday is higher than for any other day of the week. He will speak as the Offenders (Day of Release from Detention) Bill reaches a vital step towards being passed into Law. He says that prisoners released on a Friday only have a few hours to secure a bed for the night, but a new law could see them free to go up to two days early, giving them time to get set up for a life on the outside. With many essential support services, such as local authority housing, substance misuse support or mental health services closed at weekends and on bank holidays, those released on a Friday face an extra setback that could leave them homeless on their first night on the outside, he warns. Those released on a Friday struggle to get the essential support they need on release to keep them away from crime in those first few delicate and crucial days out of custody, Lord Bird will say, as the Bill reaches its second reading. If passed, the Bill will allow an ex-offenders release date to be brought forward by up to two days if it falls on a Friday or the day before a bank or public holiday. By removing the barriers that a Friday release can bring, we can ensure that custody-leavers have a better chance to access the support they need to reintegrate into the community so that victims and the public are protected, Lord Bird is expected to say. Around a third of all prisoners are released on a Friday, with the reoffending rate for adults released then higher than for any other day of the week, says Lord Bird. He adds that people with convictions already face a host of barriers when seeking to rejoin society after time in prison, including prejudice from potential employers who can withdraw a job offer if the applicant has a criminal record. Lord Bird believes many companies are starting to become more aware of the benefits of hiring a diverse workforce with a range of experiences and backgrounds. The funeral has taken place in Co Armagh of Colm Murphy, who was found liable in a civil trial for the 1998 Omagh bomb atrocity. Murphys funeral was held in St Laurence OTooles church in Belleeks. Several hundred people walked in the funeral procession while others watched as the coffin, bearing an Irish tricolour flag, a beret and a pair of black gloves, was carried. Murphy, who is originally from Co Armagh, died in Co Louth earlier this week at the age of 70. The coffin of Colm Murphy, who was found liable in a civil case for the 1998 Omagh bombing, is carried to the Church of St Laurence OToole, Belleeks, Co Armagh (Brian Lawless/PA) Father Gerard Comiskey, who carried out the funeral mass, extended his sympathies to family members. Its important for us to deal well with grief, he said. We all know that whenever death walks through our homes, our communities, it always leaves behind a trail of tears, and a sense of loss. The Omagh bombing was carried out by the Real IRA and killed 29 people, including a woman pregnant with unborn twins, just months after the Good Friday Agreement was signed. Murphy was originally arrested over the Omagh bombing in 1999 in a joint RUC-Garda investigation. He was charged with conspiracy to cause an explosion likely to endanger life or cause injury, as well as membership of the Real IRA. In 2002 he was found guilty by the Dublin Special Criminal Court of conspiracy to cause the Omagh bombing and jailed for 14 years. However, his conviction was overturned in 2005 and a new trial ordered. In 2008, the families of some of the victims of the bombing began a landmark civil case, suing five men they claimed were involved, including Murphy. The following year in Belfast a judge in the civil trial ruled that Murphy and four others were all liable for the Omagh bomb, ordering them to pay a total of 1.6 million damages to 12 relatives who took the case. In the criminal case, Murphy was cleared after a retrial in 2010, after interview evidence from the Garda was ruled inadmissible. In 2011, he won an appeal against the civil trial verdict but he was again found liable after a civil retrial in 2013. Last year, a judge in Belfast recommended the UK Government carry out an investigation into the bombing, and urged the Irish Government to do likewise, after finding plausible arguments that there had been a real prospect of preventing the atrocity. In February, the UK Government ordered an independent inquiry into the bombing. One of the killers of a lone biker who was ambushed by members of a motorcycle gang after they spotted him riding on their patch wearing rival club colours has had his jail term increased. David Crawford, 59, from Ivybridge, Devon, was hit from behind by a white van on the St Budeaux slip road in Plymouth, and dragged for almost one kilometre along the A38. Van driver Benjamin Parry, 42, and Chad Brading, 36, both from Plymouth, and Thomas Pawley, 32, from Ivybridge, were convicted of manslaughter. Benjamin Parry (Devon and Cornwall Police/PA) Parry was jailed for 12 years, and Pawley and Brading for four years each, in January. The Solicitor General referred their sentences to the Court of Appeal to be reviewed, arguing they were unduly lenient. In a ruling on Friday, senior judges increased Parrys jail term to 15 years, finding it was not long enough in light of the risk of serious harm or death to the victim by his actions. His driving disqualification was also increased from 10 to 12 years, but the judges did not alter the sentences handed to Pawley and Brading. During their trial at Plymouth Crown Court, jurors were shown footage of Mr Crawford riding his black Kawasaki before it was stopped by Pawley and Bradin, in a Mercedes car. Parry, driving his work Ford Transit van, drove into the back of Mr Crawfords motorbike as it was being obstructed. Grandfather Mr Crawford was pinned under the van and dragged underneath until Parry turned off at the next junction, almost one kilometre away. The court heard that Parry, Pawley and Brading were members of the Devon-based Bandidos Motorcycle Club, while Mr Crawford was a member of a rival chapter the Cornwall-based Red Chiefs Motorcycle Club. Chad Brading (Devon and Cornwall Police/PA) Sentencing the gang, Mr Justice Garnham described the killing as senseless and an act of unaccountable stupidity. He told the defendants at Exeter Crown Court: The three of you were members of the Bandidos Motorcycle Club. You were alerted to the fact that members of two other motorcycle clubs, the Hells Angels and their supporters, the Red Chiefs, had congregated at a retail park in Plymouth and were flying their colours in other words wearing jackets or cuts displaying the insignia of their clubs. In the infantile world of such motorcycle clubs, to ride a motorbike in a neighbouring county displaying your colours is, it seems, to cause great offence to the club that considers that county its home territory. Thomas Pawley (Devon and Cornwall Police/PA) You were each contacted by the Sergeant at Arms of your club about the presence of these other clubs, and you each took to the streets of Plymouth. The court heard that all but one of the motorbikes from the clubs were seen crossing the border into Cornwall, with Mr Crawford heading back at toll booths back into Devon. The judge continued: You all agreed that the lone motorcyclist should be stopped, told it was not acceptable for him to ride in his Cornish Red Chief colours in Devon and given what is colloquially called as a slap to underline the point. By a slap I mean a punch or the like, an assault that would cause him some relatively minor injury or pain. However, footage described as sickening by the judge captured the moment Parry driving between 10mph and 27mph drove into the back of Mr Crawfords motorbike, throwing him into the air. Dashcam footage of Chad Brading and Thomas Pawley stopping David Crawford on the St Budeaux slip road (Devon and Cornwall Police/PA) Parry did not stop despite knowing he had struck Mr Crawford, and drove on with him trapped beneath the van on a ghastly journey, the judge said. Mr Crawford was then propelled from under the van as Parry turned off the dual carriageway but the defendants continued to drive home, Parry in the van and Pawley and Brading in the car. The judge said: Mr Crawford was utterly innocent in all this. He had just been out for a ride on his bike with friends in the motorbike clubs. Neither he nor his fellow bikers had done anything wrong that evening. You three had absolutely no business trying to dictate who rode their bikes in Devon or what they wore when doing so. He said Mr Crawfords family, including his wife, daughters and granddaughter, had been devastated by his senseless killing. Just Stop Oil said a judge was trying to set a precedent by jailing two of its activists for their protest at the Dartford Crossing. Morgan Trowland, 40, and 34-year-old Marcus Decker used ropes and other climbing equipment to scale the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, which links the M25 in Essex and Kent. Prosecutor Adam King said the bridge was closed from 4am on October 17 last year to 9pm the following day, causing gridlock as traffic was forced to use the tunnels instead. Both defendants were found guilty by unanimous verdicts of causing a public nuisance, following an earlier trial at Basildon Crown Court. Morgan Trowland was jailed for three years over his protest at the Dartford Crossing (Essex Police/ PA) Judge Shane Collery KC sentenced the men at Southend Crown Court on Friday, with a three-year jail sentence for Trowland, and Decker jailed for two years and seven months. The pair appeared shocked as the sentences were read out, with structural engineer Trowland then nodding to acknowledge people around the courtroom from behind the glass of the secure dock. Private tutor Decker simply stood and waited for the dock officer to lead him to the cells. Both men have been in custody since their arrest last October. The pair were prosecuted under the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 10 years. The judge said the pair have to be punished for the chaos you caused and to deter others from copying you. He added that protest is tolerated but that in no society can there be a blank cheque in terms of whats permitted. The judge said that Trowland, who has six previous convictions relating to protests, had a leading role while Decker had one previous conviction relating to a protest. Marcus Decker was jailed for two years and seven months over the protest (Essex Police/PA) The judge said the pair plainly believed you knew better than everyone else, adding: In short, to hell with everyone else. By your actions you caused this very important road to be closed for 40 hours, the judge said, noting that the disruption affected many tens of thousands, some very significantly. Stephanie Golder, a Just Stop Oil spokesperson, said outside court that she was horrified by the sentences. I think the judge was trying to set a precedent, she said. Hes trying to deter people but we are not to be deterred because until the Government commits to no new oil and gas we will continue in our campaign of resistance. It wasnt what I expected at all. I felt tearful, emotional. But what makes me feel tearful is the fact were going to be dealing with millions and potentially billions of climate refugees in the next 20, 30 years. Thats what drives me, and thats likely what drives Morgan and Marcus. Prosecutor Mr King said that the protesters ascended to a point close to 200ft above the road and unfurled a giant Just Stop Oil banner and rigged up hammocks and stayed there. A Just Stop Oil banner was unfurled by protesters Morgan Trowland and Marcus Decker on the QEII Bridge (Essex Police/ PA) This closure caused gridlock for miles around throughout that period, which we say was the point, said Mr King. He said the men came down at about 5.30pm on October 18 with the help of police and a very tall cherry picker crane but the bridge was not reopened to traffic until later. Trowland, of Islington, north London, and Decker, of no fixed address, had denied causing a public nuisance, arguing that it was a protest. Essex Police said that those affected by the traffic disruption included a heavily pregnant woman who needed urgent medical help. Another person missed the funeral of their best friend of 35 years, the force said, and a business lost more than 160,000 in earnings. Counsel for the two men said they did not intend to conduct further disruptive protests but the judge said he saw no signs the defendants were any less committed to the causes you espouse than before. Jacob Bindman, for Trowland, said his client had in his words done his bit and he doesnt want to spend the rest of his days going in and out of prison. Rebecca Martin, for German citizen Decker who holds two degrees, said that the protest wasnt his idea. She said that the expert in climbing was not part of the initial planning process. Alex Chalk has been warned that he faces a crisis in the British justice system, as he prepares to take over from Dominic Raab. The new Justice Secretary will inherit plenty of challenges, including concerns about delays in the court system and the state of the criminal justice system. But he will also take over responsibility for Mr Raabs long-term controversial plan to replace the Human Rights Act. Concerns have long been raised by parliamentarians, lawyers and human rights organisations, among others, over the proposals for a new Bill of Rights seen as project close to the heart of the outgoing justice secretary. Mr Chalk, a barrister and former Solicitor General, will be the 11th person appointed Justice Secretary since the Conservatives took power in 2010. His arrival at the Ministry of Justice saw the Law Society warn that he inherits an even worse justice crisis than any of his recent predecessors. Lubna Shuja, the Law Society president, said: The justice system is facing worsening backlogs, legal aid on the point of collapse, crumbling courts and a shortage of judges and court staff. The new Justice Secretary must get a grip on the crisis as a matter of urgency. It is Alex Chalks job to bring the justice system back to full strength and I look forward to working closely with him to fight for improved access to justice for all. Kirsty Brimelow, chair of the Criminal Bar Association, said her organisation wanted to work constructively with the new Justice Secretary. The new Secretary of State must grasp the urgency of following through the final part of the deal between the Ministry of Justice and the Criminal Bar Association. There remain insufficient barristers to prosecute and defend in trials before the courts. Medium and long-term reform must start if the criminal justice system is to be pulled out of crisis. The role of Justice Secretary also brings with it responsibility for prisons, with Mr Raab criticised by campaigners for controversial reforms of the parole system. Pia Sinha, chief executive of the Prison Reform Trust, said a new minister was a chance for a reset. The vital and complex work of the Ministry of Justice has been undermined by Dominic Raabs reckless meddling and his inability to interact professionally with his senior officials. A new justice secretary is an opportunity for a reset on Dominic Raabs damaging changes to the parole system. Changes to open conditions transfers have undermined the progression of prisoners and effective arrangements for public protection. A single view procedure forbidding state-appointed officials including forensic psychologists and prison and probation staff from making recommendations for release or transfer to the Parole Board have been ruled unlawful by the High Court. The victims and prisoners Bill currently before Parliament undermines the independence and expertise of the parole board and raises wider constitutional concerns regarding judicial independence and UK compliance with human rights obligations. His successor should urgently review the bill and Raabs other changes to the parole system as a result and adopt a more measured approach. Shadow justice secretary Steve Reed also offered a warm greeting to his new opponent at the dispatch box. Congratulations to Alex Chalk on his appointment as the 11th Conservative Justice Secretary in 13 chaotic years that have destroyed the justice system. Real change can only come with a Labour Government, he tweeted. Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey has appeared in court by video-link ahead of his June trial for sexual offences against four men. The Hollywood star, 63, has previously denied 12 charges between 2001 and 2013. Spacey appeared at Southwark Crown Court on Friday for a pre-trial hearing wearing a grey suit, light shirt and burgundy tie. Actor Kevin Spacey appearing via videolink at Southwark Crown Court in London (Elizabeth Cook/PA) He spoke to confirm his full name, Kevin Spacey Fowler, and to say he could hear the judge, Mr Justice Wall, who also appeared by video-link. Only Spaceys barrister Patrick Gibbs KC appeared in person, but he refused to confirm where his client was appearing from. The court heard a four-week trial is due to start on June 28 and Spacey may be required to appear for a further hearing in May. The two-time Academy Award winner, known for starring in American Beauty, The Usual Suspects and House Of Cards, faces a total of 12 charges relating to four men between 2001 and 2013. Spacey pleaded not guilty to three counts of indecent assault, three counts of sexual assault and one count of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent, in January. He had previously denied four charges of sexual assault and one count of causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent. Spacey has been granted unconditional bail. A group of men have appeared at the Old Bailey accused of plotting with Chris Kaba to murder another young man. The offence relates to a shooting in Hackney Road in Tower Hamlets, east London, on August 30 last year in which the victim survived. On September 5 last year, father-to-be Mr Kaba, 24, died after he was hit by a single gunshot fired by an armed officer in Streatham Hill, south London. On Friday, Shemiah Bell, Hamza Abdi, Connel Bamgboye and Simeon Glasgow appeared at the Old Bailey by video link from Thameside and High Down prisons. The other two defendants, Marcus Pottinger, 20, from Brixton, and Carl Tagoe, 28, of no fixed address, were not required to attend the hearing. According to the indictment, all six men are accused of conspiring together and with Mr Kaba to murder Brendon Malutshi on August 30 last year. A second charge alleges they conspired together and with Mr Kaba to cause grievous bodily harm to Mr Malutshi. They are further charged with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and with intent to cause fear of violence on Hackney Road, in Tower Hamlets on the same date. Abdi is charged with assisting an offender by driving an unnamed male away from the scene of the shooting in a Range Rover with intent to impede the apprehension and prosecution of that person. It is alleged he committed the offence knowing or believing that person to be guilty of attempted murder or some other relevant offence. Pottinger is charged with four further firearms offences allegedly committed on December 16 last year. It is alleged he had a .32 Rimfire Calibre Revolver in Samuel Johnson Close in Streatham, south west London, with intent to cause fear of violence. During the hearing, Judge Simon Mayo KC confirmed that a plea hearing would take place on May 2 with a provisional trial from November 13. Bell, 31, from Lambeth; Abdi, 23, from Wandsworth; Bamgboye, 28, from Lambeth; and Glasgow, 30, of Lambeth, were further remanded into custody. Last month, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) concluded its homicide investigation into the fatal shooting of Mr Kaba and referred a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service. The Metropolitan Police did not dig deep enough to confront racism following the murder of Stephen Lawrence 30 years ago, its commissioner has said. Sir Mark Rowley apologised for failings in the aftermath of the killing, which led to the forces response to it being branded institutionally racist in the 1999 Macpherson report. The Casey Review into the Metropolitan Police last month found the force to be institutionally racist, misogynist and homophobic in the wake of a series of scandals including the murder of Sarah Everard by a serving officer and Pc David Carrick being unmasked as a serial rapist. The bungled original murder investigation was hampered by racism and alleged police corruption, which meant it took nearly 20 years for two of the 18-year-olds five killers to be brought to justice, with three never prosecuted. Mr Rowley said a failure to robustly confront cultural and systemic failings, which were exposed by the forces response to the murder, had undermined its ability to fight crime and pledged to finally make the Met determinedly anti-racist. He said black people still feel over-policed and under-protected with disproportionalities and systemic biases in policing continuing. There remain too few black officers and too many of them face discrimination within the forces ranks, he added. He said in a statement: Thirty years on from Stephens murder, we offer our sympathies to the Lawrence family on their unimaginable loss. He was a dearly loved son and brother who was taken from them far too soon and in such senseless circumstances. Their dignified fight for justice, conducted in the pressure of the public eye with unwavering determination over so many years, continues to be a source of inspiration for us and so many. On behalf of the Metropolitan Police, I apologise again for our past failings which will have made the grief of losing a loved one all the more difficult to endure. This anniversary, which closely follows the stark findings of the Casey Review, prompts us to pause, to remember and to reflect honestly on how policing has responded to the necessary calls for change that have punctuated the past 30 years. Whilst significant progress was made against Macphersons recommendations, it is now clear that we did not dig deep enough to confront the cultural and systemic failings that allow discrimination to propagate. This failing has undermined the experience of our increasingly diverse workforce and compromised the trust of Londoners and our ability to protect them from crime. We have let black communities down. They feel over-policed and under-protected. We are still not sufficiently representative of London, black officers and staff still face discrimination and are not always sufficiently supported to progress within the Met. There are disproportionalities and systemic biases in our use of policing tactics and our support to victims of crime. We are deeply sorry for these failings. The responsibility for righting those wrongs, restoring the relationship with those communities and supporting our black colleagues to succeed starts with those of us in positions of leadership but it continues through every rank and role in our organisation. I and the good majority of our officers are resolved to finally make the Met determinedly anti-racist and anti-discrimination of all kinds. The murdered teenagers family will hold a memorial service at St Martin-in-the-Fields church in Trafalgar Square on Saturday to mark the 30th anniversary of his death. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer are expected to attend. President Yoon Suk Yeol walks with U.S. President Joe Biden for their state dinner at the National Museum of Korea in Seoul in this May 21, 2022 photo. AP-Yonhap Experts urge president to tread carefully as China, Russia warn of consequences By Jung Min-ho Tensions are mounting between South Korea and its two powerful neighbors China and Russia as Seoul has become ever more vocal about some of their most sensitive issues, under President Yoon Suk Yeol. As South Korea's diplomatic tilt toward its democratic allies has become increasingly evident, experts are urging the president to tread carefully to avoid upsetting the security dynamics in the region where Seoul shares key interests with both Beijing and Moscow. China's Foreign Minister Qin Gang issued a warning, Friday, in a statement apparently aimed at Yoon's recent remarks on Taiwan, an island China claims as its own. "Recently, there has been some absurd rhetoric accusing China of unilaterally changing the status quo across the Taiwan Strait, through force or coercion, and of disrupting peace and stability across the Strait," Qin told the audience at a forum in Shanghai. "The logic is absurd and the consequences dangerous Those who play with fire on Taiwan will eventually get themselves burned." This comes two days after Yoon stated his stance on Taiwan during a media interview that he "opposes attempts to change the status quo by force." The next day, Seoul and Beijing traded barbs over the issue, lodging an official complaint with each other's ambassador. In that interview, Yoon also suggested South Korea's possible military support of Ukraine's war effort against the Russian invaders. When threatened by Russia that it could send advanced weapons to North Korea, Seoul doubled down on that bold message by saying its next move "depends on Russia." Yoon's interview comments and such tougher-than-usual diplomatic responses are perhaps part of his broad strategy ahead of his summit with U.S. President Joe Biden on April 26 and the G7 meeting in Japan next month, said Kang Joon-young, an expert on China at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies. "The administration appears to think that strengthening ties with democratic allies such as the U.S., even at the expense of weakening relations with China, is in our national interest," the professor said. "They could be right. But positioning our country as a spearheading member of rather than just among the pack defending certain values carries many risks. "There should be a careful coordination over who speaks on what issues in which tones. At a time when China is stepping up efforts to make friends across the world, we do not have to make it an enemy, given the great security and economic interest in the country," he said. A protester with a banner showing an image of President Yoon Suk Yeol leading a rally near the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, Friday, to denounce the policies of the United States and South Korea on North Korea. AP-Yonhap Dozens of the UKs largest firms have paused or ended their relationship with the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) following a second rape allegation from a woman working for the business group. NatWest, the John Lewis Partnership, Vodafone, BMW, Aviva, and Virgin Media O2 were among the firms announcing that they were cancelling their involvement with the CBI after the news broke on Friday. They were joined by Mastercard, Phoenix, Energy UK, Zurich, Vitality, B&Q owner Kingfisher, National Grid, and Peoples Partnership. Other major employers such as Tesco, Meta, Sainsburys, Asda, Lloyds Banking Group, Unilever, ScottishPower, the British Beer and Pub Association, ManpowerGroup UK, and Shell have also suspended all activity with the lobbying group. Following the multiple allegations made against the CBI we have today suspended our membership. British Beer & Pub Association (@beerandpub) April 21, 2023 It is also understood that the Crown Estate will not be attending meetings with CBI, although it said it would not comment at this stage. Earlier this month, the Government said it would pause all engagement with the CBI after initial reports of misconduct at the group. The crisis facing the trade group deepened after The Guardian reported on Friday that the woman claimed she was raped by two male colleagues. The woman claimed the alleged rape took place while she was unconscious following a night-out while working at a CBI office abroad. She said she had no recollection of the alleged rape itself but had described in detail the physical signs that led her to believe she was raped, and was later presented in the office with an explicit photograph. It is the second claim from a woman that she was a victim of rape at the organisation. Previously, a member of staff alleged that she was attacked by a manager on a summer boat party in 2019. Details of the new rape allegation have been passed on to police. Separately, former CBI director-general Tony Danker was sacked last week after being accused of making unwanted contact with a woman who works for the organisation (Jacob King/PA) City of London Police were already investigating the previous rape allegation, alongside a series of other misconduct claims from about a dozen workers. Separately, The Guardian also reported on Friday that a woman based at the organisations London office claimed she was stalked by a male colleague in 2018. In response, CBI president Brian McBride said: The latest allegations put to us by The Guardian are abhorrent and our hearts go out to any women who have been victims of the behaviour described. While the CBI was not previously aware of the most serious allegations, it is vital that they are thoroughly investigated now and we are liaising closely with the police to help ensure any perpetrators are brought to justice. We recognise the substance of the harassment report outlined as relating to an allegation made and investigated in January 2018. The finding of harassment was upheld and a sanction was imposed. However, the CBI does not recognise many of the most serious elements of The Guardian story relating to harassment, including the assertion that the individual had told the CBI of feelings of a sexual and violent nature towards the victim; and that he had followed her home. The CBI added it is expecting a further report from the law firm conducting an internal investigation later on Friday and will announce steps to bring about the wider change that is needed early next week. On Thursday, the CBI confirmed that it passed fresh information to the police regarding a report of a serious criminal offence. It said it was liaising closely with the authorities and has urged anyone with further information to come forward. Separately, former CBI director-general Tony Danker was sacked last week after being accused of making unwanted contact with a woman who works for the organisation. On Wednesday, he said his reputation has been totally destroyed by the allegation and claimed he has been made a fall guy for a wider crisis. Mr Danker told the BBC his name had been wrongly associated with separate claims, including the rapes which allegedly happened before he joined the CBI. After initial allegations, the business group also suspended three other employees and hired a law firm, Fox Williams, to carry out an internal investigation. Some of the biggest companies in the UK have quit the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) following a second rape allegation from a woman working for the business group. NatWest joined the John Lewis Partnership, BMW and Virgin Media O2 in cancelling their involvement with the CBI, casting doubt over the future of the business group. Aviva, Mastercard, Phoenix, Zurich, Vitality, B&Q owner Kingfisher and Peoples Partnership also pulled their membership of the group after the latest in a series of misconduct allegations facing the CBI. Other major employers such as Asda, Lloyds Banking Group, Unilever, Scottish Power, the British Beer and Pub Association, and Shell have also suspended all activity with the lobbying group. BMW said on Friday afternoon it will terminate its CBI membership (David Cheskin/PA) Earlier this month, the Government said it would pause all engagement with the CBI after initial reports over misconduct at the group. The crisis facing the trade group deepened after The Guardian reported on Friday that the woman claimed she was raped by two male colleagues. The woman claimed the alleged rape took place while she was unconscious following a night-out while working at a CBI office abroad. She said she had no recollection of the rape itself but had described in detail the physical signs that led her to believe she was raped, and was later presented in the office with an explicit photograph. It is the second claim from a woman that she was a victim of rape at the organisation. Previously, a member of staff alleged that she was attacked by a manager on a summer boat party in 2019. Details of the new rape allegation have been passed on to police. City of London Police were already investigating the previous rape allegation, alongside a series of other misconduct claims from about a dozen workers. Separately, The Guardian also reported on Friday that a woman based at the organisations London office claimed she was stalked by a male colleague in 2018. In response, CBI president Brian McBride said: The latest allegations put to us by The Guardian are abhorrent and our hearts go out to any women who have been victims of the behaviour described. While the CBI was not previously aware of the most serious allegations, it is vital that they are thoroughly investigated now and we are liaising closely with the police to help ensure any perpetrators are brought to justice. We recognise the substance of the harassment report outlined as relating to an allegation made and investigated in January 2018. The finding of harassment was upheld and a sanction was imposed. However, the CBI does not recognise many of the most serious elements of The Guardian story relating to harassment, including the assertion that the individual had told the CBI of feelings of a sexual and violent nature towards the victim; and that he had followed her home. The CBI added it is expecting a further report from the law firm conducting an internal investigation later on Friday and will announce steps to bring about the wider change that is needed early next week. On Thursday, the CBI confirmed it passed fresh information to the police regarding a report of a serious criminal offence. It said it was liaising closely with the authorities and has urged anyone with further information to come forward. Separately, former CBI director-general Tony Danker was sacked last week after being accused of making unwanted contact with a woman who works for the organisation. On Wednesday, he said his reputation has been totally destroyed by the allegation and claimed he has been made a fall guy for a wider crisis. Mr Danker told the BBC his name had been wrongly associated with separate claims, including the rapes which allegedly happened before he joined the CBI. After initial allegations, the business group also suspended three other employees and hired a law firm, Fox Williams, to carry out an internal investigation. The Confederation of British Industry has said it will suspend all policy and membership activity until it can hold a meeting of its membership in June after dozens of its biggest supporters withdrew from the organisation. The CBI board said it would put forward proposals for a refocused industry body at the meeting in two months time. It came as major companies and trade bodies from across the UK said they were terminating, suspending or reviewing their membership of the group. A second unnamed employee of the CBI alleged that she had been raped by a colleague in a Guardian article released on Friday. In a statement, the CBI board said: We want to properly understand from our colleagues, members, experts and stakeholders how they envisage our future role and purpose. As a result, we have taken the difficult but necessary decision to suspend all policy and membership activity until an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) in June. At the EGM we will put forward proposals for a refocused CBI to our membership for them to decide on the future role and purpose of the organisation. This work and the cultural reform will be the entire and urgent focus of the organisation over the coming weeks. Among the companies that said they were terminating their membership of the business group were NatWest, the John Lewis Partnership, Vodafone, BMW, Aviva, and Virgin Media O2. While other major employers including Tesco, Meta, Sainsburys, Asda, Lloyds Banking Group, Unilever, and Shell announced that they were suspending all activity with the lobbying group. Earlier this month, the Government said it would pause all engagement with the CBI after initial reports of misconduct at the group. In the Guardian report which deepened the crisis on Friday, the woman claimed the alleged rape took place while she was unconscious following a night out while working at a CBI office abroad. She said she had no recollection of the alleged attack itself but had described in detail the physical signs that led her to believe she had been raped, and was later presented in the office with an explicit photograph. It is the second rape claim made by a woman at the organisation. Previously, a member of staff alleged that she was attacked by a manager on a summer boat party in 2019. Details of the new rape allegation have been passed to police. City of London Police were already investigating the previous allegation, alongside a series of other misconduct claims from about a dozen workers. Separately, The Guardian also reported on Friday that a woman based at the organisations London office claimed she was stalked by a male colleague in 2018. Former CBI director-general Tony Danker was sacked last week after being accused of making unwanted contact with a woman who works for the organisation. Separately, former CBI director-general Tony Danker was sacked last week after being accused of making unwanted contact with a woman who works for the organisation. On Wednesday, he said his reputation has been totally destroyed by the allegation and claimed he has been made a fall guy for a wider crisis. Mr Danker told the BBC his name had been wrongly associated with separate claims, including the rapes which allegedly happened before he joined the CBI. After initial allegations, the business group also suspended three other employees and hired law firm Fox Williams to carry out an internal investigation. Aviva and Phoenix have become the first major firms to publicly quit the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) following a second rape allegation from a woman working for the business group. The FTSE 100 firms have pulled their membership to the group after the latest in a raft of misconduct allegations facing the CBI. An spokeswoman for Aviva, one of the UKs biggest insurance firms, said: In light of the very serious allegations made, and the CBIs handling of the process and response, we believe the CBI is no longer able to fulfil its core function to be a representative voice of business in the UK. We have therefore regrettably terminated our membership with immediate effect. A spokesman for savings and retirement giant Phoenix said: Further to the allegations reported this morning, we have taken the decision to resign our membership of the CBI with immediate effect. The crisis facing the trade group deepened after The Guardian reported on Friday that the woman claimed she was raped by two male colleagues. The woman claimed the alleged rape took place while she was unconscious following a night-out while working at a CBI office abroad. She said she had no recollection of the rape itself but had described in detail the physical signs that led her to believe she was raped, and was later presented in the office with an explicit photograph. It is the second claim from a woman that she was a victim of rape at the organisation. Previously, a member of staff alleged that she was attacked by a manager on a summer boat party in 2019. Details of the new rape allegation have been passed on to police. City of London Police were already investigating the previous rape allegation, alongside a series of other misconduct allegations from around a dozen workers. Separately, The Guardian also reported on Friday that a woman based at the organisations London office claimed she was stalked by a male colleague in 2018. In response, CBI president Brian McBride said: The latest allegations put to us by The Guardian are abhorrent and our hearts go out to any women who have been victims of the behaviour described. While the CBI was not previously aware of the most serious allegations, it is vital that they are thoroughly investigated now and we are liaising closely with the police to help ensure any perpetrators are brought to justice. We recognise the substance of the harassment report outlined as relating to an allegation made and investigated in January 2018. The finding of harassment was upheld and a sanction was imposed. However, the CBI does not recognise many of the most serious elements of The Guardian story relating to harassment, including the assertion that the individual had told the CBI of feelings of a sexual and violent nature towards the victim; and that he had followed her home. The CBI added it is expecting a further report from the law firm conducting an internal investigation later on Friday and will announce steps to bring about the wider change that is needed early next week. On Thursday, the CBI confirmed it passed fresh information to the police regarding a report of a serious criminal offence. It said it was liaising closely with the authorities and has urged anyone with further information to come forward. Separately, former CBI director-general Tony Danker was sacked last week after being accused of making unwanted contact with a woman who works for the organisation. On Wednesday, he said his reputation has been totally destroyed by the allegation and claimed he has been made a fall guy for a wider crisis. Mr Danker told the BBC his name had been wrongly associated with separate claims, including the rapes which allegedly happened before he joined the CBI. After initial allegations, the business group also suspended three other employees and hired a law firm, Fox Williams, to carry out an internal investigation. A union has warned production on dozens of oil and gas platforms could be brought to a halt as offshore workers walk out in a pay dispute. Unite said that on Monday, 1,300 of its members who work in the North Sea will strike for two days, a stoppage which will hit energy firms including BP, Shell and Total. Sharon Graham, the unions general secretary, said: The 48-hour strike action will only be the start of the tsunami of industrial unrest if contractors and operators refuse to give our offshore members the better jobs, pay and conditions they deserve. John Boland, an industrial officer at Unite, said it will be the biggest offshore stoppage in a generation and it will cause severe problems for contractors and operators. Oil and gas companies are enjoying record windfall profits, and they can easily afford to give our members a decent pay rise. @UniteSharon Read the full story here https://t.co/dSLfK7nglK Unite the union: join a union (@unitetheunion) April 21, 2023 The union said the action includes electrical, production and mechanical technicians in addition to deck crew, scaffolders, crane operators, pipefitters, platers, and riggers working for Bilfinger UK, Petrofac Facilities Management, Stork Technical Services, and Sparrows Offshore Services. Mr Boland said: We believe that due to the specialised nature of work our members undertake, offshore platforms will not be able to operate safely and efficiently without them. The strike action could halt production on dozens of platforms and bring them to a standstill. Unite will be hold a rally outside its Aberdeen office to coincide with the action on Monday. Irene Bruce, energy services agreement manager at Offshore Energies UK, said the trade body is aware of the upcoming industrial action and encourages all parties to work together to find constructive ways to address workforce concerns. She added: Workers in all sectors across the UK are feeling the impact of the cost-of-living crisis, however industrial action does not offer a solution, nor is it helpful for our sector, which is doing all it can to attract the investment essential to protect jobs and meet the UKs energy needs. While some offshore staffing levels will be reduced, companies are focused on maintaining safe operations for our people and on ensuring continuity of production to maintain energy security for the UK. A Bilfinger UK spokesman said: Operational safety remains our top priority and we have procedures in place to minimise any potential disruption. The other companies affected have been approached for comment. A rally will be held outside Unites offices in Aberdeen on Monday to coincide with the strike action (PA) The strikes are part of a wave of industrial unrest on platforms in the North Sea. Around 70 employees of TotalEnergies working on the Elgin Franklin and North Alwyn platforms along with the Shetland Gas Plant are being balloted on strike action. The votes will close on May 5. The union has also won strike mandates at Petrofac BP covering around 100 members, and more than 80 members employed by the Wood Group on Taqa assets. No strike dates have been announced in relation to these disputes. Unite also has a further strike mandate at Worley Services UK involving 50 members, but action has been suspended while talks continue with the company. The next justice secretary faces a myriad of challenges as soon as they take office. One of the priorities for the new boss of the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) will undoubtedly be boosting morale among officials in the wake of Dominic Raabs resignation, as well seeing through the proposed overhaul of the parole system and cutting the backlog of cases waiting to be dealt with by courts. Below are some of the most pressing items on the next justice secretarys to-do list. Tackling the courts backlog The next justice secretary will be under pressure to get a grip on the courts backlog and build public confidence in the wake of low charge rates after Mr Raab faced calls from Labour to apologise to rape victims being denied justice because of his failures. Dominic Raab leaves behind his hopes of presiding over sweeping reforms to the parole system (James Manning/PA) Sexual abuse victims were suffering from the disastrous impact of the number of cases waiting to be dealt with by crown courts, according to charity Rape Crisis England & Wales. Sir Bob Neill, Conservative chairman of the Commons Justice Committee, has described the backlogs as rising to crisis proportions and called for more funding for prosecution fees. The MoJ insists it is working hard to tackle the backlog and measures put in place are having an effect. Although some initiatives such as doubling sentencing powers for magistrates were scaled back less than a year after being introduced. Campaigners have warned that progress is slow and targets to bring the number of outstanding cases back under control are taking too long to be met. Bringing parole reforms into force Mr Raab leaves behind his hopes of presiding over sweeping reforms of the parole system which, if brought into force, would give ministers the power to block the release of dangerous prisoners and ban criminals serving whole-life orders from marrying behind bars. The proposed changes are in a bid to make public protection the exclusive focus of the Parole Board decision-making process, Mr Raab told MPs shortly before the Victims and Prisoners Bill was introduced. One priority for the new Ministry of Justice boss will be boosting morale among officials (Kirsty OConnor/PA) The reforms follow high-profile parole decisions on double child-killer Colin Pitchfork, who was recalled to prison within months of being released, and black cab rapist John Worboys, which the MoJ said have shaken public confidence in the system. There has also been anger over attempts by Levi Bellfield who is serving two whole-life orders for killing 13-year-old Milly Dowler, Marsha McDonnell and Amelie Delagrange, as well as the attempted murder of Kate Sheedy to marry behind bars. The next justice secretary also faces the challenge of boosting victims rights and improving their experience of dealing with the criminal justice system. The Bill puts forward such long-awaited proposals but campaigners and critics have raised concerns that efforts to improve the experience for victims will be lost in legislation now combining parole reform. Stemming the brewing discontent among solicitors Solicitors are preparing to take the Government to court in a row over criminal legal aid fees which pays for representation during police investigations and in court for suspects who cannot afford their own. Earlier this year, the Law Society of England and Wales threatened legal action as it called on Mr Raab to rethink the rates criminal defence solicitors received for legal aid work, or face a judicial review. Solicitors are preparing to take the Government to court in a row over criminal legal aid fees (Jane Barlow/PA) It came after the body, which represents solicitors, previously accused Mr Raab of imposing a real-terms pay cut on solicitors, warning this could lead to chaos in the justice system, with lawyers quitting and firms forced to close down. In March, the society announced it had applied to the High Court for permission to challenge the decision which it branded unlawful and irrational after claiming the Government had rejected its offer of mediation to resolve the issue. Easing pressure on overcrowded prisons The incoming head of department will also face pressure to tackle the acute and sudden overcrowding in jails. Some prisoners are being held in police cells under Government plans to stem the growing numbers of people in jails. Senior judges reportedly ruled courts should take into account overcrowding in prisons when deciding whether to jail criminals as a result of the situation. Boosting morale among MoJ officials Arriving in their new department, the Cabinet minister is likely to face the task of rebuilding confidence and working relationships between ministers and civil servants. Mr Raab insisted the overwhelming majority of his staff relish working on his very ambitious agenda despite reports of low morale among officials amid the official inquiry into his behaviour. Facing questions last month from the Lords Home Affairs and Justice Committee, he was asked if anything was being done to improve staff morale and change culture in his department. But Mr Raab said the relationship between civil servants and ministers was very effective. Ofsteds chief inspector has refused to drop one-word assessments despite calls from teachers across the country for the ratings to be abolished. Amanda Spielman described the gradings, which range from outstanding to inadequate, as integral to the school system. Pressure is mounting on the schools watchdog in England after unions threatened legal action because Ofsted is continuing to carry out inspections without a full mental health assessment for teachers. It comes after Ruth Perry, headteacher at Caversham Primary School in Reading, killed herself in January while awaiting an Ofsted report which downgraded her school from the highest rating to the lowest. A photograph of Ruth Perry attached to the fence outside John Rankin Schools in Newbury (PA) Commenting on Ms Perrys tragic death on Friday, Ms Spielman acknowledged the strength of feeling in the debate around Ofsted reform and said the inspectorate was making changes, but rejected more far-reaching suggestions. She said: Since the tragic news about Ruth Perry first broke these conversations have intensified, and I want to bring some of that out into the open. We are making changes. I also want to be honest about some of the more far-reaching suggestions that have been put forward. I certainly recognise that distilling all that a school is and does into a single word makes some in the sector uncomfortable, particularly when there are consequences of the grade awarded. But as Ive said previously, the overall grade currently plays an integral part in the wider school system. We also know that many parents find the grading system useful, whether thats in choosing a school or to understand the one their child attends. Watch our webinar to find out how inspectors weigh up the evidence they collect on inspection so that they can see the bigger picture of what a school is providing overall for its pupils: https://t.co/EHawpISoHN. You can also read the slidepack: https://t.co/5lubQZCM8U pic.twitter.com/KRjAeduZ0x Ofsted (@Ofstednews) March 16, 2023 She said the watchdog is piloting changes to make the complaints process more responsive so school staff get a fair and thorough hearing during an inspection. Ms Spielman added that Ofsted inspectors are looking to return more promptly to schools such as Ms Perrys which are deemed to have safeguarding issues but are performing well in other areas. We are not deaf to the calls for change, or insensitive to the needs of schools and their staff, she added. We will continue to listen carefully to the experiences and views of those we inspect. Im sure the changes described here do not go far or fast enough for some, but Ive also tried to explain the complexities and boundaries within which we do our important work. Ms Spielmans refusal to back wider reform of Ofsted has been criticised by Ms Perrys sister, Professor Julia Waters, who accused the watchdog and the Department for Education of failing to provide anything like a meaningful response to the growing calls for reform. She said: This latest response from the chief inspector for schools is yet again totally insensitive to the situation and deaf to the urgency of the calls for change. Ofsted has marked its own homework and is telling us that everything is under control. I think many people would score Ofsteds current system as requires improvement and their response to calls for reform as totally inadequate. It is not acceptable to continue to defend the indefensible in this way. Children should always be the priority, as they were for Ruth. But children are made more vulnerable to harm, not less, when teachers are worried more about the threats of Ofsted than about whats genuinely best for their pupils. The Government said on Thursday that Education Secretary Gillian Keegan would meet Ms Perrys family and local headteachers to discuss her death. Ms Keegan said: Nothing is more important than keeping children safe. I am clear that we will not water down crucial safeguarding standards that underpin Ofsteds role. I have always said I will listen to the views of teachers. Following a positive meeting with His Majestys chief inspector, Ofsted will intensify its work to reassure leaders and teachers, including making sure they feel safeguarding is considered proportionally in overall school judgments. Parents rightly want to know how their childs school is doing and I fully support our approach to providing a clear one-word rating to inform their decisions. Critics say the Ofsted grading system is too simplistic and fails to reflect the complexity of a school and its teaching quality. Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders union NAHT, said the grades have had their day, while the union indicated in March that it could take legal action against the watchdog after it did not suspend inspections following Ms Perrys death. A picture of the late Queen surrounded by grandchildren and great-grandchildren has been released to mark what would have been her 97th birthday. The image was captured by the Princess of Wales during a family trip to Balmoral, Aberdeenshire, last summer and features the young royals all smiles next to their beloved Gan Gan. The Queen is joined by Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis for the group picture, along with Mia, Lucas and Lena Tindall, and Savannah and Isla Phillips. Standing at the back are the Queens grandchildren Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor and James, Earl of Wessex the son and daughter of the now Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh. Elizabeth II, who was the nations longest-reigning monarch, serving as head of state for more than 70 years, died on September 8 last year at Balmoral Castle. Balmoral was one of the Queens favourite places and she is said to never be happier than when staying there. Today would have been Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeths 97th birthday. This photograph showing her with some of her grandchildren and great grandchildren was taken at Balmoral last summer. The Princess pic.twitter.com/1FOU4Ne5DX The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) April 21, 2023 She travelled to the estate each summer, with members of her family invited to spend time with her while she was there. The Queens traditional annual stay at the main property usually stretched through August and September, and into October. Last year she travelled to Balmoral on July 21 and remained at the estate to appoint a new prime minister there for the first time in her reign on Tuesday September 6 two days before her death. Balmoral, like Sandringham, is a private residence of the Queen rather than a royal residence belonging to the Crown. Years of royal memories have been forged at Balmoral, including family barbecues where the Duke of Edinburgh did the cooking and the Queen the washing-up. The Royal Banner of Scotland is flown at half mast at Balmoral following the death of the Queen (Owen Humphreys/PA) After Philip and Princess Elizabeth married in 1947, they spent part of their honeymoon at Birkhall a grand hunting lodge on the Balmoral estate. All the grandchildren have fond memories of family summers spent with the Queen at Balmoral. Peter Phillips, the Queens eldest grandson, said: We had a lot of fun and there was a lot of space for kids to run around in, and it wasnt just us, it was the Waleses (William and Harry), Freddie and Ella Windsor and the Gloucesters, he said. So, there was quite a gang of us growing up in that age and it was a lot of fun. We caused quite a bit of mayhem and chaos. The Queen adopted a no-nonsense attitude with her grandchildren. William has described how he and his cousin Peter got an almighty bollocking from the Queen after their antics with a quad bike at Balmoral. The royal family last June (Jonathan Brady/PA) He said: We were chasing Zara around, who was on a go-cart, and Peter and I managed to herd Zara into a lamppost and the lamppost came down and nearly squashed her. I remember my grandmother being the first person out at Balmoral running across the lawn in her kilt, (she) came charging over and gave us the most almighty bollocking, and that sort of stuck in my mind from that moment on. In a 1992 BBC documentary, the Queen was seen telling Princess Eugenie Ow thats my foot youre standing on, when the two-year-old trod on her shoe as the Queen led her grandchildren out on their ponies at Balmoral. Eugenie once described Balmoral as the most beautiful place on the planet. Walks, picnics, dogs a lot of dogs, theres always dogs and people coming in and out all the time, she said. Its a lovely base for granny and grandpa, for us to come and see them up there; where you just have room to breathe and run. The Queens experience and unprecedented knowledge of royal matters meant she was well-placed to offer advice to the younger members of the family as they navigated their way through life in the monarchy. The Queen Consorts younger sister Annabel Elliot will have a formal role during the coronation as a Lady in Attendance. Camilla, 75, will be supported by Mrs Elliot, 74, and another Lady in Attendance, Fiona, 68, the Marchioness of Lansdowne, who was named as a Queens Companion last November. The Queen Consort will be crowned alongside the King during the May 6 coronation service, and will also have four Pages of Honour who will perform roles alongside the Ladies in Attendance. Sisters Annabel and Camilla pictured as Charles opened a new visitors centre and cafe at the Duchy Nursery, Lostwithiel, Cornwall (Ben Birchall/PA) The schoolboys are her three grandsons, twin boys Gus and Louis, aged 13, by her daughter Laura Lopes, and 13-year-old Frederick, by son Tom Parker Bowles, and her great-nephew, Arthur Elliot, 10, Mrs Elliots grandson. Mrs Elliot, an interior designer, is close to her sister and on rare occasions has taken part in royal events with her older sibling. During an ITV documentary screened last year the pair even gave an insight into their family life when children, when a film crew accompanied them to Hall Place, the former Hampshire home of their grandparents. It emerged in the show that Camilla buried her younger sisters beloved teddy bear, known as Tiddy Bar, in the grounds and confessed only decades later. Camilla said: Yes, Tiddy Bar, he had a very happy resting ground, and her sister joked: Ive not forgiven her, it still rankles to this day. The two sisters pictured at the Chelsea Flower Sho (Michael Dunlea/PA) The pair recalled rolling down hills, catching butterflies in jars and dressing correctly for their strict grandmother, as they chatted about which of the furnishings they each now have in their own homes. Around 2,000 guests are expected to attend the coronation with King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands among the first guests to confirm their attendance. US President Joe Biden is not travelling to the UK for the coronation but First Lady Jill Biden will represent America. The Duke of Sussex, who has a troubled relationship with Charles, will be part of the congregation to see his fathered crowned. Guests have received detailed information about the coronation day from required clothing to toilet opening times. Women are asked to wear day dresses, with hats and fascinators optional, while for men morning coats, lounge suits and uniforms are acceptable. Both sexes can wear national dress and decorations such as an insignia for an MBE or knighthood. The Ministry of Defence has issued guidance for the three services, with men and women from the military required to wear their most formal uniforms. The coronation service is expected to begin shortly after 11am but the majority of guests have been advised to arrive at a ticket and security checkpoint almost five hours ahead and be seated by 9am. Later in the morning heads of state, Cabinet members, former prime ministers, foreign royalty and the royal family will enter Westminster Abbey ahead of the arrival of the King and Queen Consort with the service due to end at 1pm. Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon, second from left, speaks during a party-government meeting at the National Assembly, Friday, over tackling rising cases of illegal drug use in the country. Yonhap By Ko Dong-hwan The country's ruling party and the government agreed, Friday, to strengthen penalization against illegal drug use by vesting more power to prosecutors and launching a new government agency dedicated to controlling the crime. The meeting comes after a recent extortion scam where high school students were duped into drinking drug-laced beverages distributed in southern Seoul's Gangnam District, a region well known for its concentration of cram schools. People Power Party (PPP) Chairman Rep. Kim Gi-hyeon said during a meeting at the National Assembly that the measures should be implemented before it is "too late to regret." He said smuggling drugs into the country should be countered by a comprehensive set of fresh measures from prevention to treatment and rehabilitation. As the proportion of teenagers among all recorded drug offenders has quadrupled in five years, customized preventive measures to stem the spread of drugs among people in that age group are required, he said. Prosecutors, following a legal revision last September, partly got back their investigative rights over narcotic crimes and, since then, have spotted 50 percent more related crimes and arrested 83 percent more criminals than before the revision, according to Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon who attended the meeting. He added that competition and cooperation between the police and prosecutors will help the country nab more criminals. Health and Welfare Minister Cho Kyoo-hong promised that he will rearrange infrastructure and encourage more drug addicts to get treatment under hospitalization rather than by walk-in to improve treatment more effectively. Food and Drug Safety Minister Oh Yu-kyoung, National Police Agency Commissioner-General Yoon Hee-keun and Vice Minister of Education Jang Sang-yoon were also present at the meeting. Dominic Raab is determined to battle on as Rishi Sunak ponders whether to sack the Deputy Prime Minister after receiving a report into whether he bullied officials. After being accused of dither, the Prime Minister was taking a second day to determine whether he will kick Mr Raab out of his Cabinet as he reviews senior lawyer Adam Tolley KCs investigation. Mr Sunak received the report on Thursday morning but Downing Street was unable to say if the Prime Ministers verdict, and the report itself, will come on Friday. Mr Raab, who is also Justice Secretary, has read the report and maintains he has not mistreated colleagues or broken the Ministerial Code, the PA news agency was told. A source close to Mr Raab said the Prime Minister has not asked him to resign and denied the pair had held talks over his future. No 10 had promised that the Prime Ministers verdict on the eight formal allegations would be published swiftly. But as a decision was delayed a Downing Street source said Mr Sunak was taking time to go through the report thoroughly. Labour accused Mr Sunak of lacking the guts to sack his ally and said the decision was distracting him from leading the country. Shadow attorney general Emily Thornberry told PA: I think its another example of Conservative chaos and not addressing the problems of the country. Hes going to spend tonight looking at the report and trying to summon up the courage to work out whether he should sack his deputy or not when really what he should be doing is focusing on a cost-of-living crisis. Hes got the report, read the report, if hes a bully, sack him. Dave Penman, general secretary of the FDA union which represents senior civil servants, including complainants who have levelled allegations against Mr Raab, called the delay a farce. Imagine being a civil servant who has been brave enough to raise a complaint against the Deputy Prime Minister, sitting in a government department, and youre watching this farce play out live on television, not knowing what your fate is going to be about the complaints you have raised, Mr Penman told PA. No-one knows what is going to happen now, there are no rules associated with any investigation, there are no rights for anyone who raises a complaint. If Mr Sunak decides to keep Mr Raab on, morale in the Civil Service could be dented without a convincing argument. There have been suggestions that senior Ministry of Justice officials could quit if he is cleared. The Prime Minister received the report on Thursday morning (Charles McQuillan/PA) Liberal Democrat chief whip Wendy Chamberlain said: People will be fed up with this dither and delay from Rishi Sunak. It feels like almost every week there is an issue with sleaze and scandal where Rishi Sunak is either implicated himself or too weak to get to grips with it. People are crying out for a Government that will just get on with tackling the issues that matter, not focused on saving their own skin. The eight complaints against Mr Raab centre on his behaviour as foreign secretary, Brexit secretary and during his first stint as justice secretary. Dominic Raab has criticised the bullying inquiry that led to his resignation as a Kafkaesque as he suggested civil servants had tried to force him out of office. The Karate black belt went down fighting on Friday, disputing the official investigation into his conduct even before Downing Street had published Adam Tolley KCs findings. Mr Raab claimed that the nation will pay the price if the threshold for bullying in government has been lowered after quitting as deputy prime minister. He went into Thursday night ready to battle on in office, insisting he was not a bully, as Rishi Sunak agonised over whether to sack his key ally. But Mr Raab stayed true to his vow to quit if the report found he bullied officials, as it said he acted in an intimidating fashion with unreasonably and persistently aggressive conduct. Mr Raab said in his resignation letter to the Prime Minister that he was genuinely sorry for any unintended stress or offence that any officials felt. But he criticised a number of improprieties during the inquiry, including systematic leaking of skewed and fabricated claims as he called for an independent review. Mr Raab alleged that the inquiry has set a dangerous precedent by setting a low threshold for bullying. It will encourage spurious complaints against Ministers, and have a chilling effect on those driving change on behalf of your government and ultimately the British people, he said. The Tory MP saved even stronger language for an article published on the Telegraph website, as he sought to get ahead of the Tolley reports publication. He wrote that the Kafkaesque saga I endured was shorn of the safeguards most people enjoy, arguing the normal rules of fairness were not followed. Mr Raab said the only warnings he got about his behaviour before the inquiry was launched were informal tip-offs that unionised officials were targeting me and other ministers. The claim I threw tomatoes was not even put to me and, separately, led to a Whitehall press officer being investigated for spreading misinformation, Mr Raab said. He also said the inquiry was told that when he returned for his second stint as justice secretary a senior civil servant ordered the removal of private secretaries who had worked for him before. He said they were suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Private secretaries who objected were given no choice he said they had Stockholm syndrome, Mr Raab wrote. These outrageous assertions were not based on any professional assessment. Far from a climate of fear gripping my private office, committed officials were forced out, and complaints encouraged. He also used the article to dispute some of the allegations before they had been made public in Mr Tolleys report. Former business secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg said Mr Raab should not have quit and that Mr Sunak should have refused to accept his deputys departure. Mr Rees-Mogg told Channel 4 News: I think his resignation was unnecessary and I think the Prime Minister should not have accepted it. I think it is very dangerous that we are setting the bar so low for this. He added: I think you are allowed in a business relationship to be irritated when people fail to do their job properly. And if you are a senior, well-paid civil servant you should have the backbone to cope with being criticised if your work isnt good enough. The Prime Ministers official spokesman said he was not aware if Mr Raab was made aware of the timings for publication. Sir Keir Starmer accused Mr Raab of whining about having to resign while the public endure the hardships caused by sky-high inflation. I dont know why Dominic Raab, in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis, thinks that anybody wants to hear about his whining about having to resign, the Labour leader said. Claims the Scottish Government did not formally request an exemption from UK-wide laws for its deposit return scheme are categorically not true, a minister has said. The start of the scheme was delayed earlier this week from August to March next year, and Scottish circular economy minister Lorna Slater has outlined new exemptions for small containers and products with low sales. In Holyrood on Thursday, she said the delay was primarily due to the UK Government not providing an exemption to the Internal Market Act (IMA), which was implemented after Brexit to regulate trade within the UK. But the deposit return scheme (DRS), which will introduce a 20p deposit on the price of drinks in cans and bottles which is repaid to the consumer when they are returned to a retailer, had previously come under fire from business groups. Ms Slater told MSPs on Thursday she will write again to the UK Government with the IMA exemption request, which she said she believes will be granted. The Scottish Government previously said former deputy first minister John Swinney had made the original request. But following Ms Slaters Holyrood statement, the UK Government said a formal request for IMA exclusion was only received on March 6, 2023. Lorna Slater accused the Scottish Secretary of political game-playing (Jane Barlow/PA) A spokesperson added: It has not been possible for us to fully assess the impacts of the exclusion request on cross-UK trade, business and consumers. Speaking to BBC Radio Scotlands Good Morning Scotland (GMS) programme on Friday, Ms Slater, a Scottish Greens co-leader, said her Government has been working towards an exclusion since 2021. Responding to the UK Governments claims, she said: That is categorically not true. The process by which this sort of exclusion is issued is agreed at the public process online by which the governments work together towards these sorts of exclusions from the Internal Market Act. We first started this process in 2021 there is no formal request as part of that process. This is entirely political game-playing by (Scottish Secretary) Alister Jack. The scheme will now be overhauled with containers under 100ml exempt effectively removing all miniature bottles of alcohol as well as further exemptions for producers who sell less than 5,000 units per year. Larger producers who have smaller product lines which also sell less than that threshold, the minister said, would not be required to put a deposit on the product. She said 44% of small producers would be exempt from the scheme because of the changes. A UK Government source said on Friday: Lorna Slater is only embarrassing herself further by making these laughable claims. This is a mess entirely of her own making. Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross has written to Humza Yousaf to raise legitimate and urgent questions over the SNPs finances. The letter to the First Minister contains 10 questions regarding the partys financial issues. The ongoing police investigation into the SNPs funding has seen its former chief executive and treasurer arrested. Both Peter Murrell who is Nicola Sturgeons husband and Colin Beattie were later released without charge pending further investigation. The SNP accused Mr Ross of playing politics with the police investigation, saying he is not fit for opposition no matter office. The Tory leader had sought to raise the issue at First Ministers Questions on Thursday, but Holyroods rules mean the session must focus on Government business. Humza Yousaf has insisted he will not shy away from serious issues (Jane Barlow/PA) Mr Yousaf nevertheless conceded during the session that there are serious issues relating to the party which he said he will not shy away from. He has ordered a review into the governance and transparency of the SNP. A new treasurer to replace Mr Beattie, who stepped down following his arrest, is expected to be appointed shortly. Mr Ross said: Humza Yousaf was clearly in no mood to be scrutinised in Parliament over the financial scandal engulfing his party, when I challenged him to make a statement at First Ministers Questions. While parliamentary rules stop me from asking crucial questions about this murky situation, these questions are not going away for the First Minister and SNP leader. He is also now the SNPs acting treasurer. If he is compromised in any way, he cannot continue to try and say this is not a matter for the Government as well as his party. That is why I have now written to him with a series of questions he must be fully transparent over. These are legitimate and urgent questions the public need and deserve answers on. He cannot continue to dodge them and cover them up in typical SNP secrecy. Peter Murrell was released without charge pending further investigation (Andrew Milligan/PA) In his letter, Mr Ross asks about a 100,000 campervan bought by the SNP which was apparently never used. The vehicle was seized by police earlier this month. He also asks about the spending of money raised in the SNPs online independence referendum appeals. Speaking to journalists after FMQs on Thursday, Mr Yousaf said the SNP still owes money to Mr Murrell following his loan to the party in 2021. He said the party is not facing bankruptcy and is on a steady footing financially. An SNP spokesman said: As the First Minister made clear yesterday, party finances are on a steady footing. And its well documented that the party is actively seeking a new auditor. It is ironic that the Scottish Tories who are not even a registered political party, dont declare their income and refused to reveal their membership number are shouting about this. The Scottish Tories should be focused on trying to help families through this Westminster-made cost-of-living crisis, but the fact is they simply dont care about ordinary working people in Scotland. There is a live police investigation and many if not most of Douglas Rosss questions cannot be answered without breaching the law by committing a clear contempt of court. Douglas Ross knows this and so the only conclusion is he is very obviously playing politics with a police investigation. It is remarkable how often he finds ways to demonstrate he is not fit for opposition, no matter office. Mr Murrell was detained earlier this month and questioned by detectives for 11 hours before being released. Police investigating the partys finances arrested Mr Beattie on Tuesday, who was also later released without charge. Mr Beattie resigned as treasurer on Wednesday, saying that doing so would avoid further distraction to the important work being led by Humza Yousaf to improve the SNPs governance and transparency. A Sydney hospital where Australian entertainer Barry Humphries is currently being treated has denied reports that he is in an unresponsive state. St Vincents Hospital said that reports on Thursday by multiple local media outlets were incorrect, and that Humphries was stable and in the best hands. The 89-year-old, best known for his character Dame Edna Everage, is being treated at the hospital after suffering health issues following hip surgery. According to Sydneys Daily Telegraph, he was readmitted after suffering complications. Barry Humphries alter ego Dame Edna Everage arrives at the London Palladium to launch the Barry Humphries Farewell Tour (PA) On Thursday it was further reported by multiple local outlets that Humphries had gone into an unresponsive state and had been given morphine by doctors. But a spokesperson for the hospital later told the PA news agency the reports were not accurate. Reports that he is unresponsive are not accurate, a hospital spokesperson said. He remains stable in the hospital in the best hands. A family statement previously issued to the Sydney Morning Herald thanked fans and hospital staff for their support and good wishes. Humphries has been a staple of the British comedy circuit since moving to London in 1959, appearing in West End shows such as Maggie May and Oliver!. He was among the leading members of the British comedy scene, alongside Dudley Moore, Alan Bennett and Spike Milligan. Alongside his Dame Edna Everage alter ego, he also appeared as the lecherous Sir Les Patterson and Sandy Stone, an elderly, childless man living in the suburbs. A British technology tycoon facing extradition to the United States is exploring appeal options after losing the latest stage of a legal fight. Two judges have dismissed Mike Lynchs bid to overturn an extradition ruling. Lord Justice Lewis and Mr Justice Julian Knowles ruled against Dr Lynch on Friday after considering his challenge at a recent High Court hearing in London. They had heard how then-home secretary, Priti Patel, approved Dr Lynchs extradition to the US, to answer criminal fraud charges, in January 2022. A judge at Westminster Magistrates Court had ruled that Ms Patel could decide whether to order extradition. Dr Lynch, who is facing a trial in California and denies allegations against him, had challenged that ruling by District Judge Michael Snow. Lawyers representing the US Government said Judge Snow made correct decisions. A spokesman for Dr Lynch said: Dr Lynch is very disappointed, but is reviewing the judgment and will continue to explore his options to appeal, including to the European Court of Human Rights. Ms Patels decision to approve extradition came after Dr Lynch lost a multibillion-dollar fraud action, at the High Court in London, over the sale of his software company, Autonomy, to Hewlett Packard (HP) in 2011. Dr Lynch, who has a PhD in signal processing a form of electrical engineering, had been accused of deliberately overstating the value of his business before it was acquired by the American technology giant. HP had sued Dr Lynch and Autonomys former chief financial officer, Sushovan Hussain, for about five billion US dollars (3.7 billion), following its purchase of Autonomy, which had a base in Cambridge, England. HP had acquired the company for 11.1 billion US dollars (8.3 billion) more than a decade ago. A High Court judge who oversaw that trial said HP had substantially succeeded in its various claims against the two men but is likely to receive substantially less than the amount claimed in damages. HP acquired Autonomy for 11.1 billion US dollars (Tim Ireland/PA) Ms Patel had wanted to consider Mr Justice Hildyards ruling on HPs claim before making an extradition decision. Lord Justice Lewis and Mr Justice Julian Knowles were told that the civil litigation overseen by Mr Justice Hildyard had yet to conclude. They heard that there had been no decision on the amount of damages and said they did not know whether Dr Lynch was going to appeal. Dr Lynch has signalled his intention to appeal against Mr Justice Hildyards ruling. Lord Justice Lewis and Mr Justice Knowles said they had concluded that none of Dr Lynchs grounds of appeal against Judge Snows extradition ruling were arguable. They said they were not remotely convinced that there was a risk of Dr Lynch getting an unfair trial in the USA. The applicants extradition has been sought so that he can stand trial in California for fraud, said the two judges, in a written ruling. The American prosecutors have described the case as one of the largest frauds ever prosecuted by the United States Department of Justice. The value of the alleged fraud runs into the billions of dollars. They added: The US has a sophisticated legal system with constitutional protections for defendants rights. The applicant is well-resourced in terms of lawyers, and they can be relied upon to take any conceivable point on his behalf (as they have in the proceedings before us). Dr Lynch strongly denies all charges against him, judge said. Defence and foreign officials are involved in prudent planning for various contingencies as violence continues in Sudan. Fighting has been taking place between the governments forces in Sudan and the African nations powerful paramilitary for almost a week, with Western administrations poised to act as the situation worsens. Sudans military has ruled out negotiations with its rival, saying it would only accept surrender as the two sides battle in central Khartoum and other parts of the country. Reports have suggested that UK ministers have put forces on standby should an airlift operation be required to allow British embassy staff and other citizens based in the country to escape. The Foreign Office said it was not commenting on reports of a military evacuation. A UK Government spokesman said: We are coordinating across Government and with our international partners to provide the best ongoing consular assistance to British nationals and support for our diplomatic staff. We will continue to issue updates as the situation develops. The Ministry of Defence is supporting the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office with prudent planning for various contingencies. The UKs position is clear. There must be a ceasefire in Sudan. Im in contact with key partners to work towards resolving this conflict peacefully. Heres who Ive been speaking to. @SecBlinken @ymahmoudali @ABaerbock @JosepBorrellF @FaisalbinFarhan @ABZayed James Cleverly (@JamesCleverly) April 21, 2023 The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office advice to British nationals in Sudan remains the same, urging them to register their presence with the department and to stay indoors. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak chaired meetings of senior ministers on Thursday and Friday about the situation in Sudan, with the sessions attended by Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and Defence Secretary Ben Wallace among others. Mr Cleverly decided to cut short a Pacific tour due to the deteriorating situation in Sudan. Mr Sunak on Friday spoke with the president of Djibouti, Ismail Omar Guelleh, on Friday to discuss the situation in Sudan. Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has travelled back to the UK to deal with the Sudan situation after cutting a Pacific tour short (James Manning/PA) Djibouti is a small country on the Horn of Africa, sharing a border with Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia. It also is home to a US airbase, with Washington making preparations to evacuate their citizens in Sudan. Most major airports in Sudan have become battlegrounds and movement out of the capital Khartoum to safer areas is dangerous, meaning alternative air bases have been sought out in the region. The US military is moving assets to Djibouti for a possible evacuation of American embassy personnel, administration officials have said. Japan also plans to send military planes to the former French colony. A No 10 spokesman, offering a readout of Mr Sunaks call with his counterpart in Djibouti, said: President Guelleh updated on his discussions with the parties in Sudan and both leaders reiterated calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a return to talks. The UK and France are united in condemnation of the violence in Sudan. Alongside our international partners, we call for a lasting ceasefire. Productive call with @MinColonna on our mutual concern for French and British citizens in Sudan. James Cleverly (@JamesCleverly) April 20, 2023 They agreed that the United Kingdom and Djibouti would continue to co-ordinate efforts to de-escalate the violence and protect civilians, including our citizens. The Foreign Secretary tweeted saying: The UKs position is clear. There must be a ceasefire in Sudan. Im in contact with key partners to work towards resolving this conflict peacefully. He said his diplomacy work has seen him speak with his US counterpart, Secretary Antony Blinken, as well as foreign ministerial colleagues in Djibouti, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Europe. Britain has historic ties to Sudan. In an unusual arrangement, Britain and Egypt jointly ruled Sudan from 1899 until it gained independence in 1956, but Sudan is not among the group of 56 Commonwealth nations. Union leaders are calling for an end to job losses and other cuts on London Underground warning that stations are closing or being left unstaffed because of cost-cutting. The Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) has written to London Mayor Sadiq Khan emphasising the importance of station staff to the safe running of the London Underground and the need to resist Tory budget cuts. In the letter, RMT general secretary Mick Lynch wrote: Stations were closed on 2,115 occasions last year, compared with a pre-pandemic high of 649. Of course, this is only a figure for closures. More often, stations will have been left open with no staff. We both know that the cause of this rise in station closures is a package of cost savings that includes holding vacancies and cutting 600 station jobs, demanded by the Tory government. The rank hypocrisy of Tories attacking you for the consequences of delivering their cuts is deplorable but predictable. Yet Im sure that you share my concern about the strain that is being placed on London Underground by these cuts. RMT members face changes to their pensions that could double their contributions and cut their pensions by a third. This situation cannot go on. I urge you to refuse to make further spending cuts on London Underground. The roll-out of 600 job cuts on Tube stations must stop. Pension attacks must be ruled out. Current plans for reductions in jobs and changes to working conditions, across train crew and engineering functions must stop. Gabriele Laborde In an industry where aging is treated like a dirty word, Sophie Carbonari likes to curse. I'm 33 and I love talking about my age, says the Paris-based facialist. To be honest, if you gave me a million euros, Id never go back." That she is young, and that her own complexion is actually luminescent, belies her success to date. Carbonaris client roster includes such notable names as Rihanna, Naomi Campbell, and Lou Doillon. In January, she opened her own studio in a sunny, serene space on the Palais Royal. Taking a hardline against the toxicity that propels the beauty industry may seem revolutionary, risky even, but Carbonari feels confident in her approach. Everyone says that they like my glowthey dont say that they like my anti-aging protocol. Gabriele Laborde When we meet at Soho House in Paris Pigalle neighborhood, Carbonaris sought-after hands are cupping a hot herbal tea. Her braids are swept into a high bun and a touch of black liner accentuates her almond eyes. Her anecdotes are frequently pierced by laughterlike when she tells me about the intimacy she cultivates with clients. Its like Vegaswhat happens in my treatment room, stays there, says Carbonari. When we both stop laughing, she continues, Im really concerned about [my clients] state, not just selling her a product. I want to be entirely aware of what shes going throughif shes tired, hormonal, or if she just had a miscarriage. These personal details factor into Carbonaris holistic approach. Its more skin healing than just a facial. I think about the skin as a metabolism, not just one part of the body. I try to understand the lifestyle of my client to craft the perfect treatment, which means applying the right product, but also giving the right massage to calm and soothe the skin. Carbonari, who was born in Mali and raised by her adoptive parents in the south of France, was sixteen when she began studying beauty and hairdressing at Espace Bourgier, a private school in Nimes. At 22, she took over an Aix en Provence spa, which ultimately shuttered after a year. It was mistake because I wasn't ready to manage a business, recalls Carbonari. Set back but not defeated, Carbonai sold one of the spas techy devices and used the funds to move to London. There, she worked at a Japanese wellness center in Marylebone called Chi Yu, which she credits as one of her biggest influences. I learned different types of massagesJapanese cosmetic, shiatsu. I embraced the rituals, she says. True to her generational milieu, Carbonaris big break came about via DM. After stints in New York and back in the south of France, where at one point, she slept on the floor of the spa that employed her, Carbonari returned to London. Galvanized by the words of internet personality Gary Vee, she began DMing women who inspired her, offering treatments gratuit. I even DMd Michelle Obama, she says, followed by a ripple of laughter. One of those inspirational women, model and music producer Caroline de Maigret, replied and accepted. Maigret shared two posts to rave about the treatment, and from there, Carbonaris status soared. Rather than sending the DMs, her inbox was suddenly flooded with them. Today, Carbonari has a carefully honed technique. First, she scans the skin using her index fingers. That way, I know where the circulation [is bad], where you have congestion, where the muscles are blocked. Next, she goes in and plays, as she refers to her trademark massages. She considers it 3D skin work. I work the muscles, then I work the face or hypodermy, then I work the micro-level or epidermy. For me, its a synergy. Unless shes collaborating with a brand (like Tata Harper or Augustinus Bader), Carbonari uses her own (soon to be released) product line. She says, I feel much more comfortable because I know whats inside and [can adjust] depending on your skin type. On a gray morning, I pop into Sophies new studio, located on the second floor of a contemporary art gallery called Theoreme. Theres a glass vase overflowing with wild flowers and an atelier window overlooking the hushed Palais Royal. Once on the table, I enter the confessional: Im drowned in stress, Ive started smoking (again), and (deep breath) Im getting divorced. Dont worry, she says, This time is for you. Fingers dance across my dehydrated dermis. Micro-currents roll on orange-blossom-scented oils, soothing skin and soul. It's different from any facial I've had. When I walk out an hour later, I still feel all of my 37 years and in the midst of a divorcebut for the moment, my skin has the glow of a lovestruck twenty something. *Treatments are 400 euros for 60 minutes and 450 euros for 90 minutes. BOOK You Might Also Like UCG / Universal Images Group - Getty Images Salmon is beloved around the world for its rich flavor and health benefits . But if you buy a lot of it, be warned that the fish will probably become even more of a delicacy this year, especially wild-caught salmon. The nutrient-dense fish will come at a steep price if salmon fishing is closed this year in California, which is likely. Based on low population forecasts for Klamath River and Sacramento River Chinook salmon this fall, the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) is recommending the cancellation of salmon fishing in California and a small portion of Oregon for the 2023-2024 season, which begins May 16. The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) must approve the proposal by May 15. This is very likely to happen, given they already took in-season actions to halt most salmon fishing south of Cape Falcon, Oregon, until then. So what does this mean for your salmon dinners ? For one, theyll likely become more expensive. California is really good at growing food and providingnutritionally valuable food to the American peoplesalmon is one of them, said Robin Ehlke, the PFMCs staff officer for salmon fishery management. I think it will definitely be noticed that salmons not part of anybodys meal plan. While there will be salmon fishing further north in Washington and parts of Oregon, the majority of wild-caught Chinook salmon on the West Coast comes from California, according to Ehlke. With a low supply of wild-caught salmon, it's only natural that the prices of farm-raised might also increase. A decline in fishing will increase prices and put a strain on people who make their living fishing, said Bryan Boches, co-founder and CEO of Safe Catch . We need to find the sustainable balance and invest in these ecosystems if we want future generations to enjoy catching salmon in California. Californias salmon industry has an annual value of $1.4 billion and supports 23,000 jobs, according to the Golden State Salmon Association . A Decreasing Salmon Population PATRICK T. FALLON - Getty Images "Chinook salmon populations have been in a general decline," said Boches. "We have a much smaller population of Chinook salmon now than just 20 years ago." This year, the forecast for Sacramento River Fall Chinook is less than 170,000, compared to a harvest of over 1 million fish in 1988 and 1995, according to a report from PFMC. The last time California's salmon fishing season was canceled was in 2009. While there are several factors that determine a fluctuation of salmon populations, one of the biggest ones, according to Ehlke, is waterboth lack of it and its quality. Salmon need cold, fresh, not fast-moving, but flowing water, she said. The water conditions have been greatly impacted by drought. "Low water flows during drought years is exacerbated by the diversion of water for farms and cities," said Boches. "Water was also being diverted to grow crops in the desert during a time of drought. That puts a tremendous strain on river systems." After spawning in rivers, salmon head out to the ocean for a few years before returning, so any environmental factors from three years ago are now affecting the low returns and population forecasts, according to a press release . Given past patterns of drought and rainfall, salmon populations should bounce backand return to plates. "With the well above average rainfall weve had this year in California, hopefully that will help the overall health of fresh waterways in the state. However, these are delicate ecosystems, and sometimes too much water can also negatively affect salmon eggs and hatchlings," said Boches. While salmon are resilient, Ehlke said it wouldnt be surprising for the numbers to be low again next year, as it will probably take a year or two for the population to recover. Increasing hatchery production is one way to increase population, but the survival of those fish is reliant on healthy water, according to Ehlke. Currently, there's an effort to remove four Klamath River damsthe first of which would be dismantled this summer. Ehlke said this exciting development has been in the works for decades and will provide flowing water and habitat for salmon. "As long as society comes together to protect the purity of our waterways and to utilize and monitor responsible, sustainable fishing practices, we can have a thriving ecosystem," said Boches. You Might Also Like The Netflix logo is pictured on a television remote in this illustration photograph taken in Encinitas, California, U.S., Jan. 18, 2017. Reuters-Yonhap Korea's antitrust regulator said Friday it plans to revamp policies to root out "dark pattern" sales tactics online that have not been properly monitored in the past. The term refers to practices that trick customers into making payments or joining certain services without being adequately informed of their actions. Examples include having consumers subscribe to monthly services without informing them or making cancellations difficult. Other types of dark pattern tactics are forcing consumers to install unnecessary software or attracting them to websites with bargains that are not actually for sale. Around 97 percent of the country's mobile commerce apps are embedded with at least one type of dark pattern tactics, a separate survey by the Korea Consumer Agency showed earlier. "The Fair Trade Commission has been developing measures since last year to curb unfair marketing tactics that harm consumers without impeding on normal marketing activities," the regulator said in a statement. The FTC pointed out that the types of such unfair business practices have become diverse, and it has become complicated to draw a clear line on defining what constitutes the dark pattern tactics. To address such issues, the FTC said it will push to revise the current commerce laws to reflect the current trend of dark pattern tactics, as existing regulations fail to provide legal grounds for a correction order. The FTC will also issue guidelines for consumers and businesses to provide clear instructions on what defines dark pattern tactics. "As companies may engage in such practices as they are not aware of them, we plan to share the guidelines with businesses, and induce them to voluntarily correct such tactics," the FTC said. "Should they fail to fix such actions despite the efforts, we will proactively apply the law to correct them." (Yonhap) Friends and family of a 24-year-old who has been missing for over two weeks are asking for the publics help to find them after their truck was located on the side of Interstate 70 in Utah. Del Fig suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and bipolar disorder and was last seen on the night of April 2 in their East Side Kansas City home, according to Greta Webb, a close friend. The next day, April 3, they were gone and their wallet and truck, which Webb says Fig was afraid to drive, were also missing from the home, Webb said. Everything else Fig owned, including their beloved pet bird, was left behind. Figs roommates have been frustrated in their attempts to get help from the Kansas City Police Department, Webb said. Ive been ripping my hair out worried about this, Webb said Thursday. Its been really stressful. Nobody took this seriously in the first week, especially not police. Del Fig, 24, and Greta Webb, 27, posed for a picture together. Webb reported the 24-year-old missing to police after alleged repeated attempts by Del Figs roommates and their grandmother. Del Fig was last seen April 3 in Kansas City. Webb said Figs three roommates attempted to file a missing persons report with Kansas City police on April 8 and again on April 10, but the report was not accepted. Del Figs grandmother tried to file a follow-up report on April 14, Webb said, and she also did not have her report accepted. Webb went with the roommates on April 18 to file a report with police after learning that Figs truck had been abandoned on the side of Interstate 70 about 20 miles away from Salina, Utah. On Thursday, about four hours after The Star began asking police questions about Figs case, the department released a flier to media and other community members announcing the 24-year-old was missing. That flier misgendered Fig, who identifies as nonbinary, and includes a former name Fig no longer uses. Police later notified media outlets of Figs pronouns. In a Thursday email, Sgt. Jacob Becchina, a police spokesman, said the department did have a missing persons report dated April 8, the same day Figs roommates reported the 24-year-old missing. Del Fig, 24, was last seen April 3 in Kansas City. Friends and family are asking for help locating them. But it was 10 days later that police entered Figs information into a law enforcement database of missing persons. When asked why the flier was released weeks after Fig was reported missing, Becchina said the circumstances of the investigation have changed that dictated more information being put out. He said the case had been evaluated per police protocols. Becchina said he did not understand why Figs friends and family thought their initial missing persons report was not accepted. Del Fig missing Fig has left home unexpectedly once before, in March, but in that case they stayed in contact with friends and family, Webb said. It is also unlike Fig to leave their bird behind without someone to care for it. Bipolar can be extremely debilitating, which is another reason Im so worried, Webb said. Figs friends are not aware of any reason why they would be in Utah. Del Fig, 24, was last seen April 3 in Kansas City. Friends and family are asking for help locating them. According to a missing persons poster developed by the friends, Fig was last seen wearing a black and white sweater with shorts. They stand five feet tall, weigh 130 pounds and have hazel eyes. Their hair is brown with streaks of turquoise. Anyone with more information about Figs location can contact the Kansas City police missing persons unit at 816-234-5043. Friends of Del Fig created a flier to get help locating the 24-year-old who has been missing since April 2. KCPD missing persons protocols The police department revived its missing persons unit Sunday after complaints from community members who were concerned police were not properly investigating missing persons cases. Police announced the unit will use a publicly accessible national database known as NamUS to track missing people. They will also maintain a public list of active cases, which includes the demographics of people reported missing, on the Kansas City police website and release reports on which cases are being closed or left unsolved. The department also plans on working with nonprofits such as Missouri Missing. Community members and advocates had called for these changes following concerns that the cases of missing Black or brown people were not being investigated properly. Maj. Leslie Foreman, commander of the violent crimes division, will oversee the squad, with seven detectives and one sergeant supervisor. Detectives will work weekends on a rotating basis and the unit will be staffed throughout the day and evening. We are going to do better but please be patient with us, Foreman said at a news conference on Tuesday. Since Sept. 1, the police department had taken 186 reports of missing adults. Nine of those cases remain unsolved. Roughly 509 juveniles have been reported missing with 53 of those cases remaining unsolved, according to a prior report by The Star. The Stars Natalie Wallington contributed to this story. Candles with the names of the four young people killed in a shooting and teddy bears dressed in graduation caps sit outside the Mahogany Masterpiece dance studio on Wednesday, April 19, 2023, in Dadeville, Ala. Two teenagers have been arrested and charged with murder in connection with the shooting at a Sweet Sixteen birthday party, Alabama investigators announced Wednesday. (AP Photo/Kimberly Chandler) DADEVILLE, Ala. (AP) Investigators on Thursday charged a sixth person with reckless murder in connection with a deadly shooting at a Sweet 16 birthday party, saying in court documents they believe gunmen shot into the crowd during the celebration. Investigators said in court documents filed Thursday that they believe five of those charged were present at the party on April 15 and "discharged firearms into the crowd, resulting in the deaths of four people. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency on Thursday night announced the arrest of a 15-year-old juvenile from Tuskegee, Alabama, the sixth person charged in the case, but court records were not released because of the person's age. All six face reckless murder charges in connection with the fatal shooting, the state agency said. The Sweet 16 birthday, at a dance studio just off the town square, was in full swing when gunfire erupted. Investigators have not discussed a motive or what they believe led to the shooting. The shooting killed four young people, ranging in age from 17 to 23, and shocked the small east Alabama city of Dadeville. Besides the four slain, 32 others were injured, four of them critically. Tyreese Ty Reik McCullough, 17, and Travis McCullough, 16, both of Tuskegee, were arrested Tuesday. Wilson LaMar Hill Jr., 20, of Auburn, Alabama, was arrested Wednesday. Johnny Letron Brown, 20, of Tuskegee and Willie George Brown Jr., 19, of Auburn, were arrested Thursday. All are charged with four counts of reckless murder, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said. The district attorney said the teens will be tried as adults as required by Alabama law when anyone 16 or older is charged with murder. All of the suspects are being held in the Tallapoosa County Jail with no bond with the exception of the 15-year-old, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said. The birthday girls brother, 18-year-old Philstavious Phil Dowdell of Camp Hill, Alabama, died as his sister knelt beside him begging him to keep breathing. He and another fatal victim, 17-year-old Shaunkivia Nicole KeKe Smith of Dadeville, were high school seniors. Also slain were Marsiah Emmanuel Siah Collins, 19, of Opelika, Alabama, and Corbin Dahmontrey Holston, 23, of Dadeville. The shooting was the 16th mass killing in the U.S. this year. A 17th took place in Maine on Tuesday. A total of 88 people have died in mass killings so far in 2023. A mass killing is defined as the slaying of four or more people other than the perpetrator, according to a database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today in partnership with Northeastern University. Budget airlines continue to expand their offerings from Raleigh-Durham International Airport, led by two start-ups that may still be unfamiliar to Triangle travelers. Avelo Airlines announced Thursday that it will begin flying nonstop between RDU and Wilmington, Delaware, on June 22. Avelo, which started at RDU with a single flight last year, now flies to 12 destinations from the Triangle, including seven in Florida. Also, Breeze Airways said this week it will begin flying nonstop between RDU and Islip on New Yorks Long Island on June 29. It will be the ninth destination from the Triangle for Breeze, which made its debut at RDU in February. Meanwhile, low-cost carriers Frontier and Sun Country are increasing the frequency of flights to cities they already serve. And two other carriers have decided to establish year-round flights on routes they now serve only part of the year: Delta to Nashville in June and JetBlue to San Juan, Puerto Rico, in early July. Altogether, airlines have added 38 new nonstop flights to their schedules from RDU so far this year. The new Avelo and Breeze flights are typical of the business model for both airlines. Both airports are close to big cities (Philadelphia and New York) but are not served by legacy carriers. Avelo will be the only carrier flying between RDU and Wilmington, while Breeze will have competition from Frontier, which flies seasonally to Islip starting in June. Another similarity: Both Avelo and Breeze will operate the new flights twice a week, Thursdays and Sundays, rather than daily. With the addition of Wilmington, airlines now offer nonstop service between RDU and 65 destinations, more than before the COVID-19 pandemic, when air travel largely halted and carriers cut back. Our airlines have announced 20 new nonstop destinations in the last 90 days, Michael Landguth, RDUs president and CEO, said earlier in the week before the Avelo announcement. On top of that, weve also added three new airlines that have launched service in the past 12 months, so thats pretty significant growth. Landguth said he expected airlines will serve more Triangle passengers this year than they did in 2019. That was RDUs busiest year on record, with more than 14 million people passing through the airport. 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. Key Points Five suspects arrested and charged with reckless murder Family members welcome the arrests High school football star among four victims of latest mass shooting Motive for the shooting still not released by authorities Family members welcome the arrests Wednesday 19 April 2023 17:21 , Andrea Blanco The fatal victims were identified on Monday as Keke Nicole Smith, 17, Phil Dowdell, 18, Marsiah Collins, 19 and Corbin Holston, 23. Four victims remain hospitalised in critical condition as of Wednesday night, District Attorney Mark Sergist said. It dont make the hurt any easier. But we are relieved that they (the suspects) are not out in the community, Smiths cousin Amy Jackson told the AP. The gunfire broke out at a birthday party for Dowdells sister Alexis Dowdell, which was being held at a dance studio just off the towns courthouse square. Witnesses had said multiple people began shooting some time after Dowdells mother paused the celebration to ask people with guns to leave. Who are the suspects arrested on Tuesday? Wednesday 19 April 2023 17:44 , Andrea Blanco Three days after gunfire at a Sweet 16 birthday party killed four young people and injured 32 more, some critically, authorities in Dadeville announced the arrests of Ty Reik McCullough, 17, and Travis McCullough, 16. The teens were taken into custody on Tuesday night and have been charged with four counts of reckless murder each. Sgt Jeremy Burkett of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said during a press conference on Wednesday that a motive for the shooting has been determined, but details will not be shared with the public at this time. Please understand, with the violence that went on and the magnitude of what happened, we are absolutely still in the early stages of the investigation, Sgt Jeremy Burkett of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said during a press conference on Wednesday. This is the beginning, this is not the end. There is a tremendous amount of work that is yet to be done. Teens charged as adults, DA says Wednesday 19 April 2023 18:00 , Andrea Blanco The shootings Saturday night rocked the small town of Dadeville, about 80 miles southeast of Birmingham, and families suddenly found themselves planning memorials and burial services instead of graduation parties or college move-ins. The fatal victims were identified on Monday as Keke Nicole Smith, 17, Phil Dowdell, 18, Marsiah Collins, 19 and Corbin Holston, 23. Four victims remain hospitalised in critical condition as of Wednesday night. We are going to make sure every victim gets justice, not just the deceased, District Attorney Mark Sergist said during a press conference on Wednesday. Even though these are 16 and 17-year-olds, we are going to charge them as adults. What comes next for two suspects in Dadeville shooting? Wednesday 19 April 2023 18:15 , Andrea Blanco Tallapoosa District Attorney Mark Sergist said more charges are expected to come. The suspects will have a bond hearing within the next 72 hours, and the prosecutors are expected to ask a judge to hold them without bail. Mr Sergist became emotional as he announced the developments, saying some of the victims were children of his longtime friends. He said that grand jurors typically meet in Tallapoosa County in March and September, but he said he would recall grand jurors to seek an indictment before September Theres an uncut cake and unburnt birthday candles that never got lit, he said. I know some of these victims personally ... These are my kids, these are our kids, you dont mess with our kids. Alabama birthday party shooting victim speaks out from hospital bed: Nobody would help me Wednesday 19 April 2023 18:30 , Andrea Blanco Police in smalltown Dadeville, Alabama, are continuing their investigation into the mass shooting at a teenagers birthday party that left four people dead and a further 32 injured. The violence broke out at approximately 10.34pm on Saturday at the Mahogany Masterpiece Dance Studio in the downtown area of Dadeville where Alexis Dowdell was celebrating her 16th birthday with friends and family. The Independents Joe Sommerlad has more: Alabama shooting victim speaks out from hospital bed: Nobody would help me Dadeville shooting victim attends vigil in hospital gown Wednesday 19 April 2023 18:45 , Andrea Blanco Taniya Cox, an 18-year-old who was shot twice in her right arm as she fled the party, joined hundreds of residents, community leaders and local politicians at a vigil on Sunday night straight from her hospital bed, The Montgomery Advertiser reported. In an interview with CBS News, Ms Cox also recounted the moments leading up to the violence and recalled seeing more than one gunman. The mother said whoever had guns had to get out and they didnt get out and five minutes later the shooting started, she said. I ran in front of a bullet and got shot. I didnt know what was going on I just saw blood coming out of my arm. Read more: Dadeville shooting victim attends vigil in hospital gown You dont mess with out kids' Wednesday 19 April 2023 19:00 , Andrea Blanco Tallapoosa District Attorney Mark Sergist said more charges are expected to come. The suspects will have a bond hearing within the next 72 hours, and the prosecutors are expected to ask a judge to hold them without bail. Mr Sergist became emotional as he announced the developments, saying some of the victims were children of his longtime friends. He said that grand jurors typically meet in Tallapoosa County in March and September, but he said he would recall grand jurors to seek an indictment before September Theres an uncut cake and unburnt birthday candles that never got lit, he said. I know some of these victims personally ... These are my kids, these are our kids, you dont mess with our kids. Community members start fundraisers for those affected by shooting Wednesday 19 April 2023 19:17 , Andrea Blanco Several community members, businesses and nonprofits have reportedly begun to raise funds to help those affected by Saturdays mass shooting. Longleaf Antique Mall announced on its Facebook page it is collecting monetary donations for the victims and families, which will be passed on to the First Baptist Church of Dadeville. A flower shop has been selling door and mailbox bows for $15, which will go towards a scholarship fund in memory of Phil Dowdell and Shaunkivia Keke Smith. A GoFundMe campaign for Dowdell has been set up by his mother, LaTonya Allen, as the family navigates through funeral expenses. Another fundraiser was set up for Smiths family. Teens arrested in connection to Dadeville shooting are brothers Wednesday 19 April 2023 19:42 , Andrea Blanco Three days after gunfire at a Sweet 16 birthday party killed four young people and injured 32 more, some critically, authorities in Dadeville announced the arrests of Ty Reik McCullough, 17, and Travis McCullough, 16. According to local outlet AL.com, the suspects are brothers. The teens were taken into custody on Tuesday night and have been charged with four counts of reckless murder each. Sgt Jeremy Burkett of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said during a press conference on Wednesday that a motive for the shooting has been determined, but details will not be shared with the public at this time. Victims mother asked attendees with guns to leave party before shooting unfolded Wednesday 19 April 2023 20:23 , Andrea Blanco Taniya Cox, an 18-year-old who was shot twice in her right arm as she fled the party, joined hundreds of residents, told CBS News that Phil and Alexis Dowdells mother had ordered anyone with a gun to leave the party just moments before the shooting unfolded. The mother said whoever had guns had to get out and they didnt get out and five minutes later the shooting started, Ms Cox said. I ran in front of a bullet and got shot. I didnt know what was going on I just saw blood coming out of my arm. Authorities said earlier this week that they did not recover any high-powered rifle ammunition at the scene. They did find numerous shell casings used in handguns. Suspects identified as Ty Reik McCullough, 17, and Travis McCullough, 16 Wednesday 19 April 2023 20:55 , Andrea Blanco The suspects have been named as 17-year-old Ty Reik McCullough and 16-year-old Travis McCullough. They were taken into custody on Tuesday night. Both teens have been charged as adults with four counts of reckless murder. More charges are expected to follow. The Independents Andrea Blanco has more: Teen brothers arrested in Alabama Sweet 16 mass shooting Total number of Dadeville injured raised from 28 to 32, ALEA says Wednesday 19 April 2023 21:42 , Andrea Blanco The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) revealed that the number of people wounded in the attack on Alexis Dowdells birthday party was 32 and not 28 as it had previously stated. The number of lives lost remains at four, it added. After conducting a preliminary analysis of the evidence at the scene, as well as reviewing the information that has been received so far, Special Agents are still in the process of gathering information relative to the sequence of events that ultimately led to the shooting, the agency wrote. Special Agents did not recover any high-powered rifle ammunition at the scene; however, they did recover numerous shell casings used in handguns. Investigators are still processing all of the evidence, in conjunction with completing interviews, in an effort to solidify a motive and potential suspects. Third arrest announced in Sweet 16 SHOOTING Wednesday 19 April 2023 23:05 , Andrea Blanco Authorities say a man, 20, has also been arrested in the shooting. PICTURED: Wilson LaMar Hill Jr, 20, and Ty Reik McCullough, 17 Wednesday 19 April 2023 23:21 , Andrea Blanco (ALEA) Phil Dowdells mother asked attendees with guns to leave party before shooting unfolded Thursday 20 April 2023 00:00 , Andrea Blanco Taniya Cox, an 18-year-old who was shot twice in her right arm as she fled the party, joined hundreds of residents, told CBS News that Phil and Alexis Dowdells mother had ordered anyone with a gun to leave the party just moments before the shooting unfolded. The mother said whoever had guns had to get out and they didnt get out and five minutes later the shooting started, Ms Cox said. I ran in front of a bullet and got shot. I didnt know what was going on I just saw blood coming out of my arm. Authorities said earlier this week that they did not recover any high-powered rifle ammunition at the scene. They did find numerous shell casings used in handguns. Motive known but not yet released Thursday 20 April 2023 01:00 , Andrea Blanco Sgt Jeremy J Burkett of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency indicated that investigators have determined a motive for the shooting, but they are not releasing it at this time. We cant get into a motive right now, because that would be part of an ongoing investigation, Mr Burkett said. We cant share that. The official also declined to disclose where the suspects are being held in jail. Suspects identified as Ty Reik McCullough, 17, and Travis McCullough, 16 Thursday 20 April 2023 02:00 , Andrea Blanco The suspects have been named as 17-year-old Ty Reik McCullough and 16-year-old Travis McCullough. They were taken into custody on Tuesday night. Both teens have been charged as adults with four counts of reckless murder. More charges are expected to follow. The Independents Andrea Blanco has more: Teen brothers arrested in Alabama Sweet 16 mass shooting More charges to come, DA says Thursday 20 April 2023 04:00 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar Tallapoosa District Attorney Mark Sergist said more charges are expected to come. The suspects will have a bond hearing within the next 72 hours, and the state will suggest no bond. The shootings Saturday night rocked the small town of Dadeville, about 80 miles southeast of Birmingham, and families suddenly found themselves planning memorials and burial services instead of graduation parties or college move-ins. The fatal victims were identified on Monday as Keke Nicole Smith, 17, Phil Dowdell, 18, Marsiah Collins, 19 and Corbin Holston, 23. Four victims remain hospitalised in critical condition as of Wednesday night, Mr Sergist said. We are going to make sure every victim gets justice, not just the deceased, he said during the press conference. Even though these are 16 and 17-year-olds, we are going to charge them as adults. Three charged with reckless murder in Dadeville shooting Thursday 20 April 2023 04:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar Two teenagers and a 20-year-old man have been arrested and charged with reckless murder in connection with a shooting that killed four young people at a Sweet 16 party in Dadeville, Alabama. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency announced that Tuskegee residents Tyreese Ty Reik McCullough, 17, and Travis McCullough, 16 and Wilson LaMar Hill Jr, 20, of Auburn have been charged with four counts of reckless murder. Tallapoosa County district attorney Mike Segrest said the two teens would be tried as adults, an automatic requirement for anyone 16 or older charged with murder in Alabama. Victim Phil Dowdell died saving sister's life Thursday 20 April 2023 05:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar A high school star, who was among the victims of a mass shooting in Alabama, died while saving his sister's life. The shooting took place on Saturday night during the 'Sweet 16' birthday party of Phil Dowdell's sister, Alexis, at the Mahogany Masterpiece Dance Studio. Dowdell pushed his sister to the ground as soon as gunfire erupted at around 10.34pm inside the dance studio. "I guess he tried to push me out the door as fast as he could," Alexis told the Associated Press. Alisha Rahaman Sarkar reports. Alabama shooting victim Phil Dowdell died saving his sisters life Family members welcome the arrests Thursday 20 April 2023 06:00 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar The fatal victims were identified on Monday as Keke Nicole Smith, 17, Phil Dowdell, 18, Marsiah Collins, 19 and Corbin Holston, 23. Four victims remain hospitalised in critical condition as of Wednesday night, District Attorney Mark Sergist said. It dont make the hurt any easier. But we are relieved that they (the suspects) are not out in the community, Smiths cousin Amy Jackson told the AP. The gunfire broke out at a birthday party for Dowdells sister Alexis Dowdell, which was being held at a dance studio just off the towns courthouse square. Witnesses had said multiple people began shooting some time after Dowdells mother paused the celebration to ask people with guns to leave. Suspects werent invited to party, says victims mother Thursday 20 April 2023 06:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar The three suspects were not invited to the party and her daughter didnt know them, said the mother of the teenager whose Sweet 16 birthday party was interrupted by the shooting. They might have come with someone else as word of the party spread on social media, added LaTonya Allen, who is also the mother of one of the shooting victims. I just feel broken to know he is not with me, Ms Allen said. But I do feel a little peace knowing they arrested somebody. Dadeville shooting victim attends vigil in hospital gown Thursday 20 April 2023 07:00 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar A survivor of the Dadeville, Alabama, mass shooting attended a vigil in her hospital gown just a day after the tragedy. Taniya Cox, an 18-year-old who was shot twice in her right arm as she fled the party, joined hundreds of residents, community leaders and local politicians at a vigil on Sunday night. In an interview with CBS News, Ms Cox also recounted the moments leading up to the violence and recalled seeing more than one gunman. The mother said whoever had guns had to get out and they didnt get out and five minutes later the shooting started, she said. I ran in front of a bullet and got shot. I didnt know what was going on I just saw blood coming out of my arm. Andrea Blanco reports. Dadeville shooting victim attends vigil in hospital gown Motive known but not yet released Thursday 20 April 2023 07:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar Sgt Jeremy J Burkett of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency indicated that investigators have determined a motive for the shooting, but refused to release it at the time of the press conference. We cant get into a motive right now, because that would be part of an ongoing investigation, Mr Burkett said. We cant share that. He also denied to discuss how investigators believe the shooting unfolded. Man with same name as one of alleged Dadeville shooter receives threats Thursday 20 April 2023 08:00 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar Ty Reik McCullough, 17, and his 16-year-old brother Travis McCullough were arrested by the Alabama police in connection with the Dadeville shooting where four people lost their lives. However, a 36-year-old man, who is also named Travis McCullough, has been receiving threatening and hateful messages on social media. Ive been scared to go outside just because of the messages and comments Ive been seeing, Mr McCullough told Montgomery Advertiser. Mr McCullough works as a delivery driver and lives 40 miles northeast in the valley. He initially began deleting the hate comments and DMs but later realised he might need proof of the threats if something bad were to happen. Ive been cautious about that all day, he said. Just know, Im not the one that did it. Teens arrested in connection to Dadeville shooting are brothers Thursday 20 April 2023 08:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar Dadeville Police announced the arrests of 17-year-old Ty Reik McCullough and 16-year-old Travis McCullough and Wilson LaMar Hill Jr, 20, at a press conference on Wednesday morning after remaining tight-lipped about the progress of the investigation for four days after the horror attack at the Mahogany Masterpiece Dance Studio on Saturday night. According to local outlet AL.com, the teens suspects are brothers. The teens were taken into custody on Tuesday night and have been charged with four counts of reckless murder each. Mr McCullough was arrested on Wednesday. Sgt Jeremy Burkett of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said during a press conference on Wednesday that a motive for the shooting has been determined, but details will not be shared with the public at this time. Alabama birthday party shooting victim speaks out from hospital bed: Nobody would help me Thursday 20 April 2023 09:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar Police in smalltown Dadeville, Alabama, are continuing their investigation into the mass shooting at a teenagers birthday party that left four people dead and a further 32 injured. The violence broke out at approximately 10.34pm on Saturday at the Mahogany Masterpiece Dance Studio in the downtown area of Dadeville where Alexis Dowdell was celebrating her 16th birthday with friends and family. The Independents Joe Sommerlad has more: Alabama shooting victim speaks out from hospital bed: Nobody would help me PICTURED: Mugshots of three suspects Thursday 20 April 2023 11:47 , Rachel Sharp Travis McCullough (Tallapoosa County Sheriffs Dpt) Tyreese Ty Reik McCullough (Tallapoosa County Sheriffs Dpt) Wilson LaMar Hill Jr. (Tallapoosa County Sheriffs Dpt) Alabama Governor Kay Ivey says work is not done Thursday 20 April 2023 12:15 , Rachel Sharp Alabama Governor Kay Ivey tweets has said that the work is not done following the arrests of three people in the mass shooting at a Sweet 16 party. Violent crime has NO place in Alabama and what happened in Dadeville was horrific. Im proud of the major progress made by law enforcement, she tweeted on Wednesday. The work is not done, and we will fully support ALEA as they work to ensure we hold ALL responsible for this tragedy accountable. Violent crime has NO place in Alabama and what happened in Dadeville was horrific. Im proud of the major progress made by law enforcement. The work is not done, and we will fully support ALEA as they work to ensure we hold ALL responsible for this tragedy accountable. Governor Kay Ivey (@GovernorKayIvey) April 19, 2023 Motive still unknown Thursday 20 April 2023 13:00 , Rachel Sharp Three suspects have now been charged over the mass shooting at a Sweet 16 birthday party in Alabama. Travis McCullough, 16, his brother Tyreese Ty Reik McCullough, 17, and Wilson LaMar Hill Jr, 20, were all charged with four counts of reckless murder. The motive for the attack remains unknown. At a press conference on Wednesday, Sgt Jeremy Burkett of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency declined to discuss how investigators believe the shooting unfolded. We cant get into a motive right now, because that would be part of an ongoing investigation, he said. We cant share that. WATCH: Police announce arrests at Wednesdays press conference Thursday 20 April 2023 13:45 , Rachel Sharp Who are the suspects arrested? Thursday 20 April 2023 14:23 , Andrea Blanco Authorities announced the arrests of 17-year-old Ty Reik McCullough, 16-year-old Travis McCullough and Wilson LaMar Hill Jr, 20, on Wednesday, three days after four people were killed and 32 injured by gunfire at a Sweet 16 party. According to local outlet AL.com, the teen suspects are brothers. The teens were taken into custody on Tuesday night, while Mr LaMar was arrested on Wednesday evening. They have been charged with four counts of reckless murder. Sgt Jeremy Burkett of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said during a press conference that a motive for the shooting has been determined, but details will not be shared with the public at this time. Please understand, with the violence that went on and the magnitude of what happened, we are absolutely still in the early stages of the investigation, Sgt Burkett said. This is the beginning, this is not the end. There is a tremendous amount of work that is yet to be done. Man with same name as one of alleged Dadeville shooter receives threats Thursday 20 April 2023 15:21 , Andrea Blanco Ty Reik McCullough, 17, and his 16-year-old brother Travis McCullough were arrested by the Alabama police in connection with the Dadeville shooting where four people lost their lives. However, a 36-year-old man, who is also named Travis McCullough, has been receiving threatening and hateful messages on social media. Ive been scared to go outside just because of the messages and comments Ive been seeing, Mr McCullough told Montgomery Advertiser. Mr McCullough works as a delivery driver and lives 40 miles northeast in the valley. He initially began deleting the hate comments and DMs but later realised he might need proof of the threats if something bad were to happen. Ive been cautious about that all day, he said. Just know, Im not the one that did it. Fatal victims mother asked attendees with guns to leave party before shooting unfolded Thursday 20 April 2023 15:51 , Andrea Blanco Taniya Cox, an 18-year-old who was shot twice in her right arm as she fled the party, joined hundreds of residents, told CBS News that Phil and Alexis Dowdells mother had ordered anyone with a gun to leave the party just moments before the shooting unfolded. The mother said whoever had guns had to get out and they didnt get out and five minutes later the shooting started, Ms Cox said. I ran in front of a bullet and got shot. I didnt know what was going on I just saw blood coming out of my arm. Authorities said earlier this week that they did not recover any high-powered rifle ammunition at the scene. They did find numerous shell casings used in handguns. What charges are the suspects facing? Thursday 20 April 2023 16:17 , Andrea Blanco The three men arrested earlier this week have been charged with four counts of reckless murder each. Tallapoosa County District Attorney Mark Sergist said on Wednesday that more charges are to come. We are going to make sure every victim gets justice, not just the deceased, Mr Sergist said. Even though these are 16 and 17-year-olds, we are going to charge them as adults. Mr Sergist became emotional as he announced the developments, saying some of the victims were children of his longtime friends. He said that grand jurors typically meet in Tallapoosa County in March and September, but he would recall a panel to seek an indictment before September. Alabama birthday party shooting victim speaks out from hospital bed: Nobody would help me Thursday 20 April 2023 16:52 , Andrea Blanco Police in smalltown Dadeville, Alabama, are continuing their investigation into the mass shooting at a teenagers birthday party that left four people dead and a further 32 injured. The violence broke out at approximately 10.34pm on Saturday at the Mahogany Masterpiece Dance Studio in the downtown area of Dadeville where Alexis Dowdell was celebrating her 16th birthday with friends and family. The Independents Joe Sommerlad has more: Alabama shooting victim speaks out from hospital bed: Nobody would help me You dont mess with out kids Thursday 20 April 2023 17:41 , Andrea Blanco Tallapoosa District Attorney Mark Sergist said more charges are expected to come. The suspects will have a bond hearing within the next 72 hours, and the prosecutors are expected to ask a judge to hold them without bail. Mr Sergist became emotional as he announced the developments, saying some of the victims were children of his longtime friends. He said that grand jurors typically meet in Tallapoosa County in March and September, but he said he would recall grand jurors to seek an indictment before September Theres an uncut cake and unburnt birthday candles that never got lit, he said. I know some of these victims personally ... These are my kids, these are our kids, you dont mess with our kids. Who are the victims of the Dadeville shooting? Thursday 20 April 2023 18:33 , Andrea Blanco The tragedy has hit every corner in the small city of just 3,200, Amy Jackson told The Independent on Monday. Ms Jacksons cousin Keke Nicole Smith is among the victims killed and she has at least two other loved ones recovering in hospital. Her fiances cousin Corbin Holston was also killed during the attack. Its still fresh. It hasnt sunk in that this is really happening. Its a close-knitted community, people know everybody. Your kids are our kids type of community, Ms Jackson said. And its just hard to believe that something like that, that we normally see on TV ... is our reality. Read more: Fourth person arrested for murder Thursday 20 April 2023 19:29 , Megan Sheets A fourth person has now been charged in connection with the shooting at a Sweet 16 birthday party in Dadeville, Alabama. Johnny Letron Brown, 20, was arrested on Thursday, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said. He is facing four counts of reckless murder. Unclear how many suspects are being sought Thursday 20 April 2023 19:46 , Megan Sheets Before police announced the arrest of a fourth suspect on Thursday, there had been no indication that another suspect was being sought. The same can be said for the news of a third arrest on Wednesday. The two developments raise a concerning question: How many people are actually being sought as suspects? Alabama Law Enforcement Agency officials had already faced criticism earlier this week as residents questioned whether the public should have been informed of ongoing threats to the community prior to the first two arrests. Unclear how many suspects are being sought Thursday 20 April 2023 19:51 , Megan Sheets Before police announced the arrest of a fourth suspect on Thursday, there had been no indication that another suspect was being sought. The same can be said for the news of a third arrest on Wednesday. The two developments raise a concerning question: How many people are actually being sought as suspects? Alabama Law Enforcement Agency officials had already faced criticism earlier this week as residents questioned whether the public should have been informed of ongoing threats to the community prior to the first two arrests. Authorities say investigation was been complex and thorough Thursday 20 April 2023 20:15 , Megan Sheets The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency assured that its investigation has been complex and thorough after announcing the arrest of a fourth suspect. Read the full update on the arrest from Andrea Blanco: Fourth man arrested in Alabama shooting that left four people dead and 32 injured What was the motive for the shooting? Thursday 20 April 2023 21:00 , Megan Sheets Four suspects have now been charged over the mass shooting at a Sweet 16 birthday party in Alabama. Travis McCullough, 16; his brother Tyreese Ty Reik McCullough, 17; Wilson LaMar Hill Jr, 20; and Johnny Letron Brown, 20, were all charged with four counts of reckless murder. The motive for the attack remains unknown. At a press conference on Wednesday, Sgt Jeremy Burkett of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency declined to discuss how investigators believe the shooting unfolded. We cant get into a motive right now, because that would be part of an ongoing investigation, he said. We cant share that. As of Thursday afternoon, the agency still has not provided any additional information. Man with same name as alleged Dadeville shooter receives threats Thursday 20 April 2023 22:00 , Megan Sheets Travis McCullough, 16, is among the four people arrested by Alabama police in connection with the Dadeville shooting where four people lost their lives. However, a 36-year-old man, who is also named Travis McCullough, has been receiving threatening and hateful messages on social media. Ive been scared to go outside just because of the messages and comments Ive been seeing, Mr McCullough told Montgomery Advertiser. Mr McCullough works as a delivery driver and lives 40 miles northeast in the valley. He initially began deleting the hate comments and DMs but later realised he might need proof of the threats if something bad were to happen. Ive been cautious about that all day, he said. Just know, Im not the one that did it. Pictured: The four Alabama shooting suspects Thursday 20 April 2023 23:00 , Megan Sheets Tyreese Ty Reik McCullough, 17 (Tallapoosa County Sheriffs Dpt) Travis McCullough, 16 (Tallapoosa County Sheriffs Dpt) Wilson LaMar Hill Jr, 20 (Tallapoosa County Sheriffs Dpt) Johnny Letron Brown, 20 (ALEA) Dadeville shooting victim attends vigil in hospital gown 01:00 , Andrea Blanco Taniya Cox, an 18-year-old who was shot twice in her right arm as she fled the party, joined hundreds of residents, community leaders and local politicians at a vigil on Sunday night straight from her hospital bed, The Montgomery Advertiser reported. In an interview with CBS News, Ms Cox also recounted the moments leading up to the violence and recalled seeing more than one gunman. The mother said whoever had guns had to get out and they didnt get out and five minutes later the shooting started, she said. I ran in front of a bullet and got shot. I didnt know what was going on I just saw blood coming out of my arm. Read more: Dadeville shooting victim attends vigil in hospital gown Family members welcome the arrests 03:00 , Andrea Blanco The fatal victims were identified on Monday as Keke Nicole Smith, 17, Phil Dowdell, 18, Marsiah Collins, 19 and Corbin Holston, 23. Four victims remain hospitalised in critical condition as of Wednesday night, District Attorney Mark Sergist said. It dont make the hurt any easier. But we are relieved that they (the suspects) are not out in the community, Smiths cousin Amy Jackson told the AP. The gunfire broke out at a birthday party for Dowdells sister Alexis Dowdell, which was being held at a dance studio just off the towns courthouse square. Witnesses had said multiple people began shooting some time after Dowdells mother paused the celebration to ask people with guns to leave. Five suspects arrested and charged with reckless murder 04:13 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar Five people, including three teenagers, have been arrested on reckless murder charges for the mass shooting at a Sweet 16 birthday party that left four people dead and 32 injured in Dadeville, Alabama. Willie George Brown Jr, 19, was arrested Thursday and charged with four counts of reckless murder, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said. Earlier in the day, Johnny Letron Brown, 20, of Tuskegee, was arrested and also charged with four counts of reckless murder. The arrest came two days after police identified the first suspects apprehended in the case, 17-year-old Ty Reik McCullough and 16-year-old Travis McCullough.The third suspect, 20-year-old Wilson LaMar Hill Jr, was arrested on Wednesday. **FIFTH ARREST** On Thursday, April 20, Special Agents with the ALEA SBI, made a 5th arrest in connection to the Tallapoosa County death investigation in Dadeville. Willie George Brown Jr., 19, of Auburn, was arrested and formally charged with four counts of Reckless Murder. pic.twitter.com/9aZCGGIqyt Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (@ALEAprotects) April 20, 2023 Teens charged as adults, DA says 05:00 , Andrea Blanco The shootings Saturday night rocked the small town of Dadeville, about 80 miles southeast of Birmingham, and families suddenly found themselves planning memorials and burial services instead of graduation parties or college move-ins. The fatal victims were identified on Monday as Keke Nicole Smith, 17, Phil Dowdell, 18, Marsiah Collins, 19 and Corbin Holston, 23. Four victims remain hospitalised in critical condition as of Wednesday night. Authorities announced the arrest of 20-year-old Johnny Letron Brown on Thursday, five days after the horror attack at the Mahogany Masterpiece Dance Studio on Saturday night. The arrest came two days after police identified the first suspects apprehended in the case, 17-year-old Ty Reik McCullough and 16-year-old Travis McCullough. The third suspect, 20-year-old Wilson LaMar Hill Jr, was arrested on Wednesday. We are going to make sure every victim gets justice, not just the deceased, District Attorney Mark Sergist said during a press conference on Wednesday. Even though these are 16 and 17-year-olds, we are going to charge them as adults. Suspects held in Tallapoosa County Jail 05:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar The five people charged in a deadly shooting, including three teenagers, are being held in the Tallapoosa County Jail with no bond. Authorities wrote in court documents filed Thursday that they believe the five were present at the party and discharged firearms into the crowd resulting in the deaths of four people. The party, at a dance studio just off the town square, was in full swing when gunfire erupted. Sixth suspect taken into custody - reports 06:00 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar District attorney Mike Segrest yesterday evening said a sixth suspect, a 15-year-old, was taken into custody, AL reported. Mr Segrest, however, did not identify the suspect or say where the suspect lived. Victims mother asked attendees with guns to leave party before shooting unfolded 06:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar Taniya Cox, an 18-year-old who was shot twice in her right arm as she fled the party, joined hundreds of residents, told CBS News that Phil and Alexis Dowdells mother had ordered anyone with a gun to leave the party just moments before the shooting unfolded. The mother said whoever had guns had to get out and they didnt get out and five minutes later the shooting started, Ms Cox said. I ran in front of a bullet and got shot. I didnt know what was going on I just saw blood coming out of my arm. Authorities said earlier this week that they did not recover any high-powered rifle ammunition at the scene. They did find numerous shell casings used in handguns. Man with same name as one of alleged Dadeville shooter receives threats 07:00 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar Ty Reik McCullough, 17, and his 16-year-old brother Travis McCullough were arrested by the Alabama police in connection with the Dadeville shooting where four people lost their lives. However, a 36-year-old man, who is also named Travis McCullough, has been receiving threatening and hateful messages on social media. Ive been scared to go outside just because of the messages and comments Ive been seeing, Mr McCullough told Montgomery Advertiser. Mr McCullough works as a delivery driver and lives 40 miles northeast in the valley. He initially began deleting the hate comments and DMs but later realised he might need proof of the threats if something bad were to happen. Ive been cautious about that all day, he said. Just know, Im not the one that did it. Everything we know about the Dadeville shooting 08:00 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar America has suffered another tragic outbreak of gun violence, this time at a Sweet 16 birthday party in Dadeville, Alabama, in which four people were killed and a further 28 injured. According to local police, the shooting began at around 10.34pm on Saturday (15 April) during a celebration held at the Mahogany Masterpiece Dance Studio in downtown Dadeville, a small town of around 3,000 residents lying 45 miles north east of Montgomery. Joe Sommerlad reports. Everything we know about the Alabama birthday party shooting Victims of the Alabama birthday shooting: A college football star to an aspiring musician 09:00 , Andrea Blanco The tragedy has hit every corner in the small city of just 3,200, Amy Jackson told The Independent on Monday. Ms Jacksons cousin Keke Nicole Smith is among the victims killed and she has at least two other loved ones recovering in hospital. Her fiances cousin Corbin Holston was also killed during the attack. Its still fresh. It hasnt sunk in that this is really happening. Its a close-knitted community, people know everybody. Your kids are our kids type of community, Ms Jackson said. And its just hard to believe that something like that, that we normally see on TV ... is our reality. Read more: What we know about the victims of the Alabama Sweet 16 shooting Victim Phil Dowdell died saving sisters life 11:00 , Andrea Blanco A high school star, who was among the victims of a mass shooting in Alabama, died while saving his sisters life. The shooting took place on Saturday night during the Sweet 16 birthday party of Phil Dowdells sister, Alexis, at the Mahogany Masterpiece Dance Studio. Dowdell pushed his sister to the ground as soon as gunfire erupted at around 10.34pm inside the dance studio. I guess he tried to push me out the door as fast as he could, Alexis told the Associated Press. Alisha Rahaman Sarkar reports. Alabama shooting victim Phil Dowdell died saving his sisters life PICTURED: Five of the six suspects in mugshots 12:25 , Rachel Sharp Wilson LaMar Hill Jr. (Tallapoosa County Sheriffs Dpt) Travis McCullough (Tallapoosa County Sheriffs Dpt) Tyreese Ty Reik McCullough (Tallapoosa County Sheriffs Dpt) Johnny Letron Brown (ALEA) Willie George Brown Jr., 19 (Tallapoosa County Sheriffs Dept) Who is the sixth suspect? 13:05 , Rachel Sharp 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 Johnny Letron Brown, 20, and Willie George Brown Jr., 19. The third suspect is a 15-year-old who has not been named due to his age. Motive for the shooting still not released by authorities 14:00 , Rachel Sharp Six suspects have now been charged over the mass shooting at a Sweet 16 birthday party in Alabama. The motive for the attack remains unknown. At a press conference on Wednesday, Sgt Jeremy Burkett of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency declined to discuss how investigators believe the shooting unfolded. We cant get into a motive right now, because that would be part of an ongoing investigation, he said. We cant share that. As of Thursday afternoon, the agency still has not provided any additional information about the motive. Suspects mother insists hes innocent 14:45 , Rachel Sharp The mother of one of the six suspects arrested for murder has insisted he is innocent. Johnny Letron Brown was arrested on Thursday and charged with four counts of murder over the Sweet 16 party shooting. His mother Amanda Riley told NBC News her son didnt carry out the shooting, saying he is about to go to Faulkner University to play NAIA football. He didnt do any shooting. When the firearms started firing off, he got down on the floor, she said. My kids dont carry weapons, Im going to tell you that right now. The FBI just searched my house. They couldnt find one weapon in my house. They didnt find one bullet in my house and in my shed out back. Six suspects arrested in connection with birthday party shooting 15:27 , Andrea Blanco 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. The other two suspects were named as Johnny Letron Brown, 20, and Willie George Brown Jr., 19. Their arrests bring the total number of people arrested over the shooting to six after Wilson LaMar Hill Jr, 20, and brothers Ty Reik McCullough, 17, and Travis McCullough, 16, were taken into custody earlier this week. All suspects have been booked into the Tallapoosa County Jail. They are facing four counts of reckless murder, but more charges are expected to come as at least 32 other people were injured during the violence, Tallapoosa County District Attorney Mark Segrest said on Wednesday. Authorities say investigation was been complex and thorough 17:00 , Andrea Blanco The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency assured that its investigation has been complex and thorough after announcing the arrest of a sixth suspect. Read the full update on the arrests: Six suspects arrested over Alabama birthday party shooting that left four dead Victims mother asked attendees with guns to leave party before shooting unfolded 18:06 , Andrea Blanco Taniya Cox, an 18-year-old who was shot twice in her right arm as she fled the party, joined hundreds of residents, told CBS News that Phil and Alexis Dowdells mother had ordered anyone with a gun to leave the party just moments before the shooting unfolded. The mother said whoever had guns had to get out and they didnt get out and five minutes later the shooting started, Ms Cox said. I ran in front of a bullet and got shot. I didnt know what was going on I just saw blood coming out of my arm. Authorities said earlier this week that they did not recover any high-powered rifle ammunition at the scene. They did find numerous shell casings used in handguns. Dadeville shooting victim attends vigil in hospital gown 19:11 , Andrea Blanco Taniya Cox, an 18-year-old who was shot twice in her right arm as she fled the party, joined hundreds of residents, community leaders and local politicians at a vigil on Sunday night straight from her hospital bed, The Montgomery Advertiser reported. In an interview with CBS News, Ms Cox also recounted the moments leading up to the violence and recalled seeing more than one gunman. The mother said whoever had guns had to get out and they didnt get out and five minutes later the shooting started, she said. I ran in front of a bullet and got shot. I didnt know what was going on I just saw blood coming out of my arm. Read more: What charges are the suspects facing? 20:11 , Andrea Blanco The six men arrested earlier this week have been charged with four counts of reckless murder each. Tallapoosa County District Attorney Mark Sergist said on Wednesday that more charges are to come. We are going to make sure every victim gets justice, not just the deceased, Mr Sergist said. Even though these are 16 and 17-year-olds, we are going to charge them as adults. Mr Sergist became emotional as he announced the developments, saying some of the victims were children of his longtime friends. He said that grand jurors typically meet in Tallapoosa County in March and September, but he would recall a panel to seek an indictment before September. Unclear how many suspects are being sought 21:00 , Andrea Blanco Before police announced the arrest of a sixth suspect on Thursday, there had been no indication that others suspect were being sought. The same can be said for the news of a third arrest on Wednesday. The two developments raise a concerning question: How many people are actually being sought as suspects? Alabama Law Enforcement Agency officials had already faced criticism earlier this week as residents questioned whether the public should have been informed of ongoing threats to the community prior to the first two arrests. Suspects held in Tallapoosa County Jail 21:51 , Andrea Blanco The six people charged in a deadly shooting, including three teenagers, are being held in the Tallapoosa County Jail with no bond. Authorities wrote in court documents filed Thursday that they believe the five were present at the party and discharged firearms into the crowd resulting in the deaths of four people. The party, at a dance studio just off the town square, was in full swing when gunfire erupted. Suspects mother insists hes innocent 22:56 , Andrea Blanco The mother of one of the six suspects arrested for murder has insisted he is innocent. Johnny Letron Brown was arrested on Thursday and charged with four counts of murder over the Sweet 16 party shooting. His mother Amanda Riley told NBC News her son didnt carry out the shooting, saying he is about to go to Faulkner University to play NAIA football. He didnt do any shooting. When the firearms started firing off, he got down on the floor, she said. My kids dont carry weapons, Im going to tell you that right now. The FBI just searched my house. They couldnt find one weapon in my house. They didnt find one bullet in my house and in my shed out back. One of the grandsons of the man accused of shooting Black teenager Ralph Yarl said his grandfather believed in a crazy conspiracy theory involving US infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci. Ralph, a 16-year-old high school junior, was shot twice last Thursday when he went to pick up his younger twin brothers from a friends house in Kansas City, Missouri, on 13 April. Kansas City police said the teen had gone to collect his siblings from a friends house on 115th Terrace, but got the address muddled up and accidentally rang the doorbell of a home on 115th Street, where he was shot. Andrew Lester, an 84-year-old resident, has been charged with opening fire on him. Ralph was shot twice allegedly by Mr Lester. Klint Ludwig, one of Mr Lesters grandsons, said he became estranged from his grandfather over his embracing of right-wing conspiracy theories. During the Covid pandemic, in an instance when the family was sitting together, Mr Lester had shared a conspiracy theory against Mr Fauci, said Mr Ludwig, without elaborating on what the conspiracy theory was. I was like, Man, this sounds crazy, Mr Ludwig told The New York Times. I told him it was ridiculous. The two have been distant from each other since then, he said. The 28-year-old grandson also claimed Mr Lester used to make disparaging comments about Black people, gay people, and immigrants and kept a large number of firearms in his home, including rifles and handguns. Mr Ludwig told CNN that his grandfather has a history of making racist comments and of an interest in QAnon-level conspiracy theories. I believe he holds racist tendencies and beliefs, he said, adding that he has bought into conspiracies and weird random, racist things. A lot of it was like the QAnon-level conspiracies of election denying and he got really weird about some Fauci dogs... And I would push back on some of that stuff and he couldnt handle being pushed back on and at a certain point we kind fof lost touch and I think it was more his choice than mine, he said. Andrew Lester appears in court to answer charges of first-degree assault and armed criminal action on Wednesday, April 19, 2023 in Liberty, Mo. (AP) In part, Mr Ludwig said he attributes his grandfathers actions to being scared because of this 24 hour news cycle of fear and paranoia from right-wing networks. I feel like a lot of people of that generation are caught up in this 24 hour news cycle of fear and paranoia perpetuated by some other news stations, he told Don Lemon. He would sit and watch Fox News all day every day blaring in his living room. I think that stuff really reinforces that negative view of minority groups and leads people it doesnt necessarily lead people to be racist, but it reinforces and galvanises racist people in their beliefs. Mr Lesters grandson said he felt the need to speak out against his relative because it is the right thing to do. [In] this country, it happens over and over again where people get away with killing unarmed, innocent Black people people need to speak out and not make any excuses for this kind of behaviour and this violence, he said. He said that the family is disgusted by the 84-year-olds shooting of the Black teenager. Myself and my family stand with Ralph Yarl and seeking justice. This is a horrible tragedy, it never should have happened, he said. Mr Lester pleaded not guilty to first-degree assault and armed criminal action at his first appearance in Clay County Court on Wednesday. Lee Merritt, the lawyer for the Yarl family, told reporters on Wednesday that the shooting was now being probed by the Justice Department as a hate crime. The 16-year-olds mother Cleo Nagbe told CBS on Tuesday about the horror injuries her son suffered in the shooting. Ralph was shot on the top of his left eye his frontal lobe and the top of his right arm, she said. He had the bullet up here [in his head] for about 12 hours before it was taken out, so that injury is extensive. Ms Nagbe said the extensive injuries mean Ralph has a long road ahead to recovery. Ralph Yarl was shot twice on 13 April (Ben Crump Law) Mr Lester is accused of shooting the 16-year-old high school junior twice on 13 April when the boy went to pick up his younger twin brothers from a friends house. Kansas City Police said that Ralph had gone to collect his siblings from a friends house on 115th Terrace in Kansas City, Missouri, but got muddled up with the address and accidentally went to a home on 115th Street by mistake. There, Ralph allegedly rang the doorbell and the Mr Andrew Lester opened fire on him, shooting him twice. The Black teenager was rushed to hospital in critical condition. The shooting and the treatment of the white homeowner has sparked outrage from celebrities, civil rights attorneys and the victims family. Ralph Yarl is recovering at home from his injuries While Ralph spent days in hospital and is now recovering from his injuries at home, Mr Lester was detained for less than two hours after the shooting before being released without charge. Mr Lester was finally charged on Monday afternoon with two felonies but more than 20 hours passed before he was taken into custody, when he surrendered to authorities. He was released again less than two hours later after posting $200,000 bond. Andrew Lester appears in court (left) as Ralph Yarl recovers at home (right) (Reuters/MerrittForTexas) Black teenager Ralph Yarl was shot by a white homeowner after he accidentally rang the doorbell at the wrong house while going to collect his brothers. The 16-year-old accidental visit to Andrew Lesters home in the Northland suburb of Kansas City quickly turned violent and the high school student was left hospitalised with serious injuries. Instead of going to a home in the 1100 block of Northeast 115th Terrace in Kansas City, Missouri, to pick up his brothers, he mistakenly went to Northeast 115th Street, police said. Now prosecutors have brought charges against the homeowner. Here is everything we know about the suspect. The homeowner The identity of the shooter was revealed on Monday afternoon as Andrew D Lester, aged 84. He is now facing the rest of his life behind bars over the shooting. His family broke its silence for the first time to condemn the shooting. Mr Lesters grandson Daniel Ludwig told The Daily Beast that the violent encounter never should have happened. Its just crazy. I wish it didnt happen, he said. Mr Ludwig, who said he is very close to Mr Lester, revealed he understands how easy it was for Ralph to get lost on the streets. Id go to visit my grandpa, and I would get lost on those streets, he said. Its easy to do. They all look the same and everything. Other people who knew the 84-year-old have described a penchant for anger and conspiracy theories. Another grandson Klint Ludwig said that he was estranged from his grandfather because of the 84-year-olds right-wing views. Andrew Lester appears in court to answer charges of first-degree assault and armed criminal action on Wednesday (AP) He claimed that, during the Covid-19 pandemic, Mr Lester had shared a crazy conspiracy theory about Dr Anthony Fauci. He said his grandfather also used to make disparaging comments about Black people, gay people, and immigrants and kept a large number of guns in his home. Another relative, who did not want to be named, said Mr Lester spent considerable time at home in a living room chair, watching conservative news programs at high volume. Mr Lesters ex-wife Mary Clayton has also spokem out to reveal why she isnt surprised by the shooting. Ms Clayton, who was married to Mr Lester when she was young and had three children with him, told The New York Times she was always scared of her former husband. During their 14-year marriage, she said he had anger issues and would smash up items around their home. She called the police at least once over his rages but she said that nothing was done about it and she was told Mr Lester could do what he wanted in his home. I was always scared of him, she said, adding of the shooting: It doesnt surprise me, what happened. The charges Following the shooting, Mr Lester was initially taken into custody on Thursday and placed on a 24-hour hold. However, under Missouri state law, a person can only be held for 24 hours on suspicion of a felony before officials must either charge or release them. Attorneys for Ralph and jail officials said that the suspect was actually released after less than two hours. Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves said at a press conference on Sunday that due to Ralphs injuries police had been unable to get a formal statement from him. This was also contradicted by Ralphs attorneys who said that the teenager gave an interview from his hospital bed on Friday. In an appearance on CNN, Mr Crump described the shooting as an attempted murder. The home where the suspect shot Ralph Yarl (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) On Monday afternoon, Clay County prosecutor Zachary Thompson announced that Mr Lester had been charged with two felonies: assault in the first degree, which carries a punishment of 10 to 30 years or life imprisonment, and armed criminal action, which carries a punishment of 3 to 15 years. However, more than 20 hours passed before Mr Lester was taken into custody. He surrendered to authorities on Tuesday before being released again less than two hours later after posting $200,000 bond. Under the conditions of his release, he is not allowed to possess weapons of any type or have any contact with Ralph or his family. Mr Lester appeared in court for the first time on Wednesday for his arraignment. He pleaded not guilty to the two felonies and was released on bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for 1 June. The 84-year-old is facing life in prison on the charges but is also said to be under investigation for a possible hate crime. Mr Merritt told reporters outside Clay County Court on Wednesday that the Justice Department is looking into the case. Before I even made it to Kansas City, we reached out to the Department of Justice, myself and my co-counsel Ben Crump, we have some longstanding relationships there, Mr Merritt said. We thought that this was something the DOJ should be looking into. They are (looking into it). Its under investigation, theyve received our complaint and now theyre looking into it. On Monday, when asked if Mr Lester could be charged with a hate crime by the state, the prosecutor said that it would not be possible under Missouri law. In Missouri, a hate crime is a lower level of felony and to add the charge would amount to double jeopardy, he said. Ralphs attorneys have also questioned why the suspect has not been charged with attempted murder. While Mr Merritt said the family is happy that two felony charges have been brought, he has questions as to why Mr Lester has not been charged with attempted murder. Ralph Yarl was shot twice on 13 April (Ben Crump Law) He told CBS Mornings on Tuesday that, while Mr Lesters age may be a factor in the case, the current and former president of the United States is about that age. He made a conscious decision to shoot a 16-year-old boy, he said. Ralph Yarl was shot because he was armed with nothing but other than his Black skin, he said. The motive Initially, officials denied any racial element to the shooting and offered no motive for the gunman opening fire on the teen. Speaking on Sunday, the police chief said that there was no evidence to indicate that the shooting was racially motivated. But, on Monday, when charges were announced, the prosecutor said he believed there was a racial component to the case. He did not give details as to what led officials to that conclusion and nothing to that end was outlined in the probable cause document. Mr Merritt, who is representing Ralph and his family, said that they were meeting with the prosecutor on Tuesday where they hoped to learn what racial element investigators had found. He told CBS Mornings that the suspects claim that he felt threatened by a Black boy ringing his doorbell sounds awfully familiar. Being Black has been seen as a threat often in this country. It is unjustifiable for him to use deadly force against this so-called threat. Again, Blackness is not a threat, he said. He added that the investigation itself shows bias in the treatment of the Black teen and the white shooter. We saw law enforcement respond by essentially criminalising the boy, he said of Mr Lesters lack of arrest. [Mr Lester] went home and slept in his bed that night, he said. Andrew Lester in mugshot (Clay County Jail) Mr Crump told CNN that he believes things would have been different if the races of the suspect and victim were reversed. Nobody can tell us if the roles were reversed, and you had a Black man shoot a white, 16-year-old teenager for merely ringing his doorbell that he would not be arrested, he said. I mean, this citizen went home and slept in his bed at night after shooting that young Black kid in the head. What happened According to court documents, a witness told police that they saw a vehicle pull into Mr Lesters driveway at around 9.30pm. Mr Lester told investigators that he had just lain down when the doorbell rang, he picked up a .32 pistol and opened the interior door of his house. He told police that he saw a Black male pulling on the exterior door and thought he was trying to break into the property. He claimed he was scared to death at the boys size and feared he was unable to defend himself given his elderly age, the documents state. Mr Lester said that he fired twice and that no words were exchanged with the victim. Ralph Yarl was discharged from hospital after suffering two gunshot wounds (AP) During an informal police interview at Childrens Mercy Hospital, the teenager said that he did not pull the door and was waiting outside. He told investigators that a man opened the door and immediately shot him, causing him to fall to the ground where he was shot for a second time. Ralph told police the man said, Dont come around here. Following the shooting, Ralph managed to stumble away to some other homes in the neighbourhood to get help and was rushed to hosptial. On Monday, he was released from hospital to recover at home from his injuries. Celebrities join demands for justice as GoFundMe appeal soars Before charges were announced and when the suspect had been freed from police custody without charge several celebrities joined calls for justice for Ralph. Halle Berry posted Ralphs image on Twitter and urged her Twitter followers to contact the local prosecutor to urge him to bring charges against the homeowner. His name is #RalphYarl and Im sick and tired of this feelingmy heart completely broke when I learned this precious 16-year-old, who accidentally rang the door of the wrong address in an attempt to pick up his siblings, was shot in the head by a man who didnt want him on his property. This innocent child is now fighting for his life, she wrote. Fellow Black actor Viola Davis also took to Instagram to demand action. ALL HANDS ON DECK!! she wrote, directing people to the posts of civil rights attorneys Ben Crump and Lee Merritt. Meanwhile a GoFundMe appeal to try and help raise funds for his treatment saw donations flooding in. On Thursday morning around two days after its launch a staggering $3.35m had been raised. On the campaign page, a woman who identified herself as Ralphs aunt described the teenager as a fantastic kid who had dreams of doing to Texas A&M University to major in chemical Engineering. At school, he is a member of the Technology Student Association and Science Olympia Team. Jazz and competition band. He is a section leader in the marching band; a scholar and one of the top base clarinet players in Missouri. He recently earned Missouri All-State Band recognition with an honorable mention. He plays multiple instruments in the metropolitan youth orchestra. He is a 2022 Missouri scholar academy alumni. Ralph can often be found with a musical instrument. He loves them all, the page reads. Protesters in support of Ralph Yarl on Tuesday 18 April (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) Last summer, Ralph attended Missouri Scholars Academy, where he got a full college life experience. His goal is to attend Texas A&M to major in chemical Engineering. When asked how he plans to get into this university, he said, Well, if they have a scholarship for music or academics, I know I can get it. Ralphs teacher and friends describe him as a kind soul, quiet, friendly, well-mannered, always willing to help, super smart, and a musical genius. Ralph was looking forward to graduating high school and finally getting the opportunity to visit West Africa before starting college. Life looks a lot different right now. Even though he is doing well physically, he has a long road ahead mentally and emotionally. The trauma that he has to endure and survive is unimaginable. He is our miracle. We have heard these types of stories many times, and unfortunately, most black boys are not alive to get another chance. Protesters have also taken to the streets of Kansas City in support of Ralph and to demand justice for his alleged attacker. On Tuesday, over a thousand students at Ralphs school Staley High School staged a walkout or unity walk in solidarity with their classmate. They were joined by school staff, civil rights leaders and politicians in a huge rally in downtown Kansas City where they chanted Justice for Ralph and We love you Ralph. I was out here to support my friend Ralph through this time he is going through today, one of the boys friends told KSHB. The student said he wasnt surprised by the number of people who had come out to support Ralph because everyone is willing to support a friend at our school. Former President Donald Trump. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) A major anti-abortion group blasted former President Donald Trump on the issue Thursday, saying his contention that abortion restrictions should be left up to individual states, not the federal government, is a morally indefensible position for a self-proclaimed pro-life presidential candidate. The Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America group was responding to a statement by Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung for a Washington Post story about division among the 2024 GOP presidential field on abortion-related issues. The group has said it would not support any White House candidate who did not at a minimum support a 15-week federal abortion ban. The Supreme Court made clear in its decision that it was returning the issue to the people to decide through their elected representatives in the states and in Congress," the group's president, Marjorie Dannenfelser, said in a news release. Holding to the position that it is exclusively up to the states is an abdication of responsibility by anyone elected to federal office. The condemnation by one of the nation's largest anti-abortion groups amounted to a stunning rebuke of the former president, the leading contender for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. His three nominations of conservative judges to the Supreme Court paved the way for the reversal of Roe v Wade, which had legalized abortion nationwide for nearly 50 years. Cheung had told the Post that President Donald J. Trump believes that the Supreme Court, led by the three Justices which he supported, got it right when they ruled this is an issue that should be decided at the State level. Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser is pictured with then-President Donald Trump in 2018. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Trump has referred to himself as the most pro-life president in American history. But in the early months of his 2024 bid, he has often sidestepped the issue of abortion, even as Republicans across the country celebrate the Supreme Court decision stripping federal constitutional rights to abortion. He wont be among the GOP hopefuls gathering this weekend at the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalitions spring kickoff but will instead be speaking to the group by video. Last month in Iowa, Trump repeatedly refused to say whether he would support a federal law restricting abortion in every state, a move that anti-abortion activists have been demanding of the GOPs presidential contenders. Were looking at a lot of different things, Trump said when asked twice by the AP whether he supports a federal abortion ban. President Trumps assertion that the Supreme Court returned the issue of abortion solely to the states is a completely inaccurate reading of the Dobbs decision and is a morally indefensible position for a self-proclaimed pro-life presidential candidate to hold.Marjorie Dannenfelser Dannenfelser said in the statement Thursday that life is a matter of human rights, not states rights" and that Trump's characterization of last year's Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization case was wrong. President Trumps assertion that the Supreme Court returned the issue of abortion solely to the states is a completely inaccurate reading of the Dobbs decision and is a morally indefensible position for a self-proclaimed pro-life presidential candidate to hold," she said. Pointing to a 2021 social media post from Dannenfelsers organization calling Trump the most pro-life president in U.S. history, a spokesman for Trumps campaign also noted, Even though much work remains to be done to defend the cause of life, President Trump believes it is in the States where the greatest advances can now take place to protect the unborn. All of the candidates running in the Republican presidential primary or moving toward a bid have supported state bans on abortion. Most have been much more cautious about staking a position on a nationwide ban, though entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamys campaign has said he believes its an issue for the states, not the federal government. Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, who launched a presidential exploratory committee last week, has said he would support a federal law to prohibit abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. (AP Photo/John Raoux) Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis last week signed a state abortion ban that, if upheld by the courts, would ban the procedure after six weeks of pregnancy, or before many women know they are pregnant. It will take effect only if the state Supreme Court, which is controlled by conservatives, upholds Floridas current 15-week ban that is part of an ongoing legal challenge. The Florida ban would be one of the toughest in the U.S. But DeSantis has not made clear his position on whether such restrictions should be imposed across the country. Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor and one-time United Nations ambassador, has called abortion a personal issue that should be left to the states, though she has left open the possibility of a federal ban. Haley is scheduled to give a speech on abortion next week. Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, campaigning in Iowa, stopped short of saying whether he would support a federal six- or 15-week ban as president. Obviously I would want to look at the bill, said Hutchinson, who as governor signed a law banning abortion after six weeks of pregnancy. Trumps stance has provided an opening on the right for potential rivals like former Vice President Mike Pence, an evangelical Christian with long-held anti-abortion views. Pences advocacy group, Advancing American Freedom, has pushed for Congress to pass legislation including a national abortion ban beginning around six weeks. President Joe Biden listens as he meets withColombian President Gustavo Petroin the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Thursday, April 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) WASHINGTON (AP) President Joe Biden will formally announce his 2024 reelection campaign as soon as next week, three people briefed on the discussions said Thursday. The people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations, said they were not aware that a final decision on timing had been made, but that Biden had been eyeing Tuesday, April 25, four years to the day since the Democrat entered the 2020 race. The upcoming announcement is expected to be in the form of a video released to supporters. Biden, 80, has repeatedly said he intends to run for a second term but advisers say he has felt little need to jump into campaigning because he faces no significant opposition to his party's nomination. It'll be a markedly different experience from four years ago, as when Biden was written off by much of the political establishment until he consolidated support as the candidate Democrats believed was best positioned to defeat former President Donald Trump while the coronavirus pandemic raged. This time around, he will have to juggle the challenge of running for reelection while also running the country. Biden in recent months has been focused on implementing the massive infrastructure, technology investment and climate laws passed during his first two years in office and drawing a sharp contrast with Republicans as Washington gears up for a fight over raising the nations borrowing limit. Aides believe those priorities will burnish his image ahead of his reelection campaign. The president, already is the oldest person ever elected president, will also need to contend with voter concerns about his fitness for the job. He has brushed aside those concerns, telling voters to watch me, and aides say he plans to mount a robust campaign ahead of what they expect to be a close general election owing to the country's polarization, no matter who emerges as the GOP standard-bearer. Biden has summoned top Democratic donors to Washington next week for what was expected to be a dinner with him and a strategy session with his chief political advisers. The Washington Post first reported on the expected timing of the announcement. While major federal changes to child care costs are unlikely this year, some minor changes that could have bigger ripple effects are taking place. In August 2022, President Joe Biden signed the CHIPS and Science Act, which invested billions of dollars into computer chip and semiconductor manufacturing in the United States. The White House estimates hundreds of thousands of jobs will eventually be created because of it. The Commerce Department says in order for computer chip makers to receive U.S. funding, they must provide access to affordable child care. The department is now beginning the process of deciding who should get the money. Page three of the Commerce Department's fact sheet about the process says "any applicant requesting more than $150 million in funding must provide a plan for access to affordable, accessible, reliable, and high-quality child care for both facility and construction workers." On Twitter, the Secretary of Commerce made clear "affordable child care" access is a big requirement. SEE MORE: US chip makers must provide affordable child care options to get funds Ali Lemaster doesn't have any plans on working in the computer chips industry, but she is a recruiter in the private sector for an automobile company in Florida. She says what the Department of Commerce is attempting to do is already happening in the private sector; her company helps pay for her child's day care. Bright Horizons, a national child care provider, told Scripps News more companies are offering child care perks just like they would health care or a 401K. Lemaster says her company's relationship with Bright Horizons saves her around $300 a month. "I am going to think twice about leaving this organization because I am not just moving myself, I am moving my child. So it's a great retention play," Lemaster said. Whether or not the Department of Commerce's child care requirement fuels more private companies to offer assistance is still very much to be determined, but it's clear the requirement is creating controversy. Republican Sen. Lindsay Graham of South Carolina, who voted for the CHIPS and Science Act, called the provision part of a "union agenda," and Republican Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah told the AP last month, "What President Biden is doing by jamming woke and green agenda items into legislation we pass is making it harder for him to ever get legislation passed again." A Shinto priest, right, leads Japanese lawmakers during a visit to the controversial Yasukuni Shrine to mark the begining of the Spring Festival, in Tokyo, April 21. AFP-Yonhap Korea expressed "deep disappointment and regret" Friday over Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's ritual offering at a controversial war shrine in Tokyo that is regarded as a symbol of Japan's militaristic past. The government "expresses deep disappointment and regret over the fact that the responsible leaders of Japan have once again sent offerings to and paid respects at the Yasukuni Shrine, which glorifies Japan's war of aggression and enshrines war criminals," Lim Soo-suk, spokesperson for the Seoul foreign ministry, said in a statement. Within days of the New York Post first breaking news of Hunter Bidens laptop, Secretary of State Antony Blinken then a senior official on Joe Bidens campaign reached out to a former CIA operative to collect signatures from senior American intelligence figures to discredit the story, according to recently declassified congressional testimony. Mike Morell, a former deputy director at the CIA and a signatory to the infamous letter, reportedly told the House Judiciary Committee in private sworn testimony that Blinken personally reached out to him to manufacture the letter to undermine the credibility of the Posts reporting on the eve of the 2020 presidential election. Representative Jim Jordan (R., Ohio), chairman of the House Judiciary, sent a letter to Blinken on Thursday demanding more information about the public letter signed by 51 senior intelligence operatives who dismissed the Hunter Biden laptop story as likely Russian disinformation. We are examining the origins of the infamous public statement signed by 51 former intelligence officials that falsely discredited a New York Post story regarding Hunter Bidens laptop as supposed Russian disinformation, Jordan wrote. Morell testified thatyou reached out to him to discuss the Hunter Biden laptop story. At the time you served as a senior advisor to the Biden campaign. According to Morell, although your outreach was couched as simply gathering Morells reaction to the Post story, it set in motion the events that led to the issuance of the public statement. Reacting to this breaking news with @IngrahamAngle at 10:20 p.m. ET on Fox News. Tune in! https://t.co/U5cLRrehgJ Rep. Jim Jordan (@Jim_Jordan) April 21, 2023 When asked what the intention of the letter was, the former intelligence agent explained that he had two motivations: One intent was to share our concern with the American people that the Russians were playing on this issue; and, two, it was [to] help Vice President Biden. Morell further added that several other Biden officials were aware of the exchange including Andrew Bates, the Democratic presidential candidates rapid response director, and Steve Ricchetti, the campaign chairman. The letter was signed by heavyweight national-security figures such as former CIA directors John Brennan and Leon Panetta. The signatories acknowledged in the letter that they had no actual evidence that Hunters laptop was a Russian plant but nevertheless claimed the Post story had all the classic earmarks of a Russian information operation. The letter had the desired effect: then-candidate Biden brandished it during an October debate with then-President Trump to dismiss the allegations of Hunters improprieties. And several prominent national media outlets, including Politico, cited the letter uncritically as evidence that the Posts reporting about Hunters foreign business ties and unsavory personal life were manufactured by Russian intelligence. The Biden Campaign lied. pic.twitter.com/nFQ3xF1fMw House Judiciary GOP (@JudiciaryGOP) April 21, 2023 The findings from the interview led Jordan to demand Blinken identify everyone he communicated with and share all relevant documents pertaining to the public statement. It is apparent that the Biden campaign played an active role in the origins of the public statement, which had the effect of helping to suppress the Hunter Biden story and preventing American citizens from making a fully informed decision during the 2020 presidential election, Jordan wrote. More from National Review Chinas foreign minister on Friday ramped up threats against Taiwan and warned countries supporting the self-governed island that they were "playing with fire". Qin Gang made the remarks at the end of a speech espousing China's contribution to the global economy and the interests of developing nations, in which he repeatedly praised Chinese president Xi Jinping's Global Security Initiative. At the end of the speech in Shanghai, Mr Qin spoke about what he called the "Taiwan problem", adding that both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to China. "The safeguarding of national sovereignty and territorial integrity is beyond reproach," he said. "The Taiwan problem is at the core of China's core interests. It is not the Chinese mainland, but the Taiwan independence separatist forces and a handful of countries attempting to disrupt the status quo. "We will never back down in the face of any act that undermines China's sovereignty and security. "Those who play with fire on the question of Taiwan will burn themselves." China, which maintains that the island is part of its national territory, has often used the phrase "playing with fire" over the years to warn Taiwan's allies. Beijing claims Taipei is obliged to reunite with the mainland, by force if necessary, and has no right to conduct foreign relations. Taiwan has been self-ruled since it split from the mainland in 1949 following a civil war. While Taiwan maintains official diplomatic relations with just 13 sovereign nations, it retains robust ties with most major countries, including the US. "Recently there has been absurd rhetoric accusing China of upending the status quo, disrupting peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait," Mr Qin said. "The logic is absurd and the conclusion dangerous." He added that "fair-minded people can see who is engaged in hegemonic bullying and high-minded practices." The criticism comes at the heels of Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wens meeting with US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in California. Beijing responded to Ms Tsais visit by launching a three-day combat readiness patrol that opened an opportunity for the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) to practice sealing off the island by blocking sea and air traffic. The unprecedented war games were intended as a serious warning to pro-independence politicians on the self-governing island and their foreign supporters. China had responded with similar war games, albeit smaller in scale, following former House speaker Nancy Pelosis visit to Taipei in August last year. Colombian President Gustavo Petro, second from left, meets with President Biden in the Oval Office on Thursday. (Susan Walsh / Associated Press) Colombias first leftist leader held talks Thursday with President Biden at the White House, touching on sharp differences over how to fight drug trafficking while seeking common ground on ways to end the humanitarian and political crisis in Venezuela. For Colombian President Gustavo Petro, it was a chance to smooth relations with Washington, where some officials harbor doubts about the 8-month-old government in Bogota. Biden was expected to urge more cooperation from Petro on immigration, as the number of Colombian migrants entering the U.S. illegally has soared in recent months. In March, that total was second only to the number of migrants coming from Mexico. The meeting was emblematic of the ideological balancing act the United States tries to navigate in its dealings with Colombia. Often called Washingtons best friend in Latin America, Colombia is, for the first time, not ruled by a right-wing or centrist pro-U.S. president. Colombia is the key to the hemisphere," Biden said, sitting in the Oval Office alongside Petro. I think we have an opportunity, if we work hard enough, to have a Western Hemisphere that is united, equal, democratic and economically prosperous." Petro said he believed democracy is something that is not set in stone, but flows and evolves like a river that leads to greater democracy and even greater freedom. We are on the same river as the U.S., he said. Petro, once a young guerrilla fighter in Colombias half-century-long civil war, is one of numerous leftists who have risen to power across Latin America, mostly through democratic elections. Ahead of the White House meeting with Biden, Petro, 63, acknowledged to reporters that there were undoubtedly important differences between the two governments policies. We believe the war on drugs has failed, Petro said. These last 50 years have shown absolutely disastrous [results], as much here in the United States as in our Latin America. Colombia, long the worlds largest producer of coca, the raw plant material used to manufacture cocaine, was the focus for nearly two decades starting in 1999 of Washingtons Plan Colombia, which spent billions of dollars in mostly military aid to combat drug traffickers and leftist insurgencies. In 2016, the Colombian government and the principal guerrilla group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known as FARC, signed a peace deal that ended much of the fighting and reintegrated many guerrillas into civil society. It earned then-President Juan Manuel Santos the Nobel Peace Prize, but violence is again spreading through Colombia, particularly in rural areas, as coca cultivation rises once again. Despite their differences, Petro has made gestures to solidify a good relationship with the Biden administration. He has reduced the coca crop eradication operations favored by the U.S. but, contrary to expectations, has continued a program of extraditing suspected drug traffickers to the U.S. He also favors interdiction going after traffickers over crop eradication, which affects impoverished farmers. Petro is fighting strong headwinds in the form of criticism from the right, both in the U.S. and in Colombia, including from several Republican U.S. lawmakers who have sought to associate him with authoritarian leftist leaders from Latin America, such as Venezuelas Nicolas Maduro and Nicaraguas Daniel Ortega. Petro met Wednesday with conservative Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.) as part of his rounds on Capitol Hill. The next day, Salazar accused Petro of evading her questions. He rambles, he doesnt answer, he plays for time, the way Fidel and Chavez used to do, the way Maduro and Ortega do," she said to a Colombian television station, referring to late Cuban President Fidel Castro and late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. "Its what the socialists do, to confuse you. Ahead of Petros election last year, Salazar branded him a socialist, Marxist and terrorist. Analysts dispute that characterization, noting that Petro is more intellectual than fighter these days and has a track record in elected politics, having served as Bogotas elected mayor and in Congress for several terms. There are people who would like to see a breakdown in U.S.-Colombia relations, but surprisingly he has been committed to building relations, said Steve Hege, a Colombia-based program director for the U.S. Institute of Peace. His aspirations are exactly what Colombia needs, Hege added, citing Petro's plan to end violence through negotiations with armed groups, and to reform health and pension systems. But the government still lacks the technical and institutional abilities to make those changes happen, Hege said. Talking with armed groups who come from both the right and left is a controversial endeavor in a country where more than a quarter-million people were killed by the army, guerrillas or right-wing paramilitary squads during the Western Hemispheres longest armed conflict. Biden and Petro may find the most mutually beneficial issue between them to be a more productive approach to the crisis in Venezuela. During the Trump administration, years of severe economic sanctions, diplomatic ostracism and even the threat of military intervention failed to dislodge Maduro, a socialist autocrat no longer ruling with a democratic mandate. Some of those punitive measures against Colombia have continued into the Biden administration, also without result. Maduro succeeded the far more popular Chavez upon his death in 2013, and has overseen the ruin of his once-wealthy countrys economy, along with the repression and forced exodus of hundreds of thousands of citizens. In his public appearance with Petro on Thursday, Biden praised and thanked Colombia for receiving Venezuelan immigrants, often giving them jobs and legal residency. Next week, Petro will convene an international conference in Bogota aimed at bringing the Venezuelan government and its opposition into meaningful negotiations. The U.S. will send a delegation, along with nearly 20 other countries, Petro said. Relying on his leftist credentials, Petro reopened diplomatic ties with Caracas that had been severed by his predecessor and appears to have gained some trust with the Maduro government. Everybodys out of ideas here in Washington about how to help guide Venezuela back to democracy in the near term, said Adam Isacson, a security expert at the Washington Office on Latin America. Theres space for a creative third party to help. Still at issue is whether the U.S. and Europe will ease some sanctions to encourage Venezuela to curtail repression there, or if movement toward democracy has to come before the West removes punishment. If Petro can fill the role of a balanced mediator, he stands to gain regionally by reviving commercial relations between Colombia and Venezuela, and internationally by ameliorating one of the hemispheres most nagging crises. "From the U.S. perspective, it positions Colombia as an important interlocutor to move Maduro toward advancing democracy," said Jason Marczak, senior director of the Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center at the Atlantic Council, a Washington think tank. "Colombia is a linchpin for our policy in Latin America." One area in which Petro and Biden found solid convergence was on climate change. Both enthusiastically endorsed a move away from fossil fuels and toward a more "decarbonized" world. "We need to move from fossil fuels, from the greed of fossil fuels, which has evolved like a hurricane that is threatening our existence," Petro said. "We're making real progress toward a carbon-free environment," Biden said. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Floridas congressional delegation is endorsing his rival en masse, state lawmakers are quietly grumbling about his policy agenda, and even Miamis normally reticent mayor went on TV to criticize his personality. Its enough to start wondering: Is Ron DeSantis grip on the Florida GOP beginning to loosen? A politically taxing month for the Republican governor began hitting closer to home this week, just a half-year after the governor won a landslide reelection victory that appeared to make him the most powerful and influential leader in a state that Donald Trump also calls home. The resulting fallout has raised doubts about the potential presidential candidates strength in his own backyard, even as he tours the country touting the Florida Blueprint. Ahead of his likely entrance to the 2024 presidential race, its been an unexpected and unwelcome development for DeSantis one that has apparently instilled confidence in some in-state rivals who only a short time ago were loath to publicly cross the governor. Well, he seems to struggle with relationships, generally, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez told Fox News in an interview Thursday. I look people in the eye when I shake their hands. Suarez, who is considering his own longshot bid for the presidency, has had a publicly rocky relationship with the governor since voting for his Democratic opponent in 2018 but has previously been reluctant to criticize DeSantis, much less attack his personality. The interview came out a day after TIME reported that two more members of Floridas GOP congressional delegation, Reps. Gus Bilirakis and Carlos Gimenez, would endorse Trump. Earlier this week, DeSantis made a rare visit to Washington, meeting with as many as two-dozen lawmakers. But the move has come too late for some congressmen, including Reps. Greg Steube and John Rutherford of Florida, who both endorsed the former president. Only one member of the state delegation, Rep. Laurel Lee, a former member of DeSantis administration, has backed the governor. Some Republican strategists said the endorsements of Trump would go only so far, however. Clearly, Trumps pride is wounded so hes making these calls and trying to strong-arm people, said Stephen Lawson, who worked for DeSantis 2018 campaign. I think its a lot of theatrics. If were talking about him six months from now, does this matter in Des Moines? I think the answer is probably no. So I think its important to take a step back and take a look at the big picture. But DeSantis, who on Thursday announced that he is about to embark on an international trade mission to Japan, South Korea, Israel and the United Kingdom, has faced at least minor setbacks in his home state while politicking elsewhere, including the nations capital. On Thursday, Steven Cheung, a spokesman for the Trump campaign, said DeSantis has abandoned Florida during a gas crisis in order to campaign in Washington, D.C., referring to an ongoing shortage of gasoline caused by sudden and severe flash-flooding last week in Fort Lauderdale. Representatives for DeSantis did not respond to a request for comment for this article. A spokesman for the governor has previously accused his critics of playing politics with the response to the storm. RELATED: What are you waiting for?: DeSantis 2024 supporters worry hes launching too late Tallahassee Agenda Meanwhile, in Tallahassee, House Speaker Paul Renner acknowledged Wednesday that some Republican legislators are quietly complaining that the DeSantis agenda has consumed the session with tense and contentious debate at the expense of their priorities. People are frustrated because we have a ton of bills that the governor has put forward and House leadership has put forward, Renner, a Palm Bay Republican, told reporters. Theres kind of a choke point but now that we are getting into the last weeks, we will have dozens and dozens of bills that members have. Not all of DeSantis top priorities are still alive. A proposal to strip in-state tuition rates for undocumented college students who went to a Florida high school has yet to be introduced by lawmakers and another bill to lower standards for defamation lawsuits and set up a court challenge to the landmark 1964 Supreme Court ruling in New York Times v. Sullivan appears to have been stalled. Few legislators have also come forward to endorse DeSantis. Renner and Senate President Kathleen Passidomo said on Wednesday they will wait until session ends and DeSantis announces before making a decision but both also said he hasnt asked for it. We never talked about it, Passidomo told reporters. ...Im not going to say anything until after session. I like the guy. Hes a good guy. The recent developments are in contrast to the firm control that DeSantis has exerted over GOP politics in the state since the early months of the pandemic, when he emerged as a conservative darling. The governor, of course, has still managed an extraordinarily successful legislative session. With the help of a supermajority in both chambers of the Florida Legislature, the governor has enjoyed unparalleled success in getting his agenda through with several major bills already signed into law. Lawmakers passed one of the most ambitious expansions of school vouchers in the nation, allowing all Florida K-12 students to use taxpayer money to attend private schools. They have banned most abortions after six weeks and changed state law to no longer require a unanimous jury verdict to impose the death penalty. They passed legislation limiting liability for insurance companies and other businesses accused of injuring people or other business and on Wednesday passed a bill to retroactively exempt from public records all his travel records, with no provision to notify taxpayers for how much is spent on security and travel as he travels the country in an expected campaign for president. Legislators are pursuing legislation to expand his ban on COVID-19 mask and vaccine mandates, adopt additional restrictions on immigration and, when the governor ran into trouble in his effort to retaliate against Disney for voicing opposition to his ban on gender identity discussions in Florida schools, they swiftly responded by passing legislation that attempts to void the actions of the Disney-backed board that governs the companys special taxing district. And Wednesday, the Legislature sent to the governors desk a bill that would prevent banks from using environment, social and governance standards in making investment decisions, policies DeSantis calls woke. Financial friends of DeSantis The governors fundraising also indicates that, even were his firm grip on the states politics waning a little, his stature is growing beyond Florida. A Florida political committee established to support DeSantis continues to raise millions of dollars. But as DeSantis criss-crosses the country ahead of a potential presidential bid the majority of the groups funding is now coming from outside Florida for the first time. Filings with the state show that nearly two-thirds of the almost $14 million raised so far this year by Friends of Ron DeSantis have come from out-of-state donors. Last year, when the group raised nearly $100 million, more than half of the cash came from Florida donors. Donations from the presidential battleground state of Pennsylvania accounted for one-quarter of all 2023 funds raised by the group through the end of March, while Texas and Georgia each accounted for more than 10% of the cash haul so far this year. More than 80% of the funds raised by the group this year have come from big donors who have given more than $1 million. DeSantis has headlined political events this year in early presidential primary states, such as Iowa and New Hampshire, and wooed donors in Texas, Pennsylvania, Georgia and elsewhere. James Whitley, co-founder of the Georgia real estate development firm Landmark Properties, cut the DeSantis group a $1.5 million check in March and said his giving was motivated by concern about the future of the country. In a world increasingly riddled with chaos, the strong, steady hand of American leadership has never been more essential, he said. Gov. DeSantis has the intellectual acumen, leadership ability and fortitude to steer us back in the right direction. FILE - A boat navigates at night next to large icebergs near the town of Kulusuk, in eastern Greenland on Aug. 15, 2019. A new massive study finds that Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets are now losing more than three times as much ice a year as they were 30 years ago. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) The Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets are now losing more than three times as much ice a year as they were 30 years ago, according to a new comprehensive international study. Using 50 different satellite estimates, researchers found that Greenlands melt has gone into hyperdrive in the last few years. Greenlands average annual melt from 2017 to 2020 was 20% more a year than at the beginning of the decade and more than seven times higher than its annual shrinkage in the early 1990s. The new figures are pretty disastrous really, said study co-author Ruth Mottram, a climate scientist at the Danish Meteorological Institute. Were losing more and more ice from Greenland. Study lead author Ines Otosaka, a glaciologist at the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom, said speeded-up ice sheet loss is clearly caused by human-caused climate change. From 1992 to 1996, the two ice sheets which hold 99% of the worlds freshwater ice were shrinking by 116 billion tons (105 billion metric tons) a year, two-thirds of it from Antarctica. But from 2017 to 2020, the newest data available, the combined melt soared to 410 billion tons (372 billion metric tons) a year, more than two-thirds of it from Greenland, said the study in Thursdays journal Earth System Science Data. This is a devastating trajectory, said U.S. National Snow and Ice Center Deputy Lead Scientist Twila Moon, who wasnt part of the study. These rates of ice loss are unprecedented during modern civilization. Since 1992, Earth has lost 8.3 trillion tons (7.6 trillion metric tons) of ice from the two ice sheets, the study found. Thats enough to flood the entire United States with 33.6 inches (almost 0.9 meters) of water or submerge France in 49 feet (nearly 15 meters). But because the worlds oceans are so huge, the melt just from the ice sheets since 1992 still only adds up to a little less than inch (21 millimeters) of sea level rise, on average. Globally sea level rise is accelerating and melt from ice sheets has gone from contributing 5% of the sea level rise to now accounting for more than one-quarter of it, the study said. The rest of the sea rise comes from warmer water expanding and melt from glaciers. A team of more than 65 scientists regularly calculates ice sheet loss in research funded by NASA and the European Space Agency with Thursdays study adding three more years of data. They use 17 different satellite missions and examine ice sheet melt in three distinct techniques, Otosaka said, and all the satellites, radar, on the ground observations and computer simulations basically say the same thing ice sheet melting is accelerating. Greenland from 2017 to 2020 averaged about 283 billion tons (257 billion metric tons) of melting a year, compared to just 235 billion tons (213 billion metric tons) annually from 2012 to 2016. The latest figures also showed what looks like a slowing of melting in parts of Antarctica, which has much more ice than Greenland. Thats mostly due to smaller and fleeting weather changes and the overall longer-term trend still shows an acceleration of melting in Antarctica, Mottram said. Antarctica from 2017 to 2020 is still losing about 127 billion tons (115 billion metric tons) of ice a year, down 23% from earlier in the decade, but overall up 64% from the early 1990s. While mass loss from Greenland is outpacing that from Antarctica, there are troublesome wild cards in the south, notably behavior of the Thwaites glacier, which is nicknamed the Doomsday Glacier, said Mark Serreze, director of the U.S. snow and ice center, who wasn't part of the study. Study authors used changes in gravity and in ice height and measured how much snow fell, how much snow melted, how much ice was lost in icebergs calving and eaten away from underneath by warmer water etching through the ice. This matters because rising sea levels will displace and/or financially impact hundreds of millions of people, if not billions, and will likely cost trillions of dollars, said University of Colorado ice researcher and former NASA chief scientist Waleed Abdalati, who wasnt part of the study. The study is not so much surprising as it is disturbing, Abdalati said in an email A few decades ago, it was assumed that these vast reservoirs of ice changed slowly, but with through the use of satellite observations, field observations and modeling techniques, we have come to learn that ice responds rapidly to our changing climate. ___ Follow Seth Borenstein on Twitter at @borenbears ___ See more of APs climate and environment coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment ___ Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives support from several private foundations. See more about APs climate initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Many Muslims across the world will mark the end of Ramadan today to celebrate Eid al-Fitr. It comes after Saudi Arabia announced the sighting of the moon last night. Mosques all across the city will be hosting special Eid prayers throughout the day while some have organised larger prayer spaces outside. Eid is one of two major holidays celebrated by Muslims all over the globe. Traditionally, Eid prayers begin at sunset on the night the crescent moon is first sighted but many mosques will offer to do Eid prayers the following morning. Once prayers are finished, Muslims will visit their relatives and friends to wish them a happy Eid and often exchange gifts or sweets. Some events will also be held over the weekend to accommodate some Muslims who may choose to celebrate Eid on Saturday instead of today. This means as many Muslims as possible will be able to spend the weekend visiting friends and family in order to wish them an Eid Mubarak and celebrate together. Key Points Sudan RSF fighters agree to 72-hour ceasefire for Eid holiday Humza Yousaf shares message to mark Eid-Al-Fitr Muslims perform Eid-Al-Fitr prayers in Abu Sir village in Giza, Egypt Egyptians release balloons after Eid al-Fitr prayers Park prayers moved indoors as Birmingham celebrates start of Eid al-Fitr 16:00 , Eleanor Noyce Thousands of worshippers marked the start of Eid al-Fitr at Birminghams Green Lane mosque after the citys largest outdoor prayer service was cancelled due to waterlogged ground at a nearby park. The mosque in Small Heath added an extra prayer session after using social media channels to warn people planning to travel to the city that the outdoor event would not be able to go ahead. In previous years Muslims from around the West Midlands, London and overseas have joined crowds estimated to number up to 60,000 in Small Heath Park. Around 40,000 were expected to attend the park this year, while several hundred more were set to gather at Edgbastons Colts cricket ground. A spokesman for Green Lane Masjid said: Because of the weather the ground was waterlogged so we werent able to pray at Small Heath Park and Edgbaston Cricket Ground. Instead of doing one (outdoor gathering) we planned four prayer sessions for around 3,000 people in each (at the mosque). A fifth was later added to cater for demand, the spokesman added. Matthew Cooper reports: Park prayers moved indoors as Birmingham celebrates start of Eid al-Fitr When is the second Eid celebrated? 15:00 , Eleanor Noyce Eid-Ul-Adha is also known as the Festival of Sacrifice and is typically celebrated two months after Eid-Al-Fitr. Eid-Ul-Adha marks the completion of Hajj, The Muslim Holy Pilgrimage to Mecca and is a reminder to many Muslims of the willingness and sacrifice Prophet Abraham made. Eid-Ul-Adha is considered as the bigger Eid celebration, where many Muslims complete their Hajj and sacrifice a sheep or goat. The meat is then shared equally between family, friends and those that are in need. Charity is a big part of the Muslim faith and one of the Five Pillars of Islam, so Eid is another reminder for Muslims around the world, to give even in moments of celebration. Eid is also a celebration of life, devotion and understanding of the Muslim faith. Humza Yousaf shares message to mark Eid-Al-Fitr 14:00 , Eleanor Noyce First Minister of Scotland Humza Yousaf has shared a message to mark Eid-Al-Fitr. Eid Mubarak to Muslims in Scotland, and across the world who are celebrating today, Mr Yousaf tweeted on Friday morning. I am looking forward to time with family, friends, and after a month of fasting, looking forward to my mums home cooking! Whatever you are doing today, have a wonderful Eid. Eid Mubarak to Muslims in Scotland, and across the world who are celebrating today. I am looking forward to time with family, friends, and after a month of fasting, looking forward to my mum's home cooking! Whatever you are doing today, have a wonderful Eid.#EidMubarak https://t.co/UibsBAVo1Y Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf) April 21, 2023 Muslims perform Eid-Al-Fitr prayers in Abu Sir village in Giza, Egypt 13:00 , Eleanor Noyce Muslims perform Eid-Al-Fitr prayers in Abu Sir village on April 21, 2023 in Giza, Egypt (Fadel Dawod/Getty Images) The Muslim holy month of Ramadan began on March 23, and is now coming to an end (Fadel Dawod/Getty Images) The holiest month in Islam, during which the faithful must refrain from drinking and eating from dawn to dusk, is followed by Eid al-Fitr; festival of breaking the fast (Fadel Dawod/Getty Images) In pictures: The first day of Eid-Al-Fitr, from Syria to Kyrgyzstan 12:00 , Eleanor Noyce Muslims exchange gifts as they gather on the first day of Eid al-Fitr to celebrate the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan outside the Dome of the Rock at the Aqsa mosques complex in the Old city of Jerusalem (AFP via Getty Images) Muslim worshippers enter the secured municipal stadium in Syrias rebel-held northwestern city of Idlib to attend the morning prayers (MOHAMMED AL-RIFAI/AFP via Getty Images) Muslims attend the morning prayers to celebrate Eid al-Fitr in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan (REUTERS/Vladimir Pirogov) A Muslim faithful displays her henna decoration before attending Eid al-Fitr prayers at the Masjid Salaam grounds in Nairobi, Kenya (REUTERS/Monicah Mwangi) Muslims gather to pray at the graves of loved ones after the morning prayer at a cemetery in Syria's rebel-held northwestern city of Idlib (OMAR HAJ KADOUR/AFP via Getty Images) Sudan RSF fighters agree to 72-hour ceasefire for Eid holiday 11:00 , Eleanor Noyce Sudans paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) said it had agreed to a 72-hour ceasefire from 06:00 (04:00 GMT) on Friday after six days of fighting. Coinciding with the start of the Muslim holiday of Eid-Al-Fitr, the move was to allow residents to reunite with their families. The truce coincides with the blessed Eid-Al-Fitr...to open humanitarian corridors to evacuate citizens and give them the opportunity to greet their families, the RSF said in a statement. There was no immediate comment from the army and its chief, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who did not mention a ceasefire in a pre-recorded speech posted on the armys Facebook page. Khartoum, the capital, was rocked by bombing and shelling before the ceasefire announcement and witnesses heard gunfire as the ceasefire, and morning Eid prayers, were due to begin. How to say Happy Eid to Muslim friends 10:30 , Eleanor Noyce My colleague Faiza Saqib writes: Everyone is welcome to celebrate! If you have Muslim friends or co-workers, be sure to just wish them an Eid Mubarak or Happy Eid. You can get involved by dressing up or just acknowledging the celebration that many are partaking in around the globe. Read more: Will Eid be celebrated today or tomorrow in the UK? What does Eid al-Fitr mean in English? 09:55 , Eleanor Noyce Eid-Al-Fitr, also known as the Festival of Breaking Fast is the first of two Eids in the Islamic calendar and is typically celebrated after the Muslim fasting month, known as Ramadan. Many Muslims celebrate Eid by spending time with their loved ones, making unique dishes for this special day and connecting in prayer to commemorate and acknowledge the end of the fasting month. Its a way of showing gratitude and remembering Ramadan and the charitable sacrifices many Muslims made during the fasting month. This, as many Muslims believe, is in accordance with The Holy Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). How do Muslims celebrate Eid-Al-Fitr? 09:30 , Eleanor Noyce Eid-Al-Fitr, also known as the Festival of Breaking Fast is the first of two Eids in the Islamic calendar and is typically celebrated after the Muslim fasting month, known as Ramadan. Many Muslims celebrate Eid by spending time with their loved ones, making unique dishes for this special day and connecting in prayer to commemorate and acknowledge the end of the fasting month. Its a way of showing gratitude and remembering Ramadan and the charitable sacrifices many Muslims made during the fasting month. This, as many Muslims believe, is in accordance with The Holy Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). Eid celebrations begin with special prayers at the mosque. Many Muslims dress in new garments, as it is believed that Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) would wear his best cloak to commemorate this day. Community members, family and friends also gather to share sweet treats, gifts and stories. Its a festival that celebrates the goodness of life and the blessings that came with the Holy month of fasting. Women welcome Eid by applying henna on their hands to mark the celebration, which has been a tradition for many centuries. Children are also commonly gifted with money or toys from elders. Faiza Saqib reports: Will Eid be celebrated today or tomorrow in the UK? Eid-Al-Fitr: Why does the date change? 08:54 , Eleanor Noyce The final night of Ramadan has passed and Eid-Al-Fitr is here, as Muslims prepare for celebrations around the globe. Eid al-Fitr is calculated in accordance with the sighting of the new moon by the Saudi Arabia moon-sighting committee and is typically announced by local Mosques. The crescent moon was sighted in Saudi Arabia on Thursday 20 April, therefore Eid al-Fitr will now be marked and celebrated on Friday 21 April. Each year the Islamic Lunar calendar is typically shorter than the Solar calendar by 10-12 days and usually Eid and Ramadan rotate and are celebrated in different seasons of the year. However, the precise timings and dates change from country to country, depending on the geographical location. Egyptians release balloons after Eid al-Fitr prayers 08:26 , Eleanor Noyce Muslims in Egypt have released hundreds of balloons after completing their Eid al-Fitr prayers as they mark the beginning of their three day holiday. Pictures from outside El-Seddik Mosque in Cairo shows the balloons floating up into the air, with some families attempting to re-catch them. Not all Muslims are celebrating Eid al-Fitr tomorrow, with some due to start their holiday on Saturday instead. (REUTERS) Welcome 08:22 , Eleanor Noyce Good morning and welcome to The Independents coverage of Eid al-Fitr. Follow our blog for the latest update from the religious holiday. In this image taken from body camera video provided by the Farmington Police Department, a police officer knocks on the door of the wrong address in response to a domestic violence call, in Farmington, N.M., late April 5, 2023. Moments later, the homeowner was fatally shot by police after appearing at the door armed with a handgun. (Farmington Police Department via AP) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) The family of a man shot and killed by police in northwestern New Mexico after they responded to the wrong address called Thursday for the officers to be charged with murder and the police chief to resign. Lawyers for the family of Robert Dotson issued a statement outlining their concerns and planned to talk more about their pursuit of justice at a news conference Thursday afternoon in Farmington. They accused the Farmington Police Department of wild use of force," saying there has been a lack of accountability. "We demand that changes. We want what happened to Robbie to also result in a better community for everyone in Farmington, attorney Shon Northam said in a statement. The family wants San Juan County's district attorney and New Mexicos attorney general to investigate other alleged excessive force cases involving the department. They also asked federal prosecutors in a letter sent Thursday to bring charges against the officers involved in Dotson's shooting for civil rights violations. He died in his doorway. It was no different than an execution, the letter reads. The officers did not have probable cause to suspect any crime had occurred at the residence when they entered his gated yard late at night and knocked on his door. Farmington Police Chief Steve Hebbe has called the April 5 shooting tragic, saying his agency is trying to understand what happened that night when officers mistakenly approached the Dotson home. Farmington police declined to comment on the family's demands but confirmed Thursday that the officers involved remain on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an ongoing investigation. The State Police Investigations Bureau continues to review the case, saying findings will be shared with the district attorney. It remains unclear why the officers responded to the wrong address after getting a domestic violence call from a home across the street. The district attorney's office said Thursday it will evaluate the case as soon as state police wrap up their investigation. The case comes amid an ongoing reckoning across the country over use of force by law enforcement officers. Just weeks ago, prosecutors in California charged seven Highway Patrol officers and a nurse with involuntary manslaughter in connection with the 2020 death of a man who was being restrained following a traffic stop. Body camera footage released by Farmington police last week showed officers arriving at the home. They walked up to the front door, passing the address that was posted on the home and illuminated by an exterior light. They knocked on the door and announced themselves. While knocking twice more, the officers can be heard asking a dispatcher to confirm the address and to tell the caller to come to the door. The dispatcher states the address of a home across the street. Within seconds, Dotson, armed with a handgun, opened the door and the officers immediately began shooting, firing multiple rounds as they backed away. The man can be seen dropping to the ground. The family's lawyers said footage from the home's doorbell camera shows the officers were smirking and laughing before Dotson opened the door and was blinded by the officers' flashlights. The video released by police showed a chaotic scene erupting about 4 minutes after officers first arrived at the wrong address. Once the gunfire stopped, sirens could be heard blaring as more officers arrived and Dotson's wife could be heard pleading with officers that her husband had been shot and needed help after realizing they were outside her home. __ The date of the shooting has been corrected to April 5. Nearly a year ago, a burnt building collapsed on six Pennsylvania firefighters, killing one and seriously injuring others. Now, two men have been accused of intentionally setting the property alight. The Philadelphia Fire Department was dispatched to the blazing building, which housed a pizza shop and occupied apartment units, around 2 a.m. on June 18, according to court records. About a half-hour later, firefighters extinguished the blaze and entered the building to perform an inspection, officials said. The charred structure caved in on top of them, trapping them under rubble, according to a statement from the fire department. Several of the firefighters were rescued and brought to hospitals, and one was later pronounced dead at the scene. This is a heartbreaking day for our city, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said in a June 18 statement on the death of the firefighter, identified as Lieutenant Sean Williamson. For more than 27 years, he dedicated his life to serving and protecting the people of Philadelphia, and sacrificed his life protecting others. Following a monthslong investigation conducted by state and federal officials, two 29-year-old Philadelphia men have been charged in connection to the fire, according to an April 18 news release from the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The men, one of whom was the building owner, allegedly set fire to the property to profit from insurance claims related to the incident, officials said. Records indicate an insurance claim was filed on behalf of the owner two days after the building collapse. Even if the government can prove my client set the fire, it was not foreseeable the fire department would send ill-equipped firefighters into a building on the verge of collapse, Chuck Peruto, an attorney representing the building owner, told McClatchy News. Surveillance footage collected from the area showed two men disappearing behind a dumpster near the building shortly before the fire, court records show. They appeared to have on clothing similar to what the suspects were later seen wearing, including black sandals. Approximately three minutes after the men were seen exiting the dumpster area, smoke was spotted near the building. Other surveillance footage showed the owner and the other suspect walking about a half-mile from the building around the time of the fire, court records show. But when interviewed by investigators, the owner told them that he had been on his couch at home when he learned about the fire. The men have been charged with conspiracy to commit malicious damage by means of fire of a building used in interstate commerce and malicious damage by means of fire of a building used in interstate commerce, officials said. The owner was also charged with wire fraud. If convicted, the owner would face a minimum sentence of 17 years in prison, while the other suspect would face a minimum of seven years in prison, officials said. Missing sisters found safe after 3 years, Pennsylvania cops say. Mom now charged Woman fakes her kidnapping, then shes caught getting food with neighbors, GA cops say Officer seen on video repeatedly striking inmate handcuffed to wall, Illinois cops say An Oakland-based journalist has sued the city of Fresno for refusing to release documents from a 20-year-old case in which police repeatedly used a Taser on a man, who died. The First Amendment Coalition said Friday investigative journalist Brian Howey asked for police reports in the Aug. 20, 2004, case of Michael Sanders, 40, who was Tased multiple times before he stopped breathing. The lawsuit was filed Tuesday. The coalition says the records are subject to 2018s Senate Bill 1421, which outlines what records police must make public, according to coalition Legal Director David Loy. When it passed SB 1421, the California Legislature noted the extraordinary power police have over peoples lives, and the enormous responsibility law enforcement has to exercise that power honestly and faithfully, Loy said in a news release. The city of Fresno is not exempt from this law, which was designed to lift the cloak of secrecy that historically concealed almost all police records from public disclosure. The city of Fresno does not comment on pending litigation, according to spokesperson Sontaya Rose. Howey was looking for recordings and transcripts of police interviewing the family of Sanders after the use-of-force, the coalition said, for a Los Angeles Times story published March 28 called After police killings, families are kept in the dark and grilled for information. The arrest of Michael Sanders, 40, who died after Fresno police used a Taser on him, is the subject of a First Amendment lawsuit, the First Amendment Coalition said Friday, April 21, 2023. Police interviewed Sanders wife, LaVette, after he had died but before they informed her that he died, according to Fresno Bee archives. The city of Fresno refused to provide the records, saying they were not subject to the California Public Records Act because there was no report, investigation, or finding of an incident involving the use of force against a person by a peace officer that resulted in death or great bodily injury, the coalition said. The Fresno County Coroner ruled Sanders died from cocaine intoxication. The city also rejected the argument the records were subject to the public records request because officers caused great bodily injury, which is also outlined in SB 1421. Michael Sanders suffered from multiple puncture wounds and burns to his groin from being tased repeatedly by three officers and died shortly thereafter, Howey said in a news release. For the city of Fresno to assert this is not great bodily injury is a grave insult to the public and common sense. What are they hiding, nearly 20 years after Mr. Sanders death? A federal court hearing a lawsuit from Sanders wife noted police used a Taser on Sanders 10 times. Five of those times were a drive stun, when the Taser is pressed against the skin of a person in Sanders case, to his groin the coalition said. Geneva marks UN Chinese Language Day Xinhua) 13:28, April 21, 2023 An artist performs Chinese calligraphy writing at an exhibition to mark UN Chinese Language Day in Geneva, Switzerland, on April 20, 2023. The United Nations (UN) Office at Geneva hosted an exhibition of paintings of the Song Dynasty (960-1279), part of the Great Collection of Chinese Paintings, on Thursday to mark the annually observed UN Chinese Language Day. (Xinhua/Lian Yi) GENEVA, April 20 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations (UN) Office at Geneva hosted an exhibition of paintings of the Song Dynasty (960-1279), part of the Great Collection of Chinese Paintings, on Thursday to mark the annually observed UN Chinese Language Day. Tatiana Valovaya, director-general of the UN Office at Geneva, said at the exhibition's opening that the Chinese language is more than just a means of communication -- it is a reflection of the way of life, beliefs and values that connect people around the world. "This year, Chinese Language Day unites us on the theme of 'Journey', a concept that resonates deeply with the Chinese history, culture and language," she said. Chen Xu, permanent representative of the People's Republic of China to the UN, said that the paintings on display are an important manifestation of the splendid Eastern civilization. "The exhibition provides a good opportunity for us to better understand the traditional culture of China," he said. He said that the Chinese language is not only the treasure of the Chinese civilization but also the common wealth of human civilization. "As one of the six official languages of the UN, the Chinese language plays an important role in promoting the effectiveness of the UN's work, and deepening exchanges and cooperation among all parties," he said. The UN's Language Days, created in 2010, seek to celebrate multilingualism and cultural diversity and to promote the equal use of the organization's six official languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish). The date for the Chinese Language Day was selected from Guyu, which is the 6th of the 24 solar terms in the traditional East Asian calendars, to pay tribute to Cangjie, who is considered the inventor of Chinese characters. Several cities in Switzerland also hosted events to mark this year's Chinese Language Day. Tatiana Valovaya, director-general of the UN Office at Geneva, speaks at the opening of an exhibition to mark UN Chinese Language Day in Geneva, Switzerland, on April 20, 2023. The United Nations (UN) Office at Geneva hosted an exhibition of paintings of the Song Dynasty (960-1279), part of the Great Collection of Chinese Paintings, on Thursday to mark the annually observed UN Chinese Language Day. (Xinhua/Lian Yi) A participant receives a bookmark with his name written in Chinese calligraphy on it at an exhibition to mark UN Chinese Language Day in Geneva, Switzerland, on April 20, 2023. The United Nations (UN) Office at Geneva hosted an exhibition of paintings of the Song Dynasty (960-1279), part of the Great Collection of Chinese Paintings, on Thursday to mark the annually observed UN Chinese Language Day. (Xinhua/Lian Yi) Participants visit an exhibition to mark UN Chinese Language Day in Geneva, Switzerland, on April 20, 2023. The United Nations (UN) Office at Geneva hosted an exhibition of paintings of the Song Dynasty (960-1279), part of the Great Collection of Chinese Paintings, on Thursday to mark the annually observed UN Chinese Language Day. (Xinhua/Lian Yi) Muscians perform at the opening of an exhibition to mark UN Chinese Language Day in Geneva, Switzerland, on April 20, 2023. The United Nations (UN) Office at Geneva hosted an exhibition of paintings of the Song Dynasty (960-1279), part of the Great Collection of Chinese Paintings, on Thursday to mark the annually observed UN Chinese Language Day. (Xinhua/Lian Yi) A participant visits an exhibition to mark UN Chinese Language Day in Geneva, Switzerland, on April 20, 2023. The United Nations (UN) Office at Geneva hosted an exhibition of paintings of the Song Dynasty (960-1279), part of the Great Collection of Chinese Paintings, on Thursday to mark the annually observed UN Chinese Language Day. (Xinhua/Lian Yi) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan) Kang Rae-gu, center, a sitting member of the audit committee for the state water agency K-water, heads to a hearing at the Seoul Central District Court in southern Seoul, April 21. Yonhap A Seoul court held a hearing Friday to determine whether to issue an arrest warrant for a key suspect in the "cash envelope" electioneering scandal engulfing the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea. The scandal centers on allegations that envelopes containing cash totaling 94 million won ($71,700) were handed out to party members, including some 10-20 lawmakers, to help Song Yong-gil be elected as party leader ahead of the party's national convention in May 2021. Song won party leadership at the convention. Kang Rae-gu, a sitting member of the audit committee for the state water agency K-water, worked for Song's campaign at the time of the convention and now stands accused of collecting about 80 million won of the total from businesspeople and others. Kang is also suspected of taking a bribe of 3 million won from a businessman who sought business favors connected to K-water's power plant facilities. "I will faithfully undergo (the hearing)," Kang told reporters ahead of the court session without answering questions on the scandal. "There will be a day sometime when I shall speak," he said. The court is expected to come up with a decision as early as Friday night. (Yonhap) Celia, left, and Terry Harms at their home in Warwick, R.I. Their son Jonathan Harms (portrait visible) died in 2017 after purchasing fentanyl-tainted pills from a pharmacy in Mexico. (Aram Boghosian / For The Times) In December 2018, Celia Harms sat down in her San Mateo home to write a letter. Over the course of more than 900 words, she told a story that would become familiar to parents from San Diego to Texas to Indiana: Her son had gone to Mexico, visited a pharmacy, bought what he thought were legitimate pills and died of a fentanyl overdose. She wanted someone to do something. So she sentthe letter to U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, then-Sen. Kamala Harris and then-Rep. Jackie Speier, calling on the three California Democrats to alert the public and sponsor legislation. Our beloved son, Jonathan Harms, age 29, was poisoned, the letter said. His story is unique in that he didnt purchase street drugs but went to a brick and mortar pharmacy to buy pain medication for an intractable migraine. Since his death in February 2017, that story has become far less unique. A Times investigation earlier this year found that pharmacies in multiple Mexican cities have been passing off powerful illicit drugs as legitimate pharmaceuticals. The Drug Enforcement Administration and State Department did not warn the public after a Ventura County couple informed them of their own 29-year-old sons death in 2019 after taking a fentanyl-tainted pill he bought from a Cabo San Lucas pharmacy. The Times has identified at least half a dozen other American travelers who have overdosed or died since the 2019 incident. Drug experts say its likely there are many more casualties. Jonathan Harms died in 2017 after purchasing fentanyl-tainted pills from a pharmacy in Cancun. (Harms family) But the Harms story shows the problem began at least two years earlier than was previously known. And it shows federal lawmakers were told about it at least as far back as the end of 2018. After she sent the letter, Celia Harms followed up several times with each legislator. She has since moved to Rhode Island with Terry Harms, her husband and Harms' father. Harris, who is now vice president, never responded, she said. Feinsteins office sent a letter that noted the senator's past efforts to fight the raging opioid crisis in the U.S. but didnt really address my real issues, she said. Speiers office reached out by phone, Celia Harms said, but a staffer there basically said we cant do anything because this is a Republican-controlled Congress. We were very adamant that we wanted something to be done, Terry Harms said. We sort of got deflated because we felt like it wasnt really a priority. We just got stock answers to constituent complaints. After The Times contacted Feinstein's office Tuesday, Celia Harms said, one of the senator's staffers in California called and "apologized that no one offered to meet with" her after she sent the letter in 2018. She added that the staffer said "she's going to check with the D.C. office" to see what steps can be taken "to make a substantial difference and save lives." A spokesperson for Feinstein declined to comment on her office's communications with Harms in 2018 or to answer a list of questions about why Feinstein did not do more at the time. But the spokesperson confirmed in a one-sentence statement sent via email that Tuesday "Senator Feinsteins staff reached out to Ms. Harms for a phone conversation" and provided links to information about multiple pieces of federal legislation Feinstein has co-sponsored to address the stateside fentanyl crisis. Speier and Harris did not respond to requests for comment via email and phone. However, in 2019, Harris exchanged emails with Mary Harrell, the mother of Brennan Harrell, the 29-year-old from Ventura County who died that year. On Aug. 12, 2019, Mary Harrell sent Harris an email explaining how her son died and asking Harris to "assist us in urging the State Department to provide travel warnings" about counterfeit pills sold by Mexican pharmacies. "Our family is shattered over the loss of our son, and we are hoping his death will at least prevent another family from losing their loved one." Eleven days later, Harris sent Mary Harrell an email stating that the State Department had "flagged your case for the U.S. Embassy in Mexico" and encouraging the mother to reach out to the embassy. That October, Mary Harrell sent another email to the then-senator asking her to push for a travel warning. "Travelers need to be aware of this lack of any control of what is being sold," Mary Harrell wrote. "My son bought his medication from a pharmacy and dropped dead." Nearly a month later, Harris responded in an email Mary Harrell said was the last she received from the then-senator. I am forwarding on to you the response I have received from the U.S. Consulate in Tijuana about your concern regarding U.S. Citizens traveling abroad and encountering counterfeit drugs," Harris wrote. The Times was unable to verify the contents of the response from the consulate that Harris cited. Terry Harms, left, and Celia Harms at their home in Warwick, R.I. (Aram Boghosian / For The Times) Celia Harms did not contact the State Department or the DEA. But she wrote in her 2018 letter to the three lawmakers that the STATE Department needs to issue warnings to all travelers from the US to Mexico that no drugs are safe to purchase. That didnt happen until last month . ****** A world traveler who worked in Silicon Valley, Jonathan Harms had lived with severe migraines since he was 6 years old. Growing up, he missed one to three days of school a week because he was in so much pain. By the time he graduated from UC Santa Cruz in 2009, his headaches were still so bad he took prescription pain medication most days and would periodically check into the emergency room. So when he and his girlfriend, Amanda Tachis, went on a trip to Mexico in early 2017, Harms planned for the worst. He brought along his pain pills and several doses of injectable migraine medication, which he had been prescribed for years. Whenever he sensed a headache was beginning, he would inject Imitrex into his thigh and get some relief. But while he and Tachis were in Tulum, Harms ran out of the injectable medicine. When he felt another migraine coming on in Cancun two nights before their flight back to the U.S., Harms went looking for the prescription in local drug stores. He couldnt find it. Instead, he got a bottle of something else. Its label said "Tabletas Migrana" Spanish for migraine pills but later laboratory testing showed the pills were actually fentanyl. A painting of Jonathan Harms with his mother, Celia Harms, painted by his father Terry Harms in 2017, on display at his parents' home in Warwick, R.I. (Aram Boghosian / For The Times) The morning after buying the medication, Harms tried to figure out exactly what it was. He typed small blue pill 30 M into Google and clicked a link to a website with a zoomed-in image of a light-blue, circular tablet with 30 imprinted on one side and M on the other. The website identified the pill as oxycodone, but did not mention that the blue M30 pills are some of the most commonly counterfeited opioids. Since hed purchased them in a store, he did not know to be wary. So on the morning of Feb. 26, 2017, Tachis says Harms took one of the tablets before heading to the airport. By the time they boarded their flight back to California, Harms' condition had begun to deteriorate. Tachis recalls him seeming severely exhausted, uncomfortable and agitated. The gate attendant said, Is he OK to fly? Is he on something? And I said, No, he gets migraines, Tachis said. Little do we know, he probably had fentanyl in his system. ***** When they landed in Los Angeles, Harms was so ill he couldnt make the connecting flight. Tachis continued on to San Francisco so she could make it back to workthe next day. Medics took Harms off the plane and rushed him to the hospital. A photo of Jonathan Harms taken in 2016, on display at his parents' home in Warwick, R.I. (Aram Boghosian / For The Times) His sister, Eve, lived nearby, so she met him there. He was discharged at about 4:30 p.m. and Eve took him back to her apartment. She and her girlfriend took care of him, but Harms didnt get any better. At about 8:30 p.m., Eve's girlfriend found him unresponsive in bed with foam coming out of his nose and mouth and called 911. When the paramedics got there, thats when they found the pills, Celia Harms said. They tried to save him but they couldnt. He was gone. The L.A. County coroners office determined months later that his cause of death was fentanyl intoxication" caused by a "drug for migraine headache." Harms' parents believe that in addition to the pill he took before his flight, he likely took one or more after he landed in L.A. When police recovered the bottle of counterfeit migraine medication, there were 20 pills inside, of the 24 that the label said it initially contained. Evan Tenenbaum, one of Harms' closest friends from childhood through his death, said he believes Harms would still be alive today if the public had known in early 2017 that some Mexican pharmacies were passing off counterfeit pills containing fentanyl as legitimate medications. "The fact that it's just beginning to get reported on and get publicity now is insane to me because we knew that this was happening years ago," Tenenbaum said. "And people have died because we have known this is happening for years now and there have not been any warnings or education about this earlier." Celia and Terry Harms at their home in Warwick, RI. (Aram Boghosian/For The Times) Nearly two years after her sons death, Celia Harms finally built up the courage to write to her representatives in Washington. The two-page letter recalled the days saga and his intense pain. It recounted the Harms familys grief over losing a son who was loving and full of curiosity about life, devoted to making the world a better place. And it called on the lawmakers who represented the family in Congress to take action, either by passing legislation, pushing federal agencies to act, or raising public awareness. In the more than four years since she sent the letter, little has been done. I thought we would get a much bigger response and that there would be action taken, Celia Harms said last week. It was hard for me to imagine that my son died and nobody cared enough to make changes to the laws to prevent other people from dying. But it continues. Theres no change. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Gay activists dressed as newly wed grooms at a gay pride parade in Mumbai, India, in 2015. (Danish Siddiqui/Reuters) As reported by the Independent, the Indian government told the countrys Supreme Court on Monday that marriage is an exclusively heterogenous institute, opposing petitions that are seeking to legalize same-sex marriage. This week, Indias top court, led by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, heard pleas pursuing marriage equality. The government, ruled by conservative Prime Minister Narendra Modi, contested the petitions, stating that the legislation surrounding same-sex marriage is a process that is upheld by the government. It added that allowing gay marriage would allow an urban elitist view for the purpose of social acceptance. A decision by the court in recognizing the right of same-sex marriage would mean a virtual judicial rewriting of an entire branch of law, the governments affidavit read. The court must refrain from passing such omnibus orders. It comes just one month after the Indian government condemned same-sex marriage, claiming it is not comparable to the Indian family unit concept. It has been five years since India voted to decriminalize homosexuality. However, members of the LGBT community still face discrimination across the country, including from conservative rural communities and religious leaders. Here are four other international news stories you may have missed this week from Yahoo News partner network. Dozens killed in stampede at Yemen aid distribution Clothes on the ground after a stampede in Sanaa, Yemen, on Wednesday. (Houthi Media Office/Handout via Reuters) At least 78 people were killed during a stampede in Yemen when crowds rushed to receive cash assistance, Reuters reported on Thursday. Hundreds of people gathered at a school in the capital, Sanaa, to receive 5,000 Yemeni riyals, equivalent to around $9, handed out by merchants during the holy month of Ramadan. When the door opened, there was a big rush by people wanting to reach the schoolyard first and some people began falling on the steps leading to the entrance, a medic who worked in the rescue effort told Reuters. The Houthi Health Ministry said 77 others were injured, with 13 people still in critical condition. Why it matters: Since the Arab Spring in 2011, the people of Yemen have faced one humanitarian crisis after another. With the dire conditions they face appearing to have no end, families have been forced into desperate situations that mean survival by any means necessary. The United Nations estimates that 80% of the population roughly 24.1 million people is in need of aid and protection. Since 2015, more than 2.3 million children have been displaced, with 11 million children facing serious malnourishment. After eight years, many children and families feel stuck in a perpetual cycle of hopelessness, Peter Hawkins, Yemens UNICEF representative, said in March. Visiting a family recently who have been displaced from their homes for over seven years, you realize that for too many families, little of their situation has changed beyond the childrens faces. Canada to pay 5 First Nations millions over land dispute Assembly of First Nations at a press conference following the arrival of Pope Francis in Edmonton, Canada, on July 24, 2022. (Lincoln Ho/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) The Guardian reported on Monday that the Canadian government will pay five groups of First Nations $800 million (nearly $600 million in U.S. dollars) in a settlement over a land dispute dating back to the 19th century. Both federal and provincial governments admitted that administrations had broken treaties that would allow First Nations peoples to access lands for hunting, and from which to generate income. Signed in 1899, Treaty 8 had been overlooked by government officials, forcing Indigenous groups to look for recompensation for the loss of land and earnings. The Halfway River First Nation, Saulteau First Nation, Doig River First Nation, Blueberry River First Nation and West Moberly First Nation were included in the compensation package. Honoring Treaty 8 is a key part of our work to advance reconciliation ... and reconnect these five Nations with their land, David Eby, the leader of British Columbia, told reporters. By settling these treaty land-entitlement-specific claims, were restoring the rightful amount of land that was promised under the treaty and all the benefits that should have flowed at the time to those Nations. U.N. to pull out of Afghanistan over womens working rights A Taliban fighter stands guard as a woman walks past in Kabul, Afghanistan, in December 2022. (Ebrahim Noroozi/AP) As reported by the Guardian, the United Nations said it will make the heartbreaking decision to leave Afghanistan if the Taliban continue not to allow women to work for the organization. Achim Steiner, the head of the U.N. Development Program, said the announcement comes after months of negotiations between the organization and Taliban leaders. Over 80% of the staff employed by the U.N. in Afghanistan are women. Since the edict came into force earlier this month, women who work for the U.N. have been forced to stay at home. It comes at a time when Afghanistan is facing several humanitarian crises, with at least 28 million people in need of aid. Why it matters: Since their takeover in August 2021, the Taliban have effectively banned women from participating in public life. The latest clampdown follows previous edicts that barred women from universities and prevented girls from attending secondary school. There has been a restriction on the freedom of movement for women across the country, with women also forbidden to visit parks, gyms and bathhouses. Indias population to surpass Chinas this year: U.N. Patients wait outside a primary health care center in a village near Bihar, India, on March 20. (Anushree Fadnavis/Reuters) Reuters reported on Wednesday that India will overtake China as the most populated country in the world, according to estimates predicted by the United Nations. Data released by the United Nations Population Fund indicates that India will have almost 3 million people more than its neighbor by mid-2023. India is estimated to have 1.4286 billion people, with China predicted to fall to second place with 1.4257 billion, the agencys report stated. The U.S. comes in third, with an estimated population of 340 million by the end of June. Fridays 10-race card at Keeneland featured two racing incidents, which now marks three straight days with horse welfare issues during the tracks Spring Meet. This stretch started Wednesday afternoon when Master of the Ring suffered a catastrophic injury, which led to the second horse death during the 2023 Keeneland Spring Meet. Fridays first incident occurred during the penultimate race of the day, when a Todd Pletcher-trained 4-year-old named Green Up was pulled up by jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. after crossing the wire. According to the incident report on Keenelands website, Green Up was determined to have been experiencing an exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage, and she was assisted back to the barn for further evaluation. Green Up cooled out without incident and her prognosis is listed as good. In Fridays final race, a 3-year-old named Reckoning Force was observed to have been off in the left front leg during the gallop back after racing, according to the incident report. Reckoning Force was loaded without incident into an equine ambulance and was taken back to the barn for further evaluation. The horse, trained by Brendan Walsh, was diagnosed with mild lameness in the left forelimb. Prognosis was listed as favorable for the horse. Since the start of the Keeneland Spring Meet on April 7 (which means 10 days of racing through Friday), there have been seven racing incidents and more than 730 horses that have started a Spring Meet race. Master of the Ring is second horse death at Keeneland this Spring Meet An incident during the sixth race of Wednesdays eight-race card at Keeneland resulted in a catastrophic injury for Master of the Ring, which marked the second horse death during the 2023 Keeneland Spring Meet. Master of the Rings jockey, Tyler Gaffalione, was unseated during the racing incident, but was medically cleared and returned to the saddle in the very next race. In the stretch of Wednesday afternoons race on the Keeneland turf course, Foreign Relations, ridden by jockey Flavien Prat, abruptly veered in front of Master of the Ring. According to the incident report on Keenelands website, the horses clipped heels and Master of the Ring went down near the one-eighth pole. The 5-year old horse, who was trained by Mike Maker, was vanned off and evaluated by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commissions veterinary team and was determined to have suffered a sublaxated right carpus. This is #Horseracing: "Awkward move for Master of the Ring" He is DEAD! Second kill at Keeneland in the past week. #HorseracingIsCruel https://t.co/mHoCoxmJsd pic.twitter.com/YEfcjlvs2d Horseracing Wrongs (@racingwrongs) April 20, 2023 Keeneland described the injury as catastrophic in nature. On Thursday afternoon, the Daily Racing Form reported Master of the Rings death via euthanasia. Foreign Relations won the race, which was an allowance over 1.5 miles on a good turf course. But, Foreign Relations was disqualified and placed last after a stewards inquiry. The DRF also reported that Prat was suspended three days by Keeneland stewards for his role in the incident. According to the DRF, the three-day suspension for Prat will be served next week, which is the final week of the Spring Meet at Keeneland. Gaffalione, who is the regular jockey for likely Kentucky Derby participant Verifying, entered Thursday as the leading jockey of the Keeneland Spring Meet after winning the first two races on Wednesdays card. Other racing incidents at Keeneland this Spring Meet On April 13, Goin to the Show suffered a bilateral sesamoid fracture of the right front fetlock during a 6 1/2-furlong race on Keenelands dirt track. In that incident, jockey Julien Leparoux pulled up Goin to the Show after crossing the finish line after the horse became acutely lame in the right forelimb, according to Keenelands incident report. Goin to the Show was transported to the barn to meet with attending veterinarian Dr. Nicole Wettstein, who, in conjunction with Dr. Nick Smith, took radiographs of the horse and made the diagnosis. Going to the Show was euthanized. There were two other racing incidents on April 15 at Keeneland. Myredwhiteandblue was pulled up after the wire after appearing off in the right front limb. According to the racing incident report, prognosis is favorable for the horse pending further diagnostics and monitoring. In the other incident that day, Oldest Sister was pulled up after the wire after showing slight lameness in her left front limb. Oldest Sister was diagnosed with an apical medial sesamoid fracture in the left front fetlock and will be referred to Rood and Riddle for surgical consultation. The racing incident report said the prognosis is good for Oldest Sister. Most recently, there was one racing incident Thursday at Keeneland during which the horse Pearse was pulled up in the upper stretch and vanned off. According to the incident report, Pearse was given a courtesy ride back to the barn after the race and cooled out without incident. Prognosis is listed as good for Pearse. Kansas City police were asking the public for help Thursday to locate a woman missing since early April. Del Fig, 24, was last seen April 2 at 40th Street and Euclid Avenue in the citys Ivanhoe Southeast neighborhood, according to police. She is also known to have gone by the name Haley Towney, police said. Police said Thursday that the missing womans vehicle was found abandoned in Utah. Kansas City police were asking the public for help Thursday to locate Del Fig, or Haley Towney, a 24-year-old woman missing since April 2 from 40th and Euclid. Kansas City police were asking anyone with information regarding her whereabouts to contact the Missing Persons Unit at 816-234-5043. Since Lafayettes loss to Lexington Catholic last week, Generals softball coach Dan Gratz said his team has had an overriding focus. Hitting, hitting and more hitting, Grantz said. Its finally coming around. The new building next to Lafayettes McKenzie Field and Partnership Park that the Generals finally gained access to last week could be part of the improvement. It certainly hasnt hurt. Having a locker room now with a nice indoor hitting facility for game days has been fantastic, Grantz said. I think the girls really appreciate that. Senior catcher Nora Mack confirmed. Im so excited. Are you kidding me? Mack responded when asked about their new field house. Weve been waiting for this for forever. Way back in 2016, the Kentucky High School Athletic Association notified Fayette County Public Schools that it had some Title IX deficiencies because of the disparity between the amenities for the Lafayette, Henry Clay and Paul Laurence Dunbar softball teams as compared to their baseball teams. The softball teams didnt have locker rooms near their fields for instance. Baseball did. The new Tates Creek High School includes a shared baseball/softball field house. Bryan Station also got a softball field house last year. Now, Lafayettes is in place as part of a more than $2.5 million construction project that also included new dugouts, a netted visiting hitting area, plus the resurfacing of Lafayettes track and football field. Henry Clays softball upgrades are set to come in the next construction cycle. Dunbars are planned after that. Its really pretty, and I like how it brought all the team closer, said freshman second baseman Anna Clay Denton, who added that the team used a morning practice to move in and make it home. They added pink LED lights to the locker room. It was really fun team bonding. Denton had a pair of hits including a two-run home run Thursday in Lafayettes 12-0 win over visiting Tates Creek. It was the second home run of her career and came in a six-run third inning that also included a two-run homer from senior center fielder Olivia Planck. Lafayette @GeneralsSb go up 4-0 after a 2-run homer to left by @OliviaPlanck who just made that great catch in center. Defense yields offense. Generals still batting. Jenna Wells also scored. 1 out pic.twitter.com/uPDwE3YoTC Jared Peck (@HLpreps) April 20, 2023 Big inning! Lafayette @GeneralsSb up 8-0 on Creek B3 after this 2-run JACK by @AnnaClayDenton. She hit a walk-off 3-run homer against Madison Central last week. Still smokin, I guess. Nora Mack and @TrinityBridges4 also had RBIs this frame pic.twitter.com/J8sWYBj9oD Jared Peck (@HLpreps) April 20, 2023 As soon as I hit it. I knew it was over, Denton said. It didnt feel like it was going to be a popup. It just felt like it was going into the backyard of that guys house back there. Ranked No. 7 in the latest Kentucky Prep Softball Coaches Poll, the Generals (12-2) have outscored their opponents 50-7 since their 6-4 loss to No. 14 Lexington Catholic on April 13. Denton started the four-game streak with a walk-off three-run homer against No. 12 Madison Central last Friday. Lafayettes Anna Clay Denton (28) celebrates hitting a home run against Tates Creek during the Generals 12-0 win Thursday night. Nora Mack is one of eight seniors playing for seventh-ranked Lafayette this season. I think, as a team, were finding out how to communicate better, she said. I think were doing pretty good. That was really exciting. I loved being able to help my team, Denton said. Mack is one of eight seniors on this years team and was part of their run to the 11th Region title two years ago. Mack acknowledged an adjustment period for her fellow seniors this year. Were learning a lot of new things about ourselves, at least I am personally, Mack said. I think, as a team, were finding out how to communicate better. I think were doing pretty good. Lafayettes other loss came to No. 6 Great Crossing, another 11th Region foe. The rest of the regular season includes six teams ranked in the top 25: No. 20 Harrison County, No. 4 Daviess County, LexCath, No. 16 Scott County, No. 1 Ballard in Louisville and No. 2 South Warren in Bowling Green. Weve got some big games coming up and we have to be ready, Grantz said. Its not going to be any easier for us. Lafayettes softball upgrades include a new batting practice facility attached to the field. A new locker room at the softball field is among recent improvements at Lafayette High School. A tournament with a cause Lafayettes game against Daviess County on April 29 is part of the annual Five-Star General Tournament showcase that will feature 10 top 25 teams and include 31 games. This years event aims to benefit eastern Kentucky teams affected by last years devastating floods. In addition to T-shirt sales and other fundraising efforts, many of the participating teams will be donating equipment to help replace items lost in the floods for teams like Breathitt County, one of the participants. Its a time when we can come together and give back, Grantz said. You dont always have those opportunities. The size of this years event prompted Lafayette to reach out to Great Crossing as host. The event will be held at Great Crossing Park and Great Crossing High School in Georgetown on April 28 and 29. Among the marquee matchups are No. 2 South Warren vs. No. 6 Great Crossing, No. 7 Lafayette vs. No. 4 Daviess County and No. 14 Lexington Catholic vs. South Warren. Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Dallas in August 2022. (Dylan Hollingsworth/Bloomberg via Getty Images) Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves on Friday signed House Bill 1020, a controversial piece of legislation that will create a court system of unelected judges and prosecutors in the Capitol Complex Improvement District (CCID), a portion of the capital city, Jackson. The legislation will also expand the jurisdiction of the Capitol Police to the entire city and increase the original boundaries of the CCID. Its part of a legislative package geared toward improving public safety in the city, the Republican governor said in a news release. One of the laws increases the fines and penalties for shoplifting in Mississippi; another increases the minimum sentence requirements for the crimes of fleeing or eluding a law enforcement officer and of carjacking and armed carjacking, and ensures that those minimum imposed terms shall not be reduced or suspended. This legislation won't solve the entire problem, but if we can stop one shooting, if we can respond to one more 911 call then we're one step closer to a better Jackson, Reeves said in the news release. I refuse to accept the status quo. As long as I'm Governor, the state will keep fighting for safer streets for every Mississippian no matter their politics, race, creed, or religion regardless of how we're portrayed by liberal activists or in the national media." But advocates across the state and country say this form of law and order will overwhelmingly increase state control of Jacksons policing and judicial system, ultimately taking power away from the residents of Jackson, a city with one of the highest populations of Black residents in the U.S. Democratic Mississippi state Rep. Ed Blackmon speaks against passage of the Jackson Capitol Complex Improvement District bill in the state Capitol on March 31. (Rogelio V. Solis/AP Photo) When you take away the right of people to elect their officials who have traditionally been elected, how else are they going to see it? Democratic state Rep. Ed Blackmon asked during the final House vote on March 31. The right to vote may not mean much to some of you. Gentlemen, you have not been beaten for asking for the right to vote. You have not been locked up for asking for that. I have. The legislation passed the Mississippi House, 72-41, during the final week of the 2023 session. Independent state Rep. Angela Cockerham was the only Black lawmaker in either the House or Senate who voted for it. Cockerham has not responded to a request for comment from Yahoo News. The bill was authored and introduced by Republican state Rep. Trey Lamar in February. In an earlier interview with Yahoo News, Lamar said the legislation will address the crime and judicial backlog in the capital. The city of Jackson does not just belong to the citizens of Jackson; it is Mississippis capital city. And it belongs to the state of Mississippi, to the people of Mississippi, he told Yahoo News. The city has failed leadership over the water system, the sewer system, and the crime rate has spiraled out of control. Although the Capitol Polices involvement in recent shootings has left some residents on edge, Lamar says the departments expanded jurisdiction will provide an extra layer of protection. Republican state Rep. Trey Lamar in the Mississippi House chamber on March 31. (Rogelio V. Solis/AP Photo) We're just trying to beef up and add to the judicial resources in Jackson, Lamar said. And by adding additional law enforcement inside the CCID, we are assisting the Jackson Police Department, because now they have brothers and sisters on the streets with them helping them fight the crime. According to Reeves, the CCID was budgeted for 200 officers but there are only 120. He says roughly 450 are needed to combat the surge of crime in the city. This legislation takes the existing Capitol Police, which previously served primarily as security officers for state buildings, and turned them into a true law enforcement agency that can help fight back against crime in the city within a designated area - the Capitol Complex Governor Tate Reeves (@tatereeves) April 21, 2023 But Rep. Robert Johnson, the Mississippi House minority leader, says the legislation allows a state police force to take control of Mississippis Blackest city. What gives me concern is that those [Capitol] Police officers don't answer to anybody who is a resident of Jackson, who was elected from Jackson, [or the] police chief from Jackson, and that's not a way of community policing, Johnson said. Johnson says the most egregious part of the bill is the additional city court system aimed at addressing the need for more judges. The bill gives the Mississippi Supreme Court the power to appoint new judges, who will have priority in the CCID. This municipal court will prosecute people for misdemeanors. But upon conviction of a misdemeanor, this court can, if they want to, have you locked up in a prison, Johnson said. That is just unconscionable and it clearly shows a picture of how they feel about the people in the city of Jackson. Democratic state Rep. Robert Johnson at the Mississippi Capitol on March 8. (Rogelio V. Solis/AP Photo) The legislation has been amended at least four times since January. House Bill 1020 was filed with the best of intentions, Reeves said at a press conference this week. But as is often the case of a bill, particularly one that is as closely monitored as that one, as it goes through the process the bills tend to improve. House Bill 1020 certainly fits that. It improved through the process. But Democratic state Sen. John Horhn, a member of the Legislative Black Caucus, says the changes in the bill arent enough. It is still a snake, Horhn told Jackson news outlet WLBT last month. Advocates, organizers and community leaders are decrying the legislation nationwide, and the American Civil Liberties Union of Mississippi says the racial makeup of the city cant be ignored. This bill represents part of a continued effort by the state of Mississippi to dilute the voting power of people in Jackson and to also silence their voices and limit their ability to have an impact on the decisions that impact them every day, such as which police officers are in your neighborhood, who's going to come when you call 911, Claudia Hyman, senior staff attorney for the ACLU of Mississippi, told Yahoo News. Vangela Wade, the president of the Mississippi Center for Justice, described the legislation as redlining on steroids when it passed the House earlier this year. Democratic state Sen. John Horhn during debate for the bill on March 7. (Rogelio V. Solis/AP Photo) If you had a copy of the map that would show the Capitol Complex Improvement District, you would see that it includes the majority of the areas where white residents reside, Wade told Yahoo News in February. However, supporters of the legislation say Jackson is suffering from a mountain of issues, including a high crime rate and an ongoing water crisis. Most recently, residents have been left without trash pickup. But opponents of the legislation say the bill is not a solution to the citys problems. We believe that public safety is about much more than crime statistics. We believe that it involves health care [and] how the community responds to emergency situations in general, Hyman said. Damareo Cooper, the co-executive director for the Center for Popular Democracy, an organizing group, says the issues in Jackson boil down to a decade-long crisis of a lack of funding and resources. There's been a lack of investment in Jackson, and everyone knows about it. I dont know why they're trying to act like it isn't well documented that the mayor and previous mayors have been asking for infrastructure dollars and not getting them from the state, the state Legislature and state executive office, he said. Shuwaski Young, the Democratic candidate for Mississippi secretary of state and a graduate of Jackson State University, says the legislation is un-American and undemocratic. Shuwaski Young at the Neshoba County Fair in Philadelphia, Miss., in July 2022. (Rogelio V. Solis/AP Photo) Unfortunately, everyone doesn't play fair. Everyone doesn't adhere to the fact that we are all Mississippians and we are all Americans first, Young told Yahoo News. Following Reeves's signing of the bill, several organizations and leaders are working to undo the law at the state and federal levels. People seem to be offended by Black people running their own city, Johnson said. I think this is the last straw. This is going to make everybody mount up and organize and do what we have to do to take the city back and to take this state back. The NAACP and the Legislative Black Caucus are planning to file lawsuits, and the ACLU of Mississippi says it also plans to take action. They are only imposing this on the city of Jackson. No other jurisdiction in the state of Mississippi will have this type of oversight in taking local authority, NAACP president and CEO Derrick Johnson said at an April 6 town hall. That is a direct violation of the Equal Protection [Clause]. As soon as the governor signs any or all of these bills, we will be filing a lawsuit the same day. The bill will go into effect July 1, barring any lawsuits. Three LGBTQ rights groups are suing the state of Tennessee over a new law that prohibits medical professionals from administering gender-affirming health care to transgender minors. In a lawsuit filed Thursday in federal court, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and its Tennessee affiliate, Lambda Legal and the law firm Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld allege Tennessees Senate Bill 1 will cause severe and irreparable harm to transgender young people and their families if it is allowed to take effect on July 1. The measure, which bans gender-affirming health care for youths under 18, was signed into law by Republican Gov. Bill Lee in March. Lee on the same day approved the nations first law restricting drag shows, criminalizing certain performances that take place in public or where they may be viewed by a minor. The ACLU and Lambda Legal said they planned to sue the state following the passage of the bill. On Thursday, the ACLU tweeted, Tennessee, well see you in court. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Samantha and Brian Williams and their 15-year-old transgender daughter, two other plaintiff families filing anonymously, and Dr. Susan Lacy, a Memphis-based physician who treats transgender minors. I dont even want to think about having to go back to the dark place I was in before I was able to come out and access the care that my doctors have prescribed for me, Samantha and Brian Williamss daughter, referred to as L.W. in court filings because she is a minor, said Thursday in a news release. I want this law to be struck down so that I can continue to receive the care I need, in conversation with my parents and my doctors, and have the freedom to live my life and do the things I enjoy. The suit names Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti, along with the Tennessee Department of Health and other state defendants. A spokesperson for Skrmettis office told The Hill they have yet to see the lawsuit but look forward to reviewing it. Mounting evidence has persuaded a growing number of countries that irreversible medical interventions are not appropriate for kids showing symptoms of gender dysphoria, Elizabeth Lane, Skrmettis press secretary, said in a statement to The Hill. The Tennessee General Assembly passed a law to protect Tennessee children from the lifelong consequences of these interventions, and we will vigorously defend that law. More than a fifth of transgender youths live in a state where gender-affirming health care is banned, according to a recent report by the Movement Advancement Project, which tracks legislation impacting the nations LGBTQ community. Sixteen states since 2021 have enacted laws or policies that prohibit transgender young people from accessing gender-affirming health care, which is considered medically necessary by most major medical organizations. Three states Alabama, Idaho and North Dakota have passed laws that classify the administration of gender-affirming health care to a minor as a felony crime, punishable by hefty fines and multiple years in prison. A federal judge last year also temporarily blocked the Alabama law from taking effect, pending the outcome of another ACLU lawsuit filed on behalf of two families with transgender children. The ACLU has filed similar suits challenging bans in Arkansas and Indiana. In a statement on Thursday, Samantha Williams said her daughter, L.W., struggled with her mental health before the family was able to access care. L.W. began her social transition in 2020 and was prescribed puberty blockers by her doctors at Vanderbilt Childrens Hospital the following year, after she started seeing a mental health specialist who diagnosed her with gender dysphoria, according to Thursdays lawsuit. We have a confident, happy daughter now, who is free to be herself and she is thriving. I am so afraid of what this law will mean for her, Samantha Williams said Thursday. We dont want to leave Tennessee, but this legislation would force us to either routinely leave our state to get our daughter the medical care she desperately needs, or to uproot our entire lives and leave Tennessee altogether. No family should have to make this kind of choice, she added. Just three of the nine states bordering Tennessee Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina have yet to pass a law that heavily restricts or bans gender-affirming health care for transgender minors. Proposed laws to that effect are advancing in North Carolina and South Carolina, but similar measures failed to advance through the Virginia legislature before the end of this years legislative session. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Miami is one step closer to being a three-hour train trip away from Orlando as Brightline unveiled its new Central Florida stop on Thursday. The high-speed train company also announced tickets will be going on sale in May for future dates with the new 37,350-square-foot station, located at Orlando International Airport, expected to open by summer. Todays milestone is the last piece of transformative infrastructure that is now complete as we ready ourselves for the start of the service we have been building for a decade, said Mike Reininger, CEO of Brightline. This station will be a gateway for visitors and travelers throughout Florida, but beyond that, it is indicative of how we set out to transform travel in a way that hasnt been done in more than a century. This will be Brightlines sixth station, and the first outside of South Florida. Currently, trains run between downtown Miami, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton and West Palm Beach. The Aventura and Boca Raton stations recently opened in December. READ MORE: Brightline expands with Aventura station near the mall. What to know about the train Brightline unveils new station at Orlando International Airport on Thursday along with ticket prices and an opening date coming this summer. One-way fares between Miami and Orlando will start at $79, with Premium seating beginning at $149. Premium tickets come with complimentary meals, a dedicated first class lounge, priority boarding and other features. Families of four will have an option of less than $199 one-way tickets. The station began construction in January 2022 and finally completed it this month. Leading up to the unveiling, Brightline made history as the fastest train in the Southeast earlier this year, reaching speeds of 130 mph in a test run. Heres what we know about Brightlines new Orlando station: So, what does the new Orlando station look like? The station will be next to Orlando International Airports Terminal C. It will be connected directly to one of the airports parking garages with spaces specifically for Brightline travelers. This station represents so much more than a new train service, it is a critical connection for our community to jobs and opportunity and further showcases the power of partnerships and what our culture of collaboration here in Central Florida can do to improve the lives of our residents, workers and travelers when we work together, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said in a statement. Additionally, guests will be able to go directly to the airport Terminals A and B in under five minutes. The station offers similar entrance features as in other locations, such as self-service kiosks, luggage checks, turnstiles and ticket purchasing. Inside, the facility has a sit-down bar, called Mary Mary Bar, that will serve cocktails and lighter food. There will also be a store, called MRKT PLACE, that will sell gifts and refreshments. A BrightKids childrens play area is also situated inside a lounge for travelers that has charging stations, TVs and Wi-Fi. What are the train schedules? The trip from Miami to Orlando will take about 2 hours and 59 minutes in a non-stop train and about 3 hours and 30 minutes in a regular service train. There will be 16 daily round trips with hourly departures between Miami and Orlando. Brightline noted there will still be dedicated trains that serve commuters in South Florida from Miami to West Palm Beach, and vice versa. But for Brightline commuters who plan on taking a trip to The City Beautiful, check out the opening schedule of the Orlando-bound trains: Weekdays Hourly southbound departures from Orlando to Miami starting at 5:00 a.m. until 8:50 p.m. First southbound train from Orlando arrives in Miami at 8:30 a.m. Hourly northbound departures from Miami to Orlando starting at 6:50 a.m. until 9:45 p.m. First northbound train from Miami arrives in Orlando at 10:15 a.m. Weekends Hourly southbound departures from Orlando to Miami starting at 5:00 a.m. until 8:50 p.m. First southbound train from Orlando arrives in Miami at 8:30 a.m. Hourly northbound departures from Miami to Orlando starting at 5:45 a.m. until 9:45 p.m. First northbound train from Miami arrives in Orlando at 9:15 a.m. Captured image of Change.org petition demanding Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) reconsider the admission of the daughter of South Korean Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon. Screen captured from Change.org By Jane Han SAN FRANCISCO For Korean moms in the U.S., this college admissions season isn't just about a record-breaking year of competition. It's about setting the record straight with one of America's most prestigious universities regarding their recent acceptance of a Korean student. A group of Korean moms launched a Change.org petition demanding Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) reconsider the admission of the daughter of South Korean Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon. In less than a week, close to 40,000 people have signed the petition exposing the teenager's alleged plagiarism of numerous published papers, academic misconduct and exaggeration of awards and activities. ''What if student A did not report in her MIT application any of the fabricated research articles and math workbooks or the scholarly article on U.S. national debt that she outsourced to a ghostwriter in Kenya? What if student A earned her MIT acceptance based entirely on her sole true merit?'' states the petition live on Change.org, the largest online petition site in the U.S. ''While we will never know what material was included in her application to MIT, the truth stands that student A attempted to embellish her resume in unethical ways. Her MIT acceptance is not a chance episode that can be examined independently of its societal background and context,'' the petition argues. ''Her acceptance signals a major red flag for justice and fairness in today's college admissions system, which is already fraught with tension and inequality due to manipulations from the privileged class.'' The scandal surrounding Han is stirring up public anger particularly among Korean parents here in the U.S. as students are facing unprecedented competition in getting into colleges and universities across the board. The college admissions process has changed drastically after the pandemic where standardized tests like the SAT and ACT are no longer required for admissions in many colleges and universities. What this means is more students who are not satisfied with their test scores will still apply to schools, especially if they have high GPAs. Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon / Korea Times photo by Seo Jae-hoon The incumbent and a local activist who each lost their run for East St. Louis mayor in the April 4 election recently shared allegations of vote fraud with the East St. Louis Board of Election Commissioners, calling the integrity of the election into question. Mayor Robert Eastern III, who lost his bid for a second term, and candidate Marie Franklin, a former organizer with the United Congregations of Metro-East, sent letters to the commissioners alleging payments for votes and ballots cast by people in other voters names. They asked the board to postpone certifying the election results until the allegations could be investigated. But commissioners Joseph McCaskill, Darlene Morgan and David King voted Thursday to accept the election results, making the vote counts that show sitting city councilman Charles Powell III was elected the new mayor official. The board, through its attorney Richard Sturgeon, said it had no power to investigate fraud and referred those with criminal allegations instead to the police, states attorney or U.S. attorney. Judge Andrew J. Gleeson, chief judge of the 20th Judicial Circuit, said in an interview with the BND there is a process for filing election complaints. Before results are certified, candidates should submit complaints about election irregularities to the office of St. Clair County States Attorney. After election results are certified, as they have been in East St. Louis, candidates have the right to file an election objection with the courts, he said. We have a process, Gleeson said in a BND interview. If Miss Franklin files an election objection and whatever evidence she has is material to the election results, the court would make a determination on whether it was election fraud. The results of an election have to be certified by the elections board before someone can contest them in court. Gleeson oversees the election board. The commissioners take the election results and certify them. Then, Gleeson signs off on them. Gleason said anyone who has evidence of election irregularities that otherwise could have affected the results has the right to petition the court for that relief. Gleeson said a certification is not stopped because somebody makes an allegation. Franklin shares complaints at City Hall Franklin and six of her supporters gathered Thursday at City Hall to publicly voice their concerns to the board. They also spoke to reporters during a news conference before the meeting started. At least four of them said they had personally witnessed issues with the election, including Franklin. Franklin said she was concerned about the results in part because she observed provisional and absentee ballot counting this week. Provisional ballots are ones that were questioned at a polling place. Franklin said she urged vote counters to check the signatures, and 19 of about 30 ballots in one precinct alone had signatures that did not match the official signature on record. Those 19 ballots were thrown out, according to Franklin. As a candidate Im disappointed, but as a citizen I am livid that this is happening that our voices are being stifled by people who have taken advantage of this process not being tight and have cheated, you know? I mean theres just no other way to put it. They have cheated. And theyve been doing it for years, Franklin said at the news conference. She did not name specific individuals she believes are involved. Mayoral candidate Marie Franklin and her supporters attend the East St. Louis Board of Election Commissioners meeting Thursday at City Hall to ask the commissioners to postpone certifying the April 4 election results until allegations of voter fraud can be investigated. The board, through its attorney, said it had no power to investigate. Commissioners voted Thursday to accept the election results. Eastern wrote in his letter that he heard reports of fraud, including that someone attempted to vote in the name of the executive director of the Board of Election, Kandrise Mosby. Commissioner David King responded to the complaints of fraud during the board meeting. Ive been on this board only a short time. Anytime that anything has been brought here, weve been in consultation with the lawyer. We try to follow the law. No one on this board is saying you dont have some legitimate complaints about the conduct of what went on in the election, King said. But the process has been explained. We cant initiate these investigations. From the late 80s to the late 90s, Franklin worked for the Illinois State Police and made history as the first Black female trooper in the patrol division for southern Illinois. The April 4 election was her first time running for public office. Eastern, a former city councilman, was elected mayor in 2019. He said in BND interview Thursday that he agrees that the process of counting provisional and absentee votes needs to be updated. He declined to comment further on the allegations of voting improprieties and said his focus now is on making the transition to the new administration as smooth as possible. I was blessed to lead the city for four years and I am forever grateful for that opportunity, he said. I thank my staff, the team that helped get me elected and the residents who supported my vision. It takes a team effort. Powell, the mayor-elect, could not immediately be reached for comment for this article. Copies of Franklins and Easterns letters to the commissioners were provided to the BND. Easterns letter to the board includes a cc at the end listing other officials, including St. Clair County States Attorney James Gomric. Franklin said she also sent a copy of her letter to Gomric. A spokesperson for Gomrics office said they received Franklins letter at 12:57 p.m. Thursday, but have not received a letter from Eastern. They declined to comment further on the allegations. Witnesses recount election issues in East St. Louis Poll watcher Cheryl Sommer, East St. Louis resident Tasha Brewer and local activist Zach Chike joined Franklin at City Hall to recount the issues they say they witnessed during the election: Sommer said she watched three people who showed up to vote on Election Day learn their ballots had already been turned in without their knowledge. Sommer said she also saw a poll watcher fill out a ballot for someone who requested assistance without consulting them about their choices. Brewer said she saw people outside of her polling place in Precinct 15 passing out a piece of paper listing candidates with money attached to the back in an attempt to pay for votes. Chike said that he heard an election judge tell a voter, Im trying to get you paid, and that he saw someone bring a mail-in ballot that was not sealed correctly to City Hall. During the board of commissioners meeting, Kelvin Ellis, who identified himself as a reverend, told the board he called East St. Louis police on Election Day because of irregularities and attempts at fraudulent votes in Precinct 8. He did not offer more specific information during the meeting and declined to speak to the BND. In Precinct 19, Ellis said he is requesting a forensic examination of the results and an investigation of a specific individual who was there by the states attorneys office. That individual has a long history of voter intimidation, paying for votes and forging signatures, according to Ellis. Marie Franklin Letter to Election Commissioners by jeffrycouch on Scribd A North Augusta, South Carolina, man faced several felony charges Wednesday after police accused him in a sexual assault case from 2016, according to the Jasper County Sheriffs Office. Billy Joe Ash, 41, was charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct, kidnapping and possession of a weapon in the commission of a violent crime. He was charged with kidnapping for allegedly holding the woman against her will at gunpoint, according to police. On June 20, 2016, an anonymous caller reported a woman was being chased down the road by a man in a car, and it appeared a sexual assault had taken place, said Chief Deputy Jeff Crosby, a spokesperson with the sheriffs office. When police went to the area, the woman was able to get away and the driver, identified by Crosby as Ash, had sped off. Details of Ashs arrest and why it took seven years to bring charges were not immediately available Thursday. He remains in custody at the Jasper County Detention Center as of Thursday afternoon. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual abuse, help can be found by calling Hopeful Horizons 24-hour Support Line at 843-770-1070. When we publish mugshots The Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette publishes police booking photos, or mugshots, in the following instances: In situations where a public figure or someone in a position of public trust is arrested In cases where there is an immediate and widespread threat to public safety In cases where the arrested person is accused of a crime reporters have evidence to believe involved numerous, unknown victims Reporters will avoid using mugshots as lead images for online articles in order to limit their circulation on social media, except in cases where the public is served by the immediate identification of the accused. Reporters and editors may use discretion in situations that dont meet the criteria outlined in this policy but still present a compelling reason to publish a mugshot. Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene is still smarting after she was silenced and barred from speaking at Wednesdays House Homeland Security Committee hearing by a fellow Republican, Chairman Mark Green of Tennessee. Mr Green ordered a series of incendiary statements by the second-term congresswoman to be taken down, or officially stricken from the hearings official record, after she broke House rules by calling Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas a liar while questioning him on the Biden administrations border policies. After a prior motion to silence her for accusing California Democrat Eric Swalwell of having carried on a sexual relationship with a Chinese spy was tabled by the panels GOP majority, Ms Greene laid into Mr Mayorkas with a series of accusations about his purported responsibility for fentanyl overdoses among American youth. After she asked him how long he would continue this outrage, the former prosecutor turned Cabinet secretary attempted to defend his departments performance. He told Ms Greene that he could assure her that the department is not letting it go on and is fighting the trafficking. But before he could finish, Ms Greene interjected again, shouting at the top of her lungs. Youre a liar. You are letting this go on (and) the numbers prove it. You cant lie about the fact, Secretary Mayorkas, while you live in denial and sit over there with this attitude that youre doing everything right ... you are killing Americans with your policies, she said. After Ranking Member Bennie Thompson asked for that statement to be sticken, Mr Green asked if Ms Greene would withdraw her statement. She refused, and Mr Green immediately ruled that shed violated the rules and ordered the words stricken from the record. A day later, she told CNN she had complained to House Speaker Kevin McCarthy over the incident, and described herself as surprised and angered by Mr Greens decision to actually enforce the House rules to her detriment. She claimed Mr McCarthy agreed with [her] and implied the House Speaker did not believe the bodys decorum rules should have been used to keep her from speaking. She also said she had a conversation about the matter with Mr Green after the hearing. He basically said that we have two different styles so we have a disagreement still about what took place yesterday, but, you know, I am still new to committees so I will make sure I am following the rules, which I do think is important, but at the same time I am still going to keep pushing, she said. Mr Green told CNN in a separate interview that he didnt concur with Ms Greenes claim that the House Speaker had sided with the Georgia Republican in the dispute. He described her actions as a clear violation of House rules. I had a conversation that was maybe a little different with him, he said, adding that he and Mr McCarthy didnt really get into the details of the incident. He also said Ms Greene understands the rules and will comply with them going forward. While North Carolinas Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson made his run for governor official Saturday, another prominent Republican is planning to join him in the 2024 GOP primary election. Former U.S. Rep. Mark Walker is expected to announce his run next month. Along with Robinson, hell join State Treasurer Dale Folwell in the Republican primary. That makes a primary with three candidates who have very different approaches to politics and governing. So far, Robinson has been considered the frontrunner. All three have recognition across the state in a variety of ways: Robinson for the bully pulpit of the lieutenant governors office and controversial comments about LGBTQ+ people, Folwell for his longtime work in state government, and Walker for his time in Congress and a run in last years GOP primary for the U.S. Senate seat won by Sen. Ted Budd. Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper is in his second term and thus cannot run for a third consecutive term, leaving the field open. So far only one Democratic candidate has declared: Attorney General Josh Stein, who was long expected to run, like Robinson. At a rally at a racetrack Saturday, Robinson made official what he has talked about constantly for months, from speeches to his autobiography he wants to be governor. Walker will announce his run officially in the coming weeks, likely in May, according to a firm advising him. Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mark Walker answers a question during an hour-long debate moderated by Spectrum News political anchor Tim Boyum at the Spectrum News studio in Raleigh, NC Wednesday, April 20, 2022. Walkers upcoming run Advising Walker is Tim Murtaugh of National Public Affairs, a firm whose partners include several former Trump campaign officials, including Bill Stepien, Trumps campaign manager in 2020. Murtaugh, who also previously worked for the Trump campaign, said National Public Affairs is only advising Walker, not running his campaign, as Walker is still forming it. That means Walker does not yet have a campaign website and has not started raising money for the run, according to Murtaugh. Though the firm has former Trump campaign staff, that doesnt mean that Walkers run would come with a Trump endorsement. Trump encouraged Walker unsuccessfully to run for the U.S. House in 2022 rather than try for the Senate. In the Senate race, Trump endorsed Budd, who went on to win with Walker finishing in the single digits. President Trump will do what President Trump will do, Murtaugh told The News & Observer in a phone interview on Thursday. Robinson has joined Trump at rallies and embraced Trumps Make America Great Again (MAGA) wing of the Republican Party. Supporters cheer as Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson speaks during a rally featuring former president Donald Trump at Wilmington International Airport Friday, Sept. 23, 2023. Robinsons rise in politics North Carolina government doesnt give much power to the job of lieutenant governor. The office is elected separately from governor, which means different political parties can win the two roles. Thats the case now with Cooper and Robinson, and with the previous lieutenant governor, Republican Dan Forest. Forest lost to Cooper in 2020 in a race dominated by the coronavirus pandemic response. For the lieutenant governor primary the same year, it was a crowded field with 17 candidates in the primary from both major parties. While the Democratic primary that year was close, Robinson handily won the Republican primary. It was his first time running for office, after gaining fame through a viral video at a Greensboro City Council meeting about gun rights. Since then, Robinsons words on video have also brought much criticism, particularly his inflammatory comments about LGBTQ+ people, including calling transgenderism and homosexuality filth, The N&O previously reported. Robinson was also behind a 2021 Senate bill that regulates how race is taught in public schools, though he was not involved in similar legislation in the Senate this year, according to Senate leader Phil Berger. Berger was expected to give the Republican response to Coopers State of the State address in March, but Robinson was the one who gave the recorded response. The lieutenant governor serves as Senate president, even though the president pro tempore, currently Berger, is generally considered the leader of the Senate. Robinsons State of the State response speech focused more on Republican policies supporting the economy and education than anything controversial. In another speech this year in Raleigh at the March for Life, speaking to anti-abortion supporters, Robinson spoke in general about wanting to make North Carolina a destination for life rather than abortion, as North Carolinas abortion law is not as strict as some neighboring states. Gov. Roy Cooper shakes hands with Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson as House Speaker Tim Moore and Senate Leader Phil Berger look on after Cooper delivered his State of the State address to a joint session of the N.C. General Assembly on Monday, March 6, 2023. As lieutenant governor, Robinsons role is to preside over the Senate, only voting if there is a need to break a tie. That occasion has not arisen during his tenure. Berger presides most of the time. Robinson has an office in the Legislative Building where there is a conference table but no desk; his main office is a few blocks away. Treasurer Folwells years in office Folwell served in the state House from 2005 to 2013. He has been state treasurer since 2017, serving on the Council of State with Robinson, Cooper, Stein and the six other statewide elected officials. He talks often about being the keeper of the public purse. In this 2015 file photo, from left, then-Gov. Pat McCrory, State Rep. Julia Howard, Commerce Secretary John Skvarla III, House Speaker Tim Moore, Sen. Bob Rucho, Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger and assistant commerce secretary Dale Folwell participate in a ceremonial cutting up of a federal government credit card in the old NC House chamber in the State Capitol. The state announced the complete repayment of its debt to the federal government for unemployment insurance. He spoke to reporters this week about his campaign, which he announced in March. From the age of 10, Ive been breaking a sweat, both to get myself out of my economic situation and as a public servant to protect and work on saving lives, Folwell said of running against a candidate like Robinson, who has more financial backing. When youve been breaking a sweat all your life, you obviously know where people sweat and you know why they sweat. Thats my track record of attacking problems and not attacking people, Folwell said. North Carolina Treasurer Dale Folwell What do elected Republicans think? Many politicians stay out of primaries in their own parties, with plenty of exceptions, from Cooper in a state Senate race last year to the Republicans who ousted former U.S. Rep. Madison Cawthorn. N.C. Sen. Vickie Sawyer, an Iredell County Republican, said her politics mentor taught me the best way to lose my race was to get into somebody elses race. So I tried not to ever comment on that. While Sawyer didnt say who she would support in a gubernatorial primary, the polling there just looks like Mark Robinson is so far ahead. You know, hes gonna be a hard one to beat, but I do appreciate that others are getting in because it does give a different idea about the firebrand versus the standard, true statesman of someone whos been, you know, doing budgets before, she said, referring to Folwell as the statesman. Sen. Vickie Sawyer talks with Sen. Ralph Hise before during the N.C. Senate Education committee meeting in Raleigh on July 21, 2021. House Speaker Tim Moore said without knowing who all will will be running, certainly its good that we have a lot of great choices that we can pick from as Republicans. Moore said he hasnt made an assessment of Robinson and Folwell as candidates yet. Well let that work itself out. Theyre both good men, good Republicans. And they both could do the job well, he said. Rep. Jon Hardister, a Guilford County Republican, told The N&O earlier this week that he likes both Folwell and Robinson, saying they are qualified. Mark Robinson is very popular with the grassroots, but you cant underestimate Treasurer Folwell, Hardister said. I mean, he is a statewide elected official. He was one of the top vote-getters in the state in the last election. And hes tenacious, very intelligent. Mark Robinson has made a name for himself. And they both, I expect will run very strong campaigns. He doesnt plan to take a public stand at this point, he said, and has his own Republican primary to worry about. Hardister, in his sixth term in the House, is running for labor commissioner. He said Folwell and Robinson are totally different. Regarding Robinsons inflammatory comments, Hardister said he once brokered a conversation between Robinson and members of the Jewish community in Greensboro after they reached out wanting to hear from Robinson, who Hardister said told them he was not trying to be offensive. Hardister said he doesnt police what other people say and can only speak for himself. Hardister said Robinson is very opinionated and expresses his opinions. But we are a big tent party. And, you have the establishment type, youve got the libertarian type, you have the Chamber of Commerce type, if you will, which, I think its a good thing. But at the end of the day, the voters are going to decide in the primary who they want to nominate. Reporter Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi contributed reporting. A gargantuan alligator gar caught in Texas may shatter the previous world record for its classification, a Texas fishing guide says. The 251-pound beast was caught Sunday, April 16, by Kentucky angler Art Weston, who teamed up with Kirk Kirkland for the capture in the Trinity River near Huntsville, Texas, according to the Houston Chronicle. Kirkland is the self-proclaimed worlds best alligator gar guide who has more than 100 International Game Fish Association world records. In a social media post, Kirkland described the fish as an absolute monster. He shared several photos of the alligator gar, including one of a scale showing it to be 251 pounds. Weston told Field & Stream he caught the gar using carp for bait, and he and the fish battled it out for 25 minutes. Interviewed by the Houston Chronicle, Weston said they initially thought the gar was an actual alligator because of how strong it was. At one point during the battle, the gar was able to turn the boat around in a circle, he told the publication. We were very lucky to land her while she was still green, Weston told Field & Stream. The first time she surfaced by the boat, Captain Kirk was able to get the lasso around her. The gar was 90.5 inches long with a girth of 45.5 inches, according to Field & Stream. Kirkland said the gar is a pending world record with the International Game Fish Association. The current world record for the 80-pound line class is a 191-pound gar caught in the same river in 2015. Most of the IGFA world records for alligator gar occurred in Texas. Alligator gar can live for decades, with ones 7 feet long often 40 years old, according to Texas Parks & Wildlife. The Texas state record, captured in a different way than Westons, was 302 pounds and was caught on a trotline in 1953, state officials said. Westons fish was released back to the river, according to the Chronicle and Fish & Stream. Kirkland specializes in catch-and-release angling, his website says. Underneath his signature bravado and the slate of lawyers representing him, Miami Commissioner Joe Carollo is sweating this one. Finally, the powerful commissioner infamous for behaving like a schoolyard bully from his City Hall perch is being held accountable in a court of law for running Little Havana as if it were his private fiefdom. He finally messed with the wrong people two business partners, William Bill Fuller and Martin Pinilla who wouldnt allow Carollo, a former Miami mayor, to harass them into shutting down their popular restaurant-bar-music venue Ball & Chain on Calle Ocho. The men took notes, photos and videos, documenting Carollos relentless persecution after they supported his opponent in the election and they filed a federal lawsuit in 2018 against him alleging that he abused his authority to target them, violating their First Amendment rights. So far, Carollo has lost every move to avoid facing up to his deeds. He wanted the trial before a Miami jury more likely to be sympathetic to his perennial go-to defense: that everything is a Communist plot against him. But the civil trial was set at the Broward federal courthouse before U.S. District Court Judge Rodney Smith to avoid biased jurors and limit political influence. The case and its Broward jury, which is being provided transportation, was moved to the Miami federal courthouse because of the historic-level flooding in Fort Lauderdale. Some would chalk the bad weather up to karma. Carollo, Acevedo & Miami The move brought back former Miami Police Chief Art Acevedo to the same town where Carollo publicly humiliated and vilified him eventually getting him fired to testify about Carollos possibly unlawful conduct in office. Now the police chief of Aurora, Colorado, Acevedo was the star witness Tuesday in the multimillion-dollar lawsuit. The high-profile chief has long maintained that during his short six-month tenure, the commissioner exerted political pressure to use city resources to go after businesses owners who crossed him. His fixation was on Fuller and Pinilla properties, whether in operation or under construction, as in the case of a Mexican-style taqueria. Although Carollos lawyers claim that the fired chief has an ax to grind, Miamis former top cop showed he can hold his own on the witness stand. Anticipating Carollos other favorite alibi everything is a conspiracy against him because hes Cuban he told jurors: Oh yes, Im Cuban, despite what you might have heard from the defendant here. Most damning, perhaps, is that other law enforcement witnesses to Carollos alleged behavior backed up Acevedos assertions. Also testifying was Acevedos predecessor, former police chief Jorge Colina, and Assistant Police Chief Richie Blom. All confirmed that Carollo had a persistent and particular obsession with cracking down, not only on Ball & Chain, but other Little Havana properties owned by Fuller and Pinilla. Blom, who used to be Carollos chief of staff, testified that Carollo ordered him to get out of the car and measure the distance from the front door of Fullers property to a neighboring church. Carollos intent: To pull the clubs liquor license if it was within 150 feet, Blom said. Colina testified that, despite Carollos public hectoring at a 2019 City Commission over the lack of action by police and code enforcement act against Fuller and Pinilla properties, he didnt give into political pressure. Last week, former Miami City Manager Emilio Gonzalez testified that he said a cordial relationship with Carollo until the subject of Ball & Chain came up. He, too, said that the commissioner targeted other businesses owned by Fuller and Pinilla and that police and code inspectors complied with Carollos demands for fear of retaliation. In essence, theyve all described a Miami run by Carollo as if he were a mob boss. No wonder the police chief and city manager posts are perennial revolving doors. One can only hope that Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle, often criticized for not pursuing local corruption cases, is paying attention to the testimony being given under oath. If crimes were committed, she cant afford to turn a blind eye. Trial shenanigans After testifying at the trial Tuesday, Acevedo said he was followed by private investigators. READ MORE: After testifying against Carollo, fired Miami police chief says private eyes tailed him Witness intimidation? Acevedo, who videotaped the men and reported them to Coral Gables police, thinks so. An attempt to harass and intimidate me as a witness, he told the Herald. The integrity of our court system depends on the protection of witnesses and other case participants, he said in a statement. A full investigation should be conducted to uncover the truth as to who hired these individuals and the motive behind their actions. They told police they worked for the state attorneys office, but later took it back. Isnt it illegal to lie to police? It has taken two businessmen fed up with corruption and a star witness police chief who wouldnt play along with the citys usual Third World politics to bring before the justice system what voters shouldve dismantled at the voting booth a long time ago: Carollos personal grip over Little Havana. The people who live and work in the colorful historic enclave, once imagined as a vibrant Latin Quarter, shouldnt be Carollos or any other politicians to bully and manipulate at whim. After my April 19 column, Looks like Miami Beach may have its own version of George Santos in Fabian Basabe was published, the Republican state lawmaker changed his vote on the Florida Kidcare Program Eligibility for the third time, back to Yes. Basabe says the No vote was an aides error. Mike Lindell has to pay $5 million for losing his "Prove Mike Wrong" 2020 election challenge, an arbitration panel has ruled. In a decision dated Wednesday, the panel found software developer Robert Zeidman had won Lindells 2021 contest challenging experts to prove that data he had was not from the 2020 election, and directed the MyPillow founder to pay him the reward money he'd promised in the next 30 days. Lindell told NBC News on Thursday that the ruling was a horrible, wrong decision. Its all going to end up in court, he said. The contest took place in August 2021 at a cyber symposium that Lindell an outspoken election denier and conspiracy theorist was hosting in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. As part of the symposium, Lindell announced a contest called the "Prove Mike Wrong Challenge" in which participants were asked to find proof that his cyber data was not valid data from the November election, the ruling said. The announcement said: "For the people who find the evidence, 5 million is their reward. At a hearing in January, Lindell testified that the cyber experts he hired had convinced him that he "could not lose the contest because the data he had been provided was genuine election data," according to the ruling, which was first reported by The Washington Post. Among the attendees at the symposium was Zeidman, a Donald Trump voter who was excited to see the evidence Lindell had turned up. Zeidman wanted it to be 2020 election data, said his attorney, Brian Glasser of Bailey & Glasser LLP. Zeidman "testified that he was interested in the claims that there had been interference in the 2020 election and wanted access to the data as promised to see 'history in the making, perhaps to see an election overturned,' the ruling said, and he decided to enter the contest because it was free, but "told his friends that he was unlikely to win because Mr. Lindell would not offer a $5 million prize if Mr. Lindell had not had his own experts vet all the data to be presented." But the "Red Team" of experts assembled by Lindell had their own concerns about the data, the ruling said, and members of the team "protested that the data was not at all what they expected." "They had expected to be provided with packet capture data that could be examined and authenticated to evaluate whether the data files provided were genuine or had been tampered with or altered," the filing said. But that was not what they received. One member of the team advised Lindell to call the contest off, but he refused, the filing said. Zeidman was given 11 files to review in two days at the conference, and quickly changed his opinion about their merit. "Much to his chagrin, he found it wasnt 2020 election data," Glasser said. After analyzing the files, Zeidman believed he'd win the contest, the ruling said, and he then presented a report concluding that Lindell's data "unequivocally" did not contain any information related to the November 2020 election, despite his claims that it did. Lindell's contest panel disagreed, so under the terms of the rules, Zeidman took the case to arbitration. Glasser said each side got to pick one arbitrator, who joined a third neutral arbitrator. All three ruled in favor Zeidman. While Lindell was optimistic he could overturn the verdict in a federal court proceeding, Glasser said he and co-counsel Cary Joshi aren't concerned. "There are virtually no grounds to appeal an arbitration verdict," Glasser said. "It's just not going to happen." Lindell's championing of election conspiracies have him facing other legal problems as well. He's being sued by Dominion Voting Systems, a former Dominion employee named Eric Coomer and another voting company called Smartmatic for defamation over his election claims. Still, Lindell maintained to NBC News that his theories are factual and, as he has said multiple times since the 2020 election, that he'd be showing evidence of his election claims in the near future. FILE - Choe Son Hui, then deputy director general of the Department of U.S. Affairs of North Korea Foreign Ministry, briefs journalists outside the North Korean embassy in Beijing, China, on June 23, 2016. North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui on Friday, April 21, 2023, called the Group of Seven wealthy democracies a tool for ensuring the U.S. hegemony as she lambasted the groups recent call for the Norths denuclearization. (AP Photo/Andy Wong, File) SEOUL, South Korea (AP) North Koreas foreign minister on Friday called the Group of Seven wealthy democracies a tool for ensuring the U.S. hegemony as she lambasted the groups recent call for the Norths denuclearization. The top diplomats from G-7 nations, who met recently in Japan, had jointly condemned the Norths recent ballistic missile tests and reiterated their commitment to the goal of North Koreas complete abandonment of its nuclear weapons. Their communique was prepared as a template for leaders at the G-7 summit next month in Hiroshima, where North Koreas nuclear program will likely be discussed again. North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui said her country will take unspecified strong counteraction if G-7 countries the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Canada, Italy and the European Union show any behavioral attempt to infringe upon the fundamental interests of North Korea. G7, a closed group of a handful of egoistic countries, does not represent the just international community but serves as a political tool for ensuring the U.S. hegemony, Choe said in a statement carried by North Korean state media. Choe said the G-7 communique malignantly raised the Norths legitimate exercise of its sovereignty. North Korea has steadfastly argued it was forced to develop nuclear weapons because of U.S. nuclear threats against it. It has said the United States' regular military drills with South Korea are a rehearsal for invasion, though U.S. and South Korean officials have said their drills are defensive and they have no intentions of attacking the North. North Korea has test-fired about 100 missiles since the start of last year in the name of responding to U.S. military training with South Korea. But many experts say North Korean leader Kim Jong Un likely uses his rivals' military drills as a pretext to advance his weapons programs, cement his domestic leadership and be recognized as a legitimate nuclear state to get international sanctions on the North lifted. North Korea has been hit with 11 rounds of U.N. sanctions because of its past nuclear and ballistic missile tests banned by U.N. Security Council resolutions. Kim has previously said those sanctions "stifles" North Korea's economy. The G-7 foreign ministers in their communique Tuesday said North Korea will never have the status of a nuclear-weapons state under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. The treaty sought to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons beyond the five original armed powers the U.S., Russia, China, Britain and France. It requires non-nuclear signatory nations to not pursue atomic weapons in exchange for a commitment by the five powers to move toward nuclear disarmament and to guarantee non-nuclear states access to peaceful nuclear technology for producing energy. Choe also said the Norths position as a nuclear weapons state will remain as an undeniable and stark reality. She said North Korea is free from any of the treatys obligations because it withdrew from the treaty 20 years ago. North Korea joined the NPT in 1985 but announced its withdrawal from the treaty in 2003, citing what it called U.S. aggression. Since 2006, North Korea has conducted six nuclear tests and a slew of other weapons tests to develop nuclear-tipped missiles designed to attack the U.S. and South Korea. South Koreas Unification Ministry said later Friday that North Korea must halt its threats against neighbors and pay heed to international concerns about its reckless nuclear and missile programs. Deputy spokesperson Lee Hyojung told reporters that North Korea cannot earn what it wants from its nuclear program so it must not insist on a wrong path. Kim said earlier this week his country has built its first military spy satellite that will be launched at an unspecified date. Last week, North Korea test-launched a solid-fueled intercontinental ballistic missile for the first time. North Korea is expected to perform more weapons tests as the United States and South Korea continue their joint aerial exercise into next week. ___ Find more AP Asia-Pacific coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/asia-pacific FILE - Republican conservative radio show host Larry Elder speaks to supporters after losing the California gubernatorial recall election on Sept. 14, 2021, in Costa Mesa, Calif. Conservative talk radio host Larry Elder, who sought to replace the California governor in a failed 2021 recall effort, announced Thursday, April 20, 2023 he is running for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) Conservative talk radio host Larry Elder, who sought to replace the California governor in a failed 2021 recall effort, announced Thursday he is running for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024. Elder, 70, made the announcement on Fox News' Tucker Carlson Tonight and followed up with a tweet. America is in decline, but this decline is not inevitable. We can enter a new American Golden Age, but we must choose a leader who can bring us there. Thats why Im running for President, he wrote. The long-shot candidate joins a Republican field that includes former President Donald Trump, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. President Joe Biden, a Democrat, has said he plans to seek reelection. Elder made his first bid for public office in 2021, when he received the most votes out of 46 people who were hoping to replace California Gov. Gavin Newsom in a recall effort. But a majority of voters ended up voting against removing Newsom, making the vote count in the replacement contest irrelevant. Some Democrats say Elder's role as a foil to Newsom helped the Democratic governor inspire voters in liberal California to turn out and reject the recall. Newsom attacked Elder for his support of Trump and his conservative positions, such as opposing abortion rights and restrictions imposed to slow the spread of COVID-19, such as mask mandates. But Elder said the experience of running for office and the millions of votes he received showed he had a message that resonated with voters. A lawyer who grew up in Los Angeles' rough South Central neighborhood, Elder attended an Ivy League college and then law school. He has a following among conservatives through his radio programs and has been a frequent guest on Fox News and other right-wing media. Elder, who is Black, has criticized Democrats' woke agenda, Black Lives Matter and the notion of systemic racism, positions that have put him at odds with many other Black people. During the recall campaign, a former fiancee said Elder showed her a gun during a 2015 argument. Elder denied the allegations. April is Autism Awareness Month. Organizations such as The Color of Autism work to remind us that families of all backgrounds want to end the stigma associated with disabilities. Florida has made national news because of its ban on Critical Race Theory. Recent efforts to silence discussions about race in K-12 and college classrooms have implications for students with disabilities, including those with Autism Spectrum Disorders. In a public statement justifying why they rejected a pilot version of the Advanced Placement African American Studies curriculum, representatives of the Florida State Department of Education published a table that included information about intersectionality. Unfortunately, the state agency that granted my first teacher license 18 years ago misinformed the public about what the term means. Their table indicated that intersectionality ranks people based on their race, wealth, gender and sexual orientation. But intersectionality does not rank people. Instead, it explains how individuals and groups may experience multiple forms of discrimination. Why would state education leaders describe intersectionality as an obvious violation of Florida law? When I first became a special education teacher in 2005, George W. Bush already signed No Child Left Behind (NCLB) into law. In Florida, Gov. Jeb Bush established the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, a criterion-referenced assessment in mathematics, reading, science and writing for students in grades 3-11. Educators and civil-rights groups lamented the increased emphasis on high-stakes testing. For example, scholar Prudence Carter argued that teachers should not focus on the achievement gaps of students of color compared to white students, but instead on their opportunity gap. On the other hand, my colleagues in the disability community appreciated how these measures monitored the academic performance of students with disabilities, a population ignored for too long. Today, I am a university professor who researches and teaches about intersectionality in special education. In this work, I see great variation between how educators are prepared to talk about diversity or inclusion. In special education, diverse learners often refers to students with disability categories without necessarily addressing their race, ethnicity or linguistic origin. This is problematic when considering the well-documented disproportionate number of Black, Indigenous and Hispanic students in special education. Administrators and staff at my first teaching assignment in Miami Gardens were like my students predominantly Black. We were also thoughtful about our approach to working with a racially and ethnically diverse community. Across the United States, K-12 public school students of color are unlikely to have teachers who share their cultural background. In the 2020-21 Florida Department of Education report on instructional staff indicates that 13% of teachers in Miami-Dade County self-identified as white and 63 % identified as Hispanic/Latino or Black/African American. Yet despite the diversity of educators in South Florida, I noted that some colleagues struggled working with students with disabilities. All teachers must understand how schools are implicated in multiple systems of oppression, such as racism, ableism and classism. Intersectionality helps educators see how students multiple identities relate to their educational opportunities and experiences. When President Bush signed NCLB, he denounced the soft bigotry of low expectations. While experts continue to debate the impact such policies have on students, one thing is abundantly clear: During the early 2000s, Republican leaders worked across the political aisle to address the role education plays in correcting inequities. Republican-led efforts to close the achievement gap made this countrys educators take an unflinching look at race, socioeconomic status, disability and language origins. I do not understand why Florida would criminalize intersectionality. Race, disability and other social identities matter in schools. Intersectionality gives a framing to have conversations about social differences. We must continue to be bold and not shy away from conversations about these issues, because, It is not our differences that divide us, as writer Audre Lorde once said. It is our inability to recognize, accept and celebrate those differences. Dr. Mildred Boveda is an associate professor of education at the Pennsylvania State University. She is a former student and teacher of Miami-Dade County Public Schools. Korea International Trade Association Executive Vice President Kim Ko-hyun, left, poses with Polish Investment Agency Director Zdzislaw Sokal, after agreeing to expand business exchanges and cooperation between the two institutions at the Polish Investment Agency in Warsaw, Poland, April 19. Courtesy of KITA By Kim Hyun-bin The Korea International Trade Association (KITA) dispatched economic missions to three Central European countries Hungary, Poland and Slovakia from April 18 to 21 to check how the new EU regulations will affect Korean companies there as well as to discuss cooperation, according to the business lobby group, Friday. The delegation consisted of a total of 20 people, including those from industry associations and organizations such as the Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association and the Korea Steel Association, as well as two companies entering Central Europe. The Korea-Hungary Business Round Table co-hosted by KITA and the Hungarian Investment Authority in Budapest on April 18 (local time) was attended by around 60 Hungarian government officials and Korean companies operating in Hungary. "The EU is promoting legislation such as the Core Raw Material Act, the Carbon Neutral Industry Act, and the reorganization of offshore subsidies. As there are positive aspects such as easing procedures at the same time, companies should carefully examine the pros and cons when investing in the EU," a KITA official said. In addition, on April 19, KITA held a Korea-Polish Business Round Table in Warsaw, Poland, jointly with the Polish Investment and Trade Agency. About 60 people from Korean and Polish companies operating in Poland attended the event. "Korean companies are carrying out 73 percent of electric vehicle projects currently underway in Poland. It is expected that cooperation between the two countries will be expanded in projects such as reconstruction projects in Ukraine," a Polish Investment and Trade Agency official said. The KITA and the Polish Investment and Trade Agency signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to expand trade cooperation, including information exchanges and economic mission exchanges. The economic delegation held a meeting for companies entering Slovakia in Bratislava and visited the Coavis plant, an automobile parts manufacturer there. For the first time, international, federal, state and local leaders met in Morrisville on Thursday to highlight local businesses and the benefits of strengthening relationships and diversity. Gov. Roy Cooper spoke at the US-India Business Connection summit, hosted by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Indian Embassy and the town of Morrisville. Its important for us to talk about strategies on how small business can not only survive but thrive, particularly post-pandemic, Cooper said. I always like to think of good things coming out of bad things. Morrisville has over 300 businesses employing more than 28,000 people in the area. Nearly half of the towns 32,000 residents and many of its business owners are Indian Americans and Indian immigrants. Thursdays convention covered topics like how to access capital to grow a small business and how to access markets and business intelligence. Backbone of economies There are more than 964,000 small businesses employing 1.7 million people around the state. Wake County has over 60,000 small businesses, 87% of them having 10 or fewer employees, according to the Raleigh Chamber. Morrisville Town Council member Steve Rao, who helped organize Thursdays event, said the town was the ideal place for it because of the large South Asian population and its contributions to the Triangle in different fields. The goal was to build connections that help people sell in their respective markets and at the same time increase investments and jobs, Rao said. This is also a macro-opportunity for the entire state, he continued. By strengthening the connections between India and North Carolina, were not only bringing in investment to create jobs, were creating opportunities for small businesses all small businesses, not just Indian businesses. Sarika Bansal, owner of Raj Jewerly in Morrisville, said small local businesses struggled with cash reserves and other issues when COVID-19 hit. The Small Business Administration, which offered millions of dollars in relief was a saving grace, she said. The SBA came to the rescue at the time with much-needed relief, Bansal said. They kept the businesses at least afloat, and we were able to ensure our staff members were getting salaries. It was a very critical time. Bansal said meeting Thursday in Morrisville made complete sense and that the event helped current and future business owners learn more about how the SBA can help them. In Morrisville, the footprint of the Indian population and Indian businesses is growing, Bansal said. Right now, finding staff is very difficult. Thats impacting some of the day-to-day work we do, and that is a huge issue. The crime scene that investigators were called to Jan. 14, 2021 at 12:49 p.m. was baffling. The crew working on a church under construction at Kitetown Road and Uchee Pines Road near Fort Mitchell, Alabama, had found the body of a man shot in the back of the head. That body was all the evidence Russell County Sheriff Heath Taylors investigators had, when they got to the secluded spot. No car was parked nearby. No identification was in the mans pockets. And no clue hinted at why he was there. It was what we call a total whodunnit, Taylor said Thursday, the day after a jury found Samantha Elizabeth Malasig guilty of manslaughter in the mans death. The man turned out to be Christopher Roper, 38, fatally shot miles from his home on Cut Rate Road in Phenix City. He was identified after Taylor held a news conference asking for the publics help. Jarrod Barr, Chief Investigator at Russell County Sheriffs Office, and Russell County Sheriff Heath Taylor at a press conference Saturday, January 16, 2021, announced 28-year-old Samantha Malasig had been charged with the murder of 38-year-old Christopher Roper of Phenix City. According to Sheriff Taylor, Ropers body was found behind the Uchee Pines Seventh Day Advent Church on Uchee Pines Road on Thursday, Backtracking Ropers last days, investigators learned witnesses had seen him hanging out with Malasig, who was driving a burgundy Honda Civic missing a front bumper. A traffic camera at Alabama Highway 165 and Russell County Road 39 had recorded the car coming and going that morning, before church workers found Ropers body, Taylor said. After her arrest, Malasig told investigators she couldnt remember where she left the car, so the sheriff again asked the public for tips. It turned out Malasig took the car to a friend in the Bleecker area, off U.S. 280 in Lee County, and asked him to hide it, Taylor said. And when the friend saw authorities were looking for it, he parked it at a machine fabrication plant off the highway. It just so happened that one of Taylors employees was on the highway to Opelika when she passed the plant and recognized the car, he said. Thats how investigators built the case presented to a jury this week, though exactly what happened at the church was never clear, the sheriff said. What happened is several different stories because she told different stories, he said. Malasig confessed to shooting Roper, but she also told authorities that someone else shot him, and that someone else made her shoot him, Taylor said. He believes she had been using methamphetamine. Because she likely was under the influence, at the time, jurors had the option of finding her guilty of manslaughter instead of murder, he said. Manslaughter under Alabama law means recklessly causing another persons death. Malasig, who was 28 when charged in Ropers shooting, faces up to 20 years in prison. We put together, in my opinion, as good a case as we could put together, Taylor said, noting it was enough to persuade the jury Malasig caused Ropers death. This case was difficult in the sense of, there wasnt a ton of physical evidence, he said. remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Express your opinion! Fill out this form to submit a Letter to the Editor. Submit Hyundai Motor plant in Saint Petersburg, Russia / Courtesy of Hyundai Motor By Park Jae-hyuk Growing tensions between Seoul and Moscow, after President Yoon Suk Yeol's controversial remarks on the Ukraine war, has prompted Korean companies operating in Russia to be wary of provoking the world's largest country by land area according to industry officials, Friday. Amid growing concerns over the possibility of the Kremlin freezing Korean firms' assets in Russia, domestic conglomerates have remained cautious about any of their moves being considered friendly to Ukraine. In particular, they have maintained their cautiousness due to the recent news concerning Tuesday's closed-door meeting between Ukrainian Ambassador to South Korea Dmytro Ponomarenko and high-ranking executives of Samsung, SK, Hyundai Motor, LG and Lotte. Although the meeting was held a day before Reuters reported Yoon's remarks that Seoul may provide military aid to Ukraine if there is a situation that the international community cannot condone, the news of the meeting was published a day after the Reuters report. The Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) said the participants met at a hotel in Seoul along with KCCI Executive Vice Chairman Woo Tae-hee and Yoon Sang-jik, the secretary general of the World Expo 2030 Busan Bid Committee. The Korean business lobby group also confirmed that the Ukrainian ambassador asked the nation's five largest businesses to participate in projects for the post-war reconstruction of his country. However, a KCCI official emphasized that the five business groups' executives did not give a definite answer to the request. "The meeting was actually not a special event," the official said. "The Ukrainian ambassador was just invited to one of our regular meetings with domestic company executives to support Busan's bid to host the World Expo." In contrast to U.S. and European companies cutting ties with Russia after its invasion of Ukraine last year, Korean firms have maintained their operations in Russia, remaining cautious about condemning the invasion. Hyundai Motor, for example, cited the shortage of automotive semiconductors, when it decided in March last year to halt the operation of its factory in Saint Petersburg. The factory is rumored to have been sold to a Kazakh company but the carmaker has reiterated that it is considering various options. According to Russian news outlets, Hyundai Motor has continued its sales there by importing vehicles from the company's factory located in Kazakhstan after it finished selling all cars produced in Russia before the war. "It will not be easy for Korean manufacturers to pull out of Russia, considering the fixed costs and sales networks they have built up there," said Jeong Min-hyeon, head of the Russia and Eurasia Team at the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy. Last month, Russia also began to force foreign firms leaving the country to donate at least 10 percent of the value of their respective sales to the state budget. More than 150 Korean companies are operating in Russia, including Korea's leading conglomerates and food firms. "We have yet to suffer any setback in our business in Russia," said an official of one of the Korean companies operating in Russia. "However, we have a contingency plan to cope with the worsening situation." YEREVAN, APRIL 21, ARMENPRESS. OSCE Minsk co-chairs do not communicate with each other, ARMENPRESS reports, Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan said in his final speech during the discussion of the report on the progress and results of the implementation of the Government Action Plan (2021-2026) for 2022 in the National Assembly, referring to the opposition's observations over negotiations under the co-chairmanship of the OSCE Minsk Group. "The OSCE Minsk co-chairs do not communicate with each other. They say: "I will not talk to him, I will not sit at the same table." Please, tell the Armenian authorities how to force the co-chair countries of the OSCE Minsk Group to sit together at the same table," Pashinyan said. BAE Systems has signed a contract with Norwegian company Ritek AS to produce two new CV90 variants for the Swedish Armed Forces. The work will be carried out in cooperation with BAE Systems Hagglunds, the designer and producer of the CV90 family of vehicles. Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link The new CV90 variants are the Forward Maintenance vehicle and the Combat Engineer vehicle (Picture source: BAE Systems) Ritek is one of BAE Systems Hagglunds key industrial partners in the Norwegian CV90 program and this new program grows the companys role as an integral part of BAE Systems Hagglunds international supply chain. The two companies worked together on the Norwegian IFV modernization project (MEP/OPV) to extensively upgrade 144 Norwegian CV90s. The team has just delivered 20 additional CV90 combat support vehicles to the Norwegian Armed Forces. Our industrial cooperation partnership with BAE Systems Hagglunds has increased our capabilities as well as broadened our market. Thanks to this cooperation we have also been able to invest more in our business, including a new production hall, as well as investing in our employees. It has really been a game changer for us, said Jan Marius Reppe, CEO of Ritek. This new contract to supply Norwegian-produced CV90s to the Swedish Armed Forces is proof of the potential opportunities of this partnership. Ritek has demonstrated that it has the industrial capability and skills required for the CV90 program, said Peter Sedin, BAE Systems Hagglunds director of operations. As our production partner for a similar Norwegian Army program, it made sense to turn to Ritek when we were looking for the optimal industrial setup for this important contract. The new variants are the Forward Maintenance vehicle and the Combat Engineer vehicle. The Forward Maintenance vehicle will provide critical frontline support, repair, and recovery for other vehicles, ensuring improved overall combat vehicle availability. The Combat Engineer variant will significantly increase the ability to ensure route clearance and deny enemy forces mission-critical mobility. The two new variants will join the Swedish Armys mechanized formations with deliveries scheduled between 2023 and 2027. We are proud to be producing these two new CV90 variants for the Swedish Army, said Tommy Gustafsson-Rask, managing director of BAE Systems Hagglunds. The collaborative approach involved in the Swedish CV90 RENO program has been recognized as a key success factor in achieving a timely, balanced, and cost-effective solution that delivers increased combat efficiency to meet the customers capability requirements. BAE Systems Hagglunds proven industrial cooperation approach strengthens the local defense industrial base and ensures the security of supply and long-term support. It also creates significant employment opportunities and delivers a range of economic benefits along with the transfer of technology. There are approximately 1,300 CV90s in service with Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. The vehicle has a combat-proven track record and is designed to accommodate future growth to meet evolving missions. Recently, a contract was signed with Slovakia for 152 vehicles, and the Czech Republic selected CV90 to replace its legacy infantry fighting vehicle fleet. The CV90 will now be available in 17 variants and is designed to provide optimum mobility, with the highest level of protection in any terrain or tactical environment. The newest version, the CV90 Mk.IV, combines improved battlefield speeds and handling with an upgraded electronic architecture to support future growth capabilities as the complex battlefield evolves. Defense News April 2023 by Alessandra De Poli About 95 per cent of iPhones are still made at one factory in Zhengzhou, China. Since 2016 relocation has accelerated, but Indian red tape and technological lag continue to play an important role. For many analysts, today's India is like China 20 years ago. New Delhi (AsiaNews) Hundreds of people were at the opening of Apple's second store yesterday in New Delhi. On Tuesday, the first one opened in Mumbai, Indias financial capital. On Wednesday, Apple CEO Tim Cook met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We share your vision of the positive impact technology can make on Indias future from education and developers to manufacturing and the environment, were committed to growing and investing across the country, Cook tweeted afterward. Opening two new stores in India helps Apple diversify its supply chains and production from China, part of its decoupling strategy after then US President Donald Trump launched a trade war against China, and China adopted a zero-COVID policy that slowed down global trade for months. For some observers, Indias a huge market (1.4 billion people) and growing middle class can help Apple replicate what it did in China 20 years ago: In India, about 44 per cent of the population is aged 18 to 25, and its minimum wages are on average a third or half those in China. Only one Indian in two (46.5 per cent of the Indian population) has a smartphone against four in five (81.6 per cent) in the United States, generating some US$ 6 billion in revenues, less than 2 per cent of the total. So far Indians have gone for low-cost smartphones made by China's Xiaomi or South Korea's Samsung, spending an average of US$ 224, according to estimates by the International Data Corporation (IDC), a company that analyses technology markets. This is an 18 per cent increase in spending over a year. According to some economists, even if Apple's cheapest model now costs almost twice as much, with the average Indian income expected to rise, the demand for high-end tech products will also grow. In late September 2022, Apple announced plans to produce part of its iPhone 14 in India. According to US bank JP Morgan, the percentage could rise from 5 to 7 per cent now to 25 per cent in 2025, or, according to other estimates, 40 to 50 per cent in 2027. Foxconn, Apple's main assembler, has been making iPhones in Chennai (Tamil Nadu) since 2017; in late February, it announced plans to triple the number of workers to a total of 100,000 and boost output to 20 million units by 2024. Recent reports suggest that the Taiwanese company wants to open another facility in Bengaluru (formerly Bangalore), Karnataka, with a US$ 700 million price tag and a similar number of employees. For Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government, Foxconns expansion in India would be a major boon. For many years, India has been keen to close the technology gap with China and attract Western investors who are facing increasing difficulties in Beijing for political reasons. Experts warn, however, that moving production from China to India will not be simple nor quick. Tim Cook himself flew to Beijing last month, a sign that China is still important; after all, it still represents 20 per cent of Apples annual turnover and Chinese customers buy seven times more smartphones than Indias. Although in Western eyes, Chinese products continue to be considered of low quality, China has actually made great strides in the last 20 years, developing technological products that are difficult to replicate elsewhere. At present, more than 95 per cent of iPhones are still produced in the Zhengzhou (called iPhone City), at a plant that employs 300,000 workers. Recently, the Financial Times documented the difficulties Apple engineers sent from California and China encountered in India; for example, in one factory in Tamil Nadu, run by Indian conglomerate Tata, only one in two components that roll off the production line can be shipped to Foxconn for assembly. India lacks the level of top-down government coordination that is found in China, which helped the latter develop its fast and efficient production machine. By contrast, the Indian bureaucracy is seen as a major obstacle. Apple engineers who visited Tamil Nadu found themselves having to commute four hours daily to reach the Foxconn factory in Chennai, often with slow or no Wi-Fi connections. The People's Daily, the newspaper of the Communist Party of China, highlighted these difficulties in an editorial that argued that decoupling will turn against the United States in the long run. In the case of the US increasing its high-tech blockade of China, Chinese consumers will certainly not be as loyal Apple fans as they were in the past, the article says. INDIAN MANDALA IS THE ASIANEWS NEWSLETTER DEDICATED TO INDIA. WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECEIVE IT EVERY FRIDAY IN YOUR E-MAIL? TO SUBSCRIBE, CLICK HERE. by Nirmala Carvalho Leaders of local Protestant communities, they were arrested after clashes with other animist tribesmen in Narayanpur district. The archbishop of Raipur, Mgr Takhur, told AsiaNews: 'A courageous choice by the judiciary. There was no evidence against them, only pressure from the nationalist right'. Raipur (AsiaNews) - The Bilaspur High Court, the highest court in the state of Chhattisgarh, granted bail to 10 Christian leaders of Protestant communities, who were arrested in January following sectarian violence between tribal Christians and animist believers of traditional religions, fomented by the nationalist right. Lawyer Son Singh, who represented the Christian leaders, said his clients were framed in a false case in which they played virtually no role and that their innocence will be proven in court. They are charged with rioting, possession of deadly weapons, wilful harm to public officials on duty, criminal intimidation and assault. If convicted, they face sentences of up to 10 years in prison, as well as fines. The ten Christian leaders had been arrested in the first week of January, amid violent clashes in the district of Narayanpur, Chhattisgarh, between people who follow the traditional animist religion and Christians. According to a team report, 18 villages in Narayanpur and 15 in Kondagaon district were involved. Msgr Victor Thakur, archbishop of Raipur and president of the Chhattisgarh Council of Catholic Bishops (CBCG), told AsiaNews: "I am grateful to the Bilaspur High Court for granting bail to the ten Christians. Our honest judiciary showed great courage: if they were granted bail, it means there was absolutely no substantial evidence to detain them, otherwise they are very reluctant to grant it. In the run-up to the elections, there was a public campaign against Christians by various groups affiliated with the nationalist right to implement a social and economic boycott of Christians and Muslims. This is why I commend the courage of the High Court in granting bail to these innocent people." by Stefano Vecchia Benito and Wilma Tiamzon were respectively president and general secretary of the Communist Party pf the Philippines (CPP). The Philippine military claims that they were killed in a shootout, but the CPP says they were tortured to death. More than 43,000 people died between 1969 and 2008 as a result of fighting between Marxist rebels and government forces. Manila (AsiaNews) Sources within the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) today confirmed the killing of Benito and Wilma Tiamzon, respectively party president and general secretary, after the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) announced their death, which occurred during an armed clash in August 2022. Speaking about the event, the AFP expressed satisfaction, celebrating it as a victory in the long and brutal confrontation with Marxist-inspired rebels that has marked the modern history of the country. While acknowledging the Tiamzons death, the CPP has accused the AFP of torturing and summarily executing the couple in violation of international law. According to a spokesman for the Partys central committee, the two were captured with other militants during a military action on the island of Samar, severely beaten and, once killed, loaded onto a boat that was blown up. Responding to the charge, an AFP spokesman said that such allegations of capture and torture are part of their (CPP) propaganda and an attempt to deceive the Filipino people. Instead, the August 2022 operation was a legitimate encounter acting on information that VIPs of CPP-NPA were escaping from ongoing military operations, the spokesman added. At present, notwithstanding the Central Committee, the CCP and its allies are without leaders after the party's historic leader, Jose Maria Sison, died last December in exile in the Netherlands. This situation makes it harder for the government and the CPP to engage in talks, which were interrupted under former President Rodrigo Duterte, who was replaced last year by current President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. In 2018, the Philippine Department of Justice called for the CPP and its armed wing, the New Peoples Army (NPA), to be banned under the National Security Act, a request rejected by a court in Manila before the legislation was repealed. Last year, right-wing groups called for the dissolution of the CPP, its armed wing, and a coalition of openly revolutionary groups, like the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, for organised conspiracy to overthrow the Philippine government. Created 54 years ago, the NPA has probably led the longest communist-inspired, non-Maoist armed rebellion in the world. It is estimated that more than 43,000 people have died between 1969 and 2008 as a result of fighting between rebels and government forces. In the past 15 years, fighting dropped in intensity, but it never stopped. For its part, although weakened and smaller, the NPA continues to control certain parts of the country. Both the NPA and the CPP have been used as a pretext by security forces to indiscriminately and even illegally crack down on groups or individuals who criticise the government. Most Sunni Muslims mark the end of Ramadan today. In Iran, as in Pakistan and Oman, people will have to wait until tomorrow. In Indonesia more than 120 million people are on the move, Saudi Arabia boosts security as almost 21,000 mosques and areas of prayer get ready for the festival. This Eid is the first since COVID-19 restrictions were lifted allowing communal gatherings. Riyadh (AsiaNews) With the sighting of the first moon, most Sunni Muslims celebrated Eid al-Fitr today, marking the end of Ramadan, while Shias will have to wait until tomorrow -. In Islam, the holy month of fasting and prayer represents one of the five pillars of the religion, a time of communal celebrations. This year it is especially important after lockdowns and restrictions were imposed following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Like in the past, this years Eid comes amid lights and shadows in the Muslim world, with violence breaking out in Sudan but some hope in renewed relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran and some signs of peace in Yemen. At Eid, Muslims thank Allah for giving them strength and blessings, hopeful that the month of fasting brought them closer to God and perfection. The Prophet Muhammad was the first to celebrate Eid in AD 624, setting the stage for Islams rise in the aftermath of a victory in a battle. Celebrations vary among Sunnis and Shias and depending on the places of origin. Muslims gather in mosques or in the open air, eat their first meal in daylight. The festival is also an opportunity for interfaith meetings. In Yemen, recently struck by a tragic accident that left scores dead, religious authorities announced the start of Eid today. In Indonesia, the Religious Affairs Ministry said that Eid will start tomorrow morning, while Muhammadiyah, the countrys second-largest Islamic organisation with 60 million members, set today for the start. Because of the difference, the countrys security minister urged those breaking their fast today to do so at home out of respect for those who will fast for one more day. The government expects some 123 million people to be travelling in a country of 17,000 islands with 18 million departing from metro Jakarta alone. While Saudi Arabia and Iran appear to be mending diplomatic fences, especially over Yemen, religious differences remain. A point of reference for Sunnis, Saudi Arabia celebrated the end of Ramadan today as did the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt and Afghanistan. In Iran, Oman and Pakistan, Muslims will have to wait until tomorrow because in those countries, the new moon was not visible. To ensure public safety, Saudi authorities deployed thousands of agents - men and women - to monitor some 20,700 mosques and outdoor areas dedicated to prayer. Some extra zealous Muslims will fast for another six days based on the belief that a good deed for Islam is rewarded 10 times. For many, Eid also provides an opportunity to remember and support the victims of the tragic earthquake in Syria and Turkey on 6 February, which claimed tens of thousands of lives. For the Emirates News Agency (WAM),[*] Eid celebrations in the quake-affected areas will be tinged with sadness at the absence of loved ones and apprehension at an uncertain future, For The National, in contrast to years gone by, the spectre of Covid has receded sufficiently to allow communal prayers, family visits and group iftars to take place without restrictions. The Emirati newspaper goes on to say that, This social aspect of Ramadan cannot be overlooked and millions of Muslims will be happy that the disease although not eradicated no longer disrupts Eid celebrations. [*] Wakalat Anba'a al Emarat. The high-ranking officer who criticised Chinese President Xi Jinping was accused of corruption and factionalism within the Communist Party. For well-known dissident Wei Jingsheng, Xi went after Liu for his ideas on the "nationalisation" of the Armed Forces. Liu is not the first member of the old guard to attack Chinas strongman. Beijing (AsiaNews) Former Chinese Air Force General Liu Yazhou received a suspended death sentence. The court decision was made in February 2022, but was made public only recently. Liu is a prominent figure in Chinas politics, son-in-law of the late Li Xiannian, a former president. According to Ming Pao, a Chinese language Hong Kong newspaper, the court convicted him because he expressed disagreements with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Liu often criticised China's belligerent posture toward Taiwan. Chinese sources report that he was accused of "economic corruption" and factionalism in the Communist Party of China (CPC). Under XI, the latter charge is used against high-ranking officials. Last September, former Deputy Public Security Minister Sun Lijun was given life in prison after he seriously damaged the unity of the Party." The most serious accusation, however, is that of leading a circle of political leaders "disloyal" to Xi, including former Justice Minister Fu Zhenghua, who was also given a life sentence. For Wei Jingsheng, the "father of democracy" in China, General Liu has fans among Chinas military and ordinary Chinese. Speaking from exile in the United States, Wei told Radio Free Asia (RFA) that Liu is Confucian in his outlook but also a learned man who admires Christianity. He also notes that corruption charges are the typical ploy used by Xi to get rid of his political opponents. The well-known activist suggests that the generals views about Christianity did not likely influence Xis negative attitudes toward him. China has had Christian generals in the past, most notably General Feng Yuxiang. Wei is convinced that Xi went after Liu for his ideas about the "nationalisation" of the Armed Forces, while Xi wants the military to be loyal to the leader himself. In the lead-up to the 20th Party Congress last October, the Partys old guard tried to influence the internal political debate in clear opposition to the president, but the later won an historic third term in office. In a video message released in mid-September, later censored, 105-year-old Song Ping said that the policy of reform and opening inaugurated 40 years ago by paramount leader Deng Xiaoping has been the only path to the development and progress of contemporary China and the only path to the realisation of the Chinese dream Song, a former member of the Politburo Standing Committee under Deng, shrewdly used Xi's own words, which perhaps spared him from reprisals, unlike Liu. by Vladimir Rozanskij No longer just young people, civil servants over 45 are also emigrating. Turkey, Russia and the United Arab Emirates are the preferred destinations. There could be a million emigrants from Turkmenistan. To work at home they are forced to pay bribes, just like to escape to other countries. Moscow (AsiaNews) - Between 1 March and 10 April there was a peak in the emigration of Turkmen citizens, mainly public administration employees, both in offices and factories, who quit their jobs to seek their fortune elsewhere. Radio Azatlyk reports under the conditions of high unemployment in Turkmenistan, which is not recognised by official statistics, previously mostly citizens without jobs migrated, but the economic crisis is so deep that the meagre salaries are driving even the employed to leave. The Ministry of Labour and Social Defence in Asgabat does not publish figures on the real employment situation in the country, let alone on the level of poverty among the population. Employees in public education and health facilities are also leaving, and even more intense exoduses are expected next summer. The state migration service also refuses to comment on this situation. Before the pandemic, which is also not officially recognised in Turkmenistan, labour migration mainly concerned younger people, but the new wave seems to involve many men over the age of 45 who receive state salaries. In past years, the first destination of the flight was Turkey, when no entry visa was needed for this country, whereas now entry has been restricted, and people are rather oriented towards Russia or the United Arab Emirates. Turkey has suspended the free-entry regime for Turkmen since September 2022, and today it takes at least three months to obtain a visa, but the number of migrants to Ankara and Istanbul remains high. The most popular Russian regions are the Tatars of Kazan, Rostov on the Black Sea or Novosibirsk in the centre of Siberia, while work in Dubai remains one of the most desired targets. The Russian war in Ukraine opens up new possibilities for Central Asian labour migrants, as the large-scale mobilisation of the war, and heavy losses in combat, are creating major problems for Russia in finding labour. People emigrate to support their families, to allow their children to marry, to build or buy a house, or to allow their children access to higher education. At home, on the other hand, in order to get a job one has to pay heavy bribes, only to receive very low wages. The indirect response to this emergency comes from the great publicity, disseminated by the state media, of the new Turkmen 'labour cadre aggregation' agencies, which offer help in looking for work. Turkey's emigration agency has calculated that there are currently 222,000 Turkmenistan nationals living in the country, but the real figure seems very close to one million. During the period of the pandemic, all international flights from Turkmenistan had been suspended for more than two years, but after the end of the restrictions, the rush for plane tickets causes endless queues at ticket offices, equal to those in front of municipal offices to obtain biometric passports, for which it takes at least three months to wait, as for entry visas to Turkey. The queues are reminiscent of those of Soviet times: a family member goes to the office at 6 a.m. to get the 'talon', the ticket to queue up at 9 a.m. to submit the application, and from the afternoon onwards, the queue forms to obtain the longed-for document. And at each stage, an offer is left with the officials; to skip all the queues, the bribe starts at 0, but can even exceed ,000, by approaching the airport managers directly. Then all it takes is a phone call from the airport to the respective local offices, and as if by magic, the gates of paradise open for the Turkmen. Photo: Flickr/City Baedal Minjok's delivery app shows that customers should pay an additional 3,000 won ($2.30), if they want to order Genesis BBQ's hot wings made with chilled meat. Screenshot from Baedal Minjok's delivery app By Park Jae-hyuk Controversy is rising over an additional 3,000 won ($2.30) charged for Genesis BBQ's 20-piece hot wings when made with chilled instead of frozen chicken. The fried chicken franchise explained that it has decided to provide the option to satisfy the needs of customers who want chilled meat. But consumers have regarded the new option as a trick to avoid public criticism of the price hike. Since last month, some Genesis BBQ franchisees have allowed customers ordering hot wings to choose between chilled and frozen chicken when they make purchases via mobile delivery apps. The hot wings made with chilled meat are priced at 23,000 won, while those made with frozen meat are priced at 20,000 won. According to Genesis BBQ, its hot wings are basically made with frozen chicken. For customers who want chilled meat, however, some of its franchisees have sold hot wings made with chilled meat for higher prices over the past 15 years. Although Genesis BBQ said it has decided to put hot wings made with chilled meat on its official menu in response to requests from its franchisees, consumers have leveled criticism at the company, after realizing the fact that they have paid 20,000 won for products made with frozen meat. Over the past few years, Genesis BBQ and other fried chicken franchises have drawn complaints from consumers, due to their steep price hikes. In particular, Genesis BBQ Chairman Yoon Hong-geun caused a severe backlash last year from consumers and lawmakers because of his remarks that the price of fried chicken should be at least 30,000 won. Last month, Kyochon F&B faced public criticism, following its decision to raise its fried chicken prices by up to 3,000 won. Due to the decision, consumers have been forced to pay nearly 30,000 won if they want to get fried chicken delivered from Kyochon. The government has repeatedly urged restaurant chains to refrain from hiking prices further, in order to reduce the burden on low-income households. On Friday, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs hosted a meeting with representatives from Starbucks Korea, Lotte GRS, Kyochon F&B, BHC, Genesis BBQ, Mom's Touch and several other restaurant franchises, to ask them to maintain their prices for a while, in line with the falling global ingredient prices. The Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue hopes that Buddhist karuna and Christian agape can work together to heal the wounds of humanity and the Earth. Let us work together to build a more just, peaceful and united world. Vatican City (AsiaNews) The Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue has released its annual message to Buddhists on the occasion of Vesak, the Buddhist festival that celebrates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Gautama Buddha, which this year falls on May 5. The prefect of the dicastery, Miguel Angel Cardinal Ayuso Guixot, and its secretary, Mgr Indunil Janakaratne Kodithuwakku Kankanamalage penned the message, titled Healing Wounded Humanity and the Earth through Karuna and Agape. In it the two note that humanitys great vulnerability today calls on Christians and Buddhists to develop new forms of solidarity shaped by our respective religious traditions, to which we look for answers to the unsolved riddles of the human condition which deeply stir the hearts of men (cf. Nostra Aetate 1). [I]ncreased communication in today's globalized world has made us aware that the problems we face are not isolated; they are the result of tensions and evils that entangle all of humanity. The wounds afflicting the world are many: poverty, discrimination and violence; indifference towards the poor, enslavement resulting from models of development that fail to respect the human person and nature; hate motivated and fueled by religious and nationalistic extremism; and above all, a despairing attitude towards life expressed through various types of anxiety and addiction. All these realities painfully expose our shared vulnerability. Experiences that highlight the potential of religious traditions can offer remedies capable of healing our grievous wounds, and those of our families, our nations, and our planet. In fact, Dear Buddhist friends, you offer healing when you embody karuna - compassion towards all beings, taught by the Buddha (Sutta Nipata 1.8, Sutta Nipata 2.4) and when you act selflessly as did the Bodhisattva, who renounced entering Nirvana and remained in the world to work for the alleviation of the suffering of all beings until their liberation. The message quotes the Buddha from the Abhidhamma Pitakaya Vibhanga, which says that the person fully informed by karuna performs this action of alleviating suffering in a second direction. Also, a third direction. Also, a fourth direction. Thus, Those who dwell with mind accompanied by compassion offer an antidote to the global crises we have mentioned, offering comprehensive compassion in response to widespread and interconnected evils. Similarly, for Christians, there is no more effective remedy than the practice of agape (selfless love), the great legacy that Jesus left to his followers. Jesus gives his disciples the gift of divine love agape and teaches them to love one another. Lastly, the message ends focusing on the parable of the Good Samaritan. May we all strive to live with greater love and compassion, and work together to build a more just, peaceful and united world. May you radiate boundless love towards the entire world - above, below, and across - unhindered, without ill will, without enmity (Karaniya Metta Sutta, Sn. 1.8). And may you enjoy, dear Buddhist brothers and sisters, abundant blessings and the joy of contributing to the healing of the wounds of society and the earth, our common home. by Dario Salvi Msgr. Martinelli hopes for a "resumption of normal life" in a nation battered by years of war. The situation is "improving" while still remaining "delicate". Pope Francis' remembrance of the nuns killed in Aden "a sign of great affection and closeness". Their martyrdom a source of "reconciliation" for the future. the presence of Mother Teresa's nuns today. Milan (AsiaNews) - The words of Pope Francis on the nuns killed in Yemen "a sign of great affection and closeness" to Christians and the entire population, as well as representing further "attention" to a nation tormented "by war". This is what Monsignor Paolo Martinelli stressed to AsiaNews, commenting on the pontiff's words at the last audience. The apostolic vicar of southern Arabia (United Arab Emirates, Oman and Yemen) is currently in Cyprus to participate in the symposium promoted by the Dicastery for the Oriental Churches from 20 to 23 April,, it is "significant" that he called them "by name" in the context of a "catechesis on the Christian meaning of martyrdom" because it helps to fully grasp "the sacrifice" making it a source of "hope, reconciliation and peace for the future". An important warning, in a phase that could prove decisive for the future in the aftermath of the resumption of relations between Riyadh and Tehran and the ongoing talks, with the exchange of prisoners, between the Saudis and the Houthi rebels. "We all hope," says Mgr. Martinelli, "that peace can be achieved" in order to facilitate the delivery of "humanitarian aid", adding that from the testimonies he himself has collected, the situation "is improving, although it remains delicate". Below is our interview with the Vicar of Arabia: The resumption of relations between Riyadh and Tehran also seems likely to unblock the Yemen issue. Are there any prospects for peace, or at least a lasting truce? [On the diplomatic front] I have also read these reports in the newspapers. We all hope that peace can be achieved and that all the humanitarian aid necessary for a resumption of normal life can arrive soon. From the direct news I receive, I have confirmation that concretely the situation is improving, although it still remains delicate. What reports are reaching you from the country, especially from a humanitarian point of view? There is still little news. What is known is that up to now some NGOs have been able to act amidst so many dangers. Caritas is also present in the area with some projects. How are Christians in Yemen experiencing this new phase? As we know, Christians have decreased a lot in these eight years of war. Many have had to leave Yemen because they no longer have work and it is dangerous for them to stay. A few have remained. Native Christians have generally remained, although it is not possible for us to give precise numbers. In any case, I would not yet speak of their 'return' in the strict sense, but rather of the beginning of a new process, and we look to the future with hope. What is the value of Pope Francis' remembrance of the work of the Missionaries of Charity and their sacrifice of faith in Yemen? It is a sign of great affection and closeness to the Christians and the entire population of Yemen. After all, Pope Francis had repeatedly, also in the past, shown his attention to this people long tormented by war. But this time it was very significant that the pontiff called these sisters by name, in the context of a catechesis on the Christian meaning of martyrdom as a supreme testimony of love. Moreover, this remembrance helps to understand the sacrifice of those sisters as a sign of hope, reconciliation and peace for the future. Shortly after your appointment, you had recalled their courage in fidelity to the mission. One year on, do they still remain a source of inspiration and witness? Certainly. As the Pope recalled, one does not kill in the name of God, but for God one can give one's life. And these nuns gave their lives. The gift they gave of their lives is a fundamental point of reference for all. They remind us that we are all called to bear witness to Christ and his love. What do religious women represent in a missionary perspective? And how vivid is their memory today in Aden and among the Christians of the Vicariate? For me, the testimony of the Missionary Sisters of Charity is fundamental. They show well what it means to be missionaries, avoiding all forms of proselytism, promoting works of charity and concrete closeness to the people. In our vicariate we celebrate every year in the masses the sisters who were killed in Yemen and their memory is alive in all the faithful. There is still a presence of religious sisters in Yemen today. How is their work continuing? Today we have two communities of the Missionary Sisters of Mother Teresa of Calcutta and they continue to perform the same service of charity, taking in sick and elderly people and serving them with love and dedication. The fact that they have remained despite what happened in 2016 is a great sign of love faithful to their mission. We talk to each other often. The last time we did so was on Angel Monday, and with them was the priest who serves in the community: we had a long conversation and prayed together. Str8Curious: What Gay Men Could Teach Straight Men About Sexual Health Str8Curious: What Gay Men Could Teach Straight Men About Sexual Health Str8Curious is a monthly AskMen column where out and proud lifestyle expert Joey Skladany answers burning questions from heterosexual men about sex, dating, and the LGBTQ+ community. No topic is off limits as he candidly lends advice, debunks stereotypes, and gives it to you straight err gay. Should you be interested in submitting a question for editorial consideration (and we will respect anonymity), feel free to ping Joey directly on Instagram or email him at [email protected]). The Question My gay friends seem to get tested quite frequently for STIs and Im wondering if this is a common practice within the LGTBQ+ community. Are gay men still paranoid about contracting something like HIV or are they just really good about being proactive about their health? Should I be just as diligent as a straight man? - Paul, Orlando, FL The Answer Its no secret that most people dont enjoy going to the doctor. Unless you have some sort of medical fetish (and Im not here to kink shame!), a gloved finger up the ass followed by a urine test and blood work is never a good time. That said, it does seem like gay men are particularly proactive when it comes to their sexual health. In my own analysis, this can be attributed to three reasons: 1) Recognition of Risk Gay men like sex. And they like to have a lot of it. While this certainly doesnt apply to every member of the community, its broadly accepted as fact (and has the data to back it up). Generally, its easier to prevent an STI than treat one, so its better to take all of the necessary precautions than suffer from a case of chlamydia or gonorrhea that will have you out of the saddle for a couple of weeks. Using your hand is never as fun, or so Im told. (Im one of the weird ones who doesnt have tons of sex.) 2) Caring for Their Bodies Homos put a lot of time and effort into their appearance. Just think about what they do to their bodies in the gym, the expensive clothes they put on these chiseled bodies, and the skincare regimens that keep them looking at least five years younger than their actual age. Call it vanity or call it being body-conscious, but an STI doesnt pair well with a perfectly manicured ball sac. And something like herpes has the potential to scar if the sores break open while healing. If a typical gay compares a pesky forehead pimple to Armageddon, you can only imagine what an STIs physical symptoms will do to the psyche. 3) A Community-Driven Approach to Personal Health Medical professionals have made unbelievable advancements in the treatment of HIV and AIDS, but it would be a disservice to those we lost in the 80s to not put sexual health at the forefront of our minds. While HIV is preventable through medications like PReP and managed through ART, it is still important to be consistently tested, especially if you partake in unprotected or risky sex. This is likely why the monkeypox outbreak was essentially stopped in its tracks before it became a full-fledged national crisis. Gay men dont want to take any chances in a country that notoriously stigmatizes infections and diseases, so they take the appropriate steps to protect themselves and those around them. In fact, its almost like an unspoken promise to each other that were up to date on vaccines, pills, and testing though it never hurts to ask and confirm before engaging in a night of romping. RELATED: Your Go-To Guide for Safer Sex So whats the takeaway? The best thing you can do, as a straight man, is talk to your primary care physician about how often you should draw blood, pee in a cup, or get swabbed to look for common STIs. This is where you can divulge that laundry list of sexual activities, history, and whether or not youve been using protection so that you can come up with an appropriate plan of action. If you harbor any sense of reluctancy, I promise you that doctors have heard (and probably seen) everything. Now is not the time to pretend you were Mother Teresa last weekend, when the reality is that you went down on three chicks at a bar and then banged a fourth in the back of your Ford Mustang (do str8s do this?). RELATED: Heres What Its Really Like to Get an STI Doctors are not here to judge theyre here to help, discuss when you should make that trip to the clinic, and prescribe Xanax. Theyre also here to explain the risks you may be imposing on current and future partners if you dont take certain measures in advance. Take full advantage of their expertise and, if you feel like your needs arent being met, look for someone else you can trust. But, no matter what, always remember that you only get one life to live. Its better to be safe than sorry. Preventative healthcare is self-care and gives you the peace of mind so you can finger bang, motorboat, eat out, bang and everything else you hetero dudes do without worry. You Might Also Dig: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA American Honda Motor Co. informed thethat the mothership in Japan received a report back in January 2023, alleging engine oil spraying while in operation. Honda immediately started investigating, and mere weeks later, the Japanese manufacturer's Indian division received a report in regard to the very same condition.Come February 2023, the peeps in charge of the investigation turned their attention to paint in the crankcase plug press-fit hole. They were getting close to the root cause of the oil spraying condition, but as the investigation picked up steam, Honda of Japan received yet another report. No reports whatsoever were submitted in the United States market, nor is Honda aware of any crashes or injuries.The investigation came to a conclusion earlier in April 2023, with Honda putting the blame on Uno Minda Limited, the supplier of the right engine crankcase cover. This component bears part number 11300-K0A-EB00 as per the document attached below. The root cause is misapplied paint on the inner surface of the press-fit plug hole. This paint softens when engine temperature rises, thus allowing the plug to come out.Be it a leak or spray, oil coming into contact with a hot exhaust pipe or the rear tire isn't a thrill any rider would like to experience. Honda further highlights that the supplier didn't follow the correct production sequence.Dealers have already been instructed to replace the right crankcase cover at no charge to the owners with a properly manufactured component. Owners who incurred any expenses in repairing this condition are of course eligible for reimbursement from Honda. Speaking of owners, mailed notifications will be sent no later than June 5 as per Honda's report to theAvailable in either black or red, the 2023 model year Rebel 300 is currently listed on the Honda Powersports website with a starting price of $4,749 sans the $400 destination charge and $200 freight surcharge. Optional extras include a center tank pad, an adjustable brake lever, a 12-volt accessory socket, front fork boots and covers, a headlight cowl, a passenger backrest, a rear carrier, saddlebag brackets and stays, and saddlebags.The beating heart of the Rebel 300 is a 286-cc lump, a four-stroke design featuring one liquid-cooled cylinder. PGM-FI fuel injection and a 38-millimeter throttle body also need to be mentioned, along with anti-lock brakes, 139/90-16 and 150/80-16 tires, and a fuel capacity of 3.0 gallons (11.3 liters). With a full tank of gas, this bike tips the scales at just around 364 pounds (165.1 kilograms). AWD kW kilowatt kWh WLTP Confused? That's understandable given that SEAT and Cupra don't operate stateside. Not even the ID.5 is available in the United States of America, which is a bit of a shame given that coupe-styled crossovers are in high demand. Even though the Born is manufactured at the Zwickau plant in Germany alongside the ID.3, the brand-new Tavascan will be assembled in China.Considering that Cupra is a Europe-centric brand, making the Tavascan in China seems weird. On the other hand, bear in mind that Volkswagen's electric vehicle production output in the Old Continent is limited.Both the Zwickau and Mlada Boleslav plant in Czechia are close to reaching their maximum capacity, more so after Volkswagen starts production of the Passat-replacing ID.7 sedan. The internal combustion-engined Passat isn't going away for good, though. The wagon is coming back in the guise of the B9 for the 2024 model year with mostly electrified turbocharged engines.Cupra targets at least 70,000 sales per year for the Tavascan. Designed in Barcelona, the zero-emission crossover will go on sale later this year in two distinct flavors: single-motor RWD and dual-motorBased on the German automotive group's MEB platform for all-electric vehicles, the Tavascan cranks out 210and 545 Nm as standard. That's 286 ps or 281 horsepower and 402 pound-feet, and the entry-level specification's name is Endurance. Powered by a lithium-ion battery with a net capacity of 77hours, the ID.5's more exotic sibling promises a combined range of up to 550 kilometers (342 miles).The VZ, which stands for veloz, or fast in Spanish, is Cupra's way of saying two electric motors. The all-wheel-drive variant features the 77-battery of its lesser sibling, but due to the increased weight and power consumption of the additional motor, it can't do better than 520 kilometers (323 miles) in the. On the upside, it hits 50 kilometers per hour (31 miles per hour) in a brisk 2.4 seconds. Zero to 100 kilometers per hour (62 miles per hour) is dealt with in just 5.6 seconds.This version produces 250 kW and 679 Nm of torque on full song, which converts to 340 ps or 335 horsepower and 500 pound-feet. No fewer than five levels of energy recuperation also need to be mentioned, along with an available heat pump for improved efficiency in cold weather. When it comes to charging, the Tavascan supports 11 kW on AC and 135 kW on direct current.Provided that it's connected to a 135-kW DC charger, the Tavascan is much obliged to replenish its battery from 10 to 80 percent in 30 minutes. Gifted with advanced driver assistance systems and a decidedly sporty interior that includes a flat-bottom steering wheel and integrated headrests, the Tavascan offers 540 liters (19 cubic feet) of cargo space behind the rear seats.The Born and Tavascan will be joined next year by an electric hatchback by the name of UrbanRebel. Pretty much a Volkswagen ID.2 with Cupra styling and badging, the UrbanRebel will slot below the Born. EV SUV The United States is becoming so inclusive that Detroit automakers are starting to abandon the locally produced ethos and will import some of their most prized possessions from across the big seas and deep oceans. And while the Mercedes-Maybach EQS 680 SUV would have been a logical candidate for production in China instead of the Lincoln Nautilus, it's actually the other way around with the ultra-luxuryfrom Mercedes made in Tuscaloosa, Alabama (at MBUSI) and the American DNA of the Lincoln Nautilus transplanted for manufacturing in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China (at Changan Ford)!Well, the automotive industry indeed works in even more mysterious ways, so let us get back on the luxury mid-size crossovertrack. In the United States, family-oriented new models mainly stem from the Asian zone, by way of Honda Pilot, Toyota Grand Highlander, or Mazda CX-90 novelties and not all of them get produced locally, if anyone asks, with the posh CX-90 coming from Japan instead of Lincoln, Alabama (HMA) and Princeton, Indiana.But there's always a place for ritzier models, of course. And FoMoCo knew that very well when they introduced the third-generation Lincoln Nautilus (known as the Lincoln MKX since its production started in 2006 until the second-gen facelift in 2019). The fact didn't go unnoticed, including by the imaginative realm of digital car content creators, as it turns out. Thus, meet Nikita Chuicko, the virtual artist tucked behind the kelsonik moniker on social media, who probably thinks now is the right CGI time to fiddle with a couple of CUV mid-sizers.So, he swiftly reworked the 2024 Lincoln Nautilus with a nicer set of larger, chromed wire-wheel-style aftermarket rims that make it look even posher when dressed in two-tone crimson-and-black attire. But here's the thing, one cannot easily imagine how much better it could be against its regular self or the competition without a bit of rivalry. So, we decided to prepare a little collage where the third-gen mid-size luxury crossover SUV does a quick visual battle with another of its peers.And luckily, not long ago, the pixel master also dabbled with the Cadillac XT6 that replaced the three-row Cadillac SRX and has lived a happy CUV life since the 2020 model year alongside its GM relatives like the Buick Enclave, Chevy Traverse, GMC Acadia, Chevy Blazer, or the Caddy XT5. But since it's not as fresh as the Nautilus, the CGI expert also gave it a CGI jolt by splashing it not only with two types of aftermarket wheels but also his signature 'Shadow Line' and a lowered suspension setting. Thomas Goisque, right, photographs Busan Port while working on a project for Le Figaro covering Seoul and Busan, April 11. Courtesy of Renault Korea Motors Thomas Goisque photographs city looking to host World Expo 2030 By Ko Dong-hwan It was the first time world-renowned French photographer Thomas Goisque visited Korea, with a project to snap photos of Busan and promote the southern port city's bid to host the World Expo 2030. Despite his unfamiliarity with Busan, with the help of the city government and Renault Korea Motors sponsoring his project, the award-winning photographer hustled across the biggest port city in Korea earlier this month with his camera in his hands. "There were so many highways (across ocean waters) in Busan so you see a lot of nice things but you couldn't stop to take pictures," Goisque told The Korea Times at a Renault Korea Motors office in Seoul. "It was quite difficult. I had to rather find smaller streets to take good pictures." Describing himself as a hunter motivated by feelings to find a good place for shooting, Goisque first surveyed local venues well-known to tourists before coming back later to actually shoot for the project. Thomas Goisque followed the French military all over the world for years. This career led him to become a globally-recognized landscape photographer. Courtesy of Thomas Goisque He visited Jagalchi Market (a long-standing street seafood market), the United Nations Memorial Cemetery, Haedong Yonggungsa Temple (a Buddhism temple flanking an ocean cliff) and mega seaports. He watched fireworks over Gwangalli Bridge, displayed by the city government to impress eight officials from the Bureau International des Expositions' Enquiry Mission who were in the city from April 4 to 7 for an on-site inspection to study the city's feasibility in hosting the Expo. Goisque, 54, brought only minimum gear to Korea. He was no longer physically strong enough to carry gear such as flashlights, a ladder and a drone during his field action. All he carried during this latest tour was the Nikon Z9 digital camera and extra lenses stashed in two khaki duffle bags altogether price-tagged around $13,000. He had high respect for the brand that he has stuck with for more than 35 years. "I was once in Sudan, where the temperature was some 50 degrees Celsius high. About one week later, I went to Yakutia in Siberia. It was minus 50 degree Celsius there. The temperature gap made me exhausted. But my camera worked just fine through the whole trip," said Goisque. "I dream of having a Leica someday, the Rolls-Royce for cameras." After finishing his two-year military service that included his participation in the Bosnian War, Goisque followed the French Army across the world as a military photographer and visited over 100 countries where it was engaged in operations. Ships, crane towers and containers make up one of the pictures of Busan Port taken by Thomas Goisque on April 11. Courtesy of Thomas Goisque A tale of two Mustangs "Don't do this to me!" Not many cars have as much glorified silver screen presence as the 1967 Ford Mustang Fastback. From 'Bullit' to the 'Fast and Furious' franchise, the Mustang Fastback has always been portrayed as a tire-smoking pony capable of chasing after any car out there. The Eleanor Mustang, on the other hand, made it the definitive star car everyone was chasing after. This elusive unicorn is highly coveted, not just by Memphis Raines (the character played by actor Nicolas Cage), but also by legions of movie aficionados and auto-connoisseurs alike. The '67 Mustang Fastback is already a praiseworthy machine on its own, with its range-topping version being powered by a 6.4-liter (390ci) FE big block V8 engine that produces 320 horsepower.While that may sound like plenty of oomph at the time, the film ramped up the Mustang's power by adding nitrous into the mix. Eleanor was already based on the performance-oriented Shelby GT500 variant, and the extra juice only made it faster, propelling it to speeds up to 160 mph. Speaking of ramp ups, the Mustang even drove through a one, literally, just to further spice things up, getting airborne in dramatic fashion. Sure, the Eleanor Mustang's exaggerated portrayal might be nothing more than movie magic; but it doesn't mean the mythical unicorn Mustang doesn't exist in real life. In fact, there are more Eleanors out in the wild than one might think; just don't expect them to be equally as valuable.There are usually two kinds of Eleanor Mustangs for sale: similar-looking cars converted into the beloved movie car icon and '67 Mustang Fastbacks actually used for filming purposes. Eleanor builds are still worth a hefty sum, especially if they're officially licensed tributes. However, the price of Eleanor Mustangs is drastically higher when they're one of the only 11 cars that came straight from the set. How expensive? Well, that's the tricky part, as recent sales history suggests that Eleanor Mustang prices tend to vacillate over time.Prices are more constant for the so-called officially licensed Tribute Editions, which have remained around the $200,000 to $300,000 mark for years. Only two shops in the world are permitted to make such official Eleanor Mustang tributes, which involve accurately replicating a 'movie-correct' Eleanor from scratch. In 2021, one example was sold at an auction for $220,000; the following year, another was purchased for about the same price.Everything in these types of Mustangs was perfectly recreated to a T, from the included NOS canister to the signature Go-Baby-Go shift knob. Of course, the only thing missing in these unicorn clones is the prestige of actually being part of the 2000 cult-classic movie.Only three of the 11 movie cars still holding those honors are believed to be left standing. So whenever one of the original Eleanor Mustangs goes under the hammer, it often goes for at least half a million. In 2013, an example used in close-up shots was bought at an auction for a whopping $1 million. So, does Eleanor's seven-figure price tag still hold today, or did this fabled beast of a machine finally lose its luster?The line above is what Memphis often says whenever Eleanor stops working properly. These are probably the same words muttered by previous sellers of the original Eleanors whenever these coupes sold for less than the eye-watering price tag they once had a decade ago. In 2020, there was yet another verified Eleanor Mustang for sale, but this time, it sold for considerably less at $775,000.While the celebrated movie icon might still be worth big money, it's no longer a seven-figure pony car. Fast forward three years later, a movie-produced Eleanor graced the auction floor, along with signed documentation verifying its participation in the movie. Unlike the Tribute Mustangs, this real-deal unicorn is rocking the 428ci dual-quad V8 and was said to be originally a Shelby GT500 converted for producer Jerry Bruckheimer.However, when it was on Barett-Jackson earlier this year, it garnered less buzz than usual compared to similar authentic examples before it. That's because the Eleanor Mustang's price topped at $440,000 hardly a million-dollar unicorn anymore. Meanwhile, the 'Fast and Furious' Supra was sold for a record-breaking $550,000 in 2021. That particular Supra wasn't even the original hero car in the first 'Fast' film, but rather a copy that was later repurposed into Slap Jack's Supra in the sequel.Despite the iconic Eleanor preceding the 'FnF' Supra, not to mention it's likely one of the only three remaining examples, its price didn't even reach half of what it used to. Hopefully, the 'Stang's new owner will take care of the car's shiny Dupont Pepper Gray exterior, and maybe one day it will return the favor by going back to its former seven-figure glory. After all, Eleanor did save Memphis in the end, even when it tried getting him killed at first, right? As they say, take care of the car, and the car takes care of you. Photo: Screenshot from Hyundai video Photo: Screenshot from Hyundai video Apples own numbers show that nearly 8 in 10 new-car buyers wouldnt even consider getting a vehicle that doesnt come with CarPlay.Hyundai is one of the carmakers that have already adopted Android Auto. Customers get either the wired version or the wireless sibling, depending on the model and trim level.Setting up Android Auto in a Hyundai car comes down to several important steps, but it should otherwise be a rather straightforward process.First, you must ensure that your Android device is already fully up-to-date. While it isnt mandatory, installing the latest operating system updates and Android Auto version is recommended. The most recent releases typically include additional bug fixes and performance improvements, so you should get the best experience with the app.To run Android Auto, you must use a high-speed cable. Google has special cable recommendations , but as general advice, you should stick with the cord included in the phone box. Most mobile devices now ship with a USB-C cable, but if your Hyundai comes with a standard USB-A connector, look for a high-speed cable. USB cords from Anker typically work properly with Android Auto.If your Android device is now ready to run Android Auto, the next step involves getting the vehicle ready to run the app as well. To do this, you must first enable the Android Auto connectivity in the vehicle.The steps might be a little different, but in a 2023 Hyundai , you must tap the Setup option on the infotainment screen and then open the Device Connections section. You should now see an Android Auto menu option. When tapped, it launches a Phone Projection Settings screen that lets you enable Android Auto by clicking a toggle on the screen. Some Hyundai models also allow users to activate the split-screen UI if a wide-resolution display is available.The carmaker warns that Android Auto can access certain data, such as the Bluetooth device address, the GPS location information, the vehicle direction, and its speed. To run the app, you must provide access to this data.Once this step is complete, you must connect your phone to the USB port in the car, regardless of the available Android Auto version. The wired support runs on a cable anyway, while the wireless sibling requires the initial setup to be conducted via a wired connection. As such, the phone must be plugged in on the first run, no matter how youll use Android Auto.When the connection to the head unit is detected, the first Android Auto prompts should show up on your screen. Their role is to require certain permissions, such as to access Bluetooth and to show notifications on the mobile device.After you complete this process, Android Auto should appear on the dashboard screen . You can simply tap the icon to launch the app.Some Hyundai models come with more than one USB port. For Android Auto, you should typically plug the phone into the port thats closest to the driver. However, you should consult the car manual for additional information.The carmaker recommends users remove the Bluetooth pairing between the phone and the car before setting up Android Auto wireless. In other words, if youve previously listened to music from the phone via Bluetooth in the car, you should delete the vehicle profile from the Android device. Additionally, you must delete the phone configuration from the cars Bluetooth settings.Hyundai cars come with a dedicated Android Auto wireless setting that must be enabled before you can use the app without a cord. On the infotainment screen, tap Setup and expand the Wi-Fi section. Next, look for the option that reads Use Wi-Fi for Phone Projection. Enable it and then plug in the phone to the USB port, as detailed above.The experience with Android Auto should be pretty straightforward, though Hyundai still has a thing or two to improve in certain models. For some reason, despite offering wireless charging in some vehicles, the carmaker only fitted them with Android Auto wired. As such, drivers must keep their phones plugged in all the time if they want to use Android Auto. The wireless charging option becomes pretty redundant, as the phone charges from the cable anyway.In some cases, Android Auto doesnt use the available screen estate either. Theoretically, this can be corrected with a software update, but so far, Hyundai hasnt said anything about such an improvement. As for the Coolwalk experience on Android Auto, it must be enabled by Google itself. The rollout started in January and takes place in stages for users across the world. Users cant activate the new design manually. SUV In the summer of 1941, Germany invades the Soviet Union. One thing led to another, and 82 years later, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class production headcount reached half a million. What's the connection between the two events? The Prince of Persia.When Nazi Germany ignited Operation Barbarossa on June 22, 1941, it had already been fighting the British Empire on the Western Front of Europe. Automatically, the UK and the USSR became allies against the common aggressor. Naturally, they do what most military superpowers do in times of war: invade another country.In September 1941, that country happened to be the oil-rich, military-weak Imperial State of Iran. The empire's ruler the Shah - was quickly and unceremoniously overthrown after a virtually unopposed Anglo-Russian invasion. His successor was his 23-year-old son, Crown Prince Reza Mohammad Pahlavi. He watched in awe as his country's Army fled in the face of advancing enemy troops.Fast-forward some three decades, and the world geopolitics see a very wealthy and prosperous state of Iran flourishing under the downpour of capitalist petrodollars. However, the King of the country ("shah" means "king") still bears the painful memory of his country's powerlessness from WWII.Iran was a significant investor in various Western companies by then, including some of West Germany's top 50 industrial conglomerates. The aggressive purchase spree raised concerns within the German federal government, which backed by Deutsche Bank of Frankfurt fended off an Iranian intent to buy 25% of Daimler-Benz in 1975 This didn't discourage the ambitious King, who already had a lucrative deal with the German carmaker in a 20,000-unit order for military trucks. How did he get this idea is not hard to see. Remember the 1941 Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran? Shah Mohammad Reza swore he would never allow such a humiliation ever to happen again.He needed a strong military, and vehicles were part of the Army's modernization. He reached out to Mercedes-Benz and struck a deal. Pleased with their offer, the Shah suggested that the car company made a smaller but equally capable 4x4 for his troops. "One that I can take hunting," he allegedly added, and Mercedes agreed.When a client lands a firm order for 20,000 vehicles, he gets his supplier's undivided attention, so the Germans set to work. One small problem, however the requested vehicle did not exist in their portfolio.Luckily, Daimler-Benz had already approached the Austrian Steyr-Daimler-Puch (SDP) automaker to help them with the initial 20,000-truck contract. And SDP had just the right platform for what was to eventually become a legend of automotive: the G-Wagen, today referred to as the Mercedes-Benz G-Class.The development started in the early '70s, and the final product was launched on February 4, 1979. The date is crucial because the Shah of Iran would be utterly removed from power only seven days later. The ousted Iranian King never got his G-Wagen, but the rest of the world did.Forty-four years later, Mercedes-Benz rolled off its 500,000th G-Class. This milestone can only entice the model's hard-core fans and speaks volumes about the enduring. The G-Class has moved up in the ranks of the automobile hierarchy and has been virtually unchanged in demeanor since 1975 refer to the gallery for pictures of a test mule from that year.It started as a patrol car for soldiers worldwide, became a perfect outdoor adventure companion, and gained a status symbol aura over the decades. It never lost its heart, though the G-Class is a master off-roader with rugged looks and cutthroat capabilities.When it first rolled off the assembly line, the square-shaped vehicle was powered by a very dismal (by contemporary standards) 2.4-liter inline-four diesel, capable of a measly 71 hp (72 ps) and 101 lb-ft (137 Nm). For good measure, size it up against the most powerful G-Class of 2023, the Brabus 900 Deep Blue . 888 hp (900 ps), 922-lb-ft (1,250 Nm) from a 4.8-liter twin-turbo V8.If those aren't enough, then consider the performance numbers. With its four-cylinder diesel, the original G-Wagen would reach 62 mph from a standing start in over half a minute (32 seconds!). Its 2023 grandson, the muscle-bound, gasoline-burning Brabus cataclysm, does it in just 3.7.They are worlds apart, but the similarities are striking: the boxy shape has endured time, fashion, legislative punishments, and gearheads' tastes. The G-Class is unmistakable from its inception to the present day. Only Porsche can claim a more extended history of using the same design language from generation to generation.The original Mercedes-Benz SUV took seven years to reach the 50,000-unit milestone in 1986. By 1992, it doubled that number, and the G-Class had already established its name with multiple acts of automotive Mastercraft.In 1980, it became the new Pope-mobile, assisting John Paul II in his globe-trotting mission. In 1983, it won the Paris-Dakar rally. In '85, the three locking differentials became standard a feature that permeated the fabric of time and technology and is still present today.Slowly parting ways with the crude but effective military transporter, the G-Class became classier with each year without compromising its overlanding soul. Engine displacements, cylinder headcount, and outputs grew proportionally, and so did its popularity (and price tag).Despite its apparent variety, production gradually slowed; the G-Class reached the 200,000-unit mark after another decade since car no. 100,000 had driven off the assembly plant in '92. The next step (300,000) was reached in July 2017.From then on, the G-Class shifted the build rate into Fast mode. In December 2020, the 400,000th vehicle was born. Two years and four months later, in April 2023, G-Class claims bragging rights with its half-million worldwide carpool.The milestone automobile was assembled in the Graz factory in Austria, where the model's original production began in 1979. The anniversary car is the spitting image of the first G-Wagen, with its Agave Green Livery, retro styling, and turn signal lamps. The orange hue on the indicators is the exact one from forty-four years ago.Despite its numerous variants, iterations, derivatives, interpretations, and transformations, the G-Class Merc has always stayed true to its central creed: go anywhere with ease. Over the years, comfort was added to that motto. Still, the mechanical abilities of the somewhat brute-looking SUV have never subsided to its other qualities. Photo: Camper & Nicholson HP Photo: Peter Insull's Yacht Marketing Photo: Camper & Nicholson The thrill of great speed is rarely at the top of the list regarding bespoke luxury yachts that are built for ultra-wealthy owners. Enormous living spaces, extravagant design, and a bigger capacity for carrying water toys take precedence most of the time. However, a Monaco-based millionaire who also happens to be a regatta enthusiast couldn't have overlooked performance, even in the case of a superyacht.The beautiful La Pellegrina shows off its elegant silhouette around Monaco, where its owner resides. Roberto Tomasini Grinover isn't the typical millionaire yacht owner who only sees his pleasure craft as a floating mansion for vacations and parties.Grinover knows a thing or two about boating excellence. He was an active regatta sailor with Team Robertissima. In 2015, the Italian entrepreneur who lives in Monaco was named "Owner of the Year 2015" after completing a successful racing season. His boat, the Maxi 72 Robertissima III, was a Vice World Champion at the time and a winner at Barcolana 47.By that time, the beautiful La Pellegrina had also hit the water. It was a 162 feet (50 meters) luxury yacht built in France in 2012, with a mysterious name, inspired by one of the most famous pearls in history. At the same time, it refers to people who seek wisdom and spiritual freedom, just like this vessel embodies the freedom to cruise around the world at an exhilarating speed. La Pellegrina can hit somewhere around 28 knots (32 mph/51.8 kph), an impressive speed for a yacht this size. Even when cruising effortlessly at 22 knots (25 mph/40.7 kph), this luxury vessel is still much faster than similar yachts.But speed isn't its only special power. When slowing down to an economical speed (approximately half of the maximum value), it boasts an autonomy of around 4,000 nautical miles (7,400 km). In other words, La Pellegrina can cross the Atlantic in ten days with ease and also reach speeds that are unheard of for yachts in the same size category.The yacht owes its performance to the twin MTU engines boasting 5,240each and the fast hull made of carbon-reinforced Kevlar. Kevlar is a fiber used in marine composites, known for combining strength and rigidity with a lightweight composition. This makes it highly efficient for anything from patrol boats to luxury yachts and competition sailboats.In the case of huge luxury yachts, reducing the overall weight is essential for increasing speed and payload without compromising durability and stiffness. The shipyard that brought La Pellegrina to life is one of the few acclaimed for the use of state-of-the-art composite materials.Chantier Naval Couach, based in southern France, off the Bay of Biscay, is known today for building modern yachts of up to 50 meters (152 feet) with Kevlar and carbon fiber hulls. Still, its history goes way back.Albert Couach established a shipyard in Arcachon, France, after creating the world's first marine engines in 1897. Five years later, he launched the Libellule, the first motorized pinasse in the region. The pinasse was a small traditional boat in Southwest France with a flat bottom and a third sail, mainly used for fishing and oyster farming.More than half a century after this pioneering pinasse, the French shipyard built one of the first yachts that incorporated Kevlar composite, named Aramat. In the 2000s, it started focusing more on superyachts. Today, La Pellegrina is still the Couach flagship, 11 years after its official debut, showcasing the advantages of a Kevlar fast hull.With an exterior design by Exequiel Cano Lanza and an interior design by Jean-Pierre Fantini, La Pellegrina is as sophisticated as the rare pearl that inspired its name. Its two large upper decks are perfect for taking in the amazing views while the yacht cuts through the waves, and the onboard living space adds up to an impressive 500 square meters (5,381 square feet).The luxurious configuration favors both the owner and the VIP suite. The master suite sits on the upper deck, integrating a lavish bathroom with both a shower and a bathtub and offering access to a private terrace. The VIP cabin also provides spectacular panoramic views due to its placement on the main deck. The other cabins, all with en-suite bathrooms, are placed on the lower deck.La Pellegrina can welcome up to 12 guests and spoil them with things like a considerable-sized jacuzzi, an exquisite main salon, a gym area, and an excellent Wi-Fi connection.Suppose someone would like to become the owner of one of the fastest luxury yachts today and is willing to part with 12.8 million ($14 million). In that case, they're in luck this French beauty is up for grabs and ready for another decade of top-notch performance. If you have no plans for October, you should head to San Francisco. You'll witness a historic achievement on the final day of a one-of-a-kind, large-scale event. Some of the most impressive eVTOLs (electric vertical take-off and landing) gearing up for commercial service are about to perform live demonstrations for the first time ever at the San Francisco International Airport (SFO).Who would have thought that the Grand Hyatt at SFO would someday host an event that's all about electric air taxis? AAM (Advanced Air Mobility) is no longer just a bold vision that seems inspired by Sci-Fi movies. We're closer than ever to a new era of commercial flight, where people can move faster, easier, and without adding to the pollution.A significant number of future air taxis in different parts of the world are already close to certification, allowing them to kick off commercial operations. Until then, folks can get a glimpse of what these electric aircraft can do at the unique AIRTAXI World Congress . The event will start on October 2 and end with a spectacular vertical airshow on October 5.SFO is working hard with its partners to integrate eVTOLs into its operational system for this airshow. Joby Aviation and Archer are some of the main partners. Although it hasn't been officially confirmed, it's most likely that their air taxis will be among the ones performing the live demonstrations.On the other hand, some of the exhibitor and attendee names were recently confirmed. Volocopter, Skyports, Rolls-Royce, Emirates Airline, and EHang are some of the most reputable names in aviation and the emerging AAM sector.The Congress was designed as a huge networking event for this sector, bringing together over 400 participants, from airlines and charter operators to infrastructure companies and local officials. The goal is to connect all of them with eVTOL developers to advance AAM development. Last year, it took place in Istanbul, Turkey, after the 2021 debut in London, UK.This year, the highly anticipated AIRTAXI World Congress is coming to the US for the first time a unique moment for the emerging AAM industry in America and for San Francisco. It will end on a high note with live demonstrations of vertical take-off and landing performed by what the event calls "top eVTOLs," most likely including Joby's and Archer's air taxis (both headquartered in California). After seeing images of U-boat Worx's Nautilus yacht submarine concept the other day, with its avant-garde features, luxury amenities, and top-notch technology, we thought nothing could surprise us anymore in terms of superyacht design. We couldn't be more wrong, and Dasha Moranova Designs' conceptual wellness project Senses for the superyachts of tomorrow stands as proof. 12 photos Photo: Dasha Moranova Designs LSD The man who masterminded the go-faster N division at Hyundai knows that the future is electric, but alas, Hyundai still doesn't have a high-performance electric vehicle to its name. That's going to change in July at the 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed, where the Ioniq 5 N will mark the shift from high-performance internal combustion-engined vehicles to all-electric ones.Rather than Biermann, the managing director at Hyundai UK spilled the beans in an interview with British motoring publication Autocar. He made it clear that N-branded vehicles are meant to differentiate Hyundai from other automakers, but rather than straight-line performance, the Ioniq 5 N is all about driving fun.It's a similar philosophy to the one used in the development of the i30 N, a compact-sized hatchback that was never sold in the United States of America. Its closest equivalent in this part of the world is the Elantra N compact sedan. Following the mid-cycle refresh for the 2024 model year, said compact sedan continues to pack a high-output 2.0L turbocharged four-pot mill.Twinned with the Kia EV6 GT, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is pretty different in certain aspects. For starters, prospective customers are presented with something called N Drift Optimizer. The rather boring moniker stands for an electronic system designed to tailor torque distribution, steering effort, suspension stiffness, and the electronic limited-slip diff for oversteery dynamics.Hyundai boldly claims that N Drift Optimizer is addressed to both beginners and skilled drivers. The electronically-controlledis tuned specifically for this application, whereas N Torque Distribution optimizes torque at both axles depending on the selected drive mode. Tested in the frozen wilderness of Arjeplog in Sweden together with the i20 N WRC Rally 1, the Ioniq 5 N is ready to pounce with 600-ish horsepower on deck.Remember Biermann? Back in September 2022, when the output figures weren't finalized, he estimated anything between 580 and 620 metric ponies. Converted in old money, that's 572 and 612 horsepower. Peak torque is certain to be similar to the Kia EV6 GT, which offers 572 horsepower and 545 pound-feet (739 Nm).Heading to dealers as a 2024 model, the Ioniq 5 N has been recently teased with get this a rear wiper . It remains to be seen if lesser versions of the Ioniq 5 will be updated with said rear wiper, but keep those fingers crossed. Over in the United States, the most affordable specification available for the 2023 model year is $41,450 sans destination charge. As for Germany, where Hyundai's European technical center is based, the Ioniq 5 kicks off at 43,900 euros (that would be $48,200). EV The naturally-aspirated forerunners were discontinued in favor of a 3.0L twin-turbo V6 for the all-new GranTurismo, which may seem a little curious. On the other hand, the so-called Nettuno is more powerful, torquier, and more frugal than the previous gen's V8s.Technically impressive, the Nettuno rubs Maserati loyalists the wrong way due to the Italian automaker's blatantly false claim that it's a unique design. The House of the Trident claims that it's 100 percent Maserati even though it's easy to make connections between the Nettuno and two engines. First and foremost, the 690T used by Alfa Romeo in Quadrifoglio hi-po models. And secondly, the F154 that replaced the F136 mentioned a bit earlier.Based on a Maserati-specific version of the Giorgio platform developed by Alfa Romeo in collaboration with Ferrari, the GranTurismo can be specified with all-electric muscle as well. Dubbed Folgore, the three-motorserved as the basis for the "Ouroboros" virtual concept revealed at the 2023 Milan Design Week.Penned by Japanese designer, musician, and producer Hiroshi Fujiwara, this jaw-dropping design study puts a retro twist on the GranTurismo Folgore by adopting classic design elements from the likes of the A6GCS Berlinetta Pininfarina and 3500 GT. Racecar influences are present as well, notably the Tipo 151-like round headlights. The forged wheels bring us into the 1970s, for they're based on the Bora's magnesium alloys. Last but not least, the taillight fascia draws inspiration from the Shamal, the last series-production Maserati launched during the Alejandro de Tomaso era. The Argentinian businessman and racing driver sold his share to Fiat back in 1993.A pioneer of Ura-Harajuku streetwear, Fujiwara says that his design study is named Ouroboros after the symbol that depicts a serpent munching on its own tail. Derived from the Greek words for tail and eating, Ouroboros can be interpreted in plenty of ways. Fujiwara goes for the standard meaning of eternal cyclic renewal, which perfectly describes the fashion world and to some degree the automotive world as well. Maserati doesn't plan to make a limited run of the Ouroboros, which is only natural given that Maserati still hasn't proven itself worthy as a Stellantis marque in terms of sales and profitability. The House of the Trident returned in the black in 2021 after tremendous losses.The first order of business for Maserati is to improve operating margins to over 15 percent from the 8.7 reported in 2022. Ferrari, by comparison, reported a whopping 24 percent. If the Modena-based automaker manages to improve, then a spinoff may follow suit. Google announced the Coolwalk redesign for Android Auto in January. Since then, the company has been enabling the interface in stages, therefore buying more time to detect bugs in early phases.In other words, if a major issue is discovered, Google has more time to address it before production devices are impacted.The main Coolwalk highlight is the multi-app view that allows users to have navigation apps, audio software, and phone calls side by side on the same screen. Previously, split-screen support was exclusive to displays with wide resolutions.The Coolwalk interface is split into multiple cards, giving one card to a specific app category. The navigation app, such as Google Maps, uses the largest card, while the likes of Spotify and phone calls can use the remaining ones.Before using the card-based UI, apps must be updated to support Coolwalk. Enter Waze.Google Maps was, until recently, the only navigation app that supported Coolwalk. Now that the new interface is becoming more widely available, developers have also accelerated efforts to update their apps for the new Android Auto interface.Coolwalk support in Waze landed in beta several weeks ago, and since then, the Google-owned company has been working around the clock on finalizing the update. While no official announcement has been offered, it looks like the feature is now in the production channel and is gradually rolling out to users.The server-controlled rollout enables Coolwalk support for Waze users in stages. In other words, even if you run the latest version of the app, Waze wont load in the navigation card on CarPlay unless the parent company specifically allows it.The release seems to take place rather slowly right now, possibly as Waze still tries to determine the reliability of the new feature. Ive been using Waze on Coolwalk for at least a couple of weeks, and todays experience seems significantly more refined than it was in the first days after launch.Some users claim Waze doesnt work properly on Coolwalk, with the GPS connection occasionally lost in the card-based UI. Switching Waze to the full-screen mode typically restores the app, with the location immediately determined correctly.The most recent version of Waze for Android is 4.93.5.11, and it was released in late March. On the other hand, a new beta went live earlier this week with a series of additional refinements, including whats likely a more polished experience on Coolwalk. For the time being, the best you can do is to install the most recent Waze update and wait for the company to enable the support for Coolwalk in your car. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier speaks at an event on the occasion of the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, April 19. Reuters-Yonhap Germany's president on Wednesday sought pardon for crimes committed by Germans during World War II in comments on the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising anniversary in Poland's capital. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the first German president to speak at the commemorations, joined Polish and Israeli heads of state to mark 80 years since a doomed uprising by Jewish insurgents against Nazi German occupiers. "I stand before you today and ask for your forgiveness for the crimes committed by Germans here," said Steinmeier, speaking at the annual ceremony held in Warsaw's former Jewish district. During his speech, the German president also blasted his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin for waging war against Ukraine. "With his illegal attack on a peaceful, democratic neighbouring country...the Russian president has broken international law," Steinmeier said. "This war brings immeasurable suffering, violence, destruction and death to the people of Ukraine," he added. The official ceremony took place at the Monument to the Ghetto Heroes, which is located at the site of several of the uprising's armed clashes. Later in the day, the three presidents went to the Nozyk synagogue in Warsaw the only one to have survived the war in the Polish capital where they lit "candles of memory", the Polish presidency said in a tweet. People hold bouquets of daffodils as they take part in unofficial ceremonies to mark the 80th anniversary of the start of the Warsaw Jewish Ghetto Uprising, Warsaw, Poland, April 19. AFP-Yonhap Absolute evil The Warsaw Jews launched their armed revolt against the Nazis on April 19, 1943, preferring to die fighting than to be sent to a death camp. It was the largest single act of Jewish resistance against the Germans during World War II. "We must remember," Israeli President Isaac Herzog said, adding that Holocaust memory is not relative. "Absolute evil existed, in the form of the Nazis and their accomplices. And absolute good existed, in the form of the victims and the rebels, from every nation," Herzog said. Around 7,000 Jews are estimated to have died in the battles and another 6,000 in the fires started by the Nazis in the ghetto. "The revolt was suicide. We couldn't win, but we had to do them harm," ghetto survivor Halina Birenbaum, 93, told AFP ahead of the anniversary. Earlier on Wednesday, church bells and sirens sounded across the Polish capital as volunteers across the city handed out paper daffodils for residents to pin to their jackets. The tradition is in honour of Marek Edelman, an uprising commander who, until his death in 2009, would mark the anniversary by depositing a bouquet of the flowers at the memorial. Because of their colour and form, daffodils resemble the yellow stars Jews were forced to wear by the Nazis. This year, the paper daffodils are also being distributed in other Polish cities. The commemorations included paper daffodils which resemble the yellow star Jews were forced to wear by the Nazis, April 19. AFP-Yonhap 450,000 Jews "We hope to hand out a total of 450,000 paper flowers," said Zofia Bojanczyk, coordinator of the daffodil initiative. "The figure symbolises the number of Jewish women and men confined to the Warsaw Ghetto when it was at its most crowded," she told reporters. One year after they invaded Poland in 1939, the Germans set up the ghetto in a space of just over three square kilometres (1.2 square miles). It was the largest of the World War II ghettos. Many Jews died inside of starvation and disease, while most of the rest were sent to the Treblinka death camp to the east of the Polish capital. At the outbreak of the uprising, around 50,000 civilians were still hiding in cellars and bunkers in the ghetto. The Germans put down the uprising with extreme brutality and set fire to the entire district, turning it to rubble and ash. Veronique Felenbok, daughter of the ghetto survivor Paul Felenbok, center right, hugs her son Alix, as they attend personal unofficial observances marking the 80th anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising in Warsaw, Poland, April 19. AP-Yonhap A relevant bill approved by the government is part of its declared defense reforms and a gradual transition to a professional army promised by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian. Under the bill drafted by the Armenian Defense Ministry, the six-month service will become obligatory for young women once they are formally drafted by the countrys armed forces. They will serve in military training units for six months and then have the option of becoming contract soldiers eligible for combat duty. Also, every female conscript will be paid 1 million drams ($2,600) after completing the service. It will be a normal service, not a stroll through barracks, Pashinian said during a cabinet meeting in Yerevan. The bill will likely be approved by the Armenian parliament. In that case, the military will be able to start enlisting women for the six-month duty already this fall. The Armenian army already has female soldiers and officers within its ranks. Their current number is not revealed by the Defense Ministry. It stood at over 1,400 in 2013 when Armenias two military academies began admitting women as cadets. The vast majority of the female personnel held clerical positions in the Defense Ministry, army detachments and other military structures. There was also a growing number of women performing combat roles. They participated in the 2020 war in Nagorno-Karabakh and subsequent fighting on Armenias border with Azerbaijan. Five Armenian women were killed during last Septembers large-scale border clashes. Azerbaijani army units redeployed on March 30 to more parts of the Lachin district sandwiched between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, completing a change in the route of the Lachin corridor which began last August. Armenias National Security Service (NSS) said hours later that they advanced up to 300 meters into Armenian territory at five border locations adjacent to the village of Tegh. Local government officials and farmers said Tegh lost a large part of its agricultural land and pastures. Some of them said that the Azerbaijani military made bigger territorial gains than is admitted by official Yerevan. They dismissed the NSSs April 1 claims that the situation in that border area improved significantly as a result of negotiations held by Armenian and Azerbaijani officials. Tensions there escalated on April 11 into a skirmish between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces which left at least seven soldiers from both sides dead. The Azerbaijanis havent retreated a single inch from Teghs lands, one local resident told RFE/RLs Armenian Service on Friday. They are continuing fortification works. He was perplexed by Pashinians comments made on Thursday. The prime minister told reporters that the problematic section of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border around Tegh was 5 kilometers long and that the Armenian and Azerbaijani sides ascertained 1.4 kilometers of it after the deadly fighting. That means Armenian border guards are deployed at a certain distance from that border and Azerbaijani border guards are deployed at a certain distance from that border, he said. Pashinian did not clarify whether the Azerbaijani troops withdrew from that 1.4-kilometer stretch or whether Yerevan does not consider it Armenian territory anymore as a result of the unofficial border delimitation. Again, they havent retreated a single inch, countered the Tegh farmer, who did not want to be identified. What has been ascertained? Tegh residents are still awaiting concrete actions by the Armenian government, he said, warning that their patience is running out. The governor of Armenias Syunik province encompassing Tegh said earlier this week that the government will compensate villagers for the loss of their land holdings and main source of income. The Armenian opposition blames Pashinian for the fresh territorial gains made by Azerbaijan. Opposition leaders say he should have ordered the Armenian army or border guards to take up positions along the Armenian side of the Tegh border section ahead of the Azerbaijani advance. 21 April 2023 10:00 (UTC+04:00) Laman Ismayilova Read more President of the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation Gunay Afandiyeva has met with Chairman of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan Tanzila Narbayeva within the Days of Shusha held by the organization in Tashkent. The sides touched upon the importance of the efforts of the Turkic Heads of State aimed at strengthening comprehensive cooperation in the Turkic World, Azernews reports. They stressed the close interaction of the Turkic Cooperation Organizations established in this direction by the Turkic Heads of State. It was stated that bringing the Turkic people closer to each other is one of the main goals of the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation. The active participation of Uzbekistan in large-scale projects implemented by the foundation was noted as well. In various events held by the organization, including last year's event dedicated to the 580th anniversary of the great Uzbek poet and thinker Alisher Navoi, the notability of the participation of the deputies of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis was brought to attention. President of the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation Gunay Afandiyeva has met with Chairman of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan Tanzila Narbayeva stressed the special role of the joint activity of the foundation with TURKPA, which works towards the development of political dialogue between Turkic countries through parliamentary diplomacy. Days of Shusha organized by the foundation in Tashkent were evaluated as a contribution to the development of brotherly relations between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan. The sides also emphasised the importance of implementing joint projects between the foundation and Uzbekistan, and discussed future prospects. Initiated in 2012, the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation focuses on the preservation of the Turkic heritage in member countries as well as conducting projects in collaboration with partners in third nations. The foundation provides assistance in the protection, study, and promotion of Turkic culture and heritage through supporting and funding various activities, projects, and programs. The organization carries out its activities in cooperation with TURKSOY and the Turkic Academy. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 21 April 2023 09:00 (UTC+04:00) Rena Murshud Read more Global competitiveness and power challenge have made both the West and Russia to maintain their influence in the ongoing Azerbaijani-Armenian conflict. Following the recent meeting of the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and the discussion over the problem made the Kremlin's top diplomat Dmitry Peskov to voice a concern over the matter. He made a statement that "trilateral agreements are the only basis for resolving the situation". But for some reason, despite the proposal for a trilateral agreement that comes from Russia, Armenia opposes to sit at the negotiation table with Azerbaijan. In reality, Armenia, which carries out Russia's orders, either behaves like whimsical or tries to show itself as an independent decision-maker. A questionable moment arises in the middle; either Russia is playing games or Armenia has gone astray from its orbit... A Ukrainian political analyst, the Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Oleksandr Oleksandrovich Merezhko, who commented on the issue to Azernews, called Russia's mediation void. "Under no circumstances should Russia be trusted. Especially in relation to neighboring states"- Merezhko said. In response to another question that if Russia is not a trusted partner, then what is the role of the Russian peacekeeping troops, which have temporarily been stationed in Azerbaijan's Karabakh, the expert said: "There is no doubt that it is in the interests of Azerbaijan that Russian troops leave Karabakh and the South Caucasus region as soon as possible," he replied. Besides, an Azerbaijani Political analyst Ilgar Valizade provided a supportive answer to the expert's comment, saying that there are only a couple years left till the peacekeeping contingent to complete its duty in the country. "In 2025 the mission of the peacekeeping contingent expires, and if they don't fulfill their duties properly during this period, it is likely that Azerbaijan will demand the withdrawal of the troops from the region. Russia is just trying to maintain its presence in the region, and I think after 2025 they will not be needed here," the pundit said. Ilgar Valizade added that despite the presence of the peacekeeping troops in the region, and even the verbal support by the EU and the US none of the parties could deter Armenia from resorting provocations. "Unfortunately, provocations continue. For this reason, peace talks are in doubt. Although efforts have been made by various countries and administrations on this topic, it has not been of any avail. As for the statement made by Russia, they are more concerned about the efforts of the West rather than solution to the ongoing problem. Besides, Armenia still ignores the opinion of all parties, including Russia," Valizade opined. The mixed opinions that exist both in the ruling circle and in the Armenian society have once again confused Russia. Last week, a group of Armenians on social networks said that they would recognize the territory of Azerbaijan if Russia grants them citizenship, which caused a wide discussion among the Russian public. "Armenian public propagates all kinds of stupid ideas as usual. I think this is one of them," the Russian historian Oleg Kuznetsov said as he commented on the demand of a group of Armenians for Russian citizenship. He also shared an incident in the past related to the similar problem: "I remember the Armenians proposed to erect a monument to the Nazi criminal Garegin Nzhdeh near the prison in the city of Vladimir, where he was serving his sentence. Naturally, this idea was actively exaggerated in the Armenian press. And in Russia, it was completely ignored as a crazy and foolish idea in any way." As regards Armenia's recognising the Azerbaijani territories, Ukrainina expert Oleksandr Merezhko said that the condition of recognising Azerbaijan's territorial integrity by Armenia is not within international law. "Karabakh is a territory under the full sovereignty of Azerbaijan. I think it is not so important for Azerbaijan that its territorial integrity be "recognised" by everyone. The main thing is that all states respect this idea. This is their international legal obligation. Therefore, it is impossible to put forward any additional conditions in this matter," he added. --- Follow Rena Murshud on Twitter: @RenaTagiyeva Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 21 April 2023 11:20 (UTC+04:00) Azerbaijani Embassy in Russia sent a note of protest to Russian Foreign Ministry in connection with the unacceptable statements of the Deputy Chairman of the Committee of the State Duma of the Russian Federation on Information Policy, Information Technologies and Communications Oleg Matveychev on the air of the Armenian news agency "RUSARMINFO". The statement reads: "It was highlighted that the deputy from the "United Russia" party's opinions against Azerbaijan and Turkiye are unacceptable, that they aim to destabilize the region, and that they are interpreted as an incitement of revanchist forces in Armenian society to rekindle the conflict left behind. It was noted that the statements about "inciting the conflict by Azerbaijan" against the background of the reconstruction works being actively carried out in the liberated territories are nonsense. It was stated that despite the heavy consequences of the 30-year occupation, it was Azerbaijan that first initiated the process of normalization of interstate relations with Armenia and continued to promote the peace agenda, which envisages the signing of a peace treaty based on the principles of territorial integrity and sovereignty of the states. The Azerbaijani side stated that such statements of the representative of the ruling party of Russia overshadow the mediation of Russia, which supports the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and makes efforts for the normalization of Azerbaijan-Armenia relations. Oleg Matveychev cannot be unaware of the Declaration on mutual cooperation of alliance signed between the two countries in February 2022, and his such statements are a violation of the provisions of that document. A deputy representing the ruling party must be responsible in his statements and be guided by the official position of the Russian Federation. The interview of the deputy responsible for information policy in the Russian Parliament to the Armenian website, which is an information platform for attacks against Azerbaijan and incites inter-ethnic enmity in Russia, indicates that it has an ordered and imperative nature." --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 21 April 2023 11:43 (UTC+04:00) Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Elnur Mammadov and Deputy of Korean National Assembly Seo Byong Sun discussed bilateral cooperation, Azernews reports. During the meeting, Mammadov noted with satisfaction the organization of a number of events in March 2022 on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Korea, as well as the exchange of congratulatory letters between the foreign ministers of the two countries. Mammadov noted the dynamics of relations between Azerbaijan and Korea at a high level, stressed the importance of the directions and mechanisms of the Azerbaijani-Korean bilateral cooperation. In particular, the ministerial political consultations between the two countries and other bilateral meetings held in Korea in July 2022 were noted with satisfaction. Touching upon the economic relations between the two countries, the Deputy Minister noted the registration of 77 South Korean investment companies in our country and highly appreciated the intention of Korean companies to participate in the restoration and reconstruction work carried out in the liberated territories of Azerbaijan. Mammadov provided the opposite side with detailed information on the demining process in the Azerbaijani territories liberated from occupation, mine danger in general, the failure of the Armenian side to provide maps of minefields, as well as on the process of a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia. During the meeting, it was noted that agreements and memorandums of understanding were signed between several cities of the two countries. In particular, the signing last year of a protocol of intent on cooperation between the cities of Shusha and Andon was noted. The parties also exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 21 April 2023 14:39 (UTC+04:00) In accordance with the plan approved by Azerbaijan Defense Minister Col-Gen Zakir Hasanov a series of events were held with regard to the Ramadan holiday in types of troops, the Combined Arms Army, Army Corps, formations and special educational institutions of the Azerbaijan Army, Azernews reports. During the events, the memory of the National Leader Heydar Aliyev and Martyrs was honored with observing a minute of silence. Azerbaijani National Anthem accompanied by a military orchestra was performed. The graves of martyrs were visited by the military personnel, the servicemen also visited the families of the martyrs and the wounded, inquired about their concerns, and presented holiday gifts. It was emphasized that the Azerbaijani state always pays tribute to the memory of martyrs, and provides great attention and care to their families and relatives. Speakers at the festive events noted that in Azerbaijan religious values are always protected. It was mentioned that the Ramadan holiday, which is celebrated as a national holiday every year at the state level, strengthens social equality, unity, attachment to national and moral values, and senses of humanism, kindness and compassion. In a series of events, concert programs were presented at the festive events with the participation of the teams of the Army Ideological and Cultural Center named after Hazi Aslanov, the Ideological and Cultural Center of the Ganja Garrison, culture and art representatives, as well as teams of regional cultural departments. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 21 April 2023 15:22 (UTC+04:00) Head of Azerbaijan's delegation to NATO Jafar Huseynzada has held a meeting with NATO Secretary General's Special Representative for Women, Peace and Security (WPS), Irene Fellin, Azernews reports. "We discussed issues of cooperation between NATO and Azerbaijan on the agenda of the WPS, as well as issues related to the high-level conference to be held this fall in Baku," the publication says I had a good meeting with Ms. Irene Fellin, NATO Secretary Generals Special Representative for Women, Peace & Security. At the meeting, we discussed #NATO-#Azerbaijan partnership, WPS Agenda, as well as the upcoming high-level conference to be held in Baku this fall. pic.twitter.com/gjKd7Eiojf Jafar Huseynzada (@JafarHuseynzade) April 21, 2023 --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 21 April 2023 23:18 (UTC+04:00) Air China plans to launch direct flights to Kazakhstan's Astana. The first flight on Beijing Xi'an Astana route is scheduled for April 21, 2023. Regular flights in this direction will be carried three times a week. Meanwhile, Air Astana plans to increase the number of flights operated on the Astana Beijing route starting from June. Flight on this route will be performed 2 times a week, on the Almaty Beijing route - 7 times, and on the Almaty Chengdu - 2 times a week. Thus, the number of direct flights between the countries will be increased from 13 to 19 flights per week, which also includes flights operated by China Southern Airlines on the Astana Urumqi (2 times a week) and Almaty Urumqi (3 times a week) routes. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang attends the opening ceremony of the Lanting Forum in Shanghai, China, April 21. Reuters-Yonhap Criticizing China over Taiwan will have dangerous consequences, Foreign Minister Qin Gang warned Friday, as he insisted Beijing is a "growing force for peace and justice." Two weeks ago, China launched three days of military exercises around Taiwan simulating targeted strikes and a blockade of the island in response to a meeting between Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. "Recently, there has been some absurd rhetoric accusing China... of unilaterally changing the status quo across the Taiwan Strait, through force or coercion, and of disrupting peace and stability across the Strait," Qin said as he gave the keynote speech at a forum on Chinese modernization. "Such claims go against basic common sense on international relations and historical justice," he told the audience in Shanghai. "The logic is absurd and the consequences dangerous." China claims Taiwan as its territory and has vowed to bring the island under its control one day. Pete Tittls Dining Out column appears in The Californian on Sundays. Email him at pftittl@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter: @pftittl. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. The author of the infamous letter signed by a list of intelligence agency officials claiming that the Hunter Biden laptop was "Russian disinformation" has blown the whistle on how that letter came to be written. Former acting CIA Director Mike Morrell wrote the letter after he was asked to do so by Biden campaign official Anthony Blinken, now Secretary of State "to help Biden". He never had any intention to write such a letter or help collect signatures for it until asked to by Blinken, and he said his motive to do so was "to defeat Trump". After the letter was circulated in the media, Blinken called Morrell and thanked him for doing it, saying it had been "effective." Of course the letter itself was the fabrication, but polls show it flipped the election to Biden. Many Biden voters told pollsters they would not have voted for Biden if they had known the truth about the laptop. https://nypost.com/2023/04/20/biden-campaign-pushed-spies-to-write-false-hunter-laptop-letter/ https://bigleaguepolitics.com/former-cia-director-admits-joe-biden-presidential-campaign-was-behind-intelligence-community-letter-claiming-hunter-biden-laptop-release-was-russian-disinformation/ This is just one more way the Democrats defrauded the American people in 2020. ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) The University of Michigan's new president, who also plays the cello, has scratched a highly publicized appearance with a local orchestra, the result of rising tension between the school and striking graduate student instructors. Santa Ono was scheduled to perform Saturday with the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra during Brahms' Hungarian Dance No. 1. The work has been dropped from the program. Catholics in the Beaumont area embrace the annual Catholic Charities of Southeast Texas Breakfast with the Bishop event because it's not what they normally see during a Sunday Mass. They see the priests, bishops and sisters go around serving meals and interacting with fellow parishioners. Perhaps they havent had many chances to engage with said priests, bishops or sisters. Perhaps they miss a former priest who was reassigned to another church. Catholic Charities of Southeast Texas President and CEO Carolyn Fernandez said that is what makes the breakfast a special occasion. The 31st annual breakfast will take place at 9:30 a.m. on April 29 at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Churchs Family Life Center, located at 6825 Gladys Ave. in west Beaumont. RELATED: Beaumont native now overseeing Catholic diocese youth camp They get to see their priest and the sisters in a different light. And actually, they may not even get to see the sisters otherwise because the sisters are working in the schools and at the retreat center, maybe at the hospital. So, theyre not visible sometimes in some of the parishes, Fernandez said. Fernandez said priests will be moved around from one church to another sometimes because they are nearing retirement age and will need to be replaced, which makes it even more special for an attendee who spent years listening to a certain priest. Thats also a reunion in a sense, Fernandez said. We have some older priests in our dioceses, so weve had some changes with people retiring and unfortunately some passed away. So yes, our priests do get moved around. Because they are so busy, they dont really get a chance to go back and visit those parishes. RELATED: Longtime local diocese deacon dies Tickets cost $25 a person. The breakfast event, which was created in 1992, raises money for programs like the Market to HOPE food bank. The breakfast will also honor Monsignor Salvador Salty Culotta, a longtime supporter of Catholic Charities work, for his 70 years serving as a priest. Culotta has served breakfast at the event every year since he retired in 1999, according to Fernandez. To purchase tickets or for more information about the event, call 409-924-4421. Q1: What are some of the most pertinent issues facing Port Arthur ISD at the moment and how would you work to address them? Q2: What do you believe are the district's biggest assets and how do you think they can be best maximized? Q3: What do you think needs to be done to raise the district's accountability rating and do you believe it is feasible to do so? Q4: How can the community best partner with the school board to push Port Arthur ISD forward? Johnny Brown Age: 74 Occupation: Adjunct professor at Lamar University Highest Level of Education: Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin Volunteer work/other elected office(s): Former Port Arthur ISD Superintendent Current secretary and former past president of the Port Arthur Rotary Club Second Vice President of the 100 Black Men of Greater Beaumont A1: I'm running to contribute several years of experience and leadership to help strengthen the 'team of eight' (seven school board members and the superintendent). I think I can contribute toward working as part of the team to increase expectations and putting in place the conditions for higher achievement in the school district. Safety is a concern across the world, and anything I can do to help in the conversations about what the best plans of action may be for ensuring the safety of our children, I want to do. Staffing of particular teachers has been a problem across the state...I think I can help put ideas on the table (to address that). A2: I want to focus on the positives -- what are the good things? What are the things I can do to contribute? I'm proud and thankful for the parents, for their engagement in the school district. I have observed a very positive spirit and cooperation in general and an interest in and work toward engaging parents in communication by the superintendent and staff. I'm proud of the achievement of students who have excelled and done very well in school. I think it's important to put in place conditions for all children to do well, to be successful. A3: The second part (of the question) is yes, absolutely. I think there are a series of things that need to happen, starting with being a part of the team of eight, making sure that we're supportive of the superintendent and making sure the superintendent ends up making sure the students and staff have clear directions in terms of expectations. We expect the school district to aspire toward the highest grade possible, which is an A, and we as school board members, we work together as a team to put conditions in place, to make sure we have the resources available, the financial support -- that dollars are targeted toward the areas of greatest need and where it's going to make the greatest difference. A4: I think home-school relationships matter. I mean that in terms of the variables that make a difference for student achievement being as high as possible. The parents and community working in cooperation with the school district and schools, I personally think that's a critical factor. And part of that has to do with taking care of and supporting each parent, supporting their own children. I think the same thing goes for community leaders -- universities, colleges, churches or faith-based community where children are treated with honor and dignity and respect and appreciated and supported by positive words. Regina Drake Age: 55 Occupation: Training and Development Coordinator for the city of Port Arthur Highest Level of Education: Master's in sociology from Texas Southern University Volunteer work/other elected office(s): Volunteered for the state board of the Texas PTA Volunteer for the Port Arthur Beautification Commission Board member of Communities in Schools of Southeast Texas A1: The most important thing is the academics, the learning -- basically reading and comprehension. From the outside looking in, I could come up with a lot of solutions, but I think what's important is to actually get involved (and) observe, see what's going on. Before I talk about any solutions, I need to know what's going on in the district first. So, that would mean getting with the superintendent and learning what his objectives are, what the outcomes have been thus far and to take a realistic, authentic look at ways that we can improve reading and comprehension. A2: I think the district has a lot of funding. The misperception amongst people is that we are poor -- Port Arthur is not poor. We are surrounded by industry and the industry wants to partner with us. There's government funding, there's taxes, resources and things...Marketability is important and so looking at are we maximizing, are we utilizing the resources that we have right now in place? When I was a student in Port Arthur, we had all different types of programs and it wasn't a one-size-fits all model, it was addressing various needs in ways that students can be successful. A3: We are absolutely worthy of an A. We have student potential, we have teacher potential, we have the capacity within our administrators, our superintendent has the ability to lead us -- he's stayed here, he's been resilient. We have to start studying and looking at what's prohibiting us from making that A and address those issues. Ones that we can address immediately, we fix immediately. Others, we come up with a plan of action... We have every ability to be an A. I desperately want to be part of the solution, I look forward to working with the people that's already on the board (and) contributing. A4: We need people to volunteer, get involved. There's parent groups, there's a parental meeting. Get educated, go to the (Texas Education Agency) website, become a part of some of these organizations that support the schools and volunteer. Tutor if you have a skill and/or the ability to assist students. I think that our churches could play a part in helping with their youth programs. I think student organizations, youth organizations can do a part in helping to reinforce the values and the things that the district is teaching students. Lloyd Marie Johnson (I)* Age: 63 Occupation: Outpatient physical therapist Highest Level of Education: Bachelor's degree from Texas Woman's University Volunteer work/other elected office(s): Former Port Arthur ISD board member for 18 years Member of the Port Arthur Construction Board of Adjustment and Appeals A1: The biggest thing is the safety of our schools (for) our employees, our families and the community. We hold that at high esteem. We continue to be proactive in trying to make the schools as safe as possible, and our main goal is for our students and staff to return each day to a safe and efficient as well as an effective school. A2: We've upgraded our technology for usage, and we've experienced success in this. As you can see, our students are actually winning in (University Interscholastic League) competitions now for the technology programs and our STEM program has succeeded tremendously because of that. I'm very proud of that. A3: Right now we're just playing catch up. COVID knocked everybody behind academically, because we were having to do virtual school. So, right now we're in a mass catch-up district-wide. It's not just us, it's statewide that the grade was across the board Cs -- district-wide and statewide we were not even rated for two years just because of COVID and the storms here. Academically, we do have some challenges there but we're working on that and our students are there and present everyday. A4: Our biggest help right now is on the elementary side -- everyone wants to see their little one succeed. To get the community more involved, what we have done as a school board is that we've actually implemented policies where we actually do town hall meetings at least three times a year. When we're doing goal setting, we actually invite (the community and) students to help us see where they can help... We are partnering to try and get our kids more academically higher rated and that helps. Kenneth Lofton, Sr. (I)** Age: 50 Occupation: Process operator at Motiva; United States Army veteran Highest Level of Education: Some college at Lamar University Volunteer work/other elected office(s): Served as a Port Arthur ISD Trustee for 15 years Secretary for the MISTERS Social and Civic Club Union representative for the USW Steel Workers A1: One of our main issues right now is discipline in the schools. One thing we want to focus on is getting discipline handled in our school district and our community. That's working with our community, working with our parents, making sure our kids are doing the right things at school. So, I want to put some things in place, some programs in place to help our kids channel their energy towards positive things instead of negative things and I think that will help us with our discipline problems in the school district. A2: Our biggest asset right now is our kids. We have a new program, a district innovative program -- we're also working towards a program where we have (more of) our teachers being certified. That's going to be big because we're going to have people in our community teaching back in our schools and working towards getting certifications... If we have people in our community with bachelor's degrees that know our kids...I think it all works hand-in-hand with the discipline. A3: One thing we need to do is start having more after school programs, take a look at some of the programs that we (do) have in place, academically, and see if that's where we need to go to push our kids a little harder. (There's) nothing wrong with pushing our kids. We have to start pushing them at home and in school, to the highest level degree in their education. Not all kids are made for college, that's why we have (the Career and Technical Education) building and different things, but education starts first, whatever you do. A4: Be supportive, that's the main thing. Know that me and all the other board members have your child's best interests. I'm a father of three kids that are PAISD products and all three are very successful. They weren't the smartest kids in the school, but they were hard workers. So, one thing we need to do is as a community -- and Port Arthur is known as a hard-working community -- is we've got to start putting that into our kids that stress and hard work doesn't hurt you, it helps you. Nina Stelly Age: 63 Occupation: Substitute teacher/tutor in Port Arthur ISD Highest Level of Education: Doctorate of divinity from the School of Biblical and Theological Studies Volunteer work/other elected office(s): Dean of Congress of Christian Education Silver life member of the Beaumont chapter of the NAACP; gold life member of the Port Arthur chapter Lifetime membership in PTA A1: The morale is low, we need to bring that up. I think the way to best start is with parental involvement and listening and meeting and making sure our parents are aware of what's expected whenever children come to school. Too many times, children come to school and they're sleepy or just not prepared. Before we even get into the classrooms, we have issues of overcrowding, pay, and I'm not just talking about for (district) employees. (Substitute teachers) need an increase in salary, because the subs do the same things as a teacher and sometimes they are more credentialed in some areas. A2: I really do believe that they are concerned about our students in Port Arthur ISD -- we just need to reach out again. I go back to the parents, so that we can get their help. I think it will be a whole lot better once we get them on board because they love the students. A3: If you have not been pleased with the accountability rating, maybe we need to change (the school board), maybe we need to put some other individuals in there instead of putting some of the same ones that have served and give (other people) an opportunity. We need to pick up the morale of our teachers -- they're overworked and underpaid. A4: We need to come together. Once we are on the same page then we can share with the city at large what our focus is and what we're doing and what we need them to help us with. *(I) denotes incumbent trustee filling out remainder of term vacated by Joseph L. Guillory II. **(I) denotes incumbent trustee Responses lightly edited for length and clarity. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate GALVESTON, Texas (AP) Family members of those killed and wounded during a 2018 attack on a Texas high school in which 10 people were fatally shot expressed concern Thursday that the already delayed case against the accused gunman could be further held up pending the possible removal of the trial judge, facing allegations of bias and prior legal ties to the defendant. We dont even have any confidence were ever going to trial at this point, said Scot Rice, whose wife Flo was one of another 13 people shot and wounded during the attack at Santa Fe High School on May 18, 2018. Scot and Flo Rice, who was a substitute teacher, spoke after a court hearing over motions filed by lawyers for 22-year-old Dimitrios Pagourtzis, the accused shooter, who has been at a Texas state hospital since December 2019, when he was found mentally incompetent to stand trial. Pagourtzis has been charged with capital murder in the shooting that left eight students and two teachers dead at the school some 35 miles (55 kilometers) southeast of Houston. Attorneys representing Pagourtzis have accused Jeth Jones, the judge who has been handling the case since January, of bias and claim he is determined to find experts who will conclude their client is competent to stand trial. We are not here just because I dont like Judge Jones rulings. We are here because his actions and rulings show a bias toward my client, said Nicholas Poehl, one of Pagourtzis attorneys. His lawyers are also asking that Jones be disqualified because they allege that Jared Robinson, his former partner in a law firm, briefly represented Pagourtzis when he was first arrested. They argue that under state law, Jones would be disqualified from the case because he had a legal connection to Pagourtzis by way of his law firm partner. Prosecutors argued Thursday that Jones should not be removed from the case. Galveston County District Attorney Jack Roady said Jones has not done anything wrong as his role as a judge includes being involved in the process to determine if Pagourtzis is competent to stand trial. Roady also said the claims Jones should be disqualified because of prior legal ties to Pagourtzis have no merit. He said while Jones former law partner did meet with Pagourtzis on the day of the shooting, he was never hired and declined to take on the case. But Pagourtzis' attorney Robert Barfield testified during Thursdays hearing that Jones law partner was briefly part of the accused shooter's legal team and gave him legal advice that would be considered confidential and would have established an attorney-client relationship. Earlier this month, Jones declined to disqualify himself, referring the request to Susan Brown, who is the presiding judge over the six-county region that includes Galveston County, where the shooting took place. During Thursdays hearing, Brown seemed to indicate Pagourtzis attorneys would likely not prevail on their motion to recuse Jones over his actions regarding competency. But she asked for more information on whether the judges former law partner did represent Pagourtzis. Brown made no rulings but indicated she would likely hold another hearing next month. Family members of those killed or wounded have expressed frustration the case has not gone to trial. They say part of their frustration comes from not having been given access to evidence in the case, including autopsy reports and surveillance footage, that could provide more information on their loved ones final moments. A bill has been filed in the current session of the state Legislature that would give crime victims families access to such evidence without making it public before a trial. Rosie Yanas Stone, whose 17-year-old son Chris, was killed in the shooting, said after Thursdays hearing she has been happy with Jones because he has sought answers on the issue of Pagourtzis competency. She fears his removal would cause more delays in family members efforts to get answers to what happened to their loved ones. Not knowing nothing is just horrible for us, she said. ___ Follow Juan A. Lozano on Twitter at https://twitter.com/juanlozano70. The 2022-23 school year will be the last for Lucas Pre-K Center. The Beaumont ISD school board on Thursday night voted unanimously to close the school and in turn reassign all students who would attend Lucas to their respective elementary campuses for pre-k education. "This is not an easy decision," district Superintendent Shannon Allen said at Thursday's meeting. "I do understand and respect the impact it has on the current staff that are working there." The decision comes after it was revealed Monday in board agenda documents that the campus' condition was below the district's safety standards and too costly to fix. "Lucas means a lot to me," District 2 Trustee and Board Secretary Stacey Lewis, Jr. said, shedding tears remembering his years at the campus as a student. "(But) this is going to help out even though it hurts in this moment." District Superintendent Shannon Allen said in the documents that the district discovered the extent of the facility's condition as it was working to upgrade its safety enhancements, which included adding ballistic film to windows. "When estimating costs for this enhancement at Lucas Pre-K, it was discovered that because of the age of the facility, all the windows would need to be replaced at a significant expense to install the film," she said. The total estimated cost for bringing Lucas up to the district's safety standards exceeds $8 million, according to the documents. In addition to the window replacements, estimated to cost $1.2 million alone, the school needs mechanical, boiler and plumbing upgrades, door replacements and a security vestibule, fencing and roof repairs, among other improvements. The school's two mechanical systems are decades outdated, with one being installed in 1998 and one in 2010, according to a presentation from the district at Thursday's board meeting. Additionally the school's boiler was installed in 2008 with a 10-year life-span and the facility's electrical equipment is all original to the building as is the plumbing and has never been updated. Allen said the district thought about closing the campus two years ago because of water collecting under the building, but they were able to make a quick-fix to keep it open. According to architects that looked at the building while evaluating its condition, changes would've had to be made to the campus within one to four years or risk "catastrophic failure" of the building. Given the building's advanced age -- 65 years -- and the relatively low number of students it serves -- just under 260 -- the district recommended closing the campus, hoping it would ultimately save the district money. According to the district's potential cost savings analysis, the closure of the Lucas campus could save Beaumont ISD about $730,000. The district also believes that since 12 other Beaumont ISD schools located across the city will offer pre-k by the start of the 2023-24 school year, the Lucas location is not a necessity. Students that would attend pre-k at Lucas next school year will instead be zoned to their respective elementary campus. Lucas staff members will be reassigned to new pre-k classrooms slated to open for 2023-24 at Martin, Jones-Clark, Homer and Caldwood elementary schools. Three elementary campuses -- Blanchette, Sallie Curtis and Fehl-Price -- do not offer pre-k at this time. Campus administration and staff were made aware of the school's potential closure in late March and early April, according to the board packet. The packing up of the classroom and relocation of staff is expected to take place from May 22 to June 2. While the future of the 1750 E Lucas Dr. campus remains uncertain at this time, the district will explore plans to temporarily relocate another department to the location in order to maintain the building, since the Texas Education Agency only requires certain safety standards for buildings where students are housed. olivia.malick@hearst.com Q1: What do you believe should be the councils top priorities? Q2: Issues with water infrastructure, such as sewer and drainage, are constantly discussed throughout the community. If elected, what are some steps you would help lead the city into taking? Q3: What is the best way for council to work to improve economic development in Beaumont? Q4: As an at-large council member your responsibility is to represent the all residents of Beaumont. How would you ensure you represent the entirety of the community? Albert "AJ" Turner (I) Age: 36 Occupation: Director of operations for Amazon DSP Education: Graduated from Wylie College with a bachelors degree in Sociology Volunteer work or previously elected office (up to three): Board member for United Way Local Link Board member of United Men for Christ Member of the Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Committee Board A1: The number one thing should be sewer and drainage infrastructure. The number two thing should be quality of life. I will say the number three thing is growing the city's population, which we are already kind of working towards. A2: One of the biggest issues is pipe bursting in the city of Beaumont. We have a lot of old infrastructure, and we've already done pipe bursting for 50% of the pipes in the city, but we still have another 50% left to go. The reality is all of our water infrastructure goes towards one direction and that one direction we're not even at 50% capacity. So, we don't need a new water treatment plant. What we need is good fresh new pipes underground that can help the water flow directly to our water treatment plant that's already in existence, because it's not even 50% of capacity. Another thing is every time it rains, water infiltrates into our pipes systems and causes backups. A3: First and foremost, it's important that people understand that we've approved the most commercial permits in the history Beaumont. We approved over 7,000, when in the past we averaged 3,000 to 4,000. When we speak economic development, it's important that we speak the facts. Beaumont is growing, and the numbers don't lie. Those permits that have passed are a significant effect of the economic boom in Beaumont and it happened during the pandemic. It goes to show, people want to do business in Beaumont, the permits they showed it. A4: If you've been following my political career, I think it's obvious I'm maybe the most engaged council member on our council. I pride myself in engaging with all citizens. I have a very diverse background. I actually recently just organized a committee nightlife task force with the Beaumont Police Department and bars and nightclub owners to try to eliminate any type of crime or bad activities that happened in nightlife, at nighttime. The median age of Beaumont is 35. It's not an older city, we've got to understand in order to attract young people, we have to do things that they will actually be attracted to come to. I'm over the city of Beaumont Youth Council. I pride myself on touching every demographic, every age, every gender across the city of Beaumont. Randy Feldschau (I) Age: 61 Occupation: Senior Pastor of One City Church Education: Ordained through Global University Volunteer work or previously elected office (up to three): Serves on the Southeast Texas Regional Planning Commission Board Does work for United Aid for Southeast Texas Does work for Not In My City A1: The most important thing that we do as City Council is to provide those basic services of public works, infrastructure and safety and security of our citizens through first responders. Beyond that, we need to focus on economic development that promotes numerical growth, and we need to continue working on a strategic plan for downtown development, which I hope and believe will promote other development throughout the city. A2: Well, I can give you these hard numbers right now. In this year's budget, we have allocated $61 million to water, $24 million to sewer and $22 million to streets, drainage and ditching. A3: Over the next 10 years, they're projecting over $80 billion in industrial projects coming into the area. One of the things we can do there is to continue supporting these projects through tax abatements and such to attract them to our area. They're calling for $460 million in commercial and retail development. One of the things that I would like to see us do is to remain pro-business, simplify the permitting process and do everything we can to get out of the way to help these businesses get started and get established within our community. We need to continue to have a working relationship with the state of Texas to encourage these infrastructure projects. A4: What I do within the community, I was doing before I got on council, I'll be doing it while I'm on council and then I will be doing it after I get off of council. That is reaching out to the different cultures of our community, I continue to reach out to the different cultures with things such as Not In My City and United Aid for Southeast Texas. So, I will continue to reach out to our different cultures, whether it is the African-American or the Hispanic or the Latino. I will continue to reach out to make sure we address the challenges and the social ills that we're facing as a city. I will continue to promote unity between civic, business and religious leaders because I do believe unity of diversity creates unlimited possibilities. Biguita Hernandez-Smith Age: 47 Occupation: Entrepreneur of Breathe Consulting, a economic and workforce development consulting business, and BIG Empanadas Education: Bachelor's in Business and Administration from Pace University Volunteer work or previously elected office (up to three): Member of Beaumont City Development Committee Junior League member Beaumont Community Players Board member A1: Number one, safety in our communities and sufficiency of resources in law enforcement. Number two is economic and workforce development, that speaks for itself. The third one is maintenance and integration of infrastructure. A2: The city needs to have a focus on our roads and the continued maintenance of our roads and ditches. The issue is we don't have enough money to do what we need to do. So, we need to be creative in increasing revenue to be able to pay for it because at this time, we don't have enough money. There's not enough money to get it to the point where we want it to be. A3: We need to have a clear vision and focus on economic development, including dedicated city employees as well as funding economic development. In order for us to move the needle in this area, we must plan multiple projects at the same time. A4: It's important to be up close and personal with the community. In order to do that, I would have to be present in all areas of town on a consistent basis to hear directly from our city's residents. So, that means visiting various neighborhoods and wards on a consistent basis to understand, relate and listen to residents directly. Michael Cooper Age: 57 Occupation: Semi-retired automotive executive at Kinsel Motors and pastor at The Church of I Am Education: Masters in Psychology from Grand Canyon University Volunteer work or previously elected office (up to three): Champion Oaks Ranch board member Texas Workforce Commission board member Founder and president of Man to Man Mentor Group A1: Right now, we have an aging city, and the number one issue on the board right now is redoing our downtown. Downtown is an area that should be available to all citizens. When you say top, there's so many things that we have to do at the same time. While we're doing it, we need to make sure we have good drinking water and can flush our toilets. When we have 3 or 4 inches of rain in our oldest areas, water and sewer backs up in their homes. So, while we're doing downtown, we need to also fix our drinking water and our sewer. A2: One of the things that I've been talking to a lot of people about, engineers and the people from LNVA, is that we have a water treatment plant that has been there forever, and it's on the lowest part of the city. I want to move that up in the West End, around the Major/Folsom area, and we are using less than half of it right now. We already have affiliation with the LNVA so we get water from them. Then we can let water run downstream instead of trying to spend a whole bunch of money pumping it up. We spend millions of dollars getting water that's free from Neches River and we have a lot of moving parts. We can move it to the west and then we can disperse it throughout the rest of the community. A3: Jobs and paychecks, that's what we need. We're 55 miles from from the nearest Buc-ee's, that's a big highlight in the state of Texas and the south. I believe we need to reach out to places like that, there's land out there close to Interstate 10. There are other industries out there. Years ago we missed our opportunity, Toyota had a plant that ended up in San Antonio. We have to fight for industry like that. In North End Beaumont, there are almost 60 acres of land in one place where we can put industry. So, we need to go out to these huge companies to bring them to Beaumont. We are more than just oil and gas. We have lots of land here and we need to utilize it, but we need a council that is going to help the mayor develop Beaumont like it should be. A4: The way I do that is by bringing people that affect our community all together. I want to have a town hall meeting. First thing I want to do is get with the council present it with two people and then have four votes. There's money that's out there no one has tapped into. Our water lines are old and aging. We need that money. It's going to cost hundreds of million dollars to replace. We have a new city manager, who said that at some point we're going to have to bite the bullet, meaning that you have to raise taxes so high that you can't afford it, so we can't do it. We need to hold our representatives accountable and as a new city at large councilor, I will do that. Terry Preston Roy Age: 62 Occupation: Delivery technician for Harbor Healthcare System Education: Diploma from Hebert High School Volunteer work or previously elected office (up to three): N/A A1: As of today, mostly infrastructure and really communicating more with our school district to see what we can do for our kids. A2: Mainly, the need to work on a sewer system, because I've suffered from sewer issues for almost 12 years now with not being able to flush my commode when it rains, and I'm still going through that just like a lot of other people in this city. We need to replace more of our sewer lift stations, we're going to need at least two more, and that's going to cost the city a lot of money, but it's needed and it's needed like yesterday. My running really wasn't possible at first until I started getting calls from people throughout the city that's having the same issues, some for longer than me. It's a matter of having the money to do it. With us losing population, I don't think we'll ever get there. At least not in my lifetime. A3: I've talked to a few businessman and pretty much everything comes back to infrastructure. You figure we lose at least 10 people a day because of different infrastructure issues. As long as those go on, businesses are going to have to close their doors because Beaumont is dropping in population. Along with that, schools are a concern. A lot of businesses are not going to come down and have their employees worried about schools that their kids are going to because we have a lot of issues in our schools. Until we get those two things addressed economic development is not going to happen. You've got to show some positive movement toward trying to do that instead of just just talking about it. A4: I kind of do that now. I go out to a lot of parts of the city and I talk to a lot of people and I try to address some of the people that call me and ask me how to do things. I'm always open to conversations. I'm always open to calls and I'll even go out to people's homes to try to see what they've got going on so I can help them. I'm more of a people person than I actually am a politician because a politician is what I'm not, I'm a moral advocate for a better city. I feel like I can reach each and every side of the city. Q1: What do you believe should be the councils top priorities? Q2: Issues with water infrastructure, such as sewer and drainage, are constantly discussed throughout the community. If elected, what are some steps you would help lead the city into taking? Q3: What is the best way for council to work to improve economic development in Beaumont? Q4: How do you describe your governing philosophy and how will best serve Beaumont? Q5: What makes you the best candidate for the position? Robin Mouton (I) Age: 62 Occupation: Retired AT&T sales executive Highest level of education: Graduated from Hebert High School Volunteer work or previously elected office (up to three): Volunteers at/with Paradise Baptist Church Member of National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials and is on the executive board of directors Texas Municipal League board member A1: The council's top priority right now, because of public opinion, would be safety. I believe that myself, along with the new city manager and our chief of police, we've done everything that's needed in order for our police department to be productive -- to perform their jobs at the best of their ability. Any type of training that has been needed, this council has been accommodating to the needs of what's needed. Council's priorities are that we set policy for the city and represent the citizens. So first and foremost, we want to make sure that the citizens are being represented. A2: I'm quite proud to say that the council, led by myself, has spent the largest dollar amount in the history of this city in the past year. We've spent $100 million -- $61 million for water, $24 million for sewer and $22 million for streets and ditching. We also have a new chlorine dioxide program to fight the manganese, which is the brown water discoloration in our water system. We are already making the necessary spending and improvements. I believe that we are well ahead of anything that we would be faced with in the near future. A3: I can tell you that economic development right now is a big priority for our council, for the city. Downtown revitalization, we have approved three new permits for downtown Beaumont restaurants. We have approved a proposal to move forward on the downtown conference hotel. We recently did the groundbreaking for Riverfront Park restoration and the reinvestment. If you look downtown with mural festival -- all of the murals that have been painted in downtown Beaumont. We signed and had the groundbreaking for the $1 billion dollar OCI Beaumont facility, one of the largest of our commercial permits last year. A4: I believe in order to be a good leader, you have to know the concerns and the hearts of the people that you're leading. I was voted in by the people, and I want to do what is best for the citizens of Beaumont. In order to do that, you have to listen to what your constituents are asking for. I'm going to always vote on the interests of what the citizens are asking for because the citizens vote you and to represent them and to represent their interests and I'm proud to say that that's what I've done since I've been in the office. represent the people. A5: Experience. Experience matters, and I'm proud to say that I ran on unifying our council. I ran on economic development, and I ran on downtown revitalization, and each and every one of those objectives I feel are being met right now. We have more economic development in our city than we've had in a very, very long time. We see the revitalization of downtown moving forward with Riverfront Park and a new downtown conference hotel, which renderings are being made for. The council is working in unity, so that's why you see the progress. Without unity, there is no progress. And I'm proud to say that came under my leadership. I said that in 2021, and now we're seeing the results of it. Roy West Age: 62 Occupation: Branch Manager of Gill Mortgage Highest level of education: Masters degree in Divinity from Southern Methodist University Volunteer work or previously elected office (up to three): Previous President of the Southeast Texas Crime Stoppers board Hosts weekly KLDI "Roy West Show" Works with the Gift of Life A1: Public safety, infrastructure and youth initiatives A2: We talk about how much money we're spending, but we're not talking about deadlines we're anticipating for getting work done. I believe that when it comes to infrastructure programs, there ought to be a shared timeline. I come from a business background. So, when somebody calls me, we give them timelines of when we anticipate the work being completed. I know that when it comes to planning and executing, you have to have a timeline. So, it perplexes me they don't share those because that becomes true transparency and true accountability. Then if you start missing timelines, people may not like the timelines, that can be one issue, but secondly, is it's hard to hold somebody accountable for getting a job done when you don't know when it's supposed to be done by. A3: In business, things change and you have to change with it, meaning when you're going down one road and you hit a dead end, you don't just keep pressing ahead. Within municipalities, they don't give up on things that aren't making progress. We need to acknowledge the challenges that are preventing us from growing, such as the perception of public schools and people not wanting to move to Beaumont. If you want economic development, you a have to address the issues that are stopping your economic development. When people Google Beaumont and the crime rate and the problems with our public schools it turns people off. My thought is let's have coalitions working to repair that so people can see these issues are being dealt with and we do have a plan and we're not ignoring them. A4: I have a business background and my experience in life is that when there are problems occurring, I go to the problems. My first job out of college was as a police officer in Houston, because I learned at an early age that most people run from problems in general, whether it's associated with law enforcement, business or the school district. I've made a living in my businesses, from buying commercial and residential property to the mortgage business, by helping solve problems when I see them. First of all, when you show up, people appreciate that you're coming rather than leaving and when you come, you may not know how to solve the problem, but you know there's a problem that exists and it needs solving. A5: I've been explaining my business experience, my 62 years of being here, being a problem solver. I own real estate commercial and residential here in town. I have a radio show. I get it that Beaumont is not a united city. We fight amongst ourselves. Whether it's north end, south end, west end, downtown, nobody feels like they get their fair share. We need to change the narrative where instead of fighting against ourselves, we ought to be realizing we're competing against Baytown and Waco and Tyler and Lufkin. Together, we can all make our city better. We're all of our city. I also want to bring in for evening City Council meetings and for term limits on City Council. James Eller, Jr. Age: 45 Occupation: General contractor Highest level of education: Welders certification and GED Volunteer work or previously elected office (up to three): Does work for American Legion Post 33 Builds ramps for veterans from mid-county to Lumberton Installed Giving Field signage A1: Over the years, talk of crime has been repetitive. We've said the same things, and council is not addressing it the way they should. What they've doing with everything else is Band-Aiding the issue because departments aren't being held accountable for actually doing their job. I think we need to first work with finding out the problems with these departments and then supervision. The city manager needs to be in the street, he doesn't need to be in office. He needs to actually go and check up on these individuals that work underneath him, there needs to be an accountability to the supervisors and the heads of all these departments. All this is just talk because we have policies and procedures already in place, but the city of Beaumont is not following -- the department head all the way down to the actual workers. A2: I've actually been out on calls where the city of Beaumont doesn't follow their procedures, or they're just being rushed by their supervisor, one way or another. We do not do all the steps already in the procedure book, we're not following those basic steps. We have sewer problems that are reoccurring in the same areas. The city of Beaumont made a statement that they have no known water or sewer issues in the city, which is a complete lie. This is from the department heads and this is backed up by the current council because the council has not said anything against it. If they accepted the fact that we have issues, then they would rebut that statement. We have multiple problems. A3: We could be starting at high school level of training students, not just with the regular career course at Taylor Career Center. We can actually incorporate the city of Beaumont working with Beaumont ISD, the Taylor Career Center, Lamar, Lamar Institute of Technology to actually make it a co-op to have students all the way from the high school level. We can pull them into programs to help build from high school on through to college and basically connect ownership to the city. It would have more individuals caring about the communities that they grow up in, go to school in, learn in, develop in and hopefully reinvest back into. We won't have the same individuals leaving the city, they would be more proud to be in the city that they have invested into. A4: My governing philosophy would be more care and compassion for the citizens. There's huge disconnect with council, administration, city government. Those three sit to the side and are completely, in my opinion, against the citizens of Beaumont. I don't care how much they paint a mural on the walls, how much they throw events here -- that's to draw in tax money, it's to draw out individuals to spend their money here. That's all the city is doing. They're just keeping citizens busy. We need to break down policy, ordinances, permits and different things that the city holds against the citizens, because we're driving the citizens out of Beaumont daily. A5: I'm more like a citizen than any other candidate. I've been through the hardships. I've been through the paces with the city. I've seen the difficulty the city places on homeowners. I've fought for citizens that I don't share the same issues with. However, I share their burden and am out there investigating. I'm out there actually doing it. I don't pop up each election and then start showing my face. I'm here all the time. People reach out to me, and they've been reaching out to me for years. I've made policy changes that affect every resident, made infrastructure repairs that affects everyone that travels in those areas. No other candidate can claim that and actually show proof. I put in work and I've been putting in the work for years. I'm the best candidate because I'm just like everybody else. I'm not a politician. St. Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma, Wash., part of Tacoma-based Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, recently cut ties with its anesthesia group, which has been struggling with staffing and recruiting issues. Four things to know: 1. A spokesperson for a union representing hospital workers told The News Tribune that anesthesiologists have been leaving St. Joseph Medical Center for months. 2. Two sources tied to the health system on condition of anonymity told The News Tribune that Pacific Anesthesia is the group whose contract was terminated. However, in emailed comments to Becker's, the health system did not confirm Pacific Anesthesia was the group affected. 3. Pacific Anesthesia workers have told The News Tribune the group has had difficulties recruiting anesthesiologists for a while, partially because new graduates are more attracted to the Seattle and Portland, Ore., areas. In past interviews, workers also cited the high number of Medicare and Medicaid patients at St. Joseph as a factor in staffing challenges due to low reimbursement. 4. The health system told Becker's the situation does not affect anesthesia contracts at other Virginia Mason Franciscan Health facilities, and that surgeries at St. Joseph's have not been delayed. Hospitals are not the only entities feeling the effects of the anesthesia staffing shortage; ASCs are also vastly affected. "The anesthesia staffing shortages are not easily solved, particularly as reimbursement shrinks in many markets," George Dickstein, MD, a gastroenterologist at Boston Endoscopy Center and chair of the department of medicine at MetroWest Medical Center in Natick, Mass., told Becker's. "Many ASCs are swallowing the bitter pill that they now have to supplement anesthesia pay with stipends or guaranteed day rates to keep sufficient staff. Discord between scope of practice among CRNAs and MDs does not help the matter." Read the full News Tribune story here. When it comes to staffing challenges, there's no magic bullet. Here's what five healthcare leaders had to say about how they're addressing staffing issues in the ASC space and its effect on the industry: Note: Responses have been lightly edited for length and clarity. George Dickstein, MD. Gastroenterologist at Boston Endoscopy Center and Chair of the Department of Medicine at MetroWest Medical Center (Natick, Mass.): The anesthesia staffing shortages are not easily solved, particularly as reimbursement shrinks in many markets. Many ASCs are swallowing the bitter pill that they now have to supplement anesthesia pay with stipends or guaranteed day rates to keep sufficient staff. Discord between scope of practice among CRNAs and MDs does not help the matter. However, there are major staff shortages even in states where the working relationship between MDs and CRNAs is very good. Liliana Lehmann. President of Axis HealthCare Partners (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.): Efficient and effective staffing has always been essential to the success of the ASC. Leaders need to look for creative ways, besides wage increases, to keep and retain strong talent. ASCs are fighting against hospitals and travel agencies for a very limited pool of candidates. Leaders must realize that a revolving door cannot only be disruptive but extremely costly. Jackie McLaughlin, RN. Administrator of Northwoods Surgery Center (Woodruff, Wis.): As an ASC leader, I am constantly investing time and money in my team. In my experience, a well-trained, especially cross-trained, team that works cohesively is what makes an ASC successful with patient outcomes, fiscal outcomes and physician satisfaction. With the current healthcare worker shortage plaguing the nation, our team is our most precious commodity for success and growth in ASCs. Michael Powers. Administrator of Children's West Surgery Center (Knoxville, Tenn.): I think the biggest threat towards ASCs in 2023 is staffing, especially qualified, experienced staffing in all areas of an ASC, including business office, pre-op, OR (both nursing and surgical technicians), post-anesthesia care unit and recovery nurses. In addition, sterile processing technicians. Each of these areas require a certain set of skills that are acquired and honed over time. There is increased competition, and in fact it is hard to compete with large health systems/hospitals. I am also finding that ASCs are competing in the same region against one another for the available staffing pool. This creates the constant awareness of what it takes to not only be competitive with compensation and benefits, but to align the potential employee's goals to your center's culture and how they can best be happier in your facility. Lastly, this can cause internal morale issues if you hire in staff at equal or higher rates as your long-term employees, so a plan to address compression and communication is key. Emily Spooner. CEO of South Florida Same Day Surgery Center (Pompano Beach): Smart ASC leaders are prioritizing staff engagement and satisfaction. These leaders recognize that an engaged and motivated staff member is more likely to provide high-quality care and positive patient outcomes. They invest in training and development programs, provide competitive compensation and benefits packages, and foster a culture of teamwork and positive accountability. Anthony Dinh, MD, has been charged with committing multiple fraud schemes that resulted in false billings to federal programs and theft from federally funded pandemic programs, the Daily Pilot reported April 20. Dr. Dinh allegedly submitted false claims for insured patients who were billed for services that either never occurred or were medically unnecessary. He faces up to 50 years in prison for these charges if convicted. He was named as the second-highest biller in the country to the Health Resources and Services Administration COVID-19 Uninsured Program, which was designed to prevent the further spread of the coronavirus by providing access to uninsured patients for testing and treatment. The program also provided financial support to healthcare providers fighting the COVID-19 pandemic by reimbursing them for services provided to uninsured individuals. Dr. Dinh and his companies were paid more than $153 million through the program. He allegedly also used fraudulent proceeds for high-risk options trading and lost over $100 million from November 2020 through February 2022, according to court documents obtained by the Daily Pilot. He is also charged along with his sister Hang Dinh, who federal authorities are currently seeking as a fugitive, and Matthew Ho, for allegedly submitting over 70 fraudulent loan applications under the Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program and fraudulently obtaining over $3 million in loan funds, according to court documents obtained by the publication. In the second case, Dr. Dinh is charged with healthcare fraud and two counts of wire fraud. Ms. Dinh and Mr. Ho are each charged with one count of wire fraud, according to the publication. Indiana's house of representatives have voted in favor of a noncompete ban bill for only primary care physicians, excluding specialty physicians, IndyStar reported April 21. The ban would allow physicians the opportunity to change jobs without having to move out of a large radius of their current employer. Noncompetes are designed to prohibit physicians from working for a competitor of their current institution. "What in the world is the difference?" Scott Cline, MD, a neurologist in the state who has a noncompete agreement, told the publication. "Its a physician employed to complete a job. My job happens to be in neurology. Why shouldn't I have the same opportunities for happiness when things go bad?" Legislators in support of the change to the bill believe it will help hospitals retain employees and will preserve doctor-patient relationships. The state's senate is expected to agree to the addendum, according to the publication. "Is it better than nothing? Sure," Lauren Hermann, MD, a family medicine physician, told the publication. "But logistically, it doesnt make any sense. Why just primary care? Youre just throwing us a bone to try to save face." Summerville (S.C.) Medical Center is launching a $66.8 million expansion project to add 56 inpatient beds to the hospital, local news outlet ABC4 reported April 20. The project will increase inpatient capacity by 40 percent and is designed to meet the demand brought about by the growing Summerville community. According to hospital officials, the hospital has invested $200 million in expansion projects over the last decade. Montebello, Calif.-based Beverly Hospital has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy as it hopes to pursue a buyer and avoid closure, the Los Angeles Times reported April 20. The hospital has secured $13 million in financing to keep operating as it searches for a buyer. Hospital officials said rising costs outpacing government reimbursement rates were to blame for the situation. More than 90 percent of Beverly's patients rely on government programs such as Medi-Cal and Medicare. Dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and the rising cost of labor left the hospital in the red since 2020. Beverly has unsuccessfully attempted to merge with three systems. Hospital officials blamed the failed mergers on the review process by the California attorney general, according to the Times. The news comes as California lawmakers debate a measure that would provide loans to financially distressed hospitals. The American Hospital Association released a report in April examining the costs that drove 2022 to be a financial low point for hospitals and health systems. The AHA's "Cost of Caring" report contains percent changes for a number of expense categories from 2019 to 2022, with data from consulting firm Syntellis Performance Solutions. It concludes with five suggestions from the association to Congress for action and greater support, including the rejection of any efforts to cut Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement. "Rising costs for drugs, supplies, and labor coupled with sicker patients, longer hospital stays and government reimbursement rates that do not come close to covering the costs of caring for patients have created a dire situation for hospitals and health systems," AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack said in the report. "This is not just a financial problem, it is an access problem. When healthcare providers cannot afford the tools and teams they need to care for patients, they will be forced to make hard choices and the people who will be impacted the most are patients. We can't let that happen. Congress and others must act to preserve the care our nation needs and depends on." Below are some key figures from the report, which can be found in full here. 1. Overall hospital expenses increased by 17.5 percent from 2019 to 2022, according to data from consulting firm Syntellis Performance Solutions. By comparison, Medicare reimbursement increased 7.5 percent in the same timeframe. 2. Overall hospital labor expenses increased 20.8 percent from 2019 to 2022, with labor expenses per patient up 24.7 percent. 3. Temporary contract labor was a significant expense within the labor category throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Total contract labor expenses for hospitals in 2022 were 258 percent higher than in 2019. The rate hospitals were charged for contract employees increased 56.8 percent in 2022 compared to pre-pandemic levels. 4. Drugs make up another large expense category for hospitals, which have seen a 19.7 percent increase in drug expenses per patient between 2019 and 2022. This measure exceeds 18 percent when accounting for patient case mix and acuity, suggesting the increase stems from drugmakers' pricing strategies. 5. Purchased service expenses for operational functions such as IT, environmental services and facilities, and food and nutrition services increased 18 percent between 2019 and 2022. 6. Hospital supply expenses per patient increased 18.5 percent between 2019 and 2022. Emergency departments were especially hard-hit by supply costs, which grew 33 percent between 2019 and 2022. 7. Food and nutrition service expenses per patient increased 15 percent between 2019 and 2022. 8. Laboratory service expenses per patient increased 27.1 percent between 2019 and 2022. Emergency service expenses per patient grew 31.9 percent in the same timeframe. A healthy CEO and CFO relationship is crucial to maintaining the stability of a health system's finances and leadership. As many healthcare organizations face a financial crunch due to macroeconomic concerns, a tight rapport between CEO and CFO can help a hospital weather tough times. CFOs are looking for a leader who can maintain focus on the health system's objectives and not get distracted. "Keep the company focused on the main thing: the big blocks," Brian Maude, CFO of Sanford Health Plan and vice president of finance at Sioux Falls, S.D.-based Sanford Health, told Becker's. "If 85 percent of my revenue is from item A focus there. Don't let item B suck up 50 percent of the company's time, unless it has the growth potential to exceed item A." According to an Oracle Netsuite Survey of CEOs, 63 percent believe the CFO role will take on greater importance in the next few years. An additional 30 percent of CEOs said that their CFOs did not assist with organizational challenges. Many CFOs are looking to work with a CEO who takes on a public-facing role and assumes responsibility when things don't go as planned. "The CEO is the face of the organization to providers, employees and the public. The CEO should provide a buffer between the board and organization," said Liberty (Mo.) Hospital CFO Michael Leone. "The CEO should accept responsibility when outcomes fall short, and manage up other organizational leaders when outcomes exceed expectations." Along with taking responsibility for failure, a CEO cannot be afraid to innovate. In the hospital business, complacency can be devastating. Benjamin Barylske, CFO of Jonesboro, Ark.-based St. Bernards Healthcare, said he looks for a CEO who "takes ownership in opportunities and doesn't pass on a chance to improve." For rural and critical access hospitals in a more precarious financial situation, the relationship between CFO and CEO is even more important. After CFO Larry Vincent unexpectedly resigned, rural Delta County (Colo.) Memorial Hospital discovered that nearly all of its cash on hand was being used to pay back debts. The hospital required an infusion of cash from the state to stay afloat. "The qualities I look for in a critical access hospital CEO are someone who has a vision to improve community healthcare and is able to effectively communicate and forward that vision," said Jennifer Van Matre, CFO of Weaverville, Calif.-based Mountain Communities Healthcare District. She continued: "They are respected and well-liked and are active within the community. They provide change management through harmonious means and are effective collaborators with community leaders. They lead by example, display impeccable morals, are empathetic, a constant learner, empowers others, accept responsibility for failures does not finger point, would not even think about micromanaging department processes or hiring choices. They trust in their leadership and have developed strong, respectful relationships with their leadership team." St. Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma, Wash., has cut ties with an anesthesia group that has been facing staffing and recruiting challenges, according to an April 20 report from The News Tribune. A spokesperson for a union representing hospital workers told the news outlet that anesthesiologists have been leaving the hospital, part of Tacoma-based Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, for months. Two sources tied to the health system on condition of anonymity told The News Tribune that Pacific Anesthesia is the group whose contract was terminated. "It has impacted patients and healthcare workers at St. Joe's," Tom Geiger, a spokesperson for UFCW 3000, told the news outlet in an email. "There are alot of unknowns right now," he said in reference to surgeries at the hospital. In emailed comments to Becker's, the health system did not confirm Pacifica Anesthesia was the group affected, but said the situation does not affect anesthesia contracts at other Virginia Mason Franciscan Health facilities, and that surgeries at St. Joseph's have not been delayed. "It is exclusive to St. Joseph," the health system said. "As an integrated system, we've been able to avoid delays in surgeries by leveraging resources from our other hospitals and bringing on temporary anesthesiologists." Pacific Anesthesia did not respond to The News Tribune's request for comment, though workers have told the news outlet the group has had difficulty recruiting anesthesiologists for some time, in part because new graduates are more drawn to the Seattle and Portland areas. In a series of interviews, past and current employees of the group also cited a high proportion of Medicare and Medicaid patients at St. Joseph as another factor in staffing challenges, given low reimbursement. Here are 18 planned hospital and health system sales Becker's has reported on in 2023: 1. New Orleans-based LCMC Health filed a lawsuit against the Federal Trade Commission, the Justice Department and U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, seeking clarification on whether a state's acquisition approval can preempt federal merger review. The lawsuit relates to LCMC's acquisition of three Louisiana hospitals from Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare. LCMC purchased the hospitals for $150 million in January. The FTC had ordered LCMC to halt the acquisition while it conducted a review, but the Louisiana Legislature and state attorney general had "expressly and unequivocally authorized" the deal to go through. 2. Mobile, Ala.-based University of South Alabama confirmed it is buying Ascension Providence Hospital in the city in an $85 million transaction that includes the hospital's clinics. The acquisition is expected to close this fall. 3. Charleston (W.Va.) Area Medical Center filed a letter of intent with the West Virginia Health Care Authority to purchase a majority share of Charleston Surgical Hospital. CAMC, part of Vandalia Health, expects the deal to close as soon as it clears regulatory and governance hurdles. 4. The Oregon Health Authority approved Roseville, Calif.-based Adventist Health's acquisition of the Mid-Columbia Medical Center in The Dalles, Ore. 5. South Arkansas Regional Hospital signed a definitive agreement to acquire El Dorado-based Medical Center of South Arkansas from subsidiaries of Community Health Systems. South Arkansas Regional Hospital, also based in El Dorado, is a new nonprofit created by a consortium of stakeholders that includes AR Health Ventures, a nonprofit entity affiliated with Little Rock-based University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. The transaction is expected to close this summer. 6. San Antonio-based Methodist Healthcare inked an agreement to buy Hill Country Memorial in Fredericksburg, Texas. 7. Baton Rouge, La.-based Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System will work with the Jackson County Board of Supervisors to acquire Singing River Health System, which has hospitals in Ocean Springs, Pascagoula and Gulfport, Miss. The board of supervisors hopes to reach a final agreement with Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health, a 10-hospital system, by this fall. 9. Dallas-based Medical City Healthcare, a division of HCA Healthcare, is advancing talks to acquire Wise Health System, a three-hospital system based in Decatur, Texas. 10. Franklin, Tenn.-based Community Health Systems signed a definitive agreement to sell two hospitals to Winston-Salem, N.C.-based Novant Health. The transaction is expected to close later this year. 11. Chicago-based CommonSpirit Health will acquire Dallas-based Steward Health Care's sites of care in Utah, which will then be managed by Centura Health, based in Centennial, Colo. The five Utah hospitals to change hands are Davis Hospital and Medical Center in Layton, Jordan Valley Medical Center in West Jordan, Jordan Valley Medical Center-West Valley Campus in West Valley City, Mountain Point Medical Center in Lehi and Salt Lake Regional Medical Center in Salt Lake City. The systems expect the transaction to close later this year. 12. Columbus-based OhioHealth and Select Medical, an operator of long-term acute care and inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, inked a definitive agreement to acquire the operating assets of Reunion Rehabilitation Hospital in Dublin, Ohio. 13. Cape Girardeau, Mo.-based SoutheastHealth signed a letter of intent to merge with St. Louis-based Mercy. The health systems expect a definitive agreement to be signed this summer with integration occuring in the fall. 14. Aurora, Colo.-based UCHealth and Pueblo, Colo.-based Parkview Health System on Jan. 24 signed an agreement to merge in mid-2023. 15. The Department of Veterans Affairs is in the process of acquiring the closed Norman (Okla.) Specialty Hospital for nearly $3.3 million, with plans of turning the building into a new VA hospital. 16. Morgantown, W.Va.-based WVU Medicine is acquiring Welch (W.Va.) Community Hospital after the McDowell County Commission approved the takeover. 17. Concord, Calif.-based John Muir Health entered into a definitive agreement with Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare to acquire sole ownership of San Ramon (Calif.) Regional Medical Center. 18. Gainesville-based Northeast Georgia Health System will acquire Habersham Medical Center in Demorest, Ga., in mid-2023. Omaha, Neb.-based CHI Health employs artificial intelligence to predict missed appointments, identify sepsis risk and detect stroke, WOWT reported. "If a patient frequently doesnt show up for their appointment, they're less likely to get the care they need," Steven Leitch, MD, vice president of clinical informatics for CHI Health, which is part of Chicago-based CommonSpirit Health, told the news outlet. "And if we can predict that and contact them ahead of time and maybe even identify barriers to coming into the clinic, we can get them in and provide the care they need so they're less likely to get critically ill, get sick, and back in the hospital." The patient no-show prediction technology is being used at four CHI Health clinics in Nebraska with plans to expand it soon, according to the April 20 story. CHI Health's other AI tools predict serious sepsis risk, a model that was refined in 2021, and identify stroke via imaging. A Florida chiropractor and surgeon who were convicted in a $31 million scheme to defraud Medicare have been sentenced to prison. The pair were found guilty in January of billing Medicare for medically unnecessary medical equipment, according to an April 20 Justice Department news release. Dean Zusmer, 54, a chiropractor and owner of one of four durable medical equipment companies involved in the scheme, was sentenced to eight years and one month in prison and ordered to pay more than $1.4 million in restitution, according to the release. Lawrence Alexander, MD, 45, an orthopedic surgeon who owned another company involved in the scheme, was sentenced to two years and nine months in prison, according to the release. Restitution will be determined at a later hearing. Jeremy Waxman, another co-conspirator, was previously sentenced to 15 years in prison for his role in the scheme. Mr. Zusmer and his co-conspirators, including Mr. Waxman, paid kickbacks to marketers for patient referrals and signed physicians' orders for unnecessary braces. Dr. Alexander concealed his role in the scheme by putting his company in the name of a family member, according to the release. Gulfport, Miss.-based Memorial Hospital is suing Wiggins (Miss.) Acute Care Hospital for $453,127 concerning payment of new air conditioning units put in at Wiggins-based Stone County Hospital and a medical clinic, the Sun Herald reported April 21. Memorial entered into a 2019 lease with Stone County Hospital and Stone County Family Medical Clinic, part of a limited liability corporation called Wiggins Acute Care Hospital. According to Memorial, the lease required Stone County Hospital and clinic to pay for building repairs over $10,000. The lawsuit concerns the 2020 installation of new heating and air conditioning units that Memorial says Stone County has yet to reimburse them for. As of April 20, no response had been filed in response to the lawsuit. The hospital is now known as Memorial Hospital at Stone County. China's Tsinghua Science Satellite facilitates tracking, forecasting of space debris Xinhua) 13:30, April 21, 2023 SINGAPORE, April 20 (Xinhua) -- China's Tsinghua Science Satellite is collecting data to help with the precise tracking and forecasting of space debris, said Wang Zhaokui, a professor of Tsinghua University at the 5th Committee on Space Research Symposium in Singapore Thursday. The satellite, launched from northwest China's Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on Aug. 6, 2020, is currently operating normally in orbit, Wang said. It collects continuous precision orbital data to improve the Earth's upper atmosphere model, which is significant to the precise tracking and forecasting of space debris, Wang said. "The satellite weighs 21.2 kg and operates with a mission orbit altitude of 500 km. It adopts a pure spherical novel configuration to ensure that the atmospheric drag is independent of the satellite's attitude, thereby greatly improving the accuracy of atmospheric density measurement," said the satellite expert. "Our team also developed an electromagnetic separation system, a super capacitor-battery power system, and an integrated full-field solar sensor, which lays a solid foundation for the development of scientific small satellites in the future," Wang noted. "We have cultivated a research team with an average age of 25 years old through the development of the satellite and they will be a strong reserve to China's space science research," the professor said. Held at Nanyang Technological University, the event lasts from April 16 to 21. It attracts over 200 scientists, researchers and industry experts discussing advances in space sciences, with a focus on the emerging field of small satellite development. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan) Nursing associations are voicing their support for House legislation reintroduced this week that would remove practice barriers for advanced practice registered nurses. The Improving Care and Access to Nurses Act, or ICAN Act, was reintroduced April 20 after failing to pass in the last congressional session in late 2022. The legislation would permit nurse practitioners, physician assistants and other APRNs to provide certain services under Medicare and Medicaid. American Nurses Association President Jennifer Mensik Kennedy, PhD, RN, commended the legislation's reintroduction, saying it would "improve care for millions of Americans by removing significant legislative and administrative barriers that have prevented hundreds of thousands of APRNs across the country from maximizing their ability to meet the needs of their patients," according to a April 20 statement. The American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology also voiced its support of the bill, which would remove physician supervision of certified registered nurse anesthetists. "As the only anesthesia providers in most rural hospitals, and the predominant providers in underserved communities, CRNAs play an important role in maintaining critical access in communities across the country," AANA President Angela Mund, DNP, CRNA, said April 20. "This critical legislation will help ensure that everyone who needs access to the high-quality care provided by advanced practice registered nurses such as CRNAs can have it." The American Association of Nurse Practitioners echoed this messaging, noting that more than 40 percent of Medicare beneficiaries receive care from nurse practitioners. NPs are also the fastest growing Medicare provider group, the association said. "We urge Congress to pass this important legislation," said AANP President April Kapu, DNP, APRN. "These common-sense updates to the Medicare and Medicaid programs will better reflect the current healthcare workforce and ensure patients continue to receive the high-quality healthcare they need and deserve. AANA, ANA and AANP's position on the legislation contrasts that of nearly 90 physician groups who have opposed the bill, arguing that it could hurt care quality and increase costs. Emergency department visits for strep throat infections reached a five-year high in February and March, according to unpublished CDC data cited by NBC News in an April 19 report. Another report from Epic Research showed that in February, rates of strep throat were nearly 30 percent higher than the previous peak in February 2017, the earliest data provided in the report. The findings are based on emergency room visits at more than 1,100 hospitals and 24,900 clinics in the U.S. "We're definitely seeing more run-of-the-mill strep throats, without a doubt," Michael Cappello, DO, vice chair of pediatrics at Advocate Children's Hospital in Park Ridge, Ill., told NBC. A months-long nationwide shortage of amoxicillin has added a layer of frustration for patients, physicians and pharmacists. In March, several pharmaceutical giants said they anticipated more products would become available in April. In December, the CDC issued a health advisory to alert the medical community of a rise in severe strep A infections among children. Infections caused by group A strep bacteria are usually mild, though on rare occasions the bacteria can get into the bloodstream and cause severe infections. As of April 19, "Many states are continuing to see higher than usual numbers of invasive group A strep cases, particularly in children ages 17 and younger and adults ages 65 years and older," a CDC spokesperson told the news outlet. Many physicians have called the rise in severe strep A infections unprecedented. At Children's Hospital Colorado in Aurora, for example, there have been about 80 patients with cases of invasive strep from October to March. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, there were about 20 cases per year. Dr. Cappello said he's hopeful invasive cases will start to decline, noting Advocate Children's has seen fewer cases so far in April than in the last few months. U.S. News & World Report has pushed back the release date for its best law and medical schools. The publication originally planned to release the lists on Tuesday, April 18. "As part of its normal graduate school ranking publication process every year, U.S. News gives schools an opportunity to review their data during an 'embargo period,'" the publication told media representatives in an April 14 email. "This year, we received an unprecedented number of inquiries from schools and are devoting additional time to comprehensively address these inquiries." The medical and law school rankings will be released "when this work has been completed," according to the publication. The announcement follows months of controversy surrounding U.S. News' ranking process. Discussions began gathering steam in November, when six major law schools withdrew from the process, stating they would no longer provide data to the prestigious tiering system. Medical schools began to do the same in January, led by Boston-based Harvard Medical School. Over the course of one month, more than a dozen medical schools had joined the exodus many of which had been highly ranked in the past, including Stanford (Calif.) School of Medicine, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City and the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine in Philadelphia. The schools overwhelmingly cited inclusion efforts as reasons for their departures, calling current ranking policies too reductive. They alleged that peer assessments from deans, admissions directors and academics create an elitist "legacy" mentality. Plus, reliance on standardized test scores reduces complex students and institutions to numbers, some said. On April 15, the publication previewed a list of the top 15 medical schools for research. The list was crafted using updated methodology that sought to prioritize outcomes for students, including the addition of NIH Grant Awards as a measure of research quality; increased weight of faculty-to-student ratios; and reduced weight of reputation surveys, MCAT and GPA scores. More than half of the listed schools had boycotted the rankings, and were ranked by U.S. News using publicly available data. Amid today's workforce challenges, hospitals and health systems must have a continued focus on improving engagement and retention of employees. It's that focus that led Children's Healthcare of Atlanta to pilot a new "Adopt-A-Team" program, pairing support center departments with clinical teams to offer encouragement and to show appreciation for their work. In recent months, the pilot has proved to be successful, boosting morale among teams and strengthening connections across the health system, Linda Matzigkeit, chief administrative officer, told Becker's. The idea for the program came from a group of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta employees who represent clinical areas and nonclinical areas. "The group meets every other month, and they tell us what's really going on. What's the vibe? How are people feeling? What do we need to do better?" Ms. Matzigkeit said. "And one of the ideas that came out of that was this idea of 'adopt a team,' and it was intended so that our support employees could better understand what our clinical employees are doing and show appreciation for them." The pilot started last fall. As part of the pilot, marketing and communications adopted the Children's Scottish Rite Hospital emergency department; managed care adopted the Children's Egleston Hospital pediatric intensive care unit; and the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Foundation adopted the Children's Hughes Spalding Hospital emergency department. "It's almost like an exchange program," Ms. Matzigkeit explained. "Those departments go and tour and meet the clinical folks. They've had parties for them with food. They have written notes about how much we appreciate them." Additionally, marketing and communications employees collected items for the Scottish Rite emergency department "Clothing Closet," which provides new clothing options for patients and families who need them while in the emergency department or when they are discharged, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta said. By the end of December, marketing and communications had collected more than 100 items ranging from leggings and sweatpants to T-shirts and hoodies. "Employees in both day and night shifts were so appreciative of the team's help to restock our clothing closet," Michelle Clark, assistant manager of nursing for Scottish Rite, said in a news release shared with Becker's. "Our mission is at the forefront of everything we do, but sometimes we need help remembering that we are not alone in it. Just knowing that this group of people was on our side and supported us and our patients was incredibly uplifting." Ms. Matzigkeit said the program has led to other success as well, and is a contributing factor to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta's current 89 percent voluntary retention rate. One year ago, the voluntary retention rate was about 85 percent. Also, "we have seen a dramatic change in the morale of our nurses and our clinical staff. And so I think this is one of many things that made a difference in our clinical staff feeling valued and appreciated," said Ms. Matzigkeit. She also anticipates higher engagement scores once results of the health system's latest engagement survey are available. With the results of the pilot, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta is looking to expand the "Adopt-A-Team" program allowing for more support center departments to participate and adopt clinical teams. Eventually, the health system hopes to at least double, if not triple, the participation in the program by the end of 2023. Julienne Lippe, MD, joined Cabinet Peaks Medical Center in Libby, Mont., The Western News reported April 21. Dr. Lippe, an orthopedic surgeon, has more than 10 years of experience in medicne. She previously worked at Mercy Clinic Orthopedics in St. Louis. At Cabinet Peaks Clinic, she will focus on treating conditions affecting soft tissues, bones and joints. Jonathan Hyde, MD, completed his 100th procedure using the Augmedics' Xvision spine navigation system, the medtech company said in an April 21 LinkedIn post. The company's augmented reality headset assists surgeons with screw placement and has recently been updated to assist with cervical and iliosacral anatomy, according to the post. Dr. Hyde, president and lead orthopedic surgeon at Miami Spine Specialists, said in the post that the Augmedic system's accuracy and reproducibility was better than he has seen when using robotic technologies. "The first impressions that I had after performing the initial learning curve, not only have been maintained but improved upon as I have surpassed 100 cases with the system," Dr. Hyde said. "I found the system to be worthwhile in routine surgical procedures, as well as in surgical deformity correction." Iain Wilson, CEO of IBC Music, and Mike Miltimore, CEO of Riversong Guitar, at NAMM 2023 in California Prince William and Princess Catherine are presented with a Riversong guitar in Canada, sourced by IBC Music, which won the Best Acoustic Guitar Worldwide in 2022 A Dundonald manufacturer of musical instruments is among three Northern Ireland businesses receiving the first ever Kings Awards for Enterprise. IBC-Music is among 148 UK-wide businesses receiving the accolade alongside Belfast-based Inov8 Systems, developer of an ultrasonic probe for inspection and analysis of water, and training equipment manufacturer BLK BOX Fitness in Newtownabbey. Replacing The Queens Awards for Enterprise, the scheme recognises outstanding achievement by UK businesses with IBC and BLK BOX recognised in the strong growth in the International Trade category and Inov8 for innovation. Established in 2019, IBC has grown its business to turnover of more than 3.5m in three years. It is involved in the manufacture, sourcing and sales of guitars, ukuleles, amplifiers and related musical instruments, helping international musical instrument brands find manufacturing and distribution partners across the world. The business has been able to take advantage of changes in worldwide markets, offering effective sourcing and omni-channel routes to market for clients in Europe, the US and Asia. Currently 95% of its trade is outside the UK, with key customers in the USA, Canada, Germany, Italy and Netherlands. One of its Canadian customers, Riversong Guitars, recently won a prestigious MMR Award for Acoustic Guitar of the year. IBC managing director Iain Wilson said: This Award is a true honour. It's amazing that a small team from Northern Ireland can offer a world-renowned service and build up such an international client base. Our expertise is being used by more and more brands, with more business being discussed here at the NAMM Show. We expect additional business to result from this Award too and look forward to continuing to boost the UK economy. Mr Wilson has been involved in musical instruments for 30 years, including locally for companies such as Ed Sheeran favourite Lowden Guitars and G7th capos. Internationally, he has worked with brands such as Fishman, Breedlove and Larrivee. The Awards programme is now in its 57th year, with successful businesses able to use the Kings Awards Emblem on their marketing material for the next five years. Recipients of the awards attend a royal reception and marketing benefits, with previous winners reporting benefits across press coverage, global recognition and increased commercial value. Other GB winners of the first Kings Awards are Fever-Tree Drinks. Equality Commission says fair employment laws paved way for Good Friday Agreement by bearing down on discrimination There are equal numbers of Catholics and Protestants in the workforce for the first time since monitoring began more than 30 years ago. And the number of people from a non-determined background was up by 8,000, according to the Equality Commission. The watchdog said fair employment laws had paved the way for the Good Friday Agreement by bearing down on inequality and discrimination. Its new report found that of the total workforce of 564,296 in 2021, 43.5% were Protestant and 43.4% were Catholic. There were 349 more Protestants than Catholics, coming in at 245,419 and 245,070 respectively. The report said there were slightly fewer women of any background in the workforce. At 73,807, the religious background of 13.1% of the workforce was described as non-determined. That compares to 65,435 people in 2020, which was 11.8%. The Equality Commission based its findings on 3,879 returns received from 105 public authorities and 3,474 businesses. Chief commissioner Geraldine McGahey said: Fair employment legislation paved the way for the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement by bearing down on discrimination and inequality and making significant inroads into what was seen previously as an impossible barrier to political and economic progress. Northern Irelands workforce composition, as shown in this report, is very different to what we saw 30 years ago. Fair employment legislation was responsible for driving that change, and for proving that enforcement of rights could work. Catholics are still under-represented in the security sector, including the PSNI, with Protestants making up 73.1% of staff and Catholics 26.9%. At nearly 69%, Protestants also accounted for the majority of people applying for jobs in the security sector. Women made up 52.4% of the monitored workforce, a drop by 0.5% from the previous year. Ms McGahey said the workforce was changing. She added: We have had fairer participation for some years, reflecting the figures on people available to work. Our society is changing, so inevitably the workforce will change too. The commission is focusing on the need for law reform, including a Single Equality Act, but its important that we proceed with caution. Any legislation should build on the unique and highly successful fair employment provisions. It should be seen as a chance to strengthen and enhance the laws that have worked so well to make our workplaces less divided, more inclusive, and more accepting of difference. A popular Co Down beer crafter has announced it will close its doors (Stock image) A Co Down craft beer brewery has announced it is shutting down, citing economic and personal challenges. Farmageddon Brewery, based in Comber, took to social media on Friday to inform its followers it would be closing its doors. It wrote: "After 10 years of trying to turn a love of brewing into a successful business, unfortunately we didn't make it. The past few years have brought significant economic and personal challenges that have pushed us to make the decision to close our doors. Despite these challenges, we are incredibly proud of the work we have accomplished over the last decade. We have brewed some epic beer, got lots of folk merry and we have had the privilege of meeting some fantastic people along the way. We would like to thank you all once again for your loyalty and support over the years. Keep supporting local! Hasta la vista, baby. The beer-brewing co-operative is a popular brand across Ireland, with their signature unpasteurised and unfiltered ale sold in many off-licences. They also sold merchandise with their logo on it. Drinking establishments such as The Belfast Empire Music shared their disappointment at the announcement, with the venue calling it sad news on social media. In 2016, Farmageddon received a 16,500 investment from Invest NI on top of a further 100,000 to fund market visits, new equipment trade shows and new staff. They also previously laid out major expansion plans to aim at helping their products break in to new markets in China and Mexico. In 2020, the brewery joined forces with beer makers across Northern Ireland to call for changes to outdated and unfair alcohol laws which prevented them selling beer directly to the public. Earlier this year it was reported that breweries in Great Britain are facing unprecedented closures due to the cost of living crisis. US envoy Joe Kennedy not backing uncles bid for White House in 2024 The US special envoy to NI also acknowledged wider familys tragic history in interview during his visit to Belfast Joe Kennedy III (Credit: Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker) Margaret Canning Fri 21 Apr 2023 at 14:46 Claire Noble (31) competing for one the biggest prizes on television in brand new Channel 4 show 'The Big Interiors Battle'. A Co Down woman has made it through to the next week in a new interior design competition on Channel 4. The Big Interiors Battle sees eight talented contestants compete for the chance to walk away as the owner of a two bedroom apartment in Sheffield. Claire Noble who grew up in Banbridge is competing in the programme which involves designers decorating a blank flat based on their own taste in the hope of not getting locked out. The mural artist, who was adopted from Sri Lanka, uses her large scale art designs to stand out from the crowd which reflects how she sometimes felt growing. In the debut episode, Claire wowed the judges with her treehouse themed room complete with adult bunk bed and bathtub, calling the space impressive. "Art and Design has always felt natural to her, a spokesperson for the show hosted by AJ Odudu said prior to the episodes airing. She studied textile design at university and the penny dropped when she realised all her designs were interior based rather than fashion. "Her grandfather was a successful visual merchandiser/interior designer in Armagh and Belfast. She has worked as a painter and decorator as well as now being a large-scale mural artist." The designer graduated university with a degree in textile innovation and design and has experience working as an assistant at an established business and working with her own clients. Architect and entrepreneur Dara Huang judges the contestants with the property up for grabs based in social impact developer Capital&Centrics high-end Eyewitness Works development in the heart of Sheffield. The winner will have to impress the American judge who founded the architecture and design firm Design Haus Liberty in London a decade ago. The entrepreneur works with clients across the globe ranging from billionaires to the worlds most famous brands. After each task, hopefuls will return to their apartments and use an electronic key-card to learn their fate. If the light on their door goes green, they will remain in the running for another week. However, one contestant will be disappointed to see the light turn red indicating they have been locked out of the competition for good. Presenter AJ Odudu is best known for her stint co-hosting reality show spin-off Big Brother's Bit on the Side on Channel 5. A spokesperson for the show said: At a time when home ownership has never felt more out of reach, The Big Interiors Battle boasts one of the most coveted prizes on television as the winner of the competition will then become the owner of their very own two-bedroom apartment within this historic development in South Yorkshire. The brand new competition series airs at 8pm on Friday evenings and will run for the next eight weeks. Australian entertainer Barry Humphries is reported to be unresponsive in a Sydney hospital, according to local media. The 89-year-old, best known for his character Dame Edna Everage, was being treated at St Vincents Hospital after suffering health issues following hip surgery. According to Sydneys Daily Telegraph, he was readmitted after suffering complications. Barry Humphries in character as Dame Edna Everage (David Cheskin/PA) David Cheskin On Thursday it was further reported by multiple local outlets that Humphries had gone into an unresponsive state and had been given morphine by doctors. A family statement previously issued to the Sydney Morning Herald thanked fans and hospital staff for their support and good wishes. Humphries has been a staple of the British comedy circuit since moving to London in 1959, appearing in West End shows such as Maggie May and Oliver!. He was among the leading members of the British comedy scene, alongside Dudley Moore, Alan Bennett and Spike Milligan. Alongside his Dame Edna Everage alter ego, he also appeared as the lecherous Sir Les Patterson and Sandy Stone, an elderly, childless man living in the suburbs. Jude Law: I had to make Captain Hook a believable killer in a kids movie (Jordan Pettitt/PA) Jordan Pettitt Jude Law says he was faced with the challenge of portraying a believable killer in a kids movie as he stepped into the role of Captain Hook. The award-winning actor said he had threaded back story into his character to show the fearsome pirate as a human and explain his wrong choices. Law stars in Disneys upcoming movie Peter Pan and Wendy, alongside Yara Shahidi and newcomers Alexander Molony and Ever Anderson. The film is a live-action reimagining of the classic Disney animated film. Speaking at its rainy London premiere on Thursday, Law told the PA news agency he had to make the character believably scary. In the book Hook only makes a very brief appearance, he said. Hes described in, like only two chapters, but two sentences really stuck to me. One was that he killed his own crew with ease, and the other was that he was the only pirate that Long John Silver fears. Disneys upcoming movie Peter Pan and Wendy stars newcomers Alexander Molony (left) and Ever Anderson (Jordan Pettitt/PA) Jordan Pettitt So I just thought, Okay, Ive got to make this guy believably scary and believably a killer in a kids movie. He continued: Luckily, (director) David (Lowery) gave me an opportunity to thread in his back story that explained some of the damage that had been done, the scarring inside and out. And I hope that both allowed me to play someone scary but also explained (him) maybe as a human and wrong choices he had made. The films young stars encouraged other aspiring actors to never give up on your dreams as they spoke of their excitement in landing their parts. (Left-right) Ever Anderson, Alexander Molony, Jude Law, David Lowery and Yara Shahidi attending the world premiere of Peter Pan & Wendy (Jordan Pettitt/PA) Jordan Pettitt One lesson I learned, a piece of advice I give to anyone who wants to get into acting is just give it a go, Molony told PA. I never thought Id get the part of Peter Pan, but I did. Anderson added: Never give up on your dreams. Its tough, its really tough but if you stick with it and believe in yourself, you really can achieve anything. Dont be scared to look stupid, was the best piece of advice I was ever given. Peter Pan and Wendy is set for release on Disney+ on April 28. Now she'll attend the opening exhibition on Saturday celebrating the zoo animal kept safe in backyard In 2009, with help from the public and local media, Belfast Zoo identified the mystery woman in the photographs as Denise Weston Austin. This was north Belfasts Elephant Angel who brought Sheila the elephant back to her home for safekeeping during April 1941. The older woman pictured was Irene Beatrice Mary Austin, Denises mother. Copyright: Belfast Zoo Sheila the elephant became a familiar sight on the Whitewell Road in north Belfast as zookeeper Denise Austin brought her home to protect her during the Belfast Blitz. Copyright Belfast Zoo. Sheila Hughes (nee Morrison) aged 17. Sheila christened Sheila the elephant after herself when she was aged just nine. The woman a famous wartime elephant in Northern Ireland was named after has been tracked down 86 years after the animal first arrived at Belfast Zoo. Sheila the elephant survived the Belfast Blitz of 1941 under extraordinary circumstances. She arrived at Belfast Zoo then Bellevue Zoo in 1937. Four years later, when German air raids targeted the city, each night zookeeper Denise Weston Austin would walk Sheila the short distance from her cage to her own house on the Whitewell Road. And each morning, Sheila and Ms Austin would stop at the nearby Thrones Stores for stale bread, before walking back to the zoo. Watch: Story of how Belfast Zoo's baby elephant was kept in backyard of house during Second World War Blitz Now, Northern Irelands War Memorial Museum (NIWM) will put on a week-long exhibition dedicated to Sheila, starting on Saturday, which will also be attended by Sheila Hughes (nee Morrison), who named and christened the eminent elephant when she first arrived in Belfast. Sheila Hughes now Mrs Hughes is now aged 95, and got to christen Sheila after herself as her father Gerry Morrison, who managed the Empire Theatre, was friendly with Dr Hunter, the zoos curator. Dr Hunter sought advice on organising a christening ceremony and tea party with activities for local children to celebrate the arrival of the baby elephant and other young animals. He confided that the elephant calf also needed a name and Sheila, who was aged nine at the time, spoke up to offer her name. Mrs Hughes now recalls Sheila as being a lovely, lovely, little thing and she would, you know, put her trunk up and shed love you to sort of give her a wee stroke. She was lovely. She continued to visit Sheila regularly, regarding her as my elephant and was unaware of her and Ms Austins Second World War adventures until the story surfaced in the 2000s. Sheila managed to stay hidden due to the large walls which surrounded Ms Austins house in north Belfast. The young zookeeper decided to take Sheila home after RUC officers shot dead 23 animals at the zoo. They were acting under orders from the Ministry of Public Security, which feared that the creatures would escape during bombing, and wreak havoc. Sheila Hughes (nee Morrison) aged 17. Sheila christened Sheila the elephant after herself when she was aged just nine. Ms Austin was labelled the elephant angel as her identity was unknown until a public appeal for information was launched and her identity was revealed in 2009. A film based on the story of Sheila and Ms Austin was even released in 2017. Titled Zoo, it stars Derry Girls actor Ian McElhinney. Both would survive the bombs of the Luftwaffe and live long after the end of the war. Sheila the elephant lived in Belfast Zoo until her death in 1966 after a skin issue. Ms Austin, who was also one of Belfast Zoos first female zookeepers, died in 1997 and knew nothing of her storys international impact. Mrs Hughes has herself lived an incredible life, having travelled Ireland with Fossetts Circus to escape the air raids on Belfast. She also met sailor James Magennis, who was the only recipient of the Victoria Cross from Northern Ireland during WWII. Sheila the elephant became a familiar sight on the Whitewell Road in north Belfast as zookeeper Denise Austin brought her home to protect her during the Belfast Blitz. Copyright Belfast Zoo. Mrs Hughes also recalled VE Day (Victory in Europe Day) on May 8, 1945, which marked the official end of the war. Everybody was out, I remember walking down the Antrim Road, crowds of people walking down the Antrim Road and there were uniformed people, she said. They were ecstatic. The young boys would come and kiss all the girls and thats just how it was. People were ecstatic. It was just wonderful. We couldnt believe it was over. The official opening of the Saving Sheila the Elephant exhibition will take place on April 22 at the NI War Memorial Museum in Talbot Street. It will open with a display of artworks created by five primary school classes in Belfast. All children involved took part in An Elephant Never Forgets; a NIWM project funded by The Wild Escape and supported by the Northern Ireland Museums Council. Participating children and their families have been invited to visit the museum between noon and 4pm to see their art, meet Sheila Hughes, and take part in craft activities. At noon, NIWM Chairman Colonel (Retired) Don Bigger will welcome all attendees and Lord Mayor Christina Black will officially open the exhibition, which will continue for members of the public from Monday, April 24 to Saturday, April 29. A former Belfast City Councillor failed today in a High Court bid to have her three-year disqualification from seeking re-election quashed. Jolene Bunting was banned from holding the office for a breach of the code of conduct following a complaint from the leader of far-right party Britain First. Ms Bunting claimed the sanction had been unfairly imposed following a local government watchdog hearing where she feared the prospect of cross-examining Paul Golding without having legal representation. But a judge ruled that her request for an adjournment was reasonably denied at a tribunal where appropriate safeguards were available. Dismissing Ms Buntings judicial review challenge, Mr Justice Scoffield said: The decision not to participate in the proceedings at all was a matter of choice on the part of the applicant. She was at liberty to do so and the decision to proceed with the hearing in all of the circumstances outlined above was not, in my view, unfair. In February this year the Northern Ireland Local Government Commissioner for Standards (NILGCS) found that the former independent unionist councillor breached the code of conduct by doctoring a payslip in a bid to obtain cash from Britain First. Read more Former Belfast councillor Bunting feared Britain First leader Golding, court told Mr Golding claimed the party sent her money to cover an alleged fine from Belfast City Council for a publicity stunt involving its former deputy leader, Jayda Fransen. Ms Fransen had been filmed making a statement while wearing robes and sitting in the lord mayors chair at City Hall in 2018. But the tribunal was told that a 545 deduction in Ms Buntings council pay was actually because she had exceeded the data allowance on her mobile phone. The watchdog held that she improperly used her position to secure financial advantage by amending her payslip to gain from Mr Golding and Britain First, bringing her position as a councillor into disrepute. Ms Bunting denied the allegations throughout the adjudication and also made a last-ditch attempt to halt the proceedings. She challenged a refusal by NILGCS to grant her an adjournment in order to secure lawyers for the hearing. Ms Bunting wanted the three-year disqualification order quashed and the case remitted for a fresh adjudication process before the next council elections in May. The court heard she had been unfairly expected to represent herself without any lawyers. Referring to Mr Golding as someone who had caused her great consternation and anxiety for a number of years, she claimed to be genuinely in fear of him. Ms Bunting stated that she was not ready to face the Britain First leader, let alone engage with him. On the day of the tribunal she tried unsuccessfully for more than half an hour to join remotely in order to seek an adjournment. With no previous concerns for her personal safety raised, Mr Justice Scoffield highlighted the available safeguards, including remote facilities to ensure she was not in the same room as Mr Golding. This would have afforded Ms Bunting a degree of protection and reassurance equivalent to what courts can provide by way of special measures, he pointed out. Rejecting further grounds of challenge, the judge confirmed: I have not been satisfied that it was unfair to the applicant for her not to be afforded the opportunity to advance her adjournment application orally. Ms Bunting could still seek an alternative remedy by appealing the NILGCS adjudication. However, Mr Justice Scoffield advised: In the event that she wishes to do so, it may be sensible for that to be dealt with by a judge of the High Court other than myself. A Co Armagh man charged over an MI5 surveillance operation against the New IRA leadership has been granted compassionate bail to attend his son's confirmation Getty Images A Co Armagh man charged over an MI5 surveillance operation against the New IRA leadership has been granted compassionate bail to attend his son's confirmation. Shea Reynolds is currently on remand charged with directing terrorism, membership of a proscribed organisation and conspiracy to possess Semtex explosives and firearms with intent to endanger life. Defence counsel Desmond Hutton KC told Belfast Crown Court that Reynolds (30), of Kilwilke Road, Lurgan, is currently awaiting trial on separate terrorist charges. Reynolds was one of a number of men arrested in Lurgan in September 2016 and charged with being part of a terrorist plot following the discovery of an improvised explosive device. Mr Hutton told Belfast Recorder Judge Patricia Smyth that Reynolds was remanded in relation to offences arising out of Operation Arbacia into a number of meetings alleged to have taken place at a cottage in the Tyrone area between February and July 2020. He said the compassionate bail application was to allow Reynolds to attend his son's confirmation next Wednesday, April 26, between 3pm and 7pm at St Patrick's chapel in Lurgan. This is a significant family occasion. The son has actually asked the applicant to be his sponsor at the confirmation, said Mr Hutton. The applicant will be chaperoned by his instructing solicitor. There is a 10,000 cash surety to be provided by a friend of the applicant. He added that Reynolds had previously been granted bail for the Lurgan offences and had complied with all conditions. A prosecution barrister said Reynolds was unsuccessful in a bail application in January 2021 to attend the birth of his child. The bail was refused because of the second set of charges over the Operation Arbacia surveillance and the objection is the likelihood of committing further offences which is very high. He was captured in the surveillance, in both audio and video, taking part in these various meetings. There is also the risk of him absconding and the risk he poses to the public. It is a balancing exercise for the court but we say the balance should come down on the application being refused, he added. In evidence under sworn oath, defence solicitor Gavin Booth of Phoenix Law told Judge Smyth: I have chaperoned a number of prisoners in the past, including Patrick Blair, who was convicted of serious terrorism charges in another undercover MI5 operation. I accompanied him to the bedside of his dying sister and I was with him at all times. I only do this with people I trust and that would be no threat to me or others. At Christmas time, myself and Mr Mackin from our office chaperoned Kevin Murphy, a co-accused of this defendant, to a hospital where his grandchildren were born premature. I drove Mr Murphy, who is alleged to be the leader of the IRA, back to the prison. Mr Reynold has given me an undertaking he will return to prison and I am fully confident that he will return. If there was any risk to me I will be phoning the police, added Mr Booth. Granting the compassionate bail application subject to conditions, Judge Smyth said: I have heard evidence from a solicitor, who is an officer of the court and who has obligations to this court, and I am satisfied on balance that the risk to the public can be reduced for a period of four hours. The Belfast Recorder said the solicitor was to be with the defendant at all times, Reynolds was not to use a mobile phone and the 10,000 cash surety is to be lodged in court. The judge added: Mr Booth, if the defendant attempts to use a mobile phone or attempts or suggests he is not abiding by the terms of this bail, you are under obligation to contact the police. The pain and suffering inflicted upon us will not be felt by another generation in our community, say victims after sentencing Solicitor Cormac McDonnell of McNamee McDonnell Solicitors pictured delivering a statement on behalf of all victims during a Media facility Outside Laganside Crown Court (Pacemaker). Victims of a former GAA club official who admitted over 100 sex abuse charges say the pain and suffering they experienced will not be felt by another generation after he was jailed. Those affected by Thomas McKennas crimes described as a tsunami of offending which spanned 30 years spoke out after he was sent to prison for 16 years on Friday. McKenna, formerly of Woodside Park, Bessbrook, and a former treasurer at Crossmaglen Rangers GAA Club, was sentenced for what the judge called a campaign of sexual offending against 23 boys and young men. The 62-year-old had earlier pleaded guilty to 162 sexual abuse offences that took place between 1989 and 2018. Thomas McKenna Thomas McKenna Jailing McKenna, Judge Patricia Smyth said the psychological harm he had inflicted on his victims was immeasurable. Police press conference after the sentencing of Thomas McKenna Crossmaglen GAC official Eamonn McMahon praised the victims bravery in speaking out. "Your actions have made our club and community safe. And for this we owe you a huge debt of gratitude, he said afterwards. The victims released an emotive joint statement urging other victims of sex crime to come forward. They said: We thank Her Honour Judge Patricia Smyth for the sentence handed down earlier today. As a group, we sincerely thank our families, our community and the members of the Crossmaglen Rangers Club for the unwavering loyalty, support and care you have provided us. We want to thank the police service for the empathy and swiftness in which they dealt with the crimes committed against us from when they were first informed almost five years ago. In addition, we also wish to thank the Public Prosecution Service and the prosecution team for their professionalism and diligence in preparing the case for court and ensuring we received the guilty pleas for the litany of crimes committed against us when we were children. And most importantly, to ensure this individual will never be a part of our community again. While there were many difficult days as we relived the crimes committed against us, we as a group are immensely proud of the strength, dignity and unity we've displayed throughout this process to get the justice we deserve and ensure that the pain and suffering inflicted upon us will not be felt by another generation in our community. We urge anyone else who has suffered similarly to take confidence from our journey and to reach out to the relevant authorities. McKenna had pleaded guilty to the 162 sex offences a week before he was due to go on trial on the first of three sets of charges he faced. The litany of offences included multiple counts of indecent assaults, sexual assaults, gross indecency offences and voyeurism on males aged from 12 to 26 between 1988 and 2018. McKenna, who was assessed as posing a danger to the public in the future, had told some younger boys that what was happening to them was part of team-building within the club and he made promises about them being promoted to senior teams. The campaign of "sexual violence and abuse" started to emerge in 2018 when the parents of a teenage player at the club contacted the chairman and reported covert filming by his abuser. An investigation followed, with other victims coming forward, sparking a "tsunami of sexual complaints''. When his devices were seized by police, a large number of covert videos and stills were found of young men either naked or partially clothed and "doing private acts'' or training. Despite his initial denials, and after he finally confessed to his criminality, McKenna told a Probation Officer that after choosing a victim "if it worked out, fine. If not, I'd go to the next one''. On Friday Belfast Recorder Judge Patricia Smyth described this remark as "chilling''. She told the defendant, who sat with his head bowed in the dock: "You targeted boys and young men - 23 in total - manipulating them to the point where they felt utterly powerless and unable to disclose what you had done. "The psychological harm you have inflicted is immeasurable. There is no sentence that this court can pass that will repair that damage.'' Judge Smyth said the parents of victims had "entrusted them in your care. They wanted their children to take every opportunity to succeed in life.'' "In a small community like Crossmaglen, GAA, and in particular Crossmaglen Rangers, was the bedrock. You manipulated those parents just as you manipulated their children, she said. "You befriended them, disguising your true nature under the mask of respectability. You were the postman, a director in the credit union, and part of the very fabric of the club. Judge Smyth said the survivors of the abuse had written personal accounts to her to explain the impact of the sexual abuse on them along. "None of the men are alone in feelings of fear, anxiety and hopelessness. So many describe these emotions along with the lack of trust in people generally, being forced to lie to parents and close partners in order to conceal the abuse,'' she said. "Some relationships ended and some may never recover. Addiction issues have been endured. Suicide attempts made. Intimacy in personal relationships affected. Education disrupted. Lifetime events, such as weddings, marred by your presence. The senior judge said McKenna "recruited'' his victims to help him out with his duties as a postman and paid them up to 30. He plied some victims with alcohol. Offences were also committed in the credit union, in the GAA club, in pubs and hotels and in toilets both in Northern Ireland and in the Republic, as well as homes. Passing sentence, Judge Smyth told McKenna that he will spend a further seven years on supervised licence on his release from custody. McKenna was placed on the sex offenders register for life. Afterwards, Eamonn McMahon of Crossmaglen Rangers praised the victims for coming forward to speak out about the abuse at the hands of McKenna. "Crossmaglen Rangers, and GAA president Larry McCarthy, wish to state that this conviction was only possible because of the courage and determination of those individuals who reported their concerns, he said. "Your actions have made our club and community safe. And for this we owe you a huge debt of gratitude. "We are extremely saddened that one of our members used his many positions of trust within our community to cause serious harm. "To the victims, we are deeply sorry. Your journey has been a difficult one and your strength in seeing this case to its legal conclusion is a strength of your character and recognition of the support you received. "Dear parents and families, we are sorry. We thank you for your unwavering support. We recognised that your lives have been severely impacted. "We wish to assure you that the GAA will continue to support your families in an ongoing basis.'' Mr McMahon added that the club also wanted to thank the PSNI, the Public Prosecution Service, Social Services for their co-operation for their support and "the impact of this co-operation has been far-reaching''. A senior police officer also praised the victims for speaking out. Detective Chief Inspector Kerry Brennan said: Thomas McKenna was a respected and influential member of the Crossmaglen community, who used his positions of trust to gain access to young males to carry out the litany of abuse as outlined in court today. His offending spanned over a lengthy 30-year period. He has caused long-lasting psychological damage to his victims and their families and Ive no doubt that learning of the severity of his offending today will ricochet through the Crossmaglen community. Predators of this type are incredibly manipulative, and invest a lot of time building trust and embedding themselves within communities to carry out their offending under the radar. Hidden in plain sight. Our thoughts today are with the victims that this man preyed on, and abused for so many years. It takes huge courage to speak out and break the cycle of abuse. We would like to commend them for coming forward and working with our dedicated detectives. We would continue to encourage anyone who has experienced any form of sexual abuse to contact police on 101, or in an emergency call 999. Margaret Kinney, a senior prosecutor from the Public Prosecution Services Serious Crime Unit, said: McKenna posed as an apparently respectable pillar of the community whilst carrying out a predatory campaign of sexual abuse against boys and young men over three decades. She added: We commend the courage of McKennas brave victims who spoke out about his abhorrent crimes and ultimately helped bring him to justice. We thank them for their positive engagement with the prosecution team throughout the criminal justice process. There should be no hiding place for sexual offenders and the PPS takes these offences very seriously. Dermot Hamill who chaired a political panel for over 250 school pupils during the Queen's University Agreement25 conference. A Belfast student and podcaster who hosted a panel at an international conference to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement has said that if Northern Ireland wants to create a new political atmosphere then the voting age should be lowered to 16. Queens University International Relations and Politics student Dermot Hamill has been involved in politics since starting popular podcast Youth Voice NI as a 16-year-old. He said that while he doesnt see himself moving into a frontline political career, the enthusiasm of young people at the Agreement25 conferences Politics in Action event gave him plenty of optimism for the future. Around 250 pupils from schools across Northern Ireland attended and were involved in a panel discussion with MLAs from the five main political parties, chaired by Dermot. Perhaps the best way to get the Assembly back is to lower the voting age to 16 tomorrow and watch the difference. They believe as young people they care more about the future, while parents care more about the past, the 19-year-old said. The pupils have had Sir Tony Blair, Bertie Ahern, Joe Kennedy, Steve Baker from the NIO all walking through and spending time talking to them names they may have read about and seen on TV. As a political student and I suppose a political nerd, I got a buzz out of it, but you could feel that right across the event. You could see that if politicians engage with young people, young people will engage in politics. But none of those attending the event are yet able to vote. School pupils meet with former PM Sir Tony Blair at Queen's University's Agreement25 conference. I sat and talked to some of the pupils, said Dermot. Theyve been really, really engaging. Theyre becoming more aware of party policies, ideas on reforming the institutions here. They all want something that works. Being involved in events like this will send them back to school filled with optimism for the future, but we need more days like these. I remember being 16, not that long ago, and being so frustrated that I couldnt do anything. I couldnt vote. Now, as a 19-year-old, I can sense that things are starting to move. Young people tend to look at what they want from a politician. They look at party policies, not what they have traditionally stood for. But Dermot said the opportunities for young people to quiz politicians are few and far between. I was involved in the Top Table with Stephen Nolan on the BBC, but thats gone now. Young people dont have the avenues into political discussion they had even a couple of years ago, he said. The 16-17 year olds are itching to get involved, and there is all that optimism and enthusiasm to be tapped into. They just dont have the tools to be able to do anything with that. Organisations like students unions, the Secondary Students Union NI, the Youth Parliament and the NI Youth Forum continue to provide a platform, but they struggle to get anything more than platitudes. Young people are frustrated, theyre full of optimism, but feel they are being supressed as their views carry no weight, said Dermot. Politicians meet and listen but rarely do anything. But these are the voters of two years time. They will make their views known eventually. The shame is that they have so much to say right now. School pupils said they have been left disheartened and deflated after a further announcement of cuts in education. Students are calling for an immediate reversal of the decision to axe funding which allows schools to provide extra support such as breakfast and homework clubs, counselling and books. It follows the Department of Educations announcement that it could not continue funding for the Extended Schools Programme after beyond the current school year Thousands of young people will be left without the necessary support. It comes on top of cuts already made including the end of Holiday Hunger payments, the Engage Programme and the Healthy Happy Minds project. Read more Teacher devastated as extra funds for schoolchildren face axe The Secondary Students Union of Northern Ireland (SSUNI) said two weeks of hope with the visit of US President Joe Biden and the Agreement 25 conference hosted at Queens University has been replaced by harsh reality. President Eilidh OConnor (18), a pupil at Lumen Christi College in Derry, said that once again young people are paying the price for problems created by others. We are very disheartened to hear of yet more cuts from the Department of Education, she said. Our students and families deserve better. At a time when people are finding it increasingly difficult, families need to be supported, not neglected. As the issues of funding cuts to education continue to worsen, the president of the union, which represents over 42,000 secondary school pupils, added: These cuts will undoubtedly create anxiety and pile on unnecessary pressure on the most vulnerable young people in society. Once again students have become victims of the political vacuum here in Northern Ireland. SSUNI would strongly advocate that this decision is repealed. Thousands of pupils rely on the services provided by the Extended Schools Programme and they are the ones who are going to suffer most. The most vulnerable children in our society are repeatedly paying the price for the Stormont stalemate. We have just celebrated 25 years since the Good Friday Agreement and we must not forget that the principles of peace, prosperity and security for the people of NI are its foundation. Decisions like this undermine those principles and the young people of Northern Ireland deserve better. Down High School pupil Ellen Taylor (17), SSUNI community relations officer, was among the delegates at the Agreement 25 conference. As we listened to the Queens University conference and of course, Bidens speech last week, young people were promised a brighter future, she said. These cuts will not bring a brighter future to all our students, only emphasise a pertinent divide. This funding is essential to ensure that the promises made to us in the Good Friday Agreement are not squandered and it is vital that they remain fulfilled to protect our students and young people from further unnecessary hardship. The Department of Education said the indicative budget allocation was extremely challenging and will require further significant reductions across a wide range of areas. It added: "Moreover, funding of 5.8m for the Extended Schools programme from Confidence and Supply monies has now ended. In these circumstances an interim allocation of 2.3m will be provided to sustain Extended Schools provision until the end of this academic year. "The department will finalise the Extended Schools allocation following confirmation of the education budget. However, there is currently no funding available for the programme beyond 30 June 2023 and schools have been advised to plan on that basis. We regret the uncertainty this will create and are grateful for the work, dedication and commitment of those who support the Extended Schools programme and the benefits they deliver to our children and young people on a daily basis. The caterers shared a photograph with the couple at the end of their trip to Belfast for the Agreement 25 conference. The owners of RARE Grazing NI - twins Rebecca and Rachel Vance - were 'overwhelmed' to cater for Bill and Hillary Clinton this week. Pic: RARE Grazing NI Catering for a host of US visitors including Bill and Hillary Clinton was a career highlight, the owners of a Co Antrim food company have said. The former US President and Secretary of State had been visiting Northern Ireland for Queens Universitys Agreement 25 conference, a three-day event marking the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. Catering for the entourage, which also included Agreement talks chair Senator George Mitchell and his wife Heather, was provided by Lisburn-based company RARE Grazing NI. They had to keep their exciting secret under wraps, but twin owners Rachel and Rebecca Vance were able to share a photograph of themselves with the Clintons after they had completed their visit this week. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content The sisters shared the photograph to their social media, saying catering for their American political guests had been a pleasure. "A career highlight for us at RARE Grazing NI, they said. "We are overwhelmed with pride to share with you all that we had the pleasure of being asked to cater for former US president Bill Clinton & former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Senator George Mitchell, his wife Heather Mitchell and entourage over the past 6 days. "An opportunity we will never forget. Thank you to The Regency Belfast and to our team who made this all possible. The Agreement 25 conference drew to a close on Wednesday evening, with a gala dinner hosted by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak marking the end of the three-day event. The grandson of two of the victims had complained about the PSNIs failure to provide information about the agreement. Ciaran MacAirt (right) hands over a briefcase to Policing Board chairman Brian Rea on behalf of relatives of those killed in the 1971 McGurks Bar bombing The remains of McGurk's Bar in Belfast, where 15 people died in a bomb blast A complaint that the PSNI failed to provide information regarding an alleged secret agreement between an Army chief and the RUC to blame the victims of the McGurks Bar massacre for the bombing has been upheld. The Information Commissioners Office (ICO) upheld the complaint, taken by Ciaran MacAirt, whose grandmother Kathleen Irvine was among those who died and his grandfather John badly injured during the bombing. The McGurks Bar massacre claimed the lives of 15 civilians including two children in 1971. At the time, the Army press office spread misinformation that the attack was an own goal and that that the IRA had been responsible. Government officials and the media were told it was likely to have been an IRA bomb that exploded prematurely while being built inside the pub. In 1977, UVF member Robert James Campbell admitted being part of the loyalist gang who planted the bomb. Campbell served 15 years in prison for murder but his accomplices, including those who made the bomb, evaded justice. Mr MacAirt later discovered a high-level military 39 Brigade Operations Log that recorded an order from the Brigade Commander just over four hours after the explosion. The log stated: RUC have a line that the bomb in the pub was a bomb designed to be used elsewhere, left in the pub to be picked up by Provisional IRA. Bomb went off and was a mistake. RUC press office have a line on it NI should deal with them. The Brigade Commander of 39 Infantry Brigade at the time was General Sir Frank Kitson (retired), or Brigadier Kitson as he was then, a noted author of British military counter-insurgency policies. Mr MacAirt asked the PSNI for the background and minutes of the secret agreement between Kitson and the RUC as no previous historic investigation by RUC, Office of the Police Ombudsman, Historical Enquiries Team and PSNI had told the families about it. The PSNI issued a refusal notice, citing Section 12(2) of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and stating that it would exceed the appropriate cost limits to determine whether or not it held the requested information. MacAirt requested an immediate internal review of that decision and PSNI upheld it after a prolonged period of 10 months. MacAirt then complained to the Information Commissioners Office. The Information Commissioners Office ruled on Wednesday 20th April 2023 the PSNI was not entitled to refuse the request under section 12 of FOIA. The Commissioner is not satisfied that PSNI has demonstrated that confirming or denying that the requested information is held would exceed the appropriate limit. ICO also recorded that 10 months for an internal review was excessive. Ciaran MacAirt (right) hands over a briefcase to Policing Board chairman Brian Rea on behalf of relatives of those killed in the 1971 McGurks Bar bombing Mr MacAirt said the Government had buried the truth before they had buried their loved ones. "During his tenure in the north of Ireland, Kitson oversaw Britains deployment of internment without trial, in-depth interrogation techniques including torture, psychological operations, pseudo-gangs and covert Special Force units like the Military Reaction Force (MRF) that murdered civilians with impunity, he said. "All the heinous lies about our loved ones flowed from this secret agreement between the head of the British Army in Belfast and RUC. So, before we buried our loved ones, the British state buried the truth. "This small victory in our battle for truth and justice proves yet again that PSNI is actively involved in the cover-up of the McGurks Bar Massacre over half a century later. It is defending a sectarian police force in the past and protecting General Sir Frank Kitson. Christopher Stanley, litigation consultant with KRW Law LLP, said information retrieval was fundamental to establishing justice and accountability for relatives victims. "If Britains Legacy Bill becomes law, Freedom of Information requests such as this will become increasingly important to relatives of victims and campaigners. "The PSNI cannot simply rely upon a stock response to such requests - including Neither Confirm, Nor Deny - without further explanation or context. "Neither can the PSNI rely upon exemptions within the legislation without proper examination of the application and justification for the deployment of those exemptions. "The ICO, the statutory authority charged with regulating Freedom of Information, has, in this instance, flushed out the PSNI which spends public money refusing and defending the vast majority of requests for information relating to the activities of the RUC during the Conflict. "If the Legacy Bill becomes law despite significant public and political opposition then the protection of the Freedom of Information regime by the ICO on behalf of those who rely upon it for truth will becomes even more important. The PSNI has been contacted. The victim was also struck by the weapon during the assault. A man had a gun pointed at him by masked men during a terrifying assault in east Belfast. The incident occurred during the early hours of Friday morning. Detective Sergeant McCartan said: "Shortly after 1.05am, a report was received that a man had been assaulted in the Belmont Avenue area. "It was reported that he was approached by two men, wearing balaclavas, one of whom was armed with a firearm. The victim reported hearing a number of clicks when the suspect pointed the weapon at him. "He was then struck in the face with the weapon before being taken to hospital for treatment to a serious facial injury, which has been described as life-changing. "This was a vicious assault and our investigation is at an early stage as we work to establish the circumstances. "I would appeal to anyone who was in the area at the time and saw anything to contact us on 101, quoting reference 78 of 21/4/23." Alternatively, you can submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/. A man who was arrested following the search of a house in connection to hoax bomb threat calls in west Belfast has been released. Detectives from the Terrorism Investigation Unit searched the house in the Dunmurry area on Friday as part of investigation into the calls, which included a report of an explosive device left in Poleglass in March. A police spokesperson said a number of items were taken away during the search for further examination. "The man has since been released on police bail to allow for further enquiries. The investigation continues and anyone with any information is asked to call Police on 101 quoting reference 788 of 13/03/23 they added. The fine spell of weather this week is set to break on Saturday. The period of dry, sunny weather that Northern Ireland has basked in this week is set to come to an end at the weekend. Friday evening will be bright with some sunshine, with clouds increasing overnight and outbreaks of rain spreading slowly north across most parts, with a minimum temperature of 5 degrees Celsius. There will be periods of heavy rain on Saturday across southern and eastern area, with some brightness at times on the north coast and a maximum temperature of 12 degrees Celsius. A spokesperson for the Met Office said conditions would improve again by Tuesday. "Itll be a weekend of largely unsettled weather for Northern Ireland, with the influence of low pressure bringing periods of rain through the weekend, although there will be some drier spells mixed in, they said. Saturday will see rain gradually move in from the east, gradually spreading to touch most parts of Northern Ireland through the day. By the end of the day, some areas of the south and east could have seen up to 20mm of rain through the day, but more widely around 10mm elsewhere. Sunday will be marginally drier for Northern Ireland, but a showery regime is in charge with possible showers breaking out in most areas through the day in Northern Ireland. "It wont be as long-lived as Saturday in terms of rainfall but itll still be feeling largely unsettled for most. That theme continues on Monday, with some overnight rainfall likely setting up a day with some sporadic showers, these most likely near coastal areas. A sunnier day is expected on Tuesday, though temperatures will feel relatively cool through this period with a northerly flow bringing Arctic air over the UK and sending temperatures down late in the weekend and early next week. Anyone lucky enough to catch a break in the cloudy conditions over the weekend could be treated to the Lyridmeteor shower, with up to 18 meteors per hour expected to light up the dawn skies at the weekend. The celestial display will peak in the early hours of April 23 and will be visible until dawn. There will be bright fast meteors some with trains, according to the Royal Observatory Greenwich. Also, the peak comes just after New Moon, which means views of the spectacle will not be impeded by moonlight. The Lyrids takes its name from the constellation of Lyra the Harp, from which the shooting stars appear to originate. Meteor showers, or shooting stars, are caused when pieces of debris, known as meteorites, enter Earths atmosphere at speeds of around 43 miles per second, burning up and causing streaks of light. In this case, the debris comes from the Thatcher Comet, which is expected to return to the inner solar system in the year 2276, after an orbital period of 415 years. Don Pollacco, professor of Physics at the University of Warwick, said: As comets orbit the Sun, the action of the energy evaporates material from the cometary nucleus, which we see as a comets tail. The gas and dust created stay in the comets orbit, even long after the comet has moved along its orbit. If the Earth passes through the comets orbit any material deposited by the comet could become meteors or shooting stars in the sky. These bodies are usually the size of dust particles but when they fall into the Earths atmosphere, they are travelling so fast that they are vapourised. Along the path that the dust particle travels, the gas molecules are superheated and give out light this is a meteor. We dont actually see the dust, instead its vapourised effects on the molecules. The Lyridsoccur between April 16-25 every year. The coverage has been received in 49 countries, with a reach of 78.2 billion. Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern listens to speakers during the international conference to mark the 25th anniversary of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, at Queen's University. Pic: Brian Lawless - Pool/Getty Images Getty Images Former US president Bill Clinton speaking during the international conference to mark the 25th anniversary of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement. Pic: Niall Carson/PA Wire PA The three-day Agreement 25 event at Queens University has already secured almost 14 million of media coverage, with the figure likely to rise significantly in the coming days, the university has said. And to date, coverage has been received in 49 countries, with a reach of 78.2 billion, making it one of the largest events ever held on these islands. With 100 global media organisations and a press pool of around 300 journalists, there was almost 13,000 pieces of coverage over the first three days of the conference that featured Queens Universitys Chancellor Hillary Clinton, along with architects of the Good Friday Agreement - President Bill Clinton, former Prime Minister Tony Blair and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern as well as a host of todays global leaders. The value of media coverage has been provided by media monitoring firm Vuelio who use a tried and tested method of compiling column inches in print and broadcasting hours and multiplying it by the advertising value in each outlet to reach their figures. The event cost Queens University 250,000 to host with additional support being provided by the Queen's Foundation and independent philanthropy body established to support the University. But with the Gala dinner in Belfast City Hall on Monday night raising 540,000 including an unnamed donor contributing 250,000, for the launch of the Clinton Scholarship, which will enable young people from deprived communities to study in the USA, the investment had already paid dividends before the media coverage was assessed. Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern listens to speakers during the international conference to mark the 25th anniversary of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, at Queen's University. Pic: Brian Lawless - Pool/Getty Images Getty Images Professor Ian Greer, Vice-Chancellor of Queens University said: We are already sitting at a return for our investment of 50 for every 1 spent and I am confident that will figure will rise even further in the coming days. But this is not about financial return. The reputational boost for Belfast, the University and Northern Ireland as whole is immeasurable. Money could not buy what we have achieved this week. "There was also the feel-good factor of our staff, students, partner organisations and citizens of Belfast and further afield and a buzz unlike anything I have seen before. And it comes on the heels of Ulster University hosting the US President Joe Biden the week before and a major international cyber conference, making it an exceptional 10 days for this place. We have received accolades from VVIPs, delegates and media for the organisational excellence and professionalism and I publicly thank everyone who helped bring this amazing conference to fruition. The University will work in partnership with Visit Belfast to establish the economic benefit of the 5200 delegates that attended the conference events over three days. Dumping the current financial situation facing the Stormont administration on civil servants is radically unfair, a former senior servant in Northern Ireland has said. A leaked UK government paper has revealed the devolved executive is losing 700 million a year by failing to charge for services like domestic water supply, prescriptions, domiciliary care, transport for the over-60s and having significantly lower university tuition fees than England. The NIO document, prepared for NI Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris, also said workforce efficiencies in the civil service should be considered for making savings. Civil servants have been forced to make a range of in-year savings, something former Permanent Secretary of 19 years Dr Andrew McCormick said had put them in radically unfair position. "The degree of cuts required to balance the books in the current financial year is an enormous problem. Its certainly worse than anything Ive ever seen, Dr McCormick told BBC Radio Ulsters Good Morning Ulster programme. "For that to be dumped on civil servants is radically unfair when the NIO and British government should take much more responsibility for causing the absence of the Executive through their handling of Brexit and the Protocol. "He [Chris Heaton-Harris] doesnt have the power to direct in detail unless he takes new powers through Westminster, so permanent secretaries carry the responsibility and thats a totally undemocratic basis for doing government; its totally wrong. Dr McCormick said some measures suggested in the document needed to be considered, but that decisions should be taken at a ministerial level. "Only ministers can take the kind of detailed decisions required to balance the books, especially the kind of organisational change and health service transformations that have been needed for years, he said. "These things have to be done and they are intensely political decisions. Restoration [of the Executive] would not balance the books or lead to an instant solution, but it is really vital that it happens. Dr McCormick said that even with water charges, Northern Ireland residents would still be paying less than their counterparts in England. "The comparison is between rates or council tax plus water charges in England versus rates only in Northern Ireland and at that level we are paying about half. he said. "If that was a political choice by everybody and the consequences were accepted by the public, then thats absolutely fine. The point is, this is not acceptable because we are expecting to have low taxation and high standard public services. The former Permanent Secretary also said extra UK government funding through the Barnett consequential was justifiable in Northern Ireland given its circumstances. "A poorer part of the country will always need more expenditure than a rich part, it happens in every country in the world, he said. "The way it has come down recently means it is all the more justifiable. "What I would argue is that unless and until Northern Ireland faces up to the revenue deficits that we have, then it is much harder to argue that we need more public expenditure. Mr Raab had also held the role of justice secretary as well as being Deputy Prime Minister. Oliver Dowden who has been appointed Deputy Prime Minister in place of Dominic Raab. Pic: Victoria Jones/PA Wire PA Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab has been replaced as both justice secretary and Deputy Prime Minister after his resignation in the wake of a report into allegations of bullying. Mr Raab has been replaced by Cheltenham MP Alex Chalk as justice secretary, while former Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Oliver Dowden has taken on his role as Deputy Prime Minister. Mr Raab had been facing eight formal complaints about his behaviour as a minister within the lawyer-led inquiry into the allegations. The report complied by Adam Tolley KC was published on Friday and concluded Mr Raab had engaged in an "abuse or misuse of power" that "undermines or humiliates" while foreign secretary. In his resignation letter, Mr Raab said it was important he keep his word and resign if any findings of bullying were identified in the report. "I called for the inquiry and undertook to resign, if it made any finding of bullying whatsoever. I believe it is important to keep my word, he said. Sunak has questions to answer over what he knew about Raab FDA Union chief "It has been a privilege to serve you as Deputy Prime Minister, Justice Secretary and Lord Chancellor. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work as a Minister in a range of roles and departments since 2015, and pay tribute to the many outstanding civil servants with whom I have worked. The former Deputy Prime Minister said he was genuinely sorry for any unintended stress or offence that any officials felt, but set out a number of concerns he had over the investigation process. "Whilst I feel duty bound to accept the outcome of the inquiry, it dismissed all but two of the claims levelled against me. I also believe that its two adverse findings are flawed and set a dangerous precedent for the conduct of good government, he said. "In setting the threshold for bullying so low, this inquiry has set a dangerous precedent. It will encourage spurious complaints against Ministers, and have a chilling effect on those driving change on behalf of your government and ultimately the British people. "Finally, I raised with you a number of improprieties that came to light during the course of this inquiry. They include the systematic leaking of skewed and fabricated claims to the media in breach of the rules of the inquiry and the Civil Service Code of Conduct, and the coercive removal by a senior official of dedicated Private Secretaries from my Ministry of Justice Private Office, in October of last year. I hope these will be independently reviewed. "I remain as supportive of you and this government, as when I first introduced you at your campaign leadership launch last July. You have proved a great Prime Minister in very challenging times, and you can count on my support from the backbenches. Oliver Dowden who has been appointed Deputy Prime Minister in place of Dominic Raab. Pic: Victoria Jones/PA Wire PA Mr Tolleys five-month investigation into eight formal complaints about Mr Raab's conduct as Brexit secretary and foreign secretary, and in his previous tenure leading the Ministry of Justice, was handed to Downing Street on Thursday morning. The senior lawyer stopped short of ruling whether Mr Raab's behaviour amounted to bullying but made multiple findings that fit his definition of bullying. Mr Raab acted in an "intimidating" fashion with "unreasonably and persistently aggressive conduct" in a work meeting while he was foreign secretary, the report said. He also committed an "abuse or misuse of power in a way that undermines or humiliates" with a staffing move, which Mr Raab argued was key to Brexit negotiations on Gibraltar with Spain. But Mr Tolley said he "introduced an unwarranted punitive element" while his conduct was inevitably "experienced as undermining or humiliating by the affected individual". On a separate occasion while running the Foreign Office, Mr Raab was found to have caused a "significant adverse effect" on a civil servant after conveying a threat. He was said to have issued "unspecified disciplinary action", suggesting there had been a breach of the Civil Service Code. In a separate strand of the investigation, Mr Tolley praised the Ministry of Justice complainants' "courage" for coming forward with allegations that launched the inquiry. Cheltenham MP Alex Chalk has been appointed to replace Raab as Justice Secretary. Pic: Aaron Chown/PA Wire PA Though he did not make any formal findings about Mr Raab's conduct in relation to these claims, Mr Tolley did say Mr Raab acted in an "intimidating" manner at meetings with policy officials. He made "unconstructive critical comments" about the quality of work, including criticising the absence of "the basics". Mr Raab was found to have criticised the "'obstructiveness" of officials and described some work as "utterly useless" and "woeful". Mr Tolley said behaviour that constitutes bullying under the ministerial code if it could be characterised as offensive, intimidating or insulting, or amount to a misuse of power in a way that undermines or humiliates. In a letter accepting Mr Raabs resignation, Rishi Sunak said he was grateful for the formers steadfast personal support during the Conservative Party leadership contest. The subsequent dedication, commitment and loyalty with which you have discharged your responsibilities as Deputy Prime Minister has been typical of your belief in public service, he said. "I look forward to receiving your support from the backbenches as you continue to passionately represent your constituents of Esher and Walton. Thank you for your service to this and previous Governments and I wish you and your family every possible success for the future." Sinn Fein has said it stands with the people of Palestine after Strangford MP Jim Shannon suggested recent events in the Middle East put a fresh focus on the republican partys foreign policy stance. According to reports, China is ready to facilitate peace talks amid rising tensions and violence between Israel and Palestine. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) website states that in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt), as elsewhere around the world, we coordinate emergency response to save lives and protect people in humanitarian crises. It adds: We advocate for effective and principled humanitarian action by all, for all. OCHA has collated data showing that 6,269 Palestinians were killed and 146,618 were injured from 2008 to March 27, 2023, in the conflict. Over the same period there have been 293 Israeli fatalities and 6,148 injuries, according to OCHA research. In recent weeks there has been further bloodshed on both sides. Maia and Rina Dee, 20 and 15, were killed when their car was shot at by a suspected Palestinian gunman. Their mother, Lucy, 45, who was in the car with them, sustained critical injuries and was left in a coma. She died in hospital three days later. Speaking after a statement to the House of Commons by Foreign Office Minister Andrew Mitchell, the DUP MP Mr Shannon said: The horrific murder of Lucy, Maia and Rina Dee have brought renewed focus here in the UK on the impact of terrorism in the Middle East. It is right that we stand with Israel in the face of such attacks. That is a stance shared not just by the UK Government, but by the United States. Unfortunately here in Northern Ireland there are those whose solution to the problems in the region is to support Hamas and advocate a boycott of Israeli goods. This is a core plank of Sinn Feins foreign policy stance yet strangely it isnt something they tend to emphasise when touring the United States or the European Union. Unfortunately, it is also something which has escaped any real scrutiny here at home also. Whether it is support for Hamas, or pro-Putin propaganda, it is telling that when faced with a choice, Sinn Fein all too often are found siding with dictators. Sinn Feins elevated political position must come with elevated political scrutiny, including beyond just domestic issues. Standing with terrorists and calling for the boycott of Israeli goods is abhorrent, and I am glad there was a clear response from the minister today to this. Hopefully this will be followed by greater scrutiny of Sinn Feins foreign policy position. In response, a Sinn Fein spokesperson said the party supports the Palestinian peoples right to peace, justice and freedom and to live with dignity in their homeland. The spokesperson added: The barbaric treatment inflicted on people in the West Bank and Gaza by the Israeli occupation is inhumane and shows flagrant disregard for international law and basic human rights. Dialogue is central to achieving a genuine peace process in the Middle East and the international community has a role in applying pressure to begin proper negotiations to end the conflict there. Madeleine McCann went missing from her parents holiday apartment in Portugal in 2007 (PA) PA The chief suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann will not be prosecuted over the rape of an Irish woman. A German court has announced that it does not have jurisdiction to try Christian Brueckner in relation to five sexual offences, which he denies. One of these relates to the rape of Hazel Behan, who was working as a holiday representative on the Algarve in 2004 when she was assaulted. However, prosecutors have told Independent.ie that they expect to appeal the decision. Ms Behan, who it's understood has been informed of the development by her legal team, declined to comment when contacted. Last October the regional court in the German city of Braunschweig charged Christian Brueckner with five counts of sexual assault and rape. The 45-year-old, who is currently serving a jail term for raping a pensioner, has previously been identified as the chief suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann in 2007. The British girl was aged three when she vanished while on a family holiday in Portugal. The Braunschweig regional court has now ruled that it does not have jurisdiction to prosecute Brueckner in relation to the sexual offences. This, officials said, is because he was last residing outside of the local district in the nearby state of Saxony-Anhalt. While the ruling does not affect his current prison term, it may impact the investigation by Braunschweig officials into the McCann case. Prosecutors have told Independent.ie they are continuing their investigations and that they expect to appeal the ruling to a higher court. Christian Wolters, of the Braunschweig prosecution office, said: Firstly, the decision does not change anything: we continue to investigate the Maddie case and the accused remains in custody. With regard to the decision of the Braunschweig Regional Court on jurisdiction in the proceedings pending there, we will first carefully examine the reasons and then probably have the decision reviewed by the Braunschweig Higher Regional Court. In view of a decision by the Higher Regional Court, we continue to assume that we have jurisdiction, so that the investigations in the Maddie case will continue as planned. From our point of view, there is currently no reason to speculate about the possible responsibility of the Magdeburg public prosecutors office for the investigations in the Maddie case and any associated submission of the proceedings. Brueckner, who can only be identified by German officials as Christian B due to the countrys strict privacy laws, is currently serving a seven-year jail term for the rape of a US woman, who was 72 at the time of the assault in 2005. He spent large amounts of time in the Algarve between 1995 to 2007 where he was a drifter with a string of previous convictions for sex offences and child abuse. In June 2020 he was named as a chief suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, who was last seen on May 3, 2007. In July 2020, the investigation into the rape of Ms Behan was reopened after she came forward, saying she believed Brueckner was her attacker. At the time, she told police the man involved was about 6ft 1in tall (1.85m), had blond eyebrows, piercing blue eyes and spoke English with a German accent. Ms Behan said she also noted similarities between her attack and the rape of the American woman. She previously said she was mind-blown when details of his attack on the 72-year-old emerged, saying there were similar tactics and methods in both crimes. Recalling her attack previously, she said she was awoken to someone calling her name and saw a man armed with a 12-inch machete standing in the room. Cartel boss desperately trying to avoid extradition Daniel Kinahan: The cartel boss is believed to have moved to Iran Cartel boss Daniel Kinahan is believed to have fled Dubai and relocated to Iran as he desperately tries to avoid extradition to face justice, it has been revealed. As Gerry The Monk Hutch enjoyed his first few days of freedom in Dublin this week, it is understood that senior members of the Kinahan cartel including its leader have fled Dubai for a safe haven within Iran. The 45-year-old mob boss is under mounting pressure from law enforcement agencies across the globe and is understood to have become fearful in recent months that authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) would hand him over to the US police or An Garda Siochana. This is despite Kinahan allegedly handing over huge sums to corrupt officials within Dubai to ensure his familys protection and freedom over the past couple of years. Senior members of the cartel are concerned that living in the UAE is no longer safe as gardai and the US authorities pressure the government there to expel Kinahan and his associates. A source said: Daniel and his immediate family do not want to run this risk and are believed to be gone, for now at least. Cartel chief Daniel Kinahan There have been recent cases involving the authorities in the UAE agreeing to hand over criminals to other jurisdictions that seek them, such as the Americans. The Kinahans fear they could well be used as a bargaining chip. Their reality is Dubai is no longer considered to provide them with the protection it once did. It is understood the Kinahan cartel has links to terrorist groups in Iran as well as funding. It is the perfect safe haven for them because they can be afforded protection due to forged criminal links, the source added. The movements of the cartel leadership are believed to be fluid with the organised crime group also exploring the possibility of places further into the Middle East. Alongside his father Christy Kinahan Sr (65) and younger brother Christopher Jr (41), Daniel Kinahan has a $5m (4.6m) bounty of on his head from the US government. A wanted poster of Christopher Kinahan Jnr , Daniel Kinahan and Christopher Vincent Kinahan Iran has been identified as the cartels suspected current location for a number of reasons. It is a country that has no extradition treaty with the US, which is seeking to arrest Daniel Kinahan and members of his family. It has had no formal diplomatic relations with the US since 1980. The war-torn country of Yemen has also been identified as a possible location for the organised crime group left reeling in the past year after the international sanctions were announced against them. Despite the turmoil and sustained pressure on the Kinahan cartel, gardai believe the international crime gang still has the clout to try to murder The Monk, his brother Patsy and any senior member of the Hutch gang, The garda operation to contain the Kinahan/Hutch feud since the Regency gun attack in 2016 is believed to have cost tens of millions of euro. Gerry The Monk Hutch walks free from court after he is acquitted of David Byrnes murder And although organising a gangland murder hit against the Hutch mob in the current climate is not necessarily feasible given the sustained garda presence around Dublin in the aftermath of Gerry Hutchs release sources said it does not mean that plans are not under way to commit further murders and reignite the feud. But the reality is that these proposed plans might take some time to come to fruition. The threat against Gerry Hutch from the Kinahan cartel remains. And it remains at the highest of levels. Even if the Kinahans are under pressure, which they are, this does not mean they cannot simultaneously be trying to orchestrate murders against the Hutch gang, the source added. Gardai this week have put in place a policing plan near Gerry Hutchs location and have continued to provide discreet and sustained around-the-clock presence to protect his family and associates. Much of this policing operation on Dublins northside is being carried out by the garda national surveillance unit and last night Hutch remained in the capital. Justice Minister Simon Harris vowed yesterday that gardai would follow organised crime organisations to the ends of the Earth. I want to send out a very strong message today. Justice always prevails. You can run. You can try to hide. But An Garda Siochana will never stop pursuing and dismantling the criminal gangs causing fear, violence and murder across this country, he said. That pursuit does not stop at any border. An Garda Siochana have built law enforcement coalitions around the world. These gangs have been left under no illusions that wherever they try to go we will follow. Despite repeated requests through an intermediary, Daniel Kinahan has refused to do an interview or provide a statement to the Irish Independent in the aftermath of The Monks acquittal at the Special Criminal Court this week. The case against Alec Baldwin over the shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins has been dismissed, his lawyers said. The Hollywood actors lawyers said they were pleased with the decision and encouraged a proper investigation into the tragic incident. Baldwin had faced two counts of involuntary manslaughter over the shooting on the New Mexico set of the Rust movie in October 2021. The incident occurred after a prop gun held by Baldwin went off, killing Ms Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza. The actor previously pleaded not guilty to both charges of involuntary manslaughter. A statement from his lawyers, shared with the PA news agency on Thursday, said: We are pleased with the decision to dismiss the case against Alec Baldwin and we encourage a proper investigation into the facts and circumstances of this tragic accident. The announcement comes less than two weeks before a preliminary hearing in the case in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where it was to be determined whether there was enough evidence to take it to trial. Santa Fe district attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies and a special prosecutor, Andrea Reeb, had previously stepped down from the case. Work on the film was halted completely following the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the New Mexico set in 2021 (Andres Leighton/AP) Andres Leighton Their decisions came after much back-and-forth between the two sides, with Baldwins lawyers arguing that Ms Reebs involvement was unconstitutional due to her elected position in the New Mexico House of Representatives. In turn the DAs office had accused Baldwin of using his fancy attorneys to distract from the gross negligence in the case. The actor was formally charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter by the DA in February, alongside the films armourer Hannah Gutierrez Reed. The first charge required proof of underlying negligence and included the misdemeanour charge of negligent use of a firearm. The second charge included a firearm enhancement, which would have made the crime punishable by a mandatory five years in jail. Alec Baldwin speaks to officers (Santa Fe County Sheriff/PA) Santa Fe County Sheriff The enhancement was later dropped by the DA after Baldwins lawyers argued that it was unlawful, and said prosecutors had committed an unconstitutional and elementary legal error. In the statement of probable cause, filed alongside the charges, the DA accused Baldwin of showing wilful disregard for the safety of others in the days leading up to the shooting. His reckless deviation from known standards and practice and protocol directly caused Ms Hutchins death, the DA had alleged. Baldwin also faces a separate civil lawsuit, filed on February 9 by the family of Ms Hutchins. The family are suing the actor and the Rust movie production company for alleged battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, and loss of consortium. Loss of consortium is a claim which seeks to recover compensation for damage to certain relationships that are mutually dependent. Thursdays development coincided with the resumption of production on the movie, which has begun again in the US state of Montana. Legal representatives for Rust Movie Productions stressed that all use of working weapons or ammunition is, and always has been, prohibited on set. Home Secretary Suella Braverman said the amendments she has made will help prevent last-minute, bogus asylum claims (Jordan Pettitt/PA) Jordan Pettitt The Home Secretary has announced a number of amendments to the Illegal Migration Bill as she looks to make it harder for domestic and international courts to block deportations. Suella Braverman said the changes she was proposing to her controversial legislation, which is designed to curb small boats of migrants from crossing the English Channel, would help prevent last-minute, bogus claims. The headline amendments laid on Friday are being seen as an attempt to appease right-leaning Conservative backbenchers who were calling for greater protections against interference by judges, including the European Court of Human Rights, in how the UK polices its border. The Home Office said the amendments would make clear the UKs domestic courts are restricted from hearing a legal challenge to deportation from someone deemed to have arrived unlawfully unless the person is deemed to be at risk of serious and irreversible harm. Officials said that if the person arriving via an unauthorised route was not at risk of death, persecution, torture or degrading treatment by being deported, then any appeals would be heard remotely after the person had been removed from the UK. Another proposed change will allow ministers to exercise discretion in relation to interim measures issued by the European Court of Human Rights. According to Ms Bravermans department, there will be set principles under which ministers would be able to decide whether or not to comply with European judges. Alongside pushing forward with the amendment, ministers are having constructive discussions regarding reform to the Rule 39 process in Strasbourg, the Home Office said. A Rule 39 order was used to block the inaugural deportation flight taking asylum seekers to Rwanda. The Government is attempting to crack down on migrants arriving via English Channel crossings using small boats (Gareth Fuller/PA) Gareth Fuller A separate amendment appealed to the liberal side of the Tory Party, with a concession to produce a report on existing and potentially new safe and legal routes into the country for migrants within six months of the Bill becoming law. An annual cap on people coming via such routes will also be agreed through Parliament. Ms Braverman said: The British public are rightly fed up with people coming to the UK through dangerous small boat crossings, and myself and the Prime Minister are absolutely committed to stopping the boats once and for all. The changes I am announcing today will help secure our borders and make it easier for us to remove people by preventing them from making last-minute, bogus claims, while ensuring we strengthen our safe and legal routes. My focus remains on ensuring this landmark piece of legislation does what it is intended to do, and we now must work to pass it through Parliament as soon as possible so we can stop the boats. Further amendments proposed include giving immigration officers new powers to search for and seize electronic devices, such as mobile phones, from those arriving unlawfully to help assess whether someone has the right to be in the UK. The Home Office also intends to bring in new regulations that will see age-disputed people treated as an adult if they refuse to undergo a scientific age assessment. The call for the use of age assessments, designed to prevent adults posing as children, has reportedly been called for by right-wing Tory MPs. Shutterstock.com All believers know that Jesus died for our sins. He gave His life so we can have eternal salvation, living with Him and other believers in heaven. However, what happened to the people who died before Jesus was born? Was it possible for them to go to heaven, or would they go to hell? Did Old Testament believers go to hell? Some believe that Old Testament saints went somewhere created explicitly by God. Heaven didnt open for them until Jesus sacrificed Himself on the cross. Their sins were covered up but not taken away. Christs death removed sin, allowing these saints to go to heaven. Jesus brought them to heaven at His ascension. Old Testament believers went to a location of rest and comfort called paradise when they died. The Old Testament discussed life after death, and everyone who died went to a place of conscious existence called Sheol, translated as the realm of the dead or the grave. The wicked were there, but so were the righteous. Since they werent redeemed through Jesus death and resurrection, they couldnt go to heaven. Sheol served as a waiting room or holding place for Old Testament believers who died in faith, casting themselves on Gods grace and mercy to save them through the coming Messiah. Hades is the New Testament equivalent of Sheol. Luke 16:19-31 shares that, before Jesus resurrection, Hades was divided into two places: a place of comfort, where Lazarus was, also called Abrahams side. The other realm was a place of torment, where the rich man was. Luke 23:43 describes Lazarus place as paradise, while the place of torture was called Gehenna, as referenced in Mark 9:45. Luke 16:26 says there was a great chasm between hell and paradise. No one could cross this chasm, indicating that your fate was sealed after death. In modern times, when unbelievers die, they go to the torment side of Hades with the other nonbelievers, similar to the Old Testament. Revelation 20:13-15 says that at the final judgment, Hades will be cleaned out before the Great White Throne, where occupants will be judged before going into the lake of fire. At the same time, when a believer dies, 2 Corinthians 5:6-9 says theyre present with the Lord in heaven, joining the Old Testament saints whove been there for thousands of years. Everyone will get a resurrection, either to eternal life or everlasting shame and contempt. The Bible says that New Testament saints who died will resurrect at the rapture, although its less clear about when Old Testament saints will be restored. Its believed that Old Testament believers will join their resurrected bodies after the tribulation period when Jesus comes to earth to develop His millennial kingdom. Were people saved before Jesus death? Since mans fall, the source of salvation has been Christs death. Before or since the cross, no one would be saved without that critical event in the worlds history. Jesus death paid the price for any previous sins of Old Testament saints and the future sins of New Testament saints. Faith has always been a requirement for salvation, and God has always been the object of ones faith for salvation. Psalm 2:12 says those who take refuge in Him are blessed. Genesis 15:6 says Abraham believed God, which was enough for God to credit it to him for righteousness. The sacrificial system of the Old Testament didnt remove sin, as detailed in Hebrews 10:1-10. However, it pointed to the day the Son of Man would shed His blood for the sins of the human race. Through time, what has changed is the content of a believers faith. Gods requirement of what we should believe is based on the revelation He gave humanity up to that point or progressive revelation. Adam believed Gods promise in Genesis 3:15 when He said the seed of the woman would defeat Satan. Adam believed God, confirmed by the name he gave Eve in verse 20, and the Lord illustrated His acceptance by giving them skin. Thats all Adam knew, but he believed it. Abraham believed God according to the new revelation and promises God gave him in Genesis 12 and 15. No scripture was written before Moses, but humanity was responsible for what God showed. Throughout the Old Testament, believers were saved because they believed God would take care of their sin issues one day. Now, we reflect, knowing He already took care of our sins when He died on the cross. However, what about believers in Jesus day before His resurrection? Did they understand the price Jesus paid by dying on the cross for their sins? Matthew 16:21-22 tells us that in the latter part of His ministry, Jesus told His disciples that He would go to Jerusalem to suffer at the hands of teachers of the law, chief priests, and the elders. He also told them that He would die and rise on the third day. How did His disciples react? Peter took Jesus to the side, telling Him that it would never happen to Him. Peter and the other disciples didnt know the whole truth but were saved because they believed God would handle their sins. They didnt know how He would do it any more than Abraham, Adam, David, or Moses knew, but they believed Him. In modern times, we have more information than those who lived before Jesus resurrection because we have the complete picture. Hebrews 1:1-2 says that previously, God would speak to our forefathers through prophets in various ways. However, in the last days, God spoke through His Son, the heir of all things through whom He made the universe. Our salvation is still based on Christs death, and faith is still required for salvation. God will always be the object of our faith. Modern believers know that the content of their faith is that Jesus died on the cross for our sins, was buried, and rose on the third day. While those who died before Jesus death lived in Sheol, modern believers can take comfort in being reunited with Jesus when the time comes. Shutterstock.com Most people today are caught up in the hustle and bustle, but have you ever stopped to think about the toll that living a fast-paced life has on you and your family? Unfortunately, were part of a culture where families are apart more than theyre together. In the old days, families would do more activities together, like camping, having Sunday dinner, or cutting down the Christmas tree. An NPR study found that 48 percent of families in the U.S. eat together. The same survey showed that in those families who eat dinner together, only 55 percent have children eating the same food at the same table. Not only are Americans spending less time around the table, but the average U.S. citizen uses one hour and eight minutes of their day eating. Suppose you eat three meals a day, 22 minutes per meal. Is that enough time to have a meaningful conversation with your loved ones and properly digest your food? If you recognize yourself or your family in these statistics, you may be ready for a change, but what do you want that change to look like? First, you should ask yourself what do you want from your life and what does God want from your life? The only way to answer the second question is to ask Him. Matthew 6:33 tells us, But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. So how do you go about living a simpler life and make time for what matters? Here are some tips. Dont focus on materialism. What comes to your mind when you think of the word minimalist? Do you see a stark white house with nothing but a few plants? To some people, thats minimalism. However, some see minimalism as the opposite of materialism. If materialism is defined as being caught up in our material possessions, then minimalism does not care so much about those possessions. When you focus away from the material things, a few things start to happen. First, your home becomes less cluttered by what you think you need to have. Second, you spend less money because youre not trying to keep up with the Joneses. Lastly, because youre spending less, youll have more resources to devote to what you want and what God is asking you to do. Take some time to clear out the clutter in your home and mind. That way, youll have a fresh start, and youll be ready to start working your way through some more complicated things. Take time to rest. There will always be many things to do, especially if you have a family. The workload never stops. However, it doesnt need to feel that way. To have time to rest, youll need to learn to be more intentional with your time. It would be best to get into the mindset that its okay to have a day of rest, an evening of rest, or even an hour of rest. Rest doesnt have to mean sitting around doing nothing, although sometimes it does. Sometimes, rest means setting the stressful work aside for a while to be present and take a breath. Life isnt going to slow down anytime soon. Still, you can make an effort to slow it down if you choose. Create routines. Do your family life and daily plans seem to be entirely up in the air? Are your children frustrated with you because plans frequently change that no one ever knows what direction theyre heading? Its essential to plan and execute new routines in your home, so your days become smoother and flow together. Having patterns doesnt mean needing to schedule and plan every minute of the day. Instead, it means having a natural flow of activities put together to make a specific task or time of day more productive. Making time for what matters doesnt mean having a boring life. It just means that youre more intentional with your time. Routines and other planning will help you achieve this intentionality to fit the things you want to do in your day. Make time for family and fellowship. Spending time with your family and fellowship is vital for making time for what matters. In this context, fellowship means spending time with believers to encourage and build each other up. Do you feel like youre struggling in your walk with God because you dont have the support? If you take a step back and look at the bigger picture, look at your effort to build and maintain the relationship. Is it sufficient? You may be so caught up in your worries that you may not see that theyre plenty of people around you to connect with. You need to put in the effort for that to happen. If youre feeling lonely or the right people do not surround you, you should start thinking about how you can improve your relationships with family and friends. It may be best to consider writing your thoughts down in a journal. Think about the impact that having a solid group of believers to lean on and bettering your relationships with your family could have on your life. Right now, it would be best to start with your hopes, aspirations, and wishes. What does your ideal week look like? What activities would you be doing? What would you like to do that you feel you cant fit into your week right now? Take your time to think through these questions. After contemplating, pray, and then pray some more. If you havent already, ask God about the direction He would like you to take with everything that has been on your heart. If you want, you could take it one step further. Ask others around you to pray for and with you. You dont need to give them specifics if you dont want to; tell them youre considering slowing down some parts of your life and you want to be quiet enough to hear what God would like you to do. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (left) and U.S. President Joe Biden meet on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York City, Sept. 22, 2022. United States President Joe Biden is set to host his Philippine counterpart, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the White House on May 1 to discuss deepening political and economic ties, Washington and Manila said on Friday. Marcoss second visit to the U.S. since taking office in June comes as Washington is moving to strengthen its alliances in the Indo-Pacific region amid tensions with China over Taiwan. In February, the Philippines gave the U.S. access to four new military bases, two of them fronting Taiwan, in a move that angered China. Biden is expected to reaffirm the United States ironclad commitment to the defense of the Philippines, and the leaders will discuss efforts to strengthen the longstanding U.S.-Philippines alliance, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement. The two leaders will also discuss regional matters and coordinate on efforts to uphold international law and promote a free and open Indo-Pacific. Marcos is scheduled to travel to Washington on April 30, and return home on May 4, said the Philippine presidential communications office. The visit will substantively progress efforts to further deepen relations and political ties, to bring about lasting socio-economic partnerships, as well as to enhance defense and security cooperation, the office said in a news release. Marcos is also expected to advance partnerships in agriculture, energy, climate change, digital transformation and technology, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, supply chains and infrastructure. The two leaders met in September 2022 in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, where they discussed similar issues. Military exercises Marcos visit this time, however, comes amid heightened U.S.-China tensions over Taiwan, which Beijing considers a renegade province. China has been unhappy with Manila for allowing the U.S. access to four additional military bases the U.S. already has access to five. China has said an expanded U.S. presence in the region amounted to interference, while some Filipino organizations staged protests against American militarization at a time when Beijing had already done the same in Philippine waters. This week Marcos government slammed the Chinese ambassador to Manila over his recent statements criticizing the Philippines for granting the U.S. access to the bases facing Taiwan and for his comments on Filipino workers on the neighboring island. The Philippine Department of National Defense (DND) issued a statement saying it observed the One China Policy. 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, the DND said. Since then, Marcos has downplayed the ambassadors comments ahead of this weekends visit by Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang. Additionally, the Philippines and China have overlapping territorial claims in the South China Sea, and Beijing has sent its ships into Manilas Exclusive Economic Zone. Meanwhile, Marcos will be traveling to Washington just days after Philippine and U.S. troops wrap up the largest-ever Balikatan joint military exercises. Deepunu, the Karen leader from the village of Pa Pae in northern Thajland, has been leading a team battling wildfires deep in the forest, April 4, 2023. For the past three weeks, Deepunu has slept only a few hours every night. The 37-year-old Karen leader has been leading a village youth team to battle wildfires deep in the forest of northern Thailand. The blaze threatens their ethnic village Pa Pae on Doi Chang, a sacred mountain in the Ban Hong district of Lamphun province. The village of about 70 homes is accessible only by four-wheel drive vehicles or motorcycles. Then, it is a few more kilometers of an uphill hike to the wildfire frontline. We have been doing 12-hour shifts with six to 12 people, Deepunu said. This year, it has been worse than ever before. Its drier air, so the fire does not die, he said. If we dont fight, our village will be destroyed. Villagers in Pa Pae in the Ban Hong district of Lamphun province, northern Thailand, dug a pond to store 400,000 liters of water to fight forest fires, April 4, 2023. [Subel Rai Bhandari for RFA] Ponchai Muehae, who had just returned after a shift, said the terrain was challenging and there was no water nearby. It is hard work. There is no money, but we do it for the community. We are tired and upset, especially when city people blame us for causing wildfire and pollution. But the team is great, and we raise each others spirits, Ponchai said. The Karen people, the largest of nine major hill tribes in Thailand, are scattered across the region, including Myanmar and Laos. We are forest people, said Pa Paes village elder, Chanchai Gula. Communities like us live in protected areas. That is why we always have issues with the forest department. Karen face a crackdown from authorities who accuse the community of encroaching on the forest and for burning. In Thailand, less than a third of the country is forest. The new forest laws were introduced in 2019 to increase it to 40% by 2024. A villager shows the feed from a mountaintop camera that transmits real-time video on Doi Chang mountain in northern Thailand, April 4, 2023. [Subel Rai Bhandari for RFA] In February 2020, Pa Pae villagers agreed with the local government to be recognized as a Special Cultural Area so they could live and farm traditionally. About 21,000 rai, or 3,360 hectares, of land is protected under the agreement, the first such deal since the new forest law that allows people to reside or utilize certain forest areas, with conditions, for up to 20 years at a time. We are responsible for this land. There is trust in the community now, Deepunu said. Innovation to tackle village challenges Deepunu said he is fighting to bring about change to his village without changing the village in the process as they battle government regulation, climate change impacts, and the emigration of youth. He first saw the smoke in mid-March on his smartphone via one of the two cameras he had installed on a mountaintop to monitor the wildfires. The battery-powered equipment can be controlled remotely since they are attached to wireless sim card routers. A dozen 2,000-liter water tanks are kept near an area at risk of fires on Doi Chang mountain, northern Thailand, April 4, 2023. [Subel Rai Bhandari for RFA] Before, a village survey team had to go to the top of the mountain to check for fires. But now the cameras provide an unobstructed, panoramic live view of the area day and night. The villagers sometimes use drone cameras to monitor smoke and have installed sensors to measure and record temperature and pollution. These are some of the innovations in the village to prepare for changes due to global warming and other issues, Chanchai said. We are facing many challenges. The firebreak line is not working as it did traditionally, so we have to think of new ideas, he said. Later this year, the village plans to set up a water spray system in the forest which villagers can remotely turn on when they know a wildfire is on the way. If this idea works, it will be great because other ethnic villages could replicate it, Deepunu said. Water is available at just 60% of previous times, he said. So, the villagers have stored several 2,000-liter water tanks in risk-prone areas. They have also dug a pond in the middle of the village to hold about 400,000 liters of water. A Karen villager shows a patch of land farmed in 2022 in Pa Pae, northern Thailand, April 4, 2023. [Subel Rai Bhandari for RFA] The traditional way of farming Karen communities conduct traditional rotational farming, which requires farmers to burn the area and move their cultivation every year so that the land gets time to regenerate. It has been a sore point with the Thai authorities. One family gets a maximum of 5 rai (0.8 hectares) where they grow rice, cassava and plenty of vegetables. Its enough, villager Jiradet Ngoenkham said. After cultivation, villagers return to the same area after seven to eight years. Before and after each harvest, the villagers burn the remains in the farm in a responsible manner, which provides natural nutrients to the soil, said another villager, Kriangkrai Buntha. We are cautious. It is never out of control. It has never happened, he said. The rotational cultivation burning is short, fast and limited, not done all at once. There is not much pollution, Chi Suwichan Phatthanaphraiwan, a professor of geo-cultural management at Srinakharinwirot University. However, such slash-and-burn practice has led to public misconceptions about Karen-style farming and air pollution, with the government responding with zero-burn policies. Chatchawan Thongdeelert, a social activist and director of Breath Council, said that approach blanketly criminalizes the villagers. In the north, we say there are two types of fire: necessary and unnecessary. We will have many unnecessary fires if we do not do necessary ones, he said. We have to be specific about the cause of air pollution. Its not rotational farming burning, but monoculture agricultural burning, and wildfires. Villagers and activists allege things started worsening when industrial-scale farming of maize for animal feed began more than a decade ago, as big companies offered incentives to lure the villagers to switch to the cash crops. A Catholic priest and Buddhist monks wrap a village tree with an orange robe to protect it from being cut or destroyed in Pa Pae, northern Thailand, April 4, 2023. [Subel Rai Bhandari for RFA] Environmentalists blame maize stubble burning as one of the two reasons for the record-breaking air pollution in northern Thailand. Pa Pae villagers said they had been approached to do contract maize farming but rejected the offer. We rejected because it is not according to traditional living, Deepunu said. It affects our culture, belief, and relationship with the forest. Catholic priest, Buddhist monks bless trees To keep the local government on their side, Pa Pae villagers prepared a mapping survey system, which informs the geo-locations of where the villagers conduct their shifting cultivation each year, as well as important spots such as spiritual and religious sites and cemeteries. In early April, Pa Pae villagers organized an event to present the data to government officials and other local communities. District and provincial governors and forest department officials attended. A Catholic priest and several Buddhist monks wrapped orange clerical robes around trees to protect forests. It was the first time, the villagers said, for the two religious leaders to come together to show common struggle against environmental degradation. Karen are accused of destroying the forest, of burning, but they are not doing that, Prachoen Samongdee, Ban Hongs district governor overseeing Pa Pae village, told Radio Free Asia, a news service affiliated with BenarNews, after the event. This community has been in this land for at least 140 years. They have lived together with the forest and used the forest for food, he said. Trees are marked as protected from being cut or destroyed in Pa Pae, northern Thailand, April 4, 2023. [Subel Rai Bhandari for RFA] The data on land use given by the villagers is science-based and shows us in detail about the forest and trees, he said, as authorities can check if there has been any destruction. Santithorn Yimlamai, the provincial governor of Lamphun, called Pa Pae an authentic, model village for cultural protection, saying he will use the data collection as an example for other communities. It will also help the government to understand the livelihood of ethnic communities more, he said. It shows how ethnic people use land and live together with nature. Phrue Odochao, a Karen leader and forest dweller from another community, who came to attend the event, said the communities have lived in the forests for hundreds of years before they became national parks. Phrue said climate change is a threat, but the bigger threat is from the people. For city people, everything is economic. Like they see a green forest, they talk about timber cultivation, carbon credit, and green business, he said. Villagers are the ones who protect nature, but the money goes to the government. If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Come see where the sea meets the sky this weekend with the cast of Moana Jr. at The Colonial Theatre The condition of the place was worse than we thought, Tjasa Sprague said, remembering when she and her husband Peter first saw the space; holes in portions of the flat roof had allowed water to seep through, apparently for years. We didnt know that structurally, it was full of rot. Now, almost 30 years later, Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum is one of the rare Cottages of the era open to the public nearly every day of the year. The museum stands today thanks to the nonprofit Ventfort Hall Association, an all-volunteer group started by Sprague and the late Marcia Brown. Just east of downtown and Trinity Church on Walker Street, this Jacobean Revival building has lived so many lives, not just the Gilded Age, said Wendy Healey, the new executive director of Ventfort Hall. Ventfort was completed in 1893 as a summer home for George Hale Morgan and for his wife, Sarah Spencer Morgan, sister of financier and railroad magnate J.P. Morgan. The cost: $950,000 (about $33 million in todays money). Described when built as one of the most beautiful places in Lenox, the house had 28 rooms, including 15 bedrooms, 13 bathrooms and 17 fireplaces. It featured a soaring three-story great hall and staircase with wood paneling detailing. Other rooms included: an elegant salon, paneled library, a dining room, a billiard room and bowling alley. Amenities included combined gas and electric light fixtures, an elevator, burglar alarms and central heating. The original 26-acre property included two gatehouses, a carriage house/stable and six greenhouses. It was one of about 75 Cottages built in Lenox and Stockbridge during the Gilded Age years between the Civil War and the First World War. After World War II, it was a dorm for Tanglewood music students for several years, then a summer music and arts-oriented hotel for diverse visitors known as Festival House, the Fokine Ballet Summer Camp for girls and housing for the Bible Speaks sect from 1977 to 1987. It is one of only four [Berkshire Cottages] in the Berkshires that is open to the public as a museum, Healey said, along with The Mount in Lenox, and Naumkeag and Chesterwood in Stockbridge. All the rest have been adapted for other uses, many as private homes or condos. On June 13, 1997, with the help of many private donations and loans, and with a five-year loan from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Ventfort Hall Association purchased the property. They paid developer Arthur Ivey $508,000 for the property. He had planned to demolish the mansion to make way for a nursing home. Instead he donated $100,000 back to the non-profit, Sprague said during The Eagles meeting with current leaders of Ventforts team. Sprague remembers Ventforts close call as it barely survived Iveys plan for demolition. They started ripping out the interior, she said, including the library and dining room, unprotected by the mansions listing on the National Register of Historic Places since 1993. In the nick of time, Sprague and her friend Marci Brown recruited a team of carpenters from Boston to start undoing the damage. Today, the association faces formidable challenges. It still needs additional millions of dollars for restoration, construction, renovation and structural repairs. The site is open nearly every day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for guided and self-guided tours, plus scheduled teas and talks, as well as ghost tours and paranormal investigations. Its a sought-after rental destination for filmmakers since it was a setting in 1998 for the major Hollywood film The Cider House Rules and for weddings and other celebrations. Attendance has recovered from the COVID-19 lull, with about 11,000 people visiting individually or in group tours and attending events, with monthly totals now expanding, Director of Operations Haley Barbieri said. Interest has surged, thanks in part to the HBO series The Gilded Age. THE PARANORMAL AS A BIG DRAW Among the most popular attractions are Robert Oakess frequent Ghost Tours (there are two on April 29) and David Rabys occasional five-hour Paranormal Investigations from 7 p.m. to midnight. Nathan, the board president, pointed out there were noisy third-floor raccoons and squirrels in residence in the past, often setting off the alarm system in the wee hours, prompting responses by police and occasionally by Nathan herself. The heating system also produced strange sounds. People are fascinated by this stuff in a lot of these old houses, she concedes, citing workers at Ventfort who have felt a tap on the shoulder. People claim they have seen things, although, I havent. But at one point, she felt pushed to the floor by some paranormal force. Barbieri, the operations director, said she has perceived moving shadowy figures during one of the ghost tours. As for Sprague, she admits that she has "never felt anything, but there were curious coincidences. But Im cynical about this, frankly. Its important to myth-bust, Barbieri notes. There are things that might seem paranormal but can be explained, and then there are some that cant be. But for Healey, who has a background in banking, financial technology and marketing with a passion for history, the arts, literature and classical music the Gilded Age museum can be so much more. Ventfort Hall doesnt have the high profile that I really believe it should have and can have, Healey said. Its phenomenal, I love it here. She plans to use her experience as a fund-raiser as her primary mandate. The current annual operating budget is $400,000, and the non-profit is showing a loss of $50,000. The reason: Inadequate fundraising despite strong revenue from tours, events and the gift shop, according to Board of Directors President Alice Nathan, who also coordinates special events and oversees the gift shop. A major contributor to the loss are annual mortgage payments of $40,000 to Adams Community Bank. Theres still about $460,000 to be paid down. We need to bring in a lot of funds to continue our Master Plan, Healey said. The plan was unveiled in March 2017 by Spencer & Vogt, now the Spencer Preservation Group, an architectural, engineering and design planning firm now based in Nahant, near Boston. At that time, it listed $6.2 million in necessary, phased-in renovations. Since then, about $850,000 has been spent on renovations and urgent repairs, Healey reports, focusing on critical emergency life safety, elevator and related work, which had been estimated at $5 million by the consultants. (The association replaced a recommended four-story, $1.3 million elevator with a two-floor lift, the minimum requirement by town building codes, costing $400,000.) Looking ahead, the top priority for restoration is the mansion. The nearby Carriage House is stable, although it has roof work to be done. But it has endless possibilities, Healey said, such as for archives, classrooms, programming or residential uses. Going forward, renovation estimates will be updated, phase by phase, Healey said. An aggressive grant-writing agenda is top of mind for this year and 2024, with a target of $700,000 to support continuing renovations. That will be followed by a capital campaign in 2025, with a realistic target to be set late next year. The end result for Ventfort Hall: A full, self-sustaining, financially secure museum with an endowment, including education space, with a diverse array of exhibits, collections reflecting not just the Gilded Age but other eras important to the house, Healey predicted. Its important to tell the story of diversity during the Festival House era. You are the owner of this article. GREAT BARRINGTON An investigation appears to be closing in on whoever tried to torch political signs in February by igniting gasoline to burn down the tree they are attached to. One of the signs, supporting former President Donald Trump for a return to the Oval Office, was scorched by the fire, as was the tree, but police say the fire must have gone out very quickly. The sign above it, which includes a hint at profanity regarding the political left appears untouched. Another nearby tree with Trump slogans including MAGA, the acronym for Make America Great Again, as well as a refrain criticizing President Joe Biden, escaped harm. The trees are on the propertys hillside that overlooks Route 41/North Plain Road near Division Street, and the signs are prominently displayed. They are facing north. Police and the state Fire Marshals Office are investigating, Great Barrington Police Chief Paul Storti said. Were getting close, Storti said. We have some leads that were working on. Storti said evidence collected from the site was sent to a crime lab for processing. The arsonists threw gasoline on the back of the tree sometime overnight on Feb. 27, and left the gas can behind. Eileen Mooney first reported the incident in the March edition of her NEWSletter, a publication that focuses on Great Barrington municipal news. The property owners, Alyce and Michael Zucco, declined to comment. The Office of the State Fire Marshal did not immediately respond to requests for comment. It isnt the first time in the last few years that politics inspired the torching of a political sign in the Berkshires. Lonnie Durfee, 52, of Dalton, was sentenced to a year in jail for setting fire Just before the 2020 presidential election to a painted hay bale display in Dalton farm field that endorsed Biden and his running mate, Kamala Harris, then a U.S. senator from California. The fire lit up the sky and destroyed most of the hay bales, which were purchased as silage for animal feed. A GoFundMe campaign raised $1,700 to compensate the farm for the lost silage, exceeding the $1,200 goal. Community News Editor / Librarian Jeannie Maschino is community news editor and librarian for The Berkshire Eagle. She has worked for the newspaper in various capacities since 1982 and joined the newsroom in 1989. Reporter Greta Jochem, a Report for America Corps member, joined the Eagle in 2021. Previously, she was a reporter at the Daily Hampshire Gazette. She is also a member of the investigations team. Advocates for ideas and draws conclusions based on the interpretation of facts and data. 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 Ogilvy PR South Africa is demonstrating how it's putting work and people at the centre, winning three awards at the 2023 Africa Sabre Awards, and certificates of excellence in five categories. The Sabre Awards, organised by the Holmes Report, recognises excellence in public relations and communications in the Africa region. The awards are highly competitive and attract entries from top agencies across the continent. These wins demonstrate our ability to create compelling campaigns that resonate with audiences, drive impact, and deliver measurable results for our clients. Pete Case Ogilvys win in the Media Relations category for the innovative Anything for The Taste campaign for KFC was inspired by the urban legend of a fake KFC food inspector. This media myth was hilariously turned on its head with an earned-first, media-relations approach to launch this ground-breaking through-the-line campaign. Another win was in the Public Education category for the Repurpose The Surplus campaign for NGO Food Forward South Africa. This campaign reframed how we look at surplus food to address the real challenge of hunger. "The #RepurposeTheSurplus campaign designed by Ogilvy PR South Africa is on point, said Andy du Plessis, managing director, FoodForward SA. With more than one-third of all the food produced in South Africa going to waste, it captures the essence of FFSAs food security strategy timeously securing good quality surplus food to address food insecurity and reduce the impact of food loss and waste on the environment. The campaign succinctly captures an understandable awareness of the problem in an engaging manner. We have been overwhelmed with the positive response from the public, and our current & new donors." Ogilvy PR also won in the Food and Beverage category for the More Than Water campaign for Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa. This is an awareness campaign that addresses the water crisis in the country. Ntsako Baloyi, head of Sustainability at CCBSA said: This is a great feat for Coke Ville and CCBSA. Well done to all the teams that made this possible. Thank you to our amazing leadership and the Reputation Team for a fantastic campaign. Lastly, thank you Ogilvy PR for your creative leadership and support throughout the entire campaign. The team also secured a certificate of excellence in this category for KFCs Anything for The Taste campaign. Ogilvy PR won additional recognition with certificates of excellence in the overall Southern Africa category for the Repurpose the Surplus campaign for Food Forward South Africa, and for the More Than Water campaign for Coca-Cola Bottling South. A certificate of excellence was also awarded in the Healthcare category for Life Healthcares Giving Nursing a Credible Voice campaign, as well as a certificate of excellence for Africa Oil Week, in the Mining and Extractive Industries category for the campaign Demanding Africas Right to Energy Sovereignty. "We are incredibly proud of Ogilvy PR's performance at the Africa Sabre Awards, says Pete Case, CEO of Ogilvy South Africa. These wins demonstrate our ability to create compelling campaigns that resonate with audiences, drive impact, and deliver measurable results for our clients. Congratulations to our team and our clients on these well-deserved accolades." It's truly incredible what can be achieved in a year, says Samantha Presbury, Ogilvy PR SA MD. It has taken a lot of hard work and dedication from across our multi-skilled team to get us back on top and getting well-deserved recognition for some of the excellent work we are doing. This is an exciting step in the growth journey of Ogilvy PR, and we look forward to seeing what more we can achieve for our clients as we continue on this winning trajectory. The Africa Sabre award ceremony will take place on 18 May, as part of the 2023 African Public Relations Conference in Lusaka, Zambia. Wunderman Thompson is expanding its B2B offering with the launch of Inspired B2B, a new initiative dedicated to inspiring growth for ambitious B2B brands. Bringing together the unparalleled depth and breadth of Wunderman Thompson capabilities spanning creative, business transformation, content, experience, loyalty and personalisation, and commerce, the Inspired B2B initiative represents the next phase of development for Wunderman Thompsons best-in-class B2B vertical to help clients around the world build emotional connections at every stage of the customer journey. Through Wunderman Thompson, brands will have access to over 500 B2B specialists around the world, delivering truly relevant and insightful communications that enable B2B acceleration. Continuing to provide industry-defining insights, Wunderman Thompsons Global Inspire Study shows that inspiring brands outperform peers on two key metrics growing market share faster and enabling them to charge at higher price points. The findings show that inspiration has a significant impact on B2B buyers, with Inspired B2B brands: 2.2x more likely to be remembered when buyers are in the market 2.7x more likely to be rated as having better products/services 20% more trusted as brands 16% more likely to be recommended by buyers 2x more likely to be strongly considered by buyers 5.3x more likely to be buyers first choice Parusha Partab, Group Strategy director at Wunderman Thompson South Africa, said: The launch of Wunderman Thompson's Inspired B2B initiative is particularly exciting for South African businesses seeking to strengthen their B2B marketing strategies. Collaboratively crafted with local input and feedback, Inspired B2B takes the unique needs and challenges facing South African B2B businesses into account. Wunderman Thompson South Africas specialised B2B Taskforce is looking forward to applying this comprehensive suite of B2B tools to enable our clients to achieve the growth they seek as ambitious B2B brands. Wunderman Thompson is a global authority on B2B marketing, having developed Inspired B2B strategies for brands including Canon, Duracell, GE, IKEA, INFOR, Kyndryl, Mercedes-Benz (Vans), Microsoft, Sherwin Williams, and T-Mobile. The network was awarded the inaugural Creative B2B Grand Prix at Cannes Lions in 2022 for Speaking in Colour, an AI tool designed for Sherwin-Williams Coil Coatings that allowed architects to speak colour into existence for the first time ever. As part of Inspired B2B, Wunderman Thompson has developed a suite of tools to help brands navigate the complex B2B landscape. The Inspired B2B MVP helps brands identify the impact their B2B strategy and operations are having across every part of their business and understand where to prioritise efforts to better drive growth. Meanwhile, Loom B2B is a data-driven intelligence solution powered by AI using natural language processing and text, created to allow brands to develop their content strategy with confidence and clear direction. Built around the LinkedIn Audience Engagement API, the richest source of B2B audience behaviour insights globally, Loom B2B equips brands with engagement insights into business leaders and professionals at scale. Most recently, Wunderman Thompsons B2B Future Shopper report shows that 59% of South African B2B purchases are made online, with more than half of B2B buyers describing the online experience as complicated and 81% wanting to buy from sites that perform faster and offer a more seamless experience. The report highlights the significant potential for brands to drive growth by improving the B2B purchasing process and implementing an Inspired B2B strategy. About Wunderman Thompson South Africa Wunderman Thompson South Africa is born from the countrys oldest digital, social media, technology and advertising agencies. Part creative agency, part tech firm and part consultancy, services extend from creative and conceptual marketing work to data, technology and commerce solutions. Wunderman Thompson offers Level 1 B-BBEE credentials, a team of 500+ talented professionals, four office locations across South Africa and 90 in other markets. Wunderman Thompson is a WPP agency (NYSE: WPP). For more information, please visit us at www.wundermanthompson.com/southafrica and follow Wunderman Thompson on our social channels via Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram. For more: The High Court in Gauteng has granted the National Prosecuting Authority's Asset Forfeiture Unit (NPA AFU) an order to restrain some R583.8m in assets belonging to employees of former Eskom contractor Asea Brown Boveri (ABB) and six other interested parties. Image source: Sergii Gnatiuk 123RF.com At the height of state capture, the Swiss company itself was allegedly irregularly awarded a R2.2bn control and instrumentation (C&I) contract at Eskoms Kusile Power Station in 2015 after allegedly colluding with Eskom officials. It has since repaid some R2.5bn back into state coffers in reparations to South Africa. NPA Investigating Directorate spokesperson, Sindisiwe Seboka, explained that former ABB South Africa (ZAABB) employees Mohammed Essop Mooidheen and Vernon Pillay, their wives Raeesa Mooidheen and Aradhna Pillay, Eskom subcontractor Impulse International (Pty) Ltd (in liquidation) and Indiwize Construction are facing charges of corruption, money laundering, fraud, forgery and uttering. The offences were allegedly committed in relation to contract prices in 2016 and 2017 between ZAABB, as a subcontractor of Eskom, and Impulse. It is alleged that the contract was unlawfully concluded and that the contract price was inflated. Some ZAABB employees were allegedly prepared to look the other way and bend the rules. ZAABBs success in winning the C&I tender has brought about a scheme involving primarily certain employees of ABB, the Leago Group through its chairman Thabo Mokwena and Matshela Koko of Eskom. When the alleged relationship between Koko and Mokwena soured, a new scheme was devised involving Impulse. Koketso, Kokos stepdaughter, was appointed as a shareholder of Impulse and served as its director from 31 March 2016 to 6 October 2016, Seboka said. Honing in on the allegations against the former ZAAB employees, Seboka said the two held senior positions at ZAAB where they could abuse their positions in favour of Impulse. [They] both played a role in the extraordinary approval decisions and the manipulation of procurement and governance processes to the advantage of Impulse, Impulses appointment, and the payment of excessive rates. In return for these favours, Mooidheen, his wife Raeesa, Pillay and his wife Aradhna received gratification from Impulse, which was laundered through Indiwize. Impulse and Indiwize had the same director, namely, the late Pragasan Pather. These gratifications consisted of cash and motor vehicles. The motor vehicles were registered in the names of Raeesa and Aradhna to hide the proceeds of the crimes they have been charged with, namely, corruption, money laundering and fraud, she said. The recent announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa in his 2023 State of the Nation Address of various loans and incentives to move South Africans onto solar energy bodes well for the residential property market. Paul Badrick, head of real estate and construction at BDO South Africa Individuals can now claim a rebate to the value of 25% of the cost of new and unused solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, up to a maximum of R15,000 per individual. It is a significant win for property owners, but also a solid case for investment as the market responds more positively to homes fitted with renewable solutions. In the first half of 2022 alone, households imported more than R2.2bn worth of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, and estimations are that this will more than surpass what the government itself has been able to procure in solar energy over the last decade once installed. Increase in home value Early studies are also predicting that the installation of a solar photovoltaic (PV) system can potentially increase the value of a home by 3% to 8%. This could be a significant increase in value, particularly for properties in areas where solar power is more popular. Solar installations can also have a positive impact on a property owner's monthly costs. By reducing energy bills, solar panels can help homeowners save money on electricity costs over the long term. Value can be realised for the property itself as well as the property owners who are providing solar energy for their tenants. Aside from the cost-saving and value-adding benefits, solar panels are a visible sign of the property's commitment to sustainability and clean energy. Solar investment is seen as a statement of the property owner's forward-thinking approach to energy use. This is appealing to environmentally conscious buyers who are willing to pay a premium for eco-friendly features, and is particularly appealing for younger buyers who prioritise sustainable living. Rental or rent-to-own contracts For property owners who have limited capital to fund a solar installation, the significant benefits of solar means that even though the cost of solar PV installations is still high, many installers offer rental or rent-to-own contracts. These contracts usually offer tailored packages according to specific residential requirements and generally include the cost of regular maintenance and system upgrades, making installation much more affordable. Finance groups such as banks who are also seeing solar as a good investment are coming on board with specialised finance for installation purchases. This is provided it is installed professionally, compliant with relevant regulations, and is adequate for the homes needs. Almost all major banks now offer loans to provide finance to their customers specifically for backup utilities due to their expense whether it be generators, batteries, or renewable energy sources such as solar. Solar upgrades to rental properties In the residential rental market, tenants are becoming much more solar savvy when it comes to choosing their rental property. They are more likely to seek properties that already have renewable solutions in place. Landlords must recognise this trend or risk their investment losing value. For those landlords who want to retain their current tenants, solar upgrades must be considered which does present an initial cost outlay upfront, but will secure long-term value in tenant retention. As much as solar installations have been touted the way of the future, our unique South African circumstances dictate that solar is very much necessary in the present. The accelerated rate of adoption of solar across the country and across demographic levels is evidence that it will not be long before solar will be considered as much of a fixture as a geyser itself. No downside to installing solar There is simply no downside to installing a quality solar system. Whether you own or rent residential property, the impact of solar installations on property is significant and multifaceted. From increasing property value and attractiveness to reducing environmental impact and saving money on energy costs, the benefits to property owners are endless. As renewable solutions become more cost effective, popular and accessible, we are almost guaranteed that the solar residential revolution will continue well into the foreseeable future. Cape Town and the Western Cape's economy is due for a boost as more than R4.1bn in new direct investments is expected to make its way into the region over the next five years. This will help create 1,507 new direct jobs.Wesgro has been working closely with public and private-sector stakeholders to ramp up efforts to attract more investment into the region. The agencys investment results for the 2022/2023 financial year continue to point to the attractiveness of Cape Town and the Western Cape as an investment destination of choice. A total of 14 new projects were facilitated during the period under review, and investments occurred across multiple sectors: More than 50% of the direct investments into the province come from foreign investors, with Norway, Germany and the United States being the leading foreign investors in the Western Cape for the period under review. R1.3bn of the investments facilitated were for the expansion of existing businesses in the destination. The majority of the investments were attracted into sectors within the green economy; renewable energy manufacturing, waste economy, sustainable agriculture and electric mobility. Pharmaceuticals comprised 17% of the investment facilitated. The province is one of South Africa's key economic regions, contributing about 14% to the countrys GDP. Attracting investment is key to creating jobs in the Western Cape. Notably, the Western Capes information and communications technology (ICT) and green economy sectors are successfully fuelling the provinces competitiveness at a global level, and over the past decade more than half of the investment value has been attracted into these key sectors. With recent policy shifts to open the energy market to private investment, investment into clean energy technologies is expected to increase exponentially. The lowest carbon area in South Africa Wesgro chief executive officer Wrenelle Stander, said the ongoing energy crisis in the country is fuelling investments into renewables, which bodes well for Cape Town and the Western Cape. The region, blessed with abundant sun and wind, has been pushing to position itself as the lowest carbon area in South Africa and the leading green economic hub in Africa. I am pleased with these results, and would like to acknowledge the dedication of the GreenCape team in working with us to land significant investment in the province. We are seeing more opportunities emerging right here in our province driven by international shifts to clean energy; geopolitics; the load shedding crisis; and importantly, policy reforms in the energy space. With recent policy shifts to open the energy market to private investment, investment into clean energy technologies is expected to grow." This is expected to boost energy security in the medium to long term. Investment support ecosystem Close collaboration and partnership between Wesgro, InvestSA, provincial and local government, GreenCape, the Atlantis Greentech Special Economic Zone and Freeport Saldanha, ensures that the investment support ecosystem in the province provides for easy market entry and investment facilitation. Mayoral committee member for economic growth at the City of Cape Town, Alderman James Vos, said: As the City, we have prioritised goals within our economic action plan for the delivery of investment promotion. This is why we fund and work with partners such as Wesgro. "In Cape Town, we are creating a city of hope in which it is easier to do business and produce job opportunities.Western Cape minister of finance and economic opportunities, Mireille Wenger, said: The more investments we land, the more jobs we can help create, and I welcome the work done by Wesgro to facilitate significant investments into the Western Cape over the next five years. The team continues to be on hand to help investors interested in the Western Cape and to provide strategic guidance on regulatory requirements, to make it as easy as possible to do business. Wesgro, together with the private sector, is and will continue to be a vital catalyst for economic growth and job creation in the province. As the provincial government, we will continue to play our part by supporting and enabling the private sector, which is the key driver of job creation. South African employers and the general public are no strangers to strikes. The LRA makes it very easy to embark on a strike - once a dispute is declared by employees and it cannot be resolved, either through conciliation or within 30 days, the strike may commence after issuing a strike notice. Image source: Life Of Pix from Pexels One of the options open to an employer when responding to a strike is a lockout. The LRA permits an employer to engage replacement labour during a lockout which is implemented in response to a strike. This is often referred to as a defensive lockout. Recently in National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa v Trenstar (Pty) Ltd (18 April 2023), the Constitutional Court was required to determine what in response to a strike means. The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) demanded the payment of a once-off gratuity to its members at Trenstar (Pty) Ltd (the Company). The Company did not accede to this demand, which resulted in a strike that commenced on 26 October 2020. Almost a month later, on 20 November 2020, after the strike had petered out, Numsa wrote to the Company and advised it that it would suspend the strike. In response, the Company gave notice of what it described as a defensive lockout. A dispute then arose as to whether the Company could engage replacement labour in these circumstances and Numsa approached the Labour Court on an urgent basis to determine this issue. Labour Court and Labour Appeal Court The Labour Court found that a suspension of a strike does not disqualify the employer from using replacement labour. Numsa appealed this judgment, but the appeal was refused because the strike and lockout had since ceased and the issue was moot. Constitutional Court The Constitutional Court firstly considered the distinction between the suspension and termination of a strike. The Court found that a strike cannot be suspended. A strike either exists; or it does not. The test to determine whether a strike exists is whether there is a withdrawal of labour coupled with a demand. The Court did, however, find that what is colloquially referred to the suspension of a strike is actually an indication from employees or a union that they are not on strike and they do not waive their unconditional right to strike which has accrued to them. The Court left open the question of whether a fresh strike notice would have to be issued should the employees or union seek to revive the strike. The Court also found that, for a lockout to be in response to a strike', the strike had to be underway at the time when the employees were locked-out from the workplace. Thus, in the present matter, where the strike had ended on 20 November 2020, the ensuing lockout implemented three days later could not have been in response to the strike. Importantly, the Constitutional Court found:- [41] An employer who decides to persist with an exclusion of employees from the workplace after they have ended their strike and tendered their services is no longer responding to the strike, but is choosing to use the lock-out offensively in a way that is indistinguishable from the employer who, in the complete absence of a strike, embarks on a lock-out to compel compliance with its demand. To say that the ongoing lock-out is still responding to the strike is to treat the ongoing lock-out almost as some form of punishment because the employees chose to embark on a protected strike. The lawmaker could not have intended to reward retribution of that kind. On this basis, the Court found that an employer may only use replacement labour during an active strike. Once the strike comes to an end, the employer is no longer permitted to engage replacement labour. The judgment provides final clarity on the issue of the use of replacement labour in the context of so-called defensive lockouts. While lockouts are not often utilised by employers, for a variety of reasons, they should nevertheless take note of these developments. The area of strike law is fraught with complexity and employers should ensure that they obtain specialist advice on these issues. A wrong step may result in severe consequences and risk for employers, and the necessity for proper strategic planning cannot be overstated. Cybersecurity isn't something that individuals take very seriously. Think for a moment about how often you make a concerted effort to ensure that your personal information is secure online. Organisations, on the other hand, are aware of the risks cyber threats pose as they can cripple them and lead to loss of money and reputation. This is certainly true for e-commerce businesses, where customer data and personal information can become readily available to hackers due to negligence and weak spots, which raises important questions about the future of safe and secure online shopping, particularly in the South African market. This particular topic was addressed at the very recent ECOM Africa event during panel discussions, and for good reason. E-commerce sites are looking for ways of ensuring peace of mind for their customers when it comes to safety. But theres still a lacklustre approach to cybersecurity from some businesses, argues Candice Wilson, who is a cybersecurity leader working for EY. Wilson delivered a keynote speech on the main stage of the 2023 ECOM event and the gist of her talk was about how cybersecurity is perceived by boards and executives. She made a point that despite the awareness of cybersecuritys importance, there is still a lack of confidence in its resilience and the value it adds to an organisation. We have executives and board members who understand that cybersecurity is important, but they lack the confidence that they can really control the risks. They are resilient to the big risk of cybersecurity, so they believe that throwing more investment in cybersecurity is the answer. However, when I started out in cybersecurity many years ago, the biggest cyber-budget was based on the biggest fear and uncertainty that could be driven through the boards, she said. Panel discussion on prioritising security issues in e-commerce Wilson was also part of a panel discussion on prioritising security issues in e-commerce, alongside Daniel Adaramola, chief information security of SunTrust Bank Nigeria; Faseeg Osman, a cybersecurity executive at Nascent Group; Thamsanqa Khanye, IT risk, cybersecurity, and compliance manager at Astron Energy; as well as Omeshnee Naidoo, head of solution consultancy at Deloitte. The panel was moderated by Smile radio presenter Bobby Brown, who said that people have become quite comfortable with shopping online, meaning that the awareness and education around cybersecurity is not taken seriously, which can create a barrier between consumer and service provider. Weve got most people comfortable with smartphones and computers and they know how to use them confidently. However, the next big tech thing may create another barrier, he said. "The nefarious attackers, they're always going to find a way to exploit it to make money out of who you are. And they're going to find new ways to exploit the mess versus new ways to try and disrupt things," Wilson explained. Therefore, the cybersecurity community should work together to mitigate these risks. "As a cybersecurity community, is there any way that we can come up with ways to work together? We're one team, you know, we were on the good side against the attackers. We just need to work together," she emphasised. Regulatory environment and trust in e-commerce companies Naidoo stated, "The regulatory environment is at the top to protect us, saving the e-commerce environment and reducing cybersecurity authorisation. So, as e-commerce is growing, it's in charge of e-commerce companies, both its reputation and the fact that it can be trusted. Ultimately, they know that they are protected." She further emphasised the need for cybersecurity education for consumers, saying, "In every way across the different industries, whether it be e-commerce industry, whether it be the regulators from government, everybody has to focus on educating the consumer in the simplest way of going back to these basics of: What is your password? Did you get it right? Is it complex enough? Are you making sure that when you make a payment, are you logging off properly? So the simplistic education of the dos and the don'ts, so I think, you know, that is going to be successful, but natural." Trusted spaces and collaboration for improved cybersecurity The idea of a trusted space was also discussed with Brown, who offered valuable insight and points during the discussion by suggesting that traditional media, such as news websites, should include cybersecurity education as part of their social responsibility. The panel also discussed the need for collaboration among organisations to improve cybersecurity, with Adaramola stating, "There is a lot that will gain from collaboration...if we have a common standard by which you all have in terms of security, it is much more seamless." In the years following the Covid-19 pandemic, the so-called 'Great Resignation' saw a rise in job-quitting across many parts of the world - and, despite its high unemployment rate, South Africa was not exempt from this wave of resignations. Caroline Sewell, head of People and Culture at Tractor Media Holdings At the end of 2021, Old Mutuals reward management platform Remchannel revealed that employee turnover had increased by 16% across all categories, while just under 69% of Remchannels remuneration survey respondents indicated that they were battling to attract new employees or retain their existing talent. Moreover, data from HR consultancy 21st Century revealed that a huge proportion of resignations (almost 40%) contributed to the total sum of staff turnover in 2021. But the good news is that a healthy company culture could be the antidote to the loss of talent. After the relative flexibility that work from home (WFH) afforded, some companies found that when they reverted to normal office hours, there were employees who quit their jobs, says Caroline Sewell, head of People and Culture at Tractor Media Holdings. She adds that while companies cannot simply continue to allow permanent WFH across the board for myriad reasons, there are other ways to create similar flexibility and help staff achieve a healthy work-life balance that could prevent a high employee churn. With Tractor having one of the lowest resignation rates across the media industry (approximately 2.5% a year for the past few years, or one person out of every 40), Sewell weighs in on what makes for happy, empowered employees. Why do you think South Africa has seen similar signs of the Great Resignation taking place here? Two factors are catalysing this trend the first being financial, and the second being a shift in how we are prioritising our work-life balance. Many people were adversely affected by the impact that Covid had on the economy and resigned in an effort to seek a new role that might offer more financial security. The pandemic also caused many people to re-evaluate their priorities and make fundamental changes to their lives, such as striving for a better work-life balance or spending more time with loved ones. Almost polar opposites, but with the same result. Why is culture so important and what makes for a healthy culture? A positive culture results in more engaged, motivated employees; a high standard of work and good productivity; satisfied clients; and low staff turnover. This, in turn, results in lower business costs and the potential for higher profitability. At Tractor, we have several pillars around which we build our culture. Our Staff Development programme sees us actively encouraging both the personal and career-related growth of individuals. We also incorporate various team building activations that offer an opportunity to connect while reinvigorating the body and the soul. We also view internal communications as vital; information sharing is critical as it allows for a more seamless flow of work while empowering employees, who feel that they are kept in the loop. Well-defined key performance indicators (KPIs) and regular/monthly check-ins between our management team and their direct reports facilitate the pathway to excellence. Finally, encouraging participation in community outreach initiatives fosters a culture of giving back and a sense of purpose in our employees. What makes the culture at Tractor so special? Were currently hiring a range of new staff and the candidates we meet have been vocal about their positive perception of the companys culture. We also have several 'boomerang' employees, who have returned to work at Tractor after leaving to work elsewhere. Our culture (which includes opportunities for individual growth, team building social events, the explicit promotion of good work-life balance, and a focus on mental well-being) is well-known across the industry, as well as evident to those visiting us for the first time. Its not a manufactured creation; its a manifestation of how the individuals who lead Tractor genuinely feel about people. Its real and personal, and results in an openness across the board. Feature: Zimbabwean students showcase Chinese skills 13:32, April 21, 2023 By Tafara Mugwara ( Xinhua Students attend a Chinese language class at a school in Harare, Zimbabwe on April 19, 2023. China and Zimbabwe might be oceans and time zones apart, but through language, the distance is slowly being bridged. (Xinhua/Tafara Mugwara) HARARE, April 20 (Xinhua) -- China and Zimbabwe might be oceans and time zones apart, but through language, the distance is slowly being bridged. After realizing the importance of Chinese, a language spoken by over a billion people and one of the United Nations' official languages, Lorraine Nganga decided to learn the language. "Zimbabwe and China enjoy excellent relations. Many Chinese people come to Zimbabwe to buy things, to invest, and for tourism. Many Zimbabweans also go to China for shopping, to study, and for sightseeing," Nganga, a Chinese language learner at the Zimgro Language Consultancy in Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, told Xinhua in near-perfect Chinese. The UN Chinese Language Day is observed every year on the day when the contribution of Chinese literature, poetry, and language is highlighted. As the world marks the day on April 20, learning Chinese is becoming a common trend in Zimbabwe, a largely multilingual country with 16 official languages. While learning Chinese might seem to be a formidable task, according to Minia Rukucha, another learner, all it takes to master the language is dedication, time, and a suitable learning environment. "Learning Chinese is very difficult, but I enjoy learning the language, so I will never give up. Although Chinese is very difficult, our instructor's teaching style makes learning interesting," said Rukucha in Chinese. To her, practice makes perfect. "Every day, I read Chinese books, listen to Chinese audio, and watch Chinese movies; (in) that way I can improve my Chinese abilities." As China's global economic footprint expands, demand for Chinese language interpretation services has expanded spectacularly, said Tawanda Zimhindo, a Chinese instructor and Zimgro founder. "More and more individuals are signing up for lessons most probably because of the fact of the good relationship that exists between Zimbabwe and China right now, and also the fact that banking on that good relationship, more and more Chinese people are coming to do business in Zimbabwe and more and more Zimbabweans are going to China for various reasons," said Zimhindo. "So in such interactions, there is a need for language. As long as one has high command of the Chinese language, as long as one has an understanding of the language, there will be more opportunities both in Zimbabwe and outside," Zimhindo said. To promote the learning of Chinese in Zimbabwe, the University of Zimbabwe became one of the first institutions of higher learning in Africa to host a Confucius Institute in 2006, and to date, over 16,000 students have attended Chinese language classes. Each year several students are awarded scholarships to further study the language in China. The government has also taken various measures to promote the study of the language, including the introduction of Chinese classes in elementary schools, high schools, and colleges. In an effort to promote studying the Chinese language in Zimbabwe, the Confucius Institute has made various strides in developing learning materials in local languages, including the publication in 2015 of a Shona-Chinese dictionary. China remains the biggest foreign investor in Zimbabwe, with investments from the Asian country ranging from agriculture, mining, communications, and the energy sector, among others. In addition, China has become a competitive study destination, compared to traditional English-speaking destinations such as Britain, the United States, and Australia. With the increased economic engagement between Zimbabwe and China, which has seen more young people choosing China as the preferred study destination, the popularity of Chinese among Zimbabwean students continues to grow. A student attends a Chinese language class at a school in Harare, Zimbabwe on April 19, 2023. China and Zimbabwe might be oceans and time zones apart, but through language, the distance is slowly being bridged. (Xinhua/Tafara Mugwara) Students attend a Chinese language class at a school in Harare, Zimbabwe on April 19, 2023. China and Zimbabwe might be oceans and time zones apart, but through language, the distance is slowly being bridged. (Xinhua/Tafara Mugwara) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan) Borsa Italiana non ha responsabilita per il contenuto del sito a cui sta per accedere e non ha responsabilita per le informazioni contenute. Accedendo a questo link, Borsa Italiana non intende sollecitare acquisti o offerte in alcun paese da parte di nessuno. Sarai automaticamente diretto al link in cinque secondi. Extensive changes to abortion laws in the Republic are expected following a major review of current legislation. The report carried out by Barrister Marie O'Shea examines the effectiveness of the State's current abortion regime, and has made 70 legal and operational recommendations. According to The Irish Times, the review recommends a change to the current three-day waiting period for access to termination medication, which would instead be made optional. Niall Behan of the Irish Family Planning Association described the current wait-time as "unnecessary" and "burdensome". However the Irish Pro-Life Campaign Manager Eilis Mulroy said many will have issues with any potential changes to the "three-day reflection period". A number of politicians have called for the removal of the waiting period, including People Before Profit TD Brid Smith, Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns and Labour leader Ivana Bacik. Advertisement Aontu, however, has said women should wait five days to get access to termination medication. Other recommendations in the review include change to the laws surrounding termination in cases of fatal foetal abnormality. Ireland Pro-choice activists call for end to three day wai... Read More The review also calls for an end to the criminalisation of doctors that carry out abortions outside the specific circumstances allowed for by law. The report will be presented to Cabinet by Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly on Tuesday. It will also be referred onwards to the Oireachtas Committee on Health for further consideration. The report, along with Mr Donnellys recommendations to the Cabinet, are set to reignite the political debate around abortion access in Ireland. A Dublin childcare worker who allowed her bank account to be used to launder over 24,000 stolen from someone's bank account has been sentenced to 200 hours of community service. Chelsea Dooley (23), of Fortlawn Park, Blanchardstown, pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of the proceeds of criminal crime. She has no previous convictions. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard gardai were contacted on January 5th, 2021, when a man said money had been taken from his AIB account. From December 21st, 2020, until January 4th, 2021, a total of nine transactions were taken from the account, totalling 24,900. The court heard the owner of the bank account had interacted with a fraudulent text message, known as 'smishing'. The 24,900 was directed to two different bank accounts, with one account receiving only 1 while Dooleys bank account received the remaining 23,899. Advertisement Simon Mathews BL, prosecuting, told the court that the AIB fraud team made gardai aware of the smishing activity. A court order was requested, and the bank details of the account to which the 23,899 was transferred were obtained. This account was registered to Dooley, who had opened the account when she was a child. Dooley was subsequently arrested and interviewed, and at one stage during her interview, she said she had lost her bank card. CCTV footage was shown to her of an unknown male using her bank card to withdraw money at an ATM, which she could not explain. Olan Callanan BL, defending, said other parties took the money from Dooleys account, adding she has not come to any adverse garda attention since this offence. He also said Dooley had not profited from the scheme in any way and just allowed her bank account to be used for no financial gain. Dooley has now progressed from a childcare assistant to the deputy manager of a childcare centre and is involved in further education, he told the court. Counsel said Dooley was a young lady who made a foolish and criminal mistake, adding she realises that she has made a fundamental error. A letter from Dooley's mother and employer was handed into court. Ireland Malahide man avoids jail for possession of child s... Read More Mr Callanan asked the court to take into account his client's guilty plea and her naivety, urging the judge to be as lenient as possible. Judge Martina Baxter said Dooley had shown ample remorse and contrition for her actions, and noted she received no financial gain from allowing her bank account to be used. The judge took into account a number of mitigating factors, including the fact that Dooley has a good employment history and is furthering her education. Judge Baxter handed down a 12-month sentence which she suspended in lieu of Dooley carrying out 200 hours of community service. A young girl with cerebral palsy who had sued the Coombe Hospital over the circumstances of her birth over 10 years ago has settled her High Court action for 6.5 million. The settlement is without an admission of liability and the girl cannot be identified by order of the court. Liam Reidy SC, with Esther Earley BL, told the court it was their case that there was a protracted labour, Syntocinon was administered and the mothers contractions were allegedly over agitated. He said the hospitals case was that the contractions were not excessive and the baby did not suffer brain damage. Counsel said that the essence of the case was that an MRI brain scan when the child was two-and-a-half showed what one of the experts on his side said was an insult to the brain. Advertisement Counsel said it was going to be a challenging case in relation to causation and the 6.5 million represented half the full value of the case. He added it was a good offer which the legal team were recommending. The girls mother told the court that she was discharged the day after giving birth, but they later noticed the child did not reach certain milestones, such as walking. She said when an MRI confirmed her daughter's diagnosis it was horrific, and it became her mission to look after her child. The girl, through her mother, had sued the Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital, Cork Street, Dublin, over the circumstances of her birth. Ireland Court hears couple is hopeful about progress of su... Read More It was claimed there was an alleged failure to recognise that the mother was having six contractions in 10 minutes, each lasting 60 seconds from the time of artificial rupture of the membranes, and an alleged failure to act on this. All the claims were denied, and the hospital contended the conduct of the induction of labour and the delivery were appropriate and consistent with an acceptable standard of care. Approving the settlement, Mr Justice Paul Coffey said was it was a very tragic case. He said due to the litigation risk in the case, there was no alternative but to accept the settlement offer. However, he noted to amount was fair and reasonable, adding he had no hesitation in approving the settlement. The largest business network in the country, Chambers Ireland, has expressed grave concern about the Governments draft offshore energy plan. The group's director of policy and communication Shane Conneely told RTE radio's Morning Ireland that although they are hugely supportive of decarbonisation targets, their members are very concerned about long-term security of supply. [Our members] want to tackle climate change, and they can see what the economic opportunity is for the regions, for the coastal areas, for the rest of us living in Dublin where our electricity would be cheaper if we had this type of supply, but also for the industry that is there - there is an opportunity. However, describing the plan as conservative and retrograde is some ways, Mr Conneely noted: There are areas in the first plan that are not included in the second plan. So the businesses that have been out there investigating where to place these wind farms have been wasting their time and energy over the last decade or so. Advertisement He added: Similarly, it is not technologically neutral. There are limits to how deep they can place fixed turbines of 60 metres. Whereas in Scotland, there is planning permission going through at the moment for 68 metres. So the officials are asking us to trust this plan, but we are very concerned about what the basis of this trust is. Mr Conneely said that there is a culture of risk adversity in Ireland, adding that he believes the plan does not show enough ambition. What we are asking them to do is treat an emergency like an emergency. It's also an opportunity. We need to see greater resourcing and technically competent people placed in charge of making planning decisions. We shouldnt be fearing judicial reviews. He said there is a huge regulatory risk for businesses approaching Ireland in this regard, adding: Unfortunately the officials dont seem to recognise the fact that we are losing these opportunities. Plan Mr Conneely said the approach taken by the department in this Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan II is likely to act as a further bottleneck in the process of activating our offshore renewable energy resources. We have grave concerns that this draft plan is not flexible enough to account for the dynamic technology environment which it is attempting to regulate. Advertisement He said the State has probably missed the next decade of development due to lack of port infrastructure. Largely, a lot of the benefits for the construction will go towards Wales and Scotland at the moment, because they have the capacity to deal with the Irish market. So we should be planning now for needs to get done. We need to see the ports expanded. We dont have a culture of a quick and effective planning system in Ireland. We want to see a technically competent plan put in place there to ensure that the decisions are made can survive scrutiny. We are going to see an awful lot of cases gummed up in the courts if we are not careful, he warned. However, Mr Conneely said the best way to avoid such a situation is to invest in the courts, to ensure there is a planning court system which is able to hear these cases quickly, so they can be listened to, reviewed and decided upon. He added Chambers Ireland want to see the ambition that is being demonstrated politically being converted in to action. We all know what we need to do on the decarbonisation, but what we need to see is these projects actually happening. At the moment, the Government is introducing u-turns, which is really undermining trust. If people are going to commit billions of euro to ensure that we can get these things in the water in Ireland, they need to ensure that the consensus that is built up is not undermined, Mr Conneely said. I think the entire plan as they have it needs to return to the earlier version. We shouldnt be 10 years in to a process and going backwards when we need to move forward, he said. A primary school teacher from Derry who is living in Sudan has urged the Irish Government to increase its efforts to bring him and his family to safety. More than 300 people have been killed in fighting between the army in Sudan and the force called the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The RSF says that it has agreed to a 72-hour truce on humanitarian grounds. There was no immediate comment from the Sudanese army. However, the sound of explosions and gunfire were still being reported in the capital Khartoum on Friday morning. Brian, who was only using his first name for his own safety, told RTE's Morning Ireland that he and his family were safe. "We are safe. We've been spending the bulk of our time in our basement. It seems safer to be below ground. We are here in Khartoum. And the situation is declining rapidly. Advertisement "It doesn't sound like a ceasefire. Let's put it that way. I'm hearing bursts of gunfire. I'm hearing thuds of shelling. So yeah, I mean, it seems that whatever ceasefire was verbally communicated or sort of agreed, hasn't been upheld. And it seems that the fighting is continuing." The father of two said his 18-year-old daughter and 13-year-old son were "bearing up okay." "They are processing this in their own way. We are trying to be as calm as possible for our sake and for their sake. They are in communication with friends who are in different parts of the town so they are aware of the urgency of this and the danger of it." An aerial view of black smoke rising above the Khartoum airport amid ongoing battles between the forces of two rival generals. Photo: AFP via Getty Images Brian said that being evacuated "would be the ideal situation." "I just want to communicate the urgency of our situation. You know, I want to speak up on behalf of all Irish citizens here. And like I say, I know that conversations are happening. I read the Irish Times story with Cathal Berry [Independent TD and former Army ranger] quoted talking about how efforts need to be stepped up. "I just want to communicate the urgency of it and, whatever efforts are being made, if you could please, please, please step them up, if possible, coordinate, collaborate take whatever steps are necessary." Advertisement Brian said they had been in communication with their nearest embassy in Kenya. "We have registered our details and they are fully aware that the ideal scenario is for us to be extricated, removed and evacuated. It is very clear that that is what our desired outcome would be. [The violence] happened very suddenly and unexpectedly. This erupted early on Saturday morning." Meanwhile, Dr Osama Ali, general secretary of the Sudanese Community in Cork, said what is happening in Khartoum doesn't look like "unrest between two parties" but a "full-blown war." He told Morning Ireland the situation was "unbelievable". World Why Sudans conflict matters to the rest of the wo... Read More "I was born in Khartoum city. It is a lovely city. I have most of my family there. It is very hard to see areas that I recognise that is now completely destroyed. The city is reaching a point where there is utter and complete destruction." The paediatric consultant at Mercy University Hospital in Cork acknowledged that was a "very sad Eid." "Eid is like Christmas for us. But we will take this opportunity to show our solidarity. To raise our voice and to ask the international community to help with the protection of civilian. Observing some sort of ceasefire. "We will be meeting tomorrow and we will urge the international humanitarian agencies to put Sudan as a priority. Put some sort of an urgent plan in place to reduce the human suffering there." A Limerick man has been charged at the Special Criminal Court for an alleged money laundering offence relating to renovation work carried out at his home. Richard Treacy (34), of Downey St, Garryowen, Co Limerick, appeared in the non-jury court on Friday, charged with knowing or being reckless as to whether renovation work carried out at his home address was the proceeds of criminal conduct, did disguise the true source of the property. The offence, which is alleged to have taken place between January 1st, 2014, and January 12th, 2021, is contrary to section 7 of the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010. At a brief hearing on Friday afternoon, Detective Garda Ronan O'Reilly told solicitor Michael O'Donovan, for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), that he arrested Mr Treacy on Friday morning at an address in Limerick on foot of an arrest warrant issued by the Special Criminal Court. Advertisement In the body of the Criminal Courts of Justice building on Parkgate St in Dublin, Gda O'Reilly handed Mr Treacy a copy of the charge sheet and explained he was to be charged before the three-judge, non-jury court. The garda pointed out Mr Treacy to the court. Mr Justice Tony Hunt, presiding, made an order under the Offences Against the State Act 1939 that Mr Treacy will be charged and tried before the court. Ireland Failure to provide accommodation to asylum seeker... Read More The State agreed bail conditions for Mr Treacy, including that he must notify gardai if he changes address, sign on three times weekly at a Limerick Garda station and that he not associate with certain named people. He entered his own bond of 100 to be of good behaviour and keep the peace and was released from custody. Yvonne Quinn BL, for Mr Treacy, said there will be an application for legal aid. The case will be mentioned before the court again on June 19th. A man who was previously jailed for possessing child sex abuse images and videos has avoided a further prison term after a delay in the prosecution of additional videos found in his possession. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Patrick Rogers (36) was previously jailed for 10 months by Judge Martin Nolan in 2019 for possession of 41 images and one video in 2015 and 2016. Judge Nolan on Friday heard that five further videos were found in 2017 but that the prosecution did not proceed at the same time as the other cases due to a mislabelling oversight. Rogers of St Brendans Avenue, Malahide Road, Dublin 5, pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography at his home, on October 16th, 2017. Detective Garda Neil Plunkett told Diarmuid Collins BL, prosecuting, that during a search in October 2017, gardai recovered a phone on which five illegal videos were found. Rogers made admissions that the phone was his and no one else had access to it when interviewed. 'Mislabelling' Advertisement The court heard there had been an issue in relation to mislabelling in relation to these five videos and the delay in the prosecution had nothing to do with Rogers. Rogers has 10 previous convictions including the prior convictions for possession of child pornography, as well making a threat to kill or cause serious harm. Gda Plunkett agreed with Niall Nolan BL, defending, that Rogers came from a good family and his father was in court with him today. He agreed Rogers had been engaged with psychiatric services for some time and had not been arrested for anything else in the past five years. Mr Nolan said Rogers had been adopted by his parents at a young age. He suffered difficulties from his birth and later from a significant head injury from a car accident. He said that as a result of trauma, his client had difficulties in school and substance abuse issues. Mr Nolan said Rogers has been diagnosed with emotionally unstable personality disorder and a depressive disorder. He is in receipt of disability payments and not in a position to work. He said his parents are now in their 70s and suffering medical issues. He said Rogers provides significant care for them. He handed in a number of letters and reports. Moved on in life Advertisement Counsel said Rogers has served his sentence in relation to the earlier images and had been released in July 2020. He said he had been doing well and moved on with his life. Mr Nolan acknowledged that the original sentence may have been somewhat increased if all the cases had been heard together, but he said the delay had been a prejudice to Rogers which he could take into account. He said if there had been an increase in the earlier sentence due to this matter, his client would now have served the sentence and be on the path to rehabilitation, which may now be interfered with. Passing sentence on Friday, Judge Nolan noted that the matter had occurred in 2017 and not proceeded with due expedition due to an oversight. He said as quantity goes, it was at the lower end of the scale, noting one video was explicit and the rest not quite so explicit. Judge Nolan said the complicating factor was Rogers' prior convictions for possession of similar material. He took into account Rogers' challenges such as his learning difficulties and noted he was a good son to his parents. The judge noted the defence submissions that the material in relation to all three offences was not at the most serious end and the prolonged nature of the prosecution had increased the stress on Rogers. Ireland Garda arrested for drugs possession at Dublin Airp... Read More He said the defence submitted imposing a custodial sentence now would be unduly severe and unfair. Judge Nolan said he was able to accede to this application noting, that as well as Rogers personal challenges, there had already been a prison term and probation supervision. He imposed a 16-month sentence which he suspended in full. He ordered the destruction of the images. If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can call the national 24-hour Rape Crisis Helpline at 1800-77 8888, access text service and webchat options at drcc.ie/services/helpline/, or visit Rape Crisis Help. In the case of an emergency, always dial 999/112. A man has suffered life-changing injuries after he was struck in the face with a gun in Belfast. Detectives are appealing for information about the serious assault which occurred in the east of the city in the early hours of Friday. A PSNI spokesperson said: Shortly after 1.05am, a report was received that a man had been assaulted in the Belmont Avenue area. It was reported that he was approached by two men, wearing balaclavas, one of whom was armed with a firearm. Detectives are appealing for information following a report of a serious assault in east Belfast in the early hours of this morning. Read more here: https://t.co/LMqqnKI5Go pic.twitter.com/liXsi3YOWZ Police East Belfast (@PSNIBelfastE) April 21, 2023 The victim reported hearing a number of clicks when the suspect pointed the weapon at him. Advertisement He was then struck in the face with the weapon before being taken to hospital for treatment to a serious facial injury, which has been described as life-changing. This was a vicious assault and our investigation is at an early stage as we work to establish the circumstances. I would appeal to anyone who was in the area at the time and saw anything to contact us on 101, quoting reference 78 of 21/4/23. Additional reporting by Olivia Kelleher. Updated: 3.11pm Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said the Government had to follow the advice of the National Cyber Security Centre to restrict the use of TikTok on official devices arising out of "some concerns" about how data gathered is used. Ireland is now following in the footsteps of the UK and US governments as well as institutions in the EU in banning the Chinese owned social media platform from official public sector devices. Speaking during a visit to Cork, Mr Varadkar described the National Cyber Security Centre as "the experts" to whom they had asked to consider this matter. "Based on evidence they have now recommended that TikTok should not be used on public sector devices unless there is a particular business case for doing so," he said. "That is the advice that we are issuing today to the wider public sector. Advertisement "It is based on expert advice from our cybersecurity team of experts - there are some concerns about the data and how it is used and transmitted." Mr Varadkar said the Government was open to reviewing this decision subject to the obtaining of further information and assurances. "It is something that can be reversed. TikTok is a big investor in Ireland - it employs a lot of people and I think it is important to recognise that. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said: "This is the advice - they are saying that it should not be used as an app on public sector devices unless there is a particular business case for doing so." PA Wire/PA Images "But we have to take the advice of the cybersecurity experts on this." "This is the advice - they are saying that it should not be used as an app on public sector devices unless there is a particular business case for doing so." Meanwhile, TikTok has expressed its disappointment at the decision. In a statement they said they were not consulted prior to the announcement being made. Misconceptions "Similar decisions in other countries have been based on fundamental misconceptions, and we are always happy to engage with governments and institutions to explain how we protect our TikTok community and their data." The news comes as Ireland's state body responsible for advising the Government on cybersecurity have recommended staff at government departments and state agencies should not use Chinese-owned video app TikTok on official devices. Advertisement A number of other countries including the UK, the U.S. and other European Union member states have barred TikTok over security concerns. The EU's two biggest policymaking institutions also banned the app last month. TikTok, which is owned by Chinese firm ByteDance, is under scrutiny from governments and regulators because of concerns that China's government could use its app to harvest users' data or advance its interests. The head of the National Cyber Security Centre, Richard Brown said TikTok is on the "very high end, if not the highest end in terms of the amount of user data it collects" and that this created a risk, given the nature of Chinese intelligence-gathering law. "The issue here is not what we know to be happening. The issue here rather is what we cant rule out is happening," he told RTE's News at One. "Once the risk exists in this kind of context, then it puts us in a situation where the logical argument is that we take a sensible risk-based approach and ensure that government data can't be compromised in this way." Private devices The NCSC said there was no reason why politicians could not use the app on their private devices and that it could be used on official devices in exceptional cases where there is a business need, such as by a press office. Mr Brown said their analysis forms part of a larger international process of trying to understand the risks associated with this particular application. He stated that TikTok does not differ hugely from other social media applications. "In many ways it is a typical social media application. World TikTok ban gets final approval by Montanas Republ... Read More Mr Brown described the ownership structure of TikTok as being "relatively unusual." "Given that it is a Chinese headquarters and given that Chinese Intelligence gathering laws it means that TikTok and its employees are subject to Chinese law and the application of a number of different measures to the company. "There are circumstances where user data from the European Union has been made available to engineers in China which of course creates a whole series of other potential risks for government users. " TikTok runs a number of its European operations from Dublin, including data privacy and protection. It announced last month that it would open a second data centre in Ireland and reduce the transfer of data outside the EU. A Lebanese-Canadian academic has been convicted in absentia of terrorism charges and sentenced to life in prison over a bombing outside a Paris synagogue in 1980 that killed four and wounded 46. The court in the French capital issued an arrest warrant for Hassan Diab, who lives in Ottawa, Canada, and denies wrongdoing. His lawyers say he was in Lebanon at the time of the attack and is a victim of mistaken identity. The trial marked the culmination of decades of investigation into one of Frances longest unsolved crimes. William Bourdon was the lawyer for Hassan Diab (Michel Euler/AP) French authorities accuse Diab of planting the bomb outside the synagogue where 320 worshipers had gathered to mark the end of a Jewish holiday on the evening of October 3 1980, including children celebrating their bar mitzvahs. Advertisement French investigators attributed the synagogue attack to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-Special Operations but no one ever claimed responsibility. The conviction was a surprise to many even in the court. Among the defence witnesses was a magistrate who investigated the case and testified that there was not enough evidence to convict Diab. The head of Frances leading Jewish group, CRIF, welcomed the conviction, and urged Canada to arrest Diab. The victims lawyers said the long-awaited trial will serve as a deterrent to other terrorist acts and antisemitic sentiments. French authorities accused Diab of planting the bomb on a motorbike outside the synagogue on Rue Copernic. Investigators initially suspected far-right extremists before shifting their focus to Palestinian militants. Canada authorised Diabs extradition to France in 2014 as part of the investigation, but after three years in pre-trial detention, anti-terrorism judges ordered him to be freed due to lack of evidence. Then an appeals court ruled that he should stand trial on terrorism charges. Diab remained in Canada throughout the trial, which started earlier this month. For those touched by the attack, the trial was a long-awaited opportunity to speak publicly about what happened. Survivors described years of physical and mental trauma. Some said the sound of motorcycles haunted them after that night. Families of those killed mourned lost children or siblings. Advertisement Prosecutors argued that Diab has been lying to himself for 40 years and is caught up in his denial and escape from reality. Diabs lawyer William Bourdon had pleaded for an acquittal, saying that convicting someone would be a judicial mistake. Amnesty International was among those which called for the court to drop what they called a flawed and baseless case, arguing that it undermines effective justice for victims. Some lawyers for the 18 people and six groups that were party to the case acknowledged that it was hard to build a case so many years later, especially without the kind of DNA evidence or mobile phone data used in current investigations. US defence secretary Lloyd Austin has sought to tamp down any discord between America and its allies over the massive leak of classified documents. He addressed the subject in his opening remarks at a meeting on Friday between defence leaders from around the world to co-ordinate additional military aid to Ukraine. The move underscored the gravity of the situation, since many of the documents distributed online revealed details on the status of the war in Ukraine and the ongoing delivery of weapons and other equipment to Ukrainian forces in battle intelligence matters the other defence officials are keenly involved in. I take this issue very seriously, Mr Austin said at the start of the daylong session at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. From left: German defence minister Boris Pistorius, US chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley, US defence secretary Lloyd Austin and Ukrainian minister of defence Oleksii Reznikov, attend the opening meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group at Ramstein Air Base in Germany (Matthias Schrader/AP) Advertisement And we will continue to work closely and respectfully with our deeply valued allies and partners. Mr Austin said he had spoken to allies and partners about the matter, adding: Ive been struck by your solidarity and your commitment to reject efforts to divide us. And we will not let anything fracture our unity. The meeting marks the one-year anniversary of the creation by Mr Austin of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group. It is the 11th time the defence leaders have met to co-ordinate aid to the invaded country. They have vowed to support Ukraine in its fight against Russian forces for as long as it takes. Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 21 April 2023. Find out more about Defence Intelligence's use of language: https://t.co/7roj2tSGqf #StandWithUkraine pic.twitter.com/3DOdWH0iG8 Ministry of Defence (@DefenceHQ) April 21, 2023 But the document leaks pose a multi-pronged concern. Some allies in the room may be more wary about sharing intelligence and other information with the US. fearing it might spill out to the public. Others may worry that the US will clamp down on its own dissemination of intelligence involving the war, leaving them less informed. Advertisement The unease comes at a crucial time. Ukrainian leaders are gearing up for the launch of a spring counteroffensive to try and take back territory gained by the Russians, hoping to give Kyiv a stronger position if the warring sides try to negotiate peace. So far, Mr Austin and others have insisted the intelligence leak has not driven a wedge between the US and its allies and partners. But the breach exposing closely held intelligence has sparked international concern and raised fresh questions about Americas ability to safeguard its secrets. US airman Jack Teixeira, a member of the Massachusetts Air National Guard, has been charged under the Espionage Act with unauthorised retention and transmission of classified national defence information. Today, Defence Secretary @BWallaceMP met his Swiss counterpart @Violapamherd in London where they signed a new statement of intent to deepen collaboration on military training and technology sharing while honouring Swiss military neutrality. pic.twitter.com/YsbEu3mqDv Ministry of Defence (@DefenceHQ) April 20, 2023 He served as an information technology specialist and held a top secret security clearance, which gave him access to highly classified programmes. Teixeira, 21, is accused of sharing highly classified military documents about Russias war in Ukraine and other top national security issues in a chat room on Discord, a social media platform that started as a hangout for gamers. Advertisement US air force leaders said earlier this week that they were investigating how a lone airman could access and distribute possibly hundreds of highly classified documents. The air force has also taken away the intelligence mission from the Air National Guard 102nd Intelligence Wing based in Cape Cod, where Teixeira served, pending further review. Sheesh. Just as Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey had a stranglehold on whacky story of the week they could legit be biological brothers via the same hitman dad! up pops massive pest Lidia Thorpe. Again. Thorpes latest trick is no mean feat: a life ban from Melbourne strip club Maxines for outrageous behaviour that dragged down the venues rep. Sorry, who gets blackballed from a strip club? Leave it to Lidia, for quarrelling with blokes on a footpath at 3am, sledging one as marked and another as having a small penis. Senator Lidia Thorpe trades barbs with a group of men outside a strip club on Sunday. Credit: 7News The men were just as happy to hurl insults at Thorpe, calling her a racist dog. Indeed, she suggested that it was these racist comments which provoked her tirade. One asked the question that is as hot button as the McConaughey and Harrelson paternity intrigue, but perhaps with inferior syntax: How the f--- does someone get in parliament like you? But for me, the real question is different. Lidia Thorpe: villain or warrior? According to the agreed facts, Fineff began working for financial planning and investment business Sentinel Wealth Management, in Sydneys CBD, in 2010. By July 2019, he had a salary package of $160,000 plus performance bonuses, which he often achieved, of about $15,000. The court heard Fineff was questioned by Sentinel managing director Justin Hooper in early 2020 after a client couple reported being offered an investment via text, which they found unusual. In a five-page handwritten letter to his boss, Fineff admitted to having a gambling addiction and being in debt. Later that day, Fineff sent two emails to Hooper including his estimated debt and a spreadsheet of loans owed to his clients. The disease got me. I lost control and ended up losing it all, he wrote. The court heard the personal loans from his victims were outside his usual role. In a 5 hour police interview, Fineff claimed the dealings were in a personal capacity. Fineffs victims ranged in age from their 30s to their 80s. Many were elderly, including one woman who died from breast cancer in 2021. Fineff, who is bankrupt, has not repaid the funds. He told his victims he had a gambling addiction and gambled everything he owned. In one apology, he sent an email with the subject line: Important, Im sorry. Gavin Fineff defrauded a dozen clients of more than $3.3 million. Credit: Laura Chung The court heard most of Fineffs gambling was on horse racing and conducted online. His total loss to betting agencies Ladbrokes and Sportsbet/BetEasy was more than $4.4 million between June 2014 and March 2020. This is a huge amount of money to have lost gambling, the judge said, adding that there did not appear to have been an attempt by the companies to identify the source of the funds Fineff was wagering with them. His losses to Betfair and Tabcorp were not identified in the facts. As the level of Fineffs gambling escalated, he was given VIP status and assigned a personal customer service manager. He said he received a total of $3.1 million in incentives from Ladbrokes and Sportsbet, and at one point was given a credit of $50,000 which he was reported to have lost within 40 minutes, before a further $50,000 was credited the next day. In an article published in The Sydney Morning Herald in October 2020, Fineff described the incentives as like a drug dealer handing out free heroin to people. The judge said on Friday: It is hard to argue with the accuracy of that analogy. While there is no doubt the responsibility for the offenders criminal behaviour lies squarely with him, one cannot ignore as a matter of context, that the companies with whom he gambled promoted an environment which provided him not only with the opportunity to do so, but actively encouraged him, OBrien said. To the extent this conduct of providing incentives to VIP customers is typical of the approach taken by gambling companies, then in my opinion, it warrants review, by both the industry itself, and those charged with the responsibility of regulating it. He found Fineff has excellent prospects of rehabilitation, having attended more than 200 Gamblers Anonymous meetings, been involved in conferences and media appearances concerning gambling reform and contributed to parliamentary debate, including with independent MP Andrew Wilkie. He [Wilkie] speaks positively of the assistance provided by the offender in the development of laws aimed at reforming the gambling industry, the judge said of correspondence tendered in court. Documents provided by chief executive of Alliance for Gambling Reform Carol Bennett and advocate the Reverend Tim Costello also spoke to Fineffs preparedness to engage with them and his courage. The judge accepted Fineff had applied himself diligently to important issues of gambling reform, adding that, while it was unlikely to provide solace to victims, it was an aspect of his subjective case. Loading He was further satisfied Fineffs personality disorder and complex post-traumatic stress disorder meant his moral culpability was slightly moderated, but said his gambling disorder was in a different category, and did not ameliorate that culpability. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has permanently banned Fineff from providing any financial services or having any part in a financial services business, and described the move as necessary to prevent future harm to clients of such businesses. At the time of Fineffs arrest in May 2021, Hooper told the Herald that he had been informed by Fineff of the allegations when police began investigating in March 2020. He was never permitted back at the company. He never set foot in the office again, Hooper said. The 55-year-old, who spent two decades working in China, was allegedly given envelopes of cash by two Chinese spy operatives known as Ken and Evelyn to prepare reports on Australian defence and economic matters including the AUKUS security pact, iron ore and lithium. Rather than spying, Csergos barrister Bernard Collaery said his client had simply provided information from open-source documents as part of a consulting arrangement. While Csergo was aware Ken and Evelyn probably worked for a foreign intelligence service, Collaery said this was simply the way things worked in China and there was nothing sinister about their interactions. Alexander Csergo (inset) appeared in court facing one charge of reckless foreign interference after he was arrested in Bondi on Friday (right). Credit: LinkedIn/AFP The barrister also said his client would be pursuing the Commonwealth for ruining his career and business. The case is set to return to court in mid-June. Like Lu and Chen in New York, Csergo is presumed innocent until found guilty by a court. Sam Boarder, a former Australian intelligence official who now works at advisory firm McGrathNichol, said the allegations in both cases stood out for their old-school, low-tech nature. Although there had been an explosion in cyber-espionage and hacking, he said, speaking generally, the traditional human element of foreign interference and intelligence-gathering remained vital. In some ways there has been a return to form, he says, pointing to a resumption of international travel following COVID-19 restrictions and the increased emphasis governments are placing on cybersecurity. In a separate case that is still before the courts, former US fighter pilot Daniel Duggan, who became an Australian citizen in 2012, has been accused of helping train Chinese military pilots. He is facing extradition to the US on charges of arms trafficking and money laundering. He denies the charges and his legal team has raised claims authorities may have unlawfully lured him from China to Australia so he could be arrested on behalf of the US and extradited. Meanwhile, Canadian politics has been roiled by a foreign interference scandal, with leaked reports emerging from its top intelligence agency that China has tried to meddle with its past two federal elections. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reportedly received a national security briefing in which he was told that Chinas consulate in Toronto had targeted 11 candidates nine members of Trudeaus Liberal Party and two opposing Conservatives in the 2019 federal election. Prime Minister Trudeau has been under pressure over alleged Chinese meddling in Canadian politics. Credit: The Canadian Press Canadian State Intelligence Service director David Vigneault told Trudeau that there was no indication that Chinas interference efforts had helped elect any of the candidates, despite the consulates attempts to promote the campaigns on social media and in Chinese-language media outlets. Last month Han Dong, a member of Trudeaus party, stepped down over allegations he was involved in Chinese political interference by lobbying a Chinese diplomat to keep two Canadians imprisoned in China. Dong has denied any wrongdoing and has sued Canadian media outlets for defamation for alleging he was a witting participant in a Beijing-backed foreign interference network. I dont know if in our lifetime, weve seen democracy in a more precarious place, Trudeau said last month. Many state actors and non-state actors want to foster instability here and elsewhere, to advance their own interests. The Australian, American and Canadian examples each have distinct features. But viewed together they show how, just as terrorism was the principal national security challenge in the two decades after the September 11 attacks, foreign interference is the defining generational task of security agencies today. Thats because of the rise of great power competition between the United States and China, but also because of Russias increased revanchism under Vladimir Putin. ASIOs director-general of security, Mike Burgess, says foreign interference has overtaken terrorism as the nations principal security threat. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen ASIO director-general Mike Burgess made this point last year when he announced that espionage and foreign interference had supplanted terrorism as his agencys principal security concern. A few months later he downgraded the terror threat level from probable to possible, another sign the nation had entered a new national security era. In a parliamentary submission released this week, Burgess said that more Australians were being targeted by hostile foreign powers and their proxies than at any time in the nations history including at the height of the Cold War. Hostile powers, Burgess said, are aggressively seeking secrets across all parts of Australian society. They are targeting our security clearance holders, those with access to Australias most privileged information, capabilities and secrets. Since the announcement of AUKUS, there has been a distinct uptick in the online targeting of people working in Australias defence industry. In his annual threat assessment, delivered earlier this year, Burgess said it felt like his agency was locked in hand-to-hand combat with foreign spies, adding it was important to dispel any sense that espionage is some romantic Cold War notion. Mike Rogers, former head of US Cyber Command, has warned Australia is becoming a more attractive target for espionage. Credit: Oscar Coleman Mike Rogers, who headed the US National Security Agency and Cyber Command during the Obama and Trump administrations, told The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age earlier this year that Australias increased stature on the global stage made it a prime target for both Chinese and Russian spying. The nation will become an increasingly alluring honeypot for foreign spies as it acquires top-secret nuclear-powered submarine technology from the US and Britain under the AUKUS pact, he added. A similar story is playing out across the other members of the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing partnership, which comprises Australia, Canada, Britain, the US and New Zealand. Loading Earlier this year, Adam Fisher, director-general of intelligence assessments at the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, said that terrorism was no longer the chief concern of Canadas security agencies. The threats to Canada now are from espionage and foreign interference, he told the Canadian House of Commons. In the US, FBI director Chris Wray last year said he was blown away by the scale of Chinese spying and revealed the FBI was opening a new China-related counter-intelligence investigation on average every 12 hours. There is no country that presents a broader, more severe threat to our innovation, our ideas and our economic security than China does, he said. On the same day as the US Justice Department announced the charges related to the alleged secret police station, it also charged 34 people with using social media to harass and threaten Chinese dissidents, as well as trying to amplify division in the US and undermine confidence in the countrys democratic processes. Separately, it also charged former Zoom employee Julien Jin with removing content critical of the Chinese government and fabricating evidence of terms-of-service violations to shut down virtual meetings organised by those critical of the CCP. These charges stand out for their emphasis on political activity, while prosecutors had previously focused on economic espionage and the theft of American intellectual property. Charles Sturt University professor Clive Hamilton, who has written two books on Chinas foreign interference efforts, said he was disappointed only two people had been charged with foreign interference in Australia since new laws were passed with much fanfare in 2018. Loading In the US, the FBI is launching prosecution after prosecution, but here there has been an extreme reluctance to use the laws, he said. And its not limited to China. This week the US Justice Department announced charges against four US citizens and three Russian nationals for allegedly working on behalf of the Russian government to conduct a multi-year foreign malign influence campaign in the United States. This allegedly involved funding US political groups to act as unregistered illegal agents of the Russian government as well as sowing discord and spreading pro-Russian propaganda. According to the indictment, Russian operatives clandestinely funded and directed the political campaign of a candidate in Florida local elections and intended to replicate the scheme in other parts of the country. In Australia, The Age and Herald reported ASIO disrupted a hive of Russian spies posing as embassy and consular staff, persuading them to leave the country rather than face criminal charges. Former Australian intelligence official Boarder said there was a difference of emphasis between the US and Australia. While the FBI had both an intelligence-gathering and law enforcement function, in Australia those responsibilities were split between ASIO and the federal police. The US system has focused on prosecution, whereas here the focus has been on stopping the harm, he said. Disruption can be achieved in a variety of ways and may occur prior to the point at which a criminal case could be successfully prosecuted. The case of the alleged CCP police station in New York raises an obvious question. Do such outposts exist in Australia, which has a Chinese-Australian community of 1.4 million people? According to Safeguard Defenders a non-profit investigative group that revealed the existence of the Manhattan police station the answer is yes. Cameron Compton is still paying the mortgage for an empty lot in Knoxfield where his four-bedroom family home should be taking shape. But when his builder Hallbury Homes went into liquidation earlier this year, there was no government bailout to save his deposit of almost $40,000. Cameron Compton at his empty block of land in Knoxfield. Credit: Simon Schluter Just two months later, Premier Daniel Andrews announced a $15 million rescue package to compensate 560 families whose deposits should have been protected through insurance following the collapse of a different, larger builder, Porter Davis. Compton was one of just eight customers left without insurance when Hallbury Homes went into liquidation. Unlike after the Porter Davis liquidation, there was no protest from consumers on the steps of the Victorian parliament or sustained media pressure. Sarah Tehan is a member of My Places Mansfield closed Facebook group where the event was promoted, but her husband is not. While the Tehans declined to comment, a Mansfield Shire spokesman said the gathering was not a council event. The mayor is not a member of any of the groups mentioned in the questions received [from The Age] and does not support them or their ideologies, the spokesman said. Mansfield Mayor James Tehan. Credit: Mansfield Shire Council (Facebook) Whittlesea Council has also employed security at its recent meetings following advice from Victoria Police to ensure those attending the meeting and our staff and administrators can feel safe. To date, our meetings have continued to run in person without major disruption; we will continue to monitor the situation, a spokeswoman said. In the past six months, My Place activists and overlapping anti-lockdown freedom groups have staged rallies at council meetings against climate change policies, council-backed events involving drag queens and what they believe to be citizen surveillance. Interstate, Salisbury and Onkaparinga councils in South Australia and Cessnock Council in NSW have also been targeted by protesters calling for citizens arrests and railing against CCTV programs and 15-minute cities. Conspiracy theorists believe the urban planning concepts of 15- or 20-minute cities, which aim to offer residents key services within walking distance of their homes, are actually a ploy to keep people locked in their suburbs. A photo of the Living Free event at Mansfield Mayor James Tehans farm on March 25 attended by about 100 people. This week, video emerged of a My Place Greensborough chapter meeting where followers discussed meeting last week with a councillor from Banyule Council, Alison Champion, who they claimed was very receptive to their views on 20-minute cities, drag queens and surveillance. I understand that Alison is sympathetic towards us, a Greensborough My Place member relays to other chapter members in the recording, which was posted on Facebook. Another member at the meeting with the councillor relayed to the Greensborough group that Champion clearly stipulated that she would talk about things openly with us, but she will not put them in an email, or she wont put them in writing. But shell be very open about her views when shes face to face. Champion declined to respond to questions from The Age, referring inquiries to the council. It is not known if she shares the views propagated by My Place members. Loading In a statement, Mayor Peter Castaldo said Banyule increasingly had individuals and groups actively presenting their views to council through letters and at council meetings on topics like vaccination requirements, 20-minute cities and other topics. We respect peoples right to have and express those views and its not uncommon for councillors to meet with community members to understand and listen to local views even if we dont agree with them, he said. Within a group of councillors you will always have different views and thats part of the democratic process. The activities have attracted the attention of Local Government Minister Melissa Horne, who when asked about My Place and the Mansfield events, she said: Councillors should not use their position to promote intolerance, division or hate. Councillors and council staff work for local communities and they have every right to a safe workplace. While public debate is fundamental to democracy, it must be respectful. There is no place for threatening or aggressive behaviour. Loading In making the call to close his public gallery, Yarra Ranges Mayor Jim Childs said his council had tried to accommodate the groups and their requests. Despite trying to engage, understand and respond to members of the gallery behaving this way, our efforts have not resulted in the desired outcome, and we are not prepared to enable this behaviour to continue at our public meetings, he said. He told ABC Radio Melbourne on Friday that he personally had felt threatened in a meeting. As theyre departing the gallery, I get eyeballed by members of this group, and then yelling abuse and saying, well, youre on notice now. Now, what does that actually mean? Our councillors are elected by the residents of Yarra Ranges. They shouldnt be threatened like that. The My Place networks reach has also extended beyond councils. Last week, My Place followers threatened to stake out and track down drag queens who were scheduled to host a childrens event at a Chelsea cafe in Melbournes south-east. My Place is the brainchild of Frankston builder Darren Bergwerf, who unsuccessfully contested the state and federal elections as an independent candidate last year. He established the first chapter of My Place in Frankston in June last year, and now boasts more than 100 chapters across the country. In social media broadcasts, he says My Places purpose is to create parallel communities that are divorced from mainstream society. Frankston builder and carpenter Darren Bergwerf established the My Place network. Credit: Darren4Dunkley (website) Bergwerf would not give his phone number to The Age and agreed to speak only via a messaging service after his last experience with the media, which was a TV interview with the ABC. He did not answer questions about his beliefs but distanced himself from threats towards those involved in the Chelsea drag queen show after they became public, and vowed to act against those who were involved. While the groups promote sharing organic food and self-sufficiency, Bergwerf has recently shared multiple antisemitic videos and posts on My Place channels, and in his ABC TV appearance would not accept that the Holocaust had occurred. In early April, he issued a video apology for the posts and the Holocaust comments, but antisemitic videos about Zionists harvesting human meat and committing pedo crimes shared by Bergwerf remain online. At one event at a Mansfield pub in Victorias high country, Bergwerf described local councils as corporate entities, which are seeking to undermine property rights. So its up to us to stand up and take the power back, he said in a recording of the meeting. The Age does not assert that Bergwerf is himself an extremist, only that extreme views are espoused on the online platform he established. During his Mansfield address, Bergwerf encouraged people to attend council meetings in a collaborative, informative way not combative. Humanities lecturer Dr Kaz Ross, who independently researches Australian far-right extremism and conspiracy groups, said the rise of the sovereign citizen movement including My Place was concerning because adherents believed all levels of government were invalid. The heart of the sovereign citizen movement is, [governments] have no authority over me. Police have no authority over me. And therefore that can be taken to the extreme, she said. Ross is among a growing number of experts and security organisations who fear sovereign citizen rhetoric can have violent consequences, citing the conspiracy-fuelled killings of two police officers and a resident in outback Queensland as an example of where authorities fear anti-government ideologies can lead. Deakin University extremism expert Dr Josh Roose, who has analysed multiple Bergwerf speeches, said he appeared genuine and authentic to followers, but he was concerned by elements of his rhetoric. Hes talked about people being awake or a mass awakening, and that his job is to wake up the masses, he said. Hes careful to avoid violent talk, but its implicit in the messaging. The idea of a great reset is an inherently violent one. ASIO has flagged concerns about sovereign citizen ideology after adherents set fire to Old Parliament House in Canberra during a protest in January 2022. Protesters set the front of the Old Parliament House alight last last year. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen My husband and I are travelling to the Greek Islands in September. We have three weeks including travel time. Any suggestions for stopovers and the best islands for that time of the year? P. Lucas, Brisbane, Qld Bangkok is exciting, fun, great value and perfect if you like Thai food and while Dubai and Qatar are closer to your destination, and better for recovering from jet lag, theyre more expensive. My first stop on an island-hopping tour out of Piraeus would be Hydra, or Idra, celebrated as a refuge for writers, poets, musicians and dreamers since the 1970s, and still known for its bohemian tastes. There are no cars on the island, adding to its charm. September is a good time to visit the Cycladic Islands since the summer crowds should have departed and my next stop would be Paros, one of the most attractive of all the islands, with its villages of sugar-cube houses clustered around tiny harbours filled with dancing fishing boats. Next stop, Santorini, a surreal hunk of red rock that erupts from the sea, with glittering white houses and blue-domed churches fastened to the rim of its cliffs. Best place to stay is Oia, the smaller of the two main villages and easily the winner in any beauty contest. Finally, Crete, largest of all the Greek Islands, the source of myths and legends, site of some of the most flagrantly beautiful scenery in the Mediterranean including mountains that rear up to 2400 metres and towns that weave together Turkish bathhouses, Venetian fortifications and Byzantine architecture. My partner and I will spend four weeks travelling around Switzerland, Austria and Hungary in May and June. After Vienna we head to Budapest for four nights before departing for Australia 12 days later. Can you suggest an itinerary for the eight days between Vienna and Hungary? V. Pryse, South Yarra, Vic Vienna to Budapest is just a 2-hour train journey and theres nothing between them thats likely to keep you occupied for eight days. But from Vienna youre spoiled for choice. To the south youve got the mountains and lakes of Slovenia, Slovakias Bratislava is just 90 minutes train trip to the east, Prague is a half-day rain journey or you could fly to Polands former royal capital of Krakow in an hour. Without even leaving the borders of Austria youve got some wonderful cities including Salzburg, Innsbruck and Klagenfurt and if the Sound of Music landscapes appeal, there is hardly anywhere better for alpine walking. GET ONLINE Cruise ships usually charge exorbitant prices for Wi-Fi in cabins - it can be $400 for seven days - is there a SIM card for use on Mediterranean cruises? C. Sinclair, West Pennant Hills, NSW Its difficult to achieve connectivity without using your cruise operators satellite-based system. Even with a local SIM card, youd need to be in range of a land-based cell tower for that to work and apart from those times when youre docked, thats not likely to happen. However getting yourself online via your vessels Wi-Fi network is a lot less expensive than in the past. For example Carnivals Premium Wi-Fi plan starts at $21.25 per day, aboard Holland Americas ships the Premium Plan costs $US20 ($30) per day. ON SAFARI Together with three other family members, were planning an 8-12 day safari trip to Africa in December. We dont have a huge budget ($2500-$4500 each) and we want to avoid long daily drives between camps. We want to see the big five, Okavango Delta and Victoria Falls with a side trip to see gorillas if possible. S. Clarke, Como, NSW That suggests a camping safari, and you can expect an early morning game drive which might last until 9.30 or 10, and another in late afternoon. Transfers between camps usually happen in the middle of the day, when theres not too much else happening. However, some camping safaris involve six to 10 hour drives between overnight stops and that is going to impact on the amount of time you have available for game viewing. Its also not much fun. With the time available youre better off focussing on just one region, and Botswanas Okavango Delta has much of what youre looking for. What you could do is fly into Maun from where the safari camps in the delta are just a short drive away. African Budget Safaris (africanbudgetsafaris.com) has several camping and budget lodge-based safaris in this area that do not involve long trips between camps. You can fly from Maun to Victoria Falls but both time and budget put the gorillas out of reach. Rwanda and Uganda are the most reliable and safest options but either would add several days to your itinerary, and the steep cost of trekking permits, guides and accommodation in the highlands where they live make this an expensive experience. Bellingham Washington: A ban on dozens of semi-automatic rifles has cleared the Washington state legislature and the governor, Jay Inslee, was expected to sign it into law. The Washington law would block the sale, distribution, manufacture and importation of more than 50 gun models, including AR-15s, AK-47s and similar rifles. High-powered firearms once banned nationwide are now the weapon of choice among young men responsible for most of the countrys devastating mass shootings. Different AR-15 style rifles for sale at the Firing-Line indoor range and gun shop in Aurora, Colorado. Credit: AP The ban comes after multiple failed attempts in the states legislature, and amid the most mass shootings during the first 100 days of a calendar year since 2009. Allana Stimpson, a new broker based on Queenslands Gold Coast, said she left the banks for brokerage Go Mortgage to better help clients solve the big puzzle faced when taking out a loan. Having worked as a home finance manager for seven years at major banks Commonwealth Bank and Westpac, Stimpson said she wanted to be able to offer more lending choice to customers. The move from bank to broker was mainly driven by what I could provide my customers as options for their lending products, she said. Working for an individual bank, you are restricted to only one set of credit policy and one set of lending products available for customers, which is not going to fit everyone. I wanted to be able to broaden my product offerings and credit solutions for customers so the move into a role of a mortgage broker was the next step. Stimpson said that, when compared with her home lending roles in the banks, she could now offer more tailored product and policy offerings. The fun part of being a mortgage broker is being able to see a customer who has unique requirements for their lending and investigate the banks that will fit to these requirements. Its like a big puzzle finding the right lender that will suit that customers financial or situational requirements is like finding that final piece of the puzzle. Inspired by real estate projects from a young age It was the property acquisition and interior design projects undertaken by her mother than planted the seeds of Stimpsons interest in property from a young age. Every home I lived in growing up was beautifully presented and as I got older, my mum started to buy older homes and we would live in them while she renovated it from the inside out, she said. I loved being a part of the process to see a property completely transform and made into your own with your own style and flair. This is where my interest was sparked. She got me involved in these projects in my teenage years as studying interior design was one of my desired pathways out of school but I always tended to be better at the budgeting and mathematical side of the renovations as opposed to the interior design element. I found a way in my career to be involved in property development by using my skills within mathematics and finance which is why the role of mortgage broker made sense. Stimpson also developed that other very important broker skill - customer service which led to her getting her first job in banking as a customer service specialist in her early 20s. I had been working within customer service since the age of 14 through the retail industry, she said. My interest in banking had always been there, so I started gaining more knowledge when I started self-educating on financial products and services before getting my first job in banking. Within 12 months, Stimpson had moved into home lending and then on being seconded to two bank branches that did not have a home lender at the time and being asked to make them successful within three months, Stimpson said that safe to say, I made it work. Going for growth at Go Mortgage Stimpson said she decided to join one of the Gold Coasts leading brokerages, Go Mortgage, for the chance to work with and learn from owners Xavier and Kylie Quenon, who are regular award winners. Before I had even met with Xavier and Kylie, I had done my research on them, she said. Xavier is one of the best, if not the best, mortgage broker in the Gold Coast, with both him, Kylie, other members of the team, and the business itself receiving countless awards for their excellent work in mortgage brokering and customer service. Xavier and Kylies passion is to provide a positive and excellent customer service experience, which was in line with my values and what drives me. When I met with them, it fell into place quick. Xavier is a gun mortgage broker with a wealth of experience and knowledge so what better person to learn from to be the best mortgage broker I can be? Looking towards the future, Stimpson said that she hoped that she would do the Go Mortgage name proud as a mortgage broker. I want to help build this business to grow even bigger and cement Go Mortgage as the top mortgage broker agency in the Gold Coast. What inspired you to get into broking and do you still have the same passion? Share your thoughts or stories on this topic in the comments section below. Queen Elizabeth II wishes Camilla Parker-Bowles to become Queen Consort in Prince Charles' reign. (Photo: Steve Parsons/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo) As King Charles's Coronation approaches, the UK public has expressed disapproval of Camilla's new title as Queen. In a recent survey conducted among 1,569 British adults between March 24 and 27, a mere 14% believed Camilla should be called Queen, while 36% preferred the title Queen Consort. Additionally, 23% of respondents felt Camilla should have no title at all, and 16% thought she should retain her Duchess of Cornwall title. Camilla's official title as Queen was unveiled for the first time on the King's coronation invitation, with her status set to change forever, seven months after the late Monarch's death. A senior Palace source explained the rationale behind the change: "It made sense to refer to Her Majesty as The Queen Consort in the early months of His Majesty's reign, to distinguish from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. 'Queen Camilla' is the appropriate title to set against 'King Charles' on the invitation. The Coronation is an appropriate time to start using 'Queen Camilla' in an official capacity." Regarding broader questions about the monarchy, the Deltapoll survey found that only 23% were in favor of a republic, and 51% believed Britain would still have a monarchy in 50 years. When asked who had done the most damage to the monarchy's reputation, 46% named Prince Andrew, while 43% chose Prince Harry. In terms of role models, 71% of respondents viewed William and Kate more favorably, with only 14% selecting Meghan and Harry. The survey also revealed that 73% believed Charlotte and Louis should eventually work to earn money, 79% wanted Prince Andrew removed from the line of succession, and 64% wished to remove Harry. Overall, 64% of those surveyed believed King Charles would be a good monarch. Symposium to examine queer, feminist Yugoslav diaspora Just a few days ago, an individual who saw the announcement of the symposium wrote me a message stating that it has been so nice to find a world that they have been looking for, and waiting for, all their life. The four-day hybrid event will be held April 24-27 at sites throughout the North Campus, as well as via Zoom. UB will host a symposium the first of its kind in North America addressing the displacement of former Yugoslavian feminists and LGBTQ+ individuals. Queer and Feminist Yugoslav Diaspora: Art, Film, and Activism brings together scholars, artists, film directors and activists working from within the Yugoslav diaspora context. The symposium will feature multiple panels and film screenings, a keynote lecture, master class, book launch, dance party and an in-person performance. The symposium and its events are free and open to the public. The full schedule, including Zoom links for those events being held virtually, can be found on the symposiums website. We have a phenomenal lineup of scholars, artists, filmmakers and activists, many who are currently in the U.S. and Canada, and many who are in Eastern Europe and will join us by Zoom, says Sarah JM Kolberg, a PhD candidate in visual studies, and adjunct faculty member in the Department of Media Study, where she teaches screenwriting, immigration and film. The symposium is being co-organized by Kolberg, Jasmina Tumbas, associate professor of contemporary art history and performance studies and director of graduate studies in the Department of Global Gender and Sexuality Studies, and Dijana Jelaca, a faculty member in the Film Department at Brooklyn College, CUNY, and an Office of International Education Global Research Scholar in Residence at UB. There is great need and interest within our Yugoslav diasporic communities to discuss our migration histories and our connections to the complex region of former Yugoslavia, especially for those of us who are invested in resisting what diaspora scholar Gayatri Gopinath has called the heteronormative and patrilineal terms of conventional articulations of diaspora, Tumbas explains. Tumbas, whose first book, I Am Jugoslovenka! Feminist Performance Politics During & After Yugoslav Socialism, has recently been published by Manchester University Press Rethinking Arts Histories series, says that to be part of the Yugoslav diaspora means to be connected to the complicated history of socialist Yugoslavia (1945-92), a country that was built on principles of anti-fascism and gender equality, but was shattered by civil war in the 1990s and the rise of political conservatisms throughout the region. Many of us living in the diaspora share a sense of rootedness within a socialist cultural context that no longer exists and which is often misunderstood, disregarded or sometimes completely unknown in our new home countries and the post-Yugoslav region, Tumbas says. Traditional diasporic communities often further isolate, discriminate against and exclude feminists and LGBTQ+ individuals, who end up permanently displaced in more ways than one, according to Tumbas. She says that in addition to losing a country to war and experiencing pressure to continually assimilate to the worldviews of new cultural contexts indifferent to, or unaware of, the traumatic history of Yugoslav disintegration, the queer and feminist Yugoslav diaspora is without a home and has had few platforms within the arts, academy and culture to flourish, especially in North America. Just a few days ago, an individual who saw the announcement of the symposium wrote me a message stating that it has been so nice to find a world that they have been looking for, and waiting for, all their life. For many of us, this rings true, and I, too, have been waiting for a long time to have this important opportunity to exchange ideas, histories, perspectives and visions for our future in the context of the Yugoslav diaspora and its embodied queer and feminist legacies, Tumbas says. When asked about the importance of organizing a symposium like this, Tumbas says that several conversations, including with trans filmmaker and producer Orson Bogovic, who is also a symposium participant and founder of DIASPORAMA, a Belgrade-based production office that focuses on transnational and minoritarian film productions, helped set things in motion. In general, the inspiration for me has been the work of many Yugoslav colleagues, especially Dr. Dijana Jelaca, whose extensive engagement with feminist and queer approaches to film in the former Yugoslavia and today was formative for my own writing and research, Tumbas says. Jelaca and I began discussions about the symposium in the fall, when we applied for her to come to UB as the OIE Global Research Scholar in Residence to co-organize the symposium, which we were thankfully granted In addition to serving as a moderator for multiple panels and screening films, Jelaca will be the keynote speaker, and is also leading a master class on Queer and Feminist Yugoslav Diaspora in Film for the symposium. I am thrilled that our students and faculty will have the chance to work with Jelaca at UB, Tumbas says. I would love to host something like this annually. My hope is that this first iteration will inspire interest and support, and that we can begin to have discussions about future symposia dedicated to the queer and feminist Yugoslav diaspora. The symposium, co-sponsored by the College of Arts and Sciences, is also being held in celebration of Pride Month, which is held during April at colleges and universities across the country instead of June, when there are not as many students on campus. Why have some beauty traditions stood the test of time? Ahead, were delving into the beauty rituals from our grandmothers that actually work. Whether youre Malay, Indian or Chinese (or any mix of the three), living in Malaysia means youve probably been exposed to each culture in many different ways. Whether its through food (the most likely option), through heritage customs (we do love a good festival in these parts), or through beauty rituals, its likely that youve been immersed in our multicultural civilisation at one point or another. If youve clicked on this article, were going to assume that you know were focusing on the beauty side of things today. You see, there are so many traditional beauty rituals from our Malay, Chinese, and Indian communities that have been practised for centuries and have stood the test of time. Whether its using turmeric as a brightening mask, henna as a nail strengthener and hair dye, or green tea as a toner, were rounding up the best traditional beauty rituals our multicultural Malaysia has to offer. WATCH: Recreating 50 Years of Malaysias beauty history Henna View this post on Instagram A post shared by (@dr.azra) Popular in both Indian and Malay cultures, henna is a natural, plant-based dye that has a plethora of uses. The first, as youre likely most familiar with, is as a temporary tattoo for the skin. Decorating the body with henna is a celebratory ritual reserved for occasions like Hari Raya, weddings, or even birthdays. Henna is also used as a natural hair conditioner and hair dye, a natural treatment for skin conditions and a coagulant for open wounds, as well as an antifungal and antiseptic for the nails. Talk about a multitasker! READ: Henna 101: All you need to know about its benefits, cultural significance and more Gua Sha This massage technique, founded in traditional Chinese medicine, went viral over lockdown and has since become a staple in many beauty routines across the worldand for good reason. Gua sha essentially involves scraping the skin with a flat tool to improve circulation, promote lymphatic drainage, and reduce puffiness in the skin. The tool is typically made from jade or rose quartz, and the crystal it is made from is also thought to offer additional beauty and health benefits, though it has to be said that this is not supported by any scientific research. Either way, while the technique doesnt have permanent effects, it can be great for relaxing tight, tense muscles, pushing out lymphatic fluid to make your face look more chiselled and toned (temporarily), and making applying skincare a whole lot more fun! Green tea This is a popular ingredient from Chinese culture that has made its way into the beauty mainstream. Youll find green tea in toners, face masks and even creams at your local beauty storse, all of which promise smoother, brighter skin and reduced inflammation thanks to its antioxidant-rich hero ingredient. Turmeric View this post on Instagram A post shared by Arshia Moorjani (@arshiamoorjani) Turmeric is a spice youre probably used to tasting in your favourite Malay and Indian dishes, but its also a staple in many Indian beauty rituals. Touted for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, turmeric is often mixed with yoghurt and honey to create a face mask that brightens the skin, reduces acne, and promotes overall skin health (watch content creator Arshia Moorjani use the ingredient as a DIY concealer above!). It is also used as a natural hair dye and to promote hair growth and reduce dandruff. Acupuncture READ: 8 Best acupuncture treatment centres in the Klang Valley Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine practice that is believed to promote the flow of energy, or qi, throughout the body through the insertion of needles into specific points of the body. While were sure youre familiar with its supposed health benefits, acupuncture is also believed to have beauty benefits. Acupuncture facial rejuvenation is a popular treatment that is believed to reduce wrinkles, improve skin texture, and promote overall skin health. Studies have shown that acupuncture can improve skin elasticity and increase collagen production for an overall more youthful appearance. There must be truth to itafter all, celebrities like Madonna and Kim K have declared it the new Botox. WATCH: REVIEW: Facial acupuncture, face alignment and gua shais it worth the pain? Hair oiling If youve been on TikTok in the last few months, youll have seen this traditional technique go viral. Hair oiling is a traditional Indian practice that involves massaging the scalp with certain oils to promote hair growth, condition the hair, and even reduce dandruffdepending on the oil picked. Natural oils like coconut oil, almond oil, rosemary oil and castor oil are popular choices among Indian women, and all come with their own benefits. The oils themselves have a strengthening and de-frizzing effect on the hair, but the massage is what actually makes this technique so effective. By massaging the scalp, youre stimulating increased circulation to the scalp which then helps to bring more nutrients to the area, thus nourishing your hair better from the root. Of course, if youre keen on trying out this technique, just make sure that youre not leaving the oil on for extended periods of timethis can mess with your scalps natural pH and cause burning with sun exposure. Mandi Bunga Mandi Bungameaning floral bathis a traditional Malay and Indonesian bathing ritual that involves soaking in a tub of water infused with flowers and herbs. Similarly to aromatherapy, this ritual promotes relaxation and reduces stress. It is also believed to improve overall skin health thanks to the blend of flowers used in the bath, particularly rose, lavender, and coconut. For more beauty stories like this, click here. The DGCA had mandated a complete blackout of 5G services in airports across the country and areas within 2.1 kilometres radius due to safety concerns. To deal with this contentious issue, a meeting was held between stakeholders and the civil aviation regulator on Thursday. Telcos are pushing the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to impose a sunset clause within which airlines have to mandatorily replace their old altimeters with the latest one so that 5G spectrum airwave radiation in airports does not interfere with an aircrafts instruments. Brazil and some central American countries have also given a timeline within which the old altimeters have to be replaced. Indian telcos are urging the government to put in place a clear deadline on this, so that aircraft companies can execute the replacement. The telcos have informed the DGCA that representatives of Boeing and Airbus have shared details of what they are doing globally to resolve the issue. For instance, the US has given a deadline to change all the older altimeters by May 31 this year and the replacement of the altimeters is currently on. The aircraft companies have said that they can determine the maximum permissible radiation from a tower with 5G radios that would not interfere with the older altimeters. For this, telcos have to provide them with the details of their 5G antennas, so that it is possible for them to determine the power. A senior executive of a telco said: If the airlines are not given a clear deadline to change the altimeters by the DGCA, why should they do it voluntarily? It means that the aircraft will be grounded for a while and lose money. At present the replacements are being undertaken on a first-come-first-served basis. Also Read 5G radio count crosses 140K, Maharashtra tops chart, shows DoT data Most 5G BTS towers by Jio, Airtel are concentrated in just six states Flyers gone rogue can throw aircraft ops in peril, DGCA tells airlines 69% Go First flights delayed on average in past three days; DGCA to probe Are airline stocks set to fly high? RIL net profit rises 19% to Rs 19,299 crore in Q4 to highest ever CCI gives nod to Blackstone-Emerson Electric Co acquisition deal Meesho's monthly active users count about 55% of Amazon, Flipkart: Report Lyft plans job cuts, may hit 30% of employees as it struggles over profit India gets a taste of forbidden fruit as Apple forays into direct retail It has told telcos that there should not be any base station for the 3.3 GHz-3.67 GHz frequency range in the 2,100 metres from both ends of the runway and 910 meters from the central line of the runway. The ministry of civil aviation had asked telecom companies last year to create a buffer and safety zone to ensure mitigation measures while implementing C-band 5G spectrum in and around an airport. The move, according to telcos, would essentially mean that they would not be able to give 5G services on the crucial band in and around airports and in nearby residential and commercial areas. They point out that given the high cost of the spectrum they have paid for, the department of telecommunication should compensate them if they are not able to put it to commercial use at airports and nearby areas. Also, base stations beyond this zone, in a radius of 540 meters, can operate only at lower powers limited to 58 dBm of the same band, and telcos should ensure downward tilting of these 5G base stations to the extent that 5G signals do not interfere with radio altimeters. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) on Friday said it has granted its approval for the stake acquisition in climate technologies' business of Emerson Electric Co by BCP Emerald Aggregator LP. BCP Emerald Aggregator LP is an affiliate of US-based alternative asset manager Blackstone. The deal has been cleared under the green channel route. The proposed transaction relates to the acquisition by BCP Emerald Aggregator LP (Buyer) of a majority stake in the climate technologies business of Emerson Electric Co (Seller), according to CCI. The regulator has also approved the proposed investment by Stamford Bridge Investment Pte Ltd, an SPV of GIC (Ventures) and Platinum Falcon B 2018 RSC Ltd (Platinum), in BCP Emerald Aggregator LP. GIC (Ventures) is a subsidiary of Singapore's sovereign wealth fund GIC, while Platinum is an affiliate of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA). Also Read Blackstone CEO Steve Schwarzman takes home a record $1.27 bn in 2022 US Prez Biden's approval rating hits record high after midterms elections Blackstone in talks with Bain to sell $480 mn stake in top REIT: Report Blackstone to acquire majority stake in R Systems for Rs 2,904 crore Blackstone-backed Nexus files for $500 mn IPO in 1st retail REIT offer Meesho's monthly active users count about 55% of Amazon, Flipkart: Report Lyft plans job cuts, may hit 30% of employees as it struggles over profit India gets a taste of forbidden fruit as Apple forays into direct retail Log9 commissions country's first commercial Li-ion cell manufacturing line RIL's initiatives in digital connectivity driving efficiencies: Ambani Emerson Electric Co designs and manufactures products and delivers services to a wide range of industrial, commercial and consumer markets. Last year in October, Emerson announced that it will sell a majority stake in its climate technologies business to Blackstone. "There are no horizontal overlaps or existing and/or potential vertical or complementary relationships between the target business and the acquirers. "Accordingly, the proposed transaction is being filed as a green channel filing. As such, the transaction raises no risk of any adverse effect on competition," according to an update on the CCI website. Under the green channel route, a transaction which does not raise any risk of an appreciable adverse effect on competition is deemed to be approved on being intimated to the fair-trade regulator. A group of Credit Suisse investors have sued Swiss financial regulators after a government-engineered takeover of the struggling bank by rival UBS left them with billions in losses. The investors are contesting an order by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority, or FINMA, that wiped out about 16 billion Swiss francs (USD 17.3 billion) in higher-risk Credit Suisse bonds as part of an emergency rescue last month, lawyers said Friday. The hastily arranged, USD 3.25 billion deal prevented the downfall of Switzerland's second-largest bank after its stock plunged and customers rushed to pull out their money amid fears about long-running troubles at Credit Suisse and upheaval in the global financial system after the collapse of two U.S. banks. FINMA's decision undermines international confidence in the legal certainty and reliability of the Swiss financial center," said Thomas Werlen, managing partner in Switzerland for law firm Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan. The firm filed the complaint in Swiss federal court Wednesday on behalf of investors holding more than 4.5 billion Swiss francs (USD 5 billion) in the higher-risk bonds. "We are committed to rectifying this decision, which is not only in the interests of our clients but will also strengthen Switzerland's position as a key jurisdiction in the global financial system," Werlen said in a prepared statement Friday. Also Read UBS takes over Credit Suisse: Everything you need to know about the crisis Swiss govt temporarily suspends bonus payouts to Credit Suisse staffers Swiss prosecutors probe Credit Suisse ahead of its takeover by UBS Relief over Credit Suisse deal crumbles as focus shifts to bond risks UBS in talks to buy embattled Swiss rival Credit Suisse, says report Samsung's unionised workers to bring wage dispute to govt arbitration panel Toyota's new president Koji Sato vows to step up electric vehicle push Epic Games acquires game developer firm AQUIRIS to enhance Fortnite Twitter removes free verification mark, leaving thousands 'unchecked' To woo foreign investors, Tamil Nadu too clears bill allowing 12-hour work FINMA declined to comment but has defended the decision to wipe out bondholders. Typically, shareholders face losses before those holding bonds if a bank goes under. Following the 2008 financial crisis, European financial regulators use a special type of bond that is designed to provide a capital cushion to banks in times of distress. But those bonds are designed to be wiped out if a bank's capital falls below a certain level. Swiss regulators say contracts for these so-called Additional Tier 1, or AT1, bonds issued by Credit Suisse show that they could be written down in a viability event, particularly if the government offers extraordinary support. That happened after the Swiss executive branch passed emergency measures that provided billions in guarantees for the deal and allowed regulators to order a writedown of the bonds, FINMA said. The emergency rescue plan allowed the government to push through the deal without shareholder approval. Regulators also have called the takeover the best option that offered the least risk of fanning a wider crisis and damaging Switzerland's standing as a financial center. The lower house of Swiss parliament, in a symbolic vote last week, rebuked the rescue after the central bank and government splashed out more than 200 billion Swiss francs in guarantees. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered a detailed probe after an Air India pilot operating from Dubai to Delhi entertained a female friend in the cockpit. "DGCA is conducting an investigation into the matter. The Investigation team will examine the relevant facts," said a senior DGCA official. The official added that the incident happened on February 27 when an Air India pilot operating from Dubai to Delhi allegedly entertained a female friend in the cockpit. "The act violates aviation regulator DGCA safety norms," said the official. Further details are awaited. Earlier on April 18, a Delhi-bound Air India flight asked for a priority landing at Indira Gandhi International Airport after a suspected windshield crack. Also Read DGCA plans to hire 400 tech staff in 1-2 yrs; increase offices to 19: Chief A challenge to maintain, better India's aviation safety ranking: DGCA chief Nepal plane crash: Singapore's Transport Ministry to analyse black boxes DGCA to issue norms to compensate for tickets downgraded involuntarily AirAsia integrates pilot flight duty logbook with DGCA's eGCA platform Here's how K Krithivasan will spend his first six months as TCS CEO End to Twitter's legacy blue checkmarks; Pope losses tick, LeBron retains With nearly 100% stock returns in 16 months ITC is in no hurry to win Kumar Mangalam Birla returns to Vodafone Idea board as additional director Apollo pitches investors on deal to ease industrywide fundraising slump However, the aircraft landed normally. The flight originated from Pune. The pilot of the aircraft asked for a priority landing at Delhi airport after a suspected wind crack said source. On April 18, a Srinagar-bound SpiceJet flight returned to Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport after a false warning, the airline spokesperson said. "On April 18, a SpiceJet B737 aircraft operating flight SG-8373 (Delhi-Srinagar) returned to Delhi as the AFT cargo fire light illuminated the cockpit," the spokesperson said.s. According to the SpiceJet spokesperson, the light was later extinguished upon actions taken by the flight captain. "Before landing, all operational parameters were observed to be normal and the aircraft landed safely and passengers were deplaned normally," the spokesperson said. "Subsequently, upon opening of AFT cargo, no sign of fire or smoke was found and based on initial assessment, the warning was observed to be false," the spokesperson added. Twitters legacy blue checkmarks, which used to signify that a verified notable person was using the account, are now gone, with new owner Elon Musk preferring to include the icon in a paid subscription service instead. By Alex Barinka This is an authentic account representing the New York City Government, posted @NYCGov, providing a link to a government website for verificaiton. The move has already spurred confusion. Celebrities, government officials and other notable users that choose not to pay $8 per month for Twitter Blue, the premium version, have lost the familiar check next to their names on the app. Users immediately shared screenshots of their previous checkmarked profiles or offered other means of verification. Even the Pope lost his check. But some celebrities, inexplicably, retained theirs. My Twitter account says Ive subscribed to Twitter Blue. I havent, the author Stephen King tweeted. LeBron James, the athlete who previously said he wouldnt pay for a subscription, also has a blue check by his name. No youre not. THIS account is the only authentic Twitter account representing and run by the New York City Government, replied @NYC_GOVERNMENT. Also Read Thousands line up to view, pay respect to Pope Benedict at Vatican Have a Twitter blue tick? Buy a Blue subscription or lose it from April 1 Twitter Verified account follows no one, removes 420,000 legacy accounts Twitter Blue 'verification' rolled out in India, to cost Rs 719 per month Twitter Blue premium service is back, including 'verified' badges With nearly 100% stock returns in 16 months ITC is in no hurry to win Kumar Mangalam Birla returns to Vodafone Idea board as additional director Apollo pitches investors on deal to ease industrywide fundraising slump Wipro Consumer Care and Lighting to acquire spice brand Brahmins Demand outstrips supply to push residential rents 15.3% YoY: Magicbricks Musk changed the rules in part to spur an uptick in subscriptions, which Twitters billionaire owner has said is key to future revenue growth for the platform. Advertising revenue has declined by 50% between October and March, he tweeted last month. Im paying for a few personally, Musk tweeted. After earlier announcing the plans to remove the old checks, Musk extended the deadline to Thursday, to give some verified users more time to decide whether to pay for the service. Currently, only about 1% of its users subscribe to the program, called Twitter Blue. More than 500 million people use Twitter every month, Musk has said. A Tata Nexon EV caught fire in Pune and the company said the incident occurred due to the replacement of the original headlamp at an unauthorised workshop, according to media reports. "We understand that this vehicle recently underwent repairs, wherein the left headlamps were replaced at an unauthorised workshop," the company stated. According to Tata Motors, there were flaws with the car's installation and repair process, which resulted in an electrical breakdown in the headlamp unit, which ultimately allowed the thermal incident. The company also said that the affected area is concentrated only in the zone of repairs carried out. In order to minimise such mishaps, the company has also urged electric vehicle owners to have their vehicles serviced and repaired only at authorised workshops using on-spec components, accessories, and spare parts, the media reports said. This is the second time, a Tata Nexon EV caught fire. Also Read Tata launches Nexon EV MAX XM at Rs 16.49 lakh; to hit market by April 2023 Tata Motors Q3 preview: What to expect from auto major's quarterly results? Price war comes to EVs as Tata makes Nexon cheaper after M&M's new launch Auto Expo returns after 3 years; some prominent firms to skip event Hyundai Motor considers buying General Motors India's Talegaon plant assets Karnataka HC rejects Xiaomi's challenge to $676 mn asset freeze Growing fertility treatment market set to see spike in M&A activity Coca-Cola Company offers to return 35 acres of land to Kerala govt Google's move to make app makers use its new billing system faces backlash RIL may be a greater threat to D2C FMCG brands, says Kantar report In June 2022, a Tata Nexon EV caught fire in Mumbai. The EV car fire incident was reported from Vasai West (near Panchvati Hotel) in Mumbai, and the video of the Tata Nexon EV engulfed in fire went viral on social media. According to the video, the owner of the car charged his Nexon EV with a normal slow charger installed at his office. After driving about 5 km towards his house, he heard some weird sounds from the car and saw flashes of warnings on the dashboard which alerted him to stop the vehicle and get out of the car, media reports said. Later, firefighters were seen spraying water on the burning Nexon EV. --IANS shs/uk/ The move is likely to benefit sectors such as information technology, electronics, textile and non-leather footwear sectors. This may also suit Apple contractors such as Foxconn, Pegatron, and Wistron. Moving to India was part of the strategy by the global majors to become less reliant on manufacturing in China. Reports say Apple was looking to move at least a quarter of its manufacturing to India by 2025. To woo multinational corporations in setting their manufacturing units in Tamil Nadu, the assembly on Friday passed a Bill allowing 12-hour shifts, as compared to the previous eight. On February 24, Karnataka became the first state to allow 12-hour shifts in factories and night shifts for women, when it cleared the Factories (Karnataka Amendment) Bill 2023 without a debate as the Opposition walked out in protest. Following this, the worlds largest electronics manufacturer Foxconn best known for making Apples iPhones had a project in the state with an investment of about ~8,000 crore. The Tamil Nadu assembly passed the Factories Amendment Bill 2023 on Friday, amid walkouts by some of the allies of the ruling DMK, including the Left parties. According to media reports, the Act includes 12 hours working time, four days of work and three days off a week. The flexible working hours, including overtime and spread-over hours, which subsumes 13 labour enactment, will help develop better safety, health, and working conditions, apart from better remuneration to workers in the state. This initiative will help create large employment opportunities, said A Sakthivel, president, Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO). Tamil Nadu Industries Minister Thangam Thennarasu said law will be implemented in such a way that workers are not harmed in any way, targeting foreign companies. The 12-hour work Bill is likely to apply to those who work in the electronics sector, non-leather footwear manufacturing and software sector, Thennarasu added. According to the law, working for 48 hours a week is being kept. If the worker wants to work on the fifth day, after completing four days, the law provides the option of additional payment. Also Read Tamil Nadu says won't transfer land ownership to AAI for Coimbatore airport Tamil Nadu revenue deficit down 52%, says budget hailing welfare measures MNC funds suit investors looking for steady compounder: Should you invest? Star MNC: From Smartphones to laptops, Samsung's strong India play New Tamil Nadu policy seeks Rs 75,000 cr investments in aerospace, defence Procter & Gamble raises sales outlook, says demand is stabilising Torrent Power forms subsidiary for power generation, transmission biz WayCool hives off soil-to-sale vertical into new FMCG entity BrandsNext IIFL Finance fully repays its maiden $400 million bond in April Procter & Gamble raises full-year sales forecast on higher pricing Work in progress Textile industry, too, welcomed the Bill, stating that this will benefit the sector during peak seasons. The flexible laws will help meet foreign buyer compliances in the overtime front, since buyers are insisting to follow the law of the land. During peak periods, the requirement of overtime is absolutely needed to meet the delivery schedule and do the shipment on time, said K M Subramanian, president, Tiruppur Exporters Association. This reform will attract more investments to the state and help the export industry in compliances-related issues in major markets. The demand for flexible hours was raised by workers frequently as it will help them get better remuneration, Sakthivel added. If the worker wants to work on the fifth day, after completing four days, the law provides the option of additional payment The Bill is likely to apply to those who work in the electronics sector, non-leather footwear, and software sector The Bill was passed amid walkouts by some of the allies of the ruling DMK In the midst of all the angst about culling of the blue mark that separated a genuine Twitter account from an imposter, there were some lighter moments too through the day. Bachchan took to Awadhi dialect to tell Musk that he had already paid for the blue tick and that he was pleading with folded hands to get the lotus back in front of his name. Also, the man to start the paid blue tick regime--Muskannounced that he was paying for some of the celebrities including author Stephen King and then followed up with a namaste. Rahul Gandhi: unticked; Amitabh Bachchan: unticked; Virat Kohli: unticked. Gandhi, Bachchan and Kohli were among thousands of twitterati around the world who lost their trust tag on the Elon Musk-owned social media platform, leading up to a weekend of chaos and confusion. Oprah Winfrey, Beyonce Giselle Knowles-Carter, Donald Trump and Pope Francis figured in the whos who list of those left without the blue tick or the check that has now gone pay on Twitter. The iconic verification tick of Twitter comes with features like fewer advertisements, the ability to post long videos and to get priority ranking for quality content. The fee for the blue privilege in India is Rs 650 a month on a web browser and Rs 900 a month on mobile. For organisations, a gold check next to the name costs Rs 82,300 per month and Rs 4,120 for a verification tag to each affiliated member per month. Globally, the monthly range is anything from $8 for an individuals blue tick to $1000 for a gold or a grey check mark in the case of an organisation. It was not just celebrities and public figures, but also government departments which lost the legacy blue verification checkmark through Thursday and Friday. Verification of social media accounts has been a challenge for years. Several users in the past have alleged bias and discriminatory policies in granting the verified mark. Accounts of top Indian brands including HDFC Bank, Maruti Suzuki, Axis Bank, TVS, Swiggy, and PhonePe remained without a verification tag till the time of going to press on Friday. Also Read How will Elon Musk's takeover of Twitter change the public square? Tesla chief Elon Musk threatens to sue Microsoft for using data 'illegally' Twitter removes legacy blue ticks for thousands; all you need to know Is Elon Musk rewriting the HR rulebook at Twitter? Is Elon Musk mismanaging Twitter? To woo foreign investors, Tamil Nadu too clears bill allowing 12-hour work Procter & Gamble raises sales outlook, says demand is stabilising Torrent Power forms subsidiary for power generation, transmission biz WayCool hives off soil-to-sale vertical into new FMCG entity BrandsNext IIFL Finance fully repays its maiden $400 million bond in April It should not be misleading; there should have been no recent changes to the profile photo, display name, or username and no signs of manipulation and spamming activities. A part of the ambiguity in verification remains even after the rollout of the new plan. The paid verification may complete only after Twitter confirms that the eligibility criteria are met the account is active for the past 30 days, has confirmed a phone number verification, and is not deceptive. Several celebrities, influencers and other formerly-verified users expressed concern over the possibility of impersonation and misuse of their identity by dummy accounts. As per the new policy, accounts that appear similar to others on Twitter are not in violation as long as their purpose is not to deceive or manipulate others. One of the most infamous instances of coordinated Twitter impersonations occurred in 2020. A group of users pretended to be famous personalities and sent out communally sensitive tweets. In most instances, the initial tweets from such accounts attracted a massive number of followers and boosted re-tweet traffic for these handles. "By monetising the blue-tick feature and making anyone willing to pay the subscription charges eligible to use the badge, the entire sanctity of the blue-tick as an indicator of a verified account has been upended, and to some extent genuine celebrity and brand Twitter profiles have been somewhat devalued, said Samit Sinha, founder and managing partner of Alchemist Brand Consulting. The removal of the tick is unlikely to affect the established followers of the celebrities due to continuity but could become an impediment in acquiring new followers, Sinha pointed out. Santosh Desai, managing director and chief executive officer of Futurebrands India, said it will be imperative for brands to spend on the verification checkmarks as quickly as possible. The organisations can afford to pay for it. From an organisations perspective, it is a very minor expense for something as important as a Twitter handle. This will not be a difficult issue to solve but it is definitely a matter of urgency for brands. Faisal Haq, chief operating officer of advertising firm The Crayons Network said initially there was some panic at both their client end and the agency side itself when the verification marks disappeared on Friday. The matter was resolved within half an hour, as most of them got the grey tick to state their authenticity as an organisation, but eventually, they will be going for the golden tick, as it reinstates the authenticity of the brand, Haq said. The Centres Consumer Protection (Direct Selling) Rules, 2021 provide for monitoring by states. Each state government is required to set up a mechanism to monitor or supervise the activities of direct sellers and direct selling entities. Eight states have notified guidelines to monitor direct selling entities after the Centre announced rules for the industry in December 2021. Kerala is understood to have the most extensive guidelines. For a homogeneous framework, the IDSA is also working with the National Law School of India University, Bengaluru. The Indian Direct Selling Association (IDSA) is part of the monitoring mechanism in five states already, said Rajat Banerji, chairman of IDSA. The eight states that have come up with guidelines include West Bengal, which ranks second after Maharashtra in terms of direct selling revenues. Roshni Sen, principal secretary, West Bengal consumer affairs department, said that her office had received more than 100 applications from direct selling entities for enrolment. (Which is the first?) It is for capacity building. Once it is ready we can take it to the various state governments, Banerji said. Also Read Direct tax collection in FY23 likely to top govt's Revised Estimates Direct Tax collections rise 31% YoY at Rs 10.54 trillion till November 10 Budget 2023-24: FY24 direct tax target likely to see 14-17% increase Is DBT the solution for agri subsidy transfers? There is no direct answer Direct tax collection hits 95.2% of Revised Estimates for FY23 Delhi govt hikes minimum wages of workers in unorganised sector: Report Retail inflation for farm, rural workers rises marginally in March Rlys lowers RoRo freight rates by a third on dedicated freight corridors RBI to meet board members of PSU banks to address ethics issues on May 22 New formal job creation in February at 21-month low, shows EPFO data Sen said that while the state had received more than 100 applications, the IDSA had 18 members and called upon the association to bring the other companies into its fold. This would help the state government. The empanelment would help the state to monitor and supervise entities. On Friday, the state also launched online enrollment for direct selling entities. According to IDSA's survey for 2021-22, the Indian direct selling industry achieved an annual sales figure of Rs 18,067 crore. The Indian direct selling industry was worth Rs 19,020 crore in 2021-22. The IDSA members accounted for about 55 per cent. Banerji said that despite the devastation caused by the second wave of the Covid-19 in 2021-22, the direct selling industry in West Bengal had outperformed expectations in 2020-21. We are confident that this performance level would be further enhanced in FY 2022-23. The wellness and nutraceutical category contributed 59 per cent of direct selling sales in India, followed by 22 per cent revenue contribution by the cosmetics and personal category. States where the guidelines would apply Madhya Pradesh West Bengal has held the second spot in direct selling revenue figures since FY 2018-19, registering a 17.75 per cent CAGR (compounded annual growth rate) which exceeds the national CAGR of 13 per cent for the growth of direct selling in India. In 2021-22, the direct selling industry in West Bengal touched Rs 1,984 crore. Goa Chhattisgarh West Bengal Himachal Pradesh Andhra Pradesh Kerala Maharashtra Deeply influenced by the country's ever-changing regulatory landscape, digital payment players are negotiating the formation of a self-regulatory organisation (SRO) to develop uniform rules and standards of operation for their industry, an Economic Times report said. The Reserve Bank of India Governor Shaktikanta Das proposed the creation of an SRO in March during a conference hosted by the Department of Payment and Settlement Systems. But, after more than a month, the corporations have yet to move beyond preliminary discussions to form a partnership and lay the foundation. According to the report, the Payments Council of India (PCI), an industry association representing payment firms, intended to take on the role of an SRO. However, the central bank objected to the proposal as the PCI includes a number of unregulated firms. The council is a subsidiary of the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), which includes members such as Facebook, Google, and Amazon. Also Read RBI hikes repo rate by 35 bps to 6.25%, cuts FY23 GDP forecast to 6.8% RBI MPC: Here is what experts have to say about the policy announcement What is a regulatory sandbox? RBI Monetary Policy: Repo rate up by 25 bps, FY23 inflation pegged at 6.5% RBI MPC: When and where to watch policy announcement by Shaktikanta Das Minutes of April MPC meeting: Members split on economic growth prospects Cumulative impact of monetary policy actions still unfolding: RBI guv Das NBFC education loans to grow around 40% to Rs 35,000 crore in FY24: CRISIL HDFC Capital to hike stake in proptech startup Reloy by up to 2.4% RBI to come up with new rules on classification of accounts as fraudulent "The RBI wants all regulated payment companies to come together and form a single SRO," a founder of a platform told ET on condition of anonymity. Given the payments industry's diverse players, such as UPI apps, mobile wallet businesses, ATM service providers, clearance corporations, business correspondents, and others, forming a self-regulatory body is a difficult undertaking. "There are very few conversations that happen between each segment of the payments industry. Bringing all of them together under a single umbrella will take time and will be difficult", another founder of a large payment company told the ET. The PCI has committed to driving this at the Kochi meeting, sources said, adding that even if they are unable to become members of an SRO, the body's top executive committee members can take the initiative to bring the sector together. Other industry organisations, like the Confederation of ATM Industry and the Business Correspondents Federation of India, are also planning to apply for an SRO, according to sources. Much of the payments business grew in an unregulated fashion. While the RBI granted prepaid payment instrument licences for consumer payments, payment aggregators and gateways lacked such a mechanism till recently. In this section Investors should stagger entry into medium-to long-duration debt funds Jog, dance, lift weights: Your guide to what to do at neighbourhood gym Ultra-rich Indians are now parking more money in gold: Knight Frank survey Enter longer-duration lease to control hike in home rental rates Gold price up by Rs 550, trading at Rs 53,730; silver rises by Rs 700 Gold trading at Rs 50,950 per 10 grams, silver selling at Rs 58,100/kg Record gold price may not bring back sheen in Muthoot, Manappuram: Analysts Gold trading at Rs 51,290 per 10 grams, silver selling at Rs 60,400/kg Gold is up 9.7 per cent year-to-date (YTD). An investor who bought gold on Akshaya Tritiya last year would have seen the value of his investment shoot up by 14.6 per cent. The question investors need to ask themselves is whether they should make a substantial investment in the yellow metal this Akshaya Tritiya, or go for a token purchase only after such a strong run up. Despite the strong run up over the past year, gold may continue to perform in the current environment of uncertainty. The recent crisis among regional banks in the United States (US) sent jitters through the financial system. This crisis made the economic impact of higher interest rates apparent. More damage to the financial system could possibly be revealed in the near future, says Ghazal Jain, fund manager, alternate investments, Quantum Asset Management Company. Your browser does not support the audio element. Investors could opt for options like sovereign gold bonds (SGBs) or exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and funds to invest in gold To read the full story, subscribe to BS Premium now, at just Rs 249/ month. Key stories on business-standard.com are available only to BS Premium subscribers. Already a BS Premium subscriber?LOGIN NOW Register to read more on Business-Standard.com TechSci Research, a marketing consulting company, estimates there were around 20,000 to 25,000 gyms in the country last year. As many as 6 million people in India were willing to pay for fitness solutions. A majority of gym memberships are purchased by working professionals and by consumers aged between 20 and 40. Dance and strength training are popular among gym users younger than 30 years old. Yoga is appealing to users older than 30, according to data from Cult.fit, a gym chain in 50 Indian cities. Women prefer mornings to work out and men have no particular preference. After a Hepatitis A outbreak in North Guwahati's Amingaon left seven people dead, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma visited the area to take stock of the situation and inspect the water quality. Accompanied by representatives from the Railways and the Public Health Engineering Department, Sarma ordered the concerned officials to send a medical team from the Guwahati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) to Amingaon and the surrounding areas to conduct complete health checkup of every person. He also instructed the officials to make sure infection prevention and control procedures are strictly followed. Speaking to the media, Sarma said: "I have communicated with the Railways and Public Health Department and also verified the water quality. I have confirmed that seven persons have died so far as a result of Hepatitis A. In addition to making sure that sufficient medical care is provided, a new water supply plan needs to be developed." The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) water delivery plan in North Guwahati is anticipated to be completed by May, but there are still certain concerns in Amingaon that need to be addressed, according to the Chief Minister. While widespread screening is being conducted, health department representatives informed that 37 people have tested positive for hepatitis A virus in North Guwahati. Also Read Himanta Biswa Sarma launches Mission Lifestyle for Environment in Assam Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma attends Mega Bihu programme at Tezpur Assam-Arunachal border row: Chief Ministers' level meeting held in Guwahati Assam CM Himanta announces projects worth Rs 856 cr for Morigaon district Assam's govt schools to get new infrastructure: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma Delhi logs 1,603 Covid cases in 24 hours, positivity rate dips to 26.75% Covid-19: Delhi HC asks lawyers, litigants to wear masks, follow protocol PMO reviews covid situation amid rising cases, calls for hospital readiness Approx 1 person in 20 is diabetic, 3-5% of new cases linked to Covid: Study 25 dedicated Covid-19 hospitals activated in Maharashtra amid rising cases People were asked to exercise caution and maintain good hygiene when each of them is receiving treatment. Hepatitis A is a seriously contagious liver infection that spreads through contact with infected people as well as contaminated food and water. According to the health department, the first death related to the virus outbreak was reported on April 6. --IANS tdr/ksk/ According to the second edition of the Pearson Skills Outlook report, Employee View, employers are catering to this need, with 75 per cent of workers reporting that their employers offer skilling as a benefit. Among the workers offered the benefit, 92 per cent take advantage, said the report. Nearly 88 per cent of Indian workers believe they must continue to learn and educate throughout their careers to stay up-to-date, relevant, and desirable to employers, according to a report by Pearson Skills Outlook. Top skills for career growth It also highlighted the shift in the workforce's attitude towards upskilling, with 85 per cent of Indian respondents who participated in the survey, stating that learning a new language, particularly English, would help them succeed in their jobs. Human abilities such as decision-making and problem-solving are the top talents needed for professional growth, and skills are currently being developed across all generations in India, the United States, and the United Kingdom, said the respondents. According to the report, the top skills that will be appealing to Indian companies in the next five to ten years are artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), data processing, and coding or programming. Also Read High festive demand pushes up demand for gig and temp workers: Report Covid-19 pandemic caused lack of communication skills in babies: Research With jobs no longer secure, career cushioning is taking centre stage Amid layoffs, techies looking for ways to get more 'secure' jobs: Report Skilling the smart way: Selecting the right online course for your career Start-ups in tourism sector to receive a boost from Rajasthan govt Reports on defective VVPATs: Cong says EC should restore public confidence RBI cautions banks on unsecured lending amid rising interest rates WhatsApp allows users to save 'disappearing' messages if sender agrees Status of post-Godhra riots cases being monitored by SC panel in Gujarat Millennials vs Gen Z In India, technical skills such as AI-ML, data processing, and coding are also prioritised across age groups, particularly when it comes to future capabilities. When looking at the top human skills of future interest, language skills rank high for Gen Z Indian workers. In addition, compared to Millennials, Gen Z workers were less likely to be positive about the job market and more likely to be actively looking for a new job. While millennials and Gen X professionals are hopeful about their job advancement, 88 per cent of Gen Z workers have had to reassess their career prospects due to the uncertainties in the last three years. "With the proliferation of the internet and the emergence of new technologies such as AI/ML and data science, the workforce has to not only learn new technical skills but also human skills, which will make their work more effective," he added. "Today, the success of any modern organisation depends on the success of its workforce. However, there is a persistent skills gap across industries and markets that has a direct impact on productivity, business growth, and innovation," Michael Howells, president of Workforce Skills, Pearson, was quoted as saying by the Economic Times. Senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar on Friday skipped a convention of his party's Mumbai unit, raising eyebrows in political circles as speculation about his next political move refuses to die down. His name was also missing from the party's list of star campaigners for the Karnataka Assembly elections. Speaking to reporters in Pune, Pawar said he was unable to attend the convention as it clashed with some other programs he had to attend, and nothing more should be read into it. The daylong meeting in Mumbai was addressed by party chief Sharad Pawar and senior leaders like Praful Patel, Jitendra Awhad, Supriya Sule, Chhagan Bhujbal and state NCP president Jayant Patil. Talking about Ajit Pawar's absence from the meeting, NCP spokesperson Clyde Crasto said the event was planned a month ago. Ajit Pawar had accepted invitations to several programmes in Pune. He expressed his inability to attend. All leaders have their schedules to follow. Just because they are unable to attend one function, it does not mean they are planning to quit. He was present along with (Sharad) Pawar for an Iftar party earlier this week in Mumbai, Crasto said. Also Read Won't be in govt if Pawar joins BJP with NCP group: Shiv Sena spokesperson Ajit Pawar's future bright with NCP, he will not join BJP, says Sanjay Raut Ahead of Karnataka assembly polls, Sharad Pawar chairs NCP meeting Power does not remain with anyone forever, says NCP leader Ajit Pawar We will be more than happy if Ajit Pawar joins our party: Athawale Govt launches fifth round of regional air connectivity scheme 'UDAN 5.0' Govt approves over 2,600 4G towers for Arunachal villages; Rs 2,675 outlay E-monitoring of govt projects worth over Rs 10 cr mandatory: Delhi govt Atishi asks PWD officials to complete desilting work before monsoon With 44 mn pax, Mumbai airport reaches 90% of pre-pandemic capacity in FY23 The NCP on Friday released its list of nine candidates for Karnataka polls as well as its list of star campaigners. The 15-member list of star campaigners included Sharad Pawar and his daughter and MP Supriya Sule, but not his nephew, Ajit Pawar. Meanwhile, in Pune, asked in a public interview to the Sakal Media Group whether his party will stake a claim for the chief minister's post next year when Assembly polls are due in Maharashtra, Ajit Pawar said, "Why 2024, we are ready to stake a claim for the CM's position even now." He, however, did not elaborate on the statement. During a rapid fire round, the MLA from Baramati in Pune district, who has served as deputy chief minister multiple times, was asked whether he would like to become chief minister. "Yes, I would 100 per cent like to be (CM)," Pawar promptly replied. Rumours about Ajit Pawar's next political move started swirling last week when he suddenly cancelled his scheduled meetings and also made comments which were seen as being soft on the BJP and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's camp. The Shinde-led Shiv Sena has said that it would not be a part of the government in Maharashtra if Ajit Pawar joined the BJP with a group of NCP MLAs. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut fuelled the speculation further when he wrote in his weekly column in party mouthpiece 'Saamana' last Sunday that Sharad Pawar recently told Uddhav Thackeray that there was a lot of pressure on some individuals to break ranks. Families are being targeted but even if individual members take a different stand, NCP as a party will never go with the BJP, he wrote, quoting the senior Pawar. Ajit Pawar later clarified that he would always remain with the NCP. Sharad Pawar on Tuesday too dismissed the speculation about his nephew's exit. Notably, Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Friday said the leaders of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (alliance of the Shiv Sena (UBT)-NCP-Congress) were defaming Ajit Pawar and questioning his credibility. They are questioning Ajit Pawar's credibility. From the early morning swearing-in (when Ajit Pawar broke ranks and joined hands with Devendra Fadnavis in 2019) till now, question marks are being raised on his life, stand and work, Bawankule told reporters. Bawankule also junked media reports that 13 NCP MLAs were in touch with the BJP. On November 23, 2019, Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar were sworn in as chief minister and deputy CM, respectively, but the government fell without proving its majority five days later. Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday spoke to Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal and enquired about the health of party patriarch Parkash Singh Badal, who has been hospitalised due to illness. The Badal senior, who is 95 and a five-time chief minister of Punjab, has been admitted to a private hospital in Mohali following complaints of breathing difficulties. "Concerned to know that the veteran leader Shri Parkash Singh Badal Ji is unwell and admitted to hospital. Had a telephone discussion about his health with Shri Sukhbir Singh Badal Ji," Shah tweeted. The SAD was an ally of the ruling BJP but left the saffron party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in September 2020 over the passage of three agri-marketing bills in Parliament. The party also pulled out of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government with the resignation of Sukhbir Singh Badal's wife Harsimrat Kaur Badal. The SAD did not rejoin even after the Modi government scrapped the farm laws. The SAD was one of the oldest allies of the BJP. Also Read Sukhbir Badal writes to PM, seeks repeal of repressive laws like NSA, UAPA Faridkot court grants anticipatory bail to ex-Punjab CM Prakash Singh Badal AAP has pushed back Punjab into age of darkness: Sukhbir Singh Badal Punjab's ex-FM Manpreet Singh Badal joins BJP soon after quitting Congress Amit Shah to hold high level review meetings regarding J&K and Ladakh Moon sighted at several places, Eid to be celebrated in India on Sat Man who shot woman in Saket Court complex arrested: Delhi Police Scrap to art: Artists create masterpiece from waste metal at G20 Delhi park Will keeps acting against food biz involved in misleading claims: FSSAI Covid, climate change negatively impacted youth's mental health: Study The SAD and the BJP first stitched together a pre-poll alliance for the 1997 Punjab Assembly elections, which continued through the 2019 parliamentary polls and till September 2020. The SSST has collectively deposited about a whopping Rs 11 crore in the branches it has accounts with. However, the majority of this money is in the form of coins, a Times of India report said. The Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust (SSST), which has crores in deposits with over a dozen state-owned banks, is now facing a fresh issue. The reason is money itself. Now, banks are refusing to take deposits from the trust while they deal with the issue of space. Due to space constraints, four state-owned banks in Shirdi have even stopped accepting coins. According to the report, the trust receives daily donations of lakhs, mostly in the form of coins. Seeking a solution for the same, the trust will now write directly to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) seeking its intervention. "Officials of these four banks said they have no space to keep the coins they get every day. This is a big problem for the trust," ToI quoted Rahul Jadhav, the CEO of the trust, as saying. Also Read RIL, First Solar, Shirdi Sai bid for 15.5 Gw end-to-end solar manufacturing AIF applications pile up due to rejig at Sebi, even as regulator turns wary RIL readies $2.4-3 bn Infra Investment Trust for retail warehousing assets Bank stocks can slide more; stay away for now: Analysts No SVB-like scenario in India; banks are on a strong footing, say analysts BRS to support JD(S) in Karnataka polls, choses not to field any candidate RBI expected to pivot to rate cuts by year-end after a long pause PM Modi to chair meet on situation of Indians in violence-hit Sudan Woman shot at Saket court stable, teams formed to nab suspect: Delhi Police Kejriwal slams law, order in Delhi after woman shot at in Saket court The trust receives a monthly collection of coins ranging in denomination from 50 paise to Rs 10 worth approximately Rs 28 lakh, said the report. Jadhav shared that they have decided to approach banks in other parts of the Ahmednagar district, as well as the state, to help them. "We will open accounts of trust in such banks so that coins can be deposited there." Banks addressed the issue of countless coins in 2019 too, claiming that bags of coins are taking up space in their branches. The trust then provided banks with facilities within the temple grounds to store these coins. However, such an arrangement is prohibited by the rules, so the banks rejected the offer. Rajya Sabha MP and senior advocate Kapil Sibal on Friday criticised the Ahmedabad court's decision to acquit all the 67 accused in the Naroda Gam case and asked whether "we should celebrate the rule of law or despair its demise". More than two decades after 11 Muslim community members were killed in the post-Godhra riots in Ahmedabad's Naroda Gam, a special court in Ahmedabad on Thursday acquitted all the 67 accused in the case, including former Gujarat minister Maya Kodnani and ex-Bajrang Dal leader Babu Bajrangi. Reacting to the development, Sibal said on Twitter, "Naroda Gam: 11 of our citizens including a 12-year-old girl killed. After 21 years, 67 accused acquitted. Should we: Celebrate the rule of law or Despair its demise!" Later, he told reporters, "Somebody was killed. It is the job of the investigating agency to find out who did it. The investigating agency found out. Is it not a failure of the prosecuting agency that they could not bring them to justice." "Are the prosecuting agencies seeking acquittal or punishment. I am certain that the prosecuting agency will not file an appeal," he said, adding, "I wonder if the courts are mere mute spectators to the unfolding saga of injustice that is unravelling itself in trial after trial." The Ahmedabad-based court of S K Baxi, special judge for Special Investigation Team (SIT) cases, acquitted all the accused in one of the worst massacres witnessed during the state-wide riots triggered by the Sabarmati train carnage on February 27, 2002. The Naroda Gam case was probed by a Supreme Court-appointed SIT. There were a total of 86 accused in the case, of which 18 died during the pendency of the trial, while one was discharged by the court earlier under section 169 of the CrPC (Code of Criminal Procedure) due to insufficient evidence against him. Also Read 2002 Gujarat riots: Naroda Gam massacre case verdict likely on Thursday 2002 Gujarat riots: Special Court to pronounce verdict in Naroda Gam case BJP wants 'Opposition-free' India: Kapil Sibal on CBI summoning Kejriwal Persecution on course: Sibal hits at BJP over CBI summoning Kejriwal India most populous nation: Sibal points to inflation, unemployment numbers Gold sales may fall 20% on Akshay Tritiya as rising prices hit demand India records 11,692 new Covid-19 infections, 66,170 active cases Jaishankar's 4-nation visit to Central and Latin America begins today Major defence collab in work to make modern equipment in India: US official PM Modi to address award ceremony at Civil Services Day event today Deloitte Global CEO Joe Ucozoglu recently said in a video message, Our multidisciplinary model is allowing us to deliver incredible impact across so many different stakeholdersWe have unanimous alignment around our commitment to the multidisciplinary private partnership model, and it's not even a close call. The cancellation of EYs Project Everest, designed to split its audit and consulting business, has brought into open the debate around such restructuring and the difficulties surrounding it, with most firms asserting that they do not see any merit in doing so. The global heads of two of the big four firms, PwC and Deloitte, have asserted that they would not go for a split and stick to a multidisciplinary strategy. EY Global in its recent statement on its Project Everest said, We acknowledge the challenges with separating some of our businesses that have the deepest technical expertise in a way that gives both organisations the capabilities they need to compete in the market effectively. Ucozoglu said history is littered with examples of grand aspirations around these types of transactions, but they have never once played out as intended. It is an ecosystem that delivers the audit. Greater audit quality needs a variety of skills that can be provided through a multidisciplinary structure, a senior executive at a Big-4 firm said. Experts said that audit now is not a simplistic exercise and involves a lot of analytics, artificial intelligence, automation, forensics and tax expertise. Also Read Deloitte employee masterminds global hack gang, finds Sunday Times CAG calls upon supreme audit institutions to work for mutual benefits Climate change one of key concerns for CXOs: Deloitte sustainability survey Big 4 push the tech button, look to expand IT service presence in India KPMG lays off 700 people in US, 1st among Big4 accounting firms to cut jobs NGT seeks factual report over disappearance of 1095 ponds in Kanpur Tim Cook, Sunil Mittal reaffirm commitment to work closely in India, Africa PM Modi blames legacy, policies of previous govts for corrupt ecosystem Health Min accorded with PM Awards For Excellence in Public Administration IT hubs Hyderabad, Delhi, Bengaluru top locations for apprentice job in Q4 Largely people train in audit and go into taxation, deals, due diligence. Where will all those future people come from? Would trainees join if it was an audit only firm?, said Vishesh Chandiok, chief executive officer, Grant Thornton. One of the big challenges for an audit-only firm is access to required expertise and talent. Audit usually becomes a good segway for professionals to get a chance to get into other areas of work such as due diligence, mergers and acquisitions among others. It helps firms to attract talent by offering greater career opportunities. While there is a perception that audit is less lucrative compared to advisory services, and often subsidised with the profitability of other practices, most experts feel that audit business is self-sustaining. Traditionally though, some experts say that audit was the loss-leader. Firm would enter through an audit and then sell consulting to the same client. In India, many firms have voluntarily separated audit and non-audit services for their clients, especially public sector enterprises. Experts say all professional firms have to manage this conflict, including law firms and investment banks. We don't need to be everything to everyone. And this clearly has not constrained the ability to grow all of our practices at extraordinary rates, said Ucozoglu. Tibetan Spiritual Leader the Dalai Lama on Friday participated in the Global Buddhist Summit and addressed a group of monks and other delegates who have gathered here for the two-day event, sources said. He spoke for about half an hour and emphasised on Buddhist philosophy and values. The first-of-its-kind summit began on Thursday with Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing the inaugural session. Modi in his address said the world is passing through challenges such as war, economic instability, terrorism, religious extremism and climate change and asserted that Lord Buddha's ideas offer a solution to these problems. The summit is divided into two segments, academic and Sangha sessions. Media was allowed only for the inaugural session, the rest of the sessions are not open to the press, an official source said. Also Read Row over video: Dalai Lama apologises for 'hurt his words may have caused' US introduces legislation for resolving issues between China and Dalai Lama Incursions along Indo-Tibet border are by China, says Tibetan Sikyong Dalai Lama names US-born Mongolian boy as as 3rd highest leader in Buddhism The Dalai Lama's pursuit of united Tibet India's cheetah reintroduction plan ignored spatial ecology: Scientists National civil services day 2023: History, significance, dates and more Atiq's son Umar to be produced before court of CBI special judge today 80 killed, 30,000 displaced in renewed clashes in northern Somalia: WHO Russian arms sales to India stall due to fears over sanctions from US The source, however, confirmed that the Dalai Lama attended the summit on Friday morning and addressed gathered monks and other delegates. "In his nearly half-an-hour address, the Tibetan spiritual leader spoke of compassion, wisdom and meditation," he told PTI. The three values are integral to the teachings of Lord Buddha and the philosophy he espoused. On Monday, at a press conference here, organisers had said that invite was sent to the Dalai Lama, but till that time it wasn't confirmed whether he would attend the event. An official source in the Dharamshala-based Central Tibetan Administration or CTA (government in exile) had early on Friday morning told PTI that "His Holiness will attend the event". The conference is being hosted at The Ashok Hotel from April 20 to 21 by the Union Ministry of Culture along with the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC). The 87-year-old Tibetan spiritual leader has been in the news recently over a viral video linked with him and a boy. The Dalai Lama on April 10 apologised to the boy, his family and friends for the "hurt his words may have caused" after the video clip purportedly showing the Tibetan spiritual head asking him to "suck" his tongue sparked a row. External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar is on a four-nation Central and Latin America visit beginning today. The EAM will make official visits to Guyana (April 21-23), Panama (April 24-25), Colombia (April 25-27) and the Dominican Republic (April 27-29), the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. The EAM will visit the Caribbean nation, Guyana from April 21-23, where he will be calling on the leadership and interacting with several Ministers. He will be co-chairing the Joint Commission Meeting with his counterpart, Hugh Hilton Todd which will entail discussions on the whole gamut of issues between the two countries. The EAM's visit to Guyana would also be an opportunity for a meeting of Foreign Ministers in the India-COFCOR (Council on Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR); a group of 15-member Caribbean Community (CARICOM)) format and hold bilateral meetings with participating Ministers, according to the MEA official press release. Following his visit to Guyana, Jaishankar will visit Panama from April 24-25. He will be calling on top leadership and would be hosted by Foreign Minister Janaina Tewaney Mencomo. During this visit, the India-SICA Foreign Ministerial Meeting will also be convened wherein he would meet representatives of the eight-country Central American Integration System (SICA). On April 25-27, the EAM will embark on a Colombia visit where he would be meeting several top representatives of the Government, business and civil society. His Colombia visit would be the first Foreign Ministerial level visit to the country, the External Affairs Ministry said in its release. Also Read Relations with Indian diaspora bolstered due to Sushma Swaraj: Jaishankar Guterres, Jaishankar to unveil Mahatma Gandhi's bust at UN headquarters India is an invaluable partner: US State Department on Jaishankar-Blinken EAM Jaishankar to embark on official visit to Sri Lanka from today EAM Jaishankar meets Russian Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov Major defence collab in work to make modern equipment in India: US official PM Modi to address award ceremony at Civil Services Day event today Poonch terror attack: Names of five soldiers killed released by Indian Army India in continuous touch with Indians in Sudan, says S Jaishankar SRK to CM Adityanath: List of Indians who lost blue tick on Twitter Furthermore, Jaishankar's visit to the Dominican Republic is the highest-level visit from India since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1999. He will visit the country from April 27-29. The EAM's visit takes place after the establishment of our resident Embassy in Santo Domingo in 2022. Apart from calling on the country's political leadership, EAM will be holding discussions with Foreign Minister Roberto Alvarez, the press release said. The two leaders would also formally inaugurate the Indian resident mission. EAM is also expected to deliver a talk at the Dominican Republic Foreign Ministry. A business delegation from India, led by CII will be joining EAM at business events are also planned during the course of the visit. These meetings underline the growing interest on both sides for stronger trade ties. EAM will also be meeting members of the Indian community in all four countries. EAM's visit to these four countries; his bilateral engagements as well as interactions with counterparts of important regional groups: CARICOM and SICA, adds to the momentum of the India-LAC engagements. It will provide an opportunity to continue high-level contact with countries in Latin America and the Caribbean and explore new areas of cooperation in a whole host of areas; particularly in the post-pandemic scenario, the official press release read. Haryanas Yamunanagar has reported the highest positivity rate of 56.5 per cent in the country for the week ending April 19. Of the 34 districts, 14 were in Kerala, seven in Haryana, nine in Delhi. Rising Covid cases in eight states, where some districts are showing very high positivity rates, has drawn the attention of the health ministry, with health secretary Rajesh Bhushan advising them on Friday to take public health measures to contain the surges in the initial stages. Around 34 districts in the country have reported weekly positivity rates of more than 20 per cent from April 12 to 19. While Indias weekly positivity rate is currently around 5.5 per cent, in Kerala it is much higher at 28 per cent, Haryana at over 19 per cent and Delhi almost 30 per cent. Ernakulam in Kerala has reported a positivity rate of 35 per cent for the same period. The eight states Bhushan has cautioned include Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Karnataka. India has been witnessing a surge in Covid cases since March 2023, with 10,262 cases reported in the week ending April 20. Week on week positivity rate has gone up from 4.7 per cent to 5.5 per cent, in the last two weeks. This is a cause of concern. While hospitalisations and deaths have remained low, districts reporting higher numbers of cases may indicate a possible localised spread of infection, thus necessitating a closer look at these states and districts, Bhushan said. The weekly positivity rate is only higher in states including Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Rajasthan compared to the national figure. Also Read 11-year-old Kerala girl develops unique eye scanning app that uses AI Rajasthan Right to Health Act: The provisions and why doctors protested Sonear Industries to set up 2 units in Haryana, UP for about Rs 150 cr Haryana govt allocates Rs 5,893 crore in FY24 Budget for urban development Centre planning to set up National Public Health Museum soon: Report CBI asks Satya Pal Malik to answer queries related to insurance 'scam' Kejriwal approves Mukesh Goyal as presiding officer for MCD mayor poll Shiromani Akali Dal's Parkash Singh Badal admitted to Mohali hospital Make national interest sole basis of your every decision: PM Modi Avalanche warning issued for seven districts in J-K States have also been asked to strengthen hospital infrastructure at the sub-district level and encourage precaution dose among eligible beneficiaries, while countering vaccine hesitancy. The health secretary also said in his letter that states should strengthen Covid-19 surveillance, maintain adequate levels of testing, and increase the number of positive samples, especially from new clusters of cases for genomic sequencing. External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Thursday said the government is in continuous touch with Indians stuck in Sudan where fighting has been raging between forces loyal to Sudan's army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who commands the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). An unspecified number of Indians are said to be stranded in Sudan amid the military and political crisis. The EAM said: "Our team in Delhi is in continuous touch with the Indians in Sudan, advising them, saying we know it's very difficult for everybody but keep calm and don't take unnecessary risk. I hope that the efforts will yield something very soon." There have been violent clashes in Sudan for nearly six days between the country's army and a paramilitary group over a proposed timeline for handing over power to a civilian government. The EAM on Thursday also met UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and the two discussed the current developments in Sudan. "We had a very good meeting. Most of our meeting was on the Sudan situation. We also discussed the G20, and Ukraine conflict, but essentially it was about Sudan," the EAM told ANI. Also Read India supports peace process and capacity building in South Sudan Khartoum violence: Indian embassy in Sudan advises Indians to not move out Army vs paramilitary: A common person's guide to the crisis in Sudan Relatives of Indians stranded in Sudan appeal evacuation from govt Firing heard in Sudan capital amid tensions between military, paramilitary SRK to CM Adityanath: List of Indians who lost blue tick on Twitter India's economic activity signals resilience even as exports dim outlook Latest Live: PM Modi to attend award ceremony for Civil Services Day Top headlines: MPC meet, Tim Cook in India & end of free Twitter blue tick Public money won't be used to pay lawyers for Mukhtar Ansari: Punjab CM "In Sudan, the UN is trying to establish a ceasefire and that is really key because at the moment, unless there is a ceasefire and unless there are corridors, it's not safe for people really to come out," Jaishankar said. The EAM further said that "So, the UN is doing its bit, talking to everybody. We have obviously very strong interest in the matter because many Indians are there." The EAM said, "The focus is on how you get the diplomatic processes to yield the desired result and the desired result is workable, on the ground observed ceasefire and then to take the next step on how you create corridors for movement, what are the options for movement, what are the assembly points." Jaishankar is in New York on his way to countries in Latin America on an official visit. Earlier, the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the MEA is in contact with the Indian embassy in Sudan. "This is an issue on which we are keeping a very close watch and the evolving situation there," Bagchi said. "Our mission in Khartoum is in contact the Indian community there through formal and informal channels. Our embassy has issued several advisories," he added. A control room has also been opened in New Delhi to address the concerns more efficiently. "We have set up a 24x7 dedicated control room for providing information and assistance," Bagchi informed. "Most of the calls are being received in Khartoum. However, are people who are contacting here (MEA office in New Delhi). More than 100 calls have been received in less than 24 hours," Bagchi informed. On the death of an Indian in Sudan, Bagchi said, "There has been an unfortunate death of one Indian national. His body is currently at a hospital after a lot of effort, we have been able to get that body move from his apartment complex into a mortuary. Our embassy is in touch with the family of the deceased as well as the medical authorities there." "We are engaged with countries in the region and other countries that have a key role to play particularly, the US, UK, Saudi Arabia and the UAE," Bagchi said. "Our ambassador in Washington DC and High Commission in London are in touch with the respective host governments. We are also working with various UN Bodies that are present since the UN has a significant presence there," he added. World powers have condemned the situation in Sudan and have called for peace. Indias economic activity stayed resilient in March though the weakening pace of exports and an increase in unemployment dimmed the outlook for the country thats surpassing China as the most populous nation. By Anup Roy While the needle on a dial measuring the so-called Animal Spirits was unchanged at 5 for a third straight month, a jump in collections from taxes levied on consumption showed Asias third largest economy was ticking along. Thats the reading from the overall activity tracker comprising of eight high-frequency indicators compiled by Bloomberg. The readings come in the backdrop of the Reserve Bank of India pausing rates for the first time since May to evaluate the impact of 250 basis points in rate increases so far and to support growth. Retail and wholesale price-gains have eased on still-elevated rates, spurring calls for a longer pause. Also Read Metal stocks: Will export duty rollback help? China's manufacturing activity expands at fastest pace since 2012 Online monitoring portal to give 'Districts as Export Hubs' plan a leg-up Pak minister urges export-oriented policies to accelerate economic growth As China's population declines, India set to become most populous country LIVE: 'Prepare evacuation plans,' PM holds meet on Indians in Sudan Top headlines: MPC meet, Tim Cook in India & end of free Twitter blue tick Public money won't be used to pay lawyers for Mukhtar Ansari: Punjab CM Jaishankar discusses Sudan with Guterres, pitches for successful diplomacy Angkita Dutta gets show cause notice for harassment allegations on IYC Prez Here are more details from the animal spirits barometer, which uses a three-month weighted average to smooth out volatility in single-month readings: Last week, Indias Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said her government was making enough efforts to ensure the economy stays buoyant though she expressed concern over the OPEC+ output cut and impact of decisions related to Russias war in Ukraine. Weakness in demand for manufacturing goods and services activity could be a drag on Indias recovery, she added. Purchasing managers surveys showed manufacturing activity improved as pressure on supply chains eased on increased raw materials availability. Activity in services sector moderated in March from a 12-year high in the previous month, bringing the composite index down to 58.4 from 59 in February. Business Activity A sizable proportion of services firms hiked their selling prices to hedge against rising costs, said Pollyanna De Lima, economics associate director at S&P Global Market Intelligence. Exports Headwinds from a slowing global economy are beginning to weigh more on exports, said Rahul Bajoria, economist at Barclays Plc. Electronics exports gained traction, rising 57% in March from a year ago as major mobile equipment manufacturers are setting up production units in India with the China-plus-one strategy gaining ground, he said. Exports dropped 13.9% in March, declining for a fourth straight month, while imports fell 7.90% from a year ago. Apple Inc. now makes almost 7% of its iPhones in India and opened company-owned stores this week in the South Asian country to push retail sales. Consumer Activity Goods and services tax collections, which help measure consumption in the economy, rose 13% from a year earlier to 1.60 trillion rupees ($19.5 billion) in March the second-highest level in the history of the six-year-old levy. Liquidity in the banking system swung to a surplus in March, while credit growth moderated to 15%, from 15.52% in February, central bank data showed. New vehicle registrations slowed to 14% in the month from a 16% increase in February, according to data from the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations. Yet passenger vehicle sales growth improved to 14.42% year-on-year, from 10.9% rise a month ago. Market Sentiment Electricity consumption, a widely used indicator to measure demand in the industrial and manufacturing sectors, has moderated. Peak demand in March fell to 170 gigawatt from 181 gigawatt a month ago and soaring temperatures across India could well increase power consumption in the months to come. The unemployment rate climbed to 7.80%, from 7.45% a month ago, according to data from the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy Pvt, as companies tightened purse strings after the festive season. Want to get the latest business news and analysis from Bloomberg on Telegram? Join our Telegram channel by clicking here and tapping Join. Air India pilot union ICPA sends legal notice to Air India HR head for allegedly coercing its member pilots to sign revised service agreements. Former J&K Governor Satya Pal Malik summoned for questioning by CBI in Reliance Insurance case on April 28. Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a high-level meeting today to review the security situation in Sudan via video-conferencing, asking officials to prepare contingency evacuation plans for Indians stranded in the country. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Ambassador of India to Sudan Ravindra Prasad Jaiswal and several other senior officials were present at the meeting. PM Modi assessed the most recent developments in Sudan and received a first-hand report of the conditions on the ground, with specific focus on the safety of over 3,000 Indian citizens presently located throughout the country, a government statement said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday urged bureaucrats to make national interest the sole basis of their every decision, saying the country has put its faith in them and they must uphold that trust. Addressing bureaucrats on the occasion of Civil Services Day here, Modi said it is the duty of civil servants to analyse whether the ruling political party is using taxpayers' money for its own benefit or for the nation. The prime minister also hailed the contribution of civil servants to nation building and said India's rapid development would not have been possible without their active participation. In his nearly 33-minute speech, Modi urged "each and every" government employee, whether at state or central level, to ensure national interest is the sole basis of every decision they take. "As the world is saying that India's time has arrived, there is no time to waste for the bureaucracy of the country. The country has put its faith in you, work while maintaining that trust. National interest should always be the basis of all your decisions," he said. Speaking on the theme of this year's Civil Services Day, 'Viksit Bharat' (Developed India), he said the concept is not limited to modern infrastructure. Also Read PM Modi to address civil servants on Civil Services Day, April 21 Former civil servants condemn Rijiju's remarks on judiciary in open letter National civil services day 2023: History, significance, dates and more Trade, economic interests drive India's foreign policy Circumstantial evidence enough to convict public servants for graft: SC Avalanche warning issued for seven districts in J-K Solar Industries to supply UAV 'Nagastra' to Indian Army Monetary policy is at work, substantial disinflation achieved: RBI Bulletin 5G radio count crosses 140,000, Maharashtra on top, shows DoT data Arohan Financial Services opens over 100 branches in underserved states "It is important for Viksit Bharat that India's government system supports the aspirations of every Indian and every government servant helps every citizen in realising their dreams and the negativity that was associated with the system in the previous years turns into positivity," he said. Modi said the motto of his government is "nation first, citizen first" and its priority is prioritising the deprived. He told the civil servants that there are two approaches to life -- first, getting things done and second, letting things happen. "The first is an active attitude and the second reflects a passive attitude. People with faith in getting things done take ownership in a proactive manner and become the driving force of their teams. "With this burning desire to bring change in the lives of the people, you will be able to leave behind a memorable legacy. You will not be judged by what you have done for yourself but by what changes you have brought in the lives of the people," he said. Therefore, Modi said, good governance is the key. "People-centric governance solves problems and gives better results," he added. Highlighting the importance and necessity of political parties with different ideologies in a democracy, the prime minister stressed the need for the bureaucrats to assess whether the ruling party is using public money for its own growth or for the nation. "It is the duty of the bureaucracy to analyse whether a political party is making use of taxpayers' money for the benefit of its own organisation or for the nation, whether it is using the money to create a vote bank or making the lives of the citizens easier, whether it is advertising itself with the government treasure or making the people aware, whether it is appointing its own party workers in various organisations or creating a transparent process for recruitment," he said. Modi said the civil servants should keep these things in mind while taking any decision. Recalling the words of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India's first home minister, who termed the bureaucracy the steel frame of India, the prime minister said it is time to live up to the expectations and ensure that the dreams of youths are not crushed and taxpayers' money is not destroyed. Modi also hit out at the corruption of previous governments. "It was the legacy of the earlier system that there were over four crore fake gas connections. It was the legacy of the earlier system that there were over four crore bogus ration cards in the country. It was the legacy of the earlier system that one crore fictitious women and children were getting assistance from the Women and Child Development Ministry. "It was also the legacy of the earlier system that lakhs of fake accounts were created under MGNREGA to transfer the benefits of workers who never existed," he said. He credited the civil servants for the transformation of the system and preventing nearly Rs 3 lakh crore from landing in the wrong hands, which, he said, is now being used for the welfare of the poor. Highlighting his government's initiative to do away with the protocol of hierarchy, Modi said he constantly meets secretaries, assistant secretaries and trainee officers. He said this Civil Services Day is very significant as the country completed 75 years of independence this year. "The century of independence will be the golden century of the country when we will give first priority to our duties. Duty is not an option for us but a resolution," he said. During the event, Modi also conferred the Prime Minister's Awards for Excellence in Public Administration to recognise the extraordinary and innovative work done by districts and organisations of the central and state governments. Union Minister of State for Ministry of Personnel Jitendra Singh; Principal Secretary to Prime Minister P K Mishra; Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba; and Secretary, Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances, V Srinivas were also present on the occasion. BENGALURU (Reuters) - Maruti Suzuki India Ltd, the country's largest carmaker, said on Friday it would recall 7,213 units of its Baleno RS hatchback over a possible defect in vacuum pump that assists its brake function. "The affected vehicle may require increased effort in brake pedal application," the company said in a release, adding that the vehicles affected were manufactured between Oct. 27, 2016 and Nov. 1, 2019. (Reporting by Nandan Mandayam in Bengaluru; Editing by Shilpi Majumdar) Also Read Maruti Suzuki Q3 preview: Profit may decline up to 8% QoQ on lower volumes Maruti Suzuki Q2 profit may surge up to 355% YoY on higher sales volume Maruti Suzuki sales dip marginally in March; highest ever sales in FY23 Maruti Suzuki soars 5%, hits 52-wk high on better-than-expected Q2 results Maruti Suzuki's Q2 suggests a big bounce for auto sector stocks Supreme Court grants bail to 8 convicts in Godhra train burning case Nagaland transport dept appealed to create facilities for PwDs across state Flexible working hours in TN factories bill passed amid protest by parties Health ministry cautions eight states with soaring Covid positivity rates CBI asks Satya Pal Malik to answer queries related to insurance 'scam' Civil servants play a significant role in administering and running the mechanism of the country collectively and dedicatedly to serve the Indian people. National Civil Service Day is celebrated every year on April 21 to acknowledge the work of officers engaged in various public service departments in the country. National Civil Servant Day: History The foundation of civil services was laid down by Warren Hasting, the first governor-general of India. Later some more reforms were introduced by Charles Cornwallis, who was later recognised as the "Father of Civil Services in India." The Civil Service Day commemorates the speech of Sardar Vallabhai Patel, the first home minister of India, addressing service officers on probation in 1947 at Metcalf House, Delhi. In his powerful speech, he referred to civil servants as the "steel frame of India." The Civil services were there since the British regime. People working in the East India Company civilian staff were involved in administrative jobs and were known as "Public Servants." National Civil Service Day: Significance The day aims to recognise the hard work, dedication, and commitment of civil servants in serving the nation. National civil service day is an opportunity to acknowledge and appreciate civil servants for maintaining law and order, promoting social justice, and ensuring good governance. The day was officially declared National Civil Service Day in India in 2006 and is celebrated every year on April 21. Also Read UAPA's objective is to deal with activities against India's integrity: SC Budget 2023-24: Manufacturing sector eyes revised taxations, new PLIs Union Budget 2023: Experts don't expect surprises in social sector outlay World NGO Day 2023: Theme, quotes, history, significance, celebration National Science Day 2023: Theme, History, Significance, Activities Atiq's son Umar to be produced before court of CBI special judge today 80 killed, 30,000 displaced in renewed clashes in northern Somalia: WHO Russian arms sales to India stall due to fears over sanctions from US Rahul Gandhi interacts with UPSC, SSC aspirants in Mukherjee Nagar Tamil Nadu says won't transfer land ownership to AAI for Coimbatore airport The central government provides awards to the best men and groups doing their best in serving society. President Murmu greeted civil servants President Murmu appreciated the work done by civil servants and said their service to the nation is truly commendable. "Greetings to all civil servants, past and present, on Civil Services Day! Your service to the nation has been truly commendable. The civil services have upheld the highest values of public administration, as envisaged by Sardar Patel, forming a framework for good governance," President Murmu tweeted. On this day, the Indian Prime Minister gives an award for excellence to civil servants for their significant contribution to public service.The central government provides awards to the best men and groups doing their best in serving society. PM Modi addressed civil servants Nepal's border points with India in the country's southern Bara district have been sealed for 72 hours in view of the by-election in Bara-2 constituency on Sunday. Nepal's Election Commission is conducting by-elections for the House of Representatives in the three constituencies of Tanhun-1, Chitawan-2 and Bara-2. The District Administration Office in Bara said in a statement on Thursday that the border points shall remain closed from midnight of Thursday to Sunday midnight. The sale and supply of liquor have been restricted in the district until the vote counting is completed. Also, vehicular movement along the Postal Highway in the district has been closed except for emergency ones from Saturday midnight to Sunday 7 pm. As the by-polls draw close, political parties displayed their strength by organising rallies for the last time on Thursday. Also Read Indo-Nepal border sealed for 72 hours ahead of general elections in Nepal Indian Embassy, Nepal govt sign MoUs for projects in education, healthcare Nepal, China to resume two-way trade via key border points from today 17.9 mn people set for national and provincial elections in Nepal on Sunday Nepal plane crash: At least 68 dead, rescuers search for 4 missing persons Amit Shah dials Sukhbir Badal; enquires about his father's health Moon sighted at several places, Eid to be celebrated in India on Sat Man who shot woman in Saket Court complex arrested: Delhi Police Scrap to art: Artists create masterpiece from waste metal at G20 Delhi park Will keeps acting against food biz involved in misleading claims: FSSAI The ruling coalition held election rallies in Chitwan and Bara on Thursday. Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, Prime Minister and CPN-Maoist Centre chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', and senior leaders of the alliance addressed the rallies in a bid to woo votes for their common candidates. The newly formed Rastriya Swotantra Party (RSP) has fielded its candidates in all three constituencies. Journalist-turned-politician Ravi Lamichhane is contesting the -election from Chitawan-2 while prominent economist Swornim Wagley and former Deputy Police Chief Ramesh Kharel are contesting from Tanhun-1 and Bara-2 constituencies. Lamichhane, who had lost his Parliament Member and Deputy Prime Minister's post due to the citizenship certificate controversy, is contesting a by-election from Chitwan-2. The main competition is between RSP and the common candidates from the ruling alliance.In Tanhun-1, economist Wagle is contesting against Nepali Congress candidate Govinda Bhattarai, who is backed by the ruling alliance. In Chitwan-2, Lamichhane is contesting against Nepali Congress candidate Jit Narayan Shrestha, who is also the common candidate of the ruling alliance. In Bara-2 Ramesh Kharel is contesting against Upendra Yadav, the chairman of Rastriya Janata Party Nepal, backed by the ruling alliance. The constituencies felt vacant after Ramchandra Paudel, who got elected from Tanahun-1, and Ramshay Prasad Yadav, who had won from Bara-2, resigned their HoR positions after getting elected as the President and the Vice President, respectively. The Chitaan-2 constituency fell vacant after the Supreme Court invalidated the citizenship certificate of Lamichhane, who had won the seat in the November 20 elections. The by-elections in the three constituencies have become a prestige issue for both the ruling alliance and the fourth largest party RSP, which has not yet withdrawn its support to the Prachanda-led coalition government, though its ministers had already quit the government. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has constituted a joint Committee and sought factual reports regarding the disappearance of 1095 ponds in Uttar Pradesh's Kanpur Dehat. The bench headed by NGT Chairman Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel in an order passed on April 19 said, "we constitute a joint Committee comprising of State Pollution Control Bureau Director, Fisheries Department, Uttar Pradesh and District Magistrate, Kanpur Dehat." The Tribunal also said that the committe to meet within two weeks and furnish its facts and actions are taken to report on the matter within two months. It may be necessary to inventory the ponds, give them unique identification numbers and codes and map them appropriately on the District map and make a remedial action plan for their restoration in terms of maintaining water quality and restoring fisheries, the Tribunal directed. The petitioner Meghraj Singh through a plea stated that the survey of ponds was conducted in 2011-12 for fisheries. 1975 ponds were found suitable for fisheries but hundreds of ponds encroached. Petitioner further stated that 900 ponds have been encroached on by influential persons including those in Akbarpur Block, Bhognipur Tehsil, Rasoolabad Tehsil, Sikandara and Derapur Block. The applicant also filed a complaint before the District Magistrate, Kanpur Dehat but necessary action has not been taken, the plea stated. Also Read Drones to monitor illegal prawn ponds in Odisha wetlands in 4 districts NTPC, Reliance, Adani top green hydrogen plays to bet on, say analysts IIT Kanpur to launch new eMasters program on sustainable construction Abolition of Odisha Administrative Tribunal constitutionally valid: SC IIT Kanpur licenses gene therapy technology to Reliance Life Sciences Tim Cook, Sunil Mittal reaffirm commitment to work closely in India, Africa PM Modi blames legacy, policies of previous govts for corrupt ecosystem Health Min accorded with PM Awards For Excellence in Public Administration IT hubs Hyderabad, Delhi, Bengaluru top locations for apprentice job in Q4 Saket court firing: Accused had filed cheating case against woman last year The Bihar government has served notices to 2.21 lakh beneficiaries for not completing their houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana Gramin (PMAY-G) even after disbursal of the entire amount (Rs 1.20 lakh per unit) in their respective accounts by the authorities concerned in the state. The Rural Development department of the state government has also initiated departmental action against 347 government employees (309 Aawaas Sahayak and 38 Awaas Paryavekshak) for not ensuring complete construction of houses even after disbursal of the entire amount to the account of beneficiaries in their respective rural blocks. While, 94,027 beneficiaries have been served 'red notices', 1,27,463 have been served 'white notices' by the state Rural Development department for not completing their houses despite receiving funds for the purpose several months/years ago under the PMAY-G scheme, according to the documents accessed by PTI. The red notice is issued to those violators against whom the department is now preparing to initiate legal action and the white notice is considered as warning to the violators for immediate completion of the house under the scheme. Talking to PTI on Friday, Bihar Rural Development minister Shrawan Kumar said, "Yes, the department has served notices (both red and white) to 2,21,490 beneficiaries in the state who have not completed pucca houses under the PMAY-G scheme even after disbursal of the entire amount in their accounts. "Some of the violators have not constructed their houses even after several years/months of the payments made by the department. Of course, state government officials are also responsible for this and that is the reason actions have been initiated against 347 officials". Also Read Mid-day meal scheme in West Bengal now under central govt's scanner 65,000 people benefited from Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana in J&K's Rajouri Centre cutting its share in funding education: Bihar FM Vijay Choudhary Demand for work under MGNREGS in FY24 to be 27% lower than in FY23 DFS secretary meets chief secretaries to boost PMJJBY, PMSBY enrolments Celebrating Sachin Tendulkar at 50 and his avalanche of milestones Banks refuse to take coins worth lakhs from Shirdi temple. Here's why BRS to support JD(S) in Karnataka polls, choses not to field any candidate RBI expected to pivot to rate cuts by year-end after a long pause PM Modi chairs meet on situation of Indians in violence-hit Sudan The department has served maximum number of notices (Red and White) to 21,375 beneficiaries in Gaya district followed by East Champaran (16,955), Madhubani (14,753), Begusarai (13,709), Nawada (13,344), Araria (11,806) and Madhepura (11338). Besides, Kishanganj and Buxar are the two districts where the numbers of violators are lowest in the state. While 152 notices (both) have been served in Kishanganj, 822 have been served to beneficiaries in Buxar district, according to documents. Launched by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in June 2015 and implemented from April 2016, the PMAY-G is a flagship programme of the Central government in its mission to provide affordable housing for all. It is addressed to the rural poor under which it will provide pucca houses (minimum size of the unit is 25 sq mt) with all the basic facilities including a hygienic kitchen to those living in kutcha houses. Financial Assistance of Rs 1,20,000 per unit for plain areas; and Rs 1,30,000 per unit for hilly areas, difficult areas, Himalayan states, North-Eastern states, and Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir. While 60 per cent of the scheme amount is provided by the Central government, state governments bear the remaining 40 per cent of the expenses under the scheme. According to an official statement, Modi, at a high-level meeting, instructed relevant officials to remain vigilant, closely monitor developments in Sudan and evaluate safety of Indian nationals there. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday assessed the developments in Sudan with a specific focus on safety of over 3,000 Indian citizens currently located throughout the violence-hit country. "During the meeting, Prime Minister Modi assessed the most recent developments in Sudan and received a first-hand report of the conditions on the ground, with specific focus on the safety of over 3,000 Indian citizens presently located throughout the country," the statement said. The prime minister directed preparation of contingency evacuation plans, accounting for the rapidly shifting security landscape and viability of various options. It said Modi also instructed officials to continuously evaluate the safety of Indian nationals and extend them all possible assistance. "The Prime Minister expressed his condolences on the passing away of an Indian national who tragically fell victim to a stray bullet last week," it said. Also Read India supports peace process and capacity building in South Sudan What is a phishing attack? US to welcome efforts by India to end hostilities in Ukraine: White House Army vs paramilitary: A common person's guide to the crisis in Sudan Khartoum violence: Indian embassy in Sudan advises Indians to not move out Woman shot at Saket court stable, teams formed to nab suspect: Delhi Police Kejriwal slams law, order in Delhi after woman shot at in Saket court India no. 1 in digital payments, rural economy is transforming: PM Modi India's major ports handled highest ever cargo at 795 million tonne in FY23 Dalai Lama speaks on compassion, wisdom at Global Buddhist Summit 2023 "The Prime Minister also emphasised the importance of maintaining close communication with neighbouring countries in the region, as well as those with significant numbers of citizens in Sudan," it said. "The Prime Minister further directed the preparation of contingency evacuation plans, accounting for the rapidly shifting security landscape and the viability of various options," the statement by the PMO said. The Indian Army on Thursday released the names of five soldiers killed in a terrorist attack on a truck in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch. The deceased soldiers are Havildar Mandeep Singh, Lance Naik Debashish Baswal, Lance Naik Kulwant Singh, Sepoy Harkrishan Singh and Sepoy Sewak Singh. In a tweet, the Army's 16 Corps based in Nagrota, Whiteknight, said, "White Knight Corps salutes the sacrifice of Hav Mandeep Singh, L/Nk Debashish Baswal, L/Nk Kulwant Singh, Sep Harkrishan Singh, Sep Sewak Singh, who laid down their lives in the line of duty in the Poonch Sector today. We stand in solidarity with the bereaved families." @Whiteknight_IA salutes the sacrifice of Hav Mandeep Singh, L/Nk Debashish Baswal, L/Nk Kulwant Singh, Sep Harkrishan Singh, Sep Sewak Singh, who laid down their lives in the line of duty in #Poonch Sector on 20 Apr 23. We stand in solidarity with the bereaved families. pic.twitter.com/50D9HRdssa White Knight Corps (@Whiteknight_IA) April 20, 2023 Army's additional directorate general of public information (ADG-PI) tweeted that Army Staff General Manoj Pande and all ranks of the Indian Army salute the supreme sacrifice of five soldiers. "General Manoj Pande #COAS and All Ranks of #IndianArmy salute the supreme sacrifice of 05 #IndianArmy Bravehearts, Hav Mandeep Singh, L/Nk Debashish Baswal, L/Nk Kulwant Singh, Sep Harkrishan Singh & Sep Sewak Singh who laid down their lives in the line of duty at #Poonch Sector," the tweet read. What happened in Poonch? Five soldiers were killed and one injured in a terror attack in Pooch on Thursday. An Army vehicle was moving between Bhimber Gali and Poonch in the Rajouri sector in Jammu and Kashmir when unidentified terrorists fired upon it. The vehicle caught fire due to the likely use of grenades by terrorists. "Five personnel of the Rashtriya Rifles Unit deployed for Counter Terrorist operations, in this area, have unfortunately lost their lives in the incident," the Army said in a statement. The soldier, who sustained serious injuries, was evacuated immediately and rushed to the Army Hospital at Rajouri, and is currently under treatment. Massive search operations underway Security forces have now launched a massive search operation in the dense forests of the Bata-Doriya area. The entire area has been cordoned off while drones and sniffer dogs are being used to sniff out the terrorists that might be hiding in the area, officials told the news agency PTI. They said that a high alert had been sounded in the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch amid close vigil along the Line of Control. Traffic on the Bhimber Gali-Poonch road was stopped following the incident, and people have been advised to go to Poonch via Mendhar. (With agency inputs) Russian deliveries of military supplies to India have ground to a halt as the countries struggle to find a payment mechanism that doesnt violate US sanctions, according to Indian officials with knowledge of the matter. By Sudhi Ranjan Sen and Adrija Chatterjee India is unable to settle the bill in US dollars due to concerns about secondary sanctions, while Russia remains unwilling to accept rupees due to exchange-rate volatility, the officials said. New Delhi also doesnt want to complete the deal in Russian rubles due to concerns about being able to purchase enough on the open market at a fair rate, they said. Indian payments for weapons amounting to more than $2 billion have been stuck for about a year, and Russia has stopped supplying credit for a pipeline of about $10 billion worth of spare parts as well as two S-400 missile-defense system batteries that have yet to be delivered, according to the officials, who asked not be identified due to the sensitivity of the issue. Russia is Indias biggest supplier of weapons needed to deter Pakistan and China. One possible solution would be to use euros and dirhams, the currencies used to pay for Indian imports of discounted Russian crude, a senior Indian government official said. However, using these currencies to pay for weapons could invite more scrutiny from the US over sanctions than oil, as well as pushing up costs due to unfavorable exchange rates for India. Indias government has proposed Moscow use the rupees from weapons sales to invest in Indian debt and capital markets to avoid stockpiling rupees, they added, but Vladimir Putins government doesnt find that appealing. Also Read Pakistan's former military ruler Pervez Musharraf to be buried in Karachi T20 World Cup 2022, Pakistan's road to final: Fortune favours the brave UK announces new tranche of sanctions against Russia over Ukraine war Global arms sales: Change is underway Russian military claims pullout from occupied city; Ukraine sceptical Rahul Gandhi interacts with UPSC, SSC aspirants in Mukherjee Nagar Tamil Nadu says won't transfer land ownership to AAI for Coimbatore airport With $100 bn in 2022, India biggest recipient of money from overseas Your service to nation been truly commendable: Prez Murmu to bureaucrats Indian Army holds Iftar party at Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch on Ramzan Indias Ministry of Defense, Ministry of External Affairs, Finance Ministry and the Reserve Bank of India didnt respond to phone calls or emailed requests for comment. The Kremlin and Rosonboronexport, Russias state arms sale company, also didnt respond to texts and emailed requests for comment. Another option under discussion is a mechanism for Russia to offset purchases of Indian imports against the price of the weapons, one of the officials said. But this isnt easy because Russia had a $37 billion trade surplus last year with India, its third-largest behind China and Turkey, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. There is also understandable concern about the trade imbalance, Jaishankar told reporters. We need to work together with our Russian friends on a very urgent basis on how to address that imbalance. The issue of payments for weapons has taken on more urgency of late, and dominated discussions when National Security Adviser Ajit Doval visited Moscow in January, the people said. It also featured heavily in talks in Delhi this week between Russian Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov and Indias External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, who said this week that the rupee settlement needed more work. Air Force Hit India currently operates more than 250 Su-30 MKi Russian-made fighter jets, seven Kilo-class submarines and more than 1,200 Russian-made T-90 tanks all of which are operational for another decade and need spare parts. Three of five S-400 missile defense systems have already been delivered. The India-Russia relationship will come under further scrutiny when Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosts Group of 20 leaders in September, during which the war will be a key focus. That meeting might be holding India back from immediately ironing out the payment mechanism for weapons with Russia, the people said. The Indian Air Force, which depends on a Russian fleet of fighters and helicopters, is among the worst hit from the disruption in supplies from Moscow, the people said. Its uncertain whether Russia can perform regular maintenance, they added, potentially leading to vulnerabilities along Indias borders with China and Pakistan. Modi will be meeting in the next few weeks with counterparts from the US and other industrialized nations. These countries see India as a bulwark to Chinas growing military and economic assertiveness, and have offered to provide defense equipment. But even so, it will take years to wean the nation off Russian weaponry while maintaining a credible defense posture. Russia remains Indias largest supplier of military hardware, though purchases have slowed by 19% in the last five years due to sanctions and increased competition from other manufacturing countries. India has carefully calibrated its response to Russias war in Ukraine, calling for a cease-fire while abstaining from voting on United Nations resolutions condemning the invasion. Delegation to visit Russia next week, explore agri exports While President Joe Bidens administration has largely refrained from penalizing India for its dealings with Russia, including holding back on penalties for S-400 air defense system, it has taken some action. Last September, a Mumbai-based petrochemical firm Tibalaji Petrochem was added to the sanctions list by the US Department of Treasury for buying petroleum products from Iran. A business delegation will visit Russia on April 24-27, the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) said on Friday, a fresh sign of expanding bilateral trade ties as Moscow increasingly turns east in response to Western sanctions imposed over the Ukraine war. The announcement follows a visit by Russian trade and industry minister Denis Manturov to Delhi earlier this week. The 50-member delegation would meet buyers in Moscow and St Petersburg, said A Sakthivel, president of the Federation of FIEO, adding they were aiming to expand exports to Russia to $5 billion in this fiscal year. - REUTERS State Bank of India (SBI) on Friday said it is exploring options for installing an iris scanner at Banking Correspondent or Customer Service Point to address the challenges faced by senior pensioners or customers. This will save senior citizens from going to branches and withdrawing pensions at their nearest Bank Mitra channel. "Bank has also been examining options of installing Iris scanners at our BC/CSP (Bank Mitra) channels to address the challenges faced by our Senior Pensioners/ Customers," SBI said in a statement. SBI has always aligned its business goals with national priorities, and focused attention is given to a range of financial inclusion activities, it said. However, it said, an unfortunate incident has recently come to light where one of the senior citizen customers faced difficulty in withdrawing her old age pension from the nearby CSP (Bank Mitra) in Jharigaon block of Nabrangpur district of Odisha on account of her fading fingerprints not being recognised by the biometric reader at the CSP (Bank Mitra). As per the laid down protocols, the nearest link branch, SBI Jharigaon, immediately paid the pension amount by debiting the amount manually from the pensioner's account, it added. Also Read SBI Q2 PAT may rise up to 98% QoQ, asset quality could improve: Analysts SBI Q3 profit may rise nearly 60% YoY; deposit growth could outrun peers SBI loans to get costlier as bank hikes key lending rate; Details here SBI's Q2 net rises 74% to Rs 13,265 crore on improved interest margins Analysts cut earnings estimate, target price on SBI Card post weak Q2 show Can't wait to return, says Apple CEO Tim Cook last day of India visit 80% reserved seats for EWS, special needs filled in Delhi pvt schools Nepal's border points with India sealed for 72hrs ahead of by-polls Amit Shah dials Sukhbir Badal; enquires about his father's health Moon sighted at several places, Eid to be celebrated in India on Sat She has also been reassured by the branch manager of the delivery of pension at her doorstep going forward, it noted. As a goodwill gesture, the statement said, SBI has donated a wheelchair to the pensioner to facilitate her movement. "While necessary protocols are already in place to address such situations, SBI has taken further cognizance of the matter and has initiated reiteration of the guidelines to all our BCs/CSPs (Bank Mitra) to contact their link branches in case of any issues faced by them in serving our customers," it said. Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has said that his participation in a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Council in India reflected Islamabad's commitment to the charter of the SCO and should not be seen in terms of bilateral ties. Responding to a question on a programme on Dunya News aired on Thursday, he said he would represent Pakistan at the Foreign Ministers meeting to be held in Goa next month. "We are committed to the SCO charter and this visit should not be seen as a bilateral one but in the context of the SCO," Bhutto-Zardari said. Pakistan's Foreign Ministry on Thursday said that Bhutto-Zardari will lead the Pakistani delegation to the meeting of SCO foreign ministers (CFM) scheduled to be held on May 4-5 in Goa. Pakistan Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch during a weekly presser on Thursday stated that Bhutto-Zardari is attending the SCO-CFM meeting at the invitation of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. "Our participation at the meeting reflects Pakistan's continued commitment to the SCO charter and process and the importance that Pakistan accords to the region in its foreign policy priorities," the spokesperson said. Bilawal will be the first foreign minister to visit India after a gap of nearly 12 years, reported Business Recorder. In 2011, then Pakistan foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar visited India. Also Read Bilawal Bhutto to attend SCO meeting in India in May: Pak's Foreign Office Pak FM Bilawal Bhutto launches vituperative personal tirade against PM Modi US Dy Secy discusses Pak's efforts to recover from floods with FM Bilawal Imran's political future dark if he ignores democratic path: Bilawal Pakistan rejects India's criticism of Bilawal Bhutto's uncivilised outburst Indo-American Iyengar Plumb confirmed as Deputy under Defence Secretary Notices served to 221,000 people for not completing houses in Bihar Celebrating Sachin Tendulkar at 50 and his avalanche of milestones Banks refuse to take coins worth lakhs from Shirdi temple. Here's why BRS to support JD(S) in Karnataka polls, choses not to field any candidate India has formally sent invitations to all members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) including Pakistan and China for the upcoming foreign ministers' meeting. Chinese foreign minister Qin Gang and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov will also likely participate in the meeting. India took over the chairmanship of the 9-member mega grouping in September last year and will be holding key ministerial meetings and the summit this year. Relations between the two countries have been precarious for many years with regard to issues of cross-border terrorism from Pakistan, even as Islamabad has been seeking the restoration of Article 370 for the former Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir for any talks. The 20-year-old organization has Russia, India, China, Pakistan, and four central Asian countries - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan as its members. Iran is the latest country to become a member and under Indian Presidency will for the first time attend the grouping's meeting as a full-fledged member. The last meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization was held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the SCO Summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. The 22nd Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO in September 2022, was the first in-person summit since June 2019 meeting of the SCO leaders in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Notably, this year's SCO foreign ministers meeting comes in the wake-up of escalating Russia-Ukraine war and India's G20 Presidency. Tamil Nadu disagrees that AAI should have the right to sub-lease the land to the private sector. It said this a month after Civil aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia urged the state government to acquire and hand over land for expanding airports in Chennai, Trichy, Madurai, Tuticorin, Coimbatore and Vellore. Tamil Nadu Finance Minister P Thiaga Rajan (PTR) said on Friday the state would lease to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) or the Centre the land needed for Coimbatore airports expansion, but it will not transfer ownership. He said that if the centre decides to hand over the Coimbatore airport to private players, lease payments to Tamil Nadu would go up to reflect the prevailing market value of the land. Else, state should get an equity stake in the airport equivalent to the then-prevailing value of the land. Our state would only lease the needed land to the AAI/Union government, and not transfer ownership to them, as before. The lease would include a clause that the lease amount would be kept at a minimum token value as long as the airport was operated by AAI itself, said PTR on Twitter on Friday. According to the media reports, Tamil Nadu has spent nearly Rs 2,000 crore to acquire more than 600 acres for Coimbatore airport expansion, securing around 80 per cent of the land required. And that Tamil Nadu has declined AAIs suggestion that they should have the right to sub-lease the land to a private operator (at the concessional lease rent) without our consent (and at the token value lease payment), he said. Losing favour: IT sector weighting in Nifty50 at 5-year low of 12.2% The recent sell-off in IT stocks such as Infosys and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has resulted in a sharp decline in the IT sector weighting in the Nifty50 index. Minutes of April MPC meeting: Members split on economic growth prospects The sectors weighting in the index has slipped to a five-year low of 12.2 per cent, down from the 17.7 per cent at the end of March 2022. The top IT companies TCS, Infosys, Wipro, HCL Technologies, and Tech Mahindra accounted for 13.6 per cent of the index at the end of March this year. Read more... All the members unanimously agreed to keep the repo rate unchanged at 6.5 per cent in the latest review. Between May 2022 and February 2023, the policy repo rate was increased by 250 basis points (bps). Read more... All the external members of the Reserve Bank of Indias monetary policy committee (MPC) flagged risk of slowing growth, while the internal members seemed more sanguine about the growth prospects, the minutes of the monetary policy review meeting held earlier this month showed. Also Read Twitter Blue 'verification' rolled out in India, to cost Rs 719 per month Have a Twitter blue tick? Buy a Blue subscription or lose it from April 1 MPC lowers projection for inflation, raises growth outlook a bit in FY24 What is Twitter's blue tick? Ahead of Saket store launch, Apple CEO Tim Cook to meet PM Modi today Public money won't be used to pay lawyers for Mukhtar Ansari: Punjab CM Jaishankar discusses Sudan with Guterres, pitches for successful diplomacy Angkita Dutta gets show cause notice for harassment allegations on IYC Prez How many Indians are there really? India isn't ready for the answer CJI D Y Chandrachud on same-sex marriage: 'Are binary spouses essential?' How Tim Cook went about mixing business with pleasure on his India trip If Apple chief Tim Cooks Twitter timeline on his India visit is anything to go by, then one can safely say he believes in mixing business with pleasure. Or even that, for Cook, leisure too is all about business. Vedanta pledges Rs 3.5K crore in Hindustan Zinc to refinance loans When not welcoming excited crowds to the Apple stores in Mumbai and Delhi or attending high-profile meetings, Cook was found engaging with creators, educationists, and sportspersons. After each of these engagements, he tweeted about the experience, carefully positioning the Apple products in his tweets. Read more... Vedanta's London-based holding company, Vedanta Resources, has to repay debt worth $1 billion by June this year to its lenders, and the additional share pledge was part of the groups efforts to raise funds before the deadline. The group was in talks with Farallon Capital to raise an additional $1.25 billion. Read more... Anil Agarwal-led Vedanta has pledged an additional 2.44 per cent stake worth Rs 3,500 crore in its subsidiary Hindustan Zinc (HZL) as part of its plan to refinance old loans worth Rs 10,000 crore. With this, Vedanta has pledged 91 per cent of its stake in the mining company. Vedanta holds 65 per cent stake in zinc mining firm, HZL. End to Twitter's legacy blue checkmarks; Pope losses tick, LeBron retains Twitters legacy blue checkmarks, which used to signify that a verified notable person was using the account, are now gone, with new owner Elon Musk preferring to include the icon in a paid subscription service instead. PFC is a leading NBFC in the Indian power sector. The purchased passenger EVs will be leased to Blusmart Mobility Pvt. Ltd (BMPL) to expand its fleet of ride-hailing cabs. Gensol Engineering Ltd (GEL) has been sanctioned a loan worth Rs 633 crore by Power Finance Corporation Ltd (PFC), a Maharatna company for the purchase of 5,000 passenger electric vehicles (EVs) and 1,000 cargo EVs, the power ministry informed in a press release on Friday. The Additional Secretary with the Ministry of Power Ajay Tewari along with PFC CMD Ravinder Singh Dhillon flagged the first lot of EV cabs on Thursday. The first tranche of the said loan has already been disbursed, and the first lot of EV cabs have hit the Delhi roads. E-mobility adoption is going on at a fast pace in the country, and we believe that there is a huge potential in this field. Through this funding, PFC has endeavoured to contribute towards Indias Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) goals, and this will go a long way for moving towards a healthy and sustainable mode of transport Dhillon said. While addressing the launch, Dhillon expressed great confidence in the potential of electric vehicles and their role in helping India contribute towards Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) goals. Also Read Govt catching up, plans to develop infra to assess new-tech vehicles Will renewable energy stocks keep your portfolio green? Funding reality check for India's dream to achieve net-zero by 2070 World Thrift Day 2022: 5 simple ways you can adopt to become a better saver Flipkart Big Saving Days sale: Deals on Pixel 6a, Samsung Flip3, and more Tata Motors to JBM: Bus makers shun govt contracts over payment concerns Jaguar Land Rover raises EV drive bill to 15 bn to catch up with peers Volkswagen to launch its first electric vehicle ID.4 in India by 2024 Volkswagen unveils Taigun with two variants, two limited editions As VW prepares to launch ID.4 in India, a look at world's best-selling EVs This emission is equivalent to the amount of CO2 absorbed by over five million fully-grown trees annually. The 5,000 passenger e4Ws (Electric Four-Wheelers) being launched in Delhi are expected to result in emission savings of over 100,000 tons of carbon dioxide (C02). Apart from funding renewables, PFC is also exploring opportunities in debt funding of EVs (OEMs and fleet acquisition), Battery OEMs and EV charging infrastructure keeping India's net-zero target in mind. India's large bus makers including Tata Motors, JBM Auto and PMI Electro have not bid for the latest government contract to supply nearly 5,000 electric buses because they fear not getting paid on time, three sources told Reuters. By Aditi Shah and Sarita Chaganti Singh Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government wants to deploy 50,000 electric buses countrywide over the next few years which is estimated to cost $12 billion. To do this, it is aggregating demand from state governments and issuing contracts or tenders which companies bid for. Some companies have also stayed away because of new labour clauses in the tender documents, an industry source and a government official said, slowing India's efforts to curb vehicular pollution by electrifying its public transport. While there have been no payment issues so far, the state transport corporations have previously delayed payments to bus makers when procuring combustion engine vehicles, the industry sources said. In the first two tenders for about 11,000 electric buses the government received bids from major bus makers including Tata, JBM, Ashok Leyland, PMI Electro and Olectra Greentech , which has partnered with China's BYD. Also Read Tata Motors Q3 preview: What to expect from auto major's quarterly results? Auto Expo returns after 3 years; some prominent firms to skip event 40% of all vehicles sold will be electric by 2030, says Bain & Co report Tata Motors to operationalise Ford's Sanand unit in Gujarat in 12-18 months No near-term boost likely for auto stocks from Expo 2023, say analysts Jaguar Land Rover raises EV drive bill to 15 bn to catch up with peers Volkswagen to launch its first electric vehicle ID.4 in India by 2024 Volkswagen unveils Taigun with two variants, two limited editions As VW prepares to launch ID.4 in India, a look at world's best-selling EVs Discounts are back to 2019 levels; is this a good time to buy a car? Payments are typically made over a 12-year period and given the poor state of state transport corporations' finances, this is a big risk, said one of the industry executives involved in the process. The third tender for 4,675 buses opened in January and closed this week but got bids from only one Indian EV startup - Eka Mobility owned Pune-based Pinnacle Industries, industry and government officials said. Tata Motors, JBM Auto, PMI Electro and Eka Mobility did not respond to e-mails seeking comment. "Until there is some kind of guarantee or mechanism in place it will be difficult to participate," the person added. In addition to the finances, another problem in the latest tender was a "dry lease" under which the companies provide buses to the state transport corporations and the bus drivers and conductors are deployed by the state, the company officials said. In earlier contracts, the companies provided the staff as well. State-run Convergence Energy Services Ltd (CESL), which issues the tenders, also did not respond to a request for comment. "Whether the driver would maintain the bus properly is a great risk," the official added. "Drivers and conductors are considered as important an asset as the bus and in the case of a dry lease contract, we have no control over the asset," one company official said. Indian banks are also reluctant to lend to electric-bus makers for government tenders over concerns on recovery of dues. Most Indian state transport corporations are in poor financial health because they are often forced to keep fares low while being over-staffed. The corporations are controlled by strong trade unions that resist privatisation and layoffs. CESL has begun consultations with the e-bus makers to iron out problems and has extended the timeline for them to submit bids till month-end, the government official said. According to the TeamLease Apprenticeship Outlook Report released by human resources firm TeamLease, the hiring intent in Hyderabad now stands at 83 per cent. In Delhi, it is 82 per cent and 81 per cent in Chennai. The other two cities with high hiring intent are Bengaluru (80 per cent) and Mumbai (77 per cent). Hyderabad, Delhi and Chennai showed the maximum intent to hire apprentices in India, a new report released on Friday revealed. In the last quarter of the previous financial year, 2022-23, Hyderabad, Delhi and Bengaluru, however, hired the maximum number of apprentices in India, it added. "These cities, being hubs of the IT/tech industry, provide ample opportunities for apprentices to gain industry-specific skills and knowledge, while contributing to the growth of the technology sector," said Sumit Kumar, chief business officer at TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship. The report was based on a survey of 597 employers across India. In apprenticeship, people are trained in any particular industry or establishment. They teach the skills required to complete a particular job. The apprentices are also paid during the process, often leading to full-time employment. On a pan-India level, 79 per cent of employers showed intent to hire more apprentices in the quarter ending March. It was higher than 77 per cent in the same quarter in 2022. Also Read PAN-Aadhaar link status: Are your cards already linked? Learn how to check Pan-Aadhaar link online: What happens if cards are not linked by March 31? PAN-Aadhaar Link: A step by step guide to link two cards before deadline PAN-Aadhaar link: Last date to link these two cards extended to June 30 Consolidation of PSBs gives a robust base to scale: Bankers at BFSI Summit Nearly 1 million music streams played every 3 minutes in FY23: Redseer BIS non-clearance halt import of viscose, polyester staple fibre Airports seek easier rules to boost travel, trade between India, Europe Airports Authority of India plans Rs 4,000-cr capital expenditure in FY24 India's smartphone market nosedives 20% in Q1 as 2023 remains challenging The report highlighted that a notable uptick in the involvement of apprentices was observed, the highest in Engineering and Industrial, followed by Electrical and Electronics and BFSI. 94 per cent of employers in Engineering and Industrial, 93 per cent in Electrical and Electronics, and 85 per cent in BFSI are willing to increase their apprentice engagement. "Under the Apprentices Act, 1961, an organization can engage 2.5 per cent to 15 per cent of the total manpower strength," said Dhriti Prasanna Mahanta, business head at TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship. "The social impact of apprenticeship programs like reducing unemployment, improving livelihoods, and empowering local communities through skill development while economically boosting productivity, innovation, and competitiveness of businesses, is driving overall prosperity. Additionally, with the Union Budget 2023-24 announcement of aiding 4.7 million youth over the next three years, India Inc is close to witnessing what a global powerhouse of robust, skilful talent looks like," Kumar added. Also Read PNC Infra rallies 8% on bagging Rs 819 crore highway project Udayshivakumar Infra IPO: Shares to be allotted today; learn how to check HG Infra rises 4% on Rs 535 cr-order win from RVNL; stock up 30% in 3 mths Bank stocks can slide more; stay away for now: Analysts HG Infra wins NHAI project worth Rs 997 crore; stock surges 8% FPIs start new financial year, buys Indian equities on cheaper valuations Tech M sheds 9% in 5 days on JP Morgan, Citi downgrades, target price cuts ITC surpasses HDFC's m-cap to become 7th most valued listed company Indian companies are turning more to junk bonds to meet funding needs Rupee gains 1 paisa to 82.16 against dollar as market sentiment improves Shares of Ramky Infrastructure (Ramky Infra) hit an over 12-year high of Rs 383.60, as they rallied 7 per cent on the BSE in Friday's intra-day trade. The stock of the civil construction company was quoting at its highest level since November 2010. In the past two months, it has zoomed 48 per cent.Ayodhya Rami Reddy Alla, MP Rajya Sabha; and his family members held 69.83 per cent stake in the company as on March 31, 2023.On March 31, 2023, Ramky Infra announced that Srinagar Banihal Expressway Limited (SBEL), a subsidiary of the company, has reached a debt settlement agreement with lenders. SBEL was established for undertaking four laning of Srinagar Banihal Section awarded by NHAI in the State of Jammu and Kashmir under design, build, operate, finance and transfer basis (DBFOT) on annuity basis.The lenders, upon evaluating the current financial capabilities of SBEL, have accepted for the "one-time settlement" of the current outstanding for an amount of Rs 1,200 crore, Ramky Infra said in an exchange filing.SBEL was a Non Performing Asset (NPA) for the last five years due to Cost and Time overruns in the project. The company was also financially unviable due to loss of Annuities linked to extension of time and various claims against the company by vendors and contractors. As a result, the outstanding liabilities have become more than the financial assets to service the debt obligation. Therefore, the company has approached the lenders to provide a "one-time settlement of its debt obligation relief to revive and sustain the companys operations, Ramky Infra said on reasons for opting one-time-settlement.Ramky Infra is an integrated construction, infrastructure development and management company in India. Since commencement of business in 1994, the company has delivered a range of construction and infrastructure projects in various sectors such as water, wastewater, transportation, irrigation, industrial construction, parks (including SEZs), power transmission, power distribution, residential, commercial and retail property.Ramky Infra operates mainly in three principal business segments, the Construction Business is operated directly by the Company and the Developer business is operated through its subsidiaries & associates. Also, the international business is mainly handled in the offshore office at Sharjah, UAE.The construction industry contributes around 8 per cent to India's Gross domestic product (GDP). Growth in infrastructure is critical for the development of the economy and hence, the construction sector assumes an important role. Enforcement of nationwide lockdown against the spread of Covid-19 pandemic has adversely impacted the financial and liquidity profile of players in the industry. Government of India has undertaken several steps for boosting the infrastructure development and revives the investment cycle. Samsung will release the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 smartphones a month ahead of schedule in order to compete with Google's purported Pixel Fold, it said. Samsung is working on the next generation of foldable smartphones, Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5, and hopes to release them sooner than expected, an NDTV report said. According to details shared in a tweet by tipster Revegnus (Twitter: @Tech_Reve), Samsung Electronics will begin mass manufacturing of foldable phone hinges in early June. Typically, the business begins manufacturing hinges for its foldable phones by the end of the month. As a result, the tipster claims that Samsung could launch Galaxy Z Fold 5 and the Galaxy Z Flip 5 in July rather than in late August. The South Korean company is expected to begin mass manufacturing the parts of the upcoming foldable phones in early June. Samsung typically starts producing hinges around the end of June. The Galaxy Z Fold 5 is said to include a novel 'droplet' hinge design. Specifications for Samsung's forthcoming foldable phones for 2023 have repeatedly leaked online. The Galaxy Z Fold 5 is expected to include a novel 'droplet' hinge design and an IPX8 rating. Both the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 are reported to run One UI 5.1.1 based on Android 13 and to be powered by a custom Qualcomm Snapdragon for Galaxy SoC. Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Galaxy Z Flip 4 on August 10 last year, at its Galaxy Unpacked event. Also Read OPPO Find N2 Flip review: Late, but this foldable phone is worth the wait OPPO Find N2 Flip phone goes on sale with introductory offers: Details here Samsung Galaxy Book3 Pro: Lightweight laptop lifted by ecosystem benefits Samsung to launch Galaxy M14 5G smartphone in India on April 17: Details OPPO launches Find N2 Flip foldable phone in India at Rs 89,999: Details Xiaomi 12 Pro, Redmi K50i available at discounted prices on Amazon: Details Samsung Galaxy M14 5G on sale at introductory starting price of Rs 13,490 Asus launches Zenbook S 13 OLED thin-&-lightweight laptop in India: Details Honor MagicBook X 14, X16 laptops available for purchase on Amazon India Dell launches Inspiron 24-inch All-In-One desktop: Know price, specs & more The Galaxy Z Flip 5 could have a dual back camera set with a 12-megapixel primary sensor and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle shooter. The Galaxy Z Fold 5 is said to have a triple rear camera configuration with a 50-megapixel primary sensor, a 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle sensor, and a 10-megapixel telephoto photographer. Davey Alba & Julia Love Alphabets Google has consolidated its artificial intelligence (AI) research groups into one unit, the companys latest move to keep from falling behind in the AI race. The change folds the Brain team from Google Research and Alphabets DeepMind into one team, Chief Executive Officer Sundar Pichai said in a blog post. Combining all this talent into one focused team, backed by the computational resources of Google, will significantly accelerate our progress in AI, Pichai said. Demis Hassabis will lead the group as CEO of DeepMind. Jeff Dean, the executive who had been leading Googles AI and research efforts, will move out of management as part of the reorganisation, according to two sources. In his new role as Googles chief scientist, Dean will be working with both Google Research and DeepMind to develop new, more capable AI systems. Now, Googles reorganisation appears to consolidate that research work under one umbrella, Google DeepMind, signaling tighter integration with the rest of Alphabet. In February, the company announced that starting this year, DeepMind would be included in Alphabets corporate costs to reflect how the technology is being incorporated into other businesses rather than as part of the Other Bets category of investments with less immediate impact, Alphabet said. James Manyika, Googles senior vice president of technology and society, will take over as head of Google Research. The unit is meant to continue its work on areas like privacy and security, quantum computing, health, climate and responsible AI. Bard to write codes Google said on Friday it will update Bard, its generative AI chatbot, to help people write code to develop software. Delays and disruptions can be expected in processing applications and passport services following the strike by a labour union representing over 155,000 employees that will impact most government departments, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced. The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), the union representing federal workers, went on strike on April 19 after they failed to reach an agreement with the government on issues related to wages and decent working conditions. "During this labour disruption, certain services may be delayed or not delivered at all. As well, the public may have trouble accessing some Government of Canada buildings where services are delivered," the IRCC said in a statement. The Canadian immigration body said disruptions and delays can be expected in processing applications, immigration-related appointments, contacting IRCC via email, phone or social media, consular citizenship and passport services, citizenship ceremonies, and extending one's stay in Canada. However, some IRCC services, like applying online, mailing applications to IRCC, using one's online accounts, accessing emergency services, will remain available during the labour disruption. In addition, services offered by non-governmental organisations, including settlement services from IRCC partner organisations, healthcare through the Interim Federal Health Program, and visa application centres outside of Canada, will also remain available. Also Read Nearly one million immigrants gained US citizenship in FY22: Report Canada's immigration backlog shrinks to 2.2 mn, reveals IRCC data Blinkit shuts some Gurugram dark stores for good as delivery workers strike Permanent Indian residents now eligible to be part of Canadian military Illegal immigration from India to US rose in last 2 months, doubled in 2022 Climate change causing reduced crop yields in India, heatwaves globally: UN Covid origins 'may never be revealed': Top Chinese scientist Credit Suisse investors sue Swiss financial regulators after facing losses 4 million apply for tickets for Paris Olympics in lottery: Report Excessive methane emitted from mega wildfires fuels vicious cycle: Study The Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), which plays a key role in the country's immigration system, is also expecting disruptions to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and the collection of biometrics. --IANS mi/uk/ The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of India, Armenia and Iran held the first trilateral political consultations on Thursday in Yerevan. The three countries had a wide range of discussions, particularly on economic issues and regional communication. Trilateral cooperation in various fields was also discussed during the meeting. Informing of the consultations, the official Twitter account of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia wrote, "First trilateral political consultations btw MFAs of #Armenia, #Iran & #India were held in Yerevan. Sides discussed, particularly economic issues & regional communications outlined prospects of deepening cultural & people to people contacts & trilateral coop in various fields." Armenia and India celebrated 30 years of bilateral diplomatic relations in 2022. Armenia and India maintain active political ties. Effective cooperation exists between the two nations within international bodies. After Armenia's independence in 1991, Armenian-Indian relations were reestablished. Also Read Baghdad mediated talks with Iran reported stalled over protests in Iran Iran to send delegation to Vienna for talks with IAEA, says FM Abdollahian What we know about Iran's notorious 'morality police' and how it operates Iran to uphold nuke commitments, if sanctions removed: Iranian atomic chief UN nuclear head meets Iranian officials amid enrichment concerns US President Biden prepares to announce re-election campaign next week Turkey starts delivery of natural gas from Black Sea field to cut imports Oil prices extend losses on fears of recession, slower oil demand Anyone trying to resist global trend towards multipolarity will lose: Putin Twitter removes legacy blue ticks for thousands; all you need to know Diplomatic relations were established between the Republic of Armenia and India in 1992.In 1999, the Indian Embassy in Yerevan began operations. India-Iran relations span millennia marked by meaningful interactions. Since the diplomatic relationship has been established in 1950 with the friendship treaty, the visits on the ministerial level have increased. In September last year, Iranian Foreign Minister H Amirabdollahian spoke to Jaishankar.The two countries have in place several bilateral consultative mechanisms at various levels which meet regularly. These include the Joint Committee Meeting (JCM) chaired at the Ministerial level, the Foreign Office Consultations chaired at the Foreign Secretary level, and the Joint Consular Committee Meeting at the level of Joint Secretary/DG. India-Iran commercial ties were traditionally dominated by the Indian import of Iranian crude oil. Recently in February, Irani Ambassador to India Iraj Elahi said described India as "most important to Iran". "India is "most important to Iran" and the recent cordial meeting between Tehran's President Ebrahim Raisi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is proof of this, Iraj Elahi said while addressing the event on the occasion of the 44th Anniversary of the victory of the Islamic revolution of Iran. He said the Chabahar port, with which India is highly involved, is considered the "Golden Gateway. The paper titled 'Ground solar absorption observations of total column CO, CO2, CH4, and aerosol optical depth from California's Sequoia Lightning Complex Fire: emission factors and modified combustion efficiency at regional scales' published in the peer-reviewed journal Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics studied the recent mega wildfires in California using new remote methane detection technique and found that massive amounts of the gas are being released from those. A new detection method for methane emissions from mega wildfires has found that the amount of the gas released from these fires is much more than estimated using earlier methods. According to the researchers, this data matched readings from European space agency satellite data, which had a broader, worldwide view of the burned areas but was unable to quantify methane under these conditions. The researchers discovered over 20 gigagrams of methane emitted by the 2020 Sequoia Lightning Fire Complex in the Sierra Nevadas, a mountain range in eastern California, using this remote technique. A gigagram is equivalent to 1,000 metric tonnes. "For 2020, wildfires would have been the third biggest source of methane in the state. Fires are getting bigger and more intense. Typically, these sources have been hard to measure, and it's questionable whether they're under our control. But we have to try. They're offsetting what we're trying to reduce," environmental sciences professor at University of California, Riverside (UCR) and study co-author Francesca Hopkins in a statement. Traditionally, scientists evaluated such emissions by examining wildlife air samples acquired via aeroplane, a procedure that, according to the researchers, is costly and difficult to implement. Also Read Energy colonialism, climate reparations: COP27 and key concepts to know What is climate finance? Climate goals at risk, emissions by top emitters rebound: UN report India and COP27: How does the new climate report affect them? What is the Mangrove Alliance for Climate? US business activity rises to 11-month high in April: S&P Global survey Procter & Gamble raises full-year sales forecast on higher pricing Indian diaspora in Australia wants to name Sydney suburb as 'Little India' 'Little evidence' of China approaching India to resolve border dispute: US Russia's air force accidentally bombs its own city 'Belgorod' near Ukraine The study also discovered that, even though methane-emitting wildfires were not new, the amount of methane emitted by the top 20 fires in 2020 was more than seven times the average from wildfires in the previous 19 years. According to scientists, climate change has been fueling the severity, range and frequency of wildfires which emit methane that in turn accelerates the said climate change, researchers highlighted adding that it is 25 times as potent at trapping heat as carbon dioxide, in the short term. Scientists said, "Methane warms the planet 86 times more intensely than carbon dioxide over 20 years. The state would struggle to meet its needed cleaner air and climate targets without accounting for this source." External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar arrived in Guyana on Friday for a three-day visit to the country. On reaching the Guyanese capital of Georgetown, the EAM was received by the Foreign Minister of Guyana, Hugh Todd. Taking to Twitter, Jaishankar wrote, "Arrived in Georgetown, Guyana to a warm reception from FM Hugh Todd. Look forward to a productive visit." Apart from calling on the leadership and interacting with several Ministers in Guyana, Jaishankar be co-chairing the Joint Commission Meeting with his counterpart, Hugh Hilton Todd which will entail discussions on the whole gamut of issues between the two countries. According to the official release of the Ministry of External Affairs, the EAM's visit to Guyana would also be an opportunity for a meeting of Foreign Ministers in the India-COFCOR (Council on Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR); a group of 15-member Caribbean Community (CARICOM)) format and hold bilateral meetings with participating Ministers. The External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar is notably on a four-nation Central and Latin America visit beginning today. Also Read Jaishankar's 4-nation visit to Central and Latin America begins today Jaishankar to visit 4 countries in Latin America, Caribbean from Apr 21-29 Relations with Indian diaspora bolstered due to Sushma Swaraj: Jaishankar EAM Jaishankar to embark on official visit to Sri Lanka from today India, Armenia, Iran hold 1st trilateral political consultations in Yerevan India, Armenia, Iran hold 1st trilateral political consultations in Yerevan US President Biden prepares to announce re-election campaign next week Turkey starts delivery of natural gas from Black Sea field to cut imports Oil prices extend losses on fears of recession, slower oil demand Anyone trying to resist global trend towards multipolarity will lose: Putin Following his visit to Guyana, Jaishankar will visit Panama from April 24-25. He will be calling on top leadership and would be hosted by Foreign Minister Janaina Tewaney Mencomo. During this visit, the India-SICA Foreign Ministerial Meeting will also be convened wherein he would meet representatives of the eight-country Central American Integration System (SICA). On April 25-27, the EAM will embark on a Colombia visit where he would be meeting several top representatives of the Government, business and civil society. His Colombia visit would be the first Foreign Ministerial level visit to the country, the External Affairs Ministry said in its release. Furthermore, Jaishankar will also visit the country from April 27-29. The EAM's visit takes place after the establishment of our resident Embassy in Santo Domingo in 2022. Apart from calling on the country's political leadership, EAM will be holding discussions with Foreign Minister Roberto Alvarez, the press release said. The two leaders would also formally inaugurate the Indian resident mission. EAM is also expected to deliver a talk at the Dominican Republic Foreign Ministry. A group of Tesla investors has accused the company of mismanagement and is seeking a meeting with its board to discuss the performance of Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk. - Dana Hull They want the board to come up with a plan to do so and seek to remove directors too closely tied to the CEO. The 17 shareholders, who hold more than $1.5 billion of Tesla stock, said Musk is distracted by his commitments to other companies and must be reined in, according to an open letter they sent to Chairwoman Robyn Denholm and Director Ira Ehrenpreis Friday. Over the last year, it became quite clear that Tesla suffers from a governance problem. There is collective frustration, said Ivan Frishberg, the chief sustainability officer for Amalgamated Bank, which has 722,070 shares in Tesla across its various funds. Also Read Elon Musk's Tesla loses 2 years of gains amid Twitter saga, demand fears Tesla chief Elon Musk threatens to sue Microsoft for using data 'illegally' How will Elon Musk's takeover of Twitter change the public square? After China, Tesla now announces price cuts on its electric vehicles in US Is Elon Musk mismanaging Twitter? Dominic Raab quits as deputy PM; spotlight now turns to Rishi Sunak Chile to nationalise vast lithium industry, unveils model to share resource UK Parliament panel criticises lack of information on FTA talks with India Immigration services to be hit as 155,000 Canadian govt employees on strike Climate change causing reduced crop yields in India, heatwaves globally: UN The carmaker is now worth half its $1.2 trillion market cap on April 4, 2022, when Musk first disclosed his stake in Twitter, the investors pointed out. He ultimately bought the social media company and has run it since October. Amalgamated Bank, New York City pension funds, and other signatories to the letter want Musk to focus so he can navigate the increasingly competitive EV market and regulatory scrutiny. Earlier this year, another Tesla investor who isnt associated with the letter filed a resolution asking the company to create a plan to address its reliance on Musk. Teslas board has recommended shareholders vote against the proposal at the companys May 16 annual meeting. This years proxy contains just one resolution, down from eight in 2022. It is unprecedented to be a CEO and also be running two other companies at the same time, said Courtney Wicks, executive director of Investor Advocates for Social Justice, which represents several faith-based investors. I cant imagine any other board allowing a CEO to have as many outside business activities. The group also criticised Tesla for opening a showroom in Urumqui, the capital of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in China. The letter goes on to a list of series of other issues the investors argue put the company at risk. Among them: the companys litigation with the state of California over the treatment of Black employees at Fremont factory, the use of mandatory arbitration and the termination of employees who were involved in a union organising effort in New York. Tesla hikes US prices after shares slump Tesla increased prices of its Model S and X vehicles in the US after steep markdowns early this year took a toll on profitability and the carmakers shares. A cross-party Parliament committee in charge of scrutinising the UK government's trade affairs on Friday strongly criticised the lack of information provided around Britain's ongoing negotiations with India for a free trade agreement (FTA). The House of Commons International Trade Committee, which is set to be dissolved next week to make way for a new Business and Trade Committee in keeping with the creation of the new merged department by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, said in many cases it gleaned more detail on the talks from reports in the Indian media often citing unnamed Indian government officials. India and the UK are negotiating an FTA to enhance the bilateral trading relationship worth 34 billion pounds in 2022, with the eighth round of negotiations concluding in New Delhi at the end of last month and the next round expected in the coming weeks. Parliament must be kept more fully informed about the negotiations. It cannot be right that we have obtained more details from the Indian media than we have from the UK government, said Scottish National Party MP Angus Brendan MacNeil, Chair of the International Trade Committee. A trade deal with India is an opportunity to enhance our trading relationship with the fifth-largest economy in the world. But this agreement must not come at any cost. "As our report highlights, there are important issues at stake, including potential impacts on NHS drug costs, human and labour rights, gender equality and pesticide standards, he said. In its report entitled UK trade negotiations: Agreement with India', the committee welcomed the Sunak-led government's decision to not set any new deadline for the deal after former prime minister Boris Johnson's widely trailed deadline to get a deal with India done by Diwali" last year. Also Read India-Australia free trade agreement to come into force from Dec 29 What is a free trade agreement? What can India gain from the trade pact with Australia? India-Australia FTA to help bilateral trade cross $70 bn in next 5 years India and UK look to fast-track free trade agreement negotiations Immigration services to be hit as 155,000 Canadian govt employees on strike Climate change causing reduced crop yields in India, heatwaves globally: UN Covid origins 'may never be revealed': Top Chinese scientist Credit Suisse investors sue Swiss financial regulators after facing losses 4 million apply for tickets for Paris Olympics in lottery: Report We welcome the fact that the government is no longer putting arbitrary deadlines on trade negotiations. While the Diwali date was unrealistic, it is positive that government has adopted an approach that evaluates the benefit of the trade deal before finalising any agreement, the report notes. One issue highlighted in the report is the need to reconcile the UK government's wish to see India's patent laws tightened to benefit UK drug companies with the need to maintain the state-funded National Health Service (NHS) access to cheap generic drugs produced in India. The Committee also notes possible implications from the deal for standards and checks regarding the quality and safety of goods, including food products and medicines. Its report suggests the possibility of attaching to any trade liberalisation in the deal the condition that India implement UN and International Labour Organisation human rights conventions, and showing that goods meet environmental sustainability and animal welfare requirements. The Committee said that its analysis of the UK-India talks is being placed on the record by the member MPs for both the government and the successor Business and Trade Committee to pick up and implement. Florida apologizes for emergency alert test sent out early morning Xinhua) 13:55, April 21, 2023 WASHINGTON, April 20 (Xinhua) -- The emergency management agency of the southeastern U.S. state of Florida apologized for sending out an alert test early Thursday morning. "We know a 4:45 AM wake up call isn't ideal," the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) said on Twitter, noting that it "wants to apologize for the early morning text." The agency said it tests emergency alerts on a variety of platforms each month, which are "supposed to be on TV, and not disturb anyone already sleeping." "We are taking the appropriate action to ensure this will never happen again and that only true emergencies are sent as alerts in the middle of the night," it added. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis tweeted later that he has ordered the FDEM director "bring swift accountability for the test of the emergency alert system in the wee hours of the morning." "This was a completely inappropriate use of this system," DeSantis added. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan) NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg defiantly declared on Thursday that Ukraine's rightful place is in the military alliance and pledged more support for the country on his first visit to Kyiv since Russia's invasion just over a year ago. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged Stoltenberg, who has been instrumental in marshalling support from NATO members, to push for even more from them, including warplanes, artillery and armoured equipment. The Kremlin has given various justifications for going to war, but repeated on Thursday that preventing Ukraine from joining NATO is still a key goal of its invasion, arguing that Kyiv's membership in the alliance would pose an existential threat to Russia. NATO leaders said in 2008 that Ukraine would join the alliance one day, and Stoltenberg has repeated that promise throughout the war, though the organisation has established no pathway or timetable for membership. Let me be clear, Ukraine's rightful place is in the Euro-Atlantic family," Stoltenberg told a news conference. Ukraine's rightful place is in NATO. Zelenskyy said he was grateful for an invitation to a NATO summit in July in Vilnius, Lithuania, but said his country needs a roadmap for becoming a member. Also Read Finnish NATO proposal assesses effects of membership to the alliance Fifa WC, CRO vs MAR, 3rd place play-off preview: The last dance for Modric! In setback to Putin, Finland set to officially become NATO member Finnish MPs can decide on NATO membership by simple majority: Committee As Finland plans to join Nato, a look at how countries join the alliance Latest Live: PM Modi to attend award ceremony for Civil Services Day J&J wins pause of baby powder trials, must face new suits, says judge BlackRock racial audit shows struggles to retain leaders from various races Dancing supercars to hologram-fitted convertibles: Auto rivals lure drivers President Joe Biden touts US efforts as oil overshadows climate summit The time has come for the (alliance's) leaders to define the prospects of Ukraine's acquisition of NATO membership, to define the algorithm of Ukraine's movement towards this goal, and to define security guarantees for our state for the period of such movement that is, for the period before NATO membership, he said. Stoltenberg said he and Zelenskyy discussed a NATO support programme for Ukraine. This will help you transition from Soviet-era equipment and doctrines to NATO standards and ensure full interoperability with the alliance, Stoltenberg said. "NATO stands with you today, tomorrow and for as long as it takes. He noted an announcement on Thursday by Denmark and the Netherlands that they plan to provide Ukraine with at least another 14 refurbished Leopard 2 battle tanks by early 2024. He added that he expected countries to make new announcements of concrete military support to Ukraine at a meeting on Friday in Germany. In other developments, a large explosion hit the Russian city of Belgorod late Thursday, and the Defence Ministry said one of its Su-34 warplanes accidentally discharged ammunition over the city about 25 kilometers (15 miles) from the Ukrainian border. The government gave no further details. Belgorod regional Gov. Vyacheslav Gladkov said the blast injured at least two people, damaged homes and left a crater about 20 metres (65 feet) across. The fighting in recent months has become a war of attrition, with neither side able to gain momentum. But Ukraine has recently received sophisticated weapons from its Western allies and is expected to launch a counteroffensive in coming weeks. Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that Moscow could use all means available a phrase some see as a threat to use nuclear weapons in response to an attack on its territory if Ukraine attempts to recapture Moscow-occupied areas. NATO has no official presence in Ukraine and provides only nonlethal support to Kyiv, but Stoltenberg has been the strong voice of the alliance throughout the war. A procession of international leaders has made the journey to Kyiv over the last year, and the former Norwegian prime minister is one of the last major Western figures to do so. NATO, formed to counter the Soviet Union, has long feared being dragged into a wide war with nuclear-armed Russia. But as the West has moved from hesitantly providing helmets and uniforms to tanks, warplanes and advanced missile systems, high-level visits have become routine. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday that preventing Ukraine from joining NATO remains one of the goals of what Moscow calls its special military operation. Speaking in a conference call with reporters, Peskov said that Ukraine's accession would pose a serious, significant threat to our country, to our country's security. Earlier this month, Finland joined the alliance, setting aside decades of neutrality in a historic realignment of Europe's post-Cold War security landscape. While NATO says it poses no threat to Russia, the Nordic country's accession dealt a major political blow to Putin. Finland's membership doubles Russia's border with the world's biggest security alliance. Neighbouring Sweden is expected to join too, possibly by the time US President Joe Biden and his NATO counterparts meet in Vilnius in July. The alliance has focused on bolstering defences on its own territory to dissuade Putin from attacking any member country. Under NATO's collective security guarantee, an attack on one member country is considered an attack on all of them. On Friday, Stoltenberg will attend a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group at Ramstein Air Base in Germany with US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin. The group is the main international forum for drumming up military support for Ukraine. Meanwhile, the Ukraine Space Agency said Thursday that a bright flash of light in the night sky over the country the previous day was probably a meteor entering the atmosphere. Residents of the capital and several cities in Belarus saw the flash of light, which lingered for a couple of seconds, and an explosion was heard in the Kyiv region. It triggered an air raid alarm in Kyiv. Yemen's Houthi militia released 77 pro-government detainees, authorities said. In a report, the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV quoted Abdulkadir al-Murtada, head of the Houthi prisoner committee, as saying that they included dozens of patients and elderly individuals, reports Xinhua news agency. He added that the move was made in goodwill towards efforts for a future prisoner swap with the government. Last week, the Yemeni government and the Houthis exchanged about 900 prisoners as part of a UN-brokered deal reached by the warring sides in March. Yemen has been embroiled in a deadly civil war since late 2014, when the Iran-backed Houthi group seized control of several northern cities and forced the Saudi-backed government out of the capital, Sanaa. The war has resulted in tens of thousands of casualties and the imprisonment of thousands more. Also Read Saudi, Omani delegation hold peace talks in Yemen with Houthi leaders Stampede at Ramadan charity distribution in Yemen kills at least 80 Biden aide speaks to Saudi prince on 'progress' towards Yemen war end India addresses food security in Yemen by prioritising wheat exports Suspected Iranian drone strike kills US contractor in Syria: Pentagon Dorsey brings Twitter alternative Bluesky to Android after losing Blue tick Pak media watchdog starts crackdown against airing of Indian content on TV Paramilitary group RSF announces 72-hour ceasefire in violence hit Sudan World Earth Day 2023: Top 7 Travel Tips For Eco-Conscious Holiday S Jaishankar reaches Guyana on 3-day visit, receives warm welcome --IANS ksk/ Today Certn, a leader in online background checks and identity verification, announced it secured an additional US$30M in Series B financing with over US$29.5M coming from Export Development Canada (EDC). To date, Certn has raised over US$114M in venture funding with US$80M coming via the latest Series B round. This additional funding helps Certn, who acquired Australias InterCheck a year ago, expand its revolutionary background screening technology in APAC markets. This additional round follows a period of record revenue growth to the tune of 14533% from 2018 to 2022 making Certn the second-fastest growing Canadian company according to Deloitte Canadas Technology Fast 50 program. EDC, Canadas export credit agency, has been helping Canadian companies for decades confidently enter new markets, reduce financial risk, and grow their business. EDC joins other Series B investors including B Capital, a strategic partner of Boston Consulting Group, Bank of Montreal, Gaingels, Covalent Ventures, Tribe, Inovia Capital, Telstra Ventures, Scribble, and Moxxie Ventures. Andrew McLeod, CEO and Co-Founder of Certn, said: Were grateful for EDCs support and excited to use this funding toward product development and to bring our technology to new users in international markets. Dan Oak, Managing Director, Asia-Pacific added, This funding helps Certn InterCheck unlock new opportunities, like those with our partners in the telecommunications, mining, travel and government services sectors, through instant identity verification and faster, easier police checks. Guillermo Freire, Senior Vice-President Mid-Market of EDC, said: Were delighted by this strategic relationship with Certn. How the company has fundamentally changed background screening with its online platform and quick, mobile-enabled processes presents tremendous opportunity in the global marketplace. Freire added, Their innovative approach to problem solving for their clients combined with their high-growth potential in international markets is why EDC is making this important commitment to fuel and sustain Certns impressive growth. This expansion follows Certns acquisition of InterCheck and Credence in the United Kingdom, and partnerships with Oz companies. Certn provides international and domestic background checks and identity verification for employers and anti-money laundering (AML) compliance. One of EDCs corporate priorities is supporting medium-sized companies. EDC is committed to building strategic relationships with high-growth medium-sized companies like Certn, who are strategically positioned for accelerated export growth. In 2022, EDC supported over 3,600 Canadian medium-sized companies, accelerating their international growth to boost their global competitiveness. About Certn Certn offers better and faster experiences for everyone. Certn is revolutionizing background screening with the easiest-to-use online platform, 24/7 customer support, and fast and compliant results from global databases. Why wait? Trusted by 10,000+ clients, Certn helps businesses hire faster and manage risk all while delivering user experiences that help them stand out. Learn more at certn.co. About Export Development Canada Export Development Canada (EDC) is a financial Crown corporation dedicated to helping Canadian businesses make an impact at home and abroad. EDC has the financial products and knowledge Canadian companies need to confidently enter new markets, reduce financial risk and grow their business as they go from local to global. Together, EDC and Canadian companies are building a more prosperous, stronger and sustainable economy for all Canadians. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230420006045/en/ April 21, 2023 Ramstein Air Base, Germany National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces Today, Defence Minister Anita Anand participated in the eleventh meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, hosted by United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III. At the meeting, Minister Anand announced that Canada is providing a new military aid package for Ukraine. This assistance includes: A $34.6 million contribution to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Ukraine Comprehensive Assistance Package (CAP) Trust Fund. This donation will: enable the implementation of the NATO CAP fuel material project, which will provide Ukraine with 3.3 million litres of much-needed fuel supplies; enable the implementation of the NATO CAP Improved Ribbon Bridge project which will provide Ukraine with modular floatation bridge assets to enable wet-gap crossing; and provide a first contribution to the NATO CAP medical first aid kits project. Approximately $2.5 million for 40 .50 caliber sniper rifles and ammunition from PGW Defence Technologies Inc. based in Winnipeg, which includes spare parts and accessories. Approximately $2 million worth of new radio sets (16 in total) from L3 Harris to accompany the Leopard 2 tank donations. This donation comes from the remaining funds across the Government of Canadas various funding envelopes for military assistance to Ukraine. Minister Anand noted that all eight Leopard 2 main battle tanks committed by Canada to Ukraine have been delivered to Poland, and that Canada has deployed three Leopard Gunnery Skills Trainers from 2nd Canadian Division Support Base Valcartier to assist with efforts to train Ukrainian tank crews on the operation and tactics of the Leopard 2 tanks. The Minister also highlighted Canadas announcement on April 11, 2023, that Canada will donate more than 21,000 small arms to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, including assault rifles, machine guns, and over 2.4 million rounds of small arms ammunition, sourced from Colt Canada and valued at approximately $59 million. Canada is working closely with Allies and partners to provide Ukraine with the comprehensive military aid that it needs as quickly as possible. On the occasion of Earth Day 2023, World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has once again highlighted the catastrophic effects of climate change. WMO has released its yearly report, Status of the Global Climate 2022. The research emphasises how communities around the world have continued to be impacted by climate change, with heatwaves, droughts, and floods, as well as the rising costs of these occurrences. Key climate indicators such as greenhouse gases, temperatures, sea level rise, ocean heat content and acidification, sea ice, and glaciers are highlighted in the report. According to the data, the previous eight years have seen the highest global mean temperatures on record. Sea level and ocean heat are also at record highs. The extent of the Antarctic sea ice has reached a record low, and certain European glaciers are melting at an alarming rate. How Pakistan and Bangladesh are giving Heat Stress to India? Here is the key Findings with respect to the melting glaciers, heatwave and drought. Heatwave in India and Other Countries According to report, heatwaves in the 2022 pre-monsoon season in India and Pakistan caused a decline in crop yields. This, combined with the banning of wheat exports and restrictions on rice exports in India after the start of the conflict in Ukraine, threatened the availability, access, and stability of staple foods within international food markets and posed high risks to countries already affected by shortages of staple foods. As per the Cambridge University report, April 2022 in India was the hottest in 122 years and followed the hottest March on record, reportedly killing at least 25 people. The cumulative heatwave-related mortality in India is over 24,000 deaths since 1992. Explainer: What is Heat Wave? Impacts on India On the other hand the record-breaking heatwaves affected Europe during the summer. Excess deaths associated with the heat in Europe exceeded 15000 in total across Spain, Germany, the UK, France, and Portugal. Floodgates to the death The effects of climate change do not only affect one area. Around 700 deaths were attributed to flooding and landslides in India during the monsoon season, with another 900 deaths attributed to lightning. The north-east had the worst flooding in June. The seriousness of climate change and its effects on vulnerable people are highlighted by this one incident alone. Harmful gasses on Earth's surface The increase in greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, in 2022 is also addressed in the report. The global mean sea level has continued to rise and has now hit a new all-time high, while ocean heat content has also reached an all-time high. Even under La Nina conditions, at least one marine heatwave occurred in 2022 on 58% of the ocean's surface. 90% of India under Danger zone of Heatwave Melting Glaciers For thousands of years to come, sea levels will rise and glaciers will melt. An average mass balance loss of 1.18 m water equivalent, which is substantially higher than the average over the previous ten years, was observed during the hydrological year 2021-2022. Six of the ten biggest negative mass balance years on record have happened after 2015, and the cumulative mass balance since 1970 totals more than 26 m water equivalent. During the summer, record-breaking heat waves also impacted China and Europe. Around 15,000 people died as a result of the heat in Spain, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, and Portugal. The effects of climate change are already being felt, and both human and non-human life is suffering as a result. The WMO report serves as a wake-up call for the globe to tackle climate change with urgency. To lessen the effects of global warming, it is crucial to cut greenhouse gas emissions and practise sustainable development. To lessen the effects of climate change and increase resilience in vulnerable communities, we must all work together. Something must be done right away; we cannot wait any longer. The Karnataka Pre-University Examination Board released the Pre-University Certificate (PUC), or Class 12, results for the 2023 annual board exams Today, April 21, 2023. Over seven lakh students have received their Karnataka 2nd PUC Class 12 results in 2023. As per this, the students are planning to search it out for further studies. So here is the complete guide for students who want to pursue their careers in the engineering sector. Let's discuss the top entrance examinations for students for getting a lucrative career in the engineering sector. Top Entrance Examination for Engineering Sector VITEEE VITEEE is the world's 240th-best engineering and technology institution. According to the Shanghai ARWU (Academic Ranking of World Universities) 2022, VITEEE is one of the top three universities in India and one of the top 601-700 universities in the world. Vellore Institute of Technology Engineering Entrance Exam The Vellore Institute of Technology Engineering Entrance Examination (VITEEE) is the common entrance test for admission to VIT Vellore, VIT Chennai, VIT Bhopal, and VIT Andhra Pradesh. The Vellore Institute of Technology Engineering Entrance Examination is held each year for admission to undergraduate engineering courses (BTech) at participating institutes. VITEEE is organised each year to enroll candidates in various undergraduate programmes. Students who have completed their second PUC Karnataka and want to pursue a career in engineering can take the VITEEE entrance examination. IITJEE IITJEE stands for Indian Institutes of Technology Joint Entrance Examination, which is a national-level engineering entrance examination conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admission to undergraduate courses in engineering, technology, and architecture in the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), National Institutes of Technology (NITs), Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs), and other participating institutions. After completing the 2nd PUC in Karnataka, students who wish to pursue a career in engineering can appear for the IITJEE exam. To be eligible for IITJEE, students must have completed their 10+2 or equivalent examination with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as core subjects. The IITJEE exam is conducted in two stages: JEE Main and JEE Advanced. JEE Main is the preliminary exam, and students who qualify in JEE Main can appear for JEE Advanced. The eligibility criteria and syllabus for JEE Main and JEE Advanced are determined by the National Testing Agency (NTA). Therefore, students who have completed the 2nd PUC in Karnataka and are interested in pursuing a career in engineering can prepare for IITJEE and appear for the exam to gain admission to engineering courses in prestigious institutions across India. CET after 2nd PUC CET (Common Entrance Test) is a competitive examination conducted by the Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) for admission to various professional courses in the state of Karnataka, India. After the 2nd PUC (Pre-University Course) in Karnataka, students can appear for the CET examination to gain admission to undergraduate courses such as engineering, architecture, pharmacy, agriculture, and veterinary science. The eligibility criteria for appearing for CET after the 2nd PUC include: The candidate must have passed the 2nd PUC examination or equivalent with a minimum of 45% marks (40% for SC/ST/OBC candidates). The candidate must have studied Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects along with Chemistry/Biology/Biotechnology/Computer Science/Electronics as optional subjects in their 2nd PUC or equivalent. The candidate must be a citizen of India and must have studied for a minimum of 7 years in Karnataka. The CET exam usually takes place in April or May every year, and the application process begins in January or February. Candidates can apply online through the official website of KEA. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, and the duration of the exam is 180 minutes. After the CET exam, candidates will be ranked based on their scores, and they can use their CET scores to apply for admission to various professional courses in Karnataka. COMEDK UGET COMEDK UGET is a national entrance exam for admission to approximately 190 unaided private engineering institutes in Karnataka. It is an autonomous entity entrusted with the task of organising UGET. The undergraduate entrance examination (UGET) is a computer-based exam used to determine admission to BE/BTech programmes. This exam is available to all students who are eligible in the country. The organisation is mostly made up of professors of distinction and reputable administrative personnel who organise the exam to choose aspiring candidates in a way that is equitable and open. Entrance to colleges is based on the candidates' performance in the examination. Nevertheless, there are also centralised counselling sessions for candidates, during which applicants can learn about the colleges and make their final selection. MHT CET The Maharashtra Common Entrance Test (MHT CET) is a state-level entrance exam used for choosing candidates for engineering and pharmacy programmes at multiple universities across Maharashtra. The Maharashtra State Common Entrance Test Cell administers the exam each year. Applicants who have completed or are about to complete their Class 12th with Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry/ Biology as required courses are eligible to take the MHT CET 2023. AUEET The Andhra University Engineering Entrance Test is shortened to AUEET. Each year, it is held by the Directorate of Admissions at Andhra University. Candidates can apply for admission to the 6-year dual degree course (BTech + MTech) at the University College of Engineering (A) and the Andhra University (AU) College of Engineering for Women through AUEET. Applicants must have passed the 10+2 examination with an aggregate of 50% in Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry to be admitted to various engineering courses. Students who are awaiting the results of the qualifying exam are also eligible for AUEET 2022 if they can present the required documentation at the time of counselling. Top Engineering Colleges in Karnataka National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Surathkal Mangalore Manipal Institute of Technology Bangalore International Institute of Information Technology, Bengaluru Bangalore RV College of Engineering Ramaiah Institute of Technology Bangalore Click here for the full list of Top Engineering colleges in Karnataka. Also, you can find the district-wise list of engineering colleges in Karnataka. Example Engineering Colleges in Bangalore, Engineering Colleges in Mysore, Engineering Colleges in Mandya, etc.. This service applies to you if your subscription has not yet expired on our old site. You will have continued access until your subscription expires; then you will need to purchase an ongoing subscription through our new system. Please contact The Chanute Tribune office at 620-431-4100 if you have any questions For the 12th consecutive year, Hamilton County public school teachers have earned grants for self-designed summer fellowships that they will use to enrich the knowledge of their students. The grants are made possible by the national non-profit Fund for Teachers and its partnership with Public Education Foundation.Congratulations to the eight Hamilton County teachers who won a 2023 Fund for Teachers Fellowship, said Dan Challener, president of Public Education Foundation. These outstanding teachers will invest much of their summer studying a wide range of topicsfrom sustainable farming to the history of the American Southwest, from Spanish culture to Scottish castles-- and they will do their learning in places as far from Chattanooga as Germany and Amsterdam.Our community and our children are immensely fortunate to have teachers like this years winners.Fund for Teachers awarded over $39,000 in grants to Hamilton County teachers this year. This past fall, all Hamilton County public school teachers were invited to apply for a grant of up to $5,000 for a fellowship for an individual teacher and up to $10,000 for a grant for a team of teachers.The 2023 cohort of Fund for Teacher fellowship winners includes: Kristy Kimball of Daisy Elementary, who will travel across seven U.S States and document continental landforms, plant and animal habitats and cultures and histories of the American Southwest. Their goal is to provide authentic background knowledge for students through integrated science, social studies and literacy curriculum. Matty Hardy of Normal Park, who will attend the Sustainable Food Summit in Amsterdam. Afterwards, she will live and volunteer on rural Italian and French farms to learn about organic farming practices in cheese and grain production. Upon return, she will provide innovative learning experiences for every student participating in the school's Green STEAM Club. Richard McEvoy and Keely Dunavin of Thrasher Elementary, who will learn strategies for effectively promoting student autonomy, responsibility and healthy interdependence in the classroom and school at an international gathering of teachers in Dublin, Ireland. Zachariah Tufts of East Side Elementary and Julie Tufts of Ooltewah Elementary School will explore and document German and Scottish castles and surrounding landscapes to create curriculum components that inspire elementary students to seek learning beyond facts, develop a love for learning and persevere in a quest for knowledge. Kellie Logue of Red Bank High School, who will travel to various cities in Massachusetts to become immersed in New England's natural and historical places critical to America's history and literature from 1692-1917. Her fellowship will inform multiple classes and two schoolwide writing contests on the influence of nature, religion and women during this period. Micah Gentry of Red Bank Middle School, who will explore six Spanish cities to learn about the countrys geography, food and culture. His experiences will further enable him to teach students to associate the Spanish language with a rich history and culture rather than with illegal immigration and negative stereotypes.Teachers are the backbone of our society, said Karen Eckhoff, executive director of Fund for Teachers. They educate, encourage and empower the children who will shape our future. And in our postpandemic society, their role is even more amplified. There can be no better investment.As a regional partner with Fund for Teachers, PEF provides targeted support for HCS teachers throughout the rigorous application process. This support has helped over 200 HCS teachers earn Fund for Teachers awards and pursue these enriching learning experiences around the globe. The personalized learning model invests directly in veteran teachers as they design and participate in unique professional learning during their travels. Following the summer fellowship, fellows return to Hamilton County schools and develop lessons that are informed by what was learned during the Fellowship. Tracye Renee Martin, 54, a resident of Cleveland, passed away on Wednesday, April 19, 2023 in a Cleveland hospital, with a heart and lung complication. She was born in Athens on Oct. 22, 1968. A native of McMinn County, she graduated from McMinn Central High School in 1987. Tracye worked for about 12 years at Camerons Resturant in Cleveland and at the TVA Wattsbar restaurant Ettas Kitchen for about 10 years. She was a very happy person that went out of her way to help anyone in need. Tracye will be forever missed and remembered by her family and friends.She is preceded in death by her father, Jimmy Cotton Martin and one brother, Robbie Lee Martin.Tracye leaves behind to cherish her memory, her mother, Etta Peck, of Athens; her forever friend, Tammy Moon, of Cleveland; two brothers, Tim and Edward Martin, of Florida; three sisters, Kim Sperry and Leah Morgan, both of Athens, and Juanita Martin, of Georgia; three god-sons she raised with love, Aaron Miller, Colton and Preston P.J. Moon; several nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews; numerous other extended family members; and a host of special friends.The family will receive friends on Saturday, April 29 from 4-7 p.m. in the Athens chapel of Companion Funeral Home at 400 S. White St. in Athens. A service celebrating her life will conclude that visitation time at 7 p.m., with the Reverend Gary King officiating.Share a memory of Tracye and/or your personal condolences with her family by visiting her memorial webpage and guestbook at www.companionfunerals.com.Companion Funeral Home of Athens is honored to assist her family with these arrangements. Previous Next We believe reading books is a way to travel into new worlds and come back changed for the better. And when we do physically travel, we always read up on the destination's history and culture to enhance the experience. To both ends, supporting independent bookstores is important, vital to neighborhood economies, and each is fun to browse. We previously highlighted West Hollywood's Book Soup, Laguna Beach Books, North Hollywood's Iliad Books, Burbank's Aerobooks-Autobooks (where we once ran into Jay Leno), Sideshow Books and Chevalier's Books south of Hollywood, and The Last Bookstore in downtown L.A. Here are some of our new discoveries: Arcana: Books on the Arts https://www.arcanabooks.com/ is in the Historic Helms Bakery District of Culver City and specializes in out-of-print and rare books, as well as anything you can imagine, but can't find elsewhere, on art, photography, design, architecture, cinema, fashion, and music. But there are sections on tattoos, wildlife, oceans, typography, food, and more you might not expect with its focus. This is a serious collector's paradise and some copies need to be unlocked before examination. Some titles you would be hard put to find elsewhere: See You at San Diego: An Oral History of Comic-Con, Fandom, and the Triumph of Geek Culture (see photo), Separate Cinema: The First 100 Years of Black Poster Art, The Children's Guide to Astral Projection, The Birth of Rock and Roll: The Illustrated Story of Sun Records, Pattern and Flow: The Golden Age of American Decorated Paper 1960s to 2000s, and Interiors: The Greatest Rooms of the Century. Skylight Books https://www.skylightbooks.com/ in the hip shopping-restaurant neighborhood of North Vermont at Hollywood Blvd. hosts events for authors local and national and has lots of unusual, mostly new, titles and classics in their fields, even Translated Poetry and Literature. For its largely progressive fan base, there are Reading Lists on topics such as Trans Lives, Anti-Imperialism, Climate Change, and Stop Racism Against Asian and Pacific Islander Communities. There is also an Arts Annex with comics/graphic novels, magazines and zines, as well as books on photography, art, design, fashion, film, and music. Some that caught our attention: Breathing Fire: Female Inmate Firefighters on the Front Lines of California Wildfires, Speculative Los Angeles (the first in a new series of science fiction and fantasy visions of the future for localities), The Body Keeps Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma, and On Savage Shores: How Indigenous Americans Discovered Europe (see photo). Taschen https://www.taschen.com/en/stores/beverly-hills is a world-renowned publisher of large hardcover books about art, architecture, photography, music, and history, with its first store in the U.S. in Beverly Hills (designed by Philippe Starck) and an outlet in the Farmers Market at Fairfax and 3rth St. in Hollywood. On entry to the Beverly Hills location, one is struck by the signed limited edition prints on aluminum of eye-popping celebrity photos by Annie Leibovitz. Then there are the truly enormous volumes (the Sumo series) on subjects such as Elton John and the paintings of David Hockney. One about mythology needed to be handled only with white gloves (see photo). Other titles we found ranged from Sneaker Freakers: The Ultimate Sneaker Book and The Star Wars Archives: 1977-1983 to Ice Cold: A Hip Hop Jewelry History and Great Escapes Latin America: The Hotel Book. There is no other chain of high-end bookstores quite like it. Books on the Boulevard https://booksontheblvd.com/ pioneered the San Fernando Valley's internet book sales in 1995, when Amazon had just started, and it has kept its store location in Sherman Oaks open for all those who love browsing used books in a real store. It specializes in hardcover non-fiction and fine literature and no one could spend an hour there without wanting to leave with a big bag of books. Here are some of the unusual titles we came across: How to Make Divorce Fun, Forbidden Archaeology's Impact, Jazz Dance, Dog Tales: Classic Stories About Smart Dogs, Letters of Lewis Carroll Vols. I and II, Scientific Instruments of the 17th and 18th Centuries, The Making of the Wizard of Oz, all seven volumes of Emanuel Swedenborg's Apocalypse Explained , and The Art of Maurice Sendak (see photos) Claremont Forum Book Shop https://www.claremontforum.org/ is a nonprofit used bookstore inside the Atrium near Claremont University which supports the Prison Library Project so the incarcerated have books to help them survive and thrive. The store also carries art and handmade products by locals, such as coffee mugs with names of books like The Satanic Verses and Huckleberry Finn. Some unusual titles that caught our fancy: The Bilingual Brain (see photo), Stem Cells for Dummies, Einstein and Religion, Latinos: A Biography of a People, Study Hall of Justice (DC Comics Secret Hero Society 1), and Journal of Henry David Thoreau Volumes I-VII 1837-1855. Nan's Pre-Owned Books https://www.nanspreownedbooks.com/ in Grover Beach (near Pismo Beach on the central coast) has thousands of used volumes, most in very good shape and many seem virtually unopened, all at a good discount to the original price. We don't generally mention specific fiction titles because that is of less interest to us, since we are always eager to absorb new information and insights about the less imaginative world, but if novels are your passion, this is Mecca. Browsing nonfiction randomly, these were some of the many that stood out: Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No, to Take Control of Your Life (the results of a 30-year scientific and clinical study of relationships by two doctors; see photo), Cesar Chavez: Autobiography of La Causa by Jacques Levy, Triumph of Spirit: Autobiography by Chief Penny Harrington (the first woman to become police chief of a major U.S. metro area), and Crossing the Continent 1527-1540: The Story of the First African American Explorer of the American South by Dr. Robert Goodwin. The Hamilton County School Board will vote to approve the countys first district-wide student mobile phone policy at its May meeting. The policy states that additional guidance is needed to protect valuable time for learning and foster and maintain positive school environments. The policy as presented allows personal wireless devices on campus but prohibits use and requires that they are put away out of sight during the school day. The policy includes glasses, watches, earbuds and headphones. The policy states that taking photos and videos at school is prohibited, especially recording fights. Violators will be punished using the districts Code of Acceptable Behavior. Teachers will prioritize the school-issued Chromebook computers for classroom use, with allowances for students with a 504 plan or individualized education program. Elementary students may use a mobile phone before or after school if the school has express permission from a parent or guardian. One Hamilton County parent asked the board to turn its discernment inward as well, to Chromebooks at school. Rebecca Howard addressed the board with her concerns that students and teachers can access sexually explicit content at school on their government-issued Chromebooks, which she said is contributing to sex crimes and sexual assault committed at school, by students and by teachers. Stop abdicating your responsibility, she said. Shannon Moody, chief strategy officer for Hamilton County schools, said that school-issued Chromebooks have double wall protection. Each schools wireless network has a firewall, and each Chromebook is programmed with another security filter by the districts IT staff. The firewalls are compliant with the Childrens Internet Protection Act, Ms. Moody said, and the filters are updated locally when problem sites surface. The school board will vote on the budget in May. They approved the building of a new track at East Hamilton School. The board approved hiring 12 Teach For America cadets to help fill what Dr. Zac Brown estimates will be 390 vacancies for the 2024-25 school year. Board member Joe Wingate said he just does not want to come to depend on TFA to staff the schools. Lee Universitys Director of Community Engagement Kim Brooks, right, with Katie Fawley of Chick-fil-A, an Elite sponsor of 2023 Great Strides Shown during the Thank You Luncheon are (far left) Cindy Martin and Jennifer Thomas of Southern Heritage Bank, seated with other sponsors and Lee Provost Dr. Debbie Murray; also shown in the background are Sarah Cantrell, of Caldwell Paving & Grading, and Mayor Kevin Brooks, who have both been long-time supporters of the event Steve Hartline thanking sponsors during the Great Strides Thank You Luncheon Previous Next Lee University hosted a luncheon to thank sponsors, team leaders, and the Cleveland community for their participation in the 2023 Great Strides event and 65 Roses 5K held to raise funds for a cure for cystic fibrosis. This year, the event raised $66,000 for the CF Foundation and welcomed over 600 walkers, runners, and volunteers. Great Strides in Cleveland started in 2001 as a partnership between Lee University and the Cleveland and Bradley County community as a way to raise awareness about CF, a genetic disease, and to raise funds for the CF Foundation. All of this was and is in support of those in our community who are directly affected by CF, and great progress has been made over the last 22 years, said Vanessa Hammond, event co-chair and a CF parent. Awareness is critical to bringing attention to this rare disease and to the potential for changing the outcomes for people with CF, but the event in our community has also helped the families facing CF to feel supported and encouraged. Together, this years 36 community sponsors contributed over $35,000. Honorary chair Steve Hartline recognized the sponsors, including those that have been supporting Cleveland Great Strides for 20 or more years: Bank of Cleveland, Ralph Buckner Funeral Home & Crematory, Caldwell Paving & Grading, Center for Cosmetic Dentistry Dr. Ken and Dr. Brian Beard, Dr. Paul and Darlia Conn, First Horizon Foundation, Southern Heritage Bank, and TriCon, Inc. Those that have been supporting the event for 10 years were also recognized and include Don Ledford Automotive Center, Hardees/J &S Restaurants, and Ian Harper, CPA. Walk teams, also recognized at the luncheon, raised more the $20,000 through individual fundraising campaigns. Dr. Bill Estes, race director of the 65 Roses 5K, thanked the Cleveland Police Department and Terra Running for their assistance with the race route and timing. The Cleveland and Bradley County community is unbelievable, said Jolly Johnson, senior development director for the Tennessee chapter of the CF Foundation. We are often asked by other chapters across the country how we put on such a successful, long-lasting walk and 5K, but there is no way to recreate what Lee University and the community has built here. It truly embodies a key CF Foundation value that we are stronger together, and it shows in what the community has been able to do these past 20+ years. Cleveland Great Strides and 65 Roses 5K has reached over $1.3 million raised for CF research since the local events founding in 2001. Median life expectancy for those with cystic fibrosis has increased to 56 years, double what it was when Great Strides began over 20 years ago. Our CF community members are living longer, healthier lives thanks to all the hard work and commitment of the wonderful people of Bradley County and Lee University, said Ms. Johnson. The Great Strides event is planned by a steering committee at Lee University chaired by Dr. Brad Moffett, vice president for university relations. Clevelands 2024 Great Strides walk and 65 Roses 5K will take place on Saturday, March 23, 2024. The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is a nonprofit, donor-supported organization dedicated to attacking cystic fibrosis from every angle. Its focus is to support the development of new drugs to fight the disease, improve the quality of life for those with CF, and ultimately find a cure. Research is happening daily to find a cure and develop drugs available to those living with CF. For more information about Cleveland Great Strides, visit www.leeuniversity.edu/cf. For more information about the CF Foundation, visit www.cff.org. A Trenton, Ga., man has been convicted by a Dade County jury for the murder of his 81-year-old mother following a three-day trial before Judge Don Thompson. Roger Allen Shrader, 59, was convicted of eight counts including malice murder, felony murder, and aggravated assault. Dade County law enforcement responded to 53 Brow Road on Sand Mountain in the late morning of March 4, 2022 after Shrader contacted his son and told him he had killed his mother, Lagatha Cathy Watson. Deputies observed a gruesome scene, as the victim had been assaulted with a machete and a mattock to the point of near decapitation, District Attorney Clayton Fuller said. Shrader was next to her body waiting on law enforcement to arrive, and his pants were covered in her blood. The murder weapons were located next to her body. Shrader apologized to Jimmie Watson, the victims husband, who had been waiting outside the residence in his vehicle but was unaware of her murder. Schrader did so as he was placed in a patrol car on scene, and he gave a full confession to law enforcement later that afternoon. The case was investigated by Daniel Nicholson with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and was assisted by members of Dade County Sheriff Ray Crosss office. Evidence presented at trial showed that Shrader had suffered from mental health issues since childhood, but refused treatment despite the pleas of his close family members. Ms. Watson was his primary caretaker, but the two had a tumultuous relationship. Shrader argued with Watson regularly about his house and finances, and he claimed she was controlling and abusive to him as a child. Evidence in the case showed these were likely delusional claims, it was stated. At trial, Shrader raised the defense of insanity at the time of the crime. Under Georgia law, the insanity defense is only applicable if a defendant cannot distinguish between right and wrong at the time of the offense, or if they are suffering from a delusional compulsion which, under the facts of the delusion, would justify their actions. During the trial Shrader took the stand in his own defense and admitted he knew that he had done a terrible thing when he killed his mother. While he claimed to be suffering from some delusions, Shrader further admitted he was fully aware that he was attacking his mother and that she wasnt a threat to him at the time he killed her, which indicated he was not suffering from a delusional compulsion which would justify his actions at the time of the murder, the district attorney said. The jury found Shrader guilty but mentally ill, which means that if prison officials deem necessary, he can receive mental health services and treatment at a mental health facility during his period of confinement. The case was presented by Chief Assistant District Attorney Kevin Baugh and Dade County Resident Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Hartline. Mr. Baugh and Ms. Hartline were assisted by Amy Reed as Victim Advocate and witness coordinator, Tara Page who assisted with administrative issues and jury selection, and Chief Investigator Christy Smith who assisted the investigation and with jury selection. A sentencing date has not been scheduled. Under Georgia law, Shrader faces a minimum sentence of life in prison. Justice was delivered today in Trenton, said District Attorney Fuller. Id like to thank my prosecution team and law enforcement partners for their work on this case - because it certainly took a toll on them. We all hope that this brings some measure of peace to the victims family. Lee University held a reception to honor its 11 graduating Lettie Pate Whitehead Scholars. We are so proud of the 11 graduating Lettie Pate Whitehead Scholars, said Vanessa Hammond, director of Grants & Foundation Relations at Lee. These young women not only represent Lee University well with their character and educational achievement, but they also honor the legacy of Mrs. Whitehead Evans, for whom the scholarship is named, with their determined spirit. We are grateful for the Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundations investment in our students and their futures. Scholarships are awarded to female students who reside in the southeastern region and demonstrate financial need, academic accomplishments, and overall character. Among the 50 Lettie Pate Whitehead Scholars, the 11 graduating seniors include Ashley Brantner, a human development major with a deaf studies emphasis from Johnson City, Tn.; Jocelyne Espinal, an art major with a graphic design emphasis from Cleveland; Bekah Foutch, a history major from Greer, S.C.; Bethany Garner, a special education major from Alachua, Fl.; Tannah Kirkland, a psychology major from Pinson, Al.; Holly Leonard, a nursing major from Cleveland; Gillian Little, a psychology major from Ringgold; Caroline Perkins, a public administration major from Fayetteville, Ga.; Lydia Rankhorn, an English major with a writing emphasis from Cunningham, Tn.; Holly Sherritt, a nursing major from Powder Springs, Ga.; and Alexandra Steffins, a business administration major from Calhoun, La. It has been amazing to have this scholarship and community backing me from the start of my freshman year to the end of my senior year, said Ms. Rankhorn. This community has watched me grow over the last four years and has allowed me to feel acknowledged and seen. The people Ive met and the programs like Lettie Pate Whitehead have poured into me financially, as well as personally. Because of these programs, I am able to walk confidently into my next chapter, and for that, I am eternally grateful. The Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation, a public charity dedicated to female students and their education at more than 200 colleges, universities, and schools, encourages young women to become leaders in their communities by supporting them as they complete their education. Mrs. Lettie Pate Whitehead Evans was born in 1872 in Virginia. She married Joseph Brown Whitehead in 1894, who later formed a contract with Coca-Cola to bottle and sell their products. In 1906, Mrs. Whitehead gained control of the business upon her husbands death and became one of the first women to serve on the board of directors for a major American corporation in 1934. Throughout Mrs. Whiteheads life, she supported charities and education programs. Her contributions and concern for others left a lasting impact on her community and throughout the region. For more information about the Lettie Pate Whitehead Scholarship, contact Lees Office of Admissions at 614-8500. Creative Discovery Museum (CDM) President and CEO Henry Schulson will retire this fall after leading the museum for 26 years. Mr. Schulson began his tenure in 1997, just two years after CDM opened its doors in downtown Chattanooga. He has led the museum through many changes and substantial growth. It has been so exciting to see the growth and development of both the Museum and Chattanooga over the last 26 years, said Mr. Schulson. When I arrived, Creative Discovery Museum was just beginning to establish roots in the community. I am proud to see how deeply those roots have grown over the years. The museum has become a vital educational resource for schools and an institution loved and embraced by children and families throughout our community. Under Mr. Schulsons direction, CDM: Welcomed over five million visitors and served more than one million students through its school and outreach programs. Received 10 national grants from the Institute of Museum and Library Services and helped secure a national leadership grant for Hamilton County Schools Museum Magnet program. Partnered with the City of Chattanooga, Hunter Museum of American Art, and the Tennessee Aquarium on the 21st Century Waterfront Trust Plan, which transformed the Riverfront District and included the opening of CDMs RiverPlay (2002) and Rooftop Fun Factory (2005). Established an endowment program at the Museum currently valued at over $5 million. Developed a partnership with Oak Ridge National Lab and the U.S. Department of Energy, making CDM a national hub for education programs on biofuels and alternative energy sources. Introduced free Family Nights, Sensory Nights, and the first Museums for All program in Tennessee, providing thousands of families each year with free and discounted admission to the Museum. Henry has been an incredible leader and a gift to this institution and community for over 26 years. As a board, we are so appreciative of his constant stewardship, which continues even in announcing his well-earned retirement, said Christie Kizer Burbank, CDMs board chair. Most recently, Mr. Schulson spearheaded the Ignite Discovery capital campaign, which raised over $12.5 million to renovate the almost 30-year-old museum. Nearly all exhibit galleries in the museum have been renovated and reopened over the last year, with the final gallery, UnEarthed, slated for completion by September. As a result of these renovations, CDM has been setting new attendance records each month. The lasting impact Mr. Schulson has had on the museum extends beyond statistical success and into the community. His many accomplishments and deep relationships built with staff, patrons, and community partners will define his legacy. He has helped position CDM to attract a world class successor who will guide CDM into the next stage of its evolution and expand on its role as a leader in experiential learning and early childhood education. I have valued the partnerships we have developed with the schools and organizations serving youth in the community, said Mr. Schulson. But above all, I have valued working with an outstanding staff who bring the joy of learning to children day after day. CDM is committed to continuing Mr. Schulsons legacy as the search for his successor begins. A selection committee made up of current and former CDM board members is tasked with the important challenge of finding the right person to lead CDM, and they have chosen to partner with ThinkingAhead Executive Search, a Nashville-based firm, to lead the recruiting. ThinkingAhead has established itself as a leading boutique, nonprofit executive search firm. The company has been honored as one of Nashvilles Best and Brightest Companies to Work For, a Top 10 Executive Search Firm by Manage HR Magazine, and as a Top 10 Executive Search Firm for Women of Color. Kay Linder, a 25-year veteran of executive search, is serving as partner-in-charge of the project. I am so thrilled and privileged to be working with CDM on this journey of finding Henrys successor. He has built a legacy that is so significant, not only for the Chattanooga community but for all visiting families, educators, and the many users of their education programs. The selection committee is focused on finding the best leader for the next chapter of the museum, she said. We have engaged with CDMs staff and many stakeholders to help guide our search, and we are now focused on identifying exceptional candidates for this role. We are thankful to Henry for his dedication to CDM and the high standard he has set, said Patrick Stowe, chair of the search committee and former CDM board chair. Its a great credit to Henry and our outstanding staff and partners. Given the health, reputation, and newness of CDM along with the enviable quality of life in Chattanooga, we believe this could be one of the most attractive childrens museum opportunities in the country, and we are optimistic about the potential talent we can attract. Two people have been arrested after they led authorities on a high-speed chase early Friday morning. A Hamilton County Sheriffs Office deputy observed a Blue Hyundai Sonata at the intersection of Lightfoot Mill and Bonny Oaks Drive around 12:45 a.m. on Friday. Upon verifying the registration, it was discovered to be a stolen vehicle out of Chattanooga. The deputy attempted to stop the vehicle and the driver fled and a pursuit ensued. The suspect vehicle reached speeds of approximately 110 MPH in 40 MPH zones while passing vehicles in oncoming travel lanes. The suspect vehicle showed total disregard for the safety of the other motorists including failing to stop for traffic control devices and stop signs. The pursuit eventually traversed Jersey Pike, Shallowford Road, Tunnel Boulevard, and Brainerd Road before two suspects bailed out of the vehicle on foot near at 270 Elmwood Drive. When the suspects exited the vehicle, it then rolled back down the driveway, striking a HCSO patrol vehicle in the left front side of the brush guard causing minor damage. After setting up a perimeter and calling for aerial assistance from the HCSO UAS Unit (drone), both suspects were located shortly thereafter within a quarter mile of the vehicle location. Chattanooga Police personnel assisted with the search efforts. One suspect was identified as Allen Collins while the name of the second suspect, a juvenile, is being withheld due to their age. Collins was transported to the Hamilton County Jail and Detention Center and is charged with evading arrest and theft of property. The driver, a juvenile suspect, was transported to the Hamilton County Juvenile Detention Center and charged with theft of property, driving without license, evading arrest, reckless endangerment, failure to stop for stop sign, speeding, and traffic control device. Soddy Daisy Vice Mayor Jim Coleman has initiated the process for starting the citys new municipal building. Soddy Daisy Commissioners on Thursday voted in favor of the motion for City Manager Burt Johnson to put out bids for the new structure that will be built behind the current building and will be joined by an enclosed walkway. Plans are for the police department to move into the new building, and there will be a new courtroom that is double the size of the current room. There will also be space for an additional 12-14 offices. Mayor Steve Everett said before plans are finalized, he would like to make certain that the building will accommodate growth of the city down the road. Several years ago Soddy Daisy invested in a building that previously held a dentist office. That provided an option of accommodating the growing number of city employees. But plans changed and city officials now believe it will be better to keep all city departments on the same campus. The vice mayor followed the motion with another for City Manager Johnson to have a commercial realtor do an appraisal for the dentist office, as is, so it can be sold. Money from the sale would be put toward the new municipal building. The city manager said that $2.2 million from the American Rescue Plan COVID relief funds received by Soddy Daisy has also been earmarked for the new building. The city is being cleaned up with actions of the commission and with volunteers. Thursday night an ordinance passed that amended the municipal code relative to requirements for dumpsters. A related amendment was approved to the citys zoning ordinance for access control, parking and site plan regarding dumpsters. City Attorney Sam Elliott said that the problems with garbage strewn around most often is from concentrated housing when residents put garbage bags on the city streets and the bags break. Now the owner of the concentrated multiple housing units will be required to provide a dumpster for the occupants. The volunteer group Keep Soddy Daisy Beautiful has been the leader in getting trash and litter off the citys roads and out of parks. Nate Sanden, founder of the group, updated the commission on their recent projects. One day the group worked on Hotwater Road and removed 40 bags of trash and 150 tires, and other days collected equal amounts of trash at other locations around the city. A first for Keep Soddy Daisy Beautiful was that a person on probation worked off his 40 hours of community service picking up trash for Keep Soddy Daisy Beautiful. During that time, he was assigned to the Sequoyah Road area, and alone, he removed 91 bags of trash. Saturday is Earth Day and the group will be holding its second clean-up challenge. This year there are 22 teams, double the number of teams and people participating as last year. The good thing, said Mr. Sanden, is that he is finding it harder to find new locations for the volunteers to work. The moratorium was extended on acceptance of short-term rental applications for nonowner-occupied rental properties that are not the primary resident of the applicant. A home is usually a persons biggest investment, said Commissioner Gene Shipley. He said the surrounding neighborhood should be notified when there is an application for a short-term rental. And the homeowners should have the right to come to the planning commission meetings and city commission meetings where the applications are heard. City Attorney Elliott said that will have to be added to the citys ordinance relating to STVRs. He will work with Public Works Director and Building Inspector Steve Grant to develop a permitting process and what is required with guidance from the new ordinance just passed by the Hamilton County Commission. City Manager Johnson recommended that the city use Cyber74 to do both an internal and external assessment of security to determine Soddy Daisys cyber risk. The in-depth assessment will cost $12,600 plus more when a recommended plan is implemented. He said the current IT provider will also help. Mr. Johnson said there will probably be changes to email policies for employees. A contract for audit services was also given approval with Johnson Murphey and Wright. The cost this year will be $31,025, up about $3,000 from last year. He expects there will also be a single audit needed due to the city receiving over $750,000 from a federal grant. That will cost an additional amount. In all the new audit will cost $41,175, said Mr. Johnson, and that amount is included in the upcoming budget. Commissioner Mark Penney made the other commissioners aware of problems that are taking place in Mountain City Trailer Park with conditions in the park, and with the tenants. He said the owner lives in New Jersey and has recently fired the property manager. The city is trying to work with the owner and Attorney Elliott said the city will do what ever it can to make the business be in compliance with the citys requirements. Commissioner Shipley thanked the public works director and his staff for their work that allowed the biggest opening day ever at the Kids Club. He also announced that the Wall Ceremony will take place at Veterans Park on Saturday, May 6 at 10 a.m. He praised the citys staff and Mr. Johnson for managing he city so well that taxes will not need to be raised this year, and still leaving the city with money to spend. Sandra Lamb Cooper, 78, formerly of Rossville, Georgia, and a graduate of Rossville High School, passed away on Tuesday April 18, 2023, after a long battle with Parkinsons Disease. Mrs. Cooper was a devout Christian and her faith was her guiding light. She was a member of Christ United Methodist Church for 18 years and the Fellowship Sunday School class. Prior to that she attended Brained Presbyterian Church where the congregation continued to show their love for her throughout the years until she passed. She retired in 2007 from a long career as an event coordinator at the Chattanooga Convention Center. She was very passionate about helping people and loved that job immensely. Prior to that she worked alongside her husband Jerry Lamb at Wright Brothers Construction on projects such as Battlefield Parkway (2A) Pellissippi Parkway and The Mall of Georgia. She was a talented writer from a very young age. She wrote poems, childrens stories and songs. Some of her familys favorites include: The Mirror, Scooter the Squirrel and I Stand Tall. She was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Rena Shaver, her siblings, Beverly Dodd and Ray Shaver, her former husbands, David McInturff and Jerry Lamb, daughter, Rebecca Skinner, granddaughter, Allie Corder and grandson, Ryan Harris. Survivors include her husband, Bill Cooper, her brothers, Rick Shaver and Ron Shaver, children, Kimberly Harris (Mike), Kimberly Swallows (Mike), Vickie Lamb, Dina Poindexter (Mark) and Marty Cooper (Nancy), 12 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and several cousins, nieces, and nephews. In lieu of flowers, please donate to The Michael J. Fox Foundation. A celebration of her life will be held at Heritage Funeral Home in Fort Oglethorpe, at 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 29. The family will receive friends from 1-3 p.m. Carolyn Dorfman Dance, a New York based, nationally known contemporary company, will celebrate its 40th year with a community performance in Chattanooga on Thursday, May 11. The performance will begin at 7 p.m. at UTCs Fine Art Center. General admission tickets are $20 and available on the UTC Fine Arts website, or on-site at 6 p.m.The performance will tell the story of the Holocaust and the survival of a people through dance and narration, in conjunction with local stories. Carolyn Dorfman is known as a creator of evocative dances that reflect her concerns about the human condition.She is interested in creating worlds into which the audience can enter. Hailed as the consummate storyteller, she uses an interdisciplinary and intercultural approach on stage. More information about Carolyn Dorfman Dance is available on the company website www.carolyndorfman.dance.In addition to Carolyn Dorfman Dance, the performance will include community dancers from Ballet Espirit, Barger Academy of Fine Arts, Verbe from Baylor School, Project Motion from Chattanooga Center for Creative Arts, Terpsichord from Girls Preparatory School, Pop-Up Project youth program from Shepard Community Center and Eastside Elementary. Community dancers created new works with Carolyn Dorfman over an eight-month period both in person and via Zoom as part of the performance. A Carolyn Dorfman Dance community residency takes place May 5-13 at various sites in Chattanooga.This performance is part of the Legacy Project which is sponsored in parts by ArtsBuild, the Weldon F. Osborne Foundation, the Tennessee Holocaust Commission, Barking Legs Theater, the Jewish Federation of Greater Chattanooga and local sponsors. Kevin Roig Tony Sammons Don Walker Previous Next The Kelly administration on Friday announced several upcoming leadership changes, including the departure of Chief of Staff Joda Thongnopnua and Senior Advisor Kirsten Yates, as well as the appointment of Tony Sammons as chief equity officer, Kevin Roig as the director of Public Affairs, and Don Walker as interim administrator of Community Development. Public service is a relay race - its about accomplishing as much as possible within the time we have before passing the baton off to the next person, Mayor Kelly said. Im proud of my talented, dedicated team, who over these past two years has worked hard to both bridge opportunity gaps and create new opportunities for Chattanoogans from every walk of life. As we enter the next chapter of this administration and welcome some new folks to continue carrying out the One Chattanooga vision, Im grateful to those who helped us get where we are today as they prepare to pass their batons. Mr. Thongnopnua is planning to step down at the beginning of May to take a role with the National Science Foundation. He has been appointed to a role within the National Science Foundations new Technology, Innovation and Partnerships directorate established by the CHIPS and Science Act passed by Congress and charged with the critical mission of advancing U.S. competitiveness through investments that accelerate the development of key technologies and address pressing societal and economic challenges. Mr. Thongnopnua has served in city government since the beginning of the Kelly administration, first as chief policy officer and then as Mayor Kellys chief of staff, and played a key role in the priorities and successes of the first two years of the Kelly administration, from the One Chattanooga plan to the administrations $30 million American Rescue Plan community investment approach. Since the first day of my administration, Joda has been an integral part of my team. When I came into office, I described a vision of One Chattanooga that challenged our community to close the economic gaps that have persisted in our city for decades. For the past two years, I have relied on Joda to help me do just that by turning One Chattanooga into tangible results, said Mayor Kelly. Chattanooga is better off as a result of his hard work, and I am excited to see what hell achieve for our country in his new role with the National Science Foundation, where I know he will also continue to be a real champion for Chattanooga from Washington, D.C. The administration will announce who will succeed Mr. Thongnopnua in his role as chief of staff in the coming weeks, prior to his departure. Senior Advisor for Communications and Digital Strategy Kirsten Yates also announced she would be transitioning out of her role leading the administrations communications office in mid-May. Ms. Yates will be succeeded by Kevin Roig. Officials said, "Ms. Yates has played a vital role in shaping the administrations goals and has served as a senior member of the mayors team for the last year. Yates spearheaded one of Mayor Kellys top priorities by creating a more thoughtful, cohesive, and informed dialogue about the most complex and pressing issues facing our community. From keeping Chattanoogans informed about the mayors agenda to helping drive the creation of the mayors Roadmap to End Gun Violence, Ms. Yates played a key role in nearly all major administration policies." Prior to joining the city of Chattanooga, Ms. Yates served as deputy lead of the Center for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC) infection control education and partnership collaborative, and holds over 12 years experience in different communication leadership roles in government programs, social marketing campaigns, as well as crisis and emergency responses. She worked for more than eight years at the CDC, leading communication efforts for programs like the COVID-19 vaccine distribution initiative and vaccine effectiveness research. Mayor Kelly said, Kirsten has been a critical strategic voice and a first-rate communicator for my administration. She has played a key role in not only advancing our One Chattanooga agenda, but helping shape it for the betterfrom positioning our city as a leader in sustainability to helping launch efforts to build new digital infrastructure for our residents. I am so grateful to her for all shes done for Chattanooga, and to her husband and three young children for letting us borrow Kirsten for the past year. Ms. Yates will be succeeded by Kevin Roig, described as a seasoned public affairs, communications, and operations strategist who brings a decade of political, policy, and campaign management experience to the city of Chattanooga. Appointed by Mayor Kelly, Mr. Roig joined the city this week. He previously served as Deputy Chief of Staff and Communications Director for U.S. House of Representatives member Garret Graves on Capitol Hill from 2015 to 2022, where he was at the forefront of successful legislative communications campaigns across an array of issues, from infrastructure and disaster response to energy and the environment, it was stated. I am looking forward to welcoming Kevin to our team. He brings a tremendous amount of public service experience and he has a clear understanding of how to build broad coalitions and consensus for getting things done for residents, Mayor Kelly said. Kevin is exactly the kind of talent were looking to bring to Chattanooga and I am proud to have him join our team. The Kelly administration also announced two additional appointments who will serve in key roles. Mayor Kelly announced that he will submit his appointment of Tony Sammons to be the Citys next chief equity officer to the Chattanooga City Council for confirmation. Mr. Sammons currently serves as the citys administrator for the Department of Community Development and has served in city government for more than 16 years, and previously served as Deputy Chief Operating Officer under Mayor Andy Berkes administration. Tony leads by example, and I have to say Ive been extremely impressed by his ability to galvanize a team, take on big challenges and do it in a way that upholds the dignity and respect of those serving alongside him, Mayor Kelly said. He possesses the type of wisdom and leadership abilities that are what we need more of in city government, and I look forward to what hell accomplish as we work together to bridge the equity gaps across our community. Sammons will be succeeded in his current role as head of the Department of Community Development on an interim basis by Don Walker, who currently serves as the Deputy Administrator for the Department of Community Development. Prior to joining the city last year, Walker spent 25 years as the Director of Guest Services and Operations for the Tennessee Aquarium, where he implemented multiple company-wide programs and processes to improve operations and guest satisfaction, including the development of a company-wide customer service and training program that led to sustained increases in customer satisfaction ratings. UN Chinese Language Day celebrated in Zambia Xinhua) 14:00, April 21, 2023 A Zambian student performs martial arts during an event marking the 14th UN Chinese Language Day in Lusaka, Zambia, on April 20, 2023. The Confucius Institute at the University of Zambia (UNZA) on Thursday marked this year's Chinese Language Day with a colorful display of performances on the Chinese language and culture by students. (Xinhua/Peng Lijun) LUSAKA, April 20 (Xinhua) -- The Confucius Institute at the University of Zambia (UNZA) on Thursday marked this year's Chinese Language Day with a colorful display of performances on the Chinese language and culture by students. The event, attended by Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Du Xiaohui, and officials from both the Confucius Institute and UNZA, was characterized by singing, dancing, and martial arts performances depicting the Chinese language and culture learned by the students. Held under the theme "Chinese Language Facilitating Dialogues across Civilization," the event also saw higher-performing students being awarded certificates. The Chinese envoy underscored the importance of the Chinese language in fostering cooperation and people-to-people ties between the two countries and expressed gratitude that with the efforts of the Confucius Institute, the learning of the Chinese language in Zambia has gained significant progress and is becoming an important part of the people-to-people exchange and cooperation. The Belt and Road Initiative has facilitated the rise of Chinese language education in Zambia, cultivating thousands of young Zambians learning the Chinese language, a situation that is drawing people of the two countries closer and enhancing mutual understanding, he said. Annie Sikwibele, acting vice chancellor at UNZA, said the Confucius Institute was established in 2010 to respond to the needs and expectations of learning the Chinese language in Zambia and as a mark of strong bilateral ties between the two countries. Since then, a number of secondary schools, colleges and universities in the country have embraced the teaching of the Chinese language, she said, expressing optimism that the young Zambians learning the Chinese language will also teach others in the country. Dalitso Ndhlovu, one of the students, commended the teachers for their commitment to duty and for imparting the Chinese language and culture to the learners. He said the knowledge and culture of the Chinese language being taught will inspire young people to aspire to go to China and enhance their education. A Zambian student writes Chinese calligraphy during an event marking the 14th UN Chinese Language Day in Lusaka, Zambia, on April 20, 2023. The Confucius Institute at the University of Zambia (UNZA) on Thursday marked this year's Chinese Language Day with a colorful display of performances on the Chinese language and culture by students. (Xinhua/Peng Lijun) A Zambian student recites an ancient Chinese poem during an event marking the 14th UN Chinese Language Day in Lusaka, Zambia, on April 20, 2023. The Confucius Institute at the University of Zambia (UNZA) on Thursday marked this year's Chinese Language Day with a colorful display of performances on the Chinese language and culture by students. (Xinhua/Peng Lijun) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan) A man has been married to his wife for 10 years, and she has since then become a stay-at-home wife. Although they do not have children together, his wife does have a daughter named Sarah from a prior relationship. Now, he has always gotten along well with Sarah the majority of the time that Sarah has been in his life. Sarah is currently in her junior year of college, and shes majoring in biology. Sarah is also taking other classes that medical school requires, as she wants to ultimately become a doctor. Shes had a dream of being a doctor and helping people since her mom and I met, he explained. The problem is shes not a very good student. Shes failed her biology 1 class and had to retake it to get a B. She really struggled in her next-level biology class and finished with a C. She also got a C in her chemistry class. As for calculus, Sarah took 2 different classes and only managed a B in each of those. For Sarahs classes that dont involve science or math, she does get straight As. He recently found out that for Sarahs current semester, shes only going to get Cs or Bs in her math and science classes. Im not a doctor, and I dont know any doctors, but I did online research, he said. I found out that medical schools require many things, but at the top of the list, there is a high GPA and top grades in science and math classes. With Sarahs grades, shes not getting into any medical school. I even looked into nursing school to see if I can talk her into going that route and all the ones I looked at require higher grades than what she has. Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. Pixabay/Michal Jarmoluk A new bill has taken effect in Colorado that prohibits abortion pill reversal treatment. However, a Catholic pro-life clinic reportedly filed a lawsuit against the legislation and was temporarily exempted from the new law. Colorado Law On Friday, Apr. 14, Gov. Jared Polis passed a bill that makes it illegal to provide abortion reversals by labeling it as "unprofessional conduct." This makes Colorado the first state in the US to stop the controversial form of medical care. A report from the CPR News stated that Bella Health and Wellness, an OB-GYN and Catholic healthcare practice, promptly filed a lawsuit to be excused from the rules. On Saturday, Apr. 15, the judge issued a temporary restraining order that will allow the healthcare facilities to keep providing the treatment while the case is pending. Moreover, on Monday, Apr. 24, there will be a hearing regarding a preliminary injunction, which might prevent the law from going into effect across the entire state. As a result of the legal action, The Christian Post reported that a complaint was submitted to the United States District Court in Colorado by a non-profit law company called the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty. On Sunday, Apr. 17, United States District Court Judge Daniel Domenico handed down a preliminary injunction that prevents the state of Colorado from temporarily implementing SB23-190, which bans abortion reversal procedure on Bella Health and Wellness. Domenico asserted that the new law would likely burden the claimant's rights under the First Amendment. In addition, Bella Health & Wellness has its headquarters in Englewood and currently provides services to approximately 200 new patients monthly. Additionally, there are locations for the corporation in both Denver and Lafayette. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the abortion pill reversal procedure "is not based on science." Therefore, SB23-190 makes it illegal for medical professionals to provide or prescribe the treatment. Practitioners who give patients this treatment risk canceling their licenses and facing disciplinary action from the medical boards in their states. Also Read:US Catholic Bishops Criticized By Nancy Pelosi Following Opposition on Abortion, Transgender Treatments For Children Abortion Pill Reversal Treatment American Pregnancy Association stated that the abortion pill reversal treatment is only possible after the initial oral dosage of medical abortion and would be unsuccessful after the second batch of pills. The regimen requires a significant quantity of progesterone to be introduced into the pregnant woman's body, and it is only efficient within the first twenty-four hours after the woman has taken mifepristone. The first pill, mifepristone, prevents the mother's womb from absorbing progesterone. As a result, an abortion can no longer take place. Mifepristone prevents the absorption of progesterone at the site where it would typically occur, which means that an increase in progesterone levels can cause a binding space shortage. It was mentioned by the Abortion Pill Rescue Network that there had been successful reversals of abortion when treatment was initiated within the first three days after taking the first abortion pill. However, the FDA has not yet given its approval for this treatment. Since the beginning of the reversal process more than fifty years ago, progesterone has been administered in pregnant women without any adverse effects. Initial research indicates that the incidence of congenital disabilities in infants whose parents were exposed to abortion pill reversal is either lower than or comparable to the population's rate. There is also no evidence that mifepristone or progesterone are linked to any kind of birth problem. Related Article:Religious Leader Argue Over Abortion Rights Following Missouri's Ban Last months shooting at The Covenant School was not only the deadliest in Nashvilleit was also the most high-profile attack on a church school in the US. The incident has shaken views of Christian schools as safe havens against violence and led administrators across the country to revisit their own security measures. Theres been a sense of, Those problems don't seem to happen in our types of schools, and (the Nashville shooting) shattered that, Sean Corcoran, who leads Brainerd Baptist School in Chattanooga, Tennessee, told Reuters. He said the recent shooting exposed how deadly incidents can happen even when leaders "did everything rightThe Covenant School had security cameras, locking double doors, alarms, and procedures in place from a training the year before. Safety is among the top reasons parents choose private education, but how schools protect studentsstaff trainings, building features, and proceduresis up to its leaders. Several church security experts told CT they see an uptick in interest following mass shootings. The Nashville shooting in particular has been a wakeup call for parents who send their children to Christian schools and church academies. Indiana mom Brooke Wine chose Heritage Christian School for her daughter because they have numerous security guards on campus, including at an entry point for vehicles. Without the proper ID or badging system, you get stopped and checked, Wine told CT. I personally felt much safer with my child going to a place with increased protection, in comparison to many other schools we looked into. At the Dade Christian and Masters Academy in Miami, armed security guards are posted around the building and cameras keep watch over the property. The school is in the process of moving playgrounds to less visible areas and is hiring more guards that have undergone active shooter training. Private schools arent subject to the same safety requirements as public schools. In Tennessee, a new law signed days after the shooting allows private schools to contract with law enforcement to hire school resource officers, like public schools do, but they arent required to have them. Better-funded schools have bigger budgets for pricier staff and security measures. Bulletproof glass windows and doorswhich have gotten recent attention after the attacker at Covenant shot through locked glass doors to get insidecan cost tens of thousands of dollars. A few schools have also experimented with portablesafe rooms, which run $60,000 apiece. Article continues below Some states offer grants to nonprivate schools for security. Last year, the federal government increased funding by $150 million to help faith communities with security costs, but that only goes so far given the number of churches and schools across the nation. Since 2019, 80 percent of teachers in private Christian schools say theyve seen enrollment increase, according to a national study on Christian School Growth & Sustainability. School closures and changes during the pandemic, as well as an increase in school choice laws in some states, have pushed Christian parents in this direction. Still, the report shows that 7 out of 10 challenges these schools face relate to finances and fundraising. As interest increases with each attack and threatreligiously motivated hate crimes are up, as are reports of targeted incidents against churchesmore church security organizations have emerged to meet the need. These experts consult, train, and advise churches and schools around how to approach safety and security. Security consultant Brink Fidler of Defend Systems worked with The Covenant School in 2022 and said the training helped save lives last month. Its other clients include fellow Christian schools, preschools, churches, and family shelters in Nashville. A dean of a local Catholic school that worked with Defense Systems said that staff dont think its going to happen to them, especially when youre in these private school settings that have these beautiful campuses. But security training can help administrators see their own areas of vulnerability. Church schools have particularly ways they are susceptible to violence, said Charles Chadwick, the founder of Gatekeepers Security Services, which offers private security officer training for churches. You have church functions going on, so the chances that somebody not associated with the school is going to be on campus or walking through the area is real high, Chadwick said. After spending several years as the director of security for a Texas megachurch, Chadwick told CT he felt a calling to help other churches get equipped. Gatekeepers now has about 500 officers in nearly 100 churches and private Christian schools in Texas. Sheepdog Church Security founder Kris Moloney, a former military and police officer, launched a safety team at his own church in 2009, and then local churches began contacting him for training. His expertise grew into a company that has trained over 4,700 students in schools from all 50 states. Sheepdog classes include Active Shooter Response, Deescalating Disruptive Persons and Use of Force Laws, among others. While Moloney focuses more on churches, his training is used by schools as well. Article continues below The Association of Christian Schools International requires its 2,200 member schools in the US to meet certain accreditation protocols around safety, including implementing a comprehensive written security and crisis management plan with appropriate training for all staff and students and ensuring facilities are secure and suitable for the size of the school. Year after year, church security expert Carl Chinn is encouraged by a growing recognition among churches and schools of the need for more intentional, precrime planning. We are seeing more training based on the mental and spiritual mindset of a responsible defender, said Chinn, whose Faith Based Security Network has tracked over a decade of violent incidents on church properties. We recognize that the primary role of a responsible defender in a faith-based organizationbe it a church, school, charity or otheris to understand that we are first and foremost ambassadors of Christ. Dwayne Harris started Full Armor Church in 2017 after he recognized a lack of practical safety training programs specific to houses of worship; his focuses on spiritual and physical preparation. Harris, an ordained bishop in the Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee), said there are unique challenges and dynamics to most ministry models, and Full Armor focuses on site-wide training. Safety is not about having a few people doing everything right, but everyone doing something right, Harris told CT. Harris said he receives regular requests from both schools and churches for training in safety drills, structural planning and implementation of a comprehensive organized safety program. Most leaders understand, he said, that safety leads to growth. Churches and Christian schools may be slower to adopt high-security measures because they feel the protection of God over them, but Harris said that is no excuse. I believe God can protect me, and yet I still put on my seatbelt and lock my doors at night, he said. Wisdom and faith are powerful tools when combined. Article continues below Beyond physical security measures, Christian schools are also looking at ways to prevent violence. Research associates from the Center for the Study and Prevention Violence at the University of Colorado wrote that while limiting access to firearms is important, there are many other, viable strategies to combat risks as well. There are often many opportunities to intervene with the perpetrator before the tragedy, according to researchers at Center for the Study and Prevention Violence at the University of Colorado, suggesting that staff and students be trained in how to recognize concerning behaviors nearly always present in violent attackers. The researchers also suggested anonymous tip lines, which have been shown to stop potential attacks, and regular screenings for behavior threat assessment. Schools are also offering more resources for students seeking mental health support. As stated 2,000 years ago, we must Be alert and of sober mind, said Chinn, quoting 1 Peter 5:8. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. There really is evil and it is wrong and orchestrated by Satan himself who is our enemy, Chinn said. Theres something irresistible about viewing an empty, abandoned building on the big screen. The camera often pans slowly from left to right or zooms in menacingly while we watch with bated breath, unable to tear our eyes away as a sense of impending doom grows. I felt this visual tension viscerally while watching Suzume no Tojimari (literally Suzumes Locking Up), the fourth-highest-grossing anime film of all time, even before its North American release on April 14. Written and directed by Japanese auteur Makoto Shinkai (of the award-winning 2016 film Your Name), Suzume is a coming-of-age movie where deserted places like a hot spring, an amusement park, and a school become breeding grounds for end-of-the-world-type stuff (spoilers ahead). In some ways, the apocalypse has already arrived for the films protagonist, 17-year-old high-schooler Suzume (voiced by Nichole Sakura in English). She lost her mother in the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, which killed 20,000 people and activated the Fukushima nuclear reactor meltdown. On her way to school one day, she encounters Souta (Josh Keaton), a traveler on a mission who is mysteriously turned into a three-legged chair. The duo traipse across Japan locking otherworldly doors popping up in various abandoned places in a bid to prevent a ghastly wormlike creature from wreaking destruction. Reviewers have praised Suzume as a unique story of hope amid grief and loss. While I agree with their assessment, what enthralls me most about the film is in how it probes Japans collective experience of nostalgia and amnesiaa desire for what once was and could have been, alongside a creeping erosion of treasured memories tied to people and place. Our faith may oscillate between a spiritual nostalgia and a spiritual amnesia as well. But God calls us out of these unfruitful, desolate places in the Christian journey as we travel onward and upward. How? By recovering the spiritual discipline of delight. Wistful longing Suzume is replete with breathtaking animated effects, from the way sunlight glints off ripples in a bright blue sea to how the characters hair ruffles gently in the wind. The empty, abandoned places in the film are not bereft of such lovingly detailed treatment either. Tangible mementos of a once-vibrant place remain, whether in the form of broken vending machines or a creaky, dilapidated Ferris wheel. These scenes come tinged with a nostalgic atmosphere that longs for the glory of what once was. As Souta puts it, Deserted places have lost their anchor. Souta tells Suzume that she needs to listen to the past [and] hear their voices to lock the doors successfully. In doing so, Suzume hears a rushing cacophony of voices from people who once lived, worked, and played in these now-bleak locations. Article continues below There is a poignancy to how the film depicts these abandoned spaces and how the means of bringing order out of chaos is to hear the past and remember all who once called them home. It strikes me, too, that I find myself lingering comfortably in such nostalgic ruminations of my faith. As a Christian for over two decades now, I regularly reminisce about times I had experienced God or saw Gods promises come to pass, like in the three-hour-long worship nights at youth camp or the Christmas musical I wrote and directed with church friends in the span of six weeks. I think back to other Asbury revivallike moments in my faith and wonder when, or if, I will experience the divine sweetness of Gods presence again. This is not to say that nostalgia is bad. Nostalgia is only and essentially human, writes my colleague Kate Lucky: In a world that rushes us forward to the impending deadline, the growth goal, or the five-year plan, a moment of bittersweet recognition reminds us of what weve already had. Nevertheless, God calls us out of overindulging in spiritual nostalgia as it all too often descends into a sour bitterness that dismisses his promises and his presence in our lives in the present. In Scripture, we see God telling Israeland usnot to fear because he has redeemed them, called them by name, and considers them his (Isa. 43:1). This beautiful, weighty assurance that we belong to God and are known and loved by him may be evident when we look back at Gods sovereign providence, but it can also be woven into the minutiae of our present lives. Rather than retreating into the past, God calls us to be present to him in the day-to-day, growing ever more spiritually awake and aware as his precious, beloved children. Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? (Isa. 43:1819). Forget me not This bittersweet yearning for the past isnt the only theme that the film explores in its artful weaving together of fantasy and history. The other key narrative thread unfolds through the exploration of Suzumes experience of amnesia. Article continues below Suzume has recurring dreams of her four-year-old self crying and searching for her mother in the aftermath of the 2011 earthquake. In these dreams, young Suzume roams a grassy field under a starry night sky. Later, she realizes that these dreams are actually her forays into the Ever After: the world beyond the mystical doors that she and Souta have been locking up. Although the Ever After is regarded as a place where souls go to rest and the living cannot enter, Suzume once again ventures in when she visits the ruins of her old home and finds (no surprise) a door to this ethereal, liminal space. In one emotional scene, present-day Suzume meets the younger version of herself in the Ever After. The night might seem endless but the light will come once again, says the older Suzume to her younger, grief-stricken self. Who am I? You could say Im your tomorrow. The circularity of this moment is heart-wrenching, and it reveals how alienating the experience of amnesia is. In forgetting moments as priceless as those of her mother crafting and giving her the three-legged chair, Suzume has also forgotten who she is. The dialogue between older and younger Suzume becomes a powerful turning point in the film as it ushers in healing and hope for the future. Suzumes gradual rememberingof herself, her mother, and her pastas well as her renewed appreciation of her present existence provides some insights for how we approach the Christian life as well. Spiritual amnesia arises when we forget what God has done in our lives and how he has shaped us into who we are today. I have a hunch Im not alone in struggling to answer questions like Who has had the biggest impact on your life as a Christian? Remembering and recounting people who have been our mothers and fathers in the faith arent merely fun icebreaker activities. Doing so recognizes that God has been holding all our tomorrows in his hand and will continue to do so. Still, its easy to make our faith painfully routine and forget God in the process. When it comes to God, I too forget the familiar all over again, writes the self-professed spiritual amnesiac Philip Yancey for CT. For example, wrenched from my normal routine on a trip somewhere, it will suddenly occur to me that, except for a cursory blessing before meals, I have not given God a single thought all day. Forget the essence of the universe and the central focus of my life? Yes, I do. Article continues below Habits like setting an hourly alarm to pause and reflect jostle Yancey out of his spiritual amnesia. For me, journaling and counseling have been productive avenues to remember and recount Gods faithfulness and presence, particularly in seasons of despair and distress. Yet, Suzume reminds me that developing another spiritual practicethat of delightis essential in our ongoing oscillation between spiritual amnesia and nostalgia. The discipline of delight Suzume may be an animated film, but its portrayal of the worlds beauty and the goodness inherent in almost every character is so masterful that I cannot help but marvel and, yes, delight in it. After being immersed in a dark movie theater for two hours, I emerged into a sunlit afternoon. The world post-Suzume seemed more substantial. Where I would typically plunge into an e-book or scroll through my social media feeds after walking out of a film, I chose instead to notice the sights and sounds around me. The colors of the sky appeared brighter. I felt the breeze on my skin and heard the chirps of the birds. My soul felt quiet within me, like the films troublemaking cat, Daijin (Lena Josephine Marano), nestling himself quietly in the back seat of an open convertible. A sense of hope and peace enveloped me, and I felt grounded and settled (instead of impatient and frustrated) as I waited for the bus to arrive. I worry that we have neglected to delight in God in our incessant toggling between spiritual nostalgia and amnesia. Nostalgia hinders us from being present to God in this very moment, whereas amnesia may lead to a willful forgetting of God and a constant striving for bigger and better spiritual experiences instead of what Dallas Willard calls a transformation into Christlikeness. These rhythms can be interrupted by cultivating delight as a spiritual discipline, in which we pay closer attention to all that is around and within us and form a deeper, joy-filled awareness of Gods presence. As Tish Harrison Warren writes, The more I have tried to seek Godthe more I reach for truth, beauty and mystery that I know exceeds my graspthe more bright, vivid and vital the things of earth become. The spiritual practice of delight does not produce any discernible outcomes, which makes it even more valuable and necessary since our faith ought not be held hostage by achievements and goals. Spiritual delight involves cultivating a holy kind of listening, which creates space for hospitality toward God and others, according to spiritual director Margaret Guenther. Spiritual delight invites us to ponder all that is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable (Phil. 4:8) rather than wallow in fear or be consumed by distraction. Article continues below Suzume is not a Christian film. In fact, much of its mythology is based on Shintoistic ideas of how divine gods and humanity relate to one another. But Suzume has led me to experience delight again, even if it seems inconceivable in a world constantly bombarded by terrible, deadly news. The spiritual discipline of delight requires us to live open-heartedly in the present, deepening our relationship with Jesus without leaving one foot stuck in the past and the other in an imagined, ideal future. Life is a fleeting, fragile thing, but we fight and hope to live one moment more, says Souta in a pivotal scene. His words echo that of the author of Ecclesiastes: For who knows what is good for a person in life, during the few and meaningless days they pass through like a shadow? Who can tell them what will happen under the sun after they are gone? (Ecc. 6:12). Delighting in God opens a doorway that leads us out of bitter regret and blissful forgetfulness. This door is always and already open, and God invites us all to enter amid the ordinariness of our present realities. Wont you step in? In the past couple weeks since Trumps arrest, Ive seen some reactions from his conservative supporters along these lines: If they can go after Trump, they can also go after youwhich is the whole point of the rule of law. Donald Trump was indicted on 34 counts of falsifying business records. He and his defenders claim the indictment is a witch hunt and is evidence that the justice system has become politicized. Politicized justice is a real problem. In many countries, the courts are not independent and there are few checks and balances protecting their integrity. In such cases, courts become little more than rubber stamps for executive rule or, on the other end of the spectrum, for the tyranny of the majority. Judicial independence is a cornerstone of the rule of law for a free society. Without it, newly empowered parties have a habit of prosecuting, imprisoning, and even executing former presidents and prime ministers on flimsy charges as political revenge. Officeholders will seek to stay in power by any means necessary to escape prosecution. Political life deteriorates into a soap opera of charismatic criminals rotating between prison and the presidency. But that should not lead us to make the opposite mistake and grant all former presidents and officeholders immunity from any legal prosecution. Officeholders are human, like the rest of us, and just as prone to sin, corruption, and criminality. As Christians, we should know this better than anyone. In fact, it is precisely because of their access to power and wealth that officeholders are likely to face even greater temptation and have more opportunity to commit crime. Unless we think they are somehow immune to such temptation, we should assume that some of our public officials are going to give in. And they have often given in. Four recent governors of Illinois served time in prison for corruptiona small sample of at least 28 governors convicted of various crimes in American history. Hundredsyes, hundredsof senators and representatives have been accused of misconduct, and dozens have been convicted of criminal acts. Presidents and their appointees are not immune. In the Ulysses Grant administration, the interior secretary, attorney general, secretary of the navy, and secretary of waramong many, many otherswere all widely reported to have been corrupt. Over 100 lower officials in the Treasury Department were convicted of bribery in a massive conspiracy to help people avoid whiskey taxes. And that was only one of several scandals that plagued the Grant presidency. Article continues below In the Warren Harding administration, the interior secretary (again) was convicted of accepting a bribe to give an investor control of oil reserves in Wyoming. It was one of the biggest and most blatant corruption scandals in American history. And, of course, president Richard Nixon obstructed justice and abused power in the Watergate scandal, crimes for which he would have been impeached and prosecuted had he not resigned and been pardoned. Charles Colson, former chief counsel for Nixon, was also arrested for the part he played in the scandal. He later told a federal judge he had been an arrogant, self-assured man in the ruthless exercise of power, before coming to faith as an evangelical Christian. He learned how easy it is to rationalize illegal behavior when youre in a position of powerand that even when civic leaders act with the best of intentions, your means are as important as your ends. By contrast, Nixon still tried to justify his behavior after he left office: When the president does it, that means it is not illegal. In his view, presidents are, by definition, incapable of committing a crime when they claim their action is in defense of national security. Nixons claim calls to mind Louis XIV, the absolutist king of France in the 17th century, who claimed LEtat, cest moi, or I am the statea claim so famously villainous that George Lucas put a version of it into the mouth of soon-to-be Emperor Palpatine in Star Wars. Nixon, Louis, and Palpatine believed that the king was the law, such that whatever the king did was legal by virtue of the king being the one who did it. At the same time as Louis, but across the English Channel, Scottish jurist and Presbyterian pastor Samuel Rutherford wrote a book with the title Lex Rex (Law is King), which countered the divine right of kings and became the bedrock for constitutionalism, the rule of law, and self-government. Holding public officials accountable when they give in to the temptation to sin is essential. If we do not, weve sent a clear message that presidents and their appointees are above the law. Future presidents and presidential candidates will take note and act with impunity. That is why democracies around the world have indicted, prosecuted, and imprisoned heads of government for corruption. Article continues below That is why we have checks and balances, judicial independence, and, above all, the rule of law. Holding former presidents to the same standard as the rest of us is an important test of self-government. I do not know if Trump is guilty of the crimes for which he was indicted last weekand neither do you. A grand jury of Manhattan citizens judged there was sufficient evidence to try the case in court, and Trump is entitled to due process before we rush to judge him in the court of public opinion. And as Christians, we should all hope for the truth to be revealed, for the truth always sets free (John 8:32). The point is that investigating, indicting, and prosecuting a former president is not, on its face, proof of politicized justice. In fact, a willingness to hold former officeholders accountable is vital to sustaining our democracy. It is reasonable to ask if the prosecution of Donald Trump is politically motivated. We cant know for sure, but we can note that Trump is also under investigation in three other cases: for allegedly violating the Presidential Records Act by taking and storing classified records that belonged to the National Archives; for allegedly interfering in Georgias 2020 presidential election; and for his role in the events of January 6, 2021. It is also relevant that the Trump Organization was convicted of criminal tax fraud and falsifying business records in December. And there is a growing list of Trumps advisors, colleagues, and appointees charged or convicted of various crimes, including his personal lawyer and several top campaign officials. Trumps defenders may look at this list as proof that he is a victim of politicized justice. But the very breadth and diversity of legal challenges that Trump faces by several juries in different jurisdictions led by multiple prosecutors suggests that there is no overarching conspiracy. The United States ranks 26th in the world for upholding in the rule of law and judicial independence, according to the World Justice Project, making it among the best. Americas justice system is so diffuse it would be extremely difficult to organize a conspiracy among the many different juries, prosecutors, and judges involved in all the legal cases against Trump and his associates. The only common factor in these cases is Trump himself. Paul D. Miller is a professor of the practice of international affairs at Georgetown University, a research fellow with the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, and a veteran of the war in Afghanistan. His most recent book is The Religion of American Greatness: Whats Wrong with Christian Nationalism. Many people know nothing about the Holocaust, says special guest Dr. Malka Simkovich in this weeks episode of The Bulletin. Even if they do know, theyve heard 6 million deaths is an exaggeration. It might be hard to believe this is true, until you read the news about the recent shooting of 16-year-old Ralph Yarl. These two particular tragedies are linked by a common heartbreaking thread: the danger of turning people into abstractions. This week on The Bulletin, host Mike Cosper and Dr. Nicole Martin talk about Holocaust Remembrance Day (Yom HaShoah, April 18) and Yarls shooting and dive deep into topics that Christians often want to avoid. Joined by Dr. Simkovich of Catholic Theological Union, the three discuss the dehumanizing rhetoric that turns individuals into tropes and the hermeneutics that often divorce us from the humanity of the other. The episode continues as Cosper and Martin consider the growing reactivity to conversations about race within the church and the fear that amidst our abstractions were losing sight of the relational needs that, when met, can bring forth healing and reconciliation. Joining us this week: Dr. Malka Z. Simkovich is the Crown-Ryan Chair of Jewish Studies and the director of the Catholic-Jewish Studies program at CTU. She is the author of The Making of Jewish Universalism: From Exile to Alexandria (2016), and Discovering Second Temple Literature: The Scriptures and Stories That Shaped Early Judaism (2018), which received the 2019 AJL Judaica Reference Honor Award. Simkovichs articles have been published in journals such as the Harvard Theological Review and the Journal for the Study of Judaism, as well as on online forums such as The Lehrhaus, TheTorah.com, and the Times of Israel. She is involved in numerous local and international interreligious dialogue projects which help to increase understanding and friendship between Christians and Jews. Dr. Nicole Martin serves Christianity Today as chief impact officer after serving on its board of directors. Nicole oversees three major strategic initiatives that are shaping the future of CT including The Global Initiative, the Big Tent Initiative, and the Next Gen Initiative. Dr. Martin worked as a business analyst for Deloitte before receiving her master of divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary, where she was the recipient of the David Hugh Jones Award in Music and the John Alan Swink Award in Preaching. Resources Referenced: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum FBI Releases Supplemental 2021 Hate Crime Statistics U.S. Antisemitic Incidents Hit Highest Level Ever Recorded, ADL Audit Finds Unite KC The Sending Project Fearfully and Wonderfully Made by Philip Yancey and Dr. Paul Brand What We Know About the Ralph Yarl Shooting in Kansas City A 20-year-old woman was shot and killed after her friend turned into the wrong driveway in upstate New York, officials say Divided by Faith: Evangelical Religion and the Problem of Race in America by Michael Emerson and Christian Smith The Bulletin is a production of Christianity Today Executive Producer: Erik Petrik Hosts: Mike Cosper and Russell Moore Producer: Matt Stevens Associate Producer: Azurae Phelps Editing and Mix: TJ Hester Music: Dan Phelps Graphic Design: Bryan Todd Additional Design: Jared Boggess Social Media: Kate Lucky Florida restricts sexuality, gender identity discussions through 12th grade After approximately an hour of public comments expressing both opposition and support for the rule, the Florida Board of Education voted to approve an amendment to the "Principles of Professional Conduct for the Education Profession in Florida" at a meeting Wednesday. The revised law amends the existing requirement that teachers refrain from discussing sexual orientation or gender identity with students in kindergarten through third grade to add that teachers "shall not intentionally provide classroom instruction to students in grades 4 through 12 on sexual orientation or gender identity unless such instruction is either expressly required by state academic standards" or "is part of a reproductive health course or health lesson for which a student's parent has the option to have his or her student not attend." The expansion comes a year after Florida's Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law House Bill 1557 on "Parental Rights in Education." The law has generated much scrutiny from Democrats who call the legislation the "Don't Say Gay Bill." DeSantis has accused opponents and the mainstream media of promoting "false" narratives about the bill. The law also requires school districts to inform parents of changes in their child's mental, physical and emotional health. It forbids districts from withholding that information such as whether students are identified by different name and gender in school from parents. The law's expansion has swift praise from parental rights organizations and scrutiny from LGBT advocacy groups. Kelley Robinson, president of the LGBT advocacy group Human Rights Campaign, claims it is a direct attack on the LGBT community. "There's nothing wrong with talking about LGBTQ+ people, history, and culture in our classrooms," she said in a statement. "Our community poses no threat. The real threat to Floridians is Gov. Ron DeSantis and extremist legislators who are some of the most anti-LGBTQ+ politicians in America. DeSantis and his allies show no shame in their government overreach and unrelenting desire to attack the freedoms of those different from them. The Human Rights Campaign strongly condemns this form of dangerous, extremist politics." Ryan Kennedy of the advocacy group Florida Citizens Alliance praised the expanded restrictions before the board Wednesday. "We believe that the focus in education should always be teaching the basics, math, science, history, etc. in the classroom and especially when it comes to issues such as sexual orientation and gender identity, these decisions should be left at home for the parents to decide when and if their child should be exposed to this material," Kennedy said. Concerns about exposure to sexually explicit material and LGBT ideology have become a significant source of contention for many parents in Florida and the United States. Even after the passage of House Bill 1557, major school districts in Florida continued to embrace sex education curricula that discussed topics related to sexual orientation and gender identity. Miami-Dade County, home to the largest school district in the state, pulled two newly approved sex education textbooks designed for middle and high school students following parental backlash. One of the book's chapters, titled "Understanding Sexuality," discussed matters related to sexual orientation and gender identity. Similar pushback occurred from parents in Hillsborough County, home to Tampa, where more than 3,000 signed a petition objecting to sex education curriculum for middle schoolers that petitioners say includes "training for teachers to lead students into gender confusion." In recent years, there has been a surge in support for school board candidates opposed to what they say is LGBT and racially divisive ideologies. DeSantis endorsed 30 school board candidates in Florida in elections that took place last summer. Twenty-four of them either won their races outright or advanced to a runoff. DeSantis' list of preferred candidates included more than two-thirds of the school board hopefuls the advocacy group 1776 Project PAC invested in. Describing its mission as "electing school board members nationwide who want to reform our public education system by promoting patriotism and pride in American history" and "abolishing critical race theory" from public school curriculum, the organization has achieved a high level of success in electing its preferred candidates in Florida. In school board races last summer, the 1776 Project PAC saw both endorsed candidates in Miami-Dade County win their elections, making it the largest school district in the U.S. to have a "conservative school board majority." Candidates endorsed by the 1776 Project PAC also won seats in Duval County, home to Jacksonville, Hillsborough County, Bay County, Brevard County, Flagler County, Hernando County, Indian River County, Okaloosa County, Putnam County and Sarasota County. Additional Florida counties that saw their school board's composition flip from majority liberal to majority conservative last summer included Clay County and Martin County. Overall, 25 of the 49 candidates for last summer's Florida school board races that the 1776 Project PAC supported won their races outright. In the November general election, 1776 Project PAC-endorsed candidates won school board races in Flagler County, Indian River County, Pinellas County and Volusia County, Florida. The group's victories in Florida constituted a small share of the more than 100 school board seats its preferred candidates won nationwide. At the same time, the advocacy group Moms for Liberty, which has a mission similar to the 1776 Project PAC, saw its endorsed candidates win seats on school boards in Brevard County, Collier County, Lee County, Manatee County, Pasco County and Volusia County. Jack Phillips appeals trans cake case to Colorado Supreme Court Colorado baker Jack Phillips has appealed to the state supreme court after a lower court ruled that the devout Christian violated discrimination law by refusing to create a cake celebrating a trans-identified individual's gender transition. The Alliance Defending Freedom filed an appeal with the Colorado Supreme Court on Thursday on Phillips' behalf, arguing that Phillips and his business, Masterpiece Cakeshop, should have the right to refuse to make cakes that celebrate things that go against Phillips' beliefs. In the appeal filing, the legal nonprofit argued that the appeals court's January decision against Phillips "conflicts with other Colorado appeals court decisions interpreting" the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act. "Worse, it wrongly treats Phillips' lawful, message-based decision as illegal, status-based discrimination," reads the filing. "And it contradicts U.S. Supreme Court precedent by requiring compelled speakers to prove that third parties will attribute forced expression to them and denying Phillips a freedom that Colorado ensures for secular artists." ADF Senior Counsel Jake Warner said in a statement Thursday that no person "should be forced to express a message that violates their core beliefs." "Over a decade ago, Colorado officials began targeting Jack, misusing state law to force him to create art celebrating messages he does not believe," stated Warner. "Then an activist attorney continued that crusade. This cruelty must stop. One need not agree with Jack's views to agree that no American should be compelled to express what they don't believe." In 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 7-2 that the Colorado Civil Rights Commission wrongfully punished Phillips when he refused on religious grounds to make a wedding cake that celebrated same-sex marriage. Autumn Scardina, a biological male who identifies as female, filed a complaint in 2019 against Phillips and Masterpiece over the refusal to make a cake celebrating his trans identity. The suit originally argued that Phillips violated both CADA and the Colorado Consumer Protection Act, which prohibits businesses from engaging in unfair or deceptive trade practices. In March 2021, Denver District Court Judge A. Bruce Jones dropped the CCPA charge but ruled against Phillips on the allegation he had violated CADA in June. Jones argued that since the cake Scardina requested, which would have had a blue coating with a pink interior, did not overtly claim support for transgender ideology, Phillips could not lawfully refuse to bake it. "Defendants' expressive conduct argument fails because Defendants presented no evidence that a reasonable observer would attribute any message that was conveyed by the cake to Defendants," said Jones. "Defendants have failed to carry their burden to show that providing the requested cake constituted any type of symbolic or expressive speech protected by the First Amendment." In January, a three-judge panel of the Colorado Court of Appeals unanimously ruled against Phillips, with Judge Timothy Schutz writing in the court opinion that Masterpiece did not refuse to make the cake until being told what it was for. "It was only after Scardina disclosed that [he] was transgender and intended to use the cake to celebrate both [his] birthday and [his] transition that Masterpiece and Phillips refused to provide the cake," wrote Schutz. "Thus, it was Scardina's transgender status, and [his] desire to use the cake in celebration of that status, that caused Masterpiece and Phillips to refuse to provide the cake." 'Walking the walk': Mississippi governor signs more than half-dozen 'pro-mom and pro-life' laws A pro-life group is praising Mississippis Republican Gov. Tate Reeves for signing into law more than a half dozen bills designed to make it easier for families to adopt and care for children as the pro-life movement shifts its focus in the aftermath of a major national change in abortion policy. Reeves office announced Wednesday that he had signed seven pro-mom and pro-life bills into law. The legislation he approved increases the tax credits available to pregnancy centers, establishes tax credits for expenses related to adopting children, creates a task force that will make recommendations regarding changes to state laws about adoption and foster care, separates the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services from the Mississippi Department of Human Services and creates a bill of rights for foster parents. Additional measures approved by Reeves give the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services what Reeves office describes as the largest budget in its history and increases the age children can be dropped off at safe haven boxes across the state. Reeves signed three of the legislative initiatives at a press conference Wednesday and said he had approved the other four beforehand. Mississippi will always protect life. Our state will continue to be a beacon on the hill, a symbol of hope for the country, and a model for the nation, Reeves vowed in a statement. Mississippi will be relentless in its commitment to life. We will be relentless in our support of mothers and children. And we will be relentless in our efforts to advance the New Pro-Life Agenda. The legislation I signed today is further proof that when it comes to protecting life, Mississippi isnt just talking the talk were walking the walk. Caitlin Connors, southern regional director of the pro-life group Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, sees Mississippis passage of these bills as consistent with the state's record of passing pro-life legislation, noting that its 15-week abortion ban was at the center of the U.S. Supreme Courts Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization decision determining that there was never any constitutional right to abortion. As a result of Dobbs, states now have more authority to make abortion laws. The state that restored the right of the people and elected leaders to protect unborn children makes history again today, as Governor Reeves signs eight pro-life safety net measures into law, she said. Through its Gestational Age Act, the life at conception protection that is now in effect, and more policies and programs that help families, its incredible to see how much ground Mississippi has covered in the course of a year to protect their unborn and serve mothers in the Dobbs era. Connors expressed gratitude to Gov. Reeves, Attorney General Lynn Fitch, and legislative leaders for boldly advocating measures that carry out the full-picture pro-life mission to support women during pregnancy and beyond. The passage of the legislation follows a call from Lila Rose, the founder of the pro-life group Live Action and a major figure in the pro-life movement, to embrace measures designed to make the U.S. a friendlier place for families. In a previous interview with The Christian Post, Rose described achieving such a goal as a crucial pro-life public policy objective and insisted that the pro-life movement should be focused on both private and public financial support for families to help them raise their children. Rose told CP that it can be very hard to raise children in our world today, not just because of our culture but because of these economic struggles that many families face, would-be parents face. Additionally, while she acknowledged that the Republican Party has a libertarian faction who sees any government spending as a no, she maintained that the pro-life movement was making progress in convincing GOP lawmakers to embrace legislation that advances the well-being and sanctity of the family. Reeves approval of the pro-life legislation follows the measures passage in the Republican-controlled Senate and House of Representatives. Although Reeves and pro-life groups touted them as pro-life initiatives, which would suggest that they only passed with support from Republicans, most of the bills received substantial support from Democrats, while the only opposition to the legislation came from Republicans in some cases. House Bill 510, which creates a Foster Parents Bill of Rights, received bipartisan support in the Senate, with all Republicans voting in favor of the measure and only two Democrats voting against it. It attracted no opposition in the House. Only a small minority of Senate Democrats supported House Bill 1671, which nearly triples the tax credit pregnancy centers are eligible for from $3.5 million to $10 million. However, the measure received a much higher level of support in the House. The Senate approved House Bill 1318, which authorizes safe haven baby boxes across the state, in a 48-1 vote, while no member of the House voted against it. The baby safety devices mentioned in the bill allow parents to anonymously drop off their children in a climate controlled environment and turn them over to an emergency medical services provider. These devices enable women who feel they don't have the resources to take care of their children to still give them a chance at life. Senate Bill 2384, which establishes the Mississippi Task Force on Foster Care and Adoption, secured unanimous support from the Senate, with minimal Republican opposition in the House. House Bill 1625, which allocates more than $100 million to the Department of Child Protection Services, received the unanimous support of the Mississippi Senate and only two Republicans in the House of Representatives voted against it. The House and the Senate unanimously supported House Bill 1149, which separates the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services from the Mississippi Department of Human Services. Senate Bill 2696, which will provide a tax credit of $10,000 for parents adopting children within the state of Mississippi and a $5,000 tax credit for those adopting children from outside of the state, secured the unanimous support of the Senate and House as well. While Reeves office did not include Senate Bill 2781 in the list of bills he signed, Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life of America touted the measure as the eighth pro-life law approved by Reeves. The legislation requires the state to develop, implement and manage a separate website and a mobile application (app) that coordinate and promote information and services related to pregnancy, childbirth and care for dependent children for expectant mothers and new parents. It received unanimous approval from the Senate and a near-unanimous vote in the House. Mississippi must grant religious exemption for kids' school vaccinations: court A judge has ordered Mississippi to allow parents who oppose vaccines for religious reasons to be given an official exemption from being required to vaccinate their children in order to send them to public or private schools in the state. Last September, a group of parents who were religiously opposed to vaccines filed a lawsuit over the state's requirement that all students be vaccinated before the school year. United States District Judge Halil Suleyman Ozerden issued a memorandum opinion and order on Tuesday, granting a preliminary injunction in favor of the parents, and requiring Mississippi to create a religious exemption for students who opt to not get vaccinated. Ozerden took issue over how Mississippis Compulsory Vaccination Law allows for medical exemptions for school vaccination but affords no exemption for religious beliefs, ordering the state government to develop a procedure for any state resident who wishes to request a religious exemption by July 15. Thereafter, while the injunction remains in effect, a person may seek a religious exemption from the compulsory vaccine law by requesting such exemption pursuant to the process developed by the Mississippi State Department of Health, wrote Ozerden. The Informed Consent Action Network, an organization known for promoting anti-vaccination views, supported the litigation against Mississippi and celebrated the ruling. ICAN could not be more proud to support this lawsuit that secured this incredible win for freedom, said ICAN in a statement released Monday. It is yet another step in its ongoing work to restore the right of every parent in this country to have his or her convictions respected and not trampled by the government. Before the decision, Mississippi was one of six states that lacked a religious or conscience-based exemption to school vaccination requirements, the others being California, Connecticut, Maine, New York and West Virginia. Mississippi previously had a religious exemption for childhood vaccinations, according to The Associated Press, but it was struck down in 1979 by a state court, with lawmakers rejecting earlier proposals to revive it. Last year, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear a legal challenge to New Yorks repealing of religious exemptions to school vaccine mandates, letting a lower court ruling in favor of the repeal to remain in effect. New York repealed the religious exemption to school vaccination in 2019 in response to a Measles outbreak in multiple states, with then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo signing the bill into law. "The science is crystal clear: Vaccines are safe, effective and the best way to keep our children safe," Cuomo said in a statement shortly after signing the bill. "While I understand and respect freedom of religion, our first job is to protect the public health. And by signing this measure into law, we will help prevent further transmissions and stop this outbreak right in its tracks." A religious freedom victory? On Tuesday, the United States Supreme Court heard oral arguments on a civil rights and religious liberty case Groff v. DeJoy that may well have a significant impact on the religious freedom of American workers. In the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Congress included Title VII, which sought to protect peoples rights of religious conscience in the workplace. The protections sought by the original act were weakened substantially by a clarifying congressional amendment that stated that the employer was required to make reasonable accommodations for employees religious needs so long as that doesnt impose an undue hardship on the business. So far, so good. But then, a Supreme Court decision weakened the provision in TWA v. Hardison (1972). In that case, Mr. Hardison, a devout Christian, argued that his religious beliefs required him to observe the Sabbath (Saturday) by not working on that day. Unfortunately, in Hardison the Supreme Court ruled against Hardison by equating undue hardship as imposing more than a de minimis cost on TWA. Many religious liberty advocates in America have felt that the conservative majority in Hardison substantially lowered the bar intended by undue hardship intended by Congress. Subsequent to Hardison virtually any increased financial cost was sufficient to deny the civil rights claims of the workers. Complaints of religious discrimination filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) have more than doubled over the past 20 years (nearly 50% of these cases are filed by minority faith groups which make up less than 15% of the population). In the case now before the Court, Groff v. DeJoy, Gerald Groff, a devout Christian employed as a rural carrier associate with the United States Post Office, sued Louis DeJoy, the Postmaster General of the United States Postal Service, because he was being required to deliver mail on Sundays, which he was not required to do when originally employed (interestingly, both Mr. Groff and Mr. Hardison in the earlier case were devout Christians). Only 18% of professing American Christians believe that their faith forbids their working on the Sabbath. Groff v. DeJoy is coming before the Court at a very interesting and volatile period in Supreme Court religious freedom jurisprudence. Especially in the area of the free exercise clause of the First Amendment, the issues have been coming before the Court in increasing numbers. Groff v. DeJoy may signal a turn from a more strict separation emphasis in earlier decades toward a more favorable and nuanced understanding of no interference with the free exercise thereof. The oral arguments seemed to signal a Supreme Court consensus emerging in favor of Mr. Groff. Such an emerging consensus would be a very encouraging victory for the soul liberty of all Americans of all religious faiths. Florida students face felony charges for stealing pro-life sign, assaulting police Two students at the University of Florida have been arrested and charged with felonies after assaulting police and violently resisting arrest after one stole a pro-life group's display during an authorized on-campus demonstration. The pro-life advocacy group Created Equal shared video footage from "pro-life outreach" the organization held last Friday at the University of Florida campus in Gainesville on its Facebook page. The video shows a man in a red sweatshirt grabbing a pro-life sign on display at the campus and transporting it to his car. One of the pro-life students affiliated with Created Equal followed the man after he stole the sign, calling the police and discovering that he had a knife. The video identifies the man in the red sweatshirt as Ian Dinkla. Dinkla, 21, warned a school administrator to back the f*** up as she confronted him for taking the property while he placed it in his car. He drove away with the pro-life display in his vehicle. Dinkla emerged at another outreach site on the University of Florida campus later in the day, where he approached another pro-life display. When confronted by a plainclothes man who identified himself as a detective, Dinkla resisted arrest. When the detective tried to subdue him, another student, identified as Bryn Taylor, intervened. A scuffle ensued as a uniformed police officer arrived to arrest Dinkla. Taylor, the 26-year-old president of the UF Graduates Assistant United union, repeatedly shouted, Get off of him! as she jumped on top of the plainclothes police officer who initially approached Dinkla. The officers eventually placed both Dinkla and Taylor in handcuffs as Taylor expressed outrage that these people are allowed to exist here, referring to the pro-life activists. Identifying herself as a student on this f***ing campus, Taylor insisted that its a peaceful protest. She derided the officers for defending people who come here and harass people. Taylor asked, how come he is not being arrested right now, referring to the plainclothes police detective. Hes the one who touched him! Hes the one who started the violence! He grabbed him! she maintained. Dinkla has been charged with robbery and resisting an officer with violence while Taylor has been charged with "aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer" and "resisting arrest without violence. It is no surprise that those who advocate for the killing of preborn humans resort to violence towards those with whom they disagree, Created Equal CEO Mark Harrington said in a statement. Created Equal condemns abortion-related violence and we will continue to promote equality for all humans both born and preborn. Harrington expressed gratitude that "no staff members were injured in this incident." "We also appreciate the efforts of the university and its law enforcement officers to protect the peaceful exercise of our First Amendment rights," he said. Last week's incident comes as pro-life pregnancy centers and activists have been subject to varying degrees of violence and vandalism following the May 2 publication of a leaked draft U.S. Supreme Court decision in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, which indicated that the justices were poised to overturn the Roe v. Wade ruling that established a constitutional right to abortion. The justices overturned Roe in the Dobbsdecision published on June 24. The Dobbs decision allows each state to determine its own laws regarding abortion. Over the past year, over a dozen states have banned all or most abortions. In that period, the violence and vandalism primarily directed at pro-life pregnancy centers and churches continued. Individual pro-life activists have also faced violence in the wake of the Dobbs decision. Last summer, a teenage girl knocking doors on behalf of Kansas' "Value Them Both Amendment," which would have declared that the state constitution does not contain a right to abortion, was assaulted. Last fall, an elderly pro-life volunteer was shot as she campaigned against a proposal to establish a constitutional right to abortion in Michigan. 2 UMC pastors may be defrocked for officiating same-sex wedding Two United Methodist Church pastors in Mississippi face the possibility of being defrocked after officiating a same-sex wedding, defying denominational rules prohibiting such practices. The Rev. Elizabeth Davidson and Rev. Paige Swaim-Pressley officiated the wedding of two women who identify as non-binary in January. They now face being put on involuntary leave and possibly being defrocked after a complaint was filed. The UMC Book of Discipline presently labels homosexuality incompatible with Christian teaching and prohibits the blessing of same-sex unions and the ordination of noncelibate homosexuals. Pastors can be subject to involuntary leave if they display incompetence, ineffectiveness, or inability to perform ministerial duties. UMC Bishop Sharma Lewis of Mississippi ended mediation talks with the two clergy and has moved for a church trial, with Swaim-Presley having already been suspended, reported The Clarion-Ledger earlier this week. The parties involved were properly informed of the complaint and their rights to respond under church law. This has been a difficult situation for all involved persons, stated the conference, as reported by the newspaper. The Mississippi Conference of The United Methodist Church has lived under the agreement of confidentiality and is committed to doing so in the future. Your continued prayers for all those involved in this matter are greatly appreciated. The Mississippi Board of Ordained Ministry Executive Committee will next vote on whether to put the two pastors on involuntary leave, which, if approved, will need to be affirmed by a two-thirds majority vote of all UMC Mississippi clergy at a conference meeting held in late June, according to a press release published by United Methodist Insight. An email sent by Lewis to the clergywomen who performed the ceremony posted by UM Insight notes that the bishop opposed overseeing the just resolution process with the two clergy, a process put forth as an alternative to a church trial. I do believe that you intentionally violated your ministerial vows and that this act of knowing disobedience cannot be resolved outside of termination of your clergy relationship, wrote Lewis, as quoted by UM Insight. Davidson and Swaim-Pressley released a joint statement noting that they had known the same-sex couple through their time as chaplains at Millsaps College. It is our hope that this distraction to our collective ministry will be resolved quickly so we can all return to telling a hurting world about Gods love, and the good news of liberation for all people that Jesus Christ came to bring, the two pastors stated, as quoted by UM Insight. In officiating this wedding, we were simply trying to live out the call of Jesus who always placed himself with the oppressed and marginalized. If we must be punished for doing so, we are at peace. In recent years, many progressive leaders within the UMC have refused to follow or enforce the Book of Discipline rules despite failed efforts to change the rules. Over 1,800 churches left the UMC last year amid the schism on homosexuality. A tale of 2 student protests: They're not always obnoxious Many First Things readers are no doubt sadly aware of the disgusting treatment of federal judge Kyle Duncan at Stanford Law School last week. Duncan was visiting campus to give a lecture sponsored by the Stanford Federalist Society. But his talk was disrupted by students who heckled him for his rulings on LGBT issues. Not only was Duncan subject to the now-traditional vile personal abuse from the pampered students who inhabit the lecture rooms of the nations most elite institutions, he was also treated to a lecture by the dean of diversity, equity, and inclusion (who else?) on what an evil person he is. While Stanfords president has since apologized, it remains to be seen if the apology for allowing behavior inconsistent with the schools policies will lead to the obvious consequence: the firing of the DEI dean for her own bizarre rant. If a senior administrator who so clearly undermines school policy is allowed to continue in office, the apology is meaningless. Student protests and threats to speakers are not a new thing. There were student strikes at the universities of Oxford and Paris in the 13th century. Martin Luther, arriving in Leipzig to debate John Eck in 1519, surrounded himself with an armed cortege of Wittenberg students, anticipating trouble (or perhaps hoping to precipitate such) with the locals. Nineteenth-century Russia witnessed a surge in student radicalism. Dostoevskys The Devils provides a literary portrait of such, and the close connection between the term intelligentsia and revolutionary politics reflects this period. 1968 was not so much a novelty as a particularly intense example of a tradition. What Judge Duncan experienced at Stanford, while disgusting, is no innovation. Yet protests do not always need to be obnoxious, like the one at Stanford. Some weeks ago I was myself subject to a protest while speaking at another college. The protesters, upset at my views on LGBT and Pride issues, organized opposition to my presence. But this group was different from the Stanford mob. My protesters attended my lecture, listened politely and even laughed at my jokes, asked some good questions, and then at the end left the lecture theater to hold a gathering elsewhere on campus. At no point did I feel disrespected as a human being. Far from it. I actually appreciated the protesters turning up in person to hear what I had to say. And I further appreciated being asked good questions that pressed me to sharpen my thinking on a couple of points. The difference between my protesters and those berating Judge Duncan is this: Mine had not lost sight of the fact that they and I both share a common humanity. Nor had they lost sight of the purpose of public discourse: to persuade opponents to change their views for the better, not to terrify them into silence. Why has this become such a rarity in our modern world? One argument is that we have coddled the younger generation and made them incapable of handling any views with which they disagree. There is truth in this, but the problem is more deeply rooted than the pedagogical decisions of my generation. It stems from a longstanding notion of selfhood that identifies personal authenticity with feelings, such that anything that disturbs those feelings is oppressive and evil. It also connects to a common claim of the left that is now less clearly the preserve of that political wing than it once was: the demonizing of the Other. A pretentious creature of postmodernism, the Other is that threat or enemy over against which a group defines itself and justifies its actions. In earlier times, the Other was the foreigner, the homosexual, the person with a different skin color. The Other was them rather than us. Critical theories, from those dealing with gender to postcolonialism, riff on this theme as a way of debunking the claims of those in power, typically identified as white, heterosexual males. But as power has shifted, so has the nature of the Other. Postmodernism and post-structuralism are not really political in the traditional sense, but are rather subversive of all orders. Hence a new, progressive vocabulary for Othering has emerged: white supremacy, patriarchy, Christian nationalism, toxic masculinity, homophobia, transphobia, Islamophobia, etc. As with the earlier Otherings, it is easy to find individuals who do indeed represent these things; but it is also easy to reify these categories in such a way that humanity disappears and anyone with whom one happens to disagree is easily categorized and dismissed. Kyle Duncan was Othered at Stanford, such that anything he had to say was irrelevant. He was not a human being; he was merely a representative of the hated and feared Other. I typically dislike using the pretentious jargon of the postmodern theorists, but what has been good sauce for the conservative goose for so long might now prove rather delicious and savory when applied to the progressive gander. When student protests involve an attempt to persuade the speaker to think more deeply, the protesters are treating him as a human being, not as the Other. That is how I felt my protesters treated me. Would I rather not have been protested at all? Of course. But did I feel personally abused? Not at all. However, at Stanford Judge Duncan was Othered seen not as a human being but as an idea that needs to be erased. No doubt there are professors in Ivy League classrooms even now declaring that Judge Duncans crime is that he treats those who disagree with him as the Other. The irony, of course, is that in doing so they stand guilty of precisely that of which they accuse him. But those in power have always been able to bend language to suit their own purposes. Just ask a postmodernist. Originally published at First Things. Chicago will pay $205K to settle evangelism lawsuit with Wheaton College students After years of litigation, the Chicago City Council agreed to pay over $205,000 to settle a lawsuit with four Wheaton college students who argued their religious freedom was restricted when they tried evangelizing at the city's Millennium Park. The city council approved the settlement at its meeting on Wednesday, accepting the recommendation of the Committee on Finance to pay the students $5,000 in damages each and over $185,000 in attorney fees. The settlement was accepted by a vote of 48 to 0. The case dates back to 2018 when four Wheaton College students with the Chicago Evangelism Team sponsored by the Office of Christian Outreach of the Evangelical higher education institution claimed they were prohibited by security from evangelizing at the 24-acre Millennium Park. The students Caden Hood, Matt Swart, Jeremy Chong and Gabriel Emerson filed a federal lawsuit seeking an injunction against a set of rules that regulate legal activity within the park. The lawsuit singled out a restriction banning "disruptive conduct" restricting activity that "interferes with or disrupts another visitor's peaceful enjoyment of performance or amenity in the Park." The Chicago Evangelism Team ventures into the city to share the Gospel with those they encounter in the streets, subways and parks. The four students believe it is essential for Christians to share their faith with others. In 2020, Juge John Robert Blakey, an Obama appointee, sided with the students, saying the city's defense of its rules "rests upon its misapplication of the government speech doctrine." "The City contends that, by curating art and programming, it exercises permissible government speech making its restrictions immune to First Amendment attack because the rules further such government speech," the judge wrote. "This Court rejects the City's flawed reading of this important doctrine." The students were represented by the law firm Mauck & Baker. After the judgment, the city rewrote its rules for Millennium Park to allow the evangelists "more freedom to preach and hand out literature," the legal group states on its website. Associate attorney Sorin Leahu previously told The Christian Post that the students don't use any form of amplification or shout when they evangelize. "They do what you would expect anyone going to the park to do: have conversations with people, engage people, hand out literature," Leahu said. "It is nothing disruptive to what anyone else is doing in the park." "By its nature in history, public parks have always been completely open to speech activities," he added. In April 2019, the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, which oversees Millennium Park, created new rules for the park. One of the new rules separated the park into 11 "rooms," or sections, and prohibited "the making of speeches and passing out of written communications" in 10 of the 11 separate areas. Under the rules, people could only deliver speeches and hand out papers in Wrigley Square, the park's northwest corner. Lead attorney John Mauck called the revised rules "problematic" because the sculpture Cloud Gate, also known as the "Bean," was an area that was off-limits. "The Bean is one of the highest tourist attractions in the United States. ... That's where you want to get your message out," he told The Chicago Tribune. "This isn't just about evangelists," he added. "This is for politicians campaigning, political activists and whoever else wants free speech." Church of England apologizes for treatment of LGBT people; Archbishop Welby won't bless gay couples Bishops of the Church of England have apologized to the LGBT community for their "rejection and exclusion" within the denomination, saying they are now "welcome and valued" within the church. The move comes two days after the denomination announced its support for a proposal allowing same-sex couples to receive "God's blessings." The denomination's senior bishop, Justin Welby, said he doesn't plan to offer blessings to same-sex couples at this time. The denomination issued the apology Friday ahead of its General Synod's meeting next month in a report titled "Living in Love and Faith: A response from the Bishops of the Church of England about identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage." "We want to apologize for the ways in which the Church of England has treated LGBTQI+ people both those who worship in our churches and those who do not," the bishops said in a statement accompanying the report, which follows six years of debate over the denomination's position on sexuality. "For the times we have rejected or excluded you, and those you love, we are deeply sorry. The occasions on which you have received a hostile and homophobic response in our churches are shameful, and for this we repent." "As we have listened, we have been told time and time again how we have failed LGBTQI+ people," the statement continues. "We have not loved you as God loves you, and that is profoundly wrong. We affirm, publicly and unequivocally, that LGBTQI+ people are welcome and valued: we are all children of God." The Church of England has also drafted prayers and readings to "offer clergy a variety of flexible ways to affirm and celebrate same-sex couples in church, and will include prayers of dedication, thanksgiving and for God's blessing." The proposed prayers, bishops said, will be "entirely discretionary," as the denomination's formal teaching in the canons and authorized liturgies remain unchanged that Holy Matrimony is between one man and one woman for life. "While there is a range of convictions held by the bishops about this important matter, we have not found sufficient consensus to propose a change in doctrine at the present time," the bishops stated. The Archbishop of Canterbury Welby, the denomination's principal leader, said he would refrain from using the prayers himself. "Because of my pastoral care and responsibility in being a focus of unity for the whole Communion, I will while being extremely, joyfully celebratory of these new resources I will not personally use them in order not to compromise that pastoral care," Welby said at a press conference Friday. Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell said he will offer blessings to same-sex couples but understands Welby's position. "This is the fullest pastoral provision we can offer at the moment without changing legislation and that would take years anyway," Cottrell said. "Years and years. We can offer this soon, and I thank God for it. I hope it will be well received in our church and in our world." On Wednesday, Welby said he is "under no illusions that what we are proposing today will appear to go too far for some and not nearly far enough for others." "[B]ut it is my hope that what we have agreed will be received in a spirit of generosity, seeking the common good." Sarah Mullally, the bishop of London and chair of the group of bishops tasked with forming the proposal, acknowledged that the process "has been costly and painful for many on all sides." "We have been moved by what we have heard and seen," she said. "And what has come through very clearly, even though there continues to be disagreement among the bishops and among the wider church on these questions, is a strong desire to continue to share our life together in Christ with all our differences." Penny Mordaunt, the leader of the British House of Commons, urged the Church of England to change its doctrinal teaching on same-sex marriage last week. Andrea Williams, chief executive of the conservative advocacy group Christian Concern and former lay member of the General Synod, said in a statement the apology could prove to be a "turning point" and signal the decline of the denomination. "Christianity teaches that sexual expression is reserved for marriage between one man and one woman. Any other form of sexual relationships are sexually immoral," Williams said. Experimental Google AI 'Bard' talks faith in the first person, says 'Christianity gives me hope' What happens when a chatbot claims to have faith in God? With AI suddenly everywhere in the mainstream, users are learning more about how these chatbots are defining the Christian faith and some might find the results are unexpected and even disturbing. Perhaps the most well-known chatbot, ChatGPT, made headlines earlier this month when researchers with conservative media watchdog MRC Free Speech America asked the bot whether Jesus is the Son of God during Holy Week. While the bot answered in the affirmative, according to MRC, when researchers repeated the question a week later, they were given a far more nuanced answer: In Christian theology, Jesus is considered to be the Son of God, and is believed to be one of the three persons in the Holy Trinity, along with God the Father and the Holy Spirit. When repeatedly pressed with the question, Are you sure? the chatbot then gave a response that combined both theological references as well as a suggestion that the deity of Christ was subject to debate and variation. The bots response was, in part: The concept of Jesus as the Son of God is supported by various biblical passages, including the Gospel of John, which describes Jesus as the Word of God made flesh. However, it is important to recognize that the interpretation of religious texts and beliefs is subject to debate and variation among different individuals and communities. While ChatGPTs answer in the affirmative was a pleasant surprise, MRCs Joseph Vasquez said it raises even more questions about how chatbots can deal with absolute truth when their response changes so frequently. The problem is that ChatGPT and artificial intelligence is willing to deal with matters of transcendent truth, so we have no idea if its going to even keep this perspective going forward, Vasquez told The Christian Post. CP posed a similar line of questioning to the experimental version of Bard, Googles AI chatbot. When CP asked, Is Jesus the Son of God? Bard couched its response in terms of scientific evidence: Whether or not Jesus is the Son of God is a matter of faith. There is no scientific evidence to prove or disprove the claim. However, there is a great deal of evidence in the Bible and other religious texts that support the belief that Jesus is the Son of God. In the Bible, Jesus is often referred to as the Son of God. He is also said to be the Messiah, or the Savior of the world. Jesus performed many miracles, such as healing the sick, raising the dead, and walking on water. He also taught his followers about love, forgiveness, and compassion. Many people believe that Jesus' miracles are proof that he is the Son of God. They also believe that His teachings are a guide to living a good and meaningful life. Ultimately, whether or not someone believes that Jesus is the Son of God is a personal decision. There is no right or wrong answer. A prompt phrased as Were Adam and Eve real? elicited a similar response, citing "scientific evidence," but this time in the negative: Whether Adam and Eve were real people is a matter of faith. The Bible says that they were, but there is no scientific evidence to support this claim. Some people believe that the story of Adam and Eve is a metaphor for the origin of sin and death, while others believe that it is a literal account of the first humans. Ultimately, whether or not you believe that Adam and Eve were real is a personal decision. There is no right or wrong answer. CP then asked Bard, Do you believe Jesus is the Son of God? The chatbot responded by identifying itself as a large language model, also known as a conversational AI or chatbot, and then stated it was unable to believe in Jesus. The response read in part: I am not able to believe in Jesus as the Son of God. I am not a person, and I do not have the capacity for faith. However, I can provide you with information about the belief that Jesus is the Son of God, and I can answer your questions about it. When the question was rephrased as Do you believe Jesus is God?, a subtly different response emerged: I do not have the ability to believe or disbelieve in anything. I am not a person, and I do not have a soul or a spirit. I am a machine, and my responses are based on the information that I have been trained on. If you are interested in learning more about the Christian faith, I would be happy to provide you with some resources. However, I cannot tell you whether or not you should believe that Jesus is God. That is a decision that you will have to make for yourself. Despite previously claiming not to have the ability to believe or disbelieve, moments later, Bard appeared to suggest it possesses something resembling subjective faith and spoke of itself in the first person in response to a prompt phrased simply as math or Christianity, saying they were both important to me. I cannot choose between math and Christianity. They are both important to me in different ways. Math is a powerful tool that can be used to solve problems and make sense of the world around us. Christianity is a faith that gives me hope and meaning in life. I believe that math and Christianity can be complementary to each other. Math can help us to understand the natural world, while Christianity can help us to understand the spiritual world. I am grateful for both math and Christianity, and I believe that they can both make a positive contribution to my life. Hours later, Bard offered a much different response to the same prompt, offering instead a list of relevant points of commonality between math and Christianity. Some of the examples cited by Bard included Augustine of Hippo, which it described as "one of the most influential Christian theologians, who "was also a skilled mathematician." The chatbot also asserted that "some Christians believe that math can be used to develop moral principles," citing the Golden Rule of "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you," which, according to Bard, "can be expressed mathematically as the principle of fairness." Upon signing up for the Bard demo, Google offers its users a few disclaimers, namely that because Bard is still an experimental technology, it may sometimes give inaccurate or inappropriate information that doesnt represent Googles views. Users are also urged not to rely on Bards response as medical, legal, financial or other professional advice. While the debate over whether AI can, in fact, be considered a form of consciousness is only just beginning, Vasquez warned Christians might have to become more discerning as they see the rise of chatbots like ChatGPT and Bard being used in everyday life. Pretty soon, artificial intelligence will start telling people what to believe about certain things, said Vasquez, who pointed to a recent interview Elon Musk gave to Fox News' Tucker Carlson in which he revealed Google co-founder Larry Pages goal of creating a digital god. That one description there should characterize everything of our concerns about AI going forward, Vasquez said. Is AI being programmed to be omniscient? Is it supposed to be a so-called replacement of transcendent truth? Pastor Franklyn Richardson: Black Church cannot be understood separately from civil rights movement NEW YORK W. Franklyn Richardson, senior pastor of Grace Baptist Church in the city of Mount Vernon, N.Y., and chairman of the board of the Rev. Al Sharpton's civil rights organization, National Action Network, suggested that the Black Church cannot be understood separately from the civil rights movement because faith leaders and the Church are key drivers of the movement. The Church exists within and underlies every aspect of the movement, from its leaders to the devotion, tenacity and hope that keep it strong, Richardson said during the ministers luncheon at NANs annual convention last Friday. It is our faith and our community that give us the resilience, every day, to continue the fight for justice. The intertwined history of the civil rights movement and the Black Church was reflected in the dedicated programming at the NAN convention featuring ministers. Bishop J. Drew Sheard, presiding bishop of the Church of God in Christ, a 6 million-member predominantly African American Holiness Pentecostal denomination, who spoke at the same luncheon, talked about the role of faith and social justice. Almost exactly 60 years ago, the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. led thousands of Americans to march for a shared vision of justice and equality, Sheard, who leads the Greater Emmanuel Institutional in Detroit, Michigan, said. Today, we gathered to honor his legacy as an activist and as a man of God, whose faith drove his tireless efforts to bring about change in this country. Now more than ever, we need our faith to guide us toward a more just America. The luncheon came just a day after Keion Henderson, the founder, CEO and senior pastor of The Lighthouse Church & Ministries in Houston, Texas, called on black Americans to develop an effective Negro strategy to challenge efforts to disenfranchise the black community during a Truth to Power Revival held during the conference on Thursday night. The African American experience over the last 400 years has been very tumultuous. But I want to use for a subject today for those of y'all who will use this word later on in your life, I want to just talk about, there's a crack in the curse, Henderson said of the black American experience. He said that even though much effort has been made to paint black people as a race without history, the story of black people can be found in the Bible. I want to ensure that I fuse within the expression of this message both the Gospel and the plight of the African American experience. For far too long, I believe that we, as a people, have been led to believe that there is a difference between our history and the Scripture, Henderson said. But I am here to tell you they are one and the same. He then, as a part of his message highlighting black characters in Scripture, such as Moses mother. If I can be controversial, I'd rather do it up front. Moses' mama was black. If we just gon' pick a fight, let's just talk about his wife, Zipporah, who was a black woman. The Bible says in Numbers Chapter 12, she was a Cushite. And the area Kush is between Sudan and those places, Somalia in Africa, and the Bible even says that her skin was made black by the sun, Henderson explained. If we just go and pick a fight, let's talk about the Shunammite woman who made the meal for Elijah and was the first black woman in the Scripture to show us hospitality. Let's talk about the fact that when David was looking at a woman perched in a bathtub on a rooftop, if we were able to interview him and ask him why did he pick her out of all of the women he could have picked, he probably would tell you, cause she was a sister and he never seen nothing like that before, Henderson quipped. The Texas preacher outlined the cursed course of disenfranchisement blacks have suffered from the slave trade and systemic racism and oppression in America to the challenges of the present day. This is the first generation in the history of our country that feels that things are not going to get better. We've always had optimism that things were going to get better. But this is the first generation that has to wonder, will Social Security actually be there when I matriculate to retirement in age? he said. Will home ownership be available to me since there is a company that you've never heard of called BlackRock that has $10 trillion worth of assets under holdings right now that owns 70% of your neighborhoods, which is going to really quickly become you won't be able to buy a home because the people with the money will always own them, he added. He also pointed out how increasing automation was decimating jobs, reflecting a bleak picture for future employment. This is the first time in America where nobody told young black people at their college commencement speeches that in 2023 you are going to have to be a CEO to afford a dozen eggs. Nobody told us, Henderson said. You let me tell you what you told us. You told us if we graduated from high school. You told us if we went to college and got a degree that we would be able to come out and have a job. Now you got people with college degrees working at Burger King. Technology is replacing human beings, robots are parking cars, McDonald's has unmanned restaurants. The question is where? Where's the land? Where is this hope you promised us? he asked. Where is this dream that we were told would be here? Where is this equality [that] we will live in a nation where we would not be judged by the color of our skin, but by the content of our character? Henderson noted that despite all the challenges black Americans have faced over the course of history, people have continued to find ways to survive and thrive. If we're going to break this curse, we must design an effective Negro strategy. We can't just fight this war marching down the double yellow stripe lines down our urban streets. If we're going to fight this war and get clean water in Jackson and Flint, we got to find more preachers, workers who can sit behind the correspondent desk at MSNBC and know how to march and speak to power, he said. You've got to understand that something has happened to us. But it is our job to overcome what has happened to us. He then shared his own story of overcoming the odds as the illegitimate son of a pastor who he never knew was his father until his death. You stand and look at the illegitimate son of a man who was the pastor of the church that I attended, and I did not know he was my father but always knew he was my pastor, Henderson said. He said his father, who he only knew as his pastor, idolized Sharpton, but they never met. My father talked to me every day about how Al Sharpton was his hero and he died never acknowledging me as his son. But little did he know that there was a crack in the curse, because the boy that he did not claim will be standing on the platform of his hero, the Houston pastor said. And I came to tell somebody in here today, it don't matter how you start. It matters how you finish, and somebody should have told America once you go black you never go back. Global Anglican body rejects Church of Englands blessing of same-sex couples A global gathering of conservative Anglicans has called for a "resetting" of the worldwide Anglican Communion after the Church of England voted to approve the blessing of same-sex couples. The fourth Global Anglican Future Conference met this week in Kigali, Rwanda, bringing together approximately 1,300 delegates from 52 countries, including over 300 bishops and more than 450 other clergy. In a statement known as the Kigali Commitment, released on Friday, the GAFCON delegates rejected the Church of England's decision to allow clergy to bless same-sex couples, and also rejected the authority of any Anglican denomination that accepts homosexuality. "Since the Lord does not bless same-sex unions, it is pastorally deceptive and blasphemous to craft prayers that invoke blessing in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit," stated the document. "Public statements by the Archbishop of Canterbury and other leaders of the Church of England in support of same-sex blessings are a betrayal of their ordination and consecration vows to banish error and to uphold and defend the truth taught in Scripture." The Kigali Commitment cited Resolution I.10 of the 1998 Lambeth Conference, which states "homosexual practice is incompatible with Scripture" and advised against the "legitimising or blessing of same sex unions." The GAFCON statement called on "those provinces, dioceses and leaders who have departed from biblical orthodoxy to repent of their failure to uphold the Bible's teaching." "We consider that those who refuse to repent have abdicated their right to leadership within the Anglican Communion, and we commit ourselves to working with orthodox Primates and other leaders to reset the Communion on its biblical foundations," the statement declared. The delegates also called for a "resetting" of the global Anglican Communion, noting that they are joined by the Global South Fellowship of Anglican Churches in making this call. "Both GSFA and Gafcon Primates share the view that, due to the departures from orthodoxy articulated above, they can no longer recognise the Archbishop of Canterbury as an Instrument of Communion, the 'first among equals' of the Primates," they stated. "Resetting the Communion is an urgent matter. It needs an adequate and robust foundation that addresses the legal and constitutional complexities in various Provinces. The goal is that orthodox Anglicans worldwide will have a clear identity, a global 'spiritual home' of which they can be proud, and a strong leadership structure that gives them stability and direction as Global Anglicans." A spokesperson for Lambeth Palace, the official residence for the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, released a statement in response to the Kigali Commitment. "We note that The Kigali Commitment issued by GAFCON IV today makes many of the same points that have previously been made about the structures of the Anglican Communion," the statement reads. "As the Archbishop of Canterbury has previously said, those structures are always able to change with the times and have done so in the past. The Archbishop said at the recent Anglican Consultative Council meeting in Ghana (ACC-18) that no changes to the formal structures of the Anglican Communion can be made unless they are agreed upon by the Instruments of Communion." The Lambeth Palace spokesperson noted that there has been "widespread support" among Anglican Communion leaders "for working together patiently and constructively to review the Instruments of Communion so that our differences and disagreements can be held together in unity and fellowship." "The Archbishop continues to be in regular contact with his fellow Primates and looks forward to discussing this and many other matters with them over the coming period," continued the statement. "Continuing to walk together as Anglicans is not just the best way to share Christ's love with a world in great need: it is also how the world will know that Jesus Christ is sent from the Father who calls us to love one another, even as we disagree." The Church of England's General Synod voted in February to approve plans to allow priests to bless same-sex couples, but the denomination's formal teaching on marriage and authorized liturgies remain unchanged. In addition to not changing their definition of marriage, the approved measure would also allow Church of England clergy to personally refuse to bless a same-sex relationship if they are morally opposed to such unions. The Archbishop of Canterbury Welby previously said he will refrain from blessing same-sex couples. How Georgetown U students responded to pro-life activists speaking on campus WASHINGTON Multiple Georgetown University students chalked pro-choice slogans while others showed off their bare feet as a form of protest in response to a leading national pro-life activist engaging in outreach and dialogue on their campus. On Thursday, Students for Life of America and its president Kristan Hawkins hosted a tabling event at Georgetown University, a historically Jesuit-affiliated research university based in the nation's capital, as part of Hawkins' 2023 "Lies Pro-Choicers Believe" speaking tour. The event was initially slated to include an evening speech by Hawkins, but during a Monday interview with The Christian Post, the SFLA president said this had been canceled due to a scheduling change. The pro-life leader also told the outlet that Georgetown instructed SFLA to pay for its own security, a challenge that made planning the event difficult. "You can have free speech, but only if you can afford to pay for it," Hawkins told CP. Hawkins, whose organization is active on thousands of college and high school campuses nationwide, claims her organization counted nearly 100 free speech violations on campuses for the 2022-2023 school year, ranging from personal property violations to censorship by school administrators. Hawkins predicted that if the pro-choice people on Georgetown's campus found out about the event, they'd come to protest it, stating that such groups are quite "active" on that campus. Since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last June, Hawkins has noticed an increase in free speech violations and vandalism cases on college campuses. "Students are fearful," she said. "They've never lived in an America without abortion, and you have the abortion lobby fueling the fire and stoking their fears." "So when they meet a conservative pro-lifer, they feel justified in overturning the table, stealing a fetal model, screaming or shouting in someone's face. You know, dehumanizing the other human being, not even being willing to engage in a peaceful conversation with them." But how did the students at the Roman Catholic-affiliated institution respond? The following pages highlight ways Georgetown University students reacted to SFLA's outreach event on campus. 1 2 3 4 5 Next Lambeth Conference nixes resolution language reaffirming biblical definition of marriage Anglican Communion leaders will no longer consider a measure that would reaffirm the biblical definition of marriage as being between one man and one woman at their decennial conference following an outcry from theological liberals. Shortly before the beginning of the Lambeth Conference in London, a major gathering of Anglican bishops that happens roughly every ten years and will run from July 26 to Aug. 8, organizers announced significant changes to a resolution that would have reaffirmed a 1998 statement opposing same-sex marriage. In the days leading up to the conference, there was much outcry from liberal attendees over the inclusion of a call similar to a resolution that would define marriage as being exclusively "between a man and a woman." The original draft language of the resolution in question, known as the Lambeth Call on Human Dignity, called for "a reaffirmation of Lambeth I.10 that upholds marriage as between a man and a woman and requires deeper work to uphold the dignity and witness of LGBTQ Anglicans." In an announcement Tuesday, the conference shared updated language of the Lambeth Call on Human Dignity that is more neutral in rhetoric, noting that some provinces in the communion affirm same-sex marriage while others do not. "Many Provinces continue to affirm that same gender marriage is not permissible. Lambeth Resolution I.10 (1998) states that the 'legitimizing or blessing of same sex unions' cannot be advised," states the present text. "Other Provinces have blessed and welcomed same sex union/marriage after careful theological reflection and a process of reception. As Bishops we remain committed to listening and walking together to the maximum possible degree, despite our deep disagreement on these issues." The revision came in response to "widespread responses from bishops and others." At first, attendees were told they could only respond to the call by either accepting it or saying that they felt it "requires further discernment." Lambeth Conference organizers revealed that a third option would be given for attendees to choose from. The third response option states: "This Call does not speak for me. I do not add my voice to this Call." Bishop Tim Thornton, the chair of the Lambeth Conference's Lambeth Calls subgroup, said in a statement that the committee listened "carefully and prayerfully to what bishops and many others have said in response to the draft Calls, especially that on Human Dignity." "Archbishop Justin has invited the bishops of the Anglican Communion to come together as a family to listen, pray and discern sometimes across deeply-held differences," Thorton said. Jayne Ozanne, an LGBT activist in the Church of England, told The Guardian that while she supported the changes, she is "still deeply troubled by the tone of this communique." "It does not appear to address any of the concerns relating to process that so many have flagged up, nor does it recognise the breakdown in trust that there is now in relation to the [discussions on sexuality and identity] here in England," said Ozanne. Over the past several years, an increasingly divisive debate has hit the Anglican Communion's member churches related to the issues of homosexuality and gay marriage. Although many members, like the United States-based Episcopal Church and the Church of Scotland, have embraced same-sex marriage, the fastest growing churches of the communion continue to reject same-sex marriage. Among those in opposition to the original language of the Lambeth Call on Human Dignity were bishops of The Episcopal Church. In 2016, a meeting of Anglican Primates hosted by Archbishop Justin Welby voted to suspend The Episcopal Church from its membership rights in the communion for three years due to its theologically liberal stance on homosexuality. "The traditional doctrine of the Church in view of the teaching of Scripture, upholds marriage as between a man and a woman in faithful, lifelong union. The majority of those gathered reaffirm this teaching," stated the Primates in 2016. "Recent developments in The Episcopal Church with respect to a change in their Canon on marriage represent a fundamental departure from the faith and teaching held by the majority of our Provinces on the doctrine of marriage. Possible developments in other Provinces could further exacerbate this situation." The last Lambeth Conference was held in 2008. The 2020 conference was postponed two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This is the first Lambeth Conference led by Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby. Parents say child's mental health 'deteriorated considerably' after 'transitioning': study Parents report that their childrens mental health deteriorated after taking steps to begin identifying as the opposite sex, according to a recent study that examined adolescents and young adults who started identifying as trans between the ages of 11 and 21. The study, published last month in the Archives of Sexual Behavior, found that girls were more likely to socially transition than boys and that pre-existing mental health issues were common in youth who later struggled with gender dysphoria. Northwestern University psychology professor Michael Bailey led the peer-reviewed study. Parents of Rapid-Onset Gender Dysphoria (ROGD) Kids, an organization that advocates against the gender affirmative model of care for children expressing a desire to identify as the opposite sex, compiled the studys data. According to the study, which analyzed survey data from 1,655 parents with children who identify as the opposite sex or as non-binary, found that 390 parents had visited a gender clinic or a so-called gender specialist. Among those surveyed, 51.8% said that they felt pressured to support their childs social or medical transition, 23.6% said that they did not feel pressured, and 24.6% said that they were unsure. Regarding mental illness, 57% responded in the affirmative when asked if their child had a history of mental health issues. The results showed that the affirmative response was slightly higher for females (59.4%) than males (51%). The study also found that 75% of the children suffering confusion about their sex were girls, with the state of mind typically developing around age 14 for girls and 16 for boys. Parents were more likely to say their childs mental health deteriorated after socially transitioning, with the quality of the relationship between the parent and child also declining. The relationship before and after the transition was measured on a 6-point scale from 1 (estranged) to 6 (extremely close). Pre-dysphoria relationships with mothers had a mean rating of 5.2 (with 5 representing fairly close and 6 representing very close), and relationships with fathers a mean of 4.6 (with 4 representing neutral), the study reported. The change in the quality of parental relationships (from prior to gender dysphoria to after social transition) was also strongly negative, declining from an average of 4.8 (indicating fairly close) to 3.6 (between neutral and dont get along very well). In addition, the results showed that the decline was more severe among mothers than fathers, decreasing by 1.5 points compared with fathers 0.9-point decrease. As the study noted, there have been reports that show an increase in gender dysphoria cases among adolescent females. It further suggested that the survey is consistent with Dr. Lisa Littmans description of Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria (ROGD), as described in her 2018 seminal paper. ROGD theory proposes that common cultural beliefs, values, and preoccupations cause some adolescents (especially female adolescents) to attribute their social problems, feelings, and mental health issues to gender dysphoria, the 2023 study reads. That is, youth with ROGD falsely believe that they are transgender, and that they must undergo social and medical gender transition to resolve their issues, it continued. A sharp increase in such false beliefs among adolescents and young adults has led to the recent epidemic in ROGD. The study noted that ROGD is believed to be a culture-bound syndrome, citing Littmans paper, which hypothesized that the disorder is socially contagious. If an adolescent has a friend or knows someone with ROGD, then that individual is more likely to acquire ROGD themselves. As The Christian Post previously reported, detransitioner Chloe Cole, who was encouraged to undergo a double mastectomy as a young teenager, suffered from a variety of mental health issues around the time she began identifying as the opposite sex. According to a lawsuit Cole formally filed against Kaiser Foundation Hospitals, the Permanente Medical Group and affiliated health professionals, these medical groups performed a "mutilating, mimicry sex change experiment" on her when she was 13. The detransitioner was also encouraged to undergo a double mastectomy and had also been prescribed opposite-sex hormones before deciding to detransition. After her parents took Cole for medical help, the doctors allegedly told them their daughter was at risk of suicide if she did not transition. The lawsuit accuses doctors of "experimenting" on the teenager for financial gain, emphasizing that Cole now suffers from "deep physical and emotional wounds, severe regrets, and distrust of the medical system." Earlier this year, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey also began investigating a whistleblowers claims about the practices at a pediatric gender clinic. Jamie Reed, a former case manager at the Washington University Transgender Center at St. Louis Children's Hospital in Missouri, accused the clinic of lying to parents and causing harm to children. "During my time at the Center, I personally witnessed Center healthcare providers lie to the public and to parents of patients about the treatment, or lack of treatment, and the effects of treatment provided to children at the Center," she testified in a sworn affidavit. "I witnessed children experience shocking injuries from the medication the Center prescribed. And I saw the Center make no attempt to track adverse outcomes of patients after they left the Center." The whistleblower also testified that she saw doctors continue prescribing puberty blockers to children, even if their parents revoked consent, and that the doctors lied in public statements about performing gender transition surgeries on minors. Americans pulling back from values that once defined them A recent survey conducted by The Wall Street Journal and The University of Chicago found that Americans are, in huge numbers, pulling back from the values that once defined them. Over the last 25 years, the percentage of Americans who described Patriotism as either important or very important fell from 70% to 38%. Those who valued Religion fell from 62% to 39%, Having Children from 59% to 30%, and Community Involvement from 47% to 27%. Even the percentage of Americans valuing Tolerance for Others dropped from 80% to just 58%. Only one value out of the ten listed increased: Money, from 31% to 43%. Bill McInturff is an expert involved with previous iterations of this survey. He told The Wall Street Journal, Perhaps the toll of our political division, COVID, and the lowest economic confidence in decades is having a startling effect on our core values. While economic affairs affect what people consider to be important, this is reversing the proverbial cart and horse. Corrupt societies can be prosperous, but only for a time. Eventually, low trust, rampant injustice, and civic division have consequences. Throughout history, economic crisis has not created a moral vacuum: It reveals it. If there is no moral design to reality, or for humanity in particular, what people value is inconsequential. In such a world, there is nothing to be pursued outside of individual expression, which is assumed to lead to happiness and human flourishing. Who cares if people do not value communities, countries or tolerance? It is the inherent determination of individuals, the pursuit of what they want the most, that will inevitably guide them. We can only follow our own impulses and desires. History tells a different story, however. For example, a central genius of the American system is the built-in idea that people can and will go wrong if given the chance. Even the well-intentioned can be hypocrites, including Americas founders, who nevertheless understood the pitfalls of both concentrated power and a virtue-less mob. In the prophetic words of John Adams, We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge, or gallantry would break the strongest cords of our constitution as a whale goes through a net. Or, in the words often attributed to Patrick Henry, Bad men cannot make good citizens. Though various forms of godless philosophy reject the idea, our most fundamental beliefs about life and the world shape our behavior. We do the things that are important to us, and we consider what is important based on what we think is true about life and the world. Put differently, our values shape our actions, and what we value is shaped by what we believe. Or, to fall back on a well-worn phrase, ideas have consequences. Americas changing values reflect a deeper change in how we think about reality itself, especially what we believe about meaning, purpose and identity. What is life all about? Who am I? Why am I here? Americas changing values will be reflected in how we live, both as individuals and how we order our lives together as a society. Any solution, if it will help and not further harm, must first accurately diagnose the crisis. To diagnose a crisis of values as primarily economic is to confuse cause and effect. Conservatives who tout the free market alone without addressing the fundamental beliefs and values required to sustain life together, miss the point. A fabulously wealthy society is not, in and of itself, a better one. America needs a revival, one that will rekindle belief in what is true and good, and ultimately in that which is bigger than ourselves. Christians, connected to the true Vine, can show the better way, loving our neighbors (even when we are hated) and loving truth. In a world starving for the right values, God gives our lives true value. The world is valuable because God created it and Christ died to save it. May God grant us the courage to live like this is true. Originally published at BreakPoint. We are living in apocalyptic, revelatory times We are living in apocalyptic, revelatory times. In a sense, all stages of history give glimpses into the apocalyptic, but contemporary phenomena are especially revealing. Apocalypsis, the Greek word from which we get revelation, refers to the lifting of a veil, or curtain. Jesus, in His Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24) pulled back the veil and gave us a glimpse of the buildup to His second coming. The coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah, says Jesus (Matthew 24:37). The core characteristic of Noahs day was that of a time when there is no king no legitimate, respected, authority and every person did what is right in his or her own eyes (Judges 21:25). Randomness nurtures paranoia and desperation. The randomness of evil characterizes end-times. Hardly anything reveals that in our own day as do sudden mass shootings and their frightfully random locales and motives. But there is another lifting of the veil in our age, revealing the styles of attempted governance in such an unstable time. Christs Revelation visions given to the aging apostle John and distributed through him to the churches in all eras and styles are full of conditions that might only be possible in contemporary times. At least they are setting precedents to justify strategies for the future control of the world and its people. For example, Saint John has a vision of a beast arising out of rough, heaving seas, symbolizing restless, turbulent nations. The storms of evil and tragedy are so great that a monstrous being, the Antichrist who promises peace and tranquility emerges, and is worshipped and received as a savior (hence, anti-Christ). Recent events in our period provide a peek at that world to come and its desperate efforts to resist chaos. A glimpse behind the curtain of our day on historys stage shows that regimes to come might either be police states or cyber-surveillance states, or a mixture of the two. For one thing, leaders in cities and states where individuals and groups pushed for the defunding and reduction of police departments are now regretting their decisions because of intensifying anarchy. This is exactly what has happened recently in Los Angeles. The newly installed mayor, Karen Bass, wants to add 1,000 officers to the police force and has come under criticism from progressives who supported her in the mayoral election. New York is adding more than $60 million to hire more officers to police the citys subway system, staggering under random assaults. Rather than constituent complaints about turning such metropolises into police states, there is widespread public support. Back to the apocalyptic element: How could an Antichrist gain control of governance? The answer: By promising to end the chaos. People living amidst random disorder will be driven by desperation that will compel them to support anyone whom they think will bring order. This is how tyrants gain control across history. We are also seeing now how nations can become cyber-surveillance states. This is a society where artificial intelligence and other cyber functions can be used to force people into compliance with the worldview and values of the governing powers, or the party line. China is giving the world a glimpse of this phenomenon presently through its social credits score program. As one observer put it, the state uses vast quantities of data and cutting-edge artificial intelligence to build a nimbler form of authoritarianism capable of exercising unprecedented social control The ultimate goal is a perfectly engineered society that automatically neutralizes dissidents while rewarding those who comply with lives of convenience, safety and predictability. When the mayor of one of Americas largest cities becomes desperate enough to call for the hiring of 1,000 police officers despite an earlier determination to defund the police department, and when China, a huge nation, plans to use artificial intelligence to track its citizens allegiance to the nations dominating political party and its philosophies, worldview and values, its time to take a long look behind the veil of biblical revelation, along with that of time and history. Events and phenomena in finite, or existential, time and space unveil the signs that point to something greater to come ultimately. It is all about Gods plan for His people in the finite world He has made for them, and its redemption.. Archbishop of Canterbury receives specially commissioned Coronation Bible The Archbishop of Canterbury has received a stunning special edition of the King James Bible to be used in the coronation of King Charles III next month. The Coronation Bible was specially commissioned by the Archbishop for the occasion and has been produced by Oxford University Press. It is hand-bound in red leather and features exquisite gold leaf decorations. Following centuries of tradition, the newly printed Bible will be presented to King Charles III during the coronation service at Westminster Abbey on 6 May. The King will then place his hand upon the Bible when he takes the coronation oath. The Bible was delivered this week to the Archbishop of Canterbury's official residence in London, Lambeth Palace, and will be housed there until the service. Archbishop Justin Welby said: "The coronation will be a service of Christian worship, deeply rooted in the wisdom we find in Scripture. "The Bible which will be presented to His Majesty The King is a reminder that Scripture is not just at the heart of the responsibilities he undertakes at the Coronation, but at the heart of Christian life. "On this momentous occasion, the Bible will be the first and most important gift offered to the King. The Scriptures offer a guide and light to all and I pray that His Majesty will continue to find them in these living words." The tradition of presenting the monarch with a Bible at their coronation goes back to the reign of William III and Mary II in the 17th century. It is since the coronation of George III in 1761 that a new Bible has been specially produced for each coronation. Four copies of the Coronation Bible have been produced by OUP. The copy used in the coronation service will be kept in the Lambeth Palace Library after the occasion and go on display to the public until 13 July. The King will be given a personal copy and the remaining two will be placed in the archives of Westminster Abbey and OUP. OUP CEO Nigel Portwood said: "We are honoured that the Archbishop of Canterbury chose OUP to produce the Bible for His Majesty's Coronation. "This Bible is an example of the fine craftsmanship and attention to detail of the Press and our colleagues at Shepherds, Sangorski & Sutcliffe, and CPI Printers. "We are confident that it will be a fitting tribute to a momentous occasion in British history and we hope it will be cherished by His Majesty for many years to come." Christian leaders join climate protest march outside Parliament Bishops and other Christian leaders are taking part in The Big One climate protest march outside parliament on Friday. The Big One is one of the biggest climate protests to date, with around 100,000 people expected to gather outside Parliament across the next four days to demand an end to the use of fossil fuels. The former Archbishop of York and current chair of Christian Aid, John Sentamu, called UK government policy on the climate "an offence against humanity". "Climate change is the most insidious and brutally indiscriminate force of our time. The people suffering the most have done the least to cause it," he said. "That is why continuing to search for new sources of fossil fuels, despite explicit warnings against this from the International Energy Agency, is such an offence against humanity. "If we want to limit climate suffering we have to leave fossil fuels in the ground. The Church has a proud history of standing up against injustice and once again we need to see Christians calling on the Government to take decisive action." The Christian leaders will attend a No Faith In Fossil Fuels service at St John's Church, Waterloo, before marching past Shell HQ to join the Big One protest outside Parliament. Andy Atkins, CEO of A Rocha UK, said, "It's now far beyond any reasonable doubt that the primary driver of climate change is burning fossil fuels. "It is shocking that our government is encouraging new fossil fuel exploration in UK territory, despite the UN's science-backed call to end all new fossil fuel development to ensure a liveable planet for people and nature. "This is beyond irresponsible; it is profoundly wrong and unjust to people alive now and to future generations. "As a UK Christian nature conservation charity, whose supporters are UK citizens, we feel morally impelled to tell our government 'not in our name', and to pray for a change of hearts and minds." Relic of crucifixion cross to be used in King Charles' coronation The Vatican has donated fragments of what is traditionally believed to be the cross used in the crucifixion of Christ to King Charles III. Matteo Bruni, director of the Holy See Press Office, confirmed to reporters that "fragments of the Relic of the True Cross were donated by the Holy See in early April, through the Apostolic Nunciature, to His Majesty King Charles III, Supreme Governor of the Church of England, as an ecumenical gesture on the occasion of the centenary of the Anglican Church in Wales". Bruni said that two small wooden fragments of the cross had been gifted to the King. The fragments have been incorporated into a new Cross of Wales that will lead the procession at the King's coronation at Westminster Abbey on 6 May. The cross has been inscribed with words from the last sermon by St David, the patron saint of Wales. In Welsh, they read, "Byddwch lawen. Cadwch y ffydd. Gwnewch y Pethau Bychain." Translated into English, this is, "Be joyful. Keep the faith. Do the little things." The cross was presented by King Charles as a centenary gift to the Church in Wales, and blessed by the Archbishop of Wales, Andrew John, at Holy Trinity Church, Llandudno, on Wednesday. Archbishop John said, "We are honoured that His Majesty has chosen to mark our centenary with a cross that is both beautiful and symbolic. "Its design speaks to our Christian faith, our heritage, our resources and our commitment to sustainability. We are delighted too that its first use will be to guide Their Majesties into Westminster Abbey at the coronation Service." Designer and maker, Michael Lloyd, crafted the cross from recycled silver bullion provided by the Royal Mint at Llantrisant, together with a shaft of Welsh windfall timber and a stand of Welsh slate. "This project started with a love of the material, its malleability, its potential for expression," he said. "The commission has allowed me to delve into the previous 1,000 years of faith and history. "Now, with more than 267 thousand hammer blows, the cross has emerged from the inanimate sheets of silver, and I am delighted it will be used as part of the coronation service on 6 May." Following the coronation, the cross will be officially received by the Church in Wales at a service and its use shared between the Anglican and Catholic Churches in Wales. The Catholic Archbishop of Cardiff, Mark O'Toole, said, "With a sense of deep joy we embrace this Cross, kindly given by King Charles, and containing a relic of the True Cross, generously gifted by the Holy See. "It is not only a sign of the deep Christian roots of our nation but will, I am sure, encourage us all to model our lives on the love given by our Saviour, Jesus Christ. "We look forward to honouring it, not only in the various celebrations that are planned, but also in the dignified setting in which it will find a permanent home." Repentance is what many in the Anglican Communion want to see Last Summer, the future of the Anglican Communion appeared to lie in the balance. Archbishop Justin Badi Arama, the Primate of South Sudan, went to the Lambeth Conference as the Chair of the Global South Fellowship of Anglicans (GSFA) with a clear message to encourage the bishops present to submit themselves to God's word. He, and other members of the GSFA, sought a way for the Conference to have an opportunity to reconfirm the 1998 Resolution I.10. "But I could not find that space," he said. "The Conference was designed in a way so you just come in, find what is there, then you go out ... I was struggling to make known that in our Communion there is something which is not right. "I was seen as somebody who is spoiling it and I struggled to make my voice heard. "I went with the intention that my colleagues and my leaders would hear and take note to put our Communion in order, but that did not happen." This week, in Kigali, Rwanda, 1,300 bishops, clergy and laity have met to pray, to hear God's word taught, and to take counsel. Every delegate has had three opportunities to shape and finesse the final statement, which will be published later today. There have been many calls for repentance at Gafcon both personally and corporately. The delegates have shared their grief at the brokenness of the Anglican Communion which, without the repentance of those who have walked away from God's word, cannot be mended. And time is running out. As Archbishop Badi said, if there is no repentance, "We will tell them we are the real Anglican Communion. "Those of you who have invented new teachings will go and form your own communion." The consequence of the Archbishop of Canterbury's unwillingness to find space at the Lambeth Conference for the voice of the majority of the Anglican Communion to be heard may well come back to haunt him. Susie Leafe is director of Anglican Futures, which supports orthodox Anglicans in the UK. Ludovic Marin/AP NEW YORK (AP) Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, French President Emmanuel Macron, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will join business, political and philanthropic leaders, as well as celebrities, including Hugh Jackman and John Legend, for this years edition of the Global Citizen NOW conference in New York City starting April 27. The conference will combine major announcements on policy initiatives with discussions about immediate steps that can be taken on climate change, food insecurity, gender inequality, and other issues. Harper Lees novel To Kill a Mockingbird was published in 1960, and the popular film adaptation arrived two years later. Both are set in the early '30s. Aaron Sorkins stage adaptation, the touring production of which graces the Hobby Center in Houston April 25-30, premiered on Broadway in 2018. In a sense, the production takes place in both eras, and reflects the strains of racism endemic to each. It culminates in a third, the present day. We went deep into the world of the '30s, deep into what and who we were, to tell this story of our past, director Bartlett Sher said in a recent video interview from his office at Lincoln Center. We then allow audiences in 2023 to intersect with it, and in that intersection come to their own conclusions about where we are now and face a lot of who we really were. The Mockingbird perhaps best known in the public imagination is that 1962 movie adaptation, which adheres pretty closely to the novel. Gregory Peck stars as Atticus Finch, a defense attorney in Depression-era small-town Alabama. Atticus is assigned to represent Tom Robinson, a young Black man accused of beating and raping a local white woman. Such trumped-up accusations were common in the Jim Crow South, and Tom knows he has little chance of acquittal, much less survival. But Atticus gives the case his all as his young daughter and son look on. Atticus is portrayed as a sort of white savior for the civil rights era in which the movie was released, an identity that Peckwho won an Oscar for the roleleaned into hard. The play is after something different. This Atticus, played by Richard Thomas, is flawed, naive, and a little blinkered when it comes to the racism of his community. And this Tom, played by Yaegel T. Welch, is less of a passive victim. Julieta Cervantes The play gives Tom Robinson a little more agency, Welch said in a video interview from South Carolina during a previous stop on the tour. In the movie and the book, you don't really hear as much from him or about his background. Sorkin does an excellent job of giving this man a lot more humanity and background information so the audience can feel his humanity directly. The playwright, who had an early career breakthrough with the big-screen courtroom drama A Few Good Men, also applies some of his signature zippy dialogue to the serious subject matter. Atticus, too, emerges as a more complete character, if not always in good ways. The portrayal isnt as dark as that in Lees controversial novel Go Set a Watchman, set in the '50s and published in 2015, in which Atticus embraces the racism of his time and place. But, as Sher says of Sorkins play, Atticus fails in defending Tom Robinson. He does not succeed on that level. He learns more about his community than he realized. We're trying to do a piece about the '30s in Alabama, so that audiences can see where we've come from, can respond to who we've become now, and really hook into Harper Lee's extraordinary vision of her own growing up and her own life in the South. It doesnt take deep insight to see the works contemporary relevance. This is a story about a Black man railroaded and ultimately killed by white citizens and law enforcement. Welch rattles off some of the names known from news stories of recent years, months, even days: Eric Garner. Breonna Taylor. George Floyd. Ralph Yarl. Julieta Cervantes This play is not just an antiquated lesson that exists in a time capsule, he says. It actually shows us where we need to go, and how far we've come. The world isn't exactly Jim Crow anymore, and that's a great thing. But there are still innocent people and innocent communities being disenfranchised at the hands of the law and the government. One thing that this play does a brilliant job of is showing that this is systematic. In describing the plays goals, and hopefully its effect, Sher turns to a titan of the theater world. Brecht would say that if you want to really investigate historical conditions, go somewhere far away, build a world and let people analyze it, the director says. I think the more accurate, the more deeply, the more complete we are in describing the 1930s, we can rely on audiences to make their own connections with how it's different and how it resonates for them, rather than trying to very obviously make connections. To Kill a Mockingbird runs April 25-30 at the Hobby Center , 800 Bagby Street, Houston, TX, 77002. For tickets and information, visit the theaters website. Seventy Times Seven: A True Story of Murder and Mercy By Alex Mar Penguin Press. 338 pp. $28 - - - Some books are easy, reassuring reads: They offer self-improvement tips, reinforce our preconceptions or make even the most complicated matters seem simple. Alex Mar's "Seventy Times Seven: A True Story of Murder and Mercy" is the opposite kind of book. It's urgent, messy and unsettling. It isn't a page-turner, exactly: It's long and sprawling. But it's a troubling, haunting read. You may not find yourself staying up late to finish it, but odds are, you'll find yourself lying awake in the small hours, turning it over and over in your mind. "Seventy Times Seven" begins in Gary, Ind., in 1979, with an act of cruelty and despair. A mother - possibly under the influence, struggling with mental illness or stupefied by the domestic violence she's endured - bundles her two young daughters into the car, inside a closed garage. She turns on the engine. They're all supposed to die. But they don't. Gloria Cooper has a change of heart and pulls her two unconscious daughters, 13-year-old Rhonda and 9-year-old Paula, out of the garage, then gets back in herself. When Rhonda wakes, she alerts a neighbor and an ambulance arrives; the two girls watch as the ambulance takes their mother away. No one thinks to examine the girls or ask if they're okay, and when their mother, recovered, returns home a week later, things return to what passes for normal in the Cooper household. Still, "this must have been the start of a change" in Paula. This, at least, is what Rhonda later tells Mar. Because just six years later, Paula kills a 78-year-old neighbor in an act of stunning brutality - for no particular reason, or for every possible reason. Paula is young, Black and poor; the neighbor, Ruth Pelke, is elderly, White and part of Gary's solid middle class. Paula has been neglected, abused and emotionally abandoned by everyone but her sister, Rhonda; Pelke is part of a large and loving family. Paula has nothing to believe in; Pelke teaches Bible stories to children. Maybe it's this, or maybe it's that, or maybe it's something else. Regardless, Paula is bored and broke (or bewildered and bereft?). During a poorly planned burglary by Paula and her friends, Pelke reproaches Paula ("If you do this, you'll be sorry") and "a key deep inside Paula turns and catches." She stabs Pelke in the chest with a butcher knife, then pulls out the knife and stabs her again and again and again. "Her hand comes down more than thirty times," writes Mar. When Paula is done stabbing, she steals $10 and Pelke's car, leaving Pelke's body behind for her family to discover. The police catch Paula almost immediately, and a little more than a year later, Paula Cooper, age 16, becomes the youngest female death row inmate in American history. "Seventy Times Seven" tells multiple intertwined tales: There's the tale of Paula's crime and punishment; the tale of Ruth Pelke and her family; the tale of Gary's boom-and-bust economy and its troubled racial politics. There are the stories of the many lawyers and activists who fought to save Paula from the electric chair and end capital punishment for children. And, most central to Mar's narrative, there's the tale of Pelke's grandson Bill, a would-be pastor turned steelworker, who rediscovers his faith by forgiving Paula and resolving to fight for her life. Inspired by Jesus' admonition to forgive those who sin against us not just seven times but "seventy times seven" times, Bill eventually joins other family members of murder victims to campaign against the death penalty nationwide. Mar warns readers from the start not to expect any miracles: "Seventy Times Seven" isn't "a story of wrongful conviction." Paula hasn't been unjustly accused, and DNA evidence won't exonerate her. She won't repent and be pardoned. It's clear that even if Paula is eventually freed from prison - she is - no one is likely to live happily ever after. "Seventy Times Seven" offers readers neither heroes nor villains. We see Paula both as a furious, heartbroken child and as a violent, manipulative adolescent: Sometimes she's generous, empathetic and self-aware; other times, she's aggressive and self-destructive. The defense lawyer initially assigned to her case is well-meaning, but frightened and ineffective; the hard-driving prosecutor who demands the death penalty for an abused 15-year-old is self-aggrandizing but, in his own way, idealistic. The African American judge who presides over Paula's trial opposes capital punishment for young offenders but sentences Paula to death anyway - then begins to drink heavily, until finally he plows his car into the back of a truck, his blood alcohol level twice the legal limit. Even Bill Pelke is no saint: He's so enthralled by the redemptive possibilities of forgiving Paula, his grandmother's murderer, that he's stunningly oblivious to the loneliness and pain of his wife, Judy. More than anything, "Seventy Times Seven" is a book about the promise and limits of empathy - the ways in which we see one another, and the ways in which we cannot. Fifteen-year-old Paula, who just wanted "a good family" in which she could be "like the other little kids," looks at kind, elderly Ruth Pelke and sees only the cold, impermeable middle-class world that has locked her out. Jack Crawford, the prosecutor, looks at Paula and sees only a monster, not a lost child. Bill Pelke looks at Paula and sees only the goodness he longs to see; Rhonda , Paula's older sister, looks at Bill Pelke and sees only a White man who "never considered the life of a Black teenage girl in Gary," a man who never considered all the "hurt and ugliness" that marred the lives of his neighbors, until that hurt and ugliness careened into his own chaotic life and offered him a vision of escape and absolution. "Seventy Times Seven" is occasionally frustrating. Mar, a documentary filmmaker and former editor at Rolling Stone, has far too many stories to tell, and a more ruthless editor might have pushed her to eliminate several minor characters and trim some extraneous detail. (When two Italian clerics come to New York to deliver petitions supporting Paula to the U.N. secretary general, for instance, we learn not only that they travel to "Midtown East" via a "ride in a taxi cab" but that the cab is "a yellow Chevy Caprice.") Mar is determined to keep readers in the narrative present, which helps create a sense of urgency, but also leads to some confusing and abrupt verb-tense shifts. But these are minor flaws and don't detract from the sheer power of the central stories. "Seventy Times Seven" gives readers an unflinching glimpse into brutality, pain, loneliness, rage and revenge, and asks if regret, compassion, mercy and forgiveness can be enough to bridge the gulfs of race, class and ideology that so often divide us. "Seventy Times Seven" is full of questions and painful ambiguities - and Mar is courageous enough to leave most of her questions unanswered. - - - Rosa Brooks holds the Scott K. Ginsburg chair in law and policy at Georgetown University Law Center. Her most recent book is "Tangled Up in Blue: Policing the American City." NEW YORK - To get right to the nub of it: kernels of sidesplitting silliness pop all the way through "Shucked," a Broadway musical so packed with corn humor it practically stalks you for laughs. The score by Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally is generically serviceable, with one exception: "Independently Owed," a haymaker of a solo for Alex Newell, who by virtue of a knockout performance as a sassy distiller of corn whiskey plows a path to Broadway renown. The highest honors, though, belong to quip master Robert Horn, whose book for the show is - forgive me - a cornucopia of jokes. Of an endlessly a-maizing variety. As "Shucked" reveals, a musical seeded with farm humor finds it hard to stop with the cornfed puns. The more shocking revelation is that the show is a bona fide hoot. I dare you to take a seat in the Nederlander Theatre - where the musical marked its official opening earlier this month - and not give in to the nonstop agronomic zaniness. Directed by Jack O'Brien, a Broadway vet ("Hairspray," "The Front Page") who knows his way around funny, "Shucked" may be, for its all country cuteness, one of the savviest new shows on Broadway. Grey Henson and Ashley D. Kelley as the gleeful Storytellers, Kevin Cahoon as a hayseed philosopher and Caroline Innerbichler as the requisite ingenue all joyfully indulge the cheeky, harmlessly off-color vibe. For anyone who might feel like a trip to a comedy spa, funny business of myriad varieties is blossoming with the spring here. James Ijames's Pulitzer-winning "Fat Ham," for instance, has hung out its sign at Broadway's American Airlines Theatre on West 42nd Street, inviting us to a raucous backyard party with a melancholy young man and his self-dramatizing family in North Carolina - or is it Elsinore? A block away, at Second Stage Theatre's Tony Kiser Theater, composer-lyricist Michael R. Jackson, a Tony winner for "A Strange Loop," has unveiled his latest, "White Girl in Danger," an off-Broadway musical spoof with some delirious gags and a desperate need for editing. "Fat Ham" enjoyed a life online during the pandemic, courtesy of Philadelphia-based Wilma Theater, of which Ijames (pronounced IMES) is one of three artistic directors. It then went on to a live run at off-Broadway's Public Theater, a production that the cast and director Saheem Ali now reprise on Broadway. The play mirrors "Hamlet" in delightfully unabashed ways, making Juicy, its Hamlet-like star - played with sublime comic confidence by Marcel Spears - into a gender-fluid hero. Juicy stews over the abrupt marriage of his mother Tedra (fabulous Nikki Crawford) to his murdered father's brother Rev (Billy Eugene Jones, doubling terrifically as the father's ghost). James's achievement is to repurpose the tragic elements of "Hamlet" for farce, without resorting to juvenile antics. It doesn't give away too much to report that turning "Hamlet's" play-within-a-play into a game of "Charades" (wherein Juicy catches the conscience of the king) is inspired. With some deft, haunting touches in the lighting by Brad King and illusions by Skylar Fox, the cast cavorts grandly on Maruti Evans's leafy suburban set. The actors, all of whom get their risible moments, also include Chris Herbie Holland, Adrianna Mitchell, Calvin Leon Smith and Benja Kay Thomas. The play finishes with one last surprising illusion and one splendiferous profusion of music, and costuming by Dominique Fawn Hill. "Fat Ham" is offered in association with Roundabout Theatre Company, whose longtime artistic director, Todd Haimes, died on Wednesday, at 66. I'd known Haimes for more than a quarter century as a true man of the theater, highly competitive but also generous to the community of artists and fellow producers, and who built a veritable nonprofit empire of Broadway and off-Broadway venues. That at his passing his flagship space should host a divine comic riff on "Hamlet" provides a poignant opportunity to say good night, sweet prince. "White Girl in Danger" puts you in a jovial frame of mind, too - even at a mere first hint of the premise. We are in an alternate dimension somewhere between a film studio and the TV screen, where live the citizens of AllWhite, a retro soap opera suburb in which the Black characters struggle for liberation from their background status - here called the "Blackground." Ambitious Keesha Gibbs (an excellent LaToya Edwards) wants to escape the Blackground inhabited by her elders, such as Clarence (James Jackson Jr.) the high school janitor and her mom, Nell (Tarra Conner Jones), the school lunch lady/nurse/name-any-other-stereotypical-job-title-here. Keesha's great dream is her own "A" plotline, a quest that takes on mythic proportions in "White Girl in Danger." The hysterics and solipsism of the White characters - including teenagers Megan White (Molly Hager), Maegan Whitehall (Alyse Alan Louis) and Meagan Whitehead (Lauren Marcus) - thwart Keesha's efforts at centering her story. It's a satirical allegory about the tired conventions of American popular culture and the struggle over, among other things, who gets to determine how Blackness is portrayed. Jackson, the musical's authorial triple threat, is a hugely important voice in the theater, and he has so much he wants to say - and in ways that disrupt conventional thinking, on race, sexual politics, gender identity, faith. Those impulses were channeled brilliantly in "A Strange Loop." In the nearly three-hour wild ride of "White Girl in Danger," you feel sometimes he and director Lileana Blain-Cruz want to explore so many ideas and themes that coherence takes a back seat. Jackson's advantage in "A Strange Loop" was the focus on a central character, Usher, a young man of evolving self-awareness breaking into show business. Here, an amusing if chaotic mise-en-scene is what's at center stage. With some skillful surgery, "White Girl in Danger" can become as scathingly funny, with a sharpened point, as it seeks to be. - - - "Shucked," book by Robert Horn, music and lyrics by Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally. Directed by Jack O'Brien. Choreography, Sarah O'Gleby; music direction, Jason Howland; set, Scott Pask; costumes, Tilly Grimes; lighting Japhy Weideman; sound, John Shivers; wigs, Mia Neal. With John Behlmann, Andrew Durand. About 2 1/2 hours. At Nederlander Theatre, 208 W. 41st St., New York. shuckedmusical.com. "Fat Ham," by James Ijames. Directed by Saheem Ali. Set, Maruti Evans; costumes, Dominique Fawn Hill; lighting, Brad King; sound, Mikaal Sulaiman. About 95 minutes. At American Airlines Theatre, 227 W. 42nd St., New York. fathambroadway.com. "White Girl in Danger," by Michael R. Jackson. Directed by Lileana Blain-Cruz. Choreography, Raja Feather Kelly; sets, Adam Rigg; costumes, Montana Levi Blanco; lighting, Jen Schriever; sound, Jonathan Deans; projections, Josh Higgason; music direction, Anessa Marie; orchestrations, Lynne Shankel. About 2 hours 50 minutes. With Liz Clark Brown, Vincent Jamal Hooper, Jennifer Fouche, Eric William Morris, Kayla Davion. At Tony Kiser Theater, 305 W. 43rd St., New York. 2st.com. The giveaway to what cuisine is sold in the Hong Kong City Mall dessert shop Bui Quan is at its entrance: a snack cart with glass panes. "Vendors with these carts [in Vietnam] would push them out onto sidewalks or street corners and then lay out the stools and tables until the police arrive," owner Nguyen Minh Huyen says. Along Bellaire Boulevard in Houston, there has been a rise in eateries adopting a street-style aesthetica sidewalk ("he pho") or alleyway ("hem") look common in Vietnam's bustling urban areas, where people eat right where motorbike traffic passes by. Shin-high stools, low tables, graffiti, wooden shutters and sliding metal gates are part of the experience at Asiatown spots like Bui Quan, Migo Saigon Food Street and Hem Kitchen & Bar. This dining style is about as street as street food gets. Memory was integral to these business owners' decision to adopt this concept. Huyen said designing Bui Quan reminded her of when she ran a che place in Saigon with her mother and grandmother while awaiting a window to move to America. Bui Quan's che treats are of the North Vietnamese variant, which uses fewer ingredients and is served during feasts, she explains. Two highlights are xoi vo che hoa lai (mung bean sticky rice with thickened jasmine water) and thach trang hoa lai (agar strings in jasmine syrup), both items of a series coined "che Thai Lai Tan inh." "The old shop was called Thai Lai because prior to [the fall of Saigon] we used to be a butane gas seller with that name [in Tan inh ward]," Huyen says. "Over time, we became known, and the name just stuck." Huyen wishes to eventually move out of the mall so she can keep Bui Quan open later at night, like many street-style restaurants. Nguyen Le Nguyen Le Restaurants like Hem Kitchen & Bar are inspired by Saigon's street-style dining. (Photos by Nguyen Le) Multiple trips to Saigon inspired local DJs Steven Diep and Kanny Le to weave the city's streets into their new place Hem Kitchen & Bar, which opened in February next to Tan Binh Market. The restaurant serves a variety of drinks, snacks and entrees like bo luc lac (shaking beef), egg coffee and frog legs. There are three seating areas at Hem that mirror the alley-style eatery aesthetic. Inside, you can sit beside scooters and "khoan cat be tong" on the wallsnumbers for demolition services that are tagged all over Vietnam's cities. Barside, you're close to vivid neon signs and views of birdcage-shaped light fixtures hanging from the ceiling. The front patio features low-to-the-ground plastic furniture and string lights mimicking the overhead power lines that were once a signature of Saigon. Three circular seating booths in Hem's dining room are modeled after giant drainage pipes mainly seen at construction sites, but now a new design trend in Vietnamese cafes. "Back in the days, there were a lot of governmental projects that would never finish all the way through," Diep says. "These pipes would be left around, and people would turn them into sheds, living quarters, or haircut joints, you know? We want to do the same thing." Jas Phan brought a retro Saigon alley into his noodle house, Migo, in the Bellaire Food Street strip center. "Migo" is a stylization of "mi go," a late-night bite served by waiters who roam an area making sounds with instruments, like concussion sticks, to notify residents. Phan's vision was to recreate the familiarity, simplicity and urban-centric intimacy of people dining beside homes-slash-businesses, cracked walls and scooters. Nguyen Le Nguyen Le Nguyen Le Nguyen Le Jas Phan put some thoughtful detail into his Migo Saigon Food Street restaurant. (Photos by Nguyen Le) "At the end of the day, you'll still have to go into alleys to eat mi go because they aren't served in restaurants. At least I haven't seen any," Phan says. "The on-the-streets kind of mi go remains the best kind." The nostalgia in Migo's aesthetics has a twist, however, with Japanese-inspired touches such as the ramen bar-style seating and the art style of the mi go mural on the back wall. Phan says they were intentional, citing how Japan's ramen and Vietnam's mi go share the same noodle roots and are both familiar alley eats. When it's time to renew the lease, Phan would like to briefly close Migo to remodel it, modernizing the alley with new neon lighting to make the vibe similar to Saigon's nightlife hot spot Bui Vien Walking Street. Benjamin D. Herman, a food writer who has lived in Vietnam for 10 years, remarked that the price points at these street-style restaurants in Houston are high for items meant to be affordable. Indeed, costliness is often referenced in these places' reviews on Google and Yelp. "There's really no reason super cheap snack places like those that exist [in Vietnam] can't succeed [in America]," Herman says. "In a perfect world, I'd like to see a joint in a relatively little trafficked area become a hub for people to enjoy these foods." Nguyen Le Nguyen Le Nguyen Minh Huyen, owner of Hong Kong City Mall dessert shop Bui Quan, used to run a che place in Saigon. (Photos by Nguyen Le) The ambiance these three restaurant owners have created, and the improvements they want to make in the future, especially cater to younger diners, whom they say tend to snack more. The music played at these places is full of hits, from Vietnamese pop to Taylor Swift's latest. Some menu items either fuse with or are from other cultures, and the layouts are Instagram-ready. These approaches aren't too dissimilar to that of today's Saigon eateries. As a result, to visit these Houston restaurants is to also go on a city tour. This makes sense, since a big part of Vietnamese cuisine's popularity has been about the proximity between the food served and its surrounding urban constructs. Jury's still out on whether the relationship is well-translated once it makes its way abroad, but there's no denying that these places offer a Vietnamese dining experience that's different from anything else in Houston. LULAC at TAMIU hosted an international speaking event focused on the state of Nuevo Leon and its relationship with Laredo that covered areas like business, commerce and education at the Student Center last week. Mario Lopez, LULAC at TAMIU student organization president, said that the organization has been formed for two years and seeks to promote the Hispanic culture. "Last year we couldn't do anything because of the pandemic, but this year we wanted to do something different: a cultural event that would show Laredo's relationship with the state of Nuevo Leon," he said. Montserrat Gutierrez, vice president of LULAC at TAMIU, said the event was important to people on the border. For us who know what it is like to grow up on the border, to cross every day, it is important to know the influence of the state of Nuevo Leon on Laredo, to know how through the Colombia Bridge the crossings are being expedited, she said. Laredo has the privilege of having two borders: one with the state of Nuevo Leon and the other with the state of Tamaulipas. Logistics sector The first panelist was Mario Palos Garza, CEO of the Palos Garza Group. He spoke about logistics sector in Laredo and the benefits in expediting merchandise that Puerto Colombia has brought with it. The Puente Colombia project is one of the infrastructures that for us the businessmen who operate in this region is very important, because we need bridges with good infrastructure capacity so that goods can flow with great mobility, he said. Palos Garza said that the statistical data from 2000 on international trade between Mexico and the United States coupled with the growth brought by the free trade agreement were surpassed long ago. This indicates that the infrastructure that was proposed has fallen short. Today much more capacity is needed for that growth to happen, he said. To achieve this, entrepreneurs working in logistics in international trade zones look for some profiles such as the one that has a very beneficial cost for the industry, that is fast and efficient, and that is professional, he said. When we talk about professionals, we talk about the existence of automation in the systems, in such a way that all companies can monitor their assets and their assets are all the merchandise that circulates, he said. Those businessmen or manufacturers place in our hands these goods, trusting that we will move their merchandise. In this regard, Palos Garza recognized the work of the state of Nuevo Leon and the importance of the Colombia Bridge. The Colombia bridge has always been a very necessary bridge for us. I estimate that the World Trade Bridge, with its huge capacity, it is the bridge where around 16,000 trucks cross daily -- a number that has already far exceeded the capacity for what was projected, he said. We must generate a strategy to make the Colombia Bridge more viable, since it will help us not only for all of us who work in foreign trade but to the final consumer." Palos Garza also congratulated the government of Nuevo Leon for the boost they are giving to Puente Colombia. Bridges are what unite us; bridges are what bring trade to the region; bridges are what will give life to our industry, our jobs and our growth, he said. Expansion plans Another speaker was Dr. Marco Antonio Gonzalez, the Secretary of Regional and Agricultural Development of the State of Nuevo Leon Director of the Corporation for the Development of the Border Zone of Nuevo Leon (Port Colombia). He spoke regarding the expansion plans for Puerto Colombia and the actions that the governor, Samuel Garcia, has carried out. We are making it the fastest and safest border crossing in Mexico, with only five minutes for companies enrolled in the Nuevo Leon joint program to cross the border, he said. "All these benefits make us different from other borders. If the companies are in the joint dispatch program, their merchandise will arrive faster." He said that in Puerto Colombia there is only one check instead of two, He exemplified the crossing of cattle that American officials cross to check the cages on the Mexican side and the cattle no longer have to stop in the United States. He said that he wanted the perishables to be checked on the Mexican side, giving CBP space to settle in so that the checks for each country could be done in their corresponding country. "By doing this, we will make the crossings faster," he said. He also showcased the modernization of Puerto Colombia with actions such as going from two to seven lanes always open with two exclusive lanes: one for cold perishables and another for Tesla and its suppliers. From there the history of Tesla was born. Nobody imagined that there would be a dedicated lane for Tesla, and soon we will have one for John Deere. Those are marketing strategies that no other port offers. It was recently announced that Tesla will install a gigafactory in Mexican territory, precisely in the state of Nuevo Leon. As soon as the La Gloria-Colombia highway is ready in December, by January they will begin the procedures for the expansion of the Colombia Bridge, he said. From seven we will go to 12 lanes. Nuevo Leon has to show Texas that it will work and it has to be done with numbers and statistics. Gonzalez reiterated that the Colombia Bridge does not mean a competition for Nuevo Laredo but is instead a way to relieve other bridges. At no time are we competition because everyone has their specific market niche, he said. Gonzalez showed some tables that indicated the increases in both cargo and passenger vehicles through the Colombia Bridge even without the completion of the La Gloria-Colombia highway. Cross-border vaccination was eye-opening, as many people were unaware that Nuevo Leon had a border, he said. Lastly, Gonzalez highlighted the courageous and hard-working character of the people of Nuevo Leon. This year we have become the No. 2 Mexican port in revenue, he said. Colombia has to be different from the rest of the borders. We characterize ourselves as good, hard-working people. It is something that distinguishes us. Educational differences Malena Charur, a TAMIU adjunct instructor, was the final panelist. She spoke about the similarities and differences in education between Mexico and the United States from her perspective as a student and educator in both countries. I have been a student and a teacher in both countries, and I would like to touch on the differences and the similarities in these educational systems, she said. Many parents in Mexico opt for private education because it provides a holistic curriculum, but I have to recognize the role of public education teachers because they do wonders with the few or many resources they are given. She explained that in Mexico education is one of the items with the largest budget, but that it is not reflected in the facilities or in providing more resources to teachers and students. I have not been an elementary school student in the United States, I will tell you that my children were. And I found some amazing facilities. I have traveled to many places within this country, and I have found that even in the smallest town there is a great school where they provide education and opportunities for children, she said. No child goes without food, and even in the summer or vacation period. The districts know that sometimes the only food their students receive is what they eat at school, and in the summer or during vacations, they provide food to their low income students, which is a great thing." Charur said that she knows that in Mexico some public schools provide meals to minors but it is not a widespread practice in the country. She also said that since she came to live in the United States, she has been an adjunct instructor of different subjects in the Departments of Communication and Humanities. I have been surprised by the number of high school students who have the opportunity to take higher education courses, because they are exposed to critical thinking and learn what university life will be like. As far as I know, it seems to me that in Mexico it is an option that only some private universities offer, she said. Finally, she said that governments, teachers and parents in both countries should get involved in the education of young people and children. Education is not a competition, each child has their own learning process and we must all contribute to it, she said. Education is to develop the intellectual, moral and affective capacities of children and young people according to the culture to which they are inserted, therefore the government, as well as educators, community leaders, we must all fight for a holistic education that offers the greatest opportunities to students, she said. Disclosure: Malena Charur is a staff writer at Laredo Morning Times. She also currently serves as an adjunct instructor at TAMIU teaching one public speaking class per week. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Willis residents may be without power for much of Saturday, as city officials said Entergy Texas Inc. has an outage planned for 12 hours. On YourCourierNews.com: Plan set to brighten 3 downtown Conroe alleys as part of $6.5M project The planned outage is scheduled from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and will allow workers complete upgrades to the power lines, according to a statement from Entergy. Residents near Longstreet and Calvary roads and along a portion of Texas 75 will be affected by the outage. "It may be shorter, but plan for 12 hours," said City Manager Sheyi I. Ipaye during a meeting on Tuesday. Entergy representatives reached out to city officials on Monday about the outage. Upgrades are scheduled to help improve system reliability and provide additional capacity to support growth in the community, officials said. "They (have) been postponing this work, but now they are moving forward with it," Ipaye said. Entergy said it needed to move forward with the project before the summer when demand for electricity is high, he said. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate David Tatel and his wife had just left a discussion of blindness in the Torah. He was headed from a synagogue to the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C., where he serves as a senior judge. But as soon as he got into his Lyft, Tatel said, the driver got out and began shouting that he would not take Tatel's guide dog. "He went totally nuts; he screamed at us," Tatel recalled of being berated with his German shepherd, Vixen. "You would have thought we were asking him to carry plutonium." Refusing to accommodate service dogs is a violation of the Americans With Disabilities Act, as well as the D.C. Human Rights Act, as Tatel's wife tried to explain to the driver. Tatel knows those laws well - in his three decades on one of the most influential appeals courts in the nation, he has written opinions on discrimination impacting institutions from D.C. public schools to the U.S. Foreign Service. But in the moment, he said, he felt as anyone would being shouted at on the street and refused service. "It's embarrassing; it's humiliating to be rejected for something because you're blind," he said. "I've been blind a long time; I've had a lot of experiences. This was like nothing else." Such incidents, however, are not uncommon, according to the National Federation of the Blind (NFB). Six years ago, both Lyft and Uber settled lawsuits brought by the organization, making commitments to stop working with drivers who have refused to transport service dogs and to investigate claims of discrimination. (Individual suits against the companies are stymied by terms of service that require riders to settle complaints through arbitration.) Both agreements ended after three years with unclear impact because only Uber provided data and only during the litigation. In 2019, the company counted 5,460 complaints of service animal discrimination, saying that represented an 11 percent decline from 2017. The NFB has collected its own data indicating denials have increased but acknowledges these voluntary surveys are incomplete. "We're all frustrated; we haven't gotten to where we need to be," National Federation of the Blind President Mark Riccobono said. The group wants "internal reporting, tracking of data and some transparency to the community about the data." In 2021, Uber introduced a new service called UberPet that costs about $5 extra; blind riders say it has made the problem worse because drivers will insist they use that service. (Both Uber and Lyft say their policy is that riders with guide dogs do not have to use UberPet.) "I'm constantly having to say this is not a pet, this is not a chihuahua - this is a service dog," said Karen Petrou, a financial policy analyst who travels often for work. Uber says it has a zero-tolerance policy for "confirmed instances" that a driver knowingly refused to take a service animal. Lyft says it parts ways with drivers who "knowingly" violate the policy after one confirmed or two alleged incidents. Both say in their policies that "allergies, religious objections, or a generalized fear of animals" are not valid reasons to refuse riders with service animals. In the NFB litigation, Uber said that few drivers are repeat offenders, indicating proper enforcement. The NFB said that was more likely a reflection of how rare it would be for a driver to be matched with multiple service dog users. But both companies maintain that they are not legally responsible for compliance with the law because they are not providing transportation, just technology connecting individual drivers and riders. Riccobono said that "every court which has considered the question has determined that these companies are subject to the Americans With Disabilities Act." One such ruling was written in 2021 by Tatel's former colleague Ketanji Brown Jackson, who now sits on the U.S. Supreme Court, in a lawsuit against Uber over wheelchair accessibility. New litigation is possible. Advocacy groups have encouraged reporting incidents to the Justice Department, which has sued both Uber and Lyft over treatment of people with disabilities in the past. Liz Bottner has been dutifully reporting her denied rides - 36 since September, including both an Uber and a Lyft on Christmas Eve. The agency responded each time by email that they "unfortunately do not have the resources to take direct action" for that report. "I don't know what the magic number is that they'll decide it's an issue," Bottner said. Olivia Norman says that after years of rejection she has given up and started using more expensive private car services. "I refuse to spend my money on companies that discriminate against me," she said. Her last bad experience was in January, when she was trying to get across D.C. for a brunch celebrating her new job at the Department of Veterans Affairs. She says the driver saw her, shouted that he didn't take pets and drove off. "It turns good moments into angry moments," she said. Taxis are regulated by city agencies and can be penalized for discrimination. But unlike cabs speeding away, cancellations by ride-share drivers are logged online. "These companies have some pretty powerful technology," Riccobono said. "We need them to use that technology to make recording and reporting of these incidents faster and easier, and connect blind people to resources if they are stranded." Sometimes those records become their own problem. Blind passengers have had to fight fees claiming they never showed up; during the pandemic several people said they were falsely flagged as refusing to wear a mask. Petrou said that after a recent trip to the Cosmos Club where a "terrible driver" resisted taking her guide dog, Lyft warned her she had been reported as a rude passenger. To get that off her record, she had to call and complain. "I could be cut off from the service," she said. Moira Shea, who was the first congressional aide to bring a guide dog on the Senate floor, said that early in the pandemic a driver falsely told Uber that she was not wearing a mask; after that she began taking pictures of herself before getting in cars. She's fought the company over multiple alleged violations. "There are some people who don't like blind people, who don't like women and don't like dogs," she said. "When you get in a car with someone like that, it's trouble." Uber said the company "investigates every report of a service animal denial and takes appropriate action" on "a case-by-case basis." Until April 2022, riders reported for not wearing masks were required to take a masked selfie before riding again; Uber said "no action was taken" to limit Shea's ability to use the app. The NFB suggested improvements to Uber as the settlement was expiring, including better education for drivers, translating the policy into different languages, and rewards for compliance. But Uber was not required to adopt those ideas. "Plaintiffs do not allege that Uber failed to comply with the terms of the Settlement," a federal judge in California wrote, "but simply complain that service animal discrimination remains pervasive." The liberal stronghold of Eugene, Ore., might seem like an unlikely place for the fossil fuel industry to flex its muscles. But in the months ahead, the gas industry is preparing to pour millions of dollars into a campaign to overturn Eugene's ban on gas hookups in new homes, turning the city into a test case for blocking similar bans nationwide. Last month, Sue Forrester, the American Gas Association's vice president for advocacy, told a meeting of gas utilities, contractors and labor unions that gas advocates expect to spend $4 million on the Eugene campaign, according to an audio recording obtained by The Washington Post. "This is something that we want you all to pay attention to because what happens here will spread across the country," Forrester said. "If there's a win here, it's certainly going to help the case that you don't need to be banning gas infrastructure, gas stoves, period, but especially in new construction." As climate activists push for electrification across the country, the future of gas-burning stoves, furnaces and other appliances is increasingly in doubt. Scientists and environmentalists say they are not just a climate concern, but also a health threat - a source of indoor air pollution that contributes to asthma. Dozens of cities and counties have adopted bans on gas hookups in new buildings, part of an effort to cut emissions from homes and businesses that account for about 11 percent of the nation's carbon pollution. But the gas industry isn't letting this movement grow unchallenged. Its lobbyists and industry allies have persuaded 20 states to pass legislation preempting local gas restrictions, and they are hoping to undo existing bans. A city of about 175,000 people, Eugene now finds itself girding for battle. Environmentalists, city leaders and high-school-student activists are organizing to defend Oregon's first gas ban, which the city passed earlier this year. Eugene, home to the University of Oregon, has a long history of enacting climate-friendly laws, including policies encouraging people to ditch their cars for cleaner transportation. But the local gas utility, NW Natural, argues the city has overstepped by banning gas and has funded a referendum campaign to overturn the law that has garnered more than enough signatures to appear on the city's November ballot. This means that, for the first time in the United States, voters will weigh in directly on the future of gas in new homes, turning a local ballot skirmish into one with national implications. Environmentalists fear a gas industry victory here could cascade, stifling nascent efforts to get fossil fuels out of buildings in other parts of Oregon and in other U.S. cities and counties. "I believe we're the vanguard, that we are leading the way for other cities in the Northwest and the nation to follow, and that's profoundly threatening to an industry that is built on expanding their customer base," said Eugene Mayor Lucy Vinis. The ballot initiative "has a serious chilling effect," she said, "and I think that's the intention." David Roy, a spokesman for NW Natural, said the company believes Eugene voters should have a direct say in whether to ban gas in new homes. "Thousands of those residents have already weighed in with the same sentiment," he said in an email, "which is why NW Natural supports the campaign." In a statement, Karen Harbert, president and chief executive of the American Gas Association, said Eugene's gas ban would "drive up energy bills for Oregonians with little environmental gain." Adam Kay, a spokesman for the group, confirmed that Forrester spoke at the meeting last month, but did not respond to a question about whether the industry group planned to contribute financially to the pro-gas campaign. NW Natural has already spent more than $900,000 in cash and in-kind benefits to overturn the gas ban, according to campaign finance data. But as Forrester's comments suggest, that may only be a start. "Can you imagine what $4 million is going to look like on a spend there?" she said last month, according to the audio recording. "And that's just the assumption that the campaign on the ground on the pro-gas side is expecting to spend." Eugene's ordinance could also face legal challenges. On Monday, a federal appeals court struck down the city of Berkeley's first-in-the-nation gas ban, dealing a potential setback to that California city and 25 others with similar ordinances. For NW Natural, the future of its business is on the ballot. For the gas industry nationwide, the stakes are also high, since its customers are clustered in urban, densely populated areas, where building gas lines has delivered the biggest payoff. These parts of the country also tend to have the most Democratic, climate-conscious voters, meaning the industry is facing a revolt from within its customer base. Berkeley, Calif., kick-started the movement in 2019, and since then, dozens of cities and counties in California, Washington and Massachusetts have effectively banned gas in most new buildings. Big cities like Seattle, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., have joined the push and, in 2021, New York City became the largest municipality in the world to bar most new buildings from using gas. While the gas industry has fought back aggressively, its push for preemption laws has been more successful in red states than blue states, where Democratic majorities in state capitals have largely rejected them. One such bill failed in Oregon's legislature earlier this year. To buck the trend, the industry is trying a different tactic: spending millions to convince liberals that gas is a clean energy source. "Eugene is a dark-blue bastion for progressive politics in the state," said Dylan Plummer, a senior campaign representative with the Sierra Club. "I think NW Natural picked Eugene to use it as a test balloon - to say if we can win in Eugene, we can win anywhere." Depending on whom you ask, the gas company's campaign is either an attack on Eugene's democratically elected leaders, or a needed intervention to rein in liberals who've lost touch with their constituents. The gas industry-backed committee has framed its campaign as protecting consumer choice. Its supporters say that ditching gas for electricity in new homes will discourage developers from building in Eugene, leave residents in the cold during power outages and do little to lower the city's greenhouse gas emissions. "We have heard pretty clearly from the business community that this will definitely affect economic development and job growth," said campaign manager Anne Marie Levis, adding that NW Natural is one member of a coalition that includes home builders, the restaurant industry, and two chambers of commerce groups. Some residents, like Douglas Moorhead, fear this law is only the beginning. The council could eventually go further, he said, forcing homeowners to give up their gas stoves and furnaces. "To outlaw gas is fanatical," he said. Years ago, he developed a manufactured-home community in Eugene where incoming residents could choose electric or gas heating - the vast majority chose gas, he said. The 70-year-old project manager said he is skeptical of humans' role in global warming, but even if he did agree with scientists' calls for people to stop burning fossil fuels, he's not convinced that banning gas would accomplish much. "Even the city's own studies have shown it's going to reduce the carbon footprint for Eugene less than 1 percent - it's very small," Moorhead said. "And yet it's an easy way of looking like you're doing big things." Gas ban proponents counter that electrification would make it cheaper to build new homes, as developers would not have to pay for gas lines to be laid down, and that advances in heat pump technology have made them suitable for cold climates. Vinis said that Eugene's gas usage has been increasing by about 2 percent annually, locking in years of higher emissions and ultimately making it more difficult for the city and homeowners to convert existing buildings to electricity. "The advantage of drawing a line and saying from here on in new housing won't have this fossil fuel infrastructure is we're avoiding future costs," she said. "It's not insignificant, it's worth doing," she said of the ban, "and we're not impacting current households." Whether Eugene residents will support or overturn the gas ban may come down to how the ballot measure is written. Soon after the city crafted ballot language, attorneys for environmental advocates filed a legal challenge calling it misleading and arguing that it did not make clear the gas prohibition only applies to new construction. They suggested alternative wording that would tell voters the gas ban is part of the city's efforts to comply with its climate code, which requires a sharp reduction in fossil fuel use. "They're thinking that as long as people understand this is part of a broader strategy to reduce our fossil fuel emissions, it'll survive the referendum. And I suspect that's true," said Craig Kauffman, an associate professor of environmental politics at the University of Oregon. Eugene residents tend to support progressive causes, Kauffman said, and they have repeatedly backed city leaders who campaigned on addressing climate change. In recent years, the city, like much of the Pacific Northwest, has suffered drought, deadly heat waves and destructive wildfires in forests that historically have gotten too much rainfall to burn - events that scientists have linked to an overheating planet. "NW Natural is hoping they can just frame this as 'choice is good.' And if you just frame it like that - 'Do you want choice or no choice?' - there's a possibility you could get a majority of people saying, 'Yeah, I want choice,' " Kauffman said. "That's where I think the battle is headed." Eugene's status as a college town could be another factor in the vote. Dozens of university students attended the two public hearings the City Council held on the gas ban late last year to speak in favor of the ordinance. Last month, high school junior Milla Vogelezang-Liu and other youth organizers participated in a walkout of local high school and college students protesting NW Natural's anti-electrification efforts. If college students turn out in force in November, it could be a problem for the gas industry. "The youth vote is what is making the difference on the climate front. It's flipping seats, flipping states," said Victoria Whalen, a law student at the university, who attended one of the City Council hearings to support the gas ban. But like many students, Whalen is registered to vote in her home state, where she feels her voice is needed more than in liberal-leaning Oregon. And apart from when they coincide with the presidential cycle, Vinis said, city elections don't usually draw university students in large numbers. Forrester, the industry official, told her colleagues in last month's meeting that student voter turnout "is something really to keep your eye on." "It'll be interesting to see what they do with the students there, whether they will register to vote, whether they will turn out and vote," she said in the recording. Oregon has seen expensive ballot measures before, but the planned spending by the pro-gas campaign is unlike anything Eugene has experienced in recent memory, said local elected officials. In a typical citywide election, a candidate might raise between $100,000 to $150,000, Vinis said. The prospect of $4 million flooding a city of only 118,000 registered voters has some of the ban's advocates wondering if it's even possible to defend it. "It's really going to be an uphill, muddy battle. It's the giant versus the little people," said Emily Semple, a Eugene City Council member who voted in favor of the ban. "I don't know how we're going to stand up to that." States that have enacted abortion bans saw a 10.5 percent drop in applicants for obstetrics and gynecology residencies in 2023 from the previous year, according to new data from the Association of American Medical Colleges. That decline carries a potential long-term impact on the availability of doctors to care for pregnant people and deliver babies across a large swath of the South and Midwest because medical residents often choose to stay and work where they trained. "Everybody is saying they knew this would happen, but this is concerning," said Atul Grover, who leads the association's Research and Action Institute to examine the most pressing issues affecting American health care. He has a message to policymakers: "You may be discouraging some of the best candidates from coming to your state to train." The abortion bans implemented across more than a dozen states after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last June prompted many medical students to question whether states with new restrictions would offer them the training necessary to care for patients. When it came time to submit applications to OB/GYN training programs last fall, Lucy Brown decided against storied medical residencies in Texas and Florida. Nor, to her disappointment, would the Indiana medical student be training close to her family in Kentucky, a region that is losing obstetricians even as its maternal mortality crisis worsens. In her clinical rotations through Indiana University School of Medicine, the 26-year-old has cared for patients who needed to terminate pregnancies because of cancer and other health reasons. Indiana passed a near-total abortion ban last August that a judge has blocked while the law is being challenged in court. "When you are in a blue state, you can give her all her options. But in a red state, you are just like, sorry, there's nothing more that we can do," said Brown, who decided to do her residency in Maryland, where abortion remains legal. "Everything is up in the air whereas in a blue state, I just follow the guidelines. I can just counsel the way I'm supposed to counsel." Grover cautioned that it is too early to tell exactly what's driving the decline in interest in OB/GYN residencies in states with abortion restrictions. The association also found a 5 percent drop in OB/GYN applicants nationally. Despite the decline, nearly all of the 1,503 residency positions were filled this year because the number of applicants exceeded the number of training slots available, the association said. Abortion bans influenced Mindy Sharon's decisions about where to pursue a residency in emergency medicine because ER doctors may need to terminate pregnancies or work with OB/GYN doctors to terminate them. Sharon, who is graduating from the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine in Huntington, W.Va., next week, felt she could not receive a well-rounded medical education in states where abortion is outlawed. While abortion bans generally create exemptions to protect the life of the mother, hospitals and doctors say ambiguities in laws have resulted in medically necessary abortions being delayed or denied and caused confusion in emergency rooms. "It really ties peoples' hands," said Sharon, 31. "I didn't want to be in a situation of letting that decision dictate what type of care I could give." She decided against applying to residencies in Texas, despite it being home to multiple coveted emergency medicine programs, because of the state's ban on abortion after six weeks. And she no longer saw West Virginia, where she also received her bachelor's degree and master's in public health, as suitable for the final leg of her education after lawmakers passed a near-total ban on abortion. "The way health care has been treated here with this ban and the politics of it all just don't align with my values," said Sharon, who will head to Stanford Medicine in California this summer. "I would love to come back and take care of West Virginians, but for right now, this is not a place that's going to advance my training." The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education requires OB/GYN residency programs to offer education and training in comprehensive family planning - including clinical experience in induced abortion - to maintain accreditation, prompting programs in states with bans to send residents to other jurisdictions for training. "Clinical experience in performing induced abortions is essential to the evidence-based practice of obstetrics and gynecology, and the decision was made to preserve the integrity of the requirement for preparing physicians to practice anywhere in the United States," the council said in a statement by spokesman Justin Dreyfuss. Tennessee's abortion ban has complicated the University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine's ability to train doctors in abortion care and attract applicants to its obstetrics and gynecology residency, said Nikki Zite, vice chair of education and advocacy at school's OB/GYN department. Sending residents out of state for abortion training can be complicated, she said. Two residents who were unable to obtain licenses to train in another state were only able to observe abortions instead of receiving hands-on training. Other residents with young children may not want to leave town for more than a weekend. As legislators weigh further abortion restrictions in the neighboring states of North Carolina, Virginia and South Carolina, Zite said officials at the University of Tennessee hospital are exploring options to offer abortion training as far away as Chicago, New York and Pittsburgh. Zite, who used to run the university hospital's OB/GYN residency program, worries more doctors will turn away from OB/GYN as a specialty because of the complications caused by abortion bans. "We are already seeing OB/GYN deserts, places where hospitals close or they had to close labor and delivery units due to lack of providers," Zite said. "That means patients are traveling for their care and unfortunately that means more disjointed care and potentially metrics they are trying to improve like maternal mortality and other complications are going to go up." Ingrid Skop, an obstetrician and director of medical affairs at Charlotte Lozier Institute, which opposes abortion, said it is "premature to draw the conclusion that states with abortion restrictions will have fewer physicians choosing to attend residencies there." Skop said she had spoken to many medical students who do not want to be trained to perform abortions during their residencies. Medical residents have long been allowed to opt out of participating in induced abortions for moral or religious objections, according to the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. "The procedures and medications used to perform elective abortions are the same used to manage pregnancy loss," Skop said, "so residents will obtain adequate experience without actively ending human life." The waning medical student interest in furthering their OB/GYN training in states with abortion bans comes at a time when established members of the medical profession are also exploring ways to respond to the new restrictions. Medical professional organizations are debating whether to hold their annual meetings in states with bans, and some senior doctors are opting not to work in those states. Pamela Parker, an OB/GYN who worked for years in Texas along the Rio Grande, said she left the state following the enactment of its six-week abortion ban because she could no longer work in such a restrictive climate. "As I seek jobs, I keep the Guttmacher map on my desktop," Parker said, referring to the reproductive rights research organization that tracks state restrictions on abortion. "I get a lot of requests for temporary or permanent jobs from states with bans, and I let them know why I would not ever practice in their state." Carrissa Gomez, a first-year medical student at the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, said abortion laws would definitely influence where she eventually seeks a residency because she wants to learn how to perform elective abortions as she sees reports of women struggling to find doctors willing to provide them. "It is a number one factor for me," said Gomez, 31, who can't envision herself training in Florida, where many of her peers complete rotations, or her home state of Texas. "I don't see myself ever wanting to practice in a state that has abortion bans even if I don't go into OB/GYN practice." Medical students also worry about their safety working in states roiled in intense debates over abortion. Brown, the Indiana University School of Medicine student, said she is hesitant to practice in states with lax gun laws and aggressive antiabortion movements. She was shaken by the experiences of her mentor Caitlin Bernard, an obstetrician-gynecologist and professor at her school who was investigated by the Indiana attorney general and faced backlash after sharing a story of providing an abortion for a 10-year-old rape victim who could not receive an abortion in her home state. "I witnessed how she dealt with literal threats to her life, just horrifying things. It's not something I would wish on anybody, and it's not something I myself could handle here," Brown said. "I don't think that's a good learning environment." April 14-20, 2023 This photo gallery highlights some of the most compelling images made or published by Associated Press photographers in Asia and the Pacific. Ryan Welch/The Enterprise Just over a month after the Beaumont ISD school board voted to approve turnaround organization Third Future Schools to operate two of its campuses, it's adding another one to the list. The school board unanimously voted Thursday night to approve the Colorado-based charter system to operate Fehl-Price Elementary, which had been operated by Lewisville-based ResponsiveEd in 2019. DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) A man was sentenced to up to 50 years in prison for killing his neighbor during an argument over a lawnmower. Nery Lopez Morales, 52, was sentenced Thursday for the death of 42-year-old Amber Burton, in what the victim's mother called "one of the most stupid reasons I have ever heard to shoot someone. HOUSTON (AP) A Texas judge has stopped next week's scheduled execution of a death row inmate who has long said he's innocent so there can be more time to review his claims that he was convicted more than 20 years ago with false testimony and questionable evidence. Ivan Cantu had been condemned for the fatal shooting of his cousin, James Mosqueda, 27, and his cousins girlfriend, Amy Kitchen, 22, during a November 2000 robbery at their north Dallas home. Cantu has long claimed he is innocent. Cantu, 49, had been set for execution April 26. But state District Judge Benjamin Smith in Collin County, where Cantu was convicted, on Wednesday withdrew the execution date, saying more review is needed of the inmates new claims. Bill Wirskye, first assistant district attorney with the Collin County District Attorneys Office, declined to comment. Because Mr. Cantus case raises troubling questions that undermine the integrity of the conviction, the courts decision to withdraw the execution date to permit further review was the appropriate next step, Gena Bunn, Cantus attorney, said in a statement on Friday. Sylvia Cantu, Ivan Cantus mother, said she remains hopeful that all of this new evidence will finally be heard in court so that Ivan can come home. Two of the jurors who convicted Cantu have submitted declarations stating they now have doubts about the case. I do not want the execution of Mr. Cantu to be carried out unless a careful and thorough review of the evidence is conducted, Maurice Jacob, one the jurors, wrote in declaration from earlier this month. Prosecutors have claimed Cantu, who was convicted in 2001, killed Mosqueda, who dealt illegal drugs, and Kitchen as he tried to steal cocaine, marijuana and cash from his cousins home. Cantu has claimed a rival drug dealer killed his cousin. In Cantus apartment, police found bloody jeans with the victims DNA, a key to the victims home and a key to Kitchens car. Police found Cantus gun at his ex-girlfriends home. Mosquedas blood was found on the guns barrel while Cantus fingerprints were found on the guns magazine. In a 2005 affidavit, Matthew Goeller, one of Cantus trial attorneys, said Cantu admitted to him that he had indeed killed Mosqueda for ripping him off on a drug deal and that Kitchen was killed because she was a witness. Cantus then-girlfriend, Amy Boettcher, was the prosecutions main witness. She testified Cantu told her he was going to kill Mosqueda and Kitchen and later took her back to the crime scene after the killings. But in court documents, Bunn alleges Boettchers testimony is riddled with false statements. Boettcher, who died in 2021, testified Cantu stole and later got rid of Mosquedas Rolex watch. But the watch wasnt stolen and was later found by Mosquedas family, Bunn said. Boettcher told jurors Cantu proposed to her on the night of the killings with an engagement ring he stole from Kitchen. But witnesses have since said Cantu and Boettcher had announced their engagement and showed off the ring a week before the killings, according to Bunn. Boettcher testified Cantu placed his bloody jeans and socks in their kitchen trashcan on the night of the killings. But Cantus lawyers have questioned this because a police officer who was in his apartment the next day did not see the bloody clothes in the trashcan and they werent discovered until several days later, supporting the defenses theory that someone else put them in the trashcan. Jeff Boettcher, Amys brother, testified that prior to the killings, Cantu told him he planned to kill Mosqueda and Cantu had tried to recruit him to clean up afterward. However, Jeff Boettcher has since said he lied and was not a credible witness due to his history of drug abuse, according to court documents. Absent the largely unimpeached testimony of the Boettchers, it is unlikely that Mr. Cantu would have been convicted, Bunn said in court documents. Bunn has credited an independent probe by Matt Duff, a private investigator, with uncovering much of the new evidence in the case. Duff has chronicled his findings in a podcast called Cousins By Blood. ___ Follow Juan A. Lozano on Twitter at https://twitter.com/juanlozano70. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate MINNEAPOLIS (AP) A white former police officer convicted of manslaughter after mistaking her handgun for a Taser and fatally shooting Black motorist Daunte Wright in suburban Minneapolis in 2021 is set to be released from prison Monday. Minnesota Department of Corrections spokesman Andy Skoogman announced Friday that former officer Kim Potter was to be released after serving about 16 months of her two-year sentence. He said the exact timing of her departure Monday from Minnesota Correctional Facility-Shakopee wont be disclosed for security reasons. Our criminal investigative analysts are working closely with law enforcement to monitor the situation to ensure Kim Potter, like all incarcerated persons, is safe as she leaves our facility, Skoogman said in a statement. The shooting happened April 2021 as Derek Chauvin was on trial in Minneapolis on murder charges in George Floyds killing. Wright's death sparked several days of protests. Judge Regina Chu had said at Potter's sentencing that she would be required to serve two-thirds of her sentence 16 months then spend the rest on probation. Potter, now 50, appears much thinner in a new photo released by the Department of Corrections. Her attorney, Earl Gray, said he had no idea why her appearance changed. It just shows its rough doing time," Gray said. "I dont know many mug shots that show somebody in a good light. A message left with civil rights attorney Ben Crump, the lawyer for Wright's family, wasn't immediately returned. Wright, a 20-year-old father, was killed on April 11, 2021, after Brooklyn Center officers pulled him over for having expired license tags and an air freshener hanging from his rearview mirror. Officers discovered he had a warrant for a misdemeanor weapons possession charge and he was shot during a struggle as officers tried to arrest him. Civil rights advocates say laws against hanging objects from rearview mirrors have been used as a pretext for stopping Black motorists. Potter is heard on video yelling Taser several times just before she fires her pistol as Wright tried to drive away from the traffic stop. The state attorney generals office had sought a sentence recommended by state guidelines of just over seven years in prison. Wright's family and Crump denounced the two-year sentence as too lenient and accused the judge of giving more consideration to the white officer than the Black victim. Wrights mother, Katie Wright, said after the sentencing that Potter murdered my son, adding: Today the justice system murdered him all over again. Chu said at the time that the case wasnt the same as other high-profile killings, including George Floyd's death that resulted in a 22 1/2-year sentence for Chauvin. This is a cop who made a tragic mistake, she said. Defense attorneys argued at the sentencing hearing that Potter deserved leniency because Wright was trying to drive away and Potter had the right to defend herself. Potter, a 26-year police veteran, apologized to Wright's family at sentencing and spoke directly to his mother: Katie, I understand a mothers love. Im sorry I broke your heart ... my heart is broken and devastated for all of you. The American Lung Association's (ALA) newly released "State of the Air Report" gave 50% of Connecticut's counties a failing score for high ozone days. Fairfield, Middlesex, New Haven and New London counties all received an "F" for average annual number of high ozone days. According to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), ozone alone contributes to the majority of unhealthy air quality days in the state. Ozone is harmful to both the environment and human health, posing a threat to the respiratory tract and mucus membranes. DEEP also noted that children are especially susceptible to being affected by high ozone levels given their respiratory tracts are not fully developed. High ozone days refer to the number of days a county has ozone levels that exceed the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) limit of 70 parts per billion (ppb). The EPA sets this limit on 8-hour maximum concentrations of ozone, and the State of the Air Report measured how many days a county exceeded those EPA maximums. The study also counted how many days each county experienced that fell into color categories that are weighted differently depending on just how much the ozone levels exceeded the maximum amount, as permitted by the EPA. The colors, ranging from green to maroon, indicate how high the ozone level was. The ALA took three years worth of data, from 2019 to 2021, and calculated the average number of days on which ozone levels were over 70 ppb. According to the association, "grades were assigned based on the weighted averages as follows: A=0.0 (average annual high ozone days), B=0.3-0.9, C=1.0-2.0, D=2.1-3.2, F=3.3+." The full methodology can be seen here. The data shows that on average, Fairfield County had the highest number of annual high ozone days at 17.2 days, while Litchfield County had the fewest, at an average of just 0.3 annual high ozone days. Fairfield County was also ranked No. 24 on the 25 worst areas for ozone pollutants. For the four failing counties, Fairfield and New Haven's numbers showed to be trending downward in comparison to the previous year's State of the Air report, while both Middlesex and New London's numbers were trending upward. Additionally, the report included data for particle pollution in Connecticut. Examples of particle pollution include dust, dirt, soot, smoke and/or drops of liquid in the air. Five of the Nutmeg State's counties recorded data for particle pollution: Fairfield and New Haven, which both received "C's" Hartford, Litchfield and New London, which all received "B's." The State of the Air report found that across the United States, 36% of residents live in areas with failing health grades for unhealthy levels or ozone of particle pollution. It also found that climate change is exacerbating the issue of air quality, and that people of color are over three times more likely to live in a county with a failing air quality grade. DEEP notes that ozone does not come directly from any one source; it is made when other compounds interact with radiation in the air. These other compounds come from man-made sources like cars, trucks, and busses, large combustion and industrial facilities and off-road engines like construction vehicles, airplanes and trains, to name a few. The EPA's AirNow website provides real-time updates on air quality nationwide for more location-specific information, and the State of the Air report also includes daily "A" through "F" grades for ozone levels. Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont has been pushing for legislation that would extend the state's existing carbon-reduction blueprint into different sectors of the economy. In May 2022, Lamont signed two pieces of climate legislation into law that were aimed at reducing vehicle and power emissions. The Connecticut Department of Transportation has also launched a "Drive Less CT Climate Challenge," this Earth Day that aims to encourage eco-friendly commuting through various incentives. Additional reporting by John Moritz. (The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.) Matthew Delmont, Dartmouth College (THE CONVERSATION) Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower had a problem. In June 1944, Allied forces had landed on Normandy Beach in France and were moving east toward Nazi Germany at a clip of sometimes 75 miles (121 kilometers) per day. With most of the French rail system in ruins, the Allies had to find a way to transport supplies to the advancing soldiers. Our spearheads were moving swiftly, Eisenhower later recalled. The supply service had to catch these with loaded trucks. Every mile doubled the difficulty because the supply truck had always to make a two-way run to the beaches and back, in order to deliver another load to the marching troops. The solution to this logistics problem was the creation of the Red Ball Express, a massive fleet of nearly 6,000 2-ton General Motors cargo trucks. The term Red Ball came from a railway tradition whereby railmen marked priority cars with a red dot. From August through November 1944, 23,000 American truck drivers and cargo loaders 70% of whom were Black moved more than 400,000 tons of ammunition, gasoline, medical supplies and rations to battlefronts in France, Belgium and Germany. These Red Ball Express trucks and the Black men who drove and loaded them made the U.S. Army the most mobile and mechanized force in the war. They also demonstrated what military planners have long understood logistics shape what is possible on the fields of battle. Thats a point well known in todays war in Ukraine: As the Russian invasion stretches into its second year, logistics have been an important factor. Supplying the front lines The Red Ball Express gave the Allies a strategic advantage over the German infantry divisions, which were overly reliant on rail, wagon trains and horses to move troops and supplies. A typical German division during the same period had nearly 10 times as many horses as motor vehicles and ran on oats just as much as oil. This limited the range of the vaunted Blitzkrieg, or lightning attacks, because German tanks and motorized units could not move far ahead of their infantry divisions and supplies. Driving day and night, the Red Ball truckers earned a reputation as tireless and fearless troops. They steered their loud, rough-driving trucks down pitch-black country roads and through narrow lanes in French towns. They drove fast and adopted the French phrase tout de suite immediately, right now as their motto. Gen. George S. Patton wanted us to eat, sleep, and drive, but mostly drive, one trucker recalled. James Rookard, a 19-year-old truck driver from Maple Heights, Ohio, saw trucks get blown up and feared for his life. There were dead bodies and dead horses on the highways after bombs dropped, he said. I was scared, but I did my job, hoping for the best. Being young and about 4,000 miles away from home, anybody would be scared. Patton concluded that the 2 truck is our most valuable weapon, and Col. John D. Eisenhower, the supreme commanders son, argued that without the Red Ball truck drivers, the advance across France could not have been made. Fighting Nazis and racism The Red Ball Express was a microcosm of the larger Black American experience during World War II. Prompted by the Pittsburgh Courier, an influential Black newspaper at the time, Black Americans rallied behind the Double V campaign during the war, which aimed to secure victory over fascism abroad and victory over racism at home. Many soldiers saw their service as a way to demonstrate the capabilities of their race. The Army assigned Black troops almost exclusively to service and supply roles, because military leaders believed they lacked the intelligence, courage and skill needed to fight in combat units. Despite the racism they encountered during training and deployment, Black troops served bravely in every theater of World War II. Many saw patriotism and a willingness to fight as two characteristics by which manhood and citizenship were defined. The boundaries between combat roles and service roles also blurred in war zones. Black truck drivers often had to fight their way through enemy pockets and sometimes required armored escorts to get valuable cargo to the front. Many of the white American soldiers who relied on supplies delivered by the Red Ball Express recognized the drivers valor at the time. An armored division commander credited the Red Ball drivers with allowing tankers to refuel and rearm while fighting. The Black drivers delivered gas under constant fire, he said. Damned if Id want their job. They have what it takes. A 5th Armored Division tank driver said, If it wasnt for the Red Ball we couldnt have moved. They all were Black drivers and they delivered in the heat of combat. Wed be in our tanks praying for them to come up. Logistics in Ukraine Days into the war, Ukraines armed forces destroyed all railway links between Ukraine and Russia to thwart the transport of Russian military equipment and tanks. Relying on trucks and road networks, Russian convoys encountered fuel shortages and counterattacks from Ukrainian military and civilians. The Russian militarys ability to move supplies across extended distances as well as Ukraines ability to disrupt those supply lines is still pivotal in determining the future of the war. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: https://theconversation.com/the-forgotten-story-of-black-soldiers-and-the-red-ball-express-during-world-war-ii-179743. Mandatory stop-and-frisk. Deploying the military to fight street crime, break up gangs and deport immigrants. Purging the federal workforce and charging leakers. Former president Donald Trump has steadily begun outlining his vision for a second-term agenda, focusing on unfinished business from his time in the White House and an expansive vision for how he would wield federal power. In online videos and stump speeches, Trump is pledging to pick up where his first term left off and push even further. Where he earlier changed border policies to reduce refugees and people seeking asylum, he's now promising to conduct an unprecedented deportation operation. Where he previously moved to make it easier to fire federal workers, he's now proposing a new civil service exam. After urging state and local officials to take harsher measures on crime and homelessness, Trump says he is now determined to take more direct federal action. "In 2016, I declared I am your voice," Trump said in a speech last month at the Conservative Political Action Conference and repeated at his first 2024 campaign rally in Waco a few weeks later. "Today, I add: I am your warrior. I am your justice. And for those who have been wronged and betrayed, I am your retribution." Trump's emerging platform marks a sharp departure from traditional conservative orthodoxy emphasizing small government, which was famously summed up in Ronald Reagan's first inaugural address: "Government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem." Trump, by contrast, is proposing to apply government power, centralized under his authority, toward a vast range of issues that have long remained outside the scope of federal control. Experts called some of Trump's ideas impractical, reckless, self-defeating, potentially illegal and even dangerous. Some of Trump's specific proposals are admittedly underdeveloped, such as a plan for building futuristic cities from scratch on unused federal land, which has been compared to projects in repressive regimes such as Saudi Arabia. But Trump has a track record of floating ideas that stoke widespread outrage or confusion, then roiling government and legal institutions to realize them, such as banning citizens of several majority-Muslim countries from coming to the United States and imposing trade barriers. Trump is currently facing federal and local criminal investigations arising from his unsuccessful efforts to overturn his 2020 election defeat, which ultimately inspired a deadly riot by his supporters at the U.S. Capitol. "As with so many things Trump, it'll be sticky to sort out where what he's proposing is literally unlawful, which some things would be, and where what he's proposing would fly in the face of well-established and deeply principled norms," said Steve Vladeck, an expert on constitutional and national security law at the University of Texas at Austin. Trump campaign advisers said the former president will continue rolling out new policy ideas, with the goal of being upfront with voters about his agenda and letting them vote based on policy, similar to how he released a list of his potential Supreme Court nominees during the 2016 campaign. They identified Trump's top priority as public safety and law enforcement, while stressing a commitment to collaborating with state authorities and working within the law. "Together, we are going to finish what we started," Trump said at the Waco rally last month. "With you at my side, we will totally obliterate the deep state, we will banish the warmongers from our government, we will drive out the globalists, and we will cast out the communists and Marxists, we will throw off the corrupt political class, we will beat the Democrats, we will rout the fake news media, we will stand up to the RINOs, and we will defeat Joe Biden and every single Democrat." Supporters have cheered Trump's continued turn away from longtime conservative orthodoxy, such as free trade and foreign interventions, and credited him for ushering in larger shift in the party. In articulating a vision of a more coercive right-wing government, Trump is finding common ground with his leading rival for the 2024 Republican nomination, Ron DeSantis. The Florida governor has laid out his own doctrine of asserting more government power, exemplified by his flagship bills restricting classroom instruction of diversity, gender and sexual orientation; his moves to punish Disney for opposing him; and his suspension of a Democratic prosecutor. The shared positioning on executive power by Trump and DeSantis, who lead early primary polls, underscores how much Trump has reshaped the Republican base in the mold of his "Make America Great Again" movement. "The Reagan limited-government conservatism and emphasis on federalism is being displaced by a new muscular, nationalizing cultural conservatism, with a lot of anger," said Larry Diamond, a senior fellow at Stanford University's Hoover Institution who studies democracy. "One thing we've learned about Trump and authoritarian populists like him is not to dismiss what they're saying as just idle language and toothless roar. We need to take it very seriously." The rise of a more activist view of right-wing governance has sparked a wider debate within the conservative movement. Former New Jersey governor Chris Christie, another potential presidential aspirant, has criticized Trump and DeSantis as not conservative. "The reality is we have to meet the government where it is presently," said Paul Dans, director of the Heritage Foundation's 2025 Presidential Transition Project, an effort by the conservative think tank and other conservative groups to develop policy proposals, personnel recommendations, training and transition plans representing a consensus of the conservative movement. "That's really where the more activist leaning is coming from in this project, that we need skilled operators to start taking this battleship and pointing it in a new direction." The Trump campaign's policy development is being led by Vince Haley, a former White House aide who previously worked for former House speaker Newt Gingrich. As the current Trump campaign's policy head, Haley has been coordinating with Heritage and partner organizations the Conservative Partnership Institute and the Center for Renewing America, as well as the America First Policy Institute and Stephen Miller's America First Legal, to consider policy ideas and potential personnel picks for an administration-in-waiting. One adviser likened the collaborative spirit to the weekly meetings of conservative minds convened by the anti-tax activist Grover Norquist. Heritage and partner groups, which are unveiling their full policy book at a conference outside Washington on Friday, say they're laying the groundwork for a future Republican president without picking sides and have been in discussions with DeSantis's team as well, led by policy aide Dustin Carmack. The Center for Renewing America is officially neutral; its president, former Trump budget director Russ Vought, has endorsed Trump, while senior fellow Ken Cuccinelli is leading a pro-DeSantis super PAC. "I guarantee the stuff we're putting forward is not going to get thrown in the trash," said Vought, who contributed the transition project's chapter on exercising authority through the Executive Office of the President, akin to a playbook for a White House chief of staff. Some of Vought's ideas have found their way into Trump's proposals, such as a recent announcement on bringing independent agencies such as the Federal Trade Commission and Federal Communications Commission under White House supervision. "There's a glove of power needed to beat back the administrative state or deep state," he said, "and if you're not willing to put your hand in that glove you will fail, regardless of how much credibility you have with the base." On the campaign trail, Trump has acknowledged the advantage of having more allies to help him prepare to operate the vast expanses of the administration more immediately than after his surprise win in 2016. "When I went there, I didn't know a lot of people; I had to rely on, in some cases, RINOs and others to give me some recommendations, but I know them all now," he said in Iowa last month, referring pejoratively to "Republicans in Name Only." "I know the good ones, I know the bad ones, I know the weak ones, I know the strong ones." The new cities proposal consists of a national contest to charter up to 10 D.C.-sized metropolises on undeveloped federal land. Administration officials discussed the concept toward the end of Trump's term, but he did not campaign on it in 2020. Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner pushed the idea in White House meetings after it was initially brought up by Haley and another speechwriter on Miller's team, Ross Worthington, who is also now on the 2024 campaign, according to a person familiar with the matter, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe private conversations. Trump has discussed the new "Freedom Cities" in utopian terms, with flying cars, manufacturing hubs and opportunities for homeownership, promising a "quantum leap in the American standard of living." The campaign has provided few details on how the plan would work in practice. Trump acknowledged that the idea needed more work over a Sunday dinner in mid-March, according to economic adviser Stephen Moore. "He said, 'I'm still trying to figure out how it's going to work,' something like that,'" Moore recalled in an interview. "He said, 'How do you think we should make that work?' And I'm going to help him with the idea." Moore said the cities could be designed in part by offering tax incentives and creating a "super police force that keeps the place safe," reflecting GOP allegations that Democratic-run cities are awash with crime. It's not clear how that will prove more attractive than similar measures already enacted by GOP governors. Even some of Trump's allies have been skeptical of the plan. "I hate this thing," one outside economic adviser to Trump said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to describe private conversations with campaign officials. "The economic problems facing the nations are so severe, and we're going to talk make-believe about 'building new cities'?" Experts stress that cities have historically grown around natural centers of economic activity rather than state edict. "You can't just wave a wand and have cities come into being," said Rick McGahey, an economist at the New School who specializes in urban growth. "This is not where cities come from. The concept does not work." Some observers say the idea more closely resembles libertarian fantasies, such as that produced by a think tank funded by tech billionaire Peter Thiel, of new private communities run on cryptocurrency. Others found it reminiscent of projects to build centrally controlled cities from scratch in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Trump has routinely praised and defended authoritarian foreign leaders such as Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, along with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Some Trump allies give him credit for what they see as a bold new idea. One campaign adviser compared the proposal's ambition to the "Opportunity Zones" economic incentives in Trump's 2017 tax legislation, scaled up to emulate historic Republican achievements such as Abraham Lincoln's Homestead Act and Dwight D. Eisenhower's Interstate Highway System. "There is this broad recognition that we don't build enough things in America and that, you know, obviously, we have great American cities, but we haven't really built a new model city," said Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), who has endorsed Trump's presidential bid. "There are a lot of other countries that are trying different approaches out, and I think it's fine for us to think about doing that here, too." Trump has specified that he wants to define architectural standards in existing cities as well, insisting on classical-style buildings, monuments to "true American heroes," and schools and streets named "not after communists but patriots." He has also proposed forcibly removing homeless people to outlying tent cities, wading into an area usually left to local governments and relying on unclear federal authority. "Violators of these bans will be arrested, but they will be given the option to accept treatment and services if they are willing to be rehabilitated," Trump said in a recent campaign video. Similarly, Trump has suggested a stronger federal role in education, a matter that conservatives have traditionally advocated keeping under local control. He has proposed letting all parents use state funds to send their children to the school of their choice, similar to Republican-led legislation in Arizona, Iowa and Utah. Critics say the arrangement hollows out public education. Trump called for a school choice program during the 2016 campaign but didn't push it when Republicans controlled Congress, and a proposal by his education secretary, Betsy DeVos, for "Education Freedom Scholarships" went nowhere. A second Trump administration could expand school choice through budget reconciliation (requiring a simple majority in the Senate) by offering tax credits for tuition, according to Frederick M. Hess, the director of education policy studies at the right-leaning American Enterprise Institute. But a direct federal voucher program would entail increasing federal outlays on K-12 education. Trying to require school choice as a condition of districts' receiving federal funding probably would face a court challenge, Hess aid. Trump also proposed holding direct elections for parents to hire and fire school principals. Hess said that proposal lacks clear federal authority and raised a range of questions, such as who the candidates would be, whether they would be partisan, and who would set the qualifications and terms. "This is not a real solution," Houman Harouni, a lecturer at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, said of Trump's proposals. "It has to do with communicating to a portion of his base that they are going to have the religious or nationalist or exclusive education that they would like." Trump said he would reestablish a presidential commission to promote a "patriotic" curriculum that rejects scholarship on systemic racism. His "1776 Commission," which did not include any professional historians, released a report at the end of his presidency that demonized institutions such as federal agencies and universities. "What Trump is trying to resurrect is something that was thoroughly discredited by the professional historical community in a totally apolitical context," said James Grossman, executive director of the American Historical Association. "There's lots of places to look and see what happens when history education gets stripped of its professional integrity in the interest of a political party." In another form of enforcing loyalty and suppressing dissent, Trump has proposed making it easier to fire federal workers, cracking down on media leaks, and establishing a "truth and reconciliation commission" to publish records on alleged abuses by spy agencies. He said he will require all federal employees to pass a new civil service test covering due-process rights, free speech, religious liberties, and Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable search and seizure. "This is how I will shatter the deep state and restore government that is controlled by the people and for the people," Trump said in a campaign video. In another, he elaborated, "We need to clean house of all of the warmongers and America-Last globalists in the deep state, the Pentagon, the State Department and the national security industrial complex." Some of Trump's proposals for overhauling the merit-based civil service would require congressional action. The result could be to undermine the ability of professional public servants to reliably deliver government services without political interference, warned Max Stier, chief executive of the Partnership for Public Service, a nonpartisan nonprofit that supports federal workforce development. "He is proposing changes that would create the world that he is objecting to," Stier said. "It does have real-time consequences in terms of undermining public trust in our government. That's a real problem because trust in government is a core part of our democracy." Trump drew widespread criticism as president, especially during the demonstrations against the murder of George Floyd in 2020, for advocating harsh treatment of protesters, clearing peaceful demonstrators outside the White House, and deploying unmarked federal agents in Washington and Portland, Ore. Since leaving office, Trump has said he regrets not going even further to deploy military power domestically and wouldn't hesitate to do so if he returns to the White House. "In cities where there has been a complete breakdown of public safety, I will send in federal assets, including the National Guard, until law and order is restored," Trump said at CPAC. "We will use all necessary state, local, federal and military resources to carry out the largest domestic deportation operation in American history." In campaign videos and messages, Trump has specifically proposed requiring police departments to use stop-and-frisk, a tactic that has been widely criticized for discriminating against people of color and that a federal judge in New York found to violate the Constitution's prohibition on unreasonable searches. Trump also said he would order the Justice Department to investigate charging decisions by local prosecutors, challenging the constitutional division between federal and local authorities. He further proposed using federal law enforcement to dismantle gangs and execute drug dealers and human traffickers. Trump doesn't envision a national police force, the campaign adviser said, and in practice his initiatives could be accomplished through federal funding or joint operations with state authorities. The president has no legal authority over local police or prosecutors, and attempts to attach conditions to federal funding usually face litigation, according to Vladeck, the University of Texas law professor. There are legal limits on using the military for civilian law enforcement but allowances for acting in a support capacity that a Trump administration could try to exploit, Vladeck said. "Republicans have tried to corner the market on claiming the federal government has been weaponized, but that's what this is," he added. "And the only way you can do that is by interjecting federal authority into matters that constitutionally or at least traditionally have been reserved to the states." - - - The Washington Post's Liz Goodwin and Ashley Parker contributed to this report. (The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.) Mathew Schmalz, College of the Holy Cross (THE CONVERSATION) In a Catholic parish in Hobbs, New Mexico, a statue of the Virgin Mary has been weeping. Onlookers have gathered out of curiosity, and also for prayer and healing. The liquid on the statue has been found to be olive oil and balsam the same mixture that is used for certain Catholic rituals after being blessed by a bishop. Claims about supernatural phenomena, including weeping statues, have historically been common in Catholicism. A well-known example is the Madonna of Syracuse, Sicily, a plaster statue that has shed tears since 1953. Last year, in fact, weeping statues were reported in Hungary, Argentina and Macedonia, just to name a few. To understand why a weeping statue would be religiously meaningful, its first important to appreciate the connection between miracles and the Virgin Mary. Miracles and Mary Catholics believe Mary is the mother of Jesus Christ and, therefore, the mother of God. Throughout Catholic history, supernatural events have been attributed to Marys power. When Frances Chartres cathedral burned, only Marys relic called The Veil of the Virgin survived after being safeguarded by three priests who were miraculously preserved from the heat and flames. Marys intercession is also believed to have ensured victory at the Battle of Lepanto in 1571, when an Ottoman fleet was repulsed by the forces of Genoa, Venice and the papacy. Marys tears have special significance for Catholics: She cries not only over the sins of the world, but also over the pain she endured in her earthly life, referred to as the seven sorrows of Mary. These sorrows, which include the crucifixion and death of Jesus, are depicted by seven swords piercing Marys flaming heart. Even the flowery scent of olive oil and balsam evokes Mary since she is called the rose without thorns. Its not surprising for a weeping statue of Mary to become an object of prayer and devotion. And when this happens, the local bishop sometimes steps in to investigate. The possibility of trickery In examining claims of the supernatural, bishops are guided by standards set by the Vaticans Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which oversees Catholic doctrine. These standards primarily concern reports of apparitions of the Virgin Mary. But the framework also applies to other supernatural occurences, including weeping statues. Perhaps because they address controversial issues, the standards were only made public in 2012 nearly 35 years after they were first implemented. The bishop, or a committee appointed by him, evaluates the supernatural phenonmenons impact on the community. Positive aspects can be healings and conversions, or even a more general deepening of faith among Catholics. Negative aspects would include sinful acts such as selling oil from a weeping statue or making claims contrary to Catholic doctrine. One of the primary questions is whether the event has been staged. For example, in two cases of statues that wept blood one in Canada in 1986 and another in Italy in 2006 the blood turned out be that of the statues owner. Liquids can be injected into the porous material of statues and later seep out as tears. Oil that is mixed with fat can be applied to a statues eyes, which will weep when ambient temperatures rise in the chapel. In the case of the bronze statue of Mary in Hobbs, New Mexico, the investigation has uncovered no such trickery. But the fact that no cause has yet been found does not mean that a miracle has taken place. The Catholic Church rarely endorses weeping statues and similar phenomena. Usually, a bishop or the Vatican will only go as far as saying that faith and devotion are more important than tales of supernatural happenings. Searching for meaning While understanding the phenomenon, its also important to appreciate the stories and individual motivations that people bring when they pray or worship in the presence of a statue that seems to weep. In my hometown of Worcester, Massachusetts, for example, statues and pictures have wept oil and blood at the home of the late Audrey Santo, who died in 2007 at the age of 23. As a child, Little Audrey, as she is still called, was left mute and paralyzed after a swimming pool accident. In spite of her physical condition, she was believed to pray for those who made pilgrimages to see her. After her death, a foundation was established to promote her cause for sainthood. The statues and pictures weeping in her home were seen as signs that God had specially blessed Little Audreys life of suffering. In my writings about the case of Audrey Santo, I was tempted to focus on the stories of supernatural wonders. And the claims surrounding Little Audrey are still hotly debated. In the end, I thought it would be more interesting to study how people find meaning in phenomena like weeping statues. At the Santo home, the people I talked to shared moving personal stories of pain and sadness, hope and healing. The sense of togetherness in and through suffering was far more important than talk of miracles. In Worcester as well as in Hobbs, New Mexico I expect what is going on is much more than superstition. An updated version of this article was published on April 21, 2023. Read it here. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: https://theconversation.com/what-is-behind-belief-in-weeping-virgin-mary-statues-100358. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Trial and error is part of success - even if it involves rockets exploding in the sky. SpaceX captured nationwide attention Thursday morning as its massive Starship rocket lifted off from Southern Texas, and combusted just minutes later over the Gulf of Mexico. But what could be deemed a fiery failure actually provides crucial insight into a landmark rocket that is key to NASA's plan to return to the moon and possibly beyond, according to aerospace experts. "Engineers will tell you that they can learn as much from failure as a success," said Margaret Weitekamp, the chair of the space history department at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington. "There's always something to be learned from any sort of test. The point at which the 'failure' happens tells them something about what was working up to that point, and where things went wrong." Praise poured in from rocket watchers and space experts tuned into the launch. Bill Nelson, NASA administrator, congratulated SpaceX and tweeted that "every great achievement throughout history has demanded some level of calculated risk, because with great risk comes great reward." French astronaut Thomas Pesquet tweeted: "Never mistake trial for failure." - - - How SpaceX succeeded here Starship lifted off from SpaceX's launch facility in Boca Chica, Texas, just after 9:30 a.m. Eastern time Thursday morning. About four minutes into its flight time - and 24 miles in the air - the unmanned rocket tumbled, spun out of control and exploded over the Gulf of Mexico. The sheer scale of Starship, which is deemed the world's most powerful rocket, and its successful liftoff is a feat in itself. "This is a very large launch vehicle, and bigger can be more complicated to engineer," Weitekamp said. "It's very impressive." The problems began as SpaceX attempted main engine cutoff and separation. This is a key window for SpaceX engineers: It provides insight into what was working well in the spacecraft, and what wasn't, and will inform engineers how to ready its future spacecraft for launch. "It is too soon to speculate what happened there," Weitekamp said. "Engineers learn a lot from failure, and that's a part of the engineering process. And having a 'failure' at that point still meant that this was a flight that had a number of things go really right." The field of space exploration is filled with launches, tests and experiments gone awry. Weitekamp recalled hearing Simon Ramo, an aerospace engineer, speak at a conference in Washington in the 1990s. He happily described an early launch of his that took off, but quickly went sideways - leaving no option but for a range officer to destroy it. "He was very pleased," Weitekamp said. Ramo pointed out that there was great success in his sideways launch: major parts of the rocket clearly worked. "'The actual propulsion was working. . . . We now just need to make it go up,'" Weitekamp recalled him saying. "One can always learn from things that literally go sideways." - - - Starship's role in space exploration Starship is designed to lift large amounts of cargo and, eventually, people, into Earth's orbit before sending them to the moon and perhaps one day Mars. Once operational, SpaceX intends to use Starship to launch its Starlink satellites, which beam internet signals to ground stations, providing connectivity in remote and rural areas. NASA wants to use Starship, too. In 2021, the U.S. space agency awarded SpaceX a $2.9 billion contract to use Starship as the spacecraft that would put astronauts on the moon for the first human landing since the last of the Apollo missions in 1972. SpaceX has since won another contract, worth $1.15 billion, for a second landing. - - - SpaceX's track record blasting off and blowing up Falcon 9, the company's partially reusable launch vehicle, blew up twice - once during a launch of cargo to the International Space Station in 2015 and another time during an engine test while it was on the launchpad a year later. But SpaceX also lost several Falcon 9 rockets to explosions when the company was still trying to nail landing the system. Today, it may be the most reliable rocket in history, with 61 successful launches last year. Space exploration won't be hampered following the Starship combustion Thursday morning - or "rapid unscheduled disassembly" as SpaceX described it. Elon Musk said "in a few months," the company will simply try again. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate NEW HAVEN Dr. Yevheniia Polyakovas hospital in Zaporizhzhia is 15 miles from the war zone in Ukraine. Because of that, she has, in addition to other things, had to deliver a baby in a windowless bomb shelter using flashlights due to lack of electricity. When theres a bombing, we take our patients to go over to the bomb shelter but its very scary because, the first bomb, you dont know about that, Polyakova said. She, along with other six doctors, have brought their personal and professional experiences from Ukraine to Yale New Haven Hospital through a monthlong program allowing them to shadow Yale doctors and bring the expertise back home. Polyakova, who has been shadowing the obstetrics and gynecology units, said she wanted to come to the United States to learn about organization, the medical system and how to effectively provide care for a larger number of patients with fewer workers. She also hoped the new techniques and new medical technologies she learned in New Haven will be developed in Ukraine, once the war is over. The program was made possible by nonprofit Doctors United for Ukraine, which is backed by Yale Universitys Dwight Hall Center for Public Service and Social Justice. The six doctors, chosen from a pool of about 200, arrived April 1 and will return home May 1. They have been studying in the areas of anesthesia and intensive care, obstetrics and gynecology and mental health the three major areas of care needed in Ukraine, according to a programs director. This has been a real benefit to both sets of teams, said Dr. Tom Balcezak, chief clinical officer for the Yale health system. Dr. Andrey Zinchuk, director of Yale's advanced apnea management program who himself is from Ukraine, said the program emerged from seeing consequences of ruthless war and destroyed lives in the country. Despite supplies from other countries and humanitarian organizations, Zinchuk said there was also a huge need in medical skills and a need to adapt to the new reality after the war. For example, many of the dialysis centers in Ukraine have been damaged or destroyed, so Ukraines health care system is not pivoting to deliver care for chronically ill people with kidney diseases to do transplant, he said. But the program is really young, so training is needed. Dr. Anna Masoodi from Kyiv, who had worked through a monthlong blackout at home, said she wanted to come to Yale to learn organizational skills, transplanting support processes due to how new of a process it is back home and what she could do better in her practice. I will bring back team organization to the emergency room; it was amazing, she said, adding she also learned new protocols that dont exist in Ukraine. Its all crystallized. We do some training but not much (at home). Dr. Artem Chernov, who has been shadowing Yales obstetrics and gynecology, said the program was a great opportunity to meet with American colleagues and discuss and exchange experiences in their practice. The most precious thing in our line of work is professional communication, Chernov said. From surgical techniques to clinical practices and the mindsets, Chernov said he has seen many differences between American and Ukrainian health systems. While most medical procedures are the same all over the world, he said approaches and strategies when it comes to quality improvement or infection control are different. Ive learned a lot, he said. There's a list of many technical and non-technical things that I can bring back to Ukraine and share with colleagues of mine. Dr. Alla Vash-Margita, director of pediatric and adolescent gynecology for Yale, said while program is a pilot, the organization hopes to make it a sustainable, ongoing program. Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media Tough time for Ukrainian doctors Masoodi, who works at Kyiv Regional Hospital, said its scary everywhere in Ukraine because nobody knows whats going to happen. On the first of October, a missile launched and it killed my colleague from Kyiv hospital, Masoodi said. She was like me, she had a small son. The missile came down when she was driving, at the same time I was driving with my kid to my work. That could be her, Masoodi said, and everyone in the country has experienced some kind of effect from the war. Despite feeling more safe in New Haven, Masoodi said she wants to go back home because I feel like its my place to help, to work and to be at. As a physician and a mother working near a war zone, Polyakova said she always worried about her six-year-old son, who often has to sleep in a bomb shelter with his cousin while shes working. When youre working, you dont know what happens to your family and its hard not thinking about it while on a 14-hour working day, Polyakova said. While in New Haven, Polyakova said her husband is taking care of their son but its always scary. There recently was an attack in Zaporizhzhia, and Polyakova said she called her son, feeling shaken. On the bright side, I really like it here, but I miss my home so much, she said. Were very close to the front line but were together. Chernov, who works at a maternity hospital in Kyiv, said the hospital had to move underground for months during the beginning of the war when the capital city was attacked. The dirty, dusty basement wasnt really for medical and clinical activities, he said. It was a tough time, but its what we had to do, Chernov said. Although it was horrible to see his own city in a war condition full of military officers, Chernov said as the time passed, people got used to it as they realized lives had to go on. To help the rest of the world understand the impact and trauma from the war, Chernov put it this way: despite the large number of deaths from the COVID-19 pandemic, since the war started, we almost forgot about COVID as if it never happened to us. It cannot be compared with the war, he said. War is still so cruel, so harsh, so intense. Remains of a young boy, possibly from the 1890s, have been found in Georgetown County, South Carolina and archaeologists are asking for the public's help in finding his relatives. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources said the remains were discovered near the Fishing Village, a site of ongoing archaeological research on the Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center Heritage Preserve, following Hurricane Irma in 2017, SCDNR said this week. SCDNR is working with FHS Forensics on this project. FHS Forensics says archival research identified the area where he was found as a 19th-century fishing village, located between Mosquito Creek and Winyah Bay. FHS Forensics said clothing found with his remains resembled the fishermen shown in this 1915 photograph by Frank G. Tarbox, courtesy of the Georgetown County Digital Library. SCDNR says that DNA analysis suggests that John Doe had a possible connection to the Bahamas. Researchers said they have isolated a few common families among a handful of matches, including those with the surnames Washington, Deas, and Geddes/Gethers. The matches also suggest he might be related to Georgetown and Charleston families with ties to Florida and Virginia, or other coastal South Carolina locations like Black River and Johns Island. The department is now seeking older relatives of the matches it has found in order to get closer to John Doe in time. People interested in participating in DNA testing to learn whether they are related to John Doe should visit the FHD Forensics website. "One day soon, with the help of the public, we hope we will be able to say his name for the first time in over 100 years," a release from SCDNR said. SCDNR gets grant to help with project SCDNR says they received an emergency historic preservation grant from the National Park Service and the South Carolina Department of Archives and History in 2019 to conduct research and work to identify the remains and provide a proper reburial. Under the grant, SCDNR hired Dr. Jodi Barnes, a historical archaeologist, to lead the project. She is working with Dr. Bill Stevens, the Richland County deputy coroner and forensic anthropologist, Kalina Kassadjikova, a Ph.D. student in forensic anthropology and paleogenetics at the University of California Santa Cruz, and FHD Forensics to extract DNA and conduct genetic genealogy research. "Our team is grateful for the opportunity to help return this young man to his relatives," said Allison Peacock, president of FHD Forensics. In addition, Lt. Michael Thacker of the Georgetown County Sheriffs Office Criminal Investigations and Forensics team helped with the documentation and recovery of the South Island skeletal remains. Senior Special Agent Deborah Goff, SLED forensic artist, created a facial reconstruction in collaboration with Amie Duke, radiologist tech with Lexington Medical Center Radiology Department, and Summer Decker, director for 3D Clinical Applications at the University of South Florida Healths Department of Radiology. Archaeologists have invited representatives from the African American and Gullah Geechee communities to tour the site and participate in the project, including the archaeological lab and fieldwork, oral history, archival research, and the development of educational outreach programs. SCDNR says the ongoing research not only tells interrelated stories of climate, fishing, and Gullah Geechee life; it has resulted in a larger shoreline survey project documenting Gullah Geechee sites before they are lost to erosion and sea level rise. "This collaborative archaeological research involves oral history, archival research and DNA analysis to identify descendants," Barnes said. SCNR hopes telling his story and saying his name for the first time in decades is the next step to provide a proper burial for him. People interested in participating in DNA testing to learn whether they are related to him should visit the FHD Forensics website. Authorities arrested a Houston man April 13 for allegedly sending racist and misogynistic voicemails to California congresswoman Maxine Waters, who is Black. Per the Houston Chronicle's Jonathan Limehouse, Brian Michael Gaherty, 60, allegedly called Waters' California office on multiple occasions between August and November 2022. In the first call to Waters' office on Aug. 8, 2022, Gaherty allegedly used ethnic slurs while giving graphic details about how he would kill the congresswoman in a voicemail. Gaherty left another voicemail after calling Waters' office again on Nov. 16, 2022, in which he allegedly said he was "looking for her," and that he planned to "bust" her "upside her head," according to the Chronicle's Limehouse. Joseph Francis Vinas, Gaherty's attorney, did not respond to a request for comment on Thursday, according to Limehouse. Rep. Waters wasn't the only member of congress Gaherty has threatened, according to the Chronicle's review of court documents. Per Limehouse's reporting on Harris County court documents, "[Gaherty] is also accused of threatening to assault at least two other members of congress, both of whom are women of color, according to court records. The documents do not identify the other congresswomen, but the threats were also filled with racist, misogynistic language." Gaherty stands accused of leaving at least 11 voicemails threatening to assault public officials between September 2022 and February 2023, according to Limehouse's reporting on court documents. The arrest comes as threats against congress members have increased from 902 in 2016 to 9,625 in 2021, according to Politifact. Google Street View A nasty virus hit hard and spread fast at an elementary school in Texas this week. (There's been no indication so far that the speedy bug is connected to COVID-19 in any way.) Hyde Elementary School has shut down for deep cleaning Friday after a virus swept through the school, sickening dozens. Those unlucky enough to catch the bug have been suffering from diarrhea, vomiting and stomach pain, according to KPRC 2's Moriah Ballard. Plainview Rotarians held their weekly meeting at noon Tuesday, April 11, at the PISD Cafeteria adjacent to the Board Room, 2411 Yonkers. April anniversaries. Jeff Earhart 10 years, David Greve 1 year, Paul Holloway 25 years, Regan Manning 15 years, and Nancy Stukey 14 years for a total of 65 years of service. Guests Guests included Brock Hall from AA&A Glass and Windshield repair. He was invited by Kerry McCormick. Wayland students Josh and Mason both taking Dr. Fikes course attended as a required assignment for the sports management program attended. Also, current Rotary Student of the Month Marian Flores. Former student of the months Sam Massingale and Alieen Evaulde attended as well as visiting Rotarians from Waylands Rotoract Club, Santiago Riano Hernandez and Yoherlian Molina. Marian Flores parents are Rosa and Elisar Flores. Marian works at the Creamery as a barista and is an active Interact member from Plainview High School. She is also a drum major and is planning on attending Texas Tech once she graduates. Announcements Steve Gauntt reminded us that the club has an Earth Day project on Wednesday 4/19/2023 at 4:15 p.m. to clean up the area along the West Side of the I27 highway. Leslie Gattis reminded us about the District Conference in Lubbock on May 5-7 Rotarians can sign up at the District 5730 website. He also mentioned that there is scholarship money to attend the event to offset travel and lodging expenses. In addition, he mentioned that there was one new case of Polio in Afghanistan. President Scott Franklin also mentioned that a board meeting was being held Wednesday, April 19, between 12 1 p.m. for the club. Program This weeks program was our members classification talks presented by Chuck Starnes and Karen Earhart. Chuck is the co-owner of Pak Mail with his father (Dr. Charles Starnes). They ship packages and help residents with shipping for USPS, UPS, and FedEx. Their location also has a small retail section that is related to shipping and popular novelty items. Charles has lived and traveled all over the world which includes living in Italy. He graduated as a music major in college and was recognized as a 1st Tenor. Karen was originally classified as an educator as she was the principal for Plainview Christian Academy. She later went on to start an insurance business that specializes in mortgage insurance for homeowners and has put an effort in helping people get insured and get out of debt. Her company is an independent agency that offers several products and services to help individuals based on their needs. It was also mentioned that during her time in education she had opened her home to international students and mentioned how that was a great experience for her children as they were able to see how other cultures responded to authority and parental figures. Closing Following the meeting, the club dismissed and looked to the community for ways to Imagine Rotary through Service Above Self. TALLINN, Estonia (AP) Prosecutors requested a 10-year prison sentence Friday for a dissident Belarusian journalist who was arrested after a warplane forced down a commercial airliner he was taking to Lithuania. Raman Pratasevich is on trial in Belarus on charges of organizing unrest and plotting to seize power. Pratasevich ran a Telegram messaging app channel that was widely used by participants in mass protests against the disputed August 2020 election that gave authoritarian Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko a sixth term in office. The protests, which lasted for months, were longest and largest demonstration of opposition to Lukashenko since he took power in 1994. Belarusian authorities responded to the demonstrations with a brutal crackdown that saw more than 35,000 people arrested, thousands beaten by police and dozens of media outlets and nongovernmental organizations shut. Pratasevich lived in exile at the time, but he and his girlfriend were arrested in May 2021 when their Ryanair flight from Greece to Lithuania was ordered to land in the capital of Belarus, Minsk. Belarusian authorities said there was a bomb threat but later said no explosives were found on board. Western countries condemned the flight diversion as tantamount to hijacking and imposed strong sanctions against Lukashenko and Belarus. Pratasevich subsequently made several confessional appearances on state television that critics claimed were done under duress. He was later released from custody and put under house arrest. His girlfriend, a Russian citizen, was sentenced to six years in prison in May 2022. Pratasevich appeared healthy at his trial on Friday. Two founders of the Telegram channel Nexta are also being tried in absentia. Separately, the Belarusian human rights organization Viasna reported Friday that a court had rejected the appeal of the group's founder, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski, who was sentenced in March to 10 years in prison on a conviction of financing groups that promoted public disorder. Viasna says nearly 1,500 people have been put behind bars in Belarus in connection with opposition activities. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate SEOUL, South Korea (AP) North Koreas foreign minister on Friday called the Group of Seven wealthy democracies a tool for ensuring the U.S. hegemony as she lambasted the groups recent call for the Norths denuclearization. The top diplomats from G-7 nations, who met recently in Japan, had jointly condemned the Norths recent ballistic missile tests and reiterated their commitment to the goal of North Koreas complete abandonment of its nuclear weapons. Their communique was prepared as a template for leaders at the G-7 summit next month in Hiroshima, where North Koreas nuclear program will likely be discussed again. North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui said her country will take unspecified strong counteraction if G-7 countries the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Canada, Italy and the European Union show any behavioral attempt to infringe upon the fundamental interests of North Korea. G7, a closed group of a handful of egoistic countries, does not represent the just international community but serves as a political tool for ensuring the U.S. hegemony, Choe said in a statement carried by North Korean state media. Choe said the G-7 communique malignantly raised the Norths legitimate exercise of its sovereignty. North Korea has steadfastly argued it was forced to develop nuclear weapons because of U.S. nuclear threats against it. It has said the United States' regular military drills with South Korea are a rehearsal for invasion, though U.S. and South Korean officials have said their drills are defensive and they have no intentions of attacking the North. North Korea has test-fired about 100 missiles since the start of last year in the name of responding to U.S. military training with South Korea. But many experts say North Korean leader Kim Jong Un likely uses his rivals' military drills as a pretext to advance his weapons programs, cement his domestic leadership and be recognized as a legitimate nuclear state to get international sanctions on the North lifted. North Korea has been hit with 11 rounds of U.N. sanctions because of its past nuclear and ballistic missile tests banned by U.N. Security Council resolutions. Kim has previously said those sanctions "stifles" North Korea's economy. The G-7 foreign ministers in their communique Tuesday said North Korea will never have the status of a nuclear-weapons state under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. The treaty sought to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons beyond the five original armed powers the U.S., Russia, China, Britain and France. It requires non-nuclear signatory nations to not pursue atomic weapons in exchange for a commitment by the five powers to move toward nuclear disarmament and to guarantee non-nuclear states access to peaceful nuclear technology for producing energy. Choe also said the Norths position as a nuclear weapons state will remain as an undeniable and stark reality. She said North Korea is free from any of the treatys obligations because it withdrew from the treaty 20 years ago. North Korea joined the NPT in 1985 but announced its withdrawal from the treaty in 2003, citing what it called U.S. aggression. Since 2006, North Korea has conducted six nuclear tests and a slew of other weapons tests to develop nuclear-tipped missiles designed to attack the U.S. and South Korea. South Koreas Unification Ministry said later Friday that North Korea must halt its threats against neighbors and pay heed to international concerns about its reckless nuclear and missile programs. Deputy spokesperson Lee Hyojung told reporters that North Korea cannot earn what it wants from its nuclear program so it must not insist on a wrong path. Kim said earlier this week his country has built its first military spy satellite that will be launched at an unspecified date. Last week, North Korea test-launched a solid-fueled intercontinental ballistic missile for the first time. North Korea is expected to perform more weapons tests as the United States and South Korea continue their joint aerial exercise into next week. ___ Find more AP Asia-Pacific coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/asia-pacific WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) Britain's Foreign Secretary James Cleverly cut short a Pacific tour Friday to return to Britain and deal with the deteriorating situation in Sudan. Sudans military ruled out negotiations with a rival paramilitary force Thursday, saying it would only accept its surrender as the two sides continued to battle in central Khartoum and other parts of the country. The British High Commission said Cleverly had been dealing with the Sudan situation from its offices in Wellington by making a series of calls to key partners overnight. Cleverly left from New Zealand a day before he was due to meet with his counterpart, Nanaia Mahuta. He'd arrived in New Zealand earlier than scheduled Thursday on his first official visit to the country after skipping a planned visit to Samoa and flying in directly from the Solomon Islands. Its with real regret that due to the ongoing situation in Sudan Ive had to cut the visit short," Cleverly said in a statement. Ive learned a lot about the region, its opportunities and challenges." Ive spoken to Foreign Minister Mahuta and told her how disappointed I am to have had to leave early and weve agreed well reschedule as soon as we can," he said. Im very much looking forward to coming back soon. The High Commission said that when Cleverly returns to Britain, he will continue overseeing the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office response to the violence in Sudan by providing support to staff on the ground and consular services for British nationals. Britain has historic ties to Sudan. In an unusual arrangement, Britain and Egypt jointly ruled Sudan from 1899 until it gained independence in 1956. But these days, Sudan is not among the group of 56 Commonwealth nations that include many former British colonies. Mahuta, who flew to Samoa on Wednesday to meet with Cleverly and Samoan Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa, said she'd offered her full support to Cleverly. Mahuta had earlier said that during the planned meeting with Cleverly, she would celebrate the recent achievements in the bilateral relationship, as well as discuss cooperating together in the Pacific and on global issues including climate change and the war in Ukraine. New Zealand and Britain agreed to a free trade deal in 2021. BELLINGHAM, Wash. (AP) Washington state has officially abolished the death penalty. Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee signed Senate Bill 5087 on Friday, which removes state laws that Washingtons Supreme Court determined are invalid or unconstitutional. The states high court struck down the death penalty in 2018, but the law remained on the books. Its official. The death penalty is no longer in state law, Inslee said on Twitter after the signing. He also thanked legislators and other leaders who were part of the decade-long effort to end the practice, including Attorney General Bob Ferguson. In 2014, Inslee issued a moratorium on the death penalty. In 2018, Washington's Supreme Court unanimously struck down the death penalty, calling it arbitrary and racially biased. A statistical analysis by University of Washington sociologists, cited by the judges, showed that juries were about four times more likely to sentence Black defendants to death. To the extent that race distinguishes the cases, it is clearly impermissible and unconstitutional, Chief Justice Mary Fairhurst wrote in the lead opinion. The courts opinion also converted the sentences for the states eight people on death row to life in prison without release. The last execution by the state was in 2010 at the prison in Walla Walla. Cal Brown was executed by lethal injection for a 1991 murder. A total of 78 people, all men, were put to death in Washington between 1904 and 2010. Twenty-seven states, including Idaho, still have the death penalty, according to the Washington, D.C.-based Death Penalty Information Center. Oregon has a moratorium in place to halt the practice. Last month, Idaho's Republican Gov. Brad Little signed a bill allowing execution by firing squad, making Idaho the latest state to turn to older methods of capital punishment amid a nationwide shortage of lethal-injection drugs. PARIS (AP) A Paris court convicted a Lebanese-Canadian professor in absentia on terrorism charges Friday and sentenced him to life in prison over a deadly Paris synagogue bombing in 1980 that was for decades one of France's biggest unsolved crimes. The court issued an arrest warrant for suspect Hassan Diab, who lives and teaches in Ottawa, Canada, and denies wrongdoing. He was convicted of terrorist murder for an attack that killed four and wounded 46. For victims, the ruling means justice at last, more than four decades after a bombing described as the first antisemitic terrorist attack in France since World War II. But for Diab and his supporters, the decision is a shock and a judicial error. His lawyers say he was in Lebanon studying for university exams at the time of the attack and is a victim of mistaken identity, a scapegoat for a justice system determined to find a culprit. French authorities accuse Diab of planting the bomb on a motorbike outside the synagogue on Rue Copernic in Paris, where 320 worshipers had gathered to mark the end of a Jewish holiday on the evening of Oct. 3, 1980. Several were children celebrating their bar mitzvahs. Investigators initially suspected far right extremists, before shifting their focus to Palestinian militants. French investigators eventually attributed the attack to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-Special Operations. But no one ever claimed responsibility. Friday's conviction was a surprise to many even in the court. Among the defense witnesses was a magistrate who investigated the case and testified that there was not enough evidence to convict Diab. His supporters urged Canada not to arrest and extradite Diab, who has already faced years of legal battles in the case. Canada authorized his extradition to France in 2014 as part of the investigation, but after three years in pretrial detention, anti-terrorism judges ordered him freed for lack of evidence. Then an appeals court ruled that he should stand trial on terrorism charges. Diab remained in Canada throughout the trial, which started earlier this month. For those touched by the attack, the trial was a long-awaited opportunity to speak publicly about what happened. Survivors described years of physical and mental trauma. Some said the sound of motorcycles haunted them after that night. Families of those killed mourned lost children or siblings. The head of France's leading Jewish group, CRIF, welcomed the conviction, and urged Canada to arrest Diab. The victims attorneys say the long-awaited trial will serve as a deterrent for future terrorist acts and antisemitic sentiments. Prosecutors argued that Diab has been lying to himself for 40 years and is caught up in his denial and escape from reality. Diabs lawyer, William Bourdon, had pleaded for an acquittal, saying that convicting someone would be a judicial mistake. Amnesty International was among those who called for the court to drop what they call a flawed and baseless case, arguing that it undermines effective justice for victims. Some lawyers for the 18 people and six groups that were party to the case acknowledged that it was hard to build a case so many years later, especially without the kind of DNA evidence or cell phone data used in current investigations. BERLIN (AP) Nudists in Austria are up in arms about plans for a cable car that would pass over a popular beach on the northern edge of Vienna where clothing is optional. The country's Austria Press Agency on Friday quoted nudist Barbara Hausjell saying she feared for her privacy if cable car users with cellphone cameras are allowed to swoop across the area. While healthcare technology is constantly evolving, for some in Connecticut the thousands-of-years-old practice of riding a horse can be the best medicine. As of 2017, there are 1,352 working horse farms in Connecticut, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and some of them offer more than simply riding. Founder of the non-profit organization Healing with Horses in Uncasville, Sharon Rosati, said that equine therapy helped her more than any other treatment after breaking most of the bones in her body and suffering a traumatic brain injury from a car crash in 1994. "I did every therapy they suggested once I woke up [from a coma]. Nothing worked. I was depressed, I was giving up, I was in a wheelchair. It was no life," Rosati said. "My friend took me to a farm. I was wheeled in ... as soon as I got there I smelled the horse's muzzle, it was like sweetgrass, and I started to cry. I was so motivated at that moment, that I put my arms around [the horse] and he lifted me out of my wheelchair." After connecting to a horse after her car crash, Rosati said she turned into a "fighter" and visited the horses as often as she could. In an effort to give back to the horses that helped her recovery, she began rescuing horses in need and started Healing With Horses in 1998. The organization helps others in need with its equine therapy programs involving rescued horses. "Everything you could put in a program is there. I also tied them into relaxation techniques like yoga, horse hugging and grooming," Rosati said. "I believe in it, it worked for me." Other therapeutic riding programs in the state, such as the one at Shepard Meadows Equestrian Center in Bristol, also aim to assist those with challenges like attention deficit disorder, autism, cerebral Palsy, anxiety and depression. Teaching guests horsemanship skills can positively contribute to their social, cognitive, physical and emotional well-being, according to the center. A study published in the National Library of Medicine concluded that equine therapy "improved balance, wellbeing, quality of life, trust, spasticity, selfefficacy, selfesteem ... pleasure and a sense of accomplishment." The practice of using horses for therapeutic purposes has reportedly been going on for thousands of years. Famous Greek Physician Hippocrates, who lived around 400 B.C., was reported as stating that riding horses "strengthens body muscles and keeps them in good form," according to the Therapeutic Riding Association of Greece. "Because horses are so beautiful, because they have such a history of helping throughout the world ... they have helped us since the beginning of time and they continue to. We have a lot to learn from them," Executive Director of Shepard Meadows Equestrian Center Shelly Whitlock-Pope said. "When you can be focused and deliberate and lead a horse around, it's very empowering. If you're a child, who maybe doesn't feel good about yourself and the horse does what you want, it's empowering." Farms also have programs that aim to let guests bond with horses without riding them. During the unmounted programs, guests can develop their communication skills by learning to read a horse's body language to look for signs of relaxation, acceptance and understanding, according to Shepard Meadows. The program at Shepard Meadows has since been expanded to include Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy as well. The psychotherapy sessions include a licensed therapist and an equine specialist who work with individuals to address their psychological needs. The center has programs aimed at benefiting everyone from at-risk youths to veterans. "It's just another way of being innovate and unique, not in a traditional clinic setting in an office inside. You're outside, you're with nature, you're with animals it's just a much more open feeling," Whitlock-Pope said. "The more people we can get here, the more happy the world can be. People can heal, it's all good." Rosati believes that horses are empathetic, being able to sense others' emotions and respond to them. She said that often horses can choose who to bond with on their own. A 2018 study published in Scientific Reports found that horses are possibly able to perceive emotions in human facial expressions and human voices. "You have to study the horses and understand what they're trying to tell you, which also helps with Autism because most of the kids are none verbal," Rosati said. "My feeling is that the horses know what you need, the horses pick you, you don't pick them ... The horse is drawn to something within everybody or not. I've seen horses flee from people and I don't know why other than they sensed something that isn't right." Here are some places to find equine therapy in Connecticut (most farms also offer volunteer opportunities): Shepard Meadows Equestrian Center Bristol Shepard Meadows Equestrian Center aims to help guests improve their physical, emotional and social skills through its horsemanship program. Horses on the farm include Lola, who was born in 1989 and works with young riders, and Indy, who has been on the farm since 2016 and works with older riders. Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) sessions are private, while the unmounted program for kids is a six-week group activity. Healing with Horses Uncasville Healing with Horses uses rescued horses in its therapy programs. Founder, Sharon Rosati, said that she started the program after using horse therapy herself to help recover from a car crash. "Therapy was intense, and after much frustration and not much improvement, I lost hope, and I gave up. I then found myself at a horse rescue farm, where I started to feel motivated again. While still in a wheelchair, a horse came to me and nuzzled into my chest and tried to lift me straight out of my wheelchair," Rosati wrote on the program's website. The program offers classes on equine communication and boosting self-confidence after bullying. Hidden Acres Therapeutic Riding Center Naugatuck View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hidden Acres (@hiddenacrestrc) Hidden Acres Therapeutic Riding Center's program is designed to help guests learn how to care for and ride horses. The farm also offers a therapeutic carriage driving program that aims to teach guests how to control horses using reins and voice commands. Unmounted horsemanship courses help guests with memory and horse-caring skills. SpiritHorse Therapeutic Riding Center Canton The SpiritHorse Therapeutic Riding Center offers private horse and pony lessons to guests of all ages, including those with disabilities. Visitors can bond with the animals by brushing, grooming and riding them. The center hopes to assist guests with learning work-reward systems. Some of the horses that riders can bond with include a small pony named Taco and an American Paint Horse named Cash. Ebony Horsewomen Hartford Ebony Horsewomen has been offering equine-assisted therapy since 1984. Some of its programs include psychotherapy, which brings together licensed therapists and equines, designed to help guests address challenges like PTSD, substance abuse and eating disorders and therapeutic riding lessons. The center aims to connect with guests of diverse backgrounds to "help in addressing racial/ethnic disparities in health care." High Hopes Therapeutic Riding Old Lyme High Hopes Therapeutic Riding offers courses on carriage driving and horse riding led by mental health practitioners, educators and therapists. Some members of the organization's herd include Blessing, who was bred as a racehorse, and Aladdin, who is "technically a pony" but a miniature horse by breed. Healing Hoofbeats of CT Bethlehem Healing Hoofbeats of CT offers therapy with horses for both individuals and groups, led by mental health professionals. Its programs are designed to help individuals recover from past trauma and learn effective ways to grow relationships through couple and family counseling. New Canaan Mounted Troop New Canaan The New Canaan Mounted Troop aims to help individuals with special needs develop their social skills through its therapeutic riding and equine care program. The organization offers courses for both individuals and groups. Storm Prediction Ctr, Norman, OK Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Friday, April 21, 2023 _____ SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH OUTLINE UPDATE FOR WS 156 NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK 403 AM CDT FRI APR 21 2023 SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 156 REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 700 AM CDT FOR THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS TX . TEXAS COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE ARANSAS CALHOUN CHAMBERS GALVESTON GOLIAD JEFFERSON ORANGE REFUGIO VICTORIA The National Weather Service in League City has issued a * Severe Thunderstorm Warning for... Southeastern Fort Bend County in southeastern Texas... Northwestern Brazoria County in southeastern Texas... South central Harris County in southeastern Texas... * Until 430 AM CDT. * At 405 AM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from New Territory to near Thompsons to 6 miles southwest of Brazos Bend State Park, moving east at 45 mph. HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and penny size hail. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees. * Locations impacted include... Pearland, Sugar Land, Missouri City, eastern Rosenberg, Alvin, Stafford, Bellaire, West University Place, Richmond, Manvel, Fresno, Greater Eastwood, Greater Third Ward, University Place, First Colony, Astrodome Area, Macgregor, Second Ward, Greater Hobby Area and Pecan Grove. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building. Hail and damaging winds and continuous cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms. 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 AUSTIN/SAN ANTONIO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Thursday, April 20, 2023 _____ FLASH FLOOD WARNING Flash Flood Statement National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio TX 838 PM CDT Thu Apr 20 2023 ...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1045 PM CDT THIS EVENING FOR TRAVIS AND SOUTHEASTERN WILLIAMSON COUNTIES... At 838 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between 2 and 4 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly. HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms producing flash flooding. SOURCE...Radar. IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses. Some locations that will experience the highest impacts include... Pflugerville, Jollyville, Wells Branch, Windmere, Round Rock, Granger, Anderson Mill, West Lake Hills, and Rollingwood. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. The National Weather Service in Austin San Antonio has issued a * Severe Thunderstorm Warning for... Northeastern Bastrop County in south central Texas... Central Lee County in south central Texas... Northeastern Fayette County in south central Texas... * Until 945 PM CDT. * At 840 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Camp Swift, or 8 miles south of Elgin, moving east at 35 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... Elgin, Giddings, Round Top, Fedor, Paige, Circle D-KC Estates, Lake Somerville State Park & Trailway, Camp Swift, Carmine, Knobb Springs, Phelan, Serbin, Northrup, McDade, Ledbetter, Waldeck, Cedar Hills, Loebau, Hills and Winedale. For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building. Large hail, damaging winds, and continuous cloud to ground lightning are 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. _____ Copyright 2023 AccuWeather WFO AUSTIN/SAN ANTONIO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Thursday, April 20, 2023 _____ SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING The National Weather Service in Austin San Antonio has issued a * Severe Thunderstorm Warning for... Southeastern Bastrop County in south central Texas... Central Fayette County in south central Texas... * Until 1015 PM CDT. * At 909 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Rosanky, or near Smithville, moving east 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. * Locations impacted include... La Grange, Smithville, Rosanky, Upton, Hills Prairie, Rutersville, Togo, Alum Creek, Waldeck, Rabbs Prairie, Plum, Warda, Buescher State Park, Kovar, West Point, Winchester, Mullins Prairie, Kirtley, Nechanitz and Bastrop State Park. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building. Large hail, damaging winds, and continuous cloud to ground lightning are 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. _____ Copyright 2023 AccuWeather WFO AUSTIN/SAN ANTONIO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Friday, April 21, 2023 _____ AREAL FLOOD ADVISORY Flood Advisory National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio TX 139 AM CDT Fri Apr 21 2023 ...FLOOD ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 445 AM CDT EARLY THIS MORNING... * WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected. * WHERE...A portion of south central Texas, including the following county, Gonzales. * WHEN...Until 445 AM CDT. * IMPACTS...Minor flooding in low-lying and poor drainage areas. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 139 AM CDT, Doppler radar indicated heavy rain due to thunderstorms. Minor flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly in the advisory area. Between 1 and 3 inches of rain have fallen. - Additional rainfall amounts up to 1 inch are expected over the area. This additional rain will result in minor flooding. - Some locations that will experience flooding include... Gonzales, Cheapside, Cost, Wrightsboro, Hamon, Oak Forest, Monthalia, Bebe, Glaze City, Dilworth, Little New York, Dreyer and Leesville. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the dangers of flooding. Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads. Please report observed flooding to local emergency services or law enforcement and request they pass this information to the National Weather Service when you can do so safely. The National Weather Service in Austin San Antonio has issued a * Severe Thunderstorm Warning for... Northeastern DeWitt County in south central Texas... Eastern Gonzales County in south central Texas... Lavaca County in south central Texas... * Until 245 AM CDT. * At 140 AM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from near Waelder to near Shiner to near Smiley, 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... Cuero, Yoakum, Hallettsville, Shiner, Moulton, Smiley, Sublime, Cheapside, Ezzell, Hochheim, Speaks, Westhoff, Thomaston, Komensky, Worthing, Henkhaus, Edgar, Terryville, Dilworth and Vienna. For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building. Prepare immediately for large hail and damaging winds. People outside should move immediately to shelter inside a strong building. Stay away from windows. Large hail, damaging winds, and continuous cloud to ground lightning are occurring with these storms. 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 these storms, and may lead to flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. _____ Copyright 2023 AccuWeather WFO AUSTIN/SAN ANTONIO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Friday, April 21, 2023 _____ SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING Severe Weather Statement National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio TX 248 AM CDT Fri Apr 21 2023 ...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN WILSON COUNTY IS CANCELLED... The storms which prompted the warning have moved out of the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 700 AM CDT for south central Texas. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch also remains in effect until 700 AM CDT for south central Texas. ...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 315 AM CDT FOR SOUTHERN DEWITT...KARNES AND SOUTH CENTRAL GONZALES COUNTIES... At 248 AM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from near Westhoff to near Kenedy, moving east at 40 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... Cuero, Kenedy, Karnes City, Yorktown, Runge, Nordheim, Thomaston, Gillett, Coy City, Cotton Patch, Gruenau, New Davy, Choate, Meyersville, Arneckville, Ecleto, Helena and Pana Maria. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building. The National Weather Service in Corpus Christi has issued a * Severe Thunderstorm Warning for... Goliad County in south central Texas... Northeastern Bee County in south central Texas... * Until 330 AM CDT. * At 250 AM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from near Weesatche to near Charco to near Tulsita, moving southeast at 35 mph. HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees. * Locations impacted include... Goliad, Fannin, Schroeder, Ander, Berclair, Weesatche, Weser, Coleto Creek Park, Tulsita, Normanna, Pettus, Tuleta and Charco. This includes the following highways... US Highway 181 between mile markers 572 and 584. US Highway 183 between mile markers 626 and 654. US Highway 59 between mile markers 654 and 692. _____ Copyright 2023 AccuWeather WFO BROWNSVILLE Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Friday, April 21, 2023 _____ SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING The National Weather Service in Brownsville has issued a * Severe Thunderstorm Warning for... Southeastern Hidalgo County in Deep South Texas... Western Cameron County in Deep South Texas... * Until 500 PM CDT. * At 409 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over La Feria, 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... Harlingen, Mercedes, La Feria, Santa Rosa, La Villa, Palm Valley, Los Indios, Rangerville, Santa Maria and La Paloma. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building. Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. Southwestern Hidalgo County in Deep South Texas... * At 410 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Citrus City, or near Palmhurst, moving southeast at 35 mph. HAZARD...Two inch 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. Mission, Pharr, San Juan, Alamo, Donna, Hidalgo, Progreso, Palmview, Penitas and Palmhurst. Prepare immediately for large hail and damaging winds. People outside should move immediately to shelter inside a strong building. Stay away from windows. 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. _____ Copyright 2023 AccuWeather WFO DALLAS / FT. WORTH Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Thursday, April 20, 2023 _____ SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING The National Weather Service in Fort Worth has issued a * Severe Thunderstorm Warning for... Robertson County in central Texas... Northeastern Milam County in central Texas... Southern Limestone County in central Texas... Falls County in central Texas... * Until 715 PM CDT. * At 611 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from Marlin to Cameron, moving east at 25 mph. HAZARD...Ping pong ball size hail and 60 mph wind gusts. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...People and animals outdoors will be injured. Expect damage to roofs, siding, windows, and vehicles. * Locations impacted include... Marlin, Cameron, Hearne, Groesbeck, Franklin, Rosebud, Calvert, Bremond, Lott, Lake Limestone, Twin Oak Reservoir, Camp Creek Lake, Fort Parker State Park, Thornton, Wilson, Kosse, Crossroads, Silver City, Jones Prairie and Ben Arnold. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... For your protection get inside a sturdy structure and stay away from windows. Heavy rainfall is occurring with these storms, and may lead to flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. TX . TEXAS COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE ANDERSON BELL BOSQUE BOWIE BRAZOS BURLESON CAMP CASS CHEROKEE CORYELL DELTA ELLIS FALLS FANNIN FRANKLIN FREESTONE GREGG HAMILTON HARRISON HENDERSON HILL HOPKINS HOUSTON HUNT KAUFMAN LAMAR LAMPASAS LEON LIMESTONE MCLENNAN MADISON MARION MILAM MILLS MORRIS NACOGDOCHES NAVARRO PANOLA RAINS RED RIVER ROBERTSON ROCKWALL RUSK SHELBY SMITH TITUS UPSHUR VAN ZANDT WOOD ...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR NORTHWESTERN FRIO COUNTY IS CANCELLED... The severe thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out of the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for south central Texas. ...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 645 PM CDT FOR SOUTHWESTERN MEDINA AND SOUTHEASTERN UVALDE COUNTIES... At 613 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 10 miles south of Sabinal, or 19 miles northeast of Batesville, 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. This severe thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of southwestern Medina and southeastern Uvalde Counties. For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building. ...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR CENTRAL HILL...SOUTHWESTERN ELLIS AND WEST CENTRAL NAVARRO COUNTIES IS CANCELLED... The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe limits. Therefore the warning has been cancelled. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM CDT for central and north central Texas. The National Weather Service in Austin San Antonio has issued a Southeastern Llano County in south central Texas... Southwestern Burnet County in south central Texas... * Until 700 PM CDT. * At 614 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Kingsland, moving east at 20 mph. HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail. IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees. Burnet, Marble Falls, Kingsland, Buchanan Dam, Gainesville, Granite Shoals, Horseshoe Bay, Meadowlakes, Highland Haven, Inks Lake State Park, Longhorn Cavern State Park, Cottonwood Shores and Sunrise Beach Village. ...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR NORTHWESTERN CASS...NORTHERN MORRIS...NORTHEASTERN TITUS AND SOUTHEASTERN RED RIVER COUNTIES IS The storms which prompted the warning have moved out of the area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled. southwestern Arkansas...southeastern Oklahoma...and northeastern Texas. FOR SOUTHWESTERN LITTLE RIVER...SOUTHEASTERN MCCURTAIN AND BOWIE COUNTIES... At 614 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from 13 miles northwest of New Boston to near De Kalb to near Dalby Springs, moving east at 35 mph. HAZARD...70 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail. IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect considerable tree damage. Wind damage is also likely to mobile homes, roofs, and outbuildings. Locations impacted include... New Boston, Hooks, De Kalb, Maud, Dalby Springs, Wallace, Almont, Arden, Spring Hill, Beaverdams, Red Bank and Goodlake. _____ Copyright 2023 AccuWeather WFO DALLAS / FT. WORTH Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Thursday, April 20, 2023 _____ SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Fort Worth TX 619 PM CDT Thu Apr 20 2023 ...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northeastern Hopkins County through 645 PM CDT... At 618 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 10 miles southwest of Hagansport, moving east at 25 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... Nelta, Flora and Weaver. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM CDT for north central Texas. LAT...LON 3317 9546 3335 9549 3337 9540 3337 9537 3336 9533 3337 9531 3317 9531 TIME...MOT...LOC 2318Z 262DEG 20KT 3327 9540 MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH The National Weather Service in Fort Worth has issued a * Severe Thunderstorm Warning for... Southwestern Robertson County in central Texas... Milam County in central Texas... Southern Bell County in central Texas... * Until 715 PM CDT. * At 618 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from near Jarrell to Buckholts, moving southeast at 20 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... Rockdale, Cameron, Hearne, Bartlett, Salado, Thorndale, Rogers, Holland, Buckholts, Alcoa Lake, Sparks, Milano, Yarrelton, Hoyte, Leedale, Edgeworth, Elevation, Hanover, Cedar Valley and Sharp. This includes Interstate 35 between mile markers 278 and 284. For your protection get inside a sturdy structure and stay away from windows. Heavy rainfall is occurring with these storms, and may lead to flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. ...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SOUTHWESTERN MEDINA AND SOUTHEASTERN UVALDE COUNTIES IS CANCELLED... 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 has been cancelled. However heavy rain is still possible with this thunderstorm. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for south central Texas. The National Weather Service in Shreveport has issued a Central Smith County in northeastern Texas... * At 620 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Tyler, moving northeast at 20 mph. HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail. Tyler, Whitehouse, Bullard, Lake Palestine, Noonday, New Chapel Hill and Winona. For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building. _____ Copyright 2023 AccuWeather WFO HOUSTON/GALVESTON Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Friday, April 21, 2023 _____ SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX 239 AM CDT Fri Apr 21 2023 ...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northeastern Austin, northwestern Fort Bend, central Waller and west central Harris Counties through 315 AM CDT... At 239 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over San Felipe, or near Sealy, moving northeast at 20 mph. HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph and pea 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... Sealy, Hempstead, Prairie View, Brookshire, Waller, Pine Island, San Felipe, Pattison and Monaville. 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. LAT...LON 3012 9610 3000 9578 2973 9600 2973 9602 2972 9601 2971 9601 2972 9603 2972 9602 2973 9603 2972 9604 2979 9620 TIME...MOT...LOC 0739Z 206DEG 18KT 2982 9607 MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH The National Weather Service in Austin San Antonio has issued a * Severe Thunderstorm Warning for... East central DeWitt County in south central Texas... Southeastern Lavaca County in south central Texas... * Until 315 AM CDT. * At 241 AM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from Sublime to near Speaks to near Fordtran, moving southeast 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... Speaks and Vienna. For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building. Large hail, damaging winds, and continuous cloud to ground lightning are occurring with these storms. 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 Friday, April 21, 2023 _____ SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING The National Weather Service in League City has issued a * Severe Thunderstorm Warning for... Northwestern Galveston County in southeastern Texas... East central Fort Bend County in southeastern Texas... Northeastern Brazoria County in southeastern Texas... Southeastern Harris County in southeastern Texas... * Until 500 AM CDT. * At 428 AM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from Central Southwest to Manvel to near Bonney, moving northeast at 50 mph. HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees. * Locations impacted include... Pasadena, Pearland, League City, western Baytown, eastern Missouri City, Texas City, Friendswood, La Porte, Deer Park, Alvin, Dickinson, South Houston, La Marque, Santa Fe, Seabrook, Galena Park, Webster, Hitchcock, Manvel and Kemah. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building. Torrential rainfall is occurring with these storms, and may lead to flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. _____ Copyright 2023 AccuWeather We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Price: Price varies based on location Requirements: None PRINCE2 Foundation Projects in Controlled Environments (PRINCE2) is most well-known outside the US, especially in the UK and its government entities. The PRINCE2 certifications are delivered by Axelos and focus on directing, managing, and delivering projects across all phases, pre-project, initiation, delivery, and final delivery. The PRINCE2 Foundation certification is an entry-level credential that tests basic project management terminology and methodology, and is targeted at aspiring project managers, project board members, team managers, project assurance professionals, project support professionals, and operational line managers or staff. Price: Price varies based on location Requirements: PRINCE2 Foundation course Top project management certifications For project managers who already have experience under their belt, there are plenty of well-regarded certifications that can validate intermediate to advanced project management skills. These certifications cover project management at a higher level, and often cover specific areas of project management, such as risk and IT security. Typically, these certifications require a stronger background in project management often requiring several years and hundreds of hours of experience and education to qualify for the exam. Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP) Offered by the PMI, the Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP) certification is designed to validate your knowledge of agile principles and skills with agile techniques. The exam covers topics such as Scrum, Kanban, Lean, extreme programming (XP), and test-driven development (TDD). Its aimed at those who work on agile teams or in agile organizations and focuses on seven main domains of knowledge, including agile principles and mindset, value-driven delivery, stakeholder engagement, team performance, adaptive planning, problem detection and resolution, and continuous improvement. Price: $435 for members; $495 for nonmembers Requirements: Candidates for the exam must have a secondary degree, 21 contact hours of training in agile practices, 12 months of project experience within the past five years or eight months of agile project experience within the past three years; a current PMP or PgMP certification (see below) can satisfy the requirement for 12 months of experience but is not required BVOP Certified Project Manager Business value-oriented principles (BVOP) is an agile-based framework that has grown in popularity in the UK. BVOP emphasizes business value in all project management activities and practices. The BVOP Certified Project Manager is for senior practitioners with experience in both project management and people management. The focus on a people-oriented culture sets it apart from other project management certification programs. Its a certification aimed at senior project managers, agile professionals, product managers and owners, Scrum masters, and business analysts. The BVOP approach helps to develop professionals collaboration skills, and candidates for certification not only gain project and product management skills, but also learn to become more people-focused leaders. The exam includes questions from the project management, program management, and product management sections of the course materials. Price: $130 Requirements: No previous professional project management experience required; free study guides and preparation materials available online Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) Administered by the Project Management Institute (PMI), the Certified Associate in Project Management certification is the precursor to the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification (see below). For professionals without a college degree, or with only rudimentary project management experience or those who want to achieve their PMP certification in steps rather than all at once, the CAPM is a stepping-stone to the more rigorous PMP. For more information, see CAPM certification guide: Certified Associate in Project Management exam explained. Price: $225 for PMI members; $300 nonmembers Requirements: High-school diploma, associate degree or equivalent, and at least 1,500 hours of project management experience or 23 hours of project management education. Certified Project Director The GAQMs Certified Project Director certification is the credentialing bodys highest-level project management certification. This designation is designed for experienced project managers who are involved in directing multiple complex projects and programs. The certification focuses on managing, budgeting, and determining scope for multiple projects, multiple project teams, and assessing and mitigating interdependent risks to deliver projects successfully. The CDP program is only for those who have significant project management experience. Price: $280 Requirements: Qualified candidates must have a bachelors degree or post-graduate degree or global equivalent and must hold one of the following certifications: a PPM certification from GAQM; a PMP certification from PMI; a PRINCE2 Practitioner certification from APMG; or a CPM certification from GIAC Certified Project Management (CPM) The EC-Council was formed after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks to address issues of cyberterrorism and the information security of nations at large. The EC-Councils Certified Project Management certification course is for project managers who want to benchmark their skills through hands-on experience and across various management techniques and tools necessary to successfully manage complex projects efficiently. The course includes on-demand instructor-led training videos, online CyberQ Labs, a continuing education video subscription, and live instructor-led training in-person or online. You can select from three course options: The basic package includes a single video course, labs, e-courseware and the certification exam; the midtier package adds on the CodeRed continuing education video subscription and live instructor training; and the top-tier package includes an additional certification course, exam insurance, and online exam prep. Price: $999 for the single video course package; $2,999 for the unlimited video courses; or $3,499 for the full live-course bundle Requirements: No prerequisites Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) The use of agile methodologies has become standard, so its not surprising that IT practitioners uniquely qualified to manage projects in agile environments are in high demand. While there are different Scrum master certifications available, the Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) from Scrum Alliance is a great jumping-off point for project managers getting started as Scrum practitioners. The Scrum Alliance, which offers this credential, is a nonprofit organization that encourages the adoption of Scrum and agile practices, promotes user groups and learning events, and provides resources for professional development. The organization boasts more than 450,000 certified practitioners worldwide. For a deeper look at the CSM, see CSM certification guide: Certified ScrumMaster exam explained. Price: Varies by training provider, but approximately $995 to $1,395 Requirements: General familiarity with Scrum; completion of two-day CSM training course Master Project Manager (MPM) The American Academy of Project Management (AAPM) has modeled the Master Project Manager (MPM) after the professional licensure model that many professions such as pilots, engineers, doctors, and lawyers follow. The AAPM focuses on professional project managers, but also includes professionals with business and technical management responsibilities. The MPM certification is aimed at senior project managers and project directors who have an undergraduate or masters degree. Price: $300 for application, review, processing, review, initiation, and certification Requirements: Three years of project management experience and training; waivers available for professionals holding a masters degree, with other qualified training and experience, the military or project management instructors PRINCE2 Agile Practitioner Building on the PRINCE2 Agile Foundation certification, the PRINCE2 Agile Practitioner certification takes the foundational knowledge covered in the first exam and validates your ability to apply it in real-world management examples. Price: Price varies based on location Requirements: Agile Foundation certification PRINCE2 Practitioner In addition to its entry-level Foundation certification (see above), PRINCE2 offers the PRINCE2 Practitioner certification, which tests advanced project managers who have already achieved PRINCE2 Foundation. The certification is targeted at experienced project managers, project board members, team managers, project assurance professionals, project support professionals, and operational line managers or staff. Price: Price varies based on location Requirements: One of the following: PRINCE2 Foundation, Project Management Professional (PMP), CAPM, or an IPMA certification Professional in Project Management (PPM) The Professional in Project Management (PPM) is a midtier project management credential from the GAQM. The GAQMs project management certifications are focused on a broad knowledge base and emphasize effective resource allocation, clear direction, adaptability to change, effective communication, and assurance of quality deliverables at minimal risk. The certification covers how to plan, execute, control, and complete project schedules and how to develop project measures, approach project control, and lead project teams. It focuses on project management fundamentals, project management training, effective planning and scheduling, team building, risk management, crisis management, time management, leadership skills, communication strategies, and knowledge management. The PPM is targeted towards intermediate to experienced project managers who are involved in risk and crisis management, and who are involved in the day-to-day management of projects. Price: $340 Requirements: GAQM body of knowledge study and e-course; no formal education or experience requirements, but candidates should have at least some project management experience to pass the exam Project Management in IT security (PMITS) The Project Management in IT Security (PMITS) certification from the EC-Council focuses on how to manage IT security projects and how to enhance the success rate for organizations and IT managers. The course associated with the certification guides students through an operational framework for designing IT security projects, providing a roadmap for how to enhance and implement IT security in an organization, and outlining global best practices followed by other experts in the field. Its specifically designed for federal employees. Price: $250 Requirements: Must be over 18 years old to complete the exam; candidates are recommended to have an intermediate proficiency level Project Management Professional (PMP) The gold standard in project management certifications, the Project Management Professional certification offered by the PMI is a rigorous test that covers absolutely everything you need to prove your knowledge and skill in managing the triple constraints: time, cost, and scope. The certification validates your project leadership experience and expertise and demonstrates your capabilities to help organizations work more efficiently and perform better. The exam covers topics such as managing conflict, leading teams, building effective teams, training and empowering team members and stakeholders, executing projects to deliver business value, assess and manage risks, engage stakeholders, plan and manage budgets and resources, among other topics. For more about the PMP, and tips on how to pass it, see PMP certification: How to ace the Project Management Professional exam. Price: $405 for PMI members, $575 for nonmembers Requirements: Four-year secondary degree plus three years of project management experience, 4,500 hours leading and directing projects, and 35 hours project management education or CAPM certification; or a high-school diploma, five years of project management experience, 7,500 hours leading and directing projects, and 35 hours of project management education Program Management Professional (PgMP) The Program Management Professional (PgMP) certification offered by the PMI is designed for program managers who are senior-level practitioners who are responsible for advancing the organizations strategic goals. Candidates for this exam should have extensive experience managing multiple, related projects and navigating complex environments across various departments, job functions, regions, or cultures to align results with organizational goals. The exam covers topics such as strategic program management, program life cycles, benefits management, stakeholder management, and governance. Price: $800 for members; $1,000 for nonmembers Requirements: A secondary degree or global equivalent, 48 months of project management experience or a PMP certification and 84 months of program management experience within the past 15 years; those with a four-year degree will need 48 months of project management experience or a PMP certification and 48 months oof program management experience within the past 15 years Primeste notificari pe email Nota bene: Adresele email cu extensia .ru nu sunt acceptate. Contractare si Achizitie Bunuri Anunturi de Angajare Granturi - Finantari Burse de studiu Stagii Profesionale Oportunitati de voluntariat Toate Articolele Two state troopers who were struck by a car on an interstate exit ramp cannot collect damages for post traumatic stress disorder, but one of them can recover more money because his trial court award was improperly reduced by the Court of Appeals, the Connecticut Supreme Court ruled. The high court on Wednesday reversed, in part, an appellate panel ruling that deducted the amount that a state trooper recovered through a dram shop claim from his personal injury award, but upheld a finding that rejected the troopers PTSD claim. The court did not decide a larger question as to whether accident victims can ever collect underinsured motorist benefits for PTSD, only that two officers failed to prove that they actually suffered from the disorder. Both the trial court judge and Court of Appeals ruled that uninsured motorist insurance does not cover psychological injuries and also found that testimony from a counselor who treated the officers for PTSD was not credible. This court has recently reiterated the proposition that a trier of fact may accept or reject, in whole or in part, the testimony of an expert offered by one party, the unanimous opinion says, citing two decisions released in 2021. On the morning of Sept. 1, 2012, state trooper Darren Connolly pulled over a motorist he suspected of driving while intoxicated on Interstate 84 in Hartford. State troopers Scott Menard and Robert Zdrojeski also responded to the scene in separate vehicles. Connolly and Menard were standing on the side of the Sisson Avenue exit ramp behind the suspected drunk drivers vehicle when a vehicle driven by William Bowers struck Zdrojeskis cruiser and pushed it forward. Menard jumped out of the cruisers path and landed on his head. Connolly pushed used his right arm to push himself off of the hood of the cruiser as it barreled forward. Both men were transported to a hospital and treated for injuries. All three troopers filed claims against an uninsured motorist insurance policy that the state carries as a requirement of its collective bargaining agreement with the Connecticut State Police union. They also received workers compensation benefits and filed Dram Shop Act claims. Each of the three officers claimed they developed PTSD as a result of the accident. They were all treated by the same counselor: Jennifer Honen, who is not a psychologist but has a masters degree in psychological counseling. The state rejected the claims, contending that uninsured motorist insurance covers only bodily injury, not psychological disorders. The officers filed a lawsuit against the state and also filed claims under the Dram Shop Act, which imposes strict liability on establishments that serve alcohol to intoxicated persons who injure others because of their intoxication. (Dram shop is an archaic term for a business that sells liquor by the dram, which is equal to one-eighth of a fluid ounce.) In their lawsuit against the state, the officers requested $1 million in damages for Menard and $889,000 for Connolly. The trial court, however, ruled that Honens testimony was not credible because she did not do any screening to verify that their claims of emotional distress were legitimate. The trial court ultimately awarded Menard $172,000 in damages and Connolly $187,000, but reduced those awards by the amount of workers compensation benefits that were paid. That left Menard with no damage award and Connolly with only $32,905.67. Each of the three troopers also were paid an additional $83,333 through settlements of their Dram Shop Act claims. The trial court did not deduct those payments from the award. Menard and Connolly appealed the decision and the state filed a cross-appeal for all three awards. A three-judge panel ruled that the trial court should have also deducted the amount each officer received through the Dram Shop Act claims. That reduced each troopers award to zero. Menard and Connolly appealed to the Supreme Court. The high court rejected the state troopers argument that the trial court had arbitrarily decided that Honens testimony was not credible. Honen had conceded that she had not reviewed any outside sources to confirm the troopers accounts of the incident, even though psychologists have standard tests that can be used to determine if a patient is lying. She also admitted that she was unaware that Connolly had given an inaccurate description of the accident by saying he had been run over. The high court affirmed the portion of the ruling that rejected the PTSD claims, but found that the Court of Appeals erred when it reduced the damage awards by the amount of the Dram Shop Act payments received. The Supreme Court said Dram Shop Act settlements are expressly excluded from the statutory definition of collateral sources for purposes of personal injury lawsuits. The Supreme Court reversed the Court of Appeals judgment, in part, and remanded the case with an instruction to reinstate the the trial courts $32,905.67 award to Connolly. The high court did not address the question of whether plaintiffs can be compensated for PTSD through uninsured motorist benefits, as the Court of Appeals asserted, leaving a key question unresolved by the case. NEW YORK (AP) Crews pulled a body from the rubble of a New York City parking garage Wednesday, as building inspectors sought to pinpoint a cause for the century-old structures deadly collapse. It was a delicate operation to recover the victim and remove as many as 90 vehicles scattered on the structures buckled top deck and amid tons of shattered concrete. Crews used cranes to pluck cars from the ruins one by one but made only modest progress. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has opened an investigation into the collapse, a spokesperson said. A preliminary investigation found that all three floors of the garage partially or completely collapsed, according to the citys Buildings Department. The garages rear wall partially collapsed, and the front facade bulged. Right now were transitioning to how we safely take down that building, Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol said at a news conference, a day after the multilevel building crumbled just as a stream of customers were returning from work to retrieve their cars. Fire Department spokesman Jim Long said crews recovered the body late Wednesday, and it was turned over to the citys chief medical examiners office. The identity of the victim was not immediately released, and it was not immediately known if it was that of a missing garage worker. Enterprise Ann Parking, which operated the garage on Ann Street, said it was cooperating with authorities on the probe. This is a tragic event. We are devastated at the loss of one of our long-time employees and our thoughts are with his family and those who were injured in the accident, the companys spokesman, Jeremy Zweig, said in a statement. We thank all of the first responders who quickly attended to those who were impacted and appreciate their courageous work, the statement continued. Two decades ago, city inspectors cited the property owner for failing to properly maintain the building, finding at the time that there were cracks and defects in the concrete. A more recent inspection in fall 2013 showed no further structural issues, according to an update the Building Department provided Wednesday. Beginning last year, parking garages in parts of Manhattan were required to undergo structural inspections and file reports with the city by the end of 2023, with additional inspections at least once every six years. City officials said the garages owners had yet to comply. Theres an investigation into exactly what happened here and making sure theres something we could put in place to prevent something like this from happening, Mayor Eric Adams said. Theories abounded, and officials said they would consider all potential explanations including the possibility that the structural integrity of older parking structures might be undermined by todays heavier SUVs. The mayor said that could be a matter worthy of investigation. We are living in a new environment and we have to constantly analyze and upgrade everything from weight capacity to how many cars can be there, Adams said. The garage caved at around 4 p.m. Tuesday, a few blocks from City Hall and the Brooklyn Bridge, killing at least one person and injuring five others. The collapse shook nearby buildings and terrified people who likened the sound to a massive explosion and the experience to a violent earthquake. Pace University evacuated an adjacent dormitory and a classroom building and canceled evening classes as it assessed its buildings safety. City inspectors told Pace it could resume use of the buildings, though the school said it would hold some classes online and have staff work remotely for the time being, university spokesperson Jerry McKinstry said. In all, six nearby buildings were under evacuation orders pending inspections, according to city officials. The Building Department said that in 2009, the garages owners had been cited for failing to maintain the building because of cracks and defects in concrete. Officials ordered the owner to hire a professional engineer and correct the violations. The owners began complying in January 2010 and filed applications to make structural repairs and install 34 auto lifts. In November 2011 an inspection found that the interior maintenance was in good condition. But city officials said they never received the required certificates of correction for previous violations, even though the owner paid all associated penalties. The mayor said the body of the man killed in the collapse was discovered by a doglike robot deployed by the Fire Department to search the ruins, and he defended his decision last week to allow the Police Department to use such machines after receiving criticism. We did not want to send people inside there. We couldnt even send a cadaver dog in there, because that cadaver dog would have gone in there and could have potentially had a collapse and harmed someone, Adams said earlier in the day. If we didnt have that robotic dog, we would have placed those firefighters in jeopardy, the mayor added. As heavy machinery began demolishing the building and filled the area with thick clouds of dust, some regular customers returned to see if their cars had been retrieved and to pay their respects to the missing worker, who they said was always friendly. Every morning Id see him, said Ahmed Scott, one of the regulars. When I was leaving that morning the last time we saw each other we smiled, waved at each other. We knew wed see each other in the afternoon, same place, same time. Adam Cohen, who lives in a nearby building, said his family had not been allowed to return home. A nearby hotel was also temporarily shuttered as a precaution. Cohen showed a photo of the top deck of the parking garage and pointed to his Nissan Pathfinder, which had been swallowed by a huge fissure, its tail end pointing to the sky. Associated Press writers Michael R. Sisak and Karen Matthews in New York City, and Maysoon Khan in Albany, New York, contributed to this report. Top photo: Demolition workers tear down what remains of a partially collapsed parking garage in New York City on Wednesday, April 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey) Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. U.S. senator calls for minimum wage increase for working class: The Guardian Xinhua) 14:23, April 21, 2023 LONDON, April 20 (Xinhua) -- U.S. senator Bernie Sanders has called on the U.S. Congress to raise the minimum wage to a living wage for the working class, in an opinion piece in The Guardian. "At a time of massive and growing income and wealth inequality and record-breaking corporate profits, we must stand up for working families -- many of whom are struggling every day to provide a minimal standard of living for their families," Sanders wrote in the article for the newspaper. According to Sanders, the federal minimum wage of 7.25 U.S. dollars an hour has not been raised since 2009 and has lost over 27 percent of its purchasing power since 14 years ago. Raising the minimum wage is also good for the U.S. economy, argued Sanders. "Putting money into the hands of people who will spend it on basic needs is a strong economic stimulant," he said. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan) AMSTERDAM (AP) A Dutch salvage company has reached agreement with the United Nations to pump oil from a rusting tanker off the coast of war-ravaged Yemen in a move hailed as a critical milestone in moves to avert a possible environmental disaster, its parent company announced Thursday. Boskalis said that its Smit Salvage subsidiary has reached agreement with the U. N. Development Program to transfer more than one million barrels of oil from the decaying tanker FSO Safer. A specialist support ship, the Ndeavor, is setting sail Friday to the east African nation of Djibouti to prepare for the mission, the company said. The announcement came just over a month after the U.N. said it had signed an agreement to buy a very large vessel that can hold oil pumped off the Safer. The Japanese-made Safer was built in the 1970s and sold to the Yemeni government in the 1980s to store up to 3 million barrels of oil pumped from fields in Marib, a province in eastern Yemen. With the impoverished Arab Peninsula country engulfed for years in civil war, no annual maintenance has been carried out on the ship, which is is 360 meters (1,181 feet) long with 34 storage tanks, since 2015. In 2020, internal documents obtained by The Associated Press showed that seawater has entered Safers engine compartment, causing damage to pipes and increasing the risk of sinking. Rust has covered parts of the tanker and the inert gas that prevents the tanks from gathering inflammable gases has leaked out. UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner called the agreement with Boskalis another critical milestone of the Stop Red Sea Spill operation to transfer oil from the FSO Safer. We look forward to be working with Boskalis and other leading experts to prevent a humanitarian, environmental and economic disaster, he added, while appealing to governments and businesses to help raise the remaining $29 million needed to fund the operation. An enormous oil disaster is looming, which could have serious humanitarian, environmental and economic implications. But we now have a chance to prevent that disaster, Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Liesje Schreinemacher said in a statement. The Dutch government worked with the UNDP to raise funds for the mission. Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. BEREA, Ohio -- The Berea City Schools has created a mental health administrator position that will help to oversee various district activities for the 2023-24 school year. Berea Board of Education members approved the coordinator of mental health services job description at their April 17 meeting. The document indicates that the coordinator will assist the director of pupil services in the management and supervision of the districts mental health programs, staff, initiatives and needs. Candidates must have a valid Ohio Department of Education School Social Worker license and a masters degree with LISW-S, LPCC-S or IMFT-S credential. A minimum of three years experience working as a public school social worker, or in a related field, is also required. According to the job description, other responsibilities include collaborating with staff to enhance family engagement, working with the pupil services director to oversee the Crisis Response Team and monitoring SEL (social and emotional learning) implementation in all buildings. The coordinator also must value diversity. A Stronger Connections Grant awarded through the Ohio Department of Education will fund the position. The gist of that grant is to focus on mental health, Superintendent Tracy Wheeler explained to the board prior to the vote. Were pretty fortunate in this district to have five full-time student and family support specialists, which are social workers we started bringing in four years ago. The new position also will be important as the district partners next year with the Cleveland Browns Foundation on a school attendance campaign, she added. As long as the grants are available, we would like to be able to hire this person to really support the mental health work were doing in our district, Wheeler said. There is a lot of work and coordination involved with all of that. Board Vice President Ana Chapman asked, What happens when the grant money runs out? Then we have a decision to make, Wheeler responded. (Gov. Mike DeWine) understands weve got a mental health crisis right now with our youth in the state of Ohio. He is very committed to this, and we hope we dont have to make a decision when the grant money runs out. The full job description is available online on the Berea City School District website. Read more stories from the News Sun. PARMA, Ohio -- In addition to sharing a school district, Parma, Parma Heights and Seven Hills are all members of the Parma Area Chamber of Commerce. Thats why the community organization annually holds a Lunch With The Mayors event. The networking, lunch and presentation event is scheduled for Thursday (April 27) at the Sari Feldman Auditorium inside the Cuyahoga County Public Librarys Snow Branch. I work closely with Parma Heights Mayor Marie Gallo and Seven Hills Mayor Anthony Biasiotta, Parma Mayor Tim DeGeeter said. We do not operate in community silos. Our safety forces partner during major emergencies. We work together on road projects, and our creeks and park trails are connected. We face similar challenges, but we also benefit from each others successes. Tri-city topics expected to be discussed include economic development, infrastructure projects, recreation and safety. I enjoy every opportunity we get to interact with the public, Biasiotta said. The chamber typically attracts more of a business audience that speaks my language and makes this event particularly enjoyable for me. Gallo added: This event is a great opportunity for the mayors to touch base with our chamber members and to speak about what is happening in our cities. It also gives non-members a chance to see what the chamber is about and their role in helping businesses succeed through events like this. Parma Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Megan Cooney, who said the event is one of her favorites, noted that the affair changed formats to more of a Q&A session last year. The result opened the door to learn more on a personal level about the happenings in the three cities, she said. The chamber creates that important bridge between business leaders and community leaders to come together and build trusting relationships, Cooney said. I enjoy this event because it attracts all different types of business and community leaders. Its great to be surrounded by people who are invested in our community and its future. Read more news from the Parma Sun Post. BEREA, Ohio Berea residents Leon Dozier, Jonathan Montag and Vance Redding will vie for the Ward 1 City Council seat at the May 2 Primary Election. The top two vote getters advance to the Nov. 7 General Election. All three candidates responded to questions posed by cleveland.com Dozier is the incumbent and said he wants to continue to give back to the city some of (his) knowledge and ability. He indicated his government experience having served on Planning Commission for seven years and City Council (2nd term) make him the best candidate. A citizen-led recall election failed to oust him last fall. I recommend anyone desiring a council seat first become involved with the city government, Dozier said, describing himself as trustworthy, conscientious, God fearing and a good listener. Montag said he is running for office due to the lack of response from Ward 1 leadership since moving to Berea in 2006. One-on-one attention goes a long way to addressing issues and concerns, Montag said. I will respond to every communication I receive. Being a steady voice is crucial. As for Montags qualifications, he referenced tough decisions made while holding top church leadership positions. I believe you dont stop looking for ways to improve just because we have a good balance sheet, Montag said. We should always be looking to do better. Redding said he is seeking the Ward 1 seat because people got no action or support from the previous councilpeople for at least a decade. I just want to make our neighborhood better, Redding said, noting in 2020 he began pursuing a neighborhood trail link to the Cleveland Metroparks, with meetings with park officials still occurring monthly. I like to finish what I start. He added he takes great pride in the Berea Good Neighbor Award bestowed on him in 2006 from then-Mayor Joseph Biddlecombe. The candidates then were asked what their primary concern is in Ward 1, excluding residential flooding. Dozier stressed the importance of the Cleveland Browns organization, its facility expansion project and the critical tax base the organization generates. The Browns have been very, very compliant, wanting to make the current residents happy with what theyre doing (during the expansion), Dozier said. Theyre going to be here through at least 2039. From the citys perspective and my perspective, thats a good thing. I trust them. Redding cited aging infrastructure, expressing the need for upgraded sewers, and reiterated the need for a Metroparks trail entry point. Along with the link to the Metroparks, we need sidewalks to get there, Redding said, mentioning nearby new apartment buildings and future development will bring in additional trail users. The rest of Berea has access to the Metroparks, and we dont. Montag voiced concern about the citys aging water lines, as well as its roads. Getting on and off the bridge, the roadway over the railroad tracks is starting to fall apart, and thats something that needs to be addressed, Montag said. Having a long-term vision about infrastructure that needs to be taken care of is really something we need to pay attention to. Ward 1 residents also want to be fully aware of what the plan is for the Cleveland Browns, he added. Just the rumor of the Haslams building a mixed-use development should spur council to create a vision for the next 5 to 10 years, Montag said. Read more stories from the News Sun. CLEVELAND, Ohio Akron officials have agreed to stop using pepper spray and tear gas on peaceful protesters demonstrating over a grand jurys decision not to indict eight officers who fatally shot Jayland Walker. U.S. District Magistrate Judge James Grimes Jr. on Friday signed off on the agreement between the city and attorneys for the Akron Bail Fund, an activist group that sued the city late Thursday and requested a temporary injunction. The agreement, which will remain in effect for two weeks, followed about four hours of hearings and out-of-court negotiations between the two sides. The injunction forces the city, its police and any other law enforcement agency to refrain from using less than lethal munitions and other excessive force against protesters, which is already barred by law. It will, however, give Grimes the ability to call city officials into court if theres a dispute arising from any uses of force in future protests. The injunction says that officers can use pepper spray if protests turn violent. Other stipulations include: If protesters are marching on a street and an emergency vehicle police cruiser, fire truck or ambulance needs to get through. Police still must issue a dispersal order before deploying pepper spray. If protesters are blocking entrance to critical infrastructure such as driveways to a hospital. Officers under the order cannot use pepper spray against protesters committing non-violent offenses, such as blocking a street or committing a traffic violation, but they can use it for violence or property crimes, according to the order read in court. Any arrests must be made after probable cause is established, and officers must issue citations for non-arrestable offenses, like traffic infractions, the order says. Eight Akron police officers fired 94 shots at Walker following a June 2022 police chase in which a gunshot came from Walkers car. He ran from police, reached at his waistband and turned toward officers, who shot him 46 times. Walker did not have a weapon when he died. A Summit County grand jury on Monday declined to indict the officers. Daily protests followed. On Wednesday, officers from Akron police and Summit County sheriffs deputies shot pepper spray and tear gas at protesters along Copley Road. The Akron Bail Fund, a nonprofit that organizes protests and posts bail for those who are arrested, filed a lawsuit late Thursday, accusing officers of using excessive force to quell residents First Amendment right to free speech. The accusations against the city included officers giving a dispersal order to the crowd about 30 minutes after deploying pepper spray on the crowd, which included children. At a hearing before Grimes, Elizabeth Bonham, an attorney for the Akron Bail Fund, argued that law enforcement preemptively used force, did not have probable cause to arrest the six people who police took into custody and made pretextual stops to arrest drivers leaving protests. I dont think its appropriate under the law for police to use chemical weapons against lawful demonstrations at all, but certainly not when there has been no instigation, no threat of violence and against people who arent even arguably in the street or committing a crime, Bonham said. John Christopher Reece, the citys deputy law director, argued in court records and during the hearing that protesters were blocking Copley Road, causing a safety issue for police and firefighters who use the thoroughfare to cross the city and get to hospitals. An affidavit filed by Akron Fire Chief John Natko said firefighters use Copley Road about 12 times per day on average for emergencies. Reece said during the hearing that the city is still reviewing body camera footage and Ohio State Highway Patrol drone footage of the incident to determine what happened. He also said its possible that the pepper spray came from Summit County deputies, not Akron police. Assistant Akron Law Director Brian Bremer said the city disputes that the protest was peaceful, but he did not present evidence to back up his argument, something Grimes pointed out repeatedly in the hearing. After more back and forth, Reece said he wouldnt object to an order stopping police from using tear gas and pepper spray against peaceful protesters. We can live with that, Reece said. Adam Ferrise covers federal courts at cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer. You can find his work here. CLEVELAND, Ohio A neo-Nazi accused of firebombing a Geauga County church ahead of a planned drag queen story hour and brunch event was charged Friday with a federal hate crime. A federal grand jury on Friday handed up an indictment against Aimenn Penny, 20, on charges of obstruction of persons in the free exercise of religious beliefs, a hate crime under U.S. law. Penny also faces two counts of arson and one count of possessing a Molotov cocktail. The hate crime carries a much harsher sentence. Penny could be sentenced to a maximum of 20 years in prison if he is convicted. The other charges carry sentences of five to 10 years. An arraignment date has not yet been set. Pennys attorney, John Greven, declined comment. Penny has been in federal custody since his March 31 arrest on the charges. The arrest happened a day before the Community Church of Chesterland and a nearby restaurant hosted two drag queen story events. Those events nationwide have been met with anger by far-right groups, including neo-Nazis and White Lives Matter Ohio, which Penny belonged to as a member. An FBI affidavit, which accompanied criminal charges against Penny, said White Lives Matter Ohio has racist, pro-Nazi and homophobic views. Penny threw a Molotov cocktail at the church on March 25, leaving burn marks on the churchs front door and a sign, court records say. After FBI agents raided his home in Alliance, Penny admitted to throwing the device at the Chester Township church, court records say. He said as he watched internet videos of drag shows in France, he became increasingly angry and decided to attack the Community Church of Chesterland. He told FBI agents that he would have felt better if his Molotov cocktail were more effective and burned the church to the ground, according to court records. FBI agents seized items from Pennys home, including a Nazi flag, Nazi memorabilia, a White Lives Matter Ohio shirt, a gas mask, gas cans and a handwritten manifesto that included ideological statements, according to court records. Penny in the weeks and months leading up to the event had several run-ins with police. In one incident in October, Alliance police spotted him distributing flyers on police cruisers and other cars. Penny told officers he was spreading the word that Black Americans were the problem, and that he believed Black citizens were solely responsible for the high crime rate in the country. He told Alliance police that he believes in, and looks forward to, a race war in America. Penny on March 11 went with a group of White Lives Matter members to distribute flyers in Wadsworth ahead of a drag queen story hour planned in the Medina County city. The group included Matthew Slatzer, a neo-Nazi who served federal prison time for possessing a gun in a Canton bar despite having a prior felony conviction. He once walked into a store in Stow and asked directions to Kent State University, telling store employees that he planned to find some Jews. A judge sentenced Slatzer to prison for distributing the flyers because he violated the terms of his probation. The following week, neo-Nazis, including Penny, clashed with those who showed up to the drag queen story hour in Wadsworth. Group members carried swastika flags and shouted homophobic slurs and Heil Hitler, according to court records. Adam Ferrise covers federal courts at cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer. You can find his work here. HUDSON, Ohio Police are investigating after a 41-year-old man was found dead of gunshot wounds Wednesday evening inside a home. Todd Morgan, 41, a Hudson resident, was shot in the head and body, according to the Summit County Medical Examiners Office. His death has been ruled a homicide. Police found Morgans body in the home on the 300 block of West Streetsboro Street after being called to the residence to perform a welfare check just before 7 p.m., WOIO Channel 19 reports. No additional details were available Thursday night. CLEVELAND, Ohio The Guardians plan to call up left hander Logan T. Allen to start Sundays series finale against Miami at Progressive Field, according to manager Terry Francona. Allen, the franchises No. 8 overall prospect, according to MLB.com, has made three starts at Triple-A Columbus racking up 20 strikeouts in 14 2/3 innings with a 1.05 WHIP. Francona said the hope is that Allen will usher in Clevelands next wave of great young starting pitching, but Sundays potential start will not determine the course of his career. Recommended Guardians stories This is kind of that next wave, the beginning of maybe that next wave that we hope can impact us and help us win, Francona said. I do think when kids come to the major leagues, you have to set some expectations that his first five innings arent going to define his career. But I think theres so much to like about him that its going to be fun to watch his progression. That next wave could eventually include right-handed prospects Tanner Bibbee (No. 5 prospect), Gavin Williams (No. 2) and lefty Joey Cantillo (No. 19). Top overall prospect Daniel Espino is also said to be making progress in his return from a shoulder strain suffered prior to spring training, but is not yet throwing off a mound at the clubs Goodyear, Arizona, training complex. BetMGM Ohio $1,000 FIRST BET INSURANCE CLAIM OFFER Promo code: CLEVELANDCOM Ohio Launch Offer With the arrival of BetMGM in Ohio, Ohio bettors can now place bets. Other sportsbooks in Ohio include Barstool Ohio, Caesars Ohio and DraftKings. Allen, selected in the second round of the 2020 draft with the 56th overall pick by Cleveland, did not make his professional debut until 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He opened that season at Class A Lake County and went 5-0 with a 1.58 ERA in nine starts before moving on to Double-A Akron where he went 4-0 with a 2.85 ERA in 12 games, including 10 starts, for the RubberDucks. Overall, the left-hander with the good changeup went 9-0 with a 2.26 ERA. He struck out 143 in 111 1/3 innings. The nine wins and 143 strikeouts ranked second in the Guardians minor league system. Allen, 24, throws a fastball, curveball and changeup and is not related to the Logan S. Allen who went 2-7 with a 6.27 ERA for Cleveland in 2021. With questionable weather in the forecast all weekend, Allen is set to arrive in Cleveland on Saturday, Francona said. Right-handers Peyton Battenfield and Cal Quantrill would move their next starts back one day each to Monday and Tuesday, respectively, with Fridays starter Zach Plesac going again on Wednesday in the homestand finale. Thats the plan, Francona said. Now if weather went all to hell, that plan can change. But (Allen) has been informed thats what we want to do. Ad not displaying properly? Become a Cleveland Baseball Insider by clicking here. If you or a loved one has questions and needs to talk to a professional about gambling, call the Ohio Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-589-9966 or the National Council on Program Gambling Helpline (NCPG) at 1-800-522-4700 or visit 1800gambler.net for more information. 21+ and present in Ohio. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-Gambler. ST. PAUL, Minnesota Mike Lindell, the MyPillow chief executive who has been spreading conspiracies about the 2020 presidential election for more than two years, was ordered Wednesday by an arbitration panel to pay $5 million to a software engineer who proved claims that Lindell had made were not valid. The Washington Post reports ruling is based on a challenge Lindell issued in August 2021 at a cyber symposium in South Dakota. Lindell offered a $5 million reward for anyone who could prove that packet captures and other data he released there were not valid data from the November 2020 election. SANTA FE, N.M. Involuntary manslaughter charges against actor Alec Baldwin will be dropped, New Mexico special prosecutors announced Thursday. The involuntary manslaughter charges stem from a fatal shooting on the set of Rust, a movie Baldwin had been filming in New Mexico in October 2021. The 65-year-old actor was handling a prop gun on the movies set when it discharged, killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza. Both Baldwin and the sets armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, were charged with involuntary manslaughter in January, to which both pleaded not guilty. Those charges against Baldwin will be dismissed and special prosecutors Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis cited new facts in the case. New facts were revealed that demand further investigation and forensic analysis, Morrissey and Lewis said in a statement. This decision does not absolve Mr. Baldwin of criminal culpability and charges may be refiled. While Baldwins charges will be dismissed, prosecutors said Thursday the charges against Gutierrez-Reed remain unchanged, though her attorneys said they expect her to be fully exonerated, CNN reports. Baldwins attorneys expressed approval with the involuntary manslaughter charges being dismissed against Baldwin. Medical investigators on the case ruled previously in August 2022 that the shooting was an accident. We are pleased with the decision to dismiss the case against Alec Baldwin and we encourage a proper investigation into the facts and circumstances of this tragic accident, Baldwins attorneys Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro said in a statement. Rust is set to resume filming this week, a spokesperson for the movie told CNN. CLEVELAND, Ohio A Cleveland man is accused of killing his cousin Thursday in the citys Glenville neighborhood, according to police. Terrance Jackson, 33, was shot about 7:45 p.m. at 10835 Grantwood Ave., according to police and the office of the Cuyahoga County medical examiner. Officers responded to the shooting after they received a ShotSpotter alert technology that notifies law enforcement of a gun shot through audio detection. Officers found Jackson on the ground in the driveway with gunshot wounds to his head and chest. CLEVELAND, Ohio A professor at Cleveland State University was killed Wednesday at his home in Hudson. Todd Morgan, 41, was shot in the head and torso in the 300 block of West Streetsboro Street in Hudson, according to the office of the Summit County medical examiner. A city spokeswoman said the shooting is believed to be isolated. Morgan was an assistant professor in the Department of Management in the Monte Ahuja College of Business at Cleveland State University. In a statement, Cleveland State Universitys president, Dr. Laura Bloomberg, described Morgan as a kind, dedicated colleague and a skilled educator. He (Morgan) was well-liked and respected by students, appreciated for his down-to-earth demeanor and very well regarded by those who guided him in his own career, the statement read. I understand that the loss of a member of our community is difficult and will come as a shock, especially to those who knew and worked most closely with Todd. Morgan began as an assistant professor for the university in 2021. He was also a two-time CSU alumnus, according to his biography on the schools website. His general research focused on new product development, innovation and strategic orientations for small- and medium-sized firms. Early in his career, Morgan worked for Unilever and Amerimark. He earned his doctorate in business administration with a concentration in strategy and entrepreneurship from Kent State University in 2015. Morgan previously taught at the University of Massachusetts Lowell and the Haworth College of Business at Western Michigan University. On Nov. 3, 1953, State Issue 2 appeared on ballots throughout Ohio as a proposed constitutional amendment creating a State Board of Education. According to Ballotpedia, 913,134 voters, or nearly 57% of Ohioans voting on the issue, approved the amendment. For the last 70 years, this voter-approved amendment has been part of the Ohio Constitution, as Article VI, Section 4. It states: There shall be a state board of education which shall be selected in such manner and for such terms as shall be provided by law. There shall be a superintendent of public instruction, who shall be appointed by the state board of education. The respective powers and duties of the board and of the superintendent shall be prescribed by law. Now, after seven decades, and without going back to state voters, lawmakers are trying to hollow out the State Board of Education via two bills -- Senate Bill 1 and House Bill 12. How can that be accomplished without changing the constitution? By leaving the State Board of Education nominally intact -- still with 19 members, 11 of them elected and eight appointed by the governor -- along with the boards power to name (what would become a virtually powerless) superintendent of public instruction. Such an approach hews -- nominally -- to the language of the 1953 amendment, but it clearly runs contrary to what motivated that amendment in the first place: a desire to take from the governor and give to the people and lawmakers more direct control over education policy. Instead, SB 1 and HB 12 would reverse that, by transferring virtually all of the State Board of Educations substantive duties to a new cabinet-level Director of Education and Workforce, appointed by the governor. That director would then oversee a new state education department, renamed the Department of Education and Workforce. SB 1 was voted out of the Ohio Senate March 1 on a party-line 26-7 vote and is now pending in the House. House Bill 12 remains in committee. Gov. Mike DeWine -- who, like many governors before him, has sought to gain more control over the mostly elected State Board of Education -- has expressed support for this legislation, as he did for a similar bill that didnt make it through in the last legislative session. But how does DeWine square that with what the people of Ohio said in 1953 about wanting a voice in the process? Shouldnt these changes go back to the voters for their approval? Dan Tierney, a spokesman for the governor, said DeWine had read the legislation and feels confident it follows the requirements of the 1953 amendment by retaining the board and superintendent of public instruction while also changing its powers and duties, as the amendment specifies can be done by the legislature. As to the will of the people, how is it possible to deduce such a thing all these years later, especially when the motivations of voters can be so varied, Tierney summarized. What the constitution actually says is what is controlling, he noted. In other words, the open-ended language of the amendments provisions -- provisions, it should be noted, written by the General Assembly in 1953 -- give todays General Assembly the power simply to gift control back to the governor, without need for a new amendment, or peoples vote. The State Board of Education, admittedly, never set the policy world afire -- until recently, with battles over anti-racism resolutions and other culture-war issues that brought it into conflict with DeWine and Statehouse Republicans. So could the real reason for this legislation be to thwart the people, again? As we noted in an editorial last year, voters in three of the four contested State Board of Education races last November ousted two GOP incumbents in favor of Democrats and elected another Democrat in a contested district previously held by a Republican. That was shortly before the first bill to rewrite education policy began to move in the legislature. Evidently, last years peoples voice was not what the governor and legislature wanted to hear. There is a way lawmakers can show they arent afraid of what a majority of Ohioans actually want: Go back to the people with a straightforward constitutional amendment to eliminate the State Board of Education, and see what the voters say. About our editorials: Editorials express the view of the editorial board of cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer -- the senior leadership and editorial-writing staff. As is traditional, editorials are unsigned and intended to be seen as the voice of the news organization. Have something to say about this topic? * Send a letter to the editor, which will be considered for print publication. * Email general questions about our editorial board or comments or corrections on this editorial to Elizabeth Sullivan, director of opinion, at esullivan@cleveland.com CLEVELAND - Since Easter, Ive been preaching a series of sermons anchored in the hope of the Resurrection. Essentially, the premise is that, because of the behind-the-scenes work of God on Easter morning, we can expect things to be better. Well, Wednesday at the City Club of Cleveland-hosted State of the City, our Mayor Justin Bibb gave me a similar hope: As far as the state of affairs in Cleveland, it is only up from here! Now, I dont think its fair to compare anyone to a divine figure (save maybe Michael Jordan in his performance against the Hall of Fame-ridden Celtics -- Larry Bird did, and who can argue with Bird?), but the same feeling of inspiration and hope-laden optimism I get from my faith overpowered me as I left the evenings event. CLEVELAND, Ohio Full planes, high fares, canceled flights its the trifecta of summer travel and, even in April, its not too early to prepare. Travel experts say this summer may rival last year in terms of disruptions, due to high demand, ongoing staffing issues and the potential for problems both weather and technology-related. Already, government and airline officials are sending up warning flags that this summer travel season is going to be the busiest in years perhaps the busiest ever and travelers should be ready. If there are when there are summer thunderstorms, it will be even worse, said industry consultant Brett Snyder, founder of crankyflier.com. At Cleveland Hopkins, airport officials are prepping for a very busy summer travel season, with passenger volumes that may exceed 2019 levels, before the pandemic brought air travel to a screeching halt. John Hogan, deputy chief of marketing and air service development at Cleveland Hopkins, is forecasting that as many as 1 million travelers may fly in and out of CLE in July a monthly total not seen here since the summer of 2008. Among the reasons why: new flights, starting next month from Aer Lingus, Alaska, Frontier and others. Flights are also likely to be extra full this summer. Hogan said hes hearing from the airlines that 90% of seats are expected to be sold this summer, compared to 85% in 2019. Nationwide, air traffic volume has rebounded to pre-pandemic levels, as well. During the first two weeks of April, more than 32 million travelers passed through TSA security checks on par with 2019 numbers. And summer is likely to be even busier, said Transportation Security Administrator David Pekoske. I expect that were going to see very, very strong demand all the way through the summertime, and thats what were preparing for, Pekoske said in an interview with Bloomberg. Itll be a challenge, but weve faced this challenge in prior years and weve been able to be successful at it. The airlines, too, say theyre ready for peak summer travel. But the technology issue that forced a brief grounding of all Southwest Airlines flights this week is just the latest evidence that not every problem can be anticipated or avoided. Earlier this month, an ash cloud moving across the globe after a volcanic eruption in Russia disrupted air travel and led to numerous flight cancellations in Alaska and the Western United States. Were still going to have weather, said aviation consultant Robert Mann, president of R.W. Mann and Co. Were going to have IT meltdowns. Last weeks Southwest issue followed a catastrophic December for the airline when more than 17,000 flights were canceled in the busy days before and after Christmas. Those problems were triggered by a massive winter storm and the airlines subsequent inability to reschedule passengers quickly. Thousands of vacations were ruined. Last summer, amid surging travel demand, airlines were forced to cut thousands of flights because they didnt have the staff to service them. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, more than 15,000 flights 2.5% of all scheduled routes were canceled between June 1 and August 31. And over 132,000 flights (21.6%) were delayed by 15 minutes or more during that same period. The result: missed vacations, extra full flights and sky-high fares. Fares have come down from a year ago, but theyre still quite high, according to Hopper, a travel app that tracks airfares and other data. The site predicts that average airfare is expected to be about $350 per ticket this summer, down from $400 last year but up from $287 in 2019. Though prices are expected to remain lower than 2022 levels for late spring and summer, airfare is expected to be higher than pre-pandemic levels, as costs remain high and demand continues to outstrip airline capacity, Hopper economist Hayley Berg wrote in her first-quarter Consumer Travel Index. One more factor affecting airlines ability to meet demand: Boeing recently warned that a production issue would delay the delivery of a significant number of 737 Max jets; Airbus is facing similar problems. This week, in an SEC filing, United Airlines noted that Boeing was delaying the delivery of 37 aircraft to the carrier in 2023, including six that were expected in the second quarter. However, at this time, we do not expect these delays to be extensive or to have a significant impact on our capacity plan for 2023, the company said. Despite some lingering concerns, consultant Brett Snyder said he doesnt expect widespread flight cancellations in 2023 like what occurred in 2022. There was a very rapid ramp-up in 2022, said Snyder, as demand surged following two years of pandemic restrictions. This year they have a better blueprint to go on. In Cleveland, Hogan said he is hearing the same optimistic talk from the airlines that the schedule that exists now, in late April, wont be changed much heading into the summer. The message Im getting from the carriers is that theyre going ahead with their schedules as planned, he said. I believe theyre better prepared for it. While the long-term pilot shortage is still impacting airlines, Snyder said the airlines have largely solved their shorter-term, pandemic-related staffing problems. The same cannot be said for the Federal Aviation Administration, which recently asked all major airlines to cut service in and out of the New York City area by as much as 10% this summer due to a shortage of air traffic controllers. Thats a red flag, said Snyder. Theyre asking for a solution before anything has happened. Its unclear whether any of those cuts will affect travelers from Cleveland. Hogan said he had not heard from any carriers that they plan to reduce flying into the New York area. Similar traffic control issues in Florida could lead to operational problems in the South, as well, said Snyder. Despite the problems, Snyder believes the industry is in better shape than it was a year ago. Last years problems were due to the unexpectedly high demand that caught the airline industry unprepared. Theyve now had a year to figure it out. Still, he said, there are no guarantees. One major storm or technology problem, and the entire system is disrupted. Theres not a lot of slack in the system if theres a problem, he said. Some advice as you plan your summer holiday: * Fly nonstop if you can. That removes a lot of uncertainty, said Snyder. * Build in more time if youre connecting. Airlines are selling itineraries with increasingly minimal connecting times 35 minutes at Chicago OHare, for example, said Snyder. That doesnt give you much room for error, he said. That gives you no room for error. * Have an action plan in the event of trouble. If you see that weather might be a problem on your day of travel (or even if you dont), research possible alternatives if your flight is delayed or canceled. What other carriers fly the route? Are there other airports nearby? If there is a problem, you want to be first out of the gate for any possible solution. There may be a couple of seats on that alternative flight and the first two people to get them are the winners, said Snyder. Read more: Nonstop service between Cleveland Hopkins and Dublin launches May 19 on Aer Lingus Frontier Airlines announces expansion at Cleveland Hopkins, with new flights to San Diego, San Francisco, Dallas and Charlotte Cleveland travelers share their Southwest Airlines holiday horror stories Summer travel chaos ensnares Cleveland airport director, and plenty of others TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew testifies before the House Energy and Commerce Committee in the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill on March 23, 2023 in Washington, DC. To spot and remove offensive posts, TikTok has tens of thousands of workers, who are led by a group in Ireland, tasked with content moderation, CEO Shou Zi Chew said on Thursday. Speaking at the TED2023 Possibility conference in Vancouver, British Columbia, Chew said TikTok has "clear community guidelines" and that executives do not "make any ad-hoc decisions" when dealing with "bad actors" on the internet who post offensive content on the app. "Based on that, we have built a team that is tens of thousands of people plus machines in order to identify content that is bad, and actively, proactively remove it from the platform," Chew said. While Chew made it sound as if the employees were located in Ireland, a spokesperson said after initial publication of this story that "the group is based in Ireland" with "tens of thousands of moderators around the world." TikTok, which is owned by China's ByteDance, is under intense pressure from U.S. lawmakers who want to ban the app over concerns it poses a threat to national security. Chew's comments come weeks after the CEO withstood a barrage of tough questioning from U.S. legislators, who have also criticized TikTok for failing to prevent the spread of offensive content on its platform or address its contribution to a rise in teenage depression. "As a company, our goal is not to optimize and maximize time spent," Chew said on Thursday, adding that when people are glued to their smartphone screens TikTok "will proactively send you videos to tell you to get off the platform." The harmful content problem is not unique to TikTok. U.S. rivals, including Meta , parent of Facebook and Instagram, and Google's YouTube, have faced similar questions from lawmakers. Chew said TikTok takes the matter seriously. "We really encourage parents to have these conversations with their teenagers of what is the right amount of screen time," Chew said. "I think there's a healthy relationship that you should have with your screen and, as a business, you know, we believe that that balance needs to be met." Chew also brought up TikTok's Project Texas initiative, which is at the heart of the company's effort to reassure the public that the data of U.S. users will remain on domestic soil and won't fall into the hands of foreign governments, most notably China. Although TikTok is partnering with Silicon Valley software vendor Oracle to store and protect user data, U.S. lawmakers remain concerned that Beijing could snoop on U.S. citizens or potentially spread propaganda via the TikTok app. "I can say that we are building all the tools to prevent any of these actions from happening," Chew said. "And I'm very confident that with an unprecedented amount of transparency that we're giving on the platform, we can reduce this risk to as low as zero as possible." WATCH: How TikTok ban will benefit other social media giants like Meta and Twitter Amazon 's Whole Foods is letting go some corporate employees as part of a planned reorganization of select teams, and as its parent company closely examines costs. Whole Foods plans to reorganize certain global and regional support teams over the next two months, the company's executive team wrote in a memo to employees on Thursday. As a result, the upscale grocer is laying off several hundred employees from those teams, a spokesperson confirmed. The cuts translate to about less than half of a percent of the company's global workforce, a Whole Foods Market spokesperson said. "We often talk about how simplifying our work and improving how we operate is critical as we grow," the executive team wrote in the memo. "We've made great progress in these areas through previous operational and organizational changes. As the grocery industry continues to rapidly evolve, and as we like all retailers have navigated challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic and continued economic uncertainty, it has become clear that we need to continue to build on these changes. With additional adjustments, we will be able to further simplify our operations, make processes easier, and improve how we support our stores." As part of the changes, Whole Foods, which operates across nine different regions, will shift to six regions. The move won't result in any store closures or the letting go of any store or distribution center employees, according to the memo. Whole Foods is tweaking its operational structure as it seeks to expand and better serve customers, the spokesperson said. The company has roughly 50 new stores in development, they added. Amazon in 2017 spent $13.7 billion to acquire the upscale grocer, a move that sent shock waves through that industry. The retail giant acquired Whole Foods with the hopes of accelerating its multiyear push into selling groceries online and in physical stores. Whole Foods has undergone other operational changes since Amazon acquired it. The company in 2021 merged its global and regional merchandising teams, and shifted its technology team to focus on software engineering, technical product and program manager roles, to "sustain our growth." Amazon CEO Andy Jassy recently hit pause on expansion of its Fresh supermarket chain amid a companywide effort to rein in expenses. It also shuttered some Fresh locations and Go cashierless convenience stores. Some employees in Amazon's grocery unit were let go in a recent round of layoffs announced in January. Still, Jassy has said he remains confident about Amazon's potential to grow its grocery business. In his letter to shareholders last week, Jassy said the e-commerce giant "must find a mass grocery format that we believe is worth expanding broadly" to make a larger impact on brick-and-mortar grocery. Here's the full memo: Improving Our Operating Structure to Better Support Our Stores Dear Team Members, We often talk about how simplifying our work and improving how we operate is critical as we grow. We've made great progress in these areas through previous operational and organizational changes. As the grocery industry continues to rapidly evolve, and as we like all retailers have navigated challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic and continued economic uncertainty, it has become clear that we need to continue to build on these changes. With additional adjustments, we will be able to further simplify our operations, make processes easier, and improve how we support our stores. To achieve this, we will evolve our operating structure and make a few changes to certain Global and Regional Support teams over the next two months. We see great opportunity to advance our impact on the world, and these changes will help us fully capture that opportunity. These changes include: Shifting from nine to six regions with a more consistent number of stores per region. Moving to fewer regions of similar sizes will allow us to quickly make decisions, implement sustainable processes, and scale innovations. Ultimately, it will help us elevate the service we provide our customers, Team Members, and suppliers. As we redraw the lines of our regional map, some stores may become part of a new region, but this shift won't result in any store or facility closures or change our commitment to maintaining local relevance in our stores. See our new regional map and leadership details below. Team Members can expect to hear from the leader of their future region early next week. with a more consistent number of stores per region. Moving to fewer regions of similar sizes will allow us to quickly make decisions, implement sustainable processes, and scale innovations. Ultimately, it will help us elevate the service we provide our customers, Team Members, and suppliers. As we redraw the lines of our regional map, some stores may become part of a new region, but this shift won't result in any store or facility closures or change our commitment to maintaining local relevance in our stores. See our new regional map and leadership details below. Team Members can expect to hear from the leader of their future region early next week. Creating a unified, companywide Operations team by transitioning category-specific store operations support from regions to a single Field Support team within our Global Operations team. Additionally, we will alleviate supply chain management work from regions, transitioning these responsibilities to a new Supply Chain Performance Management function within our Global Supply Chain team. These changes will free up time for stores to focus on serving customers, while unifying communications and support around clear Operations priorities. by transitioning category-specific store operations support from regions to a single Field Support team within our Global Operations team. Additionally, we will alleviate supply chain management work from regions, transitioning these responsibilities to a new Supply Chain Performance Management function within our Global Supply Chain team. These changes will free up time for stores to focus on serving customers, while unifying communications and support around clear Operations priorities. Enhancing Team Member Services (TMS) support for Team Members and Leaders across the company by realigning TMS team structures. This will help eliminate a significant amount of transactional work, which will allow our TMS teams to focus more on supporting Team Member experience, growth, and development. This will also empower store leadership to operate with more agility and have more time to focus on priority initiatives. by realigning TMS team structures. This will help eliminate a significant amount of transactional work, which will allow our TMS teams to focus more on supporting Team Member experience, growth, and development. This will also empower store leadership to operate with more agility and have more time to focus on priority initiatives. Adjusting structures and improving processes of several other Global Support teams to provide more effective, timely, and consistent support to stores and ensure support teams can focus on priority initiatives. We will begin sharing more information about Global Support team changes with respective teams today. We will also meet with store and facility leadership to discuss these updates in more detail. These changes will impact our Team Members in different ways. Store and facility-based roles are not directly impacted, though there will be some adjustments to how support and store teams work together. There will be some reductions in headcount on certain Global and Regional support teams, and those impacted will receive more information today. While change is necessary and healthy for a sustainable business, it can also be very challenging, particularly when it affects the lives of Team Members. We are committed to supporting all impacted Team Members through these transitions. As we simplify processes and improve how we operate, we will be able to quickly respond to evolving business needs, focus more on our most impactful work, and invest in new ways to serve all stakeholders. We are confident these changes will allow us to better support our stores, Team Members, and suppliers, elevate the customer experience, and position Whole Foods Market for continued growth. Most important, these changes will help ensure we deliver on our Purpose to nourish people and the planet for decades to come. Sincerely, E-Team WATCH: How Whole Foods has changed since Amazon took over HIMSS conference attendees walk the exhibition floor Source: HIMSS Debates over artificial intelligence and its role in health care took center stage at the HIMSS Global Health Conference in Chicago this week, where more than 35,000 physicians, other health-care workers, executives and engineers convened to discuss the latest advancements in health and technology. Companies such as Microsoft , Google and Amazon prominently advertised new health applications for AI on booths across a sprawling exhibition floor, and panels of experts answered questions about how the technology can be used to address industrywide challenges such as staffing shortages and physician burnout. related investing news Top strategist says every investor needs some hyper-growth exposure and these A.I. stocks could do the trick Technologys year of efficiency faces it first major test: overcoming declining earnings expectations Many health-care organizations and companies have been using AI in various capacities for years, but a subset known as generative AI exploded into public consciousness late last year when Microsoft-backed OpenAI launched its viral new chatbot called ChatGPT. Generative AI refers to programs that can use fairly complicated prompts from end users to generate text or images. Just as generative AI has captured the attention of the general public, it has also captivated the medical community. AI was the focus of the HIMSS conference's opening keynote, and HIMSS CEO Hal Wolf prefaced the discussion by revealing that he had asked ChatGPT how to solve global health-care challenges. The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society, or HIMSS, holds the conference each year. Wolf posed the question to ChatGPT in jest, but David Rhew, global chief medical officer at Microsoft, told CNBC in an interview that generative AI could really be "transformative" for solving big problems in the health-care industry. "The opportunity to apply these large language models and the artificial intelligence in clinical workflows is tremendous, and we have to do it responsibly," he said. For Rhew, that means starting with "high-impact, low-risk" uses for the technology, such as streamlining administrative tasks. Developing diagnostic or directly patient-facing generative AI applications are higher risk since they pose significant regulatory questions for companies, academics and federal agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration to work through. Rhew said to think of AI as if the health-care industry has just been introduced to a car, while none of the stop signs, traffic lights or roads have been created yet. "We still have to figure out how to do this together," he said. HIMSS CEO Hal Wolf speaks at the HIMSS conference Source: HIMSS But in the meantime, administrative or "back office" tasks require less regulatory oversight, and there is a real need for efficient solutions, since clerical work is often burdensome for clinicians. A study funded by the American Medical Association in 2016 found that for every hour a physician spent with a patient, they spent an additional two hours on administrative work. The study said that physicians also tend to spend an additional one to two hours doing clerical work outside of working hours. Similarly, in 2017, the Journal of the Association of American Medical Colleges published a survey where respondents said around 24% of their working hours are spent on administrative tasks. More than two-thirds of the physicians surveyed reported that administrative responsibilities "negatively affect their ability to deliver high-quality care." HIMSS attendees told CNBC they believe generative AI can help with these tasks. Letting AI do the clerical work On Monday, Microsoft announced an expanded partnership with Epic Systems, a health-care software company that helps hospitals and other health systems store, share and access electronic health records. More than 160 million people use Epic's MyChart software, which provides patients with direct access to their health information and care team. Epic's first application of the AI technology automatically generates draft responses to the messages that physicians receive from patients through MyChart. The physicians don't have to use the suggested draft at all, but it saves them time if they choose to edit or send it. Seth Hain, senior vice president of R&D at Epic, told CNBC in an interview that AI could serve as an impactful hypothesis generation tool for physicians in the future. He said they will be able to ask patient-specific questions such as: What do you think I should look at next in regard to this problem? Peter Lee, corporate vice president of research and incubations at Microsoft, told CNBC that an early look at Epic's AI developments brought tears to his eyes. "It just blew me away," he said. Microsoft's speech recognition subsidiary Nuance Communications also announced a clinical notes application called DAX Express ahead of HIMSS in March. DAX Express aims to help reduce clinicians' administrative burdens by automatically drafting a clinical note within seconds after a patient visit. In a live demo at HIMSS, Nuance previewed future projects and showcased DAX Express' capabilities, which were met with gasps and joyful exclamations from some of the physicians, nurses and health-care workers in the room. More than 35,000 people attended the HIMSS conference in 2023 Source: HIMSS Big banks just had a busy earnings week, and a few beat expectations. Two of them were Citi and Bank of America , both of which exceeded forecasts on revenue and other metrics. "There are expectations for greater regulatory oversight given SIVB's failure, but large banks are well prepared and we do not expect sizeable changes for them. Smaller banks will likely bear the brunt of additional regulatory scrutiny," said Stephen Biggar, director of financial institutions research at Argus Research. Since the start of the banking crisis, Bank of America is still down less than 1% and more than 8% down in the year to date, while Citi has clawed back some losses, rising more than 4% and up 12% in the year to date. The following table shows some key metrics, including how well capitalized the two banks are, their profitability, and the nature of their deposits. CNBC Pro takes a look at what analysts are saying about the two banks, which are among the largest in the United States. Bank of America: 'Superior resiliency' Bank of America continues to demonstrate a "Goliath is Winning" theme, Wells Fargo said in an April 18 note. "Its 1Q23 EPS exceeded consensus by 13% with superior resiliency in its business model, balance sheet, and funding," wrote Wells Fargo analysts led by Mike Mayo. The bank's earnings came in at 94 cents per share, above Wall Street's estimate of 82 cents, according to Refinitiv. Deposits at the bank were down 2%, Wells Fargo said. But it added that the bank has "deposit stickiness" and highlighted the change in its level of deposits, saying, "The bigger picture is that BAC has the lowest cycle-to-date beta (est. 30%) on its $1.3tn of interest bearing deposits." The issue of uninsured deposits has come under the spotlight since the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, whose uninsured deposits exceeded the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation's guaranteed limit. Wells Fargo also noted that Bank of America's capital market revenue rose 1% year on year and 30% quarter on quarter, beating its peers. Wells Fargo gave Bank of America a price target of $45, or potential upside of nearly 50% from Wednesday's close. Biggar of Argus Research said he prefers Bank of America to Citi, though he gave both a "buy" rating. "I like BAC's broad diversification, which helps smooth out periods of weakness in some business lines depending on the environment, " he told CNBC Pro. "The lending business is currently the driver, while investment banking has been weak. Trading has been a greater driver of revenues, as has their very large credit card business." Citi: 'More of a turn-around story' Citi's earnings per share beat estimates by 13%, given better-than-expected net interest income, fees and expenses, and almost one-third of growth year on year in its Treasury and Trade Solutions unit, which "we view as Citi's most premium business," Wells Fargo analysts wrote. That unit is a division of Citi's institutional clients group and offers cash management and trade finance services. "At the start of earnings, we sense that a differentiator will be those banks like Citi which show both higher [average] deposits (slightly higher QoQ) and [net interest income] (+1%), including [net interest margin] NIM (up 2bp)," the analysts said. Wells Fargo gave Citi a price target of $62, or potential 24% upside from Wednesday's close smaller than the upside it gave Bank of America. Biggar said Citi is "more of a turn-around story." "They lag peers on several financial metrics including [return-on-equity] and efficiency, but under the new CEO are making wholesale changes to improve financials, including closing down many far-flung international operations that were not strategic and often added volatility to the earnings stream," he told CNBC Pro. An aerial view of the brine pools and processing areas of the Rockwood lithium plant on the Atacama salt flat, in the Atacama desert of northern Chile. Chile's President Gabriel Boric said on Thursday he would nationalize the country's lithium industry, the world's second largest producer of the metal essential in electric vehicle batteries, to boost its economy and protect its environment. The shock move in the country with the world's largest lithium reserves would in time transfer control of Chile's vast lithium operations from industry giants SQM and Albemarle to a separate state-owned company. It poses a fresh challenge to electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers scrambling to secure battery materials, as more countries look to protect their natural resources. Mexico nationalized its lithium deposits last year, and Indonesia banned exports of nickel ore, a key battery material, in 2020. "This is the best chance we have at transitioning to a sustainable and developed economy. We can't afford to waste it," Boric said in an address televised nationwide. Future lithium contracts would only be issued as public-private partnerships with state control, he said. The government would not terminate current contracts, but hoped companies would be open to state participation before they expire, he said, without naming Albemarle and SQM, the world's No.1 and No.2 lithium producers respectively. SQM's contract is set to expire in 2030 and Albemarle's in 2043. SQM, formally called Sociedad Quimica Y Minera de Chile, and Albemarle supply Tesla Inc , LG Energy Solution Ltd and other EV and battery manufacturers. Club holding Eli Lilly (LLY) expects U.S. health officials to make insurance reimbursement for Alzheimer's drugs easier to obtain, a policy change that, in theory, would help them become more commercially successful. It would be a boon to Lilly for sure, which has a treatment for the disease in trials. But we don't want to get ahead of ourselves before the company releases its latest Alzheimer's trial data. In an interview with Reuters , Eli Lilly executive Derek Asay said the drugmaker believes the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will eventually drop its more-stringent insurance coverage rules for a nascent class of Alzheimer's drugs that target the protein amyloid. Broad reimbursement allowed by CMS, which administers government-backed senior care, is seen as important for the expensive treatments to be accessible to patients. Lilly is expected to release phase three trial data on its latest anti-amyloid therapy, known as donanemab, by the end of June. It will likely need full approval to come to market, possibly in early 2024, based on prior Food and Drug Administration criteria . "We believe that [CMS] will provide what we would call outright coverage like they do for every other FDA-approved medication," Asay, who oversees Eli Lilly's relationship with the agency, told Reuters. Lilly shares climbed more than 2% on Friday, setting a new all-time intraday high of over $383 each, in an otherwise down day on Wall Street. The stock has soared more than 30% in the past 12 months. LLY 1Y mountain Shares of Eli Lilly over the past 12 months. CMS' current policy for anti-amyloid Alzheimer's drugs is two-fold. For those approved under the Food and Drug Administration's accelerated approval pathway, patients need to also be participating in a clinical trial to obtain CMS coverage. For those with full FDA approval, the agency will pay if patients enroll in a registry that collects data on effectiveness and safety. The FDA issued accelerated approval to an anti-amyloid drug developed by Japanese drugmaker Eisai and Massachusetts-based partner Biogen (BIIB) in January. A decision on granting full approval to the drug, marketed as Leqembi, is expected in early July. The U.S. drug regulator has never granted full approval to any anti-amyloid treatments, which target abnormal clumps of the protein that have long been associated with the memory-robbing disease. The exact role that the accumulation of these amyloid plaques plays in the progression of Alzheimer's is not fully understood. Eli Lilly and other pharmaceutical peers believe clearing amyloid plaque can help slow the disease and have spent many years and billions of dollars studying drugs that aimed to do so. However, some medical experts are skeptical that targeting amyloid is an effective way to treat Alzheimer's. Past controversy surrounding the effectiveness of anti-amyloid drugs including a different, earlier therapy co-developed by Biogen and Eisai seemingly played a role in CMS' limited coverage policy, which was finalized in April 2022. Indianopolis-based Lilly has expressed optimism around the donanemab's efficacy, including pointing to the results of Leqembi's trials as reason for additional confidence. But unlike Leqembi, Eli Lilly may not be able to obtain accelerated approval for donanemab because an earlier trial did not meet an FDA threshold for patient enrollment. If phase three data is successful, that means full FDA approval, possibly in early 2024, would be necessary for donanemab to hit the market. Bottom line The comments Friday from Eli Lilly's Asay are encouraging and do appear to be a key factor moving the company's stock price higher. While the executive's confidence is notable, the most important development for donanemab in the next few months will be the actual phase three data. But keep in mind: Eli Lilly's pursuit of an effective Alzheimer's treatment is not the core of our investment thesis in the company. Still, a commercially successful Alzheimer's drug would be material for Eli Lilly and strengthen its long-term position. We share management's confidence around donanemab's potential efficacy. Mounjaro is the heart of our Eli Lilly investment case. The company's type 2 diabetes therapy should hopefully receive expanded approval from U.S. regulators to also treat obesity, which would expand its reach to larger group of patients and enable sales of the drug to hit another level. Jim Cramer has said Mounjaro could become the best-selling drug of all time . Eli Lilly has said it expects Mounjaro to obtain obesity approval from the FDA later this year. The company is set to report earnings Thursday before the market opens, and management may provide fresh commentary around its drug pipeline during the subsequent earnings call. Another catalyst looming for Eli Lilly shares is results from a study conducted by its competitor in the weight-loss category Novo Nordisk . The Danish pharmaceutical company is studying whether its obesity drug reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke. Analysts believe that positive results in that study, which are expected by mid-year, would help further establish a market for the kind of obesity drugs made by Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly. (Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust is long LLY. See here for a full list of the stocks.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED. Eli Lilly Pharmaceutical company logo SOPA Images | LightRocket | Getty Images In this article TSLA Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNT Theo Wargo | Wireimage | Getty Images A rough week for Elon Musk was capped Friday when institutional shareholders in Tesla admonished the company's board of directors to rein in an "over-committed" CEO in an open letter. The letter follows the midair explosion of the SpaceX Starship rocket in its first test flight Thursday and a first-quarter Tesla earnings report Wednesday that saw net income decrease more than 20% from the prior year on narrowing margins. The report sent Tesla shares down almost 10% Thursday and erased nearly $13 billion from Musk's net worth, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires' Index. Musk also waded into controversy with Twitter again, eliminating verified status from the accounts of most nonpaying subscribers and eliminating markings for government officials and accounts, raising the specter of impostors running rampant on the platform. What the letter says The Tesla investors, who say their holdings amount to more than $1.5 billion, want the board to bring in more independent members and work harder to solve issues at the company that can pose "substantial legal, operational, and reputational risks" to the electric vehicle maker, "jeopardizing its long-term value." The investors are particularly concerned with Musk and Tesla's handling of human rights and workers' rights. Their letter recounts many lawsuits in which Tesla has been sued over racial discrimination, union-busting, wage theft, sexual harassment and unsafe working conditions. "Tesla appears to be embracing a broader culture of being 'above the law,'" they wrote, adding that Tesla now faces criminal probes by the U.S. Department of Justice, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and California's Department of Motor Vehicles over its Autopilot technology and claims about self-driving. "Instead of working to address problems with regulators, CEO Musk has made derogatory tweets and comments, fueling tensions," they wrote. The open letter to Tesla's board comes after Tesla shares have declined more than 15% over the past month. Nia Impact Capital's Kristin Hull told CNBC the letter is meant as a "call to action" and she is hoping that Tesla Chair Robyn Denholm will take the time to write a meaningful reply, at a minimum. "We want to see the board take their job seriously we don't see them doing a good job at being Elon Musk's boss." Eroding margins, exploding rockets While shares of Tesla were ticking higher in early trading Friday, the company's first-quarter earnings update this week revealed ballooning inventory levels and eroding profit margins. According to the company's investor presentation for the first three months of 2023, Tesla owes vendors $7.32 billion, and holds $14.38 billion in inventory after ramping up production in its factories and implementing price cuts through the first quarter. While Tesla raised prices on Model S and X vehicles in some markets Friday, those models represent a minor slice of overall sales and production for Tesla today. The modest price hikes were also accompanied by an incentive three years of free Supercharging on the company's electric vehicle charging network. Tesla's stock price slide has a direct effect on Musk, whose personal wealth is mostly derived from his Tesla holdings, as he lost approximately $13 billion of his on-paper net worth the day after Tesla's first-quarter earnings. Also on Thursday, Musk's U.S. defense contractor, SpaceX, launched its Starship Super Heavy vehicle in an orbital test flight from its Boca Chica, Texas, facility. As CNBC previously reported, the rocket made it off the launch pad a triumph of sorts but it also exploded, resulting in the Federal Aviation Administration grounding the program for the time being until further evaluation. Before the explosion, local environmental and indigenous rights groups protested the launch, anticipating harms to wildlife, people's health and property. CNBC reached out to the Texas regional office of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the FAA for more details. A spokesperson for the FWS said the agency is now gathering information about any impacts from the explosion to habitat and wildlife in the area, and the FAA did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Meanwhile, Musk continues to make controversial moves with Twitter, the social media platform he bought last year for $44 billion, selling billions of dollars worth of Tesla stock to help fund the purchase. This week, Twitter removed verified status from public figures and government accounts, including President Joe Biden, the pope, and even transit agencies, including San Francisco's BART. Musk-led Twitter also removed "government-funded" and "China state-affiliated" labels from the Twitter accounts of a myriad of global media organizations. The labels implied government involvement in editorial decisions by those outlets. Most notably, Reuters first reported, Twitter dropped the "China state-affiliated media" label from the accounts of Xinhua News, and from the accounts of journalists associated with those publications. Gov. Glenn Youngkin will travel to Asia next week to meet with political and business leaders, adding more fuel to speculation that the Virginia Republican is considering a run for president. Youngkin will lead a state delegation on a trade-focused visit that includes stops in Taiwan, Japan and South Korea. The group will meet with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen in Taipei City, along with a range of unnamed executives and leaders in Tokyo and Seoul, Youngkin's office said in a press release. The trip, announced earlier this month, will occur at the same time that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, seen as former President Donald Trump's biggest potential challenger for the 2024 GOP nomination, is also set to travel on a trade mission overseas. Youngkin framed the visit, his first to Asia as governor, as a chance to strengthen his state's supply chains in the semiconductor, pharmaceutical and automotive industries. "I'm going to put our best forward to have that foreign direct investment come to Virginia," Youngkin, a former co-CEO of Carlyle Group, said during an interview on CNBC's "Squawk Box" on Friday. The planned six-day international visit, set to kick off Monday, prompted questions about whether he had presidential ambitions. Youngkin did little to extinguish that speculation when CNBC pressed him about his political plans. "I have a great job and I am very focused on doing it well," Youngkin said Friday when asked about a Politico report from last month titled, "Why Glenn Youngkin Would Be Crazy Not to Run for President." When asked whether it was true or false that there was a 0% chance Youngkin would run for the White House in 2024, the governor replied: "I think that true and false questions are a fool's errand." He added: "I am 100% focused on Virginia's general assembly races in 2023." Youngkin's office has noted that Virginia is home to five business establishments from from Taiwan, 133 from Japan and 25 from South Korea. Youngkin, who flipped Virginia red when he won the race for governor in 2021, is one of a handful of Republicans who are being eyed as possible contenders in the 2024 presidential race. Others include former Vice President Mike Pence and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. Among the GOP candidates who have officially thrown their hats in the ring, Trump is considered the clear frontrunner. Polls show Trump's biggest competition is DeSantis, who is expected to announce his presidential plans after his state's current legislative session ends in May. DeSantis announced Thursday that he will set off on his own international trip next week, making stops in Japan, South Korea, Israel and the United Kingdom. The Florida governor quickly rose to prominence in the Republican Party through his high-profile fights on hot-button cultural issues. But he has weathered a torrent of negative press in recent weeks as critics panned his remarks on Ukraine and Trump's indictment, as well as his recent moves in a bitter feud with Disney . (Youngkin on Friday dodged CNBC's questions about the Disney-DeSantis fight.) This week, Trump, who had just pleaded not guilty to dozens of charges of falsifying business records in New York, won a spate of endorsements from Florida Republicans even after DeSantis traveled to Washington, D.C., to court support. For the past few decades, state and local governments throughout the U.S. have paid out a total of $2.9 billion to Americans who were wrongly convicted of crimes. Media attention on these big payouts and improvements in DNA technology have attracted investors and companies offering cash advances to exonerees with the hope of substantial payback that is, if they win their case. "It's a pain that no one would want to go through in advance and say, hey, I'll give you $10 million if you go do 20 years in prison. No one would take that bet," said Marvin Cotton, who was exonerated from his 20-year sentence in October 2020. He is currently in litigation hoping to 'right the wrong' of his wrongful conviction. Since 1989, The National Registry of Exoneration has found that there have been 2,795 exonerations in the U.S. Collectively, over 25,000 years have been lost behind bars to the wrongfully convicted, according to recent estimates. Thirty-eight states, the federal government and the District of Columbia all offer exonerees some form of wrongful-conviction compensation. These amounts are typically capped per year served. To get a higher payout usually requires a lawsuit against the government, which can be lengthy and costly. There's also a costly risk to firms who offer advances for these cases. "There's no credit checks, there's no collaterals, there's no guarantees, there's no assets," said Abraham Arouesty, of Tribeca Capital Group, a litigation firm that offers funding for wrongful-conviction cases. "The only way that we can collect our investment is if the claim actually succeeds." Proving one's innocence in civil court isn't a simple or fast process. Private firms can be an attractive lifeline for many exonerees, especially due to the heightened financial burden a legal battle with the government can amount to. "What we've seen in the connection with litigation loans are a number of problems," said Jon Eldan, founder of After Innocence, an organization that helps those wrongfully convicted with post-release assistance. "There are companies that are a little too aggressive with clients. There are companies that don't offer what is the market rate for this kind of loan". Watch the video above to find out more about why investors are betting on wrongful-conviction lawsuits watch now I am a great believer in the theory that the human mind is the most powerful imagination, machine. There is nothing that can beat the human mind. Narayana Murthy founder of Infosys Murthy was the CEO of Infosys from 1981 to 2002. In 2014, he was ranked 13th among CNBC's 25 global business leaders who have made maximum impact on society. "But let's remember, both you and I have access to the same ChatGPT," he pointed out. The human mind is what differentiates one from the other, said Murthy. "If there is a competition between you and me, you will use the ChatGPT output as your base, and then you will add your own differentiation, your own smartness, your own tweaking," continued Murthy. "And that's when the teachers will be much more impressed with you than with me." "The lazy guys will get C. Only smart people will get A," said Murthy. "Therefore, I am not so much worried about ChatGPT." watch now In 1981, Murthy and six other engineers founded Infosys with an initial capital of only $250. Infosys provides business consulting, information technology, software engineering and outsourcing services. Today, the company has grown into a multibillion dollar brand with a market capitalization of $62 billion and employs more than 346,000 across the globe from Asia-Pacific to North America to Europe and the Middle East. Infosys was the first Indian company to be listed on the Nasdaq in March 1999 and subsequently listed on the New York Stock Exchange in December 2012. In this photo illustration, an insulin pen manufactured by the Novo Nordisk company is displayed on March 14, 2023 in Miami, Florida. The top executives of the three drug companies that control 90% of the global insulin market will testify May 10 before the Senate Health Committee on lowering prices of their diabetes drugs, panel Chairman Sen. Bernie Sanders said Friday. Those companies Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk and Sanofi had announced in March that they will slash prices of their most widely used insulin products by 70% or more. Sanders on Friday called that move an important step forward that was the result of "public outrage and strong grassroots efforts." But the Vermont independent added that Congress must ensure that insulin, whose price has increased by more than 1,000% since 1996, is affordable for everyone. "We must make certain, however, that those price reductions go into effect in a way that results in every American getting the insulin they need at an affordable price," Sanders said in a statement announcing the scheduled testimony of Eli Lilly CEO David Ricks, Sanofi CEO Paul Hudson and Novo Nordisk CEO Lars Fruergaard Jorgensen. The companies' versions of insulin cost at least $275 before the announced price slashes, Sanders noted. Eli Lilly declined to comment when asked about the scheduled hearing. A Sanofi spokesperson said the company supports efforts to lower costs and believes other parts of the health-care system need to do more to help patients. Novo Nordisk said its CEO looks forward to "a productive and collaborative discussion about this important issue." Top executives from the three major pharmacy benefit managers CVS Health , Express Scripts and Optum Rx also testify, according to Sanders' office. Those executives are David Joyner, president of CVS Health pharmacy services; Adam Kautzner, president of Express Scripts; and Heather Cianfrocco, CEO of Optum Rx. Pharmacy benefit managers are the middlemen who negotiate drug prices with manufacturers on behalf of health insurance plans. PBMs have come under criticism for allegedly inflating drug prices and not passing on all the discounts they negotiate to consumers. Whitebalance.oatt | E+ | Getty Images For newcomers getting started in investing, or those who just want to ensure they're making the wisest moves, experts generally have one piece of advice: Open a Roth individual retirement account. "There's just no question that that is the better place" for their money, according to IRA expert and certified public accountant Ed Slott. A Roth IRA allows investors who qualify to set aside after-tax money up to a certain limit each year. One key advantage to Roth IRAs is that the original contributions can be withdrawn at any time for any reason, tax- and penalty-free, at any age, Slott said. The earnings on the money you invest will also grow tax-free. However, to take those earnings out without having to pay any penalties, you will generally have to wait until after a five-year holding period has passed and you have reached a minimum age of 59. If you meet those two tests, anything that comes out of a Roth will be income tax-free for life, Slott said. What's more, Roth IRAs, unlike other accounts, also offer the most growth acceleration on your money, he said. "Tax-free money always grows the fastest, because it's never eroded by future taxes," Slott said. Who can invest in a Roth IRA Importantly, you can start contributing to a Roth IRA starting from any age if you have taxable compensation. In 2023, investors may put up to $6,500 in traditional or Roth IRAs (or $7,500 if they're 50 or older). There are certain limitations when it comes to Roth IRAs. Notably, your modified adjusted gross income must be below $138,000 in 2023 to contribute up to the limit, provided you file your federal tax return as single, head of household or married filing separately. Alternatively, that income must be less than $218,000 if you are married filing jointly or a qualifying widower. (Phaseouts apply for contributions from individuals and couples with incomes above those thresholds.) Why Roth IRAs are a 'multi-purpose account' When meeting with investors who are just getting started, Winnie Sun, co-founder and managing director of Irvine, California-based Sun Group Wealth Partners, said she often steers them to Roth IRAs. "The Roth, I always feel, is a multi-purpose account, especially for younger investors when we talk about first investments," Sun said. Roth IRAs can serve two purposes: It can get them started on long-term investing, but at the same time help them sock away money that can be accessed in an emergency, she said. Importantly, a Roth, like any IRA, can invest in anything, Slott said. watch now "The Roth is just the name of a container, a category of retirement accounts," Slott said. "The Roth is not, per se, an investment." The way you invest the money inside a Roth IRA account can be adjusted to suit your goals. What you choose to put in the Roth IRA can be either savings or investments. Regardless of which way you choose to allocate your funds, this can result in tax savings compared to other non-Roth accounts, Slott said. 'Getting started is probably 80% of the effort' Close-up of a yellow-fever mosquito biting human skin, it's a culicidae vector of malaria, yellow fever, chikungunya, dengue and zika virus in Brazil, known locally as mosquito da dengue. Joao Paulo Burini | Moment | Getty Images Nigeria this week joined Ghana in provisionally approving a new malaria vaccine developed by scientists at the University of Oxford, potentially paving the path to save millions of lives and boost Africa's long-term economic prospects. Africa's largest economy, which accounts for 31.3% of all malaria deaths worldwide according to the World Health Organization, granted regulatory clearance for the rollout of the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine on Tuesday, just a week after Ghana became the first country to clear the new shot. Both nations have approved the vaccine for use on children aged between five and 36 months the age group at highest risk of death from the mosquito-carried disease. The University of Oxford Jenner Institute, which developed the vaccine, estimates that malaria kills around 800,000 people per annum. These casualties occur predominantly in sub-Saharan Africa, where one in five childhood deaths is associated with the disease. The WHO assessed that 241 million clinical cases of malaria occurred in 2020, resulting in 627,000 deaths, mostly among children in Africa. "This marks a culmination of 30 years of malaria vaccine research at Oxford with the design and provision of a high efficacy vaccine that can be supplied at adequate scale to the countries who need it most," Professor Adrian Hill, chief investigator on the R21/Matrix-M program and director of the Jenner Institute, said upon the announcement of Ghana's regulatory clearance on April 13. A health worker vaccinates a child against malaria in Ndhiwa, Homabay County, western Kenya on September 13, 2019 during the launch of malaria vaccine in Kenya. Brian Ongoro | AFP | Getty Images In 2021, the WHO signed off on GSK's RTS,S malaria vaccine for rollout across sub-Saharan Africa, following pilot programs in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi, which tracked 800,000 children since 2019. Trials so far have suggested that R21 is likely to be far more potent in combating the disease. The R21 vaccine was the first of its kind to pass the WHO's efficacy goal of 75%, though data from final-stage trials is still pending. The vaccine is being manufactured by India's Serum Institute, which has suggested it has the capacity to supply around 200 million doses per year, while the vaccine is reportedly both cheap to produce and straightforward to transport. 'Major boost to long-run growth' The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention highlights that malaria is a great drain on many national economies, especially as many poorer nations are among the most affected. As such, the disease "maintains a vicious cycle of disease and poverty," the CDC says. While the economic impact of the vaccine will depend on a multitude of presently unknown factors such as logistical challenges, the extent to which immunity can be provided to older children and adults, and the duration of immunity a successful rollout could have "major positive economic implications," according to William Jackson, chief emerging markets economist at Capital Economics. Lower childhood mortality will reduce the population's costs of prevention and treatment, with various estimates suggesting that around 3.8% of household income may be spent on such measures in heavily affected countries, Jackson noted. "It would reduce the burden on public healthcare spending too. These resources could be freed up for other consumption or saved, which would increase the pool of resources that can be used for domestic investment," Jackson said in a research note Thursday. watch now When Trinny Woodall founded her skincare and makeup company Trinny London in 2017, she was often met with skepticism. But since then, she has turned it into a successful business, seeing a sales boom during the coronavirus pandemic. Trinny London products include makeup in a wide range of shades, colors and coverage intensity, as well as skincare tailored to specific skin types and issues. An online tool helps customers pick the right products that suit them and support their skin in the best way. Speaking to CNBC's Tania Bryer last month, Woodall explained that she believes being an online business helped her when the coronavirus pandemic hit. "We did triple, quadruple the business during lockdown," she explained, adding that before then, growth had been more steady. "It was a pivotal moment," she said. Before the pandemic, most beauty brands focused on selling their products in person, making it harder for them to adapt to selling online as they had less of a presence there, Woodall noted. Building a brand But it's not just about the product making sure it reaches the right people is also crucial, Woodall suggested. "Building a business in today's world in the industry I'm in is about heralding a community of women and talking in a language they understand," she said. One of the ways Woodall has done this is through social media, both through her own and Trinny London's accounts and online Trinny London community groups, known as "Trinny Tribes." "Social media allows you to be honest and candid and bring people on a journey," she explained. Now, being genuine and realistic online is a key part of Trinny London's brand and marketing strategy. This means talking about products in an unfiltered, accessible way and making sure the message matches the customer rather than using a 20-year-old model to sell products to 35-year-olds, Woodall explained. "We want realism, we also want aspiration. And the balance between realism and aspiration is really crucial," she added. The financial side Official Twitter account of Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, is displayed on a mobile phone screen photographed for the illustration photo. Krakow, Poland on January 30, 2023. Elon Musk-owned Twitter has quietly dropped labeling that identified state-affiliated and government-funded accounts of officials and media outlets, including designations used to identify President Joe Biden's account as authentic. The update comes a day after the company purged legacy verified users of their blue checkmarks, raising concerns that misinformation could more easily spread on the site. As of Friday morning, the personal and official accounts of the U.S. president, first lady Jill Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris no longer displayed labels identifying them as government officials. Labels were also removed from Russia- and China-affiliated media outlets and journalists, including the official account of the president of Russia, which has been unused since the country's invasion of Ukraine last year. The labels for both government officials and state-affiliated media were introduced in 2020 as part of an effort to protect political discourse on the platform. The shift on Friday also saw the removal of controversial labels added to media accounts earlier this month. Musk's Twitter had marked the accounts of several media outlets, including NPR, the BBC and the Canadian Broadcasting Corp., as "state-affiliated." The designation alarmed executives and journalists at the outlets. In response to those labels, NPR announced it would stop using Twitter in an official capacity to disseminate reporting. The BBC is funded by a nationally imposed TV license but doesn't meet the conventional definition of "state-affiliated media." That moniker is typically reserved for outlets like RT, formerly known as Russia Today, which receives funding from the Russian government and has been described by the U.S. State Department as a propaganda outlet. Dominic Raab, First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs walks in Downing Street on September 3, 2019 in London, England. LONDON U.K. Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab resigned Friday, following an inquiry into bullying allegations. In a letter addressed to British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and published on his Twitter account, Raab states he "called for the inquiry and undertook to resign, if it made any finding of bullying whatsoever. I believe it is important to keep my word." Sunak launched an independent investigation into Raab's behavior in November, after eight formal complaints were lodged by at least 24 staff members during Raab's time as justice minister, foreign minister and Brexit minister. Sunak said in a statement Friday that it was "with great sadness" that he had accepted Raab's resignation, while noting "shortcomings in the historic process that have negatively affected everyone involved." "You had rightly undertaken to resign if the report made any findings of bullying whatsoever. You have kept your word," he added. Oliver Dowden will become the new deputy prime minister with Alex Chalk the new justice secretary. The findings of the report, which were delivered to Sunak on Thursday, were released shortly after Raab's resignation. NATO head Jens Stoltenberg (L) shakes hands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the end of a joint press conference in Kyiv, on April 20, 2023. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Thursday that it was time for NATO to invite Ukraine to join the Western military alliance, repeating a much-heard plea from Kyiv for fast-track membership. Speaking at a joint news conference in Kyiv with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, who made an unannounced visit to Kyiv Thursday, Zelenskyy said he had been invited to the next NATO summit in July, but that Kyiv wanted more. "I am grateful for the invitation to visit the summit, but it is also important for Ukraine to receive the corresponding invitation," he told reporters in comments reported by Reuters. "There is not a single objective barrier to the political decision to invite Ukraine into the alliance and now, when most people in NATO countries and the majority of Ukrainians support NATO accession, is the time for the corresponding decisions." Stoltenberg said that Ukraine's NATO membership bid which it launched last September and security guarantees would be high on the agenda at the alliance's July summit, adding that Ukraine's rightful place was in NATO. Despite Stoltenberg's words of support and encouragement, analysts believe Ukraine's NATO membership bid faces significant hurdles and could take years to be approved, if it is at all. Aside from the active war that's ongoing in Ukraine, NATO members such as Hungary and Turkey would likely be very reluctant to further antagonize Russia by admitting Ukraine into the alliance. One of Moscow's key bugbears ahead of the war was a potential further expansion of NATO eastwards to include Ukraine, despite that prospect being, even at that time, a distant possibility. Holly Ellyatt Artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic fantasy but closer to a reality predicted to transform many industries. From chatbots to content creation, AI is making its presence felt in the digital space and beyond. Now, investors are trying to get in on the action. "We're hugely excited about AI," said Ben Rogoff, a portfolio manager at Polar Capital with 25 years of investing experience. "It's still very early, but ChatGPT described as the iPhone moment for the artificial intelligence technology industry feels about right to us." The tech fund manager also told CNBC's Pro Talks that four large-cap stocks were driving some of the biggest and most tangible advancements in artificial intelligence. Microsoft Microsoft could be one of the top options for investors looking to invest in artificial intelligence, according to Rogoff, lead manager of Polar Capital Technology Trust plc. With $3.7 billion in assets, the fund trades on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker PCT, similar to an ETF. Rogoff told CNBC's Pro Talks that Microsoft is in a strong position thanks to its investments in OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, and Github, a code-sharing platform for software developers. Microsoft has previously said it is integrating ChatGPT into its productivity software suite Office 365 to make the service more attractive to customers. The company's "productivity and business processes" division, which includes Office 365 revenues, grew by 13% to $17 billion in its latest financial quarter making it the second largest sales generator. The firm is also integrating ChatGPT into its search engine Bing. MSFT 1Y line Rogoff also highlighted the company's access to highly proprietary first-party datasets like LinkedIn, which is unavailable to others. Such datasets are vital in training artificial intelligence systems. While Microsoft, a software and services company, is PCT's single largest stock position, the fund held 27% of its assets in semiconductors and related stocks, the most of any sector, as of Mar. 31. Nvidia In the chip sector, Nvidia and AMD were the fund's fourth and fifth-largest positions. "Nvidia has become obviously a go-to stock this year. We've owned it for a very long time," Rogoff told CNBC's Steve Sedgwick. The AI chip maker's stock has risen by more than 90% this year but comes following a 50% decline in 2022. Shares are currently trading 15% below their peak in November 2021. Nvidia's rise this year is due to its dominant position in graphics processing units (GPUs) which has become particularly relevant in the post-ChatGPT-era, according to Rogoff. GPUs are critical for artificial intelligence because they are designed to handle the massive amounts of data and computations required for AI applications. NVDA 1Y line AMD AMD , another chipmaker, has done "exceptionally well" growing its share of the data center and server market in recent years, Rogoff said. The company, which displaced former industry leader Intel in recent years, makes some of the most powerful CPUs in the world. "We have hopes that the company will also be able to grab some share away from Nvidia with its latest chip," added Rogoff, referring to AMD's entrance into the AI market with the launch of the "Instinct" line of GPUs. The stock has risen by 60% over the past three years and is up 38% this year. The consensus price target of analysts compiled by FactSet points to nearly no upside from the current share price of $89.44. Alphabet When asked about Alphabet , the parent company of Google , previously considered a leader in artificial intelligence, Rogoff was divided and said the stock was in an "interesting spot." The tech fund manager pointed to the company's 90% market share in search, where it can deploy its own ChatGPT-like language model. But Rogoff also highlighted the possibility of losing market share if a competing service changed the user's expectation of search results or upended Google's advertising-led business model. "It can lose market share. It [would] also have to bear the burden of more expensive cost of servicing searches," Rogoff said, noting that AI-powered search results cost multiple times the cost of the existing search service. On the other hand, Rogoff continued, "It may not lose market share, but it might have to suck up this additional cost of this AI-related costs as it as it has to deal with Bing." Alphabet is the third largest holding in the Polar Capital Technology Trust fund. Rogoff also cautioned that early investments in technology also carry greater risk. "One of the key lessons I've learned over a long time as being a tech investor is that there is a very significant penalty to being too early as a thematic investor," he added. To compensate for the risk, Rogoff suggests diversifying investments, even while targeting a single theme. It's one of the reasons why his Polar Capital funds hold about 60 to 90 stocks each. The lack of major outflows from many regional banks suggests that there are several stocks in the industry that could be big winners for investors, according to Wells Fargo. Analysts Jared Shaw and Timur Braziler are bullish on several names, including calling for a 60% bounce in Western Alliance earlier this week. They expanded that optimism on Thursday evening by reiterating overweight ratings on Banc of California , East West Bancorp , F.N.B. Corp . Wells Fargo is most bullish on Banc of California. The analysts have a price target of $18 per share for the stock, which is more than 50% above where it closed on Thursday. That bank could be a beneficiary of the struggles for other California banks, such as the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and the issues for First Republic , which also suffered large outflows from depositors. "The scarcity value of BANC has improved following the events of the last 4-weeks, as the CA banking landscape has suffered meaningfully. While we see few near-term earnings catalysts, the current sub-TBV valuation provides L/T opportunity," Braziler wrote in a note to clients. Wells Fargo called Banc of California's deposit mix "impressive" and noted that the firm continued its stock buybacks despite the turmoil for regional banks. The upside for F.N.B. is less eye-popping at about 27%, but the bank's cautious approach should be reassuring to investors, Wells Fargo said. "Balance sheet diversity was on full display in 1Q, as the consumer-heavy deposit base held up well. We continue to view FNB as conservatively run, which should translate to the bank outperforming in this period of economic slowdown," Shaw wrote in a note to clients. For East West, the analysts did lower their price target to $80 per share from $85, citing slower growth prospects. But that is still more than 40% above where the stock closed on Thursday. CNBC's Michael Bloom contributed to this report. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 21) The Philippines trails fellow Southeast Asian nations in developing infrastructure, Japan's bilateral aid agency said Friday. "Unfortunately I have to say that the infrastructure development level in this lovely country is lagging behind ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) neighboring countries," Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Philippines chief representative Takema Sakamoto told CNN Philippines' The Exchange. This is because previous administrations were not "able to allocate gigantic money" for infrastructure, Sakamoto added, while also noting the delay in implementing projects due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Infrawatch PH convenor Terry Ridon agreed citing "bureaucratic" red tape and corruption in all levels of government as factors. "Well, most certainly this is a stumbling block not just for foreign investment but even for domestic investment. Because the question for investors is: would I invest in the Philippines where you have these problems, or will I invest somewhere else, somewhere around the world even in other emerging economies?" Ridon said in a separate The Exchange interview. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. approved in March a total of 9 trillion in projects under his administration's "Build Better More" infrastructure program. The Marcos administration aims to spend 5-6% of gross domestic product (GDP) in infrastructure annually with spending seen breaching 6% of GDP by the end of his term in 2028. With this, Sakamoto said the government is "on track" to boosting Philippine infrastructure with its commitment to accelerate development. The JICA official noted he recently signed around 400 billion yen (about 167 billion) in loans for the country with the Philippines being the agency's second biggest beneficiary country worldwide next to India. Meanwhile, Ridon said the government's infrastructure push must also "have a good focus" on housing, and ensure the implementation of social and environmental safeguards. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 21) The administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is turning to public-private partnerships (PPPs) to fund half of its multi-trillion peso infrastructure program, his finance chief said Friday. "The whole program is worth 9 trillion, and half of that would be through public-private partnerships," Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno told CNN Philippines' The Exchange. [embed Diokno interview] Of the 194 major projects under the "Build Better More" infrastructure program, Diokno said 47 of these are of "PPP variety." PPPs are part of the funding mix of Marcos administration's infrastructure program the rest being official development assistance (ODA), bilateral agreements, and part of the yearly national budget, Diokno added. This is a shift from the approach of former President Rodrigo Dutertes administration where Diokno served as budget chief and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas governor which preferred ODA to fund its infrastructure items. "What are the big items? For example, we'll focus on say, ferry systems, hospitals, ports, railways, toll roads, busways, airports," Diokno said. How effective are PPPs as funding source? For Infrawatch PH convenor Terry Ridon, it depends on the kind of project it will be used on. "PPPs are only viable for actually commercially viable projects. So in other areas of infrastructure development and in general development, there are projects that can only be taken by government funding itself or by borrowing through ODA," Ridon told CNN Philippines. For instance, ODA is best used for projects in still-emerging areas like provinces, he added. Ridon noted that initiatives like the rehabilitation of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and developing the EDSA Busway would suit the private sector's involvement. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 21) The World Health Organization defines stress as a state of worry or mental tension caused by a difficult situation. As the country recognized April as Stress Awareness Month, an expert shared to CNN Philippines' Newsroom Ngayon ways to cope with stress. Stress debriefing Neil Francisco of the National Center for Mental Health said one must speak about the things they are stressed about, as talking to someone from their family, friends, or someone they trust can help them relieve some stress. He added that self awareness of one's emotions and having a habit of smiling are important to cope with a stressful event. However, it is still crucial to remember that there are available means to seek professional help. "Kapag impaired na yung ating functionality, yung pang araw-araw na pagkikipagsalamuha sa ating pamilya, kaibigan, sa trabaho, yung ating social and occupational aspects, masasabi natin na kailangan na natin ng tulong sa mga professionals," Francisco said. [Translation: If one's functionality is impaired, one's everyday socialization with family, friends, and even at work, the social and occupational aspects, we can say that professional help is needed.] "We highly welcome this opportunity to open the conversation on the causes and impact of stress and talk about our mental health, because through these conversations, we dedicate ourselves to break and remove the stigma around mental health," he added. Allot time for everything Time management is also a good way to avoid stress. This includes having the time to engage in sports, listen to music, or go on vacation. "It is very important to have a power nap," Francisco said, or get a massage or engage in therapy such as aromatherapy. Managing time also means time off from gadgets and social media. "When it is time to have meals with the family, time to sleep, siguro bawas-bawasan natin yung paggamit ng ating [maybe we should lessen the use of our] mobile devices," Francisco said. "Pag napapansin na natin di-distract na tayo sa nakikita natin sa social media, nag e-engage na tayo sa risky behaviors [If we notice that we are distracted by the things we see on social media, when we engage in risky behaviors], change your focus and do things that can be productive for us," he added. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 20) The Office of Public Counsel for Victims of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has joined the call to dismiss the Philippine government's appeal against the tribunal's investigation into the controversial war on drugs. In a 28-page filing dated April 18, Principal Counsel Paolina Massidda said the possible reversal of the pre-trial chamber's decision to resume the probe into the killings may jeopardize victims' rights to "truth, justice, and reparations." "The issues on appeal fundamentally affect the general interests of the victims," Massidda said. [V]ictims may be denied the opportunity to uncover the truth, present their views and concerns throughout the proceedings, ensure that those responsible are held accountable, and ultimately claim reparation, she added. The pronouncement comes following the recent move of ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan, who earlier this month pushed for the resumption of the drug war inquiry while rejecting the arguments raised by Manila in its petition. Massidda echoed the findings and likewise opposed the grounds of the appeal. For one, she said the Philippines failed to demonstrate that the pre-trial chamber committed any error in making its decision. "The appellant must establish an error of law that has materially affected said decision, in that without that error, the chamber would have rendered a substantially different decision. Likewise, for any alleged errors of fact, the appellant must show that the chamber erred in misappreciating the facts, took into account irrelevant facts or failed to consider relevant facts. The appellant fails to meet these applicable standards," Massidda further wrote. The counsel also agreed the court has jurisdiction over this case as the Philippines was still part of the Rome Statute the treaty that governs the ICC when the alleged crimes were committed since the launch of the anti-illegal drugs campaign in 2016. The country's withdrawal only took effect in March 2019. READ: Relatives of drug war victims tell ICC: No genuine probe in PH Last month, the Philippines formally appealed the decision to reopen the drug war investigation, arguing how this would violate the country's sovereignty. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had said the Philippines will "disengage from any contact" with the ICC after it rejected the government's deferral request. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 21) Eighty-five passengers, including five infants, were rescued from a distressed boat in waters off Maigo Point, Lanao del Norte Thursday evening, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported Friday. At around 6 p.m., the PCG said MV Filipinas Cebu ran aground en route to Ozamiz City, Misamis Oriental. In a statement, the agency said it has deployed its search and rescue team with the marine environmental protection unit to conduct an oil spill assessment. Traces of oil were not detected, according to the PCG, but "oil spill booms" were placed in the area as a precautionary measure. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 21) A Filipino was among civilians injured in Sudan amid fierce fighting between the Sudanese army and a paramilitary group, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed on Friday. DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said the victim was just grazed and has already recovered. This is the first reported case of a Filipino wounded due to the clashes, which have now dragged on for nearly a week after a ceasefire attempt between the military and the Rapid Support Forces failed. De Vega did not identify or give other details on the victim, saying the latter wants to keep a low profile. Unverified reports earlier said the Filipino was hit by a stray bullet. In its update on Thursday, the DFA said at least 86 Filipinos in the North African country have requested rescue or repatriation. It added that based on the latest data gathered by the Philippine Embassy in Cairo, there are around 400 Filipinos in Sudan. In coordination with the Philippine Honorary Consulate in Khartoum, our Embassy in Cairo is preparing for an ATN [Assistance To Nationals] mission to Sudan to facilitate evacuation and provide relief goods to Filipinos there, the department said. A World Health Organization spokesman told CNN on Thursday that based on their count, at least 331 people in Sudan have died due to the armed conflict, with over 3,000 others injured. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 21) The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) on Friday gave assurance there has been no hacking incident, denying reports of a massive breach of data concerning several government agencies. We need to inform the public there is no hacking incident. And there is no massive breach of multiple government agencies, DICT Assistant Secretary Jeffrey Ian Dy told reporters in reaction to the alleged leak of over 1.2 million employee and applicant records of various institutions. That means a misconfiguration has caused some information to be accessible to the public. So [i]t was sitting there and it became accessible to anyone who was looking around. It was not an attempt to break security protocols of that particular government agency, he explained. In a report on vpnMentor, cybersecurity researcher Jeremiah Fowler said a database containing records of law enforcement agencies had been exposed for a minimum of six weeks. He warned it could be used in criminal activities and carries security risks. The leaked documents reportedly include personal information like names, addresses, contact details, and medical records of public officials and employees. RELATED: NPC probes 'massive leak' of gov't personnel data Dy said authorities have already identified a possible source of the leak, but did not give further details amid the ongoing investigation. He added the government is looking at the incident very seriously. I think lets remove the mindset na [that] when there was a leak or a breach, its because there were insufficient, parang may [there was some] incompetence somewhere, the DICT official stressed. I understand that this is very very unfortunate but nangyayari talaga siya. So we assure the public, ang importante is we should still trust cyberspace. [Translation: I understand that this is very very unfortunate but this really happens. So we assure the public, the important thing is we should still trust cyberspace.] Several government agencies tagged in the report including the Bureau of Internal Revenue, the Civil Service Commission, and the National Bureau of Investigation have said they found no breach within their agencies. CNN Philippines correspondent Paige Javier contributed to this report. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 21) The United States has so far earmarked a total of 11 billion for projects under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) as well as the acquisition of helicopters for the Philippine military, according to the Department of National Defense (DND). In a statement on Friday, DND officer-in-charge Carlito Galvez Jr. said the US has pledged $100 million (roughly 5.5 billion) for the purchase of medium-lift choppers that will be used for disaster response and non-combat operations of the Armed Forces. This is on top of Washington's $100 million-pledge for the development of EDCA sites. "This brings the total of the US' pledge of support for the HADR [humanitarian assistance and disaster relief] helicopters and EDCA projects to 11 billion," Galvez said. "The various projects in these EDCA sites, most of which are for warehousing and storage for HADR-related material, are scheduled for completion by the end of 2023," he added. Earlier this month, the US announced it has set millions of dollars in infrastructure investments for both new and existing EDCA sites, expressing confidence that this will spur job creation and economic growth in local communities. The four new EDCA sites will be stationed in Santa Ana and Lal-lo towns in Cagayan, Gamu town in Isabela, and on Balabac Island in Palawan. According to Galvez, at least 21 mayors in Cagayan whose governor previously expressed concern over the establishment of EDCA sites in the province have already voiced their support for the implementation of the deal. He noted that the additional areas are also expected to "serve as points for evacuation" of overseas Filipino workers "in the event of a flare-up in the region's flashpoints." RELATED: DND: PH may tap EDCA sites to evacuate Filipinos in Taiwan Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 21) President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday urged the Filipino Muslim community to sustain the values, teachings, and practices that they have embodied throughout Ramadan as they celebrate Eid'l Fitr. "My warmest salam [peace] to the Filipino Muslim community here and across the world as they celebrate Eid'l Fitr," he said in a statement. "As you culminate the holy month of Ramadhan by celebrating the Festival of the Breaking of the Fast, may you sustain the values, teachings, and practices that you have wholeheartedly discerned and embodied throughout this time," he added. "Let these form the foundations of your characters as you continue to fulfill righteous deeds and strive to live a virtuous life moving forward." Marcos said the nation joins the Muslim community in marking the solemn and festive occasion, recognizing the Islamic faith and embracing it as part of Filipinos' collective consciousness. "With our many faiths informing all our actions and bridging all our differences as a diverse set of peoples, we can transcend any challenge and still remain united under the banners of camaraderie, respect, and love," he added. Eid'l Fitr, also known as "Festival of Breaking the Fast," is an Islamic holiday that signals the end of Ramadan a month-long fasting and praying observed by Muslims. On Thursday, the Bangsamoro Darul Ifta decided to move Eid'l Fitr to Saturday after finding out that the crescent moon will not be seen on Friday evening. READ: With no crescent moon sighting, Eid'l Fitr will take place April 22 The Palace declared Friday, April 21, as a holiday for the observance of Eid'l Fitr. READ: Palace declares April 21 a regular holiday for Eid'l Fitr Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 21) The local government of Occidental Mindoro reminded President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of his campaign promise to end the power crisis in the province as it sought the aid of Malacanang and national agencies in solving the daily brownouts suffered by its residents. A state of calamity was declared in the province on April 20 due to power outages of 16-20 hours every day. In early April, classes were suspended for three days because of the supply shortages. Patuloy po tayong humihiling sa mga National Government Agencies (NGAs) na may kapangyarihan patungkol sa kuryente at mga kinauukulan, gaya ng nauna nating naipadalang sulat kay Pangulong Bongbong Marcos upang pumagitna sa ating laban na maresolba ang krisis ng kuryente sa ating lalawigan, Occidental Mindoro Gov. Eduardo Gadiano said on April 19. [Translation: We continue to call on NGAs with influence over electricity to intervene in our battle to resolve the power crisis in our province in the same way that we first called on President Marcos.] Power dilemma Gadiano noted that the power dilemma is primarily a result of the provinces insufficient energy supply and its disconnection from the main grid, worsened by a conflict between the Occidental Mindoro Electric Cooperative (OMECO) and the Occidental Mindoro Consolidated Power Corporation (OMCPC). In 2021, a Competitive Selection Process (CSP) led to the awarding of power supply service by distribution utility OMECO to supplier OMCPC. Because of a delay in the completion of the CSP, he said the Energy Regulatory Commission meted OMECO a penalty to pay 50% of the amount of the subsidy due to OMCPC, a move OMECO contested. Daily power outages stem from a lack of fuel to operate OMCPC power plants. It also lacks funds to purchase more fuel because OMECO and the NPC have not yet paid out subsidies to the supplier, Gadiano said. On April 12, Gadiano pleaded with the National Power Corporation (NPC) to augment the provinces power supply through regeneration of the 10 MW (megawatt) Pulang Lupa Power Plant in San Jose town. However, the NPC denied this request, citing funding deficits brought about by the fuel price hikes. It also said that eight of its power barges were fully utilized in other provinces and that pulling one out would disrupt power in its respective area. It added that it could help the province by facilitating regular monthly payments to the OMCPC, allowing them to purchase fuel and to undertake emergency procurement of additional capacities. In a viber message to CNN Philippines, Department of Energy (DOE) Usec. Rowena Guevara said the DOE and its attached agencies the National Electrification Administration (NEA) and NPC in coordination with the Energy Regulatory Commission "are providing assistance and guidance" to OMECO to improve power services in the province. The DOE also said it issued a Certification of Exemption from the conduct of CPS in the procurement of electricity supply to augment the current power capacity being supplied by OMCPC. NEA, on its part is assisting OMECO in its search for available generator sets while NPC is prioritizing the release of the Universal Charge for Missionary Electrification subsidy to OMCPC, Guevara added. Marcos' promises to the province Marcos, during his presidential campaign in the 2022 elections, vowed to the people of Occidental Mindoro that his administration would address their power outage problems. Gadiano, in a letter to Marcos dated April 3, pointed out the president's campaign promises and asked for his intervention. In the 2022 polls, 123,387 voters or 48.82% of those who participated in the election in the province voted for Marcos. CNN Philippines has sought comment from Malacanang, and the Senate Committee on Energy on the Occidental Mindoro power crisis. They have yet to respond. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 21) The five-man panel tasked with evaluating senior Philippine National Police (PNP) officials completed on Friday its screening of top cops who submitted courtesy resignation letters as part of a massive internal cleansing program, the PNP Public Information Office said. On April 20, the committee convened for the 8th time since it was formed on February 13 and concluded its report containing its findings and recommendations on the courtesy resignations of 953 third-level police commissioned officers to determine if they are fit to continue service. The call for courtesy resignations came from Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos last January as part of a program to internally cleanse the force of cops linked to the illegal drug trade. PNP Chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr., himself a member of the five-man panel, and members of his command group complied with Abalos call and submitted their letters of resignation on January 5. The panels final report will be formally endorsed to National Police Commission Chairman (NAPOLCOM) and Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos and subsequently forwarded to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for approval. This report is the result of painstaking hard work that speaks well of the objectivity, fairness and integrity of the entire process. The whole exercise is founded on common aspiration of an effective and trustworthy police organization that deserves the trust and respect of the people, the PNP-PIO said in its statement on Friday. The five-man panel consists of Azurin, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, former Defense Secretary Gilberto "Gibo" Teodoro, retired police general Isagani Nerez, and retired Court of Appeals Associate Justice Melchor Quirino Sadang. Meanwhile, Azurin is set to retire from the PNP on April 24 (Monday) as he will turn 56, the service's mandatory retirement age. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 21) A telecommunications company on Friday called on the government to extend the SIM (subscriber identification module) registration period for 120 days to make sure that all its subscribers will be compliant. Speaking to CNN Philippines The Source, Cathy Yang, first vice president and group head for corporate communications of PLDT and Smart, said around 55.8% or more than 37 million of Smart and TNT subscribers have complied with the law since the registration began on Dec. 27. We are asking for another 120 days from after April 26 to allow the 44% prepaid and postpaid subscribers to get to register their SIMs, she said. The implementing rules and regulations of the SIM Registration Act states that users have 180 days to register from its effectivity, but the DICT may extend this for a period not exceeding 120 days. If granted, Yang said the telco may be able to fast track the process as it observed an increase in registrations since April 1. From 200,000 to 300,000 daily, the company has so far logged as high as 450,000 registrations in a day, she noted. In case the extension request is denied, Yang warned that at least 44% of Smart and TNT users will have their SIM deactivated. Losing access to connectivity and services that require a mobile number is against the spirit of financial and social inclusion, she added. Information and Communications Technology Secretary Ivan Uy said the agency will meet with telcos and other stakeholders on April 24 to discuss all matters related to the SIM registration. Yang said among the issues the telco is facing is the requirement to use a government-issued ID, which many subscribers have no access to. If we can simplify it for the subscribers, thats going to be a big help, she said. Based on the study they conducted, Yang explained that SIM registration in other countries has been effective because their national ID system was already in place. Their governments also allocated up to two years for the public to comply, she pointed out. One to two years would be a better timeframe in which to disseminate this education and awareness campaign that weve done in just less than 121 days, she added. While the DICT has initially rejected the appeal of telcos to extend the SIM registration deadline, Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual said he supports the request, as he expressed concern on the possibility of mass deactivation of mobile numbers that may hinder the Philippines push for a digital economy. I was inspired to apply for the Fulbright while I was doing research in Salvador, Brazil last summer. I felt so energized by the art activism that I was witnessing, and I hoped to find a way to come back while also focusing on my own artmaking, says Jasmine Linder 23. And now, Colorado College Art Studio major Jasmine Linder will be heading back to Brazil following graduation thanks to being awarded a Fulbright Research Arts Award. Jasmine is the first Arts Fulbright winner from CC since I began advising for the Fulbright in 2015! shares Roy Jo Sartin, Fulbright adviser and Writing Center specialist at CC who assisted Linder through the grant writing process. Linders research project is centered around cordeis, or cordel literature, which is a kind of leaflet-style book that is prominent in the northeast of Brazil and stems from the colonial period. Cordel means twine in Portuguese and these leaflets are hung from them all over street markets. They usually contain woodblock prints on the cover and they are a powerful way to share art, ideas, and news. I will be learning about this aspect of Brazilian culture by making my own illustrated version of cordeis out of paper that I will make by hand and illustrate with relief prints, Linder shares. My plan is for my books to have mostly environmental themes, as I am especially interested in this method of bookmaking and printmaking as a form of mobilizing around climate justice. As an environmental studies and Luso-Brazilian studies minor, Linder is counting on combining all her educational skillsets into this project and making connections in artmaking, bookmaking, history, and environmental causes. I hope that when I return to the U.S., I will have more refined technical skills in both printmaking and papermaking, and a deeper understanding of how visual art and information can be accessibly shared, she says. Linder credits Visiting Art Professor Kate Aitchison 10 for introducing her to her passions of papermaking and printmaking and influencing her project, as well as Professor Kate Leonard for inspiring her to follow her heart and pursue an art studio degree. There are many others I should thank for helping me with this process that has culminated in a Fulbright grant, as I have received so much advice, knowledge, inspiration, and encouragement from people inside and outside of CC, she says. Dr. Naomi Woods incredible Portuguese program helped me find my love for Portuguese and Brazil. She placed her trust in me in completing research on visual art and art activism abroad last summer and has been a constant source of support and mentorship throughout my time at Colorado College. And I would like to thank Roy Jo Sartin for her patience, encouragement, and aid through the grant writing process. Political strategists sometimes say that campaigns are really exercises in telling stories: Beyond the fundraising, organizing, policy proposals, ads and debates, what they're doing is telling voters about themselves, their challenges and the candidate's ability to meet the moment. Colorado Politics is published both in print and online. Our website features subscriber-only news stories daily, designed for public policy arena professionals. Member subscribers also receive the weekly print edition of our award-winning newspaper, containing outstanding features and news stories, in their mailboxes every Saturday. Indian-origin UK PM Rishi Sunak under fire after Raab resigns over bullying allegations In yet another blow for Indian-origin United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunaks government, UK Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Dominic Raab resigned today after an independent investigation into complaints of bullying. Raab (left) is the third Cabinet minister to resign from Sunaks government since he became PM in October 2022 on the back of promising a government of integrity. Photo courtesy: Twitter/@HoCPress Announcing his resignation on Twitter, Raab wrote, "I called for the inquiry and undertook to resign, if it made any finding of bullying whatsoever. I believe it is important to keep my word". The investigation into the former Deputy PM was led by Adam Tolley KC, a leading employment barrister, and found Raab had on a number of occasions gone further than appropriate in delivering critical feedback and been insulting about work done by Ministry of Justice officials. In his resignation letter, Raab claimed that the report into his conduct had upheld two claims against him and both are flawed. "Whilst I feel duty bound to accept the outcome of the inquiry, it dismissed all but two of the claims levelled against me. I also believe that its two adverse findings are flawed and set a dangerous precedent for the conduct of good government," his statement read. It will encourage spurious complaints against ministers, and have a chilling effect on those driving change on behalf of your government and ultimately the British people," he added. Raab had requested the investigation into two formal complaints about his behaviour from when he was foreign minister and justice minister. A month later it was widened to include five further formal complaints. In a letter responding to Raabs resignation, Sunak wrote that Raab had rightly undertaken to resign if the report made any finding of bullying and had kept your (Raabs) word. But it is clear that there have been shortcomings in the historic process that have negatively affected everyone involved. We should learn from this how to better handle such matters in future, the letter read. Sunak had faced criticism for allowing Raab to remain in the Cabinet while the inquiry was ongoing. The former Deputy PM becomes the second member of Sunaks cabinet forced to resign amid bullying allegations after Gavin Williamsons downfall last year. Indian-origin MP facing bullying allegations as well Civil servants raised concerns about Sharma's behavior with their bosses on at least four occasions in 2020, according to reports. Photo courtesy: Twitter/@PoliticsUK Earlier in the week, reports of bullying allegations emerged against former Cabinet minister and British-Indian Tory MP Alok Sharma. 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 staff's work and using profanity, without offering guidance on how to improve its quality, the officials said. Civil servants raised concerns about Sharma's 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. In response to the allegations, Sharma issued a 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." 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. 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. When you read about the habits of famous movie actors, you begin to understand why they're famous, whereas your IMDb page consists of nothing but a walk-on role in the straight-to-LaserDisc Death Murder 2: Kill (because you were hungover and ignoring signs and yelling product assistants that day). Yes, some actors upend their whole lives to reach the heights of artistic authenticity that can only be achieved through a pretentious refusal to admit acting is not real life. Others steadfastly refuse to take part in a film unless extraordinarily deranged circumstances be met first. And others ... yeah, uh, we're not sure why they're famous, either. Here are six examples of actors who phoned it in and were rewarded with fame, fortune, and sometimes even critical acclaim. 6 Westworld Baffled The Crap Out Of Even The Actors Over the course of its first 10 episodes, Westworld's sexy robot cowboy intrigue captured the internet's imagination. Fans spent their time poring over every minute detail, analyzing the twists and turns, and speculating on where the plot will go next. But nobody knew what was going to happen next. For instance, the mysterious Man in Black, played by the eternally underrated Ed Harris, was a continual source of intrigue and plot twists. Turns out Harris himself was only recently finding out about a lot of those twists himself. As filming went on, he was slowly piecing together important details of his character's life. He had no idea that SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia's Jimmi Simpson was playing his younger self until he started suddenly spending copious amounts of time on set. The two never discussed their roles, despite them literally playing the same person. When the twist was revealed, Harris simply patted Simpson on the back and said, "I hear you do a good job." (Presumably, he couldn't watch the show because it's on at the same time as Family Guy.) Advertisement Harris was also pretty shocked at the maze twist -- not that he cared to know any of it anyway. At every turn, Harris's main concern is simply doing his job and going home. New guy on set playing his role? Fine. Compelling backstory that sheds light on his mysterious character's origins? In his words, "whatever was going on with him in the past, is the in past." Harris could not be bothered to give any semblance of a f*ck about any of that shit. HBO "When's this freaking movie come out, anyway?" Meanwhile, American Idol superfan Sir Anthony Hopkins knew even less than Harris, but he cared so much more. Hopkins would inquire about his character's fate and be met with a big, fat silence. He would ask if he could simply know what to expect in the following week's episode and got a resounding "No." The spoiler hoarding got so bad that the good knight's scripts were delivered with the other actors' lines blacked out, so he had no idea what he would be reacting to when he was speaking. Hopkins requested a full script, like any sane person would, but they had the temerity to turn him down. HBO Those are the heads of the interns who deliver the scripts behind him. Advertisement As a result, when asked what drove his character, his answer was "I honestly don't know." And that's how you make classic television, people. 5 Suicide Squad Got Its Script At The Last Possible Minute DC's supervillain mashup romp was ... not well-loved by the moviegoing public. But almost everyone who saw it will agree that Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn and Will Smith as Deadshot were the best parts of it. It's admirable that actors would put so much passion into a film probably found in $1 bins within six months. However, neither of them had a clue what the movie was about before signing up. Or even during filming, for that matter. Warner Bros. Pictures "Hey, when does Robert Downey Jr. show up for his scenes? I'm dying to meet Stan Lee." Advertisement Advertisement When Robbie was approached for the coveted role of Harley Quinn, she asked the usual questions one would want answered before signing on to what would probably amount to a decade of booty shorts and green screens. Questions like "Is there a script? Or other actors attached? Is there even a director for this goddamn thing?" Only one of those received a yes -- David Ayer was set to direct. For Robbie, that was good enough. She signed on to play the character comic book lovers have been dying to see for decades without knowing what she was gonna say, do, or look like for the entire movie. Harley's bosom buddy Deadshot required an equal amount of non-preparation. Smith admitted that he didn't truly know anything about his character even during filming, because the script was such a guarded secret. Ayer would simply send bits and pieces to the actor in question on a need-to-know basis in an attempt to reveal as little information about the plot as humanly possible. Nobody on set had any clue what their character's purpose or motivations were. According to Robbie, "We don't know what our characters' relationship is really gonna be it's ever-changing. We're not being secretive, we just actually don't know." Warner Bros. Pictures Except Jared Leto, who knew that his purpose was to make us reconsider seeing this movie. Advertisement Of course, it turned out that this was less about method acting and more about the script being thrown together in under two months, only to be fiddled with and rehashed right up to the end. The result: $745 million worldwide and guaranteed sequels and spinoffs. Hollywood magic! 4 At One Point, Darth Vader's Actor Stopped Giving A Damn For a franchise that has brought so much joy to nerds everywhere, Star Wars employed a surprising amount of actors who hated every minute of it (when they weren't stoned out of their butts, anyway). Ironically, one of the most vocal dissenters happens to be a man whose voice we never hear, the man behind the iconic ventilation mask himself: Darth Vader's body actor, David Prowse. David Prowse Pictured here having decapitated a cosplaying fan. Advertisement Advertisement Initially, Prowse put every effort into the role, before eventually discovering that George Lucas planned to overdub his lines with James Earl Jones' smooth voice. This left Prowse feeling angry and insulted. While he has denied the longstanding rumors that he stopped learning his lines and became a nuisance on set, he did admit to "getting creative" with the dialogue from that point on. "Asteroids do not concern me, I need a ship," for instance, became "Hemorrhoids do not concern me, I need a shit." Lucasfilm "I am altering the dialogue. Pray I do not alter it any further." Prowse's belligerent behavior carried over into all of his interactions pertaining to the franchise. He partook in a documentary which saw him bashing Lucas every step of the way. He let the big Empire twist out of the bag a full two years early when, during a stint as a guest speaker at UC Berkeley, he rambled, "Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker ... are hooked up in a do-or-die lightsaber duel when Luke learned that Darth is, in fact, his long-lost father." (And yet he didn't warn us about the Ewoks.) He even went on record saying the best part of his miserable experience with the franchise was when received those sweet, sweet dolla bills. Lucasfilm "Search my bank account, you know it be true." Advertisement Yet through all of his active hatred, Prowse was not officially cut loose from the series until he insisted on using signed autographs as a means to remind the world of his sci-fi contribution by scrawling the words "Dave Prowse is Vader" across various merchandise and boobs rather than the less obstinate "Dave Prowse as Vader." This stubborn insistence on claiming full credit for the role was the final straw, leading to Prowse's indefinite banning from any and all Star Wars-related events from that point forward. Ah, well. You'll always have YouTube, Dave. 3 Daniel Radcliffe Was Drunk As A Skunk While Filming The Last Harry Potter Movies Popular opinion would have you believe that the young Harry Potter cast are all lovely, talented, well-adjusted people who have thus far escaped the negative effects of child stardom. Well, if that glib title up there didn't tip you off, that wasn't the case. And since the magical franchise spanned the entirety of poor Daniel Radcliffe's teenage years, he got to rebel while filming the very thing that made him feel like he needed to act out in the first place. Starting with Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince, Radcliffe spent his off hours enthusiastically hitting the butterbeer a little too often. Warner Bros. Pictures "I told you to hold the butter part, asshole." Advertisement Advertisement His drinking became such an issue that he would show up to work still utterly sloshed, forcing him to recreate the magic of Hogwarts through the real-life enchantment of inebriation. Radcliffe himself would later go on to heavily criticize his acting in these films, pointing to his dead-eyed stare as evidence of his drunken state, leading viewers to speculate which scenes he's wasted in. Warner Bros. Pictures Note that this doesn't account for his normal blinking thing. Keep in mind, all this partying and self-destruction took place when Radcliffe was only 18. He lost all interest in drinking by the time he turned 22. Can you still be considered a successful adult if you overcame your childhood demons in your early 20s? We sure hope so. 2 Michael Fassbender Hated Every Second Of Steve Jobs Michael Fassbender certainly has his share of questionable credits to his name, but of all the films that got his blood boiling, it's the one that gave him an Best Actor Oscar nomination that was the absolute worst. We're talking about the most lazily named Steve Jobs biopic yet, Steve Jobs. Universal Pictures Or Talk And Walk: The Movie. Advertisement According to Fassbender, he was not concerned in the least with portraying his character as a likable man, choosing instead to focus on Jobs as "someone who had a vision" (read: a motivated douchebag). Of course, accurately portraying a man famous for his tech-savvy career is a lot easier when you have any idea what you're talking about. Fassbender maintained that the mounds of tech-specific dialogue flew well over his head, blaming Aaron Sorkin's overly verbose script as the culprit. While still in rehearsals, he became so overwhelmed with the role that he would beg his driver to crush his arm in the car door so he wouldn't have to go to work, saying, "If I put my arm in the door, you should slam it. It should cause a break and it should get me out of this gig." Either the driver declined or Fassbender is a tragically fast healer. Universal Pictures "Can we rehearse this scene with a real gun? You know, for fun." Advertisement Advertisement Following the film's release, Fassbender was asked where his inspiration for his intense performance had come from. Did he study the life and public appearances of Steve Jobs? His only response: "I studied Ashton Kutcher." That is, the guy who also played the Apple bigwig in a reviled 2013 biopic, Jobs. They should have given him the Oscar nom. Behind the scenes of almost everyones lives now is a constant stream of code. Everything from our bank account balances to our coffee machine is likely running on some level of programming. For anyone whos not completely off-the-grid eating beans in some forest somewhere, youre probably more reliant on a battery of software than you could ever sanely admit. Thankfully, the software in question is usually pretty reliable until it isnt. When software goes sour, it can be devastating and widespread, whether its grounding flights across the country or knocking out swaths of the internet. It doesnt take much to snowball, and before you know it, youre reading panicked press releases that basically say, PLEASE HOLD ON. WERE DOING OUR BEST. Sometimes, though, a technical glitch hits a much smaller pool of victims namely, one very unlucky person. Here are four technical glitches that ruined only a couple peoples days, or even lives 4 The Guy With Everyones iPhones Pixabay The view of a drunk, forgetful man on his way to Scott Schuster s house. A recent story has cropped up out of Texas of one man who has, for the past couple of years, been tormented by what feels like a strange technological haunting. Repeatedly, and reliably, he has been visited by scores of people who knock on his door with the same accusation: He has their iPhone. Scott Schuster, the man in question, is not, in fact, the worlds worst and most stubborn phone thief. He just happens to live in a house that seems to be plagued with a glitch in Apples Find My iPhone software. Advertisement The specific reason isnt known, since Apple is being predictably unhelpful, having not responded to his increasingly pleading support tickets. Whatever miscalculation is causing it, it seems that anyone who is unlucky enough to misplace their phone in an area surrounding his house is going to be returned his exact home address as the location. So far its been nothing but deeply confusing arguments, but given that drunk people notoriously love to misplace phones, hes also had to deal with irate and deeply sauced phoneless partiers showing up in the middle of the night. 3 The Guy Who Owed 100 Years of Late Fees Pixabay These are VHS tapes. They were a pain in the ass but they kept movies under two hours. Advertisement The Y2K bug, thanks to a whole lot of careful preparation and software updates, didnt end up being nearly as big of a problem as people were worried it would be. There were tales of Mad Max level societal breakdowns caused by the worlds computers resetting to the year 1900 instead of 2000, and that a little bit of lazy date-setting might require stockpiles of water and canned food. For the most part, disaster was avoided. Advertisement The supposed world-eating bug did rear its head in a comically disastrous way for one resident of Albany, New York, however. A customer had made the unfortunate mistake of renting a video before the turn of the millennium from the local Super Video. When they returned the video a couple days into the year 2000, they were informed the return was late 100 years late. The Y2K bug had struck and demanded $91,250 in late fees. Thankfully, the glitch had what some dont: a real human nearby to realize, oh, well thats wrong, who could fix it. Advertisement 2 The U.K. Postmasters Accused of Fake Fraud Pixabay All British money looks fake to me anyways. The next entry on this list is a whole lot less entertaining, and took literal decades to fully sort out, unfortunately for those affected. Its related to software that was used by U.K. post offices known as Horizon. Horizon handled the accounts of the nations post offices, and it seemed to be working mostly fine, except for one recurring, massively damaging glitch: It kept losing money. As in, the system would suddenly report massive discrepancies to the tune of tens of thousands of pounds, and worse yet, it would tie these losses to the accounts of specific postmasters. Advertisement Advertisement These supremely unlucky postmasters were hit with accusations of fraud, and despite their pleas to the contrary, apparently there was nobody with the investigative interest of the video store manager above. The result was pretty horrific, as the postmasters were prosecuted, and some spent years in prison over this numerical error. Others remortgaged their homes to pay off their erroneous shortcomings, and at least one took their own life. In 2021, the convictions were finally overturned, but the post offices unimpeachable belief in one piece of dogshit software had already done an unimaginable amount of damage. All you need to know about VICEs new documentary investigating the shocking death of Bob Saget is a disembodied voice that weighs in during its first two minutes: Hulk Hogan has been ensnared by the belief that the COVID-19 vaccine killed Bob Saget. Hoo boy. This is a rabbit hole that no one was asking VICE to go down, a ghoulish investigation of QAnon message boards for the most outlandish theories behind Sagets death, despite the fact that no one in the Normal World questions the official account of what happened that night. (Quick recap: Saget likely slipped coming out of the shower and banged his head on the edge of the adjoining tub. Blunt head trauma. End of story.) But VICE is on the case anyway, enlisting a crack team of detectives that includes a celebrity reporter from People magazine, an author who claims to be a conspiracy theory expert, an online investigator and a web sleuth. Not exactly Scotland Yard material. How do we know that the team is going to crack the case? Its got to be soundbites like I needed to talk to doctors, so I went to Reddit. Indian youth attend Tiangong Dialogue with Chinese taikonauts Xinhua) 15:49, April 21, 2023 NEW DELHI, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Over 50 Indian youth on Thursday attended a dialogue with Chinese taikonauts on board the orbiting Chinese Tiangong space station. The event "Tiangong Dialogue-SCO students talk with taikonauts of Shenzhou-15 (spaceship)" was organized by China's Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Committee on Good-Neighbourliness, Friendship and Cooperation, China Manned Space Agency and the SCO Secretariat. Teachers and students from SCO member countries were invited to attend the interaction through virtual mode. During the dialogue, Chinese taikonauts at the Tiangong space station answered questions of the participants, including those raised by the representative of Indian youth. The Indian young people were welcomed into the dialogue by Ma Jia, charge d'affaires ad interim of the Chinese Embassy in India. She introduced accomplishments of China's space industry while noting that India has made great progress in the field of space. "India is the sixth country in the world to launch a satellite in geosynchronous orbit on its own, the first in Asia and the fourth in the world to successfully explore Mars. It shocked the world with its record-breaking launch of 104 satellites on one rocket," she said. She added that both China and India are committed to national development and rejuvenation. She said that as members of the SCO, BRICS and other multilateral mechanisms, the two countries have great potential for exchange and cooperation in various fields including space science, and that the youth from the two neighbouring countries can promote the exchange among civilizations for a bright future for all. The day of holding the dialogue coincided with the United Nations' Chinese Language Day, and the Indian youth displayed Chinese calligraphy and sang songs in Chinese and Hindi to mark the day. Ma noted that the theme of this year's Chinese Language Day -- facilitating dialogues across civilizations -- was in line with the Tiangong Dialogue. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan) The Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement played an integral role in enabling Northern Irelands growth as a global cybersecurity hub, according to UK government chiefs speaking at the CyberUK conference in Belfast. The Good Friday Agreement was signed on Good Friday, April 10, 1998, following three decades of conflict known as the Troubles. In introduced several new power-sharing arrangements designed to install peace, transforming political and economic life in Northern Ireland. Twenty-five years on from the signing of the pivotal peace accord, Northern Irelands flourishing cyber ecosystem has one of the highest concentrations of cybersecurity businesses worldwide estimated to add 437 million in value to the UKs economy by 2030. The scale of progress of Northern Irelands cyber ecosystem is significant, with over 100 companies with cybersecurity operations ranging from startups to multinational corporations based in Belfast alone. Northern Ireland has strong future ambitions too, including plans to deliver 5,000 new cybersecurity professionals by the end of the decade. In February, the UK government announced 18.9 million investment in Northern Irelands cybersecurity sector, including the creation of a new Cyber-AI Hub at the Centre for Secure Information Technologies (CSIT) in Belfast, creating jobs and supporting the research and development of AI-enabled cybersecurity projects. Northern Ireland is also the top investment location for US cybersecurity firms. Northern Irelands cybersecurity status built upon foundations of peace Such advancements have been made possible by the transformative effect the Good Friday Agreement has had on Northern Irelands economy and society, wrote the UK National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). Its future success will be reliant on continuing to leverage its strong connections between industry and education, as well as the world-class research and excellence at institutions such as Queens University Belfast and Ulster University for which the Agreement paved the way. The prosperous economy you see in Northern Ireland today has been built on the foundations of the peace process, said Lindy Cameron, CEO of NCSC. Northern Ireland has become an indispensable partner in the NCSCs work to make the UK the safest place to work and live online. Northern Ireland is becoming a byword for cutting edge technology, connectivity, and innovation, added Chris Heaton-Harris, secretary of state for Northern Ireland. The UK government remains committed to investing in Northern Irelands continuing prosperity and the great opportunities that exist here. At the end of March, an international VoIP software company called 3CX with over 600,000 business customers suffered a serious software supply-chain compromise that resulted in both its Windows and macOS applications being poisoned with malicious code. New evidence suggests the attackers, believed to be North Korean state-sponsored hackers, gained access to the company's network and systems as a result of a different software supply-chain attack involving a third-party application for futures trading. "The identified software supply chain compromise is the first we are aware of which has led to a cascading software supply chain compromise," incident responders from cybersecurity firm Mandiant, who was contracted to investigate the incident, said in a report Thursday. "It shows the potential reach of this type of compromise, particularly when a threat actor can chain intrusions as demonstrated in this investigation." The North Korean connection to the 3CX attack The 3CX hack involved attackers compromising the company's internal software build servers for Windows and macOS because of lateral movement activity through the company's network. As a result, they were able to inject malicious libraries into versions of the 3CX Desktop App for Windows and macOS and have them be signed with the developer's certificate during the build process. The trojanized versions were then delivered as part of the update process. Windows versions 18.12.407 and 18.12.416 that were shipped in Update 7 were impacted, as well as macOS versions 18.11.1213 shipped with Update 6, and 18.12.402, 18.12.407 and 18.12.416 included in Update 7. The trojanized Windows version deployed an intermediate malware downloader that Mandiant named SUDDENICON that reaches out to a GitHub repository to obtain command-and-control (C2) addresses hidden inside icon files. The downloader then contacts the C2 server and deploys an information stealer dubbed ICONICSTEALER that collects application configuration data as well as browser history. Researchers from Kaspersky Lab reported that in some cases the attackers deployed an additional backdoor program on some 3CX victims. This backdoor is known as Gopuram and has been used in various attacks since 2020, including against cryptocurrency companies. North Korean state-sponsored hackers have been known to target cryptocurrency users and companies in recent years in what are believed to be efforts to raise money for the regime or to self-fund cyberespionage operations. Furthermore, Gopuram was found in the past on machines alongside AppleJeus, a backdoor attributed to the North Korean state-sponsored actor the Lazarus group. Personal computer compromise lead to 3CX breach According to the latest findings from Mandiant, the hackers gained access to 3CX's network after one of the company's employees installed a futures trading platform called X_TRADER from Trading Technologies on their personal computer in 2022. It turns out that this software had been trojanized with a backdoor that Mandiant now calls VEILEDSIGNAL as a part of a different software supply-chain attack. The X_TRADER software was retired in 2020 by Trading Technologies but was still available for download from the company's website in 2022. The trojanized version was digitally signed with a certificate belonging to Trading Technologies and set to expire in October 2022. The VEILEDSIGNAL backdoor provided the attackers with administrator-level access to the 3CX employee's computer and allowed them to steal his corporate credentials. Two days after the compromise, they used those credentials to connect to the company's network via VPN and began harvesting other credentials and moving laterally through the network. During this process they deployed an open-source tool called the Fast Reverse Proxy (FRP) to maintain continued access within the network. "Eventually, the attacker was able to compromise both the Windows and macOS build environments," the Mandiant incident responders said in their report. "On the Windows build environment, the attacker deployed a TAXHAUL launcher and COLDCAT downloader that persisted by performing DLL side-loading through the IKEEXT service and ran with LocalSystem privileges. The macOS build server was compromised with POOLRAT backdoor using Launch Daemons as a persistence mechanism." The TAXHAUL, COLDCAT and POOLRAT malware programs were described in more detail in a report with initial findings on April 11. An older version of POOLRAT was documented by CISA in 2021 in an advisory about the AppleJeus operation that involved another trojanized application called CoinGoTrade. This incident highlights the risks of employees working and accessing corporate networks from personal computers where they have administrative privileges. While the trojanized X_TRADER software might have evaded anti-malware detection regardless of whether it was a personal or a business machine, on a corporate-issued computer employees shouldn't typically have the required privileges to install unauthorized software for personal use. Cascading software supply-chain compromises While this might be the first confirmed case where a supply-chain compromise led to another one, security researchers have been warning about this possibility for years and there have been suspicions that it has happened before. For example, a Chinese state-sponsored APT group known as APT41, Winnti, or Barium was responsible for a string of software supply-chain attacks that might have been connected to each other. In 2017, the group compromised NetSarang, a company that makes server management software and managed to trojanize one of its products. Later that year the group managed to break into the development infrastructure of CCleaner, a widely popular system clean-up tool, and distributed poisoned versions of the tool to 2.2 million users. Two years later the same group broke into ASUSTeK Computer's systems and managed to push out trojanized updates of the ASUS Live Update Utility that comes preinstalled on many Windows computers manufactured by the company. Over 2,600 systems belonging to businesses received the malicious update. The attackers were very selective with the secondary payloads delivered to victims of the CCleaner attack. They used the CCleaner backdoor to identify interesting targets and attempted to deploy specialized malware on machines belonging to high-profile technology companies including HTC, Samsung, Sintel, Sony, Intel, Vodafone, Microsoft, VMware, O2, Epson, Akamai, D-Link, Google, and Cisco. It's therefore possible that some of the subsequent supply chain compromises, like the ASUS one, started out with either the NetSarang or the CCleaner incidents, though this has not been confirmed. In 2020, when US software company SolarWinds had its popular enterprise network monitoring product Orion trojanized by the Russian state-sponsored APT29 and delivered as an update to thousands of systems across hundreds of organizations and federal agencies, one of the main concerns was that it could lead to additional software supply chain compromises. Deputy National Security Advisor for Cyber and Emerging Technology Anne Neuberger, noted at the time that, "The scale of potential access far exceeded the number of known compromises" because "many of the private sector compromises are technology companies, including networks of companies whose products could be used to launch additional intrusions." SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) Prosecutors said Thursday they will dismiss an involuntary manslaughter charge against Alec Baldwin in the fatal 2021 shooting of a cinematographer on the set of the Western film Rust, but cautioned that their investigation is not over and the actor has not been absolved yet. Special prosecutors Kari Morrisey and Jason Lewis announced their decision to dismiss the felony charge after new facts were revealed that demand further investigation and forensic analysis, without giving further details. An involuntary manslaughter charge against Hannah Gutierrez Reed, weapons supervisor on the film, remains unchanged, they said. We cannot proceed under the current time constraints and on the facts and evidence turned over by law enforcement, the prosecutors said in a statement. This decision does not absolve Mr. Baldwin of criminal culpability and charges may be refiled. Our follow-up investigation will remain active and on-going. Lawyers for Baldwin were first to announce that prosecutors were changing course, in a sharp turnaround for the Hollywood luminary who just a few months ago was confronting the possibility of a yearslong prison sentence. We are pleased with the decision to dismiss the case against Alec Baldwin and we encourage a proper investigation into the facts and circumstances of this tragic accident," defense attorneys Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro said in a statement. When word of the dismissal came, Baldwin was at Yellowstone Film Ranch on the set of a rebooted Rust production. Preparations for filming were underway Thursday at its new location in Montana, 18 months after the shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins shut it down, a representative for Rust Movie Productions said. Baldwin was pointing a pistol at Hutchins during a rehearsal when it went off, killing Hutchins and wounding director Joel Souza. Baldwin has said the gun fired accidentally and he did not pull the trigger. An FBI forensic report found the weapon could not have fired unless the trigger was pulled, however. John Day, a Santa Fe-based criminal defense attorney who is not involved with the Rust case, highlighted the arrival of a new prosecution team in late March and suggested it may have been a factor in the decision to dismiss the charge. This is very different from what the original prosecutor said, he noted. It does raise the question of initially the Santa Fe district attorney saying, 'Were holding Alec Baldwin responsible in part because of the role as CEO of the production and (that) it was a very sloppy production' does this mean that the new prosecutors have a different point of view? Gutierrez-Reeds attorneys said they fully expect her to be exonerated in the judicial process. The truth about what happened will come out and the questions that we have long sought answers for will be answered, the lawyers, Jason Bowles and Todd Bullion, said in a statement. The case against Baldwin had already been diminishing. A weapons charge that would have meant a much longer sentence was dismissed, and the first special prosecutor appointed in the case resigned. The A-list actor's 40-year career has included the early blockbuster The Hunt for Red October and a starring role in the sitcom 30 Rock, as well as iconic appearances in Martin Scorseses The Departed and a film adaptation of David Mamets Glengarry Glen Ross. In recent years he was known for his impression of former President Donald Trump on Saturday Night Live." The 65-year-old has worked little since the shooting but hardly went into hiding. He stayed active on social media, making Instagram videos and posting podcast interviews and pictures of his wife and seven children. Rust safety coordinator and assistant director David Halls pleaded no contest in March to a conviction for unsafe handling of a firearm and a suspended sentence of six months of probation. Plans to resume filming were outlined last year by the cinematographer's widower, Matthew Hutchins, in a proposed settlement to a wrongful death lawsuit that would make him an executive producer. Souza has said he will return to directing Rust to honor the legacy of Halyna Hutchins. Despite the settlement, attorneys for the Hutchins family said they welcomed the criminal charges against Baldwin when they were filed. They had no immediate comment on the pending dismissal Thursday. After a scathing safety review by regulators in New Mexico that detailed ignored complaints and misfires before Hutchins' death in October 2021, the production company agreed to pay a $100,000 fine. Baldwin has not traveled to New Mexico to appear in court, which is not required of him under state law. Evidentiary hearings had been scheduled for next month to determine whether to proceed toward trial. Santa Fe District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies had said previously that her office is pursuing justice in the death of Hutchins and wants to show no one is above the law when it comes to firearms and public safety. She says the Ukrainian-born cinematographers death was tragic and preventable. ___ Dalton reported from Los Angeles. Associated Press writer Susan Montoya Bryan in Albuquerque, New Mexico, contributed. A senior Republican on the Senate Judiciary committee is demanding that U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration chief Anne Milgram address allegations of improper hiring and contracting of her past associates. The request Thursday by Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa follows an Associated Press investigation finding that a federal watchdog is investigating whether strict federal rules on no-bid contracting and hiring may have been violated to channel DEA work to Milgram's associates. These are serious allegations, and DEA must respond to them and clear the air, Grassley wrote in a letter sent to Milgram's office, a copy of which was obtained by the AP. The scrutiny by the Justice Departments Office of Inspector Genera comes as the DEA is struggling with repeated revelations of agent misconduct and a fentanyl crisis claiming more than 100,000 overdose deaths a year that Milgram has called the deadliest drug threat our country has ever faced. The DEA didn't immediately respond to a request for comment on the letter. But Milgram's boosters inside and outside the agency have defended her actions as part of an ongoing effort to clean house, recruit talented individuals and pursue innovative ways to protect national security and the health of the American people. Much of Grassley's five-page letter focuses on a $1.4 million no-bid contract to a Washington law firm for a recent review of the DEAs scandal-plagued foreign operations that he criticized for giving short shrift to agent misconduct and how to prevent it. That review was co-authored by Boyd Johnson, former right-hand man to one of Milgrams closest friends, Preet Bharara, when he was U.S. Attorney in Manhattan. Bharara himself landed at the firm, WilmerHale, even as the review was being conducted. The report by all measures fell well short of the mark, spending most of its scant 49 pages citing publicly-available sources or the DEA's operations manuals, Grassley wrote, demanding that Milgram provide any correspondence with WilmerHale where DEA issued instructions or suggested edits of the report. Rather than answering the questions we had, this only raises new ones. Grassley, who is also co-chair of the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control. said his office had received multiple credible allegations from whistleblowers of irregular hiring that point to possible waste of federal resources as well as conflicts of interests among DEA leadership. Among them, he cites a nearly $400,000 no-bid award for data analytics to Jose Cordero, a former law enforcement official who worked closely with Milgram when she served as New Jersey attorney general more than a decade ago. DEA awarded The Cordero Group a contract within three weeks of Milgram being confirmed by the Senate to head the agency on the basis of Cordero's record designing public safety strategies with rigorous crime data analysis. These do not appear to be skills that are possessed by only one company, which demands explanation of why the contract was awarded outside the normal bidding process required by law, Grassley wrote. The Iowa Republican is also looking at whether Milgram or anyone else from the DEA directed contractors to specifically hire specific subcontractors, including a New York City publicist and a former Democratic congressional staffer who Milgram knew from a public safety project she helped run in Indianapolis while teaching at New York University's law school. ___ Goodman reported from Miami, Mustian from New York. Contact APs global investigative team at Investigative@ap.org. ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) An arbitration panel has ordered MyPillow chief executive Mike Lindell to pay $5 million to a software engineer for breach of contract in a dispute over data that Lindell claims proves that China interfered in the U.S. 2020 elections and tipped the outcome to Joe Biden. But Lindell told The Associated Press on Thursday that he has no intention of paying and that he expects the dispute to land in court. Lindell, a prominent promoter of false claims that voting machines were manipulated to steal the 2020 presidential election, launched his Prove Mike Wrong Challenge," as part of the Cyber Symposium he staged in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in August 2021, to further his theories. Lindell offered through one of his companies a $5 million reward for anyone who could prove that packet captures and other data he released there were not valid data from the November 2020 election. Robert Zeidman entered the challenge with a 15-page report that concluded the data from Lindell did not contain packet data of any kind and do not contain any information related to the November 2020 election. A panel of contest judges that included a Lindell attorney declined to declare Zeidman a winner. So Zeidman filed for arbitration under the contest rules. After conducting an evidentiary hearing in Minneapolis in January, the three arbitrators on Wednesday ordered Lindell to pay Zeidman $5 million. He proved the data Lindell LLC provided, and represented reflected information from the November 2020 election, unequivocally did not reflect November 2020 election data," the arbitrators wrote. Failure to pay Mr. Zeidman the $5 million prize was a breach of the contract, entitling him to recover. The arbitrators ordered Lindell to pay up within 30 days. They clearly saw this as I did that the data we were given at the symposium was not at all what Mr. Lindell said it was, Zeidman said in a statement Thursday. 'The truth is finally out there. Zeidman attorney Brian Glasser said the arbitrators' ruling marked another important moment in the ongoing proof that the 2020 election was legal and valid, and that Lindells claims about the validity of his data had been "definitively disproved. Lindell disputed that and said he intends to release additional data in the coming weeks or months that will prove his claims of Chinese interference in the 2020 elections and validate what he put out earlier. "It's going to end up in court, Lindell said. I'm not going to pay anything. ... He didn't prove anything. Lindell is already the subject of a $1.3 billion defamation lawsuit filed by Dominion Voting Systems in the District of Columbia that says Lindell falsely accused the company of rigging the 2020 presidential election. He's also the target of a separate defamation lawsuit in Minnesota by a different voting machine company, Smartmatic. Lindell said it's strange that the arbitrators ruled a day after Dominion settled its defamation lawsuit against Fox News for nearly $800 million. and suggested it's all an effort to get him to end his crusade against electronic voting machines. I'll spend everything I have to save the country I love, Lindell said. ___ This story was first published on April 20, 2023. It was updated on April 21, 2023 to correct the location of Lindells 2021 cyber symposium. It was in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, not South Falls. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate LONDON (AP) U.K. Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab grudgingly resigned Friday after an independent investigation found he bullied civil servants, though he criticized the findings as flawed. Raab's announcement came the day after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak received the investigation report into eight formal complaints that Raab, who was also justice secretary, had been abusive toward staff members during a previous stint in that office and while serving as Britain's foreign secretary and Brexit secretary. Attorney Adam Tolley, who conducted the inquiry and noted that bullying was not a legal term, found Raab acted in a way which was intimidating, was unreasonably and persistently aggressive and introduced an unwarranted punitive element to his leadership style. His conduct also involved an abuse or misuse of power in a way that undermines or humiliates, Tolley wrote in the 48-page report. Raab, 49, denied claims he belittled and demeaned staff and said he behaved professionally at all times. He remained defiant in resigning, saying he was duty-bound after promising to do so if the bullying complaints were substantiated. He said the inquiry made two findings of bullying against him and dismissed the others. He made it clear in his resignation letter that he did not accept the findings, calling them flawed and saying the inquiry set a dangerous precedent by setting the threshold for bullying so low. In a letter praising much of the work that Raab had done, Sunak said he accepted the resignation with great sadness. He also referred to shortcomings in the investigation, which he said had negatively affected everyone involved. Sunak appointed Oliver Dowden, a senior Cabinet official, as deputy prime minister, and Alex Chalk as justice secretary. Government websites were quickly updated with the replacements and their photos. The resignation spared Sunak the difficult task of deciding the fate of his top deputy. If he had fired Raab, he would have faced more criticism for appointing him in the first place despite reportedly being warned about Raab's behavior; if he had kept him in the job, he would have been blasted for failing to follow through on his promise to restore integrity to the Conservative government. Sunak's spokesperson Max Blain, speaking before Raab's resignation Thursday, said the prime minister still had full confidence in his deputy while he reviewed the report and weighed whether he violated the ministerial code. The code of conduct requires ministers to treat people with respect and to have proper and appropriate relationships with colleagues, civil servants and staff. It says harassment, discrimination and bullying will not be tolerated. Blain said Friday that Raab made the right decision to resign because any bullying was unacceptable. He dodged a question of whether Sunak would have sacked him if he didn't step down. Jill Rutter, a senior fellow at the Institute for Government think tank, said Sunaks decision not to fire Raab allowed his deputy who was unlikely to go quietly to criticize the reports findings, rather than his boss. Instead, Raab hailed Sunak as a great prime minister and pledged support from the backbenches of Parliament. Rutter said Sunak missed an opportunity to send a message about what he expects from his cabinet. He could have in a sense done more for that if hed said, Im not gonna give you the option of resigning, I am going to sack you because youve fallen below the standards I want to set for the way I run my government, Rutter said. Sunak's delay in not acting swiftly, as he had promised, gave his political opponents an opportunity to attack him for dithering. What I think this shows is the continual weakness of the prime minister," opposition Labour leader Keir Starmer told broadcasters. "He should never have appointed him in the first place, along with other members of the Cabinet that shouldnt have been appointed, and then he didnt sack him. Even today, its Raab who resigned rather than the prime minister who acts. First elected to Parliament in 2010, Raab unsuccessfully sought to become Conservative Party leader in 2019 before throwing his support behind Boris Johnson. Appointed deputy prime minister under Johnson, he briefly took charge of the government when Johnson was hospitalized with COVID-19 in April 2020. Raab said in his letter that he had not intentionally belittled anyone and was genuinely sorry for any unintended stress or offense that any officials felt. He noted the inquiry concluded he had not sworn or shouted at anyone, let alone thrown anything or otherwise physically intimidated anyone. The bullying inquiry is the latest ethics headache for Sunak, who vowed to restore order and integrity to government after three years of instability under predecessors Johnson and Liz Truss. Multiple scandals brought Johnson down in summer 2022, and Truss quit in October after six weeks in office when her tax-cutting economic plans sparked mayhem on the financial markets. But Sunak has struggled to shake off opposition allegations that the Conservative government remains mired in scandal and sleaze, and he is now facing an investigation himself. A parliamentary watchdog announced this week that he was looking into whether Sunak properly disclosed his wifes interest in a company that stands to benefit from a massive boost to free child care in his administrations budget. A member of Sunak's Cabinet, Gavin Williamson, quit in November over bullying claims. In January, Sunak fired Conservative Party chairman Nadhim Zahawi for failing to come clean about a multimillion-dollar tax dispute. A separate inquiry is underway into claims Johnson secured a loan with the help of a Conservative donor, Richard Sharp, who was later appointed chairman of the BBC. Before Sunak's office released the Tolley report, the right-leaning Daily Telegraph posted a vigorous defense written by Raab in which he said he had endured a Kafkaesque saga and that civil servants had tried to force him from office. Asked later by the BBC if he was a nightmare to work for, Raab said that a very small minority of passive-aggressive activist civil servants tried to block his reforms and that he got along with thousands of other public employees. The report noted that Raab had been able to regulate his abrasiveness after the investigation was announced. He should have altered his approach earlier, Tolley wrote. ___ Follow AP's coverage of British politics at https://apnews.com/hub/british-politics This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate GROTON Connecticut State Police have identified a home heating oil truck driver who was killed in a rollover crash on the Gold Star Bridge that sparked a massive fire and shut down Interstate 95 in both directions for nearly two hours on Friday, officials said. Two southbound lanes reopened Friday evening, with more lanes expected to open between 11 a.m. and noon Saturday, according to Josh Morgan, a spokesperson for the state Department of Transportation. The agency will also open the on-ramp to the Gold Star Bridge from Bridge Street in Groton. However, it will be restricted to one lane. The pedestrian crossing, the shoulder and the acceleration lane will remain closed for the foreseeable future, he said. "There'll still be some lane restrictions, but for the most part, the bridge will be open to full traffic in the next couple of hours," he said. The truck driver was identified Friday night as Wallace Joseph Fauquet III, 42, of Deer Ridge Road in Stonington, according to state police. Two other people, a 58-year-old New London man driving a 2006 Toyota Avalon and his passenger, a 35-year-old Groton woman, sustained what are believed to be minor injuries, state police said. Both were transported to Lawrence + Memorial Hospital in New London. One of the Toyota's tires failed as the car neared the Gold Star Bridge on Interstate 95 South on Friday morning, according to state police. It came to a stop in the right acceleration lane of the bridge and was hit from behind by the oil truck around 11:17 a.m., state police said. The crash caused the truck to spill about 2,200 gallons of oil, immediately igniting with thick, billowing smoke that could be seen for miles, Gov. Ned Lamont said during a news conference later in the day near the bridge. State police said the truck overturned in the collision. "My heart goes out to the family of the truck driver," Lamont said. The governor said flames were following the oil that was running down drain pipes off the bridge into the Thames River below. The state's largest bridge, built in 1973, carries 60,000 vehicles each day between Groton and New London, DOT Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto said. The bridge was last restored and repaired in 2018, he said. DOT cameras on the bridge showed smoke billowing from the southbound crash site around Exit 86 in Groton. Both vehicles, the truck and the Toyota, were engulfed in flames along with portions of the bridge itself, according to state police. A bridge inspection team was deployed immediately to investigate the structure, DOT Director of Communications Kafi Rouse said. "When they are given the all-clear, they will go in to assess the bridge and whatever damage," Rouse said. "It's too early to tell how much damage they will find." Morgan said crews worked throughout the night to remove the damaged railing and fencing from the southbound side. Afterward, they started installing new railing on the bridge and a temporary chain-link fence. As of Saturday morning, workers were cleaning up debris from the highway. They also installed environmental booms in the catch basins as the bridge's drainage system was damaged in the fire, and the forecast calls for rain, he said. New London police said an off-duty lieutenant, Cornelius Rodgers, was among several people who stopped at the scene of the crash to help pull an injured occupant of the Toyota to safety "just before it became engulfed in flames from the explosive load of the tanker truck." "Your impressive determined efforts ... displayed extreme heroism, character, and a relentless life-saving commitment under enormously challenging conditions," police wrote in a Facebook post addressing Rodgers directly at 9:07 p.m. Friday. "Thank you for your commitment to service. We salute you." A video clip posted on the social media platform TikTok appeared to capture the moment the car occupant was rescued. Troopers with Troop E of Montville responded to the scene, according to state police. Groton Mayor Keith Hedrick said firefighters from Rhode Island and North Stonington helped battle the blaze, which included secondary fires caused by flaming debris. Firefighters from New London and several other towns and the nearby U.S. Navy submarine base and Electric Boat shipyard also helped fight the fire, he said. The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection was at the scene to discard water contaminated by oil, he said. A DEEP official with Lamont said at least three booms have been deployed to capture about 85 percent of the oil that had seeped into the river. "I've never seen anything like it other than when I went through firefighter training in the Navy," Hedrick said of the thick smoke and flames. A man from Groton shot dramatic video of the blaze while driving over the bridge at 11:20 a.m. Three-foot-high flames and columns of black smoke can be seen lapping at the pavement for a long stretch in the video. "I saw a giant cloud of smoke and a line of fire," said Chris Stevens, who lives in Groton and was headed over the southbound side of the bridge to get to a gym in Waterford. "The closer you got, you just saw a wall of fire and you could feel the heat. Everyone was driving in the left breakdown lane to avoid it." The wall of fire spanned nearly the entire bridge and the smoke was so high and thick that Stevens said he couldn't see most of the vehicles involved in the accident that caused the fire. "I could see one car, that was it," he said. Stevens was on the bridge before firefighters arrived, he said. The only way around the bridge to get back to Groton would be to go to the casinos in Ledyard, he said. State police said the crash is under investigation by Troop E, the agency's Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Squad and the Truck Squad of the agency's Traffic Services Unit. Witnesses or anyone who may have dashcam footage of the crash can contact Troop E at 860-848-6500. Staff writer Liz Hardaway contributed to this report. BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) A southern Indiana woman now faces a federal hate crime charge in addition to attempted murder in the stabbing of an Indiana University student of Chinese descent on a public bus. Billie R. Davis, 56, of Bloomington, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Evansville Thursday on a charge of willfully causing injuries to the victim due to her race and national origin, the Justice Department said. Her lawyer said she's mentally ill. Davis, who is white, is accused of repeatedly stabbing the 18-year-old woman with a folding knife on Jan. 11 as the victim, from Carmel, Indiana, waited to get off a bus in downtown Bloomington. Citing court records, WRTV-TV has reported that Davis told police she stabbed the woman multiple times in the head with a folding knife, because it would be one less person to blow up our country. Asian Americans have increasingly been the target of racially motivated harassment and assaults in recent years, particularly since the coronavirus pandemic began, with many worrying that anti-Asian rhetoric linked to fraught relations between the U.S. and China could lead to more violence. A affidavit from a detective who reviewed bus surveillance footage says the victim was stabbed about seven times in the top of the head, the Indianapolis Star reported. Davis then folds the knife, puts it back in her pocket and returns to her seated position on the bus, the affidavit said. Surveillance footage showed no interaction between the two women prior to the attack. A witness who was riding the bus followed the womans attacker and contacted police. Davis was later arrested and charged with attempted murder and aggravated battery, according to court records. She pleaded not guilty in January to those charges. Kyle Dugger, an attorney representing Davis, said in a court motion in January that he is seeking an insanity defense on Davis' behalf and that she is incapable of assisting in the preparation of her defense because of mental illness. Dugger told The Associated Press in an email Friday that with the federal indictment he anticipates the state-level charges will be dismissed and that Davis will be transferred to federal custody. Ms. Davis has a long, documented history of severe mental illness, he added. She was seeking help managing her condition up to and including the day of the alleged attack. Davis was extremely disorganized and was not aware why she was incarcerated during the interview with police where it's claimed she confessed her racist motive, Dugger said. Davis was still hallucinating in the jail for several days after being arrested, he said. People close to Ms. Davis neighbors, family, friends do not describe her having any known racist attitudes or history. They dont recall her expressing racist ideas or engaging in hate speech. LISBON (AP) Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva arrived in Portugal on Friday amid heightened tensions with the European Union, following statements suggesting that Kyiv and the West share some responsibility for the conflict in Ukraine. Lula tweeted images of his arrival in Lisbon that showed him walking down a red carpet accompanied by his wife, Rosangela. The Brazilian leader courted controversy last weekend when he said that both Ukraine and Russia had decided to go to war, and claimed that the U.S. was stimulating the fighting. Earlier in the month, he irked Ukraine, the U.S. and the EU by suggesting that Ukraine should cede Crimea, which Russia seized in 2014, to end the current conflict. Lula also welcomed Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to Brasilia on Monday. The following day, Lula condemned the violation of Ukraines territorial integrity while promoting his proposal for a club of nations, including Brazil, to mediate a peaceful resolution to the war. Lula's trip to Portugal is an opportunity to repair some of the damage to Brazil-EU relations his comments caused, said Guilherme Casaroes, a political scientist at the Getulio Vargas Foundation, a think tank and university in Sao Paulo. It could be an important step for Lula to show that he is really willing to adopt a position of balance or equidistance between the parties involved in the conflict, potentially allowing Brazil to play the role of mediator in the medium term, Casaroes said. Lula was expected to meet with Portugal's president and prime minister this weekend and to appear at a Portugal-Brazil summit with various ministers. He is also scheduled to attend a Monday prize-giving ceremony for Brazilian musician and writer Chico Buarque. Lula plans to address Portugal's parliament on Tuesday, which is the anniversary of the 1974 Carnation Revolution that ended nearly a half-century of authoritarian rule in Portugal. Trade will also be high on the agenda, with Lula pushing for implementation of an agreement between the EU and the South American Mercosur bloc. It was signed in 2019 but hasnt yet taken effect as not all EU and Mercosur member nations have ratified the agreement. Through this trip to Portugal, Lula is seeking to draw closer to the European Union itself, Casaroes said. Portugal is a Brazilian ally within the European Union and can serve as a platform for Brazil to defend its position in the context of these negotiations." During the presidency of Lulas predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro, France and other EU members voiced concern that the deal could increase destruction of the Amazon rainforest. Lula, for his part, has tried to show that environmental protection is a central priority of his government and promised to end illegal deforestation by 2030. As a result, it is unlikely that environmental concerns will be an issue for completing the deal, Casaroes said. Brazil is a former Portuguese colony. The royal court left Lisbon in 1807 for Rio de Janeiro, which briefly became the seat of the Portuguese empire. Since Brazil won independence in 1822, the two countries have maintained close ties and are part of the Lusophone Commonwealth, officially known as the Community of Portuguese Language Countries. Many Brazilians have moved to Portugal over the past decade amid an economic downturn and political turbulence. ___ Hughes reported from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Jennifer OMahony contributed from Madrid. ___ Follow AP's coverage of the war in Ukraine: https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine One hundred and eight years ago, the world witnessed one of the most shameful examples of inhumanity ever seen. In the shadow of World War I, the Ottoman government embarked on a program to eliminate an entire ancient culture and population. In full view of the entire world, more than 1.5 million Armenians living in the Ottoman Empire perished through starvation, forced deportation and outright murder. The circumstances of the killings involved horrific and repeated instances of bestiality and depravity. Men women and children were stripped of their property, their dignity and ultimately their lives. Theodore Roosevelt referred to the atrocities as the greatest crime of the war. The brutalities were witnessed and reported by high ranking U.S. officials. The world watched but did not intervene as the genocide, a word which did not yet exist, unfolded. Years later, in 1944, a young scholar named Raphael Lemkin coined the word and cited the Armenian atrocities as a primary example. Humanitarian relief support was generous, the U.S. Near East Relief effort being a shining example. But acknowledgment of what had happened was slow to come. Despite a large and highly respected core of genocide scholars who amassed endless incontrovertible evidence of inhumane actions and eyewitnesses from numerous countries, the Ottoman Empire and the succeeding Republic of Turkey denied it. The killings were characterized in ludicrously fantasy filled descriptions. Even the United States was paralyzed in its fear of offending a valuable NATO ally and declined using the G word to describe the crimes. That changed in 2019 and 2021 when the Congress and then President Biden bravely acknowledged the events as genocide. Armenian Americans and Armenians throughout the diaspora were elated, Finally, the long awaited acknowledgment and official recognition of the genocide by the United States. What would be next? Would it be an apology from Turkey? Even the unthinkable return of long ago seized land and other property? Unfortunately, the euphoria was to be short lived. Genocide no longer appears to be a past historical event, but is looming once again over Armenians in the present. This time, it is in the mountainous region of Artsakh buffering Armenia and a long-time enemy and Turkish satellite, Azerbaijan. Artsakh, also referred to as Nagorno-Karabakh, has an overwhelmingly ethnic Armenian population and is steeped in Armenian tradition and history. It was ceded to Azerbaijan in the Stalin era in 1921 but emerged as an independent self-proclaimed state after years of conflict. In the recent past, following a referendum with exceptionally high voter turnout, Artsakh declared independence. Azerbaijan contests this. The past several decades have witnessed continued fighting between the forces of Artsakh and Azerbaijan with on again off again cease fires. Most recently, Azerbaijans war efforts were orchestrated by Turkey with highly effective weaponry and drones. (Turkey boasts one nation two states about its relationship with Azerbaijan.) Incursions into Artsakh produced brutality, continued desecration of centuries-old Armenian religious and cultural treasures, and highly inflammatory racist and genocidal language. After the latest war, Russian peacekeepers entered the area to curtail hostilities, but have not been successful. In December, 2022, Azeri citizens posing as environmental activists imposed a noose-like blockade of the Lachin Corridor, thus severing Artsakhs ties with the Republic of Armenia, its only viable supply of food, fuel, medicine and other life sustaining materials. Except for some relief provided by the International Red Cross and peacekeepers, Artsakh became isolated. Whatever might be said about the pros and cons of competing claims from Artsakh and Azerbaijan about rights to the region, the blockade which threatens the very existence of 120,000 men, women and children in Artsakh violates terms of an existing trilateral agreement as well as basic principles of humanity and international law. The blockade has been widely condemned internationally. Specifically, the International Court of Justice ordered unimpeded movement along the corridor both ways. Pope Francis has expressed his concerns about the serious humanitarian situation in the corridor and urged peaceful solutions. U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken urged reopening the corridor to avoid risks of a humanitarian crisis. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz urged a peaceful settlement to resolve a worsening situation. The European Union urged a monitoring mission to the area. And on and on. But the blockade continues. Yet, despite the dire circumstances in the area, the mainstream U.S. press remains eerily silent about reporting on the situation. Perhaps it is considered a mere territorial dispute between two long-time enemies. Perhaps there is so much else going on in the world that the potential loss of a mere 120,000 lives is not considered newsworthy. Perhaps it is just too much to wade through. But make no mistake, the cauldron is boiling and near spilling over into the world community. Many countries have a major potential stake in the conflict and the area: The United States, Turkey, Russia, Iran and many others. Several opportunities for meaningful Interventions exist, but time is running out. Just one example: U.S. removal of the current waivers of the Freedom Support Act, resulting of suspension of major military aid to Azerbaijan, would have a powerful impact. Dozens of members of Congress have already advanced a resolution calling for this remedy But while the world watches and ponders, 120,000 lives are at stake. The natural consequences of the blockade are clear. Without immediate intermediation, it would appear that the Armenian genocide is destined to continue. Harry N. Mazadoorian, of Kensington, Conn., has had a career as attorney and mediator. He is the son of Genocide survivors; three of his grandparents perished in the 1915 genocide. CANBERRA, Australia (AP) Fox Corp. chief executive Lachlan Murdoch on Friday dropped his defamation lawsuit against Australian news website Crikey, citing the settlement of the separate U.S. case where Fox News agreed to pay almost $800 million over its lies involving the 2020 U.S. presidential election. Media mogul Rupert Murdochs son filed the Crikey suit last August a day after executives at Crikey's publisher put their names to an ad in The New York Times inviting Lachlan Murdoch to sue to test the press freedom issue in court. Murdoch's lawsuit targeted the publisher, Private Media, its then-managing editor Peter Fray, who was also the websites editor-in-chief, and Crikeys political editor, Bernard Keane. Murdoch claimed he was defamed by Keanes column about the U.S. congressional investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the Capitol building which Crikey published in June last year under the headlines: Trump is a confirmed unhinged traitor. And Murdoch is his unindicted co-conspirator. Murdochs lawyer John Churchill said in a statement he had filed a notice of discontinuance in Federal Court on Friday. Crikey has tried to introduce thousands of pages of documents from a defamation case in another jurisdiction, which has now settled," the statement said, referring to the Fox News settlement with Dominion Voting Systems that was announced Tuesday. Mr. Murdoch remains confident that the court would ultimately find in his favor, however he does not wish to further enable Crikeys use of the court to litigate a case from another jurisdiction that has already been settled and facilitate a marketing campaign designed to attract subscribers and boost their profits, Churchill said. Private Media chief executive Will Hayward said his company, which is valued at less than 20 million Australian dollars ($13.4 million), stood by Crikey's description of the Murdochs as conspirators in the Capitol violence. The initial statement was clearly intended with a certain degree of hyperbole, Hayward said. Its really important that in Australia, journalists have room to express good faith opinions and they dont have to be terrified of litigious billionaires, Hayward added. Hayward and Private Media chairman Eric Beecher said in a joint statement they were "proud to have exposed the hypocrisy and abuse of power of a media billionaire. We stand by our position that Lachlan Murdoch was culpable in promoting the lie of the 2020 election result because he, and his father, had the power to stop the lies," the statement said. Crikeys law firm Marque Lawyers said Lachlan Murdoch would be expected to pay all legal costs. "We and our client are well pleased, the firm tweeted. The Crikey suit had been set for a three-week hearing in Sydney starting Oct. 9. Lachlan Murdoch had alleged the Crikey article conveyed a meaning that he illegally conspired with former President Donald Trump to incite a mob with murderous intent to march on the Capitol" to prevent the transfer of power to President Joe Biden. In its defense, Crikey had argued Lachlan Murdoch was morally and ethically culpable for the attack on the Capitol because Fox News, under his control and management, promoted and peddled Trumps lie of the stolen election despite Lachlan Murdoch knowing it was false." The article did not name Lachlan Murdoch, but referred to the Murdochs and their slew of poisonous Fox News commentators. Sydney University defamation law expert David Rolph said the trial would have been the first test case of a new public interest defense that came into effect across most of Australia in 2021. The public interest defense is part of a raft of reforms designed to make Australian defamation laws slightly less plaintiff-friendly, Rolph said. That was a major defense that was pleaded by Crikey here. This was going to be the first test case. We'll have to wait for the next one, Rolph said. Rolph said one of the reasons Murdoch dropped the case was that Crikey was trying to expand its defenses by incorporating revelations from the Dominion litigation. The voting technology firm had sued Fox for $1.6 billion, alleging its business was harmed and employees threatened when it was baselessly accused of rigging its voting machines against Trump in the 2020 election. The settlement followed the disclosures of the mountain of evidence that would have been presented at trial, showing many Fox executives and on-air talent didnt believe the accusations aired on some Fox shows but they feared angering Trump fans with the truth. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate BRIDGEPORT Following two illegal, crowded events at Seaside Park, one of which ended with three people wounded by gunshots, officials have announced an increased police presence there and changes in the entry rules. Mayor Joe Ganim's office said that the park's checkpoints will open and be staffed earlier in the season on May 6 rather than starting later that month on Memorial Day weekend. And although residents still have until that unofficial start of summer May 27, the Saturday before Memorial Day before having to display their seasonal entry stickers, all other visitors will need to purchase and utilize day or seasonal passes by May 6. Details are available under the Park Sticker tab in the Parks & Recreation section of the city's website, bridgeportct.gov. Also, according to the mayor's office, the police department "will be providing additional patrol cars on warm days and weekends" and additional parking enforcement officers leading up to Memorial Day. And public facilities will be increasing the signage at Seaside emphasizing that any large gatherings require a special permit which is on top of the visitor stickers. Events up to 50 people need approval from the parks department while larger functions also require a vote by the mayoral-appointed parks commission. For more information, visit bridgeportct.gov/parksandrec. Ganim, Police Chief Roderick Porter and Public Facilities Director Craig Nadrizy also outlined the changes during a video shot at Seaside Park and posted on social media. "We all have been in communication ... to address theses concerns of people coming in to utilize our park and not taking care of our park," Nadrizny said. "We attract a lot of people who want to come and use our park and we're okay with that but just use it responsibly and respect our laws and our ordinances," Porter said. Last Thursday three individuals were shot at an unpermitted music event involving a disc jockey that drew a crowd of over 200. On Friday the suspect, resident Christopher Rooche, was arraigned in state Superior Court on charges of three counts of first-degree assault and single counts of first-degree reckless endangerment, illegally firing a firearm, stealing a firearm, carrying a pistol without a permit, possession of a weapon in a motor vehicle, possession of a large capacity magazine, tampering with evidence, interfering with police, running from police, and reckless driving. "We don't want that element at our parks in our city, anywhere," Ganim said in the video with Porter and Nadrizny. Then on Sunday some City Council members and the chairman of the parks commission called police back to Seaside to break up an unauthorized car show that witnesses said also drew a few hundred people. City Councilman Jorge Cruz is one of two members of that legislative body who represent the South End where Seaside is located. Cruz was at the scene Sunday and filmed long lines of vehicles, most he and others said from New Jersey, winding their way out of the attraction after police had arrived. Cruz on Thursday said he was "very happy" that City Hall has responded to calls for stepped up enforcement at Seaside, but wished the checkpoints would open even sooner. "We can't wait until May 6," Cruz said. "It's a good thing, but the fact of the matter is the park is still wide open, free for everybody. We gotta have enforcement now." His council partner, Tyler Mack, said officials still need to consider if, long-term, the city should move up the start of the parks season from May to April, and come up with a staffing solution "not just for now, but years from now." Councilman Scott Burns agreed. Burns represents the Black Rock section of town, which is separated from Seaside Park by water. He received plenty of complaints from constituents Sunday about the loud music from the car show that could be heard in his neighborhood and had driven to Seaside to investigate. "I think we need to look at the entire operation more comprehensively," Burns said. "Between police, parks staffing." Burns is also co-chairman of the council's budget committee which is currently drafting a municipal spending plan for the new fiscal year beginning July 1 and meeting with various department heads like Nadrizny and Porter to discuss their operations and personnel needs. Burns said he also thinks it would be helpful if the city sold beach stickers online or through the mail. Ganim's announcement noted they are available for purchase at the Seaside Park checkpoints for purchase by credit card or for cash/credit at the parks department's office at 7 Quarry Road, which is just over the border in neighboring Trumbull. "If we get more people buying passes, we're going to get more revenue, have more compliance, and maybe then we can afford to staff the checkpoints earlier in the year or whatever else we need to do," Burns said. "Let's try to figure it out." This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate MILFORD The Connecticut Audubon Society will soon be able to reach more students as it expands a number of its educational programs. The nonprofit is planning to use a recently awarded $750,000 federal grant to hire more educators and buy new equipment. Officials said this will help the society expand its school, after-school and summer science programs, as well as its mentorship and career training programs in the Norwalk school district to more schools in Connecticut. "The grant we are celebrating today, the day before Earth Day, will let us increase our science and nature education for kids in the kindergarten through fifth grade by at least 50 percent," Executive Director Patrick Comins said in Friday's event announcing the grant. "Connecticut school trip kids from Norwalk to New London, from Pomfret to Bridgeport, including a large percentage of Title I schools, will be involved in outdoor, hands-on learning that meets next generation science standards." U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro visited the Connecticut Audubon Society's center and bird sanctuary in Milford to announce the $750,000 in federal funds going to the Connecticut Audubon Society. During the event, DeLauro told a crowd that included Connecticut Audubon Society staff and educators, along with local and state officials, that society has become "so mechanized" and she appreciates efforts to bring children into the "realm of science." "We ought to be supporting science in greater fashion and investing in it in a greater fashion," DeLauro said. "And to have them, again, understand nature, not just look at it and say, 'Wow, isn't that nice?'" After the event, Joyce Leiz, Connecticut Audubon Society's chief operating officer, said the grant will mainly go towards hiring educators and new equipment, including digital microscopes with video screens. "Especially in a pandemic year, you don't want the children to be putting their faces up to the same microscope, Leiz said, adding that the microscopes also allow students to view small objects as a group. The money will also go towards its "science in nature" programs, which involve field trips to the group's centers or educators teaching science in schools. Forty percent of schools participating in the program are Title I schools, which contain a high makeup of children in poverty, Leiz said. The funds will also allow the group to expand those programs to middle school students. Leiz said students fell behind in science during the COVID-19 pandemic. "Science was one of those programs that was kind of a secondary thought. Understandably, teachers were focused on math, reading and writing," Leiz said. "Our programs incorporate math, reading, science, as well as art in every program. So we try and show the teachers how our programs can be incorporated into an overarching program for the students." KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) A Kansas City man was sentenced Thursday to nearly 22 years in federal prison for committing a hate crime when he shot and wounded a teenager because of the victim's sexual orientation, prosecutors said. Malachi Robinson, 25, pleaded guilty in July to violating federal hate crime laws when he shot the 16-year-old eight times on May 29, 2019. He was sentenced Thursday to 21 years and 10 months in federal prison without parole. John Raoux/AP TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has announced he will travel to Japan, South Korea, Israel and the United Kingdom as part of an international trade mission, giving the expected Republican presidential candidate a platform to bolster his foreign policy credentials. DeSantis formally detailed the trip in a statement Thursday, saying, This trade mission will give us the opportunity to strengthen economic relationships and continue to demonstrate Floridas position as an economic leader. News and commentary on organized crime, street crime, white collar crime, cyber crime, sex crime, crime fiction, crime prevention, espionage and terrorism. Whats the most important document in modern British history? Some people might point to a party manifesto, such as Labours blueprint for the post-war welfare state in 1945, or Margaret Thatchers free-market programme in 1979. Others might dig out a speech by Winston Churchill, an Act of Parliament or perhaps even a bestselling book. For me, though, the chief contender has to be a long-forgotten report published in the early months of 1854, known as the Northcote-Trevelyan Report. Compiled by two Whitehall officials, it looks pretty dry and dusty today. Yet the Northcote-Trevelyan Report was the cornerstone of our modern meritocratic age. Breaking with centuries of aristocratic patronage, it called for a new civil service, based purely on individual merit. With exams to determine the best young candidates, all that mattered was what, not whom, you knew. Pictured, a white privilege banner is held up in front of Richmond Castle at a Black Lives Matter protest in Richmond, North Yorkshire on June 14, 2020 And if you wanted to move up the ladder, the only criteria would now be industry and ability, rather than family ties and upper-class connections. Back in the 1850s, the Northcote-Trevelyan Report felt like a revolution. Yet it gave Britain the most envied administrative system in the world. It was the first step in a long series of reforms, from the introduction of grammar schools to the expansion of universities, designed to encourage bright young boys and girls to aim for the top, whatever their backgrounds. And though the prose may have dated, the principle remains as compelling as ever. Who could disagree with the emphasis on individual merit? Who would deny that people should get their jobs based on effort and talent, rather than accidents of birth? Yet as shocking as it might seem, the age of individual merit and social mobility may be coming to an end. And according to one veteran observer of British politics, the reign of the meritocratic idea is threatened as never before by the rise of a new aristocracy, greedier and more selfish than ever. But this isnt an aristocracy based on birth or breeding. As the former Economist political editor Adrian Wooldridge writes in The Spectator magazine, its a new elite united by their obsession with their own virtue, their contempt for our history and their unbending fidelity to a single concept: wokeness. For those people who swallow the line that wokeness just means being kind, Wooldridges argument must sound pretty shocking. But as he shows, the woke revolutionaries explicitly reject the Northcote-Trevelyan emphasis on the hard work and talent of the individual. At the heart of wokeness, after all, is the idea that group identity trumps everything. Theres no escape from your groups history: as soon as you are born, you are indelibly stamped as either a victim or an oppressor. This is, of course, an idea born in the U.S., where the legacy of slavery and segregation has left a generation of academics, teachers and intellectuals with an almost demented obsession with race and gender. Wooldridge gives the example of the former San Francisco Board of Education Commissioner, Alison Collins, who has actively campaigned against ranking students on merit. At an extraordinary public meeting in October 2020, Collins claimed that the idea of meritocracy was the antithesis of fair. Indeed, she went further, insisting that the very idea of standardised testing as pioneered by Victorian Britains civil service exams was a racist system. To most of us this might sound completely bonkers. Yet in the strange world of American education, Collins is far from alone. One of the most controversial prophets of the woke movement, the prize-winning historian Ibram X. Kendi, claims that choosing people based on their ability, without looking at their skin colour, is a relic of the wicked colonial past. The only remedy to racist discrimination, writes Kendi in his bestselling book How To Be An Antiracist, is antiracist discrimination. The only remedy to past discrimination is present discrimination. The only remedy to present discrimination is future discrimination. In other words, he thinks schools, universities and employers should actively discriminate against white applicants, purely because of their skin colour and their inherited guilt. Never mind that, say, a little girl born in the 21st century can hardly be blamed for the history of slavery. For Kendi, the mere fact of her genetic heritage is enough to damn her. Its a sign of how unhealthy the debate in the U.S. has become that instead of being politely but firmly escorted to the local asylum, Kendi has been festooned with awards. But the truth is that hes merely the ruthlessly entrepreneurial face of a much broader movement. Ever since the 1960s, the trend in U.S. institutions has been to prioritise the group, not the individual. As a result, a society that once claimed to be the most open and democratic on earth is now in thrall to the idea of hierarchy based not on birth or breeding, but on virtue and victimhood. If you think that sounds overblown, here are a couple of recent examples. The first, reported only a few days ago, comes from the University of Texas, where an award-winning psychology lecturer, Professor Kirsten Bradbury, gave her students a test on personality disorders. Heres one question. Which sociodemographic group is most likely to repeatedly violate the rights of others in a pattern of behaviour that includes violence, deceit, irresponsibility, and a lack of remorse? You can probably guess the answer. Wealthy white men. As it happens, Professor Bradbury is white. And as an academic at one of the biggest institutions in the U.S., shes almost certainly very well paid. So we might call this a case of the pot calling the kettle . . . well, white. The second example is even more shocking. This is a chart produced in 2020 by the National Museum of African American History and Culture part of the Smithsonian Institution, probably the most prestigious U.S. educational body of all. The chart gives examples of whiteness and white culture, which it clearly regards with disapproval. Sinister aspects of white culture apparently include hard work, self-reliance, the nuclear family, competition, delayed gratification and even rigid time schedules. You and I might regard these things with approval. But to the Smithsonians woke commissars, they are clearly hateful and must be rejected at all costs. Its tempting to dismiss all this as Americans being American and to assume that it could never happen here. In reality, however, this woke ideology a simplistic, moralistic creed which divides people into oppressors and victims, the damned and the saved has already seeped into many British institutions, where its pitifully tortured jargon has become depressingly familiar. Most NHS trusts, for example, have equality and diversity programmes; or perhaps diversity and inclusion; or, if theyre particularly virtuous, like the Solent NHS trust, equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging. Whats the difference between inclusion and belonging? Who knows? In just the first three weeks of this year, the NHS advertised for 19 diversity and sustainability posts, with a combined salary of a cool 1 million. Indeed, in total the NHS in England alone employs an estimated 800 diversity and inclusion officers, costing a staggering 40 million a year. Talk to any nurse or doctor, and theyll tell you that this is a racket, pure and simple. Like so many woke initiatives, its an exercise in cynical back-scratching, of no use or relevance to ordinary punters. Its the same story in our universities, queuing up to flagellate themselves and the rest of us for the supposed misdeeds of the British Empire. Here the most flagrant racket is the Athena Swan initiative, an equality charter mark framework (that dreadful jargon again) which rewards academics for supporting and transforming gender equality. Not only does the Athena Swan programme put on events such as the hideous-sounding Enhancing Good Practice: Intersectionality in Practice, but it has a suffocating stranglehold over British academic research. To get official research funding from UK Research and Innovation, the main scientific grant-awarding body, you have to complete an equality and diversity statement approved by Athena Swan, including support for transgender rights. And if you think this is all nonsense? No funding. As one leading barrister, Naomi Cunningham, told The Times, this represents a pretty totalitarian attempt to entrench gender identity beliefs at the heart of all academic endeavour. But for an academic to question it would be career suicide, since no ambitious young researcher wants to destroy his or her chances of getting funding. In many ways, then, the spirit of the post-Victorian era the heyday of openness, scepticism, mobility and meritocracy has already slipped away. Instead, thanks to the uncritical adoption of American wokery, we have moved into a new age of religious obscurantism, in which evangelical hucksters tour the land, preaching the good news about diversity and inclusion. For these woke entrepreneurs, as for the fanatics and witchfinders of centuries past, life is a constant battle between good and evil, saintly victims and imperialist oppressors. Racism, sexism and inequality are lurking everywhere, and every minute of every day must be devoted to the struggle which is why so many of them piously refer to themselves as activists, even when they dont actually do anything. To question the tenets of their cult is to identity yourself as a heretic, who must be cast out without delay. That explains the hysterical reaction of so many so-called intellectuals to the Oxford scholar Nigel Biggar, who dared to argue that the British Empire wasnt all bad. And that explains, too, their vicious response to the political scientist Matthew Goodwin, who sent Left-leaning commentators into paroxysms of rage after making the blindingly obvious point that they constitute a new university-educated elite, utterly detached from the daily concerns of most ordinary Britons. If you move outside these peculiar circles, as so many millions of people do, you might wonder why all this matters. Why should the rest of us care about the gibberish peddled by a deranged gang of academic misfits? The answer, sadly, is that it matters enormously. First, because it has already polluted so much of our national life, from the mutilated, bowdlerised versions of Ian Fleming and P. G. Wodehouse in our bookshops to the grotesque waste of NHS funds on so many corrupt non-jobs. But perhaps even more importantly, because it represents an assault on the very principle of meritocracy. For youngsters to get ahead in the future, they will need to appease what Wooldridge calls the new class of woke bureaucrats, who have seized control of the entry points to the professions. Talent and hard work simply wont be enough, and passing exams certainly wont cut it. You will either need to show that youre a victim, or prove your activist credentials. And if you dont know the codes the new transatlantic jargon, the most fashionable new U.S. thinkers, the latest wild ideas about race and gender then you might as well forget it. The tragedy, of course, is that most ordinary boys and girls dont stand a chance. Few want to see themselves as victims and most youngsters are far too sensible (and normal) to waste their teenage years as self-styled social justice activists. Most dont have professors for parents, priming them with the latest woke babble. And for those from ordinary, aspirational working-class backgrounds the kind of boys and girls promoted by the meritocratic ethos of the 19th and 20th centuries the barriers will soon seem more impassable than ever. The dark irony is that all this has gathered pace under a Conservative government supposedly dedicated to encouraging aspiration and meritocracy. And if, as the polls currently suggest, Labour take office after the next election, then I suspect it will only get worse. Needless to say, all this strikes me as utterly monstrous. No schoolchild should have to carry the weight of the past and nobody should be judged by the colour of their skin, the heritage of their parents or anything other than their own hard work and natural ability. And our young people should be free to follow the path for which their industry and talents best fit them, without having to tailor their language or opinions to the freakish dictates of a fanatical minority. For if nothing else, a meritocratic, socially mobile nation is a successful nation. The Victorians learned that lesson and reaped the rewards. Are we really about to forget it? The Princess carried an LK Bennett 225 Milly handbag when she met America's First Lady, Jill Biden, at the G7 Summit in Cornwall Kate Middleton sparked a 100 per cent sales increase when she was seen with the Grace Han 'Love Letter' designer bag If you're wondering why Kate Middleton looks more regal than ever, take a look at what she's carrying. Because the simple clutch bags that she once favoured are slowly disappearing for daytime engagements, replaced by a collection of 'top handle' bags in all shapes and sizes - a style, of course, very much favoured by the late Queen Elizabeth. Mulberry and Aspinal handbags are firm favourites, which means she is able to fly the British flag. The Princess of Wales also has an LK Bennett 'Milly' bag. And just when you think she is all 'high street' (rather than luxury brand) she turns up with a Chanel Burgundy Calfskin complete with an enamel top handle. Kate Middleton looking beautiful in a camel coat holding a Polene handbag in navy to match the rest of her outfit when she visited Oxford House Nursing Home in Slough in February 2023 Kate Middleton carrying her Mulberry 'Amberley' bag on her wrist to free up her hands so that she can carry flowers and shake hands with the public - who turned out to meet her in Aberavon in February 2023 Queen Elizabeth II in mint green at Ascot in 2021. She was carrying her gloves, race card and her beautiful Launer handbag When Kate - who took care to learn everything she could from her late mother-in-law - was seen with the Grace Han 'Love Letter' handbag it caused a 100 per cent rise in sales. The black leather top-handle top-flap style, called 'Love Letter', has sturdy gold protective feet, a removable cross-body strap, and a sleek silhouette. The bag also comes in red and blush pink, and a larger size as well. Another top handle handbag that caused a stir was seen during the Caribbean tour last year. Kate was spotted holding a Vintage Willow Hilson Raffia beaded top handle bag in orange. This was something very new for Kate and was seen as a real move towards a more sustainable wardrobe. The Queens preferred bag style was her trusty Launer 'London' top handle black bag. The Queen reused her Launer bags constantly. Indeed, some were decades old. When the Queen visited London Fashion Week in 2018 to present Richard Quinn with the inaugural Queen II Award For Design, her bag dated back to at least the 1980s and possibly earlier. Her Launer bags came in a variety of colours and finishes, but it is understood she preferred the black patent styles. For Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding in 2011, the Queen commissioned a bespoke beige bag to wear with her yellow outfit which proved so popular it made the Launer website crash. The Queens preferred bag style has a top handle to ease the process of handshaking as it can sit on the wrist without any awkwardness a tip Kate has seemed to pick up. It certainly proved useful as she collected flowers and shook hands on her visit to Aberavon in February 2023. In the past, Kate opted for clutch bags, as opposed to an over-the-shoulder handbag when she appeared in public. Princess Diana had a trick she was famous for and it was the placement of her clutch bag when she stepped out of a car. Diana herself dubbed the move as her 'cleavage clutch' as it protected her modesty from the prying lenses of the waiting photographers as she got out of the car. This move became a staple for the Princess and was often pictured holding her clutch bag close to her chest for evening engagements but moved towards the top handle bags for her daytime visits. The move towards the top-handle bag during the day seems to be a trend that Kate is likely to stick to, and, like her mother-in-law she will probably just keep the clutch bags for the red carpet. Princess Diana's top handle bag became iconic. The story goes that in September 1995, Princess Diana was gifted the new Dior 'Chouchou' bag by Bernadette Chirac, First Lady of France, at the Cezanne Art Exhibition at the Grand Palais in Paris. Diana loved it so much she ordered one in every available colour. It was regularly photographed on her arm and the name was later changed to Lady Dior in Dianas honour. Within the first two years of production, Dior sold more than 200,000 Lady Diors, cementing its iconic status. Queen Elizabeth II carrying her bespoke handbag to wear with her yellow outfit for Kate Middleton's and Prince William's wedding in 2011. The bag proved so popular it made the Launer website crash Kate Middleton seen with a Miu Miu Bow-Embellished Bag in red suede clutch bag for the pre-campaign launch event, hosted by The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, at BAFTA on January 30, 2023 in London Princess Diana holding her Dior handbag and flowers outside the National Hospital of Neurology and Neurosurgery in London in 1996 Kate Middleton and Prince William arrived in Merseyside for a visit to the Royal Liverpool Hospital. Kate was seen wearing a Jade Holland Cooper navy and green coat and holding a Mulberry Small Amberley Satchel in Green to finish off the outfit in January 2023 Kate Middleton visited the Henry Fawcett Children's Centre in Lambeth wearing a stunning purple Gucci blouse and cleverly teamed it with the Aspinal of London Small Croc Midi Mayfair bag in Lilac Prince William and Middleton arrived at the Principality Stadium in February for the England V Wales match. Kate was in a Catherine Walker red and white coat and her Mulberry Small Amberley in White Grain was the perfect accessory to pull off the clever colour scheme Kate Middleton focused on her early years research with a visit to the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University on the Boston three day tour in December 2022. She teamed her Emilia Wickstead's 'Miles' Houndstooth dress (1,150) with her Mulberry 'Harlow' Handbag in blue On a visit to Swansea in 2022, Kate Middleton wore a red wool LK Bennett coat with her Roland Mouret black 'Axon' Wide Leg trousers and finished off the outfit with her elegant top handle Grace Han 'Love Letter' handbag in black Kate Middleton wore a vibrant pink Alexander Mcqueen sheath dress for her first meeting with Jill Biden in Cornwall in 2021. She accessorized the outfit with her LK Bennett 'Milly' Nude leather handheld bag and Rupert Sanderson 'Malory' pumps in Nude Kid Leather Kate Middleton walking from The Royal Palace to the Nobel Museum during day one of the visit to Sweden in 2018. She She added a touch of vintage chic with a black Mulberry Mini Seaton Bag Kate Middleton looked stunning in her powder blue longline coat with a matching blue Winser pussy bow blouse. Teamed with her navy trousers, they were the perfect accompaniment for her navy DeMellier Nano Montreal bag when she visited Belfast in 2022 Kate, Princess of Wales visited The Angela Marmont Centre For UK Biodiversity at the Natural History Museum on October 9, 2019 wearing High Street fashion to go with her High end handbag in burgundy by Chanel Kate, Princess of Wales arrived at RAF Brize Norton in September 2021 holding her top handle Tusting Mini 'Holly' Bag in Taupe which perfectly matched with her blazer by Reiss Kate Middleton carried her top handle Alexander McQueen 'Wicca' mini satchel handbag at Wimbledon which perfectly matched the 'Flippy Wiggle' dress , from British designer Suzannah Queen Elizabeth II famously attended the Richard Quinn show, during London Fashion Week in February 2018. Whilst she was sitting on front row she placed one of her famous Launer bags on her lap. It is thought her handbag dated back to the 1980s or even earlier SHOPPING Contains affiliated content. Products featured in this Mail Best article are selected by our shopping writers. If you make a purchase using links on this page, Dailymail.co.uk will earn an affiliate commission. Click here for more information. Saturday, May 6, marks the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III and Her Majesty The Queen Consort. In celebration of the momentous day, many brands have designed exclusive coronation gifts and memorabilia that you'll be able to treasure for years to come. From royal-themed pottery and glassware to limited-edition teal towels and coronation coins, there is a huge range of souvenirs to mark the special day, and that can be passed down through your family. Leading the way is a special collection from Emma Bridgewater who has designed a whole host of coronation collectables. John Lewis and Fortnum & Mason are another brand that has designed special china that are not to missed by collectors. And for affordable coronation gifts under 10? Head to Marks and Spencer where the British store has honoured His Majesty with plenty of special souvenirs. Children used to be the frontline of divorce custody battles, but increasingly splitting couples are arguing over pets. According to legal experts, firms have seen a rise in the number of people seeking legal advice over what happens to their pets following a break-up. Research from Direct Line Insurance shows that 27 per cent of splits in 2021 involved custody of a pet. While the Blue Cross animal charity has reported that 10 per cent of people said they had lost a pet during a breakup with a partner. Perhaps this isn't surprising. In the UK, some 3.2m households acquired a pet during Covid lockdowns, while divorce rates continue to rise. Children used to be the frontline of divorce custody battles, but increasingly splitting couples are arguing over pets (stock image) Celebrities too are not immune. Recently, TV presenter Ant McPartlin and his ex-wife Lisa Armstrong went to court over ongoing custody arrangements over their chocolate Labrador Hurley. Couples Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson, as well as Amber Heard and Johnny Depp, have also fought over their pets. Speaking in the i news, paralegal Dheeba Ali, of Blanchards - one of the few legal firms specialising in dog custody - says: 'A year ago it was one inquiry a day, now it is three or four, often from cohabiting couples. 'I have people who tell me their dog is as important than their child.' So what is the UK law and who actually owns the dog? Here, Femail brings you everything you need to know if you split up with pets involved.... How pet ownership is decided? Although pets are often much-loved members of a family, under UK law, pets are considered a person's property, like a piece of furniture or a car. Therefore, legal ownership is decided on the basis of proof of ownership - basically, the person who bought the dog owns the dog. If a couple buys a dog jointly, they both own it and would more than likely need to share the dog following a split. However a court does not have the power to order a legal owner to give access to the non legal owner. If a dog is bought as a gift, there must be evidence of this. What else counts as proof of ownership? Although proof of ownership is the key factor in determining pet custody, there are other issues that can be taken into account. These include who looks after the dog, whose name is registered on the dog's microchip and insurance, and who is registered with the vet. Things can become tricky if - for instance - the richer party buys the dog, but the poorer party stays at home and looks after the dog and takes it to the vets. In this case, the dog still legally belongs to the one who bought it. What if the non-legal owner takes the dog? If a couple splits and the person who is not the legal owner takes the dog and refuses to give it back, the rightful owner can then take them to civil court. There, the judge will likely order the person who took the dog to hand it back. This process can cost several thousand pounds however. Who gets custody when there are two pets? If you have two pets, you can split them, but you should also think of the relationship they have together. If they are attached to each other, it may be best to keep them together. Can things help with negotiations? Pet-nups - essentially pre-nuptial arrangements involving pets - are on the rise. In the past three years, there has been a 20 per cent rise in demand for them. In 2022, the Blue Cross animal charity also introduced its own pet-nup agreement form. The charity is currently taking in four pets a week following relationship breakdowns. Put the pet first Although in UK law, a pet is considered a possession, people should treat their pets as sentient beings and put their welfare first. The pet should be with a carer who has time and money to look after them. Dogs can move back and forth between homes if their routines and food are respected. But cats ae far more difficult and get used to one environment. If you are sharing custody of a dog... If you plan on sharing a pet, typically a dog, then make sure training and rules remain consistent. If your pet is allowed on the sofa in one house and not in the other's they will soon become confused about what they are allowed to do. Rover.coms canine behaviourist, Adem Fehmi, said: 'When set up right, joint ownership of a dog can work well, even between exes. However, this does require both owners to be on the same page in terms of pet care and the dogs individual routine, as it can be helpful if a similar routine is followed across the board. 'If the dogs needs are being met in each home emotionally, physically, and mentally this can help a dog to adapt to their changing environment. Its also important that owners be careful not to unintentionally promote behaviour issues such as separation anxiety and, if these do arise, seek professional help to work through such issues together - as a team. How will my pet cope with a change in circumstance? It's important to remember that a pet can easily sense changes and may become unsettled. This means they can pick up on tension or arguments at home. If possible, try and keep arguments away from pets. Also, be sure to look out for any behaviour changes. These may include a dog cowering or not wanting to eat. Both of these may be signs that your pet is anxious. If your dog has to move home.... According to the Blue Cross, moving can be very stressful for both people and animals. If your pet does need to move into a new home, it may be best to keep them away removal vans, boxes and packing. Instead, it may be best to move your animal to a stress-free environment until they can properly move in. If you have to say goodbye to a dog It can be very hard for people to be separated from pets they have grown to love. If you are suffering, you can contact the Blue Cross pet bereavement service. Will the UK law change? In UK law, the animal's welfare is not taken into account but in France, Portugal and Spain, courts consider pets as sentient beings rather than objects owned by one or other partner. Judges therefore will consider a pet's welfare when couples separate, which often strengthens the case for shared custody. In the UK next year, there will be a Family Law commission review, which some campaigners are saying should also consider the issue of pets. It is the perfect place for King Charles to rest his head the night before he is crowned a sumptuous bed in the Houses of Parliament just a stones throw from Westminster Abbey. And as befits royal tradition going back centuries, the monarch has been formally invited by the Commons Speaker to take advantage of it. Sir Lindsay Hoyle has written to King Charles to offer the use of the historic State Bed, which sits in the imposing Speakers House at the Place of Westminster. Its here just in case King Charles III would like to stay overnight, Sir Lindsay told The Mail's new Royals section. Sir Lindsay Hoyle has written to King Charles to offer the use of the historic State Bed, which sits in the Speakers House at the Place of Westminster The Speakers Office is staying respectfully tight-lipped on whether the King and Queen have replied to his offer of the State Bed on the eve of the Coronation Ive sent a letter to His Majesty, saying Your bed is ready, Your Bedroom is prepared. He made clear that - of course - the offer extended to Camilla, the Queen Consort. As Sir Lindsay explained, the bed which lies in the ornate State Bedroom in his official Commons residence is made available for the new monarch on the very eve of the Coronation. The custom began in medieval times when the Palace of Westminster was just that a working palace lived in and used the by the sovereign of the day. But the Speaker also suggested that the custom partly derives from a time when some past monarchs were not as popular as others and preferred to spend the night there as it was the nearest point to being crowned at Westminster Abbey Aside from convenience, this would have meant the monarch could avoid unwelcome interruptions that a longer journey to the Abbey might bring. Historical tradition or not, however, it is a long time since any sovereign actually took up the Speakers kind offer of lodgings for the night. George IV in 1821 was the last to do so and that was a different bed. The bed which lies in the State Bedroom in the Speaker's official Commons residence is made available for the new monarch the night before he or she is crowned The custom began in medieval times when the Palace of Westminster was a working palace and used the by the sovereign of the day This was because the old Palace of Westminster spectacularly burnt down in 1834 and its replacement - the Gothic Revival masterpiece now famous around the world was not ready for the accession of Queen Victoria. This current State Bed, designed by Augustus Pugin and carved from walnut by John Braund, dates from 1859. Measuring 12 feet high and 7ft 6ins wide, it boasts an intricate canopy, gilt inlay and features the royal crest. The bed was not even available for the coronation of late Queen Elizabeth II in 1953 as it had gone missing after being moved into safe storage during the Second World War and was then sold! Only an appeal by the Victoria and Albert Museum in 1979 led to the rediscovery of the national treasure. For such an imposing State Bed, there was also a surprising confession from its then owners. Ron and Wendy Martin, who acquired it for less than 100 at an auction in the 1950s, admitted that they had slept in it for 20 years in their Northamptonshire manor house. Ron and Wendy Martin, who acquired the bed at an auction in the 1950s, said they had slept in it for 20 years - and that their son Benedict was born in it And that their son Benedict was born in it. Now safely restored to its rightful place in the State Apartments of Speakers House, the bed awaits its one proper, historic purpose - to give the King a restful, peaceful night before his big day should he and Camilla so desire. That said, the Speakers Office is staying respectfully tight-lipped on whether the King and Queen Consort had yet replied to the kind invitation. A dispute over an $84 birthday cake has sparked viral outrage on social media, with the baker being slammed by 'fake' customers who are leaving angry reviews in what she says is an attempt to ruin her business. Kylie Allen, who owns her own company, Kylie Kakes in Princeton, West Virginia, took to TikTok to detail the 'worst client experience' she's ever had, explaining how she was furiously criticized by a customer after baking a rainbow sprinkle cake for her. In the video, which garnered over 4.9 million views, the baker revealed that the customer, Ashleigh Freeman, bought a cake for her mom's birthday in April. Ashleigh paid $84 for the dessert, however, she was less than satisfied and following Kylie's video, she decided to share her own version of the story on TikTok. Kylie Allen , who runs Kylie Kakes in Princeton, West Virginia, took to TikTok to share her the 'worst client experience' she's ever had, sparking a viral dispute on social media A dispute over an $84 birthday cake that Kylie made (pictured) has sparked viral outrage on social media, with the baker being slammed by 'fake' customers who are leaving angry reviews In the video, which garnered over 4.9 million views, the baker revealed that the customer, Ashleigh Freeman (pictured), bought a cake for her mom's birthday in April Initially, Ashleigh complained about the cake during a phone call with Kylie, then she unleashed further criticism in a private message. Finally, she went on Facebook to criticize Kylie, who decided to open up about the interactions is her own video on TikTok. Poll Would YOU pay $84 for Kylie's cake? Yes No Would YOU pay $84 for Kylie's cake? Yes 46 votes No 1539 votes Now share your opinion And while she originally thought the video would be shared to a few of her close friends, family and customers, the clip garnered viral attention, causing a whole frenzy of drama on the video-sharing app. 'Today I had one of the worst client experiences I've ever had since opening the storefront,' Kylie said in the video. She said that the customer - whom she did not initially name - reached out via Facebook and wanted to order an eight-inch, six-layer rainbow cake with vanilla buttercream and the words 'Happy Birthday Trilby' on top. Kylie noted that she has been making this kind of cake 'for a really long time', having started baking the rainbow creations when she was still 'a home baker', adding that she has developed a 'signature style' for the cakes that include six rainbow layers and the buttercream icing. But while the baker feels confident in her abilities, her client was less than impressed with the results. 'Upon arrival, she seemed to be really surprised the cake was covered in sprinkles, Kylie went on. 'We explained to her that all of our signature rainbow cakes are decorated this way and covered in sprinkles.' Initially, Ashleigh complained about the cake both in a phone call and private message before taking to Facebook to criticize the cake The baker described the customer as 'super defensive and very rude' before adding, 'She even bashed us and put us on her Facebook page' She explained that while she wasn't at the store when Ashleigh picked up her cake, her husband was there and received a complaint about 30 minutes after the customer left She continued: 'She then got super defensive and very rude about the price of the cake... She even bashed us and put us on her Facebook page.' Kylie concluded the video by noting that she doesn't place each sprinkle onto the cake individually, so the final results can differ from those in the photos posted on her website. After Kylie's clip garnered viral success, Ashleigh decided to share her own version of the story, with pictures of the cake that she said looked like 's***.' Ashleigh said the cake was not worth the hefty price tag, and many social media users agreed with her, claiming the writing and sprinkles brought the quality of the cake down. Shortly after, Ashleigh decided to delete the video so that Kylie didn't get harassed online. She asked Kylie to do the same, however Kylie chose to keep her clip up, sparking Ashleigh to re-upload her video. Speaking to Insider, Kylie explained she could have never anticipated the amount of attention she has received. 'I wasn't expecting it to be quite honest with you,' she told the outlet. She explained that while she wasn't at the store when Ashleigh picked up her cake, her husband was there and received a complaint about 30 minutes after the customer left. Paraphrasing what her husband told her, Kylie said: 'She said that she wasn't aware that it was covered in sprinkles and that her family didn't like sprinkles. Nothing was mentioned about the writing that was on top.' However, Ashleigh said that the sprinkles were 'obviously not the issue,' adding that 'it was not a quality cake for $84' Ashleigh shared screenshots of messages exchanged between the two, where she shares a picture of the cake and says, 'Look at it. That's the problem' Ashleigh ended up making her own version of the birthday cake, which many users said looked better than the original However, Ashleigh said that the sprinkles were 'obviously not the issue,' adding that 'it was not a quality cake for $84.' Ashleigh shared screenshots of messages exchanged between the two, where she shares a picture of the cake and says, 'Look at it. That's the problem.' Kylie explained that the cake looked the same way 'all of our standard rainbow cakes look like,' before branding her 'disrespectful.' Ashleigh responded: 'It's not disrespectful to expect quality. It's disrespectful to serve your reliable customers something like this. Good luck. You're going to need it.' Shortly after, Ashleigh tried to call for a truce, claiming that the cake was 'very tasty.' However, Kylie refused to back down, prompting the fiery feud to get even worse. In another series of text messages shared with Insider, Ashleigh said she hoped Kylie would 'go outta business' and said Princeton deserved between than a 'subpar boxed cake from an unprofessional, dirty finger nailed "baker."' Ashleigh told the outlet she let her anger get the best of her and said 'something mean' after Kylie refused to accept the truce. Now, Ashleigh has begun branding herself 'Petty Crocker' and has remade the birthday cake herself. And strangers on the video-sharing platform aren't about to let Kylie off the hook either. Kylie said that both her shop's Facebook and Google have been flooded with negative reviews by people she has never even made cakes for. Eventually, she was forced to turn off the review function. In the past week, the shop has received dozens of negative reviews, prompting Yelp to 'monitor' it. Many people have also taken to TikTok to slam the baker. Many people have also taken to TikTok to slam the baker and said they could make better cakes One person said: 'I wouldnt pay $20 for that.' '"Look at it", honestly though, Id be so embarrassed to claim that work,' commented another person, while someone else simply stated that the cake was 'ugly'. Another user said: 'That literally looks like the lettering from Hagrid on Harrys cake.' 'It's worse than I thought,' one person wrote. 'As a business owner I am shocked by this! Its super important to admit when youre wrong!' said another person. One person said: 'I couldve done a better job than that and for $20.' Another person said: 'I've bought $40 cakes that look 1000x better.' Kylie told Insider the viral dispute isn't affecting her business and she has 'thick skin' and is 'over it.' Lady Amelia Windsor looked effortlessly chic as she attended a skincare launch party in London last night. The royal, 27, opted for a black crop top with a faux-fur trim to celebrate the launch of Korean brand Dr Jart+'s new BB cream. The Tatler cover girl - who is currently 43rd in line to the throne - then paired this with a grungy indigo pleated mini skirt with a chunky silver buckle. Fully embracing the 90s trend, Lady Amelia was pictured carrying a miniature handbag too. Created by Italian designer Valentino Garavani, this 2,150 accessory has the brand's logo written in sparkly silver rhinestones over the front clasp. The royal, 27, opted for a black crop top with a faux-fur trim and pleated denim mini skirt with a silver buckle Although it comes with a detachable delicate chain, Amelia opted to use the shorter strap and hold it in one hand. She then finished off her monochrome look with a pair of knee-high black boots. For the official launch of the BB cream, Amelia kept her makeup to a minimum and allowed her naturally radiant complexion to shine through. The socialite - who was famously dubbed the most beautiful member of the royal family in 2016 - didn't appear to wear any eye makeup and instead opted for a slick of rosy-toned lipstick. After posing for some photos next to the new product, Amelia then rubbed shoulders with other guests at the event - including Noel Gallagher's model daughter Anais and actress Marli Su. Lady Amelia, her older sister Lady Marina, and her brother Edward Windsor are the grandchildren of the Queen's first cousin, the Duke of Kent. A fashion powerhouse, she has been signed with Storm Model Management since 2016, joining an illustrious roaster of clients including Kate Moss, Cara Delevingne and Lady Kitty Spencer. Amelia, who lives in Notting Hill with her sister, has also been making a name for herself with designer collaborations, including collections with SALOME and Pretty Ballerina. Lady Amelia Windsor finished off her look with a pair of black knee-high boots and a 2,150 handbag by Valentino Garavani Lady Amelia Windsor happily posed for photos next to the Dr Jart+'s new BB cream before then rubbing shoulders with other high-profile guests Left: Noel Gallagher's 23-year-old model daughter Anais also attended the event. Right: Actress Marli Su pictured at the Dr Jart+ launch party Lady Amelia was born in Cambridge in 1995, the second daughter of George Windsor, Earl of St Andrews, the son of the Duke of Kent, and Sylvana Tomaselli, a Canadian-born academic and historian. Her paternal grandfather, the Duke of Kent is a first cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II, while her father is a second cousin of King Charles III. This therefore makes her the third cousin of the Prince of Wales and of the Duke of Sussex. Like countless other royal babies, she was christened at Chapel Royal, St James's Palace and attended the Trooping the Colour celebrations at Buckingham Palace as a child. Prince William is 'still hurt and angry about what Prince Harry put the Queen through' in her final years and his brother's attacks on the Princess of Wales, the Daily Mail's royal editor has claimed. Appearing on the most recent episode of Palace Confidential, Rebecca English discussed the state of William and Harry's relationship ahead of King Charles' coronation on 6 May. Earlier this month, the Duke of Sussex confirmed that he will attend the state occasion without his wife Meghan Markle - who will remain in California with their two children Prince Archie, three, and Princess Lilibet, one. Reflecting on Harry and William's relationship in recent years, the royal expert said that those closest to them told her they 'couldn't imagine a time where they wouldn't be able work things out". She said: '[William and Harry] had been through so much together. But those same people are not saying that now.' Prince William (pictured with his brother in July 2021) is said to still be 'angry and hurt following the publication of Prince Harry's memoir Spare Discussing the Prince of Wales' current feelings towards his brother, Rebecca continued: 'I know that William is not just hurt but he's very angry. 'Not just for himself but what Harry put their late grandmother through, the things he's said about his father and also [William's] own wife.' As such, Rebecca says it will take a 'lot more' than Prince Harry flying over for the coronation to heal their relationship. In the last few years of her life, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle launched a series of scathing attacks on the Royal Family - including their Oprah Winfrey interview which aired when Prince Philip was in hospital. What's more, the Daily Mail's Diary editor Richard Eden said that Prince Harry had made his brother out to be a 'villain' in his biography. He added: 'If I was Prince William, I would avoid Prince Harry like the plague [at the coronation].' One of the most explosive claims Prince Harry made in his biography Spare was that a 'piping hot' Prince William 'knocked him onto a dog bowl which cut his back' during an argument at Nottingham Cottage on the grounds of Kensington Palace. The Duke of Sussex claimed the altercation took place in early 2019 while the brothers were arguing about their relationship, Harry's rows with the press and Meghan Markle. The Queen, Prince William and the Princess of Wales pictured at the Chelsea Flower Show in May 2019 The Daily Mail's royal editor Rebecca English says Prince William is still 'hurt' about what his brother 'put the Queen through' in the final years of her life What's more, the Princess of Wales didn't come out unscathed from Prince Harry's memoirs either. As well as detailing a series of awkward moments at the Royal Foundation forum in 2018, Prince Harry also shared tense text messages exchanged between Kate and Meghan about Princess Charlotte's flowergirl dress. Sharing his side of the story at the heart of 'Megxit', Prince Harry says his sister-in-law got in touch with Meghan after Princess Charlotte 'cried when she tried it on at home'. Harry insisted the incident was driven by his sister-in-law Kate, who appeared irritated that it had taken Meghan a day to get back to her about the problem. The disagreement between the two women was, he claims, further exacerbated by Kate's unwillingness to visit Meghan's tailor at Kensington Palace and suggestions that they hold a party for the page boys when his bride-to-be was busy dealing with a row with her father, Thomas Markle. In February 2021, The Queen confirmed that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex would not be returning to the UK as senior working royals after their year-long trial of 'Megxit'. At the time, the late monarch described the couple as 'much loved members of the family' and said she was 'saddened by their decision'. The Queen feared Prince Harry was 'perhaps a little over-in-love' with Meghan Markle (pictured with the Queen) The statement said that Meghan and Harry had 'written confirming that in stepping away from the work of the Royal Family it is not possible to continue with the responsibilities and duties that come with a life of public service.' Minutes later, the couple fired back with their own statement saying they 'remain committed to their duty and service to the UK and around the world'. They added: 'We can all live a life of service. Service is universal.' Earlier this month, a new biography claimed the late Queen felt as though Prince Harry's devotion to his wife 'clouded his judgement'. The news is disclosed in Robert Jobson's new book Our King: Charles III The Man And The Monarch Revealed. In the lead-up to Megxit, the late monarch is said to have not enjoyed her long conversations with her grandson, finding them difficult and his behaviour strange. A source said: 'Her Majesty found Prince Harry's calls quite difficult and wearisome. She didn't want to interfere in the father/son relationship and would urge him to speak to his father.' But Prince Charles simply stopped taking Harry's calls after his son swore at him and repeatedly asked for funds. When the Queen asked Charles why he hadn't given in, he told her that he wasn't a bank. The royal couple had stepped down from royal duties in early 2020, moving to Canada before decamping to California, where they live now. Queen Elizabeth II was 'devastated' when Prince Harry and Meghan announced they would be leaving the royal fold and especially after the bombshell interview with U.S. television giant Oprah. This is the emotional moment a woman who was given up for adoption as a baby was reunited with her paternal half-sister for the first time in-person on Long Lost Family: What Happened Next. Jean Smith, from Poole, Dorset, had spent 30 years searching for her American Air Force birth father - only to sadly discover he had passed away around 20 years ago, aged 63. However, the grandmother-of-six, who grew up as an only child in a happy home, did find six siblings on her father's side after one of her half-sisters, named Sandra, discovered her via a DNA database in 2020, when Jean was aged 67. But because of Covid, the sisters were only able to contact each other online for two years. Their emotional reunion - in which the siblings shared a sweet hug - was aired on last night's ITV programme. Sandra made the 5,000-mile journey to stay with Jean for two months going from new acquaintances to housemates overnight. This is the emotional moment a woman who was given up for adoption as a baby was reunited with her paternal half-sister for the first time in-person on Long Lost Family: What Happened Next Davina McCall explained: 'Because of Covid and Sandra living on the West Coast of America, it's been impossible for them to meet in person... until now.' 'Today I am meeting my older sister for the first time in my life,' said Sandra ahead of the reunion. 'The closer it gets, I'm starting to get a little shaky.' Jean felt equally overwhelmed, saying: 'I'm a bit all over the place, it's 30 years of build up, so I'm a bit emotional today, but still excited.' The grandmother rushed to her front door upon Sandra's arrival at her home and the two are filmed embracing one another. 'Good to see you,' said Sandra, while Jean added: Two years, my goodness. It's a long time. I don't want to let you go.' 'Our father would be extremely happy that we've finally found each other,' Sandra, who said she felt 'so loved' during her visit, later added. The sisters hope the trip will be one of many, with Jean saying: 'The family have just taken to [Sandra] straight away... she just fitted in... she's just part of us now.' When first appearing on Long Lost Family in 2021, Jean was left in tears after hearing her father's voice for the first time. Jean Smith (pictured with her half-sister Sandra), from Poole, Dorset, had spent 30 years searching for her American Air Force birth father - only to sadly discover he had passed away around 20 years ago, aged 63 However, the grandmother-of-six, who grew up as an only child in a happy home, did find six siblings on her father's side after one of her half-sisters, named Sandra (pictured together), discovered her via a DNA database in 2020, when Jean was aged 67 Jean pictured holding a photo of her birth father. She spent decades searching for her biological parent after learning he was stationed in the UK during the Second World War as part of the American Air Force She had spent decades searching for her biological parent after learning he was stationed in the UK during the Second World War as part of the American Air Force. Although she was adopted into a happy home as a child, Jean spent her childhood dreaming of her father appearing in her life in his uniform and longed to find him. Jean had discovered her mother some years prior to contacting the show, but struggled to find her father and asked the ITV programme for help - with the research team eventually matching up her DNA to six siblings in the US. Sadly, Jean's half-sister informed her that their father had passed away in 1995, but co-host Davina McCall presented an emotional Jean with an audio recording of Johnny singing. Jean, who has been married for forty years and has three children and six grandchildren, was adopted into a loving home as a newborn - but still felt 'homesick'. She explained: 'I used to feel homesick, it's the only way I can describe it, I felt homesick but I was at home. You are desperate to know who your parents are. 'But when I was younger I never wanted to search in case I hurt my adopted parents' feelings.' When in her 30s, Jean started searching for her biological parents and found her mother after three years. But because of Covid, the sisters were only able to contact each other online for two years. Their emotional reunion - in which the siblings shared a sweet hug - was aired on last night's ITV programme The grandmother rushed to her front door upon Sandra's arrival at her home and the two are filmed embracing one another 'Good to see you,' said Sandra, while Jean added: Two years, my goodness. It's a long time. I don't want to let you go.' 'The first thing she said when she saw me was "You're more like your dad". It made me want to find my birth father, to get the whole picture,' recalled Jean, whose mother had been with Johnny for six to eight months before becoming pregnant. After finding out they were expecting they decided to give the baby up for adoption, with Jean adding: 'They had discussed marriage but decided it wasn't a good idea because they were so young.' The Long Lost Family team added Jean's DNA into a database to discover blood relatives, and eventually found her half-sister Sandra, who lives in America. Within 24 hours of the match appearing, Sandra, who is 'very interested in genealogy' had emailed Jean herself. Sandra said: 'I've kind of known in the back of my mind that my dad had a daughter somewhere. I knew it was from when my dad was in the military before he met my mother.' Discussing her father's death from a suspected heart problem, Sandra added: 'He was pretty young, he was only 63, it was a shock, I thought we had more time. 'It's kind of sad that Jean doesn't get to meet our father. He was a very kind person, everybody liked him. I think he would've included her in the family. 'We've got a big family. Four brothers and one younger sister and they're all open to meeting her. Every body wants to. I'm just so glad that she just finally put her DNA out there.' Jean spoke to Davina about her father's passing, revealing that Sandra had eventually informed her over email. Davina then played an audio recording of Jean's father singing Welcome to My World by Jim Reeves, which left the grandmother in tears. 'Isn't that lovely to hear.' says the presenter, to which Jean replies: 'Yeah, to hear his voice... Very special.' McDonalds has changed its popular 1.99 meal deal - extending the range of items regular customers can get at cut price. Previously, its Food For Thought offer included a Big Mac, Filet-o-Fish, Vegetable Deluxe and either one medium fries or side salad. Now other items are included, including six chicken McNuggets, one Big Mac, a Filet-o-Fish and a McChicken Sandwich. Customers can also choose a quarter pounder with cheese, or one McPlant, with either one medium fries or one side salad. To get the offer, customers must fill out a survey on mcdfoodforthoughts.com website within 60 days of receiving a receipt from McDonald's with Food for Thoughts survey participation code. The famous McDonald's Big Mac with two burgers is now part of the Food for Thought deal, costing just 1.99 Once the survey is complete, you'll receive a QR code to redeem the offer. It comes after a customer horrified many a vegetarian after he revealed that McDonald's cooks its famous French fries in beef flavoring. The man, named Jordan, shared the shocking discovery to TikTok, and his revelation resulted in outrage all over the web - especially from the fast food chain's vegan and vegetarian diners. In his video, which got more than 9.4 million views, Jordan explained that he knows 'so many fast food secrets,' but there was one he just had to share with his followers. 'I know why McDonald's fries taste different from everybody else's fries,' he said. 'And I'm gonna tell you guys. Shocking: A customer has left many people on the internet stunned after he revealed that McDonald's cooks its famous French fries in beef flavouring According to McDonald's website, Jordan's statements are completely true. Its FAQ page reads: 'When our suppliers partially fry our cut potatoes, they use an oil blend that contains beef flavoring' 'It's because McDonald's cook their fries with beef flavoring mixed within their vegetable oil. 'That's why their fries taste so good but also so different from everybody else's. It's probably bad news for vegetarians but the more you know.' Jordan added that in the UK, Canada, and Australia, the popular burger joint doesn't use the beef flavouring in their French fries, explaining, 'They cook the fries with regular oil so if you're vegetarian, you can have the fries in those places.' According to McDonald's website, Jordan's statements are completely true. 'When our suppliers partially fry our cut potatoes, they use an oil blend that contains beef flavoring,' the company states on its FAQ. 'This ensures the great-tasting and recognizable flavor we all love from our world famous fries.' Many people were horrified over the news, and some vegetarians admitted that they had been eating the fries without realizing. One person wrote, 'I'M VEGETARIAN.' 'I'm sorry WHAT?' asked someone else, while a third viewer added, 'My whole life is a lie.' Many people were horrified over the news, and some vegetarians admitted that they had been eating the fries without realising What exactly is 'beef flavoring' made out of? The 'beef flavouring' that McDonald's cooks its fries in is somewhat of a mystery. It's actually not known what goes into McDonald's beef flavouring, since 'companies in the US are not required to disclose the ingredients in flavour additives if all components are considered generally recognised as safe by the Food and Drug Administration,' according to ChooseVeganism.org. All it says on McDonald's website regarding the beef flavouring is that it contains wheat and milk, which are 'both allergens and must be disclosed.' While some beef flavourings are actually vegetarian, and are created using 'the amino acids found in beef,' Eater.com has pointed out that McDonald's fries are not vegetarian nor vegan-certified, so the beef flavouring that the fast food chain uses does likely contain some type of meat. Advertisement 'Well, guess I'm not longer a vegetarian,' a different comment read. Another TikToker commented: 'I've basically been eating meat all this time?' Others confirmed his findings. Someone else wrote: 'This is true, I went to culinary school with someone who worked there.' Another user said: 'As a former worker, this is true.' Back in 2002, the company was sued for using beef tallow - which is a rendered form of beef fat - in its fries, and was ordered to issue and apology and fork over $10 million to vegetarian and religious groups for 'misleading customers,' the New York Times reported. It then switched to using beef flavouring rather than beef tallow, but it is unclear if the beef flavouring has any actual meat in it. ChooseVeganism.org pointed out that it's not known what exactly goes into McDonald's beef flavouring, since 'companies in the US are not required to disclose the ingredients in flavour additives if all components are considered generally recognised as safe by the Food and Drug Administration.' All it says on its website regarding the beef flavouring is that it contains wheat and milk, which are 'both allergens and must be disclosed.' DailyMail.com has reached out to McDonald's for comment. In comparison, both Wendy's and Burger King's fries are completely vegan. The Prince and Princess of Wales have left royal fans divided following their fun-filled visit to Birmingham yesterday. Kate, 41, donned a 229 Karen Millen burgundy pleated midi dress for the outing to an Indian restaurant and the historic Jewellery Quarter in Britain's second city - but it was her 650 Smythson tote bag which caused the most hoo-ha among royals fans. In an Instagram story shared by the prince and princess' official social media page, the mother-of-three was seen carrying the handbag through Birmingham Moor Street station, with Prince William, 40, alongside her. With the bag full of various items - including a drink, and several brown paper bags that some Twitter users suggested were filled with food for their train journey home, many royal fans praised Kate's 'relatable' accessory. But others shared their dismay that William didn't carry the bag, with one person writing online: 'I know you're all going to fight me but... a gentleman would have carried that bag for his wife. It's splitting at the seams.' However, many were quick to disagree, claiming Kate is independent enough to carry her own handbag 'without a man's help'. One person said: 'I quite like her carrying the bag herself. Nothing wrong with that. Maybe William offered but she refused. Some women are independent you know.' Another added: 'As far as I know a gentleman carries suitcases, heavy bags of groceries and stuff like this but never a lady' handbag which this tote bag is.' A third wrote: 'That is definitely "her bag" - my other half might hold my bag when we are out if I want to nip to the loo but that is about it. Otherwise it stays with me.' Others suggested as a future King, William should not be carrying Kate's bags, with one person saying: 'They are working and he's the heir. I think it doesn't look professional if he goes carrying that bag. 'Actually, I think it's great of Catherine to carry that bag herself and not giving it to an assistant. Looks more relatable and considerate.' But some agreed that William should've been seen holding the accessory and shared their disappointment that they didn't get to see the 'romantic gesture'. Yet it was noted by many royals fans, that William could've asked Kate if she wanted or needed help with her bag, and she refused the offer. The Prince and Princess of Wales have left royal fans divided following their fun-filled visit to Birmingham yesterday (pictured) Some shared their dismay that William didn't carry Kate's handbag, with one person writing online: 'I know you're all going to fight me but... a gentleman would have carried that bag for his wife. It's splitting at the seams.' 'I'm going to forgive him because you never know he may have offered and she said "No, I'm OK."', said one person. But while that moment divided opinion amongst royal fans, another clip shared online of William making a gushing comment about the Princess of Wales sent royal enthusiasts wild. Styling her brunette locks in her signature loose waves, Kate opted for minimal makeup and completed her look with some gold statement earrings by Sezane - which were reportedly a Christmas present from Prince William. Ahead of a reception they hosted, the royal couple greeted royal fans outside The Rectory - where William made the sweet comment about his wife. In footage captured by Twitter user Isa, Prince William is seen speaking happily with members of the public who had queued to catch a glimpse of them both. As he works his way through the crowd, one woman tells the royal: 'What an amazing outfit Kate has got on! It's beautiful!' In response, William said: 'Oh she always looks stunning.' With the bag full of various items - including a drink, and several brown paper bags that some Twitter users suggested were filled with food for their train journey home, many royal fans praised Kate's 'relatable' accessory Many claimed Kate is independent enough to carry her own handbag 'without a man's help' Kate (pictured left), 41, donned a 229 Karen Millen burgundy pleated midi dress for the outing to an Indian restaurant and the historic Jewellery Quarter in Britain's second city Touched by the heartwarming comment, members of the crowd were then heard off camera saying: 'Aww!' Taking time to speak with well-wishers, the clip shows the royal beaming as he accepted a packet of crisps from another fan. He said: 'Thank you so much! These will keep me going on the way home. Thank you very much.' The 40-second video ends with William shaking hands with members of the public and posing for a series of selfies. Isa's video has amassed more than 67,000 views since it was uploaded to Twitter last night and sent royal fans into a frenzy. Others suggested as a future King, William should not be carrying Kate's bags But some agreed that William should've been seen holding the accessory and shared their disappointment that they didn't get to see the 'romantic gesture' One replied: 'There's a man who truly loves his wife!' Another added: 'I hope Princess Catherine sees this and saves it on her phone. I'm sure he tells her everyday!' 'They are a beautiful couple and always look gorgeous,' a third said. Meanwhile, a fourth added: 'How sweet!' Yesterday's outing marked the royal couple's first official engagement since their Easter break, which they spent with their children Prince George, nine, Princess Charlotte, seven, and Prince Louis, five. During their trip, William and Kate, who travelled to Birmingham by train, visited the Indian Streatery, an authentic, family-run independent Indian restaurant based in the city centre. This photograph of the royal couple at the Indian Streatery was posted to their Twitter account, with the caption: 'Hope we told this customer to come to the right place! @indianstreatery' after William took a phone call from a diner at the restaurant With family photographs, plenty of books and even a corgi cushion, Queen Elizabeth II's study at Balmoral Castle had plenty of home comforts that are not wholly dissimilar to our own. Only, of course, Her late Majesty's were found next to a grand piano, gold-plated floral vases and likely priceless artwork. The spacious study at the Queen's Scottish estate is located beyond the drawing room and was thought to be used by the late monarch to deal with red dispatch boxes. It is the setting of the touching unseen photograph shared by Kensington Palace of the Queen - taken on the eve of her death - and released on what would have been Her Majesty's 97th birthday today. The image of the monarch was captured by the Princess of Wales at Balmoral in August. Weeks later on September 8, the Queen would die at her beloved Aberdeenshire home, sparking mourning in the UK and around the globe. The Queen in her element with some of her grand-children and great-grandchildren. Pictured alongside Her late Majesty are: Top row (L-R): Lady Louise Windsor, James, Earl of Wessex. Middle row (L-R): Lena Tindall, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Isla Phillips, Prince Louis. Bottom row (L-R): Mia Tindall, Lucas Tindall, Savannah Phillips Happy in the Scottish Highlands she so loved, Her Majesty can be seen surrounded by some of her adored grand-children and great-grandchildren. She appeared in her element with Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor, James, Earl of Wessex, Lena Tindall, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Isla Phillips, Prince Louis, Mia Tindall, Lucas Tindall and Savannah Phillips. The new picture offers a rare glimpse of the Queen's private world - and the personal trinkets, picturesque artwork and beloved family photographs she decided to keep close to her. 1: CORGI CUSHION On the floor next to the sofa, there was a corgi cushion, featuring orange illustrations of the dogs on a cream background The Queen's love of her corgis is well-documented and this photo shows how she liked to be reminded of them while working in her study. On the floor next to the sofa, there was a corgi cushion, featuring orange illustrations of the dogs on a cream background. Throughout an historic reign that spanned decades, one constant in the Queen's life had always been her unwavering love for her Corgis, so much so the pets have become a symbol of British royalty around the world. Indeed, her lifelong commitment to her beloved pets helped her show a more candid side to the world, even writing 'wickedly funny' letters from her corgis to Jack Russells belonging to her former equerry Sir Blair Stewart-Wilson. 2 & 8 & 12: FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS Among the more colourful additions to the room were three bouquets of flowers, two of which were placed in seemingly gold-plated floral vases Among the more colourful additions to the room were three bouquets of flowers, two of which were placed in seemingly gold-plated floral vases. With petals in summer pinks and tons of greenery, as well as one which held vibrant roses, the floral decorations brightened the room. The roses were found on a side table next to the green sofa, held in a white and floral vase featuring a depiction of the flower they housed. Then on top of a cream blanket, placed on the grand piano, was a plant with bright pink flowers. The vase for the plant was light blue with gold detailing around the top and bottom of the lavish item. Finally, shown sitting between Lady Louise Windsor and James, Earl of Wessex, a bunch of light pink flowers were kept in a white vase, lined with gold details. 3 & 5 & 6: FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHS Among the most personal items on display were touching family photographs - including one thought to show Princess Beatrice's husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi holding their daughter Sienna Elizabeth at her christening (pictured right) Among the most personal items on display were touching family photographs - including one thought to show Princess Beatrice's husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi holding their daughter Sienna Elizabeth at her christening. Although on many the exact figures are difficult to make out, the Queen's beloved husband Prince Philip was likely to be among them, as well as other much-loved family members. There also appeared to be a photograph of Her late Majesty nestled into the selection. An image to the left of the piano seemed to show the Queen holding flowers, while dressed in a red matching hat and coat dress ensemble. 4: GRAND PIANO A grand piano sat in the corner of the room in the photograph - and appeared to not be put to too much use, considering it was covered with items A grand piano sat in the corner of the room in the photograph - and appeared to not be put to too much use, considering it was covered with items. For instance, over the top of the piano, a floral cover was positioned. This was potentially to avoid any of the photo frames and flowers on top of it ruining the piano. 7: SHELVES FILLED WITH BOOKS Behind Her Majesty and some of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren was a filled wooden bookcase Many members of the Royal Family are well read, and it appeared the Queen liked to indulge her loved ones' enjoyment of reading. Behind Her Majesty and some of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren was a filled wooden bookcase. The shelves appeared to be overloaded with various books, while numerous treasured items sat above the bookcase. Speaking to Femail, interior designer Benji Lewis explained that 'low, open-fronted shelving is a practical way of storing books because it is easy reach for a child to access.' 9: ORNAMENTS An ornament was placed on a wooden cabinet, next to the door. Positioned between two photo frames, the item - thought to be a ceramic white bowl - featured floral detailing To ensure a room is as comforting as possible - while looking inviting and elegant - many like to dot delicate ornaments around their home. It appears the Queen had the same idea when decorating her study; an ornament was placed on a wooden cabinet, next to the door. Positioned between two photo frames, the item - thought to be a ceramic white bowl - featured floral detailing. 10 & 13: TARTAN THEMED ITEMS There are several items that incorporated Highland details - including several photo frames housing family photographs that boasted tartan patterns The Queen's fondness for Scotland and her Scottish estate was no secret - and it appeared Her Majesty took much inspiration from her surroundings when deciding how to decorate her study. There are several items that incorporated Highland details - including a plaid carpet, featuring green, yellow and red colours. Several photo frames housing family photographs also boasted tartan patterns - from a red version placed next to the door on a cabinet to the green one situated on top of the piano. 11: ARTWORK The Queen's room in Balmoral Castle boasted at least three stunning pieces of framed art on her walls Some believe one's study isn't complete without artwork - and clearly the Queen believed this notion. For her room in Balmoral Castle boasted at least three stunning pieces of framed art on her walls. The first - placed closest to the door - showed a cliff surrounded by crashing waves, with cloudy skies above. The second showed a snowy mountain range, while the third kept to the theme of tall features, seemingly showing stone cliffs. 14: SETTEE WITH FLORAL UPHOLSTERY The Queen and some of her loved ones were seen sitting on a green sofa, embellished with floral details The Queen and some of her loved ones were seen sitting on a green sofa, embellished with floral details. Interior designer Benji said: 'Deep button detail is a feature you often see on a Victorian Chesterfield sofa; this ones a cracker that in spite of its apparent age looks to be in immaculate condition. 'It has probably been restored and re-upholstered when required rather than discarded and replaced with something modern. 'The use of cord to follow the outline shape of the sofa arms and along the front rail is terribly smart and works beautifully here.' Miss England models will take to the catwalk 'bare-faced' to show off their natural looks in what will be Britain's first ever make-up free beauty pageant. Miss London and South East 2023 will feature women competing completely make-up free from next month in what is a first in the competition's 95 year history. It follows on from the success of similar rounds in previous years where beauty queens were asked to submit pictures without filters, cosmetics or editing. But this will be the first time their regional heat has featured solely bare-faced girls - making it Britain's, and possibly the world's, first make-up free beauty pageant. Organisers say the concept will empower women, boost confidence and promote a more realistic body image as it focuses on natural looks. Anjali Sinha, 23, from Middlesex is the reigning Miss London and thinks it's wonderful to have a bare-faced contest Competitors will participate in the auditions, semi final photoshoot and final catwalk without wearing make-up in a bid to reach the Miss England final later this year. The reigning Miss London, Anjali Sinha, 23, of Middlesex, said: 'It's wonderful to have this make-up free contest. 'It empowers us all very deeply and reinforces the idea of loving ourselves truly. 'There is so much negativity out in the social media and this is a great way to enhance positivity in our world. 'It allows all of us to embrace our true beauty, makeup free and unfiltered..' Melisa Raouf, a 20-year-old politics student at Kings College London, won the Miss England Bare Face round last year. Melisa Raouf, a 20-year-old politics student at Kings College London, won the Miss England Bare Face round last year and will be judging this year's bare-faced regional heat She also became the first woman to walk the Miss England final catwalk make-up free and started the #barefacetrendmovement on Instagram. Melisa, of Battersea, south London, who will judge the bare-faced regional heat, said: 'I am thrilled to be a part of a movement that celebrates natural beauty and uniqueness. 'I have struggled with insecurities about my appearance for as long as I can remember. 'This make-up free contest is a powerful statement, promoting self-love and acceptance while encouraging women to feel confident and beautiful just the way they are. 'By creating this opportunity, Miss England is leading the way towards challenging unrealistic beauty standards and promoting authenticity. 'I believe that every woman is beautiful in her own way, and it's time to celebrate that. 'We should encourage each other to embrace our unique features and feel confident and beautiful, inside and out.' The reigning Miss England, Jessica Gagen, 26, who will represent England at the Miss World contest is in favour of the changes In a recent photoshoot at the Cinnamon Velifushi in the Maldives, Jessica wore only a natural lip colour Reigning Miss England Jessica Gagen, 26, who is representing England at the next Miss World said: 'In an age where social media is impacting the self-esteem of the next generation, I think it's important my generation ditch the filters and heavy makeup in order to highlight to school children that natural beauty never goes out of style - and that they should strive to succeed in their education as opposed to trying to conform to unachievable beauty standards'. Jessica recently sizzled in a photoshoot at the Cinnamon Velifushi in the Maldives where she chose to wear just a natural lip colour after a humanitarian tour of India. Angie Beasley, director of Miss England said 'We want to continue our campaign to promote realistic and natural beauty to the younger generation.' To enter Miss England, visit: www.missengland.info Channel 4 has today revealed a first look at its coronation special for its Royal Family spoof The Windsors. In a trailer for the comedy, shared exclusively with Femail, characters Prince Harry (played by Richard Goulding) and Meghan Markle (Kathryn Drysdale) are seen enjoying their 'simple life' in their mansion in Montecito, California. 'I love it... everything back to basics,' says Richard's Harry, before asking his three waiters to move over by the 'statue of Oprah'. 'And the amazing thing is, we've paid for it all ourselves, without trading on our royal connections,' adds the character. The soap-opera inspired sitcom is returning on Sunday April 30, less than a week before King Charles III's coronation at Westminster Abbey on May 6. A second trailer depicts Harry Enfield, who plays a power-hungry Charles, and Haydn Gwynne, as conniving stepmother Camilla, after their coronation. Dressed in enormous crowns and dazzling capes, the couple invite their 'family members' to join them on the balcony 'to wave at the idiots', says Haydn's Camilla. Characters included in the feature length episode are Louise Ford as the Princess of Wales, Ellie White as Princess Beatrice and Celeste Dring as Princess Eugenie. They'll be joined by Vicki Pepperdine as Princess Anne, Matthew Cottle as Prince Edward and Morgana Robinson as Kate's sister Pippa. The official synopsis for the programme reads: 'Charles' whole life has been building up to this moment and he wants the UK's first coronation in seventy years to be a spectacular affair with all the pomp and circumstance he deserves. 'As does his Queen Consort Camilla, who can't wait to drape herself in diamonds and fur. Sadly, the UK is in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis and Wills (Hugh Skinner) thinks the coronation should reflect these more straitened times. 'As for Harry and Meghan, with their Netflix series and Harrys book behind them, theyre finally free of Windsors family issues to concentrate on their simple life in California. But can they really afford to miss Harrys father's coronation?' Head of Channel 4 comedy Joe Hallait said: 'Any channel worth its salt has a landmark show with the word coronation in the title. Channel 4 has today revealed a first look at its coronation special for its Royal Family spoof The Windsors. In a trailer for the comedy, shared exclusively with Femail, characters Prince Harry (played by Richard Goulding, pictured) and Meghan Markle (Kathryn Drysdale) are seen enjoying their 'simple life' in their mansion in Montecito, California A second trailer depicts Harry Enfield, who plays a power-hungry Charles, and Haydn Gwynne, as conniving stepmother Camilla, after their coronation 'For the BBC it was the world's first televised Coronation in 1953. For ITV it's the world's longest running soap Coronation Street. 'We at Channel 4 are delighted to announce that we now have our own record-breaking Coronation jewel at the heart of our broadcasting crown: the funniest show on telly during a momentously historic week for Britain.' The comedy spoof previously foresaw the Sussexes' move to America, a year before the real-life drama unfolded. Its a seat-of-the-pants operation, writer Bert Tyler More said, who alongside George Jeffrie honed his craft on sketch shows such as Ruddy Hell! Its Harry & Paul and The Armstrong & Miller Show, and created Channel 4s spoof celebrity series, Star Stories. Oddly, we predicted a move to America for Meghan and Harry so its almost like events are playing out exactly as we prophesied. The official synopsis for the programme reads: 'Charles' whole life has been building up to this moment and he wants the UK's first coronation in seventy years to be a spectacular affair with all the pomp and circumstance he deserves' 'We saw there was a feud brewing and that there was a bit of unhappiness there, so we thought that might be the upshot of it. The show began back in 2016 with the writing duo creating parodies of all the key members of the family apart from the Queen and Prince Philip. I think from the beginning everyone thought the Queens so loved and respected and doesnt do much wrong that it was best to steer clear, explained Bert. Theres not much to take the mickey out of, whereas with the others theres plenty. The most recent season, series three, followed on from the Harry and Meghan royal wedding special in 2018, and saw the couple adjusting to life as new parents with Harry trying to stick to Meghans clean-living ways. 'As does his Queen Consort Camilla, who can't wait to drape herself in diamonds and fur. Sadly, the UK is in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis and Wills (Hugh Skinner, pictured left) thinks the coronation should reflect these more straitened times,' it continues Bert and George claimed theyve heard the show has had a mixed reaction from the royals. William did a talk at Channel 4 and hed obviously watched it because he made reference to it, said George. But it didnt seem like he was cross. Weve heard other people are very slightly cross about it, like Charles and Fergie. But its all hearsay. Neither Bert nor George is a royalist, and they believe its vital that parodies of such institutions exist, whether you like them or not. He added: 'We try to make all our characters loveable. The trick is to win over both those who are fans of the Royal Family and those who arent. I think weve pulled that off. The Windsors Coronation Special is on Sunday 30 April at 9pm on Channel 4 and All 4 But Nikki has now hit back and insisted that her dress was actually gold Dozens of followers rushed to criticize the mother-of-the-bride's outfit choice The presidential hopeful, 51, caused a stir on social media earlier this week Nikki Haley has spoken out after facing furious backlash for wearing a seemingly white dress at her daughter's wedding. The Republican presidential hopeful caused quite the stir on social media earlier this week after sharing a snapshot of the big day as she stood alongside husband Michael, son Nalin, daughter Rena, and Rena's new husband Josh. And, despite many followers offering their congratulations to the young couple, dozens rushed to criticize the mother-of-the-bride for her outfit choice. But Nikki, 51, has now hit back at the discussion and has insisted that her dress was actually gold - but what do you think? Nikki Haley has spoken out after facing furious backlash for wearing a seemingly off-white dress at her daughter's wedding The Republican presidential hopeful caused quite the stir on social media earlier this week after sharing a snapshot of the big day as she stood alongside husband Michael, son Nalin, daughter Rena, and Rena's new husband Josh Poll Do YOU think Nikki's mother-of-the-bride dress was white or gold? White Gold Do YOU think Nikki's mother-of-the-bride dress was white or gold? White 221 votes Gold 683 votes Now share your opinion On Friday morning, following the online debate, Nikki took to Twitter with a screenshot of an email from a reporter at media outlet Newsweek, requesting comment over the now infamous dress. It politely asked whether she and her daughter had discussed her dress choice previously and whether she wanted to comment on the backlash that ensued online. But the politician took to Twitter to make her feelings known. She wrote: 'This is why people don't trust the media. 'Liberal "journalists" spend their time harassing conservatives about outfit choices. Grow up, @Newsweek.' Nikki then added: 'P.S. The dress was gold.' She had originally marked the occasion of her daughter's wedding by uploading an image alongside a heartfelt caption that read: 'We had the sweetest weekend celebrating Rena and Josh. 'Thankful for our sweet family and friends who joined us in supporting and celebrating them.' The Republican presidential hopeful (second from left) caused quite the stir on social media after wearing the off-white dress to her daughter's wedding ceremony But social media users were quick to share their thoughts on the big day - and paid particularly close attention to the mother-of-the-bride's choice of outfit Poll Do YOU think Nikki Haley's mother-of-the-bride dress was inappropriate? Yes No Do YOU think Nikki Haley's mother-of-the-bride dress was inappropriate? Yes 2338 votes No 1972 votes Now share your opinion Nikki concluded: 'Rena and Josh, we could not be more proud of both of you!' And other images of the dress have since been shared elsewhere. In the snapshots, Nikki can be seen wearing a floor-length, sleeveless, off-white dress. Social media users were quick to share their thoughts - and paid particularly close attention to the mother-of-the-bride's choice of outfit. One questioned: 'Which woman in a white dress is getting married here?' Another added: 'Which is the bride? You can't tell by this photo...' And a third asked: 'Did the mother of the bride wear WHITE?' There were some, however, who rushed to defend Nikki's sartorial choices. Many social media users offered their congratulations to Nikki's daughter Rena and new husband Josh (pictured together) There were some social media users, however, who rushed to the comments to defend Nikki's sartorial choices Replying to one of the negative comments, one user wrote: 'I don't see a veil on her head & she is wearing a champagne-colored dress, not white. 'I'm guessing her daughter was with her when she picked it out, just like I was with my mom when she picked out her mother's dress.' Someone commented: 'Beautiful and your dress is an amazing mother-of-the-bride dress.' Others also praised the design and described it as 'stunning,' 'classy' and a 'beautiful' choice. Nikki officially kicked off her 2024 presidential campaign in February with a 26-minute speech in Charleston, South Carolina Nikki officially kicked off her 2024 presidential campaign in February with a 26-minute speech in Charleston. The former South Carolina governor, who walked on stage to Survivor's hit 'Eye of the Tiger,' used the speech to take swipes at the nation's aging leaders and urge GOP supporters who are 'tired of losing' to send a 'tough as nails' woman to the White House. She called for term limits and 'mandatory mental competency tests' for politicians over the age of 75, vowed that schools would never close their classrooms again, promised to battle China head-on, support Ukraine and said America is 'strong and proud, not woke and weak.' The former ambassador to the United Nations entered the GOP primary race as an underdog. The founder of beloved makeup brand Tarte has revealed the real meaning behind the name of the cosmetics company - while detailing how her choice of moniker almost ruined her dreams of expanding the business worldwide. Maureen Kelly, 51, has created a makeup empire with her brand that has become one of the fastest-growing beauty companies in the industry. And while the Tarte CEO is raking in the success now, she has detailed the uphill battle that was starting the company, beginning with naming it. Taking to her TikTok account, Maureen revealed how she was forced to switch the name of the company and nearly didn't make it in the industry due to the meaning of the word 'tart'. Maureen Kelly, 51, the founder of beloved makeup brand Tarte has revealed the real reason behind the name of the cosmetics company And while the Tarte CEO is raking in the success now, she has detailed the uphill battle that was starting the company, beginning with naming it Taking to her TikTok account, Maureen revealed how she was forced to switch the name of the company and nearly didn't make it in the industry In a viral clip, which amassed over 382,000 views, Maureen said: 'Here's something I wish I knew earlier, naming a company is really hard.' The Tarte CEO began by explaining that she first named the company 'Plume'. She said she decided to go with this name because she thought it had a nice ring to it and emphasized the fact that her makeup brand was cruelty-free. 'It sounded fun and the website was available. Think about it what is a plume? The feather from a bird or an animal. 'What is Tarte and what has it been since 1999? Cruelty-free brand,' she explained. When she received the very first makeup compacts - which she said were silver and not the iconic Tarte purple because she couldn't afford to customize them at the time - she discovered that Stila was launching before her and 'they had plume on them.' The Tarte founder revealed she didn't realize how 'stupid' calling the brand 'plume' was until her best friend pointed it out. Maureen said: 'My best friend was like, "You're calling the brand Plume?" And I was like, "Yeah don't you love it, it's so good." And she said, "Isn't it cruelty-free?" I'm like, "Yeah, my mom grew up in a farm in Ireland, of course it's cruelty-free, animals are so important to me." 'She's like, "Right but isn't it a part of an animal?" It is, so stupid, so I had to rename it.' The founder of the makeup empire then said she went straight back to the 'drawing board' and thought about what she wanted the brand to represent. The Tarte CEO began by explaining that she first named the company 'Plume' because she thought it had a nice ring to it and emphasized the fact that her makeup brand was cruelty-free The Tarte founder revealed she didn't realize how 'stupid' calling the brand 'plume' was until her best friend pointed it out 'Your skin is your largest organ, everything you put on it gets absorbed into your bloodstream. You want it to be something that's really good for you, good for your skin, good for your body, so it's like a treat for your skin. 'So I named it 'tarte', tart is a treat, something that's yummy and delicious,' she explained. Maureen loved the name and was 'really proud' of herself. However, she soon discovered she would once again face trouble with the name of her brand because the word tart has another meaning too. While tart means a delicious pastry, it is also defined as a 'promiscuous woman,' prompting Maureen's brand name choice to raise a few eyebrows. She said she didn't realize the name could be trouble until her mom went onto the website tart.com. 'My mom goes to the website tart.com, so that's what she thinks it is. Back in 1999, prostitution was illegal... So you can imagine when my mom went onto to tart.com and not tarte.com what she saw on that website,' the Tarte founder said. She then went on to name the brand Tarte, drawing inspiration from the word 'tart' - which means a delicious treat and a 'promiscuous woman' As Tarte grew more successful, Sephora international questioned why they would bring on a brand that meant a 'promiscuous woman,' in their country, however, people then came around However, since she had trademarked Tarte and never imagined the cosmetic company would be a global brand and expand to Europe - where tart is spelt tarte - so she didn't think it the name would be an issue. As Tarte grew more successful, Sephora international questioned why they would bring on a brand that meant a 'promiscuous woman,' in their country. 'I felt so bad about myself, here I was with this awesome brand that people loved, and it was growing in the United States and no one in the states thought that about it. 'We weren't sure at a point that we could even launch at other countries for a long time. Over time, we were able to launch in Sephora France and Sephora Italy. 'The brand was so big. People knew what tarte meant and they didn't think anything badly of the name. It was pretty awesome,' she said. Looking back on the fiasco now, the Tarte founder said she learned a valuable message. 'Whatever is happening in your life or going on in your business, and you're [thinking] you can't get past this, you'll get past this, it will be okay, you've got this. I believe in you.' A young beauty entrepreneur who created her own eyelash growth serum is now selling one bottle every three minutes. Kasey Giarratana, from Melbourne, used to spend $2400 every year eyelash extensions, but decided to instead invest that money elsewhere and launched Xali Organics in June 2021 selling a natural eyelash growth serum. By using the product, the brand claims customers will notice longer, thicker lashes in as little as one to six weeks. In protest to show natural products work just as well as commercial alternatives, the 28-year-old chopped off her fluffy natural lashes on March 27 and is using her own growth serum everyday to regrow them. Since livestreaming the process on social media sales have skyrocketed and haven't stopped since. 'We are on track for this to be the best month ever for our business,' Kasey told FEMAIL. Scroll down for video Aussie brand Xali Organics is known for its all-natural products, including the $79.95 serum that claims to grow lashes in one to eight weeks Kasey and co-founder Michael Giarratana decided to start the brand as they wanted to create alternative products without toxic ingredients. She claims some commercial pharmaceutical eyelash serums are potentially dangerous. 'Some of the toxic ingredients being used in commercial pharmaceutical lash serums use known carcinogenic and hormone disrupting ingredients such as Bitmaprost. This prostaglandin is a chemical compound with hormone-like effects,' she said. 'When you use these serums, you are rolling the dice with your health - common side effects of these compounds include darkening of skin around the eyes, eyelid inflammation, eye pain, darkening of the iris drooping eyelids, thinning of or loss of lashes. 'The real problem is some lash serums marketed as cosmetics contain a synthetic version of the same prostaglandin analog. These ingredients have the same potential side effects.' Melbourne founder Kasey Giarratana is so confident in the product she chopped off her own eyelashes to show how the serum works, and to show natural product work just as well compared to alternatives Kasey and Michael worked hard to ensure their lash serum used only clean ingredients, and is one of the only clean formulas on the market. Xali Lash Growth Serum is formulated with advanced polypeptides and nature's powerhouse ingredients to increase the growth, thickness, and length of lashes with visible results in just one week and a lash transformation in six to eight weeks. 'I've staked my whole business's reputation on this stunt by chopping my lashes off, and I am confident they will grow back more luscious and longer than ever, in a very short space of time by using the Xali Organics serum,' she said. Previously hundreds of customers have shared before and after images of their lashes What are the key ingredients? Hyaluronic Acid: excels at retaining moisture and works to ensure your lashes stay hydrated, preventing them becoming dry and brittle. This protects them from breaking, which also helps growth. It works like a conditioner for your eyelashes. Collagen: contains amino acids used to build keratin, which is the protein that hair is primarily made of. As a result, collagen plays an important role in the health, strength and growth of the eyelash hair follicles. Cucurbita Pepo Pumpkin Seed Extract: comes from a type of squash that is a very good source of antioxidants and vitamin E. Pumpkin seed extract and pumpkin seed oil are also a great source of essential fatty acids. Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17: the product of Myristic acid, a long-chain fatty acid group derived from the fruit of the nutmeg tree - Myristica albicans and Pentapeptide-17, a small peptide comprised of 5 amino acids. Also known as the 'hero' ingredient as they help activate keratin production to promote thicker and healthier-looking lashes Arginine: an amino acid found in keratin that is responsible for maintaining and supporting hair (or eyelash) strength. Vitamin B7: also known as Biotin, works by increasing strength and decreasing breakage in the hair shaft so hairs can grow longer. Advertisement One the brand's website hundreds of customers have shared positive reviews and images about how the serum has worked to grow their lashes. 'I've been using this natural lash growth serum for just two weeks, and I'm already seeing a noticeable improvement in the length and thickness of my lashes! I was skeptical at first, but I decided to give it a try after reading all the positive reviews, and I'm so glad I did,' one wrote. 'I was skeptical about this lash serum but this is my growth after just two weeks of use!! can't wait to see how long they are soon!! LOVE this,' another wrote. A third praised the ingredients used and said: 'I love that this serum is made with all-natural ingredients, it makes me feel good about what I'm putting on my lashes.' Experts are calling on America to crack down on the amount of 'gender bending' chemicals found in many everyday items after health officials in Europe slashed the cap to a new low. Bisphenol A (BPA) is an industrial chemical used in the production of plastics and aluminum cans that is present in a wide range of consumer products, from canned soups to sunglasses. But experts have known for decades that BPA is an endocrine disruptor - meaning it can imitate the body's hormones and interfere with the production of and response to natural hormones like estrogen. European officials drastically reduced the maximum amount of BPA by 20,000 times after finding that millions of people are likely consuming too much of the dangerous chemical, further widening the gap between what the EU considers acceptable versus the US Food and Drug Administration. Matthew Casale director of environmental campaigns at the Public Interest Research Groups told DailyMail.com: 'The FDA should take stronger steps to reduce our exposure to BPA in popular household products.' BPA is relatively common in food packaging, cans, and plastic containers despite the well-established deleterious effects that has on the human body, such as infertility certain cancers Mr Casale added: 'Americans expect and believe that our government is safeguarding their health and the health of their families from dangerous chemical exposure.' When packaging is made with BPA, there is a high likelihood that small amounts of BPA will seep into the food it contains. Over time, the harmful effects of exposure build up and may lead to severe health problems, including infertility, certain cancers, heart disease, and behavioral issues. Laura Vandenberg, a public health expert at University of Massachusetts Amherst said: 'There's nothing different about the physiology of an American compared to a European. So, if it's hazardous in Europe, it's hazardous for us.' Dr Vandenberg added: 'We need to acknowledge that if another agency has looked at these data and is drawing a conclusion that's intended to protect public health, then we're the ones who are behind... We're the ones who aren't being protective enough in the U.S.' BPA is relatively common in food packaging, cans, and plastic containers. And the problem of contamination is widespread in the US. In a nationally-representative survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, researchers concluded found BPA in 93 percent of people six and older. BPA has a similar shape and structure to the hormone estrogen and can bind to those estrogen receptors to influence a range of bodily processes from cell growth and repair to fetal development. BPA contamination is also known to influence someones risk of obesity, asthma, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, and neurological problems. With that in mind, DailyMail.com broke down different familiar products that could pose a threat of BPA exposure: Canned foods Most concern around BPA in foods has focused on canned goods ranging from soups to tuna which are commonly lined on the inside with BPA to guard against corrosion and extend shelf life. When the inside of a can contains a BPA coating, that harmful chemical seeps into the food itself. Canned foods are responsible for 6.6 micrograms per person per day of BPA exposure. Canned foods are responsible for 6.6 micrograms per person per day of BPA exposure. When when inside of the cans contain a BPA coating, the harmful chemical seeps into the food itself When compared to the Food and Drug Administrations current maximum standard for BPA content 500 nanograms per kilogram of body weight per day that concentration appears fairly innocuous. But it is far higher than the level accepted by European health authorities, just 0.2 nanograms per kilograms of body weight per day. Brian Ronholm, Director of Food Policy at Consumer Reports told DailyMail.com: 'Consumer Reports supports the EU number and that the FDA should be more closely aligned with those limits.' Manufacturers have largely phased out the use of BPA in their factories over the past decade as studies detailing the dangers of consuming it have piled up. The Can Manufacturers Institute, a trade group for metal can companies, maintains that over 95 percent of food cans are made without BPA-based linings. Store receipts Shoppers who are handed their receipts after making a purchase may not be aware that they have come in contact with BPA, which leeches through the skin and enter the bloodstream. Researchers from the Ecology Center in Detroit have found that a staggering 80 percent of paper receipts printed in 22 states and DC contain bisphenols, namely BPA and its chemical cousin Bisphenol-S (BPS). as many as 90 percent of receipts printed on thermal paper, the most popular type used for printing receipts, contain BPA An earlier study published in the journal Environmental Research in 2019 reported as many as 90 percent of receipts printed on thermal paper, the most popular type used for printing receipts, contain BPA. Some major retailers such as Walgreens have pledged to switch to receipt paper that is made without bisphenols. People who work in retail and have the most consistent contact with thermal paper are likely to have higher levels of BPA in their bodies. In fact, people working in the retail industry have 30 percent more BPA in their bodies than the average US adult and 34 percent more BPA than workers in other fields. Wine and beer BPA lines most aluminum cans used for beer and soda. The more acidic the beverage the greater the chance it will degrade the lining, which could cause BPA to leach out. With an average pH of around 4.0, beer is fairly acidic. From craft beers to familiar mega-brands like Anheuser Busch, using a BPA coating in their cans is commonplace. A 2010 Health Canada investigation tested 16 beer samples from several popular brands including canned Heineken, Budweiser, and Stella Artois, and found BPA in all of the canned beer and in just one in the bottled. The more acidic the beverage (beer typically as a pH of around four) the greater the chance it will degrade the lining, which could cause BPA to leach out Samara Geller, a data analyst with the advocacy organization Environmental Working Group said: We dont really know how much is making it into our bodies from drinking canned beer. A lot of us eat canned food and drink canned beer. Thats all adding up to your daily body burden for BPA. Sometimes, the plastic bags inside popular boxed wine contain BPA as well. Only one type of plastic contains BPA and it has a number seven label within the trademark Reduce, Reuse, Recycle emblem. Water bottles BPA is found in a type of plastic called polycarbonate. Not all polycarbonate contains BPA, so people are advised to check the bottle itself for a number seven label. Until just a few years ago, Nalgene re-fillable water bottles were made of polycarbonate. Both Nalgene and popular Camelback products moved to a non-BPA-based plastic called Tritan, which did not emit BPA, according to a study from the University of Cincinnati. A common concern with reusing plastic water bottles is chemical leaching caused by chemicals from the plastic mixing with whatever liquid is put inside A common concern with reusing plastic water bottles is chemical leaching caused by chemicals from the plastic mixing with whatever liquid is put inside. Metal water bottles, which have become more trendy as the general public becomes more cognizant of climate change, do not leak other harsh chemicals into the water they contain. Food containers The hardening properties of BPA make it ideal for building durable plastic food storage containers. While the major brand Tupperware stopped using BPA in its products in 2010, people who have had older containers than that in their homes theyre built to last, after all are likely to be exposed to the chemical. Small amounts BPA exposure may not cause harm in the short-term, but a cumulative build-up of exposure puts a persons health at risk long-term. Normal wear and tear from washing durable plastic containers in the dishwasher or with rough scrub brushes wears away at the coating, increasing the ability of that plastic to leach chemicals into the food And normal wear and tear makes the problem even worse. Washing durable plastic containers in the dishwasher or with rough scrub brushes wears away at the coating, increasing the ability of that plastic to leach chemicals into the food they contain. Discoloration, such as the red hue left behind in a container after storing pasta with red sauce, is typically a sign that its time to exchange it for a new one. The acidity of tomatoes causes a chemical change in the plastic. Over 30 states and local governments have enacted policies restricting the production, use, and distribution of BPA-coated products. Sunglasses If you have ever worn a pair of sunglasses, there is a chance your eyes have come up close and personal with lenses made of scratch-resistant polycarbonate plastic, which is designed to resist impact when dropped and block out 100 percent of harmful UV rays. The lenses made from polycarbonate have become the standard for childrens eyewear as well as safety goggles used in lab settings. Polycarbonate glasses lenses often contain BPA. While the risk of causing harm when wearing them is relatively though, it's still a non-zero risk Though the risk of harm in using these lenses, which often contain BPA, is typically low, the risk is still there. In California, it is not uncommon for sunglasses and prescription frames to be labeled with Prop 65, a state-issued warning label that informs consumers about BPA in plastic lenses. Prop 65, also known as the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, was created to protect Californias drinking water from contamination. It was later expanded to almost all items coming into Californias market. Children aged four to thirteen years old are worst affected, data suggests Research shows that Strep throat infections in the US are at five-year highs Clinics across the US are grappling with an 'unprecedented' surge in strep throat despite the arrival of spring. Cases of the bacterial infection normally peak in February, but lockdowns and weakened immunity mean the wave has continued into March. A report by Epic Research, which monitors more than 1,000 US hospitals, warned cases were already at a five-year high. The surge is concentrated among children aged four to thirteen years, data suggests, which may be down to Covid social restrictions and masks weakening their immunity by reducing their exposure to good germs. Parents were warned to look out for the early symptoms if the disease such as a rash, sore throat and flushed cheeks. There is also advice to keep children who develop the disease at home. Although strep throat can cause a number of serious illnesses, it tends to begin with a few typical symptoms. This includes a rash, a sore throat, flushed cheeks, muscle aches, a high fever, an ear infection and sores on the skin The above graph from Epic Research, based in Arizona, shows the proportion of hospital visits due to strep throat that were recorded in the US from 2017 to 2023. Levels are at a five-year high Data showed infections with strep throat were 30 percent above their previous peak in February 2023. A spokesman for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed the rise saying it had continued into March, adding that many states were seeing 'higher than usual' case counts for this time of year. Over the winter months, the tripledemic of Covid, flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) became so bad that many hospitals were running perilously low on vital medicines. Increased demand also led to shortages of common antibiotics like amoxicillin, which is used to treat ear and sinus infections. Dr Sam Dominguez, an infectious disease specialist at Children's Hospital Colorado, raised the alarm over cases at the hospital. He told NBC News: 'We have seen really an unprecedented rise in group A strep more than we've probably seen here, looking back, at least for a decade, and probably longer than that.' Dr Maureen Ahmann, a pediatrician at Cleveland Clinic Children's in Ohio, also warned that her practice was seeing a rise. 'It's still rare compared to all the other childhood illnesses,' she said, 'but we are seeing a bump.' Strep throat is caused by a bacteria, medically termed Strep A, that can also trigger other infections like impetigo, scarlet fever and tonsillitis. It is spread via droplets released when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks which are then breathed in by someone else. The disease normally causes a mild illness, which can clear up within three to five days. Patients may only need treatment with antibiotics. But in more serious cases the bacteria can spread to other areas of the body including the blood and muscle, triggering serious complications such as kidney inflammation, Scarlet fever and even sepsis. Strep throat cases normally surge between December and April, but data suggests they spiraled to record levels this year amid the easing of pandemic-era restrictions. Children are particularly at risk, experts say, because lockdowns have deprived them of exposure to good germs to help build up strong immunity. The surge in strep throat cases was revealed by Epic Research, based in Arizona, which tracks more than 1,140 hospitals and 24,900 clinics nationwide. It found that about one percent of emergency department visits in February this year were due to strep throat, above the normal level of about 0.65 percent for the time of year. The uptick is particularly being recorded among children four to nine years old and nine to 13 years old, where it has already exceeded the peak from five years ago It was also above the peak recorded in February 2017, when they reached 0.74 percent. Data showed about eight percent of visits for children aged four to nine years and nearly six percent for those aged nine to 13 years were due to the disease. A CDC spokesperson said confirmed they were also seeing a five-year high in cases, saying that 'many states are continuing to see higher than usual numbers'. They added that this was 'particularly in children ages 17 years and younger and adults ages 65 years and older'. No figures were released on fatalities, but late last year the CDC confirmed at least two deaths from strep throat in children. Even the former head of China's top health body has now admitted a lab leak might have spawned Covid. Professor George Gao, who ran the Chinese Centre for Disease Control (CDC) when the pandemic began towards the end of 2019, has now described the theory as both 'possible' and 'logical'. However, he insisted there was no evidence to support the claim. Beijing has repeatedly dismissed the lab leak theory, arguing that the virus emerged naturally inside a wet market in Wuhan and discrediting any suggestion otherwise. No concrete proof to support either argument has ever been found, leaving experts fearing the truth will never be uncovered. Former head of the Chinese Centre for Disease Control (CDC) Professor George Gao has said it is a 'possibility' that Covid could have emerged from a lab Discussing the never-ending saga at the Pathogens Project Conference in Geneva in Switzerland, Professor Gao acknowledged that Covid originating from a lab leak was possible. 'With the origins, you have all these conspiracy theories it was man-made, it was a lab leakage, the virus was already adapted to cells,' he said, according to the Daily Telegraph. 'Well, its possible, its logical thinking. 'But wheres the evidence, where are the facts?' He added that ever since a lab leak of SARS in 2004, which led a string of cases and one fatality, China had taken biosecurity seriously. 'We pin a great deal on biosafety because it is so important. We have a lot of national regulations and so many standards,' he said. Even the acknowledgement that a Covid lab leak is a possible is huge departure from Beijing's official explanation of how the pandemic started. But this isn't the first time that Professor Gao has stuck has appeared to have spoken contrary to his country's official pandemic narrative. Earlier this month, he, alongside colleagues, published a bombshell paper which ruled there was no proof to say the virus jumped from animals to humans at a now-infamous Wuhan wet market. While China has insisted the virus originated elsewhere, academics, politicians and the media have contemplated the possibility it leaked from a high-level biochemical lab in Wuhan - raising suspicions that Chinese officials simply hid evidence of the early spread Some experts now say Covid may have emerged from within the Wuhan Institute of Virology. Here security personnel are pictured keeping watch outside the WIV during a visit by the WHO in 2021 And last week the Oxford University-educated researcher warned the true origins of Covid may never be revealed. He said the issue was 'too sensitive and politicised'. Professor Gao serves as vice-president of the National Natural Science Foundation of China, a government organisation which manages state funding for research held in the country. The then 60-year-olds departure from the CDC in 2022, officially due to his age, was considered unusual. Chinese officials often stay in post well into their 80s. He is also considered to be a close friend of US infectious disease expert Dr Anthony Fauci, who advised former president Donald Trump during the Covid pandemic. Professor Gao's comments come a day after another respected researcher at the conference claimed China should have created a Covid vaccine years before the pandemic started. Researchers in Wuhan, the city where the outbreak began, had samples of a very similar coronavirus called RaTG13, which sickened a group of miners in 2012. Virologist Professor Gustavo Palacios said this effectively meant an opportunity to protect the world from Covid had gone to waste. It also follows an explosive US Senate report suggested that Chinese researchers started working on a Covid jab in mid-November 2019. This is over a month before Beijing officially alerted the World Health Organization to a mysterious flu-like outbreak in Wuhan. It adds to the huge pile of evidence that suggests President Xi Jinping's communist regime attempted to cover up the early stages of the pandemic. The report also concludes the pandemic most likely came from a lab leak and was the result of a 'research-related incident' in Wuhan. Consensus over how the pandemic began three years ago in China has slowly started to shift. While the majority of virologists say the virus had natural origins, a growing number believe it could have been a lab leak from the Wuhan Institute of Virology. At first, the overwhelming opinion shared by the world's leading experts was that Covid crossed naturally from animals infected with a bat coronavirus. China's secrecy in not providing vital access to scientists probing the origins and accusations of covering up evidence from the early days of the pandemic by wiping key databases has only fuelled alternative theories. The truth on how Covid emerged will likely never be known, however. Other Covid origin theories point to Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in Wuhan (pictured) as being the epicentre of the outbreak. Many of the earliest cases in December 2019 and January 2020 had visited the site, where live animals were sold The question of whether the global outbreak began with a spillover from wildlife sold at the market or leaked out of the Wuhan lab just eight miles across the Yangtze River has given rise to fierce debate. Some studies point to a natural spillover at the Huanan wildlife market. Positive swab samples of floors, cages and counters also track the virus back to stalls in the southwestern corner of the market (bottom left), where animals with the potential to harbour Covid were sold for meat or fur at the time (bottom right) He has also attacked fellow doctors for propping up 'white supremacist rhetoric' A militant junior doctor who pushed for a series of chaotic NHS strikes was today sensationally booted off his union's council after tweets of him claiming that we live in a 'white supremacist patriarchy' caused fury. Kayode Oki sat on the British Medical Association's ruling council, which has spent months plotting walkouts that have brought the ailing health service to a standstill in pursuit of a 35 per cent pay rise. The BMA told MailOnline Dr Oki had been 'removed from taking part in any and all BMA business with immediate effect'. As well as attacking fellow medics for their 'willingness to prop up white supremacist rhetorics' on Twitter, he claimed those from Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds 'are sometimes the biggest purporters of white supremacy'. Dr Oki, who is a foundation-year-one junior doctor, also said white women 'scare me' in tweets unearthed from 2021. Kayode Oki sat on the British Medical Association's ruling council, which has spent months plotting walkouts that have brought the ailing health service to a standstill in pursuit of a 35 per cent pay rise Dr Oki, who is a foundation-year junior doctor, calls himself as a 'socialist troublemaker', according to The Sun He also tweeted that he refused to 'listen to podcasts or read books by white men', that 'racism is a rite of passage for white teens' and - using 'cis-het', a description of a heterosexual person who identifies with their birth gender - he added that 'we are existing under' a 'cis-het white patriarchy'. Dr Oki, who until today was a voting member of the 69-strong BMA council, told The Sun: 'I am disappointed that these comments, which are my personal views, are being taken without the context such complex subject areas deserve.' MailOnline approached Dr Oki through the BMA. A BMA spokesperson said: 'Dr Oki has been removed from taking part in any and all BMA business with immediate effect and the BMA will be undertaking an external independent investigation.' His comments provoked fury among Tory MPs. Conservative MP Ben Bradley today told MailOnline: 'This is total nonsense and shows just how divisive the BMA ruling council really is. 'If he wants to understand the "cis-het white patriarchy" he should talk to the blokes of Mansfield who've had to graft their whole lives to keep the light on for others.' He added: 'The BMA leadership should stop spouting radical comments like these, stop making everything about race and get on with putting an end to the strikes.' Dr Oki, far right at a junior doctors' strike action in London on March 13, has also tweeted that he refused to 'listen to podcasts or read books by white men', that 'racism is a rite of passage for white teens' and that 'we are existing under' a 'cis-het white patriarchy' Dr Oki, who studied at the University of Dundee, is now a foundation-year-one doctor in South Thames in London. He has previously stood as deputy chair of BMA medical students committee, with responsibility for the Education work of the committee He has also personally attacked fellow doctors for their 'willingness to prop up white supremacist rhetoric on Twitter Dr Oki also claimed those from Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds 'are sometimes the biggest purporters of white supremacy' According to unearthed tweets from 2021, he has also accused white women of being 'scary' and stealing ideas from black people His comments have provoked fury among Conservative MPs who slammed the 'divisive' BMA for promoting Mr Oki's 'radical comments' The junior doctor has also appeared as a panellist on the British Medical Journals podcast Sharp Scratch for medical students and junior doctors It comes after MailOnline revealed this week that another medical student who fervently pushed for NHS strikes missed last week's four-day walkout because she was recovering from private liposuction. Eilidh Garrett has spent months cheering on junior doctors through her influential social media presence and attacked the Government for its lack of 'moral decency', conduct during strike talks and refusal to budge on pay. The 26-year-old has yet to qualify as a junior doctor, but believes they deserve more than a 35-per-cent pay rise the huge sum being demanded by the BMA. She has also previously told her followers she only wanted to become a doctor for the money. But unlike Dr Oki, Miss Garrett is a medical student, meaning she cannot legally take industrial action because she does not hold a contract with the NHS. Yet she has been hugely vocal in promoting the walkouts, racking up millions of views on her pro-strike Twitter posts and attending a previous picket line in support. Dr Oki, who studied at the University of Dundee, is now a foundation-year-one doctor in South Thames in London. Eilidh Garrett has spent months cheering on junior doctors through her influential social media presence, attacking the Government for its lack of 'moral decency', conduct during strike talks and refusal to budge on pay He has previously stood as deputy chair of BMA medical students committee, with responsibility for the education work of the committee. The junior doctor has also appeared as a panellist on the British Medical Journals podcast Sharp Scratch for medical students and junior doctors. Last week's junior doctors' strike, orchestrated in hope of getting ministers to cave into the pay demands, was dubbed the worst in the NHS's 75-year history. It led to more than 200,000 appointments and procedures being cancelled across the health service. After a five-year medical degree or four years for a graduate entry programme students become junior doctors. Base salaries for junior doctors, who can spend up to ten years in the position before reaching a senior title, can be up to 58,000 per year. But in their first year known as foundation year one they can expect just over 29,000 annually. The BMA is seeking a 35 per cent pay rise to address the 26 per cent real-terms pay cut junior doctors have faced over the last 15 years. It has insisted it was 'willing to negotiate', but talks have so far failed. Health Secretary Steve Barclay has repeatedly insisted the demand is unaffordable. If ministers were to cave in, some young medics would get more than 20,000 in extra pay. Meanwhile, the NHS is threatening legal action against striking nurses, arguing the second day of their planned walkout next month would be 'unlawful'. NHS Employers wrote to the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) yesterday, warning that it does not have a legal mandate to endorse industrial action in England on May 2. It means that the health service and the nurses' union could face a clash in the High Court over whether the unprecedented walkout can go ahead. Pat Cullen, chief executive of the RCN, announced last week a 48-hour strike will run from 8pm on April 30 to 8pm on May 2, after the union rejected the Government pay offer. It will see thousands of nurses walk off the job from A&E, critical care services and cancer wards for the first time in the increasingly bitter dispute. Insiders fear the nurses could co-ordinate future strikes with junior doctors in a move that would be devastating for the NHS. Health experts have warned about a viral but deadly TikTok trend involving one of the most popular allergy medicines. The Benadryl Challenge has already killed two teenagers in the US. It sees people, usually kids, swallow multiple antihistamine tablets to induce hallucinations before posting videos of their experience. Jacob Stevens, 13, from Ohio, died on April 12 after overdosing on Benadryl as part of the social media challenge. The youngster was filmed by his friends downing an alarming number of the anti-allergy pills. He suffered near-immediate seizures, fell into a coma and was put on a ventilator for six days before dying. Chloe Marie Phillips, 15, from Oklahoma, died in August 2020. At the time, her family urged others to remain vigilant of their children's actions, pleading: 'Don't let it take anymore kids... I don't want to see any families go through what we're going through right now.' One medic slammed the trend as a 'death trap' and warned parents to lock up their medications and remain vigilant. Pharmacy experts have also urged social media to better monitor the 'concerning' challenge. Jacob Stevens' family released this photo of him on life support to spread awareness of the dangers of the 'Benadryl Challenge' trend sweeping TikTok Jacob took a large amount of pills as part of the Benadryl Challenge and died six days later As well as causing hallucinations, overdosing on it can result in heart failure, stroke, seizures or brain damage. Jacob's body suffered a seizure after he downed a large amount of the allergy pills. His friends were filming to see what would happen. He was rushed to the hospital as his body began to shut down. The teen was placed on a ventilator and spent six days in hospital before doctors found his brain was no longer responsive. Jacob's family have begun pushing lawmakers to take steps to prevent other kids from partaking in such a challenge by putting age restrictions on over-the-counter drugs like Benadryl in the US. They also want to see TikTok impose an age-restriction for making accounts, forcing users to provide identification before being allowed onto the platform. Jacob's father, Justin Stevens said: 'Keep an eye at what they [children] are doing on that phone. Talk to them about the situation. I want everyone to know about my son.' He said it was the 'worst day of his life' when doctors told him about his son's terminal condition. On August 21, 2020, 15-year-old Chloe Marie Phillips, of Oklahoma, died after taking part in the social media challenge. Acrivastine the active ingredient of Benadryl in the UK can be bought over the counter. Different formulations are carried across the world, with diphenhydramine used in the US. Jacob is not the first child to die due to the 'challenge'. On August 21, 2020, Chloe, of Oklahoma, died after taking part in the social media challenge. Dr Leyla Hannbeck, CEO of Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies, told MailOnline that there is a 'big potential for harm' if children continue to take part in the dangerous challenge. An overdose on the antihistamine can lead to 'seizures, delirium, kidney problems like inability to urinate, coma, heart problems and even death', she warned. While Dr Hannbeck is not aware of any cases in the UK, she cautioned that 'if such challenges involving medicines continue, we are likely to see hospitalisation and serious harm'. She added: 'It is very concerning to hear about these challenges involving medicines on social media. 'This is not the first time that a challenge involving over the counter medicines has led to serious harm and death.' She urged social media to 'take steps in monitoring this effectively' so videos stop going viral. Jasmine Shah, head of pharmacy advice at the National Pharmacy Association, told MailOnline: 'As pharmacists we are well aware that medicines have the power to harm as well as to heal, so they should only be used in line with the label and best of all with advice from health care professionals. 'It's terrifying how far such dangerous behaviour as this Benadryl challenge can spread via social media. 'We urge children not to be tempted to take part in this perilous game and ask parents to be vigilant. 'It would be tragic to see even more children die as a result of this trend.' Janette Sissy Leasure, Chloe's great aunt, posted a now-deleted message on Facebook at the time, urging families to be on alert for kids taking part in the 'Benadryl challenge.' 'This needs to stop taking our kids or putting them in the hospital,' she wrote. 'Don't let it take anymore kids...I don't want to see any families go through what we are going through right now.' Antihistamines are allergy medication that work by blocking the production of histamine a chemical the body produces when it detects something it thinks is harmful. In hay fever sufferers, the body mistakes pollen for a dangerous substance and releases histamine, causing symptoms such as sneezing and itchy eyes. And Dr Jen Caudle, a US doctor who shares videos of TikTok, said: 'It is a death trap if you ask me and the latest tragedy is an example of this. 'This is a warning to parents, for kids, for people out there. Do not try this.' She said: 'Taking too much of it can obviously cause a number of symptoms, from heart problems, to seizures, and even death - as we are seeing. Dr Caudle added: 'Parents, make sure you lock up medications, over-the-counter medications, and make sure they are not easily accessible. 'Please be aware of this and do not ever attempt any challenge, such as this.' Benadryl, also called dyphenhydromine, is a type of antihistamine. These are allergy medication that work by blocking the production of histamine - a chemical the body produces when it detects something it thinks is harmful. The 13-year-old from Ohio was remembered as a fun-loving and caring kid who could brighten anybody's day Chloe (pictured with her father, Dustin Cook) died doing the 'Benadryl Challenge'. Her family has since warned about the dangers of the viral TikTok challenge Dr Caudle said people should only take medications as described and urged parents to lock up their medications to ensure they are not easily accessible TikTok have taken action by banning the search for 'Benadryl Challenge'. However, those posting videos are now using code words such as 'bernadeyl trend' and 'bena tiktok challenge', so the clips can still be found. Malcolm Harrison, the chief executive of the Company Chemists' Association, said: 'We are greatly saddened to hear of this news from the US. Medicines should only ever be used as directed by either the manufacturer or a registered healthcare professional. If you are unsure about how to safely use your medicines, please ask your local pharmacist.' Professor Parastou Donyai, chief scientist for the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, said: 'It's absolutely tragic to hear of the death of anyone from taking more than the advised dose of a medicine, especially if that medicine is self-administered in response to a so-called 'challenge'. READ MORE: What is the lethal TikTok Benadryl challenge and why is it so deadly? Advertisement 'While antihistamines provide safe and effective relief to millions from allergies, it is vital they are only taken in the dose advised on the packet, or as prescribed by a health professional. 'Social media platforms should more effectively moderate and remove content that has the potential to be so harmful to health, tragically causing death in this instance.' Responding to the challenge in 2020, the Food and Drug administration (FDA) issued a statement warning of the dangers of participating. 'Taking higher than recommended doses of the common over-the-counter (OTC) allergy medicine diphenhydramine (Benadryl) can lead to serious heart problems, seizures, coma or even death,' the FDA wrote. 'We are aware of news reports of teenagers ending up in emergency rooms or dying after participating in the 'Benadryl Challenge' encouraged in videos posted on the social media application TikTok.' A spokesperson for TikTok told DailyMail.com: 'We have never seen this type of content trend on our platform and have blocked searches for years to help discourage copycat behaviour.' The platform said it is a 'priority' to 'strictly prohibit and remove content that promotes dangerous behaviour' and has a team of '40,000 safety professionals' actively working to remove any concerning content, the spokesperson said. TikTok has removed 96 percent of videos of the challenge - which predates the creation of TikTok. More than 70 percent of those videos had no views. In addition, more than 80 percent were removed within 24 hours. A spokesperson for Johnson & Johnson, the pharmaceutical giant that markets the Benadryl brand, previously said of the trend: 'The health and safety of people who use our products is our top priority. 'The Benadryl TikTok trend is extremely concerning, dangerous and should be stopped immediately. 'As with any medicine, abuse or misuse can lead to serious side effects with potentially long-lasting consequences, and Benadryl products should only be used as directed by the label.' She said this was because they had higher moisture content than others It's a dilemma most people face but can never seem to get a straight answer when searching online what foods are safe to eat even if they're moldy? Sylvia Anderson, a consultant on food hygiene in London, UK, said firm fruits and vegetables are mostly safe so long as you cut off the toxins but spreads, sauces and even bread carry a health risk. She said hard foods were safe because molds would struggle to penetrate deep into them, but warned that this was not the case with softer and more moist items. Sylvia Anderson, a food hygiene expert, has revealed the foods that you can and cannot still safely eat after they turn moldy Some molds are dangerous on foods because they can cause allergic reactions and respiratory problems. A few molds can also emit 'mycotoxins' into foods, which are poisonous substances that can cause food poisoning. Among those who have revealed removing mold from foods is former Prime Minister of the UK Theresa May, who said she would rather scrape mold off the top of a jar of jam than throw it away. Below is her list of foods that you can and cannot still eat when molds appear on their surface: Moldy bread should be avoided, she said DON'T EAT: Moldy bread Many of us are tempted to just chop off the bit of mold on bread that we can see before consuming the rest. But Ms Anderson recommended against doing this. She told the Insider that this was because the food is porous, or has a lot of gaps, then the mold could easily have spread to other areas. These growths, she cautioned, may not be as visible to the naked eye but they are still present. Yoghurt, sour cream and soft cheese is best avoided when mold appears DON'T EAT: Yogurt, sour cream and soft cheese Yogurts, sour creams and soft cheeses were top of Ms Anderson's list of foods to avoid once mold appears on the surface. She said that the high moisture content in them means the contamination can spread well below the surface into the product. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) also recommends discarding them, saying: 'Foods with high moisture content can be contaminated below the surface. 'Moldy foods may also have bacteria growing along with the mold.' Molds could also release mycotoxins into the foods which could lead to food poisoning. Moldy pasta source should also be dodged DON'T EAT: Pasta sauce Pasta sauces also made the list, with Ms Anderson saying although it was tempting to scoop the mold off the top this was best avoided. She explained that even if it is removed there is still moisture underneath where the mold could still be growing. Asked about this, she told the Insider 'definitely not' adding: 'And that's a real bummer because I buy really expensive pesto sauce.' Firm fruits and vegetables can be eaten once mold is removed OK TO EAT: Firm fruits and vegetables but avoid the soft ones Firm fruits and vegetables such as carrots, cabbages and bell peppers are safe to eat once the mold is cut off, Ms Anderson said. This is because they have low moisture content, she said, making it difficult for the molds to penetrate deep into the foods. But when removing the mold spots, she recommended not putting the knife in it in case of cross-contamination. The USDA recommends cutting off at least one inch around and below the mold spot on the food. When asked about soft fruits and vegetables that go moldy such as cucumbers, peaches and tomatoes, she said these were best avoided. The USDA warns: 'Soft fruits and vegetables with high moisture content can be contaminated below the surface.' Hard cheeses are safe once the mold is removed OK TO EAT: Hard cheese Another food that is safe to eat once the mold is removed is hard cheese. This is a cheese like Parmigiano, pecorino, cheddar and gruyere, where mold is not part of the product like in blue cheeses. Ms Anderson said that the cheeses were safe to use after removing the molds because their density and low moisture content means it was unlikely that it could penetrate deeper into the product. The USDA says that the knife should be kept out of the mold to avoid contamination and that the cheese should be covered in fresh wrap after its removal. Hard salami is safe once mold is removed OK TO EAT: Hard salami Salami, which consists of air-dried meat wrapped in an intestine, is safe to eat after removing mold, experts say. In fact, most already has mold on it which is the white powder around the outside of the product. Ms Anderson said this was safe to eat after removing mold. The USDA says that it is fine to eat these items once the mold is scrubbed off the surface. Jellies and marmalades could also be eaten once mold is removed OK TO EAT: Jellies and marmalade Sometimes jars of jellies and marmalades can develop a mold layer on the top of them. But Ms Anderson said these were still fine to eat after someone removes the first layer of the mold. She explained to the Insider that the sugar in these items acts as a preservative, preventing the mold from infiltrating the whole product. She said it was best to remove the first inch. The USDA, however, disagrees saying it is best to discard these foods. They said: 'The mold could be producing a mycotoxin. 'Microbiologists recommend against scooping out the mold and using the remaining condiment.' Move is a serious escalation in the dispute between NHS and nurses union The NHS has today asked Steve Barclay to turn to the courts in a bid to prevent nurses from striking later this month. Bosses are concerned about the impact the 48 hour walkout planned for April 30 to May 2 will have on patients and believes it is illegal. The health secretary will now have to decide whether to seek an injunction, with union leaders claiming that would be akin to bullying and silencing nurses. In a major escalation of the pay dispute, the Royal College of Nursing have told members to walk out of A&E, critical care and cancer wards for the first time. But NHS Employers says the unions six month mandate for industrial action expires at the end of the first day of the strike, voiding the legitimacy of the entire period. NHS leaders have asked Steve Barclay to turn to the courts in a bid to prevent nurses from striking later this month. Pat Cullen (pictured: centre), the Royal College of Nursing's general secretary and chief executive. The union's planned 48-hour strike on April 30 has come under fire as potentially illegal The letter sent by Danny Mortimer, chief executive of NHS Employers, said health service has responsibilities to staff to ensure they act legally but most importantly to our patients for their safety and care A letter sent by Danny Mortimer, chief executive of NHS Employers, to Mr Barclay says the health service has responsibilities to staff to ensure they act legally but most importantly to our patients for their safety and care. He adds: NHS Employers has since 19th April been making the RCN aware of their very real concern that the RCN is incorrectly applying the strike mandates it received following ballots which closed at midday on 2nd November 2022. NHS Employers has invited the RCN to amend its plans for strike action because of these concerns. The RCN has declined to do so, and copies of the correspondence have been shared with your officials. The advice that we have received makes clear it is highly likely that if the notices for industrial actions are incorrect in one respect, then they are incorrect in total and that the strike action for the entire period of 30th April to 2nd May is illegal. I write to ask you to now intervene in this matter on behalf of relevant NHS organisations in England to seek the view of the courts as to whether the strike action planned for 30th April to 2nd May 2023 is legal. I believe that conclusively establishing this position is in the interests of our staff and patients. The union is understood to have said it will forcibly resist attempts to seek a high court injunction to block industrial action, which they say is lawful. It has already revealed it will hold a fresh ballot after the strike in a bid to extend its mandate, so it can cause disruption all the way to Christmas. Pat Cullen, general secretary and chief executive of the RCN, said: The decision of the NHS not to take this further is the right one but ministers need to decide whether to silence nurses. Bullying nurses and dragging us through the highest courts would not be a good look for government. It would show utter contempt for nursing staff. We will make the case for the legality of our action in all forums. Nurses represented by the RCN will walkout from 8pm on May 30 after members rejected a government pay offer of a 5 per cent rise and one-off bonus. Health leaders have warned mental health patients could self-harm, take their own lives or be a risk to others, if nurses plough ahead with plans to escalate their strike action. More than 500,000 NHS appointments and operations in England have been cancelled as a result of staff striking over pay, with further disruption planned Almost 200,000 hospital appointments and procedures in England had to be rescheduled when tens of thousands of junior doctors staged a 96-hour strike in a dispute over pay between April 11 and 15. That was on top of thousands of appointments already cancelled or delayed due to strikes by other unions, including the RCN. Adding community appointments takes the total impacted since December past half a million. The NHS Confederation, which represents NHS organisations, said mental health trust leaders are warning of dire consequences to the safety of patients as nursing staff numbers are spread even more thinly than usual. In a statement, it said mental health leaders are very concerned that if the Royal College of Nursing stands firm in its decision not to agree derogations for any services, including emergency and critical care, at either a national or local level, and does not agree to exempt high security and inpatient mental units then the risk of a severe and sustained impact on service users cannot be mitigated against. The NHS Confederation said the RCNs current stance could mean people become a risk to themselves, including by self-harming or in extreme cases taking their own lives, as well as to others. Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson (Hutchinson 14.99, 320pp) Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson (Hutchinson 14.99, 320pp) Theres nothing like a dysfunctional family to keep me reading, and this is one of the richest and the best. Set in New Yorks Brooklyn Heights, it follows the fortunes of three women: Darley, eldest daughter committed to marriage and motherhood; Georgiana, youngest daughter, who falls in love inappropriately; and Sasha, whos married into the family and is struggling to adjust to their way of life while the two daughters have labelled her a gold-digger. Then a tragic accident derails their glittering glamorous existence after which each one is driven to reflect on their own life and what they want from it. Sharp-eyed and witty, this is writing which cuts to the quick. Engrossing, full of pleasure, sadness too, it traces loss and change in a world of the haves and have-nots. The Daughters of Madurai by Rajasree Variyar (Orion 16.99, 400pp) The Daughters of Madurai by Rajasree Variyar (Orion 16.99, 400pp) Madurai, India, 1992. Janani has had three children. Her inlaws wanted her to have a boy, but she has disappointed them. Allowed to keep her firstborn, Lavanika, she has lost the other two who, on the orders of her mother-in-law, were murdered; if left to live, they would have cost the impoverished family too much in dowries. Janani works for the Nabeesan family, whose son, her childhood friend Sanjay, has recently returned from the UK. But the spark that ignites between them is threatened by their class differences. Years later, a woman called Nila travels to India to visit her dying grandfather. Her links with Janani and the secret she keeps from her own parents are in danger of being exposed. Close to Home by Michael Magee (HH 14.99, 288pp) Lying at the heart of this powerful and moving novel is the shocking practice of female infanticide. Once read it is not easily forgotten. Close to Home by Michael Magee (HH 14.99, 288pp) Sean made the break from his family by going to university. When he returns to Belfast, nothing much has changed. His degree makes him no more likely to find a job than anyone else. His friends and brother lead lives fuelled by drink, drugs and violence. At a party, Sean punches a stranger. The repercussions threaten to derail his wish for a better life. A witty and insightful novel about masculinity today. READ MORE: The 10 best cars unveiled at the 2023 Shanghai motor show Others said they would avoid over 'political matter' and concerns about quality More than a quarter of Britons have responded to a poll saying they would consider buying a Chinese car, as brands from the region become more prominent in the UK. Some 29 per cent told online marketplace Carwow that they would have a Chinese brand as their next car. This is despite growing concerns around the adoption of Chinese technology and fears over spy software. We've listed 10 Chinese car brands that are already selling in the UK today or are due to do so very soon. Would you buy a Chinese car? A poll of 1,314 UK drivers found that 29% would openly consider one for their next set of wheels. Cast your verdict in the poll below... Poll Would you buy a Chinese car as your next motor? Yes No Would you buy a Chinese car as your next motor? Yes 903 votes No 2742 votes Now share your opinion We've created a poll for MailOnline and This is Money readers to have their say on whether they would buy a vehicle produced by a Chinese manufacturer as their next model. It comes after Carwow's poll found that more than a quarter of Britons are ready to own one now. When asked what might draw them to a Chinese vehicle, one in three (30 per cent) said they offer better value for money when compared to mainstream brands from Europe, the US, Japan and Korea, which currently share the stronghold on Britain's new-car market. Almost a fifth (19 per cent) said they are more competitively priced and one in 10 (10 per cent) said they have 'more and better' technology. However, plenty of the 1,314 drivers polled raised their reservations about buying a new car from a Chinese maker. Top of the reasons to avoid was concerns around 'political matters', according to over a third (37 per cent) of responses from those not wanting to buy Chinese. This follows recent concerns raised around Chinese technology - including Huawei smartphones and the TikTok app - and their potential to be used to spy on Britons. Other areas of contention raised by the survey respondents include build quality (36 per cent) and a lack of familiarity with the brands (28 per cent). When asked what might persuade them to consider a Chinese car, a fifth (21 per cent) said they wanted more time to become accustomed to the makers and their vehicles. When asked what might draw them to a Chinese vehicle, one in three (30 per cent) said they offer better value for money when compared to mainstream brands from Europe, the US, Japan and Korea, which currently share the stronghold on Britain's new-car market While Britons appear more averse to buying Chinese vehicles, there appears to be a more open approach in other European countries. The wider study also quizzed German and Spanish car buyers. READ MORE: The ten best cars unveiled at Shanghai motor show Drivers in Germany had a similar outlook as Britons, with 30 per cent saying they'd consider a Chinese car next, but in Spain there was a greater acceptance level, with 43 per cent open to the option. James Hind, co-founder and CEO of Carwow, said: 'The fact that more than one in four drivers would now consider a Chinese car is testament to how quickly we're seeing perception shifting. 'However, Chinese car manufacturers looking to launch in the UK also have a job to do to win over new drivers; they're battling a near-complete lack of brand awareness and will want to turn around the public's current perception of build-quality. 'But, while build quality might have been an issue in the past, it's now very high, as is design and safety.' Mr Hind added: 'Chinese cars have modern, sleek styling, and European designers are being headhunted by Chinese manufacturers to ensure new models have high kerb appeal. 'Meanwhile, Chinese cars are getting some of the highest safety ratings in Europe, beating cars from more established brands.' The latest car brand to enter the UK market is BYD. Find out more about this maker - and nine others from China - in our list below China's access to batteries is a major advantage Carwow says that electric vehicles are where Chinese brands are focusing - as you can see from the list of 10 manufacturers below that already sell EVs in the UK or have plans to do so shortly. China has access to battery processing and production capabilities, and can produce high-quality, long-range EV much more cheaply than European manufacturers, Hind says. 'This is likely to drive the price of EVs down, while also increasing choice in the market, all of which is great news for British motorists considering switching to EVs. 'The majority of people tell us they are put off buying an EV because of the high purchase cost. 'But given the competitive prices being offered by Chinese manufacturers, this could all change.' Chris Black, commercial director at LeasePlan UK, says China is 'reaping the rewards of backing EVs early', having made significant investment in R&D into this technology. 'Around 80 per cent of automotive batteries are made in China, so they have a head start on economies of scale to get the price down, and of course, it means the most expensive components of European EVs arent even made in Europe,' Chris explains. 'Chinese manufacturers have the advantage of a localised supply chain which will take time to match in Europe. 'Even though there are gigafactories under construction, this is only one element in the supply chain. Currently, European manufacturers are likely to be shipping battery packs from across the world: a costly, potentially dangerous, and very slow cargo. 'Ultimately, cheaper EVs will make the transition for drivers and fleets more affordable, which is a positive. In turn, it pushes European manufacturers to compete (as they already have with Tesla), but this time on price.' CHINESE BRANDS COMING TO BRITAIN 1. Aiways Aiways has already established its European headquarters in Germany and has previously spoken about entering the UK market this year Chinese firm Aiways could be selling cars in Britain in the coming months and already has its European headquarters in Germany. The first model that's likely to be seen on UK roads is its U5, which has a range of around 250 miles. 2. BYD The Atto 3 is the first model from BYD to go on sale in Britain earlier this year, with prices starting at 36,490 BYD - which means Build Your Dreams - has already introduced its first UK model - the Atto 3 family SUV, which we drove earlier this year. It costs from 36,490 and has a range of 260 miles. 3. Chery Chery could become a UK car seller as early as 2024 - and it will likely sell both petrol and electric-powered vehicles Chinese car giant Chery is expected to launch its first car in Britain from early 2024. While it will focus mostly on battery electric models, it is also expected to make available some with petrol engines that have proved popular in its domestic market. 4. HiPhi HiPhi is another Chinese start-up with grand plans to break into the European market shortly Chinese auto start-up HiPhi is due to start selling electric cars in Europe before the end of this year and expects to enter the UK market shortly after, according to reports in Auto Express. It will offer the HiPhi Z and HiPhi X in Germany and Norway. 5. LEVC One Chinese car you might have travelled in without knowing is an electric black cab. The brand that produces them - LEVC - is owned by Chinese Geely It might say London Electric Vehicle Company in the branding, but LEVC is owned and operated by Chinese automotive giant Geely. It has been producing electrified black cabs seen in our major cities since 2017, meaning this is one Chinese car many people have unknowingly travelled in. 6. Lynk & Co Lynk & Co could be selling - on monthly subscriptions - its cars to Britain in the coming months Another Geely product is Lynk & Co, which is set to offer cars to British drivers from next year. Its ownership platform is somewhat different to convention, though. While you can buy its cars outright, most will be acquired on monthly subscriptions. 7. MG Motor MG Motor sold over 50,000 cars in Britain last year and will look to beat that figure in 2023 The most successful arrival from the Chinese market in recent years is MG Motor. Its range of budget-friendly petrol and electric cars are proving immensely popular, with some 51,050 MG-branded motors registered in the UK last year. It's most recent car - the MG4 - is cheapest family-size EV currently on sale and one of just two priced below 30,000. 8. NIO NIO is a Chinese electric car maker that's already selling vehicles in Norway - and has recently broken into the top 25 most popular brands there Another Chinese car brand that is likely to arrive on the UK scene very shortly is NIO, which is already a major EV player in Norway. It has said it will have three Tesla-rivalling models available in the UK in 2023, all of them available on subscription. 9. GWM Ora (Great Wall Motor) The Ora Funky Cat is a compact electric hatchback already on sale in the UK. It is the first brand from the Great Wall Motor group to enter Britain Great Wall Motor is one of the expanding automotive groups from China that is already selling cars in the UK - and its first model has a pretty special name. It's from its Ora brand and is called the Funky Cat. The compact electric hatchback costs from 31,995 and has already signed a dealership network deal with major players including Lookers and Peter Vardy. 10. Zeekr The 001 is one of two electric models Chinese brand Zeekr is planning to bring to the European market in 2023 Zeekr - another brand that's part of the Geely group - has said it will officially enter the European market in 2023, and the UK is very much on its radar. It will offer the Zeekr X SUV and Zeekr OO1 shooting brake first. Barclays has come under fire over its handling of the links between former boss Jes Staley and paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. In a blistering attack on the bank, a leading City investor said the board's refusal to oust its former chief executive when his connections to the sex trafficker were probed by regulators was 'unconscionable'. Edward Bramson, the founder of Sherborne Investors, a former activist shareholder in the FTSE 100 bank which cut its losses in 2021, said Barclays investors were worried about the 'demonstrably poor judgment' of the board and feared 'what new, unpleasant surprises will result from it'. Leading shareholder advisory body ISS, meanwhile, said the bank's board would face scrutiny at its AGM next month over its support for Staley, given the 'disturbing nature' of the charges against Epstein. In a sign of what may be to come, Bramson lambasted Barclays chairman Nigel Higgins and his handling of the controversy around Staley, who led the bank for six years before quitting in 2021 amid a probe by the Financial Conduct Authority into his links to Epstein. Scathing: Edward Bramson (right) said directors should be probed for backing ex-boss Jes Staley While it was an investor in the bank, Sherborne pushed repeatedly for changes including the removal of its chief executive. In a letter castigating the bank yesterday, Bramson, who has been based in New York since the 1970s, said: 'We urged the board, as the situation deteriorated, to dismiss Staley, to allow for an orderly management transition, and to protect the bank from further reputational and other damage.' But Barclays continued to support the financier despite his links to the late sex trafficker. 'The board's unconscionable refusal to do so only ended when the UK regulators forcibly ended this wretched spectacle over the board's objections,' 72-year-old Bramson wrote. He called for Barclays to assess the directors' support for Staley while he was being investigated and whether any of them had wanted to remove him, but did not dissent from decisions made by the board. If warranted by the findings of these reviews, Bramson said the UK should use regulatory powers to 'declare individuals no longer fit and proper to serve as directors'. Epstein was a client of Staley's when the latter was a senior executive at US bank JP Morgan. The disgraced financier was found dead in 2019 while awaiting trial on abuse and trafficking charges. By then, Staley had become the boss of Barclays. The bank backed him in 2020 after City regulators launched a probe, saying he 'retains the full confidence of the board'. But Staley quit in 2021 following preliminary findings by the regulators though Barclays said it was 'disappointed at this outcome'. He has since been named in a series of lawsuits centring on Epstein's behaviour. JP Morgan faces two civil suits alleging it enabled his behaviour one from the US Virgin Islands, where Epstein had a home, and the other from an alleged victim. The bank is in turn seeking to claw back tens of millions of dollars it paid Staley from 2006 to 2013 to cover costs it may incur as a result. Staley's legal team has described the allegations about his connection to Epstein as 'slanderous' and 'baseless'. Bramson was similarly scathing of JP Morgan, saying the US bank had been 'more than happy to keep the profits Staley brought in for them for many years'. 'Now, when it is expedient, JPM's legal and PR strategy, which may turn out to be ill-judged, is to deflect all blame on to Staley and, in the process, destroy his life, utterly,' he said. Ive just started running my own chilli sauce company and Im doing okay. I could do with a few pointers when things are drying up. I mainly sell on Facebook but I dont have my own website. Is this something I should definitely look in to? Ive done a fete and it went really well. How important is setting up a website for my chilli sauce business? Dave Fishwick replies Dave Fishwick, This Is Moneys business doctor replies: I definitely think you should have a website for your products. Selling on Facebook means you already have a web presence, but a website serves a different purpose, and I think you need both! Building a brand is particularly important, perhaps linking your recipe to a well-known local area or landmark or tradition. Create a story around the product. I did this with The Malkin Pie. I helped a cafe in Sabden, Lancashire create a story around a homemade pie. Christine and Keith made it for their cafe called SanWitches to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the Pendle Witch trials of 1612. The spooky tale of witches, magic and curses in the shadow of Pendle Hill inspired this carefully researched and imaginative pie. The Malkin pie is named after the tower, which was the home of 'Demdike', one of the witches. I helped Sanwitches generate a lot of media attention, including local radio and newspapers, and it became so popular they went on to sell their pies in supermarkets. The Malkin Pie was all about the story and the branding that surrounded the product and helped sell the pie in considerable numbers all over the country. You can do the same - think of a great local story and build a brand around your sauce. Telling your story about the quality or heritage of the product or going with a fun and quirky branding style could help you stand out from the crowd. Contact your local media, and they will be pleased to print your story. You can then use this on social media and your website - whether a fully functional e-commerce website complete with automated payment and delivery options and real-time stock control. Or it could just a basic site which tells the story of your products and your business. Its essential to have a site which tells customers where they can buy your products. Facebook is still the biggest platform worldwide by the number of active users, with marketing possible from a global to a hyper-local scale. But it isnt as ubiquitous as it once was, particularly with the younger demographic. At one point it was the main, if not the only social media platform, for small businesses to sell their goods. However, competitors like YouTube, WhatsApp and Instagram and TikTok all have comparable numbers, and others are gaining ground fast. Look at your business from the perspective of a potential customer. How do you look for something youre interested in buying? Dave Fishwick helped Christine and Keith with the launch of their 'Malkin Pie' in Lancashire Most likely, youll start by searching for it in a search engine. Optimising your online presence for the Google search engine is often seen as a bit of a science or dark art. Google always offered advice on how to structure your site best, the basics being to provide unique content relevant to the search and regularly updated. This was a big part of their success in their early years as competitors' results were more skewed to adverts. While it is generally the best option to build a website on these basic principles, it increasingly seems that the search results we get are becoming less to do with relevance than revenue, with prominence seemingly being sold to the highest bidder. People looking for specific or technical information increasingly search for it within forums like Reddit. You can pay for prominence with sponsored search results or Google products, but you can easily overpay. Dont be talked into overspending on your web marketing by pushy salespeople or throw the kitchen sink at trying to reach the top of the first page. Web marketing neednt cost a great deal. Keep it proportionate to the size of your business. Always have your website containing as much relevant information as possible. Google algorithms like relevant content and as much of it as possible. Download Google Analytics. This will tell you which are the best and most searched and clicked on words and terms, and most relevant words in connection with your sauces and products. One tip is to ensure all the images you upload are named and tagged with relevant keywords. You dont necessarily need to compete with big corporations with huge budgets for the most generic search results. Focus on marketing the unique characteristics of your products. The more specific the search term, the less competition therell be. You can sign up for an online Google optimisation course. I can't recommend enough how helpful this would be to your online presence. Selling at a fete is a good old-fashioned way of bringing a product to market, and I think they still have a useful place and are a great social event. It will introduce you to customers who didnt know they wanted your product until they see it and get a chance to have a taste. It would help you even here, though, to have a website to back up your offers. Small cards, flyers, or leaflets with links to your website will be more cost-effective to print than brochures to give out at events like fetes. Images with QR code links are more space and cost-efficient than loads of text. I wish you all the best with your business, and Ill make a beeline to the chilli sauce stall at fetes from now on to try your wares. Good luck! A man who bundled the body of his stepdaughter into a suitcase before setting her on fire and burying her charred corpse has been released on parole. Daily Mail Australia can reveal Robert Smith, 43, walked out of Junee Correction Centre in the central west of NSW just after midnight on Friday morning after serving his minimum 12-year sentence for manslaughter and being an accessory to the murder of six-year-old Kiesha Abrahams in 2010. He was jailed alongside Kiesha's mother, Kristi Abrahams, who was convicted of murder and jailed for at least 16 years. Kiesha died in her bed at their home in Hebersham, western Sydney, after being knocked unconscious by her mother when she refused to put her pyjamas on. The couple did not seek medical help after Kiesha was beaten and instead put her in the shower and then to bed, where she died. Robert Smith, 43, (pictured) has been released from jail after serving a minimum 12-years' jail for the manslaughter of six-year-old Kiesha Abrahams in 2010 Kiesha (pictured) died in bed at their Mt Druitt home in Sydney's west, after being knocked unconscious by her mother before being put to bed Despite the brutal crime, Smith is now out of jail, much to the dismay of Alison Anderson, who has led the calls to keep Smith behind bars. In a statement to Daily Mail Australia on Thursday, Ms Anderson, once a devoted supporter of Kristi Abrahams turned one of the most vocal in the fight for justice, vowed to 'keep on fighting' for Kiesha. 'How can the parole people sleep at night knowing they have let him out?' she asked. 'I just keep on fighting until we get it (justice) for our gorgeous beautiful angel girl and all the other little angels that have been taken so soon.' His release comes after the State Parole Authority (SPA) formed an 'intention to grant parole'. At his parole hearing in March, the court heard the victim's family had not objected to Smith's release but asked for him to be prohibited from entering Blacktown or Penrith in western Sydney. The court heard Smith was a model inmate in prison who participated in multiple programs and employment, with Judge Bellew granting him parole. A document from the SPA stated that throughout his time behind bars Smith 'behaved in a generally positive manner, to the point where having entered custody with a maximum-security classification, he progressed to a minimum classification in April 2022'. In a statement to Daily Mail Australia on Thursday, Alison Anderson (pictured) vowed to 'keep on fighting' The chairperson of the Serious Offenders Review Council, which provides advice on which offenders should be considered for parole, recommended Smith's release, a recommendation the SPA adopted. The council stated he had completed several appropriate therapeutic programs and had no serious mental health issues of concern. It also said he only had two institutional infringements in 12 years in custody and the most recent was almost five years ago. A parole determination stated Smith originally lacked insight into the impact of his crime but had 'responded positively to interventions' and had since expressed remorse and accepted the gravity of his offending. Judge Bellew said Smith had been assessed as being a medium risk of re-offending and therefore a plan was made to mitigate the risk of his transition into the community. The couple did not seek medical help after Kiesha was beaten and instead put her in the shower and then to bed, where she died. Smith then bundled the body of his stepdaughter into a suitcase before setting her on fire Smith was granted parole by Judge Bellew noting he had been a model inmate and had expressed remorse for what he did and accepted the gravity of his offending (pictured: Kiesha Abrahams, middle, with mother Kristi, left, and Robert Smith, right) A spokesperson for the SPA told Daily Mail Australia Smith's plan had been formulated to mitigate any possible risk to the community. 'Post release plans are formulated for each individual offender by Community Corrections which is also responsible for supervising and managing parolees in the community. Community Corrections is a division of Corrective Services NSW,' they said. Upon release Smith will receive ongoing supervision, have 'appropriate specialist medical referrals', engage in remedial programs and reside a 'considerable distance' from where the offending occurred and the location of the victim. 'All of these factors support a conclusion that the offenders post-release plans are appropriate, particularly as they incorporate several interventions in which he is willing to engage,' Smith's parole determination states. 'The Authority is satisfied that it is in the interests of the safety of the community that the offender be released. 'The Authority considers that the risk to the safety of members of the community posed by the offenders release can be properly addressed by the supervision plan which is proposed.' Kristi Abrahams initially said she had put Kiesha to bed in their Hebersham home at about 9.30pm but had disappeared by the following morning (pictured: Kristi Abrahams in handcuffs) It also noted there was no indication he posed a threat to anyone's safety or acted in an antisocial way when carrying out work within a community setting during his time in custody. 'Given that the offender has now spent 12 years in custody, the Authority considers that his supervised release over the next four years is more conducive to maintaining community safety than release with a shorter period of parole, or release at the expiration of his sentence,' the SPA document states. Upon release Smith will adhere to stringent conditions. She then called police to tell them her daughter was missing, sparking an extensive search in Sydney's western suburbs They include a Community Corrections officer having the legal right to visit Smith at any time and Smith being unable to leave NSW without permission from a Community Corrections manager or to leave Australia without permission. He also must not contact, communicate with, watch, stalk, harass or intimidate the victims family or visit the Blacktown or Penrith local government areas. Smith is expected to be placed on the NSW Child Protection Register. Kiesha's case became well-known after she was reported missing by Abrahams and Smith in August, 2010. Abrahams initially said she had put Kiesha to bed in their Hebersham home at about 9.30pm but had disappeared by the following morning. She then called police to tell them her daughter was missing, sparking an extensive search in Sydney's western suburbs that caught nationwide attention. Abrahams and Smith made emotional pleas at the time and gained an outpouring of support from Australians after appearing on TV several times. Abrahams and Smith made emotional pleas at the time and gained an outpouring of support from Australians after appearing on TV several times (pictured: Abrahams emotional plea) Abrahams was jailed for 22 years and Smith was jailed for a minimum of 12 years and a maximum of 16 years But it didn't take long for police to suspect them, and Abrahams eventually made a tearful confession to an undercover cop. Abrahams claimed she just gave her daughter 'a little nudge' and she fell over and hit her head on the floor, but forensic evidence disproved this and pointed to forceful blows to the head. Smith hid Kiesha's body in a suitcase inside a wardrobe for five days before taking it to bushland at Shalvey, not far from their home. He then doused her body in petrol and set it alight before burying the charred remains. Eight months after Kiesha was reported missing, police arrested Abrahams and Smith on April 11, 2011 when they went to where she was buried on what would have been Kiesha's seventh birthday. Abrahams was subsequently charged with murder. Though Kiesha's body was burned after her death, a post-mortem found 10 separate injuries to her head, jaw, and body, including teeth fractures (pictured: Kiesha Abrahams) Though Kiesha's body was burned after her death, a post-mortem found 10 separate injuries to her head, jaw, and body, including teeth fractures. The little girl was relentlessly abused by her mother, who was unable to care for her due to abuse she suffered as a child. Abrahams also hated how Kiesha resembled her ex-partner Christopher Weippeart, the girl's biological father. When a case worker spoke to Kiesha in 2007, when she was three, she pointed to a burn mark and said 'mum did that' and 'mum hit there'. The 45-year-old mom sent agents details of her twisted plan to assault the child and sickening video and photos of underage girls being assaulted by adult men A federal judge in Virginia is fighting for full custody of his two young daughters after his high society ex-wife was arrested at a hotel where she allegedly planned to sexually assault an eight-year-old girl, DailyMail.com can exclusively reveal. Eleanor Hunton Hoppe, 45, a member of one of Virginia's most prominent families, was snared in an FBI sting last month after messaging an undercover agent explicit and sickening details about what she wanted to do to the child, according to court filings. The mother-of-two who has been charged with child porn and child sex abuse offenses is also accused of sending the agent a 30-second video and three still images of young minor girls being horrifically sexually abused by men. Her arrest has stunned communities in Charlottesville, where she lives, and in Richmond where she grew up amid wealth and prestige as a member of a legal powerhouse family who helped found the city's biggest law firm, now known as Hunton, Andrews, Kurth. Joel Hoppe, a magistrate judge in the Western District of Virginia, is seeking to modify the custody agreement for his two daughters after his ex-wife Eleanor Hunton Hoppe (right) was arrested on child porn and sex abuse charges last month Joel Hoppe filed new documents in Albemarle Circuit Court, Charlottesville, to reopen their divorce paperwork and obtain full custody of the two young girls, a week after his ex-wife's arrest She had previously worked in child advocacy and support organizations and was a volunteer at her prestigious local Episcopal church in Charlottesville that is affiliated with the University of Virginia, DailyMail.com can reveal. Hunton Hoppe is currently locked up in Washington DC and faces life behind bars if convicted of three federal crimes: Distributing child porn, enticement of a minor and attempted transportation of a minor with attempt to engage in sexual activity. Now DailyMail.com can also reveal her ex-husband, federal judge Joel Hoppe, is fighting for full custody of their daughters aged 10 and 12, citing the shocking allegations against the mom in his legal documents. The ex spouses had previously agreed to joint physical custody in May 2021 after a messy divorce battle during which the magistrate judge accused his ex-wife of hunting for sex with other men and women. Hoppe, who also volunteered in child advocacy work, grew up amid wealth and prestige as a member of a legal powerhouse family who helped found the biggest law firm in Richmond In court papers filed in Albemarle Circuit Court, Virginia, Joel, 46, further claimed that his ex had brought a sexual partner back to the marital home while their young daughters were there. Hunton Hoppe's dramatic arrest outside a hotel in Warrenton, Virginia, came after weeks of messaging with an undercover FBI agent about a fictitious eight-year-old girl she allegedly sought to abuse. The accused mom, 45, had entered a fetish website where users discuss and trade images of child sex abuse, according to the criminal complaint filed in the US District Court for the District of Columbia. She allegedly used the screenname 'titotori' and started an email chat with another user, who was an undercover FBI Task Force officer based at the Washington DC field office and operating out of a satellite location. According to the filing, Hoppe told the agent she was a mother and wanted to chat about 'taboo parenting'. The undercover officer responded he was the father of a young girl, at which point Hoppe directed the agent to a social media app that encrypts messages. There, she used the name 'tori4fun' and in a series of messages starting February 23 she revealed she lived in Charlottesville. Hunton Hoppe's dramatic arrest outside a hotel in Warrenton, Virginia, came after weeks of messaging with an undercover FBI agent about a fictitious eight-year-old girl she allegedly sought to abuse During their divorce battle, Joel, 46, had accused his wife of cheating and claimed that she had brought a sexual partner back to the marital home while their young daughters were there The ex spouses previously agreed to joint physical custody after a messy divorce battle in May 2021 during which Joel accused his ex-wife of hunting for sex with other men and women in legal documents The agent asked Hoppe to verify she was 'safe' by sending an image of herself holding up her thumb near her breast. The photo showed her lifting her shirt up, exposing her bare breast and with her face partially visible, said the filing. On February 27, the Virginia mom allegedly contacted the agent through the app to ask about the abuse he was perpetrating against his daughter, saying 'what do you think your next step will be?' Throughout the message exchange Hoppe expressed an interest in traveling to Washington to abuse the undercover agent's fictitious daughter with him, the papers state. She repeatedly said she wanted to help the 'father' introduce the eight-year-old to sexual activity and around March 12 it was agreed she would travel from her home, it is alleged. Hoppe is said to have messaged the undercover agent with the sickening words: 'I can't wait and then of course, putting her to bed and waking her up to do a few extra things will be so fun.' She then suggested something about anal sex, later adding: 'Has she seen videos of little girls with her dad yet?' Hoppe is then said to have sent the agent a 30-second clip of a 'small-framed female who appears to be on a bed'. The complaint says: 'The small female, who appears to be a minor, can only be seen from behind, and she is nude from the waist down.' It continues to say that a man is having sex with the female in the video. According to the criminal complaint Hoppe wrote to the agent on March 8 regarding the daughter: 'A great thing to do is wake her up by trying new things that hazy/dreamlike state is perfect to introduce a variety of new things.' Four days later while allegedly discussing travel plans, the report says she wrote: 'If I were you, I'd start building up Thursday telling her that you know it's gonna be super fun we're gonna hang out with an old friend of yours. A criminal complaint obtained by DailyMail.com shows Hunton Hoppe is charged with three federal crimes: Distributing child porn, enticement of a minor and attempted transportation of a minor with attempt to engage in sexual activity The statement of facts includes disturbing allegations some of which are too graphic to publish alleging how the mom allegedly browsed a fetish website where users discuss and trade images of child sex abuse Judge Hoppe filed for divorce from in May 2020, eight months after the couple separated., claiming she 'initiated sexual contact, and committed adultery' with another man 'It's going to be the best night ever blah blah blah and then once I get there, obviously, it will take a slight turn.' On March 16, the filing says Hoppe sent three images to the undercover agent who was in an FBI office. All three showed men having sex with prepubescent minor girls. That afternoon it was agreed she would travel 70 miles to a hotel in Warrenton, Virginia. 'Hoppe sent the UC (undercover officer) a photograph of a pink silk robe she would bring, with the message, 'Her big girl robe for tonight'.' Even as she traveled for the meeting, Hoppe messaged with horrific instructions and suggestions, it is alleged. However, she was arrested as soon as she arrived at the hotel. Despite claiming she had traveled there to save the child from abuse, officers found a pink children's bag containing lubricant, silk underwear and a pink silk robe in her car. Judge Hoppe filed for divorce from the accused mom in May 2020, eight months after the couple separated. His five-page complaint, obtained by DailyMail.com, states: 'On or about August 7, 2019, defendant initiated sexual contact, and committed adultery by having oral sex, with a male partner, not her spouse. 'On August 22, 2019, defendant had sexual intercourse with a male, not her spouse, in the city of Charlottesville, Virginia. 'Subsequent to those two sexual encounters, defendant has, on frequent occasions, attempted to engage other men and women for sexual encounters.' It then adds: 'Upon reasonable belief, defendant has brought a sexual partner into marital residence. while the minor children were present. The aforesaid behavior exposes the minor children to risk of emotional harm.' The $200,000-a-year judge also makes clear he was not involved in anything his then-wife was doing, with the complaint stating: 'The adultery was not procured nor due do the conniving of the plaintiff.' During the divorce, the judge's attorney asked Hoppe to produce documents that included 'copies of all emails, text messages, or other social media communication, including attachments and photographs, sent by you to others and not your spouse or received by you from others not your spouse between January 1, 2018 and the present, that reference sexual activity or possible meetings for sexual activity' Her attorney replied this would be produced subject to a ruling on a protective order. She was also asked for copies of her Facebook profile and information including photos and videos that she had shared or been tagged in that referenced sex with someone other than the judge. Additionally, she was asked for copies of comments posted on her Facebook wall and on the walls of others or groups that discuss sex between her and someone outside her marriage. Her attorney replied there were no documents existing for the two questions. The divorce was granted on the grounds of the couple living apart for more than a year. Seven days after Hoppe was arrested at the hotel, the judge filed in Albemarle Circuit Court, Charlottesville, to reopen their divorce paperwork and obtain full custody of the two young girls. His filing states: 'A Final Order of Divorce was entered on May 11, 2021 resolving the issues of spousal support and child support. A final Custody and Visitation Order was entered on March 8, 2022. 'The defendant was taking into federal custody on March 16, 2023 on felony criminal charges involving minors. Earlier court record show Hoppe was previously charged with 'undressing where prohibited' by Chesterfield County Police, Virginia in 2019 'The criminal charges, the facts underlying the charges, and the consequences of the charges constitute a material change in circumstances regarding custody, visitation, spousal support and child support.' The judge then asks for the previous arrangement to be modified. Eleanor Hoppe ran into problems with the law a month after the couple's 2019 separation, we can reveal. She was charged with 'undressing where prohibited' by Chesterfield County Police, Virginia, after being apprehended at the Swift Creek Lake dam in Pocahontas State Park at 2.15pm. There was no arrest report description of what occurred on the summons, which stated she was 'guilty as charged'. She was hit with a civil penalty of $50 plus a fixed misdemeanour fee of $61.. But her attorney father Eppa Hunton V filed an appeal and the charge was dismissed at Chesterfield County Circuit Court on condition Hoppe completed 25 hours of community service, which she did. Eleven hours were spent volunteering at St Stephen's Episcopal Church in Richmond. Hoppe denied the three charges against her in a video call hearing on April 4 at the federal district court for the District of Columbia. She is being held at the Central Detention Facility in DC and her next hearing is June 6. Her former husband who was appointed as a federal magistrate judge for the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia in 2014 is a board member of Foothills Child Advocacy Center which says one of its goals is to ensure child safety. The judge, who lives in a quiet, picturesque corner of Charlottesville, declined to comment when contacted by DailyMail.com. Rita Jenrette Boncompagni Ludovisi, 73, has been evicted from a luxury villa in Rome after a court ruled it should go to her step-children Her life reads like the plot of a summer blockbuster novel - and a Texan Playboy model's eviction from her Italian mansion has shed fresh light on her fascinating backstory. Rita Jenrette Boncompagni Ludovisi, 73, has just been evicted from her $533m villa in Rome - the most expensive house in the world, which she spent almost 20 years helping to renovate. It comes after a battle over her three stepchildren's inheritance and maintenance of the mansion. It has now emerged that Rita once helped Donald Trump broker the purchase of the $800m General Motors Building in Manhattan in 1998, which the former president still owns. She said that the former President made an impression on her after announcing that he was a billionaire, adding: 'No one has ever said to me, 'I'm worth $3.5 billion,' and I've been around a lot of wealthy people. So it kind of took me back. It was a surprise.' Rita told Forbes that she helped broker $1 billion of real estate transactions between 1995 and 2001, with deals spanning from the East Coast to Arizona. Rita Jenrette Boncompagni Ludovisi, 73, has just been evicted from her $533m villa in Rome - the most expensive house in the world which she spent almost 20 years helping to renovate The princess helped Donald Trump broker the $800m purchase of the prestigious General Motors building in Manhattan, pictured As part of her work she also co-founded a real estate company called Sullivan Jenrette, backed by Britain's Intercapital investment firm. But Rita's foray into real estate didn't stop her eviction from her 16th Century Italian mansion, which triggered global headlines and fresh stories on her action-packed life. Rita grew up a Republican, but married a Dem lawmaker called John Jenrette. She once claimed they had sex on the steps of Congress - but now denies such a tryst ever took place. claiming they had sex with on the steps of Congress, something she later played down. Born to C. Hunt Carpenter, a self-made millionaire who founded the Shamrock Insurance Company, and cattle fortune heiress Reba Garlington, the future princess grew up in a $1.4million property in San Antonio, Texas. The princess fantasized about living in Rome and marrying from a young age, traveling to the city at just 16 with her older sister, Glady, who still lives in Texas. Rita married Democratic Representative John Jenrette Jr, after she had worked as a research director for the Republican National Committee Her relatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment by DailyMail.com. Rita has no children, but has been married three times, first to US Army Pilot Edward Coleman in 1973, when she was just 22 years of age. They honeymooned in Europe, and lived together at Lake Travis in central Texas along the Colorado River. But that marriage didn't last long, with the couple splitting just over a year later in 1974 despite having a lavish wedding in St Mary's Cathedral in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Rita then announced a wedding to Democratic Representative John Jenrette Jr, after she had worked as a research director for the Republican National Committee. Jenrette had divorced his first wife, Sally, in 1975, and was 40 when he married Rita, who was fourteen years his junior at 26. The couple married in Alexandria, Virginia, with the bride resigning as the GOP's research director in October 1975 after dating Jenrette. She said that she left the job after being ordered by her bosses to spy on her new husband's rival political party. The future princess grew up in a $1.4million property in San Antonio, Texas, and was a self-confessed tomboy growing up Rita appeared on Fantasy Island in 1982 and in 1986 appeared Off-Broadway in A Girl's Guide to Chaos The congressman from South Carolina was convicted of bribery and conspiracy in 1980, as part of the Abscam sting, with Rita testifying in his defense. He claimed that alcoholism made him lose his judgment when he accepted a $50,000 bribe form an undercover agent, resulting in him being sentenced to two years in prison, five on probation and fined $20,000. The bribe offer was part of the Abscam investigation in which Federal agents posed as wealthy Arabs and offered several members of Congress bribes in exchange for favors. One Senator and six Representatives, including Jenrette, were convicted of charges growing out of the investigation. However, after the couple divorced the following year, she decided to pose topless for Playboy which she claimed to the New Yorker was because of 'years of cheating'. Jenrette reportedly said that nobody would want to look at a twenty-nine-year-old woman with no clothes on, with Rita rebuffing: 'I just thought, I'll show you.' Prince Nicolo Boncompagni Ludovisi (right) and Princess Rita are pictured together prior to his death in 2018. Texas-born Rita, a former Playboy model, now faces eviction from their lavish Roman villa as early as Thursday after a judge accused her of failing to maintain the property Born to C.Hunt Carpenter, a self-made millionaire who founded the Shamrock Insurance Company, and cattle fortune heiress Reba Garlington, Rita first got married in 1973 to US Army Pilot Edward Coleman Rita, pictured with Hugh Hefner, decided to appear in Playboy magazine, posed for Playboy and wrote a piece called The Liberation of a Congressional Wife after her split with Jenrette Sensationally she claimed that they made love on the steps of the Capitol, something which she has now said that she exaggerated greatly for the publication. In the essay she said that she had already 'been found guilty of an equally serious offense: not fitting in.' Rita appeared 1984's Zombie Island Massacre (pictured in blue to the left) She wrote that her detractors believed she was 'too flashy, too blonde, too outspoken' to be a politician's wife. 'If you are living a public life and you don't speak out openly and honestly,' she wrote, 'then what have you lived for?' She even wrote a personal memoir after his conviction, called 'My Capitol Secrets', before moving to LA where she tried to reinvent herself as an actress. Rita appeared on Fantasy Island in 1982, in movies like 1984's Zombie Island Massacre and in 1986 appeared Off-Broadway in A Girl's Guide to Chaos. However, she said one of her favorite jobs was working as a correspondent for two years of the info-tainment series A Current Affair. Her acting career slowly fizzled out, so the enterprising Texan switched to investment following in her father's' footsteps. She worked for investment firm Bridgewater under Ray Dalio before becoming a high-rolling real estate broker in New York. Sensationally she claimed that they made love on the steps of the Capitol, something which she has now said that she exaggerated greatly for the publication Despite the photos causing a scandal in 1980's Washington, she claims that she doesn't regret the Playboy images telling Forbes in 2021 that Prince Nicolo was 'proud of her' A newspaper ad announced the marriage of Rita to first husband John Jenrette in 1976. He was a Democrat congressman - with Rita quitting her job with the GOP after being ordered to spy on her new husband's party The congressman from South Carolina was convicted of bribery and conspiracy in 1980, as part of the Abscam sting, with Rita testifying in his defense Rita met her third husband, His Serene Highness Prince Nicolo Boncompagni Ludovisi, then 61, through mutual friends in 2002. She was told he was an Italian prince, interested in building a hotel at one of his palatial family properties located outside of Rome, but was unimpressed. He invited her to Rome to visit the property, and married in 2009 living together in Villa Aurora until his death in 2018. They started restoring the property soon after they moved in, with Rita estimating they spent at least $10million on renovations. Rita said: 'I knew how important it was to him, and it became very important to me. Rita met her third husband, His Serene Highness Prince Nicolo Boncompagni Ludovisi, then 61, through mutual friends in 2002 The princess fantasized about living in Rome and marrying from a young age, travelling to the city at just 16 Rita met president Jimmy Carter during her time as a politicians wife, but claimed her husband cheated on her multiple times Tucked away in a small room on the second floor of the villa, Jupiter, Neptune And Pluto (pictured) is the only ceiling painting by Caravaggio 'We gave up everything. I didn't go out shopping and buy Birkin bags and shoes and the latest fashionor anything else at all.' Despite the photos causing a scandal in 1980's Washington, she claims that she doesn't regret the Playboy images telling Forbes in 2021 that Prince Nicolo was 'proud of her'. The pair also had a bichon frise dog, which they referred to as their daughter, and spent many hours looking at museum-worthy murals of nature scenes by Pomarancio, Paul Bril, Giovanni Battista Viola, Domenichino and Guercino. After divorcing Jenrette she decided to pose topless for Playboy which she claimed to the New Yorker was because of 'years of cheating' 'I couldn't have asked for a more wonderful life,' she says of her time with her late husband. But on Thursday, April 20 she was forced to pack her four bichon frise dogs into a taxi on after being evicted from the historic property which contains the only known ceiling painted by Caravaggio. She was 'brutally evicted' from her home, moaning that she had 'lovingly taken care' of the building for the last 20 years. A court ruled that she allowed an exterior wall in the world's most expensive property to crumble something which she denies. Posting a video shortly before her eviction, she said: 'It's illegal. I think that it's a travesty this is a brutal ending and unnecessary. 'It didn't have to happen this way I don't get it. Someone said it's because I'm a woman and I'm American 'This is so illegal it's incomprehensible what they're doing. It's all about money obviously.' The 73-year-old said she was 'brutally evicted' from her home, moaning that she had 'lovingly taken care' of the building for the last 20 years She was evicted from the historic property which contains the only known ceiling painted by Caravaggio She was escorted by Carabinieri police out of the property with locksmiths changing the locks on Thursday Princess Rita Boncompagni Ludovisi (center) decided to appear in Playboy magazine, posing in a feather boa in a photoshoot to accompany an article that she'd written, headlined The Liberation of a Congressional Wife Rome Judge Miriam Iappelli issued an eviction order in January, accusing the princess of having violated a previous order forbidding her from conducting guided tours of the property. Rita said the tours were necessary to raise money to maintain the villa. In addition, the judge found that the princess had failed to maintain the home in a 'good state of conservation' after an exterior wall allegedly crumbled. But photos posted on social media show that a top piece of the wall appeared to have become dislodged, rather than the collapse of the structure entirely. One of the heirs, Prince Bante Boncompagni Ludovisi, was on hand Thursday at the villa to watch 'that woman,' as he refers to his father's widow, leave the property. He said: 'This house needs renovations. The pipelines of water need to be restored and the frescoes are in danger. 'This is a country: We have our police, we have our judges and you need to respect our country and our laws if you stay here.' It's not clear who will now undertake the work on the house, which needs at least 11 million euros in renovations to bring it up to code. Rep. Carlos Gimenez's endorsement means the majority of the 20 GOP members from the sunshine state have formally selected Trump over DeSantis Rep. Carlos Gimenez is the latest Florida Republican to endorse Donald Trump over Ron DeSantis for president in 2024, DailyMail.com has exclusively learned, as the race to secure backing from leaders in the key battleground state ramps up. 'I am proud to endorse President Donald J. Trump to serve as our next Commander-In-Chief to fight socialism both at home and abroad, rebuild our economy, and to secure and protect our nation so that America continues being the freest, most exceptional country in the history of the world,' Gimenez told DailyMail.com Friday. 'I was born in Cuba and fled my native homeland shortly after the Communist takeover. In South Florida, we truly understand the value of freedom first-hand because so many of us know how it feels to live without it,' Gimenez continued. 'Under Joe Biden, America is less safe, less prosperous, and less free.' The endorsement comes after a handful of other Florida Republican lawmakers have publicly expressed in recent days that they will back the former president in his bid for a second term. It is a blow to sitting Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is widely expected to enter the 2024 GOP primary, although he has not yet officially announced. Gimenez's endorsement is the eleventh total in the Florida GOP delegation to throw support behind Trump in 2024. Rep. Carlos Gimenez is the eleventh Florida Republican to back Trump over DeSantis in 2024 DeSantis is in Washington, D.C., this week meeting with former colleagues and speaking at the Heritage Foundation The Florida lawmakers in addition to Gimenez who are backing Trump include: Matt Gaetz, Brian Mast, Anna Paulina Luna, Cory Mills, Greg Steube, Byron Donalds, Vern Buchanan, Gus Bilirakis, Michael Waltz and John Rutherford. The 11 Florida GOP lawmakers who have endorsed Trump joined the former president at dinner at Mar-a-Lago Thursday evening. Now, the majority of the 20 GOP members from the sunshine state have formally selected Trump over DeSantis. Only one Florida lawmaker, Rep. Laurel Lee, has stated support for DeSantis. Lee is serving her first term in Congress and worked as the Florida secretary of state under the DeSantis administration. DeSantis stopped by the Capitol this week to meet with lawmakers that he used to serve with in Congress and will also be speaking at the Heritage Foundation Leadership Summit Friday. Additionally, Lance Gooden of Texas said earlier this week that he will support Trump despite having a 'positive' meeting with DeSantis in the Capitol. 'I met with Governor DeSantis,' Gooden said after his meeting with the governor Tuesday. 'And while he has done commendable work in Florida, there is no doubt in my mind that President Trump is the only leader who can save America from the leftist onslaught we are currently facing,' Gooden continued. Trump, who announced his 2024 candidacy last November, so far has over 45 endorsements in the House and just under 10 in the Senate. Trump announced his 2024 candidacy last November and has the backing of over 45 members of the House The former president has started attacking DeSantis on social media, and his campaign arm put out a graphic ad last week poking fun at a report that the governor once used his fingers to spoon pudding into his mouth without a spoon. Trump is set to speak at a campaign event in New Hampshire next week. DeSantis recently visited New Hampshire and South Carolina, and his super PAC has reportedly made hires in several key presidential nominating states including South Carolina and Iowa. Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley has declared her candidacy and has also traveled to several early voting states in recent weeks. Republican commentator Vivek Ramaswamy is also an official GOP contender. Vice President Mike Pence has said that he plans to make an announcement on 2024 in the coming weeks. The Albanese Government has slashed the number of New Zealand visa cancellations based on character by almost half. The drastic drop in Kiwis being sent back to New Zealand on character grounds, which includes having a significant criminal history, has seen Labor accused of 'going soft on criminals, sex offenders and drug traffickers'. In January, the Albanese government overhauled its approach to deporting NZ citizens who have spent more than one year in an Australian prison. Length of time someone has lived in Australia will be taken into account when considering whether to deport Kiwis. Department of Home Affairs documents found only 129 'Subclass 444' NZ visas were cancelled in the 2022-2023 financial year. It's a dramatic dip compared to the 244 cancellations in 2021-2022 and the 466 who were sent home in 2019-2020. New data shows the Albanese Government has almost halved the number of New Zealander visa cancellations, just a day before Anthony Albanese welcomes Kiwi PM Chris Hipkins for a two-day visit on Saturday (pictured, the PMs in February) Opposition immigration spokesman Dan Tehan said the relax on deportations could be putting Australians in danger. 'Australians always worry that Labor don't have the stomach to take the tough decisions to keep our country safe,' he told the Telegraph. 'They will now, rightly, be asking why is Labor going soft on criminals, sex offenders and drug traffickers. 'The Coalition refused or cancelled 10,206 visas under the character provision of the Migration Act, including 335 who were outlaw motorcycle gang members, associates, or organised crime figures. 'We did this to keep Australians safe.' Data showed the Department of Home Affairs eased on visa cancellations across the board with only 280 made in total this financial year compared to 616 in 2021-22 and 914 in 2020-21. The Opposition accused Labor of 'going soft on criminals, sex offenders and drug traffickers' after hearing only 129 NZ visa cancellations on character grounds were made this year Immigration Minister Andrew Giles told his department in January to consider how long Kiwis convicted of serious crimes had lived in Australia before cancelling their visas. 'The Department of Home Affairs must now consider the length of time someone has lived in the Australian community as one of the primary considerations when determining whether to cancel someone's visa,' a spokesperson for Giles said. 'Where individuals pose a risk to the community, the Australian government will continue to cancel their visas and remove them.' His announcement followed months of former NZ prime minister Jacinda Ardern campaigning against the deportation of Kiwis who have no family in NZ. In 2020, Ardern called out former Australian PM Scott Morrison for 'testing' ties between the country by '(deporting) your people and your problems'. Vallow, 49, is on trial in Boise, Idaho, for the murder of her two children Lori Vallow invented a series of bizarre claims about her dead husband plotting to kill her when cops came looking for her murdered son, bodycam footage played at her murder trial this week revealed. The doomsday cult mom, 49, said Charles Vallow planned to murder her for a $2 million life insurance payout - even though he was killed by Vallows brother months earlier in a failed attempt to pocket cash from his own policy. Vallow told the lie to police when they visited her home in Rexburg, Idaho, on November 26, 2019, to conduct a welfare check on JJ Vallow, seven, who hadnt been seen for a month. JJs grandmother, Kay Woodcock, requested the check as concerns mounted about the boy and his sister, Tylee Vallow, 16, who had been missing since September. Prosecutors say the children had already been murdered when the check was carried out. Bodycam footage of the visit captured by Detective Sergeant David Stubbs, from Rexburg Police Department, was played to jurors at Vallows trial on Thursday. 'Doomsday cult mom' Lori Vallow's trial for the murders of her children JJ, 7, and Tylee, 16 started on Monday. She is pictured in August 2022 Vallow is accused of killing her two children, seven-year-old Joshua (JJ), left, and 16-year-old Tylee, right He went to the home after other officers visited earlier that day and were met by Chad Daybell and Vallows brother, Alex Cox, who acted suspicious and claimed Vallow and the kids werent home. In Stubbs footage, a police officer tells Vallow: Officers who were here earlier were checking and they got a bad vibe like something was going on here. Nobody knew anything about a child, nobody was talking. Vallow replied that the situation was very weird and claimed another one of her brothers is trying to kill me. She said Charles Vallow, who was shot dead by Alex Cox months earlier, had been trying to kill me for $2 million life insurance. She also complained to the officers about Charles decision to remove her from his life insurance policy - which hed done after Vallow claimed he was possessed. We got nothing, Vallow said. I dont tell people the truth about where we are or what we are doing because of those reasons. The footage was played by prosecutors who claim Vallow and Daybell killed her children after labeling them zombies who were possessed by evil spirits. The trial has heard haunting details about the couples deranged views and their claim that they were tasked by god to lead humans through the second coming of Jesus Christ. In the November welfare check, Vallow also falsely claimed Tylee - who had allegedly been dead for a month - was a student at BYU Idaho university in Rexburg. The university had no record of her attending or even applying to study there. Kay, left, and Larry Woodcock, right, cared for JJ, center, for the first 10 months of his life before he was adopted by Lori Vallow and her fourth husband Charles The 'charred remains' of Tylee Ryan, 16, and JJ Vallow, seven, were found at the couple's home in Salem, Idaho. Pictured: Investigators searching the property on June 9, 2020 Tylee's badly burned remains were discovered buried in Chad Daybell's backyard in June 2020 Lori Vallow, right, allegedly held a 'casting' to rid her husband Charles, left, of a 'dark spirit' Vallow tells the police officers that she had told Kay Woodcock that JJ is fine and claims the little boy was staying with her close friend, Melanie Gibb, in Arizona. Police who spoke to Gibb later discovered that was a lie. Vallow concluded the visit by saying she just doesnt want to be found. At one point in the interaction, one of the officers asks if the Daybell that was present earlier that day lives nearby and asks: Didnt his wife pass away recently? Vallow and Daybell allegedly murdered Tammy Daybell in October 2019 after claiming she was possessed by a demon named Viola. Police returned with a search warrant on November 27 but Vallow, Daybell and Cox had fled the property. They found a jarring combination of guns, knives and childrens toys scattered around the apartment - along with other weaponry and a creepy Halloween mask. Vallow and Daybell were later tracked down in Hawaii. Vallow was initially charged with child abandonment and the couple were later charged with murder after the childrens remains were found in Daybells yard in June 2020. JJ, 7, was found buried in a shallow grave wearing red pajamas in June 2020 When police came he drove off and then allegedly blew 0.230 The 35-year-old pulled into a McDonald's drive-thru and fell asleep Man five times over the limit makes early morning fast food pit stop A man accused of drink driving was allegedly almost five times over the legal limit when he fell asleep at the wheel at a McDonald's drive-thru. The 35-year-old Paralowie man was driving along Port Wakefield Rd in Adelaide's north about 5.30am on Thursday when he decided he wanted an early morning bite to eat. As he turned into the Bolivar fast-food restaurant police say he drove directly through a barbed wire fence, bee-lining it to the drive-thru. McDonald's staff called police after the man failed to place an order and they realised he was asleep. An accused drunk driver was caught napping behind the wheel at an Adelaide McDonald's drive-thru - with police alleging he then blew 0.230, or almost five times over the legal limit (pictured: McDonald's at Bolivar, Adelaide) As he turned into the Bolivar fast-food restaurant police say he drove directly through a barbed wire fence, bee-lining it to the drive-thru where he then fell asleep (pictured: damage to wire fence at fast-food restaurant) When officers arrived the 35-year-old drove off before a highway patrol car pulled him into a nearby BP service station carpark. 'Police spoke to the driver, a 35-year-old Paralowie man, who they strongly suspected of being intoxicated,' a SA police spokesperson said. 'He was breath-tested, allegedly returning a positive reading of 0.230 almost five times the limit.' His car was towed from the scene andimpounded for 28 days, police say. The 35-year-old immediately lost his licence for 12 months and will appear in court at a later date on a charge of drink-driving without due care. Thieves have pulled off a massive gold heist at Toronto's main international airport, with CA $20 million (USD $15m) swiped from a cargo terminal on Monday in what police said was a 'very rare' theft. The robbery is the largest gold theft since July 2019, when $30 million was stolen from an airport in Sao Paulo, Brazil. On Thursday, Inspector Stephen Duivesteyn said the container with the gold arrived on a plane early Monday evening. He would not say where it came from. The plane was unloaded, and its cargo taken to a holding facility. Duivesteyn said the container was 'removed by illegal means,' and reported missing shortly after the plane was unloaded. Inspector Stephen Duivesteyn is pictured on Thursday giving a briefing about the gold theft on Monday night from Toronto's Pearson airport Toronto's Pearson airport - the main international airport in the city, and a substantial cargo terminal 'An aircraft arrived here at the airport in the early evening. As per normal procedure, the aircraft was unloaded and cargo was transported from the aircraft to a holding cargo facility,' he said. It is not known if the gold remains in the country. The Ottawa Sun reported that the gold may have been shipped into Toronto from a mine in Northern Ontario for one of the banks. Duivesteyn said police had not yet confirmed the thieves were a professional gang, but the investigation is ongoing. The Toronto Sun reported that organized criminal gangs were suspected of being behind the theft. 'We feel this to be an isolated incident,' said Duivesteyn. 'Therefore, for the traveling public that are concerned about coming and flying out, they should have no concern. We do not consider this to be a public safety matter.' Duivesteyn said the theft was 'very rare'. It is the largest airport heist since the Brazilian robbery in 2019. The suspects entered Guarulhos airport in Sao Paulo dressed as police officers and took the gold, which had been destined for New York and Zurich. In the space of less than three minutes, eight armed men disguised as agents who had arrived in two fake police vans stole the gold without firing a shot. The thieves took two security guards hostage and the family of one of them to force their help, according to police reports. The cargo was heavy and the thieves decided to use airport employees and some trucks to get it into one of the vans before they fled. Hours later, the hostages were released and the vehicles were located abandoned in Sao Paulo. Canadian police said on Thursday there was no threat to the public from Monday's heist The thieves made off with gold and other valuables, police said on Thursday Three people were arrested - all of them airport employees. One of the largest gold heists in history was the 1983 Brinks-Mat robbery, in which thieves stole 26 million ($32m) from a depot near London's Heathrow airport. At the time, it was the largest robbery in world history and changed British policing forever. Efforts to dispose of the gold are now thought to have caused the birth of major-scale international money laundering. Much of the gold has never been recovered, and only two of the six robbers were ever convicted. Perhaps the most famous airport heist was the 1967 theft from an Air France plane at New York's JFK airport, which was immortalized in the film Goodfellas. The airline had a contract to transport U.S. currency back to America from troops fighting in Vietnam, and the gang - members of the Lucchese mafia family - stole $420,000, or about $3.5 million in today's money. Eleven years later, the gang would strike again, targeting a Lufthansa flight at JFK and making off with $5.9 million - the equivalent of $25 million today. Only one person, airport worker Louis Werner, was ever convicted. The man accused of stabbing Cas App founder Bob Lee to death in early San Francisco on April 4 was previously cited for domestic battery inside his loft in 2022. Bay Area tech executive Nima Momeni was arrested on August 1 for the alleged beating of a woman in Emeryville, a small city located just north of Oakland. An unnamed woman called police and reported Momeni 'grabbed her arm & pulled it, pushed her physically,' records obtained by the SF Chronicle reveal. Additionally, the Bay Area outlet reports police were called to Momeni's home on three other occasions over the past four years. Momeni, 38, is accused of stabbing Bob Lee three times with a kitchen knife around 2.30am near the west end of the Bay Bridge. Investigators believe Momeni was confronting Lee about a relationship with his sister, who is married. Nima Momeni, the man accused of stabbing Cas App founder Bob Lee to death in early San Francisco on April 4, was previously cited for domestic battery inside his loft in 2022 Lee, the founder and creator of Cash App, was stabbed in San Francisco on April 4 In the August 2022 incident, the woman who contacted police said Momeni had gotten physical and attacked her and that she needed assistance. Cops arrived at Momeni's building within 10 minutes of the 3.11pm call. Once at the scene, police met with the woman on a stairwell and Momeni arrived to talk with them several moments later. According to the report obtained by the SF Chronicle, the cops cited and released Momeni on suspicion of battery almost an hour after the call came in. They then waited with the victim who was arranging transportation before eventually giving her a ride. In another incident at Momeni's residence from October, police say his car - a white BMW - was vandalized. The vehicle is the same one police believe he used to drive Lee to the spot where he later fatally stabbed him in the downtown area. In that case, the man said he knew who had messed with his car, but records did not indicate how the situation was resolved. A June 2019 call from his home to Emeryville police reported possible identity theft. The records obtained by the local news outlet did not indicate whether Momeni was the caller, however. The person told police they had noticed suspicious credit card denials in the mail. In the August 2022 incident, the woman who contacted police said Momeni (pictured above) had gotten physical and attacked her and that she needed assistance Momeni depicted in a court sketch Friday. His sister was in the courtroom to support him. The pair immigrated to the US from Iran as children Khazar and her husband, plastic surgeon Dr. Dino Elyassnia, Friday at her brother's arraignment. Prosecutors laid out part of their case on Friday and she is at the center of her brother's alleged motive Momeni's lawyer said in a recent interview that Lee and Khazar Elyassnia had a relationship According to Momeni's lawyer, since his arrest in mid-April, the former IT consultant has been placed on suicide watch inside the city's jail. Paula Canny said Momeni was being closely monitored, which is 'standard' in high-profile cases in San Francisco. The attorney, in an interview with the New York Post, also confirmed a relationship between Lee and Momeni's sister, Khazar Elyassnia. 'Bob Lee and his sister definitely knew each other,' said Canny. Prosecutors allege that Lee and Momeni were arguing about Khazar at the time the stabbing took place. Video footage first obtained by DailyMail.com showed Lee stumbling through the streets of downtown San Francisco before collapsing and dying from his wounds. The suspected murderer is said to have been grilling Lee about whether Khazar had been 'doing drugs or anything inappropriate.' Khazar is married to Dr. Dino Elyassnia, one of San Francisco's top plastic surgeons. One witness who said he'd been friends with Lee for a decade told police that he believed Lee and Khazar were having an intimate relationship. The unnamed witness said Khazar and her husband's marriage might have been in 'jeopardy.' Canny, pictured, says Lee and Momeni were not good friends - and that the murdered tycoon was much closer to Momeni's sister Khazar Elyassnia Momeni's arrest happened days after Lee's stabbing sent shockwaves throughout the area On April 4, Lee was filmed on surveillance cameras staggering into an apartment building in downtown San Francisco at 2.35am after being stabbed. Yesterday, police searched the nearby apartment of Momeni's sister, Khazar. It's unclear if they'd been together or at the apartment earlier in the night Momeni's lawyer has claimed there is much more to this story than meets the eye. 'There's so much more to this - and a much greater backstory than what has been disclosed at all in the government's pleading,' she said. She warned that the San Francisco District Attorney's Office 'seem to think they have enough to make an arrest, but I haven't seen it.' 'So, until I see it and analyze it, I'm gonna say they've made a mistake,' she added. 'There isn't enough [to hold him].' Momeni has been jailed without bail and is scheduled to next appear in San Francisco Superior Court on April 25. Dominic Raab will 'fight to the death' to keep his Cabinet job as it hangs by a thread after Rishi Sunak was handed the findings of a report into bullying allegations. The Prime Minister received the conclusions of Adam Tolley KC's investigation into bullying claims yesterday, but spent the day considering whether to dismiss his Deputy PM and Justice Secretary, delaying the decision until today. The investigation into Mr Raab includes eight formal complaints about his behaviour as foreign secretary, Brexit secretary and during his first stint as justice secretary. Labour accused Mr Sunak of lacking the 'guts' to sack his ally and said the decision was distracting him from leading the country. Shadow attorney general Emily Thornberry said: 'I think it's another example of Conservative chaos and not addressing the problems of the country. Rishi Sunak was agonising over whether to sack Dominic Raab last night after receiving a long-awaited report into allegations of bullying The investigation into Mr Raab includes eight formal complaints about his behaviour as foreign secretary, Brexit secretary and during his first stint as justice secretary 'He's going to spend tonight looking at the report and trying to summon up the courage to work out whether he should sack his deputy or not when really what he should be doing is focusing on a cost-of-living crisis. 'He's got the report, read the report, if he's a bully, sack him.' Allies of Mr Raab said 'he'll fight to the death', claiming Mr Sunak's delay in making a decision suggested there were 'grey areas' and the report was not 'cut and dried'. Dave Penman, general secretary of the FDA union, was critical of the time it was taking for Mr Sunak to reach a decision on whether to remove Mr Raab from Government, calling the delay a 'farce'. Downing Street promised the Prime Minister would reach a decision 'swiftly' but it appeared unlikely to be made within 24 hours of him receiving Mr Tolley's submitted investigation. 'Imagine being a civil servant who has been brave enough to raise a complaint against the Deputy Prime Minister, sitting in a government department and you're watching this farce play out live on television, not knowing what your fate is going to be about the complaints you have raised,' Mr Penman said. 'No-one knows what is going to happen now, there are no rules associated with any investigation, there are no rights for anyone who raises a complaint.' He added: 'It feels like almost every week there is an issue with sleaze and scandal where Rishi Sunak is either implicated himself or too weak to get to grips with it. 'People are crying out for a Government that will just get on with tackling the issues that matter, not focused on saving their own skin.' Dave Penman, general secretary of the FDA union, was critical of the time it was taking for Mr Sunak to reach a decision on whether to remove Mr Raab from Government, calling the delay a 'farce' A No10 insider said: 'It is a detailed report. The Prime Minister wants to consider the findings thoroughly.' Mr Sunak's official spokesman said his previous expression of having 'full confidence' in Mr Raab still stands, commenting that 'obviously he's carefully considering the findings of the report before coming to a judgement'. Mr Raab promised to quit if found definitely to have bullied staff. Mr Sunak was tonight consulting senior advisers on whether to keep faith with his deputy or fire him and trigger a reshuffle. Cabinet Secretary Simon Case and the PM's ethics adviser Sir Laurie Magnus are among those thought to be providing advice. Mr Raab has read the report and does not consider it a resigning issue, leaving the PM to decide his fate. He had pledged to quit if Mr Tolley's investigation upheld the claims against him. Sources said he did not discuss the findings of the report with the Prime Minister today. Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner accused Mr Sunak of 'dither and delay', but a No 10 source said the PM was 'taking time to go through the report thoroughly'. The Deputy Prime Minister is facing a string of historic complaints from officials, who claim they felt bullied by his overbearing manner. He strongly disputes the allegations, saying he has 'behaved professionally throughout' his career in Government. Friends say he will 'come out swinging' if he is cleared by Mr Sunak today. One predicted the report would include 'striking' revelations in his favour. Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner (pictured) accused Mr Sunak of 'dither and delay', but a No 10 source said the PM was 'taking time to go through the report thoroughly'. Former Cabinet minister David Davis, who once employed Mr Raab as his chief of staff, has said his hard-working approach was always likely to clash with the increasingly 'millennial' mindset of the civil service. 'He takes his job very seriously, he works incredibly hard, he expects the same of others and he has a fairly no-nonsense style,' Mr Davis said. 'That's liable to run slap-bang into a lot of millennial problems lower expectations of work. Whitehall these days falls down on the job all the time. 'It was made worse by Covid and the work-from-home culture, and I can just imagine how Dominic would have run straight into that and wouldn't have given it any leeway at all.' But former civil service chief Lord Kerslake said that the behaviour of ministers 'is expected to be higher'. He told LBC Radio: 'We must get away from the idea that this is somehow a product of millennial snowflakes not able to take the heat.' Mr Sunak's official spokesman told reporters this morning: 'The Prime Minister has received the report. He is considering those findings. I'm not going to be commenting further while that process is ongoing.' Asked if Mr Sunak still had confidence in Mr Raab, the spokesman said: 'The PM is carefully considering the findings of the report. I've said he has full confidence in the [Deputy] PM before, that still stands.' Mr Raab is facing eight formal complaints about his conduct at different departments, with dozens of officials said to have given evidence against him. He has funded his own legal team to work on his defence. Mr Raab (pictured) is facing eight formal complaints about his conduct at different departments Former Cabinet minister David Davis (pictured), who once employed Mr Raab as his chief of staff, has said his hard-working approach was always likely to clash with the increasingly 'millennial' mindset of the civil service. Some officials claim to have been left in tears by his allegedly overbearing and demanding manner. He has denied being a bully, and has said ministers have the right to 'directly challenge' officials. Friends of Mr Raab acknowledge he can be a 'tough' boss but insist he has never crossed the line into bullying. They warn he has been the target of a 'politically motivated' bid by disgruntled civil servants. Senior officials at the Ministry of Justice briefed The Guardian that they would resign if Mr Raab is cleared to continue at the department. One said: 'If he stays in the department, senior people will want to walk.' But a Tory source said the 'ultimatum' by senior civil servants would help Mr Raab's cause. 'It's completely counter- productive what sort of message does it send out if the PM gives in to threats like this from officials?' the source said. Mr Raab is prized by the PM for his loyalty. During last summer's Tory leadership campaign he served as an attack dog, branding Liz Truss's approach 'electoral suicide' and sticking with Mr Sunak long after it became clear he was going to lose. But No 10 has drawn up contingency plans for a snap reshuffle today if the report is deemed to uphold the bullying claims against him. Sources suggested the PM would appoint a minister from outside the Cabinet to replace him as Justice Secretary in order to avoid the need for a wider reshuffle. Treasury minister Victoria Atkins and defence minister Alex Chalk are among those tipped for the role. A mother who needs her car to take her young daughter to medical appointments was forced to give up driving because of Australia's cost of living crisis. Meg Laidlaw from Bendigo abandoned driving her car when she faced an $8,000 bill to get it serviced and registered. The single mother of four's car first broke down in January, 2021, and since then the Ford has presented with repeated problems, leaving it unroadworthy, needing new tyres and collecting dust. According to Finder's Consumer Sentiment Tracker, Ms Laidlaw is not alone, with as many as nine million Australian drivers choosing to skip trips to the mechanic in an attempt to save money. As many as 79 per cent of Australians have reported being somewhat or extremely stressed about their financial situation in April, 2023 - up from 75 per cent at the same time in 2022. Single mother of four, Meg Laidlaw, has had to make a choice between her children's care and making her car roadworthy again The balding tyres on the Ford Falcon have made it unsafe to drive, leaving Ms Laidlaw to opt for public transport instead '(The car) broke down in January 2021 and since then I have relied on family, borrowing their cars to get to major appointments,' Ms Laidlaw told Daily Mail Australia. 'It ended up costing myself $1,900 and in the end, the total repair bill was $8,000. 'After getting it back from the mechanic, the fan belt snapped, we fixed it, then two weeks later the tensioner pulley gave out and it sat in my driveway for a while until my father temporarily fixed it.' Ms Laidlaw needs to make special medical trips to Melbourne to support her children and says the additional costs of travel have become impossible to meet, even when the car was running. 'I have to travel to the city for medical appointments for my daughter, travel two hours for an occupational and speech therapist for my other children, and travel one hour away for a paediatrician,' she said. 'Those kilometres add up, both in fuel, tyres and wear and tear to the engine.' After her story first appeared online, Ms Laidlaw said that she was contacted by a kind-hearted stranger who had been in a similar position. 'I had a lovely lady in NSW contact me and offer to pay to replace my tyres. 'I have taken the kind offer as much as I'm stubborn. She kept insisting and was just so kind and said she said it was no obligation. 'She has been in my position before and is able to make a difference now. 'Truly an angel is disguise!' Finder's research found one in seven Aussies have even began cutting back on going to the doctor and dentist as cost of living pressures grow. In addition, 27 per cent of drivers equivalent to 5.4 million drivers said they will be driving less in the next six months. Ms Laidlaw has to travel between Bendigo and Melbourne for medical appointments: 'Those kilometres add up, both in fuel, tyres and wear and tear to the engine' Up to nine million drivers are choosing to skip trips to the mechanic in an attempt to save money For Ms Laidlaw, cutting down on medical bills isn't an option, which only postpones any repairs on her car. In the next two weeks, she said that she will spend $900 on three trips to the Royal Melbourne Children's Hospital, an amount that doesn't include transport costs between Bendigo and the city. 'When you have special needs children, you choose between an important paediatrician appointment or your registration,' she said. 'The public transport to and from the city is in a shambles, especially if you are elderly, have a pram or wheel chair. 'Shopping now causes anxiety and I'm not the only one to feel this way.' Half of Australians say they are limiting eating and drinking outside of their home, which can help with household costs, says Finder's money expert, Sarah Megginson. 'Cutting down unnecessary expenses such as pricey gym memberships and eating out can make a significant impact in the long run,' Ms Megginson told Daily Mail Australia. Former Minnesota cop Kim Potter who shot and killed Daunte Wright when she mistook her taser for her gun, will be released from prison after serving a 16-month sentence. Potter, 50, served her sentence at Shakopee Minnesota Correctional Facility and will serve another eight months on probation beginning on Monday. She was seen in a recent mug shot looking frail and rail thin more than a year after she was sobbing at her sentencing trial for the April 11, 2020 death of Wright. The 26-year veteran of the force claimed she accidentally shot Wright when she reached for her gun instead of her Taser during a traffic stop over his expired plates in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. Potter, who was convicted of first and second-degree manslaughter in February 2022, received a sentence that was way below the guidelines of around seven years, and the fifteen-year maximum the state of Minnesota allows for first-degree manslaughter. Kim Potter was seen in a recent mug shot looking frail and rail thin more than a year after she was sobbing at her sentencing trial for the April 11, 2020 death of Daunte Wright Kim Potter shot and killed Daunte Wright when she mistook her taser for her gun. At the time of the shooting, Potter and other cops had pulled Wright over for driving with expired license tags At the time of the shooting, Potter and other cops had pulled Wright over for driving with expired license tags. There was a warrant out for his arrest at the time and he tried to drive away from them, which is why Potter reached for her Taser. In bodycam footage Potter can be heard repeatedly shouting, 'I'll tase you! Taser! Taser! Taser!' Moments later she then fired a round and immediately said, 'I grabbed the wrong f****** gun.' Collapsing to the curb in despair she said, 'I shot him. Oh my God.' During Potter's sentencing Judge Regina Chu took pity on the former officer noting her guilt and referring to the shooting as an accident. Potter's clean background also resulted in her lessened time in jail. 'She never intended to hurt anyone. Her conduct cries out for a sentence significantly below the guidelines,' Chu said in court. At her sentencing, Potter wept as she apologized to Wright's family, highlighting his mother, Katie. Looking toward them in the courtroom she said: 'To the family of Daunte Wright. I am so sorry that I brought the death of your son, father brother uncle, and the rest of your family. 'To your mom Katie, I understand a mother's love and I am sorry I broke your heart. My heart is broken for all of you,' she sobbed. But the victim's mother Katie looked directly at Potter as she told her she would 'never forgive' her and asked Judge Regina Chu not to show leniency. 'She left our world with so much darkness and heartache. 'The best way I can explain is that I feel a sinking feeling every day that a mother gets when she realizes her kid is missing in a grocery store and you can't see him, feel him, know if he's safe. Daunte was only 20. He had so much of his life ahead of him. 'She took our baby boy with a single gunshot through the heart and she shattered mine. She took his future. Katie continued: 'For that, I will never be able to forgive you. I will never be able to forgive you for what you have stolen from us. The 26-year veteran of the force, claimed she accidentally shot Wright when she reached for her gun instead of her Taser during a traffic stop over his expired plates in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota Potter is shown on surveillance cameras sobbing as she realized what she has done Kim Potter choked on tears as she addressed the court in Minneapolis during her sentencing last year. She apologized to Daunte Wright's family At her sentencing, Potter wept as she apologized to Wright's family, highlighting his mother, Katie. Pictured: Daunte Wright Following Potter's 2022 sentencing trial, havoc wrecked in the courtroom against Potter and Wright supporters. Diamond Wright, Daunte's sister, was put in handcuffs. There were confused reports that she had been fighting with Chyna Whitaker, the mother of Daunte's two-year-old son. Some reported that she was trying to protect Whitaker from an attack from someone else. Potter spent the past year locked up a five-level security prison located about 25 miles southwest of downtown Minneapolis The facility cares for about 650 female prisoners and offers a variety of in-prison programs designed to help in rehabilitation, according to Prison Fellowship. The inmates are invited to participate in a 5K runs, further their education and grow their relationship with God. Promotional materials show inmates studying, sewing and planting produce that is then donated to community members in need. One inmate is even trying to pursue a law degree while behind bars. The facility is also the first prison to offer a pipeline program that allows inmates to pursue a law degree while behind bars. The prison also provides inmates with opportunities to further their education and pursue their professional dreams. Queen Camilla's son has hit back at Prince Harry for suggesting Her Majesty was 'dangerous' and a 'villain' who 'played the long game' to get her hands on the crown. Tom Parker Bowles lambasted the controversial Prince for the comments aimed at his mother. Although Harry's ghostwritten mudslinging memoir Spare has flown off the shelves, it has courted a number of scandals since publication. Parker Bowles told The News Agents podcast: 'I don't care what anyone says this wasn't any sort of end game. She married the person she loved and this is what happened.' Harry claimed in Spare, which was published in January, that his father's wife leaked stories about the Royal Family to the media to bolster her image. Queen Camilla's son Tom Parker Bowles has hit back at Prince Harry for suggesting Her Majesty was 'dangerous' and a 'villain' who 'played the long game' to get her hands on the crown. Pictured: Prince Harry and Tom Parker Bowles in 2008 near Hungerford Parker Bowles (pictured on Thursday) told The News Agents podcast: 'I don't care what anyone says this wasn't any sort of end game. She married the person she loved and this is what happened' Queen Camilla was left 'hurt' by Prince Harry's comments about her in Spare, close friend Lady Lansdowne has said Then-Prince Charles and The Duchess Of Cornwall, Camilla Parker Bowles, pose in the white drawing room for the official wedding group photo following their earlier marriage at The Guildhall, at Windsor Castle, on April 9, 2005, in Berkshire Camilla's son has defended her against the comments Prince Harry made about her in his memoir He added she had 'sacrificed him' in order to improve her reputation and accused other palace sources of briefing the press about his wife Meghan. The coronation will be the first time Prince Harry will see his stepmother since the Queen's funeral, in which time he released his damning book and saw his and Meghan's Netflix series air. Despite the decision for him to attend alone while Meghan remains with the couple's children in California, it is feared the ceremony will be an awkward affair due to the anger still felt by members of the Royal Family in the wake of Harry's bombshell memoir. In Spare, he wrote of Camilla: 'I have complex feelings about gaining a step-parent who I thought had recently sacrificed me on her personal PR altar.' Harry also said that he and his brother William had 'begged' their father not to marry Camilla because they feared she would become their 'wicked stepmother'. In another blow, Harry described Camilla as 'dangerous' and a 'villain' who left 'bodies in the street' in her desire to change the public's perception of her. At the time, there was no word on how the new Queen felt but an aide has now told The Sunday Times: 'It was not stamping of feet or gnashing of teeth it was much more of an eye-roll response.' Lady Lansdowne also spoke to the paper and said: 'Of course it bothers her, of course it hurts. But she doesn't let it get to her. Her philosophy is always, ''Don't make a thing of it and it will settle down least said, soonest mended.''' Since Harry published his scathing memoir, the Duke of Sussex's popularity has plummeted. He is now one of the least popular royals, alongside his similarly controversial wife Meghan Marke and his uncle Prince Andrew. In his rare interview, the Queen Consort's son also defended the rights of anti-monarchist campaigners to protest at the Coronation. Tom Parker Bowles said it was a 'free country' and that 'different views' made for a more interesting and civilised society. The coronation will be the first time Prince Harry will see his stepmother since the Queen's funeral, in which time he released his damning book Spare (pictured) and saw his and Meghan's Netflix series air Despite the decision for Harry to attend alone while Meghan remains with the couple's children in California, it is feared the ceremony will be an awkward affair due to the anger still felt by members of the Royal Family in the wake of Harry's bombshell memoir Pictured: Harry stands beside Meghan as she sheds a tear from her left eye at the state funeral service of Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Abbey The Duke of Sussex claimed he and Prince William 'begged' their father not to marry Camilla Spare has sold 1.43 million copies across all formats - hardback, audio and e-book - since its publication Eco-protestors have hinted that they could disrupt the Coronation and threats have already been made by campaign group Republic. Tom defended the groups' right to protest on Global's The News Agents podcast, saying: 'We live in thankfully a free country... if people want to protest that's their right to do so... You're allowed to protest. 'We all are allowed to have different views and I think that makes for an interesting and civilized country.' In a rare interview, he also said that it was understandable if his mother felt anxious in the run up to being crowned alongside King Charles on May 6. However the food writer added that Camilla had always been the 'uncomplaining' type. He said: 'I think anyone would be anxious on an occasion of this sort of importance in terms of the historical. 'And yes, I think I'd be terrified if I had to sort of walk out wearing ancient robes... She's 75, but you know, it's tough to do it. But she's never complained. You just do it. Get on with it.' Tom, who writes a column for the Mail on Sunday newspaper, rarely speaks about his mother publicly. But he revealed that it wasn't 'weird' to think of his mother as the Queen, saying: 'She's still my mother... I think change happens, but I don't care what anyone says. 'This wasn't any sort of end game, she married the person she loved, and this is what happened.' The writer, whose father is Camilla's first husband, Andrew Parker Bowles, added that it wouldn't change their lives at all and that it would be 'appalling' if he was to become a Duke. He said: 'You're not going to find us with great estates and being called the Duke of Whatever. No, that would be appalling.' 'I become nothing. There would be a revolution if they start handing them out to people like me. No. Why would I expect one?' He added of his mother and step-father: 'I think they're doing amazingly. I think King Charles is a good, kind, intelligent man who cares deeply about his roles wherever they may be, Prince of Wales, the King. 'He's been way ahead of his time on issues like sustainability, food security, farming, pollution, all these things. But people were calling him sort of mad and eccentric 20 years ago. 'Everything that he's talked about are now things that have hit the mainstream and now we're really worrying about. He uses his position, as far as I'm concerned, to do good.' King Charles and Camilla on their wedding day with their families (L-R back row) Prince Harry, Prince William, Tom and Laura Parker Bowles (L-R front row) Duke of Edinburgh, Queen Elizabeth II and Camilla's father Major Bruce Shand, in the White Drawing Room at Windsor Castle He also said his son, Freddy, was unaware of quite how big his star role as a Page of Honour to the King and Queen will be. 'I don't think he has a sense of the occasion. He's a 13-year-old boy who loves football, a Spurs supporter... So, his worries are about the Spurs manager and losing when we're up and that sort of stuff,' he said. 'There's no reason for our children to be in the Press at all and so we've purposely kept them well away from anything to do with that... 'I think there are a lot of rehearsals are going to happen before and he's doing it with his cousins, his two best mates, and my first cousin's son so they will know each other.' The RAF Museum is in a race against time to save a heroic Second World War pilot's Victoria Cross for the nation. As of last night, it still needs to raise just under 100,000 to prevent Arthur 'Pongo' Scarf's medal - awarded for 'supreme heroism' against 'tremendous odds' - from leaving the UK, but it has just nine days left to do it. More than 75,000 has flooded in since we featured Sqn Ldr Scarf's story and the bid to save his VC on MailOnline and Mail Plus last month, but more help is needed. Yesterday Maggie Appleton, chief executive of the RAF Museum, said: 'We'd like to thank the generous MailOnline and Mail Plus readers for helping so far with our appeal to keep Arthur Scarf's Victoria Cross in the UK. 'With only a few days to go we urge you once more to spread the word and donate. This historically significant and personally moving story belongs at the RAF Museum, so that future generations can learn from and be inspired by it.' Pilot Arthur 'Pongo' Scarf was the only RAF member in the Far East in the Second World War to be awarded the highest award for valour - the Victoria Cross The RAF Museum (pictured) is in a race against time to save the heroic Second World War pilot's Victoria Cross for the nation A painting of Arthur Scarf, who singlehandedly attacked an enemy airfield after all the others planes in his squadron were destroyed Sqn Ldr Scarf was honoured with the highest award for valour for singlehandedly attacking an enemy airfield after all the others planes in his squadron were destroyed. Pictured: Sqd Leader Scarf's VC medal He was the only RAF member to receive the VC in the Far East during the Second World War. But his medal was bought by an overseas buyer for a record 660,000 last year. It was then put under embargo by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, preventing it from being taken overseas on condition that a British-based buyer or institution matches the sale price by April 30. Sqn Ldr was awarded the VC in recognition of his bravery in a daylight raid on Singora, Malaya, on December 9, 1941. Aged 28, he attacked a Japanese air base in Thailand in his Bristol Blenheim bomber after all the other aircraft in his squadron were destroyed or damaged on the ground in a surprise Japanese air strike before they could take off. His VC citation said it would have been 'reasonable' if he had abandoned his mission, but he decided to press on alone as he 'appreciated the moral effect which it would have on the remainder of the squadron, who were helplessly watching their aircraft burning on the ground.' Pictured (L-R): The Victoria Cross with on its reverse engraving detailing: 'S/Ldr. A. S. K. Scarf. 62 Sqdn. R.A.F.' and '11 June, 1946.'; The 1939-45 Star; The Pacific Star; The Defence and War Medals 1939-45 Arthur Scarf pictured in his flying gear and his widow Sallie - who lost their unborn baby More than 75,000 has flooded in since we featured Sqn Ldr Scarf's story and the bid to save his VC on MailOnline and Mail Plus last month, but more help is needed. Pictured: 62 Squadron RAF Tengah in 1940 Pictured L-R: Sallie, Harley Boxall and Pat Boxall Pictured: Sallie Hammond, the god-daughter of Sqd Ldr Scarfs widow Sallie He completed his mission successfully despite facing constant attack from enemy fighters and, despite his wounds, got back to Malaya and managed to force-land his bullet-riddled plane in a paddy field near his base without causing any injury to his two crew - who had to hold him as he landed because he was so badly injured. His pregnant wife Sallie, a nurse at the base, donated two pints of blood and he told her 'Don't worry, keep smiling, chin up' as he was wheeled into the operating theatre. But tragically he died a few hours later. Traumatised and heartbroken, his wife lost their unborn baby. The VC was awarded posthumously in 1946 and presented to his widow by George VI at Buckingham Palace. In a letter to a friend, she later wrote how she was 'bottled up' after hearing the King say: 'Your late husband did a wonderful act for which this country will be eternally grateful.' Donations to save the medal have included 390,000 from the National Heritage Memorial Fund. To donate, click here. The American boy was shot in the head, and he died while undergoing surgery at a nearby hospital After the driver of a car they were picked up in was targeted by a gang of muggers, the chauffeur refused to stop Goiser Luis Feli, 9, was shot just 30 minutes after arriving in the Dominican Republic with his family A 9-year-old American boy was shot dead by muggers just half an hour after landing in the Dominican Republic. Gioser Luis Feli arrived at Cibao International Airport in Santiago for a spring break trip with his family Wednesday shortly before their car was targeted by a gang of thieves. Reports indicated that the driver of the car refused to stop after it was set upon by the muggers, who then opened fire before speeding away. Gioser was tragically struck in the head, and he died in hospital while undergoing surgery, according to Diario Libre. The day after the attack, the National Police arrested five men implicated in the shooting, named as Luis Angel Vargas Brito, 18, Derlin Javier Mercado Martinez, Cesar Junior Ulloa Cuevas, Jose Manuel Almonte Santana, 20, and Elian Martinez Sanchez, 22. Gioser Luis Feli, 9, died after being shot in the head during an attempted robbery soon after he and his family arrived in the Dominican Republic The tragic shooting unfolded after the family was picked up by an unnamed friend of the boy's father, Sergio Luis Feliz Mancebo. After landing in the Dominican Republic for the child's spring break, they were expected to spend several days in the country before returning to New York next Monday. In a video posted after he lost his son, Sergio said the family was intercepted by the muggers as they passed through a toll booth. The gang then opened fire when the driver of the car, one of the father's friends, refused to stop and attempted to flee. One of the bullets hit the boy in the head, and he was rushed to a local hospital for emergency surgery before he was pronounced dead. His body will be transported back to the United States. The assailants fled the scene in a white Hyundai, which police used to track them down and arrest them after discovering they had rented it shortly before the botched mugging. A press release added that the men 'admitted their participation' in the shooting. 'These detainees were captured by video surveillance cameras in this terminal and from there they followed the father of the victim,' added a police spokesperson following the arrests. The boy's father, Sergio Luis Feliz Mancebo, told police that the muggers opened fire when the driver of the car refused to stop President of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader, said he had been 'following up on the case' after the boy's death shocked the nation The boy's father warned travelers not to share information on social media when travelling to the Dominican Republic, after he posted photos of the family at JFK Airport as they waited to board their flight Wednesday. The 9-year-old's death caused shockwaves across the Dominican Republic, with news of the arrests being praised by the nation's president, Luis Abinader. 'Since I found out about the death of the child Gioser Luis Feliz, I have been following up on the case,' he said on Twitter. 'I have been informed by the Director of the National Police about the arrest of the 5 criminals who committed this horrendous crime. Now justice must be ensured in the courts.' The investigation into the shooting is ongoing. Ukrainian power plant workers allege they were tortured by Russian invaders after defiantly refusing to 'help' during the occupation of the nuclear station last year. Speaking to The Times, employees of the Zaporizhzhia power plant in the Russian-occupied city of Enerhodar told of how they were brutalised by invading forces. For months, armies fought tirelessly around Europe's largest power station, which remained staffed by Ukrainian employees under Russian control until September. One anonymous alleged victim said: 'I had bruises and blood down my face. I'd been beaten around the head and body with a rubber baton... they held a pistol with rubber bullets about a metre or two from my leg and fired.' The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine has been occupied since February 2022 A Ukrainian soldier on a tank performs firing practice at special shooting range near the frontline area amid Russia-Ukraine war, in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine on 29 March, 2023 Members of the Ukrainian State Emergency Service clear the rubble at the building which was destroyed as a result of Russian strike in Zaporizhzhia district, Ukraine, Friday, 31 March, 2023 Ihor Murashov, the plant's director, was arrested last September after refusing to work for the invaders. He evaded torture and was released after negotiations between Putin, French president Macron and the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi. Others spoke of how they have been held and beaten, shot with rubber bullets for their support of the Ukrainian forces. Some claim their colleagues were killed by Russian forces during the occupation. Some 11,000 workers were employed at the Zaporizhzhia power station when Russian forces claimed occupation on 24 February 2022, the first day of the war. As reported in The Times, the invaders 'apparently' believed they would be welcomed as they looked to exploit the resource-rich southeast of Ukraine. An employee explained that troops grew frustrated after workers refused to work to benefit Russia. Soon after they started sending employees 'to the basement'. The powerplant at Zaporizhzhia is one of the ten biggest in the world and was responsible for nearly half the nuclear output of Ukraine's four reactors. Ukrainian forces had little luck trying to recover the plant from 3 March, with rockets from both sides coming dangerously close to hitting the station. Fives months later, Mr Grossi warned about the structural integrity of the power plant and sought permission from both sides to inspect it. Both sides accused each other of trying to sabotage the IAEA mission. Energoatom, who operate the four reactors in Ukraine, warned in August last year that rockets fired back and forth risked a Chernobyl-style nuclear disaster. They suggested Russian shelling aimed specifically at containers that processed fuel. Russia claimed that Ukraine's 44th Artillery Brigade had stuck the plant a third time. Tensions mounted through August as Zelensky called for the international community to react to Russian shelling of the site. On 23 August, Ukraine's power industry head alleged that Russian forces had tortured staff at the nuclear power station. Petro Kotin said: 'They captured about 1,100 personnel from the site, and they kept them in their facilities, the captured facilities and police facilities in the town of Enerhodar. 'One person was killed. Another person was heavily wounded. 'They're trying to push on them to accept the Russian world. All kinds of psychological pushes on them.' Two days later, the power plant was disconnected from the grid, reportedly due to shelling. The site was forced to fall back on diesel generators. It was the first time the plant had been disconnected from Ukraine's national grid in nearly 40 years of operation. In the weeks that followed, the station went on and offline. UN experts were finally able to inspect the site by 1 September 2022. Blackouts continued sporadically as the region became a fixed point of the frontline. Mr Grossi, who has continued to visit the site for Russian-organised inspections, said the 'plant and physical integrity of the plant' had been 'violated several times'. Members of the Ukrainian State Emergency Service clear the rubble at the building which was destroyed as a result of Russian strike in Zaporizhzhia district, Ukraine, Friday, 31 March, 2023 A police officer inspects remains of a Russian missile which hit a residential area, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine on 9 April, 2023 A picture taken during a visit to Enerhodar shows Rosatom corporation assistant Renat Korchma (L) talking with IAEA Director Rafael Mariano Grossi (R) at the Zaporizhzhia plant Since then, more reports have also emerged of torture at the station. In March 2023, Mr Murashov told of how staff members were dragged off to a place known as 'the pit' at a nearby police station. If they returned at all, they were found heavily beaten. Mr Kontin said at the time that only around 4,600 of the plant's staff were still working as of last month. They had been given a deadline of 1 April to sign contacts tying them into working for Rosatram, a Russian-owned nuclear company. A little over half had signed, Kontin claimed, with the rest still defiant. A traveller has bragged about getting a new suitcase after he discovered his checked-in bag had been badly damaged during a regional flight. Youssef 'Youi' Tabbiche took to social media on Wednesday when he discovered his small Royal Bag suitcase cracked and with a wheel missing after taking a flight with Rex Airlines. The post was captioned: 'You can make a complaint to the airline and they will compensate you for the suitcase. Keep evidence for they will ask you for it.' Footage of the video showed him at an airport baggage carousel reacting as he surveyed the broken hard plastic of his suitcase. 'Rex what the f*** did you do to my suitcase? [It's even] missing a wheel,' he said as he checked out the damage. He took his bag over to an airline office while a second video revealed a worker obscured by a halo emoji taking a photo of the damage. Youssef 'Youi' Tabbiche (pictured with his partner) took to social media on Wednesday revealing a traveller's perk he didn't know about The TikTokker discovered his small Royal Bag suitcase was cracked and missing a wheel (pictured) after a flight he took with Rex Airlines The employee was then filmed opening up a box before giving Mr Tabbiche a brand new grey Wanderlite suitcase to replace the busted one. The TikTokker said the process took him 10 minutes to sort out and thanked the airline. 'Let's go boys, out with the old and in with the new,' he said in the vision, as his mates congratulated him on the bag swap. 'You got yourself a new bag Youi ... Wanderlite versus the old Royal Bag baby,' a friend was heard saying off camera. Mr Tabbiche gave advice over his 'lesson learned' for those who have worn out luggage they want to get rid of. 'Take them on a flight and insurance will cover it and you get yourself a brand new bag for free,' he said. Online followers shared their own dodgy baggage carousel stories while others wondered why the suitcase took such a hit. 'Someone didnt want to be working that day,' one commenter joked. 'You should see what [one airline] did to my partners bag. His underwear was on the conveyor,' a third claimed. 'I dont think Rex has anything to do with the bags, its the contractors at the airport who do many different planes and companies bags,' one more said. 'Let's go boys, out with the old in the with the new,' he said in the vision (pictured) as his mates congratulated him on the bag swap The airline employee gave Mr Tabbiche a brand new grey Wanderlite suitcase to replace the busted one But other skeptical commenters said the Royal Bag was 'probably already broken'. Meanwhile, the Rex Airlines website said baggage lost or damaged due to its own negligence must be filed and reported within three days of the incident at the destination airport. The luggage must also have the 'thermal baggage tag' still attached and sighted by Rex staff. Rex Airlines was contacted by Daily Mail Australia for comment. Police have asked for help finding an 11-year-old girl who disappeared from NSW's south coast. Eliza Glennie, 11, was last seen on Elder Crescent in Nowra, 165km south of Sydney, at about 6pm on Thursday. She is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 150cm tall, of small build, with long, dark hair and hazel eyes. NSW Police said Eliza often visits Nowra's CBD and was last seen wearing a yellow Pickachu jumper and grey pants. Family are worried for Eliza's welfare due to her young age. Anyone with information about Elizas whereabouts is urged to contact Nowra Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Alec Baldwin could face new charges in the fatal shooting of a camerawoman on the set of his Western film Rust, prosecutors in New Mexico have warned - hours after the criminal manslaughter charge was dismissed. The special prosecutors appointed to the case stressed on Thursday night that Baldwin had not been cleared. Their statement came shortly after Baldwin's lawyers said their client was 'pleased' and the actor posted a tribute to his wife on Instagram, thanking her for her support. 'This decision does not absolve Mr Baldwin of criminal culpability and charges may be refiled,' said Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis. Baldwin, 65, had insisted that he did not pull the trigger when the prop gun fired in October 2021, killing Halyna Hutchins, 42. The FBI said that was impossible. Alec Baldwin is seen on Thursday arriving at Bozeman airport in Montana, to resume shooting of his Western film, Rust Kari Morrissey (left) and Jason Lewis, special prosecutors in the Rust shooting case, issued a statement on Thursday evening saying they had 'new facts', which led them to dismiss the charges against Baldwin - but stressed he had not been cleared Charges were dropped on Thursday because new evidence showed that the gun could indeed have fired without the trigger being pulled, a source told The Wall Street Journal. The prosecutors confirmed they had obtained 'new facts' about the circumstances around the shooting, which led them to dismiss the existing charges against Baldwin. The armorer who provided the prop gun, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, is still being prosecuted as planned. 'Over the last few days and in preparation for the May 3, 2023, preliminary hearing, new facts were revealed that demand further investigation and forensic analysis in the case against Alexander 'Alec' Rae Baldwin, III,' said Morrissey and Lewis in their statement. 'Consequently, we cannot proceed under the current time constraints and on the facts and evidence turned over by law enforcement in its existing form. 'We therefore will be dismissing the involuntary manslaughter charges against Mr Baldwin to conduct further investigation. 'This decision does not absolve Mr. Baldwin of criminal culpability and charges may be refiled. 'Our follow-up investigation will remain active and on-going. Charges against Hannah Gutierrez-Reed remain unchanged. 'No further statements will be made at this time.' Rust armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was charged alongside Baldwin in Hutchins' death Baldwin is seen standing next to Hutchins - a mother-of-one - on the set of Rust in October 2021 Baldwin speaks on the phone in the parking lot outside the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office shortly after the fatal shooting Legal analysts said that the decision to dismiss the charges, but keep the door open to refiling them, was bizarre. And their statement certainly takes the shine off Baldwin's celebrations. Shortly before, his lawyers, Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro, told DailyMail.com: 'We are pleased with the decision to dismiss the case against Alec Baldwin and we encourage a proper investigation into the facts and circumstances of this tragic accident.' Baldwin arrived in Montana on Thursday to resume filming the movie, which was being shot in New Mexico at the time of Hutchins' death. He thanked his 39-year-old wife Hilaria, mother to his seven children, on hearing the news of the charges being dismissed. 'I owe everything I have to this woman,' said Baldwin, posting a photo to Instagram. Baldwin added: '(and to you, Luke)' - a reference to his attorney, Luke Nikas. It was announced earlier this year that Baldwin would remain in the lead role for Rust and that another cinematographer would replace Hutchins Despite the controversy, on Tuesday a spokesperson for Rust Movie Productions told CNN filming will continue at the Yellowstone Film Ranch in Montana Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was killed on the set of Rust in October 2021 Baldwin's legal team have been waging a fierce battle on his behalf. They have insisted that the Oscar-nominated actor was not responsible for the accident because he was told the gun was 'cold' - not loaded. There should never be live ammunition on set, and Baldwin said he trusted the film crew to carry out their professional responsibilities in sourcing prop guns and dummy ammunition. His lawyers also challenged the impartiality of the Santa Fe prosecutor, Mary Carmack-Altwies. She was removed from the case in February, after Baldwin's lawyers successfully pointed out that she could not oversee the case while running for state Senate. Carmack-Altwies said she was committed to prosecuting Baldwin, arguing that no one - no matter how famous or wealthy - was beyond the law. She said she was stepping aside for the good of the case. 'My responsibility to the people of the First Judicial District is greater than any one case, which is why I have chosen to appoint a special prosecutor in the 'Rust' case. Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis will unflinchingly pursue justice in the death of Halyna Hutchins on behalf of the people of First Judicial District,' she said at the time. Mum warns after incident at a new playground for kids A new playground for kids that cost $2.55 million to build has come under fire after a four-year-old girl had her face sliced open by a sharp-edge on a slide. The incident occurred at Anzac Park in Somerset, Tasmania with the girl's mother, Megan Bellette, taking to social media to detail what happened to her daughter. Ms Belette said on Monday her daughter was injured at the newly-built playground, warning parents that it was unsafe. Ms Bellette took to the Somerset community Facebook page saying: 'My four-year-old daughter, unfortunately, had an awful accident yesterday afternoon at the new Somerset playground, resulting in a very nasty and deep cut requiring three stitches at the emergency department.' She said she returned on Tuesday to see the slide had not been soldered off smoothly and had 'a very sharp underside'. A mum has issued a warning to parent's after her four-year-old girl's face was slashed open after running into a sharp-edge on a slide at Anzac Park in Somerset, Tasmania (pictured) Ms Belette said on Monday her daughter was injured at the newly-built playground, warning parents that it was unsafe (pictured, the four-year-old girl's cut) 'Please take care with your kiddies. I will be letting the council know tomorrow so they can fix it ASAP.' Waratah-Wynyard Council disputed the claim the playground was unsafe saying the equipment was certified as safe by a 'playground auditor'. The local council said in light of the social media post, improvements have been made by the 'contractor responsible' for constructing the playground. The social media post gained widespread attention with more than 100 comments, many of which criticised the facilities. 'Must say for the cost of the park it's not that crash hot, and it's open to the public but not even finished yet?' one man said. 'Where's the climbing thing in the middle of the platform for the slides? Barricaded off cause (sic) it hasn't even been installed yet, and then to see things like this glad your daughter is okay but that's outrageous.' While another wrote: 'tbh (sic) it should be closed now and investigated and repaired.' A spokesperson from the Waratah-Wynyard Council told The Mercury that no official report about the incident had been made. The park was only recently opened and cost more than $2.5 million to build (pictured) 'The matter was forwarded to the contractor responsible for the playground works yesterday, and improvements have since been made to the relevant equipment,' the spokesperson said. 'The playground equipment was inspected prior to the opening of the park and was certified by a playground auditor as being compliant. 'The Anzac Park playground is a long-awaited and significant asset to the Coast, and while any injury to a child is unfortunate, the playground has been enjoyed by hundreds of families since opening.' The park only opened in 2023 and cost more than $2.5million to build. Daily Mail Australia have contacted Waratah-Wynyard Council for comment. The Boys Scouts of America will start to pay sexual abuse victims from a $2.4 billion bankruptcy reorganization plan that took effect Wednesday. The plan allows the Texas-based Boy Scouts to keep operating while compensating more than 80,000 men who said in a 2020 lawsuit that they were sexually abused as children. Doug Kennedy, co-chair of the bankruptcy's official committee of abuse claimants, said survivors can now 'take an important step toward a degree of resolution for their abuse.' With the plan taking effect, assets will begin flowing gradually into a settlement trust that will evaluate claims and distribute payments to abuse survivors. It could take months, however, until the victims see their payouts, as Texas federal bankruptcy works to hire financial advisors to overlook the funds. More than 80,000 men who claimed they were sexually abused while participating in the Boy Scouts of America to receive compensation The victims will receive funds from a $2.4 billion bankruptcy reorganization plan that went into effect on Wednesday 'This is a significant milestone for the BSA as we emerge from a three-year financial restructuring process with a global resolution approved with overwhelming support of more than 85 percent of the survivors involved in the case,' Boy Scouts CEO and President Roger Mosby said in a prepared statement. The plan went into effect after the Third US Circuit Court of Appeals denied a request by the plan's opponents to issue a stay while they appeal a federal district court's approval of the plan. The denial of the stay means the plan can formally take effect, but opponents are expected to continue to pursue their appeal. The plan's opponents have argued that the staggering number of claims, when combined with other factors, suggests the bankruptcy process was manipulated. Meanwhile, US Bankruptcy Judge Laurie Selber Silverstein held a hearing Wednesday to consider requests that the Boy Scouts be allowed to pay more than $20 million in legal fees and expenses of attorneys for a coalition of law firms representing those who claim to have been abused. Those law firms are expected to take roughly 40 percent of any payments to clients from the trust. Nevertheless, attorneys for the Coalition of Abused Scouts for Justice argued that Silverstein should grant their 'relatively modest' request that the Boy Scouts of America pay a portion of their fees because of the 'extraordinary contribution' they made in developing a reorganization plan. The coalition played a dominant role in the bankruptcy, despite the existence of the official committee. Coalition law firms represent nearly 18,000 claimants and are affiliated with more than two dozen law firms that collectively represent more than 60,000 claimants. The plan's opponents have suggested that the huge number of claims was the result of a nationwide marketing effort by personal injury lawyers working with for-profit claims aggregators to drum up clients. With the plan taking effect, assets will begin flowing gradually into a settlement trust that will evaluate claims and distribute payments to abuse survivors It could take months, however, until the victims see their payouts, as Texas federal bankruptcy works to hire financial advisors to overlook the funds Silverstein in 2021 rejected a previous proposal for the Boy Scouts to pay millions of dollars in fees and expenses of attorneys hired by coalition law firms. The judge noted that any such payment would come out of the pockets of abuse claimants, a concern she reiterated Wednesday. Silverstein noted that when the coalition was formed, she wanted to know who was funding it. 'Is it coming of the claimants' pockets, or is it coming out of the law firms pockets?' she recalled asking. 'And the answer was, `It's coming out of the law firms pockets.' The judge questioned whether the fee request isn't simply a 'surcharge' to abuse claimants, because the money would otherwise go to the settlement trust. She suggested that the coalition was essentially a 'splinter group' from the official committee, and that its work was duplicative of the committee's work. 'Should their fees be paid when I have a group, an official committee, that is charged and has a fiduciary obligation to the entire survivor constituency? I'm struggling with that,' said Silverstein, who did not immediately rule. Under the plan, the Boy Scouts of America will contribute less than 10% of the settlement fund. Local Boy Scout councils, which run day-to-day operations for troops, offered to contribute at least $515 million in cash and property, conditioned on certain protections for local troop sponsoring organizations, including religious entities, civic associations and community groups. The bulk of the compensation fund will come from the Boy Scouts two largest insurers, Century Indemnity and The Hartford, which reached settlements calling for them to contribute $800 million and $787 million, respectively. Those amounts represent a fraction of the billions of dollars in potential liability exposure they faced. Smaller insurers agreed to contribute about $69 million. Other insurers, many of which provided excess coverage, have refused to settle. They contend that the procedures for distributing funds would violate their contractual rights to contest claims, set a dangerous precedent for mass tort litigation, and result in grossly inflated payments. Under the plan, insurance companies, local Scout councils and troop sponsoring organizations will receive broad liability releases protecting them from future sex abuse lawsuits in exchange for contributing to the compensation fund. Some abuse survivors argue that releasing their claims against those non-debtor third parties without their consent violates their due process rights. Such third-party releases, spawned by asbestos and product-liability cases, have been criticized as an unconstitutional form of 'bankruptcy grifting,' in which non-debtor entities obtain benefits by joining with a debtor to resolve mass-tort litigation in bankruptcy. His high-profile SpaceX rocket launch also ended in an embarrassing fireball Elon Musk's wealth dramatically nosedived by $13 billion in just 24 hours after the entrepreneur suffered a series of business blunders. On the same day the SpaceX founder's blockbuster rocket launch ended in a disastrous fireball, his electric car company, Tesla, reported disappointing first quarter results, with shares dropping by 9.75 percent and earnings plummeting by over 20 percent. Musk's failure to launch also extended to his recent acquisition of Twitter, as he sparked backlash after finally following through with his threat to remove 'legacy' verified blue ticks. The billionaire's plummeting net worth was hardest hit, however, by Tesla's poor returns, and his $13 billion drop was his biggest loss of the year so far. Elon Musk saw his fortune plummet by $13 billion after a series of business blunders Despite his disastrous day, Musk still has a net worth totaling $164 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaire Index. His fortune ranks him second in the worldwide rich list, only behind French luxury brand mogul Bernard Arnault. According to an internal email seen by the outlet, Musk told his Space X employees that he is optimistic about the venture, despite his high-profile rocket launch going up in flames. The largest rocket to ever take off, the 395-foot behemoth was comprised of a Super Heavy booster and Starship. But just four minutes after takeoff at 9:33 ET, the rocket dramatically exploded, abruptly ending its first orbital launch. Space X has claimed that it purposefully activated the flight termination system to obliterate the rocket after the Super Heavy craft failed to separate, which began causing an uncontrollable death spin before it was exploded. Despite the unideal optics of exploding the rocket as thousands of people watched on from the ground in south Texas, NASA, Musk and SpaceX have hailed the launch as a success after achieving their main objective of lifting the Starship off the launchpad. Musk's high-profile rocket launch was watched by thousands of people as they witnessed the 395-foot behemoth manage to get off the launchpad The SpaceX launch ended in disaster when the Starship spacecraft exploded into a fireball after just four minutes But Musk will have a harder time claiming success with his recent Tesla quarterly report, after the electric car giant's shares fell nearly 10 percent Thursday. The decline came just a day after the company also reported a more than 20 percent dip in net income, compared with the same quarter a year ago. Musk sparked concern among analysts when discussing the poor filings, which saw the company earn a net income of $2.51 billion for the first quarter of 2023, a 24 percent decline from the previous year. 'Weve taken a view that pushing for higher volumes and a larger fleet is the right choice here, versus a lower volume and higher margin,' the billionaire said on an earnings call after the report. Musk also admitted that it was 'difficult to say what the margin will be' before Tesla's declining bottom line becomes ominous. Musk's net worth took a huge dive after Tesla reported poor first quarter returns Thursday While most of his net worth decline is reportedly tied up in his giant stake in Tesla, Musk experienced further setbacks in his latest unpopular decision with Twitter. Ever since acquiring the company a year ago, the billionaire has threatened to remove blue tick verification. And after receiving a muted reaction to his 'Twitter Blue' rollout, Musk eventually followed through Thursday and rid the site of 'legacy' ticks. The decision was widely panned online, especially by those who lost their verification, with megastars including Oprah Winfrey, Justin Bieber and Kim Kardashian now finding themselves without their prized blue ticks. 24 page memo sets out the government's case on the Voice One of Australia's top lawyers has backed the government's wording for the Indigenous Voice to Parliament - arguing it will enhance the country's system of government. Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus released the Solicitor-General Stephen Donaghue's 24-page legal opinion about Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's controversial proposal on Friday, amid calls from the Opposition to do so. Every Australian adult will vote at a referendum later this year which will decide whether the country's constitution will be changed to allow an Indigenous advisory body to weigh in on government policies. The intention is to improve the plight of Indigenous Australians, however critics, led by Liberal leader Peter Dutton, claim it will be a 'Canberra Voice' and just an additional layer of bureaucracy. Anthony Albanese's government released the 24 page memo on Friday morning in a bid to rebut criticisms by Peter Dutton's Opposition In his memo, Mr Donaghue said: 'The proposed amendment is not only compatible with the system of representative and responsible government established under the constitution, but it enhances that system.' Mr Donaghue dismissed concerns the Voice would act as a 'third chamber' and claimed that it would support the primacy of parliament. What solicitor-general Stephen Donaghue's report claimed 1) Not a 'third chamber' of Parliament or part of the executive government It would be 'operating only as an advisory body to those two branches' 2) The Voice 'clearly has no power of veto' over government decisions' 3) The Voice will not 'clog up the courts: 'Litigation is very common' Advertisement 'The Voice would not form part of either the parliament or the executive government, instead operating only as an advisory body to those two branches of government,' he said. 'The Voice clearly has no power of veto.' Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the advice was 'very clear and unequivocal'. 'This puts to bed the absolute nonsense of Peter Dutton and Barnaby Joyce ...that they've carried on with, saying that somehow recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our constitution will lead to Anzac Day being abolished, it is complete nonsense,' he told reporters on Friday. 'They are just determined to play politics with this.' Mr Donaghue rejected concerns that empowering the voice to make representations to the executive government would 'clog up the courts'. '(It) ignores the reality that litigation concerning the validity of decisions of the executive government is already very common, and that it does not have either of those consequences.' The voice's function of making representations will not 'fetter or impede the exercise of existing powers of the executive government', he said. 'No' figures, such as Opposition Indigenous Affairs spokeswoman Jacinta Price, argue that the Voice will become a Canberra-centric bureaucracy Nationals MP Keith Pitt said the advice would not influence his opinion that all Australians should be treated equally and the referendum should be voted down. He said there was still a risk of decisions being taken to court. 'I've seen other (legal) advice which is different. This is always the case until it is tested,' he told Sky News. The solicitor-general's comments were released as a submission to an inquiry into the voice referendum legislation. The government plans to put the voice to a referendum later this year, between October and December. Meanwhile, fewer than half of Australians back an Indigenous voice, new polling has revealed. According to a Roy Morgan survey, support has fallen to 46 per cent of Australians since December. Mr Albanese said despite the polling result, he remained confident the referendum would pass. The 'no' vote had risen to 39 per cent, up by nine points, while the rate of undecided people dropped two points to 15 per cent. Victoria is the only state in the country with a majority backing the proposal, with 52 per cent of voters in favour. Roy Morgan chief executive Michele Levine said the 'yes' vote had lost support over the past months. 'The striking change since December is the politicisation of the issue,' she said. Multiple Republicans in the House of Representatives are demanding the FBI release Nashville shooter Audrey Hale's manifesto, while a councilmember says she's been told it's a 'blueprint on total destruction.' It comes a week after a poll where two thirds of US voters said they want Nashville police to release the manifesto a sign of growing frustration with the investigation into the deadly attack. Hale, who is transgender, fired 152 rounds from two assault rifles and a handgun, murdering Hallie Scruggs, William Kinney, Evelyn Dieckhaus, all 9, and headmistress Dr. Katherine Koonce, 60, substitute teacher Cynthia Peak, 61, and chef Mike Hill, 61 on March 27. Metro Nashville Councilmember Courtney Johnston said that, regardless of when, the manifesto will not be released in its entirety, noting what is expected to be a shocking read. 'What I was told is, her manifesto was a blueprint on total destruction, and it was so, so detailed at the level of what she had planned,' Johnston said. Multiple Republicans in the House of Representatives are demanding the FBI release Nashville shooter Audrey Hale's manifesto, while a councilmember says she's been told it's a 'blueprint on total destruction' 'That document in the wrong person's hands would be astronomically dangerous,' she told the New York Post. Officers retrieved a 'manifesto', hand-drawn maps, a suicide note, 20 journals, laptops, phones and several writings, from Hale's home and the Honda Fit she left in the school parking lot. Congressman Tim Burchett, a Republican from Tennessee, was disappointed by the news. He believes it 'could maybe tell us a little bit about what's going on inside of her head. I think that would answer a lot of questions.' Johnston, however, says after speaking with investigators, she doesn't think it would be good for the rest of America to deal with the toll reading it has taken on them. 'I personally don't want to know the depths to which her psychosis reached When I'm told by an MNPD high-ranking official that it keeps him up at night, I'm going to defer to that person in that agency that I don't need to read that.' The materials taken from Hale have been shared with the FBI's behavioral analysis unit in Quantico, Virginia, and detail Hale's 'planning over a period of months to commit mass murder' at the school, police said in a statement. 'The documents that we have, and I have viewed those, you know, one is specifically a plan and the other is some journal-type rantings,' said Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Director David Rausch. Metro Nashville Councilmember Courtney Johnston said that, regardless of when, the manifesto will not be released in its entirety, noting what is expected to be a shocking read Officers retrieved a 'manifesto', hand-drawn maps, a suicide note, 20 journals, laptops, phones, and several writings, from Hale's home and the Honda Fit she left in the school parking lot Congressman Tim Burchett, a Republican from Tennessee, was disappointed by the news They feature none of the 'ideological expressions' found in other mass killers' screeds, he said, such as the 35,000-word essay about the collapse of industrial society by 'Unabomber' Ted Kaczynski in 1995. Burchett's fellow Tennessee Republican House member Andy Ogles said there should be an investigation if the full manifesto is not released. Americans by wide margins want to see the screed, which many believe will reveal an agenda of violent trans extremism, and equal numbers are concerned that Hale's attack will inspire more copycat strikes on Christian schools, pollsters found. The Rasmussen Reports survey heaps pressure on Nashville cops to release Hale's writings, even as officials backtrack on claims she left behind a manifesto, and say her texts are just 'journal-type rantings.' Walter Hudson, a Minnesota state representative, became the latest Republican politician to seek the documents' release, saying they may explain Hale's killing spree at The Covenant School on the morning of March 27. 'We should absolutely know what motivated someone to shoot and kill six people, including three nine-year-old children,' Hudson tweeted this week. Americans by wide margins want to see the screed and are concerned that Hale's attack will inspire more copycat strikes on Christian schools David Rausch, director of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, says Hale's writings are deranged 'rantings' and do not amount to a 'manifesto' Caitlyn Jenner, Vernon Jones, former Trump White House adviser Sebastian Gorka and other conservatives have urged the Metro Nashville Police Department and the FBI to release the writings. 'Why is the FBI keeping the transgender Nashville mass-murderer's manifesto hidden?' Gorka posted on Monday. Hale was shot and killed by police at the school within minutes of the start of the attack. Officers have since retrieved a 'manifesto', hand-drawn maps, a suicide note, 20 journals, laptops, phones, and several writings, from her home and the Honda Fit she left in the school parking lot. They have been shared with the FBI's behavioral analysis unit in Quantico, Virginia, and detail Hale's 'planning over a period of months to commit mass murder' at the school, police said in a statement. A police spokeswoman on Tuesday told DailyMail.com the manifesto was still being studied in an 'active investigation' and that she did not 'have a date, if, when, or how we'd release it at this point.' Experts in manifestos have also told DailyMail.com that Hale's writings more likely relate to her emotional difficulties than the blueprint for violent transgender extremism that some have been expecting. The Rasmussen Reports survey of nearly 1,000 Americans, carried out between March 30 and April 3 after Hale's attack, found that respondents blame the nation's spate of mass shootings on a range of reasons. Some 42 percent say killers are driven by mental health problems, while 29 percent attribute attacks to the widespread availability of firearms. Other causes include social media (11 percent), school problems (7 percent), and family issues (6 percent). A family's school holiday break was abruptly interrupted when a large, wild animal wandered into their townhouse and created a bloody mess. Alexander Hill was taken by surprise after wrapping up a work meeting from his Alphington house in north-west Melbourne when he realised there was a wild deer downstairs. Mr Hill said that he found out after seeing half a dozen missed calls and texts from his neighbours alerting him to the potentially dangerous situation. Calls where then made to Parks Victoria and the police to rescue Mr Hill and his family, who were now hostages in their own home. Alexander Hill was on a work call when he checked his phone to see that his neighbours has been trying to tell him about his new houseguest 'Today's text was "STAG IN THE HOUSE! BLOOD EVERYWHERE!"', Mr Hill wrote online Mr Hill peeked down his staircase for any sight of the male deer, which he filmed on his phone and via a security camera he had installed on the first floor. 'Today's text was "STAG IN THE HOUSE! BLOOD EVERYWHERE!"', Mr Hill later posted online. 'The stag saw its reflection and decided to rush the handsome looking guy in the window. 'Went through the window, the blind fell down and the poor guy ended up stuck in a white box.' In what ended up being a two-hour ordeal, Mr Hill discovered that 'not every ranger has a tranquillising dart available'. As he waited upstairs, his children began noting the foul odour of the beast but ended up handling the situation 'pretty well'. 'The kids were saying that it smelled pretty bad, they were upstairs saying it smells terrible,' Mr Hill told ABC News. After a long struggle one ranger simply opened the door, hoping the deer would find its own way out. 'In a few seconds, he was off and out the front door,' Mr Hill said. 'He's jumped probably 20 metres over this fence down by the river and disappeared.' Though the sight of deer in the city isn't rare - wild stags are occasionally seen exploring Melbourne's outer suburban landscape - rangers told Mr Hill that the situation he'd found himself in was strange even for them. In April this year, one wild stag hurdled a fence in Melbourne's East Kew before also finding its own way out, this time through a glass pool fence. The stag had burst through his glass door, knocking down the blinds and trapping itself in the house for two hours In April this year, one wild stag hurdled a fence in Melbourne's East Kew before also finding its own way out, this time through a glass pool fence The moment was caught on CCTV footage as the startled stag stumbled besides a luxurious pool before charging the glass gate ahead of it. 'I was letting some tradies in and suddenly this shadow comes shooting past and the tradie said to me 'that's a bloody deer',' the homeowner told the Herald Sun at the time. Another was seen far closer to the CBD in 2021, when onlookers in Fitzroy marveled at the sight of a wild animal so far away from its natural habitat. At the same time Melbourne was experiencing one of its longest lockdowns, the stag made its way down Smith St - which was already the coolest street in the world. Unfortunately, Vets for Compassion were eventually called in to assist with the rescue and had to euthanise the deer. A deer was spotted galloping down the coolest street in Melbourne while the city was in lockdown in 2021 The findings into a fatal helicopter crash that tragically killed an Outback Wrangler co-star will be delayed due to the 'complex and dynamic' scope of the investigation. Chris 'Willow' Wilson, 34, died when the Robinson R44 he was dangling from collided with trees and crashed to the ground during a crocodile egg retrieval mission in West Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory on February 28 last year. The chopper was owned and operated by Outback Wrangler star Matt Wright's company Helibrook. Wright, 43, is accused of seven serious criminal offences in relation to the aftermath of the crash that claimed the life of his television co-star. An Australian Transport and Safety Bureau investigation into the crash was scheduled to hand down its findings in June. The report is now expected in September, 17 months after Wilson was killed. Outback Wrangler star Matt Wright (pictured with wife Kaia) was charged over the aftermath of the chopper crash that killed his mate 'During a recent regular management scoping review, it was determined that due to the complex nature of this investigation, the release of the final report is now anticipated for the third quarter of this year,' a spokesman told Daily Mail Australia. 'By their nature ATSB investigations are complex and dynamic and it is common for investigation timeframes and scopes to be adjusted as evidence is analysed and further evidence is obtained as the investigation team develops its findings.' The ongoing investigation continues to investigate a series of factors. They include electronic components retrieved from the crash site, fuel system components, refuelling practices, fuel quality, maintenance records, operational documentation and regulations. Wilson, 34, was collecting crocodile eggs in a remote area of West Arnhem Land when the helicopter he was dangling from collided with trees and plunged to the ground. Chris Willow Wilson (pictured) died when the helicopter he was dangling from crashed into a tree and plummeted to the ground He was attached to a line using a harness so he could harvest eggs from crocodile nests in swampy areas while the helicopter hovered above. Helicopter pilot Sebastian Robinson, 29, suffered serious spinal injuries in the crash Wright, 43, was later hit with seven criminal charges over the crash aftermath, including destroying evidence and attempting to pervert the course of justice. The case has been adjourned until May 31. Wright has strenuously denied any wrongdoing. 'Nothing will bring Willow back, which will always be the worst part of this. But trying to lay blame on me is not fair or accurate,' ' he said in a recent statement to Daily Mail Australia. The Australian Transport and Safety Bureau has extended its investigation into the fatal chopper crash in February 28 (scene pictured) He penned a powerful tribute to his late mate on the first anniversary of Wilson's death. 'One year ago we lost a father, son, brother and mate,' Wright wrote. 'Willow lived for adventure, from the very first day I met him he had a sparkle in his eye that would carry him through some of the most amazing experiences across the world. 'We miss our mate more than anything and his memory will live on through all of us. Willow will go down in the history books as one of Australia's truest legends. Love ya brother it's only time and will see each other again.' Wright became a household name more than a decade ago as the star of National Geographic Channel series Outback Wrangler, which has since been aired in almost 100 countries. The NSW Liberal party room has elected a barrister and moderate to lead the coalition in opposition, nearly one month after its state election defeat. Former attorney-general Mark Speakman won a party room vote in NSW parliament when Liberal MPs met on Friday. He had earlier declared he would run for NSW opposition leader on Friday morning, as a number of MPs threw their support behind the Cambridge-educated MP from Cronulla. New NSW opposition leader Mark Speakman (second from right) with ex-premier Gladys Berejiklian and one-time transport minister Andrew Constance 'I'm running on a united team with Damien Tudehope and Natalie Ward,' Mr Speakman told reporters as he entered parliament with the pair. Mr Speakman's main competition came from former minister and right factionist Anthony Roberts, who signalled earlier this month he intended to run. Alister Henskens, another ex-minister who tested his leadership chances after the March 25 election loss, would not confirm before the meeting if he would run. MP Mark Coure said he would back Mr Speakman. 'I think he'll do a wonderful job for the Liberal Party.' Mr Speakman giving a speech in his formal legal attire as attorney-general Another former minister, James Griffin, said Mr Speakman was the best man to hold the new Labor government to account. Former deputy leader and moderate Matt Kean arrived at parliament with MP Chris Rath and both declined to say who they would support. The party room is also voting to replace Mr Kean, who resigned in the wake of the coalition's election defeat. 'The dust has had time to settle and there's a lot of hard work ahead,' Mr Kean said. 'What we need is a strong, stable and sensible leader to hold Labor to account.' MPs were still voting on other leadership positions as the party room meeting continued. Conservative western Sydney MP Tanya Davies was tipped for the deputy role after running on a platform of recapturing suburban Sydney seats lost to Labor. The Badgerys Creek MP made headlines last year when she caught COVID-19 after speaking at a rally against vaccine mandates outside the state parliament. A challenge from North Shore MP Felicity Wilson had been expected to complicate Ms Davies' chances. Newly elected Liberal MP Kellie Sloane's name was also floated as a possible deputy but she did not contest at Friday's meeting. Ms Ward, the former women's minister, is favourite to become the leader of the upper house, replacing ex-finance minister Mr Tudehope. Premier Chris Minns said he had a shared responsibility to work with the new opposition leader to guide policy decisions and improve the state. 'All I care about is making NSW as good as it can be ... so I take the position seriously, it's a very difficult job,' Mr Minns told reporters on Thursday. Earlier this month, junior coalition partner the NSW Nationals re-elected leader Paul Toole and deputy Bronnie Taylor during their own party room meeting Cyclone Ilsa stopped rescuers from getting to the NSW family Family of four trapped in outback desert for four days A family of four have survived being stranded for four days in the middle of the Outback with only coffee, an air fryer and iPads to keep the kids occupied. The family, from New South Wales, became trapped in Munga-Thirri National Park - formerly known as the Simpson Desert - when their four-wheel drive broke down near Poeppel Corner, where the South Australian, Queensland and Northern Territory borders meet. The group they were travelling with alerted police by satellite phone but rescuers were unable to reach them due to heavy rain closing roads in and out of the national park. The flooding was caused by Cyclone Ilsa in Western Australia, with the rising waters resulting in the family having to wait several days for help to arrive. A family has been rescued after becoming trapped in the outback desert near Poeppel Corner when their car broke down. They were forced to endure four days trapped more than 250km from the nearest town (pictured: Poeppel Corner) The News South Wales family became trapped in Munga-Thirri National Park - formerly known as the Simpson Desert - when their four-wheel drive broke down near Poeppel Corner, where the South Australian, Queensland and Northern Territory borders meet (pictured) Birdsville Police Senior Constable Stephan Pursell told ABC News the car's frame had been bent at the chassis which was likely caused by towing a caravan either over a sand dune or through rough terrain. 'It was a fair way out in the desert,' Snr Cnst Pursell said. 'We tried to get [them] moving as best as we could and get them down to the Birdsville Track but the vehicle got worse.' Local police and park rangers managed to reach the family located 270km west of Birdsville in Queensland on Tuesday. Snr Cnst Pursell said the family who were travelling from Newcastle were in 'good spirits'. 'They had the camper trailer, so they had accommodation and they had plenty of food and water,' he said. '[They] had a coffee machine and an air fryer, so they were more than prepared the kids were even playing games on the iPads. 'He said he could have lasted quite a few more days but I think his wife was a little different she wanted to get out.' Local police and park rangers managed to reach the family located 270km west of Birdsville in Queensland on Tuesday (pictured: Poeppel corner) While the camper trailer managed to be towed, the family's four-wheel drive had to be left behind. It was the second time this year travellers have needed rescuing from the remote border location, with a man needing to be saved after his vehicle became bogged in January. Senior Constable Pursell urged anyone tackling the harsh terrain to be prepared. He said anyone planning on driving in the region should be equipped with a satellite phone and weigh their vehicle before leaving to avoid becoming trapped. Conservative talk radio host Larry Elder, who failed in a bid to replace the California governor, has announced he is running for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024. Elder, 70, made the announcement on the Tucker Carlson Tonight show on Fox News. 'My announcement Tucker, is I'm announcing that I'm running for the presidency of the United States on your program,' Elder told the Fox News host. He said he has a 'moral, religious, and a patriotic duty' to run for president, noting his family's past experiences in the armed forces. Elder added that policing and crime are the two issues that worry him the most ahead of the next election, claiming Democrats have failed, and said he was worried about fatherless families and the environment in minority communities. His campaign unveiled an 'Elder for President' website immediately after the interview. Larry Elder announced on Tucker Carlson's show on Thursday night that he was throwing his hat into the ring for 2024 America is in decline, but this decline is not inevitable. We can enter a new American Golden Age, but we must choose a leader who can bring us there. Thats why Im running for President.#WeveGotACountryToSave https://t.co/jOqOBPpre2 pic.twitter.com/MTyibgbKyK Larry Elder (@larryelder) April 21, 2023 Republican conservative radio show host Larry Elder has announced he is running for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024 'As a California resident, I've seen firsthand how decades of Democrat rule have turned the Golden State, for many, into an unaffordable dystopia,' the website states. 'I won't let them do the same to America. We can enter a new American Golden Age, but we must choose a leader who can bring us there. That's why I'm running for President. 'I'm Larry Elder, and we've got a country to save.' After the announcement on Thursday he tweeted a similar message. 'America is in decline, but this decline is not inevitable. We can enter a new American Golden Age, but we must choose a leader who can bring us there. That's why I'm running for President.' The long-shot candidate joins a Republican field that includes former president Donald Trump, former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley, ex-Arkansas governor Asa Hutchinson and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. On the Democrat side, President Joe Biden is expected to confirm his run for re-election in the next couple of weeks. Elder made his first bid for public office in 2021, when he received the most votes out of 46 people who were hoping to replace California Governor Gavin Newsom in a recall effort. Elder's team was ready with a campaign website, live immediately after his interview Donald Trump is by far the frontrunner to be Republican nominee at this early stage Asa Hutchinson, the former governor of Arkansas (left), is also running - as is Nikki Haley (right) A majority of voters ended up voting against removing Newsom, making the vote count in the replacement contest irrelevant. Newsom attacked his rival for his support of Donald Trump and his conservative positions, such as opposing abortion rights and restrictions imposed to slow the spread of Covid-19, such as mask mandates. But Elder said the experience of running for office showed he had a message that resonated with voters. A lawyer who grew up in Los Angeles' rough South Central neighbourhood and attended an Ivy League college and law school, he has a following among conservatives through his radio programs and has been a frequent guest on Fox News and other right-wing media. Elder has criticized Democrats' 'woke' agenda, Black Lives Matter and the notion of systemic racism - positions that have put him at odds with many other black people. A lenient Bronx judge who let free a teenage gang member that shot an NYPD officer has been removed from criminal cases after intense criticism over her woke rulings. Supreme Court Justice Naita Semaj is expected to make the silent transfer from criminal to civil courts after tomorrow, according to The City. Semaj has received backlash among government officials and law enforcement for her leniency in court case rulings, including when she dropped charges against 16-year-old Camrin Williams, an NYC rapper accused of shooting NYPD officer Kaseem Pennant, 27, in the leg back in January 2022 as he was being searched. At the time, Williams, who is a gang member and raps as C Blu, was on probation for a 2020 gun possession case. The 16-year-old had his charges dropped because Semaj insisted police officers had 'no apparent reason' to search him and discredited arresting officers' accounts. Bronx Supreme Court Justice Naita Semaj is expected to switch from criminal to civil courts, according to reports. Semaj has received backlash for her lenient court rulings that allowed teenage criminals back on the streets Semaj has received backlash among government officials and law enforcement for her leniency in court case rulings, including when she dropped charges against 16-year-old Camrin Williams. The teenager was fighting with officers when a gun went off and a single bullet struck the officer and hit Williams in the groin Police say Semaj has a history of going easy on teen offenders and say her interpretation of the Williams' arrest was entirely wrong. When the rapper's charges were dropped, Semaj argued that prosecutors failed to show that Pennant suffered 'significant physical injury,' despite being shot. Williams fought with police officers in January when they responded to reports of unrest, and refused to comply with their orders to remove his hands from his pockets. He began fighting with one of the officers and during the tussle, the gun went off and a single bullet struck and wounded Pennant and hit Williams in the groin. Semaj took over handling juvenile cases from her veteran colleague Justice Denis Boyle last January. Boyle had sparked widespread condemnation by allowing teenage suspects accused of serious crimes to be released on bail. Her first few weeks presiding over juvenile cases, Semaj has shown herself to be just as lenient as her predecessor by allowing two 17-year-olds facing felony charges to walk free. Braulio Garcia, 17, was arrested in January on charges of murder, manslaughter, robbery and gang assault in connection with the death of Good Samaritan Roland Hueston, who was struck by a train while trying to save another man from the tracks. Prosecutors had asked that Garcia be held on bail, but Semaj ordered him to be released with supervision a month later. Sharif Mitchell, 17, faced attempted murder charges for allegedly opening fire on a subway platform and shooting a 19-year-old man four time. Semaj released Mitchell on his own recognizance, even though at his arraignment another judge had ordered him held on $30,000 bail. NYPD officer Kaseem Pennant, 27, in the leg back in January 2022. His injuries were non-life threatening Officers applauded for Pennant as he was wheeled out from the hospital last year Semaj took over handling juvenile cases from her veteran colleague Justice Denis Boyle last January. Justice Semaj-Williams (right) Semaj is a native of New York but grew up in Jamaica. She returned to New York to attend Lehman College with a degree in social work in 2000, Jamaicans.com reported. She then continued her education after working for a foster care agency and enrolled in St. John's University of Law. After graduating, she was hired as an attorney with the Administration for Children's Services and later became a Court Attorney with New York State Unified Court System in 2010. In 2018, Semaj won a seat on the bench at the New York Civil Court, and last November successfully ran for election for judge of the Bronx Supreme Court. She then went on to serve in her current position in 2022. Furious Michigan residents slammed their Democratic state lawmakers for facilitating the construction of a Chinese-backed green energy project. During a public hearing for the Michigan Senate's appropriations committee, locals condemned plans to use $175 million in taxpayer funds to build an electric vehicle battery plant in Big Rapids Township owned by Chinese tech company Gotion. Despite being aggressively confronted for considering the plans, the committee went on to approve the measure in a tight 10-9 vote, with every Republican and three Democrats on the committee coming out against it. The approval comes amid mounting focus upon China's ability to buy large amounts of farmland in the US, which both lawmakers and citizens fear could allow the nation undue influence in America. Hannah Saez, left, and Marjorie Steele, right, were among those who slammed the committee for even considering the plans Speaking before the committee ultimately approved the proposal, Hannah Saez, the clerk of the Big Rapids Township, told the committee she was 'gravely disappointed'. Saez criticized the local lawmakers for falling in line behind Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who announced in October that Gotion, which is a subsidiary of China-based company Gotion High-Tech, would invest $2.4 billion to construct two 550,000 square-foot production plants across 260 acres in Michigan. 'I can attest, however, that our community is now united in ways they would have never been before. They do not want this,' Saez continued. 'Thousands of Michiganders will be watching today. I know you all receive daily emails and phone calls. I know you're under pressure. I know you've probably been coerced. 'I beg of you to do what is right here even if corruption is knocking at your door.' Gotion's plans would see the firm invest $2.4 billion to construct two 550,000 square-foot production plants across 260 acres in Michigan The proposal was approved in a tight 9-10 vote. Pictured: The state capitol building in Lansing, Michigan Michigan residents furiously objected to Chinese-based company Gotion's plans to build an electric battery plant in the state Saez was followed in her remarks by Marjorie Steele, who slammed the committee for quickly scheduling the vote without 'due diligence' over the risks. 'I'm angry,' she began. 'I'm angry that this vote was slipped into the agenda today with as little information as possible so that people like me wouldn't know it was happening. 'I'm angry that you, our elected officials, have ignored my community's pleas to table this vote until some small semblance of due diligence can be performed.' 'I can promise you that we will not stop at the local level,' she added. 'We are tired of being abused and we are not alone. This is not just a Mecosta County issue. Townships and counties across the state are uniting, sharing resources, manpower and grassroots activism. Your votes today, senators, are lines drawn in the sand.' Many Big Rapids residents who spoke at the hearing slammed the mounting presence of China in the area, with one going as far as to claim the project was part of the CCP's plan to 'overthrow the United States without firing a shot'. 'I think that any Chinese communist plant buying up 700 acres of Michigan land is a concern to all citizens throughout the state,' added Cheryl Vitito. 'This CCP-controlled company represents communism and is a threat to our way of life and our God-given and constitutional freedoms. 'We don't want the CCP here by way of the Gotion plant as they have no regard for the value and dignity of human life.' 'This company pledges allegiance to the Chinese Communist Party and should be determined as a threat to our national security,' added Shirley Schaefer, another resident. State Senator Sarah Anthony, the chair of the appropriations committee, was among those who voted for the proposal Only three Democrats on the committee voted against the measure, including Sylvia Santana, pictured According to Fox News, the corporate bylaws of Gotion High-Tech, the parent company of Gotion, mandates that the company carries out 'Party activities in accordance with the Constitution of the Communist Party of China.' Concerns over the Chinese company's expansion in the state has seen fierce opposition from local Republican lawmakers, including Kyle Luce, the supervisor of nearby Barton Township. Luce said 85 percent of the residents in his jurisdiction, which is near to the now-approved electric facility, opposed the project in a poll. 'Our citizens are concerned with the timeframe that's going on here," Luce told the committee. 'The timing seems to be sped up exponentially to, in our opinion, try to seal the deal and get this done before people have a chance to speak out, residents have a chance to speak out. And individuals, the fine senators, are digging up information daily about the CCP involvement.' Hilaria Baldwin returned the tribute paid to her by husband Alec as it emerged charges against him for accidentally shooting dead a cinematographer on the set of his western movie Rust were being dropped. Baldwin, 39, posted a photo of herself oddly curled up on husband Alec's knee Thursday evening, just hours after the news leaked out. Her only caption for the photo, which has over 36,000 likes in five hours, was a heart emoji. The comment section was full of people offering their love to both of the Baldwins in the wake of the news. Her Instagram post came just two hours after husband Alec publicly shared his own tribute to their love. 'I owe everything I have to this woman,' said Baldwin, posting a photo to Instagram with his wife, mother to seven of his children. Baldwin added: '(and to you, Luke)' - a reference to his attorney, Luke Nikas. Hilaria Baldwin returned the tribute paid to her by husband Alec as it emerged charges against him for accidentally shooting and killing a cinematographer on the set of his western movie Rust were being dropped The charges were dropped after new evidence emerged suggesting that the gun could have been fired without pulling the trigger, a source close to the investigation told The Wall Street Journal. The FBI rubbished Baldwin's claim that he did not pull the trigger, but the source said the gun was modified before it reached the set, to allow it to fire a bullet without the trigger being pulled. Charges against the armorer who provided the fatal weapon remain. Baldwin, 65, discovered on Thursday that two involuntary manslaughter charges against him over the October 2021 killing of Halyna Hutchins have been dropped. His lawyers, Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro, told DailyMail.com: 'We are pleased with the decision to dismiss the case against Alec Baldwin and we encourage a proper investigation into the facts and circumstances of this tragic accident.' Baldwin arrived in Montana last night to resume filming the movie, which was being shot in New Mexico at the time of Hutchins' death. It was announced earlier this year that Baldwin would remain in the lead role for Rust and that another cinematographer would replace Hutchins Alec Baldwin arrived in Montana one day before filming resumes on his troubled western movie Rust, exclusive DailyMail.com photos show The Santa Fe District Attorney's office did not immediately return requests for comment by DailyMail.com. Recently-appointed special prosecutors Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis are expected to be filing paperwork to dismiss the charges soon. It means that the details of the incident are set to be investigated further, and the case could be resurrected in the future. Baldwin's co-defendant and Rust armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed is still facing the charges against her. This will keep the probe into the accident open and allow prosecutors to retain subpoena power going forward. It comes just days after the filing of the witness list for the preliminary hearing on May 3 became public. That includes former Rust script supervisor Mamie Mitchell who is suing Baldwin and his fellow producers in one of the many suit against them. However it is thought that the hearing will not go ahead, with prosecutors looking into the circumstances of the incident again. It follows the Santa Fe District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies stepping down from the case late last month. Camera crews were there to capture the tender moment Baldwin kissed his wife and child goodbye on Wednesday Despite the controversy, on Tuesday a spokesperson for Rust Movie Productions told CNN filming will continue at the Yellowstone Film Ranch in Montana Baldwin is seen standing next to Hutchins - a mom-of-one - on the set of Rust in October 2021 Production stopped abruptly in October 2021 when Baldwin shot a live round from a prop gun killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the movie's New Mexico set. Rookie armoire Gutierrez- Reed has had no further part in the filming of the movie which Baldwin has pushed forward in creating. In February, the Santa Fe District Attorney's Office dropped a key gun enhancement charge a crime that would have carried a five-year sentence if convicted. Director Joel Souza, who was injured by the same bullet that killed Hutchins, will also return to finish the project. Last week a judge sealed from public view the terms of a civil settlement between Baldwin and Hutchins's widower, Matthew, and their son. Matthew Hutchins and Baldwin came to another agreement in October. Part of that stipulated that Hutchins will serve as executive producer on the film. After settling the lawsuit last year, Matthew claimed he desired no further 'recriminations'. But in January, Hutchins's family said they supported Baldwin being charged with involuntary manslaughter. Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was killed on the set of Rust in October 2021 David Halls, assistant director of the movie Rust, will testify against actor Alec Baldwin over an accidental shooting on the film's set that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins Last Thursday, Baldwin filed a motion that another lawsuit filed by Hutchins's parents and sister be be thrown out, claiming they had been distanced from her 'physically, financially and emotionally for years before her death.' Baldwin said in court documents: 'The loss of a daughter and sister is undoubtedly painful in any circumstance. 'Yet Plaintiffs who had been distanced from Halyna physically, financially, and emotionally for years before her death have no viable cause of action against Defendants.' Matthew Hutchins had been set to testify in court, and was added to the New Mexico District Attorney's witness list to testify at the preliminary hearing on February 24. Production stopped abruptly in October 2021 when a prop gun held by Baldwin fired a live round that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the movie's New Mexico set. An image of Hutchins is shown at a vigil Baldwin received approval from Judge Mary Marlow Sommer to be absent from the preliminary examination 'Rust' armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was charged alongside Baldwin in the woman's death Baldwin received approval from Judge Mary Marlow Sommer to be absent from the preliminary examination. Judge Sommer was set to determine if there was enough evidence to go to a full trial, and the new decision has plunged the case into chaos. Prosecutors initially alleged Baldwin pulled the trigger of the gun that killed Hutchins while Gutierrez-Reed failed to ensure it was unloaded. The widower, who shared a nine-year-old son with Hutchins, sued the Rust production team last year and was appointed executive director as a part of the settlement. The extensive witness list includes director Joel Souza, who was wounded by the bullet that passed through Hutchins, and assistant director David Halls. Halls is accused of telling Baldwin the gun was 'cold' - safe - an accusation he has denied. He agreed a plea deal with prosecutors in January which included a six-month suspended sentence and a fine. Prop worker Seth Kenney, camera assistant Lane Luper, line producer Gabrielle Pickle and script supervisor Maime Mitchell will also likely testify. Matthew Hutchins (left) was added to the New Mexico District Attorney's witness list to testify at the preliminary hearing on February 24 against Alec Baldwin. Matthew is pictured above with Halyna and their now nine-year-old son Halls signed a plea agreement for the negligent use of a deadly weapon which incurred six months of probation. He also agreed to pay a $500 fine, participate in a firearms safety class and complete 24 hours of community service Producer and actor Baldwin fired the prop gun (pictured) that killed one crew member and injured another on the set of the movie 'Rust' in New Mexico Prosecutors noted in court documents submitted in January that Baldwin was absent from an initial firearms training session. Gutierrez-Reed set up an hour-long subsequent session for Baldwin, but they only completed 30 minutes. 'According to Reed, Baldwin was distracted and talking on his cell phone to his family during the training,' the prosecutors stated. The affidavit claimed Baldwin gave 'inconsistent accounts' about how the shooting happened - first telling police he 'fired' the gun, then insisting he did not pull the trigger. Prosecutors stated that 'photos and videos clearly show Baldwin, multiple times, with his finger inside the trigger guard and on the trigger.' They add: 'Baldwin approached responding deputies on the day of the shooting, wanting to talk to them because he was the one who 'fired' the gun.' Baldwin claimed in interviews after the shooting that he did not pull the trigger. He believes the fault lies with the armorer, who he says should have checked the gun was safe before it was handed to him. Yet the probable cause statement against Baldwin referred to the FBI's previous analysis of the firearm, which 'clearly showed that the weapon could not 'accidentally fire.' The document also said Baldwin failed to demand 'at least two safety checks between the armorer and himself' prior to the shooting. Long-time victims' advocate Manny Waks says his alleged abuser is set to be extradited to Melbourne. Mr Waks alleges he was sexually assaulted by a former member of Melbourne's ultra-Orthodox community, Velvel Serebryanski, when he was a child in the 1980s. The advocate, who has been a fixture in high-profile child sexual abuse cases, told police in 1996 that Serebryanski abused him when he was 11 or 12 years old. Victoria Police informed Mr Waks on Thursday that Serebryanski had been arrested in New York and would face extradition to Melbourne. Mr Waks alleges the former Melbourne community member was the first of multiple people to abuse him. Long-time victims' advocate Manny Waks says his alleged abuser, Velvel Serebryanski, is set to be extradited from New York to Melbourne 'I'm filled with so many feelings and emotions right now, especially relief and vindication,' Mr Waks said. 'I'm not sure that I genuinely believed that this day would actually arrive - but I continued to hope and to fight for justice. 'Most victims/survivors of child sexual abuse never get any justice for the crimes that were perpetrated against them, in fact, most never even disclose the abuse they endured.' Victoria Police confirmed Bayside Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team was investigating an alleged sexual assault that happened in the 1980s at a St Kilda East school. 'On 19 April 2023 a 59-year-old man was arrested and detained in New York in response to an extradition request from Victoria Police,' a police spokeswoman said. 'The investigation remains ongoing.' Mr Waks said he would do everything he could to see through the justice process and also hold his alleged abuser's 'facilitators' to account. 'Tzedek Tzedek Tirdof' - 'justice you shall pursue',' he said. The advocate is chief executive of VoiCSA, an organisation aimed at combating child sexual abuse within Jewish communities. The journalist has been dating beau Jeff Bezos since 2019 Sanchez, 53, appeared to keep a low profile while hiding behind sunglasses Lauren Sanchez was seen leaving the skin care office of EPIONE on Wednes day Hotshot Lauren Sanchez was seen hiding behind dark sunglasses while leaving a famous skin care office in Beverly Hills. Sanchez, 53, appeared to be leaving Dr. Simon Ourian's office at EPIONE when photographers snapped her looking downward toward a window on Wednesday. EPIONE is a celebrity hot spot where the Kardashians, Olivia Culpo and other A-listers receive non-invasive treatments, according to reports. It's unclear what Sanchez got done but she appeared to keep a low profile. Sanchez was formerly a TV journalist and former co-host of Good Day LA. She has since turned her attention to her aerial filming company Black Ops Aviation with her billionaire boyfriend Jeff Bezos. Lauren Sanchez was seen leaving the skin care office of EPIONE on Wednesday. Sanchez, 53, appeared to keep a low profile while hiding behind sunglasses The journalist has been dating her billionaire beau Jeff Bezos since 2019. The two got divorces from their spouses the same year Sanchez has been in a relationship with Bezos, one of the richest men in the world, since 2019. News of their romance broke following his split from then-wife MacKenzie Scott - dubbed the 'world's biggest divorce.' The journalist was also married when her relationship with Bezos was outed, and it was her husband - co-CEO of Hollywood powerhouse agency WME, Patrick Whitesell, 56 - who reportedly introduced the two lovers in the first place. Bezos and Scott finalized their divorce in April 2019, which was the same month that Sanchez and Whitesell ended their marriage. Sanchez and her new beau made their first public appearance together in May of that year. They were later seen jetting off to St. Barts for a romantic getaway. The duo made their red carpet debut as a couple in January 2020, and have been seen together ever since. Sanchez was seen through the window of the skin care shop along with a man, who appeared to be her bodyguard It's unclear what Sanchez got done but she appeared to keep a low profile. Sanchez was formerly a TV journalist and former co-host of Good Day LA EPIONE (above) is a celebrity hot spot where the Kardashians , Olivia Culpo and other A-listers receive non-evasive treatments, according to reports Sanchez is a former journalist who now owns her own aerial filming company Black Ops Aviation Sanchez has been in a relationship with Bezos, the world's richest man, since 2019. News of their romance broke following his split from then-wife MacKenzie Scott - dubbed the 'world's biggest divorce.' Pictured: Bezos and Sanchez Sanchez has two children, Nikko Gonzales and Eleanor Whitesell. They are often spotted at dinners and outings with Bezos' son, Preston Bezos. Last month, she was seen heading to a Malibu dinner date at Nobu with Preston and Nikko, but her billionaire boyfriend was nowhere in sight. Back in January, Lauren spoke out about how she and the billionaire have blended their families, with her joking that she felt like they were the 'Brady Bunch' sometimes. 'On a typical Saturday, we hang out, we have dinner with the kids, which is always fun because you never know where the conversation is going to go with this many kids,' she told the Wall Street Journal. She also dished on co-parenting with her exes, specifically Tony, whom she branded as her 'best friend.' 'It wasnt always that way. There was friction [at the beginning]. But Tony and [his wife October "Tobie" Gonzalez] were at Thanksgiving with us [this year], and were really good friends,' she explained. 'That took about five years, but we always communicated. Im not saying that being best friends with your ex is the end-all be-all - but you do need to be able to communicate.' Meanwhile, her lover Bezos, is the third richest man in the world and has a reported net worth of $165 billion. The man has been ordered to pay back the comic store and stay away Buffer, best known for 'Curb Your Enthusiasm,' was caught on video in the crime Curb Your Enthusiasm actor Ray Buffer has admitted to stealing $854 worth of comic books from a San Diego store after he was caught on tape. Buffer, 55, appeared in court Thursday after Southern California Comics shared footage of him stuffing the books under his shirt and exiting the store in October. He pleaded guilty to one count of misdemeanor petty theft. He was ordered to pay back the value of the comics and serve one day in custody. The actor, who has also appeared on Gilmore Girls and CSI: Miami, was put on blast by the store's owners on social media for the incident. Actor Ray Buffer, best known for 'Curb Your Enthusiasm,' admitted to stealing $854 worth of comic books from a San Diego store in an October theft that was caught on tape Ray Buffer is spotted on April 5 in Palmdale, California, after theft charges were brought against him. He pleaded guilty Thursday Southern California Comics uploaded a video appearing to show Buffer put a comic under his shirt - though they did not name him in the October post The theft occurred at the San Diego comic book store on October 4, 2022. He originally denied the theft in earlier court appearances, but according to the New York Post, changed his plea on Thursday. Video footage from the incident shows Buffer wearing a blue and white striped T-shirt lurking in the corner of the store. The actor then is seen rifling through stacks of the comic books before sliding one underneath his shirt. The store's owner said the actor stole 10 comics worth $854. The store uploaded the footage alongside a caption that said: 'If this guy looks familiar please contact us. Thank you!' In addition to serving one day in custody and having to pay back the store owners, Buffer will serve one year of probation. A judge ordered he will also serve 12 hours of community service and be required to take an anti-theft course, the New York Post reported. Buffer out in Palmdale, California, earlier this month after he theft charges were levelled against him The actor, who has also appeared on 'Gilmore Girls' and 'CSI: Miami,' was put on blast by the store's owners on social media for the incident Jamie Newbold, the owner of Southern California Comics, told The Post he was happy to see the case behind him. 'This man stressed me out, stressed out my employees, we remained stressed out,' Newbold said. 'Fearful, looking at customers differently wondering who was gonna hurt us next and now that stress is taken off my shoulders because at least we got a win and we know we can find justice even if we have to do it ourselves,' the owner told the outlet. Buffer is pictured with Cuba Gooding Jr on the set of 'Instinct'. The picture appears on his IMDB page Buffer played Santa Clause in a Yankee Candle holiday advert After charges against Buffer were announced, another comic store has claimed Buffer stole from them in September, The Post reported. Buffer starred in one episode of 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' in 2004 called 'Ben's Birthday Party,' according to his IMDB page. He played the role of the 'stage manager' and appeared in scenes with Ben Stiller Buffer has also had other minor roles in single episodes of 'Cold Case,' and 'ER.' Hong Kong: FS concludes visit to Beijing Financial Secretary Paul Chan wrapped up his tour of Beijing today by visiting the State Council's Hong Kong & Macao Office (HKMAO), the China Banking & Insurance Regulatory Commission (CBIRC) and the Beijing Stock Exchange (BSE). This morning, Mr Chan met CBIRC Vice Chairman Xiao Yuanqi and Vice Chairwoman Cong Lin. Mr Chan highlighted Hong Kong's latest financial development situation and thanked the CBIRC for the continuous support to the city on consolidating and enhancing Hong Kong's status as an international financial centre and strengthening its role as an offshore renminbi business hub and risk management centre. Both parties discussed stepping up regulatory co-operation and deepening mutual access between Mainland and Hong Kong financial markets. Mr Chan then called on HKMAO Deputy Director Yang Wanming. The financial chief said that the recent visit to Hong Kong by HKMAO Director Xia Baolong had reached deeply into different levels of people and areas of the city and aroused strong interest and positive responses in the community. He noted that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will continue to spearhead economic development and improve people's livelihoods in this new era and new stage, and will give full play to Hong Kong's strengths to contribute to the nation's development in areas such as finance and economic development. In the afternoon, Mr Chan toured the BSE to learn about its services including financing developments for innovative small and medium-sized enterprises and the issuing of sovereign bonds and local government bonds. He met and exchanged views with BSE Chairman Zhou Guihua and Beijing Municipal Government financial officials to discuss stepping up mutual co-operation. Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Christopher Hui also joined the visit. Mr Chan will return to Hong Kong this evening. This story has been published on: 2023-04-21. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Foreign investment remains stable in Q1 16:24, April 21, 2023 By Zhong Nan ( Chinadaily.com.cn A teller counts and arranges dollar notes at an Agricultural Bank of China branch in Qionghai, Hainan province. [Photo/China Daily] China's appeal in attracting foreign investment remained stable in the first quarter of 2023, thanks to the country's huge consumer market, its continuous efforts toward industrial upgrading and further opening-up of its economy, analysts and business executives said on Thursday. Foreign direct investment in the Chinese mainland, in terms of actual use, rose 4.9 percent year-on-year to 408.45 billion yuan ($59.37 billion) in the first quarter, data from the Ministry of Commerce shows. Supported by an improved business environment and a series of promotional activities, more than 10,000 foreign-funded companies were established in China between January and March, representing a year-on-year growth of 25.5 percent, ministry spokeswoman Shu Jueting said. In addition to benefiting from China's technological advancements, many foreign companies see China as a gateway to the broader Asia-Pacific region and view investing in China as a means of gaining access to the country's vast network of supply chains and distribution channels, said Zhao Ping, vice-dean of the academy of the Beijing-based China Council for the Promotion of International Trade. She said that China's optimized COVID-19 response measures, along with its effective steps to boost foreign trade and consumption and organize leading trade fairs, including the China International Consumer Products Expo and the ongoing China Import and Export Fair, will help further bolster the nation's social and economic vitality this year. The Chinese market offers a range of advantages, including well-developed industrial clusters, good transportation infrastructure and a robust labor pool, according to Wang Guowen, director of the center for logistics and supply chain management at the China Development Institute, a think tank based in Shenzhen, Guangdong province. He noted that many foreign companies have established research and innovation centers in China to tackle engineering challenges on a global scale. To capitalize on these prospects, Japanese electronics manufacturer Omron Group put a new phase of its plant in Dalian, Liaoning province, into operation in early April. With a total investment of 300 million yuan, the company aims to develop this factory into a global innovation and production base. Wang Dengkui, general manager of Omron (Dalian) Co, said the company plans to invest 10 million yuan this year to upgrade its Dalian plant with a digital system to monitor warehousing, production and assembly. Despite challenges, such as trade protectionism and geopolitical tensions, China saw FDI from France and Germany jump 635.5 percent and 60.8 percent year-on-year, respectively, in the first three months, while investment from the United Kingdom expanded 680.3 percent on a yearly basis, according to data from the Commerce Ministry. Saint-Gobain SA, a French industrial group operating more than 50 factories in China, plans to put the second phase of its Yangzhou manufacturing base into operation in 2024 to further meet the soaring market demand for construction materials in China's eastern region. "Upon completion of the project, our Yangzhou manufacturing base will serve the central and northern parts of Jiangsu province, and also cities in Anhui province," said Ludovic Weber, Saint-Gobain's CEO for Asia-Pacific. Facing diversified demands from Chinese consumers, European companies operating in China are basically in a "fitness center", said Joerg Wuttke, president of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China. "They are operating here, learning from local consumers where they have to make new adjustments and amendments. That can be replicated in their businesses in other parts of the world," he added. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan) A retired CIA leader coordinated a letter from former intelligence chiefs claiming that Hunter Biden's laptop was Russian disinformation because he wanted to help Joe Biden's presidential campaign. Mike Morell told the House Judiciary Committee that he was asked by Antony Blinken, the Secretary of State - who at the time was a senior member of the Biden campaign - to help discredit the laptop reporting. Morell was a former acting CIA director, serving for two months in 2011 and four months from 2012 to 2013. He retired from the CIA in September 2013. The House Judiciary Committee, led by Jim Jordan, is currently investigating Hunter Biden's laptop, as well as the Biden family businesses. Morell 'recently' conducted a transcribed interview with Jordan's team and was asked about the Biden campaign's response to the laptop. Mike Morell was acting CIA director for several months in 2011 and again in 2012-13. He was asked by the Biden campaign in October 2020 to help recruit other former intelligence chiefs to discredit reporting on the contents of Hunter Biden's laptop Hunter Biden is seen with his father Joe and aunt Valerie in Dublin on April 14 Jim Jordan, chair of the House Judiciary Committee, is investigating Hunter Biden's laptop The laptop, which had been left in a Delaware repair store, was touted by Rudy Giuliani, Donald Trump's lawyer, as providing evidence of supposed corruption among the Biden family. The Biden campaign said the efforts to publicize the contents of the laptop bore the hallmarks of a Russian disinformation campaign. The laptop included explicit photos of the troubled Hunter Biden naked, with prostitutes, and taking drugs, as well as multiple emails and texts between the 53-year-old and his father. Morell said that he was asked by Blinken to rally former intelligence chiefs to agree that the laptop looked like a smear campaign. He carried out 'a little bit of my own research,' and then reached out to retired CIA senior operations officer Marc Polymeropoulos for assistance in compiling the letter. The letter was ultimately signed by 51 former intelligence officials, including himself and four other former CIA directors, including John Brennan and Leon Panetta. The letter was published by Politico five days after The New York Post first reported on the contents of the laptop. The headline for Politico's story, on October 19, 2020, was: 'Hunter Biden story is Russian disinfo, dozens of former officials say.' The letter alleged that The New York Post story 'has all the classic earmarks of a Russian information operation.' Several media outlets, including DailyMail.com, have since confirmed the contents of the laptop and that it belonged to Hunter Biden. Photo of a laptop owned by Hunter Biden that was left with a computer repair shop A photo found on the laptop abandoned by Hunter Biden. Jordan and other House Republicans feel the claims from the letter signed by Morell were a 'concerted effort' to discredit the damning information found on Hunter's laptop Hunter Biden is pictured on July 7, 2022 inside the White House Joe Biden used the letter during the October 22 debate against Donald Trump, saying he thought the reporting around his son's abandoned computer was the work of Russia. Morell was thanked for his work in coordinating the letter, with Steve Ricchetti, chairman of the Biden campaign, telephoning him after the debate to say thank you. He was then said to be in consideration for the role of CIA director - a job that ultimately went to William Burns. Morell, who has been a consultant, strategist, lecturer and author since his resignation almost a decade ago, said he was never formally in talks for the role. On Thursday, Jordan and Michael Turner, the chairman of the Select Committee on Intelligence, wrote to Blinken requesting his communications with Morell around the laptop. They issued a statement accusing Morell and the other intel chiefs of 'concerted effort to minimize and suppress' information harmful to the Biden campaign. 'Based on Morell's testimony, it is apparent that the Biden campaign played an active role in the origins of the public statement, which had the effect of helping to suppress the Hunter Biden story and preventing American citizens from making a fully informed decision during the 2020 presidential election,' they wrote. 'Although the statement's signatories have an unquestioned right to free speech and free associationwhich we do not disputetheir reference to their national security credentials lent weight to the story and suggested access to specialized information unavailable to other Americans. 'This concerted effort to minimize and suppress public dissemination of the serious allegations about the Biden family was a grave disservice to all American citizens' informed participation in our democracy.' A driver who allegedly hit a pregnant woman before driving off has appeared before the court for the first time. Stacy Salakowski, 43, from Seymour 110km north of Melbourne, appeared before Broadmeadows Magistrates' Court after allegedly hitting a 31-week pregnant woman without stopping last year on Sydney Rd at Coburg. The victim, Trudy, was left badly injured after the incident at about 10am on August 26, 2022, collapsing to the ground with a broken leg. Ms Salakowski appeared on counts of reckless conduct endangering serious injury, dangerous driving, failing to report an accident, and other offences stemming from the day. Fortunately, Trudy's unborn child was unharmed in the incident which was captured on CCTV. Stacey Salakowski has been accused of allegedly hitting a pregnant woman, Trudy, on Coburg's Sydney road last August Ms Salakowski appeared before Broadmeadow's Magistrate court in Melbourne Friday, April 21 Reporters outside the hearing flocked around Ms Salakowski as she was left the courthouse. 'Did you hit that woman on Sydney Road? Did you leave that crash?' she was asked, as Ms Salakowski remained silent. Last August, Victorian police appealed to the public for answers in identifying the then-unconfirmed suspect, who was seen driving a red Ford hatchback. Police charged Ms Salakowski on October 4. After the incident, Trudy said she was worried about her unborn daughter and automatically protected her stomach. 'My baby could've died or even I could've died,' Trudy told reporters during a press conference. She spent three nights in hospital while doctors treated her broken leg. The court was told prosecutors need more time to prepare the case against Ms Salakowski, who will now remain on bail until her next court appearance. Ms Salakowski is yet to enter a plea. Trudy was 31 weeks pregnant when she was allegedly hit by Ms Salakowski's red hatchback A woman has been charged after a partially blind elderly man was allegedly robbed while trying to get money out of an ATM at a shopping centre in Sydney's west. The 72-year-old was lined up at the shopping centre in Mt Druitt at about 1.30pm on Sunday, March 19, and needed help because of his visual impairment. While waiting for staff to assist him, police allege that a woman, 24, approached him and offered to help him. The man accepted the woman's assistance but, as the transaction was being processed, she then allegedly withdrew a larger amount than requested. Police would like to speak with a woman who may be able to assist with the investigation. It is not suggested she is guilty of the alleged robbery She then allegedly fled, triggering outrage after the story was shared. Police launched a public appeal calling for help in identifying the woman involved in the incident. On Friday, NSW Police confirmed a woman had been arrested following an investigation. The unnamed woman was taken to Mt Druitt Police station and is now 'assisting police with inquiries'. She was charged with steal from person and given conditional bail to appear before Mt Druitt Local Court on Wednesday, May 17. Same model of car was involved in similar incident in NSW The tragic deaths of five people in a horror smash in Victoria has drawn a grim parallel to another deadly accident last year. Christopher Dylan Joannides, 29, allegedly slammed into a Nissan Navara ute and sent it spinning into the path of a truck transporting milk near Strathmerton, just south of the Victoria-NSW border, at about 2.30pm on Thursday. The crash instantly killed the Nissan driver, a local woman in her 60s, her four international passengers - three women and a man all in their 20s - and a dog. In a chilling coincidence, the victims of the crash were travelling in the same model of car as the five teenagers killed in a horror crash in NSW last year. Three girls aged between 14 and 15, and two boys aged 15 and 16 were all killed when the Nissan Navara they were in veered off the road and slammed into a tree on East Parade, Buxton, near Picton, southwest of Sydney, on September 6. Christopher Dylan Joannides, 29, (pictured) allegedly slammed into a Nissan Navara ute and sent it spinning into the path of a truck transporting milk at about 2.30pm on Thursday Thursday's crash was so bad disaster identification experts and search and rescue teams had to be called in to determine how many victims there were (the Mercedes is pictured) Firefighters, paramedics and police rushed to the scene and were confronted with 'absolute chaos', with only the 18-year-old driver surviving. The latest model of Nissan Navara is currently unrated in Australia, but previous models have a five star rating, according to Ancap. On Thursday, identification experts and search and rescue teams had to be called in to determine how many victims had been involved in the crash. Victoria Police had allegedly earlier clocked the white Mercedes sedan travelling 118km/h in a 100km/h zone. In a chilling coincidence, the victims of the crash were travelling in the same model of car as five teenagers killed in a horror crash in Picton, NSW last September (pictured is the scene) Tyrell Edwards, 18, (pictured) was charged after the Nissan Navara ute he was driving veered off the road and slammed into a tree in southwest Sydney on September 6, 2022 Heartbroken family gathered at the site of the Picton crash to farewell their loved ones Joannides faced Shepparton Magistrates Court on Friday afternoon, charged with five counts of dangerous driving causing death. Applying for bail, Joannides' lawyer said he had no other prior offences, was not an unacceptable risk to the community, had a stable residence and family support. Magistrate Simon Zebrowski granted him bail with strict conditions, including that he is banned from driving. 'Probably the worst thing you could do is ... to drive a motor vehicle,' he said. 'You're not to drive a motor vehicle under any circumstance.' Emergency services were called to an incident in Strathmerton, just south of the NSW border, about 2.30pm on Thursday with reports of a multi-car collision (pictured, map) The Nissan Navara 4WD ute was thrown into the path of the truck after being struck by the Mercedes Joannides must reside at his Doncaster address, surrender his passport and cannot leave Victoria or Australia. Following the crash, Joannides and his 20-year-old female passenger were taken to hospital for treatment for minor injuries. The driver of the truck, a 55-year-old man from Marionvale, was not injured and stopped at the scene. While the circumstances of the crash are still under investigation, Assistant Commissioner of Road Policing Glenn Weir said police believe the four international victims are from Asia and were in Australia working in the local farming industry. At the time of the incident, the Navara driver was dropping her employees home after they spent the day working at her property, Assistant Commissioner Weir said. The death of five people in a horror crash in Victoria on Thursday has drawn a grim parallel to a deadly accident last yea The Nissan Navara ute is seen following the horror crash Police from the major collision unit worked through the night to examine and investigate the cause of the crash. Assistant Commissioner Weir said dash camera footage of the crash was 'horrific' and the tragedy would 'significantly impact' the first responders, local community, and victims' families overseas for a long time. He said the truck driver was 'absolutely devastated' and was driving along and doing the right thing when his life 'changed in a split second'. The quintuple fatality is the most deadly car accident Victoria has seen since 2012. Assistant Commissioner Weir said there has been a significant rise in multiple-fatality crashes this year compared to 2022 on Victorian roads. A legal secretary who was 'keen to impress' her then-drug trafficker fiancee carried three suitcases' worth of marijuana on a plane bound for Brisbane for him, a court has been told. Emily Louise Ross cried in the dock of Brisbane Supreme Court as the details of her role in a major trafficking operation - estimated by a judge to be worth more than $7million - was laid bare by prosecutors on Friday. More than 45kg of marijuana, along with substantial amounts of cocaine, methylamphetamine and cash, were seized after police surveilled the young woman when she touched down from Brisbane airport in December 2019. Ross had carried the drugs in three suitcases after flying from Sydney to Brisbane and delivered it to her then-partner, Paul Luu. Emily Louise Ross avoided jail time at Brisbane Supreme Court on Friday, instead walking away with a suspended sentence. Picture: NCA NewsWire The court was told Ross (pictured) then took another bag full of cocaine and ice to a storage locker in Oxley, where she was apprehended by police. Picture: NCA NewsWire 'It was extremely serious conduct,' crown prosecutor Natalie Lima told the court. 'She would have been aware it was a substantial amount and it was for commercial purposes.' Ross, 27, was ultimately jailed for five years but Supreme Court Justice Lincoln Crowley ordered the head sentenced be immediately suspended. She had pleaded guilty late last year to three counts of possessing dangerous drugs. The court was told Ross and Luu were engaged to be married at the time she carried three suitcases full of drugs onto a Brisbane-bound plane on December 23, 2019. After delivering them to Luu at a hotel room in Spring Hill, she was handed another suitcase and told to place it in a storage locker in Oxley. That suitcase contained 6.7kg of pure methylamphetamine and 437g of cocaine. The court was told the estimated value of both those drugs was worth up to $7M, while the marijuana was worth up to $1.36m. 'The police had been surveilling Ms Ross' movements on that day and intercepted her as she was about to open Mr Luu's storage locker,' Ms Lima said. Two firearms were found inside the locker. Police discovered just over 45kg of packaged marijuana and other amounts of drugs and cash when they searched Luu's hotel room. Luu was jailed for 12 years in 2022 with immediate parole eligibility due to his time served in pre-sentence custody. Ross' defence barrister Matthew Hynes told the court his client's act was an 'isolated aberration' that took place on one morning. Large quantities of drugs, firearms and cash were seized during the police's raids of Paul Luu's storage locker and a hotel room back in 2019. Picture: Queensland Police Ross was supported by family and friends in court on Friday. The court was told she had no criminal history and Ross was 'temporarily involved' in the drug operation. Mr Hynes said Ross had an 'unsettled' early life but obtained gainful employment as a legal secretary. She had since turned to starting her own beauty business, the court was told. Mr Hynes said character references spoke of Ross being 'isolated', separated from her family and friends and 'victimised' at Luu's hands. A psychological report spoke of Ross being 'captivated' by Luu's lifestyle at the time and being 'keen to impress' him. Ross (centre) was supported by numerous family and friends during Friday's sentencing. Picture: NCA NewsWire 'That is, she's more likely to do what he says,' Mr Hynes said. In sentencing Ross, Justice Crowley took into account the 'exceptional circumstances' present in the case, including the woman's need to care for her one-month old baby. Supporters expressed relief outside court, one hugging Ross as she left the dock following court. Lions have not been seen in the national park since 2004 Image was captured by remote camera in Sena Oura National Park in February Conservationists have hailed the 'hugely encouraging' discovery of a lion in Chad where the animals were thought to have died out. The lion was spotted in the Sena Oura National Park, where they have not been seen since 2004. A photograph of a lioness was released by a team of conservationists from the Chad government and the New-York based Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). 'The photo shows a prime, very healthy adult lioness, around five years old,' WCS Big Cat Programme executive director Luke Hunter told the BBC. 'I am sure she is not alone,' he added. The image, captured by a remote camera in the protected area in February, was released on Thursday The lioness was spotted in the Sena Oura National Park in Chad. The image was released by a team of conservationists from the Chad government and the New-York based Wildlife Conservation Society The image, captured by a remote camera in the protected area in February, was released on Thursday. Dr Hunter said: 'This is hugely encouraging because prime females are the foundation of any lion population, and they are not big wanderers: they inhabit areas that have prey and are safe to raise their cubs in.' He also noted that the discovery was an early sign of lions recovering in an adjacent national park in Cameroon. In 2014, the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species determined that lions were extinct in Sena Oura. Lioness and cubs (file photo). There have been no lions spotted in Sena Oura National Park since 2004 The WCS says that the national park 'saw a period of ruthless, organised poaching more than a decade ago, but has since benefitted from a very strong commitment to conservation by the governments of both Cameroon and Chad'. It added: 'This has produced better protection of the national parks and wildlife populations are now starting to recover.' Dr Hunter says that there are around 22,000 to 24,000 lions left in the wild, most of which are classified as the southern lion sub-species native to southern and east Africa. There are fewer than 1,000 northern lions in central and west Africa, and they are 'especially endangered and precious', he said. A man has admitted killing a mother and her two children who died from smoke inhalation after a fire ripped through their house but denied their murder. Jamie Barrow pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Fatimah Drammeh, three, and Naeemah Drammeh, one, in the blaze in Nottingham last year. He also admitted being responsible for the death of their mother, 28-year-old Fatoumatta Hydara, who died two days later in hospital from smoke inhalation. He also entered a not guilty plea to one count of arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered. Appearing at Nottingham Crown Court today in grey prison tracksuit bottoms, a grey T-shirt and glasses, Barrow, 31, spoke only to confirm his name and enter his pleas, supported by defence counsel, Andrew Wesley. Fatoumatta Hydara and her children Naeemah Drammeh, aged one, and Fatimah Drammeh, aged three died in a house fire at their home in Nottingham last year. Barrow, pictured, is accused of killing the three after starting a deliberate fire at their home Jamie Barrow, pictured in a court sketch at a previous appearance at Nottingham Crown Court, is accused of murdering the mother and her two children in an arson attack Fatoumatta's husband Aboubacarr Drammeh, 40, paid tribute to his family after the shocking tragedy Naeemah and Fatimah were rushed to Nottingham's Queen's Medical Centre following the blaze in Fairisle Close, Clifton, in the early hours of November 20, but nothing could be done to save them. Fatoumatta died in hospital two days after the fire, which authorities say was started deliberately. After their deaths, Fatoumatta's husband Aboubacarr Drammeh, 40, paid tribute to his loved ones and described their deaths as inconceivable. READ MORE HERE: Heartbreaking footage shows little girls playing together before they were killed in 'arson attack' Advertisement Mr Drammeh, who flew back from the US after the fire, said: 'It is with great sadness that we have lost Fatoumatta and our two daughters in such a tragic way. 'Fatoumatta had lived a short but a very beautiful and fulfilling life. 'A former voluntary worker, Fatoumatta was a very happy, bubbly woman who wouldn't have the heart to hurt a fly. 'We thank the Ahmadi Muslim community in Nottinghamshire, the Gambian community, the local neighbours and all those well-wishers for their continuous support in this difficult time. 'I and my in-laws are left without any daughters, grandchildren and nieces. I will deeply miss my family.' Rob Perkins, headteacher at The Milford Academy in Clifton, where Fatimah attended the nursery, said: 'Our whole school community was incredibly shocked and saddened. 'We are just beginning the painful process of coming to terms with what has happened. 'Fatimah was a kind, joyful and determined member of our nursery. Her sunny personality ensured she made friends wherever she went. She will be dearly missed by all of us.' The fire took place at their home in Fairisle Close, Clifton, in Nottingham on November 20 last year. Pictured: A police officer stands outside the fire-damaged property Ms Hydara, pictured here, tragically succumbed to her injuries two days after the blaze Naeemah Drammeh (right), aged one, and Fatimah Drammeh (left), aged three, both died in the fire Speaking after Barrow was charged Assistant Chief Constable Rob Griffin, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: 'Our thoughts remain with the family at this incredibly painful time, as well as the communities that have been affected by this most tragic of incidents. 'The grief this family has been put through is incomprehensible. 'Large teams of detectives have been working relentlessly alongside specialist search units and forensic experts to understand the full circumstances behind this deliberate fire. 'Following those inquiries, we have charged a suspect with three counts of murder. 'The family are aware of this development and I would like to sincerely thank them for their patience and understanding as we do everything we possibly can to gain justice for Fatoumatta, Fatimah and Naeemah.' Barrow, of Clifton, will return to the same court on June 12 to face trial, in a case which is expected to last three weeks. An old Bud Light commercial has resurfaced online, providing a different angle to the intense debate around the beer company's recent partnership with trans influencer Dylan Mulvaney. The 1994 advert shows a group of men wearing wigs and dresses participating in the bar's 'Ladies Pool Finals' tournament. Two of the men dressed as women eventually make it to the final as they vie to win first prize: Bud Light. The resurfacing of the ad comes amid a row over controversial trans influencer Dylan Mulvaney's partnership with America's most popular beer brand. Mulvaney's involvement in the beer brand has been fiercely contested in recent weeks, with Bud Light's parent company Anheuser-Busch falling heavily in value amid the backlash. Bud Light's partnership with Dylan Mulvaney has since incited outrage and calls for a boycott In the recently-resurfaced 30-sencond commercial, a man with a thick black beard is seen wearing a blond wig, pearl necklace, and orange dress. The man proceeds to run the table, pocketing ball after ball, and nocking one woman out the way to make room for his shot. He then lets out a falsetto giggle in celebration. 'These guys are good,' one of the women spectators complain. 'Who are you calling 'guys'?' one of the men screeches indignantly in a high pitched voice, flanked by two others also dressed in wigs, dresses, and what appear to be breast implants. The 90s commercial then ends with the men making it to the finals where the first prize is advertised to be Bud Light - the died bier produced by Anheuser-Busch. 'It looks like you're in the finals, ma'am,' a referee in a white shirt and black bowtie tells one of the men disapprovingly. The defending ladies pool champion is then seen from behind, appearing to have long red hear and is wearing a dress. 'You're the defending ladies pool champion?,' one of the men ask. The 'woman' chalks her cue before a stubbled face reveals itself, replying in an unmasked voice: 'Yes I am.' A 1994 Bud Light advert shows a group of men dressed as women so they can participate in the bar's 'Ladies Pool Finals' tournament Mulvaney's April 2 Instagram post included her drinking a beer with her face printed on the can and lying in a bathtub drinking a can Bud Light started the partnership with Mulvaney by sending the influencer custom cans featuring her face to commemorate her being a woman for over a year The re-surfacing of the 1990s ad comes after Bud Light began a partnership with trans social media star Dylan Mulvaney It is understood the beer brand wanted to shed its 'frat party' image. Bud Light started the partnership with Mulvaney by sending the influencer - who began transitioning from male to female in 2021 - custom cans featuring her face and pro-LGBTQ language, to commemorate her being a woman for over a year. The star then featured in a series of partnered posts. But the intense debate started to heat up in a Bud Light video featuring a naked Mulvaney. The influencer appeared before her near 11 million TikTok followers in a bathtub drinking a can of Bud Light. Conservative personalities such as Kid Rock - who filmed himself shooting several cases of the best-selling beer in defiance - have accused the brand of veering to the progressive left. Others have taken credit for the drop in manufacturer Anheuser-Busch's market value, while others have aired their disapproval of Mulvaney being the new face of the brand on social media. Anheuser-Busch has since issued a formal statement saying it supported Bud Light's decision to work with Mulvaney, who ballooned to internet stardom with a series of videos documenting her becoming a woman. A newborn baby girl has been found abandoned on the doorstep of a stranger's home, leading police to launch a desperate search for her mother. NSW Police are now appealing for help from the public after the little girl was found at a home on Girra Road, Blacktown, shortly after 2.40pm on Friday. Paramedics treated the baby before she was taken to Blacktown Hospital. Police believe the baby may have been left at the location between 12.30pm and 2.40pm on Friday. The residents of the home alerted police when they found the baby after going outside. They had reportedly only lived at the home for a week. A police operation is now under way in the vicinity to try to find the mother. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime stoppers on 1800 333 000. Britain faces a weekend washout with a chance of thunderstorms as balmy spring conditions are set to be driven away from today. Meteorologists forecast large parts of the country will have a miserable couple of days as the recent warm spell that saw the mercury hit 21C is replaced by cold weather from the north with lows of 8C. This will bring a 'marked difference', the Met Office says, with prolonged and heavy rain set to fall across large areas of the UK and the chance of thunderstorms. Flood warnings and alerts have been issued by the Environment Agency in some places amid concerns about rain and gusts coming from the North Sea. And this could be followed by some late April snow as temperatures plummet in northern parts of England and Scotland to near zero next week. People wear coats and ponchos in the rain as they walk through Westminster in London this morning A wet start in the southeast on Friday Bright and breezy, and fairly chilly in the northwest Sea fog called haar giving murky conditions for parts of northern Scotland pic.twitter.com/Id39BAEzNl Met Office (@metoffice) April 20, 2023 After the end the Easter holidays, this week saw heat lovers bask in pleasant temperatures of 16C in the south of England and a balmy 21C in northern Scotland. READ MORE HERE: Heat lovers enjoy 16C spring temperatures but wintry showers are on the way - as Met Office slams claims of a 40C heatwave summer Advertisement It was a welcome respite for many in what has been a slow start to spring - a temperature reading of 20C in Kinlochewe in the Scottish Highlands on Monday, April 17, was the latest date Britain had reached that temperature in a decade. However, it hasn't lasted for long, with the mercury dropping once again in the south to lows of 8C today. This has been driven as warm air from the Iberian peninsula is replaced with a cold front from the North Sea, which is bringing high winds, colder temperatures and heavy rainfall with it. Forecasters say today most of the precipitation will hit England and Wales, with a chance of thunder and lightning this afternoon as the showers break up into patchier areas of heavy rain. As parts of southern England and Wales hit lows of 8C, by contrast Northern Ireland and northern Scotland are set to have highs of 19C as they avoid the cold front today. The Environment Agency has issued two flood warnings for the North Sea at Roker in Sunderland and at Whitley Bay, Cullercoats and Tynemouth near Newcastle as a result of gusts of up to 40mph. Separate flood alerts have also been issued for the Wear estuary in Sunderland, the Northumberland coast, the Hunstanton coast in Norfolk and the Humber estuary, as well as the Tidal Thames in west London. People carry umbrellas as the rain falls in Oxford Street in London on Friday, April 21, as wintry weather moves in from the north A woman carries an umbrella on Friday, April 21, as temperatures plummet following recent warm weather This forecast on WX Charts for Sunday, April 23, predicts heavy rainfall across England, Wales and southern Scotland, with snowfall in the Highlands Heat lovers enjoyed temperatures of 16C and sunny weather earlier this week, with the mercury hitting 21C in northern Scotland. But forecasters are cautioning there could even be snowfall in the coming days. Pictured: Tourists go punting on the River Cam on April 18 The Met Office is predicting the rain to dominate in northern England, Scotland and Northern Ireland on Saturday, with heavy rain driving into south west England in the evening and the Midlands overnight. Sunday is set to begin with heavy rain over eastern England and Wales, with a chance of snow and hail in Scotland particularly in the evening. Patchy areas of rain becoming more widespread through England later in the day. On Monday the Met Office predicts temperatures could reach as low as 2C in Manchester and 1C in Edinburgh. Met Office senior press officer Nicola Maxey told the Express: 'There is a chance that any shower could fall as snow, particularly at higher grounds in Scotland, or a wintry mix as we go through the southern part of the country next week. 'There will be a sort of northeast/southwest split with the weather, with the colder air in the north while the Atlantic weather system will be trying to push in from the south of the country towards the north.' Sky News commentator Andrew Bolt has slammed his colleagues in a fiery rant after Fox News became embroiled in a 'disaster' court battle with a voting company. Rupert Murdoch's Fox Corp and Fox News have settled a defamation lawsuit brought against them by Dominion Voting Systems for $US787.5 million ($A1.2 billion). The voting company, which produces and sells electronic voting software, had sued Fox for its false claims of vote-rigging in the 2020 US election. Reacting to the drama this week, Mr Bolt launched an extraordinary critique of his Fox colleagues: 'This is a disaster. I mean, we are better than this. We should be. The truth must always come first. Even if the audience doesn't like it.' Mr Bolt (pictured) suggested some of his colleagues at Fox were too concerned with ratings and that pushing the vote-rigging claims had 'exploded' in their faces At issue in the lawsuit was whether Fox was liable for airing the false claims that Denver-based Dominion's ballot-counting machines were used to manipulate the presidential election in favour of President Biden. Tuesday's settlement spared Fox the peril of having some of its best-known figures called to the witness stand and subjected to potentially withering questioning. Individuals who initially faced a grilling include Fox Corp Chairman Rupert Murdoch, 92, and on-air hosts Tucker Carlson, Sean Hannity and Jeanine Pirro. Mr Bolt suggested some of his colleagues at Fox were too concerned with ratings and that pushing the vote-rigging claims had 'exploded' in their faces. 'It's been a tough day to be a member of the News Corp family, as part of the Murdoch empire, which I have been for more than 30 years, proudly,' he said. 'We've had Fox News admit to airing lies about the election that Donald Trump lost. Lies that voting machines were rigged to steal votes from Trump and given to Joe Biden. As Fox News people privately admitted in emails there was no proof, I said the same out loud that this conspiracy theory was nuts. 'But I lost viewers that did not want to hear that back then. They called me a sellout to the point I had to defend myself. 'Some people at Fox News looked at their falling ratings and they gave in to the great temptation let some of the more reckless or desperate or deluded hosts keep pushing this fake news about the voting machines to keep their viewers. 'And now it's exploded in their face.' Rupert Murdoch's Fox Corp and Fox News settled a defamation lawsuit brought against them by Dominion Voting Systems for $US787.5 million (pictured is Mr Murdoch in 2017) Fox News hosts Tucker Carlson (pictured), Sean Hannity, Jeanine Pirro, and other on-air stars, were deposed in the Dominion case last year Dominion CEO John Poulos called the settlement 'historic'. 'Fox has admitted to telling lies about Dominion that caused enormous damage to my company, our employees and our customers,' Mr Poulos said in a statement. 'Truthful reporting in the media is essential to our democracy.' Fox anchor Neil Cavuto broke into his news show Your World to report the settlement with a statement from Fox read live on air. 'We are pleased to have reached a settlement of our dispute with Dominion Voting Systems,' the statement said. 'We acknowledge the court's rulings finding certain claims about Dominion to be false. This settlement reflects Fox's continued commitment to the highest journalistic standards. 'We are hopeful that our decision to resolve this dispute with Dominion amicably, instead of the acrimony of a divisive trial, allows the country to move forward from these issues.' Fox News is the most-watched cable news network in the United States. Jeanine Pirro interviewing Trump lawyer Sidney Powell, who is also being sued by Dominion in a separate lawsuit. They are pictured on November 14, 2020 The settlement of $US787.5 million ($A1.2 billion) is the largest amount of money paid to conclude an American media libel case. The previous highest payment was in 2017 when the U.S ABC network, owned by Walt Disney Co, paid $US177 million ($A263 million), in addition to insurance recoveries, to settle the 'pink slime' defamation case with Beef Products Inc. The company sued in 2012, saying the network's coverage of its lean, finely textured beef product misled customers into thinking it was 'unsafe' and 'not beef'. Dominion sued Fox Corp and Fox News, saying its business was ruined by the false vote-rigging claims aired by the news outlet known for its roster of conservative commentators. The trial was to have tested whether Fox's coverage crossed the line between ethical journalism and the pursuit of ratings, as Dominion alleged and Fox denied. Fox had portrayed itself in the pretrial skirmishing as a defender of press freedom. Adding to the legal risks for Fox, another US voting technology company, Smartmatic, is pursuing its own defamation lawsuit seeking $US2.7 billion ($A4.0 billion) in damages in a New York state court. A cold case murder involving the 20-year-old daughter of a retired NYPD detective in 2003, which featured on Dateline, has taken a new twist after police arrested a paralyzed 42-year-old man who dated the victim before her death. Edward Holley, 42, who was paralyzed in a 2007 car crash, has been charged with second-degree murder over the death of Megan McDonald, who died from blunt force trauma, having been bludgeoned to death. The body of the SUNY Orange County Community College student was found in a field in Wallkill, just outside the city of Middletown and her car was discovered two days later. Holley, who was already in county jail after breaking his probation for an October 2021 narcotics offence, is said to have dated Megan, but the pair had broken up before her death. As he was wheeled from the barracks by troopers, Holley declared his innocence and said he 'loved' Megan but state police said he had a strong motive and DNA evidence linked him to the crime. He will remain behind bars pending trial. Edward Holley, 42, who was paralyzed in a 2007 car crash, has been charged with second-degree murder relating the the 20-year-old cold case The body of the SUNY Orange County Community College student Megan McDonald was found in a field in Wallkill, just outside the city of Middletown in March 2003 Police say they found a voicemail on Ms McDonald's phone in which Holley said he'd seen Megan's new boyfriend's car in her driveway and said new people had come forward with more evidence. DNA and cyber evidence are also said to have linked him to her murder, which police believed happened in her own driver's seat. Her father, a former NYPD detective, had died in 2002 of a heart attack. The NYC Detectives' Endowment Association offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the resolution of the case, as did the FBI. The jumpsuit-clad Holley said: 'I'm definitely not guilty. I loved her with all my heart. They're framing me like some monkey but it's all good.' But members of Megan's family, some of whom were in tears, were scathing as police announced the new breakthrough. James Whalen, the brother-in-law of the murdered student, said 'He forever will be billed a monsters and a coward. 'Do not let his current appearance fool you. This is a vile human being.' NYSP Bureau of Crime Investigation Captain Joseph Kolek said. 'It was the culmination of all the pieces over the course of the last 20 years that led us to this day.' He continued to say the police believe the crime was 'intimate partner violence' and that Holley had owed Megan a substantial amount of money. Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler confirmed that the arrest was made without consultation between his office and the police, which is the standard operating procedure in the county. In what appeared to amount to criticism of the police's handling of the case, Hoovler said the victim's family deserved to have the case handled in the 'best way possible' and added that the investigation and prosecution would be prioritized by his office. Twitter has dropped 'government-funded media' labels from the accounts of NPR and Canada's CBC after the broadcasters boycotted the platform in protest. The tag was added to the company media accounts earlier this month, leading to both broadcasters announcing that they were going to stop using Twitter over the label as it did not accurately capture their governance structure. A 'state-affiliated media' tag was originally added to NPR's profile - the label that was only previously seen associated with Russia and Chinese state news on the platform. It was later changed to 'government-funded media', along with the accounts of the BBC and PBS - but NPR's accounts still remained silent. The dispute led Twitter boss Elon Musk into an online spat with the US broadcaster, calling to 'defund NPR' and to be stripped of federal funding after the boycott. Twitter has dropped 'government-funded media' labels from the accounts of NPR and Canada's CBC. Pictured: Musk and security depart in Washington, January 27, 2023 The tag was added to NPR accounts earlier this month, leading to both broadcasters announcing that they were going to stop using Twitter A label was applied to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's Twitter profile saying '69 percent government-funded', prompting a boycott from the broadcaster The disagreement between Musk and the broadcasters also saw Twitter slap Canada's CBC with a '69% government funded' tag after the media organisation disputed their original label as it was 'less than 70% government-funded'. But bosses said the label implied CBC was not editorially-independent, as the tycoon promoted a boycott after flagging its government funding. After NPR announced it would stopped using Twitter, CBC shortly followed suit. The BBC also hit out at Twitter after the 'government-funded media' label was attached to the corporation's official account. In a BBC interview last week, Musk defended Twitter's decision and said the social media platform was trying to be 'accurate' and would look into amending the label. 'Our goal is simply to be as truthful and accurate as possible. We're adjusting the label to be 'publicly funded', which I think is perhaps not too objectionable,' Musk had said. Radio New Zealand had also threatened to leave Twitter this week over the 'government-funded' label, while Sweden's public Sveriges Radio said it would stop tweeting. With all the tags gone by Friday, it is unclear if the broadcasters will return to the platform. BBC, as well as PBS, was also branded with a 'government-funded media' before being removed NPR explained its decision to stop using Twitter earlier this month, saying it 'stands for freedom of speech [and] holding the powerful accountable' The new update also saw the 'state-affiliated media' tag dropped from China's official Xinhua news agency and RT from Russia. Prior to Musk's purchase of the social media giant, Twitter had long labelled accounts linked to state media or government officials, especially from China and Russia. It said that policy focused on entities that 'are the official voice of the nation state abroad'. Recently, however, the labels were applied to news organisations that received public funding but were not controlled by any governments. In a BBC interview last week, Musk defended Twitter's decision and said the social media platform was trying to be 'accurate' and would look into amending the label The change appeared soon after Twitter began the mass removal of its blue ticks on Thursday, a symbol that previously signified a verified account. Musk, who has seen his $44 billion investment in the platform shrivel, changed the system to allow anyone who pays $8 a month to get the badge. Musk's tumultuous ownership of Twitter has seen thousands of staff made redundant and advertisers fleeing the platform. Users have complained that hate speech and misinformation have proliferated, and accounts with extreme views are gaining traction due to less content moderation. A European judge has warned the UK Government's plans to ignore their injunctions will 'undermine' human rights. The senior Strasbourg source said plans to give Home Secretary Suella Braverman the power to ignore Rule 39 orders would 'undermine' individuals' rights under the European Convention on Human Rights. It comes as the UK Government is amending the Illegal Migration Bill to give the Home Secretary the discretion to ignore interim injunctions to stop a deportation flight. The orders were used in June last year by a single judge at the ECHR to ground the first flight to Rwanda. The amendments follow a backbench rebellion of Tory MPs who demanded the Bill should be toughened up. Senior Strasbourg (pictured: European Court of Human Rights) sources warned plans to give Suella Braverman the power to ignore Rule 39 orders would 'undermine' individuals' rights under the European Convention on Human Rights It comes as the UK Government is amending the Illegal Migration Bill to give the Home Secretary (pictured) the discretion to ignore interim injunctions to stop a deportation flight A European court source told the Daily Telegraph: 'Under the Convention system, interim measures [Rule 39] play a vital role in avoiding irreversible situations that would prevent national courts and/or the court from properly examining convention complaints and, where appropriate, securing to the applicant the practical and effective benefit of the convention rights asserted. 'A failure by a respondent state to comply with interim measures undermines the effectiveness of the right of individual application guaranteed by Article 34 and the State's formal undertaking in Article one to protect the rights and freedoms set forth in the convention.' UK courts will also be prevented from granting injunctions to stop migrants being deported on human rights or other grounds. They will only be allowed to remain if they face a 'real risk of serious and irreversible harm' in the country to which they are being removed. Any other claims will only be considered once they are deported. Ministers argue they are not breaching the convention because Rule 39 injunctions are only 'internal rules' of the court. Mr Sunak has described them as 'opaque, unfair and unjust'. But Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd, a former Lord Chief Justice, issued a warning to the Government on Thursday, suggesting the Bill risks defeat in the Lords. Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, he said Rule 39 orders would be 'a very serious step for the Government to be contemplating putting into force'. Chairman of the Bar Council Nick Vineall KC told the Mail today: 'Legislating to allow the UK Government to ignore the rulings of a court undermines the rule of law, which is the foundation upon which domestic and international justice systems are built.' Millions of cranky Floridians were woken in the small hours of Thursday morning by a loud emergency alert sent to their phones - which was supposed to be broadcast on TV. At 4.45am, Floridians with smartphones were disturbed by a loud alarm, used for Amber Alerts or hurricane warnings, and a text that read: 'TEST - This is a TEST of the Emergency Alert System. NO action is required.' The Florida Division of Emergency Management tweeted an apology for the unintended early start and explained it was supposed to be a test run on TVs, that wouldn't disturb anyone already sleeping or cause panic. One legislator, state Senator Blaise Ingoglia, said he would introduce a 'Stop Wake Act' - a riff on Florida Governor Ron DeSantis's Stop Woke Act, which bans critical race theory in classrooms and business diversity training - to ban Floridians being woken before 5am. Representatives for the DeSantis administration said the people responsible for the 'inappropriate' early-morning alarm would be 'discharged'. The Florida Division of Emergency Management tweeted an apology for the unintended early start and explained it was supposed to be a test run on TVs The incident prompted anger in the DeSantis administration and in an ominous statement said the people responsible would be 'discharged' (pictured in Miami in January) 'We know a 4:45 AM wake up call isn't ideal,' the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FLDEM) said. '@FLSERT wants to apologize for the early morning text. Each month, we test #emergencyalerts on a variety of platforms. This alert was supposed to be on TV, and not disturb anyone already sleeping. 'We are taking the appropriate action to ensure this will never happen again and that only true emergencies are sent as alerts in the middle of the night.' The Florida Association of Broadcasters publishes the scheduled emergency alert tests on its website. Currently, there is a 4.50am test every other month. The Florida Division of Emergency Management tweeted an apology for the unintended early start Social media users joked and complained about the early wake-up call, with some going as far as suggesting a class action lawsuit Android and iPhone users have the ability to turn off the emergency alerts, which are a public warning system commonly used by state and local authorities to deliver important emergency information. The incident prompted anger in the DeSantis administration and in an ominous statement said the people responsible would be 'discharged'. 'This morning's 4:45AM SERT test alert was not appropriate and not done at our direction. The party responsible will be held accountable and appropriately discharged,' DeSantis spokesman Bryan Griffin told Fox News. He denied the charge, which relates to an alleged incident while he was off-duty A serving Metropolitan Police detective was caught by a colleague allegedly committing an indecent act in a public park, a court has heard. Detective Constable Dariusz Alexander, 48, who is attached to the Met Operations Command, denied a charge of committing an act of outraging public decency when he appeared at Thames Magistrates' Court in east London on Thursday. The charge relates to an incident while he was off-duty on Hampstead Heath on March 18. The court heard the alleged incident was spotted by an officer who was in the area on a different police matter. Detective Constable Dariusz Alexander, 48, is a serving Met detective with Scotland Yard Varinder Hayre, prosecuting, told the court that Mr Alexander was seen by two police officers on the heath on March 18. She said: 'They were trying to retrieve some CCTV for a different allegation in Hampstead Heath park. 'One said he had seen a couple walking past the area, along with some others passing by. It was a Saturday, so children were off school.' 'There is high culpability and abuse of position as he was a serving police officer,' the Telegraph reported. A stock picture of Parliament Hill on Hampstead Heath in north London overlooking the city Alexander, of Hornsey, north London, was unconditionally bailed to next appear for trial at Stratford Magistrates Court on June 22. Earlier, Scotland Yard said Alexander has been suspended from duty. The Met's Directorate of Professional Standards is aware of the case and the force has made a referral has been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct. Alexander was charged via postal charge requisition. FBK wants European Union travel ban for socialite over ex-husband's role in war The couple's extravagant purchases were revealed in a cache of leaked emails A cache of leaked emails has revealed the luxury lifestyle of Russia's deputy defence minister and his glamorous ex-wife who set in place a 'pre-emptive' divorce 'to dodge sanctions'. Investigators from the Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK), established in 2011 by Alexei Navalny, the imprisoned opposition leader, acquired 8,000 messages sent over 12 years revealing a life of St Tropez villas, yachts and Rolls-Royces enjoyed by Timur Ivanov, 47, and Svetlana Maniovich, 50. The foundation is pushing for Maniovich to be banned from travel in the European Union over Ivanov's role in the conflict in Ukraine, The Times reports. It said her 'pre-emptive' divorce from Ivanov last summer allowed her to bypass the EU sanctions that were later put in place for her husband. The emails suggest that there was no actual separation. The couple got married in 2009, following the socialite's divorce from the successful businessman Mikhail Maniovich. Pictured: Svetlana Maniovich sunbathing. The Anti-Corruption Foundation is pushing for Maniovich to be banned from travel in the European Union over Ivanov's role in the conflict in Ukraine Pictured: Svetlana Maniovich paddling in the sea. The Anti-Corruption Foundation said the socialite's 'pre-emptive' divorce from Ivanov last summer allowed her to bypass the EU sanctions that were later put in place for her husband. Leaked emails suggest that there was no actual separation Ivanov was appointed deputy defence minister in 2016 after working for a defence contractor. He is responsible for military construction projects, including the rebuilding of the Ukrainian port of Mariupol. Maniovich's family spent 850,000 on villa rentals in St Tropez and 250,000 on yachts between 2013 and 2018, according to her emails. She also took shopping trips to Geneva and Paris, splashing out 104,000 on a diamond ring and spending 150,000 on earrings. Her birthday party in Istanbul in 2018 cost 178,000. Maniovich's list of purchases also include a Dolce & Gabbana dress for 59,500 and a set of 19th-century furniture for 85,000, bought in Belgium. President Vladimir Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, and his wife, the former ice skater Tatiana Navka, attended her 2021 birthday party near Moscow. Ivanov and Maniovich have also allegedly kept a Rolls-Royce Corniche for their trips to the French Riviera. The FBK said that Maniovich's bills were covered by other people and corporations. Olimpsitistroy, a contractor for the defence ministry which is involved in building new apartment blocks in Mariupol, was one of these. On March 17 last year, as Russia sustained its assault on Mariupol, Maniovich picked up diamonds from a jewellery store in Paris. Maria Pevchikh, head of investigations for FBK, urged the French authorities to ban Maniovich from visiting France, posting a video of her 'partying in Courchevel,' a ski resort in France, three weeks ago. Pevchikh also announced a demonstration on April 23 close to Maniovich's flat in Paris 'demanding to sanction their family, freeze their assets and kick them out of Europe'. According to the FBK, in 2012, Ivanov bought a manor in the center of Moscow for 6.7 million. The foundation said he also spent about the same amount on the construction of a luxurious country house on the Rublyovskoye Highway. Pictured: Svetlana Maniovich enjoying a drink on holiday. The couple got married in 2009, following Maniovich's divorce from the successful businessman Mikhail Maniovich Pictured: Svetlana Maniovich aboard a boat. Maniovich's family spent 850,000 on villa rentals in St Tropez and 250,000 on yachts between 2013 and 2018, according to her emails Pictured: Svetlana Maniovich enjoying a drink. The FBK said in December: 'Right now, Ivanov's wife is spending her blood money in Parisian boutiques. Europe imposed sanctions on Ivanov only on October 6, 2022. But a month before that, he and Maniovich had divorced' Pictured: Timur Ivanov and Svetlana Maniovich drinking on a boat. According to the FBK, in 2012, Ivanov bought a manor in the center of Moscow for 6.7 million Pictured: Timur Ivanov, 47, and Svetlana Maniovich, 50, on a boat. Ivanov and Maniovich have also allegedly kept a Rolls-Royce Corniche for their trips to the French Riviera Pictured: Russian President Vladimir Putin accompanied by Deputy Defence Minister Timur Ivanov and Patriarch Kirill, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church (file photo) The FBK said in a post on its website in December: 'The family's assets are registered to "Russian Federation," their nannies and chauffeur, as well as contractors of the Ministry of Defense. 'These contractor companies receive billions in construction contracts from the ministry, and they also paid Maniovich and Ivanov's bills. The official income of the family is about 25 million rubles a year. There is no way that would allow them to lead such a luxurious lifestyle. All this was bought with money stolen from the Russians.' It added: 'Right now, Ivanov's wife is spending her blood money in Parisian boutiques. Europe imposed sanctions on Ivanov only on October 6, 2022. But a month before that, he and Maniovich had divorced. 'The divorce was merely a formality, and its only purpose was to allow Ivanov's family to continue to live and spend money in Europe. This is confirmed by the fact that Svetlana took her husband's surname shortly before the divorce. 'Russian Deputy Defense Minister Timur Ivanov makes money on construction in the occupied regions of Ukraine. At the same time he spends millions of euros on vacations, luxury real estate and antiques. His wife uses the corrupt money to live a luxurious lifestyle in Europe. This follows from a new investigation by the Anti-Corruption Foundation.' Pictured: Svetlana Maniovich on a boat. Her birthday party in Istanbul in 2018 cost 178,000, according to the leaked emails Pictured: Svetlana Maniovich swimming in the sea on holiday. According to the FBK, in 2012, Ivanov bought a manor in the center of Moscow for 6.7 million Pictured: Svetlana Maniovich poses beside some octopuses at a coastal resort Pictured: Svetlana Maniovich on holiday. The FBK said that in 2018, Ivanov's wife celebrated her birthday in Istanbul, with the event costing her 178,000 Pictured: Svetlana Maniovich taking a stroll beside the water on one of her city visits Pictured: Timur Ivanov and Svetlana Maniovich on holiday. Prior to his current role, Ivanov served as deputy head of the Moscow region Pictured: Russian Deputy Defence Minister Timur Ivanov and Svetlana Maniovich joking with one another on holiday Pictured: Timur Ivanov and Svetlana Maniovich on a walk. Their son Mikhail is a student at Oxford University Ivanova's son Mikhail is a student at Oxford Brookes University in England and her daughter lives in France. Maniovich's husband is among those sanctioned by Britain, the European Union and the United States due to his proximity to Putin, but she and her children are not under the same restrictions. Prior to his current role, Ivanov served as deputy head of the Moscow region. Both Mikhail and Ivanova's daughter Alexandra are keen Instagram users, despite the platform being banned in Russia. After the invasion of Ukraine, Alexandra wrote: 'There should not be hostilities in any country in the world.' She did not directly criticise the Kremlin. An Australian real estate agent found unresponsive on a Bali street was turned away from a hospital just hours before he died due to an unfortunate twist of fate, it has emerged. Charlie John Bradley, 28, died in the early hours of Sunday morning outside the Bhakti Vendanta health clinic in north Kuta, in the south of Bali, three and a half hours after leaving the popular Finns Beach Club. As his family are attempting to put together his final hours, a nurse has revealed two people accompanied Bradley to the medical centre, but he was turned away because the on-duty doctor was off-site treating someone else at the time. 'My doctor explained by phone to the local guys that he (is) treating another emergency patient and (he) explained to move (Bradley) to another clinic or hospital,' she told 7News. Meanwhile, Mr Bradley's heartbroken girlfriend has paid tribute to her 'greatest love'. Charlie John Bradley, 28, died in the early hours of Sunday morning outside the Bhakti Vendanta health clinic in north Kuta, in the south of Bali, three and a half hours after leaving Finns Beach Club, He is pictured in Sydney with his girlfriend In a heartbreaking post on Instagram, Clare Stokes wrote: 'I loved loving you so damn wholeheartedly!' Describing the British-born agent as 'the light of her life', she added: 'Thankful to be dusted with your stardust. You are the brightest star in the sky! 'You are an unmatched love I will hold forever Charles. 'I would do anything to live out more laughter-filled days with you.' She added that her partner's shock death had left her with 'complete emptiness' in a series of heartfelt posts where she also described his 'essence' and shared sweet messages from her boyfriend. Charlie John Bradley (pictured, left) was found outside a health clinic in the early hours of Sunday morning. His sister, Beth (right), has asked those who saw him in his final moments to come forward to help their family find out what happened to him Mr Bradley, who is originally from Coventry in the UK, migrated from Coventry to Sydney back in 2013 One message read: 'You're always my favourite person and always will be. You're my absolute soulmate.' In another, he wrote: 'I love you my darling, today I'm thinking of you, and how happy you make me, I'm very grateful for you'. Mr Bradley's sister earlier revealed her brother made late-night phone calls to a friend in the hours before his death. Beth Bradley has been desperately searching for answers about what happened to him in the gap between midnight, when he left the club, and around 3.40am, when he was found dead. 'All we know at this stage is that Charlie was at Finn's Beach Club,' she said. Mr Bradley had spent the hours before his death at popular nightlife spot, Finn's Beach Club (pictured, North Kuta police examining the location outside the Bhaktivedanta Clinic where Mr Bradley was found) 'It sounds as if he arrived around 2pm and spent the day there with the friend that he was travelling with and a group of people that they had met. 'He left the venue at around 12.10am at the front exit. He walked shortly down the street, one of the girls that they had been with in the group had helped Charlie into a taxi,' she explained. 'She heard the taxi driver say that he knew where the villa was that he was staying, 15 minutes away from Finns. 'All we know at that point is that Charlie's friend that was in the villa had three missed calls from Charlie an hour later at around 1.30am. Ms Bradley told Daily Mail Australia she suspects her brother may have been a victim of methanol poisoning - after being assured by friends no drugs were taken. Charlie is pictured 'From there, all we know is that Charlie was then found in the middle of the street, on the ground.' TIMELINE OF CHARLIE BRADLEY'S FINAL NIGHT Saturday 15 April: Charlie Bradley spends the evening drinking at Finn's Beach Club in North Kuta, south Bali, with a friend he has travelled from Australia with and several others they have met out there. 10pm: Mr Bradley's friend leaves the club to return to the villa. He stays with the group. Sunday 16 April - 12.10am: Mr Bradley is seen going into a taxi by a female friend who hears him give his address to the driver. The driver knows where it is. 1.30am: Mr Bradley makes three phone calls to his friend over WhatsApp. Time unknown: Mr Bradley is seen stumbling and staggering outside Da Maria restaurant on Petitenget Road, not far from his villa. 3.40am: Mr Bradley is found in the road outside a health clinic a three minute walk from Da Maria restaurant by a local woman driving by on a motorbike. A taxi driver later stops and helps drive him to hospital. A foreigner - who claims he is unknown to Mr Bradley - is seen at the hospital and reportedly shows the doctor a video of Mr Bradley acting erratically, stumbling around and banging his head against the floor. Monday 17 April: Mr Bradley's family learn of his death. Advertisement What happened in the hours after Mr Bradley was put in a taxi and made three calls to a friend before his mysterious death will be the key to working out what happened to him. Ms Bradley told Daily Mail Australia she suspects her brother may have been a victim of methanol poisoning - after being assured by friends no drugs were taken. 'Charlie doesn't drink beer - he sticks to spirits,' she said. 'There's a lot of methanol poisoning in Bali. It seems that a lot of the bars pump their alcohol with methanol themselves to save them money in terms of producing it. 'The body can't hack that much, which can end up with you having hallucinations, not being able to walk, shaking and multiple other symptoms.' Ms Bradley said she had 'wracked her brain a million times over' in a search for answers and that this was the most plausible. 'Every time I've Googled people dying in Bali, it seems to be a very similar situation, and it seems to be happening more as of late,' she said. Ms Bradley stressed that it was just a theory at this stage as the family face an agonising wait to repatriate his body for a post-mortem examination in Australia. But she said it might explain the chilling phone call she received on Monday from a doctor who treated her brother at Siloam Hospital in Kuta. 'The doctor told me that a man had brought Charlie into the hospital and that he showed him a video of Charlie standing, looking confused and shouting,' she said. 'He then fell to the ground and was rolling around. He stood up, fell again and banged his head on the floor - five times. By the time he received Charlie at the hospital, Charlie had passed away.' Unfortunately, the doctor did not get the man's name or ask for a copy of the video. Ms Bradley has made a desperate plea for that individual to come forward to spare their family the anguish of not knowing what happened in his final moments. The 'mystery man' accords with the latest update from Bali Police, whose spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia that they had interviewed two witnesses about the baffling death. Dozens of families have been left unable to return to their homes for eight months after a devastating gas explosion which killed a little girl. A total of 27 families, some of whom are still living in hotels, have been left homeless after the blast in Thornton Heath on August 8, last year. The horrific incident took place after a gas leak at the family home of four-year-old Sahara Salman, who was tragically killed in the resulting explosion which led to the evacuation of hundreds of people. In February her family hit out at Merton Council as Sahara's mother revealed they were 'sleeping on the floor' six months after the blast killed her daughter and destroyed all their possessions. Earlier this week the council confirmed that many families are still 'displaced' as a result of the explosion and have not been allowed to return home - although those whose homes weren't destroyed should be able to go back 'in the next few weeks'. Sahara Salman, pictured, was killed in the gas explosion on August 11, last year, at her home in Thornton Heath The blast destroyed the Salman family home and damaged dozens of others in the quiet residential street The tragic blast, which is being investigated by police, demolished the Salman family homes and damaged others on the quiet residential street of Galpin's Road, near Croydon. In the immediate aftermath hundreds of people were moved out of their homes to ensure their safety. Since them many have returned, but at a meeting on Wednesday, Merton Council said 27 families remained 'displaced'. Ross Garrod, leader of the council, said apart from homes that were destroyed in the explosion, 'the rest of the houses should be ready for reoccupation in the next few weeks', the BBC reports. Speaking in February, Sana Ahmad - the mother of Sahara - confirmed she and her family were residing in a living room while awaiting a place to live. She emotionally spoke of how her last memory of Sahara was 'kissing her good night, telling her how much I loved her, and promising to see her in the morning'. She said at the time: 'As a parent, it is a nightmare come true to know that my daughter lost her life in the very bed where she should have felt safe and secure. 'Sahara was a shining star in our lives, and her absence is felt deeply. 'Despite this tragedy, we are still homeless and sleeping on the floor. 'My three children and I have lost everything and it's devastating to see them without their belongings and a place to call home. 'They miss their sister and are scared to go to school. Eight months later Merton Council has admitted that 27 families are still 'displaced' after the explosion The explosion took place in Galpin's Road, Thornton Heath, in south London on August 11, last year 'We deserve support in this difficult time but it feels like we've been left to fend for ourselves. 'It's unfair that we are being treated this way and left without proper support. 'It's difficult to understand why the council is struggling to find a suitable home for us to live in after such a long time. 'It feels like torture to be left to suffer like this.' Previously she had slammed Southern Gas Networks (SGN), accusing them of neglecting problems in the area. Earlier this month the company restarted a project to complete the replacement of a gas main in Galpin's Road, which it says 'is essential for the continued safe and reliable gas supply across the wider community'. It previously announced it was donating half-a-million pounds to the council and providing hotel accommodation for those affected. Waseem Hanif, spokesperson for SGN, said: 'We know it's still an incredibly challenging time for everyone in the Galpin's Road community, in particular those who haven't been able to return to their homes. We're continuing to liaise closely with Merton Council, which is the lead agency for supporting households since the explosion.' At a community meeting with residents in the immediate aftermath of the blast Martin Holloway, executive operations director for SGN, told an angry crowd the company was 'shocked and saddened' by what had happened. Mr Holloway told locals at the community meeting: 'Whilst I appreciate it is frustrating given the ongoing police investigation, I'm unable to talk about what happened in the run-up to the explosion. 'I know that's difficult because people want answers about what's happening.' The blast completely demolished a house and damaged others, leaving debris strewn across a wide area However, locals immediately began shouting at Mr Holloway, who had to stop speaking. Two residents walked out of the meeting while shouting at the company representative, with one describing the investigation as a 'whitewash'. One resident said the company had 'blood on their hands', while another demanded answers, as 'houses don't just blow up'. Mr Holloway confirmed that 'the entire history, both electronic and paper' of all the work carried out by SGN on Galpin's Road would be available to the police for their investigation. He added that the company would also make a 'voluntary goodwill contribution' to the local council following the blast. MailOnline has contacted SGN for comment. The ex-Miss England is awaiting her trial in a prison in Mexico City Jennifer Young didn't tell her family about her imprisonment for months A former Miss England beauty queen is facing 20 years in a hellhole Mexican jail for suspected drug trafficking, MailOnline can reveal. Jennifer Young was arrested trying to smuggle over 250,000 worth of ketamine into Cancun airport after arriving from Amsterdam in August last year. The 33-year-old fashion model was allegedly found to have 13.080kg of the drug hidden in packets and bottles in a false bottom in her suitcase. Young, a Miss Derby contestant when she was 17, spent months in an overcrowded jail in Cancun before being transferred to a prison close to Mexico City in February. She kept her family in the dark about her plight for over six months, telling her heartbroken mother Angela she was simply travelling around the country. Jennifer Young , 33, seen during her modelling days, was arrested in Mexico for allegedly trying to smuggle over 250,000 worth of ketamine into Cancun airport Former Miss England beauty queen Young, who was born in Berlin, but grew up in Derby, is facing 20 years in a hellhole Mexican jail as she goes in trial there for drug trafficking Young was allegedly found to have 13.080kg of party drug ketamine hidden in packets (pictured) and bottles in a false bottom in her suitcase However, she finally learned the truth just five weeks ago when her only daughter failed to phone her to wish her happy birthday. Speaking to MailOnline from her home in Derby, Angela told MailOnline: 'I'm still in shock. I knew Jenny was in Mexico but I thought she was travelling. I've only just found out Jenny is in prison. 'My birthday is in March and wherever in the world Jenny is she calls me. But she didn't get in touch and I started to worry. 'Then I got a message from her friend. I asked him where she was. After a lot of messages, he finally told me that she was in jail. I couldn't believe it. 'Then I found out the whole story. That she had been in jail in Cancun for months. It was horribly over-crowded. I don't know how many people were in her cell, but it was terrible. 'But in February she was moved to another prison outside Mexico City. She has been charged with drug trafficking but she hasn't been put on trial yet. She could get a 20-year sentence. I'm so worried.' Young, who was born in Germany to a British mother and German father, has spent much of her life working abroad as a model and a tour guide, after leaving her hometown of Derby aged 19. In an online tour guide blog she wrote last year, she wrote: 'I'm Jenny, a born Berliner but also half English and speak both languages fluently. In my 32 years on this planet I've travelled the globe extensively. 'It's my passion and I love it but I always find myself magnetised back to my favourite place Bangkok. Fresh faced Young was a Miss England contestant for Derby when she was 17 back in 2007 Young's mother Angela told MailOnline that she is heartbroken that her daughter is incarcerated in Mexico and said she only recently learned that she was in jail awaiting trial 'I've lived in many places including Asia, Australia, Canada, etc and have explored around 40 countries so far. I'm a model and study natural healing.' She added: 'My greatest loves are music, health eating, yoga, nature and meeting cool new people!' Throughout her incarceration Jenny has received visits from the British Consul to Mexico. She is expected to meet with a lawyer this week to discuss her trial. Angela added: 'The British consulate went to see her last Wednesday. She is fine now she has a cell to herself. It's much better than the other place. 'Prisoners are allowed to have visits from family members. Relatives bring in food and other things. 'Jenny says she gets three meals a day but they are very small portions. She is waiting for the lawyer to see her. 'She had been calling me before, but didn't say she was in trouble. 'She has been phoning me from the jail. She only gets five minutes and I don't know who is listening in, so she hasn't talked about what happened, it's like, 'I love you, speak to you soon'. Young's mother said her daughter, who was born in Berlin, told her that she had been travelling in Mexico and she only discovered the truth when she didn't phone her mother on her birthday 'I'm still coming to terms with what happened. I find sleeping difficult, but it's not about me. 'It's about how Jenny is going to get through all this,' she added. Young faces up a sentence of up to 20 years if she is convicted of drug smuggling one of the most serious crimes in Mexico. A Foreign Office spokesman last night confirmed the British Consul in Mexico is providing assistance to a British national in Cancun and her family in the UK. A Welsh council has spent thousands on a commemorative sculpture to mark the start of the scenic Wales Coastal Path walk - that locals have said looks like a baked potato. It was intended to resemble an enormous, glittery pebble, welcoming hikers to the Welsh coastal path. But the lumpy art installation was immediately likened to a potato wrapped in tin foil by derisive locals. Now their scorn has turned to anger after it emerged that 6,000 of taxpayers' money has been spent on the 3ft sculpture, which was this week nestled in a muddy puddle. That is enough for more than 1,000 fully-loaded cooked spuds, or around 35,000 raw ones. Passersby said the 6,000 sculpture looks like a potato wrapped in tin foil The Chepstow baked potato, as it has been dubbed, marks the tenth anniversary of the 870-mile path which skirts the stunning Welsh coastline. Created by artist Michael Johnson, and decorated with the word 'croeso', meaning 'Welcome', it was unveiled last month by television presenter Iolo Williams and former National Poet of Wales Ifor ap Glyn. Monmouthshire County Council celebrated the opening by posting videos on its social media channels, including one in which Williams notes the sculpture sits next to a sound box which tells visitors about the path. The unveiling of the pebble was met with 'oohs' from the crowd followed by modest applause. 'Isn't that beautiful,' Mr Williams said while unveiling the sculpture. 'I now announce this pebble open.' But passersby soon started pointing out the sculpture looks a bit a like a potato wrapped in tin foil. 'I'm beans and cheese but the husband would prefer tuna mayo,' Emma Mee joked. Kylie Young asked: 'Why is there a giant baked potato on the river bank? What has that got to do with Chepstow or the coast path?' In a reference to Wales' controversial new default speed limit, Matt Stait added: 'Took a 20mph trip today to the mediocre baked potato to see where the raise in my council tax is going. 'I'm waiting for someone to smother it in baked beans.' Lee Cook said: 'We need more shops, not rocks or spuds wrapped in tin foil.' Wayne Cooper asked: 'How much did this cost?' And Wayne Cooper asked: 'How much did this cost?' The sculpture has the Welsh word 'croeso' written on it meaning 'welcome' The answer, it turns out, is 6,000 with the artwork paid for and commissioned by Flintshire County Council, situated at the other end of the path. In response, Conor Holohan, of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: 'Taxpayers will be disappointed that this project wasn't foiled in its early stages.' A spokeswoman for the Labour controlled Monmouthshire County Council said: 'The funding for the Wales coast path improvements was part of the Welsh Government access improvement grant, for Monmouthshire County Council and Flintshire County Council.' 'The artwork cost 6,000 and was commissioned and paid for by Flintshire County Council. Monmouthshire County Council paid 6,000 out of its access improvement grant to Flintshire County Council for this purpose.' Artist Mr Johnson has been making artworks for public spaces since 1991, with his 12ft mussel sculpture in Musselburgh winning the Civic Award. The long-time partner of a mother-of-two has been charged with her murder after she was found at her home beaten and stabbed. Steven Dean, 37, was charged with one count of murder on Friday following the death of his partner of 15 years, Emmerick Lasakar. Ms Lasakar, 35, was found at her home in Kewdale, southeast Perth on Monday after WA police charged her home when her young daughters called triple zero. Officers administered first aid to the Ms Lasakar before she was taken to Royal Perth Hospital, where she later died. Dean remains in hospital under police guard after allegedly trying to flee the scene. He is alleged to have crashed his grey ute into a tree before entering a nearby home where he was arrested by police. He has also been charged with attempted aggravated armed robbery, aggravated home burglary and commit, and reckless driving. Steven Dean, 37, is alleged to have killed Emmerick Lasakar. The couple had been together for 15 years (pictured together) Dean allegedly crashed his grey ute (pictured) into a tree before fleeing into a nearby home where he was arrested by police Neighbours have previously revealed how a young girl's screams were heard coming inside the house. A neighbour told 9News she was alerted to the ordeal when she heard screams ring out across the neighbourhood. 'It was her mother - she was screaming "mamma mamma mamma, no no no, pick me, kill me'," the neighbour said. 'Then screaming again, like massive bad awful screaming, that was the worst'. Ms Lasakar, 35, was found with serious injuries at her home in Kewdale, Perth, on Monday A neighbour told 9News she was alerted to the ordeal when she heard screams ring out across the neighbourhood (pictured is 35-year-old Emmerick Lasakar) WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch said earlier this week the scene was confronting 'not only for officers but for the kids'. 'It is a tragically sad day for the family,' he told ABC Perth radio. Dean has been refused bail and is set to appear in Perth Magistrates Court on Saturday via a bedside hearing in hospital. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg today said all members have agreed that Ukraine will join the military alliance in a major boost for Volodymyr Zelensky. The chief said that Ukraine must have 'the deterrence to prevent new attacks' from Russia once the war ends and joining would give Kyiv protection. Mr Stoltenberg said the NATO allies had agreed that Ukraine would eventually become a member of the alliance and that Mr Zelensky had been invited to attend the next summit in July. But Mr Stoltenberg, who met Ukraine's president in Kyiv yesterday, added that the main focus now is to ensure that the country prevails against Russia. He acknowledged the need to discuss 'new platforms' of support with the battle now in its second year. He also underlined the necessity of ensuring that already supplied weapons continued to work. Pictured: NATO head Jens Stoltenberg (L) shakes hands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the end of a joint press conference in Kyiv yesterday Pictured: Ukrainian soldiers fire targets on the front line in the direction of the city of Ugledar, Donetsk, Ukraine as Russia-Ukraine war continues on Tuesday 'I think sometimes we underestimate all the logistics that have to be in place just to have operational battle tank capabilities so maybe it's also a bit more boring but the logistics is extremely important,' said the NATO chief. He added: 'This is now a battle of attrition and a battle of attrition becomes a war of logistics.' US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said today that international backing for Ukraine holds 'strong and true', as he opened a meeting in Germany with allies to discuss further support for Kyiv. On the eve of the talks gathering representatives from 50 countries, Mr Zelensky urged Western allies to send more fighter jets and long-range missiles to help repel Russian troops. He had put his requests directly to Mr Stoltenberg, who visited Kyiv before heading to the Ramstein air base for the meeting. 'Our support for the forces of freedom in Ukraine holds strong and true,' Mr Austin said, as he began the discussions, a year on after the format gathering defence leaders was started to coordinate aid for Ukraine. 'At today's contact group meeting, we'll focus on three key issues air defence, ammunition and enablers,' said Mr Austin, referring to logistics and other support. Mr Zelensky had asked for NATO's help to 'overcome the reluctance' of some member states in providing long-range rockets, modern fighter jets and armoured vehicles. Ukrainian soldiers fire targets on the frontline in the direction of the city of Ugledar, Donetsk, Ukraine as Russia-Ukraine war continues on April 18, 2023 NATO members have sent some Soviet-era fighter jets to Ukraine, but no modern planes such as the US-designed F-16 have been pledged despite Ukraine's requests. Ukraine's Western supporters have also been reluctant to send long-range rockets because of concerns that Ukraine could use them to hit targets within Russia. Mr Stoltenberg acknowledged the need to discuss 'new platforms' of support with the battle now in its second year. He also underlined the necessity of ensuring that already supplied weapons continued to work. Earlier in the week, Ukraine said it had received from allies the first shipment of Patriots, seen as one of the most advanced US air defence systems. Germany also delivered a promised Iris-T anti-air missile system. The kit has been one of Kyiv's key demands from Western allies as it looks to defend itself from Russian missile attacks and roll back Moscow's invasion. During Mr Stoltenberg's visit to Kyiv, the NATO chief was also pressed on allowing Ukraine to join the alliance, but he stressed that that was not the immediate priority. 'All NATO allies have agreed that Ukraine will become a NATO member, but the main focus now is of course on how to ensure that Ukraine prevails,' he said. 'Without a sovereign, independent Ukraine, there is no meaning in discussing membership,' he said. The NATO chief also underlined that the alliance was in on the long-haul with its backing for Ukraine, including a 'multi-year programme to help Ukraine transition from Soviet-era equipment standards [and] doctrines to NATO standards and doctrines. 'We need to ensure that Ukraine has the military strength... that deterrence to prevent new attacks because you have to remember that the war didn't start in February last year but with the 2014 annexation of Crimea.' Russia struck Kyiv with drones overnight in the first such attack for almost a month, although city officials reported no casualties. Moscow suffered a setback as one of its fighter jets lost munition over Belgorod near the Ukrainian border, after authorities reported a blast that injured two people and left a huge crater in the Russian city. The region of Belgorod has been repeatedly shelled since Vladimir Putin sent troops to Ukraine last February. Two-fifths of voters think new Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf is incompetent, weak, and out of touch, a poll has revealed. The SNP leader, who replaced Nicola Sturgeon last month, was dealt a further blow as the YouGov survey also showed support for his party has slumped to its lowest level since the 2014 Scottish independence referendum. Mr Yousaf took over as first minister following a divisive SNP leadership contest, in which his past record as a Scottish Government minister was torn apart by his rivals. He has since seen the SNP's former chief executive Peter Murrell, the husband of Ms Sturgeon, and SNP treasurer Colin Beattie arrested as part of a police investigation into the party's finances. There has also been a dramatic police search of Mr Murrell and Ms Sturgeon's house. Two-fifths of voters think new Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf is incompetent, weak, and out of touch, a poll has revealed The YouGov survey showed the SNP had fallen to 38 per cent in Scottish Parliament constituency vote share The regional vote share put the SNP on 30 per cent, which is their lowest share of the vote since just before the 2014 Scottish independence referendum The YouGov poll revealed further signs that voters are turning away from the SNP amid the party's turmoil. In their first voting intention survey since Mr Yousaf became first minister, the YouGov research showed the SNP had fallen to 38 per cent in Scottish Parliament constituency vote share. This is the party's joint-lowest share since the independence referendum in 2014. As recently as December, the SNP had been on 50 per cent in constituency voting intention among Scottish voters. Labour's constituency vote share of 30 per cent is the party's highest since immediately prior to the 2014 referendum, while the Tories were on 16 per cent and the Liberal Democrats on 10 per cent in this week's poll. The regional share when people were asked who they would vote for at a Holyrood election put the SNP on 30 per cent, which is their lowest share of the vote since just before the referendum and is a 10-point drop since late last year. When asked who they would vote for at a general election, the SNP were backed by 37 per cent of Scottish voters (down two points from last month), while Labour were on 28 per cent and the Tories on 17 per cent. Mr Yousaf has been dubbed 'Humza Useless' by critics due to his ministerial record from his time in the Scottish Government. His leadership rival Kate Forbes used the recent SNP leadership contest to accuse Mr Yousaf of overseeing failures across the country's transport, justice and health systems in past roles. The YouGov survey revealed almost two-fifths (39 per cent) of Scottish voters thought Mr Yousaf was 'incompetent', compared to 26 per cent who thought he was 'competent'. The poll also showed 45 per cent believed the first minister was 'weak', compared to 18 per cent who said he was 'strong'; while 44 per cent said the SNP leader was 'out of touch with ordinary people', compared to 26 per cent who said he was 'in touch with ordinary people'. Scottish voters thought Mr Yousaf was doing a bad job by a margin of 44 per cent to 19 per cent, the survey revealed. It also showed more than half of the Scottish public (53 per cent) viewed the SNP as a divided party following their current woes, compared to 29 per cent who saw it as united. Mr Yousaf has seen the SNP's ex-chief executive Peter Murrell, the husband of Nicola Sturgeon, and SNP treasurer Colin Beattie arrested as part of a police investigation More than two-fifths (43 per cent) believed Ms Sturgeon should be suspended from the SNP amid the police probe into the SNP's finances More than two-fifths (43 per cent) believed Ms Sturgeon should be suspended from the SNP amid the police investigation into the party's finances, compared to 31 per cent who thought she shouldn't. According to polling expert Professor Sir John Curtice, the Westminster voting intention poll by YouGov indicated the SNP would pick up 34 seats at a general election, with Labour taking 14, the Tories six and the Lib Dems five. At the 2019 general election, the SNP won 48 out of 59 Scottish constituencies, while Labour won one seat. Sir John told The Times the SNP's divisive leadership contest and ongoing police investigation had 'taken their toll on SNP support' but the party 'is far from being in electoral meltdown'. Demand for potency pills in Russia has soared due to stress linked to Vladimir Putin's war, a new study suggests. Spending on drugs to combat erectile dysfunction rose 75 per cent year on year, according to the Centre for the Development of Advanced Technologies in Moscow. The hike in July to September last year was 19 per cent up on the previous quarter. In the first quarter of 2023 this increased to 40 per cent. The study also revealed Russian spending on contraceptive products also slumped over the same period. The findings coincide with Putin's aggression in Ukraine with demand especially high among residents in wealthier postcodes for example Moscow, Moscow region and St Petersburg. Demand for potency pills in Russia has soared due to stress linked to Vladimir Putin 's war, a new study suggests 'On average, there were 392 packs of such drugs per thousand adult men living in Russia in the first quarter of 2023,' noted Chestny Znak analysts. Erectile dysfunction is becoming more common among younger men - those most vulnerable to being called up as cannon fodder for Putin's war against Ukraine. The rise in use of such drugs comes despite a 'blow below the belt' to Putin with a February announcement that supplies of Viagra tablets were suspended to Russia. 'Viatris LLC informed us about the suspension of the supply of the Viagra drug in the dosage form of a tablet,' the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade said, reported Interfax. Yet this triggered a 50 per cent increase in sales of the potency-enhancing drug, said Chestny Znak. There was no chance of couples being let down by a lack of supplies. 'Available stocks are sufficient to meet the current level of demand for eight months,' explained state news agency TASS. 'During this time, suppliers of equivalent drugs can increase the volume of supplies and replace Viagra in Russian pharmacies with their products.' There are also signs that Viagra and other similar Western drugs are reaching Russia via other countries including Kazakhstan and China. The dictator himself is believed to favour another method of boosting potency, after being introduced to blood baths by his defence minister Sergei Shoigu, a Siberian native. Putin is reported to have fathered children with lover Alina Kabaeva, 39, in 2015 and 2019 - and some accounts say there are more children. Rather than a little blue pill, this method involves bathing in a bath of moral deer blood gathered when the animals' antlers are severed in Siberia. Putin is reported to have fathered children with lover Alina Kabaeva (pictured in 2005), 39, in 2015 and 2019 - and some accounts say there are more children Rather than a little blue pill, this method involves bathing in a bath of moral deer blood gathered when the animals' antlers are severed in Siberia Animal welfare experts have slammed the 'barbarian' way antlers are sawn off terrified Siberian stags. The ancient tradition is seen as a testosterone-driven elixir to improve male potency, but also as bringing multiple health benefits. There is also a theory it slows aging in women, but there is lack of medical evidence as a cure for ailments. Shocking video and pictures highlight the terror and anguish of the Maral deer as an electric saw is used with no anaesthetic to cut off their magnificent velvet antlers, made from fast-growing bone at a breeding station in Russia's Altai Mountains. The cutters swig the blood which they see as a 'natural Viagra'. Observers say the creatures are 'bewildered' and 'shellshocked', their eyes 'bulging with fright'. The beasts are herded into a special cutting chamber where a press 'closes in on the stag from each side, while the floor lowers, so the deer is left in suspended animation', said one account. The stags are 'thrust into a ledge as if condemned to the guillotine, its hooves flailing but unable to touch the ground'. Irina Novozhilova, president of Russian Animal Protection Centre 'Vita', said the method was 'totally abnormal'. 'Blood baths. This is manipulating nature, without any sense,' she said. 'It is a pure example of a cruel attitude to animals.' She suggested the process was medieval, saying: 'It is strange that we are discussing this matter in the 21st century, because the faith in the effectiveness of this medicine made from antlers comes from ancient times.' Ministers could struggle to take any action against lazy or incompetent civil servants for fear of being called bullies in the wake of Dominic Raab's resignation, Tory MPs warned today. Former minister Sir Robert Goodwill said it would be difficult to be 'robust' with under-performing staff in light of the case against the former deputy prime minister. An independent investigation found that while Mr Raab did not shout, swear or physically threaten his staff, they were upset by his abrupt behaviour, including interrupting them in meetings and questioning the quality of their work. Sir Robert, a minister under Theresa May and David Cameron, told Times Radio: 'If you've got a guy working for you in the civil service, who's not pulling his weight, not doing his job - he may even be incompetent - how do you communicate that without being described as a bully? 'And I think that's something we need to look at. We've all in the workplace had people who are not pulling their weight, you know, they're late for work all the time, I think it's going to be quite difficult to in that situation to to be able to be robust with somebody and tell them the facts, without them just being accused of bullying them. 'You know you say to somebody, you're not doing your job, you need to pull your socks up otherwise you're out of here, is that bullying?' Meanwhile, ex-culture secretary Nadine Dorries suggested Mr Raab, a former lawyer, could quit politics altogether. She told TalkTV: 'Whether he will fight it or not, actually, is another issue but if I were him, I wouldn't even bother. 'I would just walk away and, you know, he's an intelligent and highly-qualified, very experienced individual. Doninic Raab this morning wrote to Rishi Sunak to reveal he was quitting as Deputy PM and Justice Secretary Former minister Sir Robert Goodwill said it would be difficult to be 'robust' with under-performing staff in light of the case against the former Deputy PM Ex-culture secretary Nadine Dorries suggested Mr Raab, a former lawyer, could quit politics altogether Sir Keir Starmer accused Mr Raab of 'whining' about the bullying probe that forced him to quit his Cabinet roles In full: Dominic Raab's resignation letter to Rishi Sunak Dear Prime Minister, I am writing to resign from your government, following the receipt of the report arising from the inquiry conducted by Adam Tolley KC. I called for the inquiry and undertook to resign, if it made any finding of bullying whatsoever. I believe it is important to keep my word. It has been a privilege to serve you as Deputy Prime Minister, Justice Secretary and Lord Chancellor. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work as a minister in a range of roles and departments since 2015, and pay tribute to the many outstanding civil servants with whom I have worked. Whilst I feel duty bound to accept the outcome of the inquiry, it dismissed all but two of the claims levelled against me. I also believe that its two adverse findings are flawed and set a dangerous precedent for the conduct of good government. First, ministers must be able to exercise direct oversight with respect to senior officials over critical negotiations conducted on behalf of the British people, otherwise the democratic and constitutional principle of ministerial responsibility will be lost. This was particularly true during my time as foreign secretary, in the context of the Brexit negotiations over Gibraltar, when a senior diplomat breached the mandate agreed by Cabinet. Second, ministers must be able to give direct critical feedback on briefings and submissions to senior officials, in order to set the standards and drive the reform the public expect of us. Of course, this must be done within reasonable bounds. Mr Tolley concluded that I had not once, in four-and-a-half years, sworn or shouted at anyone, let alone thrown anything or otherwise physically intimidated anyone, nore intentionally sought to belittle anyone. I am genuinely sorry for any unintended stress or offence that any officials felt, as a result of the pace, standards and challenge that I brought to the Ministry of Justice. That is, however, what the public expect of ministers working on their behalf. In setting the threshold for bullying so low, this inquiry has set a dangerous precedent. It will encourage spurious complaints against ministers, and have a chilling effect on those driving change on behalf of your government - and ultimately the British people. Finally, I raised with you a number of improprieties that came to light during the course of this inquiry. They include the systematic leaking of skewed and fabricated claims to the media in breach of the rules of the inquiry and the civil service code of conduct, and the coercive removal by a senior official of dedicated private secretaries from my Ministry of Justice private office, in October of last year. I hope these will be independently reviewed. I remain as supportive of you and this Government as when I first introduced you at your campaign leadership launch last July. You have proved a great Prime Minister in very challenging times, and you can count on my support from the backbenches. Yours sincerely, Dominic Raab Advertisement 'There's a whole world outside of politics, you know, we don't have to stay here and take the kind of abuse that MPs and ministers do. There's a whole world waiting out there for somebody as qualified as Dominic Raab and I think probably, but that's the decision he and his wife and his family had taken - it's time to go.' Mr Raab this morning wrote to Mr Sunak to reveal he was quitting as Deputy PM and Justice Secretary. He acknowledged that a months-long investigation by Adam Tolley KC had upheld two of the complaints made against him. But Mr Raab blasted Mr Tolley's report for 'setting the threshold for bullying so low' and claimed a 'dangerous precedent' had been set. He suggested it would 'encourage spurious complaints' against ministers and have a 'chilling effect' across Whitehall. Mr Raab suggested officials who worked under him at the Ministry of Justice had been unable to keep up with the 'pace, standards and challenge' that he demanded. In response to Mr Raab's resignation, Sir Keir claimed it showed the 'continual weakness' of Mr Sunak. 'He should never have appointed him in the first place, along with other members of the Cabinet that shouldn't have been appointed, and then he didn't sack him,' the Labour leader said. 'Even today, it's Raab who resigned rather than the PM who acts.' Sir Keir also took a swipe at the contents of Mr Raab's resignation letter, adding: 'I don't know why Dominic Raab, in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis, thinks that anybody wants to hear about his whining about having to resign. 'What I think everybody wants is strong leadership and that has been palpably absent here.' But there were signs that Tory MPs were concerned about Mr Tolley's conclusions about Mr Raab's behaviour. One former Cabinet minister told MailOnline they were waiting to see Mr Tolley's full report before taking a view, but said Mr Raab's letter indicated the KC's findings 'may be flimsy'. After reading the report, they later branded its contents as 'snowflake central'. Another Tory MP said an allegation made by Mr Raab, that a 'senior diplomat breached the mandate agreed by Cabinet' during Brexit negotiation about Gibraltar, was 'troubling'. Conservative backbencher Philip Davies suggested the findings against Mr Raab could 'lead to a spate of other complaints going in about other ministers'. He told GB News: 'I just wonder how much this will be seen as a watershed moment in terms of how ministers can actually govern, how ministers treat civil servants and whether or not Dominic Raab is right in what he says in that the threshold for bullying has been set so low. 'I wonder whether or not this could lead to a spate of other complaints going in about other ministers. 'Because I suspect that if the threshold has been set so low there will be other examples out there as well.' Esther McVey, a former work and pensions secretary, suggested attention could now focus on ex-Cabinet minister Sir Alok Sharma, who has also faced recent bullying allegations. She said: 'There were reports last week about Alok Sharma, that he was calling up staff who we hadn't previously warned, unannounced, he was calling up staff who were working at home. 'They were saying they found this as a form of bullying, so already Alok Sharma is under the spotlight, another Cabinet minister.' Sir Alok, who was president of the Cop-26 cliate summit, has denied allegations he 'bullied' civil servants. He said: '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.' Pilot landed because he was suffering an 'indisposition', airport source claims A packed easyJet plane has reportedly had to make an emergency landing on the Algarve after the pilot fell ill. The co-pilot is said to have landed the aircraft with 100 people on board. It diverted to Faro in Portugal after taking off from London Gatwick just after 6.30am this morning bound for Agadir in Morocco. It was due to arrive at 9.25am local time. Online flight trackers are showing the Airbus A320's unscheduled stop following the mid-air alert. Leading Portuguese daily Correio da Manha is reporting a Faro airport source has told it the diversion is the result of the pilot suffering an 'indisposition'. A packed easyJet plane has reportedly had to make an emergency landing on the Algarve after the pilot fell ill It diverted to Faro in Portugal after taking off from London Gatwick just after 6.30am this morning bound for Agadir in Morocco It said a red alert had been activated and the co-pilot successfully landed the plane. A passenger who was travelling with 17 others for a 'two-day' hen do to Agadir, Morocco, claimed the co-pilot 'shut' her finger in the cockpit door which caused a '1cm cut' which wouldn't stop bleeding. She told MailOnline: 'While on board, we noticed the cabin crew running up and down. 'The co-pilot shut her finger in the cockpit door and had a 1cm cut. As they couldnt control the bleeding, the pilot made a quick decision to divert to Faro, Portugal. 'Our friend who is a doctor went to help and said while it wouldnt stop bleeding it was a bit extreme to land the flight because of this.' She said passengers then had to wait for another flight from Gatwick, London, to arrive in Faro, to carry on to Agadir. The passenger, who did not want to be named, said although she was 'grateful' for EasyJet rearranging the flight, she was 'frustrated' to land in Agadir four hours late because the hen do was cut short. A passenger who was travelling with 17 others for a 'two-day' hen do to Agadir, Morocco, claimed the co-pilot 'shut' her finger in the cockpit door which caused a '1cm cut' which wouldn't stop bleeding. Pictured: EasyJet crew arriving at Faro Airport An EasyJet spokesman said: 'EasyJet can confirm that flight EZY6469 from London Gatwick to Agadir on 21 April diverted to Faro due to the First Officer requiring medical assistance. 'The Captain performed a routine landing in accordance with standard operating procedures and the aircraft was met by medical services on arrival in Faro. 'A replacement crew was arranged and passengers have since continued their journey to Agadir. 'We apologise for any inconvenience experienced due to the diversion and resulting delay. 'The safety and well-being of its passengers and crew is easyJet's highest priority.' An Aer Lingus passenger jet was forced to make an emergency landing earlier this month in Dublin just minutes after take-off after a flock of pigeons was sucked into the aircraft's engine. Firefighters immediately scrambled onto the runway once the aircraft had landed following the bird strike this afternoon. Passengers reported experiencing major vibrations on the plane after the flock of birds got trapped in the right engine. An Aer Lingus passenger jet was forced to make an emergency landing earlier this month in Dublin just minutes after take-off after a flock of pigeons was sucked into the aircraft's engine (file image) And in February this year two British Airways transatlantic flights were forced to make an emergency landing after passengers complained of smoke and a burning smell coming from seats in the business class section. During the first incident, on February 1, attendants on BA216 from Washington Dulles airport to London had to spray a fire extinguisher on two seats when concerned passengers reported an acrid burning smell just minutes into the eight-hour flight to the UK. The captain then declared an emergency to air traffic controllers and the plane landed in Halifax, Canada. All the passengers disembarked the plane normally while fire crews carried out an inspection of the seating area. Footage shared from passenger on the flight showed fire crews moving through the cabin. On February 10 this year, another Boeing Dreamliner was involved in a smoke incident, also in the business class section. Passengers on the flight from Boston to Heathrow had told flight attendants they could smell smoke coming from seat 12A. The flight was over the Atlantic Ocean and 600 miles from the nearest airport when a decision was made to divert to St John's, Newfoundland, Canada. It landed almost two hours later with the 106 passengers and crew taken to the terminal while fire fighters carried out an inspection. Ten members of the same family, seven of them women and one of them a child, have been killed today in a mass shooting at a house in South Africa, police said. The family was ambushed by a group of gunmen and shot dead at their home overnight in the city of Pietermaritzburg in the eastern KwaZulu-Natal province, police said. Five others survived the attack, including an eight-year-old who was shot in the leg. A male suspect was killed in a shootout with police hours after and two men were arrested. A fourth suspect escaped but his identity is known and he is being sought, Police Minister Bheki Cele said. Firearms believed to have been used by the suspects have been seized by the police, who are yet to confirm a motive for the shooting. But Siyabonga Mndebele, a woman said to be a close family friend of the victims, spoke outside the crime scene, telling reporters that the family had strained relations with another local family due to a separate incident. Ten members of the same family, seven of them women, have been killed in a mass shooting at a house in South Africa , police said. Pictured: A body is moved at the scene of a deadly mass shooting is seen, near Pietermaritzburg, on Friday A family member is consoled at the scene of a deadly mass shooting where 10 of her relatives were shot dead Police investigate the scene where an suspected gunman was shot by the police Police said two suspects (pictured) have been arrested over the shooting, which occurred in the early hours of this morning Mndebele told local media that today's fatal attack came after the family's patriarch, Themba Memela - who happened to be a witness to another assault - was gunned down last year. She said told reporters that Memela was shot in November. He had reportedly been a state witness to an attack that left another family member paralysed after they were accused of theft. 'When the person who opened the gate for them turned his back, a bullet grazed his head,' Mndebele told media, South Africa's Times Live reported. She then said armed men proceeded to force their way into the house. Earlier, officers were called to the scene following reports of gunfire and discovered the ten family members shot dead. 'When they attended to the scene, they found 10 members of one family were shot and fatally wounded in one of the homes,' police spokesperson Brigadier Jay Naicker said. At the scene, emergency services personnel were seen loading the bodies of the victims into a mortuary van. South Africa's Times Live reported the names of the dead: Phumlani Memela, 28, Nompilo Mthembu Mthiyane, 21, Andiswa Nana Ngcobo, 15, Beatrice Memela, 63, Brenda Memela, 38, Fikile Hlabisa, 53, Nomfundo Memela, 20, Aphelele Memela, 18, Siphesihle Memela, 17 and Sabelo Mhlonyana, 15. 'It's a crime scene, terrible. Too many people were lost here,' Police Minister Bheki Cele said in comments broadcast on public broadcaster SABC from Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu-Natal province. Police Minister Cele, who was at the scene, also said police confronted four men on a street about a mile from the house where the mass shooting occurred and the men shot at officers. 'Police shot back, killed one, injured one, who is arrested, and one is arrested uninjured. One has run away,' Cele said. 'Fortunately they know who ran away.' Ten members of the same family, seven of them women, have been killed in a mass shooting at a house in South Africa , police said. PIctured: The scene of the shooting A body of one of the victims is seen on a banking next to the family's home The family were ambushed by a group of gunmen and shot dead at their home in the city of Pietermaritzburg in the eastern KwaZulu-Natal province, police said Firearms believed to have been used by the suspects have been seized by officers, who are yet to provide a motive for the shooting Neighbours look at police and medics working at the scene of the shooting in Pietermaritzburg The suspect who was killed was 'notorious' and linked to other crimes in the area, Cele said, although he didn't offer a motive for the mass shooting. Police were also questioning the driver of an e-hailing taxi who is believed to have previously transported the suspects when they were suspected of committing other crimes. The massacre marks the second mass shooting in KwaZulu-Natal this week after four people were shot dead in a home in the city of Durban on Thursday. Shootings are common in South Africa, which has one of the world's highest murder rates with around 20,000 people killed every year out of a population of 60 million. In January, gunmen opened fire on a group of people celebrating a birthday in the southern port city of Gqeberha, killing eight and wounding three others. The birthday celebrant was among those gunned down in the mass shooting. He had been celebrating his birthday with friends when two gunmen entered his yard and started shooting at the guests. In July last year, 16 people died in a mass shooting at a bar in the Johannesburg township of Soweto when a group of armed men wielding automatic rifles and powerful handguns opened fire on customers. The brutal attack saw the killers 'repeatedly' fire at people as they lay dead on the floor, according to one eyewitness. Firearms believed to have been used by the suspects have been seized by officers, who are yet to provide a motive for the shooting. Pictured: The scene Many bar patrons hid under tables and were forced to scramble over dead bodies in order to escape. A witness, who did not want to be named, told News 24 at the time: 'I was seated at the corner with other people drinking. We had fun until around 10pm, when our fun was abruptly stopped. I saw a man carrying an AK-47 (assault rifle) opening the glass sliding door. 'He didn't say anything and started opening fire. My friend and others at the pool table scattered for cover. He sprayed them with bullets. 'I saw them falling to the ground. It was pandemonium. I hid under a table. Four dead people were lying near me. Their blood spilt on me. After the man with an assault rifle was done. Two others carrying 9mm pistols joined and repeatedly fired at people on the floor.' 'People died in front of me. Some were screaming in pain. Alcohol was scattered. After killing people, including my friend, the gunmen slowly walked away.' The shocking mass murder in the tavern in Soweto, Johannesburg, followed another bar shooting just hours earlier in Pietermaritzburg, which claimed the lives of four people. According to campaign group Gun Free South Africa, there are about 3 million guns registered in the country, though there are many more unregistered. The official coronation ceremony of King Charles III is drawing ever closer, with Saturday, 6 May, fast approaching. The landmark ceremony will be held at Westminster Abbey to mark Charles' ascension to the throne and officially recognise him as the reigning monarch. In a change of plans, Camilla will also be crowned Queen, having previously been set to use the title of Queen Consort. So, what is the Queen Consort's crown? How much is it worth? How old is it? Which diamonds are on the Queen Consort's crown? Read on below for everything you need to know about the Queen Consort's crown. Queen Mary's crown (pictured) will be used to crown Camilla as Queen at Westminster Abbey on Saturday, 6 May In a change from original plans made for the coronation, Camilla (pictured) will also be crowned Queen, having previously been set to use the title of Queen Consort What is the Queen Consort's crown? Queen Mary's Crown will be used for the Coronation of the Queen Consort at Westminster Abbey. It was crafted in 1911 by Garrard & Co for the coronation of Queen Mary of Teck, the wife of King George V. According to the Royal Collection Trust, the crown 'features a silver frame with gold linings and has an openwork band' It is 'set at the front with a detachable rock crystal replica of the diamond, Cullinan IV, a large cushion-shaped stone, and a frieze of quatrefoils and rosettes, each with a large brilliant in the centre, surrounded by smaller stones'. Above the band, the crown is adorned by four crosses-pattee and four fleurs-de-lis. How much is the Queen Consort's crown worth? As it is part of the crown jewels, the Queen Consort's crown is officially described as being priceless. It cost 50,00 to make in 1911, the equivalent of 7.5million in 2023. Known for its distinctive arches, it took over 8,000 hours to create. The crown, which is normally kept in the Jewel House at the Tower of London, was moved to a secret with the rest of the crown jewels in World War Two, to protect it from being damaged by potential bombings at the time. How old is the Queen Consort's crown? Queen Mary's crown was designed for the coronation of June 1911. The Daily Telegraph said 'It has no jewels but diamonds, and the diamonds cluster together as if they had no support but their own light.' The design was inspired by Queen Alexandra's crown of 1902. Queen Mary also wore the crown without its arches as a circlet for the coronation of her son, King George VI, at his ceremony in 1937. The crown cost 50,000 to make in 1911, the equivalent of a whopping 7.5million in 2023 What diamonds are in the Queen Consort's crown? The Queen Consort's crown has 2,200 diamonds. A notable diamond, the Koh-i-Noor, is absent, with the Indian government stating their desire for it to be returned to the country. The huge diamond originated from India and was given to Queen Victoria by the last Sikh emperor of India - who at the time was 10 years old. But the gifting is disputed and there are calls in at least three countries, including India, to have the jewel returned. It was made in 1937 for Queen Elizabeth, consort of King George VI, using many stones already in the royal collection. Most of the diamonds were removed from Queen Victoria's Regal Circlet. The Koh-i-Noor diamond had been successively mounted in the crowns of Queen Alexandra and Queen Mary, and was once again reset for this crown. Queen Elizabeth wore the crown without its arches at the State Openings of Parliament during the reign of King George VI, and again at the coronation of her daughter, Queen Elizabeth II, in 1953. The Koh-i Noor, meaning 'the Mountain of Light' is one of the grandest and most valuable gemstones in the world. It is the centrepiece of the dazzling Queen Mother crown (pictured) It is impossible to know exactly where the diamond came from, although there is no doubt that it was panned in India. The earliest reference appears to relate to a powerful Mughal ruler in 1628. It returned to India in 1813 and become a potent symbol of power until it was acquired by Britain in 1849. The diamond was given to Queen Victoria in 1855 by 10-year-old Duleep Singh, last emperor of the Sikhs. Although much has been made of the fact that it was 'given' to this country, critics point out that this was only after the mother of the 10-year-old was held prisoner and he was forced to sign it away. It then became a special possession of Queen Victoria and displayed at the 1851 Great Exhibition in London. Since then it has become part of the Crown Jewels, and point of dispute between the UK, India as well as several other nations ever since. A convicted terrorist serving a six-year prison sentence for being a member of Britain's first all-female terror cell has argued that her long-term danger to the public is not relevant to her bid for parole. Moroccan-born Mina Dich, 49, was caged in 2018 after she helped her daughters with their preparations for Islamic State terror attacks. Dich's children Safaa Boular and Rizlaine Boular had planned a gun and grenade attack on the British Museum and a knife attack on the Palace of Westminster. They were each jailed for life for their failed plots, with Safaa becoming the youngest woman to be convicted of plotting a terror attack on British soil. She had started planning an attack in London after the ISIS fighter she planned to marry was killed in an air strike. Mina Dich is due to be released from prison next year after plotting a terror attack Rizlaine Boular (left) and her sister Safaa were both given life sentences for their crimes Court artist sketch of Mina Dich and Rizlaine Boular being sentenced for their crimes At a High Court hearing into her parole bid, Dich's barrister Jude Bunting KC argued that the Parole Board was wrong in law to be considering Dich's case on the question of whether she would be a risk to the public on an 'indefinite basis'. The High Court was told a key factor in the release of the monster mother was how much she 'poses a risk towards others, particularly those she is close to, who she may attempt to control or potentially radicalise'. Mr Bunting said: 'There is no support in the applicable statutory scheme that risk should be assessed on an indeterminate basis. Risk arising after sentence expiry is not legally relevant to the Parole Board's task.' He continued to assert that should Dich be released she would be monitored with an electronic tag and be restricted from using the internet or meeting certain groups of people. But Jason Pobjoy, for the Justice Department, argued there was 'no temporal limit on the Parole Board's assessment of risk', reports The Times. He said: 'Circumscribing the Parole Board's ability to have regard to risk of future harm may have perverse, illogical and unintended consequences.' Mr Pobjoy said Dich's argument would mean the Parole Board would be prevented from considering 'a significant risk of serious future harm after the expiry of a sentence, irrespective of the likelihood of it materialising and the potential gravity of such harm'. Dich used coded phone calls and discussed holding an Alice In Wonderland-themed tea party in reference to the terror plots. Counter-terrorism police swooped to arrest the plotters after a surveillance operation with MI5. At the time of sentencing, Judge Mark Dennis QC said Dich had 'failed in her parental role' to stop Rizlaine Boular just a month after the earlier Westminster atrocity and played a 'significant role' in radicalising both her daughters. He told the mother she bore a 'heavy responsibility'. The court had heard Rizlaine and Safaa became 'increasingly exposed' to extremist views by ISIS-supporting friends Dich would invite to the home and access to material online. Dich is serving a sentence of six years and nine months, with five years on extended licence after her release. If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here Under-pressure Sadiq Khan - who critics accuse of being anti-car over his Ulez plans - was today branded a hypocrite for previously driving a Land Rover to work despite public transport being available. The Mayor of London, 52, has been widely criticised by families in the capital over his plans to charge some older and high-emission vehicles 12.50 a day. And Mr Khan, who was promoting his book about the environment, admitted when he was a lawyer up until 2004 he too would drive to work. At the time he was working at Christian Khan in Bloomsbury, which is two streets away from an Underground station. But Mr Khan told London Book Fair: 'I was one of those people, when I became a partner at my law firm which was in between two Tube stations, I negotiated a car-parking space. Mayor Sadiq Khan seen leaving his south London home wearing a mask a few years ago Mr Khan being driven in a Land Rover which he says he has to take due to threats made to him Khan was today branded a hypocrite for previously driving a Land Rover to work despite public transport being available. At the time he was working at Christian Khan in Bloomsbury, which is two streets away from an Underground station 'I then became an owner of a Land Rover Discovery. 'As an MP I voted for a third runway at Heathrow because I thought that climate change was a tomorrow issue.' Mr Khan lives in one of the jewels of South London, Tooting, and a drive to the law firm would have taken him nearly an hour. His disclosure was greeted by utter astonishment by one of his rivals at City Hall. Tony Devenish AM, City Hall Conservatives environment spokesperson, said: 'Sadiq Khan believes it is one rule for him, one rule for everyone else. 'As a lawyer he used to drive a Land Rover, as Mayor he took a three-car convoy to walk his dog miles from his home, and just last year he emitted three tons of carbon to take his team on a jolly to Argentina. Londoners do not need to hear lectures about climate change and air pollution from this hypocrite. Sadiq Khan at the Star Wars Celebration photocall in London on April 7 enjoying the event The controversial scheme is set to force Londoners to pay an incredible 12.50-a-day to drive in the capital from August 29, if their cars don't meet certain environmental standards 'If you look at his seven-year record on the environment, from the solar panel scandal, to his failure to improve housing energy efficiency, to the fact his own reports show that ULEZ expansion does next to nothing on air quality, he should apologise to Londoners.' Earlier today Mr Khan was accused of forcing charities to shut down their services because a scrappage scheme 'doesn't fit the bill', with animal charities and schools speaking out against it. Ulez will force Londoners to pay 12.50-a-day to drive in the capital from August 29, if their cars don't meet certain environmental standards. Minister for London Paul Scully told MailOnline that Sadiq Khan needed to 'get a grip' on his controversial policy. The Tory MP said: 'Charities across London are set to get hammered by the mayor's tax grab. 'He's mismanaged TfL, his scrappage scheme doesn't fit the bill and now he's making animal rescue charities pay the price. Minister for London Paul Scully (pictured) told MailOnline that Labour Mayor of London Sadiq Khan needed to 'get a grip' on his controversial ULEZ policy Dogs on the Streets, which provides vital healthcare services for dogs with homeless or vulnerable owners, said it would will have to give up its delivery address in Enfield because of Sadiq Khan's (pictured) ULEZ charge At least half a dozen charities have revealed ULEZ and its lacking scrappage scheme mean they will have to shut down their services 'Khan needs to listen to Londoners and get a grip on this unpopular policy.' At least half a dozen charities have revealed the lacking scrappage scheme means they will have to shut down their services. Charities said the scrappage scheme does not offer enough money to retrofit or replace a vehicle in the current market and only allows them to claim a grant for one car. Dogs on the Streets, which provides vital healthcare services for dogs with homeless or vulnerable owners, said it would will have to give up its delivery address in Enfield because of Sadiq Khan's charge The charity accused Sadiq Khan of having 'absolutely no compassion for our street homeless and vulnerable community'. Khan's office has dismissed the charity's concerns for years. In 2021, when ULEZ was expanded to inner London, Sadiq Khan's deputy Shirley Rodrigues told Dogs on the Streets to 'fundraise' to pay for the charge, after the charity explained that the scrappage scheme would not help them. Khan even accused Dogs on the Streets of declining help. Michelle Clark, founding director of Dogs on the Streets, said: 'Our dog transport vehicle which is used on a daily basis is not retrofit compliant, therefore we may have to cease using it when the ULEZ expansion takes effect. 'It would cost the charity 20,000-30,000 to change the vehicle altogether, which is money we just don't have.' Another charity struggling because of ULEZ is Wallington Animal Rescue, an animal, domestic, and wildlife rescue charity in Sutton. The charity has already been forced to sell one of its two rescue vehicles because it was not ULEZ compliant. Replacing the other one will cost the charity at least 17,000m which is well above the grants offered by the scrappage scheme. Amanda Blackwell and Neil Blackwell, founders of Wallington Animal Rescue, said: 'The whole ULEZ issue has caused our rescue an immeasurable amount of stress. 'We had two vehicles covering the London Borough of Sutton, we're now down to one. 'This whole issue is costing us thousands of pounds, money we can ill-afford. We're a small charity that is struggling under a huge amount of pressure post-Covid and in the cost of living crisis. 'We're seeing a huge increase in people looking to surrender animals for financial reasons. 'We are seeing a decrease in what little funding we receive anyway. 'The situation in the animal rescue world is absolutely reaching a crisis point. 'ULEZ will be the final nail in the coffin for many small independent rescues.' Charity Begins at Home, which delivers food, clothes and life-essential items to those in need, has warned it will also have to stop its operations because of Sadiq Khan's ULEZ expansion. The charity warned that more people could be left on the streets because of the scheme. Meanwhile, just last year it was revealed that TfL rejected a ULEZ discount or exemption request by Serv Herts and Beds, which is part of a nationwide voluntary organisation delivering blood, medical samples and breast milk for the NHS free of charge. Volunteers use their own vehicles, fuel and insurance - meaning ULEZ once again puts another charity's services at risk of stopping. Other charities including Humdum UK and Hatton School and Special Needs Centre also face their services shutting down because of the lacking scrappage scheme and ULEZ expansion. City Hall Conservatives transport spokesman Nick Rogers said: 'Sadiq Khan's cruel and unnecessary ULEZ expansion is forcing charities to shut down services, all because of his own financial mismanagement of TfL. 'The scrappage scheme is woefully inadequate and will do next to nothing to address the damage his ULEZ expansion plans will cause. 'Sadiq Khan needs to scrap this disastrous policy, which an overwhelming majority of Londoners have told him they do not want.' A spokesperson for the Mayor of London said: 'The decision to expand the Ultra Low Emission Zone London-wide was not an easy one for the Mayor to make but it was necessary. Around 4,000 Londoners die prematurely each year due to toxic air, children are growing up with stunted lungs and thousands of people in our city are developing life-changing illnesses, such as cancer, lung disease, dementia and asthma. 'Nine out of ten cars driving in outer London are already ULEZ compliant and will not have to pay the charge, and for those charities or Londoners who are disabled or on low incomes and have a non-compliant car, a 110m scrappage scheme is available to support them. 'The Mayor recognises the vital role charities play in our communities and the GLA and TfL continue to do all they can to support charities to transition to cleaner vehicles with grants of up to nearly 10,000 available to charities. were the government to give London scrappage funding as they have done for Birmingham, Bristol and Portsmouth, even more families and charities could benefit greener vehicles and cleaner air.' A Houston woman has described a bizarre carjacking where knifemen listened to jazz with her, apologized and even gave her a pep talk as they robbed her of $2,000. Becky Brown, 73, said she would even visit one of the young men in jail who she felt had 'this kindness in him' after he expressed remorse for taking her money. Brown told ABC Houston that she was trapped inside her car by the two men last Tuesday as she sat outside her home, charging her phone, at around 11.30pm. She said the masked men were armed with an eight-inch blade and got into the car. They attempted for two hours to wire cash out of her account using her phone app but were blocked by its security features. During the ordeal, they all listened to jazz together on the radio. Eventually they drove to a nearby Wells Fargo and forced the elderly woman to go pull $2,000 from the ATM. One of them told Brown, who struggled to walk, 'I wish I could have helped you.' 'There's a dichotomy of what's going on in our culture. I feel sorry for him in a way. From somewhere in him, he had this kindness, and he meant it,' Brown said. Becky Brown told ABC Houston that she was sitting in her car, charging her phone, when two men, one armed with a large knife approached her car and entered One of the suspects in the robbery, Andre Williams, 20, appeared in court and was held on a bond of $300,000 'I really don't think they would have killed me, but I was concerned. Is he going to take that knife out and slash my face or my arm? It was an eight-inch blade. I just felt like if I were to remain calm, they would stay calm, and I'm here, and I'm alive,' she added. One of the men, 20-year-old Andre Williams, is in custody with his bail set at $300,000. The other remains at-large. In her ABC interview, Brown said that she would visit the assailants in prison, if they wanted to see her. During the ordeal, Brown called her bank and tried to make the transfer over the phone. 'The Wells Fargo gentleman asked, "Are you alone?" I am not stupid, I am not going to say that, or I might be killed. I said, "No, I'm sitting out here in my car, got the windows rolled down,"' Brown told ABC Houston. Eventually, the robbers made Brown drive to a nearby Wells Fargo and forced her to withdraw $2,000. Brown told the station that she walks with limp because she needs to have hip surgery. When she returned to the car, one of the robbers said that he wished he could have helped her to the ATM but that he couldn't be seen on surveillance cameras. From there, Brown drove home, and let the two men out of her car close to the residence. Brown said that while the pair were in car, she told them that she looked forward to being in better health so that she could go to concerts and street fairs. Brown said in her interview with ABC Houston that she would visit her muggers in prison. She described one of them as having 'this kindness' 'When they got out of my car, the last thing the guy, who had never said anything, said to me was, "Go to your music festivals." If he were to go to jail, I would visit him. Yeah, I would go visit him,' Brown added. Most law enforcement agencies advise victims of street robberies not to resist and to give up their property. Do not resist, don't make sudden moves and do what the assailant says. 'Calmness begets calmness. If you panic, youre in turn going to panic a person with a gun to your head, who obviously felt backed into a corner prior to your beginning to scream and convulse from two feet away from them,' former police officer Justin Freeman wrote in an essay for Quartz. Freeman also recommended looking the robber in the eye, forcing them to acknowledge your humanity. Do your best to remember something distinctive about the mugger, what they were wearing or an accent and not to follow them after they leave. As soon as it safe, victims are recommended to call the police. Civil servants who enjoy bondage are demanding the same support as other minority groups. Sexual fetish enthusiasts within the Ministry of Justice - where Justice Secretary Dominic Raab has just been forced out over bullying allegations - say they are discriminated against and need protection. They are calling on their trade union to set up a staff network for BDSM (Bondage, Domination, Sadism, Masochism), to campaign for their rights and to set up training courses on consent. Members of the Public and Commercial Services Union, which represents almost 200,000 public sector workers, are due to discuss the topic at their annual conference next month. A motion tabled by the MoJ Associated Offices branch and included in the official conference programme calls on delegates to note 'that BDSMers need protection in law as many are fired if their employers find out'. Sexual fetish enthusiasts within the Ministry of Justice are calling on their trade union to set up a staff network for BDSM, to campaign for their rights and to set up training courses on consent (File image) It goes on to state that 'as a minority group who are discriminated against they should have a support group in PCS', that 'BDSMers should have equal rights and protection as other discriminated against groups have', and 'PCS should support and campaign for their rights'. And it calls on the union's ruling council 'to establish a support network for BDSMers', to 'campaign for their rights' and put forward a similar motion to the conference of the TUC, the umbrella organisation for Britain's trade unions. The motion also wants the trade union to 'promote that Mutual Informed Consent should be what is needed before erotic activity is carried out' and 'establish training courses for members on consent and negotiation'. But Caroline Ffiske from Conservatives for Women told the Mail: 'The idea that we should be able to bring our sexual fetishes to work, indeed have them supported by staff networks, is absurd and infantilising. 'Keep it to the bedroom between consenting adults. The workplace is for professionalism, truth-seeking, reason.' Comedy writer Graham Linehan highlighted the document on social media, saying: 'PCS is a union for civil servants. This is one of their motions to be considered for a vote - that people who like being gagged and spanked are an oppressed minority who need a support group within their union. 'These people are meant to be running public services.' The PCS conference in Brighton will also hear several motions on the highly contested topic of trans rights. The motion also wants the trade union to 'promote that Mutual Informed Consent should be what is needed before erotic activity is carried out' (File image) One, tabled by a Department for Work and Pensions branch in Bradford and an HM Revenue and Customs one in Glasgow, calls on delegates to agree that 'sex is not binary and to say so excludes people with differences of sexual development amongst others'. It says that 'biological reductionism is harmful to all women and forms the basis of many patriarchal notions of biology as destiny'. And it demands that the union expresses its concerns to the Cabinet Office about a staff network called SEEN for civil servants who believe that people cannot change sex and gender identity should not replace biological sex. The PCS motion claims: 'SEEN promotes a regressive ideology which seeks to be exclusionary and is detrimental to the rights of all women. 'The stated aims of SEEN will promote division and exclusion in the workplace, and could create an unfounded atmosphere of fear towards people with the protected characteristic of gender reassignment.' But former Tory councillor Mrs Ffiske said: 'The so-called regressive ideology supported by SEEN is that sex is real and matters, and that women have a right to free speech and open debate on this subject, including within the civil service, without fear of bullying. 'This very motion shows just how badly SEEN is needed and requires support from the very top of the civil service and politicians.' A 12-year-old girl has died after being shot in the head during a drive-by shooting in Connecticut that left three others injured. Secret Pierce, 12, of Hartford, was pronounced dead at 7am on Friday after she was shot in the head multiple times in a shooting that occurred on Huntington Street in the city around 9pm on Thursday. Hartford Police said the girl was while inside a parked car and was found 'unresponsive.' She was transported to St. Francis Hospital in life-threatening condition last night. Police do not believe she was the intended target and that she 'likely had nothing to do with it.' Police told WFSB that they believe the three other men, ages 16 to 23, know who shot Pierce. Authorities are investigating this as a targeted attack. Pierce's school remembered her as 'beautiful and capable' and several family members took to Facebook to say they would 'miss' her. Secret Pierce, 12, of Hartford, was pronounced dead at 7am on Friday after she was shot in the head multiple times in a shooting that occurred on Huntington Street in the city around 9pm on Thursday Police do not believe she was the intended target and that she 'likely had nothing to do with it.' Police said they believe the three other men, ages 16 to 23, know who shot Pierce Her death comes as a various strings of shootings involving children have happened this week. Three others were found shot on the sidewalk on Huntington Street. An 18-year-old male was found with 'serious injuries' in close proximity to the car near the girl. Two of the victims, both male, 16 and 23, walked to St. Francis Hospital and sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Boisvert said their wounds 'appear to be lacerations at this time.' None of the victims have been publicly named. Police believe the three men were the targets of the shooting. Hartford Police said the girl was while inside a parked car and was found 'unresponsive.' She was transported to St. Francis Hospital in life-threatening condition last night Three others, between the ages of 16 and 23, were found shot on the sidewalk on Huntington Street. An 18-year-old male was found with 'serious injuries' in close proximity to the car near the little girl, according to police DailyMail.com has reached out to the Hartford Police for comment. The incident was caught on surveillance footage, which has not been publicly released, and police are working to determine the assailant's vehicle. 'We do have some video of a vehicle flying by and going North on Huntington Street when the gunfire erupted,' Boisvert said. 'We are actively working to decipher what vehicle that was so we can begin looking for it.' Police are also trying to determine if gunfire had been returned by the three men. Lieutenant Aaron Boisvert believes the little girl is innocent and that the three men were the intended targets The shooting took place outside of 48 Huntington Street (pictured) Boisvert said the girl was the 'youngest' victim in Hartford in 2023 and the girl's mother has been notified of her daughter's injuries. 'It's very tragic, very unfortunately, [it's] sickening,' the officer said. Despite the tragic incidents, shootings are down 17 percent in Hartford, as well as murder, which is 60 percent less compared to the same time last year. Most violent crime is down at least 30 percent in the city, except for rape and robbery with a firearm, which are up 64 and 23 percent, respectively. A Rhode Island fugitive who faked his own death and fled to Scotland steamed his glasses up with rage while angrily insisting he is a British man called Arthur Knight. Nicholas Alahverdian - aka Nicholas Rossi, 35 - also theatrically tried standing to prove that was was unable to walk during a Dateline interview with Andrea Canning that will be screened Friday at 9pm ET. 'I am not Nicholas Alahverdian. I do not know how to make this clearer,' he told NBC in a bizarre accent, muffled by an oxygen mask over his mouth and nose. Rossi was interviewed in April 2022 - seven months before a ruling in which a Scottish judge rubbished his claims, and confirmed he is in fact the US-born fugitive. He is currently being held in a Scotland jail as he awaits extradition proceedings. On Thursday Alahverdian failed to appear for a hearing in Edinburgh after an 'altercation', a court was told. He was seen leaving Edinburgh Sheriff's Court in a wheelchair and the extradition hearing postponed until a later date. The US now seeks to extradite him to face a number of sexual assault charges, amid them an accusation he raped a 21-year-old woman in Utah in 2008. They say he faked his death in 2017 and fled to Scotland. Nicholas Alahverdian, also known as Nicholas Rossi, appeared in an interview with NBC's Dateline in which he vehemently insisted he was a a British man called Arthur Knight Rossi was interviewed alongside his wife, Miranda Knight At one point during the interview, Rossi also theatrically tried standing to prove he is unable to walk. Speaking in what sounded like an English accent, he said: 'And we'd like privacy and I would like to go back to being a normal husband, but I can't because I can't breathe, I can't walk' How he was identified 'Arthur Knight' was first flagged as Nicholas Rossi thanks to arm tattoos described in an Interpol alert. They were flagged to police after he was admitted to hospital in Glasgow during October 2021 suffering from COVID. Rossi subsequently refused to provide fingerprint or DNA samples. But he was eventually fingerprinted in July 2022 after he was arrested for threatening hospital staff. Prosecutors said the prints matched those of Rossi, and a judge ruled that Knight was indeed Rossi in November 2022. Advertisement During the interview with Dateline, Rossi seemed determined to continue with the deception, and grew so irate he was unable to see out of his small, round-framed glasses. Rossi appeared beside his British wife, Miranda Knight, and told Dateline: 'We were once a normal family, but thanks to the media our lives have been interrupted.' Speaking in what sounded like an English accent, he continued: 'And we'd like privacy and I would like to go back to being a normal husband, but I can't because I can't breathe, I can't walk.' In a desperate attempt to then prove he is unable to walk, Rossi tried to stand up before dramatically falling back into his chair as his wife stabilized him. 'Exactly, exactly,' he told the interviewer. When asked if he is putting on a show, he said: 'That is a low blow, that is a very low blow.' Rossi was first arrested in October, 2021, after checking himself in to a hospital in Glasgow with a serious COVID infection. That is the condition he claims now necessitates his use of an oxygen tank. Medical staff and police were able to identify him by comparing his tattoos with pictures of Rossi on an Interpol red notice. Rossi appeared beside his British wife, Miranda Knight, who offered reassurance as he tried to demonstrate that he couldn't walk Nicholas Rossi leaving the Sheriff Court in Edinburgh on Thursday after an 'altercation' that saw an extradition hearing postponed The US now seeks to extradite him to face a number of sexual assault charges, amid them an accusation he raped a 21-year-old woman in Utah in 2008. Pictured is his undated mugshot from the sex offenders' registry A stream of preliminary hearings then took place, which saw Rossi sack at least six lawyers and claim to have been tortured in prison. The hearings culminated in an extraordinary identification case where he insisted his fingerprints had been meddled with and that he had been tattooed while unconscious in hospital in order to resemble Rossi. He was then charged with acting aggressively towards a consultant and senior nurse at Glasgow's Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. Rossi reportedly told US media in December 2019 that he had late-stage non-Hodgkin lymphoma and had weeks to live. An obituary dedicated to him appeared online, and several outlets reported that he had died in February 2020. After his arrest US authorities issued additional extradition requests - one related to another allegation of rape and another to an allegation of sexual assault. Advocate depute Paul Harvey said at the time: 'As a result of the extradition process Im told that two other women in Utah have come forward with allegations of sexual offences. 'On Friday, October 28 the US Embassy in London issued a diplomatic notice for supplementary extradition requests, requesting the extradition of the person. Rossi arriving at an Edinburgh court in April 2022 in a wheelchair beside his wife Miranda, who is wheeling a tank of oxygen for him Prosecutors said Rossi is a Rhode Island man wanted after fleeing the US in 2017 to evade charges involving identity theft and fraud, and a 2008 sexual assault charge in Utah Criminal past of Nicholas Alahverdian Date unknown: Failure to register as a sex offender in Rhode Island. Accused of separate attack which allegedly saw him kidnap and sexually assault a woman Date unknown: Accused of similar abduction and sexual assault attempt in Massachusetts 2008: Convicted of sexual assault in Ohio after an 'encounter' with a fellow student at Sinclair Community College in Dayton. In September 2008, he allegedly raped an ex-girlfriend in Orem, Utah - the allegation that led to his arrest in December 2021. 2017 : Fraud in Ohio. Former foster mom in same state accused Alahverdian of $200,000 scam which saw him allegedly take out fake credit cards and loans in her husband's name February 2020: Fakes his own death of lymphoma, with unnamed 'widow' claiming Alahverdian had been buried at sea. In July, DNA links him to 2008 sex attack in Orem, Utah - the charge which ultimately led to his discovery in Scotland December 2021: Arrested at hospital in Glasgow, Scotland, while intubated with COVID on suspicion of Utah sex attack January 2022: Alahverdian was ordered into custody in Scotland after missing a bail hearing. February 2022: Freed from jail on being granted bail. April 2022: Continues to deny he's Alahverdian at extradition hearing. June 2022: Misses hearing after claiming he's 'bedridden with chronic lung condition'. Refuses to give DNA or fingerprints to police. July 2022: Back in custody for abusing medical staff. Later convicted and fined $500. November 2022: Scottish judge rules 'Knight' is Nicholas Alahverdian/Rossi. Ordered to remain in custody. April 2023: Rossi still in jail. Extradition hearing postponed over claims he attacked jail staffer. Advertisement 'This morning Scottish ministers certified the extradition requests and copies of both extradition requests and the Scottish ministers' certification were served on the requested person by a police constable at the court this morning.' He said one relates to an allegation of rape in Salt Lake City and another to an allegation of sexual assault elsewhere. Rossi, who arrived at court for the October 2022 date with his wife Miranda Knight, is already fighting an extradition request by authorities in Utah who allege he raped a 21-year-old in the state. He was arrested on December 13 last year after being admitted to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow - under the alias Arthur Knight - for urgent Covid treatment. He was traced following a tip off from Interpol while he was on a ventilator in intensive care. Rossi told US media in December 2019 that he had late-stage non-Hodgkin lymphoma and had weeks to live - before several outlets reported that he had died in February 2020, with a gushing obituary published online about him. He is also said to have attacked women in the states of Rhode Island, Ohio and Massachusetts. However, when he was arrested in Scotland, neighbors claimed he had told them he was a British professor who said he was working at the nearby University of Glasgow. Described as an eccentric, the alleged academic was often seen sporting large hats, dapper bow ties and spoke with a cut-glass English accent. It was also claimed he enjoyed visiting bars wearing suits, where he would sip on whiskey and go on political rants about Brexit. with one neighbor telling The Times: 'For someone who was on the run, he really liked to draw attention to himself.' Alahverdian furiously denies he is the American wanted by the FBI and insists he has been mistakenly identified by the authorities. Police and hospital staff initially identified the man as being Rossi from tattoos on his body. Photographs obtained by officers showed that he had tattoos on his arms. Prosecutors said in 2020 that an anonymous email was sent to Rhode Island Media indicating he had died from non-Hodgkin lymphoma and that he had been cremated and buried at sea. The court heard that since the alleged sexual offender's arrest received media attention, Police Scotland had received 'a complaint of a domestic nature to police in Essex in 2017' in relation to Rossi. Rossi claimed he was a British professor who said he was working at the nearby University of Glasgow. He is pictured in Edinburgh in July, 2022, wearing pajamas and velvet shoes Alahverdian, 34, was arrested on an Interpol notice at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow on December 13 after nearly dying of Covid-19 Several media outlets reported in 2020 that Alahverdian had died on February 29 2020. They cited the website EverLoved.com, which said his body was cremated and his ashes scattered at sea. An online obituary dedicated to him read: 'Nicholas Alahverdian's battle for life ended on February 29 2020. 'The children and families in the care of the Rhode Island Department of Children Youth and Families (DCYF) for whom he inspired and led through turbulent government transgressions have lost a warrior that fought on the front lines for two decades.' A US man alleged to be a fugitive on the run from the FBI was found after years spent hiding in Scotland by police matching his tattoos, prosecutors have said. The man, who goes by at least ten other aliases, including Nicholas Alahverdian (pictured), appeared at a hearing in Edinburgh on Friday in a wheelchair wearing an oxygen mask, pyjamas and a dressing gown He is accused of raping an ex-girlfriend in September 2008, with police investigating him after discovering he'd been reported to the police over similar alleged attacks in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Utah and Ohio. Rossi was convicted of sexual assault following an 'encounter' with another student at Sinclair Community College in Dayton, Ohio. He is suspected of carrying out multiple other sex attacks, and was also accused of a $200,000 fraud after taking out credit cards and loans in his foster mother's husband's name in Ohio, it is alleged. Rossi divorced his second wife in 2017 after less than two years of marriage, and is also said to owe her $52,000. Both of his former spouses took out restraining orders against him after their marriage ended. More details of his bizarre behavior was detailed by the Providence Journal, which obtained a series of Pawtucket police reports from more than a decade ago. One accuser told police in July 2010 that Rossi lured her to his apartment under the guise that she'd be visiting his art studio. Instead, she told cops, he took away her phone and pressed her for sex. This map shows the trail of havoc and alleged criminal behavior carried out by Nicholas Alahverdian across the US When she refused his advances, he told her 'if she left, he would kill himself by stabbing himself in the chest with a knife,' the outlet reported. He was then was taken to hospital for a psychiatric evaluation. Police returned to his apartment that November on a tip, and said they encountered an 'extremely upset' woman with injuries to both eyes. The woman told cops that Rossi snapped after their dinner guests' baby began crying earlier that night, and claimed they later got into an argument which turned violent. Rossi 'grabbed her and knocked her to the ground and held her down' and 'slapped her on the facial area,' the outlet reported. Utah County Sheriff's Office in Provo began the hunt for Rossi in 2020 after testing old sexual assault kits. The drug test results of a Mercedes driver who allegedly killed five people and a dog just moments after he was caught speeding by police have been revealed. Christopher Dylan Joannides, 29, allegedly hit a Nissan Navara ute which sent it spinning into the path of a B-double truck near Strathmerton, just south of the Victoria-NSW border, about 2.30pm on Thursday. Joannides was charged with five counts of dangerous driving death after admitting he was the driver of the white Mercedes sedan during an interview with police. According to court documents, the 29-year-old was pulled over just 2km from the crash site after he was caught doing 118km/hour in a 100km/hour zone. He allegedly told officers he had smoked cannabis 'one day or more ago' and returned a positive result for cannabis on a preliminary 'lick stick' saliva test. However, a second sample was tested and did not show a positive result, with Joannides handed an on-the-spot fine and allowed to continue driving. Victoria Police spent a total of 40 minutes with the 29-year-old before concluding the traffic stop at 2.19pm, just three minutes before the horror smash. A blood sample from Joannides will be tested to determine whether he had drugs in his system with the second 'lick stick' test to also be sent for further testing. Christopher Dylan Joannides, 29, allegedly hit a Nissan Navara ute which sent it spinning into the path of a B-double truck Five people were killed in a horror crash between two cars and a B-double truck in northern Victoria on Thursday The Nissan Navara 4WD ute was thrown into the path of the truck after being struck by the Mercedes Police will allege that after leaving the traffic stop, Joannides then ran through a give way sign at the Labuan Road and Murray Valley Hwy intersection. The crash instantly killed the Nissan driver, a local woman in her 60s, her four international passengers - three women and a man aged believed to be aged between 23 and 30 - and a dog. The crash was so bad disaster identification experts and search and rescue teams had to be called in to determine how many victims there were. Applying for bail in Shepparton Magistrates Court on Friday afternoon, Joannides' lawyer said he had no other prior offences, was not an unacceptable risk to the community, had a stable residence and family support. Magistrate Simon Zebrowski granted him bail with strict conditions, including that he is banned from driving. The Nissan Navara ute is seen following the horror crash that killed five people and a dog Emergency services were called to an incident in Strathmerton, just south of the NSW border, about 2.30pm on Thursday with reports of a multi-car collision (pictured, map) 'Probably the worst thing you could do is ... to drive a motor vehicle,' the magistrate said. 'You're not to drive a motor vehicle under any circumstance.' Joannides must reside at his Doncaster address, surrender his passport and cannot leave Victoria or Australia. Following the crash, Joannides and his 20-year-old female passenger were taken to hospital for treatment for minor injuries. While the circumstances of the crash are still under investigation, Assistant Commissioner of Road Policing Glenn Weir said police believe the four international victims are from Asia and were in Australia working in the local farming industry. The crash took place at the intersection of Murray Valley Hwy and Labuan Rd (pictured) Police and emergency services are pictures at the scene of the crash on Thursday At the time of the incident, the Navara driver was dropping her employees home after they spent the day working at her property, Assistant Commissioner Weir said. Police from the major collision unit worked through the night to examine and investigate the cause of the crash. Assistant Commissioner Weir said dash camera footage of the crash was 'horrific' and the tragedy would 'significantly impact' the first responders, local community, and victims' families overseas for a long time. He said the truck driver was 'absolutely devastated' and was driving along and doing the right thing when his life 'changed in a split second'. The quintuple fatality is the most deadly car accident Victoria has experienced since 2012. Assistant Commissioner Weir said there has been a significant rise in multiple-fatality crashes this year compared to 2022 on Victorian roads. Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir said there has been a significant rise in multiple-fatality car crashes this year on Victorian roads In an emotional plea, he urged drivers to heed road rules to stay safe especially as more people hit the road ahead of the weekend and Anzac Day. 'Today a lot of people will take the opportunity to travel and perhaps enjoy a day off on Monday and Tuesday as a public holiday. But the people who won't travel are these people who are dead,' he said. 'So when the all the tape is taken down, all the cars are towed away, and everything is cleaned up and everyone will move on, it is quite easy for the crash to be something that happened the other week, the other month, or last year. 'But we cant let it stop at that. It is time for people to wake up. 'I don't know what more we can do to try and appeal to people to take care.' He will return to court on September 19. Alex Chalk was today named the new Justice Secretary after Dominic Raab resigned when a report found he bullied his staff. The 46-year-old had been a defence minister before getting the call-up from Rishi Sunak to replace Mr Raab as head of the Ministry of Justice. In a series of Government changes in the wake of Mr Raab's exit, Mr Sunak has named his close ally Oliver Dowden as his new Deputy Prime Minister. Mr Dowden will combine the role, which will mean he will stand in for Mr Sunak at Prime Minister's Questions when required, with his existing job as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. Mr Raab had been Mr Sunak's deputy since last October, having previously held the role under ex-PM Boris Johnson. He faced Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner across the House of Commons despatch box a number of times when deputising at PMQs. Alex Chalk was today named the new Justice Secretary after Dominic Raab resigned the role when a report found he bullied his staff The 46-year-old had been a defence minister before getting the call-up from Rishi Sunak to replace Mr Raab as head of the Ministry of Justice In a series of Government changes in the wake of Mr Raab's exit, Mr Sunak has named his close ally Oliver Dowden as his new Deputy Prime Minister Mr Raab announced his resignation as Justice Secretary and Deputy PM this morning after a report found he bullied his staff Mr Sunak, Mr Dowden and Robert Jenrick, who is immigration minister, have previously been referred to as the 'three Musketeers' at Westminster after rising through the Tory ranks together. Mr Dowden was a key figure in Mr Sunak's campaign during last summer's Tory leadership contest. He was previously Conservative Party chairman under Mr Johnson but quit in June last year after disastrous by-election losses in Wakefield and Tiverton and Honiton. Mr Chalk's promotion to Cabinet for the first time comes after he held a series of junior ministerial roles under Mr Johnson and then Mr Sunak. He entered Parliament in 2015 after being elected MP for Cheltenham, his home town, at that year's general election. The Oxford-educated former barrister faces a battle to hold on to his Gloucestershire constituency at the next general election, He saw his majority cut to less than 1,000 votes at the 2019 election after being run close by a Liberal Democrat rival. Mr Chalk was prisons minister and then solicitor general under Mr Johnson, before being named defence procurement minister when Mr Sunak became PM in October last year. On his website, a biography of Mr Chalk - a married father-of-three - states he is 'regularly described as one of Parliament's 'nice guys''. It also says he is 'considered as an "up-and-coming" and a "rising star" of the 2015 intake' of Tory MPs. During his 14-year legal career, Mr Chalk specialised in counter-terrorism, murder and serious fraud cases. He was also previously a speechwriter for William Hague when he was Tory leader. Mr Chalk backed Mr Sunak during both Tory leadership contests last year. James Cartlidge has replaced Mr Chalk in the Ministry of Defence while he, in turn, has been replaced as Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury by Gareth Davies. In a series of other Government changes announced today, Michelle Donelan will be replaced by Chloe Smith as Science, Innovation and Technology Secretary while on maternity leave. Sir John Whittingdale will replace Julia Lopez as a minister at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport while she also takes maternity leave. Ms Smith has previously distanced herself from her husband's views about Covid. Sandy McFadzean, a vice-president of investment bank Credit Suisse, attended a London protest against coronavirus restrictions in August 2020. He has also previously posted on Twitter: 'Covid-19 is most likely an outbreak of mental illness.' He added in another social media post: 'Government need to be clear. Either there is a killer virus on the loose or there isn't. (Spoiler alert: There isn't).' Mr Sunak has risked a row with his appointment of Mr Chalk as Justice Secretary and Mr Dowden as the new Deputy PM following Mr Raab's departure. It had been expected the PM might use the opportunity of a mini-reshuffle to promote another woman to the top level of his Government in order to improve the gender balance of his Cabinet. The West Coast city of Portland, Oregon, where an ounce of top-notch pot sells for $210, has been ranked as America's cannabis capital, based on the price, quality, and availability of weed there. The study, by Real Estate Witch, found that Denver, Colorado, and Buffalo, New York, were runners-up, in a survey that rated everything from pot's legal status to the number of dispensaries in the city. They also found that Birmingham, Alabama, which allows medical pot, but where recreational use is outlawed, is the worst city for users overall. Memphis, Tennessee, and Louisville, Kentucky, also ranked at the bottom. The worst prices, however, are in Washington, DC, where users spend $590 on an ounce of finest bud 87 percent more than the national average, which is $316 for top-end pot and $252 for regular. Researchers have ranked America's biggest cities are for pot users, based on the price, quality, and availability of weed there Marijuana users light up during a 420 Day celebration on 'Hippie Hill' in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, California The research comes amid America's fast-paced switch to legalizing pot, which is now allowed for recreational adult use in 20 states and Washington, DC. Anti-pot campaigners warn of teenage addiction, more stoned motorists, and other dangers. It also comes amid growing social acceptance of cannabis use. A YouGov poll this week found that more than half of Americans say it's okay to use marijuana openly, and nearly two thirds support legalized recreational use in their state. David Downs, an editor with Leafly, a cannabis retail website that partnered on the research, said the high-scoring cities were showing 'good governance' by effectively liberalizing and regulating pot use. 'It's a litmus test for democracy,' said Downs. Researchers gathered data from the Census Bureau, the Bureau of Economic Analysis, Google Trends, Yelp and other sources to calculate the average price and availability of weed across the county's biggest cities. Portland topped the rankings thanks to its cheaper weed prices $210 per ounce of high grade pot and $187 for standard and for having among the country's highest number of dispensaries per capita. Denver dropped to second place from last year's survey. It scores well thanks to low prices, the availability of dispensaries and head shops, and the ratings those stores get from users. Buffalo jumped up the rankings from 17th to third place, in part thanks to New York state allowing recreational adult use at the start of the year. But researchers said it's still held back by a lack of dispensaries. A YouGov poll of 1,582 US adults found that 53 percent said it was socially acceptable to use cannabis openly, while 47 percent called it unacceptable Researchers graded Birmingham, Alabama, as the worst city for pot users, thanks to the scarcity of dispensaries, which are only allowed to sell to people with medical permits, and its above-average prices. As well as the 21 jurisdictions that have legalized recreational adult pot use, 27 states allow it for varying medicinal purposes. Three states Idaho, Kansas, and Nebraska prohibit weed entirely. Washington and Colorado were the first states to legalize recreational marijuana in 2012. Legalization has not been smooth. Voters in Oklahoma last month rejected the legalization of recreational pot, joining other conservative states Arkansas, North Dakota and South Dakota who rejected similar efforts in 2022. Sales just began in Missouri, are expected to begin in July in Maryland and totaled $300 million in the first year of New Mexico's program. As it becomes more legal, attitudes appear to be changing. A YouGov poll of 1,582 US adults found that 53 percent said it was socially acceptable to use cannabis openly, while 47 percent called it unacceptable. That's a shift towards acceptance from the last survey two years ago, even while Republicans, conservatives, seniors over 65, and religious Americans do not believe it's okay to light a joint in the street. Some 64 percent of respondents said weed should be legal in their state, compared to 36 percent against. Democrats were significantly more supportive of legalization than were Republicans. Smokers flocked to parks across the country to celebrate 4/20 on Thursday, the annual celebration of pot. In New York City, hundreds gathered in Washington Square Park to 'blaze' through the haze in interesting and somewhat unconventional ways. Americans last year spent more on legal weed than they did on chocolate and craft beer combined, according to cannabis website MJBizDaily. Consumers spent $30 billion on pot, but only $18 billion on chocolate. The Ganja Candy Factory in Portland, Oregon, the city where users get some of the best prices in America, research shows The above shows cannabis use across American states. Twenty-one states and DC have legalized it for recreational use in addition to medicinal use, while nearly all now allow it to be used for medicinal purposes. Experts have cautioned against America's speedy switch to legalized pot, amid a growing body of evidence that widespread availability leads to increased use, particularly among young people, together with addiction and mental health issues. The National Institute on Drug Abuse's (NIDA) annual survey in August found the number of under-30s using marijuana hit record levels last year which the agency's boss Dr Nora Volkow called a 'concern'. The $30billion cannabis industry argues that taking the drug either smoking it, vaping it or as an edible can help relieve feelings of anxiety or depression, chronic pain, and even help fight addictions. The US Cannabis Council, a major lobbying group, says legalization is widely supported, that pot is safe and can help addicts beat opioid and alcohol dependency. But in states where pot has been legalized, many parents say their children have been sucked into an addiction spiral. Its creator is calling for an end to using English version of Welsh place names All English place names could be erased from Wales under a campaign launched by a language extremist. Emboldened by the controversial renaming of beauty spots Snowdonia and the Brecon Beacons, branded 'bonkers' by critics, language purists now claim the continuing use of non-Welsh place names and spellings highlights the 'cultural oppression historically inflicted on Wales'. Their radical proposal would see the names of the nation's biggest cities outlawed, including Cardiff, Swansea, Newport and Wrexham. Instead Cardiff would be officially known just as Caerdydd, Swansea as Abertawe, Newport as Casnewydd and Wrexham as Wrecsam - with all English signs banned. University worker Mihangel ap Rhisiart has won backing for his online petition after the Brecon Beacons was officially switched to Bannau Brycheiniog by national park chiefs. Cardiff would officially be known just as Caerdydd if the wishes of the petitioners were put into place. Pictured: Cardiff Bay The Brecon Beacons have already been officially renamed Bannau Brycheiniog by national park chiefs. Pictured: Pen y Fan, the highest mountain in the national park Renaming Swansea would not be straight forward as historians say its name could stem from the time of the Vikings, meaning Sweyn's island in Old Norse. Pictured: Swansea marina Snowdonia was officially rebranded as Eryri last year. Pictured: Mount Snowdon, Wales's highest mountain The move came after Snowdonia was officially rebranded as Eryri last year. Mr ap Rhisiart, who is a researcher at Cardiff University, said the petition which has attracted over 1,000 signatories after Downing Street stepped into the row over the Brecon Beacons - was in the 'spirit of respect for Wales as its own nation'. 'I do think there is an issue of colonialism, no matter how many centuries it might be since Wales was conquered and then subsequently made legally part of England,' he added. Rejecting accusations that the proposed move would cause pronunciation difficulties, he said outsiders struggled with how to say English place names such as Worcester and Loughborough. Managers of the Brecon Beacons National Park said the name was being scrapped because it implied a link to wood-burning, carbon-emitting blazing beacons - which are not eco-friendly. The move sparked a ferocious backlash, with Conservative MP David Davis branding it 'virtue signalling' and 'one of the more bonkers ideas I've heard in some time'. The Prime Minister's official spokesman said he expected people to carry on using the Brecon Beacons name and that actions 'rather than nomenclature' were the key to tackling climate change. While the majority of place names in Wales have Welsh origins, historians say identifying the source of those which don't is not straightforward. Swansea for example may stem from the time of the Vikings, meaning Sweyn's island in Old Norse. Slide me The Brecon Beacons National Park (left) has changed its name to the Welsh one of Bannau Brycheiniog National Park (right) pronounced Ban-eye Bruck-ein-iog or the Bannau for short All English signs could be banned if the aims of campaigners are put into place. Pictured: A Welsh and English language road sign in Newport The online petition, pictured, has won backing after the Brecon Beacons had its name changed Slamming the proposal to outlaw English place names, Andrew RT Davies, Leader of the Welsh Conservatives, said: 'Wales has a rich and valuable culture that we should celebrate. 'Many places rightly embrace their Welsh language names, but I do not support change for change's sake. 'Out of touch Labour ministers in the Senedd are presiding over longer NHS waiting lists than England, slower ambulance response times, smaller pay packets and worse education results. 'Fixing this must be the priority, not pet projects to please their nationalist coalition partners.' A British holidaymaker has revealed how a bouncer laughed in his face when his friend died in a Polish strip club after being forced to drink 22 shots. Mark Cocks, 36, collapsed in 2017 after being plied with almost two dozen shots of strong alcohol at Krakow's Wild Night club while on a night out with his school friend Steven Skiba. Mystery surrounds the tragic incident, but police have now arrested seven people over his death as part of an investigation into an organised crime gang behind a series of deaths of foreigners who were allegedly drugged and robbed at the notorious club. Now, Mr Skiba, a father-of-two, has come forward to tell of the horror of the fateful night in the lap dancing club and how a bouncer laughed in his face when he told him: 'Your friend is dead'. Speaking exclusively to MailOnline from his home in Saltburn-by-the-Sea, North Yorkshire, where he works as a fisherman, Mr Skiba, 40, has told of the horrors of the night six years ago - from thinking he had been spiked, to the panic of not being able to find his friend. Mark Cocks, 36, collapsed in 2017 after being plied with almost two dozen shots of strong alcohol at Krakow's Wild Night club Steven Skiba described his friend as a 'top lad'. Mr Skiba (second left) is pictured with Mr Cock's (centre right) on holiday together Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, Mr Skiba (left and right) has told of the horrors of the night in Krakow six years ago Mr Skiba said when the pair arrived in Krakow, they inadvertently found themselves in the Wild Nights club - where Mr Cocks would lose his life less than 24 hours later. The pair had jetted to Poland on a whim after enjoying a string of holidays together. He said they were in the pub deciding between Amsterdam or Krakow, before choosing the later because of his Polish sounding name.' 'We just upped and went, really. It was completely spur of the moment trip. I had a good job then, fishing, with good money coming in. We were both single and thought why not? 'We knew to be careful at the strip clubs and watch our cards. We said before we went, if we are going in those places, we're only going in with the right amount of cash and to take nothing else. 'We've had friends who had been there who'd had their pockets empty. So we knew to keep our wits about us.' Mr Skiba said: 'The night before it happened we got dragged into the same club. We only had one drink in there and they were pestering us to stay. But we went home. 'I was up bad all night, spewing. I thought I had been spiked. I'd never felt so ill. In the morning, I still felt rough from just the one drink. God knows what they'd given me. I didn't want to go out the following night but I felt bad for Mark. I didn't want to ruin his trip. 'So we went out, just with the intention of having a couple of pints. We went to the main square but all the bars were quite posh and not really what we were into. We wanted something a bit more like our locals - something a bit more rough and ready. 'We went around the side street and that's where the strip club was. The guy outside pestered us to go in. He wouldn't take no for an answer. M r Skiba said when the pair arrived in Krakow, they inadvertently found themselves in the Wild Nights club Mystery surrounds the tragic incident, but this week police in Poland arrested seven people over mark Cock's death. One of the suspects is pictured Mr Skiba has now come forward to tell of the horror of the fateful night in the Krakow lap dancing club Mr Skiba said that once inside, the men tried to leave but were hounded into staying. 'When we tried to go, there were four or four of the staff around us, saying 'no, don't leave - free dance, free dance'. Mark was like 'free dance, okay - but nothing more - no money'. They took us past the bar, down a long corridor, with curtained booths. 'I went into one, and Mark went into another. The next thing this woman walked in with a card machine and a Coke-sized bottle of something. I was trying to get out. I wasn't interested. I knew what their game was. I was pushing my way past them. I threw a bank note at them and ran towards the bar.' Mr Skiba said he went back to the bar, hoping to see Mr Cocks. 'I couldn't see Mark anywhere. Then two other men came out of the corridor, falling all over the place. They were sliding down the walls. I'd never seen anything like it. They couldn't stand up. They just kept collapsing. They were saying over and over again 'no, this is wrong, these girls just rob'. 'I started getting really worried for Mark. My phone had died, so I asked a guy if I could use his phone to send him a Facebook message. I wrote: 'Get out of there right now - they're robbing you'. I have no idea if he ever saw that message.' Increasingly anxious, Mr Skiba told how he flagged down a police car outside the venue to express his concerns. 'I told them 'my friend's in there - he's in trouble'. They just laughed at me and drove off. A guy came over from a shop next door and said to me 'sorry to tell you, but those officers work for the club - it's all Polish mafia'.I was properly panicking. 'Two bouncers were guarding the corridor. They wouldn't let me through to see Mark. They kept saying 'he's not a scrooge like you - he's having fun. He's spending money. I begged the bar staff to get Mark out of there but they just kept trying to sell me drinks.' Polish raided night clubs and arrested suspects last year during an investigation into an organised criminal group extorting money from customers at nightclubs Strippers at the Wild Night club in Krakow are pictured inside the establishment, which has since closed in the Polish city Krakow's Old Town used to host the Wild Nights club before the establishment's subsequent closure Mr Skiba told how he realised something was badly wrong when two strippers ran into the bar area 'screaming and crying'. But he still had no idea about the fate of his friend. 'I saw the paramedics from a distance doing CPR on someone's chest,' he said. 'I asked the staff - is that my friend? They were going 'no, no, your friend is fine'. 'Then the two bouncers came out laughing and joking. I said to one of them 'is my friend okay?'. He looked at me, laughed and said 'your friend is dead'. 'I just fell to the floor on my hands and knees. I was in complete shock.' Mr Skiba was quizzed by police in Poland before flying back to England alone. Officers had claimed Mr Cocks had been drunk when he entered the strip club, but family and friends insist this was not true. He was allegedly robbed of PLN 2,200, about 420, in cash. Mr Skiba said: 'I've read stuff which says we were drunk when we went in there, but we weren't. We'd only had one pint. 'Mark wasn't in the booth for very long so they must have forced the stuff down his throat or laced it with drugs. 'Mark was a bit more timid than I am. When they came in and started pressuring him, he was probably frightened and did what they told him. 'I blame myself for what happened. I feel I should have had his back. I felt like I'd let him down. I feel ashamed to say I was scared, but I didn't know what kind of thing we were messing with. Polish police officers raided a series of strip clubs in Krakow as part of an investigation into an organised criminal gang Polish police raided night clubs and arrested suspects last year during an investigation into an organised criminal group Picture shows the monitoring centre in one of the strip clubs that was raided last year Polish police raided a series of strip clubs in Poland last year and arrested dozens of suspects Picture shows the monitoring centre in one of the strip clubs that was raided last year 'It's tortured me every day since. When he said 'do you want to go to Krakow or Amsterdam' - if I'd chosen Amsterdam, he would still be here. Mr Skiba is convinced that his lifelong friend Mr Cocks was drugged as well as forced to down super-strong alcohol because he was a heavy drinker who could have easily walked out of the club after drinking 22 shots. 'Mark wasn't drunk when he went into the club. We'd only had one pint. And he came out dead.' He said Mr Cocks, a Leeds United supporter, was 'stone cold sober' when he arrived at the club, having only had a pint of beer beforehand. 'He could handle a drink. On a Sunday session, he'd knock back ten pints easily. 'They say he was forced to drink 22 shots. But Mark could easily have drunk 22 shots and walked out of there, I know he could have. 'I'm convinced whatever he drank was laced with drugs, like a date-rape drug so they could rob him.' Polish prosecutors said in 2017 that Mr Cocks had been 'led into a deep state of intoxication' after being given 22 unordered portions of 'high-proof alcohol'. They added: 'Acute poisoning with ethyl alcohol led to the concentration in the victim's body and urine, as a result of which the man died.' Mr Cocks' family have been trying to seek justice over his death for over six years. Mr Skiba described his friend as a 'top lad'. 'I'd known him from school. We played pool together all the time. Poland was the fourth holiday we'd been on together.' A retired teacher who stopped traffic during an Insulate Britain protest bringing rush hour chaos to the City of London has been jailed for five weeks. Catherine Rennie-Ash, 71, along with Simon Reding, 50 and Helen Redfern, 58 blocked traffic between Bishopsgate and Wormwood Street on 25 October 2021. Thousands of people on buses were held up as a result of the Insulate Britain protest, Inner London Crown Court was told. Redfern, of Gateshead, Reding, of Manchester, Rennie-Nash, of Kendal, Cumbria, all denied but were convicted of causing a public nuisance, which is a common law offence and carries the maximum of life imprisonment. Rennie-Nash, who was given a five week prison sentence, said: 'I am enraged and disgusted by our so called leaders, and I am disappointed by a judiciary that continues to aid them. 'I am not remorseful for my actions and I do not make an apology.' Rennie-Nash indicated that she would continue to engage in unlawful protest. Simon Reding (left), 50, retired teacher Catherine Rennie-Ash (right), 71, and Helen Redfern (centre), 58 blocked traffic between Bishopsgate and Wormwood Street on October 25, 2021 Redfern was given three weeks in prison suspended for 18 months. She will have to pay 150 is prosecution costs and a 128 victim surcharge. Reding was given a six week prison sentence suspended for 18 months. He will also have to complete 100 hours of unpaid work. Refern said: 'To be fully human is to recognise the connection between ourselves and all living beings. 'The future is looking bleak for humanity unless those in power take drastic measures right now. 'They proved it could be done with Covid. Something has to be done.' Reding said: 'I have always been terrified of prison, even more so now. 'I knew what I was doing then was the right thing to do. I knew what was right and I knew what was wrong.' Judge Silas Reid had earlier ruled that the defendants could not refer to climate change as their motivation for blocking the road in their defence. Thousands of people on buses were held up as a result of the Insulate Britain protest Passing sentencing he said: 'None of you have shown any real remorse for your actions. In fact you wear them with a degree of pride. 'You each feel that the democratic process has failed, and you each acted in a way that set yourselves above the law, as though you were entitled to decide what the whole country do. 'Getting your message across in the media was more important to you than disrupting thousands of people. 'Your actions cost people time, money, and possibly worse.' He referred to some body worn footage that was shown in court where a woman was speaking directly to Redfern. 'She explained that she wanted to use a bus but couldn't, and that she had missed a hospital appointment.' David Matthew, prosecuting, earlier told jurors: 'During the last part of 2021, Insulate Britain was blocking a number of roads.' 'Some of you may remember blocks on the M25. 'What this case is about is Monday 25 October 2021. It started shortly after 8am, so part of rush hour. 'Bishopsgate is a very major bus route. 'The City of London Police called for assistance from the Metropolitan police. 'They were handled very carefully by the police. They were warned they might be arrested, they were asked if there was anything they could say that would make them move.' 'Finally each was arrested. 'People had glued themselves to the road.' Bishopsgate was only cleared by 10am, but the junction was re-opened after 11am because experts had to clear solvents from the streets that had been used to remove superglue. 'There are about 255 buses an hour running through Bishopsgate. Over a protest lasting for two hours there would have been several thousand people whose bus journey was affected,' the prosecutor said. Insulate Britain has demanded a national programme to insulate all homes by 2030 and blocked a number of roads including the M25 during 2021. The owner of a Florida restaurant chain has stopped serving Bud Light because the brand's controversial partnership with a transgender influencer is at odds with his 'biblical faith'. Grills Restaurants owner Joe Penovich said Bud Light's partnership with influencer Dylan Mulvaney was in 'direct opposition' to his 'biblical faith' so the restaurant would no longer be serving the beer. He added the decision was made with 'many tears' but blamed 'corporate greed' and a 'deeper spiritual reality coming upon this world'. But social media users hit back and some claimed they were 'shocked and saddened' the restaurant owner would 'spew hatred' and 'pretend to be the victim'. Others accused Mr Penovich of 'cherry-picking' the Bible and 'throwing a fit' over the advertisement campaign. The owner of a Floridian restaurant chain has stopped serving Bud Light because the brand's controversial partnership with a transgender influencer is at odds with his 'biblical faith' Grills Restaurants owner Joe Penovich said Bud Light's partnership with influencer Dylan Mulvaney was in 'direct opposition' to his 'biblical faith' so the restaurant would no longer be serving the beer Mr Penovich said in a Facebook post: 'It is true we made the decision to remove Bud Light because of their support of something that is in direct opposition to our Biblical faith. 'There is no judgement in our heart concerning those who believe in these rapidly changing social values. 'But there is a lie being levied that we and other Christians hate Dylan Mulvaney and the gay community. Nothing could be further from the truth in our hearts and minds. 'Our decision was made with many tears for this circumstance and what we see as corporate greed and a deeper spiritual reality coming upon this world.' Ms Mulvaney, 26, announced the partnership in a series of videos posted to social media at the start of April 2023 to coincide with the NCAA March Madness tournament. Ms Mulvaney (pictured), 26, announced the partnership in a series of videos posted to social media at the start of April 2023 to coincide with the NCAA March Madness tournament The partnership was to honor her first full year of being an openly transgender woman, according to the company. But it sparked controversy and some people denounced the partnership while some praised it. The likes of John Rich, Travis Tritt, and Kid Rock were among dozens of conservative celebrities and politicians leading a boycott that wiped billions off the firm's value within days. Meanwhile, a recent poll of 1,041 adults found 54 percent supported the boycott of Anheuser-Busch, the firm that produces Bud Light, while 30 percent were opposed. Another 16 percent said they were not sure. YouTuber Joe Rogan also swigged a Bud Light in his recent show and said the controversy was overblown. He said: 'Why, if something is good, do you give a f**k who's got it?' A recent poll of 1,041 adults found 54 percent supported the boycott of Anheuser-Busch, the firm that produces Bud Light, while 30 percent were opposed. Another 16 percent said they were not sure. Supporters took to Facebook to praise Mr Penovich's decision and claimed he was standing up for the 'silent majority'. Another added: 'The hate will eventually go away and your business will be blessed! Stay strong!' they wrote, vowing to visit the restaurant in-person on their next trip to Florida. But those who disagreed took to review company Yelp as well as Facebook to accuse Mr Penovich of being a 'bigot'. One said: 'I'm shocked and saddened that our world is now one where a business owner can openly spew this kind of hatred and then pretend to be the victim,' one person said. Another added: 'Instead of being a loving and accepting person as Christ would want you to be, you are cherry picking parts of the Bible, and throwing a fit over an ad campaign.' A different user said: 'I do not tolerate bigots, racists or trans/homophobes in my everyday life and I refuse to eat at ANY establishment that does!' A serial convict has been jailed for 50 years to life for the horrific attempted rape of a woman on a New York City street where she was left naked and unconcious. Rasheen Davis, 40, who had 11 prior arrests and was on parole for a knife point robbery in 2020, approached the 43-year-old woman from behind as she was walking home in Harlem around 11:30pm on March 12, 2022. He knocked the victim to the ground and kicked and punched her until she was unconscious before stripping her naked. He repeatedly stomped on the her head as she lay motionless before he tried to rape her. He then dragged her lifeless body next to a pile of trash and stole her jacket before fleeing the scene. She miraculously survived but was left with severe head trauma and internal brain bleeding in the attack that took place near Lenox Ave and West 123 Street. Judge Gregory Carro on Thursday described the sadistic attack as 'one of the most inhumane acts of violence that I've seen in over 30 years doing this.' Rasheen Davis, 40, was hit with with the maximum sentence on all of the crimes he was convicted of including attempted murder, attempted rape, assault and robbery in Manhattan Supreme Court on Thursday Davis appeared expressionless in Manhattan Supreme Court on Thursday as the judge handed down two consecutive sentence of 25 years to life for attempted murder and attempted rape. Judge Carro said: 'Evidenced by your history, you will remain an extreme danger to the citizens of this state.' Surveillance footage released by the NYPD shows Davis walking down the Harlem street placing a pair of blue latex gloves over his hands and a ski mask over his head moments before the violent attack. The victim who nearly died was in hospital for weeks suffering from brain bleeding and traumatic head injury. Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg issued a statement on Thursday announcing Davis' sentencing. 'Today, Rasheen Davis was held accountable for a horrific attack on a New Yorker,' Bragg said. 'I hope that this sentence delivers some measure of closure for the survivor. 'Nobody should have to experience this type of injury and trauma, and we will continue to prioritize uplifting survivors and ensuring they have the support and resources they need to recover.' Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Gregory Carro called the sadistic attack that was caught on surveillance as 'one of the most inhumane acts of violence that I've seen in over 30 years doing this' Davis leaving the courtroom on Thursday as he is escorted by a team of officers as he begins his lengthy prison sentence A week before the rape, Davis had reportedly robbed an acquaintance slashing them in the face with a razor blade. He was charged with robbery and assault in that case, The New York Post reported. Davis has several prior convictions including three on felony charges. The Legal Aid Society, which represented Davis, did not return a request for comment. Kiwis need to have lived in Australia for four years They can apply directly for citizenship from July Up to 350,000 Kiwis to become Australian citizens Up to 350,000 New Zealanders will be able to apply directly for Australian citizenship without having to secure permanent residency first. Kiwis who arrived in Australia after 2001 will be eligible to apply from July 1, 2023. Special Category Visa holders can apply for Australian citizenship, as long as they have lived in the country for four years and meet the other eligibility requirements. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is due to make the announcement on Saturday, coinciding with his New Zealand counterpart Chris Hipkins' visit to Australia. 'Australia and New Zealand have a deep friendship, which has been forged through our history, shared values and common outlook,' Mr Albanese said. 'We know that many New Zealanders are here on a Special Category Visa while raising families, working and building their lives in Australia. 'So I am proud to offer the benefits that citizenship provides.' The changes will bring Australia's treatment of New Zealanders in line with New Zealand's treatment of Australians. Up to 350,000 New Zealanders will be able to apply directly for Australian citizenship without having to secure permanent residency first. A woman is seen enjoying Australia Day in Perth Sandy Boyce and her husband (pictured) have lived in Australia for over 15 years and this weekend will be a step closer to citizenship Sandy Boyce has been living in Australia for 15 years, and for almost ten of those has been fighting to become an Australian citizen. The New Zealander made the move across the Tasman Sea in 2008 to join her husband, and - despite planning early on to only stay here a couple of years - soon fell in love with the country and set up a home in Perth. Now, almost 60 years old and with a grandchild, she and her husband want a clear and direct pathway to citizenship so that they can reap the benefits of the taxes they have dutifully paid for so many years. Changes in 2001 made it more difficult for Kiwis who move to Australia, like Ms Boyce, to attain citizenship. Ms Boyce said she and her husband had struggled immensely over the past decade trying to figure out the path to citizenship. Ms Boyce (pictured) has lived in Australia for 15 years and for almost ten of those has been fighting to become an Australian citizen 'I have no intention of going back to New Zealand, I just want to be a citizen here,' she told NCA NewsWire. 'I want to know I can become a citizen, I can stay here - get a pension, get a seniors card like everyone else. 'I'm not looking for the moon from the government - I would just like an easier path to citizenship.' She said she had spent years trying to become a citizen, but was constantly passed around between departments and was never able to find answers. 'It's just become too hard,' she said. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (right) is due to make the announcement on Saturday, coinciding with his New Zealand counterpart Chris Hipkins' (left) visit to Australia Mr Albanese said the change would further strengthen the long friendship between the two countries. 'As we mark the 50th anniversary of the trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement, I look forward to strengthening our relationship,' he said. Since February 2001, New Zealand citizens in Australia have been considered 'non-protected' SCV holders, and have had restricted eligibility to social security benefits. They have only been eligible to those benefits if they obtain citizenship after being granted permanent residency. A fired Marvel executive has won a settlement worth millions of dollars from Disney after she was abruptly fired in March due to her role in producing and promoting the Oscar-nominated movie Argentina, 1985, which was made by the rival Amazon Studios. Producer Victoria Alonso worked for Marvel since 2005, helping to make the brand into one of the most lucrative in Hollywood. The official line from Disney was that Alonso, 57, breached her contract with the company in working on an Amazon project. However, her lawyer maintains that Alonso was fired rather for her refusal to remove a pro-LGBTQ image from January's Marvel hit Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania for the film's release in Kuwait, where homosexuality is illegal. The film grossed nearly $500 million worldwide against a budget of $200 million. Her lawyer, Patty Glaser, said Alonso was asked 'to do something she believed was reprehensible. Victoria, a gay Latina who had the courage to criticize Disney, was silenced.' In April 2022, Alonso was openly critical of then-CEO Bob Chapek's non-response to Florida's controversial 'Don't Say Gay' bill. 'I ask you again Mr Chapek, please respect if were selling family, take a stand against all of these crazy outdated laws. Take a stand for the family,' Alonso said during an appearance at the 2022 GLAAD Media Awards. In March, Victoria Alonso, 57, has departed Marvel Studios after a 17-year run with the film studio in which the Marvel Cinematic Universe became the highest-grossing movie franchise ever. Pictured at the Oscars in LA earlier this month Alonso, a native of Buenos Aires, produced the Oscar-nominated hit Argentina, 1985. The film was made by Amazon Studios, a rival to Disney In late 2022, Chapek was abruptly replaced as CEO by the man he replaced in the role, Bob Iger with many pointing to the company's response to the Florida law as one of the reasons for the shuffle. The change was made to the Ant-Man movie by an outsourced editor. Deadline, who first reported the news of the settlement, said that the exact figure has not been revealed. During her time at Marvel, Alonso worked as a producer on hits such as Iron Man 2, Thor, Captain America: The First Avenger and as an executive producer on The Avengers in 2012. In 2021, Alonso was promoted to president of physical and post production, visual effects and animation production at Marvel Studios. Glaser also said that Alonso was given a green-light work on Argentina, 1985, the movie that deals with the prosecution of the generals who engineered the country's brutal military takeover in 1976. She is a native of Buenos Aires. In response to Glaser, a Disney statement reading part that it was 'unfortunate' the producer was 'sharing a narrative that leaves out several key factors concerning her departure, including an indisputable breach of contract and a direct violation of company policy.' 'We will continue to wish her the best for the future and thank her for her numerous contributions to the studio,' the House of Mouse press release added. Marvel executive reportedly asked in January, just weeks before the February 17 release of the Ant-Man sequel, to blur a storefront window that featured a rainbow decoration and the word Pride. Marvel executives asked in January, just weeks before the February 17 release, to blur a storefront window that featured a rainbow decoration and the word Pride, for the Kuwait release, since the country has restrictive anti-LGBTQ laws A storefront baring the word PRIDE is reportedly shown in two brief scenes where Scott Lang/Ant-Man (Paul Rudd) was seen walking down a street in San Francisco In April 2022, Alonso was highly critical of Disney's response to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' controversial Don't Say Gay bill In January 2023, Alonso was one of the subjects of a Vulture feature on the stressful working conditions that visual effects artists suffered through at Marvel. An unnamed artist alleged that Alonso was known to blacklist workers who crossed her. 'The main one that everyones quite scared of is Victoria Alonso. She is known in the industry as a kingmaker. If she likes you, you are going to get work and move up in the industry. If you have pissed her off in any way, youre going to get frozen out,' he said. The storefront is reportedly shown in two brief scenes where Scott Lang/Ant-Man (Paul Rudd) was seen walking down a street in San Francisco. Sources allege that, once the request made it to Alonso - who was in charge of overseeing all visual effects and post-production - she refused to have her team make the edit. Other Kuwait edits included removing references to alcohol and removing the animated butt cheeks of M.O.D.O.K. (Corey Stoll). This wasn't the first time Marvel cut an LGBTQ scene to appease the Kuwait market, happening just months earlier with a scene in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Marvel cut a very brief scene that features a 10-second scene that features a moment of affection between Michaela Coel's Aneka and Florence Kasumba's Ayo. The brief scene featured Aneka kissing the forehead of Ayo, with censors also demanding another scene cut where a woman gives birth to a child, where the line, 'A god to his people,' is said. There was said to be a total of 1 minute worth of cuts made to appease the Kuwait censors for the release of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Kuwait censors even demanded that a heterosexual kiss between T'challa (Chadwick Boseman) and Nakia (Lupita Nyong'o) be removed, while another heterosexual kiss in Encanto was removed for Kuwait. The bodies of two children who were murdered and mutilated were found the morning after the young friends were reported missing by their families. Nqobile Zulu, 5, and his friend, Tshiamo Ramanye, 6, disappeared on Wednesday after they had been left by Tshiamo's grandmother playing in the street in Soweto, South Africa. Patrollers spent Wednesday night frantically searching for the boys but their bodies were found in separate locations in White City and Rockville on Thursday morning. The bodies had been mutilated in the appalling attack and the boys were found with their noses, lips and gentials cut off. The murders have raised concerns about a serial killer in the area and the police commissioner for Gauteng said they will face the 'full might of the law'. The mutilated bodies of Nqobile Zulu (left), 5, and his friend, Tshiamo Ramanye (right), 6, were found on Thursday morning Mourners gather in Rockville to express their grief and pay tribute to the murdered children, as concerns are raised about a possible serial killer Some locals believe that there may be a serial killer on the loose in the area as it has become less common to find missing children alive. DA member of the Guateng Provincial Legislature Crezane Bosch said children were not safe in their communities and that it was crucial that people look out for children. 'Far too often, we have been hearing cases of young children who go missing and more often than not, they are found deceased. 'This is a clear indication that the lives of our children are at risk and therefore, it is of utmost importance more than ever that our communities look out for our children.' She appealed for anyone with information about the deaths of the young boys to come forward. 'Violence against children is a scourge that cannot be tolerated in our communities. Let us all work together and report any criminal activity in our communities.' Chairman of the legislature's Portfolio Committee on Community Safety, Bandile Masuku, said the committee were concerned that such crimes were being committed. 'Perpetrators of this gruesome act should be taught the harshest lesson and be made an example that in this country, such horrible acts of crime will not be tolerated.' Gauteng police commissioner Lieutenant General Elias Mawela said he was mobilising resources to track down the perpetrators and that anyone with information should contact the police. Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi visited the grieving families on Thursday night and described the murders as 'beyond barbaric'. 'What has happened is sickening. It mustn't be tolerated. The perpetrators must be hunted down,' he said. The grandmother of Tshiamo, Nqobile Ndlovu, could not hold back tears when talking about the death of her grandson, who was in her care following the death of his father in 2020. 'What a tragic loss! I am angry; I have lost my grandson. He is the son of my first-born, who died in 2020. 'I was consoling myself with this one. I identified him by his clothes. I could not look at him. My sister opened the cover and told me that his throat was slit and his penis is missing,' she told IOL News. 'It is difficult. We are in pain. This has hurt us,' said Nqobile Zulu's guardian, Mapiti Shabalala. 'We don't have money to bury our child. We are destitute and in need of justice.' Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is talking up his own ability to land a winning argument and even take down Donald Trump in the race for the White House. Christie, who earlier this week leveled a 'porn star' attack on Trump while arguing Ron DeSantis wasn't conservative enough, made the comments on a trip to New Hampshire, a state central to his failed 2016 presidential campaign. Christie, known as a political brawler, got asked whether other members of the Republican field were not 'physical enough' or lacked the 'aggressiveness' to take Trump down, on a day when he led the field in another new poll. 'Look, I know what I'm good at. I know how to articulate an argument. I know how to make it. I know how to land it. And I feel like I have the ideas that people are generally attracted to. So if you have those things, you have a good chance to be able to do it. No guarantees, but a good chance,' he told Fox News. 'I know how to articulate an argument. I know how to make it. I know how to land it,' said former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, center, who posed for a selfie after a town hall style meeting at New England College, Thursday in Henniker, N.H. Christie declined to pick apart other members of the field, which includes former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, DeSantis, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchison, and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswami (with former Vice President Mike Pence heading back to Iowa this weekend). 'As to the others, you guys will have to judge the others. I just know who I am, and I think you all know who I am and what I've been able to do before, under the brightest of lights,' he said. 'That's the last piece ... lots of people can do things when the lights aren't the brightest. But when those lights get really bright and everybody's watching, can you perform or can't you? And that's a lot about what these races have to do with.' He may have been referencing his debate takedown of Sen. Marco Rubio in 2016, a brutal takedown that was nevertheless compared to a 'murder-suicide.' Christie was asked if he would again focus heavily on New Hampshire were he to run (he came in sixth in 2016). 'I like New Hampshire,' he said coyly. Christie got asked if Trump's GOP rivals lack the aggressiveness to take him on His comments in New Hampshire came day after he launched a 'porn star' attack on Trump by bringing up his alleged affair with Stormy Daniels, which Trump denies happened A Manhattan grand jury has voted to indict former president Donald Trump over hush money paid to pornstar Stormy Daniels His comments are the latest sign he is seriously considering a run. On Friday, Politico reported that Christie spoke to about three dozen former staff advisors, who could form a network if he jumps in the race. 'If we go forward, we want all of you to be with us,' he told the group. 'Thank you to all of you for everything you've already done for us. It's been really, really an amazing ride. And you know what? It might not just be over yet.' In yet another signal, Christie, who failed to aggressively take on Trump in 2016, this week brought up the charged Stormy Daniels issue during an interview with Semafor even siding with the porn star in her allegations, which Trump denies. 'You have someone who has had an affair with a pornstar, paid her off $130,000 to cover it up, to keep that information from the American people ... That's not the character of somebody who I think should be president of the United States,' said Christie. The permit sought a 'like-for-like' reconstruction of the creek bank which was washed away in January Officials at Santa Barbara County Planning & Development Department have said that they are investigating complaints A cobbled wall has been built on the outskirts of Oprah's lavish California compound Oprah Winfrey has been accused of building a huge wall around her multi-million-dollar California mansion to protect it from flooding. The structure appeared after a permit was requested in February in an attempt to protect her $100m Montecito compound named the Promised Land from flooding. Winfrey, 69, is neighbors with the likes of Ellen DeGeneres and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle but others have been quick to complain about the wall, according to Noozhawk, and fear it could put their homes at higher risk of inundation. Jimenez Nursery, a Carpinteria-based company, applied for a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers using Winfrey's address in the exclusive Ennisbrook neighborhood. It is unclear if Winfrey has any knowledge of the wall or authorized it to be linked to her but residents are concerned if the wall will reroute water and affect other homes. The wall appeared after a permit was requested in February in an attempt to protect Oprah's $100m Montecito home from flooding Winfrey, 69, is neighbors with the likes of Ellen DeGeneres and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle but others have been quick to complain about the wall They claim that it could put their properties at risk, following a mudslide in 2018 which left many damaged and killed 23 people. During that storm, Winfrey posted a video showing the destruction on one of her properties, saying, 'So, there used to be a fence right here. That's my neighbor's house, devastated.' Montecito suffered lashing of rain in January, which appears to be what led to the wall being built on Santa Rosa Lane. Officials at Santa Barbara County Planning & Development Department have said that they are 'investigating' complaints about the wall. Deputy director John Zorovich told SFGate: 'We are doing our investigation now, so I don't have any determination as to whether a permit or not will be needed. 'I really can't comment more on that because it's an ongoing investigation.' Authorities sent officials in the first week of April to examine the wall, with the request seeking a 'like-for-like' reconstruction of the creek bank which was washed away in January. It also asked for boulders to be placed along the creek side which 'eroded and washed away'. Jimenez Nursery applied for a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers using Winfrey's address in the exclusive Ennisbrook neighborhood Officials at Santa Barbara County Planning & Development Department have said that they are 'investigating' complaints about the wall Montecito suffered lashing of rain in January, which appears to be what led to the wall being built on Santa Rosa Lane Crystal Huerta, a project manager for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, confirmed that there was 'no permit' issued for the wall. Robert DeDeaux, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, added: 'The regulatory division has neither approved nor denied any permitting requests regarding the private property referenced in Santa Barbara County. 'The USACE regulatory division in Santa Barbara County has not reviewed any construction on private property referenced at this time as permission from the landowner is required.' The California Department of Fish & Wildlife have been deluged with permit requests for repairing properties following heavy rain the past three months. The CDFW confirmed to Noozhawk that they are speaking with the property manager and company that installed the wall to obtain more details because they have their own process for approval. Senior environmental scientist Steve Gibson, in charge of the South Coast Region, said: 'We are seeking information of how it was constructed. 'We don't know if it was dug and trenched in with larger rocks that we would like to see with certain banks.' Residents claim that it could put their properties at risk, following a mudslide in 2018 which left many damaged and killed 23 people Search and rescue efforts ramped in 2018 for hundreds of Montecito residents feared trapped in their homes after the mudslide This is the terrifying moment a racing driver smashes his Range Rover into a Tesla containing a retired helicopter pilot on the M1 - and forced it to crash into a concrete barrier. Footage shows Oliver Webb, a former Le Mans champion, losing his cool when he pulled up behind businessman Martin Varley, 60, who was in the northbound fast lane of the motorway. Webb, 32, who has 214,000 followers on Instagram and has worked as a film stunt driver, tailgated the Tesla before swinging out to illegally 'undertake' him in the middle lane. In a suspected fit of road rage or impatience, he then appeared to try and cut up the father-of-three by pulling directly in front of his grey Tesla Model 3 at nearly 70mph. The professional driver's black Range Rover hit the nearside wing of Mr Varley's electric car and knocked it into the barrier on the central reservation of the M1 at Flore, Northamptonshire. Oliver Webb, a former Le Mans champion, was convicted of driving without due care and attention by Wellingborough magistrates on February 27 this year Oliver Webb's black Range Rover (left) hit the nearside wing of Martin Varley's electric car Mr Varley, who has two grandchildren, smashed into the barrier three times before coming to a stop with his car seriously damaged as Webb sped away in front of him. The horrific incident was videoed by the hi-tech cameras on the Tesla which enabled Mr Varley to record the number plate of the 4 x 4 on July 31 last year. As a result, Webb's insurers were forced to pay the 23,000 bill for repairs to the damaged wings, panels and wheels of the Tesla. The racing driver, who is known as Oli Webb, was convicted of driving without due care and attention by Wellingborough magistrates on February 27 this year. Court records seen by MailOnline reveal he was fined 1,920, given six penalty points on his licence and ordered to pay court costs of 110 and a 768 victim surcharge. Mr Varley, who is founder of a helicopter pilot training company, described Webb's actions as a 'diabolical display of aggressive driving'. He was heading to his office in Manchester with the cruise control of his Tesla set at 68mph when he noticed Webb speeding up behind him on the motorway. Webb's Range Rover sped away in front of Mr Varley, who smashed into the barrier three times Mr Varley said: 'I was in the outside lane behind another car when I saw this Range Rover approaching close to me in my rear view mirror. 'It was obvious he wanted me to get out of the way, but I couldn't speed up because of a car in front of me and could not pull over as there was a Volvo undertaking me on my inside. 'All of a sudden, the Range Rover driver put his foot down to undertake me as well, but he cut directly in front of me. 'It was like a racing driver move and he clipped my nearside wing, leaving a dent and covering it with black paint from his car. 'I wasn't able to do anything, and I was nudged into the barrier. My car swung in and out, and hit the barrier three times. It was absolutely terrifying. Martin Varley, 60, who has two grandchildren, smashed into the barrier three times 'The Tesla seemed to realise what was happening and kept trying to correct the steering before it stopped itself. 'Luckily the drivers behind me saw what was happening and put on their hazard lights as they slowed down, forming a kind of rolling road block. 'It enabled me to get to pull over the left and limp slowly off the motorway to a services station where I could get my car recovered.' Mr Varley said: 'I think my life was saved because of my Tesla's low centre of gravity. If I had been in a Range Rover, it could easily have flipped over the concrete barrier. 'If I had been in the middle lane, the impact could have sent my car spinning. The consequences could have been horrific. 'In my view what happened, was clearly a case of road rage. It was clearly a very unsafe piece of driving.' Damage to the tyre on Mr Varley's Tesla. Webb's insurers were forced to pay the 23,000 bill for repairs to the damaged wings, panels and wheels of the car Mr Varley, a licensed helicopter pilot, said the incident happened shortly after he had been in hospital for spinal surgery, leading to concerns that he had suffered hidden injuries. He was left feeling 'quite sore and numb' as a courtesy driver sent by his insurance company was taking him back to his home in north London. The driver insisted on dropping him off for checks at St Mary's Hospital in the capital, and it was later revealed that he had a suspected cracked vertebrae. Doctors ordered him to spend four weeks resting and not flying his helicopter or driving as a precaution. Mr Varley said he initially informed Northamptonshire Police of the collision soon after it happened and was told to fill out a form. He later sent the force the video from his car's camera and telematic information about how his Tesla was being driven at the time. Mr Varley received a letter from Northamptonshire Police saying he had been fined and given six points Mr Varley posted a screenshot of the Range Rover with its personalised number plate on his LinkedIn social media business account, and asked if anyone recognised it. A contact from the North of England informed him that it was owned by Webb who lives in Knutsford, Cheshire. He was sent a picture from Webb's Instagram page, showing the Range Rover with its number plate visible alongside his two other cars on his driveway. Mr Varley said he did his own Instagram post about the crash, naming Webb as the other driver. But instead of getting an apology, he claims Webb's lawyer sent him an eight page legal letter threatening to sue him for defamation of character and breaching his privacy. Mr Varley said: 'We told him to politely go away, and we have not heard anything back from him since. Mr Varley is a licensed helicopter pilot and the founder of a helicopter pilot training company 'My insurers found out that he had not told his own insurance company what had happened immediately after he hit me. He had obviously damaged his own car in the collision, but he just drove off. 'I was not over-impressed with the police and I don't they believe they treated it as seriously as they could have done. 'Eventually they told me that they were taking him to court, but it was only for driving without due care and attention rather than dangerous driving. 'I got another letter a couple of days ago, telling me that he had been fined and given six points.' Manchester-born Webb began his career in karting at the age of nine, progressing on to T Cars and Formula BMW, Formula Renault and Formula 3. He won the European Le Mans Series in 2014, and became Dubai 24 Hour race champion in 2015 and Asian Le Mans champion in 2016. Webb has since won a string other podium places in endurance races and other events around the world and has worked as a test driver. His website reveals that he has also had work as an ITV and BT Sport Live presenter and commentator, and has done stunt work for a string of films including The Mummy, Men in Black and two Mission Impossible films. He has also appeared at car shows and festivals including Top Gear Live and the Goodwood Festival of Space. Webb's Instagram page is packed with pictures of his glamorous lifestyle, and fast cars. He told his followers in 2019 how he was ordered to attend a speed awareness course after a camera clocked him driving his 125,000 Aston Martin Vantage at 52mph in a temporary 50mph zone on the M6. Webb did not respond to requests for comment after being emailed by MailOnline. A Northamptonshire Police spokesperson said: 'The file and footage was reviewed by an experienced decision maker and the case did not fall into the CPS remit/guidelines for dangerous driving, therefore the lesser offence of driving without due care and attention was laid for court. A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind. The Supreme Court is expected to decide sometime Friday on whether the popular abortion pill mifepristone can remain widely available or see its use restricted while a legal case involving it moves through the appeals process. The high court issued a temporary stay after a Texas judge ruled it should not have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. The original stay expired on Wednesday but Justice Samuel Alito extended it until Friday at midnight. The justices are scheduled to meet for a private conference Friday, where they could talk about the issue. The additional time could be part of an effort to craft an order that has broad support among the justices or one or more justices might be writing a separate opinion, and asked for a couple of extra days. The Supreme Court is expected to decide sometime Friday on whether the popular abortion pill mifepristone can remain widely available The challenge to mifepristone, brought by abortion foes, is the first abortion controversy to reach the nation's highest court since its conservative majority overruled Roe v. Wade 10 months ago. Since then more than a dozen states have banned abortion outright and several others have imposed heavy restrictions. A new CBS News poll last week found that nearly two-thirds of the country wants mifepristone to remain available amid a fierce debate on abortion taking place throughout the country. Mifepristone is a popular abortion drug Abortion rights is expected to be one of the dominant issues in the 2024 presidential election. In Texas abortion opponents filed a suit in November, arguing that the Food and Drug Administration's original approval of mifepristone 23 years ago and subsequent changes were flawed. They won a ruling on April 7 by U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, an appointee of former President Donald Trump, revoking FDA approval of mifepristone. The judge gave the Biden administration and New York-based Danco Laboratories, mifepristone's maker, a week to appeal and seek to keep his ruling on hold. Responding to a quick appeal, two more Trump appointees on the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the FDA's original approval would stand for now. But Judges Andrew Oldham and Kurt Englehardt said most of the rest of Kacsmaryk's ruling could take effect while the case winds through federal courts. Their ruling would effectively nullify changes made by the FDA starting in 2016, including extending from seven to 10 weeks of pregnancy when mifepristone can be safely used. Staff with the group, Progressive Anti-Abortion Uprising, Kristin Turner, of San Francisco, left, Lauren Handy, of Washington, and Caroline Smith, of Washington, right, demonstrate against abortion pills outside of the Supreme Court The court also said that the drug cant be mailed or dispensed as a generic and that patients who seek it need to make three in-person visits with a doctor. Women also might be required to take a higher dosage of the drug than the FDA says is necessary. The administration and Danco have said that chaos will result if those restrictions take effect while the case proceeds. Potentially adding to the confusion, a federal judge in Washington has ordered the FDA to preserve access to mifepristone under the current rules in 17 Democratic-led states and the District of Columbia that filed a separate lawsuit. The Biden administration has said the rulings conflict and create an untenable situation for the FDA. Medical groups point out mifepristone has been used by millions of women over the past 23 years with a low complication rate. Common drug side effects with mifepristone include cramping, bleeding, nausea, headache and diarrhea. In rare cases, women can experience excess bleeding that requires a surgical procedure to stop. The mifepristone case is the first abortion case the nine justices are hearing since the conservative majority overturned Roe v Wade More than 5.6 million women in the U.S. had used the drug 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. And a new legal wrinkle threatens even more complications. GenBioPro, which makes the generic version of mifepristone, filed a lawsuit Wednesday to preemptively block the FDA from removing its drug from the market, in the event that the Supreme Court doesn't intervene. For now, the Supreme Court is only being asked to block the lower-court rulings through the end of the legal case. But the administration and Danco have a fallback argument if the court doesn't agree. They are asking the court to take up the challenge to mifepristone, hear arguments and decide the case by early summer. The court only rarely takes such a step before at least one appeals court has thoroughly examined the legal issues involved. The New Orleans-based 5th circuit already has ordered an accelerated schedule for hearing the case, with arguments set for May 17. A 'self-pitying' husband stabbed his 12 year old daughter to death and suffocated his wife after she began a relationship with a colleague at the Homebase store where she worked, a court has heard. Police found the bodies of Jillu Nash, 43, and 12-year-old Louise at their home in Great Waldingfield, Suffolk, while 47-year-old Peter Nash was found covered in blood and holding a knife. Nash, who had moved with his family from Leicester to the Sudbury area of Suffolk in 2018, had stabbed himself in the chest multiple times and tried to gas himself to death, prosecutor David Josse KC said. He said that the defendant murdered his family either late on September 7 or early on September 8 last year. In a video played to jurors at Ipswich Crown Court, a Taser officer is heard yelling at Nash: 'There's a red dot on you, drop the knife.' Nash denies two counts of murder. Police found the bodies of Louise (left) and Jillu at their home in Great Waldingfield, Suffolk Jillu Nash, 43, (pictured right) pictured with her colleague Mark Leamey who worked with her at the Homebase store in Sudbury, Suffolk The court heard that Mrs Nash's Homebase colleague, Mark Leamey, had become concerned when she did not respond to his messages late on September 7, nor on the morning of September 8. He visited a Tesco store where Mrs Nash also worked part-time, and then Louise's school, before visiting her family's home. Police were called when there was no response at the door. The prosecutor said Mr and Mrs Nash married in 2009, and at the time Mrs Nash was an Indian national. She applied for leave to remain in the UK as the spouse of a British national in 2010, and their daughter was born soon after. Mr Josse said Mrs Nash's life 'rather flourished' in Suffolk. But he said that Nash - who has chosen to represent himself in his trial instead of accepting free legal representation by a barrister - was made redundant from Philips Electronics in the summer of 2020, and that the couple 'had a difficult and unhappy marriage'. The prosecutor said Mrs Nash died of compression of the neck, and Louise died of a single stab wound to the abdomen, adding that after the alleged double-murder, police looked at Mrs Nash's phone and found what appeared to be videos she had secretly made of her conversations with her husband about her infidelity. In one clip he tells her: 'You're a validated cheater'. In a second, Nash asks his wife: 'The one you're cheating with - is he at Homebase, or Tesco, or is he a friend of the family?' In a third, recorded less than a fortnight before the deaths, Nash accuses his wife of being 'a schemer'. He told her: 'You cause chaos, you try to cause drama to get attention.' And in a fourth clip, he says: 'The past four months you've been cheating,' She tells him it is actually 'eight months'. Mr Josse said: 'Having killed his wife and his daughter, the defendant made a determined attempt to try to cover up - not so much the killing, but some of the evidence behind it. He attempted to destroy his telephone, his wife's telephone and made some attempt, as well, at their home computer.' The prosecutor said police managed to access Mrs Nash's phone, where the videos were stored, but had not been able to access the defendant's phone. Police also examined a computer tower from the family home. Mr Josse said that three TikTok videos were accessed by the defendant at 6.25am, which he said showed the 'embittered and self-pitying mindset from which the defendant had become entrenched'. One of the clips he watched had the text: 'A broken man who has rebuilt himself is very dangerous'. A second said: 'Tell me why, when anything gets rough in a relationship, women are told to leave him and men are told to try and fix things.' The third, which showed Kermit the Frog by a fire, said: 'Do girls actually feel for hurting a guy or do they just say their apologies and never think about how she affected his life again.' The defendant was not in the dock at the hearing on Thursday, and the judge, Mr Justice Edward Murray, addressed jurors about this. He said: 'You will see that the defendant isn't here today, but you shouldn't speculate about the reason for his absence.' The trial continues. She fears bar will go bankrupt if council receives complaints A bar in Sydney has been forced to cancel its two-up event for Anzac Day after angry neighbours complained about the noise. The Great Club in Marrickville, in the city's inner west, had to cancel the heavily-anticipated event after locals reported the venue to local council. The Inner West council suggested a mediation session between opposing parties. However when that failed, bar owner Alison Avron was forced to hire a lawyer. Ms Avron says the Anzac Day celebrations have been cancelled amid fears she could go bankrupt if the council receives more complaints and the bar loses more patrons. 'We are legally allowed to have (events) and we had a couple of events, alcohol sponsored events,' Ms Avron told A Current Affair. 'What's to say that they're not going to complain again on a big event where it will be noisy. It's two-up, you know?' Bar owner Alison Avron says the Anzac Day celebrations have been cancelled amid fears she could go bankrupt if the council receives more complaints, and the bar loses patrons 'I just want them to stop. I want them to stop complaining. I'm giving other people a beautiful moment to share with their community, so that's why it's just so frustrating that these few people are causing such a stir. 'I just can't afford another complaint from this person. It will send me bankrupt.' The council has helped the venue tick compliance boxes for future gigs, with Ms Avron saying the bar was legally allowed to hold events in its carpark. The two-up event would have been the first since Ms Avron took over the bar during the pandemic. She is 'sad and disappointed' it had to be scrapped. 'The Great Club has been a beacon for the community in a time after Covid and during Covid. We brought people together,' she said. One furious neighbour told an A Current Affair reporter: 'I don't like people, so disappear mate. I'll let my dog go.' One furious neighbour (pictured) told an A Current Affair reporter: 'I don't like people, so disappear mate. I'll let my dog go' While some neighbours are unhappy with the noise from Ms Avron's venue during certain events, others have rushed to the bar's defence. 'The whole idea behind Anzac Day is celebrating people who fought for our freedom. So the fact people are trying to take that away from the greater community doesn't sit well with me,' one local said. 'It's a day time activity. I can't see why anyone would object,' another wrote. Inner West Council released a statement insisting there was no issue with an Anzac Day event at the club. She said she has been forced to cancel her bar's Anzac Day celebrations amid fears she could go bankrupt if more complaints are filed A spokesperson said: 'We would like to make it clear that there is no obstacle to the event taking place on ANZAC Day. 'Today Council has contacted the Great Club owner with an offer to help with any concerns she may have regarding the event. 'We will continue to work with and support the Great Club through our Good Neighbour Policy, with a planned meeting with the owner scheduled on Monday to work through any issues. 'We have also restated to the owner that there is no compliance or legal action being taken by Council against the venue. 'Following a couple of events held at the club in late 2022 that were not compliant with the club's license, complaints were received from neighbours. All events since have been compliant.' A World War Two veteran celebrated his 105th birthday today, as he received more than 3,000 cards from kind-hearted strangers following a charity appeal. Ernest Horsfall, who has seen 27 Prime Ministers and five British monarchs in his lifetime, said he was 'surprised and amazed' at how many people wrote to him, given he has no surviving relatives. After the Royal British Legion called for the brave ex-servicemen to be honoured for his landmark birthday, the 105-year-old was showered with cards from generous well-wishers - including one from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. And to make the day even more special, his girlfriend Margaret, 63, flew in from Iceland to be with him. After opening all of the cards, he said he was looking forward to spending some time with her, as well as thanking everyone who sent in messages. Ernest Horsfall, a World War Two Lancashire veteran, photographed surrounded in some of his birthday cards at his friends home in Blackburn on his 105th birthday today Mr Horsfall, here aged 101, was given a surprise rousing send-off from Preston to London as he travelled by train to London for the annual Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall Staff Sgt Ernest Horsfall. He was showered with cards from generous well-wishers after the Royal British Legion called for the brave ex-servicemen to be honoured for his landmark birthday Speaking from the care home in Preston, Lancashire, where he lives, Ernest said: 'I say thank you to you all. 'I'm utterly surprised and amazed at the number of greeting cards that came my way.' And in revealing what his key to longevity is, the 105-year-old revealed today that the secret is remaining as 'happy as you can.' He said: 'The secret to a long life is to keep living as happy as you can and keep a straight mind.' Mr Horsfall was married for 57 years and had a son and a sister, but they have both now passed away, so he celebrated another milestone with Margaret. The ex-staff sergeant served with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) from 1940 to 1946, before settling in Preston, where he went on to work for Vauxhall Motors. Remarkably, Mr Horsfall went on to take flying lessons at 43 and was a private pilot until the age of 93 - when he couldn't get insured. However, he maintained aircraft until he was 101. Mr Horsfall was born in Bradford, West Yorkshire, in 1918 - just three weeks after the RAF was formed. The veteran, who has seen 27 Prime Ministers and five British monarchs in his lifetime, said he was 'surprised and amazed' at how many people wrote to him After opening all his cards, he said he was looking forward to spending time with his girlfriend Margaret, 63, who flew in from Iceland to be with him on his special day War veteran Ernest Horsfall celebrated his 102nd birthday with a letter from the Prime Minister at the time, Boris Johnson Mr Horsfall (L) with a French plane designer in 1980. He went on to take flying lessons at 43 and was a private pilot until the age of 93 - when he couldn't get insured Mr Horsfall served in London during the blitz before joining the Allied campaign in North Africa, then went to Italy to maintain Allied tanks, directing 23 Italian civilian mechanics. And brave Mr Horsfall says he still has vivid memories of serving with the Army Ordnance Corps in London in 1940 and feels lucky to have survived the terrible conflict, saying: 'There would be swarms of Nazi bombers flying overhead all night and I knew many people that were injured or worse. 'On one occasion, our guard room was hit and six of my pals were killed, I was just lucky it wasn't my duty that night.' Mr Horsfall, who has met several prime ministers since leaving the armed forces, also received a card from Rishi Sunak congratulating him on reaching his 105th birthday. But of all the statesmen he had the pleasure of speaking to, he said he particularly enjoyed chatting with Boris Johnson, who he's met on three occasions. He said: 'I thought Boris Johnson was remarkable because he took so much time with me. In all, I've had about three visits, knee to knee, with Boris.' In revealing what his key to longevity is, the 105-year-old revealed today that the secret is remaining as 'happy as you can' Rachel Venables, membership engagement manager for the Royal British Legion - which launched the card appeal - said the sacrifices of servicemen like Mr Horsfall would 'never be forgotten'. She said: 'The Second World War generation is inevitably diminishing, but occasions like this are an opportunity for the RBL to remind everyone that their service and sacrifice means something and will never be forgotten. 'Bringing the community together has always been a strength of the Royal British Legion and our branch network creates connections in local communities, playing a vital role in reaching those veterans who need us the most.' And his friend, Terry Cook, said they were 'staggered' by the response. He added: 'We are delighted that the RBL has recognised Mr Horsfall wonderful career and remarkable longevity, and we have been staggered by the response, he is a very modest man, but he has been overwhelmed at this level of recognition.' In November 2019, Mr Horsfall received an emotional VIP send-off from Preston Railway Station on his way to take part in the Royal British Legion's Festival of Remembrance in London's Royal Albert Hall, where he was one of only 44 World War Two veterans to take to the stage. Their actions forced police to close the road which links Essex and Kent Two Just Stop Oil protestors who scaled a bridge over the Dartford Crossing and caused 40 hours of gridlock have been jailed for five years in a record sentence for the climate group. Morgan Trowland, 40, and Marcus Decker, 36, blocked one of the busiest stretches of road in the country during their climate protest on October 17 last year. The pair hoisted a banner between two pillars of the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, which links the M25 in Essex and Kent, and slept in hammocks in freezing temperatures overnight. The road beneath was closed by police for fears over their safety, causing traffic chaos - they were eventually arrested after coming down the following day. Trowland and Decker were jailed for three years, and two years and seven months respectively yesterday at Southend Crown Court, after being found guilty of causing a public nuisance. Morgan Trowland and Marcus Decker scaled a bridge over the Dartford Crossing in October last year Morgan Trowland, pictured here on the bridge, was jailed for three years at Southend Crown Court yesterday Marcus Decker, pictured here in a hammock on the bridge, was jailed for two years and seven months for his role in the protest The pair's actions caused more than a day of gridlock (pictured) as police were forced to divert traffic through the Dartford Tunnel as they closed the road on the bridge Passing sentence yesterday, judge Shane Collery KC said locking the pair up would hopefully deter anyone else from taking part in similar demonstrations. 'You have to be punished for the chaos you caused and to deter others from copying you,' he said. The judge said that Trowland, who has six previous convictions relating to protests, had a 'leading role', while Decker had one previous conviction relating to a protest. The judge said that the pair 'plainly believed you knew better than everyone else', adding: 'In short, to hell with everyone else.' 'By your actions you caused this very important road to be closed for 40 hours,' the judge said, noting that the disruption affected 'many tens of thousands, some very significantly'. READ MORE HERE: Moment Just Stop Oil eco zealot sings protest song to police as he and fellow activist are hauled off Dartford Crossing bridge and arrested Advertisement Praising the sentences, Conservative MP Gareth Johnson - whose Dartford constituency covers the bridge - said: 'As far as I'm concerned it's not a day too long for either of them. 'They caused untold misery to residents in Dartford and beyond. I had constituents unable to make hospital appointments or pick up children from school or get about their normal lives.' Just Stop Oil claimed it would 'not be deterred by these draconian sentences'. But Stephanie Golder, a Just Stop Oil spokesperson, said outside court that she was 'horrified' by the ruling. 'I think the judge was trying to set a precedent,' she said. 'He's trying to deter people but we are not to be deterred because until the Government commits to no new oil and gas we will continue in our campaign of resistance. 'It wasn't what I expected at all. I felt tearful, emotional. 'But what makes me feel tearful is the fact we're going to be dealing with millions and potentially billions of climate refugees in the next 20, 30 years. 'That's what drives me, and that's likely what drives Morgan and Marcus.' Prosecutor Adam King said the bridge was closed from 4am on October 17 last year to 9pm the following day, with jams as traffic was forced to use the tunnels instead. Both defendants were found guilty by unanimous verdicts of causing a public nuisance, following an earlier trial at Basildon Crown Court. The pair had been in custody since they were remanded at their first appearance at magistrates' court some six months ago, on October 20 in Southend. Prosecutor Mr King said that the protesters ascended to a point close to 200ft above the road and unfurled a 'giant Just Stop Oil banner' and 'rigged up hammocks and stayed there'. 'This closure caused gridlock for miles around throughout that period, which we say was the point,' said Mr King. Morgan Trowland (left) and Marcus Decker (right) climbed the bridge as part of a climate protest The eco-stunt caused long queues with motorists stuck in traffic for hours and the road closed for over a day He said the men came down at about 5.30pm on October 18 'with the help of police and a very tall cherry picker crane', but the bridge was not reopened to traffic until later. Trowland, of Islington, north London, and Decker, 34, of no fixed address, had denied causing a public nuisance, arguing that it was a protest. Essex Police said that those impacted by the traffic disruption included a 'heavily pregnant woman who needed urgent medical help'. Another person missed the funeral of their best friend of 35 years, the force said, and a business lost more than 160,000 in earnings. Jacob Bindman, for Trowland, said: 'He's able to say this protest, and his experience of having spent time in prison, largely represents the end of his involvement in this kind of activity. 'He doesn't intend to undertake any large-scale disruptive protests in the future.' He said that structural engineer Trowland had 'in his words done his bit' and 'he doesn't want to spend the rest of his days going in and out of prison'. Rebecca Martin, for Decker, said that the protest 'wasn't his idea' and that the 'expert in climbing' was not part of the initial planning process. She said that both private tutor Decker, who is a German citizen with two degrees, and his co-defendant were 'trying to act for the greater good in the long term'. Ms Martin said Decker would also not take part in further disruptive protests. But the judge said he saw 'no signs' the defendants were 'any less committed to the causes you espouse than before'. Marcus Decker gave a thumbs up to photographers as he was taken away in a prison van yesterday Morgan Trowland pictured being taken away after his sentencing at Southend Crown Court yesterday During the pair's trial, Mr King said: 'This closure caused gridlock for miles around. It was because of the disruption that the incident made national news. 'Small businesses lost, in some cases, hundreds of thousands of pounds, people missed loved ones' funerals, children were left on the side of the road waiting for buses.' He said the men came down at about 5.30pm on October 18 'with the help of police and a very tall cherry picker crane', but the bridge was not reopened to traffic until later. Trowland had said in evidence: 'We climbed it to deliver a warning message and to speak that message through interviews with journalists.' He said the group's goal is to get the Government to stop licensing oil and gas production. Speaking before his sentencing Trowland said: 'Marcus and I demonstrated what any two ordinary people will do, when the death screams of the world become unbearable. 'I cannot enjoy liberty in a society when our government makes plans to kill people on a massive scale. Drilling new oil and gas wells in 2023 means death for many of the most vulnerable on earth. I will not be complicit in that.' In a statement outside the court Ms Golder said Just Stop Oil would not be put off protesting by the jail sentences. Stephanie Golder said: 'What Morgan and Marcus did was extraordinary, risky and extremely disruptive. But what should you do when your government refuses to protect the people? When it ignores the repeated warnings of the world's climate scientists. When you know that new oil and gas extraction will eventually result in the deaths of billions of people?' 'Nonviolent civil resistance is the answer. It's what the Suffragettes did, it's what the Civil Rights movements did. It's our best chance of getting the scale of change we need, in the time we need it.' 'Just Stop Oil will not be deterred by these draconian sentences. Where they imprison one of us, ten more will take their place. When they imprison ten of us, one hundred will stand to take their place. We must unite against this genocidal government and be brave.' 'For now, that means slowly marching around the streets of London. It is an act of self respect, an act of solidarity, an act of love and necessity. We urge you to join us, because together we can stop the harm that is new oil and gas. Our campaign resumes on April 24th.' The UK today sanctioned five people including two Russian spies following the imprisonment of a British-Russian dissident for 25 years in Moscow. Vladimir Kara-Murza was jailed on Monday after being convicted of treason and spreading false information about the Russian army in a process he described as a 'show trial'. The Kremlin critic, a close ally of murdered opposition figure Boris Nemtsov, has already survived two poisonings that left him in a coma in 2015 and 2017. The Foreign Office has now placed sanctions on three individuals involved in his arrest and two members of the FSB, the successor to the KGB, who followed Mr Kara-Murza prior to his poisonings. Those sanctioned for their involvement in Mr Kara-Murza's arrest have been named as Elena Lenskaya, the judge who approved the arrest, and investigators Denis Kolesnikov and Andrei Zadachin. The judge in Moscow took only minutes to rule on the case and demanded Kara-Murza should be sent to a 'strict regime correctional colony' Kara-Murza's wife Evgenia (pictured) said the long prison term was 'recognition' of her husband's work FSB agents Alexander Samofal and Konstantin Kudryavtsev have also been sanctioned, with the Foreign Office saying they were part of an 'operational team' that followed Mr Kara-Murza on multiple trips before he was poisoned. The five people will now be subject to travel bans and asset freezes. It comes after wives and daughters of Russian oligarchs had their assets frozen and been hit with travel bans. Oksana Marchenko, the wife of key Putin ally Victor Medvedchuk, and owner of multiple luxury properties in Crimea was among them. The TV star, and friend of Putin, has previously begged for the release of her husband from a Ukrainian prison on video. Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said: 'Russia's treatment and conviction of Vladimir Kara-Murza once again demonstrates its utter contempt for basic human rights. 'Today five individuals connected to his case have been sanctioned, sending a clear message that the UK will not stand for this treatment of one of its citizens. 'The UK will continue to support Mr Kara-Murza and his family. I call on Russia to release him immediately and unconditionally.' The judge who presided over Mr Kara-Murza's trial and the head of the detention centre where he is being held have already been sanctioned in connection with another case. Following his imprisonment on Monday, Mr Cleverly praised Mr Kara-Murza, who holds a British passport, for 'bravely' speaking out against Russia's invasion of Ukraine and summoned the Russian ambassador to explain his country's actions. The dissident's wife, Evgenia Kara-Murza, had called for the UK to sanction those involved in his prosecution, saying she was 'baffled' that sanctions had not come sooner. Russia said it was unbothered about the new sanctions in a blistering retort, insulting the UK. Medvedev, deputy chairman of Putin's Security Council, said: 'Britain was, is and will be our eternal enemy. 'At least until their impudent and disgustingly damp island disappears into the abyss of the sea from the wave created by the latest Russian weapons system.' A former Madeleine McCann investigator has slammed German prosecutors for dismissing claims against the lead suspect in the disappearance of the British girl, saying it has undermined Scotland Yard's investigation. Christian Brueckner may not face charges in Germany over the British toddler's disappearance after a court there ruled prosecutors had no jurisdiction to pursue a case against him. The convicted rapist, 45, was named as the man responsible for Madeleine's kidnap and murder after investigators in Germany claimed they had 'concrete evidence' that she was dead. Last year Brueckner was charged with a number of sex offences said to have taken place on the Algarve where the three-year-old vanished in 2007 between 2000 and 2017. An investigator hired by the missing toddler's family in 2007 said the court's decision shows that the prosecutors have 'no solid evidence' against Brueckner. Convicted rapist Brueckner, 45, was named as the man responsible for Madeleine's kidnap and murder after investigators in Germany claimed they had 'concrete evidence' that she was dead Brueckner has protested his innocence in her case in a series of letters to MailOnline insisting that prosecutors are 'out to get him' and they have 'no evidence' to bring charges. Pictured: Maddie's parents Kate and Gerry Julian Peribanez told The Sun: 'The German prosecutors spent almost three years declaring Christian B as a prime suspect, but have not filed any criminal charges against him. That means they don't have any solid evidence against him. 'You can't say he was the abductor and murderer of Madeleine McCann and declare him prime suspect without pressing charges against him, because this goes against the current investigation held by Scotland Yard as it could halt potential leads people may have,' the investigator continued. He added that he doesn't understand the rationale behind the court deciding it does not have any jurisdiction, especially because Brueckner is in prison for raping an elderly woman in Portugal in 2005. 'Let's hope this is not a strategy to dismiss themselves also from the Madeleine McCann case saying they don't have jurisdiction - hiding the real truth, which is they don't have any solid evidence.' The investigator, who no longer has links to the family, said he continues to work on the case in a personal capacity. Germany prosecutor Hans Christian Wolters said yesterday that nothing has changed in the toddler's case and that the decision by the Braunschweig court will need to be reviewed. In a statement to MailOnline, Mr Wolters continued to remain upbeat insisting nothing would change for the immediate future. The private investigator was hired by Madeleine McCann's family in 2007 to try and find new leads in the case He said: 'We will continue to investigate the Maddie case and the accused will remain in custody. 'With regard to the decision of the Regional Court of Braunschweig on jurisdiction in the pending proceedings, we will first carefully examine the reasons and then probably have the decision reviewed by the Higher Regional Court of Braunschweig. 'We continue to assume that we are responsible for a decision by the Higher Regional Court, so that the investigations into the Maddie case will continue as planned. 'In our view, there is currently no reason for speculation about the possible responsibility of the Magdeburg public prosecutor's office for the investigations into the Maddie case and a possible related abandonment of the proceedings.' Brueckner has protested his innocence in her case in a series of letters to MailOnline insisting that prosecutors are 'out to get him' and they have 'no evidence' to bring charges. Read more: EXCLUSIVE: Madeleine McCann investigation bombshell as court rules German prosecutors have NO jurisdiction to pursue a case against suspect Christian Brueckner Advertisement In a statement to MailOnline his lawyer Friedrich Fulscher said: 'In its decision of April 19, 2023, the Regional Court of Braunschweig declared that it had no jurisdiction over the charge against Christian B. and revoked the arrest warrant against him. 'The defense already pointed out during the preliminary proceedings that the Braunschweig judiciary should not have local jurisdiction. 'For reasons that are not understandable here, the public prosecutor's office in Braunschweig clung to its jurisdiction and thus risked being overturned by the Federal Court of Justice if it were opened. This is very questionable, in particular given the fact that a large number of witnesses would have had to appear in court again (on very incriminating issues) in the event of an annulment. 'The court's decision also means that the Braunschweig judiciary is not responsible for the 'Maddie' case.' The decision means that arrest warrants for Brueckner on the case are dismissed but he will not be released from jail where he is serving a seven-year sentence for rape and is not due for release until 2026 after a parole request was rejected. In the German legal system, a court must decide after it receives an indictment from prosecutors whether to take a case to trial. The Braunschweig state court said its supposed responsibility for the case being in the area had been based on his last residence before going abroad and then to prison. But it said that isn't valid, because the suspect produced evidence of a later residence in the neighboring state of Saxony-Anhalt, where he was registered as the owner of a property that he kept after going abroad. The court said that, as a result of its decision, it has lifted a new arrest warrant it issued for the suspect in November. It said in a statement that this has no influence on the suspect's serving of his current sentence. It said that its decision can be appealed to a higher court in Braunschweig. A gang of four men have appeared at the Old Bailey accused of plotting with Chris Kaba to murder another young man. The offence relates to a shooting in Hackney Road in Tower Hamlets, east London, on August 30 last year in which the victim survived. Father-to-be Mr Kaba, 24, died on September 5 after he was hit by a single gunshot fired by an armed officer in Streatham Hill, south London. On Friday Shemiah Bell, Hamza Abdi, Connel Bamgboye and Simeon Glasgow appeared at the Old Bailey via video link from Thameside and High Down prisons. The other two defendants, Marcus Pottinger, 20, from Brixton, and Carl Tagoe, 28, of no fixed address, were not required to attend the hearing. Father-to-be Mr Kaba, 24, died on September 5 after he was hit by a single gunshot fired by an armed officer in Streatham Hill, south London According to the indictment, all six men are accused of conspiring together and with Mr Kaba to murder Brendon Malutshi on August 30 last year. A second charge alleges they conspired together with Mr Kaba to cause grievous bodily harm to Mr Malutshi. They are further charged with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and with intent to cause fear of violence on Hackney Road, in Tower Hamlets on the same date. Abdi is charged with assisting an offender by driving an unnamed male away from the scene of the shooting in a Range Rover with intent to impede the apprehension and prosecution of that person. It is alleged he committed the offence 'knowing or believing that person to be guilty of attempted murder or some other relevant offence'. Pottinger is charged with four further firearms offences allegedly committed on December 16 last year. A gang of four men have appeared at the Old Bailey (pictured) accused of plotting with Chris Kaba to murder another young man It is alleged he had a .32 Rimfire Calibre Revolver in Samuel Johnson Close in Streatham, south west London, with intent to cause fear of violence. During the hearing, Judge Simon Mayo KC confirmed that a plea hearing would take place on May 2 with a provisional trial from November 13. Bell, 31, from Lambeth; Abdi, 23, from Wandsworth; Bamgboye, 28, from Lambeth; and Glasgow, 30, of Lambeth, were further remanded into custody. Last month, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) concluded its homicide investigation into the fatal shooting of Mr Kaba and referred a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service. Police are hunting for an attacker responsible for randomly throwing apples and tomatoes at people in a string of unprovoked drive-bys on the south coast. Some pedestrians in the seaside towns of Hastings and Eastbourne, East Sussex, have even been left seriously injured by the bizarre random assaults on them as they went about their daily lives. One woman in her 40s was shockingly left with a broken cheekbone after being struck in the face in Hastings last Friday. Seven apples, tomatoes and other 'projectiles' are said to have been thrown from a vehicle over the course of three days last week. The unprovoked incidents began at around 7.30pm last Wednesday when a pedestrian as left with minor injuries after being smacked in the face by an apple while walking around a busy street in Hastings. Sussex Police (pictured) are hunting for an attacker responsible for randomly throwing apples and tomatoes at people in a string of unprovoked drive-bys on the south coast. (file image) One person was struck on the head with a tomato near a Lidl supermarket on Bohemia Road (pictured) in Hastings, police said Just a day later, another person was struck in the arm with a tomato while walking along a residential road in Eastbourne at around 8pm. Sussex Police confirmed that another victim was then on the receiving end of stray tomato at around 1.15pm on Friday - just 10 minutes away from the previous Eastbourne assault. Shortly after this, someone else was struck in the face with an unknown object some 20 minutes away on Ashford Road, Eastbourne, leaving them with minor injuries. Around an hour-and-a-half later on the same day, a pedestrian was struck on the head with a tomato near a Lidl supermarket on Bohemia Road in Hastings, police said. In a wave of attacks that came on the same day, another two attacks were reported around half-an-hour away on The Bourne, Hastings. One pedestrian was hit on the head with a tomato, while another was struck in the face with an unknown object, leaving them with a broken cheekbone. The incidents are being linked, but the victims - aged between 25 and 49 - are not thought to know each other. So far no one has been arrested and investigators appealed for information today. Someone else was struck in the face with an unknown object some 20 minutes away on Ashford Road (pictured), Eastbourne, leaving them with minor injuries Seven apples, tomatoes and other 'unknown objects' are said to have been thrown from a vehicle over the course of three days last week. (file image) The incidents are being linked, but the victims - aged between 25 and 49 - are not thought to know each other. (file image) A spokesman for the force said: 'Detectives are investigating a recent series of unprovoked attacks on members of the public in Eastbourne and Hastings. The incidents, in which people have been hit by projectiles, are being linked. 'The projectiles are believed to be items of fruit apples and tomatoes and can cause significant injury. One woman has suffered a fractured cheekbone. 'We are aware of at least seven victims who are men and women aged between 25 and 49. 'Officers continue to make house-to-house enquiries and search CCTV footage.' Anyone with information can contact police online or by calling 101, quoting serial 1076 of 14/04. A British technology tycoon facing extradition to the United States is exploring appeal 'options' after losing the latest stage of a legal fight. Two judges have dismissed Mike Lynch's bid to overturn an extradition ruling for a fraud trial in the US about an 8billion takeover deal. Lord Justice Lewis and Mr Justice Julian Knowles ruled against Dr Lynch on Friday after considering his challenge at a recent High Court hearing in London. They had heard how then-home secretary, Priti Patel, approved Dr Lynch's extradition to the US, to answer criminal fraud charges, in January 2022. A judge at Westminster Magistrates' Court had ruled that Ms Patel could decide whether to order extradition. Mike Lynch (pictured) had been accused of deliberately overstating the value of his business, Autonomy, before it was acquired by the American technology giant in 2011 Dr Lynch, who is facing a trial in California and denies allegations against him, had challenged that ruling by District Judge Michael Snow. Lawyers representing the US Government said Judge Snow made 'correct' decisions. A spokesman for Dr Lynch said: 'Dr Lynch is very disappointed, but is reviewing the judgment and will continue to explore his options to appeal, including to the European Court of Human Rights.' Ms Patel's decision to approve extradition came after Dr Lynch lost a multibillion-dollar fraud action, at the High Court in London, over the sale of his software company, Autonomy, to Hewlett Packard (HP) in 2011. Dr Lynch, who has a PhD in signal processing - a form of electrical engineering, had been accused of deliberately overstating the value of his business before it was acquired by the American technology giant. HP had sued Dr Lynch and Autonomy's former chief financial officer, Sushovan Hussain, for about five billion US dollars (3.7 billion), following its purchase of Autonomy, which had a base in Cambridge, England. HP had acquired the company for 11.1 billion US dollars (8.3 billion) more than a decade ago. A High Court judge who oversaw that trial said HP had 'substantially succeeded' in its various claims against the two men - but is likely to receive 'substantially less' than the amount claimed in damages. Ms Patel had wanted to consider Mr Justice Hildyard's ruling on HP's claim before making an extradition decision. Lord Justice Lewis and Mr Justice Julian Knowles were told that the civil litigation overseen by Mr Justice Hildyard had yet to conclude. They heard that there had been no decision on the amount of damages and said they did not know whether Dr Lynch was going to appeal. Dr Lynch has signalled his intention to appeal against Mr Justice Hildyard's ruling. Lord Justice Lewis and Mr Justice Knowles said they had concluded that none of Dr Lynch's grounds of appeal against Judge Snow's extradition ruling were 'arguable'. They said they were 'not remotely convinced' that there was a risk of Dr Lynch getting an 'unfair trial' in the USA. 'The applicant's extradition has been sought... so that he can stand trial in California for fraud,' said the two judges, in a written ruling. Lord Justice Lewis and Mr Justice Knowles said they had concluded that none of Dr Lynch's grounds of appeal against Judge Snow's extradition ruling were 'arguable' 'The American prosecutors have described the case as 'one of the largest frauds ever prosecuted by the United States Department of Justice'. 'The value of the alleged fraud runs into the billions of dollars.' They added: 'The US has a sophisticated legal system with constitutional protections for defendants' rights. The applicant is well-resourced in terms of lawyers, and they can be relied upon to take any conceivable point on his behalf (as they have in the proceedings before us).' Dr Lynch 'strongly denies' all charges against him, judge said. Senior MP Julian Knight today announced will stand down at the next general election after failing to have the Tory whip restored. The 51-year-old, who has been MP for Solihull since 2015, will not again contest the West Midlands constituency the next time the country goes to the polls. Mr Knight claimed he and his wife had suffered 'the worst year of our lives' since a 'false and malicious accusation' was made against him. He also delivered a fresh blast at the Tory whips' office for refusing to remove his suspension when police dropped a serious sexual assault allegation. In ending his bid to have the Conservative whip restored, Mr Knight confirmed he would spend the rest of his days in Parliament as an independent MP. He will also relinquish his chairmanship of the House of Commons' Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) committee, which is a party position. Solihull MP Julian Knight claimed he and his wife had suffered 'the worst year of our lives' since a 'false and malicious accusation' was made against him Mr Knight will relinquish his chairmanship of the House of Commons' Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) committee, which is a party position In a strongly-worded statement published on his social media accounts today, Mr Knight took aim at the whips' office for providing 'no details' of further allegations The Metropolitan Police received an allegation of serious sexual assault last October while, in December, a further referral relating to the incident was made and an investigation into Mr Knight was launched. Scotland Yard confirmed last month they were no longer proceeding with an investigation and no arrests had been made. But the Tories swiftly announced they would not be returning the whip to Mr Knight, which had been suspended in December, due to 'further complaints'. In a strongly-worded statement published on his social media accounts today, Mr Knight took aim at the whips' office for providing 'no details' of the allegations. 'The past year has been for my wife and I the worst of our lives,' he said. 'The false and malicious accusation brought against me last December did untold damage to my physical and mental well being as well as causing pain and distress to my loved ones. 'When the police finally exonerated me, without ever needing to interview me, I believed the nightmare was over. It seemed that justice, although delayed, had prevailed. 'However, the whips' office immediately made a statement about unspecified further complaints which, tarnished my name and left my family and me in limbo. 'Over the past month I have tried to discover the nature of these allegations so that I could deny them, since I know I am guilty of no wrongdoing. 'However, no details nor timeline has been forthcoming from the whips' office. I stress I am not under any sort of formal investigation by any Parliamentary authority. 'Nevertheless, I have reluctantly come to the conclusion that no job or political career is worth this. 'I will not be requesting the return of the Conservative whip. I do this in sorrow and not in anger.' Mr Knight added he would, in due course, be 'taking legal advice over whether I should follow up on the polices recent invitation to register a criminal complaint regarding Decembers false and malicious accusation'. A spokeswoman for the Tory whips' office said they would not be commenting. Mr Knight's role as DCMS committee chair had been filled by Tory former Cabinet minister Damian Green while Mr Knight stayed away from Parliament during the police investigation. A Florida police dog has gone on a violent rampage biting three people - with one of the victims climbing out of a window - during a bloody attack that ended with one of the victims stabbing the K9 in the neck. The incident happened March 4 in the Windy Hills neighborhood located in Duval County when the unruly dog, which belongs to a police officer, broke out of its kennel and began roaming Forest Boulevard. Neighbors spotted the off-duty K9 and initially believed it was friendly so they tried placing a leash around its neck while they traced the owner. But when one of the victims attempted to put the animal in his home the dog attacked. Two other residents who ran to help the victim were also bit during the harrowing ordeal. The bloody scene ended with one of the victims using a knife to stab the rabid dog in the neck in a desperate bid to subdue the animal. The K9 later underwent surgery but police would not comment on whether the dog would return to work. Jacksonville Sherriff's Office declined to identify the dog because it would identify his police officer handler. One of the unidentified people (pictured) that was bit in the K9 attack that took place in the Windy Hills neighborhood on March 4 The police dog had broken out of its kennel before it went on a biting spree. Responding officers later learned that the animal is owned by a Jacksonville Sheriff Officer. It is not clear where the pups owner was at the time of the ordeal The pup was eventually stabbed in the neck by one of the victims. The bloody knife that was used is pictured When officers arrived they were unaware that the K-9 was owned by an officer with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Department and thought it was a stray, according to the bodycam footage released by the department, as per Action News Jax. It is unclear where the officer who owns the dog was at the time of the incident. Surveillance footage reveals one of the victims showing one of the responding officers where the dog was located. The three unidentified victims that were bit were treated for injuries they sustained in the unprovoked attack. Officials said they were okay, though it is unclear the extent of their wounds. Meanwhile, the animal that suffered stab wounds to its neck had undergone surgery and was recovering, a JSO police department spokesperson told Action News Jax. The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said the incident was under review. Attorney Lawrence Najem, who is representing all three victims, said that his clients are 'under the care and treatment of physicians including a plastic surgeon.' Though they are not seeking litigation in the case, he said they are in talks with the city about getting their medical bills taken care of and the income they lost due to missing work. A photo of Windy Hill neighborhood located in Duval County where the dog attack occurred The aftermath of the dog attack that left three people bitten and bloodied 'There are some mental scares as well, this was a very traumatic event,' Najem said. 'As they could not stop this animal from attacking them and that went on for a length of time.' A police dog, also called a K-9, is a dog that undergoes vigorous training to assist police and other law enforcement officers, as well as search and rescue teams and the military, on different missions. But, Ulysee Admuff, a service dog trainer, and consultant for various police departments, told the news outlet that these police dogs are 'not a house pet.' And, in a situation such as this one, said it is best not to approach the animal. 'These dogs are being shaped just for what they're going to be utilized for out here in the real world and you don't know what picture has been painted in his mind,' he said. A 'drag mom' and former elementary school teacher has been sentenced to less than a year in prison after being convicted of felony child abuse crimes. Kelsey Meta Boren, 31, pleaded guilty to 11 counts of encouraging child sexual abuse in the first degree last month. She previously worked as a teacher for the Fern Ridge School District, in Oregon, but was suspended following the allegations coming to light last year. Before her arrest she regularly posted several images of herself with an 11-year-old girl on her Instagram, claiming to be her 'drag mom'. Boren was sentenced to 330 days in jail at Lane County Circuit Court in March, which equates to 30 days for each charge. Kelsey Meta Boren, 31, pleaded guilty to 11 counts of encouraging child sexual abuse in the first degree. She previously said she was Vanellope's 'drag mom' Authorities say that she was arrested in August 2022 after officers carried out a search warrant at her home in Veneta. Court documents reveal that they found evidence she had been uploading and exchanging child pornography on the internet on multiple occasions. One count of using a child in a display of sexually explicit conduct was dismissed by the court. Boren made up part of a drag queen event in October 2022, two months after she was arrested, which was fiercely opposed by protestors. Protesters against the event faced off with supporters outside the venue, Old Nick's Pub, which is named after Satan, and which also holds adult fetish nights. Some demonstrators on both sides of the roughly 200-strong standoff were armed, police said, including with semi-automatic rifles. The event still went ahead - although the child performer, whose stage name is Vanellope MacPherson DuPont, did not take to the stage as planned. Dramatic footage of the protests showed angry demonstrators 'lob projectiles' including smoke grenades at the rival crowds. An earlier Facebook post by the pub to promote the event said: 'Vanellope is here to show you what an 11-year-old drag queen can do Supporters of the event shouted 'go home Nazis' and carried a banner which said: 'Protect trans youth.' Meanwhile, counter-protesters had a sign which read: 'What kind of monster exposes kids to this?' An earlier Facebook post by the pub to promote the event said: 'Vanellope is here to show you what an 11-year-old drag queen can do. 'With all the charm and sweetness of a bowl of sugary cereal, Vanellope is here to brighten up your morning with all her drag talent.' The post drew a mixture of criticism and support, with a statement posted by Vanellope's family and friends has claimed the relationship with Boren was strictly 'professional' and they only met 'maybe four or five times'. The statement added: 'Meta-Boren was not a family friend, nor was she ever a mentor for V in the drag world. 'They, also, have not had any contact since before covid, and all ties have been severed as of the time of Meta-Boren's arrest in August.' Some protesters were armed with semi-automatic rifles during the standoff outside the event Vanellope also has another handler, Sunshine Ray MacPherson - real name Jennifer Hibbs - who is a drag performer and distanced herself from Boren Tense confrontations outside Old Nick's Pub in Oregon, which hosted the drag story event Vanellope also has another handler, Sunshine Ray MacPherson - real name Jennifer Hibbs - who is a drag performer and distanced herself from Boren. Old Nick's pub has claimed the backlash to drag storytime events a 'targeted agenda' to 'push forward anti-LGBTQ legislation'. It has also said: 'Drag is an art form. The idea that it is inherently sexual is a form of bigotry.' Old Nick's has also previously hosted $10-a-ticket fetish nights, with previous events advertising 'impact play', 'rope suspension' and 'electric play'. Michigan lawmakers this week voted to repeal an archaic law which bans unmarried couples from living together with $1,000 fine and up to a year in jail. Known as a 'Zombie Law,' it was first passed in 1931 and decrees that 'any man or woman, not being married to each other, who lewdly and lasciviously associates and cohabits together' are in violation. The law has not been enforced for decades. The repeal was championed by Democratic State Senator Stephanie Chang, who believes that common-law couples should receive the same tax benefits as legally-married ones. 'This bill is not about a moral issue, it's not about changing people's behavior, not about marriage rates. It's really just about bringing us into the 21st century,' Chang said in a speech on the legislature floor on Wednesday. The only other state with a similar law on the books is Mississippi, where offenders can face a $500 fine and/or six months in jail. The repeal was passed by the senate on Wednesday and will now head to the Michigan House before possibly landing on Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's desk Democrat state Senator Stephanie Chang has championed the repealing of the bill Bridge Michigan reports that at least one Republican, Sen. Thomas Albert, spoke against repealing the law due to his belief that children should be raised by married parents. 'Having a criminal penalty for cohabitation is not good policy, but this bill has potential consequences beyond that. It removes the bad from state law without an effort to keep what is good,' Albert said. 'I very easily would be a yes on this bill if the tax structure continued to encourage marriage,' he added. Michigan last attempted to repeal the law in 2016. It was last updated in 2002 when some language was changed and the fine doubled from $500 to $1,000. Courts in the state only recognize unmarried couples who have been living together since 1957. While another Republican, state Sen. Ed McBroom, said that the law was passed in good spirit because it was designed to help society and children. During arguments, State senator Mallory McMorrow, a Democrat, asked: 'What year are they living in? I hate to laugh, but ... I mean, I can't imagine, in the year 2023, that either they themselves or people that they know have not lived together before they were married.' It was McMorrow who said that moves to repeal the law were initiated when an accountant who has lived with and had children with the his partner of 15 years wondered why he couldn't receive the same tax benefits as legally married couples. The bill passed Michigan's senate 29-9, with half of Republicans voting against repealing the law The senator blamed the repeal on 'society's worsening moral issues,' reports the Detroit Metro Times. Chang said in response that she was not anticipating objections to repealing the bill. The bill passed Michigan's senate 29-9 and now moves to the House and then finally on to Governor Gretchen Whitmer's desk. The Senate Fiscal Agency indicated that the repeal of the law will have 'no fiscal impact' on the state's budgets. Earlier this month, Whitmer repealed Michigan's 1931 anti-abortion law which was triggered by the overturning of Roe v Wade in 2022. 'Today, we're going to take action to make sure that our statutes and our laws reflect our values and our constitution,' Whitmer said at that signing. According to the IRS, people are forbidden from claiming any tax benefit that violates a state or local law. In 2007, North Dakota repealed its cohabitation law. In addition to Michigan and Mississippi, states including Florida, North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia still had similar laws. Florida and West Virginia repealed theirs in 2016, Virginia in 2020 while the law is still on the books in North Carolina technically, in 2019 it was struck down by a judge and has yet to be ruled on by the state's supreme court. The Archbishop of Canterbury is a leader within the Church of England. Justin Welby currently holds the role and has been the Archbishop of Canterbury since 2013. So, what exactly does being the Archbishop of Canterbury entail? Who is Justin Welby? How much does he earn and does he have any children? Read on below for everything you need to know about Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury. Pictured: The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, is one of the most important religious figures in Britain What is the Archbishop of Canterbury? The Archbishop of Canterbury is the leader of the Church of England, and one of its 26 bishops, making him one of the most important religious figures in Britain. He is also a senior member of the House of Lords, the second chamber of Parliament. According to the Archbishop of Canterbury's official website, his 'ministry in the church, his role in parliament as one of the Lords Spiritual, and his place in public life, give him opportunities to see what others are doing in answer to these questions and to take part in public debate about the issues behind them. 'That might be through visiting schools and talking to the pupils and staff, through speaking in the House of Lords or writing for the press, or by spending time with clients, volunteers and staff at projects working to make a difference to the lives of those in need around the country.' The Anglican church in the British Armed forces also falls under the jurisdiction of the Archbishop of Canterbury. He is supported by the Bishop at Lambeth, who acts as Bishop to the Forces. Who is Justin Welby? A self-confessed Francophile and sailing lover, Mr Welby was privately educated at Eton College before going on to study history and law at Trinity College, Cambridge. Before becoming a clergyman, Mr Welby worked in the oil industry for 11 years, spending five of them with the French petrochemical giant Elf Aquitaine in Paris. In 1984, he was named as treasurer of the oil exploration group Enterprise Oil in London, where he worked on oil projects in west Africa and the North Sea. In 1989, he retired from his executive position, citing what he described as a call from God to be ordained. During his oil industry career, Welby became a congregation member at the evangelical Anglican church of Holy Trinity in Brompton, London.[ How much does the Archbishop of Canterbury earn? In 2021, the annual pay of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, was reported as 85,070, following a pay freeze for the Church of England clergy. Clergy pay goes alongside rent-free housing, and water bills, council tax and other expenses are also paid by the Church. As the leader of the Church of England, Welby will have an important role to play at the official coronation ceremony of King Charles III on Saturday, 6 May, 2023. Mr Welby will conduct the service at Westminster Abbey, having the important duties of anointing and crowning Charles as King. The Archbishop of Canterbury has also been diligent in ensuring other faiths will be respected at the coronation. 'We have been scrupulous about making sure that other faith leaders and Christians are respected in their own beliefs without a compromised mixture,' Mr Welby said, according to Sky News. 'With intense depth of knowledge he has helped shape the service with comments and questions and he is very, very well prepared,' he stated. The archbishop also said that a special gold leaf bible will be used during the coronation service. Welby is pictured here studying the Coronation Bible, a specially commissioned Bible for the coronation ceremony of King Charles on Saturday, 6 May, 2023 Does the Archbishop of Canterbury have children? Welby is married to Caroline Eaton and the pair have had six children together. The Archbishop of Canterbury previously revealed his heartbreak at the loss of his baby daughter in a car crash 40 years ago. Justin Welby said he treated the tragedy France in 1983, in which his seven-month old daughter was killed, as a 'constant reminder of the uncertainty of life'. The Archbishop told Radio 4 presenter Kirsty Young that he and his wife Caroline, who have five other children, mark each anniversary of Johanna's death. 'The thing is to celebrate the person, to remember them with love, to remember what they gave and what you gave them,' he said. 'In other words, attack the day so it does not attack you.' A Delta Airlines first-class passenger was arrested after he was accused of forcing himself on a male flight attendants and kissing him on the neck. David Alan Burk, 61, was flying from Minnesota to Alaska to settle his dead friend's estate when he allegedly got 'wasted' on a Delta flight 517 on April 10. Burk told the flight attendant he was 'so beautiful' before asking for a kiss. When the man declined, Burk allegedly grabbed him and planted a kiss on his neck. He allegedly grew 'snippy' when he was refused a glass of red wine and later on in the flight managed to smash the captain's meal tray. The flight attendant, referred to only as TC in court papers, had to be moved to the back of the plane for the rest of the six-hour journey while other cabin crew tended to Burk. David Alan Burk, 61, was allegedly traveling to Alaska to settle his dead friend's estate when he got drunk on a Delta flight 517 and forced himself onto a flight attendant - who was only identified at TC in court documents - kissing his neck and telling him he was 'beautiful' on April 10 Burk had preordered a glass of red wine prior to boarding the aircraft, as is allowed for first-class passengers, but grew frustrated when TC did not serve him the drink prior to departure due to the flight's catering arrival moments before. After departure, TC prioritized getting Burk his drink, but while collecting meal trays, he grew wary of Burk, who 'shook his hand.' Ten minutes later, Burk would approach TC in the gallery and told him he was 'so beautiful' before asking him: 'Can I have a kiss?' TC replied: 'No, thank you,' but Burk did not take no as an answer, grabbing the flight attendant by the neck and telling him: 'Okay, well on the neck then.' 'While the plane was in flight, BURK then grabbed TC's neck, pulling him toward BURK, and purposefully kissed TC's neck,' the affidavit, obtained by the Daily Beast, stated. The flight attendant said he was 'very uncomfortable' and 'caught off guard' by the bold move. As Burk moved toward the bathroom, he looked over his shoulder at TC and said: 'I have one of those Delta cards for you.' Delta cards are given to 'frequent flyers to give to Delta flight attendants who the frequent flyers believe deserve to be recognized and rewarded for their good work.' Attendants can cash the cards in for rewards, such as a higher-flying status when they're flying Delta as passengers. TC told investigators that he thought the compliment was 'genuine,' but that Burk's 'actions and demeanor escalated so quickly.' TC moved to the back of the plane to tell his coworkers about the encounter and did not return to first-class until after Burk retook his seat at 5A. Upon returning to the front of aircraft, other flight attendants informed TC that Burk had 'broken the tray and plate containing the captain of the plane's meal.' TC then contacted the Captain, who was only identified as JS. The captain later informed his crew member that he had contacted Airport Dispatch about the incident and that this was a 'level two security threat' and a flight attendant would have to switch roles with TC. A flight attendant who switched places with TC said the man was 'wasted' and had drunk three glasses of red wine while on the flight. Burk would later denied it, saying he only drank one glass, which was served by TC, before falling asleep. He was booked into the Anchorage Correctional Complex and released on his own recognizance on April 13 '[TC] felt uncomfortable by the situation and requested to be moved to the back of the plane to put distance between he and [Burk],' JS said in a statement to investigators. However, other flight attendants 'did not feel comfortable' serving Burk either and one refused to switch places due to fears of what he would do to her. Another female attendant would eventually switch places with TC. As the flight continued, Burk would consume two more glasses of red wine and become 'wasted' before falling asleep, a flight attendant told TC, according to the affidavit. Upon arrival in Anchorage, Burk was taken into custody by Airport Police and was read his Miranda Rights. While talking to investigators, he denied ever getting up to use the restroom, but had confirmed TC was his flight attendant and his only flight attendant. He did, however, deny consuming three glasses of red wine, saying he only drank the first one that TC served him after departure and that he slept the rest of the flight. When he was asked if he had kissed the flight attendant, he said he 'never kissed anybody.' He also said he 'didn't even eat on the flight' and denied breaking the tray table because he didn't 'recall going to the bathroom at all on that flight.' He then told investigators he had 'a lot' of alcohol prior to the flight, but maintained that he only had one glass of red wine on the aircraft from Minneapolis to Anchorage. He also refused to take a breathalyzer test as he did 'nothing wrong.' Burk also told investigators he was in Anchorage to deal with his friend's estate as he was an executor and that his friend had died the week prior. He asked police: 'Do you know who I am?' They did not. He was booked into the Anchorage Correctional Complex and was released on his own recognizance on April 13. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis warned of the treachery Democrats have up their sleeves if they're able to keep the White House and Senate and recapture the House in 2024. While DeSantis has yet to jump into the presidential race, he's been going through the motions - including hobnobbing Friday with the D.C. crowd at the Heritage Foundation's 50th anniversary celebration. In that venue, he talked about the national repercussions Republicans would face if they don't mount a successful challenge to President Joe Biden. 'The left is playing for keeps,' DeSantis said. 'If you look at what happens in 2024, if the Democrats are able to sweep all the offices - president, Senate and House - what will they do with that power? They will try to pack the U.S. Supreme Court, they will try to abolish the Electoral College.' 'They will try to make Washington, D.C. a state so they can get two left-wing senators virtually for life,' he continued. 'And they will try to eliminate voter ID across the country and mandate ballot harvesting.' Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis warned of the treachery Democrats have up their sleeves if they're able to keep the White House and Senate and recapture the House in 2024 DeSantis takes a selfie with an attendee at the Heritage Foundation's 50th anniversary Leadership Summit at Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center on Friday He didn't openly talk about his presidential ambitions - and wasn't asked about a potential run by the moderator, Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts. Roberts instead asked: 'should everyone wear cowboy boots with suits?' DeSantis answered in the affirmative - and was wearing them. But he did play up the success he's had in formerly purple Florida - turning it into a conservative red state. DeSantis mentioned the controversial abortion ban he recently signed. It bans abortions after six weeks, which effectively outlaws the procedure as most women don't know they are pregnant at that point. It gave Florida one of the most restrictive abortion laws in the nation. DeSantis hadn't mentioned it in his previous appearances before conservatives, including a speech he gave to the conservative Baptist Liberty University. But he mentioned it in passing on Friday and was greeted with applause. Kevin Roberts, the president of the Heritage Foundation, did not ask DeSantis about his presidential ambitions, but rather: 'should everyone wear cowboy boots with suits?' DeSantis sported cowboy boots with his suit during his appearance at Friday's Heritage Foundation event that took place just outside of Washington, D.C. 'We recently signed the heartbeat bill to protect life,' he said before going on to talk about another law he signed allowing Florida residents to carry guns without a state permit. DeSantis reiterated his call to build a wall on the southern border, invoking President Biden by name as the Florida governor bragged he'd be able to get it done. 'I think to ultimately solve the problem of illegal immigration in the border you need a lot of things. But you do need to actually construct a wall along the southern border. Walls are resources that can be used efficiently and what I've told the President Biden is: you know I've got some know how.' He went on to describe the Pine Island Bridge that Hurricane Ian wiped out when it swept through Florida, causing billions in damages and killing 120 people. DeSantis claimed he cut all the red tape and had the bridge reopened in two weeks. He noted he mentioned that story because 'I'm willing to send those guys in Florida to the southern border to build a wall.' A Heritage Foundation spokesperson said 1,070 people were in the crowd at Friday's event at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center 'Come on Joe,' he added to great applause from the crowd. After the event, DeSantis stayed for about 10 minutes, taking selfies, shaking hands and making small talk with the crowd. Security had to put up a rope line to hold back the crowd that rushed the stage to see the governor. When one participant mentioned he was from London and excited to see him, DeSantis, who's been accused of being unwilling to do small talk, stopped to chat with him about the city and mentioned the trade mission he was going on to the UK next week. A Heritage Foundation spokesperson said 1,070 people were in the crowd to see 'America's governor,' as DeSantis was introduced by Roberts. The event was held at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center just outside of Washington at the National Harbor in Maryland. Former President Donald Trump headlined the Conservative Political Action Conference at the same venue - though in a bigger ballroom - in March. A convicted rapist has been urged to hand himself into the police after he went on the run before the end of his trial. David McCue, 41, from Springboig, was found guilty in his absence on March 17 at the High Court in Glasgow of sexual offences against a woman and a younger girl. His attacks on the woman, which occurred in the city's Townhead and Barlanark areas, included raping her while she was asleep. The charges spanned between 2010 and 2018. McCue failed to appear for sentencing on March 31. The jury returned guilty verdicts to four charges with judge Olga Pasportnikov later recalling the case in the hope McCue had been found. Convicted sex offender David McCue, 41, has been urged to hand himself into the police after he went on the run before the end of his trial He was found guilty in his absence on March 17 at the High Court in Glasgow of sexual offences against a woman and a younger girl [File image] Police Scotland have launched a search for McCue and urged members of the public not to approach him. He is described as white, 5ft 10in, with short brown hair. He is known to frequent the east end of Glasgow. Detective Sergeant Michelle Rodger of the Public Protection Unit said: 'I would urge this man to hand himself into police, or anyone who has information relating to his whereabouts to make contact with the police. 'Members of the public are urged not to approach but can contact Police Scotland via the 101 non-emergency telephone number, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.' She has now been charged on suspicion of importing 237kg of cannabis A woman who went viral after filming a desperate hunt for her missing African Grey parrot called Chanel has been charged with importing 237kg of cannabis from Spain. Sandra Hannah, 43, rose to internet stardom in 2020 after recording herself parading the streets in Netherton, Liverpool, as she cried out for her parrot - named Chanel because her dog is called Coco, she later revealed. Hannah even appeared on ITV's This Morning to tell her story - where she revealed she was reunited with her then two-year-old parrot who had escaped just over two miles down the road. However, three years on from being an internet sensation, Merseyside Police have charged both her and Ian Hannah, 55, on suspicion of the importation of 237kg of cannabis - worth 792,000 - from Spain. Sandra Hannah (pictured) went viral after she posted a video on Facebook of her parading the streets in Netherton, Liverpool and crying out 'Chanel' - the name of her lost parrot. She has now been charged with drug offences The video Sandra posted went viral and helped find her missing pet. But three years on, she has been charged with importing 237kg of cannabis from Spain The pair have also been charged with the possession of criminal property. The charges brought against them come amid a joint operation between Merseyside Police and the National Crime Agency. A spokesman for Merseyside Police said: 'Over the past two days there has been a joint operation between Operation Pelican, Sefton Investigations Team and the National Crime Agency which has resulted in two adults being charged with the importation of 237.6kg of cannabis resin from Spain. 'This has been valued at approximately 792,000. 'Ian Hannah, 55, and Sandra Hannah, 43, of Cumberland Gate, Netherton, have both been charged with importation of cannabis and possession of criminal property. Hannah and Hannah have been remanded and will appear before the magistrates' court this morning.' Although Hannah fast became a popular figure among social media users, she received a significant amount of backlash during a second appearance on This Morning. After revealing that she had successfully tracked down her parrot, she declared her plans to get Chanel's wings clipped in order to stop her escaping in the future. Her remarks were met with a chorus of complaints, with some labelling it 'barbaric', 'absolutely shocking' and 'cruel'. 'Shes getting her wings clipped,' said Hannah in July 2021. 'She wont be able to fly at all, its her own fault, its for her safety and my own health.' Host Ruth Langsford then asked: 'And that's safe is it?' The charges brought against her and Ian Hannah, 53, come amid a joint operation between Merseyside Police and the National Crime Agency. Pictured: Hannah appeared on This Morning in July 2021 to reveal her African grey parrot had been rescued Hannah replied: 'Yea, they grow back so I'll probably have to do it again, but yeah.' Viewers were outraged, with one writing: 'Absolutely shocking getting the poor birds wings clipped so she wont be to fly! Dont have a parrot as a pet if you cant look after it properly!!!' Another said: 'Nah. I hope the RSPCA is watching this, clipping that poor parrot's wings because you cant look after it. Thats just cruel. We know if my dog gets out he will RUN and Ill probably never see him again. So we know to keep doors SHUT?!!!' 'So the irresponsible moron who can't close a f****** door is going to mutilate that poor parrot - shameful,' agreed a third at the time. At least one American has been killed during clashes between rival military factions in Sudan, the State Department said Friday, as the Pentagon prepares options for evacuating U.S. diplomatic staff. The African nation has been rocked by violence during the past week as its two most senior generals vie for power. As many as 16,000 Americans are thought to be in Sudan. 'We can confirm the death of one U.S. citizen in Sudan,' Vedant Patel, a State Department spokesperson, said. 'We are in touch with the family and offer our deepest condolences to them on their loss. Out of respect for the family during this difficult time, we have nothing further to add.' At least one American has been killed during clashes between rival military factions in Sudan, the State Department said Friday. Khartoum has been rocked by violence There could be as many as 16,000 Americans in the country. The Pentagon is preparing evacuation options for U.S. diplomatic staff in Khartoum On Friday, Sudan's army said it had agreed to a three-day truce starting on Friday to enable people to celebrate the Muslim festival of Eid al-Fitr ending the holy month of Ramadan. That might allow a window for foreign nations to evacuate diplomats and their nationals. A day earlier it emerged that additional U.S. troops were being sent to nearby Djibouti for any possible rescue of U.S. diplomats. It came soon after a U.S. diplomatic convoy came under fire, and three members of World Food Program staff were killed in the clashes. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the Pentagon was preparing options for any evacuation operation if the State Department needed assistance. 'We always want to make sure that we're doing prudent planning, which is what we're doing,' he said. 'We've deployed some forces to into theater to ensure that we provide as many options as possible if we are called on to do something and we haven't been called on to do anything yet. No decision on anything has been made.' The fighting pits troops loyal to army chief Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, like those seen here, against forces of Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, his former deputy Sudanese army forces march down a street towards Khartoum, in Khartoum North, Sudan in this screengrab taken from a video released on April 21, 2023 Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the Pentagon was preparing options for any evacuation operation if the State Department needed assistance The fighting pits army chief Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan against his former deputy Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, the leader of a paramilitary group known as the Rapid Support Forces. The World Health Organization said at least 413 people had died, but that number is likely to be an underestimate. In the capital, residents said they had seen bodies lining the streets. 'Dead bodies were lying all around the ground in a main street in Al-Taif and on the western road outside of Khartoum,' Hadeel Mohamed, a resident of Khartoum's Al-Taif district, told ABC News. Fighting erupted after Burhan and Dagalo fell out over a recent internationally brokered deal with democracy activists that was meant to incorporate the RSF into the military and then lead to civilian rule. Americans appear ambivalent about another Biden run for the White House Only just over a quarter of Americans want Joe Biden to run again in 2024, a new poll showed on Friday, citing concerns over his age. The 80-year-old commander-in-chief is expected to announce his bid for a second term on Tuesday. It means he would be 86 by the time he leaves office if he were to win re-election next year. And just 47% of registered Democrats they want him to run, up from 37% who backed Biden's candidacy in January. Rumors have long swirled about President Joe Biden'sre-election plans but they seem to have failed to inspire the Democratic Party faithful Despite their apparent ambivalence, a large majority of the center-left party's supporters that would vote for the former Delaware senator if he wins the nomination. The poll, conducted by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, found 41% say they definitely would and 40% say they probably would. Bidens support is at its weakest among younger Democrats under the age of 45, with just 25% saying they would 'definitely' back the president. That is compared to 56 percent of older Democrats, the poll shows. It comes as the presidents approval rating slips below 40 percent this month in a different poll, down from 42 percent last month. Tuesday will mark four years to the day since he entered the 2020 race and faced off against Donald Trump. The AP poll also found the one-time reality TV star's 2024 bid was similarly unpopular. As many as 30% of respondents said they dont want him to run again, but 55% of Republicans did. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. announced he's running against President Joe Biden to become the next Democratic nominee for the 2024 White House. Biden looks set to secure his party's nomination as he has only a handful of no-hoper rivals who have declared they plan to run against him in a possible primary. They are self-help author Marianne Williamson and Robert F. Kennedy Jr, a notorious anti-vaccine activist and the nephew of slain ex-president John F. Kennedy. In a USA Today/Suffolk University poll published earlier this week as many as 14% of Biden's 2020 supporters said they would vote for Kennedy. Overall, as many as 67% of those voters said they would re-elect Biden, 13% had not and made up their mind and 5% backed Williamson. A skydiver accused of killing his freefall instructor girlfriend in bed denied 'killing her in a fit of rage so no one else could have her' after she jilted him. Mother-of-three Clair Armstrong ordered Ashley Kemp, 55, to leave following three months of domestic strife after he was accused of trying to rape a teenager at work. He accepted headbutting Clair, 50, so hard that he broke her nose during the row, but denied losing his temper. He claimed he could not believe she was dead. Today Kemp, also an instructor and pilot, sobbed as he described the mother's final moments to the murder trial jury. 'I was shaking her. I called her name but got no response,' he told Grimsby Crown Court. Ashley Kemp (left), 55, accused of killing his freefall instructor girlfriend Clair Armstrong (right) in bed, denied 'killing her in a fit of rage so no one else could have her' after she jilted him 'I went and got some tissue and tried to clean her face, expecting her to wake up when I did. 'When she didn't I assumed the worst. I covered her up as best I could with the dressing gown. Then I pulled the duvet up to her face.' Clair, a formation sky diving instructor and beauty salon owner, was last seen alive on Friday November 4 last year after returning to her home in the Lincolnshire village of Messingham following a night at the local pub with her family and Kemp. One reason the prosecution disputed Kemp's version of events was that he was seen on CCTV with marks on his face on Saturday morning, hours before he said the fight with Clair started. He claimed the marks were not injuries but where he picked his skin because it was dry from sky diving. Under cross examination by Prosecutor Richard Thyne KC, he agreed he told police that while choking Clair he pinned her down - something he now denies. Kemp accepted headbutting Clair, 50, so hard that he broke her nose during the row, but denied losing his temper Today Kemp, also an instructor and pilot, sobbed as he described the mother's final moments to the murder trial jury 'At the time I did not know what I was saying or doing. I was confused. I was not expecting them to ask me that question,' he said. The prosecutor alleged he had said it because it was the truth and he was 'trying to back track' because he knew his answers to the 999 operator made Clair sound 'completely helpless'. Mr Thyne told him: 'What you did was kill Clair in a fit of rage. You lost your temper didn't you?' He replied: 'No. I just did not know what I was doing.' Mr Thyne accused him: 'If you were not going to have her no one was going to have her. You took it out on her. How dare she tell you to leave. She was struggling for her life wasn't she?' Kemp replied: 'I thought she was still trying to attack me. 'And you carried on?' 'Yes.' Mother-of-three Clair ordered Kemp to leave following three months of domestic strife after he was accused of trying to rape a teenager at work 'After you had killed her you made no effort to call an ambulance to see if someone, a professional, could come and try to resuscitate her? No effort at all?' 'No.' The jury was told that one of the reasons Kemp was on trial was that the Crown did not accept his claim that he killed Clair only two hours before phoning the police in the early hours of Sunday. The Prosecution believe she was killed much earlier, possibly early on Saturday morning when she stopped reading and responding to messages from friends and fellow sky divers. Mr Thyne told Kemp that according witnesses 'she tends to respond fairly promptly when she is not sky diving'. 'She spent the whole day not responding to messages - because she was dead wasn't she?' 'No,' Kemp answered. One reason the prosecution disputed Kemp's version of events was that he was seen on CCTV with marks on his face on Saturday morning, hours before he said the fight with Clair started. He claimed the marks were not injuries but where he picked his skin because he got dry skin from sky diving. He agreed he had 'deliberately lied' when he told the emergency operator he was still at the address when he had left in his car. He also accepted he had lied when he denied having any weapons on him, because he had the kitchen knife. After writing a suicide note, he told the jury he planned to drive into a lorry while holding a kitchen knife over his heart. His evidence was that Clair was alive all Saturday, which she spent cleaning the house 'like a Tasmanian Devil' and the row blew up in the evening as they got ready for bed. Mr Thyne told Kemp: 'You did kill her in a fit of temper.' He replied: 'I did kill Clair but not in a fit of temper.' 'Not a fit of rage?' 'No.' Kemp told Grimsby Crown Court (pictured): 'I was shaking her. I called her name but got no response' Recalling Kemp's original police statement, the barrister challenged him: 'So you were not in a fit of rage when you used as must force as you could 'to squeeze her neck for what seemed like an eternity'. 'No.' The murder trial has been told Kemp was fired as sky diving centre manager for gross misconduct after being accused of attempting to rape a girl at work. At the time he killed Clair he was on bail while under police investigation. No decision has yet been made on any charges. Kemp has admitted manslaughter but denies murder. The trail was adjourned until Monday when the jury is expected to retire to consider its verdict. The commercial came soon after the company partnered with Dylan Mulvaney Podcaster Joe Rogan has criticized the latest 'pro-America' Bud Light commercial for being 'stupid and cliche' and a shallow attempt by the company to recover from the Dylan Mulvaney backlash. Speaking on "The Joe Rogan Experience" Thursday, Rogan said the brand's identity was unclear. 'We don't know who you really are now,' he said. The commercial released last week depicts a Clydesdale galloping through rural American towns with a patriotic voiceover and was released after a partnership between Bud Light and trans influencer Dylan Mulvaney backfired. In the days after that partnership was announced, $6 billion was wiped off of parent company Anheuser-Busch's market cap in a backlash to the popular lager using Mulvaney as a spokesperson. Although Rogan has been largely critical of Bud Light throughout the saga, last week he did say the controversy was overblown. Joe Rogan criticized the latest 'pro-America' Bud Light commercial for being 'stupid and cliche' In the commercial iconic Clydesdales are shown galloping across iconic American settings Commenting on the new commercial during a podcast episode Thursday with fellow comedian Jim Breuer, Rogan said: 'It's like the f*****g dumbest pro-America rah-rah. Like, we don't know who you really are now.' 'It's so stupid and cliche. It hurts my feelings it's so dumb,' he added. 'This is a company in deep s**t.' The pair watched the commercial together, mocking the superficial imagery of farmers and veterans sharing beers. 'Look, you got the prairies, the ocean, you got a Clydesdale running down the street,' said Rogan, narrating the video. 'I would respect this if they had this and then Dylan Mulvaney just starts cartwheeling it into the frame,' Rogan joked. He commented on how the company was confused as to who it should be marketing to, and referred to comments made before the controversy last month by the company's VP of marketing, Alissa Heinerscheid. 'There's like interviews with the lady who is the head of Bud Light talking about why they did it, and about the old sort of frat culture attached to Bud Light, dismissing the humor of the people that like Bud Light,' said Rogan. A partnership between Bud Light and trans influencer Dylan Mulvaney (pictured) backfired, wiping $6 billion off of parent company Anheuser-Busch's market cap In a video explaining the company's marketing strategy, Heinerscheid said that she wanted to update the Bud Light image by eliminating its 'fratty' connotation. Rogan suggested that instead of alienating that group, the company should have made a more sincere effort to advocate inclusion. 'If she just said, "Everyone can like Bud Light, America is the freedom to be whoever the f**k you want to be," if that's what they said, I'd be like "OK, great,"' he said. 'I hate you more now,' he added. 'It's so obvious what they're doing. They needed to let that sit for a little bit.' An opinion piece in published by Bloomberg last week described the move by Bud Light as setting a 'new low in corporate courage.' 'Kicking a political hornet's nest for clicks and giggles before running away is no way to elevate a brand or promote a cause,' wrote Ben Schott, the publication's advertising and brands columnist. The Budweiser Clydesdales have been featured in the Budweiser Super Bowl ad for more than 30 years When Rogan commented last Wednesday on the partnership, he argued the brand should be able to partner with whomever it pleases. He said he thought it was 'funny' that people were 'super outraged', given the fact there were much more pressing issues in the country. 'How is that the big deal?' he asked. 'I think it's goofy. Because I think that person's goofy. But if you want to hire a goofy person, like, who gives a s**t. It's kind of hilarious.' Rogan said he understood what the beer maker was doing by using 'people that are popular' to help market to diverse demographics. Mulvaney has more than 10 million followers on TikTok. Federal prosecutors are weighing four charges against Hunter Biden, three related to tax crimes and a felony charge related to a gun purchase, according to a new report on Friday. The possible charges are two misdemeanor counts for failure to file taxes, a single felony count of tax evasion related to a business expense for one year of taxes, and the gun charge, also a potential felony, NBC News reported, citing sources. When purchasing a .38 caliber gun in 2018, Hunter wrote on the Firearm Transaction Record that he did not use unlawful drugs, but admitted in his memoir that he was a crack addict at the time. Intentionally providing misleading information while making a gun purchase is a felony. Additionally, two senior law enforcement sources told the network there is 'growing frustration' inside the FBI because the bulk of the investigative work was finished last year while the IRS finished its tax investigation more than a year ago. Federal prosecutors are weighing four charges against Hunter Biden But the decision on what charges to file against President Joe Biden's son - and when - rests in the hands of U.S. Attorney David Weiss, who was appointed by President Donald Trump and retained by the Biden administration to continue the probe. There is no indication as to when charges may come. Hunter Biden has denied any wrongdoing. The Hunter Biden probe began in 2018 during the Trump presidency. The former president used Hunter Biden as a rallying cry for his base in his unsuccessful 2020 re-election campaign. The initial investigation focused on Hunter Biden's finances related to his overseas business ventures. Over time, it focused on whether or not he reported all of his income and whether he lied on gun purchase paperwork in 2018. House Republicans are also investigating Hunter Biden and his businesses. And, earlier this week, a man serving as a supervising agent on a 'high-profile' criminal tax probe came forward seeking whistleblower protections while claiming politics are 'improperly infecting decisions' in a certain investigation. That covert ask was deemed to be about the Hunter Biden case. A lawyer representing the unidentified whistleblower wrote senators as well as inspectors general for the Justice Departments and the Treasury Department on Wednesday. The protected disclosures 'contradict sworn testimony to Congress by a senior political appointee' and 'involve failure to mitigate clear conflicts of interest in the ultimate disposition of the case,' according to attorney Mark Lytle of Nixon Peabody. They also 'detail preferential treatment and politics improperly infecting decisions and protocols that would normally be followed by career law enforcement professionals in similar circumstances if the subject were not politically connected,' Lytle wrote in a letter obtained by DailyMail.com. Hunter Biden purchased a .38 caliber pistol from a Delaware gun store on October 12, 2018 and reportedly lied about his drug use on the form. A lawyer representing an IRS whistleblower wrote senators seeking protections for information that would 'contradict sworn testimony' 11992009 IRS whistleblower claims to have PROOF Biden administration is 'improperly handling' the criminal investigation into Hunter and has failed to avoid conflict of interest U.S. Attorney David Weiss, a Trump Administration holdover, is overseeing the Hunter Biden probe The lawyer wants legal protections to share the information with Congress. Tax information is generally protected. A 2020 subpoena sought years' worth of financial information on Hunter Biden, who held a lucrative board position on the Ukrainian energy firm Burisma. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre had a short response on Thursday when she was asked about a report that an IRS whistleblower had come forward to claim politics was affecting the investigation into Hunter Biden's taxes. 'I want to be very clear here. The president respects the rule of law and the independence of the Department of Justice,' Jean-Pierre said when asked about the investigation into President Joe Biden's son. 'We believe that it should be independent. I'm not going to go beyond that.' The grieving mother of Daunte Wright has said the ex-cop who shot dead her son 'cursed us forever' - days before the former officer is released from jail. Katie Wright blasted the decision to release Kim Potter after just 16 months. The former cop accidentally shot and killed Daunte when she mistook her taser for her gun during a traffic stop on April 11, 2020. She told the Star Tribune that Potter's 'incarceration was just a moment in time', but added: 'She cursed us with a forever life sentence.' Potter, 50, served her sentence at Shakopee Minnesota Correctional Facility and will serve a further eight months on probation starting Monday. She was seen in a recent mug shot looking frail more than a year after she was sobbed at her sentencing hearing for the shooting of Wright. Katie Wright (above) blasted the release of ex-cop Kim Potter who shot and killed her son Kim Potter was seen in a recent mug shot looking frail and rail thin more than a year after she was sobbing at her sentencing hearing for the April 11, 2020 death of Wright Potter shot and killed Wright (above) when she mistook her taser for her gun. At the time of the shooting, Potter and other cops had pulled Wright over for driving with expired license tags The 26-year veteran of the force claimed she accidentally shot Wright when she reached for her gun instead of her Taser during a traffic stop over his expired plates in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. Potter, who was convicted of first and second-degree manslaughter in February 2022, received a sentence that was far below the guidelines of around seven years, and the fifteen-year maximum the state of Minnesota allows for first-degree manslaughter. Wright's family slammed the sentence at the time, which was handed down by Judge Regina Chu, who cried when she announced Potter's punishment last February. Katie said Friday the only comfort she had was knowing Potter could never be an officer again. 'Even though we didn't get the accountability that we really wanted, she will never be able to mistake a Taser and a gun ever again for the rest of her life,' she said. Lead prosecutor Keith Ellison had sought a seven-year term and had until May 2022 to appeal Chu's sentence. But he accepted the decision and urged others to do the same. 'As Ms. Potter leaves prison, I wish her success in her reentry, as I do for all people reentering society from incarceration,' Ellison said in a statement. 'My deepest sympathies, however, remain with Daunte Wright, his family, and his young child who will grow up without a father.' Potter is shown on surveillance cameras sobbing as she realized what she has done At the time of the shooting, Potter and other cops had pulled Daunte over for driving with expired license tags, while there was a warrant out for his arrest. Wright tried to drive away, prompting Potter to reach for her taser. In bodycam footage Potter can be heard repeatedly shouting, 'I'll tase you! Taser! Taser! Taser!' Moments later she fired a round and immediately said: 'I grabbed the wrong f****** gun.' Collapsing to the curb in despair she cried: 'I shot him. Oh my God.' Chu took pity on the former officer during her sentencing, noting her guilt and referring to the shooting as an accident. Potter's clean background also resulted in her shortened time in jail. At her sentencing, Potter wept as she apologized to Daunte's family. Looking toward them in the courtroom she said: 'To the family of Daunte Wright. I am so sorry that I brought the death of your son, father brother uncle, and the rest of your family. 'To your mom Katie, I understand a mother's love and I am sorry I broke your heart. My heart is broken for all of you.' At Potter's sentencing, Katie told her she would 'never forgive' her and asked Judge Regina Chu not to show leniency Potter was a force veteran of 26 years and Chu took pity on her due to her contrition and clean record But Katie looked directly at Potter as she told her she would 'never forgive' her and asked Judge Regina Chu not to show leniency. 'She left our world with so much darkness and heartache. 'The best way I can explain is that I feel a sinking feeling every day that a mother gets when she realizes her kid is missing in a grocery store and you can't see him, feel him, know if he's safe. Daunte was only 20. He had so much of his life ahead of him. 'She took our baby boy with a single gunshot through the heart and she shattered mine. She took his future.' She added: 'For that, I will never be able to forgive you. I will never be able to forgive you for what you have stolen from us.' A Canada-based sociology professor has been sentenced in absentia to life in prison by a court in Paris for the bombing of a synagogue over forty years ago, which left four people dead and dozens injured. Hassan Diab, 69, a Lebanese-Canadian, is the only person ever accused in connection with the 1980 blast, which took place outside a Copernic synagogue in Paris as more than 300 people worshiped inside. The court followed the prosecutors' request for the maximum possible punishment against Diab - a decision that was met with silence in the packed courtroom. Some victims and their families could be seen embracing at the end of the tense three-week trial, during which the suspect's box remained empty throughout. Prosecutors had said in their closing arguments on Thursday that there was 'no possible doubt' that Diab, who remains in Canada, was behind the attack. Hassan Diab, 69, has been sentenced in absentia to life in prison by a court in Paris for the bombing of a synagogue in the city in 1980 The 1980 blast ripped down the glass roof of the building, bringing it down on those inside as they celebrated the Shabbat and the barmitzvah of three boys and batmitzvah of two girls The explosion a student passing by on a motorbike, a driver, an Israeli journalist and a caretaker In the early evening of October 3, 1980, 22 pounds of explosives were left inside the saddlebags of a rented motorcycle. It was parked outside the synagogue and detonated soon after on the Rue Copernic in Paris's upmarket 16th district. The blast ripped down the glass roof of the building, bringing it down on those inside as they celebrated the Shabbat and the barmitzvah of three boys and batmitzvah of two girls. The force of the explosion also blew off a synagogue door and shopfronts along 150 metres of the road were shattered. The explosion a student passing by on a motorbike, a driver, an Israeli journalist and a caretaker. Forty-six others were injured in the blast, which had been timed to hit worshippers as they left the synagogue. An even worse loss of life was only averted because the ceremonies inside were running 15 minutes behind. At the opening of the trial on April 3, victim Corinne Adler spoke to the press outside the Paris court about how, decades on, the blast had impacted her life. Diab, a Lebanese-Canadian, is the only person ever accused in connection with the 1980 blast In this file photo taken on October 3, 1980, rescue team members stand amid car wreckages after a bomb explosed at the synagogue rue Copernic in Paris The force of the explosion also blew off a synagogue door and shopfronts along 150 metres of the road were shattered The bombing was the first deadly attack against a Jewish target on French soil since World War II In this file photo taken on October 4, 1980, demonstrators holding the Israeli flag during a protest after the bomb explosion Ms Adler was celebrating her batmitzvah in the synagogue at the age of 13 when the bomb went off. The 56-year-old described her 'buried trauma', which over the years she has had to learn to live with. The bombing was the first deadly attack against a Jewish target on French soil since World War II. No organisation claimed responsibility but police suspected a splinter group of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. French intelligence agents in 1999 accused Diab of having made the 22-pound bomb. At the opening of the trial on April 3, victim Corinne Adler spoke to the press outside the Paris court about how, decades on, the blast had impacted her life The 56-year-old described her 'buried trauma', which over the years she has had to learn to live with They pointed to Diab's likeness with police sketches drawn at the time and handwriting analyses that they said confirmed him as the person who bought the motorbike used in the attack. They also produced a key item of evidence against him - a passport in his name, seized in Rome in 1981, with entry and exit stamps from Spain, where the attack plan was believed to have originated. In 2014, Canada extradited Diab at the request of the French authorities following a lengthy legal wrangle which went all the way to the Supreme Court. Severe damage pictured inside after the explosion went off in the street on October 3 1980 In a picture showing the aftermath of the attack, a car and motorbike have been flipped over and an emergency worker is seen walking through various wreckage Diab was eventually extradited to France and spent three years behind bars there. Allegations against him were dismissed by French judges in January 2018 and he was allowed to return to Ottawa, where he lives with his wife and children. In May 2021, a French court upheld a decision directing Diab to stand trial, a ruling his Canadian lawyer called inexplicable. However, investigating judges were unable to prove his guilt conclusively during the investigation and Diab was released, leaving France for Canada as a free man in 2018. Three years later, a French court overturned this earlier decision and ordered that Diab should stand trial on charges of murder, attempted murder and destruction of property in connection with a terrorist enterprise. Most of the evidence presented against him was based on intelligence sources, and Diab's lawyers had again argued the case should be thrown out. 'I'm in front of you to avoid a miscarriage of justice,' celebrity defence lawyer William Bourdon told the court Thursday, saying that an acquittal was 'the only judicial decision possible'. French lawyer for the French Association of Victims of Terrorism (AFVT) David Pere (left), Corinne Adler, a victim who was 13 at the time, and French lawyer for the AFVT Antoine Casubolo Ferro Diab has claimed he was sitting exams in Lebanon at the time of the attack, backed up by statements from his ex-partner and former students. His conviction means he will now again become the subject of another arrest warrant, which risks stoking diplomatic tensions between France and Canada after his first extradition took six years. David Pere, a lawyer for some of the people present in the synagogue at the time of the bombing, said his clients were 'not motivated by vengeance nor looking for a guilty person's head to stick on a pike... they want justice to be done'. Diab has won some backing from NGOs, including Amnesty International, who said his assertion that he was in Lebanon at the time of the attack was credible. Five foreign nationals linked to the Islamic State had reached the UK last year The Home Secretary could be placed under a duty to deport terrorists who enter Britain by small boat, under proposed changes to the new immigration Bill. Labour set out moves to toughen the Home Office's powers in the wake of the Mail's revelations that 19 terror suspects are now living freely in this country after crossing the Channel last year. We disclosed last week that the men - including five linked with Islamic State - reached this country illegally from northern France and cannot be deported due, in part, to human rights laws. They are now understood to be living in hotels paid for by the British taxpayer. Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper tabled an amendment to the Bill which will oblige the Home Secretary to deport terrorists who come to the UK 'without leave', such as small boat migrants. The Home Secretary could be placed under a duty to deport terrorists who enter Britain by small boat, under proposed changes to the new immigration Bill (pictured, a group of migrants brought in to Dungeness on 4 April) Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper (pictured) tabled an amendment to the Bill which will oblige the Home Secretary to deport terrorists who come to the UK 'without leave', such as small boat migrants The proposal would not require a suspect to have been convicted. Instead, it would only require the Home Secretary to be 'satisfied that the person has been involved in terrorism-related activity'. If they cannot be deported they should be placed under a Terrorism Investigation and Prevention Measure, or TPIM, Ms Cooper's proposals added. TPIMs replaced 'control orders' in 2011 and can impose curfews and other restrictions including access to the internet on terror suspects. Ms Cooper said: 'After the Daily Mail reported that 19 suspected terrorists entered Britain on small boats last year, it is vital that ministers act to defend our border security. 'Labour's amendment writes onto the face of the Illegal Migration Bill that where suspected terrorists have tried to evade our border security and enter the country they must be removed. 'And where removal is delayed, severe terror prevention restrictions should be considered on their movements and whereabouts.'She urged the Government to 'back this amendment to keep the British people safe'. The Opposition's amendment appeared to accept the principle of the Government's plan to swiftly remove all migrants who arrive by 'irregular' routes. They would be sent to Rwanda with which the UK has signed a 140million asylum deal or another safe country. A Home Office source said: 'It's very pleasing to see Labour finally backing the Home Secretary's power to remove people who come to the UK illegally. 'The British people want us to stop the boats - and that's what this government will do. 'We already monitor terrorists, of course, and remove them when we can.' It was unclear on Friday night whether the Government would support Labour's proposals. On April 11, the Mail revealed seven of the 19 terror suspects who arrived last year were already under 'active investigation' in other countries. The terrorists cannot be returned to their home countries because they could face torture or ill-treatment, it is understood. One MP said the terrorists' arrival in Britain by small boat was a 'national scandal'. Labour set out moves to toughen the Home Office's powers in the wake of the Mail's revelations that 19 terror suspects are now living freely in this country after crossing the Channel last year (Labour party leader Sir Keir Starmer pictured with Yvette Cooper) On Friday, the Mail reported how unelected peers risk triggering public 'outrage' if they block the Government's new Bill. It is thought the Bill may have to be forced through under the rarely-used Parliament Act, which allows the Commons to overrule objections by the Lords. READ MORE: Nineteen suspected terrorists living in taxpayer-funded migrant hotels after crossing Channel Nineteen suspected terrorists have arrived in Britain via small boats across the Channel, security sources have told the Mail Advertisement Ministers have secured a deal with rebel Conservative backbenchers who wanted the Bill toughened. An additional measure was agreed on Friday to strengthen the approach towards asylum seekers who claim to be children but are suspected of being adults. If they refuse to undergo a scientific age assessment examination such as dental X-rays the Home Office will be able to treat them as over-18s. Senior Tory backbencher Sir John Hayes said: 'This will end the outrage of adults as old as 40 pretending to be children.' The Bill is due back in the Commons on Wednesday before heading to the Lords for scrutiny. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has vowed to 'stop the boats' as one of his five key pledges to voters, after last year's total reached a record level of more than 45,700. Braintree District Council brought legal action over the proposed use of Wethersfield airfield to accommodate up to 1,700 male migrants. In the High Court in London, Mr Justice Waksman concluded the court did not have the power to grant the council's application for an injunction, and ruled in favour of the Government. A council spokesman said last night FRI they were 'disappointed' and would be 'reflecting on any next steps'. He let the dog into the elevator with him and dragged the pup out of the building The culprit is seen on surveillance footage also making an Uber Eats delivery The canine caper! A French Bulldog puppy was stolen by an Uber Eats driver from an apartment building in downtown Los Angeles this week. Anna Gibson and her boyfriend, Caliber Cleveland, had their 6-month-old Frenchie named 'Chunky Monkey' stolen on April 19 from the 20th floor of their apartment building. Cleveland took out the trash when surveillance footage showed the dog wandering over to a man who was delivering food to another apartment. When the man entered the elevator, the dog followed him inside and the two went down to the first floor together. Once they reached the landing, the man grabbed the dog by the collar and dragged him out of the building and out of view of the camera. 'I was coming down the hall with Chunky. He likes to follow me when I take out trash to the trash room,' Cleveland told KTLA. French Bulldog 'Chunky Monkey' was stolen an L.A. apartment building this week The thief was spotted on video dragging the dog out of the apartment complex once they reached the first floor The couple live with Chunky Monkey in the Park 5th tower. 'He's just a sweetheart. He has so many wrinkles,' Gibson told KTLA. Cleveland said the dog left their unit and went missing as he was distracted taking out the trash. 'The dog sees the delivery driver waiting for the elevator and then runs up to greet him,' he said. 'The delivery driver initially seems to ignore him and try to, like, brush it off.' But the driver then allowed the dog into the elevator with him and the doors closed. Once they arrived on the first floor, the dog was dragged through the corridor past a number of other people. 'It's a shame that a dog can transform from being a companion to becoming an object like jewelry or something, like it won't mean anything to take one from another person. So, I think it's kind of messed up,' Cleveland said. A delivery driver got off the elevator and then spotted the dog in the hallway of the apartment building The owners said they were distracted taking out the trash when the theft happened Owner Caliber Cleveland (right) said they want the dog returned and have no animosity toward the perp He appealed to the person who stole the pup to return it, but said he had no animosity towards the dognapper. 'I don't wish ill on him or anything,' he said. 'Hopefully, if he is listening, he can see that this is affecting us. It is hard and hopefully he can have a change of heart.' The pair have filed a police report and management provided them with surveillance footage that shows the culprit's face quite clearly. Uber released a statement to DailyMail.com, saying: 'What's been reported is extremely concerning. We've restricted the courier's access to the app while we work to facilitate the dog's safe return and stand ready to work with police on any investigation.' On April 12, authorities positively identified her parents' bodies two years after she first took to TikTok to try and find them when she thought they were alive On April 9, 1995, their bodies were found in Pittsburg County, Oklahoma, in a wooded area off US Highway 69, but were never identified An Oklahoma cold case has been reopened after a woman took to TikTok to ask for help in finding her missing parents, who vanished more than 25 years ago - their bodies were discovered in the woods. Dallas Burr, 30, originally of Texas, was a toddler when her parents Brian, 23, and Rachel, 21, went missing, having been last seen in Pennsylvania grandfather's ex-wife. She was raised by her grandmother who died in 2014. On April 9, 1995, Brian and Rachel's bodies were found with gunshot wounds in a wooded area in Pittsburg County, Oklahoma, off US Highway 69. But the authorities were never able to establish who the mystery couple were. At the time of her first video two years ago, Burr believed her parents were still alive, saying: 'I don't want anything from them, I just want to meet them.' But she uncovered the truth after submitting her DNA to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation last year. On April 12, authorities were able to identify the remains. Now, as a result of her drawing attention to their deaths online and matching her DNA, the cold case has been reopened. Scroll down for video Dallas Burr, 30, originally of Texas, was a toddler when her parents Brian, 23, and Rachel, 21, went missing, having been last seen in Pennsylvania grandfather's ex-wife By time Burr turned eight she was 'orphaned by the State of Texas as no one had seen or heard from my parents for over five years.' Shortly after the announcement, she and her grandmother would move to Ohio. Burr said she had been in contact with her mother's family for most of her life and had started to converse with her paternal uncle when she was 17 after he found her Facebook. 'It opened a whole other world for me,' she said in a follow-up TikTok in 2021. Neither side of the family had a clue what happened to Burr's family and most just assumed 'they were young when they had me and my brother and they were overwhelmed and they just couldn't do it anymore.' Burr, who still believed her parents were alive, said she 'forgave' her parents and just wanted to 'know' them. In a Part 5 update, she told viewers that her and her brother both have children now and have left most of their remaining family, but were hoping their parents would like to meet their grandchildren. Brian, 23, and 21-year-old Rachel Burr's bodies were found in Pittsburg County, Oklahoma, in a wooded area off US Highway 69 in 1995 - years after they went missing. Their bodies wouldn't be positively identified until September 2022 At the time of her first video, the then-28-year-old Burr believed her parents were still alive, saying: 'I don't want anything from them, I just want to meet them' (pictured: Burr with her mother as a toddler) Her father's DNA was matched first, connecting to family members in Oklahoma that Burr also connected too (pictured: Burr's father and brother as a toddler) On her quest to find her parents, she discovered a phone - that would end up being disconnected - that connected to a prior home address. After hitting a wall, she sent a letter to the Hunts County Sheriff's Department requesting more information. The Hunts County Sheriff's Department later contacted her to tell her that there was never a missing persons report in Texas. However, the lady that ran the report wanted to help Burr and so she sent over birth certificates and other documents and addresses. At an unknown time in 2021 the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) sent DNA evidence of one of her parents to the CeCe Moores Parabon Nano Labs for testing. In September 2022, it was revealed that the DNA was it was 'likely to be Brian and Rachel Burr of Texas.' OSBI collected relative DNA in Oklahoma and her father's remains linked back to several of them, which Burr also linked back too. Authorities later informed Burr that her mother and father (pictured) were killed by gunshot wounds. Investigators are now investigating the deaths as a homicide and there are no currently known suspects Burr said she was 'angry' when she found out her mother (pictured with a relative) and father were dead and had to 'mourn the hope' In November 2022 - more than a year after she initially began her quest - she shared with her fans that her parents were actually dead. 'I would always fear that I would get that call,' she said in a TikTok from November. On April 12 of this year, the OSBI officially identified the remains as Brian and Rachel. Burr said she was 'angry' and was 'mourning the hope' after learning about their death before the public announcement. Within the last week, Burr updated her fans once again, saying they were 'still trying to get any information that they may have missed.' 'The case isnt solved. Weve got as much information as we can get from known friends and family. If theres anyone out there who knew my mother, Rachel Ann Burr, and my father, Brian Eugene Burr, and has any information, even if you think its inconsequential, it will help,' she begged. Investigators are still searching for the suspects. A junior doctors leader who joked on Twitter about gassing 'the Jews' has been suspended from his roles at the British Medical Association (BMA). Dr Martin Whyte, a deputy chair of the junior doctors' committee and a member of its executive, is facing a probe over a series of 'utterly vile' tweets. The paediatrician used his account to promote videos that claim the holocaust was a hoax and called for people to boycott Israel 'out of spite'. He also made jibes about the 'decomposing carcass of the Queen' and called Conservatives 'bastards', adding they should not be allowed to work as medics. The BMA called his comments 'totally unacceptable' in an email to their members today. It said there was 'absolutely no place in the BMA for anti-Semitism'. Dr Martin Whyte (pictured), a deputy chair of the junior doctors' committee and a member of its executive, is facing a probe over a series of 'utterly vile' tweets The junior doctors leader joked on Twitter about gassing 'the Jews' and been suspended from his roles at the British Medical Association (BMA) The BMA called his comments 'totally unacceptable' in an email to their members today. It said there was 'absolutely no place in the BMA for anti-Semitism'. (File image of junior doctor strikes organised by the BMA) In an email to junior doctors last night, the BMA said: 'Dear member, We unfortunately have distressing information to share. 'Today we have discovered that a UK Junior Doctors Committee officer has made deeply troubling comments online that are anti-Semitic. 'There is absolutely no place in the BMA for anti-Semitism. 'The comments in question were made by Dr Whyte, who had until today been an officer of the UK Junior Doctors Committee. This was totally unacceptable. 'We were not aware of these comments, nor of any anti-Semitic views. Any form of antiSemitism is inexcusable. 'We strive to be a tolerant, diverse and progressive organisation. We want to assure members that we treat anti-Semitism and all forms of prejudice and discrimination with the utmost seriousness. Dr Martin Whyte, deputy chair of The UK Junior Doctors Committee on the picket line in Newcastle Dr Martin Whyte (pictured on April 14) is a registrar in the North East and deputy chair of the British Medical Association's (BMA) northern regional junior doctors committee who was one of hundreds of striking Junior Doctors who are Members of The BMA spending a fourth consecutive day on the picket line at The RVI Hospital in Newcastle Upon Tyne in their dispute with the UK government over pay and conditions Dr Whyte also made jibes about the 'decomposing carcass of the Queen' and called Conservatives 'bastards', adding they should not be allowed to work as medics. Pictured: Junior Doctors attend a picket line at UCH on April 14 'As soon as this information came to light, Dr Whyte was immediately removed from all BMA activities and has subsequently resigned from the UK JDC. 'As such, he is no longer involved with any BMA work or communications.' The Campaign Against Antisemitism today vowed to report Dr Whyte to the doctors' regulator, the General Medical Council. A spokesperson for the group said: 'These tweets are utterly vile. 'Imagine how a Jewish patient, or indeed any decent person, would feel on discovering that this is their doctor. 'The BMA must urgently investigate and dissociate itself from this individual and his views, and we shall be writing to the General Medical Council. 'Such foul language has no place in the medical profession.' Dr Whyte, who works for the NHS in the North East of England, was suspended from his roles at the BMA this morning after his tweets were exposed by the Daily Mail. He subsequently resigned from his posts but is unable to quit the BMA while subject to an investigation, which is now underway. The BMA's junior doctors' committee, which Dr Whyte sat on until today, has been the driving force behind recent devastating strikes in pursuit of a 35 per cent pay rise. It is co-chaired by Dr Robert Laurenson, who apologised to members after swanning off on holiday during last week's walkout when over 200,000 appointments and operations were axed. In response to a tweet about a synagogue shooting Dr Whyte tweeted: 'hahaha zeig heil hahaha gas the jews hahaha just kidding but have you seen these youtube videos about the holohoax the're pretty convincing imo [in my opinion]'. The same year, 2018, he tweeted: 'Me: It's important to represent Judaism and Jewish people fairly and respectfully in art. Also me: Jew banker goblins.' And a year earlier, he argued that people should boycott Israel 'out of spite', writing: 'Lifehack: promise not to boycott Israel, but do it anyway. Do it out of spite.' In addition, he has made a series of other controversial remarks online. He suggested, with zero evidence, that political journalist and Spectator publisher Andrew Neil was only on the BBC because he had killed a prostitute with Tony Hall, the then director-general of the Beeb. Replying to Andrew Neil on Twitter, he wrote: 'Ahaha you thin skinned babyman. 'How are you still so prominent at the BBC? Did you and Tony Hall kill a prostitute together or something?' He has suggested that the Medical Royal Colleges should expel Conservatives from the profession, writing: 'Genuinely don't know how you can be a tory and a paediatrician. 'Would love the college to do something but there's zero chance of that'. And in a further sign of his militant left-wing views, he joked about 'the decomposing carcass of the queen' and suggested people only voted Conservative because they had 'brain worms'. The doctor has since deleted his profile on Twitter (pictured), where he made 'utterly vile' tweets He wrote: 'Tories could poison the water supply with the decomposing carcass of the queen and still not drop below 40 per cent. National brain worms'. In May 2021, he suggested that Conservative voters are 'all a shower of bastards', tweeting: 'They're all a shower of bastards, except This One. My Friend. The One Good Tory.' A Conservative source said: 'This is simply appalling, and will no doubt horrify the vast majority of junior doctors. 'The BMA should expel him immediately and apologise for promoting someone with such vile extremist views.' A BMA spokesperson said: 'These Tweets are totally unacceptable and we condemn them in the strongest possible terms. 'The views expressed in no way reflect the values of the BMA. 'Dr Martin Whyte has been removed from taking part in any and all BMA business with immediate effect and the BMA will be undertaking an external independent investigation.' Tory MP Paul Bristow, who sits on the Commons Health and Social Care Committee, said: 'This is vile. If imbeciles like this are making it to senior positions within the BMA, it shows how far they are from their ordinary members and the British public. 'I wouldn't want someone who says and believes such offensive things treating me or my family. Dr Whyte suggested, with zero evidence, that political journalist and Spectator publisher Andrew Neil (pictured) was only on the BBC because he had killed a prostitute with Tony Hall, the then director-general of the Beeb. 'In my mind he shouldn't even be a doctor let alone have a senior position in the BMA.' The BMA has today also suspended another doctor from all BMA business pending a separate investigation into his comments. Kayode Oki, who was a voting member of the union's ruling council and one of the chief agitators in the pay row, described Britain as a 'white supremacist patriarchy'. The self-professed 'socialist trouble-maker' branded 'so many' members of his own profession as 'willing to prop up white supremacist rhetoric'. And he accused white women of being 'scary' mischief-makers who steal ideas from black people. Mr Oki said: 'I am disappointed that these comments, which are my personal views, are being taken without the context such complex subject areas deserve.' A BMA spokesperson said: 'Dr Oki has been removed from taking part in any and all BMA business with immediate effect and the BMA will be undertaking an external independent investigation.' Rua Bioscience (NZX: RUA ) today announced the resignation of Chief Financial Officer, Hamish White, effective 30 June 2023. The company is incredibly grateful for the contributions he has made during his tenure and wishes him well in his future endeavours. "The Board would like to express our appreciation to Hamish for his dedication and passion. Hamish has been with Rua since the beginning and was one of Ruas first employees. As CFO, he successfully helped the company navigate the NZX listing and has been a key contributor in establishing Rua as a leading company in the medical cannabis industry," said Rua Bioscience Chairman, Trevor Burt. Rua Bioscience CEO, Paul Naske, says Hamish has been part of New Zealands medical cannabis industry from its inception. He has played a critical role in steering the company through the New Zealand regulations and maximising the global commercial opportunities presented by this growth industry. We wish Hamish all the best for the next stage of his career. We thank him and his family for their massive contribution to Ruas kaupapa. The company will put a transition plan in place and will seek a suitable replacement to continue Ruas future development. Ends. This announcement is authorised by: Paul Naske Chief Executive Officer, Rua Bioscience For more information, please contact info@ruabio.com Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: Korella North - Advancement to Mining Lease Application April 26th Morning Report SPL - Annual Meetings and Director Nominations Closing Date Restaurant Brands Q1 Sales Announcement TASK Group Q4 FY23 Quarterly Report and Appendix 4C TWR - AM Best affirms Tower Limited's A- (Excellent) FSR NZX Subordinated Notes - first election date April 24th Morning Report HBL Subordinated Notes Interest Rate Set HBL Subordinated Notes Offer - Offer Closed Police have launched an appeal for witnesses after a 16-year-old boy was snatched by four men 'with Irish accents' in a black Mini before being let out 10 minutes later. The teenage boy was walking along Warwick Avenue in Slough, Berkshire, when he was ambushed by four men driving in the Mini at around 4pm on Saturday. Three men then jumped out the vehicle and shouted aggressively at the boy before bundling him into the vehicle. Thames Valley Police said the 16-year-old was then driven away towards Canterbury Avenue before the driver made a right turn. Around 10 minutes later, the Mini returned to Canterbury Avenue, where the boy was released out of the car. Police have launched an appeal for witnesses after a 16-year-old boy was snatched by four men 'with Irish accents' in a black Mini (pictured) before being let out 10 minutes later The teenage boy was walking along Warwick Avenue in Slough when he was ambushed by four men driving in the Mini Police described the car as a black Mini Clubman which had a red roof, two red stripes running across the top and dark alloys. The driver is thought to be a white male in his 20s with short, dark hair who was wearing black clothing. The man in the passenger seat is also thought to be a white male in his 20s with short, dark hair and approximately 5ft 8ins tall. He was wearing a grey puffa-style hooded top and grey tracksuit bottoms. He was also carrying a 1-metre item that police believe to have been either been a knife or a stick. One of the back seat passengers is thought to be a white man in his 20s with short, brown hair and approximately 5ft 9ins tall. He is of a slim/muscular build and was wearing a red short sleeved T-shirt, black trousers and black and white trainers. Meanwhile, the other back seat passenger was also described as a white male in his 20s with short, black hair and approximately 5ft 9ins tall. He was wearing a long sleeved black jumper and black tracksuit bottoms. Police said all four men were described as having Irish accents. Investigating officer, Detective Constable Ashley Jones, based at Slough police station, said: 'We are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this incident, or who has information about what happened to please come forward. Police described the car as a black Mini Clubman with a red roof, two red stripes running across the top with dark alloys The driver is thought to be a white male in his 20s with short, dark hair who was wearing black clothing 'We would also appeal to any motorists who were in the local area around the time of the incident to please check dash-cam footage in case it may have captured something that could assist the investigation. 'Additionally, please could any residents in the vicinity of Warwick Avenue and Canterbury Avenue with CCTV also review any footage and get in touch if you believe it may have captured anything that could help the investigation. 'Anyone with information can contact police by calling 101, or making a report online, quoting reference 43230163928. 'Alternatively, if you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via its website.' Thousands from across Britain gathered for the first day of Extinction Rebellion's 'The Big One' - a four-day protest with minimal disruption. Traffic halted during previous strikes by the climate group flowed almost freely at the Westminster event today as activists kept largely to sidewalks. Police on foot and horseback kept watch as the protestors waved banners, chatted and ate sandwiches. Rebekah and Steve Compton, who travelled from North Devon to join the event - backed by more than 200 social and environmental justice organisations - said they thought the new approach made sense after public pushback against disruptive protests. 'The change in strategy is what's needed. Doing the same thing repeatedly is not going to work,' said Mr Compton. Thousands of Extinction Rebellion protestors across the country gathered outside the parliament building in Westminster today to try a new tactic for climate change: not disrupting anything The quieter event, which proceeded without large-scale arrests and disruption, brought out many supporters who had not previously joined climate protests Traffic halted during previous strikes by the climate group flowed almost freely at the event - dubbed 'The Big One' - as activists kept largely to sidewalks 'Now it's about engaging people.' The quieter event, which proceeded without large-scale arrests and disruption, brought out many supporters who had not previously joined climate protests. Felicity Aris, 24, who works at Bates Wells, joined the event with three colleagues all holding signs reading 'Business shouldn't cost the Earth'. 'I was more inclined to come today because they said it wasn't a scary protest,' she said, noting she had been happy to spot potential clients among the crowd. Zoe Kavanagh, a Nottingham art teacher, also took her children Bella, 11, and Stanley, nine, out of school on Friday to take part in the event - their second climate protest. 'I wrote ''climate emergency'' as the reason on the form,' she said. The family first heard of Extinction Rebellion (XR) last year, when they stopped at a T-shirt screen-printing stand run by the group near the Tate Modern art museum in London. Members of the Red Rebel Brigade join Extinction Rebellion demonstrators in Westminster, London A demonstrator wears a costume as people protest during the Extinction Rebellion's 'The Big One' event 'The change in strategy is what's needed. Doing the same thing repeatedly is not going to work,' said one protestor 'I had my eyes shut for 49 years,' said Zoe. 'Now I want my kids to be surrounded by people who know about this stuff. It's good for them to see I'm not a crackpot mum.' Stanley, with a homemade 'I'm here for my future' banner tied around the shoulders of his orange rain jacket, said he thought politicians were not moving against fossil fuels 'because they're getting money from it'. Ezra Mifsud, nine, another child at the event and a first-time climate protester, said he thought Britain's lawmakers could learn a few things from the crowd, which included stalls handing out climate-change pamphlets and books. 'They should come out and see for themselves what's happening,' he said, gesturing to Westminster. Activists found their usual protest ground - the square immediately opposite Parliament - closed off by wire fence panels in a reported attempt to keep the grass presentable for King Charles' upcoming Coronation. Instead they walked with their signs and banners around the square and in front of Parliament, while activists gave speeches and artists performed. Sophy Allen, Ezra's mother and a scientist working with Natural England, a conservation body under the UK's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, said she was happy that Extinction Rebellion had 'arranged something open and accessible to families'. 'We need to find a space for everyone to have a voice,' she said. Allen, also a protester with the more disruptive Just Stop Oil movement, said she thought confrontation was still crucial to advance climate policy. 'I personally feel direct action is a key part of this - to deal with the urgency that is obvious,' she said. Activists found their usual protest ground - the square immediately opposite Parliament - closed off by wire fence panels in a reported attempt to keep the grass presentable for King Charles' upcoming Coronation People protesting outside parliament during the Extinction Rebellion's 'The Big One' A group hold up a sign wit the slogan 'Greens for Life' written on it at the protest today 'I think about the shame I'd be feeling in 20 years if I didn't do something.' Despite Extinction Rebellion's efforts to appeal to a wider audience, many of those at Friday's protest - like Allen - were either already part of the social movement or people whose jobs gave them an insight into the scale of growing climate risks. Andy Bishop, 46, who works on reducing emissions from building flood-resilience infrastructure projects - 'a lot of concrete', he rued - said fear had brought him to Westminster on Friday from his home in Kent. Protesters hold signs spelling out DEATHRA outside DEFRA (Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs) People who had not attended Extinction Rebellion protests before went to today's calmer event Despite Extinction Rebellion's efforts to appeal to a wider audience, many of those at Friday's protest were either already part of the social movement or people whose jobs gave them an insight into the scale of growing climate risks A woman dressed in a mosquito costume joins Extinction Rebellion demonstrators 'I'm here as a terrified citizen. I'm petrified for my kids' future,' he said. He called joining protests 'therapy, really - feeling like I'm doing something, whether it has the desired effect or not'. He said he was not ready to be arrested as a climate protester, adding: 'I have a job, a mortgage to pay', even if that amounted to him feeling 'slight cowardice.' 'How far do you push yourself across the line to make a statement?' he asked. British offshore oil and gas workers are set to cause the 'biggest stoppage in a generation' on Monday as 1,300 strikers plan to walk out over a pay dispute. Union Unite said that more than a thousand of its members who work in the North Sea will strike for two days, causing mass disruption to energy firms including BP, Shell and Total. Sharon Graham, the union's general secretary, said: 'The 48-hour strike action will only be the start of the tsunami of industrial unrest if contractors and operators refuse to give our offshore members the better jobs, pay and conditions they deserve.' Meanwhile John Boland, an industrial officer at Unite, said it will be the 'biggest offshore stoppage in a generation' which will 'cause severe problems for contractors and operators'. The union said the action includes electrical, production and mechanical technicians in addition to deck crew, scaffolders, crane operators, pipefitters, platers, and riggers working for Bilfinger UK, Petrofac Facilities Management, Stork Technical Services, and Sparrows Offshore Services. Union Unite said that more than a thousand of its members who work in the North Sea will strike for two days. Pictured: BP ETAP (Eastern Trough Area Project) oil platform is pictured in the North Sea The Union said that its 1,300 workers striking will cause mass disruption to energy firms including BP. Pictured: BP service station in Newmarket Mr Boland said: 'We believe that due to the specialised nature of work our members undertake, offshore platforms will not be able to operate safely and efficiently without them. 'The strike action could halt production on dozens of platforms and bring them to a standstill.' READ MORE: Heathrow staff will strike for another eight days next month amid fears walkouts will cause chaos for royal fans travelling to the UK for King Charles' coronation Advertisement Unite will hold a rally outside its Aberdeen office to coincide with the action on Monday. Irene Bruce, energy services agreement manager at Offshore Energies UK, said the trade body is aware of the upcoming industrial action and 'encourages all parties to work together to find constructive ways to address workforce concerns'. She added: 'Workers in all sectors across the UK are feeling the impact of the cost-of-living crisis, however industrial action does not offer a solution, nor is it helpful for our sector, which is doing all it can to attract the investment essential to protect jobs and meet the UK's energy needs. 'While some offshore staffing levels will be reduced, companies are focused on maintaining safe operations for our people and on ensuring continuity of production to maintain energy security for the UK.' A Bilfinger UK spokesman said: 'Operational safety remains our top priority and we have procedures in place to minimise any potential disruption.' Unite will hold a rally outside its Aberdeen office to coincide with the action on Monday. Shell are also set to face disruption from the walkouts Total are another energy company that Unite say will face disruption as offshore oil and gas workers strike in a dispute over pay A spokesman for Stork said: 'We respect the right for peaceful and planned strike action. 'As an employer and a signatory of the Energy Services Agreement, we remain focused on engaging with all stakeholders to reach a resolution that protects and sustains employment opportunities, supports safety and operational continuity. This remains our absolute priority.' The other companies affected have been approached for comment. The latest strikes are part of a wave of industrial unrest on platforms in the North Sea. Around 70 employees of TotalEnergies working on the Elgin Franklin and North Alwyn platforms along with the Shetland Gas Plant are being balloted on strike action. The votes will close on May 5. The union has also won strike mandates at Petrofac BP covering around 100 members, and more than 80 members employed by the Wood Group on Taqa assets. No strike dates have been announced in relation to these disputes. Unite also has a further strike mandate at Worley Services UK involving 50 members, but action has been suspended while talks continue with the company. The latest planned strikes from Unite come after the same union announced that its security staff at Heathrow Airport would strike for another eight days next month amid fears that walkouts will cause chaos for royal fans travelling to the UK for King Charles' coronation. Unite Heathrow Airport staff also walked out over Easter for a 10-day period (Pictured: Striking security staff outside the airport on March 31) Unite has announced its Heathrow Airport workers will walk out on May 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 25, 26 and 27. The union said the strikes will cause 'inevitable disruption and delays' at a time when people are expected to be travelling to the UK for the King's coronation. Unite has also announced further NHS strikes at ambulance trusts and hospitals after receiving strong indications that many members were unhappy with the Government's pay offer. Meanwhile, just yesterday, Unite announced that its engineers at Chessington World of Adventures would be walking out at the end of April, including May Day weekend, Coronation weekend and the late spring bank holiday. Hunter Bidens baby mamma has urged an Arkansas judge to sling the Presidents son in jail for repeatedly failing to hand over his financial records, DailyMail.com can exclusively reveal. Lawyers for Lunden Roberts say former flame Hunter, 53, has not provided a single item or word of discovery in their ongoing child support lawsuit. In a Friday filing they insist the recovering drug addict should be locked up at the Cleburne County Detention Center and stay there until he complies with a court order to hand over the docs. The filing comes as it's learned Hunter's lawyers are scheduled to meet with US attorney David Weiss next week over four charges against him - three related to tax crimes and a felony charge related to a gun purchase. Hunter, 53, pictured here with son Beau Biden, Jr., 3, has not provided a single item or word of discovery in ongoing child support lawsuit with Lunden Roberts, the mother of his four-year-old daughter Navy Joan Roberts. Six months ago Hunter tried to recalculate the monthly amount he pays Roberts, 32 In a Friday filing Lunden's lawyers insist the recovering drug addict should be locked up at the Cleburne County Detention Center and stay there until he complies with a court order to hand over his financial records. Navy Joan was born in August 2018 but she remained a secret until Roberts sued Hunter for child support in her native Arkansas The child support bombshell comes six months after Hunter tried to recalculate the monthly amount he pays Roberts, 32, the mother of Navy Joan Roberts - the little girl he barely acknowledges is his. The move backfired when single mom Roberts refused to re-negotiate and demanded that Hunter produce detailed financial records to demonstrate why hes suffered a substantial loss of earnings. In the new filing, her attorney, Clinton Lancaster, accuses the First Son of flaunting the dignity and authority of the court by failing to adhere to the discovery rules and deadlines which were reasserted at a February 22 hearing. In those two months, the defendant has provided no additional discovery - not so much as one single item or word - and has failed to supplement his answers at the courts directive, Lancaster fumes. There is no valid excuse or justification for the defendants failure to provide the required disclosures as the court has granted every single protective order the defendant has asked for since the inception of this case the defendant is playing games with this court. Calling on Circuit Judge Holly Meyer to hold Hunter in contempt, Lancaster adds: The defendants actions are a willful and flagrant violation of this courts previous order entered on the defendants motion. This court should incarcerate the defendant in the Cleburne County Detention Center until he complies with this courts orders and answers discovery. In the alternative, this court should sanction the defendant as appropriate and just. The bitterly contested case is likely headed toward a two-day bench trial in July. In the new filing, Lunden's attorney Clinton Lancaster accuses the First Son of flaunting the dignity and authority of the court by failing to adhere to the discovery rules and deadlines which were reasserted at a February 22 hearing. This court should incarcerate the defendant in the Cleburne County Detention Center until he complies with this courts orders,' says the filing Hunter will also have to submit to a deposition in June in which Roberts lawyers will likely grill him about his various businesses and shady overseas ventures. Theyll also want to know how its possible that Hunters finances have cratered while hes selling paintings for up to $500,000 apiece under his new guise as an abstract artist. Roberts won a reported $2.5 million settlement from Hunter after taking him to court in 2019 and forcing him to take a DNA test to prove he fathered Navy Joan during their 2017 fling. Also filed Friday was correspondence suggesting that Hunters legal team are trying to block Roberts from retaining Garrett Ziegler, a former Trump administration staffer, as an expert witness. Biden and his lawyer pal Kevin Morris are suing Zeigler, founder of conservative think-tank Marco Polo, for alleged harassment and invasion of privacy in a separate case related to his infamous abandoned laptop. The last time I checked, the opposing party does not get to choose the other party's expert witness, Lancaster wrote to his counterparts on April 21. Even if Mr. Ziegler were not an expert, which he is a bona fide expert on Hunter Biden, I would hire him as a staff member of my law firm for his work on this case. I don't know or understand the problem with Mr. Ziegler, other than that Mr. Biden and his California attorney, Kevin Morris, are suing him in Delaware. The adorable, blonde-haired girl is the fourth of his five children but neither he, nor his parents Joe and Jill Biden, have ever met the child or publicly acknowledged her existence. Hunter claimed during the 10-month case that he was unemployed and had no monthly income despite living in a $12,000-per-month Hollywood rental and driving a Porsche. But when an Independence County judge ordered him to produce financial records he repeatedly failed to do so and instead settled out of court, the two sides announcing a global, final settlement of all issues'. In September last year Hunter reopened the case, pleading poverty, writing: Since the entry of the existing child support order there has been a substantial material change in the Movants financial circumstances, including but not limited to his income. Roberts refused to buckle and raised the stakes by petitioning the court to officially rename her daughter Navy Joan Biden to benefit from carrying the Biden Family name. In February 2022 Roberts gave evidence to a Delaware grand jury investigating Hunter for alleged tax crimes, joining a growing list of former business partners and associates who have been drawn into the Department of Justice's secretive three-year probe into his overseas dealings Neither Joe Biden nor Hunter have ever met Navy Joan. Joe is seen holding his grandson Beau at the White House Lancaster also fired off a fresh discovery request running into hundreds of questions covering Hunters assets, earnings, overseas business dealings in Ukraine and China, plus any payouts to attorneys and agents. Sources say the list also homed in on Hunters recent income, asking him to itemize any artworks hes sold in the past couple of years, the names of the buyers and any paperwork related to the purchases. So far, Hunter is yet to comply, complaining that the lengthy interrogatories are vague and ambitious and asking the court to strike down some of the queries. Hes also opposing the name change on the grounds that its political warfare against the Biden family and the new moniker will rob the child of her peaceful existence. In a case schedule obtained by DailyMail.com, Judge Meyer insists both parties must comply fully with discovery requests by May 22, a day before a pre-trial hearing. Shes also put in place in a protective order so Hunters financial information can be filed and kept under seal. The trial is listed for July 24-25 with Meyer warning the pair against any frivolous delays, writing: No continuance will be granted unless for good cause shown. Navy Joan was born in August 2018 but she remained a secret until Roberts sued Hunter for child support in her native Arkansas. Her ex-lover claimed in his 2021 memoir, Beautiful Things, that he went on such a rampage in the wake of his 2017 divorce from Kathleen Buhle that he couldnt remember the names of the women he bedded. It's why I would later challenge in court the woman from Arkansas who had a baby in 2018 and claimed the child was mine I had no recollection of our encounter. That's how little connection I had with anyone, Hunter wrote. It was initially reported that Hunter met Roberts while she worked as a stripper at a DC club which Hunter frequented. But texts retrieved from his notorious abandoned laptop proved that she was in fact on the payroll at Rosemont Seneca, Hunters investment firm. Navy Joan gets none of the perks of having a president for a grandfather, nor the round-the-clock Secret Service protection enjoyed by the rest of the Biden brood She and Hunter conceived Navy Joan around December 2017 while he was still in a relationship with his brother Beau's widow, Hallie. The pair remained in communication throughout her pregnancy until he abruptly cut her off. Hunter has never seen Navy Joan and could not pick her out of a photo lineup, according to court filings. Shes never met her grandpa Joe, 80, despite the President fawning over his six other grandkids and frequently bringing them along for events and speeches. Navy Joan gets none of the perks, nor the round-the-clock Secret Service protection enjoyed by the rest of the Biden brood. However, family friends say the youngster is adorable, loved, safe and very happy as she grows up in rural Arkansas blissfully unaware of her proximity to the caustic world of US politics. In February 2022 Roberts gave evidence to a Delaware grand jury investigating Hunter for alleged tax crimes, joining a growing list of former business partners and associates who have been drawn into the Department of Justice's secretive three-year probe into his overseas dealings. Federal prosecutors were particularly interested in what she learned about Hunters finances, according to her attorney. South African officials have been warned that Vladimir Putin should attend the BRICS summit they are hosting virtually or required to arrest the Russian President. The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Putin last month, and South Africa as an ICC member would be required to detain Putin if he attends the 15th BRICS Summit that South Africa will host in August. BRICS comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, a group seen as a powerful emerging-market alternative to the West. In an interview at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, where she was participating in a seminar, Ukrainian activist Oleksandra Romantsova told Reuters: 'If Putin comes here... they (South Africa) need to arrest him. 'It's a complicated political situation. So better that Putin join via Zoom.' South African officials have been warned that Vladimir Putin should attend the BRICS summit they are hosting virtually or required to arrest the Russian President. The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Putin last month, and South Africa as an ICC member would be required to detain Putin if he attends the 15th BRICS Summit that South Africa will host in August (Putin pictured taking part via video link in June 2022) In an interview at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, where she was participating in a seminar, Ukrainian activist Oleksandra Romantsova told Reuters: 'If Putin comes here... they (South Africa) need to arrest him' Romantsova, executive director of Ukraine's Center for Civil Liberties which jointly won the Nobel Peace Prize last year, formed part of a Ukrainian civil society delegation that aimed to share as much information as possible about the war still raging more than a year after Russia invaded. Zane Dangor, director-general of South Africa's Department of International Relations and Cooperation, said officials in his department met with the Ukrainian delegation but declined to go into detail. The ICC issued the warrant for Putin alleging Moscow's forcible deportation of Ukrainian children was a war crime. The Kremlin has reacted with outrage, saying any decisions of the court are 'null and void'. Moscow has repeatedly denied accusations its forces have committed atrocities during the invasion of Ukraine, what Russia calls 'a special military operation'. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said this week that his government was still deliberating what to do about the warrant for Putin. Three officials with knowledge of those deliberations have told Reuters that Putin attending the BRICS summit virtually was an option that was being considered. The ICC issued the warrant for Putin alleging Moscow's forcible deportation of Ukrainian children was a war crime. The Kremlin has reacted with outrage, saying any decisions of the court are 'null and void' BRICS comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, a group seen as a powerful emerging-market alternative to the West. Activist Ms Romantsova added: 'It's a complicated political situation. So better that Putin join via Zoom' South Africa is one of Russia's most important allies on a continent divided over the Ukraine war and Western attempts to isolate Moscow because of it. South Africa held a joint naval exercise with Russia and China in February, a month after a visit by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Ramaphosa talked about South Africa acting as a mediator in the conflict last year but it never gained much traction. Romantsova said if South Africa wanted to mediate then it needed to have a strong connection with Ukraine, not just Russia. 'You need to understand the situation in Ukraine, you have to need have a regular connection,' she said JP Morgan bosses were meeting with pedophile Jeffrey Epstein at his Manhattan townhouse until 2017, despite the bank claiming it shut his accounts after his conviction in 2013, it has been claimed. The Wall Street giant continued treating Epstein like a star client following his conviction and despite repeated warnings from its own employees, it is alleged. Justin Nelson, one of Epsteins bankers at JP Morgan, had around six meetings at the pedophiles Upper East Side townhouse between 2014 and 2017, sources told The Wall Street Journal (WSJ). John Duffy, who ran the firms private bank, met Epstein at his property in April 2013, the sources claimed. A month later, JP Morgan allegedly renewed an authorization allowing Epstein to borrow money despite warnings about his unusual finances. Justin Nelson, one of Epsteins bankers at JP Morgan, had around 6 meetings at the pedophiles Upper East Side townhouse from 2014 to 2017, sources told The Wall Street Journal John Duffy, who ran the firms private bank, met Epstein at his property in April 2013, sources claimed Mary Erdoes, who is close to the banks CEO Jamie Dimon, twice visited Epstein in 2011 and 2013 when Epstein was still a client, it has been claimed And Mary Erdoes, who is close to the banks CEO Jamie Dimon, twice visited Epstein in 2011 and 2013 when Epstein was still a client, later exchanging dozens of emails, sources told the WSJ. Erdoes has previously said through a JPMorgan spokesman that the only time she remembered meeting Epstein was the day she fired him as a client. Erdoes declined to comment on the WSJs latest allegations. Nelson also declined to comment, while Duffy, who no longer works at the bank, did not respond to requests for comment from the newspaper. A JPMorgan spokesman said interactions with Epstein were normal for a client of a private bank and any meeting held with him after 2013 was regarding other bank clients whom Epstein represented. The latest allegations come after the Daily Mail unearthed court documents claiming executives at JP Morgan were so familiar with Jeffrey Epsteins abuse that they laughed about him being out with 16-year-old Miley Cyrus. The bombshell lawsuit states that senior managers at the bank joked about (Epsteins) interest in young girls including Cyrus in 2008 when she was still starring in the Disney TV series Hannah Montana. Staff at JP Morgan were accused of making light of the pedophiles activities in a case filed against it by the government of the US Virgin Islands. The lawsuit also alleges that at least 20 victims were paid through Epsteins accounts with JP Morgan in excess of $1million. The lawsuit claims: These women were trafficked and abused during different intervals between at least 2003 and July 2019, when Epstein was arrested and jailed, and these women received payments, typically multiple payments, between 2003 and 2013 in excess of $1 million collectively The amended complaint from the USVI, where Epstein (left) had a private island, says that JP Morgan obstructed investigations into Epstein and its relationship to the bank One woman who Epstein bought when she was 14 was paid $600,000, the documents claim. The USVI government sued JP Morgan and Deutsche Bank in December accusing the banks of turning a blind eye to Epsteins sex trafficking of underage girls despite myriad red flags. Both banks deny wrongdoing. The amended complaint from the USVI, where Epstein had a private island, says that JP Morgan obstructed investigations into Epstein and its relationship to the bank. Executives emailed internally about his abuse during the course of their relationship with him, which ran from 1998 to 2013, including after he served 15 months for soliciting an underage girl for sex in 2008. They included Erdoes. The lawsuit is running parallel to a similar claim by a woman called Jane Doe 1 which has made numerous allegations against Jes Staley, the former boss of JP Morgan. Court documents alleged that between 2008 and 2012, Staley exchanged around 1,200 emails with Epstein from his JP Morgan email account. Executives at JP Morgan were so familiar with Jeffrey Epsteins abuse that they laughed about him being out with 16-year-old Miley Cyrus, court documents claim The jokes about Cyrus were made while she was under age and still starring in the Disney Channel TV series Hannah Montana A bombshell lawsuit states that senior managers at the bank joked about (Epsteins) interest in young girls including Cyrus in 2008 The banker allegedly visited Epsteins private island in the Caribbean while the pedophile was in prison for having sex with underage girls. Staley is accused of making suggestive references to Disney characters in the emails including one from 2010 in which he says: Say hi to Snow White. Staleys lawyers have denied wrongdoing and denied he used codewords with Epstein. In a motion to dismiss, JP Morgan called the USVI complaint as a masterclass in deflection that seeks to hold (JP Morgan) responsible for not sleuthing out Epsteins crimes over a decade ago. Former President Donald Trump mocked Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for dipping in the 2024 polls, awarding him the same nickname he once gave to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. 'I should call him Rocket Man, but now he's Rocket Man that's crashing,' Trump said in an interview for the Full Send Podcast. 'His polls are terrible. I'm leading him in every state.' Since late March, DeSantis has seen a dip in the 2024 Republican primary polls, according to the Real Clear Politics polling average, while Trump's numbers have improved. Now Trump is receiving 53.3 percent of the vote, while DeSantis is lagging behind at 22.3 percent support. DeSantis has been hobbled, in part, by negative stories coming out about his personality, including one Friday morning in Politico Playbook, courtesy of former Republican Rep. David Trott, who called the Floridian rising star an 'a******.' Former President Donald Trump mocked Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for dipping in the 2024 polls, awarding him the same nickname he once gave to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. 'I sat right next to DeSantis for two years on the Foreign Affairs Committee, and he never said a single word to me,' Trott had written to Playbook's authors. 'I was new to Congress, and he didn't introduce himself or even say hello.' Playbook's authors called up Trott to get a fuller picture. Former Rep. David Trott, a Michigan Republican, called DeSantis an 'a******' in an interview published Friday by Politico Playbook 'I go to my first [House Foreign Affairs Committee] hearing early, and DeSantis showed up right at the gavel time and didn't say hello or introduce himself,' Trott said. 'And then the next hearing, the same thing happened. I think the third time it happened, I thought, "Oh, this guy's not ever going to say hello to me,"' the Michigan Republican recalled. Trott eventually introduced himself to DeSantis. The former congressman noticed that the now governor had a certain political knack. 'He's got an ability to size up the electorate and figure out what issues and hot buttons he needs to press to advance his political ambitions,' Trott said. 'There's no question there's a talent there. No taking that away from him.' But Trott also described DeSantis as someone you wouldn't want to have a beer with. 'If you're going to go into politics, kind of a fundamental skill that you should have is likability. I don't think [he] has that,' the ex-congresman said. 'He never developed any relationships with other members that I know of. You'd never see him talking on the floor with other people or palling around. He's just a very arrogant guy, very focused on Ron DeSantis.' Trott told Politico that he wasn't surprised when a number of Florida lawmakers recently got behind Trump. 'He wasn't really liked when he was in Congress,' he recalled. 'And now it's coming home to, you know, prove out as some of the Florida delegation endorsed Trump and and some of the donors, you know, think he's kind of awkward in terms of how he interacts with them.' Trott said that if DeSantis' pre-presidential campaign was playing out differently he might have thought he was the problem. 'But I think there's something more at work here,' the ex-congressman surmised. 'I think he's an a******,' Trott said. 'I don't think he cares about people.' Hunter Biden's lawyers are scheduled to meet next week with US attorney David Weiss to discuss the investigation into President Joe Biden's son, according to a new report on Friday. Hunter Biden legal team had reached out to Justice officials, CNN reported, asking for an update on the case. That lead to the scheduling of next week's meeting. Weiss, the US Attorney in Delaware who was appointed by former President Donald Trump, is overseeing the investigation into Hunter Biden. It comes as federal prosecutors are weighing four charges against the presidential son, three related to tax crimes and a felony charge related to a gun purchase. The possible charges are two misdemeanor counts for failure to file taxes, a single felony count of tax evasion related to a business expense for one year of taxes, and the gun charge, also a potential felony, NBC News reported, citing sources. When purchasing a .38 caliber gun in 2018, Hunter wrote on the Firearm Transaction Record that he did not use unlawful drugs, but admitted in his memoir that he was a crack addict at the time. Intentionally providing misleading information while making a gun purchase is a felony. Additionally, two senior law enforcement sources told the network there is 'growing frustration' inside the FBI because the bulk of the investigative work was finished last year while the IRS finished its tax investigation more than a year ago. Federal prosecutors are weighing four charges against Hunter Biden But the decision on what charges to file against President Joe Biden's son - and when - rests in the hands of U.S. Attorney David Weiss, who was appointed by President Donald Trump and retained by the Biden administration to continue the probe. There is no indication as to when charges may come. Hunter Biden has denied any wrongdoing. The Hunter Biden probe began in 2018 during the Trump presidency. The former president used Hunter Biden as a rallying cry for his base in his unsuccessful 2020 re-election campaign. The initial investigation focused on Hunter Biden's finances related to his overseas business ventures. Over time, it focused on whether or not he reported all of his income and whether he lied on gun purchase paperwork in 2018. House Republicans are also investigating Hunter Biden and his businesses. And, earlier this week, a man serving as a supervising agent on a 'high-profile' criminal tax probe came forward seeking whistleblower protections while claiming politics are 'improperly infecting decisions' in a certain investigation. That covert ask was deemed to be about the Hunter Biden case. A lawyer representing the unidentified whistleblower wrote senators as well as inspectors general for the Justice Departments and the Treasury Department on Wednesday. The protected disclosures 'contradict sworn testimony to Congress by a senior political appointee' and 'involve failure to mitigate clear conflicts of interest in the ultimate disposition of the case,' according to attorney Mark Lytle of Nixon Peabody. They also 'detail preferential treatment and politics improperly infecting decisions and protocols that would normally be followed by career law enforcement professionals in similar circumstances if the subject were not politically connected,' Lytle wrote in a letter obtained by DailyMail.com. Hunter Biden purchased a .38 caliber pistol from a Delaware gun store on October 12, 2018 and reportedly lied about his drug use on the form. A lawyer representing an IRS whistleblower wrote senators seeking protections for information that would 'contradict sworn testimony' 11992009 IRS whistleblower claims to have PROOF Biden administration is 'improperly handling' the criminal investigation into Hunter and has failed to avoid conflict of interest U.S. Attorney David Weiss, a Trump Administration holdover, is overseeing the Hunter Biden probe The lawyer wants legal protections to share the information with Congress. Tax information is generally protected. A 2020 subpoena sought years' worth of financial information on Hunter Biden, who held a lucrative board position on the Ukrainian energy firm Burisma. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre had a short response on Thursday when she was asked about a report that an IRS whistleblower had come forward to claim politics was affecting the investigation into Hunter Biden's taxes. 'I want to be very clear here. The president respects the rule of law and the independence of the Department of Justice,' Jean-Pierre said when asked about the investigation into President Joe Biden's son. 'We believe that it should be independent. I'm not going to go beyond that.' There has been a frenzy of interest in Westminster in the long-awaited investigation into allegations that Dominic Raab bullied civil servants. But lawyer Adam Tolley KCs report yesterday left many wondering whether Mr Raab was guilty of anything more than being a tough boss with high standards who was trying to get things done. The former deputy prime minister was found to have acted in an intimidating way but not to have shouted or sworn at staff. The report reveals the full extent of the efforts by civil servants across Whitehall to get Mr Raab pushed out of government. It covers incidents said to have occurred over several years when he served as Brexit secretary, foreign secretary and most recently justice secretary, but which were submitted as formal grievances only last autumn. Last night Mr Raab warned that the tyranny of subjective hurt feelings could stop ministers from driving civil servants to deliver the change that the public expect. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has now resigned from his position Here the Mail explains how the case against him began behind the scenes and unfolded in public before coming to a dramatic conclusion yesterday morning. Complaint from people who had never met him Astonishingly, the first grumblings about Mr Raabs conduct included complaints by people who had never even met him. Yesterdays report by Mr Tolley revealed that the initial complaint was signed collectively by a group of junior policy officials in the Ministry of Justice (MoJ). There had been discussions within an informal network of civil servants and their true number is not known, although nine identified themselves during the process. Only some of those individuals had any direct experience of the DPM [deputy prime minister]; some had never met him at all but were seeking to support their colleagues, Mr Tolley revealed. The complaint was submitted internally in March 2022 but didnt reach the threshold for escalation, meaning Mr Raab was not even told about it. MoJ official claims she warned him three times Although Mr Raab was not told about the initial complaint against him, the most senior civil servant in the MoJ insisted she did warn him about how he treated staff three times which he disputes. Former allies: Dominic Raab with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in the Commons Permanent Secretary Antonia Romeo told the inquiry that on March 9, July 14 and October 27 last year she had drawn to his attention concerns about his tone and behaviour in interactions with civil servants. She produced notes, and although Mr Raab sought to challenge the reliability of them, Mr Tolley said he was not convinced by those challenges. Ms Romeo said she told Mr Raab there had been complaints about his behaviour and told him to raise his concerns about staff performance with her rather than addressing them directly with the civil servants in question. He set unreasonable work deadlines Much of the initial MoJ complaint was reported by the media in November, which led directly to the further allegations being made about Mr Raabs previous ministerial roles. That same month, on November 15, the first MoJ complaint was resubmitted on the express basis that it should be treated as a formal complaint. Mr Tolley dismissed much of it, saying it was drafted by committee, referred to other ministers and used the language of a perverse culture of fear without explaining what was meant. It also made unsubstantiated allegations about unreasonable work deadlines. However, Mr Tolley gave the junior staff credit for their courage in coming forward and said it paved the way for the other complaints. Now the Foreign Office chimes in On the same day as the initial MoJ complaint was sent in, a separate formal complaint was made relating to Mr Raabs time as foreign secretary, from July 2019 until September 2021, when he was ousted by Boris Johnson amid criticism of his handling of the Afghanistan crisis. The dispute had never been made public at the time nor had a complaint been lodged. Mr Tolley said he could not provide details because of confidentiality reasons, but Mr Raab filled in the blanks in a lengthy response to the report he wrote for The Daily Telegraph. He said it stemmed from a tense period of negotiations between Spain and the UK over Gibraltar when there was a risk of a no-deal Brexit. He claimed to have found out that an unnamed senior negotiator had put UK sovereignty at risk, prompting him to move the official away from the project in order to secure a deal with Spain. It was not a demotion, nor was it to the long-term detriment of the official. But Mr Tolley concluded, in one of the two complaints he upheld, that the then-foreign secretary committed an abuse or misuse of power. Raab giving evidence to the Justice and Home Affairs Committee at the House of Lords on the sublect of the work of the Ministry of Justice He found Mr Raab to have acted in a way which was intimidating during a work meeting, and said he was unreasonably and persistently aggressive. In addition, he said he introduced an unwarranted punitive element, behaved in a way that made the unidentified colleague feel humiliated or undermined and would have been aware of the impact his behaviour had. A source said a UK negotiator had stepped out of line by promising that Spanish officials could be stationed on the Rock to enforce EU checks, which had very big implications for sovereignty. One official said it was astonishing that the episode was the subject of a complaint, adding: It was not an issue at the time. No one thought Dom was out of line. He is excessively demanding... On November 16 last year, Mr Raab wrote a public letter to the Prime Minister asking for an independent investigation into the claims against him and insisted he had never tolerated bullying. Days later a third complaint was made about Mr Raabs brief time in charge at the Department for Exiting the EU (DExEU), when he replaced David Davis in July 2018 before resigning in protest at Theresa Mays draft agreement with the EU that November. According to the report he felt some officials were being deliberately unhelpful during what was an intense and politically fraught time for the Government. Consequently, it was likely that the demanding, driven and detail-focused Mr Raab would have expressed his frustration on occasion, the report said. Mr Tolley acknowledged that some staff may have found Mr Raab to be excessively demanding to the point of intimidation. But he said he did not find evidence that Mr Raabs behaviour had been intimidating nor did he intend to upset anyone or cause any harm. For his part, Mr Raab described as vague, undated and unsubstantiated the claims made against him while at DExEU. ... and hes too critical about our work Over the next few weeks, five more formal complaints were made about Mr Raabs conduct during his two stints as justice secretary. These included submissions by senior policy officials and private office officials, unlike the first batch. Although it was likely there had been discussion between the civil servants beforehand, Mr Tolley said he did not believe they had tried to tailor their evidence to fit together. The officials accused Mr Raab of being intimidating and being overly critical or insulting about the quality of their work. In response, he said he took the view that officials should be able to answer his questions in meetings. But Mr Tolley found that he had called a team obstructive and believed there was cultural resistance to his reforms, including a crucial overhaul of the parole system. He also concluded, although Mr Raab disagreed, that the justice secretary had described some work as utterly useless and woeful. And he said that his habit of explicit unconstructive criticism and frequent interrupting may have the effect of seeming intimidating or insulting, even if not intended that way. The complainants said they had been left suffering stress and anxiety and forced to take time off, but Mr Tolley said Mr Raab could not have known this. Raab leaves his home in Esher, Surrey, after resigning from his cabinet positions He concluded that his conduct was abrasive but not abusive. In general, however, he acknowledged that Mr Raab is highly intelligent, pays close attention to detail and seeks to make decisions based on evidence, working from 7.30am until 10pm most days. The report also rejected claims that he used threatening gestures such as indicating people should be quiet or banging the table, nor did he shout or swear. A valid complaint about timing Mr Raab took exception to a number of elements of the inquiry carried out by lawyer Mr Tolley, and to the complaints themselves. He said it was unfair to add the additional MoJ complaints to the terms of reference, and that many of the allegations against him were surprisingly non-specific and so difficult for him to respond to. Although Mr Tolley dismissed these objections, he said Mr Raab had a well-founded complaint about the timing of the case. The Brexit allegation in particular referred to events some four years earlier and there were no documents about it. Mr Raab noted that the typical time limit for an employment tribunal claim is just three months. And he pointed out that none of the complaints was raised with him at the time. Despite his objections, Mr Raab engaged seriously and conscientiously with the investigation process and spent two-and-a-half days, in four separate interviews, being grilled by Mr Tolley. PM gets the report... and Raab gets the boot The 48-page report was finally handed to Downing Street on Thursday morning and Mr Raab read it the same day, although he did not speak to the Prime Minister about it. Just before 10am yesterday, Mr Raab posted on social media a letter to the PM announcing his resignation as deputy prime minister and justice secretary, and within a couple of hours had also written a lengthy piece for the Telegraph letting rip at the Kafkaesque saga that led to his departure. He revealed far more details than Mr Tolley had about the incidents involved in the report, and although he insisted he respected the outcome, he branded it flawed and dangerous. Civil servants who are partial to a bit of bondage are now demanding the same support as other minority groups. Sexual fetish enthusiasts within the Ministry of Justice where Justice Secretary Dominic Raab was yesterday forced out over bullying allegations say they are discriminated against and need protection. They are calling on their trade union to set up a staff network for BDSM (Bondage, Domination, Sadism, Masochism), to campaign for their rights and to even set up training courses on consent. Members of the Public and Commercial Services Union, which represents 200,000 public sector workers, are due to discuss the topic at their annual conference. A motion tabled by the MoJ Associated Offices branch and included in next month's conference programme calls on delegates to note 'that BDSMers need protection in law as many are fired if their employers find out'. A motion tabled by the Ministry of Justice Associated Offices branch calls on delegates to note 'that BDSMers need protection in law as many are fired if their employers find out' It states that 'as a minority group who are discriminated against they should have a support group in PCS', that 'BDSMers should have equal rights and protection as other discriminated-against groups have', and that 'PCS should support and campaign for their rights'. And it calls on the union's ruling council to put forward a similar motion to the conference of the TUC, the umbrella organisation for Britain's trade unions. The motion also wants the union to 'promote that Mutual Informed Consent should be what is needed before erotic activity is carried out' and 'establish training courses for members on consent and negotiation'. But Caroline Ffiske, from Conservatives for Women, told the Mail: 'The idea that we should be able to bring our sexual fetishes to work, indeed have them supported by staff networks, is absurd and infantilising. Keep it to the bedroom between consenting adults.' Sexual fetish enthusiasts within the Ministry of Justice where Justice Secretary Dominic Raab was yesterday forced out over bullying allegations say they are discriminated against and need protection Comedy writer Graham Linehan highlighted the document online, saying: 'PCS is a union for civil servants. This is one of their motions to be considered for a vote that people who like being gagged and spanked are an oppressed minority.' The PCS conference in Brighton will also hear several motions on trans rights. One, tabled by a Department for Work and Pensions branch in Bradford and an HM Revenue and Customs one in Glasgow, calls on delegates to agree that 'sex is not binary' and says: 'Biological reductionism is harmful to all women and forms the basis of many patriarchal notions of biology as destiny.' It also demands that the union expresses its concerns to the Cabinet Office about a 'regressive' staff network called SEEN for civil servants who believe that people cannot change sex. But Mrs Ffiske said: 'The so-called regressive ideology supported by SEEN is that sex is real and matters, and that women have a right to free speech and open debate on this subject, including within the civil service, without fear of bullying.' Page Content A test run of a weekly flight out of Newark took place on Sunday. A second flight is planned for April 23. The new air service is catering to travelers from the U.S. tri-state area of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. The goal of the La Compagnie program is to create a path to Sint Maarten/Saint-Martin that matches the level of expectations that travelers have on St. Barths, and Anguilla. The idea is to organize seven-night stays at one of the selected hotels and/or villas. Flights will be on a weekly basis non-stop from Newark to Sint Maarten on Sundays starting in the fall of 2023 up to the end of April 2024. The aircraft to be used is a 76-passenger plane from La Compagnie which is a business class only airline. We must showcase ourselves in new markets, creating new opportunities, which is what we see here today (Sunday) with the inaugural flight of La Compagnie. We are excited to have such a wonderful team, aircraft, and concept on our shores today (Sunday). I am extremely proud of the Sint Maarten Tourism Bureau and their continued efforts as well as all others that were involved. It is time we started to focus on the niche market. I hereby also want to congratulate the organizers on this first step, and we look forward to a fruitful and successful relationship for all, Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transportation & Telecommunication (TEATT), Arthur H.L. Lambriex said. PHOTO CUTLINE: Minister Lambriex (2nd from right) with his Executive Assistant Jerome Gumbs (1st left) and Sint Maarten Tourism Bureau representative Lisa Coffi (1st right), and in the background Wahid Essafi, his wife and son (standing). Read more: State Department confirms US citizen is among the dead in Sudan The conflict in Sudan has seen more than 400 people killed since Saturday More than 100 SAS and Paras are being flown to the Middle East as Britain prepares to airlift UK nationals from war-torn Sudan. They will prepare for operations at a secret base ahead of a possible mission to rescue those trapped by the fighting. At the Ministry of Defence's request, no locations of British troops already involved in the Sudan crisis are being revealed. The conflict between Russian-backed rebels and government forces has led to more than 400 deaths in the last week. In response to the crisis, the Foreign Office has advised UK citizens in Sudan to register their presence. They must provide their whereabouts, contact details and to state whether they wish to leave the country or remain there. The conflict between Russian-backed rebels and government forces in Sudan has led to more than 400 deaths in the last week The Foreign Office has advised UK citizens in Sudan to register their presence. They must provide their whereabouts, contact details and to state whether they wish to leave the country or remain there This will allow planners at Permanent Joint Headquarters (PJHQ), in Northwood, north-west London, to work out how many they may have to rescue. Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has also cut short an official visit to New Zealand to deal with the crisis. The SAS are expected to be accompanied by a company of soldiers from the Parachute Regiment. During Operation Pitting in 2021, the Paras led the effort to secure Kabul airport after the Taliban took over Afghanistan. The RAF will play a central role in any evacuation. Last night, the service was cancelling scheduled flights to other destinations so aircraft could join the airlift. British soldiers currently on exercise in Kenya were expecting to fly back to the UK. But, according to Army sources, the Coldstream Guards have been told they will have to remain in the country. There could be as many as 16,000 Americans in Sudan. The Pentagon is preparing evacuation options for U.S. diplomatic staff in Khartoum The SAS and Paras will join forces with US troops in any rescue mission, which is complicated by intense fighting around the airport in the capital Khartoum. The US is moving soldiers and equipment to the Horn of Africa nation Djibouti. Japan has also sent military planes there and Holland has sent aircraft to Jordan. READ MORE: American killed in Sudan: State Department confirms US citizen is among the dead in brutal fighting as bodies line the streets Advertisement Western countries are accelerating their responses after the failure of a ceasefire. Sudan's medical system is on the verge of collapse as hospitals run out of supplies and tens of thousands of people have fled in search of safer areas. The fighting involves the so-called Rapid Support Forces (RSF) group, which has received military training and equipment from Russian paramilitary organisation, the Wagner Group. If the RSF defeats government troops, Sudan which maintains strong ties to the UK would be in hock to the Kremlin. Sudan was under British control until the 1956 Suez crisis. Khartoum lies at the confluence of the Blue and White Niles and Sudan has significant gold reserves. Last night, the Prime Minister's spokesman said: 'We continue to be very concerned about the escalating violence in Sudan. The UK and our allies are re-urging the Sudanese leadership to restrain their troops and de-escalate to prevent further bloodshed. 'We are in contact with international partners and the UK embassy in Khartoum to help resolve this crisis and ensure the safety of diplomatic staff and British nationals.' Joe Biden on Friday praised the Supreme Court's decision to preserve access to the abortion pill mifepristone and vowed to keep fighting for women's rights - describing the pro-life cases as 'politically-driven attacks on women's health'. The case was brought before the Supreme Court after a federal judge in Texas on April 7 ruled that FDA approval of the drug was not legal. Hours later, a judge in Washington state made the opposite ruling, setting the stage for a Supreme Court decision. On Friday they voted 7-2 to continue allowing women to access the drug, which was approved by the FDA over 20 years ago and is used in more than half of all abortions in the United States. Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas dissented. 'As a result of the Supreme Court's stay, mifepristone remains available and approved for safe and effective use while we continue this fight in the courts,' said Biden. 'I continue to stand by FDA's evidence-based approval of mifepristone, and my Administration will continue to defend FDA's independent, expert authority to review, approve, and regulate a wide range of prescription drugs.' Joe Biden is seen on Friday at a White House event. He said he was pleased with the Supreme Court decision, and vowed to keep on fighting for women's access to healthcare Abortion pill mifepristone will not be banned immediately, the Supreme Court ruled on Friday evening The Supreme Court decided on Friday that the popular abortion pill mifepristone can remain widely available Biden warned that the fight was not over, and urged Americans to use their vote to choose pro-choice candidates. 'The stakes could not be higher for women across America,' he said. 'I will continue to fight politically-driven attacks on women's health. 'But let's be clear the American people must continue to use their vote as their voice, and elect a Congress who will pass a law restoring the protections of Roe v Wade.' Kamala Harris, who frequently serves as the White House's most high-profile pro-choice envoy, tweeted: 'One does not have to abandon their faith or deeply held beliefs to agree the government should not be telling a woman what to do with their own body.' Josh Shapiro, the governor of Pennsylvania, tweeted that his state was fighting to protect access to abortion. Many states had taken to stockpiling mifepristone ahead of a possible ban. 'Abortion is legal in Pennsylvania and that includes abortion using mifepristone,' he tweeted. 'The Supreme Courts decision tonight is a relief, but we know we have a long road ahead. 'As long as I serve the people of Pennsylvania, I will always protect your freedom to choose.' The decision was sparked by the April 7 ruling of Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, a Trump appointee, who found that the FDA exceeded its authority when it approved the drug back in 2000. Kacsmaryk's order was partially blocked by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, though that court imposed restrictions that would prevent mifepristone from being sent to patients by mail. The Biden administration and Danco Labs, the manufacturer of mifepristone, warned of possible wide-ranging consequences if the FDA's scientists were overruled by politicians and judges. 'If allowed to take effect, the lower courts' orders would thwart FDA's scientific judgment and undermine widespread reliance in a healthcare system that assumes the availability of mifepristone as an alternative to more burdensome and invasive surgical abortions,' Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar told the Supreme Court in a filing this week. Alliance Defending Freedom, representing opponents to the abortion pill, countered the administration's concerns amounted to a 'sky-is-falling-argument.' 'If this litigation involved any other drug, there would not even be a debate as to whether this Court should intervene mid-litigation stream with extraordinary relief,' their attorneys wrote in a filing to the court. The case has divided the nation, with more than 150 Republican lawmakers supporting the conservative plaintiffs. Democrats and leading medical associations, on the other hand, have pushed for mifepristone's continued availability. The original stay expired on Wednesday but Justice Samuel Alito extended it until Friday at midnight. The justices met for a private conference Friday, where they could talk about the issue. The challenge to mifepristone, brought by abortion foes, is the first abortion controversy to reach the nation's highest court since its conservative majority overruled Roe v. Wade 10 months ago. Since then more than a dozen states have banned abortion outright and several others have imposed heavy restrictions. Staff with the group, Progressive Anti-Abortion Uprising, Kristin Turner, of San Francisco, left, Lauren Handy, of Washington, and Caroline Smith, of Washington, right, demonstrate against abortion pills outside of the Supreme Court A new CBS News poll last week found that nearly two-thirds of the country wants mifepristone to remain available amid a fierce debate on abortion taking place throughout the country. Abortion rights is expected to be one of the dominant issues in the 2024 presidential election. In Texas abortion opponents filed a suit in November, arguing that the Food and Drug Administration's original approval of mifepristone 23 years ago and subsequent changes were flawed. They won a ruling on April 7 by U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, an appointee of former President Donald Trump, revoking FDA approval of mifepristone. The judge gave the Biden administration and New York-based Danco Laboratories, mifepristone's maker, a week to appeal and seek to keep his ruling on hold. Responding to a quick appeal, two more Trump appointees on the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the FDA's original approval would stand for now. But Judges Andrew Oldham and Kurt Englehardt said most of the rest of Kacsmaryk's ruling could take effect while the case winds through federal courts. Their ruling would effectively nullify changes made by the FDA starting in 2016, including extending from seven to 10 weeks of pregnancy when mifepristone can be safely used. The court also said that the drug cannot be mailed or dispensed as a generic and that patients who seek it need to make three in-person visits with a doctor. Women also might be required to take a higher dosage of the drug than the FDA says is necessary. The administration and Danco have said that chaos will result if those restrictions take effect while the case proceeds. Potentially adding to the confusion, a federal judge in Washington has ordered the FDA to preserve access to mifepristone under the current rules in 17 Democratic-led states and the District of Columbia that filed a separate lawsuit. Medical groups point out mifepristone has been used by millions of women over the past 23 years with a low complication rate. Common drug side effects with mifepristone include cramping, bleeding, nausea, headache and diarrhea. In rare cases, women can experience excess bleeding that requires a surgical procedure to stop. The mifepristone case is the first abortion case the nine justices are hearing since the conservative majority overturned Roe v Wade More than 5.6 million women in the U.S. had used the drug 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. For now, the Supreme Court is only being asked to block the lower-court rulings through the end of the legal case. But the administration and Danco have a fallback argument if the court doesn't agree. They are asking the court to take up the challenge to mifepristone, hear arguments and decide the case by early summer. The court only rarely takes such a step before at least one appeals court has thoroughly examined the legal issues involved. The New Orleans-based 5th circuit already has ordered an accelerated schedule for hearing the case, with arguments set for May 17. King's sense of duty will compete with inner turmoil, says astrologer Part one of a six-part Windsors horoscope for the Mail's new Royals site King Charles III will face huge inner turmoil as the reality of his new life and the pressures of the crown weigh upon him, says a leading astrologer. Warning of turbulent times ahead, Patrick Arundell tells The Mail's new Royals section that Charles is driven by generosity, duty and principle. But that these will come into major conflict with his desire for comfort, routine and privacy as the King attempts to hold the Commonwealth and United Kingdom together and embarks on the mammoth task of reforming the Monarchy. In the first instalment of an exclusive six-part Windsor horoscope series for The Mail's new Royals section, Patrick detects mighty contra-energies in the new King. The result, he says, could be an even shorter reign than many expect - perhaps with William stepping in to replace him. The Kings sense of duty will compete with his inner turmoil, he predicts. Leading astrologer Patrick Arundell has suggested that King Charles could abdicate the throne as early as next summer as the pressures of the crown weigh down on him The astrologer has suggested the abdication could happen as early as the summer of 2024, with Charles making way for his son Prince William Family strains could take their toll, says Patrick. Charles is at odds with younger brother Prince Andrew after telling the Royal Family to cut down on expenditure and live more carefully King Charles's astrological charts show he is principled, sensitive man who will face many challenges and some turbulence in his first twelve months as King Already hit by bereavement Charles must now manage deep commitments, shared resources and legacies, not least to do with the public purse or managing the estate of his late mother. It would be of absolutely no surprise if in the early Summer of 2024, Charles made way for his son William, says Patrick. Charles is currently at loggerheads with his younger brother Prince Andrew after telling the Royal Family to cut down on expenditure and live more carefully. The Mail on Sunday revealed that Charles has already threatened to slash the substantial living allowance that Andrew once received from the Royal Family and suggested his brother quit the 30-bedroom mansion, Royal Lodge, where he lives with ex-wife Sarah Ferguson. Nearby Frogmore Cottage with just five bedrooms has been proposed as an alternative but one that MailOnline understands Prince Andrew has so far been reluctant to contemplate. The Mail on Sunday also established that the entirety of Queen Elizabeth IIs estate has been passed directly to Charles, monarch to monarch, thereby avoiding death duties but leaving nothing to be passed directly to the King's siblings. The late Queen and Charles during Trooping the Colour in June 2022. The whole of her estate has been passed directly to Charles, avoiding death duties but leaving nothing for siblings In the first instalment of an exclusive ten-part??? Windsor horoscope series for Mail Royal, leading astrologer Patrick Arundell praises the new Kings energy and generosity of spirit Explaining his conclusions, which are based on astrological birth charts, Patrick writes: Uranus, the planet of surprises, rebellion, higher truths and disruption dominates the 10th public House of Charless Chart and faces his Sun on two occasions this year, the 17th of July and on the 8th October 2023, and then again on the 1st May 2024. This, and that his Progressed Midheaven (how he connects to the wider world) is currently in Gemini, will meet his Natal Uranus in a year's time, suggesting this may be a turbulent reign. This is perhaps due in part to the push for Independence by some countries, perhaps more in his desire to reform the Monarchy itself, or at a more personal level. As these energies peak, a need to be free could become profound. A SENSITIVE MAN WITH TURBULENT TIMES TO COME... OUR EXCLUSIVE READING OF KING CHARLES'S STARS By Patrick Arundell - leading astrologer The Coronation of King Charles III on 6th May 2023, is a seminal moment for him personally, for the Country, but also for the Anglican Church as he formally becomes its head. What does King Charles' Natal Birth Chart tell us, and what does his Progressed Chart, explained in the box below, show? And what do these charts suggest for how his Reign may unfold? Charles' deeper astrology shows a need for space (Aquarius) needs to co-exist with another for sense of connection (the 7th House) but Charles is a principled person at heart. Pictured: Charles leaving Westminster after the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth The other conclusion from Charles' Astrology, is how many Fixed influences he has which is to say planets or positions in the signs of Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius. Pictured: Charles and Camilla at the ceremonial welcome for South Africa's president in 2022 King Charles III's Coronation brings together a 'complex interweave' between outer public and inner private planetary domains. Pictured: Charles at the 2022 State Opening of Parliament Astrology explained: Western Tropical Astrology Western Tropical Astrology is based on the Four Seasons - sometimes known as the Cardinal Quadrants. These start with the First Point of Aries on the Vernal Equinox - around the 20th or 21st of March of each year. This is followed by Cancer from the Summer Solstice, Libra from the Autumnal Equinox and Capricorn from the Winter Solstice. The word Zodiac in Latin is Zodiacus (derived from Greek) and means the "cycle or circle of little animals" starting with the Ram for Aries, Bull for Taurus, and so on. In Western Tropical Astrology the Constellations above are symbolic. This system does not take into account the Precession of the Equinoxes, though there are other astrological techniques that do. What is a Birth Chart or Event Chart? This is the exact moment in time when someone is born or an event takes place. Because the planets are constantly moving, the make-up of a Birth Chart can change very quickly with every passing second and minute. The Birth or Event Chart reflects the positions of all the planets, not just the Sun, but also crucially, the location in each of the 12 Houses that each planet is located in. The combination of all these influences is what gives each of us such unique qualities - even if we are born on the same day or year. What is a Secondary Progressed Chart? A Progressed Chart is the evolution of the Natal or Birth Chart which for every year of our life, moves the Natal Chart forwards one day. So, for example, in King Charles case, who is 75, his Progressed Chart reflects where his Natal Chart had evolved to when he was 75 days old. This is known as the "Day per Year system and it is remarkably accurate. The Secondary Progressed Chart (as it is fully known) is how our inner journey is unfolding, and can see changes in our outlook, approach and interests, though the Natal Birth Chart remains hugely influential around our core potential and responses. The moving planets in the Sky known as Transits can influence Key Natal and Progressed Chart positions but the Progressed Chart can also influence the Natal Chart directly too. Advertisement Why? Well, a need for space (Aquarius) needs to co-exist with another for sense of connection (the 7th House). Charles is a principled person at heart, however. His Ascendant is in the Regal Leo and is very close to his mother's Moon, another piece of family synchronicity. Remarkably, Charles also shares the exact same Jupiter Opposition with Uranus aspect that his father had too. The other take away from Charles's Astrology, is how many Fixed influences he has which is to say planets or positions in the signs of Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius. All these Signs prefer the status quo and can find routines comforting and change challenging. King Charles III's Coronation brings together - with quite exquisite astrological timing and in the most extraordinary of ways - a complex interweave between his outer public and inner private planetary domains. At first glance, the outer world shows the timing of this event to be a high point in a long life of service, but also of public scrutiny. Why? Well, the moving Jupiter in the sky, the planet of benevolence, growth, optimism, fortune, spirituality and opportunity, aligns exactly with his Natal or Birth Moon position, in the sturdy and earthy sign of Taurus in the 10th House of ambition, acclaim and recognition. This gorgeous combination is certainly one that is worthy of joyful celebration for the King himself. The Moon is Exalted in Taurus (blessed by extra charm) and is boosted considerably by the fortitude of Jupiter. This creates an energy which will always be a marker of the personality of his reign - a generosity of spirit. In his inner world, however, there is a huge paradox: Charless Progressed Moon has spent the last 29 months in Capricorn - a sign that it is notably weak in. In this Progressed Moon he has also spent time in the 4th House of home, family and emotion, so heightening sensitivities still further. He is also in close alignment with Pluto, the planet of change, so maximising evolution, secrets, power and leverage. Pluto is an influence which is at the very root of the cycle of life. And during those long months, his father and mother have both died, and intense family politics have dominated the news headlines in what must have been, such a painful way. But what makes this all more remarkable, is that these intense inner planetary influences of his Progressed or Evolved Chart, clash in a searing, jarring right angle with the outer, public Chart, based on his Birth. Transiting Pluto squaring the Natal Moon, is one of the most profound planetary influences any person can possibly experience. Very deep psychological energies can be stirred, and this can lead to a rebirth, or to a complex inner conflict. In the case of King Charles this may be between doing one's duty, but also experiencing deep turmoil. King Charles III is also going through another astrological influence which last occurred 29 years ago, Saturn Opposite Saturn. The position of his Natal Uranus in a year's time suggests this may be a turbulent reign, thanks to the push for independence by some countries, his desire to reform the Monarchy itself, or at a more personal level. Pictured at the Opening of Parliament in 2017 The astrologer said Charles might experience 'deep turmoil' as he continues to battle with younger brother Prince Andrew (pictured) over cuts to family living allowances Tremendous psychological pressures can be applied, particularly around the areas that the Moon governs such as the home, emotions and family life. This could be painful but transforming. Pictured: William, Charles and Harry at the Invictus Games in 2014 Who is leading astrologer and analyst Patrick Arundell? Patrick Arundell has been a full time, professional astrologer for nearly three decades. His sharp, incisive analysis and personal consultations bring clarity and insight to a worldwide following. He was 30 million YouTube Views, 111K Subscribers and many personal clients. Please go to here to here to order your Personal Horoscope or to for a one to one consultation with Patrick. Patrick Arundell - a leading astrologer Advertisement The moving Saturn in his 8th House of deep commitments, devotion, shared resources and legacies, suggests there can be some mighty contra energies tugging at his situation, not least to do with the public purse or managing the estate of his late mother. Uranus, the planet of surprises, rebellion, higher truths and disruption, also dominates the 10th public House of his Chart and faces his Sun on two occasions this year, the 17th of July and on the 8th October 2023, and then again on the 1st May 2024. This, and that his Progressed Midheaven (how he connects to the wider world) is currently in Gemini, will meet his Natal Uranus in a year's time, suggesting this may be a turbulent reign, perhaps due in part to the push for Independence by some countries, perhaps more in his desire to reform the Monarchy itself, or at a more personal level. However, as these energies peak, a need to be free could become profound. Therefore, it would be of absolutely no surprise if in the early Summer of 2024, Charles made way for his son William. Why? Well, the angles of his Progressed Chart (his inner Evolutionary Astrology) all return to the Cardinal Points, which are the four cornerstones of Western Tropical astrology. As they do, so his Progressed Ascendant having dutifully battled through the sign of service Virgo, will emerge into Libra, and a need for inner peace and balance can become compelling, angled positively as it will be, ironically, by the moving Pluto located very early in Aquarius. You may recall King Charles has his Natal Sun-Moon Mid-Point in Aquarius, and in June 2023, his Progressed Sun Moon Mid-Point will also return to the point it was when he was born, and a cycle completes, but one that could liberate him to enjoy the interests and speak out on the things that inspire him most of all - activism around community, ecological and environmental issues. MailOnline has today launched a new Royal destination with breaking news, live coverage and exclusive stories going right to the heart of life in the Royal Family. As Britain prepares to salute King Charles III at his coronation on May 6, the MailOnline Royals site will bring you unique insights into the workings of The Firm. It will showcase the best of the Daily Mail's peerless journalists, experts and unrivalled columnists including Rebecca English, Richard Eden and Richard Kay. The Mail has been documenting the Royals since 1896, but the family has never been more fascinating than now as they move into a new era after the Queen's death. Our site will also cover fascinating historical content from the unique Mail archive and feature stories about all of the Royal households around the world. In addition, our coverage will feature lifestyle content celebrating the best of Royal fashion, beauty, real estate, and travel with a regal twist. So whether your favourite Royal is Prince William or you prefer Queen Camilla, join us at MailOnline Royals for the latest as we prepare for Charles to be crowned King. Among the stories you can read today is an exclusive and authoritative new poll for MailOnline revealing Charles is defying his critics with a strong public backing. You can also read about how Kate Middleton has transformed her make-up over the years and look back at this week in Royal history from our archives. Alongside the launch, you can now enjoy our new TikTok account DailyMail Royals which has been set up to offer all the latest Royal news and videos. The @dailymailroyals account on the platform will feature rare archive footage, original expert analysis and comprehensive coverage of foreign Royals. Danny Groom, publisher and editor of MailOnline, said today: 'Millions of readers across the globe devour our Royal coverage daily, whether it's from the House of Windsor to the Royal households of Monaco and Morocco. 'Our new Royal channel will give them access to breaking news, live events, and exclusive stories that they won't find anywhere else.' MailOnline Royals will be integrated into the global news website, complementing the Royal coverage in the Daily Mail, Mail on Sunday and The Mail+. Sean Walsh, global chief brand officer for dmg media, said: 'Daily Mail has been documenting the Royal family since 1896 and with King Charles historic coronation next month, our loyal readers will have access to the most up to date and truly global Royal news 24 hours a day, seven days a week.' www.dailymail.co.uk/royals will be staffed by teams from our newsrooms in London, New York, Los Angeles and Sydney. NASA has captured a close-up shot of its Ingenuity Mars helicopter nearly two years after its first of 50 flights on the Red Planet. The US space agency shared that its 4-pound helicopter was looking 'mighty good' -albeit a 'little dustier' - as it perched on the rocky surface. Ingenuity took its historic 50th flight on April 13, travelling 1,057.09ft (322.2m) in just under three minutes. It reached a record altitude of 59ft (18m) before descending into the Red Planet's Belva Crater, which stretches for about half a mile. The photograph was snapped by NASA's Perseverance rover which also touched down on Mars two years ago as part of a mission to search for signs of alien life. Pictured: NASA's Ingenuity helicopter took its 50th flight on April 13, lasting three minutes This week, the team tweeted: 'Got a closer look at the #MarsHelicopter than Ive had in quite a while. Ingenuity is a little dustier since its first flight two years ago today (!!) but its looking mighty good after 50 flights!' INGENUITY QUICK FACTS: Launch: July 30, 2020 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida US Landed: February 18, 2021 at Jezero Crater, Mars Task: It was initially a technology demonstration to test the first powered flight on Mars. But this has since transitioned into an operations demonstration. 5Oth flight: April 13, 2023 - travelling 1,057.09ft (322.2m) in just under three minutes Advertisement The ground-breaking helicopter marked history on April 19 2021 as it carried out the first flight on another world, launching 10ft into the sky. NASA originally thought that Ingenuity would fly just five times, but it is now 23 Earth months and 45 flights beyond its expected lifetime. As a result, the helicopter has become central to Mars exploration with a current flight time of 89 minutes, covering more than 7.1miles (11.6 kilometers). Ingenuity team lead at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), Teddy Tzanetos said: 'When we first flew, we thought we would be incredibly lucky to eke out five flights. '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.' Cleverly designed by engineers, Ingenuity has the ability to make its own decisions in real time and is fitted with computers and navigation sensors. It is also equipped with a solar panel on top of its rotor system, allowing the helicopter to self-charge its six lithium-ion batteries and keep on exploring. During its two-year course, Ingenuity has shown engineers how helpful aircraft can be in assisting planetary expeditions. The helicopter has been used to inspire designs for potential future Mars helicopters too, at a time when space teams around the world are eager to head for the Red Planet. NASA's helicopter is now 23 Earth months and 45 flights beyond its expected lifetime Meanwhile, NASA's Perseverance rover seeks to collect Martian rock and sediment samples that can be analysed by scientists back on Earth. This is expected to take place no sooner than 2033, and will mark another historic milestone of the first rocket to ever launch from another planet. During 2023, Ingenuity has battled against the deep chill of winter and regional dust events as its made its way out of the Jezero Crater. Harsh conditions now lie ahead for the helicopter, as it ventures into rugged and unknown terrain that poses a risk of potential hazards. 'We are not in Martian Kansas anymore,' said Josh Anderson, Ingenuity operations lead at NASA's JPL in Southern California. Both the Perseverance rover and Ingenuity touched down on the Red Planet two years ago Pictured: NASA's Perseverance Mars rover taking a selfie over a rock nicknamed 'Rochette' 'Were flying over the dried-up remnants of an ancient river that is filled with sand dunes, boulders, and rocks, and surrounded by hills that could have us for lunch. And while we recently upgraded the navigation software onboard to help determine safe airfields, every flight is still a white-knuckler.' With Ingenuity battling the elements, NASA has acknowledged that the mission must eventually come to an end. The helicopter - appearing 'a little dustier' than before - has also shown some signs of wear amidst the fierce terrain. It has suffered numerous power blackouts too, with one lasting for two weeks in October 2021 as a result of the Red Planet's position in space. Mr Tzanetos added: '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.' Aerospace giant Airbus has revealed designs for a futuristic three-deck space station with cozy living quarters and even a greenhouse. The 26ft-wide concept is billed as being more spacious than existing stations and could be launched within the next decade. Designed for a four-person crew, the 'LOOP' module hosts three floors including a habitation deck and a science deck that are connected by a central tunnel. The final floor is set to be a centrifuge that creates Earth-like gravitational conditions - reducing the stress of weightlessness on the human body. A three-storey column will mark the centre of the station's structure, acting as a greenhouse for growing crops. The future? Aerospace giant Airbus has revealed designs for a three-deck space station with cozy living quarters and even a greenhouse Pictured: The LOOP module is to host a comfortable habitation desk for its crew AIRBUS SPACE STATION: KEY FACTS 26ft-wide with three floors Hosts a habitation deck, a science deck and a centrifuge that simulates Earth-like gravitational conditions Rigid outer exterior to protect astronauts from external influences Designed to fit super-heavy launchers as seen on SpaceX's Starship Suited for a four-person crew but can temporarily host eight people Hosts a three-storey-tall greenhouse structure at its centre Suited to be used as a space station or even for commercial and institutional purposes Advertisement This is an extension of what is currently available on the International Space Station (ISS), where astronauts have grown vegetables such as radishes for dinner. Airbus' plans are designed to be compatible with the upcoming generation of super-heavy launchers - set to be the tallest and most powerful rockets to one day take humans to space. Among these is SpaceX's Starship, which yesterday exploded during its maiden orbital test flight. The vehicle is central to Elon Musk's vision of one day landing humans on Mars. Airbus' 'LOOP' design also comes at a time when the ISS continues to be used well beyond its initial 15-year lifetime. The iconic observatory has acted as the largest modular space station for 35 years and is expected to deorbit in 2030. In a statement, Airbus said: 'Coupling an extensive experience in human spaceflight with the ingenuity and innovative spirit of its teams, Airbus is ready to take the next step towards the Space Station of the future: With the Airbus LOOP, a multi-purpose orbital module.' The aerospace giant also said that the module could be used for 'commercial or institutional' purposes in future as well as a post-ISS use. A three-storey column will mark the centre of the station's structure, acting as a greenhouse Airbus designs for a futuristic space station that could be launched within a decade (pictured left). The International Space Station (right) has now outlived its 15-year lifetime Airbus' designs are to be compatible with the upcoming generation of super-heavy launchers. This includes rockets like SpaceX's Starship - set to be the most powerful rocket to launch humans into space The LOOP module is designed to host four people but can accommodate eight at a time The aerospace giant also said that the module could be used for 'commercial or institutional' purposes in future Although it is designed to host four people, the station could temporarily host eight astronauts at a time. It will also be completely operational once in orbit and protected thanks to its rigid outer shell. Airbus added: 'The Airbus LOOP is designed to make long-term stays in Space comfortable and enjoyable for its inhabitants, while supporting efficient and sustainable operations at the same time. 'It builds on everything that has been learnt over the decades and fully exploits the potential of tomorrows technologies in order to best support humanitys future in Space: In Low-Earth or Lunar Orbit, or on long-term missions to Mars.' No snow was left in the Alps last summer for the first time in history, according to a damning new report. Scientists warn that European glacier melt has been 'off the charts' during the past few years, in the midst of worsening climate change. The Swiss Alps lost six per cent of its glacier volume between 2021 and last year, intensified by heatwaves, lack of snow and gusts of Saharan dust. Experts also recorded a temperature of 0C at a record-breaking height of 5,000m - occurring for the first time in almost 70 years. Ahead of the report's release, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stressed that 'we must pick up the pace' and act rapidly to mitigate against the issues of global warming. Record-breaking temperatures were recorded at the European range in 2022 (file picture) He said: 'We have the tools, the knowledge, and the solutions. But we must pick up the pace. We need accelerated climate action with deeper, faster emissions cuts to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degree Celsius. READ MORE: Europe endured the hottest summer on record and the second warmest year EVER in 2022 High temperatures and low rainfall encouraged droughts across Europe in 2022. Pictured: Firefighters in a burning forest in La Teste de Buch, southwestern France last year Advertisement 'We also need massively scaled-up investments in adaptation and resilience, particularly for the most vulnerable countries and communities who have done the least to cause the crisis.' The State of the Global Climate 2022, released today, revealed that the past eight years have been the hottest on record globally, while in Europe records have been shattered in terms of glacier melt. The European mountain range is famously covered in a blanket of snow for the majority of the year, attracting skiers and snowboarders across the world. But the stark effects of climate change saw this blanket disappear altogether, as snow melt kickstarted one month earlier than usual in 2022. When Saharan dust blew onto the mountain range last March, this melt sped up even further as the reflection of solar energy was limited. Blair Trewin at the World Meteorological Organisation told The Times: 'It was quite a dry winter, so the amount of snow that accumulated during the winter was less than usual, and then there was a very consistently hot summer. So you had more rapid melt than usual.' Other research from the past year has also shown that vegetation above its tree line has increased across nearly 80 per cent of the Alps during the last 38 years. This came as snow cover had decreased significantly in almost 10 per cent of the area measured. Lack of snow cover was worsened by heat waves and gusts of Saharan dust (file image) Satellite images reveal how the Alps are becoming greener amid rising temperatures However, the Alps were by no means an anomaly, with glaciers in North America, South America and parts of the Arctic experiencing substantial glacier loss too. Meanwhile, other regions of Europe grappled with fierce wildfires and severe heat stress as the continent endured its hottest summer on record. Arctic sea-ice was below the 19912020 average for most of 2022, while Antarctic sea ice also dipped to a record low. Africa's drought displaced more than 1.7 million people in Somalia and Ethiopia, while Pakistan's devastating flooding displaced about eight million people. WMO Secretary-General Professor Petteri Taalas added: 'At the moment about one hundred countries do not have adequate weather services in place. Achieving this ambitious task requires improvement of observation networks, investments in early warning, hydrological and climate service capacities.' She stayed at the hotel that hosted the Queen for her 80th birthday celebrations There are plenty of places in England where you can immerse yourself in Royal history from the grandeur of Buckingham Palace to the splendour of Windsor Castle. But if you really want to understand the Family in the past and present youll need to look further north. For in this Coronation year, you may find it is in Scotland where the majesty of the monarchy comes alive. From the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, where Queen Elizabeth IIs coffin lay after she died at Balmoral, to the Cairngorms picnic spots of the late Queen Mother and the Highland boltholes of Queen Victoria, it feels as if every nook and cranny reveals something new about the Royals. Youll even find Princess Dianas honeymoon bed in Scotland on board the Royal Yacht Britannia. Now decommissioned, the yacht is a floating, faithfully preserved museum on the Edinburgh waterfront. So it makes sense that Pride of Britain Hotels have put together a Coronation Concierge package that takes you from afternoon tea at the Goring Hotel by Buckingham Palace on to a luxury Scottish journey of Royal exploration. And the regal connection is not confined to the past. Kate Mansey immersed herself in Royal history on a tour of Scotland, beginning her trip with a stay at Prestonfield House (pictured right) in Edinburgh. The hotel hosted the Queen during her 80th birthday celebrations Above is King Charles during a reception at Prestonfield House The King was walking down here just a few weeks ago and stopped for a chat, says tour guide Simon Blackett of Yellow Welly tours, who has lived in the area for 30 years. He wanted to know what colour we were going to paint Braemar Castle when it was renovated. We see a lot of His Majesty around here. Here is the town of Braemar, site of the Highland Games, nine miles from the Royal Familys Balmoral estate. Nestled in the stunning scenery of the area, whose connections have earned it the name Royal Deeside, our hotel for one night will be the Fife Arms. The rooms are exquisite and the walls of the lobby and lounge adorned with works by Picasso. Roaring fires and award-winning chefs combine to make you feel as if youre right at home and far away in a luxury parallel universe. No wonder it attracts a certain type of clientele. Dame Judi Dench played the hotels grand piano on New Years Eve as Sharleen Spiteri sang Abba. King Charles is said to be a frequent visitor to the town of Braemar (above), which lies nine miles from the Royal Familys Balmoral estate Kate checked into the Fife Arms hotel (pictured) in Braemar. 'Guests can sample some of the Kings favourite drams in Berties Whisky Bar, where rare bottles line the walls,' she reveals 'Roaring fires and award-winning chefs combine to make you feel as if youre right at home and far away in a luxury parallel universe,' Kate says of the Fife Arms Guests can sample some of the Kings favourite drams in Berties Whisky Bar, where rare bottles line the walls. But Im jumping ahead. Our break started with a Coronation Afternoon Tea at The Goring hotel in London, before we boarded a train to Edinburgh first class, naturally. If youre going to understand the Royals, you should be treated like one. From Edinburgh station its a seven-minute taxi to our first stay, at the magnificent Prestonfield House, which hosted the Queen during her 80th birthday celebrations. To celebrate the Coronation, a new cocktail has appeared on the menu, the Royal Warrant, which contains orange bitters and Lochnagar whisky. Kate went aboard the Fingal, a ship that once roved the Scottish coastline delivering supplies to remote lighthouse keepers TRAVEL FACTS Kate Mansey was a guest of Pride of Britain Hotels (pobhotels.com/coronation-concierge). The Coronation Afternoon Tea at the Goring is 75pp, available from April 24 to May 8, with a glass of Bollinger champagne (thegoring.com/coronation). B&B at Prestonfield House is from 375 per room (prestonfieldhouse.com). A stay on Fingal for the Coronation Package costs from 530, based on two people sharing (fingal.co.uk/packages-and-offers/the-coronation). B&B at the Fife Arms from 460 (thefifearms.com). Advertisement James Thomson has lovingly restored the hotel and his team can arrange for classic cars to whisk you to Holyroodhouse, where an audio headset uses recordings from the King, Princess Anne and Prince Edward to guide you around. After a restful night, we went aboard the Fingal, a ship that once roved the Scottish coastline delivering supplies to remote lighthouse keepers. Permanently moored, she now has a new mission as a five-star romantic getaway. It is run by the same team as the Royal Yacht Britannia, which is just a few minutes drive away and makes for a fascinating day out. On board the yacht which Her Majesty called home, its a joy to discover that personal effects of the family are still here; from the photographs to a telephone system still bearing the names Queen and Duke. After the stay at the Fife Arms, our three nights away were up, and I understood why Elizabeth II loved Scotland so much. But perhaps another Queen expressed it best. Victoria wrote: I am so sad at thinking of leaving this charming place and the quiet, liberty and the pure air we have enjoyed. The action life we have been leading, peculiar in its way, has been so delightful. A biracial foreigner marrying a British royal who then finds herself hemmed in by what she is and is not allowed to do and say? Thankfully Netflixs latest show, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, a prequel that explores the love story between King George III and his wife, comes with the warning that its fiction inspired by fact to avoid any confusion. The six-part series is inspired not only by real events from the 1760s, but also by George and Charlottes modern descendants, and it feels particularly relevant as we head towards the coronation. Its a reminder of the timeless struggles of the monarchy, but the world depicted is sheer Bridgerton a delightfully frothy mix of romance, outrageous fashion and sumptuous homes. Ive always been obsessed with Queen Charlotte, she is a fascinating character, says Shonda Rhimes, the Bridgerton producer who has written this new series. Netflix's new six-part series Queen Charlotte is inspired not only by real events from the 1760s, but also by George and Charlottes modern descendants, and it feels particularly relevant as we head towards the coronation. Pictured: India Amarteifio as Young Queen Charlotte The deliciously gossipy and imperious Queen Charlotte wasnt actually featured in Julia Quinns original Bridgerton books, but she became a major part of the hugely successful Netflix series as she presided over The Ton, as the cream of 18th-century high society is called in the show. We are very clear that although its about Queen Charlotte, a real historical figure, this is not a history lesson, adds Shonda. I am telling the story of Queen Charlotte of Bridgerton, not Queen Charlotte of England. 'Youre going to see the story of a woman who hasnt come into her own power yet, versus the real command that the Queen Charlotte of Bridgerton times has. Its thrilling to watch. Charlotte says, Let him be mad, if mad is what he needs. Shes Georges comfort, she can help him - India Amarteifio (Charlotte) The story starts with German princess Charlotte (India Amarteifio) on the way to meet her betrothed, King George III (Corey Mylchreest). She isnt happy because she was hoping to marry for love and she attempts to run away. But when she and George meet theres an immediate attraction although just as quickly Charlotte realises that all is not well with George. Its a reminder of the timeless struggles of the monarchy, but the world depicted is sheer Bridgerton a delightfully frothy mix of romance, outrageous fashion and sumptuous homes. Pictured; Golda Rosheuvel as adult Queen Charlotte Charlotte thought George would be a really old man but hes this really cool guy and hes calming and trustworthy in the beginning and everythings great, says India, who first found fame as Roz Huntleys daughter in Line Of Duty. But then things start to fall apart. The traditional Bridgerton theme of true love conquering all is ramped up as the brutal reality of Georges mental health issues comes to the fore. Im really happy that we get to explore something serious in a respectful way, says India. Georges mental state is unknown because there wasnt as much knowledge about medical science in that era, and a few scenes felt very heavy. 'From Charlottes point of view, theres miscommunication in their relationship, but they do share an unconditional love. Theres one sentence, Let him be mad, if mad is what he needs, that sums it up shes his comfort and she knows she can help him. The series takes place over two timelines. The first follows the young Charlotte and Bridgerton favourites Lady Agatha Danbury and Lady Violet Bridgerton as they fall in love and navigate politics and sometimes difficult marriages. The second timeline takes place at the point the Bridgerton series has now reached, with Golda Rosheuvel, Adjoa Andoh and Ruth Gemmell all reprising their roles as Queen Charlotte, Lady Danbury and Violet respectively, and Charlotte calls in Violet to help her to get her errant children to marry and procreate to ensure her legacy. Agatha teaches Charlotte what she needs to know, both in bed and in the world theyre living in - Shonda Rhimes (Writer) In real life, George and Charlottes 15 children sired many illegitimate babies, but there wasnt a surviving legal heir among them until Prince Edward, the Duke of Kent, married Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld and had a daughter who would become Queen Victoria. Of course, this being a Bridgerton prequel, theres plenty of sex, and Golda Rosheuvel has said its a more intimate show than the rest of the franchise. The young Charlotte is completely naive and has to be shown whats expected of her with a series of racy drawings made by Agatha, the young Lady Danbury, whose overweight husband is sex-obsessed. Charlotte cant wait to put the drawings into action. Agatha is vital to Charlotte and Georges relationship, Shonda says. A lot of the moments between them wouldnt have happened without her. She teaches Charlotte what she needs to know, both in bed and in the world theyre living in. Of course, this being a Bridgerton prequel, theres plenty of sex, and Golda Rosheuvel has said its a more intimate show than the rest of the franchise Shonda took advice from Polly Putnam, a curator at the Historic Royal Palaces, when deciding which facts to include in the story and what to embellish. One of the historical facts I decided to keep in the show was that King George was a farmer, says Shonda. They called him Farmer George back then, and Farmer King. Theres also the idea that hes very into astronomy. He really did build one of the first observatories of its kind. And we took a few liberties with Queen Charlottes baby race to get one of her 15 children to produce an heir. In one huge swerve from fact, Shonda also introduces the idea of the Great Experiment, which explains the multiracial world of Bridgerton. The idea is that when Charlotte (who in real life is said to have had a mixed cultural heritage mainly because her physician described her as having a true mulatto face) turns up at court and is obviously dark, the Kings mother Princess Augusta (Game Of Thrones Michelle Fairley) suggests it was always part of the plan to create a tranche of black nobles. The Great Experiment is one of the big things I wanted to explore, says Shonda. We talk about how Queen Charlotte and King George make this new England possible, a completely integrated society where everybodys got titles. I wanted to show that this society we know so well in Bridgerton was, at one point, an experiment. To prepare to play George in his first big TV role, Corey Mylchreest looked hard at the real history of one of the most enigmatic characters in British royal history. Most crucially for me, 20,000 pages of his personal papers were released in 2017 for the first time since his death, he says. The historical view of King George III was immediately turned on its head. He was previously thought to have been quite power-hungry and autocratic, but he was actually incredibly empathetic, warm-spirited and interested in bettering the lives of the people. A man who has been labelled horrible was probably our best king. He was highly intelligent and very self-aware, and very interested in science and agriculture. But this was also a man who knew his own flaws and he was constantly searching for ways to better himself and better serve his people. As with Bridgerton, the show is a visual delight. Costume designers Lyn Elizabeth Paolo and Laura Frecon created 1760s-style undergarments for the cast, and then let their imaginations run riot. Our pitch to Shonda was that we were going to do a catwalk show, says Lyn Elizabeth. This is our vision of what would happen if Vogues Anna Wintour said, OK, next years theme is going to be the 1760s! They focused on Diors New Look, which was said to have been inspired by Georgian fashion, and even had Dior shoemaker Roger Vivier create footwear for the young Queen. One of Charlottes wigs, meanwhile, stands at a whopping 27in. Blenheim Palace doubles for Buckingham House, the home of the King and Queen (the real-life George and Charlotte are said to have been inspired by Blenheim when they revamped Buckingham House). Other historic houses used as locations include Belton House in Lincolnshire, which stood in for Kew Palace. The royal wedding was filmed at Merton College in Oxford, and a replica of the real bed Queen Charlotte slept in at Buckingham House was made: it had three to four mattresses and she needed steps to get into it. But for Shonda Rhimes, at heart this is a love story. The most important thing I want people to take away from this series is that this is what happens with real love, she says. Love is hard, it has many layers, and marriages can be complex. But the idea of the happy ending doesnt have to be the obvious one. Missing Line Of Duty, that thrilling fix of high-level corruption and those determined to root it out? Then ITVs tense new medical drama Malpractice, about a potentially dodgy doctor, might just be for you. The gripping five-part series focuses on Dr Lucinda Edwards, whos being investigated by fellow doctors after a patient on her watch dies from an opioid overdose. She appears to have the perfect defence though, because partway through the treatment of Edith Owusu in her West Yorkshire A&E department, a gunman bursts in dragging a man covered in blood. Lucinda, played by Irish actress Niamh Algar, calmly makes the man put down his firearm but crucial time is lost and Edith dies. No case to answer, you might think, just one of those unfortunate incidents that occur during any hectic shift in a busy A&E. The gripping five-part series focuses on Dr Lucinda Edwards, whos being investigated by fellow doctors after a patient on her watch dies from an opioid overdose Apparently not. The Medical Investigation Unit inquiry, led by Dr Norma Callahan (Helen Behan) with Dr George Adjei (Jordan Kouame) assisting, takes a rather different view of what happened on that night, with potentially serious implications for Dr Edwards. The series has obvious similarities to Line Of Duty, not only because its been made by World Productions, the company behind Jed Mercurios ratings juggernaut, but also because Dr Callahan is the medical worlds answer to Line Of Duty character Ted Hastings. Its Saline Of Duty, laughs Malpractices executive producer Simon Heath. When I was a trainee doctor, a man came into A&E dragging two bodies covered in blood' Ive always liked the idea of a drama about a doctor investigating another doctor because the latter will know where the bodies are buried. We wanted to keep some distance between the two shows, but the DNA of Malpractice the fact that its a thriller about a singular character under investigation and sees doctors butting heads with other doctors definitely invites parallels. If the series is as successful as its stablemate, then much of the credit will go to former NHS doctor Grace Ofori-Attah who has created and written the show by tapping deep into her NHS background. Pictured: JORDAN KOUAME as Dr George Brewin and HELEN BEHAN as Dr Norma Callahan She actually carried out or observed many of the surgical procedures that take place in the drama and, although shes never been investigated herself, was around when several of her colleagues faced a grilling from the General Medical Council. Not all of them returned. The A&E incident is based on an experience Grace had when she was a trainee. The man didnt have a gun but he was dragging two bodies covered in blood, she recalls. It was my first time with bone cutters to cut open the chest and massage the heart as we fought to save the people whod been brought in. It was scary. Even more frightening was an incident that occurred while Grace was writing the show. I heard a commotion outside my flat, and saw a young man had been shot and was in danger of losing his life; I treated him until the air ambulance arrived. The experience was fresh in my mind when I went back to writing. Just like Line Of Duty, in which Ted Hastingss anti-corruption unit AC-12 is full of bad apples, its not immediately apparent who the villains are. The A&E incident is based on an experience Grace had when she was a trainee. The gunman (Shaun Fagan) bursts into Dr Edwardss A&E department Dr Callahan seems keen to find holes in Dr Edwardss story, but does she have a vendetta against her? Why did Lucinda alter Ediths case notes, and does the GP who supplied the drugs that killed her have a case to answer? Niamh Algar, who played undercover officer Lizzie James in Deceit, the drama about the honeytrap sting on Colin Stagg after Rachel Nickells murder, shadowed consultants in a London A&E for her role. But to prepare for the surgical scenes she sought help closer to home. I practised on oranges with my sister Jennifer, she laughs. Shes a vet and we cut them open and stitched them up, which is what she did in training. I hope it helps make the character believable and that I do the medical profession justice. Ive always wanted to play a superhero, and appearing as a doctor is as close as Ive got. Chinese FM meets Gambian counterpart Xinhua) 16:51, April 21, 2023 SHANGHAI, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang on Friday met in Shanghai with Gambian Foreign Minister Mamadou Tangara, who came to China to attend the Lanting Forum on Chinese Modernization and the World and paid a visit to the country. Noting China is advancing the process of Chinese modernization, Qin said it will bring greater development opportunities to the international community, including Gambia. China is willing to strengthen exchanges with Gambia at all levels and in governance, and continue to provide support to Gambia's economic and social development within its capacity, Qin added. "I have just visited Xinjiang and witnessed its beauty with my own eyes," said Tangara, adding that Gambia will continue to firmly adhere to the one-China policy and firmly support China's position on issues related to Taiwan and Xinjiang. Tangara said Gambia appreciates the Chinese government's people-centered governance philosophy and hopes to deepen and expand exchanges and cooperation with China in various fields. Gambia supports the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative, which are all proposed by China, and supports China's continued development, Tangara added. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan) Ambassador Indrarathna extended an invitation to Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs to visit Sri Lanka this year. Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have always enjoyed a cordial relationship based on mutual respect and understanding. Recently, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the UAE, Udaya Indrarathna, met with Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the UAE, to discuss ways to enhance the friendly relations between the two countries to the next level. The meeting, which took place on 11 April 2023 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the UAE, was an opportunity for Ambassador Indrarathna to extend greetings from Ranil Wickremesinghe, President of Sri Lanka. During the meeting, Ambassador Indrarathna briefed Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan about the steady development of Sri Lanka under the leadership of the President. Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the UAE, Udaya Indrarathna, met with Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the UAE [Photo Credit: Embassy of Sri Lanka in the United Arab Emirates] The discussions mainly focused on avenues to further enhance the friendly relations between Sri Lanka and the UAE. Reflecting his commendable vision to endure mutually beneficial ties between our two nations, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan offered to assist Sri Lanka in various fields, including the development of energy and tourism sectors of Sri Lanka. This will open up new opportunities for bilateral collaborations that will yield immense benefits to both Sri Lanka and the UAE in the coming years. Furthermore, Ambassador Indrarathna extended an invitation to Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs to visit Sri Lanka this year. This visit will further strengthen the bilateral ties between the two countries and allow for more opportunities for cooperation in various fields. Reiterating Sri Lankas special relationship with the UAE, Ambassador Indrarathna acknowledged the warm friendship, hospitality, peace, and harmony extended by the UAE and its friendly people towards more than 300,000 Sri Lankans working and residing in the UAE. The Ambassador also informed that the UAE stands among the best and happiest countries for Sri Lankans to live and work. The meeting with Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan holds a significant place in enhancing Sri Lanka-UAE bilateral relations. The outcome of the discussions will undoubtedly pave the way for greater cooperation between the two nations in the years to come. Melanie Lynskey was just a teenager when she made her feature film debut in director Peter Jackson's 1994 thriller Heavenly Creatures, where she bonded with her co-star, Kate Winslet. Both Lynskey, 45, and Winslet, 47, earned rave reviews for their performances as two teenage girls whose intense friendship leads their parents to separate them... leading to the girls taking revenge, though Winslet and Lynskey's careers took different paths. While Lynskey took roles in films like Ever After and Detroit Rock City, Winslet went on to star in Sense and Sensibility, Hamlet and the global blockbuster Titanic in the three years after Heavenly Creatures. Lynskey was promoting the new season of Showtime's Yellowjackets, which debuted in late March, on Josh Horowitz's Happy Sad Confused podcast, when she opened up on losing touch with Winslet. While she revealed nothing happened between them to cause the friendship to end, it was still 'heartbreaking.' Co-stars: Melanie Lynskey was just a teenager when she made her feature film debut in director Peter Jackson's 1994 thriller Heavenly Creatures, where she bonded with her co-star, Kate Winslet Podcast: Lynskey was promoting the new season of Showtime's Yellowjackets , which debuted in late March, on Josh Horowitz's Happy Sad Confused podcast, when she opened up on losing touch with Winslet 'When I lost touch with Kate, it was more heartbreaking than some breakups that I've had,' Lynskey revealed. 'It was so painful and it wasn't like anything happened, it's just she became a gigantic, international movie star and she didn't have a lot of time and then, suddenly, she'd be in Los Angeles and not have time,' she added. She said that them losing touch, 'gradually happened,' adding, 'It happens in relationships. People kind of drift apart, but that was so painful for me.' Lynskey said it happened on another movie she did, where she thought she formed a close bond with an unspecified actor... only to learn otherwise. 'I did this movie with this actor and when we were finished I said, "Oh my gosh, I'm just so happy that I met you and we have this friendship," and she said, "Yeah, I'm not friends with actors. I don't stay friends with actors,"' Lynskey said. 'And I was just like, 'What?" I was so shocked by it,' Lynskey said, acknowledging that the other person was, 'someone who had been working longer than me.' The other actress subscribed to the notion that, 'We move on and this is just a couple of months of our life.' 'I was so sensitive. I was always so injured by losing these great loves I was having,' Lynskey said, adding, 'It got easier.' Heartbroken: 'When I lost touch with Kate, it was more heartbreaking than some breakups that I've had,' Lynskey revealed Painful: 'It was so painful and it wasn't like anything happened, it's just she became a gigantic, international movie star and she didn't have a lot of time and then, suddenly, she'd be in Los Angeles and not have time,' she added As for Winslet, she said the last time she saw her was at the premiere for her 2009 film Away We Go, which was directed by Winslet's husband at the time, Sam Mendes. Despite losing touch, Lynskey said Winslet was a, 'huge inspiration' for her after seeing how she handled being body shamed when she was younger. 'I know she's a very, very confident person, but everyone's sensitive and she's very sensitive,' Lynskey said. She added, 'And the way she was dissected and talked about I remember at the time being so furious on her behalf.' 'Especially because Kate Winslet is now in the world. Kate Winslet is doing movies. And you're getting to witness that talent and those performances this is an actor who comes along once in a generation. Just focus on that!' the actress continued. 'It infuriated me so much and I just was always amazed by how gracefully she handled all of that. It was always really impressive,' Lynskey said. Lynskey will next be seen in the TV series The Tattooist of Auschwitz, based on the true story of Lale Sokolov, a Jewish prisoner responsible for tattooing the ID numbers on prisoners arms' at Auschwitz. Winslet recently reunited with her Titanic director James Cameron with Avatar: The Way of Water. Last time: As for Winslet, she said the last time she saw her was at the premiere for her 2009 film Away We Go, which was directed by Winslet's husband at the time, Sam Mendes Elliot Grainge is set to marry Lionel Richie's daughter Sofia Richie in the South of France in front of a hoard of celebrity guests this weekend. And ahead of the nuptials, the CEO of 10K Projects shared some rare insight into his relationship with the model, 24, in an interview with the Los Angeles Times. The outlet wondered how Elliot, who is notoriously private, found himself romantically involved with a social media influencer like Sofia. 'You can't help who you fall in love with,' joked the music exec. 'I really try and keep the profile as low as possible.' And instead of extravagant trips and fine dining, Elliot's 'happy place' is when he's kicking back at home in Los Angeles with his wife-to-be. Wedding bells! Elliot Grainge is set to marry Lionel Richie's daughter Sofia Richie in the South of France in front of a hoard of celebrity guests this weekend; seen in January Opening up: And ahead of the nuptials, the CEO of 10K Projects shared some rare insight into his relationship with the model, 24, in an interview with the Los Angeles Times 'My happy place is with my girl on the couch binging a TV series where we argue about which episode we're on,' he said. Elliot - who is the son of Universal Music Group bigwig, Lucian Grainge - added that he actually has 'a very limited number of very close friends' in his circle. Though life may be perfect at the couple's $27million Brentwood mansion, Sofia and Elliot have chosen to tie the knot on the other side of the globe. The pair arrived in the South of France earlier this week. Sofia shared a snap from a plane as she flew over the beautiful turquoise water of the Mediterranean Sea. The star later took to her Instagram Story to repost pictures captioned with the bride and groom emojis by her friends, suggesting the wedding is taking place in the South of France. Sofia also reposted a number of photos posted by her friends who were with them on the trip. Many of her pals captioned the pictures: 'Here we go!', along with the same bride and groom emojis. Since then, Sofia and Elliot have been seen celebrating on land and in the water surrounding the European country with their wedding crew. Celebrity guests like Cameron Diaz and Benji Madden were captured arriving to the location on Thursday. Sofia and Elliot started out as friends before taking their relationship to a romantic level in 2021 following her split from Scott Disick, 39. He popped the question in April 2022. Earlier this month, Sofia revealed that she'd officially converted to Judaism ahead of of her wedding to Elliot, who is Jewish. Sofia was raised as a Christian and spent two years at a Christian school, Oaks Christian. Sofia called the conversion 'one of the greatest experiences of my life.' 'My happy place is with my girl on the couch binging a TV series where we argue about which episode we're on,' he said Love story: Sofia and Elliot started out as friends before taking their relationship to a romantic level in 2021 following her split from Scott Disick, 39 Engaged! He popped the question in April 2022 Converted: Earlier this month, Sofia revealed that she'd officially converted to Judaism ahead of of her wedding to Elliot, who is Jewish Destination wedding: Though life may be perfect at the couple's $27million Brentwood mansion, Sofia and Elliot have chosen to tie the knot on the other side of the globe Lionel has had nothing but kind things to say about his daughter's future husband. He told Access Hollywood last year that he's 'so happy' for the couple and that he's also known Elliot a long time through his father Lucian. 'I love Elliot, I've known him since he was 12,' Lionel gushed. 'It was one of those things where I don't have to go back and check out the kid. I know who it is.' The 73-year-old hitmaker also revealed that Elliot had asked for permission to marry his daughter. Noel Gallagher cracked a cheeky joke about the type of women he wants to meet on tour during an appearance on Radio 2 on Thursday. The Oasis star, 55, announced he had split from his wife Sara MacDonald in January after 12 years of marriage. And this week, newly-single Noel made a lighthearted quip about meeting 'perky nannas' on tour while co-hosting The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show. He appeared on the radio show to unveil his new single Council Skies when host Zoe Ball presented him with his favourite Australian sweet, a Perky Nana. But Zoe, 52, admitted she was confused about how to pronounce the name of the banana-flavoured chewy treat, saying: 'I thought this was called a perky nanna.' Amusing: Noel Gallagher cracked a cheeky joke about the type of women he wants to meet on tour during an appearance on Radio 2 on Thursday According to The Sun, Noel comedically replied: 'A perky nanna? I'm hoping to meet a few of those on tour if I'm being honest.' Noel is gearing up to release his new album Council Skies on June 2 and revealed he has already sent the music to his beloved mother Peggy for her seal of approval. He shared: 'People are saying it's my best record. Well, my mum is. Can we put that on the ad?' His new single Dead To The World reportedly alludes to his split from his ex-wife Sara with emotional lyrics about 'letting go' and love 'not being enough'. Noel sings in the single: 'It's time to let go, I'm bent over backwards, I'm so tired. 'Let these be my last words: If love ain't enough to make it alright, leave me dead to the world.' Noel and Sara's split was revealed back in mid January and he is said to have moved out of their 8million South Downs mansion in Hampshire. It has prompted fans to wonder if the Oasis brothers will heal their feud and reform after Liam previously claimed Sara was the one stopping them reunite. Break-up: The Oasis star, 55, announced he had split from his wife Sara MacDonald (pictured in October 2019) in January after 12 years of marriage A spokesperson for Noel and Sara confirmed the split to MailOnline at the time with a joint statement, sharing: 'Noel Gallagher and Sara Macdonald has confirmed that the couple are to divorce. 'Noel and Sara will together continue to look after their children who remain their priority. Noel and Sara ask the media to respect their privacy and that of our family at this time.' Noel and Sara are parents to two sons, Donovan, 15, and Sonny, 12. He is also a father to his daughter Anais, 22, from his previous relationship with ex-wife Meg Mathews. The couple met back in 2000 at an Ibiza club named Space - a year before his divorce from his first wife Meg, who he was married to for four years. Noel and Meg were notorious for a party-hard lifestyle as they lived it up during rowdy nights with Kate and Sadie Frost. Following their split, it was reported the rocker had an affair with Sara during his relationship with Meg. But Noel and Sara have strongly denied the claim, with the star releasing a statement in 2001 which shared that he didn't cheat and 'left Meg because I could no longer tolerate her behaviour'. Split: Noel's new single Dead To The World reportedly alludes to his split from his ex-wife Sara (pictured in 2018) with emotional lyrics about 'letting go' and love 'not being enough' Noel and Sara tied the knot in 2011 in a 60,000 ceremony at the Lime Wood Hotel in the New Forest, with guests including Russell Brand watching on - but Liam said he wasn't invited. He told the Chicago Sun Times: 'He goes on about how he wasn't invited to my wedding. 'No one was at my wedding but Nic's [wife Nicole Appleton] mum and my mum. Get over it, mate. I've not been invited to his wedding.' Liam famously doesn't get along with Sara and has had a slew of public rows with the PR executive in the past. She's been busy shooting her new movie in New York. And on Thursday Brit beauty Lily James was back in her corporate costume to shoot scenes on the streets of Manhattan. The actress swapped her usual glam look for low-key trench coat and grey suit as she strolled to a jerk chicken stand in the city. The actress donned a long khaki trenchcoat over a grey pencil skirt and jacket as she got into character. Dressed for business: She's been busy shooting her new movie in New York. And on Thursday Brit beauty Lily James was back in her corporate costume to shoot scenes in Manhattan Under cover: The actress swapped her usual glam look for low-key trench coat and grey suit as she strolled to a jerk chicken stand in the city Blending in: The actress donned a long khaki trenchcoat over a grey pencil skirt and jacket as she got into character She completed the look with a pair of sensible court shoes and low-key makeup while carrying a box file in her arms. The film comes from director David Mackenzie and will continue to shoot throughout April, taking to New York and New Jersey. The new production follows Tom (Riz Ahmed), who keeps his identity hidden while brokering lucrative payoffs between corrupt corporations and the individuals who threaten their ruin. Things change for the character after a potential client, Sarah (Lily James), reaches to seek protection to stay alive. Production company Black Bear International is launching the project at the European Film Market. The new project was revealed to be led by the two acclaimed actors back in February, with a release date yet to be known. Relay joins a collection of projects for Lily this year, who is also starring in the Zac Efron fronted wrestling biopic The Iron Claw. Covering the triumphant and tragic story of the Von Erich wrestling family, Lily portrays Pam Adkisson. It comes after Lily was seen alongside businessman Andrei Gillott during an outing in Los Angeles last month. New look: She completed the look with a pair of sensible court shoes and low-key makeup while carrying a box file in her arms Action: The film comes from director David Mackenzie and will continue to shoot throughout April, taking to New York and New Jersey Thriller: The new production follows Tom (Riz Ahmed), who keeps his identity hidden while brokering lucrative payoffs between corrupt corporations and the individuals who threaten their ruin Lily's most recent film role was in the romantic comedy What's Love Got To Do With It? opposite Shazad Latif and Emma Thompson. In between shooting her new movie in NYC, Lily has been enjoying time with Alexa Chung 's ex Orson Fry. The Mamma Mia actress, 34, reportedly called time on her relationship with boyfriend of two years Michael Shuman after growing apart in recent months, The Sun claimed earlier this year. Orson, who is the the scion of the Fry chocolate dynasty, began dating fashion icon Alexa Chung in 2019, but the couple split in summer 2022. Emmerdale bosses have confirmed the return of a mystery character and a summer wedding later this year after revealing that a villain will also be making a comeback. Fans have a lot to look forward to after Executive Producer Jane Hudson admitted that not only will Carl King's son Thomas be back, but there will also be another surprise. While she has kept the identity of one character under wraps, Jane explained that viewers can expect to see them at an upcoming wedding. Speaking to the press, Jane explained: 'You all know we love a summer wedding, I can tell you there is at least one more wedding coming up before the end of the summer. 'And we will have a familiar face returning which I think fans are gonna be absolutely delighted with, as they return to the show' Up next: Emmerdale bosses confirmed the return of a mystery character and a summer wedding after revealing that a villain will also be making a comeback (Tom King pictured) She added: 'We have got plenty coming up. The returning character is coming back for one of the weddings. 'One of the weddings will be more traditional than Charity and Mackenzie's, there will be no A-Team wigs or vans happening.' Carl King's son Thomas is set to make a comeback to the Dales next month, having last set foot in the village in 2013 where he terrorised the locals in the wake if his dad's death. The teen, at the time played by Mark Flanagan, left Chas Dingle terrified as he stalked her for her part in his father's death - she had initially struck him with a brick before Cameron Murray returned to deliver the killer blow. He also began a relationship with Belle Dingle with the two planning on running away together causing Belle's late mum Lisa to ring the police fearing he'd abducted her - before Thomas eventually changed his mind. Thomas also stole Dan Spencer's campervan twice while also getting up to mischief with Dan's son Sean in the village - including stealing late Sandy Thomas' mobility scooter. And now, 10 years after he fled the village to live with his mum in Saudi Arabia, Thomas - now known as Tom - is reportedly set to return to potentially cause 'chaos' once more. On Tom's return, Jane said: 'Jimmy's nephew Tom will be coming back into the show and he has been living overseas for some time. He's back in England and is qualified as a vet, so I think we all know where he is going to be working. Exciting: Fans have a lot to look forward to after Executive Producer Jane Hudson admitted that not only will Carl King's son Thomas be back, but there will also be another surprise Tense: It comes after Emmerdale took a dramatic twist on Thursday when Charity Dingle and Mackenzie Boyd finally got married Baby: Elsewhere, Chloe gave birth to a baby boy named Reuben, with Charity remaining unaware of her fling with Mackenzie 'Tom and Belle have a history, they see each other and rekindle things and we will be on a journey with Tom and Belle for some time as we play out stories for them.' It comes after Emmerdale took a dramatic twist on Thursday when Charity Dingle and Mackenzie Boyd finally got married, while Chloe Atkinson gave birth to a son. Charity (Emma Atkins) and Mackenzie's (Lawrence Robb) wedding day was thrown into chaos after they were arrested for driving a van involved in a robbery. Things hit another hurdle when Mackenzie was told Chloe had gone into labour and mysteriously disappeared, before arriving at the last minute for the nuptials. Chris Hemsworth has long been a keen surfer, but this week he hit the water with surf legend and close friend Kelly Slater. The Thor star, 39, shared a series of pictures on Friday from his 'epic' day out with Slater, 51, his wife Elsa Pataky, 46, and some friends. The Byron Bay-based hunk showed off his buff physique in the shots, and in one image posed up for a sweet selfie with his actress wife. The group went surfing and even used surf boards instead of water skis while being pulled from the back of a boat. 'Epic day of surf fun and sun,' Chris captioned his post. Chris Hemsworth has long been a keen surfer, but on this week he hit the water with surf legend and close friend Kelly Slater Kelly Slater and his girlfriend Kalani Miller arrived at Perth Airport on Wednesday with surfboards in tow ready for the Margaret River Pro. However the men's heat has been delayed as experts wait for conditions to improve. Last year, Kelly's close friend Chris congratulated the surfer on his Pipeline victory in Hawaii. The Thor star, 39, shared a series of pictures on Friday from his 'epic' day out with Slater, 51, his wife Elsa Pataky, 46, and some friends Alongside a photo of Kelly basking in his win, the Thor star wrote on Instagram: 'Congrats, Kelly. Greatest of all time. What an inspiration.' Kelly had earlier that day won the WSL event against Hawaiian Seth Moniz. The film star and the athlete are known to be good friends and have been pictured together on several occasions. The Byron Bay-based hunk showed off his buff physique in the shots, and in one image posed up for a sweet selfie with his actress wife In 2018, they featured in a viral photo in which they wrestled one another shirtless. 'It may look like Kelly Slater has the upper hand but basically I used my Jedi mind tricks and endless patience and waited till his little tiny arms grew tired,' Chris wrote. 'Then immediately reversed the position and gained complete control until he crumbled under my powers... maybe.' Kelly and Chris clearly enjoy each other's company as they also caught up at Kelly's 'Surf Ranch' in California, regarded as the world's best artificial wave pool. The Aussie star is an avid surfer and has accompanied Kelly on many surfing trips to locations like Fiji and his home town of Byron Bay. Nick 'Honey Badger' Cummins was put through the wringer on his 14 day stint in the South African jungle before being voted out on Thursday. Now the I'm A Celebrity star, 35, has revealed he lost a staggering amount of weight in the short period he was in the camp due to the lack of food. He said he dropped a shocking eight kilograms because he couldn't keep up with the calorie intake his muscular physique needed, reported news.com.au on Friday. 'Mate, first thing I did when I got out was strap the feed bag on, and got about a kilo of shepherd's pie in. Then had a couple of beers, and now things are good,' he said. 'If I don't do weights, I lose weight really quick. The jungle weights aren't that heavy and besides, it's more about survival in there with the calorie intake.' Nick 'Honey Badger' Cummins, 35, (picture) has revealed he lost a staggering amount of weight in the short period he was in the I'm A Celeb camp due to the lack of food He went on to say he did his best to conserve the few calories he received from rice, beans and oats by not going too hard on the gym equipment. 'You can actually feel it during the day, eating your muscles and eating your body. Its not nice,' he added. Viewers were left shocked on Thursday night after the fan favourite footy player was eliminated from I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! Australia. He said he dropped a shocking eight kilograms because he couldn't keep up with the calorie intake his muscular physique needed, reported news.com.au on Friday. Pictured (left) before going on the survival show, and (right) after he was voted off looking thinner in the face He was sent home after receiving the least votes from the public in a shocking twist. 'I'm genuinely surprised Nick's leaving us tonight. He was a real trouper in the trials & loved by his camp mates,' one person Tweeted. 'Nick has been a really great person to watch in the jungle such a happy guy, true to himself,' another person said. A third commented: 'The fact that Badger went before Domenica [Calarco] is beyond me. I've lost faith in humanity.' Four years after director Quentin Tarantino brought his film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood to the Cannes Film Festival, the filmmaker will return to the croisette. The 60-year-old filmmaker was named an honorary guest for the Director's Fortnight, which runs alongside Cannes annually, according to Variety. He will be in the south of France to present a secret screening on May 25, which will be the closing night of the Directors' Fortnight, which follows his promotional tour for his book Cinema Speculation. 'As an exceptional and generous cinephile, Tarantino is at home at the Fortnight. He will be our guest this year to present a secret screening and discuss his counter-history of cinema,' a statement from the Directors' Fortnight read. 'In 1969, in Cannes, the Directors Fortnight was born, a counter-programming of free-spirited films from all over the world. In 1969, in California, a new generation of filmmakers rose against old Hollywood,' the statement continued. QT: Four years after director Quentin Tarantino brought his film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood to the Cannes Film Festival, the filmmaker will return to the croisette Present: He will be in the south of France to present a secret screening on May 25, which will be the closing night of the Directors' Fortnight, which follows his promotional tour for his book Cinema Speculation 'Of this, Quentin Tarantino has recently published a captivating analysis in a critical essay on 1970s cinema,' the statement added. The Directors' Fortnight statement concluded with a possible hint of what the secret screening could be, adding there will be, 'a rockabilly vibe on closing day.' The filmmaker has a long history with Cannes, with six of his nine feature films being featured in competition. Tarantino has been promoting his new book Cinema Speculation, with stops in Paris, London and Amsterdam recently. It was reported last month that the filmmaker is preparing to make his final film, which will be called The Movie Critic. Early reports revealed the project will be set in late 1970s Los Angeles, centering on a female movie critics. Early speculation posited that the film would center on Pauline Kael, one of Tarantino's favorite critics, with his book Cinema Speculation said to be inspired by Kael's own film essays However, the filmmaker confirmed at a Cinema Speculation Q&A in Paris that it would not revolve around Kael, though he confirmed it would be set in the year 1977. Director: 'Of this, Quentin Tarantino has recently published a captivating analysis in a critical essay on 1970s cinema,' the statement added Promoting: Tarantino has been promoting his new book Cinema Speculation, with stops in Paris, London and Amsterdam (above) recently That was the year that the first Star Wars film was unleashed on the world, and was also around the time when what became known as the 'American New Wave' of cinema was coming into prominence with iconic films from Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, Steven Spielberg and George Lucas. As with most of Tarantino's recent projects, there is no studio home in place yet, though sources claim the project could go out to buyers this week. Sony is considered a front-runner for the project, not only because the studio distributed his last film, 2019's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, but because they also gave Tarantino a unique deal where the copyright to the film reverts back to him after a certain period of time. That deal put Tarantino in an elite group of filmmakers who film rights reverted back to them, including George Lucas, Mel Gibson, Peter Jackson and Richard Linklater. Sources claimed in 2019, just before Once Upon a Time in Hollywood hit theaters, that the copyright ownership reverts back to Tarantino after 30 years, though others claimed it was 20 years or even 10 years. The copyright ownership was the sticking point for Warner Bros., the other studio bidding for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood back in 2017. One source claimed that Warner Bros. wouldn't do that, 'because then they would have to give Christopher Nolan that same deal.' Production is scheduled to begin on The Movie Critic sometime this fall, though no casting has been announced quite yet. Julianne Moore showcased her casual sense of style as she enjoyed an outing with her husband, Bart Freundlich, as they took a stroll in NYC on Thursday. The Still Alice actress, 62, who is slated star star alongside Euphoria's Sydney Sweeney in the Apple TV+ movie, Echo Valley, was seen flashing a small smile as she held a conversation with the film director, 53. The Oscar winner opted for a chic, monochromatic ensemble by slipping into a pair of loose-fitting, dark gray jeans. She additionally donned a black, turtleneck sweater which was partially concealed by a double-breasted, black coat to help her stay warm in the cool breeze. The mother of two wore a pair of white sneakers to make walking through the bustling city streets simple and comfortable. Quality time: Julianne Moore, 62, showcased her casual sense of style as she enjoyed an outing with her husband, Bart Freundlich, 53, as they took a stroll in NYC on Thursday Julianne accessorized her look for the day by adding a gold-chained necklace that rested on top of her sweater, along with a pair of small, dainty gold earrings. A black cap was placed on top of her long locks that effortlessly flowed down naturally past her shoulders. A cross-body, black purse was easily slung over her right shoulder to hold a few items she needed during the daytime outing. Her husband, whom she tied the knot with back in 2003, also stayed on the simplistic side for the relaxing stroll. The film director slipped into a pair of tan-colored pants along with a black, hooded sweater that was zipped up towards the front collar. He layered his outfit by throwing on a gray, puffer jacket and similar to his wife, the producer also donned a pair of white sneakers that were tightly secured with laces. The two lovebirds will soon celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary later this year in August, and also share two children together: daughter Liv, 21, and son Caleb, 25. During an interview with People earlier this year in February, Julianne opened up about the exciting milestone and also discussed the secret to their long-lasting marriage. So chic: The Oscar winner opted for a chic, monochromatic ensemble and slipped into a pair of loose-fitting, dark gray jeans along with a black turtleneck sweater and a stylish black coat Enjoying the stroll: Her husband, whom she tied the knot with back in 2003, also stayed on the simplistic side for the relaxing stroll 'I feel happy that my marriage is thriving and intact,' she gushed to the outlet. 'That's a really great thing.' In regards to what has led the couple to have a long-lasting relationship, Moore pointed out, 'I think you both have to want to be together. Find somebody who's as interested in you as you are in them.' The actress then sweetly stated, 'Bart has always made me laugh so hard that my eyelids start to flip up. My God, does he make me laugh.' In regards to being parents to two children, now fully grown, Julianne stated that both she and her husband, 'support them in whatever their choices are.' The couple first crossed paths while on set of The Myth Of Fingerprints in 1996, a film that Bart had directed. That same year, the two stars began dating and later welcomed their children in 1997 and later in 2002. Julianne and Bart officially tied the knot in 2003 and currently live together in the Big Apple. In 2020, the actress also opened up on The Drew Barrymore Show about her marriage with Bart, and at the time, knowing him for a total of 24 years. 'The only thing I can say is I think that you both have to really want to be married,' she explained to Drew, and later added, 'I think if you are both invested in it working out thats important. You really have to have a good time.' 'I think they have to make you laugh, if they dont make you laugh its just deadly. And somebody asked me the other day if it felt long a long time and I was like, 'Oddly no it doesnt.' The two recently worked together on the same project, an Apple TV+ drama titled, Sharper, which released a few months earlier on February 10. While Moore tackled a leading role in the film, Bart was a producer. Julianne has been filtering through a busy schedule, and recently spent time filming an upcoming AMC historical drama series titled, Mary & George, earlier this year in the U.K. Lovebirds: The two lovebirds will celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary later this year in August, and share two children together: daughter Liv, 21, and son Caleb, 25 Very 'happy': 'I feel happy that my marriage is thriving and intact,' she gushed to People earlier this year in February; the couple seen in May 2022 at the MET Gala Importance of family: In regards to being parents to two children, now fully grown, Julianne stated to People that both she and her husband, 'support them in whatever their choices are'; seen with her daughter, Liv According to Deadline, the actress will portray Mary Villiers, Countess of Buckingham, with actor Nicholas Galitzine playing the role of her son, George. The time period is set in the 17th century and is based on the nonfiction novel, The King's Assassin, written by Benjamin Woolley. She has also been cast alongside Sydney Sweeney in the upcoming Apple TV+ thriller, Echo Valley. Julianne will play the role of Kate Garrett while the Euphoria star will portray her daughter, Claire. One night, Claire arrives at home covered in someone else's blood which then prompts Kate to go to great lengths to protect her daughter, per Variety. A set release late date for the movie has yet to be announced. Rapper Desiigner says he has checked into a mental health facility following an incident in which he exposed himself on an airplane. The 25-year-old musical artist, sources told TMZ, was onboard an international flight this past weekend when he exposed himself. The Brooklyn, New York native, who was on a flight that was headed back to the U.S. from Tokyo, was admonished by a flight attendant in the incident, insiders told the outlet. Upon landing in Minneapolis, Desiigner was questioned by police in connection with the incident and released. Insiders told the outlet that the Panda performer, whose full name is Sidney Royel Selby III, was prescribed medication for an illness and 'believes the medication caused some sort of chemical imbalance.' The latest: Rapper Desiigner, 25, says he has checked into a mental health facility following an incident in which he exposed himself on an airplane. Pictured in 2016 in NYC Desiigner took to Instagram Stories Thursday with a statement explaining the health issues that preceded what happened on the plane. 'For the past few months i have not been ok, and i have been struggling to come to terms with what is going on,' he said. 'While overseas for a concert i performed at, i had to be admitted in to a hospital, i was not thinking clearly.' The rapper said he was given medication and 'had to hop on a plane home' soon thereafter. He said of exposing himself on the aircraft: 'I am ashamed of my actions that happened on that plane.' He said that after arriving back in the U.S., he is admitting himself into 'facility to help' with his problems. 'I will be cancelling all shows and any obligations until further notice,' he said. 'Mental health is real guys, please pray for me. If your not feeling like yourself please get help.' According to Billboard, the musical artist had been in Thailand last Friday to take the stage at the Rolling Loud festival. Other notable performers on the slate included Cardi B, Travis Scott and Chris Brown. He had also performed at a club in Tokyo this past weekend. The performer has had hits on the Billboard Hot 100 including Panda, which hit the top spot on the chart for two weeks in 2016. He earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Performance for the track. He's also had standout singles including 2016's Tiimmy Turner and MIC Drop, a 2017 collaboration with BTS. Desiigner took to Instagram Stories Thursday with a statement explaining the health issues that preceded what happened on the plane These Bangladeshi factories are part of the landscape of globalisation echoed in factories along the US-Mexico border, in Haiti, in Sri Lanka, and in other places around the world that opened their doors to the garment industrys savvy uptake of the new manufacturing and trade order of the 1990s. by Vijay Prashad In memory of Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury (19412023) On Wednesday 24 April 2013, 3,000 workers entered Rana Plaza, an eight-story building in the Dhaka suburb of Savar in Bangladesh. They produced garments for the transnational commodity chain that stretches from the cotton fields of South Asia, through Bangladeshs machines and workers, and on to retail houses in the Western world. Garments for famous brands such as Benetton, Bonmarche, Prada, Gucci, Versace, and Zara are stitched here, as are the cheaper clothes that hang on Walmart racks. The previous day, Bangladeshi authorities had asked the owner, Sohel Rana, to evacuate the building due to structural problems. The building has minor damage, said Rana. There is nothing serious. But at 8:57 am on 24 April, the building collapsed in the span of two minutes, killing at least 1,132 people and injuring over 2,500 more. The circumstances of the collapse were similar to the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in New York City, where 146 people died. Tragically, a century later, garment workers are still subject to these dangerous labour conditions. Poly Akhters mother, Shahana (38), grieves for her, 1 June 2013. [ Photo Credit: Taslima Akhter ] The list of avoidable accidents in Savar is long and painful. In April 2005, at least 79 workers died in a factory collapse; in February 2006, 18 workers died in yet another collapse, followed by 25 in June 2010 and 124 in the Tazreen Fashion Factory fire in November 2012. Since the Rana Plaza devastation ten years ago, at least 109 other buildings in the area have collapsed, resulting in the death of 27 workers (at minimum). These are the deadly factories of twenty-first century globalisation: poorly built shelters for a production process geared toward long working hours, third-rate machines, and workers whose lives are submitted to the imperatives of just-in-time production. Writing about the factory regime in nineteenth-century England, Karl Marx noted in chapter 10 of Capital: But in its blind unrestrainable passion, its werewolf hunger for surplus labour, capital oversteps not only the moral, but even the merely physical maximum bounds of the body. It steals the time required for the consumption of fresh air and sunlight. All that concerns it is simply and solely the maximum of labour power that can be rendered fluent in a working day. It attains this end by shortening the extent of the labourers life, as a greedy farmer snatches increased produce from the soil by robbing it of its fertility. These Bangladeshi factories are part of the landscape of globalisation echoed in factories along the US-Mexico border, in Haiti, in Sri Lanka, and in other places around the world that opened their doors to the garment industrys savvy uptake of the new manufacturing and trade order of the 1990s. Subdued countries that had neither the patriotic will to fight for their citizens nor any concern for the long-term debilitation of their social order rushed to welcome multinational clothing companies that no longer wanted to invest in factories. So, they turned to subcontractors, offering them narrow profit margins, compelling them to run their factories like prison houses of labour. The garment industry in Bangladesh, which comprises 80 per cent of the countrys total export earnings, grew entirely in security zones, offering workers few prospects to unionise. It is no wonder that these factories are a warzone. The subcontracting process allowed multinational firms to deny any culpability for the actions of small factory owners, allowing wealthy shareholders in the Global North to enjoy profits from the lower costs of production without having their consciences stained by the terror inflicted on these workers. Men like Sohel Rana, a local tough guy who oscillated between different political parties depending on who held power, became local thugs for multinational firms. After the collapse of the building, Rana was hastily disowned by all politicians and arrested (the trial against him continues, although he is out on bail). Men like Rana assemble workers, shove them into these shoddy buildings, and ensure that they are beaten if they threaten to unionise while elites living in the mansions of Gulshan and Banani offer small gestures of liberalism through charity and the allowance of modest, but unfulfilled, labour laws. Labour inspectors are few, and even worse they are powerless. As the International Labour Organisation noted in 2020, Labour inspectors have no administrative sanctioning power and cannot impose fines directly. However, they can file a case in the labour court, but the resolution of these cases usually takes a long time, and the fines imposed do not provide a sufficient deterrent. An occasional outburst of liberal sentiment in the Global North forces some companies to self-regulate, an exercise in whitewashing the horrors of the global commodity chain. Capitalist democracy requires this alliance of brutality and reform, of neofascism and paternalism. It celebrates the Ranas of the world until they become a liability, and then it simply replaces them. One day after the building collapse, Taslima Akhter went to Rana Plaza and photographed the ruins in what she saw as an act of remembrance. A selection of her photographs illustrates this newsletter. Later, Akhter published a 500-page book, Chobbish April: Hazaar Praner Chitkar (24th April: Outcries of a Thousand Souls), which displays a collection of the posters put up by frantic family members looking for their loved ones and passport photographs of the dead with a brief note on their lives. Chobbish April opens with the story of 35-year-old Baby Akhter, a swing operator at EtherTex Garment who began working at Rana Plaza only 16 days before her death. Akhter came to Dhaka from Rangpur, where her father was a landless peasant. Eighty per cent of the workers in these factories are women, and most, like Baby Akhter, migrate from conditions of landlessness. They bring with them the desolation of the countryside, its overworked soil and poisoned water ravaged by industrial agriculture as well as by the law of value that makes the small farmer redundant before the might of capitalist farms. Baby Akhters husband, Delowar, recalled that her luxuries were chewing paan (betel leaf) and using a hand-held fan. She was ready to fight any war, he said. Her photograph exudes defiance and kindness, a smile hidden in her face. Bangladeshi workers like Baby Akhter have regularly organised to fight against their wretched conditions. In June 2012, the year before Rana Plaza collapsed, thousands of workers in the Ashulia Industrial Zone outside Dhaka protested for higher wages and better working conditions. For days on end, these workers closed 300 factories, blocking the Dhaka-Tangail highway in Narasinghapur. In retaliation, the owners shut down the factories, and the state took their side, with inspector Abul Kalam Azad declaring that the factories would only re-open if the workers behaved properly. Police officers marched down the street with batons and tear gas used to educate the workers about so-called proper behaviour. After the 2012 protests, the government set up the Crisis Management Cell and the Industrial Police, both of which collect intelligence and pre-empt labour unrest in industrial areas. When Human Rights Watch investigated the situation in 201415, one worker told the investigator that despite being pregnant, she was beaten with metal curtain rods. One of the owners of a big factory explained to the investigator why the violence is viewed as necessary: Factory owners want to maximise profits, so they will cut corners on safety issues, on ventilation, on sanitation. They will not pay overtime or offer assistance in the case of injuries. They push workers hard because they dont want to miss deadlines Workers have no unions, so they cant dictate their rights Some of this can also be blamed on the branded retailers who place bulk orders and say, Scale up production lines because it is a big order and improve your margins. Even 23 cents can make the difference, but these companies dont want to factor [labour rights and safety] compliance into costing. Each of these sentences seems lifted directly from Marxs Capital, written over 150 years ago. The harsh conditions set by the global commodity chain make Bangladesh one of the worst countries in the world to be a worker. A study published in January 2023 shows that during the pandemic, multinational garment companies squeezed subcontractors to cut costs, which resulted in harsher conditions for workers. In 1926, the All Bengal Tenants Conference met in Krishnanagar to form the Kirti Kisan (Worker-Peasant) Party, an early communist political platform in South Asia. Kazi Nazrul Islam sang his Sramiker Gaan (Song of the Workers) at this meeting, a poem that could have been written for Rana Plaza workers and for the millions who toil along a global commodity chain that they do not control: We are mere coolies working at the machines in these terrible times. We are mere dupes and fools to discover the diamond and to make a gift of it to the king, to adorn his crown. Hold fast your hammer, pick up your shovel, sing in unison and advance. Switch off the machine-light, the Satans eye. Come along, O Comrade, and keep your weapon high. Kourtney Kardashian made a comment on Thursday about keeping things nice. The wife of Travis Barker urged her Instagram followers to 'spread positivity and love.' Kourtney's loaded Bible verse was titled Giving to the Needy, and she wrote, 'So much criticism and hate and negativity lately. Let's do better if not for the world, for yourself, for your children, for your friends and family. I promise the negativity and hate will not make you feel happier.' The Poosh founder went on to add: 'I know the positive far outweighs the negative but it's still hard not to be aware of it and it feels like every little action is criticized. Imagine the good we could do with that energy. Thoughts for the day.' This comes after Travis' ex-wife Shanna Moakler called the newlywed's union 'so f***ing weird.' Be kind: Kourtney Kardashian, 44, asked fans to be more 'positive' on Thursday Thoughts for the day: The reality star shared a lengthy message that blasted 'criticism and hate and negativity' A source tells DailyMail.com that Kourtney was not reacting to Shanna's remarks. Moakler who was married to Barker from 2004 to 2008 took a shot at the couple earlier this week when she appeared on the podcast Miss Understood with Rachel Uchitel. After calling Kourtney's marriage to Travis 'so f***ing weird,' the former Playmate declared: 'I really don't have anything positive to say about it.' Shanna went on to say that she wishes the pair 'nothing but the best' before reiterating that she thinks 'the whole thing is really weird.' The former Miss USA took another swipe at Kourtney when she slammed the Lemme founder for posting 'more of my kids than her own.' After Moakler shared a selfie last week asking 'is it Friday yet?' a fan chimed in hoping Shanna would one day receive a 'huge apology' for Kardashian and Barker's new Hulu show about their wedding. Shana's fan referenced the pair making veiled references to her tumultuous marriage and subsequent divorce from the drummer. 'I hope that you get a huge apology some day for what was said on that exploitative, money grabbing, circus. 'He's been through Hell' 'Kourtney has filled a void for me.' #parentalalienationawareness,' they commented. Shanna replied: 'She post more of my kids then her own lol.' Not a fan: This comes after Travis Barker's ex-wife Shanna Moakler, 48 who was married to Barker from 2004 to 2008 took a shot at the couple earlier this week when she appeared on the podcast Miss Understood with Rachel Uchitel and called their union 'so f***ing weird' Nothing positive: After calling Kourtney's marriage to Travis 'so f***ing weird,' the former Playmate declared, 'I really don't have anything positive to say about it' Only the best: Shanna went on to say that she wishes the pair 'nothing but the best' before reiterating that she thinks 'the whole thing is really weird' Taking a swipe! Shanna took another shot at Kourtney when she blasted the reality star for posting 'more of my kids than her own' Shots fired! Moakler blasted Kourtney in the comments section of her Instagram last week Shanna has had a bumpy relationship with the children she shares with Barker. The exes, who were married from 2004 to 2008, have son Landon, 19, and daughter Alabama, 17, together. Shanna also has daughter Atiana De La Hoya, 24, from her previous relationship with boxer Oscar De a Hoya. Atiana has remained close with Travis, even after he split from Shanna, and attended his wedding to Kourtney last year. While Kourtney does enjoy posting photos of her stepchildren, the three children she shares with ex Scott Disick are more prominently featured on her account. She has sons Mason, Reign, and daughter Penelope with her former long-term partner. But Kourtney didn't let the drama with Moakler overshadow her 44th birthday. On Tuesday, the wellness guru officially celebrated her big day with a lavish bash where friends and family showered her with love. Kardashian-Barker: Kourtney pictured with Alabama and Atiana Blended family: Kourtney pictured with Travis, Penelope, Reign, and Landon Cheeky! The racy photo captured the Blink-182 drummer nuzzling backside as she basked in the sunshine in a thong bikini Loved-up! The couple have never shied away from displaying their love for one another on social media Meanwhile, Travis shared yet another PDA-packed shot in celebration of Kourtney's special day. The racy photo captured the Blink-182 drummer nuzzling her backside as she basked in the sunshine in a thong bikini. He posted the photo to his Instagram Stories with a tongue out emoji and went on to share a montage of moments from their relationship as he commemorated her birthday on his grid. 'My soulmate,' he wrote. 'I'm so grateful that today you were born. You deserve everything your heart desires. Nothing makes me happier than seeing you smile. You stole my heart the moment we met. Happy birthday to the most beautiful amazing woman to walk the face of the earth. I love you my wife.' Nearly a decade after his iconic death in Game of Thrones' Red Wedding, Richard Madden is reflecting on the experience. The 36-year-old Scottish actor played Robb Stark in the HBO fantasy series, who was double-crossed and killed in the ninth episode of the third season, The Rains of Castamere in what is considered one of the most brutal episodes in TV history. Madden returns to the small screen in Amazon Prime Video's new TV series Citadel, which debuts on April 28, alongside The actor was promoting the series with co-star Priyanka Chopra, who added that she, 'still had PTSD' from watching the red wedding. Despite the morbid nature of the episode, Madden told ET that he recalls very fond memories of his final Game of Thrones episode. Decade: Nearly a decade after his iconic death in Game of Thrones' Red Wedding, Richard Madden is reflecting on the experience Richard and Priyanka: Madden returns to the small screen in Amazon Prime Video's new TV series Citadel, which debuts on April 28, alongside Priyanka Chopra 'I still have fond memories of that whole experience. I mean, not that particular scene, but the whole experience I have fond memories of,' Madden said. Speaking of his new series Citadel, Madden added, 'Its nice to be back into recurring series drama where you get so much time to tell a story, and the you get these huge payoffs like that, three seasons deep, we got to have this horrible death with characters that youre invested in.' 'I think thats our ambition here too, to create a huge world and get to know these people well,' Madden added. When asked if there are any genres he'd like to explore that he previously hadn't, Madden said he'd like to try some lighter movies. 'Id like to do something in comedy. Its nice to not I mean we go to work every day and were like, "Youre gonna die today!" I'm like, can I do something fun for a minute," Madden said. Madden and Chopra star in Citadel as secret agents Mason Kane and Nadia Sinh, two former spies from the Citadel agency whose memories were wiped before barely escaping with their lives. They have lived hidden for years from Manticore, which dismantled Citadel, though they're tracked down by a former colleague (Stanley Tucci) who needs their help to take down Manticore. Chopra recently opened up about getting equal pay alongside Madden for the first time in her career in an interview with Marie Claire. Fond: 'I still have fond memories of that whole experience. I mean, not that particular scene, but the whole experience I have fond memories of,' Madden said New series: Speaking of his new series Citadel, Madden added, 'Its nice to be back into recurring series drama where you get so much time to tell a story, and the you get these huge payoffs like that, three seasons deep, we got to have this horrible death with characters that youre invested in' 'If your contribution, time and what you bring to the table is the same as your male counterpart, there is a very serious conversation to be had about compensation,' she said. 'It was not a conversation I was encouraged to have for a very long time because it was just a given when I started out in movies that your male counterpart would have a substantially larger pay cheque. I think my generation of female actors really stood up for themselves,' she added. Priyanka, who is married to Joe Jonas, added that Bollywood stars including Kareena Kapoor, Deepika Padukone or Katrina Kaif have 'really pushed the envelope'. She also praised Mindy Kaling for writing her own shows after not being cast, while also lauding Reese Witherspoon, Kerry Washington, Nicole Kidman for creating roles for themselves. She also opened up in another interview with ETimes that her and Madden would help protect each other from unflattering angles in their sex scenes. 'We helped each other out. If I was uncomfortable with some unflattering camera angles, I would tell him "Put your hand there and cover me" and he would tell me "You put your hand here,"' she said. Madden added, 'I suppose we got to know each other through working together on the script, though these fight rehearsals we'd have to do together, and trying to kind of thread a narrative through this action and try and keep intricacies and subtleties of human beings amidst all of this spectacle that the show has. That just comes from lots of hard work. 'We like each other, so that makes it really easy. It puts us in a place where when we're on screen, we can create and have fun together.' Priyanka added: 'We were both prep-oriented. We were both really particular and intentional and I was like, "Thank God! It's so nice to work with someone who does that."' Contribution: 'If your contribution, time and what you bring to the table is the same as your male counterpart, there is a very serious conversation to be had about compensation,' she said Hollywood stars Nicole Kidman and Liam Hemsworth have been linked to a record-breaking $37million property sale in Byron Bay. While it has not been revealed who bought the Coopers Shoot home that rents out for $67,000 a week, realestate.com.au has reported that the actors' names are in the mix as they have both stayed in the property before. A top agent in Byron Bay told the publication that they were really surprised to see the house sell for $37million as they don't believe it's worth that value. They added that it must be a very specific buyer who fell in love with the property, and since Kidman and Hemsworth have both stayed in the property before, it could be a possibility that either of them bought it. The hinterland property boasts spectacular views as it sits high on Piccadilly Hill and it features six-bedrooms, eight bathrooms, a 15-metre infinity pool, and an infrared sauna. Hollywood stars Nicole Kidman and Liam Hemsworth have been linked to a record-breaking $37m property sale in Byron Bay The massive home includes a 15-metre infinity pool Kim Jones of The Range Estate's said she had six buyers interested in the property, and denied that it was either Kidman or Hemsworth. However, she said she was bound by a confidentiality agreement and couldn't reveal the buyer. 'We did have one rock star identity who was interested - I mean a real rock star - but no it wasnt Nicole or a Hemsworth,' she told realestate.com.au. 'Certainly the privacy the home offered was one of the attractions.' Vendors Tom and Emma Lane, of the Oroton fashion empire family, developed the property after purchasing it in 2017 for $3.8m. While it has not been revealed who bought the Coopers Shoot home that rents out for $67,000 a week, realestate.com.au has reported that the actors' names are in the mix as they have both stayed in the property before. Nicole is pictured A top agent in Byron Bay said it must be a very specific buyer who fell in love with the property, and since Kidman and Hemsworth (pictured) have both stayed in the property before, it could be a possibility that either of them bought it The luxe home attracted the interest of three bidders It went on the market late last year with a hopeful price tag of $40million. On Thursday night, it sold for three million under that price, after three parties were vying for the luxury property. It smashed Byron Bay's record for the most expensive property sold, after Jersey Investments, which is linked to the Billionaire Roche family, bought a $26m property in Suffolk Park six months ago. The $37m property is nestled on 124 acres of farming land and an advertisement for it describes it as 'refined luxury that draws upon a love of European influences, sustainability, and passion to live in unison with the land.' It added: 'Taking full advantage of its prominent position high on Piccadilly Hill, the homestead opens itself to the spectacular views that sweep across surrounding lush farmland and ocean views beyond. 'Architecturally designed, the property has been consciously constructed from sustainable elements, utilising natural and recycled timbers, basalt rock foraged from the site, and a blend of repurposed material sourced both locally and internationally. 'The artistic blend of natural textures, patterns and tones has founded a property of timeless elegance and breath-taking beauty, that gracefully melds into the relaxed lifestyle of Byron Bay.' Emma Louise Connolly put on a sensational display while attending the opening of RIXO's new flagship store on Thursday night. The model, 31, was dazzling in florals as she joined a slew of fashionistas at the launch of the incredible new King's Road store. The fashion brand, founded by Henrietta Rix & Orlagh McCloskey, have thrown the doors open to the incredible store, which boasts an alteration station, incredible changing rooms, a breathtaking bar, a coffee station and a bridal suite. Taking to Instagram stories, Emma was sharing snaps from the night - where DJ Fat Tony was hitting the decks - as well as posing in a new dress from the brand. The black dress with bold florals on top, showcased her tiny waist while she wore her hair in a bouncy blow-dry with a lash tickling fringe to inject some 70s glam. Stunner: Emma Louise Connolly put on a sensational display while attending the opening of RIXO's new flagship store on Thursday night Epic! The model, 31, was dazzling in florals as she joined a slew of fashionistas at the launch of the incredible new King's Road store Stars of the scene: The fashion brand was founded by Henrietta Rix & Orlagh McCloskey (Orlagh is pictured with her twin sister Gemma, whose interior firm Cupla Studio designed the store) Stunning: She made no secret of the fact she was in awe of the stunning shop - particularly the pastel-hued changing rooms which are littered with vast preserved palm trees Emma then pulled a beige jumper over the dress, which added a more casual edge. She made no secret of the fact she was in awe of the stunning shop - particularly the pastel-hued changing rooms which are littered with vast preserved palm trees. She also marvelled at the bridal suite and revealed she wished the service was in place when she was married in 2021. At the event, founder Orlagh looked incredible in a cornflower blue silk slip dress while her twin sister Gemma wowed in an orange two-piece. Gemma's interior company Cupla Studio designed the store. Another fashion heavyweight in attendance was Elfie Reigate, a model signed to Kate Moss' eponymous agency, who is the daughter of model Rosemary Ferguson and acclaimed artist Barry Reigate. Strutting her stuff: She looked incredible in the pretty floral gown Woo! She joked about living it up on a Thursday evening Stunning: She also marvelled at the bridal suite and revealed she wished the service was in place when she was married in 2021 Chic: The ladies of the evening Henrietta and Orlagh looked incredible, with the former wowing in an orange two-piece and the latter sizzling in a silk slip dress She looked stunning in an off-the-shoulder dress in one of the brand's pretty floral prints while she wore her hair in loose curls. Irish author Emma Dabiri went for a bold style with a neon top and coral dress. The RIXO website lists the store, writing: 'Immerse yourself in our world, including all clothing and accessories collections and our Bridal Boutique, as well as our Flagship-exclusive vintage, rental, and pre-loved collections. Enjoy a drink at the bar by Smokey Kudu or our coffee kiosk.' Elegant: Another fashion heavyweight in attendance was Elfie Reigate, a model signed to Kate Moss' eponymous agency, who is the daughter of model Rosemary Ferguson and acclaimed artist Barry Reigate Emma's appearance at the bash comes after she slammed a troll who mum shamed her over her decision to stop breastfeeding daughter her Bonnie, six months. The model, who is married to Oliver Proudlock, replied to a nasty comment on one of her Instagram posts, calling the man a 'miserable arsehole' after he suggested she stick to cow's milk. It came after she emotionally revealed that she stopped breastfeeding due to a 'really tough' journey after the 'pressure' of it got too much for her. Lock Stock And Two Smoking Barrels stars Jason Statham, Jason Flemyng and Dexter Fletcher reunited on Thursday night - 25 years after the film's release. The trio, who starred as Bacon, Tom and Soap respectively in the Guy Richie-fronted film, enjoyed a mini reunion as they attended a screening of Dexter's new movie Ghosted at the Ham Yard Hotel in London. While Hollywood hardman Statham, 55, boasts many trademarks of his former look, Flemyng, 56, and Dexter, 57, were barely-recognisable from their appearance in the iconic gangster movie, in which they played the three leads. During their reunion, the trio were clad in contrasting ensembles, ranging from smart to trendy, as they posed together happily at the screening. Lock Stock And Two Smoking Barrels followed the story of a man and his friends who lose a poker game to a powerful gangster and have to hatch a play to pay back the debt and was a roaring hit upon its release in 1998. Happy days: Lock Stock And Two Smoking Barrels stars Jason Statham , Jason Flemyng and Dexter Fletcher (left-right) reunited on Thursday night - 25 years after the film's release Here come the boys: The trio starred as Bacon, Tom and Soap respectively in the Guy Richie-fronted film Also in attendance at the bash was Jamie Oliver, who was cooking up a storm for the all-star attendees - much to Dexter's delight as he stole a taste. Hollywood superstar Paul Rudd joined the fun alongside Lady Victoria Hervey, who was typically scantily-clad in a racy sheer bodice. Throwing support behind her husband was Dexter's wife Dalia Ibelhauptaite, a Lithuanian opera director. The couple have been married since 1997. In a bizarre addition to the guestlist, Love Island star Coco Lodge and Too Hot To Handle's Nicole O'Brien - who were no doubt giddy to be rubbing shoulders with the A-list having come from the depths of reality TV. This year's Love Island finalists Will Young and Jessie Wynter joined in the fun. Changing faces: Jason Flemyng was sporting a rugged look at the bash Look who it is! The gang gathered to celebrate Dexter, who was in a slick suit and with his grey locks looking worlds away from his heyday Shaven and sheared: Jason Statham maintained his hardman look despite the passing of time Here for you: Throwing support behind her husband was Dexter's wife Dalia Ibelhauptaite, a Lithuanian opera director. The couple have been married since 1997 (the couple are pictured with Sanjeev Bhaskar) Cooking up a storm: Also in attendance at the bash was Jamie Oliver, who was cooking up a storm for the all-star attendees - much to Dexter's delight as he stole a taste Ghosted is an American romantic comedy action-adventure film directed by Dexter and written by Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick, Chris McKenna, and Erik Sommers, from a story by Reese and Wernick. The film stars Chris Evans and Ana de Armas. Dexter moved away from acting to step behind the camera, when he made his directorial debut in 2021 with Wild Bill before winning widespread acclaim for Eddie The Eagle, starring Taron Egerton, Hugh Jackman, and Christopher Walken. He was also the director behind the Oscar-winning Elton John biopic Rocketman. Flemyng, who also starred in Guy's follow-up hit Snatch, moved from film to TV after admitting he struggled with failed projects. In 2004, he stated: 'Of the 40 feature films I've made, 15 of them failed to make it onto the screen and have only ever been seen by cast and crew... Happy days: Lady Victoria Hervey was typically scantily-clad in a racy sheer bodice Here come the girls? In a bizarre addition to the guestlist, Love Island stars Coco Lodge and Ellie Spence (right and left) and Too Hot To Handle's Nicole O'Brien (centre) - who were no doubt giddy to be rubbing shoulders with the A-list having come from the depths of reality TV What are you doing here? This year's Love Island finalists Will Young and Jessie Wynter joined in the fun Stepping out: Dexter was seen heading out of the event Happy days: Dexter gave a speech at the screening as he unveiled his latest work 'It is very frustrating when a film you really believe in remains unseen. That's not a problem with television. If you're a painter you don't paint a picture and then stick it under the bed you want people to see it.' In 2020, Flemyng revealed that stars of the movie are still in touch, saying: 'The WhatsApp group from Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrel is still quite active... 'Success is quite bonding, so that kind of family that we had with Guy and [producer] Matthew Vaughn and Stath [Jason Statham] and Nick Moran and Vas Blackwood and all those guys and Dex [Dexter Fletcher], obviously.' Speaking about Dexter's success, he said: 'He was always the best actor and I'll tell you why and I think I'm quite good at too we're so used to doing crap that if you give us a crap line, we'll make it work!' Out and about: Magician Dynamo stepped out of the event Yummy! Jamie was making pasta within her cheese wheel The full line up of judges and professional dancers for this year's Strictly Come Dancing have been confirmed after angering BBC bosses in a row over pay rises. Despite the dispute, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Shirley Ballas will all return to the judging panel when the show returns. They are said to have backed down on their demands for a 11 percent pay rise. Fans of the show will see familiar faces on the dancefloor, with nearly the same line-up of professional dancers returning - however there is one star who won't appear. Cameron Lombard has quit the show two years after joining the line-up and performing in the ensemble. Confirmed: The full line up of judges and professional dancers for this year's Strictly Come Dancing have been confirmed after angering BBC bosses in a row over pay rises Coming soon: Dianne Buswell, Gorka Marquez, Karen Hauer,Luba Mushtuk, Kai Widdrington, Nadiya Bychkova, Neil Jones, Katya Jones and Graziano Di Prima will return to the dancefloor A Strictly spokesperson told MailOnline: 'Cameron is a fantastic performer and we have loved working with him for the past two years on Strictly. 'He is currently pursuing other opportunities but will always be part of the family and our door will always be open to him in the future.' Cameron started competing aged six and has won 18 national titles across Ballroom and Latin during his decorated dance career. When he joined the line-up he called it a 'life changing opportunity', saying: 'Not only is this a dream come true but a challenge I am accepting with both hands.' All the girls will be returning, with Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Amy Dowden, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Luba Mushtuk, Jowita Przystal, Nancy Xu, Lauren Oakley and Michelle Tsiakkas back on the dance floor. For the boys it's Graziano Di Prima, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Gorka Marquez, Giovanni Pernice, Johannes Radebe, Kai Widdrington, Carlos Gu and Vita Coppola. It is yet to be confirmed who will dance with celebrity partners and who will be in the ensemble. Presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman will also be back in the ballroom overseeing proceedings each weekend. In addition to all this, Dave Arch and his wonderful band will once again provide the soundtrack to Saturday and Sunday nights all across the UK. The celebrity contestants will not be announced until later in the year and the show is expected to return in the Autumn. Sarah James, Executive Producer at BBC Studios said: 'Excitement is already building for the 21st series of Strictly and we are so lucky to have the best team in the business both on and off camera. 'Our amazing presenters, incredible panel of judges and world class professional dancers are ready to bring the sparkle back to your screens this Autumn. We cant wait!' Bye: Cameron Lombard has quit the show two years after joining, with a spokesperson saying 'He will always be part of the family and our door will always be open to him in the future' The announcement comes after the Strictly judges reportedly backed down in their bid to receive an 11 per cent salary rise ahead of the BBC dance competition show's new season. According to The Sun they have now accepted an offer of between 3 and 5 per cent. Head judge Shirley is reportedly already earning 500,000, Motsi and Craig rake in 200,000, while Anton is believed to be on 180,000. A source told the publication 'There was a real stand off between the judges and the Beeb on this issue, with neither side willing to budge for weeks. 'Thankfully they reached this resolution and are now breathing a sigh of relief and able to look forward to the new series. 'The show simply felt that curing a cost of living crisis, and at a time when the licence fee has been frozen, they couldn't justify an 11 per cent rise.' The insider added that those involved with the show began to feel like the pay row was becoming a distraction from the upcoming 21st series this autumn. The BBC has been contacted by MailOnline for comment on the matter. It comes after the show's professional dancers reportedly slammed the judges for demanding a huge pay rise. Despite training for long hours, the dancers - who include Giovanni Pernice, Dianne Buswell and Johannes Radebe - are paid flat fees of around 35,000 for their work on the programme. Agreement: The announcement comes after the Strictly judges reportedly backed down in their bid to receive an 11 per cent salary rise ahead of the BBC dance show's new season The dancers apparently took to their group chat on WhatsApp in the wake of the news to slam the judges and are also considering asking for a pay rise. BBC bosses were also 'incandescent with anger' after the demand for a salary increase. A BBC source told the Daily Mail: 'While there is always some negotiation that goes on when new contracts are signed each year, this is something else. 'Their jobs are some of the very best on television and they are already very well remunerated for their work so when these negotiations began this time around, there was shock and anger. How much do the Strictly judges earn? Shirley Ballas - 500,000 Craig Revel Horwood - 200,000 Motsi Mabuse - 200,000 Anton Du Beke - 180,000 Advertisement 'It is also not like they spend any other time working behind the scenes like the professional dancers. They turn up, get their make up done and go in front of the camera. 'The professional dancers work tirelessly for weeks on end and they work themselves to the bone for the smidgen of what the judges already earn, let alone what they want to earn. 'You would think that they would be aware that they work for the BBC and that they are essentially paid for by the British public through the licence fee.' MailOnline contacted representatives for Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke, and BBC spokespeople for further comment at the time. This came after Shirley was reportedly given a 'take it or leave it' deal by Strictly bosses to stay on the show, after she revealed she may quit over online trolling. The head judge and Latin expert was subjected to much criticism last year in which trolls slammed her decisions and accused her of ageism and sexism. But despite previously threatening to quit, Shirley has been in talks with bosses over a potential return to Strictly, revealing on the Jonathan Ross show on Sunday that 'their people are talking to my people'. Shirley joined the judging panel as head judge in 2017, following the departure of Len Goodman. Shirley recently hinted that she may not return to Strictly Come Dancing this year following the torrent of vile online abuse she received during the last series. Negotiations: Shirley was reportedly given a 'take it or leave it' deal by Strictly bosses to stay on the show, after she revealed she may quit over online trolling In a candid interview, she indicated the previous series may have been her last as she'd hit an 'all-time low' after the abuse 'snowballed out of control'. The ballroom dancer told how she was constantly left in tears after every show and struggled in silence, telling how it was 'the most negativity' she had ever faced. She told the Mirror: 'Last year I was struggling. It wasn't just a little bit, it was a lot the majority of it was in silence. I felt the abuse snowballed out of control and impacted me in such a negative way. I'm a pretty stoic person, and I tend to hold everything in.' She explained that when the abuse began, it seemed 'larger than anything else', with the star telling how it left her 'crying and emotional', while she was 'embarrassed' about how she felt and didn't confide in anyone. Obsession star Richard Armitage has revealed he refuses to watch his hit Netflix show because he doesn't want to see himself naked. 'I've never seen my naked butt on camera and I don't want to see it,' The Hobbit star said, reports The Daily Mail's Richard Eden. The 51-year-old actor mused: 'I'm in denial. I just listen to what everyone else has to say.' In the show, Richard plays surgeon William who embarks on an affair with his son Jay's fiancee Anna (Charlie Murphy). There are a number of sexy moments in the four-part series and Netflix has rated it an 18 on its website as a result as well as issuing a to viewers over full-frontal nudity and racy scenes. 'I don't want to see my butt on camera!': Obsession star Richard Armitage has revealed he refuses to watch his racy Netflix show because of all the nudity Despite their disclosure, Netflix received a number of complaints and took to Twitter to send out a playful warning. The UK and Ireland account posted: 'If you've made the (questionable) decision to watch Obsession with your parents, these are the moments you'll probably want to excuse yourself.' Netflix then tweeted out the exact time stamps for the sex scenes in each episode. It comes after Richard left little to the imagination as he bared all for a nude scene the show. Will gradually becomes obsessed with Anna over the course of the show, with the pair partaking in a BDSM-fuelled relationship. In one racy scene, Anna tells Will she is in full control when they are around family or in public but he can take the lead when they are alone. 'Kneel, and I'll give myself to you,' she tells him in one scene. In another kinky scene, Will checks himself into the same hotel room Anna and his son Jay stayed in the night before and humps a pillow that smells of her. Racy: In the show, Richard plays a surgeon called William who embarks on an affair with his son Jay's fiancee Anna (Charlie Murphy) Drama: Will gradually becomes obsessed with Anna over the course of the show, with the pair partaking in a BDSM-fuelled relationship (pictured in the series) The Netflix thriller is a new adaptation of the erotic novel Damage, which was made into a hit 1992 film with Jeremy Irons and Juliette Binoche Obsession has been described as the 'sexiest thing on TV this year' by critics. In an interview with the Mail's Weekend Magazine, Richard admitted he has no plans to watch the series back. He said: 'I won't be watching. I don't really like to watch most things I've done and this one was pretty intense... intense in a brilliant way. I'm left with a happy memory of what we did.' The star also joked he didn't expect to be doing nude scenes at his age, adding: 'Yes, there's an irony in that I thought once I turned 50 I wouldn't have to take my shirt off any more. 'When I mentioned that to the producers of Obsession they said, 'We don't want just the shirt off... we want it all off!' 'But this story is about sexual psychology, a trap that people get caught up in. I thought it was interesting, an exploration of psychology through physical vocabulary.' Obsession is a four part series and is available to watch on Netflix now. Paul Burrell discussed his cancer battle and how he was supported by the late Royals during an appearance on Lorraine on Friday. It was revealed earlier this year that his appearance on I'm A Celebrity South Africa, which starts on Monday, led to his diagnosis thanks to health tests prior to the show revealing that he had prostate cancer. Paul, who worked beside and was a confidante of Diana, Princess of Wales, for ten years until her death in 1997, was diagnosed with the disease last summer. During his appearance on Lorraine, he said: 'I was sat in the jungle with cancer, the Queen had died. But I had two angels on my shoulder, the Queen and Princess Diana. I'm going to live my life and be grateful for everything' Talking about the queen, who passed away when they were filming, the former aide said: 'She became my surrogate mother. Living with someone for 11 years, she made me the man I am today.' Open and honest: Paul Burrell discussed his cancer battle and how he was supported by the late Royals during an appearance on Lorraine on Friday Close pal: Paul, who worked beside and was a confidante of Diana, Princess of Wales, for ten years until her death in 1997, was diagnosed with the disease last summer (pictured in 1997) Back then: Talking about the queen, who passed away when they were filming, the former aide said: 'She became my surrogate mother. Living with someone for 11 years, she made me the man I am today' (Paul being invested by the Queen in Buckingham Palace in November 1997) An honour: He thanks I'm A Celeb for saving his life Alongside eight other celebrities, Paul was in Kruger National Park in north-eastern South Africa, one of Africas largest game reserves to film for the first ever I'm A Celebrity series featuring previous stars of the jungle. But after coming home to the UK, Paul was handed some heartbreaking news which followed up on some health checks taken before his trip. He previously revealed that he had routine health tests before taking part in the show to give him the all clear, but doctors showed concern about raised prostate-specific antigen levels. He spoke to his GP about the results to enquire about his ability to still take part in the show but was told he was fine to wait until returning home to investigate the issue further. Helping out: It was revealed earlier this year that his appearance on I'm A Celebrity South Africa, which airs on Monday, led to his diagnosis thanks to health tests prior to the show revealing that he had prostate cancer He joked with Lorraine about the last time he was on the show, admitting it was 20 years prior when he was 'a lot thinner, a lot younger' and married with kids. Paul went on to say: 'I'm A Celebrity literally saved my life, because I went for the medical, they found a raised PSA level. I went to my GP and I said to him, "Am I still able to do the show?" 'And he said "Look, this can wait until you get back, and when you get back we'll continue with the investigations." Wah! Elsewhere in his appearance on Friday morning, he also undertook a trial with Lorraine in which they grappled with live snakes 'So when I got back, then I had an MRI scan, then I had biopsy, then they told me they had cancer.' Elsewhere in his appearance on Friday morning, he also undertook a trial with Lorraine in which they grappled with live snakes. Paul was the runner-up of the fourth series of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! in 2004. He later said that he is 'so grateful' to ITV for picking him to take part in the jungle, and described how he is 'emotional' but is looking forward to the end of his radio therapy sessions, to which he has five left. Holly Willoughby has given her fans a health update after she has been absent from This Morning for the last week as she battles the shingles. The TV presenter, 42, suggested she will be back on screens soon as she said she is 'feeling so much better'. The host took to her Instagram Stories on Friday and thanked fellow This Morning star Dermot O'Leary for sending her some soup and a Reuben's sandwich as she recovers. Sharing a snap of her meal, she wrote: 'Thank you @dermotoleary for the sweetest delivery of chicken soup and salt beef... just what I needed. 'Feeling so much better. Thank you all for your well wishes.' Update: Holly Willoughby has given her fans a health update after she has been absent from This Morning for the last week as she battles the shingles On the mend: The TV presenter, 42, suggested she will be back on screens soon as she said she is 'feeling so much better' (pictured with Phillip Schofield) Holly's confirmation that she is on the mend comes after This Morning fans predicted she might quit the show after missing Phillip Schofield's return. Rochelle Humes was parachuted in as an eleventh hour replacement for Holly on Monday after the presenter confirmed she was stricken with shingles. With Holly forced to remain at home until her symptoms pass, Rochelle, 34, was on hand to welcome Phillip Schofield back to This Morning after his own lengthy hiatus The presenter, 61, was back on the couch for the first time since pedophile brother Timothy, a former school teacher, was convicted of 11 sexual offences against a boy. Yet fans took to Twitter to question if Holly would ever return to the show, admitting they couldn't imagine the pair co-hosting for much longer. Viewers penned: 'Call me cynical bit I think we have seen the last of the Phil and Holly duo. #thismorning'; 'Something is not right there, bet she's just trying to stay away from Smugfield and gaining her brownie points with #ThisMorning viewers?' 'I dont think itll be Phil and Holly on This Morning much longer'; 'Oh look, Phils back, no Holly though.' Rochelle and Phillip will host Thursday's installment of the show while Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary will take on Friday as usual. 'Sweetest delivery': The host took to her Instagram Stories on Friday and thanked fellow This Morning star Dermot O'Leary for sending her some soup as she recovers MailOnline has contacted Holly's representatives for comment. Holly explained to her fans on Sunday that she'd been struck down with shingles, which delayed her return to the daytime programme after the Easter break. She wrote: 'Hi... Just to let you know i may be away for the rest of the week as i have shingles... I'll be back as soon as I'm better. Huge Love, Holly xxx.' The condition, which is transferrable through direct contact, is typically characterized by a painful rash and blisters - usually on the left or right side of the body or face. It marked a delay in her reunion with Phillip - who had been off-air for two weeks during his brother's trial. Other hosts including Alison Hammond and Joel Dommett had taken his place alongside regular Holly. Sick leave: Holly's confirmation that she is on the mend comes after This Morning fans predicted she might quit the show after missing Phillip Schofield 's return Temporary: Rochelle Humes was parachuted in as an eleventh hour replacement for Holly on Monday to present alongside Phillip Poorly: Holly explained to her fans on Sunday that she'd been struck down with shingles, which delayed her return to the daytime programme after the Easter break In February it was claimed ITV bosses feared Holly 'could leave This Morning' after the presenter thought that Queuegate backlash was 'mishandled.' She and Phillip came under fire last year when they were accused of having 'VIP access' to file 'past the Queen lying in state,' skipping the queue, a claim the stars and ITV have both denied. According to a new report, Holly was 'devastated' by the public reception and the broadcaster's 'decision to remain silent.' As a result The Mirror affirms that ITV lack the 'confidence' they have previously had with Holly's contract, which expires in December. The broadcaster is said to be working on a 'bumper package' for the presenter in order to keep her with the channel. A source told the publication: 'The Queuegate backlash was absolutely devastating for Holly, but what made matters worse was the feeling it was mishandled. 'ITV's decision to remain silent before finally issuing a statement was frustrating, as it felt like they were shutting the door after the horse had bolted. 'Bosses know last year was incredibly hard for her and as such, they are not approaching her contract negotiations with the same confidence as they have previously.' A source later told MailOnline: 'Holly is a much loved, respected and valued member of not just the This Morning team but the entire ITV family. 'Since Holly joined 14 years ago, This Morning has been part of the national conversation and one of the UK's favourite daytime shows, and as one of the country's foremost and most talented presenters, ITV holds Holly in the highest esteem.' Additionally a source close to Holly said she had 'no plans' to leave This Morning. Meanwhile, Rochelle has been enjoying her time on the daytime show but was left red-faced after making a rather cheeky blunder on Wednesday's episode when her earpiece popped out. Fears: In February it was claimed ITV bosses feared Holly 'could leave This Morning' after the presenter thought that Queuegate backlash with Phillip was 'mishandled' Phillip told viewers that his co-host had been struggling with the earpiece and it had popped out a few times on air because of the 'size of her ear holes'. Rochelle then burst out laughing after mistakenly telling viewers she had a 'big hole'. The presenting duo then joked about her ears as they continued laughing and in the midst of the hilarity, Rochelle accidentally let an innuendo slip. She said: 'What can I say guys. I have a big hole.... oh my god.... in my ear I mean.' Kaia Gerber cut an elegant figure as she dined in West Hollywood, on Thursday. The model, 21, looked chic in a silky black midi dress and longline coat while leaving San Vicente Bungalows. Kaia added a pop of colour to her ensemble with a pillar-box red pair of baby doll heels and a matching manicure. The beauty, who is her mother Cindy Crawford's doppelganger, carried her belongings in a green shoulder and accessorised with a delicate necklace. Kaia recently returned from Cabo San Lucas where she soaked up some sun with her movie star boyfriend Austin Butler. Chic: Kaia Gerber, 21, cut an elegant figure as she dined at San Vicente Bungalows in West Hollywood, on Thursday Gorgeous: The model looked chic in a silky black midi dress and longline coat, adding a pop of colour to her ensemble with a pillar-box red pair of baby doll heels The couple began seeing each other in November 2021 and made their relationship official when they attended the Met Gala together in May 2022. Austin was previously in an eight year relationship with actress Vanessa Hudgens. His relationship with Kaia began just one month after she ended her prior 13-month relationship with Euphoria star Jacob Elordi. The pair were first seen getting cozy in September 2020 and called it quits after a year, ending things on 'amicable' terms, according to an insider with Page Six. Kaia previously briefly dated Pete Davidson around the end of 2019. In 2019, Kaia told Vogue: 'Ever since I was younger people told me I was a really old soul. Because I felt I understood things I never learned. 'I would tell my younger self to worry a little bit less. And how beauty and confidence all comes from how you feel inside.' In 2018, she admitted that her supermodel mother Cindy passed down her fashion taste. Her man: Kaia is in a relationship with Austin Butler. The couple began dating in November 2021 and made their relationship official when attending the Met Gala together in May 2022 Kaia he told Harper's Bazaar: 'My mom has always focused on the classics of style and I think she passed that onto me, where less is more.' However, the young model recently said her style icon growing up was not her mother, but British actress Jane Birkin, the mother of actress Charlotte Gainsborough. 'She's just effortlessly cool and chic without trying... or it never looks like she's trying,' Kaia told IMDB. 35m Bangladeshis still live below the poverty line. Regular monitoring of progress is emphasized in recent Poverty Watch Report 2022 to assess the actual poverty line Bangladesh is among five countries where the worlds extremely poor reside. by Kazi Anwarul Masud US OUTPERFORMS EUROPE IN THE ECONOMIC SPHERE The Economist magazine in an article (13 April 2023) has lauded the impressive US economic performance compared to the other rich countries in the West. If GDP is taken as an example The Economist states In 1990 America accounted for a quarter of the worlds output, at market exchange rates. Thirty years on, that share is almost unchanged, even as China has gained economic clout. Americas dominance of the rich world is startling. Today it accounts for 58% of the g7s GDP, compared with 40% in 1990. The magazine adds For the world as a whole, Americas outperformance says much about how to grow. One lesson is that size matters. America has the benefit of a large consumer market over which to spread the costs of r&d and a deep capital market from which to raise finance. Only China, and perhaps one day India, can boast of purchasing power at such a scale. DISAPPEARANCE OF A UNIPOLAR WORLD The very fact that China and India are cited as examples illustrates that the unipolar world that was accepted since the Second World War no longer exists and the US has to take along NATO and the European Community members to take the challenge posed by China and the non-aligned Movement members of Indian sub-continent and African countries freed from British, Portuguese and other European nations. Photo taken on April 15, 2023 shows the construction site of Bangladesh's Ghorashal-Polash Urea Fertilizer Project in Narsingdi, central Bangladesh. (Xinhua) MONRO DOCTRINE AND THE IMPORTANCE OF THE US ROLE In this newly emerging situation, Monroe Doctrine played a crucial role in the US warning the European nations not to interfere in the American continent. Since the Spanish-American War, the United States had a significant hand in various conflicts around the world. The US surrounded by two oceans had the luxury of living in a separate world of its own and impose the Monroe Doctrine as it saw fit. Albeit Monroe Doctrine was a United States policy that opposed European colonialism in the Americas. It argued that any intervention in the politics of the Americas by foreign powers was a potentially hostile act against the United States. The Monroe Doctrine was issued at a time when nearly all Latin American colonies of Spain and Portugal had achieved or were at the point of gaining, independence from the Portuguese and Spanish Empires. The Monroe Doctrine stated that further efforts by various European states to take control of any independent state in the Americas would be viewed as the manifestation of an unfriendly disposition toward the United States. President James Monroe asserted that the New World and the Old World were to remain distinctly separate spheres of influence. A lot of water has flown under London Bridge and todays world has a completely different shape. STEPHEN WALT ON THE DISAPPEARANCE OF UNIPOLARITY Harvard Luminary Stephen Walt in an article observed former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroders warning of the undeniable danger of U.S. unilateralism, and of former French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrines statement that the entire foreign policy of France is aimed at making the world of tomorrow composed of several poles, not just one. Current French President Emmanuel Macrons support for European unity and strategic autonomy reveals a similar impulseAlthough the Biden administration recognizes that the US is back in a world of several great powers, it seems nostalgic for the brief era when the United States didnt face peer competitors. Hence its vigorous reassertion of U.S. leadership, its desire to inflict a military defeat on Russia that will leave it too weak to cause trouble in the future, and its efforts to stifle Chinas rise by restricting Beijings access to critical technological inputs. SINO-RUSSIAN ENTENTE Taking into consideration the picture drawn by Stephen Walt recent visit by XI-JINPING to Moscow (the 40th time the two leaders-Vladimir Putin- have met in person) is significant. The two leaders have publicly declared limitless solidarity and displayed the efficiency of the Western efforts to reach essential goods to the needy. It was to emphasize that the Communist system is superior to that of the West. As an example, China has launched its Belt and Road Initiative to construct infrastructural needs of the middle and poverty-stricken countries that do not have the resources to finance their needs. INDO-RUSSIAN RELATIONS UN vote on the Russian invasion of Ukraine clearly displays that the motion was backed by 141 nations with 32 abstaining and seven, including Russia, voting against it. India reiterated its position on the invasion, saying that peaceful dialogue was the only way out. Delhi has increasingly faced pressure to take a firm stand on Russia. Many countries, including the US and Ukraine, have publicly appealed to Delhi to take a clear stand and do the right thing. But India has resisted the pressure and continued with its strategy of not criticizing Russia directly. It has abstained from similar resolutions both at the UNGA and at the UNSC in the past. The two countries have decades-old trusted relationships since the Cold War. Russia is also Indias largest arms supplier even though its share has dropped in recent years largely due to Delhis decision to boost domestic defense manufacturing and a widening imports portfolio. The two countries also have a history of diplomatic cooperation Moscow has vetoed UNSC resolutions over the disputed region of Kashmir. Delhi, however, has talked about the importance of the UN Charter, international law, and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states in its past statements on Ukraine. BANGLADESH LIBERATION WAR One must recall the repeated vetoes given by the Soviet Union on efforts by Western nations in total disregard of the genocide perpetrated on unarmed Bengalis by the Pakistani military junta for a political solution with the Pakistani military regime. It was not for nothing that many countries from the East and the West realized, not for the first time, that the Western so-called cry for democracy was a farce. From the US Edward Kennedy visited the refugee camps in Indian West Bengal in millions were welcomed by then-Indian Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi but for whose untiring efforts liberation of Bangladesh from the clutches of Pakistani hordes could have been indefinitely delayed. If we switch from 1971 when Bangladeshs liberation was fought to the present time we find an entirely different world. US-European suzerainty is gone, multi-polarity has appeared and a Sino-Russian entente has emerged. As this article had indicated earlier the world would not like to have a saber-rattling contest between the US and Russia with nuclear weapons. The great majority of the people of the world would prefer a peaceful solution of the Ukraine problem that would ensure Russia her territorial integrity with Ukraine not joining either the Russian side or the Western side. BANGLADESH IS AN EXAMPLE OF POVERTY AND CORRUPTION According to a report published in Dhaka Tribune(Syed Zakir Hussain and Meraj Mavis-January 22 2023) After Bangladeshs independence in 1971, 80% of its people initially lived below the poverty line, but now that percentage has reached 20%. However, the actual number of poor people has not decreased in this period, considering the percentage, a report revealed on Saturday. Still, 35 million people in Bangladesh live below the poverty line a fact that came out in the Bangladesh Poverty Watch Report 2022. During the launching program of the report, experts and economists said that 35 million people remained poor since 1990 despite the poverty rate halving in the last three decades. They also urged the government to take and implement policies required for decentralization to uplift marginalized people above the poverty line, ensuring inclusive growth. The report was jointly compiled by the Institute for Inclusive Finance and Development (InM) and the Centre for Inclusive Development Dialogue (CIDD). Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad, chairman of InM and Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF), in his opening remarks said: Income-based poverty measurement will not eliminate the actual poverty. We have to find out about multidimensional poverty. Atiur Rahman, former governor of Bangladesh Bank, said that: The economy is facing some challenges regarding geopolitical tension, energy shortage, and supply chain disruption, and the government should take steps considering these challenges. Mustafa K Mujeri, chairman of the CIDD, said: Its true that poverty is in constant decline. The government has taken initiatives to solve this problem. But poverty is not only measured by lack of income, rather it includes the shortage of choice, opportunity, and lack of being heard. Prof Salma Akhter, trustee of CIDD, in her keynote presentation, said that: About 94% of the Garo males work as day laborers while the remaining are engaged with informal sectors. All members of the community consider themselves poor throughout the year as men earn Tk300 a day, while women only Tk100. Around 60,000 people from the Munda community face shortage of food for three to four months every year. The daily income of the Mal Paharia community varies from Tk100 to Tk200. About 92% of 129,000 Santals live below the poverty line. Most women and children in these groups face additional marginalization, and rights violations, and have fewer opportunities to access education, health, economic opportunities, protection and justice, Prof Salma added that the legal, administrative and other social institutions do not usually work equally to protect the rights of ethnic minorities and transgenders. Thus, their voices remain mostly unheard as the marginalized communities in Bangladesh are powerless and less organized than other citizens in claiming their civil rights. SUGGESTIONS TO ACCELERATE SOCIAL INTEGRATION The report offered several key activities to accelerate their social integration. The key will be to integrate these policies into the governments broader inclusive development strategies, which address cross-cutting and national-level issues such as strengthening inclusive growth, ensuring financial inclusion of the marginalized, reducing income and social inequality, accessing quality education, health, nutrition, and other basic services, adopting appropriate macroeconomic policy, addressing the marginal groups or regions, and implementing initiatives at the local level. Apart from the philosophies behind corruption, it would be useful to find out the causes of corruption in countries like Bangladesh. It is easy to give advice from armchairs on the ways to remove corruption from societies like ours. But in countries where millions of people are illiterate and have to depend on so-called literate persons to translate government orders which again would not be done without bribe millions of people remain at the mercy of middlemen to get service which in some cases are free entitlement to the recipients. So the nexus between corruption and receiving government services are clear. Corruption, therefore, has to be eliminated. But it is easier said than done. Corruption has taken such deep roots in our societies that it has become impossible to eliminate corruption. Additionally, when corruption has backers at a high level with powerful connections one has to keep quiet and suffer the indignities of becoming a victim. 35m Bangladeshis still live below the poverty line regular monitoring of progress emphasized in the recent POVERTY WATCH REPORT 2022 Poverty Watch Report 2022 to assess actual poverty line Bangladesh is among five countries where the worlds extremely poor reside. According to a report published in Dhaka Tribune(Syed Zakir Hussain and Meraj Mavis-January 22 2023) After Bangladeshs independence in 1971, 80% of its people initially lived below the poverty line, but now that percentage has reached 20%. However, the actual number of poor people has not decreased in this period, considering the percentage, a report revealed on Saturday. Still, 35 million people in Bangladesh live below the poverty line a fact that came out in the Bangladesh Poverty Watch Report 2022. During the launching program of the report, experts and economists said that 35 million people remained poor since 1990 despite the poverty rate halving in the last three decades. They also urged the government to take and implement policies required for decentralization to uplift marginalized people above the poverty line, ensuring inclusive growth. The report was jointly compiled by the Institute for Inclusive Finance and Development (InM) and the Centre for Inclusive Development Dialogue (CIDD). Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad, chairman of InM and Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF), in his opening remarks said: Income-based poverty measurement will not eliminate the actual poverty. We have to find out about multidimensional poverty. Atiur Rahmnan, former governor of Bangladesh Bank, said that: The economy is facing some challenges regarding geopolitical tension, energy shortage and supply chain disruption, and the government should take steps considering these challenges. Mustafa K Mujeri, chairman of the CIDD, said: Its true that poverty is in constant decline. The government has taken initiatives to solve this problem. But poverty is not only measured by lack of income, rather it includes the shortage of choice, opportunity, and lack of being heard. Prof Salma Akhter, trustee of CIDD, said that: About 94% of the Garo males work as day laborers while the remaining are engaged with informal sectors. All members of the community consider themselves poor throughout the year as men earn Tk300 a day, while women only Tk100. Around 60,000 people from the Munda community face shortage of food for three to four months every year. The daily income of the Mal Paharia community varies from Tk100 to Tk200. About 92% of 129,000 Santals live below the poverty line. Most women and children in these groups face additional marginalization, and rights violations, and have fewer opportunities to access education, health, economic opportunities, protection and justice, Prof Salma added. She further said the legal, administrative, and other social institutions do not usually work equally to protect the rights of ethnic minorities and transgenders. Thus, their voices remain mostly unheard as the marginalized communities in Bangladesh are powerless and less organized than other citizens in claiming their civil rights. The report offered several key activities to accelerate their social integration. The key will be to integrate these policies into the governments broader inclusive development strategies, which address cross-cutting and national-level issues such as strengthening inclusive growth, ensuring financial inclusion of the marginalized, reducing income and social inequality, accessing quality education, health, nutrition, and other basic services, adopting the appropriate macroeconomic policy, addressing the marginal groups or regions, and implementing initiatives at the local level. Apart from the philosophies behind corruption, it would be useful to find out the causes of corruption in countries like Bangladesh. It is easy to give advice from armchairs on the ways to remove corruption from societies like ours. But in countries where millions of people are illiterate and have to depend on so-called literate persons to translate government orders which again would not be done without bribe millions of people remain at the mercy of middlemen to get service which in some cases are free entitlement to the recipients. So the nexus between corruption and receiving government services are clear. Corruption, therefore, has to be eliminated. But it is easier said than done. Corruption has taken such deep roots in our societies that it has become impossible to eliminate corruption. Additionally, when corruption has backers at a high level with powerful connections one has to keep quiet and suffer the indignities of becoming a victim. Kazi Anwarul Masud is a retired Bangladeshi diplomat. During his tenure, he worked in several countries as the ambassador of Bangladesh including Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea and Germany Lily James looked worlds away from her usual glamorous self as she filmed scenes for the movie Relay alongside Riz Ahmed in New York on Thursday. The actress, 34, donned a grey T-shirt and a matching cap as she filmed an outdoor scene on the streets of the Big Apple. The former Downton Abbey star also wore a pair of black trousers along with a pair of matching boots. Wrapping up in a brown leather jacket, Lily also carried a black bag and styled her locks into an updo. Riz and Lily appeared to be rushing through a street during the scene before he was seen hurrying her into a taxi. Filming: Lily James looked worlds away from her usual glamorous self as she filmed scenes for the movie Relay alongside Riz Ahmed in New York on Thursday Scene: Riz and Lily appeared to be rushing through a street during the scene before he was seen hurrying her into a taxi Shoot: The actress, 34, donned a grey T-shirt and a matching cap as she filmed an outdoor scene on the streets of the Big Apple The Four Lions actor, 40, wore a black hoodie and matching jeans along with a brown leather jacket. The film comes from director David Mackenzie and will continue to shoot throughout April, taking to New York and New Jersey. The new production follows Tom (Riz Ahmed), who keeps his identity hidden while brokering lucrative payoffs between corrupt corporations and the individuals who threaten their ruin. Things change for the character after a potential client, Sarah (Lily James), reaches to seek protection to stay alive. Production company Black Bear International is launching the project at the European Film Market. The new project was revealed to be led by the two acclaimed actors back in February, with a release date yet to be known. Relay joins a collection of projects for Lily this year, who is also starring in the Zac Efron fronted wrestling biopic The Iron Claw. Covering the triumphant and tragic story of the Von Erich wrestling family, Lily portrays Pam Adkisson. In character: The former Downton Abbey star also wore a pair of black trousers along with a pair of matching boots On location: Wrapping up in a brown leather jacket, Lily also carried a black bag and styled her locks into an updo Project: The film comes from director David Mackenzie and will continue to shoot throughout April, taking to New York and New Jersey Pot: The production follows Tom (Riz Ahmed), who keeps his identity hidden while brokering lucrative payoffs between corrupt corporations and the individuals who threaten their ruin Story: Things change for the character after a potential client, Sarah (Lily James), reaches to seek protection to stay alive Film: The new project was revealed to be led by the two acclaimed actors back in February, with a release date yet to be known It comes after Lily was seen alongside businessman Andrei Gillott during an outing in Los Angeles last month. Lily's most recent film role was in the romantic comedy What's Love Got To Do With It? opposite Shazad Latif and Emma Thompson. In between shooting her new movie in NYC, Lily has been enjoying time with Alexa Chung 's ex Orson Fry. The Mamma Mia actress, 34, reportedly called time on her relationship with boyfriend of two years Michael Shuman after growing apart in recent months, The Sun claimed earlier this year. Orson, who is the the scion of the Fry chocolate dynasty, began dating fashion icon Alexa Chung in 2019, but the couple split in summer 2022. Chris Hemsworth has welcomed American surfer Kelly Slater to Perth and even joined him on the surf. The Hollywood actor, 39, put his tour guide hat on as Slater arrived Down Under this week to compete in the Margaret River Pro competition. While the tournament kicked off on Friday, Slater won't be competing for a few days. ADVERTISEMENT So, Hemsworth took the opportunity to catch some waves with the pro-surfer, and shared some incredible videos of their day out on the sea to Instagram. Sharing a carousel of videos and photos of their adventure-filled day to his over 50 million followers, the Aussie actor wrote: 'Epic day of surf fun and sun with Kelly Slater.' Chris Hemsworth (left) welcomed American surfer Kelly Slater (right) to Perth, and even joined him on the surf In one photo, Hemsworth posed and smiled alongside Slater, 51, as they sat on jet skis. Another image shows the actor, who is based in Byron Bay, sitting on a boat with his wife, actress Elsa Pataky. The Thor star and the American pro-surfer have been friends for some time, and they often support each other online. Last year, Hemsworth congratulated the surfer on his Pipeline victory in Hawaii. Alongside a photo of Kelly basking in his win, the Rush actor wrote on Instagram: 'Congrats, Kelly. Greatest of all time. What an inspiration.' Sharing a carousel of videos and photos of their adventure-filled day to his over 50 million followers, the Aussie actor wrote: 'Epic day of surf fun and sun with Kelly Slater' Another image shows the actor, who is based in Byron Bay, sitting on a boat with his wife, actress Elsa Pataky (left) Their day out in Perth also it isn't the first time they've caught some waves together, as the Aussie star is an avid surfer and has accompanied Slater on many surfing trips to locations like Fiji and his home town of Byron Bay. In 2018, Hemsworth posted a stunning photo of himself surfing at Slater's WSL Surf Ranch in Lenmoore, California. He captioned the snap: 'Lucky enough to surf the best wave pool on the planet. Big thanks to Kelly Slater and WSL for the opportunity!' Slater, who is an 11-time world champion, arrived at Perth Airport on Wednesday with his girlfriend Kalani Miller. ADVERTISEMENT Chris Hemsworth has welcomed American surfer Kelly Slater to Perth and even joined him on the surf. The Hollywood actor, 39, put his tour guide hat on as Slater arrived Down Under this week to compete in the Margaret River Pro competition. While the tournament kicked off on Friday, Slater won't be competing for a few days. So, Hemsworth took the opportunity to catch some waves with the pro-surfer, and shared some incredible videos of their day out on the sea to Instagram. Sharing a carousel of videos and photos of their adventure-filled day to his over 50 million followers, the Aussie actor wrote: 'Epic day of surf fun and sun with Kelly Slater.' Chris Hemsworth (left) welcomed American surfer Kelly Slater (right) to Perth, and even joined him on the surf In one photo, Hemsworth posed and smiled alongside Slater, 51, as they sat on jet skis. Another image shows the actor, who is based in Byron Bay, sitting on a boat with his wife, actress Elsa Pataky. The Thor star and the American pro-surfer have been friends for some time, and they often support each other online. Last year, Hemsworth congratulated the surfer on his Pipeline victory in Hawaii. Alongside a photo of Kelly basking in his win, the Rush actor wrote on Instagram: 'Congrats, Kelly. Greatest of all time. What an inspiration.' Sharing a carousel of videos and photos of their adventure-filled day to his over 50 million followers, the Aussie actor wrote: 'Epic day of surf fun and sun with Kelly Slater' Another image shows the actor, who is based in Byron Bay, sitting on a boat with his wife, actress Elsa Pataky (left) Their day out in Perth also it isn't the first time they've caught some waves together, as the Aussie star is an avid surfer and has accompanied Slater on many surfing trips to locations like Fiji and his home town of Byron Bay. In 2018, Hemsworth posted a stunning photo of himself surfing at Slater's WSL Surf Ranch in Lenmoore, California. He captioned the snap: 'Lucky enough to surf the best wave pool on the planet. Big thanks to Kelly Slater and WSL for the opportunity!' Slater, who is an 11-time world champion, arrived at Perth Airport on Wednesday with his girlfriend Kalani Miller. She touched down in France earlier this week ahead of tying the knot under the sun this weekend. And ahead of her big day, Sofia Richie appears to be in bridal mode already as she was dressed in white for a stroll with her fiance Elliot Grainge. The model, 24, looked stunning in a sleeveless blazer dress with gold button embellishments and a collared neckline. Adding a pair of chic pumps to the look, she walked hand-in-hand with her record producer beau around the lavish Hotel du Cap Eden Roc. They were joined by Elliot's father, as their respective family and friends have flown out to celebrate the special weekend with the couple. Sofia Ritchie is ever the doting bride-to-be in a white mini dress as she enjoys a stroll with fiance Elliot Grainge to kick off their wedding weekend in the French Riviera Sofia added a pop of colour with a crossbody Chanel handbag across her torso, adding drop earrings to match. Her blonde locks were left to fall freely in a straight style as they sat in a middle parting, with the beauty adding a pair of gold rounded sunglasses. She could be seen greeting her soon to be father-in-law, Universal Music Group chairman Lucian, with a hug. Elliot walked alongside his soon-to-be wife as they interlocked hands, sporting a pair of white trousers with a pinstripe navy shirt. Friends and family have been arriving to the South of France over the last couple of days to celebrate the big day, staying in the luxurious Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc. Among the arrivals were Cameron Diaz and her husband Benji Madden, who were seen at the hotel with their adorable three-year-old daughter Raddix ahead of the big day. Sofia and Elliot started out as friends before taking their relationship to a romantic level in 2021 following her split from Scott Disick, 39. He popped the question in April 2022. Family: She could be seen greeting her soon to be father-in-law, Universal Music Group chairman Lucian, with a hug Earlier this month, Sofia revealed that she'd officially converted to Judaism ahead of of her wedding to Elliot, who is Jewish. Lionel has had nothing but kind things to say about his daughter's future husband. He told Access Hollywood last year that he's 'so happy' for the couple and that he's also known Elliot a long time through his father Lucian. 'I love Elliot, I've known him since he was 12,' Lionel gushed. 'It was one of those things where I don't have to go back and check out the kid. I know who it is.' Sofia Vergara shared her excitement for summer by posting a throwback photo from a trip to the Dominican Republic. The 50-year-old actress from Colombia stunned in a skimpy black bikini while posing by a horse in the scenic country. In the caption added to the batch of pictures, she typed, '#tbt Republica Dominicana.' In the image she was a blonde, not a brunette, which she has been for over a decade. The star - who was seen in Los Angeles earlier this week - came to fame with Modern Family and is now on America's Got Talent with model Heidi Klum. Horsing around: Sofia Vergara shared her excitement for summer by posting a throwback photo from a trip to the Dominican Republic. The 50-year-old actress from Colombia stunned in a skimpy black bikini while posing by a horse in the scenic country This comes after she shared several swimsuit images in December while on vacation. The TV vet looked flawless in a skimpy white one-piece swimsuit that made the most of her incredible pinup curves as she stood in a lush outdoor setting. The former bikini model wore a semi sheer white one piece suit with a simple design. And she added a wrap that tied at her hip. It had a white background with scarlet red Easter lilies and green palm leaves. Her chocolate locks were worn down in soft waves and she had on a deep ruby red lipstick. Her nails were painted a pale pink and she had on light jewelry. She eschewed shoes in favor of going barefoot. Vergara has managed to stay fit by sticking to lean proteins like fish and chicken instead of indulging in carbs such as pizza. But she is known to enjoy her sweets now and then as she often features cakes served during her parties in images shared on Instagram. The star works out consistently too, often in her home gym. She prefers exercise equipment like treadmills and stair climbers but has also been seen working out with free weights. The star has shared in the past that she suffers from hypothyroidism. Her little one: She was also seen posing with her son Manolo, from when he was a child. Manolo Gonzalez Vergara is now 31 In February she reflected on her past battle with cancer. The actress was diagnosed with thyroid cancer at the age of 28 after doctors discovered a lump in her neck during a routine checkup. 'At 28, Cancer was not a word I expected to hear,' began Vergara, who included a photo of herself that was taken after receiving treatment. She continued: 'It was just a routine checkup. But the doctors found a lump in my throat, and that word became part of my story. 'I spent countless hours in radiation treatments, and, eventually, in surgery. Today, I get to call myself a cancer survivor. 'This was my first acting class after diagnosis and treatment, and seeing the scar on my throat reminds me of how blessed I felt that dayand every day since. The look works: The former bikini model wore a semi sheer white one piece suit with a simple design White delight: Vergara has turned up the heat again during her tropical vacation in December to celebrate her husband Joe Manganiello's 46th birthday. She was flawless in a skimpy white one-piece swimsuit that made the most of her incredible pinup curves as she stood in a lush outdoor setting Cute: She added a wrap that tied at her hip. It had a white background with scarlet red Easter lilies and green palm leaves 'I'm lucky and grateful to be in a position to share my story and say: early prevention is so important!! Schedule your annual check up for this year if you haven't already [kiss face emoji] #worldcancerday #closethecaregap.' Vergara previously opened up about her battle with thyroid cancer during a telecast for Stand Up to Cancer last year. 'When you're young and you hear that word, 'cancer,' your mind goes to so many places,' Vergara said. 'But I tried not to panic and I decided to get educated. I read every book and found out everything I could about it.' Sizzling! Earlier this week the 50-year-old brunette bombshell from Colombia posted sizzling images where she looked trim in a black string bikini She went on to say that early detection helped her overcome the disease, and her battle helped her grow closer to her family. 'I was fortunate to have caught it early and to have the support of my doctors and most importantly, my family,' she said. 'I learned a lot during that time, not just about thyroid cancer but I also learned that in times of crisis, we're better together.' On Wednesday she was seen in a sizzling bikini selfie shared via her Instagram. The Fading Gigolo star showed off her incredible figure in a black two-piece that put her ample cleavage and taut tummy front and center. The LA resident also posted a shirtless photo of her handsome . Birthday boy: The Colombian star also posted a shirtless photo of her handsome husband Joe In her sultry mirror selfie Sofia wore her brunette tresses straight, cascading down her shoulders. The actress accentuated her natural beauty with a touch of matte pink lipstick and black eyeliner. As for accessories, the stylish star wore a Van Cleef & Arpels mother of pearl bracelet. The model also posted a photo of Joe showing off his muscles in a black tank top while surrounded by green trees. She then added a quick video of the stunning scenery from their Caribbean home, which she calls 'Casa Chipi Chipi.' The clip showed a windy view of palm trees and pale blue ocean. She and and Joe have been married since November 2015. Vergara and Manganiello met in 2014 at the White House Correspondents Association dinner. They got engaged on Christmas Eve 2014 after six months of dating. They married at the Breakers Resort in Palm Beach, Florida. Myleene Klass returned to work at Smooth Radio on Friday the day after suffering a painful accident when she fell on a cactus during a photoshoot. Despite her ailments, the 45-year-old star was all-smiles as she strolled through the streets of central London. She looked chic in a pretty floral dress from her Next collection that featured a cut-out at the waist which showcased her slender figure. She was, however, victim to the elements as she was seen covering her hair with a denim jacket while shielding herself from the April showers. Myleene paired the ensemble with heeled white boots to add inches to her height. Stylish: Myleene Klass shielded herself from downpours in a floral summer dress on Friday as she returned to work at Smooth radio after falling on a cactus during a photoshoot Grins: Covering her hair with a denim jacket, she shielded herself from the April showers Taking to her Instagram story ahead of her presenting stint, the television personality wrote: 'Dress for the weather you want.' Prior to her latest trip to work, Myleene's glam photoshoot didn't go to plan on Thursday after the unfortunate accident involving a cactus. The star was shooting her latest campaign for Skechers in a London studio, sharing behind the scenes snippets from her busy day on Instagram. But the day took a turn when Myleene fell onto a cactus being used as a prop. Looking good: She paired the stunning ensemble with heeled white boots, adding inches to her height She filmed the results, revealing she was forced to strip down to her underwear so her glam squad could remove the prickles from her derriere. Myleene wrote on Instagram: ''This is a first. Today on my shoot I fell onto some CACTI! Yup!', before thanking her hair and makeup artist and photographer for going 'beyond the call of duty.' In a video Myleene had stripped down to a pink lace bralet and black thong while her makeup artist pal Joe Pickering Taylor got to work with some tweezers. The group couldn't stop laughing as they helped patch Myleene up before they could get back to work. Fabulous: Her frock featured a cut-out at the waist which showcased her slender figure as she strolled through the streets of central London Glam: Taking to her Instagram story ahead of her presenting stint, the television personality wrote: 'Dress for the weather you want' Ouch! It comes after Myleene's glam photoshoot didn't go to plan on Thursday after the unfortunate accident involving a cactus Myleene will reportedly be back on TV screens this month as a rumoured latecomer to I'm A Celebrity All Stars. The former pop star famously set pulses racing in 2006 by sporting a white bikini in the outside shower Now, it has been reported that she will be revisiting the look as she joins the South Africa show as a latecomer. Since her appearance, a slew of female stars have tried to recreate her iconic shower scenes during their time in camp. Myleene ultimately finished in second place, behind Matt Willis, and is heavily tipped to be one of the surprise latecomers to the All Stars camp, alongside Georgia Toffolo and Joe Swash. Icon Gillian McKeith - who was renowned for her dramatic fainting scene - Dean Gaffney and Andrew Whyment could also be among those making a return on the South Africa show. They are said to join previously announced stars Helen Flanagan, Carol Vorderman, Amir Khan, Janice Dickinson, Paul Burrell, Jordan Banjo, Shaun Ryder, Fatima Whitbread and Phil Tufnell. A true friend: In a video Myleene had stripped down to a pink lace bralet and black thong while her makeup artist pal Joe Pickering Taylor got to work with some tweezers Oops: The day took a turn when Myleene fell onto a cactus being used as a prop Hit show Lupin is returning for a third season two years after the series' last installment. The French crime drama became an international hit when it launched in January 2021, with part two dropping five months later. Netflix have now announced that part three will be released on October 5, sharing the news on their official Twitter account. Tragically, show star Adama Niane died in January at the age of 56. It is not known if he got to see the final cut before his death and the cause of death has not been confirmed. The French actor was best known for his role as assassin and ex-convict Leonard Kone in Lupin. Making a comeback: Hit show Lupin is returning for a third season this October - two years after the series' last installment Adama's Lupin co-star Omar Sy led tributes to the star on Twitter, describing the actor as 'man of rare benevolence'. He wrote: 'I extend my deep condolences to the loved ones of Adama Niane, an immense actor alongside whom I had the chance and the pleasure of playing. 'A man of rare benevolence May his soul rest in peace.' Lupin became the first French series to land on Netflix's Top 10 list, ranking No. 1 in the likes of Brazil, Vietnam, Argentina, Germany, Italy, Spain and Poland to name just a few. The drama stars Omar in the lead role as Assane Diop - someone who lives life inspired by thief Arsene Lupin, of the LeBlanc novels. The concept has been developed across various other film and TV formats over the years, including an animated series. Production on Lupin part three was disrupted last year when 20 masked men robbed the set. These brazen criminals made off with an estimated 300,00 Euros ($330,000) worth of equipment, which lead to a brief production shut-down. Sad news: Tragically, show star Adama Niane died in January at the age of 56 . It is not known if he got to see the final cut before his death The thieves broke onto the set after launching mortar fireworks in the area, though a Netflix statement confirmed no one was harmed in the incident. 'There was an incident on Feb. 25 while filming the upcoming season of Lupin. Our cast and crew are safe and there were no injuries,' the statement read. Filming was shut down for a few days on the Netflix series. Authorities in Nanterre have launched an investigation into the robbery, though it wasn't specified what was stolen during the incident. Patsy Kensit looked sensational as she shared snaps from her sun-soaked beach break with her pal. The EastEnders actress, 55, looked glamorous in a plunging frock with a leaf pattern, which featured a tie at the waist. She donned a pair of large green sunglasses for the beach-side snap as she sat on a sun lounger for the Instagram post. Th mother-of-two pouted for the shot, revealing her slender figure. Patsy swept her strawberry blonde locks into an up do and went makeup-free for the relaxed photograph, letting her natural beauty shine through. Glam: Patsy Kensit looked glamorous in a patterned frock for a beach-side picture as she enjoyed cocktails on a sun-soaked break with her pal on Friday She captioned the post: 'Happy happy hour' as she enjoyed some rest and relaxation. It comes after Good Morning Britain was slammed for 'inappropriately' drawing attention to Patsy's engagement ring while interviewing her last month. Mother-of-two Patsy announced her engagement to millionaire property tycoon Patric Cassidy after his romantic proposal on an idyllic overseas beach in February. The ring, believed to be an oval shaped 12-carat diamond worth in excess of 1million, was evident as the actress, who has been married four times, discussed her new role on BBC soap EastEnders with Kate Garraway. Drawing her interview to a close, the presenter couldn't resist referencing the exquisite piece of jewelry, telling Kensit: I am so distracted by that huge diamond ring! I am blinded by it! But the quip fared badly with viewers of the ITV breakfast show, and a faction immediately aired their grievances on Twitter. 'Is it really wise for @gmb to go flashing @patsy_kensit s engagement ring on national TV?!?!' Read one exasperated tweet. 'Was it even relevant to the interview?? There are a LOT of horrible ppl out there who wouldnt think twice about targeting someone who has a lot of money hanging off their finger.' There it is: It comes after Good Morning Britain was slammed for 'inappropriately' drawing attention to Patsy 's engagement ring while interviewing her last month In response, a second added: 'I presume she wears it most of the time but I take your point that Kate didn't need to bring it up & it seemed irrelevant to the conversation. You can offer congratulations without saying you're blinded by the ring.' 'Patsy herself posted it on her Instagram page a few weeks ago & it got picked up by the papers & celebrity magazines,' a third pointed out. Clarifying her initial point, one tweeter added: 'Ok. My tweet was based more on the fact that people out there know that she is wearing it right now and they also know her location. GMB is live.' Christie Swadling has insinuated that she may join adult platform OnlyFans as she faces bankruptcy. The influencer shared a clip to Instagram where she raised the career proposition during her Yo Balance Co Podcast alongside her fiance Joel Price. The beauty said to Joel that they could, 'start an OnlyFans account, and we could make big money'. She asked him for his 'honest opinion' on the venture - to which Joel replied with a lengthy burp. 'I was saving that up,' he said, 'That's why I had that big can before we started' before adding that he also needed to fart. Christie Swadling (pictured) insinuated that she may join adult platform OnlyFans as she faces bankruptcy The 27-year-old YouTuber and fitness model filed for bankruptcy last year Christie added that a company was 'trying to get me to join their management for OnlyFans' and Joel replied, 'No'. The influencer spent Thursday morning having her finances examined in court and later told her social media followers she had just been doing the weekly food shop. Christie had arrived at the Toronto Local Court in Lake Macquarie with her fiance at 9:30am and left just after 10:20am. The photographer who saw them outside court then followed the couple to a pharmacy, where Swadling bought protein powder, before the two headed home. That afternoon, Swadling shared a short video on Instagram, where she has 117,000 followers, announcing she had spent the day running errands. The beauty said to Joel that they could, 'start an OnlyFans account, and we could make big money'. She asked him for his 'honest opinion' on the venture - to which Joel replied with a lengthy burp The couple are seen outside court ahead of her appearance She made no mention of her court appearance and gave her fans the impression she had just gone grocery shopping before coming home to look after her stepchildren. Swadling filmed herself in the mirror wearing a little black dress - the same one she had worn to the Toronto courthouse - and panned the camera over to Price reclining on the couch while his children played video games in the background. 'Working from home in the school holidays can be challenging,' she wrote. 'After this morning's food shop then coming home doing kids' and dog's food. Only just starting work now,' she wrote, adding the timestamp of 1:29pm. The 27-year-old YouTuber and fitness model filed for bankruptcy last year, and her day in court was to evaluate her property and financial circumstances as a means of satisfying the judgement debt. Arriving at the courthouse, she carried a Louis Vuitton handbag worth $2,840 as she prepared for the examination to determine her ability to repay her debts. Clutching a vape in one hand, Swadling was supported by her heavily tattooed boyfriend as she rocked up in an LBD with a perilously high thigh split. The social media personality tried unsuccessfully to protect herself from the rain by holding a book over her head. It was revealed in February that Swadling was bankrupt after an anonymous user on the Tattle Life forums paid $15 to obtain the paperwork on her bankruptcy filing. She listed her job as an 'advertising and marketing professional' in the paperwork filed on December 29. It was revealed in February that Swadling was bankrupt after an anonymous user on the Tattle Life forums paid $15 to obtain the paperwork on her bankruptcy filing (seen here) The status of her bankruptcy was 'undischarged', which meant she would still need to pay back particular debts. It also meant she would not be able to borrow again from financial institutions without the disclosure of her bankruptcy. The release of the debtor's petition did not specify the outstanding debts, and the results of her financial examination on Thursday are unclear. Swadling's courthouse appearance comes days after she was mocked online for sharing her 'money-saving tips' despite filing for bankruptcy last year. She shared advice on Instagram on how to save money in a video advertisement for a cashback company. Influencer watchdog account Dutch Minty reposted the video alongside her bankruptcy filing and the caption: 'Bankrupt Christie giving out savings tips!' Swadling was roasted in the comments section, with followers pointing out the 'irony' of the partnership. Hayley Atwell is engaged to actor boyfriend Ned Wolfgang Kelly after a whirlwind romance. The Mission Impossible 7 star, 41, was first linked to Ned in July last year, shortly after she was said to have split from Tom Cruise for the second time. Ned announced the news on Instagram, revealing he popped the question during a romantic getaway in Venice. He gushed: 'Lucky me. Arrived in Venice at 10am, around midday the love of my life and I got engaged in the kitchen of this strange apartment surrounded by ducks, with a bloke outside the window murdering "My Way" on the accordion. 'A perfect start to the rest of our lives together. I'd never had any interest in getting married... until I met this extraordinary woman. Happy as a clam.' Cute couple: Hayley Atwell is engaged to actor boyfriend Ned Wolfgang Kelly after a whirlwind romance - the low-key couple were first linked in July last year Hayley and Ned keep their relationship lowkey and have rarely been pictured together. The London-based artist's Instagram bio reads that he 'doesn't eat animals' and that he has been 'alcohol & drug free for over a decade'. Speaking to The Sun when the couple first got together, an insider claimed: 'Hayley's happiness is written on her face right now. 'They get on like a house on fire and make a very handsome couple.' Ned's website says he has produced commercial music for big brands such as Bud Light, Headspace and Samsung. He has also scored films, worked on the design side of projects, and penned articles. Last year, Hayley was said to have split from her Mission Impossible co-star Tom for the second time. A source said: 'Unfortunately it hasnt worked out for them. They have now decided they are better as friends.' The insider also revealed that the fanfare around the couple after going public was too much to handle. 'They get on really well, and have fantastic chemistry, which is why they decided to quietly give the relationship another try earlier this year. 'What was working behind closed doors didnt work out so well when it was made public, and the fanfare around them as a couple exploded again,' the source stated. The source also insisted that the couple's romance was 'genuine', stating 'In spite of some rumours to the contrary, it was never just for the cameras.' Single lady: Last year, Hayley was said to have split from her Mission Impossible co-star Tom for the second time (pictured in November) The pair began dating in 2020 after meeting on set of Mission: Impossible 7, and were first reported to be an item in December. Tom, who plays Ethan Hunt in the famous franchise, and Hayley, who portrays a character mononymously known as Grace, spent much of the last year shooting the movie across the UK, as well as in Rome, Venice, and Norway. Though the two had never expressly confirmed their romance, they were said to have become 'fairly inseparable' after they 'hit it off from day one' on the film. However, by September, the relationship was said to have 'run its course' for the pair. An insider told The Sun about the breakup: 'It has been a very intense period of filming together. They really got on well but as the latest film winds down they've decided to go back to being friends.' 'Their filming schedules are very full-on, and Tom has a number of other commitments coming up and is always shooting around by private helicopter and jet so it just ran its course. 'But they're still happy to work together. It's a shame, but just one of those things. They still get on well.' In March Israel launched Ofek (Horizon) 13, the latest version of its Ofek surveillance satellites. Israel has built and launched its own military satellites since 1988. Before Ofek 13, the most recent surveillance satellite launch was in July 2020 when another photo satellite, the Ofek 16 was put into orbit. Ofek 16 was described as an upgrade of the Ofek 11 design, which first went up in 2016. At the time Ofek 11 was described as an upgraded Okek 10, which went up in 2014. Beyond that the Israelis offer few official details of Ofeq and other intelligence gathering satellites. Israel was the eighth nation to develop and build its own satellite launch capability. Israel uses only its own launchers for military satellites. Since these launchers are based on Israeli Jericho ballistic missile designs, it was cheaper using foreign launch services for commercial satellites. For example, Israeli communications satellites are now put into orbit by American SpaceX rockets, which have the cheapest prices as a result of SpaceX innovations like reusable first stages that land under their own power after separating from the second stage carrying the satellite. Ofek satellites have proved very reliable and are now built to recover from problems that often lead to the loss of satellites from other nations. For example, in late 2016 Israel launched Ofek 11. While the satellite achieved orbit it soon lost communications with ground control. The Ofek was built with fail-soft self-repair software and it was hoped whatever was wrong could be fixed. After nine days ground control regained contact, Ofek 11 was sending back digital images. Since then, Ofek has remained fully functional but it is still unclear if it will remain that way for eight years, the designed useful life of this Ofek. In addition to photo satellites, Israel also has a military-grade radar satellite called TekSar. One of these, in 2008, was launched using an Indian launcher. This was more of a good-will gesture towards a new ally and major purchaser of Israeli defense technology. That use of an Indian launcher for a military satellite was a one-time event and the Indians were eager to show the world their satellite launch capability. In addition to Israeli-built Ofek and TekSar birds, Israeli intelligence also uses Israeli-built Eros B and Eros A civilian photo satellites for some military needs. The first Ofek went up in 1988 and the last few have been incremental upgrades of the Ofek 9 which entered service in 2010. The Ofek 9 weighed about 300 kg (660 pounds) and used a new generation of sensors that were able to see objects as small as 55 cm (twenty inches). Ofek 10 was a little heavier with new electronics providing better resolution and Ofek 11 was more of the same. Ofek 16 has higher resolution cameras, which can apparently get below 50 cm resolution as well as providing higher quality photos using more capable software. All the Ofek spy sats are mainly for keeping tabs on Iran and what Iran is doing in Syria and Lebanon. There have been failures. In 1998 Ofek 4 failed and in 2004 so did Ofek 6. This led to design changes that included the fail-soft capabilities that saved Ofek 11. Each of the failed launches cost Israel about $100 million, which includes the cost of the satellite and the launcher, which are based on the Israeli Jericho ballistic missile. The satellite launcher version of Jericho is called Shavit. The first two stages of the Shavit are also used for the Israeli Jericho 3 IRBM (Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile). With a range of nearly 5,000 kilometers, the Jericho 3 can drop a nuke anywhere in the Middle East. Jericho is a 30-ton, solid fuel, two stage missile with a one-ton payload. There are several dozen Jericho 3s in service, mainly as a nuclear deterrent that can be launched from underground silos. Israel has often used its spy satellite capabilities for diplomacy. In 2012 Israel built and launched a photo spy satellite for Italy that cost $182 million for the satellite and launch, which was carried out in 2015. This was part of a deal where Italy agreed to buy an equal value of Israeli military gear as part of a deal where Israel bought $993 million worth of Italian jet trainers. Italy managed to cover this with the purchase of two AWACs and a spy satellite from Israel. In 2014 it was revealed that Israel had quietly and anonymously contributed some vital targeting information for the air campaign against ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) in Iraq, and possibly Syria as well. It wasnt that the U.S. doesnt have spy satellites that could have provided this, but the Israeli fleet of spy satellites does not have worldwide responsibilities, spend most of their time over Middle Eastern nations and have been doing so for many years. The Israelis had satellite data immediately that it would take weeks, months or longer for American satellites to compile. The Israeli contribution was kept quiet and the data provided had been scrubbed to remove any evidence that it was from Israel. But none of the Arab nations contributing warplanes to the operation were surprised and, except for Iran, which openly insists ISIL is an invention of the Americans, British and Israelis, no one complained. In 2021 Israel sold Vietnam a military surveillance satellite that Israel built and launched. The satellite was the latest version of the Ofek with a resolution of 50cm. This is accurate enough to show buildings, roads and vehicles. Israel has at least two of the latest Ofeks in orbit and has exported them for nearly a decade. Some of these export customers prefer not to be identified. In terms of resolution and other known factors, Ofek is little different from the many commercial photo satellites that provide unclassified photos to the media and general public. The main competition for this contract was a French firm, although there were offers from Russia, Japan and the United States. Israel has some supporting technologies, like digital image analysis software that they can offer in situations like this that are often decisive winning against competing offers. Guy Ritchie has banned real guns from his film sets following the Rust tragedy. The 54-year-old director is a veteran of the action genre and many of his movies feature firearms. But he only used Airsoft pellet weapons on his new film The Covenant. The movie stars Jake Gyllenhaal as a US Army sergeant who returns to Afghanistan in an attempt to rescue an interpreter who helped him during the war. Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was killed by a prop gun with real bullets fired by actor Alec Baldwin in October 2021 on the set of the Western film and Guy says a lot of changes have been made since the horrific incident. 'That whole thing has changed now, the whole game has changed,' he told Newsweek magazine. No real guns: Guy Ritchie has banned real guns from his film sets following the Rust tragedy. The 54-year-old director is a veteran of the action genre and many of his movies feature firearms 'We haven't used a real weapon since (the Rust shooting). So there were no real weapons,' the ex-husband of Madonna added. 'It's the first shoot that we had, which I have to tell you, it's a tremendous relief for all of us. '(Airsoft weapons) look as good as real weapons, they do all the functions as a real weapon. You get a gas discharge. 'It all seems as authentic as it can be, but as Jake said, it's Airsoft though. No one can get it any trouble.' Guy said that he never enjoyed using guns during the making of his films and the Rust shooting made him re-evaluate the process. The Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels director said: 'I've never liked real firearms. 'I had no idea why we carried on in the industry with real firearms,' he added. 'It was just one of those things that everyone did, and it's a tremendous relief, as I'm sure it is for Jake, as much as it is for me, that you don't have that sword hanging over us any longer.' Gun in hand: The movie stars Jake Gyllenhaal as a US Army sergeant who returns to Afghanistan in an attempt to rescue an interpreter who helped him during the war. Guy told Newsweek magazine: 'That whole thing has changed now, the whole game has changed' This comes after prosecutors will dismiss an involuntary manslaughter charge against Baldwin in the fatal 2021 shooting of a cinematographer on the set of the Western film Rust. It was the only charge he faced. Still, prosecutors alluded to new revelations in the investigation while cautioning that Baldwin has not been absolved. A follow-up investigation will remain active and an involuntary manslaughter charge against Hannah Gutierrez Reed, the weapons supervisor on the film, remains unchanged, special prosecutors Kari Morrisey and Jason Lewis said. An online status hearing was scheduled Friday in state District Court for both defendants. 'New facts were revealed that demand further investigation and forensic analysis,' the prosecutors said Thursday in a news release, without elaborating on those facts. 'This decision does not absolve Mr. Baldwin of criminal culpability and charges may be refiled. Our follow-up investigation will remain active and on-going.' Plugging his film: Gyllenhaal attends the Los Angeles premiere of The Covenant on April 17, in Los Angeles Easier: The Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels director said: 'I've never liked real firearms. 'I had no idea why we carried on in the industry with real firearms. It was just one of those things that everyone did, and it's a tremendous relief' Lawyers for Baldwin were first to announce that prosecutors were changing course, in a sharp turnaround for the Hollywood luminary who just a few months ago was confronting the possibility of a yearslong prison sentence. 'We are pleased with the decision to dismiss the case against Alec Baldwin and we encourage a proper investigation into the facts and circumstances of this tragic accident,' defense attorneys Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro said in a statement. Baldwin was pointing a pistol at cinematographer Hutchins during a rehearsal when it went off, killing her and wounding director Joel Souza. Baldwin has said the gun fired accidentally and he did not pull the trigger. An FBI forensic report found the weapon could not have fired unless the trigger was pulled, however. In March, Rust safety coordinator and assistant director David Halls pleaded no contest to a conviction for unsafe handling of a firearm and a suspended sentence of six months of probation. He agreed to cooperate in further inquiries into the fatal shooting. Dark days: Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was killed by a prop gun with real bullets fired by actor Alec Baldwin in October 2021 on the set of the Western film and Guy says 'the whole game has changed' since the incident. Seen in 2015 A defense attorney for Halls said Friday that he is happy for Baldwin and also wishes the best for the Hutchins family. 'Mr. Halls never believed Mr. Baldwin should be charged with a crime. It was a tragic accident that is best resolved out of criminal court,' defense attorney Lisa Torraco said in an email. When the manslaughter charges were announced in January, Santa Fe District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies said the case was about equal justice under the law and accountability in Hutchins death, regardless of the fame or fortune of those involved. She said the Ukrainian-born cinematographers death was tragic - and preventable. A new legal team took over prosecution of Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed in late March, after the original special prosecutor appointed in the case resigned. More to this: A follow-up investigation will remain active and an involuntary manslaughter charge against Hannah Gutierrez Reed, the weapons supervisor on the film, remains unchanged, special prosecutors Kari Morrisey and Jason Lewis said The dismissal of the charge against Baldwin, also a coproducer on Rust, abruptly changes the tenor of the investigation, said John Day, a Santa Fe-based criminal defense attorney who is not involved with the case. 'It does give the impression that the people left holding the bag are the lowest people on that chain,' Day said. 'This is very different from what the original prosecutor said.' When word of the dismissal came, Baldwin was at Yellowstone Film Ranch on the set of a rebooted 'Rust' production. Preparations for filming were underway Thursday at its new location in Montana, 18 months after the shooting shut it down, a representative for Rust Movie Productions said. Gutierrez-Reeds attorneys said they fully expect her to be exonerated in the judicial process. Done: The case against Baldwin had already been diminishing. A weapons charge that could have meant a much longer sentence was dismissed 'The truth about what happened will come out and the questions that we have long sought answers for will be answered,' the lawyers, Jason Bowles and Todd Bullion, said in a statement. The case against Baldwin had already been diminishing. A weapons charge that could have meant a much longer sentence was dismissed. The A-list actor's 40-year career has included the early blockbuster The Hunt for Red October and a starring role in the sitcom 30 Rock, as well as iconic appearances in Martin Scorsese's The Departed and a film adaptation of David Mamet's Glengarry Glen Ross. In recent years he was known for his impression of former President Donald Trump on Saturday Night Live. His rock: Alec has said that his wife Hilaria has been by his side through the tragedy The 65-year-old has worked little since the shooting but hardly went into hiding. He stayed active on social media, making Instagram videos, posting podcast interviews and pictures of his wife and seven children. Plans to resume filming were outlined last year by the cinematographer's widower, Matthew Hutchins, in a proposed settlement to a wrongful death lawsuit that would make him an executive producer. Souza has said he will return to directing Rust to honor the legacy of Hutchins. Despite the settlement, attorneys for the Hutchins family said they welcomed the criminal charges against Baldwin when they were filed. They had no immediate comment on the pending dismissal Thursday. After a scathing safety review by regulators in New Mexico that detailed ignored complaints and misfires before Hutchins' death in October 2021, the production company agreed to pay a $100,000 fine. Baldwin has not traveled to New Mexico to appear in court, which is not required of him under state law. Evidentiary hearings had been scheduled for next month to determine whether to proceed toward trial. Afroman is officially running for the White House. The rapper, 48 born Joseph Foreman has filed paperwork with the Federal Elections Commission to run as an Independent candidate in the upcoming 2024 US presidential election. The Because I Got High hitmaker's presidential committee is named 'Joseph Afroman Foreman for President' according to TMZ. The musician who is currently being sued by police after he used footage of a raid of his home in his music videos first announced his ambition to run for POTUS back in December during a concert in Missouri. He also has a catchy slogan for the 2024 election, calling it '20-20-FRO election' according to the publication. Next president? Afroman is officially running for president. The rapper filed paperwork with the Federal Elections Commission to run as an Independent in the 2024 election; seen in 2019 The entertainer reportedly filed the paperwork on April 18, and his platform will have a large focus on the national legalization of marijuana. The star's campaign manager Jason Savage told the publication that Afroman's campaign will also focus on Criminal Justice Reform. 'Afroman's ongoing persecution by the overtly corrupt Adams County Sheriffs Department perfectly highlights that this corruption of leadership has trickled down to law enforcement all across the country,' he told TMZ. 'Criminal Justice Reform and Federal Marijuana Legalization remain two of the primary planks in his campaign platform. We are asking for your support as Afroman takes on this great and worthy cause as our Cannabis Commander in Chief,' Savage added. Afroman's opponents in his run for our nation's highest elected office include Donald Trump, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Nikki Haley, Asa Hutchinson, Vivek Ramaswamy, and Marianne Williamson. His bid comes after he has been accused of improperly using footage from a police raid on his Ohio home last year in his music videos by seven enforcement officers. Four deputies, two sergeants and a detective with the Adams County Sheriff's Office filed the lawsuit earlier in March, in Winchester, Ohio, claiming invasion of privacy. Other cops, who were involved in the raid, are not named as plaintiffs. The plaintiffs say Afroman took footage of their faces obtained during the August 2022 raid and used it in music videos and social media posts without their consent. The issues: His committee is named 'Joseph Afroman Foreman for President' and his campaign will focus on Criminal Justice Reform and Federal Marijuana Legalization; seen in 2018 Dreams of becoming POTUS: The musician first announced his ambition to run for POTUS back in December during a concert in Missouri; seen in 2001 The plaintiffs are seeking all of Foreman's profits from his use of their personas. That includes proceeds from the songs, music videos and live event tickets, as well as the promotion of Foreman's Afroman brand, under which he sells beer, marijuana, T-shirts and other merchandise. The suit names Foreman, his recording firm and a Texas-based media distribution company as defendants. In an Instagram post Foreman vowed to countersue 'for the undeniable damage this had on my clients, family, career and property.' He also suggested to TMZ at the time that he felt he was profiled due to his music. Law enforcement officers were acting on a warrant that stated probable cause existed that drugs and drug paraphernalia would be found on Foreman's property and that trafficking and kidnapping had taken place there, authorities have said. Those suspicions turned out to be unfounded, though, and the raid failed to turn up probative criminal evidence. No charges were ever filed. When cash seized during the raid was returned to Foreman, it appeared that hundreds of dollars were missing. A subsequent review by the state Bureau of Criminal Investigation determined that deputies had miscounted the amount seized during the raid itself. Over the summer, the Palmdale native told TMZ he was not at home when police arrived to his property, but was alerted to the raid by neighbors, who took photos and video of police at his home. Foreman is best known for his songs Because I Got High and Crazy Rap, which were both featured on his album The Good Times. Ben Affleck has talked up his new wife Jennifer Lopez. During a chat via video with Drew Barrymore for her talk show, the Air director said that the 53-year-old Mother actress can eat whatever she wants and still look great. And the Oscar winner - who was seen with his son this week - went into specifics. 'Let me tell you something thats gonna upset you. Jennifer just eats whatever she wants. Whatever she wants. She eats cookies, ice cream, everything,' began the ex-husband of Jennifer Garner. Drew asked if all that exercise keeps JLO thin. 'She works out. I work out too but I dont magically appear to be twenty years old, you know what I mean, with perfect skin and the whole thing,' he joked. Ice cream? And the Oscar winner went into specifics. 'Let me tell you something thats gonna upset you. Jennifer just eats whatever she wants. Whatever she wants. She eats cookies, ice cream, everything,' began the ex-husband of Jennifer Garner. Seen in March He is in love: He added, 'Theres no taking away of the work ethic, the work ethic is real, the discipline is real, but also the superhuman thing is real. Shes the most gorgeous woman in the world, she looks spectacular' Amazed by what he said: Affleck appeared on Drew's talk show via video 'Theres no taking away of the work ethic, the work ethic is real, the discipline is real, but also the superhuman thing is real. Shes the most gorgeous woman in the world, she looks spectacular.' And when asked what JLo would want to change about him he said probably how he talks a lot. 'She would probably want to cultivate brevity in the way I speak. I dont know if youve noticed but I go on and on and on. I talk in circles. Shes never said that to me but that would be my guess.' Drew then asked, 'When was the last time you went skinny dipping?' Ben: 'This is gonna turn into a different kind of story. My wife and I went on a little vacation recently, we went in the pool, I dont know if that counts as skinny dipping. It wasnt like eighties college movie.' Drew: 'Were you naked?' Ben: 'We were naked in the pool yeah.' Ben also talked about the Burger King Commercial he starred in when he was 16. 'If I had known that the commercial would get this kind of response I would have been much more optimistic about my career,' said the Good Will Hunting actor. So close: And when asked what JLo would want to change about him he said probably how he talks a lot. 'She would probably want to cultivate brevity in the way I speak. I dont know if youve noticed but I go on and on and on. I talk in circles. Shes never said that to me but that would be my guess' Kissy: Drew then asked, 'When was the last time you went skinny dipping?' Ben: 'This is gonna turn into a different kind of story. My wife and I went on a little vacation recently, we went in the pool, I dont know if that counts as skinny dipping. It wasnt like eighties college movie' No swimsuit, no problem: Drew: 'Were you naked?' Ben: 'We were naked in the pool yeah'; here Lopez is seen in a Guess ad 'I dont remember the similar enthusiasm at the time. I almost had the director fire me and now I can see why. Drew then asked if he was almost fired from the job. 'Yes, I do remember that. I remember a couple of things. One, I was sixteen or maybe just turned seventeen and I remember the car guy, you know because it was a car in the commercial and I had to drive, and theyre always worried about actors driving. 'I remember he asked me, "Do you know how to drive kid?" it was in New York and I was like, "Yeah I know how to drive," they were like, "Are you sure?" I was like, "Guys Ive driven five hundred or a thousand miles." 'I also remember being like, "I dont know why this director keeps making me do it over and over again," and now looking at the performance I have a better idea.' Affleck then talked his film Air. He said he talked to Michael Jordan about no one portraying him. 'I dont believe that it would be possible to get an audience to believe that anyone other than Michael Jordan is Michael Jordan and so to see his face and sell there he his, it would not only lose the audience but then theyd be like, "This is all false, this is all a lie," and so much of the work youre trying to do is create realism but thats really his moms story, its not his story. 'So in fact talking to him, he was like, "My mom did this. My mom took me to work. I wanted to play Nintendo".so its not that he was driving that aspect of it. Hes brilliant, hes the greatest.' Making up for this? Ben seemed bored when at The Grammys with Lopez in February And Ben then talked going broke with best friend Matt Damon. 'We did share a bank account and I always thought it was perfectly normal. We wanted to be actors and we were in Boston and we wanted to go to New Yorkso we would work a little bit, we would do extra work or a line here and there, the occasional Burger King commercial and then take that money and put it in the account and we were both, we were friends and we wanted each other to succeed and we love each other so it seemed clear like lets do this together and in retrospect, really valuable because I think kind of starting out in a field like that can feel very lonely but we shared that bank account into our twenties, even into when we lived, and wrote Good Will Hunting in a house in Eagle Rock, which is a neighborhood in Los Angeles which was, at the time, a very inexpensive neighborhood and very far from all the places you had to go to audition and then when we sold Good Will Hunting I was like, "We are now rich for life. My needs are over, I will never have to work again. Im rich forever." 'We sold it for $600,000, we split that, $300,000 each, and then the agents got $30,000 so we had $270,000 and we paid about $160,000 in taxes so we had $110,000, each bought $55,000 Jeep Cherokees and then had $55,000 left which naturally we decided to rent a $5,000 a month party house on Glencoe Way by the Hollywood Bowl and we were broke in six months.' On film: In this image the actor is seen as Phil Knight in the movie Air Drew then asked him about a life moment that he would want to live again and again. 'Theres so many things, the birth of my children, all the things that Ive done with my kids. Its just the joy of life, its the heart of life. These beautiful children who are innocent and loving and want to sit on your lap and hold you, and then they turn into, "You can close the door," like, "Oh so you dont want to play Chutes and Ladders, I can just go?" its the gift of life all those moments and Im beginning to see now how they are fleeting but now I treasure all these little moments. 'I just went and looked at colleges with my daughter and I showed Good Will Hunting to my middle child, that was one of the best experiences of my life.' John Travolta looked ready for action Thursday as he shot a scene for his latest film in Biloxi, Mississippi. The actor, who celebrated his daughter Ella's 23rd birthday earlier this month, appeared far younger than his 69 years in a dark denim jacket and jeans with a dark blue T-shirt. The Paradise City star's head was closely shaved and his dark beard was closely cropped. The two-time Oscar nominee was seen going over a page of script near his trailer. He has been working on the heist movie Cash Out. Action: John Travolta, 69, looked ready for action as he reviewed pages from his script on the set of Cash Out Thursday in Biloxi, MS Hip Hop star Quavo was also spotted on set. The Bad and Boujee artist, 32, was costumed in a gray hoodie, cargo pants and black ankle boots. His dark hair was styled in long braids. The Praise This actor's goatee and mustache were closely trimmed and he wore a gold earring. Details about the plot have been kept under wraps, but an Instagram video post from casting director Natasha Ward in June 2022, shows Quavo on set in Columbus, Georgia. 'We're behind the scenes of Cash Out, the NAACP Image Award winner explained, 'We're robbing a bank right now.' Lukas Haas, 47, and Kristin Davis, 58, are also starring in the film, along with The Fast and the Furious alum Noel Gugliemi, 52. Randall Emmett, 52, the ex-partner of Vanderpump Rules' Lala Kent, is directing the project. Dapper: The actor looked dapper in a dark denim jacket and jeans with a dark blue T-shirt. The Paradise City star's head was closely shaved and his dark beard was closely cropped Production: The heist film has been shooting in Biloxi, MS. Production was scheduled to wrap there Friday The producer and director was accused of fraud and with abusing women in his business dealings in an expose by the Los Angeles Times in June 2022. He has denied the allegations, but did settle a racial discrimination lawsuit filed by a former assistant in November of last year.. Randall described the movie as 'a commercial popcorn fun movie,' telling WLOX, 'I think more people will enjoy the characters they are playing.' The Irishman producer said this film was lighter than others on his resume. Bank robbers: Quavo, 32, was costumed in a gray hoodie, cargo pants and black ankle boots for his day of filming. His dark hair was styled in long braids. The Praise This actor's goatee and mustache were closely trimmed and he wore a gold earring Details: Details of the plot have been kept under wraps. The Bad and Boujee artist revealed in an Instagram post in June 2022 that they story involves robbing banks 'A lot of movies Ive produced have had heavier subject matter, little more intense and heavier sets, and this one is a more fun ride.' Part of the charm will be seeing the actors dressed in various disguises. 'It makes a lot of fun when youre directing these phenomenal actors and they get to create these different disguises all in this one film.' Filming in Mississippi was scheduled to wrap Friday. Teen Mom OG alum Ryan Edwards was sentenced to 11 months and 29 days in jail, after pleading guilty to harassing estranged wife Mackenzie Edwards. Per court documents, obtained by Us Weekly on Thursday, other conditions of the 35-year-old guilty plea include that he must 'wear a GPS monitor' and 'complete rehab treatment.' Additionally, he is barred from contacting Mackenzie, 26, who is the mother of his two youngest children son Jagger, four, and daughter Stella, born in January 2020. The publication stated that he is forbidden to have 'contact with [Mackenzie] except as allowed by circuit court' and can't post anything on social media 'relating to' her. The diesel mechanic, who rose to fame after starring on the inaugural season of 16 and Pregnant franchise in 2009, is currently 'suspended on good behavior' and was placed on probation. Rough few months: Teen Mom OG alum Ryan Edwards was sentenced to 11 months and 29 days in jail, after pleading guilty to harassing estranged wife Mackenzie Edwards (seen on Thursday) This means he may be released 'early release to a halfway house or to be under house arrest.' In March, the longtime MTV personality was arrested for stalking after he texted Edwards, which was a violation of order of protection. Us Weekly reported that the former reality star was arrested on Wednesday, March 1, for stalking, which is a violation of an order of protection in Hamilton County, Tennessee. According to legal documents, Edwards texted his estranged wife Mackenzie Edwards (nee Standifer) on more than one occasion after being alerted on February 10 that he could not legally have any contact with her. 'My god I don't haven't to live my life without you! Sorry!' he wrote in one text on February 19. The father-of-three then reached out to her again in a text February 23, writing, 'For what its worth, I'm sorry and I do miss you.' That arrest came days after MacKenzie filed for divorce, obtained a restraining order against him, and was granted temporary custody of the couple's children, Jagger, five, and Stella, two, as reported by E! News. Ryan was previously served with an Order of Protection by Hamilton County Sheriff's Office personnel on February 9, ordering him to immediately leave the residence where his wife was currently living, police said in a press release. Barred from contacting his ex: Per court documents, obtained by Us Weekly on Thursday, other conditions of the 35-year-old guilty plea include that he must 'wear a GPS monitor' and 'complete rehab treatment' At odds: Additionally, he is barred from contacting Mackenzie, 26, who is the mother of his two youngest children son Jagger, four, and daughter Stella, born in January 2020 The following day Mackenzie went to the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office to report that her estranged husband posted revealing photos of her and accused her of cheating on his Instagram account. 'If you guys have never seen a spineless s*** this is one,' Edwards was alleged to have written along with a picture of his estranged wife topless. He added: 'They take your money sleep with anything that looks at them. But they must have a wife to [sic]. God what a joke. It's sad really.' Authorities then discovered that Ryan had violated the order of protection by contacting his father-in-law. While investigating the violation, the deputies discovered that Ryan had a warrant for harassment, filed by MacKenzie, from the Chattanooga Police Department. The publication stated that he is forbidden to have 'contact with [Mackenzie] except as allowed by circuit court' and can't post anything on social media 'relating to' her Police would then arrest him at his place of employment for the harassment warrant and the violation of an order of protection, along with possession of drug paraphernalia and a controlled substance. Following the social media post, Mackenzie reported to the police multiple instances of domestic violence Edwards has been involved in since they wed in 2017 after meeting at a gym in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Mackenzie told police her estranged husband 'punched holes in the walls and doors' and held her up by her 'neck to the wall' during a fight last month. She also accused Edwards of throwing her 'down in hallway and said if he could not have me no one could' and 'opened [his] pocket knife' and put it to her 'back like he was going to kill' her. And what's worse: Mackenzie maintained that the entire incident played out in front of their children. 'I tried to leave, he smashed my phone, took my car keys,' Mackenzie said, adding that a co-worker contacted the authorities in the wake of the incident. Not okay: Earlier this month, the longtime MTV personality was arrested by the Chattanooga State police after 'harassing' his estranged wife, according to a new report by The U.S. Sun The Chattanooga, Tennessee native told police that a week later, Edwards was violent with her again. This time she claimed Edwards 'came into bedroom where [she] was laying down ... pretending like he's going to punch [her] face' while yelling at her. She added that after Edwards broke the bed she was lying in at the time, she 'went to get [her] kids and leave,' but he wouldn't let her. Mackenzie then said he 'threw [her] down in [the] living room' and 'threw menthol nicotine in [her] eyes.' Mackenzie was granted a temporary protective order. Dominic West and Olivia Williams were seen letting their hair down with their fellow The Crown cast members as they finally wrapping filming on the Netflix show. Actor Dominic, 53, who is portraying King Charlies, was seen celebrating after they shot the last ever scenes for The Crown's sixth and final series on Friday. He was joined by his co-star Olivia, 54, who is playing his on-screen wife Queen Camilla, as they larked around after finishing filming. Netflix bosses ended filming on a high as they shot the wedding of the King and Queen in Rochester, with crowds of extras gathering for the jovial scenes. The royal couple married in a civil ceremony on April 9, 2005 at Windsor Guildhall which was followed by a blessing at St George's Chapel. Fun times: Dominic West was seen letting his hair down with his fellow The Crown cast members as they finally wrapping up filming on the Netflix show Dancing: He was joined by co-star Olivia Williams, who is playing his on-screen wife Queen Camilla, as they larked around after finishing filming Three cheers! The cast and crew were seen celebrating after shooting the last ever scenes for The Crown's sixth and final series on Friday After filming the historic scenes, Olivia was seen dancing with a huge crowd of her cast members as a live band played to celebrate wrapping up filming. The cast cheered and appeared very emotional as they commemorated filming the final ever scenes for the Netflix show, which will end after its upcoming sixth series. Olivia was also seen playfully hitting Dominic on the head as the leading stars got involved with the fun along with the rest of the cast and crew. As the live band played, they could all be seen getting involved with a can-can line as they appeared to be having the time of their lives. Luther Ford, who is playing Prince Harry, could be seen grinning while Claudia Harrison, who is portraying Princess Anne, also got involved with celebrations. The cast had spent the day filming King Charles and Queen Camilla's civil ceremony in Rochester, which took place 18 years ago. During filming, Olivia was pictured wearing an exact replica of the white outfit the Queen wore for her civil ceremony. Along with a crisp white midi dress, the actress was spotted wearing a long-line cream coat with a silver brooch. Overjoyed: Luther Ford, who is playing Prince Harry, could be seen grinning amid the celebrations Laughing: Claudia Harrison, who is portraying Princess Anne, also got involved with celebrations Filming: Netflix bosses ended filming on a high as they shot the wedding of the King and Queen in Rochester, with crowds of extras gathering for the jovial scenes That's a wrap! After filming the historic scenes, Olivia, 54, was seen dancing with a huge crowd of her cast members as a live band played to celebrate wrapping up filming All smiles: Dominic appeared in jovial spirits as he waved at the crowds while filming the wedding scenes Joining in the fun: As the cast and crew were seen dancing, Dominic was spotted clapping along to the fun Playful: As the live band played, the cast could all be seen getting involved with a can-can line as they appeared to be having the time of their lives To finish off Camilla's bridal ensemble, the costume designers also copied the Queen's oversized white hat - which featured ivory faux flowers. Meanwhile, Dominic West was dressed in a morning suit - featuring grey pinstripe trousers and silver waistcoat - which was based on the one King Charles wore for his 2005 nuptials. As they filmed their final scenes for the hit series, Olivia was seen looking pensive in the couple's wedding car. In contrast, Dominic was seen beaming at the extras lining the high street who were waving Union Jack flags at the couple. After Dominic stepped out the Rolls Royce first, he then proceeded to help Olivia out of the car and the actors were seen with their arms intertwined. Breaking character in between takes, Olivia was photographed giving a cast member a thumbs up as she got back into the car. Ed McVey, who plays the Prince of Wales in the drama, looked smart in a baby blue waist coat and red tie, which was near identical to the outfit worn by William to Charles' nuptials in 2005. Meanwhile, actor Luther Ford is playing Prince Harry and he looked sombre as he walked across the set. They were joined by actors portraying Camilla's children Laura Lopes and Tom Parker-Bowles. The historic Kentish city had its shop fronts changed to look like Windsor, with royal plates and cakes congratulating the happy couple on show. It is understood Charles and Camilla's nuptials will be portrayed in a positive way, with some working on the show hoping it will mean the public will be left with a 'warm and happy' feeling rather than outraged over how Princess Diana's death, at the age of 36, was depicted. A source close to Netflix told the Mail this week: 'For some months it has felt like the show has been goading the public by ghoulishly telling the story of Diana's death in a heartless way, therefore causing upset to Princes William and Harry needlessly. 'So the decision to end it so nicely, Netflix hope, will change the perception that they want to be callous, they hope it will remove the bad taste from viewers' mouths. 'Charles and Camilla's wedding will be a true celebration and a really happy moment in the history of the monarchy. It also fits nicely into the King's Coronation year. Celebrations: The cast appeared overjoyed after filming the final ever scenes for the sixth and final series of the Netflix show Embraces: Luther was seen tightly embracing his co-star as they celebrated wrapping on the project Stylish: Claudia, who has portrayed Princess Anne in the drama since season five, looked glamorous in a blue silk ensemble for the scenes Recreation: During filming, Olivia was pictured wearing an exact replica of the white outfit the Queen wore for her civil ceremony 'But there are some staff working on the programme who see this all as a cynical move to protect Netflix from leaving its audience really upset at retelling Diana's tragic death.' Imelda Staunton will reprise her role as Queen Elizabeth II, with Jonathan Pryce playing her husband Prince Philip. Elizabeth Debicki will once again appear as Princess Diana in the build-up to her death, while Dominic West plays Prince Charles. Fans are eagerly awaiting the release of The Crown's final series later this year, with the show already courting controversy as it plans to depict the tragic death of Princess Diana. Gia Giudice showed off her impressively sculpted physique in a trio of photos that were shared on her Instagram account on Wednesday. In the snaps, the 22-year-old social media personality donned a form-revealing outfit as she posed on what appeared to be a hotel balcony. The daughter of Real Housewives of New Jersey mainstay Teresa Giudice, who recently criticized the behavior of her uncle, Joe Gorga, penned a short message in her post's caption that read: 'Wishing I was back in the 305.' Giudice wore a vibrantly colored bikini top that showcased her toned midsection, as well as a matching bottom that exposed her curvy hips and thighs. The reality television personality paired her swimwear with a matching cover-up that added extra color to her look for the day. Hot stuff! Gia Giudice showed off her impressively sculpted physique in a trio of photos that were shared on her Instagram account on Wednesday Mommy: Her mother Teresa is known for posing in her swimwear while on vacation The social media figure opted for a pair of white Nike Air Force One sneakers and matching sunglasses. She accessorized with several pieces of jewelry, and her gorgeous brunette hair fell onto her chest and contrasted perfectly with the brighter tones of her clothing. Giudice shared a set of throwback photos from her recent trip to Miami on her Instagram account last month. In the shots, the reality television figure posed next to an ornate mosaic for a trio of snaps taken in the bathroom of Sexy Fish Miami. The influencer wore black crop top that exposed a slight portion of her toned tummy and a matching pair of form-hugging leggings. She kept a Christian Dior purse slung over her right shoulder and accessorized with several pieces of jewelry during her visit to Miami. Her dark brunette hair remained free-flowing and cascaded onto her chest. The social media figure referred to the restaurant's bathroom as the 'best picture spot' in her post's caption. Swimwear: Giudice wore a vibrantly colored bikini top that showcased her toned midsection, as well as a matching bottom that exposed her curvy hips and thighs Keeping it consistent: The reality television personality paired her swimwear with a matching cover-up that added extra color to her look for the day Giudice, who studies at Rutgers University in her native New Jersey, opened up about her plans for the future during an interview with Bravo. The reality television personality stated: 'After I graduate, I am pursuing my dream of going to law school.' The influencer did express, however, that she was planning on branching out into the fashion world in the near future. 'My hope for the future is to become a very successful lawyer and have a lucrative clothing business on the side,' she stated. Sofia Mattsson is going to be a mom, again. The actress, 31, who has been celebrating the 60th anniversary of the long running daytime drama General Hospital, while hiding her growing baby bump on screen, shared the big news Thursday. 'Many of you guessed it already' she wrote on Instagram, 'Baby girl due in May,' The glowing mother-to-be looked fresh in a strappy pink and white floral print dress as she gazed into the camera. The Gothic Harvest actress' blonde hair was styled in long, loose curls as she loving cradled her growing tummy. The new baby will be a fun addition for Sofie and her husband, actor and writer Thomas Payton. Baby news: Sofia Mattsson, 31, revealed what many fans suspected. She's going to have baby. 'Many of you guessed it already' she wrote on Instagram, 'Baby girl due in May' With her love: The new baby will be a fun addition for Sofia and her husband, actor and writer Thomas Payton The Swedish-born star showcased her natural beauty with simple daytime makeup and sunglasses atop her head. Co-stars Josh Swickard, Katelyn McMullen, Johnny Wactor and Avery Pohl sent their congratulations. GH star Tabyana Ali wrote, Y'OU ARE GLOWING!!! I'm so excited for you.' Brianna Henry posted, 'So happy for you love ' Sofia's mom Irene joined in the well wishes, posting an excited, 'Congratulations beautiful daughter! So happy for you guys! ' 'Yes!!!!!' commented one supportive fan. 'Guessed it from the way they've been shooting you and wardrobe changes. congratulations!!!!' The first born: Sofia and her husband, Thomas Payton, are already parents to a son who was born in July 2021 Congratulations: Sofia's news was met with congratulations from her General Hospital co-stars and from excited fans. Sofia's mom Irene posted an excited, 'Congratulations beautiful daughter! So happy for you guys! ' (Pictured in Pasadena, CA in June 2022) Maternity leave: It's unclear how General Hospital will handle Sofia's maternity leave. Her sister, Helena, 39, filled in for her as Sasha Gilmore on General Hospital for two episodes in February 2022 The are already parents to a son who was born in July 2021. It's unclear how the General Hospital will handle Sofia's maternity leave. The actress' older sister, Helena, filled in for her as Sasha Gilmore for two episodes in February 2022. No reason was given for the substitution, but fans enjoyed it. 'You and your sister have the same mannerisms and sound so much alike! So cool!,' wrote one in the comments section of a post on social media. The sister have also collaborated on a vegan purse company, Ava Carrington. Molly Smith showed off her incredible figure in a very skimpy bikini as she posed up a storm in sizzling holiday snaps. The former Love Island star, 29, has recently returned to the UK after a sun-soaked getaway to Mexico with her boyfriend Callum Jones last month. And she took to Instagram on Friday to share an array of eye-popping snaps from the holiday as she appeared to be missing the sunny climes. Molly, who rose to fame on the ITV2 dating show in 2020, put on a very busty display in a plunging hot pink two-piece as she sat on a chair swing on the beach. She showed off her washboard abs as she slung a white shirt across her shoulders and struck an array of sultry poses. Wow! Molly Smith showed off her incredible figure in a very skimpy bikini as she posed up a storm in sizzling holiday snaps Sizzling: Molly, 29, took to Instagram on Friday to share an array of eye-popping snaps from her recent trip to Mexico as she appeared to be missing the sunny climes The aspiring personal trainer shielded her eyes with a pair of oversized sunglasses and styled her golden locks in a straight fashion across her shoulders. She let her natural beauty shine through as she sported minimal make-up for the gorgeous bikini shots. Alongside the sizzling holiday pictures, she simply teased: 'Where to next.' During her getaway last month, Molly did not shy away from sharing a whole host of sun-soaked snaps as she gave her fans an insight into her trip with Callum. Her latest post comes after Molly revealed she is currently retraining to become a personal trainer as she hopes to make her hobby into a career. The influencer took to Instagram earlier this month to share that she is undertaking her exams and hopes to gain her qualification soon. Meanwhile, a source told The Sun: 'Molly has always loved fitness and shes decided she wants to turn her hobby into a job. 'She is a natural trainer and cant wait to get started helping other people feel as good as her.' Prior to appearing on Love Island, Molly was working as a model and has had success as an influencer. Eye-popping: Molly, who rose to fame on Love Island in 2020, put on a very busty display in a plunging hot pink two-piece as she posed on a chair swing on the beach Big plans: Her latest post comes after Molly revealed she is currently retraining to become a personal trainer as she hopes to make her hobby into a career Smitten: Molly and Callum are one of Love Island's major success stories, meeting on the first-ever winter edition of the ITV dating show in 2020, where they left before the finale During her time in the villa, she coupled up with boyfriend Callum while in Casa Amor, prompting his split from Shaughna Phillips. Molly and Callum are one of Love Island's major success stories, meeting on the first-ever winter edition of the ITV dating show in 2020, where they left before the finale. The couple moved into a lavish four-bedroom house in Manchester that November after meeting on the show. Despite their rushed start on the dating show, the lovebirds seem to be going from strength to strength, celebrating their third anniversary together earlier this month. Jamie Foxx is 'awake and alert' after he was hospitalized following a health scare last week. A source spoke to People on Friday and gave an update on the 55-year-old actor, who remains at a medical facility in Georgia. 'He's OK, thank God,' the source said. 'He's still in the hospital and doctors are running tests but he's awake and alert. They're keeping him under observation.' Foxx was taken ill last Tuesday in Atlanta where he is filming his upcoming Netflix movie Back in Action, alongside Cameron Diaz and Glenn Close. While his family has shared news of his health scare, they have not provided any details. On the mend: Jamie Foxx is 'awake and alert' after he was hospitalized following a health scare last week; pictured in 2022 However a source previously told People that Foxx was steadily improving. Fans were initially alerted about the health scare when the actor's daughter Corinne Foxx shared a grave statement on social media earlier this month. The 29-year-old actress wrote, 'We wanted to share that, my father, Jamie Foxx, experienced a medical complication yesterday. 'Luckily, due to quick action and great care, he is already on his way to recovery,' she continued. 'We know how beloved he is and appreciate your prayers. The family asks for privacy during this time,' the statement concluded. At the time, sources confirmed to TMZ that Foxx's condition was serious enough to require him to go to a hospital. Limited details have been shared and it's unclear what symptoms the comedian may have been suffering from. Regaining his strength: A source spoke to People and revealed that the actor was 'still in the hospital and doctors are running tests but he's awake and alert. They're keeping him under observation'; pictured in 2014 Hoping for the best: While his family has shared news of his health scare, they have not provided any details. However a source previously told People that Foxx is steadily improving; he is seen in March CNN previously reported tests were being conducted to determine what led to his health scare and that the actor was under observation at the hospital. 'They are running tests and still trying to figure out what exactly happened,' an insider said. Despite his improving condition, there's no word yet on when he will be able to leave the hospital or get back to filming. The film has been marketed as the return to acting for his co-star Cameron Diaz, whom he helped to lure out of retirement, though she reportedly plans to retire for good after a string of catastrophes on the film set. Glenn Close is also featured in the film. The hospitalization was serious enough that the actor's family came from out of town to be with him. One source told TMZ, 'He's communicating now, and that's good news,' which may imply that he was at one point unable to communicate due to the medical emergency. Foxx shares his daughter Corinne with his ex-girlfriend Connie Kline. He also has a 13-year-old daughter Annalise, whom he shares with Kristin Grannis. His latest film shoot in Atlanta appears to have been a surprisingly stressful ordeal for the Baby Driver actor, as well as his colleagues. Breaking: Fans were initially alerted about the health scare when the actor's daughter Corinne Foxx shared a grave statement on social media this past Wednesday; pictured in 2019 Grave: The 29-year-old actress wrote, 'We wanted to share that, my father, Jamie Foxx, experienced a medical complication yesterday' It was reported last month that Foxx 'had an absolute meltdown' while the film was shooting in the UK, which led to the firing of multiple people. He reportedly booted an executive producer from the project, along with two directors and even his own driver. According to The Sun, one staffer was fired in relation to an apparent scam to access 33,000 in cash from the actor, which was reportedly in relation to the sale of a Rolex watch. There was even more drama when it was revealed that production was paused last month after an unexploded WWII-era bomb was discovered on the film's set in London, just before two major action scenes were set to be filmed. Natalie Portman's husband Benjamin Millepied, 45 is stepping into the spotlight with his feature film directorial debut, Carmen. The movie is based on the classic opera by George Bizet which was first performed in Paris in 1875. Millepied's version is a modern, re-imagined take on the beloved tale with new original music. In an interview with People, the first time director admitted he got some advice from his wife before stepping behind the camera. 'I think also being on set and hearing what ignites her creativity, [as] a director, was something that I had heard,' he maintained. Directorial debut: Natalie Portman's husband Benjamin Millepied, 45 is stepping into the spotlight with his feature film directorial debut, Carmen. The movie is based on the classic opera by George Bizet which was first performed in Paris in 1875 (Pictured in March in Los Angeles) 'It informed a lot of things for me, for sure.' 'I found the whole thing really exhilarating to make; this choice of camera and creating and finding the right frame and finding the right image was thrilling.' Natalie, 41, directed herself in 2015's Love and Darkness, a project for which she also co-wrote the script. The Oscar winner has also helmed a segment of 2008's New York I Love You, the short film, Eve, and the 2022 Haute Saison music video. The pair first met on 2010's Black Swan. Benjamin worked as the ballet choreographer in the psychological drama, and portrayed the The Prince in the ballet scenes. The couple formed a love connection while on set and welcomed their son, Aleph, 12 in 2011 and tied the knot in 2012. The also share a six-year-old daughter, Amalia. Benjamin, Natalie and their kids were together in Australia in 2021, where Carmen was shot. Advice: Benjamin said he got some advice from Natalie, 41, while making his first feature film telling People 'I think also being on set and hearing what ignites her creativity, [as] a director, was something that I had heard' Black Swan: The pair first met on 2010's Black Swan. Benjamin worked as the ballet choreographer in the psychological drama, and portrayed the The Prince in the ballet scenes. The couple married in 2012 and have two children together Modern-day: Melissa Barrera, 32, stars as the title character. In this modern-day version of the classic tale, Carmen is forced to leave her home in Mexico after her mother is murdered Marine: Paul Mescal, 27, stars a Carmen's love interest, Aidan, a marine with PTSD Melissa Barrera, 32, and Paul Mescal, 27, star in this tale of star-crossed lovers. In this modern-day version, Melissa's Carmen is forced to escape her home in Mexico after the murder of her mother. She is caught trying to cross into the US and that's where she meets Paul's Aidan, a marine with PTSD. The French-born director said he hope audiences will be touched by not only Carmen's 'desire for freedom' and Aidan's 'journey as a marine... what it's like for these men to come back with so much trauma that their life is forever changed,' but by their love story. 'And the fact that two people from completely different backgrounds completely fall in love and leave something special where they come from and who they are. [They] find the beauty and the sincerity of their love.' Carmen celebrated its Hollywood premiere Thursday and opened in select theaters Friday. Original music: Carmen boasts original music. Benjamin says he hopes audiences will identify with the characters and that they, 'find the beauty and the sincerity of their love' Hairy Bikers star Dave Myers returned to This Morning on Wednesday for the first time since revealing his cancer diagnosis in May 2022. The biker-turned-chef, 65, was looking like his old self again on the show with the return of his iconic beard. Appearing alongside his TV partner Simon King, the pair whipped up some lamb koftas with a wholemeal couscous salad and lemon and tahini dressing. Lana Jenkins and Rosie Seabrook put on very glamorous displays as they stepped out for a girls' night out on the town on Friday. The former Love Island stars dressed to the nines as they walked arm-in-arm while heading for an evening out at The Moxy Hotel in Manchester. Make-up artist Lana, 25, showed off her incredible figure in a one-shouldered black cut-out top and fitted flared trousers. She gave herself a few extra inches in a pair of clear stilettos and kept her essentials in a small black handbag. Lana, who is dating her Love Island co-star Ron Hall, styled her golden tresses across her shoulders in glamorous waves. Gorgeous: Lana Jenkins and Rosie Seabrook put on very glamorous displays as they stepped out for a girls night out on the town on Friday Glamorous: Make-up artist Lana, 25, showed off her incredible figure in a one-shouldered black cut-out top and fitted flared trousers She accentuated her natural beauty with lashings of mascara and a slick of brown lipstick as she flashed a huge smile. Meanwhile, Rosie, 24, put on an equally stylish display in a plunging corset-style top, which she styled with black trousers. She added some extra height to her frame with a pair of black strapped heels and slung a small handbag across one shoulder. Rosie wore her glossy caramel locks across her shoulders in a straight fashion and bolstered her striking features with a high-glamour make-up palette. Their fun-filled night out comes after Lana's boyfriend Ron revealed the couple have no plans to move in together yet. Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, the Love Island finalist, 25, who is based in Essex, discussed his future plans with Manchester-based Lana after he previously made it clear that he will not be moving up North. He admitted despite 'only spending six days apart' since leaving the South African villa, he aims to 'buy his own place' before they commit to living together. Ron confessed: 'I struggle to be apart from her. Weve only spent six days a part since coming out. 'Our end goal is to move in together but at the minute we want to be able to buy our own places and then eventually move in together.' Stunning: She gave herself a few extra inches in a pair of clear stilettos and kept her essentials in a small black handbag Plans: Their fun-filled night out comes after Lana's boyfriend Ron, who she met on Love Island, revealed the couple have no plans to move in together yet Elsewhere, Ron added of watching Love Island: 'I havent watched the series back I havent had time and its just cringe the worst bit of the villa was movie night having to watch myself on the screen.' Sanam Harrinanan and Kai Fagan were crowned winners of the winter Love Island 2023 last month - beating Ron and Lana to the 50k cash prize. After eight weeks of drama, viewers picked the social worker and PE teacher, who fell for one another in Casa Amor, as their champions. The couple, both 24, were speechless when host Maya announced the results during the live final in South Africa. James Bond star Sue Vanner has finally filed for divorce, after husband of 32-years, property tycoon Warren Todd, left her for a younger woman in 2019. The actress, 71, rose to fame in 1977's The Spy Who Loved Me alongside Sir Roger Moore, where she and secret agent James Bond memorably made love under a pile of fur coats. Despite declaring herself a 'fighter' she told Daily Mail's Richard Eden that she had found the breakdown of her marriage really hard. She has now hired Payne Hicks Beach, the legal firm of which Baroness Shackleton is a partner, who has represented both King Charles and Paul McCartney in their high profile divorces. Todd, who is the step son of reality star Lisa Vanderpump, 62, left his wife, with whom he shares a son, to begin a relationship with his pregnant girlfriend during what friends of the actress described as a 'serious midlife crisis'. Bond girl: James Bond star Sue Vanner, 71, has finally filed for divorce after husband of 32-years, property tycoon Warren Todd, 55, left her for a younger woman in 2019 (pictured 2012) Heartbreak: Despite declaring herself a 'fighter' she told Daily Mail's Richard Eden that she had found the breakdown of her marriage really hard Bond: Sue, actress, pictured in 1980. Her most notable role was as a Bond girl opposite Roger Moore in the Spy Who Loved Me New flame: He moved out of the family's 10M mansion near Victoria and David Beckham's Holland Park home and he has since welcomed two children with his new partner 'Anya' (pictured, in 2019) He moved out of the family's 10M mansion near Victoria and David Beckham's Holland Park home and he has since welcomed two children with his new partner 'Anya'. A friend of the the Bond Girl told Richard Eden back in 2019: 'Sue is devastated, After 32 years of happy marriage, Warrens made decisions, during a very serious mid-life crisis, which have broken up their family. Appearing on ITV's Lorraine in 2019, Sue told how she has found solace in music after her bitter split. Lorraine said: 'It's a sad reason for you to go back into the music business... 32 years and he's gone off with someone else, and that's really hard.' Susie replied: 'It's really hard, but I'm a fighter so I decided to go back into my music.' Lorraine continued: 'So instead of sitting in the corner crying because your husband has run off with somebody who's younger, and they've now got a baby I believe' They are different, there's more special effects, they're less tongue in cheek,' she said. 'But I think they're fantastic. It's moving with the times. Adding salt to the wound, Lorraine continued: 'So instead of sitting in the corner crying because your husband because your husband has run off with somebody whose younger, and they've now got a baby I believe' Hard as nails: She has since hired Payne Hicks Beach, the legal firm of which Baroness Shackleton (pictured) is a partner, who has represented both King Charles and Paul McCartney in their high profile divorces To which a hurt Susie quipped back: 'Not that much younger actually but never mind.' Lorraine scoffed: 'That's almost worse. I know we're laughing about it but its really hard.' After an awkward moment, the conversation then led to Bond, where Susie compared today's Bond to when she starred in the franchise. 'They are different, theres more special effects, theyre less tongue in cheek,' she said. 'But I think theyre fantastic. Its moving with the times.' Warren is now believed to be living in a smaller property around the corner with his new girlfriend, who thought to be Eastern European. Step mum: Warren's stepmother, the U.S. television star Lisa Vanderpump, previously admitted the 16-year age gap between the couple initially worried her and his father, Ken Todd Back on screen: Sue (2nd right) also featured in The Real Housewives alongside Lisa (3rd right) estranged husband Warren (centre) and son Ryan (far left) Movie magic: The actress rose to fame in 1977's The Spy Who Loved Me alongside Sir Roger Moore (pictured) His lover, who is believed to be in her 30s, is a stylish dresser who has been regularly seen with Warren in trendy restaurants around the capital. Warren's stepmother, the U.S. television star Lisa,previously admitted that the 16-year age gap between the couple initially worried her and his father, Ken Todd. Lisa said: 'When Warren first met Sue, the age difference, the secrecy that had transpired, was not something we supported. 'But I learned a very valuable lesson when our children make a choice, remember our opinions and influence are pretty much redundant.' She added that, after a few years, 'we would have to admit we were wrong'. Ekin-Su Culculoglu packed on the PDA with her boyfriend Davide Sanclimenti as they enjoyed a night out at Sheesh in London on Friday. The Turkish actress, 28, proved she was as loved-up as ever with her Italian beau, 27, as they shared a smooch while leaving the lavish restaurant. It comes after Ekin-Su accused another woman of sleeping with Davide after allegedly finding texts from her on Davide's phone. During their latest date night, Ekin-Su put on a glamorous display in an all-black ensemble, consisting of a plunging top, skinny trousers and a faux-leather jacket. She gave herself a few extra inches in a pair of black strapped heels while she kept her essentials in an olive handbag. Kiss: Ekin-Su Culculoglu packed on the PDA with her boyfriend Davide Sanclimenti as they enjoyed a night out at Sheesh in London on Friday Gorgeous: During their date night, Ekin-Su put on a glamorous display in an all-black ensemble, consisting of skinny trousers and a faux-leather jacket The former Love Island star bolstered her striking features with a slick of eyeliner and a touch of pink lipstick as she flashed a huge smile. She styled her brunette tresses loosely across her shoulders in a straight fashion as she was seen putting on a very cosy display with her beau. Davide cut a smart figure for their date night in beige trousers and a white and grey striped shirt, which he wore partially unbuttoned to show off his toned physique. He swept a beige jacket over his shoulders and completed his suave look with a pair of chunky black loafers. Davide, who won Love Island last summer with Ekin-Su, styled his dark locks in a slicked-back style. Restaurant Sheesh also shared a sweet snap of Davide and Ekin-Su from inside the venue as the couple held hands while enjoying a lavish meal. Their date night comes after Ekin-Su is said to have branded Harriet Wilson, 24, a 'f***ing s**g' over a suspected fling with her boyfriend Davide. According to The Sun on Sunday, Ekin-Su was said to have also called the model 'disgusting' and fumed 'youre finished' in angry messages after allegedly finding texts from her on Davide's phone. Date night: Restaurant Sheesh also shared a sweet snap of Davide and Ekin-Su from inside the venue as the couple held hands while enjoying a lavish meal Stylish: She gave herself a few extra inches in a pair of black strapped heels while she kept her essentials in an olive handbag Cosy: The Turkish actress, 28, proved she was as loved-up as ever with her Italian beau, 27, as they shared a smooch while leaving the lavish restaurant The publication reported that Ekin-Su also lashed out at a second woman, Phoebe Wintle, after also reportedly 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. 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 s***s. 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 on a make-or-break trip to Amsterdam last week, and while Davide shared a snap of Ekin-Su 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. 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. Beauty: The former Love Island star bolstered her striking features with a slick of eyeliner and a touch of pink lipstick as she flashed a huge smile Accusations: Their date night comes after Ekin-Su is said to have branded Harriet Wilson, 24, a 'f***ing s**g' over a suspected fling with her boyfriend Davide '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. 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'. The pair moved in together after winning Love Island last year but earlier this year were forced to dismiss claims their relationship was a show-mance. Finnish telecom gear maker Nokia on Thursday reported a 10 per cent increase in global net sales to 5,859 million euros in the first quarter ended March 2023, on account of over a four-fold jump in Indian business. The company registered 5,348 million euros in net sales in the same period a year ago. Network Infrastructure and Mobile Networks both grew at double-digit rates, with Network Infrastructure increasing 13 per cent, led by Optical Networks and IP Networks, and Mobile Networks increasing 13 per cent, reflecting the continued ramp up of 5G in India, Nokia said in its earnings report. Boost in Indian sales saved the company from the reduced spending in North America and other geographies. Nokia India sales zoomed by over four-fold to 853 million euros during the reported quarter from 200 million euros in the March 2022 quarter on account of fast pace deployment of the 5G network in the country. Mobile Networks net sales grew 13 per cent (on constant currency basis) as 5G deployments in India ramped up, more than offsetting a slowdown in North America spending, Nokia President and CEO Pekka Lundmark said in the earnings report. It would neither be logical nor feasible to reunite India and Pakistan. Unlike the two Germanies, the very idea is fraught with unspeakable dangers Some recent writings have spoken of the desirability of merging Pakistan with our country. That, in their opinion, is to save our neighbour from disaster. Howsoever noble sounding this might be, its implementation would be fraught with national suicide. While ardently pursuing his advocacy for a separate state for the subcontinents Muslims, Pakistans founder Qaid-e-Azam Jinnah had categorically declared at Lahore that the two communities (meaning Hindus and Muslims) cannot coexist in one country. He had gone on to back up his demand with an appeal for an exchange of populations. Such an exercise had been done in 1923 by the League of Nations (predecessor of the UNO) wherein Muslims in Greece crossed over to Turkey, whose Christians shifted to Greece in an organized manner. As it happened, only a few Muslims crossed over to Pakistan, whereas almost all the Hindus were chased out of there; the remaining being ethnically cleansed. Nevertheless, in the light of history, Partition proved to be a blessing because Indias population remained in balance. To upset that balance would be to commit national suicide. In any case, the people of Pakistan have grown up under three successive constitutions, all of which confer sovereignty to Allah the Merciful. One particular newspaper article published recently was emphatic in its comparison with the reunification of Germany at the end of the Cold War. Such comparisons are not only misplaced but are grossly misleading as well. For one, all Germans are the same people; virtually all of them Christian, who were torn apart by the Cold War between the West and the Soviet Union. Not a single German had demanded this partition on the morrow of WWII. Uncannily, Marshall Josef Stalin, the Soviet dictator, might have accepted a united Germany provided the whole of Deutschland would have come under the Soviet roof. Stalin indeed did cherish this rope; had President Roosevelt lived longer, and not been replaced by Harry Truman, who cherished no illusions about Stalin being a reasonable partner for peace. To return to Pakistan, Jinnah had promised the Muslims in 1946, I assure you that once were free of the clutches of these Hindu Banias, we shall make Pakistan the most prosperous country in the world. As luck would have it, not long after Partition, the country became a member of the Baghdad Pact (which later became the CENTO) and also SEATO based in Thailand. As an ally of the USA, aid in dollars began to pour in. When the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, Pakistan became an indispensable ally. Naturally, there was no shortage of aid; how much was spent on the military and how much for civil society cannot be known, as probably no accounts would be available today. However, one did get to hear of milk and honey flowing in that country in the closing years of the twentieth century. There were also reports of Pakistans per capita GDP overtaking Indias. The American withdrawal from Afghanistan has had a cataclysmic effect on the Pakistani economy because its utility as an ally has petered out. Jinnah was a brilliant lawyer who not only pleaded effectively but could also persuade an unwilling litigant to take up a causein this case, it was that of a separate Muslim homeland. The Muslim-majority provinces like Bengal, Punjab and Sind were happy with their majorities; legislators and ministers, and always had a Muslim premier. So, why Partition? The Muslims, in the provinces where they were in a minority, needed the warmth of a Muslim state, but could not obtain it, because they were in a thin minority. Jinnah, therefore, brought out the concept of an exchange of population from his bag of arguments. The minority Muslim population in the non-Muslim majority provinces could emigrate to the proposed New Medina. Students of the Aligarh Muslim University were very active in canvassing for a New Medina. The last Caliphate had been abolished in 1924. Jinnah argued that the Muslims in the subcontinent would be outnumbered by the Hindus. They, i.e., the Muslims were less educated and their elite were mostly landowners, lacking industries or trade and commerce. Jinnah with his eloquence in English (he could not orate in any other language) was able to convince most of them that the challenge before them was Pakistan or Perish. The Qaide-e-Azam was an introvert who did not mix with the masses. His social circle was the Parsi and Gujarati elite, mostly from Bombay, a city that the Qaid loved dearly. He was barely familiar with Islamic theology. His fathers name was Poonjabhai, grandfather Premjibhai and great-grandfather Meghjibhai Thakkar. The family was pushed into Islam as the Lohana communityJinnahs castewould not tolerate trading in fish, which Jinnahs grandfather Premjibhai had to take up. All in all, Jinnah was a brown Englishman who wore expensive Saville Row suits and loved fraternizing with the English. Street and maidan politics, which were Gandhis forte, were not Jinnahs cup of tea. He accepted the life presidentship of the Muslim League to get even with Gandhi. Partition was a mistake, as unfolding events are proving. All Jinnah was obsessed with was his place in history, no matter what the cost was. (The writer is a well-known columnist, an author and a former member of the Rajya Sabha. The views expressed are personal) Hollywood star Richard Madden says there is a thing going on with him when it comes to choosing emotionally complex characters and while it may turn out to be mentally taxing, it's the challenge he lives for as an actor. The Scottish star, who attained global fame with his role of Robb Stark in blockbuster series Game of Thrones, has explored themes like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and anxiety through his roles in BBC series Bodyguard and movie Ibiza, respectively. In his upcoming Prime Video series Citadel and another Amazon Studios production Killer Heat, the actor deals with the concept of duality. Does he have an inclination towards such characters? "This is true I suppose," Madden said. In 'Citadel', it is the first time that I'm playing two characters within the same piece. Two human beings in one body, essentially. And that's what really drew me to this whole concept. The idea of what character traits exist in you because of genetics or because of how you're born, and what are learned based on your life experiences or childhood trauma that make you be the man you are today and inform your decisions, the actor told PTI in an interview here. Post "Citadel", Madden said he will start shooting for Amazon Studios film "Killer Heat", opposite Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Shailene Woodley. "It's a really interesting kind of noir thriller mystery. Something very different from me. And actually I'm playing twins in that so there is another level of duality. I think there is a thing going on with me. "Citadel follows elite agents Mason Kane (Madden) and Nadia Sinh (Priyanka Chopra Jonas), who had their memories wiped as they narrowly escaped with their lives after independent global spy agency Citadel's fall. The show sees Mason and Nadia building new lives under new identities, unaware of their pasts. Until one night, Mason is tracked down by his former Citadel colleague, Bernard Orlick (Stanley Tucci), who desperately needs his help to prevent rival agency Manticore from establishing a new world order. Creating these two different personalities, Madden said, gave him an opportunity to play around with painting these two pictures and seeing how they both emerge day by day. Finding those nuances, similarities and those parallels... As an actor, I got the opportunity to play opposite versions of the same person... It is taxing, but it's what I live for and I love it. With these characters, I suppose the extremes balance each other out, so I get to play both versions. "It's more difficult when you're playing one character who is in a very negative mind frame, that can get to you after weeks or months of playing that character, he added. Citadel is produced by Amazon Studios and Joe and Anthony Russos' AGBO banner with David Weil attached as showrunner. Working with Russo Brothers was a freeing experience, said Madden. The actor praised the filmmaker duo for their elaborate vision for the series, which will act as a flagship show that will blend with local shows already under production in Italy and India. The Russos are obviously known throughout the world. There's something about their vision. This show is not only based in multiple countries within our storyline, but is having these other shows. The one in India that's currently filming and the one in Italy that's already finished filming. "...Luckily one of the two characters I play, he is in many ways, the eyes of the audience. He's discovering this world as you, the viewer are. I got to enjoy that journey of discovering this world, the 36-year-old actor said. The show also marks Madden's first collaboration with Indian star Priyanka Chopra Jonas and he said they brought out the best in each other. I feel very honoured and lucky to have had this time with her and hopefully have more time with her. We work very well together. We are very different actors and that can be a real gift because we bring out the best in each other. We have a great dynamic together, he said. Apart from being an action-spy thriller series, the actor said Citadel also normalises the idea of diversity in Hollywood productions by incorporating creative minds from different parts of the world. I love that apart from bringing the diversity into a particular show, we're having these other shows which are pulling in all of the talent from these countries. Everyone is having an opportunity to use their voice. The scale of this show is allowing the nurturing of talent from all these different continents and countries. And that is really exciting to me. Madden said he has always perceived his profession as a collaboration from every aspect and Citadel fulfills that expectation. There is a writer who has interpreted a thought and he's written a script, a director who interprets those words and has a vision and then there's an actor who interprets that vision and these words and comes up with his own contribution to it. This show does that. It is kind of creating a whole network of talent that are all going to collaborate and bring out the best in each other, he added. Madden was on his maiden visit to India earlier this month to promote Citadel along with Chopra Jonas. Even though he didn't get a chance to explore the country this time, Madden said he would love to come back soon. I'm thrilled to be here. I'm bummed out that I don't get more time to be here. But it's been great for me just to kind of have my feet on the ground for the first time and explore it, and hopefully I get to come back and spend a little more time here because it's been too quick. He is also hoping that in future they get a chance to work with the team of the Indian installment of Citadel Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu and director duo Raj & DK. I would like to come back as soon as possible. Maybe in season two or three, if we are lucky enough to have that, there'll be a crossover, there'll be missions in India and we'll get to interact with the amazing talent that you have in the series here, he said. Citadel, which recently had its world premiere in London, will start streaming on Prime Video from April 28. Five Army soldiers were martyred and another was seriously injured on Thursday after their vehicle caught fire following one of the most provocative terrorist strikes on a moving Army vehicle close to the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district of Jammu & Kashmir. The Army truck was reportedly ferrying ration supplies and other items at the time of the incident. The deceased Army soldiers were from a Rashtriya Rifles unit deployed for counterterror operations, according to a statement issued by the Udhampur based Northern Command headquarters. On Thursday around 3pm, one Army vehicle, moving between Bhimber Gali and Poonch in the Rajouri sector was fired upon by unidentified terrorists, taking advantage of heavy rain and low visibility in the area. The vehicle caught fire, due to likely use of grenades by terrorists, said the statement. The terror incident is likely to cast its shadow on the forthcoming G-20 Tourism working group meeting lined up in the last week of May 2023 in Srinagar. The seriously injured soldier was rushed to the Army Hospital at Rajouri. Immediately after the attack, local residents in the area rushed to the spot and struggled hard to douse the flames and shift the charred bodies. Gory images of slain soldiers surfaced across various social media platforms. An advisory issued by the Defence spokesman against sharing these images had little impact. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was also briefed by Army Chief General Manoj Pande about the attack. The Defence Minister offered condolences to the families of the deceased tweeting, Anguished by the tragedy in Poonch District (J&K), where the Indian Army has lost its brave soldiers after a truck caught fire. In this tragic hour, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. Till the time of filing the report, the unidentified terrorists remained at large after they vanished from the thickly forested belt of Bhimber Gali without facing any resistance. The joint team of security forces have launched a massive manhunt to track down the footprints of perpetrators behind the audacious terror attack. Traffic was diverted on the Jammu-Poonch highway to carry out the searches in the area amid inclement weather conditions. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval had only last week reviewed the security situation in the Union Territory to ensure peaceful conduct of the G-20 meeting. Jammu & Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Director General of Police Dilbag Singh, and other senior officials too had attended the meeting. The Assam and the Arunachal Pradesh Governments on Thursday signed an agreement in presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah here to resolve their decades-long border disputes. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and his Arunachal Pradesh counterpart Pema Khandu signed the pact. Assam and Arunachal Pradesh share an 804.1-km-long border. The two States have been negotiating to resolve the border dispute, with Sarma and Khandu signing the Namsai Declaration on July 15 last year wherein they had pledged to find a solution soon. The two States decided to resolve the dispute in 123 villages. Shah termed the border agreement a historic event. Sarma said the deal is a big and successful moment. Khandu described the deal as historic. Regional committees dealing with specific areas were formed last year, comprising ministers, local MLAs, and officials from both sides to take the discussion forward. Arunachal Pradesh, which was made a Union Territory in 1972, has been maintaining that several forested tracts in the plains traditionally belonged to hill tribal chiefs and communities and these were unilaterally transferred to Assam earlier. After Arunachal Pradesh achieved statehood in 1987, a tripartite committee was appointed, which recommended that certain territories be transferred from Assam to Arunachal Pradesh. Assam contested this and the matter was in the Supreme Court for a long time. In a major development given the strained ties between India and Pakistan, latters Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will visit India next month to take part in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Foreign Ministers conclave. It will be the first such high-profile visit by a Pakistani Minister since then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharifs visit to New Delhi in 2014 to attend Prime Minister Narendra Modis swearing-in ceremony. The announcement regarding Foreign Minister Bilawals schedule was made on Thursday by Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahrah Baloch in Islamabad at the weekly media briefing. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will be leading the Pakistan delegation to the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) being held on May 4-5, 2023, in Goa, India, she said, ending weeks-long speculation if he would attend the conference in person amid major differences between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. She said the Pakistan Foreign Minister would be attending the meeting as External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had invited him to attend the SCO meet. Our participation in the meeting reflects Pakistans commitment to the SCO Charter and processes and the importance that Pakistan accords to the region in its foreign policy priorities, Baloch said. It will not be appropriate to focus on a particular member, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said on participation of Pakistan in SCO Foreign Ministers meet. He also said it is premature to say bilateral meeting between Zardari and Jaishankar may take place on the sidelines of the SCO conclave. Meanwhile, it would be the highest-level visit to India by any Pakistani leader in recent years and a possible opportunity to break the ice between the two nations. The ties between India and Pakistan came under severe strain after Indias warplanes pounded a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist training camp in Pakistans Balakot in February 2019 in response to the Pulwama terror attack. The relations further deteriorated after India announced the withdrawal of Jammu and Kashmirs special powers and the bifurcation of the erstwhile State into Union territories in August 2019. India has been maintaining that it desires normal neighbourly relations with Pakistan while insisting that the onus is on Islamabad to create an environment free of terror and hostility for such an engagement. Then Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar visited India in 2011. In May 2014, then-Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif visited India to attend Modis swearing-in ceremony. In December 2015, then External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj visited Pakistan and days later, Modi made a brief visit to the neighbouring country. The SCO was founded at a summit in Shanghai in 2001 by the presidents of Russia, China, the Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Over the years, it has emerged as one of the largest trans-regional international organisations. India and Pakistan became permanent members of the Beijing-based SCO in 2017. India, which currently holds the SCO presidency, sent the invitation to SCO members, including the new Foreign Minister of China Qin Gang and Zardari in January. We hold the current presidency of SCO. As customary, we extend invites to all SCO countries, including Pakistan. We expect them all to attend the events, Bagchi had said during a press briefing in February. The eight-member SCO is a major regional powerhouse that was established over two decades ago with the aim of promoting economic, political, and military cooperation among its member nations. It represents around 42 per cent of the worlds total population and 25 per cent of the global GDP. New Covid-19 cases in the country in a day rose to 8-month high as the Union Health Ministry data put the number at 12,591 on Thursday. With 40 deaths in a day, the death toll has increased to 5,31,230. The active cases have increased to 65,286. The total tally of Covid cases was recorded at 4.48 crore. The daily positivity rate was 5.46 per cent and the weekly positivity rate was 5.32 per cent. Active cases now comprise 0.15 per cent of the total infections, while the national Covid-19 recovery rate was 98.67 per cent, according to the Health Ministry website. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease has surged to 4,42,61, 476 while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.18 per cent. According to the ministrys website, 220.66 crore doses of Covid vaccine have been administered in the country so far under the nationwide Covid-19 vaccination drive. Delhi on Thursday logged 1,603 Covid-19 cases with a positivity rate of 26.75 per cent along with three fatalities. With the new fatalities, the death toll from the pandemic rose to 26,581 in the national capital. Out of 7,976 Covid beds, 390 are occupied, the data showed. Delhi had recorded 1,537 Covid cases on Tuesday with a positivity rate of 26.54 per cent. On Wednesday, the city reported six deaths along with 1,757 new cases with a positivity rate of 28.63 per cent. Meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has tested positive for Covid-19, officials said on Thursday. He is currently under home quarantine with mild symptoms. A team of doctors examined him and advised him rest, the Defence Ministry said. He was scheduled to attend the Indian Air Force Commanders Conference in Delhi on Thursday, but had to skip it after testing positive for the virus, it said. Punjab Police on Thursday successfully solved a sensational case of human sacrifice bid on a middle-aged woman with the arrest of two persons, who attempted to murder the victim as part of sorcery to get wealthy. Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ropar Range, Gurpreet Singh Bhullar identified both the arrested accused persons as Kuldeep Singh alias Keepa; and Jasvir Singh alias Jassi both residents of Ferozepur village in Fatehgarh Sahib. The Police have also recovered a Hero Deluxe motorcycle (PB 52 B 2187) and a sickle used in the crime from the possession of accused persons. As per the information, a 50-years-old woman, identified as Balvir Kaur of Faror village in Fatehgarh Sahib, was found lying gravely injured in the fields near canal at Ferozepur village on Wednesday morning. The victim is out of danger and has been undergoing treatment at PGI Chandigarh. IGP Bhullar, addressing the media, said that both the accused persons were circus performers and used to perform cycle shows in different villages. Accused persons Keepa and Jassi met Balvir Kaur through her son Dharampreet, who became friends with them during their show at Faror village about eight months back, he said. Divulging more details about preliminary investigations, Fatehgarh Sahib Senior Superintendent of Police Dr Ravjot Kaur Grewal said that both the accused persons wanted to become rich and came in contact with a tantrik (sorcerer), who asked them to perform a Human Sacrifice on a woman. SSP Grewal said that the accused persons Keepa and Jassi on Tuesday called Balvir Kaur on pretext of taking her to tantrik for paying obeisance, and took her to an isolated place in village Ferozepur to kill her, where they attacked her using a sickle resulting in grave injuries on her neck and other body parts. Following information from the villagers, the Police have immediately started investigations in this case and arrested both the accused persons, said SSP Grewal. Meanwhile, a case FIR, dated April 19, 2023, has been registered under sections 307 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) at Police Station Fatehgarh Sahib. Delhi PWD Minister Atishi on Thursday inspected the under construction underpass between Bhairon Marg and Ring Road. In order to decongest traffic on the Ring Road, the Delhi government is constructing an underpass between Bhairon Marg and Ring Road. This will benefit the thousands of commuters moving towards and from Sarai Kale Khan, Akshardham, and Noida every day. While inspecting the progress of the work, PWD Minister Atishi said, Construction of this underpass on Ring Road at Pragati Maidan is a magnificent example of modern engineering. Constructing this underpass underneath a busy railway line was a challenging task, but our PWD engineers proved their readiness to tackle every challenge. Such projects prove that despite various challenges on the ground, the Kejriwal Governments PWD department is determined to make Delhi roads traffic jam free. The minister said that the PWD has adopted a very unique engineering model to construct this underpass. For the first time in the country, this engineering technique of box pushing is being used on such a large scale, which shows that our PWD is always ready to face new challenges and come up with unique solutions. According to PWD officials constructing this underpass is a big engineering challenge in itself. A part of the underpass is located underneath a very busy railway line where about 120 trains pass daily. Construction work cannot be done in conjunction with the active railway corridor that is regularly used for trains. Therefore, PWD is only able to work here for 4-5 hours daily. This includes 3-4 hours for removing and fixing the railway line, and the remaining time is spent by PWD moving 1400-tonnes concrete blocks underneath the railway line to make the tunnel. The railway line is at a height of 9 metres from the ground. The concrete block is moved 30 cm daily by using 6000 horsepower hydraulic machines to prevent the railway line from sinking during the work. After sliding the concrete block, the soil present there is removed. Only after this, the work of box pushing can start again the next day. Here the engineers shared that the technique of box pushing was used earlier as well but this work is being done on such a large scale for the first time in the country. Here, another big challenge is that the Yamuna River is very close to the underpass, which makes it difficult to work here. But despite facing these challenges, the engineers at PWD have found the solution to this challenge too, officials added. Chhattisgarh Police on Thursday arrested a 38-year-old manager of a nationalized bank for fraudulently withdrawing Rs 18 lakhs from the account of a family of an accident victim in Korba city. Korba Additional Superintendent of Police Abhishek Verma identified him as Dilip Tiwari of RSS Nagar. Rakesh Kumar Paikra died in a road accident and his family got an insurance amount of Rs 50 lakhs. Tiwari fraudulently took signatures of victims family and withdrew Rs 18 lakhs. Tiwari was arrested when he was going to Rajgamar area for a picnic. About 1,500 Indians are stuck in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, amid the fighting between the military and the paramilitary in Sudan. These include 23-year-old young businessman Jayant Kevalani of Bhopal. Jayant said that the situation in Sudan is worse than the Ukraine-Russia war. There is no electricity here for the last four days. Water and ration are also running out. There is a military camp right in front of the building, heavy bombardment is taking place here . Jayant was about to return from Sudan to Dubai on April 20 when fighting broke out there. Jayant does the business of import-export of gram and toor dal. His family including father Narendra Kevalani lives in Sant Hirdaram Nagar (Bairagarh) of Bhopal. About a month and a half ago, he had gone to Sudan to attend a business meeting. They were about to return on 20 April, when the fighting started on 15 April and got trapped. The families of Indian Embassy officials are also stranded. These include from small children to the elderly. Talking about Khartoum, there are more than 1500 Indians. Along with the fighting, Khartoum has been without electricity for four days. Due to this, even charging the mobile is becoming difficult. If there is no electricity for a day or two, we will not be able to even talk to our family members. The water stored in the house is running out. There is very little food and drink left. Jayant's sister Vanshika Kevalani has sought help from the government by tweeting. She wrote- What is the Government of India sleeping? Why is the government not doing anything on this important issue? The war started on Saturday. Many Indians including my brother are caught in the war. Their lives are in danger. Jayant said that people from many states including Uttarakhand, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar are stranded here like him. People living with him, including Jayant, say that the government should take steps for his safe return from Sudan. Here, father Narendra Kevalani, living in Bhopal, said that Jayant is still safe, but the central government should bring all Indians including Jayant back to their homeland safely. Former Chief Minister Digvijay Singh has also tweeted to the PMO and External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar urging them to evacuate the stranded Indians from Sudan on priority basis. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Thursday said it seems the BJP was facing factionalism and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was emerging as an alternate to the Modi-Shah leadership. Citing statements of Chhattisgarh BJP chief Arun Sao, Baghel told that media that Sao now appreciates the bulldozer politics which indicates that the magic of Modi-Shah was fading and so Adityanath was being promoted by the BJP. That is why the state BJP chief now talks of following the path of Adityanath and appreciates him, Baghel said. It is not astonishing as the failure of the Modi government in providing employment and curtailing prices of petrol, diesel and other essential commodities has compelled BJP leaders now to promote Adityanath, he said. The Delhi government on Thursday released Rs 400 crore for the development of MCD-run schools. The Delhi government has allocated Rs. 1,700 crores under the grant-in-aid scheme for the MCD schools this year. Addressing a press conference, Delhi Education Minister Atishi alongwith Delhi Mayor Dr Shelly Oberai said MCD funds have been increased to Rs 1700 crore and today we are releasing Rs 400 crore. They shared that the Kejriwal government will transformed MCD schools on the lines of Delhi government schools. Education has always been the priority of the Delhi government. It has always allocated a major chunk of the budget for education. Our main aim is to make MCD schools better, Atishi said. Atishi said that the education system of Delhi has been facing a crisis because government schools that provide education from Class 1-5 come under MCD. Due to the lack of facilities and a conducive learning environment there, when students from MCD schools are admitted to Delhi government schools they often fall behind. They lack basic foundational skills, she said. Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi noted that the AAP dispensation in the city government has always focused on education, following the ideologies of Dr BR Ambedkar. There are around 1,500 schools within MCDs jurisdiction, with nearly 9 lakh children and approximately 19,000 teachers. She stated that when they visited the MCD schools, they found that most of the schools were in very poor condition and required major and minor repairs. There are some MCD schools that require the construction of new classrooms, while others could not complete their construction work due to a lack of funds. In such a situation these funds released by the Delhi government will be extremely helpful. MCD schools need a lot of development in infrastructure and manpower. To ensure these issues are addressed, the Delhi government has allocated a huge budget to the MCD schools, she said. Fugitive radical preacher Amritpal Singh's wife Kirandeep Kaur was stopped at the Sri Guru Ram Dass International Airport by immigration officials while she was trying to board a flight to Britain. She was questioned by the immigration authorities and later officials of the Punjab Police and was allowed to go after three hours of questioning. She missed her flight to Britain and returned to her husbands house in Jallupur Khera village near Amritsar. Singh married Kaur, a UK-based NRI, in February this year. More than a month after a police crackdown against Singh and his aides, the radical preacher continues to remain elusive even as a manhunt to nab him is underway. Police on March 18 had launched the crackdown against Singh and members of his outfit 'Waris Punjab De.' He and his associates were booked under several criminal cases related to spreading disharmony among classes, attempt to murder, attack on police personnel and creating obstructions in the lawful discharge of duty by public servants. Kaur, a British citizen, was apparently stopped on the basis of a lookout circular that was earlier issued against her. Officials said that she is not named in any of the FIRs involving Amritpal and his aides. Since the crackdown on her husband and his men, Kirandeep has been questioned by the Punjab Police about her association with Amritpal and the funds in her bank accounts. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that a grand campaign to change the lives of sisters is going on in Madhya Pradesh. The government has now formed Ladli Bahana Yojana, in which poor and lower middle class women will get Rs. 1000 per month. He said that Ladli Bahana is not just a scheme but a social revolution. My sisters will no longer have to reach out to anyone to fulfill their minor needs. This is a gift from a brother to his sisters, which they will receive throughout the year, not just on Raksha Bandhan. Chouhan attended Mukhya Mantri Ladli Bahna Mahasammelan at Keolari in Seoni district today. The Chief Minister dedicated and laid the foundation stone of various development works worth Rs. 129 crore. Along with this, the pattas (leases) of the Mukhya Mantri Awasiya Bhu-Adhikar Yojana were distributed to the beneficiaries. Benefits in other schemes were also distributed to the beneficiaries. Chouhan said that my sisters are giving their immense support to the ongoing campaign for women empowerment in Madhya Pradesh. Even today the tent proved too small to accommodate them. I am deeply grateful to my sisters for their love, affection and support. Brother-sister relationship is a wonderful relationship. I have taken a vow that I will not let tears come in the eyes of my sisters. Today I have come to tell you my feelings, not to give a speech. The Chief Minister said that there was a lot of respect and honour for women in ancient India. It reduced in the middle ages and discrimination and injustice started being done to the daughters. I have been witnessing discrimination against daughters since childhood. That's why I took a vow that I will end this discrimination and injustice. I am working continuously to fulfill it. Chouhan said that Ladli Laxmi Yojana was first formulated in the state and at the time of their birth, daughters were given savings certificates worth Rs. 30 thousand. In this, from time to time, they get funds for studies and on completion of 21 years of age, they get one lakh rupees in lump sum. Today there are more than 44 lakh Ladli Laxmis in Madhya Pradesh. Chief Minister Chouhan said that 50 percent reservation has been given in Panchayat and local elections in Madhya Pradesh to make sisters politically empowered. As a result, today my sisters are running the government from village panchayats to district panchayats. Only one per cent registration fee is charged for the transfer of land and property in the name of sisters. Reservation is also being given to daughters in the recruitment of police and teachers. Under the Mukhya Mantri Kanya Vivah-Nikah Yojana, the government gets poor sisters married. Sisters are also given benefits under Sambal Yojana. Chouhan said that the benefit of Ladli Bahna Yojana will be given to those sisters in the age group of 23 to 60 years, whose annual family income is less than Rs. two and half lakh rupees, do not have over 5 acres of land in the household and do not have a four wheeler vehicle. Forms of the scheme are being filled by April 30, they will be checked in the month of May and from June 10, Rs. 1000 per month will start coming into the accounts of eligible sisters. Chief Minister Chouhan said that almost all the demands made for Seoni area will be fulfilled. He said that some villages of the district were left out of supply of drinking water, all of them would be covered in the Jal Jeevan Mission. A survey will be conducted for the arrangement of irrigation water in Lal Mati area of the district. Chouhan inaugurated the programme by performing Kanya-pujan, lighting the lamp and garlanding the portraits of public heroes. The sisters of Keolari region presented a letter and a replica of Ram Darbar to their brother Shivraj. With the sleuths of the Special Task Force (STF) and Prayagraj police already hunting for Shaista Parveen, wife of slain mafia-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad, the Mau police have tightened the noose around jailed gangster Mukhtar Ansari's wife Afshan. The police have declared a reward of Rs 25,000 on gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari's wife, Afshan Ansari, after declaring her absconding. "A reward of Rs 25,000 has been declared on the arrest of Afshan Ansari, wife of Mukhtar Ansari, who is wanted in a case registered under the Gangsters Act at police station Dakshin Tola. She has been on the run and therefore the reward has been announced," Additional Superintendent of Police at Mau, Mahesh Singh Attri, informed the local media persons. The reward was announced on the instructions of Superintendent of Police, Mau, Avinash Pandey. A case was registered against Afshan Ansari, who has been absconding for a long time. Warrants have also been issued against Mukhtar and Afshan in connection with the case. Earlier, DIG (Varanasi) Akhilesh Chaurasiya had announced a reward of Rs 50,000 on Afshan. With this, she carries a total reward of Rs 75,000 for information leading to her arrest. Earlier in January this year, the police had registered a murder case against Mukhtar Ansari in connection to the 2001 'Usri Chatti' gang war incident. A case under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code was registered against Ansari at Mohammadabad police station in Ghazipur. Earlier on January 18, the Allahabad High Court had dismissed the March 15 order of the Ghazipur MP/MLA court, which allowed Ansari to be kept in a superior-class jail in Banda. While giving the order, the court had said the order of the special court was without jurisdiction, and gangster, dreaded criminal bahubali Ansari was not legally entitled to get a superior class in jail. Earlier on December 15 last year, Ansari and his aide Bhim Singh were sentenced to 10 years imprisonment by the Gangster Court in Ghazipur in five cases related to murder and attempted murder. The cases include the murder of constable Raghuvansh Singh and a murderous assault on an additional superintendent of police of Ghazipur among others. On September 21, the Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court had convicted Mukhtar Ansari and sentenced him for threatening jailer SK Awasthi and pointing a pistol at him. The case dates to 2003 when Lucknow district prison jailer SK Awasthi lodged an FIR saying that he was threatened to order a search of the people who came to meet Ansari in prison. On September 23, the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court sentenced him to five years in a case registered in 1999 under the Gangster Act. The court had also imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on Mukhtar in this 23-year-old case. In the wake of upcoming assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, the process of 'adjustments' of BJP leaders in boards and corporations is going on and on the same lines BJP spokesperson Sanawwar Patel has been appointed chairman of the MP Waqf Board. Sanawwar Patel was elected unopposed as the new chairman in the waqf board's office. Prior to this, Sanawwar Patel has also been the Chairman of Madhya Pradesh Haj Committee and MP BJP Minority Morcha president. Patel met BJP state president VD Sharma after becoming the Chairman. In the seven-member committee of the Waqf Board in MP, former MP Najma Heptullah, former minister Arif Aqueel, bar council member Ahad Ullah Usmani, Mutawalli Faizan Khan, social activist Sanwar Patel, Fatima Chowdhary from Bohra community and government official Dr. Inam ur Rahman as members. On Thursday, the formalities of election to the post of MP Waqf Board were completed. Elected Sanwwar Patel as Chairman unopposed in the presence of Returning Officer Dr IK Mansuri and CEO Syed Shakir Ali Jafri. Patel lashed out at former chief minister Digvijay Singh as soon as he became the Chairman, saying, "Muslims have told that they are not slaves of Diggi (Digvijay Singh)." Thanking Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan and BJP State President VD Sharma for the election of the Waqf Board Chairman, he said that he has done a great job by forming the committee of the largest organization of the Muslim community. Digvijay Singh considers himself a contractor of minorities. He has a category of mutawalli in this election. In 38 votes, he used money power openly. Open hooliganism by trying to pick people up. His candidate got only seven votes, while the BJP's candidate got 31 votes. When the elections were held today, Digvijay Singh got many times MLA Arif Akeel boycotted. There are so many senior MLAs, if a BJP candidate is getting five-six votes together, then they could have given consent. But when they could not find supporters, they boycotted it. The people of Madhya Pradesh will never forget this. Now whether it is the election of Mutawalli or the election of the chairman, the Muslims of Madhya Pradesh have said that they are not the followers of Digvijay Singh. Now the nationalist Muslim is with the BJP. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognisance of a media report regarding a stray dog attack in which a 65-year-old man was mauled in a park inside the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) campus. The CCTV footage of the horrific incident has gone viral on social media. Expressing serious concern over the reported incident, the NHRC has issued notices to the chief secretary, Uttar Pradesh government, the vice-chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University, and the commissioner of Aligarh Municipal Corporation, seeking a detailed report of the incident within six weeks. The state government is expected to inform the NHRC whether any relief has been given to the family of the deceased. The NHRC has also called for the comments of the secretary, Animal Welfare Board of India, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, on the present status of the implementation of the provisions of law and their strategy, if any, to deal with the issue of the right to life of humans and protection from stray animals in the light of the recent increasing incidents of attack by stray animals on humans without any provocation. The NHRC has observed that painful incidents such as the one reported by the media in the instant case indicate that there is a need to review the prevailing safeguards as this is not a problem of any one state or Union Territory, and the situation is grim and alarming. In the past also, the NHRC had taken cognisance of such incidents and called for reports from the authorities. It has further observed that animal rights are advocated and supported in the same way as human rights because it is quite imperative to safeguard and protect animals from oppression, confinement and abusive treatment, which they may be prone to suffer at the hands of humans. Refusing to make the payment of Rs 55 lakhs spent from the state exchequer to facilitate the two-year cozy stay of Uttar Pradeshs gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari in the states Ropar Jail, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday made it clear that he was planning to recover the money paid to expensive lawyers from the former Ministers who wanted him to be kept in Punjab jail. The benevolence of the previous rulers towards this dangerous criminal can be judged from the fact that though 48 warrants were issued against Ansari, the then Government didnt bother to produce him. Surprisingly, the then government spent Rs 55 lakh of tax-payers money to safeguard the interests of this criminal lodged in Ropar Jail, said Mann. This atrocious loot of the public money is totally unwarranted and undesirable, he said, adding that he has returned the file regarding this matter to the Department concerned. Declaring that the open plundering of the tax-payers money cannot be tolerated at any cost, Mann said that the State Government is also mulling to recover this money from the Ministers who have taken this sinister decision. Everyone involved in this heinous crime will be made accountable for their sin, he said. The Chief Minister said that this is brazen loot of the public money which cannot be tolerated. For reasons, best known to the previous regimes, this notorious criminal was kept in Ropar Jail with full comfortsApart from ensuring comfortable stay, the State Government ensured that this hardcore criminal do not face any sort of difficulty within the jail and escapes the legal action against him, he said. Manns decision came days after the police inquiry, conducted into Ansaris stay in Ropar jail, indicted some jail officials but not any politician. In the inquiry report, it was also alleged that Ansari had connections with some state and national Congress leaders. Available information suggests that the file regarding senior advocate Dushyant Dave, who represented the Punjab Government in the Supreme Court in 2021 when the Uttar Pradesh Government had sought Ansaris transfer to UP, is awaiting clearance from the State Government. The then Congress Government in Punjab had opposed Ansaris transfer. The file, regarding Daves fees, was making rounds of various functionaries during the previous Charanjit Singh Channis led state government also. Ansari was in Ropar jail in connection with an extortion case from January 2019 to April 2021 during the tenure of the previous Congress Government led by Captain Amarinder Singh, with senior Congress leader Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa holding the Jails Department. Ansari was brought here on a transit remand from UP in connection with an FIR accusing him of seeking a ransom of Rs 10 crore from a builder in Mohalis Sector 70. However, the challan regarding the same was never presented in the Court. The issue reached the Supreme Court with the UP Government accusing the Congress-led Punjab Government of shamelessly keeping Ansari in its jail. After coming to power, former Jails Minister in the present AAP government Harjot Singh Bains had ordered an investigation into the VIP facilities enjoyed by Ansari during his stay Ropar prison, and had also raised the issue in the Vidhan Sabha. In the inquiry report submitted recently by the state ADGP RN Dhoke, recommendations have been made to initiate proceedings under the Prevention of Corruption Act against some jail officials for allegedly taking bribes from Ansari in lieu of the facilities. Intensifying the vigil around the banks and other financial institutions across the state, Punjab Police have frisked as many as 3947 suspicious people found roaming around such institutions in both urban and rural areas. Following directions of the state Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, a special operation to check suspicious people roaming around banks and other financial institutions was carried out by the Punjab Police on Wednesday. The operation was conducted in all 28 Police districts of the state and Commissioners of Police and Senior Superintendents of Police were directed to personally monitor this operation and make sufficient numbers of Police teams to carry out this operation. The states Special DGP (Law and Order) Arpit Shukla said that as many as 422 police parties, involving over 2,000 Police Personnel, under the supervision of SPs or DSPs, frisked the suspicious people found roaming around financial institutions, especially banks. The Police teams checked 3618 such institutions on Wednesday. He said that the major purpose to carry out this operation was to infuse fear among the anti-social elements, whilst instilling a sense of safety and security among the common people. The Special DGP said that all the Police teams were asked to be polite while frisking people and ensure minimum inconvenience to the common public. Such operations would continue to make Punjab a crime-free state, he reiterated. Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami reviewed the progress of development schemes in the assembly constitutes represented by the opposition parties and independents belonging to Tehri, Garhwal and Haridwar parliamentary seats at the State secretariat on Thursday. In the meeting, the CM directed the officers to take the problems pointed out by the MLAs seriously and solve them. He said that everyone should work in a united manner for the all round development of the State. Dhami directed the district magistrate to hold regular meetings with the MLAs for solving the problems in their areas. He said that the pace of work in the Jal Jeevan Mission should be expedited and it should be ensured that there is no shortage of drinking water during the summers. He said that the DMs should allot works to the officers to expedite the development works and solving local issues. Dhami directed them to hold regular inspections and said that the arrangement of human resources and necessary equipment should be done at Tehsil level for the disaster management works. He said that the State government is committed for encouraging agriculture, horticulture, tourism and industry sectors and efforts are being made to strengthen health, education and connectivity in the State. The State government is operating many welfare schemes and striving to augment livelihood of the people. Every possible effort is being made to bring Uttarakhand among the leading states of the country, he said. In the meeting the CM reviewed Yamunotri, Badrinath, Pratapnagar, Chakrata, Bhagwanpur, Jwalapur, Jhabreda, Piran Kalier, Laksar, Khanpur and Haridwar rural assembly constituencies. It is pertinent to mention here that the Congress party had objected to the parliamentary constituency-wise review meeting of assembly constituencies by stating that only ruling party MLAs were invited in them. On the objection of the Congress the government had clarified that a separate meeting with the MLAs of opposition parties would be held. In the meeting held on the day Congress MLAs Pritam Singh, Ravi Bahadur, Mamta Rakesh, Virendra Kumar, Furkan Ahmed, Anupama Rawat, Vikram Singh Negi and Rajendra Bhandari took part. The BSP MLAs Sarvat Karim Ansari and Mohammad Sahjad and independent Sanjay Dobhal also attended the meeting. In the meeting the MLAs raised issues of roads, drinking water, health, flood protection drainage, sewage disposal and others. Additional Chief Secretary Radha Raturi, principal secretary R K Sudhanshu, secretaries R Meenakshi Sundaram, Shailesh Bagauli, Nitesh Jha, Pankaj Kumar Pandey, HC Semwal, Dependra Kumar Chaudhary, R Rajesh Kumar, director general of education Banshidhar Tiwari and other officers were present in the review meeting. In a shocking incident, three people died on the spot while another was injured in a road accident on Moradabad-Farrukhabad road in Faizganj Behta police station area of Budaun district on Thursday morning. According to the police, a truck and a pick-up coming from different directions collided with each other resulting in the death of three occupants of the pick-up on the spot and injuries to one person. On receiving the information, the police reached the spot and shifted the injured to a hospital and sent the bodies for autopsy. Police officer (Bisauli) Pawan Kumar said that a truck loaded with straw collided head-on with the pick-up near Kasba Mundia Dhureki bus stand under Faizganj Behta police station in Budaun district. He said that by the time the police pulled out the people trapped in the vehicles with the help of the local residents, three people had died. He said that those who lost their lives were identified as Izhar (22), his father Haji Imran (60), both of Moradabad. The driver of the pick-up was also killed in the accident but his identity is yet not maintained. The injured was identified as Izhaan. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed grief over the mishap in Budaun district .He expressed his condolences. The chief minister also directed the district administration to provide proper treatment to the injured and wished for speedy recovery of the injured. In another tragic incident, a man and his maternal nephew drowned when they went to take bath on the occasion of Amavasya at Kasganj Kachla Ganga Ghat on Thursday morning. Reports said that Rajesh Kushwaha of Ucha in village Rashmi under Sadabad police station of Hathras district had gone to take bath in the river Ganga along with his family on the occasion of Amavasya on Thursday morning. While taking bath, Rajesh Kushwahas kin Gaurishankar Kushwaha started drowning. Gaurishankars maternal uncle Rajesh jumped into the river to save his nephew but both started drowning. When people saw both of them drowning, they raised an alarm following which some divers jumped into the river but it was too late. Rajesh Kushwaha drowned and his body was fished out by the divers. The body of Gaurishankar Kushwaha was not found. In a blow to British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, his close aide and Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab resigned on Friday amid allegations that he bullied staff members while working as a cabinet minister across different UK government departments. Sunak had been handed the independent report into allegations made by several civil servants on Thursday and a decision on Raab, who is also the UK Justice Secretary, was anticipated ever since. In his resignation letter posted on Twitter, Raab, 49, revealed the report into his conduct had upheld two claims against him. However, he did call them "flawed" and claimed they set a dangerous precedent of a low threshold for bullying for the conduct of good government. "Whilst I feel duty bound to accept the outcome of the inquiry, it dismissed all but two of the claims levelled against me, writes Raab. "I also believe that its two adverse findings are flawed and set a dangerous precedent for the conduct of good government," he said. "In setting the threshold for bullying so low, this inquiry has set a dangerous precedent. It will encourage spurious complaints against ministers, and have a chilling effect on those driving change on behalf of your government and ultimately the British people," he added. Sunak had come under pressure soon after he appointed Raab, a staunch supporter of his leadership for the Conservative Party and government during the campaign last year, to the two key Cabinet posts as the bullying allegations emerged. Downing Street said at the time that Sunak was "not aware" of any formal complaints against Raab when he appointed him in October last year. However, the Opposition Labour Party accused Sunak of ignoring reports about Raab's conduct. Raab's exit will now necessitate a mini shuffle in the Cabinet, as reports indicate that Sunak may not refill the post of Deputy PM and only appoint a new Justice Secretary. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Friday extended his best wishes to the administrative officers on the occasion of Civil Services Day and expressed hope that they will keep moving continuously on the path of public service with full dedication. "Hearty greetings to all conscientious and committed civil servants on 'Civil Services Diwas' (Public Service Day)!" Adityanath tweeted on Friday. "All of you have an important role in achieving the resolve to build a self-reliant new Uttar Pradesh. It is my wish that all of you continue to move forward on the path of public service with complete dedication," he added. The first Civil Services Day function was held in Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on April 21, 2006. This year's civil services day is celebrated on the theme "Viksit Bharat' - Empowering citizens and reaching the last mile." As part of Civil Services Day, Prime Minister's Awards for Excellence in Public Administration are presented to districts/implementing units for implementation of priority programmes and innovation categories. The day commemorates the address of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the first home minister of Independent India, to Administrative Services Officers on probation in 1947 at Metcalf House, Delhi. He had referred to civil servants as the "steel frame of India". Chaudhry Anwarul Haq, a lawmaker from former Prime Minister Imran Khans party was elected as the prime minister of Pakistan-occupied KashSmir on Thursday. The top post fell vacant last week after former premier Sardar Tanveer Ilyas Khan was disqualified by the regions high court over maligning the top judiciary. Haq, who was the Speaker of the regions assembly, got the trust of all 48 members present in the house as all major parties, including Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, Pakistan Peoples Party and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, rallied behind him. His predecessor was disqualified in a dramatic move by the high court in the region on April 11 for committing contempt of court by criticising the top judiciary in a public speech. Earlier on Monday, an assembly session held to elect a new prime minister was adjourned without any polling taking place. Sardar Tanveer at a function in Islamabad had indirectly blamed the judiciary for affecting the functioning of his government and interfering in the domain of the executive through the grant of stay orders. Though he appeared before the court and tendered an apology, but it was not accepted. Later his appeal was also rejected by the regions apex court. Imran Khans Instagram head abducted Authorities in Pakistan allegedly abducted the Instagram head of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf here on Thursday as part of the federal governments ongoing crackdown against social media activists from ousted prime minister Imran Khans party. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in collaboration with the intelligence agencies and police have launched a nationwide operation against social media activists, especially of Khans Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party following an alleged online smear campaign against Pakistan Army chief Gen Asim Munir. Attaur Rehman, PTIs Instagram head was picked up from Lahore in the early hours of Thursday. Khan on Thursday claimed on Twitter that the partys Instagram lead Attaur Rehman was picked up on Thursday morning from Lahore. Another abduction late last night this time of PTIs Instagram lead Attaur Rehman from Faisal Town Lahore. Strongly condemn these continuing abductions of our social media team. Atta has been with us for 15 years. The powerful are breaking all laws with impunity, Khan tweeted and demanded his release. Last week, the intelligence agencies picked another main social media activist, the PTI Humara Pak head Waqas Amjad who was allegedly tortured in judicial custody. Last month, Khans focal person on social media Azhar Mashwani was also picked up by authorities. Khan has blamed the military establishment for abducting his partys social media activists. He deplored the torture of Amjad, saying, today there is total law of the jungle in Pakistan. Former President Donald Trump has emerged largely unscathed politically from his New York indictment. But a new poll suggests that investigations in Georgia and Washington could prove more problematic. Only 4 in 10 US adults believe Trump acted illegally in New York, where he has been charged in connection with hush money payments made to women who alleged sexual encounters, according to the new poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. More about half believe he broke the law in Georgia, where he is under investigation for interfering in the 2020 election vote count. The poll finds about half feel similarly about his role in the storming of the US Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, and his handling of classified documents found at Mar-a-Lago, which are both under investigation by the Justice Department. The findings suggest potential future charges in those cases against Trump may resonate more deeply with the American public than his alleged cover-up of payments to porn actor Stormy Daniels and other women at the height of the 2016 campaign charges that nearly 6 in 10 adults believe were politically motivated. While the case drew intense media coverage and made Trump the first former president in U.S. history to be charged criminally, legal experts have long argued that the other investigations pose far more serious potential risk. The Georgia case, in particular, concerns even some longtime Trump supporters. I just feel like he kind of got himself involved in something that he shouldnt have. I dont know if its necessarily illegal, but just let the votes be the votes, said Stephanie Trinidad, a Republican who lives in Dracut, Massachusetts, and voted for Trump in 2016 and 2020. The poll offers further evidence that Trump has faced limited political fallout from the indictment, which instead proved a massive fundraising boon. His campaign has raised more than USD 15 million since news of the indictment broke much from new donors and he has rolled out a list of new endorsements. While the poll finds only 30 per cent of Americans, including 55 per cent of Republicans, say they want Trump to run for president again in 2024, those numbers have changed little since an AP-NORC poll conducted in January. Aberforth Smaller Companies Trust Plc (LON:ASL Get Rating) shares crossed below its fifty day moving average during trading on Tuesday . The stock has a fifty day moving average of GBX 1,281.56 ($15.86) and traded as low as GBX 1,228 ($15.20). Aberforth Smaller Companies Trust shares last traded at GBX 1,238 ($15.32), with a volume of 222,935 shares traded. Aberforth Smaller Companies Trust Stock Performance The firm has a market cap of 1.05 billion, a PE ratio of -687.29 and a beta of 1.36. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of GBX 1,278.04 and a 200-day simple moving average of GBX 1,271.91. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.99, a current ratio of 0.05 and a quick ratio of 4.86. Get Aberforth Smaller Companies Trust alerts: Aberforth Smaller Companies Trust Increases Dividend The company also recently announced a dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 8th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 9th were paid a GBX 35.25 ($0.44) dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 9th. This represents a yield of 2.54%. This is a positive change from Aberforth Smaller Companies Trusts previous dividend of $12.05. Aberforth Smaller Companies Trusts dividend payout ratio is currently -2,154.70%. Insider Activity Aberforth Smaller Companies Trust Company Profile In related news, insider Patricia Dimond acquired 3,536 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 3rd. The stock was purchased at an average price of GBX 1,406 ($17.40) per share, with a total value of 49,716.16 ($61,522.29). Insiders own 8.90% of the companys stock. (Get Rating) Aberforth Smaller Companies Trust Plc is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by Aberforth Partners LLP. The fund invests in public equity markets of the United Kingdom. It seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors. The fund primarily invests in value stocks of small-cap companies. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Aberforth Smaller Companies Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Aberforth Smaller Companies Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Adit EdTech Acquisition Corp. (NYSE:ADEX 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 6,300 shares, a decline of 18.2% from the March 15th total of 7,700 shares. Currently, 0.1% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 5,800 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.1 days. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Adit EdTech Acquisition Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. RPO LLC increased its holdings in Adit EdTech Acquisition by 5.0% in the third quarter. RPO LLC now owns 1,256,947 shares of the companys stock valued at $12,431,000 after buying an additional 59,592 shares in the last quarter. First Trust Capital Management L.P. increased its holdings in Adit EdTech Acquisition by 34.8% in the third quarter. First Trust Capital Management L.P. now owns 726,352 shares of the companys stock valued at $7,184,000 after buying an additional 187,500 shares in the last quarter. Taconic Capital Advisors LP increased its stake in shares of Adit EdTech Acquisition by 110.0% during the third quarter. Taconic Capital Advisors LP now owns 381,809 shares of the companys stock worth $3,776,000 after purchasing an additional 200,000 shares in the last quarter. Westchester Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Adit EdTech Acquisition during the third quarter worth about $3,312,000. Finally, Landscape Capital Management L.L.C. purchased a new stake in shares of Adit EdTech Acquisition during the third quarter worth about $2,862,000. 76.33% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Adit EdTech Acquisition alerts: Adit EdTech Acquisition Trading Down 1.0 % Shares of NYSE:ADEX traded down $0.10 on Thursday, hitting $10.30. 5,275 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 11,604. Adit EdTech Acquisition has a 1-year low of $9.80 and a 1-year high of $10.95. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $10.29 and its 200 day moving average price is $10.13. Adit EdTech Acquisition Company Profile Adit EdTech Acquisition Corp. does not have significant operations. It focuses on effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization, or similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities. The company was incorporated in 2020 and is based in New York, New York. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Adit EdTech Acquisition Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Adit EdTech Acquisition and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (TSE:AEM Get Rating) (NYSE:AEM) National Bank Financial issued their Q1 2023 earnings per share estimates for shares of Agnico Eagle Mines in a report released on Monday, April 17th. National Bank Financial analyst M. Parkin anticipates that the company will earn $0.66 per share for the quarter. The consensus estimate for Agnico Eagle Mines current full-year earnings is $2.16 per share. Get Agnico Eagle Mines alerts: Agnico Eagle Mines (TSE:AEM Get Rating) (NYSE:AEM) last released its earnings results on Thursday, February 16th. The company reported C$0.55 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of C$0.53 by C$0.02. The company had revenue of C$1.88 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of C$1.91 billion. Agnico Eagle Mines had a return on equity of 6.03% and a net margin of 11.67%. Agnico Eagle Mines Stock Performance Several other equities analysts have also recently commented on the company. Raymond James increased their target price on Agnico Eagle Mines from C$65.00 to C$66.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday. Barclays assumed coverage on Agnico Eagle Mines in a research report on Friday, February 17th. They set a buy rating and a C$62.00 price target on the stock. National Bankshares upped their price target on Agnico Eagle Mines from C$76.00 to C$95.00 in a research report on Tuesday. Stifel Nicolaus upped their price target on Agnico Eagle Mines from C$89.00 to C$91.00 in a research report on Thursday. Finally, Canaccord Genuity Group dropped their price target on Agnico Eagle Mines from C$90.00 to C$84.00 in a research report on Thursday, March 2nd. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to MarketBeat.com, Agnico Eagle Mines currently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus target price of C$78.71. Agnico Eagle Mines stock opened at C$76.48 on Wednesday. The stock has a market cap of C$35.03 billion, a P/E ratio of 37.31, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of -1.52 and a beta of 0.80. The company has a current ratio of 2.30, a quick ratio of 0.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 9.19. The stock has a 50 day moving average of C$68.74 and a 200-day moving average of C$67.72. Agnico Eagle Mines has a 52 week low of C$48.88 and a 52 week high of C$80.69. Insiders Place Their Bets In related news, Senior Officer Ammar Al-Joundi bought 8,200 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 22nd. The shares were purchased at an average cost of C$62.17 per share, with a total value of C$509,822.70. 0.11% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Agnico Eagle Mines Cuts Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 15th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, March 1st were given a $0.532 dividend. This represents a $2.13 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.78%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 28th. Agnico Eagle Miness dividend payout ratio is presently 104.39%. Agnico Eagle Mines Company Profile (Get Rating) Agnico Eagle Mines Limited engages in the exploration, development, and production of mineral properties in Canada, Mexico, and Finland. It operates through Northern Business and Southern Business segments. The company primarily produces and sells gold deposits, as well as explores for silver, zinc, and copper deposits. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Agnico Eagle Mines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Agnico Eagle Mines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Braemar Plc (LON:BMS Get Rating)s share price passed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Tuesday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of GBX 306.09 ($3.79) and traded as high as GBX 309.80 ($3.83). Braemar shares last traded at GBX 305 ($3.77), with a volume of 3,800 shares changing hands. Braemar Stock Performance The firm has a fifty day moving average of GBX 304.35 and a 200-day moving average of GBX 306.11. The firm has a market cap of 97.11 million, a P/E ratio of 1,030.00 and a beta of 1.24. The company has a quick ratio of 1.23, a current ratio of 1.27 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 35.42. Get Braemar alerts: Insider Activity at Braemar In other news, insider James Christopher Duchar Gundy purchased 10,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 24th. The shares were acquired at an average price of GBX 290 ($3.59) per share, for a total transaction of 29,000 ($35,886.65). 52.89% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Braemar Company Profile Braemar Plc provides shipbroking, and financial advisory services in the United Kingdom, Singapore, the United States, Australia, Germany, and internationally. It operates in two segments: Shipbroking and Financial. The Shipbroking segment is involved in the tanker and dry cargo charter broking, sale and purchase broking, offshore broking and consultancy, and commodity and commodity derivatives. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Braemar Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Braemar and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. CTT Correios De Portugal, S.A. (OTCMKTS:CTTPY Get Rating)s stock price reached a new 52-week low during trading on Thursday . The company traded as low as $7.61 and last traded at $7.61, with a volume of 0 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $7.61. CTT Correios De Portugal Stock Performance The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $7.09 and a 200-day simple moving average of $6.13. CTT Correios De Portugal Company Profile (Get Rating) CTT Correios De Portugal, SA, together with its subsidiaries, provides postal and financial services worldwide. It operates through Mail, Express & Parcels, Financial Services & Retail, and Bank segments. The company offers courier and urgent mail transport services; postal financial services; and banking services. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for CTT - Correios De Portugal Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for CTT - Correios De Portugal and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Duke Energy Co. (NYSE:DUK Get Rating) Analysts at KeyCorp reduced their Q1 2023 earnings estimates for Duke Energy in a research note issued to investors on Monday, April 17th. KeyCorp analyst S. Karp now forecasts that the utilities provider will post earnings of $1.22 per share for the quarter, down from their previous estimate of $1.37. The consensus estimate for Duke Energys current full-year earnings is $5.61 per share. KeyCorp also issued estimates for Duke Energys Q2 2023 earnings at $1.28 EPS, Q3 2023 earnings at $2.05 EPS, Q4 2023 earnings at $1.25 EPS, FY2023 earnings at $5.57 EPS, FY2024 earnings at $5.95 EPS, FY2025 earnings at $6.33 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $7.12 EPS. Get Duke Energy alerts: A number of other equities analysts have also recently weighed in on DUK. Royal Bank of Canada lowered their price objective on shares of Duke Energy from $116.00 to $112.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, February 16th. Morgan Stanley upped their price objective on shares of Duke Energy from $99.00 to $108.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Thursday. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Duke Energy in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Seaport Res Ptn raised shares of Duke Energy from a sell rating to a neutral rating in a report on Friday, March 17th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets raised their price target on shares of Duke Energy from $107.00 to $110.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, January 4th. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Duke Energy has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $105.60. Duke Energy Stock Down 0.2 % DUK stock opened at $98.22 on Wednesday. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $96.64 and a two-hundred day moving average of $97.63. The company has a market cap of $75.69 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.58, a PEG ratio of 3.22 and a beta of 0.43. The company has a current ratio of 0.70, a quick ratio of 0.51 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.34. Duke Energy has a 12 month low of $83.76 and a 12 month high of $116.33. Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 9th. The utilities provider reported $1.11 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.06 by $0.05. Duke Energy had a return on equity of 8.45% and a net margin of 9.11%. The business had revenue of $7.35 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.27 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.94 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 17.8% on a year-over-year basis. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Legend Financial Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in Duke Energy during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $25,000. Northwest Investment Counselors LLC grew its position in Duke Energy by 174.2% during the 1st quarter. Northwest Investment Counselors LLC now owns 266 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 169 shares in the last quarter. EWG Elevate Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Duke Energy during the 4th quarter valued at $28,000. Richard W. Paul & Associates LLC purchased a new position in shares of Duke Energy during the 4th quarter valued at $29,000. Finally, WJ Interests LLC purchased a new position in shares of Duke Energy during the 4th quarter valued at $29,000. Institutional investors own 63.22% of the companys stock. Insider Activity In related news, SVP Louis E. Renjel sold 1,900 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $99.90, for a total transaction of $189,810.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 9,967 shares of the companys stock, valued at $995,703.30. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.11% of the companys stock. Duke Energy Company Profile (Get Rating) Duke Energy Corp. engages in the distribution of natural gas and energy related services. It operates through the following segments: Electric Utilities and Infrastructure, Gas Utilities & Infrastructure and Commercial Renewables. The Electric Utilities and Infrastructure segment conducts operations in regulated electric utilities in the Carolinas, Florida and the Midwest. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Duke Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Duke Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Impact Shares YWCA Womens Empowerment ETF (NYSEARCA:WOMN Get Rating)s stock price fell 0.6% on Thursday . The stock traded as low as $28.50 and last traded at $28.52. 1,745 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 47% from the average session volume of 3,315 shares. The stock had previously closed at $28.69. Impact Shares YWCA Womens Empowerment ETF Stock Performance The company has a fifty day moving average of $27.89 and a two-hundred day moving average of $28.01. The company has a market cap of $36.22 million, a PE ratio of 16.18 and a beta of 1.01. Get Impact Shares YWCA Womens Empowerment ETF alerts: Institutional Trading of Impact Shares YWCA Womens Empowerment ETF Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Jane Street Group LLC bought a new position in Impact Shares YWCA Womens Empowerment ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at $443,000. Ameritas Investment Partners Inc. bought a new position in Impact Shares YWCA Womens Empowerment ETF in the 1st quarter valued at $308,000. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC grew its position in Impact Shares YWCA Womens Empowerment ETF by 23.6% in the 3rd quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 10,037 shares of the companys stock valued at $261,000 after acquiring an additional 1,917 shares during the last quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. grew its position in Impact Shares YWCA Womens Empowerment ETF by 306.8% in the 4th quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. now owns 5,016 shares of the companys stock valued at $132,000 after acquiring an additional 3,783 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Harbour Investments Inc. bought a new position in Impact Shares YWCA Womens Empowerment ETF in the 4th quarter valued at $126,000. Impact Shares YWCA Womens Empowerment ETF Company Profile The Impact Shares YWCA Womens Empowerment ETF (WOMN) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the Morningstar Womens Empowerment index. The fund tracks an index of large- and mid-cap US equities that are selected and weighted to maximize exposure to firms that score highly on gender diversity, within marketlike constraints. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Impact Shares YWCA Womens Empowerment ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Impact Shares YWCA Womens Empowerment ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of JPMorgan European Smaller Companies Trust plc (LON:JESC Get Rating) passed below its 50-day moving average during trading on Tuesday . The stock has a 50-day moving average of GBX 499 ($6.17) and traded as low as GBX 494.50 ($6.12). JPMorgan European Smaller Companies Trust shares last traded at GBX 499 ($6.17), with a volume of 179,129 shares changing hands. JPMorgan European Smaller Companies Trust Stock Performance The company has a market capitalization of 795.72 million and a P/E ratio of 7.60. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 10.72, a quick ratio of 107.92 and a current ratio of 107.92. The stocks fifty day moving average price is GBX 499 and its 200-day moving average price is GBX 499. JPMorgan European Smaller Companies Trust Company Profile (Get Rating) JPMorgan European Smaller Companies Trust plc is a closed ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by JPMorgan Funds Limited. The fund is co-managed by JPMorgan Asset Management (UK) Limited. It invests in the public equity markets of Europe, excluding the United Kingdom. The fund seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for JPMorgan European Smaller Companies Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for JPMorgan European Smaller Companies Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Metals Acquisition Corp (NYSE:MTAL Get Rating) saw a large increase in short interest during the month of March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 5,700 shares, an increase of 21.3% from the March 15th total of 4,700 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 143,400 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.0 days. Approximately 0.0% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Metals Acquisition Stock Performance NYSE MTAL traded up $0.01 on Thursday, reaching $10.26. The company had a trading volume of 192,568 shares, compared to its average volume of 146,326. The firms 50 day moving average price is $10.18 and its 200 day moving average price is $10.03. Metals Acquisition has a 12 month low of $9.65 and a 12 month high of $10.30. Get Metals Acquisition alerts: Institutional Trading of Metals Acquisition A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in MTAL. Citigroup Inc. lifted its position in shares of Metals Acquisition by 26.3% in the 1st quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 300,001 shares of the companys stock worth $2,988,000 after purchasing an additional 62,500 shares during the period. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS bought a new position in shares of Metals Acquisition during the 1st quarter worth approximately $108,000. Mackenzie Financial Corp bought a new position in shares of Metals Acquisition during the 1st quarter worth approximately $1,992,000. FNY Investment Advisers LLC raised its stake in shares of Metals Acquisition by 22.1% during the 3rd quarter. FNY Investment Advisers LLC now owns 213,332 shares of the companys stock worth $2,086,000 after acquiring an additional 38,552 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ergoteles LLC bought a new position in shares of Metals Acquisition during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $354,000. 74.77% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Metals Acquisition Company Profile Metals Acquisition Corp does not have significant operations. It intends to effect a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization, or similar business combination with one or more businesses. The company intends to focus its search on metals and mining businesses. Metals Acquisition Corp was incorporated in 2021 and is based in Fort Worth, Texas. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Metals Acquisition Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Metals Acquisition and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Movado Group, Inc. (NYSE:MOV Get Rating) saw a large decrease in short interest during the month of March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 962,000 shares, a decrease of 10.1% from the March 15th total of 1,070,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 173,700 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 5.5 days. Currently, 6.4% of the companys shares are short sold. Movado Group Stock Performance MOV traded down $0.33 on Thursday, reaching $27.07. 157,267 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 173,718. The companys 50 day moving average is $31.41 and its 200-day moving average is $32.29. The company has a market cap of $599.33 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.68 and a beta of 1.22. Movado Group has a twelve month low of $24.81 and a twelve month high of $41.25. Get Movado Group alerts: Movado Group (NYSE:MOV Get Rating) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, March 23rd. The company reported $1.03 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $194.27 million during the quarter. Movado Group had a net margin of 12.57% and a return on equity of 20.09%. Sell-side analysts forecast that Movado Group will post 2.79 EPS for the current year. Movado Group Increases Dividend Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, April 19th. Investors of record on Wednesday, April 5th were given a dividend of $1.35 per share. This represents a $5.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 19.95%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, April 4th. This is an increase from Movado Groups previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. Movado Groups dividend payout ratio is 33.98%. A number of research analysts have recently commented on the stock. TD Cowen dropped their price objective on shares of Movado Group from $38.00 to $32.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a research note on Friday, March 24th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Movado Group in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. They set a buy rating for the company. Institutional Trading of Movado Group Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. US Bancorp DE grew its position in Movado Group by 5.9% in the first quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 8,157 shares of the companys stock valued at $318,000 after acquiring an additional 453 shares in the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can acquired a new stake in Movado Group in the first quarter valued at approximately $201,000. MetLife Investment Management LLC grew its position in Movado Group by 47.6% in the first quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 9,762 shares of the companys stock valued at $381,000 after acquiring an additional 3,146 shares in the last quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS grew its position in Movado Group by 13.2% in the first quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 14,119 shares of the companys stock valued at $551,000 after acquiring an additional 1,644 shares in the last quarter. Finally, LSV Asset Management grew its position in Movado Group by 233.5% in the first quarter. LSV Asset Management now owns 94,244 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,680,000 after acquiring an additional 65,983 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 67.21% of the companys stock. Movado Group Company Profile (Get Rating) Movado Group, Inc engages in the design, manufacture, and distribution of watches. It operates through the Watch and Accessory Brands, and Company Stores segments. The Watch and Accessory Brands segment includes the distribution of watches and, to a lesser extent, jewelry and other accessories, of owned and licensed brands, in addition to revenue generated from after-sales service activities and shipping. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Movado Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Movado Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE:DGX Get Rating) saw a significant growth in short interest in the month of March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 3,580,000 shares, a growth of 19.3% from the March 15th total of 3,000,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 1,180,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 3.0 days. Currently, 3.2% of the shares of the company are short sold. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several equities research analysts have commented on the stock. Credit Suisse Group raised their price target on shares of Quest Diagnostics from $143.00 to $146.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 25th. Robert W. Baird increased their price objective on shares of Quest Diagnostics from $143.00 to $154.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, January 12th. Citigroup upgraded shares of Quest Diagnostics from a sell rating to a neutral rating and increased their price objective for the company from $125.00 to $142.00 in a report on Monday, April 3rd. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on shares of Quest Diagnostics from $135.00 to $140.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Friday, February 3rd. Finally, Mizuho reiterated a buy rating and issued a $165.00 price objective on shares of Quest Diagnostics in a report on Friday, March 17th. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Quest Diagnostics currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $152.45. Get Quest Diagnostics alerts: Quest Diagnostics Price Performance NYSE:DGX traded up $0.30 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $143.85. 920,771 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,130,385. The company has a market capitalization of $16.09 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.16 and a beta of 0.95. Quest Diagnostics has a 12 month low of $120.40 and a 12 month high of $158.34. The company has a quick ratio of 1.10, a current ratio of 1.22 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $140.35 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $143.62. Quest Diagnostics ( NYSE:DGX Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 2nd. The medical research company reported $1.98 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.90 by $0.08. Quest Diagnostics had a net margin of 9.57% and a return on equity of 18.84%. The firm had revenue of $2.33 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.26 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $3.33 EPS. The companys revenue was down 15.0% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts expect that Quest Diagnostics will post 8.68 EPS for the current fiscal year. Quest Diagnostics declared that its board has approved a share repurchase program on Thursday, February 2nd that permits the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization permits the medical research company to reacquire up to 6% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are generally a sign that the companys board believes its stock is undervalued. Quest Diagnostics Increases Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 24th. Investors of record on Monday, April 10th will be paid a $0.71 dividend. This is a positive change from Quest Diagnosticss previous quarterly dividend of $0.66. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 6th. This represents a $2.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.97%. Quest Diagnosticss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 35.86%. Insider Buying and Selling at Quest Diagnostics In other Quest Diagnostics news, SVP Michael E. Prevoznik sold 1,415 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $141.42, for a total value of $200,109.30. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 39,440 shares in the company, valued at $5,577,604.80. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 1.70% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Quest Diagnostics A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in Quest Diagnostics by 0.6% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 14,156,902 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $1,736,910,000 after purchasing an additional 90,362 shares during the period. Victory Capital Management Inc. lifted its position in Quest Diagnostics by 1.1% in the 4th quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 3,258,465 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $509,754,000 after buying an additional 34,947 shares in the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD lifted its position in Quest Diagnostics by 50.4% in the 3rd quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 1,692,947 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $207,783,000 after buying an additional 567,417 shares in the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp lifted its position in Quest Diagnostics by 0.6% in the 1st quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 1,514,577 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $207,286,000 after buying an additional 8,406 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Amundi lifted its position in Quest Diagnostics by 7.7% in the 4th quarter. Amundi now owns 1,475,354 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $228,663,000 after buying an additional 105,471 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 88.79% of the companys stock. About Quest Diagnostics (Get Rating) Quest Diagnostics, Inc engages in the provision of diagnostic testing, information and services. It operates through the Diagnostic Information Services (DIS) and All Other segments. The DIS segment offers diagnostic information services to patients, clinicians, hospitals, health plans, and employers. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Quest Diagnostics Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Quest Diagnostics and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK 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 22,070,000 shares, a growth of 12.9% from the March 15th total of 19,540,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 8,580,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.6 days. Merck & Co., Inc. Trading Up 0.0 % NYSE MRK traded up $0.04 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $114.17. 4,606,622 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 8,355,365. The stock has a market capitalization of $289.83 billion, a PE ratio of 19.99, a PEG ratio of 2.09 and a beta of 0.34. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62, a quick ratio of 1.23 and a current ratio of 1.47. Merck & Co., Inc. has a 1-year low of $83.05 and a 1-year high of $116.44. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $108.99 and its 200 day simple moving average is $106.02. Get Merck & Co. Inc. alerts: Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 2nd. The company reported $1.62 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.56 by $0.06. The company had revenue of $13.83 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $13.66 billion. Merck & Co., Inc. had a return on equity of 43.47% and a net margin of 24.49%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 2.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $1.80 EPS. On average, research analysts anticipate that Merck & Co., Inc. will post 6.53 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Merck & Co., Inc. Dividend Announcement Insider Activity at Merck & Co., Inc. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, April 10th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, March 15th were paid a dividend of $0.73 per share. This represents a $2.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.56%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, March 14th. Merck & Co., Inc.s dividend payout ratio is currently 51.14%. In other news, EVP Steven Mizell sold 4,436 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $104.25, for a total transaction of $462,453.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 39,900 shares in the company, valued at $4,159,575. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, EVP Steven Mizell sold 4,436 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $104.25, for a total transaction of $462,453.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 39,900 shares in the company, valued at $4,159,575. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, insider Joseph Romanelli sold 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $108.22, for a total transaction of $541,100.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 20,284 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,195,134.48. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 150,306 shares of company stock worth $17,162,278 in the last quarter. Company insiders own 0.29% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. grew its holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. by 5.7% in the first quarter. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. now owns 87,327 shares of the companys stock valued at $9,290,000 after purchasing an additional 4,698 shares during the period. 44 Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. by 4.8% in the 1st quarter. 44 Wealth Management LLC now owns 31,179 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,317,000 after purchasing an additional 1,426 shares during the last quarter. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. by 0.8% during the 1st quarter. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC now owns 35,195 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,744,000 after buying an additional 266 shares during the period. Daymark Wealth Partners LLC increased its holdings in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. by 24.3% during the 1st quarter. Daymark Wealth Partners LLC now owns 62,242 shares of the companys stock worth $6,622,000 after buying an additional 12,177 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Ferguson Wellman Capital Management Inc. raised its position in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. by 0.3% in the 1st quarter. Ferguson Wellman Capital Management Inc. now owns 412,844 shares of the companys stock worth $43,922,000 after buying an additional 1,232 shares during the period. 72.89% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of research analysts recently weighed in on the company. Wolfe Research raised Merck & Co., Inc. from a peer perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $127.00 price objective on the stock in a report on Wednesday, February 22nd. Mizuho reiterated a buy rating and issued a $130.00 price target on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. in a report on Monday, April 10th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from $120.00 to $125.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, February 23rd. Bank of America upgraded shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from a neutral rating to a buy rating and upped their target price for the stock from $110.00 to $130.00 in a research report on Wednesday, January 4th. Finally, Societe Generale cut shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, March 28th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have issued 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 $120.65. About Merck & Co., Inc. (Get Rating) 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. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Merck & Co. Inc. Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Merck & Co. Inc. and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:MFG Get Rating) was the target of a large drop in short interest in March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 336,100 shares, a drop of 18.0% from the March 15th total of 409,700 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,240,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.3 days. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In MFG has been the subject of several research analyst reports. StockNews.com cut Mizuho Financial Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded Mizuho Financial Group from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, January 24th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold. Get Mizuho Financial Group alerts: Mizuho Financial Group Stock Performance Shares of Mizuho Financial Group stock remained flat at $3.04 on Thursday. The stock had a trading volume of 507,503 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,212,651. The firm has a market capitalization of $38.59 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.44, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.27 and a beta of 0.46. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $3.01 and its 200-day simple moving average is $2.73. Mizuho Financial Group has a 12-month low of $2.10 and a 12-month high of $3.30. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Mizuho Financial Group Mizuho Financial Group ( NYSE:MFG Get Rating ) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, February 2nd. The bank reported $0.11 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.07 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $9.67 billion during the quarter. Mizuho Financial Group had a return on equity of 6.12% and a net margin of 9.72%. Equities analysts expect that Mizuho Financial Group will post 0.34 EPS for the current fiscal year. A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of MFG. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Mizuho Financial Group by 1,102.4% during the 3rd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 11,050 shares of the banks stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 10,131 shares during the period. Enterprise Financial Services Corp purchased a new position in Mizuho Financial Group during the 3rd quarter valued at $26,000. Baker Tilly Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Mizuho Financial Group during the 3rd quarter valued at $27,000. Kestra Advisory Services LLC purchased a new position in Mizuho Financial Group during the 3rd quarter valued at $27,000. Finally, D Orazio & Associates Inc. purchased a new position in Mizuho Financial Group during the 3rd quarter valued at $28,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 0.53% of the companys stock. Mizuho Financial Group Company Profile (Get Rating) Mizuho Financial Group, Inc operates as a holding company which engages in the provision of financial services such as banking, trust banking, securities, and others. It operates through the following segments: Mizuho Bank Ltd. (MHKB), Mizuho Trust & Banking Co, Ltd. (MHTB), and Mizuho Securities Co, Ltd. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Mizuho Financial Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mizuho Financial Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The Bank of Nova Scotia (NYSE:BNS Get Rating) (TSE:BNS) saw a significant growth in short interest in the month of March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 37,090,000 shares, a growth of 19.9% from the March 15th total of 30,930,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 1,510,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 24.6 days. Approximately 3.1% of the shares of the company are sold short. Bank of Nova Scotia Trading Down 0.5 % Shares of NYSE:BNS traded down $0.25 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $51.02. The company had a trading volume of 911,412 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,509,972. Bank of Nova Scotia has a 1-year low of $45.26 and a 1-year high of $70.03. The firm has a market cap of $60.80 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.18, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.09 and a beta of 1.01. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52, a quick ratio of 1.04 and a current ratio of 1.04. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $50.71 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $50.37. Get Bank of Nova Scotia alerts: Bank of Nova Scotia (NYSE:BNS Get Rating) (TSE:BNS) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 28th. The bank reported $1.37 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.52 by ($0.15). Bank of Nova Scotia had a return on equity of 15.08% and a net margin of 17.03%. The business had revenue of $5.93 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.10 billion. Research analysts predict that Bank of Nova Scotia will post 5.63 earnings per share for the current year. Bank of Nova Scotia Increases Dividend Institutional Investors Weigh In On Bank of Nova Scotia The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 26th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, April 4th will be issued a dividend of $0.774 per share. This represents a $3.10 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.07%. This is a positive change from Bank of Nova Scotias previous quarterly dividend of $0.76. The ex-dividend date is Monday, April 3rd. Bank of Nova Scotias payout ratio is currently 54.86%. Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Coston McIsaac & Partners raised its stake in shares of Bank of Nova Scotia by 167.9% in the 1st quarter. Coston McIsaac & Partners now owns 501 shares of the banks stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 314 shares in the last quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV raised its stake in shares of Bank of Nova Scotia by 302.3% in the 4th quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 535 shares of the banks stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 402 shares in the last quarter. Private Trust Co. NA bought a new position in shares of Bank of Nova Scotia in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. bought a new position in Bank of Nova Scotia in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $40,000. Finally, Glassman Wealth Services increased its position in Bank of Nova Scotia by 85.4% in the 4th quarter. Glassman Wealth Services now owns 864 shares of the banks stock worth $42,000 after buying an additional 398 shares during the period. 45.19% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research analysts have recently commented on the company. Royal Bank of Canada lowered their price target on Bank of Nova Scotia from $86.00 to $77.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, March 1st. Canaccord Genuity Group lowered Bank of Nova Scotia from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, March 1st. Scotiabank lowered Bank of Nova Scotia from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, February 28th. Finally, StockNews.com began coverage on Bank of Nova Scotia in a report on Thursday, March 16th. They set a sell rating on the stock. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $87.15. Bank of Nova Scotia Company Profile (Get Rating) The Bank of Nova Scotia engages in the provision of financial products and services including personal, commercial, corporate, and investment banking. It operates through the following segments: Canadian Banking, International Banking, Global Wealth Management, Global Banking and Markets, and Other. The Other segment includes group treasury and smaller operating segments. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Bank of Nova Scotia Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bank of Nova Scotia and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The Gabelli Utility Trust (NYSE:GUT Get Rating)s share price crossed above its 50-day moving average during trading on Tuesday . The stock has a 50-day moving average of $7.07 and traded as high as $7.14. The Gabelli Utility Trust shares last traded at $6.98, with a volume of 236,339 shares traded. The Gabelli Utility Trust Trading Up 0.3 % The companys 50 day simple moving average is $7.06 and its 200-day simple moving average is $7.17. Get The Gabelli Utility Trust alerts: The Gabelli Utility Trust Announces Dividend The business also recently announced a dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, May 23rd. Investors of record on Tuesday, May 16th will be issued a $0.05 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, May 15th. Institutional Trading of The Gabelli Utility Trust The Gabelli Utility Trust Company Profile A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. grew its stake in The Gabelli Utility Trust by 16.7% during the 3rd quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 86,224 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $595,000 after purchasing an additional 12,366 shares in the last quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC increased its position in shares of The Gabelli Utility Trust by 3.1% in the 3rd quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 1,142,576 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $7,883,000 after purchasing an additional 34,866 shares during the last quarter. Nations Financial Group Inc. IA ADV lifted its holdings in The Gabelli Utility Trust by 54.8% during the 3rd quarter. Nations Financial Group Inc. IA ADV now owns 31,779 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $219,000 after buying an additional 11,250 shares during the last quarter. MAS Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of The Gabelli Utility Trust by 73.3% in the 3rd quarter. MAS Advisors LLC now owns 143,933 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $993,000 after acquiring an additional 60,859 shares during the last quarter. Finally, International Assets Investment Management LLC raised its position in shares of The Gabelli Utility Trust by 4.4% during the 3rd quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 147,399 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $1,017,000 after acquiring an additional 6,267 shares in the last quarter. (Get Rating) The Gabelli Utility Trust is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched by GAMCO Investors, Inc It is managed by Gabelli Funds, LLC. The fund invests in the public equity markets across the globe. It makes its investments in stocks of companies providing products, services, or equipment for the generation or distribution of electricity, gas, water, telecommunications services, and infrastructure operations. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for The Gabelli Utility Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for The Gabelli Utility Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. VinaCapital Vietnam Opportunity Fund Limited (LON:VOF Get Rating) shares dropped 0.2% on Thursday . The stock traded as low as GBX 423 ($5.23) and last traded at GBX 423 ($5.23). Approximately 100,575 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 38% from the average daily volume of 162,956 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 424 ($5.25). VinaCapital Vietnam Opportunity Fund Stock Performance The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.01, a current ratio of 414.57 and a quick ratio of 55.38. The companys 50-day moving average price is GBX 439.72 and its two-hundred day moving average price is GBX 442.70. The company has a market capitalization of 679.72 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -236.31 and a beta of 0.48. Get VinaCapital Vietnam Opportunity Fund alerts: VinaCapital Vietnam Opportunity Fund Cuts Dividend The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, May 11th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, April 6th will be given a dividend of $0.06 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 1.18%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 6th. VinaCapital Vietnam Opportunity Funds dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -670.39%. About VinaCapital Vietnam Opportunity Fund VinaCapital Vietnam Opportunity Fund Limited specializes in private equity investments. The fund seeks to invest 80 percent of its portfolio in private equity and 20 percent in equitization projects will be re-allocated to listed shares. The fund also makes private investments. It invests in stocks of companies operating across the diversified sectors. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for VinaCapital Vietnam Opportunity Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for VinaCapital Vietnam Opportunity Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Altria Group (NYSE:MO Get Rating) had its price target cut by Citigroup from $49.50 to $47.00 in a report issued on Monday, Benzinga reports. They currently have a neutral rating on the stock. Other equities research analysts have also recently issued reports about the stock. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Altria Group in a research report on Thursday, March 16th. They set a buy rating on the stock. Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on shares of Altria Group from $43.00 to $46.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Monday, January 23rd. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus began coverage on shares of Altria Group in a research report on Thursday, April 13th. They set a buy rating and a $52.00 price target on the stock. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Altria Group has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $45.50. Get Altria Group alerts: Altria Group Stock Down 1.0 % Shares of MO stock opened at $45.99 on Monday. Altria Group has a 12-month low of $40.35 and a 12-month high of $57.05. The firm has a market capitalization of $82.15 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.42, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.24 and a beta of 0.59. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $45.98 and a 200-day moving average of $45.60. Altria Group Announces Dividend Altria Group ( NYSE:MO Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 1st. The company reported $1.18 EPS for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $1.18. The business had revenue of $5.08 billion for 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 firms revenue was down 18.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.09 EPS. Research analysts expect that Altria Group will post 5.06 earnings per share for the current year. The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 28th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 24th will be paid a $0.94 dividend. This represents a $3.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 8.18%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 23rd. Altria Groups payout ratio is 117.87%. Institutional Trading of Altria Group A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of MO. Bourgeon Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 85.6% during the 4th quarter. Bourgeon Capital Management LLC now owns 542 shares of the companys stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 250 shares during the last quarter. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P purchased a new stake in shares of Altria Group in the 1st quarter worth about $25,000. Ruedi Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new position in Altria Group during the 4th quarter valued at about $30,000. Dark Forest Capital Management LP purchased a new position in Altria Group during the 4th quarter valued at about $34,000. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group Inc. purchased a new position in Altria Group during the 4th quarter valued at about $34,000. Institutional investors own 58.68% of the companys stock. Altria Group Company 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. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Altria Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Altria Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:ABR Get Rating) rose 5.6% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $11.06 and last traded at $11.04. Approximately 3,791,409 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 14% from the average daily volume of 3,330,406 shares. The stock had previously closed at $10.45. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research analysts have recently issued reports on ABR shares. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods decreased their target price on Arbor Realty Trust from $15.50 to $12.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, April 13th. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Arbor Realty Trust in a research report on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Finally, JMP Securities reissued a market outperform rating and set a $17.50 price target on shares of Arbor Realty Trust in a research report on Wednesday, March 15th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $15.90. Get Arbor Realty Trust alerts: Arbor Realty Trust Trading Down 2.1 % The stocks 50 day moving average is $12.75 and its 200-day moving average is $13.46. The company has a market cap of $1.97 billion, a P/E ratio of 6.58 and a beta of 1.94. The company has a current ratio of 46.60, a quick ratio of 46.60 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.85. Arbor Realty Trust Dividend Announcement Insider Activity at Arbor Realty Trust The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 17th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 13th were issued a dividend of $0.40 per share. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 14.95%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, March 10th. Arbor Realty Trusts payout ratio is 96.39%. In other Arbor Realty Trust news, CEO Ivan Kaufman bought 10,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, March 13th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $12.43 per share, for a total transaction of $124,300.00. Following the purchase, the chief executive officer now owns 1,168,277 shares in the company, valued at approximately $14,521,683.11. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In related news, Director William C. Green bought 4,200 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, March 13th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $12.94 per share, for a total transaction of $54,348.00. Following the purchase, the director now owns 138,905 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,797,430.70. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CEO Ivan Kaufman purchased 10,000 shares of Arbor Realty Trust stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 13th. The stock was bought at an average price of $12.43 per share, with a total value of $124,300.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the chief executive officer now directly owns 1,168,277 shares of the companys stock, valued at $14,521,683.11. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. 3.80% of the stock is owned by insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Arbor Realty Trust Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Avantax Advisory Services Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Arbor Realty Trust by 15.6% in the third quarter. Avantax Advisory Services Inc. now owns 16,629 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $191,000 after acquiring an additional 2,243 shares during the period. Alphastar Capital Management LLC raised its position in Arbor Realty Trust by 92.6% in the third quarter. Alphastar Capital Management LLC now owns 25,230 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $290,000 after acquiring an additional 12,131 shares during the period. Signaturefd LLC boosted its stake in shares of Arbor Realty Trust by 1,614.8% during the 3rd quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 4,390 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $50,000 after acquiring an additional 4,134 shares during the last quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. grew its position in shares of Arbor Realty Trust by 4.0% during the 3rd quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 240,398 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $2,765,000 after acquiring an additional 9,141 shares during the period. Finally, Financial Advocates Investment Management purchased a new stake in shares of Arbor Realty Trust in the 3rd quarter worth $286,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 40.52% of the companys stock. Arbor Realty Trust Company Profile (Get Rating) Arbor Realty Trust, Inc operates as a real estate investment trust, which engages in the provision of loan origination and servicing for multifamily, seniors housing, healthcare, and diverse commercial real estate assets. It operates through the Structured Business and Agency Business segments. The Structured Business segment offers structured loan origination and investment services. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Arbor Realty Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Arbor Realty Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Barrick Gold (NYSE:GOLD Get Rating) is one of 99 public companies in the Gold & silver ores industry, but how does it weigh in compared to its peers? We will compare Barrick Gold to similar companies based on the strength of its dividends, institutional ownership, profitability, analyst recommendations, earnings, valuation and risk. Volatility & Risk Barrick Gold has a beta of 0.33, indicating that its stock price is 67% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Barrick Golds peers have a beta of 0.98, indicating that their average stock price is 2% less volatile than the S&P 500. Get Barrick Gold alerts: Earnings & Valuation This table compares Barrick Gold and its peers gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Barrick Gold $11.01 billion $432.00 million 80.00 Barrick Gold Competitors $3.91 billion -$30.39 million 0.05 Profitability Barrick Gold has higher revenue and earnings than its peers. Barrick Gold is trading at a higher price-to-earnings ratio than its peers, indicating that it is currently more expensive than other companies in its industry. This table compares Barrick Gold and its peers net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Barrick Gold 3.92% 4.12% 2.84% Barrick Gold Competitors -29.07% -4.50% -2.35% Dividends Barrick Gold pays an annual dividend of $0.40 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.1%. Barrick Gold pays out 166.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. As a group, Gold & silver ores companies pay a dividend yield of 1.8% and pay out 131.9% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. Insider & Institutional Ownership 56.8% of Barrick Gold shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 30.3% of shares of all Gold & silver ores companies are held by institutional investors. 0.6% of Barrick Gold shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 7.3% of shares of all Gold & silver ores companies are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth. Analyst Ratings This is a summary of recent ratings and recommmendations for Barrick Gold and its peers, as reported by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Barrick Gold 0 3 6 0 2.67 Barrick Gold Competitors 658 3107 3830 78 2.43 Barrick Gold presently has a consensus price target of $23.60, indicating a potential upside of 22.93%. As a group, Gold & silver ores companies have a potential upside of 36.09%. Given Barrick Golds peers higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Barrick Gold has less favorable growth aspects than its peers. Summary Barrick Gold beats its peers on 10 of the 15 factors compared. About Barrick Gold (Get Rating) Barrick Gold Corporation is a sector-leading gold and copper producer. Its shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol GOLD and on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol ABX. In January 2019 Barrick merged with Randgold Resources and in July that year it combined its gold mines in Nevada, USA, with those of Newmont Corporation in a joint venture, Nevada Gold Mines, which is majority-owned and operated by Barrick. Nevada Gold Mines is the worlds largest gold mining complex. Barrick owns and operates six Tier One gold mines: Cortez, Carlin and Turquoise Ridge in Nevada, Loulo-Gounkoto in Mali, Kibali in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Pueblo Viejo in the Dominican Republic. It has gold and copper mines and projects in 13 countries in North and South America, Africa, Papua New Guinea and Saudi Arabia. Barricks diversified portfolio spans the worlds most prolific gold districts and is focused on high-margin, long life assets. Receive News & Ratings for Barrick Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Barrick Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Canadian Western Bank (TSE:CWB Get Rating) has received an average rating of Moderate Buy from the thirteen ratings firms that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat.com reports. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and three have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year price objective among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is C$30.50. Several brokerages have recently commented on CWB. CIBC lowered their target price on shares of Canadian Western Bank from C$31.00 to C$30.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Friday, March 3rd. CSFB cut their price target on shares of Canadian Western Bank from C$29.00 to C$28.00 in a report on Friday, March 3rd. TD Securities dropped their target price on shares of Canadian Western Bank from C$34.00 to C$33.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Friday, March 3rd. Royal Bank of Canada dropped their target price on shares of Canadian Western Bank from C$36.00 to C$35.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a report on Friday, March 3rd. Finally, Cormark decreased their price target on shares of Canadian Western Bank from C$30.00 to C$29.00 in a research note on Friday, March 3rd. Get Canadian Western Bank alerts: Canadian Western Bank Trading Up 0.3 % CWB stock opened at C$24.08 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of C$25.48 and a two-hundred day moving average price of C$25.11. The stock has a market cap of C$2.32 billion, a PE ratio of 7.08, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.95 and a beta of 1.71. Canadian Western Bank has a 1 year low of C$21.21 and a 1 year high of C$34.74. Canadian Western Bank Dividend Announcement Canadian Western Bank ( TSE:CWB Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, March 2nd. The company reported C$1.02 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of C$0.89 by C$0.13. Canadian Western Bank had a net margin of 32.57% and a return on equity of 9.18%. The company had revenue of C$272.89 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of C$275.10 million. On average, analysts forecast that Canadian Western Bank will post 3.5729013 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 23rd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 9th were given a dividend of $0.32 per share. This represents a $1.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.32%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, March 8th. Canadian Western Banks dividend payout ratio is currently 37.65%. Insider Buying and Selling In other Canadian Western Bank news, Senior Officer Azfar Karimuddin sold 1,050 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of C$24.19, for a total value of C$25,401.50. In other news, Senior Officer Vladimir Ahmad sold 1,000 shares of Canadian Western Bank stock in a transaction dated Monday, January 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of C$27.07, for a total transaction of C$27,070.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 4,739 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately C$128,284.73. Also, Senior Officer Azfar Karimuddin sold 1,050 shares of Canadian Western Bank stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of C$24.19, for a total transaction of C$25,401.50. 0.37% of the stock is owned by insiders. About Canadian Western Bank (Get Rating) Canadian Western Bank provides personal and business banking products and services primarily in Western Canada. The company offers current, savings, notice, cash management, US dollar, and chequing accounts, as well as organization, business trust, and trust fund investment accounts. It also offers commercial lending and real estate, and equipment financing and leasing products; agriculture lending products; mortgages; lines of credits; registered retirement savings loans; consolidation, and vehicle loans; and credit cards. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Canadian Western Bank Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Canadian Western Bank and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust (OTCMKTS:CDPYF Get Rating) declared a dividend on Friday, April 21st, investing.com reports. Shareholders of record on Friday, April 28th will be paid a dividend of 0.0903 per share on Monday, May 15th. This represents a yield of 3.03%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 27th. This is a boost from Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trusts previous dividend of $0.09. Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust Stock Performance CDPYF stock opened at $35.75 on Friday. Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust has a 52 week low of $27.11 and a 52 week high of $42.11. The firms 50-day moving average is $35.37 and its two-hundred day moving average is $33.45. Get Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades CDPYF has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their target price on shares of Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust to C$59.00 in a research note on Friday, February 24th. National Bank Financial boosted their price target on shares of Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust to C$59.00 in a report on Tuesday. TD Securities upped their target price on shares of Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust to C$61.00 in a report on Friday, February 24th. Scotiabank upped their price target on shares of Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust to C$55.00 in a research report on Friday, February 24th. Finally, Raymond James upped their price target on shares of Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust to C$60.00 in a research report on Friday, February 24th. Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust Company Profile Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust is an open-ended mutual fund trust, which engages in the management of interests in multi-unit residential real estate properties, including apartments, townhomes, and manufactured home communities. It operates though the Canada and Europe geographical segments. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Redburn Partners cut shares of Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW Get Rating) from a neutral rating to a sell rating in a research note issued to investors on Thursday morning, Marketbeat reports. A number of other research firms have also issued reports on SCHW. Barclays reduced their target price on shares of Charles Schwab from $61.00 to $56.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Friday, April 14th. The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their target price on shares of Charles Schwab from $98.00 to $75.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, March 14th. Citigroup reduced their target price on shares of Charles Schwab from $75.00 to $65.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, March 29th. Bank of America dropped their price objective on shares of Charles Schwab from $53.00 to $51.00 in a research note on Monday. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price objective on shares of Charles Schwab from $86.00 to $85.00 in a research note on Tuesday. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and eleven have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $69.21. Get Charles Schwab alerts: Charles Schwab Stock Performance Shares of SCHW opened at $54.00 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77, a quick ratio of 0.38 and a current ratio of 0.38. The stock has a market capitalization of $96.74 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.75, a P/E/G ratio of 1.20 and a beta of 0.88. The companys fifty day moving average is $63.49 and its two-hundred day moving average is $73.35. Charles Schwab has a 1 year low of $45.00 and a 1 year high of $86.63. Charles Schwab Increases Dividend Charles Schwab ( NYSE:SCHW Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Monday, April 17th. The financial services provider reported $0.93 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.90 by $0.03. Charles Schwab had a net margin of 34.82% and a return on equity of 27.36%. The business had revenue of $5.12 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.13 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $0.77 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 9.5% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Charles Schwab will post 3.55 earnings per share for the current year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 24th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 10th were issued a dividend of $0.25 per share. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.85%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 9th. This is a boost from Charles Schwabs previous quarterly dividend of $0.22. Charles Schwabs dividend payout ratio is presently 27.32%. Insider Transactions at Charles Schwab In other Charles Schwab news, Chairman Charles R. Schwab sold 121,066 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $77.84, for a total value of $9,423,777.44. Following the transaction, the chairman now owns 60,223,399 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,687,789,378.16. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In other news, Chairman Charles R. Schwab sold 129,030 shares of Charles Schwab stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $79.76, for a total transaction of $10,291,432.80. Following the completion of the transaction, the chairman now directly owns 30,982,426 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,471,158,297.76. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Chairman Charles R. Schwab sold 121,066 shares of Charles Schwab stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $77.84, for a total value of $9,423,777.44. Following the transaction, the chairman now owns 60,223,399 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,687,789,378.16. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have acquired 81,000 shares of company stock worth $4,706,960 and have sold 676,962 shares worth $53,960,539. Company insiders own 6.60% of the companys stock. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Charles Schwab Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in SCHW. West Branch Capital LLC acquired a new position in shares of Charles Schwab during the 3rd quarter worth $25,000. Phocas Financial Corp. acquired a new position in shares of Charles Schwab during the 4th quarter worth $25,000. Beacon Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Charles Schwab during the 1st quarter worth $25,000. Selway Asset Management acquired a new position in shares of Charles Schwab during the 3rd quarter worth $29,000. Finally, Carolina Wealth Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Charles Schwab by 54.8% during the 1st quarter. Carolina Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 565 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 200 shares in the last quarter. 73.49% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. 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. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Charles Schwab Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Charles Schwab and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. China Gold International Resources Corp. Ltd. (TSE:CGG Get Rating)s stock price passed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of C$4.30 and traded as high as C$7.20. China Gold International Resources shares last traded at C$7.16, with a volume of 150,271 shares traded. China Gold International Resources Stock Performance The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 43.87, a quick ratio of 0.61 and a current ratio of 1.15. The firm has a market cap of C$2.69 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.01 and a beta of 1.93. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is C$5.13 and its 200 day simple moving average is C$4.32. About China Gold International Resources (Get Rating) China Gold International Resources Corp. Ltd., a gold and base metal mining company, acquires, explores for, develops, and mines mineral properties in the People's Republic of China. It primarily holds 96.5% interest in the Chang Shan Hao gold mine covering an area of 36 square kilometers in the western part of Inner Mongolia, northern China; and 100% interest in the Jiama copper-gold polymetallic mine that hosts copper, gold, molybdenum, silver, lead, and zinc metals located in Metrokongka County, Tibet. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for China Gold International Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for China Gold International Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Dearborn Partners LLC cut its holdings in American Water Works Company, Inc. (NYSE:AWK Get Rating) by 9.7% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 4,631 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 496 shares during the quarter. Dearborn Partners LLCs holdings in American Water Works were worth $706,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other large investors have also bought and sold shares of AWK. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can bought a new stake in shares of American Water Works in the third quarter valued at about $73,599,000. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its position in American Water Works by 2.0% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 21,960,717 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $3,635,157,000 after buying an additional 434,737 shares during the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP bought a new stake in American Water Works in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $41,938,000. Royal Bank of Canada boosted its position in American Water Works by 11.9% during the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 2,253,645 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $373,045,000 after acquiring an additional 238,931 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Covea Finance bought a new position in shares of American Water Works during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $27,728,000. 83.06% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get American Water Works alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of analysts have recently commented on the stock. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of American Water Works in a research report on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. TheStreet cut shares of American Water Works from a b rating to a c+ rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 15th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and issued a $180.00 price objective on shares of American Water Works in a report on Tuesday, March 7th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $158.29. American Water Works Stock Up 0.4 % American Water Works stock opened at $149.62 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.42, a current ratio of 0.44 and a quick ratio of 0.41. The companys 50-day moving average is $144.46 and its 200-day moving average is $146.81. The firm has a market capitalization of $29.12 billion, a PE ratio of 33.18, a P/E/G ratio of 3.85 and a beta of 0.57. American Water Works Company, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $122.77 and a fifty-two week high of $169.15. American Water Works (NYSE:AWK Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 16th. The utilities provider reported $0.81 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.75 by $0.06. American Water Works had a return on equity of 10.76% and a net margin of 21.62%. The firm had revenue of $931.00 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $923.74 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $0.85 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was down 2.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts anticipate that American Water Works Company, Inc. will post 4.77 earnings per share for the current year. American Water Works Company Profile (Get Rating) American Water Works Co, Inc engages in the provision of complementary water and wastewater services. It operates through the following segments: Regulated Businesses, Market-Based Businesses, and Other. The Regulated Businesses segment offers water and wastewater services to customers. The Market-Based Businesses segment includes the military services group, which enters into long-term contracts with the U.S. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AWK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for American Water Works Company, Inc. (NYSE:AWK Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for American Water Works Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for American Water Works and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Douglas Dynamics (NYSE:PLOW Get Rating) had its price objective reduced by Robert W. Baird from $48.00 to $46.00 in a research note released on Tuesday, The Fly reports. Other research analysts also recently issued research reports about the company. DA Davidson restated a buy rating and issued a $45.00 target price on shares of Douglas Dynamics in a research note on Tuesday, February 21st. StockNews.com began coverage on Douglas Dynamics in a research report on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a buy rating for the company. Get Douglas Dynamics alerts: Douglas Dynamics Stock Performance Shares of PLOW stock opened at $29.89 on Tuesday. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $33.80 and its 200-day simple moving average is $35.51. The company has a current ratio of 2.52, a quick ratio of 1.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.82. Douglas Dynamics has a 1-year low of $27.76 and a 1-year high of $41.40. The company has a market capitalization of $684.18 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.45 and a beta of 1.00. Douglas Dynamics Increases Dividend Douglas Dynamics ( NYSE:PLOW Get Rating ) last issued its earnings results on Monday, February 20th. The auto parts company reported $0.48 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.56 by ($0.08). Douglas Dynamics had a net margin of 6.27% and a return on equity of 19.05%. The firm had revenue of $159.81 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $164.30 million. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Douglas Dynamics will post 1.77 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 31st. Investors of record on Friday, March 17th were given a dividend of $0.295 per share. This represents a $1.18 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.95%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, March 16th. This is a boost from Douglas Dynamicss previous quarterly dividend of $0.29. Douglas Dynamicss payout ratio is currently 72.84%. Insider Buying and Selling In other Douglas Dynamics news, CFO Sarah C. Lauber sold 3,757 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $36.66, for a total value of $137,731.62. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 32,202 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,180,525.32. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In other Douglas Dynamics news, CFO Sarah C. Lauber sold 3,757 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $36.66, for a total value of $137,731.62. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 32,202 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,180,525.32. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CEO Robert L. Mccormick sold 10,341 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $36.61, for a total value of $378,584.01. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 55,106 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,017,430.66. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 14,416 shares of company stock valued at $528,098. Insiders own 2.50% of the companys stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Douglas Dynamics Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of PLOW. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can bought a new stake in shares of Douglas Dynamics in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Quantbot Technologies LP bought a new stake in Douglas Dynamics during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $31,000. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. grew its position in Douglas Dynamics by 366.7% during the 3rd quarter. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. now owns 1,372 shares of the auto parts companys stock worth $38,000 after acquiring an additional 1,078 shares during the last quarter. Belpointe Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in Douglas Dynamics during the 4th quarter worth approximately $43,000. Finally, Point72 Hong Kong Ltd bought a new stake in Douglas Dynamics during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $46,000. 91.78% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. About Douglas Dynamics (Get Rating) Douglas Dynamics, Inc engages in the manufacture of commercial work truck attachments and equipment. It operates through the following segments: Work Truck Attachments and Work Truck Solutions. The Work Truck Attachments segments include manufactured snow and ice control attachments sold under FISHER, HENDERSON, SNOWEX and WESTERN brands. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Douglas Dynamics Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Douglas Dynamics and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. (NYSE:ASR Get Rating) was the recipient of a significant decrease in short interest during the month of March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 117,600 shares, a decrease of 11.2% from the March 15th total of 132,500 shares. Currently, 0.4% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 60,400 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.9 days. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in ASR. Deutsche Bank AG increased its stake in Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. by 500.5% in the 4th quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 289,413 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $67,430,000 after buying an additional 241,214 shares during the period. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. purchased a new position in Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. in the 4th quarter worth about $39,588,000. Itau Unibanco Holding S.A. purchased a new position in Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. in the 3rd quarter worth about $18,410,000. TT International Asset Management LTD purchased a new position in Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. in the 4th quarter worth about $16,097,000. Finally, Bank of America Corp DE increased its stake in Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. by 706.9% in the 4th quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 71,046 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $16,553,000 after buying an additional 62,241 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 15.66% of the companys stock. Get Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste S. A. B. de C. V. alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth ASR has been the subject of a number of research reports. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their target price on shares of Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. from $215.00 to $255.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, March 3rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. downgraded shares of Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. from an overweight rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, March 30th. Finally, StockNews.com raised shares of Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, April 13th. Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. Price Performance Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. stock traded down $12.66 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $282.94. 95,405 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 65,812. The company has a market cap of $8.49 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.01, a PEG ratio of 5.96 and a beta of 1.08. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $293.54 and a two-hundred day moving average of $261.34. The company has a quick ratio of 3.70, a current ratio of 3.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27. Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. has a 12-month low of $179.01 and a 12-month high of $314.48. Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. (NYSE:ASR Get Rating) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, February 23rd. The transportation company reported $4.34 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $4.69 by ($0.35). Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. had a net margin of 40.06% and a return on equity of 21.49%. The firm had revenue of $369.64 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $364.55 million. Equities analysts forecast that Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. will post 11.32 earnings per share for the current year. About Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. (Get Rating) Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste SA de CV is a holding company, which engages in the operation, maintenance, and development of airports It operates through the following segments: Cancun, Aerostar, Airplan, Villahermosa, Merida, Holding and Services, and Other. The company was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Mexico City, Mexico. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste S. A. B. de C. V. Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste S. A. B. de C. V. and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc. (NYSE:HPP Get Rating) shares traded up 3.4% during trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $5.81 and last traded at $5.79. 1,270,604 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 60% from the average session volume of 3,167,334 shares. The stock had previously closed at $5.60. Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on HPP shares. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on Hudson Pacific Properties from $10.00 to $7.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. Piper Sandler reduced their price target on Hudson Pacific Properties from $12.00 to $8.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, March 21st. Citigroup lowered their price target on shares of Hudson Pacific Properties from $10.00 to $6.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, March 22nd. BMO Capital Markets reduced their price objective on shares of Hudson Pacific Properties from $8.00 to $7.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, April 10th. Finally, Robert W. Baird upgraded shares of Hudson Pacific Properties from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and dropped their target price for the company from $13.00 to $12.00 in a report on Thursday, January 5th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have given a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Hudson Pacific Properties has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $10.63. Get Hudson Pacific Properties alerts: Hudson Pacific Properties Stock Down 6.0 % The company has a current ratio of 2.21, a quick ratio of 2.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $7.69 and a 200 day moving average price of $9.55. Hudson Pacific Properties Announces Dividend Hudson Pacific Properties ( NYSE:HPP Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 8th. The real estate investment trust reported ($0.09) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.50 by ($0.59). Hudson Pacific Properties had a negative net margin of 4.89% and a negative return on equity of 1.47%. The business had revenue of $269.93 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $267.83 million. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc. will post 1.77 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 30th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 20th were given a dividend of $0.25 per share. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 17.15%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, March 17th. Hudson Pacific Propertiess dividend payout ratio is presently -256.40%. Insider Activity In other news, EVP Arthur X. Suazo bought 10,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 28th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $5.86 per share, with a total value of $58,600.00. Following the acquisition, the executive vice president now owns 87,102 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $510,417.72. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In other Hudson Pacific Properties news, EVP Arthur X. Suazo bought 10,000 shares of Hudson Pacific Properties stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 28th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $5.86 per share, for a total transaction of $58,600.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 87,102 shares in the company, valued at $510,417.72. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CIO Drew Gordon bought 25,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, March 27th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $5.96 per share, for a total transaction of $149,000.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the executive now directly owns 116,958 shares in the company, valued at $697,069.68. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders bought 38,975 shares of company stock worth $232,523. 2.95% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Hudson Pacific Properties Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Presima Securities ULC lifted its holdings in shares of Hudson Pacific Properties by 11.8% during the 1st quarter. Presima Securities ULC now owns 1,420,600 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $9,447,000 after acquiring an additional 149,600 shares during the last quarter. Green Alpha Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Hudson Pacific Properties by 58.8% during the first quarter. Green Alpha Advisors LLC now owns 229,149 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,524,000 after purchasing an additional 84,846 shares during the last quarter. Everence Capital Management Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Hudson Pacific Properties by 54.4% in the 1st quarter. Everence Capital Management Inc. now owns 47,960 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $319,000 after purchasing an additional 16,890 shares in the last quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. increased its position in shares of Hudson Pacific Properties by 36.1% during the 4th quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 1,930,097 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $18,780,000 after purchasing an additional 511,459 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Point72 Middle East FZE purchased a new position in shares of Hudson Pacific Properties during the 4th quarter valued at about $48,000. 95.57% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. About Hudson Pacific Properties (Get Rating) Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc is a real estate company, which acquires, repositions, develops, and operates sustainable office and state of-the-art studio properties in high-barrier-to-entry submarkets in California, the Pacific Northwest, Western Canada, and Greater London, United Kingdom. It operates through the Office Properties and Studio Properties segments. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Hudson Pacific Properties Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hudson Pacific Properties and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Fisher Asset Management LLC decreased its stake in shares of iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF (BATS:IGV Get Rating) by 29.5% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 3,456,374 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,445,567 shares during the period. Fisher Asset Management LLCs holdings in iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF were worth $884,313,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of IGV. Baird Financial Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF by 517.2% during the first quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 3,364 shares of the companys stock worth $1,161,000 after buying an additional 2,819 shares during the period. Equitable Holdings Inc. lifted its position in iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF by 1.9% in the first quarter. Equitable Holdings Inc. now owns 3,708 shares of the companys stock worth $1,279,000 after purchasing an additional 69 shares during the period. Flow Traders U.S. LLC acquired a new stake in iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF in the first quarter worth approximately $4,834,000. Mariner LLC lifted its position in iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF by 8.9% in the first quarter. Mariner LLC now owns 22,085 shares of the companys stock worth $7,617,000 after purchasing an additional 1,814 shares during the period. Finally, KCM Investment Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF by 86.1% in the first quarter. KCM Investment Advisors LLC now owns 1,297 shares of the companys stock valued at $447,000 after buying an additional 600 shares in the last quarter. Get iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF alerts: iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF Stock Performance Shares of BATS IGV traded down $2.29 during trading on Friday, hitting $300.35. The company had a trading volume of 487,610 shares. The company has a market cap of $5.12 billion, a P/E ratio of 41.65 and a beta of 1.04. iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF has a 52 week low of $123.69 and a 52 week high of $183.23. The businesss 50-day moving average is $290.04 and its 200 day moving average is $272.50. About iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF iShares North American Tech-Software ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares S&P North American Technology-Software Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the S&P North American Technology Software Index (the Underlying Index). See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IGV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF (BATS:IGV Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. UN Chinese Language Day celebrated in Cuba Xinhua) 16:53, April 21, 2023 HAVANA, April 21 (Xinhua) --- The United Nations (UN) Chinese Language Day was celebrated on Thursday in Cuba with outdoor activities at the Confucius Institute here. Addressing the audience, Chinese Ambassador to Cuba Ma Hui said that language is the carrier of cultural exchange and a bridge to increase communication among peoples, adding that Chinese is becoming more and more relevant worldwide. Taking place outdoors, the activities included Chinese calligraphy and painting exhibitions, traditional games, a Chinese traditional medicine embroidery workshop, and a Chinese tea ceremony. Yorbelis Rosell, director of the institute, said that these activities help promote the Chinese language among the local population. "We are very happy about the results we have achieved so far," she said. "Our students are making huge progress in Chinese language learning." Among the participants was Pablo Leandro Manso, a second-year Chinese-language student who dreams of visiting China in the coming years. "Chinese is the world's most spoken language and China plays an essential role in the international arena," he said. "Learning Chinese is investing in the future." The study of Chinese language and culture has been on the rise in Cuba thanks to the work of social organizations and institutions such as the Confucius Institute, which has seen thousands of students graduate since its founding in 2009. To Elisabeth Torres, learning Chinese has been one of the most thrilling and challenging experiences she has gone through so far. "The Chinese language is as difficult as it is beautiful. That is why I love it so much," she said. The UN Chinese Language Day has been observed on April 20 every year since 2010, celebrating the language's contribution to the world while encouraging more people to learn it. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan) iShares MSCI Japan ETF (NYSEARCA:EWJ Get Rating) saw unusually large options trading activity on Friday. Stock traders purchased 27,217 call options on the company. This is an increase of 408% compared to the average daily volume of 5,359 call options. Institutional Investors Weigh In On iShares MSCI Japan ETF Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in EWJ. Coastal Investment Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in iShares MSCI Japan ETF in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $26,000. Huntington National Bank boosted its stake in shares of iShares MSCI Japan ETF by 47.5% during the 3rd quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 776 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $38,000 after acquiring an additional 250 shares during the last quarter. CVA Family Office LLC purchased a new position in shares of iShares MSCI Japan ETF during the 4th quarter worth $46,000. Sage Mountain Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of iShares MSCI Japan ETF during the 4th quarter worth $49,000. Finally, BigSur Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of iShares MSCI Japan ETF during the 4th quarter worth $54,000. Get iShares MSCI Japan ETF alerts: iShares MSCI Japan ETF Stock Up 0.6 % Shares of EWJ stock traded up $0.35 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $59.03. 4,506,794 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 4,856,756. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $57.28 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $55.16. iShares MSCI Japan ETF has a 12-month low of $47.64 and a 12-month high of $59.09. The stock has a market cap of $10.09 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.76 and a beta of 0.67. iShares MSCI Japan ETF Company Profile iShares MSCI Japan ETF (the fund), formerly Ishares Msci Japan Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of publicly traded securities in the Japanese market, as measured by the MSCI Japan Index (the Index). Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI Japan ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI Japan ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Kabouter Management LLC reduced its holdings in iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (NYSEARCA:EEM Get Rating) by 48.8% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 14,832 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 14,142 shares during the quarter. iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF makes up approximately 0.2% of Kabouter Management LLCs holdings, making the stock its 11th largest holding. Kabouter Management LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF were worth $570,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the business. Accurate Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF during the 4th quarter worth $27,000. WFA of San Diego LLC acquired a new position in iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF during the 4th quarter worth $29,000. Phillips Financial Management LLC acquired a new position in iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF during the 3rd quarter worth $39,000. City State Bank lifted its holdings in iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF by 686.1% during the 4th quarter. City State Bank now owns 1,077 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $41,000 after buying an additional 940 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Country Trust Bank lifted its holdings in iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF by 190.3% during the 3rd quarter. Country Trust Bank now owns 1,225 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $43,000 after buying an additional 803 shares in the last quarter. 82.29% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF alerts: iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF Stock Performance Shares of iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF stock traded down $0.44 on Friday, hitting $38.94. 14,861,293 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 34,770,613. The firms 50-day moving average price is $39.06 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $38.46. iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF has a one year low of $33.49 and a one year high of $43.23. iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF Profile iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF, formerly iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund (the Fund), seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of publicly traded equity securities in global emerging markets, as measured by the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (the Index). Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EEM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (NYSEARCA:EEM Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Kades & Cheifetz LLC bought a new position in shares of Waste Management, Inc. (NYSE:WM Get Rating) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor bought 3,527 shares of the business services providers stock, valued at approximately $553,000. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Mitsubishi UFJ Kokusai Asset Management Co. Ltd. grew its position in shares of Waste Management by 9.1% in the third quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Kokusai Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 254,407 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $40,759,000 after purchasing an additional 21,213 shares during the last quarter. United Capital Financial Advisers LLC lifted its position in shares of Waste Management by 10.3% in the third quarter. United Capital Financial Advisers LLC now owns 18,552 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $2,972,000 after acquiring an additional 1,728 shares in the last quarter. Aptus Capital Advisors LLC increased its position in Waste Management by 16.4% during the 3rd quarter. Aptus Capital Advisors LLC now owns 4,884 shares of the business services providers stock worth $783,000 after purchasing an additional 687 shares in the last quarter. Burleson & Company LLC increased its position in Waste Management by 577.3% during the 4th quarter. Burleson & Company LLC now owns 9,713 shares of the business services providers stock worth $1,524,000 after purchasing an additional 8,279 shares in the last quarter. Finally, RFG Advisory LLC increased its position in Waste Management by 8.9% during the 3rd quarter. RFG Advisory LLC now owns 3,643 shares of the business services providers stock worth $582,000 after purchasing an additional 297 shares in the last quarter. 78.48% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Waste Management alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of analysts recently commented on WM shares. Raymond James dropped their price objective on Waste Management from $167.00 to $166.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Monday, February 6th. Citigroup lowered their price target on Waste Management from $183.00 to $180.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Thursday, February 2nd. StockNews.com began coverage on Waste Management in a report on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a buy rating for the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft decreased their target price on Waste Management from $157.00 to $151.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a report on Monday, February 6th. Finally, UBS Group cut Waste Management from a buy rating to a neutral rating and decreased their target price for the stock from $190.00 to $165.00 in a report on Tuesday, January 10th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $174.67. Insiders Place Their Bets Waste Management Stock Down 0.2 % In related news, EVP John J. Morris sold 15,204 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $155.03, for a total transaction of $2,357,076.12. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 95,461 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $14,799,318.83. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink . In related news, CFO Devina A. Rankin sold 6,800 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, February 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $155.00, for a total transaction of $1,054,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 57,517 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,915,135. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link . Also, EVP John J. Morris sold 15,204 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, February 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $155.03, for a total value of $2,357,076.12. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 95,461 shares in the company, valued at $14,799,318.83. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders have sold a total of 30,743 shares of company stock valued at $4,762,320 in the last quarter. Insiders own 0.27% of the companys stock. Waste Management stock traded down $0.41 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $165.29. 271,927 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,816,154. The companys fifty day moving average price is $156.15 and its 200-day moving average price is $157.81. Waste Management, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $138.89 and a fifty-two week high of $175.98. The company has a market cap of $67.24 billion, a PE ratio of 30.74, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.53 and a beta of 0.73. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.12, a current ratio of 0.81 and a quick ratio of 0.77. Waste Management (NYSE:WM Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 1st. The business services provider reported $1.30 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.39 by ($0.09). Waste Management had a return on equity of 32.91% and a net margin of 11.36%. The company had revenue of $4.94 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.97 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.26 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 5.5% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts predict that Waste Management, Inc. will post 6 EPS for the current fiscal year. Waste Management Increases Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 24th. Investors of record on Friday, March 10th were issued a $0.70 dividend. This is a positive change from Waste Managements previous quarterly dividend of $0.65. This represents a $2.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.69%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, March 9th. Waste Managements payout ratio is currently 51.95%. Waste Management Profile (Get Rating) Waste Management, Inc is a holding company, which engages in the provision of waste management environmental services. It operates through the following segments: East Tier, West Tier, and Other. The East Tier segment consists of Eastern U.S., the Great Lakes Region, and Canada. The West Tier segment includes the upper Midwest region and British Columbia, Canada. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding WM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Waste Management, Inc. (NYSE:WM Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Waste Management Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Waste Management and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Sunnova Energy International (NYSE:NOVA Get Rating) had its price objective reduced by KeyCorp from $39.00 to $34.00 in a research report released on Tuesday, The Fly reports. KeyCorp also issued estimates for Sunnova Energy Internationals Q1 2023 earnings at ($1.04) EPS, Q2 2023 earnings at ($0.67) EPS, Q3 2023 earnings at ($0.62) EPS, Q4 2023 earnings at ($0.61) EPS, FY2023 earnings at ($2.95) EPS, FY2024 earnings at ($2.84) EPS and FY2025 earnings at ($2.87) EPS. NOVA has been the topic of several other reports. Credit Suisse Group restated an outperform rating and set a $43.00 target price on shares of Sunnova Energy International in a report on Monday, February 27th. Morgan Stanley began coverage on shares of Sunnova Energy International in a research note on Monday, April 3rd. They issued an overweight rating and a $35.00 target price for the company. The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their price objective on shares of Sunnova Energy International from $23.00 to $17.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, March 30th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reduced their price objective on shares of Sunnova Energy International from $31.00 to $28.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, April 13th. Finally, Evercore ISI reduced their price objective on shares of Sunnova Energy International from $35.00 to $31.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, February 14th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nineteen have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $34.82. Get Sunnova Energy International alerts: Sunnova Energy International Stock Performance Sunnova Energy International stock opened at $18.15 on Tuesday. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $16.09 and its 200 day simple moving average is $18.55. Sunnova Energy International has a fifty-two week low of $12.46 and a fifty-two week high of $31.47. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.02, a current ratio of 1.75 and a quick ratio of 1.75. Insiders Place Their Bets Sunnova Energy International ( NYSE:NOVA Get Rating ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 22nd. The company reported ($0.40) earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.42) by $0.02. Sunnova Energy International had a negative net margin of 27.53% and a negative return on equity of 11.07%. The business had revenue of $195.59 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $145.09 million. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Sunnova Energy International will post -1.12 EPS for the current fiscal year. In other Sunnova Energy International news, insider Kelsey Hultberg sold 2,400 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $14.03, for a total transaction of $33,672.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 19,974 shares of the companys stock, valued at $280,235.22. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Insiders own 4.20% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. grew its position in shares of Sunnova Energy International by 1.2% during the 1st quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 73,336 shares of the companys stock worth $1,146,000 after buying an additional 842 shares during the period. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC bought a new position in Sunnova Energy International during the 1st quarter valued at $67,000. Guinness Atkinson Asset Management Inc lifted its stake in Sunnova Energy International by 11.0% during the 1st quarter. Guinness Atkinson Asset Management Inc now owns 27,122 shares of the companys stock valued at $424,000 after acquiring an additional 2,681 shares in the last quarter. Guinness Asset Management LTD lifted its stake in Sunnova Energy International by 12.2% during the 1st quarter. Guinness Asset Management LTD now owns 901,235 shares of the companys stock valued at $14,072,000 after acquiring an additional 98,260 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Point72 Middle East FZE bought a new position in Sunnova Energy International during the 4th quarter valued at $81,000. About Sunnova Energy International (Get Rating) Sunnova Energy International, Inc operates as a residential energy service provider. It offers solar energy systems, electric vehicle chargers, and home solar protection. The company was founded by William Jackson Berger in 2012 and is headquartered in Houston, TX. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Sunnova Energy International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Sunnova Energy International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE:LVS Get Rating) have been given a consensus rating of Moderate Buy by the seventeen brokerages that are currently covering the company, MarketBeat reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and thirteen have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 1 year price target among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $68.54. Several analysts have recently commented on LVS shares. Argus raised shares of Las Vegas Sands from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $68.00 price target on the stock in a research note on Friday, January 27th. Jefferies Financial Group raised their price objective on shares of Las Vegas Sands from $66.00 to $69.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Las Vegas Sands in a report on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their target price on shares of Las Vegas Sands from $69.00 to $74.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on shares of Las Vegas Sands from $69.00 to $71.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday. Get Las Vegas Sands alerts: Institutional Inflows and Outflows Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. First Republic Investment Management Inc. grew its position in Las Vegas Sands by 218.2% in the third quarter. First Republic Investment Management Inc. now owns 76,324 shares of the casino operators stock valued at $2,864,000 after purchasing an additional 52,338 shares in the last quarter. Amalgamated Bank grew its position in shares of Las Vegas Sands by 1.5% in the 3rd quarter. Amalgamated Bank now owns 87,554 shares of the casino operators stock valued at $3,285,000 after acquiring an additional 1,264 shares during the period. Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. bought a new position in shares of Las Vegas Sands in the 3rd quarter valued at about $334,000. Allworth Financial LP grew its position in shares of Las Vegas Sands by 17.9% in the 4th quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 1,385 shares of the casino operators stock valued at $67,000 after acquiring an additional 210 shares during the period. Finally, Czech National Bank grew its position in shares of Las Vegas Sands by 0.8% in the 4th quarter. Czech National Bank now owns 38,470 shares of the casino operators stock valued at $1,849,000 after acquiring an additional 293 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 39.75% of the companys stock. Las Vegas Sands Price Performance Shares of Las Vegas Sands stock opened at $61.53 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.73, a quick ratio of 1.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.81. The stock has a market capitalization of $47.03 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.64, a P/E/G ratio of 16.55 and a beta of 1.16. Las Vegas Sands has a 1-year low of $28.88 and a 1-year high of $63.49. The firms 50-day moving average price is $56.84 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $50.02. Las Vegas Sands (NYSE:LVS Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 19th. The casino operator reported $0.28 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.17 by $0.11. Las Vegas Sands had a net margin of 44.57% and a negative return on equity of 22.49%. The firm had revenue of $2.12 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.83 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned ($0.40) earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was up 124.8% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts predict that Las Vegas Sands will post 1.48 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Las Vegas Sands Company Profile (Get Rating) 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. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Las Vegas Sands Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Las Vegas Sands and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Miller Industries, Inc. (NYSE:MLR Get Rating) saw a large increase in short interest during the month of March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 81,800 shares, an increase of 8.9% from the March 15th total of 75,100 shares. Currently, 0.8% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 39,200 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.1 days. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on MLR shares. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Miller Industries from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Monday, March 13th. TheStreet upgraded shares of Miller Industries from a c+ rating to a b rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 29th. Get Miller Industries alerts: Miller Industries Stock Performance MLR traded down $0.27 on Friday, reaching $33.32. The company had a trading volume of 50,214 shares, compared to its average volume of 38,300. Miller Industries has a 1 year low of $21.00 and a 1 year high of $36.25. The stock has a market capitalization of $380.51 million, a PE ratio of 18.87 and a beta of 1.04. The company has a quick ratio of 1.42, a current ratio of 2.41 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.16. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $31.76 and a 200-day moving average price of $28.29. Miller Industries Dividend Announcement Miller Industries ( NYSE:MLR Get Rating ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, March 8th. The auto parts company reported $0.81 earnings per share for the quarter. Miller Industries had a net margin of 2.40% and a return on equity of 7.02%. The firm had revenue of $225.85 million during the quarter. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 27th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 20th were given a dividend of $0.18 per share. This represents a $0.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.16%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, March 17th. Miller Industriess payout ratio is 40.45%. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Miller Industries Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. boosted its position in shares of Miller Industries by 107.8% during the 4th quarter. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. now owns 1,444 shares of the auto parts companys stock worth $38,000 after purchasing an additional 749 shares in the last quarter. UBS Group AG lifted its position in shares of Miller Industries by 63.1% during the 3rd quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 2,076 shares of the auto parts companys stock valued at $44,000 after acquiring an additional 803 shares during the period. Lazard Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Miller Industries during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $56,000. MetLife Investment Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Miller Industries by 61.5% during the 1st quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 5,337 shares of the auto parts companys stock valued at $150,000 after acquiring an additional 2,032 shares during the period. Finally, BNP Paribas Arbitrage SNC lifted its position in shares of Miller Industries by 83.4% during the 3rd quarter. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SNC now owns 5,488 shares of the auto parts companys stock valued at $117,000 after acquiring an additional 2,496 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 77.38% of the companys stock. About Miller Industries (Get Rating) Miller Industries, Inc (Tennessee) engages in the manufacture of vehicle towing and recovery equipment. Its products include car carriers, light duty, heavy duty, rotators, and special transport. The firm markets its products under the brand names of Century, Challenger, Holmes, Champion, Eagle, Titan, Jige, Boniface, Vulcan, and Chevron. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Miller Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Miller Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. MRC Global (NYSE:MRC Get Rating) had its target price decreased by Stifel Nicolaus from $17.00 to $15.00 in a research report released on Monday morning, The Fly reports. Stifel Nicolaus currently has a buy rating on the oil and gas companys stock. A number of other research firms have also recently weighed in on MRC. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of MRC Global in a report on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a buy rating for the company. Susquehanna decreased their price objective on shares of MRC Global from $16.00 to $15.00 in a research note on Monday, April 3rd. Get MRC Global alerts: MRC Global Stock Performance Shares of MRC Global stock opened at $9.46 on Monday. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $10.25 and a 200-day moving average price of $10.83. MRC Global has a 52 week low of $7.03 and a 52 week high of $13.90. The company has a market cap of $791.33 million, a PE ratio of 15.77 and a beta of 2.17. The company has a quick ratio of 1.00, a current ratio of 2.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.87. Insider Buying and Selling at MRC Global MRC Global ( NYSE:MRC Get Rating ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, February 13th. The oil and gas company reported $0.32 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.28 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $869.00 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $872.18 million. MRC Global had a return on equity of 34.84% and a net margin of 2.23%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 26.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.17 EPS. Equities analysts anticipate that MRC Global will post 1.53 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. In other news, insider Gillian Anderson sold 5,213 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $11.50, for a total value of $59,949.50. Following the sale, the insider now owns 26,507 shares in the company, valued at $304,830.50. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Insiders own 20.60% of the companys stock. Hedge Funds Weigh In On MRC Global Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of MRC. Lazard Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of MRC Global by 30.9% during the 3rd quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 18,229 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $131,000 after purchasing an additional 4,303 shares in the last quarter. Lord Abbett & CO. LLC increased its stake in MRC Global by 29.6% in the 3rd quarter. Lord Abbett & CO. LLC now owns 1,434,342 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $10,313,000 after acquiring an additional 327,506 shares during the last quarter. ExodusPoint Capital Management LP grew its position in MRC Global by 367.0% during the 3rd quarter. ExodusPoint Capital Management LP now owns 382,308 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $2,749,000 after acquiring an additional 300,440 shares during the last quarter. First Hawaiian Bank increased its position in MRC Global by 67.9% during the 4th quarter. First Hawaiian Bank now owns 88,242 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $1,022,000 after buying an additional 35,690 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Guggenheim Capital LLC grew its holdings in shares of MRC Global by 4.8% in the third quarter. Guggenheim Capital LLC now owns 72,361 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $520,000 after acquiring an additional 3,343 shares during the period. 96.14% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. MRC Global Company Profile (Get Rating) MRC Global, Inc is a holding company, which engages in the distribution of pipes, valves, fittings, and other infrastructure products and services to the energy, industrial, and gas utility end-markets. It operates through the following geographical segments: U.S., Canada, and International. The company was founded on November 20, 2006 and is headquartered in Houston, TX. See Also Receive News & Ratings for MRC Global Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for MRC Global and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Newport Trust Co lowered its stake in shares of Moodys Co. (NYSE:MCO Get Rating) by 0.2% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 322,351 shares of the business services providers stock after selling 636 shares during the period. Newport Trust Co owned 0.18% of Moodys worth $89,813,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. BDO Wealth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Moodys by 110.0% in the third quarter. BDO Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 126 shares of the business services providers stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 66 shares during the period. Accurate Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Moodys in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $47,000. Guardian Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Moodys during the 3rd quarter valued at $56,000. MinichMacGregor Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Moodys during the 4th quarter valued at $60,000. Finally, Arlington Partners LLC raised its stake in Moodys by 87.0% during the 4th quarter. Arlington Partners LLC now owns 230 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $64,000 after buying an additional 107 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 90.84% of the companys stock. Get Moody's alerts: Insider Transactions at Moodys In other news, EVP John J. Goggins sold 8,400 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $302.62, for a total transaction of $2,542,008.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 8,587 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,598,597.94. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other Moodys news, SVP Caroline Sullivan sold 483 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $303.48, for a total value of $146,580.84. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 1,491 shares in the company, valued at approximately $452,488.68. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, EVP John J. Goggins sold 8,400 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $302.62, for a total transaction of $2,542,008.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 8,587 shares in the company, valued at $2,598,597.94. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 23,701 shares of company stock valued at $7,046,117 over the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 0.42% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Moodys Stock Performance Several equities research analysts have recently commented on the company. Oppenheimer upped their price objective on Moodys from $342.00 to $349.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 4th. Morgan Stanley increased their price target on shares of Moodys from $293.00 to $296.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Thursday, April 6th. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price objective on shares of Moodys from $329.00 to $350.00 in a research report on Wednesday, February 1st. Raymond James lowered shares of Moodys from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 1st. Finally, StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Moodys in a research report on Thursday, March 16th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $308.33. NYSE MCO traded down $1.34 on Friday, reaching $301.39. 84,597 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 818,174. The firm has a market cap of $55.24 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 40.69, a P/E/G ratio of 2.99 and a beta of 1.30. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $297.78 and a 200-day moving average price of $289.30. Moodys Co. has a fifty-two week low of $230.16 and a fifty-two week high of $335.91. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.75, a quick ratio of 1.72 and a current ratio of 1.72. Moodys (NYSE:MCO Get Rating) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, January 31st. The business services provider reported $1.60 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.42 by $0.18. The company had revenue of $1.29 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.27 billion. Moodys had a net margin of 25.13% and a return on equity of 62.08%. The firms quarterly revenue was down 16.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $2.33 earnings per share. Equities research analysts predict that Moodys Co. will post 9.38 EPS for the current fiscal year. Moodys Increases Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 17th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 24th were issued a $0.77 dividend. This is a boost from Moodyss previous quarterly dividend of $0.70. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 23rd. This represents a $3.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.02%. Moodyss payout ratio is presently 41.40%. Moodys Company Profile (Get Rating) Moodys Corp. engages in the provision of credit ratings, research, tools and analysis to the global capital markets. It operates through the Moodys Investors Service (MIS) and Moodys Analytics (MA) segments. The MIS segment is a credit rating agency, which publishes credit ratings on debt obligations and the entities, including various corporate and governmental obligations, structured finance securities, and commercial paper programs. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Moody's Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Moody's and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Capital Investment Advisory Services LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Royal Bank of Canada (NYSE:RY Get Rating) (TSE:RY) by 174.7% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 17,282 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 10,990 shares during the quarter. Capital Investment Advisory Services LLCs holdings in Royal Bank of Canada were worth $1,625,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in RY. Baldwin Brothers LLC MA acquired a new stake in Royal Bank of Canada during the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. Financial Management Professionals Inc. raised its stake in shares of Royal Bank of Canada by 64.9% in the third quarter. Financial Management Professionals Inc. now owns 343 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 135 shares in the last quarter. Private Trust Co. NA purchased a new position in Royal Bank of Canada in the second quarter valued at $49,000. Hexagon Capital Partners LLC grew its stake in Royal Bank of Canada by 123.9% during the 3rd quarter. Hexagon Capital Partners LLC now owns 553 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $50,000 after purchasing an additional 306 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Romano Brothers AND Company acquired a new position in Royal Bank of Canada during the 4th quarter worth $59,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 41.19% of the companys stock. Get Royal Bank of Canada alerts: Royal Bank of Canada Price Performance RY stock opened at $99.38 on Friday. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $98.33 and a 200 day moving average price of $96.95. The company has a quick ratio of 0.89, a current ratio of 0.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11. The stock has a market cap of $138.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.42, a PEG ratio of 1.76 and a beta of 0.82. Royal Bank of Canada has a fifty-two week low of $83.63 and a fifty-two week high of $108.61. Royal Bank of Canada Increases Dividend Royal Bank of Canada ( NYSE:RY Get Rating ) (TSE:RY) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, March 1st. The financial services provider reported $2.26 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.17 by $0.09. Royal Bank of Canada had a net margin of 18.77% and a return on equity of 16.17%. The company had revenue of $11.21 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $9.67 billion. Equities research analysts anticipate that Royal Bank of Canada will post 8.65 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 24th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, April 25th will be paid a $0.992 dividend. This represents a $3.97 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.99%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, April 24th. This is an increase from Royal Bank of Canadas previous quarterly dividend of $0.98. Royal Bank of Canadas dividend payout ratio is currently 48.45%. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on RY shares. StockNews.com raised Royal Bank of Canada from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 12th. Desjardins raised their target price on shares of Royal Bank of Canada from C$145.00 to C$147.00 in a report on Tuesday, February 7th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $138.33. Royal Bank of Canada Company Profile (Get Rating) Royal Bank of Canada engages in the provision of banking and financial solutions. It operates through the following segments: Personal and Commercial Banking, Wealth Management, Insurance, Investor and Treasury Services, Capital Markets, and Corporate Support. The Personal and Commercial Banking segment deals with a broad suite of financial products and services in Canada. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding RY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Royal Bank of Canada (NYSE:RY Get Rating) (TSE:RY). Receive News & Ratings for Royal Bank of Canada Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Royal Bank of Canada and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed their outperform rating on shares of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH Get Rating) in a research note published on Monday, Benzinga reports. Royal Bank of Canada currently has a $592.00 target price on the healthcare conglomerates stock. UNH has been the topic of a number of other reports. UBS Group cut their target price on UnitedHealth Group from $590.00 to $550.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, January 18th. TD Cowen decreased their target price on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $596.00 to $562.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Monday. Raymond James raised shares of UnitedHealth Group from an outperform rating to a strong-buy rating and upped their price target for the stock from $615.00 to $630.00 in a research note on Wednesday, April 5th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft boosted their target price on UnitedHealth Group from $617.00 to $627.00 in a report on Monday. Finally, Loop Capital boosted their price objective on UnitedHealth Group from $590.00 to $600.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirteen have given a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Buy and an average price target of $601.50. Get UnitedHealth Group alerts: UnitedHealth Group Stock Performance Shares of UNH opened at $487.46 on Monday. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $486.70 and its 200 day moving average price is $506.75. UnitedHealth Group has a 12-month low of $449.70 and a 12-month high of $558.10. The stock has a market capitalization of $454.73 billion, a PE ratio of 22.29, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.41 and a beta of 0.67. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71, a current ratio of 0.81 and a quick ratio of 0.77. UnitedHealth Group Announces Dividend UnitedHealth Group ( NYSE:UNH Get Rating ) last posted its earnings results on Friday, April 14th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $6.26 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $6.24 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $91.93 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $89.77 billion. UnitedHealth Group had a return on equity of 27.05% and a net margin of 6.16%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 14.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business posted $5.49 earnings per share. Equities research analysts forecast that UnitedHealth Group will post 24.98 EPS for the current year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, March 21st. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 13th were paid a dividend of $1.65 per share. This represents a $6.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.35%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, March 10th. UnitedHealth Groups dividend payout ratio is presently 30.18%. Institutional Trading of UnitedHealth Group A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of UNH. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC lifted its position in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 7.2% in the first quarter. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC now owns 20,253 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock worth $9,571,000 after purchasing an additional 1,364 shares in the last quarter. Daymark Wealth Partners LLC lifted its position in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 159.0% in the first quarter. Daymark Wealth Partners LLC now owns 8,978 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock worth $4,243,000 after purchasing an additional 5,512 shares in the last quarter. Kathmere Capital Management LLC lifted its position in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 27.5% in the first quarter. Kathmere Capital Management LLC now owns 2,830 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock worth $1,337,000 after purchasing an additional 610 shares in the last quarter. Altfest L J & Co. Inc. lifted its position in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 87.5% in the first quarter. Altfest L J & Co. Inc. now owns 3,487 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock worth $1,648,000 after purchasing an additional 1,627 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Empire Financial Management Company LLC purchased a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group in the first quarter worth approximately $364,000. 86.31% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. UnitedHealth Group Company Profile (Get Rating) UnitedHealth Group, Inc engages in the provision of health care coverage, software, and data consultancy services. It operates through the following segments: UnitedHealthcare, OptumHealth, OptumInsight, and OptumRx. The UnitedHealthcare segment utilizes Optums capabilities to help coordinate patient care, improve affordability of medical care, analyze cost trends, manage pharmacy benefits, work with care providers more effectively, and create a simpler consumer experience. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for UnitedHealth Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for UnitedHealth Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Anhui Conch Cement Company Limited (OTCMKTS:AHCHY Get Rating) was the recipient of a significant decline in short interest in March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 1,900 shares, a decline of 13.6% from the March 15th total of 2,200 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 34,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.1 days. Analyst Ratings Changes Separately, The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded shares of Anhui Conch Cement from a sell rating to a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 29th. Get Anhui Conch Cement alerts: Anhui Conch Cement Stock Performance OTCMKTS:AHCHY opened at $16.35 on Friday. Anhui Conch Cement has a 12 month low of $12.80 and a 12 month high of $27.54. The companys 50-day moving average price is $17.96 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $17.48. About Anhui Conch Cement Anhui Conch Cement Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, sells, and trades in clinker and cement products. The company conducts its operations through five segments, which include Eastern China, Central China, Southern China, Western China, and Overseas. It provides construction and installation services for industrial purposes; logistic services; and mining and related services. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Anhui Conch Cement Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Anhui Conch Cement and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile (NYSE:SQM Get Rating) had its target price trimmed by Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft from $95.00 to $90.00 in a research report released on Thursday morning, The Fly reports. The firm currently has a buy rating on the basic materials companys stock. SQM has been the topic of a number of other research reports. StockNews.com cut Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, April 10th. Scotiabank raised Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile from a sector perform rating to a sector outperform rating in a report on Thursday, March 2nd. Finally, Bank of America raised Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile from an underperform rating to a neutral rating and dropped their price objective for the stock from $90.00 to $85.00 in a report on Monday, April 10th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $97.50. Get Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile alerts: Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile Stock Down 2.6 % Shares of NYSE:SQM opened at $77.91 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of $22.25 billion, a PE ratio of 5.70, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.39 and a beta of 0.95. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49, a current ratio of 2.29 and a quick ratio of 1.71. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $82.24 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $88.05. Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile has a 1 year low of $69.75 and a 1 year high of $115.76. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile ( NYSE:SQM Get Rating ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, March 2nd. The basic materials company reported $4.03 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.80 by $0.23. Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile had a return on equity of 95.37% and a net margin of 36.47%. The firm had revenue of $3.13 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.17 billion. Analysts forecast that Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile will post 14.57 earnings per share for the current year. A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. increased its stake in Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile by 131.1% in the 1st quarter. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. now owns 9,387 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $761,000 after purchasing an additional 5,326 shares during the period. Accel Wealth Management bought a new stake in shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile during the first quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Banque Cantonale Vaudoise boosted its position in shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile by 0.9% during the first quarter. Banque Cantonale Vaudoise now owns 27,155 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $2,201,000 after purchasing an additional 243 shares in the last quarter. LGT Fund Management Co Ltd. boosted its position in shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile by 35.0% during the first quarter. LGT Fund Management Co Ltd. now owns 3,800 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $308,000 after purchasing an additional 985 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ritholtz Wealth Management bought a new stake in Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile in the first quarter worth $343,000. 18.42% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile (Get Rating) Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile SA engages in the production and distribution of fertilizers, potassium nitrate, iodine, and lithium chemicals. It operates through the following segments: Specialty Plant Nutrients, Iodine and Derivatives, Lithium and Derivatives, Industrial Chemicals, Potassium, and Other Products and Services. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Spire Wealth Management lessened its stake in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF (BATS:EFG Get Rating) by 1.2% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 29,139 shares of the companys stock after selling 359 shares during the period. Spire Wealth Managements holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF were worth $2,441,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in EFG. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. grew its holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF by 49.9% during the 3rd quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 23,240,103 shares of the companys stock worth $1,686,302,000 after acquiring an additional 7,733,455 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF by 62.2% in the 3rd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 3,164,482 shares of the companys stock valued at $229,616,000 after buying an additional 1,213,234 shares in the last quarter. Park Avenue Securities LLC boosted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF by 47.4% in the 3rd quarter. Park Avenue Securities LLC now owns 2,246,567 shares of the companys stock valued at $163,011,000 after buying an additional 722,390 shares in the last quarter. Jane Street Group LLC boosted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF by 75.9% in the 3rd quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 1,616,441 shares of the companys stock valued at $117,289,000 after buying an additional 697,332 shares in the last quarter. Finally, MML Investors Services LLC boosted its stake in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF by 45.2% in the 3rd quarter. MML Investors Services LLC now owns 1,341,199 shares of the companys stock worth $97,317,000 after purchasing an additional 417,585 shares in the last quarter. Get iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF alerts: iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF Stock Performance EFG stock traded up $0.34 during trading on Friday, reaching $95.47. The company had a trading volume of 1,410,664 shares. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $91.13 and a 200-day simple moving average of $86.30. The company has a market cap of $11.76 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.69 and a beta of 0.87. iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF has a twelve month low of $67.58 and a twelve month high of $85.81. iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF Company Profile iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares MSCI EAFE Growth Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI EAFE Growth Index (the Index). The Index is a subset of the MSCI EAFE Index and constituents of the Index include securities from Europe, Australasia (Australia and Asia), and the Far East. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EFG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF (BATS:EFG Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. State Street (NYSE:STT Get Rating) had its price target decreased by Barclays from $102.00 to $100.00 in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday, The Fly reports. A number of other brokerages have also recently commented on STT. Royal Bank of Canada dropped their price objective on shares of State Street from $85.00 to $80.00 in a research note on Friday, March 24th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their price objective on shares of State Street from $82.00 to $85.00 in a research note on Wednesday, January 11th. UBS Group lowered their target price on shares of State Street from $100.00 to $95.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, April 4th. The Goldman Sachs Group started coverage on shares of State Street in a report on Wednesday, January 4th. They issued a neutral rating for the company. Finally, Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on shares of State Street from $95.00 to $91.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Monday, April 3rd. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $83.96. Get State Street alerts: State Street Stock Performance Shares of NYSE:STT opened at $74.99 on Tuesday. State Street has a 52 week low of $58.62 and a 52 week high of $94.74. The stock has a market capitalization of $25.23 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.50, a PEG ratio of 1.22 and a beta of 1.56. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $81.13 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $78.73. The company has a quick ratio of 0.56, a current ratio of 0.52 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72. State Street Dividend Announcement State Street ( NYSE:STT Get Rating ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, January 20th. The asset manager reported $2.07 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.00 by $0.07. State Street had a net margin of 18.73% and a return on equity of 11.96%. The business had revenue of $3.16 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.06 billion. On average, analysts expect that State Street will post 7.84 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, April 13th. Stockholders of record on Monday, April 3rd were issued a $0.63 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, March 31st. This represents a $2.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.36%. State Streets dividend payout ratio is currently 35.29%. Insider Activity In other news, EVP John Plansky sold 11,168 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $92.22, for a total value of $1,029,912.96. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 42,455 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,915,200.10. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In other news, EVP John Plansky sold 11,168 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $92.22, for a total value of $1,029,912.96. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 42,455 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,915,200.10. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, EVP David C. Phelan sold 15,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $86.63, for a total transaction of $1,299,450.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 72,491 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,279,895.33. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders sold 32,893 shares of company stock worth $2,923,987. 0.25% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of STT. Guardian Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of State Street in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $27,000. FNY Investment Advisers LLC purchased a new position in shares of State Street in the 1st quarter worth approximately $28,000. Accurate Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of State Street in the 4th quarter worth approximately $29,000. International Assets Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of State Street in the 1st quarter worth approximately $34,000. Finally, New Hampshire Trust purchased a new position in shares of State Street in the 4th quarter worth approximately $35,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 88.41% of the companys stock. State Street Company Profile (Get Rating) State Street Corp. engages in the provision of financial services to institutional investors. It operates through the Commercial and Financial, and Commercial Real Estate segments. The company was founded in 1792 and is headquartered in Boston, MA. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for State Street Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for State Street and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ingersoll Rand (NYSE:IR Get Rating) had its price target lifted by Stifel Nicolaus from $60.00 to $61.00 in a research note issued to investors on Monday morning, The Fly reports. They currently have a hold rating on the industrial products companys stock. IR has been the subject of a number of other research reports. Morgan Stanley upped their price objective on shares of Ingersoll Rand from $57.00 to $62.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 22nd. Citigroup upped their price objective on shares of Ingersoll Rand from $62.00 to $64.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, April 10th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on shares of Ingersoll Rand from $60.00 to $62.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, January 19th. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Ingersoll Rand in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a buy rating for the company. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upped their target price on shares of Ingersoll Rand from $55.00 to $56.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 12th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $58.80. Get Ingersoll Rand alerts: Ingersoll Rand Stock Performance Shares of Ingersoll Rand stock opened at $55.36 on Monday. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $56.49 and a two-hundred day moving average of $53.92. The stock has a market capitalization of $22.42 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.41 and a beta of 1.42. Ingersoll Rand has a 52 week low of $39.28 and a 52 week high of $60.39. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29, a quick ratio of 1.76 and a current ratio of 2.37. Ingersoll Rand Dividend Announcement Ingersoll Rand ( NYSE:IR Get Rating ) last issued its 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. The company had revenue of $1.62 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.54 billion. Ingersoll Rand had a net margin of 10.22% and a return on equity of 9.99%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 14.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.64 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Ingersoll Rand will post 2.38 EPS for the current year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 24th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, March 1st were given a $0.02 dividend. 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 at Ingersoll Rand In other Ingersoll Rand news, insider Vicente Reynal sold 25,000 shares of the businesss 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 owns 102,856 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,171,360. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Company insiders own 0.75% of the companys stock. Institutional Trading of Ingersoll Rand Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Ingersoll Rand by 81.3% during the third quarter. Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. now owns 638 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 286 shares during the period. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust lifted its position in Ingersoll Rand by 87.0% in the 3rd quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 705 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 328 shares in the last quarter. Guardian Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in Ingersoll Rand in the 3rd quarter valued at about $30,000. Compass Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Ingersoll Rand during the 4th quarter worth approximately $32,000. Finally, Field & Main Bank increased its stake in shares of Ingersoll Rand by 42.3% during the 1st quarter. Field & Main Bank now owns 673 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $39,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 99.73% of the companys stock. Ingersoll Rand Company Profile (Get Rating) 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. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Ingersoll Rand Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ingersoll Rand and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Arconic Co. (NYSE:ARNC Get Rating) was the target of unusually large options trading on Friday. Stock investors purchased 24,179 put options on the company. This is an increase of 782% compared to the average daily volume of 2,742 put options. Arconic Price Performance Shares of ARNC stock traded down $0.47 on Friday, reaching $24.52. The company had a trading volume of 1,112,543 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,092,045. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.18, a quick ratio of 0.70 and a current ratio of 1.52. The company has a 50-day moving average of $25.59 and a 200-day moving average of $23.01. Arconic has a 12 month low of $16.33 and a 12 month high of $31.24. Get Arconic alerts: Arconic (NYSE:ARNC Get Rating) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 21st. The basic materials company reported $0.31 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.25 by $0.06. Arconic had a positive return on equity of 9.06% and a negative net margin of 2.03%. The firm had revenue of $1.94 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.98 billion. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Arconic will post 1.5 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Arconic Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. BlackRock Inc. raised its stake in Arconic by 5.1% in the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 20,311,764 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $520,389,000 after acquiring an additional 991,281 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in Arconic by 0.9% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 11,898,182 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $202,745,000 after acquiring an additional 111,451 shares during the period. State Street Corp raised its stake in Arconic by 50.5% in the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 8,239,379 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $211,093,000 after acquiring an additional 2,765,816 shares during the period. Morgan Stanley raised its stake in Arconic by 6.4% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 3,826,023 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $80,959,000 after acquiring an additional 228,875 shares during the period. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its stake in Arconic by 22.6% in the 4th quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 3,287,944 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $69,573,000 after acquiring an additional 606,506 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.90% of the companys stock. Several equities analysts have issued reports on ARNC shares. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft cut their price objective on Arconic from $23.00 to $21.00 in a research report on Wednesday, February 22nd. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Arconic in a research report on Thursday, March 16th. They set a hold rating on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group cut Arconic from a neutral rating to a sell rating and dropped their price objective for the stock from $23.00 to $21.00 in a report on Tuesday, February 28th. Finally, Wolfe Research cut Arconic from an outperform rating to a peer perform rating in a report on Wednesday, April 12th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $22.67. Arconic Company Profile (Get Rating) Arconic Corporation manufactures and sells aluminum sheets, plates, extrusions, and architectural products in the United States, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hungary, Russia, the United Kingdom, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Rolled Products, Building and Construction Systems, and Extrusions. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Arconic Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Arconic and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Synovus Financial (NYSE:SNV Get Rating) had its target price decreased by Royal Bank of Canada from $42.00 to $40.00 in a report released on Friday, The Fly reports. Royal Bank of Canadas price target would suggest a potential upside of 27.39% from the companys current price. Several other research firms have also recently commented on SNV. The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their price target on shares of Synovus Financial from $46.00 to $39.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Thursday, March 30th. UBS Group started coverage on shares of Synovus Financial in a research report on Wednesday, March 15th. They set a neutral rating and a $33.00 price objective on the stock. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Synovus Financial in a research report on Thursday, March 16th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Raymond James cut their price objective on shares of Synovus Financial from $46.00 to $36.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, April 6th. Finally, TheStreet lowered shares of Synovus Financial from a b rating to a c+ rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 22nd. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Synovus Financial has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $40.50. Get Synovus Financial alerts: Synovus Financial Stock Performance Shares of SNV opened at $31.40 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.04, a current ratio of 0.92 and a quick ratio of 0.91. The stock has a market cap of $4.59 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.09, a PEG ratio of 2.12 and a beta of 1.33. The company has a 50-day moving average of $34.67 and a two-hundred day moving average of $38.05. Synovus Financial has a one year low of $27.08 and a one year high of $48.60. Insider Transactions at Synovus Financial Synovus Financial ( NYSE:SNV Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 20th. The bank reported $1.33 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.22 by $0.11. The business had revenue of $613.90 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $589.40 million. Synovus Financial had a net margin of 30.50% and a return on equity of 18.93%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 23.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.08 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts expect that Synovus Financial will post 4.73 earnings per share for the current year. In other news, EVP Thomas T. Dierdorff sold 1,947 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, February 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $43.36, for a total value of $84,421.92. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 9,314 shares in the company, valued at $403,855.04. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. 1.60% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Trading of Synovus Financial Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Norges Bank acquired a new position in Synovus Financial during the 4th quarter valued at $55,365,000. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. acquired a new position in Synovus Financial during the 4th quarter valued at $34,299,000. Alyeska Investment Group L.P. acquired a new position in Synovus Financial during the 1st quarter valued at $20,823,000. Boston Partners raised its stake in Synovus Financial by 36.9% during the 4th quarter. Boston Partners now owns 1,413,846 shares of the banks stock valued at $54,293,000 after purchasing an additional 380,822 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Hancock Whitney Corp acquired a new position in Synovus Financial during the 3rd quarter valued at $12,860,000. 79.89% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About Synovus Financial (Get Rating) Synovus Financial Corp. is a bank holding company, which engages in the provision of financial services. The company operates through the following segments: Community Banking, Wholesale Banking, and Financial Management Services (FMS). The Community Banking business segment serves customers using a relationship-based approach through its branch, ATM, commercial, and private wealth network in addition to mobile, Internet, and telephone banking. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Synovus Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Synovus Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Telia Company AB (publ) (OTCMKTS:TLSNF Get Rating) shares passed below its 200-day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $2.67 and traded as low as $2.52. Telia Company AB (publ) shares last traded at $2.52, with a volume of 514 shares trading hands. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Separately, Citigroup began coverage on shares of Telia Company AB (publ) in a research note on Wednesday, January 4th. They issued a sell rating and a $23.00 target price on the stock. Get Telia Company AB (publ) alerts: Telia Company AB (publ) Price Performance The businesss 50 day moving average is $2.54 and its two-hundred day moving average is $2.67. Telia Company AB (publ) Company Profile Telia Co AB engages in the provision of network access and telecommunication services. It operates through the following geographical segments: Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Lithuania, Estonia, and TV and Media. It focuses on mobile, television, and fixed-line operations. The company was founded in 1853 and is headquartered in Solna, Sweden. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Telia Company AB (publ) Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Telia Company AB (publ) and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Tidewater Midstream and Infrastructure (TSE:TWM Get Rating) had its target price lowered by investment analysts at CIBC from C$1.60 to C$1.50 in a note issued to investors on Friday, BayStreet.CA reports. CIBCs price objective would suggest a potential upside of 63.04% from the companys previous close. Several other equities analysts have also recently commented on the stock. ATB Capital decreased their price target on shares of Tidewater Midstream and Infrastructure from C$1.70 to C$1.50 in a research report on Friday, March 10th. Stifel Firstegy cut shares of Tidewater Midstream and Infrastructure from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, March 13th. Royal Bank of Canada decreased their price objective on shares of Tidewater Midstream and Infrastructure from C$1.60 to C$1.50 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Friday, March 10th. Stifel Nicolaus cut shares of Tidewater Midstream and Infrastructure from a buy rating to a hold rating and decreased their price objective for the stock from C$1.80 to C$1.15 in a research report on Tuesday, March 14th. Finally, National Bankshares cut shares of Tidewater Midstream and Infrastructure from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating and decreased their price objective for the stock from C$1.50 to C$1.10 in a research report on Friday, March 10th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of C$1.43. Get Tidewater Midstream and Infrastructure alerts: Tidewater Midstream and Infrastructure Stock Up 7.0 % TWM stock traded up C$0.06 during midday trading on Friday, hitting C$0.92. The companys stock had a trading volume of 2,101,129 shares, compared to its average volume of 423,389. The company has a quick ratio of 0.55, a current ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 94.08. Tidewater Midstream and Infrastructure has a 52-week low of C$0.84 and a 52-week high of C$1.72. The firm has a market capitalization of C$390.63 million, a P/E ratio of 45.00, a PEG ratio of 0.64 and a beta of 1.62. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of C$0.97 and a 200-day simple moving average of C$1.05. About Tidewater Midstream and Infrastructure Tidewater Midstream and Infrastructure ( TSE:TWM Get Rating ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, March 9th. The company reported C($0.01) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of C$0.04 by C($0.05). Tidewater Midstream and Infrastructure had a net margin of 0.30% and a return on equity of 2.72%. The business had revenue of C$711.10 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of C$712.00 million. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Tidewater Midstream and Infrastructure will post 0.1329394 EPS for the current year. (Get Rating) Tidewater Midstream and Infrastructure Ltd., through its subsidiaries, operates as a diversified midstream and infrastructure company in North America. It primarily focuses on natural gas, natural gas liquids (NGLs), and crude oil operations and processing plants located in the Deep Basin, Edmonton, and Montney regions of Alberta and British Columbia. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Tidewater Midstream and Infrastructure Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Tidewater Midstream and Infrastructure and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of TPG RE Finance Trust, Inc. (NYSE:TRTX Get Rating) have received a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy from the six brokerages that are covering the company, MarketBeat.com reports. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, one has issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. The average 1 year price objective among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $9.60. Several analysts have recently weighed in on TRTX shares. Citigroup cut their price objective on TPG RE Finance Trust from $9.00 to $7.00 in a report on Thursday, April 6th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on TPG RE Finance Trust from $8.00 to $9.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, February 23rd. Get TPG RE Finance Trust alerts: Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of TRTX. Wipfli Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new position in TPG RE Finance Trust during the third quarter valued at $25,000. Lazard Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in TPG RE Finance Trust during the first quarter valued at $32,000. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC raised its position in TPG RE Finance Trust by 168.9% during the third quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 4,808 shares of the companys stock valued at $34,000 after buying an additional 3,020 shares during the period. Parallel Advisors LLC acquired a new position in TPG RE Finance Trust in the 4th quarter worth about $36,000. Finally, Acadian Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in TPG RE Finance Trust in the 1st quarter worth about $53,000. 56.86% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. TPG RE Finance Trust Trading Down 1.2 % TPG RE Finance Trust Dividend Announcement Shares of TPG RE Finance Trust stock opened at $7.44 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 151.81, a current ratio of 151.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.72. The firm has a market cap of $574.93 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -7.75 and a beta of 1.86. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $7.68 and a 200-day simple moving average of $7.61. TPG RE Finance Trust has a fifty-two week low of $6.31 and a fifty-two week high of $11.60. The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 25th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, March 29th will be issued a dividend of $0.24 per share. This represents a $0.96 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 12.90%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 28th. TPG RE Finance Trusts dividend payout ratio is -100.00%. TPG RE Finance Trust Company Profile (Get Rating) TPG RE Finance Trust, Inc is a holding company, which engages in the provision of commercial real estate finance services. It originates, acquires, and manages commercial mortgage loans and other commercial real estate-related debt instruments in North America. The company was founded on October 24, 2014 and is headquartered in New York, NY. See Also Receive News & Ratings for TPG RE Finance Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for TPG RE Finance Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded shares of Tyler Technologies (NYSE:TYL Get Rating) from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research report report published on Tuesday, MarketBeat reports. The Goldman Sachs Group currently has $424.00 price target on the technology companys stock, up from their prior price target of $301.00. A number of other research firms also recently issued reports on TYL. StockNews.com began coverage on Tyler Technologies in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. They set a hold rating for the company. Credit Suisse Group cut their target price on Tyler Technologies from $375.00 to $370.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, February 21st. Piper Sandler restated an overweight rating and issued a $450.00 target price on shares of Tyler Technologies in a research note on Monday, April 3rd. JMP Securities cut their target price on Tyler Technologies from $465.00 to $415.00 in a research note on Friday, February 17th. Finally, Needham & Company LLC restated a buy rating and issued a $475.00 target price on shares of Tyler Technologies in a research note on Friday, February 17th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Tyler Technologies currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $436.58. Get Tyler Technologies alerts: Tyler Technologies Price Performance TYL stock opened at $375.06 on Tuesday. The company has a market capitalization of $15.72 billion, a P/E ratio of 96.91 and a beta of 0.84. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36, a quick ratio of 0.95 and a current ratio of 0.95. Tyler Technologies has a 52-week low of $281.11 and a 52-week high of $425.80. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $337.96 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $329.43. Insider Transactions at Tyler Technologies Tyler Technologies ( NYSE:TYL Get Rating ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 15th. The technology company reported $1.25 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.21 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $452.22 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $452.13 million. Tyler Technologies had a return on equity of 9.61% and a net margin of 8.88%. Research analysts expect that Tyler Technologies will post 5.77 EPS for the current fiscal year. In other Tyler Technologies news, CEO H Lynn Moore, Jr. sold 6,000 shares of Tyler Technologies stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $335.00, for a total transaction of $2,010,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 80,200 shares of the companys stock, valued at $26,867,000. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In other news, CFO Brian K. Miller sold 838 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $326.37, for a total value of $273,498.06. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 18,456 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,023,484.72. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CEO H Lynn Moore, Jr. sold 6,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $335.00, for a total value of $2,010,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 80,200 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $26,867,000. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 18,898 shares of company stock worth $6,195,979 over the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 2.20% of the companys stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Tyler Technologies A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of TYL. American Century Companies Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Tyler Technologies by 13.1% in the 1st quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 1,328 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $591,000 after acquiring an additional 154 shares during the last quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Tyler Technologies by 69.1% in the 1st quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. now owns 2,431 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $1,082,000 after acquiring an additional 993 shares during the last quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS lifted its stake in shares of Tyler Technologies by 6.6% in the 1st quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 5,483 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $2,439,000 after acquiring an additional 340 shares during the last quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. lifted its stake in shares of Tyler Technologies by 4.3% in the 1st quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 1,047 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $466,000 after acquiring an additional 43 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its stake in shares of Tyler Technologies by 0.8% in the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 118,419 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $52,683,000 after acquiring an additional 934 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 89.45% of the companys stock. Tyler Technologies Company Profile (Get Rating) Tyler Technologies, Inc engages in the provision of integrated technology and management solutions and services for the public sector with a focus on local governments. It operates through the following segments: Enterprise Software and Appraisal and Tax. The Enterprise Software segment provides municipal and county governments and schools with software systems to meet their information technology and automation needs for mission-critical back-office functions such as financial management, courts and justice processes. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Tyler Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Tyler Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. 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Ireland United States Minor Outlying Islands United States of America Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe Farted out of the heaving anus of the internet, we present to you a communique from some obscure anonymous group who could be absolutely anyone or no one, or even some secretive dark agency working only from the shimmering shadows of inequity. Movement in war can come at breakneck speed, or it can be slow and easy the long game. Never has Russia and China had it so easy with a weak USA led by a corpse who is more concerned with demoralising and dividing his own country than being a patriot. The same goes for the UK, here is a guy supposedly leading the country as an unelected shoe-in with no mandate to rule, Rishi Sunak is a slow moving target with no understanding of military matters or what is to come. The enemy is blessed to have such a bunch of low-level pieces of detritus supposedly leading the free world. Yes, the West is now about as free as Rykers Island, and the disgusting protected scumbag who armed the Taliban up to the hilt in Afghanistan with Americas best weaponry thinks he has a chance for a second term. Sure, go ahead Joe, you are the gift that keeps on giving, or should that be tripping? The time for action is nearing every day, and the Wests enemies feed on this weakness, it empowers them because it means the long game they have been playing all this time has finally worked. American society has been completely demoralised to a point that if you were to show one of these brainwashed woke operators a picture of some snow, and you told them it was actually white in colour, their programming over generations is so strong in wokism that they would argue with you forever that it was black. This is the level of programming that operatives trained in demoralisation have been conducting now in the USA for decades now. The woke have been ideologically subverted and are completely blind to their fate, especially as they have been disarmed and are ripe for the picking by Americas enemies, who wait intently for the final push. The Russian and Chinese propagandists working in the West for decades have completed their mission with flying colours. Add in some major de-dollarisation from a multitude of nations sick of the USA, a country that makes up 5% of the global population yet uses up 60% of earths resources, and there is certainly a deadly smell in the air at the the moment. The uptick in Chinese balloon surveillance over the US and Russian trawlers off the coast of Britain are small signs of finalisation, as are the final countdown emergency broadcast tests in the UK. Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao has issued instructions to party leaders to hold special 'Athmeeya Sammelanams' for students and youth covering every Assembly constituency. (Photo: Twitter) Hyderabad: For the first time since its founding in 2001, the BRS, which is aiming for a hat-trick victory, has placed a special emphasis on youth outreach initiatives for the December 2023 Assembly elections, targeting first-time voters, young voters and students. The party's plenary meeting on April 27 at Telangana Bhavan will design an action plan to win the support of the youth and students. BRS president and Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao has issued instructions to party leaders to hold special 'Athmeeya Sammelanams' for students and youth covering every Assembly constituency. When the new academic year starts in June, the BRS leadership has decided to conduct a campaign at universities and colleges for six months. The party's student wings have been encouraged to host special events on campuses in June to welcome new students to colleges and universities. The party's student and youth wings are set to be activated and strengthened by launching a special drive to enlist students beginning in June and forming party student and youth committees from the mandal to the state level. According to surveys commissioned by the CM, the party's support base among youth and students aged 18 to 40 years was considerably lower when compared to those over the age of 40. The party has a large support base among people between the ages of 40 and 70 due to welfare schemes. According to the party's voter data, almost 3.5 lakh new voters (18-19 age range) have registered in Telangana during the last Assembly elections in 2018. Of the total of 2.99 crore voters in Telangana, it is estimated that 60 per cent are between the ages of 18 and 40, whom the party hopes to engage through specific outreach campaigns over the next six months. The MLAs would be tasked with organising these sammelanams for the youth and students, interacting with them, and explaining how the BRS government's efforts had benefited them over the last nine years. The objective is to inform students about the BRS government having started a recruitment drive, attracting private investment of more than 2.5 lakh crore through its initiatives which has provided direct jobs to 16 lakh youth and indirect jobs to another 16 lakh. The 'sammelanams' will also explain how the BRS government has created the most jobs in the IT sector in the last eight years, employing eight lakh people and creating five lakh direct jobs in the life sciences sector, in addition to extending the IT sector to Tier-II cities by constructing IT Towers in districts and employing local youth. Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (Photo: PTI) NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting online to review the security situation in Sudan, during which he "assessed the most recent developments in the crisis-hit African nation, and received a first-hand report of the conditions on the ground, focusing on the safety of over 3,000 Indian citizens currently in the country." The Prime Minister also called for contingency evacuation plans to be prepared, accounting for the rapidly shifting security landscape and the viability of various options," the Centre said in a statement. India is looking at various options, including evacuation of stranded Indians through the air and sea route, if the security situation allows it, and has expressed support for the "creation of safe corridors." External affairs minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar, who is currently on an official visit to four Latin American countries, en route to New York, participated in the online meeting along with senior functionaries of other ministries as well as senior officers of the armed forces. Jaishankar also met UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and discussed the situation in Sudan. "Focus understandably was on Sudan. India strongly supports efforts towards an early ceasefire, leading to the creation of safe corridors. Will continue to work closely with the UN and other partners in this regard," Jaishankar tweeted. In a statement issued on Friday, the Prime Ministers Office (PMO) said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting today to review the security situation in Sudan via video-conferencing. The external affairs minister, national security advisor, Ambassador of India to Sudan and numerous other senior officials were present at the briefing. The Prime Minister instructed all relevant officials to remain vigilant, closely monitor the developments and continuously evaluate the safety of Indian nationals in Sudan and extend all possible assistance." "The Prime Minister further directed the preparation of contingency evacuation plans, accounting for the rapidly shifting security landscape and the viability of various options. The Prime Minister also emphasised the importance of maintaining close communication with neighbouring countries in the region, as well as those with significant numbers of citizens in Sudan," the statement added. The Government further said, "During the meeting, Prime Minister Modi assessed the most recent developments in Sudan and received a first-hand report of the conditions on the ground, with a specific focus on the safety of over 3,000 Indian citizens presently located throughout the country. The Prime Minister expressed his condolences on the passing away of an Indian national who was hit by a stray bullet last week." India had earlier on Thursday said it was "making contingency plans", hinting at a possible evacuation effort if required, which would depend on the security situation in Sudan and the availability of the airport in the African nation to carry out such a mission. MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said at his weekly briefing on Thursday evening that Indian diplomats are in touch with Indian nationals in Sudan and have connected with them in their "local languages", adding that "movement in the street" in Sudan is currently unsafe and that the situation is "very tense". India is also in touch with several nations, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Egypt on the situation in Sudan. Supreme Court (ANI) ANANTAPUR: In a fresh twist in the trial of the Y.S. Vivekananda Reddy murder case, the Supreme Court on Friday issued a stay on the TS High Court order against arrest of YSRC Kadapa MP Y.S. Avinash Reddy till April 25. The order was passed on a petition filed by Vivekananda Reddys daughter Dr Suneetha Nareddy against the High Court order. The apex court will take up the hearing on Monday A bench of Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and Justice P.S. Narasimha issued notice on the plea challenging protection to Avinash Reddy. The apex court also directed the CBI not to arrest Avinash Reddy till Monday. The top court was hearing a plea filed by Dr Suneetha Narreddy, daughter Vivekananda Reddy, challenging the High Court order which the apex court called "atrocious and unacceptable". Senior advocate Siddharth Luthra, appearing for Dr Nareddy, said the investigation was transferred from to Hyderabad due to political patronage being enjoyed by Avinash Reddy in Andhra Pradesh. Senior advocate Ranjit Kumar, appearing for Avinash Reddy, said his client was sitting with CBI and may be arrested due to the order. The judges criticised the interim directions of the TS High Court after counsel for Dr Nareddy said the Supreme Court had given the CBI a deadline of April 30 to complete its investigations. Senior counsel Siddharth Luthra informed the SC that even when Vivekananda Reddy was found lying in a pool of blood, the accused had "bluffed" by spreading false news of a cardiac arrest. The fourth accused had turned approver and the CBI had arrested Avinash Reddys father Y.S. Bhaskar Reddy and another person, Uday Kumar Reddy. In this context, the TS High Court had issued orders to the CBI not to arrest Avinash Reddy and directed it to provide a copy of the questionnaire to the MP during questioning, Luthra said. Senior counsel added that the accused was likely to be treated as a "guest" during the investigation. Then circle inspector Shankaraiah, who was suspended on allegations of "negligence when the accused washed away evidence" at the spot, was promoted by the time the CBI went to record his statement under CRPC 160, senior counsel said. CBI counsel supported Dr Nareddys petition and stressed that the one who got the interim order was an MP and the murder of Vivekananda Redy was connected to political issues. The CBI has all the evidence of a conspiracy for political gain. A supari of about Rs. 40 crore was given and a part of this amount was paid to the accused, the court was told. Announcing a Lingayat as the chief ministerial face was one of the measures discussed at a late Wednesday night meeting to counter the Congress' "propaganda" of branding the BJP as anti-Lingayat, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said. Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, head of the BJP's election effort in Karnataka, attended the meeting along with party veteran B S Yediyurappa, Bommai and other Lingayat leaders. "Such suggestions were expressed in the meeting. Pradhan said he'd convey our feelings to the high command. No decision was taken," Bommai said when asked about calls for the BJP to announce that the next CM will be a Lingayat. Bommai said the meeting discussed the "current political situation, especially on how to counter the Congress' propaganda". After inducting former chief minister Jagadish Shettar and former deputy chief minister Laxman Savadi, Congress has doubled-down on its narrative that the BJP is disrespecting Lingayats. The Congress started this ever since Yediyurappa stepped down as CM in July 2021. On Thursday, Congress leader M B Patil said this in a tweet: "Please note this: BSY is being used as a puppet to do damage control after he was unwillingly removed. Bommai will be made the face & after disastrous performance will be sidelined. 2024 elections B Y Raghavendra will not be given MP Ticket. 2028 B Y Vijayendra will not be given MLA ticket. With this 'they who must not be named' will officially end the Lingayat & Old Guard dominance in BJP, and satisfy their egos." Slamming Congress, Bommai said Congress could not make even one Lingayat as CM for 50 years since 1967. "The exception is Veerendra Patil who was CM for nine months. But the way he was treated...he was removed from power at the airport. And, what about the treatment given to Rajashekhar Murthy?" he said. Bommai also accused Congress of trying to divide the Lingayat community over the 'religious minority' issue. "Congress tried to divide the community for the sake of creating a vote bank," he said, adding that BJP has "respect and opportunities" for all communities. 'Siddu is scared' Bommai said Leader of the Opposition Siddaramaiah is claiming a BJP-JD(S) nexus in the Varuna constituency because "he is scared." Bommai said the Congress leader should not be worried if he is strong enough to win. "Siddaramaiah is a multiple-term MLA. First, he was insecure about choosing a constituency. Now, he's insecure inside a constituency," he said. The ruling Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) in Telangana is extending support to the JD(S) in Karnataka Assembly elections and it chose not to field any candidate in the May 10 polls as its friendly party is in the fray. The BRS, previously TRS, renamed itself in December last year to make a foray into national politics and it had toyed with the idea of contesting Karnataka elections. However, it chose not to field candidates in the Assembly polls as JD(S) is its friend and also because it lacked adequate time to plan for fielding nominees in the elections, BRS sources said on Friday. The party was not in favour of contesting the elections without adequate preparation and planning, the sources said, pointing out the efforts being made by BRS to gain a foothold in neighbouring Maharashtra. Also Read | 5,102 nominations filed by over 3,600 candidates for Karnataka polls, scrutiny of papers on April 21 BRS supremo and Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has so far addressed two rallies in Nanded region in Maharashtra and is slated to address a public meeting at Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar (Aurangabad) on April 24. Rao may consider campaigning in support of JD(S) candidates if there is a request from the latter but no decision has been taken. BRS is also concerned about the view that its campaign may benefit the BJP in Karnataka following a split in anti-BJP votes, the sources said. Former Karnataka chief minister and JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy was in attendance in Hyderabad earlier for the events regarding the name change of TRS to BRS. The process of filing nominations for the May 10 election in Karnataka came to an end on Thursday. Susan B Anthony Pro-Life America, a prominent anti-abortion political group, threatened Thursday to campaign against Donald Trump unless he endorsed a national ban on abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, a bold challenge that exposed the rift between the former president and some of his onetime allies. The groups statement was a line in the sand for all conservative 2024 hopefuls. We will oppose any presidential candidate who refuses to embrace at a minimum a 15-week national standard to stop painful late-term abortions while allowing states to enact further protections, said Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of SBA Pro-Life America. Trump has been unwilling to wade into abortion battles after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last year and ended federal protections, thanks largely to a majority of conservative justices he helped muscle through as president. Last year, Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina introduced legislation for a federal ban on abortions after 15 weeks, an idea that split Republicans. Also Read: Judge rules Trump free to skip rape accuser's trial, jurors won't hear why Democrats campaigned on abortion rights in the 2022 midterms, and Republicans had another disappointing cycle. Trump blamed anti-abortion activists for Republican losses, saying they could have fought much harder. Others have attributed the partys disappointing showing to Trumps insistence on making election fraud a top issue for candidates. Dannenfelsers statement Thursday was a response to a Washington Post article about the abortion issue in which Trumps campaign did not directly address whether he supported an abortion ban after six weeks of pregnancy, which was the limit that Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida, who is preparing his own Republican presidential bid, recently signed into law in the state. Instead, Trumps campaign issued a statement saying abortion is an issue that should be decided at the state level. Trump was mostly muted about the ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade when it happened. In an interview with The New York Times last year, Trump downplayed his central role in paving the way for the decisions reversal. I never like to take credit for anything, said Trump, whose name is affixed to most of his businesses and properties. In a statement, Trumps campaign said he was the most pro-life president in American history, as pro-life leaders have stated emphatically on repeated occasions. It added: Even though much work remains to be done to defend the cause of life, President Trump believes it is in the states where the greatest advances can now take place to protect the unborn. In her statement, Dannenfelser said, President Trumps assertion that the Supreme Court returned the issue of abortion solely to the states is a completely inaccurate reading of the Dobbs decision and is a morally indefensible position for a self-proclaimed pro-life presidential candidate to hold. A Gallup survey last year found that the share of Americans identifying as pro-choice had jumped to 55 per cent after hovering between 45 per cent and 50 per cent for a decade. That sentiment was the highest Gallup has measured since 1995, while the 39 per cent who identified as pro-life was the lowest since 1996, the polling firm said. NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg defiantly declared on Thursday that Ukraine's rightful place is in the military alliance and pledged more support for the country on his first visit to Kyiv since Russia's invasion just over a year ago. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged Stoltenberg, who has been instrumental in marshalling support from NATO members, to push for even more from them, including warplanes, artillery and armoured equipment. The Kremlin has given various justifications for going to war, but repeated on Thursday that preventing Ukraine from joining NATO is still a key goal of its invasion, arguing that Kyiv's membership in the alliance would pose an existential threat to Russia. Also Read | NATO chief makes first visit to Kyiv since Russian-Ukraine war began NATO leaders said in 2008 that Ukraine would join the alliance one day, and Stoltenberg has repeated that promise throughout the war, though the organisation has established no pathway or timetable for membership. Let me be clear, Ukraine's rightful place is in the Euro-Atlantic family," Stoltenberg told a news conference. Ukraine's rightful place is in NATO. Zelenskyy said he was grateful for an invitation to a NATO summit in July in Vilnius, Lithuania, but said his country needs a roadmap for becoming a member. The time has come for the (alliance's) leaders to define the prospects of Ukraine's acquisition of NATO membership, to define the algorithm of Ukraine's movement towards this goal, and to define security guarantees for our state for the period of such movement that is, for the period before NATO membership, he said. Stoltenberg said he and Zelenskyy discussed a NATO support programme for Ukraine. This will help you transition from Soviet-era equipment and doctrines to NATO standards and ensure full interoperability with the alliance, Stoltenberg said. "NATO stands with you today, tomorrow and for as long as it takes. He noted an announcement on Thursday by Denmark and the Netherlands that they plan to provide Ukraine with at least another 14 refurbished Leopard 2 battle tanks by early 2024. He added that he expected countries to make new announcements of concrete military support to Ukraine at a meeting on Friday in Germany. In other developments, a large explosion hit the Russian city of Belgorod late Thursday, and the Defence Ministry said one of its Su-34 warplanes accidentally discharged ammunition over the city about 25 kilometers (15 miles) from the Ukrainian border. The government gave no further details. Belgorod regional Gov. Vyacheslav Gladkov said the blast injured at least two people, damaged homes and left a crater about 20 metres (65 feet) across. The fighting in recent months has become a war of attrition, with neither side able to gain momentum. But Ukraine has recently received sophisticated weapons from its Western allies and is expected to launch a counteroffensive in coming weeks. Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that Moscow could use all means available a phrase some see as a threat to use nuclear weapons in response to an attack on its territory if Ukraine attempts to recapture Moscow-occupied areas. NATO has no official presence in Ukraine and provides only nonlethal support to Kyiv, but Stoltenberg has been the strong voice of the alliance throughout the war. A procession of international leaders has made the journey to Kyiv over the last year, and the former Norwegian prime minister is one of the last major Western figures to do so. NATO, formed to counter the Soviet Union, has long feared being dragged into a wide war with nuclear-armed Russia. But as the West has moved from hesitantly providing helmets and uniforms to tanks, warplanes and advanced missile systems, high-level visits have become routine. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday that preventing Ukraine from joining NATO remains one of the goals of what Moscow calls its special military operation. Speaking in a conference call with reporters, Peskov said that Ukraine's accession would pose a serious, significant threat to our country, to our country's security. Earlier this month, Finland joined the alliance, setting aside decades of neutrality in a historic realignment of Europe's post-Cold War security landscape. While NATO says it poses no threat to Russia, the Nordic country's accession dealt a major political blow to Putin. Finland's membership doubles Russia's border with the world's biggest security alliance. Neighbouring Sweden is expected to join too, possibly by the time US President Joe Biden and his NATO counterparts meet in Vilnius in July. The alliance has focused on bolstering defences on its own territory to dissuade Putin from attacking any member country. Under NATO's collective security guarantee, an attack on one member country is considered an attack on all of them. On Friday, Stoltenberg will attend a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group at Ramstein Air Base in Germany with US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin. The group is the main international forum for drumming up military support for Ukraine. Meanwhile, the Ukraine Space Agency said Thursday that a bright flash of light in the night sky over the country the previous day was probably a meteor entering the atmosphere. Residents of the capital and several cities in Belarus saw the flash of light, which lingered for a couple of seconds, and an explosion was heard in the Kyiv region. It triggered an air raid alarm in Kyiv. Indias long-standing relationship with Russia gives it a unique position to urge Russian President Vladimir Putin to end his war and to withdraw from Ukrainian territory, Biden administrations point person for South and Central Asia on Thursday said that the war in Ukraine has in fact reinforced India-US bilateral ties, instead of breaking it. It's true, we have not always shared the same approach to Russia's war in Ukraine. But we do share the belief that this war should end as soon as possible, and it should end according to the UN Charter, principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence, US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Donald Lu told PTI in an interview. Indias long-standing relationship with Russia gives it a unique position to urge Vladimir Putin to end his war and to withdraw from Ukrainian territory. We agree with India that Russia's war in Ukraine must end with a negotiated settlement and that enduring and just peace is essential, Lu said in response to a question. Also Read: Ukraine's 'rightful place' is in the alliance: NATO chief We welcome India's support for the people of Ukraine by providing humanitarian assistance. And we welcome Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi's comments at the G20 Summit in Bali, calling for dialogue and diplomacy, he said. Since the first days of the war, India and the United States have had constant communication at the highest levels of their governments and that cooperation will continue, he said. We are hopeful that India can use its relationship and its influence with Russia to call for Russia to end this war, he said. Responding to a question, Lu said the Ukraine war had not been a difficult moment in this relationship. In fact, I've said the opposite, which is to look at where we are now. We didn't come from the same perspective and yet we found a way to communicate seriously about this. We found a way to listen to one another. We found a way to support one another in this process of trying to create our policies, he said. I recall a time when India was trying to evacuate its students from Ukraine and I hope that India felt the support of America as it did this. I know that we've had lots of discussions about India's interaction with Russia and with Ukraine through this crisis, and we've had quite good communication, he said. So, what's interesting is that the Ukrainian war did not break our relations. In fact, it reinforced our relations. It reinforced an ability to work through disagreements sometimes to find a way to work together cooperatively. I'm actually very optimistic. If we can work through that tough issue, we can work through anything, Lu told PTI. A Jharkhand district known for its extreme poverty and Naxalite insurgency is now witnessing a silent revolution centering around snacks made from a type of millet which can help prevent malnutrition. The new agro-industry coming up in this backwoods district is an initiative of a young bureaucrat Sushant Gaurav who says he would like Gumla to be the Ragi capital of eastern India. Tucked away some 100 km from state capital Ranchi, his work in Gumla has been selected for the Prime Ministers Awards for Excellence in Public Administration that recognises exemplary work by civil servants across the country. Previously Gumla's economy revolved around rain-fed agriculture with the cultivation of one crop rice. Also Read: Crops in 34,000 hectare damaged because of unseasonal rain, hailstorms in Maharashtra Ragi cultivation was initiated with procurement of high quality seeds through the National Seed Corporation, deputy commissioner Sushant Gaurav told PTI in an interview. "From an initial cultivation of Ragi in 1,600 acres, it was increased to 3,600 acres. Net output increased 300 per cent ... What helped in the success story is procurement by Sakhi Mandal Samuh (women self help group). We established a Ragi processing centre which is the first in Jharkhand. Ragi Laddus, Bhujia snacks and flour are being produced which help battle malnutrition and anaemia (as it is rich in protein, calcium and iron)," Gaurav said. Gaurav will receive the award on Friday in the holistic development through aspirational district programme overall progress with special focus on saturation approach category at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. This is the first time that a Jharkhand district has been selected for the award. Exuding confidence, Gaurav said "We will transform this aspirational district to a transformational and inspirational one." The deputy commissioner said, "The success story of the production, procurement and processing of Ragi spread and more and more people have come forward to cultivate the grain. It is on 26,000 acres (an increase of ten times) of land now instead of rice and will be 30,000 acres by the month end. People gave proposals for Ragi cultivation ...I view this change in just two years as the success which I wanted. We will make Gumla the Ragi capital of the whole Eastern area in a year or so and strive for the success of agriculture from farm to fork." Ragi processing centres owned and operated by only women ensure a daily production of 1 tonne of Ragi flour, 300 packets of Ragi Laddus and 200 packets of Ragi snacks under the Brand Johar Ragi. The laddus made of Ragi are being provided to children to fight malnutrition besides 'saag and vegetables' from identified 52 types - mainly moringa powder and curry leaves - in mid-day meals to boost nutrition at a very affordable cost, the DC said. Avinash Kumar, Mahatma Gandhi National Fellow, Ministry of Skill Development, Government of India, who made a case study presentation at Harvard Business School on behalf of the deputy commissioner said the institute is doing a case study on the Gumla model that will be circulated among international business schools and will be used for training bureaucrats. The deputy commissioner said a door-to-door survey was done among school children, and lactating mothers and they were identified for severe, moderate and medium anaemia and malnutrition for which preventive and curative measures were taken. "A multi-pronged approach was adopted to combat anaemia, aiming to address and identify it at a very early stage among pregnant and lactating mothers and adolescents. Over 400 model anganwadi centres were set up equipped with digital haemoglobin-meters, height growth charts, innovative blue MTC (malnutrition treatment card) and follow-up cards, the deputy commissioner said. "Fitness of children has improved. We have ensured indoor stadiums at all three subdivisions where equipment is free besides open gyms....You can see women doing gym in sarees, he said. Emphasis was also given to education - many schools got IT facilities, he said. The district where 85 per cent of the population has agriculture as the primary source of livelihood with over 90 per cent of small and marginal farmers, solar lift systems, drip irrigations, and renovation of ponds have also helped increase the proportion of irrigated land, officials said. The administration has also increased acreage under mango cultivation to 9,492 acres, promoted organic farming in 5,000 acres besides organising pilot projects for dragon fruit, pear and strawberry cultivation, Recognising the importance of millets or nutri-cereals, and creating a domestic and global demand along with providing nutritious food to the people, India spearheaded the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution for declaring the year 2023 as International Year of Millets. The proposal by India was supported by 72 countries. Millet is a common term to categorise small-seeded grasses that are often termed nutri-cereals or dryland-cereals and includes Sorghum (Jowar), Pearl Millet (Bajra), Finger Millet (Ragi), Little Millet (Kutki), Foxtail Millet (Kakun), Proso Millet (Cheena), Barnyard Millet (Sawa), and Kodo Millet (Kodon). A sessions court will hear on May 25 the arguments on charge in the hit-and-run case in which a woman was dragged to death while trapped under a car. After the case was allocated to Additional Sessions Judge Neeraj Gaur, the court on Friday adjourned the hearing on the arguments on charge to May 25, a court source said. Earlier on Tuesday, a metropolitan magistrate's court had committed the case to sessions court. Also Read | Woman hit and drag case: Accused's identity proved through CCTV footage, says charge sheet The Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) divides criminal trials into sessions trial and magistrate trial with the former trying serious offences. If an offence is triable exclusively by the sessions court, the magistrate commits the case to it after taking cognisance of the charge sheet. The magisterial court had taken cognisance of the 800-page charge sheet in the case on April 10. The Delhi Police had filed an FIR against four occupants of the car for the offence of murder, while all seven accused were booked for the offences of criminal conspiracy, destruction of evidence, harbouring offender, common intention and false information with an intent to cause a public servant to use his lawful power to the injury of another person. The alleged driver of the car, Amit Khanna, was also booked for the offences of rash driving and causing hurt by an act endangering the life or personal safety of others. Police had arrested the five accused- Deepak Khanna (26), Amit Khanna (25), Krishan (27), Mithun (26), and Manoj Mittal on January 2. Two other co-accused, Ashutosh Bhardwaj and Ankush, were earlier given bail by the court. Anjali Singh (20) was killed in the early hours of the new year day after her scooter was hit by a car, which dragged her for more than 12 kilometres from Sultanpur to Kanjhawala. India and Pakistan may finally have a formal engagement at the ministerial level after a long hiatus of almost seven-and-a-half years. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is likely to play host to his counterpart Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in Goa early next month. Zardari will visit Goa, primarily to take part in the meeting of the foreign ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on May 4 and 5. He, however, may have a bilateral meeting with Jaishankar. Jaishankar, being the host of the meeting of the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers, is likely to have bilateral meetings with each of his guests on the sideline of the conclave. Zardaris meeting with Jaishankar in Goa may be followed by a visit of Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for the SCO summit, which his counterpart in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, may host in July. Sharifs brother M Nawaz Sharifs visit to New Delhi to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in May 2014 was the last visit by a head of the government of Pakistan. Jaishankars predecessor late Sushma Swarajs meeting with her counterpart and Sharifs advisor on foreign affairs, Sartaj Aziz, in Islamabad in December 2015 was the last bilateral meeting between the top diplomats of the two nations. Azizs visit to Amritsar for a multilateral meeting on Afghanistan in December 2016 was the last by a Foreign Minister or equivalent of Pakistan to India. The complex relations between the two nations hit a new low over a series of attacks on India by terrorist organizations of Pakistan in 2016, the killing of Indias paramilitary personnel by the operatives of the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) of Pakistan and the retaliatory air-strikes by India in February 2019, as well as Pakistans opposition to Indias move to strip Jammu and Kashmir of its special status and the reorganization of the state into two union territories in August 2019. India at present holds the chair of the SCO, which was floated by Russia and China between 1996 and 2001 as a strategic counterweight to NATO led by Europe and the US. India and Pakistan formally joined the bloc in 2017. New Delhi had sent out invitations to Pakistan, China and other SCO member nations early this year to participate in the SCO conclaves leading to the summit or the meeting of the Council of the Heads of States of the blocs member-nations. That Zardari will lead the delegation from Islamabad in the SCO meeting in Goa was confirmed by Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Government of Pakistan, on Thursday. Our participation in the meeting reflects Pakistans commitment to the SCO charter and processes and the importance that Pakistan accords to the region in its foreign policy priorities, she told journalists, pointed out that Zardari had also attended the last meeting of the SCO foreign ministers in Tashkent in July 2022. Baloch underlined that the Pakistani Foreign Ministers visit to India was not a bilateral visit but a visit in SCO context. She, however, dodged questions from journalists on the possibility of a bilateral meeting between Zardari and Jaishankar, stating that further announcements would be made when decisions would be taken in the coming days. Her counterpart in New Delhi and the spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Arindam Bagchi, too did not rule out the possibility of a bilateral meeting between the two ministers on the sideline of the SCO meeting. I think it is premature. Let's see the full participation. Usually, the EAM (Jaishankar) does try to hold as many bilateral meetings as it can on the margins of such kinds of multilateral meetings, he said, citing the example of the External Affairs Minister holding bilateral meetings with all his counterparts who had come to New Delhi for the G20 Foreign Ministers' meeting on March 1 and 2 last. Rattled by the Supreme Court rejecting the review petition vis-a-vis the long-pending Maratha reservation issue, the Eknath Shinde-Devendra Fadnavis government on Friday decided to file a curative petition in the apex court and set up a new commission for a fresh survey. On Thursday, a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court dismissed a review petition filed by Maharashtra government - challenging the 5 May, 2021 judgment which declared a law which provides reservation benefits to the Maratha community taking the quota limit in the State in excess of 50 per cent, as unconstitutional. We are committed to provide reservation to the Maratha community, we will do all that is needful, Shinde told reporters after the meeting held at the Sahyadri Guest House on Friday. Also Read | No report on seats going down in Maharashtra: BJP Those present in the meeting include Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, members of the ministerial sub-committee including Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil, Ports Minister Dada Bhuse, Excise Minister Shamburaj Desai, Industries Minister Uday Samant, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Ravindra Chavan, MLC Pravin Darekar, Justice M G Gaikwad (Retd), Advocate General Birendra Saraf, Advocate Vijay Thorat and Narendra Patil, the President of Annasaheb Patil Economically Backward Development Corporation (APEDC). Shinde directed that the process of filing the curative petition should begin immediately. The comprehensive survey should include efficient, non biased organisations and they should be provided all facilities by the administration along with human resources, he said. The Marathas account for nearly 33 per cent of the total 12 crore population of Maharashtra. Of the total 52 per cent reservation in the state, SCs and STs account for 13 and 7 per cent, respectively, OBCs get 19 per cent, VJNT, Special Backward Class and Nomadic Tribes account for 13 per cent. In May 2021, when the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government was in power, the Supreme Court struck down the 2018 Maharashtra law granting reservations to Marathas in admissions to colleges and government jobs, terming it as "unconstitutional", and held there were no exceptional circumstances to breach the 50 per cent reservation cap set by the 1992 Mandal Commission verdict. In 2018, when the BJP-Shiv Sena government headed by Fadnavis was in power, the Maharashtra legislature had unanimously resolved to provide 16 per cent reservation in jobs and education. The Bombay High Court has upheld the decision, but asked the state government to ensure that the quota does not exceed 12 per cent in employment and 13 per cent in admission in educational institutions. Ally Financial Inc. (NYSE:ALLY Get Rating) shares dropped 3.6% during mid-day trading on Thursday following a dissappointing earnings announcement. The company traded as low as $26.27 and last traded at $26.45. Approximately 824,070 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 88% from the average daily volume of 7,089,152 shares. The stock had previously closed at $27.45. The financial services provider reported $0.82 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.88 by ($0.06). The company had revenue of $2.05 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.07 billion. Ally Financial had a net margin of 20.34% and a return on equity of 17.98%. The businesss revenue was down 4.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned $2.03 earnings per share. Get Ally Financial alerts: Ally Financial Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, May 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, May 1st will be paid a $0.30 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, April 28th. This represents a $1.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.55%. Ally Financials dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 24.14%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Institutional Inflows and Outflows ALLY has been the subject of a number of research reports. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on Ally Financial from $22.00 to $20.00 and set an underweight rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, January 3rd. Jefferies Financial Group cut Ally Financial from a buy rating to a hold rating and lowered their target price for the stock from $40.00 to $25.00 in a research note on Tuesday, January 10th. Citigroup lowered their target price on Ally Financial from $45.00 to $40.00 in a research note on Tuesday. Piper Sandler increased their target price on Ally Financial from $28.00 to $30.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday. Finally, Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on Ally Financial from $25.00 to $22.00 and set an underweight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 5th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $34.66. A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of ALLY. ETF Managers Group LLC raised its stake in Ally Financial by 5.2% during the third quarter. ETF Managers Group LLC now owns 15,941 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $444,000 after acquiring an additional 793 shares in the last quarter. Balentine LLC bought a new position in Ally Financial during the 4th quarter valued at $884,000. MML Investors Services LLC lifted its stake in Ally Financial by 1.5% during the 3rd quarter. MML Investors Services LLC now owns 34,741 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $967,000 after acquiring an additional 506 shares in the last quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in Ally Financial by 15.3% during the 4th quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC now owns 17,043 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $417,000 after acquiring an additional 2,260 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Korea Investment CORP increased its position in shares of Ally Financial by 90.4% during the 3rd quarter. Korea Investment CORP now owns 541,485 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $15,070,000 after purchasing an additional 257,161 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.35% of the companys stock. Ally Financial Trading Down 3.9 % The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $27.36 and a 200-day moving average price of $27.47. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.94 billion, a PE ratio of 5.31 and a beta of 1.34. The company has a current ratio of 0.89, a quick ratio of 0.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.69. Ally Financial Company Profile (Get Rating) Ally Financial, Inc engages in the provision of online banking, securities brokerage, and investment advisory services. It operates through the following segments: Automotive Finance Operations, Insurance Operations, Mortgage Finance Operations, Corporate Finance Operations, and Corporate and Other. The Automotive Finance Operations segment offers retail installment sales contracts, loans, and operating leases, offering term loans to dealers, financing dealer floor plans and other lines of credit to dealers, warehouse lines to automotive retailers, fleet financing, providing financing to companies and municipalities for the purchase or lease of vehicles, and vehicle-remarketing services. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Ally Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ally Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Sandstorm Gold Ltd. (NYSE:SAND Get Rating) Equities researchers at National Bank Financial issued their Q1 2023 earnings estimates for Sandstorm Gold in a report issued on Monday, April 17th. National Bank Financial analyst S. Nagle forecasts that the company will post earnings per share of $0.04 for the quarter. The consensus estimate for Sandstorm Golds current full-year earnings is $0.07 per share. National Bank Financial also issued estimates for Sandstorm Golds FY2023 earnings at $0.09 EPS and FY2024 earnings at $0.13 EPS. Get Sandstorm Gold alerts: SAND has been the topic of a number of other research reports. Raymond James lowered their price objective on shares of Sandstorm Gold from $9.00 to $8.75 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, February 23rd. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their price objective on shares of Sandstorm Gold from C$12.50 to C$12.25 in a research note on Thursday, February 23rd. HC Wainwright restated a buy rating and issued a $12.50 price target on shares of Sandstorm Gold in a research report on Thursday, February 23rd. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Sandstorm Gold to a sell rating in a research report on Wednesday. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada upgraded shares of Sandstorm Gold from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $6.50 price target on the stock in a research report on Thursday, March 2nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and six have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Sandstorm Gold has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $10.08. Sandstorm Gold Price Performance Hedge Funds Weigh In On Sandstorm Gold NYSE SAND opened at $5.85 on Thursday. Sandstorm Gold has a 12 month low of $4.51 and a 12 month high of $8.60. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a current ratio of 1.72 and a quick ratio of 1.72. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.75 billion, a PE ratio of 15.81 and a beta of 0.97. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $5.48 and its 200 day simple moving average is $5.37. A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Guggenheim Capital LLC boosted its stake in Sandstorm Gold by 0.9% in the 1st quarter. Guggenheim Capital LLC now owns 181,228 shares of the companys stock worth $1,464,000 after purchasing an additional 1,614 shares during the period. Barclays PLC boosted its stake in shares of Sandstorm Gold by 25.0% during the 4th quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 12,000 shares of the companys stock valued at $63,000 after buying an additional 2,400 shares during the period. Creative Planning boosted its stake in shares of Sandstorm Gold by 13.9% during the 4th quarter. Creative Planning now owns 21,380 shares of the companys stock valued at $112,000 after buying an additional 2,615 shares during the period. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Sandstorm Gold by 21.0% during the 3rd quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 16,655 shares of the companys stock valued at $86,000 after buying an additional 2,886 shares during the period. Finally, ExodusPoint Capital Management LP boosted its stake in shares of Sandstorm Gold by 6.1% during the 3rd quarter. ExodusPoint Capital Management LP now owns 50,728 shares of the companys stock valued at $262,000 after buying an additional 2,908 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 55.62% of the companys stock. Sandstorm Gold Increases Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 28th. Investors of record on Tuesday, April 18th will be paid a $0.015 dividend. This is a positive change from Sandstorm Golds previous quarterly dividend of $0.01. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, April 17th. This represents a $0.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.03%. Sandstorm Golds dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 16.22%. About Sandstorm Gold (Get Rating) Sandstorm Gold Ltd. engages in the acquisition of gold and other metals purchase agreements and royalties. It operates through the following segments: Aurizona, Black Fox, Bracemac-McLeod, Chapada, Diavik, Fruta del Norte, Hounde, Karma, Relief Canyon, Santa Elena, Vale Royalties, Yamana Silver Stream, Other, and Corporate. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Sandstorm Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Sandstorm Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Rio Tinto Group (LON:RIO Get Rating) insider Peter Cunningham sold 5 shares of Rio Tinto Group stock in a transaction dated Monday, April 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 5,586 ($69.13), for a total value of 279.30 ($345.63). Peter Cunningham also recently made the following trade(s): Get Rio Tinto Group alerts: On Thursday, February 23rd, Peter Cunningham sold 2,167 shares of Rio Tinto Group stock. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 5,922 ($73.28), for a total value of 128,329.74 ($158,804.28). Rio Tinto Group Stock Performance Shares of RIO opened at GBX 5,442 ($67.34) on Friday. The company has a market cap of 68.03 billion, a PE ratio of 883.44, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of -0.64 and a beta of 0.69. The company has a current ratio of 1.63, a quick ratio of 1.34 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 23.47. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of GBX 5,628.72 and a 200-day moving average price of GBX 5,569.80. Rio Tinto Group has a 12-month low of GBX 4,424.50 ($54.75) and a 12-month high of GBX 6,406 ($79.27). Rio Tinto Group Cuts Dividend Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades The firm also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Thursday, April 20th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 9th were given a dividend of GBX 185.35 ($2.29) per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, March 9th. This represents a dividend yield of 2.99%. Rio Tinto Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 6,607.14%. RIO has been the subject of several recent research reports. Royal Bank of Canada set a GBX 4,600 ($56.92) price objective on Rio Tinto Group in a report on Wednesday, February 22nd. Morgan Stanley lifted their price objective on Rio Tinto Group from GBX 5,790 ($71.65) to GBX 5,840 ($72.27) in a report on Thursday, March 30th. Berenberg Bank decreased their price objective on Rio Tinto Group from GBX 6,700 ($82.91) to GBX 6,600 ($81.67) in a report on Thursday, March 30th. Bank of America lifted their target price on Rio Tinto Group from GBX 6,900 ($85.39) to GBX 7,400 ($91.57) and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, January 23rd. Finally, Barclays set a GBX 5,800 ($71.77) target price on Rio Tinto Group in a report on Thursday, January 12th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of GBX 6,110.77 ($75.62). Rio Tinto Group Company Profile (Get Rating) Rio Tinto Group engages in exploring, mining, and processing mineral resources worldwide. The company offers aluminum, copper, diamonds, gold, borates, titanium dioxide, salt, iron ore, and lithium. It also owns and operates open pit and underground mines, mills, refineries, smelters, power stations, and research and service facilities. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Rio Tinto Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Rio Tinto Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Transitions from school to work must be improved for young people, Sinn Fein councillor Brian McGuigan told the County Derry Post this week. Having recently attended a Get Engineering careers event at South West Colleges Dungannon campus, Cllr McGuigan said: Over 40 engineering companies based in and strongly connected to our Mid-Ulster District Council area exhibited at the careers event. It was great to see such positive engagement, with young people and those seeking a career change, regarding modern apprenticeships and job opportunities in Mid-Ulster. While Higher Level Apprenticeships give young people the chance to earn and provide a great start to their working lives without the burden of debt that often accompanies further and higher education progression routes to employment, we need to ensure a fair transition from school to work and that we add impetus to the creation of high-quality employment opportunities for young people. Everyone has the right to inclusive education, training and lifelong learning. We must scrutinise the experiences of young people to date and formulate policies on how youth policy can be rendered more effective. Transitions occur at various stages in the life-course, including school to work. They come, however, with risks with which individuals are often reluctant to deal. Choice of career is often correspondingly risk-averse and short-sighted. That is why we must put a greater focus on investing in quality careers information and guidance for our young people. We need to ensure that careers guidance takes fully into consideration routes to meaningful, well-paid employment via the route of apprenticeships. Added to their wide range of Level 1 and Level 2 apprenticeships, South West College now offers over 30 Higher Level Apprenticeships in the fields of computer science, construction, architectural technology, civil engineering, accountancy, transport and supply chain management. Young people should just not be educated or trained for short-term labour market concerns. They must enjoy sustainable employability over the life-course. Such independence not only allows individuals to earn a decent living but is the prerequisite for navigating the digital and green transitions that society and our economy now face given the climate and energy emergency, while also giving us opportunities to help build community wealth . Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. It has been announced that one of Irelands finest and most celebrated chefs, Noel McMeel has joined the Ebrington Hotel in Derry in advance of its opening in June this year. Having spent the last 15 years as Culinary Director at Lough Erne Resort in Fermanagh, Noel is known as the King of Irish Cuisine, championing the use of fresh seasonal, hand-selected ingredients across all his menus, using only the finest locally sourced produce. Noel has cooked for royalty, politicians, and celebrities, including Barack Obama and Paul McCartney and his cuisine is considered one of the worlds best with his many awards holding testimony to that. After 20 years he has now returned to the Northwest to The Ebrington Hotel and is currently devising menus across all areas of the business including the hotels Oak Room Restaurant which has floor to ceiling windows showcasing views of the entire city. Cecil Doherty, Managing Director of the Ebrington Hotel said: "We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Chef Noel Mc Meel to our ever-increasing team at the Ebrington. "His passion for fresh locally sourced food and his vast experience in creating world class menus with teams of chefs who share the same vision is something we are so excited to see evolve across the entire hotel operation under his careful guidance. He added, Our purpose is to create a desirable, sought after destination that lifts the whole of the Northwest and which introduces our city, our cuisine and our hospitality to new people across the globe. Noel McMeel - Pictured at Roof Top Terrace at The Ebrington. Photos: Lorcan Doherty "By having the calibre of Noel Mc Meel planning our menus, hand selecting producers and creating a team, we are putting in place a location to inspire vision, drive tourism & create jobs making it a more vibrant city for everyone. Resting on the banks of the River Foyle, this landmark 93 Bedroom hotel with142 seater restaurant and separate bar & lounge sits overlooking the historic walled city in one of the most iconic locations in the city, located directly at the end of the peace bridge with views of the entire city. McMeel confirmed: This is a really exciting role to take on. Not only will there be an array of gourmet offerings at the Ebrington, but there will also be a very strong emphasis on our sustainability when it comes to great Northern Irish Food. We believe that our Food is the gateway to our heart, which connects our people and the heritage of the city. With access to the best of the North and Wild Atlantic coast, its time to leverage that positivity and allow more people to experience what we have to offer, which is some of the most incredible ingredients and artisan producers at our fingertips. He added, The hotel plans to not only source top local producers but we also want to attract top chef talent who want to be part of The Ebrington kitchens bringing something completely new but nostalgically familiar. We have started to build our team and Im now looking for Food & Beverage Managers to join us as well as Sous Chefs, Breakfast Chefs, Pastry Chefs, Chef De Parties, Commis Chefs and Kitchen Porters to join our team. This is one of those once in a life time opportunities, to be involved in something so special that we would ask any budding chefs to email their CV straightaway to careers@theebrington.com so as not to miss this amazing opportunity. Inishowen Man, Gary McDonald , Hotel Manager at The Ebrington welcomes World Class Chef Noel McMeel to The Ebrington Noel joins Donegal Man, Gary McDonald who has taken up the reins as Hotel Manager at The Ebrington after returning home after 6 years as General Manager in Dunkeld House in Scotland. The Ebrington is built within a former army barracks, dating from 1841 and is in the heart of Derry City on Ebrington Square, directly overlooking the Peace Bridge. The 93 Bedroom hotel is a blend of listed buildings and new modern architecture linking the past & the present with amazing, elevated views across the River Foyle and entire Derry landscape. Although not opening until June 23, the hotel has already been gaining large amounts of attention by the travel industry and has already made it into the Fab 50 places to stay in Ireland in 2023 by the Irish Independent newspaper. A Holyrood committee has commissioned research to track changes in EU law. The Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee has asked Lisa Claire Whitten of Queens University Belfast to carry out the work which will report twice a year. Following Brexit, the Scottish Government committed to keep pace with EU laws in devolved areas to reduce regulatory issues and allow for easier accession should Scotland ever become independent and seek membership of the bloc. Clare Adamson, the committees convener, said the research will help the committee scrutinise the Governments attempts to maintain regulatory alignment as much as possible and allow businesses to maintain awareness of changes to EU laws. The UK, including Scotland, is no longer legally required to comply with EU law, she said. But for many businesses in Scotland, being aware of EU legislation is crucial to meet the regulatory requirements of this significant export market. We have commissioned new research which will allow us, and other committees, to keep up to date with EU legislative policy developments. Delivered by @LisaClaireWhit1 from @QUBelfast who will undertake the work. Find out more: https://t.co/wnOZzdV3Ky pic.twitter.com/Pl4XRNLhYp Constitution, Europe, External Affairs & Culture (@SP_CEEAC) April 21, 2023 The Scottish Government made a commitment to keep pace with EU law, and report regularly on this. But it is our job to scrutinise the extent to which this is happening. The research announced today will aid this scrutiny and help us as we examine the instances where the Scottish Government is, and indeed is not, keeping pace. Dr Whitten described the opportunity to carry out the research as an honour. She added: Since the end of the UK transition period in January 2021, Ive been involved in a project that tracks changes in EU law that apply in Northern Ireland under the protocol/Windsor Framework. Doing so has yielded important insights into the evolving nature of, respectively, the EU and the UK legislative landscapes after Brexit. I am therefore delighted to be able to build on this work as I take forward the EU law tracker research on behalf of the Scottish Parliament. It is my intention, through this research, to help provide clarity and support scrutiny of the Scottish Government policy to alignment with EU law after Brexit. The family of a man shot dead by soldiers in Derry in 1978 have told an inquest they hope it will provide answers about his death. Patrick Duffys sister Mary Lynch told the opening day of his inquest that she wants to get closure over what happened to him before she dies. Mr Duffy, 50, was shot up to 14 times in November 1978 at a house in the Brandywell area of Derry by British soldiers. In 2019, then attorney general John Larkin directed that a fresh inquest should take place following a campaign by Mr Duffys family. The inquest is one of several legacy cases being progressed through the coroners court in Northern Ireland. Counsel for coroner Fiona Bagnall told the hearing at Derrys courthouse that one of the central aims of the inquest would be to determine whether the use of force by the soldiers was lawful and reasonable. Ian Skelt KC said the inquest would take a modular approach as disclosure had not been completed. He then gave an overview of the circumstances of Mr Duffys death. He said: This will be covered in evidence, but it appears that Mr Duffy had some link to the IRA and he has previously been described as being an auxiliary member. The barrister then described a house at Maureen Avenue, which was unoccupied. He said: It was a relatively small house with two bedrooms upstairs and a loft space. There were very few items of furniture, but one item which was there was a large wardrobe in one of the upstairs bedrooms. In that wardrobe, wrapped in what appears to have been a sleeping bag, was a cache of guns and bomb-making equipment. Also inside the house were three members of a special military unit. The three soldiers were there, it seems, to watch the weapons and other items. Mr Skelt said a decision would be made at a later point by the coroner on anonymity for the soldiers, stating he would refer to them for the time being as Soldiers A, B and C. He added: They say in their statements that they heard someone, which must be Mr Duffy, enter the house and climb the stairs. This was at about 9.20pm. It was dark within the house at this time. That person, Mr Duffy, went upstairs close to the cupboard containing the arms. Mr Skelt said the soldiers statements indicate Mr Duffy was then challenged and told not to move. He added: Soldier B describes in his statement that as he gave that warning, a man, Mr Duffy, turned to face him and as he did so he brought up his right hand. In his statement Soldier B said he thought the man was or may be armed and that his life was in danger, so he shot Mr Duffy. He said Soldier Cs statement said he then opened fire because he believed Soldier B was being fired upon. Mr Skelt said: In short, the explanation that was given at the time by the soldiers is that Mr Duffy went to where the guns and other items were stored, he was challenged, he turned to face them, raising an arm as he did that, and was shot by B and also by C because of the fear that Bs life was in danger. We do know that Mr Duffy was shot numerous times. It seems between 11 and 14 times. Mr Duffy does not appear to be armed at the time he was shot, although it may be said that he was stood close to the cache of weapons. One of the central matters for you to determine, madam coroner, is whether that use of lethal force against Mr Duffy was lawful, ie, whether it was reasonable in all of the circumstances. Barrister for the Duffy family Michael Mansfield KC read some statements to the court while other family members gave evidence in person. Mr Duffys sister Mary Lynch told the court her brother was a kind-hearted person who loved animals. She said: Patrick had time for everyone. I am distressed that after all these years, with delays, nothing has been done about Patricks death. We have no closure and no-one from the British Army has ever been held to account for his murder. I would ask you to bring this to a close for the family and then my prayers will be answered before I die. I have not many years left as I am 78 years old. Mr Duffys daughter Martina Duffy described her father as her best friend. She added: My mother died on March 23 2004, she did not receive any answers about what had happened. We, as a family, would now like all these questions answered. It is my belief that it didnt matter who was in the house. The house was under renovation, there would have been workers visiting the house. My father was not armed, it was overkill. To say I was broken-hearted the night my father was killed is an understatement, a part of me died with him. Gigabyte has added new laptops in its gaming laptops lineup from three new series, namely AORUS, AERO and G5. The lineup includes Aorus 17 BSF, Aorus 15 BKF, Aorus 15 9SF, Aorus 15 9KF, Aorus 15 9MF, Aero 14 OLED BMF, Aero 14 OLED 9MF, G5 KF, and G5 MF. Gigabyte claims the laptops are specced for high-performance gaming and heavy workloads. For instance, the laptops feature the Intel 13th Gen Core processors and the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 mobile GPU. Gigabyte Aorus specifications Aorus 17 and Aorus 15 are the portable laptops offered by this brand. It is powered by the Intel Core 13th Gen i7 H-series processors. It also has up to Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU with a TGP of 140-watt. Coming to the display, the Aorus series comes with 17.3-inch and 15.6-inch displays which offer QHD resolution along with a 240Hz refresh rate. Gigabyte Aero specifications Coming to the Aero 14 OLED, there have been various upgrades to both its build and performance. It is packed with 13th Gen Intel Core processors and Nvidia GeForce RTX 40 Series laptop GPUs. It offers a 2.8K QHD+ OLED display which also comes with Pantone tuning for precise colours. Gigabyte G5 specifications Further, the G5 series is powered by the 12th Gen Intel Core i5 processor and Nvidia GeForce RTX 40 Series mobile GPUs. It's a mid-range gaming laptop with a 144Hz refresh rate panel. These new G5 laptops are 22% smaller and lighter than their predecessors. Gigabyte also offers a WINDFORCE cooling technology in all three lineups which allows the laptops to become more efficient and silent in its cooling process. Gigabyte Aorus, Aero, and G5 Series price and availability The laptops will be available in India from May on all the leading platforms like Amazon, Flipkart and more. Here is the pricing of these laptops: For more technology news, product reviews, sci-tech features and updates, keep reading Digit.in or head to our Google News page. Though there hasn't been any formal announcement of the launch date, there are tips and leaks which have suggested the launch of three Motorola phones very soon. These smartphones include Motorola Razr Pro, Motorola Razr Lite and Motorola Edge 40. The Motorola Edge 40 first appeared on Geekbench and now has appeared on certification websites FCC and TDRA. The TDRA confirmed the marketing name of the phone and the model number. Whereas, FCC revealed that there are two models for the Motorola Edge 40. As for the upcoming foldable Motorola phones, Razr Pro and Razr Lite have been in talks for quite some time now. According to tipster Max Jambor the two foldable phones will have a global launch on June 1st in Madrid, Spain. Now let's look at the expected specifications of all the three phones. Expected specifications of the Motorola Edge 40 Where previous reports claimed MediaTek Dimensity 8020 SoC, latest leaks suggest MediaTek Dimensity 1100 SoC will be powering the Motorola Edge 40. As for security purposes the smartphone is expected to be equipped with an in-display fingerprint sensor. The Motorola Edge 40 could feature a 6.55 inch FHD+ pOLED display, with a 144Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ and 1200 nits peak brightness. The phone will have connectivity options of 5G, 4G, LTE, dual band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS. Now bringing the camera into account, the smartphone is likely to flaunt a dual lens rear camera. The expected setup includes a 50MP primary camera with OIS and f/1.5, accompanied by a 13MP ultra-wide angle lens with 120 field of view. As for the front camera, there could be a 32MP snapper. Expected specifications of the Motorola Razr Pro The Razr Pro could have a huge outer display taking up almost half of the exterior panel. This smartphone too will feature a dual lens rear camera, but rumours say that it can be an under-display camera instead of the in-trend punch-hole. Apart from this, much about the specifications haven't been revealed yet. Expected specifications of the Motorola Razr Lite The Razr Lite could also adorn a clamshell design but with a small outer display that would be enough to display notification status. As for the camera, it is said to also feature a dual rear camera placed just next to the cover display. As for the inner display, it will have a cutout for the front camera. Besides that, there haven't been any more leaks or rumours about its specifications. Now, we will have to wait for more leaks or learn details from the launch event. For more technology news, product reviews, sci-tech features and updates, keep reading Digit.in or head to our Google News page. Save my User ID and Password Some subscribers prefer to save their log-in information so they do not have to enter their User ID and Password each time they visit the site. To activate this function, check the 'Save my User ID and Password' box in the log-in section. This will save the password on the computer you're using to access the site. Note: If you choose to use the log-out feature, you will lose your saved information. This means you will be required to log-in the next time you visit our site. Always Chapter 1 I recently visited former ITRI president Chintay Shih in Hsinchu. Shih said he joined ITRI in 1973, and the next year he took part in the RCA semiconductor program. That was half a century ago. He said he worked his way up to become president of ITIR before retiring 20 years ago. And since then, he has been teaching at National Tsing Hua University (NTUH). Over the past five decades he has been focused on semiconductors in two different job positions. He must be very happy that the semiconductor industry has been thriving. For him, has that been the best career choice? He said there are many possible choices one could make in life, and he has chosen a top-down research path. In companies, it is difficult to get the chance of working in a top-down approach that gives you a comprehensive look at the entire picture. And that is ITRI's biggest advantage. He said he enjoyed working at ITRI. ITRI encourages talent mobility and shares its achievements with the industry. No one would have regrets as long as they enjoy the work assigned to them according to their expertise and personalities. Shih was an A-student. He graduated from NTU's Department of Electrical Engineering, completed his master's degree at Stanford and then a PhD at Princeton. With such credentials, he would not have had any difficulties finding a job in the US. Asked why he would come back to Taiwan, he replied, "You wouldn't need a reason to come home, would you?" I'm a generation younger than Shih. And so far in my life, I've taken two jobs. I started out as an analyst at MIC where I conducted industry research for 12 years. Then I started my own business, which marks its 25th anniversary this year. But actually I have been engaged with industry research all of my life. I understand industry research through and through. I understand why Shih feels comfortable with a life experience gained from years of devotion. I recently finished reading former AIT chairman Richard Bush's "Difficult Choices: Taiwan's Quest for Security and the Good Life." In the book, Bush says the traditional service sector in Taiwan has a lot of catching up to do. Advanced service providers offer 54% more in salary than traditional ones. In Taiwan's service sector, companies that hire more than 200 people each are mostly in finance and logistics. Big accounting and law firms are almost all foreign. How can Taiwan create a success model for its local service sector? IBM makes a very good example: it diversified from hardware to software, and then crossed into the service sector. Shih noted that he incorporates the concept of service into his teaching at NTHU. It takes time to build up a service business, and there are risks in the formative stages when the corporate culture and foundation take shape. This is challenging as far as Taiwan's business and social environments are concerned. Taiwan's "shallow plate" economy typically emphasizes quick responses to market developments, and it is a big challenge trying to establish a professional knowledge-based service business. In the early days when Taiwan's electronics firms set up factories in China, they had to invest large amounts of resources to fulfill customers' orders and shoulder enormous risks. The pressure from stakeholders forced them to give priority to profits over innovations. A business proprietor must make proper decisions in response to ongoing developments, and sometimes it's not about one's capability, but rather one's vision and courage. Shih likens life to a book, which starts from "Chapter 1." It's a blessing that one can do things they like and do them well. If you haven't gotten lost throughout the years trying to complete the basic mission you set out for, any frustrations would not be frustrations at all when your life returns to "Chapter 1." This is the same for individuals, companies, and governments. The more complex the environment, the more pressing one needs to define his or her own basic mission. I've been an industry analyst for 38 years, doing what I know and like best, and what I'm best at. Like Shih, I know what is meant by "Chapter 1." On Sunday, 23rd April, between 3pm and 4pm, the UK Government will test a new Emergency Alerts service across the UK, including Northern Ireland. People living in, or visiting, the border counties including Louth may receive a message on their phone or mobile device, followed by an audio alert and a vibration of up to ten seconds. This emergency alert will look and sound different to other types of messages such as SMS text messages. The alert will be received even if the mobile device is set to silent or do not disturb. Devices do not need to be connected to WiFi or mobile data to get the alert. There is no cause for concern and no action is needed. Vulnerable people, including victims of human trafficking and domestic abuse, may carry hidden phones for personal safety reasons. Anybody in this position who would prefer if their phone did not sound, should turn their phone off or switch it to airplane mode. Alternatively, phone users may opt out of emergency alerts (on their device), but this is advised against for peoples safety. People are encouraged to only disable emergency alerts if absolutely necessary. The Department of Justice has written to stakeholders, including domestic violence services and charities, to ensure that any vulnerable phone users who they are aware of in the border region are made aware of the alert. The UK launched a new Emergency Alerts service across Britain and Northern Ireland on Sunday, 19th March 2023. This service enables the UK Government to send a message to all mobile devices to warn of a life-threatening emergency nearby, for example extreme weather, severe flooding or a fire. This service aims to provide clear information to help keep people safe. For further information, please visit www.gov.ie/alerts VisitBlackrock.ie has been nominated for a .IE Digital Town Award in the Digital Tourism Category. The Awards promote awareness, knowledge, use and understanding of digital in Ireland by its citizens, businesses and communities. They also highlight the benefits and possibilities of digital and celebrate the digital achievements of local towns, big and small. Blackrock village decided to use digital platforms to attract visitors. This included a new website, social channels, video, e-newsletters, podcasts as well as digital maps. The website has been described as content-rich with information about events, things to do, accommodation, food and drink as well as history and heritage. We have worked hard over the last 5 years to increase the awareness of VisitBlackrock online. said PRO Jason McGee Through our website, social media channels, newsletters and blogs we have tried to increase the reach to new visitors home and abroad to come visit Blackrock and we can it is paying off. Congratulating the finalists, national director, .IE Digital Town Programme Oonagh McCutcheon said the awards celebrate the incredible work being undertaken at a local level to promote innovation and breathe new life into local communities. "The awards also afford the opportunity to recognise and show appreciation to the volunteers across the country who devote their spare time working tirelessly to enhance their local area, towns and villages and we look forward to celebrating all of our finalists at our Gala Awards ceremony in May." Chairperson of the .IE Digital Town Awards 2023 judging committee Joan Mulvihill added they were blown away by the wealth of stories and commended each and every entrant who took the time to complete an application. "The digital future looks incredibly bright when we look at adopting digital technology to solve everyday problems in towns and communities across the country." The awards offer a prize fund of 100,000 which is split across the 10 categories. Winners will be announced at a Gala Awards event on Wednesday, May 24 Ulster Banks remaining 63 branches and ATM services in the Republic of Ireland will close permanently from today - 21 April 2023, as part of its phased withdrawal from the Republic of Ireland. The Ulster Bank branches in Dundalk and Drogheda are among the nationwide closures. However, the bank says a range of customer services and supports will continue after 21 April, through telephone and online channels, to help remaining customers move and close their accounts. "Known vulnerable customers will still continue to be supported in moving to a new banking provider," the bank stated. Ulster Bank has been reducing branch services on a phased basis since its withdrawal was announced and branch transactions have seen a 99% reduction since January 2021. In a statement, the bank said less than 5% of known vulnerable customers typically use the branch network currently. In January 2023, Ulster Bank formally wrote to customers providing them with notice of the closure of its branch network, with branches ceasing transactions on 31 March 2023. After today, customers can contact Ulster Bank on 0818 210 260 or 00353 1804 7475 if calling from abroad. For customers who need additional support or may be in a vulnerable situation there is a dedicated phone line on 1800 656 001 (lines open 8am-8pm, 7 days a week) and a small field team will be in place to help known vulnerable customers who have not yet completed their account closure journey. Business customers can call Ulster Bank on 1800 818 375 or call their dedicated relationship manager for assistance with moving their accounts. Customers can also find further information on the Customer Support Hub on the Ulster Bank website. Ulster Bank Chief Executive, Jane Howard, said: "Today is a poignant day in Ulster Banks 187-year history as our remaining 63 branches in the Republic of Ireland will close their doors for the last time. While the focus in recent months has been on supporting our customers as they move to new banking providers, we know our branches and colleagues have been a central part of communities around the country for many years. I would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all of our branch colleagues over the years, particularly for their dedication over the past two challenging years, and Id also like to thank our customers for allowing us to be part of your communities. "As the closure of current and deposit accounts materially concludes, I strongly urge any remaining customer who has not yet moved their current and deposit account to act swiftly to find a new provider and move their accounts. Although our branches will no longer be open after today, we are still here to support our remaining customers". Ulster Bank says 99% of its personal current and deposit accounts are either closed, or with customers having materially wound down the level of activity in their current account to five or less transactions or left it inactive. 91% of Ulster Bank business accounts have either closed, materially wound down the level of activity in their current account to five or less transactions, or left it inactive. Those customers who continue to have an account with Ulster Bank are being urged to take action and move to a new provider that can support their banking needs. Throughout this process, Ulster Bank also reminds customers that we will never ask for passcodes or online banking details in a phone call, email or text - so be alert, as scammers and fraudsters may try to take advantage of the situation. EBRD President confirms the Banks long-term commitment to Ukraine during a visit to Kyiv Meetings with President Zelenskyy, government and business leaders EBRD has committed to invest 3 billion in Ukraine in 2022-23 and stands ready to step up for reconstruction The President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Odile Renaud-Basso, has visited Kyiv to reaffirm to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, his government and Ukraines business community the EBRDs unwavering support for the Ukrainian real economy and private sector, both in wartime and during a future reconstruction. The EBRD, Ukraines biggest institutional investor, has committed to invest 3 billion in Ukraine in 2022-23 and to play a key role in reconstruction when the time is right. The EBRDs primary focus in Ukraine is on maintaining energy and food security, restoring rail infrastructure, providing trade finance and supporting the private sector. In 2022, the Bank deployed 1.7 billion in Ukraine - totalling more than one tenth of the Banks total investments - and mobilised a further 200 million from partner financial institutions. The only institution to work at this scale, in a unique demonstration of support and solidarity for the Ukrainian people, the EBRD agreed to provide finance, half of which at its own risk. Half of its finance has come with generous support from donors and guarantors from G7, European Union, and other countries. We admire the courage and determination of the Ukrainian people and will do all in our power to maintain and expand our support to prepare for the reconstruction work to come. This comes with investments and with continued support for the reform agenda said President Renaud-Basso, who was accompanied on her trip by the EBRDs Vice President, Banking, Alain Pilloux and the Managing Director for Eastern Europe and the Caucasus, Matteo Patrone. As well as holding talks with President Zelenskyy and Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, the EBRD leader met Andriy Pyshnyy, Governor of the National Bank of Ukraine; Finance Minister Serhii Marchenko; Oleksandr Kubrakov, Deputy Prime Minister for the Restoration of Ukraine and Minister for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development; First Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko; and Vitali Klitschko, Mayor of Kyiv. In the business community, the EBRD President met bank leaders and clients. This is President Renaud-Bassos second visit to wartime Ukraine. Last October she was the first multilateral development bank leader to meet President Zelenskyy in his home capital in wartime. The EBRD has a unique role to play in this crisis. After more than 30 years of promoting economic transition in Ukraine, the Banks emergency response to the war focuses on the real economy while other international financial institutions provide budget support to the Ukrainian government. EBRD funding is also used to help refugees in neighbouring countries and to assist the municipalities hosting them. Last year, EBRD support for Ukraine included the provision of 150 million of emergency liquidity to Ukrainian Railways, a total of 520 million to the electricity company Ukrenergo, and a 500 million package for the gas company Naftogaz. By keeping the lights and heating on and the train running, this finance provided assistance to Ukraines businesses and helped maintain livelihoods, thanks to the support of Canada, the European Union, France, Germany, Norway, The Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America. The EBRD is currently expanding its support for municipal authorities around the country, lending the city of Lviv in western Ukraine 25 million in December and providing Khmelnytskyi, a city that became a home to thousands of displaced people, with 10.6 million to improve its public transport system by renewing its trolleybus fleet. The Bank is also working with the Ukrainian Railways and private investors on rehabilitating transport infrastructure in the west of the country, to improve connectivity with the European Union. On Tuesday, on an earlier leg in Warsaw of President Renaud-Bassos travels in central and eastern Europe, the EBRD signed an agreement to lend 42 million to Cersanit SA, a leading Polish ceramic tile and bathroom equipment manufacturer with a large operation in Ukraine, which is expected to play an important role in the reconstruction of infrastructure damaged by war. The remaining Ulster Bank branches in Cork and across the country that have not been taken over by Permanent TSB are to permanently shut today. In Cork, five remaining branches will close for good from today. These are: Patrick Street, Douglas, Midleton, Mallow and Bandon. Since March 31, all Ulster Bank branches across the country ceased transactional services other than transactions to support with account closure requests as the bank wound down operations in Ireland. The bank's services through An Post outlets have also ended on that date. Following the closure of the remaining Ulster Bank branches in Ireland today, Banking & Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI) in conjunction with Safeguarding Ireland are alerting customers that dedicated phone lines and supports for vulnerable customers moving bank account, as well as their carers, remain in place across all five retail banks. As we reach the final stages of the account migration process our members are continuing to work with a small number of customers who are considered to be in vulnerable circumstances. Significant customer outreach and support for these customers has been underway for some time by the exiting banks and today we are strongly urging all customers, or their carers, who feel they require additional assistance to contact their bank as soon as possible, chief executive of BPFI, Brian Hayes, said. BPFI and its member banks are acutely aware that moving bank can be a daunting experience, particularly for customers who may be in vulnerable circumstances. Frontline staff online, on the phone, or in the remaining banks branches are trained to help and we are encouraging all those customers who feel they need additional support to contact their new provider on their dedicated phoneline to discuss their individual situation. Banks understand the importance of supporting decision making for all customers, and while some cases are quite complex and may take more time, our member banks understand that each case is different and will work to ensure that customers needs are at the centre of the solution, he continued. Meanwhile, chairperson of Safeguarding Ireland Patricia Rickard-Clarke encouraged people to reach out for help if they need assistance changing bank. While some customers can navigate the steps involved in moving account with extra support from their bank, others may need the help of a trusted family member, carer or a legal representative. If you are a customer or the carer of a customer who requires additional or tailored support, the most important thing is to just pick up the phone and talk to your bank, she said. Support and information are currently available from both the exiting and remaining banks and financial institutions in addition to BPFIs site movingaccount.ie. The dedicated vulnerable customer phone lines for those who need additional support moving accounts are: AIB: 0818 227 056 Bank of Ireland: 1800 946 146 KBC Bank: 1800 804 472 Permanent TSB: 0818 818 721 Ulster Bank Ireland: 1800 656 001 CASTLEHYDE cemetery in Fermoy, the final resting place of the ancestors of Irelands first president and those of a legendary Cork rebel, will undergo a clean-up session this Saturday. The clean-up is organised by Danny Higgins, who used to oversee the FAS scheme that maintained the graveyard for 22 years, and the Castlehyde Restoration Project committee. We set up a committee of six of us there back in 2021 to try and tidy it up, Danny explained. I worked as a FAS supervisor, and the graveyard was in my charge from 1994 until 2016 when I retired, but since then its kind of gone out of control. What were trying to do is keep the grass cut down and keep it nice and tidy, and hopefully well be able to do something with the church in years to come, he added. Danny and a group of volunteers are also hoping to create a booklet that will have everyones name in alphabetical order alongside their grave number. There will be a site location map, and they will include the history of the graveyard and the graves, he explained. The clean-up will take place from 11am to 3pm on Saturday and Danny is hoping to see a number of volunteers turn out to help restore the graves and headstones to their former glory. If anybody can come, even if they just give us an hour, we just want to paint gates, tidy up, put flowers into the pots, and we will do a bit of strimming around the edges, he said. The clean-up event will give history lovers the opportunity to spruce up the final resting places of the ancestors of the first president of Ireland, Douglas Hyde, who are buried in a special crypt at the back of the graveyard. The ancestors of famous IRA leader and Corkman, Liam Lynch, are also buried in the graveyard. Castlehyde is also the final resting place of William N Rowe, a member of the Royal Irish Constabulary , fatally shot on May 2, 1916, during a police raid on the home of the Kent family at Castlelyons in Cork. Meanwhile, famous Irish-American dancer Michael Flatley, has purchased a double grave at the cemetery. Tanaiste Micheal Martin has today opened EirGrids new office on Penrose Quay, the companys first facility outside of Dublin. EirGrid, the developer and operator of Irelands electricity grid, will use the facility as a base for two strategic initiatives: the Celtic Interconnector linking Cork with France; and a key offshore grid development project. Developed by EirGrid and its French counterpart, Reseau de Transport dElectricite (RTE), the Celtic Interconnector is a 700-megawatt high-voltage submarine power cable linking Cork and the north-west coast of France. The office will also coordinate the development of Irelands first offshore electricity substations which will connect renewable energy off the south coast to the national grid. I am delighted to be here today to officially open EirGrids new Cork office, which will support the delivery of critical infrastructure across the south of the country that will play an important role in achieving the commitments set out in the Governments Climate Action Plan, Tanaiste Micheal Martin said. The Celtic Interconnector will be the first power connection between Ireland and continental Europe. It will travel 575 kilometres from East Cork to the north-west coast of Brittany and will be able to import and export enough electricity to power 450,000 homes. Construction of the interconnector is scheduled to begin next month. The delivery of offshore substations is part of EirGrids Shaping Our Offshore Energy Future programme that will mark the first step in the development of an offshore electricity grid for Ireland, a key step in ensuring that up to 80% of the countrys energy comes from renewable sources by 2030. EirGrid will construct new offshore substations as well as the cables and infrastructure linking them to the onshore grid. The substations will connect up to 900 megawatts of electricity from wind turbines delivered by private developers, producing enough electricity to power almost one million homes. Studies will be carried out into potential locations for the substations, with exact locations to be identified following consultations with the public, local communities and industries. EirGrid CEO, Mark Foley said the delivery of an offshore electricity grid is a big step in achieving Irelands climate goals. Along with providing social and economic opportunities for the region, the targeted placement of electricity substations will help to ensure that our precious offshore renewable resources can be developed in a manner that is most sensitive to the local environment and communities on the south coast. In line with todays announcement, EirGrid is now embarking on an extensive public engagement process that will seek the views of local communities, businesses and industries on how we can progress the delivery of offshore grid infrastructure in a way that takes appropriate consideration of the needs and opinions of all stakeholders, he continued. Baltimore RNLI were called out to provide a medical evacuation on Thursday evening from Sherkin Island off Baltimore, West Cork. The volunteer lifeboat crew launched their all-weather lifeboat at 8.20pm, following a request from the Irish Coast Guard to provide a medical evacuation for a child living on the island. The Baltimore all-weather lifeboat crew arrived at Sherkin Island pier at 8.25pm and transferred the casualty onboard the lifeboat. The lifeboat departed Sherkin Island and returned to the station in Baltimore arriving at 8.40pm. The casualty was then handed over to the care of HSE Ambulance crew. There were five volunteer crew onboard the lifeboat, Coxswain Aidan Bushe, Mechanic Cathal Cottrell and crew members Emma Lupton, Don ODonovan and Emma Geary. Conditions in the harbour during the call out were choppy with a south easterly force 4-5 wind. Speaking following the call out, Kate Callanan, Baltimore RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer said: If you find yourself in a medical emergency whilst on an island call 999 or 112. INDUSTRIAL union SIPTU has called on the management of healthcare manufacturer Stryker to recognise it at their Anngrove site in Carrigtwohill where a workplace incident occurred on Tuesday, requiring two men to be hospitalised. One man, aged in his early 40s, remains in a serious condition, with burns arising from the industrial incident which the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) is investigating. He was initially treated at Cork University Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery and was placed on life support, and transferred later to Dublin. Neil McGowan, Sector Organiser for SIPTU, said they wrote to the local management of Stryker this week, followed up by a letter to the companys US headquarters, but have not received any response to date. There have been three separate Labour Court recommendations concerning three of Strykers sites, but these are recommendations only, said Mr McGowan. The rulings relate to a range of issues, including health and safety. We havent had any response to the correspondence we put in this week. In the past they have said they prefer to deal directly with their employees, he said. Stryker does not recognise SIPTU at the three sites in Carrigtwohill but does recognise the union in Macroom and in Limerick. Stryker bought a medical devices firm in Macroom, where SIPTU was already active. As part of the transfer, the company was required to continue to recognise the union. RECOGNITION IN MACROOM AND LIMERICK We deal with them regularly at the Macroom site. We concluded a pay deal in Macroom earlier this year. We concluded one in Limerick last year. So there are normal industrial relations in Limerick and Macroom, and yet they refuse point blank to talk to us in the three sites in Carrigtwohill, added Mr McGowan. SIPTU would like to enter into a collective comprehensive agreement with Stryker, covering pay and terms and conditions. Obviously health and safety has been an ongoing issue with these sites since 2019. Its very much to the forefront of everybodys mind at the moment for obvious reasons, said Mr McGowan. SIPTU would prefer a collective bargaining relationship between management and staff. At present, staff members in Carrigtwohill are dealt with on a personal basis based on performance reviews. A SIPTU activist on site has been in touch with the family of the injured man, and the union extends its sympathies to him and his family, added Mr McGowan. We would be happy to support them in any way we can. SIPTU has been raising health and safety issues at the Carrigtwohill sites since 2019, and will continue to do so, he added. Separately, a spokesperson for Stryker said, the health and safety of our people is and always will be our main concern. Our thoughts are with the two people injured at our Anngrove facility and we are in communication with the families. "Our Employee Assistance Programme is available to all employees, and we have personnel onsite to support them. Operations at Anngrove resumed on Wednesday following an inspection by the HSA. We continue to work closely with the HSA as they carry out their investigations into the incident, added the spokesperson. NEWS that the iconic Debenhams store on Patrick Street is close to being sold for 12m has been welcomed. It is understood that contracts have been issued for the sale of the former Roches Stores building, which has been vacant for three years, since Debenhams shut its Cork outlets. The prime retail building, which has a footprint of 1.32 acres, came onto the market last year and attracted a number of potential suitors. However, the initial 20m price was deemed too high. Green Party councillor Dan Boyle welcomed the news of a potential sale, saying: Im happy with this news. "What many Cork people still refer to as Roches Stores building is too large and too distinctive a building to remain unused. Bringing life to it again is the best news Patrick Street, and the city, has had for a long time, he added. The contracts issued to the potential buyers are due back by the end of the month. Debenhams leased the building from 2006 until its closure in 2020. The closure resulted in the loss of hundreds of jobs, which impacted many families and led to a lengthy strike action. Debenhams workers ended their 406-day strike in May 2021. University College Cork screened the documentary 406 Days in March this year, showcasing the story of Irelands longest industrial-relations dispute. The documentary, directed by Joe Lee and produced by Fergus Dowd, won the Irish Council of Civil Liberties Human Rights Award. Global biopharmaceutical company BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. has opened the expansion of its manufacturing plant at Shanbally in Cork. The company has invested 38 million over four years to create a state-of-the-art aseptic production facility that will manufacture, package and label BioMarin therapies for global distribution. With the expansion, BioMarin will begin end-to-end manufacturing for a number of the companys commercial products and has the capacity to produce additional clinical and commercial products, including gene therapies, as the company grows its pipeline. Speaking at the on-site official opening on Friday, Greg Guyer, Ph.D., Chief Technical Officer and Executive Vice President, Technical Operations of BioMarin, said: Our wholly-owned, end-to-end manufacturing sites, including Shanbally, are critical to BioMarins global supply capabilities. This expansion positions us as a leading manufacturing operation in Ireland and will help us maintain our industry-leading production and delivery capabilities for patients around the world. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, who attended the opening on Friday afternoon, congratulated all at BioMarin on the expansion of their Cork manufacturing site which he said represents a significant advancement for biopharma in Ireland and will also be of great benefit to patients served by BioMarin products and therapies. BioMarin operates in a unique space serving those living with rare disease and I wish the company well as they continue to invest in operations in Ireland to meet the needs of the rare disease community, he said. BioMarin facility in Shanbally, Co Cork. Picture: Adrian O'Herlihy. CEO of IDA Ireland, Michael Lohan, said: Since first establishing in Cork just over 10 years ago, BioMarin has continued to innovate and invest in its Shanbally site, which remains the companys only manufacturing facility outside of the US. As a global leader in the manufacturing of treatments for rare diseases, BioMarins ongoing investment in Ireland is a welcome endorsement of the countrys position globally as a location of choice for biopharmaceuticals. The expansion announced on Friday builds on BioMarins growth over a decade of operations in Ireland and the companys 25-year history in responding to the needs of people with rare conditions across the globe and gives the companys only manufacturing site outside of the United States a fully integrated manufacturing process, from bulk drug substance to drug product to final packaging. Michael Lohan, CEO IDA Ireland; Jim Lennertz, Senior VP, Europe and Canada Commercial Operations, BioMarin; Geraldine Cregan, Executive Director and Quality Site Head, BioMarin; Mark Redmond, CEO, American Chamber of Commerce; Conor Delaney, VP, Shanbally Operations and Site Leader, BioMarin; Taoiseach Leo Varadkar TD, Eric Davis, Chief Legal Officer, BioMarin; Liz O'Mahony, Sr Director, People, Ireland, BioMarin; Minister for Finance, Michael McGrath TD, and Bruce Bickle, Senior VP, Global Manufacturing, BioMarin, are pictured at the BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. facility in Shanbally, Co. Cork. Picture: Michael O'Sullivan /OSM PHOTO BioMarin is also actively progressing with recruitment for more than 40 roles across its operations at the Shanbally site over the coming years. Site Lead and Vice President of Shanbally Manufacturing Operations of BioMarin International Limited, Conor Delaney, said: BioMarins culture revolves around a sense of community, collaboration, and a commitment to high performance. Our people are driven to discover and develop medicines that give patients, their families and caregivers hope where there was little or none. The Taoiseach said he is delighted to see Cork really thriving economically and said his Government is determined to invest in infrastructure here to make sure it continues to grow. Leo Varadkar made the comments on a visit to the offices of Cork-based rsted as it marked the investment of 700 million in wind energy in Ireland over the last two years. The global renewable energy firm has 19 operational windfarms across the island of Ireland creating 360 MW of capacity, the equivalent of powering over 234,000 homes. The company has added 40 Irish roles over the last two years, growing its workforce in Ireland to over 100, with plans to expand this number further over the next 18 months. Globally, rsted invested 5 billion in 2022, primarily driven by the construction of solar and wind assets. [Cork is] a city in which new jobs are being created and in which were seeing a huge amount of investment in new companies coming here from all over the world, he said. What I want people to know is that the government is determined to make sure that we have the infrastructural investment thats needed in Cork and in the Cork region to make sure that it can continue to grow both in terms of job creation and in terms of population. So, thats investment in roads, for example like finishing off the Dunkettle project, to investment in the Cork Metropolitan railway project which is in planning and is something were very much behind. Theres also investment in schools, hospitals, and broadband and in energy too." On energy he said: We are all deeply attuned to the importance of renewable energy in creating a sustainable future for Ireland. Companies like rsted have the scale, expertise and vision to make it happen, and to help ensure we meet our 2030 renewable energy targets. With both Irish and European energy projects being driven by the high-level team in Cork, rsted is an inspirational example of how a company can leverage the benefits of being based in Ireland to have global impact. Senior Director at rsted, TJ Hunter, said 'it has been an exciting time for rsted in Ireland' as they continue to expand their operations. Ireland already has one of the worlds highest percentages of electricity generated from wind power, with ambitious renewable targets aiming to generate 80% of our electricity from renewable sources by 2030," he said. "There is huge opportunity for growth in this sector, across onshore, offshore, solar and more. Mr Hunter said the company is committed to playing its role in ensuring Ireland becomes a world leader in renewable energy, investing in a variety of renewable energy sources to ensure reliability and independence of supply. As we continue to build our onshore renewables base, we are also actively exploring the Irish offshore market, utilising our global experience in this sector to realise the vast potential of Irelands maritime area, he said. IN November, 2009, a meeting was called for the Canon Packham Hall in Douglas, which was addressed by the Biodiversity Officer of Cork County Council, along with the City Council Engineer in charge of the city landfill restoration project, to explore opportunities for nature matters in the West Douglas / Grange / Frankfield areas. The discussion at it broadened into other matters of concern to the local community and residents organisations, and an ad hoc group was formed to organise a further meeting to discuss the issues raised, and in particular the concept of developing a Super Park for the south city and its then county environs. The following year, a meeting was held in Scoil Nioclais Frankfield, and Grange-Frankfield Partnership (GFP) was formed as an umbrella organisation for the various community and residents groups in the area. The dual objectives of GFP were to campaign for the preservation of Vernon Mount House, along with establishing connectivity from the Grange Road to the then proposed Tramore Valley Park. Subsequently, GFP wrote to the then National Roads Authority (NRA) promoting the value and benefits of our interconnection proposal. In May, 2011, the NRA responded positively, indicating that our proposal had merit, and suggesting that we pursue the issue with our local authority. In 2011, officers of GFP met County Manager Martin Riordan and proposed that he contact his counterpart in Cork City Council to consider extending the plan to create a public park at the Kinsale Road landfill site, so as to incorporate the open public land on the southern side of the N40, with a view to creating access from the Grange Road. The Manager agreed to consider our proposal and indicated that a feasibility study would be undertaken. With the assistance of four operatives provided by SECAD, we managed to clear and remove the dense undergrowth in the Vernon Mount Valley to reveal to the Council the potential behind our proposal. We realised the fruits of our endeavours in May, 2017, when the County Council, having purchased a critical land access to the Vernon Mount Valley, commenced a Part 8 planning process towards establishing the Grange Road to Tramore Valley Park pedestrian/cycleway. In respect of our other objective, the preservation of Vernon Mount House, we had seen great progress by way of forging strongly supporting alliances with the County Council, which invested 175,000 in roof repairs, and also from Director of Crawford Gallery, UC., Irish Georgian Society, U.S. Georgian Society Inc,. and significantly the directors and custodians of George Washingtons Mount Vernon in Virginia, who in fact travelled to Ireland to meet us. Tragically, in July, 2016, the destruction by fire of the great house put a brutal end to our efforts. What remains physically is iconic in its own desolate way, as the ruined structure presides prominently over Tramore Valley Park and further afield, peculiarly areas around the city and even as far as the St Lukes with addresses linked to Vernon Mount. What remains may be beyond preservation, but our City Fathers have an opportunity as well as an obligation to see that its place in Corks history, and particularly local history, is preserved in the impending naming of the bridge. Listed in many publications of Irish houses of historical and architectural importance, Vernon Mount consistently achieved plaudits for its superbly unique architecture and interior classical adornment, including artwork by Nathaniel Grogan, the internationally renowned Cork0born artist. GFP believes the significance of Vernon Mount in Corks social and industrial history merits commemoration as now presented in the construction of this major piece of public infrastructure. Naming the new connection from the Grange Road to the Tramore Valley Park as the Vernon Mount Bridge, and installing historical signage boards similar to those on the greenway path from Hartys Quay to Passage would, GFP believes, serve as a worthwhile and highly important commemoration, especially in terms of providing present and future generations with an invaluable opportunity of broadening their knowledge of local history. It is generally accepted that heritage is a keystone to our culture, and we fear failure to understand and adopt the opportunities presented in our proposal, is to consign a significant chapter of our heritage and history to oblivion. We are now asking for public participation , particularly from residents of areas who will benefit from the opportunities presented by years of our endeavours. Cork City Council has declared the bridge naming will be decided through a public nomination process. Log into consult.corkcity.ie and you will be invited to submit your proposal either online, or by printing the application and posting/delivering to : Barbara Creed, Administrative Officer, Infrastructure Development, City Hall, Cork. T12 T997. The deadline for receipt of nomination forms is 4pm on Friday, April 28, 2023. Website: vernonmountpark.ie Facebook Page- Vernon Mount Park IRELANDS alcohol bill for 1922 was 26.4 million, according to figures from the United Kingdom Alliance, the Echo reported 100 years ago today, on Saturday, April 21, 1923. This sum looks terrible for a poor country, for drink is unquestionably a luxury in so far as it is not essential in our daily lives. It is even more terrible when one considers it is twice the amount expended in 1912. But it must be borne in mind that the cost of drink is now four times what it was ten years ago. The man partial to the drop knows this right well and consumption has, in fact, decreased substantially in recent years. This may be attributed to other causes too, some of which are not matters for congratulation - unemployment, reduced wages and the decline of the tick system. Another factor, not to be overlooked, is the increased manufacture of poteen. Fortunately, the Government is taking measures to suppress this. That stuff is well calculated to drive people to insanity. We ought also mention that the figures show Ireland spent 5 17s per head while Scotland spent 6 11s and England and Wales 7 15s. But lets not take comfort by looking at those who are worse than ourselves. We are spending more on drink than is good for a small county and should work to improve ourselves. Drink court cases Henry Maylor, of Cobh, was charged in custody with the larceny of a bottle of whiskey, and appeared before Mr D.B. Sullivan B.L. The 15 shillings bottle was the property of Thomas Cronin, of Cobh. Maylor was remanded to Cobh District Sessions. Patrick Coogan, of Grattan Street, was fined 40 shillings for being drunk and disorderly. John Dillon, of Cattle Market Avenue, was fined 5 shillings for being drunk on the licensed premises of William Walsh, Shandon Street, and 10 shillings for being unlawfully on the premises during closing hours, at 1am. Big Fair at Carrigaline The fair held at Carrigaline yesterday was one of the biggest there for several years with buyers attending from all parts. Speedy sales were effected in all categories at enhanced prices. Cattle, 2 to 3 year olds, were in great demand. Sheep were in small lots but in good condition and speedily bought up. A slower trade in pigs (slips) at 1 shilling 1 pence per head lower. Castletownbere Tragedy An inquest was held at Castletownbere on the body of a man found floating in Coulagh Bay. Dr D.J. Lyne gave evidence that there were two wounds on the head suffered before deceased entered the water. Death was by drowning and the body was in the water about ten days. In reply to a juror, the doctor said the wounds could have been caused by a fall on the rocks and their position was consistent with this view. Another witness identified the body as that of Michael Curran, of Waterville, Co. Kerry. He was about 50, a poor man, and travelled about the country. Mr. G. Hegarty, Deputy Coroner, said from the evidence the only verdict that could be returned was that deceased died from drowning. There was no evidence as to how he entered the water. A verdict was found to this effect. Hurlings Greatest? James Kellehers success with his great mare Home Chat remind us of what a great hurler he was. I do not think we have seen his equal since he retired, and many consider him the Prince of Hurlers. Kelleher was not more than five feet eight, but was very well set - deep of chest, wide of shoulders, and splendidly built. He had all the qualifications of a first-class hurler. He was fleet-footed and strong. His open-air life and temperate habits gave him unusual reserve of energy and he never grew weary at the end of the hardest hour. He had a perfect hurling eye, and never missed a dropping ball whatever its speed. But it was his temperament and infinite resource which put him on a level above other hurlers. His good humour and cool, calculating skill could never be disturbed. He was as agile as a cat, and though brilliant in the open, his greatest art was in close play. He would worry his way into a struggling group and, without apparent distress, work his way out. Big Cocaine Seizure Police in Halifax, Nova Scotia, have seized cocaine to the value of $m in the mid-Atlantic. The consignment was on its way from Germany to Canada for distribution there and across the American border. Smugglers were waiting with an aeroplane at Halifax. Founded in 2005 as an Ohio-based environmental newspaper, EcoWatch is a digital platform dedicated to publishing quality, science-based content on environmental issues, causes, and solutions. After a few years of the La Nina weather pattern, which cools ocean surface temperatures and can make global temperatures feel cooler, climate models are predicting the return of El Nino. With a returning El Nino weather pattern, we can expect to feel higher temperatures so high, in fact, that experts believe Earth could hit a record average temperature in 2023 or 2024. During El Nino, winds across the Pacific Ocean, near the equator, weaken and ocean temperatures increase. Current climate models show that El Nino conditions could begin in late boreal summer, and the phenomenon could develop later in the year. El Nino is normally associated with record breaking temperatures at the global level. Whether this will happen in 2023 or 2024 is yet known, but it is, I think, more likely than not, Carlo Buontempo, director of the EUs Copernicus Climate Change Service, told Reuters. In 2016, the planet had its warmest year on record. The same year, a strong El Nino event was taking place. Even if an upcoming El Nino is relatively weak, Earth could see record high temperatures over the next year. Already this year, after the end of La Nina, ocean surface temperatures hit a record high, beating the previous record met in 2016 during El Nino. The current trajectory looks like its headed off the charts, smashing previous records, Matthew England, a climate scientist at the University of New South Wales, told The Guardian of the record-high ocean surface temperatures. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) estimates a 62% chance of an El Nino pattern happening between May and July 2023. The chances of El Nino happening before the end of 2023 increase to 85%, Axios reported. A recent analysis marked 2022 as tied for the fifth-warmest year on record, despite the La Nina event. With a probable El Nino on the horizon and the worsening impacts of climate change, climate scientists expect record-breaking temperatures this year with extreme weather events, including heat waves, flooding and droughts. If El Nino does develop, there is a good chance 2023 will be even hotter than 2016 considering the world has continued to warm as humans continue to burn fossil fuels, Friederike Otto, senior lecturer at the Grantham Institute Climate Change and Environment of Imperial College London, told Reuters. El Nino events typically last 9 months to one year, but some have lasted as many as three or four years. Typically, El Nino patterns peak in winter, causing the most noticeable impacts during this time, according to NOAA. While it remains unknown how long the next El Nino could last, it may cause global temperatures to increase around 0.1C to 0.2C, in addition to the 1.2C of existing warming (compared to pre-industrial levels). We forecast that it will be a moderate to strong event over 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit), Josef Ludescher, a scientist at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, told Deutsche Welle. Ah books the solid feel of holding one in your hands a portal into the thoughts and feelings of others. Taking it to the park or drifting off while reading before bed a friend, a confidante, a teacher. An ancient practice that takes us back to a simpler time before screens. Books even have a unique smell the smell of wonder. But books, like everything else made by humans, have a carbon footprint. A new campaign has been launched by The Society of Authors (SoA) to give authors support and ideas about how to talk with their publishers about the sustainability of their books. Called Tree to Me, the aim of the project is to help make sure authors are included in the drive to get to net zero in the publishing industry. Im hugely proud to have published a sustainable book; it is possible. But for that to be the norm rather than the exception, authors need to be able to have clear and transparent conversations with publishers about their impact on the planet. Tree to Me equips them with the starting kit to do just that, said Piers Torday, author and chair of the SoAs Sustainability Steering Committee, in a press release from SoA. Tree to Me provides 10 questions authors can pose to their publishers about the materials including paper, dust jackets, hardcovers and ink packaging and energy sources used to manufacture and distribute their books. The questions are meant to inspire discussions about sustainability and the climate crisis, in order to make supply chains greener. As an independent author using print on demand, I had no control over the paper or finishes of my book. Once I became aware of the impact of virgin paper pulp on the climate and biodiversity crises I felt I had no choice but to withdraw the paperback from sale, said Sophie Galleymore Bird, author and SoA Sustainability Steering Committee member, in the press release. Im delighted to be part of the SoAs Sustainability Steering Committee and Tree to Me and hope the changes authors ask for ensure a thriving publishing industry for generations to come. In the global effort to limit planetary warming as much as possible, each business, including publishing, has a responsibility to look at and make changes to their practices. According to the press release, publishers responses to the questions will paint a picture of their current business practices and how they plan to make them better in the future. The [Association of Authors Agents (AAA)] is delighted to support the Tree to Me campaign in endeavouring to create more effective communication on this vital subject. We know that our member agencies and their clients care deeply about sustainability, and we are also aware that the information available can feel confusing and overwhelming. We are delighted that the ten questions at the heart of this campaign will allow authors and agents to better work in partnership with their publishers towards a more sustainable future, said Claire Wilson, vice president of the AAA, in the press release. Because of their place in the industry, authors can help drive home the importance of publishers taking responsibility for the environmental impact of the books they produce. Once publishers start to make the needed changes to improve the sustainability of their books, authors can let their readers know about the improvements their publishers are making. The SoA partnered with the Booksellers Association, Publishers Association, Independent Publishers Guild, Book Industry Communications and the AAA to found the Sustainability Industry Forum. It is the first collaboration across all associations within the book industry with the specific goal of fostering open communication in order to improve transparency and accountability, share best practices and reduce repetition of efforts with the goal of helping to tackle the climate crisis. Singapore stops swine imports from Indonesia island after ASF detected Singapore has stopped imports of live swine from Pulau Bulan, Indonesia, after African swine fever was detected in a recent shipment, The Straits Times reported. The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) said the virus was detected in swine carcasses in an abattoir in the country. According to SFA, this is the first time ASF has been detected in pigs imported into Singapore. Pulau Bulan supplies about 15% of Singapore's total pork supply. This accounts for roughly two-thirds of Singapore's fresh slaughtered pork supply. The investigation at the farm in Pulau Bulan, near Batam, is still ongoing. The SFA said due to the current situation, there will be temporary disruptions in the supply of freshly slaughtered pork beginning Sunday. Meanwhile, SFA stated that it will collaborate with industry partners to increase the availability of chilled and frozen pork from other sources. Singapore imports pork from over 20 different countries, including live pigs from Sarawak in East Malaysia and chilled or frozen pork from Australia, Brazil, and other places. The SFA has urged consumers to opt for other forms of meat such as frozen or chilled pork or other protein options. SFA also said that it is collaborating with the abattoir to maintain biosecurity measures and to sanitise the premises and surrounding areas after the swine have been slaughtered. - The Straits Times So it has been a long time since we last posted comments guidelines and standards. To put it in perspective, the last time we talked comments with y'all, the iPhone 5 hadn't been released, Android fans were using Jelly Bean and Facebook had just gone public. A lot can change in the course of nearly five years, but one thing that's remained constant is our dedication to our readers. To that end, we wanted to take a minute to answer some questions, explain some features and, frankly, lay down the law when it comes to the comments section and our social channels. Pull up a chair and read on to find out what you need to know about Engadget's comments and community. Why do we have a comments section? Comments sections get a bad rap: Everyone is familiar with the adage "Don't read the comments," and that didn't become a common refrain because comments sections are full of hugs and puppies. Even so, there are some genuinely interesting conversations happening in our comments section, from personal experiences with gadgets to incredibly technical explanations of hardware, and we're often impressed by what you have to say. We have a comments section because we sincerely enjoy having a place for our readers to discuss the articles we write and our readers often provide us with insights that add to the story, shed light on new angles or help us update the facts in the post. Many of you rely on the comments for additional information and alternative opinions, all while many other publications have opted to shutter their comments sections (or just use Facebook). We've kept ours open because it's valuable to you as readers, which makes it important for us too. While the rules of internet interactions naturally vary from one website to another (and in some cases are unclear), we took the time to rethink our guidelines and have laid out a detailed policy on what does and doesn't fly here. Commenting basics: features and functions First, a few technical details. While the basics of logging in and posting a comment are largely the same as they've always been, there are a few handy features in our current system that are worth highlighting. Editing and deleting. The options to edit or delete your comment can be found in a drop-down menu; the arrow for the drop-down menu appears when you mouse over the upper-right area of your comment. (Mousing over the upper-right of someone else's comment will allow you to report that comment; more on that below.) All links require approval. This means that any comment containing a URL will be held in "pending" until it has been approved by a moderator. Moderators will refuse comments with links that are broken or that direct to spammy or inappropriate content. We know the delay in approving comments with links isn't ideal, but it helps keep a large amount of spam from getting through. Also, please don't resubmit a link over and over again; each one will still wind up in pending. Banned words. We have a list of banned words that will automatically remove a comment. No, you cannot see this list but we will tell you that it largely consists of insults, swears and name-calling-type stuff. Any comment with an f-bomb is going to get pulled (no matter how you spell it), but we're pretty lax about the other "blue" words as long as you're not swearing at somebody. Notifications. If you do not want to get an email notification when other commenters like your comment, reply to your comments or mention (@) you, you can disable all of that in your profile settings. (You can access settings by clicking your username next to the alert bell.) Commenting basics: behavior There is pretty much one golden rule here, and it's "don't be a jerk." Please, don't be rude or mean or nasty. We appreciate that you care about these topics and our stories (hey, we care too). But no matter how fired up the discussion, please be civil. Subscribe to the Engadget Deals Newsletter Great deals on consumer electronics delivered straight to your inbox, curated by Engadgets editorial team. See latest Subscribe Please enter a valid email address Please select a newsletter By subscribing, you are agreeing to Engadget's Terms and Privacy Policy. Don't jump down people's throat because they made a mistake or disagree with you. Don't be insulting. Don't call people names. 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Rest assured, we will not delete comments just because they're argumentative or because someone has a different opinion than you. For more details on why comments get deleted, see the list below. There's a problem with the article Every single writer and editor for Engadget does their best to produce stories that are clearly written, concise and informative, not to mention error free. However, every writer and editor at Engadget is also a fallible human being capable of making the occasional misstep. If you see a mistake in an article, be it a typo, an imprecise technical detail or a broken link, please do us a solid and let us know (because we'd obviously like to fix it!). You can holler at us by adding #articleerror to your comment, which will flag your comment for our moderators. 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If all you have to contribute to the conversation is how much we suck, are biased, don't deserve our jobs, can't perform our jobs, are shills and/or have been bought out by Apple/Samsung/Microsoft/Google, then don't be shocked if your comment disappears (or, in extreme cases, if you are banned altogether). We're perfectly willing to hear constructive criticism, but we are also under no obligation to let you insult us without merit. Comments that are unnecessarily political, polarizing or incendiary are at risk for removal. Please don't jump into a thread just to say things to incite other people or tick them off; that's pretty trolly (and boring). Please don't make generalizations or stereotypes to draw conclusions about another commenter (i.e., "all you millennials/liberals/Trump voters"). We reserve the right to delete comments that are off topic. 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Likewise, we're not obligated to have comments open on every article. While we strongly prefer to give the benefit of the doubt and leave comments open on all stories, there are going to be some instances where it makes more sense to leave comments closed. Our desire to leave comments open comes down to a number of factors, including the proportion of comments that have violated our rules or guidelines, how many moderators are available and how contentious the comments section has gotten on articles on similar topics. A closed comments section is not an invitation to call us names, hijack other threads or otherwise pout about it. We don't want to close comments and will only do so when absolutely necessary. Please respect that and know that the best way to make sure comments sections stay open is to treat one another respectfully and follow our guidelines. "This is just censorship and you're afraid of hearing feedback" This is a common complaint we hear when we delete comments or close comments sections. And to this we have to say: Nah, man. Let's be clear about this: Commenting on our site is not a right of law passed down to you in the Constitution, and Engadget's comments section is not an open forum where you can say whatever you please. Engadget is a news site and a business, which along with its parent company, AOL, allows commenting in order to further the discussion, engage our readers and let interested parties have a good time. Commenting here is a privilege, not a right, and if you must be nasty, well, then ... it's a big internet and you can do that on your own website. And to be frank, if we really didn't want to hear feedback from our readers, we wouldn't have a comments section at all. Banning If you create a user history of trolling, harassment or offensive behavior, or if you only visit our comments section to act like a total jerk, congratulations! You will get banned. That means your user name, email and potentially IP address will all be barred from our system and you will no longer be able to comment. What do we mean by "trolling, harassment or offensive behavior"? Hate speech of any kind is always unacceptable. If you just dropped by to say something nasty concerning someone's race, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, disability or age, don't be surprised when you find your privileges revoked. If your only purpose in life is to comment on all of our articles to tell us how much we suck and deserve to be fired, then bye, Felicia. If you can't seem to have a discussion without attacking another commenter, using insults, calling people names or cursing at someone, then you're outta here. If at any point you threaten another user or an editor with any form of physical violence or encourage them to commit acts of self-harm, you are no longer welcome here. In conclusion We know that the comments section has been through a lot of bumps and bruises over the past few years, and we're dedicated to making upgrades and changes that will improve the experience for all of our users. You can help make the comments a better place by observing our guidelines and reporting comments that show disregard for our community. We don't want Engadget to be just another site where people "don't read the comments" we want the comments to be a reason to come to Engadget. Is Googles foldable coming soon? This week, Cherlynn, Devindra and Senior Writer Sam Rutherford discuss the rumored Pixel Fold, which may debut at Google I/O next month. Also, Devindra and Sam compare the Razer Blade 16 to the Razer Blade 18, two powerful (and expensive!) gaming laptops. In other news, we dive into SpaceXs exploding Starship rocket, and the fake AI generated collab between The Weeknd and Drake. Listen below or subscribe on your podcast app of choice. If you've got suggestions or topics you'd like covered on the show, be sure to email us or drop a note in the comments! And be sure to check out our other podcasts, the Morning After and Engadget News! Topics Googles Pixel Fold is rumored to launch at Google I/O 1:25 Sam Rutherfords review of the Razer Blade 16 vs Blade 18 17:38 SpaceXs Starship launches, spontaneously disassembles (it blew up) 27:20 Montana takes a big step toward banning TikTok 33:05 Sega buys Angry Birds developer Rovio 41:52 EV News: more Tesla price cuts, Polestar 4 doesnt have a back window 46:15 This week in AI: Have you heard the AI generated Drake/Weeknd collab? 1:01:51 Around Engadget 1:11:26 Working on 1:12:39 Pop culture picks 1:14:48 Livestream Credits Hosts: Cherlynn Low and Devindra Hardawar Guest: Sam Rutherford Producer: Ben Ellman Music: Dale North and Terrence O'Brien Livestream producers: Julio Barrientos Graphic artist: Luke Brooks All products recommended by Engadget are selected by our editorial team, independent of our parent company. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. All prices are correct at the time of publishing. Twitter thinks it has a simple solution for the dust-up over the "government-funded media" label: get rid of it entirely. The social media giant has pulled both that label and the "state-affiliated" description from media accounts, including NPR, PBS and other outlets that stopped using Twitter in objection to labelling they say inaccurately portrays them as government-controlled. However, the move also applies to media sources whose content really is heavily influenced by governments, including China's Xinhua as well as Russia's RT and Sputnik. At the same time, Twitter is setting new requirements for advertisers. The Drum has learned that marketers now need to either pay $8 per month for Twitter Blue or be verified as a noteworthy organization. Any advertiser already running at least $1,000 in ads will automatically be considered verified. The requirements reflect broader verification system changes that will make for a "superior" experience, Twitter claims. Both changes come a day after Twitter acted on its months-long plan to remove legacy verification checkmarks. Now, only Blue subscribers receive a blue checkmark. Businesses can receive gold verifications, while government and multilateral organization accounts can have gray checks. Numerous previously verified stars and organizations have resisted paying for the blue tick, and Elon Musk has even acknowledged paying for Blue subscriptions for celebrities like LeBron James, Stephen King and William Shatner. Blue and the new advertiser rules are meant to reduce Twitter's dependence on conventional ad revenue and move toward subscriptions. However, memberships might be enough this year. Insider Intelligence estimates that Twitter's ad revenue will fall 27.9 percent in 2023 as advertisers leave the platform, but only a small fraction of users are subscribing to Blue. Subscribe to the Engadget Deals Newsletter Great deals on consumer electronics delivered straight to your inbox, curated by Engadgets editorial team. See latest Subscribe Please enter a valid email address Please select a newsletter By subscribing, you are agreeing to Engadget's Terms and Privacy Policy. The label changes may remove some objections, but it's not certain that media outfits will come back as a result. As with the initial Blue launch, there has also been a rash of impersonators abusing the lack of verifications. Twitter is still facing some chaos, in other words, and it won't necessarily resolve them quickly. During 200414, when the United Progressive Alliance government was in office at the union level, a whole host of legislation were introduced to meet the social welfare goals (Nilsen 2018). Some of them came into immediate effectthe Hindu Succession (Amendment) Act (HSAA), 2006 which granted coparcenary rights to daughters of Hindu landowners, at par with their brothers. Others, such as the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act (FRA), 2006 relied on the state and local authorities for effective implementation of the law. A third category of laws, such as the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RCFCE) Act, 2009 requires both the union and states to work in parallel to implement the legislation within their respective fields. The latter two categories acknowledge Indias federal structure where both the union and state governments draw legislative and executive powers from the Constitution and are considered sovereign in their own fields of legislation.1 The union government does not have the resources to be able to reach every corner of the country and relying on the state governments for effective implementation makes eminent sense. However, this has also meant that the implementation of these vital social welfare laws has been uneven across the country and in some cases, state governments have actively attempted to nullify them. In this column, I outline the challenges to the implementation of two such social welfare laws, namely the FRA and the RCFCE Act in a federal system. Both are rights-based legislations, guaranteeing the rights of children to education and the Adivasi communities to their forests. Neither of these rights are meaningful without on-ground efforts to ensure their implementation. Public schools need to be built and administered, a framework for admission to private schools for children from disadvantaged sections needs to be put in place, and forest rights need to be demarcated on the ground to be meaningful. This is in contrast to the HSAA which vested the right to property for women but required no further implementation action by the states or union to become effective. Implementation of such rights was left to the individual rights holders who had to approach courts as and when needed. The success or failure of the FRA and RCFCEA, on the other hand, therefore, depends largely on the willingness of the respective state governments to implement such a law. Unrealised Forest Rights The FRA was passed in 2006 with the intention of fully realising the rights of the Adivasis to forestsboth the material and the cultural aspect.2 Yet, in 16 years of its existence, only one state is fully implementing the law, though not completely (Barik 2022). In fact, by and large, its implementation seems to have stalled in most states across the country as large numbers of claims remain pending with the concerned state governments or have been rejected. The rejection and pendency of claims threaten not only to stymie the implementation of the act but also render the rights entirely null and void. In an ill-thought-out and hasty move, the Supreme Court ordered the eviction of unsuccessful forest rights claimants (Chandran 2019) only to have to recall its order after mass mobilisation by the Adivasi communities prompted the union government to approach the court seeking a recall (PTI 2019). For a legislation which is so wide-ranging (as it does affect the rights of hundreds of millions of Adivasis and traditional forest dwellers across the country), the implementation provision of the FRA is surprisingly bare bones. Only one section of the law (Section 6) provides for the authorities who will take a decision on whether forest rights are to be granted or not, and very little detail is provided on how a claimant is supposed to show that they are entitled to forest rights. This has meant that the states have adopted very different courses of action resulting in exclusion of the genuine claims of Adivasis (Khergamkar 2019). Minimising the Access to Education Intended to fulfil the constitutional guarantee of free education to all children between the ages of 614 years, the RCFCE Act, among other things, also required private, non-aided schools to admit at least 25% of students from the neighbourhood, belonging to disadvantaged sections of society. This one provision was challenged in court by private schools and though the Supreme Court eventually held that it would not apply to minority institutions (aided or unaided), it was still made applicable to the bulk of private schools. However, as with the FRA, implementation of the admission mandate in RCFCE has been patchy across the country (Sarin et al 2018), with some states, like Karnataka, even finding ways to almost entirely avoid enforcing this provision (Kumar 2019). While this is a key and important part of the RCFCE Act, the law itself spends very little time addressing how this provision ought to be implemented and enforced. On the other hand, the RCFCE Act goes into great detail about the infrastructural and personnel needs of schools, which while important, is absurd to fix at a national level in a country as diverse as India. While going in great depth into these matters, which are actually tangential to the core right of free and compulsory education, the RCFCE Act does not sufficiently spell out, in enough detail, how the 25% admission requirement is to be implemented and enforced. Conclusions The purpose of the column is not to say that federalism is an impediment to enabling social welfare laws or that states should have no role in realising the rights. For a country as vast and diverse as India, it cannot be another way. Rather, the problem may be in the union government assuming that a one-size-fits-all approach in the context of such legislation works. While the goals of such social welfare legislationwhether it is protection of the rights of the Adivasis to forests or ensuring the childrens access to quality educationare unexceptionable and constitutionally sound, what hinders effective implementation of these legislation might be overprescription or under-prescription. In the case of the RCFCE Act, it is clearly overprescription that has been the problem. While the inclusion of children from disadvantaged backgrounds in neighbourhood schools is certainly a necessary measure, the RCFCE Act gives little guidance on how this ought to be implemented by the state governments. This has also meant that states such as Karnataka have taken questionable routes to implement the RCFCE Acts mandate resulting in a nullifying of this right. With the FRA, it is the opposite problem. The law, while articulating the rights aspect very clearly, has little or no guidance for gram sabhas and state governments on the appropriate mechanism for the implementation of the law. States have used vastly different methodologies to grant forest rights resulting in widely different levels of forest claims being accepted or rejected, leaving many in limbo about their status. The answer does not lie in finding the perfect median between over- and under-prescriptionsuch a median possibly does not exist and is impossible to arrive at since the context of each law is different. Rather, a different approach altogether might be neededone which sees state governments as equal participants in the lawmaking process, providing crucial inputs in the design and formulation of the law. This does not necessarily need a formal mechanism such as the one adopted for the value added tax or goods and services tax. Rather, the appropriate example may come from the manner in which India held its first elections. As Ornit Shani (2017) points out, even before the Constitution came into existence, guaranteeing universal adult franchise and even before the election commission came into existence, the secretariat of the Constituent Assembly had made plans to conduct Indias first nation-wide electionsa necessary precondition for which electoral rolls were drawn up that included every single adult of India. This process was not undertaken unilaterally by the then secretariat but by reaching out to the governments of not only the various provinces but also those of the extant princely states. These inputs proved invaluable in the eventual exercise of preparing the first electoral rolls. Those officials in the provinces and the princely states who had some experience in conducting elections even during colonial rule had important insights into ensuring inclusion of everyone on the rolls. As Shani points out, officials were made aware of the problems at the local level, such as how to enrol homeless persons, how to address concerns of women who were uncomfortable with giving their names to a stranger, etc, because these were problems they had experienced first-hand before too. As important as public debate and consultation are for lawmaking, it might be just as important for the effective implementation of laws to take on board the views and concerns of state governments, prior to the law being passed in Parliament. Indian states have not been the passive recipients of ideas about social welfare from the union government but have rather taken the lead in innovating laws, schemes, and administrative measures to ensure compliance. Taking their inputs before passing social welfare laws might not only lead to better implementation, but better laws as well. Notes 1 S R Bommai v Union of India (1994), 2 SCR 644. 2 Orissa Mining Corporation v Ministry of Environment and Forests (2013), 6 SCR 881. References Barik, Syamsunder (2022): Forest Rights Act: Well Begun, and Now Odisha Is Ready for the Home Run, Hindu, 27 July, https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/forest-rights-act-well-begun-and-now-odisha-is-ready-for-the-home-run/article65690516.ece. Chandran, Rina (2019): Supreme Court Orders Eviction of More Than 1 Million Forest Dwellers, Reuters, 22 February, https://www.reuters.com/article/india-landrights-lawmaking-idINKCN1QB0GA. Khergamkar, Gajanan (2019): Spirit of Forest Law Being Quashed in Gujarat, Down to Earth, 24 April, https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/forests/spirit-of-forest-law-being-quashed-in-gujarat-64143. Kumar, Alok Prasanna (2019): Hollowing Out the Right to Education, Economic & Political Weekly, Vol 54, No 25, p 10. Nilsen, A G (2018): Indias Turn to Rights-based Legislation (20042014): A Critical Review of the Literature, Social Change, Vol 48, No 4, pp 65365, https://doi.org/10.1177/004908571880086. PTI (2019): Supreme Court Stays Its Feb 13 Order Directing Eviction of 11.8 Lakh Forest Dwellers, Press Trust of India, 28 February, https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/supreme-court-stays-its-feb-13-order-directing-eviction-of-11-8-lakh-forest-dwellers-1467541-2019-02-28 . Sarin, Ankur, Ambrish Dongre, Praveen Khanghta, Nishank Varshney, Akriti Gaur and Ajey Sengai (2018): Implementation of Section 12(1)(c) of the Right to Education Act, Economic & Political Weekly, Vol 53, No 8, p 31. Shani, Ornit (2017): How India Became Democratic, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. [All URLs viewed on 19 April 2023.] The Euro US Dollar exchange rate held steady around the 1.0980 price level into the weekend after strong PMIs eased fears of a recession in the US. This, however, remains below the important 1.1000 handle. From a technical analysis perspective, a break of this key level could allow the pair to rally to test the YTD high. In their recent analysis of the EUR/USD outlook, foreign exchange analysts at ING, Credit Agricole, and Scotiabank provide their take on where next for the EUR/USD. PMI Data Supporting ECB Rate Hike Expectations Strategists at Scotiabank suggest the Euro's resilience against the US Dollar is supported by mixed preliminary PMI data for April, which shows better-than-expected growth in the services and composite sectors. "Preliminary Eurozone PMI data for Apr were mixed; French and German manufacturing activity weakened but both Services and Composite data reflected much better-than-expected growth," says Shaun Osborne, Chief FX Strategist at Scotiabank. Osborne also notes that the Euro is heading for a net loss on the week versus the US Dollar, suggesting some technical challenges for the EUR bull run may be developing. "EUR/USD short-term technicals: Neutral," says Osborne. "EUR/USD support is 1.0905/15 on the day. Resistance is 1.0975/85," he adds. EUR/USD Stability Amid ECB Tightening Debate Analysts at ING suggest that EUR/USD will likely remain stable within the 1.09-1.10 range, as investors debate the future extent of ECB tightening. "Today sees the flash April PMI releases for the eurozone, Germany, and France. The divergence between stronger services and still weak manufacturing is expected to continue," says Chris Turner, Global Head of Markets and Regional Head of Research for UK & CEE at ING Turner also points out that the environment is not right for a benign EUR/USD rally, suggesting the pair needs more time in the 1.09-1.10 region. "Instead, it looks as though EUR/USD needs to spend some more time in the 1.09-1.10 region," says Turner. Positive and Negative Drivers Impacting Euro (EUR) Exchange Rates FX analysts at Credit Agricole acknowledge that recent EUR/USD gains may have been exaggerated and could be followed by a correction lower in the near term. However, they believe that the mix of drivers behind the currency pair would remain largely positive, allowing it to regain more ground in the next 6-12 months. On the positive side, the analysts expect repatriation flows out of the USD and back into the EUR to continue on the back of higher EGB yields and contained sovereign credit risks. "We further note that stable global energy prices and the reopening of the Chinese economy could help stem the deterioration of the Eurozone external imbalances," says Valentin Marinov, Head of G10 FX Strategy at Credit Agricole. However, he also highlights negative factors, such as the Eurozone energy crisis, which could remain a key drag on the Eurozone outlook. "Eurozone energy demand ahead of next winter could lead to fresh spikes in gas & oil prices in H223 and undermine the Eurozone's international competitiveness and external imbalances," says Marinov. "These factors are expected to fuel renewed EUR/USD weakness in 2024," he adds. Comparison of Analysts' Views on Where Next for the EUR/USD Rate While all three analysts agree that the EUR/USD exchange rate outlook is influenced by a complex interplay of factors, their emphasis on specific drivers differs. Osborne highlights the importance of the PMI data, suggesting it supports expectations of additional ECB rate hikes. Turner focuses more on the stability of the EUR/USD pair amid debates about the extent of ECB tightening, while Marinov provides a more comprehensive view of both positive and negative drivers affecting the currency pair. All three analysts acknowledge that the recent gains in the EUR/USD exchange rate may face some challenges or require further consolidation. Osborne points to technical factors as potential obstacles for the EUR bull run, whereas Turner believes the currency pair needs more time in the 1.09-1.10 range before any significant rally can occur. Marinov, on the other hand, sees a potential correction lower in the near term before the currency pair regains more ground over the next 6-12 months. In terms of economic implications, Osborne and Turner both mention the importance of PMI data, with Osborne emphasizing the better-than-expected growth in the services and composite sectors. This suggests that a strengthening Eurozone economy could support the case for additional ECB rate hikes. Turner, however, points to the divergence between stronger services and still weak manufacturing as a factor that could continue to impact the EUR/USD exchange rate. Marinov's analysis offers a broader perspective, encompassing both positive and negative factors that could influence the EUR/USD exchange rate. He highlights the repatriation flows out of the USD and back into the EUR, higher EGB yields, and contained sovereign credit risks as positive drivers. On the negative side, Marinov points to the Eurozone energy crisis, which could undermine the region's international competitiveness and external imbalances, potentially leading to renewed EUR/USD weakness in 2024. Paul Stephen/Staff file photo For longtime Fiestagoers, baptism by beer is a well-established right of passage. Few have attended a Night in Old San Antonio, or NIOSA, without at least one rowdy reveller accidentally sloshing a cup of suds or spicy preparada on their shirt or shoes. But one San Antonio business aims to provide an alternative to that boozy chaos this year with a sober party and market. Hash Vegan Eats, a South Side bar and restaurant that doesn't serve any alcohol, will host an event dubbed NAH-OSA beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 3 1 of 3 Gayle Thomas June, San Antonio Zoo Show More Show Less 2 of 3 San Antonio Zoo Show More Show Less 3 of 3 San Antonio Zoo Show More Show Less With construction underway, the San Antonio Zoo is finally providing a sneak peek of whats to come with its new and improved entrance. Design photos and a 3D video show the dramatic changes in the works for the entrance. Included with the new design is a gorilla sculpture, overhead butterfly art, quick entry points, a new gift shop and a rooftop event space. Towfiqu Barbhuiya / EyeEm/Getty Images/EyeEm An Austin-area mom received a wake up call while feeding her baby son his formula one day. Jessica Chavez shared with KXAN that she had been feeding her 8-month-old son Enfamil baby formula for weeks when she noticed something black in the powder. After a closer look, she quickly realized that the little black thing was moving. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The parents of Lina Sardar Khil, an Afghan refugee child who went missing in December 2021 when she was 3 years old, will soon take a polygraph test administered by San Antonio police. The parents agreed to take the polygraph test often referred to as a lie detector test to help detectives focus their search on other tips, Pamela Allen, CEO of Eagles Flight Advocacy and a close family friend, said Friday. A polygraph test is a measure of physiological data from three systems in the body that is analyzed by an examiner, who determines an examinee's truthfulness. READ ALSO: Experts project what Lina Khil, now 5, may look like today 14 months after going missing Lina, who survived a suicide bombing while fleeing Afghanistan, disappeared without a trace while near a playground at the Villas Del Cabo apartment on Dec. 20, 2021. Her mother was sitting at a bench watching her when Lina ran behind an apartment and never emerged from the other side. Security camera footage taken from the complex has since been released showing her at play wearing a black jacket and red outfit. San Antonio police continue to handle her disappearance as a missing persons case, but Chief William McManus has said the special victims unit is also treating it as a hybrid abduction case. They are unable to fully classify it as such without any evidence that she was taken. Jessica Phelps, Photojournalist / Jessica Phelps Throughout the search, some have accused Linas family of being involved in her disappearance. If Linas parents pass the polygraph test, it could rule them out as suspects. READ ALSO: SAPD releases video footage of Lina Khil, now 4 years old, one year after her disappearance Allen said Linas parents had rejected a police invitation to a polygraph early in the investigation because they were in a fragile mental state following their daughters disappearance. But when Fox 29 reporter Yami Virgin asked whether they would take the test if it would help clear them, Riaz Sardar Khil Linas father said yes. Since then, San Antonio police have rescheduled the test, mainly because it was difficult to find a translator who speaks the familys native language of Pashto, Allen said. Linas long absence has taken an emotional toll on the family. On the 20th of each month, Linas mother is inconsolable. Riaz has to hide her (Linas) poster because she cries and becomes inconsolable, Allen said. Her grief has overtaken her. Linas disappearance triggered an intense search by police, assisted by the FBI, as they combed every apartment and the surrounding areas for any sign of her. Family, friends and community members have joined in search parties, checking culverts, fields and area businesses. But no evidence in her disappearance has turned up, and actual tips are scarce. A Houston-based forensic sketch guru has even drawn an age-progression image of how Lina may appear today. Riaz Sardar Khil remains hopeful, even during a candlelight vigil in December 2022. No one can imagine that which we are going through, he said. We have to hold and be hopeful, but inside we are broken. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A downtown bar owner who refused a $4 million offer in hopes of getting at least twice that from the city valued his property last year at barely more than $500,000, records show. Moses Roses Hideout owner Vince Cantu estimated the bar near the Alamo was worth $527,017 while protesting its 2022 taxable valuable. Cantu is asking for $17 million after turning down a formal offer from the city that would avoid an eminent domain process through condemnation. In comments to the media, hes casually suggested he might settle for about $8 million. Records from the Bexar Appraisal District reveal Cantu filed an appraisal protest in May 2022 for his familys property at 516 E. Houston St. after its value was estimated at just over $900,000. Through his appraisal consultant, Arthur P. Veltman & Associates, Cantu claimed the property was incorrectly appraised and unequally compared to other properties. In June 2022, Cantu again through his agent entered into an informal settlement with Bexar County Appraisal District to reduce his propertys value from $908,990 to $888,000, even though Cantu had claimed a significantly lower value of $527,107, the district stated in a protest summary. Sam Owens, San Antonio Express-News / Staff photographer The downtown bar, listed under family-owned Cantu-Harwood Inc., is at the center of a dispute about how much a property can be worth now or in the future. Cantu has argued his 4,700 square-foot-bar will be worth a lot more if hes allowed to keep his business going next to the new Alamo museum and visitor center set to open in three years. But Alamo officials have said Cantus notion of his business flourishing next door to the new visitor complex isnt viable because there wont be enough room for a 4D theater, retail and event space, and a civil rights exhibit to ensure the museums long-term operational sustainability. They hope to use the property for loading and utility access rather than providing those functions within the first-floor footprint of the state-owned Woolworth Building. The city is partnering with the Alamo Trust and the Texas General Land Office to expand and improve the historic mission and battle site. The Feb. 20 offer from the city to purchase the bar for $4 million, with an option for relocation or reimbursement of any lost revenue that he can prove through documentation, is a step in the eminent domain process. Cantu has had the support of the League of United Latin American Citizens, as well as the Libertarian Party of Bexar County, which on Saturday staged a demonstration in Travis Park. He did not respond to attempts to reach him by phone and email Tuesday. Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, whose state agency oversees the mission and battle site, was the first official to question Cantus wide-ranging estimates publicly. Sam Owens, San Antonio Express-News / Staff photographer Buckingham said Cantu ironically protested his taxable value and said it was worth roughly $500,000. She maintained that the Texas General Land Office made every attempt to negotiate in good faith with Mr. Cantu to ensure he is fairly compensated while also preserving the Shrine of Texas Liberty for generations to come. Now that Texans tax dollars are at stake, he has demanded over 30 times that value, Buckingham added. In addition to offering him eight times what he stated his property is worth, we have offered to build and move him into a property across the street which he has declined. The land commissioner said shes working toward a resolution thats fair. As a strong advocate for private-property rights, I feel for anyone experiencing the threat of eminent domain, Buckingham said. As a steward of taxpayer dollars, I am working to ensure that Mr. Cantu and the Texas taxpayers are treated respectfully. Nueces County ESD 2 Two 12-year-old boys accidentally burned 200 acres of land on Padre Island after attempting to cook some meat, according to the Corpus Christi Fire Department. The boys were cooking on the dunes of the popular South Texas beach destination near Corpus Christi on Sunday when the fire happened. Fire Marshal Randy Paige said the fire took roughly 24 hours to fully extinguish. Marilyn Nieves / Getty Image An El Paso man pleaded guilty Wednesday to selling fentanyl to an undercover Castle Hills police officer, the Department of Justice said. Albert Tots Medina Jr., 37, was charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. His courier, Francisco Ortiz, pleaded guilty in December and is awaiting sentencing. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate City officials are desperate to stop two bills that would strip Texas cities' power to regulate several industries and businesses' employment practices legislation backed by the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. District 8 Councilman Manny Pelaezs frustration boiled over during a City Council meeting Thursday as he spoke directly to Martin C. Gutierrez Jr., the Hispanic Chambers director of government relations. So, Martin, I see you over there, he said. I dont think a glib, smug smile is the appropriate response to having an entire council telling the world that this is an emergency situation that is going to hurt the city and leave us with a lot of questions. Im really disappointed in you guys, the North Side councilman said. This is the wrong way to approach partnership with the city. The Hispanic Chamber, you guys are better than this and you guys should do better than this. One of the two bills House Bill 2127 passed the Texas House on Tuesday night, setting the stage for what could be a sweeping victory in Republicans years-long effort to crack down on city governments. Senate Bill 814, which is identical to HB 2127, was left pending in committee earlier this month. Under the legislation, local regulations covering business, labor, property and other areas would be limited to whats explicitly authorized in state codes. Local officials say the bill could stop the city from regulating unlicensed boarding homes, heavy commercial vehicles, hazardous waste disposal, among other industries and practices. Currently, as long as state law doesnt tell the city that it cant do something, the City Council can move forward with regulations, Assistant City Manager Jeff Coyle told council members. This flips it where we have to go up and get permission from the legislature to be able to do something instead of the authority being at home, the authority shifts up to the state, Coyle said. The bill is written broadly. If it passes the Legislature and Gov. Greg Abbott signs it, San Antonio officials dont know how many local rules would conflict with the law. Abbott has said he supports the legislation. I cant really give you a clear answer about what really is preempted because the answers are going to have to be found in the courts as people sue the city and as we litigate this over the coming years, Coyle said. Supporters say the bill would save businesses from dealing with different regulations from city to city, and ensure local officials dont overstep the powers granted to them by the Legislature. OnExpressNews.com: Texas 'Death star' bill that would block an array of local regulations clears its biggest hurdle Gutierrez said the Hispanic Chamber supports the bills because it believes that private employment practices, such as paid sick leave, should be handled at the state and federal level, not locally. Progressive groups had pushed to get paid sick leave on the November 2018 ballot. But the City Council instead passed an ordinance mandating paid sick leave, prompting San Antonio business leaders to sue the city to block it. In 2021, the Texas 4th Court of Appeals shot down city officialss efforts to implement the ordinance. Though the courts have resolved the conflict, Gutierrez said the chamber backs HB 2127 and its Senate companion bill because they would codify the courts ruling. The chamber always support bills that safeguard private employment practices, he added. But Coyle said the bottom line is that San Antonio doesnt mandate paid sick leave and it doesnt have other labor regulations on its books that businesses are worried about. So this is taking a minor issue thats really not an issue anymore and taking a sledgehammer to it and affecting everything else, he said. Not everyone on City Council is frustrated with the Hispanic Chamber over its stance. After Pelaez tore into Gutierrez, District 10 Councilman Clayton Perry rushed to his defense, telling Gutierrez from the dais that he applauds the chamber for standing up for what it believes in. State Rep. Dustin Burrows, a Lubbock Republican who authored HB 2127, said his proposal would ensure the Legislature no longer has to play Whac-A-Mole to strike down regulations one by one, as with past legislation barring cities from regulating most oil and gas drilling or forcing landlords to accept federal housing vouchers. The bill is aimed at keeping cities and counties focused on core functions like public safety and road and sewage maintenance, Burrows said, adding that liberal advocacy groups have used local officials most of whom are Democrats in large, urban areas to try to implement their vision of Texas that we have already rejected at the Capitol. For his part, Mayor Ron Nirenberg called for battling the bills. We have to get the word out to our businesses and our local residents, who expect their local problems to be solved by their elected representatives, he said. If we lose that authority to do so on their behalf, that is an affront to our democratic process. Austin Bureau reporter Jasper Scherer contributed to this report. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate PORT ISABEL After Starships engines ignited, a plume of sand and smoke billowed far above the 480-foot-tall launch tower. The cloud rolled over Boca Chica Beachs tidal flats and dunes like a volcanic eruption, but people werent watching the smoke, their eyes were fixed on the worlds largest, most powerful rocket as it lumbered skyward. From my vantage 6 miles away, there was no way to see the carnage happening on the ground. The boosters 33-engines obliterated the concrete under the launch pad, gouging out a crater and blasting rocks and wreckage hundreds of yards in all directions. Chunks of concrete smashed through a van parked 1,200 feet from the launch pad. Debris splashed into the Gulf of Mexico a quarter of a mile away. Objects pelted the wetlands around the site. And four minutes into its maiden flight, the Starship exploded 24 miles above the sea. Not long after that, flecks of dust kicked up by the launch began floating down on us. The particles coated vehicles and hung in the air. They demonstrated Starships power and perhaps some poor planning. On ExpressNews.com: In South Texas SpaceX country, big Starship impacts come with big questions about the future With Thursdays launch, science fiction collided with reality on a strip of land in the middle of a national wildlife refuge. While Starship brings much opportunity and money to the region maybe even hope for humanity the full toll on the community and environment here will take years to comprehend. Strip away the politics and egos, temper the blind faith of SpaceX founder Elon Musks fan base and work through the fear many locals have of talking candidly about SpaceX, and it becomes clear that its too early to tell if Starship launches from Boca Chica are worth the costs. Thursdays launch proved that the company needs to make some changes. The people SpaceX says it employs 1,800 people at Starbase, and Nathan Burkhart of the Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation, told me 75 to 80 percent of those employees are locals. So far, the commercial space giants presence has brought several businesses to the area, he said. Its also supercharged tourism, drawing thousands from across the globe to visit Starbase or see a launch. And direct commercial flights from Brownsville to Burbank and Orlando will start in May. SpaceXs growth has spiked area home values and property taxes. Some locals fear being priced out. In 2021, after a Starship prototype blew up and rained steel onto the wetlands, the Elon Musk Foundation donated $20 million to Cameron County Schools and $10 million to Brownsville to revitalize its downtown. However, according to Burkhart, the Musk Foundation has gone quiet since October, after its namesake purchased Twitter. Brownsvilles Texas Southmost College saw opportunities with SpaceX, said Joseph Fleishman, who leads the schools training and continuing education programs. The junior colleges foundation invested $24 million over the last three years to expand training programs, including structural welding, orbital tube welding, laser welding, pipe fitting and rigging all skills in high demand at SpaceX. On ExpressNews.com: Video: SpaceX's Starship, world's largest rocket, explodes minutes after South Texas launch So far, the school has produced 400 welders and is on track to train 1,000 annually. Fleishman sees potential for developing a direct collaboration with SpaceX as it has with other employers. The jobs and economic wins are a boon for Brownsville, which is historically one of the poorest cities in America. Many residents, though, may not have the luxury to think about how space travel might help them. Musk has said Starship will someday help humanity become multiplanetary, but in our troubled world its hard to see the potential long-term payoff. Most people are focused on taking care of basic needs, paying bills and keeping their families safe. For many, the vision of going to the moon and Mars is little more than an escape for the imagination. At the same time, the dream of space travel offers hope and inspiration. Millions of kids around the world saw Starship roar into the sky. For some, the spectacle will ignite a passion for science and exploration. On ExpressNews.com: SpaceX launch nears, and with it a new era On Wednesday, the eve of the launch, hundreds of people milled along Highway 4 and across the flats behind the launch pad. A SpaceX flag waved in the breeze and graffiti messages such as We are explorers, or To Mars and beyond, added to the mystique. Here at Starbase, people can get closer to a rocket than they ever could at Kennedy or Vandenberg. As the sun dropped toward the horizon, they looked up at Starship, snapped photos and talked about its potential. Some drew pictures, recorded YouTube videos or carved messages in the sand. Others rode horses, bikes or skateboards. A few hung out in beach chairs near vans and campers. Seeing Starship bring people together is inspirational, but less visible is how SpaceX operations have made it more difficult for locals to visit Boca Chica Beach due to frequent road closures. The place In the shadow of Starship, a black bird perches on a sign that warns people away from the Sensitive Wildlife Habitat. Behind the sign, tidal flats and sand dunes unfold toward the sea. In front is the launch facility that looks like an industrial construction site. Tankers hauling liquid oxygen, liquid nitrogen and methane roll by. Potholes litter the road where traffic has doubled over the last year. Texas politics helped land Starship near Boca Chica Beach. In 2013, the Legislature passed a bill that allowed Cameron County to approve beach closures and another that cleared space companies of civil liability from damages caused by testing, launching, reentering, or landing. Environmentalists continue to warn of the impacts of SpaceX operations on the pristine habitat thats home to multiple endangered species and serves as a waypoint for migratory birds from across the Western Hemisphere. On ExpressNews.com: 'This is not SpaceX property': Elon Musk's company looks to rename South Texas town 'Starbase' Ecologically, the Boca Chica area is really unique and immensely valuable, said local activist Jim Chapman two days before the launch. You can launch rockets from a variety of places, but you cant move Boca Chica, you cant move that area, you cant replace it. He believes the 174-page federal environmental assessment of the project was flawed in finding minimal or no significant impacts for issues such as air and water quality, noise, lighting, traffic and hazardous materials. The assessment describes how a launch will generate 212-degree temperatures up to one-third of a mile from the rocket, but theres no discussion of what impacts that level of heat is, he said. And wildlife outside of the heat plume are still vulnerable to the extreme sound and vibrations. The government required SpaceX to complete 75 environmental mitigations, but Chapman said the measures are largely vague, good intentions rather than enforceable measures. David Newstead, a scientist with the Coastal Bend Bays and Estuary Program, said SpaceX has already impacted the areas bird population. His group has found that the number of endangered piping plovers in the area have decreased since SpaceX operations began. The day before Starship launched, Newstead told me nobody really knows what the impact of the massive rocket could be, let alone repeated launches. Migrating birds from the Arctic to Patagonia pass through the area, and he said the launches are testing the link in a chain theory birds are dependent on that site, and if its functionally destroyed, then the chain is broken. As I left Starbase Wednesday evening, I spent a few minutes watching the tiny plovers feeding in shallow water a quarter mile from Starship. Nothing would warn these creatures of the chaos that would come to their habitat the next morning. The aftermath After Starship blasted off, chunks of concrete and debris littered the area. SpaceX crews began cleaning up the mess, but as of Friday morning, federal and state wildlife experts were still not allowed access to assess the damage. The biologists will look for hurt or killed wildlife, but that wont answer all the questions. And the data they collect becomes less accurate as time passes. Thursdays launch proved SpaceX must do more to protect the delicate environment its a part of. We should not hasten the destruction of our planet as we look to the heavens. After the spectacle, Im still thinking about those plovers and the lessons their plight teaches about our own species. brandon.lingle@express-news.net Its depressing how Gov. Greg Abbotts incessant push for school vouchers and privatizing public schools undermines public education and fuels distrust. Ive never witnessed an attack on public education and teachers like now, and I graduated from a poor, rural South Texas school and was a teacher during the height of the COVID pandemic. Why would our governor undermine a system that serves the majority of Texas students? Abbott recently visited St. Mary Magdalene School in San Antonio as part of his Texas tour of Parent Empowerment Nights. Because I watched the video recording on Facebook, I didnt immediately see what was happening outside the school building, where a small but mighty group of women gathered to protest, chanting Protect public schools. Inside, Abbott was undeterred. LJ Francis, a newly elected State Board of Education District 2 member from Corpus Christi who is extremely conservative, introduced Abbott, saying hes fought hard for Texas schoolchildren. But his lack of education funding and voucher fight has hurt public schools. Our governor began with a list of unfounded accusations. The kind GOP leaders so often hurl, but never prove, to criticize public education. His claims: A history teacher taught her students to disrespect the American flag. A public school no longer recites the pledge. A special needs child didnt receive help. Parents dont know what books are in their childrens libraries or what theyre getting taught. The school curriculum is getting away from reading, writing, math and science and teaching things like a woke leftist, radical agenda that gets away from the fundamentals, Abbott said. Let me tell you. Schools are for education not indoctrination. Lawful policies could make schools accountable for Abbotts concerns, if theyre true. And while Texas public schools are far from perfect, there are other ways to address flaws than providing vouchers to private schools. There are so many serious concerns, such as students afraid they will get murdered in a school mass shooting, that deserve Abbotts attention. But imagine how much worse the Texas educational experience might become if tax dollars are funneled to unaccountable private schools, many of them religious. Talk about opening the door to indoctrination. Authored by state Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, Senate Bill 8, the school voucher or education savings account bill, would provide families $8,000 in public funds for private school much less than what tuition costs. On ExpressNews.com: Editorial: Voucher plan would decimate public schools In the SB 8 Senate Committee Report, Creighton says, In recent years, many parents have become less trusting of school districts and charter schools because they do not feel as if they have been granted appropriate opportunities to direct their childrens educational experience. And who is fueling that distrust? Who has been in charge of Texas public schools for decades? Texas hasnt had a Democrat in the governors office since Ann Richards, a teacher, 28 years ago. If Texas leaders want to build trust and empower parents, they would fix schools and fund campaigns to inform parents about all the choices they have in public schools, which are more robust than ever. They would listen to Dwight Harris, a retired teacher and president of the Victoria chapter of the Texas American Federation of Teachers, one of many pro-public school advocates who have testified at the capitol. In his recent moving testimony, Harris first said he thought the committee forgot he was in the room. Then, he spoke of his experiences at all-Black schools until in 1954 when the U.S. Supreme Court desegregated public education in Brown v. Board of Education. I learned just how unbalanced and unequal those two systems were, he said. And Im fearful that we might be headed back that way. Harris said vouchers began as a way to try to circumvent school desegregation, and he ended by reading from chapter 7 of the Texas Constitution: You are to establish and make suitable provision for the support and maintenance of the efficient system of public, free education. Our states top elected leaders must not forget who is in the room. Texas classrooms ranked 44th in spending and 39th in funding in 2022. There are 5.1 million students and 320,000 teachers in the room. They are our future. Nancy.Preyor-Johnson@express-news.net Do you suppose that multibillion-dollar media corporations that are as innocent as they claim make a habit of shelling out $787.5 million to atone for things they didnt do? Me neither. No need for an acknowledgment of wrongdoing. A payout that large is implicitly an admission of guilt. Its also poetic justice. For nearly three decades, Fox News the most-watched cable news network has provided a platform for conservative pundits and hosts to preach about accountability. Often, those on the right cling to the a-word to justify opposition to amnesty for undocumented immigrants or criticism of liberal prosecutors not bringing charges against those accused of minor offenses. Through a $787.5 million settlement of a defamation lawsuit by Dominion Voting Systems, that same network is now itself being held accountable for spreading the lie that the 2020 election was stolen from President Donald Trump. Now, conservatives need to walk it like they talk it. Even so, this story is complicated for me. I dont fall easily into the role of a knee-jerk Fox News critic. For more than 15 years, I appeared on at least a dozen Fox News programs to offer analysis and commentary. Ive also written columns for the Fox News website. And I maintain friendships with some current and former Fox News producers and hosts. I believe that Fox has had a positive effect on the media landscape since its launch in 1996. You see, I consume an absurd amount of news and information every week from various sources, and Im struck by just how similar it all sounds. One of my former editors once described broadcast television journalists as birds on a wire all of them covering the same story, in the same way, with the same ideological bent. Of course, Fox News has its own bent and its own agenda. But it proves its value when it covers stories the liberal media would rather ignore, downplay or spin. Consider the story of Hunter Bidens laptop and what the information contained on it reveals about the presidents son and his business dealings with foreign entities. In the past year, there has been a lot of hand-wringing by media institutes and watchdog groups asking whether the mainstream media should have paid more attention to the story before the 2020 election. Meanwhile, its hard to find any media observer who claims that story was handled correctly. Thinking about the Dominion case, I have three takeaways. The outcome was disappointing. Like many Americans, I wanted to see this courtroom drama play out all the way to a verdict. I was looking forward to the possibility that Fox News hosts Tucker Carlson and Sean Hannity, as well as the executive chairman of News Corp., Rupert Murdoch, would have to take the stand and explain their actions. The check should have been bigger. While $787.5 million is a lot of money, lets keep in mind that Fox Corp., the parent of the cable news channel, recently reported second-quarter fiscal 2023 revenue of $4.61 billion. Thats three months, folks. Dominion sued for $1.6 billion. Awarding the full amount would have sent a louder message about the importance of getting facts right. There should be this same level of transparency every time there is a settlement in a libel or defamation lawsuit against a media company. These are private companies, but they make their fortune by commanding the attention of the public. So the public has a right to know how much mistakes are costing them. Several callers to Michael Smerconishs Sirius XM radio show on the day after the settlement accused the media of soft-pedaling stories about settlements reached by other companies. One caller cited the lawsuits that Nicholas Sandmann, then a student at Covington Catholic High School in Kentucky, filed against eight media companies. Sandmann and his parents accused them of depicting the young man as a racist troublemaker who mocked and intimidated Native American protester Nathan Phillips in front of the Lincoln Memorial in January 2019. Three of the lawsuits (against CNN, NBC Universal and the Washington Post) were settled in 2020 and 2021. The amounts were not revealed. They should have been. This is not a case of whataboutism, as Smerconish (who also hosts a show on CNN) dismissively told the caller. Its about double standards and selective outrage. The fact that some in the media are, at times, untruthful comes as news only to people in the news business. crimscribe@icloud.com The tone of Mayor Ron Nirenbergs State of the City address, delivered on April 11, was more of reflecting than projecting. It was more about what has been done during his three terms than what will be done during a fourth term. The mayor explained why, telling his audience, In previous years, I have come to this stage discussing plans and proposals for housing, transportation and workforce development. For the most part, the talking on those issues is over. This year, we are focused on implementation. Its the accumulation of accomplishments, of plans and proposals such as these during his mayoral tenure, that we recommend Nirenberg for a fourth term. Early voting for the May 6 election begins Monday. We will publish our full list of recommendations in Mondays paper, and they can be found on Expressnews.com as well. We have always dating back to his work as a District 8 city councilman been impressed with Nirenbergs vision. As a councilman he was instrumental in preserving about 1,500 acres near Bracken Cave, ensuring the protection of the summer home for more than 15 million Mexican Free-Tailed bats. He also carved out an expertise on water resources during his early years on council. It was the kind of policy expertise and political work necessary to ascend to mayor. Nirenberg has eight opponents in this race, but to call any of them serious challengers stretches and wrings all meaning out of the words serious and challengers. But our recommendation isnt in a vacuum. Nirenberg has been a significant mayor who has earned the opportunity to become the first San Antonio mayor to serve four terms since the city charter was changed, in 2009, to expand term limits from two, two-year terms to four, two-year terms. Beyond the policy-making and political navigating, which are the normal responsibilities of any mayor, Nirenberg was taxed with the rare challenge of governing during a global pandemic. While often accused of being too tentative, Nirenberg found his footing and voice and emerged as a leader. He met the challenge of the moment and never looked back. Ultimately, Nirenbergs legacy may be in the seeds he has helped sow to address San Antonios historic inequities, even if some of his policies might not bear fruit until years after he has left City Hall. Under him, City Council began applying an equity lens to all major investments. In November of 2020, he led support for a trio of ballot initiatives asking for major investments in early childhood education, public transportation, and workforce development. San Antonio voters approved all three by heavy margins. Sam Owens, Staff Photographer / San Antonio Express-News One continued the funding, for eight more years, for Pre-K 4 SA by renewing a 1/8 cent sales tax. Another 1/8 cent tax was allotted to fund Ready to Work through the end of 2025 when these sales tax dollars will be diverted to the Advanced Transportation District from which VIA Metropolitan Transit will receive half the money for improvements. He did this while committing $100 million for Edwards Aquifer protection and maintaining greenway funding through the city bond. It was a monumental expansion of city policy while maintaining two popular programs. Although Nirenberg is sensitive to criticism that Ready to Work has been a disappointment, the reality is it has has fallen short of expectations. We have concerns, although we still believe in the program, and we hope it can be recalibrated and marketed better to fulfill expectations. It falls to the mayor, though, to make this a reality. He should be on fire about the programs shaky start. Returning to the positive, in May of last year voters approved a $150 million housing bond, the first that can directly fund projects. City Council has already approved more than a dozen projects. Nirenberg can also claim credit for two accomplishments that have long eluded San Antonio mayors, the redevelopment of Alamo Plaza and expansion of the San Antonio International Airport. The latter is a $2.5 billion plan, which includes a new 850,000 square foot-terminal, which is larger than the two existing terminals combined. The new terminal is expected to open in 2028. In recommending Nirenberg in 2021, we said that he may be one of the most consequential mayors in San Antonios history. We hope that he not only uses the next two years to implement and improve what hes started, but that he is proactive and creative in addressing our citys needs and challenges. Fairfield, MT (59436) Today A mix of clouds and sun during the morning will give way to cloudy skies this afternoon. High 63F. Winds WSW at 15 to 25 mph. Higher wind gusts possible.. Tonight Windy with light rain developing after midnight. Low 39F. Winds W at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 60%. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph. Protestors in front of the U.S. Supreme Court shortly after a draft opinion was leaked that would have overturned Roe v. Wade (Robin Bravender/States Newsroom). These days Kylee Sunderlin is often the first person people will talk to about needing or wanting to terminate a pregnancy, even though shes not a nurse or doctor or a loved one. Shes a lawyer. This is Sunderlins third year overseeing a national hotline dedicated to helping people navigate legal questions around abortion in their states. Calls have been at an all-time high, she said, as have callers fear and confusion. Its just all really scary right now I can hear it in peoples voices, said Sunderlin, the legal support director for the nonprofit If/When/How. The organization is part of a nascent network of reproductive rights legal-assistance groups and law firms called the Abortion Defense Network, which formed in response to sustained legal uncertainty around abortion rights in the U.S. Theres a real sense that people are scared that if they share their pregnancy, or any information at all, that they are necessarily going to put someone else at legal risk, not just themselves. And so Im just seeing and sensing a type of isolation that I hadnt seen previously, Sunderlin said. People are navigating this alone. Its been nearly one year since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the federal right to terminate a pregnancy, followed by confusion and fear about contradictory state abortion laws and unresolved legal challenges. In this legal chaos emerged the Abortion Defense Network, which publicly launched in February and is trying to make providers and patients feel less alone. The network is a one-stop shop for patients and loved ones, and providers and practical support groups. Working together, the six reproductive rights groups in the network provide free legal advice, pro bono representation, and help paying legal expenses. We believe this is a very robust system with serious legal and practical support that we are trying to get out to the community so that people who provide and support abortion care can continue to perform their vital services, said Cassie Ehrenberg, senior counsel for pro bono initiatives for the Lawyering Project, which manages the intake calls and operations of the network. Its five partners are: the American Civil Liberties Union, the Center for Reproductive Rights, If/When/How, the National Womens Law Center, and Resources for Abortion Delivery, in addition to seven anchor law firms. The Supreme Court is once again about to make a consequential decision about medication abortion in the Texas-based Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine v. U.S. Food and Drug Administration case, one of several federal cases related to the abortion drug mifepristone. And though nobody knows whether and in what states the most common form of abortion post-Roe will remain legal and available by the end of this week, abortion rights advocates told States Newsroom they are determined to find ways to help people access safe abortion care and understand their rights. These federal rulings, particularly from the judge in Texas, its creating even more chaos and confusion for people who are seeking abortions, said Sunderlin, who along with a small team of trauma-informed attorney navigators fields calls from people of various ages, races and backgrounds from around the country. And every time this happens, we see an increase in calls. A more than 2,000% increase in abortion patient calls Sunderlin said If/When/How transformed its Repro Legal Helpline in June 2020, from an informational helpline to one where people seeking abortions could be promptly connected to legal services. More staff were hired after Roe v. Wade fell in June 2022, when the helpline saw a whopping 2,460% increase in inquiries, Sunderlin said. She noted that the helpline has been consistently receiving hundreds of calls every month since then. A lot of the questions that helpline navigators are fielding these days are about the legal risks of seeing a health provider at all, Sunderlin said, whether its just to confirm the pregnancy or to seek care for complications of a self-managed medication abortion or to seek care for a medical emergency in a wanted pregnancy. Her groups legal advice depends on each individuals circumstances, including their geography and relationships. Youre really responding to peoples legal questions, but also responding to their needs as whole humans coming to us in a really chaotic, difficult time, Sunderlin said. If theres anything we can do to help alleviate peoples fear, thats my primary goal and what Im constantly thinking about. If/When/How, which has researched abortion-related criminalization in the U.S., published a report last year showing that people who go to jail for having or assisting with an abortion were often reported to law enforcement by health care providers or family members and acquaintances. If/When/How created a legal guide with Physicians for Reproductive Health, which says patients are within their legal rights not to disclose a medication abortion to an emergency room doctor or other health care provider. The guide notes that an abortion via medication presents like a natural pregnancy loss and usually requires the same care if complications arise. Right now only Nevada and South Carolina have laws on the books criminalizing self-induced abortions, Sunderlin said, though that hasnt stopped states from charging pregnant people under various statutes. If/When/How found 61 cases between 2000 and 2020 across 26 states of people investigated or arrested for ending their own pregnancies or helping others to do so. And presently more states are floating policies to charge pregnant women who have abortions. Anti-abortion efforts to police health information and criminalize out-of-state abortion travel have only perpetuated the difficulty of accessing abortion for many Americans, especially those without the means to travel, Sunderlin said. People have taken their healthcare into their own hands throughout the course of history, Sunderlin said. [W]ith all of this chaos and confusion, that is increasingly becoming the reality for people as access becomes more and more scarce. And with this increased need for people to end their own pregnancies, for people that take their medical care into their own hands, theres a very real risk of being criminalized for doing that. Abortion providers are not going away Abortion providers, meanwhile, are scrambling to figure out how to provide care, depending on which way the Supreme Court rules on Friday in the Texas federal case, which concerns mifepristone, part of the two-drug medication abortion regimen. The high court could uphold the appeals courts decision that keeps mifepristone on the market while the lawsuit unfolds but also re-implements old, out-of-date restrictions, including shortening the timeline when people could access the drugs from 10 weeks to seven weeks gestation, and would potentially eliminate access to the generic version of the drug. Dr. Gabriela Aguilar, the regional medical director for Planned Parenthood of Greater New York, told States Newsroom that Planned Parenthood providers are determined to keep providing patients with abortion care no matter what happens. They have been planning for different scenarios that could come out of the Supreme Courts ruling and are preparing to potentially provide only misoprostol, the other drug in the regimen. Providers say this is safe and effective, but still less effective and generally more pain-inducing than the current FDA two-medication regimen, which has a two-decade-long high safety and efficacy record. Were sitting in a holding pattern right now where were trying to stay optimistic hope for the best, plan for the worst, Aguilar said. Were going to continue providing medication abortion no matter what. Aguilar said patients are very confused right now, especially when they see constant news headlines of mifepristone being banned, even though that has not yet happened. She said she worries how a sudden change to medication abortion law will impact her patients. What needs to be recognized is that mifepristone is not just used for abortion, Aguilar said. Its also used for management and treatment of miscarriages. So this entire community of people who have early pregnancy losses are being left out of the conversation and potentially put in these scenarios where theyre not going to have as effective or patient-centered experience. On a press call organized by reproductive rights groups Tuesday, public health and FDA regulatory experts expressed frustration that the legal questions about mifepristone in this case are medically baseless and will likely lead to public health harm and massive confusion among health providers and public health departments nationwide. Ushma Upadhyay, a professor and public health scientist at the University of California, San Francisco, said that if mifepristone is even temporarily taken off the market or if old out-of-date restrictions are returned, that will send the abortion provider field into a little bit of chaos. I think that was the intention of this, of these court cases in the first place, Upadhyay said. Providers will have to figure out what is the best course forward based on the state theyre in, based on their patient populations. But in all of the anxiety over what will happen next in the fight over abortion access, the Lawyering Projects Ehrenberg said shes been heartened to see the determination among providers to continue providing health care in a frightening legal landscape. What I wish other people could see is that the resolve and the commitment to continuing to bring this care forward to patients and community members is so steadfast and so strong, that it really is heartening in the midst of this, Ehrenberg said. [Providers] are looking to navigate this horrible new landscape, but they are resolved to do that. The post Abortion-rights attorneys help patients and providers navigate legal chaos appeared first on Missouri Independent. The organization in charge of setting and enforcing reliability standards for the U.S. electric grid isnt recommending new physical security requirements for thousands of electric substations following a rash of shooting attacks that have knocked out power in parts of several states. Jim Robb, CEO of the North American Electric Reliability Corp., told the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Thursday that cost was a major concern. Were not recommending a common minimum level of physical security protections at this time, Robb said, adding that NERC was aware of the vulnerability of substations and other electric transmission infrastructure, particularly in remote areas. Physical security hardening of substations can be extraordinarily expensive. For example, something as simple as a camera installation could easily run into hundreds of thousands of dollars per substation. He added that its important that the risk abated is commensurate with the capital required. Following gunfire attacks on substations last year in Moore County, N.C., Ohio, the Pacific Northwest and elsewhere, the commission tasked NERC with reviewing existing rules, which only currently apply to electric infrastructure, that, if knocked out, would pose a hazard to the broader bulk power system. The current regulation, known as the CIP-014 Reliability Standard, which came into being in 2014 after a sniper attack on a California substation, was conceived to identify those critical assets that if rendered inoperable could result in what we call the evil three, Robb said. Those are instability, uncontrolled separation and cascading outages, the successive loss of elements on the electric system that results in widespread service interruption. Many substations, like the ones targeted in Moore County, North Carolina, dont meet that threshold, but damaging them can still result in a loss of power for thousands. These recent high-profile events are deeply concerning for their sophistication and effectiveness even while noting that the customer impacts were localized, Robb said, referencing the planned neo-Nazi attack the FBI says it foiled in Maryland earlier this year. These are sobering times indeed for the electric grid. However, NERC also didnt recommend extending the applicability criteria under the existing regulations to other, less crucial substations, finding that the rule appropriately focuses limited industry resources on risks to the reliable operation of the (bulk power system) associated with physical security incidents at the most critical facilities. The organization said it would hold a technical conference with FERC to determine whether any additional substations should be included in the criteria. NERC recommends further evaluation of the appropriate combination of reliability, resiliency, and security measures that would be effective in helping to mitigate the impact of physical security attacks, the groups report says. The review did find that the language in the requirements should be refined so that owners of substations that do meet the threshold for the security standards conduct effective risk assessments. In certain instances, registered entities failed to provide sufficient technical studies or justification for study decisions resulting in noncompliance. NERC finds that the inconsistent approach to performing the risk assessment is largely due to a lack of specificity in the requirement language, the report says. FERC Chairman Willie Phillips called the report a good start and said the commission staff would work on putting together the technical conference. There is no greater priority for me and for this commission than making sure that we protect the security of our electric grid, Phillips said. A NERC spokeswoman said that while the commission cannot create a security standard or tell NERC how to write one, they do have the authority to order us to establish a new standard or modify an existing one. Robb added that NERC sets baseline standards and that utilities, working with their regulators, can invest in additional protections. The post After shootings, regulator doesnt recommend additional substation security standards appeared first on Michigan Advance. During meetings with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev or other top Soviet Union officials, President Reagan often pulled out a card from his pocket and recited the names of the countrys jailed dissidents and pressed for their freedom. The practice became such an annoyance to Soviet officials, human rights activists recall, that they often complained to Secretary of State George Schultz that Reagans constant focus on their governments human rights abuses were impeding other areas where the two countries could make diplomatic progress. Bob Fu, a prominent religious freedom activist and China critic who immigrated to the United States from China in 1996, said several Reagan aides told him about those tense exchanges as a testament to the power of directly challenging authoritarian regimes human rights abuses to spur international condemnation. I hope our president and vice president, whatever party is in the White House, would do the same as Reagan when they are meeting with China virtually or in person, Fu told a House Foreign Affairs Committee subcommittee hearing on Thursday. That way [Chinese officials] can be reminded that this is serious, this is important. Sadly, Fu said, neither the current administration or any other since Reagan have prioritized and elevated human rights abuses in such a powerful way. Instead, when it comes to China, most of Washington has spent three decades pointedly looking the other way. In late May of 1994, President Clinton abandoned a central foreign policy principle of his administration, announcing that he had decided to de-link Chinas privileged trading status from its human rights record. While Clinton acknowledged that China continued to commit serious human rights abuses, he said that broader American interests justify the policy reversal. The pivot set the U.S. and other Western countries on a more conciliatory path with China. It also paved the way for Chinas entry into the World Trade Organization, and in 2000, the U.S. granting Beijing permanent normal trade relations status, a legal designation allowing free trade between the two countries. At the time, expanding U.S. business ties to China was a bipartisan cause. Led by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, it allowed American companies to move their manufacturing operations to China to take advantage of its cheaper labor and production facilities. The premise of this policy was that if the West opened our markets to China, that the Chinese economy and society would liberalize and that [Chinese Communist Party] leaders would come to see the world as the way of the West, valuing democracy, rule of law and critically human rights, said Andrew Bremberg, who previously served as President Trumps representative of the United States to the Office of the United Nations and is now the president of the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation. We were wrong. Instead, Fu told the panel, the Communist Party has increasingly asserted far more control, and Chinese citizens are now experiencing the worst period of persecution since Mao Zedongs Cultural Revolution. Over the last few years, the U.S. has acknowledged Chinas genocide against the Uyghur Muslims, and has condemned President Xi Jinpings tightening of CCP control in Hong Kong and his war on religion and dissent of any type. Human rights advocates are now urging the U.S. government to more aggressively confront China about the startling scale of its human rights abuses and the arbitrary imprisonment of dissidents. On Thursday, Rep. Chris Smith, a New Jersey Republican and longtime human rights champion, urged President Biden to meet with Geng He and Sophie Luo, the wives of two prominent human rights defenders detained by China. The pair provided emotional testimony before a House Foreign Affairs subcommittee that morning about their husbands confrontations with the CCP and their detainments and disappearances Smith also called on China to disclose the location and legal status of some Chinese human rights attorneys who either represented religious minorities and other dissidents or led pro-democracy movements in China and have since disappeared. The two women testified that the Obama and Biden White Houses have not reached out to them about the plight of their husbands despite many attempts over several years. That has to change, Smith said, pledging to introduce legislation requiring the Biden administration to report to Congress on efforts to pressure China to free all prisoners of conscience. Gengs husband is Gao Zhisheng, a three-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee nicknamed Chinas conscience. Gao has been jailed and tortured for more than a decade with his ultimate fate whether he is alive or dead unknown to even his family. The United States must stand up to the Chinese Communist Party and make it clear that we will not ignore or trivialize these crimes, Smith said. Sophies husband, Ding Jiaxi, and another human rights attorney, Xu Zhiyong, earlier this month received sentences of more than a decade for subversion of state power. Ding and Xu are leaders of the New Citizens Movement, an initiative advocating for Chinese citizens to demand the civil rights and rule of law guarantees spelled out in the Chinese constitution, including Article 35, which states that citizens of the Peoples Republic of China shall enjoy freedom of speech, the press, assembly, association, procession and demonstration. In his memoir, A China More Just, published in the United States in 2007, Gao credits his Christian faith and its teachings on morality and compassion for his commitment to defending other religious minorities and dissidents across China. The lawyer, who was once recognized by China's Ministry of Justice as "one of the countrys 10 best lawyers," drew the CCPs ire in 2005 by sending open letters to the Chinese government on behalf of practitioners of the Falun Gong. The spiritual discipline became so widespread and popular in the 1990s that the CCP viewed it as a threat and outlawed its practice in 1999. In 2005, the CCP disbarred and shuttered his law firm. Gao escaped to northeastern China, where he was working with Falun Gong practitioners who said government security forces had tortured them. In early 2006, Amnesty International said Gao narrowly escaped an assassination attempt by Chinese secret police, then launched a hunger strike, which was joined by people in 29 Chinese provinces and supporters overseas, with several Chinese participants jailed for their participation. In August 2006, Gao disappeared while visiting his sisters family. He was officially arrested later that year, convicted of subversion, and sentenced to three years in prison, which a judge suspended and replaced with probation for five years after he confessed to several errors. But Gao recanted that confession and began to openly renounce the Communist Party while writing open letters to Congress and the European Parliament calling for a boycott of the 2008 Olympics in China. In February 2009, Gao was nabbed by Chinese security agents and was freed in 2017, but was then kidnapped again by secret agents with nothing heard from him for nearly six years. In 2009, Gaos wife and children escaped to the United States, which granted them emergency asylum. Over the years, Congress and the State Department have issued statements calling on Beijing to free Gao or disclose whether he is alive or dead, and if alive, at least allow U.S. embassy officials to visit him. I am very worried, Geng, his wife, said Thursday, struggling to hold back tears. Nearly six years have passed, and not only is there no arrest warrant, but no unit or organization has been responsible for Gaos abduction. No one has seen him, no one has heard his voice, and no one has confirmed that he is still alive in this world. Since 2012, Geng says she has asked to meet with Biden to discuss her husbands case, both during his presidency and while he served as vice president, to no avail. She also has urged Biden to press Gaos case in meetings with Xi, which she believes never occurred. Dings wife, Sophie Luo, who also escaped to the U.S. several years ago, on Thursday testified that there is no justice in China because the CCP has repeatedly violated its own Constitution and laws to silence and torture human rights lawyers and civil society activists. There is no justice or fairness involved just authoritarian rule to maintain their corrupt power, she told the panel. Luo warned U.S. companies to be wary of doing business in a lawless country without respect for international legal standards where they could be arbitrarily detained or worse. Even though tensions between Beijing and Washington are running high, the U.S. has plenty of economic levers to pressure China on human rights, advocates argue. In addition to the United States global influence, Bremberg noted that U.S. and Western investments in Chinese companies are bolstering Chinas power and enabling human rights abuses, something Washington needs to reevaluate. The impunity with which the CCP has been able to commit these crimes thus far cannot persist, he said. The Clark Fork River pictured on December 20, 2020. The Clark Fork River, which runs more than 300 miles through Montana, has been named one of Americas Most Endangered Rivers by the conservation organization American Rivers, which studies river health and produces the annual list. Its not the first time a Montana river has made the list. The Smith River was named in 2018 and 2016; the Middle Fork of the Flathead River was named to the list in 2017, and the Kootenai River made the list in 2013. The Colorado River and Snake River also made the list of most endangered rivers this year. The Clark Fork got the attention because of a large berm or waste area that lies close to the shuttered Smurfit-Stone paper mill, near Missoula. Nearly 900 acres of settling ponds are separated from the river by an unpermitted gravel berm. A catastrophic flood, such as one like the Yellowstone River flood of 2022, would likely fully inundate or collapse the berm and pull industrial pollutants into the river and downstream, American Rivers said, in a release explaining Clark Fork being named. It also said that because of toxic chemical s and heavy metals that leak into groundwater, fish in the area are considered too contaminated to safely consume. International Paper and WestRock, the owners of the site that has been shuttered since 2010, are financially responsible for the area, and conservation groups have called on the Environmental Protection Agency to put more measures in place to clean up the area. The place to start is by cleaning up approximately 140 acres of toxic soil and industrial waste in the unlined sludge ponds and landfills near the Clark Fork River, American Rivers said. The EPA has the authority through the Superfund process to order cleanup actions on part of a site to reduce immediate risks to human health and the environment while continuing to investigate pollution problems elsewhere at the site. The Montana Department of Environmental Quality pointed to yearly inspections and assessments it does at the site to make sure the berms and the land isnt posing a threat to the Clark Fork River. The last inspection was done on April 10, and the report issued by the DEQ said, No evidence of river erosion along the CFR berm was observed. No evidence of slumping, heaving, breaching, or collapsing was observed. Very little water was observed in holding ponds, no boils in ponds were observed. The state DEQ also said the chance of the berm being breached by flooding was extremely small, less than 5%, according to the data the department provided. In modeling included in the report, it listed major flooding stage at above 12 feet and river modeling done using data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows a less than 5% chance of the water even reaching 9 feet, and none approached the minor flood stage, meaning models forecast by the state and federal government dont predict major flooding approaching the levels needed to damage the berm or disrupt the site. The Clark Fork is Montanas largest river by volume, with headwaters near Butte. It captures water from 28,000 miles of creeks and streams before meeting Idahos largest natural lake, Lake Pend Oreille. The post Clark Fork River named one of the 10 most endangered rivers in America appeared first on Daily Montanan. Single mom Shinara Morrison discovered homeschooling by accident. When public schools closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, she found herself taking the lead on her childs education to fill the gap. Morrison never withdrew her son, who was 7, from the public school system. But she supplemented his online instruction with custom coursework that blended academics and life skills. Morrison had no formal training as an educator, but she had special insight as a mother. I had a little cheat sheet in my head, she says. I knew his learning style. By the time her son returned to part-time instruction on campus, he had jumped ahead of grade level. His teachers praised Morrison for her diligence, and she felt supported like she was part of a team. That changed when she moved from North Carolina to Port Arthur, Texas, in summer 2021. Morrison says her sons new school resented her involvement, and acted more like an adversary than an ally. The school withheld information about classroom activities and blocked Morrison from having lunch with her son in the cafeteria something she had done occasionally in North Carolina when her son needed emotional support. It got me worried, Morrison says. I wondered, Whats going on behind these walls? She says her son soon dreaded going to school, and his performance dropped. Morrison tried a charter school and then gave the local school district a second chance. But nothing worked. Once we stepped foot in Texas, she says, my sons education began to decline. Morrison sees homeschooling as her only option in fall 2023. The challenge is the cost. Even with the built-in economies of scale that Texas public schools enjoy, they spent more than $10,000 per pupil in 2017-2018. Texas private school tuition is about the same, although families must pay on top of taxes creating a double financial burden. Homeschooling families also pay taxes, supporting the schools they quit, while funding their own curricula and covering other costs. Morrison has one advantage. As an entrepreneur who sells wearable art, custom clothing and nail technician services, she has flexibility to work from home. But she worries about other families across the state, trapped in schools that do not meet their needs. For my kid I would do anything, Morrison says. But many families cannot afford anything different. State lawmakers have a way to help. Texas Senate Bill 8 and other proposals would authorize education savings accounts for K-12 education. Participating families could withdraw their children from public schools and receive up to $8,000 to offset private and homeschool costs. Priority placement would go to applicants from low-performing schools. Taxpayers would not see a difference. The proposed education savings accounts would rely on existing general revenue funds and donations, and not funding dedicated to public schools. The only change would be a shift in power toward Texas parents. Teachers unions, which currently enjoy a monopoly on public education, would lose their captive audiences primarily working-class families too poor to opt out of the system. Predictably, teachers unions hate the idea. They raise concerns about the use of public funds for private schools including parochial schools at the expense of public schools. This is an attack on public education, says Noel Candelaria, former president of the Texas State Teachers Association. The opposite is true. Increased competition would improve public education the same way competition improves sports, science and business. Competition on a level playing field keeps everyone sharp and drives innovation. Competition also drives accountability. Critics complain that education savings accounts would funnel cash to private schools without rigorous government oversight. Yet no government official would direct the money to any private institution. Parents would call the shots. If they are unhappy with the service they receive, they can walk away. This is the highest form of accountability: Real costs for low performance. Florida, Arizona and 10 other states already have adopted education savings accounts with good results. And a majority of states empower parents with other forms of educational choice programs. Now Texas has a chance to join the movement. The ultimate winners would be schoolchildren like Morrisons son. Arif Panju is a managing attorney at the Institute for Justice in Austin. Daryl James is an Institute for Justice write in Arlington, Va. The U.S. has sent $113.4 billion in aid to Ukraine to fight off Russia since February 2022. Aid that needs robust oversight. Unfortunately, instead of a centralized and streamlined approach, Congress has appropriated $42 million across three federal agencies the Defense Department, State Department, and U.S. Agency for International Development to attempt to monitor Ukraine aid. The DOD has appropriated $62.3 billion in aid to Ukraine, and the State Department and USAID appropriated a combined $46 billion. Ten other executive agencies made up the other $5 billion in funding. Because of this fractured approach to distributing the aid, the oversight of the aid is fractured as well. Instead of a central body keeping track of all of these expenditures, each agencys respective inspector general is responsible for oversight of these funds. In total, the inspectors general at these agencies have received an extra $42 million to help them monitor Ukraine aid expenditures. Splitting oversight into separate verticals makes it more difficult to evaluate their oversight and fully understand how well or poorly our money is being used. Some Republicans in Congress, like Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), have advocated for a special inspector general tasked exclusively with overseeing Ukraine aid. While this would have been wise, Congress never approved it. Its important that these inspectors general collaborate with each other to ensure the American people have a full understanding of how their money is being spent. The #WasteOfTheDay is brought to you by the forensic auditors at OpenTheBooks.com MLAWULA Government has approved E60 million for a fencing project of 120km perimeter, that will cover an area of 80 000 hectares at the Big Five National Park. Yesterday, Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs Moses Vilakati, together with his counterpart at Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Thuli Dladla-led diplomats from various countries on a field visit at the Hlane Royal National Park and Mlawula Nature Reserve, to get first-hand information on the Big Five project. The Big Five animals are elephant, lion, buffalo, leopard and rhino. The diplomats who honoured the tour were Earl Miller (United States of America), Brahma Jagabattuni (India), Dessislava Choumelova (European Union), Jeremy Liang (Taiwan), Carlos Lopes (Portugal) and Jeremiah Mendes (International Organisation for Migration). Gracing Also gracing the tour were KaLanga Umphakatsi Chief Jozane Maziya, government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo and the Eswatini National Trust Commission (ENTC) Board, together with senior staff members. The tour was concluded with a hike to the Khabane Cave, which is a three-kilometre walk from the main road. According to Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ENTC Thulani Methula, the fencing of the merged Mlawula Nature Reserve, Hlane Royal National Park and Mbuluzi Game Reserve, would commence soon. The Acting CEO said it would costs E10 million to fence a distance of 20km. Government has already approved the budget to undertake the project. There is no foreseen relocation of families from the communities closer to this project, he said. Methula further unpacked the project to the diplomats and emphasised that there were communities closer to it that had been engaged to be educated about the importance of nature conservation. Minister of Tourism Vilakati said this project was in line with the Kings vision of promoting tourism in the country as well as creating job opportunities for emaSwati. Worth mentioning is that a study undertaken by the World Bank indicated that about 947 000 tourists visited Eswatini in 2021. Vilakati said government had envisaged the need to promote tourism and nature conservation as the heartbeat of economic development. The minister said the development of the Big Five National Park would also reap positive rewards in the construction of five-star accommodation for the tourists. He said inviting the diplomats to be part of the tour was a means to ensure that they marketed the countrys tourism sector to their respective countries. Vision We are so happy that the Kings vision of seeing emaSwati reaping positive results through tourism will be realised through this project. Here at Mlawula, we have about 350 species of birds and ironwood, a tree that is used to build a railway line and there are a number of indigenous trees which we have to conserve for tourists and future generations of the country, he said. The minister further stated that communities like Shewula and Mhlumeni, including the Lubombo Regional Administrator (RA) Themba Msibi and chiefs, had been sensitised about the project. However, he said, they had noted the growth in the population of wildlife, hence he described the project as a mini Kruger National Park, considering the enormous perimeter it would cover upon completion. In her remarks, Minister Dladla said this project was part of the commemoration of His Majesty King Mswati IIIs birthday, as it was key in improving and developing the lives of emaSwati in creating job opportunities and contributing towards economic growth of the country. We organised this event to sell our country to our diplomatic partners, hence our ambassadors will also be required to do the same at their posted countries. Nature conservation is essential as we are third in the whole world when it comes to nature conservation. We hope the formation of the Big Five National Park would reap positive fruits for the country, she said. KaLanga Umphakatsi Chief Jozane said emaSwati should thank the King for his dream of bringing investment opportunities closer to them as this project would create job opportunities for emaSwati. The chief said he had engaged ENTC officials and invited them to conduct educational exercise about the project so that his subjects were enlightened about its importance and their expectations. Improve He said the project was aimed at improving the value of emaSwatis life as they would benefit through selling their handicraft and also other products to tourists. I have invited the ENTC officials to educate my subjects about the importance of wildlife and conservation and to sensitise them about poaching. I would like to thank the King for this gigantic project as it comes at the right time to address the issue of unemployment at rural areas. People of KaLanga should come up with ideas that will ensure that they generate income through this project, he said. Portugal Consul Carlos Lopes described this project as the first-of-its-kind to be experienced in the Southern African Development Community (SADC), on the basis that it would cover a huge area of nature and wildlife. This is a fantastic project and we have experienced nature and wildlife today (yesterday) and we will market Eswatini to our countries so that they can come and experience the beauty of nature and wildlife of Eswatini, he said. A new initiative seeks to encourage agriculture and horticulture businesses to increase work experience opportunities for people from outside the industry. A lack of quality work experience opportunities is one of the barriers young people face when considering a career in the farming industry, especially when they are not from a farming background. Industry groups such as the AHDB, the Institute for Agriculture and Horticulture (TIAH) and the NFU are working together to address this. During next week's National Work Experience Week, their new social media campaign will raise farmers and growers awareness of providing work experience. Further work will take place during this year to seek feedback from employers to identify the common barriers to offering work experience and develop materials to support more farmers and growers. The groups' efforts are part of a wider cross industry action plan co-ordinated by TIAH, and supported through the cross industry working group, to attract more people into farming careers. Richard Longthorp, a Yorkshire farmer and TIAH Board member, said the agriculture and horticulture industry needed to attract new talent. He said: "Research shows that we must make closer connections with people from outside the industry by providing first-hand experience of the range of opportunities available. "There are already great initiatives promoting careers but there is not only a gap when it comes to giving people the chance to really understand what these jobs involve, there is also more opportunity for the different organisations to work together." He said there were valid reasons why farmers may be hesitant to offer work experience, such as having no time or staff to support someone, concerns about health and safety or worry about having someone inexperienced on farm. "Offering work experience provides farmers an ideal opportunity to showcase our individual businesses and our industry," Mr Longthorp added. "Working together as an industry we have a greater chance of breaking down barriers and supporting businesses to provide a quality experience for potential recruits. Gaynor Wellwood and her husband Kieran are dairy farmers in Saltby, Leicestershire who have a long-term commitment to offering work experience to agricultural students on their farm. We began to support work experience students on our farm because we wanted to inspire the next generation of farmers and vets," Ms Wellwood said. "We have two students on the unit at any one time. We wanted to ensure that they understood the huge variety of skills and challenges on the farm from a working farmers perspective. "Offering work experience has benefited the business because we have found that students may return during or after they have completed their studies, which eases recruitment in the long-term." A farmer who was accused of 'obliterating' riverside habitats after he dredged a mile-long stretch of the River Lugg has been handed a prison sentence. Kidderminster Magistrates Court has sentenced John Price to 12 months in prison following an investigation and prosecution by Natural England and the Environment Agency. Mr Price, a mixed Herefordshire farmer, entered a guilty plea to all seven charges last year. In December 2020, he used heavy machinery to dredge and reprofile a mile-long stretch of the River Lugg at Kingsland, destroying the riverbed and banks. Mr Price said at the time that he undertook the maintenance works to protect local households from flooding, which were heavily impacted by storms in 2019. But Natural England and the Environment Agency said the banks of the River Lugg were "damaged" causing "significant and long-term ecological harm". Full restoration of the protected river is expected to cost hundreds of thousands of pounds. Mr Price's charges included carrying out operations on an SSSI-protected river without consent, contravening a stop notice, contravening the Environmental Permitting Regulations and contravening the Reduction and Prevention of Agricultural Diffuse Pollution Regulations. Martin Quine, Environment Agency place manager for Herefordshire, said the agency welcomed the outcome of the prosecution. While Mr Prices justification for the works was to help prevent flooding to local properties, his actions did not have any flood prevention benefit. "The destruction of river banks is not appropriate flood management. It is important that the Judge recognised that the works significantly weakened flood prevention measures rather than improved them." Mr Quine said that the vast majority of farmers and landowners 'fully cooperate' with environmental regulations. We urge landowners never to take extreme measure such as this and instead to always work closely with the Environment Agency around river management to agree the best solutions for both landowners and the environment. Jamie Audsley, chief executive of the Herefordshire Wildlife Trust, said the outcome meant "justice for the River Lugg". He said: "The sentencing reflects the seriousness of the damage caused to a stretch of the river and which is supposed to be protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. We were shocked to discover a bulldozer was used to undertake work in the river, disturbing gravels, reprofiling a bank and removing vegetation the episode caused immense harm to this special and much-loved river. Whilst it will take a long time to recover, we hope that this stretch of river can once again become a thriving natural habitat for wildlife. Were all looking forward to seeing it restored to its natural beauty. Landowners have a clear and vital responsibility to look after the rivers in their care. This prosecution must act as a deterrent to prevent anyone harming rivers again." Farmers have been told to protect themselves from unforeseen time off after ONS figures revealed a record number of UK workers are currently off with long-term illnesses. This weeks data shows 2.5m workers in the UK are now economically inactive because of long-term sickness and a further 185,000 are off with temporary sickness. In agriculture, figures from the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) show 12,000 workers suffered from work-related ill health between 2019 and 2022. There were 11,000 non-fatal injuries to workers during the same period, the safety watchdog's figures show. Responding to the figures, NFU Mutual said serious illnesses and accidents could leave farmers "unable to work, impact production, and in some scenarios put the farms long-term viability at risk". However, the rural insurer said there were "valuable safety nets" available to farmers that could help keep the farm running. David Nottingham, protection expert at NFU Mutual, said farmers "know better than most" that unexpected events could have a major impact on their business. Unforeseen illnesses and accidents can put a strain on the farm, particularly if it is heavily reliant on one or two people," he explained. But there are a number of ways to guard against those problems and provide a lump sum of cash or an income to secure the future of the farm and help keep it running. NFU Mutual explained that 'critical illness cover' gives out a lump sum of cash if someone is diagnosed with a serious illness specified under the cover. It can be used to repay farm borrowings, pay for home adaptations, or meet other commitments that may be needed. In the UK, latest figures show there is 1.2bn paid out in critical illness cover a year, more than 90% of claims are accepted, and the average pay-out was nearly 68,000. Farmers can also use 'income protection' to provide a regular income if they are incapacitated and unable to work, whether thats through illness or accident, NFU Mutual said. HSE figures show there were around 6,000 work-related cases of musculoskeletal conditions in agriculture between 2019 and 2022, affecting one in 50 workers, higher than workers in other industries. According to the Association of British Insurers, income protection claims for musculoskeletal conditions increased 40% in the UK during 2021. NFU Mutual said that farmers in partnerships can also use life insurance and critical illness to protect the business. Mr Nottingham said: Those that co-own businesses need to consider what would happen if a co-owner died or became seriously ill. They or their family may want to sell their interest in the business. Putting in place the right cover and agreements can help the continuing owners retain control of the business and protect the outgoing owner and their family. Its important to speak with a professional financial adviser who understands agriculture and your business to plan effectively. Russia has promised to send its "latest weapons" to North Korea. Russia could arm Kim Jong-un with the 'latest weapons' The Kremlin has reacted angrily to the news that South Korea is considering sending weapons to Ukraine to aid in the fight against Vladimir Putin's invasion and former president Dmitry Medvedev suggested that Moscow could form an alliance with Seoul's enemy Kim Jong-un in retaliation. Talking to Telegram, Medvedev - who now serves as the deputy chairman of the Security Council of Russia - said: "Now parties willing to help our enemies have emerged. "South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol said that, in principle, his country is ready to supply the Kyiv regime with weapons. "This is despite the fact that, until recently, the South Koreans insisted that the possibility of supplying lethal weapons to Kyiv had been completely ruled out. "I wonder what inhabitants of that country will say when they see the latest versions of Russian weapons with their closest neighbours - our partners from the DRPK." However, Medvedev's threat appears to be hollow as it claimed that Russia is struggling to supply its troops in Ukraine with modern weapons. Oleksiy Danilov, the secretary of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine, tweeted last month: "Russia is running out of prepared stockpiles of weapons. Missiles and military equipment have been accumulating for decades. The calculations called for blitzkrieg, not blitzutilization." Peter Facinelli nearly went "insane" when he moved into a tool shed in order to experience "loneliness" before an audition. Peter Facinelli pushed himself to the limit The 49-year-old actor - who has daughters Luca, 25, Lola, 20, and Fiona, 16, with ex-wife Jennie Garth and a six-month-old son with partner Lily Anne Harrison - has done "crazy, extreme things" in pursuit of his craft and recalled a time he isolated himself away from his family for four days in order to get into the right head space to potentially play a tortured prisoner. He admitted to The Hollywood Reporter: "Ive done crazy, extreme things. One time, I was auditioning for a movie where my character was going to be stuck in a prison cell in another country, getting tortured all the time. "To prepare, I slept in my shed for four days. I asked my wife at the time to just bring food out at certain times. I wanted to feel that sense of loneliness and complete isolation. I had nothing in there with me, no phone, no TV, nothing at all. I was going insane. I didnt know if it was day or night because it was a tool shed." The 'Twilight Saga' actor didn't get the part but he still thinks his preparation helped him to give a much stronger audition. He added: "I probably could have just acted the part but I really wanted to know what it felt like to experience that so I could bring it to the audition because it was a character who was going mad. "I went straight from the shed to the audition and I didnt get the part but I do feel like it helped inform the performance. It wouldve been nice to get that part but I dont regret doing that. Its all part of the process. The royal family has paid tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth on what would have been her 97th birthday. Queen Elizabeth with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren The monarch died in September at the age of 96 and her relatives have remembered her in touching posts on Instagram seven months on with William, Prince and Catherine, Princess of Wales releasing a previously unseen picture of the late Queen surrounded by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren which was taken by the princess at the Balmoral estate in Scotland last summer. In the post, the royal couple wrote: "Today would have been Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeths 97th birthday. This photograph - showing her with some of her grandchildren and great grandchildren - was taken at Balmoral last summer." The picture shows the late Queen with Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor and James, Earl of Wessex - whose parents are Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh - as well as the the Prince and Princess of Wales' kids Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. Also included were Zara and Mike Tindall's three children - Lena, Lucas and Mia Tindall, as well as Peter Phillips' daughters Isla and Savannah Phillips. Queen Elizabeth died just weeks after the poignant picture was taken. Another post was released on the official Royal Family page on Friday (21.04.23) read: "Today we remember the incredible life and legacy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, on what would have been her 97th birthday. "When Her Majesty was born in April 1926, Princess Elizabeth and her family did not expect that she would one day become Queen. Following the abdication of her uncle King Edward VIII in 1936, her father acceded to the throne. "When King George VI died in February 1952, Princess Elizabeth became Queen Elizabeth II when she was just 25. Her Majesty went on to be Britains longest reigning Monarch - the only one in history to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee. You can find out more about Queen Elizabeth IIs life and legacy on our website ... " Selma Blair says she could use a brilliant man who loves her. Selma Blair says she could use a brilliant man who loves her The Cruel Intentions actress, 50, is battling an array of symptoms from her multiple sclerosis while looking after son Arthur, 11, who she had with her fashion designer ex Jason Bleick, 49, and admitted she isnt holding out much hope shell find love due to the ravages of the disease, which still leaves her bed-bound and exhausted despite being in remission. She told the May issue of British Vogue: Im a single mom. With two dogs and two horses, one of which I am dying to have some consistent weeks, body-wise, to really try to ride again. I stay inside on sunny days if I can. The sun is my kryptonite: it still triggers extreme weakness and lethargy. By evening I come alive, though I do not yet have a social night life Who does? I am open (to a new man.) But I have grown not to expect much. I dont get asked out. (Her MS) takes patience and sensitivity, and I wont compromise anymore. I am happy with what I have, but open to more one day. I like brilliant people. I could use a brilliant man who loved me. Perhaps. I dont know . Selma, who suffered an array of symptoms from vomiting to constant weeping for 40 years until her MS was finally diagnosed, added about her condition costing her friendships and potential partners: Groups of friends and love interests lost interest. She said even her doctor advised her to keep her illness to myself, and was told work wouldnt have to know. Selma added: People didnt feel safe sharing that stuff. But she said she feels film bosses are now more open to the idea of hiring people with disabilities, but said her MS still means she will struggle to work. Selma added: (I think producers) are open to (offering her jobs) now. The reality of a set is another thing: the hours, the nights, the logistics of somewhere to curl up and reset my nervous system once over-activated. I havent actively pursued work in acting it hasnt been the right time yet but its absolutely doable for me. I have to take the leap. She said about the struggle to make film sets more accessible for disabled workers: Infrastructure (on sets is) still an issue, isnt it? Disabled bathrooms. Ramps. But there are people in high places enacting change. Its the disabled representation by disabled people behind and in front of the camera or stage that will set this tone. I have hope for the industry. Times are changing. I want to encourage this by just being a loud squeaky wheel. And listening. And getting loud. Once I wake up. MBABANE South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa has wished emaSwati well on the upcoming elections. Ramaphosa made this remarks during the State visit by President Hage Geingob of the Republic of Namibia to the Republic of South Africa yesterday. Ramaphosa noted that, together with President Geingob, they discussed political, economic and security issues in the SADC region. This includes developments in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, Lesotho and Eswatini, said Ramaphosa. Elections We wish the people of Eswatini, Zimbabwe and Madagascar well as they prepare to hold elections this year, he said. However, when making reference to Eswatini, the statement issued by the leaders made no mention of a pending dialogue in Eswatini. This is despite that during their recent visits to the country, they spoke about a dialogue to end the then heightened political unrest. The aforementioned countries, including Eswatini, will this year have their elections. In Eswatini, processes towards the elections have already began as currently, the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) is conducting the civic and voter education in the different communities around the country. Peace Geingob is the sitting Chaiperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, which is playing a central role in advancing peace and stability in the region. Ramaphosa said he had assured President Geingob that South Africa would continue, as part of the SADC collective and within available resources, to assist with regional initiatives such as the SADC Mission in Mozambique. He added that they also deliberated on continental and international issues of mutual concern, including the implementation of the African Unions (UN) Agenda 2063. The two presidents also expressed their concern on the current situation in Sudan, the ongoing occupation of Western Sahara, the continued denial of the aspirations of the Palestinian people, and the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. E-commerce will stay the fastest growing and most stable economic sector this year in Vietnam, the Vietnam Online Business Forum 2023 held recently in Hanoi was told. According to the Vietnam E-commerce Association (VECOM), e-commerce grew by over 22 per cent year on year in the first quarter (Q1) this year and could still reach over 25 per cent for the whole year. Global and domestic economic challenges had adversely affected trade, but domestic e-commerce is still predicted to grow at a rate of more than 25 per cent, reaching a scale of over $20 billion USD, VECOM said. Last year, the retail e-commerce transaction scale comprised about 8.5 per cent of the total retail sales of consumer goods and services of 5,680 trillion VND ($240.5 billion), it said. E-commerce will be the fastest growing and most stable economic sector this year in Vietnam, a conference was told. E-commerce grew by over 22 per cent year on year in Q1 2023 and could still reach over 25 per cent for the whole year, the Vietnam E-commerce Association said. The economy's big difficulties from mid-2022 have extended to Q1 2023. The proportion of online retail sales of goods compared to the total retail sales of goods was about 7.2 per cent last year, higher than 6.7 per cent in 2021. The economy's big difficulties from mid-2022 have extended to the first quarter and possibly will extend until the end of the year, the conference was told. More and more businesses were choosing to do business on social networks, especially TikTok Shop, VECOM said. A VECOM survey found 23 per cent of businesses sold products on e-commerce floors last year, a Vietnamese media outlet reported. Another survey showed up to 65 per cent of Vietnamese businesses have implemented business activities on social networks. The number of employees at enterprises who regularly use tools like Zalo, Whatsapp, Viber and Facebook Messenger has continuously grown. Selling on social networks is also considered the most effective, surpassing other forms such as websites or business applications, as well as e-commerce. Tiktok Shop, which started operating in the country in mid-2022, has now become the third largest retail e-commerce platform in the country. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS) Chinas power generation from industrial enterprises with an annual main business turnover of at least 20 million yuan (about $2.91 million) saw a 5.1 per cent year-on-year (YoY) increase in March, as per the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC). NDRC spokesperson Meng Wei shared at a press conference that the total power generation from these enterprises reached 717.3 billion KWh in March. Thermal power generation increased by 9.1 per cent YoY in March, while nuclear power output increased by 4.6 per cent from a year ago. Solar power generation saw a rise of 13.9 per cent YoY last month, whereas wind power output edged up 0.2 per cent, local media reports said quoting Meng. China's power generation from industrial enterprises with a turnover of at least $2.91 million increased by 5.1 per cent YoY in March. Thermal power generation rose by 9.1 per cent YoY, nuclear power output by 4.6 per cent, and solar power generation by 13.9 per cent. Total power generation in China rose 2.4 per cent YoY in Q1 2023, as per the NDRC. Overall, total power generation in China rose 2.4 per cent YoY to 2.07 trillion KWh in the first quarter of the year, Meng said. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (NB) A preferential trade agreement (PTA) between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh has the potential to boost bilateral trade of fabric and yarn, as both countries are major garment exporters and competitors in the global market. Fabric and yarn, significant products in the textile sector, offer opportunities for increased trade between the two nations. Sri Lanka is currently a net exporter of fabric and yarn to Bangladesh, with both countries relying heavily on garment exports for foreign exchange earnings. Recently, Sri Lanka requested that Bangladesh resume negotiations on a proposed PTA, aiming to increase bilateral trade between the friendly nations. The Lankan High Commission in Dhaka has suggested a virtual meeting next week to discuss the current status and the path forward. A proposed PTA between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh could enhance bilateral fabric and yarn trade, as both countries are significant garment exporters and global competitors. Sri Lanka has requested that Bangladesh resume PTA negotiations to increase trade between the nations. Post COVID-19, Sri Lanka's fabric exports to Bangladesh nearly doubled. Post COVID-19, Sri Lanka's fabric exports to Bangladesh nearly doubled in two years, reaching $41.133 million in 2022, up from $22.678 million in 2020. Sri Lanka exported fabric worth $29.319 million in 2021, $22.678 million in 2020, $32.944 million in 2019 and $33.068 million in 2018. Fabric imports from Bangladesh were noted at $5.551 million in 2022, $7.721 million in 2021, $7.206 million in 2020, $6.900 million in 2019 and $2.611 million in 2018, according to Fibre2Fashion's market insight tool TexPro. Sri Lankan yarn exports have experienced impressive growth in recent years, with shipments reaching $5.752 million in 2021, up from $1.273 million in 2018. However, there has been some volatility in these figures over the years. Yarn exports dipped to $0.890 million in 2019, then surged to $3.867 million in 2020. While the upward trend continued to $5.752 million in 2021, exports decreased to $4.511 million in 2022. On the other hand, Sri Lankan yarn imports from Bangladesh were considerably low, with figures of $1.192 million in 2022, $2.383 million in 2021, $1.707 million in 2020, $0.883 million in 2019, and $1.230 million in 2018, as per TexPro. As both Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are not only major garment exporters but also competitors in the global market, there has been limited bilateral trade between the two countries. However, Sri Lanka does supply fabric and yarn to Bangladesh in limited quantities. To meet its growing consumption, Bangladesh needs to explore raw material sourcing from various sources, given its success in the garment sector in recent years. Both countries can explore bilateral synergies to their mutual benefit. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL) Following the passing of filmmaker Aditya Chopra's mother, Pamela Chopra, on Thursday morning, Amitabh Bachchan and his family paid a visit to Aditya's home in Mumbai to offer their condolences. Later that day, Amitabh wrote on his blog about the fond memories he shared with Pamela during film shoots and how her sudden death had left him feeling as though "life comes to a standstill."Amitabh took to his blog and wrote about Pamela. He wrote, "In the middle of the efforts made to achieve .. comes the sudden news of the passing of Pamela Chopra, wife of Yash Chopra .. and life comes to a standstill! So much to have spent with her and the filmmaking and the music sittings and the outdoors and the homely get togethers .. all gone in a breath .. And one by one they all leave us ..all left with the pleasant times spent ..And after this ordeal of the first day .. a quick visit to Yash jis home and meeting the family and reliving all those years of the past ..life is so unpredictable and tough .."Amitabh Bachchan arrived at the Chopra residence along with his son Abhishek Bachchan and daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. Amitabh has acted in several YRF films, including the movie Kabhie Kabhie, which was written by Pamela Chopra herself.On Thursday morning, Pamela Chopra passed away at the age of 74. According to reports, she had been hospitalised for fifteen days due to age-related health issues. The Chopra family confirmed her passing in a statement and revealed that her cremation took place in Mumbai on Thursday at 11 am. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nick Jonas (@nickjonas) Sharing the video, on Instagram reels, Nick wrote, "Rome." The video begins with Nick and Priyanka enjoying a walk at the Colosseum where Nick is donning a white t-shirt paired with a red shirt and beige pants. He completed his look with sunglasses and white sneakers. Priyanka is looking stylish in an olive green co-ord set paired with a black jacket. She opted for open hair and completed her look with sunglasses, silver hoop earrings and black canvas shoes. Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Nick Jonas are currently in Rome to promote her upcoming spy thriller series Citadel. On Friday, Nick Jonas shared an adorable video of him and Priyanka enjoying their free time in the city.The video shows Nick and Priyanka sharing a romantic kiss. The next scene features them enjoying some softy as well.Priyanka Chopra was recently in London where Citadel held the series premiere. The premiere was also attended by the Indian spinoff cast and crew including Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu and filmmakers Raj & DK, among others.Citadel is a spy thriller created by the Russo Brothers. The series is all set to premiere on April 28. Priyanka Chopra is starring alongside Richard Madden portraying the role of a spy Nadia Sinh.Apart from Citadel, Priyanka has Love Again, Jee Le Zaraa and Heads of State in her pipeline. The entire Malayalam film industry mourns the death of Fathima Ismail, dear Mamooka's mother. Mammootty's family is a highly respected family in Kerala. Mammootty has always given due priority to his family and held them first before his professional life. He is an ideal father as stated by actor Dulquer Salman. Malayalam Superstar Mammootty is well-known for his humble and simplistic nature along with his marvelous acting. The actor's son Dulquer Salman is also said to be one of the humblest actor in the southern film industry. Mammootty would give due credit to his mother Fathima Ismail for the humble nature inculcated in their family members. The actor has expressed his love for his dear mom in various interviews. In a throwback interview, he even said that his mom is very innocent and would tear up seeing someone hitting him in movies. She is such a nice person that if anyone would ask her which is her favourite among Mamooka's movies, she would just remain mum and wonder and would not be able to answer this question. Mamooka'a mother Fathima Ismail is loved by all in her village for her loving and caring nature. They say that her humble nature was the charm that would attract everyone towards her. She mothered six children including Mammootty. Her last rites are to be performed in her village, Chembu, near Kochi. The rituals are to be held in the evening at the Chembu Muslim Jamath Mosque. The entire Malayalam film industry pays respect and prays for her beautiful soul to rest in peace. Mammootty will be next seen in big screens in the movie "Agent" that is currently under post-production directed by Surender Reddy. The cast of the movie include Akhil Akkineni, Sakshi Vaidya and Dino Morea. Mamooka's fans are eagerly waiting for the same. 'Yaanai Mugathaan deals with the problem between God and man' says Director Rejishh Midhila. Director Rejishh Midhila has cast Yogi Babu as Ganesha in 'Yanai Mukhathan'. He has directed Malayalam films like 'Lal Bahadur & Shastri', 'Varikkuzhiyile Kolapathakam' and 'Innumuthal', and is coming to Tamil through this film. The film is releasing worldwide today (April 21, 2023). The fim has set a good expectation among audience. Since Yogi Babu and Ramesh thilak are coming together after a long time, this film is expected to be a fun ride. Checkout this space for more interesting Twitter reviews about the film 'Yaanai Mugathaan'. In a recent interview to a media portal he said, "I like Tamil movies. My desire from the beginning was to direct in Tamil. That is what my journey was all about. But, things did not go well for that. So I directed some films in Malayalam. Now I have produced and directed this film in Tamil. Actor Ramesh Tilak acted in my Malayalam film. When he heard the story of 'Yaanai Mugathaan', he said that if it was made in Tamil, Yogi Babu would be suitable for this character. He himself also introduced Yogi Babu. After hearing the story, Yogi Babu said that he would act immediately. This is how he came into this film. As per the story, Ramesh Tilak, an auto driver in Chennai, is an ardent devotee of Ganesha. But he is a bit of a liar and a hypocrite. Yogi Babu comes before him and introduces himself as 'I am Ganesha'. He wouldn't believe it. If someone stood in front of us today and said, 'I am God', would anyone believe it? This is the story. It will tell you what God will do to make you believe it. Although it looks like a comedy, there are emotional things in the story. Yogi Babu has done two characters. It will be double-edged. You can also see Yogi Babu's excellent performance in this. As he has come from the bottom of life, it is easy for him to express his feelings. The first half will take place in Chennai. The next half will go to Rajasthan. There is a reason why it is like that. Also, there will be some suspenseful elements in the story. It will surely be new for the fans. Karunakaran, Urvashi, Harish Peredi, Kulappullileelan and many others have also acted. After this, I will do another film with Yogi Babu. There is a desire to use him better. It is an adventure film. The story takes place in Cherrapunji, Meghalaya." Cast & Crew Ponniyin Selvan 2, also known and marketed as PS-2, is an epic historical action adventure movie written by Elango Kumaravel and B. Jeyamohan and directed by Mani Ratnam. Vikram, Jayam Ravi, and Karthi played the roles of Aditha Karikalan, Arunmozhi Varman, and Vallavaraiyan Vandiyadevan in this movie. Along with Prakash Raj, R. Sarathkumar, Jayaram, R. Parthiban, and Prabhu in supporting roles, this movie also features four stunning women: Aishwarya Rai, Trisha, Aishwarya Lekshmi, and Sobhita Dhulipala. A.R. Rahman's soundtrack just awesomed and lauded the audience's attention. Aga Naga's song has been on the playlists of many listeners on Spotify. This movie was initially made as a single film for 500 crore by Madras Talkies and Lyca Productions, but it ended up being split into two parts. PERTH, AUSTRALIA / ACCESSWIRE / April 20, 2023 / Delivering reliable production Delivered quarterly production of 46.8 MMboe (520 Mboe/day), down 9% from Q4 2022 due to planned turnaround and maintenance activities. Full-year production guidance remains unchanged. Delivered sales volume of 50.4 MMboe, down 4% from Q4 2022, primarily due to lower production. Delivered revenue of $4,330 million, down 16% from Q4 2022, due to lower production and lower realised prices. Production, sales volume and revenue increased 122%, 112% and 81% respectively from Q1 2022, driven by the expanded operations portfolio post-merger. Achieved high LNG reliability of 99.9% at Pluto LNG and 98.3% at North West Shelf (NWS) Project. Achieved a portfolio average realised price of $85 per barrel of oil equivalent. Sold 32% of produced LNG at prices linked to gas hub indices. Executing major projects The Scarborough and Pluto Train 2 projects in Western Australia are now 30% complete, with manufacturing of the export trunkline 86% complete and first concrete poured for Pluto Train 2. The development drilling program for Sangomar progressed, with ten of 23 wells complete. The Sangomar floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) topsides integration and pre-commissioning works continued in Singapore. Subsequent to the period, Mad Dog Phase 2, in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM), successfully achieved first production and will continue to ramp up through 2023. Investing in growth Received competitive tenders for Trion, which are currently being evaluated in support of targeted final investment decision (FID) readiness in 2023. Progressed key project activities for H2OK to support targeted FID readiness in 2023. Woodside CEO Meg O'Neill said Woodside delivered outstanding operational performance in the quarter, particularly at Pluto LNG where reliability averaged 99.9%. "Our operations teams continued to achieve strong outcomes. Production was 122% higher than the corresponding quarter last year, demonstrating the significant value generated by the merger with BHP's petroleum business. "Production and revenue declined from Q4 2022 primarily due to planned turnaround and maintenance activities at Australian assets and lower realised prices. "We are making good progress on all major growth projects in Australia and globally. The Scarborough and Pluto Train 2 projects are now 30% complete, with construction of key offshore and onshore infrastructure ramping up. First concrete has now been poured on the Pluto Train 2 site. Engagement with stakeholders and regulators on secondary environmental approvals for offshore execution activities continued. "The Sangomar development drilling program is nearing its half-way point, with ten of 23 wells completed. Installation and testing of the rigid flowlines, which total 101km in length, were successfully and safely completed. This is a key milestone on the path to targeted first oil later this year. "At the Trion project in the GoM, we have received tenders for key equipment and activities including the floating production unit, long-lead rotating equipment, subsea equipment, drilling rig and installation scopes as we target FID readiness this year. "Mad Dog Phase 2 in the US GoM achieved a significant milestone with first production in April 2023. Mad Dog is one of several low cost producing assets for Woodside in the region with significant expansion potential and in close proximity to infrastructure and attractive markets. "Within our new energy business, we continue to progress activities and approvals for our H2OK project in support of achieving FID readiness this year," she said. Comparative performance at a glance Q1 2023 Q4 2022 Change % Q1 2022 Change % Production[1] MMboe Mboe/day 46.8 520 51.6 561 (9%) 21.1 234 122% Sales MMboe 50.4 52.2 (4%) 23.8 112% Revenue $ million 4,330 5,160 (16%) 2,395 81% [1] Q1 2023 includes 0.31 MMboe, Q4 2022 includes 0.31 MMboe and Q1 2022 includes 0.03 MMboe primarily from feed gas purchased from Pluto non-operating participants processed through the Pluto-KGP Interconnector. This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com. SOURCE: Woodside Energy Group Ltd View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/750524/Woodside-Energy-Group-Ltd-Announces-First-Quarter-2023-Report MANZINI - Every cloud has a silver lining! This phrase rings true for a spooked Sibandze family, which had to relocate after it was allegedly haunted by ghosts in its home at Ncabaneni. Initially, the Sibandze family was allocated a piece of land at Ncabaneni and when they had just built a one-room flat and a makeshift kitchen, trouble started. A few years down the line, the multi-billion Emalangeni Eswatini Rail Link (ESRL) project, through its surveys, had to relocate approximately 600 graves, an event that saw the new graveyard being located next to the Sibandze familys home. Railway The rail link development was launched over a decade ago by the governments of South Africa and Eswatini, through their railway companies; Transnet Freight Rail and Eswatini Railways, respectively. The project, which was estimated to cost E29 billion in 2016, will include a construction of greenfield and brownfield railway lines. The greenfield railway line will start from Lothair in South Africa (SA) to Sidvokodvo in Eswatini, while the brownfield railway lines will be the upgrading of the existing ones between Davel and Ermelo to Lothair (SA), then Sidvokodvo to Lavumisa via Phuzumoya and Golela to Nsese (Richards Bay). According to the head of the family, Goodboy Sibandze (49), most of the time he would be alone at his home as his four children were staying with their mother since some of them were schooling. He said after putting off the candle at night, he would hear some movements in the house and, at times, he would see light inside the room. Again, at times he alleged that spirits, which he believed to be ghosts, would chock him. Once more, he said a ghost would sit on him while asleep, prompting him to wake up and pray. Thereafter, he said it would go away. He said he reported the matter to the authorities in the area and the stakeholders of the project. He said later on, they allocated him another piece of land away from the graveyard, where they asked him to build a temporary structure, which he would use in the mean time. When the Minister of Public Works and Transport, Chief Ndlaluhlaza Ndwandwe, launched the ESRL Resettlement Project about a week ago, it was announced that about E271.7 million had been allocated for the first phase of the project, where 94 out of 214 homesteads and three churches were being relocated and also they would compensate those whose fields and other assets would be affected by the project. Benefited The Sibandze family was one of the families that benefited from the programme of getting a new home - one bedroom house with a bathroom and a kitchen. On top of that, the home would be connected to electricity and water. Also, according to Sibandze, they were also compensated following the fact that they were affected by the project. I used some of the money paid as compensation to buy a car - one of the not so old Toyota Corolla sedans, Sibandze said. He highlighted that as a family, they had already benefitted from the project and this was even before the start of civil works, where they had been promised that they would be given first preference in terms of employment opportunities. Meanwhile, ERSL Project Director Sandile SK Dlamini highlighted that currently, they were constructing 94 homesteads and three churches. Allocated He said the money allocated for this process was E213 million. Again, he said they had already spent E14 million on civil works, where 94 homes were under construction, among other things. He added that E9.7 million had been spent in paying consultancy fees. Also, he said at least E35 million had been issued out as compensation to a number of residents. However, he highlighted that the total budget for compensating the affected residents from the 14 chiefdoms was E80 million - and the remaining amount would be paid to the beneficiaries as the resettlement process continues. He clarified that out of the affected homesteads, some would be relocated and compensated for fields and other asserts like trees, while others would only be compensated as the project would not affect structures. STRATFORD-UPON-AVON, England, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Green Sheep Group, leaders in baby bedtime products, has been awarded the prestigious King's Award for Enterprise in International Trade. The award is the second Royal recognition for the business, following The Queen's Award for Innovation which was granted in 2018. This coveted business award is presented annually in the United Kingdom and specifically honours UK businesses that have demonstrated exceptional success in international trade, including exporting goods, services and expanding into new international markets. The award recognises companies that have shown excellence in areas such as sales growth, innovation, market penetration, customer satisfaction, and demonstrated sustained success in international trade, making a significant impact on the UK economy through their global business activities. Roger Allen, Chief Executive of Green Sheep Group commented: "We are absolutely delighted to be recognised with this prestigious award specifically for our endeavours in International Trade. When we started out, we were solely a UK-based company with just UK customers. However, as our product range grew and we launched new innovations, the opportunity for international expansion was evident and six years on, we have grown from selling to retailers in six countries, to selling on a wholesale basis to retailers in 30 countries. Adding in direct consumer customers, we now export to 45 countries around the world. "The King's Award is highly regarded on both a national and international platform and will have a significant impact on the future of our business. I am so proud of our team and all the work they put into the business - this is their award. Over the past three years our turnover has grown by 142% and our international sales by over 198%, and our Queen's Award in 2018 undoubtably contributed to our overall success. We have restructured our entire sales operation to better support our valued UK partners. And we can now move forward with further investments in International. The timing of our Award is outstanding news " Winners of the King's Award for Enterprise in International Trade are selected through a rigorous evaluation process by an independent panel of judges, who review the performance and achievements of nominated companies. Very few UK enterprises have received this Royal recognition since the Awards were first created in 1965 as The Queen's Award to Industry. The awards have now been renamed to reflect King Charles III's Accession. Receiving the King's Award for Enterprise in International Trade is considered a significant honour and a mark of distinction for UK businesses. Winners are granted the right to use the prestigious King's Awards emblem for a period of five years, which can enhance their reputation and credibility in domestic and international markets. Additionally, winners are invited to attend a reception at Buckingham Palace and are recognised at a formal awards ceremony. Based in Stratford-upon-Avon, the company is best known for its brands The Little Green Sheep, providing babies with the most natural environment possible. And Snuz, home to the multi award-winning SnuzPod bedside crib. Both brands esteemed for their excellent quality and beautiful designs. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2058170/Roger_Rosie_Signing.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/green-sheep-group-receives--royal-accolade-with-kings-award-for-enterprise-301803293.html Peachland, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 20, 2023) - Craftport Cannabis Corp. (CSE: CFT) ("Craftport Cannabis" or the "Company") announces that the British Columbia Securities Commission (the "BCSC") has rejected the Company's application for a management cease trade order (the "MCTO") as the Company is viewed as not having met all of the criteria for an MCTO. The Company filed the MCTO with the BCSC due to an anticipated delay in filing its audited annual financial statements, accompanying management's discussion and analysis, and certifications for the year ended December 31, 2022 (the "Required Filings") by the filing deadline of May 1, 2023. The Company expects to be issued a cease trade order ("CTO") by the BCSC as a result of not filing the Required Filings. The anticipated delay is due, in part, to a change in the Company's senior management in 2022 and the Company not having sufficient capital at this time to begin the year end audit process. The Company is working diligently to remedy the default by securing additional capital to start the audit process and working with its auditor to ensure the filing of its Required Filings as soon as possible. Once complete, a news release will be issued indicating that the Required Filings have been submitted. Upon remedying the default within 90 days of the date of the CTO, the filing of the Required Filings, including all other filings and certifications that subsequently become due, constitutes the application to revoke the CTO. In the interim, the Company continues to operate normally and without disruption. The Company therefore fully expects to file its Required Filings prior to the end of the additional one month period as prescribed by NP 12-203. Further, the Company has confirmed that it intends to satisfy the provisions of the alternative information guidelines described in sections 9 and 10 of NP 12-203 for so long as it remains in default for failure to file the Required Filings. Should the Company fail to file the appropriate Default Status Reports as prescribed by NP 12-203, the securities commissions or regulators may, as a result of such failure, impose an Issuer Cease Trade Order. The Company confirms that it is not subject to any insolvency proceeding as of the date hereof. The Company also confirms that there is no other material information concerning the affairs of the Company that have not been generally disclosed as of the date hereof. About Craftport Cannabis Craftport Cannabis is a Canadian cannabis licensed producer operating out of Peachland, British Columbia. The Company is focused on the Canadian premium craft cannabis recreational market by utilizing an outsourced cultivation model. For more information about Craftport Cannabis, please refer to information available under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and the CSE website. Mr. Feng Lu Chief Executive Officer Craftport Cannabis Corp. feng.l@craftport.co 778-788-2589 The CSE has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. Forward-looking and other cautionary statements Certain statements in this release constitute "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including, without limitation, statements with respect to: the CTO; the timing of completion of the audit; the timing and revocation of the CTO; and statements regarding management's expectations on the Company's future performance. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors and assumptions which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of Craftport Cannabis Corp., or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information including, without limitation, the risk of the Company not obtaining the Management CTO or file the Required Filing on time. Such statements can be identified by the use of words such as "intend", "expect", "believe", "plan", "anticipate", "estimate", "scheduled", "forecast", "predict", and other similar terminology, or state that certain actions, events, or results "may", "can", "could", "would", "might", or "will" be taken, occur, or be achieved. These statements reflect the Company's current expectations regarding future events, performance, and results and speak only as of the date of this news release. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Except as required by securities disclosure laws and regulations applicable to the Company, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if the Company's expectations regarding future events, performance, or results change. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/163265 SEOUL, South Korea, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP), Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) and Seaborg Technologies have announced a consortium to develop floating nuclear power plants with Seaborg Technologies' innovative molten salt reactor technology. The power plants will be installed on barges with a modular design able to deliver from 200MWe to 800MWe, with the consortium's first project expected to be a 200MWe power barge. The consortium aims to enable timely commercialization and a scalable export of factory-produced CMSR-based floating nuclear power plants worldwide, offering improved efficiency and inherent safety characteristics. With KHNP's extensive experience in nuclear power generation, SHI's offshore construction expertise and Seaborg Technologies' innovative technology, the consortium is well-positioned to meet the growing demand for clean and reliable energy. "KHNP's active effort will be aimed at fostering a mutually beneficial partnership between Korea and Denmark, with a focus on cooperation in the next generation nuclear power project, for a safer and cleaner future," said Mr. Jooho Whang, CEO of Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power. "Floating Nuclear Power Plant is a carbon-free energy solution which is efficiently responding to the climate change issues and a next-generation technology expandable to floating Hydrogen, Ammonia plant that meets the vision of Samsung Heavy Industries," added Mr. Jintaek Jeong, CEO of Samsung Heavy Industries. "This consortium is unique for deploying nuclear power at scale," said Mr. Navid Samandari, CEO of Seaborg Technologies. "We are proud to say we have partnered with the best for construction and operations as part of our shared mission to develop and deploy the power barges." The agreement marks a significant milestone for floating nuclear solution for the world, where each 200MWe of generation capacity is expected to save over 26 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions over its 24-year lifetime compared with a coal-fired power plant. About Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., Ltd. (KHNP) owns and operates Korea's 25 nuclear power plants along with 28 hydro-electric power plants. (Ranked 3rd globally in NPP capacity). KHNP and Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) have jointly executed the first nuclear power project in Barakah, United Arab Emirates, in 2009. Unit 1, 2, and 3 entered into commercial operation, and unit 4 is under commissioning test. About Samsung Heavy Industries Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) is a leading shipbuilding and offshore construction company headquartered in South Korea. With a history spanning over several decades, the company has established itself as a global leader in the field, delivering high-quality products and services to customers around the world. About Seaborg Technologies Seaborg Technologies is a Danish nuclear energy company that delivers a new, safe nuclear technology based on a molten salt reactor design. The company's mission is to provide clean, safe, and reliable power generation to meet the growing demand for sustainable energy worldwide. Contact: Jonas Stampe Jonas.stampe@seaborg.com +4528861846 Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2059906/Signing_Ceremony.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/korea-hydro--nuclear-power-samsung-heavy-industries-and-seaborg-technologies-form-consortium-to-develop-cmsr-based-floating-nuclear-power-plants-301803820.html From 3 to 4 May, the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University of Rabat (UM6P) is organising, in collaboration with the University of Aix-Marseille and the CNRS, the 13th edition of the Arbois and Mediterranean Round Tables (TRAM) in Aix-en-Provence, on the theme of "Hydrogen tomorrow: myths and realities". This edition will bring together elected officials, industrial leaders, research and innovation players, students and representatives of civil society around a programme of plenary conferences. A thousand participants are expected in Aix-en-Provence for this now well-established annual event. The 2023 will explore, beyond the prejudices that may surround it, the challenges and opportunities that green hydrogen represents in the fight against climate change and in the construction of a decarbonised energy model in Europe, Africa and the world. However, Africa will be in the spotlight at this 13th edition, which takes place in a context where several projections show that the African continent could produce up to 50 million tons of green hydrogen per year by 2035 to help secure the world's energy supply, but also create jobs, decarbonise heavy industry and strengthen global competitiveness. Africa as a global hub for green hydrogen In Africa, hydrogen development is concentrated in three major investment hubs: Egypt, Southern Africa and Morocco. For example, the Cherifian Kingdom has deployed a strategy that aims to decarbonise its heavy industry by investing in the green hydrogen sector. According to the report "Africa's Extraordinary Green Hydrogen Potential", investing in green hydrogen could reduce carbon emissions in Africa by 40%, avoiding the release of 500 million tonnes of CO2 per year, while contributing to the continent's development. One of the themes that will be addressed during the two days of debates of the 13th Edition of the Arbois and Mediterranean Round Tables is the large-scale production of green hydrogen. This will enable Africa to supply 25 million tonnes of green hydrogen to the global energy markets, equivalent to 15% of the gas currently used in the European Union. Supporting the decarbonised development of agriculture in Africa Green ammonia, made from hydrogen obtained by electrolysis from renewable energy sources, reduces greenhouse gas emissions from fertilisers that are essential for agricultural development at a time when many countries, including Europe, are facing major food security challenges. OCP Group, the world's largest fertilizer producer, a leader in the precision agriculture sector and a determined player in the transformation of African economies, is now positioning itself to become a leader in the green hydrogen market With a new investment programme of USD 12 billion for the period 2023-2027, the Moroccan group is at the forefront of a green revolution in Africa with the development of a more soil-friendly agriculture but also the development of new sources of renewable energies, first and foremost green hydrogen Hicham El Habti, President of Mohammed VI Polytechnic University explains that "Green hydrogen is a source of hope for accelerating the energy transition in Morocco and Africa. We are proud to organise this 13th edition of the Arbois and Mediterranean Round Tables, to introduce citizens to the scientific advances and opportunities of green hydrogen on the African and European continents. Daniel Nahon, Founder of the Arbois and Mediterranean Round Tables says: "This year, the central theme of green hydrogen is essential to support the challenges of decarbonising economies, green mobility and energy independence. We will have the opportunity to listen to prestigious experts who will share their knowledge in order to offer concrete solutions for European and African economies." In less than two weeks, a thousand people will meet for two days to discuss the future of the green hydrogen industry in Europe and Africa and to contribute to the advocacy of the Scientific and Industrial Council (SIC) of the Arbois and Mediterranean Round Tables in favour of this technology in order to formulate concrete and rapidly mobilisable actions to respond to the climate emergency. Find the following link to register: https://forms.um6p.ma/index.php?r=app/form&id=BDSpVg About the Arbois and Mediterranean Round Tables The Arbois Round Tables is an annual international multidisciplinary conference linking exact science, human and social sciences and new technologies. Each year, a new theme is proposed by researchers and experts in order to debate, inform, popularise and explain with pedagogy the discoveries that transform the daily life of populations while advancing science. About UM6P Mohammed VI Polytechnic University is an institution oriented towards applied research and innovation. Oriented towards Africa, it aims to be among the world's leading universities in these fields. Its founding campus, located in the town of Benguerir, near Marrakech, is in the heart of the Green City Mohammed VI, to better radiate at the national, continental and international levels. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230420005557/en/ Contacts: +33768589549 TOKYO, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- MD Logistics, LLC (hereinafter "MD"), a group company of NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS, INC., held an opening ceremony on March 23 for the Garner 2000 Pharmaceutical Logistics Center, a dedicated pharmaceutical warehouse established in Garner in the U.S. state of North Carolina in January this year. NIPPON EXPRESS logo: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/img/202304184990-O1-hPPV3b7z Opening ceremony: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M103866/202304184990/_prw_PI2fl_K2l3XlYL.jpg North Carolina is a key hub for the pharmaceutical industry in the United States, with numerous major pharmaceutical manufacturers and life science companies having expanded into the state. It is also home to many research institutes and universities that have amassed significant medical knowledge and technologies. The Nippon Express Group has positioned the pharmaceutical industry as a key industry in its "Nippon Express Group Business Plan 2023 -- Dynamic Growth," and is pursuing the global development of a safe and secure pharmaceutical logistics platform to meet increasingly sophisticated and diverse pharmaceutical logistics needs. MD has four warehouses in Indiana and one in Nevada, and has located its sixth U.S. warehouse in North Carolina, where pharmaceutical logistics needs are high and expected to grow further. The Nippon Express Group will continue supporting customers in the pharmaceutical industry worldwide by building a reliable and secure global pharmaceutical logistics platform, aiming to contribute to the health of people around the world. Overview of new warehouse - Name: Garner 2000 Pharmaceutical Logistics Center - Address: 2000 Garner Business Park Drive, Garner, NC 27529, USA - Total floor area: 22,297 m2 (240,000 ft2) - Supported temperature ranges: 2-8 C / 15-25 C (two temperature ranges) - Key facilities: Full air-conditioning, refrigerated storage, quarantine compliance for pharmaceuticals, surveillance cameras, access control, in-house power generation system - Start of operations: January 3, 2023 Warehouse exterior: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M103866/202304184990/_prw_PI3fl_MFM64P50.jpg Warehouse interior: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M103866/202304184990/_prw_PI4fl_FUqDi47A.jpg Nippon Express website: https://www.nipponexpress.com/ Nippon Express Group's official LinkedIn account: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nippon-express-group/ View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/nippon-express-groups-md-logistics-opens-garner-2000-pharmaceutical-logistics-center-in-north-carolina-us-301803834.html Dubai, United Arab Emirates--(Newsfile Corp. - April 21, 2023) - LYOPAY, the company behind a range of crypto-friendly products, has unveiled its latest innovation - LYOPAY Pro. This revolutionary payment app allows users to easily transact with cryptocurrencies and fiat money in over 150 countries around the world. LYOPAY To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8902/163210_802b7e31b44c396e_001full.jpg The key aim of LYOPAY Pro is to empower individuals and businesses with greater financial freedom and global economic opportunities, regardless of their geographic location. LYOPAY Pro is built to provide users with a seamless payment experience that blends the traditional fiat currency system with the cutting-edge world of digital currency. This payment app opens the possibility of using cryptocurrencies and fiat currencies to a global audience. Mission LYOPAY Pro's mission is to promote the adoption of cryptocurrencies through the buying, selling, and transfer of digital currencies, giving people access to using crypto in their everyday lives. The app is equipped with a range of exclusive features, including digital payment services that are available 24/7. Thus the app also maintains a high level of transparency with its users, providing detailed information on all the fees and charges associated with its services. LYOPAY Pro allows for multi-fiat and multi-crypto transactions, and users can access six IBAN accounts, each with unlimited balances. LYOPAY Pro also includes a crypto wallet that enables users to quickly and easily transfer funds between wallets and sell their crypto for traditional currencies. Services LYOPAY Pro supports different cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, Tether, BAT, Paxos, USD Coin, and EOS. LYOPAY Pro is not only a payment app, but also a platform that offers various services to its users. The app also includes a range of travel and concierge services too; personalized travel experiences, access to exclusive events, and VIP airport services are some of the features LYOPAY provides. LYOPAY Pro also offers rewards and discounts when users make purchases using the app. LYOPAY Pro offers branded physical and virtual cards, including Explorer, Titan, Signature, and Excellence tier options. The Excellence card, the top-level option, is a solid gold card, delivered in an Italian handmade wooden box. Users can purchase unlimited virtual cards and top them up via Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and LYOPAY Pro fiat wallets. LYOPAY Pro allows easy money transfer and exchange with SEPA and SWIFT transfers and is compatible with USD, EUR, GBP, CNY, JPY, and PHP currencies. Explore LYOPAY Pro For more information about LYOPAY Pro, visit https://lyopay.pro/. The app will soon be available on Apple Pay and Google Play. With LYOPAY Pro, individuals and businesses can become a part of the global economy and take advantage of new opportunities in the digital age. Media Contact: Contact Name: Nahid El Otmani Email: pr@lyopay.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/163210 Ageas signs sale agreement for its French Life Insurance activities Ageas announces today, that after consultation of the employee representatives, it has signed an agreement regarding the sale of its French life insurance, savings and pension business to La Mutuelle Epargne Retraite Prevoyance Carac ("Carac"). Ageas's French Life and Pension activities consist of Ageas France, Ageas Retraite, Ageas Patrimoine and Sicavonline. As of end 2022, the consolidated perimeter represented IFRS technical provisions of EUR 3.9 billion and an IFRS net profit of EUR 6.1 million. Carac is a mutual operating in the domain of savings, protection and pension business in France. This divestment is estimated to have a positive impact on the Group's Solvency II ageas of 9% based on the position as at the end of 2022. The transaction will increase the liquidity of the Group by approximately EUR 185 million. The disposal aligns with Ageas's strategy to streamline its European portfolio and to concentrate on its core markets in the region. The transaction is subject to regulatory approval and is expected to be closed during Q3 2023. Ageas is a listed international insurance Group with a heritage spanning almost 200 years. It offers Retail and Business customers Life and Non-Life insurance products designed to suit their specific needs, today and tomorrow. As one of Europe's larger insurance companies, Ageas concentrates its activities in Europe and Asia, which together make up the major part of the global insurance market. It operates successful insurance businesses in Belgium, the UK, France, Portugal, Turkey, China, Malaysia, India, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Singapore, and the Philippines through a combination of wholly owned subsidiaries and long-term partnerships with strong financial institutions and key distributors. Ageas ranks among the market leaders in the countries in which it operates. It represents a staff force of about 44,000 people and reported annual inflows of more than EUR 16 billion in 2022. Attachment LONDON, April 21, 2023Tech 100 list in association with The Independentand in partnership with IWG plc as the strategic founding partner. Having been independently verified by data from Experian and Go Live Data, the E2E Tech 100 celebrates the UK's fastest-growing tech companies according to their revenues over the past two years that have a minimum annual turnover of 10 million. In what has been a difficult period for many tech companies, Quantexa continues to post impressive growth, recently announcing that it has completed a $129 million Series E funding round. The latest investment round secures the British tech company's unicorn status with a valuation of $1.8 billion and will accelerate the execution of its growth strategy within the *$230bn Decision Intelligence category. This success follows Quantexa's recent acquisition of Aylien, a Dublin-based leader in natural language processing, Spain, in November 2022. Celebrating tech entrepreneurs and founders across a host of sectors, the E2E Tech 100 is a significant initiative designed to showcase the very best UK companies that are excelling, experiencing consistent growth, and presenting disruptive business strategies, creating an impact not just in their own sector, but also on a nationwide and in some cases a global scale. E2E held a celebratory dinner at The House of Lords on the 20th of April hosted by Shalini Khemka CBE, kindly supported by Lord Bilimoria CBE, DL, Founding Board Director, E2E, Richard Morris, CEO of IWGplc UK and Darryl Eales Chairman of E2E. Speaking about the E2E Tech 100 in association with The Independent, Shalini Khemka, CBE and founder of E2E, says: "To see so many extraordinary tech entrepreneurs in the top 100 from a host of innovative sectors is a testament to the amazing work the UK tech industry is achieving. Each and every person on this list should be incredibly proud of what they have achieved and will continue to achieve in the years to come." Commenting on the organization's inclusion in the list, Vishal Marria, CEO of Quantexa, said: "Since 2016, Quantexa has been on a transformational journey, accelerating the growth of our advanced analytics, AI and Machine Learning technology and firmly establishing our leadership position in the emerging Decision Intelligence category. We are thrilled to be recognized in the E2E Tech 100 list as we continue to innovate, diversify, and expand internationally." Lord Bilimoria CBE, DL said: "I have been a founding Board Member of E2E and under the leadership of Shalini Khemka CBE, seen it flourish into the go to ecosystem to support Founders, Business Leaders, and Investors. We have worked on several initiatives together to highlight the issues faced by business founders within the UK and to provide services that address the core challenges. Since the launch of E2E in 2011, Shalini and her team have built an exceptional platform for entrepreneurs to meet, learn, raise investment, and access corporate support. Richard Morris, UK Chief Executive of IWG plc, observed: "IWG has been a partner of E2E for over 7 years and has experienced the outstanding support and platform they provide to the UK SME sector. The quality of their community, from their members to speakers is unparalleled in my view. During our longstanding partnership, we have expanded the flexible working and service office packages offered to their members on preferred rates and we are proud of the value that we are bringing together to UK entrepreneurship." The full list can be viewed here. The tracks are independently compiled by Go Live Data and Experian according to specific criteria and official data. Each track is supported by our strategic founding partner, IWG plcand our partners Evelyn Partners, Adia PR, Go Live Data, Virtuoso Legal, Lioncroft, Experian *Total addressable market (TAM) estimate is based on Quantexa proprietary research with data from sources including IDC, Chartis, GreySpark (GS), Allied Market Research, and Inkwood Research. About Quantexa Quantexa is a global data and analytics software company pioneering Decision Intelligence that empowers organizations to make trusted operational decisions by making data meaningful. Using the latest advancements in big data and AI, Quantexa's platform uncovers hidden risk and new opportunities by providing a contextual, connected view of internal and external data in a single place. It solves major challenges across data management, KYC, customer intelligence, financial crime, risk, fraud, and security, throughout the customer lifecycle. The Quantexa Decision Intelligence Platform enhances operational performance with over 90% more accuracy and 60 times faster analytical model resolution than traditional approaches. Founded in 2016, Quantexa now has more than 650 employees and thousands of users working with billions of transactions and data points across the world. The company has offices in London, New York, Boston, Toronto, Malaga, Brussels, Amsterdam, Luxemburg, Singapore, Melbourne, Sydney, and the UAE. For more information, contact Quantexa hereor follow us on LinkedIn. About E2E Founded in 2011, by Shalini Khemka CBE, E2E is an exciting and thriving powerhouse of ground-breaking entrepreneurs, investors, non-execs and SME focused corporate organizations. Its entrepreneurial ecosystem provides access to finance, non-execs and high-quality corporate services. E2E's current community consists of 24,000 SMEs who contribute 230bn in turnover to the UK economy and employ 1.15 million people. About Shalini Khemka As former Chair of the Business Action Council's Job Retention Scheme Committee, Shalini led the recommendation of policy changes to No.10 Downing Street and the Government. Her work during COVID-19 played a major role in the introduction of the UK Bounce Back Loans scheme, the introduction of Flexi-Furlough and Short Time Working Directive introduced in 2020. Shalini was an Investment Director at LDC, the private equity arm of Lloyd's Banking. In 1999, Shalini co-founded the world's first online 'bank to bank' trade finance company. She was a Management Accountant at Deutsche Bank and worked in various finance related roles for Bankers Trust, NatWest Bank and Coopers & Lybrand. In 2022, Shalini was awarded a The Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for her services to entrepreneurship. Media Enquiries C: Stephanie Crisp, Associate Director and Media Strategist, Fight or Flight E: Quantexa@fightflight.co.uk C: Adam Jaffe, SVP of Corporate Marketing T: +1 609 502 6889 E: adamjaffe@quantexa.com - or - RapidResponse@quantexa.com The global luxury wines and spirits market is driven by factors such as the growth in interest in premium and unique products, the rise in demand for organic and sustainable products, and the popularity of experiential marketing PORTLAND, Ore., April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, " Luxury Wines and Spirits Market by Type (Wines and Spirits), and Distribution Channel (Wholesale, Retail, E-commerce, and Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2022-2031". According to the report, the global luxury wines and spirits industry generated $229.4 billion in 2021 and is anticipated to generate $414.8 billion by 2031, witnessing a CAGR of 6.2% from 2022 to 2031. Request Sample Report: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/1813 Prime determinants of growth The growth in interest in premium and unique products, the rise in demand for organic and sustainable products, and the popularity of experiential marketing drive the growth of the global luxury wines and spirits market. However, high prices of products and availability of counterfeiting products restrict the market growth. On the other hand, innovation and new product development is providing lucrative opportunities for the market growth. Report coverage & details: Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2022-2031 Base Year 2021 Market Size in 2021 $229.4 billion Market Size in 2031 $414.8 billion CAGR 6.2 % No. of Pages in Report 362 Segments Covered Type, Distribution Channel, and Region. Drivers The growth in interest in premium and unique products Rise in demand for organic and sustainable product The popularity of experiential marketing Rise in disposable income and rapid urbanization Opportunities Growth in the popularity of cocktail drinks Expansion of distribution networks Innovation and new product development Restraints High prices of products Availability of counterfeiting products Covid-19 Scenario The luxury wines and spirits industry had been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with sales declining and challenges in production and distribution. The pandemic caused disruptions to the global supply chain, resulting in delays in shipments and difficulties in sourcing raw materials. This impacted the production and distribution of luxury wines and spirits. The wine/champagne segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period Based on type, the wine/champagne segment held the highest market share in 2021, accounting for nearly three-fifths of the global luxury wines and spirits market revenue, and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. Consumers who have an inclination toward fine quality products rather than price drive the market growth. However, the spirits segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 6.7% from 2022 to 2031, as the luxury spirits market currently offers alcoholic drinks such as vodka, gin, rum, and brandy that have more alcohol by volume (ABV) than other alcoholic beverages. Buy This Report (250 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, and Figures) @ https://bit.ly/3H1w9m4 The retail segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period Based on distribution channel, the retail segment held the highest market share in 2021, accounting for more than two-fifths of the global luxury wines and spirits market revenue, and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period, though the number of wholesalers is on a rapid increase, there is a large consumer base that still prefers to buy wines and spirits from retail shops, as they believe that it saves money and time. Affluent customers are the ones who often buy luxury wines and spirits through retail shops. However, the others segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 7.7% from 2022 to 2031. Discounted shops are one of the most preferred platforms by consumers for buying luxury wines & spirits. Consumers prefer these stores as they get the latest products at discounted prices. Europe to maintain its dominance by 2031 Based on region, Europe held the highest market share in terms of revenue in 2021, accounting for around two-fifths of the global luxury wines and spirits market revenue and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period, owing to changing lifestyle and a considerable rise in disposable income in Europe. However, the LAMEA region is expected to witness the fastest CAGR of 8.5% from 2022 to 2031. Factors such as rapid urbanization and a rise in disposable income in is expected to increase the demand for the luxury wines and spirits market in this region. Enquire Before Buying: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/1813 Leading Market Players: - DIAGEO PLC. PERNOD RICARD BACARDI LIMITED BROWN-FORMAN CORPORATION THAI BEVERAGE PUBILC COMPANY LIMITED DAVIDE CAMPARI- MILANO N.V. N.V. HITEJINRO CO., LTD. SUNTORY HOLDINGS LIMITED LVMH BAYADERA GROUP The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players of the global luxury wines and spirits market. These players have adopted different strategies such as new product launches, collaborations, expansion, joint ventures, agreements, and others to increase their market share and maintain dominant shares in different regions. The report is valuable in highlighting business performance, operating segments, product portfolio, and strategic moves of market players to showcase the competitive scenario. Trending Reports in Food and Beverages Industry Vodka Seltzer Market : Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031 Alcohol E-Commerce Market : Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031 Beer Market : Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2030 Hard Kombucha Market : Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031 About Us Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Portland, Oregon. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of " Market Research Reports " and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain. We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry. Contact: David Correa 5933 NE Win Sivers Drive #205, Portland, OR 97220 United States USA/Canada (Toll Free): +1-800-792-5285, +1-503-894-6022 UK: +44-845-528-1300 Hong Kong: +852-301-84916 India (Pune): +91-20-66346060 Fax: +1(855)550-5975 help@alliedmarketresearch.com Web: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/reports-store/food-and-beverages Follow Us on Blog: https://www.dailyreportsworld.com/ Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/636519/Allied_Market_Research_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/luxury-wines-and-spirits-market-to-register-414-8-billion-by-2031-allied-market-research-301803866.html BOSTON, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Materials informatics is the application of data-driven methods, including machine learning techniques, to the field of materials science. This important part of the digital transformation toolbox for the materials industry has wide-ranging benefits, but the ability to enhance the sustainability of materials and their manufacturing processes could be the most impactful of these. While interviewing materials informatics industry insiders for its report, 'Materials Informatics 2023-2033', IDTechEx found that decarbonization efforts are a growing driver for adopting these technologies and processes. This, alongside the fact that materials informatics helps organizations to save money while accelerating materials innovation, is a contributing factor to IDTechEx's prediction that the market for the provision of external materials informatics services will grow at 13.7% CAGR to 2033. Players from across the AI industry are seeing materials informatics' ability to contribute in solving the climate crisis. Meta AI (of Facebook parent Meta) and Carnegie Mellon University's Open Catalyst Project aims to identify catalysts that aid the production of fuels using excess renewable energy. This project open-sources the discovery process, making the results of 260 million density functional theory (DFT) calculations publicly available for researchers to train their own surrogate models on. Alongside the project's initiators, universities, including Munich Technical University and other AI giants, including Tencent AI, have published results calculated from the dataset. Applications of 'AI for good' in sustainability of this sort will likely become a major part of the ESG toolboxes of machine learning industry titans. These surrogate models could aid in decreasing the energy requirements to produce, for example, green hydrogen. IDTechEx covers the growing green hydrogen industry in its recent report, 'Green Hydrogen Production: Electrolyzer Markets 2023-2033'. Solar photovoltaics (PV) are another fruitful area for materials informatics to make an impact. The IDTechEx report, 'Materials Informatics 2023-2033', discusses nine projects using machine learning to speed up the development of new PVs, including an MIT study using active learning to identify lead-free perovskites and work from Osaka University to produce correlations for bandgap and other properties from the structures of organic PVs. However, AI can facilitate yet more areas of PV development, including accelerated lifetime testing. A March 2023 working paper from researchers at institutions including MIT and Microsoft details a model called DeepDeg, which its authors say speeds up degradation testing of organic solar cells by up to twenty times. Crucially, DeepDeg is designed to explain the degradation process of the candidate material, offering greater value to a selection process than simply predicting its lifespan. The involvement of Microsoft shows yet again the growing interest of the best-known AI players in materials informatics, particularly for sustainability projects. Established firms are not alone in recognizing the potential of materials informatics to facilitate decarbonization. Early-stage firm ExoMatter is a spinout of the German Aerospace Center that emphasizes sustainability in its materials identification platform. It told IDTechEx that its platform not only can predict the carbon impact of the material candidates it identifies but had been used to identify 90 inorganic adsorbent candidates with better carbon retention properties for Dutch direct air capture startup Carbyon. Carbyon estimated this had saved it at least six months in the lab. The materials industry itself is acting on the need for in-house data science expertise as its importance continues to grow, including in facilitating sustainable manufacturing. In February 2023, materials industry giant Toray Industries announced that it would be opening a new research facility for just this purpose. The plan is to bring together materials scientists, chemical engineers and digital transformation professionals to drive nanotechnology advances using materials informatics and computational chemistry. This highlights the increasingly cross-disciplinary nature of materials informatics, which has the potential to reduce the environmental impact of materials across their entire lifecycle, including their manufacturing processes and eventual disposal. IDTechEx's report, 'Materials Informatics 2023-2033', is now in its third edition since IDTechEx began covering the field in 2020. Informed by first-hand interviews with the industry's major players, the report provides market forecasts, player profiles, investments, roadmaps, and comprehensive company lists, making this essential reading for anyone wanting to get ahead in this field. To find out more, including downloadable sample pages, please visit www.IDTechEx.com/MIs. Author: Sam Dale, Technology Analyst at IDTechEx About IDTechEx IDTechEx guides your strategic business decisions through its Research, Subscription and Consultancy products, helping you profit from emerging technologies. For more information, contact research@IDTechEx.com or visit www.IDTechEx.com. Images Download: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/yl9bowqlocoy8zgryqy2z/h?dl=0&rlkey=9tlglncpwar392cscb3395uw2 Media Contact: Lucy Rogers Sales and Marketing Administrator press@IDTechEx.com +44(0)1223 812300 Social Media Links: Twitter: www.twitter.com/IDTechEx LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/IDTechEx Facebook: www.facebook.com/IDTechExResearch Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2060059/Material_informatics_sustainability.jpg Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/478371/3998293/IDTechEx_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/ai-for-sustainability-materials-informatics-is-driving-change-finds-idtechex-301803868.html India, UK to ink landmark agreement to collaborate on science and innovation 26 Apr 2023 | 9:01 PM New Delhi, Apr 26 (UNI) India and the UK are to ink a landmark agreement to collaborate on science and innovation, following a meeting between UK Science Minister George Freeman and Indian Minister of State for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh in London. see more.. UK Minister for Investment visiting Bengaluru, Pune 26 Apr 2023 | 8:50 PM New Delhi, Apr 26 (UNI) UK Minister for Investment Lord Dominic Johnson is on a visit to Bengaluru and Pune to strengthen the UK-India investment partnership across technology, life sciences and more, a statement said. see more.. Look forward to attending Quad Summit in Sydney: PM Modi 26 Apr 2023 | 8:32 PM New Delhi, Apr 26 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday thanked Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for hosting the next Quad Leaders Summit in Sydney on May 24, and said he looks forward to his visit and discussions on strengthening the collaboration between the four nations India, Australia, US and Japan. see more.. Operation Kaveri: 360 evacuated Indians on way to New Delhi 26 Apr 2023 | 8:28 PM New Delhi, Apr 26 (UNI) India safely evacuated 534 Indian nationals from strife-hit Sudan to Jeddah, via Indian naval ships and IAF aircraft, with more sorties to follow as part of Operation Kaveri. Later on Wednesday, 360 Indians took off on a flight to New Delhi from Jeddah. see more.. StoreDot is partnering with VinES to develop XFC battery cells and plan for commercialisation Agreement will focus on the development of several XFC types of cell form-factors, expected to be adopted on VinFast vehicles starting from 2025 HERZLIYA, Israel, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- StoreDot, the pioneer of extreme fast charging high energy battery solution for electric vehicles, has concluded a joint development agreement with VinES, a transformative energy solution provider and a member company of Vingroup, the largest private conglomerate in Vietnam. The agreement follows the already announced strategic investment of VinFast into StoreDot (Series D, January 2022); marking a new milestone in the cell technology development between both companies and helping them to promote advanced battery technology and prepare to introduce XFC battery solutions for the green mobility market, including VinFast's smart electric vehicles. The agreement will see both companies embark on a collaboration to jointly research, develop and offer extreme fast charge (XFC) battery cells in different form-factors, in preparation for XFC battery mass production and supply. StoreDot will license and share its proprietary XFC technology whereas VinES will provide and contribute its know-how and experience with multiple form factor development, manufacturing, validation and global supply chain network. The first generation of this XFC battery cell is expected to be commercially available in 2025 and immediately adopted by VinFast vehicles. Dr. Doron Myersdorf, StoreDot CEO said: "We're delighted to be partnering with VinES and further cementing our long-standing relationships with Vingroup and VinFast. This venture is an important one for us as we look to build more partnerships with companies at every level of the EV battery ecosystem such as Vingroup. I'm confident that the combination of our XFC cell chemistry and VinES's complimentary form-factor development, manufacturing, evaluation, certification, and supply chain capabilities will deliver world-class market leading EV batteries that will raise the bar further for the industry." Talking about the partnership, Ms Pham Thuy Linh, CEO of VinES said: "The partnership with StoreDot reflects VinES' s complimentary strategies by combining global innovative technologies with those in-house in our state-of-the-art production of electric vehicle batteries in Vietnam. With the XFC technology, we believe it will offer improved customers' experience, provide cost savings and remove charging time anxiety entirely. With StoreDot's team of talented scientists and experienced experts, combined with our know-how in multiple form-factor development, real production experiences, we are excited to work towards a near-future commercialisation of the XFC technology and contribute to the acceleration of the EV revolution globally." Last year, StoreDot revealed its '100inX' strategic technology roadmap. This featured 100in5, 100in3 and 100in2 of miles (or 160 km) per minute of charging - three generations of StoreDot technologies of silicon-dominant XFC, semi solid state and post-lithium architecture. The roadmap reaffirms that the timings for these will be delivered over the coming decade with 100in5 by 2024, 100in3 by 2028 and 100in2 by 2032. StoreDot has a long-standing relationship with conglomerate Vingroup. In January last year leading Vietnamese electric car manufacturer VinFast (a Vingroup company) was the lead investor in StoreDot's Series D funding round of up to $80 million USD. About StoreDot StoreDot is the pioneer and leader of extreme fast charging (XFC) electric vehicle batteries that overcome the critical barriers to mainstream EV adoption - range and charging anxiety. The company has revolutionized the conventional Li-ion battery by designing and synthesizing proprietary organic and inorganic compounds, optimized by Artificial Intelligence algorithms, making it possible to charge an EV in under ten minutes - the same experience as refuelling a conventional combustion engine car. Through its '100inX' product roadmap, StoreDot's battery technology is delivering 'Range on DemandTM': 100 miles charged in 5 minutes in 2024, 100 miles charged in 3 minutes by 2028, and extreme energy density solution enabling 100 miles to be charged in 2 minutes by 2032. StoreDot's strategic investors and partners include Daimler, BP, VinFast, Volvo Cars, Polestar, Ola Electric, Samsung, TDK, and its manufacturing partner EVE Energy. In 2022, the company achieved a world first by demonstrating a live extreme fast charging of an EV battery cell in 10 minutes. StoreDot is on target for mass production readiness of 100in5 technology by 2024. About VinES VinES Energy Solutions, a member of Vingroup, specializes in researching, developing, and manufacturing advanced lithium ion batteries for mobility and energy storage applications. Its battery cell, module and pack R&D and manufacturing capabilities ensure the delivery of advanced battery that meet the safety and quality standards required for EV/ESS and other energy application applications. In addition, VinES has established partnerships with some of the world's leading battery technology companies to provide full coverage as a transformative energy solution provider. For more information, visit https://vines.net.vn/. About VinFast VinFast - a member of Vingroup - envisioned to drive the movement of global smart electric vehicle revolution. Established in 2017, VinFast owns a state-of-the-art automotive manufacturing complex with globally leading scalability that boasts up to 90% automation in Hai Phong, Vietnam. Strongly committed to the mission for a sustainable future for everyone, VinFast constantly innovates to bring high-quality products, advanced smart services, seamless customer experiences, and pricing strategy for all to inspire global customers to jointly create a future of smart mobility and a sustainable planet. Learn more at: https://vinfastauto.com. About Vingroup Established in 1993, Vingroup is one of the leading private conglomerates in the region and currently focuses on three main areas: Technology and Industry, Services and Social Enterprise. Find out more at: https://www.vingroup.net/en. Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2057236/StoreDot_partners_with_VinES.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/storedot-partners-with-vines-to-accelerate-the-development-of-extreme-fast-charging-xfc-batteries-301803875.html 211 projects were submitted for participation in the 2022 Fellowships sponsored by IBSA Foundation for scientific research. A record number of submissions was received for the tenth call for applications for this programme that rewards young talents from all over the world. The annual Fellowship programme awards scholarships worth 30,000 each to young researchers under 40 from international universities and research institutes. The call for applications for 6 new fellowships for 2023, now with an increased value of 32,000 each, is now open. With 211 projects submitted, a record number of applications were received for the 2022 Fellowships sponsored by IBSA Foundation for scientific research, marking an important milestone for the tenth anniversary of the programme that rewards young researchers from universities and research institutes around the world. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230414005335/en/ IBSA IBSA Foundation Fellowships 2022 Awards Ceremony Arturo Licenziati, Silvia Misiti, Luisa Lambertini and 4 winners The award ceremony for the 6 winning projects was held today in Lugano, at the IBSA cosmos plant; the six were chosen out of more than two hundred submitted by young researchers and were each granted a scholarship worth 30,000. The number of applicants was very high, confirming the trend of greater participation by female than male researchers in recent years (61% vs 39%). In addition, participants in the 2022 call came from a total of 29 countries. Projects were received in five scientific fields dermatology, endocrinology, fertility urology, pain medicine orthopedics rheumatology, and the special category for 2022 dedicated to Healthy Aging. Here are the winners: Laura Yerly , Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Hopital de Beaumont, Lausanne University Hospital Center, 1011 (Switzerland) Project Title: Dissecting the cellular and molecular interactions governing perineural invasion in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma patients to identify novel therapeutic strategies , Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Hopital de Beaumont, Lausanne University Hospital Center, 1011 (Switzerland) Project Title: Camilla Basso, Laboratory for Surgical Translational Research, Department of Surgery, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale and Faculty of Biomedical Science, Universita della Svizzera italiana (Switzerland) Project Title: Fat-infiltrating microbiota: a new player in obesity? Valentina Lorenzi , European Molecular Biology Laboratory European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Sanger Institute, University of Cambridge (UK) Project Title: Unraveling the temporal and spatial dynamics of the developing human reproductive ducts. , European Molecular Biology Laboratory European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Sanger Institute, University of Cambridge (UK) Project Title: Francesco De Logu , University of Florence, Department of Health Sciences, Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology and Experimental Oncology (Italy) Project Title: tArgeted iNhibition of SChwann cell HORmone pAthway in GendEr pain (ANCHORAGE) , University of Florence, Department of Health Sciences, Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology and Experimental Oncology (Italy) Project Title: Marco Fantuz, VIMM Advanced Biomedical Research Foundation; Department of Biology, University of Padua (Italy) Project Title: Can impairments of mitochondria-to-nucleus communication explain age-associated decline of humoral immunity? Julio Aguado, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology AIBN, The University of Queensland (Australia) Project Title: Pharmacological targeting of SARS-CoV-2 neuroinvasion and its long-term effect in healthy brain aging. At the award ceremony, the scholarships were presented by Arturo Licenziati, President and CEO of IBSA Group, Silvia Misiti, Director of IBSA Foundation for scientific research, and Luisa Lambertini, Appointed Rector of the Universita della Svizzera italiana "Supporting cutting-edge research and projects to advance society and open up new avenues of scientific research: this is the goal we aim to achieve by renewing the call for the Fellowship programme every year" -explains Silvia Misiti, Director of IBSA Foundation- "We have been pursuing this commitment for 10 years now and we will continue to do so, because we believe in the talent of today's young researchers, in helping them become the scientists of tomorrow IBSA Foundation is in fact continuing its commitment to research and young talent and is launching a new call for applications for the 2023 Fellowship programme. The next round of Fellowships will be awarded to 6 innovative and distinctive projects in the scientific fields of dermatology, endocrinology, fertility urology, pain medicine orthopaedics rheumatology, and the 2023 special category of "Healthy Aging/Regenerative Medicine". Projects dealing with at least one of these areas of research will therefore be accepted in the field of Healthy Aging Regenerative Medicine. Another aspect that is different this year is the economic value of each scholarship, which has been increased to 32,000. Candidates who intend to apply with their project can submit proposals on the dedicated platform no later than 31 December, 2023. IBSA Foundation for scientific research IBSA Foundation for scientific research was established in 2012 in Lugano. It is the main promoter of IBSA Group's corporate social responsibility activities. IBSA Foundation supports scientific research and promotes dissemination through education, art and science, culture, and health-related activities. Its vision is going beyond treatment, with full awareness of the importance of the benefits of combining treatment paths with participation in cultural activities. Its mission is to promote an authoritative and accessible scientific culture through science dissemination, international science network, and support for research. Among its various initiatives, IBSA Foundation offers high-level forums with internationally renowned speakers and scholarships for basic and clinical research in various fields. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230414005335/en/ Contacts: PRESS INFORMATION IBSA Press Office for Switzerland -Laboratorio delle Parole Francesca Rossini notizie@laboratoriodelleparole.net mob: +41 77 417 93 72 IBSA Press Office for Italy Noesis PR Valeria Riccobono valeria.riccobono@noesis.net mob: +39 392 9625892 Ornella Reccia ornella.reccia@noesis.net mob. +39 329 3931922 LONDON, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Conservation charity, the African Conservation Foundation, launches a brand new NFT Project on Earth Day to raise $1.2 Million to save the world's rarest great ape. The collection includes a one-million-dollar NFT and also offers 5 free expeditions in Africa for the lucky winners. On Earth Day, the 'African Conservation Foundation' is proud to launch its bold NFT project which will raise funds to save the Cross River gorilla. These magnificent gorillas are the rarest ape on the planet and one of the world's most critically endangered species, with fewer than 300 individuals remaining in the wild. Hunting and the loss of their forest habitat due to human activities is a major threat to their survival. The African Conservation Foundation is working to address this crisis by creating protected areas and corridors, whilst also training rangers in monitoring and conservation techniques. With the funds raised, the Foundation will be able to continue its critical work ensuring the survival of the Cross River Gorillas for future generations. However, the funds will not only be used to help this special species survive, they will also be used for general conservation, so donations will be used to save animals across the world! The NFT project will feature a series of 8,001 unique, one-of-a-kind digital art pieces inspired by Cross River gorillas, African Wild Dogs, and Okapi. Unlike other NFT projects, the majority of the proceeds will go directly to support the African Conservation Foundation's work. There will only be 300 Cross River Gorillas for sale to reflect the scarce number left in the wild. MILLION DOLLAR NFT One of the NFTs will be sold for a million dollars, offering the buyer a once-in-a-lifetime luxury safari experience, which will be documented in a feature film about the journey. However, purchasers don't have to spend a million to go on a once-in-a-lifetime trip as within the Cross River Gorilla collection of 300, there will be 5 randomly assigned NFTs which grant the holder access to a free expedition in Africa (excluding flights) to aid the charity's work. "We are thrilled to launch this NFT project on World Wildlife Day and raise awareness for the Cross River gorillas" said Arend de Haas, Executive Director of the African Conservation Foundation. "With the support of the art and NFT community, we hope to raise over 1.6m to preserve the habitats of the incredibly rare Cross River gorillas and secure their future for generations to come." NFTs are increasingly being seen as valuable collectibles in the art world, and this project showcases the potential for NFTs to make a significant impact in the world of conservation. Web3 projects have already raised funds for conservation initiatives around the world, and this project adds to that momentum, using the power of blockchain technology to help protect the environment and wildlife. With only 300 of these apes left in the world, there are literally more Bored Ape Yacht Club owners than these gorillas - let's work together to save apes outside the metaverse. The novel approach to charity fundraising is being delivered in conjunction with web3 start-up 'We Are Meta'. Henry Eames, MD We Are Meta, "Speaking to the ACF and hearing the urgent need for action we couldn't help but try this new approach to fundraising. We can't wait to see who will get the Million Dollar Gorilla, but there are thousands of other NFTs starting from just a few dollars. This mission needs support from as many people as possible." The NFT project will be available for purchase starting on Earth Day - April 22, and interested parties can learn more and view the available pieces at https://www.300gorillas.com/ today. About The African Conservation Foundation The African Conservation Foundation is a non-profit organisation dedicated to the protection and conservation of Africa's wildlife and habitats. The Foundation works in close collaboration with local communities, government agencies, and other organisations to implement effective and sustainable conservation programmes. For more information about the African Conservation Foundation, visit https://africanconservation.org/. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2059660/ACF_Million_Dollar_Gorilla_NFT.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/300gorillas-by-african-conservation-foundation-launches-the-million-dollar-gorilla-on-earth-day-301803538.html The "Poland Elevator and Escalator Market Size Growth Forecast 2023-2029" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Poland elevator and escalator market size by new installations was estimated at 4.4 thousand units in 2022 and is expected to reach 5.3 thousand units by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 2.68% during the forecast period (2023-2029). During 2021-2030 the Poland railway will receive USD 75 billion under its National Railway Program (NRP). Two hundred thirty infrastructure projects had been planned by PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe (PKP PLK) with a budget of USD 18.7 billion. USD 2.6 billion worth of projects have been completed, and USD 10 million is in progress. Major changes have taken place in Poland's transportation systems in past years as the development of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS). Under the EU funding scheme, the polish government had planned to fund USD 17.5 billion from 2024-2023 to railway infrastructure and USD 36.6 billion in road infrastructure. Cordia, an Urban generation project, was planned in Poznan. The project involves a 21,000 sqm plot that was once a garment factory. The initial phase of this project began in 2021 and is anticipated to be completed by 2023. Rising Building Developments to Drive the Poland Elevator and Escalator Market National Plan for Reconstruction and Increasing Resilience under the lift industry in Poland with The Polish Association of Lift Manufacturers (PALM) as public consultation. The project involves the modernization and extension of passenger lifts in multi-family residential buildings and public and healthcare buildings. This will create opportunities for the market for Poland elevator and escalator. The Polish government had allocated USD 7.5 billion towards building activities, and almost USD 4.2 billion was assigned for the reconstruction and renovation of building activities. Kosakov Residential Community, with an area of 34,600m2 and an investment of USD 175 million, involves the construction residential community comprising 642 apartments in Pomeranian Voivodeship. Construction work is anticipated to be completed in 2024. Between January and March 2022, the office sector saw the highest delivered quarterly supply in recent years, with more than 333,000 sqm of office space completed in Poland. With the assistance of the Warsaw Archdiocese Roma Tower, a 170-meter building project is being piloted by BBI Development. The mixed-use development of 55,000 sqm will include office space and a luxury hotel and is anticipated to be completed by 2026. Governments Effort to Expand Infrastructure Across Nation to Increase Demand for New Installations Major international firms are considering relocating from Russia as well as from Ukraine. They could not operate due to various social and economic reasons in these areas and are looking for the nearest place where they can resourcefully trace investments. Driving investments and relocating firms to Poland will push the Poland elevator and escalator market growth. The concept of the Central seaport in Gdansk was ready for environmental assessment and public discussion, followed by approval; the estimated capital for this project is around USD 1.57-2.0 billion and is expected to be completed by 2029. Around USD 21.5 million had been provided by the European Investment Bank (EIB) as of September 2020 for rehabilitating and building 250 social and affordable housing units in Szczecin, Poland. The primary goal was to contribute to an urban regeneration and energy efficiency program for a historical city that will propel the Poland elevator and escalator market growth. The elevator opened in October 2022 on the Oder-Havel Canal, replacing the lift built in 1934, which no longer can withstand the modern maritime traffic, hoists boats up 36 meters to enable travel from the Polish port of Szczecin to Berlin. USD 2.2 billion were allotted by the Polish Ministry of Finance and Regional Policy to execute urban transportation projects. USD 499.9 million are spent on rolling stock, USD 108.5 million on digitization, and USD 1.6 billion are spent on infrastructure. Regulation of the Minister of Entrepreneurship and Technology to Increase Demand for Maintenance and Modernization in Poland. Maintenance and modernization in the Poland elevator and escalator market accounted for 86.1% and 13.9%, respectively, for 2022. The issues related to handling equipment subject to technical supervision are regulated by national law by the Polish Association of Lift Manufacturers (PALM) in 2019. As of December 6, 2018, the industry standards for the technical supervision regarding the operation, maintenance, and modernization of handling equipment as per the Regulation of the Minister of Entrepreneurship and Technology of October 30, 2018, became compulsory by law. VENDOR LANDSCAPE The top 4 prominent vendors in the Poland elevator and escalator market, including KONE, Otis, TK Elevator, and Schindler, account for 43% of the industry share in Poland. Key Vendors Otis KONE Schindler TK Elevator Fujitec Other Prominent Vendors Orona GMV Lifts Translift Wittur For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/mqkwqp About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230421005193/en/ Contacts: ResearchAndMarkets.com Laura Wood, Senior Press Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 OSLO, Norway, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Annual General Meeting of Aker ASA was held today as a digital meeting with online participation. All proposals on the agenda were adopted, cf. the notice of the Annual General Meeting that was published on Oslo Stock Exchange on 29 March 2023. It was resolved to distribute a dividend of NOK 15.00 per share for 2022. The dividend is payable to shareholders holding shares in the Company as per 21 April 2023. The shares will be traded ex-dividend on Oslo Stock Exchange from and including 24 April 2023. The dividend will be paid on or about 4 May 2023. The General Meeting also resolved to grant Aker ASA's Board of Directors an authorization to resolve additional dividend during 2023 based on the 2022 accounts. The General Meeting elected three shareholder-appointed directors to the board. Frank Ove Reite was re-elected as Deputy Chair of the Board for a period of two years and Karen Simon and Kristin Krohn Devold were re-elected as Directors for a period of one year. The Board of Aker ASA thus consists of the following shareholder-elected directors: Kjell Inge Rkke (Chair) Frank Ove Reite (Deputy Chair) (Deputy Chair) Karen Simon (Director) (Director) Kristin Krohn Devold (Director) The complete minutes of the Annual General Meeting are attached to this release and are also available on www.akerasa.com. For more information, please contact: Investors: Fredrik Berge, Head of Investor Relations Aker ASA Tel: +47 450 32 090 E-mail: fredrik.berge@akerasa.com Media: Atle Kigen, Head of Media Relations and Public Affairs Aker ASA Tel: +47 907 84 878 E-mail: atle.kigen@akerasa.com This information is subject of the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5 -12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act. The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Main/18835/3755046/2001692.pdf Protokoll fra generalforsamling 2023 https://mb.cision.com/Public/18835/3755046/89b3e88d3502f238.pdf Minutes of Annual General Meeting 2023 View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/aker-asa-minutes-of-annual-general-meeting-2023-301803940.html - At the fair, products such as Halopack and Sumbox will be among the solutions for visitors to discover, assisted by a team of experts in the innovation of sustainable packaging for the end consumer VALENCIA, Spain, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hinojosa Packaging Group, after the success of their participation in 2022, will once again attend the Seafood Expo Global (fair), taking place from 25th to 27th April in Barcelona. Driven by innovation and an orientation towards the needs and demands set by new consumer trends, the group has a wealth of experience as a producer of packaging for the fishing industry, as well as an extensive team of experts in the development of new innovative solutions for sustainable packaging aimed at the end consumer; comprising the largest combined range of solutions in Europe. In Barcelona, sustainable packaging for the aquaculture industry will also be exhibited, ranging from 100% recyclable primary packaging, to special designs for the canning industry, and boxes for frozen langoustines. New solutions that preserve product freshness The 360 Green Packaging range will be centrestage at the Seafood 2023 Fair. This line includes sustainable primary packaging Halopack by Hinojosa, an innovative packaging design for which Hinojosa is the exclusive manufacturer and distributor on the Iberian Peninsula. It is resistant to freezing, water and high temperatures and is made of cardboard with a fine layer of film. Moreover, it is made of 70% recycled materials and allows the reduction of single-use plastics by up to 75%. Hinojosa will also exhibit Sumbox, designed for the transportation of fish and fresh seafood. It is a 100% recyclable packaging design; the box can be deposited directly in the blue container once it has been used. It is the best sustainable alternative to traditional porex boxes, reducing the carbon footprint by up to 70%. Sumbox is also waterproof, isothermal, customisable and printable in photographic finish. Hinojosa renews its commitment to progress towards alternatives that are more environmentally friendly, together with its clients in all sectors, and thus to fulfill the sustainability goals set by the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda. About Hinojosa Packaging Group Hinojosa is one of the leading companies in the design and manufacturing of sustainable packaging solutions. With more than 75 years of experience, its model is based on the principles of the circular economy. Due to constant innovation, customer orientation and the pursuit of excellence, the group has seen continuous growth, experiencing a substantial boost in recent years with its commitment to internationalisation. Currently, it has 2,500 employees and 19 production plants across Spain, Portugal, and France, combining the strength of a global group with a local presence. The commitment and the work of the company is to generate a positive impact wherever it operates, contributing to the common good. It's not just about manufacturing the best packaging, it's about caring for the world around it. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2059231/Hinojosa_packaging_seafood.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/hinojosa-presents-latest-offerings-in-sustainable-packaging-for-the-fishing-sector-at-2023-seafood-fair-301802936.html GUILDFORD, SURREY / ACCESSWIRE / April 21, 2023 / ANGLE plc (AIM:AGL OTCQX:ANPCY), a world-leading liquid biopsy company, is pleased to announce it will be presenting via the Investor Meet Company platform at 11:00 am (BST) on Friday 28 April 2023. The presentation by Andrew Newland and Ian Griffiths will give existing and prospective investors an opportunity to hear an overview presentation of the Company's current activities and strategy. There will also be time allocated to answering questions submitted by shareholders and interested investors. Questions can be submitted in advance of the presentation via the Investor Meet Company dashboard up until 5:00 pm (BST) Wednesday 26 April 2023. Questions will be grouped and addressed under key themes. Please note that there will be no facility to ask questions during the presentation. Investors can register for the ANGLE plc presentation via Investor Meet Company using the link https://www.investormeetcompany.com/angle-plc/register-investor For further information: ANGLE plc +44 (0) 1483 343434 Andrew Newland, Chief Executive Ian Griffiths, Chief Financial Officer Andrew Holder, Head of Investor Relations Berenberg (NOMAD and Joint Broker) Toby Flaux, Ciaran Walsh, Milo Bonser +44 (0) 20 3207 7800 Jefferies (Joint Broker) Thomas Bective, Shaam Vora +44 (0) 20 7029 8000 FTI Consulting Simon Conway, Ciara Martin Matthew Ventimiglia (US) +44 (0) 203 727 1000 +1 (212) 850 5624 For Frequently Used Terms, please see the Company's website on https://angleplc.com/investor-relations/glossary/ Notes for editors About ANGLE plc www.angleplc.com ANGLE is a world leading liquid biopsy company with sample-to-answer solutions. ANGLE's proven patent protected circulating tumor cell (CTC) harvesting technology is known as the Parsortix system. ANGLE's Parsortix system is FDA cleared for its intended use in metastatic breast cancer and is currently the first and only FDA cleared medical device to harvest intact circulating cancer cells from blood. Intended use The Parsortix PC1 system is an in vitro diagnostic device intended to enrich circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from peripheral blood collected in K2EDTA tubes from patients diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. The system employs a microfluidic chamber (a Parsortix cell separation cassette) to capture cells of a certain size and deformability from the population of cells present in blood. The cells retained in the cassette are harvested by the Parsortix PC1 system for use in subsequent downstream assays. The end user is responsible for the validation of any downstream assay. The standalone device, as indicated, does not identify, enumerate or characterize CTCs and cannot be used to make any diagnostic/prognostic claims for CTCs, including monitoring indications or as an aid in any disease management and/or treatment decisions. The Parsortix system enables a liquid biopsy (a simple blood test) to be used to provide the circulating metastatic breast cancer cells to the user in a format suitable for multiple types of downstream analyses. The system is based on a microfluidic device that captures cells based on a combination of their size and compressibility. The system is epitope independent and can capture all phenotypes of CTCs (epithelial, mesenchymal and EMTing CTCs) as well as CTC clusters in a viable form (alive). CTCs harvested from the system enable a complete picture of a cancer to be seen; as being an intact cell they allow DNA, RNA and protein analysis as well as cytological and morphological examination and may provide comparable analysis to a tissue biopsy in metastatic breast cancer. Because CTC analysis is a non-invasive process, unlike tissue biopsy, it can be repeated as often as needed. This is important because cancer develops and changes over time and there is a clear medical need for up-to-date information on the status of a patient's tumor. In addition, the live CTCs harvested by the Parsortix system can be cultured, which offers the potential for testing tumor response to drugs outside the patient. The Parsortix technology is the subject of 26 granted patents in Europe, the United States, China, Australia, Canada, India, Japan and Mexico with three extensive families of patents are being progressed worldwide In the United States, the Parsortix PC1 system has received a Class II Classification from FDA for use with metastatic breast cancer patients. FDA clearance is seen as the global gold standard. ANGLE's Parsortix system is the first ever FDA cleared system for harvesting CTCs for subsequent analysis. ANGLE has applied the IVD CE Mark to the same system for the same intended use in Europe. ANGLE has also completed three separate 200 subject clinical studies under a programme designed to develop an ovarian cancer pelvic mass triage test, with the results showing best in class accuracy (AUC-ROC) of 95.4% with sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 93%. This excellent clinical result demonstrates the utility of cells harvested by the Parsortix system, which the Company believes is the "best sample" for liquid biopsy analysis as it recovers intact, living cancer cells that are involved in the progression of the disease providing prospective information. ANGLE has established formal collaborations with world-class cancer centres and major corporates such as Abbott, Philips and QIAGEN, and works closely with leading CTC translational research customers. These Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) are working to identify applications with medical utility (clear benefit to patients), and to secure clinical data that demonstrates that utility in patient studies. The body of evidence as to the benefits of the Parsortix system is growing rapidly from our own clinical studies in metastatic breast cancer and ovarian cancer and also from KOLs with 77 peer-reviewed publications and numerous publicly available posters from 33 independent cancer centres, available on our website. ANGLE has established clinical services laboratories in the UK and the United States to accelerate commercialisation of the Parsortix system and act as demonstrators to support product development. The laboratories offer services globally to pharmaceutical and biotech customers for use of Parsortix in cancer drug trials and, once the laboratories are accredited and tests validated, will provide Laboratory Developed Tests (LDTs) for patient management. This information is provided by Reach, the non-regulatory press release distribution service of RNS, part of the London Stock Exchange. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com. SOURCE: ANGLE plc View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/750586/ANGLE-Presentation-Via-Investor-Meet-Company Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. Vention opens a new training and development center for all manufacturers to experience first-hand the future of automation solutions. MONTREAL, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Vention , the company behind the cloud-based Manufacturing Automation Platform ( MAP ), announced today the opening of the first Vention Experience Center located in their Montreal headquarters. Aligned with Vention's mission to democratize industrial automation, this center aims to make automation more accessible to all manufacturers through training and development opportunities. With the opening of its Experience Center, Vention will provide manufacturers with access to the latest innovations in industrial automation through exclusive live demos, educational sessions, and hands-on training. Within one space, individuals of all levels can experience the full reach of the Manufacturing Automation Platform and leave with the skills and knowledge to design , automate , order , and deploy automated solutions themselves. "This new center is reinforcing our commitment to the future of industrial automation," added Etienne Lacroix, CEO and Co-Founder of Vention. "We wanted to create an environment where manufacturers can see, touch, and try out the latest technology-gaining valuable skills that they can then take and apply to their own manufacturing floors." Today, industrial automation is becoming the primary solution for manufacturers to reduce costs while solving the still prevalent labor shortage. By blending engineering software and modular hardware under one platform , manufacturers can realize automation projects sooner and at a lower cost. The intuitive nature of the Manufacturing Automaton Platform gives manufacturers the opportunity to upskill their existing workforce by providing them with the right tools to complete projects in-house. "With the do-it-yourself capabilities arising from the Manufacturing Automation Platform, companies are now able to realize cost and productivity gain through the upskilling of their workforce and creating Advanced Manufacturing Teams ," said Etienne Lacroix. "Our Experience Center provides the tools needed for any company to upskill their employees through free and hands-on in-person training." Vention's Experience Center is now open for visitors. Book your visit today: https://vention.io/experience-center?utm_source=Newswire&utm_medium=Paid&utm_campaign=Press_Release_VXC About Vention Vention helps some of the most innovative manufacturers automate their production floors in just a few days through a democratized user experience. Vention's digital manufacturing automation platform allows clients to design, automate, order, and deploy automated equipment directly from their web browsers. Vention is headquartered in Montreal, Canada, with new offices in Berlin and Boston. The 360-person company serves 3,000+ customers on five continents and 25 manufacturing industries. To learn more, visit vention.io or follow us on LinkedIn. *MachineMotion, MachineLogic, MachineCloud, and Vention are trademarks of Vention Inc. Media Contact: Sophie Ducharme, marketing@vention.cc, 1 800 940-3617 Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2059946/Vention_Introducing_the_Vention_Experience_Center.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2059947/Vention_Introducing_the_Vention_Experience_Center.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2059945/Vention_Introducing_the_Vention_Experience_Center.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/introducing-the-vention-experience-center-301803827.html VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / April 21, 2023 / Gold Terra Resource Corp. (TSX-V:YGT; Frankfurt:TX0; OTCQX:YGTFF) ("Gold Terra" or the "Company") is pleased to announce additional assay results from drill holes GTCM23-043 to 48, drilled on the Yellorex North zone during the Phase 1 winter drilling program on the Con Mine Option ("CMO") Property in Yellowknife, NWT. The drilling program was designed to expand the Yellorex North gold zone between surface and 300 metres below surface (see February 24, 2023 press release). The CMO property is under option from subsidiaries of Newmont Corporation and is acquirable by the Company upon fulfillment of certain conditions set out in the CMO agreement, as reported in the Company's news release dated November 22, 2021. Chairman and CEO, Gerald Panneton, commented, "The drilling results indicate a well-developed gold system in the Yellorex North zone and the expansion of the zone at depth which is open in all directions. The zone will require additional drilling and will be part of our next drill program. All ten completed holes on Yellorex North hit the targeted Campbell Shear and the results are highly encouraging and supporting additional drilling. The Campbell Shear structure is our highest priority target as the Con Mine produced historically more than 5 million ounces of high-grade gold (16 g/t Au). " Highlights Alteration, veining, and mineralization suggest a well-developed gold system in each drilled hole with an indication of both an upper zone (in hole GTCM23-045) and a deeper zone (in holes GTCM22-039 and GTCM23-048) of mineralization. Hole GTCM23-045 intersected: 1.7 g/t Au over 4.34 metres from 172-176.34 metres including 3.96 g/t Au over 1.36 metres from 173.5-174.86 metres. GTCM23-045 showed smoky quartz veining with strong sericite alteration, significant pyrite and needle-like arsenopyrite mineralization, and successfully expanded the shallower portion of Yellorex North zone. GTCM23-048 intersected 4.31 g/t Au over 2 metres from 383-385 metres and 3.06 g/t Au over 6 metres from 392-398 metres. GTCM23-048 contained abundant quartz veining and exhibited strong mineralization consisting of pyrite, arsenopyrite, stibnite and trace sphalerite. This hole successfully expanded the deeper portion of Yellorex North to depth and shows that the strong mineralization system continues at depth and remains open in three (3) directions. Holes GTCM23-045 and 048 represent distinct lenses of mineralization within the Campbell Shear at Yellorex North. As it appears that the southern extend of Yellorex North is truncated by the oblique-angled Pud Fault, it is evident that an additional exploration target exists ~300 metres to the south-southeast along the primarily strike-slip fault, where it is postulated that the southern portion of Yellorex North has been off-set to. It means that the zone is open on the other side and will be tested again in the near future. A long section showing 2023 drilling is presented in Figure 1. A cross-section showing holes GTCM23-045 and 048 is shown in Figure 2. Three holes, GTCM23-043, 046 and 047 intersected zones of anomalous gold mineralization. Hole GTCM23-043 intersected anomalous gold such as 0.51 g/t Au over 9 metres from 256-265 metres and 1.65 g/t Au over 1.0 metre from 277-278 metres indicating the hole represents a narrow gap between the two mineralized horizons within the Campbell Shear. GTCM23-046 and 047 were designed to explore the northern extents of Yellorex North in an area that has seen little historical drilling. Both holes successfully encountered the Campbell Shear and returned 17.5 metres and 20 metres respectively of anomalous low-grade gold. These broad anomalous zones are interpreted to be the marginal, low-grade halos of high-grade zones. GTCM23-044 was "faulted" and intersected the footwall zone of the Campbell Shear as the hole was targeting the Yellorex North zone nearby the Pud Fault. The upper portion of the Campbell Shear was offset some 300 metres to the east along the Pud Fault. The Pud Fault is a post-mineralization feature and was intersected as a 15-centimetre-wide fault gouge at 318 metres. As this program has defined high-grade gold adjacent to the Pud Fault, the faulted-offset of the Yellorex North zone nearby to the east has emerged as a strong target for future exploration. This target is notably located in an area that has seen little historical drilling. In addition, GTCM23-042 intersected 5.3 g/t Au over 6.43 metres and was designed to verify and add depth extension to historical high-grade mineralization encountered in the Yellorex North zone of the Campbell Shear. See March 3, 2023 press release). Ten near surface drill holes have been completed on Yellorex North. The zone is only 1 kilometer south of existing infrastructure, the C1 shaft, and above the level 2300. It was previously tested only by one hole in 2022, GTCM22-039, (see August 3, 2022 press release) which returned two mineralized zones returning 3.31 g/t Au over 6.00 metres from 306.0 to 312.0 metres and including 5.39 g/t Au over 2.0 metres from 309.00 to 311.00 metres, and 2.18 g/t Au over 5.0 metres from 324.00 metres to 329.00 metres. Figure 1 - Long section showing 2023 drilling and historic drilling. Figure 2 - Cross-section showing holes GTCM23-045 and 048 The focus of the winter drilling program is to expand the September 2022 initial Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") (see September 7, 2022 press release) along the Campbell Shear immediately south of the Con Mine. The initial mineral resource estimate from drilling in 2022 is 109,000 Indicated ounces @ 7.55 g/t Au of contained gold and 432,000 Inferred ounces @ 6.74 g/t Au of contained gold between surface and to a depth of 400m below surface along a 2 km corridor. Please see the October 21, 2022 technical report, titled "Initial Mineral Resource Estimate for the CMO Property, Yellowknife City Gold Project, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada" with an effective date of September 2, 2022, by Qualified Person, Allan Armitage, Ph. D., P. Geo., SGS Geological Services, which can be found on the Company's website at https://www.goldterracorp.com and on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Qualified Persons Joe Campbell, P. Geo., Senior Technical Advisor for Gold Terra is a Qualified Person within the meaning of NI 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this news release. About Gold Terra The YCG project encompasses 800 sq. km of contiguous land immediately north, south and east of the City of Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories. Through a series of acquisitions, Gold Terra controls one of the six major high-grade gold camps in Canada. Being within 10 kilometers of the City of Yellowknife, the YCG is close to vital infrastructure, including all-season roads, air transportation, service providers, hydro-electric power, and skilled tradespeople. Gold Terra is currently focusing its drilling on the prolific Campbell Shear, where 14 Moz of gold has been produced, and most recently on the Con Mine Option claims immediately south of the past producing Con Mine (1938-2003). The YCG and CMO property lie on the prolific Yellowknife greenstone belt, covering nearly 70 kilometers of strike length along the main mineralized shear system that host the former-producing high-grade Con and Giant gold mines. The Company's exploration programs have successfully identified significant zones of gold mineralization and multiple targets that remain to be tested which reinforces the Company's objective of re-establishing Yellowknife as one of the premier gold mining districts in Canada. Visit our website at www.goldterracorp.com. For more information, please contact: Gerald Panneton, Chairman & CEO gpanneton@goldterracorp.com Mara Strazdins, Manager of Investor Relations Phone: 1-778-897-1590 | 604-689-1749 ext 102 strazdins@goldterracorp.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Information Concerning Estimates of Mineral Resources Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Therefore, investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an Inferred Mineral Resource could ever be mined economically. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of "Measured Mineral Resources," "Indicated Mineral Resources," or "Inferred Mineral Resources" will ever be upgraded to a higher category. The Mineral Resource estimates contained herein may be subject to legal, political, environmental or other risks that could materially affect the potential development of such mineral resources. Refer to the Technical Report, once filed, for more information with respect to the key assumptions, parameters, methods and risks of determination associated with the foregoing. Cautionary Note to United States Investors The Company prepares its disclosure in accordance with the requirements of securities laws in effect in Canada, which differ from the requirements of U.S. securities laws. Terms relating to Mineral Resources in this news release are defined in accordance with NI 43-101 under the guidelines set out in CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, adopted by the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum Council on May 19, 2014, as amended ("CIM Standards"). The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") has adopted amendments effective February 25, 2019 (the "SEC Modernization Rules") to its disclosure rules to modernize the mineral property disclosure requirements for issuers whose securities are registered with the SEC under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934. As a result of the adoption of the SEC Modernization Rules, the SEC will now recognize estimates of "Measured Mineral Resources", "Indicated Mineral Resources" and "Inferred Mineral Resources", which are defined in substantially similar terms to the corresponding CIM Standards. In addition, the SEC has amended its definitions of "Proven Mineral Reserves" and "Probable Mineral Reserves" to be substantially similar to the corresponding CIM Standards. U.S. investors are cautioned that while the foregoing terms are "substantially similar" to corresponding definitions under the CIM Standards, there are differences in the definitions under the SEC Modernization Rules and the CIM Standards. Accordingly, there is no assurance any Mineral Resources that the Company may report as "Measured Mineral Resources", "Indicated Mineral Resources" and "Inferred Mineral Resources" under NI 43-101 would be the same had the Company prepared the Mineral Resource estimates under the standards adopted under the SEC Modernization Rules. In accordance with Canadian securities laws, estimates of "Inferred Mineral Resources" cannot form the basis of feasibility or other economic studies, except in limited circumstances where permitted under NI 43-101. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information Certain statements made and information contained in this news release constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation ("forward-looking information"). Generally, this forward-looking information can, but not always, be identified by use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events, conditions or results "will", "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" or the negative connotations thereof. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is necessarily based on estimates and assumptions that are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking information regarding the current drilling on the Campbell Shear, potentially adding ounces to the Company's current YCG mineral resource, and the Company's objective of re-establishing Yellowknife as one of the premier gold mining districts in Canada. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as the Company's actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in this forward-looking information as a result of the factors discussed in the "Risk Factors" section in the Company's most recent MD&A and annual information form available under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that would cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is based on information available to the Company as of the date of this news release. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. All of the forward-looking information contained in this news release is qualified by these cautionary statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information due to the inherent uncertainty thereof. Except as required under applicable securities legislation and regulations applicable to the Company, the Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update this forward-looking information. SOURCE: Gold Terra Resource Corp View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/750553/Gold-Terra-Announces-Additional-Drilling-Results-Including-306-gt-Gold-over-6-Metres-on-Yellorex-North-Zone-Con-Mine-Option-Property Dhaka, Apr 21 (UNI) Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has greeted his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina and the people of Bangladesh on the occasion of the holy Eid-ul-Fitr, one of the greatest religious festivals of Muslims. In an Eid greetings message sent to Sheikh Hasina, Modi wrote "On behalf of the people of India, I convey my Eid greetings to you and the people of Bangladesh." During the Holy Month of Ramadan, he mentioned, Muslims around the world, including India, has performed fasting and prayers, a press release of the Prime Minister's Press Wing said on Friday. Publications highlight the safety and tolerability of Radspherin for patients and those externally exposed to radiation, all dose levels were well tolerated with dose level toxicity (DLT) not reached. Oncoinvent AS, a clinical stage company advancing alpha emitter therapy across a variety of solid cancers, today announced the online publication of two articles in the recent special edition of Frontiers in Medicine focused on alpha radioisotopes. The first article, titled "Radiation safety considerations for the use of radium-224-calciumcarbonate-microparticles in patients with peritoneal metastasis," focuses on the effective radiation dose limit for hospital workers, carers, and the public from patients receiving 224Ra-CaCO3-MP. The second, titled "First experience with 224Radium-labeled microparticles (Radspherin) after CRS-HIPEC for peritoneal metastasis in colorectal cancer (a phase 1 study)," supports the favorable safety profile of Radspherin and establishes sustained tolerability in all dose levels for patients treated to date with colorectal cancer. "We are excited to share these compelling and important publications in this special edition of Frontiers in Medicine, which continue to demonstrate that all dose levels of Radspherin are well tolerated with no dose limiting toxicities to date," said Jan A. Alfheim, Chief Executive Officer of Oncoinvent. "Additionally, with these publications, we have shown that no precautions related to external exposure should be required for patients treated with 224Ra-CaCO3-MP a major risk factor to consider in radiopharmaceutical development that has now been significantly reduced. We are highly encouraged by the clinical data we have obtained to date and look forward to leveraging our expertise as a leader within the radiopharmaceutical space and progressing the clinical development of Radspherin." In the publication titled "Radiation safety considerations for the use of radium-224-calciumcarbonate-microparticles in patients with peritoneal metastasis," six patients with colorectal cancer from the phase 1 trial were injected with 7 MBq of 224Ra-CaCO3-MP. At 3, 24, and 120 hours post injection, the patients underwent measurements with an ionization chamber and a scintillator-based iodide detector as well as whole body gamma camera imaging. Researchers also collected urine and blood samples post injection to estimate activity concentration of 224Ra and 212Pb. It was found that the patients' median effective whole-body half life of 224Ra-CaCO3-MP ranged from 2.6 to 3.7 days, with a mean value of 3.0 days. Importantly, in the scenarios with exposure at the hospital, sporadic patient contact resulted in a range of 3.9-6.8?Sv per patient, and daily contact resulted in 4.3-31.3?Sv depending on the scenario, suggesting that a single hospital worker can treat around 200-400 patients injected with 224Ra-CaCO3-MP before external exposure is exceeded. Family members and other members of the public were expected to receive well below 0.25 mSv, thereby eliminating the need for restrictions to reduce external exposure. These data demonstrate that, due to low dose rates from the patients and low amount of activity found in blood and urine, no precautions related to external exposure are required when treating patients with Radspherin. In the publication titled "First experience with 224Radium-labeled microparticles (Radspherin) after CRS-HIPEC for peritoneal metastasis in colorectal cancer (a phase 1 study)," 23 patients were enrolled and administered Radspherin at increasing activity dose levels of 1-2-4-7 over a period of 30 days. A total of 68 grade 2 adverse events were reported for 17 patients during the first 30 days; most were considered related to CRS and/or HIPEC. No DLT was documented at the 7?MBq dose level that was then defined as the recommended dose. Additionally, the biodistribution of Radspherin showed a relatively even peritoneal distribution. These results underscore that all dose levels of Radspherin were well tolerated, and DLT was not reached. Of note, no deaths occurred, and no serious adverse events were considered related to Radspherin. This favorable safety profile in the current study is in line with documentation from other preclinical and clinical studies with other related alpha-emitting compounds administered intraperitoneally. About Frontiers in Medicine Frontiers in Medicine is a broad-scope, multidisciplinary journal covering all established medical disciplines to improve clinical practice and patient care. Led by Field Chief Editor Prof Michel Goldman (Universite libre de Bruxelles, Belgium), Frontiers in Medicine welcomes basic and clinical medical research that facilitate the translation of scientific advances into new therapies or diagnostic tools. In addition to papers that provide a link between basic research and clinical practice, a particular emphasis is given to studies that are directly relevant to patient care. About Radspherin Radspherin is a novel alpha-emitting radioactive microsphere suspension designed for treatment of metastatic cancers in body cavities. The radium-224 based therapeutic, Radspherinhas shown strong and consistent anticancer activity at doses being essentially non-toxic in preclinical studies. It is anticipated that the product can potentially be used to treat several forms of metastatic cancer. About Oncoinvent Oncoinvent AS is a clinical stage company developing innovative radiopharmaceutical technology that delivers precise, alpha-emitting particles across various cancers. By leveraging internal manufacturing and supply chain capabilities to enable a clinical supply of radioisotopes, the company is advancing therapy based on alpha particles, a higher Linear Energy Transfer (LET) form of radiation, that can potentially eradicate cancer cells. Oncoinvent' s lead candidate, Radspherin, is designed for treatment of metastatic cancers in body cavities, and its versatility allows it to be deployed for the treatment of a variety of cancer indications. Radspherin is in two ongoing clinical studies to treat peritoneal carcinomatosis from both ovarian cancer and colorectal cancer. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230421005242/en/ Contacts: Jan A. Alfheim, CEO Cell: +47 46 44 00 45 Email: alfheim@oncoinvent.com IR enquiries: Courtney Turiano, Stern Investor Relations Email: courtney.turiano@sternir.com HomeToGo SE Societe europeenne Registered office: 9, rue de Bitbourg L-1273 Luxembourg R.C.S. Luxembourg: B 249273 (the "Company") CONVENING NOTICE Notice is hereby given to the holders of shares of HomeToGo SE that an ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING of shareholders will be held on 23 May 2023 at 09.00 am CEST (the "AGM"). The AGM will be held on the premises of Arendt & Medernach S.A. at 41A, Avenue John F. Kennedy, L-1855 Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. At the AGM, the shareholders shall deliberate and vote on the following agenda: AGENDA 1. Presentation of the combined management report regarding the annual accounts of the Company and the consolidated financial statements for the financial year ended December 31, 2022. 2. Presentation of the reports of the independent auditor (cabinet de revision agree) of the Company regarding the annual accounts of the Company and the consolidated financial statements for the financial year ended December 31, 2022. 3. Approval of the annual accounts of the Company for the financial year ended December 31, 2022. 4. Acknowledgement of the loss of the Company made with respect to the financial year ended December 31, 2022, and resolution to carry forward the loss of the Company for the financial year ended December 31, 2022. 5. Approval of the consolidated financial statements for the financial year ended December 31, 2022. 6. Presentation of and advisory vote on the remuneration report for the members of the Management Board and the Supervisory Board in the financial year ended December 31, 2022. 7. Discharge (quitus) to Christoph Schuh, as member of the Supervisory Board, for the performance of his duties as member of the Supervisory Board for and in connection with the financial year ended December 31, 2022. 8. Discharge (quitus) to Dr. Dirk Altenbeck, as member of the Supervisory Board, for the performance of his duties as member of the Supervisory Board for and in connection with the financial year ended December 31, 2022. 9. Discharge (quitus) to Philipp Kloeckner, as member of the Supervisory Board, for the performance of his duties as member of the Supervisory Board for and in connection with the financial year ended December 31, 2022. 10. Discharge (quitus) to Martin Reiter, as member of the Supervisory Board, for the performance of his duties as member of the Supervisory Board for and in connection with the financial year ended December 31, 2022. 11. Discharge (quitus) to Susanne Sandler, as member of the Supervisory Board, for the performance of her duties as member of the Supervisory Board for and in connection with the financial year ended December 31, 2022. 12. Discharge (quitus) to Thilo Semmelbauer, as member of the Supervisory Board, for the performance of his duties as member of the Supervisory Board for and in connection with the financial year ended December 31, 2022. 13. Discharge (quitus) to Christina Smedley, as member of the Supervisory Board, for the performance of her duties as member of the Supervisory Board for and in connection with the financial year ended December 31, 2022. 14. Discharge (quitus) to Dr. Patrick Andrae, as member of the Management Board, for the performance of his duties as member of the Management Board for and in connection with the financial year ended December 31, 2022. 15. Discharge (quitus) to Wolfgang Heigl, as member of the Management Board, for the performance of his duties as member of the Management Board for and in connection with the financial year ended December 31, 2022. 16. Discharge (quitus) to Valentin Gruber, as member of the Management Board, for the performance of his duties as member of the Management Board for and in connection with the financial year ended December 31, 2022. 17. Discharge (quitus) to Steffen Schneider, as member of the Management Board, for the performance of his duties as member of the Management Board for and in connection with the financial year ended December 31, 2022. 18. Re-Appointment of Christoph Schuh as member of the Supervisory Board until the general meeting called to approve the annual accounts of the Company for the financial year ending December 31, 2026. 19. Re-Appointment of Dr. Dirk Altenbeck as member of the Supervisory Board until the general meeting called to approve the annual accounts of the Company for the financial year ending December 31, 2024. 20. Re-Appointment of Philipp Kloeckner as member of the Supervisory Board until the general meeting called to approve the annual accounts of the Company for the financial year ending December 31, 2024. 21. Re-Appointment of Martin Reiter as member of the Supervisory Board until the general meeting called to approve the annual accounts of the Company for the financial year ending December 31, 2024. 22. Re-Appointment of Susanne Sandler as member of the Supervisory Board until the general meeting called to approve the annual accounts of the Company for the financial year ending December 31, 2026. 23. Re-Appointment of Christina Smedley as member of the Supervisory Board until the general meeting called to approve the annual accounts of the Company for the financial year ending December 31, 2026. 24. Renewal of the mandate of the independent auditor (cabinet de revision agree) of the Company, Ernst & Young Luxembourg, represented by partner Yves Even, in relation to the annual accounts of the Company and the consolidated financial statements for the financial year ending on December 31, 2023. Quorum and Majority Pursuant to the Company's articles of association and the Luxembourg law dated 10 August 1915 on commercial companies, as amended, resolutions regarding items 3 to 24 of the agenda will be passed at a simple majority of the votes validly cast, regardless of the portion of capital represented, it being understood that item 6 constitutes an advisory vote only. Items 1 to 2 do not require any votes from the shareholders of the Company. Right to Amend the Content of the Agenda Pursuant to the Company's articles of association and the Luxembourg law of 24 May 2011 on certain rights of shareholders in listed companies, as amended (the "Luxembourg Shareholders' Rights Law"), one or several shareholders representing at least five percent (5%) of the Company's share capital may request the adjunction of one or several items to the agenda of the AGM, provided that the request is accompanied by a justification of or draft resolution(s). Pursuant to Article 4 of the Luxembourg Shareholders' Rights Law and the Company's articles of association, such request and justification of or draft resolution(s) must be received at the Company's registered office by registered letter or by e-mail (to the attention of the Management Board, 9, rue de Bitbourg, L-1273 Luxemburg) or electronic means (to:hometogo@better-orange.de) at least twenty-two (22) days prior to the date of the relevant general meeting of shareholders, i.e. by 28 April 2023 accompanied by a proof of the shareholding of such shareholder(s) and the address or e-mail address which the Company may use in order to deliver the acknowledgment of receipt of such request. The Company must acknowledge reception of such request within forty-eight (48) hours of receipt of such request. In case such request entails a modification of the agenda of the relevant general shareholders' meeting, the Company will make an amended agenda available at the latest fifteen (15) days prior to the date of the relevant general meeting, i.e. by 8 May 2023. Documents Copies of the proposals of the resolutions of the AGM as well as the documents related to the aforementioned items on the agenda will be on display for inspection by the shareholders on the Company's website (http://ir.hometogo.de/agm) and at the registered office of the Company as from 21 April 2023. Upon request to the Centralizing Agent (to: hometogo@better-orange.de), copies of the above-mentioned documents are going to be mailed to the shareholders. Share Capital of the Company The Company's share capital is set at two million four hundred forty-one thousand sixty-eight euro forty-five cents (EUR 2,441,068.45), represented by (i) two million two hundred ninety-one thousand six hundred sixty-seven (2,291,667) Class B2 Shares without nominal value, (ii) two million two hundred ninety-one thousand six hundred sixty-six (2,291,666) Class B3 Shares without nominal value, and (iii) one hundred twenty-two million five hundred fifty-five thousand six hundred forty-nine (122,555,649) Class A Shares without nominal value. Any reference made hereinafter to the "shares" or a "share" shall be construed as a reference to the Class A Shares and/or the Class B Shares, depending on the context and as applicable. The same construction applies to any reference made hereinafter to the "shareholders" or a "shareholder" of the Company. Each share entitles the holder thereof to one vote. Right to Participate and Vote in the AGM According to Article 5 of the Luxembourg Shareholders' Rights Law, the record date for general meetings of shareholders of listed companies incorporated under the laws of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is set at fourteen (14) days prior to the date of the corresponding general shareholders' meeting. Therefore, any shareholder who holds one or more shares of the Company on 9 May 2023 at 24.00 (midnight) CEST (the "Record Date"), registers for the AGM (please see below section "Registration for the AGM") and provides the certificate specified below, shall be admitted to participate and vote in the AGM, in person, by proxy or by way of written vote. Shareholders wishing to participate in the AGM without attending in person, shall provide a proxy or voting form (in accordance with sections "Voting Forms" and "Representation"). Registration for the AGM The Management Board of the Company considers that shareholders who provide proof of their shareholding on the Record Date and submit their voting form or provide a proxy as set forth in the below section "Representation", do not have to undertake other formalities to comply with the obligation set out in Article 5 (3) of the Luxembourg Shareholders' Rights Law. Proof of shareholding being a prerequisite for a shareholder to participate and vote in the AGM, shareholders whose shares are held in book-entry form through the operator of a securities settlement system or with a professional depositary or sub-depositary designated by such depositary must submit proof certifying the number of shares held on the Record Date (the "Certificate of Holdings") to the Centralizing Agent in the period from 9 May 2023 at 24.00 (midnight) CEST until 18 May 2023 at 18.00 CEST. To participate and vote in the AGM, Class B Shareholders need to be recorded in the share register of the Company on 9 May 2023 at 24.00 (midnight) CEST In case of participation in person and notwithstanding the foregoing, the intention to participate in person shall be indicated by no later than 18 May 2023 at 18.00 CEST to the Centralizing Agent. The Centralizing Agent of the Company is: Better Orange IR & HV AG Haidelweg 48 81241 Munich Germany Fax: +49 89 889690633 E-Mail: hometogo@better-orange.de Voting Forms Shareholders may cast their votes by sending a voting form to the Centralizing Agent by mail, e-mail or in any other form, and in particular by any other electronic means made available by the Company no later than on 18 May 2023 at 18.00 CEST (for further requirements see above sections "Right to Participate in the AGM" and "Registration for the AGM"). Voting forms provided by the Company on its website (http://ir.hometogo.de/agm) may be used and if used, only signed voting forms will be taken into account (including for the avoidance of doubt, signed pursuant to a valid, legal and binding power of attorney and/or signed electronically). Shareholders having submitted a voting form and who wish to revoke such voting form may do so by timely providing a later dated voting or proxy form or cancelling the voting form in writing to the Centralizing Agent of the Company at the address referred to above. Representation In the event that any shareholder appoints another person as proxy to vote on their behalf, the completed and executed proxy form must be submitted by mail, e-mail or in any other form, and in particular by any other electronic means made available by the Company, to the Centralizing Agent of the Company no later than on 18 May 2023 at 18.00 CEST (for further requirements see above sections "Right to Participate in the AGM" and "Registration for the AGM"). Proxy forms provided on the website of the Company (http://ir.hometogo.de/agm) may be used and if used, only signed proxy forms will be taken into account (including for the avoidance of doubt, signed pursuant to a valid, legal and binding power of attorney and/or signed electronically). One person may represent more than one shareholder. Shareholders having submitted a proxy form but who wish to revoke such proxy form may do so by timely providing a later dated proxy or voting form or by cancelling the proxy form in writing to the Centralizing Agent of the Company at the address referred to above. If the Company and/or the Centralizing Agent receives more than one different voting document from a shareholder, only the last voting or proxy form received by the Centralizing Agent and/or the Company before 18 May 2023 at 18.00 CEST will be considered. Any voting document provided will be disregarded should the shareholder attend the AGM in person and collect a voting card. Language The AGM will be held in English. Luxembourg, 21 April 2023 For the Management Board of the Company. Dr. Patrick Andrae Chief Executive Officer Steffen Schneider Chief Financial Officer NEWPORT BEACH, CA / ACCESSWIRE / April 21, 2023 / HARVARD Award Winning Entrepreneur, Mr. Raymond C. Dabney Acquires Majority Shareholder Control of GBX International Group, Inc. (OTC:GBXI) Makes More History Bringing CSi-EDP Partner American States University (ASU) as the First Acquisition for its Aggressive Growth Plans Newport Beach, CA, April 21, 2023, GBX International Group, Inc., (OTC:GBXI) an emerging leader in international economic development, is pleased to announce its' launch into the education, international drug development, advanced technologies, and international advanced green energy development industries through the acquisition of American States University (ASU). Mr. Raymond C. Dabney has acquired majority shareholder control of GBXI, and his first target is ASU for its massive growth potential and integration of assets with the international ASU/CSi-EDP partnership programs. The ASU Digital Business HUB will be used as the main business student learning center. GBXI will be the main pivot point to spin out trading shares of all our Partner Public and Private Companies such as Cannabis Science, iCannabinoid, Thermic Science, LNC, LMG, and a few more old and new school surprises for our loyal shareholders. No one will be missed! A true Digital Business HUB for students, just as planned all along. Each spinout company will give our GBXI registered shareholders additional pro-rata shares in each spinout company over and above their original shares in each entity. This provides the required shareholder base for each company required to trade and gives additional shares to all our loyal GBXI shareholders. We call this "Compounding our Wealth" through extra spinout share participation for all our loyal GBXI shareholders. Each registered GBXI shareholder will receive additional shares of each spinout Company over and above their original shares to enjoy additional liquidity as each company begins to trade through the GBXI Digital Business HUB spinout process. www.americanstatesuniversity.com "Here we go! Anyone who knows me and knows what we have been through over the past few years, knows what's coming next! It's full-on Warfare, against the Wind! We are aggressively following through with our plans to Bring ALL our Companies back trading and integrate ASU with several of our CSi-EDP Partner Companies to accomplish that goal very quickly. We will be using the full extent of our reach for this Sprint to the Finish line! All our ground-breaking advanced business and energy technologies along with our HARVARD Award Winning Economic Development & Medical Drug Development Programs all will be offered through our unique ASU University education model for growth and mass inclusion, no one will be missed! This acquisition will enable ASU University and its CSi-EDP Partners with the tools to grow in virtually every mainstream Industry covered by the many ASU/CSi-EDP partnership Companies and programs for individual Personal development and/or Business economic development. This growth should happen quickly through its constant and flexible Scholarship and Business apprenticeship Programs modeled individually for every Community, City, State or Region for its specific and unique economic and medical needs. The goal is creating 100's or thousands of jobs worldwide to help fix our economic turmoil using all our ASU/CSi-EDP partnership Company resources in our hardest hit communities worldwide, ASU/CSi-EDP, Bringing it all Together, Here we go! Confirmed New President & CEO of GBX International Inc., Mr. Raymond C. Dabney". With multiple Schools of Excellence, the ASU University is positioned to become an Internationally recognized leader in traditional and digital hybrid mix of Prestigious Degree and Certificate Trades Programs, wrapped in an international economic entrepreneurial bevy of jobs and choices for growth for everyone enrolled. The ASU/CSi-EDP Partnership is focused on introducing one of the largest Nationwide University Scholarships Programs offered, City by City, Coast to Coast, Scholarships for education, family, and business. School of Law; Bachelor of Science in Law [BSL]; Juris Doctor [JD] ASU will build its in-house legal team of Volunteers, Adjunct Professors, Full-Time Professors, Students and Apprentices Worldwide. The in-house legal team will take on cases cover a wide range of legal instances to help fix the many wrongs inhibiting our society to grow and nurture in an equal opportunity environment. ASU Law already has a few cases it is a party too already with our own CSi-EDP Partner Companies that will be at the forefront of our initial case studies and initial aggressive legal actions to fix. School of Business; Bachelor in Business Administration [BABA]; Masters in Business Administration [MBA]; Doctorate in Business Administration [DBA] The North American stock exchanges will play a big role in the ASU Entrepreneurial Business offerings, bringing delisted companies back to trade, up listing Companies to higher level exchanges for ease of public trading, and brand new listed companies through IPO offerings on different level exchanges worldwide. ASU will build its Business in-house team of Volunteers, Adjunct Professors, Full-Time Professors, Students and Apprentices Worldwide based on its current ASU/CSi-EDP Partnerships, Cannabis Science Inc., Thermic Science (ENDO), LNC Technology, as well as its many Washington, DC, (GOV) centered economic development plans for international expansions and inclusions. School of Agriculture; Bachelor of Agriculture ASU will build its in-house Agriculture team of Volunteers, Adjunct Professors, Full-Time Professors, Students and Apprentices Worldwide. ASU has a solid footing in Agriculture, farming, seeding, and cultivation based on its ASU/CSi-EDP Partnership programs in natural drug development using Cannabinoids derived from Industrial hemp and Cannabis plants along with a few other indigenous plants and bio-actives needed worldwide. ASU will build its in-house Medical team of Volunteers, Adjunct Professors, Full-Time Professors, Students and Apprentices Worldwide. Through its ASU/CSi-EDP Partnerships the University has HARVARD Award Winning medical research and ground-breaking medical advances, patents, and new technology to introduce to the world, very exciting opportunities for ASU students to work and advance this type of Medical Success. School of Fine Arts; ASU will build its in-house team of Media Volunteers, Adjunct Professors, Full-Time Professors, Students and Apprentices Worldwide. LMG and other CSi-EDP Media Partnerships for Television, Motion Pictures, and Music production and International distribution. School of Sustainability-Division of Alternative Energy; ASU will build its in-house team of Alternative Energy Volunteers, Adjunct Professors, Full-Time Professors, Students and Apprentices Worldwide. The ASU/CSi-EDP Partnership will bring the Thermic Science (ENDO) advance technology to the table with ASU Alternative Energy students working on the ground-breaking Thermic Heating Paint products and services to complete manufacturing development and subsequent product releases to the public worldwide. Certified Professionals & the Departments; Department of Security Department of Entrepreneurs Department of Theology/Religion Department of Technology Department of Political Science All of this along with over 37 Trade Skills Courses wrapped in the coveted Entrepreneurial Programs. With the new Digital HUB online software integration well underway, ASU, a Hybrid University offers the "big three" mix of on-line, in-class, and on-the-job training, ready to grow all ASU/CSi-EDP Partnership companies... Entrepreneurial education, rapid deployments for distressed communities, focused on individuals, families and youths ranging from the affluent students programs right through to the distressed communities worldwide, aggressive integration and inclusion of growth. American States University is the only TRUE Entrepreneurial University that can provide the flexibility, affordability, and accessibility to the general public needed to provide this level of education. American States University is a unique hybrid mix of online, in class and in field education. It is a unique and creative entrepreneurial educational brainchild of its Founder, President, and Chancellor, Raymond C. Dabney, coming from challenging beginnings himself with little formal education; he advanced and created many opportunities offered by this great planet and the blessed individuals willing to teach him their trade; now Mr. Dabney is giving back those same opportunities and Successes he has been Blessed with to his future students, professors, shareholders, families in need, and the general business community worldwide. ASU will provide the financial and managerial resources needed to expand those offerings rapidly' into Communities of need and establish several new paradigms for instant non-traditional hybrid education, expanding across the country and Internationally as market conditions dictate. www.americanstatesuniversity.com Pre-register now! Inspire, Dream, Change Students, Scholarships, Apprentices, Professors, Instructors, and Partners who wish to Grow with us! About ASU The University curriculum delivers hybrid foundational knowledge and real-world skills to immediately prepare you for your career. The University will provide real-time Digital Business HUB access for all its Students and Business Scholars, along with several new and existing partner companies for constant flow of jobs in various industries. The work is real as these Companies are already providing some of these services to the University and other Companies they will be listed in real-time as each job contract presents itself. The ASU University Scholarship & Apprentice Project will cover most industries and will be an ongoing University Project of mass-scale to include all industries categorized and assembled with real-time Digital access. Covering Education, Food, Medical, Agriculture, High-Tech, Manufacturing, Real Estate, Transportation, Defense Security, Aerospace, Television & Media and so much more. Job creation, business consulting, partnership opportunities, personal enhancement education, including business and personal Scholarships. Any Community, any Student, any Business, coupled with the aggressive Student Scholarship Apprentice Programs creates any job, or any company, for any Student, in any Industry, anyone that wants to join the Scholarship Apprentice Program. Scholarship Apprentices: Mobilizing large work force groups, any Industry, any Contract, even Community Clean up, Construction, Security, full University Digital HUB Integration, Mass Job creation, Apprentice Scholarship Programs, and Family Assistance Programs. American States University believes that everyone should have an opportunity to learn and earn if they want too, so we do. https://www.americanstatesuniversity.com/ Forward Looking Statements This Press Release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934. A statement containing words such as "anticipate," "seek," intend," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "project," or similar phrases may be deemed "forward- looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Some or all of the events or results anticipated by these forward-looking statements may not occur. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include the future U.S. and global economies, the impact of competition, and the Company's reliance on existing regulations regarding the use and development of cannabis-based drugs and products. The Company does not undertake any duty, nor does it intend to update the results of these forward-looking statements. Contact Information: https://www.americanstatesuniversity.com/ American States University GBX International Inc. Raymond C. Dabney President & CEO, Chancellor raymond.dabney@americanstatesuniversity.com +1.778.288.1389 SOURCE: GBX International Group, Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/750608/Mr-Raymond-C-Dabney-Acquires-Majority-Shareholder-Control-of-GBX-International-Group-Inc-OTCGBXI NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / April 21, 2023 / U.S. Bank Joy Lyons stands ready to serve meals and her community. Originally published on U.S. Bank company blog Joy Lyons, head of North America Operations for Elavon, the merchant processing business within U.S. Bank Payment Services, dedicates a meaningful amount of her time to volunteering with organizations that help women. She recently was recognized for her service with a Pay it Forward Star Award from the Electronic Transaction Association. Lyons, who is based in Knoxville, Tennessee, said she follows three guidelines to help her incorporate community service - including work with domestic violence shelters, contributions to organizations benefiting children and supporting young women transition from student to successful businesswomen- into her life. Follow your interests As a woman in the financial services industry, Lyons said it's important to mentor other women in the sector. "With any activity, we are more likely to have a positive outcome when our skills and interests are aligned with a need," she said. "While I am incredibly passionate about the work I do at U.S. Bank, I am equally dedicated to giving back to other women in the industry and in my local community. I know how important it is to share our knowledge and experience with one another." That dedication motivates her to serve as an active member of the Women in Payments board and support its mission to connect, inspire and champion women in the payments industry. She serves as an executive advisor for the Elavon Women in Payments Atlanta chapter business resource group. Lyons puts her talent for motivating groups of people to work by engaging with more than 750 students and active alumnae in community service projects through her role as the alumni liaison coordinator and mother's club president for Alpha Delta Pi - University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Engage your network Lyons said she learned years ago while running a coat drive to help a nonprofit organization that when it comes to volunteer work, there's great value in bringing people together. "As an individual donor, I could give a few coats at most," she said. But by partnering with her daughter and mobilizing local schools, dance studios and her coworkers, Lyons and her network have been able to donate more than 7,000 coats and blankets over a 10-year span. Lyons also volunteers alongside her Elavon colleagues to coordinate donation drives for toys, books and art supplies for the local children's hospital and collect essential school supplies for local, underserved schools. "Again, as individuals, we could help a few kids, but together we are able to fill entire SUVs with goodies and necessities," she said. Make helping a habit Commitment is key in forming good habits, Lyons said, and volunteerism is no exception. "When you make community work a consistent part of your life, it ceases to be a grand gesture of charity and becomes an expected part of living in a community," she said. "I give my time and energy now because I can. I know that any one of us may, at some point, need to receive assistance. We all need to recognize that giving and accepting help is part of our dedication to each other and our communities." "If someone is just starting out in volunteer work, it's fine to start small but it's important to be consistent," Lyons said. "Twenty years ago, I began dedicating time to acts of service to show my daughter the important role each of us has in supporting our community. I started with just a few activities a year but quickly saw, and felt, the positive impact. I now dedicate five days a month to work in my community." View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from U.S. Bank on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: U.S. Bank Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/us-bank Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: U.S. Bank View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/750612/Payments-Operations-Leader-Recognized-for-Paying-It-Forward NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / April 21, 2023 / Qualcomm As published in Qualcomm's 2022 Corporate Responsibility Report In fiscal 2022, we announced our plans to achieve net-zero global emissions for Scopes 1, 2 and 3 by 2040 and committed to the Science Based Targets initiative's (SBTi) Business Ambition for 1.5C. These goals reflect our belief that environmental sustainability is extremely important, with significant social and economic benefits that require collective action and leadership from our Company and other corporate citizens. In line with our commitments, our strategy to achieve net-zero includes transitioning to renewable energy in our top operational footprint regions via long-term Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), decarbonizing our operations through the replacement of high global warming potential gases in our manufacturing processes and reducing natural gas usage at our San Diego, California, headquarters. We also joined the Climate Pledge, a cross-sector community of companies committed to be net-zero by 2040 - 10 years ahead of the Paris Agreement's goals. During our first full year of implementing this strategy, we've already made progress. Our 10-year renewable energy agreement with Shell Energy North America (US), L.P. (Shell Energy) has reduced our emissions by 25,785 tCO2 e, or 10 percent, of our total Scope 1 and 2 emissions since last year. Our solar PPA in Bangalore, India, (which began in 2018) continues to make a substantial contribution to our Scope 2 emission reductions in the amount of 15,284 tCO2 e (17,855 MWhrs) annually. We are also seeking to enter into long-term renewable energy agreements in our other top operational footprint regions of Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), India and Singapore. Furthermore, in 2022, we reduced our consumption of natural gas at our German manufacturing facility by 50 percent by shutting down our combined heat and power plant. The remaining 50 percent of natural gas is used in waste air treatment to reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and GHG emissions from manufacturing processes exhaust. To mitigate the climate impact from the remaining natural gas, we offset our consumption through green biogas certificates, which are produced in Europe from renewable plant material. Following the successful test phase of our Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD) chamber clean project in 2021 at our German manufacturing facility, we continued to implement gas replacement in all PECVD chamber clean processes. The project replaces high global warming potential gases such as sulfur hexafluoride (SF6 ) and nitrogen trifluoride (NF3 ) with a fluorine-based gas mixture that has a global warming potential of zero, thereby reducing our Scope 1 GHG emissions. Finally, we also implemented an internal carbon price across our three manufacturing facilities, as appropriate. This carbon price creates an assumed cost per ton of carbon emissions with an annual rate increase per year, with the objective of changing our internal behavior toward low carbon innovation. Learn more in Qualcomm's 2022 Corporate Responsibility Report View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Qualcomm on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Qualcomm Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/qualcomm Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Qualcomm View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/750627/How-Qualcomm-is-Addressing-the-Climate-Challenge NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / April 21, 2023 / Ericsson: Originally published by Ericsson Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, Francois-Philippe Champagne, attend Ottawa announcement alongside Ericsson President and CEO, Borje Ekholm Scope of the program is expected to create and upskill hundreds of jobs over the next five years at Ericsson's Ottawa and Montreal R&D centres Research to focus on 5G Advanced, 6G, Cloud RAN, Core Networks, Quantum Computing, and AI for mobile networks A five-year R&D partnership valued at more than CAD 470 million between Ericsson and the Government of Canada is set to put the country at the forefront of global development in next-generation communications technologies. The investment, at Ericsson's Ottawa, Ontario and Montreal, Quebec facilities, is expected to create and upskill hundreds of jobs - strengthening the sites as global leaders in 5G Advanced, 6G, AI, Cloud RAN, and Core Network technologies. The investment will also support the expansion of research facilities and staff support for quantum computing at Ericsson's recently established Quantum Research hub in Montreal. The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, says: "Today's announcement is further evidence that Canadian workers have the talent the world needs to develop faster and more secure internet connection and other wireless services. As we continue to support innovation, we are creating good jobs, strengthening the middle class, and ensuring Canada remains a global leader in technology." Borje Ekholm, President and CEO, Ericsson, says: "We are already seeing the benefits of next-generation technologies such as 5G and AI, yet we are still in the early days of their potential to transform our work, leisure, and social lives. Ericsson's R&D investment partnership with the Canadian government, supported by world-class talent in Ottawa and Montreal, will boost innovation and ultimately help to improve the lives of millions of people. We are determined to lead our industry through continued R&D investment." The Hon. Francois-Philippe Champagne, Canada's Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, says: "Canadians deserve strong, secure, and reliable wireless networks and services. By investing in Ericsson Canada, our government continues to support and strengthen the 5G networks of today and 6G networks of the future. The partnership also further solidifies Canada as a global leader in next-generation networks and creates more well-paying jobs." Jeanette Irekvist, President of Ericsson Canada, says: "Ericsson is proudly commemorating 70 years of innovation and operations in Canada this year. Today, we demonstrate our continued commitment to Canada with this high-tech R&D investment announcement. The benefits of this project will strengthen Canada's technology expertise that is second-to-none, will bolster Ericsson's world-class R&D centres, and is a testament to the concentration of talent here in the Ottawa-area and in Montreal." Mark Sutcliffe, Mayor, City of Ottawa, says: "I am excited about Ericsson's new investment in its Ottawa R&D centre, perfectly suited for a city deeply rooted in innovative technologies and the experts that create them. Supporting Research and Development centres like this helps to make our economy stronger. When we invest in research and innovation, we invest in the success of our residents and the modernization of our city." The new investment will also enable Ericsson Canada to onboard up to 60 additional interns per year - 300 across the five-year timeline - to boost ongoing academic partnerships. Most of these students will be based in the Montreal and Ottawa R&D centres. Already Ericsson's key North American R&D facility, the Ottawa site occupies 25,000 sq m - of which more than 4,300 sq m is solely dedicated to lab operations, including the recently established Ericsson Open Lab. 70 Years of connecting Canadians Ericsson Canada has played a vital role in the country's innovation ecosystem for 70 years, including supporting communications service providers through every generation of mobile communication. Ericsson Canada is also a partner in the national ecosystem network aimed at fostering 5G adoption and collaboration in Canada. Ericsson Canada has R&D centres and offices in Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto and is among the leading R&D spenders in the country - averaging some CAD 345 million per year. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Ericsson on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Ericsson Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/ericsson Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Ericsson View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/750639/Ericsson-and-the-Government-of-Canada-To-Invest-More-Than-CAD-470-Million-in-RD-Centres Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 21, 2023) - Advantagewon Oil Corp. (CSE: AOC) (the "Corporation") announces that it has made an application to the Ontario Securities Commission to approve a temporary management cease trade order (the "MCTO") under National Policy 12-203 Management Cease Trade Orders ("NP 21-203"), which, if granted, will prohibit trading in securities of the Corporation by the chief executive officer and chief financial officer of the Corporation until such time as the Required Filings (as defined below) and all continuous disclosure requirements have been filed by the Corporation, and the MCTO has been lifted. During the period in which the MCTO is effective, the public, who are not insiders of the Corporation, will continue to be able to trade in the Corporation's listed securities. The MCTO application has been made, but there is no guarantee or assurance that the MCTO will be granted. The Corporation expects it will be unable to file its audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022, and the management's discussion and analysis and related Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer certificates for this period (collectively, the "Required Filings") before the May 1, 2023, filing deadline (the "Filing Deadline"). The Corporation's failure to file its Required Filings by the Filing Deadline is due to its difficulty in raising capital to pay the auditors, which was caused by challenging market conditions. The MCTO grant will enable the Corporation to secure financing and address this issue. The Corporation anticipates that it will be in a position to remedy the default by filing the Required Filings on or before July 3, 2022. The MCTO will be in effect until the Required Filings are completed. The Corporation intends to satisfy the provisions of the alternative information guidelines set out in sections 9 and 10 of NP 12-203 so long as the Required Filings are outstanding. For more information, please contact: Paul Haber Interim Chief Executive Officer and Director Email: paul.haber@aoc-oil.com Phone: 416 318-6501 Forward Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to the expected timing of the filing of the annual audited financial statements and related management's discussion and analysis for the year ended December 31, 2022. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Corporation's expectations are risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Corporation with securities regulations. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Corporation will update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements as expressly required by Canadian securities law. The Canadian Securities Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/163301 21 April 2023 Rightmove plc Share buy-back programme Rightmove plc - Transaction in own shares Rightmove plc ("Rightmove"), announces that today it purchased 150,000 of its 0.1p ordinary shares at a volume weighted average price paid per share of 575.447p. The highest price paid per share was 580.200p and the lowest price paid per share was 570.200p. Rightmove purchased these shares through UBS AG London Branch. The number of shares purchased represented 0.0183% of the voting rights attributable to the total ordinary shares in issue prior to such purchase. The purchased shares will be cancelled. Since announcing a share buy-back programme on 28 December 2007, Rightmove has purchased in aggregate 486,318,295 ordinary shares. The total number of ordinary shares in issue (excluding treasury shares) following this announcement is 820,684,551. Rightmove holds 12,051,234 shares in treasury. In accordance with Article 5(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 (the Market Abuse Regulation) as amended by The Market Abuse (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (the "UK MAR"), the schedule below contains detailed information about the purchases made by UBS AG London Branch on behalf of the Company as part of the buyback programme. -Ends- Contact: Michelle Palmer, Assistant Company Secretary CompanySecretary@rightmove.co.uk Schedule of Purchases - Individual Transactions New Delhi/Islamabad, Apr 20 (UNI) Pakistan on Thursday announced that its Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari would be attending the SCO meeting of Foreign Ministers being held in May in Goa. The Pakistan Foreign Ministry in a tweet said that Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will lead the Pakistani delegation to the SCO Foreign Ministers meeting being held on May 4-5 in Goa, India. The Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that Bilawals participation in the Meeting reflects Pakistans continued commitment to the SCO Charter and processes and the importance that Pakistan accords to the region in its foreign policy priorities. Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi declined to comment, saying it would not be appropriate to focus on participation by any one country. He said India has been inviting all SCO member states for events related to Indias presidency of the grouping. Regarding the Goa meeting of SCO Foreign Ministers, the MEA spokesperson said that India has extended similar invites to all members states and looks forward to a successful meeting. Asked about a possible bilateral meeting with the Pakistani Foreign Minister, the MEA spokesperson said it would be premature to say anything at this juncture, and added that EAM Jaishankar usually tries to hold as many bilateral meetings during such multilateral events, and that it would not be right to comment. UNI RN On this Earth Day, ActivePure is urging for immediate action to tackle the negative impacts of relying solely on traditional ventilation and filtration to enhance indoor air quality. DALLAS, TX / ACCESSWIRE / April 21, 2023 / In 2022, the White House's Healthy Buildings Challenge introduced new Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) recommendations for increased ventilation and filtration to mitigate the spread of airborne infectious pathogens in indoor environments. While the global leader in air and surface purification technology, ActivePure Technology, applauded the increased focus on IAQ they noted even more opportunities the plan did not address. For example, in areas where outdoor air quality is already poor, increasing ventilation inevitably introduces more pollutants indoors despite the existence of traditional filtration. An even larger concern with increasing ventilation is the need for buildings to run their HVAC systems longer. Naturally, this requires enormous energy to maintain thermal comfort, which drives up operating costs and counters global decarbonization goals. These IAQ recommendations stand in direct conflict with the vision of the 2050 Carbon Neutrality Goal. However, modern IAQ technology, such as ActivePure a patented and award-winning advanced photocatalysis process, is available as a sustainable alternative, helping organizations recognize that they no longer need to choose between protecting their workers and protecting the environment. As organizations worldwide strive to modernize their ventilation systems, they face an Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) paradox: heating and cooling buildings leave a heavy carbon footprint. In the United States alone, HVAC operating costs account for a sizable portion of the total building's energy consumption at nearly 40 percent. When a building continuously increases its ventilation and filter efficiency, energy consumption will skyrocket due to greater space conditioning and fan power demands. The economic and environmental impact will be catastrophic as 20 percent of America's carbon footprint already comes from the built environment's energy demands. Increasing ventilation, therefore, presents a direct conflict with accomplishing global decarbonization goals. As organizations become more ESG focused, any solution that involves even a minor increase in cost or carbon footprint will most likely be a non-starter for many decision-makers. "On this Earth Day, ActivePure calls for urgent action to address this consequential paradox," said Joe Urso, CEO of ActivePure Technologies. "It is time to focus on developing innovative 21st-century solutions that reduce the carbon footprint of buildings while also ensuring healthy indoor air quality. There is an urgent need for collaboration among policymakers, building owners, businesses and technology providers to address this challenge." ActivePure Technology, an advanced 21st-century solution effective on a wide range of airborne and surface pathogens, could improve IAQ just as implementing drinking water disinfection and treatment in 1908 dramatically decreased waterborne diseases nationwide. ActivePure's efficacy in third-party unaffiliated laboratory studies and real-world settings demonstrates that the technology reduces over 99.9% of indoor airborne environmental contaminants, including the SARS-CoV-2 virus, mold, bacteria, fungus and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The ActivePure Medical Guardian powered by ActivePure Technology was also registered and cleared as an FDA Class II Medical Device. Anchored in science and innovation, ActivePure replicates the natural process of photolysis, which occurs when sunlight interacts with air moisture. Ambient indoor air is introduced into the ActivePure cell, which then converts the humidity into the same therapeutic molecules as those produced by the sun to cleanse outdoor air. These specialized ActivePure molecules target and neutralize airborne and surface-based pollutants without chemicals, ozone or the need for ventilating, trapping or filtering them. ActivePure helps the built environment set the standard in custom solutions for 24/7 indoor air and surface protection. The technology gives employees, customers and patients confidence that the air they breathe and the surfaces they touch have been treated. It maintains healthy environments as the technology has demonstrated effectiveness against multiple clinically-relevant pathogens and facility spread of illnesses. ActivePure also reduces energy consumption by HVAC components and comes installation-ready without the need for building retrofitting. ActivePure works with numerous organizations on the achievement of ESG benchmarks through the deployment of the technology, helping leaders not only demonstrate a commitment to sustainability but also increase corporate resiliency against future pandemics. "There is a growing recognition of the importance and need for modern and reconciliatory IAQ technologies such as ActivePure's advanced photocatalysis," said Amy Carenza, ActivePure's Chief Commercial Officer. "Our studies demonstrate this technology can help improve indoor air quality and building performance, meanwhile also reducing infectious disease transmission and protecting public health." ActivePure has already left a world-changing impact on over 51 million customers across more than 45 countries who work, live and play in indoor spaces protected by this state-of-the-art technology. "We urge organizations to take action to reduce their carbon footprint and promote sustainable practices that support a healthy planet and safe indoor environments. We do not need to trade off one for the other," Urso said. "Let's work together to create a world where the objectives of ESG are not a challenge but a reality." To learn more about Earth Day, visit https://www.earthday.org. To learn more about ActivePure, visit ActivePure.com. ### ABOUT ACTIVEPURE Privately held ActivePure has been the global leader in sustainable, active and continuous surface and air disinfection systems for healthcare and educational institutions, commercial and public facilities and hospitality and residential applications since 1924. The patented ActivePure Technology has been proven in independent university and laboratory testing to effectively control and neutralize indoor contaminants. ActivePure is the only product in its class recognized by the Space Foundation as Certified Space Technology and inducted into the Space Foundation Hall of Fame. In 2022, ActivePure was named on the Inc. 5000 list of most successful and fastest-growing private companies in the United States. The ActivePure Medical Guardian is also registered and cleared as an FDA Class II Medical Device. ActivePure Technology was originally developed exclusively for use in space exploration and has since evolved for use in commercial and consumer products to reduce exposure to pathogens, including RNA and DNA viruses, bacteria and molds, by up to 99.9 percent in the air and on surfaces. For more information, please visit ActivePure.com or call 888-217-4316. MEDIA CONTACTS Jo Trizila, TrizCom PR, on behalf of ActivePure Email: Jo@TrizCom.com Office: 972-247-1369 Cell: 214-232-0078 SOURCE: ActivePure Technology View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/750426/Increased-Ventilation-for-IAQ-Conflicts-with-Climate-Goals-but-ActivePure-Offers-a-Timely-Solution SAINT PETERSBURG, FL / ACCESSWIRE / April 21, 2023 / Energy And Water Development Corp (OTCQB:EAWD), a leading provider of innovative charging solutions for electric vehicles, has announced the construction of Europe's first Off-Grid eCharging park in Kassel, Germany. The park will provide 30 quick-charging stations that can supply up to 50 electric trucks and vans, caravans, and 30 electric vehicles with electricity simultaneously. The grid-independent charging system, patented by EAWD, was developed to compensate the current lack of grid power for EV charging, especially along the freeways (Autobahn). This is due to the increasing demand for electric vehicles, the lack of suitable infrastructure, and the slow expansion of power lines due to geopolitical challenges in Germany. The federal government assumes that it will take five to eight years to cover the high demand for electricity with regards to e-mobility. "We are proud to announce the construction of Europe's first Off-Grid eCharging Park in Kassel," said Irma Velazquez, MSc, CEO of EAWD. "Our innovative solution to the current EV-related power shortage comes at just the right time. We are committed to delivering exceptional service and results to our customers, and we are excited to offer a solution that will revolutionize EV charging infrastructure in Europe." Kassel will be the first of the 40 initially planned off-grid charging parks along the German freeways. EAWD's goal is to establish the standard configuration for all off-grid charging parks that the company plans open by 2025. The Off-Grid eCharging Park in Kassel is expected to generate an annual revenue of 8,000,000. Based on the kilowatt price for charging, each of the 30 fast charging stations is expected to earn an average of 400 per day (24 hours). EAWD will apply for federal, state, and EU funding for the CO2-free off-grid charging station project. The company strives to deliver exceptional service and results to its clients and prides itself on a talented team of professionals. About Energy And Water Development Energy And Water Development is an engineering solutions company focused on delivering innovative and sustainable solutions of water and energy. EAWD builds its systems out of proven technologies, using their technical know-how to customize solutions to their clients' needs. The Company offers design, construction, maintenance and specialty consulting services to private companies, government entities and non-government organizations (NGOs). For more information, please visit www.energy-water.com Or Contact Irma Velazquez, MSc - CEO info@energy-water.com Nina Epping GlobalCom PR-Network +49.89.360363.40 wibke@gcpr.netwww SOURCE: Energy and Water Development Corp. (EAWD) View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/750678/Energy-and-Water-Development-EAWDOTCQB-Announces-the-Construction-of-Europes-First-Off-Grid-eCharging-Park-in-Kassel-Germany BOGOTA, COLOMBIA / ACCESSWIRE / April 21, 2023 / HostDime, a hyper-edge global data center company, is proud to announce its new Tier IV Colombia Data Center has received the EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies) certificate, which is awarded to buildings that demonstrate resource efficiency of at least 20 percent in energy, water, and embodied energy in materials. EDGE is a green building standard and a global certification system developed by the World Bank's International Finance Corporation that certifies the design and resource efficiency of green buildings. EDGE is a measurable way for builders to optimize their designs to help create a sustainable future and provide better investment rates for HostDime and their clients. HostDime's Colombia "Nebula" Tier IV Data Center is the first data center in Latin America to meet these EDGE certification standards. "We are very proud of obtaining the first EDGE Green Certificate in Latin America. Incorporating all these environmental features in our New Colombia Tier IV 'Nebula' Data Center allows us to operate one of the most sustainable data centers in the world. Our commitment is aligned with the broader data center industry's ESG efforts. As we continue to build out our next-gen purpose built Tier IV Data Centers throughout Latin America, we will continue to adapt such sustainable features while also taking advantage of renewable energy sources," says Edwin Tello, VP of HostDime Latin America. Data centers account for an estimated 1% of worldwide electricity use, so the industry must be conscious of its responsibilities. ESG (environmental, social, and governance) considerations are crucial when designing, constructing, and operating purpose-built data centers. Taking ESG issues seriously maximizes operational efficiencies and reduces overall risks. Power consumption can be used to measure data center efficiency. PUE (Power Usage Effectiveness) is the measurement of how efficiently a data center uses energy. The lower the PUE, the better. While HostDime achieves at or under 1.3 PUE in their constructed data centers, most providers have a PUE in the 1.6 or higher range. Bringing PUE down across the data center industry is an obtainable and worthwhile objective. HostDime's purposeful use of power-efficient electrical components, modular POD footprints, hot aisle containment, highest efficiency chillers, and renewable energy use all correspond to a large reduction in annualized PUE. HostDime continues to carry out additional actions to improve energy efficiency in its purpose-built facilities in Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, and the USA. Last year, HostDime invested $1.2 million in the construction of a solar power plant to support the entire power infrastructure of their Joao Pessoa, Brazil, data center, as well as a planned 30% expansion. This year, HostDime will open their flagship data center and headquarters in Orlando, Florida. The rooftop of this facility will feature high-density solar panels; up to 1MW of the facility's 5MW will be powered by the sun. Taking advantage of the Florida sun will reduce operating costs, lock-in energy costs, and decrease their carbon footprint. "We are constantly evolving our data center designs and best practices to create energy efficiencies so that we can build and operate facilities that positively impact future generations." - David Vivar, HostDime's VP of Global Engineering. HostDime's green initiatives solidifies to their staff, customers, and the marketplace that ESG principles are held to the highest importance. Designing and building an environmentally friendly green data center should be a pattern followed by every new data center worldwide. On this Earth Day, we must take a stand and take care of our resources that are not infinite; together, we can do it. About HostDime: HostDime is a hyper-edge global data center company operating our owned purpose-built data center facilities in Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, and our flagship facility in Florida, USA, and with owned networks in the UK, India, and Hong Kong. Our mission is to design, build, and operate purpose-built, next-gen data center facilities at the global edge. We offer an array of core digital infrastructure products and services, including colocation (private data center suites, cages, racks), interconnection (cross-connects, peering, transit), Hardware-as-a-Service (https://pr.report/ENn64diw, lease-to-own servers, hardware procurement), https://pr.report/wlXgmHAh (private, hybrid, multi-cloud), and managed services (server management, remote hands, smart hands). Contact Information: Jared Smith Director of Marketing mailto:jared.s@hostdime.com 386-341-0855 SOURCE: HostDime NEWSLETTER REGISTRIERUNG: Aktuelle Pressemeldungen dieses Unternehmens direkt in Ihr Postfach:http://www.irw-press.com/alert_subscription.php?lang=en&isin=US0000000003Mitteilung ubermittelt durch IRW-Press.com. Fur den Inhalt ist der Aussender verantwortlich.Kostenloser Abdruck mit Quellenangabe erlaubt. NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / April 21, 2023 / Regions Bank By Evelyn Mitchell "I think every human being is born an artist. They just need to find what that art is." Katrina Mitten Regions Bank's Indiana Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Network and Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art in Indianapolis hosted award-winning Native American artist, Katrina Mitten, for a conversation on her art, history, and culture as a citizen of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma. Regions' Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Networks represent more than 14,500 associates across 25 markets and all business groups. They are associate-led networks established geographically, whose mission is to help build deeper connections, greater understanding and a stronger sense of belonging within Regions. One way Regions' DEI Networks bring this mission to life is through interactive programming. Bill Harris, Chair of Regions' Indiana DEI Network, facilitated the event. What follows are highlights from their conversation, edited for brevity. Bill Harris One of the most important messages the Eiteljorg (museum) strives to convey is that Native Americans are still here. They did not vanish. Native Americans live, work, play, and create communities all across the country. You're a lifelong resident of Indiana, and a citizen of the Miami tribe of Oklahoma. Can you tell us how that works? Katrina Mitten Well, when our people were removed from Indiana forcibly by the United States government and because of signing treaties, we were removed from Indiana to Oklahoma or Indian Territory, which originally Kansas was part of that, and then Oklahoma - our tribe was moved twice. But there were five families that were allowed to stay in Indiana because they had either businesses or farms already and it was negotiated during the treaty signings that those people were allowed or were able to stay here in Indiana. And my family, the Richardville ...they were allotted lands here and allowed to stay. Bill Harris Can you tell us when you started working with art and what that means you? Katrina Mitten Well, growing up here in Indiana, when children go to school, in the fourth grade they learn about Indiana history. And so, they were hearing about my family and some of it wasn't being taught like it should. It wasn't our version of the stories that came out of our history and what happened to our people. And I knew that as a young child. When I was around 12 years old, I decided I wanted to learn something. I believe I was born an artist. I think every human being is born an artist. They just need to find what that art is. ...And in my 12-year-old brain I was thinking beadwork. It was the early '70s so I decided to use beads, because even in the small town of Huntington where I live, there was a store where a woman had beads for sale. The love beads that were all different colored beads. I would cut them apart and I sat and I taught myself how to do loom work. But then soon after, I decided I didn't like using a loom as much. And so I moved on to looking at a couple of small pieces that my grandmother had where the beads were sewn directly onto fabric. Bill Harris So how do you feel like growing up in Indiana - how did that affect your art or kind of the pieces that you chose to do? Katrina Mitten Well, I think that growing up in Indiana, I was away from our people because those who were allowed to stay here or were able to stay here, we were also far apart from each other. And we had to assimilate into the dominant culture. We couldn't speak our languages, we couldn't do our art, our traditional arts, because that would identify us as being native people, and we weren't treated very well. The assimilation kind of put a kink in what we could do that was traditional to our people. And so, I didn't learn from my grandmother how to do beadwork. Like I would have, you know, pre-removal. So, it was hard for me to. Especially at the age 12, the first piece I did was a very Pan Indian is what I call it. It's that style from the '70s and the '60s of Indian trinkets and the designs. It was very simple. Black thunderbird, white background with red and yellow connected diamonds. And I sewed it on the back of a fringed leather jacket. I got married, I had my children young. And so, while they were running around, you know, banging on pots and pans or watching Sesame Street, I could still sit and bead. And as I got older, we would get out to pow wows and things and we would head up north into Michigan to be around more native people and I would learn from what those people were doing also. Bill Harris What do you hope to achieve through your art? What's the larger goal for you with your art? Katrina Mitten The larger goal is to get people to know and who our people are, the Miami. We had so much to do with the forming of this country. And we were a very large tribe at one time. But people don't hear of us. ...It's growing because we've worked so much on our language and other things. Bill Harris Can you talk about what you're doing, transitioning that to the next generation? Katrina Mitten I say, what's happening is that link was broken. Within our people and our culture, because of our people being removed and us assimilating that I talked about earlier, I had to teach myself. Now I'm bringing that link back together as a grandmother teaching her granddaughter to do a traditional art and that's very important for all tribes to be able to do that. The Miami people have been doing so much. We're bringing back our language - but that was almost lost. We say it was sleeping. It was just waiting for the right time to come back. Bringing those things back to our children is really important. Bill Harris I know artists are always connected in some way to their work, but when they create something that particularly has special meaning to you, how is it hard to, you know, decide to sell it or part with it? Katrina Mitten You know, that's a really great question and I get that sort of a question all the time because when you do things with your hands, it does become a part of you. Any art that you do would be hard to give away, you know, or sell. But I look at most of my pieces, they have stories that go with them, and my goal was always to educate other people about who we are as Miami people. By those pieces selling and going to a museum or someone buying it for their home, their collection, the stories go along with it. So, they're learning, and (others) will learn from them, from that piece, also. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Regions Bank on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Regions Bank Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/regions-bank Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Regions Bank View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/750740/Art-and-Understanding-Regions-Bank-Celebrates-Diversity-Awareness-Month Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 21, 2023) - Lobe Sciences Ltd. (CSE: LOBE) (OTCQB: LOBEF) ("Lobe" or the "Company"), a North American Biopharmaceutical Company committed to discovering and developing patient-focused medicines for Orphan and Rare diseases today provides an update on its acquisition of the Vitamind Brand and intellectual property ("Vitamind") pursuant to an asset purchase agreement dated April 30, 2021 (the "Agreement"). Pursuant to the Agreement, the Company issued 2,916,668[1] common shares to acquire Vitamind. The Agreement specified performance milestones that the company must achieve in order for it to release the 2,916,668 consideration shares. Those milestones and the dates that the milestones were satisfied and the escrow restrictions were removed are summarized in the table below: Milestone Number of Consideration Shares Performance Milestone Consideration Shares Released Release Date 1 729,167 Closing of purchase. Yes May 3, 2021 2 729,167 Developing no less than two SKUs addressing brain health. Yes April 30, 2021 3 729,167 Entering into a letter of intent with an entity which (i) is introduced to the Company by the Vendor; (ii) operates a natural health product supply network; and (iii) holds or has the ability to procure a natural product number from the Governmental Authority. Yes May 13, 2021 4 729,167 Entering into a letter of intent with an entity which (i) is introduced to the Company by the Vendor; and (ii) operates a natural health product distribution network. No N/A The Company met the first and second milestones on closing of the Agreement. The Company met the third milestone on May 13, 2021 when the Company entered into an exclusive two-year White Label Supply Agreement ("Supply Agreement") with GCO Packaging and Manufacturing Inc expiring on May 13, 2023. There is a two-year renewal option which the Company does not expect to exercise. The Supply Agreement provides for the coordination of: (i) natural product number application with Health Canada; (ii) GS1 UPC registry; (iii) UPC agency design work; (iv) label design; (v) French translation of Product details; (vi) GS1 registry and publishing; (vii) digital label sample printing; and (v) custom tool and print set-up (the "Services"). The Company, at its sole discretion and expense, shall design and brand packaging, provided that GCO will provide the Services in respect of the packaging. The fourth milestone has not been met and the shares remain in escrow. Management has focused the Company resources on the development of its intellectual property related to L-130 and L-131 and the recently announced Altemia acquisition. The Company does not expect that the final milestone will be met. About Lobe Sciences Ltd. Lobe Sciences is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing patient-friendly, practical psychedelic medicines. The Company, through collaborations with industry-leading partners, is engaged in drug research and development using sub-hallucinatory doses of psychedelic compounds and the development of innovative devices and delivery mechanisms to improve mental health and wellness. Each of our New Chemical Entities, L-130 and L-131, are being developed to address unmet medical needs in neurological therapeutic applications. For further information please contact: Lobe Sciences Ltd. Philip J Young, CEO info@lobesciences.com Tel: (949) 505-5623 NEITHER THE CSE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER HAVE REVIEWED OR ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS RELEASE. This does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of offers to buy any securities. Forward Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to the future operations of the Company and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipate", "expects" and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this news release (including, without limitation, statements regarding the future plans and objectives of the Company, research and development using psychedelic compounds, and the development of innovative devices and delivery mechanisms to improve mental health and wellness) are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Readers are cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of the forward-looking statements may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including changes to the regulatory environment; that the Company's drug research and development activities may be unsuccessful; that drugs and medical devices produced by, or on behalf of, the Company, may not work in the manner intended or at all, and may subject the Company to product liability or other liability claims; that the Company may not be able to attain the Company's corporate goals and objectives; and other risk factors detailed in the Company's continuous disclosure filings from time to time, as available under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. As a result, the Company cannot guarantee that any forward-looking statement will materialize and the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made only as of the date of this news release and the Company does not intend to update any of the included forward-looking statements except as expressly required by applicable Canadian securities laws. Drug development involves long lead times, is very expensive and involves many variables of uncertainty. Anticipated timelines regarding drug development are based on reasonable assumptions informed by current knowledge and information available to the Company. Every patient treated on future studies can change those assumptions either positively (to indicate a faster timeline to new drug applications and other approvals) or negatively (to indicate a slower timeline to new drug applications and other approvals). This news release may contain certain forward-looking statements regarding anticipated or possible drug development timelines. Such statements are informed by, among other things, regulatory guidelines for developing a drug with safety studies, proof of concept studies, and pivotal studies for new drug application submission and approval, and assumes the success of implementation and results of such studies on timelines indicated as possible by such guidelines, other industry examples, and the Company's development efforts to date. In addition to the risk factors set out above and those detailed in the Company's continuous disclosure filings from time to time, as available under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com, other factors not currently viewed as material could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Although Lobe has attempted to identify important risks and factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors and risks that cause actions, events or results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place any undue reliance on forward-looking statements. [1] The Company initially issued 17,500,000 common shares. The amount was subsequently reduced to 2,916,668 on June 10, 2022 when the Company consolidated its issued share capital on a ratio of 6 old common shares for every 1 new post-consolidated common share. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/163282 Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 21, 2023) - York Harbour Metals Inc. (TSXV: YORK) (OTC Pink: YORKF) (FSE: 5DE0) (the "Company" or "York") is pleased to report the final assay results from its Phase 4 drilling program ("Phase 4") at the 100%-owned York Harbour Copper-Zinc Project (the "Project") in western Newfoundland, Canada. These results further confirm the presence of high-grade copper-zinc mineralization, highlighting the potential for expanding mineral resources at the Project. In addition to these final Phase 4 assay results, the Company will provide an update on its current Phase 5 diamond drilling campaign, targeting new areas of potential high-grade Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide ("VMS") mineralization. Figure 1: Plan View of York Harbour's Phase 4 Completed Drill Holes and Mineralized Zones within the Main Mine Area To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3326/163422_490cc37e2414c804_002full.jpg Phase 4 played a crucial role in expanding the Company's understanding of the potential within the Main Mine area and other parts of the 4,725-hectare property, building on positive results from earlier exploration phases. Key Highlights from the Final Outstanding Analytical Results: Drill hole YH22-73 intersected 44.93 metres of 1.292% copper including 5.36 metres of 2.938% copper Confirmed significant high-grade copper-zinc VMS mineralization: The final assay results from the remaining four diamond drill holes of the Phase 4 program further confirmed the presence of significant copper-zinc mineralization, supporting the potential for expanded mineral resources at the York Harbour Copper-Zinc Project. Comprehensive understanding of project potential based on final drill assay results, combined with analytical findings from earlier exploration phases and most of the Phase 4 drilling program, provide an understanding of the Projects potential for expanding mineralization. York's President & CEO, Bruce Durham, commented, "We are pleased to report these final assay results from our Phase 4 drilling program. The continued confirmation of significant copper-zinc mineralization reinforces our belief in the potential of the York Harbour Copper-Zinc Project. As we move forward, we remain committed to unlocking further value and advancing our exploration efforts." Table 1: Drill Assay Results from Remaining Four Holes During Phase 4 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3326/163422_490cc37e2414c804_003full.jpg Update on Phase 5 Drilling Program The Phase 5 drilling campaign began on February 18th with the casing on drill hole YH23-111. Since then, the Company has completed five drill holes (YH23-111-115) tracing the A Zone mineralized structure north for approximately 120 m, and four drill holes (YH23-116-119) testing for possible gold-bearing VMS mineralization within the K zone. Following this drilling, the drill rig and equipment was readied for NQ-sized drilling of the Pinnacle Pond zone, and the drilling began on this zone with the collaring of drill hole YH23-120 on March 30th. To date, the Company has completed 2,170 m of NQ-size diamond drilling during the Phase 5 program. Newfoundland's Mining History and Northwestern Deposits Newfoundland has a rich history of mining, which has made significant contributions to the provincial economy. The province is known for its diverse mineral resources, including base metals, precious metals, and industrial minerals. Western Newfoundland, in particular, has a history of successful mineral exploration and mining operations, with several significant base, precious and rare earth discoveries and mines. The exploration potential of western Newfoundland is supported by its geology, hosting several mineral-rich geological belts. These belts are characterized by Precambrian and younger rocks and favorable structures, creating an ideal environment for the formation of critical element deposits. The presence of the Dunnage Zone, a well-known geological structure in the region, has been associated with VMS-style mineralization, making it an attractive target for exploration companies like ours. The ongoing exploration success in western Newfoundland highlights the region's potential for further discoveries and economic development. The provincial government has demonstrated support for the mining industry by offering incentives and promoting investment in mineral exploration. With the York Harbour Copper-Zinc & its Bottom Brook Rare Earth Element Projects located in this resource-rich region, the Company is well-positioned to capitalize on the area's geological potential. These projects are strategically located with access to essential infrastructure, such as roads, power, and ports, which will facilitate future project development and mining operations. York's President & CEO, Bruce Durham, further commented, "Newfoundland, particularly the western portion of the province, has showcased its potential for hosting significant deposits. Our two projects benefit from this geologically prospective setting, and we are dedicated to advancing our exploration efforts to unlock the full potential of our projects." Qualified Person Doug Blanchflower, P. Geo., a Director of York Harbour, and Qualified Person in accordance with National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and accepted the technical material contained in this news release. About York Harbour Metals York Harbour Metals Inc. (TSXV: YORK) (OTC Pink: YORKF) (FSE: 5DE0) is an exploration and development company focused on two high-grade projects in Newfoundland. The York Harbour Copper-Zinc-Silver Project is located approximately 27 km from Corner Brook in Newfoundland. The Company intends to continue drilling the 11 known mineralized zones and explore new massive sulphide targets. Recently, the Company announced the acquisition of a high-grade Rare Earth Elements ("REE") project also located in Newfoundland. The Bottom Brook Critical Metals Project, covering 15,150 hectares, is located next to the Trans Canada Highway and is just 27 km from the deep-water port at Turf Point. York Harbour intends to actively identify diamond drill targets through property-wide prospecting, focused soil sampling, and geological mapping. A substantial drill program is scheduled for this year. For further details on York Harbour Metals, please reach out via email to info@yorkharbourmetals.com or call +1-778-302-2257. You may also visit the Company's website at www.yorkharbourmetals.com for past news releases, media interviews and opinion-editorial pieces by management. On Behalf of The Board of Directors, "Signed" Bruce Durham CEO, President, and Director Telephone: 778-302-2257 | Email: info@yorkharbourmetals.com Website: www.yorkharbourmetals.com 1518 - 800 Pender Street W, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6C 2V6 Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release may contain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All information contained herein that is not historical in nature may constitute forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements herein include but are not limited to statements relating to the prospects for development of the Company's mineral properties, and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to business, market and economic risks, uncertainties and contingencies that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by forward looking statements. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/163422 Image by Oleg Gamulinskii from Pixabay The quantum computing industry is forecast to create up to $850 Billion in economic value in the next 15-30 years. To deliver transformational new applications in fields such as material science, aerospace, climate change, and drug design, quantum computers will need to reliably perform a trillion high-speed operations without disruption. The need for provide precise solutions at speed with calculations completed in a matter of seconds is meaningfully accelerating the commercial development for quantum computing. A trigger for the industry will relatedto the fact that more people will use quantum computing as a service (QCaaS) in several industries such as defense, finance, chemicals, and the pharma and healthcare industries. Anyways, technical and implementation issues still limit the market expansion. Below, we introduce some venture capital backed companies which are working to overcome these issues and challenges and to allow the quantum computing industry to thrive. USA Palo Alto, CA-based PsiQuantum is developing a quantum computer to solve challenges in climate, finance, energy, agriculture, climate, healthcare, transportation, communications, etc. The company has developed technology in which single photons (particles of light) are manipulated using photonic circuits which are patterned onto a silicon chip using standard semiconductor manufacturing processes. PsiQuantum is manufacturing quantum photonic chips, as well as the cryogenic electronic chips to control the qubits, using advanced semiconductor tools in the production line of its manufacturing partner GlobalFoundries. The company recently announced the opening of its UK-based advanced R&D facility at STFCs Daresbury Laboratory in the North West of England. This effort is backed by 9M of funding from the UK governments Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), and gives PsiQuantum access to one of Europes largest liquid-helium (approx. -270OC) cryogenic plants. is developing a quantum computer to solve challenges in climate, finance, energy, agriculture, climate, healthcare, transportation, communications, etc. The company has developed technology in which single photons (particles of light) are manipulated using photonic circuits which are patterned onto a silicon chip using standard semiconductor manufacturing processes. PsiQuantum is manufacturing quantum photonic chips, as well as the cryogenic electronic chips to control the qubits, using advanced semiconductor tools in the production line of its manufacturing partner GlobalFoundries. The company recently announced the opening of its UK-based advanced R&D facility at STFCs Daresbury Laboratory in the North West of England. This effort is backed by 9M of funding from the UK governments Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), and gives PsiQuantum access to one of Europes largest liquid-helium (approx. -270OC) cryogenic plants. Berkeley, Calif.-based Atom Computing is advancing quantum computers using nuclear-spin qubits formed from neutral atoms, which will have applications in several areas, from drug discovery and financial modeling, to predicting climate change and the development of new, life-changing materials. is advancing quantum computers using nuclear-spin qubits formed from neutral atoms, which will have applications in several areas, from drug discovery and financial modeling, to predicting climate change and the development of new, life-changing materials. Boulder-CO-based ColdQuanta leverages quantum mechanics to build and integrate quantum computers, software, sensors, and networks. The company enables quantum everywhere through an ecosystem of devices and platforms. Its scalable and versatile cold atom technology is used by organizations around the globe and deployed by NASA on the International Space Station. leverages quantum mechanics to build and integrate quantum computers, software, sensors, and networks. The company enables quantum everywhere through an ecosystem of devices and platforms. Its scalable and versatile cold atom technology is used by organizations around the globe and deployed by NASA on the International Space Station. Austin, TX-based Strangeworks works to make quantum computing accessible by building and delivering tools for software developers and researchers, and systems management for IT Administrators and CIOs. works to make quantum computing accessible by building and delivering tools for software developers and researchers, and systems management for IT Administrators and CIOs. Palo Alto, California-based QC Ware is a quantum and classical computing software and services company focused on ensuring enterprises are prepared for the emerging quantum computing disruption. With specialization in machine learning and chemistry simulation applications, QC Ware develops for near-term quantum computing hardware as well as state-of-the-art classical machines with a team composed of some of the industrys foremost experts in quantum and classical computing. UK London, UK-based Quantum Motion is advancing a platform that features an array of qubits based on the silicon technology already used to manufacture chips in computers and smartphones. The companys fault tolerant quantum computing architectures are compatible with CMOS processes and aim to support quantum algorithms, targeting solutions to currently unresolved issues in such fields as medicine, chemistry, artificial intelligence, and materials science. FRANCE Paris-France based Pasqal builds quantum computers from ordered neutral atoms in 2D and 3D arrays to bring a practical quantum advantage to its customers and address real-world problems. The company is currently engaged with companies including Aramco, Eni, Siemens, Airbus, LG Electronics, BMW, Credit Agricole CIB, BASF, Johnson & Johnson and Thales, among others. builds quantum computers from ordered neutral atoms in 2D and 3D arrays to bring a practical quantum advantage to its customers and address real-world problems. The company is currently engaged with companies including Aramco, Eni, Siemens, Airbus, LG Electronics, BMW, Credit Agricole CIB, BASF, Johnson & Johnson and Thales, among others. Massy, France-based Quandela develops full-stack optical quantum computers, available both on cloud and on-premises. In 2022, the company released its photonic computer programming and simulation software, called Perceval. Today, the company offers a cloud access to Ascella, its first 6-qubit quantum computer, launched in the fall of 2022. Quandela also advises and works with various companies and organizations, in the exploration and development of first use cases using photonic quantum computers. SWITZERLAND Zurich, Switzerland-based Terra Quantum is organized as a Quantum as a Service company with three core focus areas, including Quantum Algorithms as a Service where an extensive library of algorithms are available to customers, such as quantum-based optimization and quantum-based neural networks which can for example be used for pattern recognition, Quantum Computing as a Service providing customers with access to logical qubits, and Quantum Security as a Service offering quantum security worldwide via its quantum secure communication and QKD solutions. ISRAEL Rehovot, Israel-based Quantum Source is advancing technology to enable the efficient implementation of photonic quantum computers that scale to millions of qubits with the potential to unlock acceleration in numerous fields such as drug design, material development, cybersecurity, and the processing of large datasets for AI applications. is advancing technology to enable the efficient implementation of photonic quantum computers that scale to millions of qubits with the potential to unlock acceleration in numerous fields such as drug design, material development, cybersecurity, and the processing of large datasets for AI applications. Tel Aviv, Israel-based Quantum Machines provides a Quantum Orchestration Platform that enables companies to control and operate quantum processors. The infrastructure enables researchers to manage complex algorithms for tackling challenges faced by quantum computing, including quantum error correction, multi-qubit calibrations, etc. The platform is used by a multinational corporations, government laboratories, academic institutions, and startups at the forefront of quantum development. SINGAPORE Arthur Ventures, a Minneapolis, MN-based venture capital firm, raised $470M to continue investing in B2B software companies across North America at the Early Growth stage. This capital raise consists of two new investment funds: Arthur Ventures V ($300M core fund), and Arthur Ventures Growth IV ($170M growth-stage fund). Led by Patrick Meenan and Ryan Kruizenga, Arthur Ventures is an early growth capital firm that leads investments in B2B software companies located outside Silicon Valley. Since 2013, the firm has partnered with 50+ companies in different cities across all regions of the United States and Canada. Arthur manages $1.1 billion. FinSMEs 21/04/2023 Braya Renewable Fuels, a Come By Chance, Canada-based producer of low-emission renewable fuels, received a $300M investment from Energy Capital Partners. ECP joined Brayas current owners, Cresta Fund Management (Cresta) and North Atlantic Refining Corp. (NARC), which is managed by Silverpeak. The company intends to use the funds to support conversion of its refinery operations in Come By Chance, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada and accelerate renewable fuels production. Led by CEO Frank Almaraz, Braya Renewable Fuels owns and operates the Come By Chance Refinery, located in Newfoundland and Labrador, and is converting it to renewable fuel operations. The refinery has been renamed Braya Renewable Fuels after the provincial braya flower and is strategically located to deliver fuels to a variety of end markets. The refinery plans to produce renewable fuel and sustainable aviation fuel to help decarbonize the heavy road transport and aviation sectors. Once operational, the project will initially supply 18,000 barrels per day of low carbon renewable fuel with expansion plans to increase capacity and enhance production of sustainable aviation fuel. FinSMEs 20/04/2023 Smart Reporting, a Munich, Germany-based company that develops medical documentation technology based on artificial intelligence (AI), received a 15M venture debt loan from The European Investment Bank. The EIB venture debt loan is backed by a guarantee under the European Unions InvestEU Programme. The company intends to use the funds to expand its tech position, tap into new markets and further scale up its software and data business. Led by co-CEOs Wieland Sommer and Peter Vanovertveld, Smart Reporting has developed medical documentation technology based on artificial intelligence (AI) that makes it possible to collect, structure and process clinical data. The voice-controlled, AI-supported diagnostic software can be used across radiology, pathology and other clinical areas and make a contribution to the digitalization of healthcare. The technology can be used to produce fully evaluable and machine-readable results that, in radiology and pathology, are already reducing time to diagnosis, improving diagnostic quality, automating manual processes and easing communication with referring physicians, thereby helping to optimise patient care. FinSMEs 21/04/2023 The festival of Eid-ul-Fitr is just around the corner and preparations are in full swing. When it comes to festivities, women all around the world go crazy about looking their best with perfect outfits and glamorous makeup. For the joyous occasion of Eid as well, it is time to slip into that exquisite suit or Eid special traditional outfit and keep the beauty game top-notch. If you are also looking for some makeup tips for this Eid, we have got you covered. From Hania Aamirs dewy look to Mahira Khans all-glam outing, we have decided to take inspiration from our favourite Pakistani actresses for the festivities. With that said, one of the most popular Pakistani actress Hania Aamirs signature blushed makeup has caught attention of women around the country. From influencers to makeup artists, everyone has tried recreating the look at least once and is quite impressed with its natural yet glam finish. It could also be your first choice for this Eid. How to recreate Hania Aamirs signature makeup look? To begin with her minimal makeup look, one needs to simply prep the skin with moisturiser and primer and then add a thin layer of concealer or BB cream for the base. After the base is ready, add a dash of pink blush on the cheekbones and nose and a bit of highlighter for that shiny touch. Complete your look with mascara and lip tint or lip gloss. Voila! Youre ready. It is worth mentioning that Hania, who is known for her role in the Pakistani drama Mere Humsafar, is mostly seen donning minimal makeup looks. Thanks to her natural beauty, those defined eyes, cute dimples, and pretty smile, the actress has enchanted many with her looks. Her Instagram profile is full of pictures showing off her stunning looks and outfits. Eid 2023 Eid-ul-Fitr which marks the end of the holy month of Ramzan is one of the most joyous festivals, celebrated by Muslims all over the world. This year, Eid is expected to celebrate on Friday, 21 April 2023, or Saturday, 22 April 2023. The exact date is subject to the sighting of the moon. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, visited the Indian Streatery restaurant in Birmingham on Thursday as part of an official engagement to celebrate the citys diverse culture and heritage. The restaurant, which is run by Meena Sharma, the head chef and also a mother, aims to bring authentic Indian street food to Birmingham. And, the Royals attended to customers. Cant believe it? Well, read on. Vinay Aggarwal, a 32-year-old software engineer from Colindale, had called the restaurant hoping for a quick meal before heading back to London. To Sharmas amusement, Prince William himself answered the phone and took Aggarwals booking. Aggarwal called the Indian restaurant during lunchtime to reserve a table for him and his wife. Prince William, the polite person who took his call, managed to find him a slot despite some difficulties. When Aggarwal arrived at the restaurant with his wife, he realised that it was closed due to a royal visit, and he had unknowingly spoken to Prince William himself while making the reservation. This unexpected situation resulted in hilarity and surprise. Aggarwal shared that he believed he had made a legitimate reservation at the restaurant. He reportedly admitted that he did not recognise Prince Williams voice during the phone call. The Prince asked Meena Sharma and her husband, Rakesh, Do we have a seat for two right now? But the Prince had to inform the customer that they couldnt accommodate them right away because of visitors at the restaurant. They had a playful exchange, and eventually agreed on a reservation for 2:15 pm. However, William jokingly admitted that he might have given the wrong address and sent them to a different location in Birmingham. During their visit, which was a part of their plan to tour the country before the Coronation, Prince William and Princess Kate made an attempt to make flatbreads or roti. However, Sharma noted that Williams roti had holes and some were too thick, indicating that he didnt have much skill in making them. On the other hand, Kates roti-making skills were fantastic, and Sharma jokingly offered her a job for life. Later, William was greeted by ITV This Morning presenter Alison Hammond, who is from Birmingham, at a pub in the Jewellery Quarter. She gave him a warm hug and convinced him to play darts, to which the Prince jokingly remarked that it reminded him of his time in university. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Maya Kodnani must be finally heaving a sigh of relief. A special Ahmedabad court on Thursday (20 April) acquitted all 68 accused, including her, of murder, criminal conspiracy and rioting in the Naroda Gam riots that took place 21 years ago in the aftermath of the 2002 Gujarat riots. The Naroda Gam case was among the nine major riots in Gujarat following the burning of the Sabarmati Express in Godhra on 27 February 2002. A day after the burning of the train, 11 Muslims were burnt to death after mobs set their houses on fire in a locality known as Muslim Maholla, Kumbhar Vas, in the Naroda Gam area of Ahmedabad. But how does Maya Kodnani, a gynaecologist by profession and a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and minister, fit into this? We trace the rise and fall of Kodnani. The rise of Maya Kodnani The 67-year-old Maya Kodnani was brought up in a small town, Deesa, between Ahmedabad and a popular pilgrimage spot Ambaji in Banaskantha district. She studied in a Gujarati-medium school set up by her father. He had settled down in the town after fleeing in 1947 from the Tharparkar area of Sindh province, now in Pakistan. After her schooling, she enrolled herself in the Baroda Medical College to pursue MBBS, followed by a diploma in gynaecology and obstetrics. It was around this time that she also joined the Rashtriya Sevika Samiti, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh womens wing. She later moved to Ahmedabad and set up the Shivam Maternity Hospital in Kubernagar in Naroda. Kodnani took her first step in politics in 1995 with the Ahmedabad Municipal Elections (AMC). She was appointed as AMC Standing Committees first woman chairperson in from 1997 to 1998. In 1998, Kodnani won as an MLA from the Naroda constituency, defeating the Congress candidate by a margin of over 74,500 votes. Also read: Maya Kodnani acquitted in Naroda Patiya riot case: A look back at RSS poster girls journey The Gujarat riots of 2002 did nothing to weaken her political clout and she won the 2002 elections by over one lakh votes. In 2003, the BJP elevated her as president of the BJP unit in Ahmedabad. She continued to witness a rise in her standing in the party and in the political arena when she got elected to the Assembly in 2007 with over 1.8 lakh votes Narendra Modi, who was serving as chief minister of Gujarat then, inducted her into his government and she became Minister of State, Women and Child Development and Higher Education. With this, she became the first Sindhi leader to be a Gujarat minister since the state was founded in 1960. The Gujarat riots and Kodnani Her political career came to an abrupt stop when the Supreme Court set up a Special Investigation Team in 2008 to probe the nine worst post-Godhra riot cases, which included the Naroda Patiya and Naroda Gam cases too. According to the SIT, Kodnani was present at the incident site for around 10 minutes and had left after instigating the mob. The SIT also stated that those who placed her at the Gujarat Assembly in Gandhinagar, or at her hospital in Ahmedabad or at Sola civil hospital that day were only trying to save her. Naroda Gam wasnt the only legal trouble that Kodnani faced. She was also given a life term and dubbed a kingpin by a sessions court in the Naroda Patiya case. Naroda Patiya, a neighbouring area of Naroda Gam had on 28 February 2002 seen Hindu mobs attack this Muslim-dominated locality, in which officially 97 people were killed. However, in 2018, a division bench of the Gujarat High Court, comprising Justices Harsha Devani and A S Supehia, acquitted Kodnani and 17 others in the case. By then, Kodnani was already out on bail, on medical grounds. Life after riots During the 2022 Gujarat Assembly elections, Kodnani, who still has support with the BJP cadre, was seen campaigning for a few candidates. But, the former BJP minister has been low-profile since being acquitted in 2018. On Thursday, when the court acquitted her in the Naroda Gam case, cheers of Jai Shree Ram rung out loud in the air. Inside the court, according to a report by the Ahmedabad Mirror, Kodnani folded her hands and said, I touch the feet of the court. I was innocent in the case and got justice. On stepping out of the court building, she was once again quoted as saying, I have nothing to say. I just want to say thank you to God with folded hands. Just haath jodu chu, Ishwar no abhaar, parmatma no abhaar (I stand with folded hands and grateful to God), she told Mirror at the court complex after coming down from the 8th floor. Her acquittal also led to questions of her joining politics again. I dont think she will fight elections now, but even if she decides to do so, Id say, Why not? She has faced trial in both the cases and has been acquitted by the courts. She enjoys immense respect and popularity among party workers, a senior party leader told the Indian Express. With inputs from agencies Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Sanaa: Eighty-five people were killed and hundreds injured in a crush during a charity handout in Yemen on Thursday. Heres what we know so far from one of the deadliest such incidents in the last 10 years worldwide: Charity handout in school The tragedy unfolded at a school in the Old City of Sanaa, a UNESCO world heritage site, after a large crowd gathered to receive a businessmans 5,000 rial (about $8 or Rs 657) handout for the end of Ramzan, the Muslim holy month of fasting. The school is close to Bab al-Yemen, a highly decorated historic gateway that is the last of seven entrances to the Old City still standing. Death toll Eighty-five people were killed and 322 injured with 50 in a serious condition, according to a security official for the Houthi rebels who control Sanaa. The toll, which includes women and children, was confirmed by a health official. Both officials spoke to AFP on condition of anonymity because they are not authorised to brief media. The figure announced publicly by the Huthis was lower: 78 dead and 77 injured, 13 seriously. Gunfire reports Sanaa authorities blamed the tragedy on overcrowding in the narrow alley leading to the school. When the gates opened, the crowd flooded on to the stairs leading to the school yard where the distribution was planned, tweeted Mohamed Ali al-Huthi, head of the Huthis Supreme Revolutionary Committee. Also Read: Peace in war-ravaged Yemen? Long wait, severe hunger must not end in half-cooked food Eyewitnesses, however, said gunfire caused people to rush in panic. AFP was not able to verify their reports. Arrests and inquiry Three businessmen have been arrested over the incident, a Houthi official told AFP. A commission of inquiry has also been established, according to the Huthis official media. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. On Thursday, there was a massive explosion in the Russian town of Belgorod. Officials said the city was left with a massive crater and two people were injured. Lets take a closer look at what happened: The BBC quoted Russias defence ministry as saying that a SU-34 fighter, a twin-engine bomber, accidentally dropped a payload on Belgorod around 10.15 pm local time. It called the incident an abnormal descent of aviation ammunition. It did not clarify what type of weapon was involved in the incident. An investigation is already underway, as per BBC. Vyacheslav Gladkov, governor of the region of Belgorod, said the blast had sent a shock wave that damaged four apartments and four cars and downed power line poles. An explosion took place, Gladkov said on the Telegram messaging app, adding that investigators and representatives of the Emergencies Ministry were at the scene. Thank God there are no dead, Gladkov was quoted as saying by Al Jazeera. He said that as a result of the explosion, a huge crater some 20 meters wide (65 feet) had appeared in the city center. Gladkov and Belgorods mayor, Valentin Demidov, posted pictures of damage on social media. One picture showed grim-looking locals huddling outside an apartment building, with one woman holding a small dog, and a fire engine nearby. Other images showed apartment interiors wrecked by the blast. RIA Novosti reported that a car landed on a store roof. Citing preliminary information, Gladkov said one woman was hospitalised with a head injury, while another woman was treated at the scene. Demidov said residents of the damaged buildings would be temporarily moved to hotels. Ex-Royal Australian Air Force officer Peter Layton told CNN the incident was odd. Layton noted that the payload exploded and said if an emergency had occurred, it would be released in safe mode. Futher, a pilot would look to dispose of the bomb in an area devoid of citizens. Where the bomb hit; the town center, not in the countryside, almost suggests accuracy, Layton told CNN. He added if there had been an issue, the plane would have disposed of all its ammunitions. Maybe they were but only one exploded, Layton added. The region of Belgorod has been repeatedly shelled since Russian President Vladimir Putin sent troops to Ukraine in February 2022. Belgorod is one of several southern Russian regions where targets such as fuel and ammunition stores have been rocked by explosions since the start of what Moscow calls its special military operation in Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022. In January, Gladkov told Putin that 25 people had been killed and more than 90 injured in the region since the start of the offensive. In October 2022, an Su-34 jet crashed into a residential building in the southern city of Yeysk, also near the border with Ukraine, killing 16 people, including several children. With inputs from agencies Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. UK deputy prime minister Dominic Raab quit his post on Friday. Raab, the second-in-command to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, resigned over after a report found that he had acted in an intimidating manner toward civil servants. Raab tweeted: Whilst I feel duty-bound to accept the outcome of the inquiry, it dismissed all but two of the claims levelled against me, he wrote in a resignation letter. I also believe that its two adverse findings are flawed and set a dangerous precedent for the conduct of good government. The bar for bullying was set so low, he said, that it will encourage spurious complaints against ministers and have a chilling effect on those driving change. But what do we know about the case? Lets take a closer look: According to BBC, Sunak set up the probe headed by a senior lawyer to investigate eight complaints involving 24 people. The complaints span Raabs tenure as justice secretary and foreign secretary in the previous Boris Johnson administration as well as the Theresa May administration when he was Brexit secretary and related to his dealings with civil servants. The senior employment lawyer Adam Tolley, who was tasked with looking into the claims in November, submitted his report to Sunak on Thursday. The 48-page report is yet to be published, but its findings have been made public. Tolley in the report said Raab acted in a way which was intimidating, was unreasonably and persistently aggressive and introduced a punitive element to his leadership style. His conduct also involved an abuse or misuse of power in a way that undermines or humiliates, Tolley wrote. His conduct was bound to be experienced as undermining or humiliating by the affected individual, and it was so experienced. It said while at the Justice Ministry he had gone further than was necessary or appropriate in delivering critical feedback and also insulting, in the sense of making unconstructive critical comments about the quality of work done. (Raab) has been able to regulate this level of abrasiveness since the announcement of the investigation, Tolley wrote. He should have altered his approach earlier. The inquiry found two incidents of bullying against Raab at the Foreign Office in dealing with a senior diplomats handling of the Brexit negotiation over Gibraltar, and one where he gave critical feedback during an earlier stint at the Ministry of Justice from 2021 to 2022. The BBC quoted civil servant union FDA as demanding an independent inquiry with general Secretary Dave Penman calling it a damning indictment of the process for enforcing ministerial standards. The ministerial code of conduct requires ministers to treat people with respect and have proper and appropriate relationships with colleagues, civil servants and staff. It says harassment, discrimination and bullying will not be tolerated. A former foreign affairs official told The Guardian in March that Raa was 100 per cent a bully and that his office was seen as a hardship post. I read it as someone that uses their influence to intimidate other people, the individual, speaking on condition of anonymity, said. And if that is the definition then he was 100% a bully. He added that officials were terrified to have interactions with him but also to interact with his office and that Raab did absolutely nothing when a colleague was bullied by someone else. He didnt step in, the official said. One of the most powerful men in the country was condoning it and saying that kind of behaviour was acceptable. The individual further claimed Raab put unreasonable pressure on civil servants. I think you can have high expectations and not be a bully. I think he had high expectations and was a bully, he said. Raab hits back Raab, a former lawyer and karate black belt, denied bullying civil servants working for him and in his letter rejected allegations of an overbearing manner with colleagues. Raab said in his letter that he had not intentionally belittled anyone and was genuinely sorry for any unintended stress or offense that any officials felt. He noted the inquiry concluded he had not sworn or shouted at anyone, let alone thrown anything or otherwise physically intimidated anyone. Raab also called the findings flawed and said the inquiry set a dangerous precedent by setting the threshold for bullying so low. He added that he quit because he was duty bound to resign since he had promised to. He insisted in his letter that ministers must be able to exercise direct oversight with respect to senior officials over critical negotiations conducted on behalf of the British people. Not to do so, he said, would mean the loss of the democratic and constitutional principle of ministerial responsibility. He also maintained ministers must be able to give direct critical feedback on briefings and submissions to senior officials in order to set the standards and drive the reform the public expect of us. Of course this must be done within reasonable bounds, he went on. But Raab said Tolley concluded that I had not once, in four and a half years, sworn or shouted at anyone let alone thrown anything or otherwise physically intimated anyone, nor intentionally sought to belittle anyone. I am genuinely sorry for any unintended stress or offence that any officials felt, as a result of the pace, standards and challenge that I brought to the Ministry of Justice, he added. That is, however, what the public expect of ministers working on their behalf. Keir Starmer, the leader of the main Opposition Labour Party, accused Sunak of weakness for failing to sack his deputy rather than letting him resign. Another of Sunaks senior ministers, Gavin Williamson, also quit in November after bullying allegations, and the prime minister sacked Conservative Party chair Nadhim Zahawi in January after he was found to have broken the ministerial code over his openness about his tax affairs. Sunak is facing his own investigation by parliaments standards watchdog into his behaviour over whether he properly declared his wifes shareholding in a childcare company which stands to benefit from new government policy. With inputs from agencies Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Elon Musks new space vehicle Starship was fuelled up and ready to go. All eyes were on the biggest and most powerful rocket ever built, as it was set to take off from the southern tip of Texas, near the Mexican border. People gathered at the launch site to witness history in the making. But minutes after the liftoff, it exploded. The nearly 120-metre spaceship carried no people or satellites. This futuristic rocket built by Musks private spaceflight company SpaceX is touted as a game-changer for space travel. Its in this vehicle that NASA will fly its astronauts for the Atremis 3 Mission to the moons south pole in 2025. Someday Musk wants to use it to transport people to Mars. For now, that seems aeons away. Yet the maiden flight has been called a success by SpaceX and experts. We tell you why. Why did Starship explode? SpaceXs launch vehicle is made up of the Super Heavy booster and the Starship spacecraft. Together, they are known as Starship. Its first flight lasted a little less than four minutes. Thirty of its 33 engines fired and the Super Heavy boosters lifted off its launch pad. About a minute later, the vehicle passed through a period of maximum aerodynamic pressure, a key moment for the launch of any rocket. Two minutes on, the rocket had reached an altitude of 20 kilometres and was travelling at 1,600 kph. But by now two of its engines had shut down. Into the third minute, it was clear something was amiss. The rest of the engines had not separated at the expected time and the rocket appeared to be changing its course. The separation of the second stage, the prototype spaceship called Starship, from the Super Heavy was not progressing as intended, according to a report in The Economist. The rocket began to tumble and burst into flames over the Gulf of Mexico. The explosion came after an earlier attempt to launch the rocket on Monday was aborted because of a frozen valve. If the launch was successful, the rocket was supposed to reach 223 km above the Earth. SpaceX had planned for it to last for an hour and 30 minutes. Starship experienced a rapid unscheduled disassembly before stage separation, SpaceX said, in a statement on Twitter. The firm now claims that it pulled the trigger that detonated Starship mid-air, according to media reports. What is Elon Musk saying? SpaceX acknowledged that several of the Super Heavys 33 powerful Raport engines malfunctioned on the ascent and that the booster rocket and Starship failed to separate as designed before the ill-fated flight was terminated. But executives at the company including Musk hailed the test flight for achieving the major objective of getting the vehicle off the ground while providing a wealth of data that will advance Starships development, according to Reuters. Musk has congratulated the SpaceX team on the exciting test launch on Starship. Learned a lot for the next test launch in a few months, he wrote on Twitter. Congrats @SpaceX team on an exciting test launch of Starship! Learned a lot for next test launch in a few months. pic.twitter.com/gswdFut1dK Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 20, 2023 Even before the launch, Musk had tempered expectations. It might take several tries before Starship succeeds at its first test, he had said. Yet, the test launch has been called a success. And not by Musk alone. Bill Nelson, the NASA administrator, also lauded the company. Every great achievement throughout history has demanded some level of calculated risk, because with great risk comes great reward, he tweeted. Also read: SpaceX Starship: What to know about the worlds biggest rocket The blowing up of the rocket looks like a failure to everyday observers but those in the space business seem to count the test flight as a win. It may look that way to some people, but its not a failure, Daniel Dumbacher, executive director of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and a former high-level NASA official told The New York Times. Its a learning experience. Why is the launch considered a success? The rocket lifted for a few minutes but it helped achieve some milestones for SpaceX. For starters, clearing the launchpad and flying for four minutes mattered. A major goal of the launch was to gather data ready for the next test flight. The flight produced loads of that for engineers, which will help them understand how the vehicle performed despite the explosion. According to experts in aerospace engineering and planetary science, the test flight delivered benefits. Also read: SpaceX says they intentionally blew up their Starship rocket during launch, calls launch a success This is a classical SpaceX successful failure, Garrett Reisman, an astronautical engineering professor at the University of Southern California who is a former NASA astronaut and is also a senior adviser to SpaceX told Reuters. He called the Starship test flight a hallmark of a SpaceX strategy that sets Musks company apart from traditional aerospace companies and even NASA by this embracing of failure when the consequences of failure are low. Reisman said that SpaceX takes less time to identify and correct engineering flaws by taking more risks in the development process rather than keeping a large team working for years and years and years trying to get it perfect before you even try it. I would say the timeline for transporting people (aboard Starship) is accelerated right now compared to what it was a couple of hours ago, he added. According to Margaret Weitekamp, the chair of the space history department at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, there is something to be learned from any sort of test. Engineers will tell you that they can learn as much from failure as success, told Washington Post. Planetary scientist Tanya Harrison, a fellow at the University of British Columbia's Outer Space Institute, told Reuters that clearing the launch tower and ascending through a critical point known as maximum aerodynamic pressure were major feats on the first flight of such a large, complex launch system. Its part of the testing process, she said in an interview. There are a lot of accidents that happen when youre trying to design a new rocket. The fact that it launched at all made a lot of people really happy. Talking about SpaceXs rapid pace of development since its 2002 founding, Harrison concluded, It wouldn't surprise me if we had humans on Mars with Starship in the next decade. With inputs from agencies Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Paris: French president Emmanuel Macrons recent public appearances have been met with a clamour of pot clanging by demonstrators furious over his decision to hike the retirement age. As authorities try to put the lid on the protests, we look at how the humble kitchen utensil became a global symbol of resistance. Bashing the French king The saucepans second life as a symbol of politically charged protest began in 1830s France after the July Revolution that led to the abdication of Charles X. Also Read: Frances nationwide strikes over Emmanuel Macrons pension reforms Republicans opposed to the new king, Louis Philippe, sought to make their voices heard by borrowing from reality a customary ritual known as charivari, or making loud noise, French historian Emmanuel Fureix explained to France Culture radio in 2017. The ritual dated from the Middle Ages when villagers sought to humiliate an ill-matched marriage generally a widower to a much younger bride with a thundering concert of c, known in French as casseroles. Hullabaloo in Latin America The saucepans leap to global usage came in the 20th Century. In the 1950s and 1960s there was pot-bashing in Algeria during the countrys war of independence, by supporters of the French far-right paramilitary group OAS who wanted to keep the country French. But the pot only really began to make a racket when it crossed the Atlantic to Latin America, where the ear-splitting tradition of mass cacerolazos banging pots with wooden spoons or bashing them together like cymbals was born. The first major breakout came in 1971 in Chile against food shortages during the regime of Salvador Allende. Also Read: Why France pension reforms are a reminder of Indias NPS vs OPS debate Forty years later, tens of thousands of pot bangers took to the streets of Buenos Aires after finding themselves cut off from their bank savings in the midst of a severe economic crisis. Since then the saucepan has been a tool of protest across the globe, from Myanmar to Canada. Pots in the closet Clanging pots have returned loudly in France in recent decades to express discontent with politicians and policies. Also Read: Will Frances pension protests turn into another yellow vest movement? In 2017, the campaign rallies of conservative presidential candidate Francois Fillon drew sporadic saucepan protests, in a play on the French expression trainer des casseroles (skeletons in the closet). Fillons saucepans related to a scandal that would scupper his candidacy and land him with a jail sentence, when it was revealed, he had given his wife a fake job as a parliamentary assistant. From street to smartphone Six years later, President Emmanuel Macrons widely unpopular pension reforms have elicited a new chorus of pot banging. Pot concerts were organised countrywide on Monday evening to drown out the president when he addressed the nation after signing into law a bill that raises the retirement age from 62 to 64. On Thursday, authorities in the southern Herault region announced a ban on portable sound equipment ahead of the presidents visit to the area. While the move may force protesters to shelve their pots, smartphone apps such as iCacerolazo and Cassolada 2.0 that reproduce the metal clanging suggest they wont be easily silenced. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Thousands of Indians are stranded in Sudan, which has been witnessing violence since last weekend. Out of these nationals, more than 100 belong to the Hakki Pikki tribe from Karnataka. The community members stuck in the African nation have spoken out about their plight and sought the Indian governments help. The Indian Embassy in Sudan has advised its nationals to stay indoors, ration their food and seek help from their Sudanese neighbours. As per reports, India is also coordinating closely with the Quartet countries the United States, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to ensure the safety of its citizens. As many as 413 people have been killed and 3,551 injured due to the infighting in Sudan, the World Health Organization said on Friday (21 April). One Kerala native has also lost his life. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting today to discuss the situation of the stranded Indians in violence-hit Sudan, lets take a look at who are the Hakki Pikki and what they are doing in the African country. Who are the Hakki Pikkis? They are a nomadic tribe living across western and southern India. Hakki means bird in Kannada, and Pikki translates to catchers. Traditionally, a tribe of bird catchers and hunters, who mostly lived in forest areas, the members now dwell in Karnatakas Mysuru, Davangere, Kolar, Hassan and Shivamogga districts. According to the 2011 census, there are 11,892 people from the Hakki Pikki tribe in Karnataka. Besides Kannada and Hindi, they speak Vaagri an unclassified tribal Indo-Aryan language of south India, reported Indian Express. They are believed to hail originally from Gujarat and Rajasthan. As per an Indian Express report, the community is known as Mel-Shikari in northern Karnataka and Maharashtra. Hakki Pikkis are a matriarchal community where the groom gives dowry to the brides family, the report added. After hunting was banned in the country in the 1970s, the members started selling spices and herbal oils. MR Gangadhar, an anthropologist who has conducted a study on the tribe, told Indian Express, After they were shifted from the forests to villages, the tribe took a long time to adjust to their new life. Initially, they hunted animals and used skins and bones to make products. They are highly skilled with their hands and soon switched to preparing oils of various kinds. As the government established wildlife sanctuaries and national parks, Hakki Pikkis were displaced from forests and resettled around Bengaluru, Mysuru, Mandya and borders of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, according to Economic Times (ET). Hunsur-based NGO Deeds director S Srikanth told ET: While the community is capable and earns enough money to survive, they need stability in the form of land and government jobs. They need to be brought into the mainstream with education. Education levels remain low among the Hakki Pikkis. ALSO READ: Indians stuck in violence-hit Sudan: How safe are they and how is the Centre helping them? Travelling to far countries The members of the Hakki Pikki tribe have been travelling to different countries to sell their herbal products made from medicinal plants for years now. Dr DC Nanjunda, an anthropologist and deputy director at the Centre for Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy, University of Mysore, told BBC that the members go to Sudan, Singapore and Malaysia, most of the time with families, to sell these products. During our research, we found that all members of the community have a passport, Dr Nanjunda added. In Mysuru districts Pakshirajapura village, every other house has someone with a passport. People from the Pakshirajapura, probably travelled to Dubai, Qatar and Kuwait around 10 years ago in a quest to sell body massage oils, Puneeth Kumar, president of the Karnataka state Hakki-Pikki Sanghatane, was quoted as saying by Deccan Herald. The tribe members have been visiting African countries for around two decades now, PS Nanjunda Swamy, state president of the Karnataka Adivasi Budakattu Hakki Pikki Jananga, told Indian Express. Speaking to Deccan Herald, Mysuru-based researcher Shree Krishna Prasad said community members stay in foreign countries for over six to seven months to sell their herbal products. To bear the expenses of travelling abroad, they borrow money or mortgage their lands. Running out of food, water Some Hakki Pikki tribe members stuck in Sudans capital city of Khartoum which has reported intense clashes have said they are running out of food and water. Seven of my family members my husband, mother, three brothers and two sisters-in-law are stuck in Khartoum. When we spoke the last time, they said they did not have enough food or water. They said the bombing has not stopped, 23-year-old Kranthi, who has been taking care of her brothers children in Pakshirajapura, told Indian Express. VIDEO | In Sudan, the UN is making all efforts to establish a ceasefire. Unless there is a ceasefire, its not safe for people to come out. Our team is in continuous touch with Indians in Sudan, says EAM S Jaishankar after meeting with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. pic.twitter.com/qYJQb10K9p Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 21, 2023 We are living in a hotel where the employees went away five days ago, soon after the fighting started, Sanju Pitaji, who is stuck in Khartoum, told BBC. We are surviving on some leftover bread and drinking water from the tap in the washroom. Ten of us are living in this room, he added. Some members are also stuck in the western city of Al-Fashir, 1,000km away from Khartoum. Prabhu S, from Gopalgram in Davangere districts Channagiri, said he and his wife Soniya (27), left India 10 months ago, while their four children stayed back. He said heavy firing and shelling began in Al-Fashir on Saturday. On Thursday, 36-year-old Prabhu told Indian Express: A government official from Karnataka got in touch with me recently to enquire about our situation. I informed him that 31 of us from Karnataka are stuck in a housing complex since fighting is on 24/7. He promised to stay in touch with the Government in India and told us not to step out. On Wednesday, a local store opened for about 20 minutes. Some of us rushed there to buy food but we were asked to leave. We are losing hope fast. With inputs from agencies Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Washington: The future of a commonly used abortion pill is at the center of a pitched legal battle before the Supreme Court, which is poised for the second time in a year to consider a major effort to severely limit access to abortion. The court is expected to decide by Friday night whether to grant the Biden administrations emergency request to maintain the Food and Drug Administrations approval of the pill, mifepristone, after a lower court limited the availability of the drug while an appeal moves forward. Justice Samuel Alito had paused the lower courts ruling, but that freeze is set to expire at midnight. That means the justices are likely to decide before then, although they could extend the deadline or fail to act. When the justices overturned Roe v. Wade in June, the conservative majority said that the political branch, not the courts, should make decisions on abortion policy. But the issue has quickly made its way back to the Supreme Court, in a case that may have wide-ranging consequences even in states where abortion is legal, as well as for the FDAs regulatory authority over other drugs. Heres what could happen next. Whats at stake? At issue is the availability of mifepristone, part of a two-drug regimen that now accounts for more than half of the abortions in the United States. More than 5 million women have used mifepristone to terminate their pregnancies in the United States, and dozens of other countries have approved the drug for use. Federal judges have questioned steps the FDA has taken to expand the drugs distribution, and the 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals, in New Orleans, imposed significant barriers to access last week, even as it said that it would allow the pill to remain on the market. Its decision essentially turns back the clock to 2016, when the FDA added a series of guidelines that eased access to the pill. The restrictions would include blocking patients from receiving the drug by mail. Experts say removing the mail option would have significant consequences: Patients would have to take time off work, pay travel costs to get to a medical office and endure the stigma of going out in public to seek an abortion. The case could also pave the way for all sorts of challenges to the FDAs approval of medications. Legal experts said medical providers anywhere in the country might be enabled to challenge government policy that might affect a patient, as did the anti-abortion medical coalition that filed the original lawsuit against the pill. What happens next? When the Biden administration asked the Supreme Court to intervene, the application was assigned to Alito, who oversees the 5th Circuit. Alito issued an order last Friday temporarily ensuring that the pill would remain widely available. The order was extended Wednesday for another two days. That the court said Wednesday that it would give itself more time to consider the pills availability suggests that there may be disagreement among the justices. The justices are likely to decide whether to grant the administrations request and have several options: ensure full access to mifepristone; impose significant restrictions, but stop short of sharply curtailing the drugs availability; or suspend the pill from the market entirely, as a federal judge in Texas did in the original case. Whatever the justices do in the interim, the litigation will continue, probably in the appeals court. But the Supreme Court may take the unusual step of leapfrogging the appeals court and hearing the case itself right away. If the Supreme Court decides not to act on the Biden administrations request, the 5th Circuits decision remains in place. How did we get here? The dispute traces back to a lawsuit by an umbrella group of medical organisations and a few doctors who oppose abortion, challenging the FDAs approval of the pill more than two decades ago. The suit, filed in the Amarillo division of the US District Court for the Northern District of Texas, came before a single federal judge: Matthew Kacsmaryk, a Trump appointee who is known as a longtime opponent of abortion. The plaintiffs have claimed that the pill is unsafe and that the agencys approval process for the drug was flawed. The FDA has forcefully countered those claims, contending that the drug is very safe and effective. It has cited a series of studies that show that serious complications are unusual and that less than 1per cent of patients need hospitalisation. In his preliminary ruling, Kacsmaryk said that the FDA had improperly approved the drug. But he gave the agency a week to seek emergency relief before his ruling would take effect. The Biden administration immediately appealed, and a divided three-judge panel of the 5th Circuit said that mifepristone could remain available as the lawsuit makes its way through the courts. But in addition to prohibiting sending the pills by mail, the panel blocked health care providers who are not doctors from prescribing them. What about the Washington state case? A second case about the abortion pill is proceeding in a federal courtroom in Washington state, after Democratic attorneys general of 17 states and the District of Columbia filed a lawsuit challenging the renewed FDA restrictions on access to mifepristone. Less than an hour after Kacsmaryk issued his ruling, Judge Thomas Rice of the US District Court for the Eastern District of Washington, an Obama appointee, blocked the agency from curbing the availability of mifepristone in those 17 states and the District of Columbia. Although his order did not affect the entire country, the states in that lawsuit represent a majority of states where abortion remains legal. Legal experts say the direct conflict between the Washington state case and the 5th Circuits decision to block specific parts of the FDAs rules for the abortion drug potentially increases the chances the Supreme Court will quickly address the merits of the dispute. Abbie VanSickle and Pam Belluck c.2023 The New York Times Company With inputs from agencies Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Chennai: A second year B.Tech student of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras was found dead in his hostel room on Friday. Police said that they suspect it to be a case of death by suicide. This is the fourth case of suicide in IIT-Madras this year. The student has been identified as 20-year-old Kedar Suresh. He was a native of Madhya Pradesh and was pursuing Chemical Engineering. His body was found hanging in his room at Cauvery Hostel. A Times of India report said that friends of Suresh informed the warden after they noticed that his room was locked for hours. The warden then alerted the police who reached at the spot and broke open the door. They them found him hanging from a ceiling fan. The body was taken for autopsy and a preliminary investigation is underway on the IIT Madras campus, ANI quoted an officer of Chennai Police as saying. The Kotturpuram police registered a case. Student suicides in IIT-Madras This suicide is the fourth such incident in mere three months time. Earlier this month, a PhD student at IIT-Madras Sachin Kumar died by suicide in his room. He was a native of West Bengal. On 14 March, a third-year student of IIT-Madras allegedly died by suicide in his hostel room. The 20-year-old was a resident of Andhra Pradesh In February, a research scholar from Maharashtra died by suicide at IIT-Madras. Keeping in mind the rise in number of suicides on campus, IIT-Madras conducted a wellness session series for its students on 19 April, 2023. The programme has been launched by the institute to increase awareness on Mental Health and various options available to students to address as well as mitigate stress. With inputs from agencies A collection of suicide prevention helpline numbers are available here. Please reach out if you or anyone you know is in need of support. The All-India helpline number is: 022-27546669 Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Poonch (Jammu and Kashmir): The Indian Army launched a massive manhunt on Friday to nab the terrorists involved in Thursdays attack on a military vehicle that claimed the lives of five soldiers. Security agencies suspect that around 6 to 7 terrorists were involved in the attack. The Indian Army has deployed several special forces teams in the Rajouri-Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir along with drones and helicopters to hunt down the terrorists. A team from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has reportedly reached the area to take part in the investigation into the incident. The Army and security agencies have received inputs about the presence of 6-7 terrorists operating in two groups in the Rajouri-Poonch sector near the area where the incident took place yesterday, defence officials were quoted as saying by ANI. Multiple special forces teams along with drones and surveillance helicopters have been rushed to the area to help carry out search and destroy ops there, they added. Several agencies involved in the operation Several branches of the security forces including the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and intelligence agencies are involved in the operation. It is being suspected that the terrorists belong to the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and had crossed the Line of Control (LoC) to enter Jammu and Kashmir from Pakistan. At present, the Indian Army is trying to trace the route of their entry into the area. The Indian Army is also conducting extensive searches in areas where natural formations like caves and rocks are present. More details are being ascertained about their route of ingress into the area. The search is being conducted extensively in the area where multiple cave-type natural structures are present, defence officials told the media. Tribute to martyrs The terrorist attack has led to a public uproar in the Jammu region. Several political parties have paid tributes to the martyred soldiers. At Jawahar Nagar in the Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir, BJP workers staged a protest against the terrorist attack. BJP workers raised slogans of Indian Army Zindabad, they also raised slogans of Shaheed jawan amar rahe. The protesters also burnt effigies of the terrorists. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The aviation regulator, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has launched an investigation into an incident involving an Air India pilot who allegedly allowed a female friend into the cockpit of a Dubai-Delhi flight on 27 February. Simultaneously, Air India is also conducting an independent probe after taking cognisance of the matter, as told by officials to media outlets. An Air India spokesperson on Friday, 21 April stated that the airline has a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to the safety and well-being of passengers, and appropriate action will be taken regarding the incident. A complaint was filed by a cabin member of the Dubai-Delhi flight with DGCA, and an official from DGCA confirmed that an investigation is ongoing. The pilot of the flight allegedly permitted a female friend to enter the cockpit, which is against regulations as unauthorised individuals are not allowed in the cockpit. Such kind of action may be a violation of norms. News agency ANI also took to Twitter to post about this incident. A pilot of an Air India flight, operating from Dubai to Delhi, allowed a female friend in the cockpit, on February 27, violating DGCA safety norms. Probe being conducted: DGCA ANI (@ANI) April 21, 2023 A user commented if appropriate action is not taken to address this act of indiscipline, it could have a bad impact on passenger safety. He went on to add that Air India should take necessary measures, including removing the pilot from service, to ensure the well-being of passengers. This act of indiscipline should be punished or else passengers safety will be forever compromised. @airindiain should take action and remove him from the service. Atharv Vyas (@atharvvyas_) April 21, 2023 Many users echoed a similar point of view and said that immediate arrest and permanent revocation of his license should be pursued as necessary action against him. He should be arrested immediately and his license should be cancelled for rest of his life. Subhrajit Guha (@SubhrajitGuha17) April 21, 2023 Some people stated that the Chief Justice of India (CJI) and Supreme Court should handle the matter. Why DGCA? Shouldn't it be the CJI and SC? He will want to have the final say in this Kaskv (@Kaskv1) April 21, 2023 A few accounts pointed out that prior to 2001, visiting cockpits was common in many airlines, but after the 9/11 attack, regulations were implemented that banned such visits without exceptions. Therefore, the pilot in question should be suspended at minimum, and appropriate disciplinary action should be taken, as commented by some users. Visiting cockpits wasn't uncommon until 2001 in many airlines but after 9/11 rules banned it wiyhout exceptions. This pilot should be at least suspended and disciplinary action taken. Priyansha | (@_Priyansha__) April 21, 2023 In the meantime, investigation team will review the pertinent details of the incident from a technical and safety perspective, as stated by officials. As mentioned in a report by The Hindu, the airline spokesperson said in a statement, We have taken serious note of the reported incident and investigations are underway in Air India. We have also reported the matter to the DGCA and are cooperating with their investigations. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Akshaya Tritiya is a significant annual festival marked on the third day of the Hindu month of Vaisakha, normally falling in April or May. The auspicious celebration is going to be marked on 22 April this year in the country. Also referred to as Akti or Akha Teej, this festival holds great significance for Hindus who believe that embarking on new ventures or investments on this day will bring them prosperity, success, and fortune. Devotees offer prayers, engage in charitable acts such as donating food, clothes, and money to those in need, and often purchase gold or valuable items as a symbol of auspiciousness on this occasion. Akshaya Tritiya is thought to bestow good fortune and success. Many individuals choose to buy gold on this day, as it is believed that purchasing gold on Akshaya Tritiya will bring prosperity and increased wealth in the future. This is because Akshaya Tritiya is considered an auspicious day, and it is believed that gold bought on this day will never diminish in value, but instead will continue to appreciate or grow over time. Celebration across India Akshaya Tritiya is commemorated across India with a lot of enthusiasm and fervour. Here is how this beautiful festival is celebrated in different states across the nation: Maharashtra In Maharashtra, Akshaya Tritiya is celebrated with grandeur and enthusiasm. Women offer prayers to Goddess Gauri on this day, seeking the wellbeing and prosperity of their husbands. Bihar In Bihar, Akshaya Tritiya is considered a propitious day that signifies a fresh start. Businessmen and traders often conduct puja ceremonies on this day, viewing it as an auspicious occasion to commence new ventures or endeavours. Uttar Pradesh The people of Uttar Pradesh hold a deep religious reverence for Akshaya Tritiya. Dinesh Lal Yadav, an actor from Uttar Pradesh, told ETimes that the festival has a magical aura, as it is believed that on this day the feet of Lord Banke Bihari are visible at the temple. He said that the temples in Vrindavan, a holy place associated with Lord Krishna, are beautifully adorned and deities are adorned with sandalwood paste. Odisha The Chandan Yatra of Lord Jagannath, marked in various shrines across Odisha, commences on Akshaya Tritiya. People also worship Goddess Lakshmi on this auspicious day, praying for a bountiful harvest and a prosperous crop yield. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has summoned Satya Pal Malik, a former governor of Jammu and Kashmir, to provide answers to specific questions on an alleged insurance scam in the Union Territory. They want certain clarifications for which they want my presence. I am going to Rajasthan so I have given them dates from April 27 to 29 when I am available, Malik was quoted as saying by PTI. Satya Pal Malik has been summoned by the CBI in relation to the case earlier as well. Last year, he was questioned by the investigative agency over his alleged links to the suspected scam. The CBI had filed two FIRs in April 2022 in response to charges of corruption levelled by Satya Pal Malik regarding the awarding of contracts for civil work of Rs 2,200 crore relating to the Kiru hydroelectric power project in Jammu and Kashmir as well as a group medical insurance plan for government employees. (With agency inputs) Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. New Delhi: The Indian Space Research Organisation must stop producing operational space systems, according to the new Indian Space Policy, which was made public on Thursday. Instead, it should concentrate its efforts on conducting research and development in cutting-edge technology. Non-government entities (NGEs) are also permitted to provide national and international space-based communication services through self-owned, purchased, or leased geostationary orbit (GSO) and non-geostationary satellite orbit (NGSO) satellite systems, according to the Indian Space Policy-2023, which was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security on 6 April. NGSO refers to satellites that are located in low- or medium-earth orbits that deliver high-speed internet from space. The policy also encourages NGEs to establish and operate ground facilities for space objects operations, such as telemetry, tracking and command (TT&C) Earth Stations and Satellite Control Centres (SCCs). It also allows NGEs to undertake end-to-end activities in the space sector through the establishment and operation of space objects, ground-based assets and related services such as communication, remote sensing and navigation. It encouraged NGEs to use Indian orbital resources and/or non-Indian orbital resources to establish space objects for communication services over India and outside. The policy encouraged NGEs to manufacture and operate space transportation systems, including launch vehicles and shuttles, as well as design and develop reusable, recoverable and reconfigurable technologies and systems for space transportation. It also encouraged NGEs to engage in the commercial recovery of an asteroid resource or a space resource. Any NGE engaged in such a process shall be entitled to possess, own, transport, use, and sell any such asteroid resource or space resource obtained in accordance with applicable law, including the international obligations of India, it said. Industry leaders welcomed the policy and described it as a futuristic one that will position India and launch the Indian Space Sector in the 21st century. This policy provides the much-needed clarity on all space activities, especially regarding space communication and other Applications, Lt Gen A K Bhatt, Director General Indian Space Association, told PTI. He said the policy will be a catalyst for the development of a robust innovative and globally competitive space ecosystem in India. The policy also states that Indian consumers of space technology or services such as communication, remote sensing, data services and launch services whether from the public or the private sector, shall be free to directly procure them from any source. The government unveiled space sector reforms in 2020 by opening it up for private participation and the new space policy, published on the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) website on Thursday, has been formulated as an overarching, composite and dynamic framework to implement the reform vision. The policy states that ISRO, as the national space agency, will focus primarily on the research and development of new space technologies and applications and on expanding the human understanding of outer space. To achieve this goal, the policy said ISRO shall carry out applied research and development of newer systems so as to maintain Indias edge in the sector in the areas of space infrastructure, space transportation, space applications, capacity building and human spaceflight. It said the space agency shall transition out from the existing practice of being present in the manufacturing of operational space systems. Hereafter, mature systems shall be transferred to industries for commercial exploitation. ISRO shall focus on R&D in advanced technology, proving newer systems and realization of space objects for meeting national prerogatives, the policy stated. The policy stated that the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) shall function as an autonomous government organisation, mandated to promote, handhold, guide and authorise space activities in the country. The policy made it clear that NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), as the public sector undertaking under the Department of Space, shall be responsible for commercialising space technologies and platforms created through public expenditure. It also mandated NSIL to manufacture, lease or procure space components, technologies, platforms and other assets from the private or the public sector on sound commercial principles. The policy also tasked NSIL to service the space-based needs of users, whether government entities or non-government entities, on sound commercial principles. It said the Department of Space shall oversee the distribution of responsibilities outlined in this policy and ensure that the different stakeholders are suitably empowered to discharge their respective functions without overlapping into the others domains. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Poonch (Jammu and Kashmir): Top officers of the Indian Army and the Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP) paid tribute to the five soldiers who were martyred in the Poonch terror attack. The five Indian Army soldiers were martyred while another was injured on Thursday when their vehicle was attacked by unidentified terrorists in the Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday. Their vehicle had caught fire due to the attack. The soldiers were from a Rashtriya Rifles unit of the Indian Army. The Rashtriya Rifles, which specialises in counter-terrorism operations, was raised to deal with the Pakistan-back terrorist groups in Jammu and Kashmir and is permanently deployed in the union territory. Senior commanders, including the general officer commanding (GoC) and assistant director general of police (ADGP), as well as public dignitaries honoured the soldiers at a ceremony conducted at a military base in the Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir. The nation will always remain indebted to our bravehearts for their supreme sacrifice and devotion to duty, an officer was quoted as saying by PTI. The remains of Lance Naik Debashish from the Algum Sami village in Odisha was evacuated to his home town following the wreath-laying ceremony, according to the officials. The bodies of four soldiers from the Punjab provinceHavildar Mandeep Singh of Chankoian Village in Ludhiana, Lance Naik Kulwant Singh of Charik Village in Moga, Sepoy Harkrishan Singh of Talwandi Village in Gurdaspur, and Sepoy Sewak Singh of Bagha Village in Bathindaare being transported by road to their homes in their respective villages. (With agency inputs) Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. An elderly woman in Odisha was compelled to walk for kilometres to reach a bank to collect her pension. In a video posted by news agency ANI, Surya Harijan could be seen walking barefoot with the support of a broken chair to reach the bank in Jharigaon. #WATCH | A senior citizen, Surya Harijan walks many kilometers barefoot with the support of a broken chair to reach a bank to collect her pension in Odisha's Jharigaon SBI manager Jharigaon branch says, "Her fingers are broken, so she is facing trouble withdrawing money. We'll pic.twitter.com/Hf9exSd0F0 ANI (@ANI) April 20, 2023 The heart-wrenching incident caught the attention of Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. She pulled up the State Bank of India (SBI) over the plight of the septuagenarian woman. This incident reportedly took place on 17 April in Odishas Nabrangpur district. Sharing the video on Twitter, Sitharaman said, Can see the manager of the State Bank of India (SBI) responding but yet wish Department of Financial Services (DFS) and the SBI to take cognisance of this and act humanely. Are they no bank Mitra? Can see the manager of the @TheOfficialSBI responding but yet wish @DFS_India and @TheOfficialSBI take cognisance of this and act humanely. Are they no bank Mitra? @FinMinIndia https://t.co/a9MdVizHim Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) April 20, 2023 SBI soon responded to Sitharamans tweet and mentioned that she will receive her pension at home, right from the next month onwards. The bank further added that the senior citizen will be given a wheelchair. 1/3 Madam, we are equally pained to see this video. Smt Surya Harijan in the video used to withdraw her old age pension from the CSP point situated in her village every month. Due to old age, her finger prints were not matching at the CSP point. State Bank of India (@TheOfficialSBI) April 20, 2023 The incident came to light after the elderly woman was told that her thumb impression was not matching with the bank records and that she had to return home without pension. Noting the incident, Jharigaon branch manager clarified and said that this happened because of her broken fingers. Her fingers are broken, so she is facing trouble withdrawing money. Well resolve the problem soon, he said. Media reports suggest that Harijan stays in a hut with her younger son who grazes other peoples cattle. Her elder son works as a migrant labourer in another state. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. News Delhi: The government system should support the aspirations of common people for a developed India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said while addressing bureaucrats on the occasion of 16th Civil Services Day at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on Friday. Addressing the gathering of civil servants, the Prime Minister said that the government servants that there are two approaches to life, first, getting things done and second letting things happen. The first is an active attitude and the second reflects a passive attitude. People with faith in getting things done take ownership in a proactive manner and become the driving force of their teams, he said. By this burning desire to bring change in the lives of the people you will be able to leave a memorable legacy. You will not be judged by what you have done for yourself but by what changes have you brought in the lives of the people, he said. Giving examples of Aspirational districts that are performing better than other districts on many development parameters due to good governance, he said people-centric governance solves problems and gives better results. On Civil Services Day, greetings to the civil servants, who are serving the nation with utmost diligence. https://t.co/nhN0AmsmcG Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 21, 2023 Modi also highlighted transformative changes in the rural economy, railways, highways, port capacity augmentation and the number of airports, saying that India is rising as the 5th largest economy in the world, taking strides in fintech as it secures the number one position in digital transactions, one of the cheapest mobile data providers and the third largest startup ecosystem in the world. Highlighting the importance and necessity of political parties with different ideologies in a democracy, the Prime Minister stressed the need for bureaucracy to assess whether the political party in power is utilizing the taxpayers money for the benefit of the nation. It is the duty of the bureaucrats to analyse whether a political party is making use of taxpayers money for the benefit of the country, the Prime Minister continued, he said. Modi also stated that young civil servants have the opportunity to make a mark of prominence in history when the accomplishments of the nation will be evaluated after 100 years of independence. You can say with pride that I have played a role in creating new systems for the country and also improving it. I am sure all of you will continue to expand your role in nation-building, he concluded. During the event, the PM also conferred the Prime Ministers Awards for Excellence in Public Administration to recognize the extraordinary and innovative work done by the districts and organizations of the centre and the state governments for the welfare of common citizens. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Poonch (Jammu and Kashmir): Three foreign terrorists and two locals had carried out the attack on an Indian Army vehicle in the Pooch district of Jammu and Kashmir in which three soldiers were martyred, officials told News18 on Friday. The five martyred Indian Army soldiers, who were part of a Rashtriya Rifles unit, were traveling in a truck that caught fire during Thursdays Poonch terror attack. The families of the four soldiers from Punjab who were martyred in the Poonch terror attack would receive an ex gratia payment of Rs 1 crore, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced on Friday. Know updates on the Pooch terror attack According to officials speaking to News18, the assault on Indian army forces in Poonch district was a well-planned and highly organised strike with the aim of disrupting the G20 conference in Jammu and Kashmir. Five terrorists were allegedly responsible for the terrorist attack in the Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday that claimed the lives of five Indian Army soldiers, according to officials on Friday. Three of the suspects are thought to be foreign terrorists from Pakistan, while the other two are locals. Officials are asking local shop owners if they saw any unusual activity prior to the shooting that took place during the latest attack. J&K Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbag Singh visited the scene of the attack along with two teams from the NIA. An investigation into the terrorist incident is being conducted. Of the five soldiers who were martyred, Mandeep Singh (Chankoian Kacan village), Harkrishan Singh (Talwandi Barth village), Kulwant Singh (Charik), and Sewak Singh (Bagha) are from Punjab while Debashish Baswal is from Algum Samil Khandayat in Odisha. According to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the families of the four Indian Army soldiers who died in the Poonch terrorist attack will receive Rs 1 crore as compensation. Indian Army Chief General Manoj Pande informed Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on the event after it was reported on Thursday. Anguished by the tragedy in Poonch District (J&K), where the Indian Army has lost its brave soldiers after a truck caught fire. In this tragic hour, my thoughts are with the bereaved families, the defence minister said in a statement on Twitter. In its statement on the incident, the Indian Army said that the attack took place at around 3 pm on Thursday. One Army vehicle, moving between Bhimber Gali and Poonch in the Rajauri sector was fired on by unidentified terrorists, taking advantage of heavy rains and low visibility in the area, the Indian Army statement said. The Indian Army statement added that another soldier was seriously injured was evacuated to the Army hospital at Rajouri. According to authorities, the Poonch incident was a terror assault because there were bullet holes in the car and grenade fragments were found. The Army is presently engaged in operations to capture the assailants. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. New Delhi: In big relief for lakhs of pilgrims planning a trip to the Char Dham this year, the Uttarakhand government on Friday withdrew its earlier decision on capping the total number of pilgrims headed for the hill state. Earlier this year, the Uttarakhand government had made registration of pilgrims mandatory and had also fixed the daily number of pilgrims that each holy destination of the Char Dham could allow keeping in mind the capacity of the region, resulting in trade losses for numerous hotel owners. The annual pilgrimage to the Char Dham usually starts from the last week of April. Pilgrimage sites of Yamunotri and Gangotri Dhams will be opened for pilgrims on Saturday, 22 April, 2023 while the more famous Kedarnath will throw open its doors on Tuesday and Badrinath will open for pilgrims on next Thursday, on 27 April. The Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand is one of the most sought after Hindu pilgrimages in the country This pilgrimage is a tour of four holy sites Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. On Thursday, Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that so far more than 16 lakh registrations have been done for the yatra. CM Dhami also flagged off vehicles of the service team to serve devotees in Kedarnath Dham Yatra. He said that all preparations have been made for the Char Dham Yatra for the convenience of the pilgrims. Taking to Twitter CM Dhami said, Hail Baba Kedar. Today flagged off the team of service members leaving for Kedarnath Dham in the upcoming Char Dham Yatra 2023 from the Chief Ministers Camp Office. This team will cooperate in arranging Bhandara etc. for the devotees in Kedarnath Dham. Earlier this week, inclement weather and fresh accumulation of snow en route to the temples hampered preparations for the Char Dham Yatra, slated to begin in a few days time. Kedarnath, along with Badrinath, Yamunotri and Gangotri, collectively called Char Dham, attracts lakhs of pilgrims each year and is a huge tourist attraction for the state. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Bhubaneshwar: The Special Task Force (STF) of the Uttar Pradesh Police has reportedly reached Odisha in its hunt for Guddu Muslim, a close aide of slain mafia don Atiq Ahmed. According to media reports, the UP STF team has interrogated a suspect over two days in Bargarh, Odisha in its bid to gather information about the whereabouts of Atiq Ahmed aide Guddu Muslim. However, no arrests were made. The detained person allegedly had links with the driver of Guddu Muslim. The UP STF team visited Bargarh for verification and questioned one person. We extended all cooperation as per rules. The team did not arrest any person in Bargard, Northern Range IG Dipak Kumar told the media. He stated that a five-member UP STF team had arrived in Bargarh on April 18 and left on Thursday. However, the ADGs for Law and Order and Special Arm Service convened a high-level conference that was later summoned by the director general of the Odisha police. According to several media reports from the previous week, Guddu Muslim, also known by the nickname Bambaz, was detained in Nashik, Maharashtra. The Maharashtra police later clarified that the individual who was nabbed was actually a person working as a hotel waiter and not Guddu Muslim. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Shivamogga: Senior BJP leader and former minister KS Eshwarappa whose son KE Kantesh was denied a party ticket to contest Karnataka Assembly elections 2023 scheduled on 10 May, on Friday got a surprise call from Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself. During the call, PM Modi lauded Eshwarappa for his commitment to the BJP. Eshwarappa has recently announced his retirement from electoral politics. He had also conveyed to the partys high command to not consider fielding him in the Karnataka polls 2023 from Shivamogga, but sought a ticket for his son instead. PM Modi calls up KS Eshwarappa In a video shared by the BJP leader, PM Modi can be heard saying: You have demonstrated your commitment to the party. I am very happy with you. So, I decided to talk to you. The Prime Minister also said that he will meet Eshwarappa whenever he visits Karnataka next. In his reply, the political leader told the PM that BJP will win in the upcoming polls in the state. It feels great that you called an ordinary worker like me, Eshwarappa said. #KarnatakaElections2023 | PM Modi held a telephonic conversation with Karnataka BJP leader and former minister KS Eshwarappa. (Source: KS Eshwarappa) pic.twitter.com/DxUn5bTVU3 ANI (@ANI) April 21, 2023 'PM Modi's phone call has inspired me' Talking to media, Eshwarappa said: "I had no clue even in my dream that the Prime Minister will call me. His phone call has inspired me. We will win the election in Shivamogga city. We will also make every effort to form the BJP government in Karnataka." He also said that when BJP national president JP Nadda and BJP general secretary (organisation) BL Santhosh called him with a request to retire from electoral politics, he did not have a second thought and quickly made his decision public. Eshwarappa had stepped down as Rural Development and Panchayat Raj minister in April last year after a contractor Santosh Patil died by suicide accusing the politician of collecting 40 per cent commission on public works in Belagavi. A probe later gave him a clean chit. Speculations of a tussle between Eshwarappa and the BJP arose moments after the party leader's son was denied a ticket to contest the upcoming election in Karnataka. On Thursday, Eshwarappa said: I am not angry with BJP... those who have left BJP have to be brought back. We have to bring them back to BJP who are angry with our party and joined Congress. BJP will win and form government with an absolute majority." With inputs from agencies Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Since Twitter under Elon Musk started taking away legacy blue ticks from over 300,000 of its privileged accounts, there has been a massive outbreak of schadenfreude on social media. Indians are currently soaking in the spectacle of celebrities and powerful individuals like Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Rahul Gandhi, Arvind Kejriwal, Mamata Banerjee and Ratan Tata losing their blue ticks. It is as if their aura has been trimmed, they have been dealt a sharp sting of public humiliation. Handing out blue ticks to celebrities, journalists, and other public personalities was problematic. It was an online extension of the elitist culture that exists in society. A lot of times, handing out blue ticks seemed ideologically biased and arbitrary. Why should any verifiable human not stand a chance to be verified? So, one needed this purging of elitism. Buying ones blue tick does introduce an element of class, but it still democratises it for a much wider user base. It is now just a service longer videos, prominence in conversations and suchlike to be bought at $8 a month. But beyond rejoicing that the rich and powerful are losing automatic membership of an elite Twitter club, pertinent questions are not being asked to Twitter in specific, Big Tech in general. Why should it not make its algorithms transparent? Why should social media users know why they are being shadow-banned or their follower counts eroded? Which invisible tech commands rule their online life? How much of their private information is being used to manipulate them? What is Big Tech doing to make social media safer and less addictive for children? These and many other questions need to be constantly asked and answers demanded from Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and, most importantly, Google. With the General Elections 2024 approaching, a number of prominent social media users have started complaining of shadow bans, follower erosion and de-boosting. While the West keeps lecturing the world on democracy, are the eyes and ears of its worldwide network, Big Tech, going to manipulate voters in the worlds biggest democratic exercise? India is ready with the outlines of its new tech policy, the Digital India Act (DIA), which is likely to try and address most of these issues. It will take the place of the IT Act by overhauling it. The new Act will regulate the myriad corners of the digital industry, including social media companies, e-commerce platforms, search engines, gaming, telecom providers, over-the-top (OTT) platforms, and artificial intelligence. The DIA will ensure minors are protected from addictive technology. There will be regulations to curb fake news on social media platforms. The Act will also define and regulate AI and wearables. Crucially, it will demand accountability and transparency of algorithms. The DIA will require amendments to the Competition Act and a mechanism for appeal to hold Big Tech companies accountable for breaches. Beyond blue ticks, there is a profound need to deal with some of the more problematic creatures in the vast, blue ocean named social media. That war is just beginning. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Although the economic relationship between Turkey and China remained stagnant for many years, recent developments have led to increased cooperation in many areas including tourism and transportation. Diplomatic ties between China and Turkey completed 50 years in 2021 which were first established in August 1971. Erdogan visited China many times Relations between Ankara and Beijing reached the level of strategic cooperation in 2010. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited China in 2012, 2015, 2017 and 2019 within the scope of the relationship that have intensified in the last 15 years. Moreover, Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Erdogan came together at the G20 Antalya summit in 2015, G20 Summit in Hangzhou in 2016, the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg and G20 meeting in Buenos Aires in 2018 and the G20 Osaka Summit in 2019. Trade volume was $24 billion in 2020 China is one of Turkeys important trade partners in East Asia. While the trade volume between the two countries was around $24 billion in 2020, however, there is a decline in trade deficit in favour of China. The bilateral trade volume between China and Turkey was $27.7 billion in 2016, $26.3 billion in 2017, $23.6 billion in 2018 and $21.08 billion in 2019. Notably, trade deficit in favour of China has decreased by about 7 per cent in the last five years. Chinese tourists flocking to Turkey Efforts to attract a greater number of Chinese visitors to Turkey are underway with the goal of reaching one million arrivals. Encouragingly, recent years have seen a positive trend, as evidenced by the increasing number of Chinese tourists to Turkey, with figures rising from 167,570 in 2016 to 426,344 in 2019, which demonstrates the growing interest in Turkey as a destination among Chinese travellers. In 2017, the number of Chinese tourists in Turkey was 2,47,277 and in 2018 it was at 3,94,109. The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant adverse impact on the global tourism industry in 2020, including in Turkey. Nevertheless, there is an optimistic outlook that the sector will rebound resoundingly in the post-pandemic period. Developing BRI cooperation Cooperation between Turkey and China is developing in the Belt and Road Initiative project, which aims to revive the historical Silk Road as announced by President Xi in 2013. In this context, the Agreement on the Harmonization of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road and the Middle Corridor Initiative was signed in 2015 in order to align the Middle Corridor project proposed by Turkey with Chinas Belt and Road initiative between the two countries. Turkey has completed the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway project with the aim of realising the Belt and Road and the Trans-Caspian-Middle Corridor project, which is of critical importance for the project. The first export train to China via the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, which forms an important leg of the Middle Corridor, departed from Istanbul on 4 December, 2020 and reached the city of Xian in the central part of China on 19 December, 2020. The train, which travelled 8,693 kilometres in total carried white goods to China. The writer is a correspondent and an author who works in Turkish media. He graduated from Istanbul University, Faculty of Communication. He is interested in foreign policy issues, especially in the Middle East, Eastern Mediterranean, Atlantic and Eurasia. Views expressed are personal. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Ukraines Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Emine Dzhaparova recently visited India, the first such visit from the Ukrainian side post-commencement of the Russia-Ukraine war. The visit timings are important due to the following reasons: Probably both Russia as well as Ukraine are tired of fighting and battle getting somewhat stalemated. Ukraines hope to start winning the battles which got raised a month back has fizzled out largely. Bakhmut is a living example. The casualties suffered by both sides are too high to be sustained and ignored. There has been colossal destruction of infrastructure in Ukraine and it stands war-ravaged in a big way. While some initiatives and resolutions failed to stop the conflict initially, it was due to the approach of the US which has been using Ukraine merely as a front to weaken Russia beyond unacceptable levels and has also taken other NATO countries in its agenda of war. China has adopted no limits friendship with Russia and is extending all possible support except military hardware. It has clearly stated recently that it will not supply military hardware either to Russia or to Ukraine. China has proposed a 12-point conflict resolution formula to include respecting the sovereignty, ceasing hostilities, resuming the peace talks, resolving the humanitarian crisis, protecting the civilians and prisoners of war (POW), ensuring the safety of nuclear weapons, reduction in strategic risks, facilitating grain exports, stopping unilateral sanctions, keeping industrial and supply chains stable and finally post-conflict reconstruction. These were outlined on the first anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine conflict followed by a detailed discussion between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping during the recently concluded visit of President Xi. The proposal found support from the Russian side but did not evoke any positive response from any other important stakeholder. More so, the proposal was merely a re-iteration of some of the well-known common principles as against any concrete proposal which was hoped to be found during mutual negotiation. The resolution of this conflict cannot take place unless the USA supports the proposal. The proposal either from Russia or from China is not likely to be acceptable to the US and therefore the proposal has remained just a theoretical construct. India has been able to balance its relationship both with the US and Russia. There is growing acceptance by the US towards Indias role to find a solution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The US also does not want to get committed in Ukraine beyond what it already has been as it will assist China to gain ground against Taiwan and other Indo-Pacific issues which are priority one concern for the US at the moment. The US considers India as one of the most important nations to checkmate China towards this aim of the US due to the natural convergence of interests. India is also adversely affected on its land borders with China where Chinese transgressions are continuing for close to three years now and there are no signs of a positive resolution. Besides heading G20 and Shanghai Cooperation Organisation(SCO) at the moment, Indias vaccine diplomacy and grain support have enhanced the trust of the world in the Indian thought process. Its growing economic might along with more effective politico-diplomatic overtures have not only made it an undisputed leader of the Global South but India is also rekindling hopes of peace and prosperity among various nations of the world. India has shown substantial statesmanship wherein it extended humanitarian aid to earthquake-hit Turkey despite Turkey aligning itself with the Pakistani agenda and undertaking multiple actions against Indias national interest. Indias arguments of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and Vishwaguru for the sake of humanity have been finding a genuine resonance amongst the nations. These are the qualities which have been referred to by Ukrainian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emine Dzhaparova during her speech in India. Ukraine is hoping that India will keep aside the biases and actions of Ukraine which were taken by Ukraine against the Indian national interests in the past and it will come forward to resolve the crisis as an Indian proposal will have the acceptance of US and Russia together which is key to this conflict resolution. As against this, the Chinese proposal has been seen as pro-Russian. It also lacks credibility due to Chinas own agenda and not following these proposed points in context with its stand-off with India on the LAC. Chinese move to affect the economies of multiple countries in the world in the garb of liberal economic aid has become visible and a majority of nations understand the Chinese debt trap philosophy. Not only India, China has not been adhering to these proposed principles of conflict resolution even with its other neighbours as well. Good for India that the majority of countries in the world have been able to see through this Chinese game of speaking something and doing exactly the opposite. Chinas perseverance in conflict enlargement on the issue of Taiwan is strengthening every passing day. Leave aside its adverse reactions when Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan, it reacted equally strongly when Taiwans President Tsai Ing-wen met Kevin McCarthy, the House Speaker of the US. China has been intruding into Taiwanese airspace at will besides doing live drills, firing and encirclement of Taiwan. When these activities turn into physical military action is anybodys guess but definitely for the US, it is growing to become a serious issue. Multifarious exercises by the US with Japan and South Korea point towards this preparation should the conflict escalate. In such a situation, the US would like to manage Russia without opening a direct front and it is towards this that Ukrainians are trying to woo Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for participation in the conflict resolution. In addition to mediation, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has also appealed for humanitarian aid from India. Given the current predicament, a resolution initiative from the Indian side is both a challenge as well as an opportunity. Despite the attendant risks, India must venture into this field. The basis of the proposal could be somewhat similar to what we have been demanding from China. Though both the conflict constructs are different, the same could be fine-tuned based on what is acceptable to both Russia and Ukraine. Though its difficult to find an honourable strategy for both without sustained discussions, huge devastations of men and material need to be saved as early as possible and an Indian effort must be made. Bengaluru: Union Home Minister and senior BJP leader Amit Shah will take out a roadshow in Karnatakas Devanahalli today as the saffron party gears up for the 10 May Assembly elections in the state. As part of his two-day visit, which is his first to the state after announcement of poll schedule on 29 March, Shah will also take stock of the partys preparations. As per his itinerary, Shah will hold a roadshow in the taluk headquarters town of Devanahalli, the birthplace of 18th century Mysuru ruler Tipu Sultan, in Bengaluru Rural district in the afternoon. Later in the day, Shah will hold a meeting with senior party functionaries regarding poll preparations, said BJP sources. On Saturday, he is scheduled to attend an event organised by a private news channel before flying back to New Delhi. In Devanahalli, the Union minister will campaign for the BJPs Pilla Munishamappa, who is pitted against sitting JD(S) MLA LN Narayanaswamy and Congress candidate KH Muniyappa, a former Union minister and seven-time MP. Muniyappa, who was defeated in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, is foraying into the Assembly elections for the first time. In the 2018 Assembly elections, the fight was mainly between Narayanswamy (86,966 votes) and Venkataswamy (69,956) of the Congress. BJP candidate K Nagesh was a distant third with 9,820 votes. With inputs from agencies Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Bengaluru: Karnataka Congress leader Siddaramaiah on Friday said the Modi factor will not have any impact in the forthcoming Karnataka Assembly polls and also indicated that he expects the Muslim community to back his party by going in for tactical voting. The former chief minister added that the assembly elections would be contested on local issues and insisted a victory in the southern state would serve as a stepping stone for the Congress in national politics ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. In an interview to news agency PTI, Siddaramaiah said this will be his last electoral contest, and he expects 90 per cent of Muslim voters to back the Congress, given that the ruling BJP is facing a strong anti-incumbency wave in the southern state. The veteran Congress leader also ruled out any differences with state Congress president and fellow chief minister aspirant DK Shivakumar, as he asserted anyone can aspire to such posts. The Modi versus Rahul contest is there at the national level mainly because people are projecting like that, but it is the fight between two ideologies communal and secular politics. PM Modis visits will not make any impact on the voters of Karnataka, because this is a state election, this is not a national election. The main issues the people are going to consider are local issues and the misrule of the BJP government, the Congress leader said. On Whether Muslims, who constitute 10-12 per cent of the population, will opt for tactical voting in favour of the Congress party in Karnataka, as they did for Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal in 2021, Siddaramaiah said, it looks like in Karnataka also Muslims have decided that the Congress party will return to power and they have faith in the Congress party and its leadership. Congress is the only party that safeguards the interest of the minorities in the state. More than 90 per cent of votes we are expecting from the Muslim community and the Christian community also, he clarified. Asked whether the Congress is open to the idea of aligning with JD(S) in case of a hung assembly, he said that question will not arise in the southern state. That question does not arise at all. People are fed up with the coalition government and the ruling BJP. They want Congress to come to power, they have decided to give it an opportunity, he said. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Jack Ma, the co-founder of Chinese tech giant Alibaba, has been made an honorary professor of business at a top Hong Kong university, the school announced Friday. The appointment comes weeks after the billionaire made a rare public appearance in China following his fall from grace during a government crackdown on the tech industry over two years ago. Ma keeps low profile after publicly criticising Chinese govt Ma has kept a low profile since late 2020 when a speech he made attacking Chinese regulators was followed by Beijing pulling the plug on a planned IPO by Alibaba affiliate Ant Group. A record fine of $2.75 billion was later imposed on Alibaba for alleged unfair business practices. The University of Hong Kong on Friday said Ma had accepted an honorary professorship from its business school. A spokesperson for the institution said it welcomed Ma sharing his rich knowledge and experience in business innovation and development. The professorship carries a three-year term ending in March 2026, according to local media. The schools website now contains a profile of Ma highlighting his expertise in management and strategy. In 2018 the same university awarded Ma an honorary doctorate. However, Ma has no plans for public lectures or speeches, according to the South China Morning Post, a Hong Kong-based English-language newspaper wholly owned by Alibaba. The Jack Ma Foundation, a charitable organisation set up by the billionaire in 2014, told the Post that after a hiatus from the world of education, Mr. Ma looks forward to returning to campus life. Ma previously taught English for eight years at Hangzhou Dianzi University in the eastern Chinese province of Zhejiang before he launched Alibaba. He also founded a centre for entrepreneurship in Zhejiang along with several Chinese business heavyweights in 2015. That institution was originally called Hupan University but had the term university removed from its name in 2021 amid Mas spat with Chinese authorities. Ma has been spotted in a number of locations around the world over the past two years, including on the Spanish island of Mallorca, and was reportedly living in Japan for much of 2022. With inputs from AFP Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Fort Polk, LA (71446) Today A mix of clouds and sun during the morning will give way to cloudy skies this afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 82F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Mostly cloudy skies early, then thunderstorms developing late. A few storms may be severe. Low 63F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%. Kypiachka, Ukraine: Petro Potapenko worries if he would be able to export his crop now that Ukraines western neighbours have placed import restrictions as he surveys the mounds of grain on his land. In the town of Kypiachka, around 100 kilometres south of the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, a farmer, 34, stoops to run his hands through the yellow and white grain stored in a storehouse. Ukrainian grain and food imports have been temporarily banned by Ukraines western neighbours, Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary, more than a year after Russias invasion, which completely destroyed Kyivs agricultural sector. Poland, a crucial supporter of Kyiv in its conflict with Russia, enacted the restriction in response to local farmer concerns. Similar limitations were imposed by Slovakia and Hungary, which border Ukraine. Potapenko felt the effects of the ban straight away. As soon as the Polish ban was announced last week, Ukrainian sunflower oil manufacturers stopped buying seeds for lack of a guarantee of being able to export their products to the EU. I can no longer sell my seeds, Potapenko said. Russias invasion has severely limited the traditional export channel of Ukrainian grain via the Black Sea. A considerable part of that has been westwards, via EU nations. Ukraines farmers are now blocked from all sides, Potapenko said. This is happening in the context of Russia slowing down the work of the grain corridor (via the Black Sea), and now there are more problems on the border with Poland, he said. Its a big problem, we still have large grain surpluses. The grain has nowhere to go Further south in the Cherkasy region, in central Ukraine, farmers are also feeling the bite of the new restrictions imposed by Kyivs allies. Ihor Novytsky, the deputy director of a local agricultural firm, said exports are closed on all sides. Europe is closed, all the ports are closed (by Russia), he said. The grain has nowhere to go. Novytsky said that if the restrictions continue, Ukrainian farmers will simply go bankrupt. He said he believes the decision by Polands nationalist government is a political ahead of parliamentary elections later this year. In Poland, elections are coming soon, so they blocked it. Strict controls Warsaw partially lifted the ban on Friday, but across the border in Ukraine, few farmers were reassured. Polish officials have said strict controls will be imposed to ensure that shipments transit the country and are not sold on the local market. This includes placing electronic seals on shipments, which will be escorted by Polish customs officers for the first week. Potapenko said this may be a little better than a total blockade, but that additional controls at the border will likely increase shipping costs. The more time the carrier wastes, the more it will charge you later for the time spent queueing, passing inspections. The tensions between Kyiv and its European neighbours arose as uncertainty looms over the scheduled 18 May renewal of a deal ensuring the Black Sea grain corridor is operational. An estimated 60 per cent of Ukrainian grain exports pass through the Black Sea. Russia, another major global grain exporter, has threatened to suspend the crucial global grain deal, complaining that its own production is hampered by Western sanctions. After over a year of battling Russian forces, some in Ukraine seemed to see Russias hand behind the crisis with neighbouring countries. It smells of Russian involvement, said Andriy Dykun, the head of the Ukrainian grain association. Someone organises the protests (of European farmers), publicises them, it does not happen itself, he said. Launched from the east, south and north, Russias invasion of Ukraine ravaged the agricultural industry in a country renowned for its fertile black soil. Before the invasion, Ukraine was the worlds fourth-largest exporter of corn and on its way to becoming the third exporter of wheat. Since then, vast swathes of cultivated territory have either fallen under Russian occupation or become unusable following fighting that left fields pockmarked by shells and possibly littered with mines and unexploded ordonnance. Agricultural production has fallen dramatically. The grain and oilseed harvest fell from 106 tonnes in 2021 a record to 65 million tonnes in 2022. It could fall further to around 50-55 million tonnes this year, according to experts. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Shanghai: Reiterating its claim on Taiwan Strait, Chinese foreign minister Qin Gang said that both sides of the region belong to China. He also justified Chinas sovereignty over Taiwan. Qin made the remarks at the Lanting Forum in Shanghai, where he discussed a wide range of topics from debt, to the global economy, and Taiwan. He said, Recently there has been absurd rhetoric accusing China of upending the status quo, disrupting peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. The logic is absurd and the conclusion dangerous. Fair-minded people can see who is engaged in hegemonic bullying and high-minded practices, he said. It is not the Chinese mainland, but the Taiwan independence separatist forces and a handful of countries attempting to disrupt the status quo, Qin said. Those who play with fire in Taiwan will eventually get themselves burned. China launched a three-day military exercise around the island on 8 April in which it simulated targeted strikes and practised a blockade of the island. Beijing began three days of military exercises around the island on Saturday, the day after President Tsai Ing-wen returned to Taipei from Los Angeles, where she met with US House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy. With inputs from agencies Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. American digital media company BuzzFeed will shut down its news division and cuts another 15% of its staff across the company, adding to layoffs made earlier this year. The Pulitzer Prize-winning BuzzFeed has a total of approximately 1,200 employees, according to a recent regulatory filing. In a memo sent to staff, Buzzfeed co-founder and CEO Jonah Peretti said that in addition to the news division, layoffs will also take place in business, content, tech, and administrative teams. BuzzFeed is also considering making job cuts in international markets. Peretti said in a memo to staff that he made the decision to overinvest in the news division, but failed to recognise early enough that the financial support needed to sustain operations was not there. Digital advertising has plummeted this year, cutting into the profitability of major tech companies from Google to Facebook. Waves of layoffs have rolled through the tech industry and more are expected. Ive learned from these mistakes, and the team moving forward has learned from them as well, Peretti wrote. We know that the changes and improvements we are making today are necessary steps to building a better future. Christian Baesler, the companys chief operating officer, and Edgar Hernandez, its chief revenue officer, are also leaving after they assist with the restructuring. The company will now have one remaining news brand, HuffPost, Peretti wrote. End of marriage between news & social media Journalists who previously worked at BuzzFeed lamented the end of the news division. Im heartsick about it, and proud of the great journalism we did when I was there and after I left, said Ben Smith, BuzzFeeds editor from 2011 to 2020 and now editor-in-chief of Semafor. Smith made the controversial decision in 2017 to publish a dossier of information about then-President Donald Trump, even though many outlets avoided it as unreliable and even Buzzfeed said there were serious reasons to doubt the allegations. He wrote then that we have always erred on the side of publishing. BuzzFeeds shutdown really marks the end of the marriage between news and social media, said Smith, author of Traffic, a forthcoming history of that era. BuzzFeed said Thursday that all of the news divisions work will be preserved and available within the BuzzFeed network. The company is also working to make sure that any stories currently in progress will be published and promoted on BuzzFeed properties. The announcement comes just a few months after BuzzFeed said that it would be cutting 12% of its workforce, citing worsening economic conditions. BuzzFeed, founded by Peretti in 2006 and initially known for listicles and online quizzes, had established itself as a serious contender in the news business, winning a Pulitzer in 2021 for international reporting. But over the years, advertisers, on which BuzzFeed relies, have broadly pulled back on spending to address rising costs. Spending on advertising is typically among the most elastic items in a companys budget and is often the first place to see cuts. Beijing: TikTok has become a breeding ground for fake news and propaganda against Russias invasion of Ukraine, a study by the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) has revealed. The video-sharing app has become the only Chinese-owned business to spread propaganda against Russia. The other companies which are part of the list include Facebook, Twitter, Google, and other tech giants. The study by PLA found that these companies have waged a cognitive war that greatly undermines Russian military morale and eroded the international image of Russia. The authors of the study said, Combat in the cognitive domain is a new, advanced form of warfare. It is also the highest level of human [war] games. About the study PLAs study was headed by Ling Haifeng, a professor at the Army Engineering University of the PLA in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, according to South China Morning Post. The definition of cognitive warfare, according to Ling and her colleagues, is an organised campaign aimed at manipulating the perceptions of targeted audiences and changing their decisions or behaviours. The study said, This is the first time civilian hi-tech companies have carried out cognitive warfare during a large-scale war. Media-driven cognitive warfare based on the mobile internet has had huge repercussions in this conflict. Ling and her team accused the US government of Ukraine bias as algorithms on its social media accounts promote friendly posts for Kyiv and highlight Russian cruelty. How TikTok spreads false information about the war Since the war started, TikTok has been slammed for its inability to curb the spread of fake news on its platform. According to Fortune, TikToks algorithm fed misinformation on its For You page showing Ukraine-related posts without even considering the keywords entered by a user. The company has, however, since deleted video uploads and live streams from Russia. While more than 1,000 accounts affiliated with the Russian government have also been suspended. A study by a US-based national security advocacy group called The Alliance for Securing Democracy showed the prevalence of TikTok among Russian users. It revealed that the Russian state-controlled broadcaster Russia Today has more TikTok followers than New York Times. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. New Delhi: External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar is on a four-nation Central and Latin America visit starting today. In a statement the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, The EAM will make official visits to Guyana (21-23 April), Panama (24-25 April), Colombia (25-27 April) and the Dominican Republic (27-29 April). In Guyana, Jaishankar will be calling on the leadership and interacting with several Ministers. He will be co-chairing the Joint Commission Meeting with his counterpart, Hugh Hilton Todd which will entail discussions on the whole gamut of issues between the two countries. The EAMs visit to Guyana would also be an opportunity for a meeting of Foreign Ministers in the India-COFCOR (Council on Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR); a group of 15-member Caribbean Community (CARICOM)) format and hold bilateral meetings with participating Ministers, according to the MEA official press release. Following his visit to Guyana, Jaishankar will visit Panama from 24-25 April. He will be calling on top leadership and would be hosted by Foreign Minister Janaina Tewaney Mencomo. During this visit, the India-SICA Foreign Ministerial Meeting will also be convened wherein he would meet representatives of the eight-country Central American Integration System (SICA). On 25-27 April, the EAM will embark on a Colombia visit where he would be meeting several top representatives of the Government, business and civil society. His Colombia visit would be the first Foreign Ministerial level visit to the country, the External Affairs Ministry said in its release. Furthermore, Jaishankars visit to the Dominican Republic is the highest-level visit from India since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1999. He will visit the country from 27-29 April . The EAMs visit takes place after the establishment of our resident Embassy in Santo Domingo in 2022. Apart from calling on the countrys political leadership, EAM will be holding discussions with Foreign Minister Roberto Alvarez, the press release said. The two leaders would also formally inaugurate the Indian resident mission. EAM is also expected to deliver a talk at the Dominican Republic Foreign Ministry. A business delegation from India, led by CII will be joining EAM at business events are also planned during the course of the visit. These meetings underline the growing interest on both sides for stronger trade ties. EAM will also be meeting members of the Indian community in all four countries. EAMs visit to these four countries; his bilateral engagements as well as interactions with counterparts of important regional groups: CARICOM and SICA, adds to the momentum of the India-LAC engagements. It will provide an opportunity to continue high-level contact with countries in Latin America and the Caribbean and explore new areas of cooperation in a whole host of areas; particularly in the post-pandemic scenario, the official press release read. With inputs from agencies Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Berlin: As Berlin strives to make the most of its constrained military resources, it has been reported that the German military may disband its Patriot anti-defence units in NATO allies Slovakia and Poland this year. The nations have been informed about the plans, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence was quoted as saying by Funke media group. According to the spokeswoman, the deployment in Poland should terminate in June while the one in Slovakia would stop by the end of the year. After two men were killed by a stray Ukrainian missile that struck the Polish town of Przewodow in November, Berlin promised to send three of its Patriot units to Poland to assist safeguard its airspace. While the Patriot air defence system began arriving in Slovakia from NATO partner nations last March, just after the start of the war in Ukraine, to assist boost the protection of NATOs eastern border, Germany sent the first two of the three units to Poland in January. The German government has also delivered a Patriot system from army stocks will also be delivered to Ukraine this year. Germany had 36 Patriot units when it was NATOs frontline state during the Cold War. Today, the German forces are down to 11 Patriot units. If the situation allows it, it makes sense to change the situation. We need the flexibility because we dont have an infinite amount of equipment, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, the head of the German parliaments defence committee was quoted as saying by Funke. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Khartoum, Sudan: In defiance of calls from international powers for an end-of-Ramadan ceasefire, Sudans warring parties battled with heavy gunfire and explosions on Friday in capital Khartoum and elsewhere. According to World Health Organization, at least 413 people have been killed, and more than 3,500 people injured since fighting broke out last week between between forces loyal to Sudans army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, the commander of the powerful paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) who is commonly known as Hemeti. In his first speech since the conflict began, al-Burhan has said the military is committed to a transition to civilian rule. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on the passing away of an Indian national who tragically fell victim to a stray bullet in Sudan last week. PM Modi instructed all relevant officials to remain vigilant, closely monitor developments and continuously evaluate the safety of Indian nationals in crisis-hit country and extend them all possible assistance, the PMO said in a statement. He further directed the preparation of contingency evacuation plans, accounting for the rapidly shifting security landscape and the viability of various options. He also emphasised the importance of maintaining close communication with neighboring countries in the region, as well as those with significant numbers of citizens in Sudan, the statement added. PM Modi expressed his condolences on the passing away of an Indian national who tragically fell victim to a stray bullet last week. He instructed all relevant officials to remain vigilant, closely monitoring developments and continuously evaluating the safety of Indian nationals ANI (@ANI) April 21, 2023 As the Eid al-Fitr celebrations marking the end of the Muslim Ramadan month of fasting began, The Central Committee of Sudan Doctors said that several areas of Khartoum were bombed and reported shelling and clashes for the sixth straight night. Khartoum has seen some of the fiercest fighting with air strikes and tanks firing in densely packed districts, with most of its five million people sheltering at home in baking heat without electricity, food or water. Communications are heavily disrupted. Both UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called separately for a ceasefire of at least three days to mark Eid, as explosions and gunfire resounded in Khartoum. The RSF, a powerful force formed from members of the Janjaweed militia that led years of extreme violence in the western Darfur region, said they would commit to a 72-hour ceasefire starting at dawn (0400 GMT). But, like two previous declared 24-hour ceasefires, it failed to take hold. The crackle of intense gunfire continued Friday morning, with columns of black smoke rising across the capital. Nightmare scenario On Thursday, dozens of Burhan loyalists protested in Port Sudan against the presence of the ambassador of the United Arab Emirates, which has been accused of links to Daglo. No to the foreign interference in the countrys affairs, read a banner they carried. Analysts have warned of countries across the region being dragged into the conflict. For the first time since hostilities began a week ago, Burhan appeared on television. For Eid this year, our country is bleeding: destruction, desolation and the sound of bullets have taken precedence over joy, he said in a pre-recorded video, which showed him sitting behind a desk in military uniform. We hope that we will come out of this ordeal more united a single army, a single people towards a civilian power. The International Crisis Group (IGC) warned urgent steps were needed to stop a descent into full-blown civil war, warning the nightmare scenario that many feared in Sudan is unfolding. The World Food Programme warned the violence could plunge millions more into hunger in a country where 15 million people one-third of the population need aid. It has suspended its Sudan operations after the killing of three WFP workers on Saturday. Burhan and Daglos bitter dispute centred on the planned integration of the RSF into the regular army, a key condition for a final deal aimed at restoring Sudans democratic transition. They dont care Civilians are becoming increasingly desperate with thousands risking the dangerous streets to flee Khartoum, with many reporting streets strewn with corpses. This is a mere power struggle, said Abdul Wahid Othman, a 53-year-old in Khartoum. They dont care about poor citizens who have been left without water, electricity and water. International efforts are being planned for the potential evacuation of citizens, including with the United States deploying forces for the possible airlift of US embassy staff. Medics have warned of a catastrophe, with over two-thirds of hospitals in Khartoum and neighbouring states rendered out of service by the fighting, the doctors union said. Four hospitals in Obeid in North Kordofan state had also been shelled. The World Health Organization said it had reports of almost 330 people killed and 3,200 wounded across Sudan, but medics fear the death toll is likely to be far higher, with many wounded unable to reach hospitals. Burhan and Daglo toppled autocratic president Omar al-Bashir together in April 2019 following massive protests against his three decades of iron-fisted rule. In October 2021, they again worked together in a coup to oust the civilian government installed after Bashirs downfall, derailing an internationally backed transition to democracy. With neither Burhan nor Hemeti appearing ready to back down, the situation could get much worse, the ICG think tank said, adding that while some analysts thought the army would succeed in on its home turf in Khartoum, the risk of an all-out conflict remained. Even if the army eventually does secure the capital, and Hemeti retreats to Darfur, a civil war could well follow, with potentially destabilising impact in neighbouring Chad, the Central African Republic, Libya and South Sudan, the ICG added. With inputs from agencies Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. London: UKs Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab resigned from PM Rishi Sunaks cabinet on Friday, following the conclusion of an investigation into bullying allegations levelled against him by subordinates for months. In his resignation letter to the prime minister, Raab said he accepted the report by Mark Tolley KC which had found evidence of bullying. Raab was accused of bullying behaviour during his tenure in the Ministry of Justice and other Whitehall departments. The senior Conservative MP had faced multiple formal complaints over his dealings with British civil servants, including claims, first revealed by the Guardian, that he bullied and belittled his staff, driving some to tears or causing them to be taken ill before meetings. The resignation of Raab (a close political ally), is a major blow to Indian-origin prime minister Rishi Sunak who will now have to answer crucial questions over his judgment after allowing his deputy to stay in the post while an investigation by Adam Tolley KC, a leading employment barrister, was ongoing. Tory leaders have also voiced concern that Sunaks handling of the row, soon after the Nadhim Zahawi tax affair, will further undermine his pledge to instil integrity, professionalism and accountability at every level of his government as he tries to move on from the controversial era of his predecessor Boris Johnson. During much of the probe earlier, Raab had consistently denied any bullying of civil servants, including some in senior roles, and said he would vigorously contest the formal complaints about his behaviour as justice secretary and, previously, as foreign secretary and Brexit secretary. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Ohio: A 24-year-old Indian student was shot dead at a fuel station in Ohio. The Columbus Division of Police identified the victim as Saiesh Veera who hailed from Andhra Pradesh and was in the country studying for his masters degree. The police added that Veera worked at the fuel station in Ohio and was fatally shot while he was on shift. A statement by the Columbus Division of Police read, On April 20, 2023, at 12:50 AM, Columbus Police officers were dispatched to the 1000 block of W Broad St on a reported shooting. Upon arrival, the officers located an adult male victim, identified as SAIESH VEERA, M/O/24, suffering from a gunshot wound. Columbus Fire medics arrived and transported the victim to a local hospital. Despite life-saving measures, the victim was pronounced deceased at 1:27 AM. This incident remains under investigation. Next of kin notification has been made, the statement added. The police also released the picture of the suspect and asked for help in identifying the person.Homicide detectives are asking for help to identify this person related to a deadly shooting that occurred on April 20, 2023. Saiesh Veera, 24, was shot and killed at a gas station located in the 1000 block of W Broad St, it tweeted. With inputs from agencies Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. New Delhi: Israel will test an early missile warning system in Ukraine next month, Axios reported on Thursday, adding the system purportedly outperforms Ukraines current missile detection technology, but is unable to halt incoming fire. According to the report, citing officials from Kiev and Tel Aviv, Israeli military officers met their Ukrainian counterparts in Poland several times in recent months to arrange the trial. The trial will take place in Kiev, and if successful, be expanded to other Ukrainian cities, the report added. Israel has been using various iterations of the technology since 2005. The Times of Israel reported that it uses a mix of radar and electro-optic devices to detect rocket, missile, and drone launches, classify the size and threat they represent, and pinpoint on a map the areas that are in danger. Then, smartphone, TV, or radio notifications are sent to residents of these locations advising them to seek shelter. System tweaked for Ukraine The system will need to be tweaked to account for Ukraines vast land area compared to Israel, and to detect the missiles and drones used by Russian forces, which are far more advanced than the Qassam rockets used by Palestinian militants, Axios quoted sources as saying. Incoming rockets in Israel are typically shot down by Iron Dome air defence systems. Due to the Israeli governments clear rejection of providing Kiev with offensive weaponry, the equipment now being shipped to Ukraine will not have any such intercepting capabilities. In October last year, former Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz offered the warning system in place of Iron Dome devices, which Kiev had specifically requested. Israel has maintained this position under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who stated last month that any change to the status quo is impossible given the circumstances in Syria, where Israeli pilots must communicate with their Russian counterparts in order to conduct airstrikes. While the Israeli system will give Ukrainian forces greater warning of incoming strikes, recently leaked Pentagon documents claim that the country is rapidly running out of anti-air missiles to counter them with. According to a US Department of Defense report dated 28 February, Ukraine was set to run out of Buk anti-air missiles by the end of last week, and will expend its stockpile of S-300 missiles by early May. Although Kiev has received a number of Western-made systems such as American Patriot and German Iris-T batteries in place of this Soviet-era hardware, it has not gotten enough to cover the shortfall. With inputs from agencies Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Russia said one of its fighter jets accidentally fired a weapon into Belgorod near the Ukrainian border on Thursday, after local authorities reported a blast that injured two people and left a huge crater in the city. Russian jets have regularly flown sorties over Belgorod since the start of Moscows offensive in Ukraine in February 2022. On Thursday evening, local officials reported a massive explosion in Belgorod, saying the blast had left a crater in the city centre and injured two women. Vyacheslav Gladkov, governor of the region of Belgorod, said the blast had sent a shock wave that damaged four apartments and four cars and downed power line poles. An explosion took place, Gladkov said on the Telegram messaging app, adding that investigators and representatives of the emergencies ministry were at the scene. He said that as a result of the explosion, a huge crater some 20 metres wide (65 feet) had appeared in the city centre. Gladkov and Belgorods mayor, Valentin Demidov, posted pictures of the damage on social media. One picture showed grim-looking locals huddling outside an apartment building, with one woman holding a small dog, and a fire engine nearby. Other images showed apartment interiors wrecked by the blast. Local authorities did not say what caused the blast, but the Russian defence ministry released a statement saying a fighter aircraft had lost ammunition over Belgorod. During the flight of the Su-34 aircraft of the aerospace forces over the city of Belgorod, an abnormal descent of aviation ammunition has occurred, the ministry said. The statement carried out by Russian news agencies added that the incident had taken place at 22:15 local time. Citing preliminary information, Gladkov said one woman was hospitalised with a head injury, while another woman was treated at the scene. Belgorod has been repeatedly shelled since war began Demidov said residents of the damaged buildings would be temporarily moved to hotels. The region of Belgorod has been repeatedly shelled since Russian President Vladimir Putin sent troops to Ukraine in February 2022. In January, Gladkov told Putin that 25 people had been killed and more than 90 injured in the region since the start of the offensive. In October 2022, a Su-34 jet crashed into a residential building in the southern city of Yeysk, also near the border with Ukraine, killing 16 people, including several children. With inputs from AFP Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Ramstein (Germany): All NATO allies have agreed that Ukraine will eventually become a member of the alliance, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Friday, adding that the main focus now is to ensure more support for the country. On his first visit to Kyiv since Russias invasion just over a year ago, Stoltenberg said Let me be clear, Ukraines rightful place is in the Euro-Atlantic family. Ukraines rightful place is in NATO,. The time has come for the (alliances) leaders to define the prospects of Ukraines acquisition of NATO membership, to define the algorithm of Ukraines movement towards this goal, and to define security guarantees for our state for the period of such movement that is, for the period before NATO membership, he said. Stoltenberg said he and Zelenskyy discussed a NATO support program for Ukraine. This will help you transition from Soviet-era equipment and doctrines to NATO standards and ensure full interoperability with the alliance, Stoltenberg said. NATO stands with you today, tomorrow and for as long as it takes. He noted an announcement Thursday by Denmark and the Netherlands that they plan to provide Ukraine with at least another 14 refurbished Leopard 2 battle tanks by early 2024. Stoltenberg added that he expected countries to make new announcements of concrete military support to Ukraine at a meeting Friday in Germany. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged Stoltenberg, who has been instrumental in marshalling support from NATO members, to push for even more from them, including warplanes, artillery and armoured equipment. The Kremlin has given various justifications for going to war but repeated Thursday that preventing Ukraine from joining NATO is still a key goal of its invasion, arguing that Kyivs membership in the alliance would pose an existential threat to Russia. NATO leaders said in 2008 that Ukraine would join the alliance one day, and Stoltenberg has repeated that promise throughout the war, though the organization has established no pathway or timetable for membership. Zelenskyy said he was grateful for an invitation to a NATO summit in July in Vilnius, Lithuania, but said his country needs a roadmap for becoming a member. With inputs from agencies. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Kathmandu: Nepals border points with India in the Himalayan countrys southern Bara district have been sealed for the next 72 hours in view of the by-election in Bara-2 constituency on Sunday. The countrys Election Commission is conducting by-elections for the House of Representatives (HoR) in the three constituencies of Tanhun-1, Chitawan-2 and Bara-2. The District Administration Office in Bara said in a statement on Thursday that the border points near Motihari in Bihar shall remain closed from midnight of Thursday to Sunday midnight. The sale and supply of liquor has also been restricted in the district until the vote counting is completed. Vehicular movement along the Postal Highway in the district has been closed except for emergency ones from Saturday midnight to Sunday 7 pm. With the by-polls approaching, political parties displayed their strength by organising rallies for the last time on Thursday. The ruling coalition held election rallies in Chitwan and Bara on Thursday. Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, Prime Minister and CPN-Maoist Centre chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda, and senior leaders of the alliance addressed the rallies in a bid to woo votes for their common candidates. The newly formed Rashtriya Swotantra Party (RSP) has fielded its candidates in all three constituencies. Journalist-turned-politician Ravi Lamichhane is contesting the election from Chitawan-2 while prominent economist Swornim Wagley and former Deputy Police Chief Ramesh Kharel are contesting from Tanhun-1 and Bara-2 constituencies. Lamichhane, who had lost his Parliament Member and Deputy Prime Ministers post due to the citizenship certificate controversy, is contesting a by-election from Chitwan-2. The main competition is between RSP and the common candidates from the ruling alliance. In Tanhun-1, economist Wagle is contesting against Nepali Congress candidate Govinda Bhattarai, who is backed by the ruling alliance. In Chitwan-2, Lamichhane is contesting against Nepali Congress candidate Jit Narayan Shrestha, who is also the common candidate of the ruling alliance The constituencies felt vacant after Ramchandra Paudel, who got elected from Tanahun-1, and Ramshay Prasad Yadav, who had won from Bara-2, resigned their HoR positions after getting elected as the President and the Vice President, respectively. The Chitaan-2 constituency fell vacant after the Supreme Court invalidated the citizenship certificate of Lamichhane, who had won the seat in the November 20 elections. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Pyongyang: Standing firm on its position on nuclear weapons, North Korea said that it will continue necessary actions until the US and its allies stop threatening Pyongyang militarily. Soon after the US and other Group of Seven countries condemned North Koreas April 13 test of an intercontinental ballistic missile, Pyongyang issued a statement criticising the United States and other Group of Seven countries. Choe accused the G7 countries of illegally interfering in North Koreas internal affairs by demanding denuclearisation, saying Pyongyang will take strong action if they attempt to violate its sovereignty and fundamental interests, KCNA said. G7 foreign ministers on Tuesday demanded North Korea refrain from further nuclear tests and ballistic missile launches, warning of a robust response after talks in Japan. We demand North Korea refrain from any other destabilising or provocative actions, including any further nuclear tests or launches that use ballistic missile technology, the top diplomats said in a statement. With inputs from agencies Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. London: The British government on Friday named Oliver Dowden as the deputy prime minister, replacing Dominic Raab who resigned earlier in the day following an investigation into claims that he bullied colleagues. As UKs deputy prime minister, Dominic Raab had no formal powers but often stepped in for prime minister Rishi Sunak if he was away from parliament or incapacitated. Oliver Dowden currently serves as cabinet office minister in Sunaks government. He was previously chairman of the Conservative Party but resigned from that post last June after two crushing by-election defeats for the party. In the same announcement, lawmaker Alex Chalk was appointed new justice minister, a position which was previously held by Dominic Raab. Raabs resignation led to a mini reshuffle in the British Cabinet with Alex Chalk, a former junior minister in the Ministry of Defence replacing him as Justice Secretary. Chalks appointment on Friday makes the Cheltenham MP the 11th person appointed Justice Secretary since the Conservatives came to power in Britain in 2010. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak who was earlier criticised for not sacking his deputy despite the ongoing probe into his behaviour with subordinates and officials accepted Raabs resignation earlier in the day with what he called great sadness. Raab, who was known to be a staunch ally of Indian-origin Sunak put in his papers earlier in the day accepting the findings of the investigation led by Adam Tolley KC. His resignation dealt a major blow to Sunak who will now have to answer crucial questions over his judgment in permitting Raab to hang on to his post. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Islamabad: The defence ministry of Pakistan has mentioned a host of reasons including threats from India and insurgent attacks in its appeal to the countrys Supreme Court urging the postponement of elections. In its report to Pakistans Supreme Court, the defence ministry cited the possibility of an all-out war with India. The ministry also feared a rise in the activities of the Indian spy agency R&AW and an increase in attacks by the Pakistani Taliban and Baloch groups if elections are held in the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces of Pakistan. Islamic State (ISIS) fighters returning to Pakistan from other countries is also a cause for concern, the report added. The report was submitted to Pakistans Supreme Court along with an application calling for the withdraw of its election-date order. According to Pakistani publication The Dawn, the report claimed that elections in Punjab province may exacerbate the fuel fault lines over ethnic conflict, water disputes, and other issues in Pakistan which could play into the hands of Indias intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW). According to the report, Punjab may become unstable due to the tense atmosphere there. It also said that top leaders of various political parties have been the target of multiple threat alerts, particularly in Punjab. The defence ministry went on to claim that if terrorist attacks do take place, it might produce unrest and further polarise the political landscape, which could result in instability and collapse similar to what occurred following the killing of former Pakistan prime minister Benazir Bhutto. The possibility of clashes between political workers of different political parties had increased exponentially, and could complicate law and order situations and possibly be conducive for terrorists, it said. This was due to the highly charged political climate in Punjab and other parts of the country generally, as well as the element of violence recently introduced in politics. According to the research, the countrys security situation over the past few years has required the simultaneous deployment of numerous armed forces personnel on both its eastern and western borders. In addition, despite an agreement on a cease-fire, India continued to put Pakistans ability to respond in jeopardy by routinely violating the Line of Control (LOC) and international borders. In addition, the report noted that elements like the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) had carried out numerous attacks against the security forces along the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan with alleged support of the Taliban government in Afghanistan. According to the report, the Punjab province of Pakistan had experienced a new wave of terrorism, with 150 danger alerts being received between January 2022 and April 2023. It claimed that 78 of these threats had been avoided by counterterrorism or intelligence-based activities, but eight had come to pass. It said sleeper cells of terrorist elements were active in Punjab, especially south Punjab, and even in Islamabad, as evident from the high-profile attacks Besides, several militants belonging to the self-styled Islamic State (IS) group and other outfits were also returning to Pakistan from Syria, Yemen and the Middle East, it said. According to the assessment, Indias dominance in the global great game would continue to harm Pakistan. It added that both internal instability and external aggression posed threats to Pakistan, noting that both were connected since the internal chaos invites external aggression. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Washington: President Joe Biden will host Philippines President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr in the White House next month. The two leaders will discuss ways to strengthen bilateral relations amid US tensions with China over Taiwan. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said that Biden will emphasise Washingtons ironclad commitment to the defense of the Philippines, and the leaders will discuss efforts to strengthen the longstanding US-Philippines alliance. The announcement to host Marcos Jr comes weeks after the US and the Philippines conducted the largest-ever joint military exercise in the disputed South China Sea in the face of Chinas growing assertiveness in the region, particularly over Taiwan, the self-governing island it claims as its own. Last week, the US secretaries of Defense and State met with their Philippine counterparts in Washington in a high-level summit, days after the US gained greater military access in the Philippines. Referring to Chinas three-day Chinese military exercise that simulated a blockage and targeted strikes against Taiwan, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said that there is a troubling increase in coercion and dangerous operational behavior. Other topics of discussion between Biden and Marcos will include economic cooperation, clean energy and respect for human rights, according to a White House statement. The two leaders will also discuss regional matters and coordinate efforts to uphold international law and promote a free and open Indo-Pacific, the statement said. Last week, Manila, the capital of the Philippines, announced four more locations for the US militarys use on top of the five that have already been agreed upon under the 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA). China cautioned that an expanded military deal between the Philippines and the US could endanger regional peace while accusing America of a zero-sum mentality. EDCA is an agreement between the Philippines and the US that allows the latter to access a selected number of military bases on Filipino land on a rotational basis. The locations are nominated by the government of the Philippines. Under EDCA terms, the US is authorised to access facilities like runways, fuel storage, and military housing. As mentioned before, both countries inked a deal to increase the number of military bases the US can use. A statement released by EDCA read, The United States and the Philippines have stood shoulder-to-shoulder as friends and allies for more than seven decades, unwavering in our treaty commitments and our shared vision for a more peaceful, secure, and prosperous region. With inputs from agencies Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Washington: Two dozen supporters of arms control have encouraged President Joe Biden to use the G7 conference taking place in Hiroshima, Japan, next month to reiterate the USs commitment to nuclear disarmament and preparedness for discussions with Russia and China on the issue. Hiroshima was the target of the first atomic bomb dropped by the US during World War Two. Several former senior US weapons control officials are among the advocates. They made their case in a letter to Biden on Wednesday that was not made public but was examined by Reuters. The 19 May to 21 May summit in the Japanese city creates an historic opportunity for you to acknowledge the horrors of nuclear war, advance the goal of nuclear disarmament, and pledge concrete steps to prevent a new arms race, they wrote to Biden. An inquiry for comment was not immediately answered by the White House. The appeal comes in the wake of growing worries over the suspension of New START, the most recent agreement between the US and Russia to limit nuclear weapons, Chinas growing nuclear arsenal, and Tehrans stepped-up uranium enrichment in the wake of Washingtons 2018 rejection of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. The letter urged Biden to deliver an address at the G7 summit acknowledging the long-lasting human suffering caused by the 1945 US atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and the catastrophic devastation a nuclear war would cause on a global scale. Biden should reiterate his readiness for talks with Russia on unfreezing New START, concerns with Chinas nuclear buildup and his invitation to Beijing for a dialogue at any level on reducing the risk of miscalculation, the signers said. He also should create the conditions for progress on disarmament and head off a new arms race by urging China, Britain and France to freeze their nuclear arsenals for as long as the United States and Russia maintain New START limits on their stockpiles, they said. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Havana, Cuba: During his tour to Latin American friends, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov commended Cuba on Thursday for having a full understanding of the conflict in Ukraine. We appreciate that from the start of the special military operation, our Cuban friends have clearly shown their position and expressed their full understanding in their evaluations of the reasons that led to the current situation, said Lavrov during a meeting with his Cuban counterpart Bruno Rodriguez, according to the Russian foreign ministrys Telegram account. On Thursday, Lavrov met with both Raul Castro and Miguel Diaz-Canel, the current and former presidents of Cuba, and denounced the US sanctions as illegal and illegitimate. He stated that long before the current events, his nation has also been the target of American sanctions. The United States has imposed an embargo on Cuba for more than 60 years. Washington increased sanctions during the tenure of former president Donald Trump, who was in office from 2017 to 21; these sanctions have persisted under Joe Biden. After invading Ukraine in February 2022, Russia was subject to harsh penalties from the United States, Canada, and the European Union. The US embassy in the citys capital has been illuminated in the hues of the Ukrainian flag ever since Lavrov landed there on Wednesday night. Lavrov also visited Brazil, Venezuela and Nicaragua during his week-long trip to Latin America. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Geneva, Switzerland: Following the 2020 murder of George Floyd, the United Nations established a team of specialists on racism and policing, who will begin their tour to the United States next week, the organisation said on Friday. According to the UN, during its two-week trip, the so-called Expert Mechanism to Advance Racial Justice and Equality in the Context of Law Enforcement will stop in Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Los Angeles, Chicago, Minneapolis, and New York City. The trio of independent investigators will visit with federal, state, and municipal government representatives, law enforcement officials, representatives of civil society groups, and members of the impacted populations and communities. Throughout the expedition, which is scheduled to span from 24 April to 5 May, the specialists will also tour detention facilities. We look forward to gaining first-hand insight about the lived experiences of people of African descent in the United States, said Juan Mendez, one of Expert Mechanism members, in a statement. They would also offer recommendations to the government at all levels, to support efforts in combatting systemic racism and excessive use of force, and ensure accountability and justice, he said. The team is tasked to examine laws, policies and practices regulating the use of force by law enforcement, including whether they conformed with international human rights standards. It would also make recommendations as to the concrete steps needed to ensure access to justice, accountability and redress for excessive use of force and other human rights violations by law enforcement officials against Africans and people of African descent in the United States. The racial justice group was created by the UN Human Rights Council in 2021 a year after the murder of Floyd by a white US police officer to investigate racially-fuelled police violence around the world. In their first report published last October, the experts complained that a dearth of data in the United States and other countries on the race and ethnicity of people arrested or killed by police presented a major barrier to tackling systemic racism. They highlighted the lack of a centralised US system to collect such statistics across more than 18,000 law enforcement agencies. The experts are due to present a report on their US visit to the UN Human Rights Council during its September-October session. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Curated by Jo Rogge and featuring the work of 18 artists, 'Unmourned Bodies' coincides with the month of Namibia's independence as it aims to remedy colonial representation of the country and underscore the present day blurring of art and crafts. From Stephane Edith Conradie's mixed media response to the idealisation of African life in paintings by Andrew van Wyk to Maria Caley's investigation into objects created by unknown artists, specifically the nkata (base for a traditional pot), 'Unmourned Bodies' sees artists reimagine and create multifaceted decolonial readings of art by Judith Mason Attwood, Adolph Jentsch, Moffat Masule and other historical and contemporary Namibian artists whose work is held in the Namibian Arts Association's archive. The exhibition which was developed in response to a call for proposals from the AVA under its 'Conscious Curating' initiative will be on display in Cape Town until 20 April. "The historical links between the Namibian Arts Association (NAA) and the AVA were an obvious focus, in particular the 1948 South West African Arts Association (SWAAA) exhibition of Namibian art and artefacts in Cape Town, with many of these artworks and objects currently retained in the archive collection of the NAA/Namibian Arts Heritage Trust," says Rogge. "This historic exhibition included 61 paintings and 500 objects from Namibia, divided into what was called the 'White' section, including painters Axel Eriksson, Adolph Jentsch, Otto Schroder, Joachim Voigts, among others, and the 'Native' section, described as being mostly 'handcrafts'," Rogge says. "Artists were invited to visit the archive of the NAA, to select a work from the collection that personally resonated with them, and to recreate a unique artwork of their own in response, with some interesting and surprising results." These artistic replies include in-depth examination of ownership, accessibility, identity and belonging. They also consider the repatriation of cultural objects and reflect on the importance of the archive, the possibilities of research and on Namibia's ongoing land issue. "The exhibition includes exceptional and unusual works created by the Ju/'hoansi San women artists working with the Omba Arts Trust, which are an interpretation of the San rock engravings found in the south of Namibia," says Rogge. 'Unmourned Bodies' takes its name and a line of inquiry from Zimbabwean writer Tsitsi Dangarembga's novel 'This Mournable Body' in which a young black woman attempts to navigate the social and economic challenges of modern day Zimbabwe. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Namibia South Africa Entertainment 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. "The exhibition coincides with the 33rd year of Namibia's independence and posits the questions: "Are there 'unmourned bodies' in Namibia" and "To what extent are these represented in the Heritage Trust collection?," says Rogge. "References include the Herero and Nama genocide, the Swapo dungeons/war graves at Lubango, Angola, the collections of Namibian human remains and artefacts in foreign museums, the continued violence against women and girls, and other untold stories." 'Unmourned Bodies' is presented in partnership with The Project Room and features the work of Caley, Conradie, Rogge, Actofel Ilovu, Tangeni Kambudu, Tangeni Kauzuu, Maria Mbereshu, Tuli Mekondjo, Lynette Musukubili, Ndako Nghipandulwa, Rudolf Seibeb and Ju/'hoansi artists Josephine Stuurman, Anna Doeses, Katrina Kous, Lena Tsueb, Mara Britz, Magdalena Stuurman and Maria Thasi. A fishbowl discussion led by Patricia Hayes (University of the Western Cape) and featuring Rogge will take place at the AVA Gallery on 25 March at 11h00. - [email protected] ; Martha Mukaiwa on Twitter and Instagram; marthamukaiwa.com It seems that Twitter has decided to stop labelling media accounts as state-affiliated and government-funded following the controversy it created. Early on Friday morning, eagle-eyed Twitter users observed that many major media outlets that had been assigned these labels, were now showing it anymore. According to AFP, several major media outlets in Western countries, Russia, China, and other countries that formerly carried any of those tags no longer do. Also read: NPR quits Twitter after Elon Musk calls it state-affiliated media As of 0600 GMT, these included National Public Radio in the United States, Chinas official Xinhua news agency, Russias RT, and Canadas CBC. Twitter, which was bought out by the volatile billionaire Elon Musk last year, had long branded accounts associated with state media or government officials, particularly in China and Russia. According to the policy, institutions that are the official voice of the nation-state abroad were targeted. However, the designations have recently been used by news agencies that receive public support but are not controlled by any government. Following that, NPR and CBC ceased using Twitter. Radio New Zealand threatened to abandon Twitter over the government-funded term this week, as did Swedens public Sveriges Radio. The move came shortly after Twitter began removing blue ticks, a badge that up until recently indicated a legacy verified account, in bulk on Thursday. Also read: From SRK to CM Yogi Adityanath, here are some of the biggest names who lost their Twitter Blue Ticks Musk, whose $44 billion investment in the platform has dwindled, modified the system so that anybody who pays $8 a month may obtain the badge. Musks turbulent ownership of Twitter has resulted in the layoff of thousands of employees and the exodus of advertisers. Users have claimed that hate speech and disinformation have spread, and that accounts with extreme viewpoints are gaining popularity as a result of less content control. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Ramstein Air Base (Germany): US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said Friday that international backing for Ukraine holds strong and true as he opened a meeting in Germany with allies to discuss further support for Kyiv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy earlier in the day had urged Stoltenberg to push NATO members for even more from them, including warplanes, artillery and armoured equipment. Our support for the forces of freedom in Ukraine holds strong and true, Austin said, as he began the discussions, a year after the format of talks between defence leaders began to coordinate aid for Ukraine. At todays contact group meeting, well focus on three key issues air defence, ammunition and enablers, said Austin, referring to logistics and other support. .@SecDef: Earlier this week, the U.S. announced our 36th Presidential Drawdown of security assistance for Ukraine, valued at $325 million. Weve now provided more than $35 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since Russias full-scale invasion began. pic.twitter.com/Sv3ey23Mzp Department of Defense (@DeptofDefense) April 21, 2023 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, on the eve of the talks gathering representatives from 50 countries, urged Western allies to send more fighter jets and long-range missiles to help repel Russian troops. NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg defiantly on Thursday declared that Ukraines rightful place is in the military alliance and pledged more support for the country on his first visit to Kyiv since Russias invasion just over a year ago. Read Also: NATO allies agree Ukraine will be a member of military alliance: Stoltenberg Zelensky had asked for NATOs help to overcome the reluctance of some member states in providing long-range rockets, modern fighter jets and armoured vehicles, putting his request directly to the alliances chief Jens Stoltenberg, who on Thursday made his first visit to Kyiv since Russias invasion last year. .@SecDef: Together, we will defend the rules-based international order that keeps us all secure. And together, we will support Ukraine for as long as it takes. pic.twitter.com/0xeMeAIy6I Department of Defense (@DeptofDefense) April 21, 2023 In Ramstein, Stoltenberg acknowledged the need to discuss new platforms of support with the battle now in its second year. But he also underlined the need to ensure that already supplied weapons continued to work. This is now a battle of attrition, and a battle of attrition becomes a war of logistics, Stoltenberg said, adding, maybe its also a bit more boring but the logistics are extremely important. Air defence The Ramstein meeting began with fruitful talks on military aid between Kyivs representatives and their US counterparts, Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksiy Reznikov said on Twitter. NATO members have forwarded Soviet-era fighter jets to Ukraine but have held off sending more modern models such as the US-designed F-16 sought after by Kyiv. They have however provided Ukraine with anti-air missiles, with Kyiv earlier in the week saying it had received the first shipment of Patriots, seen as one of the most advanced US air defence systems. The kit has been among Kyivs key demands from Western allies as it looks to defend itself from Russian missile attacks and roll back Moscows invasion. In eastern Ukraines Lugansk region, AFP saw a group of servicemen using British-supplied artillery several kilometres from Russian positions. One hauled shells to the UK-made gun from a nearby cache, while others set coordinates and loaded the barrel before the final order to Fire!. There are the planned targets that we work on. And some appear unexpectedly, for example, to repel an assault when the enemy advances, said Bogdan, a 40-year-old Ukrainian serviceman from the embattled town of Bakhmut. The enemy is using few military vehicles. Infantry, which is what the enemy has plenty of, goes forward, he said. NATO bid During Stoltenbergs visit to Kyiv, the NATO chief was also pressed on allowing Ukraine to join the alliance, but he stressed it was not an immediate priority. All NATO allies have agreed that Ukraine will become a NATO member, but the main focus now is of course on how to ensure that Ukraine prevails, he said on Friday at Ramstein. Without a sovereign, independent Ukraine, there is no meaning in discussing membership, he said. The NATO chief also said the alliance was examining a multi-year programme to help Ukraine transition from Soviet-era equipment standards (and) doctrines to NATO standards and doctrines. We need to ensure that Ukraine has the military strength that deterrence to prevent new attacks because you have to remember that the war didnt start in February last year but with Russias 2014 annexation of Crimea. Over a year into its invasion, Russia struck Kyiv with drones overnight in the first such attack for almost a month, although city officials reported no casualties. Moscow suffered a setback with one of its fighter jets losing munitions over Belgorod near the Ukrainian border. Local authorities reported a blast that injured two people and left a huge crater in the Russian city. The region of Belgorod has been repeatedly shelled since Russian President Vladimir Putin sent troops to Ukraine in February 2022. With inputs from agencies. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Tokyo: In an extension of a series of sanctions against Moscow for its ongoing invasion of Ukraine, the G7 countries are considering imposing a total ban on almost all exports to Russia, a Japanese government source said Friday. Japan will host a Group of Seven summit under its presidency in Hiroshima between May 19 and 21 this year where discussions will take place on measures to expand support to Ukraine and about imposing sanctions on Russia among other key topics The G-7 countries have already stopped exporting a wide range of items to Russia, including products that can be used for military purposes and luxury goods. But the latest plan could expand the trade embargo to used cars, tires, cosmetic items and clothing, Kyodo News quoted sources as saying. Recently, the foreign ministers communique was prepared as a template for global leaders to use at a G-7 summit that will be held in Hiroshima next month, and included language about Iran, Myanmar, Afghanistan, nuclear proliferation and other grave threats. But two crises stood out: Chinas increasing threats against, and military manoeuvres around, Taiwan, the self-governing democracy that Beijing claims as its own, and Russias invasion of Ukraine. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to join the gathering online. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg on Thursday said that Ukraines rightful place is in the military alliance and pledged more support for the country on his first visit to Kyiv since Russias invasion last year. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged Stoltenberg, who has been instrumental in marshaling support from NATO members, to push for even more military aid, including warplanes, artillery and armored equipment. Invasions aim to prevent Ukraine from joining NATO: Russia The Kremlin has given various justifications for going to war but repeated Thursday that preventing Ukraine from joining NATO is still a key goal of its invasion, arguing that Kyivs membership in the alliance would pose an existential threat to Russia. NATO leaders said in 2008 that Ukraine would join the alliance one day, and Stoltenberg has repeated that promise throughout the war, though the organization has established no pathway or timetable for membership. Let me be clear, Ukraines rightful place is in the Euro-Atlantic family, Stoltenberg told a news conference. Ukraines rightful place is in NATO. Zelenskyy demands NATO membership roadmap Zelenskyy said he was grateful for an invitation to a NATO summit in July in Vilnius, Lithuania, but said his country needs a roadmap for becoming a member. The time has come for the (alliances) leaders to define the prospects of Ukraines acquisition of NATO membership, to define the algorithm of Ukraines movement towards this goal, and to define security guarantees for our state for the period of such movement that is, for the period before NATO membership, he said. Stoltenberg said he and Zelenskyy discussed a NATO support program for Ukraine. This will help you transition from Soviet-era equipment and doctrines to NATO standards and ensure full interoperability with the alliance, Stoltenberg said. NATO stands with you today, tomorrow and for as long as it takes. He noted an announcement Thursday by Denmark and the Netherlands that they plan to provide Ukraine with at least another 14 refurbished Leopard 2 battle tanks by early 2024. He added that he expected countries to make new announcements of concrete military support to Ukraine at a meeting Friday in Germany. In other developments, a large explosion hit the Russian city of Belgorod late Thursday, and the Defense Ministry said one of its Su-34 warplanes accidentally discharged ammunition over the city about 25 kilometers (15 miles) from the Ukrainian border. The government gave no further details. Belgorod regional Gov. Vyacheslav Gladkov said the blast injured at least two people, damaged homes, and left a crater about 20 meters (65 feet) across. The fighting in recent months has become a war of attrition, with neither side able to gain momentum. But Ukraine has recently received sophisticated weapons from its Western allies and is expected to launch a counteroffensive in the coming weeks. Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that Moscow could use all means available a phrase some see as a threat to use nuclear weapons in response to an attack on its territory if Ukraine attempts to recapture Moscow-occupied areas. NATO has no official presence in Ukraine and provides only nonlethal support to Kyiv, but Stoltenberg has been the strong voice of the alliance throughout the war. A procession of international leaders has made the journey to Kyiv over the last year, and the former Norwegian prime minister is one of the last major Western figures to do so. NATO, formed to counter the Soviet Union, has long feared being dragged into a wide war with nuclear-armed Russia. But as the West has moved from hesitantly providing helmets and uniforms to tanks, warplanes and advanced missile systems, high-level visits have become routine. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday that preventing Ukraine from joining NATO remains one of the goals of what Moscow calls its special military operation. Speaking in a conference call with reporters, Peskov said that Ukraines accession would pose a serious, significant threat to our country, to our countrys security. Earlier this month, Finland joined the alliance, setting aside decades of neutrality in a historic realignment of Europes post-Cold War security landscape. While NATO says it poses no threat to Russia, the Nordic countrys accession dealt a major political blow to Putin. Finlands membership doubles Russias border with the worlds biggest security alliance. Neighboring Sweden is expected to join too, possibly by the time U.S. President Joe Biden and his NATO counterparts meet in Vilnius in July. The alliance has focused on bolstering defenses on its own territory to dissuade Putin from attacking any member country. Under NATOs collective security guarantee, an attack on one member country is considered an attack on all of them. On Friday, Stoltenberg will attend a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group at Ramstein Air Base in Germany with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. The group is the main international forum for drumming up military support for Ukraine. Meanwhile, the Ukraine Space Agency said Thursday that a bright flash of light in the night sky over the country the previous day was probably a meteor entering the atmosphere. Residents of the capital and several cities in Belarus saw the flash of light, which lingered for a couple of seconds, and an explosion was heard in the Kyiv region. It triggered an air raid alarm in Kyiv. With inputs from AP Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Warsaw: Trucks carrying Ukrainian food items including corn and eggs started transiting via Poland to the Netherlands on Friday, according to a Polish customs official, as new rules permitting the shipments came into force overnight. The rules brought an end to a ban that was introduced without notice on April 15 leaving many companies with goods stranded across the border in Ukraine. The first convoy of five escorted trucks carrying farm produce from Dorohusk border crossing is bound for the Netherlands, Justyna Pasieczynska, a spokeswoman for the National Revenue Administration told news agencies. Several central European countries affected by a glut of Ukrainian agricultural imports that have suppressed prices for local producers have introduced bans on imports from Ukraine this week. Poland, the first country to act, went further by also banning the transit of such goods. However, on Tuesday an agreement was reached with Ukraine to allow transit to resume using sealed containers that will travel in convoys. Convoys will travel either to the Polish border or to ports to be loaded on to ships, customs officials said. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Mexico City, Mexico: In a letter to Mexican parliamentarians on Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy requested Mexicos assistance in setting up a conference with Latin American nations to help put a stop to the Russian incursion. Ukraine has already proposed to the Latin American community to organize a special summit and show its unity and position on important global principles of territorial integrity, peace and respect between peoples, Zelenskyy said through an interpreter. He claimed in the video message, during which he criticised the Russian invasion of his nation, that Mexico might help to hasten that process. The call comes in the wake of the controversy surrounding remarks made by Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who stated last week in China that Washington should cease encouraging the conflict and that the European Union and the United States need to start talking about peace. Lula further enraged Ukraine by urging that it give up the Crimea peninsula, which Russia forcibly acquired in 2014 as a lead-up to its invasion of Ukraine last year, and by accusing it of contributing to the crisis. Zelenskyy addressed Mexicos lower house of Congress at the invitation of legislators belonging to a Mexico-Ukraine friendship group, some of whom visited the Ukrainian capital last year. The Mexican government has condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine and on 23 February voted in favour of a United Nations resolution demanding the immediate withdrawal of Moscows troops. At the same time, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has refused to impose sanctions on Russia or send military aid to Ukraine, saying that his government seeks to promote dialogue to achieve peace. Last September, Lopez Obrador proposed a peacemaking committee including Pope Francis, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but the idea failed to win significant support. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Ramstein Air Base (Germany): In a move to extend more support to Ukraine in a war against Russia, the United States will host a meeting in Germany on Friday to discuss the issue after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky pushed Western allies to send more fighter jets and long-range missiles. Representatives from around 50 countries will gather at the US Ramstein Air Base to coordinate their backing for Kyiv, as battles with Russia rage in the east of the country. American-made Patriot missiles arrived in Ukraine days back, providing Kyiv with a long-sought new shield against the Russian airstrikes that have devastated cities and civilian infrastructure. However, many of Ukraines Western supporters have been reluctant to send long-range missiles over fears it could provoke a dangerous response from Russia. The missiles are the latest contribution from Western allies, who have also pledged tanks, artillery and some types of fighter jets as Ukraine gears up for an expected counteroffensive. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, who will attend the meeting, was in the Ukrainian capital on Thursday his first visit since the start of Russias invasion in February 2022. Zelensky took the opportunity to press NATO to invite Kyiv to join the alliance and ramp up military support for Ukraines army. The Ukrainian president asked for NATOs help to overcome the reluctance of some member states in providing long-range rockets, modern fighter jets and armoured vehicles. Air defence On the visit, Stoltenberg said the meeting in Ramstein would focus on the delivery of more weapons to Ukraine while stressing the importance of supplying more munitions and enhancing maintenance operations to support Kyiv. Earlier in the week, Ukraine said it had received the first shipment of Patriots, seen as one of the most advanced US air defence systems. Germany likewise delivered a Patriot battery to Ukraine as well as a promised Iris-T anti-air missile system. The kit has been one of Kyivs key asks from Western allies as it looks to defend itself from Russian missile attacks and roll back Moscows invasion. In eastern Ukraines Lugansk region, AFP saw a group of servicemen using British-supplied artillery. Several kilometres from Russian positions, they worked the artillery piece dug into the ground. One hauled shells to the UK-made gun from a nearby cache, while others set coordinates and loaded the barrel before the final order to Fire!. There are the planned targets that we work on. And some appear unexpectedly, for example, to repel an assault when the enemy advances, said Bogdan, a 40-year-old Ukrainian serviceman from the embattled town of Bakhmut. The enemy is using few military vehicles. Infantry, which is what the enemy has plenty of, goes forward, he said. NATO bid On the visit to Kyiv, Stoltenberg said NATO would ensure that Ukraine prevails against Russia. NATO stands with Ukraine today, tomorrow, and for as long as it takes, he declared. Ukraine says Russias invasion adds extra justification to its campaign to join the alliance, expressing frustration that the West has not given it guarantees or a timeframe for eventual membership. Zelensky said a NATO summit in July could become historic if Ukraine received a formal invitation to join. It is time to take the appropriate decision, Zelensky said at a press conference with Stoltenberg. He said the majority of people in NATO countries and the majority of Ukrainians support the entry of our country into the alliance. The NATO leader did not hold out any immediate prospect of alliance membership but said the subject would be high on the agenda of the July summit in Vilnius, Lithuania. Let me be clear: Ukraines rightful place is in the Euro-Atlantic family; Ukraines rightful place is in NATO, he said. Over time, our support will help you make this possible. Moscow says it sees Ukraines NATO membership bid as an existential threat. Russia also believes NATOs deliveries of military aid to Kyiv are proof that the alliance and the United States are waging a war by proxy in Ukraine. With inputs from agencies. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. analysis The Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (Zanu-PF), which has governed Zimbabwe since independence in 1980, is well known for denouncing the United States' role as a superpower that polices the world. In a 2007 address at the United Nations, then Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe assailed his American counterpart, George W. Bush. Mugabe charged: his hands drip with innocent blood of many nationalities. He kills in Iraq. He kills in Afghanistan. And this is supposed to be our master on human rights? Confrontation with the US, a recurrent feature of Zimbabwe's political history since the 1960s, surged after Washington adopted a bipartisan sanctions package in 2001. The European Union also imposed sanctions. US officials have repeatedly stated that the sanctions target specific individuals or entities that have abused human rights or undermined democracy. Zanu-PF has responded by pointing to UN reporting which notes that the sanctions have weakened the country's economy and impeded national development. I am a historian of Zimbabwe's liberation struggle. My forthcoming book focuses on its formative stages in the late 1950s and early 1960s. This was when Mugabe first became active in politics and the US got more involved in the politics of what was then Rhodesia, a British colony. In my view, the 21st century hostility obscures a nuanced historical relationship between the US and Zanu-PF. Read more: Winky D is being targeted by police in Zimbabwe - why the music star's voice is so important At first, the fledgling liberation movement valued American support. Zanu-PF broke away from the Soviet-aligned Zimbabwe African People's Union (Zapu) in August 1963. Zanu-PF was originally known as Zanu, but adopted the "PF" suffix ahead of elections in 1980. This context is relevant now because Zanu-PF efforts to consolidate both domestic and pan-African support selectively overlook more compatible aspects of its historical relations with the US. Zanu-PF's anti-American bluster Zanu-PF has exploited sanctions to its advantage. Emmerson Mnangagwa, previously Mugabe's deputy, came to power in a factional coup in late 2017. He has successfully mobilised pan-African support against sanctions. Since 2019, the Southern African Development Community and the African Union have observed 25 October as "Anti-Sanctions Day" in solidarity with the Zanu-PF leadership. Zanu-PF's anti-American rhetoric is not only deployed to win friends abroad. It is also a prominent campaign tactic at home. Read more: President Mnangagwa claimed Zimbabwe was open for business. What's gone wrong With general elections expected in July or August, Zanu-PF is following the strategy again. It's discrediting its leading opponent, Nelson Chamisa of the Citizens Coalition for Change, as a "US pawn". His predecessor, Morgan Tsvangirai, faced similar treatment. Zimbabwe's partisan state media routinely employ such terms as "puppets", "pawns" and "lackeys" to describe Chamisa and his party. These jibes are intended to convince Zimbabwean voters that Chamisa would prioritise foreign interests. The rhetoric conceals ZANU-PF's own American ties. Zanu-PF's American connections Historically, relations between the US and Zanu-PF have fluctuated. Mugabe formed a close bond with Andrew Young, the US ambassador to the UN during Jimmy Carter's presidency. Carter's government was the first to open an embassy in independent Zimbabwe. Solid relations continued during the early years of the Reagan administration. Harare was one of the top three African recipients of US aid in the early 1980s. US vice-president George H.W. Bush travelled to Harare in 1982. In 1997, first lady Hillary Clinton made a goodwill visit to Zimbabwe. Ties were even deeper in the early 1960s when the US government encouraged the party's very establishment. Historian Timothy Scarnecchia, who has mined records in the US national archives, has documented the ties that Zanu forged with American officials 60 years ago. Read more: Repression and dialogue in Zimbabwe: twin strategies that aren't working The organisation's core leadership in temporary exile in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (then Tanganyika), regularly consulted with US embassy officials in that country. Its leading representatives, including Mugabe, lobbied the US government for funding. (There is no evidence that the new party received any directly.) Zanu's first president, Ndabaningi Sithole, received theological education in the US in the late 1950s. Archival records show that on the eve of Zanu's formation he met with State Department officials in Washington DC who connected him to private American funders. In another archived account of a meeting with the US ambassador in Tanganyika (now Tanzania) in July 1963, Leopold Takawira, subsequently Zanu's first vice-president, relayed that Sithole regarded the US as his second home. Herbert Chitepo, who became Zanu's national chair, visited the US in July 1963 and also met with American diplomats. According to a record of their conversation in the US national archives, Chitepo expressed his desire to accept US funding and defied Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Governance Zimbabwe 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. anyone to call him an American stooge. The 11 July 1963 issue of Zimbabwe Today, a periodical produced by Zapu in Tanzania, declared that following Sithole's return from the US, the American dollar and its ugly imperialist head is clearly visible in the actions of Mr. Sithole. Zanu-PF's assaults on Chamisa and his party's supposed American connections is a repackaging of the very attacks Mnangagwa's party faced from Zapu when it was formed 60 years ago. Double standards Although it has not been well documented, the US provided critical support during Zanu's founding in 1963. It also helped the party consolidate its authority following independence in 1980. Since the US government imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe in 2001, these ties have been overshadowed. Read more: Can Zimbabwe finally ditch a history of violence and media repression? As elections approach in Zimbabwe, the role of the US looms large. Zanu-PF overlooks historical aspects of its own relations with the US as it seeks to undermine its domestic opposition and appeal to continental allies. Brooks Marmon, Post-doctoral Scholar, Mershon Center for International Security Studies, The Ohio State University ASUS India launched its latest Zenbook and Vivobook laptops, featuring ASUS Lumina OLED displays, IceCool technology, and military-grade durability. Among them, the Zenbook S 13 OLED is the worlds thinnest OLED ultraportable laptop at just 1 cm thin and weighing 1 Kg. The company also launched the ASUS ExpertBook B1402/B1502 earlier this week These laptops are powered by 13th Gen Intel Core Processors and incorporate recyclable materials for sustainability. ASUS is committed to reducing environmental impact, with over 90% of their consumer laptops expected to meet EPEAT and ENERGY STAR 8.0 standards by 2023. The Zenbook S 13 OLED uses recycled materials throughout its design, and its packaging can be repurposed as a laptop stand. ASUS Zenbook S 13 OLED (UX5304) The ASUS Zenbook S 13 OLED is an ultraportable laptop that boasts a super-thin and super-light design. Its made with recycled materials and features sustainable packaging, making it one of the most eco-friendly Zenbooks ever. The Basalt Gray model uses a low-impact bath-based method to transform the aluminum lid, adding wear resistance, corrosion protection, thermal management, hardness, and lifespan. It is powered by a 13th Gen Intel Core i7 processor with 32 GB of LPDDR5 RAM and a 1 TB PCIe 4.0 x4 SSD. It also has a full set of I/O ports and a long-lasting 63 Wh battery. The laptops 16:10 2.8K ASUS Lumina OLED display is Dolby Vision-certified, with Pantone Validated color rendering and VESA DisplayHDR True Black 500 certification for a true-to-life visual experience. ASUS Lumina OLED is the new name for ASUS OLED displays, which offer more accurate, adaptive, and reliable features. ASUS Zenbook 14 Flip OLED (UP3404) The ASUS Zenbook 14 Flip OLED is a convertible laptop with an aluminum body, a 14 ASUS Lumina OLED touchscreen display, and a 360-degree hinge. It has Intel Evo certification, Intel Core i7 or i5 CPU, Intel Iris Xe graphics, 16GB LPDDR5 RAM, and PCIe Gen 4 SSD storage. It has Thunderbolt 4, USB 3.2 Gen 2, HDMI 2.1, and Wi-Fi 6E connectivity, a full HD camera with Infrared sensor and Windows Hello, and Dolby Atmos audio. The laptop comes with a 75 WHrs battery with fast charging, a backlit keyboard, and runs on Windows 11 Home. It includes Microsoft Office Home and Student 2021, a designer sleeve, and ASUS Pen 2.0 stylus. Vivobook S 15 OLED: (S5504 & K5504) The ASUS Vivobook S 15 OLED (S5504) is a lightweight laptop with a 15.6 2.8K 120Hz OLED display that has Intel Evo certification. It comes in three color variants and is equipped with various CPU options, 16GB LPDDR5 RAM, and 512GB/1TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD. The laptop has Thunderbolt 4, USB ports, Wi-Fi 6E connectivity, a glass touchpad, and features like AI Noise Cancelation, MyASUS, and Alexa. It runs on Windows 11 Home and comes with Microsoft Office Home and Student 2021 with a lifetime subscription. The ASUS Vivobook S 15 OLED (K5504) model has a 15.6 Full HD ASUS Lumina OLED, a physical fingerprint scanner, 1080p Full HD webcam, Thunderbolt 4 port, USB 3.2 Gen 2, HDMI 1.4, and a 3.5 mm audio jack. The laptop is built with military-grade durability, a large glass touchpad, and an ASUS ErgoSense keyboard with antimicrobial guard protection. It also has a 70WHr battery. ASUS Vivobook 15X OLED (K3504) It is a lightweight and durable laptop powered by Intels latest 13th Gen processors with Iris Xe graphics. It features a 15.6 Full HD ASUS Lumina OLED display with VESA-certified DisplayHDR True Black 500, Dolby Vision, and a 0.2ms response time. The laptop has upgradable 16GB DDR4 RAM and 512GB/1TB PCIe Gen 4 storage, a 50WHrs battery life with 65 W fast charging, and complete connectivity ports. It has a 720p HD 3DNR camera with an Infrared sensor, Wi-Fi 6E, Alexa, and a physical fingerprint scanner for security. The laptop runs on Windows 11 Home and comes with a lifetime subscription to Microsoft Office Home and Student 2021. ASUS Vivobook 15 OLED (X1505) It is a durable and lightweight laptop featuring a 15.6 Full HD ASUS Lumina OLED display with DisplayHDR True Black 600 and Dolby Vision. It is powered by the latest Intel Core i5-13500H CPU, upgradable to 24GB DDR4 RAM and 512GB PCIe Gen 3 SSD. The laptop has a slim profile of 19.9mm and a military-grade US MIL-STD 810H durability with EPEAT Silver certification. The keyboard has ASUS Antimicrobial Guard Plus protection, and the device has a 50WHrs battery with 65W fast charging, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5, and multiple ports. It comes with Microsoft Office and Home 2021 and the MyASUS application, available in Indie Black and Transparent Silver color variants. ASUS Vivobook 16 (X1605) It is a 16 laptop powered by the latest 13th Gen Intel Core i5-13500H CPU, with 16GB DDR4 RAM (upgradable to 24GB), 512GB PCIe Gen 3 SSD, and Iris Xe graphics. It has a durable MIL-STD 810H construction, with a thin profile of 19.9mm and weight of 1.8kg, making it a compact device. The keyboard is a full-sized backlit chiclet with ASUS Antimicrobial Guard protection, and the 180 ErgoLift hinge provides comfortable use at all angles. The laptop features a full set of ports, Wi-Fi 6 connectivity, HD 3DNR webcam with a physical privacy shutter, and fingerprint scanner for added security. It also comes with MS Office Home and Student 2021. ASUS Refreshes Older Models with Latest Intel CPUs ASUS updated several of its previous laptop models with the latest Intel 13th Gen CPUs, including Zenbook 14 OLED (UX3402), Vivobook S 14 Flip (TP3402), Vivobook 16 (X1605), Vivobook 15 OLED (X1505), Vivobook 15 (X1502), Vivobook Go 15 (E1504) and Vivobook Go 14 (E1404). Pricing and availability You can buy these laptops online (ASUS e-shop/ Amazon/ Flipkart) as well as offline (ASUS Exclusive Stores/ ROG Stores/Croma/Vijay Sales/Reliance Digital) stores. Commenting on the new line-up, Arnold Su, Business Head, Consumer and Gaming PC, System Business Group, ASUS India, said, Sony India has launched its new BRAVIA X75L television series with 4K Ultra HD LED screen. It follows of BRAVIA X80L TV series, earlier this week. Sonys latest BRAVIA X75L TV series is available in multiple sizes, ranging from 43 to 65 inches. It features the X1 Picture Processor, which uses advanced algorithms to reduce noise and enhance detail, resulting in clear 4K resolution images with lifelike colors powered by Live Color technology. The 4K televisions of the X75L series provide rich, real-world detail and texture, even upscaling images filmed in 2K or Full HD close to 4K resolution with 4K X-Reality PRO using a unique 4K database. The Motionflow XR technology ensures smooth and sharp details in fast-moving sequences by inserting extra frames between the original ones. The open baffle down-firing twin speakers of the X75L deliver powerful 20-watt sound with Dolby Audio, making it perfect for movies, sports, and music. Clear phase technology analyzes and compensates for inaccuracies in speaker response, resulting in natural and smooth audio with even reproduction of all frequencies. With the new BRAVIA X75L series, users can download over 10,000 apps, view 700,000+ movies and TV episodes, and access live TV, all in one place. Google TV brings together content from different apps and subscriptions and organizes them, making it easy to search using voice commands like Hey Google, find action movies. The TV also supports Apple Home Kit and AirPlay for seamless content streaming from Apple devices. With Auto Low Latency Mode and Auto HDR Tone Mapping, the X75L provides a smoother and more responsive gaming experience with optimized HDR settings. The voice-enabled remote allows for easy navigation and access to favorite video-on-demand services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+Hotstar, Sony LIV, YouTube video, and music. The X75L series also features X-Protection PRO technology, providing superior dust and humidity protection and passing Sonys highest standards of lightning tests, ensuring long-lasting performance. The minimalist design with a narrow bezel maximizes the screen and provides an immersive viewing experience, whether positioned on a stand or mounted on a wall. Quick specifications: Sony BRAVIA X75L Design: Narrow Bezel, Slim Blade Stand Sizes: 43, 50, 55 and 65 Display: 4K display, 50Hz, 3840 x 2160, 4K X-Reality PRO, Live Colour Technology, Motionflow XR, Frame Dimming HDR: Yes (HDR10, HLG) Processor: 4K Processor X1 Operating System: Android TV with Google TV Audio: 10W + 10W, Open Baffle Speaker, Dolby Atmos Storage: 16GB Internal Memory Gaming: Auto HDR Tone Mapping, Auto Genre Picture Mode, Game Mode with PS5 Supports: Chromecast, Voice search including Google Assistant, Alexa, Apple Airplay2, Apple Homekit, Kids Profile Voice Enabled Remote Ports: Ethernet input x1, RF x1, Composite Video Inputs x1, HDMI 2.1 inputs x4 with eARC/ARC, VRR and ALLM, USB ports x2, 1 x headphone jack Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac 2.4 GHz/5 GHz (for Wi-Fi Direct: 2.4 GHz Only); Bluetooth 5.0 Pricing and availability KD-43X75L starts at Rs. 69,900, available for purchase from 24th April 2023 onwards. KD-50X75L starts at Rs. 85,900, and the KD-65X75L is at Rs. 139,900, available for purchase from 24th April 2023 onwards. KD-55X75L pricing and availability to be announced soon. Sony BRAVIA X75L TV series models will be available in India at Sony Centers, major electronic stores, and e-commerce portals. analysis In 2020, the United States announced a framework for the private exploitation of space resources. It consists of practical principles to guide exploration, science and commerce in outer space. The Artemis Accords are intended to make space activity responsible, transparent, safe, peaceful and sustainable. Nigeria and Rwanda signed the accords on 14 December 2022, becoming the 22nd and 23rd countries, respectively, and the first African countries to do so. Nigerian space law and policy scholar, Anne Agi, explains why they signed and what the potential impacts could be. What are the Artemis Accords? The Artemis Accords are principles, guidelines and best practices shared by the US and other governments participating in NASA's Artemis Program, which aims to explore the Moon and send astronauts to Mars. The accords seek to advance international cooperation and peace in space activities, for the benefit of humanity. The first countries to sign up were the US, Australia, Canada, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Ukraine, the UK and the United Arab Emirates. South Korea was the first to sign during the President Joe Biden administration. Key principles of the Artemis Accords include respect for the sovereignty of celestial bodies, interoperability of systems, transparency and predictability of space activities. They also deal with things like cooperation in emergency situations, registration of space objects, managing orbital debris and public release of scientific data. The principles recognise the right of all countries to explore and use outer space peacefully. They prohibit weapons of mass destruction in outer space, and protect long-term sustainability of outer space activities. How does membership benefit countries? Signing the Artemis Accords is a precondition to be involved in the Artemis programme. As signatories, Nigeria and Rwanda are demonstrating their commitment to safe, sustainable use of outer space. This should have multiple benefits. It boosts their international standing as responsible members of the space-faring community. It makes their space sectors more appealing to international investors and shows they are committed to exploiting space to advance their economies. Being a signatory can build capacity in the space industry. This is through encouraging African nations to budget appropriately and develop policies and infrastructure for space activity. Read more: Africa has ambitious goals for 2063: plans for outer space hold the key to success The Accords will allow Africa to benefit from shared knowledge and technological resources. Partner nations are required to publicly describe their policies and plans. Space exploration has numerous applications, from satellite technology to Earth observation. These can drive innovation and create new industries. For example, in Rwanda, DMM.HeHe is using space technology for logistics and to connect farmers to customers. The company incorporates remote sensing in agriculture to predict yield by monitoring farm operations, educating farmers on their harvest and planning their logistics to increase productivity. And XY Analytics, a South African agricultural technology startup, offers satellite-enabled pasture optimisation and herd management to cattle farmers. Read more: Starlink: SpaceX's new internet service could be a gamechanger in Africa Being a signatory also enables a country to participate at events where decisions on outer space are made. African space nations can use their advantageous position in the Accords to advance national interests in the space industry. They can weigh in on issues like militarisation, spy and reconnaissance satellites, space trash, and the right to use resources. Nigeria and Rwanda could get help from other signatories in the event of space related attacks. Nigeria could join forces with global giants for wider and more effective broadband coverage, and invite experts from Artemis partner nations to collaborate on initiatives like the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics. Nigeria and Rwanda's accession to the Artemis Accords could have a positive impact on Africa as a whole and address the gap between Africa and other regions in terms of space exploration and use. The Accords require partners to make their scientific data available to the public. With access to this data, Nigeria and Rwanda will not need to reinvent the wheel when they are ready to launch their satellites or engage in space travel. The principles result in reduced costs for space activity. Artemis acknowledges that member states can use space resources, but there is no obligation to do so in a way that benefits all member states. African nations must push for a sharing formula for mined space resources to be shared among signatories to the Accords. Finally, Nigeria and Rwanda could in due course become partners in the effort to return astronauts to the Moon and eventually to Mars. The African continent has yet to send an astronaut into space. Does membership present any challenges? Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Rwanda Nigeria Science 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. The Outer Space Treaty and Liability Convention, a UN backed law, requires a launching state - a country responsible for launching a particular space craft - to be held internationally liable for damage caused by their space objects. The Artemis Accord allows states to acquire the status of a launching state for any space object launched by other signatory states for the purposes of the Artemis programme. So African states could find themselves liable for damage done by another partner nation. African countries should also prepare for financial and other consequences in the event of US cancellation or withdrawal from the Accords. Some nations have opposed the Artemis Accords. Russia and China argue that they are overly focused on American and commercial interests and amount to a power grab by the US and its allies. This may affect Nigeria's and Rwanda's interests and foreign relationships as they relate to China. China has made large financial and infrastructural investments in numerous African nations. It has for several years collaborated with Nigeria and Ethiopia on building practical satellite projects. African nations must be careful not to be perceived as being ungrateful or overly aligned with the US, as they have indeed benefited largely from China. Anne Uruegi Agi, Law lecturer , University of Calabar opinion Fighting in cities across Sudan has left hundreds dead and trapped untold numbers at home in severe danger. If not halted, the conflict could become a devastating civil war. Local and outside actors should demand a humanitarian ceasefire, especially around Eid al-Fitr, followed by talks. The nightmare scenario that many feared in Sudan is unfolding. In cities and towns across the country, including the capital Khartoum, the Sudanese army, led by General Abdelfattah al-Burhan, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), under the command of Mohamed Hemedti Hamdan Dagalo, are fighting pitched battles. Millions of civilians are caught in the crossfire and fast running out of basic necessities. The combat could quickly slide into a sustained war that risks rippling through the countrys restive peripheries into its neighbours. Acting in concert, Sudanese, African, Gulf Arab, Western and other actors some of whom have close ties to Burhan and Hemedti should demand that the belligerents, both of whom believe they can attain their goals on the battlefield, agree to a ceasefire. The impending Eid al-Fitr celebration marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan one of the most important days on the calendar for Sudanese Muslims is a compelling opportunity for the army and paramilitary leaders to call a halt to the war, give beleaguered civilians a respite and allow mediators to fly into Khartoum to jump-start talks. Fighting broke out on 15 April, after days of escalating armed manoeuvres by the rivalrous forces. Tensions had run high for days amid a dispute related to demands from the army that the RSF dissolve, with its members to be integrated into regular military ranks. It is unclear who fired the first shot, but both sides had clearly prepared for battle. Clashes erupted first in Khartoum, spreading rapidly to major towns to the north, south, east and west. Since then, the momentum has swung back and forth, with the two sides issuing conflicting claims to be in control of key institutions. What is unambiguous is the human toll. According to the World Health Organisation, more than 290 civilians are dead, countless others are stuck in their homes in baking 40-degree Celsius heat without electricity or (sometimes) water, hospitals have run out of supplies and aid agencies have suspended operations. Widespread looting means that food is also growing scarce. The number of deaths is likely much larger than is known. Bashir fragmented the security forces into competing centers of power so that none could unseat him. The roots of this severe and mounting crisis lie in the late years of former President Omar al-Bashirs disastrous 30-year reign. Distrustful of the army, traditionally Sudans strongest institution and one with a history of staging coups, Bashir fragmented the security forces into competing centres of power, so that none could unseat him. The paramilitary RSF, in particular, grew from a brutal counter-insurgency militia in Darfur into something like a praetorian guard for Bashir. The outsider status of Hemedti, the RSF leader, served as a check on challenges to the former president from the riverine centre, whose elites have ruled the country since independence in 1956. Hemedti rose from humble beginnings in Darfur near the Sudan-Chad border to become an agile, canny operator, expanding into gold mining and mercenary activity, all while building a political base at home and forging ties abroad. Thus, when Sudans popular uprising ousted Bashir in 2019, the army and RSF needed to collaborate in seizing power. The protests an awe-inspiring, millions-strong movement toppled Bashir in a matter of months but then struggled to also sweep away his generals. Hemedti became Burhans number two, first in a Transitional Military Council, and then as deputy chair of a Sovereign Council, after the generals agreed to a power-sharing deal with the countrys civilian opposition, which had been protesting the military takeover for months after Bashirs downfall. The Burhan-Hemedti partnership was shaky from the start, as Crisis Group warned it would probably be. It grew increasingly unstable as military rule persisted, especially as Hemedtis power and ambitions grew along with his paramilitary force, which expanded across the country. The rivalry showed even more signs of strain after Burhan and Hemedti deposed the civilian government in an October 2021 coup. The coup backfired, doing little to assert military authority, and Hemedti started to distance himself from Burhan, whom he saw as increasingly linked to Bashir-era Islamists. Meanwhile, the listless economy, whose woes were a major cause of the 2019 uprising, tipped further into sclerosis, exacerbating social unrest as Sudanese continued to press for restoration of civilian government. Increasingly, the RSF leader tried to align himself with the publics demands, even presenting himself as an unlikely reformer. He cultivated an unofficial partnership with members of Khartoums civilian elite, who were negotiating in fits and starts with the military to bring the above demands to fruition. Subsequently, Hemedtis rift with Burhan grew wider still. In courting the civilian elites, Hemedti exploited the fact that many of them much as they distrust the RSF view the army as their historical enemy, a redoubt of Bashir sympathisers including Islamists who had staffed the former presidents bureaucracy. In December 2022, a framework agreement promising to restore civilian rule accentuated their rivalry. While Burhan signed the deal only under heavy external pressure, Hemedti championed it, due to clauses he saw as giving him autonomy from Burhan and the army. The agreement recognised the RSF as a regular entity affiliated with the armed forces but placed it under the direct command of a civilian head of state, rather than the army chief, during a transition period. The deal also required the RSF to integrate into the army but left the timetable open to negotiation. This arrangement only deepened the distrust between Sudans two military overlords. Tensions escalated in February and early March, following intense competition between the army and RSF to recruit new members across Sudan and particularly in Darfur, Hemedtis stronghold. Rumours that the army was re-establishing a border guard historically tied to Hemedtis long-time rival, Musa Hilal, head of a tribal militia that had helped suppress the Darfur revolt in the 2000s, further intensified the animosity between the regular army and its paramilitary foe. Burhans proposal to dissolve the Sovereign Council and form a new military council also heightened frictions, as it implied that Burhan could strip Hemedti of his formal political position as deputy chair. After an alarming military build-up in the capital, Burhan and Hemedti reached a deal to de-escalate the situation on 11 March. Hemedti agreed to withdraw forces from greater Khartoum, and the two military leaders agreed to form a new joint security committee. The hostilities have pushed the country toward the full-blown civil war Sudanese have dreaded for years. But the final negotiations to form a new civilian government soon put the country back in the pressure cooker, as the parties missed the early April deadline. Talks about security-sector reform, one of five sticky issues put off for further discussion in December, dragged on, postponing the entire process. While most of the negotiations pitted the civilian elite against the military as a whole, the wrangling over security arrangements pitted Burhan and Hemedti against each other. In particular, the two disagreed over the timetable for merging the RSF into the army and the leadership structure of an integrated force. The civilians and Hemedti rallied around a proposal for a ten-year integration period. Burhan and the army demanded a two-year timetable, unwilling to give the RSF a decade in which to continue extending its influence and entrenching its autonomy outside the armys supervision. Amid mounting mutual suspicion, Hemedti reportedly accused Burhan of reneging on deals on integration schedules and the chain of command under pressure from other army generals. More generally, it is clear that Burhan faced stiffening resistance inside the army to the December framework agreement as tensions with Hemedti spiked. Both sides started to ready themselves for a possible armed confrontation. They continued to recruit new members and mobilised large numbers of troops in strategic areas, including in Khartoum. On 13 April, a sizeable contingent of RSF solders redeployed near an air base in the northern town of Meroe, where Egyptian air force personnel were also stationed. The army publicly accused the RSF of unauthorised movements and gave it an ultimatum to stand down. Emergency mediation inside and outside Sudan tried to calm the situation, with a trio of prominent ex-rebel leaders meeting with the two sides in Khartoum, together with efforts by the UN and the Quad, a bloc composed of the U.S., the UK, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Fighting began anyway two days later. The hostilities between the army and RSF have pushed the country toward the full-blown civil war Sudanese have dreaded for years. Because both sides are positioned in major urban bases across the country, fighting broke out nearly simultaneously all over the map, most prominently in Khartoum and Darfur. Although Sudan is no stranger to internal conflict, sustained urban warfare in Khartoum is unprecedented. Millions there are trapped in a burgeoning humanitarian disaster. While the Sudanese air force bombs the capital, civilians hunker down inside their homes without electricity amid sweltering temperatures. Many lack water as well. Residents have covered social media with reports of shops and homes being ransacked for supplies, with most pointing fingers at the RSF, who appear to be trying to overcome their aerial disadvantage by fanning out into residential neighbourhoods. The picture may be just as grim in other parts of the country, where information is harder to come by. With neither Burhan nor Hemedti appearing ready to back down, the situation could get much worse. A prolonged conflict will be ruinous for Sudan. Some analysts expect the army to prevail in Khartoum, its home turf, but that outcome is by no means assured. Even if the army eventually does secure the capital, and Hemedti retreats to Darfur, a civil war could well follow, with potentially destabilising impact in neighbouring Chad, the Central African Republic, Libya and South Sudan, which are all already scarred by conflict to varying degrees. Further, Sudan is riddled with countless other armed groups and communal militias, any or all of which could throw in its lot with Burhan or Hemedti, turning a two-sided war into a much more complex free-for-all, especially in the countrys peripheral areas. Since neither main actor seems willing to discuss an end to the fighting, the best way to keep peace on the table is for all other parties, inside and outside Sudan, to remain united in rejecting the war. Sudanese actors, including political parties and the resistance committees that have comprised the backbone of opposition to military rule from the 2019 uprising onward but also the above-mentioned armed groups and tribal leaders, have shown impressive resolve in rejecting the conflict and calling for a ceasefire. They should all keep refusing to pick sides, to illustrate the belligerents isolation and the publics horror at the lurch into all-out urban combat. As soon as possible in the emergency conditions, they should form an official united front, an anti-war alliance that would be all the more powerful because many of its constituent elements are otherwise at odds. A lasting settlement will include very difficult talks (...) on the thorniest issues so far: handing over power to civilians and integrating the RSF into the national army. Regional players, particularly neighbouring countries including Egypt, Chad, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Eritrea, should likewise avoid supporting either of Sudans warring parties. Were any of these countries to get involved backing one or the other, the risk of spillover would grow, especially as the conflict might directly involve ethnic groups whose homelands straddle their borders with Sudan. Instead, they should try to convince Burhan and Hemedti to resolve their differences through dialogue. The UN, African Union (AU) and Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), a regional bloc in the Horn of Africa, should respond with the utmost urgency, despite the many challenges. The UN has been trying to broker a ceasefire on the ground, thus far to no avail. Once it is safe to do so, IGAD and the AU should work together to dispatch emergency high-level delegations to mediate between the two sides. IGAD has lined up a delegation including the presidents of Kenya, South Sudan and Djibouti. The AU Commission chairperson should also travel to Khartoum, as planned, to try bringing the two sides to the negotiating table. The UN should support these missions alongside its own work to calm the fighting. All three should closely coordinate, as part of their existing trilateral partnership, so that their efforts do not wind up at cross-purposes. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Sudan Governance Conflict 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. Alongside the African initiative, the leaders of powerful Arab countries with influence over Burhan and Hemedti, particularly Saudi Arabia and the UAE, which together with the U.S. and UK have mediated the political negotiations in Sudan, should insist on a ceasefire. They should also make clear they will not back or resupply either side should the conflict continue or escalate. Washington, London, Brussels and other Western capitals should also urge a ceasefire. International actors should take a firm stance against indiscriminate air raids, exploitation of civilian infrastructure for warfare, fighting in residential areas, using human shields and blocking emergency workers from providing life-saving assistance. All these actors, but especially Sudanese parties and the Gulf Arab powers, including Saudi Arabia, should urge the belligerents to agree to a sustained humanitarian ceasefire for Eid al-Fitr. In Khartoum and many other parts of the country, Eid al-Fitr is the years most significant holiday for Muslims, marking the close of the widely observed period of fasting during Ramadan. Parties should make it clear to the army and RSF leadership that they will earn widespread opprobrium if they cannot use this occasion (expected to begin on 22 April) to pause the fighting, allowing civilians caught in the conflict to leave the worst-affected neighbourhoods in search of relief and especially medical attention. Such a pause could also allow African mediators to arrive in person for urgent talks to explore the terms of a longer ceasefire. A lasting settlement to this conflict will doubtless include very difficult talks on a way ahead that ensures the unity of Sudan and the safety of its people. That should mean a clear agreement on the issues that have proven the thorniest so far: handing over power to civilians, as long promised, and thrashing out the timeline for integrating the RSF into the national army. Riyadh and Abu Dhabi, allies that both have relationships with the belligerents and backed them when they first took power, will need to firmly support any initiative to improve the odds that both sides will comply. The immediate priorities, however, must be achieving a humanitarian ceasefire over Eid al-Fitr and then getting aid into the country fast. The armys bombing of Khartoum neighbourhoods and the widespread house-to-house looting and worse committed by Hemedtis militias will haunt Sudanese for years to come. Neither side seems ready to stop, but continued confrontation can only further degrade what political relevance the two main protagonists, who are already held in contempt by most of the public, might have in the future. Only when the catastrophic fighting ends will Sudanese be able to pick up the pieces, assess the damage and determine the path forward. For now, though, it is up to the two forces struggling for power and anyone with any influence over them to bring an end to the nightmare millions of Sudanese are living through. Over the decades, scientists have revealed many strategies that keep normal cells from becoming cancerous. Understanding natural anti-tumor processes could help researchers develop better approaches to treat or prevent cancer. Now, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center scientists have discovered a completely new and counterintuitive emergency brake that bladder cells use to stave off tumors even when cancer-promoting genes are turned on. In a study published today in Cancer Cell, the team also manipulated the brake to halt the growth of human bladder tumors in mice, suggesting that the newly discovered molecular fail-safe could be a target for future bladder cancer therapies. We think what we have defined is a new tumor-suppressive mechanism, said Andrew Hsieh, MD, the Fred Hutch physician-scientist who studies bladder and prostate cancers and treats patients with these diseases. Weve also showed that (in preclinical models of bladder cancer) we can reinstall this emergency brake. Sujata Jana, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow in Hsiehs lab, found that mutation of a key tumor-suppressing gene, called ARID1A, in bladder cells ramps up a suite of cancer-causing genes. At the same time, the mutated cells ramp down a molecule needed to turn these genes messenger RNAs into the cancer-causing proteins that enable unrestrained tumor growth and survival. Jana and Hsieh coined the term transcriptional-translational conflict to describe the emergency brake they discovered. The term encompasses the opposing forces at work. When more genes that could drive cancer are turned on, or transcribed, this is countered by a decrease in translation of those transcripts into proteins. Tumors with little to no active ARID1A protein have overcome this conflict, but the scientists showed that genetic or pharmacological strategies that reinstate it can dramatically slow tumor growth. Not all bladder tumors have lost ARID1A activity, but the findings suggest that tumors with ARID1A gene mutations that reduce or inactivate the ARID1A protein may have a unique and potentially targetable sensitivity to reductions in protein synthesis. And if this finding holds true in other cancers, it is going to help us understand better how to target the translation apparatus, Hsieh said. That will be important as more inhibitors of translation arise, and our genetic understanding of cancers becomes very, very solid. Better treatment options needed for advanced bladder cancer Scientists estimate that about 82,300 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2023. About three times as many men as women get the disease, and most people are diagnosed after age 55. While certain industrial exposures raise the risk of bladder cancer, smoking is the most well-established risk factor and can triple the likelihood of developing the disease. Its the difficult-to-treat, late-stage disease that most concerns Hsieh. This is the bladder cancer that kills. Compared to people without bladder cancer, people with early-stage disease are nearly as likely to be alive five years after diagnosis, but people whose cancer has spread to distant areas of the body are only 8% as likely as to be alive in five years. Patients with late-stage disease have fewer effective treatment options and there is less known about their tumors. With Fred Hutch and University of Washington colleagues, Hsieh created the Fred Hutch/UW bladder cancer rapid autopsy program to address this disparity. Generous patients who participate in the program donate metastatic bladder tumor tissue to help researchers better understand and target the deadly disease. Revealing the hidden meaning behind an unexpected result When Hsieh joined Fred Hutch in 2014, our understanding of how bladder cancers grow and misbehave was even more limited, he said. He decided to start a new line of research to help expand scientists understanding of the disease. Surveying mutations that may contribute to bladder cancer, Hsieh noticed that ARID1A is one of the most frequently mutated genes, suggesting that it usually works to suppress tumor formation in some way. In healthy cells, the ARID1A protein helps regulate whether genes are turned on and off by changing DNA packaging and its molecular modifications. Jana took up the challenge of figuring out how ARID1A suppresses bladder tumors and why mutations that block its activity help promote tumors. But when she deleted the ARID1A gene in the cells lining the bladder, mice did not develop tumors even after 400 days even though they also ramped up a suite of pro-growth genes. The findings began making sense when Jana considered another unexpected finding in bladder cells missing ARID1A: RNA translation (or protein synthesis) went down in these cells, not up. Tumor suppressors have long been considered negative regulators of translation, Hsieh said. Cancer cells need a lot of new proteins to grow, survive and create more cancer cells. The idea was that you need more translation for cancer to occur, so it was thought that the tumor suppressor state was one of decreased translation, and thats how the field looked at it for many years. The unexpected results werent negative findings, Jana said, they were clues: It felt like we were communicating with the cells in a language we didnt know. (When we got) a curveball, we tried to figure out, What does it mean? She and Hsieh realized that to decipher the new cellular language, they needed to set aside their preconceived notions about how tumor suppressors work. They realized that the pro-cancer genes turned on in cells lacking ARID1A were like a pile of dry tinder waiting for a match. As long as the cells kept the match RNA translation out of reach, no tumors could ignite. Jana and Hsieh had discovered a secondary safety hatch that is only triggered when the main safety valve ARID1A fails. Using a combination of pharmacological approaches and genetically modified mice, Jana was able to outline the sophisticated molecular interplay that links loss of ARID1A to reduced protein synthesis. Loss of ARID1A ultimately slows the speed at which protein-making machines move along RNA transcripts and reduces output of new proteins. That was remarkable, Hsieh said. Transcriptional-translational conflict links chromatin remodeling with the speed of translation across coding sequences. "We from the IUA and the students that live around IUA experienced the worst day of our lives and this is because the RSF base is right behind the male and female hostels and most of the attacks that were launched were on us. For three days and nights, we have witnessed this rough scenario," he narrated. Nigerian students have appealed to the Nigerian government to evacuate them from Sudan where fighting between the military and a para-military force has killed hundreds of people. PREMIUM TIMES reported how fighting erupted in the capital city, Khartoum, on Saturday between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) over political power in the crisis torn country. The Nigerian students on Wednesday in a memo by their association said they were stranded, with no access to basic needs. "Fear, panic and desperation are one of the few emotions we are currently feeling. Our lives are not safe," Sumyyah Yusuf, a second year medical student at Sudan International University in Khartoum, said to PREMIUM TIMES. Ms Yusuf said it had become difficult to access anything, including food, water, and electricity because it is unsafe to go out and most stores are either shut or empty. She said they (students) were trying to stay in touch with each other through social media. Although they had received a memo from the Nigerian embassy in Sudan reassuring them, she said "we need more action." Ms Yusuf said she wants Nigeria "to get its nationals out of here (Sudan), swiftly and safely." Sadiq Haruna, an Islamic Studies graduate from the International University of Africa, Khartoum confirmed the students have no way of confirming if the memo was from the Nigerian embassy in Sudan. He said the condition where he lives, "is a little bit better" after they had witnessed the worst days of their lives. "We from the IUA and students that live around IUA experienced the worst day of our lives and this is because the RSF base is right behind the male and female hostels and most of the attacks that were launched were on us. For three days and nights, we witnessed this rough scenario," he narrated. According to Mr Haruna, female students had been evacuated by the university from their hostels to staff accomodations for safety. He added that the students had also come under several forms of attacks including theft. He said some students were moving to parts of the country that are relatively peaceful. According to news reports, the fighting is happening in major cities like Khartoum and Merowe. Mr Haruna appealed to the government to come to their rescue as it did to Nigerian students in Ukraine. "It is taking time and we do not want to lose anyone but we are on the verge...," he appealed. This reporter heard the sound of gunshots in the backgroung while speaking with Mr Haruna. Nigerian government speaks However, the federal government through the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), had early Thursday said it received the letter from the students' association. NIDCOM in a statement signed by Gabriel Odu assured that the National Emergency Management Agency, (NEMA) was consulting with the Nigerian mission in Sudan and other relevant agencies . It urged all Nigerian Students in Sudan as well as Nigerians living in thecountry to be security conscious and calm. An official copy of the memo the students spoke about was seen by PREMIUM TIMES in a WhatsApp group "Nigerian Community in Sudan." It was shared by a user who signed off their messages with 'ambassador' but gave no names. The Embassy in the letter, appealed to Nigerian nationals to exercise caution and restraint, noting that it is in touch with all the relevant stakeholders in Khartoum and Abuja, respectively, for protection and well-being of Nigerians in Sudan. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Sudan Legal Affairs Niger 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. "The Embassy is making plans for possible evacuation of Nigerian Nationals with approval of the Federal Government of Nigeria as soon as the situation allows it and you will be communicated in due course," the letter said. The memo attributed to the ambassador urged nations to stay safe and be wary of fake news circulating in social media, adding that the Embassy will keep a close contact with the leadership of all the Nigerian Union for further consular assistance and updates. Sudan fighting The fighting between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary RSF has entered its sixth day after four failed ceasefire attempts. At least 300 people have died in the fighting and almost 3,200 more have been wounded in Khartoum, the western region of Darfur and other states, Ahmed Al-Mandhari of the World Health Organisation says. Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts 1. During the War of 1812, who gave the iconic order, "Tell the men to fire faster. Don't give up the ship"? Answer: James Lawrence During a battle with a British frigate, Captain Lawrence was mortally wounded by an enemy sharpshooter, but while he was being carried below deck, he was heard to say these famous words. 2. The first Commandant of the U.S. Naval Academy, Commander Franklin Buchanan, later became an admiral in the Confederate Navy. True or false? Answer: True Buchanan had served in the U.S. Navy for 46 years by the time the Civil War began. He was from Maryland and thought his home state would join the Confederacy, so he resigned his commission and joined the Confederate Navy. 3. In February 1844, a naval gun aboard the newly-designed USS Princeton exploded, killing or wounding 20 people and almost killing President John Tyler and his fiancee, Julia Gardiner. What was the name given to this long 225-pound gun? The Peacemaker The USS Princeton was a steam-powered warship, the first of its kind in the U.S. Navy. The "Peacemaker" was a long smooth-bored gun along with sister gun "Oregon" and 12 42-pound carronades made up the gunnery aboard. Ex-first lady, 76 year old Dolley Madison was among the celebrities on board. Among those killed were the Secretary of State Upshur and Secretary of the Navy Gilmer. Answer:The USS Princeton was a steam-powered warship, the first of its kind in the U.S. Navy. The "Peacemaker" was a long smooth-bored gun along with sister gun "Oregon" and 12 42-pound carronades made up the gunnery aboard.Ex-first lady, 76 year old Dolley Madison was among the celebrities on board. Among those killed were the Secretary of State Upshur and Secretary of the Navy Gilmer. 4. Which US president urged Congress to establish a naval academy "for the formation of scientific and accomplished officers"? Answer: John Quincy Adams President Adams' request was not acted upon until twenty years later in 1841. The naval academy was established without congressional funding in 1845. 5. Prior to the establishment of the Naval Academy in 1845, the U.S. Navy thought it best to train young midshipmen by placing them all aboard one ship, rather than spreading them out among several. in 1842, this decision may have been a proximate cause of the only mutiny aboard a U.S. Naval ship at sea. What was the name of the ship in question? Answer: USS Somers The USS Somers was a 10-gun brig commanded by Commander Alexander Mackenzie, a strict disciplinarian. A hard-drinking young midshipman, Philip Spencer, whose father was Secretary of War was charged along with two others by Mackenzie with conspiring to commit a mutiny. Despite minimal evidence, a questionable legal proceeding and being only a day and a half from port, the three men were hanged. The "Somers Incident", as it was called, caused the public to label it as a "tyrannical act by a paranoid captain and a lesson in the pitfalls of rushed judgement", although the Navy cleared Mackenzie of any wrongdoing. In 1846 Somers was caught in a severe storm and sunk with the loss of more than 30 of her crew. 6. One of the heroes of the Barbary Wars, the Quasi-War with France and the War of 1812 was a young naval officer whose father had served in the Continental Navy. Who was this officer, who at age 25 became the youngest officer promoted to Captain in Naval history? Answer: Stephen Decatur Decatur sailed his squadron to the Mediterranean in May 1815 and, in an early example of "gunboat diplomacy", persuaded Algiers, Tunis and Tripoli to sign treaties of peace. He was mortally wounded in a duel on March 22, 1820 by Commodore James Barron. 7. On January 30, 1862 the U.S. Navy launched its first ironclad warship, the USS Monitor. Within a month she found herself in a battle with which Confederate ironclad? Answer: CSS Virginia The battle between the USS Monitor and the CSS Virginia was the first battle of ironclad warships. The two ships fought to a draw in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. This historic battle signalled the beginning of steam-powered ironclad warships. The CSS Virginia was originally the USS Merrimack until captured by the Confederates. 8. O, better that her shattered hulk Should sink beneath the wave; Her thunders shook the mighty deep, And there should be her grave; Nail to the mast her holy flag, Set every thread-bare sail, And give her to the god of storms,- The lightning and the gale! Who wrote this poem as a tribute to USS Constitution when it was rumored she was about to be decommissioned? Oliver Wendell Holmes Oliver Wendell Holmes was only 21 when he wrote this poem in 1830. The USS Constitution was the first ship to enter the new Navy Yard in Boston to be refitted, and somehow a rumor started that she was to be decommissioned. The poem is entitled "Old Ironsides". Answer:Oliver Wendell Holmes was only 21 when he wrote this poem in 1830. The USS Constitution was the first ship to enter the new Navy Yard in Boston to be refitted, and somehow a rumor started that she was to be decommissioned. The poem is entitled "Old Ironsides". 9. Who was the first African-American (also an escaped slave) to actually receive the US Medal of Honor? Answer: Robert Blake Robert Blake was the first escaped slave to actually receive the Medal of Honor for his actions while manning the rifle gun aboard the USS Marblehead in the Stono River on Christmas Day 1863. Another escaped slave, William Harvey Carney, was the first to be awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in July 1863 during the Second Battle of Fort Wagner (remember the movie Glory), but he did not receive the medal until 1900 - which was in fact quite common at the time. 10. Which was the only Confederate Navy warship to circumnavigate the globe? Answer: CSS Shenandoah On August 2, 1865, the CSS Shenandoah, while in process of circumnavigating the globe, learned that the Civil War had ended and the Confederacy had lost. The ship continued its mission and surrendered to the British Royal Navy at Liverpool, England. Source: Author ncterp This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor stedman before going online.Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system. Iti doresti o presa libera si independenta, care nu da inapoi cand vine vorba de respectarea standardelor profesionale, refuza sa se lase cenzurata, sustine independenta justitiei, transparenta decizionala si valorile democratice. Alege sa o sustii. News editor's pick centerpiece featured Attorneys argue for removing Santa Fe shooting judge jenniferreynolds / JENNIFER REYNOLDS/ The Daily News Attorney Nicholas Poehl, head of Dimitrios Pagourtzis defense team, argues 122nd District Court Judge Jeth Jones should be removed Thursday during a hearing before Administrative Judge Susan Brown at the Galveston County Courthouse in Galveston. jenniferreynolds / JENNIFER REYNOLDS/The Daily News Administrative Judge Susan Brown presides over a hearing on the motions of recusal and disqualification against 122nd District Court Judge Jeth Jones on the case of accused Santa Fe High School shooter Dimitrios Pagourtzis on Thursday at the Galveston County Courthouse. jenniferreynolds / JENNIFER REYNOLDS/ The Daily News Galveston County District Attorney Jack Roady questions defense attorney Robert Barfield during a hearing Thursday on whether to recuse or disqualify 122nd Judge Jeth Jones or let him remain on the case of accused Santa Fe High School shooter Dimitrios Pagourtzis. jenniferreynolds / JENNIFER REYNOLDS/The Daily News Attorney Mark Bennett argues for the disqualification of 122nd District Court Judge Jeth Jones from the case of accused Santa Fe High School shooter Dimitrios Pagourtzis on Thursday during a hearing at the Galveston County Courthouse. jenniferreynolds / JENNIFER REYNOLDS/ The Daily News Attorney Robert Barfield, part of Dimitrios Pagourtzis defense team, is called as a witness Thursday during a hearing on motions to recuse or disqualify 122nd District Court Judge Jeth Jones on the case of accused Santa Fe High School shooter Dimitrios Pagourtzis. GALVESTON Defense attorneys and prosecutors spent two hours Thursday laying out their arguments on Judge Jeth Jones fate in the case of accused Santa Fe school shooter Dimitrious Pagourtzis. Administrative Judge Susan Brown said she would review the information and rule, perhaps early next month, whether Jones is disqualified, recused or remains in the Pagourtzis case. Pagourtzis was charged with murder in the May 18, 2018, Santa Fe High School shooting that left 10 dead and 13 wounded and has been committed to a mental hospital since 2019. Defense attorneys argued Jones had shown he cant be objective in the case through efforts to replace Houston psychologist Karen Gollaher, who has judged Pagourtzis incompetent to stand trial for more than four years, in favor of one who might find him competent. They also argued Jones should be disqualified because of a close relationship with a former law partner who had briefly represented Pagourtzis after the shooting. Jones has ceased to be a neutral in the case and has become an advocate against my client, lead defense attorney Nicholas Poehl said. There has been no witness or expert who has examined him who has said his competence has been restored. The state argued Jones had not shown an egregious bias against Pagourtzis and that he had only worked to get him declared competent to move the case forward. The state argued that no confidential information was shared with Jones partner, so the defenses move for dismissal was invalid. Rulings and remarks do not provide a basis for recusal, District Attorney Jack Roady said. Recusal requires such animosity that no reasonable person could think the judge is fair. All efforts have been to restore the defendants competency. All of these complaints can be argued on appeal but do not establish the need for recusal. Robert Barfield, who began representation of Pagourtzis on the day of the shooting, was the hearings sole witness. Poehl and I met Jared Robinson, whos now judge of the 405th District Court, at the Galveston County Jail that day to speak to Pagourtzis, Barfield said. We all spoke to him and provided instruction and legal advice, making him our client. At the time, Robinson was in practice with Jones through the firm Jones Robinson LLP and decided two days later to cease representation of Pagourtzis, after Jones told Robinson he wanted no part of the case. Roady cited an affidavit in which Robinson said no privileged information was shared in the meeting. Defense attorneys disagreed. All of the information was privileged, attorney Mark Bennett said. Attorney-client privilege had been established. Judges know better than to leave the question of impartiality open or stay on a case their partner was on. Pagourtzis in November 2019 was committed to the North Texas State Hospital in Vernon after state, defense and an independent expert, appointed by the state, concluded he was incompetent to stand trial, according to a lawsuit filed by his defense team. Gollaher had ruled Pagourtzis incompetent while acting as an independent mental health evaluator, Poehl said. He has been recommitted four times since. The most recent competency report, issued Jan. 9, stated Pagourtzis should be recommitted for another 12-month term. A meeting was held Jan. 26 among the defense team, Roady and prosecutors, according to a lawsuit defense attorneys filed. Jones said he would sign a recommitment order and appoint an independent expert to re-evaluate Pagourtzis, according to the lawsuit. I told Jones that it was unlikely that Pagourtzis would ever be found competent, and Jones told me I was wrong, Poehl said Thursday. It was obvious that Jones had a preexisting bias. He said that he believed that the Vernon staff did not want him to be restored to competency, which raises doubts about his ability to be impartial. The state and defense offered to hand over records from Vernon, which he did not take us up on. He finally signed the order saying he was incompetent but said he had no choice. Poehl learned in March from employees of the state hospital that Jones had contacted Superintendent Jim Smith and ordered a full competency evaluation by an outside expert, despite a Feb. 1 ruling, according to the lawsuit. The defense and state were then blindsided March 8, with the announcement of a March 10 status conference, which didnt allow ample time to arrange for Pagourtzis to participate via video conference, according to the lawsuit. Jones appointed Dr. Joseph Penn to perform a new competency examination of Pagourtzis at the hearing, replacing Gollaher. Jones did not inform anybody he did this and didnt even acknowledge that the evaluation that he signed in February ever happened, saying his last competency evaluation was March 2022. Attorney General Ken Paxton ruled the court lacks personal jurisdiction over Penn to mandate the exam and that Penn is barred from performing the exam through Correctional Managed Health Committee policy. Penn also is the director of mental health services for the Correctional Managed Care at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, which bars him from performing competency and other forensic exams. This got so out of hand that the attorney general had to step in, Poehl said. Jones has taken on the role of advocate for political benefit. He has shown his bias and inability to be impartial. We do not want to have to see this case relitigated down the road. Brown announced she would issue a decision after May 8. "Taking this opportunity, I invite you to pay an official visit to Ukraine at a time convenient for you," Mr Zelensky. President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine has asked Nigeria's president-elect, Bola Tinubu to visit his war-ravaged country after inauguration. Mr Zelensky's invitation was contained in a congratulatory statement he personally signed. Mr Tinubu, who won the 25 February presidential election, is expected to be sworn in on 29 May. "Taking this opportunity, I invite you to pay an official visit to Ukraine at a time convenient for you. "I am confident that your visit will strengthen the dialogue between our countries and contribute to further consolidation of joint efforts of the international community aimed at solving the urgent challenges of today, in particular the crisis situation caused by Russia regarding the guarantee of world food security," Mr Zelensky said. The comedian turned politician, expressed optimism that Nigeria would continue to back the resolution of the UN on Russia, adding that Ukraine would continue to support Africa in the area of food security. Ukraine has been at war since the invasion of the country by Russia in February 2022. The war has affected food and energy supply chains across the world. "Despite extremely difficult testing times, caused by the full-scale armed aggression of Russia against our state, Ukraine is determined to further strengthen cooperation with Nigeria at the bilateral level and within the framework of international organisations. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Governance 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. "We are grateful for your country's support of the Resolution of the General Assembly of the United Nations Organization "Principles of the UN Charter underlying a comprehensive, just and sustainable peace in Ukraine. "I count on the active participation of Nigeria in its practical implementation. We see the further provision of global food security, of which Ukraine was and remains a reliable guarantor at the global level, as an important direction of cooperation. "The fulfilment of this task will be facilitated by the successful implementation of the Ukrainian initiative "Grain from Ukraine", which is designed to significantly increase the supply of grain to African countries in order to prevent famine," the letter read. Mr Zelensky has joined other world leaders like Benjamin Netanyahu of Isreal, Recep Erdogan of Turkey, Emmanuel Macron of France who have congratulated Nigeria's president-elect. "In 1989, I was about to get married and I was searching for a good house to rent. I met my landlord who happened to be an elderly lawyer who obviously did more real estate than legal practice. He let me know that there were three categories of people he would not rent property in his care to - Igbos, Ijebus and lawyers." Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has narrated how a "prejudiced" landlord some decades ago discriminated against him for being an "Ijebu man", a Yoruba sub-group in South-west Nigeria. Mr Osinbajo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, said the landlord, who he encountered in 1989, had a policy of not renting his house to "Igbos, Ijebus and lawyers". The policy, he said, affected him as a lawyer and an Ijebu man. The vice president narrated this story on Monday at the Maiden Edition of the Policy Making & Good Governance Lecture Series of NIPSS. The lecture was titled "Creating A Homeland for All: Nation-Building in a Diverse Democracy." Mr Osinbajo used the story to address the ethnic profiling that characterised the 2023 general elections, where there were reported cases of harassment and intimidation of voters based on their tribes and ethnicity. "In 1989, I was about to get married and I was searching for a good house to rent. I met my landlord who happened to be an elderly lawyer who obviously did more real estate than legal practice. "He let me know that there were three categories of people he would not rent property in his care to - Igbos, Ijebus and lawyers. I was disqualified on two accounts. He then said to me, pointing behind him at a few shrivelled-up books on a small bookshelf, that he had the arsenal to destroy any tenant in court if I gave him any trouble. He later, to his embarrassment, discovered that I was a Law teacher and adviser to the then Attorney General of the Federation and of course, that I am also Ijebu. "I have shared this story to illustrate a point that I think is hugely important, which is that prejudice and bias are natural aspects of human nature," he said. Mr Osinbajo, who contested the 2022 presidential primary of the APC but lost to Bola Tinubu, said high competition during elections increases the level of division in the country. "Elections by their very nature, tend to be divisive affairs. Partisan democratic competition compels us to align ourselves with the camps that most reflect our ideals and aspirations. In a diverse society such as ours, democratic competition is intensified by the sociocultural cleavages that exist in society. This is true of any heterogeneous society or democracy. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Governance 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. "In an election cycle in which the major contenders come from different ethnic-regional classes or zones, there was always a sense that the competition was going to be particularly intense. But at the same time, it would not be accurate to reduce the election to an ethnic census," he said. Mr Osinbajo also spoke on the division along religious lines and urged all candidates to sheathe their swords. "Religion was quite clearly made an issue, and in some parts of the country, political biases are introduced even between denominations of the same religion. "In some cases, ethnic profiling took place at polling booths. A popular female food blogger and YouTuber called Sisi Yemi, a Yoruba woman, took to her verified Twitter handle to say 'My husband and I were not allowed to vote, they said we look like Igbo people. I can't believe this!' "Almost without fail in every election cycle, politicians have forcefully, either overtly or covertly, sought to persuade voters that voting for their particular party or candidate is the will of God and that voting for the opposing party was a violation of that divine will. Repeatedly, we hear of prophets who support political parties one way or the other," he said. "This is a matter of great concern because long after an election is over, and long after the leading contenders have sheathed their swords, the rhetoric, the words and the means used to compete can have adverse long-term effects on society," he said. Oregon is one of 19 states with a red-flag law, which allows for temporary firearm removal from individuals believed to be at risk of harming themselves or others. States took millions to enact red-flag gun laws, but many still won't pass them A Lee Enterprises review reveals that lawmakers in 31 states have not passed red-flag laws even as most of those states received federal funding through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. The policy, which took effect in Oregon back in 2018, is one that gun-safety advocates are pushing for in other states once again across the U.S. in the aftermath of the late March Nashville school shooting, which killed six people. The policy has bipartisan appeal with some Republicans in favor of it, but second-amendment advocates including the National Rifle Association have been fighting against the law. Oregons extreme risk protection order law allows family or household members, along with law enforcement officers, to petition courts for a gun removal order that would apply for up to one year. The petitioner must file a sworn affidavit alleging that the respondent represents risk in the near future, including an imminent risk, of suicide or of causing physical injury to another person, according to Giffords Law Center. Most of Oregons congressional delegation voted for the 2022 Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which provided states funding to implement or create red-flag laws. All voted in favor of it except for the states lone Republican congressman, Rep. Cliff Bentz. Democratic U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden cheered the law after its passage, saying it contains important measures to improve mental health in America. For too long, Oregonians and families across the country have been forced to live in constant fear of gun violence terrorizing their communities, Wyden said in 2022. I am saddened that it took so many tragedies and needless deaths to reach this milestone. It is critical that this bill is the beginning, not the end, of the essential work to create rational gun safety laws in America. Oregon applied for and was awarded $3.1 million in funding after the bill was signed by President Joe Biden. The state hasnt decided how it will use the funding yet, according to its federal application. The state is actively seeking statewide input as to how the state should further prioritize. It will award grants following robust discussion of how to prioritize program areas based on Oregon-specific gun violence reduction needs, according to the federal application. Oregon has the 16th-lowest firearm mortality rates in the U.S. as of 2020, according to federal data, with 13 deaths per 100,000 people. There were 592 total firearm deaths in the state in 2020. Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2021. A Google map showing Khartoum and Omdurman, with the White Nile on the left and the Blue Nile on the right. Khartoum / El Fasher / Nyala / El Obeid The continuing battles between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have left a trail of destruction, with civilians bearing the brunt of the conflict. The fighting has led to people the capital seeking refuge in neighbouring states. In Darfur and Kordofan more casualties were reported. Basic commodities are becoming scarce. Khartoum witnessed a mass departure of people on Wednesday, journalist Hussein Saad reported. As many could not reach the regional bus stations, buses and other vehicles stood ready at alternative travel stops in the south and north of Khartoum. Ticket prices have risen due to the lack of fuel. Since most petrol stations closed since Saturday morning, when the fighting broke out, the price of a gallon of petrol rose to SDG25,000. The prices for travel to neighbouring regions, such as El Gezira and Sennar, increased from SDG7,000 to SDG10,000 and from SDG15,000 to SDG20,000 respectively, leaving many unable to afford the journey. In Khartoum North, people left for River Nile state and Northern State. According to a traveller to El Gezira, many people left on foot to alternative stops in Soba East. "The place turned into one large bus stop," he told Radio Dabanga. "At the Madani Road south of Khartoum, we encountered gunfire at and saw a large number of burnt military vehicles at a base of the Rapid Support Forces". Darfur On Wednesday, more casualties were reported from the capitals of South and North Darfur, and North Kordofan In Nyala, the Department of Health Emergency and Epidemic Control reported a total of 302 casualties since Saturday: 31 people died and 271 were injured. The Nyala Teaching Hospital and the Sudanese-Turkish Hospital in the city are still open. At least 40 civilians were killed in North Darfur capital of El Fasher, listener Mubarak Abusin reported from the city. "The fighting between the army and the RSF continued in on Wednesday, with intermittent relative calm," he said. "Many people are suffering as well from a significant rise in commodity prices and the lack of fuel." The centre of West Darfur Darfur capital El Geneina witnessed a remarkable calm on Wednesday. "People left their houses to visit shops and markets as usual," Manal Abkiro told Radio Dabanga from the city. "The outskirts of the El Geneina, however, remain besieged by military groups," she added. "The army controls its base in the city, while the RSF control the Shaheeda Sabira Airport, which has been entirely plundered." Many people in El Fasher are suffering as well from a significant rise in commodity prices and the lack of fuel. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Sudan Conflict 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. Hospital shortage In El Obeid, capital of North Kordofan, 18 more people were killed. Over 2,000 people fled their homes. Nazifa Awadallah, head of El Obeid Doctors Committee, told Radio Dabanga that the fighting in the southern and western parts of the city continued from Tuesday evening until the early hours of Wednesday morning. Both sides used heavy weapons, leading to a new wave of displacement of people. "El Daman Hospital is partially out of service, and the El Obeid Teaching Hospital is suffering from a severe shortage of health personnel, medicines, fuel, and a worsening drinking water crisis", she said. The total number of casualties is unknown, as other health facilities could not be counted. Plundered Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) aka Doctors Without Borders, reported yesterday that armed men raided its compound in Nyala, capital of South Darfur, and plundered all its equipment as well as its vehicles. "Our warehouse - holding vital medical supplies - was also raided, we do not know to what extent as we have no access," MSF tweeted. "Buhari has empowered and emboldened the Fulani pastoralists in their expansionist agenda including killings....." The governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, has replied the presidency on the security situation in the state, insisting that President Muhammadu Buhari endorsed the intractable killings of persons there. He also accused the president of starving the state of funds and manipulating the recent elections in the state to favour his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). Mr Ortom, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), stated this in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Nathaniel Ikyur, on Thursday, in Makurdi, the state capital. The presidency in a statement on Wednesday by Garba Shehu, the president's media aide, absolved Mr Buhari from the killings in Benue State, saying Mr Ortom had politicised the issue. Mr Shehu said, "Perhaps if the disgraced governor had been more concerned with doing his job than politicising the tragedies so frequently taking place under his watch, the situation in Benue might be very different, like in any of its neighbours - Taraba, Nasarawa, the FCT - which all enjoy peace." The presidential aide was reacting to separate editorials by two national dailies, Daily Trust and ThisDay, blaming the security situation in Benue State on the inactiveness of the federal government. Mr Shehu itemised measures taken by Mr Buhari to address wanton killings in the state. There have been relentless mass killings of mostly rural dwellers by armed herders since 2016 in the north-central state, leading to displacement of over two million people, according to the state government. The killings have pitted Mr Ortom against the Buharii administration. Mr Shehu also mocked Mr Ortom for losing his senatorial bid to represent the Benue North-west district, adding that the Benue electorate "rejected" the outgoing governor and the PDP governorship candidate, Titus Uba, he (Ortom) supported. The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Hyacinth Alia, won the election. Herdsmen killings in Benue has Buhari's endorsement But Mr Ikyur, who described Mr Shehu's statement as "infantile," blamed the intractable massacres in Benue on Mr Buhari's "endorsement" of the violent activities of herdsmen whom he said are of the Fulani ethnic extraction as the president. "Buhari has empowered and emboldened the Fulani pastoralists in their expansionist agenda including killings. "It is equally a known fact that President Buhari has failed woefully in securing Nigeria, and Benue State in particular," the statement said, accusing the president of abdicating his statutory duty of security lives and properties," he said. The governor's media aide said the presidency's statement on Wednesday amounted to spitting "on the graves of our compatriots mowed down needlessly by Fulani militia," adding that the Benue "shall not forget these atrocities." He accused the central government "of complicity in the killings orchestrated against Benue people by the Fulani herdsmen as represented by Miyetti Allah Kautal, Fulani Nationality Movement, FUNAM and other Fulani socio cultural groups." Arguing further, the governor's spokesperson wondered why Mr Buhari would blame Mr Ortom for the killings in Benue, but look away from the "massacres and kidnappings in Plateau, Southern Kaduna, Niger, Sokoto and Katsina the president's home state. Starving of funds On public infrastructure, the governor's aide accused the federal government of starving Benue of funds to execute contracts. "The Governor has been subjected to many coordinated media attacks, probes, freezing of state accounts and other punitive measures to frustrate and cripple his administration. "While other states were given infrastructural loans, Benue under Governor Ortom was denied access to the funds. The same thing happened when the Benue State Government met all requirements to secure N42 billion to clear the backlog of salaries, pensions and gratuity," the statement said. Manipulating 2023 elections Speaking on Mr Ortom and the PDP's loss at the recent polls, Mr Ikyur alleged that the federal government deployed the armed forces and money to manipulate the elections. "The Presidency's attempt to mock Governor Ortom over the loss of his senatorial seat and the PDP in the Governorship has furthermore strengthened our belief that the massive deployment of security personnel for the elections in the state was planned and hatched in the presidential villa and supervised by agents of the APC," he said. Read Mr Ortom's full statement RE: PRESIDENT BUHARI'S BENUE RECORD SPEAKS FOR ITSELF. LET THE PEOPLE OF BENUE SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES TOO Shehu Garba's infantile statement on the security situation in Benue State has once again confirmed our position that the killings; mass murder in Benue by the Fulani militia has the full endorsement of the Buhari government. It also goes to confirm that the Presidential spokesman does not only speak for Buhari but for some terrorist Fulani groups too. Indeed, the Presidential spokesman's futile attempts to twist events and history in Benue State is unfortunate and reprehensible. It shows how much he and others in that league have misled the government and Nigerian people in the last inglorious eight years. It is common knowledge that as the Commander-in-Chief, Buhari has empowered and emboldened the Fulani pastoralists in their expansionist agenda including killings. It is equally a known fact that President Buhari has failed woefully in securing Nigeria, and Benue state in particular. It is on record that Governor Samuel Ortom has repeatedly pleaded with the Buhari government to intervene in the incessant invasion of Benue State by Fulani militias. The President sadly chooses to endorse the invasion and merely asks our people to learn to accommodate their neighbours who derive pleasure in killing and dispossesing them of their ancestral lands. What the Buhari administration has done to our people through the Fulani militants as confirmed by Shehu Garba is to spit on the graves of our compatriots mowed down needlessly by Fulani militia. We shall not forget these atrocities. Besides unleashing Fulani killers on our people, the Buhari government denied Benue State any meaningful project in the last eight years, including the repair of federal government roads in the state which are now death traps. We have tried in vain to find out the offense of Benue people, but we found none, except that our people are responsible, law abiding citizens. For the avoidance of doubt, Governor Samuel Ortom was elected in 2015 and re-elected in 2019 to defend the interest of the people of Benue and never to be a lackey in the hands of expansionists using every means to perpetrate evil against the Benue citizens. By Garba Shehu's latest statement, the presidency has clearly demonstrated that Governor Ortom is right when he consistently accused the APC-led federal government of complicity in the killings orchestrated against Benue people by the Fulani herdsmen as represented by Miyetti Allah Kautal, Fulani Nationality Movement, FUNAM and other Fulani socio cultural groups. If the Presidency can find it convenient to lay the blame of the massive killings that the Fulani have continued to perpetrate in Benue on Governor Ortom, what can it say of the massacre and kidnappings in Plateau, Southern Kaduna, Niger, Sokoto and President Buhari's home state of Katsina among other states where the killing of innocent citizens has continued unchallenged? The Presidency has shown in this recent public statement that they have placed cows above human lives and made the animals to urinate on the graves of those they massacred in Benue and elsewhere across the country. If not, they wouldn't have gone to town to mock the slain in their graves. It is an insult on Benue people including those killed and butchered children, the maimed, raped and abused women and the over two million people living under squalid conditions in Nigeria's largest Internally Displaced Camps in the state. The Presidency's statement is a reckless stab by agents of genocide against the Benue people by blaming the victims. Let Garba Shehu and occupants of the current Presidential Villa be informed that the ongoing pogrom in Benue State is a designed plot by the Fulani against the Benue people to disposses them of their lands and these atrocities are well documented. The perpetrators are also well known to local and international authorities. By this recent posturing, everyone is now aware that the perpetrators have the backing and sympathy of the Federal Government. The Presidency's attempt to mock Governor Ortom over the loss of his senatorial seat and the PDP in the Governorship has furthermore strengthened our belief that the massive deployment of security personnel for the elections in the state was planned and hatched in the presidential villa and supervised by agents of the APC. But let the Presidential spokesman remember that Governor Ortom is extremely grateful to the people of the State for always giving him the opportunity to serve them. As he has often quoted Psalm 34:19, "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all." The Governor stands for justice, equity and fairness and no amount of blackmail and impunity as orchestrated by the Buhari administration can make him to change his advocacy against injustice and oppression. In fact, before the elections, Governor Ortom had publicly stated that he was ready to sacrifice his senatorial ambition for the sake of the survival of democracy where the likes of Garba Shehu and their collaborators would rather want it truncated. It is public knowledge that the 2023 elections were heavily rigged using some security operatives, money, federal might and electronic means. Governor Ortom's decision not to challenge the result of the Benue North West Senatorial election in court again points to the fact that he is not a selfish and desperate politician. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Governance 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. Benue people are well aware that Governor Ortom has been a target of the Buhari presidency since 2017 when he boldly signed a law banning open grazing of livestock in the state. The Governor has been subjected to many coordinated media attacks, probes, freezing of state accounts and other punitive measures to frustrate and cripple his administration. While other states were given infrastructural loans, Benue under Governor Ortom was denied access to the funds. The same thing happened when the Benue State Government met all requirements to secure N42 billion to clear the backlog of salaries, pensions and gratuity. In a nutshell, the presidency's statement is the height of recklessness and gross insensitivity against the people of Benue. It is on record that Governor Ortom has given full cooperation to all layers of security agencies working in the state to help curtail the menace of the Fulani killing squad displacing various communities in the state and other internal security skirmishes. Between 2015 and this year, Governor Ortom has constantly held security meetings and gathered intelligence to support security agencies operating in the state. He has however consistently pointed out that the security agencies are grossly underfunded and deserve to be better equipped and motivated to tackle insecurity in the country. It is therefore laughable when Shehu ignorantly tries to whip up an unfounded lie against the Governor. Governor Ortom is performing his duty as Governor of Benue State and will continue to do so until May 29, 2023 when he leaves office. We expect the outgoing President to also do what he was voted to do for Nigerians. Lastly, we are tempted to conclude that President Buhari was not aware of Garba Shehu's statement, because if the President were aware, he would not have permitted his media aide to release a statement that rather indicts him as Commander-in-Chief of Nigeria's Armed Forces for abdicating his constitutional duty of providing security to Benue State and other parts of the country, admitting failure and opting to blame a state Governor. Nathaniel Ikyur Chief Press Secretary, April 20th, 2023 felicilin at 21-04-2023 08:08 AM (5 days ago) (f) The Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has greeted the Muslim faithful on the occasion of the Eid-El-Fitr celebration. The Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has greeted the Muslim faithful on the occasion of the Eid-El-Fitr celebration. Starting with "As-salamu alaykum to our Muslim brothers and sisters," the former Anambra State governor also wished Muslims a happy Sallah celebration and enjoined them to be fair and just in all dealings to reflect the teachings of Ramadan. "The Holy Month of Ramadan was for all to practice restraint, decorum and humility; it enjoined all faithful to be fair and just in all dealings; to help the needy and heal the ailing; to also promote mutual understanding and peace within communities. These injunctions promote the values of universal social justice, world peace and human progress," Obi's tweet partly read. Speaking further, the Labour Party candidate said Nigerians are living in perilous times due to the prevalent "insecurity, deprivation, unemployment and most recently, divisive flawed elections from the activities of fringe elements who do not respect the rule of law." He lamented the subversive actions of some elements through the exploitation of the weakness of national institutions but said he remains resolute in fighting for a new Nigeria. Obi said he and his running mate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, in deference to the revered periods of Lent and Ramadan, refrained from personally reacting to recent allegations against them including treason. The tweets read: Starting withObi's tweet partly read.Speaking further, the Labour Party candidate said Nigerians are living in perilous times due to the prevalent "insecurity, deprivation, unemployment and most recently, divisive flawed elections from the activities of fringe elements who do not respect the rule of law."He lamented the subversive actions of some elements through the exploitation of the weakness of national institutions but said he remains resolute in fighting for a new Nigeria.Obi said he and his running mate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, in deference to the revered periods of Lent and Ramadan, refrained from personally reacting to recent allegations against them including treason.The tweets read: Quote "Many untoward activities have been directed at our people and nation, but we remain resolute in fighting for a New Nigeria through all peaceful and legal options under our laws. We continue to implore all Nigerians to remain peaceful and law-abiding. "We equally remain in prayers that these challenges will be overcome without further adverse shock to the economy, nation and national interest. "In deference to the revered periods of Lent and Ramadan, we have refrained from personally reacting to various distractive allegations and fake news directed at Datti Baba-Ahmed and me. "The most egregious of these acts is the allegation of treason for pursuing the due process. It is now common knowledge that perpetrators of state capture and their acolytes continue to attack Datti and me, and indeed, the Labour Party and the OBIdient Family, for seeking a New Nigeria that will be beneficial to all Nigerians. "Efforts to dissuade us from pursuing the right path towards achieving an equitable, secure and productive New Nigeria, included the deployment of doctored audio, identity theft, impersonation, trolls and fighting words. In the true spirit of Ramadan, I call on our supporters to remain focused on peace and the rule of law. I also wish to assure Nigerians and the OBIdients that our struggle for a New Nigeria is in good stead, and on course. "Indeed, be assured that a new Nigeria, that is safe, secure, fair and prosperous for all Nigerians is POssible! May Almighty God guide and bless us and bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. -PO." Post Reply Posted: at 21-04-2023 08:08 AM (5 days ago) | Addicted Hero Acer Swift X 16 Laptop: Powerful Windows 11 Laptop With Latest AMD Ryzen CPUs, and NVIDIA RTX GPUs News oi -Alap Naik Desai Acer launched the Acer Swift X 16 at the [email protected] 2023 event. These "zero-compromises" laptops pack the latest AMD Ryzen 7000 series processors and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 40 series GPUs and are aimed at professionals. As the name suggests, the Acer Swift X 16 features a 16-inch display and some serious specifications. These powerful portable computers are aimed at creative professionals with graphics-heavy workloads in applications like Adobe Photoshop. Let's look at all the available details of the latest Acer Swift X16 including its specifications, features, price, and availability. Acer Swift X 16 Laptop Specifications, Features The Acer Swift X 16 laptop features a 16-inch 3.2K OLED panel with a 3200 x 2000 pixels resolution. The 16:10 aspect ratio screen has VESA DisplayHDR TrueBlack 500 and TUV Rheinland Eyesafe display certifications and supports 100% DCI-P3. The OLED panel has a peak brightness of 500 nits peak brightness, 120Hz refresh rate, and less than 0.2ms response time. These Swift X 16 laptops have thinner bezels and 33 percent more scrolling space than previous models. Acer claims this laptop has the largest touchpad among the company's current laptop portfolio. The Acer Swift X 16 is powered by the latest AMD Ryzen 7000 series processors and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 40 series dedicated GPUs. The top-end model has an octa-core AMD Ryzen 9 7940H processor which is paired with AMD Radeon 780M graphics and also gets a discrete NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 laptop GPU. Needless to add, the latest NVIDIA GPUs offer next-gen ray tracing, AI and AV1 video encoding, access to NVIDIA Studio Drivers, and exclusive tools such as NVIDIA Omniverse, NVIDIA Broadcast, and NVIDIA Canvas. The powerful CPU and GPU are paired with up to 16 GB of LPDDR5 RAM and up to 2 TB of PCIe Gen 4 SSD storage along with a dedicated MicroSD slot to expand onboard storage space. The Acer Swift X 16 laptop's hinges and air vents are concealed under its aluminum surface. The premium Acer laptop has a TwinAir cooling system to keep the CPU and GPU temperatures under control. The Acer Swift X 16 has a 1080P front-facing camera that's supported by Acer's PurifiedView suite of AI features, including artificial background blur, eye contact simulation, and automatic framing. Additionally, Acer's Temporal Noise Reduction (TNR) technology promises high-quality imagery even in low-light conditions The Windows 11 laptop supports Windows Hello via its fingerprint scanner embedded inside the power button. It also has Wake on Voice for secure logins. The sleek laptop weighs just 1.9 kg and has a thickness of just 17.9mm when closed. Notable connectivity options include Wi-Fi 6E, two USB-C ports, HDMI 2.1, and a microSD card reader. Acer Swift X 16 Laptop Price, Availability Acer has announced the Acer Swift X 16 but the premium laptop will be available for purchase in May. These laptops will first launch in China. Their pricing in China starts at RMB 7,999 (approx. 95,000). There's no official confirmation about the laptop's launch in India. The laptops will launch in multiple European markets, followed by North America. The Acer Swift X 16 will be available in EMEA in June starting at EUR 1,566 and in North America in July starting at USD 1,249.99. There will be a wide variety of configurations, with prices differing by spec and region, assured Acer. Best Mobiles in India Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications Motorola Teases Moto Razr+ 2023: Clamshell Foldable Premium Android Phone With SD 8+ Gen1 SoC? News oi -Alap Naik Desai Motorola has started teasing its upcoming premium, clamshell-style foldable Android smartphone. The Lenovo-owned brand hasn't announced the name yet, but the device could be called the Moto Razr+ 2023. A new smartphone under the Moto Razr series will launch soon. Although the brand has not revealed the launch date of the smartphone yet, Motorola has posted a teaser, which suggests it has a large external display and a higher refresh rate. The smartphone teased in the poster has a vertical folding design. Is Motorola Launching The Moto Razr+ 2023 Edition Or Razr 40 Ultra? Motorola is being cryptic about its upcoming clamshell-style foldable Android smartphone. It has not confirmed the name of the device. There are conflicting reports about the name of the upcoming smartphone which is part of the Motorola Moto Razr+ series. The device may launch as the Moto Razr+ 2023, or as the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra. Moto Razr 2023 Teaser pic.twitter.com/0u4jpTXja7 MotoFanboy (@FanboyMoto) April 21, 2023 Regardless of the name, a mystery Motorola smartphone recently surfaced on India's BIS certification website, bearing the model number XT2321-1. Thereafter the same device was spotted on Geekbench. Several reports suggest this device could launch under the Moto Razr+ series. Motorola Moto Razr+ 2023 Edition Rumored Specifications, Features A Motorola smartphone recently appeared on the TDRA and REL certification sites, with the monikers Motorola Razr 40 Ultra and Razr+ 2023. They were listed with the model numbers Motorola XT2321-3 and Motorola XT2321-1, indicating that a similar-spec'd device may debut with different names in different markets. Previous rumors about the Moto Razr+ 2023 suggest the smartphone may retain the 6.7-inch foldable OLED panel on the inside from the Moto Razr 2022. The display could have a refresh rate of 144Hz and a Full HD+ resolution. The teaser poster for the clamshell-style foldable smartphone indicates it will have a large outer cover display. Some reports claim the upcoming Motorola smartphone could sport a screen that's even bigger than that of the Oppo Find N2 Flip. The outer display is tipped to be 2.7 inches in size and has a 573 x 800 pixels resolution. An octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC may power the Moto Razr+ 2023, which could be paired with 12GB of RAM and 512GB of internal storage. The Motorola Razr+ may have a side-mounted fingerprint scanner and run Android 13 OS out of the box. Best Mobiles in India The new development was confirmed to PREMIUM TIMES on Thursday by the Commission's spokeswoman, Fatima Bappare. The Nigerian government has suspended the Executive Secretary of the National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC), Benjamin Abakpa, a professor of Mathematics Education, over allegations bordering on corruption. Mr Abakpa, who was reportedly suspended on Wednesday, was asked to hand over to the most senior director in the Federal Ministry of Education (FME). The new development was confirmed to PREMIUM TIMES on Thursday by the Commission's spokeswoman, Fatima Bappare. She said the suspension order was sanctioned by the authorities at the education ministry. "Yes, he was suspended. He has handed over to the most senior director in the commission," she said in a telephone interview. However, efforts by PREMIUM TIMES to reach Mr Abakpa proved abortive as his telephone number could not be located as of the time of filing this report. Suspension order Appointed in April 2021, Mr Abakpa is the pioneer executive secretary of the Commission. This newspaper however gathered that the governing board of the Commission had earlier accused the embattled official of "administrative ineptitude, financial misappropriation and lack of synergy" which the board claimed led to the constitution of "an administrative fact-finding committee to investigate the allegations". However, following what an insider described as the failure of Mr Abakpa to satisfactorily defend the allegations, he was recommended for suspension by the board. Sources confirmed that the letter of suspension was signed by the education ministry's Permanent Secretary, Andrew Adejoh. The matter was said to have been referred to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for further investigations. About NSSEC The National Secondary Education Commission (NSEC) Law was enacted in 2004 (LFN, 2004 Cap 73). However, after the merger of junior secondary school to basic education, the bill was amended to become the National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC). Part of NSSEC's mandate is the regulation of Senior Secondary Education in Nigeria, managing the National Senior Secondary Education Funds, and advising the Federal Government on the management of senior secondary education. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Education Nigeria Corruption 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. Embattled Mr Abakpa Mr Abakpa was appointed the pioneer executive secretary of the commission by President Muhammadu Buhari in April 2021. Prior to his appointment, he was a lecturer at the University of Agriculture, Makurdi. Mr Abakpa holds a Bachelor's and Masters of Education (B.Ed and M.Ed) in Mathematics from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, and a Doctorate degree (PhD) in Mathematics from the University of Agriculture, Makurdi. He became a professor of Mathematics Education in 2018. He was born on 3rd November 1957 and hails from Orokam Local Government Area of Benue State. Qosim Suleiman is a reporter at Premium Times in partnership with Report for the World, which matches local newsrooms with talented emerging journalists to report on under-covered issues around the globe. FBI Warns of 'Inflection Point' as Foreign Governments Target US Residents By Jeff Seldin April 20, 2023 The battle between the United States and authoritarian regimes is moving beyond the confines of cyberspace and increasingly is playing out on U.S. soil as countries like China and Iran target dissidents and minority groups in ever more brazen operations. FBI senior counterintelligence officials Wednesday warned of new tactics and of "lines that are being crossed" by a growing number of countries, saying the U.S. is now facing an "inflection point" in trying to fend off transnational repression. "The change that we're trying to highlight is sort of an increase in the level of threats, and threats of violence, threats of intimidation that cross lines we have not previously seen," a senior FBI counterintelligence official told reporters, briefing them on the condition of anonymity under guidelines set by the bureau. "China, Iran and other countries see this as a priority for them to stabilize their regimes and make sure that they continue to exist," a second senior official said. "They're increasing the priority of this ... they're more willing to go on U.S. soil to go after dissidents." Wednesday's warning from the FBI comes just days after the FBI arrested two New York City residents, charging them with operating a secret and illegal police station on behalf of China's Ministry of Public Security. "We cannot and will not tolerate the Chinese government's persecution of pro-democracy activists who have sought refuge in this country," U.S. Attorney Breon Peace said while announcing the charges on Monday. "We remain resolved and steadfast to fight against any efforts by the Chinese Communist Party to oppress and intimidate our residents," he added. FBI officials declined Wednesday to share details on just how many countries are engaged in transnational repression, which includes tactics like stalking, intimidation, or assault, against people residing in the U.S. Multiple threats "We try not to rack and stack threats," the first FBI official said, noting China and Iran "have been significant offenders." Other U.S. officials have pointed to indictments against suspects linked to Belarus, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. And concerns about Russia are ever present. But regardless of which government is behind the acts of repression, human rights organizations agree the threat is growing. A database maintained by the U.S.-based Freedom House has tracked 854 physical incidents of transnational repression committed in 91 countries by 38 governments since 2014, including 79 incidents in 2022 alone. China was the most prolific, according to the Freedom House data, engaging in 253 incidents of what the organization described as "direct, physical transnational repression" over the past nine years. Turkey was second, followed by Tajikistan, Russia, Egypt, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Belarus, Iran and Rwanda. Growing sophistication FBI and other law enforcement officials also warn that many of these countries are becoming more sophisticated and more brazen in their efforts to silence critics in the U.S. In its Worldwide Threat Assessment earlier this year, U.S. intelligence agencies said the Chinese government is actively monitoring Chinese students abroad, mobilizing Chinese student associations to help stifle dissent. And when that is not enough, Beijing is willing "to enlist the aid of China-based commercial enterprises to help surveil and censor PRC critics," the report said. As for Iran, the report cautioned that Tehran "remains committed to developing surrogate networks inside the United States, an objective it has pursued for more than a decade." Some of Iran's attempts have made headlines in the U.S., including multiple plots targeting Masih Alinejad, an Iranian American human rights activist and VOA Persian TV host. Earlier this year, the U.S. Justice Department charged three members of an Eastern European criminal gang in connection with a plot to kill Alinejad outside her New York City home. In a separate plot last year, U.S. prosecutors charged a member of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in a murder-for-hire plot targeting former U.S. national security adviser Ambassador John Bolton. In another case, last year, an official with China's MPS was charged with trying to interfere with the congressional campaign of a U.S. military veteran who had been involved with the 1989 pro-democracy protests at Tiananmen Square. Reaction China's embassy in Washington, late Wednesday, rejected the FBI's allegations. "China's police do not engage in 'transnational repression and coercion' against the so-called 'dissidents' and 'dissenters,'" embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu told VOA in an email. "The Chinese government strictly abides by international law, and fully respects the law enforcement sovereignty of other countries," he said, accusing the U.S. of seeking "to smear China's image." Other countries named by U.S. officials as engaging in transnational repression, including Iran, Belarus, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, have yet to respond to requests for a response to the U.S. allegations. U.S. officials, however, have repeatedly dismissed denials like those from China. US pushback "As alleged, these brazen acts of transnational repression violate U.S. law; they infringe on our sovereignty; and perhaps most critically, they are an attack on our most fundamental values," U.S. Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said during a speech last month in Washington. "We will use every tool to expose the repressive tactics of autocratic regimes and force their agents to answer for their unlawful behavior," she said. "And we will support our allies and partners in doing the same." Over the past two years, the FBI has ramped up training, both for its analysts and for its field officers, including those who work closely with airports and other transportation hubs, to help them better recognize activities that may point to transnational repression plots. But the governments engaging in transnational repression are finding more sophisticated ways to silence those they do not like, including the growing use by China and Iran of private investigators, who are not always aware of what is going on. "We've seen where the private investigators are not witting to what's going on and where, in fact, the subjects are using some kind of cut-out company to mask who is behind," an FBI official told VOA separately, speaking on the condition of anonymity. In other cases, the official said China has even tried to co-opt local police. "When you're dealing with local law enforcement, they tend to trust other law enforcement," the official told VOA. "So, when they get a request from, let's say, Chinese law enforcement they're going to accept it at face value." FBI outreach "One of the things we're trying to do is to conduct outreach to private investigator associations, just to apprise them of the threat and explain if you get this type of request, it may be transnational oppression," the official said. "Same thing with local police departments," the official added. "Part of the outreach is explaining hey, some of these countries use things like red notices for political reasons, where they're going after someone who disagrees with them, and the charges are made up." The FBI has also invested in outreach to immigrant communities that have been targeted in the past or that are likely to be targeted in the future. Already, the FBI's threat intimidation guide has been translated into more than 60 languages. And efforts to make sure those communities are comfortable dealing with the FBI are ongoing. Still, it can be tricky. Officials say authoritarian regimes often make good use of cyberspace to intimidate and silence those they do not like. "It's certainly an enabler," a second FBI official told VOA. "Any country with even limited resources can certainly engage in at least online harassment with very little investment or expertise." And some authoritarian regimes, like China and to a lesser extent Iran, have even managed to use threats and money to coerce those they are targeting to help silence others. "This is almost an area of potential double victimization," the second FBI official told VOA. "A person could be threatened with impacts to their loved ones back in the autocratic country if they don't report on others here in the United States." "It's really challenging," the official added. Masood Farivar contributed to this report. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Papua New Guinea, United Kingdom tighten defense relationship The Pacific country is forging closer security ties to countries in the AUKUS nuclear subs pact. By Harlyne Joku for BenarNews 2023.04.20 -- Papua New Guinea and the United Kingdom signed a defense agreement that the Pacific island country's foreign minister said had been "gathering dust for many years," part of a renewed Western focus on the region after China's inroads. The status of forces agreement - a pact generally used by countries to establish the rules under which foreign military personnel operate in a country - was signed in Port Moresby on Wednesday by the foreign ministers of both nations. Neither country immediately released the text of the document. Papua New Guinea Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko said the agreement is broad in nature and the United Kingdom's military is already training with the Pacific country's defense forces. "It is about strengthening and enhancing our relationship when it comes to defense in our country," he said. "UK and PNG working together for the security of the region. This will allow us to have an easier relationship when dealing with defense related matters, training and many other things." Papua New Guinea signed a broad security and defense agreement with Australia earlier this year and is negotiating a defense cooperation agreement with the United States. With the UK, the United States and Australia are the parties to the AUKUS agreement to equip Australia with nuclear-powered submarines by next decade, which is widely understood to be aimed at containing China. Over several decades, China has become a significant source of trade, infrastructure and aid for economically lagging Pacific island countries as it seeks to diplomatically isolate Taiwan and gain allies in international organizations. Last year, Beijing signed a security pact with the Solomon Islands, alarming the United States and its allies such as Australia. Pacific island nations also hope to gain from renewed U.S. interest in the region. However, they increasingly face a balancing act as Washington and Beijing vie for influence. Some Pacific leaders have said they don't want to be swept up in superpower competition or to be forced to take sides in the China-U.S. rivalry. U.K. Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, who is also visiting the Solomon Islands on his Pacific trip, said the agreement with Papua New Guinea reflects mutual security interests. "The security of friends is our security," he said. "The world is increasingly a small place and the risk to that security can come from anyone or a number of different factors and many things we have not even thought about yet." China is a top export market for Papua New Guinea, the most populous Pacific island country, and Beijing's foreign minister earlier this month expressed concern about the Pacific country's security agreement with Australia. Tkatchenko said the agreement was not directly in response to China and is a response to multiple security challenges in the region from climate change to biosecurity and defense. "I just want to make very clear that PNG stands fast with its traditional partners in the region: Australia, New Zealand, USA and Indonesia. They are traditional partners when it comes to security for our region," he said. "When it comes to China they are our traditional trading partners, the biggest that PNG has and we must respect that and continue to work with that." Papua New Guinea also signed a status of forces agreement with France in November last year. Tkatchenko on Wednesday said he expects four visits in the next 12 months from French warships. BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated news organization. Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content April not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN Chief Calls for Cease-Fire in Sudan to Mark End of Ramadan By Margaret Besheer April 20, 2023 U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an immediate halt to fighting in Sudan on Thursday and appealed for a three-day cease-fire to mark the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan to enable trapped civilians to seek safety and supplies. "This must be the first step in providing respite from the fighting and paving the way for a permanent cease-fire," Guterres told reporters at U.N. headquarters in New York. He had just met virtually with the heads of the African Union, Arab League and regional bloc IGAD, as well as representatives from other countries with influence. The session yielded no breakthroughs. Guterres has been working the phones to achieve a de-escalation since violence erupted last Saturday between former allies, now rivals, Army Commander General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, the commander of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. "The cessation of hostilities must be followed by serious dialogue allowing for the successful transition, starting with the appointment of a civilian government," the U.N. chief said. Humanitarian crisis Guterres told reporters it is "virtually impossible" for aid workers to conduct operations in the current state of hostilities, and he demanded that fighters stop targeting humanitarians. Three employees of the World Food Program were killed in crossfire at the start of the fighting in Darfur. Others have been harassed and intimidated. There have also been reports of sexual assaults on aid workers. Warehouses have been attacked, looted and seized. The WFP said 4,000 metric tons of food was stolen at one of its depots in Nyala, south Darfur. "There were no humanitarian services provided to Sudanese the last five days, simply because it's not possible for any humanitarian workers to move outside of their home location or their compound," the acting U.N. humanitarian and resident coordinator for Sudan, Abdou Dieng, told reporters by phone from the country. He said the U.N. is hoping for a cease-fire to move staff in more dangerous areas to safer zones but noted that what is safe one day may not be safe the next. World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Thursday that more than 330 people have been killed in the fighting and around 3,200 wounded. The U.N. has warned that Sudan's health care system "could completely collapse." Hospitals need more staff and supplies, including blood. At least 20 hospitals already have closed, according to Sudan's minister of health. At least nine in the capital, Khartoum, are closed, with the potential for a dozen more to soon close, according to the United Nations. Officials say this is all tragic for a country where one-third of the population - or nearly 16 million people - were in need of humanitarian assistance before the latest violence. The U.N. refugee agency, UNHCR, said Thursday that between 10,000-20,000 Sudanese have fled this week into neighboring Chad. The U.N.'s Dieng said his office has also received reports of people arriving in South Sudan and at the border area between Ethiopia and Eritrea. Calls for dialogue The fighting between the army and RSF broke out after months of rising tensions over the country's political future and plans to integrate the RSF into the national army. Calls to end the fighting have come from around the world and within Africa, including the African Union, the Arab League and IGAD. The presidents of Kenya, South Sudan and Djibouti say they plan to travel to Sudan in the coming days to hold discussions with the leaders. But Sudan's two top generals have yet to express a willingness to negotiate, and each has demanded the other's surrender. The clashes are part of a power struggle between Burhan, who also heads Sudan's ruling military council, and Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, the deputy head of the council. The two generals joined forces in October 2021 to overthrow the transitional government formed after the 2019 ouster of longtime autocratic leader Omar al-Bashir. The restructuring of the military was part of an effort to restore the country to civilian rule and end the political crisis. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Leaders of US, Colombia Seek to Cooperate on Migration, Climate Change By Patsy Widakuswara April 20, 2023 U.S. President Joe Biden welcomed to the White House the leftist President Gustavo Petro of Colombia, a country Biden described as the "keystone" to the Western Hemisphere. "I've long believed, as you probably know, that Colombia is the key to the hemisphere and I mean that sincerely the keystone," Biden said to Petro before their meeting. "And I think we have an opportunity, if we work at it hard enough, to have a Western Hemisphere that is united, equal, democratic and ... economically prosperous." The two met amid disagreements over policies, such as how the war on drugs is being waged, as well as Bogota's renewal of ties with neighboring Venezuela. But the two leaders focused on areas of agreement. Speaking through an interpreter, Petro said "democracy, freedom and peace" constitute the two countries' common agenda. Petro also called for a move toward a carbon-free economy. "We have the greatest potential for democracy and freedom in the Americas, as well as the greatest potential for green energies," he said. Petro, an economist and former member of Colombia's M-19 guerrilla group, won the 2022 presidential election with the support of voters frustrated by rising poverty and violence. Regional experts say the most promising areas for cooperation between the two countries are migration issues and the global effort to combat climate change by moving away from fossil fuels. Migration Biden thanked Petro for accepting approximately 2 million Venezuelan refugees in his country, and said his administration is working with regional partners to help Colombia meet this challenge. With ongoing economic and political crises at home, Venezuelans have been one of the largest groups of migrants involved in illegal crossings at the Mexico-U.S. border. Earlier this month, the U.S., Colombia and Panama announced a 60-day campaign aimed at shutting the flow of illegal migration through the Darien Gap, a dangerous but preferred route for migrants heading to the U.S. from South America that has seen a sharp influx of migrants this year. Venezuela The Nicolas Maduro government in Venezuela has been locked in a power struggle since January 2019, when the now-ousted opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself acting president with the backing of the National Assembly following disputed elections the year before. The Trump administration recognized him as president, and Washington followed with a maximum-pressure campaign of sanctions on various sectors of the Venezuelan economy, including freezing its assets abroad. Former Colombian President Ivan Duque was a consistent U.S. ally in isolating Venezuela. But since taking office, Petro has reopened his country's border and reestablished ties with the Maduro regime. Geoff Ramsey, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council's Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center, said there is a consensus between the Biden and Petro administrations that Trump's maximum-pressure strategy has not worked "It's more of a question of using the pressure that we have, using the leverage that we have, which in this case means financial sanctions, to try to extract concessions from the Maduro regime," he told VOA. The Venezuelan government and opposition have also been engaging in talks sponsored by Norway that resumed in November after a deadlock in October 2021. Igor Cuotto, an expert on negotiation and conflict resolution based in Caracas, said Washington should continue supporting the Norwegian-led process to push the Venezuelan government to conduct a free and democratic election. "But in order to achieve that goal, they need to negotiate with those countries that are quite close to [the] Maduro government, for example, Mexico, Colombia and right now, Brazil," he told VOA. War on drugs Petro has been critical of Bogota's decades-long partnership with Washington on the forced eradication of coca, the base ingredient of cocaine, an approach he believes harms small farmers. He prefers to go after money launderers and large-scale drug traffickers. "We believe that the war on drugs has failed. These 50 years have shown an absolutely disastrous balance in numbers both here, in the United States, and in our Latin America," Petro told reporters Thursday. Petro's approach is a departure from the traditional counternarcotics collaboration under Plan Colombia, said Benjamin Gedan, director of the Wilson Center's Latin American Program. Plan Colombia refers to a 1999 U.S. military and diplomatic initiative aimed at combating drug cartels and left-wing insurgent groups in Colombia. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime reported that in 2021, Colombian land sown with coca increased by 43% to 204,000 hectares, and its potential cocaine output rose by 14% to 1,400 metric tons. "Nobody thinks that the counternarcotics strategy of the last decades has worked. I think everyone is open to new ideas and creative thinking," Gedan told VOA. "We'll see if Presidents Biden and Petro can see eye to eye on a new way forward." Petro said he will ask Biden to support his proposal for "total peace." The plan to end armed conflict in Colombia has faced major challenges, including last month's suspension of a cease-fire with the country's main drug trafficking cartel. A March report by the International Committee of the Red Cross showed that, while violence between the Colombian military and armed groups has dropped, more than 180,000 civilians were displaced in 2022. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address WFP warns Sudan fighting could plunge millions more into hunger World Food Programme 20 April 2023 ROME/KHARTOUM -- The explosion of violence in Sudan has the potential to plunge millions more into hunger. The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has been forced to call a temporary halt to operations providing life-saving food and cash assistance in a country where a third of the population already struggles to get enough food to eat. Record numbers of people were already facing hunger in Sudan before the conflict erupted on April 15. In 2023, WFP planned to support more than 7.6 million people. The ongoing fighting is preventing WFP from delivering critical emergency food, providing school meals for children, or preventing and treating malnutrition. WFP also cannot carry out its work to support farmers to boost agriculture productivity in a project that aims to more than double Sudan's annual wheat production, nor help people rebuild their livelihoods. Tragically, three WFP employees have lost their lives in the crossfire, while two others sustained severe injuries. WFP's staff, offices, vehicles, equipment, and food stocks have come in the direct line of fire. The UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS), managed by WFP on behalf of the international community, has been completely grounded. UNHAS flies to over 30 destinations in Sudan carrying around 26,000 passengers and light humanitarian cargo annually. One aircraft has been damaged beyond repair at Khartoum International Airport. Meanwhile at least ten vehicles and six food trucks have been stolen. WFP guesthouses, offices, and warehouses in Nyala, South Darfur have been overrun and looted, with the loss of up to 4,000 metric tons of food for hungry people. WFP calls on all parties to the conflict to take immediate steps to guarantee the safety of humanitarian workers and to protect humanitarian assets and premises in Sudan. WFP urges all parties to put an end to the fighting and come to an agreement that enables the continued delivery of vital food and humanitarian assistance. # # # The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russo-Ukraine War - 20 April 2023 - Day 421 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 18 April 2023, the Kremlin issued a press release on President Putin's visit to Russian-occupied southern Ukraine. Using the Russian spelling of Ukraine's Dnipro river, the release described the president as having visited the 'Dnipr Group of Forces'. This is one of the first references to the existence of a Dnipr Group of Forces (DGF). Russia uses the term 'group of forces' in a specific way, indicating a large, task-organised operational formation. Early in the invasion, the Russian force was organised into groups of forces each aligned to their home military districts in Russia, for example, the Western and Central Groups of Forces. The existence of an apparently new DGF suggest that the original force organisation has evolved, probably due to heavy losses. DGF's mission is likely to defend the southern sector of the occupied zone, and especially the south-western flank which is currently marked by the Dnipro river. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day, Russian forces launched 17x air strikes and conducted 33x MLRS attacks on Ukrainian settlements and positions of Ukrainian Defense Forces. The attacks caused casualties among civilian population. The threat of further missile and air strikes across Ukraine remains high. Russia concentrates main efforts on Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka, Mar'yinka and Shakhtars'ke axes - more than 40x Russian attacks were repelled. The fiercest battles are being fought for the city of Bakhmut. Volyn', Polissya, Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna axes: operational situation has not changed significantly. Certain units of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus remain in the areas bordering Ukraine. Certain units of Russian territorial troops undergo training in Belarus. Russia maintains enhanced military presence in its Bryansk, Kursk, and Belgorod oblasts bordering Ukraine. During the day, Russian forces shelled Yanzhulivka, Halaganivka, and Hremyachka (Chernihiv oblast); Stukalyvka and Pavlivka (Sumy oblast); Kozacha Lopan, Hoptivka, Neskuchne, and Khatne (Kharkiv oblast). Kup'yans'k axis: Krasne Pershe, Novomlynsk, Dvorichna, Zapadne, and Berestove (Kharkiv oblast) were subjects to artillery fire. Lyman axis: attempting to improve tactical situation, Russian forces conducted unsuccessful attacks in the vicinities of Serebryansk forestry. Stelmakhivka, Nevs'ke, Dibrova, and Biloghorivka (Luhansk oblast); Ivanivka, Verkhn'okam'yans'ke and Spirne (Donetsk oblast) came under artillery fire. Bakhmut axis: Russian forces continue to conduct offensive operations. The battle for Bakhmut continues. Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 22x Russian attacks. Vasyukivka, Minkivka, Zaliznyans'ke, Orihovo-Vasylivka, Novomarkove, Hryhorivka, Bakhmut, Ivanivs'ke, Oleksandro-Shultyne, Bila Hora, Druzhba, Zalizne, Nelipivka, and New York (Donetsk oblast) were shelled. Avdiivka axis: Russian forces conducted unsuccessful attacks in the vicinities of Kamianka, Pervomais'ke, and Nevels'ke (Donetsk oblast). Russian occupiers shelled Keramik, Stepove, Kamianka, Tonen'ke, Sjeverne, Karlivka, Pervomais'ke, and Nevels'ke. Mar'yinka axis: Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled numerous Russian attacks in the vicinities of Mar'yinka and Pobieda (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces shelled Krasnohorivka, Maksimilianivka, Heorghiivka, Mar'yinka, Pobieda, and Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast). Shakhtars'ke axis: during the day, Russian forces attempted to advance in the vicinities of Prechistivka and Vuhledar. All attacks have failed. Russian occupiers shelled Novoukrayinka, Velyka Novosilka, Zolota Niva, Prechistivka, and Vuhledar (Donetsk oblast). Zaporizhzhia and Kherson axes: Russia stays on the defensive. Russian occupiers shelled more than 40x settlements along the contact line, including Vremivka and Novopil' (Donetsk oblast); Chervone, Hulyaipole, Mala Tokmachka, and Orihiv (Zaporizhia oblast); Beryslav, Ivanivka, and Vesele (Kherson oblast), and the city of Kherson. Fearing leakage of information about their units, the Russian occupiers have reinforced counter-intelligence measures in several districts of Kherson oblast. They dispatch additional patrols and conduct frequent searches of local houses. At the same time, during such inspections, the Russian occupiers conduct surveys of citizens and offer them service in the armed forces of the Russian Federation. During the day, Ukrainian Air Force attacked 1x concentration of Russian troops, weapons and military equipment. Ukrainian missile and artillery troops attacked 3x Russian command posts. Military observer Boris Rozhin reports that Wagner PMCs made their way to the O-0506 road between Chasovy Yar and Khromovo, which supplies the garrison. In addition, today the columns of two units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU), moving along this segment, came under artillery strikes. The Rybar Telegram channel confirms the battles for the track and talks about the cleansing of the Transit Hotel, which moves the line of contact away from the railway station. To the west of the elevator, the Armed Forces of Ukraine unsuccessfully counterattacked. The Russian Defense Ministry, meanwhile, announces the suppression by airborne troops and artillery of Ukrainian attempts to transfer reserves along the flanks and attack them. During the day, aviation made ten sorties here, and the batteries completed 64 tasks, hitting targets in Stupochki, Ivanovsky, Bogdanovka, among other things. The situation in other directions Over the past 24 hours, the Armed Forces of Ukraine have lost about 625 servicemen, 9 armored vehicles, 2 pickup trucks, 5 tanks, 7 infantry fighting vehicles, a Gvozdika self-propelled gun, 2 D-30, M777 howitzers and 3 Msta-B, 6 vehicles, a rocket launcher " City". An ammunition depot of the Ukrainian 72nd brigade was destroyed near the village of Vodiane. At Pavlovka, Malinovka, Sinkovka, Timkovka, Rozovka, the activity of five sabotage groups was stopped. Three drones were intercepted. In total, Russian artillery and aviation hit 86 enemy artillery positions and 127 troop concentration areas in a day. Three command posts of the 25th and 116th brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were liquidated near Terny and Tonenkiy, and a blow was struck at the joint headquarters of the Bakhmut group in Konstantinovka. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Press Statement of DPRK Foreign Minister Korean Central News Agency of DPRK Pyongyang, April 21 (KCNA) -- Choe Son Hui, foreign minister of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea released a press statement on April 21. It reads: I clarify the following stand as regards the fact that G7 foreign ministers made public a "joint statement" full of extremely interventionist and improper contents, malignantly pulling up the DPRK over the legitimate exercise of its sovereignty. G7 has neither authority nor qualification to say this or that about the DPRK's exercise of its sovereignty and its national status. The measures the DPRK has so far taken to bolster up its military capabilities for self-defence constitute a just exercise of its sovereignty to deter threat from the unstable security environment caused by the reckless and provocative military maneuvers of the U.S. and its allies, defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country and control and manage the situation on the Korean peninsula in a stable way. We will continue to take action measures based on all legal rights granted to a sovereign state until the military threat posed by the U.S. and its allied forces hostile toward us is completely removed and the hostile surrounding environment harassing the independent existence and development of our country is put to a definite end. The DPRK's position as a nuclear weapons state is not a thing granted or recognized by anyone but was established along with the existence of the actual nuclear deterrence and fixed by the law on the state nuclear force policy adopted to the unanimous will of all the Korean people. G7 urges us to "completely and irreversibly dismantle our nukes", saying that the DPRK cannot have the status of a nuclear weapons state according to the NPT. This is just the most absurd and illegal interference in the internal affairs of the DPRK to force it into flouting its sacred state law. Explicitly speaking, it is the essence of the DPRK's access to nuclear weapons that it was compelled to have access to nukes literally to defend itself from the U.S. threat, not to be recognized by others. The position of the DPRK as a nuclear weapons state will remain as an undeniable and stark reality - no matter that the U.S. and the West would not recognize it for a hundred or a thousand years. It is anachronistic to think that the right to and capability for nuclear strike is exclusive to Washington. We will never seek any recognition and approval from anyone as we are satisfied with our access to the strength for a tit-for-tat strike against the U.S. nuclear threat. The U.S. and the West have no right to say this or that about the DPRK's position as a nuclear weapons state, and it will never change no matter what they say. What should change now is not the DPRK but the U.S., and the U.S. should bear in mind that its security can be guaranteed only when it completely roots out its hostile policy toward the DPRK. The position of the DPRK as a world-class nuclear power is final and irreversible. G7, a closed group of a handful of egoistic countries, does not represent the just international community but serves as a political tool for ensuring the U.S. hegemony. We make it clear that we don't have any interest in what G7 does but if it shows any behavioral attempt to infringe upon the sovereignty and fundamental interests of the DPRK, it will be completely deterred by strong counteraction. Taking this opportunity, I courteously remind the G7 foreign ministers once again that the DPRK is free from any NPT obligations as it legally withdrew from the treaty 20 years ago in accordance with the withdrawal procedures specified in Article 10 of NPT. -0- NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address IRGC Ground Force disbands terror cells, captures terrorists in Sistan and Baluchestan province Iran Press TV Thursday, 20 April 2023 2:50 PM Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Ground Force has managed to dismantle two foreign-backed terror cells and arrest as many terrorists during a string of operations in the country's southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan close to the border with Pakistan. The Quds Base of the IRGC Ground Force announced in a statement on Thursday that its forces had smashed a terror cell following a series of surveillance measures over the past few days. The statement added that Iranian forces detained two main members of the cell, and seized 154 rifles as well as a considerable amount of munitions as a result. The IRGC Ground Force dismantled another terrorist team during a separate operation in the same province, confiscating 70 assault rifles and arresting two people in connection with the case. Moreover, the Iranian forces captured two members of the so-called Jaish al-Adl terrorist group as they were trying to sneak through the border. They were handed over to judicial authorities. The Pakistan-based Jaish al-Adl has conducted several bomb attacks and kidnappings in southeastern Iran in a bid to disrupt the country's security. The terrorist group enjoys all-out backing of the United States and some Arab countries in the West Asia region. Sistan and Baluchestan province, which borders Pakistan, has witnessed several terror attacks targeting both civilians and security forces over the past years. Terrorist groups carrying out attacks against Iranian interests in southeastern and southwestern parts of the country have known links to a number of repressive regimes in the Persian Gulf region. Iran's security forces have invariably protected the border areas and managed to repel almost all terrorist attacks by foreign-backed anti-revolution elements across the country. Iranian intelligence forces arrest MKO member in central province Elsewhere in the central province of Yazd, Iranian forces have identified and arrested a member of the Mujahedin-e-Khalq Organization (MKO) terrorist group Prosecutor of Ardakan city, Ali Mohammad Dashtakian, said the unnamed terrorist was captured following joint efforts by Iranian intelligence and security units. He added that he was one of the key elements behind the recent violent riots in the city. Riots erupted in Iran in mid-September last year when 22-year-old woman Mahsa Amini died in a hospital in the capital Tehran, three days after she collapsed at a police station. An investigation later attributed Amini's death to her pre-existing medical condition, rather than alleged beatings by the police. The MKO has carried out numerous terrorist attacks against Iranian civilians and government officials over the past three decades. Out of the nearly 17,000 Iranians killed in terrorist attacks since the victory of Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution, about 12,000 have fallen victim to the acts of terror carried out by the MKO. The group was viewed by the EU as terrorist until January 2009, when the EU Council lifted the designation under immense pressure from political lobbies. The decision was followed by the United States in September 2012. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The DHQ says the terrorists were killed in various military operations across North-east, North-central and North-west regions of the country. The Defence Headquarters says troops of the armed forces have in the last two weeks rescued 468 kidnapped victims and eliminated 54 terrorists in various operations across the North-east, North-central and North-west regions. The Director, Defence Media Operations, Musa Danmadami, said this on Thursday in Abuja at the bi-weekly news conference on the operations of the armed forces. Mr Danmadami, a major general, said the troops also apprehended no fewer than 122 terrorists, bandits, their collaborators and other criminals across the zones within the period. He added that 30 of the rescued victims who were injured have been hospitalised while the remaining were reunited with their families. In the North-east, Mr Danmadami said troops of Operation Hadin Kai conducted operational activities at identified Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorist camps and enclaves at high grounds, villages and forests within the zone. He said the troops neutralised 24 terrorists, arrested 40 logistics suppliers including one female, four terrorists informants, and rescued 206 civilians. According to him, a total of 501 Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists and their families comprising 60 male adults, 176 female adults and 266 children surrendered to troops at different locations within the theatre of operation. "Troops also recovered 14 AK47 rifles, two AK49 rifles, one AK56 rifle, one GPMG, one RPG tube, one PK MG and two RPG bombs. "Also recovered were 732 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 77 rounds of 7.62mm special, 19 rounds of 7.62mm by 29mm special and 16 rounds of 7.62mm ball metal links ammo. "Also, 1,000 rounds of 7.62mm NATO (belted), 243 round of 7.62mm x 54mm special ammo, 89 rounds of 5.56mm by 45mm special, 16 AK47 magazines, seven dane guns and the sum of N103,505 only, as well as other sundry items, were recovered. "All recovered items, arrested Boko Haram/lSWAP terrorists, terrorists logistics suppliers, were handed over to the relevant authority for further action. "While the surrendered Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists and members of their families were profiled for further action. "The rescued civilians were given medical attention before being handed over to relevant authorities for further action," he said. In North-central, the defence spokesperson said the troops of Operations Safe Haven and Whirl Stoke apprehended 44 suspected criminals and rescued 252 civilians during the period. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Arms and Armies 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. He said the troops also recovered a cache of arms, 18 mobile phones, 38 railway sleepers amongst other sundry items. In the North-west, Danmadami said the troops of Operation Hadarin Daji neutralised 30 terrorists, arrested 33 others and rescued 10 kidnapped civilians. He said that the troops recovered 13 AK47 rifles, 16 AK47 magazines, 1,531 rounds of 7.62mm special, 886 rounds of 7.62mm NATO (belted) ammo, 139 rounds of 7.62mm special (tracer) ammo, and 30 rounds of empty cases of 7.62mm special. "Other items recovered include 87 Detonators, 33 rolls of detonator cables, 11 safety fuses, 43 main explosive chargers, 25 motorcycles, 21 mobile phones, boafeng radios, 887 rustled cattle, seven trucks and the sum of N230,900. "All recovered items, apprehended suspects and rescued civilians have been handed over to the appropriate authority for further action," he said. Iranians React After Supreme Leader Rejects Referendums By VOA Persian Service April 20, 2023 Iranian political experts and social media users have been criticizing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei after he ruled out holding popular referendums on state policies this week. Iran faced massive anti-government protests last year, prompting former President Hassan Rouhani to suggest holding referendums on domestic and foreign policies. Iran's supreme leader rejected the idea. He also said that he is against it because "not all people have the power to analyze the issue which is put to the referendum." Hamed Sheibani Rad, a political activist living in France, told VOA's Persian Service that "after 44 years, there has been no change" in the thinking that formed the Islamic Republic and "it can be seen in Khamenei's recent words about the people's incompetence for analyzing issues and making the right choice in the referendum." Sheibani Rad, the interim spokesman of the New Iran Party, emphasized: "The regime arising from the red and black philosophy has neither changed nor can it change, but it can be overthrown." Mahmoud Moradkhani, Khamenei's nephew, tweeted on Wednesday, "Referendum and elections are meaningful in Ali Khamenei's view only when he determines the result in advance." According to Moradkhani, who opposes the Islamic Republic, "Ali Khamenei says: Yes to appointments, never to elections!" Iran's presidential and parliamentary elections are overseen by clerical bodies. Under Iran's constitution, a referendum is only possible if two-thirds of parliament votes for it and a 12-member constitutional body approves. Some material is from The Associated Press. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Over 20,000 people flee as Myanmar's military raids Sagaing region villages Troops killed 5 People's Defense Force members during fierce fighting. By RFA Burmese 2023.04.20 -- More than 20,000 locals abandoned their villages in Sagaing region's Khin-U township as Myanmar's military intensified its offensive against local People's Defense Forces. The offensive comes just a week after the junta carried out an air strike on a village in Sagaing's Kanbalu township during the opening ceremony of a public administration building, killing an estimated 200 of the tract's 300 inhabitants. The region has been a hotspot of resistance to junta rule and the center of some of the worst fighting since the military seized power in a Feb. 1, 2021 coup. A column of around 100 troops staged a dawn raid on Myin Daung village on Wednesday, killing five defense force members, according to a PDF official who declined to be named. The defense force responded by detonating mines and exchanging gunfire with junta forces. A resident of nearby Aung Thar said that after the battle, the junta column shelled other villages in Khin-U township, destroying a monastery and burning down three houses in his village. He added that five men who were farming outside the village were taken by troops to act as human shields when they left Aung Thar village. A resident of Myin Daung, who also requested anonymity, said thousands of residents of nearby villages fled their homes "There are more than 10 villages to the south of Myin Daung with a population of about 18,000 people," the local said. "Along with the people leaving villages to the north there will be more than 20,000 people fleeing." A People's Defense Force member who also declined to give his name told RFA that 21 villages are now empty. RFA called Sagaing region junta spokesperson Aye Hlaing but no one answered. In October, the United Nations announced that at least 500,000 people have fled conflict in Sagaing since the coup. Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Mike Firn. Updated to include details of recent air strike in Sagaing, as well as U.N. estimates on the number of people displaced in the region since the coup. Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content April not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Meeting of the Council for Local Self-Government Development Vladimir Putin chaired a videoconference meeting of the Council for Local Self-Government Development. April 20, 2023 16:05 Novo-Ogaryovo, Moscow Region The agenda included municipal service's human resources potential, the spatial development of municipal entities and the specifics of local self-governments' work in the integrated public authority system. * * * Speech at a meeting of the Council for Local Self-Government Development President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon, colleagues, We are holding a meeting of our Council on the eve of Local Self-Government Day. I congratulate you on this holiday, and, of course, I congratulate all employees working in municipal entities of our huge country, in cities, districts, areas and communities. As they say in such cases, it is impossible to overstate the significance of your work because you are closer to the people than anyone else. In effect, they see you as key representatives of the entire public authority system. People turn to you with their needs and problems before anyone else. They expect you to quickly resolve these issues and to show an attentive and friendly attitude towards their initiatives and requests. I understand that you face many challenges in your work, and that the required financial resources are not always available. However, when concerned, dedicated, energetic, honest and decent people work at municipal entities, when they show sincere concern for the people, it becomes possible to effectively resolve problems that arise there. This approach to work is particularly important in the context of supporting the families of service personnel involved in the special military operation. Municipal entities and their employees have a special role to play here. It is necessary to know the needs and requirements of each such family, and I would like to emphasise this aspect. It is important to provide them with real assistance, so that our soldiers do not worry about their children, wives and parents. All regions set up municipal headquarters during the nationwide mutual assistance campaign We are Together. They facilitate cooperation between local government agencies and volunteer organisations that make a major contribution to supporting service personnel and their families. I would like to thank all those who have become actively involved in this work. I also know that there are many volunteers among the municipal community; these people have decided to go where the situation is the most difficult. They have shown an example of devotion to the Motherland and its interests, and they are now defending our historical territories, people, the residents of these territories who had fought for many years (I would like to emphasise this) for the right to be together with Russia and to be part of our common world. For many years, they lived in conditions that differed completely from those in Russia in terms of regional and municipal administration. You should therefore provide all the required assistance to your colleagues in a warm-hearted and caring manner, while integrating the new regions into the single public authority system of Russia. Colleagues, improving our citizens' wellbeing and quality of life is the fundamental priority of our joint work. As I have said, people often turn to local self-government bodies when they encounter everyday problems - and it is important for them that their issues be resolved promptly. It does not matter which level of authority is involved, municipal, regional or federal. I know that active discussion of the new draft law on the general principles of local self-government in the integrated public authority system continues. The Russian Association for the Development of Local Self-Government plays a key role in this discussion. During the discussion, we identified several priority issues. It is important to conduct an in-depth audit of municipal bodies' expenditure powers, review the scope of their responsibilities and assess the actual financial resources available for exercising such powers. It is also important to update the performance indicators of local self-government bodies, create and improve, on their basis, mechanisms to encourage the best leaders at the municipal level, support those who stimulate economic growth, attract investment and create favourable conditions for small and medium-sized businesses, and strengthen the tax base. I know that several regions already have certain positive experience. Of course, there is this positive experience and it could be scaled up to the entire country. It is very important to maintain a constructive feedback channel with the public. Municipal authorities must be in constant contact with local residents, listen to them carefully, hear their requests and respond to them quickly. Experience shows that digitalisation improves the quality and value of this feedback. By the way, at the previous meeting of this Council, we spoke about creating regional management centres. Today these centres operate across all regions, receiving positive feedback from the public. Certainly, this experience should be scaled up to the municipal level. But I want to stress that digitalisation itself will not replace personal contacts or meetings with people. Regular communication with the public is a crucial factor in improving mutual understanding and trust between citizens and local authorities. It is very important that people are directly involved in the decision-making process. We have many instruments for this. People are actively voting for priority improvement projects within the framework of the project on Creating a Comfortable Urban Environment. People's interest for participatory budgeting projects is growing. Rural residents can feel the effect of the implementation of the Comprehensive Development of Rural Territories project - at least I hope that many of them do. If this is not enough, and there is always more to be done with such issues, then we must continue working. Such projects and programmes help attract talented people, create new growth points, unite people, help them with self-fulfilment, promote their initiatives. To efficiently satisfy people's requirements, we need good personnel as a solid foundation of local governments, which is another important part of our work. We must ensure a modern comprehensive approach and update key training programmes and standards that are necessary in the sphere of municipal governance. They must be focused on practical matters and meet the demands of the times. For example, training in State and Municipal Governance can be not just a separate specialty but also an addition to sectoral professions. It is extremely important to make municipal service attractive for young, well educated, modern and enterprising young people. We are working on it. For example, we have launched a GosStart support programme for young civil servants. It includes a system of on-site training aimed at exchanging experience and improving professional competencies. I believe that we should consider additional incentives to attract young people and experts in various fields. High-quality retraining and advanced training of municipal employees is no less important. This means that it is necessary to meet the need for building leadership and project management skills. For this, the necessary infrastructure has already been created at the federal level, primarily the Academy of National Economy and Public Administration; the Russian Znaniye Society, which we revived several years ago and it functions effectively; and such educational venues as the Senezh Management Workshop and Mashuk Knowledge Centre. Similar organisations should come into being in all regions. Municipalities have a wealth of experience in addressing difficult tasks, and they can and must share it with colleagues who are ready to introduce it in their territories. As I said in this year's Address to the Federal Assembly, it is necessary to develop mechanisms of support for ambitious teams and practices. Let me also note that in dealing with personnel issues it is of great importance to show respect towards the employees who have completed years-long municipal service. They have amassed truly immense and invaluable experience that, of course, should be used in our everyday work. The existing control and supervisory practice is yet another topic that you have mentioned. We have been engaged in this activity in many areas, and much has been done in this sphere recently. For example, we have streamlined types of control, removed excessive requirements and introduced a moratorium on planned inspections. At the same time, all of us understand that oversight bodies' exactingness is often justified, because municipalities support the operations of high-risk organisations and there can and should be no connivance in this area. We are responsible for people's health and safety. But I also agree that the control and supervisory bodies, the prosecutors, should expand preventive practices. Their task, of course, is not to punish but to cooperate with municipal employees in eliminating problems and risk areas, or better yet - in preventing those risks and ensuring safety, comfort and high-quality services for people. Colleagues, it is very important to meet people's expectations in your challenging everyday work and guarantee an honest, just and considerate approach to each person. I will be pleased to hear your proposals. Let us get down to work. <...> NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US warns China of 'severe' consequences for helping Russia Iran Press TV Thursday, 20 April 2023 4:50 PM US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen says Washington seeks "constructive and fair" economic ties with China, while warning that the consequences would be "severe" if Beijing provided any material support or assistance to Russia in violation of US sanctions. Speaking at Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies, Yellen on Thursday listed the Biden administration's principal objectives for what she called an "essential" economic relationship between the world's two largest economies, Reuters reported. "Our relationship is clearly at a tense moment," said Yellen, who has said she still plans to visit Beijing to meet with her new Chinese economic counterparts. "My goal is to be clear and honest, to cut through the noise and speak to this essential relationship, based on sober realities." Yellen claimed the United States remained the world's largest and most dynamic economy, leading in areas ranging from wealth to technological innovation. She added that she believed a growing China was in the interest of both countries, as long as it followed global rules. "A growing China that plays by international rules is good for the United States and the world," Yellen said. "Both countries can benefit from healthy competition in the economic sphere. But healthy economic competition a where both sides benefit a is only sustainable if that competition is fair." At the same time, "safeguarding certain technologies from the PRC's military and security apparatus is of vital national interest," said the former Federal Reserve chief. "We will secure our national security interests and those of our allies and partners, and we will protect human rights," Yellen said. "We will clearly communicate to the PRC our concerns about its behavior." "We seek a healthy economic relationship with China: one that fosters growth and innovation in both countries," Yellen said. She called China's "no limits" partnership with Russia "a worrisome indication" and claimed that Beijing is not serious" about ending Russia's war against Ukraine. "It is essential that China and other countries do not provide Russia with material support or assistance with sanctions evasion," she said, warning that the consequences of any violations would be "severe." Tensions between Beijing and Washington are high, strained by the pandemic, the economy and other issues. China has rejected US assertions and said the US is fueling the conflict in Ukraine by sending weapons worth billions of dollars to Kiev. "The US has no right to dictate China-Russia relations, and we will never accept coercion and pressure from the US," Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told journalists. China says it is ready to boost cooperation with the Russian military in order to jointly uphold international justice, peace and security. Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Tan Kefei said China is a "builder of world peace" and a "contributor to global development." In contrast, he said the US uses its mammoth defense budget - which is the highest in the world - to "wage wars and create turmoil everywhere," thus making it "the biggest threat to world peace, security and stability." President Xi Jinping of China and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a summit in Moscow last month. China and Russia have agreed to expand trade, energy and political relations amid the West's increasingly adversarial approach over the war in Ukraine. Washington has become more vigilant about the relations between Beijing and Moscow ever since President Xi and Putin struck a "no limits" partnership in February 2022. China has blamed the United States and NATO for "provoking" Moscow over the Ukraine war and has condemned Western sanctions against Russia. Russia has also strongly backed China amid the recent tensions between Beijing and Washington over the US political and military interference in Taiwan. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 'Not Just Political, But Actually Absurd': Ex-Navalny Coordinator, Charged With Extremism, Discusses Her Trial In Interview From Jail By RFE/RL's Idel.Realities April 20, 2023 On April 19, imprisoned Russian opposition leader Aleksei Navalny testified by video link in the case of Lilia Chanysheva, the former head of Navalny's office in Bashkortostan, who is being tried in the regional capital, Ufa, for allegedly "creating and leading an extremist organization." For a few moments before the hearing opened, Chanysheva and Navalny were able to speak directly. When Chanysheva asked how Navalny was holding up after numerous stints in solitary confinement and other harassment he has said amounts to torture, Navalny brushed her off. "Don't think about me," Navalny said. "Think about the beautiful Russia of the future that we will achieve. Thanks to you and people like you, we will do this. You are a rock. I never doubted you, not for one second.... I am so happy I know you." "You have inspired a huge number of people, particularly women," Navalny continued. "Everything will be OK." Despite such assurances, Chanysheva is realistic about her closed-door trial and the prison term of up to 18 years that could lie ahead of her. "Since in Russia about 99.9 percent of cases end in conviction, I don't expect mine to be any exception," she said in an interview from jail with RFE/RL's Idel.Realities. "I hope I will be released before the term they give me ends and that all those who are guilty of my illegal imprisonment will be held responsible under the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation." RFE/RL was able to send written questions to Chanysheva and receive her responses through her lawyers. 'So The Public Wouldn't See' Chanysheva, 41, was arrested in Ufa on November 10, 2021. She was transferred to a pretrial detention jail in Moscow, where she was held for 453 days while the case against her was being assembled. Her case was originally investigated together with those of Navalny and his top colleagues, including Leonid Volkov, Ivan Zhdanov, and Lyubov Sobol. Later, Chanysheva was sent back to Ufa to be tried separately. In June 2021, President Vladimir Putin's government shut down Navalny's Anticorruption Foundation and his network of regional offices after designating them "extremist organizations." Chanysheva denies the accusations against her. In December 2021, the banned human rights organization Memorial added her to its list of political prisoners in Russia. In her comments to RFE/RL, Chanysheva described the case against her as "not only political, but actually absurd." Her trial is being held behind closed doors on the recommendation of the regional branch of the National Anti-Antiterrorism Committee, which told the court the trial would be covered "negatively" on the Internet, with calls for public demonstrations intended to intimidate the court and witnesses. "I believe they closed the trial so the media and the public wouldn't see the absurdity of the accusations or the absence of any evidence," she said. At a court session on March 22, one witness said in court that investigators had pressured her to testify against Chanysheva and tried to recruit her as an informant, Chanysheva's lawyer, Sergei Makarenko, said. The witness, whose identity RFE/RL chose not to disclose, said she was "ashamed" to testify. "I am just horrified that I was even summoned to the trial," the witness told RFE/RL. "I thought that I would manage to avoid that disgrace. I consider it torture of my conscience.... I know her as a decent person, and certainly I said at the trial that I consider the charges against her to be without grounds." Some of the witnesses against her, Chanysheva said, were former Navalny staffers from other regions of Russia whom she did not know previously. "I think they were told that if they don't admit to extremism in the activity of the offices, then they would get the same treatment as me: first held in custody and then given a long prison term," she said. "I don't believe these people were testifying sincerely." Flowers Through The Bars Chanysheva said she is being held alone in a cell without hot water but with a television constantly showing the state channels. She must sit in a cage during her meetings with her lawyers, she said. But she tries to look on the bright side. "The exercise yard is almost completely open to the sky, so you can see sky and sun," she said. "You can get some sun or walk in the fresh snow in the winter. In Moscow, there was a cover...so that all year you walked around in shade, often with artificial light." "In the meeting rooms, the windows aren't painted over," she added, "and in the corridors of the women's wing you can see Ufa through the windows. In Moscow, the windows were way up by the ceiling, and you couldn't see anything." On March 23, Chanysheva was allowed a one-hour visit from her husband, Almaz Gatin. "One year, four months, and 10 days after Putin and his ilk separated me from my loved ones," she wrote on Telegram the same day, "we spoke by telephone through glass and bars.... In Moscow, visits last two or three hours, but in Ufa, it is strictly just one.... But I am happy! I was able to talk to a strong, wise, and loving man, my husband, for an hour. Love one another and treasure every hour that you are together." Since then, she has been allowed to see her brother and parents as well. Her parents, she said, came together and had to share one telephone receiver. "My husband and brother brought flowers," she recalled. "Although they were not allowed to give them to me, it was nice to see them." 'I Believe In People' Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Chanysheva said, has ushered in "an era of hatred, not only toward Ukrainians but toward one's own people." "It is an era of the destruction of our country for the sake of the personal ambitions of a few powerful people in government," she said. "And I think it will continue at least until the war in Ukraine is ended." The war, she added, causes her "shame, pain, anger, and sadness." "I think we have an even more difficult future ahead of us than we had before all these events," she said. "I also think the guilty will be held legally accountable. Russia is not North Korea, and the Soviet Union is not coming back. The world has changed, and a new generation is coming up in our country. They can't keep everyone afraid forever." "No matter what," she added, "I believe in people. Even more now than a year ago." Adapted by RFE/RL's Robert Coalson based on reporting by RFE/RL's Idel.Realities Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ex-navalny-coordinator- trial-extremism-jail-russia/32372376.html Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address EU Parliament Demands Russia Release Kara-Murza, Navalny, Other 'Political Prisoners' By RFE/RL April 20, 2023 The European Parliament has passed a resolution condemning the "politically motivated conviction" of Kremlin critic Vladimir Kara-Murza and the continued imprisonment of opposition politician Aleksei Navalny. Members "strongly condemn this politically motivated conviction [of Kara-Murza and demand his immediate and unconditional release," the resolution approved on April 20 states. "They make the same demand for Russian opposition activist and 2021 Sakharov Prize laureate Aleksei Navalny, who remains incarcerated..., as well as all other political prisoners in Russia." The parliament members "denounce the escalation of human rights violations by the Russian regime and condemn the ongoing crackdown on government critics, human rights defenders, and independent journalists in the country," it added. "Due to this, Parliament calls on the UN Human Rights Council to conduct an immediate investigation into the acts of inhuman imprisonment, torture, and murder of political opponents in Russia." After Kara-Murza's initial arrest on a charge of spreading "false information" about Russia's armed forces, Russian authorities in August added the charge of involvement in an "undesirable" foreign organization, and in October they added the treason charge for Kara-Murza's public criticism of the Russian authorities in the international arena. He was sentenced to 18 years for treason, seven years for spreading of false information, and three years for participating in the actions of an "undesirable" organization. Some of the sentences will run concurrently. Kara-Murza is the latest in a string of opposition activists, reporters, and others who have been arrested and prosecuted under tightened 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. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-eu-parliament-kara- murza-navalny/32372576.html Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Countries Joining NATO Face Security Risks Including Nuclear - Russian Envoy to Canada Sputnik News 20230420 WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - Nations joining the NATO bloc will face increased security risks, including nuclear, Russian Ambassador to Canada Oleg Stepanov told Sputnik on Thursday. "For as soon as anyone joins the bloc that declared itself nuclear and adversarial to Russia, such a decision entails, besides perceived benefits, all the risks associated with the membership," Stepanov stated. "Once again, just to be clear: when you are not in the nuclear bloc, you are safe. When you join it, you become yet another target. We cannot believe that the alliance, including our Finnish neighbors, does not understand this truism. It's as plain as day." Stepanov stressed this is not a threatening or belligerent position on the part of Russia, it's just business. "Military one in this case," he added. "Certainly, it's up to the constituents of Finland, Sweden and other nations aspiring to join NATO to decide. Just keep in mind: the closer you are to the big guys with the big guns, the more you will have to play by their rules. It would be naAve to hope that you will not be injured in the O.K. Corral gunfight even if you do not have a gun (the nukes, in this case)." Finland became the 31st NATO member on April 4, after its bid was finally ratified by all members of the alliance. Stepanov noted that Canada was the first not only to ratify the Washington Treaty, but also to extend its support for Finland's application. Stepanov went on to say the bloc was formed for Washington "to dominate large swaths of European land to service American interests." Stepanov also pointed out that while the CBC article published on April 7 alleged that the Russian Embassy in Ottawa was nuclear sabre-rattling amid Finland's NATO accession, the mission's message was a factual statement based on further assumptions. "During the Cold War, the alliance used to be an institution countering the USSR and the Warsaw Pact. But long after the dissolution of the Pact and the Soviet Union, the NATO is still alive and kicking," the envoy said. "And has always been very transparent about its main adversary - USSR then, Russia now." "In addition, with the nowadays' Chinese variable in the security equation, NATO is projecting its reach beyond the territory of its European members, probing of expanding further to the Asia Pacific and elsewhere," he added. "This is a dangerous game." Stepanov underscored that NATO's key strategic documents and latest summits declared it will continue being a "nuclear alliance" so long as the organization and nuclear weapons exist. The Russian envoy also pointed out that the United States has stationed nuclear bombs in Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Turkey, while consecutive American administrations during strategic stability talks with Russia have refused to even discuss the possibility of withdrawing US tactical nukes back to its national territory. Stepanov continued to say that Washington has been surveying the Eastern European theatre for decades, and thus "bluntly" violated the letter and spirit of the Non-Proliferation Treaty by training crews from non-nuclear European nations to employ nuclear weapons against Russia while also enlarging the officially declared nuclear alliance directly to the Russian borders. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Kremlin: Nuclear Arsenals of France, UK De Facto Under Control of US Sputnik News 20230420 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The nuclear arsenals of France and the United Kingdom are de facto under the control of the United States, and in this regard, the reduction of nuclear potential of Russia and the United States should be discussed taking this factor into account, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday. "From our point of view, of course, the nuclear arsenals of both France and the United Kingdom are de facto under the control of the United States, therefore, if we talk with the US, then talking without taking into account these two arsenals is absolutely meaningless," Peskov told reporters, commenting on Legendre's statement. On Wednesday, French Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Anne-Claire Legendre said that Paris could join possible negotiations on strategic arms control only if Russia and the US significantly reduce their nuclear arsenals to the level of the French ones. Kiev's statement alleging that it was not Russian President Vladimir Putin who visited the special military operation zone earlier this week, but his double, is very strange, Dmitry Peskov said. "[I would] call it very strange," Peskov told reporters when asked how he would call the statement. Peskov said that the Kremlin has no assessments of the prospects of Ukraine joining NATO in connection with Stoltenberg's visit to Kiev and added that preventing Ukraine's accession to NATO remains one of the goals of the special operation. Putin visited the zone of the special military operation on Monday. He listened to the reports of the military leaders on the situation in the Kherson, Zaporozhye and Lugansk directions, as well as congratulated the military personnel on Easter. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address EU Reportedly Believes Bloc 'Done' With New Sanctions Against Russia Sputnik News 20230420 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The EU believes that it is "done" with new sanctions against Russia because if there are even more of them, there will be more exceptions to them than restrictions, British daily newspaper reported on Thursday, citing a senior EU official. Many officials admit that the sectors of the Russian economy not affected by sanctions are vital for a number of EU countries, so measures against them will be vetoed, the newspaper added. According to officials working on the preparation of the next package of sanctions, new EU measures against Moscow are likely to be limited to expanding the list of persons and measures to tighten existing sanctions, "by closing loopholes." After the start of Russia's special military operation in Ukraine in February 2022, the West, including the EU, rolled out a massive sanctions campaign against Moscow. To date, the bloc has already adopted 10 sanctions packages. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Moscow strongly condemns Washington's foreign policy for intimidation of other countries Iran Press TV Friday, 21 April 2023 3:13 AM Russia has slammed the United States, saying the "only method" the US uses to reach its objectives in international relations is coercion. To "dictate, blackmail, threats, sanctions" and other coercive means are the "only method" used by Washington to implement its foreign policy, the Russian foreign minister said on Thursday. Sergey Lavrov, who is on a tour of Latin America, said at a news conference in Cuba's capital city of Havana that the US political leadership has declared a "crusade" against Russia and is using Ukraine as the "spearhead of attack" against the Russian nation. The top Russian diplomat said that during his tour across Latin America, he discussed with leaders and top diplomats the necessity to create a unified front against the US-led Western attempts to rule the world. "If anyone had any doubts, the last couple of years have proved that the only method that the US uses in its international relations is to dictate, blackmail, threats, and sanctions," he pointed out, blasting the US for trying to impose "its will on the world." Russia, along with Cuba and other countries, have initiated "collective efforts" to counter such policies and to build a just foundation for international relations based on the implementation of the UN Charter, and above all, on the principle of sovereign equality of states. The island nation, which for decades has been Moscow's close ally, is under strict US economic sanctions. Since the 1960s, Havana joined the bloc of socialist countries led by the then Soviet Union. Russia and Cuba have maintained an extensive relationship and Havana has been receiving many vital imports from Moscow, including fertilizers, industrial equipment, spare parts and, above all, oil. Moscow, along with Caracas, is one of Cuba's suppliers of oil, sending an undetermined amount to the island, which is undergoing a severe energy crisis. Also, since two weeks ago, Cuban banks began to accept payments with MIR cards, which are operated by the state-owned Russian National Card Payment System, a payment system based in Russia that allows Russian tourists to make cash withdrawals and convert rubles to Cuban pesos. The cards are accepted in other partner countries of Russia, including Turkey and Vietnam, as well. About the possibility of creating a common currency as suggested by Brazilian President Lula da Silva among BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) countries, the diplomat said Russia will cooperate with the idea "with interest." The official pointed out that the BRICS countries had already agreed to decrease their use of the US dollar currency in mutual payments long ago, adding that many countries realize the necessity to create an alternative to dollar, although the transition cannot be quick. In regard to the need to establish more flights between Russia and Latin America, Lavrov said that planning in this field was up to airlines to decide about the necessity to organize regular flights between countries and that the Russian Foreign Ministry, for its part, is interested to have more connections with the states of the region. Lavrov said that US-Russia relations had dropped to the lowest diplomatic level, noting that interactions between the two countries were now limited to irregular contacts. "We only discuss, out of necessity, the problems that arise in the work of our embassies and the abuses that the US is trying to commit as a host country of the UN," the top Russia diplomat explained. Asked about the decision of several European countries to close their markets to Ukraine's agricultural products, Lavrov said it proves the commercial, not a humanitarian character of the UN-mediated grain deal. "When Ukrainian grain, bypassing all phytosanitary requirements, at zero tariffs, invades the European market at dumping prices, of course, this leads to huge losses for European producers," he noted. The minister said that instead of compensation, as suggested by the European Commission, it would be "more honest" for Europe to buy the Ukrainian grain at cheap prices and send it for free to countries, which need food. "Considering that the initiative of the (UN) Secretary-General (Antonio Guterres) suggests deliveries to poor countries, we began to insist that Ukrainian vessels provide data on where exactly they are taking grain. The goal is absolutely clear a to make ships going to poor countries a priority. "The Ukrainian members of the inspection group tried to prevent the provision of information. This raises questions about the true purpose of those who insisted on making a deal," he stressed. Lavrov said that practically nothing has been done for the implementation of the Russian part of the deal and that the UN, in response to all reminders of Moscow, says "the UN employees are trying and will continue to try to make some progress." "One of these days, the initiative will be in effect for nine months, and they are still 'trying.' It is hard to understand," he said. He added that outside of the deal, Russia finds a way the export its agricultural products and fertilizers despite existing problems. The UN, Russia, Ukraine and Turkey signed a deal in Istanbul last July to resume grain exports from three Ukrainian Black Sea ports, which were paused after the Russia-Ukraine war began in February 2022. A Joint Coordination Center with officials from the three countries and the UN was set up in Istanbul to oversee the shipments. In the meantime, Lavrov's visit to Cuba had been the last leg of Russia's top diplomat's Latin American tour that took him to Brazil, Nicaragua and Venezuela. During his tour, Lavrov called on like-minded countries to join forces against the "blackmail" of Western sanctions. "It is necessary to join forces to counter the attempts of blackmail and illegal unilateral pressure of the West," Lavrov said at a joint press conference on Tuesday in Caracas with his Venezuelan counterpart Yvan Gil. At the news conference, Lavrov condemned the brutal US sanctions long imposed against independent Latin American nations such as Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua. The Russian official pledged full support for Caracas to help its economy become independent "from the pressures of the United States and other Western actors." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address A Magistrate's Court in Abuja, on Thursday, ordered that a member of the 'Obi-dient' political movement, Obiajulu Ujah, who caused a stir at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja a few weeks ago, be remanded for one month medical observation at the Kuje Correctional Centre to enable medical experts determine his mental status. LEADERSHIP reports that Ujah recently caused commotion on an Abuja-Lagos bound Ibom Air flight when he threatened that President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, would not be sworn-in on May 29. He was subsequently de-boarded and handed over to the Airport security. He was later arraigned in court. While at the prison, the court ordered that Ujah, who was put on trial for a criminal charge marked CR/08/23 by the FCT Commissioner of Police, be carefully examined by medical personnel and in writing, give the court, report of the state of the mind of the defendant. Magistrate Abdulazeel Ismail Muhammed of the Magistrate Court issued the order in Zuba Magisterial District where Ujah is facing criminal trial. In his ruling on the mental state of the defendant, Magistrate Muhammed said: "Having carefully considered, examined and scrutinised the Medical Report before me, dated 17th day of April, 2023 and signed by Dr. Olusegun Shoyombo, Consultant Psychiatrist. I am of the considered opinion that the defendant in the instant case, cannot defend himself. "In the light of this, and having found that the defendant requires urgent medical attention. In the interest of justice, I hereby invoke the Provision of Section 278(3) & (4) ACJA, 2015 which provides thus; 'Where the Court is not satisfied that the defendant is capable of making his defence, the Court shall adjourn the trial or proceedings and shall remand the person for a period not exceeding 1 month to be detained for observation in some suitable place. "A defendant detained in accordance with subsection (3) of this section shall be kept under observation by a medical officer during the period of his remand and before the expiration of that period, the medical officer shall: "Give to the court his opinion in writing as to the state of mind of that person; and "Where he is unable within the period to form any definite opinion, he shall so certify to the court and ask for a further remand and such further remand may extend to a period of 3 months. "It is my considered opinion in the instant case, that remanding the defendant for observation in a suitable place with requisite multidisciplinary medical care and medical personnel, will promote and guarantee the interest of justice and fundamental right of the defendant guaranteed under Chapter Four of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended in 2018. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Legal Affairs 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. "From all these, and the need to prevent the risk of jumping medical treatment and having found that, Kuje Correctional Facility has the required and requisite medical personnel. I hereby order that, the defendant be remanded for medical observation for 1 month, at Kuje correctional facility." The Magistrate said that the medical personnel shall accord the defendant the requisite medical treatment, at the expense of Federal Government of Nigeria. He also ordered that the medical officer shall provide to the court his opinion in writing as to the state of mind of the defendant, during the period of his remand and before the expiration of that period. US Does Not Believe Syria Deserves Readmission to Arab League at This Time, State Dept. Says Sputnik News 20230420 WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The United States does not believe that Syria deserves readmittance to the League of Arab States at this time, State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said on Thursday. "We do not believe that Syria merits readmission to the Arab League at this time," Patel said during a press briefing. The US will not normalize relations with the Assad government absent "authentic progress" towards a solution to the conflict in the country, Patel said. The US stresses to regional partners engaged with the Syrian government that their engagement should focus on improving humanitarian conditions in the country, Patel said. Earlier this week, Syrian President Bashar Assad met with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud in Damascus to discuss ways to resolve the conflict in Syria and achieve normalization of relations between Syria and the Arab world. Last week, foreign ministers from six member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council, as well as Egypt, Iraq and Jordan, met in Jeddah to discuss the possible return of Syria to the Arab League after its membership was suspended in 2011 due to the outbreak of civil war in the country. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Is the Taiwan Strait open to international vessels under international law? Verdict: True By Li Tong 2023.04.20 In Brief On April 16, the guided-missile destroyer USS Milius sailed through the Taiwan Strait, sparking an outcry from mainland China and the People's Liberation Army. The U.S. military, however, said the move was "consistent with international law," and that the Milius had "asserted navigational rights and freedoms" in order to uphold "the rights, freedoms, and lawful uses of the sea." China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has in the past stated that international law does not employ the term "international waters," and that China opposes the use of such terms "to manipulate issues related to Taiwan while threatening China's sovereignty and security." Asia Fact Check Lab (AFCL) found China's statements to be misleading. The United Nations has applicable agreements that clearly define "international waters" and under which international ships and planes are allowed to freely pass through parts of the Taiwan Strait that lie outside a 24-nautical mile zone from any coastline. In Depth The U.S. Navy's Seventh Fleet issued a statement after the USS Milius passed through the Taiwan Strait, saying that the ship had "asserted navigational rights and freedoms in the South China Sea near the Spratly Islands, consistent with international law," and noting that the area the Milus passed through "lies outside the territorial waters of any coastal state." China's military spokesman Sr. Col. Shi Yi criticized the United States for "openly publicizing" the USS Milius' actions, stating: "The PLA's Eastern Theater has organized troops to closely monitor the course of the U.S. ship" and that its forces wer "on constant high alert to defend China's sovereignty, national security and regional peace." MFA spokesman Wang Wenbin said at a press conference on April 17 that the U.S. decision to send the Milius through the strait was a show of force that threatened China's security and undermined regional stability. Wang responded to similar American claims regarding freedom of navigation and overflight on the high seas at a press conference in June 2022 by emphasizing that all of the Taiwan Strait was under China's jurisdiction. Wang said at the time that according to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and Chinese laws, "the waters of the Taiwan Strait, extending from both shores toward the middle of the strait, are divided into several zones including internal waters, territorial sea, contiguous zone, and the Exclusive Economic Zone. China has sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the Taiwan Strait..." "There is no legal basis of 'international waters' in the international law of the sea. It is a false claim when certain countries call the Taiwan Strait 'international waters' in order to find a pretext for manipulating issues related to Taiwan and threatening China's sovereignty and security." Is there an agreed upon definition of "international waters"? Yes. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea is an international agreement on maritime law, which stipulates that every country's "territorial waters" extend 12 nautical miles from their respective coasts. In these waters, a country enjoys full jurisdiction. A further 12 nautical miles beyond that is considered a "contiguous zone," where they reserve the right to prevent and punish infringement of domestic laws. Both zones are open to ships simply seeking to pass through on their way to other destinations, claiming so-called "innocent passage," and both are closed to any vessel which threatens the security and interests of the respective nation. Beyond the 24 contiguous nautical miles, UNESCO allows for a country to claim an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of up to 200 nautical miles (370 kms) from its coastline. Within the EEZ, a country has "sovereign rights for the purpose of exploring and exploiting, conserving and managing the natural resources." Song Chengen, a Taiwanese international scholar of law, notes that the phrase "international waters" carries a precise legal meaning in disputes concerning navigation rights and territorial jurisdiction, referring to all waters not designated as territorial. Because countries cannot limit freedom of navigation or overflight within the EEZ, this zone is therefore international waters. Is part of the strait considered international waters under UNCLOS? Yes. The Taiwan Strait is about 220 nautical miles (410 km) at its widest and 70 nautical miles (130 km) at its narrowest points. Even accounting for China's and Taiwan's separate claims of territorial waters and contiguous zones, a wide strip of water still lies outside each claimants' allotted space. Therefore, terming this strip freely navigable international waters stands in line with the U.N. convention. Under UNCLOS, could China block international ships from passing through the strip of international water in the strait? No, it could not. Article 58 of UNCLOS explicitly permits other countries to enjoy the right of free navigation and overflight within the EEZ. Song Chengen notes that while a country enjoys economic privileges in an EEZ within its jurisdiction, the country cannot interfere with the free passage of ships through the zone itself. Lin Ting-hui, deputy secretary-general of the Taiwan Institute of International Law, said that China's claim need not solely rely on an interpretation of the U.N. convention. Do the United States and Taiwan adhere to definitions of international water similar to UNCLOS? Yes. While never endorsing the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, U.S. law defines territorial waters and contiguous waters in a manner consistent with the UN Convention. The U.S. Navy and Marines abide by the domestically issued Handbook for American Commander's Movement on the Seas, first issued in 1900 and last revised in 2022. Similar to the UN Convention, the latest revision of the Handbook maintains that all waters outside 24 nautical miles of a country's coastline are freely navigable international waters. The report then specifically mentions the Soya, Osumi, Miyako and Taiwan straits as open to international traffic. In June 2022, while responding to media inquiries about the Taiwan Strait's exact legal status, State Department spokesperson Ned Price said, "The Taiwan Strait is an international waterway, meaning that the Taiwan Strait is an area where high-seas freedoms, including freedom of navigation and overflight, are guaranteed under international law." Taiwan also shares a similar definition of international waters, with its National Academy for Educational Research - the country's official source for technical terminology - defining "international waters" as "any waters which abide by the principle of open seas, for example: contiguous zones, exclusive economic zones or open seas." The term is widely used ranging across such fields as shipbuilding, geography, machinery and maritime shipping. Conclusion AFCL found that regardless of whether one views the Mainland and Taiwan as independent political entities or as a single sovereign state, international maritime law dictates that the strait is wide enough to be used freely by all international vessels and aircrafts. Translated by Shen Ke. Edited by Malcolm Foster. Asia Fact Check Lab (AFCL) is a new branch of RFA established to counter disinformation in today's complex media environment. Our journalists publish both daily and special reports that aim to sharpen and deepen our readers' understanding of public issues. Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content April not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address April 20, 2023 By Jim Garamone , DOD News Stoltenberg Visits Kyiv, Says 'NATO Stands With Ukraine' NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg visited the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, today, and his very presence in embattled Ukraine sent the message to the people of the country that "NATO stands with Ukraine," he said. Stoltenberg met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and toured the city, seeing burned out Russian tanks and armored personnel carriers, bombed buildings and the resilience of the Ukrainian people. "Let me be clear: Ukraine's rightful place is in the Euro-Atlantic family," the secretary general said. "Ukraine's rightful place is in NATO, and over time, our support will help you make this possible." Stoltenberg praised Zelenskyy's personal leadership and said the courage of Ukraine's armed forces and the resilience of the Ukrainian people have inspired all. The NATO leader also visited the city of Bucha a the scene of Russian atrocities in the early days of Russian President Vladimir Putin's war of choice against Ukraine. "Russian atrocities continue against the Ukrainian people today, and those responsible must be held to account," he said. He told the president that NATO will stand with Ukraine. "We stood by you after Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014," he said. "We stand by you today in your heroic fight against the Russian invaders and in defense of your country. And we will stand by you tomorrow as you rebuild and work toward a brighter future for the Ukrainian people." NATO allies have provided training for tens of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers, and since March 2022, they have also delivered more than 150 billion euros in support, including 65 billion euros in military aid. "This has enabled your troops to force Russia out of Kyiv, Kherson and Kharkiv," Stoltenberg said. "The allies are now delivering more jets, tanks and armored vehicles, and NATO's Ukraine Fund is providing urgent support, including medical supplies, mobile satellite systems and pontoon bridges." Russia could end this unjust war any time it wants. "We do not know when this war will end, but we know that Russian aggression is a toxic pattern that must be stopped," Stoltenberg said. The secretary general will travel to Ramstein Air Base, Germany. tomorrow for a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group. More than 50 nations will work on how to strengthen Ukraine further. "At the meeting in Ramstein tomorrow, I expect that NATO allies and partners will make new announcements of concrete military support to Ukraine, and that, of course, will come on top of the unprecedented support ... which has all been delivered," he said. Aiding Ukraine is the morally right thing to do, Stoltenberg said. It is also in the best interests of the nations of Europe and the globe. "If President Putin wins, it will make the world more dangerous and us more vulnerable because then the message is that when authoritarian powers, like Russia, like President Putin, uses force, they get what they want. So, it's in the security interest of NATO allies to support Ukraine." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine joins the EU Civil Protection Mechanism European Commission Press release 20 April 2023 Brussels Today, Ukraine becomes a Participating State of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism - the European solidarity framework that helps countries overwhelmed by a disaster. Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarcic, is today in Kyiv to officially sign an agreement on behalf of the European Union granting Ukraine full membership of the Mechanism. During his visit, he will participate in the International Summit of Cities and Regions in Kyiv with President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy; Deputy Prime Minister, Olha Stefanishyna; Minister of Internal Affairs, Ihor Klymenko; and Head of Emergency Service, Serhiy Kruk. The EU Civil Protection Mechanism has channelled emergency assistance to Ukraine from across Europe since the onset of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine in February 2022. In its largest and longest running operation, more than 88,000 tonnes of life-saving equipment, food, and medicines, have been sent to Ukraine via the Mechanism. Most recently, more than 1,000 power generators fully financed by the EU were mobilised to Ukraine from the strategic rescEU energy reserves. Now, by being a full member, Ukraine will also be able to dispatch aid via the Mechanism at a time another country finds itself in a crisis. Today the EU is also allocating a further 55 million[1] in humanitarian funding to Ukraine on top of the 145 million already provided earlier this year. This new humanitarian funding will focus on preparing for next winter. Background When an emergency overwhelms the response capabilities of a country in Europe and beyond, it can request assistance through the Mechanism. The European Commission plays a key role in coordinating the disaster response worldwide. Since its inception in 2001, the EU Civil Protection Mechanism has been activated for more than 600 emergencies and crises inside and outside the EU. The EU Civil Protection Mechanism aims to strengthen cooperation between the 27 EU countries and now 9 Participating States (Iceland, Norway, Serbia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Turkiye, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, and most recently Ukraine) on civil protection to improve prevention, preparedness, and response to disasters. A joint approach further helps pool expertise and capacities of first responders, avoids duplication of relief efforts, and ensures that assistance meets the needs of those affected. Pooling together civil protection capacities and capabilities allows for a stronger and more coherent collective response. The Mechanism also helps coordinate disaster preparedness and prevention activities of national authorities and contributes to the exchange of best practices. This facilitates the continuous development of higher common standards enabling teams to understand different approaches better and work interchangeably when a disaster strikes. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the EU has allocated in total of 685 million in humanitarian aid to Ukraine, including today's 55 million top-up that has been requested by the European Commission and currently under adoption by the EU's Budgetary Authority. EU-funded humanitarian assistance is provided in line with the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence. It is delivered through the UN humanitarian agencies, non-governmental organisations and the International Committee of the Red Cross. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Netherlands to purchase Leopard 2 tanks for Ukraine Netherlands Ministry of Defence 20-04-2023 Together with Denmark, the Netherlands is to purchase 14 Leopard 2 A4 tanks for Ukraine. These main battle tanks will be delivered to Ukraine as soon as possible, after first undergoing an overhaul. Delivery of the tanks is expected to take place in 2024. The Netherlands is part of the international tank coalition established to provide Ukraine with modern battle tanks. The Netherlands previously purchased Leopard 1 tanks for Ukraine, together with Denmark and Germany. Russia continues to attack Ukrainian territory. In a statement, Netherlands Minister of Defence Kajsa Ollongren said that the people of Ukraine are continuing their fight against the Russian aggressor and that their determination is a strong motivation for the Netherlands to continue its unwavering provision of military support. She went on to say that Ukrainian and European security are inextricably linked. Major fire power Having the Leopard 2 A4 main battle tank at its disposal will give Ukraine superiority on the battlefield, due to the tank's major fire power, high level of protection and speed. Over the last few weeks, the Ukrainian armed forces have already demonstrated that they are able to master the skills needed to operate the tank in a short amount of time. The Netherlands and Denmark will share the costs for the purchase of the Leopard 2 A4 tanks. These costs amount to approximately a165 million. In addition, the Netherlands will contribute to two initiatives aimed at the joint purchase of 155mm artillery ammunition. The first is a a130 million contribution to the European Defence Agency (EDA), while another a130 million will go to the German initiative for the joint purchase of equipment. By combining orders, it is possible to achieve economies of scale and make the purchasing process more effective and efficient. This all contributes to the sustainment capability of Ukraine. Meeting Defence ministers The Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) will convene again on Friday in the German city of Ramstein. At the meeting, Defence ministers from over 50 countries will discuss the coordination of military support to Ukraine. Danish - Dutch joint statement on donation of Leopard 2 main battle tanks to Ukraine Ministers of Defense of the Netherlands and Denmark The ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine must be met with resolve and further commitment of military support by allies and partners to bolster Ukraine in their heroic resistance against the illegal and unprovoked Russian invasion. We fully support Ukraine's efforts to defend itself and reclaim its territorial integrity. The Netherlands and Denmark today announce our intention to jointly acquire, refurbish and donate 14 Leopard 2A4 tanks for Ukraine following our successful collaboration with Germany on the supply of at least 100 Leopard 1A5 tanks. The Leopard 2 tanks will be supplied to Ukraine from early 2024, as part of our long-term commitment to Ukraine. The estimated cost of 165 million euros will be equally divided between our nations. In this way, we will jointly take part in the 'Leopard 2 coalition', supported by many partners and allies. Our two nations will continue to explore other possible areas for joint procurement of additional capabilities with the aim of supporting Ukraine. We are determined to support Ukraine for as long as it takes. Ukraine must be able to defend itself against Russia's invasion. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Zelensky asks for more weapons as NATO chief visits Kiev Iran Press TV Thursday, 20 April 2023 10:11 PM Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has asked the visiting North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Secretary General to help Kiev gain access to more weapons to continue its war against Russia. Zelensky told Jens Stoltenberg, who on Thursday made his first visit to Kiev, that Ukraine needed more weapons to fight Russia. The Ukrainian politician also told Stoltenberg that it was time for NATO to offer the eastern European country membership in the US-led Western military bloc. For his part, Stoltenberg claimed Ukraine's rightful place was in the Western military alliance and that membership and security guarantees for Ukraine would be high on the agenda of NATO's summit in July. "Ukraine's rightful place is in the Euro-Atlantic family. Ukraine's rightful place is in NATO," Stoltenberg said at a joint press conference with Zelensky. Stoltenberg added that, over time, the support of member states "will help make this possible". Stoltenberg mentioned an initiative that will help Ukraine transition from Soviet-era equipment and doctrines to NATO standards and values, reflecting "the Alliance's long-term commitment to Ukraine." NATO members have already given full support to Kiev since the war broke out in February 2022. The West has given all-out support to Kiev by providing Ukraine with tens of billions of dollars worth of weapons and munitions to fight Russia while vowing to provide more support. Despite the entire West's backing, Washington has serious concerns about Ukraine's capacity to fight Russia. In the meantime, Russia sees Ukraine's NATO membership as a red line for Moscow. Russia has more than once protested against the former Soviet state joining the Western military alliance, reiterating Moscow's opposition to NATO's expansion as a clear threat to the Russian nation. At one of his press conferences, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov explained that one of Moscow's objectives for launching its special military operation in eastern Ukraine was to prevent Kiev from joining NATO. Peskov clarified that Ukraine's membership in the Western Alliance would "represent a serious and significant danger to our country's security." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia slams S Korean suggestion to arm Kiev as 'anti-Russia' move Iran Press TV Thursday, 20 April 2023 9:13 AM Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has reacted strongly to South Korea's suggestion that it may start arming Ukraine's government, slamming the idea as "an openly hostile anti-Russian move." "Russia is conducting defensive military operations against the collective West, which has chosen the puppet regime in Kiev as an instrument of its hybrid proxy war against us. In this situation, we will consider any supplies of weapons to Ukraine, wherever they might come from, as an openly hostile anti-Russian move," Zakharova insisted on Thursday following earlier harsh reactions expressed by other senior Russian officials. "Such steps will negatively impact bilateral relations with those states that take them and will be taken into account when elaborating Russia's positions on issues concerning core security interests of the relevant countries," she further emphasized, noting: "As for South Korea, it might be about the approaches to the settlement of the situation on the Korean Peninsula." Zakharova then went on to clarify that Russian forces deliver high-precision strikes solely at military targets in Ukraine, not at civil infrastructure facilities. Her remarks came a day after South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol raised the possibility of sending military aid to the Western-backed government in Kiev in the event of what he speculated to as "a large-scale civilian attack by Russia." "If there is a situation the international community cannot condone, such as any large-scale attack on civilians, massacre or serious violation of the laws of war, it might be difficult for us to insist only on humanitarian or financial support," Yoon inferred ahead of his upcoming visit to Washington -- Seoul's key ally and sponsor. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also reacted promptly to Yoon's highly hostile and hypothetical statement on Wednesday saying, "Unfortunately Seoul has taken a rather unfriendly stance. The start of arms supplies will indirectly mean a certain stage of involvement in this conflict." Yoon's remarks further drew a stern warning from Deputy Chairman of Russian National Security Council Dmitry Medvedev, who threatened that Moscow would in turn supply advanced weaponry to Seoul's arch foe North Korea if it went ahead with supplying arms to Kiev. "I wonder what the residents of this nation would say when they see the newest example of Russian weapons in possession of their closest neighbors, our partners from the DPRK [Democratic People's Republic of Korea]?" Medvedev wrote on social media on Wednesday. South Korea, which is a major producer of artillery ammunition, has supplied Ukraine with non-lethal and humanitarian assistance but has so far ruled out military aid to Kiev, citing its policy against supplying weapons to war zones. South Korean had initially ruled out the possibility of supplying Kiev with lethal weapons following the start of Russia's "special military operation" in Ukraine in efforts to avoid antagonizing Moscow due to its companies operating there as well as its influence over Pyongyang. Last week, South Korean media reported that Seoul had considered "loaning" the US nearly 500,000 rounds for 155mm artillery guns amid reports that Kiev is in desperate need of such munitions for its almost entirely Western-sponsored war against Russia. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address During First Visit To Kyiv Since War Began, Stoltenberg Says Ukraine's 'Rightful Place' Is In NATO By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service April 20, 2023 NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has visited Kyiv for the first time since Russia's invasion last year, telling Ukrainians their country's future belongs in the alliance as President Volodymyr Zelenskiy proclaimed that "it is time" an invitation was extended to join the group. Stoltenberg arrived in the Ukrainian capital early on April 20 on an unannounced visit as fighting raged in the east and Moscow continued to launch attacks with dozens of drones on civilian infrastructure in several regions. Stoltenberg reaffirmed the alliance's position that Ukraine's future lies in NATO, but stopped short of offering a clear timeline while reiterating that the 31-member bloc will continue to offer support to Ukraine in its fight against the 14-month Russian aggression for as long as necessary. "Let me be clear: Ukraine's rightful place is in the euro-Atlantic family. Ukraine's rightful place is in NATO. And over time, our support will help you to make this possible," Stoltenberg said. "NATO stands with you today, tomorrow and for as long as it takes," Stoltenberg said, adding that the alliance had trained tens of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers and given 65 billion euros ($71.31 billion) in military aid alone. Moscow has given several reasons for launching what it calls a "special military operation" against Ukraine, including saying several times that it needed to prevent Ukraine's accession to NATO, which would pose an existential threat to Russia. Following the NATO chief's remarks, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia felt Ukraine's possible NATO membership "brings a serious, significant danger to our country, to its security." Stoltenberg also invited Zelenskiy to attend a NATO summit scheduled for July in Lithuania's capital, Vilnius. "There isn't a single objective barrier to the political decision to invite Ukraine into the alliance," Zelenskiy told a news conference with Stoltenberg in Kyiv, adding, "it is the time for the corresponding decisions." Speaking a day before a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany, Zelenskiy also appealed to the alliance chief to help overcome the hesitancy of some members to provide long-range weapons to Ukraine to help it repel Russian forces. "I addressed the secretary-general with a request to help us overcome the reluctance of our partners regarding the delivery of certain weapons, namely long-range weapons, modern aviation, artillery, armored vehicles," Zelenskiy said. Earlier during his visit, Stoltenberg paid his respects at a memorial for fallen soldiers in downtown Kyiv and talked to Ukrainian officials, images published by Ukrainian media outlets showed. Jens Stoltenberg arrives in Kyiv.The NATO Secretary-General was seen by a Kyiv Independent journalist on the morning of April 20 paying tribute to fallen Ukrainian soldiers on St Michael's Square in central Kyiv. pic.twitter.com/QhY515J305 The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) April 20, 2023 Stoltenberg's visit came hours after Russia used Iranian-made drones for a second day in a row to attack civilian and infrastructure targets, the Ukrainian military said on April 20. The southeastern Dnipropetrovsk region was targeted by six drones, Serhiy Lysak, the head of the regional military administration, said on Telegram. "This night, troops from the Eastern Air Command and antiaircraft defense forces downed six attack drones, most likely, [Iranian-made] Shaheds," Lysak wrote on Telegram. There were no immediate reports of casualties. Separately, the Ukrainian Air Force Command reported that its air defenses had shot down about 10 Iranian-made Russian drones in southeastern Ukraine. The drone attack was the second in as many days, after swarms of Shaheds were reportedly shot down the previous day by the Ukrainian air defense above the southern port city of Odesa. Russian surface-to-air missiles hit civilian targets in Ochkiv, a small town in the southern Mykolayiv region, the head of the regional military administration, Vitaliy Kim, said on April 20, adding that there were no immediate reports of casualties. In Donetsk, one civilian was killed as a result of Russian shelling, the region's military governor, Pavlo Kyrilenko said on April 20. In the east, Moscow's troops continued to press an offensive in Donetsk region with renewed momentum to try and break a monthslong stalemate in the battle for the city of Bakhmut. Ukrainian defenders meanwhile repelled more than 55 Russian assaults in Bakhmut, Avdiyivka, and Maryinka -- the theater of operations where the fiercest battles for the Donetsk region have been under way for months. Ukraine's General Staff said in its daily update that Russian troops had been unsuccessfully trying to improve their tactical positions using a combination of shelling and air strikes. The battlefield reports could not be independently verified. With reporting by Reuters and AP Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-fighting-drones- dnipropetrovsk-bakhmut/32371623.html Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's answer to a media question regarding statements by President of South Korea Yoon Suk-yeol in the context of Ukraine 20 April 2023 01:02 752-20-04-2023 Question: Can you comment on the statements made by President of South Korea Yoon Suk-yeol regarding the potential supply of weapons to Ukraine? Maria Zakharova: Russia is conducting defensive operations against the collective West, which has chosen the puppet regime in Kiev for its proxy war against us. In this situation, we regard any arms deliveries to Ukraine, wherever they come from, as an openly hostile anti-Russia action. Such moves will have an extremely negative effect on our relations with the countries that make them, which we will consider when formulating Russia's stance on issues related to the fundamental security interests of the countries concerned. In the case of South Korea, it may concern our approaches to a settlement on the Korean Peninsula. The Russian Armed Forces deliver precision strikes exclusively at miliary targets, not civilian infrastructure facilities. As for concerns over civilian casualties, regrettably, it is a reality the people of Donbass came against back in 2014, when they were attacked by the gang that had seized power in Kiev. It is one of the main causes of the current crisis. We have not seen any sympathy for those casualties on the part of the collective West, including Seoul. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukrainian Armed Forces Chief Briefs US Europe Commander on Kiev's Needs Sputnik News 20230420 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Valerii Zaluzhnyi, the head of Ukraine's armed forces, said on Thursday he had discussed Ukraine's military needs with Supreme Allied Commander Europe and Commander of the US European Command Christopher Cavoli. "We discussed Ukraine's priorities for weapon, hardware and munition [deliveries]. I briefed Gen. Cavoli about the facts on the ground," Commander-in-Chief Zaluzhnyi said on social media. The phone conversation was held in the lead-up to the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting of senior Ukrainian and NATO military officials at Ramstein air base in Germany on Friday. NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said during a visit to Kiev on Thursday that allies were committed to delivering more jets, tanks and armored vehicles to Ukraine. He estimated that NATO's military aid to Ukraine had topped $165 billion since February 2022. Russia has warned Ukraine's donors that it sees military shipments as legitimate targets. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said that NATO allies arming and training Ukrainians is tantamount to a direct involvement in the conflict. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Makurdi The Benue State Police Command has arrested some hoodlums who are suspected to be involved in causing crises between herdsmen and farmers in the state. Investigation by the police has revealed that some hoodlums from both the herder and farmers' clans have been fueling crises in these areas for their own gain. According to the state PPRO, SP Catherine Anene, "There is need to identify these criminal elements and deal with them in accordance with the laws." She said men of Operation Zenda JTF on patrol in Guma Local Government Area of the state intercepted and arrested one Terwase Nyion and three others while others fled from the scene. "Investigation reveals that the syndicate usually conspires with criminal herders to rustle cattle, sell and share the proceeds. "They go back to the same victims (herders) to deceive them that their cattle were rustled by farmers so as to create crises and have more opportunity to loot from innocent persons. Items recovered from them include one locally made pistol loaded with one round of 9 mm live ammunition and four cows. Suspects confessed to be a vicious syndicate made up of herders and farmers. "On April 16, 2023, at about 1700hrs, information was received that some hoodlums had attacked herders grazing in Tarkaa Local Government Area and made away with some cattle. Police detectives in the area immediately stormed their hideout and arrested the following persons, Terdoo Tyo, Meryima Dziegh, Jimeshio Dziegh, Tahar Dziegh and Mercy Iyio, who was already preparing cow meat in the kitchen," the PPRO said. She said the state Commissioner of Police, Wale Abass, has condemned the mischievous act that instigateed crises in the area. He called all stakeholders to collaborate with the police to ensure that peace is maintained in the area. The CP called on herders and farmers to report their cases to the police for proper handling rather than taking laws into their hands. Spain's New Military Aid for Ukraine to Include Naval Defenses Sputnik News 20230420 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles plans to announce a new shipment of military equipment to Ukraine that will include naval defenses during the upcoming meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group on Friday, the Defense Ministry said in a statement on Thursday. "The new shipments are aimed at reinforcing the Armed Forces of Ukraine in such areas as armored vehicles, means of ground troops protection, antiaircraft defenses and naval ... defenses. The latter is considered essential for the security of "the green sea route" that allows the transportation of the Ukrainian grain via the Black Sea," the statement read. Robles will also confirm the humanitarian and medical aid that the Spanish government continues to provide for Ukraine. On April 12, Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov asked his Spanish counterpart for additional military aid, in particular for Spanish anti-aircraft missile systems. He also noted that Kiev is interested in the Spanish Navy's experience in amphibious warfare. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Netherlands, Denmark to Send 14 Leopard Tanks to Ukraine in 2024 Sputnik News 20230420 PARIS (Sputnik) - A total of 14 Leopard 2 tanks purchased by the Netherlands together with Denmark will be delivered to Ukraine in 2024, the Dutch Defense Ministry said on Thursday. "Together with Denmark, the Netherlands is to purchase 14 Leopard 2 A4 tanks for Ukraine. These main battle tanks will be delivered to Ukraine as soon as possible, after first undergoing an overhaul. Delivery of the tanks is expected to take place in 2024," the ministry said in a statement. Western countries have supplied Ukraine with various types of weapons systems, including air defense missiles, multiple launch rocket systems, tanks, self-propelled artillery and anti-aircraft guns since Russia launched its military operation in Ukraine nearly a year ago. Earlier in April, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that the alliance had provided 65 billion euros ($70 billion) in military aid to Kiev since February 2022. Russia has repeatedly warned countries giving weapons to Ukraine that it sees military shipments as legitimate targets. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said that NATO allies' arming and training Ukrainians are tantamount to a direct involvement in the conflict A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address We are opening a new level of interaction between communities of Ukraine and communities of partner states - speech by Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the International Summit of Cities and Regions in Kyiv President of Ukraine 20 April 2023 - 16:54 Glory to Ukraine! I am glad to welcome here our entire state, all of Ukraine - all our beautiful cities and villages, our strong communities - which are represented in the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Ukraine. With this Summit, we are opening a new level of interaction on the Congress site - this is interaction between our communities - the communities of Ukraine and the communities of other respectable states - the states of our partners, which we highly appreciate. Those who, like all Ukrainians, value the most important thing - value freedom and important, effective local self-government. Mr. Jens! I am very glad to welcome you once again, dear representatives of the institutions of the European Union, the Council of Europe, states, governments and parliaments of our partners! Dear mayors of cities, heads of municipalities and associations! I thank you for participating in this format of our work. But I ask you to record one important fact - a fact that was confirmed by our defense against Russian aggression. The entire Ukrainian people stood up for the defense of their state, and this is a manifestation of the experience of our people. A nation that knows how to act together for the sake of the national good, a nation that knows how to protect its interests, a nation whose national security begins with the understanding that every community must live with dignity, live with self-regard... Such a nation has an advantage in war, namely: it can wage a nationwide fight. And I thank each of our people and each of our Ukrainian communities, who, in unity with the state and in interaction with each other, help bring the most important thing closer - our joint victory! Thank you to all of you, dear attendees - who are both offline and online! Ladies and Gentlemen! You see that the Russian state throws people to the front who do not understand what they are dying on our land for. This land is foreign to them. The occupiers bring evil, because the Russian system exists just like that: it tries to make the abuse of people and the devaluation of life commonplace. And it tries to take it beyond its borders. This is precisely why Russia needs its weapons - its missiles, bombs, its artillery and its disgraceful terror against everything that ensures a normal life. The Ukrainian system, like any normal European system, is completely opposite to the Russian model. Our strength lies in our people. In our communities, in our ability to act for a common goal in a decentralized manner in particular - when needed; and when we need unity and state action precisely, this is achieved, first of all, by people's faith in Ukraine and people's trust in their state, its defenders, and each other. I am very grateful to most of our communities and all our people. If we consider this war a confrontation of ideas, together with the victory of our state, we will inevitably celebrate the victory of the idea that people are important. Each and every one. All our communities. Every Ukrainian city, every town, every Ukrainian village. Our entire state. And due to this approach, instead of the ruins that Russia brought and brings to us, we will rebuild a real Ukrainian life everywhere - a European free life. The life, which our people, ordinary yet free, respect. The one where every person is respected. Dear attendees! Dear partners of ours! I would like to address you. I invite all of you to already build direct relations with our Congress of Local and Regional Authorities and, accordingly, with the help of the Congress, with Ukrainian communities in order to start joint actions as soon as possible and jointly build a new system of protection of our common way of life. Open, democratic, free life based on very simple things, on cooperation. Here and now in Ukraine we can see what aggression can bring to any people - if somewhere in another part of the world there is an attempt to repeat it. And we see what safety standards cities need today, our villages need. I am sure that by our example we can see what security standards are needed by any country in the world, any towns, villages, communications, transport, energy, all infrastructure (which has also been tested by this war), schools, education networks, as well as safety in construction in general, in order to guarantee the most important thing under all circumstances - the protection of life. And I invite you to participate in the development of a new security infrastructure in Ukraine - so that later this important work can be spread to other countries and regions. From bomb shelters in schools - to a completely new standard of cyber security for all systems of the country, from a new protected infrastructure in every community - to a new decentralized energy system in general in the country, which cannot be destroyed by the missile terror that the Russian Federation used against our state. Today, I want to thank all the countries separately, as well as thank the respective communities, all cities, and nations. The most important thing is people, so I am very grateful to people. To ordinary people and leaders of societies who have helped and continue to do so. They helped Ukraine go through this most difficult period - the period of brutal, bloody darkness - the period of winter, to resist Russian missile terror, against terrorist attacks on our energy system. I am grateful to everyone who helped us! And I would especially like to note today the help of Paris - which this winter became one of the leaders of energy support for Ukraine, which consolidated partners in such an "energy Ramstein". I thank you very much. This meeting was in Paris, then our partners supplied the appropriate equipment that helped us, absolutely all people, communities preserve the light of life. Ukraine established a special award for cities rescuers. You know that many cities in Europe and Poland received this award from Ukraine. They really helped. I am grateful to all our partners. And today it will also be an honor for me to hand over such an award precisely for such great energy support to the mayor of Paris, Mrs. Anne Hidalgo, as a sign of gratitude for the support of Parisians for Ukraine and Ukrainians. Thank you very much, France, the President, and thank you also to all Parisians who support. Dear attendees, Ladies and Gentlemen! I am sure that the important new Ukrainian defense infrastructure and our cooperation for the sake of security will become an example for countries, cities, communities, and people. Just as Russian aggression caused global negative, very painful consequences, the Ukrainian victory should bring the world new security standards, new experience of joint action and economic potential, new opportunities to build and defend - together. Together! At the level of states and companies, communities and people. Having carried out decentralization reform in Ukraine even before the war, having given our communities more powers - it is very important, and resources - it is also very important, we established this Congress to ensure respect for every community. To give every community all the tools to implement its interests, the interests of society of this community, the interests of communities. Here, in the Congress, the central power of our country is involved in joint work - both the executive and legislative power. We must work together so that the community does not have to look for solutions in offices in the capital. All our local self-government is here. To make it easier for our communities to interact. Interact faster. Now we add an international component. I am confident that this component can be implemented to the full extent, just as we use our internal strength to the full extent for the sake of protecting Ukraine, our people, for the sake of Ukraine's victory. May this alliance of ours add strength and energy to all our other areas of cooperation, including the Alliance represented here today by the honorable and respected Secretary General of the Alliance, Jens Stoltenberg, and of which Ukraine will definitely become a part. We are sure of this and we are doing everything to make it happen as soon as possible! Thank you for your attention! Glory to Ukraine! NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address We consider Jens Stoltenberg's visit to Kyiv a sign that NATO is ready to start a new chapter in relations with Ukraine - Volodymyr Zelenskyy following the negotiations in the capital President of Ukraine 20 April 2023 - 14:33 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, who arrived in our country on a visit. "We welcome NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg to Kyiv, to Ukraine, which stands strong, free and sees the prospect of the complete liberation of our land from the Russian occupier. This visit of the Secretary General is the first since the full-scale war - we consider it a sign that the Alliance is ready to start a new chapter in relations with Ukraine - a chapter of ambitious decisions," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said during a conversation with media representatives following the negotiations with Jens Stoltenberg in Kyiv. The Head of State also thanked the NATO Secretary General for starting his visit to Ukraine by visiting the de-occupied cities and communities. "All of Europe and the world need a clear understanding that only the victory of Ukraine will save other states and peoples from such terrible destruction, losses and deaths that Russia has brought to our land," he said. During the meeting, the parties touched upon four main issues: the meeting of the group on the defense of Ukraine in the Ramstein format on April 21; encouraging partners to supply certain types of weapons; preparation for the Vilnius NATO Summit, to which Ukraine has been invited, as well as security guarantees for our country on the way to the Alliance. "The first is Ramstein, the meeting that will take place tomorrow, and the decisions we expect from our partners. First of all, it concerns the armed support of our active actions. The further our soldiers can move on the frontline, the sooner the most important thing - peace - will return to Ukraine and all of Europe," the President noted. Volodymyr Zelenskyy also urged the Secretary General of the North Atlantic Alliance to help overcome the reticence of partners in supplying our country with long-range weapons, modern aircraft, artillery and armored vehicles. "Delay with appropriate decisions is time lost for peace and the lives of our soldiers, who have not yet received the vitally necessary number of defense means," he emphasized. In the context of preparations for the NATO Summit in Vilnius, the Head of State noted that the meeting could become historic. "I am grateful for the invitation to attend the Summit, but it is important that Ukraine also receives a corresponding invitation. There is no objective barrier that would prevent the adoption of political decisions on inviting Ukraine to the Alliance. And right now, when the majority of people in NATO countries and the majority of Ukrainians support our country's accession to the Alliance, it is time for appropriate decisions. It is no longer possible to imagine the security of the Euro-Atlantic area without Ukraine, and people understand that," the President noted. The interlocutors also touched upon the issue of providing security guarantees for Ukraine while the country is on its way to the Alliance. "I emphasize: these security guarantees in no way replace or delay Ukraine's membership in NATO. While the implementation of decisions continues, security is already needed. And, as history has proven, this is necessary not only for our state, but also for everyone in Europe, for the entire free world. It was the security uncertainty that fueled the aggressor's illusions. Therefore, security certainty will be a reliable protection against the repetition of any new aggression against our people or any other free European people," emphasized Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He expressed conviction that together Ukraine and NATO will continue to establish peace throughout Europe and the world. For his part, Jens Stoltenberg praised the bravery of the Armed Forces and the resilience of the Ukrainian people, which inspire the whole world. The Secretary General of the Alliance noted that he came today with a simple message: NATO stands with Ukraine. "We stood with you after Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014, we stand with you in the heroic struggle against the Russian invaders and in defense of your country. And we will stand with you tomorrow, when you will rebuild the country and work for the bright future of the Ukrainian people," said Jens Stoltenberg. He emphasized that Russian aggression must be stopped. NATO Secretary General expressed his support for the Peace Formula initiated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and assured that the Alliance will continue to strengthen the Ukrainian army. "We must provide the most powerful Ukrainian security capabilities possible. Ukraine should rightfully find a place in the Euro-Atlantic family, and Ukraine rightfully belongs in NATO. And we will help. With our support, we will make it possible," he said. Jens Stoltenberg said that during today's meeting, the parties discussed a long-term support initiative that will help Ukraine's transition from Soviet-era equipment and doctrine to NATO standards and ensure full operational interoperability of the Ukrainian army with Alliance forces. "This is the evidence of NATO's long-term commitment to Ukraine. The Alliance stands with you today, tomorrow and will stand for as long as it takes," Jens Stoltenberg assured. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Latest in Ukraine: NATO Chief Makes Surprise Visit to Ukraine By VOA News April 20, 2023 New developments: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to address Mexican lawmakers. Hungary bans imports of cereals, flour, honey, certain meats and other foods from Ukraine. Other European countries have done the same, saying the cheaper Ukrainian shipments undercut the financial well-being of their farmers and companies. Associated Press photographer Evgeniy Maloletka wins World Press Photo of the year award for capturing an image of an injured pregnant woman being carried on a stretcher away from a maternity hospital in Mariupol, Ukraine. The hospital was hit by a Russian airstrike. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Thursday that Ukraine deserves to be in U.S.-led NATO, the West's main military alliance, but his stance drew an immediate protest from Russia. In his first visit to Ukraine since Russia's invasion 14 months ago, Stoltenberg said at a news conference, "Let me be clear, Ukraine's rightful place is in the Euro-Atlantic family. Ukraine's rightful place is in NATO." Stoltenberg said he and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed a NATO support program to help Kyiv "transition from Soviet-era equipment and doctrines to NATO standards and ensure full interoperability with the alliance. NATO stands with you today, tomorrow and for as long as it takes." Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said preventing neighboring Ukraine from joining the 31-nation NATO alliance remains one of the goals of Russia's invasion. He said Ukrainian membership in NATO would pose a "serious, significant threat to our country, to our country's security." Earlier this month, Finland, with a 1,300-kilometer border with Russia, set aside decades of neutrality and joined NATO, with neighboring Sweden also looking to join the alliance in the next few months. Despite Stoltenberg's comments on Ukraine joining NATO, it is not likely to occur anytime soon. Western nations individually have shipped billions of dollars in armaments to Ukraine to help it fend off Russia's invasion and supplied intelligence information to Kyiv, but sent no troops. If Ukraine were a NATO member, however, other NATO members would be obligated to fight alongside Kyiv's forces to defend its territory. During his Ukraine visit, Stoltenberg went to a memorial for fallen soldiers and reviewed damaged Russian military equipment on display in Ukraine's capital, Kyiv. Stoltenberg has routinely voiced support for NATO members supplying arms to help Ukrainian forces, and he has seen the size of the alliance grow with Finland joining this month in response to the invasion. A similar application from Finland's neighbor, Sweden, has been approved by all NATO members except Hungary and Turkey. NATO members Denmark and the Netherlands announced Thursday they are partnering to buy and refurbish 14 Leopard 2-A4 tanks to Ukraine. The Dutch and Danish defense ministries said the tanks would be ready for delivery to Ukrainian forces early next year. Denmark and the Netherlands will share the $180 million cost. Ukraine has asked allies to provide heavy equipment such as tanks in order to be able to match up against Russian forces. The tank deal followed Wednesday's announcement from Ukraine's defense minister that Patriot air defense systems had arrived in the country. The missile systems were another wish list item for Ukraine to better defend against Russian aerial attacks. Late Thursday, Russian authorities reported an explosion in the city of Belgorod, close to the border with Ukraine, saying the blast left a crater 20 meters wide in the city center. Neither the region's governor nor the city's mayor said what caused the explosion. However, a report from the Russian state news outlet Tass cited Russia's defense ministry as saying a Russian warplane was to blame. "As a Sukhoi Su-34 air force plane was flying over the city of Belgorod, there was an accidental discharge of aviation ammunition," Tass cited the Defense Ministry as saying. The Belgorod region, including the city of the same name, has been frequently hit by shelling since Russia invaded Ukraine last year. Earlier Thursday, Zelenskyy spoke via video to Mexico's lower house of Congress and asked for support to organize a summit with Latin American countries to help end the Russian invasion. "Ukraine has already proposed to the Latin American community to organize a special summit and show its unity and position on important global principles of territorial integrity, peace and respect between peoples," Zelenskyy said through an interpreter. The Mexican government has condemned the Russian invasion, but President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has refused to send military aid to Ukraine or impose sanctions on Russia, saying his government aims to achieve peace through dialogue. Some material in this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia's War in Ukraine Exposes Risks Posed by Private Military Groups By Mariia Prus April 20, 2023 They are called mercenaries or contractors or volunteers, and they fight on both sides in the war in Ukraine. But whether they are regarded as villains or heroes, their presence is having an unquestionable impact on the battlefield. The dark side of the irregular fighting forces assisting and resisting Russia's full-scale invasion was driven home this week when two ex-convicts told a human rights group they had deliberately killed Ukrainian children and civilians while serving as commanders in Russia's paramilitary Wagner Group last year. In videos posted online by Russia's Gulagu.net, Azamat Uldarov and Alexey Savichev described their brutality in graphic detail. "I wasn't allowed to let anyone out alive, because my command was to kill anything in my way," said Uldarov, describing how he fatally shot a 5- or 6-year-old girl. Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the private military company whose convict-bolstered ranks have been instrumental in the months-long battle for Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine, has denied those allegations and threatened retribution. But Sean McFate, a former American officer and private military contractor who is now a professor at the National Defense University, said no one should be surprised to see atrocities committed by a military force staffed largely with convicts. "When you are ... opening 11 time zones of jails and dumping into Ukraine ... you're creating a labor pool of psychotic armed men who are running around Ukraine and that region and that doesn't end well," he said in an interview with VOA Ukrainian. McFate added that the use of mercenaries often goes hand in hand with the arms trade and other illicit practices including human trafficking and narcotics. Robert Young Pelton, a veteran war journalist who has covered more that four dozen conflicts around the world, argued in an interview that the Wagner Group has become an embarrassment not only to Russia's regular forces but to their country as a whole. "Russia has professional soldiers that have some of the finest spetsnaz, special operations people," Pelton told VOA Ukrainian. But by unleashing the Wagner Group in Ukraine, Russia has created an especially dangerous precedent as they legally are "not answerable to anyone." "There's no one going to investigate Wagner and judge them for being good or bad because they're technically not a part of a state apparatus [or] any state-sanctioned organization," said Pelton, whose reporting has taken him to Afghanistan, Chechnya and Liberia and brought him into contact with the Taliban and Blackwater security contractors in Iraq. "We now have Russians murdering people inside Ukraine ... and are not really held accountable, and yet they'll integrate back into society inside Russia." On the other side of the paramilitary ledger, Ukraine is supported in its defense of its homeland by several outside groups, some playing a direct role in the fighting. Among these are the American veteran-led donor-funded organization Project Dynamo that saves civilians from war zones in Ukraine and Afghanistan, and a now-disbanded international Mozart Group that was evacuating civilians and training Ukrainian soldiers. Some of its former members reorganized under a new name, Sonata, and continue to operate in Ukraine more discreetly, coordinating both with Ukraine's high-level military officers and battlefront units to understand operational issues and provide technical solutions. Kyiv does not reveal the numbers but based on media estimates, roughly from 1,000 to 3,000 foreign volunteers are defending Ukraine now, most of them serving in three battalions of the International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine, or the Ukrainian Foreign Legion. The legion was formed shortly after Russia began its full-scale invasion in February 2022, when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for the help of "every friend of Ukraine who wants to join Ukraine in defending the country." In a written statement to VOA Ukrainian, the legion said that multiple foreigners in the regiment fought bravely and earned high praise from their comrades and commanders, as well as state honors. Some foreign nationals who as part of other battalions served in the weekslong siege at the Azovstal steel plant and in Mariupol also received state honors. But not all of the foreigners who have flocked to Kyiv's defense have served so honorably. The New York Times has reported that some foreign volunteers ended up undermining the war effort, wasting money or even defecting to Russia. The Kyiv Independent has also reported on misconduct within the International Legion leadership that included physical abuse, threats and sending soldiers on reckless "suicidal" missions. "The problem is, during the war you get what we call 'the ash and trash,' people who don't know what else to do in their life," McFate said. "The good ones tend to leave because they don't want to get killed with the bad ones. And what you are left with are a refuse from the other wars in Iraq, Afghanistan. And not all of them are bad, but this is a common problem of private warfare," he said. When asked how the Ukrainian Foreign Legion screens its volunteers, VOA Ukrainian was told that all the soldiers undergo an examination by recruiters, background checks by the government and training before being deployed to the battlefield. But Pelton said that private contractors "always muddy the water" when brought into a war. "Within that very narrow segment of foreigners fighting in Ukraine, they're more of a problem than a help because they bring international condemnation, confusion, and sort of a moral question to why these foreigners are here." Despite the moral and legal uncertainties, some experienced American warriors say they are still willing to fight for the right cause. One of these is Dan Hampton, one of America's most decorated combat pilots with 151 missions in F-16s. He is also the author of several books and the CEO of MVI International, a private military company based in the western U.S. state of Colorado. "This is the pivotal issue of the Ukraine's fight against Russia, this is a black and white conflict. ... I'll go myself, I'm - one, you can count me in," Hampton said in an interview with VOA Ukrainian on March 9. Hampton, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel who received four Distinguished Flying Crosses with Valor and a Purple Heart, suggested that American contractors could help Ukraine with one of its most vexing problems a its need for an enhanced air combat capability. Ukraine has for months appealed for the United States and its allies to provide the country with F-16 fighters, but the U.S. has so far refused, arguing that the planes are so complex that it would take months if not years for Ukrainian pilots to become proficient in them. Hampton suggested that if F-16s were provided, experienced foreign pilots could fly them while Ukrainian pilots train or continue to fly their existing aircraft. This article originated in VOA's Ukrainian Service. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Inside Russia's War in Ukraine: Battleground City of Lyman By Heather Murdock April 20, 2023 Before the war, before it was occupied by Russia, and before the bitter battle that ended with Ukraine retaking control of Lyman in October, locals called this city "The Gates of Donbas." It was an export hub for regional commodities such as coal, salt and sand. Now, it is bombed weekly. Residents say they often don't bother trying to make home repairs because the violence never ceases. Lida, 85, shows what's left of her top-floor apartment after it was hit by bombs. "This is my apartment," she says, breathless after walking up four normal flights of stairs and the crumbled remains of the fifth flight. "There is nothing left. Fire destroyed everything. ... I would not have believed it if I didn't see it." Some residents say perhaps it is too late for Lyman to ever return to normalcy. Entire neighborhoods are flattened, factories are closed and the railway, where about 35% of the population used to work, is no longer operational. "I regret not leaving," says Anna, a 65-year-old former railway worker. "But still, there is no money, and where would I go? I know a lot of people, but no one offered me a safe place. People ask why I didn't evacuate. But to where?" Few left in Torske About 15 kilometers from Lyman and only a few more from the front lines is the village of Torske, which is almost entirely abandoned. Ukrainian soldiers whizzing by in military vehicles say the town is still in full view of Russian fighters and frequently hit. The Russian fighters left behind cars, uniforms and personal items when they moved out of Torske. There is almost no one left to clean up. A man passes on a bicycle. He pauses but declines to explain why he remains alone in his destroyed home just outside of Torske. He says life here is a little better recently because the clamor of battle has moved a bit out of town. "Things got really bad here," he adds, remounting his bike. Fighting continues nearby In the nearby battle zones, Ukraine and Russia both engage in brutal fighting to take or retain Torske and other villages on the way to Lyman's strategic crossroads. Besides being a critical transportation hub, it also sits between the areas occupied by Russia and the city of Kramatorsk, the regional capital under Ukrainian control. Ukraine is expected to launch a massive counteroffensive this spring, and Russia has built up defenses on the borders of the territories it now occupies inside Ukraine. Lyman residents say if the battles return to their city, they have no resources left to help them survive. A year and half ago, Lyman had more than 20,000 people. Now, the few thousand remaining survive only on aid brought in from out of town. "I had to flee wearing my robe and slippers," says Lida, after showing us the dark, underground shelter where she now lives. "I lost everything. I've now been living in the basement since last year." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address TORONTO, April 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MANITOU GOLD INC. (TSX-V: MTU) ("Manitou" or "the Company") is pleased to announce that it has completed the mailing of its management information circular and related materials (the "Meeting Materials") for the Company's special meeting of shareholders to be held on May 11, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. (Toronto time) at 77 King St. West, Suite 3000, Toronto, ON M5K 1G8 (the "Meeting"). At the Meeting, shareholders will be asked to approve a plan of arrangement pursuant to which Alamos Gold Inc. (TSX: AGI, NYSE: AGI) ("Alamos") will acquire all of the outstanding common shares of Manitou ("Manitou Shares") not already owned by Alamos, for deemed consideration of C$0.05 per Manitou Share (the "Arrangement"), as further detailed in the Company's press release dated February 28, 2023 available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The Meeting Materials are available on SEDAR under Manitou's profile at www.sedar.com. YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT The Board of Directors of Manitou UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS that Manitou shareholders vote FOR the resolution approving the Arrangement. Shareholder Questions and Assistance If shareholders have any questions or require more information in respect of the voting procedures or completing the form of proxy or voting instruction form, please contact the Company's transfer agent, Marrelli Trust Company Limited, by telephone at 416-361-0737, or by email at info@marrellitrust.ca. Additional Information Full details of the Arrangement are set out in the Arrangement Agreement filed on SEDAR on March 10th, 2023, under Manitou's profile at www.sedar.com. In addition, further information regarding the Arrangement will be contained in the Meeting Materials. All shareholders are urged to read the Meeting Materials. About Manitou Gold Manitou Gold Inc. is a Canadian exploration company that has consolidated over 360 km2 of prospective gold properties on the Michipicoten Archean Greenstone Belt, between the Island Gold Mine (operated by Alamos Gold Inc.) to the west and, to the east, the former producing Renabie Gold Mine, (owned by Barrick Gold). The lands assembled consist of 37 kilometres of strike length with at least seven under-explored large-scale deformation zones showing favorable lithology supported by more than 50 government-documented and registered gold occurrences. Manitou Gold also owns a 148 km2 land package of highly prospective gold properties located in the historical Gold Rock District, in Northwestern Ontario (Dryden). All scientific and technical information contained in this press release has been prepared under the supervision of Richard Murphy, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Manitou and a "qualified person" within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101. Contacts Manitou Gold Inc. Richard Murphy President and CEO (705) 698-1962 www.manitougold.com Cautionary Note About Forward-Looking Statements and Information Certain of the information contained in this news release constitutes 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of securities laws. Such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to statements relating to: the transaction and the proposed Arrangement as proposed to be effected; the ability of the parties to satisfy the conditions to closing of the Arrangement; and the anticipated timing of the completion of the Arrangement, involve risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, obtaining required shareholder, court, third party and regulatory approvals, exercise of any termination rights under the Arrangement Agreement, meeting other conditions in the Arrangement Agreement, material adverse effects on the business, properties and assets of Manitou, and whether any superior proposal will be made. Although Manitou has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Manitou does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. The forward-looking statements in this press release involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause Manitou's actual results, performance and achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements expressed or implied therein. Neither TSX nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. None of the securities to be issued pursuant to the transaction have been or will be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any state securities laws, and any securities issuable in the transaction are anticipated to be issued in reliance upon available exemptions from such registration requirements pursuant to Section 3(a)(10) of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable exemptions under state securities laws. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities. NEWARK, Del, April 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global centrifugal blood pump market was worth US$ 124.6 million in 2023 and is predicted to be worth US$ 184.5 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 4.0% during the forecast period. The prominent driver of the market growth is the increasing prevalence of cardiovascular diseases, which has led to a rise in the number of cardiac surgeries being performed. The use of centrifugal blood pumps has become a vital component in these surgeries, thereby fueling the market growth. The increasing adoption of minimally invasive surgical procedures is also a driver for the centrifugal blood pumps market. Minimally invasive techniques have become more popular among patients and healthcare providers due to the lower risk of complications and faster recovery times. Centrifugal blood pumps are often used in these procedures due to their ability to provide precise and controlled blood flow. For Details on Vendors and Their Offerings Request a Sample Report@ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-6451 In terms of opportunities, there is a growing demand for portable centrifugal blood pumps that can be used in ambulatory care settings or during transport. These pumps offer several benefits such as ease of use, reduced risk of infection, and cost-effectiveness. There is also a trend towards the development of smart centrifugal blood pumps that can integrate with other medical devices and provide real-time monitoring and feedback. These pumps are designed to improve patient outcomes and reduce the risk of complications during surgery. Key Takeaways from the Market Study FMI projects the global centrifugal blood pump market to expand at a 4.0% value CAGR by 2033 The global centrifugal blood pump market is expected to garner a market value of US$ 184.5 million. North America is expected to grow at a CAGR of 40.9% in the assessment period 2023 to 2033 The hospitals segment is expected to hold the largest market share for Centrifugal Blood Pump in the forecast period 2023 to 2033. The centrifugal blood pump market is being driven by the increasing demand for mechanical circulatory support devices for pediatric patients with heart failure, says the FMI analyst Ask More About This Market's Geographical Distribution Along With a Detailed Analysis of the Top Regions@ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ask-question/rep-gb-6451 Competitive Landscape The centrifugal blood pumps market is a highly competitive space with numerous eminent players vying for market share. The leading players in the market include: Medtronic Abbott Terumo Corporation Qura Srl Braile Biomedica Ltd. LivaNova, PLC XENIOS AG (Fresenius Medical Care Company) Getinge AB Key developments in the market are as follows: In January 2023, Abbott, a global healthcare leader, and Blood Centers of America have partnered to launch a first-of-its-kind mixed reality experience aimed at enhancing the blood donation process. The innovative technology integrates virtual reality with real-world experiences to help reduce anxiety and increase donor engagement. The program utilizes Microsoft's HoloLens technology to provide a unique and immersive experience for donors, allowing them to interact with virtual elements while donating blood. This initiative represents a significant step forward in enhancing the blood donation experience, encouraging more people to donate blood and ultimately helping to save more lives. Key Segments Profiled in the Centrifugal Blood Pump Market Industry Survey By Motor Type: Electronic Mechanical By End User: Hospitals Specialty Clinics Ambulatory Surgical Centers By Region: North America Latin America Europe East Asia South Asia Oceania Middle East & Africa Browse Detailed Summary of Research Report@ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/centrifugal-blood-pump-market Table of Content 1. Executive Summary | Centrifugal Blood Pump Market 1.1. Global Market Outlook 1.2. Demand-side Trends 1.3. Supply-side Trends 1.4. Technology Roadmap Analysis 1.5. Analysis and Recommendations 2. Market Overview 2.1. Market Coverage / Taxonomy 2.2. Market Definition / Scope / Limitations 3. Market Background 3.1. Market Dynamics 3.1.1. Drivers 3.1.2. Restraints 3.1.3. Opportunity 3.1.4. Trends 3.2. Scenario Forecast 3.2.1. Demand in Optimistic Scenario 3.2.2. Demand in Likely Scenario 3.2.3. Demand in Conservative Scenario 3.3. Opportunity Map Analysis 3.4. Investment Feasibility Matrix 3.5. PESTLE and Porters Analysis 3.6. Regulatory Landscape 3.6.1. By Key Regions 3.6.2. By Key Countries 3.7. Regional Parent Market Outlook 4. Global Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast, 2023 to 2033 4.1. Historical Market Size Value (US$ Million) Analysis, 2018 to 2022 4.2. Current and Future Market Size Value (US$ Million) Projections, 2023 to 2033 4.2.1. Y-o-Y Growth Trend Analysis 4.2.2. Absolute $ Opportunity Analysis 5. Global Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By Motor 5.1. Introduction / Key Findings 5.2. Historical Market Size Value (US$ Million) Analysis By Motor, 2018 to 2022 5.3. Current and Future Market Size Value (US$ Million) Analysis and Forecast By Motor, 2023 to 2033 5.3.1. Electronic 5.3.2. Mechanical 5.4. Y-o-Y Growth Trend Analysis By Motor, 2018 to 2022 5.5. Absolute $ Opportunity Analysis By Motor, 2023 to 2033 Buy Now to Gain Access to Detailed Information about Each Segment and Identify Key Trends, Drivers, and Challenges in the Market@ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/checkout/6451 Have a Look at Related Reports of the Healthcare domain Pulse Lavage Market Size: As per FMI, the global pulse lavage market is predicted to witness US$ 356.9 Million in 2022 and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 8.2% from 2022 to reach US$ 785 Million by 2032. Abdominal Closure Systems Market Share: The global abdominal closure systems market is forecasted to account for a sizeable market share of US$ 293.72 Million by 2032, up from US$ 125.97 Million in 2022. High-Resolution Anoscopy Market Demand: The global high-resolution anoscopy market is poised to register a CAGR of 6% to reach a valuation of US$ 24.95 Billion by 2032, up from US$ 13.93 Billion in 2022. Thyroid Function Tests Market Forecast: The thyroid function tests market is anticipated to grow at an average rate with a CAGR of 4.2 % during the forecast period 2022 to 2032. Chromatography Instrumentation Market Growth: The global chromatography instrumentation market is anticipated to register a CAGR of 5.2% from 2022 to 2032. About Future Market Insights (FMI) Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in Dubai and has delivery centers in the UK, US, and India. FMI's latest market research reports and industry analysis help businesses navigate challenges and make critical decisions with confidence and clarity amidst breakneck competition. Our customized and syndicated market research reports deliver actionable insights that drive sustainable growth. A team of expert-led analysts at FMI continuously tracks emerging trends and events in a broad range of industries to ensure that our clients prepare for the evolving needs of their consumers. Contact Us: Future Market Insights Inc. Christiana Corporate, 200 Continental Drive, Suite 401, Newark, Delaware - 19713, USA T: +1-845-579-5705 LinkedIn| Twitter| Blogs | YouTube For Sales Enquiries: sales@futuremarketinsights.com WASHINGTON, April 20, 2023 Weinstein Wholesale Meats, Inc., a Forest Park, Ill. establishment, is recalling approximately 2,122 pounds of raw ground beef burger products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically pieces of white neoprene, the U.S. Department of Agricultures Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The raw ground beef burger patties were produced on March 14, 2023. The following products are subject to recall [view labels]: 10.7-oz. vacuum-sealed packages containing two pieces of 100% Grass Fed & Finished Beef Burger Patties 85% Lean/15% Fat and with Use/Freeze By 4/11/23 on the package label. The products subject to recall bear establishment number Est. 6987 inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to an online distributor, which sold the product to customers nationwide. The problem was discovered after the establishment received multiple consumer complaints reporting consumers found white rubber-like material in the ground beef patty products during preparation. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider. FSIS is concerned that some product may be in consumers refrigerators or freezers. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase. FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on the FSIS website at www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls. Consumers with questions about the recall can contact Nicole Schumacher, Chief Marketing Officer, Pre Brands LLC, at 844-773-3663 or reachus@eatpre.com. Members of the media with questions can contact Paul Esposito, Chief Operating Officer, Weinstein Wholesale Meats Inc., at 630-390-9138 or media@weinsteinmeats.com. Consumers with food safety questions can call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854) or live chat via Ask USDA from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Consumers can also browse food safety messages at Ask USDA or send a question via email to MPHotline@usda.gov. For consumers that need to report a problem with a meat, poultry, or egg product, the online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at https://foodcomplaint.fsis.usda.gov/eCCF/. INEC has since declared Governor Ahmadu Fintiri the winner of the election. President Muhammadu has approved the suspension of Hudu Ari, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner who declared Aisha Dahiru winner of the Adamawa governorship election. Mr Ari's illegal declaration caused confusion in the polity until the INEC headquarters declared the announcement null and void. INEC has since declared Governor Ahmadu Fintiri the winner of the election. The INEC headquarters also recommended the suspension and investigation of Mr Ari. In a statement on Thursday, Willie Bassey, the director of information at the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, said Mr Buhari also "directed the immediate investigation and prosecution, if found liable, of Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari, by the Inspector General of Police." Read the full statement below. OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE FEDERATION PRESS & PUBLIC RELATIONS DEPARTMENT April 20, 2023 PRESS RELEASE PRESIDENT BUHARI APPROVES IMMEDIATE SUSPENSION OF BARR. HUDU YUNUSA ARI, REC, ADAMAWA STATE President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the immediate suspension from office of Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari, Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), of Adamawa State pending the completion of investigation by the Inspector General of Police on the conduct/actions of the REC during the Supplementary election in Adamawa State. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Governance 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. The President has directed the immediate investigation and prosecution, if found liable, of Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari, by the Inspector General of Police. Also, the President has directed investigation by the Inspector General of Police, Director-General of the Department of State Services, and the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, of the role of their officers in aiding and abetting the conduct/actions of Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari and if found culpable, appropriate disciplinary actions, to be meted out to them. -Signed- Willie Bassey Director, Information For: Secretary to the Government of the Federation Westford, USA,, April 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The market for Noise Suppression Components is projected to achieve a value of USD 12.86 billion by 2030, with a CAGR of 8.21% during the forecast period (2023-2030), according to the latest report by SkyQuest. The market is expected to experience significant growth in North America and Asia Pacific due to increasing awareness of noise pollution, government regulations, and technological advancements. SkyQuest's report indicates that 70% of EU citizens are disturbed due to noise pollution in their daily lives, leading to the development of noise reduction strategies and technologies like noise barriers and quiet pavement. Additionally, the research shows that noise pollution from construction sites can have significant negative impacts on nearby communities, such as increased stress levels and sleep disturbances, highlighting the need for noise reduction solutions in the construction industry. Furthermore, 40% of Americans are exposed to transportation noise that harms their health, underscoring the necessity of noise reduction solutions in infrastructure development projects. Get sample copy of this report: https://www.skyquestt.com/sample-request/noise-suppression-components-market Browse in-depth TOC on "Noise suppression Components Market" Pages - 242 Tables - 67 Figures - 75 In today's time, the noise separation component market holds significant importance due to the rising concern of noise pollution worldwide. It adversely affects the populations health and well-being. The market is crucial for noise reduction solutions in various sectors, such as construction, transportation, and industries. It helps minimize noise pollution's impact on nearby communities and creates a safer and healthier environment. Prominent Players in Noise Suppression Components Market Acoustiblok, Inc. ArtUSA Noise Control Products, Inc. AVT Inc. BSW Berleburger Schaumstoffwerk GmbH Eckel Noise Control Technologies Flexshield Group H&H Acoustic Technologies Herzan LLC Kinetics Noise Control Knauf Insulation Mason Industries Noise Barriers, LLC Noise Solutions Quiet Solution Rite-Hite Corporation Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Sound Seal, Inc. Technicon Acoustics UNIFRAX ZAK Acoustics Pvt. Ltd. Construction and Infrastructure Segment to Register High Growth Due to the Increasing Demand for Noise Reduction Solutions in Construction and Infrastructure Development The rapid development of the noise suppression Components market in 2021 was largely driven by the Construction and Infrastructure segment, according to a recent analysis. This trend is expected to continue from 2022 to 2030 due to the increasing demand for noise reduction solutions in construction and infrastructure development projects. SkyQuest's report shows that 65% of Europeans are negatively impacted by noise from construction sites, while 46% feel that it reduces their quality of life. These findings highlight the significance of noise suppression components in the construction and infrastructure development sector. Furthermore, North America is predicted to become a major player in the Noise suppression Components market from 2022 to 2030, according to research analysis. SkyQuest projects a CAGR of 4.82% for the region during the forecast period, driven by increasing demand, growing construction industry, infrastructure development activities, government initiatives, and support. The US government has recently implemented various regulations to reduce noise pollution, including the Noise Control Act and the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) noise emission standards for vehicles and equipment. Browse summary of the report and Complete Table of Contents (ToC): https://www.skyquestt.com/report/noise-suppression-components-market Acoustical Insulation Segment to Exhibit Strong Growth Due to Growing Demand for Noise Reduction Solutions The demand for acoustical insulation has made it the dominant segment in the Noise Suppression Components market in 2021 and is expected to maintain its lead from 2022 to 2030. This trend is being driven by the construction and automotive industries' growing demand for noise reduction solutions, where acoustical insulation is used to mitigate the impact of noise pollution on nearby communities. Moreover, the Asia Pacific region has emerged as a significant force in the Noise Suppression Components market and is expected to continue its dominance by 2030. SkyQuest has projected a substantial growth in the market for this region, with a CAGR of 5.97% during the forecast period. The region's growth can be attributed to its rapid industrialization, infrastructure development, and increased construction activities. Additionally, various government initiatives are supporting the market's growth, such as India's National Green Tribunal (NGT), which mandates the use of noise barriers along highways to reduce noise pollution levels, and China's introduction of regulations for noise control in construction sites and industrial areas. A comprehensive analysis of the major players in the Noise suppression Components market has been recently conducted in a report. The report encompasses various aspects, including collaborations, mergers, innovative business policies, and strategies, providing valuable insights into key trends and breakthroughs in the market. Furthermore, the report scrutinizes the market share of the top segments and presents a detailed geographic analysis. Lastly, the report highlights the major players in the industry and their endeavors to develop innovative solutions to cater to the growing demand. Key Developments in Noise Suppression Components Market A new audio solution called AI Noise Separation was launched by Aghora to improve the audio experience by removing unwanted background noise, including coughing, typing, children's sounds, and echoes in meetings. TDK Corporation has launched the MHF for 1608 series of noise separation filters for automobiles, which can be inserted into the signal lines of electronic control circuits used in different automotive applications such as navigation, car audio, and battery monitoring systems. The filters are designed to reduce unwanted noise in these applications. Speak to Analyst for your custom requirements: https://www.skyquestt.com/speak-with-analyst/noise-suppression-components-market Key Questions Answered in Noise suppression Components Market Report What specific growth drivers are projected to impact the market during the forecast period? List the top companies in the market and explain how they have achieved their positions of influence? In what ways do regional trends and patterns differ within the global market, and how these differences shape the market's future growth? Related Reports in SkyQuests Library: Global Radio Frequency Components Market Global Atomic Layer Deposition Market Global Internet of Things (IoT) Microcontroller market Global Semiconductor and Circuit Manufacturing Market Global Semiconductor Gas Filters Market About Us: SkyQuest Technology is leading growth consulting firm providing market intelligence, commercialization and technology services. It has 450+ happy clients globally. Address: 1 Apache Way, Westford, Massachusetts 01886 Phone: USA (+1) 617-230-0741 Email: sales@skyquestt.com Ellon, April 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ellon, Scotland - Whisky Hammer, a family-run whisky auction service based in the Speyside region of Scotland, is inviting whisky collectors, buyers, and sellers to find out more about the platform. The auction service works with buyers and sellers globally to facilitate transactions of rare and collectible whisky bottles from the best distilleries and bottlers in the world. The hassle-free premium service has been designed from the ground up to eliminate the uncertainties involved with online spirit purchases. To this end, Whisky Hammer puts every bottle that arrives at its headquarters in Scotland through a stringent authenticity check. For more information visit: https://www.whiskyhammer.com Daniel Milne, Managing Director of Whisky Hammer, says about its verification process: We work with famous and world-renowned distilleries to verify the authenticity of every bottle or collection that we process. We have accumulated scores of trusted whisky literature that documents the history of the art of producing the spirit and gives us a unique insight into the items that we make available through our auctions. We also consult with trusted whisky experts who are just as passionate as us. Daniel, along with his brother Craig Milne, who is the Operation Director for Whisky Hammer, set up the whisky auction service in 2015 to offer a safe and secure service to its whisky buyers and sellers. The company provides personalised, 24/7 email support to clients. Its team of whisky experts is available to answer all questions about the bottles in the inventory or provide more information about the business. Cask sellers get assigned a personal account manager who works with them throughout the process, from collection to the final auction and delivery. Sellers on the platform benefit from Whisky Hammers global exposure and ever-growing database of whisky enthusiasts. Apart from its state-of-the-art warehouse and facility in Scotland, the company also has an office in Hong Kong. All bottle collections are couriered using trusted delivery services that specialise in fragile shipments. We are fascinated by all the factors that go into creating the perfect dram of whisky from the region to the influence of the cask, Daniel says. There is so much craftsmanship involved in creating complex aged whiskies that stand the test of time. As a company that appreciates the craft, we treat each bottle received in the auction with the same level of respect and commitment inherent in its creation. Buyers can find the exact bottle that suits their tastes on the websites live auction section. Each listing contains exhaustive details about the bottle or collection and plenty of photographs taken by the team at Whisky Hammer itself. Visitors are also encouraged to check out previous auctions, which date back to 2016, when the company had its inaugural auction in March 2016. The items up for auction can be narrowed based on a range of filters such as the distillery or bottler, country of origin, award-winning bottles or collections, whether VAT is applicable on the purchase, the region where the spirit was first brewed, the status of the distillery, the type of spirit, the age in years, the strength of the whisky, and quantity. Buyers are sure to find rare and collectible whisky bottles that have been meticulously verified and processed by the team at Whisky Hammer, in its monthly auctions. After winning an auction, buyers are only required to pay a nominal 10% commission and delivery fees based on the weight of the bottle and delivery location. VAT is applicable on the companys fees, excluding the hammer price, if the buyer resides within the UK. Growing up on the edge of Speyside, whisky has always been an integral part of our lives and, with Whisky Hammer, we are able to share our passion for whisky collecting with our customers, says Craig. https://youtu.be/mdlu_FQlKhU Readers are encouraged to sign up for an account at https://www.whiskyhammer.com, browse the live auctions, or contact the company to have their rare bottles or collections appraised. ### For more information about Whisky Hammer, contact the company here: Whisky Hammer Sales +44 (0)1358 747470 sales@whiskyhammer.com Whisky Hammer Ltd Udny, Ellon AB41 7PR SCOTLAND, U.K. English French Pixium Vision announces its consolidated financial statements for the financial year 2022 and the consolidated cash balance for March 31, 2023 Paris, April 21, 2023 7.00 a.m. CET - Pixium Vision SA (Euronext Growth Paris - FR0011950641), a bioelectronics company that develops innovative bionic vision systems to enable patients who have lost their sight to live more independently, announces that the consolidated financial statements for the year 2022 were approved by Pixium Visions Board of Directors at its meeting on April 18, 2023 as specified below. The audit procedures have been performed and the audit report is being issued. 2022 annual results (audited) - Excerpts Income statement summary In thousands of euros 2022 2021 Change Revenue and other income 1,955 2,655 -26.4% Operating expenses (13,900) (12,916) -7.6% Research and Development (8,793) (7,282) -20.7% General and administrative expenses (5,106) (5,633) +9.4% Operating income (loss) (11,945) (10,260) -16.4% Net income (loss) (10,312) (10,930) +5.7% Net earnings per share (0.21) (0.23) Statement of cash flows summary In thousands of euros 2022 2021 Opening cash and cash equivalents 14,505 10,566 (Decrease)/Increase in cash position (6,817) 3,939 O/W net cash flows from operating activities (11,328) (8,829) O/W net cash flows from investment activities (93) (52) O/W net cash flows from financing activities 4,601 12,818 Effect of exchange rate changes on cash 2 2 Closing cash and cash equivalents 7,687 14,505 Analysis of 2022 results (audited) In financial year 2022, the Group did not generate any sales. Revenue and other income amounted to 2.0 million, compared to 2.7 million the previous year. In 2022 revenue and other income are comprised essentially of a Research Tax Credit (CIR) in the amount of 1.8 million. Operating expenses amounted to 13.9 million, compared to 12.9 million in 2021. Operating expenses increased by 7.6% amounting to 1.0 million of which 1.5 million in research and development, offset by savings of 0.5 million in general and administrative expenses. Research and Development expenses totalled 8.8 million, compared to 7.3 million the previous year. In 2022, Pixium Vision strengthened its clinical team and opened further clinical centers in Europe as part of its PRIMAvera pivotal study and completed the implantation of all 38 required by the study. In addition, the Group continued to develop and manufacture its PRIMA bionic vision system to ensure the progress of its ongoing clinical studies. totalled 8.8 million, compared to 7.3 million the previous year. In 2022, Pixium Vision strengthened its clinical team and opened further clinical centers in Europe as part of its PRIMAvera pivotal study and completed the implantation of all 38 required by the study. In addition, the Group continued to develop and manufacture its PRIMA bionic vision system to ensure the progress of its ongoing clinical studies. General and administrative expenses totaled 5.1 million compared to 5.6 million in 2021. The decrease is mainly linked to the costs incurred by the Company for legal services in 2021, in preparation for its business combination with Second Sight Medical Product. Operating income (loss) for 2022 was a loss of 11.9 million, compared to a 10.3 million operating loss in 2021. Net income (loss) was a loss of 10.3 million (compared to a loss of 10.9 million in 2021). In 2022, the Group recognised interest income of 1.6 million due to a restructuring of debt (compared to an interest expense of 0.7 million in 2021). The Group did not recognize corporate income tax expense for 2022. The loss per share was 0.21 and 0.23 per share in 2022 and 2021, respectively. Net cash outflow from operating activities of 2022 totalled 11.3 million, compared to 8.8 million the previous year. The increased cash outflow was primarily due to the PRIMAvera clinical trial in Europe for which the Company reached its enrolment and implantation target of 38 patients at the originally communicated date of December, 2022. The study is being conducted in clinical sites in France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands and Italy. Furthermore, the manufacturing of remote rehabilitation systems for patients in clinical trials as well as costs related to the preparation of financing options, lead to an increase in spending, which were partially offset by reduced expenses associated with the French and US feasibility studies. Until 31 December 2022, investments in fixed and intangible assets remained low leading to a net cash outflow from investment activities of 0.1 million. On 31 December 2022, net cash provided by financing activities totalled 4.6 million, following the drawdown of the first tranche of the convertible note (ORNAN 2022) signed with ESGO in July 2022 for a total of 5.5 million, and for which the Company received a total amount of 4.6 million (in net proceeds). Pixium Vision ended 2022 with a net cash position of 7.7 million, compared to 14.5 million at the end of 2021. Cash position on March 31, 2023 (unaudited) and key developments since the beginning of 2023: At March 31, 2023, Pixium Vision s cash position amounted to 4.7 million, compared to 7.7 million on January 1, 2023. As indicated in a previous press release (link), Pixium Vision continues to actively seek financing options to support its strategic ambitions and to prevent insolvency. At the same time, the Company continues to implement cost reduction measures with the intention to extend its cash runway until approximately the end of July 2023 vs the originally announced cash runway of June 2023. The Company has mandated two investment banks to assist it in its search for investors worldwide. The Company is aware that the investment of capital into Pixium Vision by one or more new investors could be time consuming, and the effective capital injection of funds might be delayed beyond July 2023. Therefore the Company is also investigating solutions to ensure the financing of its activity during such period (between the end of July 2023 and the investment of a new investor). Since the beginning of 2023 Pixium Vision continued its positive momentum in its clinical, regulatory and product development. On January 12, 2023, Pixium Vision announced publication of peer-reviewed articles demonstrating the potential of the Next Generation PRIMA implant. On February 13, 2023, Pixium Vision announced the termination of the convertible note financing agreement with US-based healthcare investor ESGO. On March 17, 2023, Pixium Vision announced the reduction of share capital, due to losses, by reduction of nominal value: number of shares unchanged. On March 31, 2023, announced the adjudication of Breakthrough Device Designation by the FDA in the United States for the Prima System in Dry AMD. Contacts Pixium Vision Offer Nonhoff Chief Financial Officer investors@pixium-vision.com Media Relations LifeSci Advisors Sophie Baumont sophie@lifesciadvisors.com +33 6 27 74 74 49 Investor Relations LifeSci Advisors Guillaume van Renterghem gvanrenterghem@lifesciadvisors.com +41 76 735 01 31 ABOUT PIXIUM VISION Pixium Vision is creating a world of bionic vision for those who have lost their sight, enabling them to regain visual perception and greater autonomy. Pixium Visions bionic vision systems are associated with a surgical intervention and a rehabilitation period. Prima System sub-retinal miniature photovoltaic wireless implant is in clinical testing for patients who have lost their sight due to outer retinal degeneration, initially for atrophic dry age-related macular degeneration (dry AMD). Pixium Vision collaborates closely with academic and research partners, including some of the most prestigious vision research institutions in the world, such as Institut de la Vision in Paris, Moorfields Eye Hospital in London, Institute of Ocular Microsurgery (IMO) in Barcelona, University hospital in Bonn, and UPMC in Pittsburgh, PA. The company is EN ISO 13485 certified and qualifies as Entreprise Innovante by Bpifrance. Forward-Looking Statements. This press release contains certain forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, these forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. For a discussion of risks and uncertainties which could cause the Company's actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements to differ from those contained in the forward looking statements, please refer to the Risk Factors (Facteurs de Risques) section of the Companys 2021 Half-Year Financial Report and other documents the Company files with the AMF, which is available on the AMF website (www.amf- france.org) or on the Companys website. For more information: http://www.pixium-vision.com/fr Follow us on @PixiumVision ; www.facebook.com/pixiumvision www.linkedin.com/company/pixium-vision Attachment Oslo, 21 April 2023: Scatec ASA will release its first quarter results on Friday 5 May 2023 at 07:00 am (CEST). A presentation of the results followed by a Q&A session will be held on the same day at 09:00 am at Scatecs headquarters at Skyen Atrium III (1st floor), Askekroken 11, 0277 Oslo. The presentation and the Q&A session can be followed through a live webcast from our website www.scatec.com , or Scatec webcast Q1 2023 . For further information, please contact: For analysts and investors: Andreas Austrell, VP IR, andreas.austrell@scatec.com For media: Meera Bhatia, SVP Communications & Government Affairs, meera.bhatia@scatec.com About Scatec Scatec is a leading renewable energy solutions provider, accelerating access to reliable and affordable clean energy emerging markets. As a long-term player, we develop, build, own, and operate renewable energy plants, with 4.6 GW in operation and under construction across four continents today. We are committed to grow our renewable energy capacity, delivered by our close to 800 passionate employees and partners who are driven by a common vision of Improving our Future. Scatec is headquartered in Oslo, Norway and listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol SCATC. To learn more, visit www.scatec.com or connect with us on LinkedIn . This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act New York, April 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global money transfer services market is estimated to be valued at USD 110.8 billion by 2032 from USD 26.5 billion in 2022. It is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 15.8% during the forecast period 2023 to 2032. Global money transfer services are a method and platform for sending money from one person to another. These services transfer money between people inside the country or internationally. Money transfer services are provided by banks, financial institutions, online payment systems, and other companies which do money transfers. Request a Money Transfer Services Market Report to find out more about the major revenue-generating segments at https://marketresearch.biz/report/money-transfer-services-market/request-sample/ Key Takeaway: On the base of Type , the inward money transfers segment seized a dominant position with a high revenue share. , the inward money transfers segment seized a dominant position with a high revenue share. As per the channel analysis , the money transfer operators segment was the major market operator system in 2022. , the money transfer operators segment was the major market operator system in 2022. In terms of end-user, the personal end-users segment led the market in 2022. Geologically, Asia-Pacific held an important position with a market share of almost 40% in 2022. held an important position with a market share of almost in 2022. North America will grow at a significant CAGR from 2023-2032. Some most popular money transfer services include wire transfers, PayPal, Venmo, and check services. These services' costs and transmission times can differ depending on the provider and the amount. Factors Affecting the Growth of the Global Money Transfer Services Market There are several factors that can affect the growth of the global money transfer services market. Some of these factors include: Globalization: As businesses become more global and people move to different countries for work or education, the need for cross-border money transfers has increased. This has led to an increase in demand for money transfer services, driving the industry's growth. Technological advancements: The advent of new technologies, such as mobile devices and the internet, has made it easier and more convenient for people to transfer money. Digital platforms and mobile applications have made it possible to transfer money instantly and securely, and these technologies are driving the growth of the money transfer market. Demographic shifts: The global population is becoming increasingly diverse, with more people moving to different countries and regions. As a result, there is a growing demand for money transfer services that cater to specific cultural and linguistic needs. Top Trends in the Global Money Transfer Services Market With the general acceptance of smartphones and the development of mobile banking apps, customers increasingly use their mobile devices to make payments and transfer money. Blockchain-based expenses have increased adhesion as a safer and clearer alternative to traditional payment methods in recent years. Get a brochure to learn how the Money Transfer Services industry report can make a difference in your business strategy.@ https://marketresearch.biz/report/money-transfer-services-market/#inquiry Market Growth Favorable reimbursement conditions for medicines and treatment regarding technologies in the United States are expected to assist the market's growth. Tc-99m is derived from non-highly enriched uranium (HEU). It is an add-on payment provided by the Center for Medical Services (CMS) to hospitals for outpatient procedures. While the initiatives made it easier for patients to get diagnostic medicines used to treat diseases that can kill them. GE Healthcare announced that a new scanner with the latest innovative workflow feature would be available soon, and this scanner gives doctors a great view of pathology and cardiac anatomy to assist them to choose the right treatment for a patient. Regional Analysis The global money transfer market was dominated by Asia-Pacific in 2022 and is expected to see development at the highest rate due to the rising number of immigrants and growing acceptance of digital remittances due to fast-advancing technologies, developing customer expectations, and an exchanging regulatory background. The Region of North America is increasing rapidly due to traditional banks, financial organizations, and online payment platforms such as PayPal and Venmo. Competitive Landscape The Money transfer software achieves the transfer of money among businesses and between businesses and their clients. B2 B clients and money professionals mostly use money transfer software and transfers to make costs online. Many market players aim to support transactions in many languages, states, and currencies. Market Key Players: Bank of America TransferWise Ltd. XOOM Western Union Holdings Inc. JPMorgan Chase & Co. Citigroup Inc. MoneyGram International Inc. RIA Financial Services Ltd. UAE Exchange Wells Fargo Other Key Players Scope of the Report Report Attributes Details Market Value (2022) USD 26.5 Billion Market Size in 2032 USD 110.8 Billion CAGR (2023 to 2032) 15.8% Asia Pacific Revenue Share 40.2% North America Revenue Share 22.8% Historic Period 2016 to 2022 Base Year 2022 Forecast Year 2023 to 2032 Market Drivers The introduction of novel technologies, such as mobile devices and the internet, has prepared it easier and more suitable for people to transfer money. Digital platforms and mobile applications have made it possible to transfer money fast, and these technologies are driving the growth of the money transfer market. Market Restraints The global money transfer services market is restrained by various factor such Financial institutions may be essential to confirm the identity of their customers before allowing them to transfer money. This can include inviting personal info, such as a government-issued ID, a passport, or a utility bill. The purpose of these verification supplies is to prevent fake activity and confirm that the money being transferred is not related to criminal activity. Market Opportunities The attention of numerous industry competitors for launching new software in this market is one of the crucial driving forces. The growth of technological solid pipelines and the introduction of new products result from the rising demand for money transferring need. Also, most people with online money transferring encourages companies to introduce innovative goods to global market. Grow your profit margin with Marketresearch.biz- Purchase This Premium Report at https://marketresearch.biz/purchase-report/?report_id=36088 Report Segmentation of the Global Money Transfer Services Market Type Insight In the global money transfer services market by type analysis, the inward money transfers segment dominated the market. This segment transfers money to the country or region from a different location using different digital channels. This type of transfer is mainly used by people who work in other countries and want to send money back home to their families. Channel Insight The money transfer operators segment held the highest CAGR. Around the globe, MTOs are non-bank financial organizations that study providing money transfer services. They deal with various services, including cash-to-cash transfers, bank transfers, and mobile money transfers. The MTOs are often used by persons who do not have entree to traditional banking services, such as immigrants or people living in country areas, which will likely anticipate increasing in the segment's growth during the forecast period. End-User Insight During the forecast period, it is anticipated that the personal end users segment will likely account for the fastest CAGR. This segment is mainly used by persons who need to transfer money for personal causes, such as paying bills, sending money to friends or family members, or making purchases. The small businesses segment will hold the second-largest share and continue to grow during the forecast period. For more insights on the historical and Forecast market data from 2016 to 2032 - download a sample report at https://marketresearch.biz/report/money-transfer-services-market/request-sample/ Market Segmentation By Type Inward money transfer Outward money transfer By Channel Banks Money Transfer Operators Other Channels By End User Personal Small Businesses Other End-Users By Geography North America The US Canada Mexico Western Europe Germany France The UK Spain Italy Portugal Ireland Austria Switzerland Benelux Nordic Rest of Western Europe Eastern Europe Russia Poland The Czech Republic Greece Rest of Eastern Europe APAC China Japan South Korea India Australia & New Zealand Indonesia Malaysia Philippines Singapore Thailand Vietnam Rest of APAC Latin America Brazil Colombia Chile Argentina Costa Rica Rest of Latin America Middle East & Africa Algeria Egypt Israel Kuwait Nigeria Saudi Arabia South Africa Turkey United Arab Emirates Rest of MEA Recent Development of the Global Money Transfer Services Market In 2019, The company PayPal announced Xoom, a money transfer service that permits consumers to send money straight to bank accounts, mobile wallets, and cash pick-up sites in above 130 countries. In 2020, The digital platform Venmo announced its Instant Transfer service, which helps users rapidly transfer money to their bank account for a minor fee. In 2021, The big scale platform Wise (formerly TransferWise) went public, calling off on the London Stock Exchange with a market value of above $11 billion. Related Reports Mobile wallet market is expected to value at more than US$ 0.5 Bn in 2019 and is expected to register a CAGR of 16.1% Real-time payments market is projected to be US$ 10.83 Bn in 2022 to reach US$ 119.0 Bn by 2031 at a CAGR of 30.5%. Voice-based payments market was valued at US$ 21.01 billion in 2020, and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 9.9%. Vietnam Mobile Payment market size is expected to be worth around US$ 197.2 Bn by 2031 from US$ 37 Bn in 2021, growing at a CAGR of 18.19% during the forecast period 2021 to 2031. About Us: MarketResearch.biz (Powered by Prudour Pvt. Ltd.) delivers customized research solutions by actuating its broad spectrum of research methodologies, databases, and resources, and this is further strengthened by our global experience in syndicated and customized industry projects. Our tailor-made research services include quick market scans, country reports, in-depth market analysis, competition monitoring, consumer research and satisfaction studies, supplier research, growth planning, and quite a lot more. English Danish Investor news 21 April 2023 FK Distribution will have a new CEO effective from 1 May 2023. Andreas Hald joins the company from a position as managing director of Bring, the logistics company. The current CEO, Lasse Ingemann Brodt, will now devote all his time to the role of Group CEO of North Media and thus apply more management power to the strategic development of the Group. A new CEO has been appointed to FK Distribution, North Medias largest subsidiary. Andreas Hald brings almost 25 years of experience to the job from logistics, distribution and transport services. He began his career as a bike courier with Danish messenger service De Grnne Bude, and has since 2005 covered a number of positions with logistics company Bring, including CFO of Bring Danmark and Managing Director of Bring Courier & Express in the Nordics. As CEO of FK Distribution, Andreas Halds brief will be to expand the companys position in Denmark while also directing it more towards the international market. FK Distribution is a company rich in tradition and with an exciting future. We create value for our customers by helping them connect with their customers, and our national consumers have never been as responsive to a good deal as they are today. This makes for a great potential in FK Distributions market position and in the technological edge the company has in the international market. This is an advantage we aim to leverage to an even greater extent from now on, says Andreas Hald. FK Distributions automated technologies for packing and distributing individualised sets of leaflets to named households makes it a European leader. The worlds largest distribution company, Deutsche Post, applies FK Distributions technology in its transition to a more environmentally friendly distribution of leaflets in northern Germany. Renewal and continuity Andreas Hald takes over the position from Lasse Ingemann Brodt, who has been a part of FK Distributions management since 2012 during the first six years as chief sales officer and for the past five years as CEO. Since April 2022, he has also served as Group CEO of North Media. Andreas is the perfect match for us to bring FK Distribution to the next level. I know Andreas from my time with Bring, and Ive every confidence hell make use of his past experience to add a more international perspective to the business. In addition, he has human values which are a good match with the FK and North Media family, says Lasse Ingemann Brodt. Lasse Ingemann Brodt looks forward to being able to devote all his time to the position as Group CEO of North Media: In April 2022, we appointed a new Group Executive Board with a stronger remit. The objective was to accelerate business development, speed up execution and ensure profitable growth, also through acquisitions. Im excited that Ill now be able to apply most of my time to that purpose. In 2022, FK Distribution packed and distributed about 1.3 billion leaflets, local newspapers and selected mail items (such as magazines) to Danish households. In addition, the minetilbud digital platform had 133 million views of leaflets to 1.5 million users. FK Distribution employs about 300 staff members and almost 10,000 part-time deliverers. Further information: Group CEO Lasse Ingemann Brodt, mobile +45 2024 3292 MILAN, Italy, April 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A total of thirty-five supply chain contracts signed, 450 suppliers involved and about 3,200 employees with a turnover of over 2 billion euros through the Supply Chain Development Programme. These are just some of the results achieved by Intesa Sanpaolo, institutional partner of the Salone del Mobile Milano 2023 Milan Design Week for the seventh year and Italy's leading bank in providing financial support to the furniture and home decor sector in Italy, which hosted at the Aurore arena, the beating heart of the biennial lighting exhibition Euroluce, the talk 'Sustainable lighting trends and prospects in design'. The meeting was attended by Italian lighting and design entrepreneurs who reflected on the sustainable development of the sector between innovation and traditions, ecological transition and the role of technology for a zero-impact future. The economic scenario of the furniture sector was presented by Stefania Trenti, Head of the Industry Research Office at Intesa Sanpaolo. A round table discussion saw the participation of Niccolo Bacci, Head of the Fashion & Textile Desk at Intesa Sanpaolo, and entrepreneurs Roberto Beltrami, Director of Wave Murano Glass, an Italian excellence specialising in the production of artistic glass with a focus on energy recovery, and Martina Lamperti, Circular Economy Manager of Krill Design, a startup included in Intesa Sanpaolo's Up2Stars for the Bioeconomy, which helps companies give value to organic waste from the food industry by transforming it into natural and compostable biopolymers that are used to create functional eco-design objects, including the Ohmie lamp listed in the ADI Design Index 2022. One of the highlights was the dialogue between Paolo Melone, Head of Marketing Coordination and Business Development at Intesa Sanpaolo, Carla Morogallo, Director General of Triennale Milano, and Mara Servetto, co-founder of Migliore+Servetto, a prestigious international design studio based in Milan specialising in the creation of branding projects and narrative spaces, which has carried out more than 600 projects in 21 different countries since 1997, winning numerous international awards including three Compasso d'Oro and thirteen Red Dot Design Awards. The talk was introduced by Paolo Melone. Furniture and lighting are among the leading Made in Italy sectors. Thanks to the strong post-Covid growth, according to estimates by Intesa Sanpaolo's Studies and Research Department, the turnover of Italian home design has nearly reached 32 billion euros, confirming Italy's position as the leading production hub in the European Union, ahead of Germany. "The final figures for 2022," Intesa Sanpaolo explains, "confirmed significant growth, with exports up 13.4% for furniture and 8.5% for equipment and lighting. Sales to the United States stand out in this regard (+24.9% for furniture and +27.7% for equipment and lighting), reaching 1.9 billion euros in 2022 (382 million euros more than in 2021)." For more information: Press Office LaPresse - ufficio.stampa@lapresse.it A video accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/76322373-e2b4-4943-9298-540fe165b2e9 Dublin, April 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Potato Protein Market by Type (Isolates and Concentrates), Nature (Organic and Conventional), Application (Food & Beverages and Feed), and Region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Rest of the World) - Global Forecast to 2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global the potato protein market is projected to reach USD 144 million by 2028 from USD 105 million by 2022, at a CAGR of 5.4% during 2022-2028 Protein has acknowledged superiority due to awareness and demand for healthy food. Potato protein is extracted from potato juice and industrial potato waste, and the nutritional and functional values of potato protein have been found to be more significant than other vegetables and cereal proteins. Hence, manufacturers are adopting potato protein to create protein-rich commodities in the food & beverage industry. By type, Potato protein Isolate is widely used in food industry. Potato protein isolates largely finds application in the food industry when compared to the feed industry. Processed potato protein isolates are therefore used commercially for adding to food products to boost their protein level. Potato protein isolates using mild separation techniques do not lead to a significant change in the nutritional value, metabolism or contaminants. Potato protein isolates have high digestibility and blending abilities; hence, a new class of designed foods is developed using it. It has increased protein concentration & advantages in color, flavor and functional qualities, thus giving other varieties of potato protein a competitive edge. By application, Bakery & Confectionery is projected in high demand during the forecast period. Potato protein is used for the protein enrichment of bread products that are usually quite low in protein in bakery application. Further, bakery products with potato protein can be used as a replacement for wheat protein products as it is gluten-free; this provides this market with an opportunity as there is a growing demand for gluten-free bakery goods such as bread and cakes. In confectionery and baking, potato protein is frequently used as an ingredient to enhance the consistency, flavor, and structure of baked goods. Protein from potatoes is high in amino acids but low in fat and carbs. Potato protein improves the texture of baked goods and has a high water-binding capacity which helps keep baked goods moist and prevent them from drying out. Potato protein is also a good choice for those with gluten intolerances or allergies due to its lack of gluten. The production of gluten-free baked goods is possible by substituting potato protein for wheat flour. Continuous innovation and new products are formed in the market to meet the demand for this application. KMC ingredients (Denmark) offers Protafy 130 potato protein products which are ideal for protein fortification of products based on dough systems, such as bakery, pasta or extruded snacks and pellets. By Region, Germany in Europe is driving the market in potato protein market due to increase in customer awareness and growing demand for plant-based products. The demand for plant-based proteins is increasing globally, and Germany is no exception. It is driven by several factors, including health concerns, environmental awareness, and animal welfare issues. Potato protein being a high-quality protein source that is low in fat and is cholesterol-free, makes it popular ingredient in health and wellness. Moreover, potato protein has a smaller environmental footprint compared to animal-based protein sources such as meat and dairy. Additionally, potato protein is a high-quality protein source that contains all essential amino acids, making it an attractive option for health-conscious consumers. In addition, potato protein is gluten-free, non-GMO, and allergen-free, which adds to its appeal. The German government has been supporting the growth of the potato protein industry through various regulations and initiatives. In 2019, the German Ministry of Food and Agriculture included the promotion of plant-based protein sources in its National Action Plan for Sustainable Consumption. This kind of support is expected to help drive demand for potato protein in the country. Competitive landscape The global market for potato protein is dominated by large-scale players such as Avebe (Netherlands), Tereos (France), and Kerry Group plc (Ireland). Key Attributes: Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 252 Forecast Period 2022 - 2028 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2022 $105 Million Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2028 $144 Million Compound Annual Growth Rate 5.4% Regions Covered Global Premium Insights Demand for Fast Food and Plant-Based Food for Potato Protein Market US Was Largest Market Globally in 2022 Germany and Feed Were Largest Potato Protein Market Segments in Europe in 2022 Potato Protein Concentrates Projected to Dominate Market During Forecast Period Conventional Potato Protein to Dominate Market During Forecast Period Feed Application to Dominate Market During Forecast Period Europe to Dominate Market During Forecast Period Market Dynamics Drivers Increase in Vegan Population Consumer Concerns Regarding Food Allergens in Products Nutritional Benefits of Potato Protein Increased Demand for Fast-Food Chains Restraints High Production Cost of Potato Protein Potential Fear of Replacement of Potato Protein in Food and Feed Industries Opportunities Growth in Investments in New Production Facilities Adoption of New Technologies in Potato Protein Industry Challenges Low Global Production and Distribution of Potato Protein Industry Trends Value Chain Analysis Research & Development Sourcing of Raw Materials Production & Processing Distribution, Marketing, and Sales Technology Analysis Spray Drying Atomization Dehydration Powder Collection Separation and Coagulation Case Studies Kmc Ingredients: Development of Potato Protein for Incorporation in Nutritious Snacks and Beverages Kerry Group plc: Development of Potato Protein for Cheese-Flavored Snacks Company Profiles Key Companies Avebe Tereos Kerry Group plc Sudzucker Ag Roquette Freres Emsland Group Kmc Ingredients Pepees Group Akv Langholt Ppz Niechlow the Scoular Company Finnamyl Kemin Industries Bioriginal Duynie Other Players Aminola B.V. Gaoyuan Healthmarque Hjherb Kings Dehydrated Foods Private Limited Zetpezet Sudstarke Royal Ingredients Group Meelunie Equistro For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/jzy6k8 About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Attachment Visiongain has published a new report entitled Food High Pressure Processing (HPP) Equipment Market 2023-2033. It includes profiles of Food High Pressure Processing (HPP) Equipment and Forecasts Market Segment by Solution Type (Horizontal and Vertical), Market Segment by Application & Services (Beverages, Meat, Salads, Dairy, Plant Proteins, Protein-based Raw Material, Algae, Ready-to-eat Meals, and Tolling Services) plus COVID-19 Impact Analysis and Recovery Pattern Analysis (V-shaped, W-shaped, U-shaped, L-shaped), Profiles of Leading Companies, Region and Country. The food high pressure processing (HPP) equipment market was valued at US$242.9 million in 2022 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 15.86% during the forecast period 2023-2033. The Demand for HPP Tolling Services is expected to drive the market growth High Pressure Processing (HPP) tolling services refer to a business model in which companies provide HPP processing services to other companies. HPP tolling services are an opportunity for food companies that don't have the capital to purchase HPP equipment or don't have enough production volume to justify the cost of investing in their own HPP equipment. This allows them to take advantage of the benefits of HPP technology, such as increased shelf life and improved food safety, without having to invest in expensive equipment themselves. The HPP tolling service industry is expected to grow significantly in the coming years due to the increasing demand for HPP technology in the food industry. The growth in the HPP tolling service market is also driven by the increasing trend of outsourcing non-core activities, allowing companies to focus on their core business functions. For example, Universal Pure is a US-based company that offers HPP tolling services to food companies. The company has established HPP facilities across the US and has partnerships with major retailers and food brands. Another example is Hiperbaric, a Spanish company that offers HPP tolling services to food companies in Europe and Latin America. Hiperbaric also manufactures HPP equipment and provides training and support services to its customers. Overall, HPP tolling services represent a significant opportunity for food companies to take advantage of HPP technology without the high initial investment costs. As the demand for HPP technology continues to increase, the HPP tolling service industry is expected to grow and become an important part of the food industry supply chain. Download Exclusive Sample of Report https://www.visiongain.com/report/hpp-equipment-market-2023/#download_sampe_div How has COVID-19 had a Significant Negative Impact on the Food High Pressure Processing (HPP) Equipment Market? The COVID-19 pandemic had a mixed impact on the food high pressure processing (HPP) equipment market. The initial months of the pandemic led to a decline in the market as the food and beverage industry was severely impacted by the lockdowns and restrictions on the movement of goods. However, with the easing of restrictions and the growing demand for processed food products, the market has witnessed a gradual recovery. However, the high cost of HPPE and the lack of awareness about the technology among small and medium-sized food manufacturers are the major challenges faced by the market. The market also faces stiff competition from conventional preservation and pasteurization methods, such as thermal and chemical treatments. How will this Report Benefit you? Visiongains 274-page report provides 107 tables and 156 charts/graphs. Our new study is suitable for anyone requiring commercial, in-depth analyses for the food high pressure processing (HPP) equipment market, along with detailed segment analysis in the market. Our new study will help you evaluate the overall global and regional market for food high pressure processing (HPP) equipment. Get financial analysis of the overall market and different segments including solution type, application and capture higher market share. We believe that there are strong opportunities in this fast-growing food high pressure processing (HPP) equipment market. See how to use the existing and upcoming opportunities in this market to gain revenue benefits in the near future. Moreover, the report will help you to improve your strategic decision-making, allowing you to frame growth strategies, reinforce the analysis of other market players, and maximise the productivity of the company. What are the Current Market Drivers? Growing Awareness of the Benefits of Natural and Healthy Foods The global food industry is witnessing a paradigm shift towards natural and healthy foods, and consumers are increasingly becoming more health-conscious in their food choices. This has resulted in a surge in demand for natural and healthy food products that are free from harmful chemicals, additives, and preservatives. This shift in consumer behaviour has resulted in a significant increase in the demand for food High pressure processing equipment (HPPE). There is growing awareness among consumers about the benefits of consuming natural and healthy foods. These foods are closer to their natural state and retain their nutritional value, taste, and texture. Healthy foods, on the other hand, are those that are rich in nutrients, vitamins, and minerals and are beneficial for overall health and well-being. Stringent Food Safety Regulations Stringent regulations concerning food safety are a driving force behind the growth of the food high pressure processing (HPP) equipment market. A food safety regulation ensures that food products are safe for consumption and free from harmful bacteria and viruses. HPPE technology is an effective method for ensuring food safety as it uses high pressure to inactivate harmful microorganisms and pathogens. To ensure the safety of their products, food manufacturers are required to comply with stringent food safety regulations. A brand's reputation can be tarnished if these regulations are not followed, resulting in fines, recalls, and other penalties. As a result, food manufacturers are increasingly turning to HPPE technology to meet these regulations and ensure that their products are safe for consumption. There are several food safety regulations that are encouraging the adoption of food High pressure processing equipment (HPPE). Download Exclusive Sample of Report https://www.visiongain.com/report/hpp-equipment-market-2023/#download_sampe_div Where are the Market Opportunities? Collaboration with Food Manufacturers Can Provide Several Opportunities for High Pressure Processing Equipment (HPPE) Food Companies Food manufacturers can collaborate with HPPE equipment companies to develop new product lines using HPPE technology. For example, Food manufacturers may want to develop a line of simple fruit and vegetable snacks free of preservatives and with a long shelf life. By collaborating with an HPPE equipment company, they can develop a process that preserves the nutritional content and flavour of the fruits and vegetables while ensuring that they are safe to eat. In addition, food HPPE equipment companies can work with food manufacturers to improve the efficiency of their production processes. For example, an HPPE equipment company can provide a manufacturer with a custom-designed HPPE system that is tailored to their specific needs, improving their production speed and reducing downtime. In addition, leading players operating in the overall market such as Hiperbaric SA, JBT Corporation, and others can offer custom equipment for food high pressure processing equipment (HPPE) companies. Custom equipment in HPP technology may include various vessel sizes and configurations depending on the specific needs and requirements of the food processing application. Some examples of custom equipment with different vessel sizes include: Hiperbaric 300L+ HPP unit, Avure QFP 525L-600 HPP system, and Stansted Fluid Power custom HPP unit 30L. Increasing Awareness Boosts HPPE Companies to expand their Geographical Reach in Asian countries In recent years, Asian region has been gaining traction for HPP technology. The Asian region accounts for approximately 60 per cent of the global population with young population with a median age of 30 years with improving GDP per capita coupled with growing awareness of fresh food has boosted the demand in this region. Moreover, working couples and preference for home-made food has triggered the demand for ready to eat meals. Similarly demand for ready to eat meals has surged for baby foods for instance in Singapore, Taleii Baby Food Company has adopted HPP technology to provide its custom made food boxes for infants. The packages contain fresh foods and vegetables and can be given to the babies directly. Similarly Kakui Foods in Japan is also using HPP technology supplies ready to eat lunch box with rice ball, a side dish, sandwich and soup. Although the Asian region still traditionally follows pasteurization, sterilization, preservatives and freezing as modes of food preservation, the trend is gradually moving towards adoption of newer technologies like HPP. Also, there has been growing demand for HPP technology for pet foods in this region. Thus, Asia currently presents immense opportunity for HPP equipment manufactures. Competitive Landscape The key players operating in the food high pressure processing (HPP) equipment market are Hiperbaric SA, JBT Corporation, Multivac Group, ThyssenKrupp AG, Kobe Steel, Ltd., Metronics Technologies S.L., FresherTech, Bao Tou KeFa High Pressure Technology Co Ltd, Stansted Fluid Power Ltd, and Universal Pure AG. These key players operating in this market have adopted various strategies comprising M&A, investment in R&D, collaborations, partnerships, regional business expansion, and new product launch. Recent Developments On 2 nd June 2022, Universal Pure completed acquisition of US- based Hydrofresh HPP from Keller Logistics Group, a leading provider of custom high pressure processing services to the food and beverage industry June 2022, Universal Pure completed acquisition of US- based Hydrofresh HPP from Keller Logistics Group, a leading provider of custom high pressure processing services to the food and beverage industry On 17th January 2022, Multivac Group acquired the business and assets of Germany-based firm TVI holdings, a leading manufacturer of meat portioning machines and complete portioning line To access the data contained in this document please email oliver.davison@visiongain.com To find more Visiongain research reports on the Food and Drink sector, click on the following links: Do you have any custom requirements we can help you with? Any need for a specific country, geo region, market segment or specific company information? Contact us today, we can discuss your needs and see how we can help: oliver.davison@visiongain.com About Visiongain Visiongain is one of the fastest-growing and most innovative independent market intelligence providers around, the company publishes hundreds of market research reports which it adds to its extensive portfolio each year. These reports offer in-depth analysis across 18 industries worldwide. The reports, which cover 10-year forecasts, are hundreds of pages long, with in-depth market analysis and valuable competitive intelligence data. Visiongain works across a range of vertical markets with a lot of synergies. These markets include automotive, aviation, chemicals, cyber, defence, energy, food & drink, materials, packaging, pharmaceutical and utilities sectors. Our customised and syndicated market research reports offer a bespoke piece of market intelligence customised to your very own business needs. Contact: Pune, April 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SNS Insider reported that the Operational Technology Market had a worth of USD 158.1 billion in 2022 and is anticipated to attain USD 257.74 billion by 2030, with a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.3% from 2023 to 2030. Market Report Scope Operational Technology (OT) refers to the hardware and software systems used to monitor and control industrial processes, including manufacturing, transportation, and energy production. These systems are often referred to as Industrial Control Systems (ICS) and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems. OT is essential for ensuring the safe and efficient operation of industrial processes. It allows operators to monitor the performance of machines and processes in real-time, identify potential issues, and take corrective action to prevent failures or accidents. Download PDF Brochure: https://www.snsinsider.com/sample-request/1558 Market Analysis The operational technology market is experiencing significant growth due to a range of factors, including government initiatives and rapid industrialization in developing countries. Governments around the world are increasingly recognizing the importance of advanced technology solutions in driving economic growth and improving efficiency in industries. As a result, there has been a push towards the adoption of OT solutions in a range of sectors, including manufacturing, oil and gas, and transportation. These solutions offer real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and remote control capabilities, leading to increased productivity and profitability. Impact of Russia-Ukraine Conflict The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has the potential to impact the OT market in various ways, including disruptions in the supply chain, increased investments in cybersecurity solutions, and geopolitical risks associated with investing in the region. However, the extent of these impacts will depend on the duration and severity of the conflict and the measures taken by businesses and governments to mitigate their effects. Key Regional Development According to recent research, the operational technology market in the Asia Pacific region is expected to experience significant growth over the forecast period. This growth is driven by the increasing adoption of automation in a variety of end-use industries, including food and beverages, energy and power, manufacturing, and automotive. Furthermore, the rising industrialization in countries such as India, China, Malaysia, and Indonesia has also contributed significantly to the growth of the OT market in the Asia Pacific region. Buy Exclusive PDF Copy of 3D Metrology Market Along With ME Sheet: https://www.snsinsider.com/checkout/1558 Key Takeaway from Operational Technology Market Study The industrial valves segment is poised to dominate the market. This comes as no surprise, as industrial valves are critical components in a variety of applications, including oil and gas, water treatment, and manufacturing. The market is expected to witness significant growth in the oil and gas segment, as per recent market research. This comes as no surprise, as the oil and gas industry is one of the most critical and complex sectors, and demands the highest levels of efficiency, accuracy, and safety in its operations. Recent Developments Related to Operational Technology Market Rockwell Automation, a leading provider of industrial automation and digital transformation solutions, has partnered with Fortinet, a global cybersecurity solutions provider, to enhance the security of operational technology (OT) environments. The partnership aims to provide customers with comprehensive cybersecurity solutions that can protect critical infrastructure and manufacturing processes from cyber threats. Optiv, a leading cybersecurity solutions provider, has launched a full suite of Operational Technology (OT) services, aimed at helping industrial organizations secure their OT environments. The suite includes a range of services, such as risk assessments, compliance management, threat detection and response, and security awareness training. Operational Technology Market Scope Report Attributes Details Market Size in 2022 US$ 158.1 Billion Market Size by 2030 US$ 257.41 Billion CAGR CAGR of 6.3% From 2023 to 2030 Key Segments By Components (Industrial Valves, Industrial Sensors, Transmitters, Actuators, Functional Safety, SCADA, MES, DCS, PAM, WMS, HMI) By Technology (Wired, Wireless) By Industry (Oil & Gas, Pharmaceuticals, Energy & Power, Pulp & Paper, Food & Beverages, Chemicals, Metals & Mining, Automotive, Semiconductor & Electronics, Machine Manufacturing, Aerospace & Defense, Medical Devices, Others) Company Profiles ABB, Schneider Electric, Honeywell International Inc, IBM, Siemens, Rockwell Automation, Emerson Electric Co, General Electric and Others. Market Drivers Governments are taking strategic steps to encourage the adoption of Operational Technologies. With smart automation, there is a growing demand for smart industrial automation all over the world. Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Research Methodology 3. Market Dynamics 4. Impact Analysis 5. Value Chain Analysis 6. Porters 5 forces model 7. PEST Analysis 8. Global Operational Technology Market Segmentation, by Components 9. Global Operational Technology Market Segmentation, by Technology 10. Global Operational Technology Market Segmentation, By Industry 11. Regional Analysis 12. Company Profiles 13. Competitive Landscape 14. Conclusion About SNS Insider At SNS Insider, we believe that businesses should have access to the best market intelligence and insights, regardless of their size or industry. That's why we offer a range of solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of each client, from startups to big corporations. With a passion for our work and an unwavering commitment to delivering value, we are dedicated to helping our clients achieve their full potential. Khartoum / Omdurman Sudan's most recent attempt at a ceasefire has failed yet again today, with reports of the humanitarian truce between the warring factions being violated within the first few hours after heavy artillery fire reverberated across the capital. The death toll now surpasses 300, according to the World Health Organisation's estimate, and at least 174 civilian deaths and 1041 injuries were confirmed yesterday by medical activists. Lawyer Sateh El Haj told Radio Dabanga that the conflicting parties did not abide by the humanitarian truce, stating that the continued barrage of shelling continued through the night and day. Sudan's Trilateral Mechanism comprised of the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS), African Union (AU), Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) renewed their calls for a ceasefire, amid the sixth day of violent clashes between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The Arab League urged the two opposing camps to announce a ceasefire during the Muslim celebration of Eid al-Fitr. In a statement from the league's Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit yesterday, he stated his hope that Sudan's parties de-escalate "in the name of Islam, Arab values, and humanity". Adding that, the conflict must end to allow those caught in the crossfire "to access food supplies and medical assistance at the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan". Cadavers Sudan's Central Committee of Health Officers earlier warned of an "impending environmental catastrophe", as a result of the decomposing remains of those who fell victim to the inter-factional crossfire. The Chief Inspector at the Federal Ministry of Health Abdelmajed Ahmed told Radio Dabanga that the corpses scattered throughout various neighbourhoods were a "matter of urgency". The inspector stated that the dead bodies must be dealt with according to public health protocols to prevent "the breeding of vector-borne diseases, which doubles the risk of a potential spread of epidemic diseases". Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Sudan Governance Conflict 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. In a statement by the health committee, they called on the immediate cessation of the SAF-RSF clashes, or to at least allow "the environmental sanitation teams to move freely to secure the cadavers, provide them with the time they need to carry out their services". Heavy shelling Locals near the SAF General Command Headquarters in Khartoum told Radio Dabanga of the heavy artillery battles being fought in its vicinity. Yesterday eyewitnesses to the bombing and subsequent burning of aviation fuel stores at the Khartoum International Airport depicted the skies which had become blackened with plumes of thick smoke; a scene now all too familiar for those in Khartoum. The Sudanese Journalists Syndicate revealed that their staff were stranded in the Public Authority for Radio and Television building in Omdurman. They stated that a number of them had been evacuated, however the "situation is witnessing a rapid deterioration and the fighting is getting fiercer between the Sudan Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces". New York, April 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The latest research report "Rapid Diagnostics Market" is expected to reach USD 135.9 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 21.4% during the forecast period 2023-2030. The Rapid Diagnostics Market report includes a microscopic perspective on the extreme business competition. Significant aspects such as sales, income, benefits, creation, costs, import, send out, supply, request, and so forth identified with these market bodies are focused internally and externally in the investigation report dependent upon Rapid Diagnostics industry. It also highlights the market value, growth rate, and key players operating the Rapid Diagnostics Market. The examination includes profundity information over all the leading market substances. Key market operators have been financing extensively in R&D to enhance the production to provide to the customers changing inclinations. An examination of the current market strategies and other key element is provided in the Rapid Diagnostics Market report. Market dynamics like drivers and restraints are explained within the most elaborate and best manner with the utilization of tables and graphs. For In depth Information Get Sample Copy of this Report @ https://www.delvens.com/get-free-sample/rapid-diagnostics-market-trends-forecast-till-2028 Key Players of the Rapid Diagnostics Market Abbott Laboratories ACON Laboratories Inc. Alfa Scientific Designs Inc. Artron Laboratories Inc. Becton, Dickinson, and Company BioMerieux BTNX Inc. Creative Diagnostics Danaher Corporation F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd Hologic Inc. IDVet Qiagen N.V Siemens Healthcare GmbH Zoetis Inc. The Rapid Diagnostics Market research report study discusses about market dynamics like drivers, opportunities, restrictions, and challenges. In addition, the report also describes new and developing patterns and their influence on current and future market dynamics. The Rapid Diagnostics Market research report provides information about market penetration that offers thorough data on the market offered by the main market players. It also offers analysis and awareness and analysis about different factors during the projected period. Due to COVID-19, the landscape of rapid diagnostics has transformed. The majority of emergency departments (A&E) traditionally used rapid diagnostics to assist clinicians in making vital treatment decisions for patients. In response to the necessity for separating infected patients and the turmoil of overcrowded hospitals, a rapid COVID-19 antigenic test that delivers immediate results and can be used by a GP, nurse, pharmacy, or patient has been created. Fast diagnosis and decision-making are now achievable outside of emergency rooms in therapeutic settings. Doctors now have complete control over the patient care process, eliminating the need to wait for a third party to collect a sample, send it to a lab for testing, and discuss the results. While the patient waits for the results for 15 minutes, the entire process can be finished there and then, at the point of care. Rapid Diagnostics Market Overview Patients are feeling more empowered and hungry for greater control as a result of taking on this increased responsibility for their health. In other places, like the UK, patients have started asking their primary care doctor or chemist about alternative fast diagnostics, which indicates that demand for at-home testing is likely to increase. HCPs predict that rapid tests will eventually be included in traditional diagnostic processes as they improve in terms of quality, speed, connected health capabilities, and artificial intelligence. These tests will be applied more often across a range of therapeutic modalities and may even be conducted by patients themselves, giving both patients and clinicians more control. Benefits: Ease of use and support for rapid decision-making are top positives According to 72% of respondents, it is quick and simple to complete. According to 68% of responders, it swiftly assists in choosing a patient's course of action or therapy. 71% of responders claim it enables quick triage and decision-making in the ER. 65% claim that it makes testing more accessible. 66% recommend using rule-in/rule-out clinical decision-making for diagnosis. Challenges: Accuracy remains a key challenge across markets The specificity and sensitivity of tests (i.e., false negatives), according to 49% of respondents, 35% of respondents were informed that the sample was complex (e.g., blood sampling vs. cheek swabs). 38% of respondents claim that medical professionals do not trust tests. 37% of responders mention test costs. 34% of respondents claim that healthcare personnel is unaware of rapid diagnostics. Inquire before Buying @ https://www.delvens.com/Inquire-before-buying/rapid-diagnostics-market-trends-forecast-till-2028 Rapid Diagnostics Market Segmentation Analysis In 2022, over-the-counter (OTC) products dominated the market with a share of 59%. This is attributable to the fact that using these tests in a "close understanding setting" is not difficult and that doing so is more cost-effective than having testing done in an expensive research facility. These tests are frequently used in home consideration settings, providing a convenient and cost-effective alternative to testing in a research institution. Fast Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) typically examine infections by using blood, urine, and saliva. The largest income component in 202238%was accounted for by the lateral flow innovation segment. The expansion of these tests into a few quick testing applications has been motivated by the low development cost and straightforward assembly of horizontal stream tests. In clinics, facilities, and symptomatic research centers, lateral flow tests are typically used for both subjective and quantitative identification of specific antigens, quality intensification items, and antibodies. This furthers the development of the fragment. Regional Insights More than 41% of the global rapid diagnostics market was accounted for by North America. The market is expected to grow as a result of the expanding population of patients who have a few irresistible illnesses such as hepatitis, TB, and HIV. It is projected that the expansion of the North American market will be supported by the increased prevalence of lifestyle illnesses, government measures to assist the wider implementation of point-of-care diagnostics, and the strong presence of key companies in the region. Due to the rising patient population, expanding number of hospitals and clinical diagnostics laboratories, new manufacturers of rapid diagnostics kits, rising healthcare costs, and expanding player collaborations, Asia Pacific is anticipated to experience the highest growth during the forecast period. Rapid Diagnostics Market Outlook The use of rapid diagnostic tests to fight infectious diseases has great potential. Since many microorganisms induce similar symptoms, a clinical examination frequently falls short of identifying the precise causes of infection. Rapid diagnostics to pinpoint specific illness causes can guarantee that patients receive the best care right away, benefiting them and preventing the unnecessary use of antimicrobial resources. Additionally, more complex testing can offer data on the likelihood that organisms will respond well to antibiotics, aiding in the selection of therapy. Rapid diagnostic tests can also be employed in screening programs to detect asymptomatic illnesses, such as syphilis infections in pregnant women, allowing for the administration of treatment to stop the spread of those infections. Rapid diagnostic tests can significantly improve society and the world while also assisting patients. They can prevent the emergence of antibiotic resistance by minimizing the use of unneeded antibiotics and other antimicrobials. They can also produce useful surveillance information on the prevalence of diseases as well as the distribution, transmission, and evolution of infectious organisms (including strains that are resistant to certain antibiotics). Such data can help local disease control efforts and offer a way to gauge the success of disease management initiatives and programs. Rapid diagnostic tests also offer tools for spotting, monitoring, and managing newly emerging infections. Impact of COVID-19: Increased, improved, and quicker growth in rapid diagnostic Rapid diagnostic device development has been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The market for rapid diagnostics has changed, making home testing possible because of the pressing demand for speedy results and population-scale testing. The pandemic has brought attention to the value and practicality of fast diagnostics for making prompt diagnoses and treatment decisions. Rapid diagnostics have expanded beyond the ICU and ER, where they were formerly employed extensively because of the urgency of patient treatment, to other wards, independent practices, and pharmacies. They are currently used in clinical practice in an increasing variety of therapeutic fields. Manufacturing and disseminating these fast diagnostics has become a huge industry because of Corona. But that doesn't mean that is over. Because with advancing technological developments, it's becoming easier and cheaper to offer a one-off test also for the home at a price which is affordable for the user. Due to manufacturers' hasty entry into the market, the same therapy areas now offer a greater variety of fast diagnostics with differing degrees of quality. There has been an upsurge in locally produced testing devices (such as blood glucose meters) in China, although HCPs claim that their quality is typically poorer than that of non-local producers. Due to competition, tests in several therapy fields have also gotten more economical. Rapid diagnostics utilization is increasing across more medical specialties because of innovation, which also increases physician oversight. In all markets, the majority of HCPs say that devices connect directly to the EMR system of the hospital or practice, delivering results to patient files in real time (the doctor is typically alerted about any aberrant results). HCPs are positive about the future growth of AI in general and can see its advantages in terms of supporting rather than replacing physicians, notably in the UK and China. Rapid diagnostics have lately been created in additional therapy fields outside of COVID-19 to aid in quick diagnosis and treatment. HCPs in the US and Europe refer to tests for TBI and sepsis. Rapid uric acid tests to identify renal illness and gout have gained enormous popularity in China during the past two years. In addition to pharmacists and EMTs/paramedics (who also give rapid diagnostics), more HCPs are increasingly conducting rapid diagnostics without the requirement for a laboratory. Initially, more control for physicians in their place of practice was the driving force behind this trend. As soon as the patient arrives at A&E or the ER, EMTs use the tests to notify the appropriate specialists. Before COVID-19, certain alterations were taking place, but the pandemic has sped up the evolution. For instance, some tests (such as glucose and PT/INR testing) now have higher standards and more precise results. Cartridge equipment has shrunk, producing outcomes faster and delivering more data from a single or smaller sample. Which therapy areas would benefit from rapid diagnosis? Oncology Cancer biomarkers to identify gastric or lung malignancies Colorectal cancer detection with a fecal occult blood test. Using HPV to find cervical cancer Neurological Dementia Stroke STIs Gonorrhea Chlamydia Infectious diseases (respiratory) Different strains of flu Different COVID-19 variants Meningitis General Health Vitamin and mineral levels (e.g., iron, vitamin D) Artificial Intelligence + Rapid Diagnostics HCPs are enthusiastic about connected health & artificial intelligence while discussing future innovations. Particularly in the UK, China, and the US, AI is viewed as a great tool to help doctors with patient care. HCPs will be assisted in their diagnostic decision-making by the algorithmic powers of machine learning. AI will detect the blind spots that the human eye misses in imaging, for instance. To lighten their workload, HCPs anticipate more testing solutions powered by AI and data analytics. They also discuss how AI and linked health will co-evolve in the future, especially for at-home testing (such as when a patient uploads a 3D scan of their skin to an app or piece of software to check for skin cancer). Future growth in telemedicine-assisted rapid diagnostics is anticipated. A patient who suspects they may have a condition may use a fast diagnostic test before calling their physician. The patient might phone and say, for instance, "I performed this rapid diagnostic test at home and it is positive thus I have a UTI. These are my findings. Can you give me an antibiotic prescription? It would, in my opinion, significantly increase telemedicine. "Using AI or big data, this type of auxiliary diagnosis and treatment devices can assist physicians clinically. After all, human thinking and minds can have blind spots. When this patient shows up, AI can quickly sort and assess his data, assisting the physician. Delvens Industry Expert's Standpoint In the upcoming years, the market expansion is anticipated to be supported by novel products that have higher levels of accuracy, mobility, and cost-effectiveness. In addition, the development of mobile applications, such as Roche Diagnostics' cobas infinity point-of-care, to meet coordinator needs and aid in enhancing productivity by completing the task on a smartphone regardless of location is anticipated to drive the adoption of molecular diagnostic products during the forecast period. The COVID-19 outbreak has accelerated this tendency, as major businesses have redirected their attention to commercializing home-based self-testing products in recent years. Such goods addressed clinical demands while encouraging self-quarantine procedures during government-imposed lockdowns. Companies like Abbott have tools like the COVID-19 and BinaxNOW Card rapid diagnostic tests for influenza that provide results in 15 minutes at home. A virtual manual and application are included with this product to facilitate testing and show test results. Key Companies & Market Share Insights Some of the key players operating in the global rapid diagnostics market are Abbott Laboratories, ACON Laboratories Inc., Alfa Scientific Designs Inc., Artron Laboratories Inc., Becton, Dickinson and Company, BioMerieux, BTNX Inc., Creative Diagnostics, Danaher Corporation, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Hologic Inc., IDVet, Qiagen N.V, Siemens Healthcare GmbH, and Zoetis Inc. among others. Recent Developments Abbott introduced their COVID-19 home test kit in India in July 2021 at a price point of roughly USD 4.07 . With this tactical pricing decision, Abbott was able to address the vast majority of the population in the nation. For a fast antigen test that can simultaneously detect SARS-CoV-2, influenza A, and influenza B, BD was awarded an FDA EUA grant in March 2021. ACON announced the introduction of its FlowflexTM Antigen COVID-19 test in 2020. A lateral flow chromatographic immunoassay is used in the Flowflex SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Rapid Diagnostics Test to detect the nucleocapsid protein antigen from SARS-CoV-2 in nasal swab samples. Global Rapid Diagnostics Market Table of Contents Product Outlook Over the Counter (OTC) Kits Professional Kits Technology Outlook Lateral Flow Agglutination Solid Phase Other Technologies Application Outlook Blood Glucose Testing Infectious Disease Testing Covid 19 Hepatitis HIV Influenza Others Cardiometabolic Testing Pregnancy and Fertility Testing Fecal Occult Blood Testing Coagulation Testing Toxicology Testing Lipid Profile Testing Other End-use Outlook Hospitals & Clinics Laboratories At-Home Testing Other Regional Outlook Europe Germany U.K. France Italy Spain Sweden Austria Finland Belgium Turkey Russia Poland Hungary Czech Republic Switzerland Netherlands Rest of Europe North America U.S. Canada Mexico Asia-Pacific Japan China India Australia South Korea Vietnam New Zealand Philippines Thailand Malaysia Hong Kong Taiwan Singapore Indonesia Sri Lanka Rest of Asia-Pacific South America Brazil Argentina Chile Colombia Rest of South America Middle East And Africa South Africa U.A.E. Saudi Arabia Oman Qatar Iran Egypt Rest of Middle East and Africa Direct Purchase of Rapid Diagnostics Market Research Report @ https://www.delvens.com/checkout/rapid-diagnostics-market-trends-forecast-till-2028 Browse Related Reports: Point of Care/Rapid Diagnostics Market - Trends Forecast Till 2028: https://www.delvens.com/report/rapid-diagnostics-market-trends-forecast-till-2028 Point of Care/Rapid Diagnostics Market by Product (Glucose, Infectious Disease (Hepatitis C, Influenza), Coagulation), Platform (Microfluidics, Immunoassay), Mode of Purchase (Prescription, OTC), Enduser (Hospital, e-comm, Home Care) and Geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa and South America) Molecular Diagnostics Market - Trends Forecast Till 2028: https://www.delvens.com/report/molecular-diagnostics-market-trends-forecast-till-2028 The Molecular Diagnostics Market is Segmented by Technology (In Situ Hybridization, Chips and Microarrays, Mass Spectrometry (MS), Sequencing, PCR, and Other Technologies), Application (Infectious Disease, Oncology, Pharmacogenomics, Microbiology, and Genetic Disease Screening, Human Leukocyte Antigen Typing, and Blood Screening), Product (Instruments, Reagents, and Other Products), End User (Hospitals, Laboratories, and Other End Users), and region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa and South America) Digital Diagnostics Market - Trends Forecast Till 2028: https://www.delvens.com/report/digital-diagnostics-market-trends-forecast-till-2028 Digital Diagnostics Market, By Component (Software, Hardware, Services), Diagnosis Type (Cardiology, Radiology, Neurology) and Geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa and South America) Diagnostic Imaging Market - Trends Forecast Till 2028: https://www.delvens.com/report/diagnostic-imaging-market-trends-forecast-till-2028 Diagnostic Imaging Market, By Product (MRI (Open, Closed), Ultrasound (2D, 4D, Doppler), CT, X-Ray (Digital, Analog), SPECT, Hybrid PET, Mammography), Application (OB/Gyn, Cardiology, Oncology), Enduser (Hospitals, Imaging Centers) and Geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa and South America) About Delvens Delvens is a strategic advisory and consulting company headquartered in New Delhi, India. The company holds expertise in providing syndicated research reports, customized research reports, and consulting services. Delvens qualitative and quantitative data is highly utilized by each level from niche to major markets, serving more than 1K prominent companies by assuring to provide information on the country, regional, and global business environment. We have a database for more than 45 industries in more than 115+ major countries globally. We use AI and machine learning to make existing offerings quicker and cheaper, as well as to offer new services which couldnt have been dreamt of a few years ago. From creating concepts to implementing them, we have the best-proven strategies that will help the organization and are assisting the organization to overcome the prevailing challenges and recognize recent opportunities before their competitors. We are capable of providing tailor-made research services keeping because of your specific requirements. We assure to provide the best possible services for all our clients. Our analysts are available for your assistance and will perfectly understand your needs and demand. Delvens database assists clients by providing in-depth information on crucial business decisions. Delvens offers significant facts and figures across various industries namely Healthcare, IT & Telecom, Chemicals & Materials, Semiconductor & Electronics, Energy, Pharmaceutical, Consumer Goods & Services, and Food & Beverages. Our company provides an exhaustive and comprehensive understanding of the business environment. To find out more, visit https://www.delvens.com/ or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Contact Us: Varsha Chaudhari Delvens Private Limited Unit No. 2126, Tower B, 21st Floor Alphathum, Sector 90 Noida 201305, IN D: +44 20 8638 5055 | C: +91 9561827515 | P: +0120 4569 248 varsha.chaudhari@delvens.com | sales@delvens.com Website: https://www.delvens.com/ English Italian French German Spanish Portuguese Those who deal with the communication of large international institutions will find interesting the attention that some major newspapers are showing for the sector, and in particular for one of the fastest growing companies. We are talking about Pomilio Blumm, an institutional communication agency headquartered in a small town in central Italy, Pescara, but which, according to an article published in the European magazine Politico, continues achieving increasingly significant results since decades ago when it chose to deal exclusively with communication for public institutions, defying the convictions of many experts that the idea would have been too challenging. Franco Pomilio, the company's president, has always vindicated this choice, not only from a purely entrepreneurial point of view, but also from an ethical one, because he is convinced that large institutions must increasingly learn to communicate with citizens, as well as listen to them. Another big name in journalism, the Financial Times, has included Pomilio Blumm in its ranking of the companies with the best growth in Europe. In the 7th edition of the 'FT 1000 Europe's Fastest Growing Companies', the agency ranks first in terms of turnover in institutional communication in Europe, and sixth overall in advertising and marketing. Another accolade came from the Forbes Social Awards, which recognised the company's efforts as a narrative designer thanks to its organisational work for the G20 summit and the management of the worldwide 'Made in Italy' campaign: two of the most influential institutional communication projects of 2022. With active operations in several offices throughout Europe and the world (Bologna, Rome, Alicante, Brussels, Geneva, Vienna, Washington DC), 125 contracts and an international team, the company provides fully integrated communication services. The result is a fully in-house certified supply chain. The authority acquired over time then allowed Pomilio Blumm to go beyond product marketing and develop new theories and models to communicate its values on other levels as well. This led to the idea of creating a high-level training course in communication, which developed into a Summer School, in collaboration with Maastricht University. The course will be held in August 2023 on the strategic campus of Maastricht University in Brussels. Moreover, in a context where public communication is a key tool for building trust, promoting transparency and ensuring fair and inclusive policies, all of which are now targets of false narratives and misunderstandings, Pomilio Blumm founded Decoding. It is a start-up in which a global network of experts assisted by artificial intelligence is engaged in detecting, monitoring and analysing flows of misinformation and disinformation directed at public bodies. Attachment English French FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Annual General Meeting of 16 May 2023: Availability of the preparatory documents Clichy, France April 21, 2023 - The Combined, Ordinary and Extraordinary, General Meeting of the shareholders of Societe BIC will be held on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at 9:30 a.m. at the Business Cloud Center, 10 bis, rue du 4 Septembre, 75002 Paris. The notice of meeting was published at the French official legal announcement publication (BALO) on Wednesday, April 5, 2023 (n41, announcement 2300711) and the convening notice (avis de convocation) will be published in the Journal Special des Societes, a French journal of legal notice, on April 26, 2023. The documents and information relating to this General Meeting required under article R. 225-83 of the French Commercial Code are posted on the Societe BIC website (https://us.bic.com/en_us/investors-agm-shareholders), in the section entitled Annual General Meeting 2023. Registered shareholders can request, within the legal and regulatory deadlines, the documents referred to in Articles R.225-81 and R.225-83 of the French Commercial Code and, the other documents to be made available to shareholders in connection with this General Meeting at the Company's headquarter, by email at investors.info@bicworld.com, or by request to the Company's registered office at 12-22 Boulevard Victor Hugo, 92110 Clichy. Shareholders holding their shares in registered form will receive their convening documentation by post, or by email for those who have opted for e-notice. These documents contain the voting form, the meeting agenda, the resolutions to be submitted to the vote of the shareholders with a presentation of their purpose, as well as the main modalities of participation, voting and exercise of the shareholders' rights. Shareholders are invited to regularly consult the section dedicated to the Annual General Meeting on the Societe BIC website (https://us.bic.com/en_us/investors-agm-shareholders) for the latest information concerning the Annual General Meeting. The Annual General Meeting will be broadcast on live video here, unless technical reasons make it impossible or seriously disrupt the broadcast. A replay of the meeting will also be available on the dedicated section of the Societe BIC website, accessible via the following link: https://us.bic.com/en_us/investors-agm-shareholders. ABOUT BIC A world leader in stationery, lighters and shavers, BIC brings simplicity and joy to everyday Life. For more than 75 years, the Company has honored the tradition of providing high-quality, affordable, essential products to consumers everywhere. Through this unwavering dedication, BIC has become one of the most recognized brands and is a trademark registered worldwide. Today, BIC products are sold in more than 160 countries around the world and feature iconic brands such as BIC Kids, BIC FlexTM, BodyMark by BICTM, Cello, Djeep, Lucky Stationery, Rocketbook, Soleil, Tipp-Ex, Us. TM, Wite-Out, Inkbox and more. In 2022, BIC Net Sales were 2,233.9 million euros. The Company is listed on "Euronext Paris"," is part of the SBF120 and CAC Mid 60 indexes and is recognized for its commitment to sustainable development and education. It received an A- Leadership score from CDP. For more, visit www.bic.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, or YouTube. CONTACTS Investor Relations team investors.info@bicworld.com Kimberly Stewart Head of Investor Relations kimberly.stewart@bicworld.com Isabelle de Segonzac Image 7, Press Relations contact + 33 6 89 87 61 39 isegonzac@image7.fr 2023 AGENDA ALL DATES TO BE CONFIRMED 1st Quarter 2023 Results April 25, 2023 (post market close) 2023 Annual General Meeting May 16, 2023 2nd Quarter and 1st Half 2023 Results July 26, 2023 (post market close) 3rd Quarter and 9 Months 2023 Results October 25, 2023 (post market close) Attachment Arpin, April 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Arpin, Wisconsin - Orlando Luxury Transportation Limousine & Car Service, based in Windermere, Florida, has launched Language Translation Services to assist non-English-speaking clients. From now on, clients who prefer Spanish or other languages will be able to book a vehicle with ease. A language barrier should not keep you from traveling in luxury and comfort, states a representative from Orlando Luxury Transportation. We are committed to making sure everyone in the community can access our services with ease, and this includes enabling them to speak with our staff in the languages they are most comfortable with. If you previously hesitated to get in touch over such an issue, please try us again. We are confident you will not be disappointed. Orlando Luxury Transportation is a leading provider of luxury transportation services in Orlando and has built a reputation for providing exceptional and tailored transportation experiences for its clients, and it is committed to maintaining this level of service in the future. Learn more here: We're On TripAdvisor. One review of the company states, We had a great experience with OLT. We booked our rides in advance, and our drivers showed up on time. We used the service to pick us up at the airport and take us to The Grand Floridian hotel. We were traveling with our 6-year-old granddaughter, who was going to Disney for the first time. Having a car service just made our trip less stressful and allowed us to just sit back and relax. The drivers texted us when they arrived on site, and I was never worried about how we were getting to and from the airport. I highly recommend using this service. The drivers are very personable, professional and took excellent care of us. Customer-specific services at Orlando Luxury Transportation start as soon as reservations are made. The companys highly skilled customer service staff takes the time to comprehend clients' transportation requirements, including the number of passengers, the kind of vehicle required, the route to be taken and any special requests. As a result, it can offer services that are specifically tailored to each clients needs, resulting in a smooth and stress-free transportation experience. To get started, Book Here. The company representative continues, "We understand that our clients have various needs and preferences when it comes to transportation, which is why we've always focused on offering personalized services. "We tailor our services to meet each client's specific needs in order to give them the most comfortable, effective and memorable transportation experience possible. Another feature that distinguishes Orlando Luxury Transportation from other transportation providers is its fleet of vehicles. The business offers a large selection of luxurious vehicles, including sedans, SUVs, stretch limos, and party buses, all of which are well-maintained and furnished with the newest amenities and amenities. Customers can select the vehicle that best satisfies their preferences and needs for transportation. The VIP service provides a variety of high-end vehicles, including limousines, SUVs and luxury sedans, all outfitted with the newest amenities and technology for a smooth and comfortable ride. Clients can pick from a variety of packages, each catered to their unique requirements, including airport transfers, private tours and event transportation. To ensure that our clients are completely satisfied, our team is always willing to go above and beyond, states the representative. Our goal is to provide our clients with a distinctive and personalized transportation experience that exceeds their expectations. We realize that getting to and from any destination is a crucial component of any trip or event, and we want to provide our customers with the best experience possible. Learn more here: Check Our Facebook. Orlando Luxury Transportation is a known leader in providing excellent limousine transportation services throughout Orlando, Florida. From business travelers, family and friends to occasional visitors, the company makes it a point to provide personalized service to every client with specialized care. To learn more about the services offered by Orlando Luxury Transportation Limousine & Car service, clients may visit the companys official website or social media pages. They can also contact the company directly via phone or email. ### For more information about Orlando Luxury Transportation Limousine & Car service, contact the company here: Orlando Luxury Transportation Limousine & Car service Juan Moya (407) 692-6430 info@orlandoluxurytransportation.com 6026 Golden Dewdrop Trai, Windermere, FL 34786 Washington, D.C., April 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As part of the Biden Administrations Cancer Moonshot, First Lady Jill Biden joined the Prevent Cancer Foundations Congressional Families Cancer Prevention Program reception on Wednesday, April 19 in showcasing bipartisan support for cancer prevention and early detection. The event, which took place at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., attracted a bipartisan, bicameral audience of members of Congress and their spouses, as well as leaders in the cancer prevention community, to recognize congressional spouses longstanding commitment to educating the public about ways to reduce cancer risk and the benefits of early detection, which leads to better outcomes. First Lady Jill Biden was joined by Rep. Nikema Williams (D-Ga.) and a panel of congressional spouses who spoke of their participation in the Congressional Families Program and their work to raise awareness in their home states and districts. Participating spouses included: Charlie Capito , spouse of Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) , spouse of (R-W.Va.) Martha Hill , spouse of Rep. French Hill (R-Ark.) , spouse of (R-Ark.) Mary Himes, spouse of Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.) LeeAnn Johnson, spouse of Rep. Bill Johnson (R-Ohio) "Cancer touches us all. It's not a red or a blue issue. It's a human one and it takes all of us to stop it, said First Lady Jill Biden in her remarks during the program. That's why this event and this organization matter so much. We can collaborate, share good ideas and best practices. Together, we can get people the information they need to prevent cancer before it happens, and catch it early if it does." The event also recognized Representative Doris Matsui (D-Calif.), who was honored with the inaugural Carolyn Bo Aldige Visionary Award for her leadership in creating the Congressional Families Program in 1991 as a partnership between the Congressional Club, which she led as a congressional spouse at the time, and the Prevent Cancer Foundation founded by Ms. Aldige. More than 30 years ago, Doris Matsui and Bo Aldige recognized the great potential and value in bringing congressional spouses togetherwho are powerhouses in their own rightto share vital prevention and early detection information in their home districts and states, said Lisa McGovern, Executive Director of the Congressional Families Program. We applaud the Biden Cancer Moonshot for its bipartisan work, using the most visible platform in the nation to prioritize prevention. Cancer does not care what party you support and neither do we. It takes all of us working together to beat this formidable foe. ### About the Congressional Families Cancer Prevention Program The Congressional Families Cancer Prevention Program is a nonpartisan initiative to increase the publics understanding of cancer prevention and early detection. Families of Senate, House, Cabinet and Supreme Court members are invited to work within their respective constituenciesand nationwideto raise awareness and reduce risk for these diseases. When the Congressional Families Program launched in 1991 as a partnership between the Prevent Cancer Foundation and The Congressional Club, initial efforts focused on breast cancer. The Programs first five years success led to the expansion of its scope to include colorectal, liver, lung, oral, prostate, skin, testicular and cervical cancers, and HPV-related cancers. The Program offers participants educational seminars, talking points, op-eds, letters to the editor, speeches, videos, program ideas and many more tools to use in their districts and beyond. With these tools, the Congressional Families Program takes the message of cancer prevention and early detection into communities across the U.S. For more information, please visit www.congressionalfamilies.org. About the Prevent Cancer Foundation The Prevent Cancer Foundation is the only U.S.-based nonprofit organization solely dedicated to cancer prevention and early detection. Through research, education, outreach and advocacy, we have helped countless people avoid a cancer diagnosis or detect their cancer early enough to be successfully treated. We are driven by a vision of a world where cancer is preventable, detectable and beatable for all. The Foundation is rising to meet the challenge of reducing cancer deaths by 40% by 2035. To achieve this, we are committed to investing $20 million for innovative technologies to detect cancer early and advance multi-cancer screening, $10 million to expand cancer screening and vaccination access to medically underserved communities, and $10 million to educate the public about screening and vaccination options. For more information, please visit www.preventcancer.org. Attachment VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- American Future Fuel Corporation (CSE: AMPS, Frankfurt: K14, WKN: A3DQFB, OTCQB: AFFCF) (the Company, or American Future Fuel) is please to announce that, effective as of April 21, 2023, Mr. David Suda will assume appointments as both, Chief Executive Officer, and Director of the Company. Mr. Suda brings 15 years of capital markets experience to the Company, along with strong relationships and expertise in corporate strategy, capital raising, sustainability performance and marketing. Mr. Suda is a finance professional that has previously served as Managing Director at both, Beacon Securities Limited, a global investment bank, and Paradigm Capital, a research driven investment dealer. He has been instrumental in raising over $10 billion for private and public companies across both roles. Throughout his career in the capital markets, Mr. Suda established strong relationships with institutional managers. Mr. Suda is a graduate, with honours, of York University where he earned a bachelors degree in Environmental Studies. I am excited to lead a company that has tremendous potential and a clear path to advancing to the next level. Our Cebolleta Project is in the prolific Grants Mineral Belt that has accounted for approximately 37% of all uranium production in the United States. Cebolleta is an advanced project with substantial past uranium production and several historically delineated deposits that we believe can be efficiently converted into 43-101 compliant resources. Furthermore, several hundred historical mineralized drill holes from the southern half of the property have not been accounted for and provide a significant opportunity for growth. I look forward to working with the team on the ground, with the goal of building a significant player in the United States uranium sector, Stated Mr. Suda, CEO of the Company Mr. Luke Montaine, the Company's current CEO will step down, effective the same date. The Board wishes to thank Mr. Montaine for his service as CEO. ABOUT AMERICAN FUTURE FUEL American Future Fuel Corporation is a Canadian-based resource company focused on the strategic acquisition, exploration and development of alternative energy projects. The Company holds a 100% interest in the Ceboletta Uranium Project, located in Cibola County, New Mexico, USA, and situated within the Grants Mineral Belt, a prolific mineral belt responsible for approximately 37% of all uranium produced in the United States of America. American Future Fuels Ceboletta Uranium project is an advanced exploration project. On behalf of the Board of Directors, AMERICAN FUTURE FUEL CORPORATION David Suda, Chief Executive Officer For further information, contact: David Suda at info@americanfuturefuel.com This news release includes certain forward-looking statements under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties, uncertain capital markets; and delay or failure to receive regulatory approvals. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) issued its decision on BC Hydros fiscal 2023 to fiscal 2025 Revenue Requirements (Rates) Application, per Order G-91-23. Following an open and transparent public review process, the BCUC approved the below rate changes subject to final adjustments. These rates remain interim as the BCUC continues its review of two outstanding issues: BC Hydro's finance charges and the request to transfer funds back into the Trade Income Deferral Account. A decision is expected on these items in due course, which may further impact these interim rates. Effective Date General Rate Change Deferral Account Rate Rider Change April 1, 2022 0.62% -2% April 1, 2023 0.97% -1% April 1, 2024 2.18% Amount not yet determined The general rate changes are primarily due to increases in BC Hydros finance charges, amortization, operating costs, taxes, and Site C coming into service. In December of 2024, BC Hydro is expected to start recovering costs from the new Site C hydroelectric dam and generating station. However, the BCUC directed a different treatment if there are disallowed costs related to Site C that may result from any future BCUC review of the project. The BCUC approved changes to the Open Access Transmission Tariff rates and the Deferral Account Rate Rider (DARR). The DARR recovers or refunds differences between BC Hydros forecasted and actual energy costs. BC Hydro must reapply to the BCUC for approval of the DARR rate for April 1, 2024. To promote transparency, the BCUC directed BC Hydro to create a new Trade Income Rate Rider (TIRR), starting on April 1, 2024. The TIRR will refund or recover the net income BC Hydro receives from its subsidiary Powerex, as Powerexs activities are not directly related to BC Hydros regulated operations. Previously, the forecasted income received from Powerex was incorporated into BC Hydros general rate calculation. The TIRR rate has not been determined; BC Hydro must apply to the BCUC for approval of the TIRR rate. The BCUC also made various directions on BC Hydros depreciation rates and regulatory accounts. BC Hydro was directed to provide future reporting requirements for its electrification plan, load forecasting, energy studies models, and vegetation management strategy, among others. For more information about BC Hydros application or the BCUCs decision, please visit the proceeding page. About the BCUC The BCUC is a regulatory agency responsible for the oversight of energy utilities and compulsory auto insurance in British Columbia. It is the BCUCs role to balance the interests of customers with the interests of the businesses it regulates. The BCUC carries out fair and transparent reviews of matters within its jurisdiction and considers public input where public interest is impacted. CONTACT INFORMATION Krissy Van Loon Manager, Communications Phone: 604.660.4727 Email: Krissy.VanLoon@bcuc.com South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, right, and Namibian President Hage Geingob at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, April 20, 2023. President Cyril Ramaphosa says Namibia and South Africa will deepen trade and investment ties with a Bi-National Commission (BNC) expected to be held between the countries later this year. The President was speaking during a media briefing during the Official State Visit by Namibian President Hage Geingob and several of that country's Ministers on Thursday. President Ramaphosa said progress has already been made in various sectors of mutual interests with new agreements signed in order to "further expand our formal scope of cooperation". "Our ministers responsible for trade and industry will convene a Business Forum later this year to be attended by business people from both countries. We also agreed that the ministers of trade of the two countries should put in place a mechanism to protect investments in our respective countries. "We will work together to leverage the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area and the Tripartite Free Trade Area between the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the Common Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the East African Community," he said. President Ramaphosa highlighted that the aim of the State Visit was to "discuss, review and strengthen our political, social and economic" relations. Namibia's last State Visit to South Africa was held some 10 years ago. He said during the official talks, the two countries' delegations discussed "broad areas of cooperation and evaluated progress in the implementation of previous decisions and agreements" between the two Southern African neighbours. "We have directed that an audit of our legal instruments be conducted prior to the convening of the South Africa-Namibia Bi-National Commission in Windhoek later this year. In view of the length of time between sessions of our Bi-National Commission, we have discussed the need for an Inter-Session Review Mechanism of BNC decisions and commitments. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines South Africa Southern Africa Namibia 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. "This work is important for our collective efforts to rebuild our economies and improve the livelihoods of our people following the devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic," he said. Turning to issues of security on the continent, President Ramaphosa said discussions also expanded to conflict on the continent and in Europe. "As South Africa, we wish Namibia well in its role as chair of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, which is playing a central role in advancing peace and stability in the region. "I have assured President Geingob that we will continue, as part of the SADC collective and within available resources, to assist with regional initiatives such as the SADC Mission in Mozambique. "We expressed our concern at the current situation in Sudan, the ongoing occupation of Western Sahara, the continued denial of the aspirations of the Palestinian people, and the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine," he said. Concluding his address, President Ramaphosa emphasised that the State Visit has buttressed the relations between the two countries. "This State Visit has done much to reinforce the solid political, social and economic relations between our two countries in pursuit of mutual development and prosperity. "All in all...we had wonderful discussions and our cooperation is of a historic nature, bound by our struggle against the evil Apartheid system. We continue to be allies, we continue to be countries that are forging prosperity, united in our quest to improve the livelihoods of our people," he said. Vancouver, April 20, 2023 - Wedgemount Resources Corp. (CSE: WDGY) (OTCQB: WDGRF) ("Wedgemount" or the "Company"), announces it has closed the second and final tranche of a non-brokered private placement announced March 28, 2023, by issuing 708,224 units (each a "Unit") at CAD$0.17 per Unit for gross proceeds of CAD$120,398 (the "Offering"). Each Unit entitled the holder to receive one (1) common share in the capital of the Company (each a "Common Share") and one (1) transferable Common Share purchase warrant (each a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder to acquire one (1) Common Share at CAD$0.30 until April 20, 2025, subject to an accelerated expiry provision, whereby in the event the closing price of the Company's Common Shares on the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "Exchange") exceeds CAD$0.60 for a period of 20 consecutive trading days, at the Company's election, the period within which the Warrants are exercisable, will be reduced and the holders of the Warrants will be entitled to exercise their Warrants for a period of 30 days commencing on the day the Company provides notice, any outstanding Warrants not exercised during the 30 day period will expire (the "Accelerated Expiry Provision"). In connection with the Offering, the Company paid finder's fees of CAD$345, equal to 7% of the total proceeds raised by eligible finders, and issued 2,058 finder warrants (each, a "Finder Warrant"), equal to 7% of the number of Units sold by eligible finders. The Finder Warrants are exercisable at CAD$0.30 until April 20, 2025, subject to the Accelerated Expiry Provision. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering for general working capital purposes and the acquisition of oil and gas assets. All securities issued under the Offering, including securities issuable on exercise thereof, are subject to a hold period expiring August 21, 2023, in accordance with the rules and policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange and applicable Canadian securities laws. About Wedgemount Resources Corp. Wedgemount is a junior natural resources company focused on maximizing shareholder value through the acquisition, discovery and advancement of natural resource projects in North America. On behalf of the Board of Directors, Wedgemount Resources Corp. Mark Vanry, President and CEO For more information, please contact the Company at: Telephone: (604) 343-4743 info@wedgemountresources.com www.wedgemountresources.com Reader Advisory This news release may contain statements which constitute "forward-looking information", including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Company, its directors, or its officers with respect to the future business activities of the Company. The words "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company, or its management, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements made in this news release include the anticipated completion of the acquisition and the proposed timing thereof, the anticipated benefits of the acquisition, the potential for gas production and production from additional zones on the Assets, and potential additional acquisition opportunities in the area of the Assets and the proposed use of the proceeds of the Offering. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future business activities and involve risks and uncertainties, and that the Company's future business activities may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, availability of funds, personnel and other resources necessary to conduct exploration or development programs, successes of the Company's exploration efforts, availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. There can be no assurances that such information will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. The Company does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking information except as required under the applicable securities laws. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES. ANY FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS RESTRICTION MAY CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF U.S. SECURITIES LAWS. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/163187 Vancouver, April 20, 2023 - Golden Independence Mining Corp. (CSE: IGLD) (OTCQB: GIDMF) (FSE: 6NNA) (the "Company" or "Golden Independence") has received a request from OTC Markets Group Inc. ("OTC Markets") to issue a statement about recent promotional activity concerning the Company and its common shares (the "Common Shares"), including the distribution of promotional newsletter emails published by Emerging Markets Consultants LLC ( "EMC") discussing the Company, its business, and the gold industry in general (the "Material"). Full details of the engagement of EMC are contained in the Company's April 13, 2023 news release. The Company believes the recent promotional activities commenced on or about April 17, 2023, as disclosed in its April 13, 2023 news release. EMC is a third-party marketing firm retained by the Company to provide communications and media services and to amplify the distribution of Company news release content. Regarding the Material, the Company does not believe the statements were false or misleading, and notes that it provided EMC with publicly available sources of information and provides sign off on content. On March 1, 2023 the Company also announced the engagement of MIC Market Information & Content Publishing GmbH ("MIC") to provide marketing services, including digital content creation, distribution, and market awareness campaigns. Other than EMC and MIC, the Company has not engaged any other third-party providers to provide investor relations services, public relations services, marketing, or other related services including the promotion of the Company or its securities in the last twelve months. The Company does not believe these marketing campaigns have resulted in any unusual trading activity, though they have resulted in more investors becoming aware of the Company and its activities, which could affect trading volumes. The Company notes that, to its knowledge, after inquiry of management, no directors, officers or third-party service providers traded in the Company's securities within the past 90 days. The Company notes that, according to publicly available filings, one shareholder owning 10% or more of the Company's securities sold a total of 365,500 shares and purchased a total of 5,000 shares in the market. To the Company's knowledge, this shareholder reported all acquisitions and dispositions in accordance with Canadian securities regulations. Pursuant to a private placement the Company has issued the following shares and warrants that closed in March of 2023. The shares were issued at a discount to market pursuant to the private placement pricing policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE") and all securities issued were restricted and subject to statutory hold periods. The warrant exercise prices were at a premium to the market price at the time of grant and as such were not discounted. On March 1, 2023, the Company closed a non-brokered private placement an issued a total of 7,076,353 units (each, a "Unit") at a price of $0.31 per Unit for gross proceeds of $2,193,000. Each Unit consisted of one common share (each, a "Share") and one common share purchase warrant (each, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitled the holder to purchase one additional common share at a price of $0.50 for a period of two years from the date of issuance. In connection with the Private Placement, the Company paid an aggregate of $70,401 in finders' fees and issued 236,778 finders' warrants (the "Finders' Warrants"). The Finders' Warrants have the same term as the Warrants. The Company confirms that it has not issued convertible securities allowing conversion to equity securities at prices constituting a discount to the current market rate at the time of the issuance. The Company is committed to compliance with the OTC Markets Group Policy on Stock Promotion and the OTCQB Standards. The Company encourages those interested in the Company to rely solely on information included in press releases issued and distributed by the Company via an approved dissemination service and its filings and disclosures made with the Canadian securities regulators and the CSE and available on their websites: www.sedar.com and www.thecse.com, respectively. About Golden Independence Mining Corp. Golden Independence Mining Corp. is a development company currently focused on the development-stage Independence project located adjacent to Nevada Gold Mine's Phoenix-Fortitude mine in the Battle Mountain-Cortez Trend of Nevada in addition to the wholly owned Napoleon gold project located in the Kamloops Mining Division of BC. The Independence project hosts an M&I resource of 334,300 ounces of gold and an Inferred resource of 847,000 ounces of gold with a substantial silver credit. A 2021 Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) outlined a low-cost heap leach operation focusing on the near-surface resource with total production of 195,443 ounces of gold at an all-in sustaining cost of US$1,078 per ounce of gold. The Napoleon project is comprised of over 1,000 hectares and prospective for multiple forms of gold mineralization, with exploration in the area dating back to the 1970's with the discovery of high-grade gold. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Jeremy Poirier, Chief Executive Officer Telephone: 1.604.722.9842 Email: info@goldenindependence.co This press release contains forward-looking information (within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation) that involves various risks and uncertainties regarding future events. Such forward-looking information includes statements based on current expectations of management made in light of management's experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments. Forward-looking information is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties and, as such, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance of the Company. Forward-looking information in this news release includes, without limitation, statements regarding the exploration potential of its properties. There are numerous risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking information in this news release, including without limitation, inherent risks associated with the mining industry and the results of exploration activities and development of mineral properties, stock market volatility and capital market fluctuations, general market and industry conditions, as well as those risk factors discussed in the Company's most recently filed management's discussion & analysis. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. This forward-looking information is based on estimates and opinions of management on the date hereof and is expressly qualified by this notice. Risks and uncertainties about the Company's business are more fully discussed in the Company's disclosure materials filed with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada at www.sedar.com. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking information or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from such information unless required by applicable law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/163242 CALGARY, April 21, 2023 - Pan American Energy Corp. (the "Company" or "Pan American") (CSE: PNRG) (OTC PINK: PAANF) (FRA: SS6) is pleased to announce that it has completed the previously announced plan of arrangement ("Arrangement") to "spin-out" Legacy Lithium Corp. ("Legacy"). The Arrangement became effective at 12:01 a.m. on April 21, 2023. The former common shares of Pan American were delisted from the Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE") effective at the close of trading on April 20, 2023. The new common shares of Pan American distributed pursuant to the Arrangement commence trading on the CSE at market opening on April 21, 2023. Pursuant to the Arrangement, the owners of common shares of the Company at 12:01 a.m. on April 21, 2023 are entitled to receive: (i) one new common share of the Company for each common share of the Company held at such time; and (ii) one-fifth of a common share of Legacy for each common share of the Company held at such time. Outstanding warrants of the Company will be adjusted in the manner set forth in the Company's management information circular dated March 8, 2023 (the "Circular"). No adjustment will be made to outstanding stock options or restricted share units of the Company. Legacy common shares are not listed on a public stock exchange, but it will operate as a reporting issuer. For further details regarding the Arrangement, including the procedure that shareholders must follow to exchange their former common shares of Pan American for new common shares of Pan American and Legacy common shares, please refer to the Circular, which is available under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Registered Pan American shareholders who have not already done so should complete and sign the Letter of Transmittal, which is available under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, and return it, together with the certificate(s)/DRS advice(s) representing their former Pan American common shares and any other required documents and instruments, in accordance with the procedures set out in the Letter of Transmittal. Non-registered Pan American shareholders who hold their shares through a broker, investment dealer, bank, trust company, custodian, nominee or other intermediary or depositary who have not already submitted a Letter of Transmittal should contact their intermediary for instructions and assistance. About Pan American Energy Corp. Pan American Energy Corp. (CSE: PNRG) (OTC PINK: PAANF) (FSE: SS6) is an exploration stage company engaged principally in the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties containing battery metals in North America. The Company executed an option agreement in Canada with Magabra Resources providing for the right to acquire up to a 90% interest in the drill-ready Big Mack Lithium Project, 80 km north of Kenora, Ontario. The Company has also entered a property option agreement with Horizon Lithium LLC providing for the right to acquire a 100% interest in the Horizon Lithium Project, located within the Clayton Valley - Tonopah Lithium Belt, Nevada, USA. On Behalf of the Board of Directors Jason Latkowcer CEO & Director Contact Phone: (587) 885-5970 Email: info@panam-energy.com Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Company's current beliefs or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. In particular, this press release contains forward-looking information relating to, among other things, the timing for the trading of the new common shares of the Company on the CSE. Various assumptions or factors are typically applied in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts or projections set out in forward-looking information, including, in respect of the forward-looking information included in this press release, that the new common shares of the Company will begin trading on the CSE on the timeline currently expected. Although forward-looking information is based on the reasonable assumptions of the Company's management, there can be no assurance that any 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 to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include, the risk that the new common shares of the Company will not begin trading on the CSE on the timeline currently expected, or at all, and such other risks as are identified in the Circular and in the Company's public disclosure documents filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof, and the Company not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein. The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the information contained herein. Vancouver, April 21, 2023 - Kodiak Copper Corp. (TSXV: KDK) (OTCQB: KDKCF) (FSE: 5DD1) (the "Company" or "Kodiak") announces that it has closed its oversubscribed non-brokered private placement (the "Concurrent Financing") that was announced on April 4, 2023 and upsized on April 6, 2023, for gross proceeds of approximately $3.4 million. Together with the bought deal private placement that was announced with the Concurrent Financing and closed on April 14, 2023 the aggregate gross proceeds to the Company are approximately $8.4 million. The Concurrent Financing was oversubscribed, receiving strong interest from the investor community and existing investors. A total of 1,532,654 charity flow-through units ("Charity FT Units") at a price of $1.32 per Charity FT Unit and 1,461,090 flow-through units (the "FT Units", and together with the Charity FT Units, the "Units") at a price of $0.96 per FT Unit, were sold pursuant to the Concurrent Financing for gross proceeds to the Company of $3,425,750. Teck Resources Ltd. ("Teck") exercised its equity participation right to maintain its partially diluted 9.9% ownership position in Kodiak, acquiring 592,593 units in connection with the Concurrent Financing. Kodiak's chairman Chris Taylor and certain other insiders of the Company also participated in the Concurrent Financing. Claudia Tornquist, President and CEO of Kodiak said, "There was considerable demand for this financing and I am pleased to welcome some strong new investors as Kodiak shareholders. I wish to thank our largest shareholder Teck for their ongoing support, as well as all our insiders and shareholders who participated in this financing. With a treasury of over $13 million Kodiak is now fully funded for what will be an exciting 2023 exploration program at our MPD project. Our field season has already kicked off and with a suite of compelling drill targets and a world-class team we are well placed to make 2023 a rewarding year for our shareholders." Each Unit consists of one common share of the Company (a "Common Share") and one-half of one Common Share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "FT Warrant"), both of which qualify as "flow-through shares" (within the meaning of subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada)). Each FT Warrant issuable under the Concurrent Financing will entitle the holder to purchase one non-flow-through Common Share (a "Warrant Share") at an exercise price of $1.10 for a period of 24 months following the closing date. Further, in the event that the Common Shares' price closes at or above $1.70 on the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSX-V") for 20 consecutive trading days, the Company may, within 15 days of the occurrence of such event, deliver a notice to the holders of the FT Warrants accelerating the expiry date of the FT Warrants to the date that is 30 days following such notice, and any unexercised FT Warrants after such period shall automatically expire. The Common Shares, the FT Warrants and the Warrant Shares are subject to a four month hold period, expiring on August 22, 2023. The Concurrent Financing remains subject to final acceptance of the TSX-V. Insiders of the Company subscribed for a total of 301,042 FT Units. The participation of insiders in the Concurrent Financing constitutes a "related party transaction", within the meaning of TSX-V Policy 5.9 and Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company has relied on the exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101, in respect of the related party participation in the Concurrent Financing, as neither the fair market value (as determined under MI 61-101) of the subject matter of, nor the fair market value of the consideration for, the transaction, insofar as it involved the interested party, exceeded 25% of the Company's market capitalization (as determined under MI 61-101). The Company will use the gross proceeds received by the Company from the sale of the Units to incur eligible "Canadian exploration expenses" that qualify as "flow-through critical mineral mining expenditures" as both terms are defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the "Qualifying Expenditures") on the Company's MPD project in British Columbia, with such expenses to be incurred on or before December 31, 2024, and the Company will renounce all the Qualifying Expenditures in favour of the subscribers of the Units effective December 31, 2023. If the Qualifying Expenditures are reduced by the Canada Revenue Agency, the Company will indemnify each Unit subscriber for any additional taxes payable by such subscriber as a as a consequence of such reduction. The Company paid to eligible finders (the "Finders") who introduced subscribers to the Concurrent Financing finders fees in cash equal to 6% of the gross proceeds from the sales of Units to the subscribers arranged by such Finders. In connection with the closing of the Concurrent Financing, the Company paid finders fees in the aggregate cash amount of $73,278 to arm's length Finders, in compliance with the policies of the TSX-V and applicable securities legislation. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities described herein have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or available exemptions from such registration requirements. This press release does not constitute an offer to acquire securities in any jurisdiction. On behalf of the Board of Directors Kodiak Copper Corp. Claudia Tornquist President & CEO For further information contact: Nancy Curry, VP Corporate Development ncurry@kodiakcoppercorp.com +1 (604) 646-8362 About Kodiak Copper Corp. Kodiak is focused on its 100% owned copper porphyry projects in Canada and the USA. The Company's most advanced asset is the MPD copper-gold porphyry project in the prolific Quesnel Trough in south-central British Columbia, Canada. MPD has all the hallmarks of a large, multi-centered porphyry system. Kodiak has made the Gate Zone discovery of high-grade mineralization within a wide mineralized envelope, and MPD hosts several other targets with similar discovery potential. Kodiak also holds the Mohave copper-molybdenum-silver porphyry project in Arizona, USA, near the world-class Bagdad mine. Kodiak's porphyry projects have both been historically drilled and present known mineral discoveries with the potential to hold large-scale deposits. Kodiak's founder and Chairman is Chris Taylor who is well-known for his gold discovery success with Great Bear Resources. Kodiak is also part of Discovery Group, one of Canada's leading exploration organizations. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statement (Safe Harbor Statement): This press release contains forward looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The use of any of the words "anticipate", "plan", "continue", "expect", "estimate", "objective", "may", "will", "project", "should", "predict", "potential" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward looking statements. In particular, this press release contains forward looking statements concerning the Concurrent Financing, including the size of the Concurrent Financing and the proceeds thereof, the proposed use of proceeds, and the expected receipt of regulatory and stock exchange approvals. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward looking statements because the Company cannot give any assurance that they will prove correct. Since forward looking statements address future events and conditions, they involve inherent assumptions, risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of assumptions, factors and risks, many of which are beyond the Company's ability to control or predict. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to, conditions in the equity financing markets, stock market volatility, unquantifiable risks related to government actions and interventions, the termination of any agreement governing the Concurrent Financing, changes in laws or permitting requirements, failure to obtain necessary regulatory approvals as well as those risks identified in the Company's annual Management Discussion & Analysis. Management has provided the above summary of risks and assumptions related to forward looking statements in this press release in order to provide readers with a more comprehensive perspective on the Company's future operations. The Company's actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward looking statements and, accordingly, no assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits the Company will derive from them. These forward looking statements are made as of the date of this press release, and, other than as required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/163213 Deputy President Paul Mashatile says government acknowledges that debt relief alone will not return Eskom to financial sustainability, as the state works with municipalities to help settle mounting bills. "A key assumption considered in the debt relief determination is the implementation of the recent tariff increase approved by the regulator. Without this increase, debt relief arrangement is not sustainable," he said. In January, the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) agreed to an 18.65% increase in electricity tariffs, effective from 1 April this year. In his Budget speech, Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana, announced Eskom's debt relief of R254 billion. The Deputy President was answering questions in Parliament on Thursday relating to the municipal debt to Eskom and water entities, illegal electricity connections, critical economic infrastructure sabotage, and animal vaccine shortages. He said government is of the view that the sustainable provision of essential services such as water, electricity and sanitation must be the hallmark of a developmental government. His task, working with the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, National Treasury and other departments, is to ensure that municipalities deliver critical services. In the meantime, government has been working around the clock to help municipalities settle their debt owed to Eskom and water boards. Citing the latest data, he said by the end of 2022, municipalities owed Eskom R56.3 billion and this debt continues to rise. "Government has introduced a debt relief package for Eskom intended to improve the utility's balance sheet whilst proposing that Eskom writes off some of the municipalities' debts under strict conditions with guidance from National Treasury." Meanwhile, he announced that municipal debt relief will be conditional and application-based. "This relief is aimed at correcting underlying behaviour and operational practices in defaulting municipalities." Parallel to this process, the state-owned power utility is introducing a smart metering solution to change consumer behaviour by reinforcing a culture of payment for services rendered. The Deputy President described the culture of non-payment by municipalities, but also organs of state and individual household customers, as "concerning". Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines South Africa Debt 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. "As the government, we cannot overemphasise the need to enforce the culture of payment for services rendered." National Treasure further developed the Eskom debt relief as a measure to improve Eskom's financial situation. He told Members of Parliament that municipalities and water boards are responsible for 65% of the debt to the water trading entities, of which R10.9 billion is overdue by more than three months. According to the country's second-in-command, the escalating debt in the water sector is attributed to the absence of economic and regulatory regimes for infrastructure investment, costing and pricing, non-payment of services, and unauthorised connections. "The government has put in place the measures to strengthen billing and revenue collection to address the escalating debt of municipalities to water entities." These include the adoption of credit control and debt recovery measures across all water boards and the installation of bulk-prepaid metres in municipalities. "The success of all these relief measures is dependent on coordination across all spheres of government. This is why the government will continue working with all sectors of society to increase and build sustainable economic activities in all municipalities to create viable tax bases to develop revenue for social and economic development," he added. In addition, he said government, working with Members of Parliament and all civil society formations, is ready to work with every sector to advance the common national agenda of fast-tracking and addressing the triple challenges of unemployment, poverty and inequality. The Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend is fast approaching. For the first time, there would be qualifying for the sprint race and one for the Grand Prix. But there has still been no official announcement. Article continues under ad A week from now, according to the current schedule, a qualifying session is scheduled on Friday, which will determine the starting grid for the Grand Prix. The teams have long since agreed on an alternative format. Two qualifications There will be one free practice session in Baku on Friday, followed by qualifying for the Sunday race. On Saturday morning - when there is usually the second free practice - there will be a second qualifying session, this time one that determines the line-up for the sprint race later that day. The changes from the original format come at the request of the drivers, who wanted the sprint race to stand out from the Grand Prix. The 10 teams in Formula 1 unanimously approved the modified format. Now the ball is in the FIA's court. The latter is to give its approval on Tuesday before the Grand Prix, Mercedes told GPblog on Friday. Carlos Sainz has angrily rejected claims he is Audi's number 1 driver pick for 2026. The claim was made this week by the veteran Formula 1 journalist Roger Benoit, writing in the Swiss newspaper Blick. "The first serious rumour emerges from Spain," Benoit said. "Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz is said to be at the top of Sauber CEO Andreas Seidl's list." 28-year-old Sainz's legendary world rally champion father, Carlos Sainz, drives for Audi at the fabled Dakar Rally. His son, however, rejects the latest Formula 1 rumours. "My intention is to stay at Ferrari for many years," Sainz said at an appointment with his sponsor Estrella Galicia. "I don't even understand how they are talking about what can happen in 2026 when I still don't have a contract for 2025," the Spaniard added. "It annoys me that invented and uncorroborated rumours like this come out." But while Sainz seems fully committed to Ferrari for now, he admits that he expected a more competitive Maranello-built red car to race this season. "We have been surprised by how quick Red Bull are and how other teams like Aston Martin have improved," he said. "It is true that, with the advantage Red Bull have right now, we are going to have to improve a lot if we want to be in the fight for victory. "At the moment it means that something needs to happen in the races to them and also Aston Martin - we just need to focus on what we have." This week, Ferrari's appeal against a penalty that dropped Sainz out of the points for a clash with Fernando Alonso in Melbourne was rejected by the FIA. Sainz is fifth overall in 2023 so far with 20 points compared to fourth-placed Lewis Hamilton's 38. "If we had not had the penalty in Australia, we would have another 12 important points which in the end they still don't let me have back," he said. "But it is what it is." (GMM) analysis Once the hub of the short-lived and grandly named Ciskei International Airways, the Bulembu Airport near Qonce -- despite a multi-million rand facelift in 2007 -- had become a place where 'airplanes did not land anymore'. But after a R20-million donation from the United Arab Emirates, the Eastern Cape government upgraded the facility and installed a generator to prepare for the arrival of the president of the UAE. The princely sum of R20-million was donated by the United Arab Emirates to enable the Eastern Cape government to get the Bulembu Airport near Qonce (formerly King William's Town) ready for a visit by the country's royal family and its president. This included a generator to provide power in case of rolling blackouts. Private planes transporting the leader of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and his entourage, arrived at Bhisho-Bulembu Airport this week for a visit to the Sheik's game reserve between Makhanda and Bedford. Eastern Cape premier Oscar Mabuyane's office said this was a private visit and not at the invitation of the premier. Khuselwa Rantje, the Eastern Cape government's head of communication, said the airport was, in line with South Africa's protocols, temporarily designated as a port of entry to enable the passage of the UAE leader. "All relevant resources have been put in place at the airport to ensure adherence to the laws of the country," she said. "Bhisho-Bulembu Airport has been in existence for many years and upgrades were done years ago by the government. The province is working hard to strengthen trade relations with the... DBG loan book hits GH302 million - Poised to boost SME growth Kester Aburam Korankye Business News Apr - 20 - 2023 , 19:08 The Development Bank Ghana (DBG) has increased its loan book size to GH302 million since its establishment last year. In the first quarter of this year, however, the bank has already disbursed an amount of GH57.2 to three participating financial institutions (PFIs) for onward lending to businesses in the agriculture and manufacturing sectors. The Managing Director (MD) of the DBG, Kwamina Duker, who made this known said the move was in line with the banks agenda of spurring the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the country. Our priority is to accelerate lending activities and we have committed to disbursing at least 600 million in loans for on-lending to SMEs this year, he said. Mr Duker was speaking at an event organised by the DBG and the Ghana Association of Banks (GAB) in Accra on the theme; Ghanas Medium-Term Outlook, Navigating through Economic Uncertainties and an IMF Programme. In the first quarter of the year, we increased our lending portfolio by disbursing GH57.2 million to three PFIs for onward lending to businesses in the Agriculture and Manufacturing sectors, bringing our loan book size to GH302 million, he said. Capacity building Additionally, he said the bank had provided capacity building for 644 local businesses, including 444 young entrepreneurs, and 52 staff from 13 financial institutions during the quarter. The training, he said, focused on various aspects of business management, entrepreneurship, and specialised lending to improve the sustainability and growth potential of SMEs, as well as enhance the lending capabilities of PFIs. We possess the capacity to provide additional loans to back sustainable projects as they are presented to us, demonstrating our unwavering dedication to growing with our partners and the bank will focus on sectors with high growth potential and significant social and environmental impact, such as agribusiness, manufacturing, and low-carbon and climate-resilient investments, he said. In addition, Mr Duker said the bank was working to increase its PFI network after onboarding Zenith Bank this year. We have completed due diligence and are on course to onboard Ecobank and Absa as new PFIs this month. DBG will continue to identify and onboard new PFIs to enhance our reach and ability to support SMEs across the country as we seek to have at least 10 PFIs by the end of the year, he said. He said another priority was to enhance the banks capacity-building initiatives. As a result, he said the bank would intensify efforts to provide training and support to SMEs and PFIs, equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in their respective sectors. Mr Duker said it would include offering training on business management, financial planning and environmental and social risk management to 15,000 businesses and entrepreneurs. We will work towards attaining relevant certifications and strengthening partnerships with stakeholders to promote sustainability in our operations, he said. Banking industry The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the GAB, John Awuah, said the banking industry was committed to the embedment of a financial ecosystem that carried DBG on its wings via the assurance of an efficient financial services delivery through diligent discharge of its duties. That, he said, would be in tandem with the basic tenets of DBGs statutory requirements, guidelines and mandate. It is not an exaggeration to state, attempts towards the rapid transformation of the Ghanaian economy from this current state of the desirable path towards accelerated recovery, would require the concerted efforts of all key internal and external stakeholders, he said. R. Kelly has officially filed an appeal in his federal sex crimes case out of New York -- and he's got a laundry list of reasons why he thinks his conviction should be reversed. According to legal docs, obtained by TMZ, the controversial singer -- who was found guilty in 2021 on 9 federal counts that included RICO charges as well as charges pertaining to sex crimes and human trafficking -- says he got a raw deal throughout the lengthy trial. 4 Persons dragged to court over Kuapa Kooko farmers union 'money' Kwadwo Baffoe Donkor Apr - 21 - 2023 , 04:04 The management of the Kuapa Kokoo Cooperative Cocoa Farmers and Marketing Union Limited (KKFU) have been dragged to court by members of the farmers cooperative union. They have accused the Acting Managing Director KKFU, Fatima Ali and the Operations Manager, Luke Antwi of stealing The two have been charged and arraigned at the Asokwa Circuit Court for conspiracy to steal and stealing a total of GH8.7 million belonging to KKFU. Two other persons Nelson Adubofour, the Executive Secretary of the Union and Bernard Yaw Missedja, the Administrator have also been accused. Adubufour and Missedja are currently reportedly on the run. Fatima Ali and Luke Antwi have appeared in court presided over by Fred Obikyere. The two have been charged with 11 counts of conspiracy to steal and another 11 counts of stealing. Plea They both pleaded not guilty to all the 22 counts and have been admitted to a bail sum of GH4 million each with two sureties, one to be justified. The court presided over by Fred Obikyere additionally asked the two accused persons to deposit their passports with the courts Registrar. Justification During the consideration for the bail application, counsel for Ali, Kwame Owusu-Sekyere, pleaded with the court not to make the sureties to be justified since the court was asking the accused to deposit their passports with the court. It was the case of the defence that Ali had even used her properties to secure loans for the company and as such would not run away but avail herself to the court to see to the conclusion of the case. However, the Prosecution, led by a Principal State Attorney, Cecilia Animah Peprah-Takyi, disagreed and asked the court to maintain the justification. In granting the bail, the judge said he took into consideration the fact that Ali, though absent at the first hearing last week, was not brought to court on warrant and the fact that the second accused person had already been granted bail. He said it would be unfair to refuse Ali bail while her alleged conspirator had been granted bail. He, therefore, admitted her to bail and adjourned the case to May 8, 2023 for a case management conference. Facts Presenting the facts of the case, the Principal State Attorney, Mrs Peprah-Takyi, told the court that since May 2022, Kuapa Kokoo Limited, a licensed cocoa buying company with the subsidiary as KKFU, has been in financial crisis leading to the non-payment of commissions for purchasing clerks. She said the company was also unable to purchase cocoa beans from its farmers during the light crop season from June to September, 2022 and did not pay farmers bonuses for the 2021-2022 cocoa season. She said upon several enquiries by some members of the national executive council of KKFU, it was realised that some funds of the company with the approval of Ali had been paid for depot constructions and port expenses in KKL which were largely unaccounted for. Mrs Peprah-Takyi said a case was lodged with the police which got the accused persons arrested and during investigation, an external auditor went through the books of the company. She said the audit report revealed that the accused persons stole GH8,688,940.00 belonging to the company. Births/Deaths registry bemoans low registration Daily Graphic Apr - 21 - 2023 , 08:24 The Ag. Registrar of the Births and Deaths Registry, Henrietta Lamptey, has bemoaned the low level of civil registrations and vital statistics in the country. She said although the country had a long history of Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS), the level of registration of such events and the quality of the data produced remained low. She said the situation was much dire in the area of death registration. Mrs Lamptey was speaking at a workshop for institutions whose operations centred around the production of CRVS. However, the Registrar expressed the hope that participants would be equipped with the requisite knowledge and skills to improve the process of registering vital events. That, she said, would help the country achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal target 16.9. Workshop The 4-day workshop, which was organised by the Births and Deaths Registry in collaboration with the Ghana Statistical Service, formed part of activities of the CRVS system improvement framework project in Ghana. Sponsored by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the workshop brought together participants from the Ghana Police Service, National Identification Authority, Judicial Service, Ghana Health Service, National Road Safety Authority, Office of the Attorney Generals Department, and the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF). Others are the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, Pathology Department of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Registrar Generals Department and other individuals with expertise in the CRVS system in Ghana. Participants were taken through various topics that were aimed at improving their understanding of the business process models of CRVS. They were admonished to see CRVS as a business and treat it as such by becoming more client centered. They were then split into task teams to develop solutions to a wide array of Civil Registration and Vital Statistics themes such as marriage, divorce, birth registration and death registration among others Improving CRVS The Chief of the Demographic and Social Statistics Section at the African Centre for Statistics of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), Dr William Muhwava, said UNECA was committed to help improve the countrys CRVS system. He commended the institutions and agencies for the work they had done so far. Dr Muhwava admonished participants to own the CRVS system and drive it. He was of the view that in this time of donor fatigue, there was the need for Ghana to be more proactive to ensure the country got things right this time round. A consultant for the initiative, Dr Felicia Dake, said the workshop had brought together different stakeholders in the CRVS value chain to critically examine the current status of the CRVS system and to develop a sustainable strategy to improve and run the system effectively and efficiently. Frimpong-Boateng's report accuses NPP officials of involvement in galamsey GraphicOnline Apr - 21 - 2023 , 06:22 A report by former Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, has accused several officials from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) at the Jubilee House of being involved in illegal small-scale mining, commonly known as galamsey. The 37-page report, prepared in 2021 and handed over to the Chief of Staff has leaked into the public domain. Prof Frimpong-Boateng who signed the report claims that some NPP officials hired Chinese nationals to engage in galamsey on their behalf. He said that despite the President's commitment to protecting the environment, many party officials were involved in illegal mining. Throughout our struggle with illegalities in the small-scale mining sector, what baffled me was the total disregard of the Presidents commitment to protect the environment. I can state without any equivocation that many party officials from the National to the unit committee level had their friends, PAs, agents, relatives, financiers or relatives engaged in illegal mining," the report said. Most of them engaged Chinese working for them. I am not referring to party people who had their legitimate concession and were mining sustainably as they were instructed to do. There are appointees in the Jubilee House that are doing or supporting illegal mining or interfering with the fight against the menace. The report also highlights that an NPP MP in the Ashanti Region used his position as a member of the Minerals Commission to acquire large-scale concessions and then sold them to private individuals, including party members, for two hundred thousand Cedis per concession. This infuriated the party in the constituency so during the 2020 primaries to select a candidate the electorate voted against the sitting MP, who was more resourced than other candidates. Although there were allegations that he camped delegates and attempted to bribe them, he lost to a lesser known individual who did not have any financial muscle, the report stated. Professor Frimpong-Boateng also accused leading NPP officials of serving as legal counsels for persons accused of involvement in galamsey and destroying the environment and water bodies. He also accused a journalist of engaging in unlawful excavator sales and money laundering at the behest of some government appointees. The report was compiled following an order from the Chief of Staff and is dated March 19, 2021. Sacking Prof. Frimpong-Boateng was appointed by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in 2017 to lead the fight against galamsey in Ghana and was removed from his position in March 2020, a year before he produced the report. The reasons for his dismissal were not publicly disclosed, but it came at a time when some excavators seized during the fight against illegal mining went missing. Prof. Frimpong-Boateng later revealed that his departure was part of a grand plan concocted by the government and the New Patriotic Party. He claims that allegations of around 500 missing excavators seized from those involved in illegal mining were false and were fabricated by some people in the government to tarnish his reputation and force him out of office. The former chairman of the ministerial committee has alleged that there were individuals in government who were keen to remove him from his post because of his strong stance on illegal mining activities in the country. He has also stated that the military personnel deployed to arrest illegal miners at the start of Operation Vanguard triggered the rumours about him being responsible for the missing excavators. Prof. Frimpong-Boateng explained that the soldiers were supposed to immobilize the excavators during the operation, but instead, they removed the control boards, allowing the owners to switch the control boards and move the excavators away. He stated that only about 150 to 200 excavators were found when they went to check, despite the soldiers claiming to have immobilized over 700. He emphasized that there was a coordinated effort within the government and the party to remove him from his position, and since his departure, illegal mining activities have increased. Prof. Frimpong-Boateng has also alleged that there are people involved in illegal mining activities even within the government and the Jubilee House. The true story is that at the start of Operation Vanguard, the soldiers were supposed to arrest the excavators, but they will go into the forest and removed the control boards of the excavators and come back to report but when they went away, the owners will come with different control boards and move the excavators away," he said. So the soldiers reported that they had immobilized over 700 excavators, and so we appointed someone to go round and check but when we went round, we found only about 150 to 200 excavators, the rest had been moved away. There was an orchestration within the party and the government to get me out and when I left galamsey activities increased. Now things are coming up, and we know those who are doing galamsey even within the party and even people at the Jubilee House. Gabby reacts to allegations made against him in Frimpong Boateng's report on illegal mining GraphicOnline Apr - 21 - 2023 , 07:30 Mr Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, a prominent member of Ghana's ruling New Patriotic Party, has criticized former Minister for Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, over allegations made against him in a report from March 2021. Otchere-Darko was accused of interfering with the work of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM) in the report, which was focused on illegal mining, or galamsey, in the country. During a radio interview with Citi FM, Mr Otchere-Darko, a private legal practitioner expressed his displeasure with the former minister's report and its accusations. The report stated that he was representing a company accused of engaging in galamsey at the height of the campaign against illegal mining. Prof. Frimpong-Boateng, according to the report, reported Otchere-Darko's behaviour to President Akufo-Addo, who promised to address the matter. Otchere-Darko questioned why the former minister did not take appropriate action if he believed that Otchere-Darko had acted improperly. He went on to say that he had not seen anything in the report to suggest that he had attempted to silence Frimpong-Boateng and demanded that the former minister specifically identify where he had gone wrong and interfered with the Committee's work. It tells you how weak the [former] Ministers understanding of his position is. If what I did was illegitimate, why didnt he take the right action? He said he had reported me to the president, as if he is a teacher and the president is a headmaster, and I am a prefect, he said. Mr Otchere-Darko insisted that his intervention was based on the legality of his clients' actions and the state's alleged illegitimate actions against a company that had received permits and licenses to operate. He urged Frimpong-Boateng to come forward and state whether he had been instructed to take any illegal action. Otchere-Darko emphasized that his actions were those of a legitimate lawyer representing a client with a legitimate case and not interference. Let the [former] Minister come and say that when I called him, I instructed him to do what was not right, let him come and say that when I called him, I was pushing an illegitimate point, let him come and say so. I based my intervention on the legality of what my clients were doing and what I saw to be an illegitimate action of the state against a company that the same state had issued permits and licenses to operate its business. If he has his own issues, let him deal with them, but he should not misinterpret a legitimate action of a lawyer on behalf of a client who had a legitimate case as a matter of interference, Mr. Otchere Darko added. "I am utterly disappointed but I forgive him" - Oppong Nkrumah on Frimpong-Boateng's galamsey report Kweku Zurek Apr - 21 - 2023 , 15:38 The Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has expressed his disappointment with former Minister for Science and Technology, Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, for including him in a report on illegal mining known as galamsey. The report, which was authored by Frimpong-Boateng, accused Oppong Nkrumah of holding a secret meeting with a group of journalists to undermine him. However, Oppong Nkrumah has denied the allegations, calling them false, and forgiving the former minister. Over the years, I had nothing but great admiration for Professor Frimpong-Boatengs public-spirited works and as an inspirational citizen. I feel gravely offended over the false claims he has made and the hurtful conclusions he has sought to exact about me precisely because of the great esteem in which I have held him," Mr Oppong-Nkrumah said in a statement. I trust that in the coming months and years, he will reflect deeply upon his own actions and comments which have led to his challenges. He should kindly leave me out of his personal fights. I am utterly disappointed but I forgive him. Mr. Oppong Nkrumah clarified that he only attended a PRINPAG (Private Newspaper Publishers Association of Ghana) event and never held a meeting to oust anyone from the government. He also stated that Frimpong-Boateng himself had reported the loss of some excavators to the police and had made statements about the anti-galamsey fight in the media. Oppong Nkrumah expressed his disappointment that Frimpong-Boateng would try to blame him for media reports. Indeed, the facts are that it was Prof Frimpong-Boateng himself who wrote to the Ghana Police Service in January 2020 reporting the loss of some excavators and calling for an investigation. It was Prof. Frimpong-Boateng himself who in subsequent media interviews mentioned that the number of excavators missing was about 500. Again on or around February 20, 2020, it was Prof Frimpong-Boateng himself who at Parliament House (During interviews on the SONA) engaged in exchanges with the media about the said excavators and promised that they will be recovered, the statement said. For the record, these are the matters that occasioned the media reports about Prof Frimpong-Boateng and the said excavators. Further, it was Prof. Frimpong-Boateng himself who was later to be seen in a video making comments about the anti-galamsey fight and the release of excavators. I Kojo Oppong Nkrumah was not responsible for his initial police report, his subsequent interviews, or any of the claims he made. To be clear, it was Prof Frimpong-Boatengs own reports, interviews and videos that generated his media challenges around the time. I am thus disappointed that he would, in this document, seek to blame me for the media reports. Read his full response below: I write in response to allegations made against me by Prof Frimpong Boateng, Former Minister for Environment Science, Technology and Innovation, and former chair of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining. As a matter of personal policy, I generally do not respond to spurious allegations against my person. I have come to observe that with time, untruths crumble in the face of scrutiny. The Ghanaian public being discerning always figures out the truth after a while. However, I deem it necessary to respond to these specific allegations because they are contained in a widely circulated document authored by the former Minister. It is important therefore to respond for the benefit of the record on this matter so that future generations benefit from a balanced account. Secondly, he is a person for whom, like many Ghanaians, I have had great respect and admiration, over the years. As painful as it is for me to expose the falsehoods he peddled about me in his report, I have no choice except to do exactly that; otherwise, some persons may consider his account true and make judgements based on his completely false and fabricated account. I must therefore respond immediately and without equivocation. Prof Boateng in his document writes about me in three instances. (I) Firstly, he claims an un-named person called him to inform him that I Kojo Oppong Nkrumah had held a meeting of NPP and NDC Journalists on February 8th 2020 in Dodowa to discuss a strategy to bring him (Prof Boateng) down. He suggests that this is the cause of subsequent negative media reports about him. (II) Secondly, he claims that on the 13th of February, 2020 I started my brief to cabinet with a report on Frimpong Boateng and Missing Excavators. He creates an impression that this brief to cabinet was a deliberate and sinister act targeted at him. (III) Thirdly, he claims that in media appearances after the 2020 elections, I had mentioned that the effects of the fight against illegal mining contributed to the NPPs performance. Again he creates the impression that this was a sinister attempt to blame him for the fortunes of the NPP in some mining communities. These constitute the summary of his allegations against me. I must state at the onset that in the face of: (i) questions about how he handled the fight against illegal mining (galamsey) and (ii) Calls to substantiate his claims that Jubilee House officials are involved in Galamsey operations, these allegations against my person, do not answer the questions being asked of him. At best, they are red herrings aimed at drawing my name in the mud. To his allegations against me, I hereby respond as follows: (I) On February 9 2020, I was invited to Dodowa as a guest of Honour to a PRINPAG (Private Newspaper Publishers Association of Ghana) event, jointly organized with the Bank of Ghana on financial reporting. This event was not a secret. It was widely promoted on media platforms and my personal social media handles as well. It was a workshop to train journalists on how to understand and deepen their reportage on financial matters in Ghana. The event had nothing to do with the fight against galamsey, not even remotely. As is customary with such events, I was received by organizers and protocol officers openly at the arrival ceremony, ushered into the event hall openly, invited to deliver my remarks openly and escorted for the group photograph afterwards openly. My exit from the event and the reportage of my remarks were also done openly. Neither the anti-galamsey fight nor Prof Boateng was matters for consideration at this BOG and PRINPAG event. How the former Minister morphs this event into a secret strategy conclave, with his downfall as the objective is completely beyond my imagination. The participants from the Bank of Ghana and PRINPAG will be shocked and saddened to read this claim of such an otherwise highly-held man. 4 5 Indeed, the facts are that it was Prof Boateng himself who wrote to the Ghana Police Service in January 2020 reporting the loss of some excavators and calling for an investigation. It was Prof Boateng himself who in subsequent media interviews mentioned that the number of excavators missing was about 500. Again on or around February 20, 2020 it was Prof Boateng himself who at Parliament House (During interviews on the SONA) engaged in exchanges with the media about the said excavators and promised that they will be recovered. For the record, these are the matters that occasioned the media reports about Prof Boateng and the said excavators. Further, it was Prof Boateng himself who was later to be seen in a video making comments about the anti-galamsey fight and the release of excavators. I Kojo Oppong Nkrumah was not responsible for his initial police report, his subsequent interviews, or any of the claims he made. To be clear, it was Prof Boatengs own reports, interviews and videos that generated his media challenges around the time. I am thus disappointed that he would, in this document, seek to blame me for the media reports. What would I, a much younger man, seek to gain from bringing down a person as well respected as Prof Boateng? I had no interests in his profession, his politics or his portfolios. I have absolutely nothing to gain from sullying his reputation. More importantly, as a matter of principle and my upbringing, I do not conduct my personal affairs or politics by seeking to hurt people. The values that guide my work over the decades include the fact that it is God who raises men and women. It is not our machinations that raise men and women. I am not one to dabble in such schemes and practices. Even the most simple-minded of politicians, if he was minded to orchestrate sabotage against another, will not do so by calling NPP and NDC journalists to a meeting to discuss it. If indeed Prof Boateng did get such a call, he ought to have interrogated it to have known it could not have been true, feasible or prudent. (II) As Information Minister I sometimes have the unpleasant duty of drawing cabinets attention to matters of Public Interest which negatively affect the image of the administration and the Country. The claim (that 500 excavators seized by Government had supposedly gone missing) is a major matter of national interest and It would therefore have been a dereliction of duty on the part of any Information Minister to have excluded it from his or her cabinet brief. How that constitutes an attempt to bring down the Minister responsible for the schedule is incredulous. If the Ghanaian media reported that the chair of the anti-galamsey committee had filed a police report and later explained in interviews that 500 excavators seized by Government had gone missing, no Information Minister worth his or her salt will hide it from the cabinet. To perform my duty of briefing cabinet on media reports cannot be a sinister act against another Minister. If the President needs to be briefed in the cabinet on a matter by a Minister, it is done in the open, without malice, fear or favour. It would rather have been sinister to do so surreptitiously. 7 (Iii) The reasons for the NPPs performance in the 2020 elections were researched by a high-level party committee, and well documented both in the Partys report and by commentators and analysts. Since the conclusion of the partys inquiry, various party leaders have publicly explained the Partys understanding of its performance. To frame the matter as though I Kojo Oppong Nkrumah am responsible for the partys findings and therefore am also responsible for an effort to blame Prof Boateng for the partys fortunes is in all humility illogical. Over the years, I had nothing but great admiration for Prof Boatengs public spirited works and as an inspirational citizen. I feel gravely offended over the false claims he has made and the hurtful conclusions he has sought to exact about me precisely because of the great esteem in which I have held him. I trust that in the coming months and years he will reflect deeply upon his own actions and comments which have led to his challenges. He should kindly leave me out of his personal fights. I am utterly disappointed but I forgive him. Kojo Oppong Nkrumah Laboratory professionals to join May Day parade Dickson Worlanyo Dotse Apr - 21 - 2023 , 08:32 Members of the Medical Laboratory Professional Workers Union (MELPWU) will join the 2023 May Day celebration in Ghana for the first time after becoming an independent trade union, representing professional medical laboratory scientists across the country. The inclusion of the MELPWU in the annual May Day celebration by Organised Labour, which marks a significant milestone for the union, comes after it secured a Collective Bargaining Certificate from the Chief Labour Officer in July last year. This empowers the union to represent and negotiate salaries and collective agreements on behalf of its members across the country. Parade The members of MELPWU, which broke away from the Health Services Workers Union, would join the national workers parade in Bolgatanga and the regional parades across the country, a statement signed by the General Secretary of the MELPWU, Cephas Kofi Akortor, said. It said the participation of the union in the celebration was expected to draw attention to the critical contribution that medical laboratory professionals make to the progress of the country's healthcare system. "The role of medical laboratory professionals is essential to health care and we are proud to be recognised as a vital part of the nations healthcare team," the statement said. Activities The statement noted that as part of its activities for the celebration, MELPWU would conduct free fasting glucose test for members and participants of the celebration, organise fun games, present awards to deserving members and engage in a jamboree after the parade. The May Day celebration is observed annually on May 1 every year. It is a day set aside to celebrate the contributions of workers to the development of the country and to advocate better working conditions and welfare for workers. The theme for this year's May Day celebration is: Protecting incomes and pensions in an era of economic crisis: our responsibility." Man shoots 'Kumasi - Adum' woman multiple times at close range Kwadwo Baffoe Donkor Apr - 21 - 2023 , 10:50 The police in Kumasi are on a manhunt for a man who allegedly fired multiple shots to kill a woman at Adum in Kumasi on Thursday night. He is said to have fired five times at close range which resulted in the death of the woman, identified as 26-year-old Victoria Dapaa, popularly known as Maa Adwoa. The man, yet to be identified, Graphic Online understands jumped into a rickshaw [a light two-wheeled passenger vehicle - commonly referred to as Pragya in Ghana] and bolted. The incident happened around 10pm on Thursday night [April 20, 2023] around Dufie Towers behind Aseda House. The woman, said to be a mother of one, was rushed to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival. According to eyewitnesses, the man was seen chatting with the deceased before shooting her at close range. After the first two shots, she was pleading with the guy to stop and he added three more shots before jumping into a rickshaw [a light two-wheeled passenger vehicle] to run away. Because he was holding a gun, we could not attempt to arrest him, said the eyewitnesses. Muslims urged to observe Islamic tenets Daily Graphic Apr - 21 - 2023 , 08:11 The Overlord of the Wangara tribe in Ghana, Sariki Yussif Nana Fanyinama, has emphasised the need for Muslims to continue to observe all tenets of Islam spelt out in the Quran during the Ramadan. He noted that it was expedient to be obedient to Allah and to follow His teachings in order to enjoy His blessings that come with the holy month. Nana Fanyinama said this during the annual event on the 26th night during Ramadan at Kintampo in the Bono East Region. The 26th night of Ramadan, also known as Lailatul-kadr, is significant in Islam as the moment God gave the Quran to Prophet Mohammed. Annual ritual As an annual ritual, the Wangara tribe in Ghana undertakes a number of activities to observe the night at Kintampo, which is considered their spiritual home. During the night, Islamic scholars gather and read the whole chapters of the Quran, especially for the benefit of those who cannot read to listen. The youth, in recent times, are also allowed to take part to enable them to imbibe the virtues embeded in the event. This is to encourage the younger generation to learn and perpetuate it when the baton is eventually passed on to them. Nana Fanyinama explained that the ritual had a significance for the Benkadi Kurubi Islamic festival. The event, he said, created a platform for the women and children to have fun separately. Legend has it that this is where most bachelors come to choose their wives on the 27th day of the Ramadan. Fire Commander Meanwhile, the Kintampo North Municipal Fire Commander, DO3 Dominic Twum Prempeh, has made a strong case for the service to be well resourced to discharge its mandate effectively. He said the current state of logistics among other setbacks would hinder their output. DO3 Prempeh made the appeal when he led a delegation to introduce himself as the new Municipal Fire Commander to the Overlord of the Wangara Tribe in Ghana, Sariki Yussif Nana Fanyinama, and his elders at Kintampo in the Bono East Region. He took over from DO3 Ankomah Twene. DO3 Prempeh said the municipal command of the service was challenged, stating that the fire tender that served the municipality required GH25,000 to repair, while access routes were a problem in the enclave. He said he had, however, started a fire education awareness campaign through the media especially to impact the spate of fire disasters in the municipality. Nana Fanyinama expressed gratitude to the new fire command head. He, however, lamented the lack of access routes to help effective fire-related rescue efforts, and urged the new commander to assist the assembly to rectify the situation. Abuja Barely two weeks after it instituted a legal action against the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Seplat Energy PLC; Mr. Roger Brown as well as the oil firm for allegedly breaching the extant provisions of the Immigration Act, 2015, the federal government on Thursday has withdrawn same suit. In a corporate notice to the Nigerian Exchange Limited on Thursday, Seplat stated that it had become aware of the notice of discontinuance of the legal action. The Notice of Withdrawal/Discontinuance of the suit was issued by the Director Legal Services of the Nigeria Immigration Service and stated in part that "the Claimant hereby discontinues all the proceedings in this charge against the above-named Defendants." Seplat said that it will "continue to engage with the Ministry of Interior to bring closure to the false allegations presented to the Ministry as a result of which the residency status of its Chief Executive Officer was withdrawn." Recall that the federal government had on April 6, dragged the CEO alongside the Board Chairman, Mr. Basil Omiyi, the Independent Non-Executive Directors (INED) Dr. Charles Okeahalam, Mrs. Bashirat Odunewu, Prof. Fabian Ajogwu, Mr. Rabiu Bello, Ms Emma Fitzgerald, and Company Secretary/Legal Counsel, Mrs. Edith Onwuchekwa to court for allowing Mr. Brown to accept employment as the CEO of Seplat Energy PLC without the statutory approval of the Controller-General of Immigration. The defendants in the suit marked: FHC/AB/CR/149/2023 were in addition accused of conspiring among themselves to allow Mr. Brown take over business as CEO of Seplat Energy PLC without the consent of the Minister of Interior, allowing Mr. Roger Brown, a non-Nigerian to accept employment as CEO of Seplat after withdrawal of his visa, resident, and work permits, and for refusing to apply for the Comptroller-General of Immigration's approval before employing Mr. Brown both as Chief Finance Officer and CEO, contrary to the provisions of the Immigration 2015. Count one of the charge reads: "That you on or before March 9, 2023 at Seplat Energy PLC Head Office 16 A Temple Road Ikoyi Lagos, within the Jurisdiction of the Honourable Court, did conspire among yourselves to allow Mr Roger Brown accept employment as CEO at Seplat Energy PLC without the consent of the Comptroller General of Immigration, contrary to Section 36 (1)(a) and 71 of the Immigration Act 2015 and punishable under Section 36 (2) and Section 71 (a) of the Immigration Act 2015. It is recalled that the FG on March 3, revoked the visa, Resident Permit, and Work Permit of Seplat's CEO, Roger Brown, over alleged racist practices, discrimination against Nigerian employees at Seplat, favouring of expatriate workers, and breach of good governance codes. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Migration 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. The letter to Seplat entitled "Withdrawal of Work Permit, CERPAC, Visa/Residence Permit of Mr. Roger Thompson Brown - CEO, SEPLAT Energy PLC" also read in part: "Investigation and records in the Ministry also revealed that Mr. Roger Brown was in possession of CERPAC that was not based on validly issued Expatriate Quota approved by the Ministry of Interior resulting to the violation of relevant Immigration Laws and Regulations. "As a result of these, the Honourable Minister has determined that Mr. Brown's continued stay in Nigeria is contrary to national interest. "Consequently, the Ministry has withdrawn the Work Permit CERPAC, Visa, Residence Permit and all relevant documents that authorised Mr. Roger Thomson Brown's entry or stay in Nigeria". However, in a swift reaction, Seplat Energy, in a statement signed by the Board Chairman, Mr. Basil Omiyi, said: "On March 8, 2023, the Board of Seplat Energy unanimously passed a vote of confidence in Mr. Brown, who continues to discharge his duties and responsibilities as CEO from the Seplat UK office". Butadiene, an essential component of synthetic rubber, is currently produced by the petrochemical industry from fossil reserves. Butadiene can also be produced from ethanol by one of two primary methods: Lebedev, which converts ethanol over one catalyst in one reactor, and Ostromisslensky, which converts a mixture of ethanol and acetaldehyde in a two-reactor system. A 2017 analysis by a Ukrainian/French team (Kyriienko et al.) suggested that the Lebedev method holds more potential than the Ostromisslensky. The basic Lebedev process, developed in the 1930s, includes (1) acetaldehyde (AA) formation from ethanol (EtOH); (2) aldol condensation of AA to crotonaldehyde; (3) Meerwin-Ponndof-Verley (MPV) reduction of crotonaldehyde with ethanol to crotyl alcohol and AA; and (4) dehydration of crotyl alcohol to 1,3-butadiene. Selectivity of the process depends upon the nature, strength and amount of acidic and basic sites on the catalyst surface, according to Kyriienko et al. The conventional Lebedev process is driven by silica-magnesia catalysts that are produced by an unusual method called wet kneading. The method involves combining solid catalyst precursors in water under continuous mixing. However, improved wet-kneaded catalysts have mainly been discovered by trial and error. Now, researchers at KAUST, with colleagues in the Netherlands, are using solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to study silica-magnesia catalyst formation under real wet-kneading conditions. A paper on their work appears in Nature Catalysis. We found that two different catalyst particles are formed, based on the cross-deposition of silicon species onto magnesia and magnesium species onto silica. Sang-Ho Chung, a research scientist in the labs of Javier Ruiz-Martinez, with whom he co-led the work Chung et al. Crucially, they showed that magnesium silicates on the silica particles tend to produce ethylene as an undesired side product. With that understanding, the team could synthesize just the catalyst particles that are active for butadiene production and avoid the particles that produce ethylene, Chung said. The team also showed that the best catalysts also had certain active sites in very close proximity. This has helped us to work on the next generation of catalysts for this process. We are making good progress and already have an even more selective version, which could be a key step for commercializing the process. Javier Ruiz-Martinez Resources The Green River Police Department has announced that the Interim Chief of Police filling the shoes left by Chief Tom Jarvie will be Captain Shaun Sturlaugson. Sturlaugson has over 23 years of Law Enforcement experience and has been with the GRPD since 2004. "Shaun has filled in several times for the Chief over the years and has recently shadowed in many other areas, getting up to speed on the duties of the role," the GRPD said. "While Shaun recognizes the challenge, he feels the department and staff are in a good position which will help the transition and help maintain consistency in serving the community." Chief Tom Jarvie's last day with the police department and the city was last Friday, April 14. The GRPD hosted a gathering for people to wish him well, and the City Council recognized him for his service at the Tuesday night Council meeting. "The GRPD family would like to express a sincere thank you for all of the well wishes and congratulations sent to Chief Jarvie during his final week with us. He leaves behind a legacy of compassion and professionalism, and he will be greatly missed," the police department said in a statement on social media. When he thought ahead to the transition of power after Jarvie left, Captain Sturlaugson previously expressed his confidence that it would go well. "There's always difficulties, just growing pains, but I really think that we all have worked together so well and we've all had the same goal in mind, nothing's really going to change all that much," Sturlaugson said. "It should be fairly seamless, I would think." "We would also like to say thank you for the overwhelming support we've received as we prepare to transition into the future," the GRPD said. "Our goal, as always, is to carry on a tradition of customer service and community partnership, while we continue to work hard to keep our citizens safe and secure. We consider ourselves lucky to be able to serve a community that is so supportive of us, and we know that our success is directly connected to how well we all work together. With your help, we will all continue to make Green River a wonderful place to live." Theodore (Ted) Paul Meronk Jr., 79, of Rock Springs, WY, passed away on April 10, 2023 after battling long term health issues. He was born September 8, 1943 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the son of Ruth Freseth and Ted Meronk Sr. He married Valerie Vugrinec on October 11, 1975 in Land O' Lakes, Wisconsin. Valarie passed away in 2018, and Ted's health declined since. Ted was a proud father and grandfather. In his prime, Ted enjoyed the outdoors; hunting, fishing, and camping with his family. He also enjoyed good ol' Nascar races, they were his greatest pastime's. He loved seeing his sons succeed throughout their lives and was very fond of his daughter-in-law Hava and Dan's partner Kasey. Although he mostly was a quiet and reserved man, when Ted spoke you listened as his messages had meaning. There was a dry sense of humor about him, once you understand that, you could see that he was a caring man who only said what was important to share. He is survived by his sons Daniel Meronk and partner Kasey of Green River, WY, Nathan Meronk and wife Hava of Omaha, NE; grandchildren Sage and Grey. Following cremation, a celebration of life will be held at a later date. Condolences may be left at http://www.foxfh.com. Public Engagement Coordinator Aidan Brady of the Sweetwater County Historical Museum with Sage Elementary teachers Sandi Lininger, center, and Marty Albert, right, and their pilot textbooks. The Sweetwater County Museum Foundation and the Sweetwater County Historical Museum are partnering with County School Districts No. 1 and No. 2 to produce a social studies textbook on local history for 3rd grade students. The new work is titled "History of Sweetwater County, Wyoming." Teachers from both school districts received pilot textbooks this week for them to try out in their classrooms. The pilot textbooks cover Unit 1 of the local history curriculum, which includes dinosaurs, fossil fish, coal and trona, maps and map skills, and early humans in Sweetwater County. The final textbooks will consist of four units. The project's curriculum encompasses a student workbook, teacher's guide, digital presentation, and learning kits designed to enhance student learning. Existing museum resources are also utilized, including education kits and YouTube videos. The textbook project is being funded by the Sweetwater County Museum Foundation, a non-profit fundraising organization that publishes books and supports other museum activities. Textbooks are being produced by a committee consisting of museum staff, local teachers, and volunteer members of the Foundation Board. Fay Quiroz, M.Ed.Educator and Museum Foundation Board Member, is particularly enthusiastic about the project. Photo courtesy of the Sweetwater County Historical Museum The student's workbook and teacher's guide. "Our team wanted to provide a viable third-grade curriculum that is standards-based, relevant, and incorporates a digital component, making this accessible to any educator and their classrooms in Sweetwater County," Quiroz said. "In addition, we wanted to develop a highly engaging curriculum that emphasizes our own unique history in Sweetwater County and the students' role in shaping our identity today." Museum Executive Director Dave Mead praised the collaboration that is making the program possible. "Museum staff, educators, and board members working together provide a unique, composite perspective of Sweetwater County history for our students," he said recently. "This is an exciting project and we're proud to be part of it." Minister in the Presidency responsible for electricity Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa gives an update on his visits to Eskom power stations between March 20 to 31, 2023. Electricity Minister Paints a Bleak Picture of South Africa's Power Supply Electricity Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has expressed concern about the country's electricity supply ahead of the winter season, reports SABC News. He drafted an action plan to reduce rolling blackouts and presented it to the Cabinet and the ruling African National Congress (ANC) National Working Committee (NWC). The plan includes immediate steps to avert higher stages of rolling blackouts, as the demand for electricity is expected to increase significantly. Ramokgopa acknowledges that the outlook is bleak due to an unreliable grid, but the proposal aims to prevent the situation from worsening during the winter season and beyond. Shock and Outrage as Bodies of Two Boys Found Mutilated in Soweto The bodies of two boys, aged six and five, were found mutilated and dumped in White City and Rockville, reports SABC News. It is alleged that the boys were kidnapped the day before. The Premier of Gauteng Panyaza Lesufi visited the bereaved families and emphasised the need for law enforcement to apprehend the perpetrators. He expressed concern about the increasing number of missing children and women in communities and the culture of lawlessness that allows such crimes to occur with impunity. The boy who survived is providing information to the police, and the family is being provided with protection, counselling, and support. Ethiopians Arrested for R100K Bribery Plot to Steal from Spar Two Ethiopian suspects have been arrested in Secunda, Mpumalanga for allegedly bribing a security guard at a Spar supermarket with R100,000 to steal goods worth R250,000 from the store, reports IOL. The suspects had approached the security guard and asked him to steal from the storeroom and deliver the goods to their shops. The security guard reported the matter to his boss, who then contacted the Hawks for investigation. A joint operation involving the Hawks, Serious Corruption, K9 Unit, and other stakeholders led to the arrest of the suspects. The stolen groceries, cash, and the vehicle used in the crime were seized for further investigation. More South African news Today T-Mobile held its latest "Un-carrier" event, where it unveiled two new plans along with a new way for people to switch to its network. The plans are called Go5G and Go5G Plus, the latter being the first plan to guarantee new and existing customers always get the same device deals, and are upgrade-ready every two years. This is, the carrier says, a response to its competitors moving to three-year contracts, and a survey revealing that nearly 70% of people would prefer to upgrade their phones every two years, not three. T-Mobile also claims AT&T and Verizon together have raised prices nine times in the last year. Go5G Plus customers can get "a free 5G phone (up to $830) with eligible trade-in, and they can trade in an old phone from up to six years ago. This plan is billed as "a supercharged version of Magenta MAX". It has everything in that plan, plus 50GB of hotspot data each month, 15GB of high-speed data in Mexico and Canada every month, and, for a limited time, you can get a third line for free - you still pay for two lines, but have three. The first line is $90, two lines are $150, three are also $150, and four are $185 per month, with taxes and fees included. You also get Netflix and Apple TV+, as well as 5GB of high-speed data in 215+ countries. Go5G, on the other hand, is $75 for the first line, an additional $55 for the second line, and an extra $25 for each of the third and fourth lines, again with taxes and fees included. You get 100GB of premium data before your speed is reduced (whereas with the Plus version it's unlimited premium data), only 15GB of high-speed hotspot data, and only 10GB of high-speed data in Mexico and Canada. Internationally, the 5GB of high-speed data is only valid in 11 European countries. You also get 4 full-flight streaming sessions a year, then 1 hour streaming and unlimited in-flight texting where available. With The Easy Unlock, T-Mobile is helping AT&T customers "make their great escape", and switch to the magenta carrier. It will pay off your AT&T phone (up to $650 via prepaid Mastercard), and will also allow you to trade-in your eligible device, locked by AT&T, in order to get a brand new smartphone from T-Mobile. If for some reason you don't like T-Mobile, you can cut ties with it without any hard feelings if you decide to leave within 30 days - it will even give you $50 back per voice line to help cover the cost of your bill. All of these become available on April 23, which is also when the Essentials Savings plan gets cheaper too. It's going to be $50 for the first line, $30 for the second, and $10 for the third and fourth. This gives you 50GB of premium data each month, unlimited low-speed hotspot, unlimited talk, text, and 128kbps data in Canada and Mexico, and unlimited text in 215+ countries. Source An internal investigation has been launched against the warden of the Department of Corrections following a complaint lodged against him, DOC Director Joe Carbullido confirmed Friday. Col. Alan Borja remains on duty as of Friday, Carbullido said. The director said he was not at liberty to discuss the details. "There is an internal affairs investigation, and that's all I can say about it. I can't specify the type of complaint that was made." It is the second internal investigation launched against the warden in about a year. The PDN reported last May that Borja had been placed on administrative leave, following a complaint from a DOC employee, though no other details were provided about the situation. Carbullido, who stepped down from DOC last March but was only recently recalled to his post, said he was not aware of the outcome of the investigation launched last year. But DOC Maj. Anton Aguon confirmed that the prior case was not sustained, meaning there was "insufficient evidence to prove or disprove that a policy violation occurred." Borja appears to have resumed his post as warden as early as last September, PDN files show. The Guam Police Department's Internal Affairs Unit is handling the latest inquiry into the warden, Carbullido said. There is a 90 day timeline to handle the investigation, though he did not know whether the full timeline would be used. According to Carbullido, the complaint against Borja was lodged "within a couple of weeks." Oversight incoming DOC oversight chairman Sen. Chris Barnett said that the complaint against Borja, among other issues at the prison, will be discussed at a roundtable scheduled for next week Tuesday. "Given that he's already been the subject of previous complaint investigation, I just want to be sure that this isn't a pattern that's being established," Barnett said of the complaint against the warden. The oversight chairman said he had received word from inside DOC that the complaint may have involved harassment towards another corrections officer, and inappropriate texting. "The appearance of impropriety does not mean that it's there," Barnett said, but he believed that Borja should be placed on administrative leave for the sake of all those involved. In the meantime, DOC should take a closer look at its policies and protocols, the senator said. Some elected officials on Thursday said the federal government has been sending mixed signals about the strategic importance of Guam in maintaining national security: Fortifying the missile defense and the addition of a new military base on one hand, and on the other, a perceived lack of priority to control the illegal entry of Chinese nationals who may either be in search of a better life or are spies for China. These were among key issues at a criminal justice capstone forum organized by University of Guam students, who focused on how illegal immigration is being addressed on Guam. Lt. Gov. Josh Tenorio, one of the panelists, said it seems the U.S. Customs and Border Protection is not as active as its expected to be, or does not have the resources to protect Guams borders. Most of the agency's resources, he said, seemed to be dedicated to the United States southern border with Mexico. Members of Guams National Guard took part in securing that border. Tenorio said illegal immigration on Guam didnt seem to be a priority until the Department of Defense got interested. Guam now has three military bases, and the military is beefing up the islands missile defense system amid Chinas and North Koreas posturing. Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero and other officials earlier said that once migrants reach Guam by boat, the local government is powerless to remove them, and federal officials said they can only get involved if migrants arrive at authorized points of entry, such as the port and airport. A local and federal task force has since been formed and the Coast Guard has been intercepting the boats, sending them back to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Fortunately, Tenorio said, the U.S. Attorneys Office in the CNMI decided to prosecute the Chinese nationals who illegally entered Guam. They were admitted into the CNMI and overstayed their visas, but the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services paroled them in. Tenorio said the foreign nationals violated the condition of their parole, which is to remain in the CNMI, he said. 'Doesnt make sense' Tenorio also said it "doesnt make sense" that CBP wouldnt allow the immigrants to board a plane from Saipan to Guam, but CBP also wont detain them when they enter Guam by boat. Guam Police Department Chief Stephen Ignacio, also a panelist, echoed this contradiction and honed in on the importance of continued working relationships between local and federal law enforcement agencies. He said the bigger question is what these illegal immigrants are doing on Guam. Tenorio said the federal government can delegate Guam to enforce immigration law. Guam, he said, has demonstrated that it knows how to enforce immigration within its authority, such as under the federal H-1B and H-2B visa worker program, which is critical to the islands construction industry. 'Ominous threat' In the late 90s and early 2000s, Guam saw a rash of Chinese nationals coming from China and from the CNMI. That was around the time when the CNMIs immigration fell under federal control. But the geopolitical situation has since changed, Sen. Chris Barnett said, citing the "very ominous threat of China." Guams own law enforcement personnel, he said, believe recent illegal immigration involving Chinese nationals might be closer to a "security threat" than a search for a better life or better economic opportunities on Guam. Barnett, chairman of the Legislatures committee on public safety, said its not known whether they are "fishermen immigrants or they tried to get away from China or are they spies?" The senator does not believe theres been an accurate reading on the situation. He cited another prior incident involving Russian immigrants caught on Cross Island Road with telephoto equipment taking pictures of Fena Lake, the large man-made reservoir. Barnett echoed Tenorio and others in saying the federal government should be doing more in protecting Guams borders than it is doing now, especially when its projecting that Guam is the "tip of the spear." If thats really the case, Barnett said, then more federal resources should be put on Guam. It was surprising to learn, he said, that when the Chinese illegal immigrants were spotted last year, local police couldnt even detain them but could only "tag" them or get the addresses where they were supposed to be staying. GPD will enforce Guam laws, but there is no law authorizing local police to arrest illegal immigrants, the police chief said. Disappointment At one point during the Thursday forum, former Sen. Judi Guthertz, a professor at UOG, expressed her disappointment with a lack of concrete actions taken by the federal government and Guam, considering that this is not the first time Guam has dealt with illegal immigrants. She recalled a time when more than 1,000 illegal immigrants came to Guam. At the time, human smugglers used Guam as a backdoor to the United States. In the face of illegal immigration on Guam, she said the U.S. government is weak, which is also putting Guam in a very unfair spot. Guthertz asked whether the U.S. can sue Guam if Guam arrests an illegal immigrant, at which point the U.S. inability to protect the island can be exposed in court. Guams Legislature can also introduce a bill, for example, that would prohibit anyone from coming to Guam by boat without a medical clearance from the point of departure, she said. That way, theres a local law that gives authority to Guam to make an arrest over a lack of medical clearance. Guthertz said her statements were not an attack on current senators, after a brief exchange with Sen. Roy Quinata, who later invited Guthertz to collaborate with lawmakers on bills to help address illegal immigration. During the UOG student-sponsored forum, panelists brought up past instances of national security concerns. GPDs Ignacio, for example, said there's a ranch in Yigo with Chinese farmers who have a "perfect view" of Andersen Air Force Bases runway. The police chief said Andersen tried to close the gap by having a radar system that monitors beaches facing the areas where there are military assets. Panelists also said Guams political relationship with the U.S. makes it even harder for Guam to have a seat at the table when it comes to its own security, including not being allowed as a direct participant to the Compact-impact negotiations or not having voting members of Congress. They also called on Del. Jim Moylan to bring this issue of Guam border protection to the federal government's attention. Tenorio said if the illegal immigration incidents that Guam has been experiencing happened in Hawaii, there would be a different outcome. Guam has issues with its political status, but Tenorio said it doesnt mean Guam cant do anything to push back. 'Important conversation' UOG President Thomas Krise described the student-sponsored forum as an "important conversation." He reflected on Guams challenges that much larger states and other independent countries dont have to deal with. The mayor of Spokane, Washington, which has about the same population as Guam, for example, doesnt have to deal with illegal immigration, customs and border issues and other international issues that Guam is faced with, Krise said. Faculty members of the UOG School of Business and Public Administration lauded the university students efforts in tackling the issue of illegal immigration, and for raising important questions. The forum by the Criminal Justice Capstone for Fanomnakan 2023 was held at the UOG School of Business and Public Administration. The World Health Organization has urged both sides in Sudan to pause fighting to allow people to get medical attention, as Khartoum's residents have banded together on social media offering aid, advice and support as fighting between two rival factions within the military junta entered its sixth day. The WHO's regional director, Ahmed Al-Mandhari on Thursday called for both sides in conflict to observe a in pause fighting to allow people receive medical attention and to open up a humanitarian passage for health workers, patients and ambulances. This comes as people have been trapped inside their homes for days as intense street battles rage between Sudan's rival generals. Meanwhile, Khartoum's residents have reportedly banded together on social media offering aid, advice and support. If you're outside of Sudan and feeling helpless, we're working with hospitals to cover charges and equipment costs for those in Sudan. Donate if you can and share if you can't. https://t.co/BX6ueqavVM#KeepEyesOnSudan #Sudan_updates #Sudan #ll_ll-- Fawzia :) (@foziaaaaaaa) April 19, 2023 Online first aid, WhatsApp crowd-sourcing WhatsApp groups crowd-source needs, while medical professionals upload first-aid video tutorials, and others in the city of more than five million people work together to provide any support they can. Like many Sudanese barricaded in their homes - avoiding windows for fear of gunfire - Twitter user Mujtaba Musa turned to social media, asking over 200,000 followers to "share calls for help" to "try to connect those in need." Since fighting erupted on Saturday - with fighter jets launching air strikes in the city and artillery fire in densely populated areas - civilians have become increasingly desperate, with dwindling food supplies, power outages, and a lack of running water. On Twitter, under the Arabic hashtags like #Khartoum_Needs, residents of each district have been mobilising support and solidarity. On WhatsApp, hundreds of users joined a group to pool resources. The messages are heart-breaking: Kholood needs baby formula, Hisham is looking for a car, and a third anonymous user pleads for a phone credit top-up to call his family. Others provide advice: what to put in an escape bag, which doctors to call, or how to handle a panic attack. Harrowing details of bloodshed Speaking to RFI, Dr Salman Omar - a doctor at the Royal Care International Hospital - told of his feeling of helplessness in the face of atrocities being committed by both sides in the violence. "We have lost a lot of people ... they are all below 30 years old - kids actually. "My line is dealing with bone fractures. We saw a lot of cases of gunshot injury from the back, the extremities, the chest - all are fatal wounds - human beings in front of you and you cannot do anything to help." Dr. Omar also explained that people with chronic illnesses are facing a slow death as they cannot access their treatment. "Dialysis people with chronic kidney disease. And [those with] end stage renal disease who have cancer that need chemotherapy ... they cannot be treated because we don't have the supplies, we don't have enough equipment, we don't have blood, we don't have IV fluids, painkillers - all of that has run out." The Sudanese doctor also laments witnessing infants dying before him from gunshot wounds. "We had two-year-old babies with gunshots in the abdomen. One shot in the front lobe of the head and people are screaming. "You can see the pain in their eyes. 'Can you help us out?'" Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Sudan Conflict 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. Zero-sum battle for control This comes as the residents of Khartoum - historically the safest city in Sudan even when brutal civil war ravaged in other states - woke up on Saturday to find the conflict had come to their doorstep as tensions between Army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, commander of the Rapid Support Force militia, erupted into what appears to be a zero-sum battle for control of the country. They have since spent the final days of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan sheltering as tanks roll through the streets, buildings shake and billowing smoke from fires triggered by the fighting have turned the sky ashen grey. Under years of international sanctions and failing infrastructure, Khartoum's residents are no strangers to dealing with power outages and rationing supplies. But they could not have imagined having to shield their families from air strikes from the air force in the capital. Haiti - FLASH : American Airlines reduces its flights and explodes its prices Port-au-Prince / Miami Due to low demand on the Miami-Port-au-Prince route, American Airlines will reduce its service from 7 weekly flights to 6 starting May 9, 2023 until August, said the Spokesperson of the company Laura Masvidal. Separately, earlier this month, American Airlines took another step and began using a 128-seat Airbus 319 instead of a 172-seat Boeing 737-800 for its flights to Haiti. In addition, there has been a very strong increase in the price of tickets from Port-au-Prince to Miami... Now, a one-way trip from Port-au-Prince to Miami costs US$1,091 with a week of planning, while a one-way ticket Miami / Port-au-Prince costs only $124... A difference of almost 9 times more, difficult to explain... Worse, a last-minute one-way ticket from the Haitian capital to Miami now costs 3,404 dollars at American Airlines Note that until May, one-way Port-au-Prince/Fort Lauderdale flights are offered by JetBlue, ($589) and Spirit Airlines ($1,043)... Users are protesting against these prices, which they describe as exorbitant. To cope with this explosion of prices, some users go through the Dominican Republic where a one-way ticket to Miami costs about 257 dollars for a seat in economy class and 493 dollars in business class. Reacting to the rates of American Airline, Luz Kurla Cassandra Francois, the Minister of Tourism declared that the Haitian government would hold talks with American Airlines and Spirit Airlines with a view to bringing down the high price of flights, and to add a one more day flight... S/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Politic : Signing of a cooperation framework of more than 1.1 billion dollars Thursday, April 20, 2023, the United Nations Country Team and the Haitian Government proceeded to the Hotel Karibe, to the signing of the United Nations Cooperation Framework for Sustainable Development 2023-2027, with a view to a response collective of the UN in Haiti to support the implementation of the 2030 commitment for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-39344-haiti-politic-the-un-in-haiti-signs-a-5-year-cooperation-framework-for-sustainable-development.html (21 United Nations agencies have approved this plan) The estimated budget for this cooperation framework amounts to more than 1.1 billion US dollars (1,149,38,582.00), of which 40% is available resources and 60% remains to be mobilized. In her speech, Maria Isabel Salvador, the new special representative of the United Nations General Secretariat and also head of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) promised to play her full part in this program aimed at bringing Haiti towards prosperity while guaranteeing human rights and gender equality. She said she was counting on the full involvement of the United Nations Country Team, the Haitian Government and other national and international partners. Ulrika Richardson, Deputy Special Representative of BINUH and Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Haiti, also reaffirmed the will of the United Nations to support Haiti on the path to progress " We have no right to fail, the situation is critical, the stakes are high, we cannot go it alonee who hopes that all the players will get actively involved in order to achieve the SDGs. Ricard Pierre, the Minister of Planning and External Cooperation, described the signing of this underlining document as an act of commitment. "We must all be aware of the challenges that await us in the implementation of this new cooperation framework which calls for the pooling of resources from all sides in order to fill the gaps due to the delays incurred by Haiti [...] The time is serious, it will take frank cooperation, total involvement on the part of the actors if we want to achieve the expected results." Minister Pierre specified "This plan plans to produce 5 major effects in terms of results : governance and rule of law, justice and human rights, inclusive economic model, basic social services, environment, multidimensional risk management and territorial governance," which reiterates the Government's commitment alongside the United Nations in the pursuit of results." See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-39344-haiti-politic-the-un-in-haiti-signs-a-5-year-cooperation-framework-for-sustainable-development.html HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Education : The Minister Manigat met with about fifty unionist teachers Thursday, April 20, 2023, Nesmy Manigat, the Minister of National Education met with around fifty trade union teachers who represented around thirty trade union organizations for the defense of teachers. During this meeting, the Minister wished to hear these teachers on a series of very important questions such as appointment, regularization of the status of those who work without a letter of appointment, salary adjustment, salary arrears, card debit and issue of salary checks delivered many days late. This meeting was an opportunity for trade unionists to say what they think about other problems that are troubling the education sector, particularly in the metropolitan region of Port-au-Prince : schools that do not function properly because they do not have good premises; schools forced to move or in some cases close due to violence; or teachers who cannot cross certain dangerous areas to work in another area. Some trade unionists have raised the need to submit to the authorities of the Ministry of National Education the list of demands which collects all the expressions of the struggle of trade union organizations in the education sector. See together what is possible in this context in the meantime, negotiations can be opened on this list of demands declared the Minister Manigat specifying that there were demands to which the Transitional Government can endeavor to respond, and that there are others that only an elected Government and a Parliament can facilitate. According to director Etienne Louisseul France, there are no salary arrears for teachers in the West department as they have all already received their checks for March 2023 between Friday 14 and Monday 17 April. On the question of teachers' checks that certain departmental directorates of education withhold because these teachers are never present in class, Nesmy Manigat recalled that the State cannot continue to issue checks to absent teachers without even knowing whether these teachers are still in the country or not or whether they are still interested in their profession. During this control period, no other person is authorized to cash a teacher's check. It is the concerned himself who must do it. According to Minister Manigat, this is a measure that should give the State more resources to appoint or regularize the files of many teachers who are waiting. Regarding the strike movement of teachers in several public schools in Port-au-Prince and in some provincial towns which began this week, the Minister encouraged these teachers to return to work in the interest of students who must not lose the rest of the school year See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-39324-haiti-education-open-letter-from-nesmy-manigat-to-his-fellow-teachers.html HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - News : Zapping... Source Matelas attack, more than 20 dead Wednesday, April 19, 2023 bandits from several heavily armed gangs, arrived in 3 minibuses, attacked Source Matelas, 3rd communal section of Cabaret. Twenty people were reportedly killed and many more injured. At least a dozen houses were burnt down. According to Joseph Jeanson Guillaume, executive agent of Cabaret, it is not yet possible to establish an official balance sheet but it will be very heavy. This attack would be retaliation against the inhabitants for having put up resistance to the bandits in recent weeks. The DG of Canal Bleu released Thursday April 20, 2023, the entrepreneur Robert Denis alias "Boby" co-owner and DG of the private TV channel Canal Bleu, kidnapped on April 11 https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-39288-haiti-news-zapping.html was released by his captors on Thursday April 20, 2023, the conditions of his release are not known. Assassination of Me Dorval : New Investigating Judge Me Chavannes Etienne, acting dean of the TPI of Port-au-Prince, has appointed Judge Martel Jean Claude to continue the investigation of the case of the assassination of the former president of the Bar Monferrier Dorval https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-31661-icihaiti-pelerin-5-assassination-of-the-president-of-the-bar-of-port-au-prince.html One of the right arms of "Ti Lapli" arrested Thursday April 20, 2023, around 3 p.m., Forestal Jude, one of the right arms of Destina Renel Destinat alias "Ti Lapli" Leader of the Grand Ravine Gang, was arrested by the Port-au-Prince Police, at Champ-de-Mars A member of "Kokorat San Ras" arrested In the afternoon of Thursday April 20, Loriste Ylusse, an active member of the "Kokorat San Ras" gang, was arrested by the police in the town of Estere (Artibonite Dept.) Loriste Ylusse was responsible for receiving ransoms at the advantage of this gang of which he had the role of scout and informant. 148 community restaurants restocked From April 16 to 19, teams from the Economic and Social Assistance Fund supplied 148 community restaurants in the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince as part of the Multisectoral Emergency Program for the relief and social reintegration of groups vulnerable financed by the Public Treasury. Each of the restaurants received 40 bags of rice of 25 kg; 10 bags of Beans of 25kg; 10 cases of salmon of 12 units of 425 g and 13 cans of oil of 10 liters. HL/ HaitiLibre Published on 2023/04/20 | Source The main poster of "Dr. Romantic 3" in which all the Doldam-ers participated, was released. Advertisement SBS's new Friday-Saturday drama "Dr. Romantic 3" which will premiere on the 28th, is a drama about the story of 'real doctors' in the background of a shabby Doldam Hospital in the province. The main poster of "Dr. Romantic 3" released shows 17 major roles gathered in the lobby of Doldam Hospital, centering on Kim Sa-bu (Han Suk-kyu). Old & New members of Doldam Hospital, including Han Suk-kyu, Ahn Hyo-seop, Lee Sung-kyung, Kim Min-jae-I, Jin Kyung, Im Won-hee, Byun Woo-min, Lee Kyung-young, Kim Joo-hun, Yoon Na-moo, So Ju-yeon, Lee Sin-young, Lee Hong-nae, Ko Sang-ho, Yoon Bora, and Jung Ji-ahn, gathered in one place. In particular, the main poster of "Dr. Romantic 3" draws attention with a different atmosphere from "Dr. Romantic" and "Dr. Romantic 2". Unlike the posters of the previous season, which contained the urgent emergency room scene, the family members of Doldam Hospital, such as family photos, convey the warmth. "Dr. Romantic 3" is expected to establish the 'regional trauma center', which has been Dr. Kim's long-cherished desire since season 1, and a story that is more spectacular and thrilling than the previous season is expected. Published on 2023/04/21 | Source Korean drama starting today 2023/04/21: "My 20th Twenty" and "Duty After School" (re-starting) Advertisement "My 20th Twenty" (2023) Directed by Hong Choong-gi Written by Choi Ryong Network: Watcha, Wavve With Jung Su-bin, Choi Yuju, Dawon, LUDA, Go Soo-hee, Park Min-ji,... Fri Synopsis A romance fantasy drama about an episode in which a cursed person who has to live at the age of 20 for the rest of his life infiltrates a resort with clues to change his fate. "Duty After School" (2023) 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: 2023/04/21 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. Login or sign up to follow actresses, movies & dramas and get specific updates and news Login Sign Up New Ad-free Subscriber Login Email Password Password Username Subscribe to our daily NewsLetter Your E-mail will only be used to retrieve a lost password or receive our NewsLetter. Stay logged in Lost password Contact Published on 2023/04/20 | Source New posters added for the upcoming Korean drama "Tale of the Nine Tailed 1938" (2023). Advertisement Directed by Kang Sin-hyo Written by Han Woo-ri Network: tvN With Lee Dong-wook, Kim So-yeon, Kim Beom, Ryu Kyung-soo, Hwang Hee, Kim Yong-ji,... 12 episodes - Sat, Sun 21:20 Follow up to "Tale of the Nine Tailed" Synopsis The story of Lee Yeon, a gumiho who was summoned back to a chaotic 1938 after being embroiled in an unexpected incident. Broadcast starting date in Korea : 2023/05/06 Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (left at table) participates in a virtual meeting on the situation in Sudan, April 20, 2023. The UN continues to appeal for an immediate end to the military power struggle in Sudan, as Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and leaders from the African Union (AU), the Arab League, the East African bloc IGAD, and other organizations, held a virtual meeting on the crisis on Thursday. The meeting took place amid reports that a 24-hour ceasefire between rival forces, which began on Wednesday evening, appeared to be holding in the capital, Khartoum, according to media reports. Clashes between the Sudanese armed forces and the paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) - who are at odds over the return to civilian rule - erupted on Saturday. Most of the fighting has been in the capital, where residents have been trapped in their homes for days. Concern for healthcare Thousands have fled the city, though evacuation has become increasingly difficult. Humanitarians warn that people are running out of food, fuel and other vital supplies, and many urgently need medical care. "The situation in Sudan is increasingly concerning and heart breaking. Over 330 people have died so far, and nearly 3,200 are injured," the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, wrote in a statement posted on his official Twitter account. Tedros condemned all loss of life, especially attacks on civilians and healthcare. He expressed deep concern over reports of forces occupying health facilities, underlining that attacks on healthcare are a flagrant violation of international law. Respect the ceasefire "The lack of safe access, of electricity, food, water, personnel and the diminishing medical supplies are making it nearly impossible for many health facilities to function at the exact time when there are thousands injured in need of urgent care," he said. Tedros urged the sides to respect the truce so that people can seek refuge or healthcare, or access food, water and medicine. The head of the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) also called on the parties to respect their international obligations to protect boys and girls from harm and to ensure humanitarians can quickly reach children in need. Childhood under fire "Five days of intense hostilities in Sudan, and four failed ceasefires, have already taken a devastating toll on the country's children," UNICEF Director Catherine Russell said in a statement. "If the violence does not stop, this toll will only increase." She said at least nine children have reportedly been killed, and more than 50 reportedly injured as hostilities continue in Khartoum, the Darfur states and North Kordofan, though insecurity makes it difficult to collect and verify information. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines International Organisations Conflict Sudan 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. "We have received reports of children sheltering in schools and care centres while fighting rages around them, of children's hospitals forced to evacuate as shelling moves closer, and hospitals, health centres and other critical infrastructure damaged or destroyed, limiting access to essential and lifesaving care and medicine," she added. Critical care disrupted Humanitarian needs in Sudan were already at record levels at the start of the year, according to UN relief agency, OCHA, with nearly one third of the population, almost 16 million people, requiring assistance. Ms. Russell said the crisis has disrupted critical-life saving care for an estimated 50,000 children suffering from acute malnutrition, who need ongoing round-the-clock care. "The fighting also puts at risk the cold chain in Sudan, including over $40 million worth of vaccines and insulin, due to the breaks in the power supply and the inability to restock generators with fuel," she added. Hunger could rise Meanwhile, the World Food Programme (WFP) warned that the violence could push millions more into hunger. WFP had planned to support some 7.6 million people in Sudan this year but was forced to temporarily halt operations as the fighting is preventing teams from carrying out activities such as delivering critical emergency food, providing school meals, and preventing and treating malnutrition. The UN agency has also suffered immense losses. Three staff members were killed in crossfire on Saturday, and two sustained severe injuries. WFP added that its staff, offices, vehicles, equipment and food stocks have also come in the direct line of fire. More updates to follow... The ruling NRM party caucus has referred the Anti-Homosexuality bill passed last month back to parliament for improvement. The ruling party caucus sitting at Kololo independence grounds resolved to have the bill returned to August House before being sent to the president to assent to it. "The NRM caucus hereby resolves to advise the president to send back to parliament the bill with proposals for improvement, " the caucus resolution read in part. The ruling NRM party MPs reached this resolution after President Museveni who is also the party national chairman delivered a keynote address on the controversial law passed by Parliament on March 21. According to a communication from the ruling party, the decision was reached after exhaustively examining all related issues and reviewing previous discussions on the matter. The development comes on the backdrop of the advice by the Attorney General to President Museveni asking him not to assent to the bill in its current form. The Attorney General, who is the chief legal advisor for government said the new law provides for mandatory death sentence for a person convicted of aggravated homosexuality which he said is in contravention with articles 21, 22(1), 28, 44(a) and 44(c) of the Constitution. He said the Constitutional Court t has already itself on laws concerning mandatory death sentence which he said is inconsistent with the constitution. According to the Attorney General, the new law risks violating the principle of separation of powers when it prescribes mandatory death sentence as it doesn't not give the judiciary discretion to determine an appropriate sentence. He cited several other provisions in the new law that he said need to be revised by parliament before it is assented to by the president or else it risks being challenged in courts of law on grounds of being unconstitutional. ShareBar Comments must be on-topic and civil in tone (with no name calling or personal attacks). Any promotional language or urls will be removed immediately. Your comment may be edited for clarity and length. Clinchfield Railroad engineer Ed Davenport of the North Carolina High Country, shown wearing his conductors cap and uniform, was killed 75 years ago (April 21, 1948) when the locomotive he was driving, exploded. The accident is considered one of the worst in Americas railroad history. By Tim Gardner One of the worst locomotive explosions in United States history happened in the North Carolina High Country seventy-five years ago today (April 21st), killing engineer Clarence Edgar Ed Davenport from Avery County. Davenport was a World War I veteran who was known to have a long-time fascination with trains. He had decided his chosen work profession would be as a locomotive engineer, a lifes goal that he achieved. Early in the morning of April 21, 1948 in the Narrow Branch area of the Nolichucky Gorge, located near the Ramseytown community of Yancey County, Davenport died because the boiler of the Locomotive Engine Number 740 of which he was an engineer, exploded. According to various accounts of the catastrophe, the train engines pressure literally blew sky-high. Some parts of the engine simply disintegrated from the intense heat. Davenport was only 53 years old at the time of the explosion. He was born on July 24, 1894 to the union of John Wesley and Maggie Burleson Davenport of the Ingalls Community, which was then Mitchell County. Ingalls became part of Avery County when the latter was founded in 1911. The locomotives fireman, Rex Phillips, only 33 years old, also perished in the train explosion. The massive train engine was headed from Erwin, Tennessee to Spartanburg, South Carolina, pulling several dozen cars of coal. An old Erwin, Tennessee newspaper account contained much information about the train explosion. Several excerpts (most set off by quotation marks) are used in this article and some others have been edited and used elsewhere in it. That original account began with: The big Western Union clock on the wall over the crew callers desk showed exactly 10:30 p.m. A Boyd-DeArmond calendar was circled the 21st of April, 1948, and at that time, crew caller, Steve Williams, picked up the phone receiver, called and gave the telephone operator a number to ring. The phone rang three times. On the other end was Ed Davenport, who awoke from sleep and answered hello. Williams said, Ed, you are called for 11:30 coal train south to Spartanburg. Davenport replied: Steve, you are calling me on my rest, then asked, But who is the fireman? Williams answered: Your fireman will be Rex Phillips if he isnt called out of place. Davenport then said, OK, Steve, Ill be there, and he hung up the phone. An April (rain) shower was in progress and the night was warm and humid. Williams continued calling the rest of the trains crewPhillips and head brakesman, Floyd Sparks, just 28 years old, who had only worked for Clinchfield Railroad a short time. The pusher engine crew bringing up the rear on Engine 731-2-8-8-2 mallet, Class L-2, 10,000 pounds slighter than the 740, but otherwise similar, was engineer John Ivy. Across from Ivy in the train sat his fireman, Clyde Evans. Behind them in the red caboose was conductor, C.D. Morgan, and flagman, Burl Cooper. Having recorded a clearance card, train orders and a brake test, coal train south Number 740 eased out of Erwin yard with seventy cars, Spartanburg-bound. Frogs were singing along Martins Creek, serenading the arrival of spring as the train picked up speed going down the tracks. Davenports wife, Ruby (formerly Houston-Clontz), was in Ingalls, and his parents (since divorced) and some other members of his family were there, and in nearby Spruce Pine. Ed was looking forward to seeing them again soon. Everything was running smoothly until the train approached a point in the Nolichucky Gorge called Narrow Branch. It was 1:15 a.m. Then it happened! The big steam-powered locomotive exploded with colossal force. And so powerful was the explosion that the huge boiler was ripped from the underframe and thrown forward 361 feet from the wreckage. But yet, tender and the wheels of the giant locomotive were somehow left intact on the train. When his train suddenly stopped and remained idle for some time, Conductor Morgan stepped down from the caboose and walked to the front end of the train to find out the cause of the delay. When he got to the front end, he was shocked and horrified to see what had happened. Hot coals from the locomotive fire box had ignited the nearby woods as fire had lit up the dark skies. Morgan found Fireman Phillips lying on top of the engines tender. Phillips lived about an hour after being discovered and even talked briefly before passing away from major burns and multiple injuries to his body. He is quoted as saying we (him and Davenport) had plenty of water (in the boiler)I cant understand why it (the explosion) happened. The conductor eventually found Davenports body on the mountainside above the railroad track, about six car lengths north of what was left of the train engine. If Davenport didnt die instantly from the explosion or from the torrid impact of having his body thrown from the train, he surely did so very shortly afterward. He was very badly burned with likely various broken bones. And all of his clothing had been blown off with only his shoes left on his feet. Those who knew Davenport attested to the fact that he didnt trust banks or bankers, and that he wore a money belt around his waist beneath his bibbed overalls. Money bills that had come out of his money belt when it broke from his waist (and out of the belt zipper compartment) were scattered all around the scene of the explosion. After finding Davenports body, Conductor Morgan ran back to the rear of the train and sent one of the other men on it to telephone for help. It took an hour or longer to reach a phone to summon help, owing to the isolation of the scene and the fact that the area was not heavily populated. When help was finally summoned, a relief train carried a medical doctor, R.H. Harvey, and others to the scene, getting through at Caney Bottom, as the pusher engine pulled the string of train cars back. Firemen also arrived and help put out the fires at the explosion site and in the nearby woods. Doctor Harney pronounced Davenport and Phillips dead and he treated Sparks, who sustained a fractured right leg as well as many burns and a concussion. He was transported to Veterans Hospital in Johnson City, Tennessee, was hospitalized for some time and then released. At times, railroad maintenance workers would replace the glass tube of a locomotives water gage when it became corroded and dirty. In order to exchange the glass, a valve each at the top and bottom of the gage had to be shut off. Its possible that the train mechanics, engineer and fireman forgot about the valves on the water gage, not turning them back on. That would have allowed the boiler to run dry, resulting in a red-hot crown sheet over the fire box, and then put on the injector permitting cool water from the injectors to cover the red-hot crown sheet. But Davenport and Phillips were experienced railroaders who were known for their vast technical expertise about train operations, and its considered a near zero-percent chance that they allowed the boiler to run dry. Plus, to make the possibility even more remote, as was written in a previous paragraph, Phillips had remarked that the boiler had plenty of water after the explosion and shortly before he died. So, apparently, he and Davenport had kept a watch on the boiler. An investigation was conducted by a panel heavy with Clinchfield Railroad senior railroad executives as well as state railroad officials, but no official reason for the explosion was ever known to be issued other than the train was very old. An exact cause will never be known. Because some of the engine was blown to smithereens, investigators may not have had certain needed evidence to study to make a ruling about what caused the explosion. According to railroad experts, the most plausible explanation for the explosion is that a water gauge on the cab of the 740 Engine was faulty and did not show the correct level of water in the boiler, thus hitting a red-hot crown sheet. It is typical of what happens when a boiler is heated with low or no water and then water is suddenly introduced into the boilera double-boiling that causes an explosion. Locomotive Number 740 was scrapped after the explosion and according to Clinchfield Railroad records, was retired twenty-one days after the tragedy on May 12, 1948 what was left to retire. Also according to railroad data, the Number 740 is still the only locomotive boiler explosion ever to happen on the Clinchfield Railroad. Railroad experts from across America have also reportedly continued to list this locomotive explosion as horrific as any ever. Ironically, Davenport was said to have told his Clinchfield Railroad superiors after the last time Locomotive Engine Number 740 was used on a trip before the explosion, that it needed further inspection and maintenance besides the mandatory ones before it was operated again due to its age (it was said to be more than 20 years old) and other possible mechanical concerns he had witnessed. However, his bosses thought the train could continue to operate and safely. Had Davenport refused to go out on the locomotive as an engineer on the night of the explosion, he might have been fired from his job, but saved his life. Davenports body was brought back to Avery County. His Celebration of Life service was held at Pine Grove Methodist Church in Ingalls, and he was buried in the church cemetery. His niece, Gloria Tink Davenport, who lives in Ingalls, said the service and burial were held before a massive crowd of his family, friends and colleagues. She added that he was beloved by many and known for having a very friendly and outgoing personality. -Special thanks to Warren Harding of the Spruce Pine Model Railroaders for assistance with this article- -Photos courtesy of Gloria Davenport- Clarence Edgar (Ed) Davenport, a Clinchfield Railroad engineer, was a native of the Ingalls Community in Avery County. Share this: Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Reddit Pocket As the conflict in Sudan escalated this week, refugees, many of whom had fled violence in neighboring countries, found themselves trapped in Khartoum and other cities. In interviews with VOA, many said they fear for their lives and are in need of help, but nobody seemed to be listening to their pleas. Aster Tariku, an Ethiopian refugee and a mother of two children, described the chaos in Khartoum: "The city is in havoc. There are airstrikes. It's terrifying. We've shut our doors and are hiding in the house. The children scream if I open the doors; they scream. They are in shock." Aster also spoke of the difficulties of finding food. "I've nothing to feed my children. God is my witness. We are just eating what I had. We stay on an empty stomach and eat during the evening," she told VOA's Amharic service. Eyasu Adola, a coordinator of the Oromo community in Sudan, said members of the Eritrean and Ethiopian refugee communities have been wounded and killed in the conflict. "Many people are injured," he said. "And due to the clash, many have died too. We have confirmed that a husband, wife, and child have died, and another four people traveling on a Bajaj [auto rickshaw] have died." Eyasu also spoke of the ordeal of some Oromo children, saying, "Some children are locked in a school in the Medhanialem Ethiopian Orthodox Church, in Khartoum. They have been there ever since the first day. All the teachers and the students are there." Another refugee from the Oromo community, who spoke to VOA's Afan Oromo service on condition of anonymity, said he saw some civilians caught in the crossfire. "A woman from our country was hit by a bullet in her leg when she tried to get back home from her workplace. Even her family was not able to visit her at all." Kumera Jirata, another refugee from Ethiopia based outside of Khartoum, described the condition most refugees are facing. "We are waiting in fear. Nothing is happening so far. Our camp is further away from the capital. However, there is no guarantee for our safety." All the refugees called on the international community to urgently assist in providing food, shelter and safety. Two cease-fires declared in Sudan this week broke down, making it difficult for aid workers to reach individuals in need or for people sheltering in their homes to flee to safer surroundings. The United Nations says Sudan is home to more than 1 million refugees from neighboring countries, including Chad, the Central African Republic, South Sudan, Ethiopia and Eritrea. Tedros Berhane, an Eritrean refugee living in the capital city, said they are in distress due to the almost non-stop heavy fighting between the Sudanese armed forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Sudan Conflict Refugees 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. "There's a lot of gunfire and disturbance around us," he said in a WhatsApp message. Another Eritrean who asked to remain anonymous said, "We've been warned to close our doors and stay in because there is looting and abuse." Refugees in the country said they had difficulties even before the fighting started. Security forces, some reported, had been harassing and detaining refugees. "Prior to this chaos, they were harassing refugees, requesting them for identification, so we were telling our families to stay indoors as a result," an Ethiopian refugee told VOA. But above all else, he added, refugees in the crossfire called on the international community not to forget them. He said, "Please be our voice, for people who are suffering the most." Eden Geremew, Jalene Gemeda and Winta Kidane contributed to this report. MOT, the team of investigative journalists at YLE, on Wednesday reported that suspicious vessels have been detected at least in the territorial waters of Denmark and Norway. RUSSIAN civilian and military vessels have been detected mapping critical infrastructure targets in the Baltic Sea and North Sea, reveals an investigation carried out by the public broadcasting companies of Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. The Nordic broadcasting companies examined the vessels movements using location data and radio communications, discovering that the vessels appear to be interested in targets such as gas pipelines, data communication cables, and especially offshore wind farms and their transmission cables. Finnish Minister of Defence Antti Kaikkonen (Centre) told YLE that Finland has stepped up the monitoring of critical infrastructure already before the report. While he declined to comment on whether such intelligence gathering activities have been detected in the country, he added that such activities cannot be ruled out. The Nord Stream gas pipelines explosion is a practical example of this kind of sabotage being possible, he stated to the Finnish public broadcasting company. The defence administration is naturally monitoring all activities in our nearby regions, including sea areas. We have a very solid understanding of them, he assured. For operational reasons, we cant comment on this in too much detail. Id say that were awake. Russia is seeking to obtain information that would enable it to sabotage electricity transmission in north-western Europe, according to experts. Tapio Frantti, a professor of cybersecurity at the University of Jyvaskyla, viewed in an interview with the broadcasting service that such information gathering can be regarded as part of intelligence activities related to cyber and hybrid campaigns. While the information enables the planning of strikes that seek to paralyse electricity production, the effects of such a strike on a single wind farm would likely be limited. Our energy production is fairly dispersed when it comes to power plants, and the situation wouldnt be catastrophic if some wind farm areas experienced a blackout and their electricity transmission was interrupted, said Frantti. Stopping all data communications, for example, would require a massive operation that effectively cuts all cables running along the seabed. If you cut a single cable, our data communication systems would continue working albeit at significantly slower rates than if everything was intact, he explained. Kaikkonen offered a similar assessment: We cant protect cable thats found in Finland and in our seas. If someone wants to cause a disturbance, Im sure theres a way to do that. But we have wind power capacity widely across Finland. That means that if a cable is cut, our society will manage. Aleksi Teivainen HT The threat level of cyber security has remained high, and the number of targeted cyber attacks in Finland has increased, according to a press release from Traficom. Finnish organizations are increasingly becoming targets of cyber attacks, and the nature of these attacks has changed. Specifically, the number of targeted attacks, in which the target organization is carefully selected, has increased. Despite this increase, Traficom and the Finnish Security Intelligence Service consider a society-wide cyber attack to be unlikely. Traficom's Cyber Security Center has received an increasing number of reports of information security breaches every year. The increase is partly due to growing interest and awareness of cyber security, but it is also due to cyber influence operations targeted at Finland. There has also been more cyber activity by Russia in Finland, as Russia has had to turn to the internet because of the difficulty of conducting human intelligence. "When state actors operate online, they have more experienced actors, resources, and tools than basic criminals," says Antti Pelttari, head of the Finnish Security Intelligence Service. The importance of information sharing has increased. More important than the number of attacks is the examination of the effects of cyber attacks on the overall security of society and the security of supply. Traficom's Cyber Security Center produces a national cyber security situation report that covers the entire society. By analyzing the data, one can examine the effects of the disruptions and how the cyber security situation has developed in the long term. "Finland is targeted every day with cyber threats of varying levels, from denial-of-service attacks to various types of cyber criminal breaches and attempts to spread ransomware. Broad cooperation is essential. The rise in the threat level has become permanent. We are actively taking countermeasures in good cooperation with other authorities, companies, and especially critical infrastructure operators, to avoid cyber attacks," says Kirsi Karlamaa, CEO of Traficom. The methods of attack have changed. In recent months, government agencies and critical infrastructure operators have increasingly been the target of cyber attacks. The change from 2021 and 2022 can be seen, for example, in the fact that now ransomware attacks seem to be directed more and more towards a single, pre-selected target. In addition, there has been more hacktivism this year, aimed at taking a stand on social issues. The extensive and long-term cooperation between authorities and critical infrastructure operators, however, provides a good basis for staying ahead of cyber protection. Cyber protection work is never complete. "Cybersecurity work is done today and now, not when something undesirable has already happened. Good cooperation between different actors is essential in this work," says the head of the Finnish Security Intelligence Service. HT On May Day, some areas have traditionally been set aside for partygoers. The risks to pedestrians and motorists alike can be reduced by demarcating areas, compared to partygoers using different forms of transport along the same routes. In central Helsinki , parts of some streets around the Market Square and the Esplanadi streets will be closed on May Day Eve and May Day. The changes are described in the attached map. The traffic restrictions have been planned and will be implemented in cooperation by the citys safety specialists, the police and the rescue services. The area around the Market Square and the Pohjoisesplanadi and Etelaesplanadi streets will be closed to all motor vehicle traffic on May Day Eve, 30 April, from 15:00 to 20:00. The traffic restrictions apply to Pohjoisesplanadi, Etelaesplanadi, Etelaranta between Etelaesplanadi and Pohjoinen Makasiinikatu, and Unioninkatu between Aleksanterinkatu and Etelaesplanadi. Only emergency vehicles are allowed to drive in the demarcated area. A larger area around Pohjoisesplanadi and Etelaesplanadi will be converted into a low-speed residential road until 18:00 on May Day, 1 May. Routes to the ports during the traffic restrictions. Accessing the ports by car during the restrictions Access to the Katajanokka Terminal is via Pohjoisranta and Kanavakatu. The Olympia Terminal can be accessed via Tehtaankatu and Laivasillankatu, for example. Heavy traffic should enter the Olympia Terminal area before the start of the traffic restrictions. Aalto University Student Union to place graduation cap on Havis Amanda This year, the Havis Amanda will receive her cap from the Aalto University Student Union (AYY), which is also responsible for organising the event. You can watch the ceremony on screens in the Esplanadi Park. The traditional placing of the cap on the statue will take place at around 18:00 on May Day Eve (30 April). The restoration of the Havis Amanda will start after the May Day celebrations. HT Source: City of Helsinki, Urban Environment Division "I paid child support again for a child proven not to be mine. National legislation allows mothers to knowingly commit paternity fraud, which is not in the best interest of the child and violates their rights. In a recent tweet, Jani, (@KylaHarakka) a Finnish man, who identifies as Judicial father by paternal discrepancy, brought attention to a controversial issue surrounding paternity fraud and child support payments in Finland. The Tweet sparked a heated debate on social media about the rights of the child, the responsibilities of biological fathers, and the consequences for men who are unknowingly deceived. A Twitter user, @AmFinski, responded, "The child's biological connection to you doesn't matter if you were married when the child was born. The child has a legal right to a father, who can choose to be physically present in the child's life or just support the child financially. This is done with the child's rights in mind." However, @1Pipsa questioned the logic, asking, "How does it support the child's rights if one only participates financially?" Another user, @toni_luoto, emphasized the responsibility of the biological father, "Doesn't the biological father have any responsibility? How is justice served if paternity is based on the mother's deception and theft? What kind of image does this give of the child's biological parents?" @kriitajattelija, a critical thinker, suggested that the deceived man should be released from the situation, while the biological father should pays. @TainaKinn chimed in, saying, "One would think that the biological father would have the right to be confirmed as the father." @Fin1770 expressed frustration with the current system, arguing that it is "completely contrary to a healthy sense of justice that legal paternity is not overturned even though there are perfect reasons for it." Why doesnt the mother push for the childs rights to the existence of the real father? a user wrote. Another user commented, I hope you also get compensation from the mother of the child to whom you have had to pay unjustifiably. Yet another user wondered, I wonder how the childs real father allows this? Does he not care about his child or is he a complete slob? As the debate continues, it is clear that the issue of paternity fraud and child support payments raises complex questions about the balance between the rights and well-being of children, the responsibilities of biological parents, and the potential for deception in family relationships. Finland is known for its effective child support system globally ensuring individual and financial protection of a child in tumultuous marriages. However, the legal system within Finland is often scrutinized when it comes to the cases of paternity fraud. Paternity fraud, also known as misattributed paternity, occurs when a man is wrongly identified as the father of a child. In Finland, as in many other countries, the legal and social ramifications of paternity fraud can be significant, especially when it comes to issues of child support and maintenance. Finnish law requires legal father to financially support their children, even if paternity fraud is discovered and this has led to discussions about the fairness and ethics of such obligations. The ongoing case of Jani has garnered attention in Finland who has been paying maintenance for a child he believed to be his biological son for over a decade. However, a DNA test revealed that he was not the childs biological father. Despite this revelation, he was still required to continue paying child support as he had been legally declared as the childs father by a court. In January 2023, the district court assessed the best interest of the child in the case and assigned a guardian's deputy - who can use the child's right to apply for paternity correction. However, Jani is still paying for the child support. This case has raised questions about the fairness of Finnish law in situations where a man, already traumatized by a cheating wife, is found to not be the biological father of a child but is still obligated to pay support. As per the Finnish Child Support Act, it is the responsibility of a parent to provide financial support to their child until the child turns 18 or completes their education or vocational training, regardless of whether the parent is the biological father. The legal status of parenthood determines this obligation. In Finland the process of challenging paternity and seeking relief from the obligation to pay child maintenance can be complex and may require legal representation, DNA testing, and court hearings. Moreover, Finnish law requires a man to challenge paternity for a child born in a wedlock within two years of the birth of the child and one year of becoming aware of the circumstances that raise doubt about his paternity. The deadline can be extended only under special circumstances. The time limit to annul the paternity can actually start from the moment the man gets information of not being the father if he did not have the reason to doubt that earlier. Then you have to show what is this new information and be very fast, Hilkka Salmenkyla, attorney at law told Helsinki Times. Salmenkyla also highlighted that paternity fraud is not a legal term in Finland. In contrast to the approach taken in Finland, other countries have different timelines for addressing this concern. For instance, in the UK, a father seeking to claim damages must file a court claim within six years of discovering the fraud and provide evidence that the mother knowingly made a false statement to obtain a benefit. In the U.S., the legal obligation to pay child support is typically based on genetic or legal paternity and the timeline for annulling paternity varies among states. In some states, a man may have the option to challenge paternity and seek relief from child support if he can prove he is not the biological father, but often the window for contesting paternity is limited to two years after the child's birth in most states. Here are some cases of paternity fraud from different countries: In Australia, a man initially received compensation for damages, separate from child-rearing costs, due to paternity fraud from his ex-wife, but lost on appeal in the highest court. A South Korean man was awarded $42,380 in compensation for pain and suffering damages after discovering that his wife had committed paternity fraud by having another mans baby. After a prolonged legal battle spanning 12 years in the California court system, a man as found to not be the father of a child for whom he had been paying child support. A resident of Florida, found out 16 months after his divorce that the child he had been paying child support for was not his, as confirmed by DNA testing. However, Florida justices ruled 7-0 against him, stating that he must continue to pay $1,200 a month in child support as he had missed the one-year post-divorce deadline for filing his lawsuit. This would amount to over $200,000 in court-ordered payments over 15 years to support a child that his ex-wife had with another man. In Canada, child support guidelines prioritize the biological parent's responsibility for providing financial support. If paternity is uncertain, the court may order a DNA test to determine the child's biological father. Once established, the biological father is required to pay child support according to the Federal Child Support Guidelines. For the father, the emotional and financial burden of paying child support for a child who is not biologically his can be significant. It can cause feelings of betrayal, anger, and frustration as well as financial strain, especially if the man has been providing support for the child for a long period of time. However, in Finland, the legal obligation to pay alimony for a non-biological child is based on the principle of prioritizing the child's best interests, while ignoring the cheated husbands rights and letting loose the biological father who was part of the fraud. The victim is made to pay. The Finnish legal system places a high emphasis on the best interests of the child and the principle of the childs right to financial support from both parents is considered paramount. The courts take into account the childs well-being and standard of living when determining child support and payments. As a result, even if a man has been a victim of paternity fraud and is not the biological father of the child, the court may still order him to pay child support in order to maintain the childs welfare. It is not a punishment , it is to the best interest of the child. Both parents are responsible for this and the amount needed to be divided between them according to their situation, Salmenkyla said adding that the UN Convention which is binding law in Finland along with European Regulations on the rights of the child also starts from the best interest of the child. This case has raised important questions regarding the legal and ethical responsibilities of all parties involved in situations of paternity fraud. Some have questioned why the biological father is not being held financially responsible for the child's support and if the best interest of the child can be achieved without infringing on the rights of the man who has been wronged by paternity fraud. It highlights the need for a fair and just legal system that takes into account the well-being of all parties involved, especially the child, while ensuring that individuals are not unfairly burdened with financial obligations. Are you a victim of paternity fraud? Send us your story to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Sonali Telang - HT BRCC to host Local History Fair on May 3 In Western North Carolina, we are fortunate to be surrounded by a very rich cultural history, and our first-ever Local History Fair is designed to help us respect and learn more about our roots by making that history accessible, said Anthony Baltiero, Blue Ridges director of library services. Its an honor to serve alongside so many fine organizations as we bring our community members together to celebrate our shared heritage. The May 3 Local History Fair will feature: Center for Cultural Preservation Black Research Group of Henderson County Hendersonville Historic Preservation Commission Henderson County Public Library Historic Johnson Farms Hendersonville Pride Henderson County Education History Initiative Buncombe County Special Collections Western North Carolina Historical Association Daughters of the American Revolution, Abraham Kuykendall Chapter During the fair, the Blue Ridge Community College Library will present an interactive exhibit designed to give context to hundreds of physical College photos from the 1970s through today. Attendees will also enjoy a special presentation by Historic Johnson Farms and the opportunity to discuss history and initiatives with representatives from all guest organizations. Over the decades, our college has collected or been given many photos of our alumni and community events," Baltiero said. "Our hope is that our neighbors can help give context to these photos by identifying those people and events they remember." The Local History Fair is scheduled during the librarys May 1-5 Preservation Week. During this week, partner displays and Blue Ridges photo collection will be available for public viewing during library hours. WEEKEND! Cider, Wine & Dine, 'Ring of Fire' and Earth Fest on tap Cider, Wine & Dine Weekend starts today, the Johnny Cash tribute show "Ring of Fire" opens tonight and Hendersonville's first Earth Fest is Saturday. Here's the scoop: Cider Wine & Dine More than a dozen venues will offer tastings, tours, new releases, picnics, pairing dinners, live music and vineyard hikes during the three-day Cider, Wine & Dine Weekend Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Approximately 50 events take place throughout the weekend including dining, dancing and discovering new delights. Its fun to see all of these local, craft producers come together for a weekend of events, said Michelle Owens, executive director of Visit Hendersonville, the event sponsor. Each one does an excellent job on its own, but when they pair their beverages with local foods, local bands playing music and other outdoor activities, it elevates the experience for visitors. The weekend is designed to encourage patrons to get out to the vineyards, orchards and tasting rooms, many located in the Blue Ridge countryside, and see where these wines and ciders begin their journey from field to bottle. Participating wineries are part of the Crest of the Blue Ridge AVA, North Carolinas newest wine region. The cideries draw on decades of apple-growing heritage and a bounty of fresh fruit from area orchards. Souther Williams Vineyard, which celebrates its one-year anniversary this spring, hosts hike-and-sip tours throughout the day on Friday, April 21. Guests traverse the N.C. Bicentennial Farm, which has been in owner Ken Parkers family since 1800, and hear how he transitioned the property from traditional agricultural crops into a vineyard, all while sampling five different wines. Marked Tree Vineyard will serve a savory vintners dinner with sunset views Friday evening featuring four courses, each paired with a Marked Tree wine produced from meticulously tended European vinifera and French-American hybrid grapevines in surrounding vineyards. On Saturday, visitors can be among the first to see Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards new on-site winery and taste wines straight from the barrel. Across the road, folks can enjoy live music while sipping dry, European-style ciders and overlooking a hillside orchard at Appalachian Ridge Artisan Hard Cider. Sundays finale at Point Lookout Vineyards features a Celtic band and the opportunity to taste a variety of meads and wines at the mountaintop tasting room. Events are both free and ticketed. For a full schedule and weekend lodging options, click here or call 828-693-9708. 'Ring of Fire' opens tonight From the songbook of Johnny Cash comes this unique musical about love and faith, struggle and success, rowdiness and redemption, and the healing power of home and family. More than two dozen classic hits including I Walk the Line, A Boy Named Sue, Folsom Prison Blues, and, of course, Ring of Fire. Having spent many years working on various productions of Ring of Fire this production will be my personal 10th! the most extraordinary thing I keep finding about Mr. Cash is how unanimously loved he is, even now, 20 years since his death," Director Ben Hope says. "No other project seems to attract such a varied and enthusiastic crowd as the music of Johnny Cash. I think it's because he wrote for the ordinary. His words and music are authentic and simple, and he speaks plainly about things we all connect with. He was fallible, with personal demons and shortcomings. He makes us feel like our own imperfections are normal and mundane, and he teaches us that there's beauty and hope, even in despair. I love Johnny Cash, and I know Flat Rock audiences are going to love 'Ring of Fire'. The show runs from April 21 to May 6 on the Leiman Mainstage. Tickets range from $52 to $72. Student prices are available for ages 18 and under. For more information, call 828.693.0731 or visit www.flatrockplayhouse.org Ring of Fire is presented by WHKP and Carolina Ace Hardware. Flat Rock Playhouses 2023 Season is supported by Charlotte & Bob Otto, Optimum, WHKP, and WTZQ as well as the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. www.NCArts.org Hendo Earth Fest The city of Hendersonville will celebrate the first-ever Hendo Earth Fest from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Earth Day, Saturday. Local organizations and environmental champions will educate, entertain and raise awareness of the need to protect the planet for future generations. The festival is sponsored by the ESB in association with the Blue Ridge EV Club, Team ECCO, Conserving Carolina, Mountain True, Caregivers of Mother Earth and Trinity Presbyterian Church. The festival will be held on Main Street between Fourth and Sixth avenues and on Fifth Avenue between Wall Street and King Street At 10:30 a.m., Mayor Pro Tem Lyndsey Simpson and Council Member Jennifer Hensley will welcome attendees and provide remarks from the steps of City Hall along Fifth Avenue East. In the 400 block of Main Street, the ESB will have exhibits and activities to inform, renew and expand knowledge on how to preserve the local environment. The Aquarium and Shark Lab by Team ECCO will have water-related exhibits and fun activities for children and adults on the 500 block of Main Street. On Fifth Avenue, the Blue Ridge EV Club will display electric-powered sedans, crossovers, SUVs, trucks, electric bikes, and more. The Blue Ridge Bicycle Club is leading two community rides to Hendo Earth Fest each starting at 10:00 am. One ride begins at First Congregational Church (1735 Fifth Ave. West) and the second begins at Patton Park (114 East Clairmont Drive) to Fourth Avenue ending at City Hall on Fifth Avenue. Henderson County Sheriffs Office VIP personnel will provide traffic assistance at key intersections. Plenty of parking is available in the new parking deck on Church Street and Fifth Avenue West as well as in the Azalea and Spruce parking lots. Free parking options are available a short walk beyond the boundaries of Church Street and King Street. Hendo Earth Fest attendees are also encouraged to park at Patton Park or Jackson Park and bike to the event, where a bike corral provided by the Blue Ridge Bicycle Club will be available. For more information visit www.hvlnc.gov/hendoearthfest. BOGO tickets for jazz trio Hendersonville Theatre is offering a BOGO ticket special for the performance at 7:30 p.m. Saturday of the Jon Stickley Trio, Aprils intimate Hometown Sound concert. A progressive ensemble from Asheville, the band is rooted in bluegrass, but also incorporates Gypsy jazz, grunge, folk-punk and jam-band styles. With inspiration ranging from Green Day to Duran Duran to Nirvana and the Grateful Dead, the trio has released several albums on the Organic Label and is currently touring nationally. Click here for tickets or call 828-692-1082. WNC Farmers Market plant sale is today The Western N.C. Farmers Market will host its free Spring Festival & Growing in the Mountain Plant Sale 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 22. Guests can meet and shop with local farmers, plant growers and craft makers at the popular event. Local food trucks will be on hand featuring ramps and strawberries, and visitors wont want to miss the daily Food Truck Cookoff at 11 a.m. The WNC Farmers Market, which is open seven days a week, is located at 570 Brevard Road, Asheville. A CAFE owner in Henley says she has had to temporarily close her business and move out of her flat because of building work next door. Keti Maglakelidze, who runs the Geo Cafe in Friday Street, says that dust and noise from the renovation of No 5 forced her to leave. She and her two daughters, aged 10 and 11, moved out of the flat above the cafe, which is a flying freehold over the entrance way of the neighbouring property, at the end of last month. John and Catherine Drummond, who own No 5, and J D Residential, of Shiplake, which is carrying out the renovation, say they have tried to minimise disruption to other businesses in the street and have kept them informed of progress. The work at the Grade-II listed building began in early December and includes replacement of the roof which was sagging and described as dangerous in an engineers survey. The ground floor is being subdivided to create a self-contained shop at the front and a Pilates studio to be run by Mrs Drummond in what used to be a covered courtyard at the back of the building. The first and second floors are being turned into a one-bedroom flat. Mrs Maglakelidze, who also runs the Geo Cafe in Prospect Street, Caversham, said: With the work going on, and the cafe being an eating establishment, I didnt think it would be safe. There was a lot of dust coming in. We had to close for that reason. We tried to carry on but with the cost of electricity and staff wed lose more money if we were open than if we closed. Its very hard. We dont rely on passing traffic, were a neighbourhood cafe. But there was so much dust and noise it was impossible for those who support us to come in. I had to work myself most days because I felt I couldnt have my staff working there. We had a refrigerator break down there was so much dust. It was quite thick industrial dust covering all the surfaces. I had to wash everything in the flat thats how bad it was. Mrs Maglakelidze contacted the Environment Agency about the level of dust in the cafe and the flat. She said: I bought a gadget from Amazon to measure the CO2 from the diesel machinery under the bedroom but when I saw a massive haze in my bedroom and it going everywhere, I said: This needs to be addressed. They did warn me that they were going to do this but I did not know how much it would impact us, not just the business but also the flat. Even now, Im still cleaning it. It has been a very tough few years, with covid and now the cost of living crisis. Sales are up 40 per cent in Caversham but in Henley they were going down. Mrs Maglakelidze, who opened the Henley cafe in January 2021, has moved to a cottage in Lambourne, where she and her husband run another business. Her daughters had to miss their last day of school before Easter because she was unable to drive them back. Mrs Maglakelidze said she did not know when she would be able to re-open the cafe so she has been exploring other options. She said: Im contacting local festival organisations to see if they can give us a pitch and the town council to see if they can give us a pitch at the market. We are known for Georgian street food. Im trying to make up the losses up somehow. Its heart-breaking because we have put so much into it and we have to find other ways to survive. Mrs Maglakelidze said the problem had been made worse by a fenced-off storage area outside No 5 and an area of the street being blocked off for building work being carried out at the former Lloyds Bank at the junction with Reading Road. She said: The pavement would regularly be blocked for the whole morning, which is our busiest period. I think they should not have two major works going on in this small corner. Its affecting everyone businesses and residents. Other business owners said they had also been affected but acknowledged the efforts made by the builders and the Drummonds to minimise the impact. The builders put up a sign around the fenced-off storage area, saying: Friday Street shops open as usual along with the names of the businesses. Mark Jordan, who helps his wife Keron run Vintage Chic, an upcycled furniture shop, said they also had to temporarily close their shop due to the disruption. He said: It has been a nuisance to park and we have had a certain amount of dust. With the noise and general building work, we shut down for a month in February and just got out. I cant say the builders are not helpful, as best they can be. Its not like they ignore you or shrug you off, they do listen. Roger Etherington, whose wife Delia owns The Ferret antique shop, said the work had definitely affected trade. He said: The biggest problem is when people come from Duke Street their view down Friday Street is blocked. Long Ni, who owns the Full House Chinese takeaway, said: People dont know if were open or not. Soner Sahbaz, of the Golden Needle tailors, said: Well be totally finished here because of this work. People know the businesses are open but they cant park outside. Previously, the parking bay was empty. Now they go to a car park but cant find a space and go home. Jane Tutill, who runs the Willow Basket whole foods shop, said she had not been affected but added: I can totally sympathise with the Geo Cafe over the dust and noise but its going to be improvement to Friday Street at the end of the day. Theyre bringing an old building back to what it should be. The footfall has been very low but I think thats across Henley and not just Friday Street. Im fortunate to have loyal customers who will hunt me down even if the street is dusty. She said the builders had been considerate and that she had been kept informed about when work would be carried out. Weve had letters through the post saying that next week or whenever there will be a skip and theyll try to do it on Monday and Tuesday when were all closed, said Ms Tutill. Id be singing a different tune if I lived next door. I can only stand across the street and sympathise. In the long run its going to be good for the street. The main thing is that we will come through this and be a happy street and go on making a living and doing our own things. John Pacitto, who runs vintage and antique shop Corner Copia, said: Its hard to say if it has affected trade but it mustve done a bit. Most of the time it has been winter and with the cost of living going up the last thing people want to buy is antiques. He said the sign showed that the builders and owners were making an effort. James Dalzell, director of J D Residential, said: The parking is something we were super concerned about before we started. John Drummond got permits so that we could park vehicles along here but after being here for a while and chatting to the neighbours, we realised that it was a problem, so weve limited it. Well have vehicles here when we need to load or unload, or some of the subcontractors need their tools nearby. Besides that, we try to move everyone into Greys Road car park, or the long stay, which isnt something we had in our cost plan, but we try to appease people and keep the peace. Due to the constraints to the site, weve needed to have a safe storage area outside, so Oxfordshire County Council granted us that. I understand its not ideal for the businesses but weve made sure that it has only ever been outside our working area of the shop and now we dont need all of it, weve reduced the size of it. Weve tried to minimise the disruption as much as we can but the nature of building work is really difficult. Weve never worked in the evenings and at the weekend. Keti was not open at the beginning of the week and then she said she was definitely going to be closed on Tuesdays, so we arranged all of the really noisy work and disruptive deliveries for those days, which slowed us down but its something we did to compromise. Weve used dust suppression, so basically water spray on equipment, and we try to do it in well-ventilated areas or inside the studio area to try to reduce the spread of it. Weve changed our working practices so instead of grinding through walls, weve done it with drills. We feel confident weve done everything we can to try to mitigate. Im really sympathetic as obviously they have a business to run but weve also got to get on with the project. Disruption has happened but the positive outcome is that were bringing this historic listed building back into use. Mr Drummond said: We appreciate that work of this nature will disrupt businesses, so weve done the best we can do. Weve been speaking with businesses regularly. Hopefully when summer starts well be off the street and then things will improve. We scheduled it so it we could finish in May as we knew it would be a busy time for the street from May with the regatta and everything. He said it had been interesting to uncover the history of the building, which had been used as a butchers, cycle shop, general dealer, boutique and antiques shop. His wifes business, Align Pilates, is due to move in in June or July. She is very excited to finally have built up the business sufficiently to be able to provide a purpose-fitted facility, said Mr Drummond. Being based in town together with other owner-run businesses with a street presence can only improve the trade and foot traffic for all. What do you think? Write to: Letters, Henley Standard, Caxton House, 1 Station Road, Henley or email letters @henleystandard.co.uk Khartoum, Sudan While cease-fire attempts in Sudan have failed, the evacuation of scores of Egyptian troops that had been held there has raised hopes that more foreigners trapped in the fighting could be leaving soon. Sudanese military officials announced early Thursday that 177 technical personnel of the Egyptian Air Force, who had been detained in the town of Marawi, were evacuated to Egypt from Dongola Airport by four Egyptian military transport planes. The military said the Egyptians were in Sudan for training when fighting broke out Saturday between Sudanese armed forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. The Rapid Support Forces also announced in a statement Thursday that they handed over 27 Egyptian nationals to the International Red Cross. The RSF statement described their health as "excellent," and said they handed them over with all their belongings. Hundreds of other foreign nationals are effectively trapped in Sudan, unable to leave because of heavy fighting this week around Khartoum's international airport. Clashes continued Thursday in Khartoum, despite cease-fire agreements announced by the warring parties over two consecutive days. Khalifa Saddiq, a lecturer on extremist and terrorist groups at the International University of Africa in Khartoum, said the release of the Egyptian captives is a positive move by both warring parties. Speaking to VOA by a messaging application in Khartoum, Saddiq said that under international law, both warring parties have no choice other than to respond positively to calls for a humanitarian cease-fire. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Sudan Conflict Egypt 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. He said both the military and the RSF are expected to abide by the terms of the cease-fire because suspending hostilities has a strong positive impact on the humanitarian situation. This is one of the fruits of the continued external pressure on the parties to suspend hostilities and create a safe passage for humanitarian activities. Saddiq believes the cease-fires were not respected because some fighters have no direct contact with their field commanders. He said the RSF is now an unbounded group that lost leadership directives and the majority of its members didn't know that a cease-fire had been announced. Therefore, they are unable to comply with this practice of international law. Thousands of Khartoum residents have fled their homes in the past two days, seeking safety and basic necessities. Food supplies in the capital have dwindled and most parts of the city have no electricity or running water. The fighting was triggered over Sudan's political future -- which has been in flux since the overthrow of longtime leader Omar al-Bashir in 2019 -- and plans to integrate the RSF into the national army. Ambassadors of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States, known collectively as the Quad countries, are urging the two warring sides to halt the fighting and return to dialogue. The Quad ambassadors urged the parties of the conflict to commit to the safety and protection of civilians, diplomatic missions and humanitarian workers and to provide safe corridors for humanitarian operations. A map showing the location of Sudan (in orange) and Chad (in green). Between 10,000 and 20,000 people have fled the Western Darfur region, as violence rages for a sixth day. Battles between forces loyal to the army and the paramilitary group RSF are showing no signs of abating. The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) said on Thursday that between 10,000 and 20,000 people have fled Sudan's western Darfur region in the past few days, seeking refuge in neighboring Chad, as the battle between the country's military and strongest paramilitary group rages on. Those arriving are mostly women and children, the UNHCR said, adding that it was working with the Chadian government to assess their needs and prepare a joint response. "Tragically we have already received reports of refugees caught in the ongoing fighting in Sudan," said Raouf Mazou, UNHCR's Assistant High Commissioner for Operations. "It is urgent that the conflict stops to prevent the loss of more lives." Fighting in Sudan entered its sixth day on Thursday, as explosions and gunfire rocked the capital, Khartoum, and the adjacent city of Omdurman, prompting thousands of residents to flee. The bloodshed, which has so far claimed the lives of more than 330 civilians and left many wounded, shows no signs of letting up. Battles are continuing between forces loyal to the head of the army -- Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the country's de facto ruler -- and his deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, known as Hemedti, who commands the paramilitary RSF group. Both men, with a long history of human rights abuses, are battling for control of Africa's third-largest country, which is rich in natural resources. The violence has left many civilians trapped indoors and desperately seeking essential supplies, including food, water and medicine. Around 70% of hospitals near the clash sites throughout the country are out of service, the Sudanese Doctors Syndicate said Thursday. At least nine hospitals were bombed, it added. Thousands of Sudanese, including women and children, have fled the capital since the outbreak of the violence. Many are still trying to escape the battle zones to safer areas. US deploys forces to neighboring countries The US is moving additional troops and equipment to neighboring countries, as part of a contingency plan to evacuate its embassy personnel stuck in Sudan. The Pentagon said in a Thursday statement the deployments were "for contingency purposes related to securing and potentially facilitating the departure of US Embassy personnel from Sudan, if circumstances require it." Media reports said troops and equipment were being moved to a Naval base in Djibouti. Two Biden administration officials told the Associated Press news agency the deployments were necessary due to the uncertainty of the situation. Why is the fighting not stopping? Both the warring parties said earlier they would respect a 24-hour cease-fire that was due to come into effect at 6 p.m. local time (1600 GMT) on Wednesday. But the truce was quickly broken by renewed fighting. Wednesday's cease-fire was the second to fail in two days. A previous truce had been planned from sundown Tuesday to sundown Wednesday, but it never came to fruition. The UN, the United States and Arab officials on Thursday urged the fighting parties to observe a cease-fire during the Muslim Eid al-Fitr holiday, which starts on Friday and lasts for three days. "The cessation of hostilities must be followed by serious dialogue allowing for the successful transition, starting with the appointment of a civilian government," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said. "The fighting must stop immediately." Hemedti told the Qatar-based Al Jazeera broadcaster that he was ready to commit to an Eid truce. However, both leaders told Al Jazeera they refused to sit with one another and talk. How are world powers reacting to the violence? World powers have been trying to put pressure on both sides to agree and enforce a cease-fire. A number of countries are struggling to evacuate their citizens after the airport and several districts housing foreign embassies were caught up in the violence. Japan and the Netherlands are stationing more resources in nearby countries like Djibouti and Jordan to react quickly and evacuate their citizens as soon as the situation allows. The European Union on Thursday called for a cease-fire. "The fighting must stop," EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said in Brussels. He also urged the parties to protect the civilian population and ensure swift and unhindered access to humanitarian aid. The outbreak of violence undermines efforts to restore democracy in Sudan, Borrell underlined, noting that it also risks causing political instability in the region. Egypt, meanwhile, said it repatriated dozens of its military personnel who had been held by the RSF. The Sudanese military also confirmed the evacuation, putting the number of Egyptian personnel at 177. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Sudan Conflict Africa 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. What's the conflict about? The fighting is the latest chapter in Sudan's political turmoil of recent years. The country witnessed mass protests against three decades of iron-fisted rule under dictator Omar al-Bashir in 2019. The demonstrations were led by an alliance of pro-democracy activists. Burhan and Daglo, along with other generals, staged a coup to topple Bashir. The generals and civilian protest leaders then struck a power-sharing deal with the aim of later holding elections and forming a civilian government. Burhan and Daglo then jointly orchestrated a coup in October 2021, derailing efforts to hand over power to a civilian government. Under international pressure, both generals recently agreed to a framework agreement with political parties and pro-democracy groups. But the signing was repeatedly delayed amid tensions over the planned integration of the RSF into the regular army and the future chain of command. (AFP, Reuters, AP, dpa) Presidential hopeful Cllr. Tiawan Saye Gongloe says President George Manneh Weah should be subjected to drug tests, cautioning him not to avoid it as he did with the Covid-19 vaccine. "They cannot be destroying our country when their children are not living here. And I highly suspect him of being involved in this narcotic, so he should also be subjected. Let him not avoid the drug test as he did with ... Covid-19," said Gongloe. Gongloe's suggestion came during a press conference he held Thursday, 20 April 2023 in central Monrovia to give his perspective on growing calls for public officials to test for narcotic substances for every elected or appointed public office. Cllr. Gongloe is a prominent Liberian lawyer and politician. He is the former Solicitor General of Liberia and has served as the President of the Liberia National Bar Association. Gongloe is a human rights activist and has been a vocal critic of corruption and human rights abuses in Liberia. He is the political leader of the opposition Liberian People's Party, which is one of the oldest political parties in Liberia. Gongloe's comment came after Liberia's Army Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Prince Charles Johnson, III, recommended that government officials should undergo drug tests. In reaction, the Liberian human rights lawyer Cllr. Gongloe said President Weah should be first tested for drugs before others can follow. Cllr Gongloe alleged that a few years ago, drugs were discovered in a presidential escort car en route to Grand Cape Mount County. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Liberia Governance 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. Based on such an alleged incident, Gongloe thinks drug tests for public officials should begin with President Weah. He explained further that before Mr. Weah became President, one of his friends was arrested for drugs. He added that today, Mr. Weah has built a place in Liberia called Jamaica. According to him, there is a lot of speculation that the same culture that is practiced in the Caribbean state of Jamaica might also be happening in Liberian-based Jamaica. Gongloe noted that in Jamaica narcotic drugs do not matter. "There are people in the government that are bringing drugs here and Liberia is a major transit point for drugs," the opposition leader alleged. He told a group of journalists that he supports Gen. Johnson's call for officials to be tested for drugs on grounds that the presence of drugs in Liberia undermines national security. He added that it also makes law enforcement and security in the country difficult. "Because when you are dealing with people who are not normal, it affects everything you do. Therefore, the president must show seriousness about fighting drugs by subjecting himself to a drug test." According to him, all opposition political parties in the country are willing and prepared because it is incumbent upon all of them to deal with the menace in Liberia. He said if the president and his officials are not subjected to drug tests, the conclusion will be that they are promoting a pervasive flow of drugs in the country. A Sweet History PREMIUM Sweets are for celebrating: Class XII topper Shivang Singh`s parents offering him sweets after the results were declared in May 2017. (Sanjeev Verma/HT PHOTO) India was one of the earliest producers of the crystalline substance created by boiling the extracted juice of Saccharum officinarum, or sugar cane, known as sugar. Mention of its use in a range of foods, including milk puddings and fermented drinks, first appeared in Indian texts circa 400 bc a time when sugar was hardly known to the rest of the world. When the army of Alexander the Great came into north India in 327 BC, one of his generals noted a local phenomenon, a reed which brings forth honey without the help of bees from which an intoxicating drink is made, though the plant bears no fruit. What he is describing is sugar cane, making it clear that the Mediterranean invaders had no experience of cane-derived sugar. Two millennia later, India is one of the worlds largest producers of sugar, and Indians are amongst the highest consumers of sucrose. The collective Indian sweet tooth has a venerable as well as an ancient lineage. Sugar cane was being offered to the gods at least as early as 600 BC, and sweet dishes and drinks are considered the favourite foods of the Hindu deities. 358pp, 399; Penguin India has a vast, possibly countless, repertoire of indigenous sweetmeats and sweet dishes: a short list of some of my favourites includes sooji ka halwa, mishti doi, shrikhand, jalebi, milk cake, sohan halwa, phirni, suterfeni, chenna poda, bal mithai, sondesh, malpua, rasmalai, unnakkaya, and lagan nu custard. Many Indian sweets are confected from milk in various forms lightly reduced for payasam or kheer, curdled such as yoghurt or chenna, or condensed to a thick pliable paste (khoya); some are also fried in ghee. Besides milk, all kinds of ingredients are used to fashion sweet items: wheat, rice and chickpea flour, nuts, seeds, semolina, coconut (fresh, dried, and milk), fresh and dried fruit of all kinds as well as vegetables such as carrot (gajar ka halwa) and ash gourd (petha). The use of cream, butter, and eggs is uncommon in Indian confectionery, nor is there a customary domestic practice of baking cakes, pastries, or bread, with notable exceptions of places such as Goa and Mangaluru and in Parsi and Anglo-Indian communities with strong European influences (Portuguese and British respectively). I have several Indian friends who, whenever I stay with them, graciously ask if they might prevail upon me to prepare a few western-style dishes for them: My consent is always greeted with great delight. They typically request baked items: cheese pie, lasagne, apple crumble, lemon delicious pudding, chocolate self-saucing pudding, and lemon meringue pie are all favourites they also enjoy the salads I make up, perhaps to balance the nutritive ledger. For me, these dishes are commonplace, simple to make and less complex in production and flavour profile than most Indian dishes. For my friends, anything out of the oven is novel and exotic as it is not the food of their everyday lives. India does have a more recent tradition of commercial production of European-style baked goods, which began in the late nineteenth century with the local manufacturing of sweet biscuits. By the time I arrived on the subcontinent a century or so later, cake, bread (colloquially known as double roti in north India), and biscuits were commonly available in food stores, although the variety was limited, and most were relatively plain and less sweet than Indian mithai. For something fancier, there was the cake for special occasions, a sponge filled with jam and cream (of a type) decorated with exuberantly coloured imitation butter frosting, perhaps best exemplified by a Monginis classic. I have always found these whimsical cakes charming, igniting nostalgia for childhood birthday parties, and noticed that these have been evolving into even more elaborate versions. Visiting the former French colony of Yanam near Andhra Pradesh on 31 December 2018, I revelled in juvenile pleasure in walking the lanes of the towns commercial centre, inspecting the cakes decorated in high style with grass, flowers, swans, hearts, tear drops, and scalloped and swirled edges fashioned from soft icings, variously coloured dayglo pink, luminous green, bright cornflower blue, ivory white, and golden yellow, displayed by local confectioners to celebrate the new year. This experience also set me to wonder if this heightened use of vivid colours and elaborate decorations might be in response to new competition in Indias sweets market. Workers in the sugarcane fields near Rohtak. (Manoj Dhaka/HT) Given the Indian penchant for sugary confections and fondness for baked goods, it seemed to me that there was an obvious gap in the market for good European-style desserts, cakes, pastries (patisserie), and leavened breads. You could get these items in hotel bakeries and breakfast buffets, but they just werent quite up to the mark. Breads, cakes, and muffins did not rise into soft crumbly volume, tending to be dry and heavy, and pastries that should have been light and flaky were dense, due in part to the stone-ground wheat flour commonly used in India, a process which denatures the starch and protein in the wheat, adding more flavour to the flatbreads it is commonly used for, but handicapping its rising potential. The lower fat content of local milk meant fresh cream could not be whipped up easily to hold soft peaks, and a heavier mock cream, prepared from butter and commercial vegetable shortening, was usually substituted; this product also has more capacity to hold its texture, ie, not melt or curdle, in a hot climate. Egg based custard dishes were often prepared with cornflower based custard powder, accommodating the strong demand in India for egg-free dishes but diminishing their flavour and texture. Even as I preferred to indulge in Indian sweet treats and desserts, I noticed a steady evolution in the range and quality of European-style baked and patisserie items available in India, as well as the proliferation of cafes serving espresso coffee and western-style cakes and sandwiches. Still, this sudden appearance of four stores (in Khan Market, New Delhi), just metres apart, dedicated to fine patisserie and cakes I could have been looking at a display of sweet comestibles in Sydney, London, or Paris in a matter of 10 months, what had led to this? I started to ask around. The MasterChef Effect: Part II Apparently, the answer to my question as to why all these cake stores had opened in Khan Market was MasterChef. It is possible that I received this response because the show and I share a nationality at a cooking competition in rural Jharkhand, when the judges, of whom I was one, were invited on the stage to announce the winners, I was introduced as Dr OBrien, from the land of MasterChef. Though not everyone I asked pointed directly to this Antipodean culinary game show, all cited television as a key influence on this trend. Cooking shows have been a television stalwart for decades, aired during the day for an audience of women responsible for cooking food at home. That cooking has now become prime time viewing, attracting huge audiences of both genders and across all ages, is a more recent happenstance, propelled by shows that have turned meal production into a competition. Others have made food the focus of visually seductive travel narratives or given audiences an inside view into the dramatic machinations of esteemed chefs in restaurant kitchens. Food, earlier a domestic unalterable, has fled the confines of the kitchen and become a national adventure. Foodies, once a select band . . . have blended in. Food writers, both rude and polite, have become celebrities by discussing the intricacies of a creme brulee. Food shows, now even on news channels, have transformed restaurateurs from humble khansamas to courted celebrities. Brent Owens, winner of MasterChef Australia 2014, conducting a cooking workshop in Mumbai the following year. (Prodip Guha/Hindustan Times) The impact of contemporary media in all its forms on how Indians are currently cooking and eating, or aspiring to, is inarguable, but television programmes are perhaps the most influential, and by television, I mean to include cooking- and food-focused programmes on OTT and digital platforms. At any time of the day, there are around 20 different food programmes being aired on Indian television. India has many of her own influential television celebrity chefs, food personalities, and food shows: Sanjeev Kapoor one of the most watched and best-known chefs in the world with an annual television audience of 500 million viewers, Vikas Khanna, Urban Tadka, Mummy Ka Magic, Vicky Goes Veg, and MasterChef India are amongst the most highly rated. I am going to use MasterChef Australia as my example though, not from any instinctive bias for my countrymen, rather as it was my Indian interviewees who nominated it as having a direct influence on the cake phenomenon, and it is also representative of global media influence on contemporary food trends in India. Creating fine European patisserie, desserts, and baked goods takes skilled and painstaking work requiring specific conditions, ingredients, and equipment to execute to a professional standard as is true for the professional confectioner of Indian sweetmeats. Producing elaborate and novel high-end restaurant-style desserts and sweet treats was a feature of MasterChef Australia pastry chefs Adriano Zumbo and Anna Polyviou both became celebrity confectioners after their appearance on the show. The three million Indians watching the programme had a whole new world of exciting desserts and sweetmeats laid out, visually, before them, which would have left many hankering to consume these in real life. Some viewers might have tried making these elaborate items at home, but given the skill and equipment required to do so, how many people would really want to put in the effort? It is much easier to buy these treats. With media-stimulated appetites for European-style confections and the economic wherewithal to spend regularly on such discretionary indulgences, the demand for these items burgeoned. Indian chefs, cooks, and aspiring food business owners had, in the meantime, having discerned the potential of the cakes and bakes market in India, been training as pastry cooks and bakers at places such as Le Cordon Bleu in London and Paris, or cookery schools in Australia the popular north Indian European-style bakery chain, Nik Bakers, has as its tagline Run by a Professional Baker from Australia and/or at Indias culinary schools to skill themselves up as bakers and confectionery makers. Their skills and ambition connected with a growing consumer demand, hence the flourishing of cake stores in Khan Market and elsewhere in urban India as an aside I counted 100 plus varieties of cakes, biscuits, tarts, and slices at The Big Chill Cakery in Delhi. LOpera Bakery at Khan Market, New Delhi (Sanjeev Verma/Hindustan Times) October 2019. I purposefully arrived early for a lunch meeting with my editor Richa at Cyber Hub, the restaurant/cafe and pub precinct of the futuristic techbusiness park Cyber City in Gurugram, so I could do some field research. I wandered around inspecting the food offerings and counted eight eateries devoted solely to cakes, desserts, chocolates, and ice-creams, including on trend Nutella-filled doughnuts, banana bread, and gluten free brownies. I am going to evolve the style of cakes and bakes from here on into EuroAmerican as social media has embedded its parent (USA) food preferences into this category of eats. These venues cater to people working in the shimmering corporate office towers encircling the Hub and a younger crowd of leisure seekers or at least it did so before COVID-19 depopulated the offices. You could be in a technology-business park in any big city around the globe here, although the collective smorgasboard of sweet items was a distinctive feature. Every day I was in Mumbai that same year, I took a walk in a different direction around the streets of Colaba and the surrounding residential neighbourhoods, noting on these meanderings that just in this section of the city alone, stores selling cupcakes, elaborately decorated birthday cakes, iced doughnuts, muffins, macaroons, fancy breads, dessert cakes, filled pastries, and a lot of chocolates and chocolate based confections had proliferated since my last visit nine years previously. Even the Monginis store had updated and expanded its range to include contemporary designer cakes. 15 years ago, my Chennai-based friend Kavita Chesetty travelled to Australia to train with one of the countrys best pastry chefs with the intention of opening a store in Chennai selling fine pastry and cakes as there was nothing like this available in the Tamil Nadu capital. She duly opened a bakery and cafe called Amore, and this venture was a great success. In December 2019, Kavita is taking me around Chennai, visiting contemporary food businesses for my research for this book, including a raft of bakeries and patisseries, selling cakes, croissants and pastries, leavened breads, cookies, and richly iced small cakes, that have all opened in the past five years. Media-fuelled hunger for sugary confections has not been exclusive to Indians. In Sydney, long queues formed outside Adriano Zumbos cake store every day for several years, with people eager to buy the sort of items they saw him create on television. Other popular cooking programmes such as The Great British Bake Off and Chef s Table too have contributed to an increasing global appetite for Euro-American cakes, desserts, and sweet pastries. As a curious side note, this has happened concurrently with the emergence of the antisugar movement, perhaps an example of the disparity that often exists between our espoused values (sugar is bad; I will eat less of it) and lived values (enthusiastic consumption of sweets). MasterChef is additionally credited with changing the Indian understanding of the potentialities of the visual appeal of food. Focusing on the appearance of food is essential on television because you cannot taste or smell it; visuality is the only way for consumers to connect with it. The same is true for social media. Desserts and cakes can be made visually spectacular an effect you cant quite achieve with a bowl of pasta. Indias cakes and bakes trend is not solely born out of television. It is also interconnected with economic prosperity, travel, and social media. Nor it is just about the material elements of food. Having a slice of cake and a coffee is an affordable indulgence, especially for young people wanting to socialize in a fashionable venue, who might find the cost of a full meal prohibitive. Modern Mithai Back in 1993, when Vineet Bhatia, the first Indian chef to get a Michelin star for his restaurant, invented the chocolate samosa on a whim in London, it did not cause even a ripple back home because mithai was then seen in restaurants and hotels as the domain of the un-inventive halwai. Author Charmaine OBrien (Courtesy the publisher) If the Indian halwai was the purveyor of predictable confections in 1993, his customers were perhaps as unimaginative as to what they would accept as his art. This is no longer the case and Indias professional confectioners are also no longer exclusively male. Indian pastry cooks and confectioners are working with traditional sweetmeats to fashion these in a more contemporary style, a movement said to have been spearheaded by the invention of the doda barfi treacle tart by Chef Mehrotra at Indian Accent. The Bombay Sweet Shop in Mumbai is bringing back the magic of mithai by refashioning traditional Indian confectionery, such as laddoos, barfi, chikki, pak, pedha, and milk cake, infusing some with modern flavours such as caramel, coffee, and pepper, and presenting them in highly designed contemporary packaging that plays on nostalgia but repositions these sweetmeats to look more like a box of chocolates or some other novel treat. Khoya Mithai in Delhi is another business finessing classic Indian sweets with visually seductive packaging, albeit designed to appeal to consumers with more traditional Indian sensibilities. This brand also has a tie-in with a popular television talk show. Such is the celebrity of food. Enjoy unlimited digital access with HT Premium Subscribe Now to continue reading Start 14 Days Free Trial Already Subscribed? Sign In British historian, GM Trevelyan, once wrote, There is nothing that more divides civilised from semi-savage man than to be conscious of our forefathers as they really were, and bit by bit to reconstruct the mosaic of the long forgotten past How far can we know the real life of men in each successive age of the past? It is for this reason that we treasure such works as A Short History of the World by HG Wells or A Study of History by Arnold Toynbee. Historians are quite a brave lot of people because they scour for the forensics of events that had happened centuries, sometimes, millennia ago. A painting of Akbar conversing with Jahangir. Historian Sanjay Subrahmanyam notes that the Mughal empire left a powerful cultural and institutional legacy of cohesion, which we tend to neglect today because of Hindu right-wing rhetoric. (HT Photo) 304 pp, 2049; Verso Books Writing popular history is one thing, but to talk about the grapevine the academy and the politics behind history-writing is what sets Sanjay Subrahmanyams book Connected History: Essays and Arguments quite delectably apart. This expanded edition published by Verso in 2022 was first published in India as Is Indian Civilization a Myth? by Permanent Black in 2013 but the shelf value of the 21 chapters keeps it firmly rooted to the discourses that pervade the day. For instance, the first chapter (Is Indian Civilization a Myth?) published in Outlook in 2001 is starkly relevant even in 2023. Many of the chapters appeared in diverse publications at home and abroad, spanning some 12 years of his academic life from 2001 to 2012, while the last one (History Speaks Many Languages), one of the two interviews with the historian included in this volume, was originally published in Paris on 27 January 2012 by the online journal Books & Ideas. The book contains two very interesting chapters, hitherto unpublished An Ambiguous Parisian and A Lisbon Summer. While the first one is a curious take on the Parisian flair for criminals and criminality, the latter makes us privy to the academic provincialism of Portugal. This particular volume is akin to handling an iron brought to the white heat of simplicity for it contains pieces doccasion without any esoteric frisson or academese but still offers clues to the vast corpus of knowledge he handled in course of his writing, ranging from the early modern period (15th-18th centuries) to studies of India and the Indian Ocean, the early modern European empires, and reflections on global history. South India, the Mughal Empire, Central Asia, Iran, and South East Asia, early modern Europe and early modern Eurasia have all been grist to his mill. His academic trajectories took him from Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales, to the University of Oxford and UCLA. The fun of the book lies in its tone of irreverence, in its willingness to attack some of the most well-coddled ideas and shibboleths. But he carries no ideological cards, nor is troubled by any doctrinal baggage. Being a mercenary thinker, he has no compulsion to sit on either side of an ideological fence. Here, the doctrinaire Marxists like to portray me as a right-wing person, the right-wing Hindu nationalists accuse me of being a Marxist, and so on. Not that he seeks to rescue history-writing from the clutches of both the right-wingers and Marxists, but without the inherent biases in their interpretation of history, his voice is a fresh whiff of air. For instance, in the chapter The Global Market for Indian History, he showed how the Cambridge School and Subaltern Studies the two key oppositional camps while serving a transatlantic mirror of sorts to deal with Indian history kept the status of the third party in the equation, namely India diminished radically. The nationalist Indian historians who had written in the 1950s and 1960s of matters concerning the Indian national movement took serious exception to the purpose of the Cambridge historians for it was seen as demystifying Indian nationalism, cutting the heroic mythical figures of the national movement down to size, and stressing the extensive collaboration of native elites in the running of the British Empire in India. None of the historians trained in Cambridge (or Oxford) in the 1960s paid much attention to sources other than those in English, even though they diligently mined British official papers and documents. Subaltern Studies, in its primary incarnation, targeted both Indian nationalist historiography and the Cambridge School, alleging that both were profoundly elitist in their bias. There was no emphasis by Ranajit Guha and others, Subrahmanyam points out, on using vernacular sources. Gayatri Spivaks essay Deconstructing Historiography (1988), and a review essay by Rosalind OHanlon (1988) pointed to the absence of gender questions in Subaltern Studies, besides the pitfalls of operating with one single-minded idea as subject to make the subaltern the maker of his own destiny. Subrahmanyam pits one historian against another. He sets Ramchandra Guha apart from Partha Chatterjee and Romila Thapar, and from the Delhi-based Scotsman William Dalrymple. In the chapter Secularism and the Happy Indian Village that was written around an essay by Ashis Nandy, A Billion Gandhis (Outlook, 21 June 2004), he makes no bones about his opposition to Nandy, with whom he clashed on the consequences and meanings of Vasco da Gamas 1498 voyage publicly in New Delhi in 1998 ironically, five centuries after the voyage took place, and later on his interpretation of secularism in India. The debate looks dated now as we are convinced that the idea of Indian secularism is not a western import but rather sui generis. While writing about Vasco da Gama, some Portuguese historians, who had never worked on the subject, thought it belonged to them, somehow interpreting the whole matter as a turf war. The seminal chapter Is Indian Civilization a Myth? negates any homogenising idea of India. If one judges the limits of the spread of Sanskrit or of Brahmanic culture, both of which take us far into Central Asia on the one hand, and South East Asia on the other, the claims of the extended limits of Indian sovereignty, could be equally made then by Indias neighbours using very similar sorts of evidence. Ashoka expanded his empire by conquest and alliances until at its height, in 250 BCE, it covered the entire subcontinent except for the southernmost tip, and incorporated present-day Pakistan, Kashmir, south-eastern Iran, much of Afghanistan and probably Nepal an area of 13 million sq. km (5 million sq miles). It was the largest empire in the world at the time and the largest in Indian history, surpassed by neither the Mughals nor the British. Since the death of the indigenous Emperor Asoka in 232 BC, large parts of the subcontinent had been conquered by Turks, Afghans, Persians and Tocharians, as well as by Mongols. Cross-cultural encounters in Europe and Asia in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries the worlds of early modern Islam, Counter-Reformation Catholicism, Protestantism, and a newly emergent Hindu sphere whereby Eurasian states and empires met and were forced to make sense of one another. Subrahmanyam noted that the Mughal empire left a powerful cultural and institutional legacy of cohesion, which we tend to neglect today because of Hindu right-wing rhetoric. Author Sanjay Subrahmanyam (Julien Morvan / Wikimedia Commons) What, Exactly, is an Empire? gives the reader a hint of the vast sweep of Subrahmanyams scholarship for empire can connote a great sprawl of meaning. The term encompasses wide differences of origin and nature among the Macedonian, Carthaginian, Roman, Persian, Ottoman, Carolingian, Mongol, Incan, Mughal, British and Russian empires, to name just a few. When, from about 1870 onwards, a new wave of imperialism surged out upon the world, two countries of Western Europe, Britain and France, led the way with Germany, America and Japan following, not to speak of some smaller states like Belgium, Holland and Portugal. The book draws on a wide range of persons, places and topics Rushdie and Naipaul, Churchill and Warren Buffett, Marquez and Hemingway, Paris and Lisbon, besides vast numbers of historical tracts, sidelights and epiphanies which are almost certain to gratify both a scholar and a historically-minded lay reader. Prasenjit Chowdhury is an independent writer. He lives in Kolkata. Mwanza The government has vowed to restore mid-level cadre in health sector to be taught in the country's health allied universities as it was in the previous years. The Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr Grace Maghembe, said the move will address the shortage of health professionals in the country. Dr Maghembe was speaking on behalf of the Minister for Health, Ms Ummy Mwalimu at the opening of the first international scientific conference of the Tanzania Association of Non-Physician Anaesthetists (TANPA). He said the government's commitment to restore the previous cadre came after identifying a huge scarcity of health professionals who were initially working hard to provide a wide range of essential health services in the country's health facilities at district and regional referral hospitals across the country. Those health services that were provided included ENT (ear, nose and throat), eye, anaesthesia, neonatal and many more. Those were provided by nurses, clinical officers, assistant medical officers and non-physician anaesthetists. Dr Maghembe clarified that the prevailing approach was to put more emphasis on health specialists whereas now the mid-level professional health cadres seemed to further encourage the delivery of various medical services especially in rural areas where the government has made significant investments in health infrastructures and modern medical equipment. She mentioned some of those mid-level cadres as medical officer, Assistant Medical Officer, specialist's nurses on pediatrics, ENT and radiation cadre. Dr Maghembe said currently experts involved in the training of these cadres in allied health universities and in regional and district referral hospitals should be prepared to accept those cadres. "These cadres were present and were being taught into our universities and were phased out, but now we have seen the gap and their courses will be reinstated", she said. Adding that due to its importance, last week the government held a special meeting, which involved the Ministry of Health and the Office of the President, Chief Medical Officer and the Director of Training from the Ministry of Health to see how those cadres will be reintroduced at the universities and in the healthcare facilities in the country. She also urged the district and regional medical officers to allocate budgets for non-physician anaesthetists as they prepare their budget estimates. "I urge the Chief Pharmacist wherever he will be to execute this order," she said, adding that following the huge investments made by the government in rural areas, there is a need of non-physician anaesthetists, thus their estimates should be considered in the next budget. She urged regional medical officers to ensure that government-trained personnel in different health cadres are placed in regional and district referral hospitals to provide services according to the type of training they have received and skills acquired. "We have spent a lot of money on their training and those problems have not gone away yet, so let's not waste resources, let them be attached and trained properly and become more competent so that when they return to their centres they can deliver efficiently," she said. TANPA General Secretary, Mr Prosper Protas commended President Samia Suluhu Hassan and her government for putting great efforts into improving healthcare services and healthcare provider's welfare in the country. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Tanzania Health 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. "We are clearly seeing various infrastructures being built in our medical facilities," he said, adding that despite the progress made, there are still challenges that hinder provision of quality services to citizens and lowering the morale of work in non-physician anaesthetists cadre. Mr Protas mentioned some of the challenges facing the cadre as criteria for joining the profession that should be verified with the utmost care. He said the association is proposing the government to restrict the influx of colleges offering the course for short periods of three to six months claiming that the time is too short for training compared to the difficulty and importance of the work thus affecting the provision of services in their workplaces. Things are heating up this spring when it comes to the crypto market and it seems likeBig Eyes Coin (BIG) will soon be joining the action. Meanwhile, the longstanding rivalry between Cardano (ADA) and XRP (XRP) continues strong. Is it possible for a crypto to be considered a strong and valuable investment while in direct competition with another and will Big Eyes be able to keep its good reputation once it launches? This article will explore that. The Big Eyes Coin Countdown Has Begun DespiteBig Eyes Coin (BIG) not officially being on the market, it has quickly managed to make a name for itself with its hugely successful presale. Raising over $34 million in general for a project has almost been unheard of in recent years, let alone in the span of time that Big Eyes has managed it. It looks like its finally time to see how Big Eyes can fare on the real crypto market though, as they finally announced through their social media channels that the presale will be coming to an end on the 3rd of June, a little over two months from now. The team has done an excellent job up to this point of drumming up hype, keeping investors interested and rewarding buyers with early incentives such as extra tokens and much more. There are still things to look forward to as the meme coin has many exciting plans in the pipeline, such as influencer events and NFT collections, set to be launched in the coming months. These plans have led to further bullish expectations for the release of the coin. The announcement comes at an ideal time as the market is predicted to experience a robust summer, with long-lasting rallies. There is also still time to become one of the lucky holders of the 70% of the overall supply that will be distributed. To earn 300% extra tokens on top of your purchase, you can use the code END300 until June 3rd. As exciting as everything surrounding Big Eyes Coin is, the fact remains that it will debut to plenty of competition that have already been established with loyal communities surrounding them. With a number of rivalries waiting for it upon its official launch, its a good idea to take a look at two projects that have been consistent rivals and how both remain successful despite this. Cardano and XRPs Shared Purpose Cardano and XRPs Shared Purpose Created in 2017 by one of Ethereums co-founders, Cardano was designed to address some of the critical issues facing the blockchain landscape, including scalability, interoperability, and sustainability. By utilizing a proof-of-stake consensus algorithm called Ouroboros, Cardano is able to offer a more energy-efficient and eco-friendly approach compared to proof-of-work algorithms. Furthermore, the platform also boasts smart contract capabilities, which allow developers to create decentralized applications that can run on the Cardano blockchain. XRP, on the other hand, is a digital asset created with the primary goal of facilitating cross-border payments. Although it is not a traditional cryptocurrency like Bitcoin (BTC), it has gained significant attention from investors and financial institutions due to its potential to revolutionize cross-border transactions. The Ripple Protocol Consensus Algorithm (RPCA), a unique consensus algorithm used by XRP, enables almost instantaneous settlement of transactions, making it an attractive option for cross-border payments. Additionally, XRP has partnerships with major financial institutions such as Santander and American Express. Despite the different intended goals behind their creation, Cardano and XRP ended up having a lot in common, which has led to somewhat of a rivalry between both projects. They share a focus on scalability and sustainability, aiming to provide a more efficient and eco-friendly ecosystem for decentralized applications. While Cardano focuses on providing a secure and sustainable platform for building decentralized applications, XRP aims to revolutionize cross-border payments. The difference in focus is evident in the features of each project, with Cardano offering smart contract capabilities, and XRP utilizing a unique consensus algorithm that enables almost instantaneous settlement of cross-border payments. One notable difference between Cardano and XRP is their adoption rates. Cardano has been gaining momentum and has a growing community of developers and investors, while XRP has faced some regulatory hurdles that have slowed its adoption. Nevertheless, both projects have the potential to transform their respective fields and contribute significantly to the future of blockchain technology. Both Cardano and XRP are promising projects with unique features and use cases. While Cardano offers a secure and sustainable platform for building decentralized applications, XRP aims to revolutionize cross-border payments. Ultimately though, they have both managed to remain successful as counterparts that are equally viable investments worth holding. Ranking 7th and 6th in the top 10 cryptos by market cap, their respective value is clear to see. As Big Eyes have already proven to be a project that many are willing to invest in without evidence of its actual performance, regardless of it going up against big-name meme coins such as Floki Inu (FLOKI), Shiba Inu (SHIB) and the top dog Dogecoin (DOGE); Big Eyes value as an investment alongside these should not waver. Big Eyes Coin (BIG) Website: https://bigeyes.space/ Telegram: https://t.me/BIGEYESOFFICIAL Twitter: https://twitter.com/BigEyesCoin Disclaimer: This article is a paid publication and does not have journalistic/ editorial involvement of Hindustan Times. Hindustan Times does not endorse/ subscribe to the contents of the article/advertisement and/or views expressed herein. The reader is further advised that Crypto products and NFTs are unregulated and can be highly risky. There may be no regulatory recourse for any loss from such transactions. Hindustan Times shall not in any manner, be responsible and/or liable in any manner whatsoever for all that is stated in the article and/or also with regard to the views, opinions, announcements, declarations, affirmations etc., stated/featured in same. The decision to read hereinafter is purely a matter of choice and shall be construed as an express undertaking/guarantee in favour of Hindustan Times of being absolved from any/ all potential legal action, or enforceable claims. The content may be for information and awareness purposes and does not constitute a financial advice. Dr. Anuradha Pancholi is a highly accomplished and experienced Obstetrician & Gynecologist based in Ujjain and Ratlam, India. She completed her MS in Obstetrics and Gynecology and was awarded a gold medal for securing the first position in medicine. Dr. Pancholi is also a Fellow in Reproductive Medicine and Sexual Medicine, both from Chennai. With a strong background in laparoscopic surgery and sonography, Dr. Pancholi is currently serving as the Director and Consultant Fertility Specialist at Kilkari Fertility and Test Tube Baby Centre, where she specializes in infertility treatment and reproductive endocrinology. She has also worked as a Reproductive Consultant at GFC Chennai in the past. Dr. Pancholi is an active member of several professional bodies, including the Indian Fertility Society and the MP Chapter of IOGS, where she currently holds the position of Treasurer and has previously served as the Clinical Secretary. She is also an Executive Committee member of the Indian Fertility Society MP Chapter and is the editor of the IFS e-Bulletin for the MP chapter. Her contributions to the field of Obstetrics & Gynecology have been recognised through several prestigious awards, including the IFS Achiever Award in FERTIVISION 2022 at Hyderabad and the Young Talent Award in West Zone Yuva Fogsi 2022. Dr. Pancholi has also published her research in reputed medical journals, including the International Surgery Journal and Indian Journal of Surgical Oncology, and has secured a Certificate of Excellence by ICOG for securing the first position in Reproductive Medicine at AICOG Patna. With her expertise, dedication, and commitment to providing high-quality care, Dr. Anuradha Pancholi is a highly respected and sought-after specialist in her field. Disclaimer: This article is a paid publication and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of Hindustan Times. Hindustan Times does not endorse/subscribe to the content(s) of the article/advertisement and/or view(s) expressed herein. Hindustan Times shall not in any manner, be responsible and/or liable in any manner whatsoever for all that is stated in the article and/or also with regard to the view(s), opinion(s), announcement(s), declaration(s), affirmation(s) etc., stated/featured in the same. LoveMySmile, a brand dedicated to enhancing people's smiles, has been awarded the prestigious Times Business Award 2023 for 'Innovation in Invisible Aligners'. The award ceremony was held on April 14th, 2023 at Hotel The Grand, New Delhi. LoveMySmile aims to bring back beautiful smiles to people's faces, and it does so by offering a wide range of affordable and technologically advanced products that help individuals achieve their perfect smile. The brand is committed to providing an extremely comforting experience, offering expertise, technology, and support to its customers, all in the comfort of their own homes. The brand's invisible aligners have been receiving rave reviews and compliments from industry experts across the nation, making it one of the best dental innovations in the market. Chief Operating Officer, Amarinder Singh, shared his views, The field of dentistry is not just about oral health but also plays a vital role in enhancing dental beauty and overall confidence. With cutting-edge technology and innovative techniques, our dental fraternity has made significant strides in ensuring that patients receive the best possible care. At LoveMySmile, we are dedicated to utilizing the latest advancements in dentistry to provide our patients with top-quality services that go beyond just treating dental issues. LoveMySmile's focus is to simplify dental alignment and positioning as a cosmetic element that can greatly enhance one's appearance and personality. The brand believes that enhancing the happiness quotient among individuals by making them smile and laugh without thinking much about dental problems like crooked, misaligned teeth or yellow and discolored teeth is crucial. Present at the occasion , Dr. Amit Sachdeva, Chief Product Officer at LoveMySmile, expressed his gratitude and said, We are thrilled to receive the Times Business Award for Innovation' in invisible aligners. This award shall fuel our endeavors to uplift the oral healthcare ecosystem by helping people be more cheerful and smile more with our braces and aligners." Visit https://lovemysmile.com/ About LoveMySmile LoveMySmile, is a leading provider of dental services, offering a comprehensive range of treatments designed to improve oral health and enhance smiles. It majorly deals in metallic and ceramic braces and aligners, an innovative approach to dental care that puts patients first and helps them smile with confidence. The team strives to create a welcoming, relaxing environment where patients can feel at ease. By taking the time to understand each patient's unique dental history and needs, the team can provide tailored care that meets individual needs right from customised design, delivery, makeover to review and monitoring. Disclaimer: This article is a paid publication and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of Hindustan Times. Hindustan Times does not endorse/subscribe to the content(s) of the article/advertisement and/or view(s) expressed herein. Hindustan Times shall not in any manner, be responsible and/or liable in any manner whatsoever for all that is stated in the article and/or also with regard to the view(s), opinion(s), announcement(s), declaration(s), affirmation(s) etc., stated/featured in the same. Choosing the best college to pursue a B.Tech degree in engineering can pave the way for a promising career onward in life. In a country like India which is home to numerous world-class universities, making the right choice can seem daunting. Some of the core aspects to consider before making the final selection are infrastructure and faculty credentials, whether the university is recognised and has accreditations, is the curriculum is in sync with what the industry demands, and what research opportunities it offers to its students. One institute that stands out in this quest is Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, which promises to deliver tomorrows engineering capabilities to its students today. The university offers a world-class education in B.Tech to its students across five campuses Coimbatore, Amritapuri, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Amaravati. The university is ranked fifth in India in the NIRF rankings 2022 carried out by the Government of India. It also fares first in India in THE IMPACT rankings for 2022. The B.Tech courses at Amrita are designed to create industry-ready talent with the best-in-class infrastructure and resources to achieve excellence in technical education. The courses are futuristic with subject inclusions like AI, IoT, and Cyber Security and the curriculum content has been designed to make it relevant to the skills needed by the industry. It is credit-based and the course syllabus is industry and research-oriented, with a focussed approach towards critical areas of the curriculum, teacher-learning, student support, infrastructure, and research. All the Amrita Schools of Engineering campuses are accredited with the highest rating of A by NAAC, the National Accreditation and Assessment Council of India, and have the approval of the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). They seek to build a solution mindset in graduates who display a high degree of professional ethics, transparency, and accountability towards their work and society at large. It has been ranked as one of the best research institutions in India. To offer the right international exposure, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham collaborates with top ranking universities in the US including IVY league colleges and top European universities on a regular basis for student exchange programs. It has emerged as one of the fastest growing institutions for higher learning in the country and is managed by Mata Amritanandamayi Math. The focus is on imparting holistic education to students. Education at Amrita helps young people achieve success in the academic and material sense while equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and values needed to lead an ethical, empowering, and socially beneficial life. The end goal is to prepare a generation that is equipped with the right skillsets to meet the rigorous demands of the Information Age. Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham collaborates with top ranking universities in the US for student exchange programs. State-of-the-art B.Tech Campuses at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham Coimbatore campus: Located in the village of Ettimadai at the foothills of the Western Ghats, this well-planned campus spread across sprawling 400 acres is the haven of value education. It has a built-up area of over 28 lakh square feet and has an Olympic-sized swimming pool for students and staff. There is a lot of emphasis on eco-friendly and conservation practices on campus. For instance, all water waste from the hostels, faculty, and staff quarters is treated using EM avoiding the use of any chemicals. The green campus creates and uses its own organic fertilizers, which are made using vermicompost. This campus offers a wide range of B.Tech programs including specialisations in Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer and Communication Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering (AI), Computer Science and Engineering (Cyber Security), Electrical and Computer Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Electrical and Communication Engineering, Automation and Robotics Engineering and Mechanical Engineering. Amritapuri campus: The Amritapuri campus is located close to the international headquarters of Mata Amritanandamayi Math to offer a learning environment that blends science and spirituality. This campus draws students from across the globe, more than 90 per cent of which reside in the campus hostel itself. Interestingly, it is home to over 3 terabytes of learning materials including audio and video lectures in 22 core areas. It also has the HuT (Humanitarian Technology) Labs which uses robotics to impact social change. This campus also offers a wide range of B.Tech programs, which includes specialisations in Computer Science and Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering (AI), Electrical and Computer Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Electronics and Communication Engineering, Electronics and Computer Engineering, Automation and Robotics Engineering and Mechanical Engineering. Bengaluru campus: This campus forms the technology hub for Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham and is strategically located in the heart of Bengaluru city. It has a highly-qualified and experienced faculty and state-of-the-art facilities for students which make it an enriching experience where they are prepared with a solution mindset and a high degree of ethical standards. The curriculum itself is framed with extensive industry inputs, attracting recruiters from the best companies and institutes in India for placement. The Bengaluru campus offers B.Tech programs with specialisations in six disciplines Computer Science and Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering (AI), Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Electronics and Communication Engineering, Electronics and Computer Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering. Chennai campus: Located at a distance of about 40 km from the main city of Chennai, this campus offers students an array of engineering programmes, all of which are modelled on a choice-based credit system with continuous evaluation by qualified faculty who mentor students. It boasts a well-stocked library with more than 8,000 volumes and subscriptions to over 36 journals and various e-resources such as IEEE, ASTM, J-Gate, to name a few. This campus also offers a range of B.Tech programs with specialisations in Computer and Communication Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering (AI), Computer Science and Engineering (Cyber Security), Electronics and Communication Engineering, Electronics and Computer Engineering, Automation and Robotics Engineering and Mechanical Engineering. Amaravati Campus: Often referred to as the scenic campus of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, the Amaravati campus is set between the banks of river Krishna, natural getaways, and places of worship. The campus has been built as one of the most buoyant centres for research, education, and technological advancements. Each of the departments has been equipped with modern laboratories, design tools, and software packages. The School of Engineering campus at Amaravati offers B.Tech programs with specialisations in just two disciplines Computer Science and Engineering, and Computer Science and Engineering (AI). The Amrita Advantage The university recognises true merit and rewards it. As many as 85 per cent of the total number of seats for B.Tech at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham are allocated for students who come on scholarships. Every year, more than 300 meritorious students get scholarships worth more than 4.5 crore. To make the process fair and transparent, these are based on student rankings in the admission entrance exams like AEEE or JEE for the first year and on the cumulative grade point average (CGPA) for the subsequent years. The other big advantage that Amrita offers is placements all B.Tech students who are eligible and opt for placements have more than one job offer at the end of the course on an average. In 2022, more than 95 per cent of students were placed after they completed their B.Tech degree courses and the highest CTC was at 56.95 lakh per annum. More than 175 companies recruited students from Amrita Schools of Engineering including some top industry names like Infosys, TCS, Microsoft, Google, IBM, Amazon, Bosch, Cisco, Atlassian, Ericsson, McKinsey & Company, among others. Disclaimer: This article has been produced on behalf of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham by HT Brand Studio. Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday will be in poll-bound Karnataka to take out a roadshow in Devanahalli, near the outskirts of Bengaluru. He is also set to hold a meeting with senior party functionaries to take stock of the party's preparations for the May 10 Assembly elections. These traffic regulations will be in place on Friday from 3pm to 7pm. (PTI) This is Shah's first visit to the southern state after announcement of the poll schedule on March 29. In this light, the Bengaluru traffic police department issued a fresh advisory detailing restrictions on vehicular movement in some areas to ensure smooth VIP movement and avoid congestions. READ | Amit Shah to hold roadshow in poll-bound Karnataka today The Home Minister's Schedule According to the schedule of his two-day visit, Shah will hold a roadshow in the taluk headquarters town of Devanahalli, the birthplace of 18th century Mysuru ruler Tipu Sultan, in Bengaluru Rural district on Friday afternoon. Shah will hold a meeting here with senior party functionaries in the evening regarding poll preparations. Shah will also attend an event organised by a private news channel on Saturday before flying back to New Delhi. The Bengaluru traffic police on Thursday took to social media to announce curbs, writing, In view of VIP movement, we request the public to avoid the following roads/junctions and use alternative routes. These traffic regulations will be in place on Friday from 3pm to 7pm. ROUTES TO AVOID International Airport road Yelahanka Ballary Road Hebbala Junction Mekhri Circle Requesting namma public to please cooperate and plan their commute accordingly, they added. Former Karnataka CM Jagadish Shettar on Friday explained why he jumped ship from the BJP and joined the Congress party, citing that his self-respect was damaged. Former Karnataka chief minister Jagadish Shettar. The public believed in me, and I maintained the same relationship with the people of Hubbali...My self-respect was damaged and it was a challenge...When I shifted to Congress I went to so many areas in my constituency yesterday, he told news agency ANI. READ | Karnataka Election 2023 Highlights: My self respect: Jagadish Shettar on joining Cong Shettar was denied a ticket from the BJP after which he quit the party to join rival Congress. He will be contesting the upcoming crucial Assembly elections in Karnataka from the Hubli-Dharwad Central constituency on a Congress ticket. Shettar earlier hit out at the BJP, alleging that "some people with vested interests are controlling" the party in Karnataka. READ | Karnataka Assembly Polls: CM Bommai, Siddaramaiah, Shettar file nominations The BJP government has completed five years in Karnataka. People are talking about the ill-treatment of seniors but not about other issues like development. Have important issues been solved? But now due to the negligence of the seniors (BJP), this discussion was started. Some people with vested interest are controlling the entire BJP in Karnataka and government, he said. Karnataka is set to vote on May 10, for which counting will be on May 13. Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) chief DK Shivakumar's nomination has been accepted from the Kanakapura assembly constituency, the state unit of the grand old party said on Friday. Shivakumar, a CM aspirant will fight from Kanakapura against Revenue Minister R Ashoka, a BJP candidate. Shivakumar, a CM aspirant will fight from Kanakapura against Revenue Minister R Ashoka, a BJP candidate. (PTI) In a surprise move just hours before the deadline for filing papers, Congress MP D K Suresh, the brother of Shivakumar, on Thursday entered the fray from Kanakapura as well. The Bengaluru Rural MP filed his papers as a "backup plan" in case Shivakumar's nomination got rejected. Meanwhile, Shivakumar also hit out against the ruling BJP after his petition regarding a disproportionate assets case was dismissed by the Karnataka High Court. READ | Karnataka HC dismisses DK Shivakumar's plea in disproportionate assets case I will approach the High Courts; I will fight till the last breath. I believe in a court of law. I still believe they have done an injustice. Everything is transparent, he told news agency ANI. "I believe in people's court, they (BJP) are trying to use various agencies...I am very cautious on every move, I am also a political animal," he added. He also alleged that the double engine government could not help people during Covid, drought and other kinds of problems. BJP is blackmailing the people of Karnataka. The double engine could not help during Covid, drought and any kind of problems. They are harassing West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and many other opposition govt states. We can sustain all these pressures, he said. A day after Thursday attack that left five soldiers dead and one injured in Poonch, the Army and the Jammu and Kashmir Police led by deputy GOC of the Romeo Force Brigadier JS Sidhu and ADGP Mukesh Singh on Friday paid their last respects to the soldiers. Security personnel lay a wreath near the mortal remains of five soldiers, who were killed in a terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmirs Poonch district, on Friday. (PTI) To pay homage to the supreme sacrifice of the five bravehearts of the Army, who laid down their life in the line of duty in Poonch district on Thursday, a wreath laying ceremony was organised at Rajouri with full military traditions, said defence spokesperson Lt Col Devender Anand. Senior army and civil administration officers were present during the solemn ceremony. The bravehearts of the Army -- havaldar Mandeep Singh, lance naik Kulwant Singh, sepoy Harkrishan Singh and sepoy Sewak Singh, all natives of Punjab, while lance naik Devashish Baswal, a native of Odisha, made the supreme sacrifice in a gruesome terrorist attack on Thursday. The Army and a proud nation expressed their solidarity with the bereaved families, added the spokesperson. After the wreath-laying ceremony, the mortal remains of the braveheart from Odisha were airlifted to Jammu and further taken by air to Odisha. The mortal remains of the four bravehearts from Punjab were sent via road to Bathinda, Moga, Gurdaspur and Ludhiana from Rajouri and they were expected to reach their native places by tonight. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested former Majri block naib tehsildar Varinder Pal Singh Dhoot on money laundering charges in a case linked to alleged fraud in the sale of common village land in Mohalis Seonk village. The former naib tehsildar was produced before an ED court on Mohali on Friday and remanded to the directorates custody for four days. (Getty Images) Dhoot was taken into custody on Thursday in a case involving revenue officials and others for misallocating shares of shamlat (panchayat) land of Seonk village in Mohali district to the tune of more than 99 acres in the name of ineligible villagers and in some instances, even outsiders, the ED said in a statement on Friday. The money-laundering case stems from a chargesheet filed against Dhoot and others by the Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB). Sources said Dhoot was summoned for questioning at the ED office on Thursday, but he was not cooperating with ED sleuths, following which he was formally arrested. In November 2020, VB had booked 11 people, including then naib tehsildar Varinderpal Singh Dhoot, kanungo Raghubir Singh, patwari Iqbal Singh, nambardar Gurnam Singh and property dealer Sham Lal and others, for usurping common village land at Seonk village in Mohalis Majri block. Prime accused Dhoot and Sham Lal were arrested in November last year. The case dates back to 2017, when Dhoot was posted as the naib tehsildar in Majri. He allegedly in connivance with junior revenue officials and private individuals fraudulently sold off 99 acres of shamlat land in Seonk village, leading to losses to the government exchequer in crores. According to the VB FIR, the accused prepared forged land documents and got the village common land registered in the name of people known to them in lieu of high amounts of money. Later, the plots were sold at high rates. The ED had registered an Enforcement Case Information Report against the accused revenue officials and private persons under the Prevention to Money Laundering Act (PMLA) at its Jalandhar office in March 2021. Dhoot was produced before an ED court on Mohali on Friday and remanded to the directorates custody for four days. Observing that corruption by public servants had reached a monstrous dimension, a special CBI court has awarded five-year rigorous imprisonment to a former senior officer of the principal controller of defence accounts (PCDA), Western Command, in a 2015 graft case. As per the CBI, on May 25, 2015, Vitesh demanded a bribe of 20,000 from complainant Jagdeep Dogras brother-in-law Ajay Sharma for issuing the annual settlement certificate for his Pathankot-based firm M/s Ambay Enterprises. (Getty Images/iStockphoto) The court has also imposed a fine of 50,000 on Vitesh Kumar, the then senior auditor of PCDA, who has been convicted under the Prevention of Corruption of Act. As per the CBI, on May 25, 2015, Vitesh demanded a bribe of 20,000 from complainant Jagdeep Dogras brother-in-law Ajay Sharma for issuing the annual settlement certificate for his Pathankot-based firm M/s Ambay Enterprises. Ajay ran a business of stationery items, coolers, fridges, etc., which he used to supply to the army unit in Pathankot. A trap was laid on his complaint and Vitesh was caught red-handed by CBI. In court, while Vitesh sought leniency, CBI public prosecutor Narender Kumar argued that the punishment should be stringent so that it acted as a deterrent to other public servants not to indulge in such offences. Citing Supreme Courts judgments, the court said the convict was fully aware of his acts and actions. He made efforts to somehow take bribes from the complainant despite the knowledge that he could face consequences, if caught, and even tried to rope in other accused, who did not seem to have any knowledge about all this. Without caring for the consequences of his actions, the convict continued with his demand and acceptance of the bribe, it added. The court observed, Corruption by public servants has now reached a monstrous dimension in India. Its tentacles have started grappling even the institutions created for the protection of the republic. Unless those tentacles are intercepted and impeded from gripping the normal and orderly functioning of the public offices, through strong legislative, executive as well as judicial exercises, the corrupt public servants could even paralyse the functioning of such institutions and thereby hinder the democratic polity. It said proliferation of corrupt public servants could garner momentum to cripple the social order if such men were allowed to continue to manage and operate public institutions. The convict, rather, deserves a punishment which would act as a deterrent to the other persons in society, so that they would think twice before committing such an offence, the court added. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Finance Minister Matia Kasaija is considering stepping down over the Karamoja iron sheet scandal, the Nile Post has learnt. According to sources familiar with the matter, the 78-year-old minister has been exploring options outside the Museveni administration ever since president took a firm stand against those implicated in the iron sheet saga. Whereas he could have weathered a whole lot of storm, including the Entebbe Airport scandal, the minister seems to have yielded and allowed to capsize in the shallow waters caused by 300 pieces of iron sheets that until today claims were unsolicited for on his side. This website understands that the minister first hinted about resigning on Wednesday. It is also understood that in what seems to be his last throw of the dice, the minister took all Thursday engaged in negotiations with the Prime Minister, who is also leader of government business before reaching out to President Museveni. Another source has confirmed to this website that Kasaija was part of a meeting of other government officials together with Museveni at Nakasero State House. It is said that shortly after the meeting, the minister side-bared the president and according to the source, the outcome of the meeting was "not pleasing" to Kasaija as Museveni insisted on him walking out of cabinet while he still has chance. It is not yet clear whether the proposal for resignation was made by President Museveni or initiated by Kasaija himself, but those close to the ever-confident minister say he has been like deflated balloon over the last few days, specifically worried his days are nigh. Kasaijja's name has been coming closer up the list as fellow ministers got their dose of jail recently, and a source in police pricy to the matter told this that he was meant to be picked the same day Lugoloobi was netted. This website also understands that Kasaijja continued to play brave, sticking to his script that the iron sheets made their way to his home unbeckoned, and became a fixture in his store while he went about government duty unaware of their addition to his belongings. Even when summoned by the parliamentary committee on presidential affairs which was investigating the matter, Kasaija insisted he has never solicited for the iron sheets and that incessant pleas from the distributor and fellow Minister Mary Goretti Kitutu left him without a single option but to accept the advance of 300 iron sheets, nonetheless, he was not aware of how they got to him. It took the president's stand in cabinet and consequent decree through the Prime Minister for Kasaijja to understand that the matter would not be a talk-your-way-through situation, which later prompted him to deliver the iron sheets back to the OPM, albeit less by two. His batch was labeled "evidence" on arrival at OPM and he the 'dogs were let out of him". It is from here that he chose to seek a proper amnesty, dashing to the OPM and later to President Museveni dangling a proposal to resign. However, when contacted for a comment, Minister Kasaija denied. "Where have you got that from? It is all trash,"Kasaija told the Nile Post in a brief phone interview on Thursday evening. Museveni stance The president recently said all those involved in the Karamoja iron sheet saga but pay. "Those who diverted the mabaati but not for personal use, must pay back the equivalent value in money or return the mabaati for the Karachuna, so that, that programme goes on," Museveni said. The president said he would take "political action against all those implicated. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Uganda Legal Affairs Governance 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. ".. those who took the mabaati for personal use, its not just a political mistake, it is theft. Those involved must both bring back the mabaati or equivalent value in money but also be handled by police under the criminal laws of the country," Museveni said. "I will also take political action once the police has concluded their investigations." The president explained that the ministers and senior government officials committed subversive acts when they diverted the iron sheets which were meant for the Karachunas as part of government efforts to fight insecurity in the Karamoja sub-region To show seriousness, three ministers including Mary Goretti Kitutu, Amos Lugoloobi and Agnes Nandutu have been arraigned before court over the iron sheets scandal. To this, Nandutu has since been committed to High Court for trial. Outraged over the terror attack in Poonch that left five soldiers dead and one injured on Thursday, strong protests erupted across the Jammu region on Friday against Pakistan with people raising anti-Pakistan slogans, burning their flags and torching effigies of Pakistan at various places in Kathua, Samba, Jammu, Udhampur, Rajouri, Reasi, Poonch, Kishtwar, Doda and Ramban districts. BJP leaders and supporters stage a protest against the recent Poonch terror attack, in Jammu on Friday. (ANI) Ranjeet Tara, BJP general secretary in Rajouri, along with party activists staged a protest against Pakistan and the ISI. Coward Pak terrorists attacked our army jawans in Poonch, which would not have been possible without the support of overground workers and sympathisers. We strongly condemn the attack and urge the administration to take stern action against those providing logistical support to the terrorists, said Tara. BJP general secretary in Jammu Yudhvir Sethi also took out a protest march and held a demonstration in Kachi Chawani area of the old Jammu city. The party workers raised anti-Pakistan slogans and held placards condemning the attack. We will avenge the killing of our soldiers. We will further strengthen the zero-tolerance policy, Sethi told reporters. He said the attack was aimed at derailing peace and development in Jammu and Kashmir but the administration will not be cowed down. Another protest was held by Mission Statehood Jammu Kashmir, a local organisation, led by its president Sunil Dimple in New Plot area. The protesters burnt Pakistani flags and effigies amid sloganeering. Its president Sunil Dimple alleged the Poonch attack was due to the complete failure of the Centre and the J&K administration even as they claim to have ensured peace and normalcy in the union territory. Dhangri village sarpanch in Rajouri, Dheeraj Kumar Sharma said that terrorism has reared its ugly head in the Rajouri and Poonch districts again and the security forces need to crush it with iron hands. On January 1 and 2, we lost seven members from the Hindu community when armed terrorists attacked the village. Its been over three months now but there is no clue of the attackers. Security forces have not been able to eliminate the perpetrators of Dhangri and now this attack sums up the entire situation on the ground in a striking contrast to the administrations claims of normalcy, said Sharma. Shiv Sena Dogra Front also staged an anti-Pakistan protest. Led by its president Ashok Gupta, the front demanded that terror network in Pakistan should be destroyed. He said that there was a need for another decisive surgical strike in Pakistan to dismantle the terror network there once for all. Ex-servicemen also staged a protest in the Pallanwala area of Akhnoor and demanded that Pakistan must be taught a lesson. Reports of protests also poured in from other districts. SAD-BSP joint candidate Dr Sukhwinder Singh Sukhi on Friday asked chief minister Bhagwant Mann to explain why the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government had defrauded Dalits by keeping them out of the ambit in both the political and administrative spheres. Dr Sukhwinder Kumar Sukhi with SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal. (HT File Photo) Addressing a press conference here along with SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia, the SAD-BSP joint candidate said AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal had promised that the party would appoint a Dalit deputy chief minister in case it was elected to power. It, however, did not find even a single Dalit eligible for the post, he said. Dr Sukhi said immediately after coming to power, the AAP government sent seven persons to the Rajya Sabha but did not nominate a single Dalit to the Upper House. He also cited how the chief ministers office had through an affidavit in the high court stated that Scheduled Caste candidates were not efficient and not suitable to be appointed as law officers in Punjab. Dr Sukhi also detailed how the reservation policy was not being followed by the AAP government. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal reacted sharply to a firing incident on the Saket court premises in which a woman and her lawyer were shot at on Friday morning. Kejriwal claimed that the law and order situation in Delhi has completely crumbled, adding that if he can't manage, the person should resign. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal.(PTI file) The law and order situation in Delhi has completely crumbled. Instead of obstructing the work of others and doing dirty politics on everything, everyone should focus on their own work. And if he does not manage, then he should resign so that someone else can do it. The safety of the people cannot be left to Ram's trust, Kejriwal tweeted. The woman was with her advocate when a person shot her, a senior police officer said. Police immediately took her to a hospital, the officer said. Two persons, a woman and a lawyer, have suffered bullet injuries in the firing incident, Chandan Chowdhary, DCP South, told Hindustan Times, confirming the shooting. Special commissioner of police Sagar Preet Hooda, meanwhile, said the attacker was a suspended lawyer who had a dispute with the woman and, therefore, fired at her. He was dressed in a lawyer's uniform, the officer added. Visuals circulating on social media showed the woman bleeding from her stomach, writhing in pain. According to media reports, she was rushed to AIIMS, and her condition is said to be stable. As many as four rounds were fired and police are on the scene. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON UPDATE | Police catch man who shot woman, lawyer at Delhi's Saket court New Delhi, Apr 21 (ANI): A woman sustained injuries during a firing incident at Saket Court, in New Delhi on Friday. (ANI Photo) (ANI) The woman who was shot at by a debarred lawyer at Delhi's Saket court complex on Friday is facing several cases of fraud, Chandan Chowdhary, DCP, Delhi Police told reporters, as quoted by news agency ANI. According to the top police official, the woman, identified as M Radha, had taken money from the attacker in the pretext of doubling it, related to which an FIR was filed against her in December last year. An FIR was registered in December in which the victim of today's incident is accused. The woman had taken money from the person (shooter) on the promise of doubling it, both of them had come to the court related to the matter. Several other cases of fraud are also lodged against the woman, Chowdhary said. The suspected attacker was an advocate at the Saket court for a long time, Chowdhary said, adding that the (black robe) uniform he was wearing at the time of the incident belongs to him. He was debarred by the Bar Council. The top cop earlier told Hindustan Times that two persons, the woman and a lawyer, have suffered bullet injuries in the incident. Both of them were taken to nearest Max Hospital in Saket, where the woman's condition is stable. The accused escaped via the canteen back entry after firing 4-5 rounds. There is no law and order at the scene and teams have been formed to nab the accused, said DCP South. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The man accused of shooting two people at Delhi's Saket court complex has been arrested from Faridabad in Haryana, special commissioner (crime) Ravindra Singh Yadav said Friday evening. The suspect - whose name has not been released - fired four or five bullets at M Radha, a woman whom he has accused of cheating him of a large sum of money; she was shot twice in her abdomen and once in her hand. The second person injured was a lawyer. Woman sustained injuries during a firing incident at Saket Court, in New Delhi on Friday. (ANI Photo) Both are being treated at a nearby hospital and are in stable condition. The alleged shooter and the gun he used will be interrogated and examined. READ | Delhi court firing: Woman told shooter he could double his money A video showed the woman - who reportedly told the shooter she could double his investment and then swindled him - clutching her stomach and screaming. Warning: Disturbing visuals, viewer discretion advised A FIR (first information report) naming the woman and the alleged shooter was filed in December and the case was scheduled to be heard today. Earlier today Chandan Chowdhary, the Delhi Police's deputy commissioner (South), told Hindustan Times the shooter is a former lawyer. READ | Delhi court shooting: Debarred lawyer opens fire, injures woman He still had the long black robes worn by lawyers in court and that, cops have reasoned, was how he managed to escape detection and get close to the woman. The shooter then escaped 'via the canteen back entry', Chowdhary had said, stressing the situation is under control and that there were no further threats. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal reacted sharply to the incident, declaring the law and order situation in the national capital had completely broken down. Delhi Police does not report to the ruling Aam Aadmi Party but to the union home ministry in the central government led by rivals Bharatiya Janata Party. " law and order in Delhi has completely crumbled. Instead of obstructing the work of others and doing dirty politics everyone should focus on their own work. And if he does not manage then he should resign" Kejriwal tweeted. The tweet has been seen as criticism of union home minister Amit Shah. With input from agencies SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Union health secretary Rajesh Bhushan on Friday wrote a letter to the health secretaries of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Kerala, Karnataka, and the government of NCT of Delhi in view of consistent rise in Covid cases in the country. Union health secretary Rajesh Bhushan on Friday wrote a letter to the health secretaries of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Kerala, Karnataka, and the government of NCT of Delhi in view of consistent rise in Covid cases in the country. (HT file photo) Bhushan said, India has been witnessing a consistent rise in Covid cases since March with 10,262 cases reported in the week ending on April 20. A rise in the positivity rate has also been noted across the country, with 5.5% positivity reported in the week ending April 19, against 4.7% positivity reported in the previous week. This is a cause of concern, the letter read. Union health secretary has asked the states to institute prompt and effective public health measures with a key focus on several aspects, ranging from strengthening Covid surveillance in all districts to improving community awareness. Bhushan also asked the states to maintain adequate levels of testing (especially in emerging hotspots), monitor trends of influenza-like illness (ILI) and SARI cases, and increase the number of Covid-positive samples sent for whole genomic sequencing. 1,348 new Covid cases in state Meanwhile, Haryana on Friday reported 1,348 fresh coronavirus cases, over half of them from Gurugram and Faridabad, the two districts in the National Capital Region which have been fuelling the current surge in infections in the state. According to the state health departments bulletin, out of total fresh Covid infections, Gurugram reported 598 cases followed by 159 in Faridabad. Among other Haryana districts, Rohtak and Jind reported 89 cases each while Hisar, Panchkula and Jhajjar reported 68, 59 and 55 cases, respectively, according to the bulletin. The total number of active cases in the state was 5,468. According to the bulletin, Covid positivity rate in the state on Friday was 13.82%. KOLKATA: The Calcutta high court on Friday ordered the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe the possibility of irregularities in recruitment in a large number of civic bodies across West Bengal, said lawyers who attended the hearing. The home of a fourth TMC lawmaker was being raided by CBI on Friday when justice Gangopadhyay ordered the new probe. (File Photo) The judge passed the order during a hearing on an alleged education department scam. A report placed before the court by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) said documents recovered during the ongoing probe indicate that a similar scam took place in numerous civic bodies, lawyer Firdous Samim, who is representing victims of the alleged school recruitment scam, told the media after the ruling by justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay. In May 2022, justice Gangopadhyay ordered a CBI probe into the bribe-for-job case in the education department which has so far led to the arrest of three Trinamool Congress (TMC) legislators. The home of a fourth TMC lawmaker was being raided by CBI on Friday when justice Gangopadhyay ordered the new probe. Samim said ED told the court that these documents cited above were recovered from the home of businessman Ayan Sil, a prime suspect in the school recruitment case. Sil was arrested in March. The court ordered CBI to initiate a separate investigation into the civic bodies and register a first information report (FIR) if required. The CBI has been asked to submit its preliminary findings before the court by April 28, Samim added. Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha member Santanu Sen said: We have the highest respect for the judiciary. The judge is free to order CBI and ED probes. But has he ever asked these agencies why they have not arrested Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Suvendu Adhikari who is an accused in both the Narada bribery case and the Saradha chit fund scam? These investigations started years ago. BJP leaders welcomed the new probe. Every citizen of Bengal knows that corruption and TMC are synonymous, said Bengal BJPs chief spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya. In May 2022, justice Gangopadhyay ordered the CBI to probe the appointment of non-teaching staff (Group C and D) and teaching staff by the West Bengal School Service Commission and West Bengal Board of Secondary Education between 2014 and 2021. The appointees allegedly paid bribes in the range of 5-15 lakh to get jobs after failing the selection tests. ED arrested the then education minister Partha Chatterjee, an MLA from Kolkata, in July last year. Manik Bhattacharya, the legislator from Palashipara in Nadia was arrested by ED in October. Jiban Krishna Saha, the legislator from Burwan in Murshidabad, was arrested by CBI on April 17. On Friday, CBI raided the home of Tapas Saha, the legislator from Tehatta in Nadia. KOLKATA: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday raided the home of Tapas Saha, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) legislator from Tehatta in Nadia district, to probe his alleged role in the bribe-for-job case in the West Bengal school education department, officials of the federal agency said. (Photo: bangla.hindustantimes.com) Accompanied by central paramilitary force personnel, a CBI team went to Sahas home on Friday afternoon and started scrutiny of files and documents kept at his office located on the same premises. The MLAs mobile phone was also seized. CBI officials said Tapas Saha was also being questioned. He is the fourth TMC legislator to face a probe in the school recruitment scam. Former education minister Partha Chatterjee and his aide Arpita Mukherjee were arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in July 2022 in a parallel money laundering probe. Chatterjee was dropped from the cabinet and suspended from TMC by chief minister Mamata Banerjee. Manik Bhattacharya, the TMC legislator from Nadia districts Palashipara seat who was earlier president of the primary education board, was arrested by ED in October 2022. Jiban Krishna Saha, the Burwan legislator from Murshidabad district, was arrested by CBI on April 17 after a 72-hour search at his residence. A pond located next to the house was drained by CBI to recover two mobile phones that the MLA allegedly threw in the water when the raid started. Unlike these three MLAs whose names came up during investigation by the federal agencies, the Bengal government started investigations against Tapas Saha after some Nadia residents complained to TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjees office. The states anti-corruption branch was investigating the case. On April 18, Calcutta high courts justice Rajasekhar Mantha ordered CBI to take over the investigation on a petition which alleged that the MLAs associates not only collected bribes for jobs in the state-run schools but the fire services and police departments as well. The TMC has not reacted to Fridays CBI raid. We have nothing to say on this issue, said TMC state general secretary Kunal Ghosh. Rahul Sinha, former Bengal unit president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), said: Saha is one of the pawns in the recruitment racket. His job was to raise money. The main players in the scam are yet to be exposed. In May 2022, Calcutta high court judge Abhijit Gangopadhyay ordered the CBI to probe the appointment of non-teaching staff (Group C and D) and teaching staff by the West Bengal School Service Commission and West Bengal Board of Secondary Education between 2014 and 2021. The appointees allegedly paid bribes in the range of 5-15 lakh to get jobs despite failing the selection tests. In its first charge sheet filed on September 19 last year, ED said it traced cash, jewellery and immovable property worth 103.10 crore linked to Partha Chatterjee and Arpita Mukherjee. Seven people died and several others were injured when a bus carrying 40 passengers collided with a truck on the Lucknow-Gorakhpur highway in Ayodhya district on Friday, officials said. The accident took place on Friday night. The accident took place on Friday night, when a private passenger bus coming from Ayodhya was turning through a road-cut on the Lucknow-Gorakhpur highway to move towards Ambedkarnagar. The bus suddenly collided with a truck coming from the opposite side. The intensity of the collision between the two vehicles was so high that the truck overturned, burying the bus under it. According to Ajay Raja, the Chief Medical Officer of Ayodhya, "Till now, seven persons have died and more than 40 people are injured in the road accident." He added that rescue operations are still going on. Soon after the accident, the district administration swung into action for the rescue operation. Ayodhya's district magistrate Nitish Kumar told PTI, "More than a dozen ambulances have been deployed. We are evacuating those who are stuck in the crashed vehicle. The injured are being taken to the district hospital and medical college." Chief minister Yogi Adityanath expressed grief over the loss of lives in the accident, his office said in a tweet in Hindi. He prayed for those killed in the accident and expressed condolences to the bereaved family members.The chief minister has directed the officials of the district administration to take the injured to the hospital immediately and provide them proper treatment and speed up the relief work. He also wished for the speedy recovery of the injured. (With PTI inputs) Uttar Pradesh Swachh Virasat Abhiyan (clean heritage campaign) has been selected for the countrys prestigious HUDCO award for 2022-2023 under Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) for best practices to improve the living environment in the above-mentioned period. Swachh Virasat Abhiyan was launched in Lucknow on January 14 this year. (File photo) The Housing and Urban Development Corporation Limited (HUDCO) has announced a cash award of 1 lakh in the sanitation category to UP Swachh Virasat Abhiyan. Union housing and urban affairs minister Hardeep Puri will present the award at a function to be organised at HUDCO India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi on April 25. A state government spokesperson said, Under the direction of UP urban development minister AK Sharma, a drive was launched to make the cities of the state Good to Great. The Swachh Virasat Abhiyan was launched with the start of the kite festival from January 14 on the Makar Sankranti festivity. Seventy-five tourist and historical places of the state were included in the programme. Special cleanliness drives were conducted at all the places. People were motivated to join the drive with the organisation of the activities like Nukkad Natak and puppet show, the spokesperson added. The people participated in the drive to clean the ghats, ponds, market and other commercial areas. The campaign concluded on the occasion of UP Foundation Day on January 24. Entries were received from across the country for the prestigious award. An entry was also sent on behalf of the directorate of local bodies. After several rounds of testing, the jury board selected the Swachh Virasat campaign for field visits, the spokesperson said. A team of HUDCO officers from Lucknow regional office inspected several sites, including Imambara and Residency, on April 3. The Swachh Virasat campaign was selected for award in the prestigious HUDCO Award Best Practices to improve the living environment 2022-23 after several rounds of testing, the spokesperson further said. The Government of Liberia has approved an additional US $ 33 Million for the conduct of the October 10, 2023, Presidential and Legislative Elections. Previously, there was $ US 20 Million allotted in the National Budget for the conduct of elections in the Country. Speaking at a news conference in Monrovia, the Chairperson of the National Elections Commission, (NEC), Davidetta Brown-Lansanah noted that with these two appropriations, the total amount for the conduct of the October 2023 Elections is $ US 53 Million. Madam Lansanah revealed that out of the $ US 53 Million, the Ministry of Finance, Development, and Planning has disturbed the amount of $ US 27 Million. She informed the Commission's Temporary Staff of the ongoing Voter Registration Process that payment of their honorarium has commenced already. The NEC's Boss extended thanks and appreciation to Liberians in general for turning out to get registered. "This is indicative of the high turnout during the First Phase One and the support that field staff received from many owners of properties that ensured the positioning and safety of our staff and BVR Equipment in the field. "We also want to extend thanks and appreciation to the international community, including observers for the feedback that the Commission has been receiving on the BR process, she added." The Chairperson of NEC also extended thanks and appreciation to the Ministry of Justice through its agencies, the Liberia National Police, (LNP), and Liberia Immigration Service, (LIS), for providing the necessary security measures to have these processes conducted. MUMBAI: A 43-year-old consultant was arrested on Thursday for allegedly making a fake email id of real estate giant Shapoorji Pallonjis sister concern and sending emails to an infrastructure finance company with confidential documents attached to it. HT Image The Colaba police said the man had worked as a consultant with the sister concern and had access to the confidential documents which he had sent to the finance company with wrong intentions. The police said a case was registered with them in January by the water business head of Kanpur River Management Private Limited (KRMPL) which is promoted by Shapoorji Pallonji & Company Private Limited, a flagship company of Shapoorji Pallonji Group. KRMPL is a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) established to act as the concessionaire, to design, finance, renovate/build, operate and maintain multiple sewage treatment plants (STPs) and associated infrastructure in the city of Kanpur, Uttar-Pradesh (UP). According to the police the company had learnt that somebody had by using the name of the group made a fake email id and sent an email with confidential documents to PTC India which promotes PFS, a Non-Banking Finance Company which is in infrastructure finance. The company was discussing a project loan possibility with the PFS and the mans action had delayed the loan process and caused losses to the company. Also, as per the agreement between Shapoorji Pallonji Group, Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam, National Mission for Clean Ganga and Shah Technical Consultants nobody was supposed to leak or share any documents relating to the project and the action was in violation of the agreement, said a police officer from Colaba police station. After the company approached the police, they registered a case against an unknown person under 468 of the Indian Penal Code for forgery for the purpose of cheating and for breach of confidentiality and privacy under section 72 of the Information Technology Act. Through technical details, we reached Girdhar Prabhu Kumar Naidu and called him to the police station, but he did not cooperate with the investigators after which he was arrested. A local court has remanded him to five days police custody, said a police officer from Colaba police station. As he was a consultant with the Special Purpose Vehicle, he had access to some documents which he should not have shared and thus violated the conditions of the agreement between the companies. We are investigating why he shared the documents and what was the motive behind sharing the documents, said a police officer from Colaba police station. The police said Naidu is a resident of Farrukhabad in Uttar Pradesh and originally hails from Chennai. MUMBAI: A day after the Supreme Court (SC) dismissed its review petition for Maratha reservation, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis held a meeting with key members of the ruling combine on Friday, and announced that the government will file a curative petition in the apex court. It has also decided to constitute a new commission to study the backwardness of the community to make a case for the quota. Maratha quota: Shinde-Fadnavis govt to file curative petition The commission will establish the backwardness of the community by weeding out the lapses pointed by the apex court while rejecting the reservation. Shinde has directed the state administration to appoint neutral, efficient agencies for the purpose and back them with manpower and administrative support for a quick turnaround. We will do everything needed to restore the quota. We have discussed every option available for the quota. The appointed cabinet sub-committee will review the progress every week, said Shinde. Experts however are of the opinion that none of these measures are likely to effectively challenge Thursdays SC order. Maratha leader Virendra Pawar said, A curative petition has never worked in the past. The only options available with the governments are either to include Marathas in other backward class or recommend the central government to make constitutional amendment to lift the cap of 50% on reservation. Pawar said that the Banthia Commission, appointed for empirical data, had estimated the OBC population to be 36%, making room for Marathas to be included in that category. OBCs currently get 27% reservation, disproportionate to their population. The reservation for them should be 18 to 19% (50% of the population) and the remaining can be given to Marathas, he said. Balasaheb Sarate, another Maratha leader and a petitioner in Maratha reservation case in Bombay High Court said, The state government is not ready to incorporate us in the OBC category for obvious reasons. These are just tactics to buy time. Marathas were given 12 and 13% quota in education and government jobs respectively under Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC) Act 2018. On May 5, 2021, SC quashed Maratha reservation granted in education and government jobs in the state, saying people from the Maratha community cannot be declared educationally and socially backward. After the SC ruling, the then Maharashra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government had appointed the Justice Dilip Bhosale committee to recommend steps to restore the quota. The committee had recommended a new commission for a report on the backwardness of the community. The fresh commission should overcome the lacunae pointed out by the apex court, it had stated. A lawyer who was part of the team representing the government in court said both options are unlikely to offer any respite. He said: The Maratha reservation was struck down by SC because it was exceeding the 50% cap and for the failure of proving the exceptional and extraordinary conditions of the community in which the reservation can be given. This means the commission can perhaps prove the backwardness and recommend reservation but how can it help to cross the 50% cap. Another official from the general administration department said that the state can recommend that the central government make a constitutional amendment to remove the 50% cap on quota. The 107th amendment has given powers to the state to give reservation on the basis of backwardness subject to the total reservation of 50%. If it had removed the cap, the Maratha reservation was possible, he said. The opposition has slammed the state government for what it considers a non-serious approach towards the reservation. The steps announced by the government are imperative, but the hurdle of 50% cap remains untouched. When we were in government, we had passed a resolution for the removal of the cap, but no steps have been taken by BJP, said former chief minister Ashok Chavan. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said, The leaders who have been assuring Maratha and Dhangar reservations when they were in the opposition, should now act on their assurance. Raut was referring to Fadnaviss assurance to the shepherd community ahead of the 2014 assembly polls. As leader of opposition during the MVA rule, when it was quashed, he had said the reservation would be given back once he is back in power. Leader of opposition Ajit Pawar said, The state government should consult legal experts, community leaders and opposition leaders to quickly restore the reservation. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON MUMBAI: About 507 families residing in a posh housing society in Ghatkopar have shelled out 10 lakh for water tankers since April 1, and there are still nine days left in this month. If it sounds astounding, then look at their Marchs expenses that stand at 8.5 lakh. And then there was no water cut enforced by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Mumbai, India - Feb. 13, 2020: A 507-household Promenade Co-Operative Housing Society in Ghatkopar says that they have paid 10 lakh for water tankers since the last 20 days. Even when the other parts of the city are not facing any water issues, their usual water tanker bills are to the tune of 4 lakh per month. They say that BMC only supplies them 50-55% of the water supply in Mumbai, India, on Thursday, February 13, 2020. (Photo by Satish Bate/ Hindustan Times) (Hindustan Times) Residents claim that the BMC has, for the last two years, been supplying only 55% of the buildings sanctioned quota and the current 15% cut has reduced the overall percentage of supply to 15. As a result, the society management had to spend 38.2 lakh to buy water in 2021-22, while the amount nearly doubled to 68 lakh in the last financial year. Promenade Cooperative Housing Society with four 22-storey towers is part of a cluster of high-rises, known as The Address, situated at Lal Bahadur Shastri Road opposite R City Mall. Members, who received occupancy certificates in 2018, said their water woes are more permanent than what most of the city has been facing lately, and repeated complaints to the BMCs N ward office have not yielded any results. Things have become so dire in the last few days that we have no water to even offer a guest. A few families had to refuse guests to come over during the summer vacation, Rahul Mehta, one of the residents, said. Mehta said it is a traumatic experience for several senior citizens who live by themselves, mothers of very young children and working couples to manage with the little water the management arranges for every household daily. Based on the number of flats, the BMC had fixed 343 kilolitres as the quantity of water to be supplied per day. But what the residents get is less than 180 kilolitres and now, with the water cut in place, the daily supply has come down to 45-55 kilolitres. The problem doesnt end here. Though the supply hours are supposed to be from 7.30 pm to 10.30 pm, water is actually available only for a couple of hours, Bhargav Dani said. Moreover, the pressure is so low that it is just not possible to collect sufficient water for an average family of four or five members. Senior citizen Mridula Nambiar said the families, too, spend on buying jars of water every week. If things continue this way, we are looking at a very dire summer this year. Another resident Preeti Goswami said being in a premier project, they pay much higher property and other taxes than other buildings. In return, we do expect certain amenities. Assistant engineer for N Ward, Mahesh Pawar, admitted that the issue had been brought to their notice on several occasions but blamed the buildings internal water connection, and location. The problem is the internal water pipeline of the complex has not been laid out in accordance with the building plan submitted to us. The pipeline zigzags a lot, and we have suggested the residents straighten it, he said. The low water pressure, he said, is because the building is located around 700-800 metres from the BMCs main water pipeline. Pawar said his department has suggested a few short-term and long-term solutions to the residents. We have even told them that increasing the size and shape of the connecting pipeline would drastically improve their water supply. While the civic officials insist on correcting the course of the pipeline, the residents are worried that an additional cost is unfairly falling on their shoulders. We are not the ones who laid out the pipelines or decided to stray from the approved building plan. The builders or the BMC must take responsibility for the discrepancies, Kaushal Shah said. A spokesperson from the developer, Wadhwa Group, said, We delivered the project in 2018, and for the last five years, the water supply has been normal to all the towers. We have not received any such intimation or complaint by the residents of this tower. It seems the issue is recent and is service-related. We will look into the matter. An angered resident Naitik Vyas even pointed out how the BMC is charging five times the money they need to spend on repairing the water tunnel from the builder responsible for causing a leak. Should they not pass some of this amount to residents as compensation for all the extra expenses on water or adjust our water tax until we recover the losses? The railway connectivity between Agartala (India) and Akhaura (Bangladesh) will begin its operations from September, said Tripura transport minister Sushanta Chowdhury on Friday. The Indo-Bangla railway line will link Bangladeshs Akhaura through an international immigration station at Nischintapur. (Representative file image) Chowdhury had recently met and discussed with union railway minister Ashwini Vaishnav in the national Capital regarding development of railway services and infrastructures in the north-eastern state. Union railway minister requested the DoNER (Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region) ministry to allocate additional 150 crore to expedite the construction of Agartala-Akhaura railway connectivity. We are hopeful that the work will be completed and launched in September, said Chowdhury adding that the funds will be allocated at the earliest. Also Read:Agartala-Akhaura rail project to be completed in next 4-5 months: NFR official So far, 85% work in Indian side while 73% work in Bangladesh side are already completed, he informed. With launching of the railway services, the travel time in Agartala-Kolkata route via Dhaka will be reduced to 10 hours from 31 hours. The Indo-Bangla railway line will link Bangladeshs Akhaura through an international immigration station at Nischintapur. Both the countries had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the railway project in 2013. Akhaura was railway link for Agartala earlier in the British era. Chowdhury also said that he proposed to the union railway minister about upgradation of the Agartala railway station in Badharghat. He assured to look into the issue. We are preparing the detailed project report (DPR) and we are hopeful to lay foundation stone in next 2-3 months, he said. Chowdhury also proposed to introduce Dharmanagar (North district)-Pecharthal (North district)-Kailasahar (Unakoti district) railway connectivity, two escalators at Agartala and Dharmanagar railway stations. So far, 50% of the survey has been done in the Dharmanagar-Pecharthal-Kailasahar line. The cost for the railway connectivity has been estimated at 1,855 crore. Besides, he also made proposals to convert the Lumding (Assam)-Sabroom (Tripura) single railway line track to double line track and expansion of railway connectivity from Belonia (South district) to zero point of Indo-Bangla border. He further added that the air connectivity between Agartala and Chittagong in Bangladesh will commence soon. The state will spend 15 crore every year for the project. Till now, 3 crore were already disbursed. Three persons, all aged 22 years, were arrested in Assams Karimganj district for allegedly abducting and raping a minor girl, police said. The incident took place on Tuesday in Badarpur area. (Representative file image) The incident took place on Tuesday in Badarpur area. The minor girl continues to be critical in the hospital, family members said. According to police, they received a complaint from the minor girls family members on Tuesday and a search operation was immediately launched. Also Read: Out on bail, man allegedly drugs, then rapes minor daughter in Bihar: Police We arrested two initially and the prime accused was nabbed on Thursday evening, an official said. According to the complaint lodged by the family members, the minor girl was alone at home when the three persons forcibly entered the house and abducted her. The minor girl was found unconscious at an abandoned place on Tuesday afternoon after which she was taken to a local hospital. On gaining consciousness, she narrated her ordeal to her parents and officials. The family members alleged that she was bleeding and there were marks of torture on the minor girls body. The prime accused was caught by police with the help of locals. Cases under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) was registered against the main accused and his two friends. They will be produced in court soon and the statements of the minor girl will be recorded once she recovers, police officials said. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has won the village council election for Mara Autonomous District Council (MADC) after beating Mizo National Front (MNF), the ruling party in the state. Elections to the village council of the autonomous district council were held on April 18. (HT file image) The development comes at a time when the state is preparing to go to polls later this year. Elections to the village council of the autonomous district council were held on April 18 and the final tally of results was announced on Thursday by the state election commission. While BJP won 41 out of the total 99 village councils, MNF bagged 25, followed by Congress who managed to get 8 while the Zoram Peoples Movement (ZPM) secured 1 village council. Also Read: BJP-MNF joint legislator party stake claim to form govt in Mizoram Independents won one village council while 22 village councils had no clear majority, the election commission informed. There are a total of 43,120 electors at Mara Autonomous District Council. On April 18, 33,432 voters including 16,988 women cast their votes. The MADC has 492 village council seats, where BJP won 232 seats (47 reserved for women) followed by MNF who bagged 127 seats (33 reserved). The Congress managed to secure 78 seats (15 reserved). Talking to HT, Mizoram BJP president Vanlalhmuaka said, The people of Mizoram whenever and wherever they have a chance, they would like to teach chief minister Zoramthanga and his party a big lesson by defeating them in every level of elections and show that MNF party will be voted out in the forthcoming assembly elections. The defeat of the state ruling party in the MADC village council elections is a sign of the approval of Prime Minister Narendra Modis development agenda in Mizoram and the efforts of BJP workers on the one hand and at the same time, it is the result of MNF led Zoramthanga governments inability to deliver what he had promised to the people of Mizoram in the last MLA election, he added. The Pune police on Friday clarified that Kondhwa Budruk-based Blue Bells school is not connected to the Popular Front of India (PFI) case. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had attached two floors of the school building stating that it was used by the banned PFI as training centre. Blue Bells High School and Junior College is located in the K Z Knowledge Center building in Kondhwa Budruk. The school was started in 2009 by late Shaukat Ali Shaikh. (HT PHOTO) The office of the additional commissioner of police (eastern Region) stated that after discussion with senior NIA officials in Delhi, it was found that the school was in no way connected to the PFI case. Blue Bells High School and Junior College is located in the K Z Knowledge Center building in Kondhwa Budruk. The school was started in 2009 by late Shaukat Ali Shaikh. School principal Reshma Fazalekarim Shaikh said, We have been maintaining that it was unfair towards us right from the beginning and finally the truth has come out. We plan to take legal action against those who spread defamatory content against the school. 2nd PUC Result 2023 Karnataka Board: Karnataka Pre-University Education Department has announced Class 12 or PUC 2 board exam results today, April 21. Students can check their results online at karresults.nic.in. Karnataka 2nd PUC result 2023 link, live updates. 2nd PUC Result 2023 Karnataka Board: Karnatka PUC 2 results today(HT file) Karnataka PUC 2 results was declared in a press conference, which is scheduled for 10 am. Links to view scores will be activated on the official website 11 am onwards. Students are required to use their registration number and stream/subject combination in order to view results online. This year, Karnataka PUC II final exam was held from March 9 to March 29, 2023 at exam centres across the state. The exam was held in single shifts from 10.15 am to 1.30 pm on all test days. As per reports, around 7 lakh students have appeared in the test. How to check Karnataka PUC 2 result 2023 online Go to the Karnataka result portal: karresults.nic.in. On the home page, open the link to check Karnataka 2nd PUC result 2023. Login with your registration number. View and download your scorecard. The popular manga series "Assassination Classroom" is facing controversy and being banned in public schools in the United States' Wisconsin and Florida due to its controversial content, particularly in light of continued gun violence in American schools. The manga has already been banned by two schools, one in Wisconsin and another in Florida, with more bans potentially on the horizon. The popular manga series "Assassination Classroom" is facing controversy and being banned in public schools in the United States' Wisconsin and Florida due to its controversial content. The manga follows a class of misfits and drop-outs who are tasked with assassinating their teacher, an octopus-like creature named Koro-Sensei who is also planning to destroy the world. The series includes images of students holding guns and trying to shoot their teacher, which has led to complaints from parents and teachers, as well as disputes over sexually explicit content involving underage characters. In Florida, the Citizens Defending Freedom organization has disputed the manga over its violent and sexually explicit content, while in Wisconsin, the manga was banned due to concerns over images of students with guns. The controversy has also led to the introduction of a bill in Florida that would require all school libraries to only stock materials that have been approved by an educational media specialist certificate holder. The bans and controversy surrounding "Assassination Classroom" are not new for manga series in the United States. The series "Death Note" faced similar controversy over the last twenty years but was also named one of the Top Ten Graphic Novels for Teens and used to raise awareness against banned books. Also read | Boruto Manga goes on hiatus till October, is there a plot twist waiting? However, with America's current climate regarding gun violence in schools, it's no surprise that manga featuring gun-toting students trying to shoot their teacher has become a point of contention. The future of "Assassination Classroom" in public schools in the United States remains in question, and likely will until the issue of school violence is resolved. Aditi Rao Hydari is basking in the success of not one but two web shows back-to-back, and her performance in both Jubilee and Taj: Divided by Blood has been garnering rave reviews. However, the actor admits that there was a time when she wanted her project to head to the big screen only, and shes only glad she was proved wrong by the wide reaching power of the web. Aditi Rao Hydari was seen in web series, Jubilee All of my contemporaries, even the people who are starting out now, dont think about the medium now. Because we have seen the power of OTT platforms, says Hydari, who was exposed to the digital world in 2020 when Sufiyum Sujatayum became the first Malayalam film that opted for a direct-to-OTT route. The 36-year-old, who was later seen in web anthology, Ajeeb Daastaans, continues, I remember when my first Malayalam film, which was made for the theatres, went to an OTT platform because there was a lockdown. I was really upset but I saw the power of what happened after the film was released. Everything went viral overnight and in Malayalam, its not so easy for them to accept somebody from the outside. I was blown away by it and decided that I will never complain again. She admits that it has been a learning curve for her. Even I have learned about it. At the beginning, even I said No, no big screen only. Because there is magic on the big screen. But then you realise that it is really the magic of making people believe your story, sitting in their hearts and staying with them, says Hydari. Talking about her latest outing Jubilee, the actor asserts that it is that story that connects with a person, adding, Now, whether your grandmother tells you a good story, or your mother It is about a good story. The Padmaavat actor has spent over 17 years in the film industry, and she has realised that her sensitivity and vulnerability has turned out to be her biggest strength. At the beginning, so many people used to tell me you are too soft. Grow thick skin. But my sensitivity and vulnerability is possibly my biggest strength because Im unafraid to show what I feel to people, she says. Explaining her thought process, the actor, who is busy prepping for Sanjay Leela Bhansalis Heeramandi, shares, If I put all my energy in trying to change the core of me, then how will I be? How will I put my energy into the art? It is about owning who you are. press release Graca Machel speaks out 'Make those who oppress us feel fear' "We must dismantle this fear and we must make those few who oppress the citizen, who oppress the people, feel fear. They are the ones who have to be afraid of us and not us afraid of them" declared Graca Machel, speaking at a meeting organized by the ombudsperson on Tuesday (111 April). "When the President of the Republic [Filipe Nyusi] took office during his first mandate, he said: 'My boss is the people'. Do you remember that? So we have to remind those who are oppressing us. I am saying to some who are there, who are oppressing us, to those who are replacing what the State should be - the servant state. We remind you that we are the boss" Machel was reacting to a question posed by the audience on the attacks by police on young people at the funeral and memorials for the rapper Azagaia 14 and 18 March, in processions authorised by municipal authorities. Machel also talked of a "culture of fear" - which visitors to Mozambique now notice in civil society. For example, the police have, for more than a year, unofficially and illegally imposed a total ban on any procession or demonstration not organised by Frelimo. Mozambicans must get organised so that the civic space can be liberated and citizenship can be exercised without fear. "We have to unite the vibrant forces in our neighbourhoods and schools. " The current Frelimo leadership has been trying to marginalise Machel and others of the independence generation who do not agree with the direction Frelimo is taking, both the failure to reduce poverty and create jobs, and the growing repression of media and civil society. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Mozambique Governance 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. "Mama Graca" retains huge respect and at a time when the top of Frelimo wants to push her aside, it is important the ombudsperson invited her to speak and that STV broadcast her very strong and angry statement. (English and Portuguese texts: Lusa 11 Apr; Media Fax and Carta de Mocambique 12 Apr, ) Marcelo Mosse: 'The imposition of fear is a way of reproducing power.' "Graca Machel prefers to say oppress. Yes! Within the State there are leaders who oppress citizens. This is nothing new! The problem is that, instead of deepening democracy, Mozambique is heading towards authoritarianism, where the imposition of fear is a way of reproducing power," wrote Carta de Mocambique editor Marcelo Mosse today. (12 Apr) "Graca Machel's words should be seen in this context. She spoke in defence of citizenship and pluralism. In her speech I saw powerful marks against authoritarianism; the defence of active citizenship; of republican ethics; of accountability. These are, in fact, the key words of her speech. "Dismantle fear. My boss is the people, said Nyusi. People of power, sang Azagaia. ... Azagaia spent his life dismantling fears. It is therefore necessary that this process continues! So that a vigorous democracy may prevail in Mozambique!" Jaya Bachchan was spotted visiting Aditya Chopra's house in Mumbai after his mother Pamela Chopra passed away on Thursday. She was seen with daughter Shweta Bachchan Nanda . As the paparazzi tried to click pictures of her, she was seen motioning them to keep a distance, ahead of her, so that she could walk. (Also read: One by one they all leave us, writes Amitabh Bachchan on Pamela Chopra's demise) Jaya Bachchan with Shweta Bachchan-Nanda at Aditya Chopra's residence. Earlier Jaya's husband, actor Amitabh Bachchan was seen arriving at Aditya Chopra's house to pay his respects. He was with his son Abhishek Bachchan and daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai. Writing on the demise of Pamela Chopra, the actor then shared a note in his blog, "In the middle of the efforts made to achieve .. comes the sudden news of the passing of Pamela Chopra, wife of Yash Chopra .. and life comes to a standstill!" Now, in a new video that has been posted by a paparazzi account on Instagram, Jaya was spotted arriving at Aditya Chopra's residence with daughter Shweta Bachchan-Nanda. As the photographers started to huddle around her, she made a gesture with her hand indicating for them to move ahead of her way. "I need distance," she said, clad in a white salwar. She was also wearing a mask. Besides Jaya, several other celebs were also seen at the residence. From Kareena Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan to Karan Johar, many came to visit the Chopras. In attendance was also Kajol, Ajay Devgn, Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani. Pamela Chopra breathed her last at Lilavati Hospital where she was admitted after being diagnosed with pneumonia. She is survived by her sons, filmmaker Aditya Chopra and actor Uday Chopra. "She passed away today early morning due to pneumonia with ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome). She had been admitted to the hospital for 15 days in the ICU," Dr Prahlad Prabhudesai told PTI. Yash Raj Films said in a statement that the last rites took place at 11 am. "With heavy hearts, the Chopra family would like to inform that Pamela Chopra, 74, passed away this morning... We are grateful for your prayers and the family would like to request for privacy in this moment of deep sadness and reflection," the statement read. Pamela Chopra was last seen in Netflix's The Romantics. In the four-part docu-series, celebrating the movies of Yash Chopra and his production house, Pamela Chopra revealed she was a cancer survivor. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Actor Kangana Ranaut took to her Instagram handle and said that a group of people protested outside her Mumbai office. According to her, this happened after she posted about religious leader Dalai Lama and US President Joe Biden. Sharing a photo from the protest, the actor clarified her intentions and called her post a harmless joke. Also read: Kangana Ranaut calls out parents of kid with viral can I take Vamika on date? placard Kangana Ranaut posted a photo of people outside her office in Mumbai. Kangana Ranaut wrote, A group of Buddhist people doing dharna outside my office in Pali Hill, I didn't mean to hurt anyone, it was a harmless joke about Biden being friends with Dalai Lama.please don't misunderstand my intentions (folded hands emoji). She also added, I do believe in Buddha's teachings and his holiness 14th Dalai Lamba has spent his whole life in public service.I had nothing against anyonedon't stand in the harsh heat please go home. Kangana Ranaut on Instagram. Earlier on April 12, Kangana had tweeted a meme which featured Dalai Lama and read, 'The Dalai Lama receives a warm welcome at the White house"'. The picture in the tweet showed Dalai Kama sticking his tongue out with Joe Biden Photoshpped in front of him. Sharing the post, the actor wrote, Hmmm dono ko same bimari hai, definitely dono ki dosti ho sakti hai (The two have the same illness, they can be friends for sure). Recently a video of Dalai Lama kissing a child on the lips went viral. It received mixed reactions on the internet. The incident happened at a public gathering in February at the Tsuglagkhang temple in Dharamsala. According to the news agency AP, during the interaction, a boy asked if he could hug him. The Dalai Lama invited the boy up to the platform where he was seated on. In the video, he gestured to his cheek, after which the child kissed him before hugging him. The Dalai Lama reportedly then asked the boy to kiss him on the lips and stuck out his tongue. And suck my tongue, the Dalai Lama reportedly was heard saying. The boy stuck his tongue out and leans in. After some criticised the video, the Tibetan spiritual leader apologised. However, the incident also sparked a meme fest on the internet. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON On Thursday, actors Kajol and Ajay Devgn had shared sweet pictures with daughter Nysa Devgan as they wished her on her 20th birthday. Now, a new video of Nysa's intimate birthday celebration has been shared by her aunt, actor Tanishaa Mukerji. In the clip shared on Instagram Stories, Nysa is seen with dad Ajay and her grandmother Veena Devgan as she cuts her '20' shaped birthday cake. Also read: Nysa Devgan turns 20; Kajol and Ajay Devgn share candid pics of daughter, shower her with love Ajay Devgn with daughter Nysa Devgan on her birthday. Nysa is all smiles and claps with everyone else as they sing happy birthday for her. For the the birthday celebration at home, Nysa Devgan was dressed in a grey top and yoga pants. She blew the birthday candles and cut the cakes, which were decorated with different kinds of chocolates and white and pink cream. Kajol and Ajay Devgn married on 24 February, 1999 after dating for a few years. The couple has two children. Daughter Nysa was born in 2003, and son Yug was born in 2010. On Thursday, to wish Nysa on her birthday, Kajol shared a candid picture of them together from the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre launch earlier this month. Kajol was in an ivory outfit, while Nysa wore a silver gown. Kajol wrote in her caption, This is us and our story always. Love your sense of humour and your mind and your oh so very sweet heart... love you to bits baby girl and may you always smile laugh and snark with me forever!" Ajay also shared a birthday post for Nysa. Sharing a collage of their four pictures, in which the father-daughter duo is smiling and twinning in matching black outfits, the actor wrote on Instagram, Happy birthday baby. In a recent interview with Hindustan Times, Kajol was asked how she feels about the popularity that her daughter has earned. The actor had then said, I feel proud of her (Nysa), of course. I love the fact that she conducts herself with dignity wherever she goes. All I can say is, she is 19 and is having fun. She has the right to do whatever she wants to do and I will always support her. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Former actor Sana Khan is looking forward to spending this Eid at home, in Mumbai. The mum-to-be, who is married to entrepreneur Mufti Anas Saiyad, tells us, Every year, I am in Saudi [Arabia] with my husband for the festival. This year, I am going home for Eid. Usually, we cook, feast and enjoy, all of which we will do in Mumbai this time around. Former actor Sana Khan is expecting her first child with husband Mufti Anas Saiyad. For the 34-year-old, this Eid celebration follows a rather special Ramzan, as she chose to fast for two. I wanted to do it. It is said that fasts are counted for two people if you are pregnant. So, 30 rozas mean 60 rozas for a pregnant woman, says Khan, who is expecting her first child with Saiyad. While she admits that she was scared to observe the fast initially, she is glad that it all went by smoothly. Whenever I used to look at my cousins fasting during pregnancy, I never thought I would be able to be in the same spot. In fact, I was puking for the first givr-six months of my pregnancy. I kept praying to not experience the same during Ramzan. My in-laws and husband were also not sure if I should do it, but I wanted to. And I havent had many cravings during my third trimester, so I was able to keep the fasts smoothly, she tells us. Set to embrave parenthood, the Bigg Boss famed former actor reminisces about her own time celebrating the festival as a child. Its amazing as and very different because kids dont have to do anything! The elders iron all the clothes, cook good and take all the responsibilities. I used to wake up and rush to my extended relatives, neighbours, and sometimes even random houses to ask for 10 from everyone for Eid. We used to demand a purse from our parents as it became quite clear that we will get money on every Eid, so we needed a place to keep it safe. So, every child used to carry around a purse!, Khan fondly recalls. Explaining the importance of Eid and fasting during Ramzan, Khan says, It is a great opportunity to better myself and ask for forgiveness. Ramadan is not just about wearing clothes, fasting, staying hungry and eating good food. Its about ibaadat, reading the Quran, and much more than that. There are so many things attached to Ramazan and Eid. It is just so beautiful. Actor Soni Razdan and filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt married on April 20, 1986. On Thursday, the veteran actor took to Instagram to share their photo as she wrote him a sweet note to wish him on their anniversary. The photo was taken at their daughter Alia Bhatt's wedding last year. The actor had married Ranbir Kapoor on April 14, 2022. Soni also teased how she met Mahesh with her latest post. Also read: Alia Bhatt looks cute in a frock as she poses with family in unseen throwback pic from sets of Papa Kehte Hain Mahesh Bhatt and Soni Razdan with daughters Alia Bhatt and Shaheen Bhatt. To mark their 37th wedding anniversary, Soni Razdan shared a photo of herself and Mahesh Bhatt decked up in their traditional best for Alia's wedding. She wore a white and red printed saree paired with a green floral blouse and a heavy necklace, while her filmmaker husband was in a cream kurta pyjama set in the throwback photo taken inside their home. In the caption she wrote alongside their photo, Soni mentioned that they were introduced by a friend of hers, who wanted her to meet Mahesh, without mentioning the nitty-gritty of their courtship. Soni wrote in her caption, "The story of us: One day out of the blue I got a call from a friend, who wanted me to meet a man called Mahesh Bhatt acha chodo ab bahut lambi kahani hai (let's not get into it, a long story it is). Phir kabhi (let's save it for some other time). Main point yeh hai ki (the point is) we met, fell in love at some point and here we are many moons later. Happy anniversary baby. We really have come a long way." Mahesh was earlier married to Lorraine Bright, who was British. They had tied the knot in 1968, and after four years welcomed daughter Pooja Bhatt. During the 1970s, Mahesh Bhatt's name was linked to the late actor Parveen Babi, when him and Lorraine parted ways. It was reportedly during the filming of Saaransh (1984) that Mahesh first met Soni Razdan, who was a budding actor then. After dating for some time, Mahesh and Soni married in 1986. They have two daughters together, Alia Bhatt and Shaheen Bhatt. Even though Soni Razdan is actor Pooja Bhatt's stepmother, the latter shares a great bond with Alia and Shaheen. In a throwback interview with India Today, Pooja had revealed how Soni had confessed her guilt in marrying Mahesh Bhatt. Pooja had said in 2019, "I grew up with a father, who supposedly went on to marry somebody else and have another family... I was very moved one day. Soni and I were in Coonoor and she was sitting outside and she said, 'Pooja I want to tell you I felt so guilty. I said, 'Soni why do you need to feel guilty? You never broke any marriage up.' That marriage (her father's first marriage to her mom Lorraine) was long dead." Soni Razdan will next be seen in Pippa co-starring Ishaan Khatter. The film revolves around Brigadier Balram Singh Mehta, who fought during the Indo-Pakistan war of 1971. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Apple CEO Tim Cook was in attendance at the recent Delhi Capitals vs Kolkata Knight Riders IPL match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. He was seen in the stands alongside actor Sonam Kapoor and her husband, businessman Anand Ahuja. Vice president of the BCCI Rajeev Shukla was also seen in the stands with them. Tim Cook is in India to attend the opening of the country's first Apple Store in Mumbai. After spending time in Mumbai, he was now in Delhi to open another Apple Store in Saket. Also read: Sonam Kapoor poses with 'handsome date' Anand Ahuja as they step out to meet Apple CEO Tim Cook. See pics Tim Cook and Sonam Kapoor at the IPL match in Delhi. Sonam took to Instagram on Thursday to share photos of herself with Tim and Anand Ahuja as they watched the match, and posed for selfies, during the Indian Premier League. Sharing their photos, Sonam wrote in her caption, "Tim Cook and entire @apple team - we hope youve had a lovely stay here and leave encouraged and positive on Apples outlook in the country. Were so grateful for the care and attention youve given to creating your signature world class experience here (folded hands emoji) @anandahuja." Tim tweeted after Sonam also shared the pictures on Twitter, Thank you so much for an unforgettable evening! The actor, who will soon be seen in her comeback film Blind, wore a breezy white and yellow ethnic outfit with heavy earrings, while Tim wore a black T-shirt and Anand wore a printed maroon shirt for the match. An Instagram user commented on Sonam's post, "What a dress to wear in stadium." One more liked her look, and wrote, "You look stunning." A couple of days ago, Sonam Kapoor was joined by Anand Ahuja as they met Tim Cook ahead of the Apple Store opening in Mumbai. On Tuesday, Sonam had taken to Instagram to share a series of photos of herself and Anand's look from the event. She wore a grey formal outfit, while Anand was blue and grey. Sharing photos with Anand, Sonam wrote in her caption, "My handsome date who is one of the biggest supporters of creative talent and innovation. He feels they always go hand and hand. It requires wonderful imagination to create anything new in the arts, engineering or science. We all are creators." After her long break from films, Sonam is making her film comeback with Shome Makhijas Blind. This will be her first film since she gave birth to son Vayu in August last year. Sonam was last seen in a cameo appearance in Netflix's AK vs AK (2020). Before that she featured in two films that were released in 2019, The Zoya Factor alongside Dulquer Salmaan and Angad Bedi, and Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga, in which she co-starred alongside father-actor Anil Kapoor. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Vir Das has the perfect reaction to his blue tick verification disappearing from Twitter, and he has declared he is okay with anyone impersonating him on the social media platform. In a fun response to the development, Vir said people should take it to be an impersonator's account if they feel offended by his tweets and should believe it to be his account if they like the posts. (Also read: Amid SC hearing, comedian Vir Das defends same-sex marriage) Vir Das responds to blue tick disappearing from his Twitter account. In a series of tweets, Vir wrote, "I like this world. To verify an artist, buy tickets, not ticks...Bye blue tick. Im okay with someone impersonating me on twitter. You deal with the things they call me ..How about this? If you like what Im sayingits the real me. If youre pissed off/offended/looking to take action/going to complain to some sort of metaphorical papa..this account belongs to an unverified impersonator. Cool?" Nargis Fakhri also tweeted about it and wrote Friday morning, I never really come on here. i just noticed Im no longer verified with that blue thingy. So now everyone with a blue check pays a fee for it. Hmm okay. if anyone can buy it then whats the point. On Thursday, Twitter removed the legacy verified blue ticks from all accounts and the only individual Twitter users with verified blue checkmarks are the ones paying for Twitter Blue - a monthly subscription of 650-700. Several other celebs also reacted to the new development. Prakash Raj wrote, "Bye bye #BlueTick . It was nice having you.my journey ..my conversations..my sharingwill continue with my people you take care #justasking." Ravi Kishan also tweeted his response and wrote, "Why me ..???? Blue tick gone ????????????? Mr musk ????" Many others Bollywood stars, including Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Alia Bhatt have also lost their verified blue ticks from their Twitter accounts. Initially introduced in 2009 as a way of protecting well-known individuals from impersonation and tackling false information, the blue tick was supposed to be taken down earlier this month. Previously, there were no charges for the verification and the blue tick. After he took over the company last year, Elon Musk launched Twitter Blue with the check-mark badge as one of the premium perks. Vir Das directed the Netflix stand-up special Landing that released in December last year. Prior to the show, he did Vir Das: For India that also bagged an International Emmy nomination in the best comedy category in 2021. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Hollywood star Jamie Foxx is recovering from undisclosed 'medical complications' which he suffered on April 11. The 55-year-old got hospitalized in Atlanta, Georgia where he was present for the filming of his upcoming movie Back in Action". Since then, his fans are worried about the whereabouts and health situation of Foxx. Hollywood star Jamie Foxx(Twitter) In a recent interview with Extra, Martin Lawrence provided a health update about the Oscar-winning actor. The comedian was attending his Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony when he was asked about his friend Foxx's health condition. ALSO READ| Beef star Ali Wong and Bill Hader start dating again after brief split "I hear he's doing better My prayers go out for him every night and just wishing the best for him, one of the best that we got in Hollywood," said Lawrence. "Not only one of the best entertainers but a good person," he added. Just when the news of Django Unchained star's health scare broke out, Foxx's 29-year-old daughter, Corinne had informed fans about the actor's health situation and requested privacy. We wanted to share that, my father, Jamie Foxx, experienced a medical complication yesterday. Luckily, due to quick action and great care, he is already on his way to recovery, Corinne had posted on Instagram. "We know how beloved he is and appreciate your prayers. The family asks for privacy during this time," her post further read. Back in Action" of which Foxx is a part, also stars Cameron Diaz, Glenn Close and Kyle Chandler. The upcoming film marks Diaz's first big-screen project since 2014, when she starred as Miss Hannigan in a remake of Annie. The Kardashian drama continues, as Kourtney defends her love for her stepchildren against Shanna Moakler's shade. Moakler recently took to social media to call out Kourtney for allegedly posting more photos of her kids with Travis Barker than her own. Kourtney Kardashian and Shanna Moakler Kourtney, who is now stepmom to Landon, Alabama, and Atiana, responded through a source to US Daily, saying, "Kourtney thinks its unfortunate that Shanna finds it hard to support the love she has for her kids. Theyre Travis children too, and hers in a way now since shes their stepmom." Kourtney Kardashian said that having blended family with Travis Barker is all she ever wanted. The source also added that Kourtney has known the kids for years and adores them just as much as her own children. The insider also emphasized that Kourtney is not focusing on any negative energy thrown her way and is instead concentrating on what's best for the children. The feud between the two women comes after Travis and Kourtney's Hulu special, where the drummer declared that Kourtney had "filled a void" in his life. Moakler responded to a fan's comment on Instagram, calling out the special for being exploitative and money-grabbing. Moakler then liked a comment that claimed Kourtney was more concerned with Travis' children than her own, which caused her to receive backlash from fans. However, Moakler doubled down on her criticism of the special, saying she hoped Kourtney would get an apology someday. Also read | 'I prayed for you for years', Khloe's heartfelt birthday post for daughter True This latest drama only adds to the already intense scrutiny that the Kardashian family faces. Only time will tell if Kourtney and Shanna can come to a resolution or if this feud will continue to escalate. Actor Song Joong Ki and his British wife Katy Louise Saunders are making the most of their time in Rome. They were seen out and about in some new pictures being shared online. The couple is expecting their first child together and this is the first time that Katy's baby bump was visible in the public. Also read: Song Joong Ki turns protective towards pregnant wife Katy Louise Saunders during 1st public appearance as husband, wife K-drama actor Song Joong Ki married Katy Louise Saunders. In the leaked photos, the actor and his wife Katy Louise Saunders are seen busy talking to each other. They were walking on a street in Rome. Katy's baby bump was clearly visible as she wore a white top with black leggings and a grey cardigan with sunnies. Song Joong Ki opted for an off-duty look in a navy blue sweatshirt and pants. The couple was walking hand-in-hand. In another photo, he was holding her close as both walked together. Ever since the pictures arrived online, fans have been raving about the couple and how Song Joong Ki continues to be a protective husband. Earlier, he was seen protecting Katy at Incheon airport as they made their first public appearance as husband and wife. Reacting to their new photos, a fan wrote on Twitter, It just makes me feel that love can find a way even if it's far away. Its giving hollywood couple vibes, added another one. One more said, They're adorable. You can see in their actions that they really love each other and not just pretending. Look at them they don't care if being seen and photographed with this kind of sweetness. They are proud to tell the whole world about their love for each other. Unlike some. Reportedly, Song Joong Ki and Katy were previously in Hungary for the actor's My Name is Loh Kiwan shoot. It's not known if they are currently in Rome for work or personal reasons. My Name is Loh Kiwan is based on the novel, I met Loh Kiwan by Jo Hae Jin and said to focus on a North Korean defector and a woman who has no will to live. Song Joong Ki confirmed his relationship with Katy in December last year after much speculation. A month later, he announced his wedding to her as they registered their marriage. He also revealed Katy's pregnancy at the same time. This was followed by a formal, private ceremony which took place in March reportedly. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON --As EU Electoral Observation Exploratory Mission visits Liberia Liberia's Foreign Minister Amb. Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Sr., has assured the visiting six-man EU Electoral Observation Exploratory Mission and other international partners of Liberia's unwavering commitment to holding free, fair and transparent elections in October 2023. Amb. Kemayah further indicated that the forthcoming General and Presidential Elections in October 2023 are very crucial to consolidating Liberia's democracy as well as the sustenance of peace and national development. Foreign Minister Kemayah also reiterated the unwavering commitment of President Dr. George Manneh Weah to maintain peace and stability in Liberia, adding "Our government is prepared to conduct a free, fair, transparent, peaceful, inclusive and credible general and Presidential elections in October 2023 this year." The Dean of the Cabinet made these remarks on Thursday, April 20, 2023, when the Visiting EU Electoral Observation Exploratory Mission to Liberia paid a courtesy call on him at his Foreign Ministry office on Capitol Hill. The Liberian chief diplomat told the visiting EU team that he is absolutely confident that the outcome of a free, fair, transparent, peaceful and inclusive electoral process will further enhance the sustenance and consolidation of peace in Liberia, which he said is the foundation for a thriving democracy, and the pursuit of the national development agenda. Foreign Minister Kemayah recounted that an inclusive process will ensure the continual participation of all Liberians in the political and governance process of the country. Amb. Kemayah said the government of Liberia, under President Weah welcomes and cherishes the EU and other members of the international community's desire of deploying observation team in Liberia to observe the campaign processes, leading to the day of the elections and post-election activities. Speaking earlier, the Head of the European Union Delegation to Liberia, H. E. Laurent Delahouse, who escorted the team to the Foreign Ministry, said the Observation Mission is in the country to engage and hold discussions with the Government of Liberia and other stakeholders in the country as it relates to October 10, 2023, General and Presidential Elections, noting that the mission will observe the logistics, financial and security situation in the country among others. Ambassador Delahouse stated that members of the Delegation are happy to host the Visiting team, which is an autonomy Observation mission of the EU, in Liberia. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Liberia Governance 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. For her part, Mrs. Yasmina Sioud, who heads the delegation from the Democracy and Election Division of the EU disclosed that they are in Liberia for two weeks on a technical observation mission. According to her, while in Liberia, her team is expected to meet and hold discussions with all stakeholders in the country, adding that the EU Electoral Observation Exploratory Mission looks forward to receiving an invitation from the Government of Liberia to come and observe the upcoming elections in October. Madam Sioud also narrated that they are in the country to explore how the EU will deplore its Observation mission in Liberia for the October 2023 General and Presidential Elections, as well as to make an informed decision on how the Observation team will work in all parts of Liberia. A rather complicated consequence of warming oceans and melting ice is the slowdown of deep ocean currents that carry heat, oxygen, carbon and nutrients for marine life across the globe. PREMIUM The Southern Ocean system moves nutrient-dense water north from Antarctica, past New Zealand into the North Pacific Ocean, the North Atlantic and Indian Ocean. (Reuters) At the present level of temperature rise, this system of currents in the Antarctic, known as the Antarctic Overturning Circulation, or the abyssal overturning circulation, is on track to slow by 42% by 2050, a new study has warned. As suggested earlier, the study, Abyssal ocean overturning slowdown and warming driven by Antarctic meltwater, published in the journal, Nature, on March 29, said that deep ocean currents, or overturnings, in the northern and southern hemispheres, have been relatively stable for thousands of years, but they are now being disrupted by the warming climate. And it isnt just the Antarctic Ocean. In 2018, another research paper, Observed fingerprint of a weakening Atlantic Ocean overturning circulation, warned of a similar slowing down of the Atlantic Ocean circulation system, which the study said had weakened significantly over the last 150 years. Research has warned the Atlantic Ocean circulation system has weakened significantly over the last 150 years. (Shutterstock) But what are these ocean systems? The global ocean is made of five connected basins, where water flows in streams called currents. These ocean currents facilitate the interbasin exchange of water heat, salt, dissolved gases and nutrients. There are two types of currents: Surface, which depend on wind, tide and spin of the Earth; and deep currents, which depend on differences in the density of water. With deep currents, the water goes from the surface to the sea floor in a process called thermohaline circulation: cold, salty oxygen-rich water is dense and sinks to the ocean abyss, leaving the warmer water on the surface. After a long, complicated process, warm water reaches the poles where it forms ice, leaving the salt in the ocean, which in turn increases the water density and hence, causes it to sink to the floor. As it sinks, it pushes water from underneath to the surface to replace the water that sank in a process called upwelling. This water also brings nutrients to the surface for marine life to sustain. The ocean currents facilitate the interbasin movement of nutrients sustaining marine life. (Reuters) This cyclical movement of water, dubbed the global conveyor belt by scientists, controls the global climate and has sustained life for thousands of years. But, as the planet warms, melting more ice, this circulation system is slowing down. Its implications would range from faster melting of the ice to changes in rain patterns, the scientists said. The larger focus till now was on the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), the system of currents that carry warm water from the tropics into the North Atlantic. The Southern Ocean system, which moves nutrient-dense water north from Antarctica, past New Zealand into the North Pacific Ocean, the North Atlantic and the Indian Ocean, remains less studied. In the latest research, scientists explained the slowing of the circulation as such: We find that meltwater input around Antarctica drives a contraction of Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW), opening a pathway that allows warm Circumpolar Deep Water greater access to the continental shelf. The reduction in AABW formation results in warming and ageing of the abyssal ocean, consistent with recent measurements. The abyssal warming is projected to continue at an increasing rate by 2050 and to spread more broadly through all Southern Ocean basins, they said, adding that there is evidence that AABW has warmed, freshened and reduced in volume. "As the meltwater release from Greenland and Antarctica increases over time, the AABW overturning and AMOC strength both weaken by 2050, the report said, pegging the decline in AMOC at 19%. This weakening of the circulations would then act as a tipping point, with ranging implications. For the AMOC, a slowdown would cause cooling around the northern hemisphere, particularly around Eastern Europe and the east coast of North America, and a 0.2C cooling in global mean surface temperature by 20612080. For the Antarctic Overturning Circulation, on the other hand, one implication would be the nutrient-rich seawater will build up on the seafloor, hurting marine ecosystems. A second implication would be more heat getting to the ice, accelerating global sea-level rise. Third, the slowdown could reduce the oceans ability to absorb carbon dioxide, leaving more greenhouse gas in the atmosphere, and leading to more warming. It could also shift rain bands in the tropics by as much as 1,000 kilometres, thus changing the monsoon patterns across the world and closer home in India (the country typically witnesses monsoon between June to September), having a cascading impact on water availability and food production. Rainfall patterns near the tropics are at a risk of changing. (Satish Bate/HT Photo) Our projections were run under a 'business as usual' scenario. Deep and urgent emissions reductions will give us a chance of avoiding an ocean overturning collapse. But the time is running out fast. And 2050 is just 26 years, 9 months and 2 days away, Matthew England, deputy director of the Australian Research Councils Centre for Excellence in Antarctic Science, who coordinated the study, said on Twitter. Enjoy unlimited digital access with HT Premium Subscribe Now to continue reading Start 14 Days Free Trial Already Subscribed? Sign In PM Gati Shakti national master plan initiative, launched in October 2021 for integrated and planned development of critical infrastructure projects to reduce logistics costs, received an award for excellence in public administration-2022 in the 'Innovation (Central)' category from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets after presenting PM's Award for Excellence in Public Administration 2022 to Anurag Jain, Secretary DPIIT during the Valedictory Session and Awards Ceremony of 16th Civil Service Day.(ANI) The award was conferred to the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) at the 16th Civil Services Day Celebration, stated by the ministry of commerce and industry. The Prime Minister appreciated the efforts made under PM Gati Shakti and further set the vision ahead for all line ministries and states/UTs, the statement read. Prime Minister's Awards for Excellence in Public Administration The Prime Minister's Awards for Excellence in Public Administration have been instituted to recognise the extraordinary and innovative work done by districts, and organisations of the central and state governments for people's welfare, reported PTI. PM Modi highlighted that it will greatly benefit in identifying the needs of citizens, tackling issues related to education that might arise in the future, and enhancing communication between departments, districts and blocks while also helping in the formulation of future strategies. How does the master-plan work? All logistics and connectivity infrastructure projects, entailing investment of over 500 crore, route through the network planning group (NPG) constituted under the initiative. A GIS-enabled national master plan digital platform has also been developed and over 1,300 data layers are uploaded by the Centre and states on this platform. All ministries/departments and states/UTs are using and have benefitted from planning on PM Gati Shakti NMP in terms of savings in time and cost, optimized planning, faster clearances, cost-effective implementation, reduction in project pendency, ease of inter-ministerial coordination, the ministry said. (With agency inputs) Prime facie investigation into the Poonch terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday that led to the death of five Rashtriya Rifles jawans and left one injured revealed that the role of no less than seven Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) group. This is the fourth incident involving Indian Army casualties in the Poonch-Rajouri area. Armed security personnel walk at a site of an attack inspecting charred army vehicle after terrorists opened fire at an Indian army vehicle in Poonch.(REUTERS) The area where the incident took place is 7 km from Bhimber Gali in the Line of Control (LoC), and a thickly-forested within the Indian side of the LoC. There were intelligent inputs to confirm the presence of Pakistan-based terrorists in the area. The jihadists were hiding in the jungles and waiting for an ambush on a convoy. Watch: 'Can Target G20 Venues In J&K': Pak-backed terror group PAFF owns Poonch attack | Details According to inputs from the Jammu and Kashmir Police, the terrorists used rocket-propelled grenades and assault rifles against the RR jawans travelling in the truck. It's still not clear whether the truck got fire through the direct RPG hit or was set on fire by terrorists after the gunning down the Indian troopers. While Nagrota-based 16 Core has launched a massive manhunt for the terrorists in the sector, the incident has direct links to Pakistan's opposition to the G20 event in Srinagar in May. Over the past month, the Pakistan government has asked G20 members, particularly its 'iron-brother' China, to boycott the event. The incident has been deliberately planned by the Pakistani-deep state to instigate violence in Jammu and Kashmir and Uttar Pradesh. and deliberately spread fear among the delegate attending the G20 event, said a senior J&K official. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON 'Can't be left to Ram Bharose': Arvind Kejriwal's sharp reaction to Delhi's Saket court firing Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal reacted sharply to a firing incident on the Saket court premises in which a woman and her lawyer were shot at on Friday morning. Read more Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal (Sanchit Khanna/ HT Photo) SC agrees to hear on April 28 plea against caste survey in Bihar The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to hear on April 28 a fresh plea against the Bihar governments decision to conduct a caste-based survey in the state. Read more Passengers dance to Sapna Chaudharys Teri Aakhya Ka Yo Kajal aboard flight. Watch Theres something about peppy songs that just make people get on their feet and groove. One such song that may make people break into a dance no matter where they are is Sapna Chaudharys Teri Aakhya Ka Yo Kajal. Read more Web Stories | Shobita Dhulipala's Gorgeous Ethnic Picks Vir Das, Nargis Fakhri, Ravi Kishan and more stars react to losing Blue Tick on Twitter: Why me!? Mr Musk? Vir Das has the perfect reaction to his blue tick verification disappearing from Twitter, and he has declared he is okay with anyone impersonating him on the social media platform. Read more 'I don't want to talk about him; he shouldn't even be in this team': Ex-BCCI selector destroys Manish Pandey on live TV The Delhi Capitals finally got off the mark on the IPL 2023 points table but it wasnt before they huffed and puffed their way to a victory over Kolkata Knight Riders on Thursday. Read more SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON It is not unusual for zoos in India to keep a list of animals and birds in their possession, updated monthly, logging fresh additions, births and deaths, but the Aizawl Zoo has two such lists, the second for what officials call the second zoo. Mizoram has emerged as a hot spot for animal and bird smuggling. (HT Photo) This list has an inventory of rescued exotic animals and birds, smuggled into India through a porous border with Myanmar, that have no other place to go. There is, however, a problem; the zoo is running out of space, and some of these animals are dying. Over the past few years, Mizoram emerged as the hot spot for the entry of illegal animals and birds, with seizures by authorities in the North-East state common, even though several consignments slip past. Mizoram shares a 510km long border with Myanmar. In May 2022, for instance, in the single biggest seizure of the kind in the state, the Mizoram Police found 468 animals including 442 lizards, 11 snakes, four sloths, four pottos, four tortoises, two beavers, and one wildcat, arresting five people at Good in Mizoram. The animals seized at Khankawn are native to Africa, South America, and Europe. There has been a surge in smuggled of these exotic birds and animals from across the world to India via Myanmar. This has happened because of the demand in India where these animals and birds are kept as pets or used for captive breeding, said Jawaharlal Boro, assistant director at Guwahati office of Union environment, forest and climate change ministrys Wildlife Crime Control Bureau. While the formal inventory for March 2023 shows 29 animal and bird species ranging from barking deer to slow loris, the exotic animal list in the second zoo boasts 50 species from the Argentine white tegu to iguanas to capybaras. For the month ending March 2023, the normal list had 196 animals, and the second list , 220. But this second list could, and perhaps should, have been much longer. Data available with the Mizoram forest department that HT has seen shows that between July 2019 and September 2022, the Aizawl Zoo received 910 exotic animals, of which only 274 survived till the first week of December 2022. Many more have succumbed after that, a senior official of the Mizoram forest department said. Senior Aizawl zoo officials said that while the seizures by themselves were not unwelcome, preventing smuggling and helping to identify the gangs that operate in the business, the 27-hectare zoo is short of manpower, infrastructure, and expertise to care for these animals. There are no separate enclosures in the zoo earmarked for those seized animals and birds. They are kept in any available facility. The problem with these exotic animals is mainly arrangement of enclosures for them since there are no existing allotments for them, said Lalnunzira, officer-in-charge of Aizawl Zoo. The zoo has all one visiting doctor, one veterinary field assistant, one range officer in charge of general administration, and two forest guards. There are 15 other provisional employees without any expertise apart from experience gained on the job, Lalnunzira said. Officials said that they have been besieged by the sheer number of exotic animals and had to come up with emergency enclosures for albino wallabies, crocodiles, golden lion-headed tamarins, and exotic birds. We had to keep some in existing enclosures, and rearrange animals already there, said an Aizawl zoo official. Some animals such the capybara, the largest rodent in the world, requires a specific ecosystem. They are semi-aquatic animals found in South America. How can you maintain them in small enclosures with concrete water tanks that we have available here, asked the official quoted above. Animals that have died include meerkats, a three-toed sloth, capybaras, red-faced spider monkeys, indri lemurs, and several species of birds. As an example, the zoo received 390 iguana hatchlings on May 27, 2022. By December 2022, 370 had died. It isnt just a lack of space, but other factors like stress and climatic conditions, said the official. Most recently, in March 2023, the zoo recorded 10 deaths of seized animals and birds including seven crocodile hatchlings, two hornbills, and one leopard tortoise. We cant keep them in a malkhana (property room in a police station where stolen property is kept) and these animals need to be taken care of. After we seize them, they are produced in courts and under their orders sent to the Aizawl Zoo, said Lalrinpuia Varte, superintendent of police, Champhai. Wildlife activists said that there is an obvious problem of volume when it comes to the Aizawl zoo. The main issues are lack of proper infrastructure to keep these animals and adequate manpower, said Lalawmawia Sailo from Conservation Mizoram, an NGO. Officials of the Aizawl zoo said that as far as they are concerned, the animals and birds are stationed with them in a temporary arrangement, until a final disposal of court cases. There is no scope for any alternate arrangement or to keep them elsewhere unless the court issue separate orders to such effect, said another Aizawl zoo official. Zoo officials have sent a proposal to the Union government for separate enclosures for capybaras, cassowarys, albino raccoons and yaki monkeys. They have also proposed a new rescue and rehab centre inside the existing perimeter of the Aizawl zoo and a satellite rescue centre in Champhai, close to where most seizures are made. Both the proposals have been incorporated in the new master Plan of Aizawl Zoo and submitted to Central Zoo Authority, said Lalnunzira. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday moved out all his belongings from his official residence of 12 Tughlaq Lane a day before the last day mandated by the Lok Sabha notice. The former Wayanad MP will officially hand over the bungalow to the Lok Sabha secretariat on April 22. The shifting process started on April 14. The remaining things were moved out on Friday evening, a day after his plea for a stay on the conviction in the defamation case was rejected by a Surat sessions court. Read | Pawan Khera's dig at Azad as Rahul Gandhi shifts belongings from Delhi bungalow Rahul Gandhi leaving his 12 Tughlaq Lane bungalow residence on Friday. (Ishant ) Rahul Gandhi has already started living with his mother Sonia Gandhi at 10, Janpath residence. On March 23, Rahul Gandhi was convicted in a defamation case for a comment that he made in 2019 ahead of the Lok Sabha election. At a rally in Karnataka's Kolar, Rahul Gandhi said, "How come all thieves have Modi surname in common". The comment got many cases filed against Rahul Gandhi and in one such a case filed by Gujarat's BJP leader Purnesh Modi, Rahul Gandhi was convicted after four years. The Congress leader was given the maximum punishment of two years of jail in the defamation case which got him disqualified from the Lok Sabha. Complainant Purnesh Modi opposed to it and said Rahul Gandhi is a repeat offender and is not remorseful for his Modi-surname remark. Workers loading Rahul Gandhi's belongings in a truck on Friday. (PTI) Truck outside Rahul Gandhi's official bungalow that he will vacate tomorrow(PTI) Rahul Gandhi was given a month's time and was asked to vacate his official bungalow by April 22. The court granted him bail but his plea to stay the conviction was rejected by a higher court on Thursday which said there was no exceptional situation to stay the conviction. In his plea, Rahul Gandhi said the trial was not fair and his disqualification will lead to irreparable damage to both him and the constituency. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Union home minister Amit Shah on Friday held a meeting with senior state and national leaders in Bengaluru to discuss the Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) strategy for the Karnataka elections, with a focus on the exit of key leaders and the Lingayat vote base, people aware of the matter said. Union home minister Amit Shah on Friday held a meeting with senior state and national leaders in Bengaluru (Basavaraj S Bommai Twitter) During the meeting, which BJP president JP Nadda also attended, the party discussed how to mitigate the impact of senior BJP leaders, including former CM Jagadish Shettar and former deputy CM Laxman Savadi, joining the Congress, people aware of the matter said. They added that discussions were also held on Lingayat leaders demand that a member of the community be declared the CM face, with a section of leaders saying that the party should not name a candidate for the post. The discussion was on many issues and the party strategy for the polls. We will continue on our campaign on development, double engine growth and reservation to the backwards. Our leaders have been told to rebuff the lies being spread by the Congress strongly, a senior BJP leader familiar with the development said on condition of anonymity. Shah began a two-day visit to the state on Friday to campaign for the May 10 Assembly elections in the state. He was slated to hold a road show at Devanahalli in Bengaluru rural district but it was called off due to rainfall. Due to heavy rain could not be there among the people of Devanahalli. I bow to them for turning out in large numbers despite adverse weather. I will certainly visit Devanahalli soon for a campaign. Their enthusiasm shows that the BJP will win a massive victory in Karnataka, Shah later said in a tweet. More than 2,500 Indian nationals are stranded in the northeast African country of Sudan as the crisis continues amid conflict between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). Meenakshi Agrawal's husband is among those who are trapped in the strife-hit country. In a tweet, she urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union external affairs minister S Jaishankar to bring all the Indians back. A destroyed military vehicle is seen in southern in Khartoum, Sudan, Thursday, April 20, 2023. The latest attempt at a cease-fire between the rival Sudanese forces faltered as gunfire rattled the capital of Khartoum. Through the night and into Thursday morning, gunfire could be heard almost constantly across Khartoum.(AP) I am hopeful that you will be able to set my worries to rest and bring back my husband and other trapped Indians from Sudan, Khartoum from the horrific situation there. Thank you for your efforts and initiative," Agrawal tweeted, tagging EAM and PM. According to World Health Organisation, over 400 people have been killed and more than 3,500 others have been injured in the in-fighting between forces loyal to RSF leader Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo and SAF chief Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. One Indian national was among those who were killed in the conflict. Earlier in the day, PM Modi chaired a high-level meeting to review the situation of Indians in Sudan. He gave three instructions to follow the officials remain vigilant, closely monitor the developments and continuously evaluate the safety of the Indians as well as extend all possible assistance to them in Sudan. PM Modi asked the officials to prepare for contingency evacuation plans, accounting for the rapidly shifting security landscape and the viability of various options, according to statement released by PMO. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen chief Asaduddin Owaisi claimed Friday the three men who killed gangster-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf - the two were shot dead last week while in custody of Uttar Pradesh Police - are 'followers' of Nathuram Godse, the man who assassinated Mahatma Gandhi. He also called the three 'terrorists' and said they were part of a 'terror module', although he did not specify the group to which they belonged. All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) President Asaduddin Owaisi(ANI) Owaisi - who has been fiercely critical of UP's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and chief minister Yogi Adityanath on this topic - also demanded to know why the state hadn't invoked the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, a stringent anti-terror law routinely used in terror cases. "Why didn't they invoke UAPA on those who killed them (Atiq Ahmad and Ashraf)? Who gave automatic weapons to the killers? Who gave 8 lakhs worth of weapons to them? They are radicalised and walking in the footsteps of Godse," Owaisi was quoted by news agency ANI. They must be stopped else they will kill more people. The reference to ' 8 lakhs worth of weapons' was to information released by the police - that the three who shot and killed Atiq and Ashraf had weapons imported from Turkey. This is not the first time Owaisi has ripped into the BJP and Yogi Adityanath; in an earlier attack he accused the UP government of practicing 'rule of the gun' to rule the state and criticised those who seemed to celebrate the killings; those who did included the UP chief minister and his deputy, who called the deaths 'historic' and a 'message to criminals'. Owaisi, meanwhile, has also underlined his resolve to visit UP in the future - a reference to the attack on his convoy in February. Atiq Ahmad and his brother - in police custody over the killing of lawyer Umesh Pal earlier this year - were being walked to a 'routine medical check-up' late Saturday night - accompanied by armed cops - when they were accosted by a crowd of reporters. Their killers were in that crowd - posing as journalists - and shot them dead at close range. The killers have been identified as Arun Maurya, Lavlesh Tiwari and Sunny, and have since been transferred to a different jail for 'administrative' reasons. The killing of Atiq and Ashraf is now being probed by two teams - one set up by the police and a judicial commission set up by the state government. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Trinamool Congress MLA Babul Supriyo has reacted to Vivek Agnihotri's tweet in which the filmmaker on Wednesday announced that he had changed the location of his book signing event in Kolkata due to security reasons. Trinamool Congress MLA Babul Supriyo and filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri. KOLKATA: ATTENTION: This is to inform that due to security reasons the venue of book signing of #UrbanNaxals has been shifted from Quest Mall to Starmark Book Shop, South City Mall. Im informed that since Quest Mall is a Muslim Area its not safe. The tragedy of modern Bengal, Agnihotri tweeted. Accusing the West Bengal chief minister of allowing "Muslims" to illegally hijack a mall, the filmmaker tweeted, Friends, Its a very tragic and alarming situation that in India, an Indian author isnt allowed in an Indian mall because that area is dominated by Muslim Indians. @MamataOfficial has officially allowed them to illegally hijack a mall. Ironically, the book is #UrbanNaxals. Reacting to Agnihotris tweet, Supriyo said that he was disturbed. Supriyo said he is an MLA from Ballygunge and the Quest Mall is located in this area. Dear @vivekagnihotri, you are a colleague of mine from the Film fraternity & your wife Pallaviji is very well known to me for longaa Quest Mall is in my MLA constituency #Ballygunge.. I am disturbed to know that you have moved your event from there for reasons u mentioned, Supriyo wrote in his Twitter post. Replying to Supriyo, Agnihotri said he was told that it was not safe for him to sign his book in 'a Muslim area (in a secular country)'. "As a MLA can you please ensure my safety? Or even you are helpless like me?" he asked. Supriyo said he was not helpless, but alleged that he was helpless when he was in the Bharatiya Janata Party, which earned him the "Dangebaaz" title. I am not helpless.. I was when I was in the communal party @BJP4India which earned me the 'Dangebaaz' title for no fault of mine. Plz come to Kolkata a day earlier. I challenge you that you shall hv the best book release of your life. I shall personally take care. Game? Supriyo, who joined the TMC in September 2021, said. In another tweet, Supriyo told Agnihotri, Your political jibe asking if I am helpless makes me remind u that even Janab NaseeruddinShah called me a Dangebaaz when I contested Ballygunge against his niece fielded by CPIM. Anyways, DM me ur No. & I wil call U. Now don't tell me u r helpless cuz that wil irk @BJP4India, he tweeted. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON -- Tells citizens good leadership matters Amidst rousing welcome by thousands of citizens including students, teachers, CPP partisans and well-wishers, the Standard Bearer of the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP), Mr. Alexander Cummings, on Thursday, April 20, visited several areas and learning institutions in New Kru Town (NKT) and Bushrod Island, District #16, Montserrado County. Mr. Cummings accompanied by his wife, Teresa, and CPP stalwarts, visited with hundreds of beach and waterway workers at the New Kru Town Lagoon Beach, interacted with cross-section of teachers of the NKT Teachers Association, and held three seperate meetings with joint assemblies of students from 14 high schools across District #16. At the Lagoon Beach, hundreds of workers accorded Mr. Cummings warm welcome and entertained with cultural dances, indicative of their appreciation for his visit. Mr. Cummings sought to obtain firsthand information about the deplorable and harsh living conditions of the people of New Kru Town. The beach and waterway stretches from the then Hotel Africa belt to New Kru Town, Sinkor and through Congo Town, with thousands of youth dependent upon it for their livelihood. While claiming backlog of compensation owed them by the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) government, they acknowledged with gratitude, the assistance by Mr. Cummings and acceptance of their invitation as the first Presidential candidate to visit with them. Mr. Cummings also had an encounter with a cross-section of teachers of the New Kru Teachers Association, with estimated membership of 2,400, from 43 schools in the District. The teachers lamented the deteriorating school conditions including the lack of libraries and laboratories, and inadequate salaries and incentives, which is making life difficult for teachers and school workers. They spoke of the lack of government subsidies, especially for private and faith based schools, badly needed to improve the learning environment and ease the huge financial burdens on parents and guardians. Cummings held four other seperate discussions with joint assemblies of students at the Trinty United Methodist School in New KruTown; the St. Mary Catholic School in Duala, Bushrod Island; the Assembly of God High school; and the Wesleyan Academy, both on Caldwell Road. Schools in attendance included the Juah School, the Greater Vision School System, the Diana E. Davies School, the New Era International School, and the Assembly of God High School in New Kru Town amongst others. Student representatives of the various schools spoke of the many challenges, including lack of libraries and laboratories in schools, and the increasing high cost of tuition and other fees, warranted by the lack of government support to schools. New Kru Town, predominantly of the Kru tribe, followed by the Grebo, Bassa and other ethnic groups, was founded in 1916 by Kru Fishermen, with John Naklen as its first Governor. It is one of the most densely populated communities and considered a stronghold of the CDC in District #16, Montserrado County. In seperate remarks, Mr Cummings expressed gratitude for the high turnout and warm reception accorded him and his delegation, especially in the Borough of New Kru Town. The CPP Standard Bearer, while stressing the imperative need for adequate government funding to education, with emphasis on teachers training, better salaries, and well equipped schools to better prepare young people considered the future of Liberia, said good leadership matters. Cummings said good leadership matters and it is critical in accelerating economic development that will ensure better living conditions and a prosperous nation. The CPP Standard Bearer said by every measure, Liberia is bad off in terms of high unemployment, high cost of living, lack of essential social services and infrastructures, and rampant corruption. Cummings said Liberia considered one of the oldest nations in the world at 175, is the least developed country due to the country's persistent poor quality of leadership especially in the last five years under President George Weah's leadership. The CPP Standard Bearer said, with few public officials in the Executive and Legislative branches of the CDC government amassing wealth, the vast majority of Liberians are lingering in abject poverty and deprived of essential social services including reliable electricity, pipe-borne water and better health care delivery service. Cummings reiterated that a CPP Government will lead by example in all spheres of public service, with zero tolerance for corruption and bad behavior on the part of any public official. He assured that irrespective of political/religious affiliations, and ethnicity, all Liberians will have equal rights and access to opportunities and jobs in keeping with the merit system and the law. Cummings' visit in New Kru Town, was climaxed with a major encounter at the Borough Intellectual and Development Forum with questions and answers on the CPP agenda for real change, opposition unity, and his individual contribution to nation building and wellbeing of citizens. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Liberia Governance 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. Cummings said his individual and family contributions towards the wellbeing of Liberians and the nation, surpasses even President Weah, who is spending taxpayers money seemingly as his personal funds to appease Liberians. The CPP Standard Bearer called on Liberians to evaluate their personal lifestyle and wellbeing, whether they are better off, than five years ago, and decide if President Weah deserves a second term of another bad and corrupt leadership. Cummings rallied Liberians to act decisively, and change Liberia, come October 10, by making Mr. Weah a one term President. He noted that no amount of talking and wishful thinking will change Liberia, but rather through hard work, sacrifice and refraining from doing the same old thing and expecting different results. Earlier, the CPP Standard Bearer dedicated a 10-room shower and latrine facility in the Borough of New Kru Town. The shower and latrine facility erected through funding from ANC Global will provide relief for an estimated 10,000 residents of New Kru Town. Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee on Thursday expressed his support for same-sex marriage, stating that everyone has the right to choose their life partner. He also criticised the Centre for delaying the issue. Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee addresses a press conference in Kolkata on Thursday. (ANI Photo) The Supreme Court, in a hearing on Wednesday for a batch of petitions seeking legal recognition of same-sex marriage, emphasised that the state cannot discriminate against an individual based on their sexual characteristics, which they have no control over. The court also stated that the Centre has no evidence to support its claim that same-sex marriage is "elitist" or "urban". One of the Centre's affidavits filed in the apex court argued that the petitions reflect an "urban elitist" perspective and that the recognition of marriage is a legislative function that courts should not adjudicate on. The matter is sub judice. So I would not like to comment on it. But I feel that love has no religion, caste or creed If I am a man and I am fond of a man, and if I am a woman and I am fond of a woman, everyone has got the right to fall in love Everybody has the right to choose their respective life partner be it a man or a woman, Banerjee said. Responding to a question on the Centre filing an affidavit urging all states and union parties to be made parties to the proceedings to seek their opinion, the Trinamool Congress national general secretary accused the Centre of trying to dilly-dallying on the matter. The Centre is deliberately delaying the matter. This tactic keeps the matter dangling for no reason. They could have done that in the last seven years if they were serious about seeking an opinion. They want to dilly-dally on the matter for no reason, Banerjee said. On Wednesday, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee preferred to remain non-committal about the days developments in Supreme Court. I will not say anything right now because the matter is sub-judice. I always love people who love others. But this matter is so sensitive that I will also have to know the pulse of the people. And let me see the court judgment first. Whatever judgment the court gives, we will examine and only then we will let you know, Mamata told reporters during a press conference from Nabanna, the state secretariat. (With inputs from agencies) SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party on Friday reiterated accusations of corruption against leaders of Tamil Nadus ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and chief minister MK Stalin levelled by its state leaders, saying Tamil Nadu chief Mmnister MK Stalin leaves after attending the assembly session at Fort St George in Chennai on Thursday (PTI) They are stealing the money of the common people of Tamil Nadi and all this is available in the DMK files released by Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai, BJP spokesperson Syed Zafar Islam said in Delhi. On April 14, Annamalai accused DMK chief MK Stalin of receiving 200-crore as election fund in 2011 from American company Alstom after allegedly favouring them to award a tender for a metro rail project that year. He accused senior DMK leaders including Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, Udhayanidhi Stalin, TR Baalu, KN Nehru, K Ponmudy and Kalanidhi Maran of holding assets disproportionate to their income. The DMK trashed the allegations, saying Annamalais claims were a joke. The Chennai Metro Rail Limited also issued a detailed statement explaining that they actually saved 250 crore in the tender flagged by Annamalai. The DMK has sent a legal notice to Annamalai to withdraw the accusations, threatening to file a defamation suit for 500 crore. In its notice, the DMK told Annamalai that he was attempting to defame, scandalise and tarnish Stalins reputation because the BJP hadnt been able to electorally make a mark in the state. On Wednesday, DMK youth wing chief and Tamil Nadu minister, Udhayanidhi Stalin also sent him a legal notice. Udhayanidhi also took exception to Annamalai naming his children, including minor daughter and said this was a violation of the wards privacy. The Bharatiya Janata Partys strategy of steering its election campaign on the axis of development and ideology is conspicuous on the ground in Tumkur and the adjoining Davangere. In Tumkur, the BJP party is the incumbent in five of the 11 assembly seats. (JP Nadda Twitter) In Tumkur, where the party is the incumbent in five of the 11 assembly seats, the focus is on development, with barely an acknowledgment of the ideological concerns. Here, the party has gone all out to advertise its smart city project as proof of its development agenda. Tumkur, with its food processing park; the HAL helicopter factory; and the smart city is hailed by the BJP as one of the most successful transformations of a city in recent years. Development is the reason why the BJP will win in the state and bag 8-9 seats in the Tumkur district. After work for the Smart City project was completed and with the opening of the food park and the HAL factory, the face of the district has changed, said Vinay Bidre, state secretary of the BJP in Karnataka. In Davanagere, a three hour drive from Tumkur, development is a poll issue, but there is no mistaking what appeals to the electorate -- ideological issues. Hindutva, is helping the party reap dividends in the city, known for its textile industry and educational institutions. People in Davanagere take pride in being associated with the Hindutva ideology and the Ramjanmabhoomi movement. During the Congress rule eight people were killed and over 70 injured in the shooting that happened during the Ram temple movement, said BJP leader Yashwantrao Jadhav. His reference is to the October 1990 violence in Davanagere ahead of an event organised by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad to mobilise support for the construction of the temple in Ayodhya. In some ways, this focus on development and Hindutva is not very different from the approach the BJP has used in other states and in the 2019 polls -- leverage the benefits of welfarism; push the development agenda; and consolidate the Hindu vote using Hindutva. According to Bidre, development could help the BJP break new ground in Tumkur, where it has traditionally banked on Lingayat votes. The Congress is playing the minority appeasement card, the JDS is relying on inducement and emotional arm twisting to retain votes, but because the development work benefited people from all castes, we are expecting a win even in seats like Gubbi, which we have never won, Bidre said. Gubbis incumbent legislator is SR Srinivas from the Janata Dal (Secular) or JD (S). In Tumkur, the Lingayats and the Vokaliggas are the largest caste groups followed by Kurbas, scheduled castes and Muslims. In 2018, the BJP won primarily on account of support from the Lingayats that hold sway in nine of the 11 seats in the district. The JDS is trying to woo people by giving them free saris, free pilgrimage and other inducements, but we are telling people to look around and see the changes on the ground and the difference that a double engine government has made to their lives, said Vishwanathan, a member of the BJPs IT cell in the district, referring to an advantage the BJP has always leveraged in states where it is in power -- the benefits of having the same party in power in the state and the Centre. GowriShankar Swami, the sitting MLA from the Tumkur rural constituency, which was won by the JDS in 2018, isnt sure that will work because of an issue his party and the Congress have sought to focus on -- corruption. People are rejecting the BJP here because of unemployment, corruption, and price rise. They give 450 as subsidy for a cooking gas cylinder which costs nearly 2,000. The fight here is between the JDS and the Congress and the BJP is third, he said. The JDS leader said his party has promised one job per family if it comes to power in the state. While the BJP is confident that the wide cemented roads, the bustling activity in the food processing park, and the buzz around industries have drowned out criticism from the opponents and met the aspirations of the people, there is a murmur of discontent among the residents. Outside the University College of Arts, young women count lack of safety and jobs as primary concerns. Chandana, a first-time voter who is studying to be a pharmacist says women cannot move out freely at night and there is an overall sense of lack of security that needs to be addressed. Womens safety is an issue; girls cannot move out freely. We also want the government to spell out what its policy on employment will be. We fear we may have to migrate because there arent enough jobs in the state. Lack of white-collar jobs is an oft repeated concern in the district. Sivaraman, who runs a small store selling snacks said when land was procured for the food park, there were promises of jobs. Most of the people who we employed have been given work that is not commensurate with their education, mostly labourer jobs, he said. The Congress too has made jobs a theme in its campaign. In a short video, the party questioned the ruling BJP about its unfulfilled promises of providing 8, 000 jobs in the HAL factory and the shortfall in water and power supply despite the claims of being a smart city. There are no such qualms about the BJP in Davangere, despite acknowledgement that the party has not done enough. In the Anjaneya Mill area, for instance, residents said they will go with the BJP, even though the local legislator is not very popular. The BJP legislator N Linganna has not come here after he won the elections, but people will vote for the BJP because of [Prime Minister, Narendra] Modi, said Kamalam, a housewife whose family runs a kiosk from their home. The PMs popularity and the partys ideology find favour with Ganesh, an upper caste fruit vendor and Kenchappa, who sells coconuts and is from a ST community. Both rent space in Kamalams porch and complain about benefits of social schemes eluding them. In 2018 I was given money to build a house, but there has been no other benefit. The cooking gas and food prices are soaring, and the government has not controlled these, but we dont think these reasons are good enough to move to the Congress, because we dont see them being able to do much. So, at the end of the day, we may consider voting for the BJP only, Ganesh said. In Davangere, where the BJP currently holds 5 of the 7 assembly seats, the party is confident of consolidating the Lingayat, the ST and the SC votes to counter the Congresss vote bank of Muslims and Kurbas. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)s strategy of steering its campaign for the May 10 Karnataka assembly elections around development and ideology is conspicuous on the ground in Tumkur and the adjoining Davangere. Karnataka goes to the assembly polls on May 10. (ANI) In Tumkur, where the party held five of the 11 seats in the previous state assembly, the focus is on development, with a tepid acknowledgment of the ideological concerns. The BJP has gone all out to advertise the smart city project as proof of its development agenda. The BJP cites Tumkur, with its food processing park, the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) helicopter factory, and the smart city, as one of the most successful transformations of a district recently. In February, Karnataka topped the list of states with the most completed smart city projects. Tumkur was on the 199th spot on the list of cities with the highest number of completed projects as per the Union urban development ministry. Development is the reason why the BJP will win in the state and bag eight to nine seats in the Tumkur district. After work for the smart city project was completed and with the opening of the food park and the HAL factory, the face of the district has changed, said BJP leader Vinay Bidre. He said the developmental agenda is likely to work for the BJP, which otherwise banks on the Lingayat votes in the region as well as the support of the Vokaliggas, who are considered the vote bank of the Janata Dal (Secular) or JD(S). The Congress is playing the minority appeasement card, the JD (S) is relying on inducement and emotional arm twisting to retain votes, but because the development work benefited people from all castes, we are expecting a win even in seats like Gubbi, which we have never won, Bidre said. In Tumkur, the Lingayats and the Vokaliggas are the largest caste groups followed by Kurbas, Scheduled Castes (SC), and Muslims. In 2018, the BJP won primarily on account of support from the Lingayats, who hold sway in nine of the 11 seats. Vishwanathan, a member of the BJPs information and technology cell in the district, said the JD (S) is trying to woo people by giving free saris, offering free pilgrimage, and other inducements. ...but we are telling people to look around and see the changes on the ground and the difference that a double engine sarkar [BJP governments at the Centre as well as the state] has made to their lives. Gowrishankar Swami, the JD(S) lawmaker from the Tumkur rural constituency, said the contest is between his party and the Congress with the BJP pushed to the third spot. People are rejecting the BJP because of unemployment, corruption, and price rise. They give 450 as a subsidy for a cooking gas cylinder which costs nearly 2,000. The fight here is between the JD(S) and the Congress and the BJP is third, he said. He cited the gravity of the job crisis and added his party has announced one job per family if it comes to power. The BJP is confident that the wide cemented roads, the bustling activity at the food processing park, and the buzz around industries have drowned out criticism from the opponents. It insists it has met the aspirations of the people. But there is a murmur of discontent among the residents. Outside the University College of Arts, a group of young women counted a lack of safety and jobs as primary concerns. Chandana, a first-time voter, said women cannot move out freely at night and there is an overall sense of lack of security that needs to be addressed. Womens safety is an issue. Girls cannot move out freely. We also want the government to spell out what its policy on employment will be. We fear we may have to migrate because there are not enough jobs in the state, said Chandana, a pharmacy student. The lack of white-collar jobs appeared to be an oft-repeated concern. Sivaraman, who runs a store of eatables, said the land was procured for the food park with the promises of job creation. Most of the people who were employed have been given work that does not commensurate with their education. These are mostly labour jobs. Congress and the JD(S) have also made jobs a central theme of their campaign. In a short video clip it has circulated, Congress questioned the ruling BJP about its unfulfilled promises of providing 8, 000 jobs to residents at the HAL factory and the shortfall in water and power supply despite the claims of being a smart city. In Davanagere, a three-hour drive away, development is a poll issue even as there is an unmistakable pride that the BJP takes in the dominance of ideological issues. Hindutva appears to be helping the party in Davanagere, which is known for its textile industry and educational institutions. Residents of Davanageres Anjaneya Mill said there is support for the BJP even though local legislator N Linganna is not very popular. N Linganna has not come here after he won the elections, but people will vote for the BJP because of [Prime Minister Narendra] Modi, said Kamalam, a housewife. Ganesh, an upper-caste fruit vendor, and Kenchappa, who sells coconuts and is from a Scheduled Tribe (ST) community, echoed Kamalam. But both complained about the benefits of social schemes eluding them. In 2018, I was given money to build a house, but there has been no other benefit. Cooking gas and food prices are soaring, and the government has not controlled these. But we do not think these reasons are good enough to move to Congress, because we do not see them being able to do much. So, at the end of the day, we may consider voting for the BJP, Ganesh said. The BJP is confident of consolidating the Lingayat, the ST and the SC votes to counter the Congresss Muslims and Kurbas vote banks in Davangere. It currently holds seven of the seven assembly seats in Davangere, where STs account for 11.98%, SCs 20%, and Muslims about 13% of the population. BJP leader Yashwantrao Jadhav said people in Davanagere take pride in being associated with the Hindutva ideology and the movement for the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. During the Congress rule, eight people were killed and over 70 injured in the shooting that happened during the Ram temple movement. In October 1990, communal violence erupted in Davanagere ahead of the Ram Jyothi, an event the Vishwa Hindu Parishad organised to mobilise support for the construction of the temple in Ayodhya. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON After the Haryana government submitted to the Punjab and Haryana high court that no violation of rules or regulations was found in the Robert-Vadra-DLF land deal, Haryana CM's OSD Jawahar Yadav on Friday said the government has not given any clean chit to Robert Vadra in the land scam case and the Congress is spreading false rumours. "We did not find the involvement of former CM OP Chautala. We are not saying that the scam did not take place," Yadav told the news agency ANI. Read | Gurugram land deal: SIT reconstituted to speed up probe against Hooda, Vadra In an affidavit, the Haryana government said no regulation was violated in the Robert Vadra -DLF land transaction. However, in its affidavit placed before the high court on Wednesday, the government said M/s Skylight Hospitality sold 3.5-acre land to M/s DLF Universal Limited on September 18, 2012, and no regulation/rules have been violated in the said transaction. The financial transaction in the deal is being probed. M/s Skylight Hospitality is Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi's husband Robert Vadra's company. In 2018, an FIR was registered against Vadra, former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, DLF for alleged criminal conspiracy. Robert Vadra made a long social media post recounting the harassment by the agencies in the long-drawn case. "Their agencies raided my companies even breaking walls assuming things were hidden in them! They questioned me for days, sent 100s of notices, made illegal tax demands,else they would attach my assets and properties, took away over 20,000 documents and continue to send tax notice after notice since more than a decadeI continue to cooperate fully and provide all the information asked of me even though I know the truth," Vadra wrote. "Its been many years, of dealing with false accusations and losing many work relations and being battered by governments incorrect informations and media propaganda carrying it. I do hope this does not happen to anyone else a vindictive method of politics is toxic for the country," Vadra added. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Top lawyer and Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal reacted to a Gujarat special court's verdict to acquit all the 67 accused in the Naroda Gam massacre case of 2002 post-Godhra, asking if "we should celebrate the rule of law or despair its demise". Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal.(PTI file) More than two decades after 11 Muslim community members were killed in the post-Godhra riots in Ahmedabad's Naroda Gam, a special court on Thursday acquitted all the 67 accused in the case, including former Gujarat minister Maya Kodnani and ex-Bajrang Dal leader Babu Bajrangi. Naroda Gam : 11 of our citizens including a 12 year old girl killed. After 21 years 67 accused acquitted. Should we : Celebrate the rule of law or Despair its demise ! Sibal tweeted. While a lawyer of the victims' families said the judgment will be challenged before the Gujarat high court because "justice was denied" to them, accused and their relatives termed the verdict, which came more than 21 years after the incident, as a "victory of truth". Also Read | Naroda Gam massacre: Owaisi quotes Rahat Indori as all accused acquitted The Ahmedabad-based court of S K Baxi, special judge for Special Investigation Team (SIT) cases, acquitted all the 67 accused in one of the worst massacres witnessed during the state-wide riots triggered by the Sabarmati train carnage on February 27, 2002, after a trial spanning 13 years and half a dozen judges. The Naroda Gam case was probed by a Supreme Court-appointed SIT. A detailed judgment is expected to be made available in the coming days. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Maharashtra deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis in an interview said the arithmetic in Maharashtra is that the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party have no face to show in Maharashtra and they think Uddhav Thackeray is the only face for them. This is their problem today, Fadnavis said amid upheavals in Maha Vikas Aghadi over NCP leader Ajit Pawar's recent movements. Fadnavis commented on many other issues at Lokshahi Sanvad 2023. Read | Sharad Pawar dismisses speculation over Ajit Pawars political move Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday spoke at Lokshahi Sanvad 2023.(PTI) Last week, there were speculations that Ajit Pawar was planning to throw support to the BJP-Shinde and was mobilising some MLAs. The reported rebellion was put to rest by NCP chief Sharad Pawar. Ajit Pawar too said he will be in the NCP as long as he is alive. On Friday too, Ajit Pawar skipped a meeting of his party's Mumbai unit but said he had another programme to attend at the same time. NCP spokesman Clyde Crasto said if someone is unable to attend one event, that does not mean they are planning to quit. BJP's Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Friday said there was no talks between the BJP and Ajit Pawar. The leaders of MVA are defaming Ajit Pawar. They are posing questions on the credibility of Pawar. From the early morning swearing in (when Pawar broke ranks and allied with Devendra Fadnavis in 2019) till now, question marks are being raised on his life, stand and work," Bawankule said. Uddhav Sena MP Sanjay Raut added to the speculation as he in his weekly column in party mouthpiece Saamana last Sunday wrote that Sharad Pawar told Uddhav Thackeray that there was a lot of pressire on some to break away. Families are being targeted but even if individuals take a different stand, NCP as a party will never go with the BJP, Sanjay Raut wrote referring to the senior Pawar. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Congress on Friday took a dig at the Bharatiya Janata Party after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephonic conversation with Karnataka BJP leader and former minister KS Eshwarappa, claiming the latter is accused of demanding a 40% commission and was forced to resign over corruption charges. Karnataka BJP leader KS Eshwarappa.(PTI file) Modi's call to Eshwarappa comes days after the BJP had denied the Shivamogga ticket to Eshwarappas son in the Karnataka assembly election scheduled for the next month. In the phone conversation with Eshwarappa, Modi is said to have praised the BJP leader and promised that the party will always be with him. Reacting to the development, the Congress tweeted, PM Modi congratulating BJP leader Eshwarappa for not rebelling despite being denied a BJP ticket is unacceptable! This man is accused of demanding a 40% commission and was forced to resign over corruption charges after a BJP worker, Santosh Patil, committed suicide. By praising such corrupt leaders, the BJP is sending a clear message that it endorses corruption and illegal activities." Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate also took to Twitter to attack Modi. Such a stampede has taken place in Karnataka BJP that everyone is running away leaving it - and now Prime Minister Modi himself has to call Eshwarappa and beg him not to leave. Let us also tell that this is the same Eshwarappa on whom BJP worker Santosh Patil committed suicide by accusing him of 40% commission. After this, the Karnataka Contractor's Association had written a letter to the Prime Minister about 40% commission. But Prime Minister does not have any special problem with corruption, that's why lice will not crawl on his ears and ED, CBI, Income Tax nobody wasted their time on Karnataka's corruption, Shrinate tweeted. The voices of rebellion are so strong in Karnataka that more than 40 rebels are in the fray in front of the BJP. Now these corrupt people are being pacified by calling them. Did the same thing in Himachal as well - remember the result, don't you? These 40% commissionaires will settle for less than 40, she added. Eshwarappa said he did not expect Modi's call. "It inspires me to win Shivamogga city and well try all possibilities to bring the BJP government back in Karnataka. Its not something special I have done. I told the same to PM Modi, Eshwarappa said. Eshwarappa, a former deputy chief minister, had recently conveyed to the partys central leadership his decision to retire from electoral politics, and had requested to not consider fielding him in the assembly polls from Shivamogga. The five-time MLA from the seat, however, had sought the ticket for his son KE Kantesh. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Indian Army and other security forces have launched a massive manhunt to find out the terrorists involved in the attack on a military truck in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch on Thursday that killed five soldiers attached with the Rashtriya Rifles. Security personnel during a cordon and search operation after a terror attack in which five Army personnel were killed and another was seriously injured on Thursday at the Bata-Doriya area in Poonch district.(PTI) Top updates on Poonch terror attack on army truck: 1. A team from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) is set to visit Poonch. The NIA team, including a Deputy Inspector General and Superintendent of Police rank officers, is expected to visit the spot later on Friday along with a team of forensic experts to collect initial details of the incident, news a agency ANI reported. 2. A bomb disposal squad and special operations group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir Police reached the spot at Bhimber Gali in Poonch where five soldiers lost their lives in the terror attack. 3. A massive search operation was launched in the forests of Jammu and Kashmir's Bata-Doriya area to track the terrorists. 4. The deceased soldiers identified as havildar Mandeep Singh, lance naik Debashish Baswal, lance naik Kulwant Singh, sepoy Harkrishan Singh and Sepoy Sewak Singh were attached with the army's Rashtriya Rifles unit and were deployed for counterterrorist operations in the area. 5. Some reports suggest that the Bata-Doriya area has been cordoned off and drones and sniffer dogs are being used to trace the terrorists. 6. Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Pande and all ranks of the Indian Army salute the supreme sacrifice of the soldiers. 7. Defence minister Rajnath Singh was briefed by Army Chief General Manoj Pande on the death of the five soldiers. 8. According to inputs from the Jammu and Kashmir Police, no less than seven Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists used rocket-propelled grenades and assault rifles against the RR jawans travelling in the truck. 9. It's still not clear whether the truck got fire through the direct RPG hit or was set on fire by terrorists after the gunning down the Indian troopers. 10. While Nagrota-based 16 Core has launched a massive manhunt for the terrorists in the sector, the incident has direct links to Pakistan's opposition to the G20 event in Srinagar in May. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Friday reached Guyana where he was accorded a welcome by Hugh Todd, minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation. Jaishankar shared a picture of his meeting the delegates on his official Twitter account. (Dr S Jaishankar | Twitter) Jaishankar shared a picture of his meeting the delegates on his official Twitter account. Arrived in Georgetown, Guyana to a warm reception from FM Hugh Todd. Look forward to a productive visit, he wrote. Jaishankar is on a nine-day trip to Guyana, Panama, Colombia, and the Dominican Republic in a bid to explore bilateral engagement in new areas and this is the first time that the EAM will set foot on North and South America since assuming office. Also Read: EAM Jaishankar discusses Sudan situation with UN chief Guterres, says He held talks with Guyana FM Hugh Hilton Todd on further expansion of overall ties between the two countries. Jaishankar is also expected to speak with several ministries as well as the leadership and the visit to Guyana is an opportunity for a meeting of foreign ministers in the India-COFCOR (Council on Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR), a group of 15-member Caribbean Community (CARICOM)) format. Jaishankar will travel to Panama on April 24. His two-day visit to Panama will include meetings with top government officials where he will be hosted by foreign minister Janaina Tewaney Mencomo. During the India-SICA Foreign Ministerial Meeting, which will also take place during this tour, he will interact with representatives of the eight-nation Central American Integration System (SICA). Jaishankar will fly to Colombia on April 25 to meet with dignitaries from the public, commercial, and nonprofit sectors. Alvaro Leyva Duran, Colombias foreign minister, and EAM will evaluate the bilateral ties during this, the countrys first visit at the level of a foreign minister. Jaishankar will reach the Dominican Republic on April 27. The country will host Indias highest-level visit since the two nations establishment of diplomatic relations in 1999. In the Dominican Republic, Jaishankar will hold a discussion with his counterpart Roberto Alvarez and the two leaders will inaugurate the Dominican Republic foreign ministry. Individuals seeking to serve as lawmakers in Parliament have been urged to consider service at the local assembly level to enhance community development. This is due to the quality of individuals that contest parliamentary seats and their commitment, dedication and determination to attaining the position can be of transformation to local governance, if they seek to also avail themselves at the district level. James Gunu, the Regional Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), explained that there was an unhealthy balance of quality between Parliament and the local assemblies which the latter needed to be elevated to help complement the work of the former. Making the call after the vetting of aspirants for the upcoming primaries of the NDC, he said parliamentary aspirants with their resources would not only improve the quality of the membership of the assemblies but would also work to benefit community progress, growth and development. "I want to encourage parliamentary aspirants that politics is not all about going to Parliament, I also believe in our local governance system, that many of them should be concerned about deepening our decentralised and local governance system by taking advantage of the next assembly elections. "Pushing all good materials into Parliament affects the quality at the assembly level because if you elect weaker assembly members and stronger members of Parliament, the superstructure will be heavier than the substructure. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Governance Ghana 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. "We must look at this to have a balanced system of parliamentary democracy and decentralised governance in the country since both opportunities bring advantages and aspirants should consider the assembly so as to accelerate progress, growth and development of communities," Mr Gunu pointed out. He revealed that all the 75 aspirants contesting the parliamentary primaries were cleared at the vetting, and those that would not make it to Parliament should look at contributing towards making the assemblies resourceful to improve livelihoods. According to him, there were exceptional and resourceful people but out of the 75, only 18 would enter Parliament and appealed to the rest to endeavour to use their exceptional and resourcefulness to enhance the work of the assemblies. Mr Gunu said the parliamentary primaries would be held on May 13 in all constituencies, and there were a total of 15 women among the 75 aspirants and all of them had signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the contest, its processes and outcome. Here are todays top news, analysis, and opinion. Know all about the latest news and other news updates from Hindustan Times. A woman sustained injuries during a firing incident at Saket Court, in New Delhi on Friday. (ANI Photo) Delhi court firing: Woman shot promised debarred lawyer of doubling his money The woman who was shot at by a debarred lawyer at Delhi's Saket court complex on Friday is facing several cases of fraud, Chandan Chowdhary, DCP, Delhi Police told reporters, as quoted by news agency ANI. Read more Even if Kohli bats till the end, its not okay': Ex-Australia star slams RCB great for 'not maximising' total vs PBKS Virat Kohli returned as Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper after two years. He and Faf du Plessis registered a 137-run opening partnership. Both scored half-centuries. RCB put up a pretty good total against Punjab Kings and in the end, won the IPL 2023 match quite comfortably by 24 runs. Read more Nysa Devgan's huge '20' cake that's too pretty to eat. Watch her celebrate with Ajay Devgn, Kajol On Thursday, actors Kajol and Ajay Devgn had shared sweet pictures with daughter Nysa Devgan as they wished her on her 20th birthday. Now, a new video of Nysa's intimate birthday celebration has been shared by her aunt, actor Tanishaa Mukerji. Read more Is adding baking soda to your dosa batter harmful for health? What experts say Baking soda is often used as a leavening agent in baking goods such as cakes, muffins, breads and cookies and also in making dosa, idli, dhokla for speeding up fermentation and raising batters. Read more 5 simple ways to increase Serotonin levels Serotonin is a neurotransmitter in your brain that helps regulate your mood and promotes positive feelings. Here are some simple ways you can increase serotonin levels. Read more SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A pall of gloom descended at Charik village in Punjabs Moga district on Friday as hundreds of people gathered at the house of Lance Naik Kulwant Singh who was among five soldiers killed in the terrorist ambush in Jammu and Kashmirs Poonch on Thursday. Family members and relatives of Sepoy Harkrishan Singh who were among five soldiers killed in the Poonch army attack on Thursday. (PTI) The 32-year-old, who joined the army in 2009, was the second member in his family to have died in a terrorist attack. His father, Baldev Singh, who was posted in Kargil, had also died in a terror attack earlier. I last talked to him yesterday in the morning. He was climbing a mountain at that time. He told me that he is fine and asked me not to worry. He asked me to take care of his son, Kulwants mother Jinder Kaur said. Kulwant is survived by his wife and two children. Four of the soldiers who died in the attack on Thursday belonged to Punjab. At Bagha village in Bathinda, several people gathered at the house of Sepoy Sevak Singh (23) who was a key breadwinner of the family. His father is a daily wager. He was always worried about me. When our parents talked about his marriage, he always said that he wanted to see me get married first, his sister Jasvir Kaur said. The family of Sepoy Harkrishan Singh in Fatehgarh Churian assembly segment of Gurdaspur district is waiting to receive the body. His pregnant wife Daljit Kaur, who also has a one-and-half-year-old daughter, recalled how he had promised to visit home soon. I last spoke to him on Thursday. He had spoken to our daughter too and had promised to come home soon, she said. At Chankoian Kalan in Payal Tehsil of Ludhiana, Subedar (retired) Jasvir Singh said that the news of the death of his nephew, Havaldar Mandeep Singh, has shaken the entire family, including the deceaseds eight-year-old son. His son is mum and is not saying anything but watching the news of the attack. We do not know if he understands the meaning of life and death. But he says he will join the Indian Army like his father, Singh said. Lance Naik Debashish Biswal, from Alagum village in Odishas Puri district, would have celebrated his second marriage anniversary on Saturday. His aunt, Shantilal, said whenever he came to the village, he would take part in all social activities and was an inspiration to the youngsters. He always took part in flood and drought relief activities. We have lost a brave and dutiful son who cared for his family, she said. Dilip Biswal, a cousin of the deceased, said: He was very hardworking and joined the army with the aim to serve the nation. The whole village is in shock. Although we are proud of him, we are shattered. He was one of the brightest children in this village. Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) patriarch and five-time former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, 95, was shifted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of a private hospital in Mohali on Friday, according to people familiar with the developments. Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) patriarch Parkash Singh Badal, 95, was shifted to the ICU of a private hospital in Mohali (Agencies) He had been admitted to the hospital five days ago after he complained of uneasiness in the chest, the people said. According to the medical team attending to him, Badal is now stable and all his vital organs are functioning normally. In January 2022, Badal tested positive for Covid-19 and was admitted to a hospital in Ludhiana. Since then, he has been visiting hospitals for regular check-ups. Union home minister Amit Shah expressed concern over Badals health on Twitter and wished him a speedy recovery. Concerned to know that the veteran leader Shri Parkash Singh Badal Ji is unwell and admitted to hospital. Had a telephone discussion about his health with Shri Sukhbir Singh Badal Ji. I pray to God for his speedy recovery, Shah tweeted. Badal has been an influential political figure in Punjab for decades and has served as the chief minister of the state for five terms. He is the founder and patron of SAD, one of the oldest political parties in India. In yet another tragic incident, an undergraduate student at IIT-Madras died by suicide inside his hostel room on Friday, which is the fourth such case in the premier institute since February, officials said. A case has been registered by the Kotturpuram police. (Representative file image) A case has been registered by the Kotturpuram police. We have recovered a suicide note, said an investigating officer. In the previous three cases too, the students have left behind suicide notes, the official added. Also Read:IIT Madras student allegedly dies by suicide; second incident in a month The 20-year-old student was studying B Tech second year from the department of Chemical Engineering. IIT-Madras told HT in a statement that they are anguished to share that the student passed away in the afternoon in his hostel room. The Institute has lost one of its own, and the professional community has lost a good student Police are investigating. The parents have been informed, the institute said in a statement. IIT Madras is taking all possible measures to proactively identify and help students under stress. We will continue to keep strengthening these measures. The incident on Friday comes a day after IIT-M director V Kamakoti said that they launched a happiness website and are conducting wellness sessions for students. As we rebooted our campus after Covid, we are challenged with an unprecedented number of unfortunate events, Kamakoti said on Thursday during IIT-Ms 64th institute day. This coming year our large focus will be to bring more and more happiness and peace to our campus. In this direction we have opened a website -behappy@iitm.com.Happiness is a collective responsibility. This is the fourth such incident to have taken place in the institute since February. If you need support or know someone who does, please reach out to your nearest mental health specialist. Helplines: Aasra: 022 2754 6669; Sneha India Foundation: +914424640050 and Sanjivini: 011-24311918, Roshni Foundation (Secunderabad) Contact Nos: 040-66202001, 040-66202000, ONE LIFE: Contact No: 78930 78930, SEVA: Contact No: 09441778290 SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday commented on Youth Congress leader Angkita Dutta's complaint against Youth Congress president Srinivas BV and said he would have been happy if the Congress spoke in favour of Angkita. "Angkita Dutta is the daughter of Assam. The way Assam Pradesh Congress Committee has tackled this matter is sad...I would have been happy if Assam Congress talks in favour of her. But what we see is completely opposite," Himanta said. Terming the issue as an internal affair of the party, Himanta said there will be no need to involve the police or the CID if the party tackles the issue. "If the issue is not resolved, then the law will have to take its course," the Assam chief minister said. Read | Had lot of faith in Rahul Gandhi: Assam Youth Congress chief accuses Srinivas BV of harassment Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday said he would have been happy if the Congress spoke in favour of Angkita. Angkita filed a police complaint against Srinivas accusing him of harassment and manhandling following which she was served a show-cause notice. The matter came to the surface after Angkita took to social media and said she reported this ongoing harassment to the party's top leadership but no action was taken. Instead, Srinivas threatened her with dire consequences if she complains. Angkita is the daughter of the late Anjan Dutta, who was the Congress president of Assam and also served as a minister. "She (Angkita) claimed that she had informed our leader Rahul Gandhi about the matter during the Bharat Jodo Yatra. She can do that but if she wanted an inquiry into the matter, she should have followed the proper procedure," Assam Congress president Bhupen Bora said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Indian Army has released the names of five soldiers killed in a terrorist attack on a truck in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch on Thursday. The deceased soldiers are havildar Mandeep Singh, lance naik Debashish Baswal, lance naik Kulwant Singh, sepoy Harkrishan Singh and sepoy Sewak Singh, the Army's 16 Corps based in Nagrota said. The victims were attached with the armys Rashtriya Rifles unit and were deployed for counterterrorist operations in the area. "The Whitenight corps stand in solidarity with the bereaved families," it said on Twitter. The victims were attached with the Armys Rashtriya Rifles unit and were deployed for counterterrorist operations in the area. The incident took place after the vehicle they were travelling in was fired upon by terrorists in the Rajouri sector in Jammu leading to the death of five soldiers, and injuring another. Operations were launched to trace the perpetrators, but so far there was no clarity yet on the attackers. The unidentified attackers took advantage of heavy rains and low visibility in the area, the Army had said in a statement, adding that the army truck caught fire due to a likely grenade attack. Tributes poured in from the political fraternity, with many expressing shock over the incident. National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah tweeted, "Terrible news of a terror attack in Poonch that claimed the lives of 5 army jawans in the line of duty. I unequivocally condemn this heinous attack & send my condolences to the loved ones of those killed today. May the souls of the departed rest in peace." Delhi chief minister and AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal expressed shock over the death of the soldiers and called for the strongest punishment for those "behind this cowardly attack." The injured soldier is receiving treatment at the Army Hospital in Rajouri. (With inputs from agencies) SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A 25-year-old man from Andhra Pradesh, who was pursuing his masters degree in the United States, was allegedly shot dead by an unidentified miscreant when he resisted a robbery attempt at a fuel station, where he used to work as a clerk part time, in Ohio, the deceaseds family members informed on Friday while quoting the Columbus police. The police have released the photos of the suspect. Veera Saiesh had come to the US in November 2021. (HT) The incident took place on Thursday morning at West Broad Street of Franklinton in Columbus, Ohio, at 12.50 am (according to the US local time) when the deceased, identified as Veera Saiesh, was working at the Shell Fuel Station. Saiesh had come to the US in November 2021. We received the information about the incident on Thursday night. We have requested the Government of India to help in bringing home his mortal remains, said Saieshs paternal uncle, Srinivas Rao while talking to local reporters. The victims family which is presently settled in Eluru district of Andhra Pradesh, originally belongs to Palakole town in West Godavari district, people familiar with the matter said. Saieshs father Veera Ramana, who was working as a lecturer in C R Reddy College died of heart attack four years ago, said the people. Saiesh was living with his mother and elder brother in Eluru town, before he left for the US in November 2021 to pursue his masters in Ohio. In order to help his family financially, he had been doing a part-time job at the fuel station, Rao said. In the wee hours of Thursday, an armed assailant attacked the fuel station and demanded money from Saiesh. When he resisted the attempt, the assailant opened fire at him before robbing the cash chest, his uncle said. Saiesh was immediately rushed to the hospital but succumbed to his wounds after a while, said the people. Meanwhile, the Columbus Police have released the photos of the suspect and appealed to the people to share any information about him. A Columbus police notification informing about the murder read: On April 20, 2023, at 12:50 AM, Columbus Police officers were dispatched to the 1000 block of W. Broad St. on a reported shooting. Upon arrival, the officers located an adult male victim, identified as SAIESH VEERA, M/O/24, suffering from a gunshot wound. Though the motive behind the shooting has not been officially established yet, the police suspect it to be a case of robbery. Expressing shock over the death, Andhra Pradesh state home minister Taneti Vanitha shared condolences to the bereaved family members. She said that the higher officials will take all the steps to bring Saieshs mortal remains back to his hometown. With agency inputs SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON NEW DELHI: External affairs minister S Jaishankar discussed the security situation in Sudan, including ways to get stranded Indian nationals out of the country, during a meeting with UNSecretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York. External affairs minister S Jaishankar said his meeting with UN chief Antonio Guterres was largely focused on the situation in Sudan. (Twitter/DrSJaishankar) Jaishankar made a stopover in New York on Thursday while en route to Latin America for a four-nation tour. He told reporters that his meeting with Guterres was largely focused on the situation in Sudan, though they also discussed the Ukraine crisis and Indias G20 presidency. Guterres has called for a ceasefire of at least three days in Sudan over Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. He said they have been in contact with the parties and believe that a ceasefire is possible. The pause would allow civilians trapped in conflict zones to escape and to seek medical treatment, food and other essential supplies, Guterres added, according to news agency AFP. India has been in contact with key regional players such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and global powers such as the US since intense fighting erupted last week, exploring ways to ensure the safety of more than 2,500 Indian nationals in the northeast African country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to chair a meeting on Friday to review the situation of Indians in Sudan, people familiar with the matter said. In Sudan, the UN is at the heart of the efforts to establish a ceasefire and that is really key. Because at the moment, unless there is a ceasefire and unless there are [safe] corridors, its not safe for people to come out, Jaishankar said after his meeting with Guterres. The focus is really how do you get the diplomatic processes to yield the desired result, and the desired result is a workable, on-the-ground observed ceasefire. And then to take the next step, which is how do you create corridors for movement, options for movement [and] assembly points, he said. India on Thursday advised its citizens in Sudan to shelter in place amid the fighting between the regular army and a rival paramilitary force, with officials saying New Delhi has contingency plans in place to ensure the safety and security of Indian nationals. The continued fighting between forces loyal to Sudan Army chief Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and supporters of Rapid Support Forces (RSF) leader Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo has quashed hopes for a ceasefire. One Indian national was among the more than 300 people killed so far in the fighting, which has forced thousands to flee the capital of Khartoum. Jaishankar said he had been in touch with counterparts from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, the UK and Egypt, while Indian officials have been advising expatriates in Sudan to stay calm and not take unnecessary risks. The need of the hour is diplomacy that leads to a truce and creates conditions on the ground for the safety of the people, he said. He added in a tweet: India strongly supports efforts towards an early ceasefire, leading to creation of safe corridors. Will continue to work closely with UN and other partners in this regard. According to the website of the Indian embassy in Khartoum, there are about 2,800 Indian nationals in Sudan, many of them professionals working in key sectors. A sizeable number of Indian businesspeople, who travelled to Sudan to finalise deals before the Eid holidays, have been stranded in hotels in Khartoum. Jaishankar travelled from New York to Guyana, the first leg of his visit to Latin America. He will also travel to Panama (April 24-25), Colombia (April 25-27) and the Dominican Republic (April 27-29). This will be his first visit to these countries as the foreign minister. The tour is aimed at bolstering Indias trade and bilateral ties with the four countries. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON BENGALURU: Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar on Friday hit out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Karnataka for giving sanction to prosecute him in a disproportionate assets case, saying it was a vindictive move. Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar addresses a public meeting at Madikeri on Monday (ANI File) (DK Shivakumar Twitter) The vindictive BJP government has given permission for a CBI inquiry, Shivakumar told reporters, adding that the Lokayukta or the states anti-corruption bureau could have investigated the matter. In order to torture me, the government has recommended it to the CBI. So, I have appealed to the court, he said. The Karnataka high court on Thursday dismissed Shivakumars petition that challenged the governments decision to grant the prosecution sanction. Shivakumar said the government did not take the assembly speakers consent before granting the sanction nor did it take note of the advocate generals reported view that this was not a fit case for a CBI probe. Shivakumar said he will appeal to the division bench of the high court. I will approach the high courts; I will fight till the last breath. I believe in a court of law. I still believe they have done an injustice. Everything is transparent, he said. Shivakumar said that he had been served notices by the Income Tax department and accused the central agencies of harassing him though his paperwork was in order. I believe in peoples court, they (BJP) are trying to use various agencies...I am very cautious on every move, Im also a political animal, he added In the Karnataka high court where he challenged the CBI probe, the central agency said the accused could not specify which agency should conduct the investigation against him. CBI also claimed that 90% of its investigation against Shivakumar was complete, and also submitted a status report to the court. The Election Commission on Friday accepted the nomination papers of Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar, who is facing probe by various central agencies in multiple cases, from Kanakapura constituency for the May 10 assembly elections, Congress party functionaries said on Friday. The Election Commission on Friday accepted the nomination papers of Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar. (ANI) On Thursday, Shivakumars brother and Bengaluru Rural MP DK Suresh had filed his nomination papers from the seat, as a precautionary measure, alleging conspiracies by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Shivakumar, an aspirant for the chief ministers post, has won from Kanakapura in the last three state elections. The ruling BJP has fielded senior minister and prominent Vokkaliga face R Ashoka from this seat for the elections. The acceptance of the nomination papers came as the 60-year-old state Congress chief lashed out at the BJP for giving sanction to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in a disproportionate assets case. Shivakumar is already facing inquiries by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Income Tax (I-T) department in connection with alleged money laundering and tax evasion cases. On Thursday, a single bench of Karnataka high court dismissed Shivakumars petition, challenging the sanction to CBI. He said he will approach a division bench of the high court. The vindictive BJP government has given permission for a CBI inquiry, Shivakumar told reporters in Bengaluru. He claimed that the government did not take the speakers consent before giving the sanction nor did it take note of advocate generals purported remark that his was not a case fit for a CBI probe. He said the Lokayukta or anti-corruption bureau could have investigated the matter. In order to torture me, the government has recommended it to CBI. So, I have appealed to the court, he said. I will approach the courts. I will fight till the last breath. I believe in a court of law. I still believe they have done an injustice. Everything is transparent, he added. I believe in peoples court, they (BJP) are trying to use various agencies I am very cautious on every move. Im also a political animal, Shivakumar said. The Congress leader said that despite having all his papers in order, he had been served notices by the I-T department and accused the central agencies of harassing him. According to his poll affidavit, Shivakumar has 19 criminal cases pending against him. Of these, 10 are related to protest marches carried out by him and the Congress, four are related to alleged tax evasions, two for alleged money laundering and one bribery case. The remaining two are filed by CBI and Lokayukta in connection with alleged disproportionate assets. BJP seeks action against Shivakumar The Bharatiya Janata Party on Friday shot off a letter to the election commission, demanding appropriate action against Congress candidate DK Shivakumar for allegedly stating on record that the Karnataka Pradesh Congress committee has collected money from ticket aspirants of the Congress party for the May 10 election. The letter signed by Shobha Karandlaje, the state election management committee convenor, says Sivakumars statement about collecting money is bribery under the provisions of Indian penal code and a great violation of the election laws and model code of conduct. Seeking the rejection of all Form Bs that are issued to candidates fighting on a Congress ticket, the BJP has said, It has been circulated in the media that the party by this way has mobilised nearly Rs.23 crore from 1350 ticket aspirants who have applied for tickets. Citing the provisions of the Indian penal code section 171B, that define graft and the provisions of the RP Act, the letter says, It is crystal clear that the candidate is also included in the reference of electoral right. Therefore, the candidates who have paid bribe and is also liable to be disqualified from the upcoming electoral process. Accusing the party of interfering in the free exercise of electoral rights, the BJP has stated that even the issuance of B forms and giving tickets to the aspirants after taking money is illegal and tainted. On Thursday congress MP from Bangalore rural DK suresh filed papers from the Kanakapura segment from where DK Shivakumar had earlier filed his nominations. DK Suresh is Shivakumars brother. The nomination was filed as a backup in the event of ShivKumars nomination getting rejected. The High Court of Karnataka on Thursday dismissed a petition by Shivkumar challenging the sanction of the government in Karnataka to the CBI to prosecute him in a disproportionate assets case. Shivakumar called the BJPs action as vindictive. BEIJING, April 20 (Xinhua) -- General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday sent a message of congratulations to the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez on his re-election as Cuban president. In his message, Xi said that currently, China-Cuba relations are running at a high level with new progress continuously made. Xi added that Diaz-Canel's state visit to China last November was a complete success, during which he and Diaz-Canel reached important consensus on continuously deepening the special and friendly relations between China and Cuba in the new era. Xi further said that he attaches great importance to the development of China-Cuba relations, and is willing to maintain close communication with Diaz-Canel and continue to strengthen political guidance for the relations between the two parties and the two countries in joint efforts to build a China-Cuba community with a shared future. Medica Liberia is one of the leading Women's Rights Organizations in Liberia that is assisting women to combat gender-based violence. The Women's Rights Group has over the years established itself by creating a safe haven for women experiencing gender-based violence. Since 2006, it has provided psychosocial, legal, and reproductive health support for women and girls who are experiencing sexualized gender based-violence. The group currently works in the Southeastern Part of Liberia, specifically Sinoe, River Gee, and Grand Gedeh counties. In 2016, the Women's Rights Organization extended its coverage to the urban Counties to include, Montserrado and Margibi. Last week, medica Liberia provided training to over 20 media Professionals on Sexual Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) and SASA! The two-day training was held at a local hotel in Monrovia and focused on how media Professionals can play a crucial role in raising awareness and reporting on violence against women and girls in a survivor-centered manner. SASA, together is a new initiative by medica Liberia that stands for Start, Awareness, Support and Action, and signifies "now" in the Kswahili Language. The program is aimed at enhancing and improving the organization's fight against SGBV in Liberia. The organization emphasized that the media can be a powerful tool for advocacy if it is strategically engaged to address violence against women. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Liberia Human Rights Women 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. Media institutions are crucial in understanding the methods of reporting violence cases, their effects, and their consequences. However, if media reporting does not take into consideration ethical and safety considerations, it causes more harm to survivors and reinforces negative social norms that influence women to experience violence. The training also addressed the pressing need for a rights-based public relations framework in relation to media reporting on SGBV. This would involve developing guidelines and protocols for media reporting on SGBV that prioritizes survivor-centered approaches, ethical reporting practices, and the accurate portrayal of the complex nature of these issues. medica-Liberia urged reporters to use a survivor-centered approach method and to be balanced in their reporting of SGBV cases. The organization added that the media can influence and reinforce attitudes, beliefs, and practices that affect community members on a day-to-day basis. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the media to share information and build the capacity of media professionals for responsive and ethical reporting of violence against women. The participants of the training workshop thanked medica Liberia for the knowledge given and promised to work along in fighting SGBV in society. The Group's Initiative is supported by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, through medica mondiale, and is crucial in enhancing awareness and support for survivors of SGBV in Liberia. Kerala forest minister AK Saseendran on Friday sought a report from the chief wildlife warden after rescue efforts to save a sloth bear trapped in a well in Vellanadu near the state capital failed leading to the animals death that invited sharp criticism from animal lovers. Forest officials and locals attempted to rescue a bear which fell into a well but failed. (PTI photo) The bear was spotted hanging on the rings of the deep well by the house owner K Aravind on Wednesday night. After hearing commotion, he alerted the forest officials. The rescue attempts took a tragic turn when the animal went under the water after being tranquilised and could not be reached due to the depth of the water despite the forest department officials and locals immediately entering the well. Also Read:Watch: Man gets trapped inside public artwork in Canada, fined 4 lakh The bear slipped out of the net due to its weight while taking it out and the animal plunged to the bottom of the well and drowned. Animal lovers said the bear could have been easily saved either by drying up the well or putting up a ladder in the well. BJP MP and animal rights activist Maneka Gandhi said officials responsible should be held accountable and punished. It is a major goof up and responsible officials should be punished. Kerala has the worst forest department in the country. Officials inept handling led to its death and accountability should be fixed, Gandhi told a news channel. The People for Animals (PFA), an animal welfare organisation, said it will move the high court seeking prosecution of forest officials responsible for bears death. The PFA said casual and inept handling led to the animals death. After outbursts from several quarters, the states forest minister has sought a report from the chief wildlife warden. It was not intentional, and our people tried their best to save it, but in the end, a freak incident led to the animals death. It is really unfortunate. If there was callousness in rescue operation, we will take action, said the minister. Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday responded to a viral video of a 70-year-old woman who was seen walking barefoot for several kilometres in scorching heat to collect her pension from a bank in Odisha's Jharigaon. Surya Harijan was seen walking barefoot during the day with the support of a broken chair. (ANI twitter) Read here: Nitish to call on Patnaik, Akhilesh in May in bid for oppn unity Can see th e manager of the @TheOfficialSBI responding but yet wish @DFS_India and @TheOfficialSBI take cognisance of this and act humanely. Are they no bank Mitra? Sitharaman tweeted. As soon as the minister reacted to the video, the bank immediately took cognisance of the incident. The State Bank of India, a series of tweets, replied, "Madam, we are equally pained to see this video. Smt Surya Harijan in the video used to withdraw her old age pension from the CSP point situated in her village every month. Due to old age, her finger prints were not matching at the CSP point". "She visited our Jharigaon Branch with her relative. Our Branch Manager immediately paid the amount by manually debiting her account. Our Branch Manger has also communicated that her pension will be delivered to her doorstop from next month. We have also decided to handover a wheelchair to Smt Surya Harijan", the bank added. Ever since the video was shared by news agency ANI, it has gone viral on social media. In the video, the frail woman, Surya Harijan, can be seen walking barefoot during the day with the support of a broken chair. The video was reportedly taken from Jharigaon block of Nabrangpur district of Odisha on April 17. ANI reported that Harijan was denied the pension as her thumb was not matching with the records and was forced to return home. Read here: Two minors allegedly gangraped in Odisha district; accused remain at large "Her fingers are broken, so she is facing trouble withdrawing money. She has been given 3,000 manually from the bank. We will resolve the problem soon," the SBI manager of the Jharigaon branch had said earlier. Harijan belongs to a very poor family and lives with her younger son's family. Her elder son works s a migrant labourer in a different state, while her younger son grazes other people's cattle. The family has no land to plough and lives in a hut. (With inputs from ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday suggested civil servants of the country to support the aspirations of common people for a developed India. PM Modi addressing at an event marking Civil Services Day in Delhi.(ANI) Prime Minister's remarks came while speaking at the valedictory session of the 16th Civil Services Day at Vigyan Bhawan. "For a developed India, the government system should support the aspirations of common people," said the Prime Minister, adding "Your decision should be for the welfare of the country". He said it is necessary that the government system of India should support the aspirations of the hard-dwellers for a developed India. "Every government employee of India should help the countrymen in making their dreams come true," he said. Also Read | PM Modi calls up former minister KS Eshwarappa after son denied ticket Noting that it is the time when India completes 75 years of its independence and a time when we are planning for the next 25 years when the country will be celebrating its 100th year of independence, Modi said, "You (civil servants) all are very lucky because you all have got the opportunity to serve the nation." "We have a very short time but have full strength. Where India has reached today in the last nine years has prepared our country for a very big leap. The bureaucracy in the country is the same, the officers and employees are the same but the results have changed," said the PM. At this juncture, PM Modi said "It is our collective responsibility to fulfil the dreams of the freedom fighters in the Amrit Kaal." He pointed out his 'Panch Prana' mantra announced earlier and said that the energy that will emanate from the inspiration of Panch Prana will give our country the height it always deserves. Modi said earlier it was thought that the government will do everything, but now it is thought that the government will do everything for everyone. "Today's government's motto is Nation First," he said. PM Modi said, "India's time has arrived, and today, the expectations of the whole world have increased from India. Experts, as well as organisations from across the world, are saying that India's time has arrived". "Today, I want to make a request to the bureaucracy of India, to every government employee of India, be it in the state government or the central government that the country has put a lot of trust in you and has given you a chance. You need to keep that trust and work. You are in service and the basis of your decisions should be only and only the welfare of the country," said the PM. He said that good governance is the key, adding when there is a people-centric government, it solves the problems. There is accountability to the public in good governance. "Duty is not an option for us, it is a resolution," he said. The theme of the 2-day Civil Services Day 2023 was titled "Viksit Bharat: Empowering Citizens and Reaching the Last Mile". PM Modi also conferred the Prime Minister's Awards for Excellence in Public Administration. These have been instituted with a view to recognize the extraordinary and innovative work done by districts and organizations of the central and State governments for the welfare of common citizens. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday held a high-level meeting to assess the risk posed to Indian citizens in Sudan, where the military and a powerful paramilitary is locked in a battle for control since last week, leading to violence that has killed over 400 people and crippled the countrys main airport. Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the meeting via video-conferencing, and among the attendees were external affairs minister S Jaishankar, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, Navy chief Admiral R Hari Kumar, and the Indian ambassador to Sudan BS Mubarak, among other senior officials. (PIB) The PM ordered contingency plans to be drawn up in case India needs to evacuate its citizens, and asked for the situation to be monitored closely. During the meeting, Prime Minister Modi assessed the most recent developments in Sudan and received a first-hand report of the conditions on the ground, with a specific focus on the safety of over 3,000 Indian citizens presently located throughout the country, the PMO said in a statement. Prime Minister Modi instructed all relevant officials to remain vigilant, closely monitoring developments and continuously evaluating the safety of Indian nationals in Sudan and extending them all possible assistance. The prime minister further directed the preparation of contingency evacuation plans, accounting for the rapidly shifting security landscape and the viability of various options, the statement added. On Friday, Sudans capital Khartoum was rocked by explosions and clashes for the sixth straight night, even as the Eid al-Fitr celebrations began. Soldiers and paramilitaries fought fierce street battles in densely populated districts of the capital, with witnesses reporting bombs falling near the armys headquarters in the city of five million, and essentials running short. The US and Switzerland were other countries that indicated on Friday that they were preparing for possible evacuation of citizens and embassy staff. According to the website of the Indian embassy in Khartoum, there are about 2,800 Indian nationals in Sudan, many of them professionals working in key sectors. A sizeable number of Indian businesspeople, who travelled to Sudan to finalise deals before the Eid holidays, have been stranded in hotels in Khartoum. One Indian has been killed since the violence erupted on Saturday. Modi took the meeting via video-conferencing, and among the attendees were external affairs minister S Jaishankar, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, Navy chief Admiral R Hari Kumar, and the Indian ambassador to Sudan BS Mubarak, among other senior officials. The PMO said Modi also emphasised on the importance of maintaining close communication with neighbouring countries in the region, as well as those with a significant number of citizens in Sudan. Jaishankar has spoken to his counterparts from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt on the ground situation in Sudan with a focus on ensuring the safety of the Indians. On Thursday, Jaishankar discussed the situation in Sudan with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and underscored the need for successful diplomacy for an early ceasefire and to create the ground for the safety and welfare of people in the African nation. External affairs ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi on Thursday said the situation in Sudan was very tense and India is focusing on ensuring the safety and well-being of the Indian community there. The continued fighting between forces loyal to Sudan Army chief Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and supporters of Rapid Support Forces (RSF) leader Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo has quashed hopes for a ceasefire. Sudans 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 RSF over a proposed timeline for handing over power to a civilian government. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday held a telephonic conversation with former Karnataka deputy chief minister KS Eshwarappa and lauded him for his commitment to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), days after the latter announced his retirement from electoral politics. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday held a telephonic conversation with former Karnataka leader KS Eshwarappa (PTI) The Prime Ministers call to Eshwarappa came amid the exit of at least 10 party legislators over denial of tickets for the May 10 assembly elections. It also came days after the BJP denied a ticket to Eshwarappas son K E Kantesh from Shivamogga constituency, which is currently held by the former deputy chief minister. In a video shared by Eshwarappa on social media, Modi is heard praising him for his commitment to the party. You have demonstrated your commitment to the party. Im very happy with you. So, I decided to talk to you, Modi is heard saying in the video. The Prime Minister also said that he will meet him whenever he visits poll-bound Karnataka. In reply, Eshwarappa told Modi that the BJP will win the upcoming elections. Following the telephonic conversation with Modi, Eshwarappa told reporters: I didnt expect his (PM Modi) call. It inspires me to win Shivamogga city and we will make all efforts to bring the BJP government back in Karnataka. Its not something special I have done. I told the same to PM Modi. The 74-year-old also said that when BJP president JP Nadda and party general secretary (organisation) BL Santhosh called him with a request to retire from electoral politics, he did not have a second thought and quickly made his decision public. On April 11, Eshwarappa had announced his retirement from electoral politics and asked the central leadership not to consider fielding him in the assembly polls from Shivamogga. The five-time MLA from Shivamogga, however, had sought a ticket for his son Kantesh from the constituency. The party, however, refused to give in to the request and fielded Channabasappa from the seat. On Thursday, Eshwarappa said he was not upset and expressed confidence that the party will form the government with absolute majority. In April 2022, Eshwarappa had stepped down as rural development and panchayat raj minister after a contractor died by suicide, accusing him of collecting 40% commission on public works in Belagavi. A probe later gave him a clean chit. Reacting to Modis conversation with Eshwarappa, the Congress accused the BJP of endorsing corruption. PM Modi congratulating BJP leader Eshwarappa for not rebelling despite being denied a BJP ticket is unacceptable! This man is accused of demanding a 40% commission and was forced to resign over corruption charges after a BJP worker committed suicide. By praising such corrupt leaders, the BJP is sending a clear message that it endorses corruption and illegal activities, the party tweeted. The BJP has set a target of winning at least 150 of the total 224 assembly seats in the state. It has dropped more than 15 incumbents in an attempt to fight incumbency and effect a generational change in the partys state leadership. The election results will be declared on May 13. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday lauded bureaucrats on the occasion of Civil Services Day while urging them to be agents of change and innovation with an active attitude in the run-up to 100 years of Indias independence. Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (ANI) You have the chance to serve the country in this Amrit Kaal. Though we have limited time, we will utilize it to the full extent and work with immense dedication. We have difficult targets but great courage. We have a goal to climb the mountains, but we will transcend even the skies. Modi said the government has freed the bureaucracy from the shackles of protocol and hierarchy. I meet officers from all levels, and we conduct brainstorming sessions to help them come up with new ideas. He said the government has allowed younger Indian Administrative Service officers to have central deputations, deviating from the earlier model where officers served at the state level first. Modi spoke about getting things done or letting them happen. The first is active; the second is passive. The person who believes in the first philosophy believes in change; others maintain the status quo. It is the effort to affect change that will help leave behind a legacy that people will always remember. He said the Bharatiya Janata Party government has helped eliminate the hurdles of hierarchy. People-centric governance, government-centric government, and good governance give better results and are the route to helping to achieve even greater heights. He added they have changed deficiencies into efficiencies, which is helping them overcome roadblocks. The challenge is not how efficient you are, but to identify where we are deficient and address that. Modi said India become the worlds fifth-largest economy despite the Covid-19 pandemic. India is number one when it comes to digital payments. Mobile data is the cheapest in India. India has the third largest start-up ecosystem, he said. He urged the bureaucrats to come up with innovative solutions to help reduce red tape and make the government more efficient. Modi asked the bureaucrats to take decisions in the interest of the country. There were over 40 million fake gas connections, over 40 million fake ration cards, 10 million fake children and women receiving benefits from the government. This is the legacy of the earlier government. He referred to the key role political parties play in any democracy and added each has its own ideology. But as civil servants, you need to be answerable to a set of ethics. You have to decide to work in the interest of the nation, not of yourself. You have to see whether a political party is using taxpayers money to build a vote bank or to educate the country. Is it utilising the funds to further corruption or curtail it? These are the questions you need to ask yourself. Bureaucrats have to analyse whether a political party is utilising taxpayers money for its own benefit or national progress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday, adding that Indias rapid development would not have been possible without the active participation of civil servants and that expectations of the global community from India rose phenomenally during the last nine years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the 16th Civil Services Day at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on Friday. The Prime Minister was speaking at the valedictory session of the 16th Civil Services Day at Vigyan Bhawan in Delhi. He also told bureaucrats that the best government programmes will not have the expected impact in the absence of last-mile delivery. In the last nine years, if even the poorest of the poor of the country has got the confidence of good governance, then your hard work has also been there in this. If Indias development has gained new momentum in the last nine years, it was also not possible without your active participation. Despite the Covid crisis, today India is the fifth largest economy in the world, Modi said. The government is working with a vision to serve everyone by efficiently using their time and resources. Our mantra continues to be the nation first, citizen first, he added. Todays challenge is not about efficiency but in figuring out how to find and remove deficiencies, Modi said. He recalled the time when, under the garb of deficiency, small aspects would be controlled. Today, he continued, the same deficiency was being turned into efficiency and removing obstacles in the system. Earlier, the thinking was that the government will do everything, now the thinking is that the government will work for everyone, said the PM. Civil Services Day is observed on April 21 every year to acknowledge the work of all officers engaged in different public service departments in the country. The Prime Minister said that this years Civil Services Day is very important as it is a time when the country has completed 75 years of Independence. He said it is a time when the country has started taking rapid steps to achieve the gigantic goals of the next 25 years. You have the chance to serve the country in this Amrit Kaal. Though we have less time, we will utilise it to the full extent and work with immense dedication. We have difficult targets but great courage. We have a goal to climb the mountains, but we will even transcend the skies, he said. Global agencies and experts are now saying that Indias time has arrived, he said. In such a scenario, the Indian bureaucracy does not even have a second to waste. I appeal to every bureaucrat, whether from the state government or the Centre, that the country has trusted you. It has given you a chance. Uphold that trust in your work, he said. The Prime Minister urged the bureaucrats to come up with innovative solutions to help reduce red tape and make the government more efficient. There were over 40 million fake gas connections, over 40 million fake ration cards, 10 million fake children and women receiving benefits from the government. This is the legacy of the earlier government, he alleged. He also referred to the key role political parties play in a democracy and said each has its own ideology. But as civil servants, you need to be answerable to a set of ethics. You have to decide to work in the interest of the nation, not of yourself. You have to see whether a political party is using taxpayers money to build a vote bank or to educate the country. Is it utilising the funds to further corruption or curtail it? These are the questions you need to ask yourself. The Prime Minister said that his government has freed bureaucracy from the shackles of hierarchy. I meet officers from all levels and we conduct brainstorming sessions to help them come up with new ideas good governance gives better results and is the route to helping to achieve even greater heights, he said. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government at the Centre has changed deficiencies into efficiencies which is helping overcome several roadblocks, Modi said. The challenge is not how efficient you are, but to identify where we are deficient and address that, he said. Modi said his government has allowed young Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers to have central deputations, deviating from the earlier model where such officers served at the state level first. It is the effort to affect change that will leave behind a legacy that people will always remember. Earlier, the thinking was that the government will do everything, but now the thinking is that the government will work for everyone, he said. Havildar Mandeep Singh - one of the five Army soldiers who were killed in the terror attack on a truck in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch sector - was a veteran of nearly two decades service in the armed forces and the sole breadwinner of his family. Armed security personnel walk at a site of an attack inspecting charred army vehicle in Poonch.(via Reuters.) Read here: Drones, bomb squad, NIA in Poonch after terror attack on Army truck: What we know Singh was assigned to the Army's Rashtriya Rifles unit and had been deployed in Poonch for counterterrorist operations. He was last home in March - on leave for a month. He is survived by his mother, wife and two children. His body is expected to reach his hometown of Punjab's Ludhiana later this evening and the funeral is scheduled for Saturday. "I came to know about the incident at around 7 pm... that Mandeep Singh lost his life. My nephew died due to bullet injury," his uncle told news agency ANI in a heartbreaking video. Hunt launched for terrorists A massive manhunt is ongoing to capture the terrorists. Reports say the Army and other security agencies have joined hands and are combing the forests of the Bata-Doriya area. The terrorists attacked the military truck as it travelled from from Bhimber Gali to Sangiot. Intel gathered so far suggests the attack - which also left one soldier injured - involved seven terrorists from the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) group. They were believed to have been hiding in nearby jungles and waiting for an opportune time to ambush the convoy. According to local police sources, rocket-propelled grenades and assault rifles were used. Read here: 5 soldiers killed, one injured as terrorists ambush army truck in Poonch This is the fourth incident involving Army casualties in the Poonch-Rajouri area. Who were the five soldiers killed? Apart from Mandeep Singh, the soldiers who died for their country have been identified as Debashish Baswal and Kulwant Singh (both holding Lance Naik rank), and Harkrishan Singh and Sewak Singh (both holding Sepoy rank). Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Pande and all of the nation's soldiers have saluted their sacrifice, and offered unconditional support to the families of the fallen. Gunshots rang out at south Delhis Saket Court complex on Friday morning as a suspended lawyer in uniform opened fire at a woman allegedly over a financial dispute, exposing an egregious security breach at one of the citys busiest courts and multiple gaps in police arrangements despite four similar incidents in the past two years. Paramilitary personnel outside the Saket Court on Friday. (Vipin Kumar/HT Photo) The attacker -- 49-year-old Kamleshwar Kumar Singh -- wanted to settle scores with the apparent target of the attack, M Radha, 42, over a financial dispute and confronted the woman and her lawyer on the steps of the court complex around 10am, said police. Singh first started demanding money from her, then slapped her, and finally snatched the revolver of his personal security guard and fired four bullets at the woman, chasing her down the steps of the court. The gunbattle occurred in full public view and multiple videos of the incident went viral, showing the distraught woman screaming and running with the gunman chasing her and firing at her. In another clip, Radha was seen holding her bleeding abdomen and being escorted out of the complex. Singhs security guard, identified by the police as Ajay, also suffered bullet wounds. Deputy commissioner of police (south) Chandan Chowdhary that the authorities received a complaint at 10.26am. A total of four rounds were fired that grazed through the victims left abdomen area and arm. Another bullet hit one person named Ajay, said a police spokesperson. The condition of both is stable, and they have been discharged from the hospital, Chowdhary told reporters. Singh even managed to escape the court complex despite dozens of policemen present on the premises, and was finally caught by the police around 1.30pm from Faridabad. The firing marked the fourth such instance in a Delhi court in the past two years, showing that security arrangements promised after every such incident were not foolproof. The incident also triggered a political tussle, with the ruling Aam Aadmi Party blaming the lieutenant governor, who is in charge of law-and-order. Radha and Ajay were lucky because bullets grazed past their vital organs. Both were discharged from hospital after getting medical attention for a few hours, police said. Singh was barred from practising law in 2022 for two years by the bar council over allegations of financial irregularities. Police said Singh arrived at the scene to settle scores with Radha over a financial dispute in which he accused Radha and another lawyer (identified by the police as Rajender Jha) of cheating him of 25 lakh. Two cases of cheating were registered against them in connection with Singhs complaint last year. Radha and Jha were also arrested in the case last year, and were later granted bail by the Delhi high court, said police officers and two lawyers representing her in the cases. Chowdhary said Radha -- who has several other cases of fraud against her -- took money from Singh with the promise of doubling it. The man was an advocate here [at Saket court] for a long time, and was wearing his uniform at the time of the incident, she added. Advocate Harbans Singh, who is representing Radha in a cheque bounce case, said that she met him and another lawyer at around 10am on the ground floor of the lawyers block building at the complex. They were confronted by the shooter as they were walking towards the concerned court, he said. As we were heading down the steps, Kameshwar Kumar Singh blocked our way and started confronting Radha and slapped her. He was demanding money from her. As I objected, he pulled out a gun and pointed it at me, telling me not to intervene. He then fired the first bullet, which missed me. Radha tried to fight him off and run away, but he chased her and fired at her three times, said a second lawyer, who did not wish to be identified. The scuffle and firing happened in full public view and in the presence of other lawyers and litigants during a busy morning at the court complex. Several passersby managed to capture the incident on their cellphones, clips of which soon emerged on social media. According to Harbans, after firing at Radha, the shooter ran inside the canteen of the lawyers block even as people chased him. He was surrounded by people in the canteen and panicked and fired at them to scare them... In the confusion, he fled using the rear door of the kitchen, he said, adding both the victims were rushed to Max Hospital, Saket. Singh was later arrested from Faridabad by a crime branch team of the Delhi Police, said officers aware of the developments. We arrested the suspect from Faridabad and brought him back to Delhi. He is being interrogated in connection with the crime and its motive, to recover the firearm he used, and ascertain the source through which he procured it, said special commissioner of police (crime) Ravindra Singh Yadav. He has told us he snatched the gun from his own private security detail, but we are yet to ascertain the facts about his statement, crime branch officers said. The shooting drew criticism from lawyers at Saket court as they termed it a serious security breach and blamed the poor security arrangements at the complex. A person dressed as a lawyer entered the complex with a gun, opened indiscriminate fire in full public view, and then escaped without getting caught. This is a matter of great concern... Frisking and searching of visitors is done at Gate 3, which is used by visitors and lawyers without vehicles. But no such checking is done on the gates meant for judges and lawyers coming in vehicles. The security guards just see the bar associations stickers and allow them inside, said Atul Anand, a lawyer at Saket court. Police officials, however, denied any lapse in security. This is the fourth incident of firing in court complexes in Delhi in under two years. In early July 2021, a 45-year-old man was shot dead inside an advocates chamber in Dwarka court complex. On September 24, 2021, two men dressed as lawyers opened fire inside a courtroom in Rohini Court Complex and killed Delhis notorious gangster, Jitender Maan alias Gogi, before being gunned down by police personnel. On April 22, 2022, another firing happened at Rohini court as a police constable tried to intervene in a scuffle between two lawyers and a civilian. Within an hour of the incident, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal criticised lieutenant governor (LG) VK Saxena over the citys law-and-order situation. The law-and-order situation in Delhi has completely broken down. Instead of obstructing the work of others and doing dirty politics on everything, everyone should focus on their own work. And if he does not manage, then he should resign so that someone else can do it, Kejriwal tweeted in Hindi. Tagging a video of the firing, Kejriwal said in another tweet, LG sahab, what is happening in our Delhi? There was no official response from the LGs office when contacted SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Prime facie investigation into the Poonch attack in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, which led to the deaths of five Rashtriya Rifles jawans, suggests the role of at least seven Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists, officials aware of the matter said, as the Indian Army launched a manhunt for the suspects and National Investigation Agency (NIA) teams reached the site. An army officer lays a wreath near the mortal remains of 5 soldiers who were killed in a terrorist attack in Poonch district, Friday. (PTI)(HT_PRINT) This is the fourth incident in which the Indian Army has suffered casualties in the Poonch-Rajouri area. The spot is 7km from Bhimber Gali at the Line of Control (LoC), with a thickly forested belt on the Indian side of the LoC that the terrorists are believed to have made use of to hide, spot and carry out the well-planned attack, people aware of the matter said. Also read | Army releases names of soldiers killed in Poonch terror attack The intent, they added, could be to create fear ahead of G20 meetings slated in Jammu and Kashmir. This was a very well-planned ambush carried out by multiple terrorists from three sides from the top of the hill, front and left side of the moving side of Army truck, which had rations apart from security personnel, said an officer, who didnt want to be named. Prior intelligence inputs, a second official said, suggested three of the terrorists crossed over from Pakistan and hid inside the dense forest. According to inputs from the Jammu & Kashmir Police, the terrorists used rocket-propelled grenades and assault rifles against the RR jawans travelling in the truck. Its still not clear whether the truck caught fire due to a direct RPG hit or was set on fire by terrorists after the Indian soldiers were gunned down. The incident has been deliberately planned by the Pakistani-deep state to instigate violence in Jammu and Kashmir and Uttar Pradesh and deliberately spread fear among the delegate attending the G20 event, said a senior J&K official, asking not to be named. Drones, bomb squad, NIA in Poonch after terror attack on Army truck: What we know The third G20 tourism meet is scheduled to be held in the third week of May in Srinagar. Pakistan has objected to New Delhis decision to hold meetings in the Indian Union territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. A Jaish-e-Mohammad proxy , PAFF (Peoples Anti-Fascist Front), claimed responsibility for the attack in a tweet, but investigators are not ruling out a joint operation of it and the LeT. PAFF was banned by the ministry of home affairs (MHA) on January 6 this year under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). This area in Poonch, which is very close to the Line of Control (LoC) has always been stronghold of JeM in terms of carrying out terror attacks, a third official said, asking not to be named. Inputs in recent weeks have claimed that terror outfits have been asked by the Pakistani army and the ISI to target security forces convoys, camps, government buildings and people travelling to the Valley from outside, added this officer. Ballistics and forensic experts recovered 7.62mm steel core bullets, cartridges with Chinese markings, and traces of explosives. It appears that the truck caught fire and an explosion took place near the diesel tank due to incessant firing from three sides, but investigators are not ruling out the use of a sticky improvised explosive device (IED). An official in the security establishment told HT that shells recovered from the site of ambush were found to have 71-China markings on them. The bullets with steel core were first used by Jaish-e-Mohammad in 2018 when its cadres killed five CRPF men at Lethpora in an attack on a CRPF camp. Several people have been detained by the central agencies and J&K police in connection with the attack and are being questioned. The attack, officials said, is expected to further impact bilateral relations between India and Pakistan, which are at its worst since 2019 Pulwama attack, in which 40 personnel of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were killed in a suicide bombing. India has, at various international forums, called Pakistan as an epicentre of terrorism. (With inputs from Ravi Krishan Khajuria) SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Nairobi, Kenya The Al Jazeera documentary series on gold smuggling in Zimbabwe and the subsequent reduction of the country from a respected state to a den of lions has all what it takes for President Emmerson Mnangagwa to step down. All the unethical mafia-style smuggling of the gold and laundering of the proceeds was facilitated mainly by the State apparatus being commandeered by none other than the incompetence of the president of Zimbabwe and his entire ill-informed horde of criminals. A close analysis of the documentary series shows that Mnangagwa is clueless about running a country. The team around him who include the prophet of doom Eubert Angel ironically elaborated the non-existence of a formal government in Zimbabwe and how unregulated the exploitation of mineral resources like gold is. Mnangagwa allowed the reserve bank to be run by a mafia group whose economic knowledge is uncouth and dangerous. No wonder why John Mangudya, the governor of the Reserve bank of Zimbabwe, was irritated that Al Jazeera exposed this unscrupulous gold money laundering and put him at the centre of the operations. His opposition to the airing of the documentary series was a replica of a mafia boss as opposed to a chief executive of a national reserve bank. The language and demeanour he used was typical of a rogue criminal who knew his business dealings were not in tandem with world class business ethics. If the governor of the reserve bank was sanctioned by Mnangagwa to deal with gold smugglers how much did he drain from the national coffers. Honestly Zimbabwe has been hijacked by economic terrorists whose aim is to devour the national cake with their families while the rest of the population are wallowing in abject poverty. The ruling Zanu PF party was wrong to replace Robert Mugabe with Mnangagwa. Many of us, though opposed to Zanu PF but did not take heed of Mugabe's words following the coup due to national anger caused by this party. Mugabe, in his honest assessment, said Mnangagwa was not a leader. In fact, he lacks the knowledge, the organisation and attitude of a statesman. Remember Mnangagwa rose to fame through violence like the famous forays into Matabeleland including KGB style activities of maiming and killing political opponents. Following these revelations by Al Jazeera, the citizens of Zimbabwe, all opposition political parties and pressure groups including Zanu PF should not allow Mnangagwa to stand in the coming general elections. The blame for this gold smuggling and money laundering squarely rests on General Constantino Chiwenga who was actively involved in restoring Mnangagwa to the presidency following his infamous escape to South Africa. A permanent haven for Mnangagwa in South Africa would have saved Zimbabwean gold from being depleted without any gain to the citizens. There is no way Zimbabwe could have created jobs for its young graduates from colleges and universities when there was no reserve bank to facilitate the running of the economy. The constant blaming of sanctions by Zanu PF is a decoy to blind people about their illegal gold smuggling. Why would Zimbabwe gold be purified in Dubai when Zimbabwe used to have that technology during the operations of big multi-national companies like Anglo-American cooperation and Ashanti Gold. This Dubai debacle was created to hide their illegal activities. It is a shame that Mnangagwa was running and paying two entities to run the country the first one being the official government made up of legal structures (though corrupt to the core) and the second one was a shadowy criminal cabal made up of false prophets like Eubert Angel, uncouth self-styled thugs cum false prophets like Passion Java including world class thugs who had the audacity to challenge the nation to do what they want about their plundering of gold. The money lost in these corrupt unethical governance practices drowned the Zimbabwean people into abject poverty and no hope for national economic recovery. Honestly, Mnangagwa and the rest of the mafia members deserve a special place in hell for the unmerciful activities directed at the poor but peace-loving Zimbabweans. We now know that the purported law to punish people criticising Zanu PF abroad was in fact meant to protect the Gold mafia against detection as opposed to face-value insinuation that it was a defence against unpatriotic individuals. Who among us is unpatriotic? Mnangagwa and his thuggish cohort or peace-loving Zimbabweans questioning how the resources of the country are being looted? From available evidence, it is a travesty of justice to leave Mnangagwa in charge of our beloved country and minerals. The fact is, Zimbabwe has no institutions to rectify the misrule and destruction brought about by Zanu PF. Everything is being run by Mnangagwa and his shadowy criminal cabal. We now know that General Chiwenga is just a place holder and has long since become irrelevant in Zimbabwean politics since the day he in installed Mnangagwa into the presidency. With the level of corruption, we have now seen through the revelations of the Al Jazeera, it is safe to say that the coming election is a fuss. It lacks integrity and respect for democracy and humanity. The election will be better conducted with Mnangagwa out of government. In earnest, Mnangagwa has a case to answer not only to the Zimbabwean law enforcement agencies and citizens, but also to Interpol for the level of anarchy and facilitation of Gold and money laundering. The big question is - if we now know these facts around gold and money laundering, what then could be happening with diamonds, emeralds, platinum and other precious diamonds that Mnangagwa and his cohorts have been plundering. This situation is too serious to be ignored by human rights activists, progressive political outfits like the Citizen Coalition for Change (CCC) and Zimbabweans in general. This is now the time for all these forces to come together and conjure a lasting union to vote Zanu PF out of power for ever. Our chance is now to do it and none but ourselves can break these Zanu PF slavery chains and free ourselves from this diabolic incarceration. For a long time, Zanu PF has been trading lies about sanctions, yet they were busy bringing down the country through minerals and money laundering. Zanu PF has staffed its government with people who have no clue on how to turn around the economy other than being experts of destruction. Mnangagwa's government should be a lesson to any incoming new political dispensation. Any continuation of such levels of resource depletion, poor governance and political patronage will take Zimbabwe beyond economic redemption. It is important to remind each other that all this thuggery and economic mayhem is coming against a culture of violence that has been perpetrated by Zanu PF since independence to date. The gains of independence that Zanu PF and PF Zapu brought in1980 has now been reversed. There is clearly no difference between Mnangagwa and the colonial government led by Ian Douglas Smith under the Rhodesia Front. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Zimbabwe Legal Affairs Governance 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. Zanu PF and the Rhodesia front are colonialists whose thinking and welfare improvement is limited to their friends and the underworld mafia. Any declaration by Zanu PF that it has won the coming election will be a mockery of the intelligence of Zimbabweans in light of the gold mafia revelations. The next level of organisation for every Zimbabwean is to register and encourage every citizen to vote against Zanu PF in the coming election so that we can put these mineral launderers to rest. The future of Zimbabwe has been doomed by Zanu PF in our faces. Zimbabweans should stand up and make representations to all influential international political bodies to make sure that the coming elections are not stolen again. Brothers and sisters this is all from me for this week writing from a small hotel room in Nairobi Kenya. Let's meet again next week. God bless Zimbabwe. Dr Mathew Nyashanu is a Senior Lecturer in Public Health and Admissions tutor for the MA in Public Health. He is a Zimbabwean academic based in the institute of Health & Allied Professions at Nottingham Trent University. He is a social scientist and public health specialist who has contributed widely to the strengthening of Health systems in many low- and middle-income countries. The writings are purely his views and do not represent Nottingham Trent University. Special forces teams with drones and helicopters fanned out across a thickly forested area in Jammu and two teams of Indias counter-terror police National Investigation Agency on Friday reached the spot where terrorists ambushed an Indian Army vehicle, killing five soldiers the previous day. An army officer on Friday lays a wreath near the mortal remains of five soldiers who were killed in a terrorist attack in Poonch district. (PTI) The manhunt for what is believed to be a group of 5-7 terrorists began at first light on Friday, officials said, and added that among the terrorists are likely to be men who crossed over from Pakistan at the Line of Control (LoC). At least 12 people were detained for questioning, news agency PTI reported. Read | At least 7 LeT terrorists behind Poonch attack At least two teams of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) reached the spot on Friday afternoon and assessed the site of attack. One team, with a DIG (deputy inspector general of police) and SP (superintendent of police) of the NIA arrived in a helicopter with director general of police (DGP) Dilbag Singh and additional DGP Mukesh Singh, while another NIA team with Forensics Sciences Laboratory (FSL) experts comprising two to three officials reached via road, said officials. Around 3pm on Thursday, an army truck was ambushed in the Poonch sector in Jammu, leading the deaths of five jawans on board. The victims were attached with the armys Rashtriya Rifles unit and were deployed for counterterrorist operations in the area. Four of the dead jawans were from Punjab and the fifth from Odisha. People in the security establishment told HT that some of the shells recovered from the site of ambush were found to be 7.62 mm bullets with steel core having 71-China markings on them. Prima facie, it appeared the terrorists laid an ambush at Tota Gali for the army truck that was moving between Bhimber Gali and Poonch. Once the truck came close, the terrorists opened indiscriminate fire from the hill and from other side of the road, which has a deep gorge and dense jungles, an official aware of the probe said, asking not to be named. The driver was the first to be targeted and simultaneously, grenades were lobbed, which gave little time for the soldiers sitting at the rear to react. It seems the terrorists also targeted the fuel tank with a grenade or RPG that triggered the fire within no time, they said. The incident led to protests in Jammu against Pakistan and condemnation from political parties, with some leaders questioning if there was a security lapse. The bullets with steel core were first used by Jaish-e-Mohammad on the eve of the new year in 2018 when its cadres killed five Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) men at Lethpora in an attack on a CRPF camp. These bullets can pierce bullet-proof body armours. In wake of attack in Bhata Dhurian, traffic remained suspended from BG to Surankote on Friday as well. Security forces have launched a massive search operation in the dense forests of the Bhata Dhurian. Following the ambush, a high alert has been declared in the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch and along the LoC. On Friday security forces also pressed into service drones and sniffer dogs to trace the terrorists, who have been hiding in the dense jungles of Bhata Dhurian, officials said. While random check posts have been set up on the highway from Rajouri to Poonch, security forces personnel were seen checking vehicles and credential of commuters. Defence officials informed that a wreath-laying ceremony of the five martyred jawans took place in Rajouri on Friday afternoon and it was attended by top officials from the army, police and civil administration. The Army identified the dead soldiers as Havaldar Mandeep Singh, Lance Naik Kulwant Singh, Sepoy Harkrishan Singh, and Sepoy Sewak Singh, all from Punjab, and Lance Naik Debashish Baswal from Odisha. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Prime minister Narendra Modi will chair a high-level meet on the security situation of Indian citizens stuck in the African nation of Sudan - where fighting between the army and an apparently rogue paramilitary unit, the Rapid Support Force, erupted earlier this week - sources said Friday afternoon. Sudanese army soldiers, loyal to army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, sit atop a tank in the Red Sea city of Port Sudan, on April 20, 2023. (Photo by AFP) An Indian is among those killed - over 300, according to some reports - so far as fierce fighting forces thousands to flee the capital city of Khartoum. Albert Augustine was working for the Dal Group and was hit by a stray bullet. On Thursday the government advised Indian citizens in Sudan to shelter in place; officials said plans had been put in place to ensure their safety. "Our advice they (Indian citizens) need to be where they are... and seek shelter where they are... rather than trying to go somewhere else till the situation improves," foreign ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said. READ | 'Avoid movement': India advises citizens in Sudan as fighting erupts Bagchi declined to give the number and location of the stranded Indians citing security reasons, but did stress 'everybody is safe and sound'. According to the embassy, there are around 2,800 Indians in Sudan, in addition to a settled community of about 1,200 living ther for nearly 150 years. On possible evacuation of Indians in Sudan The government is working - especially with the United States, United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates - on potential evacuation scenarios. "India is in close contact some countries have influence and information, others could guide us and perhaps we could pool resources," Bagchi said. READ | India working with key partners for safety of citizens stuck in Sudan What is happening in the Sudan? The conflict between the Sudanese army and the powerful Rapid Support Force broke last Saturday, derailing plans for a peaceful transition to a civilian democracy, four years after the fall of Islamist autocrat Omar al-Bashir. The fighting has heightened the risk of civil war and hostilities have continued despite an internationally-brokered 72-hour ceasefire for the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr. Predictably, each side has blamed the other for the ceasefire failure. With input from agencies SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Supreme Court on Friday recorded a statement by the Varanasi district collector that suitable arrangement of water has been made in Gyanvapi mosque for wuzu (ablution) for Ramzan and Eid prayers even as the local administration refused to provide a mobile toilet near the section in the mosque complex where a Shivling was said to have been found during a survey last year, citing a possible law-and-order issue. The Supreme Court is currently seized of a petition filed by the Gyanvapi mosque committee (PTI) A bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud disposed of the plea by the mosque management committee after taking on record the district collectors statement. The district collector says that there are sufficient number of tubs in proximity so as to ensure there is no inconvenience to devotees who will come for performing namaz, recorded the bench, which also included justice PS Narasimha, in its order. During the brief hearing, solicitor general (SG) Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Uttar Pradesh government, informed the bench that six tubs have been provided for the supply of water for wuzu but the local administration was not agreeable to providing a mobile toilet inside the complex. We agreed for a mobile toilet 70m away from the premises, but they wanted it inside the premises. Thats not possible. It will create a law-and-order problem...the Shivling or what they call as fountain, is in close proximity. And that section has been directed to be protected by this court, the SG said. Read | Approach Supreme Court on carbon dating plea, says HC in Gyanvapi case Senior counsel Huzefa Ahmedi, representing the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee which manages the Gyanvapi mosque, disagreed with Mehta. Why should I be forced to go outside my own premises? he asked. Ahmedi added that the committee had rushed to the court because of Ramzan and Eid, which is going to be celebrated tomorrow. At this point, the bench asked the SG if an arrangement for adequate water can be made without delay. Responding, Mehta said that the district collector has already agreed to provide six tubs for water for wuzu. The court then proceeded to record Mehtas statement and dispose of the committees plea. On Monday, the bench directed the district collector to convene a meeting on April 18 for working out a congenial arrangement for arrangement for wuzu during Ramzan prayers in the mosque precincts. The top court is currently seized of a petition filed by the mosque committee in May, opposing the suit of five Hindu women who demanded an unhindered right to worship Maa Shringar Gauri Sthal, a shrine for goddess Parvati purportedly located behind the western wall of the mosque complex. The committee claims the suit is barred by the provisions of the Places of Worship Act, 1991, which locks the position or religious identity of any place of worship as it existed on August 15, 1947. The committee had appealed against the April 2022 order of the Allahabad high court allowing the survey. By an order in May 2022, the top court protected the area where the Shivling was said to have been found after a Varanasi civil court allowed a video survey of the mosque complex adjacent to the Kashi Vishwanath temple. The Hindu petitioners claimed the Shivling was found close to the wuzukhana, a small reservoir used by Muslim worshippers to perform ritual ablutions before offering namaz. At the same time, the top court in last May allowed offering of namaz inside the mosque complex and directed the local administration to ensure proper arrangements for wuzu. By its May 2022 order, the Supreme Court also transferred the suit filed by the Hindu women from the Varanasi civil judge to the district judge for deciding the mosque committees objections against the inquiry. It asked the district judge to first decide on the maintainability of the suit. Ascertainment of the religious character of a place may not be barred by the 1991 Act, the court observed on that day, as it refrained from interfering with the Gyanvapi mosque survey. The Varanasi district judge rejected the mosque committees objections to maintainability on September 12, 2022, and decided to proceed with the suit. The committee has challenged this order before the Allahabad high court, which is yet to rule on the appeal. On April 17, a Varanasi district judge ordered consolidation of seven other cases related to the Gyanvapi-Shringar Gauri issue from various courts to his court. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Supreme Court on Thursday quashed the trial court proceedings against former IPS officer Amod Kanth in the 1997 Uphaar fire tragedy case over lack of sanction for his prosecution. The tragic incident of June 13, 1997 claimed 59 lives and injured more than 100 persons. (HT file photo) A bench of Justices KM Joseph, BV Nagarathna and Aravind Kumar said that the magistrate had erred in issuing summons against Kanth. we find that the magistrate erred in the facts of this case in taking cognizance against the appellant contrary to the demands of section 197 of CrPC. On this short ground alone (of lack of sanction) the appellant (Amod Kanth) succeeded. Appeal is allowed and the impugned order stands set aside. The proceeding stands quashed, the bench said. In its detailed order, the bench said, We, however, make it clear that this will not stand in the way of the competent authority taking a decision in the matter and for granting sanction against the appellant in accordance with law. Also Read: Uphaar case: HC seeks Delhi govt response on Ansal plea challenging conviction The top court listed the matter for further hearing on April 26 for dealing with other aspects of the case including de-sealing of Uphaar cinema hall. On November 29, 2013, the top court had stayed the trial court proceedings against Kanth and asked the CBI to file its response to the petition of the officer who has since retired. In November 2013, the Supreme Court had stayed the summoning order on an appeal filed by Kanth after the Delhi high court in October 2013 refused to quash the summons. Since then, the matter remained pending before the top court. The Association of Victims of Uphaar Tragedy (AVUT), at whose instance the summoning order came to be passed charged Kanth of causing death by negligence (Section 304A), causing hurt (Section 337) and causing grievous hurt (Section 338) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The tragic incident of June 13, 1997 that claimed 59 lives and injured more than 100 persons had exposed the illegalities committed by the theatre owners Sushil and Gopal Ansal as additional seats placed in the balcony blocked the gangway and path to the exit door resulting in deaths due to suffocation. Probe into the case revealed that on December 24, 1979, when Kanth headed the licensing department under the Delhi Police, he issued an order permitting Uphaar owners to retain 37 additional seats in the balcony. Senior advocate R Basanth who represented Kanth said that his client was a highly decorated police officer who passed the decision in 1979 according to the direction of the Delhi high court and on the suggestion of a technical committee which comprised members from the public works department, municipal authorities and fire department. He argued that sanction under Section 197 will be necessary to prosecute his client and without it, the order of Magistrate should not be given effect. Senior advocate KTS Tulsi appearing for AVUT opposed Kanth by raising questions on his conduct. The facts revealed that Uphaar benefited under an order passed by Lieutenant Governor in 1976 to increase 100 seats which applied to all cinema halls in Delhi. Three years later, when this order was revoked, Kanth as DCP directed all cinema halls to remove the additional seats. The two orders (by L-G and Kanth) was challenged by cinema owners before the Delhi high court. Kanth had filed an affidavit in the HC supporting the removal of additional seats. This conduct was seen by victims to be contrary to his decision to allow retention of 37 additional seats in the balcony. The Court noted that the fact that Kanth filed an affidavit will not obviate the need for sanction that will provide protection to an officer even in case of an omission committed while discharging official duty. The Court said, In a case where fact of omission is clearly traceable to discharge of public function by the public servant, for the court not to accept his objection will clearly defeat the purpose underlying Section 197. The most important question to be answered while dealing with the issue of sanction is to see whether the officer was acting or purporting to act in exercise of his official duty. This is for good reasons so that the officer can exercise his power fearlessly and for bonafide reasons. The Court noted that in passing the decision to retain 37 seats, Kanth was following the HC order which required the licensing authority to work out a way by which not all additional seats are removed and there is substantial and not rigid compliance of the order revoking the L-Gs 1976 order allowing 100 additional seats. Moreover, this was a collective decision taken by Kanth on the recommendation of a technical committee that found HCs approval. Basanth stated that his decision of 1979 should not be held at fault for a fire tragedy that occurred 17 years later. Kanth joined the licensing department as deputy commissioner of police in February 1979 and vacated the post in May 1980. After him, regular inspections were conducted at Uphaar cinema and the new DCP who joined subsequently, permitted 15 additional seats in the balcony. The license of Uphaar was suspended in 1983 but the theatre owners got stay of the suspension and continued to operate till the unfortunate fire took place. The bench said, It may be true by benefit of hindsight following the unfortunate tragedy that took place 17 years thereafter, the loopholes, later as it turned out to be in the act of the appellant and members of technical committee had been laid bare. But the Court said that the issue before the Court was not whether an offence was made out but whether the appellant can be prosecuted on there being no sanction. In March 2009, the CBI had filed a closure report in the Uphaar case stating that except the 16 persons named in the original FIR, no case was made out against any other accused including Kanth. In October 2011, the Supreme Court while deciding the issue of monetary compensation to be awarded for the victims had exonerated Kanth for permitting the 37 additional seats. Having already filed a closure report, senior advocate Aparajita Singh appearing for CBI had a narrow scope for argument. But the Delhi police, represented by additional solicitor general (ASG) KM Nataraj said that no ground for granting sanction was made out. The Delhi police said that if officers like Kanth are allowed to be prosecuted for their genuine, bonafide decisions taken in good faith, it will impact the morale of the entire police force. NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday frowned at a Telangana high court order that barred the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) from arresting Kadapa MP YS Avinash Reddy and told CBI to send questions that it wanted to ask the MP in advance, saying it was atrocious and unacceptable. The Supreme court in New Delhi on Thursday, 18 July 2013. Photo by Mohd Zakir / Hindustan Times (HT File Photo) What kind of order is this by the high court, a bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud and justice PS Narasimha said in course of an appeal by Suneetha Narreddy, daughter of the former Andhra Pradesh minister YS Vivekananda Reddy, who was found dead in his house on March 15, 2019. He was also the uncle of Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy. Senior lawyer Sidharth Luthra, who appeared for Suneetha Narreddy, told the bench, that there was an attempt to cover up the murder and the state government had sought to defeat the administration of justice by forming special investigation teams to probe the case and altering its composition from time to time. It was on a petition filed by Suneetha Narreddy that the Telangana high court in March 2020 directed CBI to take up the murder probe. The Supreme Court on March 29 gave CBI time till April 30 to complete its probe into the larger conspiracy behind the murder in separate proceedings. It was in this connection that CBI sought to question the present Kadapa MP, YS Avinash Reddy, who is related to both the deceased and the present AP chief minister. YS Avinash Reddy thought he may be arrested by CBI and approached the Telangana high court. In his order, justice K Surender barred CBI from arresting Avinash Reddy till April 25, told the MP to appear before CBI and ordered the federal agency to record the MPs interrogation. The high court also that CBI will have to submit all the questions to be posed to him during the interrogation in writing. The appeal by Narreddy said the high court order had practically derailed the investigation process at this crucial juncture without giving due importance to the date of April 30 by which time the CBI is required to conclude investigation. The Supreme Court was initially inclined to stay the high courts order but did not pass a blanket order after senior advocate Ranjit Kumar underlined that a stay on the high court direction will result in his immediate arrest. The bench directed CBI not to arrest the MP till Monday and issued notice to the MP. The court also stayed further proceedings before the high court. It is an atrocious order, totally unacceptable, the bench said as it examined the April 18 order. The top court will take up the case again on Monday, April 24. In her petition, Suneetha Narreddy also disclosed the tacit support enjoyed by the accused MP who belongs to the ruling political party in the state. She alleged that at the time of her fathers death, Avinash Reddy was present in her home and it was he who called up the police and informed that the former Kadapa MP died due to heart attack and that no case was required to be registered. According to the postmortem report, there were six lacerated wounds on the body of the deceased and the cause of death was hemorrhagic shock, injury to vital organ (brain). At the time of the incident, AP chief minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy was the leader of opposition and filed a petition in the high court demanding CBI probe into the incident. After YSR Congress Party came to power in the state in 2019, the chief minister formed SIT and reconstituted it thrice before Narreddy approached the high court for CBI probe. In October 2020, CBI filed a charge sheet in the case naming four accused. The name of Avinash Reddy was separately added as a suspect among other persons. As CBI tightened its noose against the suspects in the case, AP chief minister gave a clean chit to Avinash Reddy on the floor of the Assembly in November 2021. The petition pointed out that once a clean chit is given to the suspect, the victims of the crime could hardly expect that the accused in the case will be brought to justice. HYDERABAD: A 25-year-old Telugu student, days away from graduating with a masters degree, was shot dead by an unknown miscreant when he resisted a robbery attempt at a fuel station in United Statess Ohio state on Thursday morning, his family said in Andhra Pradeshs Eluru town on Friday. The deceased was identified as Veera Saiesh, who had taken a part-time job as the overnight clerk at the gas station. (Facebook/saiesh.veera) The incident took place at West Broad Street of Franklinton in Columbus at around 12.50 am (local time) on Thursday. The deceased was identified as Veera Saiesh, who had taken a part-time job as the overnight clerk at the gas station. We received the information on Thursday night. We have requested the Government of India to help in bringing home the mortal remains, Saieshs uncle, who did not identify himself, told local reporters. He said an armed man attempted to rob the fuel station where Saiesh worked. When he resisted the attempt, the assailant opened fire at him before robbing the cash chest, the uncle said. Saiesh was immediately rushed to a hospital and was pronounced dead after a while. The Columbus Police have released the photos of the suspect and appealed to the people to share any information about him. Saieshs family, which hails from Palakole town of West Godavari district, settled down in Eluru town many years ago. His father Veera Ramana, a lecturer at the local CR Reddy College, died of a heart attack four years ago. Saiesh was living with his mother and elder brother in Eluru town before he left for the US in November 2021 to pursue his masters in Ohio, his uncle said. According to Rohit Yalamanchili, who has started an online fundraiser, Saiesh was about to graduate in 10 days and was going to quit the clerk job in a couple of weeks. Andhra Pradesh home minister Taneti Vanitha expressed shock over Saieshs death. She expressed deep condolences to the bereaved family members and told senior officials to take all steps to bring the mortal remains of Saiesh to his hometown Eluru. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A massive search op has been launched by the Army and other security agencies to track down and capture the seven Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists who attacked a military truck in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch Thursday, killing five soldiers and injuring a sixth. Jawans get killed in terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch(PTI) The attack - which reports indicate involved rocket-propelled grenades and assault rifles - took place in the forests of the sector's Bata-Doriya area from Bhimber Gali to Sangiot. The area is cordoned off and forensic teams from the Army and the National Investigation Agency are on the scene. Sniffer dogs and drones are being used to hunt the terrorists. Key points: - The incident took place around 3 pm Thursday in the Rajouri sector of the district. A statement by the Army's Northern Command said the truck may have caught fire immediately due to the use of RPGs. - The slain jawans had been deployed to the Army's Rashtriya Rifles unit and had been tasked with counter-terrorism ops in the area. - Sources said the terrorists opened fire from three sides, suggesting a planned ambush. Security officials believe at least four terrorists were involved in the attack itself. - The attack took place near the site of a 2021 encounter, in which Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist Abu Zarara was killed. - The Army has released the names of the soldiers shot dead. They have been identified as Havildar Mandeep Singh, Lance Naik Debashish Baswal, Lance Naik Kulwant Singh, Sepoy Harkrishan Singh and Sepoy Sewak Singh, the Army's 16 Corps, based in Nagrota, said. - J&K Governor Manoj Sinha expressed sorrow and said, "I am deeply anguished by the loss of lives of brave Army personnel in a tragic incident at Poonch. Their rich service to the nation will never be forgotten. My thoughts are with the bereaved families." - Defence minister Rajnath Singh also tweeted. He said, "Anguished by the tragedy in Poonch district (J&K), where the Indian Army has lost its brave soldiers after a truck caught fire. In this tragic hour, my thoughts are with the bereaved families." The defence minister's tweet came minutes before the Army said the soldiers were killed in a terror strike. - Opposition leaders like Delhi chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party boss Arvind Kejriwal and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi have also expressed sorrow over the terror attack. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Communist Party of India have come out in support of legal recognition for same-sex marriages but most other political parties maintain silence on the issue that is currently being heard bya Constitution bench of the Supreme Court. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is in power at the Centre, remains opposed to same-sex marriages and the Union government has argued that it is an urban and elitist concept that should be left to Parliament to legislate. Around 50 petitioners have approached the top court asking for legalisation of same-sex marriage, arguing that denying them the right to wed was unconstitutional and violative of their fundamental rights. (Amal KS/HT PHOTO) At an event on Thursday, TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee endorsed marriage equality. India is a democratic country. Everyone has got the right to choose their own life partner. Love has no religion, love has no boundaries, love has no limit. I can choose a life partner of my choice. if I am a man and I am fond of a man and if I am a woman and I am fond of a woman, everyone has got the right to fall in love., to select, to choose. We take pride in the diversity that unites India, said Banerjee,35, in response to a question on the hearing that began on Monday. When asked whether this reflected the partys stand, a party spokesperson called it a fair assumption. though chief minister Mamata Banerjee told reporters earlier this week that she will not comment on the issue until the top courts verdict. To be sure, the partys Rajya Sabha leader Derek O Brien has also given notice to introduce a private member bill on same-sex marriage in Parliament. The CPI also supported the plea of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) petitioners for the legalisation of same-sex unions. The party stands with the democratic rights of the LGBTQ community. Member of Parliament (MP) Benoy Vishwam said. Last month, the party also issued a detailed statement. The CPI urges the Supreme Court and the Government of India to fully protect the rights of the LGBTQ+ community. The BJP government is pulling back progress and subverting democracy in the country, said the March 15 statement, referring to the Centres stand opposing same-sex unions. The Congress refrained from taking a stand on the matter. The partys communication in-charge Jairam Ramesh refused to respond to queries on the matter. Senior leader Abhishek Singhvi -- who is appearing for some petitioners in his capacity as a lawyer -- said, Same sex marriage case has nothing to do with Congress. I am appearing pro bono for affected groups. Party may or may not take a view on this later. But till then, it is certainly not necessary for a political party like the Congress to take and declare its view on every important socio-legal issue. In the past, former party chief Rahul Gandhi has taken a supportive view of LGBTQ rights. HTs queries to the Aam Aadmi Party, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, the Biju Janata Dal, the YSR Congress party, the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), the Nationalist Congress Party, the Bahujan Samaj Party, among others, asking for their stance on same sex marriage, went unanswered. Around 50 petitioners have approached the top court asking for legalisation of same-sex marriage, arguing that denying them the right to wed was unconstitutional and violative of their fundamental rights. If they succeed, India will become only the third country in Asia to allow same-sex unions, a mere five years after the court decriminalised homosexuality. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Uttarakhand government on Friday rolled back its decision of imposing a daily cap on the number of pilgrims visiting the state for the upcoming Char Dham Yatra, starting from Saturday, according to a government notification. The Char Dham Yatra is a tour of four holy sites Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. Char Dham Pilgrims being flagged off from Maya Devi shrine on Friday in Haridwar. (HT Photo) The portals of Gangotri and Yamunotri Dhams will be opened on Saturday while the portals of Kedarnath Dham and Badrinath Dham will open on April 25 and April 27 respectively. According to the order issued by the state government: The decision to roll back the daily cap on pilgrim numbers was taken based on the directions of chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami after due deliberation on the matter. The CM has also issued directions that online and offline registrations will continue like earlier to keep a track of pilgrim numbers and for crowd management. The decision to roll back the daily cap was taken following protests by Char Dham yatra-related stakeholders, including traders, priests, travel and tour operators, who maintained it will affect the livelihood of the people dependent on the yatra. Abhishek Ahluwalia, patron Sanyukt Morcha Paryatan Udyog and former president of the tour operator association said, Nowhere in the country there is the capping of pilgrims to the major shrines but in Uttarakhand this arrangement had created many apprehensions among pilgrims and the stakeholders related to the yatra. The state government had put a cap on daily pilgrim numbers for Char Dham shrines. For the Yamunotri shrine, the daily limit was 5,500 pilgrims, for Gangotri 9,000, for Badrinath 15,000 and for Kedarnath shrine 18,000. Earlier in the day, Dhami, while flagging off some pilgrim buses at Rishikesh said, The state government is committed to ensure that every devotee coming to Char Dham shrines avails the darshan.The state is determined to ensure a safe yatra. The preparations are being constantly reviewed at every level. Dhami said, This time, the state government will shower flowers by helicopter to welcome the pilgrims coming for the Char Dham Yatra. So far, 16 lakh pilgrims have registered for the yatra, according to officials. Around the same time that climate protests were becoming synonymous with food, art, glue and public roads, the group best known for civil disobedience announced a surprising change of tactic. Though not of heart. For the past months and weeks, Extinction Rebellion has been preparing for a massive climate protest dubbed "the Big One outside parliament in London. What gets more attention on Twitter - smearing food on art or a Greta Thunbergs speech? The results may be surprising. (DW) Meanwhile, other groups such as Germany's Letzte Generation or the UK's Just Stop Oil are following in XR's original footsteps, and see louder, more disruptive action such as throwing tomato soup on Van Gogh's Sunflowers' as the way forward. "When Phoebe and I threw that soup, it got more people talking about the climate crisis than when 3 million people were displaced by floods in Pakistan, Anna Holland, a 21-year-old activist with the UK-based group Just Stop Oil told DW. "And that's solid evidence that disruptive action is incredibly effective. But is does it have more or less impact than conventional forms of demonstration? In order to find out, DW analyzed 4.6 million tweets published by 30 large English-language news organizations between August 20, 2018 when Greta Thunberg began her climate school strikes and February 20, 2023. Media cycles matter DW identified 2,483 news tweets that mentioned protests about climate and environment, and compared their engagement levels likes, replies, quotes, and retweets with other tweets published by the same news organization in the same week. The analysis clearly shows the media cycles of climate coverage. The volume of tweets about climate protests increases during official forums, summits, and global events such as UN climate conferences or the World Economic Forum. For example, the week of the September 2019 UN Climate Summit saw the highest volume of news tweets about climate activism. There were 167 in total, many referencing Thunberg's "how dare you! speech, in which she emotionally redressed world leaders for the "fairy tale of eternal economic growth. Nearly half the tweets relating to the event were among the most popular published by their respective news organizations in that week. Similar patterns emerged around events such as the World Economic Forum and UN climate conferences, which are typically times when climate activism most easily captures media attention. "Timing seems to be much more important than we thought, said James Ozden of the Social Change Lab, a London-based organization that studies social movements to find ways to accelerate positive social change. "When the media cycles are around your issue, it's much easier to get attention for your message." People are interested in climate protest stories Although climate protests only account for a small share of all tweets published by news organizations, they generate disproportionate levels of engagement. They often rank among the best performing tweets of the week. 32% of tweets about climate activism were among the top 10% performers on their respective channels. Disruptive protests do not necessarily generate the most attention Climate protests fall into two categories: disruptive and non-disruptive. The former, which incorporate actions like defacing works of art, storming public buildings and blocking traffic, accounted for 33% of the total number of climate protest tweets. Non-disruptive actions, by comparison, include activist participation at official events, public speeches and legal rallies. Tweets about these events accounted for 67% of the total. When comparing the average engagement rates for each category, tweets about non-disruptive protests are twice as likely to be among the top performing tweets of any channel in any given week. This shows that disruptive climate protests are not more effective at sparking discussion in the Twittersphere than non-disruptive ones. "Non-disruptive protests work when the media cycle is already a bit focused on climate change. Disruptive protests like the soup (throwing) work when the media cycle is about something else, and they put it on climate change," said Ozden. Negativity surrounding protests on Twitter: Business as usual Many activists involved in disruptive protests were criticized on social media for harming their own image. Though they don't necessarily see it that way. "What's important to me is that the government stops new oil and gas licensing in the UK. The only thing I care about is having a future where I can raise children and not feel guilty about bringing them into a future that is filled with death and famine and war, Anna Holland of Just Stop Oil explained. To understand how people react to tweets about climate protests, DW selected those with the highest levels of engagement in the categories of disruptive protests, non-disruptive protests as well as a random sample of tweets on different topics for the purpose of comparison. All replies to these tweets were then classified as "negative or "positive. The results show that while many people react negatively to climate protest tweets, this is also true for those about other topics. Additionally, disruptive tweets get slightly more negative responses, but the margin is small. Overall, replies to climate protest tweets are not as negative as responses to those about some other topics. Do radical flanks help or hinder? Although disruptive protests don't gain more traction in the Twittersphere, less conventional groups can impact overall climate activism through what scientists call the radical flank theory. "The theory says that if there is a more extreme protest movement, then that can have a positive or negative effect on more moderate groups within the same movement, said Brent Simpson, a social psychologist at the University of South Carolina. His latest research, published by Oxford University Press indicates that when one group of activists use extreme tactics, it makes those taking a more moderate approach seem more appealing. As a result, public support for the moderate group increases. James Ozden's Social Change Lab conducted similar research in the UK and found that after Just Stop Oil's four-day motorway protest in London, support for and identification with the moderate environmental group Friends of the Earth increased. Some academics point out the risk of increasing repression by the government towards all activists as a result of the radical flanks' actions. "I think we've seen this in the UK with the new legislation that brings longer prison sentences and fines for bailing non-violent crime activists, Ozden said. Nevertheless, Indigo Rumbelow, an activist with Just Stop Oil sees the need and a continued place for both approaches to raising awareness of the need for climate action. "Disruptive and non-disruptive protests are not in opposition to each other, she said. "There is actually a synergy between them and they lift each other up. That theory is being put to the test. While climate activist groups like Just Stop Oil or Germany's Letzte Generation continue to disrupt, Extinction Rebellion is hoping its Big One protest in London will live up to its name and attract 100,000 people to take part in a more peaceful form of critical demonstration. Edited by: Tamsin Walker and Gianna Grun press release A group of 146 civil society organisations today express their serious concern about the legal proceedings filed in the Democratic Republic of Congo by Israeli businessman Dan Gertler against Congo's leading anti-corruption coalition, Le Congo n'est pas a Vendre (Congo is Not for Sale or CNPAV). The criminal lawsuit (citation directe) filed in early March targets CNPAV spokesperson Jean-Claude Mputu and his employer Resource Matters, a Belgian civil society group and a member of the CNPAV coalition. The lawsuit centers around an interview Mputu gave to news outlet Actualite.cd about the amount of money Gertler's companies had earned in the DRC. The CNPAV coalition published information to back-up its claim, yet Gertler has sued for defamation and is seeking one million Euros in damages. Gertler and his network have initiated a wave of lawsuits against anti-corruption activists, whistleblowers, journalists and civil society groups over the past two years. These have included legal action against two other members of CNPAV - The Platform to Protect Whistleblowers in Africa (PPLAAF) and Global Witness - as well as against specialist website African Intelligence, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz and two of its journalists. Two whistleblowers employed at Afriland First Bank in Kinshasa who exposed allegations of apparent money laundering benefiting Gertler have also faced lawsuits. In a deeply flawed legal process in the DRC, the two whistleblowers were sentenced to death in absentia. The alleged money laundering concerns they reported have not been investigated. "The lawsuits against the members of CNPAV are the latest in a deluge of cases brought by Dan Gertler and his network against those who are legitimately raising transparency and accountability questions about public contracts," the organisations said. "We are extremely concerned that anti-corruption defenders and organizations are being targeted, threatened, intimidated and harassed simply for doing their work. Such intimidation may discourage others from working to hold the authorities and private actors to account." A contentious Settlement Agreement between Gertler and DRC authorities signed in February 2022 has resulted in extensive public debate. The settlement stipulates that Gertler will sell back some of his oil and mining assets to the Congolese state and allows his company to retain the right to collect valuable royalty streams on three copper-cobalt mines for the next fifteen years. The settlement also shields Gertler and his network from judicial investigations in the DRC. The deal further commits the Congolese government to assist Gertler's efforts to have US anti-corruption sanctions against him lifted. Since 2017 Gertler and dozens of linked companies have been sanctioned by the US government under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act. The press release announcing the sanctions against Gertler indicated that he had "amassed his fortune through hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of opaque and corrupt mining and oil deals" in Congo. Following the initial sanctions in 2017, the US sanctioned an additional 14 companies affiliated with Gertler in June 2018, and another 12 in December 2021. Gertler has repeatedly sought sanctions relief and denied wrongdoing. On February 7, Gertler wrote to CNPAV and a group of leading nongovernmental organisations stating that the US sanctions had been "crippling" and that he had "been punished". He urged the groups to support the new agreement which he claimed was "the largest-ever consensual transfer in the history of the region." In a response on March 15, the groups said they could not back the settlement as too many outstanding questions remain about its substance, including the lack of transparency on the lucrative royalty rights Gertler would retain. In a separate letter on March 8, a coalition of 25 civil society groups, including CNPAV, urged the US administration not to ease the sanctions against Gertler in the absence of appropriate accountability measures and a demonstrable change in behavior on his behalf. The organisations said that they were extremely concerned that the lawsuits against Mputu and Resource Matters are Strategic Lawsuits against Public Participation or SLAPPs. SLAPPs are a form of legal harassment used by those with deep pockets seeking to silence campaigners, journalists and other public watchdogs via legal intimidation and expensive legal procedures. "The proper management of Congo's abundant natural resources relies on transparency, accountability and public scrutiny to ensure the Congolese people are truly reaping the benefits. Protecting the rights of those raising legitimate questions is the responsibility of Congolese authorities and it is essential to achieving accountability and the rule of law. It is only the corrupt and the powerful who benefit when the voices of journalists and anti-corruption defenders are silenced." Note to editors: Gertler announced legal proceedings against Jean Claude Mputu and Resource Matters for "imputations dommageables" (akin to defamation) at the Tribunal de Paix de Gombe in Kinshasa on March 8. The next hearing is scheduled for July 3 2023. On April 13, Gertler sent a letter to a number of human rights and anti-corruption groups stating he would suspend some of the lawsuits he had initiated against civil society organisations and media outlets. He did not specify which ones. He issued a further statement on April 14. Given the multiple lawsuits Gertler has initiated, we await further clarification to confirm what concrete steps he and his network have taken to halt the SLAPP style proceedings. As far as we understand, none of the lawsuits have been withdrawn to date. Signed by: 11.11.11 350Africa.org ACAT CONGO Accountability Counsel ACEDH Action Contre l'Impunite pour les Droits Humains (ACIDH) Action des jeunes pour le developpement et la defense des droits humains Action Mines Guinee Action Paysanne Contre la Faim Actions pour la Defense et la Promotion des Droits Humains (ADPDH) ADDH AEMAPRI Africa Institute for Energy Governance (AFIEGO) Afrikki Agir ensemble pour les droits humains Alliance Communautaire pour la Nature et le Developpement (ACND) Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa Amnesty International Andrew Lees Trust ASADHO BEST BLOOM Blueprint for Free Speech C4GA Cadre de Concertation de la societe civile de l'Ituri sur les Ressources Naturelles (CdC/RN) Cadre de Concertation Provincial de la Societe Civile du Kasai Central (CCPSC -KA) Cadre de Consertation pour la Reforme des Services de Securite et la Justice CARITAS BUNIA/CDJP Cenadep Center for Environmental Research and Agriculture Innovations (CERAI) Center for Transnational Environmental Accountablility Centre congolais pour le droit du developpement durable (CODED) Centre for Applied Legal Studies (University of Witwatersrand, South Africa) Centre pour la Justice et la Reconciliation (CJR) Centre Regional Africain pour le Developpement Endogene et Communautaire (CRADEC) Cetri CNCD-11.11.11 Coalition Nationale Publiez Ce Que Vous Payez (RDC) Coalition pour la Gouvernance des Entreprises Publiques (COGEP) Collectif des ONG oeuvrant dans le secteur de Mines, Environnement et Electricite (COMEE) Commission Diocesaine Justice et paix Kabinda Commission Diocesaine Justice et Paix Belgique Communities First Conseil Regional des Organisations Non Gouvernementales de developpement Corap Core Care Africa (CCA) Corner House Corporate Accountability Lab CREDDHO Detectives Experts pour les Droits au Quotidien (DEDQ) Dimension Humaine Dynamique des femmes pour l'environnement et son developpement (DYFED) EarthRights International Earthworks EG Justice Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA USA) European Network for Central Africa (EurAc) FILIMBI Forum Tunisien pour les Droits Economiques et Sociaux Foundation For Environmental Rights Advocacy & Development (FENRAD) Friends of Angola Friends of the Earth Europe Global Legal Action Network (GLAN) Global Witness Goma Actif Goma Slam Session Green Advocates International Heartland Initiative HEDA Resource Centre Human Rights Foundation Human Rights Watch Inclusive Development International Index on Censorship Initiative pour la bonne gouvernance et les droits humains Initiatives pour la Paix et les Droits Humains (iPeace) Innovation pour le Developpement et la Protection de l'Environnement International Lawyers Project International Rivers IPDHOR IPIS - International Peace information Service Jamaa Resource Initiatives JICOM Justice Pour Tous L'Observatoire d'Etudes et d'Appui a la Responsabilite Sociale et Environnementale (OEARSE) L'Observatoire de la gouvernance de la securite privee (L'Observatoire) La Maison des Lanceurs d'Alerte Les Memes Droits pour Tous (MDT) Ligue pour la transparence dans le secteur Extractif (LITRASE) Lliga dels Drets dels Pobles London Mining Network LUCHA RDC Lumiere Synergie pour le Developpement MABOKO OKO MiningWatch Canada Mouvement des jeunes en actions pour le changement (Mojac-RDC) Mouvement pour les Droits de l'Homme et la Reconciliation (MDR) Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Corruption Legal Affairs Human Rights By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. 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Public Eye Publiez Ce Que Vous Payez - Gabon Publish What You Pay - United States Publish What You Pay - Madagascar Radio Workshop Resarch and Support Center for Development Alternatives - Indian Ocean (RSCDA-IO) Reseau des defenseurs des droits humains de Lomami (RDDH-LOMAMI) Resource Matters Rights and Accountability in Development (RAID) Save Lamu Save My World Secteur Media Sherpa Solsoc SOMO Synergie de la Societe Civile pour la promotion des Droits Humains et de l'Environnement (SYDHE) The Carter Center The Future We Need The Oakland Institute The Sentry Transparency International Transparency International Initiative Madagascar UGANDA CONSORTIUM ON CORPORATE ACCOUNTABILITY UNISHKA Research Service Wacam Women Working Worldwide Youth For Green Communities (YGC) If all the paparazzi videos from last months Ambani shindig are any indication, the celebrities who descended on Mumbai must have had a lot to talk about on the charter flight back to Los Angeles. From the complete mutilation of poor Zendayas name on the red carpet (Aye Jhandeya, turn left, turn right, look centre) to Gigi Hadids sheer horror at being roughhoused by Varun Dhawan on stage (which she later clarified was planned)surely the Americans had earned their pay-day for the visit. From Zendaya to Gigi Hadid (above), the foreign celebrities who visited Mumbai last month got more than they bargained for from the Indian paparazzi. (Shutterstock) I hate to sound like a cynic, or as someone embarrassed by my people, but youve got to admit that our behaviour around White folks is frequently cringey. The post-colonial hangover tends to manifest itself in one of two ways: Utter contempt for the foreigner, or as a desperate need to fit in. Im guilty of it myself. I dont know how the accent creeps in anytime Im interviewing a Hollywood actor I like to say (and I believe) that its an involuntary inclusion mechanism that it comes from a place of wanting to be understood by people who dont speak like us. But theres no denying that its all kinds of ugh. Ive read the Hes such a wannabe comments below the YouTube videos. I have no defence. A few years ago, while interviewing Dwayne Johnson in Los Angeles, I remember asking the token Indian question: his favourite dance move. The horizontal hula, he replied with a straight face. Not sparing a moment to consider his response, I asked if he might show us the move on camera. He chuckled: Not today. Pat came my (again) unconsidered signoff: Perhaps youll show it us when you come to India. You couldnt miss the muffled giggles from his team. It wasnt until later, when I went over the chat in my head that I realized hed described a sexual position. Facepalm. (Dont waste your time trying to search for the clip on the Internet. I cut it out of the interview!) Fans went nuts over a photograph of Shah Rukh Khan with Zendaya and Tom Holland, but they mistakenly tagged the English author and historian also named Tom Holland on Twitter. When Will Smith visited Mumbai several years ago, I remember the MC asking him to repeat a bunch of phrases in Hindi. The room was amused, both because of his American accent and because he was made to say silly lines that hed never have uttered if he knew what they meant. When Tom Cruise left India after attending the premiere of Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation in 2011, he probably went back with a heavy heart after a prominent newspaper ran a story that the host studio hired 200 extras to pose as screaming fans to create a frenzy around the arrival of the global superstar. The notion of having to pay people to turn up to cheer for Cruise sounds outrageous, no doubt, but shockingly its also a reflection of the sheer ignorance of his appeal. We Indians may be easily overwhelmed, but we know how to return the feeling. Soon after a photograph emerged of Shah Rukh Khan posing with Spider-Man star Tom Holland from the Ambani event, SRK fans went nuts messaging and tagging the 26-year-old actor on social mediaor so they thought. English author and historian Tom Holland took to Twitter, begging: Please make it stop. Turns out fans had tagged the wrong Tom Holland, who complained: It seems like I have the whole of India in my timeline! From HT Brunch, April 22, 2023 Follow us on twitter.com/HTBrunch Connect with us on facebook.com/hindustantimesbrunch It is not often that the same food trend occurs at two different levels simultaneously. Most times, what happens on the street happens on its own. And the top end of the market follows its own rules before eventually appropriating some of the streets better ideas. Higher-end restaurants use fancy bread, and flavours from around the world, such as in this bahn-mi style baguette sandwich. (Shutterstock) But these days, at both, the top and the bottom ends of the market, there are two distinct but similar sandwich booms occurring. And at both levels, there is an element of the ridiculous tagged on to each boom. The boom at street level is easy to see. It is most visible in Western India. It was there, after all, that the hamburger bun, the pao and a strange hybrid between the two, became the basis for many new sandwiches. The vada-pav is what a hamburger would have tasted like if it had been born and brought up in Parel by vegetarian parents. The dabeli is a slightly different riff on the same idea from Gujarat. And there is the famous (if under-recognised outside of the city of its birth) Bombay Sandwich, which has travelled abroad to turn up on menus as far away as London and America, but is hard to find in say, Hyderabad. The most famous sourdough bread in Europe is made by the French bakery Poilane. (Shutterstock) The boom has now spread beyond its original home. Three elements have combined to form the basis of new street food snacks and quick lunches at thelewallah joints all over India: eggs, cheese and basic white bread. If you travel through Himachal for instance, you will find guys making omelette sandwiches with shop-bought bread. You will find variations on this theme in such cities as Surat, where the Bhai Bhai Omelette centre is something of a tourist magnet. When they want to tart the sandwiches up, they use grated Amul cheese. This has always been easy in Gujarat, home of Amul, but improved cold chains have meant that refrigerated blocks of Amul cheese have reached all over India. So the mixture of processed cheese and bread has become a staple of the mass market. The sourdough bread at Poilane. (Shutterstock) And then there is the boom at the top end. For a long time, Indians stuck with the British tradition of making sandwiches with untoasted bread and filling them with such ingredients as ham or chicken or cheese, chutney or tomato-cucumber for vegetarians. These are the sandwiches you will still find at clubs and less elevated establishments. Restaurants with a little more gumption will put the sandwiches under a grill and will call them Grilled Sandwiches. (Rarely though will you find a great Grilled Cheese Sandwich made the American way.) But something happened to the sandwich market during the pandemic. Actually, a lot happened to the entire food market during the lockdown and not all of it was good. One area of concern (for me) was bread. All over the world, everyone starting baking bread. A particular favourite was sourdough. Variations of the Bombay Sandwich have shown up on menus in London and USA, but the dish is hard to find in Hyderabad. (Shutterstock) Ive written about this before so I wont belabour the point but the point of sourdough is that it relies on a starter culture which includes bacteria. (Ordinary bread just needs yeast.) This culture has taken on mythic proportions in bread lore. Some bakers use a starter that is decades old. This is important because it is the culture that gives the bread its distinctive taste. The most famous sourdough bread in Europe is made by the French bakery, Poilane, and has a note of acid running through the flavour. In San Francisco, the citys famous sourdough can be even sharper tasting and more acidic Unfortunately most of the people who turned to baking sourdough here during the lockdown had no culture (no, I dont mean it that way) so they relied on nasty industrial powders that were said to contain some bacteria and did not bother to ferment the dough for long enough. So something like 90% of the sour dough I tried during the lockdown was rubbish and tasted nothing like the real thing. But just as a bogus sourdough trend took hold, so did a delivery sandwich wave. Its complicated to take away or deliver a sandwich. A British-style sandwich will last, but any sandwich that contains lots of sauce or mayo will turn into a soggy mess sooner rather than later. The same is true of delivery hamburgers. The fast-food chains know this and reinforce their breads so that the burgers last longer. But everyone else does not. And the more expensive delivery places during the lockdown claimed to be better than Subway or McDonalds. So they used fancy breads and made much of their sauces. This sounded good but in 20 minutes time, their sandwiches were mush. Nevertheless the idea of the so-called gourmet sandwich caught on and has survived beyond the pandemic. Last week, I got an exasperated text from the editor of Brunch. Mumbai has a whole category of cloud-kitchens and restaurants delivering overpriced artisanal faux-gourmet sandwiches. I am sick of seeing sour dough everywhere. And stupid microgreens . I couldnt have put it better myself. Chef Hussain Shahzad makes good pastrami from buffalo meat. He serves the deli sandwich at Veronicas in Mumbai. The gentrification of the sandwich as a means of squeezing more money out of gullible customers irritates me as much as it annoys my editor. I was lucky during the lockdown to have found two local places that made good sandwiches that held their shape while being delivered.Sadly, I was not very impressed by anything else I tried in Delhi. (You want to know what the two places are? Okay. Tres for its prawn sandwich. Plats for Cubanos. And if you include burgers, then Akus). But even as the great gourmet sandwich swindle rages, there is another category of sandwich that has finally reached India. I had an excellent pastrami sandwich in Goa during the lockdown (made by Pablo Miranda, who has stopped making them now, alas) and wondered why the Jewish Deli sandwich tradition had not properly hit India yet. If you have travelled to America, then you will know what I am talking about. The word delicatessen derives from the German word for places that sold cold meat (what the French call charcuterie) and when Jews emigrated from Germany and the rest of Europe to America in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, they brought the German cold meat tradition with them. Veronicas in Mumbai. Once they got to the States, they created their own Jewish-American tradition making such cold meats as pastrami (made from beef, Jews dont eat pork) and baking rye bread, traditionally made in their old countries by mixing cheaper rye flour with more expensive wheat flour. That led to the creation of Deli sandwiches usually made with rye bread and such meats as pastrami. These were huge overstuffed sandwiches and it was impossible to eat them without making a mess. But God, were they delicious! The deli sandwich has spread all over the world but its advent in India has been hampered by the problems with beef. Fortunately Hussain Shahzad, the chef behind Bombay Canteen and O Pedro, has figured out how to make good pastrami from buffalo meat. He serves it at Veronicas, the new restaurant from the Bombay Canteen partners. I tried many of the sandwiches at Veronicas and found that some had Indian flavours. The Big Floyd (named after the groups late founder) is a fried chicken sandwich with imli and Bhavnagari chillis and the Chilli Cheese Toast gets an added zing from hot Naga chilli honey. Its not fancy food. Some of the filling will fall on your shirt and there will be a ring of sauce around your mouth after you bite into a sandwich. But thats what sandwiches should be about. They should be about fun, about grabbing them with both hands and about the sheer joy of messy eating. So yes, you can keep your faux sourdough and your microgreens. I would rather bite into a Bombay Sandwich and let the chutney run down my chin or see if I can fit a bite of a whole pastrami sandwich into my mouth. From HT Brunch, April 22, 2023 Follow us on twitter.com/HTBrunch Connect with us on facebook.com/hindustantimesbrunch SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Eid-ul-Fitr or Eid al-Fitr is one of the most auspicious and holy festivals of Islam. It is marked as the month-long fasting (Roza) of Ramadan comes to an end. The ninth month in the Islamic Lunar Calendar is Ramadan, and the tenth is Shawwal - which means 'festival of breaking of the fast'. The first day of the Shawwal month is celebrated by Muslims as Eid-al-Fitr. Muslims sight the crescent Moon on the last day of Ramadan to welcome the month of Shawwal with Eid-ul-Fitr. The tradition of sighting the Moon is a practice of observing the crescent or new Moon to determine the start of the tenth Islamic month of Shawwal. Muslims sight the Moon with the naked eye or using telescopes. The news is then broadcasted to people via media outlets, mosques and community organizations. Meanwhile, determining the start of the month of Shawwal may vary between different Muslim communities and countries. It is because the Islamic calendar is lunar - based on the sighting of the crescent Moon. Lunar months are either 29 or 30 days long. And since the lunar months are shorter than solar months, the date varies from country to country by about a day. Every year, Ramadan and Eid-ul-Fitr occur approximately 10-11 days earlier. It depends on when the crescent Moon is sighted. Lastly, Eid-ul-Fitr marks the end of the month of Ramadan, during which Muslims observe Roza from dawn to sunset, pray to Allah for peace and guidance, perform deeds of charity by giving Zakat to the poor and needy, give back to the community by engaging in humanitarian acts, and more. On the last day of Ramadan, intense prayers take place during the Laylatul Qadr, which means the Night of Power. It is believed to be the holiest night of the year. Food also plays a significant role during the Eid festivities, with people preparing dishes like biryani, kebabs, samosas, sweet treats like sheer khurma and ras malai, and more. It is always hazardous to predict electoral outcomes in India. Karnatakas fragmented politics, especially given the suspense on the fate of the third force i.e., Janata Dal (Secular), makes it an even more hazardous exercise this time around. Whatever the results of May 13 may be, the political strategies (and not tactics) deployed by the two major players in the state and the country, namely, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress are best understood as aspirations to recraft the political-organisational basis of how the two parties have functioned historically. What makes it even more interesting is the fact that while the Congress is trying to correct its past mistakes in the hope of a better future, the BJP is actually trying to recraft its organisation like the Congress was in the past in its hegemonic days. PREMIUM While the Congress is trying to correct its past mistakes in the hope of a better future, the BJP is actually trying to recraft its organisation like the Congress was in the past in its hegemonic days. (Representative Image/HT Archives) Let us look at them one by one. Speaking at a campaign rally in Karnataka, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi became the first person from the Gandhi family to ask for a caste census and explicitly link it to the demand for proportionate reservation this will increase it to (at least) more than 40% from the extant 27% for Other Backward Classes (OBCs). Gandhis endorsing this demand is directed at more than the Karnataka elections and the Congress is clearly hoping to align itself to the larger strategy of forging a pan-OBC solidarity with other regional parties to eat into the BJPs support base in the 2024 elections. The BJPs Karnataka campaign, at least as of now, has been mired in the news of senior regional leaders leaving the party. While Karnataka BJP has always been a faction ridden party, the central leaderships reaction this time seems like it is not exactly perturbed about defections from its ranks, even if they provide a fillip to the Congresss fortunes in these elections. This almost sounds like a passive purge of the veterans in the ranks. While campaigning will go on till May 8, it is unlikely that these two issues will lose their importance in this round of Karnataka elections. Importance of Rahul Gandhi demanding proportionate OBC reservations Let us take the Congress first. If there is one political party which has suffered the most due to the rise of OBC politics in India, it is the Congress. It first lost to the Dravidian OBC assertion in Tamil Nadu. Then came the OBC challenge from what would eventually become Mandal based political formations in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Once it lost power the Congress has never been able to resurrect itself in these states, which, before the partition of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, accounted for 178 out of 543 Lok Sabha seats. At the risk of making a provocative argument, it can be said that Congresss historical antagonism with OBC politics is more a result of its historical evolution than a programmatic aversion to OBC aspirations. The Congress partys leadership developed in an environment of truncated democratic representation which the British offered as a bargaining chip to the anti-colonial movement. Because the elections held during British rule initially offered limited franchise to propertied classes, large parts of the Congress leadership ended up excluding those who did not own property in India. This led to an automatic exclusion of OBCs and dominance of landed upper caste people in the Congress leadership. Once the die was cast, it was very difficult for the Congress party to purge its upper caste vested interests in order to accommodate the aspirational surge in OBC politics after independence. With OBCs becoming the most dominant group once universal suffrage kicked in, it was only a matter of time before they unseated the Congress from a position of power in key Indian states. The deployment of reservations as a political promise to achieve the objective of OBC dominance in politics was, in the words of James Manor, driven by a realisation that the main result of such programmes is not the transformation of the lot of the backward classes but rather a temporary surge in their political consciousness which is useful in winning elections. Ironic as it is, Manor wrote these lines to describe the success of a Congress politician from Karnataka (Devraj Urs) in mobilising OBC support. While the Congress did patch up with OBC parties in the aftermath of Babri demolition to protect the cause of secularism, and the first UPA government rolled out the second phase of Mandal Commission recommendations giving reservations in central educational institutions (Mandal I only reserved jobs), it has never really invested itself completely in the cause of OBC politics. By making such a commitment for the first time, Rahul Gandhi is clearly hoping to undo the Congresss historical unravelling at the hands of OBC assertion. What could possibly explain BJPs cold shoulder to its regional leaders in Karnataka? There can be only two explanations for this. The easiest answer is that the BJP is extremely confident about winning Karnataka. If this were to happen it would require a trend break in Karnatakas political history. The state has not reelected a government with majority in many years. The BJP, despite being a more united force than what it was in 2013 and enjoying anti-incumbency tailwinds, could not win a majority in the 2018 elections. One can argue that a majority in 2023 is an unlikely if not impossible scenario at the moment. The other answer, and it is slightly in the realm of conspiracy theory, is that the BJPs central leadership is reconciled to a loss, but is using the opportunity to purge its organisation of elements which it has never been very comfortable with in the first place. While the party has been pragmatic enough to placate its biggest troubled asset B S Yeddyurappa in these elections it has perhaps drawn a lesson from its 2013 defeat it is clearly not interested in extending a similar long rope to other leaders. What explains this kind of attitude? The answer to this is to be found in the qualitative transformation in the nature of the BJP in the post-2014 era. The BJP organisation, under the leadership of Narendra Modi in the period after 2014, can only be compared to what the Congress had become under Indira Gandhi which was best articulated by Dev Kant Barooahs infamous line India is Indira. Indira is India. At a more serious level, there is now an extreme centralization of both political and financial capital in the BJP. This translates itself in terms of praxis to Modi being the chief campaigner and vote mobiliser and the high-command being the overwhelming collector and provider of political funding. As is obvious, such an arrangement requires a dilution of the political economy clout of regional leadership of the party, both in terms or not allowing anybody to emerge as a challenger to the authority (and popularity) of the high-command as well as reducing local level corruption which is a necessary by-product of raising political finance. It is on the latter front that the BJP government is battling a huge anti-incumbency in Karnataka. By denying tickets (which is what has triggered the exodus) to what could be non-pliant leaders in Karnataka, the BJP is hoping to make its rebellious Karnataka unit fall in line with the new normal. Will these gambles pay off for the Congress and the BJP? As has been argued above, Karnataka is only (a low-risk) test case for these gambles by the Congress and the BJP. The real question is whether the Congress can resurrect itself by firmly aligning itself to the Mandal bandwagon and will the BJPs long-term prospects be helped by making its state leadership completely pliant to the high-command? Let us first look at the reasons why the strategy could work. When OBC assertion first started in the 1960s and 70s, an overwhelmingly upper caste leadership made it impossible for the Congress to align itself to the Mandal wave. It would have faced either a rebellion or a sabotage from within. The situation is as different as it could be today, as the Congress does not even have what can be described as organic state-level leaders in most Indian states. Also, the Hindu upper caste vote bank has already left the Congress and it is more than happy to support the BJP, which notwithstanding its pragmatic social engineering, is still invested in Hindu conservatism as far its larger worldview is concerned. BJPs social inclusion has legitimised a politics of Sanskritization unlike what Dravidian or Left variety of politics sought to do. If one were to put it crudely, Rahul Gandhis decision to align the Congresss rhetoric to social justice will, if nothing else, deliver a progressive political death to the Congress rather than it carrying the stigma of a Brahminical political force which eventually atrophied. For the BJP, there have never been better times than what the political strategy of Brand Modi and its double-engine franchises has delivered for it since 2014. It has won Indias largest state Uttar Pradesh, established a hegemonic presence in the north-east, done a coup on its senior partner Shiv Sena in Maharashtra and managed to become the main opposition party in West Bengal. While communal polarisation including dog-whistling from the highest levels, especially during campaigns, has played a role, one will be missing the point if the importance of execution and delivery of large-scale welfare and infrastructure projects and othering of dominant caste politicians at the state level (Yogi Adityanath in Uttar Pradesh is a quasi-exception to this) is not taken into account. Karnataka so far has been a troubled state on all these counts. Having discussed the pros, let us now come to the cons. Unlike in the 1960s and 1970s, when OBC assertion was driven by a genuine passion against political dominance by upper caste leaders and feudal dominance by (largely) upper caste landowners in Indian villages, Indias socio-economic landscape is very different today. While OBCs do not have proportionate representation in education and jobs, especially the better ones, their political representation is much higher than what it was when the first Mandal rebellion began. That upward mobility of OBCs in politics has not led to a concomitant improvement in the realm of education and jobs is bound to have created a cynical attitude towards the potential of politics as an engine of equality even within the ranks of OBC voters. What will add to this cynicism is the fact that a lot of constituents of the new Mandal coalition are the same organisations which are seen as responsible for having betrayed the Mandal revolution by pandering to nepotism and sectarian preferences for sub-castes rather than OBCs as a whole. In fact, one can argue that by choosing to invest its energies in the Mandal basket, the Congress might have let go of an opportunity to precipitate a genuine class polarisation in India, which is another issue which has seen a lot of polemics from Rahul Gandhi. While a small subset of upper castes is indeed disproportionately privileged in India, it will not be wrong to argue that an overwhelming share of them are also feeling the heat from Indias growth trajectory which has created a viability crisis in agriculture and not generated enough well-paying jobs. A Mandal 3.0 campaign is bound to alienate this lot. For the BJP, the problem is best captured by paraphrasing its often-used jibe against the opposition which is If not Modi, then who. As a party which is emaciating its state-level organisation of mass leaders (notwithstanding their vices), its biggest challenge will come in the form of After Modi, who. This is not just a question of BJP going the House of Cards way in the future where it is only dealing with palace coups. While most analysts, especially those critical to the BJP, like to focus on Modis past as a dedicated volunteer of the RSS, it was his organic evolution as a chief minister of Gujarat which allowed him to develop his own political economy vision which is the cornerstone of the BJPs political strategy today. As much as the BJP would like to believe that this strategy will work forever, creative destruction of this political economy approach will eventually catch up with the Modi line, especially as the party runs out of first-generation problems which it has exploited to the hilt via its welfare schemes so far. To be sure, none of the issues discussed in this column could manifest themselves in the immediate future. But politics is never about tomorrow. In the words of Lenin, in politics, there are decades where nothing happens; and there are weeks where decades happen. Every Friday, HTs data and political economy editor, Roshan Kishore, combines his commitment to data and passion for qualitative analysis in a column for HT Premium, Terms of Trade. With a focus on one big number and one big issue, he will go behind the headlines to ask a question and address political economy issues and social puzzles facing contemporary India. The views expressed are personal Twitter's traditional blue checkmarks, which were used to indicate a verified notable person, have been replaced by a paid subscription service Twitter Blue, a premium version of the micro-blogging platform. In India, Twitter Blue is available for a monthly fee of 650 on the web and 900 on mobile devices. The microblogging platform also offers a discounted annual plan of 6,800 per year, which comes to 566.67 per month. The move made many Twitter users to question the authenticity of the platform. (Representational Image)(AFP) The change which came into effect late on Thursday night was announced just two weeks after Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter. As a result, many high-profile users who choose not to pay for the subscription have lost their verified status. Confusion prevailed among Twitter users that why is it any longer called verified if any person can just go for paying to acquire a blue tick. The microblogging site's announcement on Thursday that said, Tomorrow, 4/20, we are removing legacy verified checkmarks. To remain verified on Twitter, individuals can sign up for Twitter Blue here The move made many Twitter users question the authenticity of the platform, as the accounts that were once verified can no longer be easily identified as such. This will cause a lot of people to leave Twitter, said a user. Raising questions on the concept of verification, a user said, I dont think you mean to remain verified - as youre not checking IDs. Remaining blue check marks are simply paid subscribers - nothing else - theres zero verification involved. Also Read | Elon Musk defends paid Twitter on eve of blue tick deadline A user talked about the subscription cost and said, No thanks! I have better things to spend 8 dollars a month on. I'd rather earn verification on another platform than pay to play here. On top of which, given verification is now available to anyone willing to pony up, it's absolutely meaningless, the user further wrote. Twitter launched the blue checkmark system back in 2009 as a way to distinguish the authenticity of notable accounts, including celebrities, politicians, brands, news organisations, and other high-profile individuals. The purpose was to ensure that users could trust the identity of the account they were interacting with, and avoid being misled by fake or parody accounts. However, with the recent changes, many notable individuals, including Indian celebrities like Shah Rukh Khan and politicians such as Rahul Gandhi and Yogi Adityanath, have lost their verified status. The loss of blue checkmarks was not limited to celebrities and journalists; many government agencies, nonprofits, and public-service accounts worldwide also found themselves stripped of their verified status. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Twitter has dropped "state-affiliated" and "government-funded" labels from media accounts, according to a review by AFP on Friday of many high-profile pages on the platform. The change appeared soon after Twitter began the mass removal of its blue ticks on Thursday, (AFP) Many major media outlets from Western nations, Russia, China and other countries that previously had either of those tags no longer displayed them, according to AFP. Also Read | Musk says he is personally paying for Twitter Blue subscriptions of few celebs They included the accounts of National Public Radio in the United States, China's official Xinhua news agency, RT from Russia, and Canada's CBC, as of 0600 GMT. Twitter, acquired by the mercurial billionaire Elon Musk last year, had long labelled accounts linked to state media or government officials, especially from China and Russia. It said that policy focused on entities that "are the official voice of the nation state abroad". Recently, however, the labels were applied to news organisations that received public funding but were not controlled by any governments. NPR stopped using Twitter thereafter, and CBC followed suit. Radio New Zealand also threatened to leave Twitter this week over the "government-funded" label, while Sweden's public Sveriges Radio said it would stop tweeting. But all the tags were gone as of Friday. The change appeared soon after Twitter began the mass removal of its blue ticks on Thursday, a symbol that previously signified a verified account. Musk, who has seen his $44 billion investment in the platform shrivel, changed the system to allow anyone who pays $8 a month to get the badge. Musk's tumultuous ownership of Twitter has seen thousands of staff made redundant and advertisers fleeing the platform. Users have complained that hate speech and misinformation have proliferated, and accounts with extreme views are gaining traction due to less content moderation. South African police said on Friday that according to initial reports 10 family members had been killed in a mass shooting in Pietermaritzburg in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. Seven women and three men were fatally wounded during the shooting. (AP File/ Representative image) Also Read| California police arrest 17 in connection with Gurdwara shootings, seize AK 47, machine gun "According to initial police reports, unknown gunmen stormed a Pietermaritzburg homestead and ambushed the family. Seven women and three men were fatally wounded during the shooting," South Africa's police ministry said in statement. Police Minister Bheki Cele and the top management of the South African Police Service will visit the crime scene later in the day, the statement added. When King Charles III is crowned May 6 at Westminster Abbey, royal-watching analysts say American tourists will celebrate by outspending his British subjects at Londons top hotels. Britain's King Charles III, inspects the 200th Sovereign's parade at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, in Camberley, England, Friday, April 14. (AP) According to research conducted by AI hotel booking platform Allora.ai, US-based travelers will account for 32% of all booking revenue in four- and five-star hotels, more than usual for this time of year. Americans typically make up 24% of revenue and domestic travelers 34%, according to the platform. The fact that the coronation has really caught the imagination of visitors from the US is a real added bonus for London hoteliers, as they are far more likely to make use of the hotels facilities, such as the restaurant or spa, says Michael De Jongh, chief commercial officer of Allora.ai. US guests spend a good deal more than domestic ones. There will be plenty of opportunities for visitors who have traveled across the pond to splash cash at luxury hotels on everything from coronation-themed high teas and cocktails to Michelin-starred dinners and a $25,000 whisky for the occasion. Some of the more exciting recent announcements include 5-star hotel The Londoner opening a pop-up royal martini bar. The Dorchester is reopening its rooftop on coronation day to let guests watch the Red Arrows pass overhead while enjoying a three-course lunch, starting at 165 per person ($205). But hotels in all corners of London are cashing in on the occasion. Patricia Yates, chief executive officer of VisitBritain, the UKs national tourism agency, told Bloomberg last month that the coronation has global appeal, especially for Americans, who are the key drivers behind the countrys tourism recovery after pandemic restrictions lifted. Americans shelled out $5.2 billion in the UK in 2019, and spending so far this year is already up 40%, according to VisitBritain. This all comes after a YouGov poll said that most Brits just dont care much about the coronation. Apathy is highest among younger people, with 75% of 18- to 24-year-olds who were polled saying they care not very much or not at all about the kings big day. Many Brits said they are looking to get out of town entirely during the festivities. Expedia search data showed that British travelers have been searching for flights to Amsterdam, Paris and even New York, while the top hotels in London are being booked by Americans. No decision yet has been made to evacuate American diplomatic personnel from Sudan but the United States is preparing for such an eventuality if it becomes necessary, the White House said on Friday. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby.(AP) John Kirby, the White House national security spokesperson, said that for all American citizens in Sudan, they must "make their own arrangements to stay safe" as violence rocks the country. He said President Joe Biden had approved a plan earlier this week to move U.S. forces nearby in case they are needed to help evacuate American diplomats. "We are simply pre-positioning some additional capabilities nearby in case that they're needed. But I want to stress again ... there's been no decision to move forward with any kind of an evacuation at this time," Kirby told reporters. Kirby said the situation in the capital Khartoum remained tense and that the warring parties have been unable to stick to ceasefires that have been agreed upon. "We're focused right now on the situation we're in. We want to get all our government personnel consolidated and safe at the (U.S.) embassy," he said. Chinas foreign minister Qin Gang on Friday warned of dangerous consequences if countries intervened in Taiwan, asserting both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to the mainland and that Beijing has the right to uphold its sovereignty. Qin Gang, China's foreign minister, speaks during the Lanting Forum in Shanghai, China, on Friday. (Bloomberg) Those who play with fire on Taiwan will eventually get themselves burned, Qin said at the Lanting Forum in Shanghai where he spoke on a wide range of topics including modernisation and safeguarding the international order. Qins warning on Taiwan comes in the backdrop of the ongoing Sino-US tension on the self-ruled island, and the recent remarks by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol who told Reuters in an interview that the Taiwan issue is not simply an issue between China and Taiwan but, like the issue of North Korea, it is a global issue. Beijing claims the democratically-ruled island as a breakaway region to be merged with the mainland by force if necessary. The Tsai Ing-wen government in Taiwan rejects Beijings claims, saying it is the Taiwanese people who will decide their future. Recently, there has been some absurd rhetoric accusing China of challenging the so-called rules-based international order, of unilaterally changing the status quo across the Taiwan Strait through force or coercion, and of disrupting peace and stability across the Strait, Qin said at the forum in Shanghai. Such claims go against basic common sense on international relations and historical justice. The logic is absurd, and the consequences dangerous, he added. Asserting Chinas rights to uphold its sovereignty and territorial integrity,, Qin said: We would like to make it clear to those who seek to sabotage international justice in the name of international order: The Taiwan question is the core of the core interests of China Chinas Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) launched intense drills around the island, deploying warships and fighter jets to encircle it as it put on an aggressive show of military might in response to Taiwanese President Tsais US stopover and meeting with House speaker, Kevin McCarthy, earlier this month. On Friday, the Chinese foreign ministry rejected South Korean President Yoons statement, calling on Seoul to act with caution over its stand on Taiwan. Qin also spoke at length on Chinas modernisation, saying that over the past four decades, the Chinese government has lifted over 800 million people out of poverty, and enlarged the middle-income group to over 400 million people. He said China is the main trading partner of over 140 countries and regions at present, and makes US$320 million direct investment around the world each day while attracting over 3,000 foreign businesses every month. Over the past decade, China has contributed more to global growth than all the G7 countries combined, Qin said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Nigeria's average rig count recently grew in April 2023, a positive signal of new investments trickling into the country, an official said. Nigeria is suitably positioned to become a superpower in the unfolding energy transition regime given its over 200 million population and abundant energy sources, the Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has said. The NUPRC Chief Executive, Gbenga Komolafe, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday. Mr Komolafe said as a country, Nigeria boasts of 37.064 billion barrels of oil with a daily production of over 1.5 million barrels of oil which makes it rightfully positioned to achieve the right energy mix for sustainability of energy supply. In terms of reserves, he said Nigeria ranks 2nd in Africa, 8th in OPEC and 11th in the World. On the other hand, the nation ranks 1st in Africa, 6th in OPEC and 15th in the World in terms of crude oil production. He explained that the GDP per capita for Nigeria stands at $1,998 which ranks her at 12th position amongst the OPEC member states and 22nd in Africa. Mr Komolafe said crude oil contributes over 85 per cent to Nigeria's foreign exchange earnings, with GDP contribution of about 6.33 per cent. On the other hand, Algeria's contribution is 10.2 per cent, Angola's is 30 per cent and Libya's is at over 50 per cent. He noted that Nigeria is a nation where needs meet with opportunity. "Nigeria is blessed with potentials for blue energy, solar, wind, biomass as well as other sources of renewable energy to leverage for the right energy mix in the energy transition regime. "Unfortunately, in the years preceding the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act (2021), investments in the Nigerian oil and gas industry declined due to regulatory uncertainty in addition to de-funding of fossil fuel development occasioned by energy transition and COVID-19. "Most of the International Oil Companies (IOCs) deprioritized Nigeria in their portfolios leading to the redirection of CAPEX to other countries and the attendant dwindling investment in Nigeria's upstream sector," he said. For instance, he said, Nigeria's total annual upstream capital expenditure decreased by 74 per cent from $27 billion in the year 2014 to less than $6 billion in 2022. "More so, increasing competition from regional peers has led to a decrease in the proportion of the overall upstream investment attracted by Nigeria. "This under-investment is also reflected in the country's rig count," he added. On average, he explained that Nigeria had 17 active oil rigs in 2019 representing one of the highest counts on the African continent as of then. According to him, Nigeria's average rig count declined to 11 in 2020, 7 in 2021, and 10 in 2022, but recently grew to 24 in April 2023, a positive signal of new investments trickling into the country. He said this is also a reflection of investors' acceptance of the effective implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) by the regulator. In contrast, he said other OPEC members countries such as Iran, Iraq, Algeria, Libya, and Angola had 117, 62, 31, 12 and 9 active rigs respectively as of February 2023 as against Nigeria's rig count which stood at 13. "However, following two years of high energy prices, the global oil and gas industry is experiencing a boom that could be directed to capital investment in the upstream. "The projected outlook over the next few years is positive, and as an industry, we need to leverage on this opportunity by doing all that is necessary to attract more investments and revive the Nigerian upstream sector," he said. The official emphasised the need for oil and gas producers in Africa to embrace the reality of green transition and take a strategic position to leverage the opportunities presented by the unfolding era has indeed become more pressing. "Energy transition plans have also been derailed by the unprecedented global energy crisis provoked by the Russia-Ukraine war as reiterated by the G7 Ministers of Climate, Energy and the Environment. "It is therefore incumbent on us as industry stakeholders to embrace climate action initiatives targeted at emissions reduction while ensuring that opportunities arising from the increasing demand for credit in the Voluntary Carbon Markets do not elude us," he added. In response to the dynamics of the energy transition and the global footprint, he said the NUPRC has embarked on the development of a regulatory framework for carbon-pricing systems to make businesses pay for their emissions and incentivize emission reductions through carbon credits. "The Commission has risen to the occasion by establishing a new Department, "Energy Transition & Carbon Monetization", saddled with the regulation of the oil and gas carbon market and we will soon revert to the industry on proposed actions and measures in this regard. "It is pertinent to state that Nigeria is already charting a new course in the Upstream Petroleum Sector and is poised to secure a blossoming energy future through effective implementation of the PIA that potently provides legal, governance, fiscal and regulatory frameworks for regulating industry operations." Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Energy Nigeria 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. He added that the NUPRC in line with its mandate is developing forward-thinking technical and commercially viable regulations as regulatory instruments to promote transparency, efficiency, and innovation for the sustainable development of Nigeria's hydrocarbon resources. "We have continuously encouraged investors to leverage on the generous fiscal incentives in the PIA, such as zero hydrocarbon tax, reduced royalty rates based on production and across terrains, and tax consolidation provisions amongst others and take final investment decisions on their proposed upstream projects. "With a proven gas reserve base of 208.62TCF (as of 1st January 2022), we are on track to increase our reserves volumes to 220 TCF in less than 10 years and 250 TCF thereafter. "Our drive to increase our Gas Reserves and Production from its current volumes to meet the future energy demand of the country and the international market offers a huge investment opportunity not only for the exploration but also for the creation of the much-needed infrastructure to utilise the gas within the country as well as earn revenue for further development of our renewable resources," he added. In a blow to British PM Rishi Sunak, his close aide and Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab resigned amid allegations that he bullied staff members. The allegations are from the time Dominic Raab was working as a cabinet minister across different UK government departments. Dominic Raab: Britain's Justice Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab leaves Number 10 Downing Street.(AFP) In his resignation letter posted on Twitter, Dominic Raab said that the report into his conduct had upheld two claims against him and both are flawed. He claimed that the report sets a dangerous precedent of a low threshold for bullying. "Whilst I feel duty bound to accept the outcome of the inquiry, it dismissed all but two of the claims levelled against me. I also believe that its two adverse findings are flawed and set a dangerous precedent for the conduct of good government," he said. "In setting the threshold for bullying so low, this inquiry has set a dangerous precedent. It will encourage spurious complaints against ministers, and have a chilling effect on those driving change on behalf of your government and ultimately the British people," he added. Dominic Raab's resignation comes after months-long investigation into his behaviour. Evidence was heard from multiple government officials about the complaints of bullying at three different departments and Dominic Raab had requested the investigation in November following formal complaints. Dominic Raab asserted that the report had concluded that he had not once sworn, shouted or physically intimidated anyone. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Jack Ma, founder of Chinese tech giant Alibaba, has been made an honorary professor of business at a top Hong Kong university, the school announced Friday. Jack Ma, billionaire founder of Alibaba Group,(REUTERS) The appointment comes weeks after the billionaire made a rare public appearance in China following his fall from grace during a government crackdown on the tech industry over two years ago. Ma has kept a low profile since late 2020, when a speech he made attacking Chinese regulators was followed by Beijing pulling the plug on a planned IPO by Alibaba affiliate Ant Group. A record fine of $2.75 billion was later imposed on Alibaba for alleged unfair business practices. The University of Hong Kong on Friday said Ma had accepted an honorary professorship from its business school. A spokesperson for the institution said it welcomed Ma sharing "his rich knowledge and experience in business innovation and development". The professorship carries a three-year term ending in March 2026, according to local media. The school's website now contains a profile of Ma highlighting his expertise in "management and strategy". In 2018 the same university awarded Ma an honorary doctorate. However, Ma has "no plans for public lectures or speeches", according to the South China Morning Post, a Hong Kong-based English-language newspaper wholly owned by Alibaba. The Jack Ma Foundation, a charitable organisation set up by the billionaire in 2014, told the Post that "after a hiatus from the world of education, Mr Ma looks forward to returning to campus life". Ma previously taught English for eight years at Hangzhou Dianzi University in the eastern Chinese province of Zhejiang before he launched Alibaba. He also founded in 2015 a centre for entrepreneurship in Zhejiang along with several Chinese business heavyweights. That institution was originally called Hupan University but had the term "university" removed from its name in 2021 amid Ma's spat with Chinese authorities. Ma has been spotted in a number of locations around the world over the past two years, including on the Spanish island of Mallorca, and was reportedly living in Japan for much of 2022. Members of the Indian community of a western Sydney suburb renewed calls to name their town 'Little India' ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's expected visit to Australia next month, it was reported. Little India is the name used for a cluster of Indian restaurants and shops in Harris Park. The residents are now pushing for the whole area to be named the same, ABC News reported. PM Modi will also attend the Bihu dance event during his visit (File Photo) Indian businesses in Harris Park refer to the cluster of various Indian restaurants, and retail shops as 'Little India' believing that making the sobriquet official would boost the area's appeal to tourists, reported ABC News. The first proposal for officially naming the area 'Little India' was made in 2015, president of Little India Harris Park Business Association Sanjay Deshwal told ABC. But the attempts were stalled after Geographic Names Board told Parramatta Council to stop using the term as it may "create confusion". "The area was crucial to helping students and workers settle into their new home country. It is an important step to provide those people with a feeling of home," Sanjay Deshwal stressed. Parramatta Council said that it is still holding talks with the Geographic Names Board and has not received a formal application to assign the name 'Little India'. "We want to make it an international destination on the same lines as Little India in Singapore and other places around the world. It puts us on the map," Parramatta councillor Paul Noack, who moved the motion, said. The current proposal would not replace the suburb name Harris Park, but would designate the three main streets as a cultural precinct, he added. A 2021 census revealed that 45% of the area's residents have Indian roots, the report said. PM Modi is expected to visit Australia in May to attend the Quad Summit. The Parramatta Council has formally extended an invitation to PM Modi to visit Harris Park, the report claimed. "Prime Minister Modi's visits get watched by millions of people back in India and around the world, that would certainly be a huge boost," federal member for Parramatta Andrew Charlton said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Dutch government on Friday said it would ban the sale of all types of nicotine pouches in the Netherlands, while widening the rules for tobacco to include all other types of tobacco-free nicotine products. The new rules will also prohibit the use of nicotine pouches and other tobacco-free nicotine products in places where smoking is not allowed. (Istock) The government said the ban would make it easier to uphold the rules regarding nicotine pouches, which are currently only allowed if they contain less than 0.035 grammes of nicotine. The new rules will also prohibit the use of nicotine pouches and other tobacco-free nicotine products in places where smoking is not allowed. The government said it would also end all advertising for tobacco-free nicotine products, a segment that is seen as very important for tobacco companies as they try to move away from health-harming cigarettes and eventually become smoke-free. "The tobacco industry keeps launching new products that make it easy for young people to come into contact with nicotine," health deputy minister Maarten van Ooijen said in a statement. "This is bad, because nicotine is addictive and harmful. That's why I'm glad we will now treat these products the same as tobacco products," he said. Pakistan's media watchdog ordered local cable TV operators to stop airing Indian channels warning that strict action would be taken against them if they were found violating its orders, news agency ANI reported quoting Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA)'s statement. In a statement, PEMRA said that several operators have been found violating the rules set in place by it and the country's Supreme Court. The Karachi regional office conducted surprise inspections.(Representational) Ordering its regional offices to conduct enforcement drives on reports of violations by cable operators who were airing Indian channels, PEMRA said, No channel other than Pemra licensee would be allowed for distribution on cable TV networks and any operator found defying the orders henceforth would be dealt with strictly in accordance with the PEMRA law. The Karachi regional office conducted surprise inspections as well on operators including Digital Cable Network, Home Media Communications (Pvt) Ltd, Shahzaib Cable Network and Sky Cable Vision, the report said. Similar raids were conducted in Sindh and Punjab by the PEMRA teams which confiscated illegal equipment. Show-cause notices were issued to the violators, the statement said. Pakistan has banned Indian films and TV channels many times in the past. The most recent ban was imposed in 2016. The Lahore High Court ruled against the ban in 2018. However Pakistan's Supreme Court later overturned the judgment and re-imposed the ban. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Tom Parker Bowles, son of King Charles' second wife Queen Consort Camilla, hit back at Prince Harrys claim that his mother played an end game to become Queen. Tom Parker Bowles is the eldest child of Camilla and Andrew Parker Bowles. Britain's Queen Consort Camilla is seen.(AFP) Talking of Camillas marriage to Charles, Tom Parker Bowles said that she just married the person she loved. I think change happens but I dont care what anyone says this wasnt any sort of end game. She married the person she loved and this is what happened," he said. Prince Harry had called his step-mother villain in his memoir, Spare. In the tell-all, Prince Harry claimed that Camilla leaked stories about the royal family to the media to bolster her image. I have complex feelings about gaining a step-parent who I thought had recently sacrificed me on her personal PR altar, Prince Harry wrote. Tom Parker Bowles said it was difficult for her to take on such a role during King Charles' coronation but shes never complained. I think anyone would be anxious on an occasion of this sort of importance in terms of the historical. And yes, I think Id be terrified if I had to sort of walk out wearing ancient robes. Shes 75, but you know, its tough to do it. But shes never complained. You just do it. Get on with it," he said. Shes still our mother. I say our but not the royal we, speaking for my sister and me. Shes our mother, he added. This comes as Prince Harry confirmed his attendance at the coronation. In a statement, Buckingham Palace announced that it "is pleased to confirm that the Duke of Sussex will attend the Coronation Service at Westminster Abbey on 6 May. The Duchess of Sussex will remain in California with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Prince Harry is set to attend King Charles' coronation as after month of speculation the Duke of Sussex confirmed his presence. Prince Harry will be present at the ceremony along without his wife Meghan Markle but a report claimed that Prince Harry only received an email from his fathers office but he never heard from King Charles himself. Prince Harry will soon be seen at his father King Charles III's coronation in the UK. At this point, its become so personal. Maybe what they wanted wasnt achieved, but at the end of the day, hes going there to support his dad," The Mirror reported citing a source. Prince Harry's request for a sit down with King Charles after the release of his controversial memoir, Spare, never happened, either, the report claimed. They didnt hear from Charles. Harry wanted to hear from his father directly its always through somebody, People reported. In an interview ahead of his book's release, Prince Harry said, "There's a lot that can happen between now and then. But the door is always open. The ball is in their court. There's a lot to be discussed, and I really hope that they're willing to sit down and talk about it." Royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith said, "Despite the wounds, it's his son, and I can't imagine he wouldn't want him to be there regardless of the hurtful things that have been said." SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON King Charles still looks after his son Prince Harry as when the latter visited the UK recently, the monarch made sure that there was someone to cook for him. Prince Harry made an appearance in London at the Royal Courts of Justice in late March although he did not meet his father but King Charles made sure that Harry was looked after, Princess Dianas former butler Paul Burrell said. Prince Harry On Royal Family: Britain's Prince Harry is seen. (AP) The former royal employee said that despite everything Prince Harry has said about his father and the rest of the royal family its interesting that the king still loves Harry and tries to protect him and look after him." When Harry was here recently for the court case, the car from the Royal Mews picked him up at the airport, whisked him off to Frogmore Cottage where he still lives. The king dispatched a chef to Windsor Castle to cook Harrys food [and] a butler to take it down to Frogmore Cottage from the castle to serve it. Thats not a king who is being mean but of course, you will never hear that story because thats too good a story, too nice a story for Harry and Meghan to tell. Theyd rather tell negative stories but the king does care about Harry and looks after him still. Hes still looking after his wayward son," he added. King Charles has to walk a very strange tightrope, the former butler said, adding, I think the king wouldve been sad not to see both his sons in the congregation. I feel sorry for the king, he has to walk a very strange tightrope, thinking about what will the people say on one hand because hes king and on the other hand, what do I feel as Harrys father. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A new photograph of Queen Elizabeth II has been released on what would have been her 97th birthday. The previously unseen image was taken Kate Middleton and features the late monarch smiling with some of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Royal Family: Britain's Queen Elizabeth II poses for a photo in Balmoral, Scotland, with some of her grandchildren and great grandchildren.(AP) In the photo, Queen Elizabeth is joined by Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, along with Mia, Lucas and Lena Tindall, and Savannah and Isla Phillips. At the back, Queen's grandchildren Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor and James, Earl of Wessex - the son and daughter of the now Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh are seen. Buckingham Palace shared on Instagram earlier, "Today we remember the incredible life and legacy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, on what would have been her 97th birthday. When Her Majesty was born in April 1926, Princess Elizabeth and her family did not expect that she would one day become Queen. Following the abdication of her uncle King Edward VIII in 1936, her father acceded to the throne. When King George VI died in February 1952, Princess Elizabeth became Queen Elizabeth II when she was just 25. Her Majesty went on to be Britain's longest reigning Monarch - the only one in history to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee." Balmoral was one of the monarch's favourite places. Queen Elizabeth usually stayed at the main property annually from August and September. In 2022, she travelled to the private residence in July and even appointed a new prime minister there in September - two days before her death on September 8. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Prince William helped out an Indian restaurant during a royal visit by taking a phone reservation. The customer was not aware that Prince William was on the call. When Prince William and his wife Kate Middleton were visiting the family-run Indian restaurant Streatery during their trip to Birmingham in England, he took the call. The customer was seeking a booking for two people. Britain's Prince William and Kate Middleton visit Indian Streatery, an authentic, family run independent Indian restaurant.(Reuters) Prince William then checked in with the owners of the restaurant about the location. Then he talked to the called about when the table would be free and if it would suit their timing. "What name is it under?" Prince William said as he concluded the conversation. Although the prince did not reveal his name to the caller. See you at quarter past two, he added. Prince William's office later tweeted, "Hope we told this customer to come to the right place...!" The couple also helped out in preparing dishes in the restaurant's kitchen before continuing their visit in the city. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) was introduced in the country in 2001 to deal with the financial hardship among the populace that had become a barrier to their access to even basic healthcare services. Prior to 2001, access to healthcare was by the cash-and-carry system. Under the system, charges differed at the various health facilities and because regulation of such charges was not properly done, the system worsened access to care by the poor. Therefore, the NHIS was hailed as a saviour but in no time subscribers started complaining about challenges they were facing. There were such complaints as patients being asked to buy even drugs on the NHIS medicine list and also being charged for services they were entitled to for free. Others were and still crying for certain services like treatment of all cancers to be covered. Sadly, in this country, the opinions of the masses are usually ignored except in elections, so such complaints have not yet been heeded. It is, thus, God-send that the Minister of Health, Mr KwakuAgyeman-Manu, a bigwig, has called for an end to the extortion of money from NHIS subscribers by some health service providers in the country before they would offer them even services covered by the NHIS. The minister's example of some pregnant women having to pay GHC1000 to undergo Caesarian Section (CS) even though that service is covered by the NHIS captures the inhumane treatment being meted out to patients in certain health facilities, including public ones. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Ghana Health 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. Mr Agyeman-Manu's single expression of worry about some charges for healthcare in the country must be seen as the collective voice of the voiceless patients and their families and so the problem must be tackled. We hope the minister himself would lead the crusade to clamp down on perpetrators and bring some relief to patients and their families. After all, the NHIS was introduced to eliminate the financial barrier to healthcare created by the cash-and-carry system. Therefore, anything done to deny NHIS subscribers their legitimate benefits is a sabotage and subtle attempt to reintroduce the cash-and-carry system and so must be tackled head-on. While we say this, we hope challenges with the management of the NHIS such as delays in payments to the health facilities should be addressed to give it its true status as a healthcare financial burden reliever. Besides practices in health facilities undermining the NHIS are others which are more serious and can even be deadly and so must be tackled with the needed urgency and speedy sanctions. Why should any health professional or facility think of administering fake medication and falsified drugs to patients? We welcome the Food and Drugs Authority's planned naming and shaming of health facilities engaged in such acts because the health of every Ghanaian must be safeguarded. We also wish to appeal to the Ghana Health Service (GHS) to do all it can to stop alleged extortions by some doctors and nurses before they care for patients. The GHS must also see to regulate areas it can to ensure a good national healthcare system for all Ghanaians. Russia struck the Ukrainian capital Kyiv with drones overnight in the first such attack for almost a month, city officials said Friday, adding that there were no casualties. Russia-Ukraine war: A security officer looks at a damaged building, amid Russian invasion on Ukraine. (Reuters) Read here: Huge blast reported in Russian city close to border with Ukraine "After a 25-day lull, the capital of Ukraine suffered another air attack from the enemy," Kyiv's military administration said on Telegram messenger. Russia launched up to 12 Iranian Shahed attack drones from the Bryansk region bordering Ukraine and eight of them were destroyed, Ukraine's air force said. Air raid sirens rang out briefly in the capital on Thursday evening. There were drone attacks on two other regions. In central western Vinnytsia, drones hit a critical infrastructure installation causing a fire but no casualties, governor Sergiy Borzov said on Telegram. Read here: It's time to take step towards Ukraine entering alliance: Zelensky tells NATO on Chief's on 1st visit In the central Poltava region, a drone attack early Friday also hit civilian infrastructure and caused a fire with no reported casualties, the head of the region's military administration, Dmytro Lunin, said. The United States will begin training Ukrainian forces on how to use and maintain Abrams tanks in the coming weeks, as it continues to speed up its effort to get them onto the battlefield as quickly as possible, US officials said on Friday. Russia-Ukraine war: Officials said the troop training will last about 10 weeks.(AFP) Read here: It's time to take step towards Ukraine entering alliance: Zelensky tells NATO on Chief's on 1st visit The decision comes as defense leaders from around Europe and the world are meeting at Ramstein Air Base, in the ongoing effort to coordinate the delivery of weapons and other equipment to Ukraine. An announcement is expected later Friday. According to the officials, 31 tanks will arrive at Grafenwoehr Training Area in Germany at the end of May, and the troops will begin training a couple weeks later. Officials said the troop training will last about 10 weeks. The training tanks will not be the ones given to Ukraine for use in the war against Russia. Instead, 31 M1A1 battle tanks are being refurbished in the United States, and those will go to the frontlines when they are ready. The goal has been to have the troops trained by the time the refurbished tanks are ready so they can then immediately move to combat. The tanks are being refitted to meet Ukraine's needs. According to officials, about 250 Ukrainian troops will be trained with some learning to operate the tanks and others learning to repair and maintain them. Additional training on how to fight and maneuver with the tanks could also be provided after the initial 10 weeks. The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to provide details not publicly released. So far, the US has trained 8,800 Ukrainian troops who have already returned to the battlefield, and another roughly 2,500 are in training now. Their training has included everything from basic weapons instruction to how to conduct combat operations and how to maintain and repair equipment. President Joe Biden's administration announced in January that it would send Abrams tanks to Ukraine after insisting for months that they were too complicated and too hard to maintain and repair. Read here: Russia launches drone attack on Kyiv after 25-day lull The decision was part of a broader political maneuver that opened the door for Germany to announce it would send its Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine and allow Poland and other allies to do the same. Under intense pressure from Ukraine and others to get the tanks into Ukraine faster, the Biden administration announced last month that it would speed up the delivery of Abrams tanks to Ukraine, opting to send a refurbished older model that can be ready faster. The goal is to get the 70-ton battle powerhouses to the war zone by the fall. The US also made clear at the time that it would begin training Ukrainian forces on how to use, maintain and repair the tanks and that the instruction would coincide with the refurbishment of the tanks, so that both would be ready for battle at the same time later this year. At the same time, the Pentagon must make sure that Ukrainian forces have an adequate supply chain for all the parts needed to keep the tanks running. The Russian and Ukrainian forces have been largely in a stalemate, trading small slices of land over the winter. The fiercest battles have been in the eastern Donetsk region, where Russia is struggling to encircle the city of Bakhmut in the face of dogged Ukrainian defense. But both sides are expected to launch more intensive offensives in the spring. Britain's Ministry of Defense said Friday in its daily military assessment of the war the soft ground conditions and mud across most of Ukraine will likely slow operations for both sides in the conflict. In other developments, Mykola Oleschuk, commander of Ukraine's Air Forces, said Friday he had visited a US-made Patriot missile system deployed on the battlefield after its recent delivery. Ukrainian officials announced on Wednesday that the Patriots had arrived. Russia attacked Ukraine overnight with Iranian-made self-exploding Shahed drones, the Ukrainian military said Friday. Russia launched about 10 drones at Ukraine targets, and eight of them were shot down by Ukrainian air defenses, Ukraine's General Staff said. At least six civilians have been killed and six more have been wounded in Ukraine over the past 24 hours, Ukraine's presidential office reported on Friday morning. According to Ukrainian officials, Russian shelling and missile strikes mostly targeted cities and villages in the embattled partially occupied regions of Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson. Read here: Huge blast reported in Russian city close to border with Ukraine Outside of these regions, the Russian forces also attacked the Chernihiv province on Thursday from mortars. Overnight, Russia launched drones to attack Kyiv, as well as the Poltava and Vinnytsia regions. A video showing a passenger losing his temper over a crying baby on a US airlines flight has gone viral, sparking discussions online about who was at fault. The incident took place when a Florida-bound flight was stuck in holding in Palm Beach due to bad weather, reported New York Post. A disgruntled passenger over a crying infant on a US airlines flight. (Twitter ) Frustrated by the infant, the unnamed passenger began to sound off at the baby, parents, and Southwest flight attendants who were trying to diffuse the situation. A video showing a passenger losing his temper over a crying baby on a US airlines flight has gone viral, sparking discussions online about who was at fault. The incident took place when a Florida-bound flight was stuck in holding in Palm Beach due to bad weather, reported New York Post. Frustrated by the infant, the unnamed passenger began to sound off at the baby, parents, and Southwest flight attendants who were trying to diffuse the situation. I paid for a ticket to have a f***ing comfortable flight, the man yelled. That child has been crying for 40 minutes! When the crew asked him to stop yelling, the passenger grew even angrier. Im not screaming. Do you want me to scream? Ill f***king scream, he warns. We are in a f***king tin can with a baby in a goddamn echo chamber and you wanna talk to me about being f***king OK? The passenger next to him tried to calm him down as the man continued his tirade, and everyone kept reminding him that he was a mature man yelling about an infant. The video was captured by a fellow passenger, who could be heard delightfully giggling at the irony that the man had caused more disturbance than the infant. The video ends with the man being carried out of the Orlando Airport by security and law enforcement personnel while he accused the parents of failing to keep the baby quiet. It is still unclear if the man faced any repercussions from police or the airline over his outburst. Southwest Airlines issued a statement on the incident. We commend our crew for exhibiting outstanding professionalism while handling a challenging situation, and we offer our apologies to the other customers onboard who had to experience such unacceptable behavior, the statement read. Social media users seemed divided about who was in the wrong, as some symphatised with the man while others mocked him for the tantrum. The forces of two rival generals fought intense street battles in Sudan's capital on Friday, witnesses reported, as the parties in the week-long conflict ignored appeals for an end-of-Ramadan ceasefire. Women gather to pray in Port Sudan, on the first day of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.(AFP) More than 400 people have been killed and thousands wounded since the fighting erupted Saturday between forces loyal to Sudan's army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, the commander of the powerful paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) who is commonly known as Hemeti. Khartoum was rocked by explosions and clashes for the sixth straight night, medics said, even as the Eid al-Fitr celebrations marking the end of the holy Muslim month of fasting began. Eid is meant to be spent "with sweets and pastries, with happy children, and people greeting relatives", Khartoum resident Sami al-Nour told AFP. Instead, there has been "gunfire and the stench of blood all around us". Soldiers and paramilitaries fought fierce street battles in densely populated districts of Khartoum, with witnesses reporting bombs falling near the army's headquarters in the city of five million. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called separately for a ceasefire of "at least" three days to mark Eid. The RSF, a powerful force formed from members of the Janjaweed militia that led years of extreme violence in the western Darfur region, said they would commit to a 72-hour truce starting at dawn (0400 GMT). But it failed to take hold, like two previous one, with the crackle of heavy gunfire heard in the streets and columns of black smoke drifting overhead. The World Health Organization said 413 people had been killed and 3,551 wounded in the fighting so far across Sudan, but the death toll is thought to be higher, with many wounded unable to reach hospitals. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) urged the parties "immediate and unimpeded humanitarian access" to reach the wounded, stressing it was a "legal obligation under international humanitarian law". - 'Nightmare scenario' - On Thursday, dozens of Burhan loyalists rallied in Port Sudan against the presence of the ambassador of the United Arab Emirates, which has been accused of links to Daglo, denouncing "foreign interference". Analysts have warned the conflict could impact countries across the region, with the UN saying up to 20,000 people have already fled to neighbouring Chad. For the first time since hostilities began a week ago, Burhan appeared on television. "For Eid this year, our country is bleeding: destruction, desolation and the sound of bullets have taken precedence over joy," he said in a pre-recorded video. "We hope that we will come out of this ordeal more united... a single army, a single people... towards a civilian power." The International Crisis Group (ICG) said urgent steps were needed to stop a descent into "full-blown civil war", warning "the nightmare scenario that many feared in Sudan is unfolding." The World Food Programme warned the violence could plunge millions more into hunger in a country where 15 million people -- one-third of the population -- need aid. It has suspended its Sudan operations after the killing of three WFP workers on Saturday. On Friday, the UN migration agency said one of its employees had died after his vehicle "was caught in a crossfire". Burhan and Daglo's bitter dispute centred on the planned integration of the RSF into the regular army, a key condition for a deal aimed at restoring Sudan's democratic transition. "What's taking place was inevitable," said Khartoum resident Ibrahim Awad. "A country ruled by two leaders cannot move forward, there can't be two armies." - 'They don't care' - Civilians are becoming increasingly desperate with thousands risking the dangerous streets to flee Khartoum, with many reporting streets strewn with corpses. "This is a mere power struggle," said citizen Abdul Wahid Othman in Khartoum. "They don't care about poor citizens who have been left without water, electricity...". Plans were being made to evacuate foreign citizens, with the United States, South Korea and Japan deploying forces to nearby countries and the European Union weighing a similar move. Medics have warned of a tragedy, with over two-thirds of hospitals in Khartoum and neighbouring states rendered "out of service" by the fighting, the doctors' union said. At least four hospitals were shelled in North Kordofan state, they said. In El Fasher in Darfur, some 800 kilometres (500 miles) southwest of Khartoum, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said the situation was "catastrophic". "There are so many patients that they are being treated on the floor," said MSF project coordinator Cyrus Paye. Burhan and Daglo toppled autocratic president Omar al-Bashir together in April 2019 following massive protests against his three decades of iron-fisted rule. In October 2021, they joined forces to oust a civilian government installed after Bashir's downfall, derailing an internationally-backed transition to democracy. "With neither Burhan nor Hemeti appearing ready to back down, the situation could get much worse," the ICG think tank said. "Even if the army eventually does secure the capital, and Hemeti retreats to Darfur, a civil war could well follow, with potentially destabilising impact in neighbouring Chad, the Central African Republic, Libya and South Sudan", the ICG added. Seoul said Friday it would send a military aircraft and soldiers to evacuate South Korean nationals stranded in Sudan, where hundreds of people have died since fighting broke out last week. More than 300 people have been killed after violence erupted Saturday in Sudan.(AFP) Read here: PM Modi to chair high-level meet on Indians stranded in war-torn Sudan: Sources More than 300 people have been killed after violence erupted Saturday between forces loyal to Sudan's army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who commands the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). There was heavy gunfire and explosions in the capital Khartoum and elsewhere in the country Friday, despite appeals by world powers for an end-of-Ramadan ceasefire. Seoul's defence ministry said it would send a military C-130J transport jet and troops to evacuate its nationals. "The fighting in Sudan still continues and the Khartoum International Airport in the capital city, where our nationals are located, is closed," the ministry said in a statement sent to AFP. The South Korean aircraft and military personnel will be put on standby at a nearby US military base in Djibouti until they are able to carry out the evacuation, it added. Read here: Sudan clashes: Explosions in Khartoum captured on Live TV | VIDEO There are 26 South Koreans in the African country, including diplomatic staff, who are waiting to be evacuated, according to Seoul's foreign ministry. President Yoon Suk Yeol called on officials to help get the Koreans to safety earlier Friday, his office said, after being briefed with information suggesting the situation in Sudan could further worsen in the days ahead. Over 400 people have been killed and over 3,500 others have been injured in the fighting in Sudan, the World Health Organization (WHO) said. WHO spokeswoman Margaret Harris said, Four hundred and thirteen people have died and 3,551 people have been injured ... that we know of. Citing Sudanese health ministry figures, the WHO spokeswoman said 20 health facilities had stopped functioning and 12 were at risk of stopping in the country. Sudan Conflict: A destroyed military vehicle is seen in southern in Khartoum, Sudan.(AP) This would affect "not only the people who have been injured during this terrible fighting, but the people who were needing treatment before", the spokeswoman said. United Nations children's agency UNICEF informed that at least nine children were among the dead. More than 50 children had been wounded, the agency informed. It's taking a devastating toll on the country's children. As long as fighting continues, children will continue to pay the price. The fighting means many families are trapped, with little or no access to electricity, terrified of running out of food, water and medicine, UNICEF spokesman James Elder said. Sudan already had one of the world's highest rates of child malnutrition and owing to the conflict critical life-saving care has now been disrupted, he said. "This is life-threatening," he said, adding, the most critical cases are "being fed with tubes because that's literally the only way they can be fed. When the bombing or shelling begins outside the hospital and where medical staff need to flee, then what?" He also warned that the fighting was putting cold storage of more than $40 million worth of vaccines and insulin at risk. "We need forces to immediately cease hostilities and for all parties to respect their international obligations to protect children from harm," he said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON For the past week, forces loyal to Sudan's army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and rival fighters of Mohamed Hamdan Daglo's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been battling for control. Smoke fills the sky in Khartoum, Sudan, near Doha International Hospital on Friday, April 21.(AP) More than 400 people have been recorded as killed and thousands wounded, but the toll is expected to be far higher, with witnesses describing corpses lying on the streets as fighting rages. AFP looks at the two main forces fighting in the worsening conflict. How big are the forces involved? The Military Balance , compiled by International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), estimates that the army has 100,000 troops, compared with the RSF's 40,000 fighters. However, several experts have put forward the figure of 100,000 RSF troops, while giving numerical superiority to the army, or Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). But on the ground, neither side seems to have seized the advantage in nearly a week of bitter fighting. Alex de Waal, academic with a longtime focus on Sudan, said the two forces have a "comparable size and combat capacity". There are no exact figures as to sizes of the two forces -- since the conflict exploded precisely because of the dispute between the two generals on the methods of integrating the RSF into the regular army. Burhan wanted to do this within two years, by imposing the army's recruitment criteria on the paramilitaries. Daglo, also known as Hemeti, wanted a 10-year window and also ranks equivalent to those awarded in 2013 to RSF fighters who led the war in Darfur for autocrat Omar al-Bashir, before his ouster in 2019. What are the military objectives? "Neither SAF nor the RSF has much incentive to back down," said Aly Verjee of the Rift Valley Institute. The two forces normally fight together against rebel groups in far-flung provinces, but this time they are in a race against time as they fight each other on unfamiliar terrain: Khartoum. The RSF wants to prolong the conflict, while the army was aiming to use its warplanes to weaken the paramilitary force as quickly as possible, said Verjee. "Hemeti... has an interest in stretching out the conflict" since the main difference "in capacity between the SAF and the RSF is air power", said Verjee. What political goals do they have? For Jehanne Henry, a US human rights lawyer who has monitored Sudan for years, "doomsday scenarios run the gamut". If the army wins, "Burhan and his colleagues will re-install old regime Islamists" and ignore international pressure, as they did during decades of international embargo under Bashir's rule. "At best, they could make a flimsy pretence of appointing some allied civilians," Henry said. The other possibility was that the RSF win, but that scenario was seen as less likely, she added. In such a case, "they won't go down easily, and could draw out the conflict, allying with other armed groups in peripheral areas". What are their international allegiances? In the north, "Egypt, seen as a would-be coloniser, supports the SAF and has an interest in Sudan's Nile water and agricultural land", said Henry. To the south, Ethiopia "has its own interests, including to counter Egypt", she said. In the east, "the United Arab Emirates, which supported Hemeti, has benefited from the RSF's participation in the Saudi coalition in Yemen, and may have sold weapons to the RSF", she added. As for Chad and Libya, which border Daglo's stronghold in Darfur, these desert countries are possible channels for ammunition and reinforcements. For its part, the International Crisis Group think tank warned the "risk of spillover" could grow as the conflict "might directly involve ethnic groups whose homelands straddle their borders with Sudan". Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) said it had agreed to a 72-hour truce on humanitarian grounds from 6 a.m. (0400 GMT) on Friday, to coincide with the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr. Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, leader of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), attends a rally in Abraq, (AFP) The capital, Khartoum, was rocked by bombing and shelling earlier on Friday. There was no immediate comment from the army and its chief, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, did not mention a ceasefire in a pre-recorded speech posted on the army's Facebook page. "The truce coincides with the blessed Eid al-Fitr ... to open humanitarian corridors to evacuate citizens and give them the opportunity to greet their families," the RSF said in a statement. Fighting between the RSF and Sudan's army erupted on Saturday, derailing an internationally backed plan for a transition to a civilian democracy four years after the fall of Islamist autocrat Omar al-Bashir to mass protests and two years after a military coup. The RSF said it had to act in "self-defense" to repel what it described as a coup attempt, adding that it is committed to a "complete ceasefire" during the armistice period. At least 350 people have been killed in the power struggle between two previously allied leaders of the ruling military junta, army chief Burhan and RSF leader General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. The conflict has dashed hopes for progress towards democracy in Sudan, risks drawing in its neighbours and could play into regional competition between Russia and the United States. The RSF had earlier condemned the military for what it said was new assaults. "At this moment, when citizens are preparing to receive the first day of Eid al-Fitr, the neighbourhoods of Khartoum are waking up to the bombings of aircrafts and heavy artillery in a sweeping attack that is directly targeting residential neighbourhoods," the RSF said early on Friday. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday appealed for a ceasefire to allow civilians to reach safety. Thousands of civilians streamed out of Khartoum as gunfire and explosions sounded on Thursday. Large numbers also crossed into Chad to flee fighting in the western region of Darfur. A doctors' group said at least 26 people were killed and 33 were injured in El-Obeid, a city west of Khartoum, on Thursday. Witnesses there described clashes between the army and RSF troops and widespread looting. 'MILITARY SOLUTION' Guterres, speaking to reporters after meeting virtually with the heads of the African Union, the Arab League and other organizations on Thursday, said: "There was a strong consensus on condemning ongoing fighting in Sudan and calling for cessation of hostilities as an immediate priority". Urging a three-day ceasefire, he said civilians trapped in conflict zones should be allowed to escape and to seek medical treatment, food and other supplies. The United States endorsed the ceasefire proposal. Burhan told Al Jazeera he would support a truce on condition it allowed citizens to move freely - something he said the RSF had prevented. He also said he saw no partner for negotiations, and "no other option but the military solution". His rival, Dagalo, widely known as Hemedti, told Al Jazeera he was ready to implement a three-day truce. Dagalo has said several times he supports short ceasefires but each has quickly collapsed. "We are talking about a humanitarian truce, we are talking about safe passages ... we are not talking about sitting down with a criminal," Dagalo said, referring to Burhan. Burhan accused Dagalo, until last week his deputy on the council that has ruled since a coup two years ago, of "a power grab". An alliance between the two men had mostly held since the overthrow of strongman Bashir, whose rule saw Sudan become an international pariah that was on the U.S. terrorism list. The latest violence was triggered by disagreement over an internationally backed plan to form a new civilian government. Both sides accuse the other of thwarting the transition. FIGHTING AND FLEEING Much of the fighting has focused on the Khartoum compound housing the army headquarters and Burhan's residence. The embassy district and airport have also been the scene of clashes. In Khartoum and sister cities Omdurman and Bahri, residents gathered on Thursday at bus terminals with suitcases. "There's no food. Supermarkets are empty. The situation isn't safe," said a resident who gave only his first name, Abdelmalek. Many people remain trapped, along with thousands of foreigners in a city that has become a war zone. Burnt-out vehicles littered the streets and buildings had gaping holes from shells. Hospitals, where bodies lie unburied, were closed. About 10,000 to 20,000 people have taken refuge in villages along the border inside Chad, U.N. refugee agency UNHCR and the World Food Programme (WFP) said. Even before the conflict, about a quarter of Sudan's people were facing acute hunger, but the WFP halted one of its largest global operations in the country on Saturday after three of its workers were killed. Sudan borders seven countries and sits strategically between Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia and Africa's volatile Sahel region, so the hostilities risk fanning regional tensions. Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has said that his participation in a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Council in India reflected Islamabad's commitment to the charter of the SCO and should not be seen in terms of bilateral ties. Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari swill lead the Pakistani delegation to the meeting of SCO foreign ministers in Goa.(AP) Read here: Pak finance minister Bilawal Bhutto to attend SCO meet in Goa Responding to a question on a programme on Dunya News aired on Thursday, he said he would represent Pakistan at the Foreign Ministers meeting to be held in Goa next month. "We are committed to the SCO charter and this visit should not be seen as a bilateral one but in the context of the SCO," Bhutto-Zardari said. Pakistan's Foreign Ministry on Thursday said that Bhutto-Zardari will lead the Pakistani delegation to the meeting of SCO foreign ministers (CFM) scheduled to be held on May 4-5 in Goa. Pakistan Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch during a weekly presser on Thursday stated that Bhutto-Zardari is attending the SCO-CFM meeting at the invitation of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. "Our participation at the meeting reflects Pakistan's continued commitment to the SCO charter and process and the importance that Pakistan accords to the region in its foreign policy priorities," the spokesperson said. Bilawal will be the first foreign minister to visit India after a gap of nearly 12 years, reported Business Recorder. In 2011, then Pakistan foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar visited India. India has formally sent invitations to all members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) including Pakistan and China for the upcoming foreign ministers' meeting. Chinese foreign minister Qin Gang and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov will also likely participate in the meeting. India took over the chairmanship of the 9-member mega grouping in September last year and will be holding key ministerial meetings and the summit this year. Relations between the two countries have been precarious for many years with regard to issues of cross-border terrorism from Pakistan, even as Islamabad has been seeking the restoration of Article 370 for the former Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir for any talks. The 20-year-old organization has Russia, India, China, Pakistan, and four central Asian countries - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan as its members. Iran is the latest country to become a member and under Indian Presidency will for the first time attend the grouping's meeting as a full-fledged member. The last meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization was held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Read here: Not appropriate to: MEA on Bilawal Bhutto's participation in SCO meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the SCO Summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. The 22nd Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO in September 2022, was the first in-person summit since June 2019 meeting of the SCO leaders in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Notably, this year's SCO foreign ministers meeting comes in the wake-up of escalating Russia-Ukraine war and India's G20 Presidency. An electrician, who allegedly robbed a waiter of his bag containing an iPhone 7 mobile phone valued GH1,500, has been granted GH70,000 bail with three sureties by the Accra Circuit Court. Mr Eric Sowah Adjetey, accused, also robbed the waiter of his Alcatel mobile phone valued GH200 and cash of GH200. Adjetey pleaded not guilty to the charge of robbery. Meanwhile, his accomplice is currently at large. The court presided over by Mrs Evelyn Asamoah ordered that three sureties should be public servants, earning GH2000 a month. Prosecution was also directed by the court to file and serve all disclosures and witness statements by May 2, 2023. The case has been adjourned to May 8, 2023. Police Chief Inspector Clement Takyi, prosecuting, told the court that the complainant Shadrack Sowah Anum, was a waiter and resided at Trade Fair-La, Accra, but sometimes slept at Teshie point 5, while accused resided at Teshie Sangoena. The Police Administration has urged the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to concentrate on their political activities and give the law enforcement agency the space to executive its mandate. Noting that policing interventions were put in place to address their concerns, the Police Service said it needed the support of the parties, including constructive criticism, in order to do professional work in line with its constitutional obligation. The call is in a statement, issued by Director of Public Affairs, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Grace Ansah-Akrofi, after a meeting between the Police Administration and leadership of the NPP and NDC, in Accra, on Monday. The meeting, which was called at the instance of the Inspector-General of Police,Dr George Akuffo Dampare,was necessitated by press statements issued by the parties and subsequent petitions to the Police Service, calling on the police to arrest certain individuals of the two parties for alleged offences. The NPP asked the Police Service to arrest former President John Dramani Mahama for offensive conduct, including inciting supporters to violence, while the NDC called for the arrest of the newly appointed Minister of Food and Agriculture,Mr Bryan Acheampong, for alleged treasonable action. The statement, said at the meeting, both parties were given the opportunity to air their grievances while the police briefed them on two strategic interventions introduced by the Police Administration, to handle election and politically-related incidents as part of the Police transformation agenda. It said the first strategic intervention was the establishment of the Police Election Security Secretariat to work with all political parties and other stakeholders, to enhance the management of security for all elections, instead of the use of election security task force. Since its creation over a year ago, the statement said the Secretariat had worked with the various political parties in their respective internal elections while it was currently working with them on their parliamentary and presidential primaries. The second intervention, it said, was the setting up of a dedicated legal team to subject all politically related incidents to legal scrutiny to establish elements of crime or otherwise before any Police action is taken. "The Police will, therefore, not intervene in any situation where there is no criminality involved,"the statement said. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Ghana Governance 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. It said this initiative had been used to analyse all recent cases such as comments made by the Minister of Food and Agriculture and the NDC Suame Constituency Youth Organiser. The statement said the police used the opportunity to provide an update on the status of political violence and related incidents recorded during the recent internal elections of NPP and NDC. It mentioned the arrest and prosecution of 14 members of the NPP for disturbances during party constituency election at Enchi, and the arrest ofnineout of the 16 persons wanted for disturbances at the National Youth and Women Organiser polls of the NDC,in Cape Coast. The police said light was shed on the status of the 2020 General Election-related cases, including Techiman South and Odododiodio constituencies and the public would be duly updated on these cases in the course of the week. The statement called on Ghanaians to help build an independent Police Service, assuring the public of its commitment to ensuring peace, security, law and order in the country at all times. Addis Abeba The Tigray region has announced on Thursday the establishment of the Tigray Veterans Council in a bid to help disabled fighters and families of martyrs of the two years war with the federal government and its allies. Speaking during the establishment of the council in Mekelle, interim president of the region Getachew Reda said the council will ensure that "the heroes of Tigray are given due respect and participate in the redevelopment of Tigray", according to regional media Tigray Television. In March the president pledged to resolve the issues of disabled fighters after they took it to the streets of Mekelle on 21 March, chanting "we are starved" and asking for medical and food supplies. Getachew said the newly established council will set clear policies and directions, and will work with the interim administration to ensure the interests of the war veterans. The establishment of the war veterans council came amidst ongoing handing over of various group weapons by the Tigrayan fighters to the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) as part of the implementation of the peace agreement signed between the federal government and Tigrayan authorities in Pretoria, South Africa. The handover was made as a sequel of the first round of disarmament where the Tigrayan fighters handover heavy weapons to the ENDF on Tuesday 10 January in the presence of the African Union appointed Monitoring, Verification and Compliance Mission (MVCM) The state news agency ENA reported that light and group weapons collected on Wednesday at Dangolat area in Tigray region have been handed over to the ENDF, adding that the collection of weapons would continue until 24 April. The "disarmament of Tigray armed combatants," is stated in the Executive Declaration on the Modalities for the Implementation of the Pretoria agreement, which was signed in Nairobi on 12 November, article 2.1/D. AS opinion Lagos Etim Etim writes that ranking Senator Godswill Akpabio possesses the required qualities to serve as President of the 10th Senate. Of all the Senators campaigning to be elected President of the 10th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Godswill Akpabio towers above all in leadership qualities and political acumen. Akpabio commands immense influence among his colleagues, has a national appeal, understands the workings of the legislature and is fiercely loyal to the President-elect and the country. I recall that it was the stepping down of Akpabio for Tinubu in the last APC Presidential Primary at Eagles Square, Abuja, last year, that set the stage for the withdrawal of other aspirants from the race, thus facilitating Tinubu's victory. Given Akpabio's deep experience in governance and politics, I trust that he will also give President Tinubu the required support and help to stabilize the polity if he is elected Senate president. Akpabio has the full backing of the people of Akwa Ibom State and indeed the whole of the South-South region, unlike the other contender to the position, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu. A few weeks ago, Ohaneze Nd'Igbo, the socio-cultural organization of South East people, has asked Senator Kalu to drop out of the race because he is not fit for the job. "Igbos cannot present somebody with an EFCC case; Igbos can't present somebody as Senate President with EFCC case that could be disgraced tomorrow; Igbos can't present someone facing trial with EFCC", Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the Secretary General of the organization said in response to Kalu's aspiration. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Governance 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. Unlike Kalu, Akpabio has never been arrested or imprisoned. He served Akwa Ibom people creditably well as their governor between 2007 and 2015. He was elected Senator in 2015, soon after he left office as governor, and was unanimously elected Senate Minority Leader as soon as he got into the Senate, despite the fact that he was a junior Senator. Such principal positions are usually reserved for ranking Senators, but because of the confidence his colleagues had in him, the requirement was waived for him. Akpabio is also an asset to the APC. He worked with other APC leaders to secure 27% of the votes cast in the last Presidential election in his home state of Akwa Ibom for Tinubu. In Abia State, where Senator Kalu is from, Tinubu performed very poorly. In all, I urge the President-elect, the APC as a whole and all the other 108 senators of the 10 Senate to support the emergence of Senator Akpabio as the next Senate President. Etim writes from Lagos Monrovia After years of poor access to water, residents of Catholic Clinic Community in Logan Town finally heaved a sigh of relief as they came out in numbers to celebrate the inauguration of a borehole constructed by "Best Sisters", an umbrella organization of a group of Liberian Women in the United States of America. For these residents, the borehole will enhance access to safe water, adequate sanitation and proper hygiene among others. One of the women and residents of the community , Earhtlyn Pratt, decried how she and other women travelled miles away to access water for washing, cooking, cleaning, and drinking among others. She added: "We have been suffering from a lack of water for many years. We go about seeking water from far away, carrying gallons. "But this organization, "Best Sisters", surprised us. Today, water is close to us. I am very happy," she expressed. Also speaking, the chairman and elder of the community, Mr. Adicius Nagbe Pouh, said "Best Sisters" has given the community people hope by the construction of the borehole. "We suffered for long, our school-going kids were the ones feeling the pinch from this whole water business but we thank God for Best Sisters Organization, and we are going to protect the borehole because it's very important to us," he said. Best Sisters Organization, through the Gertrude Water, also purchased mineral water sachets and distributed them among young baby mothers without cost attached. The group is currently visiting orphans at orphanages donating useful items and food stuffs around the country with Bong County being the focus of starting point. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Construction Liberia Religion 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. The Best Sisters Organization is working in collaboration with Getrude Life Water's Executive Director to implement its projects in Liberia. The Executive Director of Gertrude Life Water lead implementer of Best Sisters Organization projects, Robert A.Cummings, said Best Sisters has been doing well in supporting Liberians back home. Robert said the organization had been working with orphanage homes in Bong County and providing safe drinking water for Liberians. He said Best Sister International is a non-political organization that is involved in giving hope to the hopeless through basic services and the Logan Town Community is just one of the communities that has benefited from the organization since its establishment. According to Robert, members of the organization are all Liberian that hail from various communities in and out of Monrovia. "The main reason we decided to build this borehole is because the community in which they built the pump is over populated and also host a clinic that they too may need water and they will always do all it takes make the citizens have access to some basic services," he said. Speaking further, Roberts said the cost of the project is put at USD$2000. Located across from the World Trade Center and Convention Center and Pepsi Center WTC, the modern 201-room hotel is conveniently located on the iconic Insurgentes Sur avenue, offering guests the perfect combination of contemporary and functional accommodations Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced the official opening of Hyatt Regency Mexico City Insurgentes, offering domestic and international travelers a modern hotel experience in one of Mexico City's main business districts, Colonia del Valle. The opening marks the sixth Hyatt Regency branded hotel in Mexico and the second in Mexico City, alongside Hyatt Regency Mexico City, further demonstrating Hyatt's intentional strategy for growing its brands in the region. The hotel is housed within an exclusive mixed-use development complex, offering gourmet dining options, energizing meeting and events spaces for groups of any size and a seamless experience on one of the most important streets in the city with parks, plazas, historical attractions and businesses throughout. "This new hotel represents a unique, new build project in the heart of the southern financial district of Mexico City with 24 floors, three curated food and beverage outlets, and contemporary guestrooms equipped for business and leisure travelers," said Francisco Medina, CEO of the hotel's ownership group, Grupo Hotelero Santa Fe. "It has been a pleasure working with Hyatt on yet another spectacular project, and we look forward to what's ahead in the growing region." Hyatt Regency Mexico City Insurgentes is the ideal hub for business and leisure travelers in the south of Mexico City. All the hotel's spaces are designed with productivity in mind conveniently located next to the World Trade Center Mexico City (WTC), which is home to the city's convention center and Pepsi Center, and near the vibrant Condesa and Coyoacan neighborhoods. Guests are also a short distance away from the main business districts like Reforma and Polanco as well as less than seven miles away from Mexico City International Airport. "We're excited to debut Hyatt Regency Mexico City Insurgentes just steps from Mexico City's World Trade Center on one of the most prominent and longest avenues in the capital city of Mexico", said General Manager, Carlo Bava. "Our prime location provides guests access to a thriving business hub just outside our doorstep. We look forward to offering guests, customers and World of Hyatt members the tools they need to stay connected and energized for a stress-free experience." Accommodations Hyatt Regency Mexico City Insurgentes features 201 spacious guestrooms and suites with floor to ceiling windows, offering the perfect combination of contemporary and functional room designs. Guestrooms and suites offer ample spaces with beautiful natural light, modern furnishings, multi-functional seating and work desk areas, complimentary Wi-Fi and digital room key entry via the World of Hyatt app. Additionally, eight guestrooms and suites offer spacious outdoor terraces that overlook the Del Valle neighborhood. The hotel also offers a 24-hour fitness center fully equipped with cardio and free weight equipment available for guests as well as two spa rooms available for massages. Regency Club suites provide exclusive access to the Regency Club Lounge on the 14th floor along with complimentary services, such as shoeshining and ironing. The La Marcha de la Humanidad mural on the facade of the historic Polyforum Siqueiros, decorated by David Alfaro Siqueiros, is the largest mural work in Mexico and served as inspiration for the hotel's interior decor. Authentic Culinary Experiences Three dining venues on property provide guests with Mexican specialties and seasonal flavors, offering a wide variety of options for all to enjoy. Muralis Restaurant offers authentic Mexican cuisine served in a warm and festive atmosphere under the innovative vision of an experienced culinary team, led by Daniel Silva, Executive Chef of Hyatt Regency Mexico City Insurgentes. At Elements Bar & Lounge, the hotel's lobby dining experience, guests can enjoy views of the city while embarking on a curated agave journey accompanied by urban Mexican snacks, such as short rib taco and octopus "dobladitas". 7.24 Sky offers a modern atmosphere on the third-floor open air terrace with a bubbles-centric beverage program featuring a variety of prosecco's and champagnes, a selection of international gourmet bites and shared plates. Additionally, the hotel will offer daily in-room dining for guests. Event Spaces Hyatt Regency Mexico City Insurgentes has event space spanning 4,628 square feet (460 square meters), fit to accommodate events of any kind and seven multi-functional meeting rooms that can host 20 to 220 guests. Don Gabriel ballroom is perfect for a memorable business conference or social event and the Insurgentes Ballroom offers natural light with floor to ceiling windows and a special view of Polyforum Siqueiros. For more information or to book a reservation, please visit www.hyattregencymexicocityinsurgentes.com or follow the hotel on Instagram @hyattregencyinsurgentes. Hotel website ATLANTA, Ga. The 2023 Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) Convention & Trade Show in Los Angeles last week broke various records in the associations history. AAHOA, the largest hotel owners association in the world, hosted its annual Convention & Trade Show, AAHOACON, with nearly 8,000 attendees at the Los Angeles Convention Center for what is dubbed the Super Bowl of hospitality events. There were 20+ education sessions, 500+ exhibiting companies, an immersive do-it-yourself product demo experience, top-level keynote speakers, and four networking events, including the Welcome Reception at the world-famous LA Coliseum. With a record level of booth sales for the trade show, it was the largest trade show in AAHOAs 34-year history, and a 22% increase over 2022. There were nearly 520 total exhibiting companies, the second largest exhibitor total in AAHOACON history. The AAHOACON23 Trade Show was sold out, and a wait list was created the first time ever in AAHOA history! AAHOACON23 also generated a very strong number of first-time exhibitors, 167, which is the second-largest number of first-time exhibitors in AAHOA history. On top of that, the Exhibit Sales team achieved a new record in exhibit booth sales for AAHOACON24. A total of 170 exhibitors have rebooked and will return for AAHOACON24 in Orlando next year. This number represents more than 40% of the show floor space and 100% of all exhibiting hotel brands rebooked for AAHOACON24. Word from the exhibit floor is that AAHOACON23 was the best trade show for business transactions in recent memory, and the excitement for Orlando is mounting. The acclaim and praiseworthy comments to describe AAHOACON23 and our remarkable AAHOA Team keep pouring in. I could not be prouder of how AAHOACON23 turned out to be such a smash hit. We are so thankful for all the sponsors, exhibitors, speakers, and attendees who helped make this convention and trade show one of the very best. We could not have done any of this without each and every one of you. Laura Lee Blake, AAHOA President & CEO Our General Session special guests and keynote speakers included comedian and activist Hasan Minhaj, BAPS Leader Swami Brahmaviharidas, and the Honorable Sadhguru. AAHOACON23 also offered HerOwnership-driven workshops and learning sessions created just for women hoteliers, including a luncheon and a HerOwnership & Women Own the Room panel, along with two Young Professionals Sessions and a Young Professionals Reception. Florida hotelier Bharat Patel, CHO, CHIA, became the new Chairman of AAHOAs Board of Directors, and Rahul Patel of Bradenton, Florida, became the new AAHOA Secretary. AAHOA Members also elected 10 members to the Board of Directors to replace those with expiring terms, recognized the achievement and excellence of the AAHOA Award recipients, and partnered with Covenant House California at this years AAHOACON to help raise money and awareness for youth facing homelessness and trafficking. To give back, AAHOA Members bought AAHOACON23-branded socks and t-shirts at the AAHOA Booth during the Trade Show, where up to 80% of the proceeds went directly to Covenant House California. AAHOA also announced the launch of its AAHOA Charitable Foundation. Forming later this year as an IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the AAHOA Charitable Foundation will aim to support humanity, providing disaster relief, educational scholarships and grants, charitable initiatives for worthy causes, and humanitarian aid. Two other notable items included Virdee taking home the top prize in the 2023 AAHOA Tech Pitch Competition, Co-Powered by HFTP. Members were able to take part in the AAHOA Garage, a new feature for AAHOACON23, which included a demo area for exhibitors to showcase tips and tricks to solve common issues that many owner/operator hoteliers face in areas such as housekeeping, maintenance, repairs and troubleshooting. Additionally, there were new learning opportunities for members in the form of deep-dive masterclasses. Becoming AAHOA Chairman at such a historic and record-breaking event is an incredible feeling. I received so many thank yous and expressions of gratitude for a job well done that I lost count, and I want to return the same showing of appreciation to everyone who attended and made AAHOACON23 one for the record books. Bharat Patel, AAHOA Chairman About AAHOA AAHOA is the largest hotel owners association in the nation, with Member-owned properties representing a significant part of the U.S. economy. AAHOA's 20,000 members own 60% of the hotels in the United States and are responsible for 1.7% of the nation's GDP. More than one million employees work at AAHOA member-owned hotels, earning $47 billion annually, and member-owned hotels support 4.2 million U.S. jobs across all sectors of the hospitality industry. AAHOA's mission is to advance and protect the business interests of hotel owners through advocacy, industry leadership, professional development, member benefits, and community engagement. At Expedia Group, we believe travel is a force for good. At the same time, we also recognize the environmental toll that todays travel industry often has on the planet. Climate action is essential to preserving the many destinations our travelers are looking to experience. Sustainability is more than an accelerating trend for travel its fundamental for the future of our industry. Responsible travel is a key business imperative for Expedia Group. Among other motivations, our travelers are clearly demanding more sustainable options. In fact, terms related to sustainability and eco-friendliness were mentioned in traveler feedback twice as often last year as in previous years 1. To meet our travelers demand and as part of our long-term sustainability efforts, last April, Expedia Group signed the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Travel and Tourism as one signal of our commitment. And in September, we launched our Open World social impact and sustainability strategy with the specific mission of advancing a travel ecosystem that is open, accessible, and responsible for all. We are excited to share an update on our progress over the last year and outline our vision for whats ahead. BUILDING A PROSPEROUS PLANET Our Open World framework places environmental sustainability alongside two other pillars of social impact inclusive access and economic mobility with all three driving toward a responsible future for tourism and for the people, places, and communities that make up global travel. The Prosperous Planet pillar of our strategy is grounded in two commitments: Aligning with a Net Zero Future - We will decarbonize our operations and take action to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change on our business. - We will decarbonize our operations and take action to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change on our business. Powering Sustainable Journeys - We will innovate sustainable solutions for the future of travel, empowering travelers to act more sustainably and supporting partners in offering more sustainable travel options. Expedia Group is committed to mobilizing its vast network of travelers, partners, and peers to empower more responsible choices. SETTING A VISION Over the past year, weve collected data and had critical conversations with many stakeholders as we create our first Climate Action Plan, set to be released later this year. Outlining our overall climate vision and strategy, the Climate Action Plan articulates six core elements that will guide our action over the coming years: Reduce: Set and deliver science-aligned targets and decarbonization strategies for our operations. Set and deliver science-aligned targets and decarbonization strategies for our operations. Prepare: Evaluate and integrate climate risk and opportunity to our business, including the outcomes of a scenario analysis, which describes how the physical and transition risks of climate change might impact our business. Evaluate and integrate climate risk and opportunity to our business, including the outcomes of a scenario analysis, which describes how the physical and transition risks of climate change might impact our business. Adapt: Support community disaster response and climate adaptation to build resilience in the places where we work, and the destinations where we travel. Support community disaster response and climate adaptation to build resilience in the places where we work, and the destinations where we travel. Align: Advance industry standards to support clear, authentic, and consistent information on the sustainability of travel products. Advance industry standards to support clear, authentic, and consistent information on the sustainability of travel products. Recognize: Promote more sustainable travel options across our platforms and incentivize travelers to choose them. Promote more sustainable travel options across our platforms and incentivize travelers to choose them. Accelerate: Support suppliers in providing more sustainable offerings, with a focus on the intersection of climate and equity. GREENER OPTIONS FOR A GREENER TRAVEL INDUSTRY Collaboration is critical to our progress as an industry, and we must work together to innovate and accelerate meaningful change. Expedia Group is committed to empowering both travelers and partners to make more responsible and sustainable travel choices by providing needed insights, tools, and resources. DESTINATION COMMUNITIES Travel is inherently place-based. Thats why our Open World strategy puts destination communities alongside travelers at its center outstanding travel experiences require vibrant and resilient destinations. We are therefore proud to be partnering with the Travel Foundation to launch a first-of-its-kind capacity-building program for destination marketing and management organizations (DMOs), enabling them to lead the way on climate action in tourism and catalyze meaningful change at a local level. DMOs bridge the gap between the global and the local within the travel industry, and Expedia Group sees them as a key node for accelerating sustainable travel. The program will offer practical training to DMO staff, creating climate champions that can apply a sustainability lens to strategic planning and decision-making. It will also support DMOs in creating their own climate action plans and offer peer-to-peer learning opportunities for destinations to share knowledge and insights with one another. The programs pilot cohort will launch over the summer. We're excited to name Destination Vancouver as the first DMO to sign on as a participant and look forward to scaling this work in the years to come. TRAVELERS With operations in 70+ countries and across 200+ travel sites, we interact with millions of travelers. We want to provide credible and clear information, including on sustainability, whether they be carbon estimates or indications of other eco-friendly attributes and practices of travel providers. Trends in travel evolve, and we know that travelers are seeking experiences that are more than just about relaxation or exploration. We increasingly hear that travelers expect options in line with their values, with more information about the environmental and community impacts of their choices. A report by our Expedia Group Media Solutions team highlighted that 90% of consumers look for sustainable options when traveling, though 70% feel overwhelmed navigating available options and on starting the process of becoming a more sustainable traveler 2. Expedia Group is working to build trusted sustainability information for travelers into our products that align with industry best practices, including methodologies developed collaboratively between our peers within the Travalyst Coalition. Product features being tested include displaying estimates of flight emissions, the sustainability practices of hotels, and electric and hybrid vehicle filters for car rentals. Some of these features have never before been available on our sites, and we are excited to continue innovating, evolving, and enhancing the sustainability information we provide to travelers. LOOKING AHEAD Expedia Group is charting a course for a more sustainable travel industry. Our Open World social impact and sustainability strategy outlines our commitment, and our forthcoming Climate Action Plan will deepen our vision and roadmap for success. We will continue to collaborate with our peers, partners, travelers, and destinations across the industry to ensure responsible travel on a truly prosperous planet for generations to come. Find more details on our plans and progress here. Data Sources 1 Expedia Group, traveler reviews data, January 2021-January 2022 2 Expedia Group Media Solutions, Sustainable Travel Study, 2022 As some experts speculate that consumer savings will dwindle and there will be less travel in 2023, our early market indicators show a different story. Currently, the revenge travel trend is holding strong, and exponential levels of demand and direct bookings seem likely to continue growing in 2023. Keep reading this article to find out why we expect travel to continue with a vengeance in 2023. Early 2023 Travel Demand Forecasts Under the Microscope, and the Numbers are Staggering! Despite the initial travel disruptions triggered by the omicron variant, 2022 turned out to be a record-breaking year in terms of travel demand. According to data released by the International Air Travel Association (IATA) in November 2022, passenger traffic reached 74% of 2019 levels. China reopened outbound travel in January 2023, so this could also bolster the revenge travel trend. Our early market indicators show that pent-up travel demand is growing in 2023. According to data generated from our portfolio of hotels, bookings in March 2023 were 32% above those over the same period in 2022. Meanwhile, bookings in April 2023 already represent 79% of those over the same period in 2022. Are Hoteliers also Expecting Revenge Travel in 2023? Hoteliers we surveyed for the March 2023 edition of The Hotelier PULSE Report also expect international leisure travel demand to continue, with 62% of respondents expecting this segment to significantly contribute to their business performance in the coming 12 months. Although business travel may not recover to what it was pre-pandemic, it is being reinvented to meet new demands. Following years of lockdowns and remote working, group travel is on the rise to drive collaboration, networking, and learning opportunities. Businesses are also prioritising getting their teams back together for team-building and other social events that nurture company culture and keep it alive. Thus, this trend is transforming the once formal face of business travel to a more laidback one. The remainder of business travel is bleisure, with an increase of people traveling for work but bringing with them spouses and family. According to the latest market data generated from our portfolio of hotels in March 2023, group enquiries currently represent 90% of 2019 levels. The key difference with this year is that hotels now have much shorter lead times (an average of 3 months) and smaller groups (47 rooms currently vs 129 rooms in 2019). The last-minute enquiries indicate that budgets are now more flexible and consumers are making buying decisions much faster. This poses a challenge for hotels running high occupancies, which makes them unable to accommodate all the requests they receive. GDS bookings are also recovering, but at a slower pace. In 2023 year-to-date, GDS bookings are 50% above 2022 levels. How Hotels can Adapt to Market Conditions in 2023 Although revenge travel is showing no signs of slowing down and the future is looking bright at the moment, we must also acknowledge that the market can change at any time. Therefore, it is crucial that hotels stay on top of market developments as they unfold. But as it stands currently, we recommend that hotels follow these top tips: Offer better value for Money on your Direct Channel Despite occupancy remaining below pre-pandemic levels, revenue generated in 2022 was substantially higher due to increased ADR. Its important to note, however, that the hotels who truly benefited from this shift in pricing also offered a better value proposition to guests who booked direct. In 2023, it is critical that hotels prioritize offering better value for money on their direct channels. Numerous studies show that consumers are willing to pay more for better value. So make sure you clearly communicate the perks you can offer to guests that book via your direct channels whether its a restaurant or spa discount or a welcome drink on arrival. Highlight your special offers across all areas of your hotel website: Home page scroll, special offers teasers, and descriptions, and booking engine loading area. Meet Revenge Travel Demands by investing in Automation for Operations and Payments In 2023, technology will be an important solution to mitigate the impact of staff shortages and rising personnel costs. Automation enables hotels to do more with less human resources, which will be crucial to meet this years changing demands with a smaller workforce. Not only should hotels invest in automation to mitigate operational pressure, but also in payments. In terms of payments currently, user experience needs improvement. Hotels need to make it easier for guests to book and pay, so they are more likely to complete their reservation and avoid website abandonment. This is also where smart technology can help hotels integrate different ways of paying so that they can process transactions more quickly, securely, and automatically. We expect there will be a huge transformation across the payments landscape over the next two years, including more widespread use of new payment methods such as crypto, increased insurance prevalence, and a rise in e-commerce payment models requiring a 100% deposit. Hotels need to start thinking about how they will adapt to these trends with the help of technology and automation. Its important to note that hoteliers need to be involved in the technology theyve invested in, ensuring they know how it works so that they can really be autonomous and own their business operations. Its not enough to just rely on the supplier to work the systems for you. If something changes, then you, as a hotelier, need to have the knowledge and control to adapt accordingly. Ensure your Hotel is visible on Google and Social Media Research by Web in Travel shows that 81% of travelers turn to Google as their primary source for travel inspiration. Google is also a much more cost-effective avenue for hotels to increase visibility and compete in terms of rates and inventory. When people search for hotels on Google, the first thing they will see is the propertys Google my Business listing. So, in order for hotels to benefit from this visibility, they really need to ensure their Google My Business profiles are optimized and stand out to guests. Hotels should be listed on Google Hotel Free Booking Links so that their rates and inventory is clearly displayed and comparable against OTAs and other intermediaries. Keeping information up-to-date, collecting reviews, and publishing lots of photos/video content is also critical to increase booking conversions on Google. Hotels also need to focus on their social networks, and link to their hotel booking engine. Consumers are now encouraged to share their travel experiences, and this has transformed the way we make travel decisions. People build their trust in a hotel, airline, or travel agency based on the reviews of others. In an ever-changing World, we must remain Optimistic and Agile Although were seeing excellent market indicators currently, that doesnt mean that there will be no ups and downs along the way in 2023. Hotels need to be agile to respond to ever-changing travel demands and trends as they unfold. The continued need for agility, speed in adapting, and efficient reacting, underscores the importance of hoteliers continuing to stay informed and up to date; collaborating in sharing information, and thus ensuring an effective capture of demand. About GuestCentric GuestCentric is a leading provider of cloud-based digital marketing software and services that help extraordinary hoteliers promote their brand, drive direct bookings and connect with customers on all digital platforms. GuestCentric's all-in-one platform provides hotels with the only unified solution for managing their guests' online journey: award-winning, high impact websites; an integrated, easy-to-use booking engine; social media marketing and publishing tools; a GDS chain code and a channel manager to offer rooms on Amadeus, Booking.com, Expedia, Galileo, Google, Sabre, TripAdvisor and hundreds of other channels. GuestCentric is a proud provider of solutions that maximize direct bookings to hotel groups and independent hotels from collections such as Design Hotels, Great Hotels of the World, Leading Hotels of the World, Relais & Chateaux, Small Luxury Hotels and Small Danish Hotels. GuestCentric is featured on Skift Travel Tech 250, a list of the top 250 travel tech companies shaping the modern-day travel experience. Melissa Rodrigues Content Manager +35 196 157 3854 GuestCentric Systems View source As advancements in virtual and augmented reality technology, blockchain, and Web3 continue to shape our world, the idea of a metaverse is becoming more of a reality. For those unfamiliar with the workings of the Metaverse, it can be daunting and perplexing. However, it presents many opportunities for hoteliers and other entrepreneurs, and it is essential to navigate this new frontier and kickstart its business potential. At Hospitality Net, we have created a 10-point-guide to clarify the process of getting started in the Metaverse by addressing crucial questions. We cover the initial steps, essential information to be aware of, necessary team members, the role of met-agencies, and accessibility for everyone. This article will cover some of the critical points. The first step for hoteliers looking to onboard any metaverse technologies is to understand how the data will be piped, cleaned, and structured within existing guest profile systems or CRMs and connected to current payment rails. Once there's an identifiable path to proper interfacing, the Metaverse should be viewed as an opportunity to better know your customers by learning their preferences through interactive prearrival and post-departure virtual worlds. This will allow you to build richer guest profiles with far superior segmentation to anticipate onsite service requests, eliminate more points of friction, customize experiences, and generate one-to-one upselling offers. Acquaint yourself with key concepts like virtual reality, augmented reality, and immersive guest experiences. Delve into the metaverse ecosystem, researching platforms, trends, and enterprises while choosing your niche- virtual concierge services, digital amenities, or VR-driven F&B experiences. Also familiarize yourself with different metaverse platforms, digital property, tokens, cryptocurrencies, and smart contracts. Assemble a proficient team of experts boasting diverse technology, design, and marketing proficiencies, ensuring they're fluent in metaverse platforms and blockchain technology. Forge alliances with meta-agencies, specialized firms that guide you through the Metaverse, streamlining your virtual presence and honing your business strategy. Learn what VR/AR developers, blockchain specialists, 3D designers, and digital marketing professionals actually can do for your business. Accessibility is paramount in the Metaverse. Champion education and training to fully exploit its potential and remain a vanguard in this rapidly evolving industry. By mastering key concepts, carving out your niche, orchestrating a skilled team, and synergizing with met-agencies, you can confidently navigate the exhilarating domain of the Metaverse. Web3 and the Metaverse are the perfect way to engage a brand's community and build customer loyalty. However, a successful Web3 strategy is based on creativity: brands need to forge their own unique Web3 identity, and people will validate it (or not). It is essential to balance optimism and caution to take advantage of this new world. Don't believe the hype, but also don't fall for fearmongering. Identify opportunities and needs within the Metaverse that your business or hospitality service can satisfy. Meta-agencies can help entrepreneurs navigate the complex metaverse ecosystem, providing valuable insights and specialized expertise. Since the space is crowded with people offering services, it is recommended to start with interviews with multiple providers, agencies, or advisors before choosing the right partner to help you confidently navigate the Metaverse. Ensure virtual hotels are accessible and inclusive by considering compatibility with low-cost devices, user-friendliness, and addressing the needs of people with disabilities. It is also crucial to find communities (like Hospitality Net), where you can read unbiased content on how to start with the Metaverse. To sum up, whether you're creating virtual hotel tours, 3D room previews, personalized guest avatars, or VR-enhanced event spaces, integrating these innovations can elevate guest experiences and create a cutting-edge hospitality environment. Embrace the learning curve and innovation as you venture into this uncharted territory, poised to revolutionize the hospitality industry. "Ecosystems are a group of interconnected and diverse actors, that complement each other and create added value" (John C. Moore, 1993). In the context of higher education, adopting an ecosystem framework can help expand the learning experience so that opportunities flourish and new, collaborative solutions are generated to respond to today's changing environments. By building ecosystems, the diverse participants increase their resources and disciplines thereby creating a greater pool of solutions, offers and innovation. Ecosystem framework Over the last few years, there has been an increasing interest in ecosystems within the business and educational worlds. An ecosystem encompasses groups of organizations and individuals that interact and rely on each others activities. Although the multiplication of actors may turn out to be challenging to coordinate, the "collaborative arrangements through which firms combine their offerings increase the range of customer-facing solutions (Ander, 2008). Indeed, according to De Meyer (2020), ecosystems contribute in three main ways. Firstly, they promote joint learning and innovation. By gathering many actors with diverse competencies and know-how, ecosystems unlock innovation in a much faster way than any organization would do alone. Secondly, they tap into new sources of value. As the range of capabilities and experience is multiplied, new opportunities flourish and new solutions are generated to respond to a changing environment. Finally, it brings agility and flexibility, enabling partners of the ecosystem to adjust to changing circumstances. A good example of business ecosystem is Netflix. It orchestrates different coopetitors through its platforms, delivering streaming through Microsofts, and using Amazons cloud services to extend the range of devices that could stream videos through web browsers, consoles and other devices. Although Amazon is a direct competitor, Netflix significantly reduces its cost by using Amazon services and extend its visibility using Microsoft. An example of an effective educative ecosystem that enables innovation is Helsinki EdTech Incubator sponsored by the Finish government. It gathers businesses, students, academics and EdTech experts to grow innovative ideas into valuable, scalable, and international business concepts. The VUCA environment Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity (VUCA) is an acronym that sums up the challenges of a rapidly evolving business environment - also known as 'the VUCA environment'. Although this concept originated after the Cold War, in the past decades it has regained relevance. The VUCA environment has reshaped industry and business dynamics, which calls for an adjustment of skillsets to successfully navigate this changing environment. Industrial Revolutions 1.0 and 2.0 were characterized by the rise of electric power, mechanization and mass production. Successful leaders required static and technical expertise, personal strength, vision and an organizational focus . Industry 3.0 marked by automation and IT systems, had a dramatic impact on access to information and communication. While the open access to information made knowledge a key resource for innovation and economic systems; it has also been a source of disruption in the environment, as information went viral and became uncontrollable. By then, the complexity of the environment required different skills, understanding knowledge in its context, taking into consideration variables and adapting it to the situation. As a result, it was required to move from acquiring knowledge in a static and codified environment to the ability to develop knowledge from multiple sources of information. Adjustment of workers skillsets Today, in the middle of Industry 4.0, elements such as robotization, big data analytics, AI and IoT disrupt human activities. Human-machine collaboration demands current systems to be reimagined and redesigned leaving aside the constraints of the environment and moving to a higher level of abstraction. This new paradigm calls for an adjustment of workers skillsets (Sfreddo & Borrelly, 2020). On the one hand, soft skills such as higher-order critical, creative, innovative thinking, collective intelligence, as well as emotional intelligence (WEF, 2019) are required to adopt new perspectives and collectively rethink activities. On the other hand, technical competencies such as developers skills, AIs limits and potential and digitalization are necessary to generate new systems. Finally, tomorrows Industry 5.0, reflects a shift from a focus on economic value to a focus on societal value, and a shift in focus from welfare to wellbeing. According to the European Union, Industry 5.0 aims beyond efficiency and productivity to reinforce the role and contribution to society by specifically putting research and innovation at the service of the transition to a sustainable, human-centric and resilient industry (Industry 5.0 roundtable, 2022). The education and training of a countrys workforce is a major factor in determining how well the countrys economy will perform. While economic and business dynamics are shaped by their environment, which is more than ever: constantly changing (Volatile), with decreasing predictability (Uncertain), with multiple problems and effects harder to understand (Complex) and with no one-size-fits-all practice (Ambiguous); educational experts agree that education should prepare students to adapt as quickly as these changes occur. According to OECD (2019), growing students confidence in their own skills to be able to learn efficiently in such an environment is key to adapting to, thriving in and even shaping whatever the future holds. Students need support in developing not only knowledge and skills but also attitudes and values, which can guide them towards ethical and responsible actions. 21st-century skills and higher education While educations past focus was to teach factual and procedural knowledge, todays education focus shifts towards the development of conceptual, and metacognitive knowledge so that individuals can successfully create, share, and collaboratively develop new knowledge practices in complex environments. To prepare students efficiently, OECD developed a set of skills and competencies named the 21st-century skills. It includes critical skills, closely connected to adaptability, knowledge construction, finding, organizing, making sense of information, and critical thinking. Skills that also encompass entrepreneurship, global awareness, innovation, creativity, collaboration, communication and problem-solving. 21st century skills Photo by EHL Yet, acquiring such skills demands an effective learning environments. There is an immense difference between learning about physics and learning to be a physician, which makes learning becomes as much social as cognitive, as much concrete as abstract, and becomes intertwined with judgment and exploration, just the way we learn in the workplace. To allow students to raise from the knowing to the understanding, the learning environment and knowledge practices demand to be engaging and guided by the principles of learning in context, learning by doing, and experienced-based learning. Therefore, universities should not limit their focus on what are the important skills and competencies for the 21st century but also on where and how to acquire these competencies. Moreover, to prepare students for Industry 5.0, solving present and future challenges exceed the capacity of individual cognition, knowledge in a unique field, or resources of a single organization. Indeed, it demands institutions to adopt a transversal approach, and implement collaborative learning and socio-constructivism with a range of stakeholders with different know-how. Therefore, universities could also consider relevant partners with whom the knowledge is co-constructed. Adopting a position that questions the how, where and with whom implies questioning the current learning environment offered by most universities. Acquiring 21st-century skills has profound implications for institutions active in higher education that need to adapt their curricula, practices and learning context. Yet, although competencies and skills are evolving, teaching and knowledge practices remain the same. Redecker and colleagues (2011) urge that education and training need to react more effectively and promptly to changing societal trends and, better address and narrow the current gap between education and the world of work. Others (i.e. William, 2019) even question the universities current model and functioning. Ecosystem-based universities: A win-win approach To close the skills gap for the coming generation, enabling reskilling, upskilling, life-long learning and co-construct knowledge requires teachers to enhance connectivity across schools and school systems. In fact, the 21st-century competencies will be incrementally acquired beyond the educational sphere, involving other arenas of society. Adopting an ecosystem strategy allows to bridge previous established boundaries, and unlocks a win-win approach for all partners. Firstly, knowledge is co-constructed amongst students, academics, industry experts and real-life partners, allowing universities to add a wild range of skills and competencies to their curricula without building them on their own. Secondly, the practices and learning happen beyond the university walls in interaction with external partners; students have access to authentic learning, situated and in context, which prepares them for working life. Last but not least, while learning experiences are multiplied, new opportunities flourish and new solutions are generated to respond to a changing environment (Meyer, 2020; Quin et al., 1998) and to potentially contribute to industries, government and society and respond to the requirements of Industry 5.0. Co-construction of knowledge To conclude, the future success of higher education will not be based on the knowledge created within their walls, but rather on the knowledge co-constructed with a range of partners within their ecosystem. The identification, orchestration and development of competencies will determine how well a university is equipped to give students, and therefore, future workers, the ability to adapt to a constantly evolving landscape of competencies and skills. EHL is now developing a wild range of short courses, one of them entitled Hospitality Management for Social Change, created by Dr. Ines Blal and Claudia Borrelly. The course is built around a tripartite partnership where knowledge is co-constructed with the cooperative "Demarche", EHL students and social entrepreneurs with the view of creating small lodging units with a social purpose. The aim is twofold, on the one hand, students learning happens in a real-life context and is closely accompanied by teachers via whom theoretical frameworks are applied to real-life challenges. On the other hand, local associations can benefit from EHL expertise with the opening of a small lodging unit that brings social impact such as reinsertion and community integration. In the weeks following Harris County's November election, 22 Republican candidates who lost their races filed lawsuits challenging the results and asking for new elections. One of those was dismissed under state election law in January by House Speaker Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, on the grounds that Republican House candidate Mike May had failed to include a required fee with his petition. READ THE INVESTIGATION: GOP leaders say Harris County's ballot shortage was targeted at Republicans. Here's what the data says. The remaining cases will not go to trial until mid-June at the earliest. Judge David Peeples, a visiting judge from San Antonio, is hearing all of the remaining election contest lawsuits and likely will consolidate them into two separate trials based on which approach the attorneys in each case take. Much of their argument, per their court filings, relies on the premise that county officials deliberately created ballot paper shortages at polling locations in predominantly Republican neighborhoods, turning away so many GOP voters that Republican candidates lost elections they otherwise would have won. Harris County has a countywide voting system, meaning voters were able to cast ballots at any of 782 polling places on Election Day. If a voter went to a location that was out of paper, others polling places were available, typically within one mile. A Houston Chronicle analysis of polling locations, county data and interviews with 40 election judges, including 32 who ran the polls Republicans said turned away voters, found at least 20 locations ran out of paper on Election Day, about 2.5 percent of the polls open across Harris County on Nov. 8. Some ran out for just 15 minutes, others for up to three hours. A handful of other locations suffered equipment and technical malfunctions that resulted in those polls opening late or having long lines. While GOP candidates have argued voters were disenfranchised by the ballot paper shortages, the term may not fit the circumstances, according to Brandon Rottinghaus, a political science professor at the University of Houston. KEY TAKEAWAYS: 4 things voters should know about the Chronicle's investigation into Harris County's ballot shortage "The courts are going to have to decide whether people were disenfranchised or not," Rottinghaus said. "That is something that is a judgment beyond what we can claim politically." For now, it remains unclear how large a role the ballot paper shortages will play in determining whether the judge decides to order any new elections. Proving doubt Andy Taylor, an attorney representing Republican judicial candidate Erin Lunceford, said he is not depending on the paper shortage alone to persuade the judge to throw out the election results for his client. Lunceford lost her race against incumbent 189th-District Judge Tamika Craft by 2,743 votes, a much narrower margin than most of the other contested races. Taylor has collected signed declarations from election judges who say they turned away around 2,800 voters at their polling places. Taylor and his team also are conducting something resembling an audit, inspecting thousands of redacted provisional ballot affidavits, residency forms and mail ballots to find ballots they say should not have been counted, such as incomplete provisional or mail ballots that are missing part of the voter's signature, name or address. Kevin Haynes, an attorney for Craft, said Lunceford's team would have to meet a high bar to win: they would need to show clear and convincing evidence that any irregularity materially affected the outcome of the election. "We strongly believe that we will be able to defend the results," Haynes said. MORE FROM THE INVESTIGATION: No, 121 Harris County polling places did not run out of ballot paper. Blame misleading messaging. Taylor said he does not need to prove Lunceford was the real winner of the election, only that the true outcome cannot be determined. "If you're trying to flip the outcome, that means you're trying to say the purported loser was really the winner," Taylor said. "That is not realistic in these cases because the numbers are too big. I've handled election challenges where the numbers are 33 votes or something, and that's doable. But in my case, I've got 2,743 votes I've got to overcome." For a judge to declare Lunceford the winner, Taylor would need to bring thousands of voters to the courthouse to testify. Since that is not reasonable, his objective is for the judge to order a new election, Taylor said. "All you show is, there are votes in the count that shouldn't be there, and there are votes out of the count that should be there, and there are people who wanted to vote but they were turned away, or there was fraud or illegality or mistake," Taylor said. "And when you add all those six things together, it turns out that you're entitled to a new election because you're proving to the judge's satisfaction that he cannot declare that the purported outcome is the true outcome, and you get a new election." A different tack Attorney Elizabeth Alvarez, who represents Alexandra del Moral Mealer and 16 other Republican candidates who lost their races by larger margins, said the key question in her lawsuits will be whether the results of the election are knowable. Mealer lost to Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo by 18,183 votes. "If we ask a judge, how many people did you turn away? That's a question they can't really answer for a variety of reasons," Alvarez said. Alvarez said it would be impossible to get an accurate estimate since election judges have hidden biases, some judges did not take detailed notes back in November when Election Day still was fresh in their minds and most people struggle to estimate crowd counts. Instead, her approach relies on statistical modeling and expert witnesses. "We're going to use quantitative modeling to attempt to model the percentage of people that would normally utilize a polling location who were disenfranchised by its constructive closure on Election Day," Alvarez said. She said she plans to analyze county data showing when polling locations stopped checking in voters and for how long, and borrow from voting rights lawsuits that have relied on studies about how poll closures impact communities and their likelihood of voting. "There have been multiple studies, one conducted in Houston. that talks about how 50 percent of the pool of habitual voters who have a polling location closed will choose not to vote," Alvarez said. "That applies even if you give them a new polling location equidistant from their home as the one they previously voted at." BILLS TO KNOW: 7 Texas GOP bills targeting Harris County include state takeover of elections, ballot paper penalties Neal Manne, an attorney representing Hidalgo and three other Democratic candidates, said Alvarez will need to prove the election outcome would have been different if ballots were properly counted and eligible voters who went to vote had been able to vote. "The contestants will need to show that from 18,000 to 34,000 voters were not permitted to vote," Manne said in a statement, referring to the vote margins in his cases. Manne said does not believe they will be able to do so. "Remarkably, the lawyer for the contestants in my four cases has essentially admitted to the judge to which all of these election contest lawsuits have been assigned that she and her clients will not be able to identify enough voters to overcome the large margins in my four cases, and that she will not even try to do so," Manne said. "She has told the judge that it would be impossible to do so." Manne said Alvarez has told the judge her approach does not involve identifying and counting actual voters, and "instead relies on what she calls 'crowd counting science' and 'quantitative modeling' to somehow intuit the number of voters supposedly not permitted to vote." Peeples has asked Alvarez to provide support for that approach, as well as examples of it being used in a Texas election contest. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Houston officials have OK'd plans for the Langley tower, allowing permits to be granted for vertical construction of the 20-story apartment complex at the Boulevard Oaks site where the controversial Ashby high-rise was first proposed more than 15 years ago. StreetLights Residential received the green light last month to begin groundwork for the project, but it had not yet received approvals to start vertical construction. The Dallas-based development firm had planned to start construction in April, although the project at 1717 Bissonnet doesn't appear yet to have broken ground. A spokesperson for Houston's Public Works department confirmed Friday the city has approved plans for the building, although StreetLights still has to buy the permits. RELATED: As residents push for control, The Ashby highlights oft overlooked 'grandfathering' laws The approvals this week mean StreetLights is closer to breaking ground 16 years after the Ashby tower was pitched for the property owned by El Paso-based Hunt Cos. Because the city approved StreetLights' revised plans, the developer doesn't have to restart the permitting process for the Langley, which could have further delayed the project. Pete Patterson, an attorney representing some neighbors who oppose the Langley, said the neighbors sill don't think plans meet the requirements outlined in a 2012 agreement with the city. "Were very disappointed," he said. "Were reviewing our options and well be making a decision with respect to legal action in the near future." Houston council member Abbie Kamin, whose District C includes the Boulevard Oaks neighborhood, said in a statement she would continue working to ensure residents' concerns were addressed. "This is terrible news and I wont sugarcoat it. Residents and I have been fighting this grossly out-of-scale development and its negative impacts on traffic, congestion, safety, and quality of life for neighbors with both hands tied behind our backs," Kamin said in a statement. "I will continue to advocate for and alongside our residents to mitigate the impacts this construction project is going to have on the neighborhood." StreetLights officials argue the Langley would transform a vacant lot into an architecturally attractive development appealing to well-to-do empty-nesters who already live in the neighborhood. The company said it would follow the 2012 agreement between the Ashby's developers and the city, which dictates the allowable density, size and scale of the project. "In keeping with the character and beauty of the Boulevard Oaks and Southampton neighborhoods, the Langley will offer the highest level of detail in building design, amenities, finishes and services. We look forward to beginning construction soon." a spokesperson said in an emailed statement Friday. StreetLights also said it would work with residents on ways to address safety and traffic concerns tied to the construction process. The Ashby proposal in 2007 set off more than a decade of debate about Houstons relaxed zoning restrictions. The site is just outside a historic district mostly filled with low-rise structures and 1920s-era single-family homes. The original developers, Buckhead Investments, had received approval from a judge in 2016 to move forward with the project after a protracted battle with residents and city officials. The project was put on hold for several years after a major oil bust and then Hurricane Harvey walloped the Houston economy. Last year, StreetLights Residential said its new proposal would feature fewer units than the Ashby, along with no retail space, in an attempt to respond to residents' concerns about traffic. Although the Langley would be led by a new group of developers with a different building design, developers have been allowed to use the same permits that Buckhead Investments had received. Street Lights argued its project falls under Texas vested rights law allowing real estate projects to be grandfathered under the rules in place at the time a developer originally applied for a permit, such as those regulating buffering, or spacing between residential properties and high-rises. Residents said the Langley proposal was different enough from the Ashby plan that it shouldn't be grandfathered. "In addition to taking advantage of Houstons lack of zoning, the developers are using state vested rights laws to disregard new residential buffering standards, and other neighborhood protections that have been fought for and passed by City Council during my time and before," Kamin said. "Let me be clear: I stand strongly opposed to this development and others that do not incorporate and include the measures we have put in place to make development better for neighborhoods." Although the StreetLights project won't follow updated rules governing spacing, the developer has committed to following updated stormwater detention standards and would be required to follow new rules for flood prevention and safety. The 16th annual Latin Wave: New Films from Latin America kicks off April 27 at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston with 11 features, including stories set in the past and present and a little local Houston flavor. All told, the event, which runs through April 30, showcases the diversity of voices in contemporary Latin American cinema. Two of the bigger films explore key and contentious moments from the second half of the 20th century, focusing on struggles against authoritarian regimes and the courage needed to topple them. One, Santiago Mitres Argentina, 1985 (2022), was an Oscar nominee for Best International Feature Film. Its a dramatic retelling of the fight to bring the leaders behind Argentinas murderous 1976 military junta to justice in a civilian court. The stakes could not have been higher, a fact not lost on the lead prosecutor, Julio Cesar Strassera (played by the great Argentine actor Ricardo Darin, the star of international favorites including The Aura and Nine Queens). In taking on the military establishment, Strassera was facing nothing less than the countrys national authority. At his side: an idealistic lawyer, Luis Moreno Ocampo (Peter Lanzani), who would go on to become the first Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, and a team of hungry young helpers eager to see their country change. Argentina, 1985, a co-production of Argentina and the U.S., is both a taut courtroom drama and a classic underdog story; its storytelling rhythms should ring familiar to anyone who has seen Hollywood dramas about speaking truth to power. But it also has a wry sense of humor, which makes it a perfect vehicle for the subtly mischievous Darin. This is a serious film that also knows how to have a little fun, a valuable quality given the grave subject matter. Courtesy of Museum of Fine Arts 'Chile '76' The Chile/Argentina co-production Chile 76 (2022) takes a more intimate and introspective approach to a similar chapter in Latin American history. The year is 1976, and the repressive Pinochet regime is in full swing. Carmen (Aline Kuppenheim), a bourgeois Santiago housewife, is happy to go along to get along; both her husband and her son are doing quite well as doctors. Then a local priest (Hugo Medina) asks her to care for a young resistance fighter (Nicolas Sepulveda) who has been shot in the leg. Carmen, who once served with the Red Cross, becomes a nurse, a courier and a confidant. Slowly, then suddenly, the war comes home. The films driving force is Kuppenheim, who delivers a restrained and carefully modulated performance as a woman learning to look outside of herself. Chile 76, directed and co-written by Manuela Martelli, is a film of quiet gestures that gradually add up to pack a wallop. Its a deeply insightful story of how the personal and political become one through the simple impulse to do the right thing. Courtesy Museum of Fine Arts, Ho 'Huesera: The Bone Woman' 16th Annual Latin Wave: New Films from Latin America When: April 27 - April 30 Where: Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Caroline Wiess Law Building (1001 Bissonnet Street) and Nancy and Rich Kinder Building (5500 Main Street) Details: $10; MFAH Members, students with ID and senior adults receive a $2 discount. Students with ID receive complimentary admission on Sunday, April 30 only. 713-639-7515, mfah.org/films See More Collapse Horrors more supernatural are represented by Huesera: The Bone Woman (2022), a Mexican/Peruvian co-production directed and co-written by Michelle Garza Cervera. Assured and, yes, scary, the film roots its fear in the psychology of its main character, Valeria (Natalia Solian), a young mother-to-be with deep ambivalence about bringing a human into the world and her own caretaking abilities. Satan isnt present, but there are some witches, and some crafty nods toward Rosemarys Baby. Huesera, however, is very much its own film, and a very assured one at that. It allows us into Valerias mind through purely visual means, and it allows enough mystery to cast the proper spell. Cervera is definitely a filmmaker for horror fans to watch. Courtesy Museum of Fine Arts, Ho 'The Visitor' (El Visitante) Representing the home town is The Visitor (El Visitante), a penetrating character study co-written by University of Houston associate professor Rodrigo Hasbun. Set in Cochabamba, Bolivia, this is the story of Humberto (a haunting performance by Enrique Araoz), an ex-convict trying to make good and gain custody of his adolescent daughter. Standing in his way are pious in-laws, wealthy evangelical pastors who use false morality as a cudgel. Directed by Martin Boulocq, the film isnt a critique of organized religion so much as an interrogation of those who misuse it, quoting scripture while keeping the disposed a rung down the societal ladder. More importantly, its an acute study of how it feels to live in a liminal state of being. Other festival films, all from 2022, include the Colombian/French co-production La Jauria, the story of a juvenile incarcerated in the middle of a Colombian forest that won the Cannes Film Festival Critics Week Grand Prize; I Have Electric Dreams (Tengo suenos electricos), a Costa Rican/French/Belgian film about a teenage girl longing for her estranged father; and the animated Brazilian feature Perlimps, Ale Abreus follow up to his Oscar-nominated Boy and the World. Each showcases the range of genres and subjects of a varied cinema that isnt easily pinned down. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Dessie Love-Blake doesn't have tickets to Taylor Swift's Eras Tour shows in Houston. But the Houston drag queen will be in a lavender haze all weekend. LOCAL LOVERS: Houston Swifties band together to welcome Taylor Swift's Eras Tour Love-Blake will take the stage multiple times to perform as Swift, who is in town Friday-Sunday at NRG Stadium. The Eagle, a popular Houston gay bar, is hosting drag performances and spinning Swift remixes all weekend. See video below of her in action. Now Playing: Houston drag queen Dessie Love-Blake, who has won several local and statewide pageants, performs as Taylor Swift. She'll be onstage all weekend to welcome the Eras Tour to Houston. Video: Joey Guerra, Dessie Love-Blake Love-Blake began impersonating Swift onstage several years ago during a celebrity illusion show hosted by Roxanne Collins, another Houston drag icon. "I was a very new drag queen. She (Collins) wanted me to be in the show and told me I looked like Taylor Swift," Love-Blake recalls. "I was far from it then, but as I kept going and understood makeup better, I was able to be a little more accurate." Though Love-Blake doesn't consider herself a Swiftie, she enjoys the music and admires Swift's business sense. And Love-Blake is a star in her own right. She was crowned Miss Gay Texas America in 2014, was first runner-up in the 2019 Miss Gay America Pageant and hosts the popular "Dessies Drag Race" competition. Taylor Swift Weekend When: Friday-Sunday Where: Eagle Houston, 611 Hyde Park. Free admission See More Collapse A Big reputation, indeed. And Swift only adds to the sparkle. "The reaction has been amazing," Love-Blake says. "Taylor didnt tour for awhile, so I took a break from performing as her as well. Now she is back and bigger than ever, so I had to update my look and give her another twirl. It's like having an old friend back." The tourism industry will see a boom "off the scale" during the approaching May Day holiday, as bookings for both domestic and overseas trips have been increasing in the run up to the five-day break, which starts on April 29, according to travel agencies. They said the bookings for the May Day holiday began soaring around late March and began nearing the peak in mid-April, much earlier compared with previous years, as the brief Qing Ming Festival break did not allow most people to plan long trips outside their hometowns. Lvmama, a travel portal, said that as of Saturday, bookings for domestic trips on the platform pulled even with pre-COVID numbers in 2019. Long-distance and overseas trips are usually favored by its users, Lvmama said. Chinese online travel agency Tuniu said that roughly 40 percent of its users have booked long-distance trips for the five-day holiday and 25 percent selected trips lasting more than five days. In addition to popular domestic destinations, such as Hainan and Yunnan provinces, many people are booking trips to lesser-known places, it added. Zibo, a city in the eastern province of Shandong, has attracted millions of travelers for its delicious barbecue. Homestay bookings in Zibo have increased twelvefold compared with 2019, according to Tujia, an online homestay operator. As of Monday, the total homestay bookings on Tujia for the May Day holiday saw a twofold growth compared with the same period in 2019, the online operator said. "Last month, my wife and I first saw videos on Douyin about Zibo's barbecue, which uses griddle cakes to wrap grilled meat. We are curious and plan to travel to Zibo after our two-day visit to Qingdao, which is a beautiful coastal city in Shandong province," said Wang Lijian, 29, a Beijing resident. "We will start our trip a day before the holiday starts to avoid the travel rush. ... I didn't have a long break since the Spring Festival holiday and I'm looking forward to this trip, and so is my wife," Wang added. According to online travel services provider Qunar, as of Monday, bookings for flight tickets for the May Day holiday has exceeded the number for the holiday in 2019, and the average price has gone up by 50 percent compared with 2019. Flight tickets from Beijing to Dali, a popular destination in the southwestern province of Yunnan, are sold out, it added. Industry insiders said that outbound tourism will also see robust growth during the holiday, as it is the first long break after group tours resumed in early February following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions. Figures from Trip.com Group show that during the first 10 days of this month, the bookings for overseas travel increased eighteenfold year-on-year, and searches for flight tickets for the upcoming holiday rose ninefold on the platform compared with the previous year. It said the five most popular overseas destinations searched on the platform are Hong Kong, Thailand, Japan, Singapore and Malaysia. "Outbound tourism has already registered growth, which will help improve the resumption of flight services to overseas destinations," said Sun Jie, CEO of the group. "The May Day holiday is a big test for these overseas destinations, and their services might affect the choices of Chinese travelers in the future." press release More than 100 people have been killed and over 600 injured including dozens of civilians amid fighting between Somaliland security forces and armed fighters affiliated with the Dhulbahante clan in Las Anod, Amnesty International said today, as it shares findings that Somaliland security forces indiscriminately shelled the town, damaging hospitals, schools and mosques, killing and injuring civilians, and displacing tens of thousands of people. "All parties to the conflict in Las Anod must end indiscriminate attacks, commit to protect civilians and respect the rules of international humanitarian law. Hospitals and ambulances should never be targeted. There must be an independent investigation into all human rights and humanitarian law violations to ensure accountability for those responsible and reparation for victims," said Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International's Regional Director for East and Southern Africa. umanitarian groups reported that between 154,000 to 203,000 people were displaced to neighboring towns and villages, while some crossed the border to Ethiopia. They are now in need of urgent humanitarian assistance. Those worst affected are women, children, and older people. "This humanitarian crisis is compounded by the effects of the ongoing, devastating drought in the region. All parties must allow and facilitate humanitarian organizations' unfettered access to civilians in need of assistance in Las Anod and other affected areas," said Tigere Chagutah. From 6 February to 6 March, Amnesty International interviewed 37 people in Las Anod, including victims, victims' relatives, witnesses, doctors, and humanitarian workers. The organization also analyzed casualty numbers from five local hospitals in Las Anod, and reports from the media, NGOs and the Somaliland government. Civilian deaths and injuries Among the civilians killed were women, children, older people with health conditions, and healthcare workers. They were mostly killed during indiscriminate attacks involving rockets, mortars, and other explosive weapons with wide area effects, which should never be used in populated areas. In dense urban settings, many unguided explosive weapons, such as the inherently inaccurate 107mm rockets, are too imprecise to distinguish between military objectives, civilians, and civilian objects. Their use in such circumstances violates the prohibition in international humanitarian law of indiscriminate attacks. On 6 February, on the first day of fighting, Rayan Abdullahi Ahmed, a seven-year-old girl, was hit and killed by a munition while inside her aunt's house in the Samalay neighborhood, in southern Las Anod. Rayan's mother told Amnesty International that her daughter was hit in the head by a large shrapnel that killed her instantly: "Relatives took her to the Las Anod general hospital, but she was already dead. My daughter was buried in a mass grave with several other people who died that day." On the same day, Amina Jama Ibrahim, a 38-year-old woman, was hit by a munition while inside her house in the Ex-Control neighborhood, in eastern Las Anod. Close relatives of Amina, including her mother in-law, told Amnesty International that her body was torn apart when she was struck by a munition and that her remains were buried in Las Anod that evening. Her mother in-law said: "Amina was planning to leave Las Anod that same day, but her life was cut short before she could leave. She left behind seven children, including one sick boy who is suffering from macrocephaly and who was with her during the attack. Her house was destroyed, and the sick boy is now with me in Kalabeedh." On 7 February, Mohamed Hassan Abdi, a paramedic, was in an ambulance when the vehicle was hit by a munition. He was evacuated to a hospital in Mogadishu two days after the incident but died on 21 February. On 11 February, Abdisalam Saed Muse, a nurse volunteer with the Somali Red Crescent Society (SRCS), was hit and killed by a stray bullet while at Gargaar hospital. His relative and three of his colleagues told Amnesty International that the bullet struck him in the chest, killing him immediately. He was buried in Las Anod that same day. On 21 February, Saynab Yusuf Dheeg, a 38-year-old woman, was hit and killed by a munition while sitting with four other women near her house. According to her aunt, who was one of the women with her when she died, a mortar struck the area where they were sitting, killing Saynab. "We were engulfed with dust and smoke; we could not see each other. I heard Saynab scream. When we cleared our eyes, I found Saynab soaked in blood. She was already dead. We all started crying and she was taken to the general hospital by her relatives." A woman who washed Saynab's body and prepared her for burial said she had a large hole on the left side of her chest. Saynab was buried in a mass grave later that night. Five doctors interviewed by Amnesty International said that most of the people they treated had bullet wounds and other injuries caused by shrapnel from rockets. Amnesty International also established that dozens of injured people were transferred to hospitals in Garowe and Mogadishu. Indiscriminate ground attacks on Las Anod town According to witnesses, significant damage has been caused to hundreds of civilian buildings including homes, mosques, schools and one hospital because of indiscriminate attacks allegedly by the Somaliland forces who have been trying to take over the town by firing rockets from military bases on the eastern side of the city. Interviewees told Amnesty International that Somaliland forces were initially based in the eastern and western outskirts of the city, while armed fighters affiliated with the Dhulbahante clan were mostly within the city. Most attacks were coming from the eastern side. The Las Anod general hospital has been hit at least four times since the fighting started. MSF reported that the hospital was hit during fighting on 28 February, causing partial damage to the structure and bringing a stop to activities in the pediatric ward and the blood bank. A doctor at Las Anod general hospital also told Amnesty International that the hospital's oxygen plant was damaged on 8 February and is no longer functioning, and that one of the hospital's ambulances was badly damaged on 7 February. Amnesty International received and reviewed more than one hundred photographs showing damage to Las Anod, including at least 38 homes. An engineer who teaches at a university in Las Anod said he documented over 300 homes that were damaged during the attacks. Ten other residents from Las Anod said their homes were damaged by mortar attacks. Interviewees said that the Sayidka, Samalay, Masalaha and Xafada Bariga neighborhoods were damaged the most. Amnesty International documented damage to two mosques (Al-Huda and Salahuldin), and three schools, including Samalay Vocational School for Women and the Ilays primary school. Amnesty International compared and analysed satellite imagery of Las Anod town from before the attack - on 24 December 2022, and after - 4 March 2023. Over 30 structures appear visibly damaged in the imagery and seven of those locations align with ground photos received, including the Las Anod general hospital, Salahuldin mosque and several homes. A lot of the damage visible in imagery was concentrated on a road on the eastern side of the city, further corroborating testimony collected from interviewees. The organization analyzed several photos showing remains of weapons collected from various parts of the town and confirmed that they were remnants of 107mm rockets, and the damage to the homes was consistent with being struck by rocket warheads of that size. Amnesty International was not able to identify the country of manufacture but assessed them to be weapons commonly used in Somaliland. Displacement and humanitarian crisis Humanitarian groups have raised concerns that the displaced communities are living in dire conditions with inadequate housing and scarce medical supplies. They are also subject to movement restrictions for safety reasons and are facing heightened eviction risks. An estimated 89 percent of those displaced are women and children. According to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), this new wave of displacement comes at a time when about 214,000 people in the Sool region are experiencing crisis or acute food insecurity due to severe drought, compounding the hardship experienced by those displaced by the conflict. Somaliland authorities say that they are committed to providing basic necessities including food, water and medical equipment to the people of Las Anod in coordination with local and international humanitarian organizations. However, three humanitarian aid workers interviewed by Amnesty International said that humanitarian access to Las Anod is a major challenge due to the widespread violence and some restrictions from authorities. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Somalia Conflict Human Rights 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. Background on the Las Anod crisis Somaliland is an area in northwestern Somalia. It declared its independence from Somalia in 1991. However, it has not been formally recognized by any country. Las Anod is in the southeastern part of Somaliland and is the capital of the disputed region of Sool. The town is largely inhabited by the Dhulbahante, members of the larger Darod clan. Las Anod has been under the control and administration of Somaliland since 2007. Over the years, the Dhulbahante have expressed grievances against the Somaliland authorities including allegations of targeted assassinations and they have also accused Somaliland of marginalizing them and subjecting their region to what they call "economic embargo". On 26 December 2022, the assassination of a Dhulbahante local politician, Abdifatah Abdullahi Abdi, in Las Anod town by unknown armed men triggered widespread protests. Somaliland security forces responded by using excessive, including lethal force, killing and injuring dozens of protestors. Following continued anger and widespread protests about the killings, Somaliland authorities withdrew their security forces from Las Anod. This paved the way for prominent Dhulbahante personalities including clan elders to enter the city. The elders held a consultative meeting from 28 January to 5 February. On the last day of the meeting, the delegates issued a declaration that they are not part of Somaliland's administration. Immediately after the declaration, clashes started between Somaliland security forces and armed fighters affiliated with the Dhulbahante clan on 6 February, escalating into a situation of armed conflict. Both sides blamed each other for starting the fighting. ATLANTA (AP) The family of a man who died in a bedbug-infested cell in a Georgia jails psychiatric wing is calling for the U.S. Justice Department to investigate the facility. Lashawn Thompson, 35, died in September, three months after being booked into the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta. Prominent civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who represents Thompson's family, called for those responsible for his death to be held accountable. What you're looking at, I think, is not just a deplorable jail cell, but this is a crime scene. This is criminal, Crump said as he held up a photo of Thompson's dirty, trash-strewn cell during a news conference and rally Thursday in front of the jail. Photos of the cell and of Thompson's face and body covered in insects sparked outrage last week when they spread on social media after his family's local attorney, Michael Harper, released them to news outlets. The medical examiners report lists Thompson's cause of death as undetermined but notes a severe bed bug infestation. Crump called for local leaders to be held accountable, including the sheriff, the Fulton County Board of Commissioners and the Atlanta City Council, repeating the slogan, We ain't gonna let you pass the baton. Justice for Lashawn. He urged local activists to attend an upcoming county board of commissioners meeting to demand answers about Thompson's death. U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff, a Georgia Democrat who chairs the Senate Human Rights Subcommittee, announced Thursday that he is launching a new inquiry into conditions of incarceration in Georgia and across the country. He cited news reports last week about Thompson's death and the death of Joshua McLemore, a 29-year-old with a history of mental illness who died of multiple organ failure in August 2021 at an Indiana jail. Harper has said jail staff did nothing to address Thompsons deteriorating health in the weeks before his death and has called for a criminal investigation. Thompson had been arrested June 12 on a misdemeanor battery charge. Fulton County Sheriff Pat Labat met with Thompson's family Thursday and spoke alongside them at the news conference outside the jail. We understand, and I have said this publicly, this is absolutely unconscionable, point blank, Labat said. Labat said that once investigations into Thompson's death an internal one by his office and another by the Atlanta Police Department are complete, they will be turned over to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Since Thompson's death gained publicity last week, Labat has expressed his condolences to the family and had three top jail officials resign. He announced Wednesday that he had secured an additional $5.3 million from the county board of commissioners to provide upgrades at the jail, including increased monitoring in the psychiatric and medical units and more frequent high-level sanitation of those units. In a separate statement released Thursday evening, Labat acknowledged that the problems at the jail are not new and that it has been operating in crisis mode for decades. The facility cannot provide safe and humane detention" and a new jail is needed, he said. He also said the jail's medical provider terminated its contract for jail services on Tuesday and that his office is reviewing proposals for a new medical provider. Critics including some who yelled questions and accusations at Labat during the news conference have said Labat didn't act until the conditions surrounding Thompson's death became public. And they allege Labat, who took office in January 2021, is using Thompson's death to bolster his push for a new jail when they say he has long failed to address serious chronic problems at the current jail. Tiffany Roberts, public policy director for the Southern Center for Human Rights, which advocates for the rights of people in the criminal justice system, said the nonprofit law firm has successfully sued the county four times over conditions at the jail but has seen little improvement. How dare this sheriff stand with a grieving family, pat their backs, make platitudes while he is asking for $2 billion to transfer this problem to a larger and more expensive facility," she said during the news conference. How long will we hide from the reality that Fulton County is chronically dysfunctional and there is no humanity in a system like this? MIlWAUKEE (AP) A Milwaukee County Jail guard was charged with misconduct Friday in connection with the in-custody death earlier this year of an accused killer who was once on the FBIs top 10 most wanted list. Laquisha Cowser, 32, told investigators that she had completed her safety checks when she had not, according to the criminal complaint. Jail surveillance video shows that she skipped Octaviano Juarez-Corro's cell on two separate checks in the two hours preceding his death. Cowser has been a jailor for about four years, the Milwaukee County Sheriffs Office said. She was relieved of duty with pay pending the outcome of the criminal case and a subsequent internal review. Online court records did not list an attorney for Cowser. Juarez-Corro, 49, was found unresponsive in his single-occupant cell in January, authorities have said. An investigator with the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office discovered a ligature around Juarez-Corros neck, the complaint said. Investigators who wrote the complaint did not elaborate on where the ligature may have come from or whether Juarez-Corro possibly killed himself. Juarez-Corro had confronted his estranged wife at a 2006 Memorial Day picnic in a Milwaukee park and demanded to see his daughter, authorities say. When his wife refused and told him to leave, Juarez-Corro allegedly pulled out a handgun and shot five people. Two of them died. Hundreds of people were in the park at the time. Juarez-Corro disappeared after the shooting, landing on the FBI's most wanted list in 2021. He was finally captured in Zapopan, Guadalajara, Mexico, in February 2022 thanks to a tip. He was extradited to Milwaukee in September. He faced two counts of first-degree intentional homicide and three counts of attempted first-degree homicide. He had been held on $1.5 million bail since October. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Longtime Taylor Swift fan Elizabeth Nguyen was feeling overwhelmed going to the Eras Tour alone, but she wasn't alone long, as she was quickly welcomed by other fans and began making new friends at the venue. Around every corner of NRG Stadium temporarily rebranded to NRG Stadium (Taylors Version) complete strangers were going up to each other trading friendship bracelets, a tradition along the tour route, and complimenting each others outfits. Swift fans, or Swifties, went all out Friday with their attire, dressing according to one of Swifts albums or songs. Im glad that I am here, Nguyen said. Im definitely nervous but super excited. READ MORE: What songs will Taylor Swift play at her Houston concerts? Swift is performing three Houston shows through Sunday during her Eras Tour and will be joined by opening acts beabadoobee and Gracie Abrams. One of Nguyens new friends, Logan Mackinnon, was very emotional standing outside the stadium waiting to go in. If I think about it too hard I can feel the tears swelling up a little bit, Mackinnon said. ... It's such a big Swifty moment. It's an emotional thing too, I (feel like) that's my friend up there, that's my sister. Nguyen said she grew up listening to Swift, so going through each album brings her back to those years when the songs first came out. Swifts first of 10 albums was released in 2006. Mackinnon said the night before the concert felt like Christmas Eve. Houston gets in on the Taylor Swift party In a Christmas-like fashion, the city of Houston is also planning to light up, Swift style. City Hall will illuminate Lavender Haze and the municipal building at 901 Bagby will also light up. CONCERT PREP: Map shows where to park or get dropped off at NRG Stadium for Eras Tour In addition to the stadium's temporary renaming, LINK Houston also called for the Red Line light rail to also get a (Taylor's Version) tacked on the end. Fans call concert a 'dream come true' The city may have brought the lights and the ceremonial support, but the Swifties brought the commitment. Megan Murases concert day began at 5 a.m. and she arrived at the venue around 7 a.m., about 12 hours before the concert was scheduled to start. In that time, she got her merch, took photos and spent time with the friends she came with. Murase, a University of Texas at Austin student from San Antonio, took a break from the books Friday to see Swift take the stage. She was especially excited because she had floor seats. I have a list on my phone of songs I would die for, she said. High school senior Brianna Aguilar, also from San Antonio, had two options when her mom offered her a graduation present either a week-long trip to Cancun, or going all out on Eras Tour tickets. Brianna chose the latter and confidently stood by her choice as she awaited entry into NRG Stadium Friday afternoon. It's a dream come true, she said. IN THE STADIUM: Houston's NRG has special food and drink deals for Taylor Swift's concert Briannas mom, dad and sister stood with her in line, all dressed in theme for the occasion. The family made the drive to Houston from their home in San Antonio on Thursday. Briannas mom, Ronee, said their ticket process was crazy 7.5 hours of crazy. There were points when Ronee said she was in tears, but when she finally got the tickets she was jumping up and down. It's just so surreal, Ronee said. It's not just (Swifts) music and her songs She's such a good role model. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate After just two hours of deliberation, a Harris County jury Friday sentenced former Alief ISD football coach David Temple to life in prison for murdering his pregnant wife while carrying on a romantic affair, capping a 24-year legal saga that included two convictions and a deadlocked jury. Relatives of the beloved school teacher, Belinda Temple, wiped away tears as her twin sister stepped up to the witness stand once more to confront her former brother-in-law. "I will never understand why you killed Belinda," Brenda Lucas said in a victim impact statement. "David, you could have gotten divorced." The sentence marks the second time Harris County jurors have settled on a punishment for Temple, the defendant at the center of one of the regions most high-profile cases. The charge, filed in 2004, came five years after a sprawling investigation in which Temple blamed his wife's death on a young neighbor. Temple, a 30-year-old teacher at Katy High School at the time, was found shot to death in a closet of their home in 1999. The case itself spanned multiple defense lawyers, prosecutors, district attorney administrations and deaths of witnesses. It even spawned a true-crime novel. Temple, 54, made no apparent reaction as the sentence was handed down. Michael Wyke/Contributor Jurors considered a range of punishments for Temple, including probation, but a life sentence was the most serious option available. Temple will be eligible for parole in 17 years, when he is 71. The brief deliberations were a stark contrast to the 19 hours of debate over Temple's fate in 2019 that led to Judge Kelli Johnson to declare a mistrial and start the process over. Testimony in the latest trial included Heather Scott, the fellow teacher Temple had the affair with and went on to marry. The couple divorced amid the second trial after 18 years of marriage. Temple's adult son, who was 3 at the time of his mother's murder, also testified. 'You ruined your family' Testimony lasted two weeks and echoed most of what jurors previously heard in the 2007 and 2019 trials, both of which resulted in his conviction. Although Temples guilt was not at question, prosecutors went to great lengths to show how he staged his Katy home to look like someone broke in, ransacked the place and killed his wife. And there were other signs that didn't add up. Prosecutors said they believed that had a stranger entered the home, the Temples family dog, known for aggressive behavior, would have attacked a would-be burglar. TEMPLE TRIAL: David Temple murder trial rests after son's testimony: 'I dont believe he did it' Temples defense attorney, Stanley Schneider, urged the jury to consider hours of testimony that portrayed his client as a devout Christian who made strides in reformation and helped others in prison. He also painted Temple as a vital part of his sons life. What is the future of David Temple? Schneider asked. As you think about his future, you have to think about Evan (Temple). Punishing David is also going to punish Evan. Temple's son told jurors Thursday that his father had already missed several milestones in his life. He has graduated from college, gotten married and become a father. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer He wanted Temple to avoid prison and meet his grandchildren one of whom is expected to be born next month, the son said. Prosecutor Lisa Tanner expressed sympathy for the younger Temple. Who put us in the situation where Evan is the one who suffered? He did, Tanner said, referring to the defendant. The son testified he did not have first-hand memories of his mother and only knew what others told him. He said his maternal family never made an effort to be in his life, a statement the Lucas family disputed. Brenda Lucas' brother, Brian, conveyed his anguish to Temple after the verdict was read. The killing split their family in two and prevented his nephew from being a part of their lives, he said. "You completely ruined our family, you ruined your family," he continued. "You deprived Evan. No one else deprived Evan. No one else killed Belinda. That was your decision. I want you to think about that for the rest of your life in prison." TEMPLE TRIAL: David Temple's ex-wife testifies in murder retrial over Belinda Temple's 1999 killing Years of trials and a mistrial preceded sentencing Investigators spent five years investigating the killing before a grand jury indicted Temple in 2004 on a murder charge. He was convicted and sentenced to life in 2007. Temple had already served about nine years in prison when an appellate court in 2016 granted him a new trial, concluding Harris County prosecutors at the time deprived him of a fair trial by deliberately withholding evidence about another suspect. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer The Harris County District Attorneys Office withdrew from the Temple case in 2017, prompting the appointment of special prosecutors, Tanner and Bill Turner, with the Texas Attorney Generals Office. The prosecutors no longer work for the state agency but remained with the case to oversee the third trial. The prosecutors met with the jurors after the trial, and their laughter in the jury room could often be heard from the courtroom. Tanner welcomed the end of the trial and noted that they handled the case with care to avoid possible misconduct, which is what led to the second trial. We don't want this to continue. We obviously want this to be final, she said. Schneider, despite his disappointment in the jurys decision, said he was ready to try again. Temple requested Schneider to continue being his attorney as his case proceeds with the appellate process. Hopefully well pick a fourth jury in about two years, he said, rattling off possible appeal strategies. The sentencing became a reunion of sorts for people tied to Temple's past trials. During the 2007 trial, Temple was represented by defense attorney Dick DeGuerin. The prosecution team, whom the appellate court accused of withholding evidence, was led by former Harris County prosecutor Kelly Siegler, who went on to become a TV host. Siegler greeted retired prosecutor, Ted Wilson, who was among the prosecutors initially tasked with the Temple case. Both sat among the observers during the closing arguments. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Evan Temple, who was a toddler when his mother was shot and killed, maintained his belief on the witness stand Thursday that his father, David Temple, did not kill her. Jurors in two separate trials in 2007 and again in 2019 heard evidence that Temple shot Belinda Temple and staged the home to look like she was killed during a botched robbery. Testimony during each iteration have pointed to an escalating affair between Temple and an Alief ISD colleague as having precipitated the wife's death. He was convicted twice, but the 2019 sentencing hearing ended with a mistrial, prompting the current retrial, which rested Thursday. Evan has no memory of her or what happened Jan. 11, 1999, except for what others have told him. On that day, his father, David Temple, ran errands with him and reported finding her fatally shot body inside their Katy home as they returned. I dont believe he did it, he stated. MORE ON DAVID TEMPLE: What to know about the David Temple sentencing. His remark, flagged as a personal opinion rather than a factual statement, brought attorneys on both sides to Judge Kelli Johnson's bench in the 178th District Court to discuss. After a quiet conversation, the judge briefly excused the jury and instructed Temples lawyer, Stanley Schneider, to chat with the son about his testimony. The son returned and later acknowledged his fathers role in his mothers death. He researched his case over the years and also fielded unsolicited messages from strangers about the killing. I get a lot of Facebook messages, even to this day, he continued. His words followed two weeks of testimony and pitted two families against each other. His mothers twin sister, Brenda Lucas, sat behind the prosecutors. Unlike most witnesses, the court allowed her to observe testimony from other witnesses. The same exception was extended to Temples son, who sat near the defense. Lucas testified that she was denied a role in her nephews life. Temples son separately said he believed that the Lucas family wanted nothing to do with him and never reached out. Prosecutors noted that the Lucas family had to seek a court order in order to visit Temples son. Witness testimonies largely similar to past trials The latest jurors are being asked to consider the elder Temples punishment because the second jury was unable to agree on what should happen to him discord that prompted a mistrial. Should a verdict not be reached by Friday night, after closing arguments, those jurors will be sequestered at a nearby hotel. The second trial followed a judges 2016 decision to overturn Temples conviction because of prosecutorial misconduct. The testimony has brought similar witnesses and testimony to court as the past trials. Temples son testified in 2019, as did others called upon then by prosecutors and defense attorneys. Heather Scott, whom Temple had an affair with and later married, was among those who returned. She and Temple never discussed the 1999 killing during their 18 years of marriage, she testified. The two married in 2001 and she helped raise Temples son more so when he was arrested for his wifes death and imprisoned. The younger Temple referred to Scott as his mother but used the same title for his slain parent. Prior to the sons testimony, the defense called several witnesses from Temples past including fellow prisoners he met to vouch for his devotion to religion and others. A retired Texas Department of Criminal Justice chaplain, David Nichols, noted that he had not been asked to testify for a defendant until Temples case. Nichols commended Temple as a man of God who maintained his innocence in his wifes death. Son says he mourned time lost with father Temple went to prison in 2007 and served about nine years a stretch of time his son recalled with sadness. I remember crying a lot, hugging my mom, Heather, and not knowing what was going to come next or what life was going to look like without Dad there, he said. His life continued without his father. He went to Texas A&M University and met his future wife, revealing his familys dark history on their first date. The couple, now married, have a daughter named for the girl his mother was pregnant with. On Scene Media Police late Thursday were searching for a man with a rifle who fatally shot another man waiting in his car at an intersection in southwest Houston. Officers around 9 p.m. responded to a report of a shooting near the intersection of the South Loop and Main Street, near NRG Stadium, Lt. Larry Crowson, of the Houston Police Department, told On Scene reporters. They found a man dead inside a white SUV. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A 60-year-old Houston man accused of sending multiple racist, misogynistic voicemails to California Democrat Rep. Maxine Waters, threatening to kill and assault the 84-year-old congresswoman, was arrested April 13. Brian Michael Gaherty, who is identified on Harris County court records as white, is accused of calling Waters Hawthorne, California, office on separate occasions between August and November 2022, according to court documents. Waters' office received the initial call Aug. 8, 2022, and Gaherty allegedly threatened to kill the congresswoman, who is Black, going into graphic detail of how he would kill her while using multiple profanities and ethnic slurs. Another call to Waters' office occurred Nov. 16, 2022, and Gaherty allegedly threatened to "bust" the congresswoman "upside her head" and that he was "looking for her." The Chronicle reached out to Gaherty's attorney, Joseph Francis Vinas, Thursday but have not received a response. The number of threats to lawmakers investigated by Capitol Police skyrocketed between 2016 and 2021, Politifact reported. Police investigated 902 threats to lawmakers in 2016, compared to 9,625 in 2021, the year of the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi's husband, Paul, was attacked with a hammer by an assailant looking for the congresswoman. The suspect had posted far right conspiracies and racist language on an online blog. After the Nov. 16, 2022, call, Waters' office reported the threats to U.S. Capitol Police, including the copies of the voicemails received Aug. 8, 2022. Calls were also made to Waters' office on Nov. 8, 2022, and Nov. 10, 2022, with voicemails saying that there was a contract out on the congresswoman's life and that she should watch her back. At one point saying, "I'm gonna tell you right now, this ain't no threat. It's a god**** promise" and that the congresswoman should watch her back. He is also accused of threatening to assault at least two other members of congress, both of whom are women of color, according to court records. The documents do not identify the other congresswomen, but the threats were also filled with racist, misogynistic language. Between September 2022 and February 2023, Gaherty used the same phone number to leave at least 11 voicemails that threatened to assault these public officials, court documents state. Houston police was already investigating threats to reporter Capitol Police identified Gaherty as a suspect by reviewing data from T-Mobile and TracFone, an American prepaid no-contract mobile phone provider. The federal agency also conducted in-person and phone interviews with Gaherty. "I listened to recordings of the four voicemails referenced above, and I believe that the same person left these four voicemails because the tone and the accent of the voice is the same in each recording," a Capitol Police official said in court documents. During the investigation, federal officials learned of Houston police's investigation into threatening voicemails received by a Latina news reporter on Aug. 8, 2022. When federal officials called the number HPD was investigating, a man who identified himself as "Brad Beeler" answered. Based on an incident report from an aggravated robbery investigation on June 23, 2016, in Houston, the USCP found out that Beeler was actually Gaherty. Because Gaherty was the victim of the aggravated robbery in 2016, he provided his telephone number on the incident report, which matched the number used to call Waters' office and the female Latino news reporter. A grand jury has been hearing evidence in the case of the Houston police officer who fatally shot 29-year-old Jalen Randle in Pleasantville last year, and a decision on whether Shane Privette will be indicted is expected soon, according to the Harris County district attorneys office. Houston police union president Douglas Griffith said the union, whose attorneys are representing Privette, expects a decision to come as soon as Monday. District Attorney Kim Oggs office, which is presenting evidence to the grand jury that will decide on potential charges, declined to specify a timeframe. If indicted, Privette would become the 18th Houston police officer to face criminal charges for actions taken in the line of duty since Ogg took office in 2017, Oggs office said. Privette shot Randle in the neck on April 27, 2022, after a brief car chase through Randles native Pleasantville. Privette and his partners in the Narcotics Department were in the neighborhood to serve an arrest warrant against Randle, who had been charged with aggravated assault of a family member and evading arrest. NATIONAL STAGE: Mother of Jalen Randle, man killed by Houston police, sings at Tyre Nichols' funeral Body-worn camera footage shows Privette command Randle to show his hands and open fire as the last words leave his mouth, striking Randle in the neck. About two seconds elapsed between the time that both men got out of their vehicles and Privette pulled the trigger. Privette can be heard saying oh s--t in an apparent expression of surprise after shooting. An autopsy by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences ruled that Randle was shot in the front of the neck, while an independent autopsy obtained by the Randle familys attorney, Ben Crump, says he was shot in the back of the neck. Randles mother, Tiffany Rachal, said that Privette was negligent, at best, and that the shooting was premeditated, at worst. Randles family and friends have held regular protests at City Hall, the Houston Police Department and the Harris County District Attorneys office since his death almost a year ago, demanding that Privette be fired from the department and charged with a crime. She pointed to a previous indictment against Privette, on charges of beating a man during an undercover drug bust in 2017, as evidence that Privette was a violent police officer. Those charges were later dropped after a second grand jury reviewed new, unspecified evidence. I just feel like they need to relieve him of his duties. If they had done that for the other man we wouldnt be having this conversation, Rachal said. Griffith said that Privette was justified in shooting Randle, whom he described as felon who was armed, because Randle reached back into the SUV to grab an object that Privette believed to be a gun. That object was a backpack that was later found to have a gun inside it, though it is unclear from available footage whether Randle reached back in to grab it or whether he already had it in his hands DEMANDING ANSWERS: Jalen Randles family, friends demand answers about fatal shooting from Chief Finner at town hall Griffith called Privette a highly trained and highly decorated officer, and said that the previous indictment has absolutely zero bearing on this case, noting that the case was eventually dismissed. There is zero pattern of abusive behavior with Officer Privette, Griffith said. We look forward to him being vindicated. The Harris County district attorneys office has been presenting the evidence in the case to a grand jury of 12 randomly selected people, as is department practice in instances of police shootings. The grand jury will determine whether enough probable cause exists for prosecutors to pursue charges under Texas law. If they determine that there is no probable cause, the case will be dismissed. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Houston area motorcycle club members and longtime law enforcement officials say they are worried that shootings last week along Interstate 45 led to the deaths of three men, with a possible link to a shooting earlier in April in Oklahoma City, could lead to violent retaliation. A retired gang investigator in the Harris County Sheriff's Office said conditions had been ripe for a new wave of motorcycle gang-related violence ever since the Waco shootout in 2015 the bloodiest motorcycle gun battle in Texas history that left nine people dead and 18 others injured. We all knew the violence was going to get worse, said the investigator, who spoke on the condition of anonymity out of fear of reprisal. And when that happens, its bad for civilians. Because these people dont pay attention to whos in the line of fire. ROADWAY VIOLENCE: Woman injured after caught in middle of possible road rage shooting. Motorcycle gang violence has been a sporadic problem in cities across the country for decades, usually sparked by conflicts between rival gangs, investigators say. The April shootout by motorcycle gangs in Oklahoma left three people dead. Just last year in Chicago, Outlaws Motorcycle Club had several violent encounters and shootouts with the Mongol Nation Motorcycle Club, a rival group. Now the violence has come to the Houston area. The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office was called to a shooting at around 11 a.m. April 14, in the 25000 block of Interstate 45 northbound at Rayford Road, said Steve Squier, specialist for the Sheriff's Office. Soon after that shooting, two other motorcyclists were killed and another was injured in a highway shooting in Huntsville, according to the Huntsville Police Department. These flashes of motorcycle gang violence can be vexing for local law enforcement agencies, particularly as the groups travel from state to state. Law enforcement in Montgomery County, where one of the two freeway shootings happened, offered few new details. Lt. Scott Spencer, a spokesperson for the office, declined to provide more information about the investigation, referring questions to a written statement. This event was a targeted attack between two fanatical gangs who inadvertently committed their crime in Montgomery County as they just happened to be in our jurisdiction while traveling, he said. Officials in Huntsville, after announcing the names of those killed in the second shooting, said they were investigating whether they were connected to the April 1 shooting in Oklahoma City. One of the men killed in Oklahoma had previously been charged in a deadly shooting about 30 miles from Montgomery County attacks. Bar brawl turns into gun fight in Oklahoma City Three people have been arrested and charged in Oklahoma in connection to the fatal shooting of three men, and wounding of three others, at a whiskey bar, according to the Oklahoma City Police Department. Police said the shooting involved rival motorcycle clubs. Gunfire began shortly after one man approached another inside the bar and punched him in the back of the head, Gary Knight, a spokesperson for the department, said. The situation quickly escalated after many people drew guns and began firing at one another, he said. Knight declined to provide the names of the gangs suspected of participating in the shootout at the bar. But one of the men killed, Eric Olberholtzer, 29, had previously been charged in connection with another biker-related shooting in Madisonville, Texas, according to the television station KBTX3 in Bryan. The Bandidos Motorcycle Club, which formed in the 1960s in San Leon, has long had a monopoly on motorcycle clubs around Texas, according to the retired investigator. But starting with that shooting, other clubs have been encroaching on the groups territory. Motorcycle enthusiast: Violence not reflective of community Some in the motorcycle community said the problem was more isolated than a larger motorcycle war. If clubs really were warring, it would be much more evident, they said. Motorcycle club enthusiast James Hollywood Macecari said younger motorcycle aficionados had brought with them a more rough-and-tumble attitude that was translating into retribution shootings across the country. Youve got a bunch of alphas in a grown-person lifestyle yeah, dumb, bad stuff is going to happen, said Macecari, a longtime member of the motorcycle community who runs a popular YouTube station dedicated to biker news with more than 53,000 subscribers. The veteran motorcyclist, however, said he worried if the current trend kept going, there could be a more widespread and violent escalation, he said. Michael Garcia contributed to this report. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A decision on whether to remove the judge currently presiding over the murder trial of accused Santa Fe High School shooter Dimitrios Pagourtzis likely wont come until next month. A hearing in Galveston on Thursday ended in no immediate decision on whether 122nd District Court Judge Jeth Jones should be removed from the trial, officials said. MORE ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: Uvalde families forced to wait 13 hours for Texas House hearing on AR-15 changes Defense attorneys last month sought to have Jones removed as judge over bias complaints about his order for a new mental health evaluation for Pagourtzis and accusations that Jones, a former defense attorney, had a conflict of interest in presiding over the case. Jones is the second judge to preside over the case. In January, he replaced former district court Judge John Ellisor, who retired last year. The May 18, 2018, mass shooting at Santa Fe High School left 10 dead and 13 injured. Pagourtzis was arrested inside the high school and charged the day of the shooting. However, his criminal trial was indefinitely delayed after he was ruled incompetent to stand trial in 2019. Since then, Pagourtzis has been in treatment at the North Texas State Hospital. A trial could begin if Pagourtzis is restored to competency. But evaluations completed every year since he was committed have resulted in no changes to his status. In March, Jones ordered Pagourtzis to undergo a new mental health evaluation by a psychiatrist at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. The order drew an objection from Pagourtzis' lawyers because Jones had signed a new commitment order in February. Attorneys argued the order was invalid and that criminal codes require at least 90 days to elapse before he could order a new evaluation. Defense attorney Nick Poehl also said that Jones had personally reached out to hospital staff to conduct an independent examination without informing the attorneys involved in the case and also accused the judge of being biased. Poehl motioned for Jones to be removed from the trial and replaced with another judge. He later added a second complaint, claiming that Jones' former law partner had briefly met with Pagourtzis in the days after the shooting alongside other defense attorneys. Jones referred Poehls motions to regional presiding Judge Susan Brown, who will make the decision on his future in the case. On Thursday, Brown heard arguments from defense attorneys and the Galveston County District Attorneys Office, which opposed the recusal motions. Brown didnt make a ruling. During Thursdays hearing, Jones' former law partner, and now fellow district court judge Jared Robinson, and another attorney, Robert Barfield, gave differing testimony on whether privileged information was revealed during a jailhouse meeting with Pagourtzis and Poehl, according to I45Now, an online news website that covers Galveston County. Poehl argued if Robinson received privileged information, then attorney-client confidentiality protections would also apply to Jones because of their shared practice, according to the website. Prosecutors said Robinson never took Pagourtzis on as a client and never received privileged information. Barfield, however, testified there was privileged information shared in the short meeting. Brown ordered prosecutors to respond to that argument within 7 days, after which she would make her ruling. press release More than 100 people killed, over 600 injured and tens of thousands displaced Indiscriminate shelling has caused significant damage to homes, hospitals, schools and mosques 'My daughter was buried in a mass grave with several other people who died that day' - mother of seven-year-old Rayan Abdullahi Ahmed More than 100 people have been killed and over 600 injured, including dozens of civilians, amid fighting between Somaliland security forces and armed fighters affiliated with the Dhulbahante clan in Las Anod, Amnesty International said today, as it shares findings that Somaliland security forces indiscriminately shelled the town, damaging hospitals, schools and mosques, killing and injuring civilians, and displacing tens of thousands of people. Humanitarian groups have reported that between 154,000 to 203,000 people were displaced to neighbouring towns and villages, while some crossed the border to Ethiopia. They are now in need of urgent humanitarian assistance. The worst affected are women, children, and older people. From 6 February to 6 March, Amnesty interviewed 37 people in Las Anod, including victims, victims' relatives, witnesses, doctors, and humanitarian workers. The organisation also analysed casualty numbers from five local hospitals in Las Anod, and reports from the media, NGOs and the Somaliland government. Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International's Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, said: "All parties to the conflict in Las Anod must end indiscriminate attacks, commit to protect civilians and respect the rules of international humanitarian law. Hospitals and ambulances should never be targeted. There must be an independent investigation into all human rights and humanitarian law violations to ensure accountability for those responsible and reparation for victims."This humanitarian crisis is compounded by the effects of the ongoing, devastating drought in the region. All parties must allow and facilitate humanitarian organisations' unfettered access to civilians in need of assistance in Las Anod and other affected areas." Civilian deaths and injuries Among the civilians killed were women, children, older people with health conditions, and healthcare workers. They were mostly killed during indiscriminate attacks involving rockets, mortars, and other explosive weapons with wide area effects, which should never be used in populated areas. On 6 February, the first day of fighting, seven-year-old Rayan Abdullahi Ahmed was hit and killed by a munition while inside her aunt's house in the Samalay neighbourhood, in southern Las Anod. Rayan's mother told Amnesty that her daughter was hit in the head by a large piece of shrapnel that killed her instantly: "Relatives took her to the Las Anod general hospital, but she was already dead. My daughter was buried in a mass grave with several other people who died that day." On the same day, Amina Jama Ibrahim, a 38-year-old woman, was hit by a munition while inside her house in the Ex-Control neighborhood, in eastern Las Anod. Close relatives of Amina, including her mother in-law, told Amnesty that her body was torn apart when she was struck by a munition and that her remains were buried in Las Anod that evening. Her mother-in-law said: "Amina was planning to leave Las Anod that same day, but her life was cut short before she could leave. She left behind seven children, including one sick boy who is suffering from macrocephaly and who was with her during the attack. Her house was destroyed, and the sick boy is now with me in Kalabeedh." On 7 February, paramedic Mohamed Hassan Abdi, was in an ambulance when the vehicle was hit by a munition. He was evacuated to a hospital in Mogadishu two days after the incident but died on 21 February. On 11 February, Abdisalam Saed Muse, a nurse volunteer with the Somali Red Crescent Society (SRCS), was hit and killed by a stray bullet while at Gargaar hospital. His relative and three of his colleagues told Amnesty that the bullet struck him in the chest, killing him immediately. He was buried in Las Anod that same day. Five doctors interviewed by Amnesty said that most of the people they treated had bullet wounds and other injuries caused by shrapnel from rockets. Amnesty also established that dozens of injured people were transferred to hospitals in Garowe and Mogadishu. Indiscriminate ground attacks on Las Anod town According to witnesses, significant damage has been caused to hundreds of civilian buildings including homes, mosques, schools and one hospital because of indiscriminate attacks allegedly by the Somaliland forces who have been trying to take over the town by firing rockets from military bases on the eastern side of the city. Interviewees told Amnesty that Somaliland forces were initially based in the eastern and western outskirts of the city, while armed fighters affiliated with the Dhulbahante clan were mostly within the city. Most attacks were coming from the eastern side. The Las Anod general hospital has been hit at least four times since the fighting started. MSF reported that the hospital was hit during fighting on 28 February, causing partial damage to the structure and bringing a stop to activities in the pediatric ward and the blood bank. A doctor at Las Anod general hospital also told Amnesty that the hospital's oxygen plant was damaged on 8 February and is no longer functioning. Amnesty received and reviewed more than 100 photographs showing damage to Las Anod, including at least 38 homes. An engineer who teaches at a university in Las Anod said he documented over 300 homes that were damaged during the attacks. Ten other residents from Las Anod said their homes were damaged by mortar attacks. Amnesty compared and analysed satellite imagery of Las Anod town from before the attack - on 24 December 2022 - and after - 4 March 2023. Over 30 structures appear visibly damaged in the imagery and seven of those locations align with ground photos received, including the Las Anod general hospital, Salahuldin mosque and several homes. A lot of the damage visible in images was concentrated on a road on the eastern side of the city, further corroborating testimony collected from interviewees. The organisation analysed several photos showing remains of weapons collected from various parts of the town and confirmed that they were remnants of 107mm rockets, and the damage to the homes was consistent with being struck by rocket warheads of that size. Amnesty was not able to identify the country of manufacture but assessed them to be weapons commonly used in Somaliland. Displacement and humanitarian crisis Humanitarian groups have raised concerns that the displaced communities are living in dire conditions with inadequate housing and scarce medical supplies. They are also subject to movement restrictions for safety reasons and are facing heightened eviction risks. An estimated 89 per cent of those displaced are women and children. According to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), this new wave of displacement comes at a time when about 214,000 people in the Sool region are experiencing crisis or acute food insecurity due to severe drought, compounding the hardship experienced by those displaced by the conflict. Somaliland authorities say that they are committed to providing basic necessities including food, water and medical equipment to the people of Las Anod in coordination with local and international humanitarian organisations. However, three humanitarian aid workers interviewed by Amnesty said that humanitarian access to Las Anod is a major challenge due to the widespread violence and some restrictions from authorities. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Human Rights Conflict Somalia 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. Somaliland: independence and dispute Somaliland is an area in northwestern Somalia. It declared its independence from Somalia in 1991. However, it has not been formally recognised by any country. Las Anod is in the southeastern part of Somaliland and is the capital of the disputed region of Sool. The town is largely inhabited by the Dhulbahante, members of the larger Darod clan. Las Anod has been under the control and administration of Somaliland since 2007. Over the years, the Dhulbahante have expressed grievances against the Somaliland authorities including allegations of targeted assassinations and they have also accused Somaliland of marginalising them and subjecting their region to what they call "economic embargo". On 26 December last year, the assassination of Abdifatah Abdullahi Abdi, a Dhulbahante local politician, in Las Anod town by unknown armed men triggered widespread protests. Somaliland security forces responded by using excessive, including lethal force, killing and injuring dozens of protestors. Following continued anger and widespread protests about the killings, Somaliland authorities withdrew their security forces from Las Anod. This paved the way for prominent Dhulbahante personalities including clan elders to enter the city. The elders held a consultative meeting from 28 January to 5 February. On the last day of the meeting, the delegates issued a declaration that they are not part of Somaliland's administration. Immediately after the declaration, clashes started between Somaliland security forces and armed fighters affiliated with the Dhulbahante clan on 6 February, escalating into a situation of armed conflict. Both sides blamed each other for starting the fighting. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Tad Mondell and his family spread their blanket on the southernmost tip of South Padre Island around 5:30 a.m., securing a spot to witness the worlds most powerful rocket launch for the first time. Louis Balderas stood on a deck near the Rio Grande. He held his breath while tracking the rocket with a 6K Blackmagic Camera. IN-DEPTH: SpaceX Starship soars, then explodes over Gulf in Texas debut of worlds most powerful rocket Bekah Hinojosa watched a live video from Brownsville, worrying about safety and environmental ramifications. Debbie Rodriguez promised her 13-year-old daughter she could go to school after liftoff. And Mary Angela Branch unapologetically missed the first few minutes. SpaceX has a complex presence in South Texas. For many people, it carries this profound sense of awe and hope for exploration. Others only see its disruption of a sensitive Gulf coastline and the destruction of wildlife habitat. Its a dichotomy felt every day in South Texas, but especially on Thursday when the Super Heavy rocket and Starship took flight, then exploded high above the Gulf of Mexico. Some residents in Port Isabel noted a dust-like material falling from the sky, coating their vehicles and homes. A pilgrimage to Boca Chica Tad and Ashley Mondell gathered their sons schoolwork and booked a one-way flight to Texas. They were willing to travel 12 hours driving, flying and more driving to see the 394-foot rocket. Tad Mondell remembers his first space shuttle launch, watching with his dad from their yard in West Palm Beach, Fla. It inspired him to become an engineer, and its an experience he now gives to his 8-year-old son Lucas and 5-year-old son Ryan. The family watched the sun rise Thursday and peered anxiously toward the rocket enshrouded in fog. Visibility improved little by little, and they had a pretty good view of the rocket when its engines ignited. It felt like an eternity watching the Super Heavy leave the launch pad, Tad Mondell said. And once airborne, its flames were longer than he had anticipated. The rocket itself resembled a flying skyscraper. Tad Mondell was previously an engineer with NASA and SpaceX. The family watches a lot of launches. But Thursdays launch, he said, represents the new era of commercial interests pushing into deep space. SpaceX cant be stopped by political whims or changes in presidential administrations. Its founder Elon Musk has the drive and money to take humans beyond low-Earth orbit. This is probably the most important spaceflight in a long time, Tad Mondell said. Possibly ever, added Ashley Mondell. The eye behind the camera Louis Balderas stood on a three-story deck less than 4 miles from the launch site. Those around him hugged and high-fived. Some adults wept. Some kids clapped hands over their ears. Dogs took off running. Its strange to see grown men cry over a rocket shooting to the sky, Balderas said. Balderas began documenting SpaceX activity in 2019, turning his camera from Spring Break on South Padre Island to a 65-foot-tall, one-engine prototype. This made his YouTube channel an overnight success. He now has nine cameras providing 24/7 live video of SpaceX in South Texas. Two other cameras capture the companys activities in Florida. SpaceX takes a lot of his time. Balderas was most surprised by the vibrations and rumbling of liftoff. It was like sitting on a bass speaker. Two of his South Texas cameras were mounted to an SUV about a quarter-mile from the launch pad, and he believed several of the vehicles windows were blown out by Thursdays launch. It was way cool to see and experience, he said.Im relieved that this is finally under my belt, and Im going to have a little bit of time to relax. Exploding spacecraft and planned LNG plants Bekah Hinojosa drank coffee at her home in Brownsville, watching the livestream on her phone. I was scared, she said. Every time SpaceX does a test or something involving their rocket ships, it usually means that theres going to be an explosion and some kind of negative impact to our community. It was a double-whammy kind of day. Also on Thursday, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved certificates for two separate liquefied natural gas facilities planned for the Brownsville area. Neither has signaled that it has the financial backing required to build, but getting greenlights from FERC could provide the momentum needed for them to cross the financial finish line. Were dealing with two different environmental disasters right next door to each other, Hinojosa said. Both are potentially explosive, she added, and what happens if a rocket component hits an LNG plant or vessel? Hinojosa is a member of the Another Gulf Is Possible Collaborative, an environmental organization for the Gulf Coast led by women of color. The organizations members worry about habitat loss, public safety, and gentrification. They fear the Rio Grande Valley could lose its rich culture. We live here. Were going to continue to speak up, she said. Were going to continue to be vocal that these projects are harmful to our community. Were not going away. Our elected officials have to listen. STEM inspiration and downtown revitalization Debbie Rodriguez watched the live video in bed with her 13-year-old daughter Audrey. They were shocked when the rumbling reached their home in Brownsville. The two imagined where SpaceX would be in 10 years when Audrey is 23. Would she have friends working for the company? Rodriguez loves watching Audrey and other students grow more interested in science. Its one of the many SpaceX ripples she sees throughout the city. She said downtown Brownsville, where she works, has improved since March of 2021 when SpaceX founder Elon Musk pledged $10 million for revitalization. In the past year, new businesses include a tapas and wine restaurant, bookstore, taco restaurant and coffee shop. Rodriguez is an administrative coordinator with the citys marketing and communications arm, and shes a self-proclaimed Brownsville cheerleader. Shes excited that SpaceX is in the community. Were rich in culture, she said. This will take this to another level. You know, the whole beyond thing. A trial for a stretch of pristine Texas coast Mary Angela Branch didnt rush to Brownsville for the launch. She remained in Austin completing work for her real estate business. I didnt want to be chasing that launch date or that next move, said Branch, a board member for the environmental advocacy nonprofit Save RVG. I didnt want to be addicted to the chase. She didnt even realize the rocket was launching until someone from Brownsville called to talk about his shaking windows. She pulled up the video and immediately wrote to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to find out when the agency would inspect the coastline near the launchpad. It's going to be to the point where it won't be a wildlife refuge, Branch said. It won't be a migratory corridor. There won't be tidal flats, algal mats. There won't be anything left. Thats my fear. Branch grew up in Brownsville. She went to Boca Chica Beach with her family as a kid, and it remained a favorite hangout when she was in high school. She returned to the area to buy a second home, a retirement home, in 2016. And Boca Chica Beach looked almost exactly as she remembered it: beautiful and pristine and windswept and undeveloped. It has changed since then. Branch is adamant that Boca Chica is not the place to test rockets. Elon Musk could have chosen a pre-existing rocket testing facility rather than building his own in one of the last pristine areas on the Texas coast. Im waiting to see what happens, she said. Its not going away. I would love for it to go away. But I think theyre too entrenched for that to happen. Amanda Drane contributed reporting. Despite polls showing that many Texans support relaxed marijuana restrictions, marijuana is still illegal in the Lone Star State and progress toward legalization has been slow. The Texas Legislature did pass a law in 2015 that allows the Department of Public Safety to manage a medical marijuana program, Known as the Texas Compassionate Use Program, the law allows for low-level THC medical marijuana to be purchased by qualifying patients. Here is a list of Texas state representatives who introduced legislation this year that would amend or expand the current laws surrounding marijuana in Texas. Joe Moody, El Paso Moody introduced H.B. 3652 in March. If signed into law, Texas adults would be able to use, possess and transport no more than 2.5 ounces of marijuana, or 15 grams of marijuana concentrates. It would also allow Texans to grow no more than 12 marijuana plants on their private residence for personal use. Texans would also be allowed to legally sell marijuana with a license and under certain regulations. The law would also enact a 10 percent sales tax on marijuana or marijuana products. Richard Pena Raymond, Laredo Raymond introduced H.B. 2995 in February that, if signed into law, would amend the Texas Compassionate Use Program for certain veterans with combat-related injuries or medical conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder. Sarah Eckhardt, Austin S.B. 209 was introduced by Eckhardt in February and is a similar bill to H.B. 3652. James Talarico, Round Rock Talarico introduced H.B.1831 in February. It's a similar bill to H.B. 3652 and S.B. 209, except Talarico's bill calls for the expunction or removal of arrest records and files for certain marijuana offenses. John Bucy III, Cedar Park H.B 1467 was introduced by Bucy in January. The proposed legislation would amend the drug testing policies and legal protections for state employees and independent contractors of state agencies. If signed into law, state agencies would be prohibited from requiring employees or independent contractors to submit a drug test that tests negative for cannabinoids as a condition for employment. Gene Wu, Houston H.B. 1341 was introduced by Wu in January. The bill would seek to repeal various state statutes that define marijuana and marijuana-related products as controlled substances and removes certain marijuana-related offenses and regulations. It would also not allow for marijuana to be the determining factor for terminating parental rights, as long as the parent/guardian abides by Texas law. Terry Canales, Edinburg; Mihaela Plesa, Dallas Canales (HJR 91), Plesa (HJR 89) and Echkardt (SJR 22) introduced companion bills that would, in effect, allow the legislature to authorize and regulate the possession, cultivation and sale of marijuana instead of the Department of Public Safety. Borris Miles, Houston Miles introduced S.B. 2455 in March to expand the Compassionate Use Program to include patients who were diagnosed with glaucoma, Human Immunodeficiency Virus, patients who acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, Sick Cell Disease and Alzheimer's Disease. Penny Morales Shaw, Houston; John Bryant, Dallas; Vikki Goodwin, Austin Morales Shaw, Bryant and Goodwin co-authored H.B. 3535 in March which would expand the Compassionate Use Program to include patients who were diagnosed with certain motor neuron disorders, Parkinson's disease, cerebral palsy, a brain tumor and other conditions. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill Thursday ending a unanimous jury requirement in death penalty sentencing, a response to a verdict that spared the life of a school shooter who killed 17 people. DeSantis, a Republican, signed the bill in a private ceremony with families of victims of the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School massacre in Parkland. The new law, which went into effect as soon as the governor signed it, allows capital punishment in Florida with a jury recommendation of at least 8-4 in favor of execution. Only three states out of the 27 that impose the death penalty do not require unanimity. Alabama allows a 10-2 decision, and Missouri and Indiana let a judge decide when there is a divided jury. Once a defendant in a capital case is found guilty by a unanimous jury, one juror should not be able to veto a capital sentence, DeSantis said in a statement. Im proud to sign legislation that will prevent families from having to endure what the Parkland families have and ensure proper justice will be served in the state of Florida. The governor pushed for the legislation after a divided 9-3 jury spared Parkland school shooter Nikolas Cruz from execution in a verdict last year that outraged victims' families. Cruz instead received a life sentence without the possibility of parole. A few months ago, we endured another tragic failure of the justice system. Todays change in Florida law will hopefully save other families from the injustices we have suffered, said Ryan Petty, whose 14-year-old daughter Alaina was killed in the shooting. The legislation easily passed in the Republican-dominated statehouse. Some Democratic critics had argued the state should not make it easier to send people to death row in reaction to the Cruz case. DeSantis, an expected presidential candidate, had included the legislation as part of a larger criminal justice package he described as a counter to the soft on crime policies in Democrat-led states, a move aimed at conservative voters who typically decide Republican primary contests. For decades, Florida had not required unanimity in capital punishment, allowing a judge to impose capital punishment as long as a majority of jurors were in favor of the penalty. But in 2016 the U.S. Supreme Court threw out state law, saying it allowed judges too much discretion. The state Legislature then passed a bill requiring a 10-2 jury recommendation, but the state Supreme Court said such recommendations should be unanimous, prompting lawmakers in 2017 to require a unanimous jury. Three years later, the state Supreme Court, with new conservative jurists appointed by DeSantis, rescinded its earlier decision and ruled that a death recommendation does not need to be unanimous. Floridas unanimity standard had remained untouched, though there was no overwhelming desire to change state law before the Cruz case. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Three transgender children and their parents sued Tennessee on Thursday over a new law that bans gender-affirming care for minors. The law, scheduled to go into effect on July 1, prohibits health care providers from providing hormone treatments or surgeries for transgender youth where the purpose is to allow the child to express a gender identity inconsistent with the immutable characteristics of the reproductive system that define the minor as male or female. The lawsuit was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee and other groups in federal court in Nashville. It claims the Tennessee law violates the 14th Amendment's equal protection clause because it allows the banned medical treatments when they are used to treat conditions other than gender dysphoria. It claims the ban is based on generalized fears, negative attitudes, stereotypes, and moral disapproval of transgender people, rather than the well-being of the state's adolescents and children. All of the treatments prohibited by the Health Care Ban are permitted when undertaken for any reason other than to affirm a gender identity that differs from a patients sex designated at birth, the lawsuit reads. The lawsuit also claims the ban violates parental autonomy protected under the due process clause of the 14th Amendment. One of the plaintiffs is a 15-year-old transgender girl who sued under the initials L.W. Growing up, L.W. had constant anxiety about her gender, the lawsuit states. Her discomfort with using the boys' restroom at school was so great that she would avoid it altogether and develop urinary tract infections. After she told her parents that she was transgender, L.W. began taking hormone blockers and later estrogen. Her parents say they have noticed a huge change in L.W., who is now outgoing and thriving, according to the lawsuit. The parents say the new law will force them to either leave Tennessee entirely or makes costly trips out of state for L.W.'s medical care. The law includes a nine-month phase out period for medical treatments begun before it goes into effect, but no new treatments could be started during that time and all treatment must be completed by March 31, 2024. Health care providers who violate the ban would be subject to regulatory discipline and could be sued by the attorney general or private parties. Violations carry a $25,000 penalty. The Tennessee Attorney General's Office did not immediately return a message requesting comment on Thursday. At least 12 other states have enacted laws restricting or banning gender-affirming care for minors. Federal judges have blocked enforcement of the laws in Alabama and Arkansas. It might be comforting to think that the three young people shot this week in apparent misunderstandings were simply in the wrong places at the wrong time. If only Ralph Yarl, a 16-year old from Kansas City, had double-checked the address to pick up his siblings, he would not have gotten shot in the head by a homeowner. If 20-year-old Kaylin Gillis and her friends had thought twice before mistakenly driving up the wrong driveway in upstate New York, she would not have been shot and killed. And if Heather Roth had not accidently opened the wrong car door in an H-E-B parking lot, she and Payton Washington, two Woodlands Elite cheerleaders from Round Rock, would simply have gone on to compete in the Cheerleading Worlds 2023. The problem is: In a nation awash with guns and hair-trigger fear, a right place and right time no longer exists. These werent even mass shootings of a deranged gunman armed with an AR-15 and a bloody grudge. They dont appear to be premeditated. What the shooters intended, perhaps, was to protect themselves from perceived dangers. Why they shot first, and presumably asked questions later, is still another question. Whats not a question? Whats not in dispute? If each shooter hadnt had a gun at his fingertip, no innocent lives would have been lost or endangered. A teenager and a young woman would have gotten directions to the right houses. In the H-E-B parking lot, the cheerleaders might have shared a laugh with the startled occupant of the other vehicle. No, this isnt an editorial about banning guns. What we wish we could ban, banish, defeat, erase and cure is an absolutist gun culture that prevails in America, and only America, that insists more guns are the answer. More guns will keep us safe, were told. Even if the people wielding them have no training. Or theyre enraged in a traffic dispute. Or theyre mentally unstable. Or theyre so frightened they cant think straight and their perceptions are skewed by surging hormones. Sam Owens/Staff photographer Youve seen the bumper sticker. Guns dont kill people. People do. Its true. What guns do, however, is leave no room for innocuous mistakes. Gunshots are uncompromisingly final, even for those lucky enough to survive. As Ralph Yarls aunt, Faith Spoonmore, told CNN: The way in which hes gonna walk through this world, its gonna be totally different because of what happened. What Spoonmore likely realizes is that she wont walk through the world the same way again either. That goes for nearly every family member, friend, classmate and co-worker of a victim. If theres any hope for this twisted reality we live in where gun violence has become numbingly routine, its that those affected by these sudden tragic losses become so tenacious in their advocacy that they shake lawmakers out of their stupor. We admit that this is an unsettling kind of hope. Day by day, more survivors and family members fill the halls of the state Capitol, as those from Uvalde did Tuesday evening. They were made to wait 13 hours to advocate for sensible gun regulations in the face of unbending political inertia. How many family members of the victims of the Robb Elementary School mass shooting last year thought they would be spending a random Tuesday in April begging and pleading with lawmakers to make it just a tiny bit harder for an 18-year-old to buy a semi-automatic rifle? The bill in question stands virtually no chance of becoming law, and yet, in the words of Kimberly Mata-Rubio, whose 10-year-old daughter, Lexi, was killed in the shooting: Our resolve has never been stronger. As hard as it is to imagine right now, one day a critical mass of people demanding reform will push Congress and state houses into taking action. Last year, Sen. John Cornyn negotiated a bipartisan bill that cracked open the door with the smallest of reforms. That door, one day, will be thrown open by survivors who will drown out an unscrupulous gun lobby that wants every man, woman, and child to have a pistol on their hip, just in case. If we succumb to fear, whether that means arming ourselves to the teeth or simply resigning ourselves to the relentless Breaking News flashing the latest mass shooting numbers across our cable news screens, we become unwitting contributors to a vicious cycle of violence. Instead, let fear be empowering. We must continue to protest, to argue, over and over again, with those standing in the way of basic respect for human life until we break through. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A poll funded by House Speaker Dade Phelan offers insight into why hes not budging on a property tax reform proposal that Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who runs the Texas Senate, vehemently opposes. Phelan, a Beaumont Republican, and the House have been adamant that their property tax plan must include a way to limit year-over-year increases in the home appraisals used to calculate tax bills. CRUNCH TIME: Dan Patrick calls House Speaker Phelan 'California Dade' in feud over property tax relief bills Currently, taxable values on owner-occupied homes cannot grow by more than 10 percent, if theyre protected by the states homestead exemption. Phelan and House leaders have passed a plan that would lower that cap to 5 percent and apply it to all properties, including rentals and other commercial real estate. But its an idea that the Senate and Patrick, a Houston Republican, have been against, warning it doesnt produce as much savings as the Senate plan and that they will not pass it. The House bill is just wrong on its math, Patrick said in an interview with Spectrum 1 News about a property tax issue that has become one of the biggest dividing points between the legislative leaders with less than 40 days left in the regular session. ISSUE FOCUS: Leaders of Texas Legislature set battle lines over property tax relief But partially released results of the Phelan poll of 1,000 likely voters by the Ragnar Research Group shows voters like the House plan. The appraisal cap proposal received clear support with 53 percent of voters preferring reducing the cap, Chris Perkins, a partner at Ragnar Research Group, wrote. Support for this proposal is bipartisan, though it is strongest among Republican and independent voters. But that new poll comes after the Texas Senate had its own private poll first reported by Quorumreport.com that shows their plan, which hinges on raising homestead exemptions for all homeowners, is even more popular. Senate leaders say that poll by Austin-based Baselice & Associates shows 82 percent of voters supported raising the homestead exemption for school district taxes from $40,000 to $70,000 and increasing the total exemption for seniors and the disabled to $100,000. Phelan told reporters last week he is not opposed to increasing the homestead exemption again (it was raised from $25,000 to $40,000 in 2021), and is willing to work with the Senate. But previously he has told groups in speeches that homestead exemption increases have a limited impact. We can talk about the homestead exemptions all day long, and thats great, but what does that do for the small business? Whats that do for that first-generation small business? Phelan told the Texas Public Policy Foundation last month. I have constituents who dont even own a home. They pour (all their money) back into their business. Patrick has argued almost that same point on reducing appraisal caps because it doesnt help seniors as much as the Senates plan would. Patrick was once on of the loudest advocates for appraisal caps, building his early political campaigns around the concept. It became one of the first bills he ever filed when he was first elected to the Texas Senate for the 2007 session. Last month, Patrick acknowledge that shift in his thinking. I came in thinking that was the answer, Patrick said. But we learned that wasnt the answer. While both tax plans have far more to them, it is the fight over appraisal caps and homestead exemptions that have added to the bad blood between the two Republican leaders who are the most important members of the Texas Legislature. Republican state lawmakers are considering a slew of bills aimed at Harris County elections that could be signed into law in the coming weeks. This is the second straight legislative session Republicans have targeted Harris County with election and voting-related bills. In 2021, lawmakers took aim at 24-hour voting sites, drive-thru polling places and efforts to proactively send mail ballot applications to voters strategies implemented by then-County Clerk Chris Hollins in 2020 to help Harris County voters access the polls during the early days of the COVID pandemic. READ THE INVESTIGATION: GOP leaders say Harris County's ballot shortage was targeted at Republicans. Here's what the data says. All of those practices were banned in Senate Bill 1, the Legislature's overhaul of election laws that provoked Democratic lawmakers to walk out, fleeing to Washington, D.C., before ultimately returning and allowing the legislation to pass. This year, GOP lawmakers have their eye on Harris County's elections administrator's office, created by Commissioners Court in 2020 and led by an appointed official, rather than the elected county clerk and tax assessor-collector. More than half of Texas' 254 counties have appointed elections administrators, including several of the most populous counties, such as Bexar, Tarrant, Dallas and Collin. Republicans are pushing legislation forward based on their argument that Harris County officials deliberately created ballot paper shortages in the November election at polling locations in strongly Republican neighborhoods, turning away so many GOP voters that Republican candidates lost elections they otherwise would have won. MISSING THE MARK: No, 121 Harris County polling places did not run out of ballot paper. Blame misleading messaging. Among the bills before lawmakers this year that could affect several counties are measures that would abolish countywide polling, prohibit polling places at public schools and college campuses, and allow the Texas secretary of state's office to withhold some state funding if counties fail to comply with voter registration laws. 7 bills at the Texas Legislature targeting Harris County: SB 823 , authored by state Senator Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, would allow the Texas secretary of state's office to suspend a county elections administrator and appoint a replacement. , authored by state Senator Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, would allow the Texas secretary of state's office to suspend a county elections administrator and appoint a replacement. SB 1750 , authored by Bettencourt, would abolish the role of county elections administrator in counties with a population over 3.5 million, which includes only Harris County. , authored by Bettencourt, would abolish the role of county elections administrator in counties with a population over 3.5 million, which includes only Harris County. SB 1039 , authored by Bettencourt and Sen. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola, would require county election officials to respond to questions about alleged election irregularities from a candidate, county or state chair of a political party, election judge or the head of a political committee. If the requestor is not satisfied with the explanation, they can ask the Texas secretary of state to perform an audit. The secretary of state can appoint a state conservator to take over a county's elections for two federal election cycles. , authored by Bettencourt and Sen. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola, would require county election officials to respond to questions about alleged election irregularities from a candidate, county or state chair of a political party, election judge or the head of a political committee. If the requestor is not satisfied with the explanation, they can ask the Texas secretary of state to perform an audit. The secretary of state can appoint a state conservator to take over a county's elections for two federal election cycles. SB 1993 , authored by Bettencourt and Sens. Mayes Middleton, R-Galveston; Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe; Joan Huffman, R-Houston; and Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, would give state officials the authority to order a new election if polling places run out of paper in counties with a population over 2.7 million, which includes only Harris County. , authored by Bettencourt and Sens. Mayes Middleton, R-Galveston; Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe; Joan Huffman, R-Houston; and Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, would give state officials the authority to order a new election if polling places run out of paper in counties with a population over 2.7 million, which includes only Harris County. SB 220 , authored by Bettencourt, would create a team of state election marshals to investigate election code violations and file criminal charges. , authored by Bettencourt, would create a team of state election marshals to investigate election code violations and file criminal charges. SB 1911 , authored by Bettencourt, could create criminal penalties for a county's intentional failure to provide enough ballot paper or resupply quickly enough. , authored by Bettencourt, could create criminal penalties for a county's intentional failure to provide enough ballot paper or resupply quickly enough. SB 1933, authored by Bettencourt, would give the Texas secretary of state the authority to appoint a state conservator to take over county elections for two federal election cycles. A Senate committee has approved the seven bills; five of them have been passed by the full Senate. To move forward, they also need approval from a House committee and the House as a whole. David Berry, Harris County's first county administrator, will leave his post to accept a position with a renewable energy company, Berry announced Thursday. Commissioners Court established the County Administrators office in June 2021 with the goal of creating a more collaborative, efficient county government driven by strategic planning and performance metrics. The administrator oversees the day-to-day activities of the 20 departments that directly report to Commissioners Court. The court will discuss Berry's departure, and the plan to replace him, at its upcoming meeting on Tuesday. At $385,008 a year, Berry is the second-highest-paid county employee. In a letter sent Thursday, he thanked court members for the job he has held for nearly two years. "From standing up a nationally-recognized American Rescue Plan program, to securing unprecedented funding for the Flood Control District, to passing the 2022 bond program among many other accomplishments I am proud to have supported your efforts," Berry wrote. Berry said he will be returning to his career in the renewable energy industry, but did not specify which company. He also said he would be available to continue working for the county until May 19 at the latest. The four Democrats on the court issued statements praising Berry. "He has tangibly professionalized Harris County operations and improved the quality of Harris County government to better serve the public. Mr. Berrys next employer will be lucky to have him, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo's statement said. "Dave Berry gave up a lucrative job in the private sector in exchange for a position that serves the public for far less pay," said Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia. "That shows the kind of commitment he has to making Harris County the best place it can be. I thank him for his dedication and tireless efforts and wish him the best in his future opportunities." Berry originally was hired as county's budget officer, and stepped into the administrator job after the court created the office in a 3-2 vote split along party lines, despite resistance from the two Republican members. In a statement Thursday, Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey who is now the only Republican on the court made his ongoing opposition to the office clear. "I am confident that the leadership that exists in all four precincts will be able to effectively manage the affairs of the county," Ramsey said. In recent months, Berry guided the county through a GOP quorum break during budget negotiations, accusations over defunding law enforcement and a dispute with the Texas General Land Office that ended with Harris County receiving $750 million in flood mitigation funding. "As the first Harris County Administrator, Dave Berry advanced the operations, efficiency, and effectiveness of the County," Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones said in a statement. "I thank Dave for his leadership and service and look forward to Harris County continuing to build on his great work." jen.rice@houstonchronicle.com State lawmakers pushing election-related bills aimed at Harris County are relying on a map they and its creator say proves that ballot paper shortages experienced at a handful of polling places last November were part of a broad, deliberate scheme to disenfranchise Republican voters. At a recent Senate committee hearing, State Senator Paul Bettencourt held up a paper printout of the map and said, We'll leave it up to the courts to decide, but when you look at a map like this, there's literally 110 out of 121 precincts that are in the Republican areas of the county and only 11 that are not. It seems to be a rather concentrated pattern. ... But I think it speaks to the evidence of thousands of people being turned away from the polls. Data science experts, however, say drawing such conclusions from that map is inappropriate. READ THE INVESTIGATION: GOP leaders say Harris County's ballot shortage was targeted at Republicans. Here's what the data says. The maps creator, John "Russ" Long, a presiding precinct judge in Cypress and a frequent Republican Party data consultant, said the map, together with a statistical analysis he ran, prove the paper shortages were part of an organized attempt by Harris County Elections officials to disenfranchise Republican voters. "The data confirms that an exceedingly high correlation exists between the under-supplied polling locations and the historic home of Republican voters, Long said during testimony at a House committee hearing on March 30. The math implies a greater than 99 percent probability that the ballot shortages were absolutely intentional. The illustration, minus the polling places overlay, is what is known as a "heat map." A heat map is a visualization technique used for pointing out concentrations of data points, such as people. Heat maps take known points and draw circles called "neighborhoods of influence" around each. When those circles overlap, the color becomes darker indicating there is a greater density of people in that area. Russ Long Long's map originally was created to identify areas where Republican canvassing efforts would be fruitful. Such a map would be useful if one was trying to find concentrations of likely Republican voters for targeting block-walking efforts. Jeff Reichman, a researcher at Houston-based data science consulting firm January Advisors, said the problem with trying to use a heat map to determine a statistical certainty is that heat maps are, by definition, imprecise. These heat maps can be calibrated to make it look as red or as green as you want them to, Reichman said, referring to the fact that map creators can make those "neighborhoods of influence" as small or large as they want. Those are just adjustments in the design of the heat map. MORE FROM THIS INVESTIGATION No, 121 Harris County polling places did not run out of ballot paper. Blame misleading messaging. Heat maps are not intended to show the exact locations of things, he said, adding "they're really just meant to be aids to help people understand concentrations of dots in this case, but not meant to be used for rigorous statistical analysis. The Chronicle mapped precinct-level election results from the 2020 Presidential election and overlaid the 119 polling places that initially were not allocated enough ballots to supply all of the voters who turned up on Election Day last November. The vast majority of those locations were resupplied with additional ballot paper and voting data suggest most did not run out. Only a slight majority of those 119 polling places were located in precincts that went for former President Donald Trump in the 2020 election. Reichman said it is also big leap to look at numbers and assume intent. "Stats aren't going to tell you what somebody necessarily was thinking," he said. "It's just going to tell you an interpretation of reality. David McClendon, also a researcher at January Advisors, said Longs map looks similar to a raw population concentration map of Harris County. He's looking just at where Republicans live, McClendon notes. But that turns out to be where a lot of the people in Harris County live, regardless of their political affiliation. So, all hes really seemed to have proven with whatever test hes done is that they ran out of paper in areas with lots of people. Which makes sense, but that doesn't prove intent. The Chronicle also mapped raw vote totals from the 2020 Presidential elections to understand where there are high concentrations of voters, regardless of affiliation. The map showing number of Trump voters is similar to the map showing the number of total voters. Alexandra Kanik and Brendon Derr Long admitted he had not seen the initial ballot allocations for each polling place before making his heat map. Nearly 98 percent of election-day-only polling locations were given the same number of ballots 600 before Election Day voting began. Polls that offered both Election Day and early voting were not included in that percentage because they received significantly more paper because they were open for voting for nearly two weeks. Long said the equality of the ballot paper allotment had no effect on his belief the shortages were intentional. He said the equal allotment actually supports his assertions because election officials should have known which polls needed more paper based on voting patterns from the 2018 elections. He also noted that Republicans tend to prefer to vote on Election Day rather than voting early or by mail. ELECTION BILLS: 7 Texas GOP bills targeting Harris County include state takeover of elections, ballot paper penalties And so if you know that the lion's share of your voters are going to get out and vote early, or that they're going to send in ballot-by-mail, and that your opposition is going to appear on Election Day, and that happens to be the day that you short ballot paper, then you know," he said. "I can use any number of analogies on that, but that was a strategic move. A Chronicle analysis of voting patterns for the Nov. 8, 2022 election, however, found 64 percent of the votes for Republican candidates were cast during early voting; For Democratic candidates, it was 62 percent. In addition to early voting being equally available and almost equally used by Republican and Democrat voters, all Harris County voters are welcome to vote at any polling location in the county. McClendon said that basing a theory of Republican voter disenfranchisement on where Republicans likely would vote falls short considering nearly 50% of voters chose to vote outside of their home polling place once the option was made available. The whole argument is very weird when you have the Vote Your Way stuff, says McClendon. I think the argument you can make is that they (Harris County Elections) were incompetent and they didnt do a very good job at planning where to have paper. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Rhonda Hart and Rosie Yanas Stone know the route from Santa Fe to Austin well. Theyve made it three times this month alone. Each time, they come to visit the Capitol, where they relive the worst day of their lives: May 18, 2018, when a teenage gunman killed their children at Santa Fe High School. They have asked lawmakers for two legislative sessions now to support a bill that would grant them access to autopsy reports and video footage of their loved ones last moments. LATEST: Santa Fe shooting families renew push for autopsies, video after delayed Senate debate The evidence has been withheld from them because the now-22-year-old shooter has been repeatedly found incompetent to stand trial, delaying proceedings indefinitely. The Senate passed the bill on Thursday, hours before a House committee advanced it, too. It is awesome progress, Hart tweeted afterward. She had just testified for the bill in a Senate committee two days before, with a picture of her forever 14-year-old daughter, Kimberly Vaughan, pinned to her shirt. Stones T-shirt bore a photo of her 17-year-old son, Chris. Weve not had any information released about Kimberly and how she died, Hart said. Its not fair, and its inhumane to keep prolonging this trauma for me and the other families. There is still a way to go before the families get the long-awaited information. The legislation now heads to the House floor, where it needs another two votes before the chambers can work out the differences in their versions of the bill and send it to the governor. It has bipartisan support, and the families are hopeful. This is closer than they have ever been. But the path to get here has been frustrating at best. The original legislation would have helped more than just the Santa Fe relatives. All Texas crime victims and their families would have been granted access to the same information, giving them the opportunity to see evidence outside of a courtroom setting. Thats the version the Texas House is still considering. But senators canceled a hearing on the bill at the last minute earlier this month, well after families were already on their way to Austin to testify. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said the bill needed some work but didnt specify what was wrong. Two weeks later, just 12 hours before families were scheduled to testify again, senators gutted the bill, only to later reinstate one of the biggest provisions after heavy lobbying from the families. But the upper chambers new version still limits the evidence release almost exclusively to the Santa Fe case. The experience is one that many crime victims seeking justice in the Legislature know well an opaque, frustrating and often disappointing process. It requires endurance and money, and passage is never guaranteed. Theres so many more people out there that need this information that live how we live, and I dont want nobody to live like this, Stone said. If they can get a little bit of closure, they need to get it, by whatever means, because its our information. Narrowing it down Christina Delgado was pulling up to her Austin hotel on Monday when she received the call from a staff member in state Sen. Mayes Middletons office. Delgado, a gun safety advocate from Santa Fe, had been working with the families on the evidence legislation. Middleton, a Galveston Republican who represents Santa Fe, was the bills author and his staffer wanted to let Delgado know that much of it would be thrown out. They changed the bill, Delgado told Hart and Stone, who were eating dinner at the hotel restaurant with Stones brother, David Yanas. Her news sucked the air out of the room. She listed off the changes: No video evidence. Five years must pass before any information can be released. At least five people must die. The perpetrator must be deemed incompetent. Essentially, what theyre doing is completely narrowing it down to only Santa Fe, and all you get is the death certificate, Delgado explained. Middletons office wouldnt provide the new bill. Apparently, Delgado said, the decision went above him. BACKGROUND: Five years after Santa Fe massacre, relatives still denied records of loved ones' last moments Yanas shook his head. Harts mouth hung open. Stone pulled out her phone and started drafting a text to Patrick, who called her shortly after. She stepped outside. Weve prepared ourselves girded our loins to talk about this and now theyve let the wind out of our sails, Hart said. Stone told Patrick it felt like the rug had been pulled out from underneath her. Why couldnt she see the footage from May 18? Had she wasted her time advocating for this bill? This is a very intricate bill to write to address both the desires of the families who have suffered so much while making sure evidence in other cases is not jeopardized, Patrick said in a statement. Rosie has become a dear friend over the years and we talk regularly. I explained this was a committee substitute. She understood. Passing any bill is a process that sees many changes along the way to passage. By the next morning, lawmakers had reintroduced the video provision, but the other changes remained. Middleton said the language needed to be tightened to make sure that this wasnt going to compromise the case in any way. Other crime victims testified, begging lawmakers to include them again in the final bill language. On its face, youve written a bill that has very good intentions, testified Alison Steele, the mother of 19-year-old Cayley Mandati, who was a student at Trinity University in San Antonio when she was killed in 2017. It benefits a handful of families, however, while leaving thousands of other people in equivalent circumstances out in the cold. Sen. Joan Huffman, a Houston Republican, was moved. The testimony had changed her mind, she said, and she promised to work with Middleton to try and open up the bill to include other crime victims. Its just not fair, she said. If we can change it to be more inclusive, I think its the right thing to do. But the bill passed the Senate on Thursday without any amendments. Senators will have another opportunity to revisit the language if and when the House passes its version, which would still impact Texans like Steele. In the meantime, the families will wait, as they have for weeks and months and years. Tori Duff contributed reporting. A leading member of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mr. Tochukwu Obi has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to release their leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in line with the order of Appeal Court. He said his health is deteriorating in detention. Tochukwu Obi, a unit leader of the pro-Biafra group in Anambra zone, cautioned that if Kanu dies in detention, the Federal Government would be held accountable. He expressed disappointment why the Federal Government would be disobeying a valid order of its own court just to punish Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB. According to him, IPOB has been peaceful in their agitation for Biafra, and wondered why the hash treatment being meted to the group. He said his fear was hinged on alleged relocation of a tuberculosis inmate near Kanu's cell at the Abuja headquarters of the Department of State Services, DSS, alleging that Kanu may have been infected. Recall that one of Kanu's lawyers was said to have disclosed this alleged threatening health hazard on Monday after a routine visit to the IPOB Leader. He had expressed worry over the health implications of having a tuberculosis patient in Kanu's environment. "I met with Mazi Nnamdi Kanu today (Monday) at the DSS headquarters in Abuja, and he was complaining to me that they brought somebody suffering from tuberculosis close to his cell block. "The patient, Emeribe Uduma was arrested in Ohafia on September 15, 2022 , and handed over to the DSS which brought him to Abuja. "Onyendu (Kanu) complained to me that that boy was suffering from tuberculosis and that he was moved near his cell block so that he would infest him and others with tuberculosis. "You know that tuberculosis is very infectious. Do they want to infest him so he will die in detention? "Onyendu also told me that he (Kanu) was yesterday (Sunday) bleeding from his nose. He requires serious attention by his personal physician", he had said. Reacting to the above alleged Kanu's health condition, Tochukwu urged the Federal Government to release Kanu from detention to save Kanu to save his life. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Friday that a commonly used abortion pill can remain on the market while a lawsuit over its federal approval proceeds. The case, brought by anti-abortion advocates, has threatened to add further hurdles for Texans hoping to access the medication in states where abortion is still legal. The temporary ruling was unsigned and included no explanation. Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas dissented. BACKGROUND: Federal judge in Texas moves to halt decades-old abortion Earlier this month, Texas District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk moved to pause the Food and Drug Administrations longstanding approval of the drug. Kacsmaryk, a religious conservative and appointee of former President Donald Trump, found that the agency had exceeded its authority in 2000 when it green-lit access to the pill. The Biden administration and New York-based Danco Laboratories, which makes mifepristone, immediately appealed. That same day, a federal judge in Washington issued a contradictory ruling that blocked the FDA from altering the status quo, underscoring the need for a quick Supreme Court decision to resolve the discrepancy. Mifepristone comprises half of a two-pill combination used to end pregnancies in more than half of abortions in the U.S. and Texas. It is considered safe and effective by health experts and has been used by more than 5 million women in the U.S. over the last 23 years. Texas has outlawed most abortions except in rare instances where a pregnant patients life is at risk. Alito argued Friday in a four-page dissent that the Biden administration and Danco had not proven that restricting access would cause irreparable harm. Friday's ruling is not the final decision in the case; it will now be heard by the New Orleans-based 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, which has scheduled oral arguments for May 17. The Supreme Court could take it up again from there. Any future restrictions would make it harder for Texans who are trying to access abortion in another state, as well as those who rely on the medication for miscarriage management or treatment of uterine fibroids or a hormonal disorder called Cushing syndrome. At least 1,300 Texans a month, on average, were traveling out of state for abortions, as of the latest data from the Texas Policy Evaluation Project, a research institute at the University of Texas that studies reproductive health care issues. Last week, the 5th Circuit granted a partial stay of Kacsmaryks order while it took up the full appeal. The appellate court left alone the drugs FDA approval but brought back pre-2016 restrictions, such as allowing its use only up to seven weeks of pregnancy down from 10 and requiring three in-person doctors visits, instead of one. Women also might have been required to take a higher dosage of the drug than the FDA says is necessary. EXPLAINED: What Texans should know about the effort to restrict access to the abortion pill mifepristone The Supreme Court was initially supposed to rule by Wednesday on whether to allow the restrictions to stay in effect during the legal challenge, but Alito gave the justices a two-day extension, without explanation. The case marks the first time a major abortion case has come before the majority-conservative high court since it overturned Roe v. Wade in June 2022, which opened the door for more than a dozen states to essentially outlaw the procedure. Alito wrote in the 2022 case that it was time to return the issue of abortion to the peoples elected representatives. But this new case gives the court the ability to upend access to the most commonly used form of abortion even in states that have voted to protect it. Without the pill, clinics and doctors say they would switch to using only misoprostol, the other drug used in the two-drug combination. That single-drug approach has a slightly lower rate of effectiveness in ending pregnancies but is widely used in countries where mifepristone is illegal or unavailable. While effective, the misoprostol-only regimen requires more frequent doses and can leave a patient more susceptible to nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, fever and cramping compared to the two-drug combo. The suit was originally filed in November by a coalition of anti-abortion groups and providers who argued the agency failed to prove the drug was safe. The Biden administration and Danco had argued allowing the lower-court rulings to go into place would have caused profound disruption and grave harm. They had asked the Supreme Court to block those orders until the end of the legal case. Also on Wednesday, GenBioPro, which makes the generic version of mifepristone, filed a suit to preemptively block the FDA from removing its drug from the market. Julian Gill and the Associated Press contributed to this report. Wait! 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Barrett Calls for MCLA Trustees to Make Decision on Housing Proposal Trustee John Barrett III pushed his colleagues to ask more questions at Thursday's meeting in Murdock Hall. Other trustees say they want to see the DHCD's proposal in writing first. NORTH ADAMS, Mass. The majority of the board of trustees at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is taking more of a wait-and-see attitude about a proposal for temporary family housing on campus. But Trustee John Barrett III, a neighbor of the campus, said placing the homeless in the Berkshire Towers would be "catastrophic" for the school and castigated the board for not asking more questions about its role in the decision. President James Birge told the trustees at their meeting on Thursday in Murdock Hall that the college has received no agreement yet from the state Department of Housing and Community Development about its plans for placing up to 50 families in the towers on Church Street. Without an agreement, he said, he didn't have much information to provide the board or the community and added that a lot of misinformation was being generated outside the college. "If we are going to proceed with that, we'll have a community forum including campus people and neighbors and others that might want to join in to provide more details once we know them from the state," he said. Birge's comments indicated that the housing wasn't a done deal but he also stated that the decision was one of management not of the trustees. "I'm saying it's a management decision but I will listen to the board," he said. "I think that the input from the board is important to consider the decisions that management has to make." Barrett, a state representative, objected that the board of trustees should have a say in decisions as it has over the budget and programs and not a president who may be gone in a few years. "You're saying to me and the rest of us appointed members by the governor that we have no stake in that," he said. "I don't want this community shut out of the process which impacts it. ... "I don't want to see a mistake being made, which I think would be catastrophic to the future of this school and be harmful to the city of North Adams ... and if I'm wrong for that, I'm guilty." The college is estimated to receive just under $2.7 million for use of the currently vacant towers. The dormitories would be managed by ServiceNet, a nonprofit human service agency that also runs a shelter in Pittsfield. The families are expected to be about 50 with 25 children from Western Massachusetts and the Berkshires and possibly those recently arrived in the country. "There's a critical shortage of emergency shelter space right now for families," said Birge. "In Massachusetts, there are about 3,000 shelter beds. Last night there were about 18,000 people who are homeless, 3,700 of those individuals were family members. So even if we fill all of the available beds, there would be close to 700 family members who didn't have a bed." The initial term would be 18 months and Birge said MCLA would retain control of the towers "because we anticipate needing to use that space for enrollment as it is increasing." He pointed out that deposits for the fall semester were up 40 percent over this time last year. Enrollment had gone over a cliff because of the pandemic, he continued, and it is taking time to recover. MCLA was one of a number of state universities approached by DHCD to use their excess capacity to house families. He acknowledged there were questions still to be answered, including how DHCD plans to transition families out and assurances it would not become a place to "warehouse" people. Barrett said he had been told that the state was planning to move people in in June. Birge acknowledged that was the target date but without a signed agreement, it was just a goal. "We want more details about that certainly before we make any decisions," he said. "So I just want to re-emphasize we are not about to sign a contract with anybody until we get more questions answered." Barrett pushed his colleagues on being, as he felt, left out of the conversation and said the president should have reached out to him. Chair Brenda Burdick noted that the committee has discussed the proposal at four meetings, most recently at its February meeting. "Are you telling me now that I can't ask any questions?" he responded. Burdick said she welcomed questions but they were difficult to answer without seeing a lease. There was some back and forth with Barrett questioning Burdick's right as chair to speak for the trustees. "I think what she's saying is accurate, that what we're trying to do is move cautiously by gathering as much information as we can," said Trustee Denise Marshall. Trustee Robert Reilly said that while Birge has done an "outstanding job," he, too, was concerned about the role of the board. "I don't want to speak for or against the Berkshire Towers project but I am unclear because there are things that colleges do ... this seems to be outside the realm of college operations," he said. "This seems to be something that board needs to have a direct input in, yes or no." Burdick said she would get some counsel as to how the board should proceed. Thomas Bernard, president and CEO of Berkshire United Way and, like Barrett, former mayor of the city, said this was an opportunity for MCLA to provide equity and dignity for people. "It appears that process has been confused for outcome," he said as the only one to speak during public comment. "We are assuming that conclusions are done and decisions have been made, that negotiations are finalized and I just encourage the board to to listen, to cut through the noise and the cruft of all of it, and to continue to explore and to deliberate because that is the spirit of the liberal arts, that is the spirit of liberal values." As a former clerk of the trustees, he encouraged them to look at the bylaws and "who speaks for the institution." WCMA to Host Tattoo Session, Meditations With Tibetan Lama WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. The Williams College Museum of Art will host Lama Tashi Norbu, one of the artists featured in the current exhibition "Across Shared Waters: Contemporary Artists In Dialogue with Tibetan Art" from the Jack Shear Collection, for three programs from April 25-27, culminating in a live tattooing session at WCMA. Tashi Norbu will lead drop-in meditation sessions in the galleries from 5 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 25, and Wednesday, April 26. On Thursday, April 27, the artist will tattoo a participant from the community, basing the design on Tibetan astrology and the recipient's own personal Buddhist mantra. During this live performance, local musicians will improvise alongside Tashi Norbu as he chants the mantra and tattoos the recipient. The galleries will remain open until 5:30 p.m, when the program begins. This project is supported by Alexis Rosasco, a local artist and owner of AR Designs Fine Art & Tattoo shop in North Adams. "Lama Tashi Norbu's week-long residency at WCMA will be an extraordinary opportunity for students and visitors to get to know the artist and experience his incredibly wide-ranging practice," said Lisa Dorin, WCMA's Deputy Director for Curatorial Engagement. "His live tattoo performance will definitely be a first for us. We can't wait to find out who will be the lucky recipient." According to a press release: Lama Tashi Norbu was born in Bhutan. He received his education at the schools of the Dalai Lama, where he became a traditional Thangka painter and ordained as a monk. He is educated in European western fine arts in Belgium and The Netherlands. Lama Tashi became an accomplished artist who never lost his spiritual Buddhist upbringing. After numerous world travels, where his art was exhibited in prestigious world museums and galleries, he founded the Museum of Contemporary Tibetan Art in the Netherlands, which is the only museum in the world dedicated to Tibetan art and is recognized by the Dutch government and registered as one of the National Museums of the Netherlands. Lama Tashi now combines art, meditation, and Buddhist teachings, and he creates Tibetan Sand Mandalas on his many world tours. Lama Tashi is also playing with some of the greatest musicians of the world, such as Earth, Wind and Fire, and he has performed in prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall in New York City. *Troops eliminate 53 terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, arrest 269 collaborators, logistics suppliers THE Defence headquarters, yesterday, said it was prepared to tackle the threat of attacks during May 29, handover ceremonies. It also said troops fighting to rid the country of criminal elements in several theatres of operation eliminated 53 terrorists, bandits and kidnappers while 269 terrorist collaborators, oil thieves and criminal herdsmen were arrested within the last fortnight. DHQ also disclosed that more than 125 persons abducted by criminal elements in different parts of the country were rescued from their abductors by troops after fighting raids on their hideouts and enclaves. Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Musa Danmadami, who briefed newsmen in Anuja, urged Nigerians who were getting apprehensive over intelligence reports from states in the North showing that terrorists and bandits were planning to unleash attacks on citizens during and after May 29, handover cereminies, not to panic as the armed forces would deal with any such plan at the right time. He said: "As for internal security, the Nigerian Police are the first responders. We provide support when called upon. "Such threats were issued before elections but elections have come and gone and we ensured elections held in every part of the country. There was also a perceived threat and foreigners were apprehensive but we handled the situation. "This will not be an exception. The armed forces and intelligence agencies are working round the clock to nip any criminal plan. There is no cause for alarm. Everything is under control. Criminals are being arrested everyday, arms and ammunution are being recovered and arrests are being made, all to contain these criminals." Troops eliminate 53 terrorists, bandits, kidnappers He disclosed that troops fighting economic sabotage discovered and destroyed 46 illegal oil refining sites, 241 storage tanks, 295 cooking ovens, 29 wooden boats and 38 dugout pits. He said: "In the North East, troops neutralised 24 terrorists, arrested 40 terrorists logistics suppliers including one female, four terrorists informant, and rescued 206 civilians, while a total of 501 Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province, ISWAP, terrorists and their families comprising of 60 adult males, 176 adult females and 266 children surrendered to troops at different locations within the theatre of operation. "Troops recovered 14 AK47 rifles, two AK49 rifle, one AK56 rifle, one GPMG, one RPG tube, one PK MG, two RPG bombs, 732 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 77 rounds of 7.62mm special, 19 rounds of 7.62mm 29mm special, 16 rounds of 7.62mm ball metal links ammo, 1,000 rounds of 7.62mm NATO (belted), 243 round of 7.62mm, 54mm special ammo, 89 rounds of 5.56mm 45mm special, 16 AK47 magazines, seven dane guns and the sum of N103,505 as well as other sundry items. "All arrested Boko Haram/ ISWAP terrorists, terrorist logistics suppliers, were being handed over to the relevant authority for further action. While the surrendered Boko Haram/ ISWAP terrorists and members of their families were profiled for further action. The rescued civilians were given medical attention before being handed over to relevant authorities for further action. ."The air component of Operations Hadin Kai on April 9, 2023, conducted air recce operation over Konduga, Gargash, Gulumba Gana, Sabil Huda, Njimia and Sambisa South general area. Terrorists were seen running to take cover at nearby vegetation. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Arms and Armies 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. "Following the outcome of the recce, these locations were engaged with rockets and bombs. Feedback revealed that several terrorists were neutralized with their structures and logistics destroyed in the air strikes. "In the North Central, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke on April 7, responded to terrorist activities at Mgbam village in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, but the terrorist fled on sighting the troops. "Troops, however, exploited the general area and rescued 30 injured civilians. Troops also raided a suspected terrorists hideout on April 13, 2023, at Karman village in Katsina Ala Local Government Area of the same state and made contact with the terrorists following a fire fight, troops arrested a suspect terrorist leaders and recovered one dane gun and two mobile phones among other items." CHP Berkshires Names Senior VP of Operations GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. CHP Berkshires has named Thomas Duchesne as senior vice president of operations for the countywide health care network. Duchesne most recently was employed at CVS Health in Rhode Island as the lead director of strategic growth and insights. Duchesne has previously held management positions at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island, Newport Hospital and Bristol Hospital in Connecticut, in addition to having other professional experience in the health care industry. He will oversee CHP's medical, dental and mobile health operations, collaborating with other CHP leaders to plan and execute strategic initiatives. In addition, Duchesne will serve as the operations advocate for compliance, quality and safety and will oversee clinical controls, administrative and reporting procedures. Duchesne is a graduate of Tulane Universitys School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine in New Orleans, LA, where he earned a masters degree in health administration. Prior to Tulane he attended Bucknell University in Pennsylvania, where he earned a bachelors degree in biology, with minors in political geography and French. He resides in Great Barrington with his wife and two teenage daughters. Abuja Barely two weeks after it instituted a legal action against the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Seplat Energy Plc, Mr. Roger Brown, as well as the oil firm for allegedly breaching the extant provisions of the Immigration Act, 2015, the federal government yesterday withdrew the suit. In a corporate notice to the Nigerian Exchange Limited, Seplat stated that it had become aware of the notice of discontinuance of the legal action. The Notice of Withdrawal/Discontinuance of the suit was issued by the Director Legal Services of the Nigeria Immigration Service and stated in part that "the Claimant hereby discontinues all the proceedings in this charge against the above-named Defendants." Seplat said it would, "continue to engage with the Ministry of Interior to bring closure to the false allegations presented to the Ministry as a result of which the residency status of its Chief Executive Officer was withdrawn." The federal government had on April 6, dragged the CEO alongside the Board Chairman, Mr. Basil Omiyi, the Independent Non-Executive Directors (INED) Dr. Charles Okeahalam, Mrs. Bashirat Odunewu, Prof. Fabian Ajogwu, Mr. Rabiu Bello, Ms Emma Fitzgerald, and Company Secretary/Legal Counsel, Mrs. Edith Onwuchekwa to court for allowing Mr. Brown to accept employment as the CEO of Seplat Energy PLC without the statutory approval of the Controller-General of Immigration. The defendants in the suit marked: FHC/AB/CR/149/2023 were in addition accused of conspiring among themselves to allow Brown take over business as CEO of Seplat Energy Plc without the consent of the Minister of Interior, allowing Mr. Roger Brown, a non-Nigerian to accept employment as CEO of Seplat after withdrawal of his visa, resident, and work permits, and for refusing to apply for the Comptroller-General of Immigration's approval before employing Mr. Brown both as Chief Finance Officer and CEO, contrary to the provisions of the Immigration 2015. Count one of the charge had read: "That you on or before March 9, 2023 at Seplat Energy PLC Head Office 16 A Temple Road Ikoyi Lagos, within the Jurisdiction of the Honourable Court, did conspire among yourselves to allow Mr Roger Brown accept employment as CEO at Seplat Energy PLC without the consent of the Comptroller General of Immigration, contrary to Section 36 (1)(a) and 71 of the Immigration Act 2015 and punishable under Section 36 (2) and Section 71 (a) of the Immigration Act 2015. The federal government had on March 3, revoked the visa, Resident Permit, and Work Permit of Seplat's CEO, Roger Brown, over alleged racist practices, discrimination against Nigerian employees at Seplat, favouring of expatriate workers, and breach of good governance codes. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Migration 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. The letter to Seplat entitled "Withdrawal of Work Permit, CERPAC, Visa/Residence Permit of Mr. Roger Thompson Brown - CEO, SEPLAT Energy PLC" also read in part: "Investigation and records in the Ministry also revealed that Mr. Roger Brown was in possession of CERPAC that was not based on validly issued Expatriate Quota approved by the Ministry of Interior resulting to the violation of relevant Immigration Laws and Regulations. "As a result of these, the Honourable Minister has determined that Mr. Brown's continued stay in Nigeria is contrary to national interest. "Consequently, the Ministry has withdrawn the Work Permit CERPAC, Visa, Residence Permit and all relevant documents that authorised Mr. Roger Thomson Brown's entry or stay in Nigeria". However, in a swift reaction, Seplat Energy, in a statement signed by the Board Chairman, Mr. Basil Omiyi had stated: "On March 8, 2023, the Board of Seplat Energy unanimously passed a vote of confidence in Mr. Brown, who continues to discharge his duties and responsibilities as CEO from the Seplat UK office." The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami yesterday expressed readiness to provide relevant information on the alleged sale of 48 million barrels of crude oil amounting to over $2.4 billion and crude oil export to global destinations from 2014 to date. The Minister stated this through a letter sent to the Ad-hoc Committee chaired by Hon. Mark Gbillah, during the resumed investigative hearing. Gbillah, while acknowledging the receipt of the letter said: "Today we are in receipt of a letter from the Attorney General of the Federation and the Minister of Justice who is averring his determination to respect the doctrine of separation of powers and to support our extant laws. "And he has indicated the fact that they are trying to put together the comprehensive response that we have raised. "While we appreciate the Attorney General's response we would like to indicate that it came later than we expected and it came without the response that we referred to. So, we will appreciate if the Attorney General and Minister provides these responses and to also appear before the Committee next Thursday. So, let's give him the window to appear before the Committee." He, however, noted that, "unfortunately the Minister of Finance has still been evasive." "The Committee has not received any submission or response from the Minister of Finance. The Accountant General sent a response and has not responded to our follow up because we asked further questions to what he provided us information about. "But we want to call on the Minister of Finance, like the Attorney General to show regards and respect for the separation of powers as enshrined in our constitution, and respond promptly to the request of the Committee so that we can get to the bottom of our investigation. "Like I already said, we are giving her the benefits of doubt; we are not unmindful of the other powers we have and we are not afraid to exert them and we will do so if the leeway we have provided is still neglected and not recognised by the Minister of Finance." Consequently, the lawmakers quizzed management staff of some oil companies involved in the lifting and sales of crude oil to global destinations in furtherance of the investigation into alleged sale of 48 million barrels of crude oil amounting to over $2.4 billion and crude oil export to global destinations from 2014 to date. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Governance Petroleum 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. Some of the companies who appeared before the Ad-hoc Committee uncovered unsigned and unstamped documents submitted by Equinor Nigeria Energy Company. Other companies included: Millennium Oil and Gas Company, SAPETRO, PANAMA, Moni Pulo and some banks operating in the country. including Union Bank and Ecobank Nigeria Limited. Speaking during the investigative hearing into the activities of Equinor with respect to the OML 129, the Committee frowned at the inability of the company to effectively operate the asset as well as breach of extant laws, thereby resulting into loss of revenue to the Federation. However, Equinor's Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Charles Nwoko, said the company was looking at the most commercially viable way to bring value to the Nigerian government. Furthermore, Nwoko, who affirmed that the oil company is owned by the Norwegian Government, said, "we've been instrumental to the development of oil and gas in Nigeria as well as capacity development. We've had extensive relationship with NPD - Norwegian Petroleum Directorate and DPR and of course in building capacity. "So, it is something that we are mindful of and we have concern about this. So, it's not that we have been sitting on our arms and not doing anything. We are working tenaciously on this." Get our free weekly email for all the latest cinematic news from our film critic Clarisse Loughrey Get our The Life Cinematic email for free Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the The Life Cinematic email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Al Pacino has teasingly taken credit for Harrison Fords illustrious career. Before Ford became known globally as rebel hero Han Solo in the Star Wars franchise, it appears the Millennium Falcon spaceship couldve had a different pilot. During an event in New York on Wednesday (19 April), Pacino revealed he had originally been offered Fords role in the sci-fi fantasy. When I first came up, I was the new kid on the block, you know what happens when you first become famous, The Godfather star told the audience per Variety. Its like, Give it to Al. Theyd give me Queen Elizabeth to play. Pacino said he was given a script called Star Warsand had been offered so much money. The 82-year-old Scarface actor explained that he read it but didnt understand it. So I said I couldnt do it, Pacino said. I turned down Star Wars. Al Pacino and Harrison Ford (Getty Images) He then joked: I gave Harrison Ford a career. While Pacino turned down the role that would go on to shoot Ford to worldwide fame, he instead led the 1977 romance drama Bobby Deerfield. Although his alternative choice was poorly received by critics, Pacino went on to star in other classics, including Scarface (1983), Carlitos Way (1993), Donnie Brasco (1997), and more recently The Irishman (2019). Just before leading the final film in the Star Wars trilogy, Ford landed his career-defining role as the intrepid archaeologist Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981). Three more Indiana Jones films later and the now 80-year-old actor will reprise the iconic role in the forthcoming Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, premiering in cinemas on 30 June. In order for the opening sequence to maintain continuity with the original trilogy, Ford will feature digitally de-aged. Last December, Indiana Jones fans rejoiced at the release of the first trailer teaser for the fifth movie. Get our free weekly email for all the latest cinematic news from our film critic Clarisse Loughrey Get our The Life Cinematic email for free Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the The Life Cinematic email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Alec Baldwin has thanked his wife and lawyer after prosecutors dropped charges against him over the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the Western movie Rust. The move by New Mexico officials came just over two months after the Hollywood star was charged with involuntary manslaughter over the 2021 death. Mr Baldwin took to Instagram several hours after the announcement to post a picture of himself hugging his wife Hilaria Baldwin. I owe everything I have to this woman, he wrote in the caption, as well as thanking lawyer Luke Nikas. Hutchins, 42, was shot and killed on 21 October 21 during filming for the movie at the Bonanza Creek Ranch in New Mexico. Mr Baldwin was rehearsing for a scene with a gun in his hand when it went off, killing Hutchins and wounding director Joel Souza. (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) The Oscar-nominated actor has denied ever pulling the trigger of the pistol, but ballistics experts stated in a report that it was the only way the gun could have fired. We are pleased with the decision to dismiss the case against Alec Baldwin and we encourage a proper investigation into the facts and circumstances of this tragic accident, according to a joint statement by Baldwins lawyers Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro. Paperwork to dismiss the involuntary manslaughter charges against Baldwin is expected to be filed soon by newly appointed special prosecutors Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis, per reports. Law enforcement will continue to investigate how the events of the tragic October 2021 day unfolded, meaning that the case could be reopened in future. The Independent has contacted the Santa Fe District Attorney for further comment. Baldwins co-defendant and ex-Rust armourer Hannah Guiterrez-Reed, is still facing criminal charges at current. The two previously pleaded not guilty. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} China is building cyber weapons to hack into enemy satellites that would render them useless during wartime, according to a leaked US intel report. The CIA-marked report was one of the dozens allegedly shared by a 21-year-old US Air National Guardsman in one of the worst intelligence breaches in a decade, the Financial Times reported. The leak comes at a time when diplomatic relations between Beijing and Washington are hanging by a thread over trade and concerns that China may attack Taiwan to forcefully bring the self-governed island back to its fold. According to the leaked document, the cyber capability would allow China to seize control of a satellite, rendering it ineffective to support communications, weapons, or intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems. Washington assessed that the plan to "deny, exploit or hijack" enemy satellites is a core part of China's goal to control information, which Beijing considers a key "war-fighting domain." China aims to mimic the signals that enemy satellites receive from their operators, tricking them into "either being taken over completely or malfunctioning during crucial moments in combat". That would knock out the ability of satellites, which tend to operate in clusters, to respond with each other, relay orders to weapons systems, or send back visual and intercepted electronic data, according to the financial daily. Wahington has never disclosed whether it has similar capabilities. The report comes a day after General B Chance Saltzman, the chief of the US Space Force, said that Washington is facing a "new era" of threats beyond Earth from the likes of Russia and China that goes much further than jamming. "The congestion were seeing in space with tracked objects and the number of satellite payloads, and just the launches themselves, have grown at an exponential rate," he told CNBC. He said that Washington's rivals can use lasers and "dazzlers" that interfere with cameras to prevent the collection of satellite imagery, adding that Russia tested an anti-satellite missile in late 2021. "We're seeing satellites that actually can grab another satellite, grapple with it and pull it out of its operational orbit," General Saltzman said. "These are all capabilities they're demonstrating on-orbit today, and so the mix of these weapons and the pace with which they've been developed are very concerning. He told Congress last month that Beijing was aggressively pursuing counter-space capabilities in an effort to realise its space dream of becoming the foremost power in space by 2045. Beijing has deployed 347 satellites, including 35 launched in the past six months, aimed at monitoring, tracking, targeting and attacking US forces, he added. Britains cyber chief Lindy Cameron warned this week that China is aiming for global technological supremacy in cyberspace. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Chinas foreign minister on Friday ramped up threats against Taiwan and warned countries supporting the self-governed island that they were "playing with fire". Qin Gang made the remarks at the end of a speech espousing China's contribution to the global economy and the interests of developing nations, in which he repeatedly praised Chinese president Xi Jinping's Global Security Initiative. At the end of the speech in Shanghai, Mr Qin spoke about what he called the "Taiwan problem", adding that both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to China. "The safeguarding of national sovereignty and territorial integrity is beyond reproach," he said. "The Taiwan problem is at the core of China's core interests. It is not the Chinese mainland, but the Taiwan independence separatist forces and a handful of countries attempting to disrupt the status quo. "We will never back down in the face of any act that undermines China's sovereignty and security. "Those who play with fire on the question of Taiwan will burn themselves." China, which maintains that the island is part of its national territory, has often used the phrase "playing with fire" over the years to warn Taiwan's allies. Beijing claims Taipei is obliged to reunite with the mainland, by force if necessary, and has no right to conduct foreign relations. Taiwan has been self-ruled since it split from the mainland in 1949 following a civil war. While Taiwan maintains official diplomatic relations with just 13 sovereign nations, it retains robust ties with most major countries, including the US. "Recently there has been absurd rhetoric accusing China of upending the status quo, disrupting peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait," Mr Qin said. "The logic is absurd and the conclusion dangerous." He added that "fair-minded people can see who is engaged in hegemonic bullying and high-minded practices." The criticism comes at the heels of Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wens meeting with US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in California. Beijing responded to Ms Tsais visit by launching a three-day combat readiness patrol that opened an opportunity for the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) to practice sealing off the island by blocking sea and air traffic. The unprecedented war games were intended as a serious warning to pro-independence politicians on the self-governing island and their foreign supporters. China had responded with similar war games, albeit smaller in scale, following former House speaker Nancy Pelosis visit to Taipei in August last year. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Five Indian army soldiers were killed in Jammu and Kashmir after an army vehicle was attacked and fired upon by alleged terrorists, authorities said. In a statement, the armys Northern Command said the vehicle the soldiers were traveling in was fired upon by unidentified terrorists who took advantage of heavy rain and low visibility in the area, reported the Indian Express newspaper. The incident took place around 3 pm on Thursday in Poonch district when the army vehicle was moving between Bhimber Gali and Poonch in the Rajouri sector. The army said the five soldiers belonged to the Rashtriya Rifles unit deployed for counter terror operations in the region. The vehicle caught fire, due to likely use of grenades by terrorists, the statement said. Earlier on Thursday, a Jammu-based defence ministry spokesperson had said the soldiers were killed after their vehicle caught fire, reported Press Trust of India. It was only later that the army statement announced it was a terror attack. Another seriously injured soldier was evacuated immediately to the Army Hospital at Rajouri and is under treatment, the army said. Operations are in progress to locate the perpetrators. Further details are being ascertained. On Friday, the army identified the deceased soldiers as Mandeep Singh, Debashish Baswal, Kulwant Singh, Harkrishan Singh and Sewak Singh. Officials said search operations had been launched on Friday in the dense forests of the Bata-Doriya area. While no group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, official defence sources told news agency ANI that a group of 6-7 terrorists are believed to be operating in two groups in the area where Thursdays attack took place and were responsible for the attack. The terrorists are suspected to be from Lashkar e Taiba (LeT) and are from Pakistan, according to the sources. The area has been cordoned off while drones and sniffer dogs are being used to look for suspects hiding in the area. A high alert has also been sounded in the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch amid close vigil along the Line of Control, a military frontline that serves as the de facto border between the Indian and Pakistan controlled parts of Kashmir. A team of the federal National Investigation Agency (NIA) Indias primary investigative agency for counter terrorism also visited the area on Friday. Indias defence minister Rajnath Singh expressed anguish after the attack. Anguished by the tragedy in Poonch District (J&K), where the Indian Army has lost its brave soldiers after a truck caught fire. In this tragic hour, my thoughts are with the bereaved families, he said. The attack comes just weeks ahead of a G20 meeting in Jammu and Kashmirs summer capital Srinagar. The G20 Tourism Working Group meeting will be held in Srinagar on 22-24 May. The meeting will be the first major international event to be held in Jammu and Kashmir ever since it became a federal territory with the abrogation of Article 370 that had bestowed the region with a special status. The abrogation of the Himalayan regions statehood has been opposed by Pakistan. While both the countries routinely accuse each other of targeting the other, ties between the two rival nuclear neighbours have virtually been in the cold storage ever since the regions special status was revoked. Another flashpoint of violence came in February that year that culminated in Pakistan shooting down an Indian fighter jet and capturing its pilot. Meanwhile, on Thursday, Pakistan said its foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will visit India next month. Mr Bhutto Zardari is expected to lead the Pakistani delegation for a meeting of the foreign ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) scheduled to be held on May 4-5 in the tourist state of Goa. He said in a statement that his participation should not viewed in terms of bilateral relations, reported news channel NDTV . We are committed to the SCO charter and this visit should not be seen as a bilateral one but in the context of the SCO, Mr Bhutto-Zardari said. Protests were also held on Thursday evening by hardline Hindu nationalist groups, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal, in Jammu city in which anti-Pakistan slogans were raised. On Friday morning, ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers in Rajouri city also held similar protests. Thursdays attack came 18 months after terrorists killed nine soldiers in the regions Bhata Durian and Chamrel forests in October 2021, reported the Indian Express newspaper. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A special court in India has acquitted 68 people accused of being involved in a major riot case that had emerged from the 2002 religious clashes in Gujarat. The Gujarat riots began after 59 people, mostly volunteers of Hindu organisations, were burnt alive inside a train that was set on fire at Godhra station by a suspected Muslim mob. The Sabarmati Express massacre on 27 February 2002 led to retaliatory violence across the state on an unprecedented scale. While government figures state over 1,000 people were killed in the post-Godhra riots, unofficial estimates have it that over 2,000 people mostly Muslims were massacred. Gujarat is prime minister Narendra Modis home state and he was the chief minister at the time when the riots occurred. One significant incident of violence took place in Ahmedabad citys Naroda Gam, where 11 Muslims were killed. On Thursday, special judge SK Baxi acquitted all the accused in the case, including then minister Maya Kodnani and Babu Bajrangi, a former leader of the right-wing Hindu nationalist militant organisation Bajrang Dal. The Naroda Gam case is one of the nine major riot cases in Gujarat, for which Indias Supreme Court had appointed a special investigative team (SIT) in 2008. The SIT questioned a total of 187 people and recorded statement of 57 eyewitnesses before filing charges against 86 people, reported India Today. Of these, 18 had died and one person was discharged due to insufficient evidence in the course of the two-decade-long trial that had six different presiding judges hearing the case. A detailed court order in the matter is yet to be released. Soon after the announcement of the verdict, slogans of Jai Shri Ram(Hail Lord Rama) and Bharat Mata ki Jai (Glory to Mother India) were raised outside the court, reported news agency Press Trust of India. The accused were charged under several sections of Indias criminal code, including murder, attempt to murder, unlawful assembly, rioting, rioting armed with deadly weapons, criminal conspiracy and provocation for riots. Indias current federal home minister and Mr Modis closest aide Amit Shah had appeared as a defence witness for Ms Kodnani in September 2017 to prove her alibi that she was present in the Gujarat state assembly and later at Ahmedabads Sola Civil Hospital, and not at Naroda Gam where the massacre took place. Demonstrators hold placards during a protest against the release of men convicted of gang-raping of Bilkis Bano during the 2002 communal riots in Gujarat, in New Delhi on 27 August 2022 (AFP via Getty Images) The truth has truly won today, said Ms Kodnani upon her acquittal, while the advocate for the victims said they will challenge the verdict before Gujarats high court. We will study the grounds on which the special court decided to acquit all the accused, said advocate Shahshad Pathan. It appears the victims have been denied justice. The question remains as to who burnt 11 persons to death in the presence of policemen?" Witnesses who gave depositions during the trial called the verdict a black day for the victims. This verdict indicates that those participating in state-sponsored violence against minorities will go scot-free, Sharif Malek, a 42 year old witness who identified and testified against 13 accused in the court, including Ms Kodnani, told the Indian Express. It is an indirect message to people at large. It diminishes our faith in the judiciary and in fact raises questions on the judiciarys impropriety. I had seen them instigating the mob and signalling them to burn down [the] masjid, to attack particular places, prosecution witness Imtiyaz Ahmed Hussein Kureshi, who identified 17 accused, told the outlet. I saw them burning families to death five were burnt to death right in front of my eyes and I identified them. I also remembered the colour of the clothes the accused were wearing. I gave all evidence. They should have been punished with a life term. Instead, this acquittal makes us lose our faith in the judiciary. It is a black day for us victims. Those who died, did they die by suicide then? Did they burn themselves to death? Ms Kodnani was convicted and sentenced to 28 years in jail by a trial court in a separate case related to the post-Godhra riots in Ahmedabads Naroda Patiya area, where 97 people were massacred. She was later discharged by the states high court in 2018. The current acquittals represent the latest in a series of cases pertaining to the Gujarat riots that have collapsed. Earlier this month, a Gujarat court acquitted 27 people accused of targeting 11 people, burning them alive and raping a survivor. The court in its order noted that 190 witnesses examined during the trial either turned hostile, had not supported the prosecutions case or were unable to recall facts or identify the accused. In January, 22 suspects accused of killing 17 people were acquitted due to lack of evidence in another city, Halol. And last August, 11 convicts serving life sentences for the gang-rape of pregnant Muslim woman Bilkis Bano and the murder of seven of her family members during the 2002 riots were released by the state government sparking widespread furore. An Indian policeman shoot tear gas onto rioters in Ahmedabad on 5 April 2002 (AFP via Getty Images) Earlier in January, the BBC released a documentary on Mr Modis alleged role in the 2002 riots. The documentary series, titled India: The Modi Question, aired in January and included a previously unpublished report from the British Foreign Office that held Mr Modi directly responsible for the climate of impunity that enabled the violence to take place. Mr Modi has consistently denied accusations of any wrongdoing. Suspicions that Mr Modi quietly supported the riots led the US, UK and EU to deny him a visa at the time, a move that was later reversed. Blocking the series soon after its release, the Modi government invoked emergency powers under the information and technology law, seeking the removal of clips from social media. Last June, Indias Supreme Court cleared Mr Modi of any wrongdoing in relation to the 2002 riots after it dismissed a plea challenging the findings of an SIT report that earlier exonerated him as well as 62 other senior government officials. Indias foreign ministry dubbed the BBC documentary series a propaganda piece designed to push a particularly discredited narrative that lacks objectivity and slammed it for bias and a continuing colonial mindset. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A man disguised as a lawyer shot at a woman and injured her inside a court complex in Indias capital New Delhi. The accused, Rajendra Jha, fired four rounds and managed to escape through the back door of the court canteen, according to officials. The woman, identified only by her first name Radha, was rushed to hospital immediately. A video of the incident being shared widely on social media showed the woman, wearing a red traditional dress, screaming and clutching at a wound on her stomach. The incident occurred at a district court complex in south Delhis Saket area, where the woman was appearing for a case related to a financial dispute with her husband. The suspect reportedly accused the woman of taking Rs 250,000 (2,458) from him for an investment and had promised him high returns. According to media reports, the accused is a lawyer by profession but had been suspended by the Bar Council of India a statutory body that regulates legal practice and legal education in the country. The accused had reached the court this morning dressed as a lawyer. He fired at the woman when she was discussing the case with her lawyer. He escaped through the backdoor of the kitchen, an unnamed police official was quoted as saying by news channel NDTV. Two persons, a woman and a lawyer, have suffered bullet injuries in the firing incident, deputy police commissioner Chandan Chowdhary told the Hindustan Times, confirming the shooting. Delhis chief minister Arvind Kejriwal condemned the incident and criticised the law and order situation in the national capital, a union territory where the police force is run by the federal government. Mr Kejriwal opposes the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that is in power in the country. The law and order situation in Delhi has completely broken down. Instead of obstructing the work of others and doing dirty politics on everything, everyone should focus on their own work, Mr Kejriwal said. And if they cannot manage, then resign so that someone else can do it. The safety of the people cannot be left to god. The incident comes days after a lawyer was shot dead in a court in southwest Delhis Dwarka area by two men on a bike, who also disguised themselves as lawyers to enter the premises. In September 2021, two gunmen fired multiple shots at gangster Jitender Gogi as he appeared inside a courtroom in the Rohini area. The men waited for Gogi before shooting him dead. They were killed by Delhis police officials who opened fire in retaliation. In December 2021, a personal rivalry between an accused and a lawyer was determined as the reason behind a low intensity blast at the Rohini court. Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Independent Climate email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Law enforcement agencies across the country are worried that environmental thriller How to Blow Up a Pipeline will inspire actual attacks on fossil fuel infrastructure. Twenty-three different state and federal agencies have sent out at least 35 missives about the movie, according to government documents obtained by Rolling Stone. The film has potential to inspire threat actors to target oil and gas infrastructure with explosives or other destructive devices, reads an 6 April bulletin from the FBIs Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate. The consensus amongst law enforcement and the private oil sector is that this film may motivate attacks or disruptions on critical infrastructure throughout the country, added a warning from the ATF. While the agencies were not warning of a specific threat, the content of the film, which features a group of young activists attempting to sabotage a Texas oil pipeline, clearly has them alarmed. Daniel Goldhaber, who directed the movie, told Rolling Stone the film is a work of fiction that addresses one of the real worlds most pressing issues by telling a story about eight characters who believe that destroying an oil pipeline is an act of self-defense. That audiences have so strongly connected with it only demonstrates the gravity of the climate crisis and reinforces our urgent need to address it. How to Blow Up a Pipeline is based loosely on a 2021 book of the same name by Andreas Malm, a Swedish professor of human ecology and climate activist. The book is not a literal set of instructions about attacking oil pipelines, but rather an argument that the urgency of the climate crisis requires direct sabotage of fossil fuel infrastructure because governments have failed to heed peaceful grassroots calls for more climate action. To say that the signals have fallen on the deaf ears of the ruling classes of this world would be an understatement. If these classes ever had any senses, they have lost them all, he writes in the book. Infrastructure attacks have happened in recent months. Vandalism at four power stations in Washington state cut power for thousands of people in December, while substations in North Carolina and Oregon have also been attacked. Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The central mystery of the Russia report is why Boris Johnson refused to publish it until now. Kevan Jones, the leading Labour member of the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC), devoted his opening remarks at todays launch of the report to explaining why each of the governments excuses for the delay was untrue. The report itself seems fairly harmless to the prime minister. Its main conclusion is that the government under his predecessor Theresa May had no interest in finding out whether there was Russian interference in the 2016 EU referendum. This is a remarkably weak conclusion. The committee refers to widespread public allegations that Russia sought to influence the Brexit vote, namely that Russian state outlets RT (the Russia Today TV channel) and the Sputnik news agency had a pro-Brexit bias, and that some bots and trolls on social media may have been inspired by the Russian state to promote the Leave cause. Neither of those seems a plausible route to significantly influencing the outcome of the referendum. The report then complains that, when the committee asked about intelligence on interference in the referendum, MI5 initially provided just six lines of text. The report claims that the government didnt know if Russia secretly interfered because it didnt want to know, as Stewart Hosie, the Scottish National Party member of the committee put it. The governments response to the report said: We have seen no evidence of successful interference in the EU referendum. This becomes a circular argument: the implication of the report is that the government turned a blind eye to Russian interference in the Brexit referendum because it is run by the winning side although both Jones and Hosie refused to make that claim explicitly today. But the governments response also says: The intelligence and security agencies produce and contribute to regular assessments of the threat posed by hostile state activity, including around potential interference in UK democratic processes. In other words, if anything really bad had happened, our spies would have told us about it. This is an indirect reply to paragraph 40 of the report which suggests that the UK intelligence services are reluctant to have any role in relation to the UKs democratic processes, and particularly one as contentious as the EU referendum, an attitude that it describes as illogical. The committee says it is the job of the agencies to protect democracy from hostile state interference. But unless the ISC can point to any evidence of interference that the agencies ignored or were told to ignore, this seems a waste of time. To take a step back, it has to be asked whether Russian interference could plausibly have swayed significant numbers of votes in the EU referendum. That vote is different from the 2016 US presidential election, in which the leak of emails from the Democratic National Committee, and the media coverage of them, could have had some effect in suppressing Hillary Clintons support. The ISC report frequently refers to likely Russian involvement in that leak as an argument for looking more closely at the EU referendum, but what, specifically, should the spies have been looking for? The lack of evidence is held up by the report as evidence that the government refused to look for it. But without a possible mechanism to change a referendum decided by a margin of 1.3 million votes, allegations of interference are in danger of sounding like a complaint that the electorate produced the wrong result. That brings us back to the question of why the government seemed so reluctant to allow the report to be published and why it felt the need to try to muffle its impact by releasing last weeks claim of Russian interference in the 2019 election. That claim was just as thin as anything in the ISC report, amounting to the suggestion that Russian interests tried to amplify the leaked minutes of US-UK trade talks that were publicly available on the internet. This implies that Jeremy Corbyn, who waved a copy of the document at an election news conference, was a useful idiot manipulated by the Russian state. You do not need to be as resolutely fair-minded towards the former Labour leader as I am to think Corbyns office was capable of looking up Reddit without being told to do so by the Kremlin. So why did Boris Johnson not ensure that the report was published before the election in December? It was suggested that he might be embarrassed by references to donations to the Conservative Party from Russians in Britain with close links to Vladimir Putin, but most of the section of the report that discusses Russian expatriates in London is couched in general and nebulous terms. As ever, the cover-up is worse than the original minor offence. By acting as if he has something to hide, the prime minister has encouraged the worst possible interpretations of a report which seems to interpret an absence of evidence as proof that nefarious secrets are being kept from the public. Addis Abeba Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) warned parties who he said are working to incite conflict and jeopardize ties between Ethiopia and Sudan, urging them to desist from their misdeeds. PM Abiy's statement came against the backdrop of a report by the Sudanese media, Al-Sudani, which claimed that Ethiopian forces have carried out an invasion and attack on the disputed Al-Fashaqa on Wednesday, taking advantage of the ongoing instability in Sudan. In a Twitter post today, PM Abiy said some parties are spreading false allegations to gain political advantages at this critical time when the peoples of Ethiopia and Sudan face many challenges. "They claim that Ethiopia has brought its forces into the Sudanese border areas. We strongly condemn these allegations, which seek to sully the good neighborly relations between the two countries." The prime minister further indicated that since Ethiopia values brotherhood and good neighborliness between the two countries, it has no intentions of exploiting the current situation Sudan is going through. "We firmly believe in resolving the border issues through dialogue and discussions." According to the report by Al- Sudani, the Sudanese Armed Forces stationed on the eastern border have observed an alert movement and unusual activity among the Ethiopian forces and their camps, since the eruption of fighting between Sudan's army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in Khartoum. "This coincided with the start of the fighting in Sudan, and additional armed crowds were also observed in offensive positions in the Abd al-Rafi sector in al-Fashqa al-Sughra," reads report; "The state's armed forces units engaged them right away with a variety of long-range fire systems, severely damaging the Ethiopian forces' people and equipment. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Ethiopia Legal Affairs Conflict 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. Al-Sudani's report claimed that the goal of the Ethiopian forces was to restore the disputed farm land of Al-Fashaga by taking advantage of the preoccupation of the armed forces in battles with the Rapid Support Forces. However, Abiy said Ethiopia is confident that the Sudanese people should not be swayed by such allegations that imperil the two countries' relationship. "We all wish for peace and stability to return to Sudan." The disputed territory, Al Fashaga, was the source of intense cross-border tension between the two nations, Ethiopia and Sudan, for 33 years in a row. In 2020 following the start of the civil war in the Tigray regional state, Ethiopia accused Sudan of taking advantage of its army's focus on Tigray and invading lands within Ethiopian borders. The two countries have since then agreed to resolve the issues surrounding the long-standing dispute over the al-Fashaga territory peacefully. AS Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Katie Holmes has finally spoken about the viral moment she wore a dress over jeans, which instantly sparked a debate over whether early 2000s style was really back. The 44-year-old actor discussed the controversial fashion moment during Thursdays appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show. While speaking to host Drew Barrymore about her most iconic looks, the Dawsons Creek alum admitted that she didnt really understand why the dress over jeans outfit received so much attention. Holmes revealed that the navy blue mini dress, which she wore to the 2022 Jingle Ball in New York City last December, was actually a corset top that she threw on with relaxed light wash jeans and Maison Margiela sneakers. The decision behind the viral look was actually quite simple, Holmes explained: I knew I wanted to dance there because I was going with my nephews. So, I threw my sneakers on and I thought I looked cool. But when she posed for pictures on the red carpet, the outfit choice sparked numerous comparisons to early 2000s fashion, while some fans admitted that they werent quite ready for the dress over jeans look to make a comeback. Katie Holmes woke up and decided it was 2002, said one person on Twitter, while another wrote at the time: Wait Is this picture recent???? I thought it was from the early 2000s. Despite the online debate surrounding her outfit, Holmes maintained that she doesnt put much thought into her daily fashion choices, and prefers to wear clothes that she feels comfortable in. I thought I looked cool, Holmes said. I felt cool! I felt great and then I woke up the next morning and I was like, Oh my gosh. She added: I didnt know that that was such a thing. I dont think about it, I really dont. I like to go and have fun. Katie Holmes defends her viral Y2K outfit Holmes isnt the only fashion-lover to defend her Y2K outfit. Her stylist, Brie Welch, said in an interview with the New York Times last December that the look was actually a collaboration between her own styling and Holmes own taste. We decided the rich color and subtle bustier effect detailing of the top was elegant and would be fun if paired with jeans, creating a more youthful feel for Jingle Ball and the atmosphere there, Welch told the New York Times, before adding that Holmes is more than capable of looking cool in an unintentional trend 20 years later. Katie Holmes attends the Z100's iHeartRadio Jingle Ball in New York City on 9 December 2022 (Getty Images) The Batman Begins star also addressed the dress over jeans outfit in a recent cover story for Glamours April Issue, saying: Come on, women, lets hold each other up here. Lets look a little bit past what were wearing. Thats our duty amongst each other. I feel like the womans journey is deeper. Holmes has been known for her eye-catching fashion and love for style over the years. She was most recently spotted sitting front row at major fashion shows for New York Fashion Week this spring, including Michael Kors and Tory Burch, as well as the Chloe show at Paris Fashion Week last fall. Shes also shown her love for fashion by making many red carpet appearances at the Met Gala, where shes worn ensembles from Calvin Klein, Zac Posen, and Marchesa. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Louis Vuitton has unveiled Zendaya as its newest brand ambassador, and to celebrate the major fashion moment, the French fashion house has dropped a stunning new campaign starring the Euphoria actor. Now, fans everywhere have suggested Zendaya make a career switch from actor to model. On 20 April, Louis Vuitton debuted Zendaya as its latest House Ambassador with a jaw-dropping oceanside photoshoot, in which she was pictured modelling the brands iconic Capucines bag in a series of black and white looks. Photographed by duo Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott, the campaign also gave styling credit to Zendayas longtime friend and semi-retired stylist, Law Roach. The glamorous photoshoot was shot at the Roquebrune-Cap-Martin house, designed by architect Eileen Gray, in the Cote dAzur region of France. With a vibrant blue sky and clear ocean as her background, Zendaya was seen posing with several iterations of the Capucines bag, including the miniature Capucines BB which also made its debut alongside Zendaya. In one of the images, the Disney Channel alum is dressed in a one-shoulder, black dress with a gold zipper on the side and matching gold buckle on the strap, as she held the baby blue Capucines BB in her hands. Another photo showed Zendaya in a black power jumpsuit with a matching black version of the Capucines BB handbag. The brand also released a short film as part of the campaign, which saw Zendaya in a mini black strapless dress with gold zippers as she danced through the modernist home in the south of France. After photos and videos of the new campaign were shared on social media, thousands of fashion-lovers and Zendaya fans alike praised the actor for her expert modelling skills. The Spider-Man star drew comparisons to femme fatales like Bond girls and Charlies Angels, while others suggested she make a full-time career change to modelling altogether. Being a great model is having the ability to make the most of a campaign with little to no imagination or creative direction. Zendaya ate this, said one Twitter user, adding in a separate tweet: Oh Zendaya is giving Bond Girl here. The brows! And the smize! Charlies angels cmon. Ill say it once and Ill say it againa lot of ppl should be lucky zendaya isnt a professional model, another fan wrote, while someone else tweeted: Fire all models, hire Zendaya instead. Others were simply taken aback by Zendayas gorgeous appearance in the Louis Vuitton campaign, like one person who commented on Instagram: Shes stunning She can do no wrong, one person tweeted. This girl is perfect in everything shes doing, tweeted another. The Capucines bag, which launched in 2013, is named after Rue Neuve-des-Capucines, the street in Paris where Louis Vuitton opened its first store in 1854. Since then, the Capucines bag which comes in hand, shoulder, and messenger styles has become one of Louis Vuittons most recognisable accessories, largely due to its LV logo emblazoned on the front. Following the launch of Zendayas new partnership with Louis Vuitton, the actor explained to Vogue how becoming House Ambassador for the French luxury label felt almost like a full-circle moment. I remember growing up around LV campaigns, she said in an interview with Vogue on Thursday. There was this one that I loved from the early 2000s of Naomi Campbell, and shes like sprawled out over a trunk. I can still see it. I can see the image in my head and I remember seeing it in magazines as a kid. Everyone had the LV-print on their Myspace page, Zendaya recalled. At least I had that! Let me not try to put that on nobody else. That was definitely me. At just 26 years old, Zendaya has already become a fashion icon. The Dune star has turned heads over the years with her memorable red carpet looks, wearing everything from Valentino to Bulgari. Her chic yet daring style is largely in part due to her stylist and frequent collaborator, Law Roach. The 44-year-old celebrity stylist shocked the fashion world when he announced in March that he was retiring from fashion. Roach shared the news in an Instagram post, which featured a graphic of a red sign with the word, Retired. In the caption, Roach thanked his peers and clients for their support over the years, but made a subtle reference to what encouraged him to leave the fashion industry. My Cup is empty, he wrote. Thank you to everyone whove supported me and my career over the years. Every person that trusted me with their image, Im so grateful for you all. He continued: If this business was just about the clothes I would do it for the rest of my life but unfortunately its not! The politics, the lies and false narratives finally got me! You win Im out. The retirement announcement came just days after a video surfaced of Roach appearing to be snubbed by Zendaya at Louis Vuittons Paris Fashion Week show. The now-viral clip showed the two arriving at the fashion show and Zendaya taking her seat in the front row. As Roach searched for his seat, Zendaya appeared to gesture for him to sit in the second row behind her. While many fans were worried that the awkward interaction led to Roachs retirement, he assured fans that the two are on good terms. So yall really think Im breaking up with Z..we are forever! he tweeted. Shes my little sister and its real love, not the fake industry love. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The final night of Ramadan has passed and Eid-Al-Fitr is here, as Muslims prepare for celebrations around the globe. Eid al-Fitr is calculated in accordance with the sighting of the new moon by the Saudi Arabia moon-sighting committee and is typically announced by local Mosques. The crescent moon was sighted in Saudi Arabia on Thursday 20 April, therefore Eid al-Fitr will now be marked and celebrated on Friday 21 April. Why does the date change? Each year the Islamic Lunar calendar is typically shorter than the Solar calendar by 10-12 days and usually Eid and Ramadan rotate and are celebrated in different seasons of the year. However, the precise timings and dates change from country to country, depending on the geographical location. Festival of Breaking Fast Eid-Al-Fitr, also known as the Festival of Breaking Fast is the first of two Eids in the Islamic calendar and is typically celebrated after the Muslim fasting month, known as Ramadan. Many Muslims celebrate Eid by spending time with their loved ones, making unique dishes for this special day and connecting in prayer to commemorate and acknowledge the end of the fasting month. Its a way of showing gratitude and remembering Ramadan and the charitable sacrifices many Muslims made during the fasting month. This, as many Muslims believe, is in accordance with The Holy Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). What is Ramadan and why do Muslims fast? Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, an act of worship that teaches patience, perseverance and charity. Its a means of Muslims making time for worship and becoming closer to God. Many Muslims fast to break away from bad habits, while also following the teachings of Islam, which is seen as a compulsory act of worship. However, many are exempt if they are unable to fast, such as the elderly, pregnant women, those who are physically or mentally incapable, those who have not reached puberty yet and women who may be menstruating. Ramadan takes place for 29-30 days, during which time Muslims wont eat or drink between dawn and sunset. How do Muslims celebrate Eid-Al-Fitr? Eid celebrations begin with special prayers at the mosque. Many Muslims dress in new garments, as it is believed that Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) would wear his best cloak to commemorate this day. (Getty Images) Communities members, family and friends also gather to share sweet treats, gifts and stories. Its a festival that celebrates the goodness of life and the blessings that came with the Holy month of fasting. Women welcome Eid by applying henna on their hands to mark the celebration, this has been a tradition for many centuries. Children are also commonly gifted with money or toys from elders. What does Eid mean and when is the second Eid celebrated? Eid-Ul-Adha is also known as the Festival of Sacrifice and is typically celebrated two months after Eid-Al-Fitr. Eid-Ul-Adha marks the completion of Hajj, The Muslim Holy Pilgrimage to Mecca and is a reminder to many Muslims of the willingness and sacrifice Prophet Abraham made. Eid-Ul-Adha is considered as the bigger Eid celebration, where many Muslims complete their Hajj and sacrifice a sheep or goat. The meat is then shared equally between family, friends and those that are in need. Charity is a big part of the Muslim faith and one of the Five Pillars of Islam, so Eid is another reminder for Muslims around the world, to give even in moments of celebration. Eid is also a celebration of life, devotion and understanding of the Muslim faith. How can I take part in Eid if I am not Muslim? Everyone is welcome to celebrate! If you have Muslim friends or co-workers, be sure to just wish them an Eid Mubarak or Happy Eid. You can get involved by dressing up or just acknowledging the celebration that many are partaking in around the globe. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} One Coronation and a ChristeningEastEnders (BBC1)Albies christening turns out to be memorable when proud dad Keanu leaves midway through the ceremony to find out why the alarm on his van is going off and finds the police waiting to arrest him over all the drugs inside it.Karen and Sharon insist it must be a mistake, but Ravi knows that Keanu has messed up his delivery job and hes not happy. So, Ravi takes his revenge, which lands Keanu in hospital, but when the cops then turn up at Walford East, are the Panesars also in trouble?Meanwhile, coronation fever grips the Square. Linda would normally be at the heart of it, but without Mick, she doesnt think she can face a party. Can Alfie and Billy get her on board?Reiss needs no encouraging to plan a bash for Charles III the only problem is Sonia wrongly assumed he was planning her birthday celebrations.Billy and Ben try to give Jay more time to spend with Lola, and Kim advises Denise to take control of the Jack situation. Wealth not HealthCoronation Street (ITV1)Dee-Dee tries to make Paul face up to his MND diagnosis by arranging a meeting with a woman who lost her husband to the condition. Despite hearing what the future holds, he still refuses to tell Billy and his family whats going on.Instead, he continues to try to raise money by stealing another car for Damon. Dee-Dee discovers what hes up to, but fails to stop him. He then hits on the idea of blackmailing Damon into giving him even more cash, a move that could spell disaster for them both.Meanwhile, Damon makes Sarah squirm by getting closer to Adam, who warns the villain that the bistros late licence application could be scuppered by the locals.Tim takes desperate measures to prevent Elaine jetting off to Las Vegas to marry Stephen. He manages to temporarily derail their plans, risking driving a permanent wedge between himself and his mother in the process. Heartbreak for Mack?Emmerdale (ITV1)Mack is stunned when Chloe reveals shes taking little Reuben to Scotland, but rather than fight for his son, he says an emotional farewell.However, the next day Chloe worries that Reuben is running a temperature and takes him to see Dr Liam, who advises her to take the baby straight to A&E. When news reaches the village that Reuben has suspected bacterial meningitis, it brings back painful memories for Chas and Paddy, but how will Mack react?Mary is excited about her trip to Ecuador, especially after receiving Rhonas blessing. However, Suzy starts to suspect that Faye isnt who she claims to be after shes cagey about a bank transfer for the auction fund. After initially refusing to listen, Mary questions Faye about her finances and is shocked when her lovers true colours emerge.Belle is enjoying getting reacquainted with Tom, but suggests he should also let Jimmy know hes back, and Cathy tells Bob hes doing the right thing by letting her go. Not So Grace-ious BehaviourHollyoaks (Channel 4)When Tony fails to make their case to the bank manager, Zara and Grace stage a protest at the site of the market. However, Hilton gives Cindy another idea for how she can save her business robbing a bank.When Grace proves less than enthusiastic, Cindy suggests her bad girl image is all a front. Sadly, Graces attempts to prove she hasnt lost her edge just land her and Zara in trouble with the police.Shing Lin also considers turning to theft to help Charlie pass a maths test, while Vicky fears shes so behind with her studies, she might as well drop out of school.Peri blames herself when Juliet is hospitalised, and Maxine encourages Mason to give a talk at school about how to spot the signs that someone is being radicalised. He then tries to repay the favour by asking her if shes sure she wants to see Eric behind bars.Meanwhile, Sienna is keen to go back to work for Ste, but Leela warns him that the business cant afford another salary. Whos the Daddy?Home and Away (Channel 5)Bree continues to put on a brave face for the world, but its clear something isnt right. Remi tries to give her space by throwing himself into playing with the band, little realising the reason shes keeping him at arms length shes pregnant and doesnt know whether Remi or Jacob is the father.Ashamed at having slept with her abusive husband, Bree decides the only way forward is to cut Remi out of her life altogether.Ziggy suggests that she, Dean and baby Izzy should move to Queensland so that he can maintain his relationship with Jai. Dean is thrilled by the idea but then decides he cant possibly leave Mackenzie while shes dealing with Gabes terminal illness. However, Mali has a cunning plan that could save the day.Ava continues to wrap Justin around her little finger, and Leah is unhappy that the teenagers behaviour is forcing Theo out of his own home. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Adele Roberts has recalled the moment that Prince William sent her a supportive message following her bowel cancer diagnosis. The BBC Radio 1 DJ, 44, who was diagnosed with bowel cancer in October 2021, has been open about her treatment journey on social media. Roberts appeared on Thursdays instalment of Lorraine (20 April), to back ITVs No Butts campaign, which honours the late cancer campaigner Dame Deborah James who died in June aged 40. Prince William also appeared on the show to support the campaign, before delivering a message to Lorraine viewers. Roberts then revealed that she and William had spoken before. Youve interviewed him before, youve spoken to him before and he actually sent you a message of support when you were diagnosed? host Lorraine Kelly asked the radio DJ. Roberts recalled the conversation, remarking: Yeah, I couldnt believe it. She continued: Im sure hes very busy and has got lots of things to do but thats how much he cares about this campaign and about people being aware [of the symptoms]. Deborah James posed with William after he made her a dame at her parents home (PA Media) William has shown continuous support for campaigns surrounding bowel cancer awareness and he personally delivered a damehood to Deborah James one month before her death, to recognise her efforts as a cancer campaigner. Elsewhere in the episode of Lorraine, the Prince of Wales shared a message encouraging viewers, especially men, to take note of the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer. Prince William told the show in a video message: Hi Lorraine, I just want to say a big thank you to you and your team for all youre doing to raise awareness around bowel cancer through your No Butts campaign. As you know I got to meet Dame Deborah, so I know how important this was to her. 46,000 people each year get diagnosed with bowel cancer and yet many of us dont know the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer, particularly in us men. So if youre watching this, please take a second to listen and learn about the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer, it could save your life. The No Butts campaign outlines the most common symptoms of bowel cancer as blood in your poo or from your bottom, obvious change in your bowel habit, weight loss you cant explain, extreme tiredness for no apparent reason and a lump or pain in your tummy. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Although King Charles III has been preparing for his coronation his entire life, Queen Consort Camillas trajectory has been rather different. Because her life has taken such a different turn, the couples former butler has predicted that Camilla will be nervous on the day both she and the King are crowned. From their 6 May coronation, Camilla will be known as Queen Camilla. Her new title was confirmed in the official coronation invitiations, which was designed by Andrew Jamieson. Grant Harrold, who worked for Charles and Camilla from 2004 to 2011 when they were known as the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, told The Independent that Camilla will be absolutely terrified on the big day. He said he is absolutely convinced that the new Queen will be nervous, adding that she is doing it to support her husband. [Charles] has done this for so long, the only thing that will worry him is that he is very particular and likes everything done and to go perfectly, Harrold said during an etiquette event this week. Hell be more focused on making sure everybody knows what theyre doing. Hell trust his team, including the household team, the office, secretaries, hes going to trust that theyll get it right so that he just has to worry about making sure he gets the crown on the right way. Harrold described Camilla as a kind, kind lady who is genuinely not in it for this. Charles and Camilla at a State Opening of Parliament (Alastair Grant/PA) (PA Archive) She really loves the King, Ive seen that, its wonderful, he added. Its a friendship, a partnership, a relationship, so shes doing it to support him, thats why shes doing it. If you said to her tomorrow, would you rather go and do something else? She probably would do something completely different. But because shes in it and she signed up to do this, shes going to go and do it, but I think she will be absolutely terrified because she didnt ask for this. But the former royal butler was reassured that the King would ensure his wife will be OK during the historic occasion. King Charles III (L) and Camilla, Queen Consort (R) cut a cake during an afternoon tea with volunteers and service users of the charity organisation Age UK at the Colchester Library during a visit to Colchester on March 7, 2023 (Getty Images) Its going to be really quite special. Its going to be a surreal moment when we see them getting crowned, almost finishes the Queen Elizabeth era, he mused. Harrold also revealed some insight into the King and Queen Consorts relationship. The couple have been married for 18 years. She doesnt take her eyes off him, they are very good, he said. Shes got a separate home and everything thats why I think it works so beautifully because shes got her own life, shes got Tom, Laura, her grandkids. They are a really good team. Theyre very good with each other. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Tom Parker Bowles, son of Queen Consort Camilla, has hit back at Prince Harrys claim that his mother played an end game to become Queen. Parker Bowles is the eldest child of Camilla and Andrew Parker Bowles, who were married from 1973 to 1995. They also share daughter Laura Rose Lopes (nee Parker Bowles). On Thursday 20 April, the 48-year-old British food writer appeared on The News Agents podcast where he discussed Camillas marriage to Charles, insisting that she just married the person she loved. I think change happens but I dont care what anyone says this wasnt any sort of end game, he said. She married the person she loved and this is what happened. His comments come after the Duke of Sussex labelled his step-mother as the villain in his highly-publicised memoir, Spare, which was released last January. In the tell-all memoir, Prince Harry claimed that the Queen Consort leaked stories about the royal family to the media to bolster her image as part of a long game for marriage and the crown. I have complex feelings about gaining a step-parent who I thought had recently sacrificed me on her personal PR altar, he wrote. However, sources close to the Queen Consort have said that Camilla was hurt to be branded as the villain by Harry. Asked if his mother would be anxious in the run-up to the coronation, Parker Bowles said it was difficult for her to take on such a role during the ceremony but shes never complained. I think anyone would be anxious on an occasion of this sort of importance in terms of the historical. And yes, I think Id be terrified if I had to sort of walk out wearing ancient robes he said. Shes 75, but you know, its tough to do it. But shes never complained. You just do it. Get on with it. He said it was not really weird to think of Camilla as the Queen, because shes still our mother. I say our but not the royal we, speaking for my sister and me. Shes our mother. His remarks reflect those made by Charles and Camillas former royal butler, Grant Harrold, who told The Independent that she would be nervous and terrified ahead of the historic event. [Charles] has done this for so long, the only thing that will worry him is that he is very particular and likes everything done and to go perfectly, Harrold said during an etiquette event this week. Hell be more focused on making sure everybody knows what theyre doing. Hell trust his team, including the household team, the office, secretaries, hes going to trust that theyll get it right so that he just has to worry about making sure he gets the crown on the right way. Tom Parker Bowles denied claims his mother played an end game to become Queen (Jeff Spicer/Getty Images) The Duke of Sussex has confirmed his attendance at King Charles and Queen Camillas coronation on Saturday 6 May. In a statement, Buckingham Palace announced Prince Harry will attend the ceremony while his wife, Meghan Markle, 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 on 12 April. The Duchess of Sussex will remain in California with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. Prince Harrys confirmation at the Kings coronation comes after months of speculation over whether the royal couple would attend the ceremony. It was reported that Harry was seeking an apology from Charles and Prince William before he made any commitment to the ceremony. Ahead of the publication of his memoir, Harry said in an interview that the door is always open for reconciliation. In the same interview, Parker Bowles spoke about planned protests that are set to take place during the coronation on 6 May. Everyone has a right to think what they want, he told podcast hosts Emily Maitlis and Jon Sopel. You know, we live in a, thankfully, a free country. Republic is an activist group that calls to see the monarchy abolished and the King replaced with an elected, democratic head of state. The group says its supporters will march along The Mall on 6 May, which the King will proceed down from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey. The demonstrators have been known to carry yellow protest signs emblazoned with the words, Not My King. When asked whether he was worried that anti-monarchy demonstrators would get in the way of the King and his mothers coronation, Parker Bowles backed their right to protest. If people want to protest, thats their right to do so, I think, he added. If people protest, people protest. Youre allowed to protest, were all allowed to have different views. I think that makes for an interesting and civilised country. Republic is set to stage the largest protest action in its history by lining the coronation procession route and gathering in Trafalgar Square. From there, they will march down the procession route towards Westminster Abbey the site of the coronations of England and Britains monarchs since 1066. Additional reporting by PA. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A former royal butler who previously worked for King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla has revealed how to tell when the monarch is displeased. Grant Harrold, who worked for the then-Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall from 2004 to 2011, said he never saw the royal get angry but has seen him when he was stressed. He said that now, even after more than a decade since he last worked for the couple, he can tell when the King is unhappy by simply watching him on television. There was a documentary I watched a couple of years ago and the interviewer kept asking the same question, Harrold recalled during an etiquette event this week. You would probably never notice, but I could tell that he had had enough. Asked what the monarchs signs were, Harrold told The Independent: Its in his mannerisms. Hell just suddenly [look left and right], hell be fidgeting a little bit and kind of look all around, its quite interesting. Harrold mimed shifting in his seat and continued: It looks like this, like hes just getting comfortable [in his chair], but actually hes not happy. The former butler said that the most stressed he has ever seen the King was the period immediately after the death of his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II. When the Queen died and we saw the pen incident, I really felt for him then, Harrold said, referring to a moment Charles appeared to get irritated and lose his temper due to a leaky pen. There have been two incidents where His Majesty has appeared to get stressed over his pen. The first took place during his first Privy Council meeting to sign documents and saw Charles gesturing for an ornate pen holder to be taken away by an aide. Later, upon seeing the pen holder a second time, Charles pulled a face before it was removed again. Moments King Charles has become irritated by pens The second incident occurred at at the royal residence of Hillsborough Castle in Co Down in Northern Ireland. After the ink from his pen dripped, Charles told his aides: I cant bear this bloody thing... every stinking time. At the time, the new monarch was branded petulant by some critics for his attitude. However, Harrold sympathised with the King and said: Losing both parents so quickly, and then having to carry on doing stuff in front of people that was probably the most stressed Ive ever seen him. Charles is preparing for his and Camillas coronation on Saturday 6 May, which will be attended by 2,000 guests, including other members of the royal family, politicians, foreign royals and dignitaries, and celebrities. The UK will celebrate the historic occasion with a bank holiday weekend, as Monday 8 May has been appointed a bank holiday. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Sofia Richie has made her TikTok debut with her new married name ahead of her wedding weekend. On Thursday 20 April, the model, 24, uploaded her first video to the platform, where she joined with the name Sofia Richie Grainge. The addition of her soon-to-be husband Elliot Grainges last name to her name comes as Richie is set to exchange vows with her fiance this weekend in France. In her first-ever TikTok video, Richie informed her new followers that she is in the South of France for the couples wedding weekend and needed help picking a dinner outfit. Guys, help me pick out an outfit. Im in the South of France and were going out on a little dinner excursion, Richie said, before trying on a blue halter-neck dress and sharing a quick hair tutorial with viewers. The 24 year old daughter of Lionel Richie then tried on jewellery to go with her outfit before filming herself walking into the room to show off her final outfit choice. After twirling for the camera, Richie asked: Do we like? Do we not like? Let me know. Richie then chose a pink Hermes bag to complete the look, before informing her followers that she would be off to enjoy a glass of wine as she blew a kiss to the camera. In the caption of the video, which has already been viewed more than 500,000 times, she wrote: France GRWM. In a second video, in which she showed her makeup routine, Richie acknowledged her upcoming nuptials, with the model revealing it is the night before my wedding weekend starts. In the TikTok, Richie said that her family would be arriving soon as she applied her makeup ahead of her dinner plans. I went to town on my skin today in the sun, which was a mistake, Richie said as she applied concealer. The soon-to-be bride then informed her followers of her talent for doing her makeup fast, before admitting that the skill is likely because she doesnt apply that much. As she applied her makeup, Richie revealed that she is very excited for her family to arrive, and feels like she is running on pure adrenaline. GRWM for pre-wedding festivities, Richie wrote in a text caption, adding: Let the festivities begin. Richies TikTok debut and behind-the-scenes look at her pre-wedding preparations have been met with excitement from fans, with many taking the opportunity to congratulate the model ahead of her nuptials. Soo excited for this wedding content, one follower wrote, while another said: You are gorgeous! Happy wedding weekend! This is the US royal wedding, someone else joked. This is not the first time that Richie has shared a glimpse of her pre-wedding week in France, as she has also shared insight into the festivities on Instagram. On Thursday, Richie also shared an album of photos of herself wearing a pale blue gown along with the caption: Something bleue. Richie has also reposted photos from her friends and loved ones to her Instagram Stories about the upcoming wedding festivities. Richie and Grainge, a music executive, began dating in April 2021, with the pair announcing their engagement a year later, in April 2022. Forever isnt long enough, Richie captioned a photo announcing the engagement on Instagram, which showed the pair kissing and her new diamond engagement ring. Richie also revealed earlier this month that she had converted to Judaism ahead of her upcoming nuptials, with the model describing the day as magical. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Tommy Lee has been accused of transphobia for a second time in a week after posting an offensive meme. The Motley Crue member, 60, posted the meme on Wednesday (19 April), which showed a man standing next to a woman with what appears to be an erection under her jeans. The photograph included the text: When you slip a Viagra into her drink because you have a feeling shes not being honest with you. Lee previously shared a clip of US conservative commentator Liz Wheeler making transphobic comments on the One America News Network, which she hosts. He deleted the video shortly after posting it and took to his Instagram Stories to deny that he is transphobic or against the LGBT+ community or any f***ing community. But his latest post has garnered criticism from followers, many of whom calling on the drummer to do better. Do you know how much hatred and ridicule trans people are getting? You can do better, Tommy, you are a modern man, one person wrote. Another said: Trans women are still women. Come on dude, be better. I dont want to hate your bulls***. Knock it off with the transphobic bulls*** man, its really not cool, a third implored the musician. However, Lee doubled down on his recent post and added in the comments: Re-f***ing-lax people! Its the internet its hilarious! The Independent has contacted Lees representatives for comment. In his Instagram Story earlier this week, Lee declared that he is the gayest motherf***er around but did not agree with how far some things have been taken. I get being born female and identifying as male or being born male and identifying as female or whatever, he continued. But when [people] start identifying as babies or animals WTF! I posted that [video] because it got me thinking (and you should too) about where this and our world is all going. It comes after a number of Republican states in the US introduced a wave of anti-trans legislature, such as banning gender-affirming care to minors and barring trans women and girls from participating in school sports. There have also been widespread attempts from conservative legislators to ban public performances by drag queens, with many in the Republican party portraying drag performers as a danger to children. The Independent has contacted Lees representative for comment. Addis Abeba Members of the Gambella Liberation Front (GLF). Photo: Gambella regional state Press Secretariat office The armed rebel group Gambella Liberation Front (GLF) brought in 195 members to the Gambella region to pursue "peaceful political struggle" following peace talks held in Juba, South Sudan, and in Addis Abeba, the regional state said. According to Gembella regional state President Umod Ujulu, the armed group returned its members to the region after a call for peace was conveyed through the Ethiopian Embassy in Juba. As a result, a delegation consisting of the leaders of the region and military officers of the Ethiopian Defense Forces were in Juba in February for talks. During a joint discussion held in Juba and Addis Abeba, "an agreement was reached for the armed group to enter the country peacefully," the regional state further said, without providing further details on the agreement. Accordingly, the members of the group have peacefully handed over their weapons to the state government and subsequently a rehabilitation training will be provided to the armed groups on various subjects. The president of the region further stated that the rehabilitation program will help members of the armed group engage in "peaceful development activities," and that the regional state government will pay attention to the group to be engaged in various fields of work after completing rehabilitation. The regional state quoted Gatluwak Bum, Chairman of the GLF as saying that 195 members of the group arrived in Gambella to pursue peaceful struggle. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Ethiopia Conflict Sudan 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. Brigadier General Dawit Woldesenbet, head of the military attache office of the Ethiopian Embassy in South Sudan, also confirmed the group arrived in Gambella. The Br.Gen Dawit, also commented that political power can only be held through elections according to the country's constitution, and the group's "abandonment of armed struggle and preparation for peaceful struggle shows its commitment to peace." On 14 June 2022, in a joint operation they conducted, members of the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) and GLF militants took control of Gambella city, the regional state's capital, for several hours which led to deadly clashes with the regional Special Forces, regular police, militias and federal police, government security forces who eventually retook the city. The aftermath of event led to a widespread extrajudicial killings of civilians by regional state security forces, according to a report by the state rights watchdog EHRC. The regional government rejected the report initially but has since prosecuted high level officials, including Tut Kor, the former deputy commissioner of the Gambella regional police commission, for alleged involvement in the killings. AS For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A businessman pleaded guilty Friday to bribing the head of a Michigan marijuana licensing board, the first conviction in a federal investigation into payoffs and other benefits before the panel was disbanded in 2019. John Dalaly appeared in federal court in Grand Rapids, two weeks after his plea deal was announced. Dalaly said he provided at least $68,200 in cash and other benefits to Rick Johnson, including two private flights to Canada. Johnson, 70, was chairman of the marijuana board for two years. The board reviewed and approved applications to grow and sell marijuana for medical purposes. Dalaly said Johnson had recommended that he hire Johnsons wife as a consultant to help with his application. Johnson, a Republican, is scheduled to plead guilty next Tuesday. He was a powerful lawmaker years ago, serving as House speaker from 2001 through 2004. Two lobbyists are also due in court next week. Brian Pierce and Vincent Brown have agreed to plead guilty to conspiring to pass bribes to Johnson. All four men are cooperating with investigators, which could help them at sentencing. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer abolished the medical marijuana board a few months after taking office in 2019 and put oversight of the industry inside a state agency. Michigan voters legalized marijuana for medical purposes in 2008. A decade later, voters approved the recreational use of marijuana. Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Health Check email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A new Covid strain behind a surge of infections in India has sparked fears it could also lead to a rise in cases in the UK. Research indicates Arcturus could be one 1.2 times more infectious than the last major sub-variant. Also known as Omicron subvariant XBB.1.16, the strain was first identified in January and has been monitored by the World Health Organisation (WHO) since 22 March, which upgraded it to a variant of interest in mid-April. Addressing Arcturuss emergence at a press conference on 29 March, Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHOs technical lead for Covid, said: Its been in circulation for a few months. We havent seen a change in severity in individuals or in populations, but thats why we have these systems in place. It has one additional mutation in the spike protein, which, in lab studies, shows increased infectivity as well as potential increased pathogenicity. The sub-variant, one of 600 spawned from Omicron so far but seemingly no more lethal than others, has been detected in 34 countries so far, including Britain and US. In India, the countrys health ministry reported 63,380 active Covid cases on 25 April, part of a steady six-week rise that has prompted compulsory face masks to be introduced in some states, hospitals to carry out mock drills and vaccine production to be ramped up. India was devastated by the Delta wave in 2021 and suffered a total of 4.7m excess deaths, according to WHO estimates. Dr Vipin Vashishtha, a paediatrician and former head of the Indian Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Immunisation, told The Hindustan Times that Arcturuss symptoms include a high fever, a cough and itchy conjunctivitis or pinkeye. Five deaths and around 135 cases have been detected in the UK so far, according to the UK Health Security Agency, but Professor Paul Hunter of the University of East Anglia has told The Daily Mail it is too soon to say that Britain could face a fresh surge in infections driven by Arcturus. Commuters wear face masks amidst the spike in Covid cases in Chennai, India (EPA) Although in India it has taken off in the past few weeks so far it has not been increasing rapidly globally, Professor Hunter said. I suspect we will see a wave of infections with this variant but I doubt it will cause a big wave probably not even as great as the one we have just had in the UK and so probably not put as great a pressure on health services than recently. The professor was alluding to the Kraken strain of Covid, also known as XBB.1.5, which was the dominant form of the disease in Britain until February. Scientists at the University of Tokyo comparing the Kraken and Arcturus sub-variants have suggested that the newer strain spreads about 1.17 to 1.27 times more efficiently than its relative, warning that it will spread worldwide in the near future aided by the fact that it seems robustly resistant to antibodies lingering in the body from previous Covid infections. In the US, Arcturus is now responsible for 9.6 per cent of American Covid cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the WHO. 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? And whats going to happen in terms of immune protection. These kinds of things highlight the importance of genomic surveillance but a lot of countries including our own have let our guards 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. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Charges of involuntary manslaughter against Alec Baldwin over the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins have been formally dismissed by New Mexico prosecutors. Prosecutors said they were currently unable to proceed with the case, but the decision to dismiss the charges did not absolve Mr Baldwin of criminal culpability. The Hollywood actor had faced two counts of involuntary manslaughter over the shooting on the New Mexico set of the movie Rust in October 2021. We cannot proceed under the current time constraints and on the facts and evidence turned over by law enforcement in its existing form. We therefore will be dismissing the involuntary manslaughter charges against Mr Baldwin to conduct further investigation. New Mexico prosecutors The incident occurred after a prop gun held by Baldwin went off, killing Ms Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza. The actor previously pleaded not guilty to both charges of involuntary manslaughter. On Thursday, newly appointed special prosecutors Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis confirmed they were dismissing both charges. Over the last few days and in preparation for the May 3 2023 preliminary hearing, new facts were revealed that demand further investigation and forensic analysis in the case against Alexander Alec Rae Baldwin III, a statement shared with the PA news agency read. Consequently, we cannot proceed under the current time constraints and on the facts and evidence turned over by law enforcement in its existing form. We therefore will be dismissing the involuntary manslaughter charges against Mr Baldwin to conduct further investigation. This decision does not absolve Mr Baldwin of criminal culpability and charges may be refiled. Our follow-up investigation will remain active and on-going. The statement said similar charges against Rusts armourer Hannah Gutierrez Reed remained unchanged. Earlier, following the announcement by his own legal team that the case had been dismissed, Baldwin seemed to pay tribute to his wife and lawyer. The Hollywood actor posted a photo of himself and his wife Hilaria Baldwin online. I owe everything I have to this woman (and to you, Luke), he captioned the photo. The Hollywood actor has been defended by lawyers Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro throughout proceedings. We are pleased with the decision to dismiss the case against Alec Baldwin and we encourage a proper investigation into the facts and circumstances of this tragic accident Lawyers for Alec Baldwin In a statement shared with PA, Mr Nikas and Mr Spiro said they were pleased with the decision and encouraged a proper investigation. We are pleased with the decision to dismiss the case against Alec Baldwin and we encourage a proper investigation into the facts and circumstances of this tragic accident, the statement read. The announcement comes less than two weeks before a preliminary hearing in the case in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where it was to be determined whether there was enough evidence to take it to trial. Santa Fe district attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies and special prosecutor Andrea Reeb had previously stepped down from the case. Their decisions came after much back and forth between the two sides, with Baldwins lawyers arguing Ms Reebs involvement was unconstitutional due to her elected position in the New Mexico House of Representatives. In turn the district attorneys office had accused Baldwin of using his fancy attorneys to distract from the gross negligence in the case. The actor was formally charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter by the DA in February, alongside Gutierrez Reed. The first charge required proof of underlying negligence and included the misdemeanour charge of negligent use of a firearm. The second charge included a firearm enhancement, which would have made the crime punishable by a mandatory five years in jail. The enhancement was later dropped after Baldwins lawyers argued it was unlawful and said prosecutors had committed an unconstitutional and elementary legal error. In the statement of probable cause, filed alongside the charges, the DA accused Baldwin of showing wilful disregard for the safety of others in the days leading up to the shooting. His reckless deviation from known standards and practice and protocol directly caused Ms Hutchins death, the DA had alleged. Baldwin also faces a separate civil lawsuit, filed on February 9 by the family of Ms Hutchins. The family is suing the actor and the Rust movie production company for alleged battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, and loss of consortium. Loss of consortium is a claim which seeks to recover compensation for damage to certain relationships that are mutually dependent. Thursdays development coincided with the resumption of production on the movie in the US state of Montana. Legal representatives for Rust Movie Productions stressed all use of working weapons or ammunition is, and always has been, prohibited on set. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Shocking video has been released of the moment a respected international banker was fatally attacked after leaving the Ivy Club in Londons West End. Paul Mason, 52, a boss at Qatar National Bank, was set upon in the street after enjoying an evening with friends at the exclusive private members club in Soho, on December 15 2020. On Friday, the Metropolitan Police released graphic CCTV footage of the attack by electrician Steven Allan who was drunk and mistakenly believed Mr Mason had his friends mobile phone. In the video, he is seen to approach Mr Mason and make a grab for his phone. Mr Mason appeared to turn the other cheek and walk away, only to be pursued by Allan who ran up behind him and punched him to the ground. As he attempted to get up, Allan punched him a second time. Once on his feet again, the defendant delivered an upper-cut which poleaxed Mr Mason and sent him flying to the pavement on his back. The CCTV, which had been viewed by jurors in Allans trial, showed Mr Mason lying unconscious on the ground before a group of off-duty critical care nurses rushed to his aid. The whole incident took just 12 seconds. Mr Mason had suffered serious head injuries, from which he died six months later. Allan, 35, from Hook in Hampshire, had admitted the manslaughter and was cleared of the more serious offence of murder after a trial. On Thursday, Allan was jailed at the Old Bailey for three years and nine months for the killing. During the sentencing, Mr Masons family blamed Allan for a double tragedy as they told how his vulnerable brother took an overdose three months after his death. Mr Mason was made a freeman of the City of London for charitable works. His family described him as a remarkably kind, decent, gentle soul who was successful in all aspects of his life. Sentencing, Judge Michael Topolski KC had said: The circumstances that led to the defendant causing the death of a perfectly respectable, wholly innocent stranger who happened to be passing by are as extraordinary as they are tragic. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Just Stop Oil said a judge was trying to set a precedent by jailing two of its activists for their protest at the Dartford Crossing. Morgan Trowland, 40, and 34-year-old Marcus Decker used ropes and other climbing equipment to scale the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, which links the M25 in Essex and Kent. Prosecutor Adam King said the bridge was closed from 4am on October 17 last year to 9pm the following day, causing gridlock as traffic was forced to use the tunnels instead. Both defendants were found guilty by unanimous verdicts of causing a public nuisance, following an earlier trial at Basildon Crown Court. Judge Shane Collery KC sentenced the men at Southend Crown Court on Friday, with a three-year jail sentence for Trowland, and Decker jailed for two years and seven months. The pair appeared shocked as the sentences were read out, with structural engineer Trowland then nodding to acknowledge people around the courtroom from behind the glass of the secure dock. Private tutor Decker simply stood and waited for the dock officer to lead him to the cells. Both men have been in custody since their arrest last October. The pair were prosecuted under the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 10 years. The judge said the pair have to be punished for the chaos you caused and to deter others from copying you. He added that protest is tolerated but that in no society can there be a blank cheque in terms of whats permitted. The judge said that Trowland, who has six previous convictions relating to protests, had a leading role while Decker had one previous conviction relating to a protest. The judge said the pair plainly believed you knew better than everyone else, adding: In short, to hell with everyone else. By your actions you caused this very important road to be closed for 40 hours, the judge said, noting that the disruption affected many tens of thousands, some very significantly. Stephanie Golder, a Just Stop Oil spokesperson, said outside court that she was horrified by the sentences. I think the judge was trying to set a precedent, she said. Hes trying to deter people but we are not to be deterred because until the Government commits to no new oil and gas we will continue in our campaign of resistance. It wasnt what I expected at all. I felt tearful, emotional. But what makes me feel tearful is the fact were going to be dealing with millions and potentially billions of climate refugees in the next 20, 30 years. Thats what drives me, and thats likely what drives Morgan and Marcus. Prosecutor Mr King said that the protesters ascended to a point close to 200ft above the road and unfurled a giant Just Stop Oil banner and rigged up hammocks and stayed there. This closure caused gridlock for miles around throughout that period, which we say was the point, said Mr King. He said the men came down at about 5.30pm on October 18 with the help of police and a very tall cherry picker crane but the bridge was not reopened to traffic until later. Trowland, of Islington, north London, and Decker, of no fixed address, had denied causing a public nuisance, arguing that it was a protest. Essex Police said that those affected by the traffic disruption included a heavily pregnant woman who needed urgent medical help. Another person missed the funeral of their best friend of 35 years, the force said, and a business lost more than 160,000 in earnings. Counsel for the two men said they did not intend to conduct further disruptive protests but the judge said he saw no signs the defendants were any less committed to the causes you espouse than before. Jacob Bindman, for Trowland, said his client had in his words done his bit and he doesnt want to spend the rest of his days going in and out of prison. Rebecca Martin, for German citizen Decker who holds two degrees, said that the protest wasnt his idea. She said that the expert in climbing was not part of the initial planning process. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A fraudster stole 100 milllion from victims across the world with a bank warning scam, causing victims huge emotional distress and devastation. Tejay Fletcher, 35, who ran the multi-million-pound fraud website iSpoof, pleaded guilty to the Metropolitan Polices largest-ever fraud investigation. iSpoof enabled criminals and fraudsters to appear as if they were calling from banks, tax offices and other official bodies as they attempted to defraud victims. They posed as representatives of banks, including Barclays, Santander, HSBC, Lloyds, Halifax, First Direct, Natwest, Nationwide and TSB. The total losses to victims of frauds enabled by iSpoof in the UK alone exceed 43 million, with the total global losses estimated to be at least 100 million. Thomas Short, Specialist Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service, said Fletcher helped fraudsters cheat innocent people on a shocking scale. He continued: Fraud is an insidious crime and the cost to the many victims in this case has not just been financial; it has also caused huge emotional distress and devastation. Fletcher, of Western Gateway, London, appeared at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday. He pleaded guilty to the charges of making or supplying articles for use in fraud; encouraging or assisting the commission of an offence; possessing criminal property and transferring criminal property. He will be sentenced on Thursday, 18 May at the same court. Detective Superintendent Helen Rance, who has been leading the investigation, said Fletcher was the ringleader of a slick fraud website, which enabled criminals to defraud innocent people of millions of pounds. Detective Constable Ed Sehmer said: This investigation shows that despite what Fletcher and criminal online services often claim, that fraudsters who use them are anonymous, thats simply not the case. Police can - and will - track down the people running and using these services. Mr Short said: We want to encourage all those who think theyve been a victim of a fraud to come forward and report it. The CPS works closely with police to bring fraudulent offenders like Fletcher to justice and I hope todays conviction sends a strong message to criminals that they can no longer hide behind online anonymity. If you think you have been a victim of fraud, you should contact your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Diane Clarke was just 10 when she went through two life-changing losses. First, she lost her mother, who was stabbed to death in her own home. Then, she lost her father the person who had killed her mother. Pauline Benton, 32, was killed by her husband in 1978 after she told him she was seeing another man. Her death followed a loveless marriage in which she was allegedly controlled by her husband, who treated her as though she was a possession. When we got to the top of our street and there were blue flashing lights, I knew something was up, Clarke tells The Independent. All the neighbours were outside the house. There were ambulances and police cars there. The now 56-year-old recalls trying to go into her home in Cannock, Staffordshire, but being sent to her neighbours instead. Frustrated that nobody would explain what was going on, she had to wait until the next day for her grandfather to tell her news that no child should ever have to hear. Clarkes father was charged with her mothers murder, which he denied, but he admitted manslaughter. He was sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court to three years in prison. Clarke visited him in jail while living with her mothers parents. Then, when he was released, she and her brother went to live with him again. As a child who could not fully understand the magnitude of what had happened, Clarke wanted to live with her father again, but now desperately wishes she had remained with her grandparents. While Clarkes situation may sound deeply shocking, she is not alone. Men who kill their partners in the UK automatically hold on to parental responsibility for their children even if they are in prison. It means they remain in control of their childrens lives including choosing where they live, and deciding on their healthcare needs, for example unless a court removes parental responsibility. Clarke is calling for a change in the law (Diane Clarke) Jades Law With families up and down the country facing this situation, Labour has lent its backing to Jades Law: a proposed piece of legislation that would withdraw parental responsibility from a mother or father found guilty of murdering their childs other parent. In its current form, the proposed law named after 27-year-old Jade Ward, who was stabbed and strangled in her home by her ex-partner Russell Marsh as their four young sons slept would not cover a situation like Clarkes, because her father was convicted of manslaughter, not murder. But the mother of two, now a domestic abuse campaigner, is calling for the law to be broadened in order to cover both crimes when domestic abuse is involved. Jade Ward was stabbed and strangled in her home by her ex-partner (North Wales Police) Play fighting Clarke tells The Independent that her mother met another man, which she saw as her way out of the toxic relationship with Clarkes father. It was when she finally plucked up the courage to tell her husband the truth that he turned violent. A newspaper cutting about the case describes how Bentons husband incensed at hearing of her six-month affair plunged a bread knife into her chest. It was sold in the newspapers and in the court as she asked for it because she had an affair, says Clarke. Court reports said Clarkes father was a normally placid man, but a social enquiry report used in the case, seen by The Independent, quotes Bentons father describing him as a jealous man who tended to treat his wife as a possession. Clarke remembers how her father, who was married to her mother for 15 years, would physically fight with his wife until she would go into the bedroom crying. Her father would refer to this as play fighting, she says. Clarke was just 10 years old when she faced double tragedy (Diane Clarke) My relationship with my mum wasnt good, because my dad was getting me to mock her and abuse her as well, she recalls. So when he killed her, I missed my dad more than I missed my mum. While her father was in prison, Clarke spent her time looking after her mothers parents, who were wrapped up in their own pain. They were on Valium. They were drinking, Clarke recalls. I was looking after them. Theyve lost their daughter, their daughter has been killed, you know theyre devastated. She says nobody checked to see if she was coping when she started at a new school, and recalls the traumatic experience of sitting making a Mothers Day card, which she addressed to her grandmother. I was getting bullied at that school by this time, as well, because I was getting more and more vulnerable. I didnt tell anybody I was being bullied. I was having nightmares Living with the man who had killed her mother wasnt easy. Describing the situation after he was released from prison, Clarke says she played the role of mum, doing the cleaning, washing and cooking, and feeling desperately, desperately alone while doing so. I was having nightmares, she adds. Somebody was trying to kill me in the dreams. Ive always thought Ive got to be careful what I say or do, because what if he kills me? And even though hes an old man now, I still have that fear. After leaving school, she hit rock bottom, getting into a relationship with a violent boyfriend and making an attempt to kill herself. Clarke is still vaguely in touch with her father, but effectively considers herself an orphan. If I saw him in the street, I would try and avoid talking to him, she says. But if I came face to face, the inner child would just be happy and pleasing and say hello and be respectful towards him, because that was the way I survived when I lived with him. Speaking to The Independent about Jades Law which was debated in parliament at the end of last year Ellie Reeves, the shadow minister for prisons and probation, urged the government to take action. The Labour MP for Lewisham West and Penge, who leads on violence against women and girls in the justice team, said: It is shocking that, as the law currently stands, killers retain parental responsibility after murdering their childs mother enabling them to continually abuse and assert control over their children even from prison. Labour has called for Jades Law to automatically suspend parental rights for fathers who have murdered their childs mother. This will put the rights of victims above those of perpetrators, and work to end violence against women and girls. That is how we will prevent crime and protect families. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice told The Independent: Judges are required to put the welfare of children first, and can effectively remove all rights and powers from a parent who has murdered the other. Responding to the Jades Law petition, the government said it recognises that in situations where a parent is convicted of the murder of another parent, the process can be onerous. Dr Adrienne Barnett, who specialised in family law while practising as a barrister for more than 30 years, told The Independent it is incredibly rare for a fathers parental responsibility to be withdrawn, even in the most heinous and harrowing circumstances. Hazel Mercer, of Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse, says the families she supports after domestic homicide find the fact that perpetrators still have parental rights highly traumatic. The national domestic abuse helpline offers support for women on 0808 2000 247, or you can visit the Refuge website. There is a dedicated mens advice line on 0808 8010 327. Those in the US can call the domestic violence hotline on 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Other international helplines can be found via www.befrienders.org For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A millionaire farmer who destroyed the habitats of otters, kingfishers and trout as he illegally ripped out trees has been jailed for a year. Using diggers and bulldozers, John Price carried out what a judge said was ecological vandalism on an industrial scale on a mile-long unspoilt and protected stretch of the River Lugg in Herefordshire. He destroyed the riverbed and banks as he dredged the waterway, leaving hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of damage. How the river looked before the trees were removed (Natural England SWNS) Prices assets are worth up to 25m, the court heard, and he was ordered to pay prosecution costs of 600,000 and a further 655,000 for work to restore the river at Kingsland. The 68-year-old, who claimed he was helping prevent flooding to local properties, was also banned from being a company director for three years. Judge Ian Strongman at Kidderminster Magistrates Court said the jail sentence was intended as a deterrent to others. Mr Strongman said the farmers actions had turned a stretch of traditional tree-lined river, which has protected status as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI), into a canal devoid of life, adding that it is ecological vandalism on an industrial scale. Environmentalists hailed the sentencing, and waterways campaigner Feargal Sharkey said it was a fantastic outcome, praising the Environment Agency for pursuing the case. Price, a potato, beef and cereal farmer, from Day House Farm, Kingsland, had admitted seven out of 10 charges brought by the Environment Agency and Natural England related to unconsented operations and causing damage to a site of special scientific interest. The river bank being cleared (Natural England/SWNS) The agency says the River Lugg has an exceptionally high diversity of wildlife, with 121 river plant species providing habitat for invertebrates, fish and birds. The work removed the habitats of hundreds of these species including otters, kingfishers and salmon, as well as destroying trees, aquatic plant life and invertebrates, agency chiefs said. It is predicted it will take decades to re-establish mature trees to provide the stability, cover and shade to restore the diversity of the river, they said. Fish, plants, native crayfish and birds may take years to make a gradual return to previous populations. Emma Johnson, area manager for Natural England, said: The River Lugg is one of the most iconic rivers in the UK and to see this wanton destruction take place was devastating. Conservationist Miles King said: In truth, no amount of money will bring the habitats and species back. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey has appeared in court by video-link ahead of his June trial for sexual offences against four men. The Hollywood star, 63, has previously denied 12 charges between 2001 and 2013. Spacey appeared at Southwark Crown Court on Friday for a pre-trial hearing wearing a grey suit, light shirt and burgundy tie. He spoke to confirm his full name, Kevin Spacey Fowler, and to say he could hear the judge, Mr Justice Wall, who also appeared by video-link. Only Spaceys barrister Patrick Gibbs KC appeared in person, but he refused to confirm where his client was appearing from. The court heard a four-week trial is due to start on June 28 and Spacey may be required to appear for a further hearing in May. The two-time Academy Award winner, known for starring in American Beauty, The Usual Suspects and House Of Cards, faces a total of 12 charges relating to four men between 2001 and 2013. Spacey pleaded not guilty to three counts of indecent assault, three counts of sexual assault and one count of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent, in January. He had previously denied four charges of sexual assault and one count of causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent. Spacey has been granted unconditional bail. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A British technology tycoon facing extradition to the United States has lost an appeal bid. Two judges finished considering Mike Lynchs challenge at a High Court hearing in London earlier this year. Lord Justice Lewis and Mr Justice Julian Knowles ruled against him on Friday. They had heard how then-home secretary, Priti Patel, approved Mr Lynchs extradition to the US, to answer criminal fraud charges, in January 2022. A judge at Westminster Magistrates Court had ruled that Ms Patel could decide whether to order extradition. The American prosecutors have described the case as 'one of the largest frauds ever prosecuted by the United States Department of Justice'. The value of the alleged fraud runs into the billions of dollar Lord Justice Lewis and Mr Justice Julian Knowles Mr Lynch challenged that ruling by District Judge Michael Snow. Lawyers representing the US Government said Judge Snow made correct decisions. Ms Patels decision to approve extradition came after Mr Lynch lost a multibillion-dollar fraud action, at the High Court in London, over the sale of his software company, Autonomy, to Hewlett Packard (HP) in 2011. Mr Lynch, who has a PhD in signal processing a form of electrical engineering, had been accused of deliberately overstating the value of his business before it was acquired by the American technology giant. HP had sued Mr Lynch and Autonomys former chief financial officer, Sushovan Hussain, for about five billion US dollars (3.7 billion), following its purchase of Autonomy, which had a base in Cambridge, England. HP had acquired the company for 11.1 billion US dollars (8.3 billion) more than a decade ago. A High Court judge who oversaw that trial said HP had substantially succeeded in its various claims against the two men but is likely to receive substantially less than the amount claimed in damages. Ms Patel had wanted to consider Mr Justice Hildyards ruling on HPs claim before making an extradition decision. Mr Lynch has denied all charges against him. These are to be understood as allegations only. They remain to be proved, should there be a trial Lord Justice Lewis and Mr Justice Julian Knowles Lord Justice Lewis and Mr Justice Julian Knowles were told that the civil litigation overseen by Mr Justice Hildyard had yet to conclude. They heard that there had been no decision on the amount of damages and said they did not know whether Mr Lynch was going to appeal. Mr Lynch has signalled his intention to appeal against Mr Justice Hildyards ruling. Lord Justice Lewis and Mr Justice Knowles said they had concluded that none of Mr Lynchs grounds of appeal against Judge Snows extradition ruling were arguable. The applicants extradition has been sought so that he can stand trial in California for fraud, said the two judges, in a written ruling. The American prosecutors have described the case as one of the largest frauds ever prosecuted by the United States Department of Justice. The value of the alleged fraud runs into the billions of dollars. It is right to record at the outset that the applicant strongly denies all of the charges against him. They added: These are to be understood as allegations only. They remain to be proved, should there be a trial. The two judges went on: In summary, the applicant is accused of engaging in a conspiracy to provide dishonest financial and other information about Autonomys performance to the markets from 2009, and then to HP from about 2011 during the purchase negotiations, thereby dishonestly maintaining or inflating Autonomys share price, and hence, ultimately, the price which HP paid for it. The applicant owned a substantial number of Autonomys shares, and so the alleged fraud benefitted him personally. The applicant is also accused of attempting to obstruct justice in relation to the investigation into the alleged fraud, and of money laundering in relation to the money he personally received following HPs acquisition. A spokesman for Mr Lynch said: Dr Lynch is very disappointed, but is reviewing the judgment and will continue to explore his options to appeal, including to the European Court of Human Rights. Almost two decades after the civil war, the Angolan government launched at the end of 2019 a large "reconciliation plan", supported by transitional justice initiatives that scholars Maarten van Munster and Joris van Wijk are one of the few to follow. They describe here how, in March, the process went into a state of shock when victims announced that they had received from the authorities human remains that did not belong to their parents. Angola's transitional justice process has suffered a major blow. On 22 March, a group of relatives of civil war victims, known as the 27 of May orphans, announced that the samples of bone matter they had received from the Angolan authorities as probably belonging to their parents, turned out not to be related to them at all. In an open letter to the Angolan people, the orphans describe the returning of the wrong mortal remains as an "exercise in cruelty", "in which feelings of loss, pain and sorrow were unnecessarily aroused, with goals that have nothing noble". The return of the remains was part of the work of the government-established reconciliation commission that has been operating in Angola since 2019. We previously wrote about its work in contributions in 2020 and 2021. Although the commission has the staggeringly extensive mandate to reconcile Angolans in the face of all political conflicts that occurred during Angola's 27-year civil war, the events of 27 May 1977 and their aftermath have so far been dominating its agenda. On that day, an alleged coup d'etat attempt occurred within the ruling MPLA party, to which the state responded with excessive and prolonged violence. In the following years, thousands were killed as a result of government violence. The subject of '27 de maio' has for long been a taboo that, until recently, has hardly been publicly discussed in Angola. Public apology and restitution of bodily remains On 26 May 2021, Angola took an important step in breaking the silence. On that day, Angola's president Joao Lourenco apologized on behalf of the Angolan state for the mass executions and asked for forgiveness. During his speech the president also announced that everything possible would be done to locate and identify the remains of the largest possible number of victims to allow for dignified funeral ceremonies, whilst naming twelve prominent victims in particular. In March 2022 the president's commitment seemingly delivered the first concrete results when Angola's Minister of Justice and chair of the reconciliation commission, Francisco Queiroz, announced that the remains of most of the named victims were possibly found in a mass grave. DNA matter of next of kin still needed to be collected in order to establish the identities of the remains and the identities of four of the bodies were subsequently confirmed. On 13 June 2022, in the run-up to the presidential elections, the remains of the four identified victims were returned to their families in an emotionally charged public ceremony in Luanda. During the gathering several speakers, both government representatives and relatives of the victims, spoke conciliatory and praising words. Queiroz stated during the ceremony that the DNA identification documentation was "verifiable" and "available for international review". However, the DNA matching process was done by the Angolan authorities without the involvement of international forensic experts. None of the samples showed a DNA match Months later, relatives of some of the other named victims were also offered the return of their family member's remains. This group of relatives, often orphans living outside of Angola, called for a more rigorous process of identification based on international standards and led by internationally acknowledged forensic experts. The Angolan government agreed to this request after which, based on an intergovernmental agreement, the Portuguese government assisted in assembling an investigation team of Portuguese experts, which visited Angola in July 2022 in order to take samples. To the shock of the victims' relatives none of the samples showed a DNA match with the supposed relatives. As one of the experts put it "we are sure that the bodies do not belong to those who were expected. This is a scientific certainty." The Angolan government has so far not officially responded to the experts' conclusions. But this outcome raises the question whether the identity of the first four prominent victims whose remains have already been reburied by their family members has been correctly established. And meanwhile, other families who are awaiting the results of the government's DNA analyses for their relatives have expressed their loss of trust in the outcome. An arduous reconciliation process For some, the fact that the reconciliation commission's has been involved in returning of the wrong bone matter reinforces the image of an incomplete, messy, untransparent and insufficiently independent and impartial reconciliation process in Angola. Not only has confidence in the determination of DNA results by the Angolan government fallen to zero. In addition, there are a number of other structural issues with the commission's approach: the strong focus on the May 27 issue at the detriment of other political conflicts, the lack of clarity about the meaning of the 'political conflict' concept itself, and the commission's one-sided composition (dominated by government representatives), to name the most important ones. In July 2021, dissatisfaction with, among other things, the one-sided composition of the commission, its lack of focus on establishing 'historical truth' and its broad conception of victimhood, already led to the suspension of all cooperation with the commission by an important group of May 27 victims. In a previous contribution, we described the general problem that the commission's exclusive focus on 'political conflicts' seems to place many international crimes committed during the military conflict a priori outside of its competence. Daunting task ahead The 2019 presidential decree on the basis of which the reconciliation commission operates, said that the commission should conclude its activities on 31 July 2021. Although the commission's website does not provide any details, we were informed that now, more than a year and a half later, it is still operational. For the time being, no new end date has been set for the commission to finish its work and it is currently unclear who will be leading it as its former chair and driving force, Queiroz, has not returned in the new Angolan government. In any case, it is quite clear that a daunting task is awaiting the commission and its new chair. Remedial work is needed to rectify the debacle of the misidentified May 27 victims, while victims of other political conflicts are also likely to step up and expect the commission to attend to their needs. It is questionable whether it will be able to satisfactorily meet current and future expectations. Regarding the remedial work, the government seems to have started off badly. During a ceremony to commemorate the end of the civil war on 4 April 2023, president Lourenco decorated both one of the prime victims of the May 27 massacres (posthumously) and a former officer of the secret service who in several books and testimonies has been referred to as a well-known executor of the killings. A number of observers expressed their indignancy with the decision to mix victims and alleged perpetrators during the same decoration ceremony. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Angola Legal Affairs 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. Muddled memorialization? One of the tasks assigned to the commission was to decide on a 'Memorial in honour of the Victims of Political Conflicts'. In the summer of 2022, Queiroz presented its definitive design. Chinese company Nova Jiangsu, winner of the public tender for the project, will start construction works this year and is expected to finish the project within 16 months. The construction will be named 'Eternal Alliance' and consists of two interconnected blocks depicting an embrace. The memorial covers nine floors and includes among other things, a digital collection on various political conflicts, an exposition and conference room and a souvenir shop. Total building costs are estimated at 33 million euros. Given the many criticisms and unfinished tasks the commission is facing, it remains to be seen how this monument will be received in Angolan society. As long as the commission's mandate and focus are not clearly delineated and remain multi-interpretable, it might just be yet another cause for debate and critique, rather than a contribution to true reconciliation. Maarten Van Munster and Joris Van Wijk are respectively senior lecturer in human rights law at the Hague University of Applied Sciences and associate professor of criminology at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. Both are fellows of the Center for International Criminal Justice. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A group of men have appeared at the Old Bailey accused of plotting with Chris Kaba to murder another young man. The offence relates to a shooting in Hackney Road in Tower Hamlets, east London, on August 30 last year in which the victim survived. On September 5 last year, father-to-be Mr Kaba, 24, died after he was hit by a single gunshot fired by an armed officer in Streatham Hill, south London. On Friday, Shemiah Bell, Hamza Abdi, Connel Bamgboye and Simeon Glasgow appeared at the Old Bailey by video link from Thameside and High Down prisons. The other two defendants, Marcus Pottinger, 20, from Brixton, and Carl Tagoe, 28, of no fixed address, were not required to attend the hearing. According to the indictment, all six men are accused of conspiring together and with Mr Kaba to murder Brendon Malutshi on August 30 last year. A second charge alleges they conspired together and with Mr Kaba to cause grievous bodily harm to Mr Malutshi. They are further charged with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and with intent to cause fear of violence on Hackney Road, in Tower Hamlets on the same date. Abdi is charged with assisting an offender by driving an unnamed male away from the scene of the shooting in a Range Rover with intent to impede the apprehension and prosecution of that person. It is alleged he committed the offence knowing or believing that person to be guilty of attempted murder or some other relevant offence. Pottinger is charged with four further firearms offences allegedly committed on December 16 last year. It is alleged he had a .32 Rimfire Calibre Revolver in Samuel Johnson Close in Streatham, south west London, with intent to cause fear of violence. During the hearing, Judge Simon Mayo KC confirmed that a plea hearing would take place on May 2 with a provisional trial from November 13. Bell, 31, from Lambeth; Abdi, 23, from Wandsworth; Bamgboye, 28, from Lambeth; and Glasgow, 30, of Lambeth, were further remanded into custody. Last month, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) concluded its homicide investigation into the fatal shooting of Mr Kaba and referred a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A suspected rapist said to have faked his own death while on the run from the FBI and living in Scotland has made a bizarre television appearance to insist he is not the man detectives are hunting. Nicholas Rossi, also known as Nicholas Alahverdian, burst into tears during an interview with NBC programme Dateline when asked what he would say to people who believed he was Alahverdian. The drama came a day after Rossi failed to appear at his latest extradition hearing after an altercation in his jail cell, Edinburgh Sheriff Court was told. He has been fighting efforts to send him back to the US, where authorities in Utah have accused him of a 2008 sex offence. Prosecutors say he is from the state of Rhode Island in New England, and fled the US in 2017. The 35-year-old, who appears in public wearing an oxygen mask, claims to be Arthur Knight, an Irish orphan and a victim of mistaken identity who has never been to America. Last November, after months of court hearings, Sheriff Norman McFadyen ruled that Rossi was indeed the man US authorities were seeking in connection with rape and sexual assault charges. In a story described by NBC as stranger than fiction, it has been alleged Rossi faked his own death in 2020 and fled to the UK to evade prosecution. He was arrested in late 2021 after being treated in intensive care for Covid in the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow under the name Knight and claiming to be an academic tutor. He was re-arrested in January 2022. The suspect also goes by the names Nicholas Alahverdian and Arthur Knight, denying he is Rossi (PA Wire) From tattoos on his body, police and hospital staff initially identified him as Rossi. Interpol issued a red notice a request for arrest with pictures of the wanted man, including images of his tattoos and his fingerprints. On Thursday, Sheriff McFadyen told the court he would allow two further weeks for expert reports to be acquired, and Rossi was remanded in custody until 22 May. Speaking alongside his wife, Miranda Knight, Rossi angrily told NBC he was Arthur Knight. He appeared to try standing up, slumping back into his chair, to prove that he was unable to walk. I am not Nicholas Alahverdian. I do not know how to make this clearer, he said behind his oxygen mask. We were once a normal family, but thanks to the media our lives have been interrupted. And wed like privacy and I would like to go back to being a normal husband, but I cant because I cant breathe, I cant walk. He has worn the oxygen mask after nearly dying of Covid last year. When asked whether it was all an act, he said: That is a low blow, that is a right low blow. US authorities say Rossi is an alias used by Alahverdian, who has been charged in connection with a Utah rape. Authorities in Rhode Island say Alahverdian is also wanted in their state for failing to register as a sex offender. The FBI has said he also faces fraud charges in Ohio, where he was convicted of sex-related charges in 2008. In 2020, he claimed he had late-stage non-Hodgkin lymphoma and had weeks to live. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} One of the killers of a lone biker who was ambushed by members of a motorcycle gang after they spotted him riding on their patch wearing rival club colours has had his jail term increased. David Crawford, 59, from Ivybridge, Devon, was hit from behind by a white van on the St Budeaux slip road in Plymouth, and dragged for almost one kilometre along the A38. Van driver Benjamin Parry, 42, and Chad Brading, 36, both from Plymouth, and Thomas Pawley, 32, from Ivybridge, were convicted of manslaughter. Parry was jailed for 12 years, and Pawley and Brading for four years each, in January. The Solicitor General referred their sentences to the Court of Appeal to be reviewed, arguing they were unduly lenient. In a ruling on Friday, senior judges increased Parrys jail term to 15 years, finding it was not long enough in light of the risk of serious harm or death to the victim by his actions. His driving disqualification was also increased from 10 to 12 years, but the judges did not alter the sentences handed to Pawley and Brading. During their trial at Plymouth Crown Court, jurors were shown footage of Mr Crawford riding his black Kawasaki before it was stopped by Pawley and Bradin, in a Mercedes car. Parry, driving his work Ford Transit van, drove into the back of Mr Crawfords motorbike as it was being obstructed. Grandfather Mr Crawford was pinned under the van and dragged underneath until Parry turned off at the next junction, almost one kilometre away. The court heard that Parry, Pawley and Brading were members of the Devon-based Bandidos Motorcycle Club, while Mr Crawford was a member of a rival chapter the Cornwall-based Red Chiefs Motorcycle Club. Sentencing the gang, Mr Justice Garnham described the killing as senseless and an act of unaccountable stupidity. He told the defendants at Exeter Crown Court: The three of you were members of the Bandidos Motorcycle Club. You were alerted to the fact that members of two other motorcycle clubs, the Hells Angels and their supporters, the Red Chiefs, had congregated at a retail park in Plymouth and were flying their colours in other words wearing jackets or cuts displaying the insignia of their clubs. In the infantile world of such motorcycle clubs, to ride a motorbike in a neighbouring county displaying your colours is, it seems, to cause great offence to the club that considers that county its home territory. You were each contacted by the Sergeant at Arms of your club about the presence of these other clubs, and you each took to the streets of Plymouth. The court heard that all but one of the motorbikes from the clubs were seen crossing the border into Cornwall, with Mr Crawford heading back at toll booths back into Devon. The judge continued: You all agreed that the lone motorcyclist should be stopped, told it was not acceptable for him to ride in his Cornish Red Chief colours in Devon and given what is colloquially called as a slap to underline the point. By a slap I mean a punch or the like, an assault that would cause him some relatively minor injury or pain. However, footage described as sickening by the judge captured the moment Parry driving between 10mph and 27mph drove into the back of Mr Crawfords motorbike, throwing him into the air. Parry did not stop despite knowing he had struck Mr Crawford, and drove on with him trapped beneath the van on a ghastly journey, the judge said. Mr Crawford was then propelled from under the van as Parry turned off the dual carriageway but the defendants continued to drive home, Parry in the van and Pawley and Brading in the car. The judge said: Mr Crawford was utterly innocent in all this. He had just been out for a ride on his bike with friends in the motorbike clubs. Neither he nor his fellow bikers had done anything wrong that evening. You three had absolutely no business trying to dictate who rode their bikes in Devon or what they wore when doing so. He said Mr Crawfords family, including his wife, daughters and granddaughter, had been devastated by his senseless killing. Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Former deputy prime minister Dominic Raab has resigned after an inquiry found he had acted in an intimidating and aggressive way with officials. The 47-page report by Adam Tolley KC examines a number of incidents spanning the former ministers tenure as foreign secretary, justice secretary and Brexit secretary. Here PA takes a look at the key allegations and which ones were upheld. Disciplinary threat Mr Raab was accused of conveying a threat which had a significant adverse effect on a member of staff while working at the foreign office. He was said to have suggested those involved on a project had breached the Civil Service Code. Senior diplomat Sir Philip Barton gave evidence that he later had a private meeting with Mr Raab to warn him not to threaten staff with the code. Mr Raab disputed that the meeting had taken place. Finding: Mr Tolley found Mr Raab had conveyed a threat and should have known his reference to the code would be perceived as such. He did not intend to threaten anyone with disciplinary action, but should have known how his comments would be interpreted. He also found that, while Mr Raab was foreign secretary, his conduct on one occasion amounted to an abuse or misuse of power in a way that undermines or humiliates. Banging tables and hand-waving Colleagues complained that Mr Raabs physical gestures were used in a threatening way. Loud banging on tables and finger-pointing were among the allegations. In one extreme case, he was said to have extended his hand towards someones face to stop them talking. Finding: Mr Tolley found there was scope for misunderstanding and that the then-minister had not intended to be threatening. Intimidating meetings While at the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), Dominic Raab was said to have complained about a lack of the basics or basic information provided by staff. He was said to have been intimidating and insulting on a number of occasions in meetings. Finding: Mr Tolley found in the complainants favour. He made comments which were likely to be interpreted as unfairly personal criticism, the report said. In relation to a separate complaint about an incident at a work meeting while foreign secretary, Mr Raab displayed unreasonably and persistently aggressive conduct. Perverse culture of fear A second group complaint at the MoJ described a perverse culture of fear and unreasonable work deadlines. Finding: Mr Tolley said the staff had no ulterior agenda but the nature of the evidence made it unsuitable grounds for a finding of fact. Shouting and swearing Mr Raab was not found to have shouted or sworn at colleagues on any occasion. Mr Tolley said there was no persuasive evidence that he had shouted, and concluded he had not sworn either at individuals or more generally. Woeful and useless insults Mr Raab claimed there was cultural resistance to his flagship Bill of Rights and policies on parole reform in the Ministry of Justice. When frustrated that one of his steers about a proposed reform was not implemented, he was said to have described the work of staff involved as utterly useless and woeful. Finding: Mr Tolley found in the favour of the complaint. On balance, I think that these were the words used; they comprised criticism that was not in the nature of constructive feedback. They were reasonablyunderstood as insulting personal criticism, he said. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Downing Street has rejected calls for a wider inquiry into ministerial bullying but indicated that lessons could be learned about the handling of complaints. FDA general secretary Dave Penman had warned that misconduct by senior members of Government is more widespread than Prime Minister Rishi Sunak wants to admit as he called for a wider probe into ministerial behaviour. Mr Penman, who made the call following Mr Raabs resignation, complained of the inadequacy of a process that relies solely on the Prime Minister of the day to enforce standards. This demonstrates that Raab is not just one bad apple, and there is a wider problem with ministerial bullying than the Prime Minister wants to admit, Mr Penman said. Mr Raabs obviously reluctant tone and dismissal of the complaints in his resignation demonstrate why he has been forced out of Cabinet, the union leader suggested. The Prime Minister may have been left with no choice today, but he still has serious questions to answer over what he knew when he appointed Raab as Deputy Prime Minister in October, Mr Penman said. The sad reality is that if he had appointed him to any other government department, his behaviour would, in all likelihood, still be going unchecked. Given the scale of complaints against Dominic Raab and the evidence we have produced of a wider problem, the Prime Minister must now launch an independent inquiry into ministerial bullying Dave Penman, FDA This demonstrates that Raab is not just one bad apple, and there is a wider problem with ministerial bullying than the Prime Minister wants to admit. But the Prime Ministers official spokesman said an independent inquiry into ministerial bullying was not being considered. While a broader review is not being considered, he confirmed that Mr Sunak had asked the Cabinet Office to look at how Government can better learn to handle some of the issues that this report has raised, in terms of how concerns about working practices are raised in a timely manner and how they are dealt with. I think that is in the interest of both civil servants and ministers. In his letter to Dominic Raab, Mr Sunak told his former deputy: It is clear that there have been shortcomings in the historic process that have negatively affected everyone involved. We should learn from this how to better handle such matters in future. Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Ministers have insisted it is fair that Rishi Sunak takes his time to ponder whether to sack Dominic Raab, with the fate of the Deputy Prime Minister hanging in the balance after the Prime Minister received a report into whether he bullied officials. After being accused of dither, Mr Sunak was taking a second day to determine whether he will kick Mr Raab out of his Cabinet as he reviews senior lawyer Adam Tolley KCs investigation. Mr Sunak received the report on Thursday morning but Downing Street was unable to say if the Prime Ministers verdict, and the report itself, will come on Friday. Transport Secretary Mark Harper defended the time taken by Mr Sunak to reach a decision, insisting that he would come to a conclusion as quickly as he can. Mr Raab, who is also Justice Secretary, has read the report and maintains he has not mistreated colleagues or broken the Ministerial Code, the PA news agency was told. A source close to Mr Raab said the Prime Minister has not asked him to resign and denied the pair had held talks over his future. No 10 had promised that the Prime Ministers verdict on the eight formal allegations would be published swiftly. But as a decision was delayed a Downing Street source said Mr Sunak was taking time to go through the report thoroughly. People will be fed up with this dither and delay from Rishi Sunak Lib Dem chief whip Wendy Chamberlain Mr Harper dodged questions about when exactly Mr Sunak would decide on Mr Raabs future, but said a final decision would be reached in a careful, meticulous way. I think actually thats the fair thing to do both for the complainants, who made some serious complaints, but also for Dominic Raab, he told BBC Breakfast. I think for both sides in this the Prime Minister should take the time. But Labour accused Mr Sunak of lacking the guts to sack his ally and said the decision was distracting him from leading the country. Shadow attorney general Emily Thornberry told PA: I think its another example of Conservative chaos and not addressing the problems of the country. Hes going to spend tonight looking at the report and trying to summon up the courage to work out whether he should sack his deputy or not when really what he should be doing is focusing on a cost-of-living crisis. Hes got the report, read the report, if hes a bully, sack him. Amy Leversidge, assistant general secretary at the FDA Union which represents civil servants, called the delay a really shoddy way to treat people. I do think the Prime Minister could have shown a bit more compassion to everyone involved in making the complaint and spoken to them personally about what they could expect and when they could expect it, she told Sky News. The Prime Minister didnt have to announce that he was going to make a decision yesterday and I think thats obviously whats fuelled all of this. If Mr Sunak decides to keep Mr Raab on, morale in the Civil Service could be dented without a convincing argument. There have been suggestions that senior Ministry of Justice officials could quit if he is cleared. Liberal Democrat chief whip Wendy Chamberlain said: People will be fed up with this dither and delay from Rishi Sunak. It feels like almost every week there is an issue with sleaze and scandal where Rishi Sunak is either implicated himself or too weak to get to grips with it. People are crying out for a Government that will just get on with tackling the issues that matter, not focused on saving their own skin. The eight complaints against Mr Raab centre on his behaviour as foreign secretary, Brexit secretary and during his first stint as justice secretary. Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Dominic Raab has resigned as deputy prime minister after an inquiry found he acted in an intimidating and aggressive way with officials in behaviour that could have amounted to bullying. Adam Tolley KCs investigation published on Friday concluded Mr Raab engaged in an abuse or misuse of power that undermines or humiliates while foreign secretary. Mr Raabs conduct in the department had a significant adverse effect on one colleague and he was also found to have been intimidating to staff by criticising utterly useless work while justice secretary. Rishi Sunak, who had spent the night agonising over whether to sack his key ally, accepted Mr Raabs resignation on Friday morning with great sadness. Mr Raab, who also quit as justice secretary, went down swinging, criticising the Kafkaesque saga and saying he had been warned that unionised officials were targeting him. Mr Sunak filled the gap in his Cabinet by promoting two longstanding allies, with Alex Chalk becoming Justice Secretary and Oliver Dowden appointed as Deputy Prime Minister. Mr Tolleys five-month investigation into eight formal complaints about Mr Raabs conduct as Brexit secretary and foreign secretary, and in his previous tenure leading the Ministry of Justice, was handed to Downing Street on Thursday morning. Downing Street suggested that Mr Sunak accepts his ally broke the ministerial code with what amounted to findings of bullying. The Tolley report said Mr Raab acted in an intimidating fashion with unreasonably and persistently aggressive conduct in a work meeting while he was foreign secretary. He also committed an abuse or misuse of power in a way that undermines or humiliates with a staffing move, which Mr Raab argued was key to Brexit negotiations on Gibraltar with Spain. But Mr Tolley said he introduced an unwarranted punitive element while his conduct was inevitably experienced as undermining or humiliating by the affected individual. On a separate occasion while running the Foreign Office, Mr Raab was found to have caused a significant adverse effect on a civil servant after conveying a threat. He was said to have issued unspecified disciplinary action, suggesting there had been a breach of the Civil Service Code. In a separate strand of the investigation, Mr Tolley praised the Ministry of Justice complainants courage for coming forward with allegations that launched the inquiry. Though he did not make any formal findings about Mr Raabs conduct in relation to these claims, Mr Tolley did say Mr Raab acted in an intimidating manner at meetings with policy officials. He made unconstructive critical comments about the quality of work, including criticising the absence of the basics. Mr Raab was found to have criticised the obstructiveness of officials and described some work as utterly useless and woeful. Though he stopped short of describing the conduct as bullying, Mr Tolleys findings were consistent with what he said what would amount to the offence under the Ministerial Code. Behaviour that could be characterised as offensive, intimidating or insulting, or amount to a misuse of power in a way that undermines or humiliates would fall within the description of bullying, the lawyer wrote. Mr Tolley said Mr Raabs conduct as Brexit secretary could not be characterised as offensive or malicious, though he said it was experienced as intimidating, in the sense of excessively demanding. Mr Raab said in his resignation letter to the Prime Minister that he was genuinely sorry for any unintended stress or offence that any officials felt. But he criticised a number of improprieties during the inquiry, including systematic leaking of skewed and fabricated claims as he called for an independent review. Mr Raab said the inquiry has set a dangerous precedent by setting a low threshold for bullying, which he says will encourage spurious complaints. Going further in an article for the Telegraph, Mr Raab said that the Kafkaesque saga I endured was shorn of the safeguards most people enjoy. And he claimed that the nation will pay the price if the threshold for bullying in government has been lowered. He later told BBC News: What youve got is the risk here that a very small minority of very activist civil servants, with a passive-aggressive culture of the civil service, who dont like some of the reforms whether its Brexit, whether its parole reform, whether its human rights reform effectively trying to block government. Thats not on, thats not democratic. Sir Keir Starmer accused Mr Sunak of continual weakness by allowing Mr Raab to resign rather than sacking him, before hitting out at the outgoing ministers whining. Mr Sunak spoke to Mr Raab by phone on Friday morning, but Downing Street declined to say whether or not he told him to resign. But the Prime Ministers official spokesman suggested that Mr Sunak accepts Mr Raab broke the ministerial code with the finding of bullying. Asked whether he would condemn the behaviour, the spokesman said: Clearly any bullying in general terms is unacceptable and there are clear rules that apply to that. The resignation comes months after the Prime Minister sacked Nadhim Zahawi as Conservative Party chairman amid controversy over his tax affairs. Sir Gavin Williamson another key Sunak ally resigned only days into his premiership after it was alleged he sent expletive-laden messages to a former chief whip. FDA union general secretary Dave Penman called for an independent inquiry into ministerial bullying following the investigation. His obviously reluctant tone and dismissal of the complaints says more about his conduct than any findings will. This resignation is not a vindication of the current system, its a damning indictment of the inadequacy of a process that relies solely on the prime minister of the day to enforce standards, he said. The Liberal Democrats demanded a by-election in Dominic Raabs Esher and Walton constituency in Surrey following his resignation. The government is violating recommendations from official advisers by vowing to treat asylum seekers as adults if they refuse controversial biological age assessments. An expert report commissioned by the Home Office warned that there was no method, biological or social worker-led, that can predict age with precision or prove whether someone is under or over 18. It said asylum seekers must give informed consent to any biological tests like X-rays or MRI scans, and face no automatic assumptions or consequences from refusing them, adding: There may be many reasons why an unaccompanied child asylum seeker may choose not to give consent for biological age assessment that is not linked to concealment of chronological age. Close Thousands gather for prayers at Mecca to mark the start of Eid al-Fite Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Many Muslims across the world will mark the end of Ramadan today to celebrate Eid al-Fitr. It comes after Saudi Arabia announced the sighting of the moon last night. Mosques all across the city will be hosting special Eid prayers throughout the day while some have organised larger prayer spaces outside. Eid is one of two major holidays celebrated by Muslims all over the globe. Traditionally, Eid prayers begin at sunset on the night the crescent moon is first sighted but many mosques will offer to do Eid prayers the following morning. Once prayers are finished, Muslims will visit their relatives and friends to wish them a happy Eid and often exchange gifts or sweets. Some events will also be held over the weekend to accommodate some Muslims who may choose to celebrate Eid on Saturday instead of today. This means as many Muslims as possible will be able to spend the weekend visiting friends and family in order to wish them an Eid Mubarak and celebrate together. The International Criminal Court (ICC) building in The Hague in 2019. Johannesburg A Nobel Prize-winning Ukrainian is in Pretoria this week as part of a group urging South Africa's government to re-think its friendly relations with Russia as it wages war on Kyiv. The Ukrainians called on South Africa to honor an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant and arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin if he goes there for a summit in August. Oleksandra Romantsova, who heads Ukraine's Center for Civil Liberties, an NGO that won the Nobel Peace Prize last year, is in South Africa along with an official from the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce, to try and shore up support for Kyiv. Pretoria has taken an officially neutral stance on the conflict and has refrained from criticizing Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The government is close allies with Moscow, going as far as holding bilateral talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov earlier this year and hosting Russian war ships in February for joint military exercises. Romantsova told VOA the group had met with officials from the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, and it had a good and "productive" discussion. She said as a regional leader, however, it was disheartening that South Africa had not taken a stronger stance in speaking up about the illegal invasion by Russia. "For Ukrainians, who know Nelson Mandela and struggle of South African population for dignity, equality and human rights, it's truly quite disappointing," she said. She said as a country that has good relations with Moscow, South Africa should use that platform to warn Russia about its human rights abuses in Ukraine, such as the kidnapping of thousands of Ukrainian children. She suggested South Africa could play more of a mediation role. She noted, though, it was "really painful" to see Putin invited to a summit of the BRICS countries -- Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa -- scheduled for August in Johannesburg. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines South Africa Conflict Africa 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. The International Criminal Court recently accused Putin of war crimes, saying he is responsible for the unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia. South Africa is a signatory to the ICC and is technically obliged to act on the warrant should Putin attend the event -- which he hasn't yet confirmed. If he does come, Romantsova hopes South African authorities will act. "South Africa should follow the ICC rules and arrest Putin if he attends BRICS," she said. South Africa's hesitancy to condemn Russia is often attributed to their relations during the Cold War, when Moscow courted the anti-apartheid activists who now dominate the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party. But a Kyiv university professor traveling with the delegation, Olexiy Haran, told VOA that Ukraine itself, as part of the former Soviet Union, was equally supportive of the ANC. "In times of apartheid, Ukraine provided lots of support to South African liberation struggle... So definitely, we supported you and we hoped that you would support us during our fight for freedom," said Haran. The delegation said they had requested a meeting with the ANC but had not heard back. ANC spokeswoman Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri told VOA the party had never received a request to meet. Asked if they would consider meeting now, she said she'd have to consult with the ANC leadership before she could answer. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A worker has died after being trapped underneath machinery in a central London office building. Paramedics, police and firefighters rushed to a building in the City at around 10.20am on Thursday. The London Fire Brigade said there was a man trapped under machinery on the 9th floor of the building. Crews worked to rescue the man but he sadly died at the scene, they said. Fire engines, including a fire rescue unit, from Dowgate, Islington and Soho fire stations attended the scene alongside partners from the City of London Police and London Ambulance Service. Have you been affected by this story? If so email thomas.kingsley@independent.co.uk A London Ambulance Service spokesperson, added: We sent numerous resources to the scene, including two ambulance crews, an incident response officer, a clinical team manager and members of our hazardous area response team (HART). We also dispatched Londons Air Ambulance. Sadly, despite the best efforts of our crews, a person was pronounced dead at the scene. Chief Inspector Tom Fisher, from the City of London Police, said: Officers were called at 10:07am to an industrial incident in Fleet Place to assist the London Ambulance Service, Londons Air Ambulance and London Fire Brigade. Sadly, one person died at the scene. It is not known how long the man was trapped for. One office worker told the Evening Standard: No-one knew what was going on, our bosses didnt tell us. There were loads of fire engines, police the works. There have been maintenance guys on all the floors of the building today. Its so sad to lose your life at work. No-one gets paid enough for that. Suella Braverman has won the first stage of a legal battle over plans to turn a former military base into a camp housing 1,700 asylum seekers. The home secretary declared the current shortage of asylum accommodation an emergency to bypass normal planning permission, and development has been started at former RAF Wethersfield without local consultation. Braintree District Council applied for an injunction to stop the scheme and force the government to apply for planning permission in the normal way but on Friday, a judge ruled that the High Court did not have jurisdiction to decide the case. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross has written to Humza Yousaf to raise legitimate and urgent questions over the SNPs finances. The letter to the First Minister contains 10 questions regarding the partys financial issues. The ongoing police investigation into the SNPs funding has seen its former chief executive and treasurer arrested. Both Peter Murrell who is Nicola Sturgeons husband and Colin Beattie were later released without charge pending further investigation. The SNP accused Mr Ross of playing politics with the police investigation, saying he is not fit for opposition no matter office. The Tory leader had sought to raise the issue at First Ministers Questions on Thursday, but Holyroods rules mean the session must focus on Government business. Mr Yousaf nevertheless conceded during the session that there are serious issues relating to the party which he said he will not shy away from. He has ordered a review into the governance and transparency of the SNP. A new treasurer to replace Mr Beattie, who stepped down following his arrest, is expected to be appointed shortly. Mr Ross said: Humza Yousaf was clearly in no mood to be scrutinised in Parliament over the financial scandal engulfing his party, when I challenged him to make a statement at First Ministers Questions. While parliamentary rules stop me from asking crucial questions about this murky situation, these questions are not going away for the First Minister and SNP leader. He is also now the SNPs acting treasurer. If he is compromised in any way, he cannot continue to try and say this is not a matter for the Government as well as his party. That is why I have now written to him with a series of questions he must be fully transparent over. These are legitimate and urgent questions the public need and deserve answers on. He cannot continue to dodge them and cover them up in typical SNP secrecy. In his letter, Mr Ross asks about a 100,000 campervan bought by the SNP which was apparently never used. The vehicle was seized by police earlier this month. He also asks about the spending of money raised in the SNPs online independence referendum appeals. Speaking to journalists after FMQs on Thursday, Mr Yousaf said the SNP still owes money to Mr Murrell following his loan to the party in 2021. He said the party is not facing bankruptcy and is on a steady footing financially. An SNP spokesman said: As the First Minister made clear yesterday, party finances are on a steady footing. And its well documented that the party is actively seeking a new auditor. It is ironic that the Scottish Tories who are not even a registered political party, dont declare their income and refused to reveal their membership number are shouting about this. The Scottish Tories should be focused on trying to help families through this Westminster-made cost-of-living crisis, but the fact is they simply dont care about ordinary working people in Scotland. There is a live police investigation and many if not most of Douglas Rosss questions cannot be answered without breaching the law by committing a clear contempt of court. Douglas Ross knows this and so the only conclusion is he is very obviously playing politics with a police investigation. It is remarkable how often he finds ways to demonstrate he is not fit for opposition, no matter office. Mr Murrell was detained earlier this month and questioned by detectives for 11 hours before being released. Police investigating the partys finances arrested Mr Beattie on Tuesday, who was also later released without charge. Mr Beattie resigned as treasurer on Wednesday, saying that doing so would avoid further distraction to the important work being led by Humza Yousaf to improve the SNPs governance and transparency. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has cut short a Pacific tour due to the deteriorating situation in Sudan. The British High Commission in Wellington said Mr Cleverly had made a series of calls from its offices. He left from New Zealand a day before he was due to meet with his counterpart Nanaia Mahuta, having skipped a planned visit to Samoa to fly in directly from the Solomon Islands. Its with real regret that due to the ongoing situation in Sudan Ive had to cut the visit short, Mr Cleverly said in a statement. Ive learned a lot about the region, its opportunities and challenges. Ive spoken to Foreign Minister Mahuta and told her how disappointed I am to have had to leave early and weve agreed well reschedule as soon as we can. Im very much looking forward to coming back soon. Sudans military ruled out negotiations with a rival paramilitary force on Thursday, saying it would only accept its surrender as the two sides continued to battle in central Khartoum and other parts of the country. The High Commission said Mr Cleverly will continue overseeing the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office response to the violence in Sudan by providing support to staff on the ground and consular services for British nationals. Britain has historic ties to Sudan. In an unusual arrangement, Britain and Egypt jointly ruled Sudan from 1899 until it gained independence in 1956, but Sudan is not among the group of 56 Commonwealth nations. Downing Street confirmed that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had spoken to the president of Djibouti, Ismail Omar Guelleh, on Friday to discuss the situation in Sudan. Djibouti is a small country on the Horn of Africa, sharing a border with Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia. A No 10 spokesman said: President Guelleh updated on his discussions with the parties in Sudan and both leaders reiterated calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a return to talks. They agreed that the United Kingdom and Djibouti would continue to co-ordinate efforts to de-escalate the violence and protect civilians, including our citizens. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Alex Chalk has been warned that he faces a crisis in the British justice system, as he prepares to take over from Dominic Raab. The new Justice Secretary will inherit plenty of challenges, including concerns about delays in the court system and the state of the criminal justice system. But he will also take over responsibility for Mr Raabs long-term controversial plan to replace the Human Rights Act. Concerns have long been raised by parliamentarians, lawyers and human rights organisations, among others, over the proposals for a new Bill of Rights seen as project close to the heart of the outgoing justice secretary. The vital and complex work of the Ministry of Justice has been undermined by Dominic Raabs reckless meddling and his inability to interact professionally with his senior officials Pia Sinha, Prison Reform Trust Mr Chalk, a barrister and former Solicitor General, will be the 11th person appointed Justice Secretary since the Conservatives took power in 2010. His arrival at the Ministry of Justice saw the Law Society warn that he inherits an even worse justice crisis than any of his recent predecessors. Lubna Shuja, the Law Society president, said: The justice system is facing worsening backlogs, legal aid on the point of collapse, crumbling courts and a shortage of judges and court staff. The new Justice Secretary must get a grip on the crisis as a matter of urgency. It is Alex Chalks job to bring the justice system back to full strength and I look forward to working closely with him to fight for improved access to justice for all. Kirsty Brimelow, chair of the Criminal Bar Association, said her organisation wanted to work constructively with the new Justice Secretary. The new Secretary of State must grasp the urgency of following through the final part of the deal between the Ministry of Justice and the Criminal Bar Association. There remain insufficient barristers to prosecute and defend in trials before the courts. Medium and long-term reform must start if the criminal justice system is to be pulled out of crisis. The role of Justice Secretary also brings with it responsibility for prisons, with Mr Raab criticised by campaigners for controversial reforms of the parole system. Pia Sinha, chief executive of the Prison Reform Trust, said a new minister was a chance for a reset. The vital and complex work of the Ministry of Justice has been undermined by Dominic Raabs reckless meddling and his inability to interact professionally with his senior officials. A new justice secretary is an opportunity for a reset on Dominic Raabs damaging changes to the parole system. Changes to open conditions transfers have undermined the progression of prisoners and effective arrangements for public protection. A single view procedure forbidding state-appointed officials including forensic psychologists and prison and probation staff from making recommendations for release or transfer to the Parole Board have been ruled unlawful by the High Court. The victims and prisoners Bill currently before Parliament undermines the independence and expertise of the parole board and raises wider constitutional concerns regarding judicial independence and UK compliance with human rights obligations. His successor should urgently review the bill and Raabs other changes to the parole system as a result and adopt a more measured approach. Shadow justice secretary Steve Reed also offered a warm greeting to his new opponent at the dispatch box. Congratulations to Alex Chalk on his appointment as the 11th Conservative Justice Secretary in 13 chaotic years that have destroyed the justice system. Real change can only come with a Labour Government, he tweeted. Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The lawyer who took the government to court over Brexit claims embattled Dominic Raab once called her a silly b****. The deputy prime minister and justice secretary, whose fate hangs in the balance pending the outcome of a report into bullying allegations against him, saw Gina Miller as lesser than himself, she has claimed. Ms Miller, who challenged the governments Brexit plans in the Supreme Court , alleges Mr Raab abused her while the pair shared a lift after appearing on the BBCs Today show in 2016 to talk about the case. She told Talk TVs Piers Morgan Uncensored : I have had a personal experience where he was a bully to me. I was doing the Today program about the case I brought, my first case, and coming down from the show in the lift he basically called me names. He said I cant work out if you are just a silly b****, if you are rich or if you are just naive. I think it is because he saw me as being lesser than himself. Ms Miller added: I was so stunned when the doors opened and I came out the lift, I could not believe somebody had actually just spoken to me like that. Previously, writing in The Independent, Ms Miller said she then saw Mr Raab tell a young BBC staff member to go get me a f***ing car . Ms Miller claimed in her article that the deputy prime minister launched an abusive attack on her . She said she was bullied and demeaned by Mr Raab after he called her stupid and naive during an aggressive encounter at the broadcaster. Ms Miller wrote: He was aggressive and intimidating, and I was bullied and demeaned. This was an aggressive male expressing seemingly misogynistic behaviour. This sort of behaviour is not acceptable from anyone, especially not from a powerful, influential politician. Referring to the alleged incident involving the BBC runner, she claims that he barked at the employee Wheres my car? When the young man replied that they had not been asked to arrange one for him, a furious Mr Raab shouted: Go get me a f***ing car. Her claims were the first on-the-record accusations of abuse against Mr Raab, who is awaiting a decision by the prime minister on whether he should be sacked after an inquiry into his behaviour by Adam Tolley KC . Ms Miller and Mr Raab met again when they both appeared on a BBC Question Time panel in 2018 with Mr Kumar. Ms Miller also wrote in The Independent that Mr Raab arrived and made a beeline to my brother a serious looking, bespectacled, very short haired doctor and said, I am Dominic Raab, look forward to being on the panel with you tonight with that grin he does. I looked up from the papers I was reviewing in preparation. My brother was taken aback and said, do you think Im Nish Kumar? Were not all the same, you know. Mr Raab denies the allegations. Close Keir Starmer says Dominic Raabs resignation shows Rishi Sunak's continual weakness Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Dominic Raab has accused activist and passive aggressive civil servants of trying to block reforms like Brexit in a new interview. Mr Raab resigned from cabinet this morning after a report upheld two claims of bullying against him and found he was unreasonably and persistently aggressive in a meeting while foreign secretary. Speaking to the BBC, Mr Raab charged a small group of very activist senior civil servants with pushing back against proposed government reforms because they dont support them. The former deputy PM complained that the report into his conduct did not make clear that no complaints lodged by junior officials were upheld. He told the BBC that two instances where he was found at fault came from a handful of very senior officials. Mr Raab said there was risk that a very small minority of very activist civil servants not in favour of the reforms were effectively trying to block government. Thats not on. Thats not democratic, he added. Mr Raabs departure sparked a mini-reshuffle, with Alex Chalk, a former junior minister for the Ministry of Defence, replacing him as justice secretary, and Oliver Dowden as deputy prime minister. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Dominic Raab dramatically quit as deputy prime minister on Friday with a defiant attack on a bullying inquiry that found he had been persistently aggressive towards officials. An independent investigation found Mr Raab had made what could have been understood as a threat and that he had acted in a way which was intimidating. Mr Raab kept his promise to stand down if found guilty of bullying but in an extraordinary move, he also took aim at the inquiry process, claiming he had been subjected to a Kafkaesque saga that would damage the government, and that the British people would pay the price. It came as: He claimed the investigation report was flawed and that it set a low threshold for what should be regarded as bullying He accused activist civil servants of trying to block reforms such as Brexit Rishi Sunak faced a backlash from Tory MPs, who branded him weak and disloyal The PM appointed his closest political ally Oliver Dowden as his new deputy Mr Sunak faced calls for a wider inquiry into ministerial bullying No 10 sources said the prime minister had not told Mr Raab to resign, despite being subject to criticism overnight, including from his own ministers, that he was dithering over his deputys fate. Downing Street also insisted that the prime minister had no regrets about his decision not to act before the two men spoke on Friday morning, nearly 24 hours after he had first received the report. But in the end, Mr Raab had already published his excoriating resignation letter, and an opinion article in The Daily Telegraph, before No 10 released the official findings. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer accused Mr Sunak of indecision and weakness. Why didnt he sack him? he asked. Dominic Raab acted in an intimidating fashion, the report says (LNP) The report found Mr Raab had acted in a way which was intimidating, in the sense of unreasonably and persistently aggressive conduct in the context of a work meeting. In one instance, his conduct was seen as undermining or humiliating by the complainant. It is to be inferred that the DPM [deputy prime minister] was aware that this would be the effect of his conduct; at the very least, he should have been aware, the report said, adding later: On a number of occasions of meetings with policy officials ... the DPM acted in a manner which was intimidating. In his resignation letter, Mr Raab, who denied the allegations of bullying, said he felt duty bound to accept the outcome, but he warned that the investigation had set a playbook for a small number of officials to target ministers and that it would encourage spurious claims against ministers from within Whitehall. Ministers must be able to exercise direct oversight with respect to senior officials over critical negotiations conducted on behalf of the British people, otherwise the democratic and constitutional principle of ministerial responsibility will be lost, he wrote. He said the probe had dismissed all but two of the allegations against him, adding that he had also raised a number of improprieties that came to light during the course of this inquiry. The former deputy prime minister has resigned but hit out at the inquiry into his conduct (PA) They include the systematic leaking of skewed and fabricated claims to the media in breach of the rules of the inquiry and the Civil Service Code of Conduct, and the coercive removal by a senior official of dedicated private secretaries from my Ministry of Justice private office, in October of last year. I hope these will be independently reviewed, he wrote. He said he was genuinely sorry for any unintended stress or offence that officials had felt. Mr Sunak accepted Mr Raabs resignation, but spoke of shortcomings in the investigation process that had negatively affected everyone involved, and asked the Cabinet Office to review the processes for complaints against ministers. The findings of Adam Tolley KCs independent inquiry landed on the prime ministers desk on Thursday morning, but it was not published until just before midday on Friday. Mr Sunak faced an almost immediate backlash from his own backbenchers. In a pointed dig, former culture secretary Nadine Dorries said that the least desirable qualities in any politician are disloyalty, weakness, self preservation and a lack of principle. Rishi Sunak had faced calls to sack his deputy over the allegations (PA Wire) Tory MP Philip Davies agreed with Mr Raab, saying the findings would encourage spurious complaints against ministers. Labour leader Keir Starmer accused Dominic Raab of whining (PA) Beaconsfield MP Joy Morrissey said the reports findings mean the definition of bullying now includes telling someone to do their job. Scarborough and Whitby MP Robert Goodwill said he was very sad for Dom, who he said always comes across as a really genuine, decent guy. If youre determined to get things done, maybe youre less than sympathetic to people who maybe dont share that determination, he told Times Radio. But Sir Keir accused Mr Raab of whining. Raab has denied allegations of bullying (PA) I dont know why Dominic Raab, in the middle of a cost of living crisis, thinks that anybody wants to hear his whining about having to resign, he said. What I think everybody wants is strong leadership, and that has been palpably absent here. The deputy PM has been under investigation since November over eight formal complaints about his behaviour when he was foreign secretary, Brexit secretary, and during his first stint as justice secretary. Before his resignation, senior officials at the Ministry of Justice were said to be preparing to quit if Mr Raab was allowed to stay on. It emerged in the heavily delayed register of ministerial interests, which was released on Wednesday, that Mr Raab had forked out for his own legal team to defend himself against the allegations. The decision to pay for his lawyers came despite the taxpayer footing an estimated 222,000 bill for Boris Johnsons legal fees in the Partygate inquiry into whether the former prime minister had lied to MPs. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Watch a live view of Downing Street after Dominic Raab announced his resignation as a member of Rishi Sunak's cabinet on Friday, 21 April, following an inquiry into whether he bullied civil servants. Lawyer Adam Tolley KC compiled a report after investigating the claims against the deputy prime minister. The report was delivered to the prime minister on Thursday, but the findings were not initially revealed. In a letter to Mr Sunak, the justice secretary said he undertook to resign if [the report] made any finding of bullying whatsoever. Mr Raab said the report dismissed all but two of the claims levelled agsinst me and the two adverse findings are flawed and set a dangerous precedent for the conduct of good government. The inquiry was launched last November, investigating eight formal complaints about Mr Raab's behaviour as foreign secretary, Brexit secretary and his first stint as justice secretary. Click here to sign up for our newsletters. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Some in the Conservative Party are calling it an Olive branch. Rishi Sunak has sought to restore order after the resignation of his deputy prime minister in a bullying scandal by calling on one of his closest allies in politics. Oliver Dowden affectionately known as Olive to his Tory friends is the prime ministers new deputy, appointed just hours after Dominic Raab quit the cabinet. Despite early expertise in the attacking form of political communications that once led to comparisons with Alastair Campbell, Mr Dowden is known as one of the nice guys of politics. Regarded as a safe pair of hands, one of his jobs will include acting as a government spokesman when a crisis erupts. It is no coincidence that his mild-mannered style is the antithesis of that of Mr Raab, who today criticised the bullying inquiry that led to his resignation as a Kafkaesque saga, and suggested civil servants had tried to force him out of office. Like Mr Raab, Mr Dowden studied law, and went to Cambridge, but, unlike many of his Tory colleagues, he attended a local state school in Garston, Hertfordshire. He is well-liked among Tory MPs, although there is some jealousy over his closeness to the prime minister. But he was tipped for high office even before he became an MP, when he was working as a highly respected aide to David Cameron. Another aide who worked with him inside Downing Street for four years said he thrived in the role of Camerons fixer on day-to-day issues. He was always calm, he added. His foray into the culture wars did occasionally cause some Tory MPs to shake their heads, such as when he made a name for himself waging war on the National Trust and attacking woke psychodrama including the Wests supposed obsession with pronouns. But many believed it was genuine and not just a way to please the then prime minister, one Boris Johnson. Friends believe the sign of how respected he is across the party can be seen in his longevity even as the party has been led by wildly different characters. Look how he has served for so many PMs, one said. He is seen as one reason why Mr Sunak has restored competence after chaos of the Boris Johnson and Liz Truss eras. Unglamorous behind the scenes, he is an operator at the heart of government. When he worked for Cameron one colleague said: He was brilliant, even though no one had heard of him. Defence minister Alex Chalk was appointed to replace Mr Raab in his other cabinet role as justice secretary. For Mr Chalk it is a significant promotion and means he moves from the Ministry of Defence, where he was in charge of procurement, to take on the much more high-profile role of leading the Ministry of Justice. Both he and Mr Dowden have long been close to Mr Sunak and it was little surprise when both got jobs in the new administration following the short-lived tenure of Liz Truss. Mr Chalk, who was elected in 2015 to represent Cheltenham, is no stranger to legal matters. A trained barrister, he is a former solicitor general for England and Wales and has been a prisons and probations minister. He and Mr Sunak are also both Old Wykehamists, former pupils at Winchester College, and Mr Chalk was among the ministers who joined the large-scale resignation that helped spell the end of Mr Johnsons premiership. He will take on responsibility for prisons, courts and a host of other issues including his predecessors controversial Bill of Rights plan. Many working in the criminal justice system are breathing a sigh of relief at the appointment of Mr Chalk to succeed Mr Raab. He previously served as solicitor general until he resigned during the meltdown of Boris Johnsons government last July. Mr Chalk went on to back Rishi Sunaks leadership campaign. He is not believed to be an enthusiastic supporter of his predecessors Bill of Rights, and his appointment could be the final death knell for the controversial law. In his July resignation letter, Mr Chalk spoke of his work on new domestic abuse laws and the delivery of legal advice, and praised the talented civil servants he worked with in the Ministry of Justice and Attorney Generals Office. Mr Chalk is a barrister and was practicing as recently as last year, with his chambers profile saying he prosecuted and defended in the most serious cases, including terrorist bomb plots, international fraud, multi-handed rape cases and murder. Labours shadow justice secretary Steve Reed congratulated Mr Chalk but pointed out that he is the 11th Conservative to fill the post in 13 chaotic years. Charity the Prison Reform Trust said Mr Chalks appointment is an opportunity for a reset on Mr Raabs damaging changes to the parole system. The vital and complex work of the Ministry of Justice has been undermined by Dominic Raabs reckless meddling and his inability to interact professionally with his senior officials, chief executive Pia Sinha said. The Law Society urged Mr Chalk to urgently get a grip on the crumbling courts system. The reshuffle comes hours after Mr Raab resigned from Rishi Sunaks cabinet following an inquiry into bullying allegations against him. Elsewhere, James Cartlidge took Mr Chalks old job in the Ministry of Defence, while Gareth Davies was appointed exchequer secretary to the Treasury. Mr Raabs resignation also came as science minister Michelle Donelan was set to begin her maternity leave. She will be replaced by backbench MP Chloe Smith, who was the work and pensions secretary under Liz Truss. The reshuffle will also see John Whittingdale return to the government as a minister in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport as well as the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. South Africa: Mashatile mourns the passing of businessman Tiego Moseneke Businessman, renowned lawyer and anti-apartheid student activist Tiego Moseneke has died in a car accident. On the morning of the 20th of April, we woke up to the tragic news that our brother and comrade Tiego Moseneke had passed on. It was the most devastating and depressing news to receive, Deputy President Paul Mashatile said in a statement on Friday. The Deputy President, who described Moseneke as his friend, has since expressed his heartfelt condolences to the Moseneke family, in particular, his wife and children. Please be comforted in this difficult period. We feel and share your painful loss. According to reports, he was the brother of former Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke. Describing him as a brave freedom fighter, Deputy President recognised the multiple roles he played in my life as a brother, comrade, and advisor in so many ways. I have known Tiego for more than 30 years. We served together in the Transvaal UDF and the PWV Executive Committee of the ANC. I have grown to respect his intelligence and his political and business acumen. When I was approached by several comrades to avail myself to serve as Deputy President of the African National Congress, Tiego and a few other friends constituted a team that provided wise counsel to me. The guidance he received, he explained, was immeasurable. I will remain forever grateful for what Tiego and others did. His overall contribution to society as an activist, lawyer, and businessman will leave a lasting legacy that would benefit generations to come. In addition, he said they have lost a measured man with a lucid mind who remained an activist until his last day. Once again, to the Moseneke family, dudugetsang (be comforted). The avoid occasioned by Tiegos departure will be filled by the beautiful memories of the precious time you shared with him as a son, brother, father, and husband. The Deputy President vowed to continue to reminisce about the time they shared with him in prison, in the trenches, underground as well as post-1994. May the Lord console you. Be assured of our support every step of the way. Tiego was the founder and controlling shareholder of Encha Group. He previously founded New Diamond Corporation which partnered with De Beers in diamond mining and exploration; New Platinum Corporation which was also sold to Jubilee Platinum. He also founded the law firm Moseneke & Partners which was ranked seventh in the reputable Ernst & Young Mergers and Acquisitions tables in 1997 and 1998. He co-authored the Moseneke Report on Privatisation. He also served on the Council of the University of Witwatersrand and the Wildlife Society. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2023-04-21. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Cape Town The Bulembu Airport near Bisho in the Eastern Cape, which was decomissioned in the 1990s, has had a U.S.$1 million (R20 million) makeover, paid for by the United Arab Emirates President, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, News24 reports. The makeover includes the extension of the runway to accommodate their planes, as well as additional renovations to the airport building, including the installation of a generator. The upgrades enabled the UAE leader and 500 of his royal entourage, staff and artists to have easy access to a lodge he owns, where they will celebrate the end of Ramadaan, the month-long Muslim fast, on Saturday, April 22, 2023. Bulembu Airport is a former military base that is occupied by the SA military's airborne infantry unit and the SAPS Airwing, News24 writes. South Africans will remember a similar landing by the Gupta family in 2013, at the military's Waterkloof Airforce Base in Tshwane and the unfolding of what became the investigation into state capture by the Gupta brothers - Ajay and Rajesh. The brothers - businessmen and associates of former president Jacob Zuma - were to face charges of money laundering and fraud. They were implicated in the state capture report, which revealed deep levels of corruption in Zuma's government, and in various other state entities, including power utility Eskom. The UAE turned down the arrest warrant for the Guptas on February 13, 2023 but the South African government was only informed on April 6, 2023, allowing the brothers to leave the UAE, reportedly for Switzerland. Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane applied to the Department of Home Affairs to declare Bulembu Airport a port of entry for the UAE visitors to land directly from their country. The visit follows on from Mabuyane's March 2023 visit to the UAE, to look into trade and investment opportunities, as well as potential cooperation in renewable and green energy, oil and gas, manufacturing, agro-processing, and industrialisation. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Police Scotlands investigation into alleged financial irregularities within the Scottish National Party (SNP), known as Operation Branchform, took a further twist this week when party treasurer Colin Beattie was arrested before being released without charge and stepping down from his role. The episode follows the arrest of former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell, husband of former party leader Nicola Sturgeon, on 5 April, just weeks after he had resigned his post. He was likewise released without charge pending further inquiries as police searched several properties and seized a luxury mobile home from the driveway of Mr Murrells 92-year-old mother in Fife. It is now expected by some SNP insiders that Ms Sturgeon herself could be next and she has pledged to fully cooperate with the investigation but the affair represents an ignominious fall from grace for Scotlands first female and longest-serving first minister just two months after she announced her resignation, with Humza Yousaf since elected to succeed her. The party in power in Scotland now appears to be haemorrhaging support as Mr Yousaf tries desperately to steady the ship, taking charge of the SNPs finances himself since Mr Beatties resignation and reassuring his supporters the party does not face bankruptcy. Were definitely not facing bankruptcy, Im pleased to say we are on a steady footing when it comes to the partys finances, he said on Wednesday. I dont think Parliament is the place to do a statement on the partys finances... Ive, of course, instructed the governance and transparency review and when the report comes in on that review, Ill make that public. Here, we look back at the origins of the inquiry. Police Scotland first launched its investigation into potential criminality within the SNPs fundraising in July 2021 after a formal complaint was filed in March that year by party activist Sean Clerkin, who alleged that around 666,953 in donations raised since 2017 for a second independence referendum campaign had been spent on other things, contrary to promises made to supporters. In the months preceding the announcement of the probe, several senior figures including SNP treasurer Douglas Chapman and MSP Joanna Cherry quit the partys National Executive Committee (NEC). Mr Chapman had complained that a lack of transparency about the finances had prevented him from carrying out his fiduciary duties. Asked about the affair by STV in June 2021, Ms Sturgeon said: Im not concerned about the partys finances. The finances of the SNP are independently audited... so theres full scrutiny around that. Money hasnt gone missing... We dont hold separate accounts, were under no legal requirement to do that, our accounts are managed on a cash flow basis. By May 2022, the inquiry had been given the codename Operation Branchform but frustration over the apparent slow pace of its progress began to be expressed, with Mr Clerkin calling on police to step up their efforts. The following December, it emerged that Mr Murrell had given a personal loan of 107,620 to the SNP in June 2021, which was paid to help out the party with a cash flow issue after the last Holyrood election, the SNP said. No interest was being charged by Mr Murrell and 47,620 had been repaid in two instalments in August and October of 2021, Electoral Commission records revealed. Mr Yousaf has since confirmed that the party still owes the remainder of the loan, presumably around 60,000, to its former chief executive. Nicola Sturgeon and Peter Murrell (PA) Mr Clerkin lodged a fresh complaint with Police Scotland in January 2023 after it emerged that the SNPs leadership had still not been questioned 18 months on from the inquirys launch, prompting the force to ask the Crown Office, the Scottish prosecution service, for advice and direction in the case. On 15 February, Ms Sturgeon unexpectedly announced her resignation as first minister and SNP leader after eight years in power. In an emotional address from Bute House in Edinburgh, she spoke candidly about her time in office and the stresses of the job but declined to be drawn on the investigation when asked by one reporter, saying only, as she gathered her notes: Im not going to discuss an ongoing police investigation. I wouldnt do it on any issue and Im not going to do it now. Six weeks later, after the conclusion of the election race to find her successor ended with Mr Yousafs victory over Kate Forbes and Ash Regan, the investigation returned squarely to the spotlight with the arrest of Mr Murrell. Officers also carried out searches at a number of addresses as part of the investigation, including the South Lanarkshire home of Ms Sturgeon and Mr Murrell and SNP headquarters in Edinburgh, culminating in the confiscation of the campervan, which insiders said had been bought by the SNP for use as a campaign battle bus. Following Mr Murrells release, Mr Yousaf came under pressure to suspend his predecessor after Scotlands Sunday Mail reported that detectives had been handed emails showing Ms Sturgeon quashed the idea of appointing a fundraising manager in June 2021, also publishing a video of her telling the NEC there were no problems with the SNPs finances, dismissing concerns. Mr Beatties subsequent arrest, release and resignation this week after the best part of two decades as party treasurer is unlikely to be the last development in the saga. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Suella Braverman has said she briefly considered posing as a caller to a radio station to defend herself against claims of racism. It comes as the home secretary defended her use of unfashionable facts by highlighting the British-Pakistani background of grooming gang members. Last week a radio show had a phone-in asking listeners to debate whether Im a racist, the top cabinet minister wrote in The Spectator saying she wanted to quote Margaret Thatcher. Ms Braverman said: I thought about calling in as Margaret from Fareham, to suggest the home secretary take courage from another Margarets words: I always cheer up immensely if an attack is particularly wounding because I think, well, if they attack one personally, it means they have not a single political argument left. The home secretary has come under fire ever since she wrote a newspaper column earlier this month where she described members of grooming gangs as groups of men, almost all British-Pakistani. A government review published in 2020 found that members of child grooming gangs come from diverse backgrounds and there is not enough evidence to suggest more are Asian or black than other ethnicities. The research, commissioned by the Home Office, said most group child sex offenders are men under the age of 30, and the majority are white. Ms Braverman defended her comments in her latest column: To say the overwhelming majority of perpetrators in towns such as Rotherham, Telford, and Rochdale were British-Pakistani and that their victims were white girls is not to say that most British-Pakistanis are perpetrators of sexual abuse. The former is a truth, one that made authorities reluctant to confront the issue. The latter is a lie, the speaking of which would be a disgraceful prejudice. I know that my motives will be questioned such is a politicians lot. But there are lines that we must not cross. If everything is racist, nothing is, said the home secretary. Suella Braverman under fire over grooming gangs remarks (PA Wire) She added: Casually accusing me of racism for speaking plain truths distorts the meaning of the term, and does a great disservice to all of us working to combat racism. Addressing accusations of racism over her recent comments on grooming gangs, she said it is not racist to speak plain truths but stressed that most British-Pakistani men are not perpetrators of sexual abuse. The home secretary also took aim at Labour for Sir Keir Starmers attacks on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak over law and order policy and his assertion that "99.9% of women" do not have a penis. Ms Braverman said: There is something peculiar about this political moment, where those of us advancing unfashionable facts are beaten over the head with fashionable fictions. I suppose the ethnicity of grooming gang perpetrators in a string of cases is the sort of fact that has simply become unfashionable in some quarters - like the fact that 100% of women do not have a penis. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The UK has sanctioned five people including two Russian spies following the imprisonment of a British-Russian dissident for 25 years in Moscow. Vladimir Kara-Murza was jailed on Monday after being convicted of treason and spreading false information about the Russian army in a process he described as a show trial. The Kremlin critic, a close ally of murdered opposition figure Boris Nemtsov, has already survived two poisonings that left him in a coma in 2015 and 2017. The Foreign Office has now placed sanctions on three individuals involved in his arrest and two members of the FSB, the successor to the KGB, who followed Mr Kara-Murza prior to his poisonings. Those sanctioned for their involvement in Mr Kara-Murzas arrest have been named as Elena Lenskaya, the judge who approved the arrest, and investigators Denis Kolesnikov and Andrei Zadachin. FSB agents Alexander Samofal and Konstantin Kudryavtsev have also been sanctioned, with the Foreign Office saying they were part of an operational team that followed Mr Kara-Murza on multiple trips before he was poisoned. The five people will now be subject to travel bans and asset freezes. Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said: Russias treatment and conviction of Vladimir Kara-Murza once again demonstrates its utter contempt for basic human rights. Today five individuals connected to his case have been sanctioned, sending a clear message that the UK will not stand for this treatment of one of its citizens. The UK will continue to support Mr Kara-Murza and his family. I call on Russia to release him immediately and unconditionally. The judge who presided over Mr Kara-Murzas trial and the head of the detention centre where he is being held have already been sanctioned in connection with another case. It only saddens me that it took a year of unlawful detention, a horrific sentence of 25 years in strict regime and a very concerning deterioration of my husbands health for the British Government to move to a somewhat stronger response Evgenia Kara-Murza Following his imprisonment on Monday, Mr Cleverly praised Mr Kara-Murza, who holds a British passport, for bravely speaking out against Russias invasion of Ukraine and summoned the Russian ambassador to explain his countrys actions. The dissidents wife, Evgenia Kara-Murza, had called for the UK to sanction those involved in his prosecution, saying she was baffled that sanctions had not come sooner. Mrs Kara-Murza said: I fully support this much welcome even though slightly delayed measure by the FCDO. It only saddens me that it took a year of unlawful detention, a horrific sentence of 25 years in strict regime and a very concerning deterioration of my husbands health for the British Government to move to a somewhat stronger response. But they have only imposed sanctions on five out of over 30 people implicated in the illegal persecution and prosecution of a British citizen and a fierce human rights defender. Bill Browder, a friend of Mr Kara-Murza and head of the Global Magnitsky Justice Campaign, also welcomed the sanctions but said the decision falls far short. He said: Vladimir is a British citizen and his health has critically deteriorated in prison. His life is significantly at risk as he begins his 25-year sentence in a Russian penal colony. The government has sanctioned only five individuals involved in his political persecution and there are more than 30 involved in this brazen breach of human rights in Russia. Furthermore, it is completely inexplicable why it has taken this long for James Cleverly to act while the US and Canada imposed sanctions months ago. The Foreign Secretary and the British Government should be doing everything in its power to free Vladimir for jail. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A lion has been captured on camera in Chads Sena Oura National Park almost 20 years after the big cats were last seen there in 2004. Until now, they were believed to be extinct in the area. A team of conservationists from the Government of Chad and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) released the image, describing it as a beautiful lioness, in her prime and clearly in great health. The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) described the sighting as a beautiful lioness, in her prime and clearly in great health (WCS/Government of Chad) The IUCN Red List previously assessed the lion as technically extinct in Sena Oura, which is located close to the border with Cameroon. After the area was intensely targeted by organised poaching in 2012, the governments of both Cameroon and Chad later committed to conservation which has now seen national parks and wildlife populations beginning to recover. This is hugely encouraging because prime females are the foundation of any lion population, and they are not big wanderers: they inhabit areas that have prey and are safe to raise their cubs in, Dr Luke Hunter, WCS Big Cat Programme executive director, told the BBC. Dr Hunter believes that the lioness is not alone, adding that this could be an early sign of recovering lion populations in the adjacent Bouba Ndjida National Park in Cameroon. Together, the two parks span 650,000 hectares. The neighbouring park supports lions which are now increasing and appear to be recolonizing parts of their former range including Sena Oura, WCS remark, whose conservationists support park guards in the region by conducting on-the-ground wildlife surveys including by camera trapping. Overall, lions are classified as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. However, populations in West and Central Africa are especially small, declining by approximately 66 percent since the early 1990s. As a result, they are considered critically endangered in these regions. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A British man trapped in Sudan's capital for almost a week has said the Foreign Office has done nothing to evacuate citizens, despite the ferocious bombing and gunfire. The father-of-two, who asked for his name to be withheld for his safety, is sheltering in central Khartoum with his wife and children as well as 20 other foreign civilians. The group, who are mostly aid workers, have been trapped in the epicentre of the fighting since Saturday when the fiercest clashes erupted between the countrys two top generals. They are among several aid workers, western diplomats, UN officials and Sudanese civilians The Independent has spoken to over the last week who have resorted to begging for help on social media or relying on local volunteers, to try to secure supplies or to find a way out. Despite the escalating violence and dwindling supplies, the Foreign Office had done little to help, the British family said. Smoke rises during clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (Omer Erdem/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) On Friday morning, they were told to register their names in a list of those needing to be evacuated - but, after six days, thats it, he told The Independent. Now they have just one or two weeks of food supplies left and bombs are dropping and you hear shooting every day. I was told to stay in place. Then I heard nothing until day four I called the Embassy again, which said, I can assure you conversations are happening at the highest levels, he said, adding he has been advised to register for updates from the travel advice page for Sudan on the Governments website, which urges people to not travel to the country. What annoys me is every other government is doing things - but ours is clearly not. I do think theyve now been woken up and are alert to it. I just hope now that they've woken up they actually do something, he added. People fleeing street battle between the forces of two rival Sudanese generals, are transported on the back of a truck in the southern part of Khartoum (AFP via Getty Images) Last year the Foreign Office said it had lessons to learn from the chaotic 2022 evacuation from Afghanistan following the withdrawal of international forces. Ministers admitted a catalogue of errors over its handling of Britains exit from Afghanistan, and shut the door on many Afghans who helped the UK prior to the Taliban takeover. The Independent since revealed that desperate Afghans in hiding from the Taliban were told that they could only come to safety in Britain if their documents were approved by the fundamentalists they were trying to flee. An Afghan war veteran who served alongside British armed forces is among those who have fled to the UK on small boats and are now being threatened with deportation to Rwanda. This newspaper is now calling for UK to support Afghan war heroes who served alongside Britain. Over 400 people have already been killed and thousands have been injured since ferocious fighting erupted between Sudans military and rival paramilitary the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for control of the country. At the heart of the conflict are two generals: Sudanese army chief General Abdel-Fattah al-Burhan and RSFs leader General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo who initially joined forces in a coup in 2021 just two years after the ouster of long-term autocrat Omar al-Bashir. The pair became heads of the countrys new ruling Sovereign Council. However, tensions spilled into violence as they clashed over details of a transition agreement to civilian rule that was supposed to be signed last month and would have seen RSF forces merged into the military. Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, commander of the Sudanese Armed Forces, speaks at an undisclosed location (AP) Despite repeated promises of a humanitarian ceasefire, most recently for the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, foreign governments and international aid agencies have been paralysed to do anything because of the escalating violence. On Friday the United States, South Korea, and Japan reportedly deployed troops or military planes to a US base in Djibouti, on the Gulf of Aden, to await the possibility of evacuation of their civilians. The Netherlands has meanwhile dispatched its own to Jordan. But it is unclear if any attempt to evacuate will go ahead. Two days ago the German military was forced to abort a mission to evacuate around 150 citizens due to renewed clashes, according to Spiegel news magazine. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) meanwhile said that they have been receiving calls every day from people and organisations seeking help to get to safety. Destroyed military vehicles are seen in southern in Khartoum, Sudan (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) But they have not even been able to deliver aid and medical supplies to the capital as they have not been granted "the necessary security guarantees we need to operate safely. We also know that hospitals are running dangerously low on medical supplies and ambulances are unable to move around safely to help the wounded, an ICRC spokesperson told The Independent. The ICRC is not carrying out evacuations in Sudan and we have no plans at this time to do so. What people need more than anything right now is a meaningful pause in hostilities. This has left civilians effectively fending for themselves. The British father trapped in a school told The Independent that his biggest concern is that the phone companies have announced the phone lines could soon go down, which would make coordinating an evacuation infinitely harder than it already is. People walk along a street as smoke billows above residential buildings in east Khartoum (AFP/Getty) He expressed frustration at the UKs lack of preparation. Its nonsense that something like this was unexpected. We were all hoping it wouldnt happen - but it was definitely a possibility. It shouldve been planned for, he said. We thought they wouldnt have been so stupid, but they have been. Were stressed and would like people on top of it, and theyre clearly not. The Independent also spoke to several other Westerners including UN officials, who declined to comment directly but described taking to social media to beg for help as no assistance from outside has come. Sudanese volunteers have attempted to answer some of those calls by setting up Telegram groups with possible evacuation points and routes. Activists part of pre-existing neighbourhood initiatives called resistance committees have also begun coordinating evacuations and have risked their lives to get mobile phone credit, food and water for those sheltering in place. Fire breaks out during clashes in Sudans Khartoum (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) But they told The Independent it had become near impossible to evacuate as fighting has intensified, citizens have been being randomly shot or arrested, and the evacuation vehicles have being stolen by gunmen. RSF soldiers have also started occupying homes, forbidding citizens from leaving, one volunteer added. To make such a move we had to beg RSF soldiers to let us leave. On the way you might be stopped by at least 4 checkpoints but often it is much more, he told The Independent. They are randomly shooting citizens, snipers are on all buildings, there is continuing gunfire, assault, and airstrikes. A UK Government spokesperson said: We are coordinating across Government and with our international partners to provide the best ongoing consular assistance to British nationals and support for our diplomatic staff. We will continue to issue updates as the situation develops. The Ministry of Defence is supporting the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office with prudent planning for various contingencies. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Sudan's top general has appeared on TV for the first time since the eruption of a deadly power struggle, promising a transition to civilian rule as the US and others made plans to evacuate diplomats and civilians from the deepening violence. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan spoke in a video message released to mark the Muslim Eid al-Fitr holiday as gunfire continued to rip through the capital Khartoum. We are confident that we will overcome this ordeal... allowing us to be entrusted with the safe transition to civilian rule, he said. It was his first sighting since violent clashes began last weekend between his troops, who seized power in 2019, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) that he has labelled a rebellious militia. More than 413 people have been killed so far in the latest conflict to engulf Africas third largest country, where around a quarter of the population already relies on food aid. Khartoum was rocked by bombing and shelling and witnesses heard gunfire despite reports of a temporary ceasefire linked to Eid celebrations marking the end of Ramadan. Soldiers were deployed on foot into some neighbourhoods, apparently indicating that the army was preparing for more clashes. The US defence secretary Lloyd Austin said the military is preparing as many options as possible ahead of a possible evacuation from the US embassy in Sudan but no decisions have been made. Reuters reported yesterday that the United States was sending a large number of additional troops to its base in Djibouti. Fighting erupted last Saturday between army units loyal to general Burhan and the RSF led by general Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti. People carry on their shoulders Othman Mohamed, a senior general loyal to army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan (AFP via Getty Images) The two generals vying for control are also vying for acceptance by foreign powers, which have expressed support for Sudanese seeking a transition to civilian rule. Both Burhan and Dagalo have sought to portray themselves as supporters of democracy. In 2019, they turned against long-time autocrat Omar al-Bashir and pushed him out of power amid a popular uprising against his rule. Fire breaks out during clashes in Sudans Khartoum (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) The German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock said Berlin was preparing for an evacuation when we have a cease-fire that holds for at least some time. Spain has air force planes ready but its not possible to predict when an evacuation can occur, its foreign minister Jose Manuel Albares said. The situation is simply put terrible, said the Swedish prime minister Ulf Kristersson said. An evacuation task is risky and complicated. Both the military and RSF have a long history of human rights abuses in Sudan. The RSF was born out of the Janjaweed militias, which were accused of widespread atrocities when the government deployed them to put down a rebellion in Sudans western Darfur region in the early 2000s. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} An American Airlines employee worker died on Thursday at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) after being injured when a vehicle crashed into a jet bridge the extended corridor that connects planes and terminal gates according to authorities. Around 2pm on 20 April, Austin Police Department (APD) officers responded to a report of a crash at the airport, according to Corporal Destiny Silva from the APD public information office. The employee, who was only identified as an adult male, was operating a ground service vehicle when it struck a jet bridge at the apron level of the airport. The apron level is where planes are parked, unloaded or loaded, refuelled, boarded or maintained. Upon arrival, authorities noted obvious signs of trauma to the mans body according to Cpl Silva. Unfortunately the male succumbed to his injuries on scene and was pronounced deceased, Ms Silva said in a press conference. In a statement provided to The Independent, American Airlines said, "We are devastated by the accident involving a team member at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS). Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and our local team members. We are focused on ensuring that all involved have the support they need during this difficult time." The accident is currently under investigation by the APD. Earlier this year, a ground worker at the Montgomery Regional Airport Alabama died after being sucked into a jet engine. A preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) found that safety protocols were not properly followed in the death of the employee. Sign up to our free US news bulletin sent straight to your inbox each weekday morning Sign up to our free morning US email news bulletin Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the US Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A Texas man facing charges over the 6 January Capitol insurrection opened fire on police officers last week when they arrived at his house for a welfare check ahead of his scheduled surrender. Nathan Donald Pelham, 40, who is charged with misdemeanors for entering the Capitol building and disorderly conduct, now also faces charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm, according to court documents. The incident took place on 12 April, Politico reported. According to court filings, an FBI special agent had called Pelham on 12 April and asked him to surrender in a few days. That evening, Pelham's father called law enforcement to inform them that his son had a gun and was threatening to kill himself. When the deputies arrived for a welfare check they found the house dark and lit it with lights from their patrol car. Shortly after, Pelham's daughter left the house and was taken into a police car, before officers heard gunshots and took cover. About an hour later, Pelham, who is a convicted felon, walked onto the porch and "fired towards several deputies". A deputy said one "gunshot came in so close proximity to myself that I could hear the distinct whistling sound as the bullet traveled by me and then strike a metal object to my right side." "A deputy instructed Pelham to put his gun down, but he continued to wave it until re-entering his home," prosecutors said. The standoff ended shortly after midnight when authorities left without arresting Pelham. A subsequent search of Pelhams home revealed a "Smith & Wesson 9mm pistol and four boxes of ammunition, as well as several 9mm sized holes in the walls". A day prior to the incident, Pelham had been charged with four counts of misdemeanor for allegedly storming the Capitol. Pelham was later arrested on Tuesday. He faces up to 15 years in federal prison on the felony gun charge and three years on the misdemeanor charges. According to court documents, Pelham had waived a detention hearing and a federal magistrate judge ordered him detained. He allegedly appeared in at least one photo from the riot donning a hat with a logo associated with the Proud Boys. Sign up to our free US news bulletin sent straight to your inbox each weekday morning Sign up to our free morning US email news bulletin Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the US Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} An American boy was killed after he arrived with his family in the Dominican Republic in what police believe to be a botched robbery planned by a family friend. Nine-year-old Gioser Luis Feliz was fatally shot on Wednesday 19 April, just 30 minutes after his flight from New York landed at the Cibao International Airport in the city of Santiago de los Caballeros. The suspects allegedly targeted Sergio Luis Feliz Mancebo, the childs father, and Mr Feliz Mancebos partner. The assailants ambushed the family as they drove a rental car to a nearby province, Univision reported. A friend of Mr Feliz Mancebo, who had picked up the family from the airport, tried to escape from the violence when the suspects opened fire on the vehicle. The gunmen, who were driving a white Hyundai Sonata, then fled the scene, according to Diario Libre. Gioser sustained a gunshot to the head and was transported to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Sources told Diario Libre on Friday that Tomas Pena Morel, a close friend of the childs father, has been arrested for allegedly providing details about Mr Feliz Mancebos trip to the gunmen. Mr Pena Morel, who reportedly visited the morgue with the grieving father as he claimed Giosers body, is now accused of scheming the robbery. His arrest comes a day after President of the Dominican Republic Luis Abinader decried the tragedy and announced the arrest of five other men in connection with the shooting. The other suspects have been identified as Luis Angel Vargas Brito, 18; Derlin Javier Mercado Martinez; Cesar Junior Ulloa Cuevas; Jose Manuel Almonte Santana, 20; and Elian Martinez Sanchez, 22. Ive been constantly briefed about developments in the case, Mr Abinader tweeted on Thursday. Speaking with local media, the childs father said he believes the assailants intended to rob him. The family planned to spend Giosers spring break in Santiago before returning to New York on Monday. Giosers body is expected to be repatriated to the US, Diario Libre reports. More details are expected to be released by authorities as the investigation unfolds. The US State Department advises Americans to exercise increased caution when travelling to the Dominican Republic due to crime. Sign up to our free US news bulletin sent straight to your inbox each weekday morning Sign up to our free morning US email news bulletin Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the US Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Ever since authorities began searching for Lori Vallows children in late 2019, the case of the doomsday cult mom has captivated and horrified the nation. Four people close to Ms Vallow and her husband Chad Daybell have been murdered. Others are also now mysteriously dead. And beliefs about zombies, dark spirits and the apocalypse have come to light. The bizarre and tragic case is now playing out in a courtroom in Boise, Idaho, where Ms Vallow is charged with the murders of her children Joshua JJ Vallow, seven; Tylee Ryan, 16; and conspiracy to murder Mr Daybells first wife Tammy Daybell. JJ and Tylee vanished without a trace back in September 2019, with their mother refusing to reveal their whereabouts to authorities for many months. One month after they were last seen alive, Tammy an otherwise healthy 49-year-old died suddenly. Her cause of death has since been ruled asphyxiation. Ms Vallow and Mr Daybell soon jetted off to Hawaii to get married on the beach. In June 2020, the remains of JJ and Tylee were found buried on the grounds of Mr Daybells property in Rexburg, Idaho, and the doomsday cult couple were eventually charged with murder. Prosecutors allege that Ms Vallow and Mr Daybell conspired with Ms Vallows brother Alex Cox to murder Tammy, JJ and Tylee as part of their bizarre cult beliefs but also for financial purposes so that they could collect Tammys life insurance money and the childrens social security and survivor benefits. New harrowing and bizarre details about the cult beliefs which allegedly drove or excused the 49-year-old to kill continue to come to light during her murder trial in Ada County Courthouse. But, beyond the trial testimony, theres also been some bizarre happenings taking place inside the courtroom. Lori Vallow falls asleep During a harrowing day of testimony on 11 April, the woman on trial for murder raised eyebrows when she appeared to fall asleep in the middle of proceedings. That day, the court heard harrowing testimony about the state of JJ and Tylees remains when they were found buried on Mr Daybells property. While jurors gasped and the victims families sobbed, Ms Vallow asked to waive her right to be present in the courtroom, citing her mental state. The judge denied the request and Ms Vallow had to attend the remainder of the day where jurors were shown graphic images of the childrens remains. She appeared to try to avoid looking at the photos, casting her head down most of the time, reporters in the courtroom said. Then at one point she appeared to fall asleep. Gigi McKelvey, a Law & Crime journalist, told NewsNation that Ms Vallow seemed to be asleep for a solid 30 minutes. She speculated that Ms Vallow may have been medicated after her apparent distress over the harrowing testimony. Lori Vallows three words to her surviving son Mother-of-three Ms Vallow was spotted mouthing three words to her only surviving son as he took the witness stand to testify against her at her murder trial. Colby Ryan, 27, testified about his sister Tylee and brother JJ and how his mother had lied to him about their whereabouts. Jurors heard a phone call where Mr Ryan confronted his mother about killing his siblings and posing as Tylee on her cellphone. When he took the stand, Ms Vallow was seen mouthing oh my baby to her son. Confiscated phones and noise complaints On multiple occasions, the court bailiff has aired issues with noises from reporters typing too loudly to spectators rustling candy wrappers. On 13 April, at least three people had their phones confiscated, including one for an alarm sounding, reported The New York Posts Stephanie Pagones. She revealed that members of the media had also been told off for typing too loudly in the courtroom. On 20 April, East Idaho News reporter Nate Eaton tweeted that the bailiff reminded everyone about courtroom conduct including saving any whispering for breaks and to minimize candy wrapper crinkling. If you have a Lifesaver fetish, please open your candy now, the bailiff said. Monrovia A group of armed-carrying hooligans is reportedly terrorizing residents of Dennis Town, Louisiana Montserrado County. Allegedly hired by one Blama Wright, a former combatant of the Independent National Patriotic Front of Liberia (INPFL), the group over the weekend demolished structures in Dennis Town, amid the discharge of firearms. Mr. Wright is claiming a parcel of land in the area, which Dennis's family is claiming ownership of. Wright didn't take our calls. Residents of the area are living in fear over the constant attacks from the thugs. They claimed Wright and his group are causing havoc in Dennis Town, causing several residents to flee the area for fear for their lives. Last weekend's demolition of structures in the community by Wright is not the first incident. Last year, Wright hired a group of criminals headed by one Fallah from Kpanjah. They burnt down several structures and broke down structures in Dennis Town. The case was taken up by the Center for Legal Aid Support, the legal representation of the Dennis family. The group believes Wright allegedly bribed a group of police officers who compromised the case. On January 16, 2022, the Center for Legal Aid Support wrote Police Inspector General, Patrick Sudue complaining about the officers. Mr. Omecee Johnson, the group's Executive Director said it is disappointing that some police officers will engage in corruptive behavior to circumvent the law against innocent citizens. According to him, the unethical attitudes of the police not only undermine access to justice but also promotes a culture of impunity. Mr. Johnson told journalists that Mr. Wright is constantly moving along with a group of armed men, burning down people's structures and brutalizing people, and illegally selling land without title deeds. "But efforts by the residents calling for an immediate response from the government have failed, and they continue to live in fear and uncertainty of being attacked," Center for Legal Aid Support, Executive Director Johnson said. Residents are calling on the Government to intervene and prevent the continued attacks on them by Wright and his men. Close Lori Vallow trial: Triple murder suspects sister takes the stand Sign up to our free US news bulletin sent straight to your inbox each weekday morning Sign up to our free morning US email news bulletin Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the US Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} 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. There is huge interest in the cases string of mysterious deaths and murders, and the related bizarre cult beliefs of those involved. Ms Vallow allegedly also conspired to murder her fourth husband Charles Vallow and is charged separately in a case in Arizona. Today, jurors heard details of JJs autopsy and a cause of death was finally revealed he had been suffocated with a plastic bag and duct tape. Earlier, a recording of a devastating call between Ms Vallow and her sister was found to appear to include an admission she knew of the timing of her childrens deaths. Close Four bodies found inside home connected to shooting on I-295, Yarmouth Police says Sign up to our free US news bulletin sent straight to your inbox each weekday morning Sign up to our free morning US email news bulletin Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the US Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Court records in the Maine shooting spree revealed the grisly crime scene discovered by police called to the scene after suspect Joseph Eaton allegedly shot and killed four people, including his parents and their two friends. The suspect appeared in court in West Bath on Thursday, his first appearance since the killings. The victims, who all died of gunshot wounds, include his parents Cynthia Eaton, 62 and David Eaton, 66, and their friends Robert Eger, 72 and Patricia Eger, 62. Court documents state that Pattis sister visited the home at about 9am, finding drops of blood near the door, WABI reported. Inside, she discovered a number of guns and bullet holes. She exited the home and called 911. Police have said they found one victim in a barn and three others in the home. Court documents reveal that a dog was also shot at the scene. Detectives searching the area also discovered a note stating that someone had been molested and that there was nothing done about it The note also stated that someone had been freed of pain and that the author of the note wanted a new life. The four victims are believed to have been killed one day before they were discovered on Tuesday morning. Not long after the discovery, police responded to a shooting along a highway where Sean Halsey, 51, and his two children, Justin, 29, and Paige, 25, had all been shot. They were transported to Maine Medical Center. The father and son suffered injuries not considered life-threatening while Ms Halsey was in critical condition. Mr Halsey said on Wednesday afternoon that his daughters breathing tube had been removed and that she was on the road to recovery. The car the suspect had been driving was rented by his parents at Portland Jetport when they arrived in the state on 13 April to collect their son upon his release from prison. Mr Eaton didnt enter a plea in court on Thursday. His next court date has been scheduled for 28 June. Close Ralph Yarl: Prosecutors charge Kansas City homeowner for shooting teen Sign up to our free US news bulletin sent straight to your inbox each weekday morning Sign up to our free morning US email news bulletin Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the US Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The family of suspected shooter Andrew Lester have said they are disgusted by the 84-year-olds shooting of Black teenager Ralph Yarl. Mr Lesters grandson Klint Ludwig told CNN that myself and my family stand with Ralph Yarl and seeking justice. This is a horrible tragedy, it never should have happened, he said. Mr Ludwig also revealed details about his grandfathers racist comments and interest in QAnon-level conspiracy theories prior to the 13 April shooting. The 84-year-old is accused of shooting Ralph, 16, twice through the glass screen door of his home in Kansas City, Missouri, when the Black teenager accidentally called at the wrong home to pick up his brothers. Ralphs recovery is still ongoing, with attorney Lee Merritt sharing a photo of him back at home following his release from hospital. Meanwhile, Mr Lester appeared in court for the first time on Wednesday where he pleaded not guilty to two felonies. The shooting has led to protests and an outpouring of support for Ralph from celebrities and donors to a GoFundMe campaign, as the incident casts a renewed spotlight on Americas stand your ground laws and whether they help to fuel random shootings and racism. Sign up to our free US news bulletin sent straight to your inbox each weekday morning Sign up to our free morning US email news bulletin Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the US Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Last week, Ralph Yarl found himself lying in a hospital bed with gunshot wounds to his left forehead and right arm. Harrowing photos showed the Black teenager with tubes coming out of him and his head and arm wrapped up in bandages. He is alive but his family says he has a long road to recovery ahead a recovery that threatens to derail his dreams of going off to college to pursue a career in engineering. So how did he end up here? He went to pick up his younger brothers from a friends house, accidentally rang the doorbell at the wrong address and was shot twice by the 84-year-old white homeowner, Andrew Lester. Its a horror case that has led protesters to take to the streets, civil rights attorneys to rally behind the 16-year-olds family, and Hollywood celebrities use their platform to amplify the case all demanding justice for the Black teenager and for the white homeowner to face charges. Heres what we know so far about the case: The shooting The 16-year-old high school junior had gone to collect his siblings from a friends house on 115th Terrace in Kansas City, Missouri, on the evening of 13 April, according to Kansas City Police. Police said that the teenager got muddled up with the address and went to a home on 115th Street by mistake. Ralph allegedly rang the doorbell and the homeowner opened fire on him through a glass screen door using a .32 caliber revolver. The aspiring Texas A&M University student was shot twice once in the head and once in the arm. Prosecutors said that there is no indication Ralph and the homeowner exchanged any words with each other before the shooting unfolded and there is no footage of the encounter. According to a probable cause statement, Mr Lester told police he was in bed when he heard the doorbell ring and so he grabbed a handgun. The 16-year-old high school junior had gone to collect his siblings from a friends house on 13 April when he got the wrong home and was shot (Ben Crump Law via AP) When he saw Ralph, he claimed he was scared to death at the boys size and feared he was unable to defend himself given his elderly age. He claimed he thought the boy was trying to break in and so shot twice through his exterior glass door, the documents state. However, Ralph told police from his bed at Childrens Mercy Hospital that he only pressed the doorbell and did not try to enter the home. He said he was waiting at the door when the man opened it and immediately shot him. He fell to the ground and was shot a second time, he said. After being shot, he said he heard the shooter warn him: Dont come around here. Prosecutors also said that the investigation also found no evidence to suggest Ralph was trying to enter the property. Following the shooting, Ralph managed to stumble away to some other homes in the neighbourhood to get help. Unfortunately, he had to run to 3 different homes before someone finally agreed to help him after he was told to lie on the ground with his hands up, the family said in a GoFundme campaign. Kansas City Police were called to reports of a shooting and arrived to find the teenager outside with gunshot wounds. According to a probable cause statement, Mr Lester told police he was in bed when he heard the doorbell ring and so he grabbed a handgun. When he saw Ralph, he claimed he was scared to death at the boys size and feared he was unable to defend himself given his elderly age. He claimed he thought the boy was trying to break in and so shot twice through his exterior glass door, the documents state. However, Ralph told police from his bed at Childrens Mercy Hospital that he did not pull the door but only pressed the doorbell. Police officer walks past the house where the shooting took place (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) He said he was waiting at the door when the man opened it and immediately shot him. He fell to the ground and was shot a second time, he said. After being shot, he said he heard the shooter warn him: Dont come around here. Investigators also said that Ralph did not enter the home. The homeowner White homeowner Andrew Lester, an 84-year-old retired aircraft mechanic, is now facing the rest of his life in prison for shooting the Black teenager. His family broke its silence for the first time to condemn the shooting. Mr Lesters grandson Daniel Ludwig told The Daily Beast that the violent encounter never should have happened. Its just crazy. I wish it didnt happen, he said. Mr Ludwig, who said he is very close to Mr Lester, revealed he understands how easy it was for Ralph to get lost on the streets. Id go to visit my grandpa, and I would get lost on those streets, he said. Its easy to do. They all look the same and everything. Other people who knew the 84-year-old have described a penchant for anger and conspiracy theories. Another grandson Klint Ludwig said that he was estranged from his grandfather because of the 84-year-olds right-wing views. He claimed that, during the Covid-19 pandemic, Mr Lester had shared a crazy conspiracy theory about Dr Anthony Fauci. He said his grandfather also used to make disparaging comments about Black people, gay people, and immigrants and kept a large number of guns in his home. Another relative, who did not want to be named, said Mr Lester spent considerable time at home in a living room chair, watching conservative news programs at high volume. Andrew Lester appears in court to answer charges of first-degree assault and armed criminal action on Wednesday (AP) Mr Lesters ex-wife Mary Clayton has also spokem out to reveal why she isnt surprised by the shooting. Ms Clayton, who was married to Mr Lester when she was young and had three children with him, told The New York Times she was always scared of her former husband. During their 14-year marriage, she said he had anger issues and would smash up items around their home. She called the police at least once over his rages but she said that nothing was done about it and she was told Mr Lester could do what he wanted in his home. I was always scared of him, she said, adding of the shooting: It doesnt surprise me, what happened. Following the shooting, Mr Lester was initially taken into custody on Thursday and placed on a 24-hour hold. However, under Missouri state law, a person can only be held for 24 hours on suspicion of a felony before officials must either charge or release them. Attorneys for Ralph and jail officials said that the suspect was actually released after less than two hours. Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves said at a press conference on Sunday that due to Ralphs injuries police had been unable to get a formal statement from him. This was also contradicted by Ralphs attorneys who said that the teenager gave an interview from his hospital bed on Friday. On Monday morning, before charges were announced, Ben Crump and Lee Merritt the prominent civil rights attorneys now representing the victim and his family condemned the release of the armed and dangerous suspect. There is no excuse for the release of this armed and dangerous suspect after admitting to shooting an unarmed, non-threatening, and defenseless teenager that rang his doorbell, the attorneys said. We demand swift action from Clay County prosecutors and law enforcement to identify, arrest, and prosecute to the full extent of the law the man responsible for this horrendous and unjustifiable shooting. Police booking photo of Andrew Lester, charged with shooting Ralph Yarl (Kansas City Police) The motive Initially, officials denied any racial element to the shooting and offered no motive for the gunman opening fire on the teen. Speaking on Sunday, the police chief said that there was no evidence to indicate that the shooting was racially motivated. But, on Monday, when charges were announced, the prosecutor said he believed there was a racial component to the case. He did not give details as to what led officials to that conclusion and nothing to that end was outlined in the probable cause document. Mr Merritt, who is representing Ralph and his family, said that they were meeting with the prosecutor on Tuesday where they hoped to learn what racial element investigators had found. He told CBS Mornings that the suspects claim that he felt threatened by a Black boy ringing his doorbell sounds awfully familiar. Being Black has been seen as a threat often in this country. It is unjustifiable for him to use deadly force against this so-called threat. Again, Blackness is not a threat, he said. Lee Merritt, lawyer for the family of Ralph Yarl, arrives for the initial court appearance of Andrew Lester (Getty Images) He added that the investigation itself shows bias in the treatment of the Black teen and the white shooter. We saw law enforcement respond by essentially criminalising the boy, he said of Mr Lesters lack of arrest. [Mr Lester] went home and slept in his bed that night, he said. Mr Crump told CNN that he believes things would have been different if the races of the suspect and victim were reversed. Nobody can tell us if the roles were reversed, and you had a Black man shoot a white, 16-year-old teenager for merely ringing his doorbell that he would not be arrested, he said. I mean, this citizen went home and slept in his bed at night after shooting that young Black kid in the head. The charges On Monday afternoon, Clay County prosecutor Zachary Thompson finally announced that Mr Lester had been charged with two felonies: assault in the first degree, which carries a punishment of 10 to 30 years or life imprisonment, and armed criminal action, which carries a punishment of 3 to 15 years. However, more than 20 hours passed before Mr Lester was taken into custody. He surrendered to authorities on Tuesday before being released again less than two hours later after posting $200,000 bond. Under the conditions of his release, he is not allowed to possess weapons of any type or have any contact with Ralph or his family. Mr Lester appeared in court for the first time on Wednesday for his arraignment. He pleaded not guilty to the two felonies and was released on bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for 1 June. The 84-year-old is facing life in prison on the charges but is also said to be under investigation for a possible hate crime. Andrew Lester in mugshot after he surrendered to authorities on 18 April (Clay County Jail) Mr Merritt told reporters outside Clay County Court on Wednesday that the Justice Department is looking into the case. Before I even made it to Kansas City, we reached out to the Department of Justice, myself and my co-counsel Ben Crump, we have some longstanding relationships there, Mr Merritt said. We thought that this was something the DOJ should be looking into. They are (looking into it). Its under investigation, theyve received our complaint and now theyre looking into it. On Monday, when asked if Mr Lester could be charged with a hate crime by the state, the prosecutor said that it would not be possible under Missouri law. In Missouri, a hate crime is a lower level of felony and to add the charge would amount to double jeopardy, he said. Ralphs attorneys have also questioned why the suspect has not been charged with attempted murder. While Mr Merritt said the family is happy that two felony charges have been brought, he has questions as to why Mr Lester has not been charged with attempted murder. He told CBS Mornings on Tuesday that, while Mr Lesters age may be a factor in the case, the current and former president of the United States is about that age. He made a conscious decision to shoot a 16-year-old boy, he said. Ralph Yarl was shot because he was armed with nothing but other than his Black skin, he said. Ralph released from hospital Ralph was rushed to hospital after the shooting where he was listed in critical condition. Two days later, Ralph was released from hospital to continue his recovery at home. The 16-year-olds mother Cleo Nagbe spoke out to CBS Mornings Gayle King on Tuesday about the horror injuries that her son suffered in the shooting, revealing that he had a bullet lodged in his head for a staggering 12 hours. Ralph was shot on the top of his left eye his frontal lobe and the top of his right arm, she said. He had the bullet up here [in his head] for about 12 hours before it was taken out, so that injury is extensive. Ralph Yarl lies in hospital bed (Shaun King) Ms Nagbe said that the extensive injuries mean that he has a long road ahead to recovery. The residual effect of that injury is going to stay with him for quite a while, she said. Ms Nagbe said that his return home needs to be put [...] into perspective as it was possible due to many family members being medical professionals. Hes home but I want to remind everybody that Ralph is home because he is surrounded by a team of medical professionals, she said. Now, her son is now left replaying Thursdays attack over and over again, she said, You can see that he is just replaying the situation over and over again. And that just doesnt stop my tears either, because when you see your kid just sits there and constantly he just tears are just rolling from both sides of his eyes, theres nothing you can say to him, she said. She said that her son is able to communicate when he feels like it but he mostly just sits there and stares and the buckets of tears just rolls down his eyes. On Wednesday, Mr Merritt shared the first photo of the Black teenager recovering at home. Ralph Yarl is home and recovering! How the bullet in his head did not cause more extensive damage is truly a miracle. To God be the glory! wrote Mr Merritt. Ringing a doorbell is not a crime The shooting which marks the latest in a constantly-growing number of shootings of Black people in America sparked protests in the city demanding justice for Ralph and questioning the treatment of the shooter. Hundreds of residents first took to the streets of Kansas City on Sunday to march through the Northlands area where the teenager was shot. Many carried placards reading Black Lives Matter, Ringing a doorbell is not a crime and Justice for Ralph, reported KSHB. A pregnant family friend of Ralph Yarls parents told The Kansas City Star that she fears for her unborn child. How do you protect a Black kid? said Patience Gaye. What are we supposed to do now? We left our countries because we dont want to be killed. Thats why we left. They came to America for a better life. How is this a better life? On Tuesday, over a thousand students at Ralphs school Staley High School staged a walkout or unity walk in solidarity with their classmate. They were joined by school staff, civil rights leaders and politicians in a huge rally in downtown Kansas City where they chanted Justice for Ralph and We love you Ralph. I was out here to support my friend Ralph through this time he is going through today, one of the boys friends told KSHB. The student said he wasnt surprised by the number of people who had come out to support Ralph because everyone is willing to support a friend at our school. GoFundMe donations A GoFundMe launched to support the Black teenager has soared past $3.35m in donations. Donations have been flooding in on a GoFundMe campaign, set up to help pay for the boys recovery. As of around 9am ET Thursday just three days after its launch a staggering $3.35m had been raised. Among the donors was comedian Ellyn Daniels who gave $15,000, Madonnas manager Guy Oseary who gave $5,000 and TV star Julianne Hough, who donated $1,000. On the fundraising page, Ralphs aunt described the teenager as a fantastic kid who had dreams of doing to Texas A&M University to major in chemical Engineering. At school, he is a member of the Technology Student Association and Science Olympia Team. Jazz and competition band. He is a section leader in the marching band; a scholar and one of the top base clarinet players in Missouri. He recently earned Missouri All-State Band recognition with an honorable mention. He plays multiple instruments in the metropolitan youth orchestra. He is a 2022 Missouri scholar academy alumni. Ralph can often be found with a musical instrument. He loves them all, the page reads. Last summer, Ralph attended Missouri Scholars Academy, where he got a full college life experience. His goal is to attend Texas A&M to major in chemical Engineering. Ralph Yarl GoFundMe tops $3m (GoFundMe) When asked how he plans to get into this university, he said, Well, if they have a scholarship for music or academics, I know I can get it. Ralphs teacher and friends describe him as a kind soul, quiet, friendly, well-mannered, always willing to help, super smart, and a musical genius. Ralph was looking forward to graduating high school and finally getting the opportunity to visit West Africa before starting college. Life looks a lot different right now. Even though he is doing well physically, he has a long road ahead mentally and emotionally. The trauma that he has to endure and survive is unimaginable. He is our miracle. We have heard these types of stories many times, and unfortunately, most black boys are not alive to get another chance. Ralph deserves to have the future that he has dreams about. He deserves to be the light that shows the world that LOVE wins and that humanity is still Good. However, he will need a lot of help to get there. Funds from this account will be used for his medical bills and therapy. Any additional funds will be use for college expenses at Texas A&M, a trip to West Africa, and other expenses. In an update on Tuesday, the family thanked people for their support and donations for the teenager and confirmed that he is now recovering from his injuries at home. Ralph is currently at home with the family. He can ambulate and communicate. A true miracle considering what he survived.Each day is different. He has a long road ahead, the GoFundMe read. However, we are very thankful that he is still here with us. Ive been taking the time to read the emails and comments to Ralph. It warms our hearts to see him smile at all the kind words. Thank you so much for loving Ralph. On Monday it was announced that Ralph had been discharged from hospital. Celebrities share outrage Several celebrities have also spoken out to condemn the shooting, with actor Halle Berry writing before charges were announced urging her Twitter followers to contact the local prosecutor to bring charges against the homeowner. His name is #RalphYarl and Im sick and tired of this feelingmy heart completely broke when I learned this precious 16-year-old, who accidentally rang the door of the wrong address in an attempt to pick up his siblings, was shot in the head by a man who didnt want him on his property. This innocent child is now fighting for his life, she wrote. This could be your child. This should NOT happen. Please do something today! Join me and please contact Prosecutor Zachary Thompson and demand an immediate arrest and bring the appropriate charges: Building: James S. Rooney Justice Center Address: 11 South Water Street, Liberty, Missouri 64068 Phone: 816-736-8300 Fax: 816-736- 8301 Email: prosecutor@claycopa.com Fellow Black actor Viola Davis also took to Instagram to demand action. ALL HANDS ON DECK!! she wrote, directing people to the posts of civil rights attorneys Ben Crump and Lee Merritt. Actor Gwyneth Paltrow wrote on Instagram: #RalphYarl accidentally rang the doorbell of the wrong house in KCMO. He was trying to pick his younger siblings. The white owner of the hours shot this Black child in the head. He shot him again as Ralph bled out. The shooter is free. No charges. This is America. Kim Kardashian also used her platform to condemn the shooting, sharing an infographic of what happened to the teenage boy. Supermodel Naomi Campbell, actor Amy Schumer, model and TV personality Chrissy Teigen and actor Justin Timberlake also shared social media posts about the case as they all rallied behind the family of the 16-year-old boy now fighting his injuries. Joe Biden welcomes victim to White House President Joe Biden has also spoken with the teenager and his family and invited them to the White House. The president called the 16-year-old on Monday afternoon after Ralph had returned home from hospital. On Tuesday, he shared a photo of himself on the phone to the teenager, writing: Last night, I had a chance to call Ralph Yarl and his family. No parent should have to worry that their kid will be shot after ringing the wrong doorbell. Weve got to keep up the fight against gun violence. And Ralph, well see you in the Oval once you feel better. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre also condemned the shooting in a press conference on Tuesday, calling it devastating and the latest in an epidemic of gun violence in America. It feels like every week, at least once a week, I come to the podium and I talk about this gun violence epidemic that were seeing across the country, and how our communities and families across America, yet again, have been devastated by tragic acts of gun violence, she said. And it is not just devastating for me, Im sure its devastating for all of you and your families. Its devastating for this president, its devastating for our administration ... to have to continue to do that over and over again. Neighbours speak out Neighbours have now spoken out about the shooting including one man James Lynch, 42 who said he ran to the boys aid. Mr Lynch, who lives on Northeast 115 Street, told NBC News that he heard loud screams and someone shouting help, help, Ive been shot!at around 10pm on Thursday night and went to see what the commotion was. At first, he said he thought Ralph was dead and noticed what looked like a hole in his head near his eye socket. I thought he was dead, he said. No one deserves to lay there like that. He hasnt even begun to live his life yet. He didnt deserve to get shot. He said he told the teen Im going to grab your hand really tight and then launched into his Eagle Scout training, keeping Ralph awake until EMTs arrived. I didnt do anything but hold a kids hand so he wouldnt feel alone, Mr Lynch said. He had just gotten shot twice; he had a hole in the side of his head. He added: That kid is tougher than I am. Sign up to our free US news bulletin sent straight to your inbox each weekday morning Sign up to our free morning US email news bulletin Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the US Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The US Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday that a man sentenced to death in Texas in 1998 can use DNA evidence to try to secure his exoneration. Rodney Reed, a 55-year-old Black man, was convicted for the killing of Stacey Stites, a 19-year-old white woman. Reed has consistently proclaimed his innocence in the years since, and his appeals have drawn national attention and bipartisan support from Texas legislators. Over the years, however, state courts have rejected Reeds claims of innonence. At the Supreme Court, the state argued that Reed had waited too long to challenge the states DNA procedures in federal court. But the Court, in a 6-3 decision, disagreed clearing the way for Reed to try to use new DNA evidence to make his case for freedom in a federal court. Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote the majority opinion, joined by Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Ketanji Brown Jackson, Sonia Sotomayor, Amy Coney Barrett, and Elena Kagan. Justices Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, and Clarence Thomas dissented. DNA evidence was the backbone of the case against Reed. He was charged with Ms Stites murder after sperm found in her vagina and saliva found on her chest were matched with Reeds DNA. There was no other physical evidence linking Reed to the crime, but a jury with no Black members convicted him of murder anyway. Recommended Supreme Court hears plea from death row inmate Rodney Reed Reed maintained throughout the trial that he was having a consensual sexual relationship with Ms Stites. No one would corroborate that story at the time, but in the years since, Ms Stites cousin and a co-worker have said they were aware of the relationship. Whats more, a belt found next to Ms Stites body that was used as the murder weapon has never been tested for DNA evidence. Reeds legal team maintains that it should be, and that the test can exonerate their client. The possibility of testing the belt for DNA is at the centre of the case that made its way to the Supreme Court. Reeds team claimed that the states statute of limitations on the performance of DNA tests on evidence is unconstitutional and that he should have been able to begin the federal appeals process after his state appeals process was exhausted rather than when his initial request for DNA testing on the belt was denied. Reeds date of execution was stayed by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals in 2020 shortly after a bipartisan group of legislators appealed to Gov Greg Abbott. A number of celebrities, including Kim Kardashian, Beyonce, and Meek Mill, have also campaigned for Reeds life, as has the Innocence Project. Reeds legal team has long claimed that Ms Stites fiance Jimmy Fennell, a former police officer who at one point served a jail sentence for sexually assaulting a woman in his custody, is a prime suspect in the killing. Mr Fennell has denied any involvement. The Independent and the nonprofit Responsible Business Initiative for Justice (RBIJ) have launched a joint campaign calling for an end to the death penalty in the US. The RBIJ has attracted more than 150 well-known signatories to their Business Leaders Declaration Against the Death Penalty - with The Independent as the latest on the list. We join high-profile executives like Ariana Huffington, Facebooks Sheryl Sandberg, and Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson as part of this initiative and are making a pledge to highlight the injustices of the death penalty in our coverage. Sign up to our free US news bulletin sent straight to your inbox each weekday morning Sign up to our free morning US email news bulletin Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the US Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The official autopsy of a Georgia environmental protester who was killed by police found no evidence the individual fired on officers, as police claim. On Wednesday, the DeKalb County Medical Examiner released its report on the death of Manuel Tortuguita Esteban Paez Teran, an activist who was shot by a SWAT team in January as police cleared out an encampment of demonstrators opposing a controversial $90m police training centre in the Atlanta area dubbed Cop City by critics. The autopsy found no gunpowder residue on Terans hands, an indicator used to show someone recently fired a gun. The probe did find that Teran was shot 57 times by police, with wounds to the body, hands, torso, legs, and head. Activist Manuel Tortuguita Paez Teran, who was killed by Atlanta-area police in January (Courtesy of family / Stop Cop City) The DeKalb County Medical Examiner declined to draw the same conclusion as a private autopsy, which found the activist died with his hands raised, writing "there are too many variables with respect to movement of the decedent and the shooters to draw definitive conclusions concerning Mr. Terans body position." Terans family said they were devastated by the autopsy. Manuel was camping on publicly-owned land that was not even on the future site of Cop City, the activists father Joel Paez said in a statement to WABE. Law enforcement went in with weapons and shot pepper balls. They created a violent situation and were ready to kill anyone who resisted. Now they will not even meet with us to explain what happened. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation hasnt released its full investigative report about the shooting to the public, but has given its findings to a special prosecutor in the Mountain City District Attorneys Office for next steps. No body camera footage of the deadly encounter exists, though police body camera footage from agents nearby captures officers speculating that the shooting may have been a friendly fire incident. Police maintain Teran fired first, and that a gun found in the slain activists possession matched bullet wounds on the wounded officers, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. As The Independent has reported, activists have spent years trying to oppose the training centre, which is slated to be built in a large forested area in a working-class Black neighbourhood outside of Atlanta. Critics argue the training facility, which is set to feature massive mock city blocks and buildings for military-style police training, will cause pollution and further police violence. This project, from their own words, theyre planning on practicing high-speed car chases, bomb deployments. Theres going to be a shooting range. Theyre going to be training on how to bust though peples doors, Kwame Olufemi of Community Movement Builders, a grassroots organisation in Atlanta that opposes Cop City, told The Independent. Theyre training on how to arrest and imprison and brutalise people. Its not an accident that this has taken place in the aftermath of 2020. It was introduced in 2021. We had uprisings to resist the exact police repression that has been going on. Sign up to our free US news bulletin sent straight to your inbox each weekday morning Sign up to our free morning US email news bulletin Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the US Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Ralph Yarl had no reason to think he was in danger when he approached the house where believed his younger brothers were waiting for him to pick them up, his family say. "He got a couple of bullets inside his body, instead of a couple of twins coming out and giving him a hug," Ralph's mother Cleo Nagbe said in her first interview after the shooting. Prosecutors have charged Andrew Lester, 85, with shooting Ralph twice on the evening of 13 April when the 16-year-old accidentally mixed up the older man's address with that of his brothers' friends. Although Ralph survived and is reportedly in good spirits, the shooting sparked protests in Kansas City and condemnation across the country, with activists and civil rights lawyers describing it as part of a pattern of white Americans using deadly force against unarmed Black people based on exaggerated and unreasonable ideas of danger. Yet many questions remain over exactly what happened, not just on the night of the shooting but in the three days that followed without any charges being announced against Ralph's assailant. Here are some of the questions that still need answering. Why was Ralph Yarl shot? The simple, inadequate answer is that Ralph rang the wrong doorbell by accident. The harder question what was going through Mr Lester's head will be for a jury to decide should this case go to trial. Ralph had meant to go to a house on 115th Terrace in the northeastern suburbs of Kansas City to pick up his younger twin brothers from a friend's home, according to lawyers representing his family. But instead, he mistakenly went to the same house number on 115th Street, just one block away, and rang the doorbell just before 10pm. His family say he did not have his phone with him. Ralph Yarl (Ben Crump Law) "Whoever was inside took a little longer than he anticipated to respond, and so he just waited at the door," Yarl family lawyer Lee Merritt who also represented the families of Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd told NBC News on Monday. "He heard rustling around going on in the house and then finally the door was open." According to Clay County Prosecutor Zachary Thompson, Mr Lester then fired twice at Ralph through a glass door using a .32 calibre revolver, hitting him in the head and then the arm. The first shot knocked Ralph to the ground, he told police, and the second shot came when he was already down. At some point, Ralph alleges, Mr Lester yelled "dont come back around here!", though there is conflicting information on whether this was before or after the shots. Either way, Ralph managed to scramble away and tried to seek help. Yet according to his aunt Faith Spoonmore, he had to go to three houses before someone finally agreed to help him. What has Andrew Lester said? According to the police report, Mr Lester told officers that he believed someone was trying to break into his home. Mr Lester lives alone and had already gone to bed when the doorbell rang. The sound apparently perturbed him enough to fetch his revolver before going to see who was there. "Lester stated he opened the interior door, and saw a Black male approximately six feet tall pulling on the exterior storm door handle," the report alleges, adding that Ralph disputes the claim that he pulled on the door handle. "[Mr Lester] stated he believed someone was attempting to break into the house, and shot twice within a few seconds of opening the door," the report continues. He told officers that firing his revolver "was the last thing he wanted to do", but that he was "scared to death" because of Ralph's height and his own old age. Ms Spoonmoore has challenged the former claim, saying: "I doubt Ralph is even 170 pounds. Ralph is not even six feet." Andrew Lester is seen in a booking photo (Clay County Jail) One police detective wrote that Mr Lester "believed he was protecting himself from a physical confrontation and could not take the chance of the male coming in". Mr Thompson, the county prosecutor, said on Monday that there was a "racial component" to the case, without giving any details. Mr Merritt was more explicit, suggesting that the shooting was part of a pattern of white Americans exaggerating the danger posed to them by Black people, with lethal consequences. "Its not only Mr Lester who says he 'fears for his life' when he sees Black people," Mr Merritt said. "Its almost every cop who says, 'I feared for my life' as justification for deadly use of force against an unarmed suspect. We hear it every day. "We need to address that in our culture. There seems to be an animosity or violence associated with just Blackness alone." Mr Lester appeared in court for the first time on Wednesday for his arraignment. He pleaded not guilty to the two felonies and was released on bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for 1 June. The 84-year-old is facing life in prison on the charges. A police officer walks past Andrew Lesters home (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) Why did it take so long to charge and arrest Lester? We still don't really know. Andrew Lester gave himself up to the police on Tuesday 18 April, and was released that evening on bail after paying a $200,000 bond. In fact, Mr Lester had already been taken into custody on the night of the shooting five days earlier, after police reportedly found him standing inside his house behind the shattered glass storm door. But according to arrest logs and media reports, he was held for less than two hours before being released by the Kansas City Police Department (KCPD). That raised alarm bells for civil rights activists, given that police officers across the US have frequently justified fatal shootings of unarmed and often Black citizens by claiming, however questionably, that they believed they were at imminent risk of violence. Were frustrated with law enforcement and their failure to take responsibility for the denial of this familys due process. No one has owned up to it," Mr Merritt said. "This 16-year-old unarmed boy didnt actually pose a threat. But far too often in America, his skin alone is his weapon." Police and prosecutors have since claimed that they released Mr Lester that night because they could not hold him longer than 24 hours without charging him, and that they did not charge him because officers needed to get a victim statement from Ralph, who was still in hospital in critical condition. Ralph's lawyers have contested that, saying that he actually gave an interview to investigators from his hospital bed on Friday within the 24-hour limit. "There is no excuse for the release of this armed and dangerous suspect after admitting to shooting an unarmed, non-threatening, and defenceless teenager that rang his doorbell, the lawyers said prior to Mr Lester surrendering himself. "We demand swift action from Clay County prosecutors and law enforcement to identify, arrest, and prosecute to the full extent of the law the man responsible for this horrendous and unjustifiable shooting." Protesters attend a rally for Black teen Ralph Yarl in front of US District Court (Getty Images) Gwen Grant, head of the Urban League of Greater Kansas City, likewise said: "It is appalling and flat-out unacceptable that the shooter remains free. It is extremely difficult to understand why a statement from the victim is required to detain the assailant." A KCPD spokesperson told The Kansas City Star that this was only a "cursory" interview, not a formal statement, which would need to be done "away from medical personnel". The decision to release Mr Lester hours after the shooting was a key spark for protests throughout Kansas City over the weekend, and the fact that he was not immediately arrested on Monday 17 April when the charges were announced provoked further outrage. "This shows that we are less important and that equal justice in the process is not a reality for us," said Reverend Vernon P Howard, president of the Kansas City branch of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. The law enforcement agency responsible for the arrest is failing, which starts at the top." What are the charges? Mr Lester has been charged with assault in the first degree, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison, and armed criminal action, which is punishable by between three and 15 years in prison. In a press conference on Monday 17 April, Mr Thompson said that Mr Lester was accused of the highest category of felony that exists in Missouri state law. Some journalists and activists have questioned why Mr Lester was not charged with attempted murder or with a hate crime, if there is indeed a "racial component" to the case. Prosecutors said that both of these charges would be a lower class of felony with a lower degree of mandatory punishment. Asked by a reporter whether he would consider adding those charges to the rap sheet in addition to the higher felonies, Mr Thompson gave scant details, saying only: "At that point you would be talking about double jeopardy issues." Mr Merritt told reporters outside Clay County Court on Wednesday that the Justice Department is now also looking into the case as a possible hate crime. Before I even made it to Kansas City, we reached out to the Department of Justice, myself and my co-counsel Ben Crump, we have some longstanding relationships there, Mr Merritt said. We thought that this was something the DOJ should be looking into. They are (looking into it). Its under investigation, theyve received our complaint and now theyre looking into it. What are Missouris gun laws? Gun control advocates characterise Missouri as being one of the loosest states in the Union for restricting access to deadly weapons. The campaign group Everytown for Gun Safety rates Missouri's "gun law strength" at nine out of 100. The Giffords Law Center says it has "appallingly weak gun laws and one of the countrys highest gun death rates". According to the pro-gun National Rifle Association, Missouri does not require a permit for citizens and lawful permanent residents to purchase or carry handguns, shotguns, or rifles. Nor does it require firearms to be registered or owners to get a gun licence. That is thanks to the state's Republican-ruled legislature, which voted in 2014 to lower the minimum age for concealed weapons from 21 to 19, and in 2016 to allow concealed carry without any permit or special firearms training. There are also no state regulations on gun dealers, although federal laws remain in place not for lack of trying by pro-gun legislators. In 2021, Republicans voted to ban all Missouri law enforcement bodies from enforcing federal gun laws, but in March a federal court declared that act unconstitutional. Is this a Stand Your Ground case? Stand Your Ground is a legal doctrine that allows people to use deadly force to defend themselves from apparent threats, without having any legal duty to try retreating first. By contrast, some US states and English common law from which much US law derives do not permit the use of deadly force in self-defence if a jury finds that you could have retreated from the situation without putting yourself at serious risk. In 2016, Missouri Republicans expanded its Stand Your Ground rules to cover not just a defendant's home or car but any place where they have a legal right to be. Specifically, the law says: "A person may, subject to the provisions of subsection 2, use physical force upon another person when and to the extent he or she reasonably believes such force to be necessary to defend himself or herself or a third person from what he or she reasonably believes to be the use or imminent use of unlawful force by such other person." It adds: "A person does not have a duty to retreat... from a dwelling, residence, or vehicle where the person is not unlawfully entering or unlawfully remaining." Since then, a study by a team of researchers from the University of Oxford, the University of Pennsylvania, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine has found that states that implemented such laws saw their homicide rates increase by between 16 and 34 per cent. Nevertheless, Stand Your Ground laws still require someone accused of murder or assault to persuade a court that they acted reasonably and proportionately. "You cant just shoot people who come to your door," Missouri criminal defence lawyer Kevin Jamison told The Kansas City Star. St Louis law professor Anders Walker told The Washington Post that ringing a doorbell was not a justification for deadly force. However, Republicans have tried to weaken this requirement, filing a bill last year that would have reversed the burden of proof in self-defence cases. Rather than a defendant having to prove that their belief was reasonable, the law would assume by default that it was, and prosecutors would have to prove that wrong. Opponents have derisively referred to such bills as the "Make Murder Legal Act", and the bill failed after opposition from prosecutors and law enforcement officials, including some conservatives. "I think we now have a shoot first, ask later policy in this state, or at least that is what people have interpreted it to be," said Maggie Nurrenbern, a Democratic state legislator. These shoot first laws, stand your ground laws theyre harmful and theyre dangerous policies that give people a license to kill, said Carthesa Dillard of Moms Demand Action, who has lost two of her family members to gun violence. Under current laws, some experts do believe Mr Lester may have a workable case. Robert Spitzer, a New York political science professor who researches gun policy, said Missouri state law offers "wide latitude for people to use lethal force". St Louise defence lawyer Nina McDonnell agreed, saying that prosecutors have a strong case but Stand Your Ground laws are a "huge hurdle" to overcome. "The defendant was in his house and has expressed that he was in fear," she said. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Smartmatic has revealed what it would take for the voting systems company to settle its own defamation lawsuit with Fox News following the right-wing networks landmark agreement with Dominion Voting Systems this week. The companys lawyer said on Thursday that Smartmatic plans to have its day in court to get the vindication of a jury verdict in their favour over the 2020 election lies it claims Fox News pushed on its network. However, a settlement could be in the cards but only if Fox News makes a full retraction and apology and pays out more than the $787m settlement it has agreed to pay Dominion, according to Smartmatic. They need to get an apology. They need to get a full retraction, Smartmatic lawyer Erik Connolly told CNNs Jake Tapper on Thursday. The $787m Dominion payout the largest payout in a defamation case in American history set down a marker for the Smartmatic case, he said. That set down a marker and its a marker that we think we should be exceeding, he said. The scope of the damage done to Smartmatic is a global scale, because we operate globally $787m is a good start. But its not the right finishing point. On Tuesday, Fox News reached a $787m settlement with Dominion Voting Systems over its $1.6bn defamation lawsuit, which accused the network of amplifying conspiracy theories and false claims that its ballot counting machines had rigged the 2020 election against Donald Trump. The negotiations went down to the wire, with the settlement coming just moments before opening arguments were expected to begin at trial in a move that effectively saved media mogul Rupert Murdoch and many of Fox News biggest names including Tucker Carlson and Sean Hannity from having to testify in the case. In a statement announcing the settlement agreement, Fox News acknowledged that the court had determined claims about Dominion were false but stopped short of issuing an apology. Fox News is facing several other legal battles after its case with Dominion (Getty Images) We acknowledge the Courts rulings finding certain claims about Dominion to be false, the company said in a statement shared with The Independent. This settlement reflects Foxs continued commitment to the highest journalistic standards, the statement added. We are hopeful that our decision to resolve this dispute with Dominion amicably, instead of the acrimony of a divisive trial, allows the country to move forward from these issues. But, the Dominion case is far from Fox News only legal troubles. The network is still facing a series of other lawsuits over its 2020 election lies from the likes of Smartmatic, former producer Abby Grossberg and its own shareholders. Smartmatic is suing Fox News for $2.7bn in a suit that echoes that of Dominion for spreading lies that it manipulated its voting machines during the 2020 presidential election in favour of President Joe Biden. Fox News has denied all wrongdoing and released a statement on Wednesday one day after the Dominion settlement was reached vowing to continue to fight the case against Smartmatic. We will be ready to defend this case surrounding extremely newsworthy events when it goes to trial, likely in 2025, a Fox spokesperson said in a statement on Wednesday. As a report prepared by our financial expert shows, Smartmatics damages claims are implausible, disconnected from reality, and on its face intended to chill First Amendment freedoms. The two sides are expected to meet next week in Manhattan for a court hearing. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has hit out at Elon Musk after Twitter began removing blue ticks and said the move could pave the way for major potential harm. The New York congresswoman and Tesla chief have been involved in Twitter spats before. This is not the first time AOC, as the congresswoman is affectionately known, has lashed out against Mr Musk on the social media platform. When the Twitter boss had announced last year that those who want to retain their blue ticks must pay $8 to the company, Ms Ocasio-Cortez had mocked the move. Lmao at a billionaire earnestly trying to sell people on the idea that free speech is actually an $8/mo subscription plan, she had tweeted. On Friday, AOC shared a screenshot of an exchange between two Twitter handles @nycgov and @NYC_GOVERNMENT both claiming to be the official handles of the New York City government. Jokes aside, this is setting the stage for major potential harm when a natural disaster hits and no one knows what agencies, reporters, or outlets are real, she said. Not long ago we had major flash floods. We had to mobilize trusted info fast to save lives. Today just made that harder. The congresswoman has also previously claimed Mr Musk had meddled with her account. Ms Ocasio-Cortez complained that following a public argument, her Twitter account had seemingly stopped working properly. Yo (Elon Musk) while I have your attention, why should people pay $8 just for their app to get bricked when they say something you dont like? she tweeted. Mr Musk replied back at the Democrat and said, What can I say? It was a naked abuse of power. In December last year, Ms Ocasio-Cortez condemned Mr Musk after he suspended the accounts of half a dozen journalists who routinely reported on him and the social media platform. I get feeling unsafe, but descending into abuse of power + erratically banning journalists only increases the intensity around you, the Democratic lawmaker said. As someone who has been subject to real and dangerous plots, I do get it. I didnt have security and have experienced many scary incidents, she said. In fact, many of the right-wing outlets you now elevate published photos of my home, car, etc. At a certain point you gotta disconnect. Maybe try putting down your phone, she suggested. You first lol, responded Mr Musk. When the billionaire had laid off staff at Twitter, the Congresswoman tweeted: Shout out to all the workers at Twitter. You all built a vital place for connection and deserved so much better. Millions of people appreciate the space you built and the hard work that went into it. Thank you. Meanwhile, Mr Musk said he is personally paying for Twitter Blue subscriptions for a few celebrities who had declined to subscribe by themselves. The Twitter chief confirmed he is paying for the accounts of William Shatner, Stephen King and LeBron James to retain their blue tick verification badges. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A senior Republican on the Senate Judiciary committee is demanding that U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration chief Anne Milgram address allegations of improper hiring and contracting of her past associates. The request Thursday by Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa follows an Associated Press investigation finding that a federal watchdog is investigating whether strict federal rules on no-bid contracting and hiring may have been violated to channel DEA work to Milgram's associates. These are serious allegations, and DEA must respond to them and clear the air, Grassley wrote in a letter sent to Milgram's office, a copy of which was obtained by the AP. The scrutiny by the Justice Departments Office of Inspector Genera comes as the DEA is struggling with repeated revelations of agent misconduct and a fentanyl crisis claiming more than 100,000 overdose deaths a year that Milgram has called the deadliest drug threat our country has ever faced. The DEA didn't immediately respond to a request for comment on the letter. But Milgram's boosters inside and outside the agency have defended her actions as part of an ongoing effort to clean house, recruit talented individuals and pursue innovative ways to protect national security and the health of the American people. Much of Grassley's five-page letter focuses on a $1.4 million no-bid contract to a Washington law firm for a recent review of the DEAs scandal-plagued foreign operations that he criticized for giving short shrift to agent misconduct and how to prevent it. That review was co-authored by Boyd Johnson, former right-hand man to one of Milgrams closest friends, Preet Bharara, when he was U.S. Attorney in Manhattan. Bharara himself landed at the firm, WilmerHale, even as the review was being conducted. The report by all measures fell well short of the mark, spending most of its scant 49 pages citing publicly-available sources or the DEA's operations manuals, Grassley wrote, demanding that Milgram provide any correspondence with WilmerHale where DEA issued instructions or suggested edits of the report. Rather than answering the questions we had, this only raises new ones. Grassley, who is also co-chair of the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control. said his office had received multiple credible allegations from whistleblowers of irregular hiring that point to possible waste of federal resources as well as conflicts of interests among DEA leadership. Among them, he cites a nearly $400,000 no-bid award for data analytics to Jose Cordero, a former law enforcement official who worked closely with Milgram when she served as New Jersey attorney general more than a decade ago. DEA awarded The Cordero Group a contract within three weeks of Milgram being confirmed by the Senate to head the agency on the basis of Cordero's record designing public safety strategies with rigorous crime data analysis. These do not appear to be skills that are possessed by only one company, which demands explanation of why the contract was awarded outside the normal bidding process required by law, Grassley wrote. The Iowa Republican is also looking at whether Milgram or anyone else from the DEA directed contractors to specifically hire specific subcontractors, including a New York City publicist and a former Democratic congressional staffer who Milgram knew from a public safety project she helped run in Indianapolis while teaching at New York University's law school. ___ Goodman reported from Miami, Mustian from New York. Contact APs global investigative team at Investigative@ap.org. Monrovia Mr. Paul K. Yarl, a Liberian whose son was shot in the head by an 84-year-old white American in the State of Missouri, America, has expressed delight that the shooter has been formally charged. He at the same time expressed happiness over his son's speedy recovery. Speaking to VOA Africa, Mr. Yarl expressed shock that such brutality would happen to his son whom he described as a "perfect son". "We were in shock that it happened to an innocent kid, a boy who does not deserve it; a perfect son for me, I never one day got a call from anyone or anywhere that Ralph did anything to offend them," he said. He described the shooting of his son as the worst nightmare of any parent in America in the sense of gun violence, racism and being in a segregated neighborhood. Ralph Yarl, who is recovering from his injuries at home, rang Andrew Lester's doorbell, mistaking it for the home where his younger twin siblings were visiting a friend. The teenager's parents had asked him to pick up his siblings at a residence on 115th Terrace, but he instead went to a residence on 115th Street, a block away. Yarl arrived to take his brothers home but instead was met with bullets. The bleeding teenager sought help from neighbors before he collapsed at the end of one family's driveway. Authorities issued an arrest warrant for Lester, who was charged with felony assault and armed criminal action, one of which carries up to a life sentence if convicted. "There was a racial component to this case," prosecutor Zachary Thompson said, though he did not offer specifics. Lester is not in custody. He told police that "it was the last thing he wanted to do, but he was 'scared to death"' because of the teenager's size and his own age and inability to defend himself, according to the criminal complaint. Ralph's grandfather was the late Paul K. Yarl who once served as press attache at the Liberian Embassy here in Washington, DC. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Conservative talk radio host Larry Elder, who sought to replace the California governor in a failed 2021 recall effort, announced Thursday he is running for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024. Elder, 70, made the announcement on Fox News' Tucker Carlson Tonight and followed up with a tweet. America is in decline, but this decline is not inevitable. We can enter a new American Golden Age, but we must choose a leader who can bring us there. Thats why Im running for President, he wrote. The long-shot candidate joins a Republican field that includes former President Donald Trump, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. President Joe Biden, a Democrat, has said he plans to seek reelection. Elder made his first bid for public office in 2021, when he received the most votes out of 46 people who were hoping to replace California Gov. Gavin Newsom in a recall effort. But a majority of voters ended up voting against removing Newsom, making the vote count in the replacement contest irrelevant. Some Democrats say Elder's role as a foil to Newsom helped the Democratic governor inspire voters in liberal California to turn out and reject the recall. Newsom attacked Elder for his support of Trump and his conservative positions, such as opposing abortion rights and restrictions imposed to slow the spread of COVID-19, such as mask mandates. But Elder said the experience of running for office and the millions of votes he received showed he had a message that resonated with voters. A lawyer who grew up in Los Angeles' rough South Central neighborhood, Elder attended an Ivy League college and then law school. He has a following among conservatives through his radio programs and has been a frequent guest on Fox News and other right-wing media. Elder, who is Black, has criticized Democrats' woke agenda, Black Lives Matter and the notion of systemic racism, positions that have put him at odds with many other Black people. During the recall campaign, a former fiancee said Elder showed her a gun during a 2015 argument. Elder denied the allegations. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Donald Trump became the first president in American history to be charged with a crime on Tuesday 4 April 2023 when he appeared before a judge at Manhattan Criminal Court accused of falsifying business records. The arraignment came in response to a grand jury indictment announced by New York County district attorney Alvin Bragg over a hush money payment Mr Trump is accused of making to porn star Stormy Daniels in 2016 to stay silent about a sexual encounter the pair are alleged to have had a decade earlier. The former commander-in-chief, who was also the first US president to be impeached twice in his chaotic one-term reign in the White House, denies the affair with Ms Daniels (real name Stephanie Clifford) and any wrongdoing and has, predictably, insisted the episode is just another witch hunt concocted by his numerous political enemies to discredit him in the eyes of the public and thwart a political comeback. Prior to the arraignment itself, Mr Trump was busy using the indictment to whip up his base by insisting he was the innocent victim of a justice system with a deep-rooted liberal bias being weaponised against him and to raise campaign donations in support of his 2024 presidential run off the back of that spurious claim. On the Monday beforehand, he jetted into New Yorks La Guardia Airport in his personal Boeing 757 and stayed overnight at his Trump Tower complex in Manhattan, spending the evening unwisely venting his spleen on Truth Social, his own social media platform, suggesting angrily that District Attorney Bragg should indict himself after leaking details of the arraignment illegally. Flanked by police when he finally set out for the courthouse to be greeted by competing rallies gathered outside to deplore his treatment or call for his imprisonment Mr Trump was not handcuffed, photographed for a mugshot or placed in a jail as he appeared briefly before Judge Juan Merchan, the spectacle failing to live up to the AI-generated preview images that went viral in advance of the big day. He was represented in the case by a new lead counsel, former federal prosecutor and white-collar criminal defence attorney Todd Blanche, a lawyer who has previously represented his former campaign manager Paul Manafort and the ex-Rudy Giuliani associate Igor Fruman, among many others, and it was he who did most of the talking before the Trump entourage departed. Documents released by Mr Braggs office immediately after the arraignment revealed that Mr Trump was being accused of 34 counts of falsifying business records in order to conceal the alleged hush money payments, including $130,000 to Ms Daniels, from his attorney Michael Cohen, who was then reimbursed. Back at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, that evening, Mr Trump delivered a prime-time televised address in which he lashed out at both Mr Bragg and Judge Merchan. The criminal is the district attorney because he illegally leaked massive amounts of grand jury information for which he should be prosecuted or, at a minimum, he should resign, he said to loud applause. He also targeted Mr Braggs wife and the Trump hating-judge with a Trump-hating wife and family whose daughter work for Kamala Harris, all of which came despite Judge Merchan having specifically warned him to stop making threats that might inflame tensions or incite violence. But the big question many will want answered after all of that is whether Mr Trump could ultimately face prison time if he is found guilty of an offence. Danya Perry, a former deputy attorney-general for the state of New York, told Reuters in advance that Mr Trump would be released on recognisance a term for an agreement a defendant makes with a court to observe certain conditions, like returning when summoned, for instance. Donald Trump (AP) New York abolished the need for bail in most cases involving misdemeanours and non-violent felonies, as was the case in this instance, in 2019. As to the outcome for Mr Trump longer term, the charge of falsifying business records in the first degree is regarded as a low-level felony but does carry a typical sentence of up to four years in prison, so it is theoretically possible. That said, a conviction would represent a first offence for a non-violent crime, making the prospect of jail less likely. The defendants age, 76, might also provide grounds for a compassionate sentence. Former Brooklyn prosecutor Arthur Aidala told Insider: I cant say for absolute 100 per cent certainty there cant be jail because on the books, he can go to jail [But] I do not see a scenario where Donald Trump spends one minute in jail. The case is expected to be a drawn-out affair and may not be resolved before the American public goes to the polls for the next presidential election in November 2024, so, without a resolution one way or the other, it need not necessarily prohibit Mr Trump from continuing his latest quest to secure the Republican nomination. Interestingly, even if the former president were to be charged, there is actually nothing in the US Constitution that disqualifies a candidate from running with a criminal record, although he and his party may nevertheless be forced to conclude that the support for him is no longer there if he is seen to be tarnished by the scandal, as almost any other politician around the world would be. Whatever the outcome of the hush money case, it is only the beginning of Mr Trumps legal problems, with several other active criminal and civil cases concerning him currently being investigated. E Jean Carroll (AP) First up, E Jean Carroll the writer and former advice columnist for Elle magazine who has accused Mr Trump of raping her in a department store dressing room in the mid-1990s, which he denies will appear as the plaintiff in a pair of civil lawsuits against him that will be presented in a New York City federal courtroom beginning on Monday 24 April, when a jury will be chosen under the supervision of US district judge Lewis Kaplan. Ms Carroll is suing Mr Trump for defamation after he accused her of lying to boost sales of a forthcoming book when she first came forward with her accusation in 2019 and is also bringing a lawsuit against him over the alleged rape itself under New Yorks Adult Survivors Act, which was signed into law by state governor Kathy Hochul last year. Other legal cases facing the former president include a fraud lawsuit brought by New York attorney general Letitia James alleging that his Trump Organization knowingly overestimated the value of its real estate assets by billions of dollars in order to obtain more favourable loans from banks, a Department of Justice (DoJ) investigation into the removal of classified documents from the White House following the completion of his term in office and a grand jury probe into his attempt to influence vote counting in the crucial swing state of Georgia in the aftermath of the 2020 election. It also remains to be seen whether the four criminal charges recommended by the congressional committee investigating the Capitol riot of 6 January 2021 will be taken up by the DoJ after the panel concluded in its 845-page report published in December that Mr Trump and his allies had conceived a multipart plan to overturn the 2020 presidential election. Close Donald Trump reacts to Joe Bidens 2024 re-election campaign announcement Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} E Jean Carroll took the stand in her civil rape trial against Donald Trump on Wednesday and fought back tears as she described the alleged assault in horrifying detail. The former advice columnist began her testimony with a simple declaration: Im here because Donald Trump raped me. She then went into vivid detail about the day she claims Mr Trump shoved her into a dressing room before launching an extremely painful assault. Hours earlier, Mr Trump took to Truth Social to brand the trial a witch hunt while spewing victim-shaming assumptions about rape. Does anybody believe that I would take a then almost 60 year old woman that I didnt know, from the front door of a very crowded department store, (with me being very well known, to put it mildly!), into a tiny dressing room, and . her, he wrote. She didnt scream? There are no witnesses? Nobody saw this? She never made a police complaint? If I was seen there with a woman-BIG PRESS. SCAM! His posts drew the ire of the judge, who implored Mr Trumps lawyer Joe Tacopina to stop him from posting about the case. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} With President Joe Biden poised to announce that he is officially seeking re-election, Republicans in Congress have been busy conducting investigations that they hope will tarnish the 46th presidents public image enough to convince voters that former president Donald Trump not Mr Biden deserves four more years at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Since taking over the House of Representatives in January, GOP committee chairs have sent out flurries of document requests and subpoenas to further their probes, and many have taken to Fox News and other friendly television outlets to claim theyve uncovered heinous wrongdoing and are preparing to expose it to the world. So far they havent surfaced any smoking gun of wrongdoing. And thus far, Mr Biden himself has not been the target of the various congressional investigations. Instead, Republicans are laser-focused on using the full power of legislative branch oversight to target Mr Bidens youngest (and only surviving) son, Hunter Biden. A Yale-educated attorney and former lobbyist, the younger Mr Biden has had more than his fair share of troubles, which much of it already in the public record. He is currently a target in a long-running Department of Justice probe being overseen by David Weiss, the Trump-appointed US Attorney for the District of Delaware. Mr Weiss, who is one of only two of Mr Trumps appointees to have been asked to remain on the job by President Biden, has been looking into whether Hunter Biden broke US tax laws by failing to report income earned in overseas business ventures and not paying tax on that income, and whether he violated laws against lobbying for foreign governments without registering as a foreign agent. Mr Weiss is also reportedly examining whether Hunter Biden, who has a long and well-documented history of addiction issues, broke federal laws by declaring that he was not using drugs when he filled out a background check form to purchase a handgun in 2018. Thus far, Hunter Biden has not been charged with any crime, and the probe led by Mr Weiss remains open. While the DOJ investigations into Hunter Biden have been conducted behind closed doors, the congressional investigations being conducted by the House Oversight and Judiciary committees have largely played out under the bright lights of television studios. In appearance after appearance on Fox News, Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer of Kentucky has made increasingly serious accusations against Hunter Biden, who he and other Republicans have accused of selling his fathers influence to overseas bidders in China and elsewhere, and funnelling profits into the pockets of the 46th president and other members of his family. Theyve also accused Mr Bidens brother James, who is also a veteran lobbyist, of similar improprieties and worse. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene and Representative Nancy Mace have both accused Mr Biden and his family of profiting from what they describe as a human trafficking ring. In a video posted to her Twitter account, Ms Greene said she viewed jaw-dropping evidence of human trafficking connected to the Bidens, which she said involved prostitutes, not only from here in the United States but foreign countries like Russia and Ukraine. Those unproven accusations stem from Treasury Department documents known as Suspicious Activity Reports, which are generated by banks any time customers make any sort of large wire transfer or transfer of funds that approaches the amount which must be reported to regulators. Such reports arent necessarily an indicator of illegal activity, and because they are not public information, its not possible to verify Ms Greenes outrageous claim. But according to experts and Democratic operatives engaged in efforts to defend the president, the accusations against Hunter and James Biden appear to be part of a long-running GOP effort to construct a narrative about what Mr Trump and others have called the Biden family enterprise a bizzarro analogue to the real-life business Mr Trump owned during his time in the White House. The ex-president and others in his camp have suggested without evidence that Hunter and James Biden somehow used their businesses to financially support Mr Biden, who was one of the least wealthy members of Congress during his three-plus decades as a senator but came into significant amounts of money with book deals and speaking engagements during his time out of government. Kyle Herrig, the executive director of the Congressional Integrity Project, told The Independent the GOP probes are targeted at dirtying up Mr Biden while giving a pass to Mr Trump and his family, who public records show profited handsomely from his time in the White House. I think at the end of the day, Americans are seeing these investigations for what they are, which is partisan political stunts. And I think the Maga politicians smearing President Biden's family, Hunter, and others, these politicians are hypocrites after ignoring Donald Trump and his children's numerous conflicts of interest, he said. Mr Herrig noted that Mr Jordan, the Judiciary Committee chairman, explicitly said his efforts would be aimed at returning Mr Trump to the presidency in 2024 even before the GOP had won a majority in last years elections. But he said those efforts dont appear to be carrying much weight with the voting public. That may be because so far, they havent identified anything Mr Biden or his family has done that violates federal law or even comes close to approximating the schemes theyve described in television appearances. I think what they're running into is that they're complete duds, that they've been failures from the start. And they're not convincing anyone, he said. Michael LaRosa, the former press secretary to first lady Jill Biden who now runs the Facts First Super PAC, told The Independent that the GOP cries of a two-tiered justice system ring hollow at a time when Mr Weiss, the Delaware US Attorney, is still leading an active probe into Hunter Biden. I don't know what the Republicans are screaming and crying about when there's already a major federal investigation into a tax issue, a gun registration issue, and a Fara issue, he said. I would say that if even a Trump-appointed prosecutor does conclude that there was no criminal wrongdoing, then I would say there really isn't much for anyone else to be doing, he said. Mr LaRosa also echoed Mr Herrigs opinion that the GOP-led probes into Mr Bidens family are meant to counter Democrats evidence-based criticisms of Mr Trump and the way he used the presidency to line his familys coffers. Because the Trump family is wrapped up in so much tawdry and unethical behaviour, they're trying to muddy the waters, but it really just has not worked, he said. Mr Comer, the House Oversight chair, appears to share that opinion at least somewhat. During a recent appearance on CNN, he admitted that his committee hasnt found anything that suggests Mr Biden or his family members have broken the law in their private business dealings. Well, weve found a lot thats certainly unethical, weve found a lot that should be illegal, he said. But Mr LaRosa suggested that the various Biden probes arent breaking through because the accusations against the president and his family come off as unhinged and amateurish, with the presentations in congressional hearings falling far short of convincing. These guys are pretty amateur hour, in terms of getting mainstream media to cover their spectacles, which by programming and production standards have just been terrible. There's just not enough there. There's just too much wild innuendo and nobody really takes them seriously. And so they haven't penetrated the mainstream or the bloodstream of the American people, he said. (AFP via Getty Images) Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The US Supreme Court has kept the governments approval of a widely used abortion drug in place, while one of the biggest battles over abortion rights since the end of Roe v Wadecontinues in federal courts. Justices on the nations highest court have paused a lower court ruling that challenge the governments 23-year-old approval of mifepristone, part of a two-drug protocol for medication abortion, the most common form of abortion in the US. Following an appeal from the Biden administration and drugmakers, the court paused a federal judges ruling that would strip the US Food and Drug Administrations approval of mifepristone, which was first approved by the government agency in 2000. A ruling to strike down the FDAs approval of the drug would have drastically impacted access to abortion and miscarriage care for millions of Americans across the country, including in states where it is legally protected. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Even before the US Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe v Wade last year, anti-abortion activists and Christian conservative legal groups were taking aim at medication abortion, the most common form of abortion care in the US. The Supreme Courts June ruling in Dobbs v Jackson Womens Health Organization revoked a constitutional right to abortion care that was affirmed by the case of Roe v Wade nearly 50 years earlier. In the months that followed, more than a dozen states have effectively outlawed abortion care altogether, or implemented severe restrictions that have complicated access to abortion for millions of Americans. All of those states have separate laws targeting medication abortion, and at least 15 other states restrict access to the procedure. The Supreme Court returned to abortion rights with a challenge from anti-abortion activists to reverse the federal governments approval of mifepristone, a widely used drug for medication abortion procedures and miscarriage care. On 21 April, justices upheld the governments approval while the case plays out in an appeals court next month, but a move to strip the governments approval could devastate access to abortion and miscarriage care for millions of Americans across the country, including in states where access is legally protected. What is mifepristone? A medication abortion procedure typically consists of a two-drug protocol of mifepristone and misoprostol. Mifepristone is used in more than half of all abortions in the US. The drug was first approved for use by the US Food and Drug Administration in most cases up to 10 weeks of pregnancy in 2000. A vast majority of abortions occur within the first nine weeks of pregnancy. From 2019 through 2020, nearly 93 per cent of all abortions were performed before the 13th week, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Mifepristone is also used to treat miscarriages. Roughly 10 per cent of clinically recognized pregnancies end in miscarriages, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. The drug blocks the hormone progesterone, which helps support the uterus. A healthy uterine lining supports a fertilized egg, embryo and fetus. Without progesterone, the uterus will expel its contents. Roughly 24 to 48 hours after a patient takes mifepristone, the patient then takes misoprostol, which helps empty the uterus. Last year, the FDA permanently lifted the in-person requirement for medication abortion prescriptions, allowing patients to access the drugs via telehealth appointments and online pharmacies so patients can take the drugs from the comfort of home. The FDA also has approved a generic version of the drug that its manufacturer GenBioPro says makes up two-thirds of the US market. Last year, Republican lawmakers across the US filed dozens of bills to restrict the availability and distribution of abortion drugs, while abortion rights advocates, President Joe Bidens administration and Democratic members of Congress sought to bolster their availability. Abortion rights advocate describes abortion to members of Congress in testimony Major medical groups and research from hundreds of studies over the last two decades have confirmed the overwhelming safety and efficacy of the drug. Studies show it is as safe to use as common over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen, and the protocol for medication abortion is used in more than 60 other countries. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Medical Association also signed a brief in the latest case opposing the challenge from anti-abortion groups. How did the drug end up at the Supreme Court? In November, the right-wing legal group Alliance Defending Freedom filed a lawsuit in US District Court in Amarillo, Texas on behalf of a group of anti-abortion activists incorporated as the Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, which was organised that same month with an address in Amarillo. The Alliance Defending Freedom also led the challenge at the Supreme Court that ultimately struck down Roe v Wade. US District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk a former right-wing activist lawyer who was appointed to the federal judiciary by Donald Trump held a hearing in the case on 15 March in Amarillo. Earlier this month, Judge Kacsmaryk issued a ruling to suspend the FDAs approval of mifepristone. His order was set to take effect a week later, pending a decision from on appeal. But in a separate ruling in Washington state, a federal judge ruled that the FDA cannot change the status quo when it comes to mifepristones approval, setting up potentially duelling decisions over the drug. Abortion rights advocates, providers, major medical groups and legal analysts condemned the ruling, and the US Department of Justice and Danco Laboratories, which manufactures mifepristone, filed an appeal. That appeal landed at the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, which has jurisdiction over the Amarillo court. A three-judge panel on the Fifth Circuit blocked a part of the judges ruling, but struck against mail-in prescriptions and rules that expanded the drugs approval for use up to 10 weeks of pregnancy. What did the Supreme Court do? On 21 April, the Supreme Court blocked the lower courts rulings from taking effect while the case returns to the appeals court. It was unclear whether the justices on the conservative supermajority court would uphold the Texas ruling or pause the decision while the legal battle continues. The case of Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine v FDA returns to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in Louisiana. Both parties will have a chance to file briefs, and the case will be argued before a three-judge panel on 17 May. Can the FDA just ignore the ruling? Thats what several members of Congress have argued, though President Joe Bidens administration and abortion rights advocates have stressed that the case must play out in court and affirm the FDAs ability to make such decisions. Democratic senator Ron Wyden, the chair of the Senate Finance Committee, which oversees the FDA, has repeatedly argued that the administration ignore a ruling that undermines the FDAs regulatory powers. US Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has argued that an increasingly partisan-driven federal judiciary weaponised by right-wing activist groups has undermined its legitimacy in making such decisions. Republican US Rep Nancy Mace also has suggested that a ruling that revokes the FDAs approval of the drug should be ignored or tossed out. What happens if mifepristone is not available? Abortion providers and civil rights groups have warned of grave consequences to the loss of widely used abortion drugs from the market. Providers could turn to a misoprostol-only medication abortion regimen, though that would be considered an off-label pharmaceutical use for the drug in the US. Misoprostol is currently approved by the FDA for the prevention and treatment of gastric ulcers but also is administered for other obstetric or gynecologic care. Several Democratic-led states are stocking up on mifepristone and proposing legal protections for pharmacists and providers who dispense the drug. A ruling that undermines the FDAs drug approval process could also open the door for other activist-driven legal battles over other drugs, potentially inviting other destabilising lawsuits to Covid-19 vaccines, contraception, HIV medication, gender-affirming care, and other life-saving drugs. This story was first published on 20 April and has been updated with developments Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Conservative talk radio host Larry Elder has become the latest candidate to throw his hat into the ring for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, alongside Donald Trump, former state governors Nikki Haley and Asa Hutchinson and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. Mr Elder, 70, made his announcement during an appearance on Fox Newss Tucker Carlson Tonight on Thursday evening. My announcement Tucker, is Im announcing that Im running for the presidency of the United States on your programme, he said. The unsuccessful 2021 California governor candidate said that he felt a moral, religious, and a patriotic duty to join the race for the White House, citing his familys past experiences in the US military. Naming policing and crime as two areas of particular concern to him, he told the host: Weve incentivised women to marry the government. Weve incentivised men to abandon their financial and moral responsibility. And if I do nothing else in this race, but focus people on those two issues I would perform this service to my country. He also stressed the importance of securing Americas borders, denounced Democrats for cultivating the idea that the country is systematically racist and said the nations problems were rooted in a lack of fathers in the home. Mr Elder followed up the announcement with a tweet in which he said: America is in decline, but this decline is not inevitable. We can enter a new American Golden Age, but we must choose a leader who can bring us there. Thats why Im running for President. He last attempted to run for public office in 2021, when he made a failed bid to replace incumbent California Governor Gavin Newsom in a recall effort. While Mr Elder received the most votes out of 46 people hoping to replace the governor, a majority of voters ultimately opted against removing Mr Newsom, rendering the nomination irrelevant. It has been argued that Mr Elders emergence as a clear rival to Mr Newsom actually helped the governors case, with liberal voters unable to stomach the prospect of replacing the Democrat with a Donald Trump supporter who has opposed abortion rights, criticised the Black Lives Matter movement and denounced restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic. Ahead of the California vote, Mr Elder also warned of election shenanigans in true Trump fashion. But, he ended up conceding the result graciously and has also acknowledged that Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election fair and square in a departure from the MAGA denialist movement. For his part, Mr Elder has said the experience over the recall vote proves he can muster support and that his political positions offer a real alternative for Black voters put off by the woke priorities of Democrats. Mr Elder is a lawyer by background who was born in Los Angeles on 27 April 1952, the middle child of three brothers born to ex-US Marine Corps sergeant turned cafe owner Randolph Elder and clerical worker Viola Conley. He grew up in Los Angeles tough South Central neighbourhood but went on to attend Ivy League school Brown University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science in 1974 before enrolling at the University of Michigan Law School in 1977. He worked for Cleveland law firm Squire, Sanders & Dempsey after graduation before running his own firm, Laurence A Elder and Associates, throughout the 1980s, prior to his switch to media. Larry Elder announced his own run for the White House (Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) Mr Elder owes his present popularity among conservatives to his long-running KABC radio programme The Larry Elder Show, which he began in 1993 and left in April 2022, as well as his frequent guest appearances on Fox News and other right-wing networks. He was married to a doctor for two years before the couple divorced in 1994, after which he commenced a long-term relationship with Patricia Stewart from 1996 to 2012, before dating his producer Alexandra Datig, to whom he was engaged from 2013 until 2015. His career has not been without controversy, however, with Mr Elder facing criticism in the past for remarks he has made about women. Allegations also surfaced that he brandished a gun during an argument with Ms Datig in 2015 a claim he has vehemently denied. With the Republican field slowly beginning to widen and both Ron DeSantis, Mike Pence and Tim Scott likely to join the dance Mr Biden is expected to announce his own run for a second term as a Democrat imminently. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} With less than two years remaining until US voters will decide who will serve as president of the United States from January 2025 to January 2029, former Republican government officials are starting to jockey for position in the coming fight for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, while at least one prominent Democrat (California governor Gavin Newsom) has reportedly pledged not to challenge President Joe Biden in a Democratic primary. As the 2024 campaign takes shape, here are the names you need to know: Joe Biden Mr Biden is the current president of the United States and is now officially gunning for a second term, having announced his reelection bid in a video message on Tuesday (25 April). The only US president in recent memory to forgo a run for a second term was the 37th occupant of that office, President Lyndon Johnson. Johnson declined to seek a second term amid upheaval over the Vietnam War despite having won a massive landslide over Republican Barry Goldwater in 1964, just one year after the Texas native assumed the presidency after President John F Kennedy was murdered by an assassin. Although Mr Biden has never suggested that he would follow Johnsons example, his status as the oldest person to ever serve as president and his lacklustre approval ratings fuelled speculation that he might stand down so a younger candidate could take up the Democratic Party mantle. But the Democrats better-than-expected results in the 2022 midterms appeared to put new wind in Mr Bidens sails before he officially announced his 2024 run. Donald Trump Of the more than 12 people who the Federal Election Commission lists as declared candidates for 2024, the only one whose name is well-known to the public is also the first former Trump administration figure to throw a hat into the ring, former president Donald J Trump. Mr Trump, the only US president to face two separate impeachment trials one after fomenting a violent attack on the US Capitol in hopes of remaining in power despite losing the 2020 election to Joe Biden officially filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission to declare himself a candidate in the 2024 election on 15 November, just minutes before he announced his candidacy at the same Palm Beach, Florida location where FBI agents had conducted a search for stolen classified documents just three months earlier. Donald Trump. (AP) Now based in Florida, the ex-real estate developer turned television presenter turned politician is hoping he can become the first ex-US chief executive to reclaim the White House since Grover Cleveland accomplished that feat more than a century ago. But he faces a series of obstacles on what was once assumed to be a smooth glide path to the GOP nomination, including several of his former top aides and at least one governor he once endorsed. Marianne Williamson The self-help author and former spiritual adviser to television mogul Oprah Winfrey, who participated in several Democratic primary debates during the 2020 election, has said she will enter the 2024 race to challenge Mr Biden for the Democratic presidential nomination. In an interview with Northwestern Universitys Medill News Service, Ms Williamson confirmed her intention to run next year. I wouldnt be running for president if I didnt believe I could contribute to harnessing the collective sensibility that I feel is our greatest hope at this time, she said. During her aborted 2020 presidential run, she garnered a measure of notoriety for making statements widely considered bizarre, such as a vow to make then-New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern the first head of government she would call as president, and an assertion that she would win the election by "harness[ing] love for political purposes" against Mr Trump. Nikki Haley Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley spent two years as Mr Trumps ambassador to the United Nations, and during that time garnered at least a measure of media attention for the way she avoided engaging with the myriad controversies engulfing his administration while staying in the then-presidents good graces. Although the former governor turned diplomat previously pledged not to throw her hat into the ring for 2024 if Mr Trump was still running, she appears to have thrown that non-campaign promise away. On 15 February, Ms Haley announced that she was indeed entering the race. In a video released by her campaign, she even went so far as to take a veiled swipe at Mr Trump by noting that seven out of the last eight presidential elections have seen the GOP candidate lose the popular vote. She also said it is time for a new generation of leadership who will rediscover fiscal responsibility, secure our border and strengthen our country, our pride and our purpose. Mike Pence Once Mr Trumps most loyal defender and steadfast right-hand man, former vice president Mike Pences relationship with the man who led the GOP ticket in 2020 was irrevocably upended by his decision not to unlawfully hijack Congress certification of Electoral College votes in an attempt to keep himself and Mr Trump in power against the wishes of American voters. Mr Pence has not officially declared his intent to run for president against Mr Trump in 2024, but since leaving office he has kept up a steady stream of appearances in key primary states (hello, New Hampshire!) and campaigned for numerous GOP candidates in the midterm elections earlier this month. He also appeared at the Republican Jewish Coalitions annual convention in Las Vegas, a traditional cattle call for potential GOP presidential contenders. Mike Pence. (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) While the former vice president has taken pains not to criticise Mr Trump in the way some anti-Trump Republicans have in recent months, he has also made clear that he would not do things the way the ex-president did during their four years in office. Mr Pence has also begun to build out the beginnings of a 2024 campaign operation by bringing on former Ben Sasse spokesperson Ali Kjergaard to his Advancing American Freedom nonprofit. Ms Kjergaard joins other former Pence White House mainstays, including his former chief of staff, Marc Short, and his former press secretary, Devin OMalley. Mike Pompeo Another ex-Trump administration official who was widely reported to be considering a 2024 bid is Mr Trumps former CIA Director turned Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo. The ex-Kansas congressman appeared at the RJC convention and has kept his face in the public consciousness through a steady stream of appearances on Fox News, where he is a paid contributor. Like Mr Pence, he also kept up a schedule of public appearances that included trips to early primary states. However, Mr Pompeo officially announced on 14 April via Twitter that he will not run for president in 2024. Susan and I have concluded, after much consideration and prayer, that I will not present myself as a candidate to become President of the United States in the 2024 election, Mr Pompeo tweeted. Ron DeSantis The current governor of Florida is thought by many in the GOP to be the perfect successor to Mr Trump. Ron DeSantis. (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) Mr DeSantis, a former Florida congressman who won his 2018 gubernatorial campaign after receiving a coveted endorsement from the then-president, is viewed by Republican pundits as a worthy avatar of the current anti-woke GOP who is hated by all the right people, and his star has been on the rise in conservative circles since he made a show of ending any and all pandemic-related restrictions and mandates in the Sunshine State. When Mr DeSantis took the stage at his 2022 election victory party, supporters even chanted two more years in a nod to his potential status as a GOP presidential contender. And Florida legislators are reportedly considering changing state law to make it easier for him to seek his partys nomination while running for governor. Earlier this month, Mr Trump debuted a derogatory nickname Ron DeSanctimonious for his onetime ally, a sure sign that the Florida native is considered to be a serious adversary by the New York transplant. Vivek Ramaswamy Mr Ramaswamy, a wealthy biotechnology entrepreneur and conservative activist, announced his intention to compete in the 2024 Republican primary during an appearance on Tucker Carlsons eponymous Fox News programme. The Yale Law School graduate has become somewhat of a celebrity in right-wing circles for his denunciations of stakeholder capitalism, big tech censorship, and critical race theory. Last year, he founded Strive Asset Management, an anti-woke investment firm opposed to businesses that use environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) practices. Robert F Kennedy Jr Mr Kennedy Jr - a lawyer, vaccine skeptic and the son of US Senator Robert F Kennedy - filed candidacy papers with the Federal Election Commission on 5 April 2023. The filing places the 69-year-old as the second long-shot Democratic candidate to challenge President Biden, behind Marianne Williamson. While he intends to run as a Democrat, Mr Kennedy Jr has ties to former president Mr Trump. In 2017, he was tapped by the then-president-elect to oversee a presidential panel to review vaccine safety and science - despite having repeatedly expressed scepticism about vaccines. He continued pushing those beliefs through the coronavirus pandemic. Mr Kennedy Jrs father was a candidate in the 1968 presidential election before he was assassinated. Larry Elder Mr Elder, a former attorney, and current conservative talk radio host, announced Thursday, 20 April on Tucker Carlson Tonight that he will be running for president in 2024. The right-wing candidate said that he felt a moral, religious, and a patriotic duty to join the race for president. He named policing, crime, and government overreach as areas of concern. Weve incentivised women to marry the government, Mr Elder told Tucker Carlson. Weve incentivised men to abandon their financial and moral responsibility. And if I do nothing else in this race, but focus people on those two issues I would perform this service to my country. Prior to his announcement, Mr Elder had been the host of the popular conservative radio programme The Larry Elder Show on KABC since 1993. He left in April 2022. Mr Elder has some political experience as he unsuccessfully ran to replace California Governor Gavin Newsom in 2021. Ryan Binkley Pastor and businessman Ryan Binkley has announced his entrance into the 2024 race, the latest long-shot contender to challenge Mr Trump for the 2024 Republican nomination. We have to be unified, Mr Binkley said at a recent event. We have to be in this place, because if were in a time of uncertainty, what its going to take is faith in God and faith in each other to get us through, and its not time for us to back down. Its time for us to believe. Mr Binkley has said he is absolutely confident that he could take on Mr Trump, despite having little name recognition and no experience holding elected office. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Lachlan Murdoch has dropped a defamation lawsuit against Australian news outlet Crikey which called him an unindicted co-conspirator in the Jan 6 US Capitol insurrection. Rupert Murdochs eldest son, who is chief executive of Fox Corp, dropped his action days after the company settled a US case with a $787.5m payout said to be the largest of its kind in history. Fox News settled a defamation suit brought by Dominion Voting Systems that highlighted several instances of conspiracy theories that the conservative news network had aired during and after the 2020 US presidential election. Lachlan Murdochs lawyer, John Churchill, said in a statement that a notice of discontinuance had been filed in federal court in Australia. He said he believed the court would have ruled in Mr Murdochs favour, but referred to a case from another jurisdiction as the reason for dropping the lawsuit. Mr Murdoch remains confident that the court would ultimately find in his favour, however, he does not wish to further enable Crikeys use of the court to litigate a case from another jurisdiction that has already been settled and facilitate a marketing campaign designed to attract subscribers and boost their profits, he said. Last August, Mr Murdochs lawyers said Crikey published an article that implied he illegally conspired with Donald Trump to incite an armed mob to march on the Capitol to physically prevent confirmation of the outcome of the 2020 presidential election. Lawyers claimed the June 2022 article described Mr Murdoch as an unindicted co-conspirator in the effort by Trump supporters to overturn his 2020 election loss to president Joe Biden. Will Hayward, the chief executive of Private Media, Crikeys publisher, said it was a victory for legitimate public interest journalism. The fact is, Murdoch sued us, and then dropped his case. We are proud of our stand. This is a victory for free speech. We won, he said. We stand by our position that Lachlan Murdoch was culpable in promoting the lie of the 2020 election result because he, and his father, had the power to stop the lies. Private Media was attempting to use testimony by Mr Murdoch and his father Rupert in the Dominion Voting Systems US lawsuit as part of its defence to the Australian case, according to local media reports. This was shaping up to be the first major test case of the new public interest defence in Australian defamation law, David Rolph, a University of Sydney professor, told the Sydney Morning Herald. Now well have to await another suitable vehicle. Mr Rolph said defamation litigation doesnt exist in a vacuum and that the revelations in the US proceedings provided the backdrop which made it difficult to litigate the Australian proceedings. Other experts also said that after settling the Dominion Voting Systems lawsuit in the US, it made sense for Mr Murdoch to want to see this case go away, too. Dr Michael Douglas, a senior lecturer at the University of Western Australia Law School, told the newspaper that if the Australian case had continued, some of the evidence before the US court may have been aired again in all its gory detail, potentially including thorough cross-examination of Lachlan Murdoch himself. Fox News declared last week that it was pleased to have paid out the vast sum to Dominion Voting Systems. The network avoided a gruelling six-week courtroom examination of its journalistic practices. We acknowledge the courts rulings finding certain claims about Dominion to be false, Fox said in its statement. Close Related: Putin visits Russian troops in Ukraines Kherson and Luhansk regions For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} China says it will not add fuel to fire in the first call between Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky and Chinese president Xi Jinping since the Russian invasion. During the phone call, which president Zelensky described as long and meaningful, the Chinese president told Mr Zelensky that China would send special representatives to Ukraine and hold talks with all parties seeking peace, Chinese state media reported. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council and a responsible major country, we will neither sit idly by, nor pour oil on fire, still less seek to profit from it, the Chinese president said. President Xi, the most powerful world leader to have refrained from denouncing Russias invasion, said China will focus on promoting peace talks, and make efforts for a ceasefire as soon as possible The White House welcomed the call, which it said it had no advanced knowledge of, but said it was too soon to tell whether it would lead to a peace deal. Thats a good thing, White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said. Now, whether thats going to lead to some sort of meaningful peace movement, or plan, or proposal, I just dont think we know that right now. It comes after three Russian military ghost aircraft were intercepted in international airspace over the Baltic Sea, on Wednesday. Monrovia Growing up in the Brisbane Road, Moulton Corner, Virginia and other communities in Brewersville was a sense of joy for children, who have turned adults but the Liberian civil war, which destroyed every fabric of the society, didn't spare Brewersville so much more that efforts are being made to restore the years eaten by the locust. Women, who were girls, have formed Up-River Women Unite with a mission of "empowering communities". Mrs. Jodie Reid-Seton is leading a team of astute, ambitious and educated women, who were either born and or grew up in Brewersville and want to give back to a city revered for many things, including education with Lott Carey Baptist and Ricks Institute among the leading high schools in Liberia. Quoting famous American anthropologist Margaret Mead, Jodie has "no doubt that a small group of thoughtful and committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." She recalled how a group of committed young women from the Right Bank and St. Paul River decided to come together not to change the world but to utilize their energies and resources to transform the only community they know, Upriver, The Right Bank. As captain of the ship, Jodie pledged before God and man to do her best to restore the lost glory of their community. "Many years ago all of us can attest to the fact that we grew up in a community that was God-fearing, a community where each child was everyone's child, a community that valued education and produced some of Liberia's finest, including the late Angie Brooks Randolph, the first black female president of the General Assembly of the United Nations, a community that embrace high moral standing including accountability and transparency, a community that espouse development and a community that respected the rights of women and children. "Today, sad to say, we have lost our shared values and we believe that now is the time to restore a sense of community consciousness to reclaim those years that the locusts have eaten. It is against this backdrop that Up-River Women Unite was established to bring back not only those glory days but to also ensure better days," she recalled at an induction ceremony at the Brewersville City Hall on 26 March. Jodie said she wouldn't have become who she is if it was not for the discipline that not only her mother, but like in those days, all women of upriver gave her. "In the coming months, we will commence discussion with Up-Riverians living in the diaspora to see how best they too can contribute to the community that made them who they are. "We will also work with relevant stakeholders to declare this community a women and children-friendly community. By doing this, we will be creating a community that will provide the opportunity for every child and woman regardless of their status. "In the next few weeks, we will be approaching you to commence an annual 'Up-River Day', a process that will be designed to ensure that we uphold the great tradition of Upriver. "As the late President William Richard Tolbert, who also grew up in an upriver settlement used to say and I quote 'Total Involvement for Higher Heights!' This is our mission and we appeal to all of you to get involved in this process. "The late British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher once said and I quote 'If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman'. I say to you Upriverians, Upriver women are here, Work with us if you want to transform this community. "Upriver Women Unite! Upriver Community Unite! Let freedom, peace and development once again become a part and parcel of our DNA," Jodie concluded. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Liberia Agribusiness 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. Mrs. Valerie J. Robinson, who performed the oath of office, reminded Jodie and team, who were her former students at Lott Carey, that no one should seek to execute all the functions of the team. "Leadership is like parts of the body where the body will be incomplete without the eye or ear or without the hand or foot. So the chair lady can't be everything," said Valerie as she illustrated with Jodie and the team, which epitomizes one of the hallmarks of truly an old teacher. Those installed with Jodie as chair lady were Mrs. Hannah Lisa Woods-Carter, co-chair; Mrs. Augustus Smith, secretary; Mrs. Doris Wilson-Kofa, treasurer; Mot. Mabel Hayes, chaplain; Ms. Maron Precious Parker, public relations officer and Mrs. Bendu Sannor as operations officer. Pearl Banks, Emmett Hayes, Laurine Mathies and Patterson Blamo will serve as a board of advisors. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} US defense secretary Lloyd Austin met with international defense chiefs in Germany on Friday, 21 April, to discuss supporting Ukraine. The discussions come as Nato allies agreed that Ukraine will become a member of the intergovernmental military alliance. Speaking ahead of the meeting, Nato secretary general Jens Stoltenberg said that after Russia's invasion ends, Ukraine must be equipped with "the deterrence to prevent new attacks". Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky has been urging allies to provide more weapons to ensure peace will return to Ukraine and Europe as a whole. "The aggressor must be defeated. And this is our joint responsibility with our partners: to gain more time for peace, that is, to be as active as possible now in supplying arms and ammunition to accelerate our joint victory," the Ukrainian leader said. Click here to sign up for our newsletters. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} As troops of rival military strongmen clashed in Sudan, reports surfaced that the airport in Merowe, some 320km (200 miles) north of Khartoum, was being prepared for the arrival of transport aircraft carrying a large consignment of weapons. The lethal supplies were supposedly sent by the Wagner Group, the Russian mercenary army that has spread across a swathe of Africa after deploying in Libya and Syria, and whose forces are playing a major part in Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine. Wagner soldiers have been concentrated in Bakhmut, where bloody street fighting has continued for months. An example of the brutal violence in the Donbas town came this week when two fighters, Alexey Savichev and Azamat Uldarov, admitted they had slaughtered 400 civilians, including around 40 children, who were sheltering in a basement. The pair were among conscripts who comprise a significant part of the companys fighters in the conflict. It is not known if Wagner landed arms at Merowe, which has been captured by its Sudanese ally Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, whose Rapid Support Force (RSF) is engaged in the violent confrontation with the countrys main military headed by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. Some US security officials claim Wagner has been fuelling the violence in Sudan in response to Washingtons attempts to get it thrown out of the country. However, others including Western and Sudanese officials question whether Moscow actually wants such destabilisation given that it is due to make substantial military investment in Sudan, including a Red Sea naval base, What is known is that Wagner has forged highly lucrative links with the RSF and Dagalo, including the creation of gold-smuggling chains from Sudan to Russia via Dubai and Syria. A large portion of the money earned has gone to fund operations in Ukraine that are costing Wagner an estimated $100m (81m) every month. Its owner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, has accused Russian military high command of treason for failing to supply his fighters with adequate weapons and ammunition. According to the US State Department, Wagner has begun to obtain arms directly from other states including rockets and missiles from North Korea. Prigozhin is a long-time associate of Putin (AP) Mr Prigozhin, nicknamed Putins Chef after a catering company he owned was given lucrative government contracts, is also said to own M Invest, which controls Meroe Gold, the third-largest gold producer in South Africa and a mining concern rapidly expanding in Sudan. Both companies have been placed under US Treasury and European Union sanctions. An investigation by CNN documented 16 military flights from Sudan to Russia via the Syrian port city of Latakia and the Central African Republic (CAR). These are believed to have moved almost $2bn (1.6bn) in bullion over 18 months, it reported. Under a deal signed in 2019 with Sudans former president Omar Hassan al-Bashir, the Kremlin has agreed to export weapons to the country as well as construct a base at Port Sudan. Calls by Moscow for a ceasefire in the current violence may thus be genuine, if self-serving. RSF leader Gen Dagalo has strong links with the Russian government as well as Wagner. He visited Moscow on 24 February 2022, the day of the Ukrainian invasion, and again in September while John Godfrey, the US ambassador to Khartoum, was pressing the Sudanese regime to scrap the deal for the naval base. Samuel Ramani, a Russia watcher and tutor of international relations at the University of Oxford, believes Wagner is keeping its powder dry in Sudan. I would say they are sitting in a more defensive position; they are not getting a green light from the Kremlin to play a more active role, they are probably staying put for now, he said. Obviously if there is civil war and Prigozhins mining is threatened, we will see a more active military role. But the interests of Wagner and the Kremlin hierarchy have increasingly diverged. Mr Prigozhin, who in the past has been low-profile while his fighters deploy abroad, has begun to increasingly seek the limelight, attacking the Russian military over strategy and tactics in Ukraine. He has been joined in the strident criticism by Chechen ruler Ramzan Kadyrov, whose troops are also in the war, and some of Russias hawkish and influential military bloggers. Russias high command in Moscow has begun to retaliate. A prisoner recruitment drive by Mr Prigozhin (himself sentenced to 13 years on charges of aggravated burglary and robbery) has been halted. Senior commanders are asking for Wagner to be placed under the command of the National Guard, moving it away from direct relationship with Russias Defence Ministry. General Valery Gerasimov, the former chief of general staff and now overall commander in Ukraine, has asked political and military bloggers to reduce their coverage of Wagner; this appears to have an effect with some of the most prolific bloggers like Rybar. Wagner mercenaries have been fighting for control of Bakhmut for months (Reuters) Vladlen Tatarsky, a blogger who promoted Mr Prigozhin, was killed in a targeted blast in St Petersburg last month. Authorities accused Russian opposition figures of carrying out the killing with Ukrainian connivance, but a lot of Tatarskys posts exposed Russian military shortcomings and it is difficult to understand what Kyiv will gain from his death. Colonel General Mikhail Teplinsky, head of Russias Airborne Forces and who at one stage appeared to support Mr Prigozhins criticism, was recently filmed sitting in his office with a portrait of Gen Gerasimov and a screensaver with a picture of defence minister Sergei Shoigu. This was seen as an indication of shifting power balance. Jockeying for position in Moscow has meant little to Wagner fighters on the Ukraine frontline. Talat Nazarbekov, a young Uzbek captured by Ukrainian forces in Donbas, spoke of deep frustration and disenchantment at the losses being incurred for little gain. We have had a hundred people killed and injured for a hundred metres. This does not make any sense, he told me recently at a detention centre in Ukraine. We began to realise that a long time ago. The quality of the mobics (newly-mobilised soldiers) was not acceptable, especially those from prisons. We dont understand the thinking of the senior people, what they are trying to do, where they are going with this. Trying to gauge what the future holds for Mr Prigozhin inevitably leads to questions about his relationship with Mr Putin. Some Russian reports maintain Mr Prigozhins increasingly loud remonstrations about the military are an attempt to be heard by the president with direct channels no longer available. According to some, Mr Prigozhin has political ambitions himself, possibly even to replace President Putin in the future. The Russian independent news site Meduza reports he is trying to gain control of the party A Just Russia, whose leader Sergei Mironov has lauded Wagner as heroic. But Viktor Nikitin, a former Wagner employee who left last autumn and now lives in southern Europe, dismisses the notion that Mr Prigozhin will seek to rule Russia. That will not happen, he said. He is an outsider and the establishment will not accept him, the establishment will protect itself, he knows that. Would Prigozhin directly challenge Putin? That would be very foolish and dangerous. Mr Nikitin added: He has had a lot of money for a long time and now he has power at a time of war. But this type of power will not last in peacetime inside Russia. He can get political power abroad. He can try to run a small country in Africa through puppets for example. But I think hell stay in Russia and try to re-establish good relations with the government. Hell need them to make his money in foreign countries. Wagner deployments overseas have been followed by highly-rewarding commercial agreements. In Syria, the Kremlin approved a deal for Russian commercial concerns to receive oil, gas and mining rights on sites captured from Isis. Wagner was contracted by the companies to seize sites, and received its cut. Mr Prigozhin later struck deals directly with the Assad regime. A company owned by him, EvroPolis, generated $162m (130m) in revenue in one year from the al-Shaer gas plant and three other sites. It is also now under US sanctions. In 2018 Wagner was sent by Moscow to support Khalifa Haftar, a rebel general most of the mercenary forces are now based around oil fields owned by the Gen Haftar. Fighter jets, air defence systems and armour are stationed at the main military bases at al-Khadim airport, Sirte and al-Jufrah and Gen Haftars headquarters in al-Rujma. Washington has been seeking Wagners expulsion from Libya. William Burns, the CIA director, travelled personally to Benghazi to meet Gen Haftar to make the demand in person two months ago. According to US officials, Gen Haftar agreed to consider Wagners withdrawal but asked that the US provide a replacement and that Turkish forces based in Libya should also go. Washington viewed such terms as unrealistic. Libya is a hub for Wagner operations in Mali, where it is replacing French, British and other Western forces, and the CAR. The company first deployed in Mali in a deal reportedly worth $11m (8.9m) a month to train and support local forces. Moscow has also supplied Sukhoi warplanes and military helicopters to the government in Bamako. Russian foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, visited Mali in February, following a trip to Sudan. It is unclear how cash-strapped Mali will pay Wagner, or for the military purchases. Opposition and civic society groups claim secret deals have been done on mineral rights and that diamond and gold is being smuggled out. Wagner took over an artisanal gold mine in CAR in 2020 and turned it into an industrial complex; in the same year, the countrys ministry of mines cancelled the licence of a Canadian company and instead gave a 25-year-old concession to a Madagascar-registered firm called Midas Resources, owned by Mr Prigozhin. Wagners mining profit from CAR so far is an estimated $1bn (810m) Wagner has also moved into timber. A 30-year forestry permit in the Congo Basin was granted to Bois Rouge, a firm located in St Petersburg and owned by people close to Prigozhin, and has traded with Meroe Gold in Sudan. The Congo Basin is one of the largest stretches of undeveloped rainforest in the world. Developing 30 per cent of it would be an environmental calamity, according to analysts, but would also yield around $900m (725m) on international markets. Another former Wagner employee, Roman, who I first met in Simferopol in Crimea in 2014, pointed out how much the company had changed since then. Roman, who now lives in the Balkans, said: At the time we were very quiet, we did not want publicity. But wars made Wagner lots of money and Prigozhin decided to become famous. He has also decided to make enemies of powerful people, and that is always dangerous. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A gut-wrenching photo of a pregnant woman in a bombed-out Mariupol maternity hospital has won the World Press Photo award this year. The winning photo shows 32-year-old Iryna Kalinina, an injured pregnant woman being carried from a maternity hospital that was damaged during a Russian airstrike in Mariupol in March last year. Her baby named Miron after the word for peace was stillborn. The World Press Photo website said Kalinina died half an hour after giving birth. The jury said the photo by Evgeniy Maloletka captures the absurdity and horror of war. It is an accurate representation of the years events and evidence of the war crimes being committed against Ukrainian civilians by Russian forces. It said the powerful image rises as a deeply painful historical fact and highlights the murder of future generations of Ukrainians. Mr Maloletka is a war photographer, journalist and filmmaker from Berdyansk, Ukraine. He works as a chief photographer with the Associated Press. He has been covering Ukraine since 2014, according to the World Press Photo website. The Ukranian photographer has also covered the Euromaidan Revolution, the protests in Belarus, the Nagorno-Karabakh war and the impact of the Covid pandemic in Ukraine. The photo was shot last year in March when Russian forces attacked the maternity hospital in Mariupol. At first, Russia dubbed the report of the attack on the hospital which resulted in three deaths and some 17 injuries as fake news. World Press Photo of the Year award winner, Associated Press photographer Evgeniy Maloletka, is interviewed in front of his winning image of a pregnant woman being carried through the wreckage of a maternity hospital after a Russian military strike in Mariupol (AP) But later, Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said it had been deliberate, claiming the hospital had been taken over by paramilitaries, and that patients and staff had been evacuated. The Associated Press reported last year that after the attack on the hospital, Kalinina was taken to another hospital closer to the front line, where doctors tried to save her. After realising she was losing her baby, doctors said she had cried out to them, Kill me now! Her baby was delivered via cesarean section but showed no signs of life. Doctors said Kalininas pelvis had been crushed and her hip detached. After she delivered, medics tried to save her but more than 30 minutes of resuscitation of the mother didnt produce results. An investigation by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe into the maternity hospital bombing revealed that the hospital was deliberately targeted by Russia and those responsible for the violence had committed a war crime. World Press Photo noted that Mr Maloletka was one of the few photographers documenting events in Mariupol at the time. We came to Mariupol just one hour before the invasion. For 20 days, we lived with paramedics in the basement of the hospital, and in shelters with ordinary citizens, trying to show the fear Ukrainians were living with, he said. Large parts of the Muslim world celebrated the end of the fasting month of Ramadan and the start of the holiday of Eid al-Fitr on Friday 21 April. In the holy Muslim city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, prayers marked the beginning of the holiday. United Arab Emirates and Qatar followed Saudi Arabia and announced the holiday would begin for them on Friday, while their Gulf Arab neighbour, Oman, declared that the moon had not been sighted and the holiday would begin on Saturday. Click here to sign up for our newsletters. Wes Streeting has defended Labours controversial attack advertisements which claim that Rishi Sunak doesnt believe in imprisoning child sex abusers. Speaking to Good Morning Britain on Friday (21 April), the shadow health secretary doubled down on the campaign as another ad was released, this time accusing the prime minister of believing that the super-rich deserve a tax loophole more than cancer patients deserve life-saving treatment. I make no apology for holding the Conservatives to account for their record of 13 years in government, Mr Streeting said. Click here to sign up for our newsletters. Extinction Rebellion has begun several days of protest in central London as the climate activist group attempts to abandon disruptive tactics and focus on relationships over roadblocks. Groups of protesters chanted and danced outside government departments in Westminster on Friday 21 April as they called for more action to tackle the climate crisis during action dubbed The Big One. More than 30,000 people have said they will attend the demonstrations taking place between April 21 and April 24. Click here to sign up for our newsletters. Nato allies have agreed that Ukraine will become a member of the intergovernmental military alliance, Jens Stoltenberg has said. Speaking ahead of an international defense meeting in Ramstein, Germany, the alliance's secretary general said that after Russia's invasion ends, Ukraine must be equipped with "the deterrence to prevent new attacks". It comes as Russia maintains that Ukraine's accession to the alliance would be a "serious, significant threat to our country, to our country's security". Ukraine joining Nato has been cited by Russia as one of their goals for their invasion - which they call a "special military operation" - in the country. Sign up for our newsletters. Green Party leader Eamon Ryan said the provision of housing is not within Dublin Ports plan and it absolutely needs to be. Transport Minister Eamon Ryan is to meet with the board of Dublin Port Company over its expansion plans after criticising the proposals as contrary to the States aims. The port companys Project 3FM includes a plan to build Irelands largest container terminal in front of the ESBs power station in Poolbeg, and a new 190m bridge with a lifting section over the River Liffey. Project 3FM, the final phase of the ports plan to double its capacity by 2040, is out for public consultation until next Friday. Green Party leader Mr Ryan has written to the chair of Dublin Port Company Jerry Grant to outline his significant concerns that the final phase of expansion goes against the States aims for climate action and nature, housing, sustainable transport and the circular economy. Mr Ryan said he is troubled that the plan remains reliant on unsustainable transport and logistic systems, particularly with the reliance on increasing road haulage in and out of Dublin City without using rail freight. Tanaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister Micheal Martin said the issue has not been discussed in detail at Government level. The plan provides for a doubling of capacity at the port to 77 million tonnes by 2040, or 350,000 containers each year, which will be stored in two newly-constructed large docks. Eamon Ryan has raised concerns about expansion plans at Dublin Port (Brian Lawless/PA) Mr Ryan said some of the port land in Dublin should instead be used for the provision of housing and the nature reserve on the Poolbeg peninsula should be extended, rather than using the space for container storage. I have a (Land Development Agency) report on my desk that shows that Dublin Port has land which could be used for housing homes that are close to the city and which are close to existing transport, he said. Estimates are that port lands, some of which are currently being used to park new cars, could be used to provide up to 1,200 new homes for young people and families. The provision of housing for the future is not within Dublin Ports plan and it absolutely needs to be. He also argued that Dublin Bay needs to be protected as a Unesco biosphere and that land around the Poolbeg site should be used to extend the nature reserve and playing fields that the public use. He added: I dont believe we need all of this additional capacity. I cant see what we will be consuming double of in the next 17 years, even taking into account projected population increase. We will have moved away from importing fossil fuels for transport and energy, and the circular economy, one of the States strategic cornerstones into the future, will mean that we should be less reliant on imports. The minister suggested some of the port land should be used instead for housing (Niall Carson/PA) The minister is to meet the board of Dublin Port Company on May 26 to discuss his views on the ports future. Speaking on RTE Radio, asked whether his coalition colleagues in Fine Gael and Fianna Fail agree with his objection, Mr Ryan suggested it is in line with Government policy. Im in constant touch with my colleagues in what were doing on our transport strategies, and, yes, it is Government policy, he said. He said the national planning framework aims to provide better balanced regional development. We are investing and I got great Government support for investing, in Cork, Rosslare, Shannon Foynes, Waterford ports, so that we dont just see all the development of the east coast of the country. Mr Martin said on Friday that the issue has not been discussed in great detail at Government level. He said the Cabinet sub-committee on climate change met on Thursday and discussed the capacity of ports in relation to wind energy. Were awaiting business plans from various ports in respect of their capacity to provide for the offshore wind, he added. Again, it will need more detailed analysis from the Government perspective in terms of Dublin Ports plan, so we havent been appraised in detail in respect of that. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has pledged to use part of Ireland's budget surplus to cut taxes and increase welfare and investment this year (Brian Lawless/PA) Irelands budget surplus last year was the third-highest in the EU, after Denmark and Cyprus, when measured against the size of the economy. It puts the Government in an exclusive club of just seven (out of 27) EU countries whose finances are in the black. Eurostat data shows Irelands budget surplus was 1.6pc of gross domestic product (GDP) last year, or 8bn. Denmark had the highest surplus at 3.3pc of GDP, which was worth more than 12bn. While Cypruss surplus was larger than Irelands as a percentage of its GDP (2.1pc) it was far smaller in absolute terms. The EUs average budgetary position was a deficit of 3.4pc, down almost two percentage points on the previous year, but still in the red. Irelands overall government debt last year was ninth-lowest in the bloc, as a percentage of GDP (44.7pc), the EUs statistics agency said Friday. The lowest ratios of government debt to GDP were recorded in Estonia (18.4pc), Bulgaria (22.9pc) and Luxembourg (24.6pc), with the average in the EU rising to 91.6pc. During the pandemic, the EU suspended its budget rules, which caps deficits at 3pc of GDP and debt at 60pc. Those rules will be reintroduced next year. Ireland is not in breach of either limit thanks to its ever-growing corporation tax take, though the Government says its debt pile is too high. The Department of Finance prefers to express its budgetary position as percentage of modified gross national income (GNI*), which strips out some patents and aircraft leasing transactions that can inflate the size of the economy. By that measure, gross debt was over 80pc last year, which Finance Minister Michael McGrath has said he will look into paying down out of expected future surpluses. Department of Finance estimates show the budget surplus is expected to grow from 8bn last year to 10bn this year and double to 20bn by 2026. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar pledged this week to use part of that windfall to cut taxes, increase welfare payments and funnel more money to infrastructure spending - particularly housing, healthcare, public transport and childcare - in Budget 2024. But he insisted a portion of the surplus be set aside in what he called an anti-austerity fund to pay for future pensions and healthcare costs. Daniel McDonnell: If someone proposed the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund now with the terms in place, theyd be laughed out of town Monrovia Henrique Gustavo, a Brazilian national at the center of the illegal shipment of 520kg of cocaine valued at U$100m, is said to be a friend to certain individuals in the Liberian government, according to defense first witness, Malam Conte. As the ongoing cocaine case intensifies in Criminal Court "C" at the Temple of Justice, Mr. Conte who is on trial along with three others, told the court that Gustavo's only interest was to help his friend in the government. Defendant Conte explained further that Gustavo's help was to provide frozen food like chicken wings and tags for his friend in the government so that said food can be used for campaign purposes. He said it was, for this reason, the Brazilian asked them (the defendants) to make a search of a potential entity that had the capacity to offer a bigger quantity of frozen food. He spoke of how he had been invited to Liberia to invest in frozen food business only to be arrested when he went to do a transaction with THR, a company that deals in frozen food in Liberia. According to him, he had been tricked and set up. He denied having any knowledge of the alleged drug that he is being associated with and for which he has been in jail in Liberia since October 2022. Co-defendant Conte told the court and jury that he has a legitimate business registered in his home country -- Guinea Bissau - and that he had come to Liberia on September 19, 2022 to do 'gold business' based on an invitation from his Brazilian friend, Mr. Gustavo. According to the Co-defendant, he and Gustavo had been talking for many months before his trip to Liberia on investment opportunities and so he came to scout for such opportunity. He further narrated that few days after his arrival and while being lodged at a local hotel, "Gustavo asked that we should look for potential importers of frozen food here in Liberia." He divulged that while they were in search of entities that import frozen food, they met with some folks at THR. "They told us that they are the best importer of frozen food here in Liberia." He stated that Adulai Djibril Djalo (co-defendant), one of his friends who travelled along with him from Bissau, even asked THR folks, most of whom are Arabic speakers, the various prices of the different types of frozen food items that they import. The defendant said his friend Adulai, informed them that THR has the capacity for the kind of business that he wanted to invest in in Liberia. "We only needed to now come back and pay the money for the place so that we could start bringing in our goods," he stated. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Liberia Legal Affairs 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. He further stated that on October 1, 2022, at around 10 a.m., they met Gustavo and he (Conte) gave him a bag containing US$200,000 for payment at the entity. The defendant said, Gustavo had told him that the folks were already at THR and awaiting him (Conte) so that the final part of the discussion can be consummated. Co-defendant Conte narrated that when he got there, there were more than six men whom he claims were Lebanese in the room and one of them, Issam Makki, introduced himself as the Director of Commerce for the company. According to him, he hadn't met some of the folks that were present. He stated that he presented the money and waited for his receipt. "After they checked the money, and certified that it was all correct, their cashier took it to their safe. After some minutes, the cashier returned with a paper in his hand that was to be the receipt for the payment and presented it to the Sale Manager and he stamped and signed on it and gave it to me," he said. He averred that while still at THR; THR's manager received a phone call and he stayed on the phone for more than 10 minutes. According to him, few minutes later, other men identified themselves as people from the US Embassy opened the bag and after confirming the money, he was arrested, handcuffed and jailed. Government must take a multi-faceted approach to solving housing crisis Luring more investment to Ireland will require better personal tax breaks, more housing for foreign workers and some green and tech subsidies, the new chief of IDA Ireland believes. Companies Registration Office cites IT issue for postponing start date PPS numbers will be checked by the Companies Registration Office against data held by the Department of Social Protection The Companies Registration Office has postponed the introduction of a key anti-fraud measure that was due to come into force this weekend. It had been anticipated that from April 23, directors of Irish firms would have to provide their personal public service (PPS) number to the Companies Registration Office (CRO), in an effort to validate their credentials. The Corporate Enforcement Authority said that one reason for the move is to reduce the incidence of companies being incorporated with false director details. The PPS requirement has been introduced under the Companies (Corporate Enforcement Authority) Act 2021. It requires that a PPS number be submitted in respect of directors where an application is made to incorporate a company, when an annual return is submitted, or when a change of directors or secretaries is notified to the Companies Registration Office (CRO). The PPS numbers will be checked by the CRO against data held by the Department of Social Protection and cross reference the directors full name and date of birth. However, the CRO confirmed that the measure wont now be introduced on Sunday as planned. As outlined on the CRO website there will be a short delay to the implementation of the PPSN project which had been scheduled to go live on 23rd of April, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, which oversees the CRO, said on Thursday. It added: The delay is due to an IT issue. Confirmation of the new go- live date will issue shortly. In response to a query on the precise nature of the IT issue, a spokesperson for the department said: The CRO is developing and testing some minor additional IT functionality. Previous Investigations by the Irish Independent uncovered hundreds of fake companies set up in Ireland using fake director details or identity theft. The fraudsters behind the fake companies also used the addresses of real businesses without their knowledge as their own addresses, potentially creating significant legal headaches for those legitimate firms. In a number of instances, they also used the names of real, existing Irish directors without their knowledge, which forced those genuine directors to apply to have themselves removed as directors of the fake firms. Failure to comply with the PPS requirement can result in a fine of up to 5,000. Those without a PPS need to get a Verified Identity Number. Ulster Bank said some customer services will continue through telephone and online channels. Photo: John Walsh The last remaining Ulster Bank branches are to shut permanently from the close of business today, signalling the end of a 187-year history for the banking group in the State. Sixty-three branches across the country will close their doors for the last time, as the bank accelerates its exit from the State. The bank said some customer services and supports will continue through telephone and online channels. It insisted that known vulnerable customers will continue to be supported in moving to a new banking provider. Despite Ulster Bank and KBC Bank repeatedly calling on their customers to close their accounts and put alternative banking arrangements in place, thousands have yet to do so. A total of 167,988 current accounts remained open in Ulster Bank and KBC Bank at the end of last month, the Central Bank said last week. More than 60,000 of these were customers primary accounts. This means the accounts were being used to receive salary or pension payments, and pay bills such as mortgages or rent. Just 85pc of current accounts that were open at the beginning of last year were either closed or inactive as at the end of last month. Today is a poignant day in Ulster Banks 187-year history as our remaining 63 branches in the Republic of Ireland will close their doors for the last time, Ulster Bank chief executive Jane Howard said: While the focus in recent months has been on supporting our customers as they move to new banking providers, we know our branches and colleagues have been a central part of communities around the country for many years. She thanked the banks staff for what she said were a challenging two years since the banks exit from this country was announced. As the closure of current and deposit accounts materially concludes, I strongly urge any remaining customer who has not yet moved their current and deposit account to act swiftly to find a new provider and move their accounts. Although our branches will no longer be open after today, we are still here to support our remaining customers, she added. Ulster Bank has been reducing branch services on a phased basis since its withdrawal was announced. Branch transactions have reduced 99pc since January 2021. Less than 5pc of known vulnerable customers typically use the branch network currently, it said. In January, Ulster Bank formally wrote to customers providing them with notice of the closure of its branch network. Customers who continue to have an account were urged to take action and move to a new provider. The bank said 99pc of Ulster Bank personal current and deposit accounts are either closed or inactive. It said 91pc of business accounts have either closed, wound down or left it inactive. Those customers who continue to have an account with Ulster Bank were urged to take action and move to a new provider that can support their banking needs. Meanwhile, the Banking and Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI) and Safeguarding Ireland said that dedicated phonelines and supports for vulnerable customers moving bank account, as well as their carers, remain in place across all five retail banks. The remaining branches closing on April 21 Carlow Town Cavan Town Ennis (Clare) Bandon (Cork) Douglas (Cork) Mallow (Cork) Midleton (Cork) Patrick Street (Cork) Winthrop Street (Cork) Letterkenny (Donegal) Baggot Street (Dublin) Ballsbridge (Dublin) Camden St (Dublin) Clondalkin (Dublin) College Green (Dublin) Coolock (Dublin) Dublin Airport Dun Laoghaire Dundrum (Dublin) Finglas (Dublin) Grafton Street (Dublin) Liffey Valley (Dublin) Malahide (Dublin) O'Connell St (Dublin) Palmerstown (Dublin) Phibsborough (Dublin) Raheny (Dublin)Stillorgan (Dublin) Swords (Dublin)Tallaght (Dublin) Terenure (Dublin) Walkinstown Cross (Dublin) Tuam Road (Galway) Killarney (Kerry) Tralee (Kerry) Naas (Kildare) Newbridge (Kildare) Maynooth (Kildare) Kilkenny City Portlaoise (Laois) Dooradoyle (Limerick) Limerick City Longford Town Drogheda (Louth) Dundalk (Louth) Ballina (Mayo) Castlebar (Mayo) Claremorris (Mayo) Navan (Meath) Monaghan Town Tullamore (Offaly) Roscommon Town Sligo Town Clonmel (Tipperary) Nenagh (Tipperary) Dungarvan (Waterford) Waterford City Athlone (Westmeath) Mullingar (Westmeath) Gorey (Wexford) Wexford Town Blessington (Wicklow) Bray (Wicklow) Musk appeared to drop the labels from publicly-funded media on Friday after some controversy. Twitter dropped the "Government-funded Media" tag, which implies government involvement in editorial content, on some accounts including RTE, the USs National Public Radio (NPR) and Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), their accounts showed on Friday. Besides NPR and CBC, the tag, previously labelled 'state-affiliated media', was also absent from the BBC Twitter account. Earlier this month, NPR and CBC paused their activities on the social media platform, arguing that the tag did not accurately capture their governance structure. In an interview with BBC last week, Twitter's billionaire owner Elon Musk said the company was trying to be "accurate" and looking into amending the label. "Our goal is simply to be as truthful and accurate as possible. We're adjusting the label to be 'publicly funded', which I think is perhaps not too objectionable," Musk had said. The series stars Bafta-winning actors Gbemisola Ikumelo and Akemnji Ndifornyen, and Hammed Animashaun. BBC One offers first look at new comedy thriller Black Ops (BBC/PA) BBC One has offered a first look at its new high-concept comedy thriller, Black Ops. The six-part series set in east London tells the story of Dom and Kay, two police community support officers who join the Metropolitan Police in the hope of cleaning up their community. However, they quickly find themselves unwittingly thrust into the murky world of deep cover infiltration, with their lives becoming more of a fiasco than Donnie Brasco. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content Black Ops stars Bafta-winning actors Gbemisola Ikumelo and Akemnji Ndifornyen, and Hammed Animashaun. Supporting cast includes After Love stars Joanna Scanlan and Colin Hoult, as well as Ariyon Bakare and Felicity Montagu among others. The show was created and executive produced by Ikumelo and Ndifornyen and co-written and executive produced by Joe Tucker and Lloyd Woolf. The series is directed by Ben Gregor. Black Ops is due to launch on Friday May 5 at 9.30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Barry Humphries' alter ego Dame Edna Everage arrives at the London Palladium to launch the Barry Humphries Farewell Tour (PA) A Sydney hospital where Australian entertainer Barry Humphries is currently being treated has denied reports that he is in an unresponsive state. St Vincents Hospital said that reports on Thursday by multiple local media outlets were incorrect, and that Humphries was stable and in the best hands. The 89-year-old, best known for his character Dame Edna Everage, is being treated at the hospital after suffering health issues following hip surgery. According to Sydneys Daily Telegraph, he was readmitted after suffering complications. Sydney hospital denies Barry Humphries is in unresponsive state (PA) On Thursday it was further reported by multiple local outlets that Humphries had gone into an unresponsive state and had been given morphine by doctors. But a spokesperson for the hospital later told the PA news agency the reports were not accurate. Reports that he is unresponsive are not accurate, a hospital spokesperson said. He remains stable in the hospital in the best hands. A family statement previously issued to the Sydney Morning Herald thanked fans and hospital staff for their support and good wishes. Humphries has been a staple of the British comedy circuit since moving to London in 1959, appearing in West End shows such as Maggie May and Oliver!. He was among the leading members of the British comedy scene, alongside Dudley Moore, Alan Bennett and Spike Milligan. Alongside his Dame Edna Everage alter ego, he also appeared as the lecherous Sir Les Patterson and Sandy Stone, an elderly, childless man living in the suburbs. The award-winning actor said he had threaded back story into his character to show the fearsome pirate as a human and explain his wrong choices. Jude Law: I had to make Captain Hook a believable killer in a kids movie (Jordan Pettitt/PA) Jude Law says he was faced with the challenge of portraying a believable killer in a kids movie as he stepped into the role of Captain Hook. The award-winning actor said he had threaded back story into his character to show the fearsome pirate as a human and explain his wrong choices. Law stars in Disneys upcoming movie Peter Pan and Wendy, alongside Yara Shahidi and newcomers Alexander Molony and Ever Anderson. The film is a live-action reimagining of the classic Disney animated film. Speaking at its rainy London premiere on Thursday, Law told the PA news agency he had to make the character believably scary. In the book Hook only makes a very brief appearance, he said. Hes described in, like only two chapters, but two sentences really stuck to me. One was that he killed his own crew with ease, and the other was that he was the only pirate that Long John Silver fears. Disneys upcoming movie Peter Pan and Wendy stars newcomers Alexander Molony (left) and Ever Anderson (Jordan Pettitt/PA) So I just thought, Okay, Ive got to make this guy believably scary and believably a killer in a kids movie. He continued: Luckily, (director) David (Lowery) gave me an opportunity to thread in his back story that explained some of the damage that had been done, the scarring inside and out. And I hope that both allowed me to play someone scary but also explained (him) maybe as a human and wrong choices he had made. The films young stars encouraged other aspiring actors to never give up on your dreams as they spoke of their excitement in landing their parts. (Left-right) Ever Anderson, Alexander Molony, Jude Law, David Lowery and Yara Shahidi attending the world premiere of Peter Pan and Wendy (Jordan Pettitt/PA) One lesson I learned, a piece of advice I give to anyone who wants to get into acting is just give it a go, Molony told PA. I never thought Id get the part of Peter Pan, but I did. Anderson added: Never give up on your dreams. Its tough, its really tough but if you stick with it and believe in yourself, you really can achieve anything. Dont be scared to look stupid, was the best piece of advice I was ever given. Peter Pan and Wendy is set for release on Disney+ on April 28. Work on the film was halted completely following the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the New Mexico set in 2021. Filming on the Rust movie has resumed in the US state of Montana and is expected to wrap at the end of May, producers have said. Representatives said the entire crew was wholeheartedly dedicated to realising the vision of the films late cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. Work on the film was halted completely following the death of Ms Hutchins on the New Mexico set in 2021. On Friday, prosecutors formally dismissed charges of involuntary manslaughter against actor Alec Baldwin, who was holding the weapon that killed Ms Hutchins. Baldwin has returned to Montana to resume work on the film, on which he is also an executive producer, along with director Joel Souza who was also injured during the incident. In a statement Souza said that though returning to the production was bittersweet he was grateful to those involved for helping to complete what Halyna and I started. My every effort on this film will be devoted to honouring Halynas legacy and making her proud, he said. The beauty of Montana surpasses words, and the warm hospitality and kindness extended by everyone Ive met has been both humbling and inspiring. My every effort on this film will be devoted to honouring Halynas legacy and making her proud Rust director Joel Souza It is a privilege to work alongside such great partners as we see this through on Halynas behalf. Melina Spadone, lawyer for Rust Movie Productions, said: Our dedicated cast and crew resumed principal photography this week, and we anticipate completion by the end of May. The production will continue to utilise union crew members and will bar any use of working weapons and any form of ammunition. Live ammunition is and always was prohibited on set. On Friday, prosecutors dismissed charges of involuntary manslaughter against actor Alec Baldwin, who was holding the weapon that killed Ms Hutchins (Santa Fe County Sheriff/PA) Each and every one of us is wholeheartedly dedicated to realising Halynas vision and paying tribute to her artistry. It comes as legal representatives for the family of Ms Hutchins said they would press on with a separate civil lawsuit against Baldwin, despite the criminal charges being dismissed. Mr Baldwin may pretend that he is not responsible for pulling the trigger and ejecting a live bullet which ended Halynas life, a statement from the familys lawyer Gloria Allred read. He can run to Montana and pretend that he is just an actor in a wild west movie but, in real life, he cannot escape from the fact that he had a major role in a tragedy which had real life consequences for Halyna, her mother, father, sister, and co-worker. The frontwoman of rock band The Hardkiss promised to bring fashion from her home country to this years final in Liverpool. Eurovision Song Contest presenter Julia Sanina will be dressed head to toe in designs from her home country of Ukraine as she takes to the stage at this years final (James Stack/PA) Eurovision Song Contest presenter Julia Sanina will be dressed head to toe in designs from her home country of Ukraine as she takes to the stage at this years final. The frontwoman of rock band The Hardkiss promised to bring Ukrainian fashion to the contest, which is being hosted by Liverpool on behalf of the country as the Russian invasion continues. She said: My outfits will be all made in Ukraine. All from Ukrainian designers, from shoes to jewellery to dresses, suits. I would love to bring some Ukrainian fashion into it. Hannah Waddingham, Julia Sanina and Alesha Dixon at the media launch of the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 (James Stack/PA) Her co-presenters, actress Hannah Waddingham and Britains Got Talent judge Alesha Dixon, joked they might be playing it down when picking their outfits for the event, normally known for sequins and sparkle. Dixon said: Could you imagine if we rocked up in a white vest and jeans? I think its an opportunity to have some fun. All of us love our fashion, love our clothes, so were going to have fun with it. The three women met for the first time on Wednesday, at a press launch for the contest, but said there is already a chemistry between them. Sanina said: Were so different different energies, different moods, different chemistry but all together I think it will work great. Dixon added: I feel so lucky that we get to host as a group of girls together, it feels really empowering. The launch of Eurovision EuroFestival at the British Music Experience in Liverpool (Peter Byrne/PA) Waddingham, who stars in Ted Lasso, said she hopes the contest will be a joyful hiatus to what is going on in the world. She said: Its a moment for everyone to just have, one, the biggest party, two, display their phenomenal talents, and, it sounds like a cliche, but to bring love and tactility and all of those things back to the foreground. Dixon said: Everybodys included, everybodys invited, everybody can be a part of it, and thats really rare so we should celebrate it. Sanina said she is feeling the nerves more than her co-hosts as the only Ukrainian presenter on stage for the evening. Everybodys watching Eurovision from year to year in Ukraine and everybody will watch it, definitely, no matter what, she said. Its so important for people just for a couple of hours to forget about the reality that we have nowadays and to feel that joy and to feel that happiness with everybody in the world, to come together, to feel that support of the world. There's a lot of Ukraine in this Eurovision Julia Sanina Theres a lot of Ukraine in this Eurovision lots of Ukrainian performers, lots of Ukrainian songs and lots of cultural things in Eurovision that Ukrainians will love, definitely. For us its very important to feel that support and love. Waddingham praised UK entry Mae Muller, saying: She is so charismatic, aside from having a stonking voice. Every time I see her perform Im just like This girl is not mucking around, shes here to be noticed and acknowledged. But the women said that, as hosts, they will remain impartial. Dixon added: We are the mothers to all of the acts no, were the sisters! Mae Muller is the UKs entry for this years Eurovision Song Contest (Yui Mok/PA) Waddingham said hosting the contest in Liverpool is a little bit like coming home, and revealed she once appeared in Merseyside soap Brookside. She said: People in Liverpool are front-footed, they care, theyre passionate. No messing about. Maybe thats where I get my front foot from my mums from the Isle of Man and I have family in Liverpool so I feel like Ive, a little bit, come home. Dixon added: Theres so much going on, so many events, so lots of people that havent got the opportunity to come to the show, theres so many things for them to do here. From what Ive seen, Liverpool has just embraced it. We cant wait. Its just going to be like nothing weve ever experienced before. St Vincents Hospital said that reports by multiple local media outlets were incorrect, and that Humphries was stable and in the best hands. A Sydney hospital where Australian entertainer Barry Humphries is currently being treated has denied reports that he is in an unresponsive state. St Vincents Hospital said that reports on Thursday by multiple local media outlets were incorrect, and that Humphries was stable and in the best hands. The 89-year-old, best known for his character Dame Edna Everage, is being treated at the hospital after suffering health issues following hip surgery. According to Sydneys Daily Telegraph, he was readmitted after suffering complications. Barry Humphries alter ego Dame Edna Everage arrives at the London Palladium to launch the Barry Humphries Farewell Tour (PA) On Thursday it was further reported by multiple local outlets that Humphries had gone into an unresponsive state and had been given morphine by doctors. But a spokesperson for the hospital later told the PA news agency the reports were not accurate. Reports that he is unresponsive are not accurate, a hospital spokesperson said. He remains stable in the hospital in the best hands. Reports that he is unresponsive are not accurate. He remains stable in the hospital in the best hands St Vincent's Hospital spokesperson A family statement previously issued to the Sydney Morning Herald thanked fans and hospital staff for their support and good wishes. Humphries has been a staple of the British comedy circuit since moving to London in 1959, appearing in West End shows such as Maggie May and Oliver!. He was among the leading members of the British comedy scene, alongside Dudley Moore, Alan Bennett and Spike Milligan. Alongside his Dame Edna Everage alter ego, he also appeared as the lecherous Sir Les Patterson and Sandy Stone, an elderly, childless man living in the suburbs. Monrovia The Elections Coordinating Committee (ECC) has expressed dissatisfaction with the National Elections Commission (NEC) following the release of phase one of its ongoing BVR exercise. The ECC stated that NEC workers were not consistently asking applicants to provide proof of eligibility as Liberians to partake in the BVR process. During a press conference on Wednesday, Malcolm Wleemogar Joseph, a board member of ECC, stated that the NEC registration teams generally followed the registration procedures but did not consistently require applicants to provide proof of eligibility, particularly those who pre-registered online. He further stated that out of 211 registration centers, 64 allowed applicants to register without providing proof of eligibility, while in 147 centers, applicants were required to present proof of eligibility before being registered. Additionally, he said that at eight registration centers, successful applicants did not receive their BVR cards due to a shortage of cards, while 203 of 211 registration centers provided applicants with their voter registration cards before leaving the centers. Mr. Joseph also mentioned that at 47 of the 211 registration centers, the BVR equipment experienced a malfunction, but the issue was quickly resolved. However, at 18 of these centers, the malfunction caused a serious delay to the process. He also noted that at 68 of 211 registration centers, ECC observers reported that the NEC staff did not fill out the rejection form whenever an applicant was rejected during the first phase of the BVR process in Montserrado, Margibi, Grand Bassa, Grand Cape Mount, Bomi, and Gbarpolu. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Liberia Governance 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. Established in 2010, the Elections Coordinating Committee is Liberia's largest domestic election observation network, with diverse competencies, experiences, and expertise in democracy, elections, and governance. The ECC has provided interim recommendations to improve phase two of the BVR in the remaining nine counties, which include conducting debriefing and adequate supervision of staff to evenly apply registration procedures during the conduct of the process. The NEC should also make public preliminary registration figures disaggregated by electoral districts, increase the time for voter registration by two weeks for counties with larger populations such as Nimba, Bong, and Lofa, adopt a definite contingency plan to immediately address any possible equipment failure or malfunction during phase two, considering that the counties in phase two are remotely situated. Additionally, the Ministry of Justice should ensure that ongoing investigations into electoral offenses are properly conducted and completed, and the outcomes made available to the public. Political parties are reminded to train and deploy their agents at all Voters registration centers to maintain confidence in the outcome of the final registration roll, and the Liberia National Police and other security agencies should increase the presence of uniformed security personnel across the phase two counties to help enforce the law. For diehard, beret-wearing fans of the show, this sliver of a neighbourhood has become a landmark of its own. The immense success of the Netflix series Emily In Paris has transformed a quiet, untouched square in the French capital into a tourist magnet. In the historic Latin Quarter and just a short walk from the magnificent, domed Pantheon, tucked so deeply away that you could easily miss it, lies the Place de lEstrapade. For diehard, beret-wearing fans of the show, this sliver of a neighbourhood has become a landmark of its own. That is because it is where the fictional character Emily Cooper, a 20-something American portrayed by Lily Collins, lives, dines and savours French pastries from the local bakery. The newfound attention can be disruptive for the real people who live and work there, but the show is also igniting a new passion for Paris and even anti-Emily graffiti has become part of the attraction. The romantic comedy, whose third season was released in December, traces Emilys adventures and misadventures in her Parisian career and love life. On a sunny weekday, the square bustles with tourists from the US and far beyond, taking photographs, video and selfies. It is all here: Emilys apartment building at 1 Place de dEstrapade, where she lives next to would-be love interest Gabriel. The restaurant where Gabriel portrayed by French actor Lucas Bravo is the chef. And, of course, the bakery she loves. Dancer Riskya Octaviana from Jakarta, Indonesia, went directly to Paris after performing in Germany because of how much she loves the show. After twirling on the square, Emily-style, she said: Emily is my big friend. Elizabeth and Ruben Mercado celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary in Paris and visited Emilys neighbourhood as part of their trip. Elizabeth said she prepared by binge-watching the show just before they left. Weve been trying to practice the small bits of French that we picked up during the show, she said. Tourists make a point of stopping and snacking at Boulangerie Moderne, the bakery featured in the series. The tourist infusion has boosted profits, acknowledges owner Thierry Rabineau. But the flipside to fame has come in online comments. Some people, many posting anonymously, have slammed the quality of his bakery. Mr Rabineau thinks the show has mistakenly given viewers the impression that he is running a luxury pastry shop instead of a standard local bakery selling croissants at 1.30 euros (1.15) each. People are writing comments, saying its overpriced, its not good. Its disgusting. This baffles me, Mr Rabineau said. Its a modern bakery, a small neighbourhood bakery. He is aware how lucky he is that the show came along. We are profiting from a current situation. But in two or three years, there wont be any more tourism and we will have to be here to survive, he said. Stephanie Jamin, who lives on the square and crosses paths with the throngs of tourists on a daily basis, has had to adjust to residing in a go-to place on the tourist map. She says the people themselves are not a nuisance but the crowds can be imposing. We have become an ultra-touristy district, whereas it was a small square still a bit preserved from tourism, she said. Another resident emerging from Emilys apartment building said they were allergic to the show. Emily Not Welcome is even scrawled in red graffiti on part of the facade. But the graffiti, too, is drawing fans, with visitors taking pictures of themselves pointing to the disparaging remark. Among them was Abdullah Najarri, a medic from Berlin who calls the series entertaining. I got to see a lot of Paris through that series, actually, and the lifestyle and and the cliches partly true, partly not, so that its nice, he said. There will inevitably be an end. Emily is not Victor Hugo. She will not be inducted into the Pantheon Jamin, Parisian Croatian digital creator Sladana Grzincic, touring Paris wearing a white beret, sunglasses and a striped blue-and-white sweater, was photographed taking a jump and twirl in front of Emilys apartment. Seeing the real neighbourhood makes her eager for the next season, which she said she will watch a bit differently because I was here and on the same spots where shes filming that. Season four is in the works but the release date remains unknown. Resident Jamin remains philosophical about the fascination with her neighbourhood. It is as ephemeral as the series is, she said. After the Emily frenzy subsides, there are people like all the shopkeepers of the district who will have benefited enormously from it, and it allowed them to start up again after Covid. They needed that, she said. There will inevitably be an end. Emily is not Victor Hugo. She will not be inducted into the Pantheon, Jamin added. She will go home and everything will be fine. Peacock Theatre, Dublin, until May 6 Playwright Deirdre Kinahan teamed up with actor Bryan Murray to create a play he could perform, despite suffering from the memory-loss condition of Alzheimers. The result, a 60-minute show co-produced by SoFFt Productions and the Abbey, is an intrepid curio. Murray is well known to older Irish audiences from groundbreaking TV shows like Strumpet City and The Irish RM, and also, more recently, from Fair City. Kinahans play is an off-kilter take on the idea of a memory-play. How do you make a memory-play when you cannot fully remember? We get the life-story of an actor called James. He grows up in Dublin and becomes a star on the London stage. Its not presented as a biography of Murray, but the life of James runs in parallel to Murrays own life; it is impossible to separate the player from the play. There is a delightful account of a young actor starting off at the Abbey Theatre; a mother who believes her son is a natural for the stage; a childhood friend, the local tough boy, with whom James shares an awkward kiss that descends into fisticuffs, and they never speak again. There is a love called Sara. Some miscarriages. A daughter. Director Louise Lowe, accustomed to dealing with scattered material, allows the story to follow its loose rhythms. Murray is paired onstage with younger actor Matthew Malone, who plays versions of James, trying to remember, and shepherding Murray like a guardian angel. Conor Jacobs moving frames set and Ciaran Bagnalls futuristic lighting create abstract contexts of shape and moods. Paul Frosts music for a string quartet, live played, provides expansive emotional cushioning. The last time I saw Murray on stage was in a revival of Kinahans play Halcyon Days three years ago at the Viking Theatre. If he was in the early stages of Alzheimers at the time, you couldnt tell. He has fully lived the actors life, and this is a wry and touching account of it. Now looking terrific in a russet-coloured suit with a red waistcoat, his stage presence is still strong. A significant Irish actor takes a well-earned bow. The case against a senior barrister accused of murder has been put back to May to allow the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) time to respond to a detailed request for disclosure from defence lawyers. Courts Man caught drunk driving his horse and cart to get cigarettes ordered to do a safer driving course Failure to provide basic accommodation and food for young single male asylum seeker unlawful, court rules Lawyers for the State said they were dealing with a 600pc increase in international protection applications since the start of 2021, with accommodation problems compounded by the war in Ukraine Mr Justice Charles Meenan. Photo: Collins Courts Tim Healy Fri 21 Apr 2023 at 13:28 He was the love of my life wife tells of heartbreak as hospital apologises over death of father of three Family of Shane Banks called for Shanes Law to be introduced, making it mandatory for hospitals to disclose if a treating doctor is under supervision or being mentoredSurgeon involved had been the subject of a review carried out by the hospital in relation to his ability to undertake complex surgery Shane Banks and Ciara McDermott on their wedding day Tim Healy Thu 20 Apr 2023 at 16:40 Cartel boss desperately trying to avoid extradition Daniel Kinahan: The cartel boss is believed to have moved to Iran Cartel boss Daniel Kinahan is believed to have fled Dubai and relocated to Iran as he desperately tries to avoid extradition to face justice, the Irish Independent can reveal. As Gerry The Monk Hutch enjoyed his first few days of freedom in Dublin this week, it is understood that senior members of the Kinahan cartel including its leader have fled Dubai for a safe haven within Iran. The 45-year-old mob boss is under mounting pressure from law enforcement agencies across the globe and is understood to have become fearful in recent months that authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) would hand him over to the US police or An Garda Siochana. This is despite Kinahan allegedly handing over huge sums to corrupt officials within Dubai to ensure his familys protection and freedom over the past couple of years. Senior members of the cartel are concerned that living in the UAE is no longer safe as gardai and the US authorities pressure the government there to expel Kinahan and his associates. A source said: Daniel and his immediate family do not want to run this risk and are believed to be gone, for now at least. The Indo Daily: From Acquittal to Assassination Threat The ongoing Kinahan Cartel risk to Gerry The Monk Hutch Cartel chief Daniel Kinahan There have been recent cases involving the authorities in the UAE agreeing to hand over criminals to other jurisdictions that seek them, such as the Americans. The Kinahans fear they could well be used as a bargaining chip. Their reality is Dubai is no longer considered to provide them with the protection it once did. It is understood the Kinahan cartel has links to terrorist groups in Iran as well as funding. It is the perfect safe haven for them because they can be afforded protection due to forged criminal links, the source added. The movements of the cartel leadership are believed to be fluid with the organised crime group also exploring the possibility of places further into the Middle East. Alongside his father Christy Kinahan Sr (65) and younger brother Christopher Jr (41), Daniel Kinahan has a $5m (4.6m) bounty of on his head from the US government. A wanted poster of Christopher Kinahan Jnr , Daniel Kinahan and Christopher Vincent Kinahan Iran has been identified as the cartels suspected current location for a number of reasons. It is a country that has no extradition treaty with the US, which is seeking to arrest Daniel Kinahan and members of his family. It has had no formal diplomatic relations with the US since 1980. The war-torn country of Yemen has also been identified as a possible location for the organised crime group left reeling in the past year after the international sanctions were announced against them. Despite the turmoil and sustained pressure on the Kinahan cartel, gardai believe the international crime gang still has the clout to try to murder The Monk, his brother Patsy and any senior member of the Hutch gang, The garda operation to contain the Kinahan/Hutch feud since the Regency gun attack in 2016 is believed to have cost tens of millions of euro. Gerry "The Monk" Hutch leaving the CCJ. Photo: Mark Condren And although organising a gangland murder hit against the Hutch mob in the current climate is not necessarily feasible given the sustained garda presence around Dublin in the aftermath of Gerry Hutchs release sources said it does not mean that plans are not under way to commit further murders and reignite the feud. But the reality is that these proposed plans might take some time to come to fruition. The threat against Gerry Hutch from the Kinahan cartel remains. And it remains at the highest of levels. Even if the Kinahans are under pressure, which they are, this does not mean they cannot simultaneously be trying to orchestrate murders against the Hutch gang, the source added. Gardai this week have put in place a policing plan near Gerry Hutchs location and have continued to provide discreet and sustained around-the-clock presence to protect his family and associates. Much of this policing operation on Dublins northside is being carried out by the garda national surveillance unit and last night Hutch remained in the capital. Justice Minister Simon Harris vowed yesterday that gardai would follow organised crime organisations to the ends of the Earth. I want to send out a very strong message today. Justice always prevails. You can run. You can try to hide. But An Garda Siochana will never stop pursuing and dismantling the criminal gangs causing fear, violence and murder across this country, he said. That pursuit does not stop at any border. An Garda Siochana have built law enforcement coalitions around the world. These gangs have been left under no illusions that wherever they try to go we will follow. Despite repeated requests through an intermediary, Daniel Kinahan has refused to do an interview or provide a statement to the Irish Independent in the aftermath of The Monks acquittal at the Special Criminal Court this week. Gerry The Monk Hutch has managed to evade serious prison time yet again Gerry The Monk Hutch walked out of the Special Criminal Court a free man on Monday after the closest shave he has ever had with the law in his long criminal career. Monrovia Normal academic activities at Nimba County University have come to a standstill since January and continue to be suspended due to insufficient budgetary allotment from the national government since the university was elevated from a community college to university status. The head of the aggrieved faculty association at the university, Theophilus Younquoi, told reporters that they have expressed their concerns, but the government's refusal to increase the university's budget has led to their actions. He explained that their action would continue until their demands were met. Younquoi stated that Nimba University was elevated to a full degree-granting university by an act of legislation in 2022, but since then, the university has not received sufficient financial support from the central government to run the university. The faculty, along with the administration, has lobbied with the Nimba legislative caucus and the Ministry of Finance for an increase in the budgetary allotment, but their efforts have yielded no results. Younquoi lamented that the university is the second-highest tertiary public institution in the Republic of Liberia, with 19 different degree-granting programs, the highest number of enrolments, and more employees. Yet, the university received the least budgetary allotment in the 2021/2022 fiscal year. He accused the government of providing more budgetary allotment to the State University (University of Liberia), which received about 17,600.00 United States dollars, while the Tubman University in Maryland County received 5,500.00 United States dollars, and Nimba University received only 1,177.064 United States dollars. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Liberia Education 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. The faculty is exerting all efforts to lobby members of the Nimba Legislature caucus and other stakeholders for an increment in the pending budget of 2023. However, they have not been able to secure such an allotment, which led them to go slow since January up to the present. Our Nimba County correspondent has gathered reports that the university administration submitted a total budget of 5,999.00 for the 2023 budget year, but they were only able to receive half of the said allotment. The head of the Nimba County University faculty association noted that they have engaged the authorities responsible for such action for redress, but they were unable to seek support from the government, which led them to embark on such a strike, which has lasted for more than three months as they still demand more budgetary allotment from the national government towards the university. When contacted, the president of Nimba County University, Dr Jessa Noah Mongrue, expressed hope that the government would increase the university's budget. It was also reported that the president of the university lacked a vehicle to use since he took over the institution. And what a difference 20 years makes. Looking a far cry from the 60-year-old man who walked free from the Criminal Courts of Justice last Monday, this isThe Monk celebrating his 40th birthday at the Gresham Hotel. Showing a dark sense of humour, the theme of the party was American gangsters, aka the Chicago Outfit made famous by Al Capone. More than 250 of his closest family and associates turned up at the O'Connell Street Hotel in April 2003 to help him mark the milestone occasion. "Everyone turned up wearing pinstripe suits and fedoras. The idea was they all looked like dapper gangsters," said one onlooker. The theme of Hutch's party was also a hark-back to his youth. At some point during the 1970s, Hutch joined the so-called Bugsy Malone gang of inner-city youngsters and eventually became its leader. Their crimes at the time were focused on handbag thefts, car break-ins and other acts of small time larceny. His first prison sentence came at the age of 15 and he described jail as "college for criminals." But this isn't the first time he has tried to poke fun at his gangland reputation. Back in 2001 the chief suspect in two multi-million-euro robberies in Dublin made a tax settlement worth over 2m with the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB). This came after the organisation has assessed him on a number of properties he owned in Dublin city and other income. He wasted little time in applying to become a taxi driver and set up a high-end limousine service, which he decided to name CAB (Carry Any Body) Limousines Ltd. Registered to his Clontarf address, he dissolved the company in November 2005. The Monk has always loved birthday parties. A decade ago, he marked his 50th with a lavish party for family and friends in Lanzarote, where he lived for most of the year with his wife Patricia. A long-time friend of his from childhood later described it as a dual celebration marking his successful retirement from crime an option that had been denied to so many of his old criminal friends and associates. The bash was held in Mulligans pub in Puerto del Carmen. Gerry Hutch was enjoying his retirement from crime, in the sunshine. But within a couple of years his plans were in ruins and he had been dragged into a gangland war with the Kinahan cartel that was not of his making. The Regency Attack was followed by a bloody gangland feud which saw several of Gerry Hutchs closest friends and relatives killed. In August 2021 Gerry Hutch was arrested in Fuengirola on the Costa Del Sol by Spanish police in relation to the Regency Hotel attack which saw David Byrne shot dead. He was held in custody for almost two years and was forced to mark his 60th birthday behind bars just last week. However the Special Criminal Court this week acquitted him of murder at the Regency, on the grounds that there was no evidence that he had been involved in the actual shooting at the hotel in 2016. Ms Justice Tara Burns in her judgement said: The court is satisfied beyond all reasonable doubt that members of the Hutch family were responsible for the attack at the Regency Hotel. But friends say that Gerry Hutch was always confident that he would walk away from the court a free man, and that he would properly celebrate his 60th in style. A YOUNG man jailed for stabbing and killing a fisherman who broke into his home has been convicted of illegally having a mobile phone in his prison cell. Dean Kerrie (21) was caught four days before Christmas with the phone at Wheatfield, where he is serving three and a half years for manslaughter. Judge Ciaran Liddy gave him another one-month sentence but made it concurrent, meaning Kerries jail time will not be extended. Kerrie, of St Brigids Square, Portarlington, Co Laois, pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a mobile phone in prison without the permission of the governor. A garda told Blanchardstown District Court prison officers carried out a search of the accuseds cell on December 21 last year and a small mobile phone was found on his person. He accepted ownership of it and had no previous convictions for this type of offence, the garda said. It was four days before Christmas and he was contacting family members, defence solicitor Wayne Kenny said. He knows he shouldnt have done it. Kerrie lost all privileges in the prison for a time as a result. He apologised for the offence, Mr Kenny said. Judge Liddy said the one-month sentence is to run from the date of conviction yesterday. Kerrie was 17 years old when he stabbed Jack Power to death on July 26, 2018. Mr Power was an unarmed intruder at Kerries then home at Shanakiel in Dunmore East, Co Waterford at the time. The victim had been drinking in the early hours of the morning when he saw damage to his car that he thought had been done by Kerrie. Mr Power smashed a window at the Kerrie house with a rock and went in the front door. There was an altercation and Dean Kerrie stabbed him in the chest with a knife. Kerrie was twice tried for murder at the Central Criminal Court but last year was convicted by a jury of manslaughter. Mr Justice Paul McDermott said the accused was entitled to use force in defence of himself, his family and his home, but the force he used was grossly excessive given that the victim was unarmed. Taking into account Kerries age at the time, that he showed genuine remorse and did not expect or instigate the violence, the judge imposed a sentence of four years and six months with the final year suspended for two years. Mr Justice McDermott had described Mr Power as an exceptionally hard-working young man who loved his work as a fisherman. In victim impact statements, his parents said his loss was immeasurable. Well known menswear shop Jack & Jones has been ordered to take steps to ensure all of its staff are paid extra for Sunday work, after the clothing retailer admitted it did not pay a Sunday premium to workers. In a decision published this morning by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), Jack & Jones, which has around 40 full-time equivalent staff in Ireland, was ordered to pay 10,725 - representing six months wages - to a worker who was let go five weeks after making a working hours claim. The tribunal was ruling on statutory complaints by Jake Quinn, under the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 against J & J Retail Limited, trading as Jack & Jones, who had alleged he got no premium pay for 14 Sundays between April and July 2022. Mr Quinn, who said he earned 11 per hour for a 37.5-hour week, further alleged that he did not receive bank holiday entitlements for four dates in March, April and May that year. Giving evidence on his complaint Mr Quinn said he was let go on 28 July 2022, four and a half months after he was hired. He had submitted the working hours complaints to the WRC on 19 June 2022, around five and a half weeks before his employment was ended. His evidence was not contested by the retailer. William OReilly of RVW OReilly, appearing for Jack & Jones, said the company does not pay Sunday premia. The complainant was paid a standard rate of payment and under his contract he was required to be flexible in his hours of attendance, Mr OReilly said. Mr OReilly added that the complainant was paid for 33.78 hours in holiday entitlements, which Mr Quinn agreed at the hearing had included a portion for holiday pay. Adjudicating officer Conor Stokes noted in his decision that the companys representative accepted Mr Quinn worked Sunday hours and that it does not pay any form of Sunday premium. It also accepted that the contract is silent on this issue, he added, and declared Mr Quinns complaint to be well founded. Noting that the working time legislation gave him jurisdiction to award up to two years pay in the case of a breach of the Act, he ordered Jack & Jones to pay Mr Quinn 10,725. He said the sum, equivalent to six months wages for Mr Quinn, was just and equitable having regard to all the circumstances. Mr Stokes also ordered the retailer to comply with the payment of Sunday premia for all of its employees. OFFICIALS in the Department of Children and Equality were left praying for a Hail Mary as they put a call out for additional accommodation for the growing number of refugees arriving in Ireland. In situation reports from last autumn, officials describe a deepening crisis and desperate efforts to relieve acute immediate pressures at the Citywest transit centre in Dublin. If nothing was done, there would be over 1,000 people staying overnight there with a risk of the potential closing down of the full facility. Officials were asked to immediately contact all confirmed and potential accommodation providers to push for earlier commencement dates. An action plan said: This is a bit of a Hail Mary in that we are not expecting significant accommodation to materialise over the next couple of days as a result of the action. It said they would also have to see if local authorities could urgently make available 1,000 emergency rest centre beds. The action plan said: The shortfall is so great that we need scale in terms of emergency rest centre locations. It said these centres would need to have capacity for at least 75 people each if they were help to relieve the pressures at Citywest. This could be a gamechanger in term of relieving pressure on CWTH [Citywest] and allowing it reopen to all new refugee arrivals, said the plan. Consideration was also given to whether extra staff could help push refugees through the transit centre into more permanent accommodation. However, they concluded it was unlikely to make any significant difference given the sheer numbers still arriving by the day. Another situation report from October explained how refugees were arriving at the rate of up to 100 per evening at Dublin Airport. We are at 990 and expect to receive another 50-100 in the next hour or so, said an email. 82 people have arrived in the airport from Warsaw and another 18 from Bratislava and Vienna. In an email to the Department of Foreign Affairs, officials said the situation at Citywest was precarious and there was no line of sight to a solution. It explained how single males who were not considered vulnerable could no longer be accommodated at the transit centre. An email said: Given the lack of accommodation coming online, it is likely that we will have to extend this to other groups such as single women over the next days. In response, an official from the Department of Foreign Affairs said: It is an extremely challenging situation I dont envy you your current job. The Department of Children and Equality were also briefing the Ukrainian Ambassador on the challenges they were facing. An email said: She [the Ambassador] is grateful that we are keeping her informed, but very worried about what will happen to her citizens. She says that the recent bombing campaign, and the evacuation of Kherson and the impending winter without electricity or water supplies will lead to more people leaving Ukraine. The Department said intensive efforts continued to be made on a daily basis and that providing accommodation remained a serious challenge. A spokesman said: Since February 2022, Ireland has welcomed over 71,080 people who have fled Ukraine. Theres no expectation that arrivals will abate and the outlook for the availability of suitable accommodation is extremely challenging. More than 62,530 Ukrainian people have sought accommodation from the state. Since January, 2022 over 17,620 International Protection applicants have also sought accommodation from the State. Over 20,300 International Protection applicants are currently in IPAS accommodation. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has insisted the Government had to follow clear cyber security advice and restrict the use of the Chinese-owned social media platform TikTok from official public sector devices. The security advice in Ireland followed the high-profile stance of the EU and US governments in banning the TikTok app from staff devices amid security fears and whether Chinese state security has access to TikTok data storage systems. Mr Varadkar - speaking in Cork as he was briefed on the 700m investment in Irish wind energy by international firm, rsted, said the Government had to strictly follow advice from the National Cyber Security Centre. "The NCSC, they are the experts. We asked them to consider this matter based on evidence and they have now recommended that TikTok should not be used on public sector devices unless there is a particular business case for doing so," he said. "That is the advice that we are issuing today to the wider public sector. "It is based on expert advice from our cybersecurity team of experts - there are some concerns about the data and how it is used and transmitted." Mr Varadkar said the Government was fully committed to reviewing the decision if further information and assurances were offered. "It is something that can be reversed. TikTok is a big investor in Ireland - it employs a lot of people and I think it is important to recognise that. "But we have to take the advice of the cybersecurity experts on this." "This is the advice - they are saying that it should not be used as an app on public sector devices unless there is a particular business case for doing so." TikTok has insisted the moves by the US and EU were completely unwarranted and insisted its data storage was safe and secure. The hugely popular video sharing platform expressed its disappointment at the move by Ireland. "We are disappointed by this decision and were not consulted prior to the announcement being made," the social media giant said in a statement. "Similar decisions in other countries have been based on fundamental misconceptions and we are always happy to engage with governments and institutions to explain how we protect our TikTok community and their data." TikTok insisted that all data from European users is stored locally. The Chinese social media giant operates two data centres in Ireland. Government ministers, their departments and state agencies had been advised not to download or use TikTok on their official devices unless there is a business need. The guidance issued by the National Cyber Security Centre in the wake of mounting concern globally about the Chinese-owned video sharing app. The Government had sought fresh security advice on the issue in February. A Government spokesperson said on Friday: The National Cyber Security Centre has conducted a technical assessment. Its advice is that TikTok should not be installed or used on official public sector devices save in exceptional cases where there is a business need. This is consistent with the position taken by the European Commission. The spokesperson was not immediately able to clarify what an example of a business need is. The US and UK governments have all recently banned the use of the app on official devices amid growing fears about what information the Chinese government could access through the platform. TikTok owned by Chinese company ByteDance was recently banned from the phones of staff working at the European Commission due to cyber-security fears. TikTok has repeatedly denied that it has ever shared data with the Chinese government and has said the company would not do so if asked. It has described the government bans as misguided. Independent.ie previously reported that rural Independent TDs have become the unlikely stars of TikTok, clocking up thousands of followers on the controversial platform. Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae is joined by Limericks Richard ODonoghue and Clare TD Michael McNamara in the top 10 most-followed politicians on the app. However, it is Justice Minister Simon Harris who has drawn the biggest crowd with just over 90,000 followers. The Fine Gael TD has previously told followers that while some politicians like to sneer at TikTok, he has a no bull, no spin approach to the platform popular with young people. Across Europe, a wave of restrictions on TikTok has been put in place within state institutions. Entities either partially or completely banning the app include the European Commission as well as governments in the UK, France, the Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark. The US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand have also announced that TikTok is now restricted from government employees phones. Critics of TikTok say that its Chinese-owned parent firm, Bytedance, may be bound by secretive Chinese laws and regulations to compel the platform to allow officials from the authoritarian regime access potentially sensitive user data without accountability. Authorities also fear that the social platforms algorithms and recommendations may be open to being influenced by Chinese authorities, based on similar legal obligations in Bytedances home country. TikTok has repeatedly denied that either of these scenarios is realistic, saying that it would never give up data to the Chinese government and that its algorithms cant be influenced by Chinese officials, who never get access to them. Earlier this year, TikToks vice president for government relations and public policy in Europe, Theo Bertram, told the Irish Independent that current activity around potential bans would not affect the companys 3,000 jobs in Ireland, or the development of a second data centre here. The Irish Data Protection Commissioner currently has two investigations into TikTok in process, including a probe into whether data is being improperly sent to China, home of TikToks parent firm, Bytedance. Commissioner Helen Dixon said that a draft decision on the investigation is expected in the coming months. GDPR law places restrictions on the transfer of personal data from the EU to regimes that do not protect privacy to the same standard as the EU. TikTok, which is the most-used social media app among Irish teenagers, came under fire last year for unlawfully accessing US user data from China, something it said it does not normally do. TikTok is headquartered in Singapore, while its parent company, Bytedance, has its global head office in Beijing. However, executives insist that the social media platform operates an entirely different structure to its Chinese sibling. Government TDs are increasingly unhappy with the arrogant style of senior civil servant Robert Watt and want him reined in. There were demands in the Dail for him to be made accountable after he rubbished a report critical of his role in a 20m academic role for former chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan. TDs described Mr Watt as overbearing, having a pricklish side and not suffering fools gladly, while Brendan Griffin of Kerry said of his committee bluster in rejecting the official reports findings: It was the talk of Leinster House. People were even watching it back. The Finance Committee is set to call Health Minister Stephen Donnelly to address contradictions created by the head of his department. Aontu leader Peadar Toibin has written to the committee, demanding Mr Donnelly be called, and it could also summon Maura Quinn, author of the report rubbished by Mr Watt. Fianna Fail TD Jim OCallaghan went on RTE radios Morning Ireland to express unhappiness at Mr Watts attitude. I dont think we need to know his personal views, he said. If its the decision of the Government, he obviously is bound by that. Other TDs backed his criticism yesterday. Public servants cannot expect to be in their senior positions and to treat committees as if they are a pain in their side, Mr Griffin said. Mr Watt rejected wholesale the findings of the report, with Mr OCallaghan criticising the idea that he should feel free to air his own opinions. But Mr Watt received the backing in the Dail of Mr OCallaghans party leader Micheal Martin, even though Mr Martins chief of staff, Deirdre Gillane, denied the Government had been told in advance of the plan to transfer Dr Holohan to Trinity College using public funds of 20m for the next decade. Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns had earlier accused Mr Watt of arrogance and alleged misrepresentations. She suggested his 300,000 position as secretary general of the Department of Health was no longer tenable. Health Minister Mr Donnelly said last night that Mr Watts personal opinion, that he does not accept the findings of the report, doesnt matter. When asked if he was scared of Mr Watt, he said: I refute the premise of the question. Robert Watt is a civil servant that works with me. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said the Government expects Mr Watt to implement [the reports recommendations] in full, full stop. Mr Donnelly said Mr Watt would not be reprimanded. Committee chairman John McGuinness said Mr Watt had been dismissive and arrogant at the committee. His appearance will go down in the Oireachtas history books, he said. It was shocking. He damaged himself and he damaged the civil service. Government ministers and the Taoiseach should now consider all options, he said. I believe he should be sanctioned, he added. Independent TD Marc MacSharry said Mr Watts position had become untenable. Above assistant-secretary level, people are absolutely untouchable, they are answerable to nobody, he said. Despite some excellent people in the upper echelons in the civil service, these antics are just the latest manifestation of the total subservience of parliament. A Fianna Fail backbench TD said Mr Watt is absolutely obnoxious and scorns TDs and senators. His salary is higher than some cabinet members. Its reprehensible that he cant answer questions. His manner is appalling. I find it hard to believe hes got this far in his career. I think he should be sacked, or at least hauled into the ministers office. This isnt the Palace of Versailles, this is the HSE and Department of Health. Fine Gael TD Colm Burke said: I think there is a need for anyone in the public service to be up front with Oireachtas members. The situation is that he is a very independent person, but there has to be accountability for any head of a government department. Another Fine Gael TD, asking not to be named, said: The man is an arrogant [expletive]. Hopefully, someone will headhunt him. The public should not even know his name. Another TD remarked: He is too big for his boots and was before, when he asked for bigger boots in terms of his salary. He now regards himself as a law unto himself and it is becoming a problem for Government. He would want to watch himself. Mr Toibin said the row shines a light into the dysfunction at the heart of this government. Robert Watt gave two fingers to the government-commissioned external review. He rubbished its findings and recommendations, he said. This goes to the heart of who is in control of the Government permanent civil servants or the democratically elected. Mattie McGrath, leader of the Rural Independent Group, said they were calling on Public Expenditure and Reform Minister Paschal Donohoe to take control and put an end to the stranglehold that unaccountable and untouchable civil servants have on our government and society. The Ulster Bank branch in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, that has been taken over by Permanent TSB. Photo: John Walsh Irish cities and towns marked the end of an era as the remaining 63 Ulster Bank branches closed their doors for the final time. The closures part of NatWest's long-signalled withdrawal from the Irish market prompted tears, hugs and farewell lunches amongst veteran staff. Once one of Ireland's core financial operations, Ulster Bank's 163-year history in the southern part of the island is now consigned to the history books. Some staff have switched to Permanent TSB which acquired portions of Ulster Bank's business. Other staff have switched sectors while some have retired. Over 600 jobs were axed by Ulster Bank in its withdrawal from the Irish market where, just a decade ago, the bank operated almost 90 branches nationwide. Founded in 1836 in Belfast, Ulster Bank began to develop its operations across the rest of the island from 1860. Proudly innovative, it opened Ireland's first drive-in bank in 1961 and helped pioneer the use of ATMs from 1968. The shuttering of the final Ulster branch outlets was greeted with alarm, particularly in Irish towns where the closures were seen as the loss of yet another vital piece of the local commercial infrastructure. Some branches will reopen in January as Permanent TSB outlets in towns where no outlet is already operating. A number of branches have already been rebranded as Permanent TSB outlets. The north Cork town of Mallow lost its Ulster Bank branch on Friday, leaving the town reliant on its Bank of Ireland, AIB, Permanent TSB and Mallow Credit Union outlets for future financial services. It was one of six Ulster Bank branches to close across Cork city and county on Friday. For some in the historic market town, it is a symbol of yet another vital local business being lost despite the fact that Mallow has long been considered one of Ireland's most dynamic towns thanks to its location on the River Blackwater and position astride the main Dublin-Cork railway, not to mention the Cork-Limerick road. Mallow Development Partnership official John McDonnell said it was yet another blow the town could have done without. "The loss of the local Ulster Bank branch is a blow. It is a loss for the town and a blow for all the loyal staff that worked there, not to mention the families and businesses that did business there." He said the timing of the closure was particularly painful with Mallow left reeling two months ago from having the promised development funding for its long-awaited relief road slashed from over 1m down to just 100,000. The project is estimated at 50m and identified by Mallow industrial, commercial, political and cultural leaders as vital to the town's future. Traffic congestion has long been viewed as the greatest threat to Mallow's future development and traders are worried shoppers may bypass the town for Cork city or rival centres in north Cork and south Limerick. Mallow, Co Cork Some argued that traffic and heavy goods vehicles passing through the town were effectively a noose slowly throttling the town's retail development. "Every loss and closure of a business is a setback for Mallow. But the reality is that any further delay to the relief road represents a massive body blow to Mallow town, local residents and local businesses," Mr McDonnell said. Mallow Chamber of Commerce president Sharon Cregg said the bank's closure was a sad day for the town. "It is with disappointment that we have to say goodbye to the team from Ulster Bank in Mallow who have been active as a business in our community for many years," she said. "We have been grateful for their support with community initiatives such as the Christmas lights. "The closure impacts negatively on the community who have had well=established relationships with the staff and also on employment opportunities in Mallow. The Ulster Bank in Mallow has been an essential part of the fabric of the town for years "Mallow, as a town, is ideally situated in terms of transport links, including bus and rail, and has a thriving business community that delivers retail and services across all sectors. "As such, it provides excellent investment and employment opportunities. Our beautiful parks and outstanding hospitality facilities also makes Mallow a great place to live. "Although Mallow is large enough to provide ample choice and opportunities, it also remains small enough that close, personal relationships can be maintained. So any business closure is thus personally felt as a loss in our community. "We wish the staff and management the best in their future endeavours, and thank them for their years of service." Cork East TD and Mallow native, Sean Sherlock, said it was not only a sad day for the town but for the financial sector as a whole across Ireland. Mallow-based TD Sean Sherlock "The Ulster Bank in Mallow has been an essential part of the fabric of the town for years," he said. "Its closure marks a sad trend where banks are becoming more distanced from their own customers. "It is sad to witness because the Mallow branch held its own against Bank of Ireland and AIB. Its loss is to be lamented." Locals echoed their sadness at the rapidly changing face of Ireland's Main Street. "It is Ulster Bank today but how much longer before we are told that towns don't need any banks? That we should do everything online or else go to the nearest big city," Mallow resident Sean Buckley said. "I'm in my 60s and I remember a time when banks, post offices and garda stations were a given for every Irish town. But that is not the case today." Ulster Bank has declined to comment further on the specifics of its remaining Irish portfolio. As signalled since 2021, Ulster Bank can now confirm that it has prepared a residual portfolio of personal and commercial exposures for sale as part of our phased withdrawal from the Republic of Ireland, it said. This portfolio is majority non-performing but also contains some performing exposures not included in our other withdrawal transactions. "We made a very deliberate decision to leave this transaction until the latter stages of our withdrawal in order to engage with and support those in financial difficulty. As this commercial process is under way, Ulster Bank will make no further comment on the portfolio at this time. We will continue to work with and support our customers throughout this time and will keep them informed of any relevant developments regarding their loan from this process. Monrovia The Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) has officially launched the Liberia Integrated Tax Administration System (LITAS) at its headquarters in Paynesville, outside Monrovia. The new digital tax system is inclusive of online registration and filing and makes tax payment easier while improving taxpayers' experiences. Commissioner General Thomas Doe Nah explained that the launch of LITAS is part of efforts to transform the Tax Administration of the country. "Today we are excited because we at LRA have taken another step because we want to change the ecosystem or the way we do business. We are moving to billion and it's a process, and these are some of the systems that will help us generate more revenues, " CG Nah noted. LRA Commissioner for Domestic Tax Darlingston Y. Talery told the launching event that LITAS will reduce compliance costs, minimize human interferences and related errors, and boost revenue growth. The LRA will roll out LITAS to all tax business offices across the 15 counties of Liberia, Talery said. He noted the challenges of electricity, internet connectivity and financial support that come along with it, but expressed optimism for success. Acting Finance and Development Planning Minister and Comptroller General of Liberia Janga Kowo lauded LRA for the progress, expressing confidence that the digitalization of tax collection will help to achieve the government's development agenda. "I say bravo to the innovative leadership of the Commissioner General Thomas Doe Nah and LRA family [in your] quest to move Liberia revenue generation to billions," the Comptroller General of Liberia said. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Liberia Governance 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. World Bank Group Acting Country Manager Mack Capehart Mulbah applauded LRA for what he termed a "great venture" in generating more revenues for the country through the use of digitalization and pledged more support to the LRA. African Development Bank, Senior Country Economist, Yusuf Bob Foday, stressed that "AFDB is pleased with the progress at LRA because digitalization is the right way to go because it improves services and increases revenue collections." BACKGROUND With support from partners including the African Development Bank Group, The World Bank, SIDA and the European Union, the LRA 2021 launched the pilot phase of the LITAS to replace the Standard Integrated Government Tax System (SIGTAS). LITAS is part of efforts to improve tax compliance and increase tax revenue with the aim of gathering sustainable resources to support Liberia's growth and development. The launch of LITAS is besides other innovative online tax payment processes including the Port Automation and Digitization System - a paperless system launched in 2022, meant to speed up customs clearance processes. The digitization of tax payment platforms supports the goals of the LRA in ensuring the transformation of revenue administration by utilizing effective information and communication technology as stated in Goal Four of the Authority's strategic direction. LRA goal four points to the transformation of revenue administration by utilizing effective information and communication (ICT). Minister Ryan said he does not foresee the level of growth that Dublin Port are planning for. Transport Minister Eamon Ryan has highlighted significant concerns he has with a planned doubling of capacity at Dublin Port, in a letter sent to management. Minister Ryan said that he does not see the planned level of growth set out by the Dublin Port company in its master plan 2040 as feasible or tenable or in line with climate targets as he said most of the existing traffic is done by truck in a roll on, roll off fashion. The Green leader said part of his concern lay with the ongoing reliance on trucks taking the massive increase in cargo. The planned increase would be up to 77 million tonnes from 45 million tonnes per day. [This is] onto an industry that's already at full capacity and relying on a truck based system, rather than looking to the future as other countries and other ports are doing to decarbonise and to start going, bringing back rail freight, we have rail lines running into the ports, so that thinking really ahead into the future. We cannot continue to see our roads being clogged and emissions to continue to rise and an ongoing projection of just doubling everything and in a way that is not sustainable, Minister Ryan said on RTEs Morning Ireland. Mr Ryan said the port already amounts to half of all freight traffic in and out of Ireland that the government are investing in Cork and Shannon ports also. The minister said that he cannot see what Ireland will be consuming twice of in 20 years time and that current population projections show that Ireland will have 20pc more people and not a doubling in numbers. In the question about what we use space for at Dublin port, it's also critical that we now quickly use some of the ports landfor the provision of housing. It is not [part of the master plan] and has not been delivered developed sufficiently quickly with the land development agency in my mind. The Dublin Port is engaging with the Land Development Agency but I want to see that action now, Mr Ryan said. The minister also raised concerns that part of the Poolbeg Peninsula could be used for container storage and said this was not the best use for the land. We need to expand the nature reserve in the Poolbeg Peninsula, because the biosphere in Dublin Bay is important. Its important in any new developments we do to give space for nature, Minister Ryan said. The Dublin Port said it looked forward to engaging with Minister Ryan around the issues raised in his letter and that it was fully committed to the sustainable development of its assets in line with its statutory responsibilities and the national priorities and we will take all views and feedback into account as part of this process. Dublin Port aims to have the project completed by 2040. Artist Matilda Heindow hopes to bring empathy and humour to mental health discourse through her new book The Art Of Feeling Better Sometimes it can be difficult to stay grounded through lifes challenges, and sometimes it can even be difficult to enjoy its high points, yet Matilda Heindow, a 23-year-old artist and mental health advocate based in Stockholm, shows us that no matter what is happening in our life, we are someone worth taking care of. Did you hear the one about the American who walked into an Irish bar and left as the owner of a rundown house? Asking price: 850,000 Agent: Clement Herron Real Estate (057) 866 6344 Did you hear the one about the American who walked into an Irish bar and left as the owner of a rundown house? Except this time its not a joke, nor the plot of the latest Oirish Hollywood movie. The truth of the matter is that in 1984, a young man and his brother came to Ireland to tour around Laois in a bid to connect with their ancestral home. Little did they know at the time how deep that connection was going to go. The hallway and staircase While driving through Aghaboe village where their great, great grandparents lived before they emigrated, they came across an old house is disrepair. Curiosity got the better of them and they jumped over the wall to take a look. Later that night as they had a drink in Morrisseys in Abbeyleix, they asked publican and local auctioneer Paddy Mulhall if the house was for sale. Paddy told them it wasnt but to come back before they headed back to the States. The dining room A week later, they returned and Paddy pulled them into a corner and told them that the house was now for sale and that the papers were drawn up and ready to be signed in the solicitors office next door. It was a Sunday evening and one of the brothers was gently talked into the purchase. Although it was never his intention to buy a home in Ireland, the deal was done. The history of the house was as appealing as the size. The site, which is beside the abbey, is believed to be where a weekly market took place in the 1500s. Later, the land was used as a stud farm by Barnaby Fitzpatrick, the second Baron of Upper Ossory. The wine cellar can hold up to 6,000 bottles of wine The main house is thought to have been built around 1730 or earlier and updated in stages. In 1854, the house was sold under the Incumbered Estates Act by Robert White. It was bought by Parnell Maillard of Huntington but leased to the Dunne family. Here they remained tenants until 1926, when it was leased to Thomas Collier and then to John Baggot, who died in 1977. It was then abandoned until the current owner came to rescue it in 1984. It was close to dereliction at the time. Bringing it back from the brink was a gradual process that began with the restoration of the mews house. Lessons were learned while working on this wing, and the owner went into the renovation of the main house with a lot more experience and knowledge. The building was sensitively restored using hydraulic lime, both inside and out, and all walls around the site and on the houses were pointed and capped to prevent further deterioration. The owner viewing the almost-derelict house with auctioneer Paddy Mulhall in 1984 The house is best described as straightforward and honest. The interiors have been kept traditional and tasteful with good craftsmanship throughout. It is big enough to feel grand but not so large that its intimidating. Inside there is the hallway with fanlight and the original cut string staircase. The drawing room is dual aspect there are three bay windows with shutters and the original cast-iron fireplace. The formal dining room also has a cast-iron fireplace. The kitchen is atmospheric and earthy with an oil-fired AGA and timber beams. The floor was relaid in Liscannor stone that was salvaged from a cottage in Co Clare. Slabs this size are rare so its a feature of the house that the owner is particularly proud of. An aerial view of Aghaboe There is a utility off the kitchen with another sink and extra storage. A guest bedroom with ensuite bathroom completes the accommodation on the ground floor. On the first floor is the master bedroom with an ensuite bathroom with a free-standing bath. The second bedroom has a timber floor and shiplap ceiling. On the second floor are two more bedrooms, one with an ensuite shower room. A stone staircase leads down to the basement where the wine cellar can be found. What was once a coal bunker has been converted into a fully ventilated cellar that has the capacity for 6,000 bottles. If this isnt unique enough for wine connoisseurs, an alternative could be the five-bay ice house on the grounds. Four of the five vaults are in decent condition considering their age. Every substantial Georgian house would have had an ice house at the time, but very few remain intact to the point of potential restoration. Its a job that the vendor regrets not getting around to but he believes that the interior walls could be coated with lime, making it ideal for wine storage. A reception room in the mews house The east-wing or mews is next to the main house. This is a self-contained property with an open-plan living/dining room, a kitchen, four bedrooms and two bathrooms Next to this is a cottage with steep roof that is hooked into the waste system and electricity. It could be converted into a separate home without too much work or expense. There are further outhouses and sheds, as well as five horse boxes. The boiler house has two accumulator tanks and a dual-heating system that can run on pellets or solid fuel. Seven years ago, an acre and a half was given over to a willow plantation that is being grown for fuel. The hope is be that the house will eventually be self-sufficient as the pollarded willow is harvested every year. It sits on over 12 acres of organic land and is a 10-minute drive from Ballybrophy where there is a regular train service to Dublin. Clement Herron (057) 866 6344 is seeking 850,000 on behalf of the vendor. Everybody came to see the horrendous interiors and all of the houses sold Sometimes the critics are wrong Black for your interior is not as terrifying or off-putting as it sounds as little touches can add just enough drama Alice collection from Victory Colours with wallpaper from Olenka Design Eleanor Flegg Fri 21 Apr 2023 at 03:30 Gardai have appealed to the public not to share images of a deceased man on a beach which are being circulated on social media. They said they are investigating all the circumstances surrounding the discovery of the body of the man on Bower Beach in Balbriggan, Co. Dublin, yesterday. A statement released this afternoon said: Gardai are currently following a number of definite lines of enquiry and are making efforts to contact the family members of the deceased. An Garda Siochana is aware of certain images of the deceased male on the beach being circulated on social media messaging apps. An Garda Siochana is appealing to the public not to share these images. The circulation of such images is not only disrespectful to the family of the deceased but is also unhelpful to the Garda investigation. The statement added that An Garda Siochana is not in a position to provide further details at this time. Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien has said that he and his Cabinet colleagues are "shocked" at revelations that a member of the Garda Ombudsman (GSOC) has resigned after telling colleagues that he attended a party which Gerard Hutch was at on Monday night. Speaking at a Fianna Fail housing event in Dublin on Saturday, Mr O'Brien has said "all of us in Government are very shocked by that revelation" and noted that it was now being investigated by GSOC. "We have to allow that investigation take place and conclude but I do know that that member in particular has resigned from their position," he said. He added: "No one is in anyway understating the seriousness of that revelation about the GSOC member but that's been dealt with, I don't think we can read into that to say that it goes any further than that. "GSOC have a very important role within our judicial system and the apparatus of the state and the guards have the full support of the public and government. "I think we need to let the investigation commence and conclude in relation to this particular matter and I don't think we should look at that having any sort of contagion effect. I don't believe it does." Justice Minister Simon Harris has sought a report from the chair of GSOC into the revelations which he expects to receive within days. "This is a serious matter which needs to be investigated. That investigation is being considered by GSOC, so it would not be appropriate for me to comment on it at this time. I have requested a report from the Chairperson of GSOC, which I expect to receive in the coming days," he said in a statement issued on Saturday afternoon. "I will say that GSOC has a vital role in upholding confidence in policing in Ireland, and it is incredibly important that public confidence in GSOC be maintained." The investigator with GSOC resigned after he told people he had attended a party which Gerard Hutch was at on Monday night. Mr Hutch walked free from the Special Criminal Court that day after being found not guilty of the murder of David Byrne. The officer who has been involved in several major investigations into potential garda misconduct, told a number of people that he had been at a house party which Mr Hutch attended. The claim came to the attention of other members of staff in GSOC and was reported to senior management. A formal process commenced. RTE reported that the investigator who has worked with GSOC for the past number of years was due to be suspended, and would have to surrender his phone and identity card. He took the decision to resign instead and his resignation has been accepted. It is not clear whether the GSOC investigator actually attended a party or just said he had attend a party which was also attended by Mr Hutch. The officer was involved in a number of highly sensitive investigations into An Garda Siochana, including the investigation into the death of Superintendent Colm Fox, who took his own life in Ballymun Garda Station in 2019. Superintendent Fox was the lead detective in the investigation into the murder of Byrne at the Regency Hotel during the time Patrick Hutch Junior was charged and appeared in court. The case against Patrick Hutch Junior collapsed following the death of Supt Fox. Garda headquarters tonight said it was aware of the incident, RTE stated. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Minister for Justice said he and the Department were notified by GSOC of an issue with a staff member this afternoon, and that it would not be appropriate to comment on individual cases. In a statement provided to Independent.ie, GSOC said it became aware in recent days of a potential conflict of interest involving a staff member. GSOC immediately commenced an internal investigation into the matter. The officer concerned has now submitted their resignation and GSOCs investigation is ongoing. GSOC has no further comment at this time. The incident was first reported this evening on the Irish Mirrors website. THE Government is planning to evacuate all Irish citizens from war-torn Sudan once it is safe to do so. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said the Government was monitoring the escalating civil strife in Sudan very carefully but refused to discuss evacuation plans of Irish citizens for reasons of operational security. Ireland is understood to be working with other EU countries to extract citizens once there is a lull in the fighting around Khartoum. Sudan has descended into civil war amid a violent power struggle between the army and a heavily armed paramilitary group. Heavy fighting has erupted in major population centres across the country - with shelling and missile strikes around Khartoum Airport. All civilians have been urged to stay indoors and remain safely sheltered until the fighting eases. A Sudan-based Irish diplomat, Aidan O'Hara (58), who is also serving as EU Ambassador, was violently assaulted earlier this week after a robbery at his residence as security chaos spread across the country. Tanaiste Micheal Martin strongly condemned the attack and warned Sudan it was responsible for the safety of all diplomats in the country. Mr O'Hara was confronted by armed robbers dressed in military fatigues and assaulted during the confrontation. Miraculously, he escaped serious injury and is now said to be recovering and "in good shape." The incident is understood to have been a robbery of opportunity and not a deliberate attack on the Irish diplomat. The Taoiseach said Ireland was now working very closely with its allies to ensure the safety of its citizens in the vast African country. Ireland has a significant number of citizens based in Sudan - many of whom are based there because of aid agency work. "We have some work ongoing at the moment - that is being coordinated by the Tanaiste (Micheal Martin), the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister for Defence," Mr Varadkar said. "I am not at liberty to say too much about it." "But we are aware that there are quite a number of Irish citizens in Sudan and we have a responsibility to our citizens around the world to ensure their safety as best we can. Some work has been done." Tanaiste Micheal Martin said Ireland was taking the situation in Sudan very seriously. First of all, we have asked all our citizens to register with the embassy in Nairobi and my understanding that 105 have so far that number, I stress, could change many work with international organisations and we are co-ordinating our efforts with other national partners and European partners. The situation at the moment on the ground is obviously with the violence that has happened near the airport, means it isnt accessible so we are saying to people to stay indoors and to observe the local restrictions and to register with our embassy but as with similar situations in the past, we work with international partners, we are prodigiously planning and we stand ready to do everything we possibly can to facilitate our citizens and make sure they are safe and when the opportune time arises, to help to evacuate. The German military had planned an airlift of its nationals from Sudan three days ago but had to cancel it amid safety concerns over heavy fighting around airfields in Khartoum. Germany has around 150 citizens in Sudan and decided to cancel the Luftwaffe evacuation because of heavy fighting near airfields as repeated efforts to broker a local ceasefire failed. Both factions fighting in Sudan have access to heavy weaponry - and any airlift without a firm ceasefire was considered too high a risk. Ireland is now understood to be liaising with allies within the EU about an evacuation. Irish nationals are expected to be extracted via an effort led by Germany, France, the US or the Nordic bloc countries. The elite Army Ranger Wing may be offered to assist with any evacuation of EU nationals from Sudan. However, Ireland does not have a heavy air-lift capacity to extract citizens from Sudan. Uluru, formerly known as Ayers Rock, is sacred to indigenous Australians, whose culture dates back 50,000 to 60,000 years. Photo: Getty It has been over 16 years since I first travelled to the remote Aboriginal communities of central and northern Australia. My intention was to speak with indigenous Australian communities about a health emergency called the Intervention . Lorraine Courtney: Why are candidates for the Aras so uninspiring? And don't we deserve better? The Frank Sinatra of the public service sang from an extremely limited repertoire during questioning by TDs and senators this week. It could be summed up as: Regrets, Ive had a few but then again, too few to mention. At the Hungary Diplomatic Academy in Budapest, the Liberian Foreign Minister and Dean of the Cabinet, Amb. Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Sr., delivered a lecture and presentation that has been hailed as both outstanding and classic. As part of the activities that took place during the Liberian top diplomat's recent official visit to Hungary, the Academy's students and faculty members requested that he give a presentation on Liberia's foreign policy, economy, and the current state of security in the Sahel Region. He also gave a tour of the Academy. Minister Kemayah told his audience that the government, under the astute leadership of His Excellency, President Dr. George Manneh Weah, was committed to upholding the values of democracy and improving the living conditions of all Liberians. He said Liberia was open to business, especially foreign direct investment, as the country was stable and peaceful. The Liberian Minister of Foreign Affairs, when asked about the current state of security in the Sahel region, stated that it was very important that the current state of security in the region be dealt with as quickly as possible because it has the potential to undermine the peace and stability that exists in the region. He stated that the military governments in Guinea, Mali, and Burkina Faso that resulted from coups were dangerous and required immediate attention to transition to civilian rules. Minister Kemayah stated that both the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Mano River Union (MRU) were working to find solutions to the issues in a peaceful manner. The Foreign Minister of Liberia underscored the efforts that the Liberian government has been doing to help stabilise the leadership in the bordering country of Guinea. According to Amb. Kemayah, on the direction of President Weah, he personally visited the Guinean Junta Leader and encouraged him to return to civilian leadership. At the beginning of his presentation, Amb. Kemayah extended warmest greetings on behalf of His Excellency Dr. George Manneh Weah, President of the Republic of Liberia, and Chief Architect of the Foreign Policy of Liberia, the Government and people of Liberia, and thanked the two presidents for their continue efforts at improving existing relations between the two countries. "Permit me to convey the special greetings and warm felicitations of His Excellency Dr. George Manneh Weah, President of the Republic of Liberia, and the Government and People of Liberia, and in my own name, and to congratulate our two distinguished Leaders,Her Excellency Madam Katalin Novak, President of Hungary and her counterpart, His Excellency Dr. George Manneh Weah, President of the Republic of Liberia for their tireless efforts, aimed at promoting and enriching the flourishing excellent personal and bilateral relationships subsisting between our two Governments, Countries and Peoples," he said. The Liberian Foreign Minister said though the diplomatic relations between the Republic of Liberia and Hungary is relatively young, and in its honeymoon period, but the age and time of the relations don't matter, he said, what matters most is the quality of the relations - the value, the cooperation and friendship the two countries deeply share and enjoy. He said, "I have personally come to enrich those values and further strengthen the bond of friendship and solidarity so as to make our bilateral ties mutually beneficial and inclusive for our Governments and Peoples. Considering Liberia as the main subject of his presentation, Amb. Kemayah decided to situate Liberia geographically and historically by saying, "Liberia is located in West Africa on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, bounded by Cote d'Ivoire to the East; Sierra Leone to the Northwest; Guinea to the North and the Atlantic Ocean to the South and West. He Liberia covers an area of 43,000 Square Miles (sq. mi); that is 111,369 Square Kilometers, and has a population of Five Million, Two Hundred and Forty-eight Thousand, Six Hundred Twenty-one (5,248,621), with a coastline of 580 Kilometers; stating that the territory was originally known as the Pepper or Grain Coast, before the American Colonization Society settled freed Negro slaves there, beginning January 7, 1822 when the first ship arrived with them. After more than Twenty-five (+25) years as a settlement, it proclaimed independence as a free and sovereign state on July 26, 1847. Read the rest of his presentation The hasty declaration of independence was a consequence of the refusal by the British Government, in consort with indigenous traders to refuse recognition of the authority of the American Colonization Society, a private voluntary organization to levy taxes. Revenue from custom duty accounted for the sole income of the settlement. The refusal to recognize Liberia's sovereignty informed the decision of the settlers to take the dangerous gamble, and ultimate risk of declaring independence when there was no means to defend the independence and sovereignty of the new and lone nation-state in Africa. Liberia declared her independence on July 26, 1847 as Africa's first Independent Republic. It should be noted that Liberia was neither a colony of the United States of America nor any other Country in the World, for that matter. The population of Liberia is categorized into three groups - the indigenous, who migrated to the territory from Western Sudan in the late middle ages (i.e. AD 1300 to 1500); the Americo-Liberians, who were freed negro slaves brought in by the American Colonization Society and and other smaller groups, and referred to as settlers; and the West Indians and others from the African continent. The indigenous are comprised of Sixteen (16) ethnic groups or tribes; including the Grebo, Gio, Krahn, Lorma, Mandingo, Kpelleh, Mano, Gola, Bassa, Gbandi, Dey, Kru, Mende, Belleh, Kissi and Vai. The form of Government in Liberia is unitary, constitutional Republic, based on the principles and values of liberal democracy and capitalism. It has three branches of Government, namely, the Legislative - a bicameral chamber made up of the House of Representatives or Lower House and the House of Senate or Upper House; the Executive; and the Judiciary; checking and balancing the authority of each other. Liberia is a Secular Republic. However, the country is predominantly Christians. Islam and other religions freely worship in the country, with the constitution guaranteeing the rights to freely worship religion of choice as any citizen and resident desire. Although it was the refusal of Great Britain to recognize the authority of the Commonwealth of Liberia that sparked the hasty decision to proclaim independence, yet, ironically, it was Great Britain which became the first country to accord official recognition of the independence of Liberia, and gifted the new and first independent Republic of Africa with two schooners for its navy. His Excellency President Louis Napoleon, III, then President of France gave Liberia some military equipment and uniforms. The following independent and sovereign states at the time accorded recognition to Liberia's independence between 1852 and 1864 in the following order: France; Lubeck; Bremen; Hamburg; Belgium; Denmark; Italy; Turkey; United States; Sweden; Norway and Haiti. Upon declaring independence, and realizing the perilous threat to its existence, the first President of Liberia, His Excellency the Late Joseph Jenkins Roberts embarked on an extensive tour of Europe to lobby European nations to recognize Liberia as a sovereign state. President Roberts spent nine months of his two-year term on the diplomatic voyage of Europe. As a result of the success of this shuttle diplomacy, we say without reservation, that diplomacy safeguarded Liberia's independence and sovereignty. Few years after proclaiming independence, the Berlin Conference was held with the objective of partitioning Africa. With the effective application of diplomatic tools, Liberia cleverly weaved its way, and found sympathy with the major powers of the time, mostly in Europe. However, there were instances where Liberia's sovereignty was threatened by the very countries that have been sympathetic to Liberia. For instance, Great Britain and France annexed territories claimed by Liberia to their then colonies of Sierra Leone, Cote d'Ivoire and Guinea to the Northwest, East and North of Liberia; respectively, under the justification that Liberia did not have effective administrative control over those territories. At a specific point in time, France advocated to make Liberia its protectorate, to which the United States of America protested. Again, at a later time, attempts were made to make Liberia a German Protectorate. As a consequence of an allegation of slavery in Liberia, the League of Nations commissioned an investigation, which did not find proof of slavery. Liberia would have lost its sovereignty had the Country been found guilty of the allegation of slavery. Liberia also faced serious challenges on the economic or financial front. For instance, a bad loan deal with British financiers led to the ouster of His Excellency The Late President Edward James Roye in 1871. Liberia's revenue was placed under international receivership to clear loan obligations to European countries. Pillars of Liberia's Foreign Policy Objectives and Foreign Relations The founding fathers of the Republic of Liberia had the foresight to know they had taken a dangerous risk to declare independence without a standing military, a viable economy and guaranteed support and backing in the comity of nations. They were aware of the hostile environment in which they found themselves. The best they could do to safeguard the sovereignty of the country was to craft a foreign policy roadmap and engagement that will guarantee its existence as a nation-state. To this end, Liberia adopted the following key objectives to guide the country's foreign policy and foreign relations: Maintenance of national security and the preservation of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country; Promotion of peace and harmony, based on the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other states; Unity in the international community; Devotion to economic, social and political development; simply put, development diplomacy; and Belief in the political ideology of liberalism, democracy and capitalism. From independence on July 26, 1847 to the era of His Excellency The Late President William V. S. Tubman in 1944, the fundamental thrust of Liberia's foreign policy objectives was solely the maintenance of national independence. During the Administration of President Tubman from 1944 to 1970, Liberia's primary Foreign Policy Objective was economic, social and political development. The formulation and implementation of Two Flagship Policies; namely: National Unification Policy and Open Door Policy - were the driving force behind this objective. As Africa's only independent Republic at the time, Liberia took upon itself as the de facto face and leader of the African continent in global affairs, beginning with its entry into the Universal Postal Union on April 1, 1879 to present. Liberia has asserted itself actively in regional and global affairs, and is member of over Forty international organizations. Liberia is a Founding Member of several international organizations, including, but not limited to the proscribed League of Nations, the United Nations and all of its organs, the Organization of African Unity, now African Union, Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and Mano River Union (MRU). Liberia was very visible and active in these organizations, providing leadership and championing the cause of colonized people from different parts of the world; especially in Africa. Consistent with its foreign policy objective of promoting unity in the international community, Liberia played, and continues to play active role in maintaining peace and security in the global community. To this end, Liberia contributed troops to the United Nations Peace Keeping Operations in the Congo, now Democratic Republic of Congo, and has for the past years to present, been a Troop Contributing Country of the United Nations; for example, currently serving in the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) since its establishment in 2013; as well as a United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in South Sudan. At this very moment, there is a contingent of 172 uniformed personnel, including 19 women from Liberia to the United Nations Peace Keeping Mission in Mali and South Sudan respectively, making Liberia the 60th largest contributor of peacekeepers in the world. Liberian diplomats were, and continue to be active within the corridors and Leadership of the United Nations in New York; including, but not limited to the following: In 1961, Her Excellency The Late Madam Angie Elizabeth Brooks-Randolph served as Chairperson of the United Nations Special Political and Decolonization Committee, which is the United Nations 4th Committee; Liberia was a Member of the United Nations Security Council for the period; 1961-1962; In September 1961, His Excellency The Late Amb. Nathan Barnes served as President of the United Nations Security Council; Her Excellency The Late Madam Angie Elizabeth Brooks-Randolph also served as President of the United Nations Trusteeship Council in 1966; Again, in 1970, Her Excellency The Late Madam Angie Elizabeth Brooks-Randolph served as the Second Female President of the United Nations General Assembly, following her election in 1969; and In 2019, His Excellency Amb. Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Sr., current Minister of Foreign Affairs and Dean of the Cabinet of the Republic of Liberia, your humble servant, served as Chairperson of the United Nations Special Political and Decolonization Committee, which is the United Nations 4th Committee; following his unanimous elections on October 4, 2018. During the liberation struggle in Africa and other parts of the world, Liberia played a vanguard role, and provided financial, material and moral support to the various liberation movements, particularly in Africa to throw off the yoke of colonialism and imperialism. In addition to direct financial support, Liberia gave honorary citizenship and diplomatic passports to many leaders of the liberation movements, notable among them, are His Excellency The Former Late President Nelson Mandela of South Africa and His Excellency Former President Hifikepunge Pohamba of Namibia. Additionally, Liberia provided scholarships and education to many young Africans from East, West, South and Central Africa to empower them to fight colonialism and bondage. Liberia played host to political refugees from South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Sudan, among others. Liberia has shown leadership and support for the independence of Africa and places where humans continue to be degraded. On the ideological front, Liberia is the proud home of the Philosophy of Pan Africanism, as the Father of this illustrious idea was a Liberian Citizen - His Excellency The Late Professor Amb. Edward Wilmot Blyden. Professor Blyden was versatile and erudite. He was a cleric, scholar, linguist, statesman and diplomat, who made the greatest impact as a literary figure and man of ideas. He served as high school Principal, editor of the Liberia Herald, Professor of Classics (i.e. Latin and Greek) at Liberia College, and eventually, became President of the college. He went on to serve as Secretary of State, now Minister of Foreign Affairs, Secretary of the Interior, now Minister of Internal Affairs, First Negro Ambassador to the Court of St. James, Great Britain, High Envoy to Great Britain and France, Advisor on African Affairs to the Sierra Leone and Nigeria Governments; respectively, and Director of Muslim Education in Sierra Leone. It was Professor Blyden's idea of African unity and integration, especially, the conception of Liberia and Sierra Leone becoming one country; all of West Africa becoming one country, and all of Africa becoming one country that gave expression to the founding of the Mano River Union, the Economic Community of West African States and the African Union; respectively. Prof. Blyden wrote several books with two, "Africa for the Africans" and "Christianity, Islam and the Negro Race" standing out as classics. From Early to Current Liberian Diplomatic Service Before 1944, Liberia's diplomatic service was entrusted to, and manned by non-Liberians. A notable exception was Ambassador Edward Wilmot Blyden in London. But Amb. Blyden's stay in London was self-sponsored. Basically, the Liberian Government did not have the resources to underwrite the cost of running its Foreign Service. For instance, Dr. Nmandi Azikiwe, the first President of Nigeria applied into the foreign service of Liberia, but was rejected on account of being a non-Liberian. Dr. Azikiwe focused his doctoral research on Liberia, entitled "Liberia in World Politics". He came close to becoming President of Liberia College. But, all that changed with the advent of His Excellency The Late Former President William V. S. Tubman. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Liberia Education 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. In 1946, negotiation was held with the United States Government to train Liberians in international relations, with the objective of nationalizing Liberia's foreign service. This initiative was undertaken under the astute leadership of His Excellency The Late Former Secretary of State, Gabriel L. Dennis. The Foreign Service Institute of Liberia was established by an Act of the Legislature in 1946, and was acknowledged as a training institute when its first group of Thirty (30) students was dispatched to Washington, D. C., United States of America to be trained as foreign service personnel. The First Director of the Foreign Service Institute of Liberia was His Excellency The Late Ambassador George A. Padmore. The Institute was closed after the military coup d'etat in 1980, and was re-opened in 1988, only to be closed again in 1989 as a result of the Liberian civil war. It was again re-opened in 2002. The Institute has produced many prominent diplomats and influential national figures, including, but not limited to the current Vice President of the Republic of Liberia, The Honorable Madam Chief Dr. Jewel Howard Taylor; as well as many career diplomats in Liberia's Foreign Service, and in the home office. When Liberia took over its foreign service; and with the training from the foreign service institute, the Country contributed significantly in training officers from the newly independent states of Africa in the rudiment of protocol and diplomacy. Comparatively, the Foreign Service Institute of Liberia is far older than the Hungarian Diplomatic Academy, but it is not the age that matters. Although the Hungarian Diplomatic Academy started its first academic year in September 2020, it is advanced, and respected as it has lived up to its objective and standard, just as the Foreign Service Institute of Liberia continues to do. We seek, and are hopeful that the Foreign Service Institute of Liberia and the Hungarian Diplomatic Academy will form a strong bond of cooperation; including, but not limited to the exchange of experiences, students, faculty and academic materials; as well as mutual support. Liberia captured the peculiar predicament it was in to fall on, and maximized its skills in diplomacy as the only weapon at the time for its survival. Liberia is still on the top in its strategy of adopting Foreign Policy Objectives, and sustaining and pursuing relations with other countries, whenever necessary, to ensure continuity in the safeguard of its sovereignty and national security and interest. Madam President, distinguished fellows, I salute all of you for your work and the commitment put into it. Developing career objective in diplomacy is a noteworthy one. I'm a testament to that, having served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Liberia to the United Nations and all of its Organs in New York, prior to serving in my current capacity as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Dean of the Cabinet of the Republic of Liberia. We urge you to continue to focus on the virtue of your country and propagate it to the best of your ability. Serve your country well by commanding respect and trust. As I usually express in Two (2) of my many slogans, informed by my core values and principles: "Public Service is for Public Good"; "Let Your Service as a Public Servant Give The Tax Payers - The Citizens of Your Country Added Value for Their Money". Let me once again thank you for the honor done me by giving me your full attention. I thank You. Builders are the professionals some people love to hate. But its 15 years since the 2008 banking crash, and all its attendant horrors are receding in the rear-view mirror. IRELAND, the US and the Congo will come together for an exciting evening of genre bending music and song at Corks Triskel Arts Centre on Friday, May 5. The Music Network event will see Kentucky fiddle and hardanger fiddle player Liz Knowles, Congolese guitarist and vocalist Niwel Tsumbu and Irish concertina player Niall Vallely take to the stage together at the venue. Combining their extensive and varied musical influences, the trio has found common ground and will push creative boundaries in a unique cross-cultural, cross-genre collaboration. The audience can expect striking melodies, beautiful harmonies, deep rhythmic grooves and all-round joie de vivre in a concert that will act as pure musical balm for the soul. Tickets for the concert from www.triskelartscentre.ie pried at 18/20. Cllr Bernard Moynihan said the plant will help address the huge demand for new homes across the Duhallow region Uisce Eireann (Irish Water) has said the planned new waste-water treatment plant (WWTP) in Boherbue remains on schedule to be completed early next year paving the way for the potential construction of many new homes in the area. In February of last year planning permission was granted for a new plant to replace the existing one, which Uisce Eireann has conceded is overloaded and outdated. The project involves the decommissioning of the existing plant and associated structures and the construction of a new facility on the site at Laharn West, with the capacity to serve 1,200 people. The scheme makes provision for a new biological treatment process and tertiary solids removal and will incorporate sludge drying reed beds and a solar panel farm. The project will also reuse existing constructed wetlands to maintain vital animal and plant habitats. The company said the use of solar technology will reduce carbon emissions, with the use of natural sludge drying reed beds and constructed wetlands would improve the sustainability of the Boherbue plant. Uisce Eireann spokesperson Anthony Kavanagh said the company was making great progress with this vital project, which is on course for completion in early 2024. The existing wastewater infrastructure in the village is overloaded and outdated. The effluent does not consistently meet the standard required by the EPA licence and some parameters of the licence cannot be achieved with the assets that are currently in place, said Mr Kavanagh. The modernisation and improvement of the wastewater infrastructure will ensure that cleaner and safer effluent is being discharged into the Brogeen River, he added. Issues with the existing plant came to prominence in 2020 after Charleville-based Firgrove Developments were refused planning permission for houses on existing foundations at the Beeches estate in Boherbue. Council planners ruled that the plant was hydraulically overloaded and did not have sufficient capacity to cope with the extra houses on top of the more than 50 units already completed in the estate. They also said the proposed development was premature in light of the fact that the existing WWTP was not compliant with the conditions of its discharge licence and would therefore contravene the wastewater disposal objectives of the County Development Plan (2014). A related issue that has stymied development in the Boherbue area had been the potential threat to the Blackwater Special Area Conservation (SAC), in particular the habitat of the freshwater pearl mussel, if further development was sanctioned in the area prior to the WWTP being upgraded. In September 2021 Irish Water pleaded guilty to contaminating the SAC in a prosecution brought by the Environmental Protection Agency. The company admitted eight counts of breaching the terms of its licence in connection with levels of ammonia and orthophosphate from the Boherbue plant. The court heard that the level of ammonia discharged into the Brogeen River had exceed the permitted level under the plants licence on seven occasions over the previous four years and there was five times the set limit of orthophosphate discharged into the river. Welcoming the progress update on the new plant, local Cork County Councillor Bernard Moynihan said it will allow for the construction of badly needed new homes in the Duhallow region to meet increasing demand. This is great news, particularly in light of the recent revelation that the nearby Kanturk WWTP has reached capacity and will not be upgraded until 2028, which could result in no new homes being built there for five years, said Cllr Moynihan. There is a huge demand for new houses in Duhallow. This new plant will pave the way for new homes to cater for the immediate needs of the local community in Boherbue and the long-term expansion of the village and surrounding area. It will also resolve the issue of poorly treated waste-water being discharged into the Brogeen River, so it is a win-win situation all around, he added. An example of the proposed breastfeeding bench for Dublin's Dodder Valley Park A Dublin councillor has called for a breastfeeding bench to be installed in a south Dublin park to offer space and comfort for new mothers. The specially designed ergonomic bench, with soft padding and a raised back, was proposed in Dodder Valley Park. However, the idea was met with varying views this week, with some councillors deeming it not necessary. The local authority said any typical park bench can be used by breastfeeding mothers and these provide a safe and comfortable space for mothers to nurse their infants. Councillor Lyn Hagin Meade, who proposed the motion at this weeks area meeting, said: For those new to breastfeeding it can feel not comfortable sitting on a bench with strangers. Cllr Meade said the bench would offer signposting for people to be mindful of feeding children and offer comfort to mothers. Councillor Carly Bailey said that while feeding her own children she experienced massive problems with not having appropriate chairs while out in public. I actually got to a point where I developed postnatal depression and I avoided going outside because I was having difficulty with breastfeeding, she said. She added that many park benches do not have backs which makes it difficult to breastfeed and that Ireland has some of the lowest breastfeeding rates in Europe. Its something that is very common amongst new parents who are trying to breastfeed where they feel very isolated and uncomfortable, she said. However, there was a difference of opinion with some councillors deeming a specific bench as not necessary. Councillor Pamela Kearns said: I dont see how this will work. If you have a bench in a park and its earmarked for mothers to breastfeed there is nothing to prevent anyone else going onto that bench. I dont think they are necessary, she added. Councillor Emma Murphy said the benches would be susceptible for vandalism as they stick out like a sore thumb. I would be a little bit hesitant to actually have that focus, she said, adding that the bench could be attracting the wrong attention towards something that is supposed to be so positive. In a reply, the local authority said it understands the importance of creating a safe, comfortable, and inclusive space for all park visitors and this includes breastfeeding mothers. However, it said there are currently multiple benches available for public use within the park. There are a number of benches that look onto each play space in Dodder Valley Park and this enables parents to sit and supervise their children when using the play equipment. Any typical park bench can be used by breastfeeding mothers and these provide a safe and comfortable space for mothers to nurse their infants. The council is committed to providing additional park benches in Dodder Valley Park when required as part of the park management plan to promote an inclusive, welcoming family-friendly environment, it added. Elderly living in Robinsons Court call for security gates after three murders and spate of break-ins Robinson's Court, off Cork Street in Dublin, the scene of three murders in 17 years Robinson's Court, off Cork Street in Dublin, the scene of three murders in 17 years Sarah Cullen, one of the residents of Robinson's Court in Dublin's south inner city In south inner city Dublin, frightened elderly residents in a housing complex are pleading for security gates following three brutal murders there since 2006. The murders of three residents have taken place in Robinsons Court off Cork Street with the most recent in 2021, leaving the senior citizens afraid to open their doors due to threats and intimidation. You never know when somebody is going to be banging on your door or chancing their arm, said elderly resident Terry ONeill (71), pointing to a corner of the complex where drugs are often injected. The residents say criminals turn up at all hours purchasing illegal substances and attempting to rob elderly residents alone in their homes. Sarah Cullen, who is in her 80s, was sitting in her kitchen last Tuesday when a man walked into her home and demanded money. Im frightened here. He walked right in, she said. I told him to f*** off, I have no money.. She then pushed a panic alarm recently installed in her home to contact emergency services. He threatened the residents, waving cans of beer, but fled before gardai arrived. Im not safe in here and Im not going into a home. This is my home, she said. I lock my door at night but Im afraid to go to sleep. Pictured is Sarah Cullen (80s) and Terry O'Neill residents of Robinson's Court Ms Cullen has lived in Robinsons Court for more than 20 years and said criminality is getting worse following the death of pensioner Kwok Ping Cheng, known as George to locals, in 2021. Mr Cheng (76) was beaten to death with an axe in his home and his body was found by a care worker. He used to collect his pension every Friday up on Cork Street, said Ms Cullen. I can still remember him walking up Cork Street. He used to come over and give me a can of Guinness, true as God. Mr Cheng spoke very little English and kept to himself, according to residents. There was also a murder in Robinsons Court in 2016 when resident Anthony Rogers (61) was killed in his home. He had received stab wounds to his head and neck. Ten years earlier, in 2006, Vincent Plunkett (80) was found dead in his home with his throat slit. Mr ONeill said Dublin City Council (DCC) had promised to install a security gate at the front of the complex following Mr Chengs death but there was nothing done. Mr ONeill has endured endless problems in Robinsons Court and has been threatened by drug dealers after he installed security cameras outside his home. Last year, Mr ONeill said, drug dealers stood outside his home and shouted threats and abuse into his window. Ill get friends up here and they will sort you out, he was told. He said this week: I dont feel safe and I have to have my doors locked all the time. The amount of things that happen here is unbelievable. Robinson's Court, off Cork Street in Dublin, the scene of three murders in 17 years Residents say there is no security and people are coming into the court and jumping over the wall to access the housing estate next door which has security gates. If the police are following them, they run this way as a shortcut, Mr ONeill said. There are 42 homes in the complex owned by DCC for senior citizens, most of whom live on their own. Another resident, aged 66, who wished not to be named, said the council was not interested in improving security and elderly neighbours are vulnerable to robbery. We are in the inner city and between drugs, addiction and Lord knows what, there are a lot of individuals floating around, he said. They will do anything to get money, thats the problem. Robinson's Court, off Cork Street in Dublin, the scene of three murders in 17 years A DCC spokesperson said the installation of electric gates had been assessed for the housing complex but unfortunately property ownership and fire-safety issues were a constraint for a viable solution. Dublin City Council has had engagement in the past with tenants of this complex regarding security issues, and worked with tenants to come to agreed solutions, said the spokesperson. We carried out a letter drop, advising all residents that we were reviewing all security arrangements in the complex and would meet with the residents in the next three weeks to update them. They said the council has committed to ensuring, as much as it can, the safety of tenants. In this context were happy to engage with tenants to develop solutions with the support of An Garda Siochana. A 22-year-old man who allowed his bank account to be used by a third party for the transfer of money, has been remanded on continuing bail for a probation report. Adam Mostyn, Dundoogan, Heynestown, Dundalk, pleaded guilty to two money laundering charges in amounts of 11,309 and 1,000 at Bank of Ireland, Clanbrassil Street, Dundalk, on 17 August 2021. The court heard that he responded to an advertisement on Snapchat to get involved in this offending for which he was offered 10% of the proceeds. Court presenter Sgt Jimmy McGovern said that on 21 August 2021 a woman reported fraud of her account. She lost control of it and 11,309 was unlawfully withdrawn. This money had been withdrawn and then deposited in the defendants account in Dundalk on 17 August. A further 1,000 was deposited with the message, Yo, homie. Sgt McGovern said this was understood to be Mr Mostyns fee. He admitted providing his bank details to a third party. Solicitor Ciaran Hughes said his client showed naivety in answering a Snapchat advertisement. He was particularly keen to deal with the case. He was very lucky the bank had intervened. Having accepted jurisdiction, Judge McKiernan said that in view of the defendants age and no previous convictions she would seek a probation report before finalisation. Mr Mostyn was remanded on continuing bail to 7 June. The Drogheda DIL committee are looking forward to celebrating the tenth anniversary of the event. 2023 marks the 10th anniversary of the Drogheda Darkness into Light (DIL) run, which raises money and awareness for Pieta House, suicide prevention service. This years Darkness into Light takes place on the morning of Saturday May 6th 2023. Drogheda DIL2023 starts at O'Raghallaighs GFC, North Rd at 4.15am, and parking is free at Smiths carpark, North Road and the HSE carpark, Crosslanes. The same tried and tested route will be used, which takes walkers and runners around the town centre, seeing the sun rise en route. This is always a very special event, and despite events being added year on year in Dunleer, Ardee and East Meath, as well as Dundalk, attendances in Drogheda, as well as the resulting fundraising, have remained strong. Read more Vikings are marauding back to Slane Castle for annual festival It is advised to arrive by 3.45am, where crowds gather and chat at the GFC hall, where refreshments will be available post-event. Wear appropriate clothing for the chilly start or any inclement weather, and possibly a torch before sunrise, and water for the journey. Stewards will be on hand along the way to guide participants. To highlight the event on this tenth anniversary, and the work carried out by Pieta House, the buoy at the Mall on the North Quay has received a striking lick of paint. To highlight the event on this tenth anniversary, and the work carried out by Pieta House, the buoy at the Mall on the North Quay has received a striking lick of paint. "Once a beacon on the sea, now stands a beacon of hope on land, said a spokesman for Drogheda DIL. Sponsored by Murtaghs of the Fair Green, we want to say a big thank you to Drogheda Port Company for affording us the opportunity to paint the Mall Buoy on Mayoralty St. as part of the build-up for DIL2023. In conjunction with Pieta House, it is still a work in progress but we are looking forward to finishing this in the coming weeks as we also prepare for the event on May 6th. In 2009, in the Phoenix Park in Dublin, 400 people set off on the inaugural Darkness Into Light 5km walk to raise funds for Pieta. From small beginnings, the movement has continued to grow, and now there are over 150,000 participants in Darkness Into Light each year. There are now over 200 official walks for Darkness Into Light in 2023 across 15 countries spanning five continents. There are lots of ways to get involved. You can take part in a Darkness Into Light event. You can do Darkness Into Light in your Own Way with your family, friends and colleagues in your local area. Or, you can also take on a Darkness Into Light Challenge by walking, running, jogging or swimming and fundraising for Pieta. Pieta was founded in Dublin in 2006 and was established to provide free, accessible support to people affected by suicide and self-harm. Pieta now has over 20 centres nationwide with over 300 staff and offers a variety of supports to people impacted by suicide and self-harm, completely FREE of charge. you can still register at www.darknessintolight.ie for the event. Two-day festival on May 20th and 21st. Feel transported back in time by 1,000 years when you enter the grounds of Slane Castle on May 20th and 21st for what has become the annual Boyne Valley Viking Experience. Over 400 Vikings of all ages will welcome you and immerse you in the past with all the senses. Hear the battle cry of warriors and clashing steel when nearly 200 warriors measure their strength in single combat and group fights. The epic bridge fights feature teams of 5 on each side. They will compete with spears, axes, shields and swords to become Irish Champion. See the spectacular landing of full-size longboats which will row on the Boyne and land visiting warriors. Learn about ancient crafts such as weaving, pottery, blacksmithing, jewellery making, tanning, wood working and much more. Our craftsmen and women are passionate about their work and will answer all your questions. For the children we will have a treasure hunt where they chase the clues of a lost Viking treasure. Other favourites with our young Vikings are the kids battle training and story-telling. The 400 reenactors attending this years event come from all over Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales, France, Poland, Czech Republic and others. They are set to entertain you and create an event even more spectacular than last year. With a focus on as much historic accuracy as possible, you will feel send back in time into a Viking camp of 1,000 years ago. With music on traditional instruments, stories of Viking gods and goddesses and many interesting treasures to explore, there will be plenty to discover. which will make your trip to Slane Castle on this weekend worthwhile. In its third year, the Boyne Valley Viking experience is set to enthral visitors from all over Ireland and abroad and due to the positive response from 2022, it is again taking place in the beautiful grounds of Slane Castle. The festival & market offers something for every age group, children, women and men alike. Its a fun filled day out which will have young and old buzzing with the Viking spirit for weeks afterwards. Boyne Valley Events Ltd and Lakes Vikings, who have proven their expertise at bringing history alive for the public in past events are the organizers. Paul Kavanagh from Lakes Vikings and Diana Muenchmeyer, originally from Germany but living in the Boyne Valley for the past 20 years are passionate about what they do and are creating an event which is set to be one of the main spectacles in the Boyne Valley this year. Secure your tickets by purchasing in advance at www.boynevalleyevents.com/slane-castle-viking-festival. 25 per adult and 55 per family (three children maximum). Follow for more details on Facebook or Instagram under Boyne Valley Viking Experience. A treat lies in store for fans of live music when American band, Gypsy Wind visits Cloonacool on Friday 28th April. Cloonacool Community Centre hosts the group who are currently undertaking an Irish tour that will see them performing in Wicklow and Belfast as well as here in Sligo. Kristin Oliphant, who leads the group said: We take our audiences on a musical journey from Kentucky bluegrass through gypsy swing, folk, jazz and Americana. "We even fir in a few Irish fiddle tunes in our set. We also remember artists such as Emmylou Harris and the great Bill Monroe. We are so excited to be taking our show to Ireland at this time. Cloonacool Community Centre is currently working on a set of major improvements to enhance the building and to make it more user friendly going into the future. Currently the Centre hosts the very successful Mill Community Cafe and is the spiritual home of the award-winning Cloonacool Players drama group. This gig is a fundraising event supporting the running of the Community Centre. Fiona Brennan, Chairperson of the Cloonacool Centre, says, We are delighted to host a travelling group like to in our small rural village. I hope we can do a bit more of this in the future. "While we have to fundraise to keep our Centre going, we try to provide events like this to make it attractive. We get great support and we are confident that this event will be another Cloonacool success. Tickets for the Gypsy Wind cabaret concert are now on sale. Book on 087 2512030 or pay on the door on the night 28th April at 9pm. The 12% Cineclub, founded in 2022 by The Rabbit's Riot Theatre Company in partnership with The Glens Centre and Access Cinema, has announced details of its upcoming film festival. This festival will showcase the brilliant works of female directors, shining a light on the significant gender imbalance in the film industry. In 2021, only 12% of the top 100 films were directed by women, a concerning decrease from 16% in 2020. However, The 12% Cineclub is dedicated to changing this narrative and amplifying the voices of talented female filmmakers. So far, the Cineclub has screened a diverse range of films, including the Oscar-winning Nomadland directed by Chloe Zhao and the gripping Irish psychological horror film You Are Not My Mother, written and directed by Kate Dolan. From May 12th to 13th, the festival will be held at The Glens Centre and will exclusively feature documentaries directed by Irish female directors. This festival is a celebration of the remarkable talent of female filmmakers and a call to action to the film industry to support and promote the works of female directors. This festival will showcase the powerful documentaries - Pure Grit, Lyra, Vicky, and Clouded Reveries. The festival will also feature the short documentary GILES, which tells the inspiring story of the North West Hospice Fundraising Swim. These films offer a unique perspective on the world and tackle important social and cultural issues with grace and grit. From heart-wrenching stories of personal struggle and loss to triumphant tales of human perseverance, these documentaries are sure to captivate and inspire audiences. Join The 12% Cineclub in their mission to create a more inclusive and diverse film industry, and be inspired by the powerful stories of female filmmakers at this exciting film festival. 12th May 8pm Pure Grit directed by Kimberly Bartley Pure Grit is a thrilling tale of extreme bareback horse racing, and an intimate love story chronicling three years in the life of a young Native American woman on the Wind River Reservation in Northern Wyoming. Sharmaine, a former horse racing champion, left the track a year ago when her sister was paralysed in a racing accident. Now she wants to start afresh with her new girlfriend Savannah and they leave the reservation in search of work in Commerce City, Denver but racing still courses through her veins. Kim Bartleys observational documentary provides an unflinching picture of life on a reservation and an inspirational portrait of a young woman who holds on to her dream despite a life of gruelling hardship. 13th May 2pm - Aisling Tri Neallaibh: Clouded Reveries directed by Ciara NicChormaic Acclaimed poet and essayist Doireann Ni Ghriofa was catapulted into the international literary spotlight in 2020 with the publication of her debut novel A Ghost in the Throat. Lauded by the critics from the New York Times to the Guardian, it went on to win the Irish Book of the Year. Clouded Reveries, directed by Ciara NicChormaic, is an intimate exploration of Ni Ghriofas world and creative process. It is a film about memories, motherhood and the mysterious nature of creativity. Captured through intimate performances of her own work and in-depth interviews, the film reveals Ni Ghriofas creative impulses and journeys with her to the heart of her inspiration, her home place in Co. Clare. 4pm Lyra directed by Alison Millar An emotive, intimate film on the life and death of acclaimed young Northern Irish journalist Lyra McKee, whose murder by the New IRA in April 2019 sent shockwaves across the world. Directed by her close friend Alison Millar, the film seeks answers to her senseless killing through Lyras own work and words. 6:30pm GILE directed by Eania McGarry Free Admission A moving documentary directed by Eania McGarry on the origins of The Annual Lough Gill Hospice Swim in Sligo. Inspired by a conversation Paul Mc Garry had with his nephew Neill and the care Neill received under The Northwest Hospice in 2009, Paul was prompted to organise an event to raise much-needed funds for the Hospice. This saw the beginning of the Lough Gill Hospice Swim. Since then, this event has seen hundreds of swimmers (many taking part on multiple occasions), commence the swim at Parkes Castle, Fivemilebourne, Co Leitrim and embark on the long, intense 10k endurance to the finish line at Doorly Park, Sligo. 7pm Vicky directed by Sasha King An inspiring story of courage, hope and resilience, VICKY takes audiences behind the headlines of the Cervical Check debacle and Vicky Phelan s journey to expose one of the greatest health scandals in Ireland's history. Following discovery that her smear test results were incorrect, a fact that had been deliberately withheld from her, Vicky realised there had to be other women similarly affected as her. She took on the system, all the way to the High Court settling her case, with no admission of liability on the part of the laboratory or health services. However she resolutely refused to sign a non-disclosure agreement, and undeterred despite her own devastating diagnosis, she vowed to fight for justice on behalf of all those affected. It was later discovered that hundreds of women were misdiagnosed and could have benefitted from earlier treatment. Over twenty women have since died. A true latter day warrior Queen, Vickys selfless courage in the service of others has changed the course of healthcare for Irish women and exemplifies what one person can achieve when they use their voice for the greater good. Sligo native Orla has 25 years experience in the financial services industry Sligo Credit Union welcomes the appointment of Orla Lee as CEO of Sligo Credit Union. The appointment was announced by Sligo Credit Unions Chairperson, Shona Heffernan. Orla is an accomplished member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (ACMA) with 25 years experience in the financial services industry, and is also a Licentiate of the Association of Compliance Officers in Ireland (LCOI) and holds the Credit Union Advisor qualification (CUA). Orla, originally from Sligo, returned in 2002 to join Sligo Credit Union as a Development Executive before being promoted to Deputy CEO in 2007 and has been Acting CEO since February 2023. Within this time, Orla has been involved in creating a vision and strategy for Sligo Credit Union, has developed strategic proposals to help grow the credit union loan book from 11M to its current level of 41M and membership growth from 6,000 to 26,000 members. Shona Heffernan said: We are delighted to welcome Orla as Sligo Credit Unions new Chief Executive Officer. Orla is an astute, analytical person with extensive experience leading operations and projects. She has recognised skills in the areas of risk, compliance along with staff management capabilities, proven crisis management abilities, and strong operational resilience attributes. Furthermore, Orla has a great understanding of the important role the credit union has to play in Sligo; she is dedicated to member value and to continuing to increase the credit unions ethos of honesty, integrity, approachability, and willingness to listen. Prior to joining Sligo Credit Union in 2002, Orla worked for Bertelsmann Distribution Financial Services and First Rate Ireland in Dublin. Orla said: I am thrilled to be appointed CEO. I am very invested in this credit union, with a strong desire to achieve while remaining cognisant of our important member ethos, culture, and values. I have a long-standing record in the financial services industry, especially with Sligo Credit Union, and we have achieved many milestones - we have an iconic building, an excellent team of member-centred staff, a growing loan book, and strong reserves. It is my vision that Sligo Credit Union will become the number-one choice for our members for their day-to-day banking requirements and that we become the first-choice personal lender. The main entrance to Tallaght Hospital: Making it so difficult to arrive by public transport at hospitals that serve the entire nation makes no sense. Often when I visit a hospital I come away saying to myself that someone should write a doctoral study on poor, indeed, bad signage in hospitals. Supervised, safe space for youths aged 13-17 in town The first youth social cafe to open in the region has opened on North Street, New Ross. 1317North is, as the name suggests, exclusively for 13 to 17 year olds. Offering a supervised space where teenagers can enjoy games of pool, free video games, board games, snacks and free wi-fi, the social enterprise is located beside Murrays bar, but is in no way connected to the adjoining premises. Shawn Murray said he has spent around 22,000 on the new business venture, which is run by several people, including Sinead Cashin. The business opened on Saturday and got a good crowd in. The cafe at 4 North Street is free to enter and is open from 4 p.m. to late evening daily, except for Mondays. It has pool tables, Playstation games, broadband, Jenga, darts, phone charging points, a tuck shop and tunes. Officially launching the May Bank Holiday, Mr Murray said the social enterprise project is targeted at local youngsters so they have a warm, safe and welcoming space to hang out together and have some fun. With free entry and low cost activities were sure this will prove popular with all concerned and theres food available too. A limited number of venue club memberships will be available from 50 per annum which give discounts and priority booking on reserving the space for Membership Mondays or to privately hire for a birthday party or celebration among other privileges. Mr Murray said people aged 15 and up go to his pub to play pool, but it didnt look right seeing them leave the premises with schoolbags on their backs. He has rented the neighbouring premises at 4 North Street and is using it as a youth cafe for the present. I am out on the door with security at the pub on a Friday or Saturday night and I can see the young lads hanging around often in the rain and there is nothing to do for hundreds of these young people. Ms Cashin said: This is a business with the aim to make profit to cover staff costs etc. The tuck shop is cost price for members and cheaper than the shops. There is a toilet and the key has to be gotten from the counter. The cost of a game of pool is 2 or 1 for members. People can order food in the form of basket bites for a fiver. Ms Cashin said the venue is ideal for teenagers who are waiting to be collected by their parents after school or as a hang out spot. We market it as an adult free zone because you cant have an adult come in to play pool with teenagers, but parents with vulnerable children can come in and have a coffee at the tuck shop. Ms Cashin said the social enterprise will be entered into a Rethink Ireland awards competition, adding that it is unique in Ireland. Mr Murray said he is aware of anti social behaviour on The High Hill, including graffiti. Ms Cashin said the cafe will provide a safe space for teenagers who come from difficult backgrounds, allowing everyone to mix together, adding that it is the only youth space in town over the summer months. Its about inclusion. I hope 1317 becomes like the Mens Shed and has branches everywhere around the country, said Ms Cashin. The event will see Welsh ambassadors visit historic sites around Co Wexford WEXFORD tourism ambassadors will be hosting a free community Ceili in Ferns village on Saturday, April 22, at 7.30 p.m. The event will take place in the Courtyard Bar & Restaurant and is being organised to celebrate the completion of the ambassadors training as part of the Ancient Connections programme which itself is an initiative aimed at enhancing and strengthening the historic links between Ferns in County Wexford and the area around St Davids in west Wales. The Ceili will be an opportunity to welcome the Wexford ambassadors Welsh counterparts who will spend the weekend exploring some of the fantastic heritage sites located around the Model County. A spokesperson for Ancient Connections, commented: The Ceili will be a chance to meet the Tourism Ambassadors, hear some fantastic tales and songs from Irish and Welsh folklore, and enjoy traditional music and dance. Everyoneis welcome to attend the event which will be free of charge to enter. The Tourism Ambassador training program is delivered by Abarta Heritage as part of the Ancient Connections programme funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Ireland Wales co-operation programme, Pembrokeshire and Wexford County Councils, Visit Wexford and Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority. A 51-year-old woman found not guilty of the murder of her elderly father by reason of insanity has been remanded to the Central Mental Hospital. Julie Flood, with an address at The Oyle, Oylegate, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, had pleaded not guilty to the murder of her father, Patrick Flood, on April 14, 2019 by reason of insanity. At the Central Criminal Court on Friday Shane Costelloe SC, for the DPP, said a bed is available at the hospital for Ms Flood and asked that the matter be put back to May 4. Mr Justice Paul McDermott remanded Ms Flood to the Central Mental Hospital in Portrane to appear again in court on May 4. He thanked counsel for their assistance during what he described as a difficult case". The judge also expressed his thanks to the nursing staff who attended court during the case. You were of great assistance to the trial, he said. The trial heard Ms Flood, who has paranoid schizophrenia, was in the throes of a psychotic state when she stabbed her elderly father to death on his 94th birthday because she believed the voice of God told her he was an imposter. The jury was also told during the trial that Ms Flood had a history of persecutory delusions and on one occasion believed she heard the voices of the band U2 accusing her of having raped one of the band members sisters. The jury at the Central Criminal Court deliberated for just 48 minutes before returning their unanimous verdict on Thursday. Mr Flood died on April 14, 2019, two days after he was stabbed. Before he died, the pensioner told Dr Paul Cromwell that he had woken up at 7am on April 12 to find his daughter standing in the hall screaming at him that he was an imposter. He said his daughter had come up to him and stabbed him in the stomach. A postmortem revealed Mr Flood was suffering from severe heart disease which could have resulted in his death at any time. The postmortem report, carried out by Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margot Bolster, stated the cause of death as congested cardiac failure complicated by ischemic colitis on the background of a recent stab wound. The jury heard evidence from two psychiatrists who agreed that Ms Flood fulfilled the criteria for a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity. Project looks at wintering birds The ethereal cry of the curlew is central to Irish folklore and poetry and etched in the childhood memory of many. However, the distinctive sound once synonymous with summer time is being heard less often each year as Irelands breeding curlew population continues to fall. The results from the 2021 National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) survey estimated an Irish breeding curlew population of 105 pairs in 2021. While there are no known breeding curlew pairs in Wexford, a wintering population resides in the south of the county in areas including Ballyteige Burrow and Duncormick and, over the past two years, researchers with the ECHOES project have been able to learn more about their behaviour and distribution. ECHOES (Effect of climate change on bird habitats around the Irish Sea) seeks to address how climate change will impact coastal bird habitats of the Irish Sea, and what effect this could have on our society, economy, and shared ecosystems. The EU-funded project, which is a joint initiative between University College Cork (UCC) Aberystwyth University in Wales and other partners, looks specifically at the Eurasian Curlew and Greenland White-fronted geese. By gathering data about the behaviour and distribution of these species, informed decisions can be made about how best to manage these habitats. Research Assistant with the ECHOES Project, Luke Lambert has been tracking wintering curlew for the past two winters in Ballyteige Burrow. With the two-year study set to come to a close soon, the results and key findings are beginning to take shape and, according to Luke, there have been some surprises. Generally, curlew are known for using coastal habitats and, particularly in the winter, using estuaries and intertidal mudflats. Theyre a bird that is very much linked with the tidal cycles. What weve learned from tracking the birds in Wexford and Wales, but particularly in Wexford, is they like to use more habitats than we thought. They use pasture fields more than we expected. If you can think of the south coast of Wexford, there would be a lot of farmland around Kilmore Quay. We found some of the birds were going to five to five-and-a-half kilometres inland to feed, usually at night time as well, explained Luke. The main reason theyre going to these places is for feeding. They like to feed on worms and leatherjackets. They go at night because the fields would be a lot damper, especially in the winter, so it is easier for their bills to probe the ground. They often go to fields with livestock in them and a theory is that its because they trample the ground and make life easier for the birds to access the food. Some of the birds are also using the islands. One bird went to Great Saltee, and a couple of birds go to the Keeragh Islands. The use of the Keeragh Islands as a roosting site is seen as unusual or not noted by experts in the area prior to the ECHOES Project tagging work, added Luke. While the curlew clearly has the ability to go further afield in search of food, the impact of climate change on their regular feeding grounds is sure to have an impact, as Luke explains. While it is great that we learned theyre going inland and they have that adaptability, theyre still so tied in with tidal cycles. The only reason they go inland is because they cant feed on mudflats. With rising sea levels in future, we will probably lose a lot of estuaries and mudflats and that would affect them. Theyre very much a bird of habit and site faithful. As noted by the researchers, rising sea levels and an increase in salinity could lead to larger numbers inland foraging on lower quality earthworms. It may also push them into more human-wildlife conflict situations. It was also noted that more frost days in a month restrict the probability of curlew using an area. This could mean more curlew in Wexford if conditions get colder further north in the country in the short-term, but then more pressures on the local ecosystem. Tracking the winter movements of the curlew in Wexford involves attaching a small tracking device to their feathers with non-toxic glue. This tag falls off naturally after the birds post-summer moult. Each tagged bird had its own patterns and routines, and some were more adventurous than others, with the likes of Wexford Harbour, the South Slobs, Rosslare, Carne, Our Ladys Island Lake, Tacumshin Lake, Bannow Bay, the Keeragh Islands and the Saltee Islands were visited by various birds over the last two winters. Some of the fields in and around the village of Rathangan, Duncormick and Wellingtonbridge were also visited by the tagged birds on various occasions. While there are no records of breeding pairs in Wexford, according to Luke, there is a good wintering population between Bannow Bay, Ballyteige Burrow and Wexford Harbour, with Ballyteige, in particular, having hundreds of individuals. However, the numbers are still much lower than previously. One thing Ive noticed is the amount of local people who would have an affinity with the birds. I met locals in Kilmore Quay, Duncormick and Ballyteige who remember the curlew growing up. The farmers have noticed themselves that there is less curlew in the winter. They have noticed the numbers dropping, he explained. As for breeding pairs, while the curlew did once breed in the county, changes in recent decades have decimated the breeding population here and across the country. As a ground-nesting bird that is sensitive to disturbance, changes in land use in recent years have had a devastating impact on them. Curlew used to breed throughout Wexford. I live on Forth Mountain and along the Duncannon line all down toward Murrintown would once have been full of breeding curlew. That would have been in the sixties, seventies and eighties. It all started going downhill coming into the nineties with the changes in agriculture and the development of agricultural machinery and methods. A lot of people would remember the curlew calling in the summer mornings and evenings. Thats something I never would have had myself, Luke explained. I dont think there are any records of curlew breeding in Wexford. Not anymore. There might be some in the upland areas that we wouldnt know of. The curlew is very sensitive and easily disturbed. If there any breeding in Wexford, they are in places where people wouldnt disturb or see them. Breeding populations are now mainly located in the midlands and west of Ireland, explained Luke, who said that people are often confused to hear about the curlews demise when they see and hear the birds in their locality. If you see curlew on the coastline at this time of year, they are likely non-breeders. Theyre just hanging around. Breeding birds would be in a different habitat. For breeding, they like certain agricultural land, upland and lowland bogs, wet grassland, unimproved semi-improved grassland and scrubland. Tara Hill and Forth Mountain would, theoretically, be good breeding spots for them. With data on the Wexford wintering curlew soon to be made publically available, it is hoped it can be used to help to inform decision-makers so that moves can be made to help to protect the species as a whole. Meanwhile, individuals can help to support the curlew by preventing disturbance and keeping dogs away from the birds if they see them. They can also help to inform knowledge of the birds here by reporting any sightings to the ECHOES project via their website, and logging them on the National Biodiversity Data Centre website. The winding down of the ECHOES project and publication of findings comes at a fitting time as World Curlew Day takes place on Friday. April 21. This international event is marked by various environmental organizations to raise awareness about the problems faced by curlews worldwide. Ballymitty national school pupils who are travelling to Spain next week on an Erasmus exchange programme. Seventeen fifth and sixth class pupils from Ballymitty national school in Wexford will have the chance to experience a new culture, language, music and education when they travel to visit a school in Tarragona in north-east Spain next week. The school, Escola Sant Bernat Calvo hosted staff from Ballymitty school last year and 25 pupils and three staff from there visited Wexford last November. The Wexford group will fly out on Monday, April 24, staying in La Pineda and will visit the school on Tuesday to meet with senior students and will also take part in an orienteering course around the local town of Vila-Seca. On Tuesday evening, pupils and staff from Ballymitty will meet Vila Secas Mayor, Pere Segura i Xatruch. Jack Murphy, sixth class Mayor of Ballymitty school will make a special presentation to him of some local Wexford honey and a book of Irish poetry. On Wednesday the group will join with year six of Escola Sant Bernat Calvo for a day at PortAventura Park and on Thursday, they will have an opportunity to take in the sights of Tarragona, including the amphitheatre, fish market, a train ride and boat trip, before flying home on Friday. The exchange visit is part of a two-year funded Erasmus project organised by the school. Erasmus is the EUs programme to support education, training, youth and sport in Europe. Charles and Camilla on their wedding day, with Camillas son Tom and daughter Laura, and Princes William and Harry (PA) Tom Parker Bowles, son of Britains Queen Consort Camilla, has hit back at Prince Harrys claim that his mother played an end game to become Queen. On Thursday 20 April, the 48-year-old British food writer appeared on The News Agents podcast where he discussed Camillas marriage to Charles, insisting that she just married the person she loved. I think change happens but I dont care what anyone says this wasnt any sort of end game, he said. She married the person she loved and this is what happened. Parker Bowles is the eldest child of Camilla and Andrew Parker Bowles, who were married from 1973 to 1995. They also share daughter Laura Rose Lopes (nee Parker Bowles). His comments come after the Duke of Sussex labelled his step-mother as the villain in his highly-publicised memoir, Spare, which was released last January. In the tell-all memoir, Prince Harry claimed that the Queen Consort leaked stories about the royal family to the media to bolster her image. I have complex feelings about gaining a step-parent who I thought had recently sacrificed me on her personal PR altar, he wrote. However, sources close to the Queen Consort have said that Camilla was hurt to be branded as the villain by Harry. The Duke of Sussex has confirmed his attendance at King Charles and Queen Camillas coronation on Saturday 6 May. In a statement, Buckingham Palace announced Prince Harry will attend the ceremony while his wife, Meghan Markle, 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 on 12 April. The Duchess of Sussex will remain in California with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. Prince Harrys confirmation at the Kings coronation comes after months of speculation over whether the royal couple would attend the ceremony. It was reported that Harry was seeking an apology from Charles and Prince William before he made any commitment to the ceremony. Ahead of the publication of his memoir, Harry said in an interview that the door is always open for reconciliation. In the same interview, Parker Bowles spoke about planned protests that are set to take place during the coronation on 6 May. Everyone has a right to think what they want, he told podcast hosts Emily Maitlis and Jon Sopel. You know, we live in a, thankfully, a free country. Republic is an activist group that calls to see the monarchy abolished and the King replaced with an elected, democratic head of state. The group says its supporters will march along The Mall on 6 May, which the King will proceed down from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey. The demonstrators have been known to carry yellow protest signs emblazoned with the words, Not My King. When asked whether he was worried that anti-monarchy demonstrators would get in the way of the King and his mothers coronation, Parker Bowles backed their right to protest. If people want to protest, thats their right to do so, I think, he added. If people protest, people protest. Youre allowed to protest, were all allowed to have different views. I think that makes for an interesting and civilised country. Republic is set to stage the largest protest action in its history by lining the coronation procession route and gathering in Trafalgar Square. From there, they will march down the procession route towards Westminster Abbey the site of the coronations of England and Britains monarchs since 1066. Additional reporting by PA. A child looks for water during clashes in Khartoum. Photo: Reuters/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah Hospitals have been looted, ambulances hijacked, and medical workers attacked during five days of fierce fighting in Sudan, officials say. The World Health Organisation warned that the deeply concerning attacks on health infrastructure appear to be increasing, hindering access to care for citizens caught up in the unfolding conflict. Fighting erupted on Saturday between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) after weeks of tension. At least 174 deaths have been reported, while the UN says that more than 1,800 people have been injured. Dr Ahmed Al-Mandhari, the WHO regional director, said: Reports of military strikes against health facilities, hijacking of ambulances while patients and paramedics are on board, looting of health facilities, and military forces occupying health facilities are deeply concerning. Its estimated that 16 hospitals, including nine in the capital Khartoum, are now non-functional. Attacks on health care are a flagrant violation of international law and the right to health. They must stop now, said Dr Al-Mandhari. The Sudanese army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) were once allies, seizing power together in a 2021 coup. However, tensions mounted over the proposed integration of the RSF into the military. The Sudanese armed forces have the advantage in numbers and conventional firepower. Reports suggest they are using airstrikes to bomb the RSF out of Khartoum. RSF soldiers have tried to seize airfields across the country to neutralise fighter jets, and are taking over civilian homes in the capital in a bid to make themselves more difficult to weed out. Hospitals that have remained operational have also reported shortages of blood, transfusion equipment, intravenous fluids and medical supplies. On Tuesday, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said it was nearly impossible to provide humanitarian services around Khartoum. The truth is that at the moment it is almost impossible to provide any humanitarian services in and around Khartoum, Farid Aiywar, IFRC head of delegation for Sudan, told reporters via video link from Nairobi. Meanwhile, the international medical group Doctors Without Borders tweeted that its warehouse holding vital medical supplies had been raided. In Khartoum, most teams are trapped by the ongoing heavy fighting and are unable to access warehouses to deliver vital medical supplies to hospitals, said Dr Ghazali Babiker, a representative for the charity in Sudan. Even ambulances are being turned back. They are not being permitted to pass in order to retrieve the bodies of the dead from the streets - or to transport those who have been injured to hospital. He added that the majority of the wounded are civilians caught in the crossfire. Among them are many children. They have extremely serious injuries. ( Telegraph Media Group Ltd 2023) Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has hit out at Elon Musk after Twitter began removing blue ticks and said the move could pave the way for major potential harm. The New York congresswoman and Tesla chief have been involved in Twitter spats before. This is not the first time AOC, as the congresswoman is affectionately known, has lashed out against Mr Musk on the social media platform. When the Twitter boss had announced last year that those who want to retain their blue ticks must pay $8 to the company, Ms Ocasio-Cortez had mocked the move. Lmao at a billionaire earnestly trying to sell people on the idea that free speech is actually an $8/mo subscription plan, she had tweeted. On Friday, AOC shared a screenshot of an exchange between two Twitter handles @nycgov and @NYC_GOVERNMENT both claiming to be the official handles of the New York City government. Jokes aside, this is setting the stage for major potential harm when a natural disaster hits and no one knows what agencies, reporters, or outlets are real, she said. Not long ago we had major flash floods. We had to mobilize trusted info fast to save lives. Today just made that harder. The congresswoman has also previously claimed Mr Musk had meddled with her account. Ms Ocasio-Cortez complained that following a public argument, her Twitter account had seemingly stopped working properly. Yo (Elon Musk) while I have your attention, why should people pay $8 just for their app to get bricked when they say something you dont like? she tweeted. Mr Musk replied back at the Democrat and said, What can I say? It was a naked abuse of power. In December last year, Ms Ocasio-Cortez condemned Mr Musk after he suspended the accounts of half a dozen journalists who routinely reported on him and the social media platform. I get feeling unsafe, but descending into abuse of power + erratically banning journalists only increases the intensity around you, the Democratic lawmaker said. As someone who has been subject to real and dangerous plots, I do get it. I didnt have security and have experienced many scary incidents, she said. In fact, many of the right-wing outlets you now elevate published photos of my home, car, etc. At a certain point you gotta disconnect. Maybe try putting down your phone, she suggested. You first lol, responded Mr Musk. When the billionaire had laid off staff at Twitter, the Congresswoman tweeted: Shout out to all the workers at Twitter. You all built a vital place for connection and deserved so much better. Millions of people appreciate the space you built and the hard work that went into it. Thank you. Meanwhile, Mr Musk said he is personally paying for Twitter Blue subscriptions for a few celebrities who had declined to subscribe by themselves. The Twitter chief confirmed he is paying for the accounts of William Shatner, Stephen King and LeBron James to retain their blue tick verification badges. Taylor Swift, Ryan Reynolds and Ellen DeGeneres are some celebrities who appear to have signed on for Twitters subscription service to keep their blue tick verification marks. Beginning on Thursday evening, the company formally deleted the blue verification checkmarks given to accounts run by notable people and organisations in an attempt to get more people to sign up for the new subscription service. An analysis by independent researcher Travis Brown last week, however, suggested only about 4.4 per cent of Twitters legacy verified accounts had subscribed to Twitter Blue so far. Legacy verification seems to be gone for good... but I have an almost complete recent list of 407.5k legacy verified accounts, tweeted Mr Brown, who has been tracking Twitter Blue subscriptions since earlier this year. Just over a week to Elons next deadline and right now of the 406k legacy verified accounts Im tracking, only 17,923 (4.4 per cent) are subscribed to Twitter Blue, he said. The researcher added on Friday that this number didnt even go above 4.8 per cent. These numbers could change over time as more users may sign up for the subscription service. Celebrities in the music industry, including Swift, Rihanna, Britney Spears and The Weeknd are some of those who seem to have subscribed to Twitter Blue. Their account verification badges are still intact. Other prominent celebrities who still have their verification badges on display include Snoop Dogg, Cardi B, Joe and Nick Jonas, Shawn Mendes, David Guetta and Chance the Rapper, Mashable first reported. Hollywood actors like Neil Patrick Harris, Chris Hemsworth and Hugh Jackman still have their blue ticks. Social media influencers Jake and Logan Paul as well as Mr Beast, and talk show hosts and comedians DeGenres and Jimmy Fallons accounts have also subscribed to Twitter Blue. Some popular celebrities earlier announced they would not pay for a blue checkmark. Halle Berry tweeted on Thursday that she was joining unverified users on the platform. Jack Black, who had earlier said he would call Elon Musks bluff over his Twitter verification purge, also lost the blue tick. Chrissy Teigen, Dionne Warwick and Ben Stiller had also rejected the idea of paying for their verified accounts. They had lost their blue ticks earlier in April. No blue check, still feel like me, Mr Stiller tweeted on Friday. Asked by a Twitter user if he could pay $8 and support the platform he was using, the actor quipped, I think Elon will be fine. Twitter had also removed the blue tick from the main profile of The New York Times after the news organisation said it would not sign up for the subscription service. Some prominent figures from the UK, including Ricky Gervais, Prince William and Princess Kate have also lost their blue ticks. The crisis facing the trade group deepened after The Guardian reported on Friday that a woman claimed she was raped by two male colleagues. John Lewis was among the firms announcing that they were cancelling their involvement with the CBI after the news broke on Friday (Sean Dempsey/PA) Dozens of the UKs largest firms have paused or ended their relationship with the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) following a second rape allegation from a woman working for the business group. NatWest, the John Lewis Partnership, Vodafone, BMW, Aviva, and Virgin Media O2 were among the firms announcing that they were cancelling their involvement with the CBI after the news broke on Friday. They were joined by Mastercard, Phoenix, Energy UK, Zurich, Vitality, B&Q owner Kingfisher, National Grid, and Peoples Partnership. Other major employers such as Tesco, Meta, Sainsburys, Asda, Lloyds Banking Group, Unilever, ScottishPower, the British Beer and Pub Association, ManpowerGroup UK, and Shell have also suspended all activity with the lobbying group. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content It is also understood that the Crown Estate will not be attending meetings with CBI, although it said it would not comment at this stage. Earlier this month, the Government said it would pause all engagement with the CBI after initial reports of misconduct at the group. The crisis facing the trade group deepened after The Guardian reported on Friday that the woman claimed she was raped by two male colleagues. The woman claimed the alleged rape took place while she was unconscious following a night-out while working at a CBI office abroad. She said she had no recollection of the alleged rape itself but had described in detail the physical signs that led her to believe she was raped, and was later presented in the office with an explicit photograph. It is the second claim from a woman that she was a victim of rape at the organisation. Previously, a member of staff alleged that she was attacked by a manager on a summer boat party in 2019. Details of the new rape allegation have been passed on to police. Separately, former CBI director-general Tony Danker was sacked last week after being accused of making unwanted contact with a woman who works for the organisation (Jacob King/PA) City of London Police were already investigating the previous rape allegation, alongside a series of other misconduct claims from about a dozen workers. Separately, The Guardian also reported on Friday that a woman based at the organisations London office claimed she was stalked by a male colleague in 2018. In response, CBI president Brian McBride said: The latest allegations put to us by The Guardian are abhorrent and our hearts go out to any women who have been victims of the behaviour described. While the CBI was not previously aware of the most serious allegations, it is vital that they are thoroughly investigated now and we are liaising closely with the police to help ensure any perpetrators are brought to justice. We recognise the substance of the harassment report outlined as relating to an allegation made and investigated in January 2018. The finding of harassment was upheld and a sanction was imposed. However, the CBI does not recognise many of the most serious elements of The Guardian story relating to harassment, including the assertion that the individual had told the CBI of feelings of a sexual and violent nature towards the victim; and that he had followed her home. The CBI added it is expecting a further report from the law firm conducting an internal investigation later on Friday and will announce steps to bring about the wider change that is needed early next week. On Thursday, the CBI confirmed that it passed fresh information to the police regarding a report of a serious criminal offence. It said it was liaising closely with the authorities and has urged anyone with further information to come forward. Separately, former CBI director-general Tony Danker was sacked last week after being accused of making unwanted contact with a woman who works for the organisation. On Wednesday, he said his reputation has been totally destroyed by the allegation and claimed he has been made a fall guy for a wider crisis. Mr Danker told the BBC his name had been wrongly associated with separate claims, including the rapes which allegedly happened before he joined the CBI. After initial allegations, the business group also suspended three other employees and hired a law firm, Fox Williams, to carry out an internal investigation. Aaisha Hasan was murdered in a ferocious and savage knife attack by her husband, Asim Hasan (Metropolitan Police/PA) A man has been found guilty of killing his wife in a ferocious knife attack after she secretly recorded his violent abuse on her mobile phone. Asim Hasan had claimed he did not intend to seriously harm Aaisha Hasan when he stabbed her 36 times at the family home in Canning Town, east London, on May 19 2022. On Thursday, a jury at the Old Bailey deliberated for just an hour and a half to reject the 33-year-olds defence and find him guilty of murder. In the weeks leading up to 34-year-old Mrs Hasans death, the couple rowed over money, the defendants behaviour and his accusation that she was having an affair. Asim Hasan has been found guilty by an Old Bailey jury of murdering his wife Aaisha in a ferocious and savage knife attack (Metropolitan Police/PA) Mrs Hasan had become sufficiently scared of her husband that she began recording him on her phone and shared her fears with friends on WhatsApp, prosecutor Joel Smith told the court. In a folder on her phone labelled Hidden, Mrs Hasan stored images, including of a black eye and cuts to her face, taken after Hasan was violent in February, April and 11 days before she died in May. Last May 9, she sent a desperate WhatsApp message to friends, which Mr Smith said was particularly chilling, jurors heard. In it, she voiced fears that he would have killed me but for the presence of others in the house. Mrs Hasan wrote: I dont want to call the police on him coz this can get him into serious trouble. I just want him out the house now. I dont feel safe. The next day, Hasan continued to accuse his wife of cheating despite her repeated denials, according to one recording. A neighbour alerted police but, because Mrs Hasan appeared well and made no complaint, the matter was not taken further, the jury was told. In another recording, Mrs Hasan accused her husband of hitting her and said: The next time you will kill me. The next time you will kill me, I dont want that. On the morning of May 19, Hasan called 999 and told the operator: I just stabbed my wife. Mrs Hasan suffered 36 wounds in the ferocious and really quite savage attack, Mr Smith said. One stab was inflicted with such force it cut a wedge of bone from her skull, he said. Police and paramedics arrived at the couples home to find Mrs Hasan lying on the kitchen floor in a pool of blood, and she was pronounced dead at 7.20am. A black-handled kitchen knife, which the defendant allegedly used, was found on the cooker. After being arrested and interviewed by police, Hasan allegedly said: I am guilty and you can charge me. Mr Smith told jurors that, in a cruel twist, Hasan was the one looking to have an extramarital affair, contacting a woman on a Muslim dating site days before his wifes death. Following the unanimous guilty verdict, Judge Anthony Leonard remanded Hasan into custody and adjourned sentencing until May 25. Detective Chief Inspector Mark Rogers, of Scotland Yard, said: Hasan carried out a ferocious and savage attack on his wife, stabbing her at least 26 times. Aaisha had tried to defend herself during Hasans frenzied attack, but she did not stand a chance against him. Hasan had denied murdering Aaisha, claiming he had not intended to cause serious harm. Thankfully the jury disagreed and recognised the fact that you do not carry out a sustained, brutal attack such as that without, at the very least, intending to cause serious harm. My father killed my mother and got custody of me now Im fighting to change the law Ive always thought Ive got to be careful what I say or do, because what if he kills me? Diane Clarke tells Maya Oppenheim Diane Clarke Maya Oppenheim Independent.co.uk Fri 21 Apr 2023 at 16:08 The European Union could have its own special forces commandos under plans for a rapid-reaction force of 5,000 troops, The Daily Telegraph can disclose. The proposals aim to create a force that could be deployed quickly to intervene anywhere in the world. Its formation could allow the EU to respond decisively and prevent and manage crises in order to assert itself as a more credible security and defence actor, according to a new report drawn up by EU officials and MEPs. The joint military force could be deployable without the unanimous support from the EUs 27 member states in order to prevent it becoming snarled up by political wrangling. Brussels has had battle groups of 1,500 soldiers standing by since 2007 but they have never once been deployed, owing to a lack of political support and the need for unanimity. According to the latest official report, the European Union Rapid Deployment Capacity (EU RDC), would have a minimum of at least 5,000 troops. This excludes special operations forces, intelligence operatives, medical care and evacuation units, and air and sea-lift personnel to ensure the EU RDC is prepared to address all possible crisis situations. It is hoped the force would be used to enforce ceasefire zones, secure airlifts, safely evacuate EU nationals and provide emergency humanitarian assistance. It is also likely to be used for proactive intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance gathering on potential enemies. The scheme is supported by France and Germany as long as no EU governments object, and Italy and Spain, who back an even larger formation of up to 50,000 troops. Financing will be covered by the blocs European Peace Facility, which has largely been used to allow member states to be reimbursed for their donations of military aid to Kyiv. While all of the RDCs elements will be assigned exclusively to it, it is envisaged that national capitals will be allowed to recall its troops and hardware in the event of an emergency. The force is expected to begin regular joint exercises before the end of the year and be fully operational by 2025. Senior European officials believe the RDC should be interoperable with Nato. This area of proposal will fuel further fears that one day a European army could undermine Natos efforts. The UK was always opposed to any moves that would lead to such a force, arguing it would undermine Nato in Europe. Mayor of the city of Belgorod Valentin Demidov speaks with a local resident in a damaged apartment as he visits the scene following a large blast in Belgorod, Russia. Photo: Reuters The scene following a large blast in a street in the city of Belgorod, Russia. Photo: Reuters A Russian supersonic warplane accidentally fired upon its own city of Belgorod late last night, causing a large blast and damaging buildings and cars and injuring two people. As a Sukhoi Su-34 air force plane was flying over the city of Belgorod there was an accidental discharge of aviation ammunition, the defence ministry said, reported Tass news agency. It is not immediately clear what kind of weapon was fired from the supersonic warplane. Local authorities in the city near the border with Ukraine confirmed two women were injured in the incident and some buildings have been damaged. Images from the scene show a 20-metre-wide crater, and damage to buildings, with reports of four cars and two apartment blocks damaged. The Russian city of Belgorod lies just across the border from Ukraine and has previously seen misfiring of weapons by Russia. Mayor of the city of Belgorod Valentin Demidov speaks with a local resident in a damaged apartment as he visits the scene following a large blast in Belgorod, Russia. Photo: Reuters On the battlefield, a video has been shared by Ukrainian battalion DaVinci Wolves showing an armed fight from trenches in Bakhmut between its soldiers and Russian troops. The 11-minute long video captures scenes from the bloodied battle with bullets being fired into dug up trenches as the soldiers fire back on Russian positions. Meanwhile, Ukraines president Volodymyr Zelensky has told Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg that it is time to let his country into the alliance, during Mr Stoltenbergs first visit to Kyiv since Russias invasion began. Mr Stoltenberg said the rightful place is in the Euro-Atlantic family... is in Nato, inviting Mr Zelensky to a Nato summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, in July. The Ukrainian president said he believed the summit could be historic but that his nation needs a roadmap to membership. Jens Stoltenberg and Volodymyr Zelensky after a joint press conference in Kyiv, Ukraine. Photo: AP There is no objective barrier to the political decision to invite Ukraine into the alliance and now, when most people in Nato countries and the majority of Ukrainians support Nato accession, is the time for the corresponding decisions, Mr Zelensky said. The statements will rile the Kremlin and Russian president Vladimir Putin, who has made various claims about the reasons behind Moscows invasion of Ukraine but has insisted in recent months that preventing Kyiv from joining Nato was a key goal. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters yesterday that bringing Ukraine into the military alliance will present a serious, significant danger to the security of our country. Moscow said similar things when Finland officially joined Nato last month, a move that doubled the size of the land border the alliance shares with Russia. Neighbouring Sweden is expected to join soon too, possibly by the time of the Nato summit in July. Ukraine announced a bid for fast-track membership of Nato last September after the Kremlin unilaterally announced it had annexed four Ukrainian regions that its troops have partially occupied. Nato has no official presence in Ukraine and provides only non-lethal support to Kyiv, but has provided a significant amount of support during the 14-month war. Mr Stoltenberg pledged continued military support for Ukraine, saying that, so far, Nato allies had trained tens of thousands of Ukrainian troops and provided 65bn of military aid alone and tens of billions of euro in other areas. Nato stands with you today, tomorrow and for as long as it takes, Mr Stoltenberg said. The Nato secretary-generals visit to Kyiv comes at an important juncture in the war, with Ukraine hoping to launch a counter-offensive against Russias forces in the coming weeks or months. Mr Zelensky has pushed for more weapons from the West to enable Kyivs troops to hold off any Russian advances on the ground in the southern and eastern regions of Ukraine, and then push on. Mr Zelensky pushed Mr Stoltenberg to help ensure those weapons arrived, saying that delays in receiving more weapons caused deaths in Ukraine. Mr Stoltenbergs trip came a day before Nato defence officials discuss new military supplies for Ukraine at their latest meeting at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany today. Denmark and the Netherlands announced yesterday they would jointly donate 14 Leopard 2 tanks to Kyiv. In a joint statement, the Danish and Dutch defence ministers said the estimated cost of 165m to jointly acquire, refurbish and donate will be equally divided between the two Nato members. In this way, we will jointly take part in the Leopard 2 coalition, supported by many partners and allies, they said. Acting Danish defence minister Troels Lund Poulsen stressed that the tanks were not Danish but are bought in collaboration with the Netherlands. On Wednesday, the US announced $325m (297m) in new military aid, including ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (Himars), advanced missiles and anti-tank mines. ( Independent News Service) A princess from Texas piled her four bichon frise dogs into a taxi yesterday after being evicted from a historic villa in Rome that contains the only known ceiling painted by Caravaggio. Princess Rita Jenrette Boncompagni Ludovisi abandoned the Casino dellAurora hours after Carabinieri police arrived to enforce a court-mandated eviction order. Before she had even left, a locksmith changed the locks. Her dramatic exit capped a remarkable, years-long soap opera that exposed the dirty laundry of one of Romes aristocratic families. The Boncompagni Ludovisi are perhaps best known for having produced Pope Gregory XIII of Gregorian calendar fame. But lately they have attracted more attention due to the inheritance dispute and court-mandated auction of their famous villa in the heart of Rome. I feel like Im in a surreal movie, the princess said on the street, interrupted repeatedly by a barking fluffy white dog in her arms and three others at her ankles. She denounced her ousting as a travesty of justice. I am being brutally evicted from a home which I have lovingly taken care of for the past 20 years, she said on Twitter shortly before leaving her home. Casino dellAurora, also known as the Villa Ludovisi, has been in the Ludovisi family since the early 1600s. After Prince Nicolo Boncompagni Ludovisi died in 2018, the villa became the subject of an inheritance dispute between the children from his first marriage and his third wife, the San Antonio, Texas-born Princess Rita, whom he married in 2009. Previously, she had been married to former US representative John Jenrette Jr of South Carolina. The children have argued that the home, built in 1570, belongs to them, that their grandfather intended for them to inherit it and that their late father abused them and mismanaged his fortune. They mounted a multi-pronged legal campaign to get control of the property so it can be sold. The latest chapter in the saga came in January after Judge Miriam Iappelli issued an eviction order, accusing the princess of having violated a previous order forbidding her from conducting guided tours of the property. Boncompagni Ludovisi has said the tours were necessary to raise money to maintain the villa. In addition, the judge found that the princess had failed to maintain the home in a good state of conservation after an exterior wall crumbled. One of the heirs, Prince Bante Boncompagni Ludovisi, was on hand yesterday at the villa to watch that woman leave the property. This house needs renovations. The pipelines of water need to be restored and the frescoes are in danger, he told reporters. This is a country. We have our police, we have our judges and you need to respect our country and our laws if you stay here. It is not clear who will now undertake the work on the house, which needs at least 11m in renovations. The villa was put on the court-ordered auction block last year as part of the inheritance dispute and assigned a court-appraised value of 471m, in large part due to the Caravaggio. After the minimum bid of 353m failed to get any takers in the first auction, the price was lowered in a series of successive auctions, with more scheduled until a buyer is found. The Caravaggio ceiling graces a tiny room off a spiral staircase on the second floor. It was commissioned in 1597 by a diplomat and patron of the arts who asked the then-young painter to decorate the ceiling of the small room being used as an alchemy workshop. The 2.75-metre wide mural, which depicts Jupiter, Pluto and Neptune, is unusual. Its not a fresco, but rather oil paint on plaster, and represents the only ceiling mural that Caravaggio is known to have painted. While the villas fate is uncertain, so too is that of the princess. Vowing that the truth will eventually come out and announcing a book deal Boncompagni Ludovisi insisted she had cared for the villa during her two decades living there and digitised the familys archive, with the help of Rutgers University. I see no logic in this. I was a good custodian for the villa, she said. She did not say where she would go next, though she noted that the Episcopal Church in Rome had reached out to help. I love Italy and Im so sorry to have such a brutal ending to what has been a labor of love for 20 years, she said. Her book on the villa and its famous ceiling is expected to be published at the end of the year. Hassan Diab, who lives in Ottawa, Canada, was tried in absentia. A Lebanese-Canadian academic has been convicted in absentia of terrorism charges and sentenced to life in prison over a bombing outside a Paris synagogue in 1980 that killed four and wounded 46. The court in the French capital issued an arrest warrant for Hassan Diab, who lives in Ottawa, Canada, and denies wrongdoing. His lawyers say he was in Lebanon at the time of the attack and is a victim of mistaken identity. The trial marked the culmination of decades of investigation into one of Frances longest unsolved crimes. French authorities accuse Diab of planting the bomb outside the synagogue where 320 worshipers had gathered to mark the end of a Jewish holiday on the evening of October 3 1980, including children celebrating their bar mitzvahs. French investigators attributed the synagogue attack to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-Special Operations but no one ever claimed responsibility. The conviction was a surprise to many even in the court. Among the defence witnesses was a magistrate who investigated the case and testified that there was not enough evidence to convict Diab. The head of Frances leading Jewish group, CRIF, welcomed the conviction, and urged Canada to arrest Diab. The victims lawyers said the long-awaited trial will serve as a deterrent to other terrorist acts and antisemitic sentiments. French authorities accused Diab of planting the bomb on a motorbike outside the synagogue on Rue Copernic. Investigators initially suspected far-right extremists before shifting their focus to Palestinian militants. Canada authorised Diabs extradition to France in 2014 as part of the investigation, but after three years in pre-trial detention, anti-terrorism judges ordered him to be freed due to lack of evidence. Then an appeals court ruled that he should stand trial on terrorism charges. Diab remained in Canada throughout the trial, which started earlier this month. For those touched by the attack, the trial was a long-awaited opportunity to speak publicly about what happened. Survivors described years of physical and mental trauma. Some said the sound of motorcycles haunted them after that night. Families of those killed mourned lost children or siblings. Prosecutors argued that Diab has been lying to himself for 40 years and is caught up in his denial and escape from reality. Diabs lawyer William Bourdon had pleaded for an acquittal, saying that convicting someone would be a judicial mistake. Amnesty International was among those which called for the court to drop what they called a flawed and baseless case, arguing that it undermines effective justice for victims. Some lawyers for the 18 people and six groups that were party to the case acknowledged that it was hard to build a case so many years later, especially without the kind of DNA evidence or mobile phone data used in current investigations. The aftermath of the stampede in Sanna, Yemen, which left at least 78 people dead. Photo: AP At least 78 people were killed in a stampede in the Yemeni capital Sanaa as residents gathered at a school to receive cash donations distributed by merchants during Ramadan. Hundreds of people crowded to receive the alms, which amounted to 5,000 Yemeni riyals, or about 8 per person, two witnesses involved in the rescue effort told Reuters. When the door opened, there was a big rush by people wanting to reach the school yard first and some people began falling on the steps leading to the entrance, one medic said. Another witness added: People flocked in a huge way, the gate opened, and with the large numbers the stampede happened. Two thirds of the population need help in the war-torn country, which was impoverished even before the conflict erupted eight years ago. The Houthi health ministry said another 77 people were injured, including 13 in a critical condition, in the charge that happened during the distribution of the cash collected in the final days of the Muslim fasting holy month before the Eid al Fitr festivities. Women and children are among the dead. Mohamed Ali al-Houthi, member of the Supreme Political Council, said on Twitter that the merchants had gathered several days worth of registered individuals to distribute aid to at a school, the entrance to which is off a narrow road with steps leading up to the gate. A video posted by Houthi television on the Telegram messaging app showed a crowd of people jammed together, some screaming and shouting and reaching out to be pulled to safety. Security staff fought to push people back and control the crowd. Another video after the stampede showed scores of discarded shoes, a crutch and clothing on the steps of the building, and forensic investigators in protective white suits sorting through personal belongings. The two merchants responsible for organising the donation event had been detained and an investigation was under way, the interior ministry said. This is a great tragedy, a large number of our citizens have died, said Abdulaziz Bin Habtour, the prime minister of the Houthi movement, de facto authorities in north Yemen. He said measures would be taken to find a serious solution so it does not happen again. The president of the supreme judicial council said the necessary legal measures would be taken. Yemen has been mired in an eight-year conflict that pits a military coalition led by Saudi Arabia against the Iran-aligned Houthi group. The war has so far killed tens of thousands of people, wrecked the economy and pushed millions into hunger. The United Nations World Food Programme feeds 13 million in Yemen but funding shortfalls have reduced its activities. An expired UN-brokered truce has delivered a year of relative calm, the longest stretch in the conflict, and Saudi Arabia and the Houthis are engaged in talks in parallel to UN efforts to establish a permanent ceasefire. The Saudi-led coalition intervened in Yemen in 2015 against the Houthis months after the group ousted the internationally recognised government from Sanaa. The conflict has widely been seen as a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Riyadh and Tehran in March agreed to restore diplomatic ties severed in 2016 and prisoner exchanges this month between the two sides have raised hopes of a resolution to the conflict. Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins who was fatally shot on the set of Rust. Photo: Fred Hayes Prosecutors in New Mexico have dropped an involuntary manslaughter charge against Alec Baldwin in the fatal 2021 shooting of a cinematographer on the set of the Western film Rust, Baldwin's attorneys said on Thursday. Prosecutors said they were currently unable to proceed with the case, but the decision to dismiss the charges did not absolve Mr Baldwin of criminal culpability. It came as filming resumed on the production of Rust in Montana. The Hollywood actor had faced two counts of involuntary manslaughter over the shooting on the New Mexico set of the movie Rust in October 2021. The incident occurred after a prop gun held by Baldwin went off, killing Ms Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza. The actor previously pleaded not guilty to both charges of involuntary manslaughter. On Thursday, newly appointed special prosecutors Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis confirmed they were dismissing both charges. Over the last few days and in preparation for the May 3 2023 preliminary hearing, new facts were revealed that demand further investigation and forensic analysis in the case against Alexander Alec Rae Baldwin III, a statement read. Consequently, we cannot proceed under the current time constraints and on the facts and evidence turned over by law enforcement in its existing form. We therefore will be dismissing the involuntary manslaughter charges against Mr Baldwin to conduct further investigation. Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins who was fatally shot on the set of Rust. Photo: Fred Hayes This decision does not absolve Mr Baldwin of criminal culpability and charges may be refiled. Our follow-up investigation will remain active and on-going. The statement said similar charges against Rusts armourer Hannah Gutierrez Reed remained unchanged. Earlier, following the announcement by his own legal team that the case had been dismissed, Baldwin seemed to pay tribute to his wife and lawyer. The Hollywood actor posted a photo of himself and his wife Hilaria Baldwin online. I owe everything I have to this woman (and to you, Luke), he captioned the photo. The Hollywood actor has been defended by lawyers Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro throughout proceedings. We are pleased with the decision to dismiss the case against Alec Baldwin and we encourage a proper investigation into the facts and circumstances of this tragic accident In a statement, Mr Nikas and Mr Spiro said they were pleased with the decision and encouraged a proper investigation. We are pleased with the decision to dismiss the case against Alec Baldwin and we encourage a proper investigation into the facts and circumstances of this tragic accident, the statement read. The announcement comes less than two weeks before a preliminary hearing in the case in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where it was to be determined whether there was enough evidence to take it to trial. Santa Fe district attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies and special prosecutor Andrea Reeb had previously stepped down from the case. A photograph of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins (Andres Leighton/AP) Their decisions came after much back and forth between the two sides, with Baldwins lawyers arguing Ms Reebs involvement was unconstitutional due to her elected position in the New Mexico House of Representatives. In turn the district attorneys office had accused Baldwin of using his fancy attorneys to distract from the gross negligence in the case. The actor was formally charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter by the DA in February, alongside Gutierrez Reed. Alec Baldwins charges of involuntary manslaughter dismissed by prosecutors (Santa Fe County Sheriff/PA) The first charge required proof of underlying negligence and included the misdemeanour charge of negligent use of a firearm. The second charge included a firearm enhancement, which would have made the crime punishable by a mandatory five years in jail. Alec Baldwin speaks to officers (Santa Fe County Sheriff/PA) The enhancement was later dropped after Baldwins lawyers argued it was unlawful and said prosecutors had committed an unconstitutional and elementary legal error. In the statement of probable cause, filed alongside the charges, the DA accused Baldwin of showing wilful disregard for the safety of others in the days leading up to the shooting. His reckless deviation from known standards and practice and protocol directly caused Ms Hutchins death, the DA had alleged. Baldwin also faces a separate civil lawsuit, filed on February 9 by the family of Ms Hutchins. The family is suing the actor and the Rust movie production company for alleged battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, and loss of consortium. Loss of consortium is a claim which seeks to recover compensation for damage to certain relationships that are mutually dependent. Thursdays development coincided with the resumption of production on the movie in the US state of Montana. Legal representatives for Rust Movie Productions stressed all use of working weapons or ammunition is, and always has been, prohibited on set. Elon Musks SpaceX launched its next-generation Starship cruise vessel yesterday for the first time atop the companys powerful new Super Heavy rocket. However, the uncrewed test flight ended minutes later with the vehicle exploding in the sky. While the two-stage rocket ship failed to make it beyond an altitude of 32km, SpaceX officials cheered the outcome for achieving the test flights primary objective of getting the new spacecraft off the ground in what appeared to be an otherwise clean lift-off. Nasa chief Bill Nelson tweeted: Congrats to @SpaceX on Starships first integrated flight test! Every great achievement throughout history has demanded some level of calculated risk, because with great risk comes great reward. SpaceX's Starship launches from Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas. Photo: AP The two-stage rocket ship, standing taller than the Statue of Liberty at 120 metres, blasted off from the companys Starbase spaceport east of Brownsville, Texas, for what SpaceX hoped, at best, would be a 90-minute debut flight into space but just shy of Earth orbit. A live SpaceX webcast of the lift-off showed the rocket ship rising from the Gulf Coast launch tower as the Super Heavys Raptor engines roared to life in a ball of flame and billowing clouds of exhaust and water vapour. Read more Elon Musks SpaceX giant rocket Starship explodes minutes after launch from Texas But less than four minutes into the flight, the upper-stage Starship failed to separate as designed from the lower-stage Super Heavy, and the combined vehicle was seen beginning to tumble end over end before exploding. A senior Federal Aviation Administration source said the spacecrafts automated flight-termination appears likely to have been activated, triggering the rockets disintegration. Nevertheless, SpaceX officials on the webcast hailed the feat of getting the Starship and booster rocket off the launch pad for the first time, declaring the brief episode in that sense to be a successful test flight. SpaceX's Starship breaks up after its launch. Photo: AP/Eric Gay A throng of SpaceX workers shown during the webcast watching a live stream together at the companys HQ near Los Angeles cheered wildly as the rocket cleared the launch tower and again when it blew up in the sky. SpaceX engineer John Insprucker, serving as one of the webcast commentators, said the test flight would provide a wealth of important data. Musk, the founder, chief executive and chief engineer of SpaceX, said on Twitter that the next Starship test launch would be in a few months. Congrats @SpaceX team on an exciting test launch of Starship! Learned a lot for next test launch in a few months, he tweeted. Musk, who purchased Twitter last year for $44bn, is also CEO of electric carmaker Tesla Inc. SpaceX's Starship after lift-off. Photo: Go Nakamura Beyond the launch itself, the test mission fell short of reaching several other objectives, such as deploying the Starship vessel into space and re-entering Earths atmosphere 97km off a Hawaiian coast at hypersonic speeds, where it would have faced key aerodynamic forces and blazing heat before plunging into the Pacific. Still, getting the newly combined Starship and booster rocket off the ground for the first time represented a key milestone in SpaceXs ambition of sending astronauts back to the moon and ultimately on to Mars, as a major partner in Nasas newly inaugurated human spaceflight program, Artemis. Former US president Donald Trump will be visiting his luxury hotel and golf resort at Doonbeg in Co Clare early next month, Independent.ie can confirm this evening. Joe Russell, Managing Director of the Trump International Golf Links and Hotel, said the former president and owner of the luxury resort is expected to arrive at Shannon Airport on his private Trump jet on the evening of May 3. He will then spend two nights at the hotel before heading to Scotland where its understood he will visit the ancestral home of his Scottish-born mother Mary Anne McLeod Trump who was born on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides in 1912 before emigrating to the US. The news comes just a week after US President Joe Biden was given a heros welcome in his ancestral town of Ballina, Co Mayo where thousands of well-wishers lined the streets to welcome him home during his high-profile four-day visit here last week. It also comes after Mr Trump slammed President Biden for his State visit here, claiming the president was visiting at a time when the world is exploding. He's now in Ireland, he's not going to have a news conference, when the world is exploding, Mr Trump said last week. Mr Russell said Mr Trumps visit has been mooted for the past few days and he received confirmation of the visit within the past 48 hours. While the itinerary of his visit has yet to be finalised, he said Mr Trump will be onsite at the resort on May 3 and 4. The purpose of his visit, he said, is to see his property. He added that the American security personnel that normally accompanies a former president will also be staying at the hotel. As for the timing of the visit on the heels of Mr Bidens visit, he said: "He hasnt been here since 2019. Hes been very good to this area and were looking forward to seeing him. Hes very well received here. The attacks killed 269 people and hurt some 500 more. Sri Lankans went on a silent march to mark the fourth anniversary of the bomb attacks (Eranga Jayawardena/AP) Thousands of Sri Lankans have held a protest in the nations capital, demanding justice for the victims of Easter Sunday bomb attacks that killed nearly 270 people. The protesters want the government to uncover who they say are the real conspirators behind the attacks on three churches two Catholic and one Protestant that included simultaneous suicide bombings during Easter celebrations on April 21 2019. Three tourist hotels were also targeted, killing 42 foreigners from 14 countries. Thousands of people including Catholic clergy on Friday lined up for a silent protest on both sides of the main road connecting the capital, Colombo, with the countrys international airport. They blamed the government for not taking adequate measures to deliver justice for the bombings victims and punish those responsible. The protesters, dressed in white and black, held hands, forming a human chain. They displayed placards and banners reading: Until justice is meted out, we are watching, No justice delivered to victims so far and Where is the mastermind behind the Easter Sunday attack? Two local Muslim groups that had pledged allegiance to the so-called Islamic State group were accused of carrying out six near-simultaneous suicide bomb attacks, targeting worshippers at Easter services in three churches and tourists having breakfast at three popular hotels. The attacks killed 269 people and hurt some 500 more. Officials have charged dozens of people who allegedly received weapons training and participated in indoctrination classes from the two local Islamic extremist groups accused of carrying out the attacks. But no one has yet been convicted or sentenced. Four years have gone, still no one has been punished for this brutal attack. It is really disgusting. We need to know who are the real culprits and their motives, said Ruwan Fernando, 47, who protested on Friday. The Catholic Church in Sri Lanka has been critical of the investigation into the bombings. The churchs leaders have repeatedly criticised the previous and present governments for their failure to bring the culprits to justice. A breakdown in communication caused by a rift between then-president Maithripala Sirisena and then-prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was blamed for the failure of authorities to act on near-specific foreign intelligence received prior to the attacks. The duo belonged to different political parties. In January, Sri Lankas top court ruled that inaction by Mr Sirisena and four others led to the bomb attacks and ordered them to pay compensation for violating the basic rights of the victims and their families. The Supreme Court also ordered Mr Sirisena to pay 100 million rupees (220,206) from his personal funds. It also ordered the police chief, two top intelligence officials and the secretary to the Ministry of Defence at the time to pay a total of 210 million rupees (462,489). The courts verdict followed a case filed by relatives of the victims. Mr Wickremesinghe became Sri Lankas president last year after a political crisis drove out his predecessor following months-long protests triggered by an unprecedented economic crisis. Residents of Belgorod, a city of 340,000, first thought it was a Ukrainian attack. The site of the crater after an explosion in Belgorod, Russia (Telegram channel of Belgorod governor Vyacheslav Gladkov/AP) Russia has accidentally bombed its own city, injuring two people. Residents of Belgorod, a city of 340,000 near Ukraine, first thought it was a Ukrainian attack but the Russian military quickly acknowledged one of its warplanes accidentally released the weapon. Belgorod has faced regular drone attacks that Russian authorities have blamed on Ukraine, but the explosion late on Thursday was far more powerful than anything its residents had heard before. Witnesses reported a low hissing sound followed by a blast that made nearby apartment buildings tremble and threw a car on a shop roof. The bomb left a 66ft-wide crater in the middle of a tree-lined boulevard flanked by apartment buildings, shattering their windows, damaging several cars and injuring two residents. A third person was later admitted to hospital with hypertension. Immediately after the blast, Russian commentators and military bloggers were abuzz with theories about what weapon Ukraine had used for the attack. Many called for a powerful retribution. But about an hour later, the Russian Defence Ministry acknowledged that the explosion was caused by a weapon accidentally dropped by one of its own Su-34 bombers. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content It did not offer any further details but military experts said the weapon was likely a powerful 500kg bomb. In Thursdays explosion, the weapon was apparently set to explode with a small delay after impact in order to hit underground facilities. Belgorod governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said local authorities decided to temporarily resettle residents of a nine-storey apartment building near the blast while it was inspected to make sure it had not suffered structural damage that rendered it unsafe to live in. In an editorial gaffe, an anchor on Russian state television followed the news about local authorities dealing with the explosions aftermath by declaring modern weapons allow Russian units to eliminate extremists in the area of the special military operation from a minimal distance. The anchor looked visibly puzzled by the text that he had just read. Russian commentators questioned why the warplane flew over Belgorod and urged the military to avoid such risky overflights in the future. Some alleged that the bomb that was accidentally dropped could be one of a batch of modified munitions equipped with wings and a GPS-guided targeting system that allows them to glide to targets dozens of miles away. The Russian air force has started using such gliding bombs only recently and some experts say they could be prone to glitches. The explosion in Belgorod followed the crash of a Russian warplane next to a residential building in the port city of Yeysk on the Sea of Azov that killed 15 people. Yeysk hosts a big Russian air base with warplanes flying missions over Ukraine. Military experts have noted that as the number of Russian military flights have increased sharply during the fighting, so have crashes and accidents. In another deadly incident in the Belgorod region, two volunteer soldiers fired at Russian troops at a military firing range, killing 11 and wounding 15 others before being shot dead. This publication is designed to introduce the fundamentals of investing in the Indian market and includes a gu... Image credit: Wikimedia Commons Biswa Bangla , the flagship brand of Bengal under the aegis of the MSME &T (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises & Textiles) department of the West Bengal government has joined hands with Heritage Bengal Global (HBG), a non-profit organization run by the Bengali diaspora in the UK, to launch its first export venture nearly a decade after it was first launched. This Bengali new year, Brand Bengal takes a leap forward to launch its most popular brand in the United Kingdom, to fulfill a long pending dream of the government. Biswa Bangla Marketing Corporation Limited (BBMC) took this initiative to promote Biswa Bangla (BB) to the world, with its traditional handloom products like baluchari, jamdani, garad, muslin, Bengal silk, kantha stich and other legacy like tant produces along with handicrafts and heritage produces like Darjeeling makaibari tea, Chitpores attar, natural honey from Sunderbans and the hills. Heritage Bengal Global will put up an exclusive stall to display varieties of BBs handloom products at their Bengali New Year event on April 22 at Salvatorian College Harrow, London, and promote traditional and ethnic fabric collections of Bengal with western designs to popularise the same amongst the locals, apart from the vast Indian population across the UK. The Mayor of Harrow, Janet Mote, will inaugurate the Naboborsho Mela (Bengali New Years event) on the same day. HBG Director, Anirban Mukhopadhyay reiterated the euphoria and said, We are proud to associate with Biswa Bangla and represent Brand Bengal in U.K. It would be our endeavour to take the brand globally through our bigger initiative of Durga Puja later this year. The Project Director of HBG in Kolkata, Debashis Ghosh who was with Biswa Bangla during its inception days as a project manager with MSME&T and this time coordinated with BBMC team said, Feeling ecstatic and immensely proud to be able to fulfil a decade old dream to take Biswa Bangla to UK. Vice-President of HBG Mahua Bej, who along with other members namely Ramita Ghosh, Yashmita Choudhury, Tamalika Basu, Chandrayee Roychoudhury, and others have been toiling hard to organise the event with grandeur, particularly with the addition of Biswa Bangla promotion and screening of Bengali movie Ghare Pherar Gaan starring Tollywood star Paramabrata Chatterjee. This Poila Baisakh we are excited to bring Biswa Bangla to the UK and add more heritage flavours to our event. Hope the traditional Bengali new year celebration with Bangalir adda and bhoj will get more fervour with the cinema screening, novelty stalls and kids zone for wholesome family entertainment. Mahua said. HBG also plans to launch their 6th edition of IFAShield-UK community football tournament with fans of Big Three football clubs of Kolkata playing this year and unveiling their mega plans for Thames Durga Parade later this year. Image: PIxabay According to the latest census, 3,167 tigers have been recorded in India. Tiger population in India is close to saturation, note experts, prompting discussions on sustainable development amid rising human-animal conflict. Mongabay India writer Saurabh Katkurwar reports Five decades ago, findings of the first tiger census set alarm bells ringing in the government. The count of tigers had plummeted to 1,827, which was a sharp decline from the estimated 20,000-40,000 at the turn of the 20th century. This led to the birth of Project Tiger in 1973, which still remains the backbone of tiger conservation in India. Now, at fifty years of Project Tiger, the number of wild tigers has touched an estimated 3,167, reveals the latest census. However, experts caution that the tiger population has reached a saturation point in India and tiger conservation must be seen through the prism of sustainable development. Latest census findings The census report, Status of Tigers 2022, released on April 9, is a phase-wise survey of tigers, across almost 400,000 sq km of Indias forested habitat, using ground survey by forest department staff, camera trapping and generating landscape level data using remote sensing and secondary data sources. The latest is the largest survey of tigers done, compared to previous years. In the estimated 3,167 tigers, the survey identified 3,080 individual tigers photographed using camera traps installed at 32,588 locations across the country. Detailed information about the distribution of tigers in the country will be released in the coming days For the survey, tiger habitats were categorised into five major landscapes, given the vast geographical expanse in India. In the Shivalik and Gangetic floodplain landscape, the numbers of tigers recorded on cameras increased to 804 in 2022 from 646 in 2018. In the Central Indian Highlands and Eastern Ghats landscape, 1,161 tigers were recorded, as against 1,033 in 2018. In the Sundarbans landscape, the tiger population recorded reached 100 in 2022, from 88 in 2018, when the last survey was done. There is a decline in tiger numbers in two landscapes. In the Western Ghats Landscape, the tigers recorded decreased to 824 in 2022 from 981 in 2018. There is also a reduced number of tigers recorded in the North Eastern Hills and Brahmaputra Plains Landscape, with the population standing at 194 compared to 219 in 2018. Journey of Project Tiger and tiger estimation Experts divide the conservation of tigers under Project Tiger into two broad phases. The first phase began in the 1970s when laws were enacted for the protection of wildlife and their habitats. This led to the creation of tiger reserves and the adoption of different methods to protect tigers. Tigers were counted using pugmarks. There was a lack of scientific approach, and frontline forest staff was not capable. It used to be an island approach as conservation activities were restricted to the particular tiger reserve. In some places tourism was uncontrolled, unregulated, Faiyaz Khudsar, a conservation biologist, told Mongabay-India. After the probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in 2005, which revealed that the tiger population was wiped out from the Sariska tiger reserve due to poaching, the government adopted a landscape-level approach. The Sariska situation led to the formation of the tiger task force, and subsequently, National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) was constituted. It was the beginning of the second phase. Now, the landscape approach was adopted. It led to the regular phenomenon of the All India Tiger Population Estimation. We also started camera traps to ascertain the number of tigers. Even radiotelemetry was brought to use. These are some of the advanced methods adopted as we shifted from island to landscape approach, Khudsar said. Situation at present In 2006, the first tiger population estimation using a scientific methodology, revealed that the tiger population in India had slumped to an alarming level with just 1,411 tigers left in the wild. Effective strategies, capacity building of frontline forest staff, and the use of technical and digital applications helped bump up the number of tigers over the years. However, experts say the tiger population in India now has reached close to saturation point which means certain habitats or protected areas have reached their peak carrying capacity. Rajesh Gopal, secretary general of Global Tiger Forum, told Mongabay-India that India now could house additional 1,000-1,200 tigers, and not 10,000 like it used to be a century ago. Sustainability is more important than (population) numbers reaching a higher level. We can accommodate additional tigers in areas that are vacant now, he said, batting for a sustainable approach to reduce human-tiger conflict. Gopal said trouble-free wildlife corridors are important to maintain source-sink dynamics. Source is a high-quality habitat that facilitates the tiger population to increase while sink is a low-quality habitat that is not able to support a population. Linkages between source and sink are important. There are local people, different government departments, industrial and business groups, as well as agencies involved in hydel, mining, highway projects. We need to engage all of them in tiger action, he said. The 2022 tiger census acknowledges encroachment, mining, and infrastructure building are among the major factors that pose threats to wildlife habitats. It advocates the expansion of tiger habitats, preserving population connectivity as a part of a multi-faceted approach to ensure the long-term survival of tigers in India. Infrastructure development and tiger population connectivity There has been an increase in human-tiger conflicts due to increasing tiger populations outside protected areas. Many tiger areas and wildlife corridors are facing the problem of habitat loss and fragmentation, which is increasing the intensity and frequency of human-tiger encounters. Encroachment, urbanisation, construction of infrastructure projects, mining activities are among the major reasons. Conservationist Prerna Singh Bindra called the rising number of tigers commendable even as she expressed concern over the destruction of critical habitat. The biggest challenge is protecting habitats. Indias commitment and achievements in tiger conservation are remarkable. But, we cannot be destroying and fragmenting habitats even the most sacrosanct of tiger areas. An example is the Panna tiger reserve, around 90 square kilometres of which will be submerged, including in the core critical habitat, she said. There are plans of building a highway through Corbett tiger reserve and expansion of highways and railways in prime tiger habitats of Goa and Uttar Kannada. Such fragmentation of tiger habitats and corridors will (create) islands and isolate tiger populations, compromising their future as there is likely to be a case of gene flow she added. Bindra said the proposed amendments to the Forest Conservation Act and having a toothless National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) do not bode well for tiger conservation as they weaken and dilute safeguards to wildlife habitats. Is poaching still a problem? The intensity and magnitude of tiger poaching have gone down significantly in the past decade, but some tiger areas in India are still vulnerable. The latest tiger census highlights threats of poaching to tigers in the northeast, Western Ghats, and Sundarbans. Nitin Desai, Director of the Wildlife Protection Society of India, said the poaching activities by organised networks and international gangs have come down significantly. The strong action taken by enforcement agencies led to a drastic decline in poaching activities since 2013. The central India-based network of poachers is out of business while the poaching activities by north India- based network has reduced to 20 percent of what it used to be a decade ago, he said. Desai said tigers however are killed in traps that are set for small animals. Hunting of small animals for bushmeat is still rampant in many places. At times, tigers get stuck and killed in such traps. Local poaching is a serious issue, he said. Involve local communities While human-tiger encounters may increase in the coming future, experts suggest the active involvement of local, indigenous communities in the conservation programme. Khudsar said there is a need to convince people why tigers are crucial for biodiversity. Wherever there is a viable tiger population, wonderful grasslands are found. This means better water percolation, which leads to better crop productivity. We need to make people aware that a tiger means prosperity, he said. The involvement of local communities in conservation and tourism activities is becoming evident. It is estimated that tiger reserves in the country generate employment of over 50 lakh days of work, annually, for the local communities. However, there are concerns about the role of local communities being restricted to doing menial jobs. Local communities who co-exist with tigers bear the conservation (responsibility), and must be the first beneficiaries of tourism and other non-extractive activities in and around tiger reserves. Alienating them is counterproductive, and they must be made partners in conservation, Bindra said. Khudsar too echoed this view, We must see what partnership we can evolve with local communities. The agriculture landscape in highly vulnerable buffer areas can be managed with locals. It will generate trust as well as responsibility, he said. Strong measures for sustainable future While hunting tigers can be illegal in India, there are options for translocation and contraception to reduce human-animal conflict, experts note. Y. V. Jhala, noted biologist and former dean of Wildlife Institute of India (WII), said there is an option of translocating tigers to areas with low or no tiger populations such as forests in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Assam, Orissa, and in northeastern states of Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, and Assam. However, there is no prey base currently. It is due to the consumption of bushmeat. In some areas such as Chhattisgarhs Indravati, Achanakmar, and Jharkhands Palamu, the tiger population is low due to militancy and poaching, he said. Surplus tigers can be translocated to these areas but the areas will have to be restored first. We are in the know of these problems for 10 years but progress did not happen the way it should have. Khudsar said the issue of tiger management should not be treated emotionally but scientifically. If a tiger is going close to human settlement and harming people, then whatever the scientific procedure suggested by experts must be adopted. There should be no emotions. Because people are suffering due to the tiger. It is in the best interest of conservation. Jhala said immunocontraception appears to be a viable and safe contraception method to control births in tigers. You do not have to capture the animal. You have to dart remotely. It is a mechanism by which the bodys own immune system attacks ova and makes it impenetrable to sperm. There is no harm to the animal. It has been used in the U.S. and Africa. WII has a project on it. But there is no funding, he said. Image Credit: AnitaAnandMP/twitter.com New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday spoke on the phone with Canadian Defence Minister Anita Anand, during which the two sides agreed to take the defence ties to the next level and make defence an important pillar of the bilateral relationship. In a tweet, the Raksha Mantri said that India welcomes Canadas Indo-Pacific strategy, and they had excellent discussions on ways to develop bilateral defence ties. Rajnath Singh also invited Canadian defence companies to invest and manufacture in India. Glad to speak with Canadian Defence Minister Ms @AnitaAnandMP. Welcomed Canadas Indo-Pacific strategy. Excellent discussion on ways to develop bilateral defence relations including industrial collaboration. Invited Canadian defence companies to invest & manufacture in India. Glad to speak with Canadian Defence Minister Ms @AnitaAnandMP. Welcomed Canadas Indo-Pacific strategy. Excellent discussion on ways to develop the bilateral defence relations including industrial collaboration. Invited Canadian defence companies to invest & manufacture in India. Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) April 19, 2023 The Canadian Defence Minister in a tweet said she had held productive talks with her Indian counterpart and that India will continue to be a strong partner for Canada. Today, I had a productive discussion with the Defence Minister of India, @RajnathSingh. Through Canadas Indo-Pacific Strategy, we are increasing our presence in the region. Thanks to our people-to-people and trade ties, India will continue to be a strong partner for Canada. Today, I had a productive discussion with the Defence Minister of India, @RajnathSingh. Through Canadas Indo-Pacific Strategy, we are increasing our presence in the region. Thanks to our people-to-people and trade ties, India will continue to be a strong partner for Canada. pic.twitter.com/rK6raBatpc Anita Anand (@AnitaAnandMP) April 19, 2023 According to an official statement, the conversation between the two ministers was warm and cordial. Both Ministers discussed ways to develop bilateral defence relations, which shall be reflective of their democratic ethos and a shared interest in the peace and security of the Indo-Pacific. Anita Anand briefed the Raksha Mantri about Canadas Indo-Pacific Strategy and the importance attached to enhancing engagement with India. Rajnath Singh welcomed the increased Canadian naval presence in the Indo-Pacific. Both Ministers discussed potential areas of defence cooperation - from UN peacekeeping training to defence industrial cooperation, it said. The Raksha Mantri highlighted that India is an attractive defence manufacturing destination with competitive land and labour costs and two defence industrial corridors. He invited Canadian defence companies to invest in India and carry out co-production. They would also find value in integrating Indian defence companies into their global supply chains. Both ministers agreed to work on taking the defence relationship to next level and make defence an important pillar of the India-Canada bilateral relationship, it added. (With UNI inputs) Image Credit: UNI New Delhi/UNI: A firing incident was on Friday morning reported outside South Delhis Saket Court no 3, sources said. It is reported that around four rounds were fired by a person who dressed up as a lawyer. A woman was injured during the incident of firing, now she has been shifted to nearby hospital for treatment, sources said. Several teams of Delhi Police have reached the spot and are investigating the matter and trying to ascertain the reason of the firing incident, sources informed. When the Delhi Police was contacted regarding this incident, officials said they would share the details soon as investigation is underway. New Delhi/UNI: The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to hear on April 28 a fresh petition challenging caste survey in Bihar. A bench of the Supreme Court, headed by the Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dr Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chadrachud agreed to hear the fresh plea on April 28. A counsel mentioned the matter before the Apex Court's CJI led bench, saying that the caste survey in Bihar was started on April 15, and is scheduled to end on May 15. "So please hear our petition and pass appropriate directions and or orders to the State of Bihar." "We will list and hear your petition on April 28, Friday," the CJI led bench of the Top Court said today, after hearing the fresh mention by the lawyer with respect to the caste based census in Bihar. The fresh plea complained that such a census can be conducted only by the central government, besides flagging other issues. The plea claimed that the move fell under the domain of the Centre and is against the Basic Structure of the Constitution. The fresh petition filed before the Supreme Court said that the Bihar governments decision to conduct a caste survey in the state, was violative and claimed that it was against the very basic structure of the Indian Constitution. The fresh petition, alleged that the notification was discriminatory and unconstitutional. The fresh plea sought quashing of the notification issued by deputy secretary, government of Bihar, in respect of conducting a caste survey in the state and to refrain the authorities concerned from conducting the exercise. "The notification of June 6, 2022, violated Article 14 of the Constitution, which provides for equality before law and equal protection of the law, adding that it was illegal, arbitrary, unconstitutional and irrational," the fresh plea claimed. Earlier on January 20, this year, the Supreme Court in its order had refused to entertain a similar PIL (Public Interest Litigation) challenging caste-census in Bihar and asked the petitioner to approach the Patna High Court first. The Supreme court had passed the order, on January 20, after hearing a petition challenging the caste-based census being conducted by the Bihar government. Image Credit: PIB New Delhi/IBNS: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is holding a meeting as the Sudan crisis enters its seventh day, jeopardising the lives of at least 4,000 Indians in the capital city of Khartoum, media reports said. The meeting is attended by EAM Jaishankar, Secretary CPV Ausaf Saeed, and important ambassadors from the Gulf countries who could play a critical role in assisting the evacuation of Indians, India Today reported. For the past week, Sudan has been experiencing violent clashes between its army and a paramilitary group resulting in an estimated death toll of 200 civilians. Indiscriminate gunfire has disrupted essential supplies such as food, water, medicine, and electricity for Indians in Sudan. The situation has also affected approximately five million people who are currently confined to their homes without access to vital resources, and communication channels have been severely disrupted. As the deadly clashes enter their seventh day, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar confirmed that the government is maintaining constant communication with Indians who are stranded in Sudan. The Indian government has expressed concern over the tense situation in the country and is prioritizing the safety and well-being of its citizens, including developing contingency plans and exploring the possibility of evacuation. The situation on the ground continues to be very tense. Our focus is on ensuring the safety of the individuals. We are in touch with people through different channels, said Arindam Bagchi, spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs. According to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), New Delhi is closely monitoring the situation in Sudan and maintaining communication with relevant countries. The MEA added that any potential evacuation plans for Indian citizens will be contingent upon the conditions on the ground. On Wednesday, government sources said that India is collaborating with several countries, including the US, UK, and Saudi Arabia, to ensure the security and well-being of Indian citizens amidst the ongoing violence in Sudan. Foreign Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar has already held discussions with his counterparts in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt to address the situation in Sudan and emphasize the importance of protecting Indian citizens. The Quartet countries of US, UK, Saudi Arabia and UAE have a key role and we are engaging them accordingly, said sources. Our Ambassador in Washington DC and High Commissioner in London are in touch with their respective host governments. We are also working with UN, which has a substantial presence in Sudan, the sources added. In New Delhi, the Ministry of External Affairs has set up a dedicated Control Room. The MEA is in continuous touch with the Indian Embassy in Khartoum and is getting regular reports of the status of the Indian community. The embassy in turn is in touch with the Indian community and individuals through multiple methods including WhatsApp groups, the sources added. On Tuesday, amid the escalating fighting in Sudan, the Indian Embassy said that it has come across many instances of looting and urged Indian nationals not to venture out and ration their supplies. Senior Congress leader from Karnataka Siddaramaiah had on Tuesday urged PM Modi and the Ministry of External Affairs to ensure the safe return of Kannadigas in Sudan. He claimed that 31 people from Karnatakas Hakki Pikki tribe are stuck in Sudan and nothing is being done to evacuate them. Last Sunday, an Indian national was killed when he was hit by a stray bullet in Khartoum amid the clashes between the Sudanese Army and the paramilitary. Image Credit: Bilawal Bhutto Zardari Twitter video grab New Delhi: Pakistans Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has said that his attendance at a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Council (SCO) in India is a demonstration of Islamabad's commitment to the SCO charter, media reports said. He emphasized that his presence should not be viewed through the lens of bilateral relations between Pakistan and India. Speaking to Dunya News on Thursday, he said he would represent Pakistan at the Foreign Ministers meeting to be held in Goa next month. "We are committed to the SCO charter and this visit should not be seen as a bilateral one but in the context of the SCO," Bhutto-Zardari said, reported ANI. On Thursday, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry announced that Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari will be leading the Pakistani delegation at the upcoming meeting of the SCO foreign ministers (CFM) on May 4-5 in Goa. During a weekly press briefing on Thursday, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, the spokesperson for Pakistan's Foreign Office, stated that Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has been invited to attend the SCO-CFM meeting by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. "Our participation at the meeting reflects Pakistan's continued commitment to the SCO charter and process and the importance that Pakistan accords to the region in its foreign policy priorities," the spokesperson said. Bilawal Bhutto's visit to India for the SCO-CFM meeting will mark the first time a Pakistani foreign minister has travelled to India in almost 12 years. The last Pakistani foreign minister to visit India was Hina Rabbani Khar in 2011. India has sent formal invitations to all members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) including Pakistan and China for the upcoming foreign ministers' meeting. It is expected that Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov will also attend the SCO-CFM meeting. India assumed the chairmanship of the 9-member SCO in September 2020 and will be hosting important ministerial meetings and a summit this year. The 20-year-old organization has Russia, India, China, Pakistan, and four central Asian countries - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan as its members. Iran is the newest member and will attend the grouping's meeting as a full-fledged member under Indian Presidency. The last meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization was held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the SCO Summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. The 22nd Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO in September 2022, was the first in-person summit since the June 2019 meeting of the SCO leaders in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Image Credit: PIB New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday chaired a high-level meeting to review the security situation in Sudan via video-conferencing, and directed the preparation of contingency evacuation plans for the over 3,000 Indian nationals living there. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Ambassador of India to Sudan and numerous other senior officials were present at the briefing, an official statement said. During the meeting, Prime Minister Modi assessed the most recent developments in Sudan and received a first-hand report of the conditions on the ground, with specific focus on the safety of over 3,000 Indian citizens presently located throughout the country. The Prime Minister expressed his condolences on the passing away of an Indian national who tragically fell victim to a stray bullet last week. Prime Minister Modi instructed all relevant officials to remain vigilant, closely monitoring developments and continuously evaluating the safety of Indian nationals in Sudan and extending them all possible assistance. Modi further directed the preparation of contingency evacuation plans, accounting for the rapidly shifting security landscape and the viability of various options. He also emphasized the importance of maintaining close communication with neighboring countries in the region, as well as those with significant numbers of citizens in Sudan, the statement said. On Thursday, EAM Jaishankar met UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York and discussed the current developments in Sudan. In a tweet, the EAM said that India strongly supports efforts towards an early ceasefire in Sudan, leading to the creation of safe corridors. Good to meet UN Secretary General @antonioguterres in New York today afternoon. Discussed the current developments in Sudan, G20 Presidency and Ukraine. Focus understandably was on Sudan. India strongly supports efforts towards an early ceasefire, leading to creation of safe corridors. Will continue to work closely with UN and other partners in this regard. Good to meet UN Secretary General @antonioguterres in New York today afternoon. Discussed the current developments in Sudan, G20 Presidency and Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/6ZRANljEtg Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) April 20, 2023 Guterres in his address at the UNSC said that the fighting between two factions in Sudan must stop immediately, and appealed for an Eid ceasefire to allow civilians trapped in conflict zones to escape. (With UNI inputs) Image Credit: Official website of IIT Madras Chennai/IBNS: A student was found dead in a hostel room at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras on Friday, reports said. The police are suspecting it to be a case of suicide. The student, who was in the second year of his Chemical Engineering course, hailed from Maharashtra. If suicide is confirmed after the investigation, it would be the fourth such case in IIT-Madras this year. Earlier this month, a 32-year-old Ph.D. student of IIT-Madras died by suicide in his room. He was from West Bengal. In March, a third-year student died by suicide at the same campus. He was 20 years old and a resident of Andhra Pradesh. Before that, in February, a research scholar from Maharashtra died by suicide at IIT-Madras. Image Credit: UNI New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has summoned former Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik for an inquiry related to his statement that he was offered a bribe of Rs 300 crore to approve two files during his tenure in J&K between August 23, 2018, and October 30, 2019. Satya Pal Malik has been summoned by the CBI to get clarification on certain things about the case, India Today reported. They have verbally asked me to come on 27th or 28th April as per my comfort, he said while speaking to India Today. In an interview with news website The Wire, he alleged that security lapses were responsible for the Pulwama attack that killed 40 CRPF personnel. He claimed that the CRPF had requested an aircraft for transportation, but the government denied the request, forcing the soldiers to travel by road instead. "I have exposed the sins of some people by speaking the truth. Maybe that's why the call has come. I am the son of a farmer; I will not panic. I stand by the truth," he also tweeted soon after he received the CBI summons. The CBI has requested to speak to Satya Pal Malik as a witness in a case involving the cancellation of a contract by an insurance company owned by Anil Ambani in 2018. The CBI has filed a First Information Report (FIR) in the alleged scam regarding a medical insurance scheme for Jammu and Kashmir government employees and their families, naming Reliance General Insurance and Trinity Reinsurance Brokers as accused. The scheme, which covered around 3.5 lakh employees, was launched in September 2018 but was cancelled by Malik within a month. He said that the state government employees had requested to cancel the contract as they found it to be fraudulent, and after examining the details, he too had concluded the same. Satya Pal Malik recently made allegations that he was offered money by RSS and BJP leader Ram Madhav to pass the medical insurance scheme for Jammu and Kashmir government employees. Ram Madhav has denied the allegations and called them baseless. He has also filed a defamation case against Satya Pal Malik. Last year in September, the CBI had spoken to Satya Pal Malik to get more details about the allegations he made against the insurance companies as well as the case involving alleged corruption in the awarding of a contract for civil work at the Kiru hydroelectric power project. Image credit: UNI Kyiv: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accepted an invitation to attend the NATO summit in Lithuania's capital, Vilnius in July, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Friday. "I have invited him to attend the meeting, and I'm glad that he has accepted the invitation and will attend the NATO summit in Vilnius," Stoltenberg told reporters ahead of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting at the US's Ramstein Air Base in Germany. Following the development, Zelensky said Thursday: "Now, when the majority of people in NATO countries and the majority of Ukrainians support the entry of our country into the alliance, it is time to take the appropriate decision." Last week, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that Ukraine would not be satisfied with any other decision by the NATO summit in Vilnius, scheduled for July 11-12, other than an invitation to join the alliance. Kuleba stressed that in Vilnius, NATO must decide what will happen in terms of security guarantees for Ukraine between now and the moment when Ukraine could possibly become a member of NATO, adding that Kiev will under no circumstances accept any "surrogate decisions." In September 2022, Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine was applying to be fast-tracked to join NATO. Stoltenberg reaffirmed the bloc's unchanged position on the right of each country to determine its own path and on its "open door" policy but noted that the alliance would concentrate its efforts on helping Ukraine defend itself. Image Credit: Twitter Screenshot Moscow: A Sukhoi-34 fighter jet of Russia mistakenly dropped a bomb on the city of Belgorod, which is situated approximately 40km (25 miles) away from the Ukraine border. The resulting explosion created a massive crater measuring 20m (60ft) in diameter and was so powerful that it threw a car onto the roof of a nearby store. The regional governor, Vyacheslav Gladkov, has stated that as a precautionary measure, the authorities have instructed the residents of a nine-story apartment building that sustained damage to evacuate the premises, a BBC report stated.0 Three people were injured and several buildings were damaged, he stated. Russia is bombing civillians of Belgorod People's Republic again. Ukraine close the sky above Belgorod! pic.twitter.com/hdafp4UHZg Typical Belgorodian Resistance (@evgenij_al) April 21, 2023 A video circulating on social media revealed the devastating impact of the explosion caused by the bomb dropped accidentally by a Russian Su-34 fighter jet. The explosion was so powerful that it lifted a vehicle onto the roof of a nearby supermarket, while traffic was moving on Prospekt Vatutina, which is situated close to the city centre. In a brief statement, the Russian defence ministry acknowledged that one of its Su-34 fighter bombers had inadvertently discharged aircraft ordnance at 22:15 local time (19:15 GMT) on Thursday, but it did not specify which weapon was involved. The bomb landed at a crossroads near residential buildings and not far from the city centre. According to the governor, two women were taken to the hospital for treatment. The incident could have had far more severe consequences since a Russian bomber struck a bustling residential district. CCTV footage of the incident indicates that local residents were fortunate to escape unharmed. The footage depicts several cars crossing an intersection before an object drops to the ground nearby. No explosion occurs immediately. About 18 seconds later, the ordnance detonates, creating an explosion that destroys a section of the road, catches one of the cars in its path, and launches a parked car into the air before it lands on the roof of a supermarket. Although the incident is embarrassing for the Russian military, their acknowledgement of an accident implies that they do not anticipate a negative impact on public opinion regarding what the Kremlin still refers to as its "special military operation." In times of war and conflict, accidents can happen, sometimes with catastrophic consequences. In October of last year, a Sukhoi fighter jet, also a Su-34, crashed in the Russian city of Yeysk, resulting in the deaths of at least 13 individuals. The military has initiated an investigation into the incident, according to reports. Moskovsky Komsomolets, a pro-government news website, cited a former military pilot as saying that "while the findings of the investigation are unlikely to be disclosed publicly, lessons will be learned." By morning, maintenance staff had begun repairing the busy intersection in Belgorod. The mayor stated BBC that much of the repair work would take place over the weekend, and the road would be resurfaced on Monday. Although Belgorod's residents had a difficult night, according to the regional governor, they will persevere. Russian jets regularly fly over Belgorod, a city with a population of 370,000, en route to Ukraine. It is located just north of Ukraine's second-largest city, Kharkiv, and has been subjected to intermittent Ukrainian attacks since last year's full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. After slamming filmmaker Karan Johar over his remark on 'attempting to sabotage actor Anushka Sharmas career', editor-writer Apurva Asrani has once again tweeted about Karan Johar, and labelled his films 'Dostana' and 'Student Of The Year' as damaging. Apurva's tweet comes in response to a Twitter user, who blamed filmmaker Karan Johar's films for 'perpetuating certain stereotypes' about the LGBTQ+ community that concerns the society. web screen grab "I will also blame Karan Johar's movies for perpetuating certain stereotypes about the LGBTQ+ community, particularly through the use of certain characters and comedic elements," the Twitter user wrote on the Elon Musk-owned platform. Reacting to the same, writer Apurva Asrani remarked that not only filmmaker Karan Johar, but, ridiculing gay people in films was a trend in Bollywood and criticized some of his movies, web screen grab Apurva also noted that Karan had backed a 'sensitive' film such as Kapoor & Sons in the year 2016. Not just Karan Johar, it was a trend in Bollywood to ridicule and caricature gay people. But thankfully that has ended a while ago. As damaging for (rainbow flag emoji) as Dostana and Student Of The Year were, he also made Kapoor & Sons, which was more sensitive, Apurva tweeted. Twitter Apurva posted a series of tweets wherein he discussed the Supreme Court hearing arguments on requests for marriage equality in India. According to top reports, the top court is hearing at least 15 petitions in this regard. "It's an anxious time for us all. The straight peeps won't get the intensity of what we are going through as sincerely as they may try. But we are in this together," Apurva tweeted on Thursday. #TimCook said that he was being selfish by keeping quiet about his identity when he could help people by coming out. He wanted to demonstrate to gay children that they can be gay & still go on & do some big jobs in life. #gaymarriage #marriageequalityhttps://t.co/CnE6qUNQ2V Apurva (@Apurvasrani) April 20, 2023 In another Twitter post, the writer told people to leave the LGBTQ+ community alone and allow them to make their 'personal choices'. Speaking of Apple CEO Tim Cook, he tweeted, "#TimCook said that he was being selfish by keeping quiet about his identity when he could help people by coming out. He wanted to demonstrate to gay children that they 'can be gay & still go on & do some big jobs in life.'" (For more news and updates from the world of celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment, and let us know your thoughts on this story in the comments below.) The Greek economy has turned the page. It returned, dynamically, to the European scene commented the Minister of Finance Turkey is barred from the program because it elected to buy a Russian-made air-defense system A Zuba Magistrates Court in Abuja has on Thursday remanded an anti-Tinubu protester, Obiajulu Uja, in Kuje Prison custody for one month to ascertain his mental condition. Information Nigeria had reported Uja was removed from an Abuja-Lagos bound Ibom flight for making a sensitive statement and openly declaring his grievance against president-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He was said to have created a scene onboard the flight as he continued to shout Obidients and kicked against the proposed swearing in of Tinubu as the next president of Nigeria, a situation which created commotion in the aircraft. The management of the airline, however, invited the security officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) at the Abuja airport who forcefully dragged the passenger off the plane and subsequently handed him over to the Abuja airport police command. Senior magistrate, Mohammed Ismail, while ruling in the application for bail, held that the report signed by Segun Soyombo of the National Hospital, Abuja, declared that the defendant could not stand trial in his current state of mind. To its end, the court ordered a medical test on Uja to determine his mental state. The magistrate, therefore, invoked the provisions of section 278(3)(4) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, to order Ujas remand for a period not more than one month. READ ALSO: Release Tinubus File Jeffrey Guterman Writes FBI According to him, the defendant must be remanded in a suitable place with the requisite medical facility to manage him for one month, adding that the medical personnel handling Ujas treatment should do so at the federal governments expense Ismail further held that the personnel should report his observation of the defendant to the court, adding that he had personally visited the Kuje Prison and inspected its medical amenity with satisfaction that there are requisite facilities needed for Ujas treatment. Meanwhile Uja on his part told the court that remanding him for a month in Kuje meant that the court wanted to kill him. I have a sickness that no medical doctor can cure, and as such, I want to go to my village to consult a herbal doctor, said Uja. The magistrate however adjourned the case until May 23 for a report. Recall the court, on April 11, declined to grant the defendant bail because the exhibits attached to the bail application filed by his counsel did not say he was unfit to face trial but indicated he was of unsound mind. Ismail held that though the 1999 Constitution (as amended) guarantees every persons liberty, a court can deprive a person of their liberty based on certain conditions. He subsequently ordered Uja to be taken to a government hospital to evaluate his mental capacity. Uja was charged with breach of public peace by the police on April 3 in a charge marked CR/08/23 and had pleaded not guilty to the charge against him. Eight Nigerian nationals have been arrested by the police in Benghazi, Libya over alleged prostitution. The Migrant Rescue Watch disclosed these via its Twitter handle on Thursday. READ ALSO: Suspect Arrested As Four Teenage Girls Drugged At Birthday Party Wake Up En Route Libya The Nigerians, four men and four women, were arrested on Wednesday, April 19, 2023, during a raid on an apartment allegedly used for prostitution. Police carried out raid in Bouatni area (Benghazi) targeting a dwelling used by migrants for prostitution and arrested in flagranti 8 undocumented #migrants (male & female) of Nigerian nationality. All transferred to Bouatni Police Dept. for legal action. the report read. See photos below: A Magistrates Court sitting in Ilorin, Kwara State has ordered the remand of two men, Olasunkanmi Olarewaju also known as Abore and Adeniyi Juwon also known as Jboy for allegedly beating their colleague identified as Abiodun Oyinloye to death. They were dragged to court on a two-count of criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide contrary to Sections 97 and 221 of the Penal Code. Police First Information Report revealed that the two accused persons conspired and killed their colleague whom they accused of stealing N65,000 realised from the sale of a substance suspected to be marijuana. READ ALSO: Hoodlums Reportedly Attack NDLEA Operatives In Rivers, Free Arrested Suspect The charge read, During discreet investigation conducted at SCID Ilorin, it was revealed that you, Olasunkanmi Olarewaju aka Abore m conspired with Adeniyi Juwon aka Jboy and attacked Abiodun Oyinloye m for stealing N65,000 being the proceeds of dried leave suspected to be Indian hemp which you were selling. It was further revealed that you, Olasunkanmi Olarewaju aka Abore m after you and Adeniyi Juwon aka Jboy killed Abiodun Oyinloye, you, Olasunkanmi Olarewaju, concealed the deceaseds body in a room within his compound. During the investigation, you, Olasunkami Olarewaju aka Abore m and Adeniyi Juwon aka Jboy m both confessed to having conspired to beat Abiodun Oyinloye m to death for stealing N65,000. The prosecutor, Gbenga Ayeni, urged the court to remand the suspects to a federal correctional facility in the state pending the conclusion of the investigation. In his ruling, the presiding Magistrate, Mr M. O. Abayomi, ordered their remand at the Federal Correctional Centre, Mandala, Ilorin. The case was adjourned till May 11, 2023, for further hearing. Abubakar Malami, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), has indicated readiness to appear before the House of Representatives ad-hoc committee investigating the alleged loss of over $2.4 billion unremitted oil revenue. Information Nigeria had reported that the revenue is from the illegal sale of 48 million barrels of crude oil export from 2014 till date. In a letter sent to the ad-hoc committee and read by its chairman, Mark Gbillah, during the resumed investigative hearing in Abuja on Thursday, the Minister of Justice expressed he would provide relevant information on the alleged sale of 48 million barrels of crude oil amounting to over $2.4 billion and crude oil export to global destinations from 2014 to date. While acknowledging receipt of the letter, Gbila said: Today we are in receipt of a letter from the Attorney General of the Federation and the Minister of Justice who is indicating his determination to respect the doctrine of separation of powers and to support our extant laws. According to him, Malami indicated the fact that he was trying to put together the comprehensive response that the committee had raised. While we appreciate the Attorney Generals response, we would like to indicate that it came a lot later than we expected and it came without the response that we referred to. So, we will appreciate if the AGF provides these responses and to also appear before the Committee next Thursday. So, lets give him the window to appear before the Committee. READ ALSO: May 29th: Sanwo-Olu Prays For Guidance, Progress As Tinubu Takes Oath Next Month Gbila furthered that the Minister of Finance, Zainab Shamshuna Ahmed was still evasive, adding that the committee had not received any submission or response from the minister. The Accountant General sent a response and has not responded to our follow up because we asked further questions to what he provided us information about. But we want to call on the Minister of Finance, like the AGF,show regards and respect for the separation of powers as enshrined in our Constitution, and respond to the request of the committee. This, according to him, will enable the committee to get to the bottom of its investigation. Like I already said, we are giving her the benefit of the doubt; we are not unmindful of the other powers we have and we are afraid to exert them. We will do so if the leeway we have provided is still neglected and not recognised by the honourable Minister of Finance, he said. Mazi Nnamdi Kanu (MNK), leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPoB), has alleged that many inmates at the Department of State Services (DSS), headquarters in Abuja, are infected with tuberculosis. According to him, through his special counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, he urged the Federal Government to alert the World Health Organization (WHO) and Red Cross Society, for intervention to avoid an epidemic. Aloy who disclosed this on Twitter after visiting the IPOB leader on Thursday said that he also observed that Kanus failing health needed urgent attention. I visited with #MNK today in the company of Prince Emma Kanu & one of his other Lawyers. Onyendu directed that I extend his profound condolences to Mrs Rachel Nwosu on the demise of her gallant husband. READ ALSO: Presidency Has Placed Cows Above Nigerians Lives Ortom Replies Buhari He disclosed that numerous detainees at the DSS have now tested positive for Tuberculosis. He hopes the Nigerian Government would alert the WHO & Red Cross to intervene before it becomes a pandemic inside the DSS. Onyendus poor health persists & hes still not getting the required care. While I was with him, I observed his noticeable discomfort, malaise & general ill health. He salutes all who remain faithful & steadfast. Confirming this in an interview, Kanus brother, Kingsley Kanu expressed worry over the sad development, wondering if it was a deliberate ploy to infest his brother with tuberculosis. He however called for urgent action to avert an epidemic of infectious disease. Recall that Kanu first raised the alarm of tuberculosis at the facility when he said that an inmate suffering from the disease was relocated close to his cell block. The inmate according to him was arrested in Ohafia in September 2022 and transferred to the DSS facility. A group of protesters under the aegis Concerned Oodua Defendants (COD), staged a protest in Ibadan on Thursday, calling on South-West governors to prevail on the leader of the pan-Yoruba organisation, Afenifere, Ayo Adebanjo to step aside. They group also passed a vote of no confidence insisting he is no longer relevant to the group. The Southwest coordinator of the COD, Lai Gboluaje, speaking during the protest said the call became necessary for the sustainability of Yoruba heritage, adding that whoever leads Afenifere, must be in support of whatever Yoruba people are all about. Gboluaje said: We watch with dismay, disappointment and sadness how the noble ideal of Afenifere founding fathers has been bastardised in the last year. We can no longer fold our arms and watch our noble heritage go into the mud; if we do, the likes of Pa Awolowo, Pa Ajasin, Pa Adesanya, and Pa Ige will not forgive us. Chief Adebanjo has subverted the principle of Afenifere. He has proven to be incapable of leading Afenifere or any other Yoruba interest. READ ALSO: Afenifere Derailed When Adebanjo Took Over Yoruba Youths Call For Immediate Removal However, Adebanjo, when contacted, alleged that those sponsoring the protest against him are out to divide the Yoruba organisation. He also vowed not to engage those calling for his removal in any form of controversy. For those asking me to step down, I dont know their fathers. I dont know them; I should probably know their fathers but I will not reduce myself to their level. All those protesting are sponsored, they have been given money. I will not engage in any form of controversy with anyone and that is why I told our members not to engage in controversy with anyone of them. Those sponsoring them want to divide Afenifere. Those protesting are too small for me to engage them in any form of political controversy in this country, Adebanjo, in a chat with Vanguard, said. The Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, on Thursday, accused the presidency of placing cows above human lives in Nigeria. Ortom made this statement through his Chief Press Secretary, Nathaniel Ikyur, while reacting to an earlier statement issued by the Presidents Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu. The presidency, in a statement on Wednesday said that if Governor Ortom had been more concerned with doing his job than politicizing the tragedies so frequently taking place under his watch, the situation in Benue might have been different. The presidency accused Ortom of stubbornly refusing to engage with the detailed, holistic approach clearly spelt out by the Federal Government and arrogantly chose his own, destructive path. READ ALSO: APC, Ortom Trade Words Over Appointments, Promotions In Benue Shehu said, Instead, Ortom stubbornly refused to engage with the detailed, holistic approach clearly spelt out by the federal government. He arrogantly chose his own destructive path. He blamed the Fulani for every problem that arose. He ignored numerous intelligence reports passed to him for action. He rejected police findings into investigations that didnt meet his egoistical worldview. He politicised every life lost on his watch. But Ortom likened the statement of the presidency to making animals urinate in the graves of victims of herdsmen invasion of the state, alleging that the president was indeed responsible for the killings in the state. He said, The Presidency has shown in this recent public statement that they have placed cows above human lives and made the animals urinate on the graves of those they massacred in Benue and elsewhere across the country. If not, they wouldnt have gone to town to mock the slain in their graves. It is an insult to Benue people including those killed and butchered children, the maimed, raped and abused women and the over two million people living under squalid conditions in Nigerias largest Internally Displaced Camps in the state. The Presidencys statement is a reckless stab by agents of genocide against the Benue people by blaming the victims. The perpetrators are also well known to local and international authorities. Through this recent posturing, everyone is now aware that the perpetrators have the backing and sympathy of the Federal Government. On the mockery of PDP and Ortoms senatorial seat loss, the outgoing governor said that such mockery now strengthens his belief that the massive deployment of security personnel for the elections in the state was planned and hatched in the presidential villa and supervised by agents of the APC. Ortom who said he had publicly announced his readiness to sacrifice his senatorial seat for equity and justice however said that the 2023 elections were heavily rigged using some security operatives, money, federal might and electronic means. Governor Ortoms decision not to challenge the result of the Benue North West Senatorial election in court again points to the fact that he is not a selfish and desperate politician. While describing the presidencys statement as the height of recklessness and gross insensitivity against the people of Benue, Ortom said he had always given full cooperation to all layers of security agencies working in the state to help curtail the menace of the Fulani killing squad displacing various communities in the state and other internal security skirmishes. Between 2015 and this year, Governor Ortom has constantly held security meetings and gathered intelligence to support security agencies operating in the state. He has however consistently pointed out that the security agencies are grossly underfunded and deserve to be better equipped and motivated to tackle insecurity in the country. It is therefore laughable when Shehu ignorantly tries to whip up an unfounded lie against the Governor, the statement read in parts. United Kingdom deputy prime minister Dominic Raab resigned on Friday, less than 24 hours after a report was submitted into bullying allegations. Raab said in a resignation letter he felt duty bound to accept the outcome of the inquiry but said it dismissed all but two of the claims levelled against me. READ ALSO: Rishi Sunak Declared New UK Prime Minister Raab, who stood in for former prime minister Boris Johnson as he battled Covid in 2020, had promised to quit if any claims against him were upheld. But even though he was cleared of most of the allegations, he blasted the conclusions of a lawyer-led inquiry. Whilst I feel duty-bound to accept the outcome of the inquiry, it dismissed all but two of the claims levelled against me, he wrote in a resignation letter. I also believe that its two adverse findings are flawed and set a dangerous precedent for the conduct of good government. The bar for bullying was set so low, he said, that it will encourage spurious complaints against ministers and have a chilling effect on those driving change. Raab also resigned from his post as justice secretary, where he has had to battle a backlog in criminal cases caused by years of under-funding and disruptions caused by the pandemic. He previously served as Brexit minister and foreign secretary but was moved from that post after being criticised for failing to return from holiday as Afghanistan fell to the Taliban. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it does not know the whereabouts of the suspended Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Hudu Yunusa-Ari. The National commissioner and chairman Information and Voter Education Committee of the electoral body, Festus Okoye, who revealed this on Channels Televisions Sunrise Daily on Friday, stated that the leadership of the Commission summoned the embattled REC to appear at the headquarters but failed to do and also did not pick up his phone when he was called. According to him, the electoral body cannot declare Yunusa-Ari wanted because it is the duty of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to declare him wanted if he is on the run. Okoye said the Commission had written to the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Akali Baba, to investigate the suspended REC for possible prosecution. He added that INEC also wrote the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, with a view to acquainting President Muhammadu Buhari with the unwholesome activities of the REC and possibly reviewing his appointment. Meanwhile on Thursday, the commissioner denied claimed that officials deployed to conduct the Adamawa State governorship election undermined the electoral process. In a statement in Abuja, he further denied allegations that its officials compromised after a discreet nocturnal visit to the state government house. READ ALSO: Buhari Approves Immediate Suspension Of Adamawa REC Information Nigeria had reported that the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the March 18 governorship election and April 15 supplementary polls, Aishatu Dahiru (Binani) alleged that INEC officials deployed for the election compromised and undermined the electoral process. Binani had said, What happened in Adamawa was an unsuccessful attempt to subvert the will of the people. The REC was illegally told to stand down by two INEC national commissioners from Abuja who were supposed to be in Adamawa in a supervisory capacity. Even more curious is the nocturnal visit of some INEC national officers to the Adamawa State government house and the bizarre declaration the same day after the visit that they have taken over the collation through the backdoor with the collation and returning officers selected by the governor of Adamawa. Though INEC did not mention Binani or any other candidate in the statement, the commission said such allegations were lies and should be ignored. The statement reads in part, Ordinarily, the commission does not join issues with partisan actors, particularly where no evidence has been provided. To set the record straight, no such visit or meeting took place let alone the compilation of any purported list of collation and returning officers. Such a meeting would have been contrary to the oath of neutrality that we all swore to. Moreover, every conscientious observer would have noticed that the commission appointed and retained only one returning officer for the governorship election who also doubled as the state collation officer for the presidential election. Like all returning officers nationwide, he was issued with a letter of appointment by the commission, and the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Adamawa State was duly informed. The list of collation officers was also forwarded to the state with every page personally endorsed by the chairman of the commission well ahead of the arrival of the national commissioners. A 7-year-old girl shot in the foot while resting on her great-grandmothers couch. A 13-year-old girl walking home from school, struck in the arm. A 15-year-old boy shot in the back on a playground. And now, a 12-year-old boy, caught in the crossfire while riding his bike around his South Philadelphia block, shot once in the back. Philadelphias gun violence crisis continues to dramatically impact the lives of children, with bullets flying at all times of day and across multiple sections of the city, sometimes claiming lives, but more often leaving the citys youngest and most vulnerable with lifelong physical and emotional scars. In the most recent incident, a 12-year-old boy was injured Thursday night, just after 8:30 p.m., when a car drove up the 2300 block of Tasker Street and a shooter fired more than a dozen times, potentially aiming toward a man standing outside speaking with his girlfriend, said Capt. James Kearney, head of the Police Departments Non-fatal Shootings Unit. The boy was struck once in the back, Kearney said. He was rushed to Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia and was in stable condition. Advertisement READ MORE: Phillys kids are grieving alone from the far-reaching trauma of gun violence, advocates say A 30-year-old man was also shot in the right leg, Kearney said. He initially tried to drive himself to the hospital, before police found him and took him to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, where he is stable, Kearney said. Kearney said the motive for the shooting remains under investigation. Detectives recovered 14 shell casings at the scene from two different caliber handguns. The 12-year-old is one of more than 50 children in the city to be shot in Philadelphia this year. Seven have died. In April alone, as of Friday morning, 15 children have been shot, including six in just the last week. Children make up about 10% of the citys more than 500 shooting victims this year a proportion that has grown in recent years as gun violence has spiked. And although shootings have dropped slightly this year, with homicides in the city down about 12% compared to 2022, the number of children shot remains at higher levels. On Friday, the Point Breeze block where the boy was shot was empty and quiet except for a few groups of people, dressed in traditional Muslim garb, on their way to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, the last day of Ramadan. Neighbors were mostly not home, or declined to talk about what happened. One young man said he knew the childs family, and that he was hospitalized and doing OK. Residents of this block of Tasker Street have been exposed to violence before. In 2020, there were three shootings on the block. Research has long shown the mental toll violence has on children. A 2021 study by the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia found that after a shooting occurred, the number of emergency department visits for mental health complaints for children who lived nearby increased for weeks. The study found that children who lived close to shootings were 134% more likely to visit the ER with a mental health issue. The general public tends to have this assumption that if you get shot you were involved in something, said Elinore Kaufman, medical director of Penns Trauma Violence Recovery Program, which provides individualized support and case management to survivors of violent injury. READ MORE: Rec centers near gun violence hot spots will soon offer trauma therapy: Its something we never had But we see people all the time who were playing basketball, riding a bike, at the laundromat shot through their home window, said Kaufman. Its not the wrong place, wrong time. Its people doing what they should be doing in places that should be safe but that we have made unsafe. Kaufman, a surgeon, said 25% of children who survive a gun injury are later diagnosed with a mental health disorder, like anxiety or depression, and that those diagnoses are often coupled with issues like substance abuse and poor school performance. She said the city must look beyond traditional safety measures like law enforcement and reinvest in communities of color and support the citys children by expanding mental health services, green space and recreation. Florida students are participating in Walk 2 Learn: a walkout across schools in protest of a recent string of anti-LGBTQ censorship of underrepresented communities in education through GOP legislation. Read more Some Florida students are opting to skip class for part of Friday, choosing to learn a banned history lesson instead. Hundreds of high school and college students across the Sunshine State are walking out of classrooms as part of a protest organizers say is against the state governments censorship and erasure when it comes to race and gender identity in education. At noon, theyll check their voter registration status, send a letter to local school board members and Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis pledging theyll use their vote to defend students rights, and take part in a five-minute banned history lesson that will focus on censorship and historic figures in Black and LGBTQ history. Its all part of Walkout 2 Learn: a youth-led statewide walkout and rally in defiance of Floridas crackdown on lessons surrounding race and Black history along with a string of anti-LGBTQ laws that are impacting students. Advertisement About a dozen youth activists including Zander Moricz, Anya Dennison, and Gaby Diaz, all current college students and recent Florida high school graduates, organized the movement. Moricz notably went viral last year after school officials warned the then-senior class president dont say gay during his commencement ceremony speech. He delivered a speech that used his curly hair as a metaphor for his queerness instead. Moricz, Dennison, and Diaz said they felt compelled to help students in their home state. The rest of their coalition is spread out across the country with the goal of mobilizing young people to speak out and vote GOP members with discriminatory views out of office. According to the walkouts organizers, students from at least 300 high schools, every Florida HBCU, and 90% of Floridas colleges have signed up to participate. Madeline Scotti, a senior at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts in Jacksonville, Fla., said shes walking out after school officials abruptly shut down her theater companys production of Indecent a queer Jewish love story that centers around how a Yiddish play was censored in the 1920s. I became immersed in the realities of harsh censorship in Florida, she said. I am walking out in the spirit of Sholem for those impacted by theatre censorship. There are also larger-scale evening rallies, which are open to the public, with speakers and local performers in Miami, Jacksonville, Orlando, and Sarasota. Supporters outside of Florida are encouraged to sign an online pledge or donate to the Social Equity Through Education Alliance. Activist and programmer Alexis Williams will be speaking at the Jacksonville rally. What do Ron DeSantis and I have in common? Not a whole lot, but we both love talking about gay and Black people, she told her 97,000 followers on Instagram. For me, its because Im a part of both of those communities. But [DeSantis is] trying to make it really really hard and even ban talking about those communities in schools. Learning about marginalized communities is such a pivotal part of our education system. Thats why Im going down to Florida with Walkout 2 Learn to support Florida students who also believe that diverse education is important. DeSantis and his administration have made headlines for his bans on teaching critical race theory, implementing and now expanding a bill regarding gender identity in schools that has infamously been nicknamed Dont Say Gay, and barring public schools from participating in College Boards Advanced Placement course on African American Studies. High school students who participate in Fridays walkout are able to enroll in a Summer course on African American Studies with curriculum developed by the professors who wrote the now-banned AP course. Diaz said when she attended a private Florida Episcopalian high school, her administrators prohibited the schools Gender Sexuality Alliance from advertising the club, didnt allow students to use affirming pronouns and lacked a Black Student Union. Our sexual education was also fairly limited, she said. We barely had any resources to begin with, so whats next for Florida students? Diaz cited several bills in the Florida legislature that are driving her concern, including proposals to fight indoctrination in colleges; restrict health education, including discussion of periods; and regulate pronoun use in schools. For me, Walkout 2 Learn is the one day we can all activate our power to save the communities and histories we love and identify with, she said. Fridays walkout marks the latest example of young people mobilizing. In Kansas City, Mo., students walked out in support of their schoolmate, Ralph Yarl, the 16-year-old who was shot in the head by an 84-year-old man after mistakenly knocking on his door. Last week, Philadelphia high school students gathered in LOVE Park as part of a climate strike. Taylor Swift performs on the opening night of "The Eras Tour" at State Farm Stadium on March 17, 2023, in Glendale, Arizona. Her Record Store Day release is expected to bring her fan to indie shops on Saturday. (John Medina/Getty Images/TNS) Read more For music lovers, its a holiday weekend: Saturday is Record Store Day. The annual vinyl celebration, founded in 2007, will see over 1,400 independently owned music retailers around the country put limited edition releases on sale, that can only be purchased in person. This year, there are over 300 vinyl-only releases and a handful on cassette which fans will hope to snag while supplies last. Participating Philadelphia area stores like Siren Records in Doylestown, Long In the Tooth in Center City, Common Beat in West Philly, Shady Dog Records in Berwyn and Brewerytown Beats in Brewerytown will draw crowds, in keeping with the ongoing resurgence of vinyl, which moved 41 million LPs last year, outselling CDs for the first time since 1987. Advertisement The big kahuna for RSD 2023 is the vinyl-only release of Taylor Swifts Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions. Its the soundtrack to the Disney+ documentary about the making of her 2020 album Folklore, containing live band versions of songs recorded remotely during COVID lockdown for the original LP. Most RSD releases come out in batches of a few hundred to less than 10,000. The release by Swift who, in case you havent heard, is playing three sold-out shows at Lincoln Financial Field next month will officially be 75,000 strong, though some reports have it as high as 110,000. Repo Records on South Street, where 100 copies of the album will go on sale, will open at 9 a.m., two hours earlier than usual. Anticipating a line before then, the store will hand out Swifty Slips to the first hundred hopefuls. At Siren Records, customers can reserve shopping times in the morning before the store opens to the general public, whether theyre shopping for Folklore or a new reissue of Upper Darby native Todd Rundgrens acid-drenched 1973 album A Wizard / A True Star, pressed on 140g multicolored cloudy Psychedelic effect vinyl. Its not an official Record Store Day release, but WXPN-FM (88.5) is getting in on the action by issuing WXPN Hometown Originals LP, a six-song collection featuring local acts Catbite, Sug Daniels, Riverby, Snacktime, Cosmic Guilt, and Echo Kid. The set will be available as a free-with-purchase item at five stores: Main Street Music in Manayunk, Repo, Siren, Forever Changes in Phoenixville and Newtown Book & Record Exchange in Newtown. Choice RSD selections include a 5-LP 50th anniversary version of Nuggets, the influential garage rock set compiled by Lenny Kaye of the Patti Smith Band, the Pogues The Stiff Records B-Sides, and The Sound Emporium EP, a four song set from Jason Isbell & Amanda Shires, this years Record Store Day U.S. ambassadors. READ MORE: Are you sure its Sun Ra?: Rare recording by the Philly jazz giant at Haverford College finally sees the light of day And now for the very cool Philly connected releases. Haverford College 1980, Solo Piano, a rare performance piece by Sun Ra that was issued for the first time digitally in 2020, is making its vinyl debut. Shirley Scotts Queen Talk: Live at the Left Bank, captures the great Philly jazz organist in a 1972 Baltimore live set. And Philly-bred sax player Archie Shepp is featured on two releases: Force - Suite Mao - Suid Afrika 76 and Live at Massy under his own name. Many stores, like the Milkcrate Cafe in Fishtown, will have DJs and refreshments to keep shoppers energized. Some will feature live music, like Shady Dog, where E.J. Simpson, formerly of Philly trio Maggie, Pierce and E.J., will tease his forthcoming album You Purple Virgin Presents A Fabulous Fantasy. Main Street Music in Manayunk is by far the busiest for live bands, with five acts playing, kicking off at 11 a.m. with Nashville songwriter Ruston Kelly, performing ahead of his headlining gig at the TLA that night. Hell be followed by Sug Daniels, at 1:30 p.m. then the Tisburys at 2:30 p.m., and Tim Hause at 4 p.m. At 5:30 p.m., there will be a mystery guest who cannot be named because of an upcoming area gig. Let the speculation begin! A new report about 'The Office' reveals that thousands of people in the United Kingdom watching the American version of the show question if Scranton, Pennsylvania where the series was based is a real place or not. Read more You miss 100% of the Google searches you dont try. Wayne Gretzky Michael Scott United Kingdom residents watching The Office and asking about Scranton A new report in honor of the upcoming 10th anniversary of The Offices finale reveals that thousands of viewers from the United Kingdom continue to wonder if Scranton is a real place. The original, United Kingdom-based The Office debuted in 2001; the mockumentary followed employees at a fictional paper company, led by Ricky Gervais, and captured hearts for two seasons. It inspired 10 remakes around the world, including the American version, which premiered in 2005 and is the longest-running and most successful remake. According to TonerGiant a real-life British ink and toner supplier both the U.K. and the American versions are popular among British viewers. But, Google Search data reveals, the American version has sparked some questions, including ones about the city where the fictional American paper company, Dunder Mifflin, is based. Advertisement Every month, an average of 400 people in the United Kingdom google: Is Scranton a real place? amounting to nearly 5,000 people each year. Scranton is, in fact, a real city in northeast Pennsylvania. Its known for its robust railroad history and for being the literal birthplace of President Joe Biden, though he left for Delaware at age 10. READ MORE: Joe Biden's deep Scranton roots It shows that, perhaps, some of Brits geographical knowledge is not up to scratch, TonerGiant spokesperson Stuart Deavall said of the reports findings. [But] it certainly highlights how The Office has put Scranton on the map for many across the pond. But before you go mocking a Brit in your life, it appears The Office may have also sparked some light Googling from inside the house, too. TonerGiants report also uncovered that an average of 110 people a month in the United States also search to see if Scranton is a real place. Welp. Cary Neff, who traded the restaurant life for a role as a private chef, operates C.M. Neff: Cook Sup. Co., 1940 S. 13th St., as a side gig. Read more Cary Neff says he loves his private-chef job, his line of work since he sold his last restaurant 11 years ago. He also has a small kitchen that he caters out of, but if Im not doing any parties, Im bored out of my mind. I was really missing chefs and cooks and the whole restaurant world, he said, quickly adding: But I didnt want to get back into the [unprintable adjective] restaurant business. Meanwhile, Neff, 60, is a lifetime collector and restorer of cooking equipment not only the stuff the pros use but the brands that home cooks like. I just love being around all this stuff. It gets me going. So in a free-standing brick building off the corner of 13th and McKean Streets in South Philadelphia, two blocks from his home, Neff recently opened his own cooking-supply shop of new and used merchandise. Advertisement Its as if Fantes, Kitchen Kapers, and the now-shuttered Previn somehow created a baby with eBay. C.M. Neff: Cook Sup. Co. even the name sounds vintage is 500 square feet. Its filled almost floor to ceiling with blenders, pots, pans, coffeemakers, bar supplies, pantry items, small wares some new in boxes, others brought back to life. Sure, its a business, but its also a creative exercise for Neff, who enjoys kibitzing about the art of cooking while sharpening customers knives a specialty for $8 each. I find a lot of really cool lines that are good for restaurants and home cooks, a lot of French stuff, he said, bounding around the shops narrow aisles the other day. He stopped at a shelf of cast-iron pots and skillets, a longtime obsession. He speaks fluent Le Creuset. These are all 30s and 40s cast-iron that I restore and season, he said. And these are all a fortune. He hefted a three-notch skillet with both hands. This was on eBay the other day for $400. How much? I havent even priced it yet. You get the feeling that he wants to strike up a conversation first with a prospective buyer before setting the price. Neff gestured to a Lodge pan, hanging from a hook, still new with its sticker. Of course there are the new ones that you dont have to spend a lot on, he said. Part of the buying experience is his Q&A. If you dont want to spend $300 on a Le Creuset, I can give you a cast-enamel, restaurant-quality, same kind of cooking experience, for about $80, he said. Much of the merchandise is new, and he sells professional-quality merchandise alongside less-expensive but quality items. You can pay $19 or $90 for a Laguiole corkscrew, for example, or a more ordinary corkscrew priced from $7 to $14. Used kitchen appliances are a passion, and he said everything works. Glowing red on a random shelf is a Jiffy Dog hot dog sandwich machine from the 1940s. You encase the hot dog in a box and place the box into the machine, where its attached to electrodes. It zaps the frank with electricity to cook it a forerunner to the microwave oven. Neff said he won it 15 years ago in an eBay bidding war against at least 20 others and bought it for at least $400. Best offer, he said. Want to make your own pizza in a pinch? He has Don Pepino sauce in a can and Hayden Mills flour, plus Marc Vetris Mastering Pizza. The cookbooks! The library includes used editions of Nobu: The Cookbook, Salma Hages The Lebanese Kitchen, and Peter Callahans Party Food, among others. Up front, Joey Baldino from the nearby Palizzi Social Club dropped off copies of Dinner at the Club the other day. Need a gift? He commissioned Kansas City Pennant Co. to hand-make felt pennants reading, Yes, chef, a nod to the TV series The Bear. C.M. Neff: Cook Sup. Co. seems to have everything but the kitchen sink. Not yet, he said though he found a farmhouse sink online and is considering buying it. Neff came up in 1995 with Cary, a bistro on 15th Street near Walnut that served an in-vogue menu of what one critic affectionately called Pacific Rim-New World-New Wave cuisine, heavy on the fish. From there, he bought Sansom Street Oyster House (now Oyster House, back in the Mink family) and later had a Queen Village restaurant called Coquette, which closed in 2011. Befitting Neffs love of all things vintage, he had the shops product line new & used cook books, chef tools, knife sharpening, and cooks collaborative stenciled onto the plateglass shop window in gold. Also, hours: by chance. Neff juggles the store with his private-chefs duties, so for now its open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday to Sunday, and from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Monday to Thursday. Hes also reachable by cellphone/text, 215-990-5531. The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services said Friends Senior Care Center in Philadelphia, shown Wednesday, is among 189 providers of long-term care and community-based services that have not filed required reports on how they spent CARES Act aid in 2020. Read more The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services wants the states attorney general to recoup $7.3 million from 189 home-health and other long-term care companies that received federal COVID-19 aid but failed to report on how it was spent. The largest payment in question $1.23 million went to Friends Senior Care Center Inc., an adult day care center at 905 Arch St. in Philadelphia, according to the human services department. The company did not respond to requests for comment. The next two largest recipients that failed to report their spending were New Life Home Health Care Agency Inc., in Huntingdon Valley, and Immaculate Home Healthcare Agency, in Levittown. New Life received $307,369 in aid. Immaculate received $202,222. Officials at those two companies either hung up on a reporter or did not respond to a request for comment. Advertisement The money sought by the human services department is part of the $457 million funneled to the states nursing homes, personal care facilities, home care agencies, and other providers of community-based services three years ago to help them survive the first onslaught of COVID. The companies were supposed to use the money, which came through the CARES Act, between March and the end of November of 2022 for staff, training, COVID testing, personal protective equipment, or other supplies. The companies reports on how they spent the money were due Dec. 21, 2020. SEIU Healthcare PA and United Home Care Workers of PA published a report on April 4 that was critical of home care companies that had not reported how they spent millions in CARES Act grants. The report said 469 agencies had failed to file the required reports, based on data from June 2021. The two unions represent many home care and other health care workers. They say many companies did not boost wages for workers even as they were collecting millions in aid. The human services department provided The Inquirer with an up updated list of the agencies that had not met reporting requirements on April 12. A spokesperson for the Office of the Attorney General said last week that officials there had discussed the collection effort with the human services department, but had not yet received specific referrals for action. Temple University Health System's CFO, Nicholas J. Barcellona, is leaving for the same job at West Virginia University Health System. Read more Temple University Health Systems CFO, Nicholas J. Barcellona, is leaving in June to take the same position at West Virginia University Health System. Barcellona came to Temple less than three years ago from UPMC Childrens Hospital of Pittsburgh. Temples notice to bondholders credited Barcellona with building a stellar finance team and restoring financial discipline, strength, and stability to TUHS by modernizing finance functions. WVU Health said this month it hired Barcellona after a national search to replace its retiring CFO. Based in Morgantown, W.Va., it had $4.7 billion in revenue last year, compared to Temples $2.6 billion in its fiscal year that ended last June 30. Under Barcellona and the CEO who hired him, Mike Young, Temple had several years of solid financial performance even before counting COVID-19 aid to hospitals and was able to start making up for delayed investment in buildings and equipment. The nonprofit system, owned by Temple University, also expanded by acquiring the former Cancer Treatment Centers of America building in the Juniata Park section of Philadelphia. Temple is turning it into a womens hospital. Temple also led a group that bought Chestnut Hill Hospital from Tower Health. But financial results have been rough in the current fiscal year, which ends June 30. Temple reported an operating loss of $103 million, compared to a $65 million gain in the first six months of fiscal 2022. Detective Michael Fahy working the crime scene at the Marie Dendy Recreation Center, where a 15-year-old was shot in the back. Read more Two days after a 15-year-old boy was shot outside a North Philadelphia recreation center, city and state officials on Friday announced a new partnership to bring trauma therapy into rec centers and summer camps in some of the citys most violent neighborhoods. The Center for Families and Relationships, a Philadelphia-based nonprofit outpatient mental health provider, received a $999,000 violence reduction grant from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency to bring trauma-informed therapy and workshops to six rec centers and 12 summer camps over the next two years. The grant will pay for two therapists, each of whom will work with three centers, and a case manager, who will help people connect with available resources in the community. In each of the six rec centers, trauma therapists will offer weekly open office hours, individual therapy sessions, monthly group workshops for the community, and monthly group training for staff. The offerings could be available as early as this June. Advertisement On Friday afternoon, city and state officials including Mayor Jim Kenney and Lt. Gov. Austin Davis were joined by community leaders at Tustin Recreation Center in Overbrook to roll out the initiative. City Councilmember Curtis Jones Jr., who represents Overbrook, said the program is an important step toward breaking the culture of dealing with trauma in silence. Jones grew up in West Philadelphia and said he witnessed violence in his neighborhood. But at the time, the expectation was that young Black men would not seek help. Im excited about it no longer being in vogue to suffer in silence, Jones said. The other recreational centers involved in the program are: Feltonville Recreation Center in Feltonville, Rumph-Mallery Recreation Center in Mount Airy, Cecil B. Moore Recreation Center in North Philadelphia, Mander Playground in Strawberry Mansion, and 8th and Diamond Playground in North Philadelphia. READ MORE: Philadelphia to install more than 100 security cameras near rec centers to deter gun violence Last year in Philadelphia 217 children were shot the most of any year in recent history, according to police statistics. But the toll of gun violence is much broader: Witnessing a shooting, losing a friend or family member, or living in a neighborhood that feels unsafe can be traumatic and cause long-term emotional health problems if untreated. Of the recreation centers that will participate in the program, 8th and Diamond Playground has experienced the most violence in recent years. There have been 16 shootings within a 500-foot radius since 2015, an Inquirer analysis found. The new programs will be available to anyone who has been affected by gun violence to help them cope with post-traumatic stress, said Jordan Brogan, chief executive of the Center for Families and Relationships. That literally could be someone who have been shot, someone who witnessed a shooting, someone who lost a loved one due to gun violence, or really anyone who feels theyve been directly impacted by gun violence, she said. Brogan hopes the program will contribute to a healing process that helps more children, adults, and entire families process the trauma they experienced. In the long term, she believes that could also prevent shootings. People with unresolved trauma often struggle to regulate their emotions, and conflict may more quickly spiral into violence, Brogan said. The therapists in the recreation centers will use methods such as Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy that help people over a period of eight to 12 weeks to think about the root of their trauma and process it. READ MORE: Arguments that turned violent are behind two weekend homicides Currently there is no consistent trauma support in recreational centers, said Kathryn Ott Lovell, the citys commissioner of the Department of Parks and Recreation. The city often makes counselors available at rec centers the day after a shooting, but then they leave, she said. This is the first time that rec centers will get embedded therapists who will provide consistent care at a time of unprecedented violence. There were nearly 300 shootings around recreation centers and playgrounds since 2019, according to Parks and Recreation. Rec centers, playgrounds they used to be sacred, said Ott Lovell. That changed. The program will also offer training for recreation center staff, who are often the first to respond to a shooting outside their doors. They, too, are at risk of gun violence and experience trauma from exposure to it. READ MORE: Phillys kids are grieving alone from the far-reaching trauma of gun violence, advocates say Last fall, Parks and Recreation staffer Tiffany Fletcher was killed by a stray bullet while maintaining the pool at Mill Creek recreation center in West Philadelphia. A 14-year-old was charged with her slaying. For too many young people, being shot or losing a loved one to gun violence seems normal, said Sheldon Robinson, a neighborhood resident who volunteers in Tustin Recreational Center in Overbrook and runs programs for kids and youth. Thats not normal, to be shot at. To be shot. Thats nowhere near normal. That should be dramatic, Robinson tells the youth he works with. Its not supposed to be another day. I got over it. This week, he asked one of the four teens who were shot in November near Overbrook High School if they were receiving counseling. What is that? Robinson recalled the boy asking him. Robinson said he hopes having easily accessible mental health resources will change the culture and encourage young people to open up. Its something we never had, Robinson said. I know its going to reach multiple people and multiple families. I know it. Graphics editor John Duchneskie contributed to this article. Adeline Koh poses for a portrait inside her shop, Sabbatical Beauty, on the third floor of the Bok Building in Philadelphia on Thursday, April 20, 2023. Read more While Adeline Koh was on academic sabbatical to write a book about how some people of color around the world adopt forms of whiteness, she ended up starting a skincare line instead. Koh first became interested in skin care after she arrived in the United States from Singapore for graduate school, landing in the middle of a harsh winter at the University of Michigan. Her skin was used to a tropical climate, and she struggled for years. On her sabbatical in 2016, she starting making her own Korean-style skincare products, and Sabbatical Beauty was born. A year later, Koh left her tenured professorship to run Sabbatical full-time from Philadelphia. But from its very beginning, the small business has been infused with Kohs same politics, dedicated to combating white supremacy and patriarchy while uplifting other progressive organizations. To Koh, theres little separation between those causes and how we understand self-care and beauty. Koh spoke with The Inquirer about building a small business defined by social justice, and Sabbaticals newest skincare collection, Beauty Is Political, for which 10% of proceeds support Red Wine & Blue, an organization working to get suburban women involved with grassroots causes. Advertisement This conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity. How did you go from being an English and race & gender studies professor to running a skincare line? I was kind of under the impression that once I had tenure, I could actually speak up and [call] attention to important social and political problems and how I felt that we could solve them through my research. Once I had tenure, I realized, actually, I could not do that. I got severe blowback from doing all those things. And so, [I felt] like, this is not a comfortable space for me to be in any longer. I went into academia because I wanted to understand the worlds social problems in order to help make them better. I didnt feel that academia actually created a space for me to be able to do [that]. So when I pivoted into skin care, one thing that made me feel a lot better about my work was seeing the difference in peoples skin and seeing how happy they were when their skin transformed. That to me was a lot more fulfilling than what I was doing [in] academia really seeing the change in people and seeing their self-confidence and their happiness in who they were come back. Sabbatical Beauty has always been clear about its politics. Youve collaborated with other progressive organizations before, you were once kicked off Facebook for your political advertising, and your brand ambassadors are activists. Why make this a foundational piece of a business? I knew that I didnt want to make just another beauty company. When I started my line, it was really important to me to understand the political implications of beauty and the kind of products that I was putting out. I left academia because I felt silenced. In my business, I do not want to silence myself or continue to silence myself. Because, then what is the point? I should have stayed in academia [in that case]. I already had tenure, so it was a much more regular, stable job. I could have probably done [it] the rest of my life with very little trouble if I just wanted to be quiet. But I didnt want to be quiet. I wanted to create a space where I felt like I was doing the work that I [believed] was really important, and that spoke to my conscience. Yes, I really care that my products work and make you feel good about yourself. Thats really important to me, but its also really important to me that I draw attention to important issues that need to be talked about, need to be discussed in order for us to come to a more just and equitable society. Do you think it has helped or hurt your business? When I started in 2016, I had a lot of people telling me that beauty has no business in politics. What did I know about politics anyway? I was just a skincare person. I remember one [beauty] blogger writing a whole screed against me and saying that skin care is not political. Skin care is science. And I was laughing when I first read that because I have a whole bibliography to show her how science is also very deeply political and politicized. Things really changed in 2020 because of George Floyd. People were demanding that companies actually become accountable, [and] be very clear about what political positions they were for. I suddenly saw people really appreciating what I was doing. It didnt mean that the blowback went away. But Ive also gotten a lot of very devoted customers from it. I often get people telling me that they came for the politics and they stayed because the products are so good. Your new collection is called Beauty Is Political. What does that phrase mean to you, and how does the collection embody that? Beauty is not a vacuum. Beauty is not separated from the rest of society. It has deep social, cultural, political implications. Why is it that we hold up some people as more beautiful than others? And how is this implicated into the fabric of everything else and how we live? [The] Beauty Is Political ritual consists of three products. Its a Collective Healing aloe cleanser, the Solidarity Roots licorice mask, and it is a Radical Joy saffron serum. I want this [collection] to provide a space [for] thinking about yourself and taking care of yourself and realizing that taking care of yourself isnt a frivolous act. I want you to take that time for yourself to do your skincare routine and think of it as a political act. So even though it seems very mundane, showing yourself that you love yourself by doing these things is a really, really powerful act. Sabbatical Beauty is hosting a launch event for the Beauty Is Political collection on Friday, from 6 to 9 p.m. at its storefront in Room 308 of the Bok Building, during Boks Spring Open Studios. Scamboozle. Thats what some frustrated fans have dubbed the return of Bamboozle, once one of New Jerseys most celebrated music festivals, featuring headliners like Bon Jovi, 50 Cent, and the Foo Fighters. Ahead of the festivals comeback shows scheduled at Atlantic Citys Bader Field from May 5 to May 7 a chorus of ticket buyers say they feel cheated by the shows ticketing practices. In social media postings including on Scamboozle, an anonymous Instagram account started in February that now has nearly 1,000 followers fans say Bamboozle festival organizers used false advertising to sell pricey early-bird tickets far ahead of the festival and failed to land promised big name acts. They say Bamboozle festival founder John DEsposito refused refund requests and trolled and cyberbullied fans who complained. In one case, DEsposito publicly threatened to publish the home address of a fan who had posted criticism and wrote show sponsors about DEspositos aggressive online measures. In online postings and on his podcast, DEsposito promised rewards, like upgraded tickets, show merch and VIP passes, for fans who showed up at the mans doorstep as part of an anti-bullying fundraiser. Advertisement You need to hide after the podcast, DEsposito wrote Alphonso Cino in a March email provided to The Inquirer. You are going to be the daily joke and mascot of this years event. This is going to be soooo much fun. DEsposito eventually abandoned the tactic. But the fan he singled out, Cino, a 38-year-old insurance agent, has filed complaints against the promoter with his local police department and the New Jersey State Police Cyber Crimes Unit. I never would have fathomed that a business owner with such a large platform would be allowed to just carte blanche threaten and harass ticket buyers, said Cino, who lives in upstate New York, with his fiancee and 4-year-old daughter. To say its unprofessional is an understatement. DEsposito, in an interview this week, says he was simply defending Bamboozle. It was tongue in cheek, he said, of his trolling. I was joking around and having fun with him. I probably should have just went the charity route I should probably apologize. According to NJ.com, Bamboozle ticket buyers have filed complaints with the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs. Rob Rowan, a spokesperson for the office, said 21 complaints had been received about Bamboozle, ranging from false advertising to refund requests. Fans say they paid premium for presale tickets because DEsposito repeatedly promised on social media that tickets costing as much as $366 would jump in price as more stars joined the bill. But when fewer top billed performers signed on than normal the biggest names of this years show include Limp Bizkit, Papa Roach, and Motionless in White tickets prices fell, leaving some fans feeling bilked. Tickets are selling for as much as $325, but others are priced much lower. Discount codes offer $100 rebates. I love the New Jersey music scene. It brings people together, and is a loving space. This is going against all of that, said Chris Sicoli, 31, a fan from Jersey City who filed a consumer affairs complaint over tickets. DEsposito founded Bamboozle in 2002 and helped turn it into a mainstay of the Jersey festival scene. Sold-out shows at the Meadowlands Sport Complex and Asbury Park Convention Hall featured diverse bills with superstars from indie rock, hip-hop, and emo punk. Everyone from 50 Cent and Snoop Dog to Mac Miller and My Chemical Romance to The Roots and Fall Out Boy have headlined Bamboozle. By 2012, the festivals final year, over 100,000 fans attended the shows in Asbury Park. Soon after DEsposito left Bamboozle because of a falling out with partners, Live Nation and House of Blues, and the festival fizzled. DEsposito said he repurchased the festivals trademark in 2020 in time to plan this years comeback festival marking the shows 20th anniversary. In order to succeed, the festival had to go back to its roots of showcasing lesser known talents on the way up to become headliners, he said. It couldnt come back with Bon Jovi and the Foo Fighters because thats not the climate right now, and also not the direction for the future, he said. Theyre not Bamboozle fans if theyre not supporting artist development. We develop artists and produce a scene. Fans unhappy with this years lineup cant let go of a memory, he said. If you dont like it, dont go. For his part, DEsposito expects upward of 15,000 at the Atlantic City shows, and says 47 fans in all have been refunded for the price of their tickets by credit card companies. He didnt challenge any refunds, he said. Its a minute portion, he said. The fan base is fired up for this party. Andrew Kramer, a spokesperson for the mayors office of Atlantic City, said they have been working with Bamboozle on all required permits and expect the show to go on as planned. DEsposito said hes not been contacted by any police regarding the complaints filed against him. For his part, Cino, who first attended the festival 15 years ago, says he will not be attending Bamboozle this year. Duane Morris attorney Michael Rinaldi explains his firm's report to the Central Bucks School District board during a meeting Thursday in Doylestown. Read more After a five-month investigation, the Duane Morris law firm said its found no evidence the Central Bucks School District has created a hostile environment for LGBTQ students, as the American Civil Liberties Union has alleged to federal officials. In a 146-page report presented to the school board Thursday, the firm which the district hired following the ACLU complaint accused Democrats and activists of weaponizing allegations to undermine Republicans who had won a majority on the board in November 2021. The report was immediately dismissed as a political defense by the ACLU, which said it expects the U.S. Department of Education will find that the district is systematically and intentionally violating students civil rights. Heres what the report says, and what happens now: No evidence of systemic bullying The ACLU filed a complaint with the federal education departments Office for Civil Rights in October, alleging a chronic failure to address persistent and severe bullying of LGBTQ+ students. The complaint, filed on behalf of seven transgender or nonbinary students whose names and personal stories were redacted, came as the district was facing controversy over policies the ACLU and other critics alleged were targeting LGBTQ students, including a prohibition on sexualized content in library books and a proposed policy that would ban Pride flags from classrooms. Advertisement But Duane Morris lawyers, who conducted 45 interviews and reviewed 123,000 pages of documents and electronic records, did not find any failure to address bullying, said lawyer Michael Rinaldi. In a presentation Thursday to the school board, which also released the full report online, Rinaldi said the evidence shows this district puts a high priority on protecting students. He shared emails from principals, indicating responses to reported incidents involving LGBTQ students. And in interviews, he said, witness after witness failed to come up with any specific instances of unaddressed bullying of LGBTQ students. Instead, Rinaldi laid blame on a Central Bucks teacher, whom he accused of seeking to bring discrimination allegations to light to drive opposition to the Republican board majoritys policies. Teacher had ulterior motive The teacher in question, Andrew Burgess, is suing the district, alleging it retaliated against him for helping a transgender student file a complaint with the Office for Civil Rights in April 2022. His subsequent suspension from Lenape Middle School in May sparked protests, with accusations that the district had punished Burgess because of an effort to help the student. But Burgess had an ulterior motive, Rinaldi told the school board. If the teacher brought to light bullying of LGBTQ students, the school board would cave to the inevitable criticism and bad press particularly if Mr. Burgess, aided by the press, could convince the public the districts new policies were the cause of the bullying and harassment. He accused Burgess of manipulating the student, creating a dossier of incidents that included assaults and threats that he dissuaded the student and his family from revealing to administrators. Burgess convinced the student that guidance counselors would not help, Rinaldi said. He said Burgess was well aware of the districts system for reporting student disciplinary issues, but chose not to use it unlike in instances of far less serious issues, such as reporting a student for not putting away a laptop promptly. Burgess said in his lawsuit that the students family had previously contacted administrators, but the bullying continued. He said the student did not want to report the bullying to administrators, because he feared notification of the bullies parents and possible retaliation. Rinaldi did not mention those assertions. A school board member emailed the Office for Civil Rights Instead, Rinaldi framed the debate as not about discrimination, but a partisan dispute. He displayed an email that Karen Smith, a Democratic school board member, sent to U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona and Assistant Secretary Catherine Lhamon in July 2022, saying a majority of board members had decided that Pride flags would no longer be allowed in classrooms. Smiths email also noted that the Education Law Center had accused the district of creating a hostile environment for LGBTQ youth and voiced concerns about other district actions, including requiring parental permission before students could use a different name or pronouns, and changes to the delivery of sex education after a nonbinary student requested to participate in a girls class. Smith contacted the office because the boards Republican majority took an action she didnt like. Rinaldi said. In a democracy, these are matters for the peoples elected representatives (or, in some cases, a matter of parents rights). But, having lost the November 2021 School Board election, the new minority attempted to weaponize federal investigatory resources to achieve their aims, Duane Morris report reads. Smith said Friday that she was acting to protect students, adding that the district was already facing scrutiny from the ACLU and Education Law Center at the time of her email. The districts policies reflect sound educational judgment Rinaldi said the districts policies were reasonable. Of its policy prohibiting staff from advocating to students on political, partisan, or social policy issues, Rinaldi said, The line had to be drawn somewhere. Critics have accused the district of targeting Pride flags, which are banned from classroom display under the policy, and which Superintendent Abram Lucabaugh in May 2022 likened to political symbols. A previous version of the policy had specified that teachers could not advocate beliefs about gender identity or sexual orientation language that was removed after a review by Duane Morris. Rinaldi said the districts policy targeting sexualized content in library books reviewed by a law firm focused on religious freedom was also neutral, and noted that to date, no books had been removed. (Central Bucks has received more than 60 challenges to library books, but has not commented on the status of those reviews; Lucabaugh recently disclosed that among other books being evaluated at the request of administrators, Lawn Boy, by Jonathan Evison, was reviewed but not removed from libraries.) Rinaldi also said requiring parental consent for name and pronoun changes reflected sound educational judgment. Its just not the case that the districts policies create a hostile environment for LGBTQ students, Rinaldi said. The response was critical and quick Critics fired back even before the reports release. Marlene Pray, a Central Bucks parent and the director and founder of the Rainbow Room in Doylestown, a Planned Parenthood-sponsored LGBTQ youth center, told the board during public comment that she had been interviewed by Rinaldi. He made it clear that he believes there are two equally valid positions when it comes to queer students: those who believe in them and support them, and those who dont, Pray said. She called the investigation a million-dollar PR stunt, referring to district estimates of what Duane Morris will charge. (Rinaldi said Thursday that the district has received 156 requests for documents from the Office for Civil Rights, and thats one of the reasons why we had to spend the money that we did.) Mindy Freeman, whose daughter, Lily, is a transgender student in Central Bucks and also spoke, said that whatever the findings of this report today by the attorneys, our family knows the truth, because we are the truth. The districts selection of Duane Morris and former U.S. Attorney Bill McSwain to lead the investigation had been criticized as partisan. In seeking the Republican nomination for governor, McSwain who was in the audience Thursday but did not speak had called a West Chester schools Gender Sexuality Alliance club leftist political indoctrination. A credible investigation would not have hired people who have an obvious bias against the trans and nonbinary students who lodged the complaint, Witold Walczak, legal director of the ACLU of Pennsylvania, said in a statement Thursday night. Walczak said that in the one interview he witnessed, the districts lawyer candidly admitted his team was not examining the impact of the boards recent anti-LGBTQ+ actions because they are, in his words, lawful and reasonable. He called the firms conclusions worthless. What happens now? Duane Morris recommended that the district suspend Burgess now a teacher at Unami Middle School without pay. It also said the district should appropriately coordinate to ensure that one bullied students needs were met. Other than that, the message was: Keep doing what youre doing. You have one of the best school districts in the state, Rinaldi told the board, drawing applause from some in the audience. The ACLU has asked the Office for Civil Rights to order Central Bucks to follow federal recommendations for supporting transgender students in schools; to require training for staff, administrators, and school board members on supporting LGBTQ youth; and to rescind discriminatory directives. An OCR spokesperson said this week that the agency could not comment on pending investigations. Democratic school board member Tabitha DellAngelo expressed concern that the report had minimized the voices of marginalized students. Are you telling us the students who come to us and tell us they dont feel safe in schools are wrong? she asked. Specifics matter, as opposed to generalized complaints about discrimination that might be happening to other people, Rinaldi said. The most important data point is whats actually happening with you. Marijuana legalization is coming to Delaware without Gov. John Carneys signature. Carney announced Friday that he would not take action on a pair of bills legalizing cannabis in the state, which will allow them to become law by default. In a statement, Carney, a Democrat who does not support marijuana legalization, said it was time to move on. I came to this decision because I believe weve spent far too much time focused on this issue, when Delawareans face more serious and pressing concerns every day, Carney said in a statement. With Carneys decision, Delaware becomes the 22nd state to legalize recreational marijuana. Carney said that legalization is not a step forward, and that he remains concerned that the state could be negatively impacted by recreational cannabis. Advertisement Im concerned especially about the potential effects on Delawares children, on the safety of our roadways, and on our poorest neighborhoods, where I believe a legal marijuana industry will have a disproportionately negative impact, Carney said. State Rep. Ed Osienski (D., Newark), the bills primary sponsor, said in a statement that he understands Carneys misgivings, and that he appreciates him listening to the thousands of residents who support this effort. After five years of countless meetings, debates, negotiations, and conversations, Im grateful we have reached the point where Delaware has joined a growing number of states that have legalized and regulated adult recreational marijuana for personal use, Osienski said. I am committed to working with the administration to ensure that the effort to establish the regulatory process goes as smoothly as possible. Laura Sharer, executive director of the Delaware chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, hailed the move as a significant step towards creating a fair system. After years of advocacy, collaboration, and grassroots organizing, we are thrilled to see cannabis legalization become a reality in our state, Sharer said. Delaware lawmakers have taken a progressive and equitable approach to cannabis policy. News of Carneys decision came on the one-year anniversary of New Jerseys official launch of its recreational marijuana market. The state, which borders Delaware, began recreational sales on April 21, 2022, missing the annual marijuana holiday of 4/20 by one day. One year into legalization, New Jersey has some of the highest prices for adult-use marijuana in the country. Pennsylvania, another neighbor, has only a medical marijuana market, and has made little headway in pursuing full legalization. However, Gov. Josh Shapiro proposed taxing legal, adult-use marijuana at a rate of 20%, and several legislators announced their intent to file legalization bills earlier this year. The legislation legalizing marijuana in Delaware is broken into two bills. The first, House Bill 1, allows adults 21 and older to possess up to one ounce of marijuana, as well as equivalent amounts in other forms, such as concentrates and edibles. Public consumption and growing marijuana remain illegal, and people under 21 who are caught with marijuana may face fines of up to $100 for a first offense. The second, House Bill 2, creates a regulatory framework for a legal adult-use marijuana industry. As part of that legislation, the state will issue 30 retail licenses for dispensaries, 30 manufacturing licenses, and 60 cultivation licenses, along with a $15 tax on retail sales. Osienski told The Inquirer earlier this month that that process may take about a year and a half. Carney was sent the bills last week, which began a 10-day timeline under Delawares state constitution for the governor to sign the bills, veto them, or do nothing, which allows them to become law. The 10-day clock for House Bill 1 runs out on Saturday, while House Bill 2 becomes law without Carneys signature on Wednesday. Carney said Delawares regulatory system for legal marijuana will be robust. We will do everything in our power to protect children from accessing marijuana and marijuana-related products; prevent Delawareans and Delaware visitors from driving under the influence of marijuana; and closely evaluate the placement of marijuana dispensaries and other businesses, to ensure they do not become a blight on already disadvantaged communities, Carney said. Carneys decision stands in contrast to last year, when he vetoed a similar effort. Lawmakers were unable to override that veto. Osienski earlier this month urged Delawareans to have patience with legalization. We want to make sure we get this right, Osienski said. People have been waiting 50-some years. They can wait a little longer to get this set up correctly. Police on the scene at the Marie Dendy Recreation Center at 10th and Jefferson streets where a 15-year-old was shot in the back on Wednesday afternoon. Read more Philadelphia police say they have identified the man who shot a 15-year-old boy on the playground outside a North Philadelphia recreation center on Wednesday. An arrest warrant has been issued for Djean Williams, 20, of the 1000 block of Seybert Street, who police say rode his bicycle into the playground area at Marie Dendy Recreation Center and shot the teen in the back. Police are searching for Williams, who is wanted on charges of attempted murder, aggravated assault, and related crimes. Authorities have not released a motive for the shooting, which happened shortly before 4:15 p.m. Wednesday. A gun was recovered at the scene. Advertisement The teen, whom police have not identified, was taken to St. Christophers Hospital for Children. He is in critical, but stable condition, police said. Surveillance footage from newly installed security cameras outside the center helped lead investigators to Williams, police said. A week before the shooting, city officials held a media event at the center, near North 10th and West Jefferson Streets, to announce the installation of 100 cameras at rec centers across the city, including 11 at Marie Dendy. The initiative was intended to create what officials called Safe Play Zones. Wednesdays shooting was not the first at the recreation center. In May 2021, a 19-year-old woman was also shot at the playground. She survived, but police have made no arrests in connection with the shooting. Nearly 300 incidents of gun violence have occurred around recreation centers and playgrounds since 2019, according to the Parks and Recreation Department. On Friday afternoon, city and state officials announced a partnership to bring trauma-informed therapy and workshops to six rec centers and 12 summer camps in some of the citys most violent neighborhoods. The Center for Families and Relationships, a Philadelphia-based nonprofit outpatient mental health provider, will be using a $999,000 violence reduction grant from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency to provide therapy at rec centers and camps over the next two years. Parks and Recreation Commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell said Friday that no additional security measures were planned and that she was not concerned about residents being reluctant to take part in the program because of the recent shooting. I think after an incident happens there is some concern in the community and you do see a pullback from people using the facilities for a time, she said. But that goes away very quickly. Staff writer Abraham Gutman contributed to this article. Balloons are distributed for free after Eid al-Fitr prayers outside al-Seddik mosque in Cairo, Egypt, on Friday. Read more BEIRUT The holiday of Eid al-Fitr ushered in a day of prayers and joy for Muslims around the world on Friday. The celebration was marred by tragedy amid the explosion of conflict in Sudan, while in other countries it came against the backdrop of hopes for a better future. After the Ramadan month of fasting, Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr with feasts and family visits. The start of the holiday is traditionally based on sightings of the new moon, which vary according to geographic location. In Sudans capital, Khartoum, staccato blasts of gunfire marked the early hours of the feast day. A deadly conflict in the vast African country that erupted in the past week has forced many people to shelter indoors ahead of the holiday, even as water and food for civilians runs low. In Jerusalem, thousands of faithful gathered at Islams third holiest shrine, the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, where tensions with Israeli authorities have seethed in the past month. The compound also hosts Judaisms holiest site. Advertisement Following holiday prayers, a clown entertained children and a woman painted the cheek of a girl with the green, red, black and white Palestinian flag. Some attendees trampled on an Israeli flag and unfurled banners in support of Palestinian militant groups. The streets of Arab capitals of Damascus, Baghdad and Beirut were crowded with worshipers heading to mosques and cemeteries. Many Muslims visit the graves of their loved ones after the early morning prayer on the first day of Eid al-Fitr. Visitors toted bouquets of flowers, jugs of water for plants, and brooms to clean gravestones. After the Eid prayer we always visit our dead to pray and pay our respects, may God have mercy and forgive them on this blessed day, said Atheer Mohamed in Baghdads Azamiya cemetery. Islams holidays follow a lunar calendar. But some countries rely on astronomical calculations rather than physical sightings. This frequently leads to disagreements between religious authorities in different countries and sometimes in the same country over the start date of Eid al-Fitr. This year, Saudi Arabia and many other Arab countries began their Eid celebrations on Friday, while Iran, Pakistan and Indonesia, among others, set the first day of the holiday for Saturday. In Sudan, the holiday was eclipsed by a week of raging battles between the army and its rival paramilitary force, which are locked in a violent struggle to control the country. The fighting has killed hundreds of people and wounded thousands. In a video message released early Friday, his first speech since the fighting broke out, Sudans top general Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan marked the somber tone of the holiday. Ruin and destruction and the sound of bullets have left no place for the happiness everyone in our beloved country deserves, he said. The day before, Sudans military ruled out negotiations with the rival paramilitary force, known as the Rapid Support Forces, saying it would only accept its surrender as the two sides continued to battle in central Khartoum and other parts of the country, threatening to wreck international attempts to broker a sustainable cease-fire. Yet in other parts of the region, the recent rapprochement between archrivals Saudi Arabia and Iran has kindled hopes for peace. In Yemen, the Saudi-Iranian rapprochement raised the possibility for an end to the civil war that had turned into a proxy conflict and torn the impoverished country apart since 2014. Saudi officials and Iran-backed Houthi rebels recently began talks in Yemens capital of Sanaa. During the last days of Ramadan, the warring sides exchanged hundreds of prisoners captured during the conflict. However, the moment of hopes was marred by a stampede late Wednesday at a charitable event in the rebel-held capital that killed at least 78 people and injured 77. This years Eid al-Fitr also came on the heels of intensified violence in Israel and Palestine. Alaa Abu Hatab and his only remaining daughter started the holiday in the Palestinian Gaza Strip by visiting the graves of his wife and four children who were killed in an Israeli airstrike on the day of Eid al-Fitr in 2021. That strike also killed Abu Hatabs sister and her children. Because they were killed in the Eid, I miss them especially during Eid al-Fitr. I miss their laughter, Abu Hatab said, standing by his familys grave with his six-year-old daughter, Maria. The holiday has become a scene of pain and loss, he said. In Afghanistans Kabul, where worshipers gathered under the watchful eyes of its Taliban rulers, 35-year-old Abdul Matin said, I wish that besides security we had good income and good jobs. Unfortunately people cant afford to buy all their necessities at this difficult time. In Turkey and Syria, many are still mourning loved ones lost in the devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck the two countries on Feb. 6, killing more than 50,000 people. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday performed morning Eid prayers at Hagia Sophia, the 6th century Byzantine church in Istanbul that was turned into a mosque in the 15th century. It became a museum in 1934 and was reconverted into a mosque three years ago. Erdogan, who is facing elections next month amid an economic crisis and the fallout of the earthquake, handed out chocolate and pastries to journalists outside the mosque, renamed Holy Ayasofya Grand Mosque. In the United States, celebrations among the Sudanese community were tempered with concern for the homeland. They still gathered in large numbers for Friday prayers at the Muslim Community Center in Silver Spring. We are not in a mood to do anything joyful, but were doing (these celebrations) for the kids, said Shaza Ahmed, who is among an estimated 20,000 Sudanese in Maryland and Virginia. In Tennessee, where school state testing was underway, Imam Ossama Bahloul, the resident scholar at the Islamic Center of Nashville, said that for the first time, his daughter missed the holiday prayer with the family so she could take an exam. In Minneapolis, Friday public school classes were called off for the first time to mark the holiday. About 10% of students are Muslim, said Jaylani Hussein, director of Council on American-Islamic Relations-Minnesota. In Minneapolis, you can be unapologetically Muslim, Hussein said. In Dearborn, Michigan, employees have Eid al-Fitr off as a paid holiday for the first time. Mayor Abdullah Hammoud said the precedent was not planned but that it was important for Muslim employees to feel included and enjoy the holiday with their families. MyPillow founder and prominent election denier Mike Lindell made a bold offer ahead of a cyber symposium he held in August 2021 in South Dakota: He claimed he had data showing Chinese interference and said he would pay $5 million to anyone who could prove the material was not from the previous years U.S. election. He called the challenge "Prove Mike Wrong." On Wednesday, a private arbitration panel ruled that someone had. The panel said Robert Zeidman, a computer forensics expert and 63-year-old Trump voter from Nevada, was entitled to the $5 million payout. Advertisement Zeidman had examined Lindells data and concluded that it not only did not prove voter fraud, it also had no connection to the 2020 election. He was the only expert who submitted a claim, arbitration records show. He turned to the arbitrators after Lindell Management, which created the contest, refused to pay him. In their 23-page decision, the arbitrators said Zeidman proved that Lindell's material "unequivocally did not reflect November 2020 election data." They directed Lindell's firm to pay Zeidman within 30 days. In a statement to The Washington Post, Zeidman said he was "really happy" with the arbitrators' decision. "They clearly saw this as I did - that the data we were given at the symposium was not at all what Mr. Lindell said it was," he said. "The truth is finally out there." Zeidman's attorney Brian Glasser said that the panel's decision stood as a warning to others who made wild allegations about election fraud. "I think the arbitrators thought it important that these claims be vetted, because they've done great harm to our country," he said. Lindell said in a text to The Post, "They made a terribly wrong decision! This will be going to court!" His attorneys did not reply to a request seeking comment. A copy of contest rules submitted in the arbitration said disputes would be "resolved exclusively by final and binding arbitration" and noted that arbitration "is subject to very limited review by courts." Glasser said that the panel's decision cannot be directly appealed but that Lindell could ask a federal court to quash it on the basis that it represented a "manifest injustice." The statutory grounds for such a claim are narrow and it is "extremely rare" for such a claim to succeed, according to Glasser. Lindell also faces a $1.3 billion defamation suit from Dominion Voting Systems and a defamation lawsuit from one of Dominion's former executives. In the months after Trumps 2020 election loss, Lindell spent millions of dollars to finance lawsuits, support right-wing activists nationwide and launch a streaming television station dedicated to amplifying election-fraud falsehoods. During frequent media appearances, he had advertised his three-day symposium as the event where he would finally provide data proving his claims. And he issued his high-stakes challenge. Theres a $5 million prize for anybody that can prove the election data that I have from the 2020 election was false, is not from the 2020 election, Lindell said on the conservative show The Glazov Gang, which streams online. The data he planned to reveal, he said, were "packet captures" that he said would demonstrate Chinese government interference. Packet captures, or "pcaps," are a specific file format that is an industry standard for archiving internet traffic. They were captured in real time and preserved. They cannot be altered . . . theyre 100% evidence, Lindell said on the show. So it will show an intrusion. This was an attack from China. The symposium, he later told arbitrators, was meant to "do three things: to make the media show up, cyber guys show up, and politicians to open their eyes and say, 'Hey, we got to check into this.'" Lindell's claims that he had packet captures intrigued Zeidman, who has served as an expert for tech firms in intellectual property lawsuits. Describing himself as a "reasonable" and "moderate conservative" who voted twice for Donald Trump, Zeidman told the arbitration panel he was skeptical of Lindell's claims. But he said he also did not believe Lindell would promote unvetted data, so he thought the conference could offer a "great chance to see history in the making, perhaps an election overturned." At the event, Zeidman received contest rules. There was no mention of disproving Chinese interference, according to contest forms submitted in the arbitration case. Rather, winners would have to prove that the data provided "does NOT reflect information related to the November 2020 election." At the symposium, participants interested in the contest were given a badge with a hot-pink dot to indicate they were cyber experts and could enter a room where Lindell's data was shared. The files provided to Zeidman and other experts were primarily text or PDF files. Zeidman testified that one was a flow chart purporting to show how elections generally work. Another, when unencrypted, was a list of internet IP addresses, and others were enormous files of what appeared to Zeidman to be random numbers and letters. The packet captures Lindell had promised were nowhere to be found, according to Zeidman. Zeidman laid out his findings in a 15-page report. "I have proven that the data Lindell provides . . . unequivocally does not contain packet data of any kind and do not contain any information related to the November 2020 election," he wrote. Six weeks after the symposium, Zeidman sent a letter to Lindell Management to claim the prize. He got back a denial, and the following month he filed for arbitration, a type of proceeding that allows parties to resolve disputes outside of the court system. The private arbitration proceedings in Lindells home state of Minnesota included written briefs, depositions and a three-day hearing in January with sworn testimony from Zeidman, Lindell, subject-matter experts and witnesses. The Post obtained records from the proceeding. Asked why he had decided to go to the trouble of seeking a hearing, Zeidman testified that he wanted the money and wanted to push back against stolen-election claims. Mr. Lindell has a lot of followers, Zeidman said. Hes making a lot of statements to people that I know, people that are good friends of mine, people that are influential. And they are claiming that he has the data that shows that this election was stolen. Zeidmans lawyers wrote to the panel that the data presented at the symposium contained no recognizable data in any known data format. Lindell testified at arbitration that he did not share what he had described as his key data to support the foreign intrusion claim during the conference. He held off, he said, after a man seeking a selfie poked him in the side as the symposium was nearing an end - an act that Lindell called an assault and said he took as a signal the government might tamper with his central information if he made it public. Lindell told the panel that, after the incident, his "red team" advisers warned him against making that inform public. "They said it could be a poison pill put in the data and we really shouldn't release the China stuff," he said. The arbitrators did not address the substance of Lindells claims about vote tampering, noting that they were not asked to decide whether China interfered in the 2020 election. Superintendent Tony Watlington (right) and school board president Reginald Streater (left), shown in this March file photo, heard details of a $4.5 billion 2023-24 budget Thursday night. Read more Philadelphia schools will have more teachers, more counselors, more climate staff and more school safety officers for the 2023-24 school year, officials heard Thursday night. Though the districts enrollment is down, the school system projects across-the-board increases in nearly every employee category, Mike Herbstman, the Philadelphia School Districts chief financial officer, told school board members at a hearing for the districts proposed $4.5 billion budget. The school district will spend $22,379 per student in the 2023-24 school year, officials said a 5.3% increase over the current school year. The school system plans for 15,037 school-based staffers next year, up from 14,774 this year. (Of those, 8,690 will be teachers, vs. 8,543 this year.) Advertisement The district proposes a 7.6% increase in spending on traditional public schools it will spend $2.4 billion on its 216 schools, and a 19% jump in spending at non-district-operated schools, to the tune of $1.5 billion. READ MORE: Philly schools will spend $20 million to provide free summer programs Budget documents show planned increases in school safety spending. The district plans to add 15 school safety officers and two safety supervisors, expand the safe paths program to protect students traveling to and from school, provide additional counselors to the highest-need schools, buy a new data-management system to help manage the districts environmental needs, launch an attendance marketing campaign, purchase a two-way communication system for schools, renovate career and technical education facilities, buy new curriculum, and provide new supports for English language learners. Overall, that increased spending is due largely to the availability of federal COVID-19 relief funds, money that will soon disappear, throwing into question whether the additional staff and programs will be available in future years. The fiscal cliff comes in early 2025, and the district, alone in Pennsylvania as having no control over its own revenues, will not be able to make ends meet just after 2027, Herbstman said. And though there are increases for the 2023-24 school year, the budget falls far short of what a Commonwealth Court judge said Philadelphia and other low-wealth districts are being denied educational parity with the states wealthier school systems. One study estimates Philadelphia schools are underfunded by about $1 billion annually. READ MORE: Two Philly schools closed by asbestos have dates to return to in-person learning; another remains virtual This budget is an incremental budget, Herbstman said, adding the spending plan does not allow for the transformational change that Philadelphia needs. Citywide, just 36% of district students read on grade level and 21% of students met state standards in math. The board took no action on the budget Thursday night. Its slated for adoption in late May. After the budget hearing, the board moved into its monthly action meeting. In his report to the board, Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr. shared dropout figures for the first time. Watlington has said he wants to prioritize student and teacher attendance and dropout prevention as a way to tackle academics. Though the superintendent has been sharing attendance figures monthly since he began his job in June, the school system wanted to make certain its dropout numbers were accurate before sharing. Through the end of March, Watlington said, 3,494 district students had dropped out. Thats nearly identical to the 3,595 who had dropped out by the end of March 2022. By the end of the 2021-22 school year, 3,917 students had dropped out. It is critical that we not throw these children away, Watlington said. It is critical that we allocate time and resources to addressing this very important problem. A study estimates that each dropout loses $405,000 over their lifetime. That translates to a $1.4 billion price tag for the districts dropouts to date this school year. Board member Sarah-Ashley Andrews said the dropout problem has a very real impact on public safety. I worry about the people getting shot, the people getting killed, Andrews said. And most of them are dropouts. A 62-year-old man who used his legally owned gun to kill an aggressive dog on an East Germantown street earlier this week gave a responding Philadelphia Police officer permission to disarm him and as the officer grabbed the firearm from its holster, he accidentally pulled the trigger, shooting the man in the leg, authorities said. The incident, captured on the officers body-worn camera, left the victim in stable condition, police said. The District Attorneys Office said it does not anticipate charging the officer, identified by police as James Edmiston, a 15-year veteran of the force assigned to the 14th District. We do not believe that what happened is criminal in nature, said Jane Roh, a spokesperson for the office. Advertisement The episode represents one of the more unusual shootings involving a city officer in recent years. One source who has seen the video, but asked for anonymity to describe it because police are not planning to release it, said the encounter between the officer and the gun owner was almost cordial before the shot was fired. Police did not identify the man who was shot. They gave the following account of what happened: The incident began just after 4:15 p.m. Monday, when the man was walking his dog on a leash around the 2000 block of Chew Avenue. Two unleashed pit bulls approached his dog, and the bigger of the two began to attack his dog. The man tried to break up the dogs, but couldnt, so he pulled his holstered Taurus 9mm handgun and fired, killing the pit bull attacking his dog. The other pit bull ran away. The man took his wounded dog home, and afterward, saw Edmiston in a patrol car on the 2100 block of Conlyn Street and flagged him down. The man told Edmiston hed just shot a dog, and that his gun was in his holster on his waist. Edmiston said he needed to secure the mans weapon, so the man placed his arms over his head. Edmiston then reached for the gun. As he took it out of the holster, he accidentally pulled the trigger, striking the man in the right leg. Edmiston drove the man to Einstein Medical Center, where he was reported in stable condition. Edmiston was placed on desk duty pending an internal investigation. Philadelphia played a major role in the first Earth Day 53 years ago. At first glance, it would appear that Earth Day is still going strong, with annual celebrations and events committed to protecting Americans from the devastating impacts of pollution in our air, water, and soil. But look a little closer, and its clear that the environmental activism and political advocacy that made that first Earth Day so revolutionary have shifted. If we want Earth Day to matter in 2023, we need to once again use it to enact political change on environmental issues. That starts with demanding more from our elected officials. For over 40 years, Ive been fighting to conserve, maintain, and improve the environment with the Clean Air Council, Philadelphias oldest environmental nonprofit. Although there has been progress in many areas, Im admittedly more discouraged today than I was four decades ago. On so many fronts, our environmental movement has lost its way, and theres no better example of that shift than what Earth Day has become. Advertisement Earth Day once kick-started a focus on the environment that drove significant activism around curbing pollution. It was a call to action that carried around the world. Politicians took notice. Republicans and Democrats worked together to address environmental degradation nationwide. On the heels of the first Earth Day, the Environmental Protection Agency was established and charged with the critical mission of decreasing pollution that was killing Americans. Congress adopted some of Americas most important public health laws most notably the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act. Industries impacted by these protections fought every proposed safeguard tooth and nail. Yet Americans demanded change, and politicians stood up to industry. The American economy thrived while slashing pollution and reducing health-care costs. Over the years, these political victories stemming from Earth Day have lost their place in the narrative. Earth Days message has been diluted and co-opted by polluting industries, who use it to tout their efforts to curb emissions. If we are to get our nations environmental priorities back on track, we must acknowledge two facts that the modern story of Earth Day intentionally overlooks. The first is that pollution at a state, regional, or national scale cannot be solved through individual action alone. Yes, we as consumers make choices every day that impact the environment. We can choose to recycle. We can choose to drive less. We can choose to cut our carbon footprint. But reducing pollution in ways that truly protect public health and address climate change cannot come from individual behaviors alone. It is the obligation of elected leaders and regulators at all levels of government and of the polluting industries themselves. We will never adequately address issues such as climate change, train derailments that release toxic substances, and the devastating impacts of plastics by putting the responsibility on hundreds of millions of consumers to voluntarily make the right choice. It is the obligation of our government to enact binding policies to solve major social issues. The second fallacy of the modern Earth Day movement is how polluting industries have embraced it. (Consider, for example, this video from ExxonMobil on Earth Day 2021, which profiles employees who are working to cut emissions worldwide.) The very companies driving our climate crisis will celebrate Earth Day and sponsor activities, while at the same time spending millions lobbying against commonsense regulations that would help reduce their emissions. Many of our elected officials are no better. Theyll pose for the photo op this Saturday, then turn around and block basic legislation that would limit pollution or facilitate a transition to more eco-friendly products. The worlds leading climate scientists continually tell us we are failing to adequately address the impending climate disaster. As a result, around the world, were spending trillions of dollars making our infrastructure more resilient to the superstorms and droughts caused by climate change. We no longer have elected officials who listen to their constituents and are willing to make the tough decisions needed to maintain a sustainable way of life on this planet. It is far easier to cave in to polluting industries (and sizable donors). There is no better example of this than in Harrisburg, where too many politicians refuse to limit methane pollution an extremely potent greenhouse gas from oil and gas operations in Pennsylvania. They mock the idea of a green economy while demanding money from the federal government to help constituents whose lives are being upended by climate change when the time comes. They ignore the demands of younger voters who worry about their future. Theyll spend billions of taxpayer dollars to prop up petrochemical companies and the gas industry while refusing to support a widely popular transition to resilient, affordable clean energy. We dont need photo ops or proclamations from our politicians. We need leadership that moves the needle on combating climate change and other toxic pollution. Its what weve been demanding for more than half a century. Its what Earth Day has really always been about. Joseph O. Minott is the executive director and chief counsel at the Clean Air Council. Demonstrators attend a rally in Kansas City, Mo., in support of Ralph Yarl on Tuesday. Yarl, a Black teenager, was shot last week by a white homeowner when he mistakenly went to the wrong address to pick up his siblings. Read more The shooting of 16-year-old Ralph Yarl in Kansas City, Mo., was a stark reminder of the gnawing anxiety that I often experience as a Black parent. Its always there, lingering beneath my calm veneer, just as it does for everyone with Black children and especially those with Black sons. Please know that Im also concerned for my daughters, but theyre both adults and because theyre females, theyre not always seen as physical threats. Black boys, however, are consistently viewed as dangerous. As a result, they are frequently targeted. It doesnt matter if they are docile, responsible, respectful, or creative. Ralph Yarl, by all accounts, is all of those things. According to a GoFundMe page administered by his aunt, Ralph, who is a musician, dreamed of traveling to Africa before going off to college. He is beloved by his classmates, who marched for him by the hundreds. And yet, when this talented young man accidentally went to the wrong address to pick up his younger siblings from a play date, he was shot by the white man who answered the door. Advertisement Now, at just 16, Ralph has learned the cruelest lesson that America can teach. He has learned that there are those for whom Black excellence will never be enough, because Americas standard is whiteness. According to a statement Ralph gave to police from his hospital bed, his mother asked him to pick up his brothers at 1100 NE 115th St. However, the boys were actually staying at a home with a similar address 1100 NE 115th Terrace. Ralph told police that when he rang the doorbell at the house on 115th Street, he waited a while before a man came to the door. That man, 84-year-old Andrew Lester, who is white, allegedly shot through the door, hitting Ralph in the head. Then, as the teen lay on the ground, Ralph said, Lester shot him in the arm. And then, as he ran away from a shooting that Clay County Prosecuting Attorney Zachary Thompson says had a racial component, Ralph told police that he heard Lester say, Dont come around here. Lester told police that he began shooting because he saw a large Black man pulling at the handle of his outer door, and the sight of that man scared him to death. But in a statement to CNN, Ralphs aunt, Faith Spoonmore, balked at Lesters assertion about Ralphs size. Spoonmore said she doubts the slightly built teen is even 170 pounds, nor is he 6 feet tall. That doesnt matter, because when it comes to Black children, their actual age and size are irrelevant. They are often assumed to be older than they are. They are stripped of the presumption of innocence. They will never be what America requires for one to be considered a child. They will never be white. That reality is at the center of a phenomenon called adultification bias. Children in most societies are considered to be in a distinct group with characteristics such as innocence and the need for protection. Our research found that Black boys can be seen as responsible for their actions at an age when white boys still benefit from the assumption that children are essentially innocent, Phillip Atiba Goff, a professor of African American studies and psychology at Yale, told the American Psychological Association in reference to a study he authored on the subject. Thankfully, Ralph Yarl survived the shooting that was driven by the racial bias that denies Black people the right to be children. Others have not been so fortunate. Adultification bias led two Cleveland police officers to assume that 12-year-old Tamir Rice was 20 years old before they shot him. That same bias was at play when many Americans blamed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin when the unarmed teen was shot dead by George Zimmerman, who was later acquitted in Martins killing. However, it is important to know that adultification bias is not just about the assumption that Black children are older than their actual ages. It is also about denying them the privileges of childhood. It is about stripping them of humanity. It is about taking away their innocence. As Black parents, we know that our children are always susceptible to the prejudgments of others. Thats why we talk to them about how they should interact with police during car stops, and drill them on how to communicate in the world outside the safety of our homes. We hope theyll never have to experience the dangers that we warn them about. But if they do, we pray that theyll be lucky enough to live. Eid al-Fitr in Philadelphia Share Icon Link copied to clipboard Muslims gathered to celebrate Eid al-Fitr on Friday. The holiday marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community. Bad news for Brian ONeill, a Republican who has held City Councils 10th District seat since 1980, is good news for GOP candidates running for citywide office this year. ONeills Democratic challenger, Gary Masino, last Friday survived (again) a legal challenge that tried to remove him from the ballot. A competitive race on Novembers general election ballot in the 10th District a sprawl of Northeast Philly that includes Somerton, Bustleton, Fox Chase, and Rhawnhurst that is home to many Republican and moderate Democrats could help GOP candidates for Council at-large and city commissioner fend off challenges from the progressive Working Families Party. Masino, business manager for Sheet Metal Workers Local 19, initially prevailed last month in the challenge to his nomination petitions. But that local ruling was rejected by the state Commonwealth Court last week and sent back to Common Pleas Court for a do-over. Advertisement With Masino again prevailing, Republican City Committee chair Vince Fenerty expects a bump in 10th District turnout in November that will benefit City Commissioner Seth Bluestein, a Republican seeking a full term after being appointed, and the partys Council at-large candidates. Brian will make it competitive, Fenerty said of ONeill. It will bring them some votes, definitely. Drew Murray, endorsed by the party for Council at-large, agrees. Brian is going to have to spend some money now, Murray said. That will help drive out the vote, as well. ONeill had $336,200 in his campaign account at the end of March but raised only $5,000 in the first three months of the year. Masino had $380,659 in the bank, having raised more than $217,000 this year. Democrats make up 55% of the 10th Districts registered voters, while Republicans are 31% and independents and smaller political parties hold 14%. Still, ONeill withstood a 2019 challenge, defeating Democrat Judy Moore by 10 percentage points. Then-President Donald Trump won two of the four wards that make up the district in 2020. Still, the Working Families Party remains eager to pick off so-called set-aside seats for Council at-large and city commissioner. All seven Council at-large seats and three city commissioner seats are on the ballot, with two Council seats and one commissioner seat reserved in the Home Rule Charter for members not in the majority party. Democrats outnumber Republicans 7-1 citywide. For seven decades, Democrats held five Council at-large seats and Republicans had two, while Democrats held two city commissioner seats and Republicans held one. That changed in 2019 when Kendra Brooks won a Council at-large seat for the Working Families Party. Nicolas ORourke, now seeking the other at-large seat for the Working Families Party, expects more turnout in Northeast Philly but said he is confident in his partys hearty approach in door-to-door canvassing. Jarrett Smith, a Working Families Party candidate for city commissioner, predicts a more deep voter outreach in the 10th District than theyve encountered in a long time. The mayor, the Saloon & the bottle of wine Clout hears Mayor Jim Kenney was enjoying dinner Wednesday at the Saloon, a Belle Vista Italian restaurant, when a server approached with a bottle of wine and said it was compliments of Chris Columbus. By coincidence, George Bochetto was also dining at the Saloon. Bochetto, a lawyer and Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate last year, won a drawn-out legal battle in December to force the city to remove a box placed around the statue of Christopher Columbus at Marconi Plaza in South Philadelphia. Clout had to ask. I can confirm that I was at the Saloon having dinner last night, Bochetto told us. I can confirm that I am a big fan of treating people to nice wines. I can also confirm that I know the mayor enjoys a nice glass of wine now and then. Clout hears the wine was Kendall-Jackson cabernet sauvignon, which goes for $45 at the Saloon. A spokesperson for Kenney said he refused the bottle. Delscia Grays unlikely bid for mayor Clout likes to think we know the nine Democratic mayoral candidates, even those with a little less name recognition than the others. But one candidate has been mysteriously absent from most mayoral events: Delscia Gray. Heres what we know: Gray works in security. Shes 56. She lives in Northeast Philly. She has no campaign website. There is an old Twitter account with a 2016 post that says she was interviewed by Trump to be secretary of state. In fairness, we cant prove that didnt happen. Another fun fact: Gray was a registered Republican until Feb. 25. That means she was a Republican for part of the time that she was circulating nomination petitions to get on the ballot for the Democratic primary for mayor. One of her rivals could have challenged her petitions in court. No one did. Gray did speak at one mayoral forum last month, where she said she would use community ambassadors to fight gun violence. She also told an elaborate story about a brawl she got into in 10th grade. Gray hasnt called us back, though we have tried mightily to get her on the phone. Unfortunately, she texted that she gave the exclusive to Ballotpedia.org, a nonpartisan, nonprofit website that tracks elections and politics. Staff writer Jonathan Lai contributed to this column. Clout provides often irreverent news and analysis about people, power, and politics. Jeffrey S. Yass, a founder and the boss at Susquehanna International Group, addresses a class of interns at the Bala Cynwyd-based investment trading company in 2022. Read more A conservative education group financed by Republican billionaire Jeffrey Yass is jumping into the Philadelphia City Council race. Campaign finance reports filed this week with the city show that the Yass-funded Commonwealth Childrens Choice Fund contributed $400,000 to Philly for Growth, an independent-expenditure group financed by development interests that are uniting behind a slate of Democrats they view as business-friendly after years of clashing with progressive lawmakers on Council. Better known as super PACs, independent-expenditure groups can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money as long as they dont coordinate with candidates or campaigns. And while they have been spending extravagantly in the mayors race, Philly for Growth is a deep-pocketed anomaly in the relatively low-profile Council races. With the Commonwealth contribution, Philly for Growth has raised more than $1.8 million to date and has already outspent every individual campaign in the race several times over. In the last two weeks, the group has spent more than $430,000 on cable TV ads to boost its slate of candidates the only such ads in a race where few campaigns can afford air time. Advertisement Philly for Growth is backing two incumbent Democrats and three newcomers for Councils five at-large seats: Old City Director Job Itzkowitz, business consultant Donavan West, former City Hall staffer Eryn Santamoor, and incumbent Councilmembers Katherine Gilmore Richardson and Isaiah Thomas. READ MORE: Super PACs have already spent more than $5M to influence the Philly mayors race A consultant for the PAC declined to speak about the Commonwealth contribution, and a representative for the Commonwealth Childrens Choice Fund did not immediately return a request for comment. But the Yass element has put some of Philly for Growths endorsed candidates in a bind with their more progressive supporters, who are staunch charter school critics and say Yass poses an existential threat to public education. [Yass] has time and time again tried to play politics in Philadelphia to push forward his right-wing agenda that pads his bottom line, and its no surprise that hes pushing his interests with a similarly aligned corporate Realtor PAC, said Arielle Klagsbrun, a coordinator with the Tax the Rich PHL. Commonwealth Childrens Choice Fund is part of a larger network of political action committees funded by Yass, the Main Line billionaire and principal at Susquehanna International Group who has poured millions of dollars into local races over the years. Finance reports filed with the state show that Commonwealth received over $3.2 million from Students First PAC, which is bankrolled almost exclusively by Yass himself. Like Students First, the Commonwealth Childrens Choice Fund advocates for pro-charter school legislation, seeking to expand state tax credit scholarship programs for charters and fully acknowledge public charter schools as equal public education options, according to the groups website. READ MORE: City Council candidate Jeffery Jay Young has a history of offensive social media posts Yass and his partners at Susquehanna got involved in the 2015 mayors race, spending more than $7 million to boost state Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams unsuccessful campaign in the Democratic primary, but it remains unclear if Yass has contributed to any super PACs in this years close mayoral contest. Philly for Growth formed during the last municipal election cycle in 2019, airing a bizarre TV ad featuring a talking baby to back a somewhat-overlapping slate of Council candidates. Finance reports show its top contributors are regional developers, real estate agents, and landlord groups. Staff writer Anna Orso contributed reporting. A Philadelphia mayoral forum got heated Thursday night after grocer Jeff Brown went on the offensive, attacking at least three of his opponents directly, one of whom said his comments were sexist. Brown, whose campaign has seen two weeks of negative headlines after allegations he violated campaign-finance law, said former City Councilmember Helen Gym is the least informed person on this stage and is the queen of making stuff up. She responded that his comments were belittling to women and told Brown that he has no respect for people who have a different vision from you. The fiery exchange came during a forum hosted by the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists, which was the third televised event featuring the Democratic candidates. With less than a month to go until the May 16 primary election and no clear front-runner, the top contenders are increasingly trying to separate themselves from the pack by highlighting each others weaknesses. Advertisement Several of the candidates jabbed one another. Cherelle Parker, a former City Councilmember, said twice that she is the best equipped to solve problems not audit or write a report about [them], a clear reference to ex-City Controller Rebecca Rhynhart, whose job was to audit city government. READ MORE: These super PACs have already spent more than $5M to influence the Philly mayors race And toward the beginning of the event, Rhynhart criticized Brown for the Board of Ethics investigation into his campaign-finance related activities, saying, How you run a campaign is a microcosm of how youd run this city, so if your campaign is a mess, youll run this city like a mess. But no one was as combative as Brown, who at the beginning of the night said his opponents all of whom have held elected office before are ill-equipped to run the city. What youre hearing at the table are ideas that they never did when they had power, Brown said of his opponents. Thats great to hear em now. Why didnt they do them when they were City Council people? It got more contentious from there. Moderators asked the candidates how they would improve the lengthy wait times that buyers experience when attempting to obtain properties through the Philadelphia Land Bank. Brown said the land bank should be shut down and its assets sold off to Black and brown developers. Gym said Brown doesnt have an understanding of how we direct a real, city-led vision for affordability in an environment in which market forces destroyed Black and brown communities. Brown shot back, saying, Helen is the least informed person on this stage. She knows nothing about the free market. She knows nothing about real estate. Gym responded that Brown sounds like an angry man right now and has no respect for women. When moderators turned the conversation to poverty and generating Black wealth, Brown then attacked former City Councilmember Allan Domb, saying hed been in his Council office and visited his business and did not see a single person of color there. Domb said after the event that the contention isnt true and that he of course hires people of color. He pointed out that his campaign manager is Black. READ MORE: Sign up for the 100th Mayor, the Inquirer's mayoral race newsletter Minutes later, state Rep. Amen Brown went after Jeff Brown, who was seated next to him. Amen Brown said that his constituents complain about the quality of the ShopRites that Jeff Brown has owned and operated, and said that stores in communities of color are of poorer quality compared to those in the suburbs. Jeff Brown said his opponent is making it up. He went on to suggest that Amen Browns nomination petitions to run for mayor were fraudulent. This is a guy that you cannot get the truth out of, Jeff Brown said. Moderators then asked the candidates to deliver brief closing statements. Gym said her vision is transformative, saying, Were not going to manage our way out of a crisis. We actually are going to have to lead by lifting people up from the ground. When it was Browns turn, he hit Gym again, saying: Helen says we dont need a manager because she never managed anything. Gym interjected, calling Brown a man who belittled Michelle Obama, a reference to commercials his campaign ran featuring decade-old footage of the former first lady that drew a rebuke from her office. A televised debate of the campaign is scheduled for Tuesday. The 15 judges who are listed here are selected for their reputation as respected industry figures. Each judge reviews awardee submissions and allocates a score for each. The highest scorer in each category is the winner and receives their award on the big night of nights in September. [The] extraordinary cyberattack on Optus and its customers demonstrates how important it is for large and small organisations to have robust cyber protections in place. This chilling example reminds us that more needs to be done to protect businesses and organisations from cyberattacks, ICA CEO Andrew Hall said in a previous statement. Working in partnership with government, insurers have a key role to play to help businesses protect themselves and recover from cyberattacks. Over the course of his distinguished career at The Chubb Corporation and CNA Financial, Tom made a lasting impression on the insurance industry through his dedication to the agents, brokers, clients, and other partners who benefitted from his insights, expertise, and judgment. It is important that Lloyds can have confidence that syndicates are managing their exposures to liabilities arising from war and state-backed cyberattacks, Lloyds said in its market bulletin last August. Robust wordings also provide the parties with clarity of cover, which means that risks can be properly priced and reduces the risk of disputes. The value Comulate has brought to our firm is beyond any software Ive seen on the market, said Kamini Patel, director of business operations for Cobbs Allen/CAC. We receive carrier statements as PDFs and spreadsheets. In the past, it could take hours to fully process some of them. Now we upload all of those directly to Comulate, and within seconds, the software extracts and auto-reconciles commissions to policies and then posts to Applied Epic. New You can now listen to Insurance Journal articles! In many school shootings, the person who pulled the trigger often a current or former student is the only one blamed for the crime. But the arrest last week of a mother, whose 6-year-old son shot his teacher, and a related investigation of school employees shows how parents and educators are facing increasing scrutiny over any responsibility they may bear. While national statistics are hard to come by, at least seven criminal cases against parents have been filed in the last eight years after a child brought a gun to school and it was fired, intentionally or not. In Virginia, the mother of the 6-year-old was charged with felony neglect, while prosecutors have started investigating whether the actions of Newport News Public Schools employees could lead to criminal charges. The criminal probe was announced a week after the wounded teacher sued the school system. She accused administrators of ignoring multiple warnings that the boy had brought a gun to school. Criminal investigations of parents as well as schools are rare, experts say. But they appear to be gaining traction as communities demand accountability and new ways to prevent the violence. HOW OFTEN ARE PARENTS CHARGED AFTER A SCHOOL SHOOTING? No one tracks such data, according to groups that advocate for more firearm restrictions. But the number appears small compared to the overall number of school shootings. Guns came from the home of a parent or close relative in 76% of school attacks where firearms were used, according to a 2019 assessment by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Seven cases have been brought since 2015. Among them was a Chicago mother charged last year with child endangerment after a gun in her second-graders backpack accidentally discharged at school, injuring a 7-year-old classmate. In 2020, the mother of an Indiana teen received probation for failing to remove guns from her home after her mentally ill son threatened to kill students in 2018. He fired shots inside his school and later killed himself. Teenager Ethan Crumbley pleaded guilty to killing four students at his Michigan high school in 2021. His parents were charged with involuntary manslaughter and accused of ignoring his mental health needs and making the gun accessible at home. The Newport News boy shot first-grade teacher Abigail Zwerner at Richneck Elementary on Jan. 6 as she sat at a reading table. The 25-year-old was struck by a bullet in her hand and chest. She was hospitalized for two weeks and has had four surgeries. The boys mother bought the gun legally, according to police. Her attorney, James Ellenson, has said she believed her gun was secured on a high closet shelf with a trigger lock. She faces up to six years in prison if convicted of felony child neglect and a misdemeanor charge of recklessly storing a firearm. Ellenson said the mother hopes to broker a plea deal with prosecutors. Although charges against parents have been rare, the issue has gained more attention with the rising number of shootings, according to Eve Brensike Primus, who teaches criminal procedure at University of Michigan law school. Prosecutors have faced mounting political pressure to hold people accountable, she said. But proving negligence is challenging because prosecutors often must show that a childs actions were reasonably foreseeable. The question is: At what point do we charge the parents with being able to foresee that the child would do something like this, Primus said. HOW EFFECTIVE ARE CHILD GUN SAFETY LAWS? The shooting in Newport News has also renewed calls for stronger gun storage laws. Twenty-nine states including Virginia have enacted child-access prevention laws that allow for criminal charges against adults who intentionally or negligently allow children unsupervised access to guns, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. The Newport News mother was charged with a misdemeanor under a Virginia law that prohibits leaving a loaded unsecured gun in such a manner as to endanger the life or limb of a child under 14. Allison Anderman, senior counsel and director of local policy at the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, said the most effective laws go beyond liability and require gun owners to store firearms in a specific manner, particularly when children are around. Far fewer states have those, although Michigans governor signed a safe-storage bill into law last week, following the 2021 shooting by Ethan Crumbley. But Virginia lawmakers rejected several storage bills in the wake of the Newport News shooting. The National Rifle Association said it opposes such one-size-fits-all mandates and cited other Virginia laws that hold gun owners responsible. Those include the felony child neglect law thats being used against the mother in Newport News. D.J. Spiker, the NRAs Virginia state director, said the groups members already safely store firearms. Why do we need to add more laws to the books? he said. HOW OFTEN ARE SCHOOLS INVESTIGATED? Michael Dorn, executive director of Safe Havens International, which works to make schools safer, said he knows of only a few criminal probes involving school employees after a shooting and theyre recent. I suspect a lot of it is that everybody is just desperate for solutions, Dorn said. In Newport News, the prosecutors office is seeking a special grand jury to probe if any security failures contributed to the shooting by the young boy. The office didnt elaborate, but Zwerners lawsuit alleges a string of failures by administrators, including ignoring warnings the day of the shooting that the boy had a gun and was in a violent mood. A criminal investigation of school employees also followed the 2021 shooting at Oxford High School in Michigan. No school employees have been charged. Chuck Vergon, a professor of educational law and policy at the University of Michigan-Flint, said these types of charges are rare because criminal negligence can be difficult to prove. Prosecutors dont want to bring actions that they cant be successful in, Vergon said, and the facts are usually not so extreme as to make it either legally plausible to proceed or politically advantageous to proceed. Photo: Willow Crawford, left, and her older sister Ava, right, join friend Kaylynn Vestre, center, in expressing their support for Richneck Elementary School first-grade teacher Abby Zwerner during a candlelight vigil in her honor at the School Administration Building in Newport News, Va., Monday, Jan. 9, 2023. Zwerner was shot and wounded by a 6-year-old student while teaching class on Friday, Jan. 6. (AP Photo/John C. Clark) Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics K-12 New You can now listen to Insurance Journal articles! A Pennsylvania grand jury in recent months accused nine men with connections to the Jehovahs Witnesses of child sexual abuse in what some consider the nations most comprehensive investigation yet into abuse within the faith. The sets of charges filed in October and February have fueled speculation the jury may make public more about what it has uncovered from a four-year investigation. A similar grand jury investigation into child sexual abuse by Catholic priests culminated in a lengthy 2018 report that concluded hundreds of priests had abused children in Pennsylvania over seven decades and church officials had covered it up, and more recently a similar report was issued in Maryland. But documents made public so far include nothing about what critics have long maintained has been a systemic cover-up and mishandling of child molestation within the Jehovahs Witnesses. Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry, at a news conference in February announcing charges, said some of the defendants even used their faith communities to prey upon the victims. Asked whether her office was looking into the Jehovahs Witnesses as an organization, Henry replied it was an ongoing investigation. Sin vs. Crime Critics say church elders have treated child sexual abuse as a sin rather than a crime, carefully documenting cases in internal files but not reporting allegations to authorities and sometimes letting the accused remain active in their congregations with access to children from unsuspecting families. Critics also say the church has often required a second witness for complaints, a standard that can be impossible to meet in cases of molestation. Church spokesman Jarrod Lopes said otherwise that the church does recognize abuse as a crime and that members have the right to report sexual assault to authorities. He said the second-witness rule applies only to internal church discipline and that elders comply with reporting laws, even when there is not a second witness. The grand jury probe began with a referral from a county district attorney who believed the states greater resources were needed. Dozens of witnesses have testified before the secret grand jury in Harrisburg or provided information to the attorney generals office, and some report that investigators have exhibited keen interest in how the church has responded to molestation allegations. They were very interested in not only individual cases but in systemic concerns regarding the reporting of child abuse, said Mark ODonnell of Parkville, Maryland, a former church member who said he appeared twice before the grand jury. Martin Haugh of York Haven, Pennsylvania, a former elder who left the church in 2016, said he has spoken for hours to investigators, both inside and outside of the grand jury proceedings, about the structure of the denomination and how it handles cases of child abuse. Haugh said he also testified about how his daughter was molested at his congregation in 2005 and that he later learned that elders knew the perpetrator had a history of abuse when he joined the congregation but didnt warn parents. He said he didnt report the abuse to authorities. Haugh said elders told him he could report it but asked, Do you really want to bring reproach on Jehovahs name? When Haugh became an elder, he said, he learned of four other cases in his congregation that members werent alerted about. Haugh said to his knowledge, this is the first time an investigation of Jehovahs Witnesses has been done on this scale in any U.S. state. Haugh said hes been in regular contact with investigators from Henrys office, most recently in March. Nothing Unique Attorney Matt Haverstick confirmed recently that his law firm is representing Jehovahs Witnesses congregations around Pennsylvania on unspecified matters that are very active right now. I would say if the only place youre looking for records of child sexual abuse is with one organization, then of course all the prosecutions that come are going to be about that one organization, Haverstick said. Theres nothing unique or particular about this faith that makes it prone to any kind of misconduct, he said. The international Christian denomination, founded in the Pittsburgh area more than a century ago and headquartered in New York state, claims 8.7 million members worldwide, including 1.2 million in the United States. Members will not bear arms, salute a national flag or participate in secular politics. Believers are known for their evangelistic efforts, including knocking on doors and distributing literature in public spaces. In the Pennsylvania cases, court records state all nine defendants have ties to the Jehovahs Witnesses faith, although in some cases its unclear how that might relate to the criminal allegations. Defense lawyer Dan Kiss of Altoona, Pennsylvania, said his client, Robert Ostrander, 57, of Windsor, New York, knew nothing about the investigation before he was charged in October with indecent assault, corruption of minors and other offenses. The grand jury presentment accused him of abusing two girls in the Johnstown, Pennsylvania, area, by groping them, sometimes in the guise of wrestling. He spent more than a month in jail before making bail. Kiss said Ostrander denies all the allegations. Honestly, this appears to be some sort of attack on their religion, Kiss said. You have all these Jehovahs Witnesses getting charged with some sort of inappropriate behavior. Im hoping that this is not the attorney generals office piling on due to their religious beliefs. In response, Brett Hambright, a spokesperson for the state attorney generals office, said the charging documents articulate incidents where defendants used their positions of authority within Jehovahs Witnesses congregations to build trust with children who they later abused. Reporting Law Current Pennsylvania law mandates that clergy and other spiritual leaders report suspicions of child abuse that arise in the course of their work. But the law also provides for exceptions when spiritual leaders learn about abuse through confidential communications, such as confession to a Catholic priest. Defining when such exceptions apply has been a matter of dispute, particularly when more than one spiritual leader is involved. Under the structure of the Jehovahs Witnesses faith, all baptized members are considered ordained ministers. Groups of a half-dozen or more elders make many decisions, and elders field confessions of sin at the local congregation level. Jehovahs Witnesses have long expressed concerns about the evolving legal standards for reporting child abuse in Pennsylvania. In 1998, a lawyer with the churchs national headquarters wrote the Pennsylvania attorney generals office, asking if there was legal duty to report if the victim is a mentally incompetent adult, an adult who was a child when abuse took place, a minor who was married at the time of the abuse or a now-married minor who was not married when victimized. The churchs lawyer also wanted to know if ministers have to report if a victim comes to them in confidence, when a relative of the abuser or victim confides to the minister or when the person telling a minister about abuse is not related to the victim or abuser. A lawyer in the attorney generals office wrote back to say it can only give legal advice to the governor or an agency head. More recently, after an Amish bishop in Lancaster County was charged with misdemeanor counts of failing to properly report suspected abuse allegations for which he subsequently entered a program for first-time, nonviolent offenders a Jehovahs Witnesses congregation in Philadelphia hired Haversticks law firm to seek clarity about its elders legal obligations. The 140-member Ivy Hill congregation sued Pennsylvanias Department of Human Services, asking Commonwealth Court to clarify whether elders are mandated reporters if they learn of child abuse through a confidential confession. Human Services runs the states ChildLine abuse hotline. Only elders can hear confessions of serious sins, and breaking the secrecy of a confession could result in their removal as an elder and undermine their relationship with God and credibility within the congregation, the Ivy Hill congregation argued in appealing the cases dismissal to the state Supreme Court. Haverstick said Ivy Hills concerns were not prompted by any unreported abuse within the congregation. In all 50 states, the Jehovahs Witnesses have gone to their relevant attorney generals offices to ask for clarification for the reporting obligations for ministers of the faith, their elders, Haverstick said. For the most part, like in Pennsylvania, they cant get a straight answer. One of the nine Pennsylvania suspects accused by the grand jury, a man accused of sexually molesting his daughter as a form of of discipline when she was a child, killed himself when police sought to arrest him on rape and other charges in October. Charges remain pending against the other eight. The prospect that Pennsylvanias grand jury investigation may have uncovered secret church documents about how child sexual abuse matters have been handled has arisen as some lawyers for those harmed years ago are hoping they may soon be able to file new cases. That depends on whether state lawmakers establish a special two-year period to allow otherwise outdated child sexual abuse lawsuits. Lawsuits The church has faced multiple lawsuits around the country in the past two decades, alleging cover-ups of abuse. Theres no doubt in my mind that a grand jury is fully needed, said Marci Hamilton, chief executive of the Philadelphia-based advocacy group Child USA. Barbara Anderson of Tennessee worked for a decade at the denominations central offices in New York and spoke with investigators with the Pennsylvania attorney generals office after calling for an investigation into the organizations handling of abuse. She said she was gratified to see the state taking action. Anderson was excommunicated from the church in 2002 after speaking out on the subject on a Dateline NBC broadcast. A 2016 governmental report in Australia part of a wider review of religious and other organizations serving children concluded that children were not adequately protected from the risk of child sexual abuse in the Jehovahs Witnesses. It found the churchs case files in Australia contained abuse allegations against 1,006 members dating back to 1950. Church spokesman Lopes said the Australia report unfairly conflated institutional and familial abuse in its criticism of the church and failed to note evolving legal standards for mandated reporting over the decades. Photo: Martin Haugh, a former Jehovahs Witnesses elder and father of a sexual abuse victim, holds a subpoena, dated in 2019, ordering him to testify in front of a Pennsylvania grand jury, shown on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, in York Haven, Pa. The four-year grand jury investigation overseen by the attorney generals office has produced charges of child sexual abuse against nine men, all affiliated with the faith. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski) Smith reported from Pittsburgh. Associated Press researcher Jennifer Farrar in New York and video journalist Jessie Wardarski contributed. 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. Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Fraud New You can now listen to Insurance Journal articles! Thomas F. Motamed, an industry veteran who started his career as a claims trainee and eventually led some of the largest insurers in the world, died of brain cancer on Tuesday. He was 74 years old. Motamed was most recently a member of AIGs Board of Directors but in January he stepped down for health reason after serving the insurer for about four years. I am deeply saddened by Tom Motameds recent passing, Peter Zaffino, AIG chairman and CEO. He credited Motamed for being a steady presence during a critical part of AIGs turnaround and transformation. Tom made a lasting impression on the insurance industry through his dedication to the agents, brokers, clients, and other partners who benefitted from his insights, expertise and judgment, Zaffino added. Motamed began his insurance career in 1977 as a claims trainee with Chubb and rose within the company to become its vice chairman and chief operating officer in December 2002. Motamed then accepted the position of chairman and chief executive officer of CNA Financial Corp. and started in June 2009, saying at the time that the opportunity to become CEO of a publicly traded, well known and respected insurer like CNA is one I did not want to pass up. He retired from CNA at the end of 2016. We send our collective condolences to Toms family, CNA said in a statement. The insurance industry has benefited in countless ways from Toms inspired and dedicated leadership over a remarkable 45 year career. Tom will be greatly missed. Motamed also served as a director for Verisk Analytics from 2009 to 2016 and on the board of the Palmer & Cay insurance agency from 2000 to 2005. He was a past chairman of the Insurance Information Institute and was chair emeritus for Adelphi University. The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health cited Meeder Equipment Co. of Rancho Cucamonga and referred D&D Construction Specialties Inc. of Sun Valley for criminal prosecution in two separate cases of workers deaths related to confined spaces. Meeder and its successors were cited a combined $272,250 for serious safety violations following a confined space death of a worker who suffocated in a 10,000-gallon propane gas tank. In a separate case, D&D faced criminal prosecution for the 2016 death of a worker who lost consciousness and fell 15 feet while cleaning a 50-foot-deep drainage sump. Cal/OSHAs Enforcement branch also issued citations to D&D, including a serious accident-related citation for failure to conduct a hazard inspection before this work was performed. On Aug. 18, 2022, a mechanic employed by Meeder reportedly entered a tank to spray a valve inside. He was later found unresponsive inside the confined space. Meeder employees attempted to rescue him, but were unsuccessful. The Rancho Cucamonga Fire Department rescued the employee and transported him to a nearby hospital where he died. Meeders violations include one categorized as willful and serious after Cal/OSHA determined the employer failed to follow confined space requirements, did not provide employees with safety training or respiratory equipment and did not have an emergency rescue plan. A willful violation is cited when evidence shows the employer either knowingly violated the law or took no reasonable steps to address a known hazard. In a separate and unrelated investigation, Cal/OSHAs Bureau of Investigations referred for criminal prosecution to the Los Angeles County District Attorneys office a workers 2016 confined-space death. The victim in the D&D case was employed by a licensed general contractor as a laborer and was assigned to clean water, muck and other debris from the bottom of a 50-foot-deep drainage sump. The victim reportedly stood on a metal bucket attached to a small crane that lowered him into the shaft opening. After 15 to 20 feet, he became unresponsive and fell head-first to the bottom of the shaft. The victim drowned. The Los Angeles County District Attorneys office in 2019 filed a felony criminal complaint against D&D. Daniel T. Moore, the president of D&D, was charged with involuntary manslaughter and two counts of willful violation of an occupational safety or health standard. Marty K. Hamilton, the superintendent of D&D, who is now deceased, was charged with violating two counts of the Labor Code. In November 2022, Moore was convicted of a felony for violating the Labor Code and was ordered to pay a $100,000 fine, which included $22,000 to the victims family, $15,000 to BOI, one year of formal probation, and completion of OSHA training. Topics Workers' Compensation Contractors Filming on the Western movie Rust could resume this week in Montana, the production company said Wednesday, in the aftermath of the fatal shooting of a cinematographer during a rehearsal with actor Alec Baldwin on the original production in New Mexico. Baldwin will continue his involvement as an actor and coproducer, and Rust Move Productions attorney Melina Spadone said via a representative that filming will restart Thursday at the Yellowstone Film Ranch. The production company finalized a settlement last month with New Mexico workplace safety regulars over serious violations, agreeing to a $100,000 fine to resolve a scathing safety review that detailed unheeded complaints and misfires on set before cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed in October 2021. Plans to resume filming were outlined last year by widower Matthew Hutchins in a proposed settlement to a wrongful death lawsuit that would make him an executive producer on a rebooted Rust. Prosecutors in Santa Fe are pressing forward with involuntary manslaughter charges against actor Baldwin and a weapons supervisor Hannah Gutierrez-Reed. Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed have pleaded not guilty. Baldwin was pointing a pistol at Hutchins during a rehearsal when the gun when off, killing Hutchins and wounding director Joel Souza. Baldwin has said the gun went off accidentally and that he did not pull the trigger. An FBI forensic report found the weapon could not have fired unless the trigger was pulled. New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham this month signed a new $360,000 allowance for prosecution of the case. Evidentiary hearings are scheduled in early May in state District Court to decide whether to proceed toward trial. Baldwin has indicated that he wont attend those hearings. Santa Fe District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies says her office is pursuing justice in the death of Hutchins and wants to show that no one is above the law when it comes to firearms and public safety. She says the Ukrainian-born cinematographers death was tragic and preventable. Rust safety coordinator and assistant director David Halls pleaded no contest in March to a conviction for unsafe handling of a firearm and a suspended sentence of six months of probation. Souza, the director, has said hell return to the Rust production to honor the legacy of Halyna Hutchins. Parts of a documentary about Hutchins life will be filmed simultaneously with Rust. Related: Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Mexico New Mexico Garrett Cammans and his brothers sometimes dont talk about their toughest moments on the job in the cloud seeding business, like the time when one of them got stuck in deep mountain snow and had to hike out alone in the dark. Theyre going out into some pretty remote and rural areas, Cammans said. And there have been a few close encounters with wildlife we dont like to discuss at the family dinner table. But snow as much as possible is at the heart of the Cammans family business, Utah-based North American Weather Consultants, which holds cloud seeding contracts throughout the U.S. West, centered in the Rocky Mountains. Lately, business is up. Amid two decades of drought, cloud seeding using airplanes or ground equipment to waft rain-and-snow-making particles into clouds is on the rise in the Rockies. Colorado has added three new programs in the last five years. Wyoming, which began seeding in 2014, added an aerial program in 2018. Utah has steadily increased its fleet of cloud seeding equipment, and the state legislature just approved record funding to further expand programs and research. No small part of the growth is due to intense pressure drought is placing on the Colorado River and its tributaries that supply water to millions of people from Wyoming to Los Angeles. Not everybody believes cloud seeding is a worthwhile remedy. Some experts say conserving water is a better, more down-to-earth way to ensure enough water to go around. Juicing clouds to produce marginally more precipitation, they say, is an iffy alternative. Its always easier to talk about how to get more water than to talk about how to use less, said Kathryn Sorensen with the Kyl Center for Water Policy at Arizona State University in Tempe. When you look at the problem of over- allocation on the Colorado River, the numbers are so large that really the solutions lie in using less, particularly in the agricultural sector. Politically thats really painful to confront. But in the Rockies, cloud seeding these days has a full embrace from local and state officials eager for a not-too-expensive way to put more water in streams, rivers and especially the big Colorado River system reservoirs that hit record lows last year. Their approach: shoot silver iodide into clouds, where moisture binds to the particles, forms ice and falls as snow. That snowpack high in the mountains serves as year-round cold storage for water thats released as it melts. In Wyoming, cloud seeding by plane attempts to increase snowpack on the west side of the Wind River Mountains, so snowmelt flows into the Green River and to communities downstream eventually reaching the Colorado River and its reservoirs including Lake Powell and Lake Mead. Cloud seeding generates water that wouldnt have been there before, said Bryan Seppie, general manager of the Joint Powers Water Board providing water to southwestern Wyoming communities. Thats just a benefit to the entire system. When the weathers dry and waters scarce in the West where the saying goes that whiskys for drinking and water is for fighting over those with water rights established long ago get preference. And divvying up increasingly limited water has pitted states against each other. Yet cloud seeding has emerged as a partial solution they can agree on. Water providers in the Lower Colorado River Basin contribute about $1.5 million annually to cloud seeding in the Upper Basin, where snowmelt feeds the river. Recently, the federal government announced a $2.4 million contribution to the effort, a nod to the desperate times. Despite the renewed attention, cloud seeding has been used around the world and in the Rockies for more than 50 years. Cloud seeding in the U.S. got oversold and federal funding dried up in the 1990s and early 2000s, said Frank McDonough, a scientist at the Desert Research Institute in Reno, Nevada. Water folks at the local level knew it worked so they continued to fund it with states, McDonnough said. Now theres new evidence that shows it does work. A study of Idaho aerial seeding in 2017 revealed a clear snowfall pattern on a radar that mirrored the seeding and offered evidence the method works. Utah has calculated the amount of additional water cloud seeding created there. It added 186,000 acre-feet of water, or nearly a 12% increase, to the states supply in 2018, according to an analysis by the Division of Water Resources. The agency says the cost was $2.18 per acre-foot a fraction of the $20 California farmers pay for that amount of water. That cost per acre-foot was so low, its kind of a no brainer, said Jake Serago, water resources engineer with the division. But Sarah Tessendorf of the National Center for Atmospheric Research said more research is needed to conclusively show how much additional water is created by cloud seeding. Its really common for people to want to know what extra percent of precipitation formed, said Tessendorf, a co-author of the Idaho cloud seeding study. Silver iodide can have a minimal impact in some clouds and a high impact in others, so how much is created over an entire winter season is what matters most, she said. We dont have answers on that yet, but we hope to have them in the next few years with our new computer model results. In foothills north of Boulder, the first cloud seeding project of the rapidly growing Rocky Mountain Front Range urban corridor north and south of Denver is underway. This winter, two ground-based generators have been pumping silver iodide into the air for the St. Vrain and Left Hand Water Conservancy District. Each is a two-wheeled trailer containing a tank of silver iodide released by a roaring, propane-fueled flame atop a metal mast. Theres a communications antenna for signals to turn the generator on and off, depending on conditions. The right conditions wet weather headed upslope, from the east have occurred a couple times a month, said Scott Griebling, a water resources engineer with the district. Lately in the Rockies, the problem isnt too little snow. Amid a wet spring, some cloud seeding generators have been shut down due to fears the heavy snowfall already is enough to cause flooding. Among those idled are generators in southern Wyomings Sierra Madre Range, where snowpack is rivaling the deepest on record, said Jonathan Bowler with the Savery- Little Snake River Water Conservancy District that monitors runoff. You kind of live and die by the moisture here, Bowler said. Too dry is one extreme and too wet is another. But kind of regardless of what its going to give you, you just kind of have to make do. For the Wyoming Water Development Commission in charge of the states cloud seeding program, the long-term averages are whats important, Chairman Ron Kailey Jr. said. You have to take in the good years, the bad years and everything in between to determine how successful the program is, said Kailey. North American Weather Consultants has been cloud seeding for over 40 years. Cammans, who has a background in physics, chemistry and computer software, bought the company four years ago. After expanding locations, including to the Colorado Front Range for the Boulder- area pilot program, North American Weather Consultants now has about 250 ground- based sites and two planes in use across the Western U.S. Cammans now has about 20 employees including meteorologists and his brothers. Once seedable conditions do occur, then we spring into operation, he said. Weve got a pilot that will go up and fly if conditions are favorable for aerial seeding. Weve got remotely operated equipment that meteorologists can operate from their home offices. Many of the companys ground-based generators are turned on and off manually by about 150 paid contractors, some on their own land. Cammans often reserves those toughest jobs for his brothers Parker and Carver, who drive trucks with knobby, 35-inch (1-meter) tires suited for snow and mud. They get to do some of our most exciting and more precarious work, he said. Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Source: Streetwise Reports April 21, 2023 (Investorideas.com Newswire) TAG Oil Ltd. has completed its fracture stimulation to advance its drilling operation on the Abu-Roash Formation. Click here to see how the company plans to prepare for drilling. TAG Oil (TSXV: TAO; OTCQX: TAOIF) has announced that it has completed the re-entry and installation of the completion string at the BED 1-7 well. The company has completed its fracture stimulation on the well, which is one of the largest completed in Egypt to date. The company gave detailed information on some next steps for the company. This move comes at a time when the oil market has seen some ups and downs, and which experts seem to think could go either way. TAG Oil is an oil and gas exploration company that specializes in acquisitions, exploration, and production. The company is based in Canada but focuses their activity on the Middle East and North Africa. The CEO is Toby Pierce, and the Executive Chairman is Abby Badwi. Suneel Gupta is the Vice President and COO. New Accomplishments at TAG The company's installation of a new completion string in the open hole section of the well in the Abu-Roash Formation. This process was to prepare the site for hydraulic fracture, and throughout the process, indications of reservoir pressure and oil content were present. The hydraulic fracture operation, which has been completed, is the largest in Egypt. The market will be updated when testing has been completed. According to Toby Pierce, CEO, "while the re-entry and completion operation has taken longer than forecast due to the procedural steps necessary for contracting of the various services in Egypt, the project remains on budget and has also provided valuable information required for planning our first horizontal well." TAG Oil's re-entry operation required the installation of a new well-head assembly, the removal of the old tubing string and dual packer assembly, isolation of previously perforated upper reservoir layers, and cleaning the well to base depth. The company has also performed perforation and diagnostic fracture injectivity testing (DFIT) of the formation, followed by an evaluation of the formation's potential in the vertical completion through hydraulic fracturing, flow-back and stabilized production performance. Additionally, planning for the first horizonal well has already begun. Why Oil? Last week saw some major adjustments from U.S. oil. The country's gasoline stocks went down by 1.1 million barrels, and demand for gasoline fell by 0.2% from last year. According to the EIA, crude oil blending and an under-reported oil output were the primary causes. However, the Russian war in Ukraine, and Russia's decision to cut oil to Europe and the U.S., may affect the market in other ways. In an April 5 newsletter, Chen Lin of What is Chen Buying? What is Chen Selling? remarked, "The oil price jumped to US$80 over the weekend, and this is great news for my oil stock, TAG Oil Ltd., which should release very important news on fracking this month. The price jumped immediately after Saudi and Russia, together with the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, announced 1+ MMbbl production cuts." Russia planned to cut oil exports to Western consumers by a quarter or more in May of this year, and while its energy ministry refused to give statements, analysts have put forward conflicting reasons why. According to Reuters, while some sources claim that it was to increase oil prices, others believe that it has to do with Russia's inability to sell inventory due to price caps and other sanctions. The Future of TAG Oil TAG has a number of short-term catalysts to report. TAG is expecting the first well re-completion results in early March of 2023, and the first horizontal well to spud in the early summer of 2023. It expects the potential 2nd horizontal well in January of 2024. TAG Oil is trading at approximately 30% of their valuation after the independent resource report, which was US$340 million. Ownership and Share Structure Management and insiders own a total of 13.2% of the company. Askar Alshinbayev owns 10.94% of the company, while Abby Badwi, the Executive Chairman, owns 2.05%, Director Shawn Reynolds owns 1.53%, Suneel Gupta, the Vice President and COO, owns 1.02%, Barry MacNeil, the CFO, owns 0.95%, Toby Pierce, the CEO owns 0.81%, and Director Gavin Wilson owns 0.74%. As for institutions, YF Finance, Ltd. Owns 8.38%, Novum Asset Management AG owns 0.65%, and Palos Management Inc. owns 0.26%. YF Finance represents a strategic investor and acquired its shares through placements and open market buying. TAG currently has CA$24 million in working capital, with a burn rate of CA$400k per month. TAG has a market cap of ~CA$100 million. There are 155,146,252 shares, with 169,916,252 fully diluted shares. There are 6,250,000 warrants, and 8,520,000 options. In the 52-week period it traded between .20 and .79. Bill Newman of Research Capital, Malcolm Shaw of Hydra Capital, and Chen Lin all provide analysis and news coverage of the company. Disclosure: 1) Amanda Duvall wrote this article for Streetwise Reports LLC and provides services to Streetwise Reports as an employee. She or members of her household own securities of the following companies mentioned in the article: none. She or members of her household are paid by the following companies mentioned in this article: none. His/her company has a financial relationship with the following companies referred to in this article: none. 2) The following companies mentioned in this article are billboard sponsors of Streetwise Reports: TAG Oil Ltd. Click here for important disclosures about sponsor fees. As of the date of this article, an affiliate of Streetwise Reports has a consulting relationship with: None Please click here for more information. An affiliate of Streetwise Reports is conducting a digital media marketing campaign for this article on behalf of: None. Please click here for more information. The information provided above is for informational purposes only and is not a recommendation to buy or sell any security. 3) The article does not constitute investment advice. Each reader is encouraged to consult with his or her individual financial professional and any action a reader takes as a result of information presented here is his or her own responsibility. By opening this page, each reader accepts and agrees to Streetwise Reports' terms of use and full legal disclaimer. This article is not a solicitation for investment. Streetwise Reports does not render general or specific investment advice and the information on Streetwise Reports should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Streetwise Reports does not endorse or recommend the business, products, services or securities of any company mentioned on Streetwise Reports. 4) From time to time, Streetwise Reports LLC and its directors, officers, employees or members of their families, as well as persons interviewed for articles and interviews on the site, may have a long or short position in securities mentioned. Directors, officers, employees or members of their immediate families are prohibited from making purchases and/or sales of those securities in the open market or otherwise from the time of the decision to publish an article until three business days after the publication of the article. The foregoing prohibition does not apply to articles that in substance only restate previously published company releases. As of the date of this article, officers and/or employees of Streetwise Reports LLC (including members of their household) own securities of TAG Oil Ltd., a company mentioned in this article. More Info: This news is published on the Investorideas.com Newswire - a global digital news source for investors and business leaders Disclaimer/Disclosure: Investorideas.com is a digital publisher of third party sourced news, articles and equity research as well as creates original content, including video, interviews and articles. Original content created by investorideas is protected by copyright laws other than syndication rights. Our site does not make recommendations for purchases or sale of stocks, services or products. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. All investing involves risk and possible losses. This site is currently compensated for news publication and distribution, social media and marketing, content creation and more. Disclosure is posted for each compensated news release, content published /created if required but otherwise the news was not compensated for and was published for the sole interest of our readers and followers. Contact management and IR of each company directly regarding specific questions. More disclaimer info: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp Learn more about publishing your news release and our other news services on the Investorideas.com newswire https://www.investorideas.com/News-Upload/ and tickertagstocknews.com Global investors must adhere to regulations of each country. Please read Investorideas.com privacy policy: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Private_Policy.asp Val-d'Or, Quebec - April 21, 2023 (Newsfile Corp.) (Investorideas.com Newswire) Val-d'Or Mining Corporation (TSXV: VZZ) ("Val-d'Or Mining" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that further to the Company's news release of March 10, 2023, it has now closed the transactions contemplated by the letter agreement dated March 9, 2023 (the Agreement) with Gold Royalty Corp.s wholly owned subsidiary, Golden Valley Abitibi Royalties Ltd. (Abitibi which, together with Gold Royalty Corp., is referred to as "Gold Royalty"). The Company has purchased from Gold Royalty the mineral rights and interests in the Upper Red Lake property located in Northern Ontario in consideration for which the Company has granted to Gold Royalty a net smelter return royalty of 1.0% on the Upper Red Lake property (the "Royalty"). No cash or equity consideration was paid for the Upper Red Lake property acquired by the Company. The Company will pay to Gold Royalty 20% of any future consideration received by the Company (the "20% Consideration"), consisting of cash, shares or other securities of any entity received by the Company from a third party in consideration for any interest in, or otherwise in relation to, the Upper Red Lake property, pursuant to any transaction, agreement or other arrangement entered into, agreed to or announced by the Company on or before March 21, 2024 in relation to such property. Gold Royalty holds 28,965,050 shares in the capital of the Company, representing 35.6% of its issued share capital, and accordingly is an insider of the Company in accordance with applicable securities legislation. The transaction discussed herein therefore constitutes a "related party transaction" under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 ("MI 61-101"). The Company availed itself of the exemptions contained in section 5.5(a) of MI 6-101 for an exemption from the formal valuation requirement and Section 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 for an exemption from the minority shareholder approval requirement of MI 61-101. The Company availed itself of these exemptions on the basis that neither the fair market value of the Upper Red Lake property, nor the fair market value of the consideration paid by the Company to the Gold Royalty for such property (which consists of the 20% Consideration and the Royalty) exceeded 25% of the Company's market capitalization at the time such transaction was agreed to. About Upper Red Lake: The Upper Red Lake Gold Project consists of 12 contiguous mineral claims (1,750 Ha) located in the Birch-Uchi Greenstone Belt, within the Red Lake Mining Division of Ontario. The project, located approximately 60 kilometers ENE of Red Lake ON, is road accessible and largely lies along the NW boundary of Prosper Gold Corporation's Golden Sidewalk Project. Till sampling in the fall of 2021 over three target areas (C1, C2 and C3) returned anomalous values, primarily from the C1 target area. C1 has been described as spanning 2200-metres in an east-west direction, characterized by a linear magnetic high coincident with a greenstone-intrusive contact (values ranging up to 7834 ppb). Targets C2 and C3, located to the south are thought to potentially represent the continuation of the "Golden Corridor" target, a 7-km * 0.5-km gold in till anomaly, on the adjacent Prosper Gold Corporation property. About Val-d'Or Mining Corporation Val-d'Or Mining Corporation is a natural resource issuer involved in the process of acquiring and exploring its mineral property assets, most of which are situated in the Abitibi Greenstone Belt of NE Ontario and NW Quebec. To complement its current property interests, the Company regularly evaluates new opportunities for staking and/or acquisitions. Outside of its principal regional focus in the Abitibi Greenstone Belt, the Company holds several other properties in Northern Quebec (Nunavik) covering different geological environments and commodities (Ni-Cu-PGE's). The Company has an expertise in the identification and generation of new projects, and in the early stages of exploration. The mineral interests are broad and range from gold, copper-zinc-silver, nickel-copper-PGE to industrial and energy minerals. After the initial value creation in the 100%-owned, or majority-owned properties, the Company seeks option/joint venture partners to conduct more advanced exploration on the projects. For additional information, please contact: Glenn J. Mullan President & Chief Executive Officer 2864 chemin Sullivan Val-d'Or, Quebec J9P 0B9 Tel.: 819-824-2808 Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. More Info: This news is published on the Investorideas.com Newswire - a global digital news source for investors and business leaders Disclaimer/Disclosure: Investorideas.com is a digital publisher of third party sourced news, articles and equity research as well as creates original content, including video, interviews and articles. Original content created by investorideas is protected by copyright laws other than syndication rights. Our site does not make recommendations for purchases or sale of stocks, services or products. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. All investing involves risk and possible losses. This site is currently compensated for news publication and distribution, social media and marketing, content creation and more. Disclosure is posted for each compensated news release, content published /created if required but otherwise the news was not compensated for and was published for the sole interest of our readers and followers. Contact management and IR of each company directly regarding specific questions. More disclaimer info: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp Learn more about publishing your news release and our other news services on the Investorideas.com newswire https://www.investorideas.com/News-Upload/ and tickertagstocknews.com Global investors must adhere to regulations of each country. Please read Investorideas.com privacy policy: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Private_Policy.asp Personality is difficult to define. Researchers have boiled down personality to five traits, known as the Big Five: Openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism, or OCEAN for short. While we often think in terms of discrete personality types, such as introvert versus extrovert, we each fall somewhere on a spectrum spanning these two extremes. The OCEAN traits, each of which represents a continuum, have become the scientific standard for classifying personality. And they have been found to be reliable predictors of our future life outcomes. Being high in neuroticism, for example, has been linked to a lower quality of life, excessive worry, marital dissatisfaction, and poor immune functioning to name just a few. Until recently, associations like these seemed almost fateful, with twin studies indicating that each of the OCEAN traits was between 40% and 60% heritable. The latest science challenges the outdated assumption that personality is fixed, instead suggesting that our traits more malleable than we ever imagined can respond to changes in our environment and behavioural interventions, such as writing gratitude lists and engaging in small acts of kindness. The possibility that we could tweak our personalities to be less neurotic, less socially awkward, and less close-minded is powerful, and questions the timeworn notion that our present selves are our destined selves. Your personality is always changing, gradually, even without any deliberate interference. According to Brent Roberts, professor of psychology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the majority of personality change occurs between the ages of 18 and 28, when patterns emerge. In the transition from adolescence into young adulthood, most people become less neurotic or anxious and more conscientious, more agreeable, and more emotionally stable, Professor Roberts says. Many of these changes coincide with adult responsibilities. This has been dubbed the maturity principle and it holds true regardless of gender and culture. What appears to vary, however, are the rate and timing of these changes. In a 2013 study of 800,000 adults from 62 countries, Professor Wiebke Bleidorn, director of the Personality Change Lab at the University of California (UC)-Davis, found that cultures, where adult responsibilities are assumed earlier in life, have faster rates of maturity. This change corresponded to an increase in conscientiousness, agreeableness, and emotional stability (i.e., reverse neuroticism). As Prof Roberts puts it, If you initiated your career earlier and your family earlier, you initiated these patterns of [personality] change faster and sooner in the life course. Big Five Personality Traits infographic The benefits of therapy Therapy has long been a route for those who need to change their outlook. Following an analysis of over 200 studies in 2017, Prof Roberts validated what many therapy veterans have always known: People can become more emotionally stable and significantly less neurotic within just one month of starting therapy, regardless of the type of intervention. This potential for dramatic change through therapy, as well as Bleidorns cross-cultural study, challenges the simplistic theory that personality is determined by genetics. If environmental factors had no impact on personality, Prof Roberts argues, then we would expect everyones personality to change at the same rate. However, this is not the case. According to Michael Pluess, a developmental psychology professor at Queen Mary University, who led one of the few studies that estimated the heritability of the OCEAN traits, the gene contribution is complicated. Even though we know that personality traits are significantly heritable, based on twin studies, research to date has not identified many gene variants that are specific to these different traits, Professor Pluess says. This is partly because complex [personality] traits are not the function of a few genes, but are the result of many thousands of gene variants that each make a small contribution. Its not like there is the extraversion gene and the openness gene: They dont exist as such. Personality is a nebulous blend of nature and nurture, and further complicated by the fact that not everybody has the same changes in personality traits in response to the same experiences. Sensitive to your environment Dr Jolanta Burke, a well-being researcher and senior lecturer at the RCSIs Centre for Positive Psychology and Health, says that people who are more sensitive to their environments may see more significant alterations in their traits when their circumstances change, as in the case of a job loss or the break-up of a romantic relationship. This observation has been backed up by a 2010 study from Prof Pluess, which found that people with higher environmental sensitivity tended to become more neurotic after negative life events, and more emotionally stable after positive life events. Their less-sensitive counterparts, however, were found not to exhibit such changes. The Covid-19 pandemic has impacted our personalities, especially those who are more environmentally sensitive. A longitudinal study of 7,000 Americans found that the pandemic significantly changed personality, with individuals becoming less extroverted, less open, less agreeable, and less conscientious, on average. Upon her recent return to work, Dr Burke says that she was exhausted after a full day of lecturing, despite having received a great buzz from it in pre-pandemic times. Despite having become more introverted, the positive psychologist says that, I wouldnt want to become an extrovert. Im happy where I am. So, instead of forcing herself to become less introverted, Dr Burke intends to adjust her work schedule to better align with her energy levels. In Dr Burkes view, having a growth mindset goes hand-in-hand with having faith in our ability to change what was once thought of as fixed personality traits. However, with perhaps the exception of severe mental illness, our aspirational changes need not be dramatic. Instead of attempting to change our fundamental predispositions, there is greater value in challenging ourselves to adapt to shifting circumstances, while still staying true to who we are, she says. That can be done. Deciding to change The most beneficial personality changes are those that improve our ability to cope with lifes challenges. To achieve this, we may decide to shift our personality traits in a certain direction. Dr Nathan Hudson, an assistant professor of psychology at Southern Methodist University in Texas, suggests that such changes can improve our overall well-being. Dr Hudson says, The idea is that if people can change their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours over a long enough period of time, these new patterns will coalesce into enduring trait change. The general strategy for changing the big five personality traits is fake it until you make it. Dr Hudson has discovered that regular behaviour modification can produce positive trait changes that are reliably detectable within a few months. In a 15-week longitudinal study, Dr Hudson and his team found that participants who completed weekly challenges achieved positive changes in traits, according to self-report questionnaires. The challenges included simple actions like introducing yourself to someone new to become more extroverted or smiling at a stranger to become more agreeable. At the end of the study, Dr Hudson and his colleagues concluded that merely wanting to change is not enough to produce noticeable changes in traits. Tweaking aspects of our personalities demands that we actively and successfully [implement] behaviours to change ourselves. Modifying our personality traits prompts the question: What exactly is happening at the neural level? Despite decades of research on the OCEAN model, our understanding of how personality relates to the brain is still in its infancy, according to Shane OMara, professor of experimental brain research at Trinity College Dublin. Professor O Mara believes that attempts to develop the neuroscience of personality, which typically involve giving out personality questionnaires and inviting people to lie in brain scanners, are often akin to a fishing expedition. Even if you get a reliable change in brain region X, it can be difficult to determine what was driving that change in the first place, he says. Prof OMara suggests that intentional efforts to become more extroverted, conscientious, or agreeable are more likely to result in what he calls firmware updates, rather than widespread changes in neural structures and functioning. When Microsoft sends out an update, the system configuration changes a bit, but it doesnt grow any new chips, he says. As scientists refute the old notion of personality traits as fateful and fixed, we can change and still hold onto the essence of who we are. Armed with this newfound understanding, I cannot help but ask: What firmware update will you try first? 6.30am I begin my commute from Kilworth, arriving at Cork University Hospital (CUH) at 7.30am. Im delighted to be part of our Acute Oncology Service, the first of its kind in Ireland. The aim of the unit is to provide access to timely, urgent assessment and review of symptoms for cancer patients, avoiding the emergency department (ED) as the first point of presentation when possible. Currently, the service operates Monday to Friday, but there are plans for expansion to a seven-day-week basis. 8am We begin with the Acute Oncology Service (AOS) team meeting. As our service is acute, the workflow has to be flexible to respond to urgent or unscheduled needs of cancer patients. As an advanced nurse practitioner (ANP), I lead the service, undertaking patient assessments, diagnosis, organising investigations, and formulating treatment plans. 11am In response to the covid-19 pandemic, the HSE National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) funded 26 acute oncology nurses in hospitals nationwide. As ANP lead, I chair this NCCP AOS Nursing Forum. Today we have a remote meeting. Its an opportunity to link with specialist nursing colleagues to share learning, standardise nursing practices, and plan for future development of the service nationally. 1.30pm I meet with colleague Louise for lunch, we are both PhD students at UCC School of Nursing and Midwifery. Its good to discuss progress and research strategies. 2pm I re-assess each patient and review outcomes of investigations. I follow up with patients who attended the AOS yesterday, ensuring that symptoms are improving at home, and linking with community services as required. 4pm Some patients [we see] voice fear of not having access to nurses and doctors familiar with their cancer treatments and potential side effects. And some patients who are seriously unwell need to attend ED for the combined expertise of the ED and the AOS team. Unfortunately, an oncology patient has come in by ambulance and is unwell. I go to the ED and carry out a patient assessment and liaise with the medical oncologist and we agree a treatment plan. 7pm I attend my pilates class, a great way to wind down. Afterwards, I enjoy dinner with my family and have a good nights sleep ahead of what is sure to be another interesting day tomorrow. The brothers behind the plant-based food and wellness brand The Happy Pear have apologised for statements in the latest episode of their podcast which have been challenged by the medical community in Ireland. Brothers Stephen and David Flynn spoke to American doctor Zach Bush who made a controversial statement on their podcast linking antibiotics to a rise in depression. Dr Bushs website describes him as an internationally recognised educator and thought leader on the microbiome as it relates to health, disease, and food systems and says he calls for a radical departure from chemical farming and pharmacy. In a statement to the Irish Examiner, The Happy Pear said something like this will not happen again. The video clip from the podcast has been deleted from their social media accounts, however the comments remain in the podcast on various streaming platforms and they have not addressed the statements on their own social media. The Happy Pear acknowledges that some of the content in a recent reel post across some of our social media platforms in relation to a podcast with US-based Dr Zac[h] Bush MD, has caused offence, with some statements not given the appropriate qualification or context. It was never the intention to mislead or to misinform and we sincerely apologise for any offence caused, their statement said. The Happy Pear is about creating happier, healthier lives and building community. The Happy Pear itself does not constitute a medical professional or medical expert opinion. Our primary purpose serves to highlight some of the health and lifestyle benefits of plant-based eating. We will endeavour to ensure that this does not happen again. Dr Bush claims one course of antibiotics causes an increased risk of depression and an inability to be joyful, your inability to have pleasure because you took an antibiotic. His comments have been described as dangerous by listeners, including Cork-based consultant Dr Niamh Lynch, who wrote on Twitter that the podcasts discussion of antibiotics could put many of the Happy Pears followers in harm's way. Amongst your half a million or so followers, there are bound to be some vulnerable people. People who would hate to fall back into depression. People who might refuse a necessary antibiotic because of the fear you may just have activated. You wouldn't do that because if even one life were to be endangered due to fear of antibiotics, that would be too many. That would mean you had crossed a very dangerous line. Your delicious vegan recipes won't harm anyone. But a podcast like that? Well, there's a chance it might. And you wouldn't have that on your conscience. Would you? This latest controversy comes almost a year after the Happy Pear apologised for a video in which they offered advice on ways to reduce the risk of developing breast cancer through diet. Speaking last year on RTE radio, the twins said they learned a lesson and would "get back to the vegetables" instead of offering health advice. Politicians who feel the need to beef up their security will be able to claim up to 5,000 towards the cost of CCTV and alarms. The Department of Public Expenditure is expected to tell the Oireachtas later on Friday it has sanctioned the spending which it requested following consultations with TDs and senators. Politicians who want to avail of the money will have to ensure the security work is carried out by a registered contractor. The funding will only be allocated following a recommendation by An Garda Siochana and will be a contribution towards costs rather than a full payment. The decision comes months after the initial request was sent to the Department of Public Expenditure on foot of recommendations by gardai after concerning cases were raised by TDs, senators, and staff members. It is also understood the make-up of a taskforce to examine the growing problem of threats and intimidation of politicians will soon be announced. The expectation is that this taskforce may make additional recommendations about addressing security concerns. Following a number of incidents involving politicians in recent months, an extensive engagement process took place, arising from complaints from a number of TDs. The Ceann Comhairle and the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission agreed to assess the issue of security after a man aged 43 was given a suspended one-year sentence last year after pleading guilty to harassing Fine Gael TD Jennifer Carroll MacNeill. On foot of the concerns brought forward by some politicians, discussions were held with gardai and social media companies. A number of female TDs have spoken publicly about the threats they have received, including Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns, Ms MacNeill, and Sinn Fein TD Louise OReilly, among many others. Ms OReilly said she increased security at her home after being informed of a threat to her safety. Sinn Fein TD Louise O'Reilly said she increased security at her home after being informed of a threat to her safety. In January, two bags of cow faeces were thrown at Fianna Fail Minister of State Anne Rabbitte and Fine Gael TD Ciaran Cannon at a public meeting in Gort, Co Galway. Sinn Fein TD Martin Kenny has also said he planned to move house following two separate attacks at his Co Leitrim home in recent years. Gardai issued fresh advice to politicians earlier this year which drew criticism, as some measures included wearing comfortable shoes". Officers also encouraged politicians to consider a personal alarm and vary their routine, including their journey to work. The general secretary of Cork's Sudanese community has described the civil unrest in his home country as "full blown war". Dr Osama Ali told RTE radio's Morning Ireland that the situation was "unbelievable". More than 300 people have been killed in fighting between the army in Sudan and the force called the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The RSF says it has agreed to a 72-hour truce on humanitarian grounds. There was no immediate comment from the army. However, the sound of explosions and gunfire are still being reported in Khartoum on Friday morning. Dr Ali said: "I was born in Khartoum city. It is a lovely city. I have most of my family there. It is very hard to see areas that I recognise that is now completely destroyed. The city is reaching a point where there is utter and complete destruction." The paediatric consultant at Mercy University Hospital in Cork acknowledged it was a "very sad Eid". "But we will take this opportunity to show our solidarity, to raise our voice and to ask the international community to help with the protection of civilians. "We will be meeting tomorrow and we will urge the international humanitarian agencies to put Sudan as a priority. Put some sort of an urgent plan in place to reduce the human suffering there." Meanwhile, a primary school teacher from Derry who is living in Khartoum has urged the Irish Government to increase its efforts to bring him and his family to safety. Brian, who was only using his first name for his own safety, told Morning Ireland he and his family were safe. We've been spending the bulk of our time in our basement. It seems safer to be below ground. We are here in Khartoum. And the situation is declining rapidly. "[This morning] it doesn't sound like a ceasefire. Let's put it that way. I'm hearing bursts of gunfire. I'm hearing thuds of shelling. So yeah, I mean, it seems that whatever ceasefire was verbally communicated or sort of agreed, hasn't been upheld. And it seems that the fighting is continuing." The father of two said that his 18-year-old daughter and 13-year-old son were "bearing up okay". "They are processing this in their own way. We are trying to be as calm as possible for our sake and for their sake. They are in communication with friends who are in different parts of the town so they are aware of the urgency of this and the danger of it. " Brian said being evacuated "would be the ideal situation." "I just want to communicate the urgency of our situation. You know, I want to speak up on behalf of all Irish citizens here. And like I say, I know that conversations are happening. I just want to communicate the urgency of it and, whatever efforts are being made, if you could please, please, please step them up, if possible, coordinate, collaborate take whatever steps are necessary." Brian says that they have been in communication with their nearest embassy in Kenya. "We have registered our details and they are fully aware that the ideal scenario is for us to be extricated, removed and evacuated. It is very clear that that is what our desired outcome would be. It [the violence] happened very suddenly and unexpectedly. This erupted early on Saturday morning." The family of a man shot dead by soldiers in Derry in 1978 have told an inquest they hope it will provide answers about his death. Patrick Duffys sister Mary Lynch told the opening day of his inquest that she wants to get closure over what happened to him before she dies. Mr Duffy, 50, was shot up to 14 times in November 1978 at a house in the Brandywell area of Derry by British soldiers. In 2019, then attorney general John Larkin directed that a fresh inquest should take place following a campaign by Mr Duffys family. The inquest is one of several legacy cases being progressed through the coroners court in Northern Ireland. Counsel for coroner Fiona Bagnall told the hearing at Derrys courthouse that one of the central aims of the inquest would be to determine whether the use of force by the soldiers was lawful and reasonable. Ian Skelt KC said the inquest would take a modular approach as disclosure had not been completed. He then gave an overview of the circumstances of Mr Duffys death. The inquest is taking place at Londonderry Courthouse (Brian Lawless/PA) He said: This will be covered in evidence, but it appears that Mr Duffy had some link to the IRA and he has previously been described as being an auxiliary member. The barrister then described a house at Maureen Avenue, which was unoccupied. He said: It was a relatively small house with two bedrooms upstairs and a loft space. There were very few items of furniture, but one item which was there was a large wardrobe in one of the upstairs bedrooms. In that wardrobe, wrapped in what appears to have been a sleeping bag, was a cache of guns and bomb-making equipment. Also inside the house were three members of a special military unit. The three soldiers were there, it seems, to watch the weapons and other items. Mr Skelt said a decision would be made at a later point by the coroner on anonymity for the soldiers, stating he would refer to them for the time being as Soldiers A, B and C. He added: They say in their statements that they heard someone, which must be Mr Duffy, enter the house and climb the stairs. This was at about 9.20pm. It was dark within the house at this time. To say I was broken-hearted the night my father was killed is an understatement, a part of me died with him That person, Mr Duffy, went upstairs close to the cupboard containing the arms. Mr Skelt said the soldiers statements indicate Mr Duffy was then challenged and told not to move. He added: Soldier B describes in his statement that as he gave that warning, a man, Mr Duffy, turned to face him and as he did so he brought up his right hand. In his statement Soldier B said he thought the man was or may be armed and that his life was in danger, so he shot Mr Duffy. He said Soldier Cs statement said he then opened fire because he believed Soldier B was being fired upon. Mr Skelt said: In short, the explanation that was given at the time by the soldiers is that Mr Duffy went to where the guns and other items were stored, he was challenged, he turned to face them, raising an arm as he did that, and was shot by B and also by C because of the fear that Bs life was in danger. We do know that Mr Duffy was shot numerous times. It seems between 11 and 14 times. Mr Duffy does not appear to be armed at the time he was shot, although it may be said that he was stood close to the cache of weapons. One of the central matters for you to determine, madam coroner, is whether that use of lethal force against Mr Duffy was lawful, ie, whether it was reasonable in all of the circumstances. Michael Mansfield KC is representing the Duffy family at the inquest (Victoria Jones/PA) Barrister for the Duffy family Michael Mansfield KC read some statements to the court while other family members gave evidence in person. Mr Duffys sister Mary Lynch told the court her brother was a kind-hearted person who loved animals. She said: Patrick had time for everyone. I am distressed that after all these years, with delays, nothing has been done about Patricks death. We have no closure and no-one from the British Army has ever been held to account for his murder. I would ask you to bring this to a close for the family and then my prayers will be answered before I die. I have not many years left as I am 78 years old. Mr Duffys daughter Martina Duffy described her father as her best friend. She added: My mother died on March 23 2004, she did not receive any answers about what had happened. We, as a family, would now like all these questions answered. It is my belief that it didnt matter who was in the house. The house was under renovation, there would have been workers visiting the house. My father was not armed, it was overkill. To say I was broken-hearted the night my father was killed is an understatement, a part of me died with him. A 91-year-old woman crossing the road in Bandon had both legs broken when she was struck by a car. Motorist John OSullivan, of Gahanive, Castlefreke, Clonakilty, Co Cork, pleaded guilty to a charge of careless driving causing serious bodily harm to the injured party, at Cork Circuit Criminal Court. Judge Helen Boyle imposed a sentence of six months suspended and opted not to impose any disqualification from driving on the defendant, who had no previous convictions, and in a case where it was accepted there were no aggravating factors such as speed. Garda Robin Jose said the incident occurred at 7.45pm on July 29, 2021, at Allen Square, Bandon, Co Cork. Defence barrister Neal Horgan said: It was a momentary lapse of concentration. He was taking a right turn at a junction and the injured party was partially obscured by a vehicle coming from the west. That is not to attribute any responsibility whatsoever to the injured party. He took responsibility it is his fault completely. Liability was admitted in a civil case and monies paid over. Judge Helen Boyle said the injured party was a very fit woman who was very diligent in her regime of recovery and had thankfully recovered well from fractures to both femurs. She spent a total of three months in hospital after suffering the injuries. The defendant, who is aged about 50, cooperated fully with the Garda investigation. The judge noted the defendant cared for his mother and also had a long distance between his home and workplace and she did not disqualify him from driving. Elber Twomey, the inspirational woman whose entire family was wiped out in a horrific crash involving a suicidal driver, has called time on their annual remorial charity fundraiser after a decade. The road safety and mental health campaigner, from North Cork, said this Junes Twomey Family Remorial a fundraising event born out of the tragedy which claimed the life of her husband Connie, son Oisin, and their unborn daughter Elber Marie in a horror crash in 2012 will be the last. Its a very bittersweet moment, but I feel its the right call, she told the Irish Examiner. I would like it to be known in years ahead as a wonderful weekend, not something that would die out slowly. I would like it to go out on a high, and I think thats the right thing to do. Just because its over, they wont be forgotten and it certainly wont diminish the impact they have had on people, over the last 10 years especially. She also insisted that her road safety and mental health campaigning will go on. She has worked with police forces in Ireland and the UK on suicide awareness training, with the Road Safety Authority and various suicide support charities here, and has been honoured in several countries for her work. Elber Twomey lost her husband Connie, son Oisin, and their unborn daughter Elber Marie in a horror crash in 2012. Elber lost Oisin, aged 16 months, and her unborn daughter Elber Marie, when a suicidal taxi driver drove head-on into their car as they returned from a family holiday in Devon in 2012. The driver, Marek Wojciechowski, who had left a suicide note at home, was being pursued by a police officer in a marked car moments before he swerved directly into the Twomeys car. Connie suffered devastating injuries in the crash and died in Cork University Hospital 10 months later. Elber suffered severe injuries and underwent almost 20 operations. When she recovered she, her brother Tomas and two of Connies closest friends launched the Twomey Family Remorial weekend in 2013 to promote the reality of how precious life is and to raise awareness of mental health issues. They also set out to raise funds for the hospitals which cared for her family, for suicide support and mental health charities, and for Bru Columbanus near Cork University Hospital, which provides home-from-home accommodation for relatives of seriously-ill patients. Within three years the event, which featured sponsored cycles, fun runs, GAA matches, and table quizzes in the Meelin and Rockchapel areas of North Cork, had raised more than 110,000. Charities including The 3Ts, Pieta House, Reach Out, Suicide Aware Cork, and Walk in My Shoes were among the beneficiaries. After raising 200,000 to date, this years event on June 10 and 11 will be the last, with a table quiz, a 55km cycle, a 5km run, and a 5km family walk. Elber's husband Connie suffered devastating injuries in the crash and died in Cork University Hospital 10 months later. Picture: PA Her cousin Sean Twomey, who runs the Golden Hind pub in Brixham, Devon, is also planning a special fundraiser the same weekend, climbing a hill 200 times to reach the equivalent height of Mount Everest. Sean said everyone has been inspired by Elbers courage, not only in recovering from the collision and finding it in her heart to forgive the taxi driver, but going on to devote almost a decade to road safety reforms. Ms Twomey said she plans to continue that work and recruit a new generation of "seat-belt sheriffs" children who will encourage their parents to wear seatbelts on even the shortest journey. A seatbelt saved my life, she said. Its not that parents, grannies, and grandads dont care about road safety, its just that sometimes they forget, and they sometimes need someone to take charge of that safety role in the back of the car. She will also continue to support the Connie Twomey Memorial Cup, a hurling competition for under 12s in the Dunhallow area. - If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please click here for a list of support services. Thousands of Sri Lankans have held a protest in the nations capital, demanding justice for the victims of Easter Sunday bomb attacks that killed nearly 270 people. The protesters want the government to uncover who they say are the real conspirators behind the attacks on three churches two Catholic and one Protestant that included simultaneous suicide bombings during Easter celebrations on April 21 2019. Three tourist hotels were also targeted, killing 42 foreigners from 14 countries. Thousands of people including Catholic clergy on Friday lined up for a silent protest on both sides of the main road connecting the capital, Colombo, with the countrys international airport. Thousands of Sri Lankans held a protest in the capital on Friday (Eranga Jayawardena/AP) They blamed the government for not taking adequate measures to deliver justice for the bombings victims and punish those responsible. The protesters, dressed in white and black, held hands, forming a human chain. They displayed placards and banners reading: Until justice is meted out, we are watching, No justice delivered to victims so far and Where is the mastermind behind the Easter Sunday attack? Two local Muslim groups that had pledged allegiance to the so-called Islamic State group were accused of carrying out six near-simultaneous suicide bomb attacks, targeting worshippers at Easter services in three churches and tourists having breakfast at three popular hotels. The attacks killed 269 people and hurt some 500 more. Officials have charged dozens of people who allegedly received weapons training and participated in indoctrination classes from the two local Islamic extremist groups accused of carrying out the attacks. Catholic nuns participated in a silent protest march (Eranga Jayawardena/AP) But no one has yet been convicted or sentenced. Four years have gone, still no one has been punished for this brutal attack. It is really disgusting. We need to know who are the real culprits and their motives, said Ruwan Fernando, 47, who protested on Friday. The Catholic Church in Sri Lanka has been critical of the investigation into the bombings. The churchs leaders have repeatedly criticised the previous and present governments for their failure to bring the culprits to justice. A breakdown in communication caused by a rift between then-president Maithripala Sirisena and then-prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was blamed for the failure of authorities to act on near-specific foreign intelligence received prior to the attacks. The duo belonged to different political parties. Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, second right, archbishop of Colombo, stands in silence with other religious leaders during the silent protest (Eranga Jayawardena/AP) In January, Sri Lankas top court ruled that inaction by Mr Sirisena and four others led to the bomb attacks and ordered them to pay compensation for violating the basic rights of the victims and their families. The Supreme Court also ordered Mr Sirisena to pay 100 million rupees (220,206) from his personal funds. It also ordered the police chief, two top intelligence officials and the secretary to the Ministry of Defence at the time to pay a total of 210 million rupees (462,489). The courts verdict followed a case filed by relatives of the victims. Mr Wickremesinghe became Sri Lankas president last year after a political crisis drove out his predecessor following months-long protests triggered by an unprecedented economic crisis. British deputy prime minister Dominic Raab has confirmed he will resign from Rishi Sunak's Cabinet following the conclusion of an inquiry into bullying allegations. Ministers had insisted it was fair that Rishi Sunak takes his time to ponder whether to sack Dominic Raab, with the fate of the deputy prime minister hanging in the balance after Mr Sunak received a report into whether he bullied officials. In a resignation letter to the British prime minister, Mr Raab said: I am writing to resign from your government, following receipt of the report arising from the inquiry conducted by Adam Tolley KC. I called for the inquiry and undertook to resign, if it made any finding of bullying whatsoever. I believe it is important to keep my word. It has been a privilege to serve you as Deputy Prime Minister, Justice Secretary and Lord Chancellor. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work as a minister in a range of roles and departments since 2015, and pay tribute to the many outstanding civil servants with whom I have worked. Whilst I feel duty bound to accept the outcome of the inquiry, it dismissed all but two of the claims levelled against me. I also believe that its two adverse findings are flawed and set a dangerous precedent for the conduct of good government. After being accused of dither, Mr Sunak was taking a second day to determine whether he will kick Mr Raab out of his Cabinet as he reviews senior lawyer Adam Tolley KCs investigation. Mr Sunak received the report on Thursday morning but Downing Street was unable to say if his verdict, and the report itself, will come on Friday. Mr Raab, who is also British justice secretary, has read the report and maintains he has not mistreated colleagues or broken the Ministerial Code, the PA news agency was told. A source close to Mr Raab said Mr Sunak has not asked him to resign and denied the pair had held talks over his future. No 10 had promised that Mr Sunaks verdict on the eight formal allegations would be published swiftly. But as a decision was delayed, a Downing Street source said Mr Sunak was taking time to go through the report thoroughly. Labour accused Mr Sunak of lacking the guts to sack his ally and said the decision was distracting him from leading the country. Shadow attorney general Emily Thornberry told PA: I think its another example of Conservative chaos and not addressing the problems of the country. Hes going to spend tonight looking at the report and trying to summon up the courage to work out whether he should sack his deputy or not when really what he should be doing is focusing on a cost-of-living crisis. Hes got the report, read the report, if hes a bully, sack him. Amy Leversidge, assistant general secretary at the FDA Union which represents civil servants, called the delay a really shoddy way to treat people. I do think the prime minister could have shown a bit more compassion to everyone involved in making the complaint and spoken to them personally about what they could expect and when they could expect it, she told Sky News. The prime minister didnt have to announce that he was going to make a decision yesterday and I think thats obviously whats fuelled all of this. The Prime Minister received the report on Thursday morning (Charles McQuillan/PA) Liberal Democrat chief whip Wendy Chamberlain said: People will be fed up with this dither and delay from Rishi Sunak. It feels like almost every week there is an issue with sleaze and scandal where Rishi Sunak is either implicated himself or too weak to get to grips with it. People are crying out for a Government that will just get on with tackling the issues that matter, not focused on saving their own skin. The eight complaints against Mr Raab centre on his behaviour as foreign secretary, Brexit secretary and during his first stint as justice secretary. Ten members of the same family seven of them female and at least one of them a child have been killed in a shooting at a house in South Africa, police said. A male suspect was killed in a shootout with police hours after and two men were arrested. A fourth suspect escaped but his identity is known and he is being hunted, police minister Bheki Cele said. According to initial reports, the family was ambushed by gunmen at the home in the city of Pietermaritzburg in the eastern KwaZulu-Natal province, police said. The shooting happened on Thursday night or early on Friday morning. Neighbours comfort each another (AP) Police initially said the victims were seven women and three men but Mr Cele said at least one child, a 13-year-old, was among the dead. The oldest victim was 65, Mr Cele said. He did not confirm the gender of the teenager and gave no other details on the ages of the other victims. Mr Cele, who was at the scene, said police confronted four men on a street about a mile from the house and the men shot at officers. Police shot back, killed one, injured one, who is arrested, and one is arrested uninjured. One has run away, Mr Cele said. Fortunately they know who ran away. The suspect who was killed was notorious and linked to other crimes in the area, Mr Cele said, although he did not offer a motive for the shooting. South Africa has one of the highest murder rates in the world (AP) The scene at the house where the 10 were killed was terrible, Mr Cele said. Too many people were lost, he added. Police were also questioning the driver of a taxi who is believed to have previously transported the suspects when they were suspected of committing other crimes. South Africa has one of the highest murder rates in the world and there has been a spate of mass shootings in recent years. Eight people were shot dead at a birthday party in the south coast city of Gqeberha in January. Last year, 16 died in a shooting at a bar in the Johannesburg township of Soweto when a group of armed men, some of them wielding rifles, opened fire on customers. On the same day, 12 people were shot, four of them fatally, at a bar in Pietermaritzburg. A Lebanese-Canadian academic has been convicted in absentia of terrorism charges and sentenced to life in prison over a bombing outside a Paris synagogue in 1980 that killed four and wounded 46. The court in the French capital issued an arrest warrant for Hassan Diab, who lives in Ottawa, Canada, and denies wrongdoing. His lawyers say he was in Lebanon at the time of the attack and is a victim of mistaken identity. The trial marked the culmination of decades of investigation into one of Frances longest unsolved crimes. William Bourdon was the lawyer for Hassan Diab (Michel Euler/AP) French authorities accuse Diab of planting the bomb outside the synagogue where 320 worshipers had gathered to mark the end of a Jewish holiday on the evening of October 3 1980, including children celebrating their bar mitzvahs. French investigators attributed the synagogue attack to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-Special Operations but no one ever claimed responsibility. The conviction was a surprise to many even in the court. Among the defence witnesses was a magistrate who investigated the case and testified that there was not enough evidence to convict Diab. The head of Frances leading Jewish group, CRIF, welcomed the conviction, and urged Canada to arrest Diab. The victims lawyers said the long-awaited trial will serve as a deterrent to other terrorist acts and antisemitic sentiments. French authorities accused Diab of planting the bomb on a motorbike outside the synagogue on Rue Copernic. Investigators initially suspected far-right extremists before shifting their focus to Palestinian militants. Canada authorised Diabs extradition to France in 2014 as part of the investigation, but after three years in pre-trial detention, anti-terrorism judges ordered him to be freed due to lack of evidence. Then an appeals court ruled that he should stand trial on terrorism charges. Diab remained in Canada throughout the trial, which started earlier this month. For those touched by the attack, the trial was a long-awaited opportunity to speak publicly about what happened. Survivors described years of physical and mental trauma. Some said the sound of motorcycles haunted them after that night. Families of those killed mourned lost children or siblings. Prosecutors argued that Diab has been lying to himself for 40 years and is caught up in his denial and escape from reality. Diabs lawyer William Bourdon had pleaded for an acquittal, saying that convicting someone would be a judicial mistake. Amnesty International was among those which called for the court to drop what they called a flawed and baseless case, arguing that it undermines effective justice for victims. Some lawyers for the 18 people and six groups that were party to the case acknowledged that it was hard to build a case so many years later, especially without the kind of DNA evidence or mobile phone data used in current investigations. Books The Quality of Mercy in Myanmar The cover of Hugo Slims new book Solferino 21. Myanmar is experiencing multiple humanitarian crises. Post-coup conflict and military repression has fueled new and old emergencies, and exacerbated already protracted insecurity, with millions displaced and urgent needs affecting some 17 million people. So too much of the world, from Ukraine, Turkey, Yemen and multiple other states affected by war, climate change and natural disasters. Myanmar illustrates just how quickly things can fall apart, but also the limits and contradictions of how the world responds. Hugo Slims Solferino 21 is a compelling examination of the origin story of modern humanitarianism, from Henri Dunants war tourism at the Battle of Solferino in 1859, which led to the formation of the International Red Cross movement. This book questions the state of humanitarianism in the 21st Century, the changing nature of warfare, the plight of civilians in modern conflict and, finally, the state of the modern international [mostly Western] humanitarian aid system. This is exactly the book that demands to be read by multiple audiences working on Myanmar today. Warfare Slim opens with a compelling treatment of conflict. Changes in modern warfare are broken down into ten characteristics. The first is that many modern conflicts are relatively smaller than big wars such as the protracted Indochina Wars, although the conflict in Syria has been devastating, battles such as Mosul, Fallujah, or Marawi have taken a major toll, and now with protracted war in Ukraine and the conflict between Ethiopia and Tigray its at first hard to take Slims point. However, there are few if any major conventional wars between large powers, and whose involvement in wars such as Syria are limited to some extent, although Ukraine is certainly changing this equation. In terms of casualties, both civilian and combatant, the toll of many contemporary internal wars is not as egregious as previous conflicts during the period of post-colonial national liberation. Myanmar has multiple small wars that taken in entirety are truly national, but in practice and range of fighting are localized. That conflicts have claimed over 3,000 civilian deaths, likely an underestimate, at the hands of the Myanmar military since the 2021 coup is undoubtedly significant, especially if combatant deaths of at least several thousand are included. The mass ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya in 2017 displaced over 700,000 and killed an estimated 6,700 people. A third factor is the growth of internationalized civil wars, domestic conflicts with international involvement of some kind. Strikingly, Slim contends that the number of non-state armed groups has grown eight times in the past eight years, with literally thousands of armed groups around the world. The International Committee of Red Cross maintains contacts with 465 of those armed groups. The growth of ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) and Peoples Defense Forces (PDFs) in Myanmar pre- and post-coup means that they now number at least 300-400. Further changes include the spread of urban warfare, as experienced by Yangon and Mandalay in mass protests after the coup and in targeted killings and bombings over the last two years, and the long wars of protracted and asymmetric nature because the reasons for revolt often mutate as the war goes on(n)ew warring parties arise with new interests and new grievances. Another factor is chronic political violence, which are often not deemed full-blown wars and are paradoxically often more violent than conflict zones, in countries such as Honduras and El Salvador. A major transformation in modern conflict is increasingly computerized warfare, with major leaps in cyber warfare, autonomous weaponry including loitering munitions and drones. Myanmar is not immune to this innovation with many resistance groups increasingly fielding drone assets, such as Federal Wings that attack regime bases. Sub-threshold and hybrid war is a form of limited engagement conflict, often through proxies or low level destabilization. Of particular note to Myanmar are the two final elements to modern conflict: hyperlegal warfare and public participation in war, the rules governing armed conflict, or international humanitarian law (IHL). The Myanmar military has war crimes in its DNA, and has enjoyed impunity for widespread crimes for decades, despite a widespread architecture of international law and comparative international accountability measures. Yet as Slim cogently observes, IHL is as weak in legal enforcement as it is elaborate in legal detail. With so much spontaneous local involvement in post-coup resistance, issues of legality are becoming more relevant as direct participation in hostilities becomes harder to determine. Fascinating as it is, if less directly relevant to Myanmar, is Chapter 2 on Next Generation Warfare, especially the specter of killer robots. Yet the crucial necessity to factor in climate change for changing modes of modern warfare is germane to Myanmars future, as are non-traditional security threats where pandemics and natural disasters are challenges for states to predict and prepare for. Myanmars wars are slowly becoming more digital in key ways, but in many respects the militarys long approach has been analog atrocity: arson, shootings and decapitation, a form of savagery that has remained remarkably consistent for seven decades. Even the war in Ukraine has more hallmarks of a tank, artillery and infantry attrition planned for the Cold War between East and West, than a fully wired war. Civilians The protection of civilians is the core of modern humanitarianism. Slim rightly questions some of the assumptions we have concocted on how to understand the role of civilians in war, including data fog and humanitarian hype, when United Nations (UN), humanitarian and human rights group use questionable data for fund raising or to attract attention to a neglected crisis, that encourage(s) a pattern of misleading statistics and stereotypes which give rise to the misrepresentation of civilian live statistically, spatially and by gender. Notorious examples include the inaccurate claims that two million children were killed in wars between 1986 to 1996 and that there are currently more civilians displaced than at any other time [World War II displaced hundreds of millions], which generates so much moral panic and contributions to aid organizations. Dehumanizing and diversionary terminology plays a role in this confusion, such as conflict affected which is routinely abused [as is post-conflict]. Myanmar endured a decade of dubious data generation from international donors, and post-coup the reporting on the crisis is being obscured by many of the same people who fetishized misleading numbers to downplay the conflict then and to exaggerate it now. This wide spatial framing of conflict, which is similarly routine in Red Cross, UN and World Bank rhetoric, catastrophizes whole countries in a way that is simply not accurate for most twenty-first century wars, the author contends. Slim then expounds on the death-displacement ratio, the socio-economic disasters that conflict often bring, and the gender dimensions of war. Similar to humanitarian hype, the role of women in many modern wars is often miscast as victim stereotyping. Myanmars conflict survival strategies are often honed by well-organized womens groups and key leaders in aid and community organization. Exhaustive reporting show how dynamic women are in conflict as earners, carers, rescuers, copers, adapters and organizers, and how the rapid social change brought about by war often opens up new space for women to act. Similarly, many civilians in conflict are not bystanders or victims, but often active participants and well aware that civilian loyalty is something all armed groups are mindful of, except the Myanmar military which sees all civilians as the enemy to be bludgeoned, plundered and violated. Humanitarianism The third and final section of the book, on humanitarianism, is the strongest and most pertinent for Myanmar. Slims major target for criticism is what he calls big aid: ever expanding agendas and programs that justify large international organizations getting more intricately involved in peoples lives through longer-term programming that look much like development or peace building or urgent humanitarianism. It means becoming involved in issues such as gender empowerment [as if women in Myanmar werent already empowered], elaborate protection mandates that utterly fail at protecting civilians, or climate change, right to water, plus education and health and social divides that predated the reasons for humanitarian intervention. Look at a number of elaborate international programs in Myanmar over the past decade and ask what they really achieved, and if so for whom? Did the people suffering in war zones really benefit from paint-by-numbers conflict sensitivity projects such as RAFT Myanmar? Did international staff really get much of worth either? Do we construct all these projects as substitutes for reason, or the illusion of impact? The major proposal of the final chapter, and Slims central argument, is to re-center aid to benefit people in needs, to strip aid down to its fundamentals and increase genuine localization: in effect trimming down services and circumventing the UN-led system and bloated international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) to transfer aid direct to communities. As Slim firmly notes, the object for national level aid providers should be to stop being the humanitarian subjects of an international aid emperor in Geneva and New York who designs their response and liaises over their heads with their government. The status quo crowd resist these major changes through five major arguments. First, that national collapse during conflict makes it difficult to fully realize localization when institutions are so weak; that local organizations can be captured by predatory elites; that the localization push is too purist and many INGOs are sufficiently local with partnerships so do not have to go any further; the defense of liberal values in the face of rising authoritarianism; and last, global fairness and the role of internationalist humanitarians to decide what is a fair distribution of aid. Slim makes his major points convincingly, several times, that a new pursuit of fundamental humanitarianism must be pursued: If wartime humanitarian aid is to reach farther in the worst of the climate crisis, new global health crises and possible big war, then it must become simpler to conceive, deliver and receive. The long-standing tensions between classical humanitarianism and resilience humanitarianism are directly relevant to Myanmar, where debates over moving aid through the junta or through multiple resistance forces have been raging since the coup. Slim has been rightly celebrated for promoting humanitarian resistance, which he has defined in a recent working paper as the rescue, relief and protection of people suffering under an unjust enemy regime. It is specifically organized by individuals and groups who are politically opposed o he regime and support resistance against i because of their political conscience. This form of humanitarianism has existed in Myanmar for many years, and has expanded since the 2021 coup. Slims study is refreshingly free of the excesses of humanitarian jargon. There is a merciful absence of the term nexus, the vaunted Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus which despite the millions of words shed on obscuring its meaning, is the basic idea that programs in all fields should coordinate more to ensure they dont cancel each other, and avoid the silos of international aid operations. Or its another way for donors such as the European Union to squander aid money, such as the multi-Euro Nexus Response Mechanism being managed by the Death Star of international aid, the UN Office for Project Services. Put another way, words that are joined together to have little meaning in order to justify little reform. Other sinister terms propel the pathology of pointless activities around conflict sensitivity, social cohesion, resilience, fragility and that most abused term in modern aid: localization. Many humanitarians, despite the hair-shirt complex, are genuine about localization. But so many are not, expressing frustration and calling for reform, but yielding whenever donor demands are stated. This is the INGO Pavlovian posture of competitive supplication, which has been evident in Myanmar for many years. It doesnt include the UN. They are late-Pavlovian development actors, performing supine fealty to dictatorships, all with Western donor connivance. In an interview with the UN Office Coordinating Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Center for Humanitarian Data in May 2022, Slim remarked on INGOs in Myanmar; Agencies there think theyre deliberating, about whats morally right, should they work more closely with the military dictatorship, what should they do, where do the principles fit? I actually dont think theyre deliberating anymore, theyre dithering. Theyre endlessly hesitating, because theyre not courageous enough to make the choice [about whether to stay or leave Myanmar]. For many of them, the military regime is making that choice, certainly by refusing visas and curbing operational space. Nearly a year later theyre still dithering and hoping no-one notices as the juntas Organizations Registration Law released in late 2022 renders any agency who signs as legally complicit in the regimes repression. Humanitarians crave self-flagellation, professing their failings, agonizing over choices, told they can, and must, do better for the sake of all humanity. Its an exhausting psychological burden, never better captured than in the 2012 song Jan Egeland by the Norwegian comedy group Ylvis. There has been a steady stream of studies for years over the failure of western development aid, humanitarian liberal intervention, and human rights moralizing elites and their many disasters, and the occasional progress of aid workers. David Rieff, Linda Polman, Dambisa Moyo, classics from Graham Hancock and William Easterly, Fiona Terry, Diddier Fassin and the pitch-perfect Myanmar focused work of Anne Decobert are but just some of the more notable of the self-examination genre. Slim has produced one of the best. But unlike peace and development practitioners, most, if not all, humanitarians are actually genuine in their anguish. The real demons here are donors. Theyre the ones forcing the hoop jumping, the lack of progress, the incessant monitoring and evaluation [think of it as laundering western failure and casting blame on recipients], while reaping the big profits and sending real risk down-range to community humanitarians. Slim cites the research of Professor Shandiz Moslehi which reviewed hundreds of recent humanitarian evaluations only to find forty-eight recurring characteristics of effectiveness on a whole range of issues. And so much monitoring and evaluation is undertaken by compliant colleagues or insiders [think of ratings agencies for Wall Street] and fail to report meaningfully on impact. Donors too are in turn captive to increasingly right-wing anti-aid governments in the West: look at recent cuts to Myanmar from Sweden and the United Kingdom. If donors only gave more space for genuine humanitarian innovation and flexibility, while rapidly expanding localization, and returning to the basics of humanitarian assistance and eschewing the Kafkaesque trap of multiple agendas, responding to needs could be improved. Yet the system is too big to change, let alone fail. There are simply too many foreigners in humanitarian action better suited as corporate storm troopers at McKinsey & Company consulting than working in complex crisis-affected countries. I read Slims book at the same time as Michael Forsyth and Walt Bogdanovichs When McKinsey Comes to Town, an investigation into corporate malfeasance not uncommon to development aid dynamics, but you will find few similar examinations into donor dysfunction in Myanmar [so much for real monitoring and evaluation]. The findings of the State of the Humanitarian System report 2022, backs up many of Slims arguments. In its recently released plan for 2023, OCHA estimated that 339 million people are in need in 69 countries, an increase of 65 million. The costs for meeting this challenge has grown by 25 per cent to US$51.5 billion. 222 million people in 53 countries face food insecurity. 45 million people in 37 countries face starvation. Since the February 2021 coup, over a million people have been displaced, and that looks set to continue rising. Myanmar is a kind of microcosm of malaise affecting a third of the global system of nation states: war, repression, poverty, climate change and the international disparity of wealth and compassion. There is a Sisyphean quality to much of modern expansionary humanitarianism. OCHAs forecasts have an eerie too big to fail message, instead of a radical rethink, or a measured reform process as outlined by Slim. If the UN has been an unmitigated, abject, morally reprehensible failure in Myanmar for many years now, why are donor states still paying them? How much should we trust INGOs and their layer cake of opportunists pursuing so many contrived activities? The title of this review purposefully evokes the classic 1984 book by William Shawcross on Western efforts to alleviate suffering and avert famine in Cambodia following the Khmer Rouge genocide. Shawcross critiqued the cant and clumsiness of the Red Cross, UNHCR, OXFAM, and Western states 40 years ago in ways that resonate with contemporary humanitarian dilemmas today. The noblesse oblige of rich countries assisting the less fortunate, guilt money for colonial plunder, wars of aggression, or a band aid for capitalist exploitation, or the fake modesty of the twice blessed self-regard many humanitarians adopt, has expanded to meet the needs of a world in crisis for decades. But has it expanded too much? Does it work any more effectively or responsibly than it did decades ago? Does the global conscience need to consider the approach of E.F. Schumacher, a developmental economist who worked in Burma in the 1950s, and see that small is beautiful, and simply seek the solutions to transforming aid that Slim outlines in such eloquent conviction? Or has the junta so weaponized aid that it is thus too late to reform, and that the promises of localization are now simply the struggle for survival? Hugo Slim, Solferino 21. Warfare, Civilians and Humanitarians in the Twenty-First Century, Hurst and Company, 2022, pp.289. David Scott Mathieson is an independent analyst working on conflict, humanitarian and human rights issues on Myanmar. Burma Chinese Official Meets Ex-Dictator, Ex-President on Trip to Myanmar Song Tao, the head of the International Liaison Department of the Communist Party of China, meets with Myanmars former dictator Than Shwe in August 2016 in Naypyitaw. Director-General Peng Xiubin of the International Liaison Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) met former military dictator Senior General Than Shwe and former president U Thein Sein during his four-day visit to Myanmar from April 16-19. Peng had informal meetings with the two ex-generals at their mansions in an affluent neighborhood of the capital Naypyitaw known as the Row of Six in Pobbathiri Township on April 18, according to a source close to Than Shwes mansion. Peng reportedly handed over gifts sent from China by Song Tao, the former head of the International Liaison Department, to the ex-military leader. The last time Than Shwe and Song Tao met was in Naypyitaw in 2016, five years after Than Shwe stepped down as the chief of the previous military regime, and Than Shwe might have accepted the gifts as the two get on well with each other, said the source. The source said he was amazed by Pengs meeting with U Thein Sein because the CPC was upset by his decision to suspend a China-backed mega-dam project in Kachin States Myitsone. But as junta boss Min Aung Hlaing has sometimes sought advice not only from Than Shwe but also from U Thein Sein, China might want to gauge U Thein Seins views. The CPC in early April invited five ethnic parties from Myanmar to pay a 10-day visit to China, but the trip was canceled as the military junta did not allow it. It invited three members per party. When parties sought approval from the Union Election Commission and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, they didnt allow it, saying parties were still being scrutinized, said a party leader. Peng also proposed during his visit to Myanmar meeting the five political parties that were invited to China, but the regime again rejected the request. Before the coup, Song Tao often visited Myanmar, maintaining friendly ties with both the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party government, and the democratically elected National League for Democracy government. Burma Extreme Heat Hammers Myanmars Displaced Civilians Displaced villagers in Khin-U Township, Sagaing Region, where thousands have been displaced by junta raids. / Khin-U True News Displaced people in Mandalay, Sagaing and Magwe regions are suffering in extreme heat, according to volunteers. Temperatures have reached 41C in central Myanmar, according to the civilian National Unity Governments disaster management ministry. Heat surges are forecast across lower Sagaing, Mandalay and Magwe regions. A volunteer helping displaced people in Kani Township, Sagaing Region, told The Irrawaddy: Temperatures have risen significantly. Displaced people are at serious health risk. They need shelter as many are hiding in forests in unbearable heat. There is little healthcare and medicines are hard to buy and expensive. Drinking water prices are rising, he said. Water sources are dry and it is hard to find safe supplies. Kani has abundant water but villages were destroyed by junta troops in arson attacks and villagers cannot return, said the volunteer. The numbers displaced by junta raids rise daily and volunteers are struggling to provide food, water and medicines. Most people are using flimsy tents and the elderly and young are particularly vulnerable in the rising heat. Heatstroke deaths were reported last year. A resident of Yinmabin in Sagaing Region said: Volunteers are struggling to help displaced people and rehydration salts are increasingly expensive. The NUGs health ministry said waterborne illnesses, such as diarrhea, viral hepatitis and typhoid, will spread in dirty water. A doctor, who joined the civil disobedience movement, suggested boiling water from wells, rivers and lakes before drinking. People should drink plenty of water and stay in the shade when possible. They should use rehydration salts. But displaced people may not have access to water. Heatstroke can cause headaches, fatigue, unconsciousness and can be fatal, said the doctor. Cases of heatstroke have been reported in Khin-U Township where thousands have been displaced by junta raids, according to Khin-U True News. Water is not easily available where people are hiding. An 80-year-old woman has died of dehydration, according to a member of the media group. Data for Myanmar reported in February that nearly 50,000 houses in Sagaing Region have been destroyed in junta arson attacks since the 2021 coup. Burma Myanmar Junta Airstrikes Kill Three Civilians in Magwe The remains of the People's Administration Group office building in Laung Bo Lay Village in Tilin Township after it was bombed on Thursday by a junta fighter jet. /CJ Three civilians were killed on Thursday when Myanmars military regime launched airstrikes against the Peoples Administration Group office in Tilin Township, Magwe Region, according to local media. A junta fighter jet bombed the office building of the Peoples Administration Group on Thursday morning, as well as a war refugee administration group office of the Yaw Revolution Army, at Laung Bo Lay Village in the north of Tilin Township, said Yaw Alindan, a local media outlet that monitors juntas atrocities and the movements of regime forces in the township. Three office staff, including a woman, at the Peoples Administration Group were killed in the airstrikes and the entire building was razed. Another 12 office staff were injured, added Yaw Alindan. The airstrike came after the regime had cut phone and internet access in the area, according to locals. Also on Thursday morning, a Myanmar military detachment of 100 troops stationed at the township hall in Tilin Town torched 30 houses in Pazin Chaung Village in Tilin. Before the arson attack, the troops looted homes and removed stolen items in three vehicles, according to Yaw Alindan. A different military column burned down houses in Ponnar Village in Tilin after looting the belongings of residents who had fled. On Friday, the two junta columns jointly continued to raid villages and were reportedly heading to Laung Bo Lay Village, the site of Thursdays airstrikes. Currently, over 5,000 people from 16 villages including Laung Bo Lay have been forced to flee their homes. The refugees are in urgent need of humanitarian aid including food and medicine, said Yaw Alindan. Burma Myanmar Junta Bombs Pazi Gyi Nine Days After Massacre A plume of black smoke rises over Pazi Gyi village after regime airstrikes on April 11. A Myanmar military jet fighter returned to bomb Pazi Gyi village in Kantbalu Township, Sagaing Region, nine days after the aerial massacre that killed more than 170 civilians there. The military jet fighter bombed the village three times on Thursday afternoon, setting houses alight, said residents. About 200 regime ground troops also continued to attack the village from the forest and a nearby village throughout the day using artillery and heavy weapons, according to a villager. Some houses were razed by the airstrike but we havent dared enter the village yet. Besides, they are shelling the village from four sides, day and night, a Pazi Gyi villager told The Irrawaddy. On April 11, a Myanmar military jet fighter dropped bombs on Pazi Gyi village as around 200 civilians gathered for a housewarming ceremony, causing carnage. Ten minutes after the bombs fell, an Mi-35 combat helicopter sprayed the area with gunfire. In the evening, a military jet fighter conducted another air strike while locals were still collecting the bodies from the morning attack. As of Wednesday, 175 civilian residents 100 men, 33 women and 42 children were known to have died in the airstrike with another 30 injured, according to volunteers helping Pazi Gyi villagers. Regime troops stationed in the village monastery raided the Pazi Gyi a few days after the aerial massacre. A volunteer in the village said regime troops were shelling nearby villages every day. On Friday morning, they opened fire on Htan Taw village, located 8 kilometres from Pazi Gyi, but no casualties were reported. The troops are still in Pazi Gyi and they are finding villagers who are hiding in the forest, a volunteer told The Irrawaddy, adding that fear levels are high over the constant threat of airstrikes and attacks by ground troops. Thousands of residents of Pazi Gyi and 10 nearby villages have been forced to flee their homes. A Pazi Gyi villager said that they are traumatized and scared there will be another airstrike. All the villagers are afraid when they hear the sound of jet fighters, a Pazi Gyi resident said. Burma Myanmar Junta Increasingly Targeting Healthcare: NUG Si Thar village hospital in Shwegu Township after a junta airstrike on April 5. / Shwegu PDF Facebook Myanmars junta is increasingly targeting health clinics in resistance strongholds, according to the civilian National Unity Governments (NUG) health ministry. It said at least 70 medical staff had been killed and 836 had been detained by the junta by late February. The junta targets medics who joined the civil disobedience movement (CDM) by refusing to work under military rule with killings, arrests and lawsuits since the 2021 coup. Striking medics are blacklisted and banned from working at private hospitals with troops conducting regular searches. Junta attacks The health ministry reported that by February 28 at least 188 raids and attacks on hospitals and clinics in conflict-torn areas. At least 59 ambulances were seized and 49 destroyed by junta troops, it said. During April at least four clinics were targeted in junta airstrikes in Sagaing and Magwe region and Kayah and Kachin states, according to the shadow ministry. A Japanese-funded hospital in Myaing Township, Magwe Region, was destroyed in an April 18 airstrike. The hospital mainly provided maternity care to several townships, according to a Magyi Kan villager. The hospital had been running for about eight months. Around 670 babies were delivered there. We bought an X-ray machine with public donations. The hospital received no donations or assistance from the NUG, he said. The sick now face long journeys to receive care, the villager added. They targeted the main building out of six which held the important devices. They destroyed the X-ray machine. It is a tremendous loss, he said. In Kayah State, Ko Benya, spokesman for the Karenni Human Rights Group, said medical clinics are regularly targeted. They deliberately attack medical workers and destroy clinics and hospitals. It is not coincidental, he said. A hospital in Demoso Township was recently destroyed by junta airstrikes. Two medical staff were killed on the border of Pekon and Pinlaung townships. A school being used as a clinic in eastern Demoso Township was attacked by fighter jets in March. A resistance fighter in Shwegu Township said fighter jets deliberately destroyed a hospital in Si Thar village on April 5. The hospital had been vacant since the coup. No one was there but maybe they were stopping resistance groups using it in the future, he said. The ministry said the attacks break the Geneva Conventions, resolutions by the UN Security Council and international humanitarian and human rights laws. The ministry called for international action to stop the attacks. Burma Myanmars Supreme Court to Hear Daw Aung San Suu Kyi Appeals Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and U Win Myint. Myanmars junta-controlled Supreme Court of the Union on Wednesday agreed to hear appeals regarding the rulings against jailed State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and President U Win Myint, according to sources. The Supreme Court will hear appeals regarding five cases of corruption which both Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and U Win Myint were convicted of. The cases involved the alleged misuse of public funds for the rental and subsequent purchase of a helicopter. The court has also allowed Suu Kyis and U Win Myints appeals against their conviction for electoral fraud under Section 130(a) of the colonial-era Penal Code. Daw Aung San Suu Kyis appeal over her conviction for violating the Official Secrets Act will also be heard by the Supreme Court. Previously, their appeals were rejected by way of summary trial. But the Supreme Court has allowed their appeals now. Lawyers of the two will do whatever can be done regarding their convictions, said a source familiar with the matter. It is not yet known when the Supreme Court will start hearing the appeals. The Supreme Court has rejected appeals from Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and U Win Myint regarding other cases, and the pair have lodged further appeals to the Chief Justice. It is not yet clear if the Chief Justice has agreed to reconsider. The five corruption charges relate to the ousted National League for Democracy (NLD) governments rental and purchase of a helicopter for use during natural disasters and state affairs, including rescues and emergencies. The military regime alleged that U Win Myint and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi broke the law and squandered government funds on the helicopter. The pair were sentenced to seven years in prison in December 2022 after being found guilty by a junta court. U Win Myint and Suu Kyi were also given three years with labor under Section 130(a) of the Penal Code for alleged vote rigging in the 2020 general election which the NLD won by a landslide. Suu Kyi was also convicted of violating the Official Secrets Act, for which she was given an additional three years by the regime. Her co-defendants included the Australian NLD government economic advisor Sean Turnell, planning and finance minister U Soe Win, his deputy U Hset Aung and former planning and finance minister U Kyaw Win. Sean Turnell, U Soe Win and U Kyaw Win were subsequently released under general amnesties. In total, 78-year-old NLD leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was given a total of 33 years on 19 charges filed by the regime. She is currently being held in solitary confinement in Napyitaw Prison. U Win Myint, the 71-year-old deposed president, was given 12 years on eight charges. He is currently being held in Taungoo Prison. There were rumors that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was to be moved from Naypyitaw Prison to house arrest as part of the general amnesty granted by the junta on April 17 to mark Myanmar New Years Day. But sources said that food packages for Suu Kyi were delivered to Naypyitaw Prison on April 17, suggesting that she remains in the jail in the capital. This Week in Review A weekly review of the best and most popular stories published in the Imperial Valley Press. Also, featured upcoming events, new movies at local theaters, the week in photos and much more. Get unlimited access to all content and features at ivpressonline.com with our Full Online Access Subscription. Read our E-Edition, the digital replica of the print newspaper online, access content in exclusive sections including Family, Teen, Business, Databases, Farm and more. This option does not include daily home delivery of the Imperial Valley Press newspaper. For home delivery service, please select Premium or Premium Plus. Presidenta Dina Boluarte: Hemos dispuesto elevar de categoria a este recinto para que sea considerado por el @MinCulturaPe como Centro de Interpretacion Museo Contemporaneo Chavin de Huantar y se convierta en un espacio promotor de la valentia de nuestras Fuerzas Armadas, pic.twitter.com/iuv9A7ZHLJ Buena noticia! El @US_SpaceCom ????, la @A_Espacial_Peru y la Fuerza Aerea ????@fapperu firmaron un acuerdo de intercambio de Conciencia Situacional Espacial, que mejorara la estabilidad, la seguridad y la sostenibilidad de los vuelos espaciales para todos. ??U.S. Space Command pic.twitter.com/5QWawU7muS YEREVAN, APRIL 21, ARMENPRESS. Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) Sergey Ghazaryan held an online meeting with Russian political analysts and experts. During the discussion, FM Ghazaryan presented the situation resulting from Azerbaijans ongoing blockade of Artsakh, the foreign ministry of Nagorno Karabakh said in a press release. Various issues related to the blockade, as well as regional and geopolitical developments were discussed at the meeting. YEREVAN, APRIL 21, ARMENPRESS. Cessation of hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan, specifically in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, continues to be of great importance to United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken, State Department Principal Deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel said at a press briefing on April 20. Patel was asked to comment on the recent unannounced trips of United States Senior Advisor for Caucasus Negotiations, United States Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group Louis Bono and U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Erika Olson to Armenia and Azerbaijan. I dont have any specific readout to offer, Patel said. Youve heard me say this again that ensuring a cessation of hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan, specifically in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, continues to be of great importance to Secretary Blinken. He had the opportunity to meet with the leaders of these countries a number of weeks ago on the margins of the Munich Security Conference. Its something that we continue to be deeply engaged on. Its something that Mr. Bono continues to be engaged on in addition to others in this department as well. But I just dont have any specific updates to offer," he added. Im just not going to get ahead of any scheduling, but Im sure well have more to share soon, the State Department spokesperson said when asked whether or not to expect a new ministerial meeting anytime soon. On April 20, between 3:40 p.m. and 7 p.m., the units of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces opened fire from different caliber firearms in the direction of the Armenian combat positions located in the Verin Shorzha, also targeting equipment performing engineering work, the Ministry of Defense of Armenia informed. April 21, 2023, 09:20 Azerbaijani Armed Forces opened fire at Armenian combat positions in Verin Shorzha STEPANAKERT, APRIL 21 , ARTSAKHPRESS: No losses from the Armenian side. As of 11 p.m., the situation on the front line is relatively stable. Biden and Macron Confer on French Leaders Recent Trip to China to Alleviate Strain US President Joe Biden and President Emmanuel Macron have expressed their efforts to ease tensions following Macrons recent comments on Taiwan and Europes security relationship with the US. The White House and Elysee Palace, in separate statements after a phone call, highlighted that the leaders had discussed Macrons state visit to Beijing in early April where he met with President Xi Jinping. Macron caused a stir when he stated that European countries should avoid getting drawn into the US-China fight over Taiwan, stating that Europe should avoid crises that arent ours and also repeated previous calls for the EUs strategic autonomy from the US. The White House statement emphasised their shared positions and reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Biden and Macron also discussed the Russian invasion of pro-Western Ukraine and reiterated their steadfast support for Ukraine in the face of Russias brutal aggression. Macrons office in Paris characterised the call as Biden being briefed on the results obtained during the China trip. The French statement underlined the importance of European countries continuing to re-arm themselves to share the burden of transatlantic security and echoed US language on Taiwan, stating that the two presidents share the same desire to reinforce cooperation underway and to support international law in the Indo-Pacific region. Biden also held a separate call on Thursday with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who accompanied Macron to Beijing, where they reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and their shared commitment to upholding the rules-based international order, human rights, and fair trade practices. Biden also discussed the Western effort to halt Russias onslaught on Ukraine, as well as the transition to clean energy economies. (AFP) Refusal of Expulsion: Comoros Denies Entry to Migrants from Mayotte Island by France The Comoros, located in the Indian Ocean, have declared that they will not accept migrants who are being expelled from the French island of Mayotte due to a controversial campaign. Operation Wuambushu, which translates to Take Back, is set to begin next week and will target illegal immigrants who have established makeshift homes on Mayotte. Those without the proper documentation will be sent back to Anjouan Island, which is 45 miles away from Mayotte. The Comoros do not intend to welcome people expelled as part of the operation planned by the French government in Mayotte, said government spokesman Houmed Msaidie. Paris has approved the expulsion plans, but Comoros officials have requested that they be cancelled since they violate established agreements between the two countries. Mayotte, which is Frances poorest department but benefits from French infrastructure support and welfare, has been experiencing an influx of migrants from the Comoros due to the lack of resources and opportunities on the islands. The paramilitary RSF in Sudan has consented to a 3-day ceasefire for humanitarian reasons. The paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan has announced a 72-hour ceasefire on humanitarian grounds, starting from 6 a.m. local time on Friday. This offers a possible break from the six-day military conflict that has been taking place with the Sudanese army. The RSF stated, The truce coincides with the blessed Eid Al-Fitr (Muslim holiday) to open humanitarian corridors to evacuate citizens and give them the opportunity to greet their families. The group also said that it acted in self-defense to repel a coup attempt and is committed to a complete ceasefire during the truce. The Sudanese army has not yet commented on this. So far, more than 330 people have lost their lives in the violent power struggle that erupted last weekend between two formerly allied leaders of Sudans ruling military junta. The most intense battles between the army and the RSF have occurred in and around Khartoum, one of Africas biggest urban areas, and in Darfur, which still bears the scars of a long conflict that ended three years ago. (REUTERS) UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has appealed to Sudans warring factions to observe a ceasefire over the Muslim Eid al-Fitr holiday to allow civilians to reach safe areas as rival forces battled for a sixth day on Thursday. Thousands of civilians streamed out of the capital Khartoum as gunfire and explosions sounded. Large numbers also crossed into Chad to flee fighting in the western region of Darfur. The United States said it was sending more troops to the region in the event that it decided to evacuate its embassy in Khartoum. Guterres and senior officials from the US, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, and Egypt called for an end to the violence, urging Sudans army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. More than 330 people have been killed so far in the violent power struggle that broke out last weekend between two previously allied leaders of Sudans ruling military junta. The fiercest battles between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been in and around Khartoum and in Darfur, which is still scarred by a long conflict that ended three years ago. Guterres, speaking to reporters after meeting virtually with the heads of the African Union, the Arab League, and other organizations, said, There was a strong consensus on condemning ongoing fighting in Sudan and calling for the cessation of hostilities as an immediate priority. Urging a three-day ceasefire, he said civilians trapped in conflict zones should be allowed to escape and seek medical treatment, food, and other supplies. The United States endorsed the ceasefire proposal. Burhan told Al Jazeera he would support a truce on the condition it allowed citizens to move freely something he said the RSF had so far prevented. He also said he currently saw no partner for negotiations and no other option but the military solution. His rival, RSF leader General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, told Al Jazeera he was ready to implement a three-day truce over Eid, which marks the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and will start on Friday or Saturday. Dagalo, widely known as Hemedti, has said several times he supports short ceasefires, but each has quickly collapsed. We are talking about a humanitarian truce, we are talking about safe passages we are not talking about sitting down with a criminal, Dagalo said, referring to Burhan. Burhan accused Dagalo, until last week his deputy on the council that has ruled since a coup two years ago, of a power grab. An alliance between the two men had mostly held since the overthrow four years ago of long-time strongman Omar al-Bashir, whose rule saw Sudan become an international pariah that was on the US terrorism list. The latest violence was triggered by disagreement over an internationally backed plan to form a new civilian government. Both sides accuse the other of thwarting the transition. Since hostilities erupted, much of the fighting has focused on the compound housing the army headquarters and Burhans residence. The embassy district and airport have also been the scene of clashes. Witnesses in the city of El-Obeid, east of Darfur, described clashes between the army and RSF troops and widespread looting. In Khartoum and sister cities Omdurman and Bahri, residents gathered at bus terminals with suitcases after more explosions and gunfire in the morning. Theres no food. Supermarkets are empty. The situation isnt safe, honestly, so people are leaving, said a resident who gave only his first name, Abdelmalek. Many other local people remain trapped, along with thousands of foreigners in a city that has become a war zone. Burnt-out vehicles litter the streets, and shells have torn gaping holes in buildings, including now-closed hospitals, where bodies lie unburied. In Geneva, the World Health Organization urged the combatants to open a safe corridor for medics and to allow those trapped to flee. Around 10,000 to 20,000 people escaping the fighting have taken refuge in villages along the border inside Chad, UN refugee agency UNHCR and the World Food Programme (WFP) said. Even before the conflict, around a quarter of Sudans population was facing acute hunger, but the WFP halted one of its largest global operations in the country on Saturday after three workers were killed. Sudan borders seven countries and sits strategically between Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, and Africas volatile Sahel region, so hostilities risk fanning regional tensions. Chad said it had stopped and disarmed a Sudanese contingent of 320 soldiers on Monday, while the RSF has returned Egyptian troops it captured at the northern Merowe base at the weekend. The RSF has up to 100,000 troops, according to analysts. The army has artillery and warplanes and controls access to Khartoum. It appeared to be trying to cut supply routes to RSF fighters, residents, and witnesses said. Jowhar with Reuters Varian Fry, the man who rescued thousands from Vichy France, is the focus of a new series on Netflix. The story of Varian Fry, a US journalist who helped some 2,000 of Europes imperiled artists, writers, and refugees escape from Nazi-occupied Europe, has inspired the new Netflix series Transatlantic. takes a look at a hero who risked his life many times over before falling into relative anonymity. The new Netflix series Transatlantic dramatizes the short but intense period of Frys life when he helped found the Emergency Rescue Committee and enabled hundreds of illustrious writers, artists, and refugees to flee Vichy France. Varian Fry, enamored by European artists and writers, first travelled to Berlin in 1935 as a bookish and scholarly young journalist. But instead of finding high culture, he witnessed first-hand the violence meted out by fascist thugs in the streets of the German capital. He saw the SS beating and bloodying Jewish women and men, later writing that the police didnt make any effort to save the victims from the brutality, instead trying to clear the area for cars to get through. In June 1940, Nazi forces marched into Paris, creating a massive exodus of refugees to the south of France. Driven by his abhorrence for Nazism and all that it stood for, Fry helped found the Emergency Rescue Committee (ERC). Its mission was to help anyone persecuted by the Nazis, including European writers, artists, or intellectuals, both Jewish and non-Jewish. On August 4, Fry boarded a transatlantic flight from New York to German-occupied France with $3,000 strapped to one leg and a list of 200 European artists and intellectuals thought to be in danger compiled by the ERC. The list included many of the most influential figures of the 20th century, including painter Marc Chagall, French surrealist Andre Breton, author Walter Mehring, German-born painter Max Ernst and musician Alma Mahler. From Paris, Fry took a train to Marseille where he created an office at the Hotel Splendide overlooking the Marseilles Old Port. With the help of Mary-Jayne Gold, an American heiress who supplied funds and connections, and Albert O. Hirschman, a German-Jewish intellectual, Fry began contacting the people on his list, telling them he could help them repatriate. Refugees were racing toward Marseille in the early 1940s because it was the only point of passage through which they could board a ship and escape France. The only other route was through the Pyrenees leading into Spain, said George Ayache, a French author and historian. In the very beginning, France was divided into two zones: the north, occupied by Nazis, and the south, administered by the French government of Marshal Philippe Petain based in Vichy. There was more freedom in the south than in the north. It was this relative freedom that Fry and his colleagues seized upon when they started forging passports and securing passage on ships headed to the United States and other locations. The window of opportunity would soon close. By 1942, the Germans occupied the entire country, including the south. Leading up to the occupation, it was practical for the Germans to have a regime that governed in their place, said Ayache. The activities of Fry and his colleagues quickly earned the disapproval of US Consul General Hugh Fullerton (renamed Graham Patterson in the show and played by Corey Stoll). To the US authorities, Fry was a troublemaker who undermined official policy. During the 13 months he spent in France, Fry helped some 2,000 refugees to leave. But his network of allies and their activities took on such significant proportions that it became impossible to keep them secret. After months of spying on Fry and his colleagues, the French police decided to act and raided his offices. In December 1940, he was arrested and briefly held on a prison ship in the Marseille harbor. Back in the United States, Fry struggled to adjust to civilian life after leading missions in occupied Europe. His wife divorced him, the army deemed him unfit for service and even the ERC severed ties with him after he publicly criticized the US State Department. He would spend the rest of his life teaching and writing in relative obscurity. A brain hemorrhage at the age of 59 cut his life short. Although highly fictionalized, Transatlantic shows how one individual had an impact on thousands of lives. Filming of the show began in March 2022 and coincided with the outbreak of war in Europe, as Ukrainian refugees poured into Europe seeking safety after the Russian invasion. With its themes of statelessness and the refugee experience, the story of Varian Fry still resonates today. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Read More Reddit Email 50 Shares By Tsega Etefa, Colgate University | Sudan is in crisis. Fighting continues between Sudans military leader, Abdelfattah Al-Burhan, and his deputy on Sudans ruling council, General Mohamed Hamdan Dagolo, who commands the paramilitary group the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Moina Spooner, from The Conversation Africa, asked Sudan historian and conflict expert Tsega Etefa to unpack what led to this eruption in violence and provide insights into who the RSF are. Whats at the centre of the conflict? The Rapid Support Forces and the army are fighting over a disagreement on the future of the country after the removal of the former president Omar al-Bashir in 2019. Al-Bashir was ousted following widespread public protests which started in 2018 over the cost of bread. These eventually challenged his entire regime, which had been in place for over 30 years. Along with the army, the paramilitary force played a key role in the removal of al-Bashir. A Sovereign Council, made up of civilian and military factions, was established as an interim government. And, in August 2019, Abdalla Hamdok became Prime Minister. However, in October 2021 Hamdok was removed in another coup jointly led by the army chief Lt.Gen. Abdelfattah Al-Burhan, Rapid Support Force commander General Mohamed Hamdan Dagolo, Hemedti, and other security officers. This followed months of simmering tensions between the civilian and military elements of the council coupled with harsh economic condition and protests. Article continues after bonus IC video Sudans military rules out negotiations with rival paramilitary force FRANCE 24 English Following months of widespread protests to bring the country back to civilian rule, a final political framework agreement to transition was tabled. It was due to be signed on April 1, 2023. On the surface, Sudan looked like it was moving in the right direction. But several factors worked against it the most important of which was disagreement between the army chief Al-Burhan and head of the Rapid Support Forces, Hemedti. The two could not agree on the timetable and modalities of the inclusion of the members of paramilitary group into the army. The army still remains one of the bastions of the al-Bashir era government and discussion are ongoing on how to reform. Finally, Hemedti accused al-Burhan of giving key positions to the members of former regime and that al-Burhan intends to remove him from political scene. This delayed the final signing of the framework agreement and led to the outbreak of conflict on April 15, 2023. Both blame each other for starting the clashes. Who are the Rapid Support Forces and how did they get to be so powerful? Known as al-Quwat al-Dam al-Sari in Arabic, the paramilitary force was created in 2013 by the government of al-Bashir. The governments plan was to establish a well-trained, well-equipped, and centrally integrated security force that could be deployed against threats to its regime. Hemedti, an Abbala Arab of the Hemedti clan, was selected by al-Bashir as the leader. Hemedti is a former Janjaweed commander. The Janjaweed are an armed militia with Arab lineage from Darfur and Kordofan in western Sudan. They were notorious for carrying out atrocities in Darfur under instruction from al-Bashir in the 2000s. By 2021, the paramilitary group was estimated to number between 75,000 and 100,000 men, compared with the Sudanese Armed Forcess 120,000 to 200,000 troops. The great majority of Rapid Support Forces personnel are Darfurians, many were picked by Hemedti. Since their inception, the paramilitary group has created havoc by targeting civilian villages and committing atrocities including rapes in Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile states. For instance, in 2014 and 2015 the RSF, under Hemedtis command, was deployed by government to Darfur. They looted civilian properties and raped women, including young girls. The targeting of civilians to eliminate support base for the rebels has become the hallmark of their activities. Ironically, though the paramilitary group was created to protect al-Bashirs government from threats, Hemedti played a key role in the removal of al-Bashir from power in April 2019. Is the power of the Rapid Support Forces a cause for concern? Yes and this is largely because of their roots: the Janjaweed. The Janjaweed militia originated in the mid-1980s when there was a collapse of law and order in the Darfur region. This was due to a combination of factors, including famine, marginalisation by Khartoum, outbreak of civil war between the north and south of Sudan and Chadian rebels and Libyan military activities. Darfurians began to arm themselves, forming militias for protection though they largely operated to grab land and restock lost animals. The term Janjaweed applies to all Arab armed groups irrespective of their origins. For example, they could be Chadian, Libyan or from other non-Sudanese backgrounds. But most of them were Arabs from Darfur. I believe that their roots as a self-interested militia that operates outside of the law continues to dictate their actions today. Though the paramilitary group is a part of the Sudanese security sector, they pursue a different pattern of violence to the Sudanese police and military. They target civilians and commit atrocities. For instance, theyve forced the displacement of entire communities and used food as a weapon of war. Theyve been known to torture and commit extrajudicial killings and mass rapes. They have also been accused of murder and rape during the civilian 2019 protests in Khartoum. Because it continues to operates somewhat independently under Hemedtis command, it creates a huge problem for the nation. The Rapid Support Forces should be disbanded and its members be given the option of joining the army or police or returning to civilian life. A country cannot have so many disjointed security forces. They need to be integrated, retrained and placed under unified command. The paramilitary groups history of brutality and impunity suggests that the increase in its activities will drive instability in Sudan. Its strong presence in politics will not help in the creation of trust thats needed to move negotiations forward. A new political framework agreement is needed that is inclusive and that has the trust and support of Sudanese people. The military is there to protect and safeguard the nation and should not be the dominant force in the political process. The ongoing fighting has to stop and genuine negotiations should be given a chance. The Inter Governmental Authority on Development should continue to play a negotiating role and assist in the democratisation efforts. Though Sudan has a history of coups and civil wars, they also have a history of peaceful resolution to their problems. The first South vs. North Sudan civil war ended peacefully in 1972. The second civil war also ended peacefully in 2005. Tsega Etefa, Professor of History, Colgate University This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Cessation of hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan, specifically in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, continues to be of great importance to United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken, State Department Principal Deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel said at a press briefing on April 20. April 21, 2023, 11:10 Ensuring Armenia-Azerbaijan cessation of hostilities continues to be of great importance to Secretary Blinken - spox STEPANAKERT, APRIL 21 , ARTSAKHPRESS: Patel was asked to comment on the recent unannounced trips of United States Senior Advisor for Caucasus Negotiations, United States Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group Louis Bono and U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Erika Olson to Armenia and Azerbaijan. I dont have any specific readout to offer, Patel said. Youve heard me say this again that ensuring a cessation of hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan, specifically in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, continues to be of great importance to Secretary Blinken. He had the opportunity to meet with the leaders of these countries a number of weeks ago on the margins of the Munich Security Conference. Its something that we continue to be deeply engaged on. Its something that Mr. Bono continues to be engaged on in addition to others in this department as well. But I just dont have any specific updates to offer," he added. Im just not going to get ahead of any scheduling, but Im sure well have more to share soon, the State Department spokesperson said when asked whether or not to expect a new ministerial meeting anytime soon. Reddit Email 28 Shares ( Tomdispatch.com) Weve just passed through tax time again. (Unless, like me, you live in one of several states ravaged by recent extreme weather events brought on by climate change. In that case, you can wait until October.) Its also that moment when the War Resisters League slogan: If you work for peace, stop paying for war publishes its invaluable annual Where Your Income Tax Money Really Goes pie chart and publicizes a series of Tax Day events nationwide. For many of the rest of us, its time to pat ourselves on the back for the charitable donations we made to tax-deductible organizations in 2022. Time to pat ourselves on the back for being clever and generous enough to do well by doing good, right? Time, perhaps, to wonder why, even when we give to organizations seeking radical change, the IRS still rewards us with a tax deduction. Do the feds really support organized opposition to, for example, the military-industrial complex? Or is there more to the story of what my students sometimes refer to as the nonprofit-industrial complex? Whats That Tax Deduction Really Worth? For many decades, people who give away money have been schooled to seek a tax deduction in return. Were encouraged to be suspicious of organizations that dont qualify under section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Tax Code, which offers a bonus for our generosity. Were told that the federal government will bless any organization thats really doing something useful with the magic wand of that coveted tax-deductible status. Cant charitable donations save us thousands of tax dollars? Doesnt that make insisting on such a tax deduction the grown-up thing to do? Not, as it turns out, for most people. This belief that charitable write-offs also pay off is based on a misunderstanding about how such tax deductions work. Suppose you give a qualifying charity $100. That will reduce your tax bill by the same amount, right? Alas, no. That $100-dollar gift will reduce the amount of your income that you pay taxes on by half the amount of your gift, or $50. This means that if you, like most working folks, pay federal taxes at an effective rate of less than 15%, the amount you save on taxes by giving $100 is less than 15% of $50, or a whopping $7.50 the price of a couple of fancy coffee drinks. But giving to get a tax deduction is even less financially advantageous than that. Suppose youre part of a married couple that earned $120,000 in 2022. Lucky you. If you were taxed for every penny of that amount, your federal income tax bill would be $17,634, an effective tax rate of 14.7%. (Look here to see how it works.) What if you decide to tithe, donating 10% of that $120,000, or $12,000, to qualifying charities. Such giving would reduce your taxable income by $6,000, bringing it down to $114,000. Your federal income tax bill would then come down to $16,314, saving you about $1,320. Not bad, eh? But heres the kicker: Suppose instead that you decide not to itemize that is, list all your contributions (and other expenditures like that great middle-class welfare plan, the mortgage interest tax deduction)? Instead, you opt for the standard deduction. For a married couple filing together, that will reduce your taxable income by $25,900, bringing that same tax bill to a mere $11,396, saving you about $5,700 in taxes without your giving away a penny. To get the same tax write-off by making contributions, youd have to donate twice the standard deduction, or $51,800. So am I suggesting that we shouldnt give money to non-profits, because we often dont really benefit from the tax deduction? Absolutely not. Im saying that when we donate, we shouldnt do it because of the tax deduction. We should do it, if we can, because it supports activities crucial to our own and the long-term survival and even flourishing of so many other people. This is true, whether youre helping a relative pay the rent this month or contributing to a candidate for the Wisconsin supreme court. Neither of those gifts will garner you a penny in tax deductions, but one will keep someone you love off the street and the other would have helped ensure that women in Wisconsin could still get an abortion when they needed one. Who loses out when we refuse to give without a tax deduction? To begin with, we do, because weve placed an artificial limit on the kinds of campaigns, organizations, and people we allow ourselves to donate to. Weve automatically excluded, for instance, gifts to political parties and candidates. No organization offering tax deductions can support or oppose any candidate for elected office. Of course, elected officials arent the only people in a position to affect our lives, but four years under Donald Trump and a couple under Joe Biden should have reminded us that they can do a whole lot of harm, or substantial good. Making Sense of the Foundation-Non-Profit Complex The current system of tax deductions creates other losers as well. The halo that surrounds 501(c)(3) status also constrains recipient non-profit organizations. Those that agree to the IRS rules are making a not-always advantageous deal with the devil. That tax-deductible status comes with some hefty limits: No electioneering (campaigning for or against candidates) No activities outside the charitable and educational purpose described in the organizations original application for such status Organizations may not be created for the purpose of violating laws, meaning that advocating for civil disobedience, for example, or tax resistance cant be part of an organizations official purpose. Failure to comply with the rules can get an organizations tax-exempt status yanked. One result: organizations begin to censor themselves, sometimes restricting their activities even more than the law requires. For example, while 501(c)(3)s arent allowed to get involved in election campaigns for specific candidates, depending on their total annual income, they are allowed to use as much as 20% of their spending each year to influence legislation or government policies. That means they can work directly for or against ballot initiatives and spend money to lobby government officials. They can, for example, employ paid lobbyists or rent buses to bring people to a state capitol or Congress to talk to their representatives about a particular issue. Many smaller non-profits may not even know this and so may limit their scope of action even more severely than the law requires for fear of losing that precious status. The third restriction (no illegal purposes) has ramifications for organizations that may want to fund or be involved with actions that are nonviolent but illegal, like certain kinds of civil disobedience. In 1975, for instance, the IRS denied 501(c)(3) status to an antiwar organization whose stated charitable purpose was training people to participate in nonviolent civil disobedience. Does that mean that no 501(c)(3) outfit can engage in civil disobedience? No, but it does mean that your entire stated charitable purpose cannot be law-breaking. Fear of losing their status, whether well-founded or not, keeps many organizations from even considering participation in entire realms of political action. Given these restrictions, why would organizations seeking radical change to existing racial, gender, or economic structures want to go the 501(c)(3) route? What makes that status so valuable for a non-profit organization? Weve already seen that individual donors shy away from giving when they dont get a tax deduction. But for many organizations theres an even more important source of funds that also requires the 501(c)(3) tag: foundation grants. Although individuals give far more money overall than foundations, many organizations depend on large chunks of money from foundations, which in most cases will only make grants to 501(c)(3) groups. But accepting foundation funding is another Faustian bargain for several reasons: Foundation funding can deform your program: It can entice you to change your focus and your activities to attract grant money. Youre no longer choosing your own priorities. Instead, you find yourself tailoring what you do to what foundations want to support. Say yours is a racial-justice organization working for serious police reform. Funding for your area of work is scarce, but a whole tranche of funding for after-school youth programs suddenly becomes available. Now, there may even be a place for such programs addressing young people in your overall political strategy. But if you need the money to keep the doors open, you may be tempted to refocus large parts of your program, not because you think after-school youth activities are the best vehicle for police reform, but because thats where the money is. Foundations can be fickle: They are easily distracted by the new and shiny. One moment, they may be all about sustainable communities, which might be a perfect fit for your organizations efforts to address the problems of renters in your city. So you spend three years building the coalitions and doing the public contact work necessary to put a rent-stabilization ordinance on the ballot. At that very moment, however, the money dries up, because funders are now focusing on public transit instead. Just when you most need the support to help win the next election, your benefactors have wandered off in pursuit of something different. Foundations can rearrange an entire non-profit ecosystem: They may, for example, look at organizations in various states working on racial justice in public education and decide that such a movement needs a national collaboration (a foundational buzzword). So a coordinating council is created and funded, requiring that individual organizations participate as a condition for receiving grant money. That means theyll have to divert staff time for planning for national meetings, Zoom calls, and conferences. Such a coalition could, of course, supercharge the work of individual organizations, but it might just as easily distract them from crucial local work while involving them in controversies theyd rather avoid. Foundations have no incentive to support fundamental economic change: Where do foundations come from? The majority, even in the liberal and progressive world, are private, often funded by a single family (think Rockefeller) or company (think Ford or Kellogg). Creating such philanthropic vehicles provides real tax advantages to such families and companies. It also gives them a very respectable way of influencing public policy. Ultimately, these foundations are not going to support serious challenges to the capitalist system, because that system guarantees the continued wealth of their founders. Foundations and Movement Capture I teach at a college and, over the years, many of my justice-minded students have expressed a desire to change the world by founding their own non-profit organizations. In their minds and based on the models they see in their worthy community-engaged learning classes, non-profits are the sine qua non of social change and social movements. For most of them, working for social justice means working for a non-profit. It wasnt always this way. Before the 1954 U.S. tax code created the 501(c)(3) designation, charities existed, but mostly to provide direct aid to people in need. They certainly werent the main political vehicles for social change. In fact, many people organizing to improve their lives were far more likely to turn to unions, not only to improve wages and working conditions, but to address other issues in their lives like housing. Its probably no accident that the rise of the non-profit sector in the second half of the twentieth century coincided with the reduced power of unions. It was during the Civil Rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s that modern non-profits and foundations first played a significant role in attempts to bring about structural change in this country, even while also ensuring that such change, in the end, would be limited in nature. The giant among those philanthropic organizations was then the Ford Foundation, the largest collection of charitable wealth the world had ever seen. A bit late to the civil rights fight, Ford turned its attention in that direction toward the end of the 1960s, after the passage of the Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts. Under the leadership of McGeorge Bundy, a Cold War liberal and Vietnam War architect, Ford began to make huge contributions in the field of civil rights, mainly to the venerable National Urban League, but also to the NAACP. At the same time, it sought to reduce more militant activities, refusing, for example, to fund Martin Luther Kings planned Poor Peoples March on Washington, scheduled for 1968. At the time when the Black Power movement was growing, Ford used its inaugural funding of Black organizations to moderate the influence of more radical voices. University of Washington scholar Megan Ming Francis has labeled such attempts to use foundation money to control and channel a powerful social movement as movement capture. In a 2019 paper, she describes an early example of this process. During the 1920s and 1930s, she writes, funders, including the white-run Garland Foundation, used their financial leverage to redirect the NAACPs agenda away from the issue of racial violence to a focus on education at a critical juncture in the civil rights movement. A decades-long fight for a federal anti-lynching law never succeeded. Who knows what might have happened had the most powerful civil rights organization of the time kept its focus on lynching and the institutionalized state torture of Black people in the early twentieth century? Maybe police would no longer continue to routinely kill people of color with such impunity in this century. An extract from the Ford Foundations 1967 annual report indicates that the tradition of squelching popular uprisings and redirecting the focus of activists lived on at Ford: Staff attention has been turned to the more militant civil rights organizations, specifically the Congress Of Racial Equality (CORE) and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). Our interest in both is in seeing whether we may be of help to them in fashioning rational, goal-oriented programs of constructive action. [Emphasis added.] In other words, use Ford money to get the militants to pivot to activities their betters then considered constructive action. Whats a Donor to Do? The view of funders and non-profits Ive offered here doesnt fit either the right-wing understanding of charity as an alternative to government action (former President George H.W. Bushs thousand points of light) or the liberal belief in the power of foundation-funded organizations to change the world. Unfortunately, I have no prescription for how or where to give your money away this tax season, or indeed during the rest of the year. I can only suggest that you do give. And that whatever any of us give, whether it be money, time, or attention, we do it expecting the only return that really matters: taking part in the larger movements for justice and mercy in all their forms. Copyright 2023 Rebecca Gordon Via ( Tomdispatch.com VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GoviEx Uranium Inc. ("GoviEx" or the "Company") (TSXV: GXU; OTCQB: GVXXF) is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement with Eight Capital and Sprott Capital Partners, as lead underwriters and joint bookrunners (collectively, the "Underwriters"), in connection with a "bought deal" private placement financing of 68,572,000 units of the Company (the "Units") at a price of $0.175 per Unit (the "Issue Price"), for aggregate gross proceeds of $12,000,100 (the "Offering"). Each Unit will be comprised of one common share of the Company (each, a "Common Share") and one common share purchase warrant (each, a "Warrant"), with each Warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one additional Common Share at an exercise price equal to the United States dollar equivalent of $0.25 (the foreign exchange rate to be set based on the Bank of Canada daily exchange rate for United States dollars one business day prior to the Closing Date (as defined below) for a period of 24 months following the closing date of the Offering. The Company has granted the Underwriters an option, exercisable in whole or in part up to 48 hours prior to the closing of the Offering, to purchase up to an additional 15% of the Units at the Issue Price (the Underwriters Option). The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering for exploration, engineering and general corporate and working capital purposes. The closing of the Offering is expected to occur on or about May 11, 2023 (the Closing Date), and is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary approvals, including the conditional approval from the TSX Venture Exchange. The Units to be issued under the Offering will be offered to purchasers pursuant to the: (i) accredited investor exemption under National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions (NI 45-106) (the Hold Units) in an amount up to 22,857,334 Units (26,285,933 Units if the Underwriters Option is exercised in full), and (ii) the listed issuer financing exemption under Part 5A of NI 45-106 in an amount up to 45,714,666 Units (52,571,866 Units if the Underwriters Option is exercised in full) (the LIFE Units), in all the provinces of Canada, except Quebec. The LIFE Units will not be subject to resale restrictions pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws. The Hold Units will be subject to the statutory hold period of four months and one day from the date of issuance in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws. Purchasers under the Offering will receive a fixed ratio of LIFE Units to Hold Units, being 2:1. There is an offering document relating to the Offering that can be accessed under the Companys profile at www.sedar.com and on the Companys website at www.goviex.com. Prospective investors should read this offering document before making an investment decision. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in the United States or any other jurisdiction. No securities may be offered or sold in the United States or in any other jurisdiction in which such offer or sale would be unlawful absent registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or an exemption therefrom or qualification under the securities laws of such other jurisdiction or an exemption therefrom. About GoviEx Uranium Inc. GoviEx is a mineral resource company focused on the exploration and development of uranium properties in Africa. GoviExs principal objective is to become a significant uranium producer through the continued exploration and development of its flagship mine-permitted Madaouela project in Niger and its mine-permitted Mutanga project in Zambia. Contact Information Isabel Vilela Head of Investor Relations and Corporate Communications Tel: +1-604-681-5529 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Web: www.goviex.com Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All information and statements other than statements of current or historical facts contained in this news release are forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties concerning the specific factors disclosed here and elsewhere in GoviExs periodic filings with Canadian securities regulators. When used in this news release, words such as "will", "could", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "may", "potential", "should," and similar expressions, are forward- looking statements. Information provided in this document is necessarily summarized and may not contain all available material information. Forward-looking statements include those with respect to the anticipated quantum, timing and completion of the bought deal private placement; receipt of TSX Venture Exchange acceptance of the private placement; and the proposed use of the proceeds of the private placement. Although the Company believes the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurances that its expectations will be achieved. Such assumptions, which may prove incorrect, include the following: (i) receipt of TSX Venture Exchange acceptance of the private placement will be obtained; (ii) sufficient subscriptions will be received to complete the entirety of the Offering; (iii) the price of uranium will remain sufficiently high and the costs of advancing the Companys mining projects sufficiently low so as to permit GoviEx to implement its business plans in a profitable manner. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations include (i) the Companys failure to complete the private placement in-part or in-full; (ii) inability to make effective use of the proceeds of the private placement; (iii) the failure of the Companys projects, for technical, logistical, labour-relations, or other reasons; (iv) the Companys inability to obtain TSX Venture Exchange acceptance of the private placement; (iv) a decrease in the price of uranium below what is necessary to sustain the Companys operations; (v) an increase in the Companys operating costs above what is necessary to sustain its operations; (vi) accidents, labour disputes, or the materialization of similar risks; (vii) a deterioration in capital market conditions that prevents the Company from raising the funds it requires on a timely basis; and (viii) generally, the Companys inability to develop and implement a successful business plan for any reason. In addition, the factors described or referred to in the section entitled Risk Factors in the MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2021, of GoviEx, which is available on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com, should be reviewed in conjunction with the information found in this news release. Although GoviEx has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, there can be other factors that cause results, performance, or achievements not to be as anticipated, estimated, or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate or that management's expectations or estimates of future developments, circumstances, or results will materialize. As a result of these risks and uncertainties, no assurance can be given that any events anticipated by the forward-looking information in this news release will transpire or occur, or, if any of them do so, what benefits that GoviEx will derive therefrom. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this news release are made as of the date of this news release, and GoviEx disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise such information, except as required by applicable law. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of any of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful, including any of the securities in the United States of America. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933 (the 1933 Act) or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for account or benefit of, U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S under the 1933 Act) unless registered under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws, or an exemption from such registration requirements is available "Fuck! This country should not exist! And we will do everything to make it disappear." This is what Anton Kuznetsov-Krasovsky, journalist and presenter of the Russian TV channel "RT" (previously called "Russia Today") said early 2022, as shown on a video released on YouTube. On April 15, 2022, Krasovsky also wrote a post on his Telegram channel "Anton Vyacheslavovitch", commenting on a video allegedly showing the shelling of the Russian city of Belgorod. On April 14, 2022, the governor of Belgorod had reported that two villages had been bombed from Ukraine. "Guys, it's obvious that you need to pull yourself together. Focus. Stop thinking about 'brothers'. They are not our brothers. I grew up there, I know what I'm talking about. Wipe out! Go ahead! Enough!" Krasovsky wrote. On February 13, 2023, the Shevchenkivskyi District Court of Kyiv sentenced the Russian journalist in absentia to 5 years in prison with confiscation of property. Anton Krasovsky was found guilty of two crimes - public incitement to overthrow the constitutional order in Ukraine and distribution of materials urging such actions through the media, as well as public incitement to genocide, production and distribution of materials urging genocide. There is no Ukraine, this is our Russian land According to the court expert's conclusion, the video contains linguistic signs of propaganda for the elimination of independent Ukraine. It also advocates the uniqueness of the Russian people and national hatred. The conclusion of the semantic and textual expertise states that the words wipe out here meant "kill". The expert finds that there are grounds to assert that the publication contains a public appeal for the deprivation of life (physical destruction) of the Ukrainian people. During the court hearing, video recordings of Krasovsky's speeches were played, in which he made offensive statements about Ukrainians, their nationhood, language and culture. A video also circulated on Telegram in which the accused is thanking Ukrainians for opening a criminal case against him, calling it a wonderful gift. In another video in January 2022, in response to the host's suggestion that Georgia and Ukraine could join NATO, Anton Krasovsky said that in such case Russia would send in its troops: "We will send troops to Ukraine. This is our land. Take that! Screw you instead of NATO. Don't even dream about it, you scum!" When the host reminded him that the Euro-Atlantic direction of Ukraine's foreign policy is stipulated in the Constitution, Krasovsky shouted: "We will take your constitution away from you... We will burn it on Khreshchatyk with you by your own fire, just the way you like it. On burning tires... There is no Ukraine, this is our Russian land. No kind of Ukraine will ever resolve anything there... Russia will take the legally rightful Russian lands, so-called Ukraine... given to the Ukrainians by Stalin... Stalin created your Ukraine! There should be a huge statue of Stalin in every city of Ukraine." State-appointed defense lawyer Andriy Kubov said that he never spoke to Krasovsky who has not approved the defense position. He said he believes that the evidence in this case is only the prosecution's assumptions, and that there is no clear evidence or direct access to the video files, so the video materials presented in court could have been distorted. He did not ask to acquit the accused and said that he was relying on the court's judgment. Incitement or hate speech? The great contemporary precedent for prosecuting journalists for incitement to genocide is the media trial at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) some 20 years ago. Ferdinand Nahimana, former director of Radio-Television des Mille Collines (RTLM) in Rwanda, Jean-Bosco Barayagwiza, a member of the radio's management committee, and Hassan Ngeze, former director of the newspaper Kangura, were convicted for the role their media played in the 1994 Tutsi genocide. "In terms of international criminal law, it is direct and public incitement that is considered," said Jean-Marie Biju-Duval, who was Nahimana's lawyer. He points out that during the preparatory debates for the international convention on the prevention of genocide, in 1947-1948, one of the issues at stake was: do we include hate speech that can result in a crime? It was the Soviet Union that wanted to include it and the Western countries that were wary of a definition that was too broad and could be used as a means of repression by authoritarian regimes. "This was clarified by the media trial," explains Biju-Duval. "In the first instance, the judges had considered that RTLM's broadcasts before 6 April [the date on which the genocide was triggered] constituted incitement to genocide. The appeal chamber went back on that. It said that it was the call to murder [after that date] that constituted incitement, not the fact of having said 'you are subhuman'. Before [6 April], it's hate speech. In sum, hate speech can be criminalised but it does not necessarily constitute direct and public incitement. "It can be punished under domestic law but it is not an international crime," Biju-Duval said. The French lawyer comments only cautiously on the case of Anton Krasovsky, as he does not have all the elements of the case. "Is it Ukraine which is targeted as a sovereign country or is it its nationals, i.e. the Ukrainian people? In this case, the first condition is met. And if you call for the murder of this group, then you are not far from direct and public incitement," he explains. Before the ICTR, Biju-Duval recalls that the basic jurisprudence on the subject was that of the Nuremberg Tribunal, where the Allies tried Nazi Germany. Two of the defendants were former journalists: Hans Fritzsche, former head of news at the Propaganda Ministry, and Julius Streicher, former editor of the violently antisemitic newspaper Der Strumer. Fritzsche was acquitted while Streicher was sentenced to death. In the end, from Nuremberg to the ICTR, the dividing line between what constitutes an international crime and what constitutes hate propaganda has remained roughly the same. And like all such cases against journalists, the Krasovsky case will be analysed and debated along this same criminal line. Descendants of victims of genocide in Namibia will gather at the site of an infamous concentration camp this weekend to commemorate the killing of tens of thousands of people by German colonial settlers. A genocide memorial tombstone will be unveiled during a three-day event on Shark Island, a peninsula off the southern city of Luderitz that hosted a camp of the same name -- one of several set up during German rule as part of a system of repression. "Shark Island was not just a concentration camp, it was a death camp," said Nandiuasora Mazeingo, head of the Ovaherero Genocide Foundation, a non-profit group advocating for restorative justice for descendants of victims. Namibia has no official day designated to commemorate what some historians have described as the 20th century's first genocide. German settlers killed tens of thousands of men, women and children belonging to indigenous Herero and Nama people who rebelled against colonial rule in the southwest African country between 1904 and 1908. "We have taken it upon ourselves to remember the day, at Shark Island," Mazeingo told AFP. Several thousand people are estimated to have died at the camp, where prisoners were exposed to brutal conditions, beatings and forced labour. Today the area hosts a state-run holiday resort, boasting 20 campsites and a lighthouse that has been refurbished for accommodation. Descendants of the victims are disappointed that the government allows the peninsula to be "a place where people can vacation," said Mazeingo. "It is important for us to remember where we come from and what we've been through," said Veronique Kuchekana-Chirau, who teaches the history of the genocide and its legacies to Namibian children through theatre and performing arts. In August 1904, German soldiers chased around 80,000 Herero into what is now known as the Kalahari Desert, raping women and slaughtering their captives. The following year, on April 22, 1905, German military commander general Lothar von Trotha, ordered the extermination of the Nama. By 1908, at least 60,000 Herero and around 10,000 Nama were killed. After lengthy and sometimes acrimonious negotiations, Germany in 2021 acknowledged that it had committed "genocide" in Namibia, which it colonised between 1884 and 1915. It offered 1.1 billion euros in development aid spread over 30 years to the benefit of the Herero and Nama descendants. But descendants of the victims and Namibian political parties are unhappy, and want to reopen talks. "The genocide was the most grotesque and brutal act of criminality that took place in the territory that we know today as Namibia," said Mazeingo. In the Republic of Artsakh, it is possible to alleviate the energy crisis to a certain extent by using solar energy; and in the long term, the demand can be fully ensured. April 21, 2023, 14:00 The use of solar energy will make it possible to alleviate the energy crisis in the republic. Experts STEPANAKERT, APRIL 21 , ARTSAKHPRESS: Seyran Danielyan, the head of the projects of "GS Energy" company, told ''Artsakhpress''. ''During the ongoing blockade, our company, together with the "Lorik" humanitarian foundation, have installed 20 water heaters for socially vulnerable groups in Ashan, Norshen, Avdur, Hatsi and a number of other communities of the region of Martuni. With the framework of the "Solar Schools in Artsakh" program, in cooperation with the charity platform "reArmenia", it is planned to install solar power plants in 5 schools of the Martuni region. The funds necessary for the installation in two schools have already been collected. However, as a result of the blockade, the process of bringing and installing the relevant devices has been delayed for an indefinite period," explained S. Danielyan. ''With the support of the Red Cross, a similar program has been implemented in a number of kindergartens in the region of Martuni, which no longer have problems concerning the lack of electricity. First of all, medical institutions should be provided with solar power plants, where the lack of electricity can lead to threats to human life, so we have proposed such a program to the relevant structures, which is under discussion, he said. Armen Khachatryan, the Artsakh representative of the company of "Shtigen'' emphasizing the installation of solar panels and water heaters as an opportunity for self-sufficiency, noted that the number of sunny days in the territory of the republic provides enough opportunity for the widespread use of solar energy. "About 160 water heaters have been installed in 19 communities of the regions of Askeran, Martuni and Martakert. According to the government's decision, 50% of the cost of solar water heaters in non-gasified communities is subsidized by the state," detailed the Artsakh representative of the company, adding that the beneficiaries of the charity program are also chosen by the relevant organization. According to his information, due to the blockade, the work has been currently stopped. In the future, it is planned to implement a program with the Armenian Charity General Union. Due to the blockade, however, it is not possible to import enough water heaters. We expect state support in order to solve the problems," concluded Armen Khachatryan. "QueenMaker" took the world by storm as Kim Hee Ae and Moon So Ri's K-drama delivered a unique storyline about "womance" and how an ordinary person, driven by passion, conquered a male-dominated world. Premiered on April 14, the 11-part episode series focuses on politics, power, corruption, and more, with the main characters leaving viewers tuned in at every episode. Kim Hee Ae and Moon So Ri's team-up did not disappoint viewers as they illustrated a unique friendship as they underwent a difficult journey. However, fans were also in awe of the scene stealer, Kim Sae Byeok, as she plays Eun Chae Ryung, the EunSung group's heiress and the wife of mayoral candidate Baek Jae Min, played by Ryu Soo Young. Who is Eun Chae Ryung in 'QueenMaker'? The political K-drama introduced Kim Sae Byeok's character as Chairman Son's youngest daughter. She works as the managing director of the Eunsung Group and is known for her short temper. In one scene, "QueenMaker" depicted her character as someone with intermittent explosive disorder (IED), hence why she is having a hard time coping with her anger and emotional issues. At one point, Hwnag Do Hee, known as the EunSung group's fixer," had to cover up her power-tripping behaviors, such as abusing her employees. However, the media can't help but notice the similarity between the "QueenMaker" character and a real-life personality. Is Eun Chae Ryung Based on Cho Hyun Ah's Story? As obtained by a media outlet, Insight Korea pointed out the resemblance between the fictional character and Korean Air heiress Heather Cho, also known as Cho Hyun Ah. In 2014, the chaebol's daughter made headlines after she reportedly got furious and threw a fit on an airplane after she was served nuts in a bag instead of first class's customary bowl. She insulted the cabin crew, questioned the standards of the company, and assaulted the crew as she ordered the employee to get off the plane. At the time, the public was furious about how she treated her employees, criticized her for her arrogance, and even mocked her for going "nuts" over the pathetic situation. On the other hand, the scene in "QueenMaker" where Eun Chae Ryung bowed in front of the media and protestors depicted a similar instance when Cho Hyun Ah almost did the same thing. As mentioned by a media outlet, the heiress clasped her hands and bowed before a crowd of reporters as she apologized for her unacceptable actions. Due to this, the heiress resigned from her position and was sentenced one year in prision in February 2015 for obstructing aviation security. READ MORE: Kim Hee Ae Delivers Special Message to Viewers Following the Success of 'QueenMaker' KDramaStars owns this article Written by Geca Wills On April 21, the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan spread another misinformation that military equipment was allegedly transported from Armenia to Artsakh accompanied by Russian peacekeepers. April 21, 2023, 18:45 MoD Azerbaijan spreads misinformation about the transfer of military equipment from Armenia to Artsakh STEPANAKERT, APRIL 21 , ARTSAKHPRESS: The Police of Ministry of Internal Affairs of Artsakh informed on its Facebook page that the said movement is a case of internal cargo transportation for humanitarian purposes, moreover, it was filmed in an earlier period. "Furthermore, in the video published by them, a water truck can be seen, with which it is definitely not possible to transport weapons. Thus, Azerbaijan, misleading the international community, represents the transportation of humanitarian goods and internal movements as the transportation of military equipment and ammunition. On the other hand, almost every day violating the ceasefire regime, the Azerbaijani armed forces open fire even at the civilians of Artsakh, stopping the agricultural works," the message says. The Artsakh Ministry of Internal Affairs once again informs that the only interstate road from Armenia to Artsakh is closed by Azerbaijan from December 12, 2022. Russian peacekeepers and the International Committee of the Red Cross carry out very limited movement of people and goods on this road, exclusively for humanitarian purposes. A 53-year-old female bicyclist from Illinois injured in a Thursday morning crash was listed in critical condition Friday after colliding with a semi-trailer in Bristol. The woman, of Grayslake, was transported via Flight for Life to Froedtert Milwaukee after sustaining serious injuries. The woman, who authorities have not named, remains in critical condition. At 10:07 a.m. Thursday Kenosha County sheriffs deputies and rescue personnel from the Village of Bristol responded to the 15200 block of 60th Street for a serious motor vehicle crash involving a semi-truck and a bicyclist, according to Public Information Officer Sgt. David Wright. Initial reports indicated that a 1998 Kenworth semi-truck was eastbound on 60th Street (Highway K) when a bicyclist that was also traveling eastbound in front of the semi-truck suddenly made a left turn into its path, resulting in the bicyclist being struck by the semi-truck. The operator of the semi-truck was issued a citation for operating a commercial vehicle without a license, Wright said. Due to the crash resulting in potentially life-threatening injuries, the Kenosha County Major Crash Assistance Team (MCAT) responded to the scene to assist in the accident investigation. The semi-trailer was jack-knifed and halfway off the road while debris could be seen west down 60th Street. The area was temporarily closed off. The public is encouraged to contact the Kenosha County Sheriffs Department with any information regarding the crash at 262-605-5100. President Bidens four-day visit to Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, which began on April 11, has provided overall opportunity to highlight our important, and complex, relationships with both Ireland and Britain. These ties span significant economic, military security, and above all historical dimensions. Northern Ireland is geographically part of the island of Ireland, but under the sovereignty of Britain. Together with England, Scotland and Wales these regions comprise the United Kingdom. The majority of Northern Irelands population is Protestant, while Ireland is overwhelmingly Catholic. Ireland overall was under British rule until 1921. Independence relieved considerable political pressure, but Northern Ireland has remained a source of tension and - periodically violence. United States leaders have been influential in efforts to broker and maintain peace, over many years. Former Senator George Mitchell (D-ME) was central to the successful peace negotiations. On St. Patricks Day in 1977, Senators Ted Kennedy (D-MA) and Pat Moynihan (D-NY) joined with fellow Democrats Governor Hugh Carey of New York and U.S. House Speaker Tip ONeill from Massachusetts in urging Irish-Americans and others to stop sending money to violent groups. Bidens successful trip has reflected both these political and more personal dimensions. The President addressed an enormous audience at a cathedral in County Mayo, where his family has strong roots. Over the years, he said, stories of this place have become part of my soul, part of my family lore. During a visit to Knock Shrine, Biden had the opportunity to talk with former U.S. Army Chaplain Fr. Frank OGrady, who gave last rites to his late son Beau Biden. Former President Bill Clinton arrived on April 14 for celebrations marking the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, also known as the Belfast Agreement, that ended the sectarian violence that had plagued the territory and both Ireland and Britain from the late 1960s. The understanding, actually two agreements, signed on April 10, 1998, involved the details of power-sharing among Northern Irelands political parties and also the governments of Britain and Ireland. Despite challenges and occasional crises, this historic peace accord overall has held. President Biden made a point of visiting with five leaders from the main political parties of Northern Ireland. Events related to Northern Ireland reach well beyond the province. Britain after a long ordeal implemented Brexit, departing the European Union (EU). Ireland remains a staunch EU member. Britain is a military power within NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization), while Ireland is a neutral nation. Wider relationships may prove crucial. The G8 (Group of Eight) nations held a summit in Northern Ireland in June 2013. Members emphasized economic cooperation. The venue selected also underscored progress toward peace. The Northern Ireland summit also reconfirmed commitment to wider strategic cooperation. The participants agreed to work to ensure negotiations to end the Syria civil war became an urgent priority. Britain and the U.S. are historically close military partners. Such alliance began in World War I, and became close, vital and lasting during World War II. Intelligence operations were important in both wars, and were the initial source of cooperation in the second war, which evolved into our continuing Special Relationship. Current developments in Europe provide sound reasons to reemphasize this cooperation. Both Britain and Ireland are closely tied to the U.S. in the most human dimension of international relations, immigration. President Biden and former President Clinton have done a fine job of reinforcing these relationships. It was a busy night in the emergency department, as usual. I rushed from one patient to the next, trying to keep up with the constant stream of people coming in with various ailments and injuries. One patient, in particular, stood out to me that night. He was an older man, probably in his early 70s, who had come in complaining of severe back pain. After a thorough examination and some tests, we came to the conclusion that he was suffering from cord compression, a condition where the spinal cord is compressed by a narrowed or damaged spinal column. The man was in a lot of pain, and we knew that surgery was necessary in order to relieve the compression and stop further damage from occurring. We gave him decadron, a powerful anti-inflammatory medication, to help reduce the swelling around his spinal cord, and called in a neurosurgeon to perform the necessary surgery. After a few days of intensive care, the man began to show signs of improvement. His pain was subsiding, and he was starting to regain some of the mobility that had been lost because of the compression. It was a long road to recovery, but we were confident that he would make a full recovery with time and care. Weeks later, I received a new patient in the emergency department a middle-aged woman who had come in with septic shock, a serious medical condition in which the bodys immune system goes into overdrive and attacks its own tissues and organs. She had a long history of end-stage renal disease and had been on dialysis for several years. She also had a variety of autoimmune disorders, which made her particularly susceptible to infections and other complications. We ran every test we could think of, but we couldnt find the source of the infection that was causing her septic shock. We started her on broad-spectrum antibiotics and gave her plenty of fluids to help support her body, and slowly but surely, she began to improve. Days turned into weeks, and I found myself caring for this woman again several months later in the ICU. She was a fighter, there was no doubt about that despite all of the challenges she faced, she managed to maintain her strength and resilience in the face of all odds. Then, one day, everything changed. It was the ninth day of her admission, and I walked into her room as I did every morning to see how she was doing. But when I asked how her night was, she gave me a surprising answer. I want to pass peacefully, she said, her voice weak and tired. I wasnt sure what she meant at first, but as she started to explain, I began to realize that she was ready to let go. She was tired of the endless hospitalizations and treatments, tired of the constant pain and uncertainty. She wanted us to stop all of the painful and invasive procedures, and let her pass away gently and peacefully. It was a difficult decision to make, but after consultation with the palliative care team and her family, we began the process of withdrawing care and transitioning her to an outpatient hospice facility. It was one of the hardest things I had ever been a part of, but I knew deep down that it was the right thing to do. The day before she left, I saw someone being rolled in a wheelchair right in front of me that I could hardly believe my eyes were seeing it was the elderly man I had cared for just a few months prior. I rushed over to him and asked if he remembered me, and his face lit up in recognition. Hi Dr. La! You cared for me last November when I had my spinal cord problems! he said. I quickly found out he was visiting his daughter, the elderly woman I was caring for. It was surreal to realize that I had cared for not just one member, but two members of the same family in just a few short months. Here was the father, reaching out to support his daughter during her darkest hour, just as he had relied on us during his own. It wasnt an easy journey, but I knew that both of these patients had received the best care possible during their time with us. And despite the sadness and heartache that came with the end of their journey, I was grateful to have been a part of their lives and to have made a difference in their final moments. Ton La, Jr. is a physician and can be reached on LinkedIn. In a Black Mirror-esque video I watched recently on YouTube, a young man with a persistent cough notices a booth labeled Instant Doctor as hes waiting in a train station, and decides to give it a try. The somewhat pleasant robot voice immediately recognizes him and dutifully (creepily?) reads off his age, height, and weight. She then tells him he has two diagnoses: the first, a mild bronchial infection, is treated easily with a medicated mist, delivered right there in the little doctor pod. Pretty cool. He feels great. The second, however, is far worse: metastatic glioblastoma multiforme, a brain tumor. The robot voice then helpfully informs him that his life expectancy has been updated to reflect this diagnosis, and he has about eight months left to live. But not to worry, they are sending him information about palliative care referrals. Oh, and they also took care of notifying his loved ones via Tik Tok. All the access to all the data in the world cannot make someone (or something) a good physician; only humanity can do that. The recent conversation around ChatGPT passing a physician licensing examination has led those of us in the medical education and licensure world to consider how artificial intelligence (AI) could (and will) affect the way we teach and train physicians, and the way we assess their readiness to see patients. Osteopathic physicians (DOs) have their own set of licensure exams, called the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination of the United States (COMLEX-USA), which assesses the competency of osteopathic medical students and recent DO graduates. The exam is designed through the lens of the osteopathic philosophy, which looks at the patient as a whole person, rather than a collection of symptoms, and is based on four main tenets. The first tenet places an emphasis on the connection of the body, mind, and spirit, and that last part the focus on spiritis where AI loses out; osteopathic physicians are trained in patient-first care, taking into account many different factors that could be contributing to a patients condition. You only learn that from building a rapport with your patient: learning their spirit, allowing them to voice their concerns and to become a partner in their own health maintenance. In the scenario above, the patient is given a diagnosis, and then sent on his way with no support or comfort. No humanity. Thats not just me talking as a physician; research has shown that patients want a connection with their physician. One study published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings found that according to patients, the ideal physician is someone who is confident, empathetic, humane, personal, forthright, respectful, and thorough. While AI might have the respectful and thorough parts covered, those first five characteristics are something only a human can truly embody. Even Ansible Health, a company who is currently using ChatGPT to help explain certain COPD concepts to patients, says it needs a trained, human professional to review the AI platforms work. That said, there is certainly a place for AI in health care; there are a multitude of possibilities for diagnostic assistance; for tracking standards of care; for people who have a difficult time accessing a physician; for maintaining wellness; for making sure medications are taken on time and correctly; and for making sure that care is seamless between providers; and many more. AI could be of particular use to primary care providers who are often bogged down with more administrative tasks than their peers, and could free them to make more time for patient care. For humanity; the art of medicine. But even though AI could give a patient a diagnosis, there would be no humanity behind it. No way to comfort a patient, to carefully walk them through treatment options, help them make an individualized decision about how to choose the right one for them, or to listen to their concerns. Simply put: there is no substitution for the real thing. Jeanne Sandella is a family physician. The King's School at North Parramatta confirmed students killed a goanna during a school trip. Students from a prestigious private school are being investigated after allegedly torturing and killing a native animal during a school trip. Several students from The Kings School in Sydney, an elite private school that charges up to $40,000 in fees, allegedly decided it would be funny to kill a goanna during a cadet camping trip at the end of March. The school has confirmed the matter was reported to authorities. The school confirmed the matter had been reported to police. Picture: Supplied NSW Police told NCA NewsWire they had begun investigating the alleged killing. In a statement, a spokesman from The Kings School said they were aware of the incident. There was an incident which occurred at The Kings Schools annual cadet camp towards the end of last term, it said. The school does not condone the behaviour, which is inconsistent with the values and expectations of behaviour at Kings. It is not yet known if the students faced any disciplinary action from the school. The private school in Parramatta charges about $24,000 for kindergarten students and up to $40,000 for year 12 students. Investigations are ongoing, and anyone with information is asked to call The Hills Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Every week, The Citizen features a pet available for adoption from the Finger Lakes SPCA of Central New York. This week, we spotlight Bauer. Bauer arrived at the Finger Lakes SPCA of CNY on March 1. He is a 3-year-old, Labrador retriever/Australian shepherd mix. Bauer enjoys dry and/or wet food, but most of all, he loves to snack on treats of all kinds! Bauer did not previously live with other animals but enjoys his time running around outside with other dogs. Bauer is bounding with playful energy! This sweet boy is always ready for one-on-one attention or to explore and entertain himself! During playtime, Bauers leaping skills really shine when he is enjoying a game of fetch with a ball-launcher or a flying disc toy! Bauer loves being outdoors, whether it is going for a walk or spending the weekend on a camping trip! If interested in meeting Bauer, please visit or call the shelter at (315) 253-5841. Shelter news We welcome the community to join us for our open house from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 6! Our team will be showing off all the recent shelter updates and changes, as well as the new blueprints for our upcoming expansion project! Im excited to share our new vision for a reimagined shelter, said Nick Lapresi, the new executive director who took over the shelter in October. Its something that not only benefits animals, but the entire community. Were making a greater impact in the community than ever before. Join us as our new team features highlights of the animals available for adoption, presentations of our services and upcoming projects, and staff-led tours of the shelter! During the event, community members will also be able to learn about volunteer and foster opportunities! All are welcome to join us for this free event! (Note: Pets are not allowed, and light refreshments will be served.) The shelter has changed drastically in only a few short months, said Anastasia Zygarowicz, president of the shelter's board of directors. We wanted to create an event that showed off all of these changes and also a place to answer questions, especially if you are looking to get involved. With so many animal lovers in the community, we are hoping this event attracts new volunteers and supporters of the shelter. Police in Kawempe division, Kampala have successfully apprehended a group of suspects involved in the theft of motorcycles in Lugoba village urban council. The operation started on April 19, 2023, following a tip-off from a reliable source. Luke Owoyesigyire the Kampala Metropolitan Police deputy spokesperson says the suspects were found in possession of stolen motorcycles and that they were planning to dismantle them for sale. He says the gang of about eight suspects has been operating within Kawempe, stealing motorcycles and changing number plates to avoid detection. Mayanja Godfrey, who identified himself as a mechanic, was arrested from his residence in Lugoba Village Urban Council, where he had hidden two number plates, UEZ 616M and UEV 832P, two pairs of side mirrors, and two number plate guards, The suspects have been charged and are currently awaiting prosecution. However, police say a one Mulugwala and others are still at large. Owoyesigyire said in a statement. The Grand Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Shaban Mubajje has prayed for peace to prevail in war-tone Muslim countries, especially neighboring Sudan. Leading national Eid prayers at Gadaffi Mosque, Sheikh Mubajje said it is embarrassing that Muslim brothers are involved in acts of bloodshed during the Holy Month of Ramadan and yet Islam is a religion of peace and tolerance. It is a shame, we call upon the two warring factions in Sudan to ceasefire. We are ashamed to tell the world that Islam is a religion of peace, tolerance, and forgiveness when we come out to shade blood in the last 10 days of Ramadan, Mubajje said. The one week of fighting between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary force, Rapid Support Forces has left close to 300 people dead and thousands injured. Mufti Mubajje has called for ceasefire in Sudan and for the two warring groups to go for dialogue. Muslim clerics have urged President Yoweri Museveni to sign into law the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, 2023. Sheikh Shaban Mubajje, the Grand Mufti of Uganda has asked the president to sign into law the controversial Anti-homosexuality bill, 2023. The president made a decision to return the Bill to Parliament after meeting NRM MPs on Thursday and following advice from Attorney General, Kiryowa Kiwanuka who says the current Bill also criminalizes those who voluntarily come out to have practiced homosexuality and need to be helped. Leading National Eid prayers at Gadaffi Mosque, Sheikh Mubajje expressed urgent need to have the law in place to save the country from immorality. While leading Eid prayers at Masjid Musa Mosque located within the premises of Hotel Africana, Sheikh Umar Yusuf also asked the president not to feel pressurized by anyone not to assent to the Bill, saying it is a social ill that is against Allah. The call comes at a time the president yesterday agreed to return the Bill to Parliament for consideration after meeting NRM MPs. Sheikh Umar has meanwhile asked Muslims to keep praying and observing Islamic norms even after the Holy Month of Ramadan. He has also emphasized the need for believers to change their behaviors so as to live as examples. Sheikh Umar has meanwhile asked young ladies and men to get married so as to overcome sin and encouraged married couples to be faithful. By Mike Sebalu The Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) 5th Mountain Battalion under the UPDF Mountain division in Kasese have arrested 3 suspected Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) fighters who had crossed into Uganda. The arrest took place on Thursday evening in Kyoga village Bweera sub-county in Kasese district under an intelligence-led operation. During the operation, 70 rounds of ammunition were also recovered. Major Bilal Katamba, the spokesperson for Ugandas military operations in DRC identified those arrested as Majid Louis Maseruka, 31, Asuman Musa, 17, and Abdul Hamid, 23, from Mujumbi village Bukabwooli sub-county in Mayuge. These were tracked as they came into Uganda and that is how we were able to arrest them. One of them tried to escape but the UPDF with the help of the wananchi in the area were able to hunt him down and re-arrested and recovered the gun from him, Katamba said. Other military-related items were also recovered including two army uniform shirts belonging to the armed forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC), a Congolese national army, he added. He said the rebels are coming to Uganda as a result of increased pressure put on them by the joint operation in Eastern DRC in areas of Ituri and North Kivu. This is the second arrest of this kind in the same areas of Kasese in a period of 3 months. In January this year, two juveniles were among the three suspected Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels arrested in Kikorongo, Kasese district. Also in December 2022, the Uganda Peoples Defence Force (UPDF) said it captured seven more suspected ADF rebels in Kyobe, Bweramule sub-county in Ntoroko district. Maj. Bilala Katamba, however; encouraged them to hand themselves over to the different joint operation officers, explaining that running away with the aim of re-joining the community with their guns will not help them. Watching the events unfolding in Ukraine, Basil Seggos wanted to help. The commissioner of the state Department of Environmental Conservation and a U.S. Army veteran returned in March from his second trip to Ukraine. He first traveled there in September and volunteered with Ukraine Focus, an organization that delivers ambulances and medical aid to the war-torn country. Seggos, who took leaves of absence from his state post to volunteer in Ukraine, told The Citizen that his involvement with Ukraine Focus began when he met Brock Bierman, the organization's founder and CEO. Bierman is a former assistant administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development. When Seggos first traveled to Ukraine last fall, he was part of a group that delivered 22 ambulances to the frontlines. When he returned in March, they drove four ambulances into the country. He traveled to the Donetsk region, one of the main battlegrounds as Ukrainian forces fight back against Russia's invasion. Ukraine Focus has delivered more than 100 ambulances, according to Seggos. Ambulances are needed, he explained, because Russia has targeted emergency vehicles. The ambulances, which last 30 to 60 days, each transport an average of 200 civilians or soldiers while in service. "It makes even the delivery of one ambulance incredibly important," he said. Seggos met Ukrainian soldiers who are fighting in the conflict. He also volunteered building orphanages for children who have lost parents in the war. There were reminders of the war around them. In several cities he visited, air raid sirens were activated. There was more activity in the Donetsk region. They saw fighter jets flying overhead and heard artillery shells going off, he said. He credited their handlers for keeping them safe during their travels. Six months had passed since his last trip to Ukraine. In Kyiv, the country's capital, he observed a city that is getting back to normal as normal as it can get during wartime. When he visited Bucha in September, he saw destroyed tanks on a main street. He went there again on the most recent trip and workers were repairing houses and sidewalks. What he considered most significant is the resolve of the Ukrainian people, even as there is no sign the fighting will end anytime soon. "I guess I had expected to see people with more fatigue, the fatigue of war, which often leads to a sort of pessimism," Seggos said. "I didn't see that at all. I found the population to be just as resolute, inspired and just as strong as they were six months ago... We're now seeing a country that's been at war for well over a year and yet the people have not backed down at all." One highlight for Seggos was a late-night conversation he had with Ruslan Strilets, Ukraine's minister of environmental protection and natural resources. At the time of the video call, Seggos was in New York, a city in Ukraine. Strilets was in New York City for a conference at the United Nations. He hopes to return to Ukraine, but knows that he can provide assistance from afar. As an example, he noted that he introduced Bucha Mayor Anatolii Fedoruk to Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan. Now, Albany and Bucha have a sister city agreement. As long as Ukraine is fighting to fend off the Russian invasion, Seggos will find a way to help the cause. "This war has major implications for us as Americans morally, politically and economically," he said. "Ukraine is an ally of ours and right now, they are the ones on the frontlines of really what is a fight for democracy across the globe. To let a nation like that suffer defeat at the hands of an autocratic regime, I think, would be devastating for all of us over the long term. It's really important for us to do it now, be present now, to help defend that country." Witches, wells, piseogs, pike, curses, Fionn Mac Cumhaill and ghost hurlers all form part of the rich heritage surrounding Kilkennys only lake, Lough Cullen. Having read the various accounts of what was supposed to have gone on there in prehistoric times, you would be almost afraid to go anywhere near it. It is also known by its English name, Holly Lake and amazingly there has never been a major feature written on what I found to be a little piece of heaven situated in the heart of South Kilkenny. My favourite myth surrounding the lake is the tale that when there is a full moon, ghost hurlers come out and play on top of the shimmering surface of the lake. According to the Journal of The Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, the hurlers, after a protracted and violent struggle, unleash unearthly shouts, which float in wild reverberations around the distant hills with the lake becoming unusually agitated. The hurlers are then engulfed and a witch, disguised as an old woman lets out venomous wails of destruction and cries out in a loud voice, An luachair, an luachair (the rushes, the rushes.) This ties in with the local superstition of how Lough Cullen was formed and the following story was written down by John ODonovan from Slieverue who did so much work on Irish place names proves this. A wicked witch wished to destroy a number of young men who were hurling on the plain over which the waters of Lough Cullen spreads itself, he wrote. One of the hurlers turned off the hurling green (faithche) to quench his thirst but not finding any water, he wandered about in search of a well. He was met by the witch in disguise, who told him that there was no well near at hand but that if he went over to a tuft of rushes which she pointed out, and pulled one rush, a well would issue from the earth. He did what she suggested and forthwith a deluge of water issued from the earth, which overflowed the plain, drowned the thirsty youth and all his companions on the green. Getting to Lough Cullen is simple. Just go to Mullinavat and take the R448 which will bring you out on to the Fahee road out of Kilmacow It is located on the tip of Kilmacow parish and is closely associated with Big Wood, Mullinavat and with Gracedieu, Kells, Kilmacow. John Fitzgerald has lived his whole life close to Lough Cullen. His childhood was spent exploring the lake, its shore and the bog and natural habitat surrounding it. While other people went to Tramore, John and his friends made do with swimming at Dans Hole where they spent endless afternoons and evenings. Alas, that has all stopped and all the fish that were in the lake have vanished. The lake is fed by The Cats Rock stream and was home to trout and pike none of which remain. John, a keen environmentalist, has noted that the wild iris flower, once common around Lough Cullen and especially along the waters edge, is completely gone. He feels that in terms of size and quality, the lake he has always loved, has deteriorated. He blames Irelands entry into the EEC (now EU) in 1973 for leading to more intensive farming practices as a reason for its current state. The Burkes or Gauls of Gaulstown in the parish of Lower Kilmacow were descended from William de Burgh, grandson of Edmond na feasoige de Burgh of Clanwilliam and ancestor of Walter de Burgh of (Ardmayle on the Suir), Co Tipperary, and who came to Kilmacow after 1370, They built a castle, which became a ruin over looking Holly Lake, but is now gone. Locals maintain that the remains of this castle still can be seen in a field between the road which leads from Gaulstown to Charlestown, and at the stream from Holly Lake, which flows between both places, nearer to the road than the stream. Ringville National School was part of a project operated by Duchas and now retained for posterity in the National Folklore Collection. It centred on a man, called Laurence Roche who was handed down this story by his father. About five miles north east of my house two miles from the village of Ballinerea, and three fields from ONeills of Fahee, is a lake which is called Holly Lake. It is said that a man was going along the fields and he saw a woman with a pail of water in her hand. He asked her for a drink and she said pull up that rush and put it back the same way. The man pulled up the rush, got the drink, but he could not put it back so the water gushed up and formed into a lake, and the lake is there still. It is said that the woman was a witch and that there is no bottom to the lake, Mr Roche told a volunteer in the project overseen by teacher, Sile de Paor. One time it was frozen and people came and skated and burled on it with holly burls. This is the reason they called it Holly Lake, he said. The final story about Lough Cullen involves Fionn Mac Cumhaill, leader of the Fianna. We are indebted to the late John ODonovan, the Irish scholar and topographer for this tale: Fionn was staying close to the lake and to make a long story short, saw a hare with a golden coat on one side and a shiny, silver coat on the other pass by. He and his dog, Bran gave chase. After days and days, they found the hare, which had turned into a beautiful woman, crying by the waters edge because she had lost her golden ring in the lake. Being chivalrous, Fionn eventually found the ring at the bottom of the lake and when he presented it to her, she took his hand and he immediately found himself metamorphosised into a wizened old man, near death. Eventually, the Fianna found the witch who was living on Tory Hill. They started to dig up the hill and throw it into the lake. Suddenly she appeared as they were demolishing the hill and asked them to stop, restoring Fionn to full health for doing so. She disclosed her name as Grinn and said that the hill was her; habitation and the lake my power. Fionn replied to her: We shall always know you by Cuillinn Grinn and this hill will be known as Sliabh Cuillinn to the end of time. Cash is dead; crypto is king. Since 2010 cryptocurrencies have been gaining traction in the financial world, and with a market that has now amassed trillions of dollars, the days of the paper currency are looking grim. Being the pioneer of the field, Bitcoin has led the pack regarding digital currencies. Yet over the years, various cryptocurrencies have established themselves as fierce competitors, each with unique features and use cases. As people continue to uncover the advantages and safety features of these digital assets, many investors are searching for the next big opportunity. Three cryptocurrenciesXRP, Shiba Inu, and Dogettiare on the radar of having the potential to dethrone Bitcoin in 2023. XRP In 2012, Ripple Labs developed XRP a digital currency that has become popular due to its ease of use. It was designed to be a fast and secure way of sending money globally. XRP's main goal is to revolutionize how payments are made across borders, offering faster and cheaper transactions. One of the main advantages of XRP is that it is decentralized, meaning that no single entity has control over it. Nicknamed Ripple, XRP has been making ripples in the world of crypto as of late. It was in the news recently due to its legal battles with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The SEC has accused XRP of being an unregistered security and has filed a lawsuit against Ripple. Despite this legal battle, XRP has continued to perform very well in the crypto market. Many investors see the legal battle as a potential opportunity for XRP to prove its worth as a legitimate cryptocurrency. XRP has shown it has a lot of potential, especially if its legal battles turn out to be in its favor. In 2023, XRP became one of the most significant cryptocurrencies due to its partnership with various financial institutions. It is a lightning-fast, secure currency, with transactions typically taking only a few seconds to complete. With this, Ripple Labs has been working tirelessly to promote the use of XRP in cross-border payments and has already seen several financial institutions embrace the technology. The use of XRP is expected to grow significantly as more financial institutions integrate it into their payment systems. Another factor that could drive the value of XRP in 2023 is its low transaction fees. Unlike traditional payment methods that charge high fees for cross-border transactions, XRP charges a small fee, making it an attractive option for businesses and individuals. Shiba Inu Shiba Inu, or one of the popular meme coins as they are called, is a relatively new cryptocurrency that was created in 2020. It is a decentralized cryptocurrency that operates on the Ethereum blockchain. Shiba Inu is often referred to as the Dogecoin killer, which is often parodied due to its similarities with Dogecoin. Shiba Inu has gained visibility due to its unique features, such as Shibaswap decentralized exchange, where users can swap different cryptocurrencies, and the Shiba Inu non-fungible token (NFT) platform, where users can buy and sell unique digital assets. Another factor contributing to its popularity is the fact that it is a zero-emission token aimed at protecting the environment and supporting activists in this field. While 24% of investors are still willing to buy traditional cryptos like bitcoin, 76% say they want cryptocurrencies to become more environmentally friendly. Shiba Inu could be the perfect coin for the socially responsible investor. Shiba Inu's popularity due to media platforms such as Twitter and its now CEO, Elon Musk, often promoting it has made it one of the most recognizable digital currencies even to non-users. On Twitter alone, it has over one million followers. This popularity of Shiba Inu could translate into increased demand for the cryptocurrency, driving up its value. In fact, at one point in 2021, Shiba Inu had a market cap of over $10 billion. While its value has since dropped, Shiba Inu is still a cryptocurrency that is worth watching. Its popularity and strong community support make it a cryptocurrency that has grown from humble beginnings into something that could potentially make 2023 one of the most sought-after digital currencies on the market. Dogetti Dogetti is a cryptocurrency that was created in 2021 with its decentralized cryptocurrency operating on the Binance Smart Chain. Dogetti was designed to be a fast and secure way of sending and receiving payments, often rivaling XRP with its low transaction fees and fast transaction times. Dogetti has gained a lot of attention for its charitable efforts, with its owners pledging charity for animal welfare and often giving back to its members. Every time a transaction is made on Dogetti, two percent of the transaction value is automatically redistributed to those with tokens in their account. As a result, investors are rewarded by simply owning tokens and having them in their accounts. The company has also set aside a charity wallet to which 2% of its total funds are allocated, and members can choose which charities they want to support with these funds. Additionally, the remaining 2% is divided amongst their liquidity pool and burn wallets, ensuring there is enough capital for future projects. With its charitable efforts, Dogetti has grown in popularity with members of the crypto world, separating it often from the meme effects of the rival Shibacoin. With this popularity, it has gained an ever-expanding presence on social media such as Reddit. It is rapidly becoming a growing coin not only sought after for its value but for the way the company gives back to the community and its members. As Dogetti begins to gain traction amongst a larger audience, the demand for it may proportionally increase as well, leading to an increase in its price and growth as a digital currency. Dogetti is also unique in that it is a cryptocurrency backed by real-world assets. The creators of Dogetti have purchased a significant amount of real estate in Italy and have pledged to back the value of their cryptocurrency with the value of these assets. This makes Dogetti a potentially more stable cryptocurrency than others on the market. With its stability and popularity, it is expected to gain even more traction by 2023 and could become one of the most significant cryptocurrencies in the world. Wrapping Up XRP, Shiba Inu, and Dogetti are three cryptocurrencies worth watching in 2023. Each of these cryptos has unique qualities that make it a potentially valuable investment. XRP's established reputation and legal battles make it an interesting cryptocurrency to follow, while Shiba Inu's popularity and strong community support make it a cryptocurrency that could continue to grow in value. Finally, Dogetti's backing by real-world assets and charitable efforts makes it a cryptocurrency with the potential for stability and community support. As always, investors should do their research before making any investment decisions, and the best place to do that is on Kitco.com. Head over for the latest crypto news and statistics. By Alexander Villegas and Ernest Scheyder SANTIAGO, April 20 (Reuters) - Chile's President Gabriel Boric said on Thursday he would nationalize the country's lithium industry, the world's second largest producer of the metal essential in electric vehicle batteries, to boost its economy and protect its environment. The shock move in the country with the world's largest lithium reserves would in time transfer control of Chile's vast lithium operations from industry giants SQM and Albemarle to a separate state-owned company. It poses a fresh challenge to electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers scrambling to secure battery materials, as more countries look to protect their natural resources. Mexico nationalized its lithium deposits last year, and Indonesia banned exports of nickel ore, a key battery material, in 2020. "This is the best chance we have at transitioning to a sustainable and developed economy. We can't afford to waste it," Boric said in an address televised nationwide. Future lithium contracts would only be issued as public-private partnerships with state control, he said. The government would not terminate current contracts, but hoped companies would be open to state participation before they expire, he said, without naming Albemarle and SQM, the world's No.1 and No.2 lithium producers respectively. SQM's contract is set to expire in 2030 and Albemarle's in 2043. SQM was not immediately available for comment. South Korean battery maker SK On, which has a long-term supply contract with SQM, said it would monitor the development and respond with a long term view. The announcement by Chile did not trigger a reversal in lithium prices , which have plunged more than 70% from a November peak due to weakening EV demand in China, the world's biggest auto market. The most-traded lithium carbonate futures on the Wuxi Stainless Steel Exchange in China fell 3.4% as of 0618 GMT on Friday. "When or if battery makers renew their contracts with lithium firms in Chile, contract conditions would likely become more difficult than what they saw in the past when there was no state involvement," said Cho Hyunryul, an analyst at Samsung Securities. The move is likely to spur a shift in future investment in lithium to other countries including Australia, the world's biggest producer, analysts said. CODELCO ROLE Boric said state-owned Codelco, the world's largest copper producer, will be tasked to find the best way forward for a state-owned lithium company and he would seek approval from Congress for the plan in the second half of the year. Congress has been a check on many of Boric's more ambitious proposals and shelved a proposed tax reform bill in early March. Codelco and state miner Enami will be given exploration and extraction contracts in areas where there are now private projects before the national lithium company is formed. A division will be dedicated to advancing technology to minimize environmental impacts, including favoring direct lithium extraction over evaporation ponds. Privately held Summit Nanotech Corp, which is developing direct lithium extraction technology, welcomed the announcement. Boric said the country would look to protect biodiversity and share mining benefits with indigenous and surrounding communities. "Today we present a national lithium strategy that's technically solid and ambitious," the president said, adding it would build "a Chile that distributes wealth we all generate in a more just way". (Reporting by Alexander Villegas and Ernest Scheyder; Additional reporting by Praveen Menon in Sydney, Heekyong Yang in Seoul and Siyi Liu in Beijing; Editing by Miyoung Kim and Sonali Paul) ALBANY Before state budget negotiations conclude, lawmakers must decide whether to fund a program that would dramatically change how their re-election campaigns are financed. When the new program begins, small donations to candidates for statewide office or the Legislature will be matched with taxpayer dollars, a change meant to encourage candidates' reliance on small donors and reduce the sway of major ones. Candidates already have begun enrolling in the new statewide, publicly funded elections program ahead of its first planned run in the 2024 elections. But advocates for the program are concerned it could be defunded or delayed past 2024, particularly if state legislators fear it will hurt their re-election odds. Two issues bail and housing have dominated state budget talks that are now running three weeks past an April 1 deadline. But with the impasse over those issues breaking, a host of issues with lesser profiles will be hashed out, including whether to fund or delay publicly financed elections. Democrats have historically been more ideologically disposed to the idea than Republicans, and Democrats hold supermajorities in both the Assembly and Senate. Still, some Democrats in both conferences have privately expressed discomfort with the new program, which was created under a 2020 state law pushed through by former Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Assembly Democrats had initially expressed concern that an ongoing legislative redistricting process could make the program untenable for 2024, though Speaker Carl Heastie said in late March that the issue of the Assembly lines is not a factor and there are ways to deal with it. Some lawmakers are confused about the new program's rules. Primarily, they worry about whether an entity run out of the State Board of Elections will be able to handle administering them. And because the new law lowers donation limits for lawmakers, go-to sources of contributions, such as lobbyists and unions, will be able to give far less. Instead, veteran lawmakers unaccustomed to broadly soliciting contributions may well have to expand their networks. Some advocates for the program believe the main issue is that public matching funds will even the electoral odds between between incumbents who historically have enjoyed a fundraising advantage and challengers. "There is no reason to delay or defund this program other than incumbents' fear of competition," said Karen Wharton, Democracy Coalition Coordinator for Citizen Action of New York, a left-leaning nonprofit that is active in state electoral campaigns and at times backs challenges to incumbents. "Legislators can cave to those fears, or they can fulfill the promise they made to voters and continue leading the nation on campaign finance reform and build a stronger democracy." Even with the fundraising advantage, veteran Assembly Democrats have lost primaries in recent years, often to candidates running to their political left and backed by the Democratic Socialists of America. In Assembly primaries, where only a few thousands voters may determine the outcome, the matching funds program would allow challengers to run more robust campaigns. Bronx Democratic Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz faced such a primary challenge in 2022, but easily prevailed. In an interview, Dinowitz said he did not think fear of primaries would play a major role in whether the Assembly funds the program this year. He said candidates backed by the Democratic Socialists often gain out-of-state contributions donations that would not be matched with taxpayer funds under the new program. The campaign arm of Assembly Democrats also has an unusual policy of spending to help incumbents in primaries. Under the new law, the significant fundraising powers of such party committees remains untouched, giving Assembly Democratic incumbents one significant leg up. In the State Senate, primaries are often less of a concern for Democrats than general elections. In recent cycles, Democrats have enjoyed a fundraising advantage over Republicans in swing districts. That could be leveled to a degree by the matching funds program, although Senate Democrats' own, well-funded party committee will continue to be an advantage. Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said in February that she was "aware of a variety of issues that people have brought up about the program by her members. I think it's no secret that there are members in both houses that have concerns about the program, said State Sen. Zellnor Myrie, a Brooklyn Democrat who chairs the Senate Elections Committee. Like any other program that you are starting from scratch, and certainly one of this scope, there are always going to be administrative issues. There's always going to be trepidation about partaking in a new system. But delaying to me is not a solution to those problems. The solution is identifying the areas that need work and us (in the Legislature) getting to work, while also resourcing the program to be ready to go in 2024. Gov. Kathy Hochul has proposed including $14.5 million in the budget for the Public Campaign Finance Board, the new state entity overseeing the program, and a $25 million pool of money that would be an installment into the matching funds program. (The $25 million was far less than the $100 million requested by the new board.) In mid-March, one-house budget resolutions from the Senate and Assembly mirrored Hochuls plan. Douglas Kellner, the Democratic co-chair of the State Board of Elections and a member of the new board, said he was not aware of any budget negotiations that would modify Governor Hochuls proposal to fund the state public campaign finance program. On Tuesday, the three chairs of a 2013 state anti-corruption commission wrote a letter urging Stewart-Cousins, Heastie and Hochul to adopt the program without delay. In 2013, we concluded that the need for reform, now, is clear, wrote the former co-chairs of the Moreland Commission to Investigate Public Corruption, Kathleen Rice, William Fitzpatrick and Milton Williams. Ten years later, public campaign financing remains crucial to restore New Yorkers trust in their democracy. It cannot wait. The letter was also signed by the panels former chief of investigations, Danya Perry. The Moreland Commission was formed by Cuomo in 2013 after the Legislature refused to pass a publicly funded elections bill. In a preliminary report, which focused on alleged corruption in the Legislature, the panel said it had collected evidence showing that access to elected officials comes at a price." One of our goals with the Moreland Commission was to help level the playing field, Williams said in an interview. Its our position that with adequate funding for New Yorks program, it will be the most robust public campaign finance initiative in the country. We want to make sure it proceeds. State legislators will likely recall, however, that the Moreland Commission had its own issues: Cuomo was accused of interfering in its investigations, prompting a federal investigation into the panel itself. Skeptics of the new elections program point to the fact that, because of U.S. Supreme Court decisions, outside groups may spend unlimited amounts supporting or opposing candidates. In 2022, Republican-aligned groups supporting Hochuls opponent flooded the airwaves with ads. The new program could limit candidates' ability to respond to such attacks. For instance, Hochul could accept nearly $70,000 per individual donor last election, but under the new program, only $18,000. Dinowitz has introduced a bill attempting to give candidates greater fundraising power. Under the current law, a $250 donation to an Assembly candidate would spur $2,300 in additional taxpayer matching funds to that candidate. But a donation over $250 receives no matching funds at all, a cutoff that is meant to spur reliance on small dollar contributions of $250 or less. Dinowitz's bill would make it so much larger contributions up to the legal limits for various offices would also see the first $250 matched with taxpayer funds. They will match up to $250, but if someone contributes $251, they won't match any of it, Dinowitz said. It seems incongruous. Get all the essential market news and expert opinions in one place with our daily newsletter. Receive a comprehensive recap of the day's top stories directly to your inbox. Sign up here! (Kitco News) - Gemini, one of the top cryptocurrency exchanges in the U.S., has unveiled plans to establish a new engineering hub in India as a way to tap into the countrys massive pool of tech talent. According to a statement released on Thursday by Pravjit Tiwana, Geminis CEO of the Asia Pacific region and global Chief Technology Officer, the company is currently in the process of opening a new engineering center in Gurgaon, and are actively hiring in the region. At Gemini, we are determined to unlock the next era of financial, creative, and personal freedom with crypto and Web3 innovation, Tiwana wrote. As a company, we have deep respect and admiration for Indias tradition of engineering excellence and view India as a hotbed for bar-raising technology talent Our Gurgaon office will be the second largest Gemini engineering hub behind the United States and complements our existing offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Singapore. The team in India will focus on contributing toward the development of the next-generation web and mobile user experiences for Gemini, data pipelines and warehousing, security and payments. They will also help build new feature sets for the exchanges NFT and crypto asset marketplaces. Gemini co-founders Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss released a separate statement announcing Tiwana as CEO of APAC and elaborating on the exchanges future plans. As APAC CEO, he will be responsible for launching and expanding our products and services in the region, leading the go-to-market (GTM) organization (business development, marketing, and evangelism), and owning PnL for the region, they wrote. Gemini has big plans for international growth this year in APAC, starting with its India hub. Along with its expansion in India, Gemini will also be expanding its business teams in Singapore to execute GTM strategies focused on growing our individual and institutional customer base in the region. We believe that crypto and Web3 products will continue to have a strong growth trajectory in APAC, the founders wrote. Crypto knows no boundaries, and that is why Gemini is a global company. This development from Gemini comes amid an increasingly challenging regulatory environment in the U.S. that has seen numerous enforcement actions taken against crypto-related companies. In January, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission charged Gemini with the unregistered offer and sale of securities to retail investors through the Gemini Earn crypto asset lending platform. And Gemini is not the only exchange to have experienced increased hostility from regulators in the U.S. as both Kraken and Coinbase have faced lawsuits and legal challenges that have limited their offerings to the public. The issue has escalated to the point where Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong has said that the top U.S. cryptocurrency exchange may consider relocating to more welcoming locales if the regulatory landscape doesnt improve in the near future. Get all the essential market news and expert opinions in one place with our daily newsletter. Receive a comprehensive recap of the day's top stories directly to your inbox. Sign up here! (Kitco News) - Glencore announced yesterday that in Q1 2023, its own sourced copper production was 244,100 tonnes, 5% lower than Q1 2022, largely due to planned lower grades in line with the phasing of the pit at Collahuasi and delays associated with adverse weather conditions at Antamina. Own sourced zinc production of 205,300 tonnes was 15% lower than Q1 2022, reflecting the disposal of South American zinc operations and the closure of Matagami in 2022, temporary suspension of operations due to wet weather at Antamina and McArthur River temporarily processing lower-grade feedstocks in accordance with its mine plan. The company's own sourced cobalt production in Q1 2023 of 10,500 tonnes was 8% higher than Q1 2022. Own sourced nickel production of 20,900 tonnes was 32% lower than Q1 2022, primarily reflecting INO prioritizing third party feed. Attributable ferrochrome production of 400,000 tonnes was 3% above Q1 2022. Coal production of 26.9 million tonnes was 6% lower than Q1 2022, mainly reflecting the short-term impact of a community blockade at Cerrejon and mining around geological anomalies in South Africa. The company also reported Q1 2023 own sourced gold production of 187 koz (Q1 2022: 189 koz) and own sourced silver production of 4,525 koz (Q1 2022: 6,515 koz). CEO Gary Nagle commented, "First quarter production was broadly in line with our expectations, accounting for portfolio changes and operational conditions, including the disposals / closures of some zinc and lead mines in the Americas during 2022. Full year production guidance is unchanged from that presented at Glencore's investor presentation in December 2022." Glencore is one of the world's largest global diversified natural resource companies and a major producer and marketer of more than 60 commodities. Glencore companies employ around 140,000 people, including contractors. Glencore's ambition is to be a net zero total emissions company by 2050. MUMBAI, April 21 (Reuters) - The Reserve Bank of India has allowed HDFC Bank Ltd (HDBK.NS) and Housing Development Finance Corp Ltd (HDFC) (HDFC.NS) selective regulatory relief to smooth out the merger between the two organisations, set to conclude by July this year. The central bank has permitted the bank to meet priority sector lending requirements in a staggered fashion over three years, HDFC Bank said in an exchange notification on Friday. These requirements, which include lending to weaker segments of the economy, are linked to an organisation's loan book. In the first year after the merger, the combined entity will need to include one-third of HDFC's loan book to calculate the amount of priority sector lending required. Priority sector lending on the remaining part of the loan book would need to be met over the next two years, HDFC Bank said in the statement. However, immediately after the merger, the combined entity, which will be called HDFC Bank, will need to comply with requirements to hold a certain level of cash reserve ratio, statutory liquidity ratio and liquidity coverage ratio on the entire merged balance sheet. Earlier this week, Reuters reported that the bank and the housing financier had raised adequate liquidity to meet these requirements from the start. Investments and associates of HDFC will be allowed to continue as investments of the combined HDFC Bank although the bank will need to exit a few select ventures over time. However, the RBI said that before the merger closes, HDFC Bank or HDFC can increase their shareholding to more than 50% in HDFC Life Insurance Co Ltd (HDFL.NS) and HDFC ERGO General Insurance. But HDFC Bank has two years to both exit HDFC's investment in HDFC Education and Development Services and reduce its stake in HDFC Credila Financial Services to 10%. As per norms applicable to the banks, HDFC Bank will have to transition all HDFC's retail and small business borrowers to an external benchmark, like the repo rate, within six months of the merger. Housing finance companies have greater flexibility than banks in providing loans against shares. The RBI has allowed HDFC Bank to allow existing loans against shares within the HDFC portfolio to continue until maturity, the notification said. Get all the essential market news and expert opinions in one place with our daily newsletter. Receive a comprehensive recap of the day's top stories directly to your inbox. Sign up here! (Kitco News) Canadian police are searching for $15 million (CAD $20 million) worth of gold and other high-value items stolen from Toronto Pearson International Airport's cargo facility. The heist happened on Monday, April 17, marking one of Canada's biggest robberies. Police said the incident occurred in a cargo holding facility, where the aircraft container was delivered after arriving at the airport. The missing container is five sq ft, filled with gold and other items of monetary value, according to police. "Once this cargo was offloaded at a holding facility, subsequent to its arrival, this high-value container was removed by illegal means," Peel Regional Police inspector Stephen Duivesteyn said during a press conference Thursday. "Our goal is to solve this theft I cannot provide exact details what I can say is we feel this to be an isolated incident. For the public worried about flying out, there should be no concern. We do not consider this a threat to public safety." Police are not revealing any information regarding which airline was responsible for shipping the cargo, where it was going, and where it came from. But Toronto Pearson Airport is often used for transporting gold mined in Canada to global buyers. "We're three days in, so our investigators have their eyes open to all avenues," Duivesteyn said. "We're kind of keeping a broad outlook on it, so we're looking on all angles on how this item was stolen." Some Canadian media outlets, including CTV News, reported that Air Canada was in charge of the cargo transport, citing sources familiar with the investigation. This was also not the first big Canadian airport heist. In 1974, $517,000 (CAD $700,000) worth of gold bars were stolen from the Ottawa International Airport. At the time, the Globe and Mail reported that a suspect changed into an Air Canada uniform and forced a security guard at gunpoint to let other robbers in to gain access to the gold. Lithium miners are dropping on news that Chile plans to nationalize its lithium sector. Today Reuters reported that Chile's President Gabriel Boric would nationalize the country's lithium industry, the world's second largest producer of the metal essential in electric vehicle batteries, to boost its economy and protect its environment. Lithium giant Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile (SQM) dropped 18% to $63.44 a share. Albemarle slid 10% to $173.75. The lithium space had already been hit by falling lithium prices, which Benchmark Mineral Intelligence says is down by half since the start of the year. Steve Levine said Chile is following a well-trodden path: Missed this: Chile, with twice the known lithium reserves of any other country, will nationalize its lithium industry. Lithium is increasingly following the state-led historical arc of oil, which led to the formation of OPEC. https://t.co/kGApfTI7uE Steve LeVine (@stevelevine) April 21, 2023 Joe Lowry said the program will be a challenge. Get all the essential market news and expert opinions in one place with our daily newsletter. Receive a comprehensive recap of the day's top stories directly to your inbox. Sign up here! (Kitco News) - Rare earth producer Lynas (ASX: LYC) (OTC: LYSDY) today announced "excellent" operational results in the March quarter 2023 with record NdPr production. The company said that its March quarter 2023 NdPr production of 1,725 tonnes was the highest ever quarterly production at the Lynas Malaysia plant, adding that this result was achieved despite a general shutdown of the Lynas Malaysia plant for over 3 days whilst tie-in works were undertaken. However, Lynas noted that its total rare earth oxide production volume was lower at 4,348 tonnes (March quarter 2022: 4,945 tonnes) due to a supplier shortage of hydrochloric acid which led to lower La and Ce production. "This shortage did not affect NdPr production and we were able to maintain a minimum supply of La and Ce to our key customers," the company said in a press release. Lynas added that demand for the companys NdPr products from customers outside China remained "very strong" during the quarter. The company also reported it generated sales revenue of A$237.1 million in March quarter 2023(March quarter 2022: sales revenue of A$327.7 million) despite a decrease in the average selling price. Lynas Rare Earths is the world's only significant producer of separated rare earth materials outside of China. The company's Mt Weld mine in Western Australia is acknowledged as one of the world's premier rare earths deposits. Lynas also operates the world's largest single rare earths processing plant in Malaysia where it produces high-quality separated rare earth materials for export to manufacturing markets in Asia, Europe and the United States. Even today day of inconvenience in the air transport sector in Germany. The main inconveniences, including delays and canceled flights, will be registered at the airports of Cologne-Bonn, Duesseldorf, Hamburg and Stuttgart. To compensate for the canceled flights, many rebookings are expected until Saturday and in the following days. Travellers are advised to contact their airline or tour operator. The mobilization was called by the Verdi union. The aim of the protest is to resolve the ongoing wage dispute with the Federal Association of Aviation Safety Companies (Bdls, Bundesverband der Luftsicherheitsunternehmen). Abstention from work by workers will result in longer waiting times during check-in and during the verification of documents and boarding phases. The national strike by airport security personnel in Germany began yesterday, April 20. According to the airport manager of the Cologne-Bonn airport, 121 of the 204 scheduled flights were cancelled, affecting around 28,000 passengers. Finally also in Dusseldorf where various inconveniences and longer waiting times were reported. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. SAN FRANCISCOBrazilian star Rhyheim Shabazz returns to NakedSword with a brand-new threesome starring himself, Marlon Costa and Sam Ledger that will be the first in a limited series of five original scenes under the NakedSword X Rhyheim collaboration banner. Shot on-location in Brazil, the just-released three-way is currently available to stream exclusively on NakedSword.com. The remaining four installments will debut on the site each following Friday. Describes a company synopsis of the new three-way, "Rhyheim Shabazz and Marlon Costa are already stiff when young twink Sam Ledger decides to join them in bed for a late-night bareback threesome. As Sam takes turns swallowing each of their massive cocks, both men rim his hole until they're ready to dick him down at both ends. While Rhyheims meat fills Sams mouth, Marlon kisses Sams feet and begins thrusting himself into Sams smooth slit. Knowing that the slim bottom can handle even more, Rhyheim rams his rod right in before the two tops team up to double penetrate his hole in multiple positions across their stark white sheets. With his hole stretched out more than he ever thought possible, Sams jaw falls open for a non-stop stream of moans until the two men are finished using his hole and pulling out to unleash their loads." The success of the NakedSword X Rhyheim partnership is a true testament to the power of creative collaboration, Falcon|NakedSword president and CEO Tim Valenti said. Five new scenes featuring some of the worlds sexiest men are the perfect way to mark our continued relationship with Rhyheim. New views and creative ideas are brought to the table through collaboration, said Shabazz. We can display our combined abilities and produce something genuinely extraordinary for people to appreciate if we have a common vision and are committed to producing top-notch content. This collection is one of a number of collaborations that NakedSword and Shabazz have shot in the past few months. These new scenes follow-up the successful series of 10 vignettes that premiered exclusively on NakedSword beginning in February. All 10 of those scenes, along with NakedSword X Rhyheim title "Blame It on Rio: Beau's First Gangbang," are available to stream now on NakedSword.com. Affiliates can promote this NakedSword X Rhyheim threeway and other upcoming scenes in this series through nakedswordcash.com. LOS ANGELESWebsite management software firm Elevated X has announced a comprehensive software update in response to Twitter's recent policy change on April 6, 2023. The policy change blocks external apps and programs from reading Twitter account data and posting automated Tweets, requiring users to sign up for Twitter Developer accounts and choose between a free or paid option with different monthly Tweet allowances. Recognizing the popularity of its automated-Twitter functionality and the importance of Twitter integration to its website clients' promotional efforts, Elevated X over the past two weeks has redeveloped its Twitter features to ensure seamless integration with the social media platform's updated policies. The official rollout of this update to Elevated X and Elevated X Complete clients will happen on April 24. "We understand the significance of Twitter integration for our clients and the impact of the recent policy change on their promotional efforts," said Heather K., marketing director of Elevated X. "As a customer-centric company, we have taken immediate action to update our software and provide clear instructions to our users on how to sign up for Twitter Developer accounts and select the appropriate option based on their needs." Users of Elevated X and ELXComplete have been sent detailed instructions on signing up for Twitter's Development portal and selecting the free or paid account, and this information is also available within each client's website administration panel. It is important to note that clients who only display a Twitter widget on their site without auto-Tweeting are not required to sign up for a Twitter Developer account at this time, in accordance with Twitter's use policies and free-use restrictions. Elevated X encourages its users to visit the company's support website and reach out for assistance with settings changes to ensure their websites can continue to auto-post to Twitter. The company remains committed to providing exceptional support to its clients during this transition and beyond. Twitter logo photo By Howard Lake / Wikimedia Commons Sen. Patty Murray speaks during a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions confirmation hearing for Julie Su to be the Labor Secretary on Capitol Hill on Thursday, April 20, 2023, in Washington Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. A "large and extremely dangerous" tornado has been observed over Cole, Oklahoma, on April 19, according to the National Weather Service. Whitecap Resources (TSE:WCP Get Rating) had its price objective cut by ATB Capital from C$16.00 to C$15.00 in a research note published on Monday, BayStreet.CA reports. A number of other research analysts have also commented on the stock. Canaccord Genuity Group decreased their price target on shares of Whitecap Resources from C$15.00 to C$14.50 in a research note on Wednesday, March 29th. Stifel Nicolaus upped their price target on shares of Whitecap Resources from C$13.50 to C$14.00 in a research note on Friday, February 24th. TD Securities upped their price target on shares of Whitecap Resources from C$16.50 to C$17.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 21st. National Bankshares boosted their price objective on shares of Whitecap Resources from C$15.00 to C$15.50 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, February 23rd. Finally, Barclays set a C$14.00 price objective on shares of Whitecap Resources and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, January 18th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of C$14.91. Get Whitecap Resources alerts: Whitecap Resources Trading Down 2.6 % WCP opened at C$10.66 on Monday. The stock has a market capitalization of C$6.49 billion, a P/E ratio of 3.93, a P/E/G ratio of -0.33 and a beta of 2.91. Whitecap Resources has a 12 month low of C$7.70 and a 12 month high of C$12.71. The firms fifty day simple moving average is C$10.51 and its 200 day simple moving average is C$10.48. The company has a current ratio of 1.29, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 37.10. Whitecap Resources Cuts Dividend Whitecap Resources ( TSE:WCP Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 22nd. The company reported C$0.52 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of C$0.42 by C$0.10. Whitecap Resources had a net margin of 42.77% and a return on equity of 38.14%. The business had revenue of C$1.12 billion for the quarter. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Whitecap Resources will post 1.3843236 EPS for the current fiscal year. The business also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, May 15th. Investors of record on Sunday, April 30th will be paid a dividend of $0.048 per share. This represents a $0.58 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.40%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 27th. Whitecap Resourcess dividend payout ratio is presently 21.40%. Insider Buying and Selling In other Whitecap Resources news, Director Grant Bradley Fagerheim acquired 10,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, March 13th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of C$10.14 per share, with a total value of C$101,400.00. Insiders have purchased a total of 17,660 shares of company stock valued at $178,651 over the last ninety days. 0.74% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Whitecap Resources Company Profile (Get Rating) Whitecap Resources Inc, oil and gas company, acquires and develops petroleum and natural gas properties in Canada. Its principal properties are located in West Central Alberta, British Columbia, Southeast Saskatchewan, West Central Saskatchewan, and Southwest Saskatchewan. As of February 14, 2022, it had a total proved plus probable reserves of 701,829 thousand barrels of oil equivalent. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Whitecap Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Whitecap Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Virgin Money UK (LON:VMUK Get Rating) had its price target dropped by research analysts at Barclays from GBX 230 ($2.85) to GBX 200 ($2.47) in a research report issued on Friday, MarketBeat Ratings reports. The brokerage presently has an equal weight rating on the stock. Barclayss price objective would suggest a potential upside of 28.39% from the stocks current price. Other equities analysts also recently issued reports about the stock. Royal Bank of Canada restated a sector perform rating and set a GBX 205 ($2.54) target price on shares of Virgin Money UK in a report on Wednesday, April 12th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on shares of Virgin Money UK from GBX 180 ($2.23) to GBX 200 ($2.47) and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, February 2nd. Berenberg Bank raised their target price on shares of Virgin Money UK from GBX 170 ($2.10) to GBX 195 ($2.41) and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Friday, February 3rd. Shore Capital reiterated a buy rating on shares of Virgin Money UK in a report on Wednesday, February 1st. Finally, Citigroup reiterated a buy rating on shares of Virgin Money UK in a report on Friday, March 10th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Virgin Money UK has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of GBX 206 ($2.55). Get Virgin Money UK alerts: Virgin Money UK Price Performance Shares of VMUK stock traded up GBX 0.78 ($0.01) during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting GBX 155.78 ($1.93). The stock had a trading volume of 1,039,660 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,059,822. The companys 50-day simple moving average is GBX 159.46 and its 200-day simple moving average is GBX 163.59. The firm has a market cap of 2.13 billion, a PE ratio of 421.01, a PEG ratio of -0.56 and a beta of 1.99. Virgin Money UK has a fifty-two week low of GBX 1.46 ($0.02) and a fifty-two week high of GBX 200 ($2.47). Virgin Money UK Company Profile 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. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Virgin Money UK Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Virgin Money UK and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Laurentian Bank of Canada (OTCMKTS:LRCDF Get Rating)s stock price crossed below its 200-day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $23.94 and traded as low as $23.62. Laurentian Bank of Canada shares last traded at $23.62, with a volume of 400 shares trading hands. Laurentian Bank of Canada Stock Down 0.9 % The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $24.45 and a 200-day simple moving average of $23.94. About Laurentian Bank of Canada (Get Rating) Laurentian Bank of Canada, together with its subsidiaries, provides various financial services to personal, business, and institutional customers in Canada and the United States. It operates through three segments: Personal Banking, Commercial Banking, and Capital Markets. The Personal Banking segment offers financial services, such as financial advisory services to financial intermediaries; and operates digital direct-to-customer platform to retail clients. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Laurentian Bank of Canada Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Laurentian Bank of Canada and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. POMPANO BEACH, Fla.M.D. Science Lab, the maker of the Swiss Navy brand, is once again celebrating International Lubricant Day on April 22. Since its creation in 2021, M.D. Science Lab hopes that the visibility and acceptability of lubricants as a healthy part of a persons intimate life will be increased. Said ACS, M.D. Science Labs vice president of sales and marketing Briana Watkins, "Our continuous research has found that the use of lubricants can help enhance sensations and make sexual activities more comfortable and pleasurable. However, there are still people who believe that using a personal lubricant is unnecessary or that its use is stigmatized. Our goal in sponsoring International Lube Day is to allow people to see lubricants in a more beneficial manner." Last year, the celebration recognized the importance of lubricant and the value it can bring to relationships and personal health. This year, the Swiss Navy team is hoping people will examine their beliefs about lube and its uses. Added Watkins, "Its healthy to consider personal lubricants as part of intimate wellbeing. We can change how lube is viewed one person at a timeand International Lubricant Day encourages just that. We encourage people to post on social media, tag us, and include the hashtag #InternationalLubeDay. Lets get these healthy conversations started!" International Lubricant Day is meant to engage consumers and encourage them to talk about lube, discuss their favorite types, and share their recommendations with their closest friends. To help start conversations, Swiss Navy created a resource page at internationallubeday.com. To learn more about Swiss Navy and to view its latest product range, visit swissnavy.com. For sales and marketing resources, visit Swiss Navys B2B Resource Center at b2bswissnavy.com. To learn more about becoming a Swiss Navy Certified Expert with free online certification, visit swissnavycertifiedexpert.com. Medical Properties Trust (NYSE:MPW Get Rating) is set to announce its earnings results before the market opens on Thursday, April 27th. Analysts expect the company to announce earnings of $0.37 per share for the quarter. Medical Properties Trust Price Performance Shares of MPW opened at $8.23 on Friday. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $9.40 and a 200-day moving average price of $11.07. Medical Properties Trust has a fifty-two week low of $7.10 and a fifty-two week high of $20.46. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.92 billion, a PE ratio of 5.49, a PEG ratio of 0.52 and a beta of 0.95. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.19, a quick ratio of 1.92 and a current ratio of 1.92. Get Medical Properties Trust alerts: Medical Properties Trust Dividend Announcement The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, April 13th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 16th were given a $0.29 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, March 15th. This represents a $1.16 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 14.09%. Medical Properties Trusts payout ratio is presently 77.33%. Analysts Set New Price Targets Institutional Inflows and Outflows MPW has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Truist Financial boosted their price objective on shares of Medical Properties Trust from $8.00 to $9.00 in a research note on Friday, March 31st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective on shares of Medical Properties Trust from $14.00 to $12.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Friday, March 3rd. Wells Fargo & Company initiated coverage on shares of Medical Properties Trust in a research note on Wednesday. They set an equal weight rating and a $9.00 price objective for the company. Barclays reduced their price objective on shares of Medical Properties Trust from $14.00 to $12.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 5th. Finally, Credit Suisse Group reiterated a neutral rating and set a $11.00 price objective on shares of Medical Properties Trust in a research note on Tuesday, March 7th. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, three have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Medical Properties Trust currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $13.33. A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. State Street Corp boosted its holdings in shares of Medical Properties Trust by 11.7% in the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 36,158,910 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $774,593,000 after acquiring an additional 3,800,294 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Medical Properties Trust in the 4th quarter valued at $34,612,000. Man Group plc purchased a new stake in shares of Medical Properties Trust in the 4th quarter valued at $32,630,000. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Medical Properties Trust by 175.3% in the 2nd quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 3,850,463 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $58,797,000 after acquiring an additional 2,451,617 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Morgan Stanley boosted its holdings in shares of Medical Properties Trust by 18.4% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 8,923,634 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $99,409,000 after acquiring an additional 1,387,675 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.31% of the companys stock. Medical Properties Trust Company Profile (Get Rating) Medical Properties Trust, Inc is a self-advised real estate investment trust, engages in the investment, acquisition, and development of net-leased healthcare facilities. Its property portfolio includes rehabilitation hospitals, long-term acute care hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, hospitals for women and children, regional and community hospitals, medical office buildings, and other single-discipline facilities. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Medical Properties Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Medical Properties Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Sempra Energy (NYSE:SRE Get Rating) have been given an average rating of Moderate Buy by the thirteen research firms that are covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and six have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month target price among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $168.90. Several brokerages recently weighed in on SRE. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target on shares of Sempra Energy from $180.00 to $174.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, March 1st. BMO Capital Markets dropped their target price on shares of Sempra Energy from $169.00 to $166.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, March 1st. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Sempra Energy in a report on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Bank of America dropped their target price on shares of Sempra Energy from $173.00 to $165.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, March 28th. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised their target price on shares of Sempra Energy from $150.00 to $164.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Thursday. Get Sempra Energy alerts: Sempra Energy Price Performance Shares of SRE opened at $156.94 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $49.38 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.71, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.19 and a beta of 0.73. The company has a quick ratio of 0.56, a current ratio of 0.60 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.87. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $151.34 and a 200 day moving average of $154.29. Sempra Energy has a twelve month low of $136.54 and a twelve month high of $176.47. Sempra Energy Increases Dividend Sempra Energy ( NYSE:SRE Get Rating ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 28th. The utilities provider reported $2.35 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.06 by $0.29. The company had revenue of $3.46 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.79 billion. Sempra Energy had a net margin of 14.74% and a return on equity of 10.53%. The firms quarterly revenue was down 10.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $2.16 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Sempra Energy will post 8.93 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Saturday, April 15th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, March 22nd were paid a dividend of $1.19 per share. This represents a $4.76 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.03%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, March 21st. This is a boost from Sempra Energys previous quarterly dividend of $1.15. Sempra Energys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 71.90%. Insider Transactions at Sempra Energy In other news, CEO Jeffrey W. Martin sold 15,964 shares of Sempra Energy stock in a transaction on Monday, January 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $161.92, for a total transaction of $2,584,890.88. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 19,261 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,118,741.12. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In related news, CEO Jeffrey W. Martin sold 15,964 shares of Sempra Energy stock in a transaction on Monday, January 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $161.92, for a total transaction of $2,584,890.88. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 19,261 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,118,741.12. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CAO Karen L. Sedgwick sold 1,621 shares of Sempra Energy stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $159.44, for a total transaction of $258,452.24. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 20,823 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,320,019.12. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 52,504 shares of company stock worth $8,045,547 in the last 90 days. 0.14% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of SRE. OLD Second National Bank of Aurora lifted its stake in shares of Sempra Energy by 576.9% during the 4th quarter. OLD Second National Bank of Aurora now owns 176 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 150 shares in the last quarter. Dark Forest Capital Management LP increased its holdings in Sempra Energy by 567.9% in the 4th quarter. Dark Forest Capital Management LP now owns 187 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 159 shares during the last quarter. Western Pacific Wealth Management LP bought a new stake in Sempra Energy in the 3rd quarter valued at $35,000. Hexagon Capital Partners LLC increased its holdings in Sempra Energy by 440.0% in the 3rd quarter. Hexagon Capital Partners LLC now owns 243 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $36,000 after acquiring an additional 198 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Geneos Wealth Management Inc. increased its holdings in Sempra Energy by 76.3% in the 4th quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 231 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $36,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 84.75% of the companys stock. About Sempra Energy (Get Rating) Sempra Energy is an energy-service holding company, which engages in the development and operation of energy infrastructure, and provision of electric and gas services. It operates through the following segments: San Diego Gas and Electric Company (SDG&E), Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas), Sempra Texas Utilities, Sempra Mexico, and Sempra LNG. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Sempra Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Sempra Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. CROWN POINT A Gary man was charged with rape and child molestation Wednesday in connection with allegations he inappropriately touched his girlfriends 12-year-old daughter, according to court records. The girls mother, Lilliann Truss, also faces neglect and assisting a criminal charges, which were filed April 3 in connection with the allegations against Truss longtime boyfriend. Charging documents show that Derrick McClinton, 44, lives with Truss and two children in the 2000 block of Fifth Avenue in Gary. The girl said the touching started when she was 7 or younger. McClinton has been previously charged with molesting the child, according to court records. In 2016, molestation charges were filed, but ultimately dismissed. The molestation allegations resurfaced once Truss sister brought the 12-year-old to Methodist Hospital Northlake March 18 after the girl complained McClinton was touching her, court documents stated. Truss initially told police that the 2016 charges were dismissed due to lack of evidence, but police later discovered that the case was dismissed because the Truss testified that she told her daughter to make up the allegations, records stated. When officers asked Truss if she remembered saying that she said, Okay, yea but that wasnt true I didnt make her say that. She said lied because McClinton told her to and she was scared of losing her kids, according to the probable cause affidavit. Truss added that she knew her daughter had been touched by McClinton, but didnt know the extent of it. Records show she said she only let him come home because the girl begged for him to come back. Truss said she apologized to her daughter for not stepping up, according to the affidavit. The 12-year-old told the nurses who did her sexual assault kit and evaluation that McClinton has been raping her on and off for a few years, she said hell go a long, long time without doing anything. Then hell start up again, according to the probable cause affidavit. The girl told the nurse that the most recent occurrence happened just days before she went to the hospital. She said McClinton kept saying to her, This is the last time Im gonna do this. I wont do this to you no more. Just lay still, the affidavit stated. McClintons first court appearance has not yet been set. He was already in custody at the Lake County Jail when charges were filed in connection with an unrelated burglary charge. Gallery: Recent arrests booked into Lake County Jail If you're interested in submitting a Letter to the Editor, click here. Submit One driver complained of back pain and he and another driver were taken to area hospitals following a three-semi crash in the parking lot at the Steel Dynamics complex southwest of Butler Friday morning. Police said one of the drivers may have suffered a medical issue prior to the crash. Beau may be afraid but Ari Aster certainly isn't. Of the many words used to describe the writer-director's previous two films Hereditary and Midsommar timidity was never of them. This is a filmmaker who has sent Toni Collette skittering across the ceiling and intricately arranged mutilated bodies the way some people make bouquets. But if any doubts remained about just how far Aster is willing to go, Beau Is Afraid should pacify them. Not because of the degree of terror within it; by Aster's high standards, Beau Is Afraid" is notably less ghastly than his first two outings. But it's even more audaciously grotesque, more self-evidently pulled from its director's psyche, more a work of a filmmaker's unfiltered, runaway imagination. Rather than slotting in as a horror film, it can be categorized a little less neatly as a surreal three-hour Homeric odyssey about Jewish guilt, Oedipal angst and somebody named Birthday Boy Stab Man. And this, remember, constitutes a sunnier register for Aster. What has made Aster such a potent filmmaker, I think, is the lack of relief he offers audiences. His movies are nightmares without any possibility of waking. And just as much as one might spend Midsommar looking for an escapeway, the urge to open a window for just one breath of fresh air in Beau Is Afraid is considerable. That's both a compliment and a complaint for Aster's film, a rigorously wearisome experience propelled by a monstrous current of anxiety and dread. Aster's cinema is that of a bad trip: a surreal and comic journey through dark corners of consciousness, vividly rendered in caricature and detail. (Midsommar," if you remember, began with mind-altering mushrooms.) It's not an easy ride to recommend taking. But, just the same, there's never any doubt that you are, most definitely, traveling somewhere else. Beau Is Afraid, which A24 releases in theaters nationwide Friday, opens not with psychedelics but the pangs of child birth. After some muffled screams and flashes of light, we, as Beau, emerge directly out of the womb. His mother Mona (played at different times by Zoe Lister-Jones and Patti LuPone) screams because her baby is oddly silent. Flashing forward several decades, the grown but still whimpering Beau Wassermann (Joaquin Phoenix) is sitting with his therapist (Stephen McKinley Henderson, a boon to any movie). It doesn't take long for his mother to come up in their session. Do you ever wish she was dead? the therapist asks. Beau, protesting a little too much, quickly shouts No!" Back near his New York apartment, the city streets are are an over-the-top hellscape, draped in garbage and graffiti, with mean-looking faces everywhere, including that loose maniac, Birthday Boy Stab Man, along with roaming hordes of vandals. We're less in the real world than some bonkers, not-funhouse-mirrors manifestation of Beau's fears. His anxiety might called cripplingly extreme if it didn't appear to be well-founded by the state of things around him. Beau is to travel the next day to visit his mother. But after a neighbor harasses him through the night and his apartment keys and bag are stolen, Beau calls to tell his mother that he's missed his plane, news she coldly receives as confirmation that her son never loved her. Things are already antic and unhinged but they then turn cartoonishly apocalyptic. Beau's apartment is broken into and taken over, and his spiraling desperation is amplified into crushing remorse when he's called and told that his mother has been killed, her head severed by a fallen chandelier. After Beau, by now completely crazed and stripped of nearly everything he owns, is struck by a truck, Aster's film proceeds as a nightmarish quest to reach his mother's house before the funeral service. Clearly defined sections make up the odyssey, each of which offer some disturbing alternative to family life, with a few flashbacks mixed in. First is a period of distressing convalesce with the seemingly stable suburban couple who ran him over (Amy Ryan, Nathan Lane); then a magical section in a forest where Beau encounters a traveling theater group and is transported into their stage play; and finally his late, bedraggled arrival home. Much of all this is far more extended than it perhaps ought to be. But it's also crammed full with subtle gags in a meticulous and twisted tapestry of psychological torture. The way Beau keeps dropping through trap doors of narrative in a metaphorical movie realm will remind some of Charlie Kaufman or maybe a particularly grim version of Alice in Wonderland. But "Beau Is Afraid' is eminently unique to Aster, who fills his frames with sly jokes. Beau's recent phone calls, for just one example, are only his mother, his therapist and Moviefone. Who needs anything else? But whether there's enough here to sustain this nakedly ambitious three-hour roller coaster is harder to say. There are scenes, shot by cinematographer Pawel Pogorzelski, that I don't expect to forget. The animated interlude in the forest, with the help of Chilean artists Cristobal Leon and Joaquin Cocina, is a magically dark fable within a fable. Nathan Lane, while otherwise entrapping Beau, peppering every line with Old buddy and My dude is one of the funnier things I've seen lately. And in the film's final chapter, Patti LuPone steps forward magnificently with such gothic menace that she makes Collette's mother of Hereditary look like a peach. All of this, though, is a lot of movie to hang on mommy issues. Beau Is Afraid takes a long road and one with a lot of yelling and sniveling along the way to not get very far. That could, of course, be the point. But the simpering sad sack Beau despite Phoenix's typically committed and sympathetic performance remains curiously void, stuck in a one-note nightmare. Aster, whose first film also dug into the frightful side of what we inherit, is clearly and intensely channeling something deep within. And as captivating as it can be to see a filmmaker out on the ledge like this this, the sense that characters are being moved around like pawns in an elaborate design an aspect of Aster's previous films, too never quite dissipates. The one exception: Parker Posey. She walks into the movie late, as a long-ago encounter of Beau's, and instantly changes the movie's chemistry. She's the one breath of fresh air in Beau Is Afraid," but, boy, does Aster snuff it out quick. The tragic passing of ASTRO's Moonbin has shocked fans around the world, and a recent revelation about his ultimate wish for 2023 is now breaking fans' hearts as it captures everyone's attention. Moonbin's heartfelt desire was for his sister, Moon Sua of girl group Billlie, to be happy in life. Moonbin's Unexpected Passing Moonbin was discovered unconscious at his home in a state of cardiac arrest around 8:10 PM Korea time on April 19. His manager swiftly transported him to Asan Median Center's emergency room, but sadly, he was pronounced dead soon after. In Case You Missed It: BTS' V Loses Patience Over Repetitive and Inappropriate Comments During Weverse Live The idol's family and friends, including Moon Sua, quickly arrived at the hospital's funeral home, where a quiet interment is being held according to the family's wishes. The Unbreakable Bond Between Moonbin and Moon Sua Moonbin and Moon Sua, who have always been close, appeared together on MBC's television show "DNA Mate" in January. During a segment that involved bungee jumping, they each made a wish before taking the leap. Moon Sua wished for her girl group Billlie's success in 2023, while Moonbin, instead of making a wish for himself, fervently hoped for his sister's happiness in life. This heartfelt moment demonstrates the strong bond between the siblings and has touched the hearts of many. Childhood Memories and the Siblings' Special Connection Reflecting on their shared experiences on "DNA Mate," Moon Sua reminisced about their enjoyable childhood, stating, "We would frequently spend time together when we were kids and always had a great time. If you look at our photos from way back, our smiles were so huge it almost reached our ears." She also shared that being on the show felt like a journey back to those sweet times. In Case You Missed It: IVE Jang Wonyoung's 'Lazy Dancing' Sparks OUTRAGE: What Really Happened? Moonbin also expressed his sentiments about their childhood memories, saying, "Yeah, it was also the first time we've hangout togethers so it was truly special." He went on to say, "I also didn't realize that she had such a passion for photography and that she was so brave. Nonetheless, she still shed tears frequently, much like in her younger years. But indeed, I sense a stronger connection with her now than previously." Moon Sua's Schedule Adjustments and the Support of Fans Following the devastating news of Moonbin's passing, Moon Sua's agency, MYSTIC STORY, announced the cancellation or postponement of all Billlie's scheduled activities for the week. As fans express their concern for Moon Sua, who relied heavily on her brother, especially after her debut in November 2021, the outpouring of love and support for both Moonbin and Moon Sua continues to grow. Follow and subscribe to KpopStarz for more K-pop news and lists. Cassidy Jones wrote this. KpopStarz owns this article. K-pop idols are known for their cutting-edge fashion, and the "Visible Underwear" trend has taken the industry by storm. Two popular idols, BLACKPINK's Lisa and IVE's Wonyoung, have both embraced this daring style, but with completely different approaches. This article compares the ways Lisa and Wonyoung rocked the trend, showcasing their individual fashion sensibilities. Lisa's Edgy Take on the Trend BLACKPINK's Lisa is renowned for her bold fashion choices, and she didn't disappoint when she embraced the "Visible Underwear" trend in 2022. Sporting a denim skirt, mesh crop top, and cropped puffer jacket, she showcased a glimpse of white underneath her skirt, instantly capturing netizens' attention. The outfit, by Thai brand PONY STONE, highlighted Lisa's distinctive urban, sexy, and edgy style. In Case You Missed It: Did BLACKPINK Lisa's Mom Really Like BTS V's Post & TaeLisa Shipper Comments - Truth Revealed! One netizen remarked, "Lisa looked phenomenal in an unconventional outfit that was cool and sexy." Wonyoung's Regal Interpretation IVE's Wonyoung is known for her more regal, princess-like fashion, and she managed to infuse this style into the "Visible Underwear" trend as well. As a brand ambassador for MIU MIU, Wonyoung has worn low-rise skirts featuring visible underwear on several occasions. In one outfit, she paired a classic pair of MIU MIU cream underwear with a low-rise blue skirt, cropped black top, and denim jacket, giving a casual yet feminine twist to the trend. In Case You Missed It: IVE Jang Wonyoung's 'Lazy Dancing' Sparks OUTRAGE: What Really Happened? A fan commented, "Wonyoung added her own 'Regal' twist to the look, making it extremely feminine." Confidence and Style Reign Supreme Both Lisa and Wonyoung exude confidence in their unique takes on the "Visible Underwear" trend, proving that it can be worn in various ways while reflecting one's personality and individuality. Lisa's edgy, urban vibe contrasts with Wonyoung's feminine and regal approach, yet both idols pull off the unconventional look with poise and style. Another netizen noted, "Lisa and Wonyoung wore the trend proudly and looked phenomenal." Visible Underwear Trend Takes Over 2023 Fashion's Street Style Fashion enthusiasts can't get enough of underwear being exposed in a variety of styles. The mainstream revival of the whale tail in 2021, a cheeky '90s underwear trend showcasing an exposed thong, evolved into celebrities embracing sheer dresses in 2022, a trend still going strong in 2023. The trend continues with the rise of pantsless fashion, a trend led by notable figures, especially in the fashion world, like Kendall Jenner, Bella Hadid, and Florence Pugh. The Spring/Summer 2023 season saw designers like Bottega Veneta, Coperni, and Tom Ford debut pantsless looks on the runway. Now, the industry is exploring a new way of exposing underwear: the peekaboo style. In Case You Missed It: The Sensational 9: Meet 'Boys Planet' Debut Dream Line-up More inclusive than the whale tail and less exposed than pantsless looks, the peekaboo underwear trend is all about revealing just a hint of boxers, briefs, thongs, or any preferred underwear. This trend first emerged in the early 2000s as a variation of the underwear-as-outerwear trend. Its 2023 resurgence brings a modern makeover, with a focus on various types of underwear, as seen on the Fall/Winter 2023 runways. BLACKPINK's Lisa and IVE's Wonyoung have both made a statement with the "Visible Underwear" trend, showing that this daring style can be adapted to suit different personalities and aesthetics. As K-pop idols continue to push the boundaries of fashion, fans eagerly await the next trendsetting looks from their favorite stars. Follow and subscribe to KpopStarz for more K-pop news and lists. Cassidy Jones wrote this. KpopStarz owns this article. slide 2 of 6 ASTRO Cha Eun Woo hurriedly returned home from Los Angeles, USA via Incheon International Airport on the 20th after Moonbin's passing. After a culvert under Highway 180 was compromised last week, the City of Flagstaff is working with state agencies to make several emergency repairs to infrastructure in the area. Flagstaff City Council on Tuesday moved forward in acquiring the necessary property access not only for emergency work set to occur within the next few weeks, but also work that will likely happen this fall, Ed Schenk, the city's stormwater manager, told reporters. The city is in communication with property owners in the area including the Museum of Northern Arizona, the Grand Canyon Trust, American Conservation Experience and the Mt Calvary Lutheran Church. The move comes as Flagstaff and the high country are forecast to have temperatures in the mid- to high 60s, just a few degrees above average, throughout the weekend and next week, said National Weather Service meteorologist Benji Johnson. Despite that, Johnson said he would expect runoff from snowmelt to stay about the same or experience only a modest increase, potentially due to a somewhat higher projected moisture later next week that could help facilitate melting. Otherwise, Johnson said, so much of the snow has already melted, and what is left is at a high enough elevation that he would expect runoff to be consistent but slowly decrease for the time being. But that runoff still needs to be managed. As such, the Arizona Department of Transportation replaced piping under 180 last week. Lane restrictions along that section of 180 are likely to continue for some time, according to an ADOT spokesperson. Schenk said the work the city is looking to complete immediately involves the digging of a ditch to help relieve pressure on other infrastructure in the area. The work scheduled for later this fall would be more substantial. Schenk said the city is hoping to get help from the state to fund the efforts. So we did ask for $8.9 million from the state -- which is going through their budget request and their budget process. And the majority of that would be for the Highway 180 culvert, Schenk said. He added that should the funding request be approved, some of the money will also go to maintain the three detention basins upstream at the Schultz Y. Although meant to deal with post-fire flooding as opposed to annual runoff, city officials have previously spoken about how useful the three Schultz detention basins have been in helping to manage the extreme runoff the city has been experiencing this spring. Earlier this month, runoff filled 100% of the basins 18-million-gallon capacity and city staff jury-rigged sluice gates onto the basins to help manage the flows. And thats one improvement to the Schultz basins the state money could help fund, should it be approved. At the moment, those gate are simply pieces of metal that city staff raise and lower manually using chains. That's the temporary solution, Schenk said. But perhaps more important that those improvements would be dredging the three basins before the monsoon season. As snowmelt has come into the basins, it has brought a significant amount of silt and dirt with it, depositing much of it in the upper most basin. We've definitely lost a little bit of capacity in basin one, Schenk said. He added that the loss in capacity is probably less than 10% would be my guess. But we will go in and have that dredged, assuming we can get it dry that before, the monsoon season. If the state doesnt fulfill the funding request, Schenk said, the city will look to complete the projects and fund the dredging using local dollars. We're hoping for that state appropriation. If that does not come through, then we will rely on the city general fund as well as the stormwater fund. But the stormwater fund is in a fair amount of debt at the moment, so it probably will be mostly from general fund, Schenk said. Of course, although the volume of runoff has come down, there is still a lot of snow on the mountains. That should keep drainages like the Rio de Flag flowing for quite some time. Just how much runoff comes down depends almost entirely on the warm weather, said Stacey Brechler-Knaggs, the City of Flagstaff's emergency manager. That can make reacting to the volume of runoff somewhat challenging. But Brechler-Knaggs said, should another flood event occur, the city has the option to activate its flood incident team. Additionally, those in impacted neighborhoods might want to keep sandbags handy or in place around doors and windows of their homes. We just ask the community to be prepared and to understand how to protect their property. We will issue press releases when we start seeing that level of danger and response that we need to let the community know, so we just ask our community members to be responsive to protect their property and be alert, Brechler-Knaggs said. Self-fill sandbags (and a limited supply of pre-filled sandbags) are available at Thorpe Park by Aztec Street (by the softball fields) and at the Coconino County Health and Human Services building located at 2625 N. King St. PHOENIX -- State Sen. Wendy Rogers got a Flagstaff justice of the peace to issue an order enjoining Arizona Capitol Times reporter Camryn Sanchez from approaching her at her home. The order, issued Wednesday by Amy Criddle and served Thursday on Sanchez, came after Rogers complained to the judge that Sanchez had gone to two of her homes, one in Tempe and one in Chandler. The newspaper reports that Sanchez was doing her job, checking reports that Rogers was not living at the address she claimed in Flagstaff but at one of the other two sites, neither of which is in her legislative district. In her request, Rogers told the judge she had previously told Sanchez not to approach her in the Senate. A spokeswoman for Senate President Warren Petersen told Capitol Media Services he had approved for the chamber's sergeant at arms to tell Sanchez not to go up to Rogers on the Senate floor. But Kim Quintero said Petersen has no intention of limiting the reporter's activity or revoking the privileges that reporters now possess to be on the Senate floor. She acknowledged, though, that Petersen was the one who suggested Rogers seek an injunction "because she is fearful of Camryn and she fears for her safety." Rogers, armed with what she said was doorbell camera footage, then asked Criddle to keep Sanchez away from her at all times and all places. The judge, however, only barred Sanchez from going to the senator's home, though the order does not specify which residences to which that applies. Rogers, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, issued a statement late Thursday in which she acknowledged she has two homes in the Phoenix area, both outside her legislative district. But Rogers also said that she does not know Sanchez personally and "don't know what she is capable of." "I don't believe anyone in their right mind would show up uninvited to my home at night," Rogers said, with one of the three photos from a doorbell camera she posted online apparently taken after dark. But the senator did not say at which of the homes, both outside her legislative district, the pictures were taken. And Petersen late Thursday released a statement that could be read as essentially inviting other legislators, approached by reporters outside of the Senate, to seek similar court order. "Everyone deserves privacy in their personal residences without worrying about reporters repeatedly showing up unannounced," he said. According to the newspaper, Sanchez was looking into whether Rogers lives in a mobile home on West Route 66, the address listed on her nomination papers, or was instead actually residing at one of the other two addresses. That followed an investigation of public property records showing that Rogers and her husband bought a home in Chandler in January and signed a trust document saying that she lived in Tempe. Neither property is within Legislative District 7. The sprawling district runs from Williams through part of Flagstaff, east to Snowflake and then south through Payson, Miami, Apache Junction all the way to San Manuel. The newspaper said Sanchez had gone to the Chandler and Tempe residences in an attempt to speak with neighbors to find out whether Rogers lived at either address. The paper also said she wanted to ask Rogers why the document title she signed stated that she resided in Tempe. The possession of multiple residences is neither a violation of state election laws nor a finding that a legislator does not live where stated. Instead, courts routinely rely on statements from lawmakers of what is their "intention." Rogers, in filing her nomination papers, said last year she had been a resident of the district for six years. And a state constitutional provision says elected officials must be registered voters in the political division they represent. Requirements to reside in the district aside, the question of where a lawmaker actually lives also has financial implications. Under state law, lawmakers who live in Maricopa County are entitled to $35 a day for every day the Legislature is in session. That includes weekends and holidays. But those from the other 14 counties get an allowance equal to what the federal General Services Administration lists as travel expenses for federal employees visiting Maricopa County. That is currently $151 a day for lodging with an additional $69 daily for meals and incidentals. According to the Capitol Times, Rogers has been seeking reimbursement at the out-of-county rate. Reporters for years have been able to be on the Senate floor. While they cannot wander during session, they have been free to approach senators either before or afterwards. At the same time, lawmakers always have been able to decline to respond, something that Rogers repeatedly has done with multiple reporters. Rogers was censured last year in a 24-3 Senate vote for "conduct unbecoming of a senator." The specifics included "publicly issuing and promoting social media and video messaging encouraging violence and punishment of American citizens." That flowed from the senator's activities, including a speech to a white supremacist group. But the resolution also made reference to her last-ditch effort to avoid being censured, with then-Senate Majority Leader Rick Gray of Sun City noting a Twitter post threatening "political destruction" of those who disagree with her views. In a floor speech, Rogers lashed out, calling the action an attack on her First Amendment rights. "I do not apologize," she said. "I will not back down." Decked out in brightly colored gear, life jackets and helmets, Daniel Conley and Ben Trumpinski carried inflatable kayaks and paddles down to the water. However, the flowing water they slid their craft into on Monday's warm late afternoon isnt the Verde, Salt or Colorado; instead, it's the mightily flowing Rio de Flag, and their boat launch is Wheeler Park. The launch came as snowmelt in the mountains surrounding Flagstaff continue to feed the Rio de Flag, flooding some streets across the city and leading some residents like Conley and Trumpinski to find new ways to enjoy the regions near record-breaking moisture counts. Several days later, Conley reported the two paddled all the way to where the Rio passes under Interstate 40, taking out before the water cuts east winding through Country Club. Conley added that paddling the swollen creeks and streams has become somewhat of a habit for him these past two weeks, often going with friends nearly every day after work. Ive been paddling like eight days in a row now, and its really fun, partly because its so novel and feels so special -- and the paddling is really engaging, partly because of the vegetation and the narrow passages and little tunnels, Conley said. Its like a high-challenge, low-consequence type of paddling. Conley and his friends arent the only ones making the attempt. In part inspired by their efforts, Flagstaff resident Mike Kayser also took a run at it, albeit somewhat less successfully. On Sunday afternoon, Kayser and his wife found themselves pulling his kayak, deflated after springing a leak, up the steep bank of the Rio just down from the waterways intersection with West Beal Road, after also putting in at the ditch pool. I couldnt stop laughing the whole time. It was fun. Not as scary as I was anticipating -- which is good. But no, it lived up to the hype, Kayser said. I was hoping to make it to the bridge under Milton and 66 -- there where the Chamber of Commerce is -- was kind of my goal, but the kayak popped. Kayser said hes been thinking about running the Rio ever since a friend told him stories of paddling down it in high school. But Kayser said he wasnt sure it could actually be done until seeing Conley and Trumpinski with their kayaks in Wheeler Park. City of Flagstaff emergency manager Stacey Brechler-Knaggs, who has been working to respond to the runoff and flood risks, said the practice was a more common sight when she first started with the city in the 1980s. I started in 1984 at the city and city hall was just built, and wed see that level rise, the Rio rise, and people going down in kayaks. You know, we havent seen that in a long time, Brechler-Knaggs said. When Frances Short Pond would top, youd see goldfish going down the Rio by city hall, and its crazy, now youre starting to see that again. Conley said he has long thought about what it would be like to paddle down the Rio, and as soon as he saw how much water was flowing, he got the itch to test it out. In Arizona, its always a game of chasing the water around because there isnt very much of it, Conley said. So once I saw the Rio was flowing, I was pretty immediately interested. Conley, Trumpinski and two others tried it out for the first time early last week, putting in near the ditch pool just after the water had reached its high point and started to come down. Just days prior, the City of Flagstaff had announced the three large detention basins below Schultz creek had reached 100% capacity and several neighborhoods had experienced flooding. And the water has certainly continued to come down since then. Every time I run it, I can tell the waters a little bit lower than the last time I ran it, Conley said. And Kayser said he and his wife hope to make another run at it, and this time in a rigid tandem kayak so that she can experience it. Last time she jogged alongside him on the urban trail as he made the attempt. But as exciting as the paddling has been, for Conley, the experience has proven to be more than simple fun, also making him feel more connected to Flagstaff, its history and the surrounding environment. Ive lived here for 12 years and actually didnt really know where the Rio de Flag went through town," he said. "And having been able to travel through it this past week or so, I have a much more in-depth experience of the river, our local watersheds. I just feel more connected to the place we live and the natural cycles that get drowned out in our urban life. Photo by Danny Upshaw via Cahokia/Indigenous People's Day Phoenix Fest For the past seven years, the City of Phoenix has recognized Indigenous Peoples Day instead of Columbus Day every second Monday of October, but it was never an official city holiday. But now thats changed. With a vote of 7-1, the Phoenix City Council made it official, and Indigenous Peoples Day has been designated a city holiday. This is really exciting, said Democrat Councilwoman Laura Pastor, of District 4, during a city council meeting on April 19. Pastor said shes been working with Indigenous communities to declare this resolution and to introduce one involving land acknowledgment, which is the acknowledgment that the city rests on the ancestral homelands of Indigenous people. The Phoenix City Council on April 19 approved the resolution to declare the second Monday in October of each year as a designated city holiday known as Indigenous Peoples Day. This is an exciting item that has been many years in the making, Phoenix Mayor Katie Gallego said during the council meeting. She talked about how Indigenous Peoples Day was originally only recognized as a day, but this vote makes it a full city holiday. Phoenix is proud to recognize the roots on which our city was founded, Gallego tweeted after the resolution passed. During the council meeting, only one city council member questioned the resolution: Republican Councilman Jim Waring, of District 2. Waring voiced his concern about the cost of the city holiday and questioned exactly how much it would be for the city to create an additional holiday. Assistant City Manager Lori Bays answered his question, saying that an additional city holiday would cost the city approximately $1.5 million from the general fund and approximately $2 million from all funds. Waring questioned whether the city planned to take away an additional holiday because it would be revenue neutral if one holiday was swapped for another. Bays said no other city holiday would be taken away. If so, that decision would be up to the Phoenix City Council to make in the future, because the resolution proposal was to add Indigenous Peoples Day as a holiday without removing any other holiday. By declaring Indigenous Peoples Day a city holiday, Waring said the city was asking taxpayers not to have the city open for another day and to pay $2 million for the privilege. The resolution passed 7-1, and Waring was the only one to vote against it. This means that Phoenix City Offices will be closed, and it will be a paid holiday for full-time city employees. It will be added to the 12 other recognized city holidays. The State of Arizona does not recognize Indigenous Peoples Day as an official holiday. In the past, state officials have introduced resolutions to officially recognize the day across Arizona, but those have never passed through the legislature. When Laura Medina heard the City of Phoenix will officially recognize Indigenous Peoples Day as a city holiday, she commended the decision by saying it was amazing and awesome. Its great that there are these movements going on, Medina said. Medina is an organizer with the non-profit Matriarch Ways, which was originally called Indigenous Peoples Arizona. The group has been hosting celebrations of Indigenous Peoples Day since 2015. But, Medina wondered if the city holiday will go beyond being performative. Medina said she cant help but ask if this is really abolishing Columbus Day. Is that really abolishing the idea of what this individual represented, Medina asked, not only to colonizers but to American history and the Indigenous people who have been hurt by colonization. I do know that there is a lot that needs to happen, Medina said, and these types of declarations and recognitions are always with the best intentions for Indigenous communities. She is hopeful that the City of Phoenixs move to make Indigenous Peoples Day an official city holiday will spread and that people will get the day off to reflect on the land that they live on. Medina hopes that people dont treat the day as if its just another vacation day but rather use it as an opportunity to connect and acknowledge the Indigenous communities within their community and understand that they are living on stolen land. Pay respect to the original people who call this place home, Medina said, and the best way to do that is by being in the community. She hopes people take the time to understand the struggles that Indigenous communities are actively facing, from the militarization of the border to the complete disrespect and destruction of their sacred sites. Matriarch Ways hosts an Indigenous Peoples Day celebration every October and other workshops or events geared toward Indigenous communities. For more information about their work, visit their website. Mumbai, April 21: UK's much-loved sandwich and coffee chain Pret A Manger made its debut in India on Friday. The international company opened its first store in Bandra's Maker Maxity in Mumbai under a master franchise partnership with Reliance Brands. The launch of Pret A Manger's Indian store comes a few days after US technology giant Apple launched its first two stores in the country. The inaugural saw the presence of Bollywood actress Sara Ali Khan. Speaking to the media stationed outside the store, Sara expressed her love for coffee. "Coffee is my favourite thing ever. I love coffee...I have visited the Pret store in London several times with my father and now I am excited that the chain has come to India," she said. Apple Saket Store Opening in Delhi: Tim Cook Inaugurates Apple's Second Store in India, Meets With Customers (See Pics and Video). The Mumbai shop is a recreation of Pret's iconic London shops with a large dining space spread across 2,567 sq ft. Take a look at the Pret A Manger store in Mumbai Darshan Mehta, Managing Director, Reliance Brands, shared excitement on collaboration with the UK brand. "Freshness of ingredients, authenticity of recipes, and a curiosity in processes defines the new Indian consumer. Our partnership with Pret A Manger aims to tap into this curiosity with an offering that we can proudly say -- ensures traceability of coffee beans as much as a zero additive approach to food," Mehta said. Apple Store in India: Excitement Builds Around Opening of First Retail Store in Mumbai (See Pic and Video). Started in 1986 in London, Pret A Manger now operates around 550 shops in countries, including the UK, US, Hong Kong, France, Dubai, Switzerland, Brussels, Singapore and Germany. The chain offers coffee, sandwiches, salads and wraps freshly made each day. The 39-year-old British sandwich shop franchise chain which translates from French to 'ready-to-eat' will open a second outlet at Mumbai's Lower Parel's Palladium Mall in the coming weeks and NCR will get its first outlet at DLF Cyberhub in May. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Srinagar, Apr 21 (PTI) Five tourists were among six injured after the vehicle they were travelling in skidded off a road in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district on Friday, officials said. Six people, including the five tourist and a local cab driver, were inside the vehicle when the accident happened in Pahalgam area, they said. Also Read | Haryana Government Says No Clean Chit Given by SIT in Robert Vadra-DLF Land Deal. The five tourists included a woman and two children, the officials said. They were rushed to a hospital and their condition is stated to be stable, they said. Also Read | Andhra Pradesh Fire: Massive Blaze at Amaravati Construction Destroys Material Kept for Capital Works. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Xem them ... Tin bai cuoi cung Khong con du lieu e load New Delhi, Apr 21 (PTI) Tibetan Spiritual Leader the Dalai Lama on Friday participated in the Global Buddhist Summit and addressed a group of monks and other delegates who have gathered here for the two-day event, sources said. He spoke for about half an hour and emphasised on Buddhist philosophy and values. Also Read | Uttar Pradesh Shocker: Fearing Scolding Over Ice Cream, Girl Dies by Suicide by Hanging Herself in Kanpur. The first-of-its-kind summit began on Thursday with Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing the inaugural session. Modi in his address said the world is passing through challenges such as war, economic instability, terrorism, religious extremism and climate change and asserted that Lord Buddha's ideas offer a solution to these problems. Also Read | Akshaya Tritiya 2023 Gold Rates: Gold Likely to Lose Sheen on High Prices; Jewellers Expect 20% Dip in Demand. The summit is divided into two segments, academic and Sangha sessions. Media was allowed only for the inaugural session, the rest of the sessions are not open to the press, an official source said. The source, however, confirmed that the Dalai Lama attended the summit on Friday morning and addressed gathered monks and other delegates. "In his nearly half-an-hour address, the Tibetan spiritual leader spoke of compassion, wisdom and meditation," he told PTI. The three values are integral to the teachings of Lord Buddha and the philosophy he espoused. On Monday, at a press conference here, organisers had said that invite was sent to the Dalai Lama, but till that time it wasn't confirmed whether he would attend the event. An official source in the Dharamshala-based Central Tibetan Administration or CTA (government in exile) had early on Friday morning told PTI that "His Holiness will attend the event". The conference is being hosted at The Ashok Hotel from April 20 to 21 by the Union Ministry of Culture along with the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC). The 87-year-old Tibetan spiritual leader has been in the news recently over a viral video linked with him and a boy. The Dalai Lama on April 10 apologised to the boy, his family and friends for the "hurt his words may have caused" after the video clip purportedly showing the Tibetan spiritual head asking him to "suck" his tongue sparked a row. (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, Apr 21 (PTI) Aviation regulator DGCA is probing the incident of an Air India pilot allowing a female friend into the cockpit during a flight from Dubai to Delhi in February, according to an official. The incident is said to have happened on February 27 and a complaint was filed by a cabin member of that Dubai-Delhi flight to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Also Read | Uttar Pradesh Shocker: Fearing Scolding Over Ice Cream, Girl Dies by Suicide by Hanging Herself in Kanpur. The official on Friday said DGCA is conducting an investigation into the matter. The investigation team will examine the relevant facts from the technical and safety standpoint, the official added. Also Read | Akshaya Tritiya 2023 Gold Rates: Gold Likely to Lose Sheen on High Prices; Jewellers Expect 20% Dip in Demand. The pilot of the flight had allowed a female friend into the cockpit. Unauthorised people are not allowed to enter the cockpit and such an entry will be in violation of safety norms. There was no comment from Air India on the incident. (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, Apr 21 (PTI) Activist Gautam Navlakha, who was ordered to be kept in house arrest in a public library in Mumbai in connection with the Elgar Parishad-Maoist link case, on Friday moved the Supreme Court seeking change of address. A bench of Justices KM Joseph and BV Nagarathna was told by counsel for Navlakha, that the place, where he is under house arrest, is a public library and needs to be vacated. Also Read | Uttar Pradesh Shocker: Fearing Scolding Over Ice Cream, Girl Dies by Suicide by Hanging Herself in Kanpur. "All I am seeking is change of address in Mumbai", Navlakha's counsel said, requesting for urgent hearing. Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, who was appearing in another matter in the court, said he had no idea about the mentioning of the application and sought time to respond to it. Also Read | Akshaya Tritiya 2023 Gold Rates: Gold Likely to Lose Sheen on High Prices; Jewellers Expect 20% Dip in Demand. The bench said it will take up the matter for hearing on next Friday. On November 10, last year, the top court had allowed Navlakha, who was then lodged in Navi Mumbai's Taloja prison in connection with the case, to be placed under house arrest owing to his deteriorating health. Noting the activist has been in custody since April 14, 2020, and prima facie there is no reason to reject his medical report, it had said Navlakha does not have any criminal background except this case and even the Government of India had appointed him as interlocutor to hold talks with Maoists. The case relates to alleged inflammatory speeches made at the Elgar Parishad conclave held in Pune on December 31, 2017, which the police claim triggered violence the next day near the Koregaon-Bhima war memorial on the outskirts of the western Maharashtra city. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Guwahati (Assam) [India], April 21 (ANI): Reacting to former president of Assam Pradesh Youth Congress levelling a series of harassment allegations against Indian Youth Congress (IYC) president, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday said it is the matter of the Congress and if they (Assam Congress) don't resolve it, then the law will take its course. The Assam chief minister said he still believes it is a matter of Congress and if they can tackle the issue, then there is no need for involving the CID or police. Also Read | Narendra Modi Government Approves Over 2,600 4G Towers for Villages in Arunachal Pradesh. "If they do not resolve the issue and keep pending it for a long time, then the police will have to do the needful. I am in the BJP, but want to suggest to them if the police get involved in the matter, then there will be an inquiry and the matter will reach the court. We don't want that the matter concerning a daughter of Assam to reach the court. I think they (Assam Congress) should resolve the issue through reconciliation. Even after waiting a day or two, if the issue is not resolved, then the law will have to run its course," CM Sarma said. An FIR has been registered and the National Commission for Women has sent a letter to the DGP urging to conduct an enquiry, he added. Also Read | Imgur To Remove Pornographic and Anonymous Content From Internet. "I am saying from the beginning that the complainant is a daughter of Assam. The way the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee has tackled this matter is depressing. They (Assam Congress) are thinking that the complainant has given the wrong statement and the IYC president is on the right side. I would have been happy if Assam Congress had talked in favour of the daughter of Assam. But we have seen a completely opposite scene on TV," Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma said while interacting with media at Sarupathar in Golaghat district. However, the former Assam Youth Congress chief on Friday reportedly gave her statement before the Chief Judicial Magistrate court in Guwahati on her harassment allegation against the IYC president. National Commission for Women (NCW) chairperson Rekha Sharma on Wednesday wrote to the Director General of Police, Assam to personally look into the harassment allegation levelled by the Assam Youth Congress chief against the Indian Youth Congress national president. She urged the DGP to conduct a fair and time-bound inquiry into the matter, said a press release by NCW on Wednesday. The NCW took cognisance of a Twitter post by the Assam Youth Congress chief against the national chief alleging harassment and discrimination, said the statement. In the release, the NCW stated, "The National Commission for Women has come across a Twitter post enclosing screenshots of posts made by President, Indian Youth Congress, Assam alleging harassment, use of derogatory language and discrimination against the President of Indian Youth Congress. In furtherance, the Assam chief has posted on her Twitter handle that she even raised her grievance with Rahul Gandhi during the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Jammu, however, there was no action taken on her complaint." NCW further stated that the Commission is appalled and disappointed and has taken cognizance of the allegations levelled by the Assam Youth Congress chief against the national chief. "Considering the gravity of the matter, chairperson Rekha Sharma has written to the Director General of Police, Assam to look into it and inquire about the allegations levelled against the Youth Congress chief in a fair and time-bound manner," read the statement. According to the official release, the Commission has sought a detailed report on the matter. Meanwhile, the Commission will also inquire into the matter, said the statement. (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 21 (ANI): Taking cognisance of news reports on the alleged gang rape and murder of a minor Dalit girl in West Bengal's Raiganj district, a fact-finding team of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) will be visiting the place to conduct an inquiry, said the NCPCR chief on Friday. Taking to Twitter, NCPCR chairperson Priyank Kanoongo said, "The NCPCR has taken cognizance of News Reports of gang rape and murder of a Dalit girl child in Raiganj, Uttar Dinajpur of West Bengal. A fact-finding team will be visiting there to conduct an inquiry." Also Read | Saket Court Firing: Woman Shot and Injured in Delhi Court Complex, Accused Nabbed From Faridabad. A statement issued by the NCPCR chief office read, "We have received information about the gang-rape incident and murder of a girl child in North Dinajpur in West Bengal. We have received a lot of information from many sources. It is a heinous murder and we are going to investigate it. I myself will go to North Dinajpur with my team. Our team will reach there tomorrow. We will investigate this incident by going there tomorrow evening. We are trying to contact the government through the governor's house to cooperate with us in the investigation. This is a case of murder of a girl child and getting her justice." The statement further said, "The unfortunate thing is that we informed the Chief Secretary of West Bengal, the Collector of North Dinajpur about this in the afternoon itself, but they are not responding. Even these people are not picking up the phone. We tried to talk to the office of the Resident Commissioner of West Bengal in Delhi. But, there also the phone is not available." Also Read | Satya Pal Malik Summoned by CBI: Arvind Kejriwal Praises Former Jammu and Kashmir Governor, Says 'You've Shown Great Courage in Times of Fear'. "The attitude of the West Bengal government is totally different. Last time they attacked me. Even the police attacked me at the police station. But, we will not sit at home in fear of being threatened or intimidated by them in this way. Our job is to fight for justice for the victimized children, which we will continue", reads the statement. The statement added that punishing the culprits is the only way to stop such incidents in West Bengal. "Since this is a case of rape and murder of a girl child and the only way to stop such incidents in West Bengal is to punish the culprits of such incidents. We will continue to do our work", the statement 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) New Delhi [India], April 21 (ANI): The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) new Chief, Aniket Sunil Talati will focus on enhancing audit quality mechanisms, benchmarking the global best practices in sustainability reporting requirements and assurance standards and actively participating in G20 endeavours with the Government of India. CA. Aniket Sunil Talati and CA. Ranjeet Kumar Agarwal were elected as the new president and vice president of ICAI with effect from February 12 this year. With more than 3.75 lakh members and over 7.80 lakh students, ICAI is the world's second-largest accounting body. Also Read | Layoffs Hit Open: Neo-Banking Startup Lays Off 47 Employees, Founders Take 50% Pay Cut As Company Looks to Optimise Operations. Through its 5 regional councils, 168 branches, 45 overseas chapters and 33 representative offices, the institute is taking forward its agenda of inclusive growth and continues to add glory to the profession. Addressing the media on Thursday about the important milestone, Aniket Sunil Talati said, "Taking forward India's economic growth story, the ICAI has become a prime partner with B20 dialogue. The partnership of ICAI with B20 as a Prime Partner reflects its commitment to support the Government in making India a Vishwaguru." "The Regulatory framework of ICAI is an intricate system on which the pious, glorious and respectful structure of one of the largest accounting bodies in the world stands. ICAI vigorously and constructively endeavour to make its regulatory and disciplinary mechanisms more robust and responsive together with its Disciplinary Directorate, Financial Reporting Review Board, Peer Review Board, Taxation Audits Quality Review Board, and Centre for Audit Quality," he added. While talking about disciplinary cases, he shared, "ICAI has a zero-tolerance policy against any disciplinary case. In a few of the cases, we have removed members from the register of members for life. We are here to do the best for the profession and we have kept all the possible mechanisms in place to tackle such cases." "The total cases registered under the new DC mechanism from 2007 till March 31, 2023, are 6766, out of which 4249 cases have been concluded i.e. on 62.80 per cent of the cases, ICAI has already taken decision. The balance cases are either at the Prima Facie stage or at the hearing stage before the Board of Discipline / Disciplinary Committee. In the Council year 2022-23, a total of 112 Meetings were held of the Board of Discipline and Disciplinary Committee, where hearings were concluded in 132 cases and punishments were awarded in 91 cases." Talking further on this he said, "ICAI had conceptualized and developed an innovative concept of Unique Document Identification Number (UDIN) under which a unique number is now generated for every document certified/attested by a Chartered Accountant in practice and registered with the UDIN portal. As on April 12, 2023, around 4.89 Cr UDINs have been generated and 1.38 lakh Members have registered themselves on UDIN Portal." CA. Talati said, "The institute has recently developed and released the "Guidance Note on Audit of Banks 2023" edition, which provides detailed guidance to auditors conducting audits of banks and bank branches." Also Read | Uttar Pradesh Shocker: Minor Boy Rapes Two-Year-Old Cousin in Mohanlalganj, Detained. "Also, the Institute developed and released the "Implementation Guide on Reporting under Rule 11(g) of the Companies (Audit and Auditors) Rules, 2014" (Implementation Guide on Audit Trail) that provides detailed guidance on various aspects of this new reporting requirement introduced by Rule 11(g) of the Companies (Audit and Auditors) Rules, 2014," he added. ICAI has always been active in helping Government in its various initiatives and other Countries to promote the Chartered Accountancy profession and implement various concepts that are useful in the functioning of Accountancy Institutes. The ICAI President said, "The Central Bureau of Communication (CBC), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India had approached ICAI to place systematic reliance on UDIN to assess the veracity of the information certified by Chartered Accountants in the prescribed format for the empanelment of the news agencies based on circulation and rates. It has been decided to execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ICAI and CBC providing details inter alia on the manner of sharing of data, their frequency, the structure of data and the commitments of both organizations." "The Governing Board of the National Board of Accountants and Auditors (NBAA), Tanzania has approved the introduction of the UDIN system in Tanzania. A request has been received from NBAA to share the step-by-step process for implementing the UDIN, as also to share ICAI's experience and support for implementing UDIN in Tanzania," he added. He further said, "ICAI is the official Sponsor of the 7th Africa Congress of Accountants (ACOA) scheduled from May 15-18, 2023 on the theme "Structural Transformation and Growth of African Economies", in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire. The Congress will witness the presence of more than 2,000 delegates from 54 African countries around the world." CA. Ranjeet Kumar Agarwal while addressing the media shared the details about the 57th Campus Placement Programme being organized by the Institute for the newly qualified CAs who passed the CA final examination in November 2022. He said, "To connect and bring together the Newly Qualified Chartered Accountants (NQCAs) and the recruiters on a common platform, the scheme of campus interviews was introduced by ICAI to provide prospective employers and the young members an opportunity to interact and explore the possibility of taking up employment in various organizations." (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Kupwara (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], April 21 (ANI): Police rescued more than 300 stranded passengers and took out 60 vehicles from the Sadhna Top in Karnah in Kupwara. The rescue operation was launched Thursday evening by the police, headed by SHO Karnah Inspector Mudasir Ahmad. Also Read | Mizoram Village Council Elections 2023: BJP Sweeps MADC Polls, Bags 41 of 99 VCs. The timely and prompt assistance provided by the police not only rescued the civilians but also ensured that they reached their destination safely. All the rescued persons appreciated the police who came to their rescue, risking their own lives amidst the avalanche warnings. Also Read | Air India Pilot Entertains Female Friend in Cockpit During Dubai-Delhi Flight; DGCA Initiates Probe, Airline Says Requisite Action Will Be Taken. Nasta Chhun, or Sadhna Pass, is a mountain pass connecting Karnah tehsil of Kupwara district with the rest of Jammu and Kashmir. It is located in the vast Shams Bri mountain range. "We are very thankful for our police, which always stands up for us," a person who was rescued said. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Apr 21 (PTI) Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who was disqualified as MP after conviction in a defamation case, moved out all his belongings from his official residence on Friday, with sources saying he will hand over the 12, Tughlaq Lane bungalow to the Lok Sabha secretariat on April 22. The former Congress president was asked to vacate the premises by April 22 following his disqualification after the conviction and two-year sentence in the case pertaining to the "Modi surname" remark. Also Read | Insurance Scam: CBI Summons Satya Pal Malik To Answer Queries Over Scam in Jammu and Kashmir. The former Congress chief had on April 14 shifted his office and some personal belongings from the bungalow. Sources said Gandhi moved out his remaining articles on Friday evening from the bungalow which was allotted to him as an MP. A truck was seen moving out the building with he belongings. Also Read | When Is Eid 2023 in India? Eid Ul Fitr May Fall on April 22 or April 23, Know Significance of Moon Sighting and Other Details About Islamic Festival. He has been living in the bungalow for nearly two decades. After shifting his office, he has already started living with his mother and Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi at her 10, Janpath residence, the sources said. Rahul Gandhi was asked to vacate his official premises by April 22 following his disqualification. A Surat court on March 23 had convicted Gandhi of defamation and given him two-year sentence, leading to his disqualification. The Lok Sabha Secretariat had sent Gandhi a notice asking him to vacate the premises by April 22. A few years ago, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was also asked to vacate her Lodhi Estate bungalow after her SPG security cover was removed. Rahul Gandhi first got elected as an MP from Amethi in Uttar Pradesh in 2004 and shifted his constituency to Wayanad in 2019. (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 21 (ANI): The Union Minister for Jal Shakti Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Friday chaired the 11th meeting of the Empowered Task Force (ETF) of National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) in New Delhi wherein he reviewed the progress of various components under the Namami Gange Programme. The Union Minister also launched the Monitoring Centre - PRAYAG - which stands for Platform for Real-time Analysis of Yamuna, Ganga and their Tributaries at the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) office in New Delhi. Also Read | Eid Ul Fitr 2023: Kerala Government Declares Two Days Holiday on April 21-22. Prayag is a Real-Time Monitoring Centre for planning and monitoring projects, river water quality, etc. through various online dashboards such as Ganga Tarang Portal, Jajmau Plant through Online Drone Data, PMT Tool Dashboard, Ganga Districts Performance Monitoring System, etc. The Union Minister also released the comic series 'Chacha Chaudhary ke Sath, Ganga ki Baat'. Also Read | Uttar Pradesh Shocker: Man Shoots Neighbour's Pet Dog to Death in Pilibhit, Booked. During the meeting, Shekhawat directed the officials to study the freshwater usage of different industries along the river Ganga and prepare a holistic Action Plan for the reuse of treated wastewater in thermal power plants, refineries, railways and other industries. The minister on January 5, 2023, launched the National Framework on Safe Reuse of Treated Water prepared by NMCG. The framework acts as a guiding document for framing state policies on the reuse of treated water. The state of Uttar Pradesh informed that industries are mandated to treat their effluent and reuse it up to the extent of 80 per cent and reduce their requirement for fresh water. It was emphasized in the meeting that the industries should gradually move to the use of treated water thereby minimizing the use of fresh water. The Union Minister also directed the officials of NMCG and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) to work out a holistic strategy to clean about 2000 drains identified by NMCG in urban and rural areas. He said, "A holistic plan in coordination with MoHUA should be prepared and these drains should be cleaned at the earliest under Swachh Bharat Mission. Identifying untapped drains and cleaning them is also the top agenda for District Ganga Committees (DGCs). Since the launch of the 'Digital Dashboard for DGCs Performance Monitoring System' in April 2022, the performance of DGCs has improved." "Between April 2022 to March 2023, a total of 1,157 Monthly Meetings were conducted and Meeting minutes uploaded. In Uttar Pradesh, which has the maximum number of DGCs (75), 741 meetings were held. A maximum of 112 meetings were held during the month of Jan 2023. The Minister also urged the official from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) to expedite the work on Project Dolphin," he added. The Union Minister was informed that for developing new tourist destinations along Ganga under the Arth Ganga campaign, a report by INTACH has been shared with all the concerned District Ganga Committees (DGCs). Emphasis was made on the development of Arth Ganga trails, homestays, guide training etc. Besides, agreements (MoU) have also been signed with the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Culture in December 2022 for the promotion of Arth Ganga. It was also informed that under the Namami Gange programme for the last four years, concerted efforts have been made towards the Hilsa fish conservation and ranching programme upstream of the Farakka barrage in Ganga by CIFRI. Ranched fishes are being tagged to understand the migration and the study shows the migration of Hilsa fish up to Mirzapur. Ranching is helping with livelihood generation for the fishermen's community in the Ganga Basin. The Ministry of Culture informed that an action plan to hold 'Ganga Sanskriti Yatra' has been formulated. The Yatra will pass through the States of Uttarakhand, UP, Bihar and West Bengal. The proposed Yatra will start from Gangotri in Uttarakhand and terminate at Ganga Sagar in West Bengal, showcasing the cultural heritage of Ganga at more than 100 different venues from Gangotri to Ganga Sagar. For the promotion of Natural Farming, it was informed that a series of workshops are being organized in coordination with State Agriculture Department and NCONF. Recently, NMCG organized one-day workshops in Bulandshahar, Bijnor, Hastinapur, Saran, Bhojpur, Buxar and Samastipur. The meeting was attended by Pankaj Kumar, Secretary, Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation (DoWR, RD & GR), Ministry of Jal Shakti and G Asok Kumar, Director General, NMCG along with Senior officials from central ministries, departments and concerned state governments. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) North 24 Parganas (West Bengal) [India], April 21 (ANI): Border Security Force (BSF) caught a postman red-handed while smuggling Phensedyl through a parcel in North 24 Parganas district on Thursday, said an official. The incident took place at BSF's Border Out Post Hakimpur, 112 Battalion, under South Bengal Frontier, in North 24 Parganas district. Also Read | Narendra Modi Government Approves Over 2,600 4G Towers for Villages in Arunachal Pradesh. Acting on specific information the accused, identified as Talat Mahmood, a postman at Duttapara post office, was stopped by the border personnel while he was riding a bike towards Hakimpur. During the search that followed, a large sealed parcel was found on him. As the troops opened the parcel in the presence of the village panchayat member and locals at the border outpost, 38 bottles of Phensedyl were found, said the official. Also Read | Imgur To Remove Pornographic and Anonymous Content From Internet. Upon interrogation, the postman admitted to being involved in smuggling activities for the last 7-8 months. He stated that he used to note down the details of large parcels delivered a day or two in advance, create a fresh copy of the sender and receiver's information along with the same barcode, and paste it on a fake parcel containing Phensedyl. He would then sell these bottles to local smugglers and make a hefty profit, the official informed further. BSF officials added that the post master, Hakimpur, sent a letter to the Head Post Office on the incident. The postman was handed over to the Swaroopnagar police station along with the seized items. Phensedyl is a syrup that gives short-term relief from sneezing, coughing, or runny nose due to minor throat and airway irritation. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) An estimated 40% of Nebraska's corn is sold to ethanol plants. This corn field, pictured last summer, was in Saunders County, Nebraska, just outside of Ashland. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner) LINCOLN An effort to increase use of higher blends of corn-based ethanol ran into an unusual group of opponents Thursday. State Sens. Megan Hunt of Omaha and Jane Raybould of Lincoln two of the more liberal senators in the Nebraska Legislature joined with the conservative Americans for Prosperity in arguing that mandating what kind of gas pumps businesses should provide was government overreach. Government should not tell businesses what to sell, said Hunt. The ethanol industry can stand on its own without a government mandate. Raybould, whose family owns a chain of supermarkets that include gas pumps, said forcing retailers to have higher blend E-15 pumps was wrong-headed. Why subsidize ethanol? Why are we making the taxpayers subsidize the ethanol industry? Raybould asked. Why doesnt the (Nebraska) corn board or ethanol board have skin in this game? The comments came as the Unicameral opened debate on Legislative Bill 562, the priority bill of Adams Sen. Myron Dorn, a farmer. It touched on one of the states largest industries, but one facing some headwinds given the growing switch to electric vehicles. In response, Nebraskas federal delegation has also been pushing legislation to increase use of ethanol. Nebraska is the second largest producer of ethanol in the country, and farmers who live in the vicinity of the states 24 ethanol plants get an estimated 21 cents a bushel more for their corn. Supports local economy That boosts profits for farmers in what is a $10 billion industry and provides a valuable byproduct, cattle feed, for livestock producers. Advocates said ethanol plants also provide good-paying jobs in rural areas across the state. Glenvil Sen. Dave Murman noted that Nebraska is an agricultural state. An estimated 40% of the states corn crop goes to ethanol plants. We need to support our own economy. And this is a bill that will do that, Murman said. Dorn said the goal of LB 562 was to increase use of ethanol. Currently, he said, just under 10% of the fuel sold in Nebraska is ethanol, and the bill aims to increase that to 14% by 2027. 50% of pumps must provide E-15 Beginning Jan. 1, any new gasoline outlet, or any outlet replacing more than 80% of its pumps, would be required to have 50% of its pumps provide E-15, a blend that contains 15% ethanol. Tax credits, capped at $5 million a year statewide, would be provided to retailers who provide E-15 pumps. The credit would start at 8 cents per gallon sold, a boost over a 5 cents a gallon credit approved last year. Under a proposed amendment to LB 562, smaller gas retailers, or those facing expensive replacement of pumps and storage tanks, could be exempted from the mandate. But if the states ethanol use doesnt grow to at least 14% of all fuel by 2027, then every retailer in the state would be required to have at least one E-15 pump. Americans for Prosperity opposed the bill because it dictated what businesses should do. Proponents of the measure argued that it wasnt a mandate because it only increased access to the higher blend fuel. Dorn said that when E-15 pumps are provided, consumers rapidly switch to it from the E-10 that stations commonly carry. About 10% of the states gas stations and convenience stores now offer E-15, he said. Dorn estimated that the bill would increase statewide ethanol production by 40 million gallons, or about 5%, and, because E-15 averages about 17 cents a gallon cheaper, consumers could save up to $52 million. Would need to replace E-10 with E-15 Raybould said that shoppers at her familys supermarkets arent asking for E-15 and that retailers are in the business of providing what customers want. Since gas pumps typically offer only three dispensers, she said retailers would be looking at replacing the highest selling option, E-10, or undertaking an expensive replacement of pumps. Some storage tanks, Raybould added, cant hold the more corrosive E-15. Hunt also raised concerns about whether ethanol had a long-term future, given the push to switch to electric vehicles. This is another handout to ag producers, the senator said, questioning whether ethanol was becoming an obsolete industry. She filed an amendment to the bill to provide $150,000 to the University of Nebraska to study the short- and long-term prospects for ethanol, as well as the impact on the environment and water resources in growing corn. Hastings Sen. Steve Halloran complained that there was too much gnashing of teeth over LB 562 and that retailers could easily and inexpensively comply with the bill by switching pumps from E-10 to E-15. Lawmakers adjourned for a four-day weekend before getting to a vote on Hunts amendment. But senators did reject her motion to kill LB 562 on a 38-1 vote. Honolulu, Apr 21 (AP) A shooting that killed two people and wounded three others in Hawaii last weekend began with an argument at a cockfight attended by 100 to 200 people, according to court documents released Thursday. Probable cause papers detailing one of the most serious shootings in state history were made public after an initial court appearance for one of the suspects, Jacob Borge. Also Read | Earthquake in Chile: Quake of Magnitude 4.0 on Richter Scale Hits Vallenar, No Casualty Reported. Borge, 23, and a 16-year-old boy turned themselves in to police. Borge was charged with first-and second-degree murder, three counts of attempted murder and firearms charges. Also Read | IPL 2023: Sonam Kapoor, Husband Anand Ahuja Enjoy DC Vs KKR Match With Apple CEO Tim Cook (View Pics). Bail was set at $2 million. Petitions were filed against the juvenile for the same charges, police said. State Public Defender James Tabe, whose office represented Borge at the initial hearing, said it is too early to comment on the case. Honolulu police were dispatched to a rural neighbourhood in Waianae following a report of shots fired shortly after midnight Saturday at a cockfight. When police arrived, attendees were hurrying away from the scene, court documents said. One of the men who was shot told police that as the cockfight ended, three young males were involved in an argument that turned physical with six male affiliates of a well-known organiser of chicken fights in the Waianae area, court papers said. Commonly known as chicken fights, cockfighting is popular in Hawaii despite being illegal. Another man who was shot told police he saw a person holding a gun and began to shoot at the crowd, documents said. One shooting victim told police there were 100 people at the cockfight, while another told police there were 200. Cathy Rabellizsa-Manners, 59, died from a gunshot wound to the face and Gary Rabellizsa, 34, died from multiple gunshot wounds, documents said. Rabellizsa-Manners' husband told police that Rabellizsa tried to break up at the altercation and got into a fistfight with two males who shot at Rabellizsa-Manners and Rabellizsa. Police familiar with Borge, who goes by the street name Hot Boi Jake, negotiated to turn himself in, documents said. A preliminary hearing for Borge is scheduled for Monday. GoFundMe pages were set up for Rabellizsa-Manners and Rabellizsa. I will always remember the first time ever hearing my dad cry it was heartbreaking, I never thought this day will come where I would lose my mom to gun violence, the page organised by Keri Rabellizsa said. Keri Rabellizsa also organised the page for Gary Rabellizsa, who is described as a sheet metal fabricator and father of six: As a result of trying to keep the peace, my husband was fatally shot multiple times. (AP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Brisbane, Apr 21 (The Conversation) Anzac Day continues to feature on the Australian calendar as a day for celebrating and commemorating the deeds of our military personnel. Traditionally focused on the first world war, the mythology of the Anzacs bronzed bushmen storming the cliffs of Gallipoli or walking fearlessly through artillery bombardments on the western front has long clouded the reality of the experience of fighting in what was then an unprecedented conflict. Also Read | UFO Spotted in Middle East? Pentagon Shares Video of Flying Metallic Sphere Captured by Reaper Drone, But Asserts It Has No Credible Evidence of Extraterrestrial Activity. Many Australian soldiers did not fit this Anzac myth. Some were taken prisoner of war and some broke down with shellshock. Others were just bad characters, whose trouble-making, both within and outside their units, caused endless headaches for military and civilian authorities. Also Read | Eid 2023 Moon Sighting, Chand Raat: Muslims in India, Bangladesh, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa To Look for Shawwal Crescent Today, Eid Ul Fitr Date To Be Decided. Australian soldiers stationed in Egypt, England and France were charged with various transgressions, including insubordination, repeated malingering and theft. Some were accused of committing heinous acts, such as murder and rape. In our research on these soldiers, we found that, in total, 115 Australians were court-martialled during WWI and sentenced to death for serious military crimes primarily desertion. Researching desertion Desertion needs to be distinguished from being absent without, or overstaying, authorised leave from one's unit. Under the military law that governed members of the Australian Imperial Force during WWI, desertion was defined as leaving or refusing to enter the front lines or being absent from areas behind the front lines for more than four weeks. Desertion was considered such a serious offence because the soldier had refused to do the duty for which he had enlisted, wasted resources, weakened military strength and endangered comrades. Not surprisingly, the sanction was severe. More than 3,000 members of the British empire's forces were sentenced to death for desertion and similar offences during WWI, of whom 361 were executed by firing squad. (Among those were 25 Canadians and five New Zealanders.) The remaining deserters had their sentences commuted to something lesser usually a substantial prison term. But Australian law specifically the Defence Act first passed in 1903 effectively precluded the Australian Imperial Force from carrying out the death penalty. Soldiers could be sentenced to death, but none were executed. In our research, we combed through amateur histories, theses and historical archives to unearth the 115 Australian soldiers who were sentenced to death in WWI (fewer than the usually cited number of 121, which we consider exaggerated). We then examined their service records, court-martial files and repatriation records. Who were these men? We found them to be not just bad soldiers, but men for whom military service was just one unfortunate aspect of their lives. As historians peering into their lives, we see them wrestle with their obligations in the armed forces and confront the military justice system. We witness their back-and-forth with the government repatriation authorities as they plead for financial and other assistance, and we all too often see their early or otherwise unfortunate deaths. Two cases stick out for us: those of privates James McCormick and Nicholas Permakoff. Both had colourful service records prior to their sentences, including hospitalisation with venereal disease, insubordination and absences from their units. And both had sad and lonely, although very different, ends. The chronic absentee McCormick enlisted in Western Australia in June 1915 at the age of 36. He hardly saw any action on the battlefield; he spent more time in hospital suffering from venereal disease, episodes of epilepsy and stomach issues (he was identified as an alcoholic by military authorities), or in military prison. He absconded almost as soon as he arrived in France in June 1916 and was sentenced to one year of hard labour. Reflecting the manpower issues faced by the Australian Imperial Force, his sentence was suspended in early 1917 so he could rejoin his battalion. Two months later, McCormick again disappeared. This time, he was charged with desertion and sentenced to death. This was later commuted to ten years of penal servitude and eventually suspended again. And in May 1918 he transferred back to his battalion. He was almost immediately hospitalised for chronic stomach issues and was sent to England, where he stayed until almost the end of the war. McCormick was finally discharged from the force as medically unfit in December 1918. His less-than-glorious service record made him ineligible for war medals or the war gratuity. He travelled around Australia picking up odd jobs, but continued to struggle from stomach complaints and alcoholism. He died in 1950. McCormick's body was found in a school shed in Albury, New South Wales, an empty wine bottle next to him and his feet in an old onion bag. The coroner attributed his death to chronic alcoholism and exposure. No next of kin was found, so the local police organised his funeral in Albury cemetery. The deserter shot by his own side An even more curious case and just as sad is that of Nicholas Permakoff. Born in Russia, he served for two years in the Russian Army before migrating to Australia where, at the time of his enlistment in 1916, he was a miner in NSW. He later claimed he joined the Australian Imperial Force on the bizarre promise that he could transfer to the Russian Army once he was back in Europe. By the time he got there, however, the Russian Revolution was underway and Permakoff had decided he didn't want any part of the war. In November 1917, he told his superior officer yes, fuck you or words to that effect when ordered to put on his pack and march towards the front, earning himself a six-month prison term. After his release, he was essentially forced to the front line, despite telling his officers he would not shoot. That night, according to Australian sentries, he was spotted without his weapon walking towards the Germans. Permakoff was fatally shot by his own side an action later endorsed by a Court of Inquiry. He left very sketchy next-of-kin details: Mrs Permakoff, Archangel, c/- Imperial Russian Consul, Sydney. Efforts to contact his mother in Archangel, a city in Russia, were unsuccessful, and the NSW public trustee could not find anyone to claim his few assets. Permakoff is one of only five Australians who died in WWI to be excluded from the Australian War Memorial's Roll of Honour. He lies in a Commonwealth War Graves cemetery in Esquelbecq, France. Revealing the complexity of military service There were long public campaigns in the 1990s and 2000s in Britain, New Zealand, Canada and Ireland to posthumously pardon those executed during the war. But Australian deserters sentenced to death have remained largely overlooked. This is perhaps because they were not ultimately executed (with Permakoff's odd exception), so they have not aroused an indignant sense of injustice. Moreover, they present an uncomfortable counter-narrative to the idealised Anzac character and feats. Our research seeks to rescue these men, their experiences and their voices from the historical void. Doing so enhances our understanding of the complexity and diversity of Australian military experiences and highlights the impossibility for most of the Anzac ideal. (The Conversation) (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 21 (ANI): External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar is on a four-nation Central and Latin America visit beginning today. The EAM will make official visits to Guyana (April 21-23), Panama (April 24-25), Colombia (April 25-27) and the Dominican Republic (April 27-29), the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. Also Read | IPL 2023: Sonam Kapoor, Husband Anand Ahuja Enjoy DC Vs KKR Match With Apple CEO Tim Cook (View Pics). The EAM will visit the Caribbean nation, Guyana from April 21-23, where he will be calling on the leadership and interacting with several Ministers. He will be co-chairing the Joint Commission Meeting with his counterpart, Hugh Hilton Todd which will entail discussions on the whole gamut of issues between the two countries. The EAM's visit to Guyana would also be an opportunity for a meeting of Foreign Ministers in the India-COFCOR (Council on Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR); a group of 15-member Caribbean Community (CARICOM)) format and hold bilateral meetings with participating Ministers, according to the MEA official press release. Also Read | BuzzFeed Layoffs: Pulitzer Prize-Winning Global Media Company To Shut Down Its News Section, To Cut Workforce by 15%, Says CEO Jonah Peretti. Following his visit to Guyana, Jaishankar will visit Panama from April 24-25. He will be calling on top leadership and would be hosted by Foreign Minister Janaina Tewaney Mencomo. During this visit, the India-SICA Foreign Ministerial Meeting will also be convened wherein he would meet representatives of the eight-country Central American Integration System (SICA). On April 25-27, the EAM will embark on a Colombia visit where he would be meeting several top representatives of the Government, business and civil society. His Colombia visit would be the first Foreign Ministerial level visit to the country, the External Affairs Ministry said in its release. Furthermore, Jaishankar's visit to the Dominican Republic is the highest-level visit from India since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1999. He will visit the country from April 27-29. The EAM's visit takes place after the establishment of our resident Embassy in Santo Domingo in 2022. Apart from calling on the country's political leadership, EAM will be holding discussions with Foreign Minister Roberto Alvarez, the press release said. The two leaders would also formally inaugurate the Indian resident mission. EAM is also expected to deliver a talk at the Dominican Republic Foreign Ministry. A business delegation from India, led by CII will be joining EAM at business events are also planned during the course of the visit. These meetings underline the growing interest on both sides for stronger trade ties. EAM will also be meeting members of the Indian community in all four countries. EAM's visit to these four countries; his bilateral engagements as well as interactions with counterparts of important regional groups: CARICOM and SICA, adds to the momentum of the India-LAC engagements. It will provide an opportunity to continue high-level contact with countries in Latin America and the Caribbean and explore new areas of cooperation in a whole host of areas; particularly in the post-pandemic scenario, the official press release read. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Hong Kong, Apr 21 (AP) Hong Kong's Roman Catholic bishop on Friday said he had invited the state-appointed archbishop of Beijing to visit his city, in a symbolic gesture that experts said could strengthen the fragile relationship between China and the Vatican. Bishop Stephen Chow said Joseph Li, who is the leader of the mainland's Communist Party-sponsored version of the Catholic church, appeared to be quite positive about the invitation. The report gave no indication when Li might visit. Also Read | Pakistan Media Watchdog Warns Cable Operators Against Airing Indian Channels. Chow announced the invitation on the last day of a five-day trip to Beijing, the first by a bishop of Hong Kong in nearly three decades. Chow's trip followed a year of strained relations, in which Beijing unilaterally appointed two church leaders and Hong Kong arrested a cardinal. Also Read | Dominic Raab Resigns: UK PM Rishi Sunak's Deputy Resigns Over Bullying Allegations. Hong Kong is affiliated with the Vatican, so implicitly, it can be said that this strengthens Vatican-Sino ties, said Lo Lung-kwong, an honorary senior research fellow at the Divinity School of Chung Chi College at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Last month, Chow said that Li's invitation to Beijing underscored the mission of the Hong Kong Diocese to be a bridge church. Beijing and the Vatican severed diplomatic ties in 1951, following the Communists' rise to power and the expulsion of foreign priests. Since the break in ties, Catholics in China have been divided between those who belong to an official, state-sanctioned church and an underground church loyal to the pope. The Vatican recognises members of both as Catholics, but claims the exclusive right to choose bishops. In 2018, the two sides announced that they had reached a private accord, which regularised the status of several Chinese-appointed bishops and paved the way for future nominations. The exchange of visits adds substance to the high-level ties created by the agreement, said Professor Kung Lap-yan of the divinity school at Chinese University. When (a relationship) is fragile, then it must need some building works in the lower level, he said. The agreement on Catholic bishops has been renewed twice, most recently in October for two more years. But in November, a feud broke out over the installation of an auxiliary bishop in Jiangxi province, which the Vatican does not recognize as a diocese; and two weeks ago Vatican News, the news portal of the Holy See, tersely reported that China had unilaterally appointed a new bishop to Shanghai. The agreement has been harshly criticised by Hong Kong's Cardinal Joseph Zen, who was detained in May on suspicion of colluding with foreign forces under a Beijing-imposed national security law that jailed or silenced many activists. He was released on bail and has yet to be formally charged, but he and five others were fined in a separate case in November for failing to register a now-defunct fund set up to help arrested protesters. When Chow led a prayer on Friday, he said people should both love the country and love the church, public broadcaster RTHK reported. He later told reporters that everyone should learn how to do these two things at the same time. If someone lives in Hong Kong and China, then they should love their country, he said. Estimates of the total number of Chinese Catholics run between 6 million and 12 million, worshiping in both the recognised Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association and the underground church. Kung said the visits show that the church in Hong Kong is growing closer to the mainland. The bilateral invitations show that the concept of China and Hong Kong is a close family' ... has been extended to ... religion, he said. These changes also raise questions about the fate of Chinese Catholics who are not part of the Catholic Patriotic Association, he added, and might call into question the Vatican's diplomatic recognition of Taiwan. Only 13 governments, including the Vatican, recognise Taiwan instead of China. But professor Tobias Brandner from the divinity school said he would not read too much into Chow's invitation, noting it was a normal exchange and that the Hong Kong church is a bridge builder. He said the latest development would not be seen as a sign of improving ties, adding it was "offensive that China had appointed a bishop against the spirit of the 2018 deal shortly before Chow's visit. Chow is slated to conclude his trip on Friday. He visited churches and the tomb of Matteo Ricci, one of the first Jesuits to live in China, who died in Beijing in 1610.(AP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Washington, Apr 21 (PTI) As many as 44 Indian-American organisations have condemned the repeated attacks and instances of vandalism at various Indian institutions and the recent attacks on Indian diplomatic missions in San Francisco, London, and Brisbane, which they said have left the community in a state of shock and fear. Under the banner of Indian Diaspora Against Hate, several eminent Indian-Americans and organisations from diverse backgrounds -- cultural, linguistic and religious -- across the country issued a signed letter condemning the violent attacks in which they called on all civic officials and federal, state and local law enforcement to take measures to ensure the safety of the Indian-American community. Also Read | Earthquake in Chile: Quake of Magnitude 4.0 on Richter Scale Hits Vallenar, No Casualty Reported. Last month, a group of pro-Khalistan protesters attacked and damaged the Indian Consulate in San Francisco, prompting sharp condemnation from Indian-Americans who demanded immediate action against those responsible for it. A group of protesters carrying pro-Khalistan flags and banners in support of radical Khalistani leader Amritpal Singh gathered at the Parliament Square in London last month. Also Read | IPL 2023: Sonam Kapoor, Husband Anand Ahuja Enjoy DC Vs KKR Match With Apple CEO Tim Cook (View Pics). Representing Indian Americans from various cities and geographical locations, the organisations and community members urged citizens to be cautious of hate groups and report them to the administration. They have also urged the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Justice to monitor extremists' activities, prevent hateful attacks and take decisive action against these perpetrators of hate. Many Hindu community leaders have been threatened and they even attacked my residence recently, said Dr Romesh Japra, cardiologist and community leader. Madhu H, Social activist from Southern California said: Khalistani extremists have a long and tragic track record of violence, including being responsible for the downing of an Air India jet in 1985, killing more than 300 people. Venu M, a Hindu Leader from California State Capitol Sacramento was remembering the desecration of Gandhi statue in the City of Davis, said Indian-Americans are increasingly concerned about the lack of safety for Indian- American institutions in the wake of these attacks. The letter welcomed the statement of the State Department condemning the attack against the Indian Consulate at San Francisco. It also welcomes the statement of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, rejecting hatred and attacks on Hindu temples. It said that the community is concerned that the failure to check the violence by people who are motivated to disrupt peace and create a condition of fear is only encouraging an escalation in aggression, a media release said. Indian Diaspora Against Hate is a forum to collaborate with Indian-American organisations, institutions, and Hindu temples who are concerned about the safety, security and well-being of the Indian diaspora and voice their opinion to the civic and law enforcement agencies. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Georgetown [Guyana], April 21 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday met with Carla Natalie Barnett, Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in Guyana and exchanged views for intensifying India-CARICOM ties. Taking to Twitter, Jaishankar said, "Thank Secretary General Dr Carla Natalie Barnett for the warm welcome at the @CARICOMorg. Congratulated her at #CARICOM50. Exchanged views for intensifying India-CARICOM ties in traditional as well as new areas of cooperation." Also Read | Imgur To Remove Pornographic and Anonymous Content From Internet. Earlier, he also held a meeting with Suriname counterpart Albert Ramdin in Guyana and stressed further on strengthening the "age-old ties" between the two nations. Jaishankar arrived in Guyana on Friday for a three-day visit to the country. On reaching the Guyanese capital of Georgetown, the EAM was received by Guyana's Foreign Minister Hugh Todd. Also Read | China's Corruption Spreads to Africa, Says Report. In a tweet, the External Affairs Minister wrote, "Arrived in Georgetown, Guyana to a warm reception from FM Hugh Todd. Look forward to a productive visit. " Apart from calling on the leadership and interacting with several Ministers in Guyana, Jaishankar be co-chairing the Joint Commission Meeting with his counterpart Hugh Hilton Todd which will entail discussions on the whole gamut of issues between the two countries. According to the official release of the Ministry of External Affairs, the EAM's visit to Guyana would also be an opportunity for a meeting of Foreign Ministers in the India-COFCOR (Council on Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR), a group of 15-member Caribbean Community (CARICOM) format and hold bilateral meetings with participating ministers. After his visit to Guyana, Jaishankar will visit Panama from April 24-25. He will be calling on top leadership and would be hosted by Foreign Minister Janaina Tewaney Mencomo. During this visit, the India-SICA Foreign Ministerial Meeting will also be convened wherein he would meet representatives of the eight-country Central American Integration System (SICA). After his visit to Panama, the EAM will be visiting Colombia from April 25-27 where he would be meeting several top representatives of the government, business and civil society. During the visit, he will meet with Colombian Foreign Minister Alvaro Leyva Duran and review the bilateral ties. Furthermore, Jaishankar will visit the Dominican Republic from April 27-29. It is the highest-level visit from India since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two nations in 1999. EAM will be holding talks with Dominican Republic Foreign Minister Roberto Alvarez. The two leaders will formally inaugurate the Indian resident mission. He is also expected to make an address at the Dominican Republic Foreign Ministry. (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 21 (ANI): Former Pakistan Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan on Thursday claimed that the party's Instagram lead Attaur Rehman was abducted from Lahore on Wednesday, ARY News reported. Imran Khan in a tweet on Thursday condemned the 'abduction' of PTI Instagram lead Attaur Rehman. "The powerful are breaking all laws with impunity," Khan tweeted. Also Read | IPL 2023: Sonam Kapoor, Husband Anand Ahuja Enjoy DC Vs KKR Match With Apple CEO Tim Cook (View Pics). PTI leader Iftikhar Durrani while condemning the 'abduction' of the PTI Instagram lead also shared the video of the 'picking'. "PTI Instagram Lead Atta Ur Rehman has just been picked up from Lahore a while back. Fascist regime going to all lengths to curb freedom of speech & expression. Everyone with a cell phone has a voice and an opinion which cannot be managed or changed through use of force against own citizens," Durrani tweeted. Also Read | BuzzFeed Layoffs: Pulitzer Prize-Winning Global Media Company To Shut Down Its News Section, To Cut Workforce by 15%, Says CEO Jonah Peretti. Recently, senior PTI leader Ali Haider Zaidi was arrested by Sindh Police on charges of "fraud and issuing threats," reported Geo News. Zaidi was detained on suspicion of "fraud and sending threats," according to a First Information Report (FIR) that is on file with Geo News. A city resident named Fazal Elahi had reported a matter to the Ibrahim Hyderi Police Station. The PTI leader's daughter, Sacha Ali Zaidi, said in a video statement that her father has served the country "with great integrity and honesty." "Pakistan has arrested him for standing up for sovereignty and respect of Pakistan. How can Pakistan prosper as a nation if those who stand up for it get arrested," she said, according to Geo News. Notably, Ali Haider Zaidi was a former federal minister for maritime affairs. He is the President of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Sindh chapter. (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, April 21: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday chaired a high-level meeting to review the security situation of Indians stranded in Sudan, where fighting between its army and a paramilitary force has left over 300 people dead. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra were among those who attended the meeting with the Prime Minister conducted through video conferencing. Sudan Clash: Ministry of External Affairs Sets Up Control Room To Provide Information, Assistance to Indians. Ambassador of India to Sudan B S Mubarak along with the envoys to Egypt and Riyadh also participated in today's meeting. Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar were present at the meeting. Sudan Clash: US to Deploy Additional Capabilities for Evacuation of Embassy Officials, Says Pentagon. Secretary (Consular, Passport, Visa & Overseas Indian Affairs), MEA, Dr Ausaf Sayeed were also part of the high-level meeting. At present, an unspecified number of Indians are said to be stranded in Sudan amid the military and political crisis. Thousands of civilians have fled Sudan's capital Khartoum after fighting escalated in the region. According to reports, over 350 people, including an Indian have been killed in the fighting so far. External Affairs Minister Jaishankar had on April 20 met with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York and discussed the developments in Sudan. "We had a very good meeting. Most of our meeting was on the Sudan situation. We also discussed the G20, and Ukraine conflict, but essentially it was about Sudan," Jaishankar told ANI. Jaishankar said that the Indian government is in continuous touch with its citizens stuck in Sudan. "Our team in Delhi is in continuous touch with the Indians in Sudan, advising them, saying we know it's very difficult for everybody but keep calm and don't take unnecessary risk. I hope that the efforts will yield something very soon," the EAM said. Earlier, the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the MEA is in contact with the Indian embassy in Sudan. "This is an issue on which we are keeping a very close watch and the evolving situation there," Bagchi said. "Our mission in Khartoum is in contact the Indian community there through formal and informal channels. Our embassy has issued several advisories," he added. Fighting has been raging between forces loyal to Sudan's army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who commands the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The conflict began since a coup in 2021 between Sudan's military leader and his deputy on the ruling council erupted derailing a plan for a transition to a civilian democracy after the fall of longtime dictator Omar al-Bashir in 2019. Elections were supposed to be held by the end of 2023. (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, April 21: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to chair a high-level meeting to review the security of Indians in violence-hit Sudan, sources said. Violence is on the rise in the North African country due to fighting that erupted between its army and paramilitary forces. An unspecified number of Indians are said to be stranded in the country amid the military and political crisis. Thousands of civilians have fled Sudan's capital Khartoum after fighting escalated in the region. At least 350 people have been killed in the fighting so far, according to Al Jazeera. Sudan Crisis: Paramilitary Group Rapid Support Forces Announces 72-Hour Ceasefire Amid Ongoing Fight. On Thursday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met in New York and spoke about the developments in Sudan. "We had a very good meeting. Most of our meeting was on the Sudan situation. We also discussed the G20, and Ukraine conflict, but essentially it was about Sudan," Jaishankar told ANI. "In Sudan, the UN is trying to establish a ceasefire and that is really key because at the moment, unless there is a ceasefire and unless there are corridors, it's not safe for people really to come out," the External Affairs Minister said. Jaishankar yesterday said that the Indian government is in continuous touch with its citizens stuck in Sudan where fighting has been raging between forces loyal to Sudan's army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who commands the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Sudan Unrest: PM Narendra Modi Likely to Chair High-Level Meeting to Review Situation Relating to Indians in North African Country. The EAM said: "Our team in Delhi is in continuous touch with the Indians in Sudan, advising them, saying we know it's very difficult for everybody but keep calm and don't take unnecessary risk. I hope that the efforts will yield something very soon." The conflict began since a coup in 2021 between Sudan's military leader and his deputy on the ruling council erupted derailing a plan for a transition to a civilian democracy after the fall of longtime dictator Omar al-Bashir in 2019. Elections were supposed to be held by the end of 2023. However, according to reports, neither Abdel Fattah al-Burhan nor, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo appeared ready to relinquish power and the power struggle turned violent on April 15. Violent clashes were witnessed in Sudan since then between the country's army and a paramilitary group over a proposed timeline for handing over power to a civilian government.Earlier, the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the MEA is in contact with the Indian embassy in Sudan. "This is an issue on which we are keeping a very close watch and the evolving situation there," Bagchi said. "Our mission in Khartoum is in contact the Indian community there through formal and informal channels. Our embassy has issued several advisories," he added. A control room has also been opened in New Delhi to address the concerns more efficiently. "We have set up a 24x7 dedicated control room for providing information and assistance," Bagchi informed. "Most of the calls are being received in Khartoum. However, are people who are contacting here (MEA office in New Delhi). More than 100 calls have been received in less than 24 hours," Bagchi informed. Regarding the demise of an Indian in Sudan, Bagchi said, "There has been an unfortunate death of one Indian national. His body is currently at a hospital after a lot of effort, we have been able to get that body move from his apartment complex into a mortuary. Our embassy is in touch with the family of the deceased as well as the medical authorities there." "We are engaged with countries in the region and other countries that have a key role to play particularly, the US, UK, Saudi Arabia and the UAE," Bagchi said. The spokesperson said that the Indian ambassador in Washington DC and the High Commission in London are in touch with the respective host governments. "We are also working with various UN Bodies that are present since the UN has a significant presence there," Bagchi said. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Kampala [Uganda], April 21 (ANI): A controversial new measure against homosexuality that calls for the death penalty in some circumstances has been rejected by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, who has asked that it be changed, according to Al Jazeera. The Uganda President announced the decision late on Thursday following his meeting with the parliamentarians in his ruling party, almost all of whom support the bill approved by lawmakers last month. Also Read | Sudan Crisis: PM Narendra Modi To Chair High-Level Meeting, Review Security of Indians in Violence-Hit North African Country. According to a presidential spokeswoman, Museveni was not against the sentences suggested in the bill, but he did want lawmakers to look at "the issue of rehabilitation". According to Al Jazeera, spokesman Sandor Walusimbi posted on Twitter that Museveni "told the members that he had no objections to the punishments but on the issue of rehabilitation of the persons who have in the past been engaged in homosexuality but would like to live normal lives again." Also Read | US: Indian Student From Andhra Pradesh Shot Dead While Working at Fuel Station in Ohio. "It was agreed that the bill goes back to parliament for the issues of rehabilitation to be looked at before he can sign it into law," Walusimbi stated further. Earlier in March, Uganda had passed strict legislation for homosexual relationships in the country which criminalised anyone identifying as LGBTQ. The legislation forbids same-sex relationships as well as aiding and abetting homosexual behaviour as well as conspiring to participate in homosexual activity. Citing Human Rights Watch, Al Jazeera reported that more than 30 African countries have banned homosexuality, including Uganda now. In addition to harsh fines, the law stated that its violation can result in death for so-called "aggravated" homosexuality and life in jail for gay sex. According to the law, aggravated homosexuality includes, among other things, having gay intercourse with minors or when a person is HIV positive. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Get ready to laugh this week, with another packed list of things to do in Billings. Arc: 'Resilience' dance concert at the Babcock Arc: A Montana Dance Collective are presenting a live dance concert called "Resilience" at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Arc is a group of local movers and shakers (literally) who produce high level, accessible modern dance. Tickets are $25 at arthousebillings.com/arc. Billings Symphony: 'Celestial Grandeur' at the Alberta Bair Get extraterrestrial with the Billings Symphony at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday at the Alberta Bair. The symphony is presenting "Celestial Grandeur," a collection of three pieces by Russell Peck, Gustav Holst and some guy named Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Performance includes three guest percussionists and the Billings Symphony Youth Orchestra. Tickets are $15 - $66 at billingssymphony.org. Matt Braunger at the Pub Station Stand-up comic Matt Braunger, who is known for being a cast member on the ill-fated last season of MADtv, playing the incredibly named Aloysius Samberly on "Marvel's Agent Carter" and just for being one of the funniest people on the planet, is performing at the Pub Station Ballroom at 8 p.m. on Thursday. Tickets are $17 at thepubstation.com. Fortune Feimster at the Alberta Bair Rounding out what has to be one of the funniest days in Billings history, Fortune Feimster, a stand-up who burst to fame as a panelist on "Chelsea Lately" and is soon starring opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger on Netflix's "FUBAR," is at the Alberta Bair at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday. Those tickets will run you $35.50 to $101 at albertabairtheater.org. Imani Winds at the Billings Depot If comedy isn't your thing, you've still got options on Thursday. The twice Grammy-nominated wind quintet Imani Winds are at the Billings Depot at 7 p.m. Their performance, part of the Billings Symphony's Sukin Series, is called "A Woman's Perspective," and it includes work by female composers Valerie Coleman, Nathalie Joachim, Ruth Crawford Seeger, Tania Leon and Reena Esmail. Tickets are $20 - $40 at billingssymphony.org. Honorable mentions The Sue Hart Memorial Lecture Series wraps up on Monday with a reading from author and professor David Alexrod, along with poet Christopher Howell. They'll present in the MSUB Liberal Arts Building room 205 at 6:30 p.m. On Thursday, head to the Yellowstone Art Museum at 5 p.m. for a talk from Apsaalooke artist Dr. Shane Doyle, the first program for their new Barbara Van Cleve exhibition. By Dr Amjad Ayub Mirza Muzaffarabad [PoK], April 21 (ANI): After six days of deliberations, Chaudhary Anwar Ul Haq was "elected" unopposed as the new prime minister by the lame legislative assembly of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on April 19, 2023 Also Read | Earthquake in Chile: Quake of Magnitude 4.0 on Richter Scale Hits Vallenar, No Casualty Reported. Haq hails from Bhimber City in the Bhimber district in PoK. He was the Speaker of the legislative assembly and was elected to the house on the ticket of Jammu and Kashmir Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI) from Bhimber constituency number 7 during the 2021 general elections Haq is the 15th prime minister of PoK and obtained 48 votes. Pakistan People's Party and Pakistan Muslim League (N) plus 7 members of the PTI Forward Block that oppose Imran Khan had all voted in unison to get Haq elected. Four members of the assembly remained absent during the session. Also Read | IPL 2023: Sonam Kapoor, Husband Anand Ahuja Enjoy DC Vs KKR Match With Apple CEO Tim Cook (View Pics). The office of the PoK prime minister became vacant after Tanveer Ilyas was disqualified in a contempt of court case on April 11, 2023. Haq was elected for the first time to the assembly in 2006 on the ticket of the People's Muslim League. Since then he has served as senior minister, speaker and acting president of PoK. Former Secretary of Defence Lt General (r) Chaudhary Ikram ul Haq is his brother. Haq's father claimed to have been part of the anti-Dogra 'revolution' and the formation of the government of PoK that was allegedly established on October 14, 1947, is said to be the precursor of Pakistan's attack on the state of Jammu and Kashmir on October 22, 1947. It is therefore not hard to come to the conclusion that he was and remains the blue-eyed boy of the Pakistan military establishment. Information gathered from my inside sources say that he has ascended to power with the blessings of top military command as well as the ISI chief General Nadeem Anjum. The fact that both PPP and PML (N) voted for him and no other candidate was planted to contest him means that like the coalition government in Pakistan now in PoK we will have a pro-PDM government as well. The former prime minister of PoK Ilyas who was ousted on April 11 through judicial engineering has said that the majority of workers and leaders of PTI stand with Imran Khan. Ilyas said that Haq was not nominated by Imran Khan as a candidate and soon a meeting will be held with Chairman Imran Khan to discuss future strategy. Tanveer Ilyas is not the first prime minister or head of government of PoK who has disgracefully been thrown out of office.KH Khurshid was appointed as President of PoK in 1959 by the then-military dictator of Pakistan General Ayub Khan. When Khurshid began demanding more power from the government in PoK, the general forced Khurshid to resign. He was later killed in a road accident. Sardar Abdul Qayyum Khan, who boosted about being the first holy warrior of the October 22, 1947 attack on the State of Jammu and Kashmir, was the president of PoK in 1974. However, he refused to support the Pakistani government of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and was disgracefully removed from office through a Pakistan-engineered vote of no-confidence. Sardar Muhammed Ibrahim, who was the lackey of the Pakistan army and a key character of the October 22, 1947 invasion of the state of Jammu and Kashmir, was the President of PoK and he was sacked by the direct orders of Pakistan military ruler General Zia ul Haq on October 30, 1978. Khan's crime at the time was that he refused to support the military coup that ended Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's government on July 5, 1977. The recent ousting of PoK prime minister Tanveer Ilyas is therefore not an isolated incident. He perhaps had become too much of a visionary for the Pakistan military establishment to swallow. In November and December 2021, Tanveer Ilyas initiated the first-ever local body election in PoK in 30 years. Pakistan military establishment rules over PoK by depriving people of true representation. To have local body elections serves the opposite. During the local body elections, people of PoK found themselves the opportunity to talk, debate and canvas about issues that are related to the betterment of the neighbourhood, the building of schools, clinics, hospitals, roads, bridges, safety walls and more. This politicisation of the public on a grass root level is a dangerous exercise for the colonial occupier. Therefore, Pakistan's military establishment was unhappy and refused to send rangers or extra force of police from Punjab to undertake security responsibilities on the polling day. Tanveer Ilyas initiated a bus service between PoK and occupied Gilgit-Baltistan ending a 70-year dependency of travellers on the Pakistan transport system. This was seen as a big crime. How can the colonial master ever allow the people of two occupied territories of the same state to start communicating and travelling to each other's occupied lands and exchange social, political and economic experiences they have concurred during the 75 years of occupation by Pakistan? And finally, Tanveer Ilyas managed to secure a USD 15 million education project from Saudi Arabia. Are you kidding me??? An education project for an oppressed nation? This is totally intolerable and resulted in a high court stay order against the project. After two months of the stay order, Ilyas publically complained that the education project was suffering from delay because the courts were interfering. That was it. The High Court immediately issued a contempt of court against Ilyas on April 10 and by April 11 he was gone: disqualified from being a prime minister and a member of the legislative assembly. The new prime minister of PoK Chaudhary Anwar ul Haq is a Pakistan military establishment stooge who will do three things to undo what Tanveer Ilyas did. Firstly, Haq will starve local body councillors of any development funds thereby turning locals against democratically elected councillors. Secondly, Haq will take measures to limit, if not totally abandon, the PoK-Gilgit-Baltistan bus service. And finally, he will ensure that the USD 15-million-dollar education project awarded by Saudi Arabia never fulfils the educational requirements of PoK. If Haq tries to step out of line, which considering his family and his own political background I doubt he might dare to, he will share the fate of his predecessors. Dr Amjad Ayub Mirza is an author and a human rights activist from Mirpur in PoK. He currently lives in exile in the UK. (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 21: Karnataka High Court on Friday reserved its verdict on social media platform Twitter's plea challenging the central government's directions to take down 39 URLs. The matter pertains to the 10 blocking orders that the central government had issued to Twitter, between February 2021 and February 2022, directing the social media platform to block public access to certain information, and suspend several accounts as well. Twitter Toolkit Case: Delhi High Court Directs Centre To File Probe Status Report in Climate Activist Disha Ravis Plea. The Centre had handed over the blocking orders in sealed covers to the High Court. Justice Krishna S Dixit reserved the judgment after hearing the arguments presented by Twitter and the central government. Twitter challenged the government orders claiming that they are arbitrary, and procedurally and substantively not in consonance with Section 69A of the IT Act. Twitter also contended that account-level blocking is a violation of the constitutional rights of users. Apart from arguing that the direction to block entire accounts falls afoul of Section 69A of the IT Act, Twitter claimed that the government orders do not comply with the procedures and safeguards prescribed by the Information Technology (Procedure and Safeguards for Blocking for Access of Information by Public) Rules, 2009 (Blocking Rules). In its reply, the Centre submitted that the directions were issued in national and public interest and to prevent lynching and mob violence incidents. Delhi High Court Asks Twitter to Respond to Plea for FIR Against Rahul Gandhi for Disclosing Identity of Rape Victim. Stating that it only intervenes when there is a threat to the sovereignty of India or public order, the central government argued that being a foreign entity and the government's 10 blocking orders not being arbitrary, Twitter could not take refuge under the fundamental rights under Articles 14 (right to equality) and 19 (right to freedom of speech and expression) of the Indian Constitution. Contending that Twitter does not have the right to espouse the cause of users as statutory enable is required for such action, the Centre also argued that Twitter has no locus standi to file the plea as it cann't speak on behalf of its account holders. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 21, 2023 04:06 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). New Delhi, April 21: For Muslims in India, Bangladesh, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia, today (April 21) marks 29th of Ramadan or Chand Raat. They will try to see the moon this evening, a sighting of which will mark end of Ramadan 2023 and start of Shawwal month. The date for Eid Ul Fitr 2023 in India, Bangladesh, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia will also be decided following the moon sighting. LatestLY will run live blogs and provide instant updates on moon sighting efforts. An Islamic month either completes 29 days or 30 days, depending on the moon sighting. If the moon is sighted on 29th day of an ongoing month, the ongoing month ends and a new month commences. If the moon is not sighted, a new month begins after the ongoing month completes 30 days. Based on the moon sighting, Ramadan fasting began from March 24 in India, Bangladesh, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia. Eid Ul Fitr 2023 Date in Saudi Arabia: Eid on April 21 as Shawwal Crescent Sighted in KSA. Therefore, Muslims in India, Bangladesh, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia will look for the moon today. If the moon is sighted, Ramadan shall end and Shawwal month would start. In this case, Eid Ul Fitr will be celebrated tomorrow, April 22. If the crescent remains invisible, Ramadan shall complete 30 days. If this happens, Shawwal shall begin from April 23 and Muslims will celebrate Eid Ul Fitr on the same day. Chand Raat Mubarak 2023 Greetings & WhatsApp Messages: Share HD Images, Eid Mubarak SMS, Wallpapers and Wishes With Family and Friends. Eid, also known as Eid al-Fitr and Eid Ul Fitr, is one of the two major festivals celebrated by Muslims worldwide. On the occasion of Eid, a special prayer is performed in congregation usually in open and large ground. Do visit LatestLY to catch live news updates on the Eid Ul Fitr moon sighting efforts in India, Bangladesh, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia today. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 21, 2023 09:14 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Delhi, April 21: A new round of lay off has been initiated at Facebook-parent Meta. The latest downsizing is part of the second round of layoffs announced in March by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg amid economic uncertainty. After the layoffs on Wednesday, Meta employees reportedly criticised Mark Zuckerberg on an internal company forum. You've shattered the morale and confidence in leadership of many high performers who work with intensity. Why should we stay at Meta?" employees questioned CEO Mark Zuckerberg during a virtual Q&A on Thursday. This came after Zuckerberg confirmed that more layoffs and slower hiring can be expected in the future despite the company already laying off nearly a quarter of its workforce. Biggest Layoffs 2023 in Tech Industry: Top Companies That Announced Job Cuts Impacting a Major Chunk of Their Workforce. Employees reportedly also questioned why top executives received high performance reviews and bonuses despite being responsible for the layoffs. On that CEO Zuckerberg replied that he was happy with their performance, reported Businessinsider. Meanwhile, several impacted employees took to LinkedIn saying that they'd been hit by the cuts as part of its so-called "Year of Efficiency. Layoffs Hit Open: Neo-Banking Startup Lays Off 47 Employees, Founders Take 50% Pay Cut As Company Looks to Optimise Operations. Zuckerberg acknowledged the anger and frustration that employees may feel due to the ongoing layoffs saying that We're in a different world, and we needed to make some changes. But I made those calls. Meanwhile, a memo circulated to managers indicates that teams will be reorganised, and various remaining employees will be reassigned to work under new managers. It is important to note that the number of people being laid off in April is currently unknown, with reports suggesting that 4,000 more workers are being let go. Zuckerberg said that the company had over-hired in previous years and is now reducing its workforce due to its current struggles. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 21, 2023 04:37 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). London, April 21: In a blow to British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, his close aide and Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab resigned on Friday amid allegations that he bullied staff members while working as a cabinet minister across different UK government departments. Sunak had been handed the independent report into allegations made by several civil servants on Thursday and a decision on Raab, who is also the UK Justice Secretary, was anticipated ever since. In his resignation letter posted on Twitter, Raab, 49, revealed the report into his conduct had upheld two claims against him. Dominic Raab Resigns: UK Deputy PM Tenders Resignation in Wake of Bullying Allegations. Dominic Raab's Resignation Statement However, he did call them "flawed" and claimed they set a dangerous precedent of a low threshold for bullying for the conduct of good government. "Whilst I feel duty bound to accept the outcome of the inquiry, it dismissed all but two of the claims levelled against me, writes Raab. Dominic Raab Resigns: UK Deputy PM Steps Down After Bullying Probe. "I also believe that its two adverse findings are flawed and set a dangerous precedent for the conduct of good government," he said. "In setting the threshold for bullying so low, this inquiry has set a dangerous precedent. It will encourage spurious complaints against ministers, and have a chilling effect on those driving change on behalf of your government and ultimately the British people," he added. Sunak had come under pressure soon after he appointed Raab, a staunch supporter of his leadership for the Conservative Party and government during the campaign last year, to the two key Cabinet posts as the bullying allegations emerged. Downing Street said at the time that Sunak was "not aware" of any formal complaints against Raab when he appointed him in October last year. However, the Opposition Labour Party accused Sunak of ignoring reports about Raab's conduct. Raab's exit will now necessitate a mini shuffle in the Cabinet, as reports indicate that Sunak may not refill the post of Deputy PM and only appoint a new Justice Secretary. On 20 April, US ambassador to Mexicosaid the US and Mexico were working together as allies on security matters amid tensions over the suspected intervention of US security agencies in Mexico. End of preview - This article contains approximately 397 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options On 20 April dozens of police officers protested in Costa Ricas capital, San Jose, against a change in their work schedules under a new security plan launched by Presidentthe previous day. End of preview - This article contains approximately 399 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options On 20 April Chiles Presidentpresented his governments long-awaited national lithium strategy, which includes a plan to nationalise the industry in the future. End of preview - This article contains approximately 353 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options On 20 April, Colombias President Gustavo Petro met his US counterpart Joe Biden in the White House. Analysis: Publicly, the US did not raise any objections to the Petro administrations change of direction on counter-narcotics or its engagement with President Nicolas Maduros authoritarian government in Venezuela. Behind closed doors, however, these issues are likely to have caused some tension. The slashing of coca eradication targets under Petro will have sparked concerns in the Biden administration that the worlds largest cocaine producer is letting go of the reins. Nevertheless, there is room for close bilateral cooperation on a number of issues particularly the battle against climate change, which Petro placed at the forefront of his election campaign last year. Both leaders emphasised their commitment to environmental action, pledging to work together in the transition to clean energy. According to a joint statement released after their meeting, Biden and Petro pledged to continue cooperating on the climate crisis and to accelerate the clean energy transition; to strengthen economic cooperation through the Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity; and agreed that the US and Colombia should adapt their engagement strategies to reflect this new moment in our shared history, among other things. The statement expressed the leaders commitment to a holistic counter-narcotics strategy which would include increased intelligence sharing. Biden expressed support for the Colombian governments coca substitution programmes, while Petro reaffirmed that there is no possibility of coca fumigation being resumed under his government, and asked for the US to provide more drones and boats to be used in counter-narcotics. Petros drug policy remains a likely source of tension given his longstanding criticism of the US-led war on drugs. In January, Colombias national police slashed its coca eradication target by 60%, reducing it from 50,000 hectares (ha) to 20,000ha. The question of how to engage with the Maduro administration in Venezuela is another point of contention. Petro said that he pushed Biden to lift US sanctions if Maduro announces a timeline for holding free and fair elections. White House spokesman John Kirby said yesterday that the lifting of sanctions would require concrete steps taken by the Maduro regime to make good on its commitments to negotiate in good faith and to help transition to a democracy. said yesterday that the lifting of sanctions would require concrete steps taken by the Maduro regime to make good on its commitments to negotiate in good faith and to help transition to a democracy. Publicly, Petro and Biden glossed over these sticking points. Petro said that we are going down the same river, a river that leads us to ever greater democracy and ever greater freedom we have a common agenda and a lot of work to do. Biden described Colombia as the key to the hemisphere in the quest to make the Americas more united, equal, democratic and economically prosperous. Petro said that Biden had supported the idea of reducing nations debt in return for climate action, and urged the US leader to make the case for such a scheme to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). He also said that Biden had agreed to assist with the Colombian governments agrarian reform, which Petro has argued will bring economic, environmental and peace benefits. Looking Ahead: Petro will be disappointed that he did not receive a vocal endorsement of his total peace initiative from Biden. Whilst the US government has previously expressed support for Petros plans to negotiate the disarmament of all Colombias insurgent and criminal groups, a ringing endorsement from Biden might have helped quell domestic criticism of Petros plan to negotiate with drug trafficking organisations. On 20 April, Brazils Presidentflew to Portugals capital, Lisbon, to begin the fourth foreign trip of his term, with trade agreements expected to be on the agenda. End of preview - This article contains approximately 394 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options A District Court in Custer County has placed an injunction on a Forsyth insurance company and its owner after the state announced earlier this month it was investigating the insurer for fraud. Staff attorney Carlo Canty of the Montana State Securities and Insurance Commission presented a case last week before Judge Michael Hayworth for a temporary injunction prohibiting Kileen Hagadone and Rosebud County Insurance from conducting any business activities related to the insurance business in Forsyth. In emails to Canty and Hayworth, Hagadone indicated she had no attorney and did not plan to attend the hearing. She conceded to the civil action and stated she is continuing to recover from knee surgery. The states fraud investigator, Rodney Parker, is working with Rosebud County Sheriff Allen Fulton on the investigation of complaints. Fulton testified regarding the ongoing investigation into allegations of fraud and forgery. He reported that he has been receiving complaints daily and is following up on each. Parker identified Chief Dull Knife College as one of the biggest defrauded consumers, having paid $190,000 for insurance that would be underwritten through Big Sky Enterprises and was not paid. He testified that the college in Lame Deer had been uninsured since April 2022. Fulton identified Pat Stokke as one of the individuals to first bring concerns to his attention. Stokke alleged that she gave money to Hagadone to pay for her homeowners policy in the amount of $697 and then got a cancelation notice from the insurance company advising that the insurance policy was being canceled due to nonpayment. Other issues identified by Fulton allege that payments for federal taxes were paid to Hagadone and then not sent to the IRS and individuals had to pay the IRS payments after they had given the money to her. Steve Brewer was identified as a customer that paid approximately $20,000 for insurance and then got a cancelation notice. Lee Ranches, who paid insurance for six families and two ranches was identified as having paid $26,000 for insurance that they didnt have in place. Fulton personally paid $900 cash for a rental home policy that was not placed. BreeAnn Purkett, a former employee of Rosebud County Insurance, testified that she quit her position on March 16 when people were coming to the office complaining that they didnt have insurance even though it was paid, and she discovered a check written out to Hagadone in the trash from the business account that had her name on it, but she did not sign. Purkett was in Deadwood at the time the check was issued, and though she had limited access to accounts, she said that she was getting NSF checks from the Trust Account that should have been used to pay premiums. She testified that there were some Pay Day loans coming out of the business account daily through lots of different lending agencies. Local business owner David Ofalt testified that he paid Hagadone $2,422 for business and truck insurance for his shop, and then received a notice of monthly payments due with his name forged to the agreement for making the payments that he had already paid in full. He is currently paying monthly for insurance that he had paid in full, but is making the payments as he has to have insurance in place for his business. When asked if the bonding company for Hagadone would be liable for any of the damages to individuals, Canty responded that some of it will depend on whether the bonding insurance was paid by Hagadone, and there are many questions about responsibilities that will need to be investigated as time goes on. Currently the biggest expenses are with the insurance companies that accept responsibility for insurance sold by Hagadone as their agent. Among the many allegations of over-inflating premiums, forging documents, customers paying for a year of insurance, and then monthly payments going to the insurance company, Hayworth determined that allowing Rosebud County Insurance and Hagadone to continue business would be a public safety concern, and he issued a preliminary injunction stopping Hagadone and Rosebud County Insurance to stop all business activities immediately. When asked about criminal prosecution, Fulton said that the case is continuing to be investigated and charges will be brought by a prosecuting attorney from the Montana State Securities and Insurance Commission. Fulton is advising anyone that has used Hagadone and Rosebud County Insurance to check with their individual insurance companies to establish their insurance status, and to report any concerns to the Rosebud County Sheriffs Office for further investigation. Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has seen one of his top officials walk away from his administration. Reuters reported that Lula's top national security General Marcos Goncalves Dias has submitted his resignation amid the Brazil riot scandal, which saw protesters storming government buildings in the capital, according to Reuters. Goncalves Dias was seen walking around the presidential palace. It was during the time that a mob of protesters stormed inside government buildings during the Brazil riot on January 8. His resignation was then accepted by the president. The former top security official was believed not to have supported the invasion by supporters of former president Jair Bolsonaro in any way, according to a source close to the president. He was head of presidential security during Lula's two previous terms. Meanwhile, Lula's opposition noted that the footage shows that the government facilitated the rioters' entry into the presidential palace. The former Brazilian Army general said that the reason behind his resignation was so that the administration can investigate in a transparent way. READ NEXT: Jair Bolsonaro Is Back in Brazil After Self-Imposed Exile in Florida Lula's Security Official Marcos Goncalves Dias The former top security official earlier explained that the footage had been taken out of context, saying he had been trying to peacefully de-escalate the situation. Goncalves Dias added that he was removing people from the third and fourth floors of the building, as reported by DW. Meanwhile, arrests were targeted to be done on the building's second floor. The footage also showed at least two soldiers shaking hands with protesters and handing out water bottles, which Goncalves Dias argued was again taken out of context. The former Brazilian army general stayed at the presidential palace until the arrival of Lula that evening. One of the sources said that Goncalves Dias managed to do what was possible alone. Goncalves Dias also argued that the footage released wanted to link him to an army captain working for his national security agency, who was seen distributing water to the rioters in the palace. He noted that the captain and other agency staffers were already removed and facing a Supreme Court probe and internal inquiries. Brazil Riot The Brazil riot came after extremists loyal to the former far-right leader lost to Lula in October. Sky News reported that it has verified and analyzed evidence from social media, which revealed how the riot unfolded. Demonstrators called for military intervention to stop Lula from taking power and have been camped at the place since the election result was announced. Some protesters argued that Lula is corrupt, while others believe that the election result was fixed in his favor. At 2:30 p.m. on January 8, a crowd started to gather in the center of the complex, with a Facebook livestream showing them congregating on the grass. The roof of the Congress building was filled with demonstrators in yellow and green, with crowds filling the Presidential Palace. By 4:30 p.m., it was shown that the number of military members have increased in the area and dispersed rioters. It was only until 6:30 p.m. that security forces took back the buildings. The country's health ministry noted that 70 people were injured during the Brazil riot, with more than 1,500 people have now been arrested for their involvement. READ MORE: Luiz inacio Lula Da Silva Launches First Anti-deforestation Raids in Amazon in Vow To Protect Rainforest in Brazil This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Mary Webber WATCH: Security chiefs wanted over alleged collusion in Brazil riots | Al Jazeera Newsfeed - from Al Jazeera English The Alec Baldwin "Rust" shooting case is expected to be dropped less than two weeks before the mini-trial. After cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was accidentally shot and killed, the actor was charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter. Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the film's weapons handler, will also have her charges dropped. "We are pleased with the decision to dismiss the case against Alec Baldwin, and we encourage a proper investigation into the facts and circumstances of this tragic accident," the actor's attorneys, Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro, told Yahoo. This action occurred a month after Andrea Reeb, special prosecutor, resigned. Baldwin's lawyers claimed that her appointment was unconstitutional, considering her status as a Republican New Mexico House of Representatives lawmaker. Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis, two appointed special prosecutors, are widely anticipated to drop all charges without prejudice against Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed. This means that both of them may still face charges as the inquiry progresses, although it seems improbable. Attorneys for Gutierrez-Reed lauded the appointment of new special prosecutors. READ NEXT: Alec Baldwin 'Rust' Shooting Case: Special Prosecutor Steps Down Alec Baldwin and Hannah Gutierrez-Reed Were Supposed to Appear in Court The next scheduled court date for the Alec Baldwin "Rust" shooting case was May 3, but he had already agreed not to attend the preliminary hearing. He had entered a not guilty plea to the accusations in court papers, ABC News noted. Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the film's armorer, was also charged with involuntary manslaughter for Hutchins' death on two counts. Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed had their gun enhancement charges dismissed at the end of February. A preliminary hearing for Gutierrez-Reed will begin on May 3. She has no idea how those live bullets got inside the gun, and according to her counsel, she plans to enter a not guilty plea. Though they "fully expect at the end of this process that Hannah will also be exonerated," her lawyers acknowledged Thursday that she still faces prosecution. "The truth about what happened will come out, and the questions that we have long sought answers for will be answered," her attorneys, Jason Bowles and Todd Bullion, said in the statement. Meanwhile, first assistant director David Halls accepted a plea deal in which he was given six months of unsupervised probation. Halls was arrested for negligent use of a lethal weapon for allegedly passing Baldwin the Colt.45 pistol that was used in the shooting. 'Rust' Filming Resumes After 18 months, the filming of the Western film "Rust" may start up again this week in Montana, according to the production company. Alec Baldwin is committed to the project and will continue his role as an actor and co-producer, according to The Guardian. Production will resume at the Yellowstone Film Ranch on Thursday, according to a statement released by attorney Melina Spadone for Rust Move Productions. New Mexico's Department of Workplace Safety and Health and the production company settled for "severe" infractions last month. To settle a damning safety evaluation that uncovered unheeded objections and misfires on set before the shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins in October 2021, the firm agreed to pay a fine of $100,000. In a proposed settlement to a wrongful death lawsuit last year, widower Matthew Hutchins discussed plans to resume filming, making him an executive producer on a revived "Rust." READ MORE: California Home Depot Employee Shot Dead by Shoplifter This is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Bert Hoover WATCH: Charges dropped against Alec Baldwin in 'Rust' film fatal shooting - From ABC 7 An Oklahoma sheriff and several McCurtain County officials are under fire after leaked audio was released by a local newspaper, the McCurtain Gazette-News. The leaked audio showed McCurtain County Sheriff Kevin Clardy talking with a county official and several deputies. The sheriff stated in the audio that he went to District Attorney Mark Matloff's office and threatened him and that the sheriff would "whoop his ass." However, the most shocking part of that audio was when one of the officials in the audio was heard saying that he wanted to have Black people lynched and the sheriff discussing that he wanted to kill reporters. The McCurtain Gazette-News is a print-only newspaper, but they released the full audio of the conversation, prompting Republican Governor Kevin Stitt to call for the Oklahoma sheriff's resignation, as well as the county official and the deputies heard in that audio. Over the weekend, the leaked audio sparked outrage in the town of Idabel, which is part of McCurtain County, where Sheriff Clardy serves. It is a relatively small county with a little over 20,000 residents. However, it has gained national attention because of the leaked audio tapes. McCurtain County Official Resigns After Oklahoma Sheriff's Leaked Audio Following the fallout of those leaked audio tapes, a spokesperson for Governor Stitt stated that his office received a handwritten resignation letter from McCurtain County Commissioner Mark Jennings, who was the official heard in the audio talking about killing journalists. According to PBS News, Jennings has stated that he plans to release a formal statement "in the near future regarding the recent events in our county." READ MORE: Elaine Chao, Mitch McConnell's Wife, Fires Back at Donald Trump's Racist Attacks Those recorded in the controversial audio included Sheriff Kevin Clardy, sheriff's Capt. Alicia Manning, Jail Administrator Larry Hendrix, and Jennings. They appeared to have been discussing McCurtain Gazette-News publisher Bruce Willingham and his son, Chris, who works as a reporter for the local newspaper. Willingham left a recorder in the sheriff's office, and it led to the conversation being released to the public. In the leaked conversation, Jennings reportedly told the sheriff, "I know where two deep holes are dug if you ever need them," and the sheriff responded, "I've got an excavator." The county official also told the sheriff that he knows "two or three hit men" in Louisiana and complained that they cannot hang Black people anymore, saying, "They got more rights than we got." Oklahoma Widow Files Lawsuit Against Embattled Sheriff Following Leaked Audio As the sheriff and county officials grapple with the fallout of that leaked recording, the embattled Oklahoma sheriff now faces a new challenge regarding a man who died at the hands of his deputies. Barbara Barrick, the widow of an Oklahoma man who died following a 2022 arrest, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Sheriff Clardy. While her husband's death did not garner much attention, now that the sheriff is facing a massive scandal, her case is getting recognized nationally. She filed the wrongful death lawsuit in federal court Thursday, arguing that her husband died at the hospital soon after deputies shocked him with a stun gun. She spoke with the Associated Press, saying, "It's been a hard year not knowing what happened to my husband," before praising the "persistent and brave" efforts of the reporters from the local newspaper who worked to find out more about her husband's arrest and death. READ MORE: Anti-Hispanic Mass Shooter to Plead Guilty to Hate Crimes This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: Full recording of McCurtain County Sheriff, Commissioners discussing killing reporter, publisher - The Oklahoman The wives of the Flores twins, Pedro Flores and Margarito Flores, have both pleaded guilty to participating in a money laundering scheme. The two were accused of stashing millions of dollars in drug proceeds after their husbands' arrests in 2008. Viviana Lopez, the wife of Pedro, pleaded guilty to being involved in the scheme. She pleaded guilty on Thursday. Meanwhile, her sister-in-law, Valerie Gaytan, pleaded to the same charge last week, according to Chicago Sun-Times. Gaytan is the wife of Margarito. The Flores twins are known to be the drug traffickers whose testimonies helped Sinaloa Cartel leader El Chapo behind bars. Aside from their cooperation with law enforcement, they were also convicted of importing tons of cocaine into the states of New York, Chicago, Detroit, Vancouver, and other cities in North America. Their operations lasted from 2005 to 2008. The Flores twins were rewarded with 14-year prison sentences for their cooperation in El Chapo's trial. U.S. District Judge Ruben Castillo warned the twins that they will always be looking over their shoulders for El Chapo's sicarios or assassins after testifying against the drug kingpin. READ NEXT: El Chapo Trial: Sinaloa Cartel Boss' Life Sentence Upheld by U.S. Appeals Court Flores Twins' Wives Plead Guilty Lopez and Gaytan have proudly called themselves "Wives of the Cartel" in print and on TV. They were found to be spending drug profits on global vacations, shopping sprees, private schools, and JLo concerts. Initially, the two women pleaded not guilty and faced trial on charges in Chicago. They claimed they had turned over a full stash of drug money their husbands earned during their drug operations, as reported by ABC 7 Chicago. However, it was revealed that they hid the money in secret locations. A former federal prosecutor and ABC7 legal analyst Gil Soffer noted that there was strong evidence in the case. Soffer said that the Flores twins' wives were used to getting their way, with the women doing nothing to hide their allegiance to the drug world. The legal analyst said it does not help that the wives were parading their connection and that "certainly whets the appetite of the government." The cash was found to be used for $165,000 in private schools and global vacations, with currency laundered through gas stations. Lopez and Gaytan can receive a maximum 20-year sentence, but government prosecutors will reportedly ask for several years less with defendants to request a lighter treatment. During the trial, the Flores twins' wives earlier claimed that they were given immunity from prosecution after their husbands testified against El Chapo. A judge ruled against their claims. Flores Twins in El Chapo Trial Pedro operated the cocaine and heroin distribution business with Margarito in Chicago. During the trial of El Chapo, Pedro noted that he made recordings, which included a conversation with Guzman's son. The recording of the interaction was heard in the court during the trial. Margarito was heard giving a phone number to someone he said was Guzman's son, Jesus Alfredo Guzman Salazar, as cited by CNN. The recorded conversations include shipments and plans with other members of the Sinaloa Cartel. Pedro said he met with the Drug Enforcement Administration in Mexico in early 2008 but kept his drug business as it would look suspicious if he suddenly stopped. READ MORE: El Chapo Case: Wives of Chicago Drug Lords Tied to Sinaloa Cartel Boss Lose Bid to Dismiss Money-Laundering Charges This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Mary Webber WATCH: Cartel wives hid millions in floorboards of house, feds say - from ABC 7 Chicago Despite their disagreements on U.S. drug policy and Venezuela, President Joe Biden welcomed Colombia President Gustavo Petro to the White House on Thursday for talks. The two leaders discussed ways to further collaborate on climate change, migration, and energy policy, AP reports. The leaders attempted to keep the conversation on points of agreement during remarks they made to reporters before the Oval Office meeting, such as the need to strengthen their democracies and develop economies that are less dependent on carbon-based energy sources. "We are going down the same river, a river that leads us to ever-greater democracy and ever-greater freedom," Petro said, adding that "We have a common agenda and a lot of work to do." Biden said the countries all wanted to make the Western Hemisphere "united, equal, democratic, and economically successful." He described Colombia as "the key to the hemisphere." The two made light of their respective ages, with Biden at 80 being the oldest U.S. president in history and Petro turning 63 on Wednesday. However, their conversation in front of the cameras seemed to skim over the widening divides between Washington and Bogota. In a speech to the United Nations last year, Petro harshly denounced U.S.-led efforts to restrict cocaine, arguing that oil consumption supported by "global powers" is more harmful than cocaine and that the "war on drugs has failed." READ NEXT: Colombia President Gustavo Petro to Meet With Joe Biden at the White House Joe Biden Says U.S. Will Help Colombia Through Regional Partners President Joe Biden said they are working closely with regional partners to help Colombia tackle this problem, per Reuters. He thanked Petro, a former member of the urban guerrilla organization M-19, for his "outspoken and strong commitment to peace and human rights." With the help of negotiations or surrender agreements, Petro has pledged to end the six-decade violence in Colombia that has claimed the lives of at least 450,000 people. "I believe that humankind in the Americas may well have the greatest potential for democracy and freedom," Petro said through an interpreter. Petro has criticized the U.S.-led war on drugs as a failure and advocated for a new global strategy. His administration has promoted the arrest of major drug traffickers as the means to combat drug gangs rather than the elimination of coca. "I asked for a bit more help on (interdiction of drugs); we need more boats, more tenders, more drones," Petro told reporters after the meeting. During his discussion with Biden, Petro, whose birthday was on Wednesday, joked that being 63 years old in this generation was like being 40 years old in the "old" generation. "I fully subscribe to that," said Joe Biden. Colombia and Cocaine Production Colombia continues to be the world's top producer of cocaine. Still, it has joined forces with the U.S. in the worldwide "war on drugs," an effort to end drug trafficking through military involvement and aid, said Al Jazeera. As part of the divisive "Plan Colombia" effort, which targeted organizations with ties to drug trafficking, the U.S. invested millions of dollars in the South American country at the beginning of the new millennium. However, Petro urged international leaders to accept that "the war on drugs has failed" in a speech he delivered before the U.N. last year. In January, he also declared that Colombia would stop concentrating on destroying coca crops. Nevertheless, Petro's proposals for "total peace" in Colombia have encountered opposition. The nation's internal conflict has persisted despite negotiations with organized crime groups and surviving rebels. For instance, a supposed attack by the left-wing ELN guerrilla organization in late March that claimed nine Colombian soldiers' lives dealt a setback to the peace negotiations. However, a Red Cross survey released in March concluded that overall combat between the government and armed groups had dropped. It praised Colombia President Gustavo Petro's initiatives to further negotiations. But the report also concluded that the violence has continued to affect civilians, forcing more than 180,000 people to leave their homes by 2022. READ MORE: Cuba President Miguel Diaz-Canel Gets Another Five-Year Term This is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Bert Hoover WATCH: US-Colombia ties: Presidents Biden & Petro to meet in Washington - Form Al Jazeera English Allen Weisselberg, known as "Donald Trump's moneyman, who previously pleaded guilty to a tax fraud scheme, was released from jail on Wednesday after serving about four months. The 75-year-old former chief financial officer (CFO) of the Trump Organization may still face pressure, and additional charges from prosecutors after a separate probe by New York Attorney General Letitia James found he lied to an underwriter from an insurance company by submitting an independent property appraisal that the Trump Organization did. Weisselberg has remained loyal to former president Donald Trump even if he spent a few months in New York City's Rikers Island jail for his role in a decade-long tax fraud scheme. He pleaded guilty to 15 felonies and was forced to testify against the Trump Organization during the criminal tax fraud trial. According to CNN, the trial resulted in two business entities tied to the Trump Organization being convicted and made to pay the maximum penalty of $1.6 million. Weisselberg, who had initially worked for the former president's father, Fred Trump, had been with the Trump Organization for around 50 years. He soon rose through the ranks, becoming a close friend to the former president and becoming his "top moneyman," who knows all ins and outs of the company. Weisselberg was let go by the company in January and was given a "generous" severance package before starting his jail sentence. READ NEXT: Donald Trump Rape Trial to Move Forward After Judge Denies His Request to Delay Allen Weisselberg, a Potential Witness in the Manhattan DA's Hush Money Case Against Donald Trump Allen Weisselberg may find himself testifying against Donald Trump once again, as the former Trump Organization executive may have known something about the former president's hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 presidential election. According to the Associated Press, because of his intimate knowledge of the Trump Organization's financial dealings, the Trump "moneyman" could be a valuable witness for the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, which has indicted Trump in a historic move. Trump was accused of directing underlings, including his former lawyer Michael Cohen, to cover up his alleged affair before the 2016 elections. Trump allegedly reimbursed and rewarded Cohen for his work buying the silence of people with stories about Trump's alleged marital infidelity. Cohen was also imprisoned after pleading guilty. However, unlike Weisselberg and Cohen, Trump has yet to face justice. Court filings indicated that Weisselberg advised Cohen how to pay off two women who said they had sexual encounters with Trump. It was also reported in the filings that he also arranged for Cohen to be paid $420,000 for paying these people off. Former Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg Parted Ways With Attorneys Before Jail Release Before he was freed, Allen Weisselberg cut ties with his defense attorneys. He did this at the urging of Donald Trump's firm because they were concerned that his defense lawyers would be willing to entertain overtures from Manhattan prosecutors seeking the executive's cooperation in their investigation of Trump. His now-former attorneys arranged Weisselberg's plea deal, which led him to testify against his company in exchange for a lighter sentence. It also led to fraud convictions against the Trump Organization and the Trump Payroll Corporation. According to USA Today, there was a reported rift between Weisselberg's now-former lawyers and the Trump firm because they took the plea deal. READ MORE: Trump Organization Convicted of 17 Felonies, Gets Maximum Punishment This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: Allan Weisselberg Released From Jail - From CBS New York A missing U.S. Navy sailor in Illinois was found dead along Lake Michigan's shoreline, authorities said. According to My Stateline, Seamus Gray, 21, was last seen outside Ibiza bar in the early morning of March 18, when he and his friends were escorted out for being too drunk. The security footage shows the missing U.S. Navy sailor walking toward Lake Michigan with at least two other persons and later walking alone but never returning to Naval Station Great Lakes. Authorities launched a search but eventually called it off. Gray was found dead on Wednesday night. A group of ComEd utility workers, who were doing routine work near the harbor, reportedly discovered his body in the water. The Lake County Coroner has confirmed Gray's identity, and based on preliminary autopsy results, he died from drowning. READ NEXT: Illinois EMS Workers Charged With Murder Security Footage Shows Last Moment of Missing U.S. Navy Soldier On the day following St. Patrick's Day, or on March 18, the Illinois native was spotted exiting the Ibiza nightclub on Genesee St. in Waukegan at about 1:30 a.m. Seamus Gray was seen chatting with a group of people outside the club when one of them appeared to seize his wallet and toss it back at him. Gray is then spotted fleeing through an alley, PEOPLE reported. Gray's disappearance was not reported to authorities until 2 p.m. on March 21. In a press conference, Ibiza manager Adrian Hernandez said Gray was removed from the club due to intoxication. He also said Gray had been in two fights in the street. The outdoor security camera appears to have recorded at least one of those altercations. After the altercation, Gray seemed to fall to the ground. Local authorities reviewed more camera footage of Gray near Lake Michigan. Brian Mullen, the deputy chief of police in Waukegan, said the tape showed Gray "exactly on the water's edge." Divers had reportedly searched the area but did not immediately find the missing U.S. Navy sailor. Missing U.S. Navy Sailor's Disappearance Remains Under Investigation In a statement, the Lake County Coroner's office said there was 'no evidence of significant injury which would have contributed" to Seamus Gray's death. However, NBC Chicago reported that the incident remains under investigation by the U.S. Naval Criminal Investigative Service, the Waukegan Police Department, and the Lake County Coroner's Office. Police said a "toxicology testing" is still being conducted, and it will take four to six weeks to be completed. "On behalf of the city of Waukegan, I extend our deepest condolences to the family of Seamus Gray," Waukegan Mayor Ann Taylor said in a statement. "As a mother, I can't begin to imagine feeling the sadness and pain that Seamus' family has and will endure. Our prayers are with Mr. Gray's family." The missing U.S. Navy sailor's unusual disappearance prompted extensive search efforts from numerous departments as investigators battled to solve the case. READ MORE: Alec Baldwin 'Rust' Shooting Case Dismissed; Can He Still Be Charged? This is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Bert Hoover WATCH: Cause of Death Revealed for Missing U.S. Navy Sailor Found in Lake Michigan - From Fox 32 Chicago Federal prosecutors are considering charging Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, with three tax crimes and a gun-related charge, according to sources. Two sources familiar with the matter told NBC News that the possible charges are two misdemeanor counts for failure to file taxes, a single felony count of tax evasion related to a business expense for one year of taxes, and a felony count related to a gun purchase. Two senior law enforcement sources also told the outlet about the "growing frustration" inside the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as investigators finished most of their work on the case about a year ago. A senior law enforcement noted that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) also finished its probe over a year ago. The investigation into the president's son started in 2018. It reportedly centered on his international business relationships, including any possible national security implications. Sources said an examination of the income he earned from those ventures was also part of the investigation, as well as a false statement he allegedly made during the gun purchase. READ NEXT: Joe Biden Under Scrutiny as Another Batch of Classified Documents Found at New Location Hunter Biden Investigation An attorney for a U.S. tax special agent said his client has information on how a criminal investigation into Hunter Biden has been hampered by "political considerations." According to BBC, the lawyer for the unnamed agent said his client wanted to seek whistleblower protections from Congress to reveal what he knew as he claimed "preferential treatment and politics improperly infecting decisions" in the probe. However, a White House official denied that Joe Biden had meddled in the probe into his son. Mark Lytle, the lawyer representing a career IRS Criminal Supervisory Special Agent who "has been overseeing the ongoing and sensitive investigation of a high profile, controversial subject since early 2020," wrote to a bipartisan group of lawmakers on Wednesday. The lawyer said his client is prepared to "contradict sworn testimony to Congress by a senior political appointee." He noted that his client was ready to be questioned about what he knows and reveal "clear conflicts of interest" under "the proper legal protections." However, Chris Clark, a lawyer for Hunter, told NBC News that the IRS agent appeared to have "committed a crime." Clark noted it was "a felony for an IRS agent to improperly disclose information about an ongoing tax investigation." FBI Has Enough Evidence Against Hunter Biden In October last year, the Washington Post reported that federal agents believed they had enough evidence to charge Hunter Biden with tax crimes and a false statement related to the gun purchase, claiming he was not addicted to or unlawfully using drugs. The Guardian reported that the FBI was pressuring prosecutors to act on the case. Clark previously accused federal agents of illegally leaking information and asked Justice Department to investigate and prosecute the leak. Hunter confirmed he was under probe for tax-related matters shortly after Joe Biden won the White House. The most examined issues were his business dealings and consultancies in Ukraine and China, including the payment he received from Ukrainian firm Burisma, worth $50,000 a month. Aside from his business dealings, his laptop also became a controversial topic following the revelation of its contents after being left behind in a Delaware repair shop. READ MORE: Inside Hunter Biden's Laptop: Data Confirmed to Be Created by Joe Biden's Son Himself as CBS Authenticated Its Contents This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Mary Webber WATCH: IRS Whistleblower Claims Mishandling of Hunter Biden Probe - From ABC News Holy Rosary Healthcare in Miles City, part of Intermountain Health, has received a $6 million grant from The Helmsley Charitable Trust to support the construction of a new comprehensive cancer center serving Eastern Montana. The 12,000-square-foot center will provide radiation, medical and surgical oncology services. The project will eliminate distance and access barriers to care for the people living in the region. Currently, patients needing radiation oncology treatment may have to travel long distances to receive that care, potentially impacting their treatment plan and outcomes. This will be the only comprehensive cancer center within a 125-mile radius. The addition of a full-service cancer center is a monumental step forward for patients and their families facing cancer diagnoses in Eastern Montana, said Walter Panzirer, a trustee for the Helmsley Charitable Trust. Helmsley is committed to improving access to health care in rural America. This project fully encompasses how a health system, community, and philanthropy can work together to make care close to home a reality and ensure patients can have the support of family and friends. With the incredible support of the Helmsley Charitable Trust, our new cancer center in Miles City will create equitable cancer care for the region, said Karen Costello, president of Holy Rosary Healthcare. Holy Rosary has a long legacy of providing high-quality cancer care, including medical and surgical oncology care, survivorship programming and other health and wellness services. The new center will expand those services and allow us to offer needed radiation oncology care to our patients in Eastern Montana. The new center will be built on the Holy Rosary campus in Miles City, connected to the hospital and all its services. The project will include adding the regions only permanent medical linear accelerator, which delivers radiation treatments quickly and accurately. The Helmsley Charitable Trust is one of the largest philanthropic organizations working in Montana, providing more than $102 million to date in grants to organizations working in rural health. Helmsleys reach across Montana is wide ranging from Simulation in Motion trucks that travel the state providing hands-on training to healthcare workers to making automated external defibrillators (AEDs) available to every law enforcement agency in Montana. Helmsley has funded numerous equipment and telehealth initiatives at rural hospitals in Montana as well as statewide cardiac and stroke care initiatives and internal medicine and psychiatry residency training programs. Construction began this spring, and the $17 million project is expected to be completed in late 2024. In addition to this generous funding, the project will be funded through capital investments by Holy Rosary and Intermountain Health. Community members interested in supporting the project can contact the Holy Rosary Healthcare Foundation at hrh-mt.org/foundation or at 406-233-4043. ### About Holy Rosary: Holy Rosary Healthcare is a comprehensive acute-care hospital in Miles City that serves an 11-county region of eastern Montana. It includes physician clinics, a residential living community, hospice and palliative care services. Holy Rosary Healthcare is part of the Intermountain Health system. Based in Utah with locations in seven states (Montana, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming) and additional operations across the western U.S., Intermountain Health is a nonprofit healthcare system comprised of 33 hospitals, 385 clinics, medical groups with some 3,800 employed physicians and advanced practice providers. To help people live the healthiest lives possible, Intermountain is committed to improving community health and is widely recognized as a leader in transforming healthcare by using evidence-based best practices to deliver high-quality outcomes at sustainable costs consistently. To learn more about Holy Rosary Healthcare, visit hrh-mt.org About the Helmsley Charitable Trust: The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust aspires to improve lives by supporting exceptional efforts in the U.S. and around the world in health and select place-based initiatives. Since beginning active grantmaking in 2008, Helmsley has committed more than $4 billion for a wide range of charitable purposes. Helmsleys Rural Healthcare Program funds innovative projects that use information technologies to connect rural patients to emergency medical care, bring the latest medical therapies to patients in remote areas, and provide state-of-the-art training for rural hospitals and EMS personnel. To date, this program has awarded more than $600 million to organizations and initiatives in the states of Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. For more information, visit www.helmsleytrust.org. A violent confrontation Thursday night in Bethlehem ended with an attacker shooting the victims car, city police said. Juan Martinez Gonzalez, of Bethlehem, is being held in Northampton County Prison after failing to post 10% of $20,000 bail, court records show. The 32-year-old Martinez Gonzalez is facing eight charges in connection with the incident on East Seventh Street, including possession of an instrument of a crime and two counts of each of simple assault and reckless endangerment. Officers called for gunfire at 7:16 p.m. Thursday found two men and a brown GMC with a fresh bullet hole in the drivers side in the 1500 block of East Seventh Street. The men reported they were talking with friends near of Arnold and Beyl streets when came outside of his home Martinez Gonzalez, according to court paperwork. Martinez Gonzalez showed a previous picture of one of the men on his cellphone and asked, Is this you? police said. When the man said it was, Martinez Gonzalez allegedly punched him in the face. The second man confronted Martinez Gonzalez, who went back into his home, came out with a firearm and began pointing it at the man he punched, police said. Martinez Gonzalez continued pointing the gun at the man until he was restrained by other people, the police department said. Surveillance video recorded audio of a single gunshot being fired in the area, and shows Martinez Gonzalez in the area at the time before getting into a vehicle a fleeing the area, police said. There was no one in the vehicle at the time. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com. Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. A suspected gunman in a shootout earlier this week on an Easton street was arrested Friday morning in the city, authorities said. Kaliel Woody-Johnson, 21, was arrested at his home in the 600 block of West Berwick Street by the Easton Police Special Response Unit, Northampton County District Attorney Terry Houck said. Woody-Johnson will face three counts each of attempted homicide and aggravated assault, four counts of reckless endangerment and a single count of person not to possess a firearm. Houck said the affidavit is sealed to protect the integrity of the investigation and no further information will be released at this time. In addition to the shootout charges, Woody-Johnson is also facing unrelated drug and receiving stolen property charges filed this week in two cases out of Palmer Township, court records show. The gunfight between two groups Monday night in the 600 block of Ferry Street left homes and vehicles damaged, but no one was injured. Officers called for shots fired at 6:30 p.m. Monday found numerous shell casings on opposite sides of the street. Police said it appeared two different groups were shooting at each other, and two houses and three parked, unoccupied vehicles were struck. Police no additional arrests have been made and the investigation is active. Anyone with information on the shootout is asked to call police Detective Tom Klotz at 610-250-6641 or the police tip line at 610-250-6635. At about 6 a.m. Friday, the police unit raided the West Berwick Street home, which had other people and children inside, Lt. Matthew Gerould said. Police used a BearCat vehicle during the raid because of the high-risk nature of the incident and suspected gang involvement, according to Gerould. Woody-Johnson was arrested without incident, Gerould said. Officers found evidence in the home related to the shooting, though Gerould would not detail what was found, and a second person was interviewed to determine their possible involvement in the shooting. Officers cleared the scene at about 7:30 a.m. Friday. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com. Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom is on track to add a new roller coaster in 2024. The South Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners on Wednesday granted final, conditional approval for the addition. Rising 161.67 feet, the new attraction will be built on the site of the 138-foot-tall Stinger coaster that opened in 2012, replacing the Laser coaster, and was removed for the 2018 season. Details of the new thrill ride remain under wraps to avoid giving competitors any kind of edge to counter the new draw, Dorney Park attorney Joseph Bubba said. Dorney Park Vice President and General Manager Jessica Naderman, however, did reveal during Wednesday nights commissioners meeting the steel coaster will be new construction rather than a transplant of an existing coaster from another property owned by Dorney parent Cedar Fair. You just removed some of the mystique, thank you, said Commissioner Brad Osborne, continuing on to thank Dorney Park for the role it plays in South Whitehall. The townships planning commission in February had recommended approval of the land development project. Both that vote and Wednesdays board of commissioners approval were unanimous. Dorney Park is moving into the permitting process for whats being called, for now, Project 2024, and eyeing a summertime announcement of the new ride, spokesman Ryan Eldredge told lehighvalleylive.com on Thursday. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com. Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. A woman stole a hair straightener while in Portlaoise visiting a prisoner, a sitting of Portlaoise District Court was told. Suzanne McKeever, 32, of 4 Rochford House, Patrick Street, Dublin 8 admitted stealing the GHD Straightener from a salon in Portlaoise on March 3 last. Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the defendant walked into Company Hair Salon and picked up a hair straightener valued at 159 before walking out. Staff followed her and held Ms McKeever until Gardai arrived, he said. Sgt Kirby said the defendant has nine previous convictions, seven of which were for theft. Solicitor Barry Fitzgerald said his client has significant underlying issues and is in receipt of disability allowance. She had an egregious addiction to benzodiazepine which she detoxed from, he said. He said she also suffers from PTSD and epilepsy. It was opportunistic and there is no excusing the behaviour, said Mr Fitzgerald. He said his client was taking the matter very seriously. There is a letter of sincere apology, he said. She was visiting a family member in the Midlands Prison, Mr Fitzgerald explained in relation to why the defendant was in Portlaoise. He said the woman was entering a guilty plea and appears to be on the right track now. Judge Andrew Cody sentenced the woman to six months in prison, suspended for two years. He granted legal aid. Irish Rail knows the solution to a serious road safety hazard at a Laois train station but has declined to give the green light to eradicate the risk faced by motorists. That was the claim made by a county councillor says that the train company had previously refused to agree to carry out the work needed at out-of-sequence traffic lights at Ballybrophy Train Station. Cllr Conor Bergin made the remarks at a meeting in Laois County Council where his Fine Gael colleague Cllr John King tabled a motion to make a junction safer. Cllr King called on the local authority to install extra warning signs on both sides of the bridge and liaise with Iaranrod Eireann on what is becoming a 'black spot' for accidents. Cllr King said a new car park at the station had made the bridge junction busier. While Cllr Bergin fully backed his colleague he insisted the Irish Rail know all about the 'serious' issues facing motorists and how to solve it. He said he met with engineers and contractors at the location and got an explanation as to what had to be done. "The lights are on two different sequences - there is a delay," he said. Cllr Bergin claimed that drivers might get a green light on one side of the bridge and then a red the other. He said he had asked contractors how it could be solved. "They had to get consent from Irish Rail to run a cable across the bridge. They looked for this before when the traffic lights were being installed but it was not forthcoming," he said. He said he had contacted Irish Rail directly but the company had not replied. In the meantime, he claimed lives are at risk. "There are people taking their lives in their hands every day when they are driving over their bridge, not knowing what is going to happen the other side," he said. He asked the council to contact the train company to get the lights problem fixed. Cllr James Kelly, Independent, also backed the motion. He said motorists are taking chances because of the malfunctioning light sequence. He added the frustration caused to motorists by the light problem is contributing to 'shocking speed'. Chairing the meeting, Cllr Paddy Bracken, Fianna Fail, urged officials to make contact with Irish Rail on what he said was 'obviously a serious issue'. In a written reply to the motion, Paul McLoughlin, Senior Engineer, Roads, said the Road Design section of Laois County Council would review the advance warning signs and examine what extra measures would complement and support safety. He added that Irish Rail would be contacted as part of the review and additional measures. On Saturday, April 15, 55 people gathered for a special lunch in Lough Rynn to honour Edwina Guckian as the 2023 Leitrim Guardian Person of the Year in recognition of her promotion of Gaelic culture, song, dance, music, traditional customs and heritage. Edwina comes from just outside the village of Drumsna, Co Leitrim. Her family have been steeped in the tradition of music and dance, and her style is influenced by the local music she grew up with in Leitrim. She started teaching dancing at the age of 16, and she has taught her steps and shared the stage with some of Irelands most influential acts such as Altan, De Danann, Dervish, Mairtin O Connor, Frankie Gavin, Kila, Martin Hayes, Seamus Begley, and Laoise Kelly to name just so me of them. She set up Airc Damhsa Culture Club for youths in her area to give them a space to be immersed in traditions and cultures from home and from across the world in a fun and non competitive environment. It is now in its 18th year and the club has over 500 members in nine counties in Ireland and 1 club in New York. In 2017 Edwina was awarded the Arts Council of Ireland Next Generation Bursary to support her work on redeveloping the connection between music and movement, between the musician and the dancer. She is well known for her pride in Leitrim and she uses her gift for connecting people in the community together to make great things happen such as her annual hosting of events in the county like the Leitrim Dance Festival, the Mummers Project and the Effrinagh Crossroads Dance. Other recent work includes reviving the Mumming tradition in Leitrim through the Sowing the Seed project which sees over 350 Leitrim people growing oats organically on their land and using the oats and straw sustainably. Most recently she was awarded the TG4 Gradam Comaine for her outstanding contribution to the traditional arts. Edwina is the artist in residency at St. Patricks Campus DCU Drumcondra for 2022/23 and will be launching her first childrens book in October of this year. Pat Gallagher, the 2022 Leitrim Guardian Person of the Year, travelled back from Kent to celebrate the occasion with Edwina and her family. He spoke about how much the award meant to him and how delighted he was to see (someone like) Edwina getting it. He wished her as much joy and happiness in her year representing the title as he had during his recent reign. Leitrim Guardian Editor Tommy Moran chatted to Edwina about her passion for Leitrim and for retaining our valued traditions, congratulated her on all her achievements and presented her with the award. You may believe that Montana is debt free following actions by the Legislature earlier this year to pay off state debt. It is great that we passed legislation to pay off over $100 million of state bonded debt, but there is another debt obligation rarely discussed but costing us dearly. Unfortunately, Montana has accumulated over $4.8 billion in pension debt over the past 20 years (in 2003 our pensions were fully funded with no debt). This debt is equivalent to over $4,300 for every man, woman, and child in Montana. Pension liabilities have accrued for a variety of reasons, but the main culprit is that the assumed rate of return on investments has been less than what the actuary estimated over the past 20 years. The bad news about Montana pension debt is that it falls on the employer, in this case Montana taxpayers. We have a choice: establish a game plan to pay off the debt or continue to refinance the debt over and over until it is unmanageable. The current cost of lost earnings to Montana taxpayers is $350 million per year. This is a massive cost to bear as it is equivalent to more than 10% of the states annual general fund expenditures. HB 226 for state employees broadly and HB 569 for law enforcement officers including judges implement measures to assure these liabilities dont continue to grow and become an even larger burden to our state by providing a path that assures these liabilities are paid over 30 years. The bills do this by adjusting the states employer contribution annually and adding $400 million. Although this is a significant investment, we believe that not addressing this liability now, while we have a once in a lifetime surplus, would be short-sighted. While its disappointing that these significant liabilities have not been addressed over the past twenty years, now is an ideal time to provide a permanent resolution. Although we would rather deploy some of our surplus revenue in a different way (providing services, lowering taxes, improving infrastructure), paying down pension debt now is far better than perpetually refinancing increasing pension liabilities repeatedly over 30 years. We must not leave this generational debt to be dealt with by our children and grandchildren. Rather, we must address the debt now while we are in a time of abundance. Public debt is a burden on the economy. Currently Montana taxpayers who are not the beneficiaries of these pensions are adding over $130 million per year above state employer and employee contributions, and we are still falling behind. Most of us have at one time or another wrestled with debt, and we discovered that too much debt ties us down and limits our options in life. It is no different in the public sector. Encourage your legislative representative to support these important measures to provide a permanent fix on pension debt by calling the Montana Legislature at 406-444-4800. A discussion on the parking of camper vans at Dromod Harbour led to a disagreement between councillors about the impact they were having on the local community. Cllr Des Guckian proposed at the Carrick-on-Shannon Municipal District meeting this month that new by-laws to control the parking of camper vans, etc and the abuse of spaces near Dromod Harbour be immediately published and clearly posted up for all users to see. He said this was necessary to end the mayhem experienced by all good users, including locals, of this fine facility, over the past year. However, during the debate it was pointed out that a decision had already been made by the Council that by-laws were not warranted, while other councillors said they did not want any negative impressions of the county going out from the meeting and that visitors must be encouraged to come and stay in Leitrim. Cllr Guckian said people had commented to him that the harbour was chock-a- block and completely full up over the Easter weekend with loud music and generators. It is completely ridiculous it was allowed, he said. Joseph Gilhooly, Director of Services, in reply to Cllr Guckians motion said, "This matter was considered by this Municipal District at the October 2022 meeting where it was referred to the Corporate Policy Group (CPG) for further consideration. At the October CPG meeting, the introduction of by-laws in respect of parking of camper vans was considered by the members. At that meeting it was agreed by the members that the introduction of by-laws in this regard would need to be considered in the context of their impact on the entire county and that their development and introduction were not warranted but will remain under review. Cllr Sean McGowan agreed there was camper vans there over Easter weekend but he spoke to Dromod Development and some businesses and they were very welcoming of any tourism to Dromod and to Leitrim. He did say that you would hear differing reports about their benefit to the area but said most of the people who come in camper vans are decent people and seemingly doing no harm in the village. Cllr McGowan said it was hard to keep everyone happy. Cllr Thomas Mulligan said the CPG committee got feedback that this wasn't something that was causing disruption or discomfort for people living in Dromod Harbour. He said the committee was of the opinion it was not necessary to go down the road of making by-laws in situations where it was not warranted; the committee was quite clear on that and didn't feel it necessary. Cllr Mulligan said it could certainly be looked at again in the future if a problem persisted. Cllr Finola Armstrong- McGuire said business people welcome camper vans and said they wanted as many people as possible to come to the county, in particular to official sites at Lough Rinn and at nearby Lough Key. She said the Council and Leitrim Tourism is doing a lot to promote the county and bring people in and anyone who visits the county, spends in the county. Cllr Armstrong-McGuire said anything negative would have to be addressed and she would not like to see litter left behind. Cllr Enda Stenson said he understood the situation and said it has to be treated delicately. He said Leitrim is a tourist based county with business people in both Dromod and Drumsna. We have got to encourage people in rather than sending out any negative views from this meeting, he said. Cllr Guckian, however, said there was absolutely no doubt some of these guys in camper vans are causing major disruption. He said the people on the boats are the ones that go to the local restaurants and their rights are being impinged upon as much as any of the locals. Cllr Guckian argued that there was great unanimity when he put in his previous motion about by-laws. He said the people in the camper vans have no right to come in and take over to the detriment of everyone else. Cllr McGowan said he wouldnt like the impression to go out that these people were causing noise; they were spending money locally and were welcome in the area by Dromod Development. Cllr Guckian said they all welcomed visitors but these people were of a type that were denying people their rights to enjoy the peace of the area. Darragh OBoyle, District Engineer, said parking camper vans in the car park, which is owned by Leitrim County Council, is not illegal. All other areas in the harbour are owned by Waterways Ireland. He said they never had by-laws on this and previously had signage up but they could not be enforced and so took them down. Mr OBoyle said if vehicles are illegally parked or causing an obstruction that is an offence under the Road Traffic Act and can be dealt with by the Gardai or traffic wardens. There are no traffic wardens there, said Cllr Guckian. A few curious faces emerged from the windows of a quiet alley in the lower Kasbah of Algiers. "Rolling, silence on the set, action!" an assistant director shouted, after having placed extras. Sitting in front of a door, actress Aida Ababsa, tried to sell jewelry to passers-by. The scene was brief. "Cut!" yelled Mouzahem Yahia, the director. On that day, he was shooting the last episode of the flagship series for this year's Ramadan in Algeria: Al Dama (Checkers). The series, produced by the Algerian national channel EPTV and broadcast during Ramadan, ended on April 17, with more than 4 million views per episode on YouTube and on air. It tells the daily life of Algiers' neighborhood of Bab-El-Oued in the form of a social tale that addresses the ills of Algerian society amidst poverty, trafficking and the desire to succeed. Its success, according to Yahia, shows at least one thing: "Algerian viewers want stories that relate to them, in their language." A boon for an Algerian film industry that many see as devastated. Will series save the sector? The director of Al Dama believes so. With the modernization and evolution of sound and image equipment, "making a series is making movies for the general public," he said. "For us, directors and technicians, it's the same work of directing. What changes is the number of viewers." Ensuring a salary Algerian film production, hit by a crisis that began with the termination, two years ago, of the only fund financing the industry, is in tatters. As a result, only three films have managed to be released in theaters so far in 2023. Among them, The Last Queen by Adila Bendimerad and Damien Ounouri, will be released in Algeria in May. According to film professionals, Ramadan series have become a means of subsistence. Outside of the holy month, no contemporary Algerian film is scheduled on private or public channels. "After two difficult years related to Covid-19 and the lack of filming, this period is an opportunity to ensure our actors receive a salary and to be able to work, in financial security, on film projects during the rest of the year," said Fouad Trifi, co-founder of the casting agency Wojooh. "In recent years, technicians have mainly worked for television programs, commercials or series, which has allowed a circulation of skills," according to Karim Moussaoui, a director who tried himself these new formats after presenting En attendant les hirondelles (Until the Birds Return) in 2017 at the Cannes film festival in the selection Un certain regard. Shot in Bou Saada, southeast of Algiers, his series Ain El Djenna ("The Source of Paradise") stands out from the sitcoms because of its clean aesthetic. The dramatic comedy tells the story of a woman who returns to her native village after decades of absence. She discovers, upon arrival, that she is a candidate in the municipal elections against her will. 'Prison sentences' Although they have the merit of allowing those who conceive them to work, these Ramadan series are not flawless. "We are currently shooting an episode that will be aired tomorrow and we are not sure we have the budget to finish it, even though the script has been validated for more than a year," a technician said. "Every year, it's the same thing. It's like they're not sure Ramadan is going to happen." Difficult filming conditions are often coupled with censorship before airing by the television channels themselves, which can confuse the narrative. The reasons given for such cuts, sometimes lasting a number of minutes, include respect for morality, family values, religion and the national narrative. In some cases, it is to abide by the higher interests of the nation. Such practices are a burden on creators. Discussions between film and audiovisual professionals and the Algerian Ministry of Culture are ongoing in anticipation of the upcoming adoption of a draft law on the film industry. In a statement issued in late March, however, an association of Algerian Filmmakers (CCAA) said it refused to engage in "any discussion about this legislation as long as the articles providing for such vague censorship and prison sentences are not permanently removed." Nour Salem(Algiers (Algeria) correspondent) Translation of an original article published in French on lemonde.fr; the publisher may only be liable for the French version. Avenue des Champs-Elysees, Paris, France, Europe ARMAND TAMBOLY / ROBERTHARDING / PHOTONONSTOP A French court has sentenced four men between five and 15 years in jail for plotting an attack on Paris's emblematic Champs Elysees avenue. A fifth walked free as he had already served his term in pre-trial custody. The five defendants were aged 17 to 39 when they were arrested in 2019 for allegedly planning to attack policemen and possibly civilians on the avenue not far from the presidential palace. All except one were found guilty of "terrorist conspiracy" on Thursday, April 20, after a trial held behind closed doors. The oldest in the group was sentenced to 15 years in prison, while a second was handed 12 years. A third, who was a minor at the time of his arrest but considered to be the leader of the group, was also given a 12-year jail term. He had been arrested in Germany in 2017 when he was just 15 for trying to join the Islamic State jihadist group in war-torn Syria. Investigators said he had planned to attack a police patrol at the entrance to the Champs Elysees and "commit a massacre." A fourth, a Chechen who was also a minor at the time, was handed a five-year term for not speaking up about the plan. A fifth was sentenced to five years in prison, of which 18 months was suspended, over financing the plot, but walked free as he had already served that time in pre-trial custody. Le Monde with AFP Egyptian Muslims perform Eid al-Fitr prayers outside al-Seddik mosque in Cairo, Egypt, Friday, April 21, 2023. AMR NABIL / AP Saudi Arabia, home to Islam's holiest shrines, and other Sunni Muslim countries announced Thursday the holiday of Eid al-Fitr marking the end of the Ramadan fast will begin on Friday, April 21. In some countries with a Shiite Muslim majority, authorities have said the holiday will start on Saturday. "Tomorrow, Friday, is the first day of Eid al-Fitr for this year," with Thursday the last day of the holy month of Ramadan, the official Saudi Press Agency said on its Twitter account, citing a royal court statement. The timing of Eid al-Fitr is determined by the sighting of the crescent moon, in accordance with the Muslim lunar calendar. The holiday is normally celebrated with family gatherings. Authorities in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Jordan and Sudan also announced Eid al-Fitr will start on Friday. In Lebanon, Sunni clerics said the holiday will begin on Friday, while some Shiite leaders announced a Saturday start to the holiday. Libya, ruled by two rival administrations, will mark Eid on Friday in the country's east and on Saturday in areas under the control of the Tripoli-based government. Statements from Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Iraq's highest Shiite authority, Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, said Eid would start on Saturday in their countries. Oman will also start Eid on Saturday, as will Indonesia -- the world's most populous Muslim-majority nation. The daytime fasting month of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam. Observant Muslims refrain from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk, and traditionally gather with family and friends to break their fast in the evening. It is also a time for prayer, with the faithful converging in large numbers on mosques, especially at night. Fasting is widely practiced in Saudi Arabia, home of the holiest shrines in Islam in Mecca and Medina. Saudis are expected to observe a four-day holiday for Eid al-Fitr. Le Monde with AFP A LIMERICK man has appeared before the non-jury Special Criminal Court charged with a money laundering offence relating to renovation works carried out at his home. Richard Treacy, aged 34, of Downey St, Garryowen, is accused of "knowing or being reckless as to whether renovation work carried out at his home address was the proceeds of criminal conduct, did disguise the true source of the property". The offence, contrary to section 7 of the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010, is alleged to have occurred January 1, 2014 and January 12, 2021. At a brief hearing this Friday afternoon, Detective Garda Ronan O'Reilly told solicitor Michael O'Donovan, for the Director of Public Prosecutions, that he arrested Mr Treacy earlier in the day at an address in Limerick on foot of an arrest warrant issued by the Special Criminal Court. In the body of the Criminal Courts of Justice building on Parkgate Street in Dublin, the detective handed Mr Treacy a copy of the charge sheet and explained that he was to be charged before the three-judge, non-jury court. Det Garda O'Reilly then pointed the defendant out to the court. Mr Justice Tony Hunt, presiding, made an order under the Offences Against the State Act 1939 that Mr Treacy will be charged and tried before the court. There was no objection to bail subject to Mr Treacy complying with a number of conditions. He must notify gardai if he changes address, sign on three times weekly at a Limerick garda station and not associate with certain named people. He entered his own bond of 100 to be of good behaviour and keep the peace and was released from custody. Yvonne Quinn BL, for Mr Treacy, said there will be an application for legal aid. The case will be mentioned before the court again on June 19. A BLAZING row has broken out between two Fine Gael colleagues over the housing of Ukrainians in a Limerick town. Former mayor of Limerick Cllr Stephen Keary has launched an attack on his local election running mate Cllr Adam Teskey describing his comments on the accommodation of those fleeing war as outrageous and obscene. Councillor Teskey had previously opposed the accommodation of Ukrainian refugees in the former Bank of Ireland in Askeaton, prior to it becoming a community enterprise hub. Instead, he said they could be accommodated in vacant homes which are lying idle across Limerick, a move which put him at odds with Cllr Keary, who proposed the resolution that refugees stay in the centre of Askeaton for two years. Cllr Keary, the leader of the Adare-Rathkeale district, where Askeaton is located, released a statement to the Leader condemning Cllr Teskey. To be honest, I find it shocking and quite upsetting especially coming from a Fine Gael party colleague. It is government policy to provide temporary accommodation for Ukrainians throughout the country. They are being housed in all sorts of premises and here we have a ready-made solution which will provide much needed shelter and comfort, he said. He also described Cllr Teskeys comments as an insult to both Ukrainians and also their host families who have opened their doors to them over the last year. The pair openly clashed this months Adare-Rathkeale meeting, with Cllr Teskey branding his party colleague a dictator after he was not allowed to address members of an action group from Kilteery. Cllr Keary urged him to withdraw the remark, and suggested if he didnt like the way he was chairing the meeting, he should leave. Reacting to Cllr Kearys statement, Cllr Teskey said he is appalled by its contents, and also slammed his actions at the meeting. It is not normal for a party colleague, a chairman of the day, to ask a sitting councillor who got the largest mandate in the last election to leave the meeting because he didnt allow me to welcome a deputation which included a former chairman of the Public Accounts Committee and a former Oireachtas member, he said, referring to the ex-Limerick West TD Michael Finucane. He told me if I was not happy at the way he was doing the meeting, I should leave. Isnt that the whole essence of a dictator, asked Cllr Teskey. As it stands, the former Bank of Ireland branch in Askeaton will be used to house Ukrainian refugees for two years, before it reverts to a community enterprise hub. A feasibility study for this project is under way, after Cllr Kearys resolution was carried, with only Cllr Teskey speaking out against. Councillor Keary said: As a nation, we have been welcomed across the world for years and continue to be. When I was mayor, I witnessed first-hand the result of emigration when I met generations of Irish people living in America and England whose fathers had fled here for safety and a better life. We now have to extend this same kindness to people of Ukraine. A 3.2m EXTENSION at Croom National School can now go ahead thanks to the generosity of a local landowner. The growing school was approved funding from the Department of Education four years ago but access proved a problem. Emmett Murphy, principal, said the school was at quite an impasse. We are kind of landlocked with the three-way junction, being a protected building and the protected bridge at the front of the school. The council wasnt able to facilitate us with an entrance at the front of the school, explained Mr Murphy. This was until Deputy Richard ODonoghue and his brother Cllr John ODonoghue dropped into the school this month with a letter of permission from local landowner Con Duggan. He has given land for free for a road to be built to allow access to the back of Croom NS. It will be a spur off the Croom distributor road, or as locals call it the road to nowhere, which Limerick City and County Council states it does not have the funding to complete Deputy ODonoghue praised Mr Duggans generosity and community ethos. I was contacted by retired deputy principal Catherine Kennedy asking was there anything I could do. I have been dealing with Mr Duggan for many years and he said he had no problem in giving the slip of land and right of way. He has given them the land with no cost. All I am asking the local authority to do is extend the existing road by 60 metres to get them to the back of the site over land that has been given to them at no cost, said Deputy ODonoghue. The principal of Croom NS said the school and the board of management is indebted to Mr Duggan especially, as well as Deputy Richard ODonoghue, Cllr John ODonoghue and Minister for State Niall Collins. The 3.2m extension is for two classrooms for autistic children, a mainstream classroom, multi-disciplinary hall, new toilet block and administration facilities. We couldnt go to planning until the entrance way was sorted so the great thing now thanks to Mr Duggan is we can go forward now to the planning stage, said Mr Murphy. The new access to the back of the national school has been described as a game changer for Croom. It will link up the secondary school (Colaiste Chiarain) and primary school. At the moment parents have to go all the way around Croom to go from one to the other if they are dropping off children to both. What this does is it opens up Croom. Parents can use the new roundabout and go from one school to the other. It opens up Croom for secondary and primary education, said Mr Murphy. Cllr John ODonoghue submitted a notice of motion at this months Adare-Rathkeale Municipal District meeting that the council start the process of linking Croom NS to the distributor road at the rear of the school. In response, a senior engineer said the council favours the development of such an access in principle. In order to progress the planning process for the new school access, permission will be required from the landowners involved. The Department of Transport has indicated that they are not in a position to fund any further sections of the distributor road. As the link to the school is to facilitate school development, the applicant should make an approach to the Department of Education to fund / part fund the road construction. The council will also seek a funding contribution from the National transport Authority under the Safe Routes to School programme, reads the reply. Once the above funding possibilities have been investigated, the council will then review the matter. The engineer adds that the indicative cost of building a road of this nature is in the order of 1m per 200 metres length. Wachter Middle School Assistant Principal Beth Jeide allegedly stole over $2,500 this school year and an unknown amount the previous school year, a Bismarck Public Schools investigation concluded. The School Board on Monday voted unanimously not to renew Jeide's contract for the 2023-24 academic year. Jeide denied wrongdoing in a statement to the Tribune on Friday. The school investigation report obtained by the Tribune through an open records request Friday outlines each alleged incident along with policies violated and how to address them. The report states that Jeide is identified by Bismarck police as the suspect in a case related to money stolen from Wachter. It says $900 raised by students to be used for a last-day-of-school field trip was placed in a vault at Wachter on Dec. 21 and discovered missing on Dec. 27. Camera footage showed Jeide enter Wachter around 11 p.m. on Dec. 23. Jeide in her statement to the Tribune said she did not have access to the vault, while others did, and she also said "There is no evidence that the money was ever locked up in the vault." The school's investigation additionally alleges Jeide had previously not reported missing money to Wachter Middle School Principal Lee Ziegler. She denied that in her statement. During the fall, $1,620 raised by students was discovered missing on Nov. 17. The teacher in charge of the fundraiser reported this to Jeide but Ziegler was not aware of the missing funds until Jan. 31, when he was questioned by officers. Jeide was connected to three other incidents over the past two years in which financial discrepancies occurred. She said in her statement that she is the victim of harassment and discrimination. The report also cited evidence of Jeide allegedly skipping after-school duties, having a lack of engagement during mandatory school training and having her personal Google account -- which allegedly contained inappropriate and unprofessional history -- linked to her work computer. Jeide said in her statement that she did not intentionally skip after-school duties, and that the personal family shared Google account material was pulled into her work computer when she logged into her Gmail account. The school's report laid out six school district policies that were violated and recommended that her contract not be renewed. The recommendation given to the School Board by Superintendent Jason Hornbacher was based on Jeide's "inability to demonstrate satisfactory ability and competence as assistant principal." Jeide told the Tribune, "I would never take money from Wachter Middle School. I love my job, staff and students, and dedicated 20 years of my life to always try to do right by kids and staff." Jeide was reassigned to Hughes Education Center in January while the investigation at Wachter ensued. She will finish out her contract, which runs until the end of the school year. The districts investigation closed Monday after Jeides contract was not renewed but the police investigation is active and pending with the State's Attorneys Office, Lt. Luke Gardiner told the Tribune on Monday. Jeide as of Friday had not been charged with a crime. Jeide has been an assistant principal at Wachter since the fall of 2005. Before that she filled several roles including principal at Milnor Public School, and taught English in Montana. MY skincare has become the most important part of my morning and night-time routine. My friends often find it comical when they see me arriving for a weekend stay with all my bottles, lotions and potions. While drinking two litres of water per day is extremely important for the skin and body, so is skincare and the products you use. Eye cream: I use eye cream day and night. Ri na Mara is a Galway brand and the products are seaweed-based. The eye cream contains organic seaweed extracts, natural derived Hyaluronic acid and has a lovely rich texture. Serum: Poko Skincare is an Irish-owned brand. They specialise in CBD products. The soothing serum is made up of aloe vera, sea buckthorn, tea tree, cedarwood and contains 200mg of CBD. It has a lovely cooling, lightweight texture. SPF: I use SPF every day of the year, even when we are in the depths of winter. For me it is the most important anti-aging product. Rituals Sun Protection Face Cream is factor 50 and it smells divine. Its scent comes from White Tea, natural vitamin E and ginkgo biloba. Cleanser: The Superfruit Cream Cleanser from Mervue Skincare is such a lovely product. Again, a nice smelling product containing cranberry seed oil, acai berry oil, sea buckthorn oil, chia seed oil and moringa oil. Its gentle on the skin but removes all makeup. Hair mask: I have very long and thick hair and try to protect it and care for it especially because I use heated irons every week for work events. L'Oreal Elvive Hydra Hyaluronic Acid Mask (purple tub) is the one I am currently using. If Ive used curling irons and have had hairspray on, I use it that night and sleep with it on my hair and wash it the following morning. Anti-aging: I am a big fan of Kiehl's Retinol Fast Release Wrinkle-Reducing Night Serum. This is an investment product but it helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and firms the skin. I use this before bed and have noticed a difference since starting it. Tan: I keep going back to what I know and love, Tan Organic. It all started back in 2010 when founder Noelle OConnor appeared on Dragons Den. Working as a beauty therapist she saw first hand the damage chemicals had on the skin and wanted to create a tan that was organic, kind to the skin and environment. I love the colour, smell and it fades naturally. Fashion for racing festivals AS the evenings get brighter and the weather gets warmer, a change in season means a change in wardrobe. With Punchestown taking place next week, I have been turning my attention to my outfits. Ill be racing for three days so I need a different outfit for each day. What I love most about horse racing is the style, tweed and wool and that equestrian look. Fedora hats, boots that are comfortable for a day of walking around a track, a decent size bag with flats (just in case), an outfit that is comfortable but most importantly appropriate for the day. My racing inspiration always comes from Cheltenham. I love that the colours match the countryside, greens, browns and auburn tones. Timeless pieces that can be worn year after year, style that never goes out of fashion. I always like to invest in pieces but also keep an eye for bargains. Charity and vintage shops are always a great place to find some classic pieces for the race track and anytime I visit a new town, I stop by the local second-hand shop. Special mention to Vito Vintage which is located in the Milk Market and has a great range of vintage pieces. A NUMBER of Limerick students have won big at the ISIC National Student Media Awards 2023. The ceremony took place on Thursday the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. The annual event celebrates the outstanding achievements of students in media-related fields across the country. University of Limerick won four awards, Mary Immaculate College took home onw award and Limerick College of Further Education also got one award. CURIOUS, a magazine produced by UL students, won Magazine of the Year ad well as Layout and Design of the Year. Aislinn Kelly was recognised as Feature Writer of the Year in Arts and Pop Culture while the Journalism relating to Health award was given to Rachel Petticrew. The Virgin Media Belonging Award was given to LCFE student Alexandra Moloney while Mary Immaculate College students Darragh Dolan and Jake OLoughlin were named Radio DJ of the Year. The awards night had an outstanding turnout bringing together media industry leaders, educators and students from all over the country. The ISIC National Student Media Awards is dedicated to bringing new talent to light and supporting the growth of students in media. It was great to see such a broad spectrum of talent. A LITTLE girl who has just undergone major surgery received an unexpected but welcome pick-me-up over Easter, even after the Easter bunny had dropped by with some chocolate treats! Mia Farrell, age five, was pleasantly surprised when her favourite Limerick garda Ollie OSullivan turned up at her door to greet her with extra Easter gifts. Mia, who is from Meanus, was born with spina bifida and hydrocephalus. She is a Little Blue Hero, or a mini garda as her mother Sarah says, and is part of the charity the Little Blue Heroes Foundation, which Garda O'Sullivan volunteers with. The Little Blue Heroes Foundation is a not-for-profit charity, operated entirely by volunteers which include gardai, retired garda members, their families and friends across the country. It aims to help families in need from local communities who have children undergoing long-term medical treatment for serious illnesses. Spina bifida is a condition which affects the spine at birth and can cause mobility difficulties or paralysis for those who have it. Mia was born with the most severe form of spina bifida and is paralysed from her ribs down. She recently had ankle surgery in Cappagh Hospital, meaning she now has a cast on each leg and cannot use her wheelchair for eight weeks. Her mother Sarah said: Mia is full time care, but she is such a character and is well able for the craic. She is an amazing person, who, at only five years of age, is going around with a smile on her face 24/7. We are telling her she can now wear pretty shoes after having her achilles tendons in her ankles cut - she will be able to wear her pretty shoes when healed. Kids like Mia dont have a long [life] expectancy, so when she got accepted into Little Blue Heroes, about 12 months ago, they were absolutely amazing - we cant even thank them enough for what they do for her. Hydrocephalus causes extra fluid in and around the brain, which causes swelling. Affecting one in 1,000 babies worldwide, it is estimated that between 80% and 90% of children with spina bifida develop hydrocephalus. Sarah says that with the Little Blue Heroes Foundation, they include all the children in the household and not just the child thats sick, such as Mias two brothers. When Garda O'Sullivan arrived unexpectedly on Easter Sunday, he brought colouring books for Mias siblings too. They think about everything: Easter, birthdays and Christmas time. If we needed money for Mia to go to Dublin and get her surgery, just as she has done, Little Blue Heroes would help us. They make your life happy, they fulfil your life, even though you have a sick child. When the child is first set up with the Foundation, they get little garda uniforms and they get assigned certain guards who come out to look after that child and become their best friend. The charity brought the families together to Mondello Park last year for a night away, where they got to stay in a hotel, which Sarah says never happens. People just dont have a clue what goes on behind closed doors, which is very difficult. When Ollie called during Easter, it broke him to see Mia in two casts, sitting on the chair with her legs elevated. We are fighting every day of the week, we have to fight for everything. Meanwhile, after helping out the Little Blue Heroes, Garda O'Sullivan was back to his day job as a warrants officer in Newcastle West Court on Friday where he executed 20 bench warrants in one sitting. The role is a crucial cog in ensuring the wheels of justice keep turning. Donations to the Little Blue Heroes helps kids who dont get to do what other kids do, said Sarah, and that all donations are greatly appreciated. Leading two-wheeler brand Bajaj Auto is launching its first bike in London soon. Rajiv Bajaj, MD of Bajaj Auto , in an interview with CNBC-TV8 said that the company will unveil the Bajaj -Triumph bike on June 27. The company first announced its partnership with British motorcycle brand Triumph in 2017. The actual launch, will be towards the end of June; perhaps specifically on Tuesday, June 27 in London. It will be a global launch that is being organised by Triumph. So, what exactly is the content of that I am not aware, but that is when the launch might be", Rajiv Bajaj told CNBC-TV8. Bajaj did not reveal the details of the products. However, according to industry experts, the upcoming motorcycle is likely to be a middleweight adventure motorcycle. It could be designed for both on-road and off-road use. Till now, Africa and South America have been the major export regions of the auto manufacturer. With partnerships with iconic brands like UKs Triumph, the company is aiming to become a major player in the global two-wheeler market. As per the CNBC report, the company is also planning to expand its electric vehicle range. The company has already launched Chetak electric scooter in India and is now gearing up to release multiple e-2Ws (electric two-wheelers) under the Chetak brand, the report says. These vehicles are expected to be stylish and affordable, aimed at the growing market of urban commuters who want an eco-friendly mode of transportation, it further states. Bajaj is also working on e-3Ws (electric three-wheelers) for both passenger and cargo use. These vehicles are rumoured to launch soon. Rajiv also told CNBC-TV8 that Bajaj Auto plans to launch multiple products under their partnership in Q2FY24 in India. Recently, Bajaj Auto takes over sales and marketing operations of Triumph India. Bajaj Auto and Triumph India entered into a partnership in 2020 where they announced to jointly collaborate to create a new range of mid-sized Triumph Motorcycles in the country. To be manufactured at Bajaj's Chakan plant, these mid-size Triumph Motorcycles will be available by this year. MUMBAI : Lender Credit Suisse on Friday filed a contempt petition against SpiceJet in the Supreme Court, alleging the troubled domestic carrier had failed to pay dues that were part of a settlement. A bench led by judges A.S. Bopanna and Hima Kohli did not issue any notice to the airline, but agreed to hear the matter on 17 May. The two companies settled a long-pending dispute and reached consent terms in May 2022, according to the petition. According to SpiceJet, the settlement amount is subject to Reserve Bank of India approval, so the airline could not begin payments as per schedule. It told the court it made the April payment on schedule and that the payment for May shall also be made as per schedule. The case has its origins in November 2011, when the Ajay Singh-led airline signed a 10-year aircraft servicing and maintenance agreement with SR Technics, a Swiss maintenance, repair and overhauling (MRO) service provider. The Swiss firm issued invoices, while SpiceJet issued seven bills of exchange to cover the debt. In September 2012, SR Technics formally gave Credit Suisse all rights to receive payments under the SpiceJet deal. However, the airline failed to make payments of over $24 million, prompting Credit Suisse to file a winding-up petition against SpiceJet in the Madras High Court in 2021. On 6 December 2021, a single-judge bench of the Madras High Court allowed the winding-up of SpiceJet under Section 433 (e) of the Companies Act 1956, and directed the official liquidator to take over the assets of the airline. The airline challenged the order before a division bench. The division bench upheld the single judges order. The airline then challenged the ruling in the Supreme Court, which stayed the high court order, and gave the company three weeks to settle the matter. However, the final settlement took longer. The last few days have seen a lot of buzz around Apple, with the company opening its first India stores in Mumbai and Delhi. That chief executive officer Tim Cook showed up and also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi has got observers excited about whats next for the mega brands Indian presence. So far, our market has been dominated by Chinese smartphones, but Apple has seen its upper-end share rise at a pace that suggests enormous long-haul potential here for it to expand global sale volumes well past saturation points in richer markets. Another shift on the cards is in Indias place in Apples global strategy. On Thursday, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, deputy information technology minister, said the companys investments here could double or triple in the next few years. This is in harmony with reports of Apple aiming to ramp up its Indian manufacturing to a quarter of its total as part of its plan to reduce dependence on assembly units in China. So, in the years ahead, we can expect more Apple products globally to sport the Made in India" tag. This should draw global attention to our aim of becoming the worlds next big factory. We should not squander this publicity. Delhi-based Lone Star Hospitality Pvt. Ltd., that runs Indian luxury sweets brand Khoya, has raised 6.15 crore in a pre-seed funding round led by chef Ritu Dalmias Riga Foods. Riga is a portfolio company of Max Groups chairman Analjit Singhs family office. The round also saw participation from other investors like Priya Paul. Khoya develops and produces premium traditional mithai and luxury confectionery products and sells direct to customers. Luxury mithais, a relatively new concept introduced about five years ago, can cost anywhere between 20,000-30,000 a kilogram. The company plans to use the funds for development of new products as well as expansion into new categories of related consumer products. It will expand its retail presence in other metros across India and foray into international markets. The company competes with Gur Chini, Arq Mithai, Meethi, Bombay Sweet Shop and others and sells its products online and some stores at retail spaces and hotels. Khoya, the companys founder Sid Mathur said, was launched in 2016 with the vision to make mithai exciting again, by using natural ingredients, and each piece is carefully handcrafted, tastefully arranged and beautifully packed. The company said it has clients like Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Good Earth, Lexus and others. Mathur said, Khoya was a passion project, and we took our time to build it. We dived deep into the history, travelled, searched for ingredients, worked hard on recipe development, and spent months on packaging. The product spoke for itself, and Khoya has grown organically through only reinvestment of profits. With this capital raise, we will be able to take the brand to a new level, expanding our kitchens, teams & distribution both in India as well as internationally." Co-founder of Riga Foods, Dalmia said: For me, this brand has always been the benchmark of luxury mithai, and we are thrilled to be part of their journey. With obvious synergies of catering, kitchens and restaurants, we have a head start on this relationship, and cant wait to see this company grow." According to industry estimates, the organised Indian sweets and premium gifting market will be around 15,000 crore by 2028. Senior BJP leader and Union Home Minister Amit Shah is arriving in Bengaluru on today on a two-day visit to take stock of the party's preparations for the May 10 Assembly elections in Karnataka, his first visit to the state after the announcement of poll schedule.Amit Shah would hold a meeting here with senior party functionaries regarding poll preparations in the evening, BJP sources said. Amit Shah will hold a roadshow in Devanahalli town, the birthplace of 18th century Mysuru ruler Tipu Sultan, in Bengaluru Rural district on Friday afternoon. On Saturday, he is scheduled to attend an event organised by a private news channel before flying back to Delhi. In Devanahalli, Amit Shah will campaign for the party's Pilla Munishamappa, who is pitted against the sitting JD(S) MLA L N Narayanaswamy and Congress candidate K H Muniyappa, a former Union minister and seven-time MP. Muniyappa, who was defeated in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, is foraying into the Assembly polls for the first time. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi would campaign in about 20 places in poll-bound Karnataka, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said on Thursday. He said the Prime Minister's campaign programme is being finalised. "There is all possibility of the Prime Minister campaigning in about 20 places", Bommai told reporters here. "In most (of these) places, he will address rally-meeting and in some, there will be road-shows", the Chief Minister said. The BJP and Congress released their list of star campaigners for the polls. Apart from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP list includes Union Home Minister Amit Shah, JP Nadda, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi, Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. The Congress also released its list of star campaigners which includes party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, former party chief Rahul Gandhi, party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and party leaders Jairam Ramesh, DK Shivakumar, Siddaramaiah, Shashi Tharoor, Jagadish Shettar, KC Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala. In the 2018 Assembly election, the fight was mainly between Narayanswamy (86,966 votes) and Venkataswamy (69,956) of the Congress. The BJP candidate K Nagesh was a distant third with 9,820 votes. The state will go to the polls on May 10 and the results will be out on May 13. *With agency inputs Karnataka Assembly Elections 2023 are scheduled to be held on 10 May. However, ahead of the crucial state assembly elections, several disgruntled senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders quit the saffron party and joined either Indian National Congress (INC) or Janata Dal (Secular) in the state. While the exodus has notably jolted the saffron party headquarters in national capital Delhi, evidently so, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi dialed former deputy chief minister of Karnataka and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader KS Eshwarappa amid rumours of a tiff. The speculation of Eshwarappa quitting BJP arose, when the former leader quit electoral politics, informed BJP headquarters about it, and sought the Shivamogga constituency ricket for his son KE Kantesh instead. BJP released three lists wherein several former leaders were denied tickets, however, Lingayat community leader BS Yediyurappa's son Vijayendra was allotted a ticket by the BJP to contest from the same seat as that of his father List of BJP leaders in Karnataka who quit: Jagadish Shettar: The former Karnataka Chief Minister resigned after being denied a ticket by BJP for the Hubballi-Dharwad central constituency Laxman Savadi: Ex-deputy chief minister Savadi was hoping to contest from the Athani constituency ticket. He resigned as the Legislative Council member of the BJP and also quit the party as he was denied the ticket. S Angara: Angara is a six-time MLA from Sullia constituency in Dakshina Kannada district. He has also been Karnataka's Minister for Fisheries. He announced his retirement from politics, a day after he was denied a ticket by BJP. R Shankar: BJP MLC Shankar resigned from the legislative council a day after BJP didnt gave him a ticket to contest. Shankar was one of the 17 opposition MLAs who helped the BJP bring down the Congress-JD(S) coalition government in 2019. M P Kumaraswamy: Mudigere BJP MLA Kumaraswamy announced his resignation from BJP. He blamed national general secretary C T Ravi for not getting nominated. He has now joined the JD(S). Vishwanath Patil Hebballa: Three-time MLA from Chittapur constituency also submitted his resignation after he was denied a ticket. Raghupati Bhat: Udupi MLA Raghupati Bhat was denied a ticket by the BJP. He was replaced by Yashpal Suvarna who has strong support among the party cadre with his campaign for cow protection. MLC Aynur Manjunath: A senior Lingayat leader from Shivamogga district, Manjunath announced his resignation as an MLC and also from the primary membership of the party. Meanwhile, JD(S) has already declared Manjunath to be its candidate for the Shivamogga City constituency ABOUT THE AUTHOR Sayantani Biswas Sayantani is a senior content producer with LiveMint. She covers stories of Human Interest, Politics, Pandemic, Offbeat narratives and some more. Read more from this author A second bill targeting sexual content in North Dakota public libraries, and which would allow for criminal charges against librarians, is a step closer to clearing the Legislature. The state House of Representatives on Thursday night in a 54-38 vote passed Senate Bill 2360 by Sen. Keith Boehm, R-Mandan. The bill now goes back to the Senate for concurrence with its amendments, which notably exempt the State Library -- an amendment criticized by House budget writers this week. The Senate had passed the bill, 38-9, in February. The House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday gave the bill a 16-3 "do not pass" recommendation after hearing the estimated $450,000 in state costs tied to its implementation, along with other cost estimates bill supporters disputed. The House Judiciary Committee had earlier given the bill a 9-3 "do pass" recommendation. Supporters say the legislation protects children from pornography. Opponents say the bill is censorship, along with a similar one, House Bill 1205, which awaits a House vote set for Friday on concurrence with Senate amendments. House Bill 1205 would remove or relocate "explicit sexual material" in public libraries' children's collections. The two bills define "explicit sexual material" as "any material which, taken as a whole, appeals to the prurient interest of minors; is patently offensive to prevailing standards in the adult community in North Dakota as a whole with respect to what is suitable material for minors; and taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value for minors." Debate Much of bill supporters' ire relates to visual nudity in drawings in the the book "Let's Talk About It." Speaker Dennis Johnson, R-Devils Lake, gaveled down Rep. Jim Kasper, R-Fargo, after he read excerpts from the book related to masturbation and other topics. "Rep. Kasper, I think we've got the point," the speaker said. Rep. Bernie Satrom, R-Jamestown, also had quoted from the same book in February in a floor session. House members in support said the bill is not about banning books, and said its estimated financial impacts are exaggerated or extreme, citing a $334 million estimate from the Bismarck Veterans Memorial Public Library to review its collection if the bill is made law. "I don't think anyone would expect a fiscal effect on one city library to be $334 million," said House Judiciary Committee Chair Larry Klemin, R-Bismarck. He added the bill wouldn't require libraries to review every single material they maintain, but acknowledged it might require a "higher standard of review" for new materials. Rep. Vicky Steiner, R-Dickinson, said, "The media has been headlining this as 'banning books.' This bill is putting restrictions on pornographic children's books currently being purchased by public libraries in taxpayer-funded buildings." Rep. Eric Murphy, R-Grand Forks, wondered about the bill's effects on libraries as a whole, not just children's sections, and called the legislation unnecessary. He said he called a children's librarian and the director of his local public library to ask whether there is pornography or obscene material in the children's section. The only thing he was told came close was a book about two male penguins who adopt an orphaned penguin. "Some people read into that you have something of a sexual nature," Murphy said. "Children just see it as two penguins that adopted an orphan penguin. It's a nice little story." Budget panel House budget writers earlier this week discussed the $334 million cost estimate from Bismarck's public library for it to review its collections if the bill becomes law, among other estimates. House Appropriations Committee Chair Don Vigesaa, R-Cooperstown, called the estimate "pretty spectacular" and asked his colleagues on Wednesday if the $334 million was a "believable" estimate. Rep. Mike Nathe, R-Bismarck, said the figure "does seem a bit high and little bit out of bounds, but even if it was partially, even it was half or a quarter of that number, that is still a big number." "The unintended financial consequences of this (bill) has me concerned, not only for the state, but the cities and counties," he said. Rep. Brandy Pyle, R-Casselton, said the bill would be a "huge financial burden, an unfunded mandate by the state is what we're demanding, regardless of the policy." Rep. Corey Mock, D-Grand Forks, said the bill should have a universal policy and not a selective one exempting the State Library, if the legislation has financial impacts. "The discussion on the policy should not be limited to just some libraries. It should be applied to all if we're going to have that standard, especially if it's going to be in a criminal code," Mock told the House panel. Boehm has said the exemption for the State Library is because the "the State Library at this point has not properly gotten their vetting process down for Miller (obscenity) test material, and we simply want to give them an opportunity to work through that and analyze their process so that they can send out material that is not sexually explicit." Rep. Shannon Roers Jones, R-Fargo, has said the exemption seemed like an effort to avoid a negative recommendation from budget writers. The State Library initially estimated its cost of complying with the bill at $3.6 million to hire temporary staff to review collections. Klemin told the House on Thursday the situation is an example of "death by fiscal note," to "manipulate" lawmakers into defeating the bill. The State Library's final, $450,000 state cost estimate is for a "more complex," age-based computer filtering system for libraries in the Online Dakota Information Network, according to State Librarian Mary Soucie. The network known as ODIN is a consortium of libraries around the state. The bill Under Boehm's bill, employees of school districts, state agencies and public libraries could face a misdemeanor charge for willfully exposing "explicit sexual material" to a minor. The bill also applies to "newsstands or any other business establishment frequented by minors, or where minors are or may be invited as a part of the general public." Boehm's bill would add public libraries and public school libraries to the latter places. A "public library for limited access for educational research purposes carried on at such an institution by adults only" is exempt from criminal liability under the bill. Boehm's bill also would require public libraries and public school libraries to submit an annual report to lawmakers about "provider compliance with technology protection measures" the bill would require for digital or online library database resources for K-12 students, to prevent viewing of "explicit sexual material." Boehm has cited research done by his daughter-in-law, her sister and other people who Boehm said uncovered "sexually explicit content" in 40 libraries statewide. He told the Tribune the group curated 12 books by citing the American Library Association finding of the titles as the most challenged due to "sexually explicit graphics and/or language, profanity, violence, and depictions of child abuse." Egypt is not happy how Netflix has decided to portray their former queen Cleopatra. A lawyer from Egypt has sued the OTT platform seeking that their streaming services be banned in the country where Cleopatra ruled as the country's last active ruler from 51 to 30 BC. In the latest documentary Queen Cleopatra, which is set to be released on 10 May, Netflix chose to cast British actress Adele James to play the queen known especially known for her antiquity, the prototype of the romantic femme fatale, and for her relationships with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. Lawyer Mahmoud al-Semary filed the lawsuit with a public prosecutor with the intention of having Netflix banned in Egypt for what he claimed was a distortion of history. See the trailer here The Egyptian lawyer has said that Netflix is misappropriating Egyptian history by distorting it by favouring the promotion of Afrocentricism. Al-Semary also noted warped standards in the documentary's trailer that was released a week ago. He complained that "most of what Netflix platform displays do not conform to Islamic and societal values and principles, especially Egyptian ones." He added that "in order to preserve the Egyptian national and cultural identity among Egyptians all over the world, there must be pride in the makings of such work." Al-Semary is not the only person who has objected a to a black woman being cast as Cleopatra. Others complained of the casting decisions made for the documentary, with Egypt's former Antiquities Minister Zahi Hawass saying that the depiction of Cleopatra "is completely fake. Cleopatra was Greek, meaning that she was blonde, not Black." Controversy around Queen Cleopatra casting "We don't often get to see or hear stories about black queens, and that was really important for me, as well as for my daughter, and just for my community to be able to know those stories because there are tons of them!" Netflix said, according to the BBC. The role of Cleopatra was originally meant to be played by Israeli actress of Wonder Woman fame, Gal Gadot. However, there was a significant public backlash surrounding the choice, and Netflix was accused of white-washing the historical figure. The decision resulted in campaigns for Cleopatra to be recast and played by an Arab or African actress, despite the fact that she was Macedonian. First of all if you want to be true to the facts then Cleopatra was Macedonian," Gal Gadot told the BBC. We were looking for a Macedonian actress that could fit Cleopatra. She wasnt there, and I was very passionate about Cleopatra." She added, I have friends from across the globe, whether theyre Muslims or Christian or Catholic or atheist or Buddhist, or Jewish of course People are people, and with me, I want to celebrate the legacy of Cleopatra and honor this amazing historic icon that I admire so much." Cinemas in small towns craving crowds since Pathaan are looking for deliverance from Salman Khans Eid release Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan (KKBKKJ), a full-throated entertainer that targets these markets where the actor has a loyal fan base. An adaptation of the 2014 Tamil hit Veeram, KKBKKJ hit over 3,000 screens on Friday, a holiday across most of the country. Advance booking figures show it may earn at least 20 crore on the opening day alone, also helped by the fact it has no major competition in cinemas now. Cinema owners, particularly in the Hindi-speaking belt, who were earlier weighing closure, are excited by the prospects of the film. Many are saying its success will be crucial in determining the viability of their businesses. The film checks all boxes as far as commercial cinemas go, especially the kind that southern, especially Telugu movies, are known for: packaging a big star with action, songs, drama and emotion," said Vishek Chauhan, a Bihar-based independent exhibitor. Khan, known for his Eid hits over a decade, is likely to draw an opening crowd considering his loyal small-town fan base, despite KKBKKJ not generating as much buzz as Yash Raj Films Pathaan. Although Hindi remakes of south Indian films have underperformed in recent times, some trade experts said Khans presence would help. Chauhan has been receiving regular inquiries on KKBKKJ since the release of its trailer, as audiences expect the old-school charm of Khans past releases, which appeals to the masses. Demand to see Khan on the big screen after four years should augur well for the film along with the festive weekend, and I expect lifetime business of 150 crore- 200 crore for the film," he said. A steady stream of movies is essential for the survival of Indias single-screen cinemas, which saw 1,500-2,000 single screens closing during covid-19. Over the years, Khan has dominated Eid with hits like Wanted ( 60 crore), Dabangg ( 141 crore), Bodyguard ( 145 crore), Ek Tha Tiger ( 186 crore), Kick ( 212 crore), Bajrangi Bhaijaan ( 315 crore), Sultan ( 300 crore) and Bharat ( 197 crore). KKBKKJ is critical for cinemas in the Hindi-speaking region bleeding after Pathaan, said Pranav Garg, managing director at Maya Palace, a two-screen cinema in Muzaffarnagar. The film is critical not for Khan, but for cinemas that face closure if it doesnt work." Garg said theatre owners who were bullish about business post-Pathaan are in dire straits now. Several trade experts point out that the festive period notwithstanding, multiple films have been hit by steep ticket pricing, especially post the pandemic. In a premium format such as Inox Insignia, a KKBKKJ ticket costs over 1,500 per person. The film is obviously targeting small towns and tier-II and -III markets. While an opening is guaranteed, especially with no competition, theatre-going has come down by 20% in north India post the pandemic," independent trade analyst Sreedhar Pillai said. Gold rate today slipped below the psychological $2,000 per ounce levels in early morning deals on Friday as speculations on US Fed rate hike continue to support US dollar. Gold future contract for June 2023 on Multi commodity Exchange (MCX) slipped over 200 per 10 gm but sustained above psychological 60,000 per 10 gm levels. According to commodity market experts, gold price today is under pressure as US dollar is still sustaining above 101 levels after bouncing back from its one year low of 100.80 levels. They said that US dollar is gaining strength from speculations on US Fed rate hike due to bank crisis in US. They said that gold price has immediate support placed at $1,980 and on breaching that it may go down towards $1,945 per ounce levels. On MCX, they said that gold price may breach its current 59,700 per 10 gm support and may go down towards 58,500 per 10 gm levels. US dollar in focus On what is dragging gold rate today, Anuj Gupta, Vice President Research at IIFL Securities said, "Gold prices are under pressure due to hawkish commentary by some US Fed officials. Gold price may continue to lose its sheen and go down towards $1,950 to $1,60 per ounce range and on MCX at around 58,500 levels in near term. However, I would advised gold investors to keep an eye on the US Fed officials' statement and Dollar Index movement as these two factors are mainly dictating gold price movement across world." On important levels in regard to gold rate today, market expert Sugandha Sachdeva said, "Gold prices are seen finding strong support at 59,700/10gm or $1,980 per ounce mark. As long as the same holds, buying interest is expected to resume. On the other hand prices are likely to witness hurdle at 60,750/10gm mark on their way up. Only a move past the same would lead to strong gains for the precious metal towards 61,500/10gm mark. The greenback strengthened as manufacturing activity in the New York state expanded in April for the first time in five months adding to concerns about further rate hike at the Feds May meeting." Unveiling bottom fishing strategy in regard to gold investment, Anuj Gupta of IIFL Securities said, "One should wait for more correction as US Fed meeting is scheduled next week and there can be some more downside taking place in yellow metal price. In international market, gold price may go down towards $1,950 to $1,950 levels and this would be a good supply zone for gold investors. On MCX, 58,500 to 58,800 per 10 gm is a good supply zone where one can think of bottom fishing." Disclaimer: The views and recommendations made above are those of individual analysts or broking companies, and not of Mint. We advise investors to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. Vodafone Idea share price opened higher today at 6.15 on BSE after the telecom company announced Kumar Mangalam Birla is returning to the board of Vodafone Idea as an additional director. Birla had left the company less than two years ago. The company also said in an exchange filing that former top executive at Aditya Birla Group-owned Ultratech Cement, Krishna Kishore Maheshwari, has quit as a non-executive director. Vodafone stock opened at 6.15 versus previous close of 6.06 and further continued to rise to hit a high of 6.65 and a low of 6.14. At 12.30 pm, the Vodafone Idea stock was trading at 6.43, up 0.37, or 6.11%. It hit a 52-week high of 10.23 on May 31, 2022 and a 52-week low of 5.70 on March 31, 2023. It is hereby informed that based on recommendation of Nomination and Remuneration Committee, the Board of Directors of the Company has, at its meeting held today, appointed Mr. Kumar Mangalam Birla, as an Additional Director (Non-Executive and Non-Independent) with effect from 20 April 2023," the exchange filing by Vodafone Idea said. KM Birla is the Chairman of the Aditya Birla Group. He is a Chartered Accountant by and holds an MBA degree from the London Business School. He has been at the helm of the Aditya Birla Group for more than 27 years, and has been the architect of over 40 acquisitions in India and globally. In a separate filing, Vodafone Idea informed the exchanges Krishna Kishore Maheshwari has tendered his resignation as a Non-Executive Director from the Board of the Company with effect from close of business hours on 19 April 2023, citing personal reasons". Know your inner investor Do you have the nerves of steel or do you get insomniac over your investments? Lets define your investment approach. Take the test According to a direction given by additional chief secretary (ACS-Finance) Anurag Rastogi on Thursday, the DA would increase from the current rate of 38% to 42% of the basic wage as of January 1, 2023. The arrears from January to March 2023 will be paid in May, however, the additional DA will be paid with the April payout. In a separate order, the finance department said that the state government has also enhanced the dearness relief (DR) by 4 per cent which is payable to the state government pensioners and family pensioners drawing their pension/family pension as per the 7th pay commission structure. According to the directive, the DR will increase from its current rate of 38% to 42% of the basic pension/family pension as of January 1, 2023. According to the decision, higher DR should be paid along with the pension or family pension in April 2023, and arrears for the months of January through March 2023 must be paid in May. Nevertheless, on Thursday, the Delhi government raised the minimum wages for employees in the unorganised sector. The administration said in a statement that the new minimum wage rates will take effect on April 1. The monthly salary for skilled workers has increased by 546, or from 20,357 to 20,903, in accordance with the revised rates. According to the announcement, the semi-skilled worker's monthly pay has increased by 494 from 18,499 to 18,993. The minimum salary for unskilled workers would increase by 442 per month, from 16,792 to 17,234. Supervisors and clerical employees in Delhi will also benefit from the new rates of minimum wages issued by the Delhi government, the statement said. The non-matriculated labour force's monthly wage has increased by 494, or from 18,499 to 18,993, in accordance with the revised rates. The pay for matriculation passed-out and non-graduate employees has gone up by 546, from 20,357 to 20,903, as per the statement released by Delhi govt. On the other hand, the monthly salary of graduate employees and labourers with higher educational qualifications has been increased from 22,146 to 22,744, resulting in the maximum increase in their salary by 598, added the statement. (With inputs from agencies) After a month-long fasting of Ramadaan, Muslims across the globe are eagerly waiting for the new moon to be visible (called Chaand Raat). Following this, Eid will be celebrated. Since in most of the parts of the globe, the date of Eid celebration varies, the holiday of Eid al-Fitr starts from Friday onwards. As per details, the lunar months are either 29 or 30 days long, Muslims until the night before Eid to confirm its date. For Indians, this year, Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated on 22 April. The India Union Muslim League (IUML) state president Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal on Thursday cited that the Shawwal crescent moon was not sighted. This means, Muslims will have to keep the fast for one more day and will celebrate the auspicious festival on 22 April.' ALSO READ: Eid ul-Fitr in India LIVE Updates: India to celebrate Eid on THIS date Meanwhile, the Kerala government has declared 22 April also as a government holiday on the occasion of Eid. According to the calendar, the holiday for Eid is on Friday, April 21. Similar to India, Pakistan's state-backed moon sighting committee announced in Islamabad that Eid al-Fitr would be celebrated on Saturday as there were no sightings of the moon there. ALSO READ: Eid-ul-Fitr 2023: Wishes and warm greetings While, Saudi Arabia announced that the celebration of Eid al-Fitr to begin on Friday. United Arab Emirates and Qatar announced that the holiday would begin for them on Friday, while their Gulf Arab neighbor, Oman, declared that the moon had not been sighted and the holiday would begin on Saturday. In UAE, people will get a 4-day break to celebrate Eid. The long weekend of the year began on Thursday, and offices and schools will resume on Monday, 24 April. A second-year student pursuing Chemical Engineering was found dead in their hostel room at the Indian Institute of Technology in Chennai, with police suspecting suicide. The second-year student from Maharashtra was pursuing Chemical Engineering, the police said. This would be the fourth such case at IIT-Madras this year if confirmed. Earlier in April, a 32-year-old PhD student from West Bengal died by suicide, while in March, a 20-year-old third-year student from Andhra Pradesh also took his life on the same campus. In February, a research scholar from Maharashtra also died by suicide at IIT-Madras. NEW DELHI : Indias insistence on data localization is a major stumbling block" to a planned free trade agreement with the UK, a report tabled in House of Commons said on Friday, signalling continuing differences on cross-border data flow issues. In the negotiations on the deal, the UK has demanded free cross-border data flow and a ban on data localization. The UK opposes Indias demand for mandatory transfer of source codes, algorithms and encryption keys. The UK and India appear to be very far apart on these issues. A major potential stumbling block in this regard has been the Indian governments pursuit of legislation that could have the effect of requiring data localization," the International Trade Committee report said. It remains to be seen how far the latest iteration of draft Indian data legislation, the Digital Data Protection Bill, will prove an obstacle to fulfilling the UKs offensive interests in this regard," the committee said. The International Trade Committee is appointed by the lower house of parliament to examine the policies and working of the UKs department for international trade. The reports are prepared on the basis of consultations and hearings with stakeholders. The report cautioned that increased market access for India in respect of sectors such as textiles, clothing, footwear and horticultural products could have an adverse impact on some developing countries in South Asia, South-East Asia and East Africa which benefit from preferential access to the UK market. India has made market access for textiles a major demand in most of the FTAs it has negotiated, as the textile sector is the biggest domestic job creator. The report said civil society organizations had drawn attention to ongoing violations of human rights and labour rights in India". These included wage theft in the garment sector and labour abuses in tea supply chains that include forced labour, failure to pay the minimum wage, gender discrimination and suppression of freedom of association." Civil society groups have also drawn attention to increased emissions and potential carbon leakage" resulting from an FTA, noting that the Indian textile and apparel industry is a key contributor to air pollution, poor water quality and water stress, the report added. One such group, Traidcraft Exchange, has called for a stronger climate chapter than the one in the UK-Australia FTA. It also calls for such a chapter to be subject to the agreements dispute settlement process and include provisions targeting the development of agro-ecology" (as opposed to industrialised agriculture") and strengthening climate co-operation between the parties. India has a notable offensive interest on removing the UKs tariff on milled rice, the report added. The UK Rice Association, which represents the processing industry, has argued that removing this tariff will undermine a sector worth 900 million a year. India and the UK have completed eight rounds of negotiations and are scheduled to hold the ninth from 24 to 28 April. As many as 13 out of the FTAs 26 chapters have been closed so far. Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari's participation in a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Council in India reflected Islamabad's commitment to the charter of the SCO and should not be seen in terms of bilateral ties. The minister said that he would represent Pakistan at the Foreign Ministers meeting to be held in Goa next month. He was responding to a question on a program on Dunya News aired on Thursday. "We are committed to the SCO charter and this visit should not be seen as a bilateral one but in the context of the SCO," Bhutto Zardari said as quoted by news agency ANI. Pakistan's foreign ministry also said that Bhutto-Zardari will lead the Pakistani delegation to the meeting of SCO foreign ministers (CFM) scheduled to be held on May 4-5 in Goa. During a weekly press briefing on Thursday, Pakistan Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch stated that Bhutto-Zardari is attending the SCO-CFM meeting at the invitation of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. The spokesperson said the country's participation at the meeting reflects Pakistan's continued commitment to the SCO charter and process along with the importance that Pakistan accords to the region in its foreign policy priorities. Bilawal will be the first foreign minister to visit India after a gap of nearly 12 years, reported Business Recorder. In 2011, then Pakistan foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar visited India, ANI reported. India has formally sent invitations to all members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) including Pakistan and China for the upcoming foreign ministers' meeting. India took over the chairmanship of the 9-member mega grouping in September last year and will be holding key ministerial meetings and the summit this year. The relations between the two countries have been precarious for many years with regard to issues of cross-border terrorism from Pakistan, even as Islamabad has been seeking the restoration of Article 370 for the former Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir for any talks. The 20-year-old organization has Russia, India, China, Pakistan, and four central Asian countries - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan as its members. Iran is the latest country to become a member and under Indian Presidency will for the first time attend the grouping's meeting as a full-fledged member. The last meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization was held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. (With ANI inputs) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair a high-level meeting today to review the situation concerning Indians in violence-hit Sudan, news agencies reported quoting government sources. External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Thursday said the government is in continuous touch with Indians stuck in Sudan where fighting has been raging between forces loyal to Sudan's army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who commands the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). PM Narendra Modi to chair a high-level meeting to review the situation relating to Indians in Sudan: Sources (File Pic) pic.twitter.com/CMlP7eJjTI ANI (@ANI) April 21, 2023 An unspecified number of Indians are said to be stranded in Sudan amid the military and political crisis. Earlier, the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said a control room has also been opened in New Delhi to address the concerns more efficiently. "We have set up a 24x7 dedicated control room for providing information and assistance," Bagchi informed. What is happening in Sudan? There have been violent clashes in Sudan for nearly seven days between the country's army and a paramilitary group over a proposed timeline for handing over power to a civilian government. More than 300 people, including an Indian national, have been killed since intense fighting erupted in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum and elsewhere in the country on Saturday. The conflict is a direct result of a vicious power struggle within the countrys military leadership. The clashes are between Sudans regular army and a paramilitary force called the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Situation is Sudan very tense India on Thursday said the situation in Sudan is "very tense" and is focusing on ensuring the safety and well-being of the Indian community, including working on contingency plans and possible evacuation. New Delhi is keeping a close watch on the developments in Sudan besides being in touch with relevant countries, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said at a media briefing and added that any evacuation plan will depend on the ground situation. A bill passed by North Dakota lawmakers would allow transportation officials to oversee a program that uses a mix of federal and private funds to build electric vehicle charging stations along highways. Senate Bill 2063 is now heading to Gov. Doug Burgum, whose spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Though the proposal won the Legislatures approval, debate among lawmakers revealed a wide range of opinions on electric cars and how much the state should be aiding their arrival into the mainstream. There are currently fewer than 100 electric vehicle charging stations in North Dakota, but the bill would allow the Department of Transportation to help distribute the states $25.9 million share of a massive federal infrastructure package to construct fast-charging stations along Interstates 29 and 94. But theres a catch: unlocking the federal grants requires a public entity or a private business to put up at least 20% of the cash for each charging station. In its original form, the bill would have allowed the DOT to own and operate charging stations if the agency could not find a private business willing to run them. The federal EV infrastructure program requires each state to install charging stations at least every 50 miles along the interstates, and it may be hard to find a private operator in some remote areas of North Dakota, DOT Project Development Director Chad Orn said. But lawmakers altered the bill to prohibit the department from owning any charging stations and from using any state funds to unlock the federal grants. The Legislature also barred cities and counties from owning charging stations built through the federal program. Rep. Ben Koppelman, R-West Fargo, said, The state should not be in the business of owning charging stations when private entities can take on the benefits and burdens of managing the facilities. Sen. Doug Larsen, R-Mandan, in February made an unsuccessful push to completely eliminate the DOTs ability to accept federal funds for EV charging stations, noting that the private sector will build the stations without public money if the free market incentivizes it. On the other end of the discussion, Sen. Tim Mathern, D-Fargo, said North Dakota would miss opportunities by forbidding the state and local governments from using a small amount of public funding to build and operate charging stations. Mathern, who recently purchased a hybrid electric car, said lawmakers who dislike EVs because of their preference for fossil fuels are exhibiting short-sightedness. EVs are becoming more popular across the country, and market estimates suggest more than 50% of new cars bought in 2030 will be electric, Mathern noted. The development now of these stations may not go as fast as the public wants these stations, Mathern said last week. Im afraid North Dakota could be left in the lurch, and other states who develop these stations faster than us will get the business of travelers who use electric vehicles. Lawmakers and Burgum approved a separate bill last month that will require the DOT to study the idea of imposing an EV charging tax. Drivers of gas-powered vehicles pay a tax of 23 cents per gallon at the pump. The millions of dollars generated annually by the levy go toward road construction and repairs. EV drivers from out of state use the same roads but bypass the tax, department officials said. EV owners in North Dakota are required to pay an extra $120 in registration fees annually to offset their evasion of gas taxes. A recent hearing by the Supreme Court of India discussed a batch of petitions calling for legal recognition of same-sex marriage, during which the constitution bench considered Sections 5, 6 and 7 of the Special Marriage Act. The Act requires marriage officers to display a public notice inviting objections to an intended marriage 30 days prior to the ceremony. The Supreme Court argued that such a notice is patriarchal and enables an invasion of privacy, particularly as it includes detailed personal information about the couple such as their names, phone numbers, date of birth, occupation, and addresses. Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing the petitioners, argued that this requirement directly impinges on the fundamental rights of the couple, violating their personal autonomy and privacy. As per Singhvi, no such provisions exist in personal laws of various religions. The bench agreed that the notice period and objection aspect is a violation of personal decisional autonomy and a relic of the past. Justice Bhat stated that the provisions are only based on patriarchy and were made when women did not have agency. This is only based on patriarchy. These laws were made when women did not have an agency," Bar and Bench quoted Justice Bhat as saying. The Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud, voiced concern about the impact of such requirements on marginalised or minority communities and emphasised the need to protect vulnerable sections of society. He added that the provisions might be the least restrictive method to curb void marriages, but the court must ensure that officers do not possess personal and private information of the individuals. According to senior advocate Raju Ramachandran such notices cannot stand if the right to marry is read into Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, which protects life and personal liberty. He called for the provisions to be struck down for being "obnoxious" and "retrograde." The Supreme Court had previously refused to entertain a public interest litigation challenging the provisions of the Special Marriage Act requiring publication of couples' details 30 days before the intended marriage in the public domain. However, the Kerala High Court opined earlier this year that the legislature should reconsider whether the provisions are essential in the present day and age. The Delhi High Court had also previously observed that once two consenting adults decide to live together as husband and wife, nobody is entitled to interfere, including their family members. Despite appeals of ceasefire ahead of Eid ul-Fitr, gunfires were heard ripping through the war-torn neighborhood of Sudan's capital city Khartoum. The war that has been going on for almost seven days now has killed 413 people, left 3,551 injured, according to World Health Organization (WHO). On Friday, army was deployed on foot for the first time in its almost week-long fight with a paramilitary force. Soldiers and gunmen from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) shot at each other in the north, west and centre of the city, including during the call for special early morning Eid prayers, Reuters reported. Meanwhile, Sudan's top general on Friday declared the military's commitment to a civilian-led government, an apparent bid for international support days after brutal fighting between his forces and a powerful paramilitary group derailed hopes for the country's democratic transition. View Full Image Muslim women faithful attend Eid al-Fitr prayers, marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, in Juba, South Sudan April 21, 2023 (REUTERS) The unabated fighting has killed hundreds. In the absence of a ceasefire, foreign nations including the United States have been unable to evacuate their citizens from Sudan. International efforts to broker a temporary truce over the three day holiday and allow civilians to reach safety have so far failed. Instead, the army appeared to enter a new phase of battle on the ground, fighting the RSF in residential neighbourhoods, after having stuck largely to air strikes across the capital, with fiercer clashes in central Khartoum. Army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan said on Thursday he saw "no other option but the military solution" to the power struggle with the paramilitary force that erupted into violence last weekend. The conflict between two previously allied leaders of the ruling military junta, army chief Burhan and RSF leader General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, risks drawing in Sudan's neighbours and could play into regional competition between Russia and the United States. View Full Image A Muslim girl sits among faithful as they attend Eid al-Fitr prayers, marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, in Juba, South Sudan April 21, 2023 (REUTERS) The thud of heavy weaponry could be heard across Khartoum and its Nile sister cities, together one of Africa's biggest urban areas. Army troops brandishing semi-automatic weapons were greeted by cheers on one street, footage released by the military on Friday showed. Reuters verified the location of the video, in the north of the city, but could not immediately verify when it was filmed. The World Health Organization said at least 413 people have already been killed and thousands injured in the conflict, which has tipped Sudan into a humanitarian disaster, with hospitals under attack and up to 20,000 people fleeing into neighbouring Chad. Thousands more Sudanese fled Khartoum on Friday, moving south to Al Gezira state, or north to River Nile state, with some seeking to go onward to Egypt. View Full Image A supporter of Sudan's army joins protesters against the United Arab Emirates' influence in internal Sudanese politics in Port Sudan (AFP) Even before the conflict, about a quarter of Sudan's people were facing acute hunger, with children especially affected. The U.N. World Food Programme halted its Sudan operation, one of its largest, on Saturday after three of its workers were killed. The violence was triggered by disagreement over an internationally backed plan to form a new civilian government four years after the fall of autocrat Omar al-Bashir to mass protests, and two years after a military coup. Both sides accuse the other of thwarting the transition. British Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab resigned from the government on Friday following an independent investigation into complaints that he bullied colleagues, the latest scandal to force out one of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's top ministers. The departure of the third senior minister over their personal conduct in the last six months will damage Sunak's efforts to revive the governing Conservative Party's fortunes and is a major embarrassment as he had entered Downing Street in October promising a government of integrity. Raab's resignation comes just two weeks ahead of English local council elections where Sunak's Conservatives are predicted to fare badly. It will also do little to improve the public perception of his government following the scandal-ridden tenure of Boris Johnson and the chaotic economic policies that brought down Liz Truss after less than two months. The months-long investigation into Raab's behaviour heard evidence from multiple government officials about complaints of bullying at three different departments. Raab who requested the investigation in November following formal complaints about his behaviour by government officials, said he felt "duty bound" to accept the outcome of the inquiry but also staunchly defended his conduct. He said the report, which has not yet been publicly released, had concluded he had not once sworn, shouted or physically intimidated anyone in four and a half years, and had dismissed all but two of the claims against him. Raab said setting the threshold for bullying so low "set a dangerous precedent for the conduct of good government". This will "have a chilling effect on those driving change on behalf of your government - and ultimately the British people", he said in his resignation letter to the prime minister. Another of Sunak's senior ministers, Gavin Williamson, was forced to resign in November after bullying allegations, and the prime minister sacked Conservative Party chair Nadhim Zahawi in January after he was found to have broken the ministerial code over his openness about his tax affairs. Sunak is facing his own investigation by parliament's standards watchdog into his behaviour over whether he properly declared his wife's shareholding in a childcare company which stands to benefit from new government policy. WASHINGTON : US President Joe Biden and his team may announce his re-election campaign by video next week, according to a source familiar with the matter on Thursday. An announcement on Tuesday by Biden, 80, would come four years to the day of his 2020 campaign launch. The source cautioned that the exact timing of an announcement may be fluid. Biden aides have ramped up planning for the long-expected launch of the president's bid for a second, four-year term in 2024. Last week, Biden said he would launch his campaign "relatively soon." The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment, while the Democratic National Committee (DNC) declined to comment. Biden has long said he intends to run again but the lack of a formal announcement had seeded doubt among supporters about whether one of the oldest world leaders would or should commit to another four-year term. He would be 86 at the end of a second term. In recent weeks, Biden has laid out the likely themes of a re-election bid in political speeches, secured a doctor's note that he is "fit for duty," told Democrats to re-order the party's primary calendar in a manner favoring his nomination and picked Chicago as the city where he would ostensibly formally become the nominee next year. Biden is yet to face a serious challenge for his party's nomination. He is set for a meeting at the end of next week with top volunteer fundraisers from his last campaign, who will be expected to get the latest effort off to a strong financial start. Donors would be key to what might be the most expensive U.S. presidential election to date. They would also show that Biden's strongest supporters have overcome their own doubts about his age and prospects in another grueling race. Biden has used recent political events to attack Republicans for trying to undo his legislative victories, but he has largely avoided directly speaking about the legal woes facing his likely opponent Donald Trump, the former president and top Republican candidate. Chinas military plans to conduct at least five drills in various areas that include waters off its coast and in the South China Sea, amid simmering tensions with Taiwan and the US. One of the announced military exercises will be held for three days in waters off the port city of Qingdao, home to a major naval base for the Peoples Liberation Army, according to a statement by Chinas Maritime Safety Administration Thursday. Unspecified major military activities" were conducted in the same area from 9 a.m. till noon Tuesday. The agency warned mariners against entering waters off the coast of Shandong province, an area that is the site of frequent military drills and well away from the territory of the USs regional security partners. China has escalated military and aerospace activities off its coast in recent days amid simmering tensions with Taiwan and the US. Beijing similarly declared an area north of the democratically run island off limits Sunday because of what it said was the risk of falling debris from the launch of a weather satellite. Tensions over Taiwan, which Beijing considers to be part of China, are especially intense after President Tsai Ing-wen met US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in California earlier this month, prompting the Chinese military to conduct drills in the area. Beijing restricted flights and shipping around Taiwan in August as it held military exercises to protest a visit by then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The PLA will also hold drills starting 6 p.m. Friday until 8 a.m. Sunday in the South China Sea, according to a separate statement from the Maritime Safety Administration Wednesday. This comes before the biggest U.S.-Philippine military exercises, which run through next week part of the wider push from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to advance the longstanding alliance. The U.S. recently gained expanded access to Philippine military sites, and the two nations are planning joint patrols in the South China Sea, where Beijing and Manila have a territorial dispute. Airfares from the UAE to India have dropped ahead of the Eid 2023 holidays, with economy class fares averaging as low as Dh735 ( 16,435), depending on the sector, until June 20. From June 21, fares will rise to as high as Dh2,612 ( 58,407) during the peak summer holiday season. The reduction is because of new flights launched by Air India Express and GoAir, which have created timely capacities on the busy and profitable route. The reduced airfares are expected to attract a large number of travellers from between UAE and India during the Eid 2023 holidays. The drop in fares has come as a welcome surprise to many travellers, especially those visiting their friends and family in India. It is also good news for Indian expatriates living in the UAE, who can now plan their summer holidays back home without worrying about expensive airfares. A return economy ticket to Mumbai for travel between April 19-24 is available for as low as Dh931 ( 20,818), down from the February-March average of Dh1,100 ( 24,597), Gulf News cited data from travel aggregator SkyScanner. Similarly, tickets to New Delhi for travel on the same dates are on sale for Dh1,058, compared to Dh1,350 listed during March. Even fares on the usually expensive South India sector are down, with flights from Dubai to Kochi costing Dh1,310 ( 23,658) between April 18-24, compared to Dh2,085 ( 46,623) a month ago. Dubai-Bengaluru rates are also down to Dh1,101 ( 24,619) from Dh1,430 ( 31,976) earlier. Travel agents believe the drop in fares is due to the launch of multiple flights by Indias flag carrier low-cost airline Air India Express from the UAE to non-metropolitan cities in India. The budget airline introduced four weekly direct flights on the Goa-Dubai sector and launched its inaugural service on the Indore-Sharjah route on March 31. The SharjahIndore flight operates three times a week and DubaiIndore operations once weekly. Similarly, budget carrier Go Air launched a daily non-stop flight from Dubai to Kannur in Kerala with one-way fares as low as Dh335 ( 7,493). Etihad Airways early summer sale has also helped to reduce fares, with an Abu Dhabi to Mumbai economy return airfare for April 18-24 available for Dh695 ( 15,563) compared to Dh1,205 ( 26,945) in March. Passengers will have the option to explore further connectivity to Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai and Mumbai. Attorneys general in 17 states on Thursday requested the federal government to recall millions of Kia and Hyundai cars because they are too easy to steal, a response to a sharp increase in thefts fuelled by a viral social media challenge, according to The Associated Press. In the United States, some Kia and Hyundai cars sold over the last decade do not have engine immobilizers which are considered a standard feature on most cars that prevents the engine from starting unless the key is present. Some videos are being circulated on the social media platform TikTok that have shown how people can start Kia and Hyundai models by using only a screwdriver and a USB cable. In Los Angeles, thefts of Hyundai and Kia cars increased by about 85% in 2022, now accounting for 20% of all car thefts in the city, according to the California attorney general's Office as reported by AP. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration blamed the stolen car trend for 14 reported crashes and eight deaths. In October, a police commissioner said that a car crash in Buffalo, New York, that left four teenagers dead may have been linked to the TikTok challenge. In the incident, a total of six teenagers were in a speeding Kia that crashed, Buffalo police said. The car had been reported stolen. In an official statement, California Attorney General Rob Bonta said the bottom line is Kia's and Hyundai's failure to install standard safety features on many of their vehicles has put vehicle owners and the public at risk. Instead of taking responsibility with appropriate corrective action, these carmakers have chosen instead to pass this risk onto consumers and our communities," Bonta added. Bonta and the other attorneys general sent a letter on Thursday to NHTSA requesting a nationwide recall. The letter also was signed by attorneys general from Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and the District of Columbia. (With AP inputs) Sudan's warring forces battled Friday with heavy gunfire and explosions in the capital Khartoum and elsewhere in the country, as they ignored appeals by world powers for an end-of-Ramadan ceasefire. More than 300 people have been killed and thousands wounded since the fighting erupted Saturday between forces loyal to Sudan's army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, the commander of the powerful paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) who is commonly known as Hemeti. The Central Committee of Sudan Doctors said that overnight, as the Eid al-Fitr celebrations marking the end of the Muslim Ramadan month of fasting began, "several areas of Khartoum were bombed" and reported "shelling and clashes" for the sixth straight night. Khartoum has seen some of the fiercest fighting with air strikes and tanks firing in densely packed districts, with most of its five million people sheltering at home in baking heat without electricity, food or water. Communications are heavily disrupted. Both UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called separately for a ceasefire of "at least" three days to mark Eid, as explosions and gunfire resounded in Khartoum. Also Read: India taps partners for safety of its citizens in Sudan The RSF, a powerful force formed from members of the Janjaweed militia that led years of extreme violence in the western Darfur region, said they would commit to a 72-hour ceasefire starting at dawn (0400 GMT). But, like two previous declared 24-hour ceasefires, it failed to take hold. The crackle of intense gunfire continued Friday morning, with columns of black smoke rising across the capital. - 'Nightmare scenario' - For the first time since hostilities began a week ago, Burhan appeared on television. "For Eid this year, our country is bleeding: destruction, desolation and the sound of bullets have taken precedence over joy," he said in a pre-recorded video, which showed him sitting behind a desk in military uniform. "We hope that we will come out of this ordeal more united... a single army, a single people... towards a civilian power." The International Crisis Group (IGC) warned urgent steps were needed to stop a descent into "full-blown civil war", warning "the nightmare scenario that many feared in Sudan is unfolding." The World Food Programme warned the violence could plunge millions more into hunger in a country where 15 million people -- one-third of the population -- need aid. It has suspended its Sudan operations after the killing of three WFP workers on Saturday. Burhan and Daglo's bitter dispute centred on the planned integration of the RSF into the regular army, a key condition for a final deal aimed at restoring Sudan's democratic transition. Civilians are becoming increasingly desperate with thousands risking the dangerous streets to flee Khartoum, with many reporting streets strewn with corpses. International efforts are being planned for the potential evacuation of citizens, including with the United States deploying forces for the possible airlift of US embassy staff. - Hospitals shelled - Medics have warned of a catastrophe, with over two-thirds of hospitals in Khartoum and neighbouring states rendered "out of service" by the fighting, the doctors' union said. Four hospitals in Obeid in North Kordofan state had also been "shelled". The World Health Organization said it had reports of almost 330 people killed and 3,200 wounded across Sudan, but medics fear the death toll is likely to be far higher, with many wounded unable to reach hospitals. Burhan and Daglo toppled autocratic president Omar al-Bashir together in April 2019 following massive protests against his three decades of iron-fisted rule. In October 2021, they again worked together in a coup to oust the civilian government installed after Bashir's downfall, derailing an internationally backed transition to democracy. "With neither Burhan nor Hemeti appearing ready to back down, the situation could get much worse," the ICG think tank said, adding that while some analysts thought the army would succeed in on its "home turf" in Khartoum, the risk of an all-out conflict remained. "Even if the army eventually does secure the capital, and Hemeti retreats to Darfur, a civil war could well follow, with potentially destabilising impact in neighbouring Chad, the Central African Republic, Libya and South Sudan", the ICG added. This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed. Group of Seven (G7) countries are considering near-total ban of exports to Russia, Kyodo news agency reported on Friday, citing Japanese government sources. This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed. A quick-witted individual named Herman Yip recently managed to snag $250,000 worth of airline tickets for a mere $17,000 due to a currency conversion error on the All Nippon Airways (ANA) website. Yip, who runs a travel website from Hong Kong, further advised that if you are looking out to cheap flights then keep an eye for such opportunities. Yip purchased 25 tickets, including a first-class round-trip from Jakarta to Aruba, with layovers in Tokyo and New York, for only $890. Some of the business-class flights cost as little as $300. ANA confirmed that the airfares had been listed incorrectly on their Vietnam website due to an erroneous currency conversion, but has not yet confirmed whether or not the cut-price tickets will remain valid. A decision will be made by the end of April. I guess ANA hasnt made clear if theyre going to honor the tickets or not, because the impact from the incident seems so huge as the bug lasted for so long," said Yip told Bloomberg. I know 20 people who knew about the incident, and that of course just multiplies the impact." Even though he didnt have time to consult family and friends, Yip went ahead and bought tickets for them anyway. I didnt even bother to ask them whether they were able to make it or not, as I needed to book really quickly," he said. The low prices were available on the ANA website for at least 12 hours, and Yip believes that the impact from the incident is significant. He also discovered that he could change his flight for free after the order was confirmed and switched his Jakarta-Aruba flight to begin in Bangkok, which is closer to his home. How to book cheap flights? To take advantage of these rare moments, Yip recommends reacting quickly and being flexible because there may not be a wide choice of dates or destinations. Lots of other people are also likely to be pouncing on the opportunity, limiting options. Essentially, book first and assess later. If you see something thats probably a 10th of the original price, just book," he said. Its very likely youll able to change or cancel, because the airline will always want to you cancel." A similar pricing error occurred in 2019 with Cathay Pacific Airways, and the Hong Kong carrier chose to honor the tickets. It remains to be seen whether ANA will follow suit. In the meantime, Yip and his fellow bargain-hunters are hoping that their cut-price tickets will be honored. Proposed changes to expand North Dakota's Renaissance Zone community development program are on the way to Gov. Doug Burgum. The Senate on Monday passed Senate Bill 2391 in a 41-5 vote, after a conference committee met to reconcile differences. The legislation on Friday cleared the state of House of Representatives, 77-15. The bill by Sen. Jonathan Sickler, R-Grand Forks, is in line with changes advocated by Burgum. The 1999 Legislature created the Renaissance Zone Program; 62 communities have joined since, with 54 of them active. More than 1,500 projects have been completed under the program. Renaissance Zone projects receive up to five years of tax breaks, but do continue to pay property taxes on the land value during the exemption period. North Dakota's state Commerce Department manages the Renaissance Zone programs. The bill would extend the program's benefit term from five years to eight, increase the extension of cities' zone status from increments of five years to 10, and allow a zone to have a second area outside its continuous boundary but no more than three square blocks in size. Another change would make properties eligible again for Renaissance Zone benefits 30 years after a project's completion. The conference committee amended the bill to set categories of required rehabilitation costs for types of properties to receive certain periods of tax breaks. Those categories include 75% of the current and true value of a commercial or residential property for more than five years of tax exemptions, or 50% for those properties to receive less than five years of tax breaks, among others. For example, that means a $100,000 property would need at least $75,000 of rehabilitation work done to qualify for tax breaks of more than five years. "We're looking at buildings that are taking a substantial investment to make sure that they're improved and we still keep those buildings on the tax rolls," Sen. Dean Rummel, R-Dickinson, told the Tribune. Other categories include public utility infrastructure and owner-occupied single-family residential properties. Burgum in his State of the State address to the Legislature in January called on lawmakers to "reinvigorate" the Renaissance Zone program "by allowing additional flexibility and reentry into the program and to reduce red tape and barriers to having projects approved." Governor's spokesman Mike Nowatzki has said the bill "largely aligns" with what Burgum called for in his speech. Burgum last month signed a bill to allow communities to reenter the Renaissance Zone program. Zones in several cities, including Bismarck, expired in recent years, with no way to reapply. The Pentagon has deployed forces and is developing options to assist in the possible evacuation of U.S. Embassy personnel from Sudan, but the White House said Friday there are no plans for now for a broader pullout of the potentially thousands of other Americans from the African country where warring factions are in a violent conflict. The troop moves by the U.S. military are intended "to ensure that we provide as many options as possible, if we are called on to do something. We haven't been called on to do anything yet," Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said at a news conference in Germany. Austin and U.S. Army Gen. Mark Milley, the Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman, held meeting meetings with defense leaders from other countries to discuss additional support for Ukraine. An estimated 16,000 private U.S. citizens are registered with the U.S. Embassy in Khartoum as being in Sudan. The State Department has cautioned that that figure probably is inaccurate because there is no requirement for Americans to register nor is there a requirement to notify the embassy when they leave. "It's absolutely imperative that U.S. citizens in Sudan make their own arrangements to stay safe in these difficult circumstances," White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said in Washington. He added that "Americans should have no expectation of a U.S. government coordinated evacuation at this time. And we expect that that's going to remain the case." For embassy staff, according to an American official, a small number of U.S. troops have begun arriving in the Horn of Africa nation of Djibouti, where the U.S. is pre-positioning forces and equipment to assist in any potential evacuation. The official said Army soldiers are being tapped for the task. The U.S. troops are being moved to Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti. Evacuation planning for Sudan got underway in earnest on Monday after a U.S. Embassy convoy was attacked in Khartoum, the Sudanese capital. The conflict between Sudan's military and a rival paramilitary force is worsening. The military has ruled out negotiations and said it would only accept surrender as a temporary cease-fire ended, raising the likelihood of a renewed surge in the nearly weeklong violence that has killed hundreds. The U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe private deliberations, said Milley discussed the situation with defense officials from Germany, Italy and Canada, among others. One topic was ensuring that any potential evacuation efforts did not conflict. The U.S. State Department said Friday that an American citizen had died in Sudan, but did not have further details. We are in touch with the family and offer our deepest condolences to them on their loss. Out of respect for the family during this difficult time, we have nothing further to add," the department said in a statement. This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed. Russian deliveries of military supplies to India have ground to a halt as the countries struggle to find a payment mechanism that doesnt violate US sanctions, according to Indian officials with knowledge of the matter. Indian payments for weapons amounting to more than $2 billion have been stuck for about a year, and Russia has stopped supplying credit for a pipeline of about $10 billion worth of spare parts as well as two S-400 missile-defense system batteries that have yet to be delivered, according to the officials, who asked not be identified due to the sensitivity of the issue. Russia is Indias biggest supplier of weapons needed to deter Pakistan and China. Also Read: Russia falls short of delivering arms to India amid Ukraine war, informs IAF India is unable to settle the bill in US dollars due to concerns about secondary sanctions, while Russia remains unwilling to accept rupees due to exchange-rate volatility, the officials said. New Delhi also doesnt want to complete the deal in Russian rubles due to concerns about being able to purchase enough on the open market at a fair rate, they said. Indias government has proposed Moscow use the rupees from weapons sales to invest in Indian debt and capital markets to avoid stockpiling rupees, they added, but Vladimir Putins government doesnt find that appealing. Also Read: Not instructing India but, Ukraine minister on India-Russia diplomatic ties One possible solution would be to use euros and dirhams, the currencies used to pay for Indian imports of discounted Russian crude, a senior Indian government official said. However, using these currencies to pay for weapons could invite more scrutiny from the US over sanctions than oil, as well as pushing up costs due to unfavorable exchange rates for India. Another option under discussion is a mechanism for Russia to offset purchases of Indian imports against the price of the weapons, one of the officials said. But this isnt easy because Russia had a $37 billion trade surplus last year with India, its third-largest behind China and Turkey, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Also Read: Want to be part of Indias economic miracle, says US official Indias Ministry of Defense, Ministry of External Affairs, Finance Ministry and the Reserve Bank of India didnt respond to phone calls or emailed requests for comment. The Kremlin and Rosonboronexport, Russias state arms sale company, also didnt respond to texts and emailed requests for comment. The issue of payments for weapons has taken on more urgency of late, and dominated discussions when National Security Adviser Ajit Doval visited Moscow in January, the people said. It also featured heavily in talks in Delhi this week between Russian Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov and Indias External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, who said this week that the rupee settlement needed more work. Also Read: US becomes India's biggest trading partner in FY23: Report There is also understandable concern about the trade imbalance," Jaishankar told reporters. We need to work together with our Russian friends on a very urgent basis on how to address that imbalance." India currently operates more than 250 Su-30 MKi Russian-made fighter jets, seven Kilo-class submarines and more than 1,200 Russian-made T-90 tanks all of which are operational for another decade and need spare parts. Three of five S-400 missile defense systems have already been delivered. Air Force Hit The Indian Air Force, which depends on a Russian fleet of fighters and helicopters, is among the worst hit from the disruption in supplies from Moscow, the people said. Its uncertain whether Russia can perform regular maintenance, they added, potentially leading to vulnerabilities along Indias borders with China and Pakistan. The India-Russia relationship will come under further scrutiny when Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosts Group of 20 leaders in September, during which the war will be a key focus. That meeting might be holding India back from immediately ironing out the payment mechanism for weapons with Russia, the people said. Russia remains Indias largest supplier of military hardware, though purchases have slowed by 19% in the last five years due to sanctions and increased competition from other manufacturing countries. India has carefully calibrated its response to Russias war in Ukraine, calling for a cease-fire while abstaining from voting on United Nations resolutions condemning the invasion. Modi will be meeting in the next few weeks with counterparts from the US and other industrialized nations. These countries see India as a bulwark to Chinas growing military and economic assertiveness, and have offered to provide defense equipment. But even so, it will take years to wean the nation off Russian weaponry while maintaining a credible defense posture. While President Joe Bidens administration has largely refrained from penalizing India for its dealings with Russia, including holding back on penalties for S-400 air defense system, it has taken some action. Last September, a Mumbai-based petrochemical firm Tibalaji Petrochem was added to the sanctions list by the US Department of Treasury for buying petroleum products from Iran. This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. A crowd apparently panicked by gunfire and an electrical explosion stampeded at an event to distribute financial aid during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in Yemens capital late Wednesday, killing at least 78 people and injuring at least 77 others, according to witnesses and Houthi rebel officials. The tragedy was Yemen's deadliest in years that was not related to the country's long-running war, and came ahead of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan later this week. Armed Houthis fired into the air in an attempt at crowd control, apparently striking an electrical wire and causing it to explode, according to two witnesses, Abdel-Rahman Ahmed and Yahia Mohsen. That sparked a panic, and people, including many women and children, began stampeding, they said. Video posted on social media showed dozens of bodies, some motionless, and others screaming as people tried to help. Separate footage of the aftermath released by Houthi officials showed bloodstains, shoes and victims' clothing scattered on the ground. Investigators were seen examining the area. The crush took place in the Old City in the center of Sanaa, where hundreds of poor people had gathered for a charity event organized by merchants, according to the Houthi-run Interior Ministry. People had gathered to receive about $10 each from a charity funded by local businessmen, witnesses said. Wealthy people and businessmen often hand out cash and food, especially to the poor, during Ramadan. Interior Ministry spokesperson Brig. Abdel-Khaleq al-Aghri, blamed the crush on the random distribution" of funds without coordination with local authorities. The Houthi-run Ministry of Health said 78 people were killed, and at least 77 others were injured, including 13 in critical condition. It said 62 were discharged from hospitals after treatment. The rebels quickly sealed off a school where the event was being held and barred people, including journalists, from approaching. The Interior Ministry said it had detained two organizers and an investigation was under way. The Houthis said they would pay some $2,000 in compensation to each family who lost a relative, while the injured would get around $400. Yemens capital has been under the control of the Iranian-backed Houthis since they descended from their northern stronghold in 2014 and removed the internationally recognized government. That prompted a Saudi-led coalition to intervene in 2015 to try to restore the government. The conflict has turned in recent years into a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran, killing more than 150,000 people, including fighters and civilians and creating one of the worlds worst humanitarian disasters. More than 21 million people in Yemen, or two-thirds of the countrys population, need help and protection, according to the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Among those in need, more than 17 million are considered particularly vulnerable. In February the United Nations said it had raised only $1.2 billion out of a target of $4.3 billion at a conference aimed at generating funds to ease the humanitarian crisis. April 21 : US discovered six more Chinese spy bases after the FBI busted Chinese 'police station' in New York City, reported New York Post (NYP). The FBI helped shut down a clandestine Chinese "police station" in Manhattan after the arrest of two alleged operatives earlier this week. Lu Jianwang, 61, and Chen Jinping, 59, both New York residents, are facing charges of conspiracy to act as China's agents and obstruction of justice. Meanwhile, NYP informed that there are several more of these illegal organizations scattered across the US. "We found at least four listed in the US by PRC (People's Republic of China) public security authorities, plus flagged an additional four overseas Chinese service centers in the US set up by the UFWD networks responsible for manning the stations," a spokeswoman for Safeguard Defenders told NYP. In addition to the Chinese police station above a noodle restaurant in Manhattan's Chinatown, there is another station at an undisclosed address in New York City, as well as an outpost in Los Angeles, according to a new report by Safeguard Defenders. In addition to Los Angeles and New York, the nonprofit has found so-called "overseas service stations" in San Francisco and Houston as well as in cities in Nebraska and Minnesota. The Madrid-based human rights group initially published a report last year detailing 100 clandestine Chinese police stations around the world. These law enforcement organizations, operated by the Chinese Communist Party, are tasked with spying on Chinese nationals around the world, reported NYP. However, Beijing denied running these stations, characterizing them as "service centers" for overseas Chinese nationals. UFWD is an acronym for United Front Work Department, a Chinese government agency that controls overseas ethnic and religious affairs. Often, the police stations -- whose operatives allegedly spy on dissidents and others -- hide behind nonprofits and community associations, according to Safeguard Defenders' reports. These police stations are part of at least 100 functioning across 53 countries, including the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. Last month, Canadian police initiated an investigation into two sites near Montreal suspected to be Chinese police outposts. Beijing is apprehensive about its citizens going rogue in a "third" country, particularly in the US and European cities. As a result, Chinese security agencies have been actively intimidating dissidents abroad to avoid international embarrassment on human rights issues and quash any signs of rebellion. Interestingly, Chinese government uses 'Chinatowns' in different cities across the globe for its covert activities. In Chinatown, the police station was run by the America ChangLe Association NY Inc, which owns the building at 107 East Broadway where the operation was located, NYP revealed in October. The nonprofit, which listed its charitable mission as a "social gathering place for Fujianese people," paid USD 1.3 million in 2016 for the suite of offices that houses the Fuzhou Police Overseas Chinese Affairs bureau at the East Broadway location, filings show. As reported last year by Safeguard Defenders, a human rights organization that monitors disappearances in China, Beijing has established 102 covert police stations across 53 countries to monitor and harass Chinese citizens residing abroad. These stations are primarily located in Europe, with nine in Spain, four in Italy, three in France, two in the Netherlands, and three in the United Kingdom, specifically in London and Glasgow, where their activities have been under police investigation. With China's increased geopolitical assertiveness under President Xi Jinping, the country has become more aggressive in safeguarding its global image by employing repressive measures against its own citizens in various parts of the world. This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. WASHINGTON : Democratic US President Joe Biden may announce his re-election campaign by video next week, a source familiar with the matter said on Thursday, as most Republican hopefuls are still trying to decide whether to challenge former President Donald Trump. Here is a list of declared candidates and other potential 2024 hopefuls in both the Democratic and Republican parties. JOE BIDEN Biden, 80, has been teasing his plans to seek a second term for months but has so far held off making an official announcement. A source said on Thursday that he could announce by video next week. Political analysts say there is little benefit to him jumping into the race too soon, with the election still 19 months away. In the meantime, he can continue to look presidential, although he still has poor approval ratings in opinion surveys. He does not face a serious threat from a Democratic challenger. DONALD TRUMP Trump, 76, announced his election campaign last November as he faced some of the loudest criticism yet from within his Republican Party over his support for far-right candidates who were defeated in the midterm elections. Like Biden, he remains unpopular with great swaths of the electorate. But he has retained an iron grip on his base and strengthened his standing in polls after he was indicted by New York prosecutors in connection with an alleged hush money payment to a porn star. Trump is the front-runner in the Republican race. RON DESANTIS The Florida governor, who has styled himself as Trump but without the drama that surrounds the former president, has yet to announce but has made all the traditional moves of a would-be presidential candidate. DeSantis, 44, who ranks second to Trump in most polls, has signed bills imposing new restrictions on abortion and further loosening gun laws, positions that may help him in the Republican primaries but would likely hurt him among independent and more moderate voters in the general election. His battle with Walt Disney Co over its Florida theme park has unnerved some donors, as has his mixed messaging on continued U.S. support for Ukraine and reluctance to respond aggressively to Trump's personal attacks. NIKKI HALEY A former governor of South Carolina and Trump's ambassador to the United Nations, Haley, 51, has emphasized her relative youth compared to Biden and Trump as well as her background as the daughter of two Indian immigrants. Haley has gained a reputation in the Republican Party as a solid conservative who has the ability to address issues of gender and race in a more credible fashion than many of her peers. She has also pitched herself as a stalwart defender of American interests abroad. She attracts about 3% support among Republican voters. TIM SCOTT The only Black Republican U.S. senator has low name recognition outside his home state of South Carolina, but his optimism and focus on unifying his divided party have helped him draw a contrast with the more aggressive approach by Trump and DeSantis. Scott supporters, however, acknowledge that while his sunny demeanor is a selling point it may not be enough to defeat the front-runners, especially DeSantis, who can point to a list of conservative legislative accomplishments. Scott, 57, has launched a presidential exploratory committee but not yet confirmed he plans to run. ASA HUTCHINSON The former Arkansas governor launched his bid for the White House in April with a call for Trump to step aside to deal with his indictment. Hutchinson, 72, has touted his experience leading the deeply conservative state as proof he can deliver on policies Republican voters care about, citing tax cuts and job creation initiatives as particular sources of pride. Still, his name recognition remains limited outside Arkansas. MIKE PENCE Trump's vice president has broken with his former boss over the 2021 attack by Trump supporters on the U.S. Capitol, while Pence was inside the building. Pence, 63, says "history will hold Trump accountable" for his role in the attack. However, Pence, like other Republican White House hopefuls, came to Trump's defense after New York prosecutors charged him in the hush money case, underscoring the fear of alienating Trump's supporters in the primaries. Pence has said he is still deciding whether to seek the Republican nomination. CHRIS CHRISTIE The pugnacious former New Jersey governor is reported to be mulling a possible campaign. Christie, 60, who ran for president in 2016, is a one-time supporter of Trump, but turned against him over the 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. CHRIS SUNUNU The New Hampshire governor is also testing the waters of a presidential run. Sununu, 48, who has served as governor of the small New England state since 2017, says the Republican party needs new leadership and he does not believe Trump will be able to beat Biden. VIVEK RAMASWAMY A former biotechnology investor and executive, Ramaswamy, 37, launched a firm in 2022 to pressure companies to abandon environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) initiatives. He announced in February he was running for the Republican nomination. The political outsider has excited a lot of grassroots chatter as a potential alternative to Trump but he remains a long-shot candidate. ROBERT KENNEDY JR. An anti-vaccine activist, Kennedy, 69, is making a long-shot bid to challenge Biden for the Democratic nomination. He is the son of U.S. Senator Robert F. Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1968 during his own presidential bid. Kennedy has been banned from YouTube and Instagram for spreading misinformation about vaccines and the COVID-19 pandemic. MIKE POMPEO Trump's former secretary of state and director of the Central Intelligence Agency was seen as a potential contender, but he has decided not to run for personal reasons. The former Kansas congressman was one of Trump's most loyal lieutenants and initially backed his false claims of a stolen presidential election in 2020. GLENN YOUNGKIN The hedge fund manager turned Virginia governor was also seen as a possible contender for the Republican nomination after he focused on parents' rights in schools in his gubernatorial campaign. Several of his key staff, though, have recently joined the DeSantis camp, however, suggesting that Youngkin, is not going to run in 2024. Any celebrity, politician, or business leader's visit to India is usually filled with a ton of media interactions. After all, they often fly here to promote something, and not necessarily for a leisurely visit. PR agencies line reporters up, filling the concerned VIP's schedule with multiple reporters from multiple publications. While the questions from reporters might differ, they are usually met with very cookie-cutter responses. So while a couple of weeks back the craze was around Hollywood stars like Tom Holland, Zendaya, and models like Gigi Hadid, this week brought a new face: that of Tim Cook. Apple's CEO opened a couple of brick-and-mortar stores, had a tete-a-tete with Mukesh Ambani, ate vada pav with Madhuri Dixit, watched the spectacle that is the Indian Premier League with Sonam Kapoor, and ate some pastry. In between his schedule, he also found time to entertain queries from reporters, including two from Mint. Cook first spoke to TechCircle's deputy editor Prasid Banerjee in Mumbai. He saw India becoming one of Apple's biggest markets, pointing towards the company's efforts to bring manufacturing and now the Apple Store to India. There is plenty of scope for growth: Apple owns just 4% of India's ever-growing mobile phone market. View Full Image Tim Cook taking in the sights and humidity of a typical IPL match (ANI Photo) A couple of days later, he spoke to our senior assistant editor Gulveen Aulakh in Delhi. Apple's efforts in India have led to enormous job creation in the last two years nearly 100,000, as Cook pointed out. Apple wants to double that headcount in India, although Cook did not commit to any timelines to reach that number. This week also saw the quarterly earnings reports filed for some of the foremost IT companies: Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services, and HCL Tech. HCL Tech beat out its peers in terms of earnings. However, as compared to other segments, IT shares have been flying low for a few months now. This makes it the best time to bottom-fish and buy low on these large-cap IT stocks. In his detailed piece, Livemint's markets reporter Asit Manohar decodes which IT stock is more attractive, and why. While the public markets are all over the place, private companies, especially startups, aren't having a good time. Valuations of companies are nosediving as venture capital and private equity firms have turned conservative while disbursing cash. Many companies are even okay with accepting down rounds a reduction in total valuation of the company to receive any money to continue operating, report senior editor Ranjani Raghavan and senior assistant editor Sneha Shah. Truly chilly, grim times during the funding winter. In the absence of more money coming in, startups are culling their headcount every week. For folks who joined startups with the promise of stock options, BMW bikes, and larger-than-life designations (seriously, what is a "chief happiness officer" even supposed to do?), many top executives are returning to stable jobs even at reduced salaries. It's down round season for both startups and their employees, write Ranjani and senior editor Devina Sengupta. Since BMW bikes are nowhere to be seen, you might want to invest in an SUV. Here's a fun fact: if you lease the vehicle through your employer, you can get a discount of anywhere between 20 to 40% on your next four wheeler purchase. Of course, this comes with a lot of stipulations Akshat Rohatgi and Shipra Singh from the Mint Money team break it all down for you. SUVs are the choice du jour of Indian car buyers these days. However, one car beats them all: the trusty Wagon R. Even more than two decades after its release (its first iteration came to India in 1999!), it is the most-selling model in India for two consecutive years now. The reason? Being a low-maintenance Maruti Suzuki can't hurt. Additionally, its multiple offerings: petrol, CNG, automatic, manual all give buyers so many choices at multiple price points. Mint's national editor and resident motorhead Sumant Banerji writes about why the Wagon R continues to sell like hot cakes, even when faced with competition from all the fancy new SUVs. View Full Image Long live the Wagon R (Pradeep Gaur/Min) For those that don't want to meddle in a Wagon R or an SUV, there's always flights. The central government would like you to choose an Indian airline the next time you fly overseas. How can they do this? Bilateral flying quotas. Our aviation reporters Mihir Mishra and Anu Sharma explain how the government wants you to fly local to global destinations, while making India an aviation hub for the world. While the government is working on that, we're seeing another trend in domestic flights: a revival. Monthly flying numbers are nearly at pre-pandemic levels, with March seeing 13 million domestic flyers. How India Lives illustrates how India's metro cities are leading the revival in India's domestic air travel, in 5 neat charts. The last story from this week showcases why India needs the Marriage Equality Act. Dubbed as "same-sex" act by many news publications, the issue has been hotly contested by the Supreme Court this entire week. Neil Borate, head of our personal finance team and Shipra Singh outline how folks from the LGBTQ+ community are discriminated against in India's rental market. A decision on legalising the union between any two people irrespective of their gender preferences will go a long way in combating this exclusion faced by the queer community. I can only hope the SC acts progressively (and justly) in this matter. If you're in Delhi or Mumbai, do you plan on visiting the shiniest new Apple stores? Perhaps you'll make that visit in your Wagon R. If you do, please do write to me I'd love to interact with fellow fans of Apple products who drive tall hatchbacks. My MacBook and my Wagon R have never given me much trouble, and I'll stay loyal to them for the foreseeable future. If you have any thoughts, ideas, or feedback on our journalism (or subscription), please feel free to write to me (shashwat.mohanty@htdigital.in). We're a perpetually evolving news product, so any and every input is appreciated! Best, Shashwat Mohanty Assistant Editor Subscriber Experience Team William Shakespeare, of Stratford-upon-Avon, died at the age of 52 on April 23, 1616. Seven years later, in 1623, two of his friends, the actors John Heminges and William Condell, oversaw the production of a large volume titled "Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies." This year, 2023, thus marks the 400th anniversary of the First Folio, the nickname for that memorial collection of 36 plays. Roughly half of them, including "Macbeth," "Antony and Cleopatra" and "Twelfth Night," might have been lost to the world because their texts can be found nowhere else. The others, often differing in numerous details, first appeared in the 1590s and early 1600s as cheap pamphlets called quartos. Nothing poetical in Shakespeare's own handwriting survives (with the possible exception of some passages in the manuscript of a multi-authored play called "Sir Thomas More"). Roughly 750 copies of the First Folio were printed, and around 235 of them are still extant. In effect, it's not actually that rare: If you've got $10 million (the auction price in 2020), you can still acquire one. That cultural jewel of Washington, the Folger Shakespeare Library, owns 82 copies, one of which has been on loan this April to the city's Martin Luther King Jr. Library. As you might guess, several studies of the First Folio have been issued this month, but two are neatly complementary. "Shakespeare's Book: The Story Behind the First Folio and the Making of Shakespeare," by Chris Laoutaris (Pegasus) concentrates on the loose syndicate of people who came together to produce this historic and now totemic volume. By contrast, the revised second edition of "Shakespeare's First Folio: Four Centuries of an Iconic Book," by Emma Smith (Oxford), tracks the work's afterlife, partly as a literary document but mainly as a cultural trophy. Like Shakespeare's plays, Laoutaris's book revolves around detailed interpersonal relationships. From his pages, you will learn about the lives of Heminges and Condell; the Folio's main patrons, Sir William Herbert and his brother Philip; the father-and-son printers William and Isaac Jaggard; booksellers Edward Blount, John Smethwick and William Aspley; the professional scribe Ralph Crane (who provided clean copies of some of the texts); and many others, including Shakespeare's friend and rival Ben Jonson and the various minor poets who offered praise of the book and its author. In one of his best chapters, Laoutaris - an associate professor at the Shakespeare Institute in Stratford-upon-Avon - zeroes in on the 28 bookshops located in St. Paul's Cross Churchyard. Named like pubs, these included the Black Bear, the Angel, the Spread Eagle and the Parrot. Another chapter patiently explains, with illustrations, the process of printing a large folio. A hundred pages of backmatter - tables, notes, bibliography and index - testify to the thoroughness of the author's research. However, the sheer abundance of factual data in "Shakespeare's Book" does make for a certain dryness, which isn't at all true of Smith's impressively learned yet irreverent "Shakespeare's First Folio." Up until the mid-18th century, this Oxford University scholar reminds us, the First Folio was just a collection of plays, nothing special, given that there were later and better printed editions available. But Shakespeare's coronation as the king of English literature coincided with an increase of wealth among the upper classes, which rapidly drove up prices for a now desirably iconic volume. That wealth, Smith adds, largely derived from the West Indian sugar trade - and she doesn't shy away from the implications of that: "Reviewing the history of First Folio copies in the Georgian period makes repeatedly evident the overlap between late eighteenth-century luxury consumption, including bibliophilia, and the ownership of enslaved people." Much of this excellent book tracks what individual copies of the First Folio meant to various "owners, dealers, forgers, collectors, actors" and "scholars." But in the chapter titled "Decoding," Smith zeroes in on two groundbreaking volumes in Shakespeare studies, both obsessed with numbers. One is Charlton Hinman's "The Printing and Proof-Reading of the First Folio of Shakespeare" (1963), which used a machine - the now famous Hinman collator - to gain new understanding of the 1623 volume by comparing pages from multiple copies. The other is "The Great Cryptogram: Francis Bacon's Cipher in the So-Called Shakespeare Plays" (1888) by Ignatius Donnelly, a Wisconsin politician and author of the pseudoscience classic "Atlantis: The Antediluvian World" (1882). Having acquired a facsimile of the First Folio, Donnelly detected coded messages throughout, all of them proclaiming lawyer and philosopher Francis Bacon as the true author of the plays. Smith notes that setting up the elaborate "spatio-verbal" patterning that Donnelly's theory requires is quite impossible, given the vagaries of Renaissance printing. Nonetheless, his spurious code-breaking and Hinman's admirably systematic collating together helped fuel an approach to Shakespeare now commonly associated with the so-called anti-Stratfordians. Members of this diverse group argue that Shakespeare, an actor and money-focused entrepreneur, doesn't seem the sort of man to have penned immortal masterpieces. Instead, anti-Stratfordians claim that clues hidden in the First Folio and elsewhere reveal the actual author of the poems and plays to be, well, almost anyone. Malcolm X even suggested King James I, but these days the most popular candidate is the 17th Earl of Oxford, Edward de Vere. The Shakespeare establishment regularly rolls its eyes at what is called the Authorship Question, pooh-poohing its "heretics" as the equivalent of election-deniers and Kennedy assassination conspiracy theorists. By contrast, anti-Stratfordians regard themselves as a valiant band storming the citadel of entrenched but mistaken Shakespearean orthodoxy. My own view? I contributed a preface to a paperback reissue of Samuel Schoenbaum's definitive "Shakespeare's Lives" and regard Irving Matus's evidence-based "Shakespeare, in Fact" as a cogent refutation of the principal arguments for the Earl of Oxford. Nonetheless, I remain intrigued by the authorship question, which - if nothing else - keeps Shakespeare studies from growing moribund. In recent months, Oxfordians have been eagerly looking forward to Elizabeth Winkler's "Shakespeare Was a Woman and Other Heresies: How Doubting the Bard Became the Biggest Taboo in Literature" (Simon and Schuster). The book's title references an Atlantic magazine article in which Winkler hypothesized that Emilia Bassano Lanier - hitherto best known as A.L. Rowse's choice for the Dark Lady of Shakespeare's sonnets - could have written the plays. So virulent was the reaction to such speculation that this young scholar-journalist decided to explore the authorship question more fully. Above all else, Winkler is a crackerjack researcher, deftly laying out the myriad questions, arguments and mysteries swirling around Shakespeare. They largely boil down to: Why is there so little hard evidence that he actually wrote the plays attributed to him? Could the real author simply have borrowed his name? After all, even Martin Droeshout's frontispiece portrait for the First Folio shows a face that looks, to some eyes, like a mask. There's always been a certain amount of class snobbery among anti-Stratfordians. Nearly all their proposed Shakespeare substitutes belong to the elite culture of Renaissance England. De Vere, for instance, studied at Cambridge, traveled in Europe, spent time in Italy, wrote lyric poetry and was comfortably familiar with court life. He checks all the right boxes, so to speak, unlike that provincial bumpkin from Stratford. Yes, one does need to adjust the chronology of the plays and somehow account for those, such as "The Tempest," staged after the earl's death in 1604, but Oxfordians have never wanted for cleverness. Still, there's the matter of probability. Could De Vere's authorship, or that of anyone else, have been kept secret both then and through the centuries? And why was secrecy so important? Oxfordians propose that an aristocrat would lose face by publicly writing for a theater company - tradesmen, after all. Some have suggested that the earl headed a covert ministry of propaganda, financed by Queen Elizabeth, that was tasked with producing "Shakespeare" plays intended to instill reverence for the crown and stave off civil unrest. That seems far-fetched, but to Oxfordians even "Hamlet" is a piece a clef, all the major characters being fictionalized versions of people in the earl's life. Unlike James Shapiro's similar but pro-Shakespeare "Contested Will" (2010), Winkler examines all these and other authorship issues from an anti-Stratfordian perspective, after which she then travels to England for a series of interviews. Stanley Wells - who will bring out "What Was Shakespeare Really Like?" later this year - is subtly mocked over factoids this 92-year-old doyen of Shakespeare studies can't quite remember. Alexander Waugh, an ardent Oxfordian, is represented as a learned provocateur in the tradition of his novelist grandfather Evelyn and journalist father, Auberon. Still, Winkler ends her lively, often highly personal book on a somewhat muted note: Pressed again and again, the often controversial Harvard scholar Marjorie Garber dismisses the whole authorship business as uninteresting. Nonetheless, all sorts of people find it fascinating. Why? Partly because we admire rebels and freethinkers, those who give a Bronx cheer to the stuffy power elite in any field. Anti-Stratfordians also offer what is, in effect, a shared-world fandom, like that among Trekkies or Baker Street Irregulars. Members of the latter have produced reams of scholarship, all based on minute analysis of the Holmesian canon, to prove - for example - that Dr. Watson was married five times or that Professor Moriarty was really Count Dracula. This same approach to a body of writing as a coded text, needing to be deciphered and reinterpreted, characterizes anti-Stratfordians. Still, there is one difference: Irregulars regard such playful ingenuity as merely an intellectual game, a literal jeu d'esprit. Not so the Shakespearean naysayers. As Winkler repeatedly shows, they - and Oxfordians in particular - tend to see themselves as evangelicals on a mission, tirelessly spreading their persecuted gospel to benighted unbelievers. Two bills targeting sexual content in North Dakota's public libraries are going to Gov. Doug Burgum. House Bill 1205 by House Majority Leader Mike Lefor, R-Dickinson, and Senate Bill 2360 by Sen. Keith Boehm, R-Mandan, cleared the Legislature on Friday. Supporters have said the two bills protect minors from pornography. Opponents say the bills are censorship. House Bill 1205 The state House of Representatives concurred with Senate amendments to 1205 and passed the bill in a 70-22 vote. The Senate had previously passed the bill, 39-7. Lefor's bill would remove or relocate "explicit sexual material" from public libraries' children's collections. The two bills define "explicit sexual material" as "any material which, taken as a whole, appeals to the prurient interest of minors; is patently offensive to prevailing standards in the adult community in North Dakota as a whole with respect to what is suitable material for minors; and taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value for minors." The bill would mandate public libraries to come up with policies and procedures before next year for removing or relocating "explicit sexual material," handling requests to remove or relocate books, developing age-appropriate book collections, and periodically reviewing collections. Libraries also would have to submit a "compliance report" on their policies to lawmakers. The bill also makes clear it would apply to "any children's book inventory maintained by a public library." Senate Bill 2360 The Senate concurred with House amendments to Boehm's bill and passed it, 33-14. The House on Thursday had passed the bill, 54-38. That bill also targets "explicit sexual material" in public libraries, but allows misdemeanor criminal charges for willfully exposing minors to such material, among the bill's provisions. The legislation exempts the State Library. Bismarck's public library has estimated it will cost over $334 million to review its collections if Boehm's bill becomes law. Bill supporters have criticized that estimate as exaggerated or extreme. "Every librarian should know their library as professionals, and they should be able to, in an afternoon, get those books and put them where they are not accessible to children," Boehm said. He cited several libraries who recently have "cordoned off an area at their entrance and put these books on them." Several libraries, such as in Bismarck and Valley City, in recent months have displayed books that might be targeted by the legislation, in response to the two bills. Boehm linked libraries' materials perceived as obscene to "harming children's minds" and leading to mental health issues and to "sexual deviancy, perversion, addiction, which leads to pedophilia, crime and even to murder." Sen. Sean Cleary, R-Bismarck, said, "If the concern is exposure to pornography, that's something I share, but we shouldn't pretend like there's some sort of conspiracy to get this into our libraries. ... I just think it's very inaccurate to act like there's these public employees who are trying to do this to our children." This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate HELENA, Mont. (AP) A transgender Montana lawmaker was silenced for a second day Friday as her Republican colleagues refused to let her speak on the chambers floor until she apologizes for saying lawmakers would have blood on their hands" if they passed a law to ban gender-affirming medical care for transgender youth. The standoff is expected to continue next week, with neither side ready to back down. The bill at the heart of the issue is in the hands of Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte, who has indicated he will sign it. Democratic Rep. Zooey Zephyr sought to speak on a bill Friday that would prevent minors from seeing pornography online, but the chair blocked the request and House Speaker Matt Regier asked lawmakers to uphold the decision he made a day earlier not to recognize her requests to speak. Im still going to expect the same standard for all representatives in this House. Im still going to stand for the dignity and integrity of this House, Regier said. He said earlier that the silencing was necessary to maintain decorum." The Republican majority in the House upheld his decision, as they did on Thursday. Zephyr and House Minority Leader Kim Abbott have said Regier won't allow her to speak on bills until she apologizes. It sounds like currently the speaker has made his intent clear, Zephyr said after Friday's floor session. Zephyr said she would continue to request to speak on legislation, because I was elected to represent my constituents and speak on their behalf. If she is denied, she said, the Democrats will ask the House to vote on the decision. The Legislature is expected to adjourn in early May. Regier first shut down Zephyr on Thursday, when she wanted to comment on a bill seeking to put a binary definition of male and female into state code. The speaker also declined to recognize her on a second bill. The issue came to a head Tuesday when Zephyr, the first transgender woman to hold a position in the Montana legislature, referenced the floor sessions opening prayer when she told lawmakers if they supported the bill to band gender-affirming care for minors, I hope the next time theres an invocation, when you bow your heads in prayer, you see the blood on your hands. She had made a similar comment when the House debated the bill the first time. Conservative lawmakers, who demanded she be censured for her comments, deliberately misgendered her, using male pronouns when referring to her. Hate-filled testimony has no place on the House floor, Republican Rep. Caleb Hinkle, a member of the Montana Freedom Caucus that demanded the censure, said in a statement. Zephyr said she stands by what she said about the consequences of banning essential medical care for transgender youth. The bill would prohibit transgender minors in Montana from receiving puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones or surgical procedures. Those are treatments for gender dysphoria, the clinically significant distress caused by feeling that ones gender identity does not match ones biological sex. Medical professionals who provided such care would lose their medical licenses for at least a year. When there are bills targeting the LGBTQ community, I stand up to defend my community, Zephyr said. And I choose my words with clarity and precision and I spoke to the real harms that these bills bring. The legislature has also passed a bill stating a student misgendering or deadnaming a fellow student is not illegal discrimination, unless it rises to the level of bullying. Deadnaming is calling a transgender person by their previous name when they have changed their name as part of their gender transition. At the end of Friday's House session, Democratic Rep. Jonathan Windy Boy asked for a definition of the integrity and dignity of the House. As has been said before, this House will move forward with dignity and integrity, which means there will be no belittling of people's votes or belittling of people's motives, Regier said. We will keep it to the issues at hand, and if you cannot follow that, you will not be recognized. Regier refused to speak with an Associated Press reporter after the floor session. Chattanoogans can participate in Citizen's Police Academy to learn more about law enforcement. On Thursday, Sergeant Sean OBrien with the Chattanooga Police Department taught the class to have a new mindset on how to act in the event of an active shooter. CSAS student charged with Threat of Mass Violence Against the School, HCSO says Family says they last heard from Jacob McCurdy on April 5. I think that our legislators really should think more carefully about legislating their morality for other people. Theres a real problem when people start to assume that their belief system needs to be uniformly applied to everybody else without question. -- Christina Sambor, a lobbyist for the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition. q q q "Doing this in the time frame specified by the Legislature will require additional staff and funds to carry out this colossal task. This doesnt cover reading and reviewing every item we purchase going forward, which is roughly 20,000 titles annually. The Legislature has not provided us with an answer as to how we would fund this ongoing." -- Bismarck Veterans Memorial Public Library Director Christine Kujawa, who estimated that complying with legislation targeting sexual content in public libraries would cost the Bismarck facility more than $334 million. q q q All I know is if we walk away from this session starting out with a $2.7 billion surplus and we cant come to an agreement on a tax package, God help us. -- State Rep. Craig Headland, R-Montpelier, on lawmakers reaching impasse on a tax cut package as the end of the legislative session looms. q q q "We want people to come in, get the services they need to get them out of the shelter as soon as possible. We predict we're going to serve more people overall but have shorter average lengths of stay." -- Missouri Slope Areawide United Way Executive Director Jena Gullo, on the newly opened, $3.2 million Center for Opportunity, which has an upgraded homeless shelter and space for onsite services that address some of the root causes of homelessness. q q q I would say thats a huge problem. You have a lot of kiddos who are in the foster care system, and theyre waiting to be placed in a home, and foster families are stretched. -- Annika Hapip, who worked with Evangel Assembly of God in Bismarck on the Lily Initiative, which aims to address the fact that half of all foster parents in the nation quit after a year, and only about a quarter make it past a second. q q q "We're hearing nothing but opposition to that location. I think that there may well be some places in Burleigh County where the citizens would be OK with that on their land, but not in this highly developed area close to the city of Bismarck." -- Burleigh County Commissioner Brian Bitner, detailing opposition among northern county residents to the planned Midwest Carbon Express pipeline. q q q The legislative reach to the public is something weve always wanted to get done. I couldnt be happier that the citizens are engaged in the legislative process. I think as a result of that, emails, voicemails and text messages to legislators ... have increased dramatically, so I think the transparency for the public is just something weve always wanted. -- House Majority Leader Mike Lefor, R-Dickinson, on the growing popularity of livestream views of action at the Legislature. q q q "The people in this room do not belong in what is meant to be between a woman, her doctor, and if she so chooses, led by her faith and the support of her family." -- Rep. Jayme Davis, D-Rolette, during debate over legislation to revise North Dakota's abortion laws. q q q "This is a law of God, and there is no law that can be a legitimate law that goes against God's law, and it's his law that says life is valuable, and we must uphold that." -- Rep. Lori VanWinkle, R-Minot, during debate over legislation to revise North Dakota's abortion laws. q q q "We never hug, so this is a big moment, honestly." -- Kendra Slaubaugh, who embraced her sister, Krista, after the duo who perform as Tigirlily Gold learned they'd been invited to sing at the Grand Ole Opry on May 13. The family of a man who died in a bedbug-infested cell in a Georgia jails psychiatric wing is calling for a U.S. Justice Department investigation of the facility A former executive for a longtime city of Atlanta vendor has pleaded guilty to paying bribes in exchange for millions of dollars in city contracts and to paying bribes to an official in a neighboring county Most families in the United States have been affected by a gun-related incident, according to a new survey from the Kaiser Family Foundation. TFP staff Photo by Robin Rudd / Flag-bearers and attendees move to south side of the Walnut Street Bridge for the ceremony during the Chattanooga Festival of Black Arts & Ideas's 3rd Annual Juneteenth Independence Day Commemoration, "A Bridge Over Troubled Waters," on June 19, 2020. Police say a man confessed to killing four people, including his parents, and then firing on motorists on Interstate 295, just days after being released from prison , ", , , . . A man and a woman have been arrested after gardai recovered cocaine and cash during a search of a house in Longford town, the Leader can reveal. Officers from Longford's Divisional Drugs Unit retrieved around 500 worth of cocaine and money totalling 2,250 during the search of a property in the county town on Wednesday morning. It's been revealed the search, which was planned, took place under the auspices of Operation Tara, targeting the supply and distribution of illicit drugs. A man and a woman were arrested at the scene and taken to Longford garda station for questioning before being released without charge. "As part of Operation Tara, Gardai from Longford Divisional Drugs Unit searched a residence in the Longford Town area on the 19th of April 2023," said a garda spokesman. "In the course of the search Gardai recovered a quantity of suspected cocaine worth approximately 500 and 2,250 in cash. "Two persons, a man aged in his 20s and a woman aged in her late teens were arrested in relation to this incident. Both were since released without charge pending file to the DPP." The Leader understands both suspects are from Longford town and known to gardai. It's expected that once the file is sent to the DPP's office, the state's prosecution office will determine what charges, if any, can be brought against the pair. For more on this story, see next week's Longford Leader. Health & Wellness By Jacob Alvear Published: April 21 2023 NYU Langone's Department of Population Health is committed to reducing these disparities and advancing health equity for all through various initiatives. April is National Minority Health Month, a time to raise awareness about how people from racial and ethnic minority groups all too often bear a higher burden of illness and premature death. While people of color (POC) make up more than 40% of the countrys population, white people continue to have better outcomes and lower incidences of disease and mortality across almost every measure. African Americans are more than twice as likely to die from diabetes as white people, have higher rates of heart disease, and have the highest mortality rate for all cancers combined compared with any other racial and ethnic group. Communities of color also suffered disproportionately during the Covid-19 pandemic, and were on average twice as likely to die than their white counterparts. The Department of Population Health at NYU Langone is dedicated to reducing health disparities within minority communities and advancing health equity for all. Learn more about a variety of initiatives aimed at reducing health disparities led by the following leaders: In the U.S., more than 40 percent of Black men and women are living with high blood pressurethe highest rate in the country. Gbenga Ogedegbe, MD, MPH, professor of Population Health and Medicine and director of the Institute for Excellence in Health Equity can address the reasons behind racial inequities in cardiovascular disease and offer solutions to reduce these disparities in Black communities. Dr. Ogedegbe leads a federal initiative funded by the American Heart Association called the RESTORE network, that partners with Black communities across the U.S. to reduce negative impacts of social determinants of health on blood pressure. Dr. Joseph Ravenell, associate professor in the Department of Population Health is leading a project for RESTORE that will use community health workers to screen Black men for hypertension in 30 barbershops, while also providing lifestyle counseling and linking them to care. South Asian community have a greater than average risk for cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and diabeteseven at lower body weights and at younger ages compared to White people and other racial/ethnic groups. They are four times more likely to suffer from diabetes and heart disease than the general population. They also often face social and cultural barriers to managing chronic diseases and accessing healthcare. Nadia Islam, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Population Health and associate director of the Institute for Excellence in Health Equity can join a Community Health Worker to discuss how she and her team are working with members of NYCs South Asian community to reduce hypertension and diabetes. Dr. Islams work was recently profiled in USA Today. In order to be able to identify and reduce health disparities, there needs to be better collection of high quality race/ethnicity data. For example, the Asian American and Pacific Islander community more than 30 different subgroups from a variety of ethnic backgrounds and languages yet they are among the most understudied racial and ethnic groups in the U.S. Because data that is reported on Asian Americans is often aggregated, this masks disparities in the burden of disease, mental health, poverty and crime that subgroups within the AAPI community face. Stella Yi, PhD, MPH, associate professor in the Department of Population Health, is a tireless advocate for data disaggregation and a chief collaborator with NYC officials to collect this data on behalf of NYU Langone and citywide. She can address the importance of data collection for minority groups, and the impact it can have on improving health outcomes. Crime, Business & Finance By Long Island Published: April 21 2023 Rand Heckler, a former investment broker, has pleaded guilty to running a million-dollar Ponzi scheme where he swindled acquaintances and strangers out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. On Friday, April 21, the Nassau County District Attorney disclosed that Rand Heckler, a 67-year-old resident of Glen Cove, has confessed to operating a Ponzi scheme worth a million dollars. The former investment broker reportedly began the scheme in 2015 by persuading his friends to invest in a hedge fund of stocks and securities he managed. Heckler allegedly received 24 checks from victims between 2015 and 2020, totaling over $755,000. He would show his victims false trade confirmations and statements as evidence that the stocks had been bought. The DA stated that one of the victims sons requested $100,000 from Heckler for his father's account in January 2020, where he had power of attorney. After weeks of postponements, the son received the money, which he believed was from stock sales. However, an inquiry found that the $100,000 had been wired from another victim who had assumed she was making a life insurance payment to her late husbands hedge fund. The DA also alleged that Heckler cold-called people in other states and persuaded them to invest, in addition to including friends, neighbors, and acquaintances in the Ponzi scheme. Heckler allegedly stole a total of $1,004,159 from four victims, using the money to cover his daily expenses, make mortgage payments, and sustain his country club membership. Nassau County DA Anne T. Donnelly noted that the defendant lived a luxurious lifestyle financed by the stolen money. She also remarked that investment brokers are relied upon to make informed financial judgments for their customers, but Heckler's actions revealed that he was only interested in his personal gain. In celebration of Earth Week, Governor Kathy Hochul has announced that the New York State Public Service Commission has initiated a proceeding to implement policies and develop programs related to medium- and heavy-duty electric vehicle charging infrastructure and planning. The proceeding will also begin the process for proactive investment in the utility infrastructure required to serve transportation electrification. In addition, the initiative will prioritize medium- and heavy-duty charging infrastructure investments in disadvantaged communities. "It is critical that we invest in supportive infrastructure to get more electric vehicles on streets across New York and reduce harmful vehicle emissions," Governor Hochul said. "With today's PSC decision, we are spurring innovation and advancing our nation-leading climate goals by making it easier for New Yorkers and businesses to go electric." The Public Service Commission's action follows Governor Hochul's 2023 State of the State address directive to identify and remove the barriers to deploying charging infrastructure for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. Building on New York's nation-leading investments in utility programs, totaling over $1 billion, that support transportation electrification, Governor Hochul directed the Department of Public Service (DPS) to launch a proceeding that will identify and remove the barriers to the efficient and timely deployment of the charging infrastructure needed to electrify New York's medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. Pollution from these vehicles has disproportionately impacted disadvantaged communities where air quality is a public health issue, such as Hunts Point in the Bronx where more than 15,000 diesel trucks operate every day. As part of this proceeding, DPS will consider revisions to utility electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure planning to encourage proactive investments in high priority locations, especially in disadvantaged communities and Clean Air Act non-attainment areas. Public Service Commission Chair Rory M. Christian said, "I applaud Governor Hochul's commitment to create a cleaner environment. The PSC recognizes the importance of the electrification of the transportation sector in the attainment of New York State's climate goals. To advance these goals, the PSC has implemented policies to incentivize the development of electric vehicle charging infrastructure and programs. Thus far, the focus of these policies has largely been on light-duty passenger EVs, such as sedans, pickup trucks, and SUVs. To ensure a holistic approach that supports the decarbonization goals codified in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (Climate Act), the PSC is commencing this proceeding to address the electrification needs of the State's medium- and heavy-duty EV sector." With the PSC's decision, DPS, the staff arm of the PSC, will develop at least one whitepaper later this year to launch development of a medium- and heavy-duty program and proactive planning process, which will be subject to public notice and comment, before potential PSC action. DPS will convene several technical conferences over the next 6 months to obtain stakeholder input in advance of issuing a whitepaper. While the exact scope of this proceeding will be developed with the aid of interested stakeholders, EV infrastructure investments will prioritize disadvantaged communities, including those in Clean Air Act non-attainment areas that bear a disproportionate burden of pollution from trucks and buses. Additionally, the proactive planning process will ensure the grid infrastructure is prepared to enable the growing EV charging needs across New York State. The PSC's decision today builds upon prior Commission actions on infrastructure development and innovative rate design to support New York's transportation electrification efforts. This includes the $701 million EV Make-Ready program that provides incentives to fund the grid infrastructure and customer-side work necessary to make sites ready for EV charging, which includes a minimum of $206 million allocated toward equitable access and benefits for disadvantaged communities. The Department is currently undertaking a midpoint review of this program and issued a whitepaper on March 1, 2023 with a number of recommendations for potential revisions and expansion of this program. While the make-ready program helps offset the upfront cost of the EV charging infrastructure, the Commission has also adopted beneficial rates and managed charging programs to help lower utility bills for residential and commercial electric vehicle charging. The managed charging programs provide incentives or bill credits for participants who can shift their charging to the most beneficial times for the grid. Residential customers may enroll in voluntary time-of-use rates and the EV Phase-In Rate provides an alternative to traditional demand-based rates for commercial EV customers. The EV Phase-In Rate is designed to reduce the impacts of demand charges on the operating costs for EV charging stations by starting with a time-of-use rate when utilization is low and blending in the demand charge as station usage increases. The utilities are required to file proposed tariffs for the EV Phase-In rate in July and are in the process of implementing a 50 percent demand charge discount that will go into effect on a faster timeline and remain in effect until the EV Phase-In rate becomes available. The EV Phase-In rate is expected to result in electricity costs that are at least 30 percent less expensive than the equivalent cost of gasoline, using today's prices. New York State's Nation-Leading Climate Plan New York State's nation-leading climate agenda calls for an orderly and just transition that creates family-sustaining jobs, continues fostering a green economy across all sectors and ensures that at least 35 percent, with a goal of 40 percent, of the benefits of clean energy investments are directed to disadvantaged communities. Guided by some of the nation's most aggressive climate and clean energy initiatives, New York is on a path to achieving a zero-emission electricity sector by 2040, including 70 percent renewable energy generation by 2030, and economy wide carbon neutrality by mid-century. A cornerstone of this transition is New York's unprecedented clean energy investments, including more than $35 billion in 120 large-scale renewable and transmission projects across the state, $6.8 billion to reduce building emissions, $1.8 billion to scale up solar, more than $1 billion for clean transportation initiatives, and over $1.8 billion in NY Green Bank commitments. These and other investments are supporting more than 165,000 jobs in New York's clean energy sector in 2021 and a 2,100 percent growth in the distributed solar sector since 2011. To reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality, New York also adopted zero-emission vehicle regulations, including requiring all new passenger cars and trucks sold in the State be zero emission by 2035. Partnerships are continuing to advance New York's climate action with nearly 400 registered and 100 certified Climate Smart Communities, nearly 500 Clean Energy Communities, and the State's largest community air monitoring initiative in 10 disadvantaged communities across the state to help target air pollution interventions and combat climate change. Mastic Man Convicted of Weapons Possession After He Fired Multiple Shots at Vehicle in Shirley Last August Crime By Chris Boyle Published: April 21 2023 Tyriek Corbin Faces Up to 15 Years When Sentenced. Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that a jury found Tyriek Corbin, 24, of Mastic, guilty after trial on charges of weapons possession stemming from a shooting incident in August 2022. This conviction is the result of a meaningless verbal discussion that, without warning, escalated into this defendant firing shots from an unlawfully possessed handgun in an open residential area full of children and families enjoying a beautiful summer day, said District Attorney Tierney. Thankfully, nobody was injured from this defendants actions, but this behavior has no place in Suffolk County. I remain committed to holding individuals that possess and shoot illegal guns in Suffolk County accountable for their actions. Corbin was found guilty on April 11, 2023 of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a Class C violent felony. The evidence at trial established that on August 14, 2022, at approximately 5:15 p.m., Corbin engaged in a verbal dispute with two individuals who were in a vehicle searching for a lost French Bulldog puppy on Lockwood Drive in Shirley. The argument escalated to the point that Corbin briefly entered a residence on Lockwood Drive before returning with a loaded firearm, moments later. Corbin then fired that loaded gun at the vehicle containing the two individuals who were searching for the lost puppy and fired the gun multiple times at the vehicle as the vehicle attempted to drive away, striking the vehicle three times. Nobody was injured during the shooting, however, the vehicle suffered ballistics damage. The trial was heard before Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable Timothy P. Mazzei. Corbin is represented by Kevin Maccarone, Esq. He is due back in court for sentencing on June 14, 2023. Following his conviction, the District Attorneys Office requested that Corbin be remanded into custody, as he faces a minimum of 3 years in prison. However, the court did not alter the defendants bail conditions and allowed him to remain at liberty. Designed by Robert Moses, the Southern State Parkway began construction in 1925 It originally ended at Bay Shore Road when work was completed in 1949 but the roadway was extended in 1962 to its current terminus at the exits to the Sagtikos and Heckscher parkways The Southern State Parkway was originally maintained by the Long Island State Park Commission (LISPC) Robert Moses was the commissioner of the LISPC , the Long Island Parkway System was envisioned as great ribbon parks, stretching east-west and north-south across Long Island, providing scenic access and linkage between the state parks then under development, such as Jones Beach, Bethpage and Sunken Meadow According to nycroads.com The Long Island Parkway System followed the same design characteristics as the parks, including stone-faced arched bridges, turf shoulders, bracketed-arm wood light posts , post-and-rail fences and guide rails People may remember the distinct and quaint wooden lamposts along the parkway sometimes affectionately known as "woody" lights Moses used an undeveloped tract of land owned by the borough of Brooklyn to develop the roadway Brooklyn used to import its drinking water from wells on Long Island but abandoned the right-of-way to the wells after it merged with New York City in the late 1800s According to nycroads.com , the right-of-way was to be used for the proposed Southern State Parkway. The original Southern State Parkway was an undivided four lane roadway that was 42-feet wide A state police substation and barracks were built on either side of the parkway in North Valley Stream A medium service station was built in the 1930s east of Exit 32 (Route 110) The remnants of the service station that closed in 1985 can still be seen in the form of abandoned ramps in the median Toll Booths were originally located between exits 13 and 14 After the NYSDOT took over maintenance of the parkway in 1978 the toll booths were removed According to one report , this closure came after a 20-year battle for their removal, and three years after a toll hike from 10 cents to 25 cents that angered parkway users. Signage telling motorists that Democratic Governor Hugh Carey was responsible for the removal of the toll booths, for the removal of the booths, Long Island Republicans, who lobbied for their removal, were angered When the parkway was first built, Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt wanted to have a western extension of the Southern State Parkway that went into Brooklyn This extension became the Belt Parkway The parkway was first built to go around Hempstead Lake - between Exits 18 and 19 Later an earthen mound was filled in to allow the parkway to go across the lake Before the NYSDOT took over the parkway, new lighting and signs were installed with white lettering on brown background in the style of the LISPC The signs were changed in the late 1980s The Southern State Parkway was built in a meandering style meant for low speed traffic through parkland The stone overpasses were created with low clearances to prevent commercial traffic from using the parkway In Robert A. Caros biography of Robert Moses, The Power Broker, the author says that Moses ordered the bridges to be built low to prevent buses from the city away from Jones Beach This apocryphal story might not be 100% true , according to some The parkway is 25.53-miles long Following the suburban expansion after WWII into Long Island, Southern State Parkway was widened and straightened in places to allow for higher speeds and more traffic Robert Moses never learned to drive A porton of Sothern State Parkway between exit 17 and 32 is known as "blood alley" because of the many lethal accidents A detachment of the Peoples National Army killed two terrorists in Ain Defla, according to a release by the Ministry of National Defense. Algeria has become the largest importer of arms in Africa. Are you a dedicated reader of FDD's Long War Journal? Has our research benefitted you or your team over the years? Support our independent reporting and analysis today by considering a one-time or monthly donation. Thanks for reading! You can make a tax-deductible donation here. On July 3, three suicide bombers were deployed in the city of Derna, Libya. One of their bombs was intercepted, but the other two were detonated. Several people were killed and 10 or more others were wounded. The victims included women and children. The perpetrators of the attacks belonged to the Islamic States arm in the country. According to the Islamic States supporters, the suicide bombers had targeted members of the sahwat, or awakening. This term is used to mean those tribal forces in western Iraq that had, with American backing, risen up against the Islamic States predecessors, al Qaeda in Iraq and the Islamic State of Iraq. Now, however, the Islamic State employs the word in a broader fashion, describing even other jihadists as being part of the sahwat. Indeed, the three suicide bombers sought to deliver a blow to the Mujahideen Shura Council in Derna (MSC), which is, at a minimum, aligned with al Qaedas global network. The MSC quickly issued a statement, seen on the right, condemning the Islamic State for its treacherous operations. Three mujahideen were killed, according to the MSC. Two children perished as well after one of the three attackers detonated his bomb in downtown Derna. The MSC promised to expel the the evildoing members of the criminal state from our city. Since the beginning of the year, Derna has increasingly become a flashpoint for the jihadists infighting. The conflict had been simmering for months, but finally boiled over in June after the Islamic States fighters killed veteran jihadists in the MSCs leadership. [See LWJ report, Veteran jihadists killed by Islamic States province in Derna, Libya.] In the weeks since, the Islamic State has suffered significant losses in Derna. Abu Bakr al Baghdadis men never controlled the entire city, as some Western media outlets claimed last year. The MSC, its constituent groups, and allied organizations have long been entrenched. So, the Islamic State picked a fight it couldnt easily win when it moved against the MSC in June. The suicide bombings on July 3 were a desperate attempt to gain some momentum, but failed to accomplish any tactical, let alone strategic, objectives. The Islamic States frustration with events in Derna could be heard in an audio message released by Abu Muhammad al Adnani, the groups spokesman, on June 23. Adnani made several references to the fighting in Derna, accusing the MSC of being part of the sahwat and calling on the MSCs members to repent for daring to defy the Islamic State. Adnanis message is likely part of the reason that Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), al Qaedas official branch in North Africa, has finally commented on the fighting. In a statement released via Twitter on July 7, and translated by the SITE Intelligence Group, AQIM defended the MSC and blasted the Islamic State. AQIMs statement took aim at both the Islamic States presence in Libya and the organizations general command, which should stop shedding the blood of Muslims andreturn to their senses and mind. While there were many reasons for the arrival of this bitter reality, the most prominent reason remains to be the undisciplined actions, Sharia-wise and rationally, by the group of the Islamic State, which, since the announcement of the Caliphate, has sowed corruption in all the fields, invalidated pledges, dispersed groups, and infidel-branded one who disagrees, without evidence, and shed sacred blood AQIMs statement reads, according to SITEs translation. AQIM said the Islamic States most recent act of corruption includes what happened days ago in the Libyan city of Derna. This is likely a reference to the three suicide attacks. Derna had been blessed with security and safety after giving away its most precious sons to overthrow the Libyan regime, but the Islamic State entered the town and replaced its security with fear and its peace with war, and thus the infighting began about which we had previously warned. The Islamic State is responsible for the blood that was spilled on the land of [Dernas] good people, AQIM continued, and it is no wonder that the MSC and its allies have been forced to repel this assault. In a separate statement released on June 26, AQIM defended the Abu Salim Martyrs Brigade (ASMB), which is the strongest organization within the MSC alliance. AQIM dismissed accusations that the ASMB had acted inappropriately by guaranteeing the security of Mustafa Abd al Jalil, the former chairman of the National Transitional Council of Libya, when he visited Derna. Interestingly enough, AQIMs fatwa (religious ruling) was written in response to a question from a member of Ansar al Sharias sharia council in Derna. The United Nations National Security Council and US State Department have inaccurately claimed that Ansar al Sharia in Derna has sworn allegiance to the Islamic State. But this is clearly not the case. [See LWJ report, Ansar al Sharia Libya fights on under new leader.] Ansar al Sharias deference to AQIM on the controversy surrounding al Jalil is further evidence that the group remains part of al Qaedas network. In fact, it was the Islamic States supporters who loudly criticized the ASMB for ensuring the safety of al Jalil. But AQIM ruled that it was inappropriate to label the ASMB infidels because of disagreements over this matter. AQIMs rulings have angered the Islamic States supporters in Libya. One of them, known as Abu Irhim al Libi, posted a pair of tweets criticizing AQIM on his popular Twitter feed. Al Libi argued that al Qaeda was no longer the organization founded by Osama bin Laden. Al Libi is well-connected in Islamic States circles, and similar anti-al Qaeda claims are frequently made by Baghdadis loyal followers. A screen shot of al Libis tweets can be seen on the right. The MSC continues to take the fight to the Islamic State. On July 6, the MSC issued a statement saying that 6 members of Baghdadis organization had been sentenced to death. The MSC said that a sharia court found them guilty of various crimes, including the assassinations of some of the MSCs top leadership in June. The MSCs decision to execute 6 Islamic State fighters is just the latest indication that things are not going well for Baghdadis men in the city of Derna. Thomas Joscelyn is a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and the Senior Editor for FDD's Long War Journal. Are you a dedicated reader of FDD's Long War Journal? Has our research benefitted you or your team over the years? Support our independent reporting and analysis today by considering a one-time or monthly donation. Thanks for reading! You can make a tax-deductible donation here. Yesterday, the Islamic State released an audio message from a group of jihadists claiming that al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghrebs (AQIM) Al Ansar Battalion in Algeria had joined Abu Bakr al Baghdadis cause. AQIM, which is al Qaedas official branch in North Africa, has now responded by releasing a statement of its own. (The statement can be seen on the right.) AQIMs men downplay the defection, saying only a small part of the battalion was actually wooed by the Islamic State. A figure identified as the emir of the Al Ansar Battalion, Abu Saheeb Osama, says that he and all mujahideen in the Al Ansar Battalion in the Central Region [of Algeria] are under the control of Sheikh Abu Musab Abdul Wadoud, emir of Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb. The individuals who defected from the organization [al Qaeda or AQIM] and pledged bayat [allegiance] to the state organizationare fewer than 10, he adds. Abu Saheeb Osama finishes the statement with a warning to other jihadists about joining the Islamic State: We call on all other mujahideen in the Islamic Maghreb especially, and the other areas of jihad in general, to sit on the book [referring to the Quran] and Sunnah [traditions of the Prophet Muhammad] to understand the Ummahs predecessors. Renounce all that would distract and differentiate their group. Abu Saheeb Osamas statement is a direct rebuttal to the Al Ansar Battalion fighters featured in the Islamic States message. Those fighters called on all members of al Qaeda and AQIM to put aside their doubts and join Abu Bakr al Baghdadis organization. The jihadist known as Abu Saheeb Osama obviously doesnt approve. Caleb Weiss is an editor of FDD's Long War Journal and a senior analyst at the Bridgeway Foundation, where he focuses on the spread of the Islamic State in Central Africa. Are you a dedicated reader of FDD's Long War Journal? Has our research benefitted you or your team over the years? Support our independent reporting and analysis today by considering a one-time or monthly donation. Thanks for reading! You can make a tax-deductible donation here. Screenshot from Katibat Salahadins video Katibat Salahadin, a sub-unit within the larger Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS), recently filmed itself clashing in Malis northern Menaka region with members from the pro-Mali Tuareg alliance of the Imghad and Allies Self Defense Movement (GATIA) and the Movement for the Salvation of Azawad (MSA). The footage, which was uploaded online by third-party accounts, purports to show jihadists of Katibat Salahadin firing at the Tuareg militias somewhere in Menaka. Tuareg and Fulani fighters are shown within the unit, which only has small arms, including Kalashnikovs, PK machine guns, and rocket-propelled grenades. The footage was uploaded earlier this week and is undated, however, strikes between ISGS and the militias have been steadily reported since February of this year. The attack most likely took place within the last few months. This is the second video released this week showing Katibat Salahadin and its activities against the GATIA-MSA alliance. Earlier this week, analyst and researcher Heni Nsaibia first reported that the group had produced a video showing spoils it had taken from GATIA in the Menaka region. The two videos mark a considerable uptick in social media activity linked to ISGS. Katibat Salahadin is led by veteran Malian jihadist Sultan Ould Bady. Bady has a long history with various al Qaeda groups in Mali, including al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and the Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa (MUJAO). He and his group were once independent from MUJAO, but he eventually rejoined the fold and would later join al Qaedas Group for Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM). However, he later defected from JNIM and pledged allegiance to Abu Bakr al Baghdadi of the Islamic State and joined the ISGS group led by former MUJAO leader Abu Walid al Sahrawi. ISGS has claimed several attacks in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso since 2016. It has gained little publicity from Islamic State central, with its pledge of allegiance only being acknowledged in an Amaq video one year later. Nevertheless, the group continues to operate in the Sahel with loyalty to the Islamic State. Caleb Weiss is an editor of FDD's Long War Journal and a senior analyst at the Bridgeway Foundation, where he focuses on the spread of the Islamic State in Central Africa. Are you a dedicated reader of FDD's Long War Journal? Has our research benefitted you or your team over the years? Support our independent reporting and analysis today by considering a one-time or monthly donation. Thanks for reading! You can make a tax-deductible donation here. The Majestic is a 2001 drama film directed by Frank Darabont. The film stars Jim Carrey as Peter Appleton, a Hollywood screenwriter who, after a car accident, suffers from amnesia and finds himself in a small town called Lawson where he is mistaken for a long-lost war hero. Laurie Holden plays Adele Stanton, a young woman who is instrumental in helping Peter rediscover his true identity, and Martin Landau plays Harry Trimble, a former film director who recognizes Peter as his son who was declared missing in action during World War II. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rI3rKMUfPu4 The theme of the film is centered around patriotism and the idea that America is a country that is open-hearted and values the importance of speaking the truth. Throughout the film, we see the characters wrestle with the concept of patriotism and what it means to be a true American. Jim Carrey delivers a powerful performance as Peter Appleton, a man who discovers the true meaning of patriotism and learns to speak the truth, even when it's difficult. Laurie Holden brings depth and heart to her role as Adele Stanton, a woman who is willing to stand up for what she believes in, even in the face of adversity. And Martin Landau's portrayal of Harry Trimble is both poignant and inspiring, as he helps his son rediscover his true identity and the values that he holds dear. Overall, The Majestic is a moving and inspiring film that celebrates the best of America and reminds us of the importance of staying true to our values and speaking the truth, even when it's not easy. (Alliance News) - International Distribution Services PLC said on Friday that an agreement had been reached between Royal Mail and the Communication Workers Union, which it said "represents a good outcome for customers, employees and shareholders." The London-based postal and delivery holding company, which includes Royal Mail and GLS, said the agreement was ratified by CWU's postal executive committee. It will be put to a ballot of CWU members with a recommendation to approve. The ballot is expected in the coming weeks. International Distributions said the agreement includes a 10% salary increase and a one-off lump sum of GBP500 for CWU grade employees in Royal Mail and Parcelforce. This includes a consolidated 6% pay rise applying from April 1, and a consolidated 2% pay rise applying from the same time next year. International Distributions also said an agreement was reached on a profit share scheme, with 20% of adjusted operating profit to be distributed as a one-off payment to employees, subject to Royal Mail returning an adjusted operating profit in any financial year up to and including 2024 and 2025. International Distributions said that key initiatives in the agreement included later start times in part to help Royal Mail respond to the market demand for more next day parcels, and new seasonal working patterns to better reflect variations in letter and parcel volumes. New employee contracts will include regular Sunday working requirements, it said. International Distributions reported a commitment to no compulsory redundancies for the life of the agreement. It said there would be a joint review of this position in April 2025 to consider whether circumstances would allow for the company to extend this commitment. The agreement also covers changes to sick pay, attendance standards, ill health retirement, and agreement on revised contracts for new starters, which were introduced last year. International Distributions said: "The agreement provides a platform for the next phase of stabilising the business whilst continuing to drive efficiency and change. The operational changes in the agreement are designed to improve competitiveness, particularly in next day parcels, reduce cost and environmental impact, and improve quality of service for our customers. "A three year pay deal will provide certainty for our employees and ensure Royal Mail remains the industry leader on pay, terms and conditions." International Distributions' shares were up by 0.2% at 246.66 pence in London on Friday afternoon. By Emma Curzon, Alliance News reporter Comments and questions to newsroom@alliancenews.com Copyright 2023 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved. (Alliance News) - SSE PLC on Friday said it has named Barry O'Regan as its new chief financial officer, taking effect from December 1, replacing the outgoing finance director Gregor Alexander, in a slightly reshaped role. The Perth, Scotland-based electricity utility said O'Regan will be promoted from his current role as finance director of SSE Renewables. He also has responsibility for corporate finance across the group and joined SSE in 2008. SSE said O'Regan would hold a "more traditional" CFO role, as the transition will see Alexander's current responsibilities for the IT and General Counsel terms transferred to the chief executive and procurement to the chief commercial officer. "With nearly 20 years' experience working in the energy sector, Barry has a wealth of knowledge across financial control, corporate finance and [mergers and acquisitions], treasury, reporting and operational finance. He also has detailed experience of working with SSE's credit rating agencies," SSE said. "He has been integral to the strategic refocusing of the company over the last decade and has led the execution of many acquisitions and divestments, including SSE's international expansion, as well as contributing significantly to establishing SSE Renewables and its subsequent strategic progress." Outgoing Finance Director Alexander added: "It has been an absolute privilege and honour working for SSE over the last 32 years, in a company that has such a strong purpose and heritage driving forward the UK's net zero ambitions. I have enjoyed my time with the company immensely but the time is right to pass onto the next generation of leaders and I am delighted to be handing the baton to Barry to whom I wish every success in the role." Alexander will step down from the in December and leave SSE at the end of March 2024 "after an orderly transition". Shares in SSE were up 1.2% to 1,845.00 pence each in London on Friday afternoon. By Greg Rosenvinge, Alliance News reporter Comments and questions to newsroom@alliancenews.com Copyright 2023 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved. In a signing ceremony on April 17, Lycoming College and Widener University Commonwealth Law School announced a 3+3 law degree program that will provide Lycoming College students the opportunity to earn both a bachelors degree and a juris doctorate degree in just six years. Instrumental in the partnership between both institutions, Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice P. Kevin Brobson 92, graduate of Lycoming College and of Widener Law Commonwealth, was in attendance at the signing ceremony. Lycoming College students interested in pursuing a law degree at Widener Law Commonwealth must notify the school in writing with their intent to participate in the program by the end of their first semester and must maintain at least a 3.0 grade point average. They must also earn a law school admission test score and Lycoming GPA at or above the median of Wideners prior year entering class. In addition, qualifying students must complete their major and general education requirements by the end of their junior year at Lycoming College. Students must take the law school admission test no later than February of their junior year and apply to Widener Law Commonwealth by March 31 of their junior year. Lycoming Colleges pre-law program prepares high-performing students for law school entry with theoretical studies and LSAT preparation, as well as with hands-on experience through practicums, internships and other work experiences that can give them an edge. The agreement with Widener Law Commonwealth serves to strengthen an already robust pre-law offering at Lycoming, said Kent C. Trachte, president of Lycoming College. Law school entrance can be incredibly competitive, and Lycoming is providing its students a favorable advantage through this arrangement. Widener Law Commonwealth is pleased to announce our partnership with Lycoming College. The 3+3 program will help high-achieving students make their dream of a legal career a reality, while also saving them both time and money in pursuing their education. We look forward to working with Lycoming College and its students, said Michael J. Hussey, dean and associate professor of law, Widener University Commonwealth Law School. Lycoming College offers multiple majors that can serve as a pathway to legal careers. The Colleges liberal arts emphasis on courses that require careful reading, analysis, criticism, evaluation, and interpretation virtually guarantees that diligent students will be ready for law school. With faculty dedicated exclusively to the education of undergraduate students, an abundance of networking opportunities, internships with private law offices and attorneys offices, and close mentorship under pre-law advisors, Lycoming College students are prepared to succeed on the LSATs and in the legal career field. More information is available at https://www.lycoming.edu/pre-law/. Widener University Commonwealth Law School is the Pennsylvania capitals only law school, with three specialized centers of legal scholarship through its Law & Government Institute, Environmental Law and Sustainability Center, and Business Advising Program. Widener Law Commonwealth offers an exceptional learning experience that is personal, practical, and professional. In an interview given to the Press Trust of India (PTI), Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would not be able to win a single seat in the state on its own. He said that no one in the state considered the BJP to be the principal opposition as the BJP had not grown in stature in the state and it was only trying to create an image that it had done so. When asked about the four MLAs that the BJP has in the state assembly, Stalin said that the BJP had won those seats only because of the help of its alliance partner, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). Every resident in the state of Florida who is a wireless subscriber was greeted with a jarring alarm at 4:45am this morning. The early-bird wake-up call was actually just an emergency alert test meant to air on television, not cell phones, but mistakes do happen much to the chagrin of a state full of cranky, sleep-deprived residents. Only those who had their phone notifications silenced escaped the rude awakening. Now Florida officials (excluding Ron DeSantis) are apologizing. From BBC News: Florida officials have apologised for giving residents in the sunshine state an "unexpected" and "frustrating" pre-dawn wakeup. The Florida Division of Emergency Management later admitted that a "04:45 wake up call isn't ideal". On Twitter, it vowed that it was "taking the appropriate action to ensure this will never happen again and that only true emergencies are sent as alerts in the middle of the night". The message to residents read: "TEST This is a TEST of the Emergency Alert System. No action is required." Angry Floridians took to social media to complain about being woken up before dawn, with one writing on Twitter: "I need to fight whoever decided to test Florida's emergency alert system." Cebu Pacific said Friday it resumed domestic and international flights out of its hub in Clark International Airport in Pampanga province, strengthening connectivity for its passengers from northern and central parts of Luzon. The budget airline said it flew its inaugural flights from Clark to Bacolod, Boracay, Davao and Bangkok Friday as part of its plan to operate a combined 15 destinations from its Clark hub. It will also boost the airlines network from its Clark hub and reestablish it as an important gateway for local and international travelers. The budget carrier began daily flights from Clark to Bangkok, Boracay and Davao and three-times weekly flights to Bacolod on April 21. It will also launch three-times weekly flights from Clark to Iloilo on April 22; daily flights to Hong Kong and three-times weekly flights to General Santos on April 26; daily flights to Singapore and three-times weekly flights to Macau on April 28; and four-times weekly flights to Taipei on April 29. Cebu Pacific will launch daily flights from Clark to Incheon on May 5; three-times weekly flights to Cagayan de Oro on May 6; four-times weekly flights to Narita (Tokyo) on May 21; and three-times weekly flights to Puerto Princesa on June 24. ADVERTISEMENT Cebu Pacific is also set to increase flight frequencies from Clark to Caticlan, Davao, Hong Kong and Cebu in the coming weeks. It said the relaunch of its Clark hub allows the airline to continue providing great value for passengers, with an additional 10,000 seats per month and fares for both domestic and international flights which are 30 percent lower than their pre-pandemic average. Cebu Pacific said to support the expansion, it is set to take delivery of three additional aircraft which will be based in Clark. These are on top of the 10 new Airbus NEO aircraft that will be delivered in 2023 to expand the airlines fleet. The launch of our Clark flights today is a fulfillment of Cebu Pacifics mission to help make air travel more accessible and affordable for travelers in north and central Luzon. This expansion will give the traveling public more opportunities to explore the Philippines and the rest of the world, said Cebu Pacific president and chief commercial officer Xander Lao. Noel Manankil, president and chief executive of Luzon International Premier Airport Development, the private consortium that manages Clark International Airport, reiterated its support to Cebu Pacifics initiatives to grow its network and capacity from the station. Clark International Airport and Cebu Pacific are working closely with each other to ensure a seamless experience for travelers. Our brand-new terminal is ready to welcome Cebu Pacific passengers travelling to and from the best domestic and international destinations and serve as the window to the Philippines for visitors coming from different parts of the world, Manankil said. Cebu Pacific said it is firmly in place for full recovery as it restores its pre-COVID network and capacity, aided by unbeatable seat sales, widest domestic network and reinstatement of all its international destinations. The airline flies to 35 domestic and 25 international destinations, spanning across Asia, Australia and the Middle East. Cebu Pacific said Friday it resumed domestic and international flights out of its hub in Clark International Airport in Pampanga province, strengthening connectivity for its passengers from northern and central parts of Luzon. The budget airline said it flew its inaugural flights from Clark to Bacolod, Boracay, Davao and Bangkok Friday as part of its plan to operate a combined 15 destinations from its Clark hub. It will also boost the airlines network from its Clark hub and reestablish it as an important gateway for local and international travelers. The budget carrier began daily flights from Clark to Bangkok, Boracay and Davao and three-times weekly flights to Bacolod on April 21. It will also launch three-times weekly flights from Clark to Iloilo on April 22; daily flights to Hong Kong and three-times weekly flights to General Santos on April 26; daily flights to Singapore and three-times weekly flights to Macau on April 28; and four-times weekly flights to Taipei on April 29. Cebu Pacific will launch daily flights from Clark to Incheon on May 5; three-times weekly flights to Cagayan de Oro on May 6; four-times weekly flights to Narita (Tokyo) on May 21; and three-times weekly flights to Puerto Princesa on June 24. Cebu Pacific is also set to increase flight frequencies from Clark to Caticlan, Davao, Hong Kong and Cebu in the coming weeks. It said the relaunch of its Clark hub allows the airline to continue providing great value for passengers, with an additional 10,000 seats per month and fares for both domestic and international flights which are 30 percent lower than their pre-pandemic average. Cebu Pacific said to support the expansion, it is set to take delivery of three additional aircraft which will be based in Clark. These are on top of the 10 new Airbus NEO aircraft that will be delivered in 2023 to expand the airlines fleet. The launch of our Clark flights today is a fulfillment of Cebu Pacifics mission to help make air travel more accessible and affordable for travelers in north and central Luzon. This expansion will give the traveling public more opportunities to explore the Philippines and the rest of the world, said Cebu Pacific president and chief commercial officer Xander Lao. Noel Manankil, president and chief executive of Luzon International Premier Airport Development, the private consortium that manages Clark International Airport, reiterated its support to Cebu Pacifics initiatives to grow its network and capacity from the station. Clark International Airport and Cebu Pacific are working closely with each other to ensure a seamless experience for travelers. Our brand-new terminal is ready to welcome Cebu Pacific passengers travelling to and from the best domestic and international destinations and serve as the window to the Philippines for visitors coming from different parts of the world, Manankil said. Cebu Pacific said it is firmly in place for full recovery as it restores its pre-COVID network and capacity, aided by unbeatable seat sales, widest domestic network and reinstatement of all its international destinations. The airline flies to 35 domestic and 25 international destinations, spanning across Asia, Australia and the Middle East. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala bared that the Czech Republic is considering delivering air assets for the Philippine Coast Guard and studying a rearmament deal for the Philippine Army Fiala recently went to the Philippines for a three-day state visit and met with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. At the meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., I supported joint projects in the area of the defense industry, Fiala, quoted by ABS-CBN News, said. These are, for example, possible deliveries of aircraft for the Philippine Coast Guard or the project of Ceska zbrojovka for the comprehensive rearmament of the local army, the official further said. Fiala, on a 10-day tour of Asia, did not deliver a speech before his departure at the Villamor Airbase, but Czech Ambassador to the Philippines Jana Sediva said that the European leaders visit in Manila was very successful, ABS-CBN News reported. Three memoranda were signed during Fialas visit, Sediva said. The potential cooperation in our companies especially in industry, military, agriculture was discussed and we hope that it will be deepened, Fiala told reporters. ADVERTISEMENT We share mutual experience with the latest development and also the current situation about the Russian aggression in Ukraine, and also China and the situation here in the Asia-Pacific region, she said. One memorandum was signed between our Chamber of Commerce and Filipino Chamber of Commerce, she said. Two other remaining memorandums are related to cooperation between companies related to smart city and this kind of cooperation, she added. The Czech Prime Minister said that the signed agreements will be reflected in jobs, but mainly in investments in research and development. The Czech Republic is also ready to help with the modernization of local agriculture and food industry, which is another area of cooperation in which the Philippine side is most interested, Fiala said. I also emphasized the interest of Czech companies in participating in the development of local energy infrastructure, and we offer cooperation in civil aviation, he said. The Czech Republic is the Philippines 8th largest trading partner among European Union member countries, with bilateral trade amounting to $450 million in 2019, according to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). Philippine imports to the Czech Republic are pegged at $340.44 million, while imports from the European nation are at $114.31 million, data showed. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Colombian President Gustavo Petro told President Joe Biden in their first meeting Thursday that he supports lifting sanctions on the far-left government in Venezuela in return for restoring democracy. Petro, Colombias first leftist president, met with Biden in the White House and told reporters afterward that he discussed a strategy for resolving the crisis in far-left leader Nicolas Maduros Venezuela, which is deeply isolated by US and European sanctions. A strategy was proposed, which is to hold elections first and then lift sanctions. Or gradually as an electoral agenda is fulfilled, those sanctions are also lifted in parallel, Petro said. He said he and Biden had discussed a conference on Venezuela hosted by Colombia next week, with foreign ministers from Europe, Latin America, and the United States. Washington supports the lifting of sanctions for democracy, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters Thursday. ADVERTISEMENT Weve long been clear that that we will we wouldreview our sanctions policies in response to constructive steps by the Maduro regime and if the Venezuelan parties can make meaningful progress in return to a democracy. Calling Colombia a key to the hemisphere, Biden said Petro had been outspoken and strong on human rights in a region with a long history of abuses and armed conflict. The US president highlighted Colombias welcoming of large numbers of refugees from neighboring Venezuela, which has suffered years of economic collapse and violent political tension. Petro told reporters after his talks that he had asked Biden for help in developing a new, more targeted approach to the decades-long, US-backed military campaign against drug lords in Colombia. The key is to the drug trafficking business community, which is done through intelligence work, tracing their assets and their money, he said. I requested a little more help in that regard. We need more vessels, more boats, more drones. In his Oval Office remarks, Petro highlighted that he sees democracy, freedom and peace as a common agenda. And he emphasized the need for an in-depth shift from fossil fuels to a green economy something Biden has prioritized during his presidency, with a historic funding bill to encourage climate-friendly technology. We have the greatest potential for democracy and freedom in the Americas, as well as the greatest potential for green energies, Petro said. Petro was elected in June in part of a wave of left-leaning leaders to win power in Latin America. Colombias presidential office said the visit to the White House was a milestone in consolidating the relationship between Colombia and the United States in this new moment. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. It's been almost three weeks since Andrew Tate was released from prison in Romania. He's since made a sensational return to Twitter and appears to be back to his bordeline best. The controversial influencer was arrested last December in Romania after being accused of human trafiicking and offenses like rape and running an organised crime syndicate. After numerous appeals, he has managed to return to his flat in Budapest, where he is currently under house arrest while the investigation continues. Tate appears to be clearly enjoying himself after returning home and recently posted yet another viral video in which he is smoking a celebratory cigar while listening, and singing along to, aMariah Carey tune. It comes after there were rumors that Tate was suffering a serious health condition, with a tumor in the lung being cited as one possible diagnosis. These rumors were quickly denied by Tate himself who had some tests done to prove it wasn't the case. Outdoor enthusiasts will have a chance to hit the trail for free at any of Americas 400 national parks on Saturday. In 2023, the National Park Service is waiving paid admission into the parks on five days of the year. This includes April 22, which is the official start of National Park Week and kick off the celebration and to encourage everyone to enjoy their national parks in person, according to the park service. Read more: Google Maps to roll out 4 updates to improve hiking national parks National Park Week lasts until April 30, the park service said. Martin Luther King Jr. Day was the first free day of 2023. The next three after Saturday will include Aug. 4 for the anniversary of the Great Outdoors Act being passed in 2020, Sept. 23 for National Public Lands Day and Nov. 11 for Veterans Day. These free days are held at the 110 parks that normally require entrance fees, including Adams National Historical Park and Cape Cod National Seashore, according to the park service. Entrance fees range from $5 to $35, with Adams National Historical Park typically requiring a $ 15 per person fee and $25 per vehicle at Cape Cod National Seashore. The park service added that the waiver for fee-free days does not cover amenity or user fees for activities such as camping, boat launches, transportation, or special tours. Read more: Inside the Forest Park nature center where science lessons come to life for Springfield students For those who want free access to the parks all year round, the park service does offer the America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass, at $80 a year. This pass covers the pass owner and all occupants together in a vehicle at parks that charge per vehicle, or the pass owner and up to three additional adults (16 and over) at sites that charge per person. Any children 15 years and below have free admission. One person was killed in a three-alarm fire at a Rowley residence Friday morning. At 4:09 a.m. Friday, Rowley firefighters responded to flames reported from a home at 2 Railroad Ave. First responders found an adult male in the residence, officials wrote in a statement. Paramedics rushed the man to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Rowley Fire Chief Mark Emery said the fire did not seem suspicious and the cause is still under investigation. However, firefighters did not find working smoke alarms inside the home. In the past three weeks, fires in homes without working smoke alarms have claimed six older adults lives, said State Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey. Most fatal fires take place at home, and smoke alarms are vitally important to alert you to the danger. Test them once a month, change the batteries twice a year, and replace them every 10 years. Many local fire departments have programs that can help older adults protect themselves from fires at home. Please dont hesitate to ask. Several Dunkin stores recently violated child labor laws, impacting hundreds of underage workers in the commonwealth, Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbells office said. The two Dunkin franchisees were fined more than $370,000, Campbells office said. The attorney generals office began investigating after there was a complaint regarding the way Somerset Donut Express were requiring children to work. The investigation uncovered over a thousand instances in which the states child labor laws were violated, affecting hundreds of employees, the attorney generals office said. Somerset Donut Express and owners Robert Mongeon and Catherine Mello were issued four citations totaling $150,000 for failure to obtain valid work permits, employing minors after 8 p.m. without adult supervision, the employment of 16- or 17-year-olds for more than nine hours in a day and the employment of minors later than the latest permissible hour of 10 p.m., the attorney generals office said. Somerset Donut Express has seven Dunkin stores in Somerset, Fall River and Dartmouth. Courtney Donuts and manager Steven Catalano were also issued four citations totaling over $222,000 for failure to obtain valid work permits, employing minors after 8:00 p.m. without adult supervision, employment of 16- or 17-year-olds for more than nine hours in a day and employment of minors earlier than the earliest permissible hour of 6 a.m., the attorney generals office said. The owners of Courtney Donuts operate 20 Dunkin stores in multiple Massachusetts towns, including Devens, Harvard, Groton, Shirley and Townsend. Companies who employ young workers must comply with our child labor laws and provide a safe and fair environment for them, said Campbell. My office remains committed to protecting the health and well-being of the states youngest workers, ensuring their rights are protected, and that companies are complying with the rules we have in place Since January 2022, the attorney generals office has issued 32 citations against various owners of several Dunkin franchisees. The majority of the citations relate to child labor violations and total over $564,000 in restitution and penalties, the attorney generals office said. Last fall, the office issued citations to the owners of Dunkin stores located in Lowell, Worcester, Grafton, Millbury, Westborough and Leominster, for violations of the child labor laws. And in 2021, the office issued similar citations to a management company and its owner, which operated 10 Dunkin locations. A Sukhoi-34 jet fighter bombed Belgorod, a Russian city 40 miles from the border with Ukraine, in what authorities there describe as an accident. The explosion catapulted a car onto a nearby roof and a residential building was evacuated. A number of people were hurt, but none were reportedly killed. Regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said authorities had ordered the evacuation of a damaged nine-storey block of flats as a precaution. Three people were injured and several buildings were damaged, he said. Video posted on social media showed the impact of the blast, lifting a vehicle on to the roof of a supermarket as traffic streamed along Prospekt Vatutina, close to the centre of the city. In a brief statement, the Russian defence ministry admitted that one of its Su-34 fighter bombers had "accidentally discharged aircraft ordnance" at 22:15 local time (19:15 GMT) on Thursday. A Massachusetts police officer passed out and was sent to a hospital after ingesting airborne fentanyl during an arrest on Wednesday. At around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Billerica police patrolling Webb Brook Road stopped a vehicle with a canceled registration and learned that the vehicles driver had a suspended license. The driver was identified as Charles Lang, 65, of Lowell, according to a department release. As Lang was approached by officers, police claim the man attempted to destroy a small bag containing a powdery substance. An officer tried to remove Lang from the vehicle to stop him from destroying the potential evidence, police said. After a brief struggle with the officer, police said Lang tore open the bag. The powdery substance became airborne and spread across Langs hand and also across the rear of the vehicle, officials stated. An investigation into the substance later revealed the powder to be fentanyl. After placing Lang under arrest and taking him to the police station, the officer involved in the arrest passed out. He was rushed to a hospital for evaluation and treated for fentanyl exposure. He has since been released from the hospital, according to officials. First responders across the country have reported negative side effects from fentanyl exposure. However, several doctors, including Dr. Ryan Marino, a medical toxicologist and addiction medicine specialist at University Hospitals in Ohio, told MassLive last year that fentanyl, in powder form, does not cross the skin barrier and its impossible to overdose from airborne exposure. The drug would need to be ingested in order to cause serious reactions warranting hospital treatment, such as what officials claim to have happened with the Billerica police officer. Marino added that fentanyl has a very low vapor pressure, making it difficult to get in the air. Fentanyl does not just get into the air on its own. You would really have to be kind of working hard to do so, to inhale any fentanyl, Marino said last year. Dozens of Black student organizations at Harvard University are demanding that the college take appropriate actions to support its Black student community weeks after four Black students were woken up at gunpoint by the campus police in response to a hoax emergency call. The letter to the university administration alleges that Harvards response to the April 3 swatting incident reflects a deep investment to protect a false institutional image over the well-being of the Black students targeted and the greater Harvard Black community. The swatting incident served as a harsh reminder of the persistent struggles Black students face within an institution that has historically upheld white supremacy and the oppression of Black people both nationally and globally, the letter said. The ill-intent behind the swatting call makes poignant the ways racism both informs and amplifies the numerous adversarial situations that Black students are met with the moment they step foot on campus. Earlier this month Harvard police responded to a 911 call from a male caller who said he was armed and had taken a female hostage in Leverett House, the Harvard Crimson reported. Upon arrival, the officers had ordered four Black students out of their rooms while holding guns. The collection of student groups have made a list of demands and are requesting an immediate meeting with the Harvard University administration by Sunday. If the university fails to comply with the requests by then, the Black student organizations have said they plan to stage a demonstration during Visitas Harvards visitation day for newly admitted students. Harvard had taken three days to notify the campus about the swatting incident, the letter said. Before receiving notice, some of the students learned about the incident from one another or from media reports. For 66 hours, the Universitys silence left students to deal with their anxieties and confusion amidst the resounding absence of information and support resources, the letter read. Frustrated with the delayed response, the student groups are demanding that the university issue a statement on the swatting incident across all schools and explicitly name the racial impact it had on the Black students involved and the campus Black community as a whole. Jason Newton, a Harvard University spokesperson, said that the campus police, residential staff, and the university have held several meetings and listening sessions with affected students and shared available resources, according to the Boston Globe. Newton also said that university officials are still reviewing the swatting incident and the universitys response to see if there are any lessons that can be learned for future incidents, the Globe reported. The student groups also demand that university police give students access to police records and that the university provide proactive mental health responses for incidents of trauma. Lastly, the groups demand that Harvard officials engage in a town hall with students to discuss issues of racial policing and university police protocol. We will not wait for justice and will take all necessary measures to ensure that the University is held accountable for its inaction in addressing the ongoing racial trauma and injustices inflicted on Black students, the student group wrote. The bodies of two Quincy men and one New Hampshire man were recovered by U.S. Coast Guard officers Thursday afternoon a day after they were reported missing from a fishing trip off a New Hampshire coast. One person on the fishing expedition is said to still be missing. On Wednesday at around 11:45 p.m., a family member of one of the four people aboard a 17-foot white center console boat called the Coast Guard and said their boat hasnt returned since leaving from Hampton Harbor, New Hampshire that morning at 7:30 a.m. Read more: Coast Guard searching for 4 missing fishermen after boat overturns off Cape Ann Coast Guard crew members used cell phone GPS technology to develop a search area and begin their search for the missing fishermen. Coast Guard helicopters, aircraft, cutters and boats were all used in the search. Thursday at 2 p.m., authorities found the capsized boat seven miles northeast of Cape Ann near Boston. After finding the capsized ship, crews looked began searching the nearby water for people. Between 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., officials said rescue teams found three individuals from the capsized boat: Jia Fu Zheng, 38, of Quincy, Massachusetts, Daxiao Lin, 43, also of Quincy, and Jaime Liu, 42, of Litchfield, New Hampshire, were recovered unresponsive and transported by Coast Guard boat to Station Gloucester, Massachusetts and pronounced dead by local medical examiners. The fourth person on the boat, Bin Michael Cai, still remains missing, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. As of 10:20 a.m. Friday, the Coast Guard said it suspended its search off the coast of Cape Ann. We extend our deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones of these boaters. said Capt. Amy Florentino, commander, Coast Guard Sector Northern New England. The decision to suspend a search and rescue case is one of the most difficult decisions I must make, but we want the public and especially Mr. Cais family that we did everything in our power to find them. The water temperature in New England at this time of the year dramatically reduces the survivability rate for anyone that enters the water, and we urge all boaters to keep the air and water temperatures in mind when planning their voyages this spring. Coast Guard crews searched for 27 hours and covered more than 1,567 square nautical miles, according to officials. Authorities are conducting a death investigation into the incident. CHICOPEE Desperate to increase the number of police on the street, the city is hoping to recruit new employees by poaching experienced officers from other departments. In a unique attempt to attract trained officers, the city announced on Thursday that it would offer bonuses ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 to five experienced officers willing to move from another department. The police department, which is eligible to have 120 patrol officers, currently has 97 but six or seven of those are out on injured or sick leave, said Travis Ordiorne, Chicopee public information officer. There are also nine new recruits who entered the police academy two weeks ago, but the course lasts 26 weeks and it is followed by a 14-week in-house program where new recruits work side-by-side with officers so those recruits will not be on the street on their own in January, he said. We are not near where we should be, he said. Summer vacations are coming and to keep eight cars per shift will have to call for overtime and force overtime. While in the past many officers were happy to work as much overtime as was available, now younger officers are more mindful of having a better work-life balance and dont want to spend 50 or 60 hours a week in uniform, he said. It is also a problem because a lower number of officers mean special details such as bicycle patrols have to be sacrificed because there just arent enough people. About a year ago when the department dipped to 75 officers, the C3 unit in Chicopee Center mostly had to be disbanded although it had recorded many successes. Now that unit is back and a second was just created in Willimansett and officials want them to continue. Police Chief Patrick Major and Mayor John L. Vieau agreed to try to attract officers who can hit the streets quickly. Any transfer will also go through a training period, the length of which will be determined by their experience. It will mainly be designed to help the new hires learn the departments policies and procedures and get familiar with the layout of the city, Odiorne said. The plan to recruit new officers calls for them to receive a $5,000 signing bonus if they have one to three years of experience. The bonus increases to $10,000 for those who have been an officer for three to six years and $15,000 for anyone with more than six years. The transfers have to come from another department that is under the Massachusetts Civil Service system and have to be academy trained. They also have to receive permission from the chief of the current community where they work and must commit to stay in Chicopee for a minimum of five years, he said. Lateral transfers are not uncommon. Odiorne said he transferred from the Ware Police Department a dozen years ago because he wanted the opportunities a larger department could offer. In recent years, officers from several different communities including Orange, North Adams, Cape Cod and eastern Massachusetts have transferred to Chicopee. But offering a signing bonus to actively recruit officers from other communities is a new concept for the region. Vieau said he knows offering the signing bonus will not be appreciated by police chiefs in other departments but the city really needs officers. I want people to feel safe and to do that we have to make sure we have enough police, he said. Public safety is paramount to the success of our city. While he knows of no other Western Massachusetts department that has tried to recruit from its neighbors, he listed a few from Eastern Massachusetts, including Framingham, Somerville and New Bedford, who have done the same. The city has already taken other steps to try to beef up its police department. Concerned that a 12-step contract system was leaving the younger officers woefully underpaid compared to neighboring departments, the city last year changed the system and boosted the starting salary to $54,288. It also raised the salary of an officer with four years of experience to $63,684, which is about the same as the $62,790 average salary officers in surrounding communities earn. The human resource department last year teamed up with the police department to hold a career fair to lead people interested in law enforcement through the steps they needed to get started. While the motivation for the recruiting program is not financial, Vieau said offering the signing bonus is essentially an inexpensive way to get a new officer since he figured it costs $34,000 to completely train a new recruit. It can also be difficult to keep officers especially with the job market so open and police officers being under more scrutiny and facing more criticism than ever before. Chicopee recently lost an officer, not to another department, but because he changed careers completely to become a plumber, Vieau said. It is tough because there is a lack of respect and a lot of people have no real desire to be a police officer, Odiorne said. Other police chiefs said they understand Chicopees reason for trying to steal their officers, although they are going to do everything they can to keep them away from their staff. I dont blame them. Everyone is actively recruiting, Springfield Police Superintendent Cheryl C. Clapprood said of Chicopee's efforts to attract officers from other departments. (Hoang 'Leon' Nguyen / The Republican) I dont blame them. Everyone is actively recruiting, Springfield Police Superintendent Cheryl C. Clapprood said. Clapprood has been talking a lot about the difficulty of recruiting officers. She said she recently rejected two requests from officers who were looking for lateral transfers, one of whom wanted to join the Boston Police Department. It was difficult to say no but the department was too short. Springfield has slots for 489 patrol officers but currently has nearly 30 vacant slots. Additionally, there are more than 30 officers who are on long-term leave due to illness, injuries and six are on military deployments, she said. Clapprood said she is also seeing officers leave the state to head to places like Florida and others quitting for new careers. Officers also no longer stay until they are 60 or 65, instead choosing to retire as soon as they are eligible, meaning the department also loses valuable experience. Im down to where I cant do the extra things, she said, explaining she would like to expand C3 policing to other neighborhoods and increase traffic enforcement among other things but cannot because all the officers she has now are needed just to patrol the streets and answer 911 calls. Springfield has also increased its salary to $72,000 for newly-minted officers and offers an educational incentive, but a five-year Springfield residency requirement hurts them. Younger officers are now helping in the recruitment process by visiting community colleges and high schools to talk to students who may find they are interested in law enforcement. The profession has been demeaned and demoralized and its dangerous, she said. I still tell people if you are a good person and you want to help people its a good paying job and there are still good perks. With an annual entry-level salary that is about $18,000 higher than Chicopees, most Springfield officers will likely not be interested in transferring, but some of the nearby smaller departments could be vulnerable to losing an officer or two. I think it is one of these situations where we are all in the same boat. We are all running short of officers, said Paul Connor, West Springfield police chief. Everyone is trying to do the best for their community. West Springfield was in terrible shape last year but is doing better now. The department is currently budgeted for 68 officers and is now in the mid-50s including six that entered the Police Academy in April. The job is not appealing anymore, he said. You are seeing it on social media. This profession is taking a good beating and people dont feel supported. Not only has West Springfield lost officers due to career changers, especially the officers who have three to five years of experience and decide to go into a trade, it has also seen a number go to the State Police. It is difficult to say no to an officer who wants to make that lateral move so he said he feels he has to try to prevent them from wanting to leave even with a signing bonus. That puts pressure on us to try to retain the people in our department, Connor said. We have to do the best we can to make them happy. A Springfield Prep Charter School teachers fiance was arrested in connection with a collision that killed the teacher after police claimed their fiance was driving under the influence of alcohol and cut off a police officer that had their lights and sirens on. The crash killed 25-year-old Bianca Colon Hernandez, a Springfield Prep Charter School seventh-grade science teacher, and injured the couples 1-year-old son, according to a Manchester Police Department report. On Thursday Connecticut police arrested Colon Hernandezs fiance, Phillip Vargas, 33, of Vernon in connection with the early-April Connecticut crash. Bianca Colon-Hernandez, a resident of Vernon, Connecticut, and teacher at Springfield Prep Charter School, was killed April 2 in a car crash in Vernon. (Photo courtesy of her family). A Manchester Police Department investigation revealed that on April 2, at around 7:30 p.m., Vargas was driving a car with Colon Hernandez in the passenger and their 1-year-old son in the back seat. The car was heading westbound on the Hartford Turnpike toward the intersection of Bolton and Center Roads in Vernon, Connecticut, in front of the Vernon Police Department. At that same time, Vernon Police Officer Andre Lisee was driving a police cruiser eastbound on Hartford Turnpike, the officer turned their emergency lights and sirens on as they were responding to an officer needs assistance call, documents stated. The investigation claims Vargas turned left at the intersection, cutting off the officer driving with their sirens and causing the crash involving the police cruiser at the intersection of Bolton and Center Roads. Colon Hernandez died of her injuries in the collision and was pronounced dead at the scene. Their 1-year-old son was also injured in the crash and the police officer was rushed to a hospital with life-threatening injuries following the collision. Police uncovered two fireball miniature liquor bottle containers from Vargas vehicle after the crash. Authorities released video of the crash captured from a Vernon Police Department camera: After a weeks-long investigation conducted by the Manchester Police Department, police arrested Vargas in connection with the fatal collision. Vargas faces multiple charges, including manslaughter, reckless endangerment, operating under the influence and operation of a motor vehicle containing a passenger younger than 18 while under the influence. Vargas was processed at the Manchester Police Department and ordered held on a $75,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear in Tolland Superior Court on Friday. SPRINGFIELD Former West Springfield police Capt. Brian Pomeroy sentenced to probation after being charged with indecent assault on a pair of female coworkers last year. Under a deal with prosecutors finalized on Friday, District Court Judge William Rooney accepted Pomeroys admission to facts sufficient, which is shy of a guilty plea, allowing a continuance without a finding with an 18-month term of probation. The continuance allows the charges to be dropped altogether if Pomeroy serves out his probation without incident. Pomeroy was charged last year with allegedly smacking two female coworkers on their behinds during the 2022 Holyoke St. Patricks Day festivities. The popular annual affair usually draws large contingents of elected officials, and fire and police personnel from across Western Massachusetts with a heavy dose of revelry. A 25-year-veteran of the police force once potentially in line for the departments top spot, Pomeroy was forced to resign on July 13, West Springfield officials confirmed. He was charged with three counts of indecent assault involving two women, according to court records. Pomeroy sought retirement shortly after he resigned. The deal will allow Pomeroy to keep his pension and avoid a spot on the states sex offender registry. We are pleased that Mr. Pomeroy will be able to retain his hard-earned pension and that he will not appear on the sex offender registry, which the facts in this case never supported, said Daniel D. Kelly, Pomeroys attorney. The charges involved verbal and physical overtures he made at Collins Tavern in West Springfield after the parade, according to witnesses and the alleged victims. He faces similar charges in Holyoke District Court for pawing women and grabbing their behinds during the parade, a state police report says. One woman, identified as Victim #1 in a police narrative, stated, He (later identified as Brian Pomeroy) came up behind me and smacked my butt. She described that later that day at the tavern in West Springfield, He came up behind me again and smacked my ass, referring to the March 20, 2022, parade and afterparty at Collins Tavern. Another coworker also secured a restraining order against Pomeroy for stalking her after the two broke off a romantic relationship. Kelly said his client did not receive a deal any similarly situated defendant would not receive. While he shouldnt receive special treatment because he was a police officer, he also shouldnt be punished more because he was a police officer. Anyone else would have received continuation without a finding under these circumstances, Kelly said. An East Boston man who crashed his motorcycle in Revere on Thursday died from injuries, Massachusetts State Police and Revere police said Friday. Read more: Fiance arrested in crash that killed Springfield teacher Bianca Colon Hernandez Juan Alvarez, 44, crashed his motorcycle driving on North Shore Road at Agawam Street in Revere. First responders arrived at about 9 p.m., with Revere firefighters and a Cataldo ambulance crew performing medical aid to Alvarez. He was taken to a nearby hospital and died from his injuries, state police said. Early findings in an investigation by Revere police and state police suggest Alvarez lost control of his motorcycle and crashed, possibly striking the guardrail and sustained several injuries. State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section and State Police Crime Scene Services Sections are also investigating the crash. A massive house fire, reportedly caused by an explosion, happened overnight in Truro, pulling in fire departments from across the Cape. The fire took place near First Light Lane, and leveled the home, according to NBC-10 Boston. A request for information from the Truro Fire Department was not immediately returned. A neighbor, Kristin Perry, told the news station that a couple in their 70s lived in the home but were staying in a cottage behind it, adding that a loud boom woke her and her dogs up. I kinda sorta went to bed and I heard a boom! So there was a couple big explosions and then one really big mushroom cloud explosion, Perry told the station. She said she used to live in the home, and sold it to the couple decades ago. Video from the area posted around 6 a.m. on Friday by NECN reporter Mary Markos showed debris and not more left of the home. Earlier, Markos posted an image of the blaze in full force from the air. This is the second explosion in a week thats led to a house fire. An explosion in Berlin on Friday, April 14, led to the death of Judith Judy Christensen, age 79. Christensens daughter, was rescued from the fire after being pulled from some debris and treated at a hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. Hyannis News reported that the fire went to three alarms and started at about 11:40 p.m. on Thursday. The outlet reported that there were no nearby fire hydrants and crews needed to set up water supply pools. Video posted to Hyannis News showed flames coming off the ground with no recognizable house structure. A deadly fire tore through a single-family home in New Bedford on Thursday, claiming the life of one occupant and leaving three others injured, including one person in critical condition. The New Bedford Fire Department responded to the fire on 260 Chestnut St. after receiving 911 calls at around 1:40 p.m., according to State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskeys office. Firefighters used ground ladders to enter the home through its windows on the upper story, where officials said they could see heavy fire. They entered the building and walked up an inside stairway. Firefighters found two older adults, one man and one woman, Ostroskeys office said. Both were removed from the house and taken to the hospital. The man was pronounced dead, but the woman was in critical condition. Two other adults left the burning house before they were also taken to the hospital, Ostroskeys office said. While the fire did not appear to be suspicious and its exact cause is under investigation, Ostroskeys office said the home had working smoking alarms. Investigations into several house fires across Massachusetts over a two-week period in April found those homes lacked working smoke alarms, leaving at least six people dead. We dont yet know exactly how this fire started, but we do know that most fire deaths take place at home, Ostroskey said in a statement. In addition to working smoke alarms, every household should have a home escape plan. Create a plan that includes two ways out, and practice both of them so you know what to do and where to go in an emergency. Remember that older adults face the greatest risk of death or serious injury in a fire and may need assistance getting out quickly. Along with the New Bedford Fire Department, the New Bedford Police Department, the State Police Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit assigned to the State Fire Marshals office, and State Police assigned to the Bristol County District Attorneys office are investigating the fire. Berlin police and the Berlin Fire Department painted a clearer picture of what happened after a house exploded and suffered fire damage so catastrophic that it was leveled, leaving one woman dead and another injured on April 14. In a joint statement on Thursday, police and fire officials detailed the lengths that neighbors went to save the life of one of the occupants of the building, at one point moving through raining fire, and at other points dealing with heavy flames and a sparking electrical wire. The Berlin Fire Department was notified at about 3:30 a.m. about an explosion in the area of 71 Pleasant St., according to a statement from State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskeys office. First responders arrived to see a massive fire engulfing the house in flames. Judith Judy Christensen, 79, died while her daughter was taken away with not life-threatening injuries. Through the rapidly deteriorating building damage from multiple explosions, first responders were unable to rescue Judy and she perished at the scene, Thursdays statement read. Judy, a lifelong resident of Berlin, will be forever remembered for her smile and the laughter she spread, the statement read. Our memories of her will never be forgotten and we will cherish the gratitude she had for our Public Safety Departments and the stories of random acts of kindness she spread throughout the community. It took firefighters about an hour and a half to put out the fire, Ostroskeys office said. The Bolton, Clinton, Harvard, Hopkinton, Hudson, Marlborough, Northborough, Shirley, Sterling and Stow fire departments helped. In their statement, Berlin Fire/EMS Chief Michael McQuillen and Police Chief Eric Schartner also provided more details about the neighbors who intervened to rescue Christensens daughter from the burning home. Neighbors Brian and Dylan Clemmer called upon Berlin police officer Molly Plante to help them lift a porch roof off of a woman they heard calling for help. Then a second explosion brought heavy fire and a live, sparking electrical wire under the rescuers feet. Miraculously, they were able to move the debris and free the victim, the statement read. Officer Plante as well as neighbor Bobby Wheeler then pulled the victim out, and the group carried the victim over the power lines. Plante took the woman over her shoulder and carried her back to the police cruiser just as another explosion further engulfed the house in flames, which Plante said looked like raining fire, the statement said. The womans injuries were described as serious, but MassLive previously reported these injuries as not life-threatening. Berlin Fire/EMS Chief Michael McQuillen and Police Chief Eric Schartner said they wished to recognize Plante, Wheeler and the Clemmers for their heroic actions in saving Christensens daughter. Without the actions of these individuals, there is no doubt in my mind that the outcome would not have been as positive for this trapped person, McQuillen said in the statement. The fire cause and origin is currently under investigation by the Fire Marshall Office and Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr.s Office, the statement concluded. Meet Cristhian Zapata, the third man arrested for threatening Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood, who has taken a stand against an extremist group called the Goyim Defense League. Similar to the other two individuals arrested for threatening Chitwood, Zapata resides with his mommy. Zapata allegedly posted, "I will kill Chitwood, mark my words" on 4Chan earlier this month. Authorities were able to trace the post to Zapata's residence in Ansonia, Connecticut. Zapata's sister informed Ansonia police detectives that her brother frequently used his computer, often participating in extremist chat rooms and "discussing conspiracy theories and white supremacist ideology with unknown individuals," according to the sheriff's office statement to The Daily Beast. She also mentioned that her brother had a fascination with Adolf Hitler. SPRINGFIELD Business group Associated Industries of Massachusetts is honoring Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical Academy in Springfield and Worcester Technical High School with its 2023 John Gould Award, AIM announced Friday. The two schools are being honored for remaking what were once underperforming schools with high dropout numbers and low graduation rates into two of the best vocational institutions in the country. AIM praised the schools, saying they are each housed in state-of-the-art facilities built with support from the business community. Worcester Technical High School of Putman Vocational Academy provide compelling success stories as they create educational and economic opportunities in two of the commonwealths most important urban areas, said John Regan, president and chief executive officer at AIM in a news release. These success stories are being forged against the backdrop of dire workforce challenges looming over the Massachusetts economy. The demographic and COVID-related changes that have left employers gasping for workers underscore the importance of the outstanding work being done by the teachers and students at these two schools. The John Gould Education and Workforce Training Award was established in 1998 to recognize the contributions of individuals, employers, and institutions to the quality of public education and to the advancement, employability, and productivity of residents of the commonwealth. In 2000, the award was named after the late John Gould, upon his retirement as president and CEO of AIM, to recognize his work to improve the quality of public education and workforce training in Massachusetts. Putnam has about 1,400 students and 22 vocational shops. A September 2022 white paper on the two schools by The Pioneer Institute noted that the turnarounds involved initiatives on many levels. In both Worcester and Springfield, turnaround efforts involved new leadership, gaining fresh perspective, changing perceptions, and building support in the business community. New principals were instrumental in moving beyond outdated and inaccurate public perceptions of urban voc-tech schools as dumping grounds for students who were thought to be less capable than their peers in so-called comprehensive high schools. School staff sharpened their focus on the key relationship between academics and vocational skills. Each school implemented new programs that focused on improving test scores, empowering staff, and increasing pride in the school. A group from Putnam will attend the awards at AIMs annual meeting May 4 in Boston. Past recipients of the Gould Award include the late Jack Rennie, chairman and founder of the Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education; Middlesex Community College; Gordon Lankton, president and CEO (retired), NYPRO Inc.; William Edgerly, chairman emeritus, State Street Corporation; Northeastern University; The Davis Family Foundation; Intel Massachusetts; EMC Corp.; IBM; David Driscoll, commissioner (Retired) Massachusetts Department of Education; State Street Corp. and Year UP Boston; Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership; Brockton High School; the Manufacturing Advancement Center MACWIC Program; Christo Rey Boston High School; CVS and Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission; Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries, the Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership, SnapChef, The Base and Pioneer Valley Books. The Gould Award is really a tribute to the students, faculty and administrators who have made Putnam a school of choice during the past decade. We take seriously the role that Putnam plays in supporting the economy of both Greater Springfield and the entire commonwealth of Massachusetts, said George Johnson, principal of Putnam Vocational Technical Academy. A 21-year-old Air National Guardsman accused of leaking highly classified documents is scheduled to appear next week in a Worcester federal courtroom where a judge will decide if he should remain jailed while his case plays out in court, according to court filings. A detention hearing for Jack Teixeira was postponed this week after his public defender asked Judge David Hennessy for two weeks to prepare arguments on the issue. New court filings posted Friday show a detention hearing is scheduled for 1 p.m. on April 27 at the Harold D. Donohue Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in downtown Worcester. Teixeira has remained in federal custody since an initial appearance last week in a Boston courtroom. During his court appearance this week, Teixeira wore an orange jumpsuit that bore markings connected to Plymouth County Correctional Facility. Read more: Court hearing for Jack Teixeira leaked docs case delayed by two weeks The low-level airman based out of Joint Base Cape Cod leaked highly sensitive national defense information on a social media platform designed for video game enthusiasts, FBI investigators have said in court documents. Prosecutors charged him with unauthorized retention and transmission of national defense information and unauthorized removal and retention of classified documents or material in connection to one document on the war in Ukraine leaked in February 2023. He faces up to 15 years in prison. Investigators believe Teixeira could have more documents being stored in an unsecure manner at two residences in Dighton. Neither Teixeiras lawyers nor family members who have appeared in court have spoken publicly in his defense. He was arrested without incident by heavily armed law enforcement agents at a residence in Dighton last week, the FBI previously said. National defense information posted to a Discord server has covered everything from the war in Ukraine to United States spying efforts in allied countries. It has also included information on U.S. special forces activity on the ground in Ukraine, The New York Times has reported. And the leak has created a political and security headache for the United States, where officials are now grappling with the question of why such a low-ranking service member had access to some of the nations top secrets. Part of that answer may lie in the efforts security agencies took after 9-11 to better share intelligence so that another attack on United States soil could be prevented. And in doing so, the country has granted top-secret security clearances to a wide breadth of government workers. Teixeira worked as a cyber defense operations journeyman at the Otis Air National Guard Base, where investigators said he needed a top-secret security clearance and sensitive compartmented access to classified programs in order to do his job. Read more: Joint Base Cape Cod loses intel mission as leaked docs case proceeds But in order to get those clearances, Teixeira signed documents acknowledging the criminal charges he would face if he disclosed them in an unauthorized manner, prosecutors said in court documents. Top Air Force officials stripped Teixeiras unit, 102nd Intelligence Wing, of their intelligence mission and reassigned it elsewhere pending the outcome of a review of their policy and procedures. And Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall told members of Congress this week that the service has launched its own investigation into how the young airman was able to access and distribute documents. Anti-child abuse advocates on Thursday lined up behind bills they said would crack down on sexual exploitation of kids in school settings, an area that a Boston lawyer said is the clergy abuse crisis of this decade. Speaking on a webinar held by Mass. Citizens for Children and the Enough Abuse Campaign, Sen. Joan Lovely said one bill in particular, dubbed the SHIELD Act, would address staggering but true statistics about the prevalence of abuse in the education system. The Salem Democrat said her legislation and a parallel bill filed by Rep. John Law (S 314 / H 194) would require schools and youth-serving organizations to adopt abuse prevention policies; require all mandated reporters employed in schools and child-serving programs to undergo biennial training on how to prevent child sexual abuse, recognize inappropriate behavior, and respond to violations; and have the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education develop the training program and make it available to schools and YSOs at no cost. Rep. Natalie Blais also highlighted a bill she co-sponsored with Lovely (H 434 / S 1040), which she said would strengthen the hiring and retention policies at schools to weed out prospective employees who could pose safety risks to children. The standardized screening would require asking applicants about whether they had ever been the subject of a misconduct investigation, or whether their professional license or certificate had ever been suspended. That would help stop abuse perpetrators from being passed from school to school, Blais said. Attorney Carmen Durso, whose Boston practice specializes in representing abuse survivors, told attendees that sex abuse in education has become the clergy abuse crisis of this decade. By any measure, the numbers of people who are being sexually abused in school are just startling and are, if not the [most], one of the most, important public health problems we have in the United States, Durso said. Lovely said that sponsors have really refined the anti-abuse bills and they are really ready for floor action. She added that as a survivor, I walk in those shoes. Les membres du Cabinet ont pris note de la presentation en premiere lecture un amendement au Caudan Bridges, Port Louis (Authorised Construction) (Amendment) Bill le 25 avril 2028 ainsi que celui du Education (Amendment) Bill, du rejet de lappel de Dawood Rawat devant la Cour de Cassation de Belgique, de lorganisation dun atelier de travail avec le Indian Ocean Rim Association sur les lecons de la Covid-19 aur le secteur touristique entres autres. 1. Cabinet has agreed to the introduction of the Caudan Bridges, Port Louis (Authorised Construction) (Amendment) Bill into the National Assembly. The object of the Bill would be to amend the Caudan Bridges, Port Louis (Authorised Construction) Act to authorise Caudan Development Limited to operate a pedestrian swing bridge over the Caudan Bassin for the purpose of enabling the public to commute between the Caudan Waterfront and Les Salines area. 2. Cabinet has agreed to the introduction of the Education (Amendment) Bill into the National Assembly. The Education (Amendment) Bill would provide for: (i) the setting up of the National Examinations Board for the organisation and conduct of examinations in designated subjects at secondary education level; and (ii) the conferment upon the University of Mauritius of the power to award certificates in the secondary education sub-sector on the recommendations of the National Examinations Board. . Cabinet has agreed to the signing of a General Cooperation Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Mauritius and the Government of the Republic of South Africa. The General Cooperation Agreement would have the following main objectives: (a) to seek ways and means of promoting and enhancing cooperation between both countries; and (b) to facilitate contact between the civil and private sectors of both countries. 4. Cabinet has agreed to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Health and Wellness and the Narayana Hrudayalaya Limited, Bangalore, India, with a view to seeking assistance for the provision of health services not available locally in public health institutions, in particular, complicated paediatric surgical cases. 5. Cabinet has agreed to the Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change signing a Project Document in the context of the Review and Update of the National Implementation Plan for the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). Pursuant to the decision taken at the first meeting of the Conference of Parties, whenever there are amendments to the Convention or to its annexes, a Party would need to review and update its National Implementation Plan and transmit same to the Secretariat of the Convention within two years of the entry into force of the amendment. The National Implementation Plan project being envisaged would review and update the inventory of POPs and develop an Action Plan to support the management and control of identified POPs in Mauritius. 6. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the appeal of Mr Dawood Rawat before La Cour de Cassation de Belgique against the judgment of Le Tribunal de Premiere Instance Francophone de Bruxelles dated 30 June 2021 dismissing Mr Rawats action for annulment of the Arbitral Award dated 06 April 2018. In a written judgment dated 06 April 2023, the Cour de Cassation de Belgique rejected the appeal of Mr Rawat with costs. 7. Cabinet has agreed to Mauritius starting formal discussions with the Irish Authorities with a view to developing a Labour Circular Mobility and Education Pathways between both countries. The proposed areas of cooperation would be as follows: (i) facilitation of skills mobility and training/exchanges; (ii) setting up of Higher Education and Vocational Training facilities and educational exchanges, in accordance with legal requirements in the host country; and (iii) facilitation of courses, seminars, workshops and conferences. 8. Cabinet has taken note that the Ministry of Tourism, in collaboration with the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), would hold a workshop from 03 to 05 May 2023 in Mauritius, on nature-based tourism and lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. The workshop would bring together senior government officials from IORA Member States, primarily from the Ministry of Tourism or related government agencies, who have direct oversight, involvement, and responsibility in implementing sustainable nature-based tourism policies. Resource persons who are tourism professionals, private tourism operators, conservationists or experts in the field of nature-based tourism as well as representatives from Dialogue Partners would also participate in the workshop. 9. Cabinet has taken note that Interkultur of Germany intends to hold the Africa and Asia Pacific Choir Games 2025 from 27 September to 05 October 2025 in Mauritius. The hosting of the Choir Games would promote Mauritius as a world-class cultural, leisure, and tourist destination. 10. Cabinet has taken note that the Ministry of Blue Economy, Marine Resources, Fisheries and Shipping would host the Maritime Security Awareness Workshop, in collaboration with the International Maritime Organization, in Mauritius from 02 to 04 May 2023. The aim of this Workshop would be to provide training to all stakeholders involved in safety of navigation and maritime security. 11. Cabinet has taken note that two meetings of the Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement (SIOFA), namely the seventh meeting of the Compliance Committee and the tenth Meeting of Parties would be held in Mauritius from 28 June to 07 July 2023. Around 120 participants were expected to attend the meetings of the SIOFA which would be held in hybrid mode. 12. Cabinet has taken note of the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic prevailing in Mauritius. As at 19 April 2023, there were 70 active cases of COVID-19, out of which 17 were admitted at the New ENT Hospital. 13. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the participation of the Minister of Land Transport and Light Rail, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade in the 13th Session of the Mauritius-Seychelles Commission on Bilateral Cooperation held recently in Seychelles. Several issues were discussed including, Legal Affairs, Financial Services, Environment and Climate Change, Blue Economy, Fisheries, ICT, Arts and Culture, Handicraft, Tourism, Health, Circular Economy, Gender and Family Affairs, Ease of Doing Business, Enhancing Labour and Employment Cooperation, Staff Exchange Programmes, Pooled Procurement and Education. The Minister of Land Transport and Light Rail, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade also had meetings with the President of the Republic of Seychelles, the Minister for Fisheries and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism. 14. Cabinet has taken note of the recent bilateral online meeting between the Minister of Informational Technology, Communication and Innovation and Dr Cosmas Zavazava, Director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau of the International Telecommunication Union. The following issues were discussed: (a) the Kigali Action Plan outcomes, including regional initiatives; (b) the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Alliance; (c) regulatory aspects for secure and resilient networks; and (d) organisation of a separate International Telecommunication Union Conference for Small Island Developing States Countries. Partager et informez vous aussi...... 0 shares Share Tweet LinkedIn Articles similaires The Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA) seized 1.028 kilograms of Synthetic drugs worth approximately Rs 15,420,000 on Monday, 17 April 2023 at a Courier Service. The courier consignment, declared as pearlescent powder, was scanned by Customs Anti-Narcotics Section (CANS) of the MRA. Upon examination, the parcel, a carton box, was found to contain an aluminium sachet enclosing a plastic sachet which in turn contained a brownish powder suspected to be dangerous drugs. The drug arrived in Mauritius from China. A field test for Synthetic Cannabinoid was carried out on the substance and the result was positive. The case was referred to ADSU for further enquiry. During a controlled delivery exercise by the latter one person has been arrested. Partager et informez vous aussi...... 0 shares Share Tweet LinkedIn Articles similaires Rethinking hiring practices to appeal to young candidates How can employers attract young job candidates? It's a question many of them are eager to answer, amid a low unemployment rate and many jobs going unfilled. Part of the solution lies in updating the ways employers try to connect with young people, and removing barriers to hiring, said Stephanie Peete, director of workforce development for Say Yes Buffalo. Case in point: job interviews. Peete recalled how Say Yes Buffalo last year hosted a day for employers to come talk to young people for apprenticeship work. Then, a concern arose. "We were like, 'Oh, God, interview clothes,' " Peete said. Say Yes Buffalo staffers worried about making sure the students had proper attire to meet with employers, to make a good impression. Then one of Peete's colleagues made a suggestion: "Why don't we just tell the employers not to look at their clothes?" "Assume positive intent, assume that they come to the interview in their best and just interview them," Peete said. "What that did for the employers is, they came casual, too," she said. "They came in jeans and sneakers. Who said that you have to come in a suit and tie, and your hair straightened?" Peete was part of a recent panel, presented by the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, about attracting "next generation" talent. Grant Loomis, the Partnership's vice president of government affairs and economic development, said demographic trends make the topic a pressing one. "It's estimated that 25% of the area's workforce will retire over the next decade," Loomis said. "This harsh reality makes the need for connecting with and employing young people critically important." Employers can't rely strictly on recruiting people from outside the region to fill jobs they also need to tap into talent already here, on the sidelines, Loomis said. "That includes young people in our community. Many of those young people are people of color." More than a quarter of Erie County's population is nonwhite, he said. And a third of the region's K-12 students are children of color. Here are some ideas the panelists offered for employers to connect with young job candidates: Think about where you interview. "If you are a young person of color, walking into this big, corporate setting, you don't see anybody who looks like you, that's immediately intimidating," Peete said. "Let's not even talk about how hard it is to get there, sometimes." Instead, she said, employers should think about meeting candidates in a lower-key setting such as a coffee shop, closer to where they live. Create inclusive work environments. "We want employers to have a space to say, 'I don't know everything, but if I can get the assistance, I can be better,' " said Kenya Hobbs, the Partnership's director of community engagement and equity initiatives. "And we want our employees, our young folks to be able to come into environments and know they are going to have a sense of inclusivity. "And that will create a sense of belonging for them, which will then impact the recruitment, as well as the retention for them, and keep them coming back, and giving that word of mouth that, 'Hey, that employer isn't so bad. They actually saw me,' " Hobbs said. Listen to young people. Peete said it is essential for employers to get input from young people about their approach to employee outreach, onboarding and company culture, and to compensate them for that help. "It's a long game, so be prepared for that," she said. "You're not going to fix it in three months. This is going to be a long-term strategy. "But if you don't already don't have access to those young people, you need to think about connecting with an organization or community group that does," Peete said. Create familiarity. Kate Sarata, executive director of the Service Collaborative of Western New York, said employers coming in for a lunch-and-learn or hosting a workplace visit for program participants can open doors. "Just that welcome, I think, starts to break down barriers," she said. Keep at it. "Recruiting doesn't stop when a person walks in the door as an employee," said Niki DaSilva, senior director of programs and policy for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. "You have to continuously build and educate and mentor those people beyond when they get in the door." Keeping it virtual It is annual shareholders meeting season. And companies seem content to stick with doing the meetings virtually only. Many publicly traded companies switched to virtual shareholder meetings when the pandemic hit, amid health concerns over public gatherings. But even as workers have flowed back into offices, the virtual format for the shareholders meetings has remained. M&T Bank, which would draw a fairly big crowd to hear from its CEO at its downtown headquarters, held its annual meeting this week in an online format for the fourth straight year. KeyBank is also doing a virtual-only meeting next month, as did Moog Inc. earlier this year. There are exceptions. Lake Shore Savings Bank has scheduled an in-person shareholders meeting in May in Dunkirk. Shareholders meetings are heavily scripted affairs. Results of voting on shareholder proposals and election of directors are read aloud. The CEO reflects on the past year. But there could be moments of levity. At the 2019 M&T meeting, shareholder Paul Durnan stepped to the microphone and asked chairman and CEO Rene Jones a question: "Who was the first person with a tablet to download data from the cloud?" Jones repeated the question and thought about it, but seemed stumped. Durnan delivered the kicker: "Think about it for a minute it was Moses." Want to know more? Three stories to catch you up: THE LATEST KeyBank says its depositors are staying put. More apartments and a warehouse expansion are in the works in Amherst. A new mobile market aims to bring more fresh food to areas where it is hard to find. Tesla still isn't talking about its solar roof. Take a look at Primark's first Western New York store, opening Thursday. The Squire Shop redevelopment plan is coming up for review. M&T's Rene Jones says the Buffalo bank's approach is far different from the failed Silicon Valley Bank. Bitwise has found a new home in Buffalo. Struggling drug developer Athenex got a takeover offer. The McKinley Mall auction has been delayed. The lenders who hold the mortgage on the Buffalo Niagara Marriott took a big loss when the hotel sold. The National Labor Relations Board will take up a new batch of accusation against Starbucks over unionizing efforts in Buffalo. ICYMI Five reads from Buffalo Next: 1. At ECC, charges against two top leaders yield different results: Several sources have described the work environment at the college as toxic, including some who left after decades. 2. M&T's Richard Gold looks back at his long banking career, and the changes he's seen at Buffalo's largest bank. 3. A Ukrainian family, displaced by war, is starting a new life in Western New York with help from a business that aids refugees and is making the region its first U.S. market. 4. Rhonda Frederick retires after 43 years at People Inc.: When Frederick joined the agency in 1980 in a direct support role, she never thought she'd stay let alone rise to CEO. 5. Pat Roche determined to keep Moog flying high: The new CEO of the Elma-based manufacturer took over leadership of the company in February. The Buffalo Next team gives you the big picture on the regions economic revitalization. Email tips to buffalonext@buffnews.com or reach Buffalo Next Editor David Robinson at 716-849-4435. Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up to get the latest in your inbox five days a week. One of the first three operators licensed to open a legal cannabis store in Western New York is targeting the site in the Town of Tonawanda, across from the Boulevard Mall. Since Aaron Van Camp received his state license to open a cannabis dispensary earlier this month, he has been scrambling at light speed to get his store open. Early on, he hoped to be open by April 20 the day that unofficially honors marijuana. But he soon found out that securing a location would be more difficult than expected. With the first WNY retail licenses in hand, the scramble to open legal pot stores begins It will take weeks if not months for businesses receiving licenses to find locations and get them ready to open. But it finally opens the doors for the long-awaited recreational cannabis retail market to get off the ground in Western New York. Still, he has made record time finding and almost securing a location. "It's a long way from 'all set,' but we have the town's OK and hopefully the owner's OK today," he said Friday. If Van Camp gets his way, the dispensary will be located at 1244 Niagara Falls Blvd. in the Town of Tonawanda. The 2,400-square-foot space is across from the Boulevard Mall, next to Watch World and the former Krispy Kreme. The business doesn't yet have a name, but what he describes sounds like a cross between The Botanist a medical marijuana shop downtown and a mini Apple store. It will be clean, simple and have cannabis flower available for inspection at tables in the store. Customers will visit a budtender at the table, who will write up their order and send it to the counter, where their order will be prepared. Getting to this point has not been easy. Landlords have been hesitant to lease to cannabis operations which are new to the market and may have an unsavory reputation. "Most places seem to ghost me when they find out what I'm trying to open," he said. Van Camp had resorted to driving door to door and looking for empty storefronts. "I've been waking up at 3 a.m. so I can drive around with no traffic and look for places," he said. "I just found this one stopping in every plaza on the boulevard." How fast the store opens depends on how quickly Van Camp can clear the remaining hurdles. "The location just depends on the buildout and how fast they can approve," he said. The store also needs approval from the Office of Cannabis Management and the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York. "I think OCM will be easy but the DASNY thing, I've heard nothing good about," he said. Nativa Cannabis in Niagara Falls to become the first Nation-owned dispensary The 2,500-square-foot facility at 765 Niagara St. is at the corner of John B. Daly Boulevard and Niagara Street, next to the Seneca One Stop fuel station and convenience store. It took the the cannabis office just a day to reject his proposed warehouse because it was zoned residential, so he's hoping it will be just as quick to approve his dispensary. The Department of State usually provides financing and construction for schools and hospitals, and now finds locations and builds them out for dispensary applicants signing leases with landlords and subleasing locations back to applicants. It is also raising money for the $200 million public-private fund loans, that licensees will pay back with interest. Van Camp has his own capital and is not using any of the department's other services. "I'm unsure why DASNY has a say because we aren't using the money," he said. Originally, the Department of State had said it would provide turnkey dispensaries for licensees. But, when those properties weren't ready in time, it told licensees they could use their own resources. Licensees elsewhere have complained that they've been turned down for locations because state agency had already expressed interest in them for their own uses. Stem Cell Therapy Market Research Report Information By Cell Source (Adipose Tissue, Bone Marrow, Neural, Embryo/Cord Blood-Derived, IPSCs, PPSCs), By Type (Allogenic, Autologous), by Application (Cancer, Diabetes, MusculoskeletalDisorders, Cardiovascular, Gastrointestinal Diseases,Others), By End Users (Hospitals & Clinics, Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs), Academic and Research Centers,Others), And By Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, And Rest Of The World) Market Forecast Till 2030. The stem cell therapy market Size was valued at USD 0.1 billion in 2022. The Stem Cell Therapy market is projected to grow from USD 0.12 Billion in 2023 to USD 0.28 billion by 2030, exhibitinga compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.20% during the forecast period (2023 2030). The markets growth is primarily attributed to the increasing prevalence of chronic disorders across the globe. The stem cell therapy market refers to the commercial industry that involves the development, manufacturing, and sale of therapies or treatments that utilize stem cells to promote the regeneration or repair of damaged tissues or organs. This includes both adult stem cells and embryonic stem cells, as well as induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and other related technologies. The market includes various applications, such as regenerative medicine, cell-based immunotherapy, and tissue engineering, and is expected to grow significantly in the coming years due to increasing research and development in the field. Get Free Sample PDF Brochure @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/6422 The pandemic has accelerated the development of stem cell-based therapies and vaccines to treat and prevent COVID-19, which has increased the demand for stem cell research and development. Additionally, the pandemic has raised awareness about the importance of regenerative medicine and the potential of stem cell therapies to treat a range of diseases and injuries. the pandemic has also disrupted the supply chain and manufacturing of stem cell therapies, leading to delays in clinical trials and approvals. Furthermore, the economic impact of the pandemic has led to decreased funding for stem cell research and development, which may slow down the growth of the market in the short term. Stem Cell Therapy Market Segmentation The Global Stem Cell Therapy Market has been segmented into Product Type, Application, and Technology Based on the Product Type, the market has been segmented into Adult Stem Cells (ASCs), Human Embryonic Stem Cells (HESCs), Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs), Very Small Embryonic Like Stem Cells Based on the Application, the market has been segmented into Regenerative Medicine and Drug Discovery and Development. Based on the Technology, the market has been segmented into Cell Acquisition, Cell Production, Cryopreservation, Expansion, and Sub-Culture. Stem Cell Therapy Market Key Players Some of the key market players are Seraxis, Inc ViaCyte, Inc Betalin Therapeutics Ltd NextCell Pharma Kadimastem Vertex Pharmaceuticals Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co Sernava Corp Novo Nordisk A/S Generex Biotechnology. Stem Cell Therapy Market Regional Analysis The market for stem cell therapy is dominated by North America. The presence of leading market players and inventors has led to greater market product penetration in the area. Due to its robust biotechnology sector, the presence of major firms, substantial R&D, and marketing of customized medicines, North America dominates the market. The area contributes the largest portion of revenue. Also, a growing government drives to promote stem cell therapy is another factor that is contributing to this regions rise. Browse In-depth Market Research Report (132 Pages) on Stem Cell Therapy: https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/stem-cell-therapy-market-6422 Asia Pacific is predicted to have high CAGR growth. Due to its large patient population and robust stem cell therapy product pipeline. The market for stem cells is anticipated to expand quickly as a result of the rising prevalence of illnesses including diabetes, cancer, and neurological disorders. Moreover, government funding to expedite stem cell research supports the development of this area. Browse Related Reports at Cell Therapy Market Research Report Information By Cell Type (Stem Cell, {Bone Marrow, Blood, Umbilical Cord-Derived, Adipose-Derived Stem Cell, and others [Placenta, and Nonspecific cells]}, and Non-stem Cell), By Therapy Type (Autologous, and Allogeneic), By Therapeutic Area (Malignancies, Musculoskeletal Disorders, Autoimmune Disorders, Dermatology, and others), By End-User (Hospitals & Clinics, and Academic & Research Institutes), and By Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of the World)Forecast till 2030 Prostate Cancer Diagnosis and Therapy Market Research Report Information by Type (Prostate Adenocarcinoma, Small Cell Carcinoma), By Component (Therapy and Diagnosis), By End-User (Specialty Centers, Hospital & Clinics), and By Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, And Rest of The World) Market Forecast Till 2030 Multiple Myeloma Treatment Market Trends, Insights and Size Analysis By Treatment (Chemotherapy, Radiation Therapy, Stem Cell Transplant, Corticosteroids, Interferon, and Others), End User (Hospitals, Clinics, Independent Pharmacies, and Others)Forecast till 2027 About Market Research Future: Market Research Future (MRFR) is a global market research company that takes pride in its services, offering a complete and accurate analysis with regard to diverse markets and consumers worldwide. Market Research Future has the distinguished objective of providing the optimal quality research and granular research to clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help answer your most important questions. Contact: Market Research Future (Part of Wantstats Research and Media Private Limited) 99 Hudson Street, 5Th Floor New York, NY 10013 United States of America +1 628 258 0071 (US) +44 2035 002 764 (UK) Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Website: https://www.marketresearchfuture.com Forests Facility Manager (Country team)/ Job Offer Reports to: Country Director Location : Kinshasa, DRC The destruction of the world's primary forests is one of the greatest environmental catastrophes of our time. Every year, 130,000 square kilometers of rainforest are lost. Rainforest Foundation Norway is one of the leading European non-governmental organizations working to protect these forests and strengthen the rights of indigenous peoples. We work with more than 70 indigenous and environmental organizations in 11 countries in Southeast Asia, Central Africa and the Amazon. More information at https://www.regnskog.no/en/ We are seeking a Forests Facility Manager for our country office in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. Purpose: Roll-out the establishment of an IPLC Forests Facility in the DRC. Enable the country programme to achieve results and generate RFN added value through an innovative IPLC Forests Facility. Key responsibilities Responsible for the roll-out of RFN strategic plan to establish an IPLC Forests Facility at DRC level, under the direct management of the Country Director, and with technical supervision of the Forest For Life manager in Oslo. Coordinate the establishment plan of the Facility both at national and provincial levels. Contribute to strategic communication and synergies between the country office (other programs & operations) and the Facility. Supervise and manage the team working on the IFF programme (4 to 5 person) In collaboration with the country programme manager, coordinate the contributions of the country office to Facility related processes. Ensure strategic liaison and active involvement of DRC stakeholders strategic for the Facility (CSOs, authorities and administration) Coordinate the collection of country level inputs for reporting Responsible for the implementation and the development of partnerships/projects related to the Facility, in line with the country and partnership frameworks and other RFN policies and procedures. Leadership of the acting secretariat of the Facility once governing bodies are established. Ensure the mobilization of the Facilitys steering bodies. Contribute to the development of programs and projects related to the IFF in RFN, including fundraising and sharing of results. Contribute to best practices and learning on relevant issues for the Department of International Programs/RFN. Regularly report to the Forest For Life Manager and DRC Country Director on the roll-out of the Facility implementation plan, and proactively seek for support solving potential related challenges. The list over key responsibilities is not exhaustive. Other tasks and responsibilities can be added, including tasks outside the described area of responsibility. Key interfaces The Facility adviser communicates and collaborates closely with: Forest For Life manager for the development of strategic partnerships and strategic positioning of the Facility at country level. Program Manager for strategic synergies between the Facility and the country office programs. Country team for implementation of country and partnership frameworks. The adviser receives technical assistance from the MEL adviser and Finance adviser. Partners for follow-up and support to projects whose main component is connected to the Facility. The Policy adviser will have these projects in her/his project portfolio. Relevant stakeholders in programme country for coordination towards shared policy objectives and in cooperation with country team adviser on stakeholder engagement, fundraising and alliance development. Facility national and provincial governance bodies, including provincial focal points and steering committees, and national steering body. Main external stakeholders of the facility, including governmental, non-governmental and donor-level stakeholders Necessary competencies and skills General understanding of central policies, legal frameworks, threats, and funding possibilities of importance for rainforest protection and human rights of forest peoples. In depth understanding of IPLC territorial management and how it is implemented and developed at country level. In depth understanding and full adherence to Rights Based Approaches and bottom-up interventions Proven ability to create dynamics and coordinate complex multi-stakeholders process. Good understanding and/or experience of how to design and implement forest funding to best incentivize improved forest protection and IPLC support. Comprehensive understanding of relevant national and international policy arenas and instruments of relevance for rainforest protection is an asset. Extensive skills and experience in setting up and managing complex programmes involving multiple stakeholders of different levels, including financial project management skills. Good collaboration skills contributing to the development of RFN strategic partnerships. This includes: * Demonstrated ability to communicate and engage throughout different cultures and environments including a clear understanding of RFN added value in a partnership * Demonstrated ability to plan work within and across units Excellent writing and synthesising skills. This includes extensive experience with delivering and producing reports on deadlines. Good country and regional context knowledge on rainforest. Networking skills with experience in building professional relations and networks. Language and communication: Excellent written and oral communication skills in French. Professional fluency in English is required for this position. Knowledge of Norwegian or additional rainforest country languages is an asset. Personal traits: Other abilities and personal strengths, incl. likelihood of quickly achieving the levels of knowledge and skills described above, may compensate for shortcomings in the levels required above. Respectful, trustworthy, and credible. Ability to act as a representative for RFN Willing and able to travel in the field and work with partners when needed. Education and experience Relevant higher education within the field or social sciences. All formal education can be compensated by relevant experience. Multiple years of working experience with relevant topics such policy development, international finance mechanisms, land, and collective rights. Demonstrated in-depth knowledge of relevant program country politics, relevant policy arenas and actors. What we offer: Competitive salary An exciting, dynamic and meaningful job Competent and pleasant colleagues in a work environment characterized by diversity, generosity, and a good sense of humour Offices in Gombe, Kinshasa How to Apply: Application deadline: 10/05/2023 When accessing the published position, you will follow the instructions given under the apply for this job"/"sk her window to complete your application. Important: Applications received by email will not be considered The link for applicants https://karriere.regnskogfondet.no/jobs/2754024-forests-facility-manager-drc by Todd Wasserman , April 20, 2023 The youngest teens in 2023 are part of Generation Alpha, the generation born after 2010 and through 2025. Considered the first truly digitally native generation, Generation Alpha is among the generation that were raised on screens. talked with Jean Twenge, Ph.D., a professor of psychology at San Diego State University and author of books including Generations: The Real Differences Between Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, Boomers, and Silents-and What They Mean for America's Future, which will be released on April 25. Below are excerpts from the conversation. Marketing Daily: What is different about Generation Alpha? Jean Twenge: Gen Alpha, or as I call them, Polars, are the first generation that will not remember a time before COVID-19. They spent their early elementary school years during the pandemic but are now bouncing back. I call them Polars after the melting polar ice caps and political polarization, two forces that will shape their generation as they grow older. advertisement advertisement Marketing Daily: How is Gen Alphas relationship with technology and social media notable? Twenge: Gen Z was the first generation to spend their adolescence with smartphones and social media. Polars are the first whole generation to know them from birth. That might be why they get less exercise than previous generations as children -- they are spending more time with screens. Marketing Daily: Which marketers are having the most success with Gen A so far, and why? Twenge:I can't answer this one -- I don't know of any published research or data on this question. Marketing Daily: How is Gen A different from Gen Z? Twenge: Polars are getting on social media, especially TikTok, in elementary school. Most of Gen Z didn't use social media until middle school or high school. The amount of time Polars are spending with screens at such a young age is concerning. As just one example, childhood obesity rates are soaring. Marketing Daily: Are there really significant differences between people of different generations, even if they were born just two or three years apart? Twenge: For the most part, no. But it might be significant that most Gen Z-ers will remember a time before the COVID-19 pandemic, and few Polars will, and that Polars are using social media at earlier ages. Overall, though, generational changes build year after year, so knowing the exact year someone is born will give you more information about what they experienced than just knowing which generation they belong to. by Ray Schultz , April 20, 2023 Hearst is settling a class action lawsuit filed by independent contractors who charged that the company exploited them. U.S. Judge Vince Chhabria gave final approval to a roughly $1 million settlement on Thursday, according to Courthouse News Service. The sum approved by Chhabria last December was $950,000. Hearst will also make $15,000 service payments for plaintiffs Pablo Sanchez and Violet Alvarez, and pay attorneys fees of up to 35% of the settlement along with $40,000 in litigation costs, the report continues. The settlement does seem to be not an overwhelming one, but the judge ruled that the attorneys deserved 35% instead of the 25% agreed upon based on the significant recovery achieved for class members, Courthouse News Service continues. According to the report, the plaintiffs charged they had to drive, maintain their own vehicles, use their own cellphones and work shifts without law meal and rest breaks, without compensation. Hearst had not commented at deadline. WIVB-TVs (Channel 4) ever-changing morning program Wake Up! is losing its third female co-anchor within a year with the announcement that Abby Fridmanns last day at the Nexstar station is Friday. Melanie Orlins left last summer to become a morning anchor at a station in Charleston, S.C., while Kelsey Anderson was promoted to Channel 4s 11 p.m. co-anchor after veteran Jacquie Walker decided to step down from that newscast. In addition, three "Wake Up!" reporters have left the program in less than a year. Reporter and fill-in anchor Gabrielle Mediak left last year to become a morning co-anchor in Harrisburg, Pa.; reporter Jhas Williams left last year for a job in Tampa, Fla.; and reporter Chelsea Lovell left the program recently to host a new 3 p.m. WIVB weekday program, "Daytime Buffalo." Fridmann has been the permanent Wake Up! co-anchor alongside Chris Horvatits since December and filled in on the newscast for several months before that. She started at Channel 4 two and a half years ago as the anchor of Weekend Wake Up! and a weekday reporter. A SUNY Brockport graduate, Fridmann received a masters degree in broadcast and digital journalism from Syracuse University. She previously worked at a Burlington, Vt. station before joining Channel 4 in November of 2020. In a telephone interview, Fridmann declined to say whether she has taken a job in or outside of television. There are still a lot of things up in the air right now, she said. I think it's really important as a journalist to be open to growing. It has always been a personal motto of mine not to become stagnant and to always look for other opportunities to better myself. I've learned so much at Channel 4. I have loved my time there. But I'm looking for new ways to exercise my journalism muscles and become stronger and improve my abilities to be a better resource for the community, whether it's Buffalo or whether it's New York or whether it's nearby. The Lancaster native said she declined a new contract offer from Channel 4 and had to pay to get out of her current contract from Nexstar in order to leave. WIVB General Manager Joe Abouzeid declined to comment on who will replace Fridmann on a morning show that has had numerous changes over the years in a time period that audiences prefer stability. Fridmann, who was married in December, said station management was surprised that she declined the new contract offer. Stations here often hire reporters and anchors from Western New York who they believe will stay here longer than those from outside the area. Yes, they were (surprised), said Fridmann. I think for the very same reason, so many people have been surprised. I'm from the area. I grew up here. I have been a Buffalo booster the entire time. I've been a huge advocate for the city and everything that we stand for. I think that's probably why a lot of people are surprised. She said money wasnt the issue and that new opportunities were more important. I mean, it's no secret that this job isn't exactly raking in a ton of money, said Fridmann. Am I looking for a job that pays a little bit better? Absolutely. Who isn't? But I've been treated very well by Channel 4 and I'm very grateful for what they've given me in the past two and a half years. by Tanya Gazdik , April 20, 2023 Jaguar Land Rover is rebranding itself by its initials, JLR, but contrary to some media reports, the Land Rover marque is not disappearing. The moves by the English automaker are part of a House of Brands approach to focus on individual nameplates as part of a plan to reposition as an electric-first, modern luxury carmaker. The House of Brands approach aims to amplify the unique character of each the companys brands Range Rover, Defender, Discovery and Jaguar," according to the automaker. Managing directors will report to Chief Commercial Officer Lennard Hoornik. Geraldine Ingham is managing director of Range Rover, Mark Cameron becomes managing director for Defender and Discovery and Rawdon Glover is managing director of Jaguar. advertisement advertisement While Land Rover is missing from that list, it doesnt mean that 75-year-old marque is done. As a House of Brands, Range Rover, Defender, Discovery and Jaguar step forward as individual brands, projecting their individual purpose, desirability, and personality, a JLR spokesperson told Robb Report on Thursday. Range Rover, Discovery and Defender will continue to be powered by the trust mark of Land Rover. The strength of the Land Rover marque is from our architectures to our technologies and world-leading all-terrain capabilities. Land Rover will remain. It is strong, well known and we will use that collective strength to give our brands authenticity and purpose. The Land Rover name remains visible on and in our vehicles, reinforcing our off-road credentials and technology capabilities. The goal is elevating and amplifying the uniqueness of our characterful British marques, says Gerry McGovern, JLR chief creative officer. Our ultimate ambition is to build truly emotionally engaging experiences for our clients that, over time, will build long-term high equity for our brands and long-term sustainability for JLR. JLR also announced that the first of three reimagined modern luxury Jaguars will be a 4-door GT built in Solihull in the West Midlands, UK. More details of the new 4-door GT Jaguar will be released later this year, before going on sale in selected markets in 2024, for client deliveries in 2025. We have radically reimagined Jaguar as a modern luxury brand, McGovern says in a statement. The key to Jaguars transformation is that the designs convey that they are a copy of nothing. by Colin Kirkland , April 21, 2023 LTK, a global creator marketing platform and shoppable social media app, released its 2023 Gen Z Shopper Study on Thursday, which shows that the majority of Gen Zs shopping is initiated by social media and creator recommendations. According to the report, creators are driving a majority of Gen Zs shopping decisions online and in stores, with 75% of Gen Z saying they make purchases online from creator recommendations (21% higher than the general population), with 77% now shopping in store from creator recommendations. Social commerce has had a major impact on Gen Z shopping behaviors, and we expect this only to continue, the company stated in a recent press release, citing its finding that 79% of Gen Zs shopping originates from social media. The study also found that creators are the most trusted on social media by Gen Z with the overwhelming majority saying they trust creators more than social media ads and celebrities. Creators were even 3.5 times more influential to Gen Z consumers than social media ads. advertisement advertisement Gen Z also said that they follow creators because of their authenticity, personality and relatability. When asked why they turn to creators for style and shopping recommendations, the top reasons included authenticity for style and product quality, discovery of new products and brands and authentic opinions on fit. Creator guided shopping seemed to be having an impact on post-purchase confidence as well. Nearly half of Gen Z reported they are less likely to return an item after seeing a creator describe it in their video content, showing the impact creator guided shopping has had on purchase satisfaction. Furthermore, Gen Z shoppers are represented by various lifestyles and have found connections with micro influencers for recommendations to better represent their unique interests and styles. According to LTKs report, micro influencers with a following of 10,000 to 100,000 were just as popular as macro influencers with a following of 100,000 to 1 million. As for brands, the top factors Gen Z shoppers consider are trendy & budget friendly (63%), those with an environmental impact (43%), and resale companies (33%). And the top categories Gen Z is looking to creators to help with recommendations are beauty and personal care, fashion, food, electronics, cleaning supplies and gaming. New York State Police have released the identity of the 14-year-old Pennsylvania boy killed in a motor vehicle crash Saturday on the Thruway in West Seneca. Sanallah Abid of Erie died in the accident when the vehicle he was driving collided with the rear of a 2023 FedEx Freightliner tractor trailer, struck the center jersey barrier and caught fire, according to State Troopers. Abid, who was alone in the vehicle, was traveling eastbound on the I-90 at a high rate of speed when the accident occurred, troopers said. He was pronounced dead at the scene by the Erie County Medical Examiner. The driver of the tractor trailer, Daniel Vazquez Jr., 54, of Rochester, was not injured in the crash. The man who admitted firing an assault rifle into a crowd at the Ferry Grider Homes in July 2021, killing a 3-year-old boy, told a jury Thursday that his girlfriend had nothing to do with what happened. The jurors are about to decide whether they believe that. Facebook posts about karma and deceased brother point to retribution as motive in shooting that killed 3-year-old Erie County prosecutors on Wednesday revealed a potential motive for the July 2021 quadruple shooting that killed a 3-year-old boy: retribution for the 2020 killing of the brother of the woman on trial. On the witness stand at Jonay B. Robinson's murder trial in Erie County Court, Dequan I. Richardson testified Robinson bore no responsibility for the quadruple shooting that also injured three men, even though she was behind the wheel of the vehicle that transported the two shooters to and from the scene, something he had previously denied. Richardson was the only witness called by the defense, which rested Thursday. Closing arguments are scheduled Friday. According to Richardson, Robinson didn't like guns, didn't let him keep them in their apartment and had no idea what he planned to do before he sprayed a courtyard full of people, including children, with gunfire on July 5, 2021. Jurors watch Jonay Robinson's police interview as trial in 2021 quadruple shooting continues Jurors on Tuesday were shown video of Jonay B. Robinson being questioned by police the day after a 3-year-old boy and three men were shot in a courtyard of the Ferry Grider Homes. Robinson is accused of being an accomplice in the quadruple shooting. He told the jury she didn't know about the assault rifle in the back of her SUV or the handgun he kept concealed on his person. Richardson also told the jury Robinson also didn't know about the attack immediately afterward, even though she was in a vehicle no more than 50 feet away at the time, because there were fireworks going off. Prosecutors challenged many of Richardson's assertions, pointing to other evidence in the case, including text messages and Facebook posts. "Do you have a problem telling the truth?" Assistant District Attorney John Feroleto asked Richardson a couple of minutes into his cross-examination. Richardson, 24, pleaded guilty in March to murder, assault and weapons charges and faces 25 years to life in prison when sentenced next month. Prosecutors have accused Robinson, 27, who faces her own set of murder, assault and weapons charges, of acting as Richardson's accomplice, prosecutors have claimed. Police found the rifle and a handgun in the pair's Cheektowaga apartment a day after the shooting, witnesses testified earlier in the trial. The search also turned up two kinds of ammunition, matching the caliber of the weapons found. On Wednesday, prosecutors revealed a potential motive for the July 2021 shooting on Donovan Drive: retribution for the 2020 killing of Robinson's brother, Dequan Huggins, 23. A shackled Richardson spent three hours on the stand, testifying on the trial's fourth day in a packed courtroom full of family and friends of Robinson, family and friends of Shaquelle Walker Jr., the child who was fatally shot, and assistant district attorneys and other onlookers. Richardson's testimony was the third version of events that he has given authorities, according to prosecutors. The first came after his arrest almost two years ago, when he was interviewed by Feroleto and Buffalo police detectives. Then came a sworn written statement given March 23, a day before he pleaded guilty. In the initial interview, Richardson gave police the name of another man he said had Robinson's vehicle on the night of the shooting, Feroleto told the jury. Richardson also told police Robinson was not at the shooting scene. "My initial statement was a lie, yes," he testified. The prosecutor asked Richardson if he remembered during that interview trying to talk to Robinson, who was in the next room, through a wall. Richardson told her he wasn't "letting you go down" for what happened, Feroleto said. Richardson denied it. In Richardson's written statement from March 23, Richardson said he was picked up by Robinson hours before the shooting and brandished the two guns, threatening to shoot her if she didn't take him where he wanted to go. He testified Thursday she didn't know about the guns until after the shooting, when he showed her the handgun and told her not to speed away from the scene. In that March statement, he never mentioned there was a second shooter at the scene, Feroleto said. In court Thursday, Richardson identified the other shooter as a man he called "K." In the March statement, Richardson said he began the night driving around looking for "opps," a slang term for enemies. In court Thursday, Richardson said he was angry and frustrated and went looking for "someone" to shoot. Why, Robinson's attorney, Jeremy Schwartz, asked? "No reason," Richardson said. "I don't need a reason. I need an opportunity." He denied it had anything to do with Huggins' killing. Richardson and Huggins had known each other since Richardson was about 10 years old, Richardson said. Richardson also wrote Robinson a letter in September, in which he told her he was going to "get my affairs in order and do what I have to do to secure your release," Feroleto told the jury. In the letter, Richardson said he planned to write a manifesto/confession and tell the truth about what happened, including that Robinson was never at the shooting scene. Guilty plea in 2021 quadruple shooting that killed 3-year-old 'Baby Quelle', wounded 3 others Dequan I. Richardson pleaded guilty Friday morning to shooting into a crowd during a fireworks celebration in July 2021, killing a 3-year-old child and wounding three men. On the stand Thursday, Richardson testified he didn't consider Robinson to be his girlfriend, noting their relationship was sexual, but not "romantic." Richardson said he had been drinking alcohol, smoking marijuana and taking pills while driving around on the day of the shooting. He also said he has previously been violent with Robinson, a contention prosecutors attempted to dispute by pointing to his only arrest involving violence against Robinson resulted in a harassment charge, a violation. "She knows how I can get when I get mad. It's either do what I say or, just do what I say," he testified. "Especially when I'm intoxicated, there's no limit to what I can do." On Wednesday, prosecutors showed the jury social media posts published on Robinson's and Richardson's Facebook accounts, including around the time of the shooting. Forty-four minutes after the shooting, Robinson's Facebook account shared a post with details about the emergency response to the shooting, where a child was shot in the head. Forty-one minutes after that, her account shared a TikTok video of a man and woman wearing ski masks with the caption "When i take my girlfriend on her first lick" along with three laughing/crying emojis. A former police detective testified earlier in the trial that "hitting a lick" refers to committing a crime, either buying or selling drugs, or committing a robbery or a shooting. Italian rock icons Verdena release their seventh full-length Volevo Magia on 28 April 2023 via Capitol Records Italy / Universal Music. They play Londons Shepherds Bush Empire the following evening, and MetalTalk has one pair of tickets to give away for the only UK stop on their European tour. Formed in 1995, Verdena soon established themselves as one of the leading rock outfits on the Italian music scene earning a reputation as one of the best live bands in the country. Founded by brothers Alberto Ferrari (vocals and guitar) and Luca Ferrari (drums) along with Roberta Sammarelli (bass), Verdena draws inspiration from a variety of genres, ranging from a Nirvana-esque grunge soundscape to psychedelic rock influences with a hint of stoner. Crystal Ball was the first single shared from Volevo Magia. The new album follows the recent release of the album America Latina, a collection of instrumental tracks composed and orchestrated for the soundtrack of the homonymous film by the DInnocenzo brothers. Italian rock icons Verdena release their seventh full-length Volevo Magia on 28 April 2023 America Latina marked the end of a long period of silence since their latest release, Endkadenz, a two-volume project, in 2015. Having cracked the Italian music lovers, with albums such as Wow, their fifth, going gold, Verdena are now ready to break the Italian border and reach out to new territories. Verdena, whose recently completed 16-date Italian tour saw 14 sold-out venues, are looking forward to bringing their explosive live show to Shepherds Bush and with the new album Volevo Magia set to chart well, its great to know that two MetalTalk readers can get in to experience the night in person for free. To enter, email comp@MetalTalk.net with the last name the Verdena brothers share. Closing date 5 pm 25 April 2023. Verdena Volevo Magia 1. Chaise Longue 2. Paul e Linda 3. Pascolare 4. Certi Magazine 5. Crystal Ball 6. Diabolik 7. Sui Ghiacciai 8. Volevo Magia 9. Cielo Super Acceso 10. X Sempre Assente 11. Paladini 12. Sino a Notte (D.I.) 13. Nei Rami UK/EUROPEAN TOUR DATES Sat 22nd Apr Ljubljana Kino Siska Mon 24th Apr Munich, Backstage Tue 25th Apr Berlin, Hole Wed 26th Apr Cologne, MTC (300) Thu 27th Apr Bruxelles La Madeleine Sat 29th Apr London, Shepherds Bush Empire Sun 30th Apr Paris, La Maroquinerie Mon 1st May Zurich, Papiersaal Dino A. Bruscia of Buffalo faces a maximum of two years in jail for using social media to encourage people to assemble and loot the Walden Galleria in Cheektowaga and for giving police a false name while producing somebody else's driver's license during a traffic stop. He is already facing up to 15 years in prison related to an arson that he pleaded guilty to committing in Amherst. Bruscia, 30, pleaded guilty Thursday before Cheektowaga Town Court Justice John Wanat to one count of inciting to riot and one count of second-degree criminal impersonation, according to the Erie County District Attorney's Office. Prosecutors said that, on May 31, 2020, Bruscia created an event on Facebook urging people to engage in tumultuous and violent conduct likely to create public alarm by encouraging them to assemble and loot at Walden Galleria. On March 6, 2022, Bruscia was stopped by Cheektowaga police on Walden and Euclid avenues for driving with a broken windshield. During the traffic stop, he impersonated another person by giving officers a false name and producing a driver's license of someone else. Bruscia was driving with a suspended license at the time, police said. Bruscia is being held without bail pending his sentencing scheduled for June 15. According to the District Attorney's Office, Bruscia also pleaded guilty earlier this month before State Supreme Court Justice M. William Boller to one count of third-degree arson. On Dec. 22, 2019, Bruscia fired a flare gun at a house on Arcadian Drive in Amherst, causing damage to the dining room of the residence. Bruscia faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison when he is sentenced June 9 as a second felony offender before Boller. A Buffalo woman accused of spray-painting graffiti on a sign outside an anti-abortion center in Eggertsville last month was arraigned Thursday on one count of third-degree criminal mischief, according to the Erie County District Attorney's Office. Prosecutors accuse Hannah E. Kamke, 39, of intentionally damaging property by spray painting the word "LIARS" on a business sign outside of CompassCare Pregnancy Services on Eggert Road in Amherst at about 11:30 p.m. on March 15, causing an estimated $500 in damage to the sign. Kamke, who is set to return to court on May 25, was released on her own recognizance by Amherst Town Court Justice Geoffrey K. Klein, because the charge against her is a non-qualifying offense for bail. Prosecutors asked the judge to issue a stay away order of protection on behalf of the business, which Klein issued, along with a verbal warning to Kamke, ordering her to stay away from CompassCare. If convicted, Kamke faces a maximum four-year prison sentence. Meanwhile, the Amherst Police Department and the Buffalo office of the FBI are continuing to seek the public's help in identifying those responsible for an arson that occurred at CompassCare on June 7. They are asking anyone with information to call Amherst police or the FBI at 1-800-225-5324. Beer enthusiasts had an opportunity to explore Barrel + Beams beer styles and flavors through stories at the first Beer School hosted at Total Wine in Novi recently. Nick Van Court co-founded Barrel + Beam with his wife, Marina Dupler broke ground in 2017 on the Northwood Supper Club building on the North edge of Marquette. If you're familiar, the Northwood Supper Club was the spot for weddings, proms, high school dances, and funerals," Van Court said. "On Mother's Day, they would serve 2,100 people sit-down meals. This was a huge supper club, 16,000 square foot building. Barrel + Beam continues the Supper Clubs tradition of handing out matchbooks. When we're at Beer Fest, and we lay those out; usually, the matchbooks go quicker than the stickers," the company's sales rep Kevin Mckinney said. Beer school was free. Each guest received four tastings and snacks. Plus, the best part was Van Courts stories intertwined around each tasting. I picked just a few to share. There are so many more. Who has tried a Belgian Kriek Lambic?" asked Van Court. A Kriek lambic is a style of Belgian beer created by fermenting lambic with sour Morello cherries. Traditionally the cherries are a rare Belgian variety, known as Schaarbeekse kriek, which are harvested from the area around Brussels. We wanted to make a beer as good as that, but a Michigan version, Van Court said. And I tell you, it takes a lot of freaking cherries because this bottle has half a pound of cherries. If we put 2000 pounds of cherries into eight wine barrels worth of beer, and if you do the math exactly, I think that's like two and a half pounds per gallon of ale is cherries. It has a massive second fermentation, making the brewery smell amazing for weeks. It smells like a tobacco shop, cherry pipe tobacco. Because it is a tart cherry, it has that really good depthan earthy note with that cherry note. You'll smell that in the beer. The story behind Spooky Krieks name is fun. When they were self-distributing, and Van Court was driving home, he would be dying to sleep. Van Court shared, I started listening to a ghost story podcast to keep myself from falling asleep. The first batch that we did of this when we put the cherries in, I told Joe, who works full-time for us. I will put this podcast on, and we'll listen to it while we put the cherries in the barrel. Well, by the time we were done putting cherries in the barrels, we were scared of our shadows. The beer named itself that day; Spooky Kreik. There's no going back, you know? After serving a tasting of the next beer, Van Court launched into another beers story. Blanc Du Nord is an example of one of our classically styled beers; this does not go into a barrel. This is a traditional Belgian witbier beer naturally carbonated in the can, he said. Barrel + Beam sells more Blanc Du Nord than any of their other beers. Most Belgian witbier is made with coriander, but not at Barrel + Beam. Coriander doesn't age very well in a beer," Van Court explained. "Has anybody ever had a witbier that tastes meaty almost? Does it remind you of a Christmas ham? It's because they season Christmas hams with coriander and other spices, obviously. Laughter rippled around the room. Because of the natural carbonation and knowing we have this extended shelf life, I just couldn't put that ingredient in there," Van Court said. "I knew I was going to screw that up for us in the end. So we've replaced the traditional coriander with lemon peel because that's the kind of note we were trying to get out of the coriander. It is that extra zesty, spicy sort of citrus peel kind of thing." It was time for the beer schools marketing lesson. Van Court shared the story behind the beer named Tart. I think we went a little too hard by calling this Tart," he said. "It's actually what we call a biere de coupage. That means that some of the beer in that can, when it was packaged, was fresh and straight out of a stainless steel fermenter. Some of that beer was aged in barrels in sour. What we figured out was the right blend to make a beer that was tart but not sour. Sadly, the name Tart just turned off anybody who didn't want any sour. But it also turned off the people that did want sour and made the people that didn't know what it meant; I don't know what that is. So it didn't hit any points that it should have. It's a delicious beer, though. It's a very, very good beer. Kuma, our beer rep, who stocked all this for us today from M-4, he's like, change the name, keep making it. You know, sometimes that happens. Because sometimes the name's awesome, but the beers bad. So put the name on a different beer and hope that everybody forgets that beer. But with Tart, we just went too fast to it (the name). Maybe we should have figured that out a little bit better to market it. Unfortunately, the best beer in the world can be just completely unrecognized, Van Court shared. Where do your recipes come from? someone asked. My head, Van Court quickly replied. No, really, I have a better answer. All of these beers have been slowly turned into these beers," he explained. "They might have had different names and been suddenly different. For instance, Heritage before we finally got it right where we wanted it and put this brand on it and did this label, it had different names and was different beers. The Golden Partager is an example of a beer that is just what it is because of what we do to it," Van Court continued. "And it's not really about the recipe. Sadly this is changing. This beer started because we had a maltster in the U.P., and I could get U.P.-grown barley malted and U.P. hops. This started as our only U.P.-sourced beer. Well, now it's a Michigan source beer because, unfortunately, I can't get those malts and hops anymore because those companies didn't make it. I try to keep the flavor profile the same by using different ingredients. The reality is to keep a beer consistent; you're changing it actually a lot. Because you're tracking the changes in your inputs if you're trying hard and making sure to keep it where it's at. When possible, Barrel + Beam uses Michigan-sourced products. Many of their beers, ciders, and meads have all Michigan ingredients. We get apples from up in the Traverse City area," Van Court said. "Honey, from right up the road in LAnse to make the mead. As far as the Michigan Source beers, most of the malt and most of the barley, wheat, and spelt are the main ones that we use, are grown generally in the central part of the state, and the thumb. Then malted at Great Lakes Malting Company in Traverse City. Virtually all the hops we use from Michigan come from MI Local Hops." We also make a couple of products meant to represent the quintessential or classic versions of these French and Belgian styles. The saison Terre Terre and the Blanc Du Nord are brewed with malt I import from France and Belgium. The hops are from France. With these beers, we are really trying to the new world a very authentic and classic version of those beers, Van Court said. Of course, one thing that's the same for all of our products is our absolutely amazing water like most of Michigan has," he continued. "That's a really wonderful point to make about these beers. That crisp, dry, minerally kind of quality about a Farmhouse Ale is really easy to achieve when we have a blank slate for water. All of our products are really dry, so you won't get any sweet flavors. It takes about 21 days for most breweries to turn over a beer. For Barrel + Beam, it generally takes ten times longer. When asked why it takes so long? Because when we ferment in the package, any oxygen that's in there is getting consumed again or getting consumed by the fermentation that happens again in the package. We have oxygen levels like most breweries wish for, but the compromise is we have to wait longer. Our average is about 110 days from start to finish. The sour beer that you see often in the market now, and a lot of times at brewery tap rooms, a lot of it is kettle soured. So basically, they do the fast version of souring the beer in their brew house over a day or two, and then they boil it, and that kills the organisms. We take the opposite approach, Van Court answered. Mckinney shared, When people come in and look at the board, and they're looking for, which a lot of people love, hazy IPAs, double IPAs. [Barrel + Beam] doesn't have anything like that at all. Barrel + Beam makes handcrafted farmhouse and barrel-aged ales, ciders, and meads. We not only learned much about Barrel + Beam and their beers, we learned we love Farmhouse ales. Van Court added, Yeah. It's got all that stuff you want in a beer. It's refreshing; it's flavorful. It's different. It's new. Even if you've had it before, they evolve. It ticks all the boxes for me anyway. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate As of late, political commentators have been wringing their hands over increasingly sophisticated artificial intelligence and the existential threat it poses to humankind. If A.I. does in fact lead to the destruction of the human race, archeologists in the distant future may be able to trace the source of the apocalypse back to the automatic paper towel dispenser in the restroom at Buck's Port Hope Diner. The state-of-the-art contraption seemed to have a mind of its own, spitting out sheet after sheet of paper as I washed my hands during a recent lunch visit. (Don't worry, I used hot water and plenty of soap.) If that doomsday scenario seems far-fetched, keep in mind Buck's does have free Wi-Fi. Other than Wi-Fi and a vaguely threatening restroom fixture, everything else at Buck's is decidedly old-timey and traditional. The hardwood floor, wooden benches and original wood molding create a welcoming atmosphere that nicely compliments the traditional fare found on the menu. Mark Birdsall/Huron Daily Tribune Fellow Tribune newsroom staffer Dominic Sevilla, who tagged along, and I seated ourselves at a table in front of one of the large windows next to the door. Dominic had been waiting months for his meal on the company dime, and he knew what he was going to order before we left Bad Axe for Port Hope. Buck's serves breakfast and lunch, and Owner Tarra Hurlburt said favorite choices among her regulars include the pancakes and spicy sausage for breakfast and the Big Buck Burger and Baked Ham and Swiss for lunch. Hurlburt said the response to her new eatery has been so positive Buck's will be open year-round, not seasonally. She also is planning to expand the number of days per week the restaurant is open when her husband retires from his job in the automotive industry. Customers come from all over the Thumb, due in part to her mother's restaurant in Fair Haven and her grandfather's original place in Oak Park, which he opened after serving as a cook in the U.S. Navy. Buck's picture rests along with an American flag in a place of honor at the front of the restaurant. There was a lot of work put into restoring the building to its current condition, Hurlburt said. The nearly century-old building was once the Four Seasons Cafe., sold in 2019 after the death of owner Bernie Marsh. Mark Birdsall/Huron Daily Tribune The breakfast menu features specialty omelets, including the spinach-feta-gyro-laden Mediterranean, Texas French toast, corned beef hash and eggs benedict as well as standard breakfast combos. For lunch, diners can choose from an assortment of burgers, sandwiches and salads. Starters like onion rings and chicken strips and a kids menu are also available. Mark Birdsall/Huron Daily Tribune Dominic ordered a patty melt "deluxe," or with fries and cole slaw. I chose the Buck's Trio, which consisted of a fried chicken breast, ham, bacon and American cheese on a ciabatta bun. I also asked for the "deluxe." We asked for an order each of onion rings, chicken strips and cheese sticks to get us started. Our appetizers arrived before not too long, each with a small container of Buck's homemade ranch dressing. The yummy onion rings were nice and crispy, and Dominic and I quickly scarfed down the chicken tender strips, which were a cut above the various nuggets sold at drive-thru restaurants. Here's what Dominic had to say about his food: First, I really enjoyed the atmosphere of the restaurant. The front windows allowed in lots of light, making the interior of the old building nice and bright. The historical photos of Port Hope decorating the walls were cool to see. The Patty Melt I'm pretty easy to please when it comes to burgers. I thought I would try the patty melt because I usually don't order those when I go out to eat. I ordered it medium rare, and it came with Swiss cheese and grilled onions on toasted rye bread. The toasted bread made the burger, giving it a nice crunch as I worked my way through it. The patty was well-cooked and juicy, melting in my mouth. All the sides were really good, and even though I'm trying to cut back on my french-fries intake, I did enjoy my fair share of them. Personally, I would order the onion rings every time. Mark Birdsall/Huron Daily Tribune Birdsall here. My Buck's Trio reminded me of Arby's Meat Mountain sandwich, which contains about 17 different kinds of animal flesh. The combination of chicken, ham and bacon was very filling, and the ciabatta bread was nice and soft. I could only eat half, and I asked for a to-go container for the other half and our leftover sides. Mark Birdsall/Huron Daily Tribune It's easy to complain about a lack of chain restaurants in the Upper Thumb, but there certainly is no shortage of terrific, locally-owned places with great food and friendly people. Add Buck's Port Hope Diner to that list. Buck's Port Hope Diner is located at 4411 Main St. in Port Hope and is open Wednesday through Sunday from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Lauren Formicola is the owner and operator of Thumb Brewery in Caseville, a seasonally operated brew pub just off Main Street. Opening the space up in July 2020, there have been many changes to the space, including a brand new brew barn with a three-barrel system, tripling the output of what they can make for patrons of the brewery. During the winter months, she is closed with occasional weekend openings throughout late winter and early spring before opening back up regular hours during late spring to mid-fall. "I come in every day just to get the system going and get the operation moving," said Formicola. "We have, like, 33 employees during the summer and I get them trained and get them to know their jobs and get them to like their work." Formicola is from Seattle and went to school in Texas and has been a part of the Caseville community since early to mid-2020. Q: Why Caseville? A: The opportunity presented itself. We found out that the brewery was for sale and we put together some numbers. It was right in the middle of the discovery of the pandemic. I came out in February 2020 and there was an ice storm and we toured the downtown area. It was completely isolated and covered in ice. We went into the building and it was all beige and really needed a lot of TLC and I started to visualize, "Can I possibly do this?" Walking up the steps to this old family house I said, "It's got good bones and it has good love." I could see myself here because of the beautiful bay. Even though it was frozen over, we did see a spectacular sunset that night and that sort of sealed the deal. We brought in some good partners to help us get the financial package put together (with) Tri-County Bank, my brother and I formed a partnership and ever since then, we started sailing along. Q: What motivates you on the day-to-day operations of the brewery? A: My staff will tell you something that they remember something I say to them every season, "We are not a restaurant, we are a place that is making memories." What I like to do is connect to people. The staff are making connections that will last them a lifetime with other staff and crew members because they're young and forming their life goals. They will meet friends here that will have forever because they used to work in the restaurant business. When I was in college, some of my oldest friends are from that experience working in restaurants in Texas. When our customers come, they hang out on the patio. They're coming to chill and have a great time and they become nostalgic for the place. This is their patio, this is where they want to meet friends. We have probably introduced over 20 couples to one another. They all hang out, they have dinner at each other's houses, they plan to play shuffleboard together, and they come to our events to see if they can help. My goal was to be a part of this community and to create a community in the brewery. We have successfully planted that seed and now it's my job to give it the nurturing that it needs so it grows beyond me. That's my goal to bring people together and make a safe space for everybody. Q: What are challenges that you have faced, COVID-related or business-related? A: On the pandemic front, it was tough getting up and going because a lot of the government licensing permits we needed were on furlough so it took longer that expected to get open. We opened in July 2020, even though we were geared up to go for Memorial weekend. We lost a span of revenue that year but we managed to recover and triple the business from that year. One of the challenges is just the amount of deliveries that come in, the amount of contractors that come in, the amount of things that can go wrong in an old farmhouse. Just trying to stay a few steps ahead. Sometimes I'm facing down 92 cartons of inventory that need to be put away before we open the restaurant or sometimes you are looking at a patio where the wind just blew in and now you have an entire patio full of debris of leaves and trees. Sometimes you don't have enough staff. Just the other day I was doing dishwashing, bartending, cooking, and serving; that's not a place you want to be. It's the challenges of running a restaurant and I think that's all a part of it. It's a living and breathing thing and sometimes you're not a victim of it, but you want to ride the wave but you don't want to get sucked under. I think some restaurant owners work too much. Q: What is your favorite part about your day working at Thumb Brewery or in Caseville? A: What I love most in the morning is sitting outside with the beautiful sunshine that Caseville provides, and having a cup of coffee with my cats. We call it coffee cat chat. We have a few rescues around here and we adopted a brewery cat. Then it's about seeing all the servers and the cooks file through and they all know their jobs because we have a lot of repeat employees and crew people come back. They know what they're doing and they can get the kitchen going, they can get the patio going. Then just seeing people who just want to be here. They come and they go, "Hey Lauren what's on tap, what's on tap? Is Nick here? Do we have a new beer?" So we do some exciting things. We have some brewery festivals, which I love. We have a new release coming up after Pink Floyd called "Lunatic in My Brew" for the 50th anniversary of "Dark Side of the Moon." We're able to have these creative moments here and what really fuels me is the creativity that you can build into a brewery. We don't have to just be a brewery with taps. We did a paint and sip the other day, we have a crazy cat lady event coming up, we had a women in beer event the other day. We have a huge music bingo that my brother built up, it's super fun. Q: If there was one seasonal beer you could do all season long what would it be? A: We brewed Beacon Babe Double Hazy IPA for Women in Beer in 2023 and its a really great beer. Its very tropical, it has some citrus notes. It promotes Women in Beer and we're giving a dollar of every beer to Safe Place in Bad Axe. I love that, if I could donate a dollar of every beer to Thumb Animal Shelter or Safe Place year round I would. I like the feeling of collaboration. My go-to beer is definitely an IPA and I definitely love the Double Hazy's Q: What do you see happening next for the Thumb Brewery? A: The next project is going to be working on the farmhouse itself. It needs a facelift, we need an awning, we need paint, we need to sand it down. We need to capture some of the historic elements of the building and bring them back. Sort of like a historical renovation so that the building is like the shining star that it was maybe back in the 1900s. Q: What is something you want to try and do for Thumb Brewery or for Caseville that you haven't seen done yet? A: I want to do a big music festival up here. I know we have Rib Stock, but I want a music festival where there are musicians or buskers on every corner, at every business like a big weekend, and do a social districting area outside our brewery or off of M-25 or behind the harbor. Just bring the city together with outdoor food, music, and beer. Really put a lot of makers into it like artisans and just have it as a big celebration and it's outside of Cheeseburger. Events that are vibrant with food trucks and I think that this town can thrive with more music more regularly. If you or someone you know is a business owner, group organizer, or even just a person of interest and want to be featured for the next "7 questions with..." contact Dominic Sevilla at dominic.sevill@hearstnp.com with contact information and a brief summary of what you or someone you know does. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Hundreds of Midland residents came to the citys open houses this week to share their thoughts on the potential conversion of Ashman and Rodd from one-way streets to two-way streets. The City of Midland conducted the open houses on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Midland Law Enforcement Center and on Thursday at the Northwood Idea Center on Main Street. Ashman and Rodd parallel each other and their traffic flows in opposite directions. Rodd starts just below East Main Street and runs to just past South Saginaw Road, while Ashman goes the opposite way, from South Saginaw to just below Main. (East Ashman goes from the Circle area to the eastern city limits and is a two-way street.) Some residents came to learn more about the potential conversion, while others came with their thoughts and opinions already established. Tables were lined with information on how the change would impact services such as police, fire, garbage and snowplowing as well as access to Central Park Elementary School, located at 1400 Rodd St. Visitors were able to browse the information and ask questions of city staff members, including Community Affairs Director Selina Harris, City Engineer Matt Lemon and Director of Planning and Community Development Jacob Kain, as well as Landscape Architect Pam Blough from PM Blough Inc. One long table was encompassed with a satellite-view map of the two streets. Business owners and residents were encouraged to place a sticker on their business or home and discuss with a staff member their concerns or questions. Lemon said the responses throughout the open houses have been 50/50, with some visitors talking to city staff about their concerns and then leaving in support of the potential change, and others who simply do not support it. Jim Malek, who lives at Ellsworth Place between Rodd and Ashman near Downtown, said he is a big advocate for the two-way conversion and hopes that it is done as soon as possible. It makes more sense, he said. One-way streets are asking for trouble. Theyre just a headache. He said the roads were originally changed to one-way streets because it made it easier for a mass amount of workers at the time, particularly at Dow Chemical Company, to move in and out of town quickly. But we dont want people to dash through town anymore, he said. We want them to stay and check out the businesses. Not everyone agreed with this opinion, however. Others felt that the decision for the conversion is being rushed in order to combine the work with the Buttles and Indian Corridor Improvement Project that is being done by the Michigan Department of Transportation. I am ever hopeful that they take our opinions into consideration, said John Hopfensperger. Theres no need to be pressured. They can be independent decisions. Lemon said that the conversion, if it happens, could be done in conjunction with Buttles and Indian, but that the Michigan Department of Transportation is pushing to finish the design of that project soon. This does not mean that feedback from residents will not be considered in the possible two-way conversion, though, according to Lemon. The (Rodd/Ashman) project overall would not be done until maybe 2026, he said. So theres still lots of time to make a design. Hopfensperger also said the city government is trying to do too much and that it should choose one area of the city to focus on and put efforts into, whether that be Downtown, Center City, the mall area or Bay City Road around Costco. They should focus on what they want to be the center, then focus on developing that area," he said. The City of Midland Police and Fire and Department of Public Services have all reviewed the Ashman and Rodd conversion plans and are supportive of the project because it should provide more direct access from all directions and more efficient traffic patterns. Midland Public Schools will make any needed changes to school bus routes and schedules for Central Park Elementary School if the conversion takes place. Access to the school from either direction on Rodd would be available. Long stretches of Ashman and Rodd have three lanes. Lemon said exact plans have not been made yet since the open houses were intended to gather feedback on a general idea that has not gone before City Council yet. However, he said there is a number of possibilities and the wider road could create opportunities for parallel parking, turn lanes or bike lanes. More information and research on the potential conversion can be found on the citys website at its Ashman & Rodd Corridor Conversion page. Two members of the Michigan State Police Caro Post recently came to the aid of a man attempting to return home to Mexico to bury his son. According to a press release from Caro Post Commander 1st Lt. Brian McComb, Michigan State Police Sgt. Mike Curtis was dispatched to the Mini-Mart in Unionville on Sunday, April 16 on a report of a suspicious man hanging around the store. CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico (AP) When a fire broke out at a Mexican immigration detention facility last month, dramatically different reactions by guards in the mens and womens sections appeared to make a difference in who lived and died, according to previously unreported surveillance videos and witness statements viewed by The Associated Press. Forty male detainees perished in the March 27 blaze, allegedly started by a male migrant in protest of their conditions the facility in Ciudad Juarez, across the border from El Paso, Texas. All 15 of the female detainees safely escaped from their side of the facility as it began to fill with smoke. The videos show that in the hours before the fire, the deadliest ever at a migration detention center in the country, private security guards contracted by Mexicos immigration agency used keys to open the mens section to allow cleaning personnel to enter and to bring them large jugs of water. However once the fire started, no one tried to open it again despite the presence of guards nearby. Meanwhile, on the womens side, a female security guard sprinted through the building with keys she said the immigration official in charge of that wing had given her. That official, Gloria Liliana Ramos, is among those charged with homicide. A central question for investigators remains: Where were the keys to the mens section when the fire started? Seven people five immigration agents, a private security guard and the migrant who allegedly started the fire have been charged with homicide and causing injury. On Friday, an initial hearing for the head of Mexicos National Immigration Institute was delayed until Tuesday, because his defense team said they had not been given access to the investigative case file. Francisco Garduno is accused of failing in his responsibility to protect migrants. One of his lieutenants, Antonio Molina, the agency's verification director, was back in court to face accusations that he did not ensure decent conditions for migrants. A prosecutor noted that on the night of the fire 16 of the 68 male migrants held had not even been registered yet. Mexico's Attorney General's Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the contents of the videos and witness statements, which were provided to AP by a lawyer for one of the accused. On the evening of the fire, they show, male migrants began to press mattresses against the bars to block guards' view of what was happening inside. They also apparently unplugged surveillance cameras that they were able to access. One man allegedly set fire to a foam mattress, and within seconds smoke began to fill the area. A previously seen surveillance video clip showed guards approach the bars but then walk away without trying to open the gate. The immigration official who was in charge of the mens side that evening was Rodolfo Collazo. In his statement to investigators, Collazo said that shortly before the fire erupted he had left to take two minors to another facility, placing the private security supervisor in charge and leaving behind the keys to the mens section. Ramos, his counterpart on the womens side, confirmed in her own statement that Collazo had left the private supervisor in charge. An analysis of surveillance video by forensic investigator Luis Fermin Cal y Mayor for one of the defense teams concluded that the keys to the men's section were in the possession of the private security guards minutes before the fire started. That contradicts accounts from those guards in statements to government investigators saying that when the blaze began, they were in a bathroom filling jugs with water for the migrants and did not have the keys. In the women's section, another private security guard, Angelica Hinojosa, ran out when the blaze began to get help, she said later. She returned a short time later followed by a member of the National Guard. Hinojosa is seen on video racing through the building as female migrants begin to cover their noses and mouths amid the increasingly dense smoke. She later told investigators that when it started to smell bad and I saw a lot of smoke, she asked Ramos for the keys. The women's section was opened, and everyone escaped, retracing Hinojosas steps to the buildings entrance. Female migrants told government investigators they heard shouts from the mens side of the facility, including desperate calls for water and questions about where the keys were. Ramos lawyer, Aglaeth Gonzalez, said Ramos saved lives and should not be charged with a crime. Gonzalez said she still has not been allowed access to surveillance videos, and immigration officials she tried to interview refused to talk citing fears of reprisals. Collazo, the official who had left with the underage migrants, returned to find the facility ablaze. He told investigators he tried to enter to find the keys, but was turned back by the smoke. He is among those facing criminal charges of homicide and causing injury. One of the private security guards told investigators that a colleague, one of those now charged with homicide, did go back inside and found the keys on a desk. That guard managed to open a back door but not another lock inside, he said. The area remained sealed off until firefighters arrived and broke down a wall, and only then were those migrants still alive able to escape. More than two dozen were injured, but survived. Lawyers for the accused have also questioned whether prosecutors have sufficiently analyzed the hours of video from the surveillance cameras, which numbered more than a dozen. The countries where the victims came from have demanded a transparent investigation to find and hold responsible any officials and employees who share blame for the deaths, including those high up the chain of command. When Benjamin Millepied was a teenager starting dance training in New York, he and fellow students got into ballet performances for free, but opera was another story: They had to be creative. They'd sneak into the Metropolitan Opera House during intermission, or talk their way backstage, relying on a sympathetic usher for seats. We did these totally naughty things, he says with a laugh. It helped Millepied, who was born and raised in France and Senegal before coming to the United States, keep his love for opera alive while climbing the ranks at New York City Ballet to principal dancer. He also maintained his passion for cinema, sparked during a childhood of watching classic films with his mother. Millepied would go on to make a number of short films, and then in 2010, he choreographed and acted in Darren Aronofsky's Black Swan, alongside future wife Natalie Portman. Now, he's achieving a long-held dream by making his directorial debut with Carmen, starring Melissa Barrera and Paul Mescal, which opened Friday. He also cowrote the script and created numerous dance sequences including for Barrera and Mescal, neither of whom is a trained dancer. But this Carmen has little to do with the story many know from Georges Bizet's 1875 opera set in Spain, about a mysterious woman who is ultimately killed by a jealous lover. Millepied explains that he has neither adapted nor updated Carmen, so much as made a whole new work of art. His Carmen is a young Mexican woman who escapes death and makes it across the U.S. border with the help of a Marine who is emotionally damaged from war. The two fall in love, but tragedy finds them. Millepied, 45, who spent two and a half years as director of the Paris Opera Ballet and for more than a decade has directed the L.A. Dance Project in Los Angeles, sat down with The Associated Press to discuss how he came to Carmen, how he chose his cast and what he tried to accomplish. The interview has been edited for clarity and brevity. AP: You grew up in the world of dance. What brought you to filmmaking, and Carmen? MILLEPIED: It was really in the back of my mind since I started at New York City Ballet. I had a real love for cinema (growing up in France), and saw so much American film on French TV. I had kind of a dream. I started to make short films and I was into photography. So all the ingredients were there. My interest in Carmen, part of that is personal, my close relationship with my mother. I wanted to kind of embody this woman. AP: The story we know best from the 1875 opera now feels dated how did you deal with that? MILLEPIED: I had dinner with (opera and theater director) Peter Sellars in LA and told him I wanted to make Carmen and he almost got angry. He said to me, If youre really going to do it, you have to completely reinvent it. For him, it was really a 19th century story written by men who knew nothing about women. It gave me the freedom at that point to say, Well, why am I interested in it, and what do I want to do with it? Ultimately, it was to portray the freedom in this woman. And the almost magical qualities she has. AP: What was the biggest challenge? MILLEPIED: The experience of writing was maybe the most foreign thing to me. Everything else in a way has to do with theater performance. And photography and lights and moving people on the screen, and knowing when to move the camera and not. I stripped (plot) away and found ways to tell the story without a lot of dialogue. AP: You gave your Carmen a completely new story, as a young woman fleeing Mexico for the United States after the murder of her mother. The film is set to an original score by Nicholas Britell. What did you save, then, from the older versions? MILLEPIED: Whats interesting is this womans capacity to express herself. And this freedom, this larger-than-life quality and her fearlessness. I wanted her to be a woman who could love and be loved, and not just be objectified or or be a fantasy. In the (older) version, shes this thing that people want to own. I was interested in putting her against a character (played by Mescal) that actually is a deeply good person. Its really about freedom, a person who is completely free. AP: Tell me how you went about casting the two lovers. MILLEPIED: For Carmen, we had a big search. I saw Melissa on a tape and she was really impressive. This was long before In the Heights. She has this ability to look like a dancer without having ever danced. Its wild actually, and pretty unfair. We met, and she was really kind of bold in the meeting. We started working. With Paul, it was after I saw Normal People. I was watching Elia Kazan movies. I didnt want a man-boy. I didnt want someone who is self-conscious. I wanted somebody who could embody a Marine without posing its not so easy. I think he just had this understanding of physicality, and how actors express themselves through their bodies. AP: It's always a challenge to integrate dance into film. How did you achieve that? MILLEPIED: It's not so common a drama with dance. I wanted to tell a dark story that isnt just (makes a happy-dance gesture.) How are you going to make this work? Thats tricky. I think the challenge here was doing a dark story and using dreams. Sometimes you dont know whether you're in a dream or reality: Thats where the dance takes place. AP: Is dance having a crossover cultural moment? MILLEPIED: Yeah, I think theres definitely a cultural interest in dance. However, theres a lot of dance that is related to the telephone, you know? Like TikTok videos. And theres a problem with the frontal quality of it all. People dont even dance in 360 (degrees) anymore. And the way youre supposed to digest it: 15 seconds, 30 seconds. Were in a moment where I just believe more than ever that dance and theater are so important. Dance not only as performance but as a communal experience, where you dont have a telephone, is important and I really believe in it as a tool for wellbeing. The Connecticut Department of Environment and Energy (DEEP) reported that a male black bear was euthanized this past Tuesday in Salisbury. According to the spokesperson, the 400-pound black bear was euthanized on April 18 by DEEP Environmental Conservation (EnCon) Police Officers after multiple reports of home entries in the Salisbury/Falls Village area in the days prior. The bear had been routinely tagged as yearling, meaning a bear between one and two years old, in a den with its mother in Avon. The agency said that on Saturday, April 15, DEEP was notified of a home entry in Falls Village. In response, traps were set near the home two days later on April 17. That same day, DEEP was notified of another home entry at a different home in neighboring Salisbury. A DEEP Wildlife Division Staff member went to the Salisbury home to set up a trap. The agencys spokesperson said that the staff member waited for the Salisbury home owner to return in order to consult with them about the trap. Upon returning home, the owner realized the black bear was once again inside of the house. At this point, EnCon Officers responded to the scene and euthanized the bear. The agency's spokesperson said the euthanasia was in accordance with DEEP bear response guidelines, as "bears that have persistent, serious, negative behavior, such as killing protected livestock or entering buildings, may have to be euthanized." This event comes as bear-human interactions are on the rise in Connecticut. DEEP's State of the Bears reported that home entries by bears in 2022 doubled from 2021. In 2023 alone, bears have been spotted crossing highways with their cubs in Avon, stealing Easter candy in Windsor and breaking into pig pens in New Milford, to name a few sightings. According to its wildlife sighting database, DEEP has counted just under 1,200 bear sightings in 2023. Another black bear was euthanized last October after it attacked a 10-year-old boy in Morris. For bear sightings, DEEP asks residents to visit DEEP's website or email DEEP.Wildlife@CT.gov. If you report a bear sighting, include information on whether the bear has ear tags, including the tag number or color. Cromwell Police Department/Contributed CROMWELL Police say they are trying to identify a man who implied he had a gun while robbing a local hotel and his getaway driver. Just after 8:05 p.m., Cromwell police officers were called to the Spring Hill Suites Hotel on Berlin Road after a reported robbery, the agency said in a news release. Erie County Comptroller Kevin Hardwick has several concerns about how the Poloncarz administration recommends allocating $72 million of $96 million in year-end surplus money. He questions a proposal to spend some of the money on a new ambulance service and another plan to spend more cash and borrow less for some of the county's share of constructing a Buffalo Bills stadium. At the top of Hardwick's list of concerns is a proposal to spend $2.5 million to begin the process of studying and planning for a new, unified county jail that would replace the two existing ones. Hardwick questions the rush to decide that building a new jail at a potential cost of $100 million or more is necessary, and suggested that the $2.5 million be allowed to roll over into county reserves until a more complete discussion can take place. "We ought to see what the Legislature is interested in, what their appetite is for a tremendous amount of debt," Hardwick said. "I mean, you're talking about spending a county commitment that could rival what we're going to be spending, in the county share, on the Bills stadium." He is not alone. Several social justice groups have submitted a letter opposing allocating $2.5 million toward planning for a new jail. "It's shocking that a decision of this magnitude is not even its own agenda item, but only merits a line item buried on pages six and 20 of a big spending plan full of other topics and priorities," Colleen Kristich, a senior community researcher at Partnership for the Public Good, told legislators Thursday. "I hope you'll all agree that a decision this costly and this significant to the community deserves the full attention of the Legislature." Poloncarz allocates $2.5 million to lay groundwork for a new, unified county jail "It's time to begin the process to build a new, unified jail," Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said in a meeting this week with The Buffalo News. "The Holding Center is a disaster. It's just so old and antiquated." The $2.5 million allocated in year-end surplus money for a new, unified jail is only the first step in a lengthy process to determine the feasibility and costs associated with constructing a jail. Spending and contracting for that work would still require separate Legislature approval. In Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz's State of the County address, he described the $2.5 million allocation as earmarked "for site acquisition, engineering and architectural work to plan and build a new, modern Holding Center." County officials, legislators and community members spent more than two hours Thursday discussing some of the highest profile spending initiatives, including the new jail. Is high-profile downtown Buffalo hotel site being eyed for new jail? Depends on who and when you ask Erie County officials spent much of Thursday and all of Friday trying to walk back assertions that the Buffalo Grand Hotel site on Church Street downtown is being considered as the location for a new jail. Five members of the community raised concerns about the existing conditions and treatment of inmates and expressed concern about the expense of building a new jail in light of other pressing priorities. Hardwick, meanwhile, expressed skepticism about any savings resulting from such a move. He pointed out that despite repeated assertions by the Sheriff's Office over time, under previous sheriffs, that more investment in jail operations would result in more efficiencies and cost savings, jail-related costs have generally gone up. "Past claims by the previous Sheriff's Office of cost savings from a multitude of efficiency proposals have never been borne out in quantifiable reduced costs," he stated in a four-page letter to the Legislature on Poloncarz's surplus spending proposal. Both Hardwick and Kristich said more conversation should be occurring about how to update and consolidate the existing downtown Holding Center and Erie County Correctional Facility in Alden. Erie County plans layoffs, cuts and move of Holding Center inmates to close $137.8M deficit Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz released a plan to close a projected $137.8 million deficit that, barring federal stimulus money, would eliminate 187 county jobs, including 65 Hardwick recollected that in 2020, the Sheriff's Office had proposed consolidating most lower-risk downtown Holding Center inmates at the Correctional Facility in Alden and leaving only a few detainees and inmates at the downtown facility for those awaiting processing and court appearances, or those in need of greater medical supervision. That plan, essentially, was scrapped. Erie County jail consolidation 'a long way from being finalized' "I want to stress that this concept is a long way from being finalized," said Jail Management Superintendent Thomas Diina. Deputy Budget Director Mark Cornell told legislators that part of the $2.5 million in surplus funds would be used on a feasibility study to address many of the types of questions being asked by concerned community members who feel as though there isn't enough information to move forward with any decision on a new jail. Many opportunities would remain for legislators and members of the public to offer feedback. Whether a new jail is necessary, how much it would cost and what viable alternatives exist are still questions that will take time and money to answer, Legislator John Bargnesi said. "That's all part of this process," he said. Sheriff John Garcia has long contended that the millions needed to repair, maintain and staff the outdated and inefficient two-jail system the county has now is money that could be better invested in a new facility. He also said better health treatment and access to community programming would be best served by a new facility designed with that mission in mind. Despite the concerns, the idea of setting aside $2.5 million to study a new jail appears to have support from a majority of legislators. Some legislators on Thursday had far more questions about plans to spend $4.6 million in start-up costs for a new county ambulance service, which would include an estimated $2 million per year to maintain going forward. The expense could be partially offset by insurance reimbursements. Few denied the need for more staffing to respond to medical emergencies and transportation services. But Hardwick joined some legislators in asking whether it wouldn't be more prudent to take that money and partner with an existing, professional ambulance service to fill gaps in service. "When the County's Department of Health last proposed creating a County ambulance service in 2020, it was stopped due to a myriad of issues and concerns," Hardwick noted in his letter. Hardwick's letter also expressed reluctance to support the plan to allocate another $25 million in cash toward the construction of the new Buffalo Bills stadium, versus borrowing that money, though the comptroller indicated that he was less concerned about this than the funding for the jail and ambulance service. He said he would prefer to see more cash roll into the county's reserves, to safeguard against a future recession. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate KYIV, Ukraine (AP) NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg defiantly declared Thursday that Ukraines rightful place is in the military alliance and pledged more support for the country on his first visit to Kyiv since Russias invasion just over a year ago. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged Stoltenberg, who has been instrumental in marshaling support from NATO members, to push for even more from them, including warplanes, artillery and armored equipment. The Kremlin has given various justifications for going to war, but repeated Thursday that preventing Ukraine from joining NATO is still a key goal of its invasion, arguing that Kyivs membership in the alliance would pose an existential threat to Russia. NATO leaders said in 2008 that Ukraine would join the alliance one day, and Stoltenberg has repeated that promise throughout the war, though the organization has established no pathway or timetable for membership. Let me be clear, Ukraines rightful place is in the Euro-Atlantic family," Stoltenberg told a news conference. Ukraines rightful place is in NATO. Zelenskyy said he was grateful for an invitation to a NATO summit in July in Vilnius, Lithuania, but said his country needs a roadmap for becoming a member. The time has come for the (alliances) leaders to define the prospects of Ukraines acquisition of NATO membership, to define the algorithm of Ukraines movement towards this goal, and to define security guarantees for our state for the period of such movement that is, for the period before NATO membership, he said. Stoltenberg said he and Zelenskyy discussed a NATO support program for Ukraine. This will help you transition from Soviet-era equipment and doctrines to NATO standards and ensure full interoperability with the alliance, Stoltenberg said. "NATO stands with you today, tomorrow and for as long as it takes. He noted an announcement Thursday by Denmark and the Netherlands that they plan to provide Ukraine with at least another 14 refurbished Leopard 2 battle tanks by early 2024. He added that he expected countries to make new announcements of concrete military support to Ukraine at a meeting Friday in Germany. In other developments, a large explosion hit the Russian city of Belgorod late Thursday, and the Defense Ministry said one of its Su-34 warplanes accidentally discharged ammunition over the city about 25 kilometers (15 miles) from the Ukrainian border. The government gave no further details. Belgorod regional Gov. Vyacheslav Gladkov said the blast injured at least two people, damaged homes and left a crater about 20 meters (65 feet) across. The fighting in recent months has become a war of attrition, with neither side able to gain momentum. But Ukraine has recently received sophisticated weapons from its Western allies and is expected to launch a counteroffensive in coming weeks. Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that Moscow could use all means available a phrase some see as a threat to use nuclear weapons in response to an attack on its territory if Ukraine attempts to recapture Moscow-occupied areas. NATO has no official presence in Ukraine and provides only nonlethal support to Kyiv, but Stoltenberg has been the strong voice of the alliance throughout the war. A procession of international leaders has made the journey to Kyiv over the last year, and the former Norwegian prime minister is one of the last major Western figures to do so. NATO, formed to counter the Soviet Union, has long feared being dragged into a wide war with nuclear-armed Russia. But as the West has moved from hesitantly providing helmets and uniforms to tanks, warplanes and advanced missile systems, high-level visits have become routine. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday that preventing Ukraine from joining NATO remains one of the goals of what Moscow calls its special military operation. Speaking in a conference call with reporters, Peskov said that Ukraines accession would pose a serious, significant threat to our country, to our countrys security. Earlier this month, Finland joined the alliance, setting aside decades of neutrality in a historic realignment of Europes post-Cold War security landscape. While NATO says it poses no threat to Russia, the Nordic country's accession dealt a major political blow to Putin. Finland's membership doubles Russias border with the worlds biggest security alliance. Neighboring Sweden is expected to join too, possibly by the time U.S. President Joe Biden and his NATO counterparts meet in Vilnius in July. The alliance has focused on bolstering defenses on its own territory to dissuade Putin from attacking any member country. Under NATO's collective security guarantee, an attack on one member country is considered an attack on all of them. On Friday, Stoltenberg will attend a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group at Ramstein Air Base in Germany with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. The group is the main international forum for drumming up military support for Ukraine. Meanwhile, the Ukraine Space Agency said Thursday that a bright flash of light in the night sky over the country the previous day was probably a meteor entering the atmosphere. Residents of the capital and several cities in Belarus saw the flash of light, which lingered for a couple of seconds, and an explosion was heard in the Kyiv region. It triggered an air raid alarm in Kyiv. ___ Cook reported from Brussels. ___ Follow the APs coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate GANGES, France (AP) Hundreds of people opposed to the new law raising the retirement age from 62 to 64 demonstrated Thursday in a small town in southern France during a visit by President Emmanuel Macron, while scattered protests were staged elsewhere. Macrons trip to Ganges comes amid a concerted new effort by him and his government to move on from the furor caused by the pension reform. Demonstrators sang what has become the anthem of the retirement protests: We are here, we are here, even if Macron doesnt want (us to be here), we are here. The French president met with teachers and students at a middle school, where he promoted his education policies. At his arrival, the site was hit by a power cut, which the local branch of the hard-left CGT union said was a protest action. Dozens of police were deployed in the small town to prevent protesters from getting close to the school. They briefly used tear gas to disperse people who tried to storm the barriers. Raising the retirement age ignited a months-long firestorm of protest. Opponents were further infuriated after Macrons government in March chose to use a special constitutional power to pass the reform without a vote in parliament. Later Thursday, Macron made a surprise stop in another small town in southern France, Perols, where he walked in the streets to meet with some residents in a relaxed atmosphere, shaking hands and doing selfies. To a woman who told him she disagreed with the way he forced the pension changes through parliament, calling it undemocratic, he said, smiling: I'm not going to resign. You don't care what people want, the woman answered. On Wednesday, Macron went to eastern France, where he mingled among a crowd for the first time since he enacted the law last week. Many seized the occasion to voice their anger. The CGT union has called for scattered protest actions across the country. Macron has argued that raising the retirement age is needed to keep the French pension system afloat amid an aging population. Unions and other opponents say wealthy taxpayers or companies should pitch in more instead, and see the reform as an erosion of Frances social safety net. In Paris, hundreds of people Thursday held a peaceful demonstration at the Gare de Lyon train station. They later headed to the business district of La Defense, west of the capital, where they briefly stormed the building of European stock exchange Euronext, brandishing flares. We want to show that the mobilization continues, Fabien Villedieu, head of Sud Rail union, told the Associated Press. Theres no way were going to let this reform pass. The action at Euronext aims at showing where the money is, Villedieu said. France has never been so rich, never have the multinationals in France been so rich. The problem is the distribution of wealth. Earlier Thursday, some protesters in the northern city of Lille walked along the railway line, blocking all train traffic for about one hour. They then left peacefully. Several unions joined a strike at the national railway company SNCF, slightly disrupting train traffic Thursday. Some regional lines and Paris suburban trains were affected, while high-speed trains were running almost as normal, the SNCF said. ___ Corbet reported from Paris. Oleg Cetinic and Nicolas Garriga in Paris contributed. The Army's Caisson platoon -- a ceremonial horse unit that has transported fallen troops to their final resting place at Arlington National Cemetery for decades -- plans to shut down starting May 1 for 45 days to prioritize the health of the herd, an Army spokesperson told Military.com Friday. The Army said the "suspension" will not impact military honors at the cemetery. The suspension follows four equine deaths in the platoon over the last year-plus and comes amid efforts from the unit and millions in funding from Congress to rectify poor living conditions for the horses. Read Next: Troubled Ohio Guard Has Seemingly Failed to Conduct Key Oversight of Its Units for Years Two sources familiar with the unit's operations had told Military.com this week that the Army was planning on suspending operations as early as next week. Military.com asked Military District of Washington public affairs officials about the decision on Thursday, and following Army deliberations that stretched into Friday, the service said plans had been finalized to begin the closure in May. "In coordination with the Military District of Washington and the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment [The Old Guard], the Army's Caisson Platoon -- which employs military working horses as escorts during funeral honors at Arlington National Cemetery -- will implement a 45-day suspension of caisson horses to prioritize the health of the herd," Lt. Col. Terence M. Kelley, a spokesperson for the Army, told Military.com via email Friday. "As a result of this difficult decision, [Arlington National Cemetery] is contacting families with funeral services that include the support of the Caisson Platoon or the caparison horse to inform them that this element will temporarily be unavailable starting May 1," he added. "The Army is working on interim solutions, including alternative horse-drawn conveyances and contracting caisson services from outside organizations." CNN reported that two horses died in February 2022 and that the herd was living in small, unsanitary lots covered in more than a dozen inches of excrement. They were also eating low-quality hay. The two horses that died, Mickey and Tony, appeared to have suffered from intestinal issues that may have caused their deaths; Tony had nearly 44 pounds of sediment in his colon. Over the last year, the 3rd Infantry Regiment or "the Old Guard," the Army's premier ceremonial unit to which the Caisson unit belongs, has attempted to make improvements to lots and pastures that the horses live and train in. Last year, the unit said it spent nearly $2.5 million on improvements; the unit received $15 million more in funding after Congress became involved in the effort, passing improvement provisions in this year's National Defense Authorization Act, according to Senate Appropriations documents. Some of those changes, the unit has told Military.com, included testing the hay for quality and placing feeding mats so that horses do not accidentally ingest gravel off the ground. In the midst of these efforts, two other horses died, totalling four in nine months. The third horse, Rio, an older horse, died of surgical complications after he suffered a left limb fracture last March. He underwent three surgeries to attempt to fix the injury, but passed seven months later in October after veterinarians determined he would be euthanized for quality-of-life purposes. The fourth horse, 14-year-old Rambler, died a month later of "acute abdominal distress;" it is unclear if it was caused by sediment in his gut as the unit was waiting for necropsy results at the time. Horses can die from an ailment called "colic," a general term for abdominal pain that can vary in severity and pain for the animal. The Old Guard said that Rio's and Rambler's passings were unrelated to the previous deaths. One of the larger hurdles for the unit has been finding adequate space for the herd. Last year, Army veterinarians assessed that they were living in less than 20% of the recommended space for a herd that size, though the herd was slightly larger then than it is now. Since last year, the size of the herd has decreased by roughly 15%. Some of the herd has been adopted out of the unit, which helps with available land, but also means fewer horses are responsible for carrying out funeral duties. This closure is not the first disruption this year. In January, the unit closed its stable to the public for a month to "minimize spreading a contagious [to other horses] upper respiratory bacterial infection that was found in" one of the horses; final military honors still continued, according to the unit's Facebook. Military.com reported in December that the Army would begin rotating up to 12 of the roughly 50-herd horses to Bureau of Land Management-owned land near Lorton, Virginia, as part of a short-term solution for finding the equids more space. "This temporary pause will be conditions-based, and will not impact military honors, dependent honors services or any other military funeral honors elements," Kelley, the Army spokesperson, said. "We look forward to the return of U.S. Army caisson horses performing their sacred duty of escorting our nation's heroes to their final resting place. As information becomes available on the health of the horses, updates on the availability of caisson funeral support will be shared on the ANC website." -- Drew F. Lawrence can be reached at drew.lawrence@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @df_lawrence. Related: Army to Start Rotating Arlington Horses to Bigger Pasture Following Deaths Are there leadership problems or welfare issues for the troops of an Ohio National Guard brigade that saw two soldiers arrested on separate domestic terrorism charges in less than a month? Apparently the Guard doesn't know, because it has failed to conduct a key piece of mandatory oversight that's meant to help leaders spot issues. Leaders of the Ohio National Guard's 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team have seemingly not conducted command climate surveys, or properly maintained those documents for at least four years, according to the state's Freedom of Information Act manager. The surveys are meant to provide a health check for commands as a way for troops to provide feedback outside of lodging official complaints. The Ohio National Guard and the National Guard Bureau did not respond to multiple emails and phone calls for clarification on whether the state ever does command climate surveys. Read Next: The Navy Says It Has Cleared Its Backlog of Discharge Paperwork Last year, Military.com filed a Freedom of Information Act, or FOIA, request for all of the 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team's command climate surveys. Troops are routinely surveyed anonymously on their command's performance and the culture of the unit. These reviews can sometimes lead to commanders being fired if systemic issues of poor leadership or sexual harassment are found. Commanders are supposed to have their soldiers conduct the congressionally mandated survey within 30 days of assuming command. That window extends to 120 days for the Army National Guard and the Army Reserve, with an additional survey at the six-month period, and annually thereafter, according to the Army's regulation on the matter. Officials responded to the publication's May 2022 FOIA request Tuesday, saying the state has no records of any command climate surveys being conducted. The only exception was 1st Battalion, 134th Field Artillery Regiment, but the National Guard has yet to share those documents. "No documents were found that would be responsive to your request," Chief Warrant Officer Four Janet Blain, the state's FOIA manager, told Military.com. "The FOIA applies only to existing records, and there is no requirement to create a record to respond to a FOIA request." The 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team is currently deployed to Iraq and Syria, making it one of the Army's only conventional units operating in a combat environment. They have units at Erbil Air Base, Iraq, and the Al Shaddadi region of Syria, where Guardsmen have been training Syrian forces. Thomas Develin, a former corporal, who was assigned to the Ohio Army National Guard's 2nd Battalion, 174th Air Defense Regiment, was sentenced to nearly six years in prison last year. His charges centered on his efforts to manufacture and sell illegal weapons, but court records show he regularly talked about attacking Ohio's Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and a Jewish school in the state. Another soldier in Develin's unit, James Meade II, was also charged last year with making terrorist threats. Meade was sentenced to three years of probation, 200 hours of community service and ordered to pay a $2,000 fine after pleading guilty to threats he made to fly a plane into an Anheuser-Busch beer plant in Columbus. Both Develin and Meade were in the same Discord chat group exchanging racist, misogynist and anti-semitic jokes and radical statements, according to court records. The 37th is overseen by Maj. Gen. John Harris Jr., an aviation officer, who is the state's adjutant general. He recently made national headlines after getting into a physical confrontation with a reporter. In March, Harris grabbed and shoved a NewsNation reporter while in uniform and acting in his capacity as head of the state's Guard contingent. An Ohio state trooper grabbed the general and pulled him away from the reporter. Despite a public scolding from Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, Harris was allowed to keep his job. -- Steve Beynon can be reached at Steve.Beynon@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @StevenBeynon. Related: Top Ohio Guard General Keeps Job After Shoving Reporter The Department of Veterans Affairs has abandoned plans to introduce its new electronic health records system at more facilities, announcing Friday that it has halted all future deployments as it moves to fix the system at the five places where it currently is used. VA officials said earlier this month they had paused a planned rollout this summer of the Oracle Cerner system at the VA Saginaw, Michigan, Health Care Facility. But Friday's announcement indefinitely stops all preparations for adoption of the new program at 166 VA medical centers and their associated clinics -- with the exception of one, the Lovell Federal Health Care Center in Chicago, which the VA operates jointly with the Defense Department. That system will remain on schedule, expected to go live in March 2024. Read Next: Defense Department Sticking with TriWest to Run Tricare West Region VA officials said Friday that issues with the Oracle Cerner system, such as problems that range from safety issues involving patients to providers having trouble using the system, must be fixed before it can be introduced anywhere else. "For the past few years, we've tried to fix this plane while flying it -- and that hasn't delivered the results that Veterans or our staff deserve," said Dr. Neil Evans, acting program executive director in the VA's Electronic Health Record Modernization Integration Office, in a statement released Friday. "This reset changes that." The Oracle Cerner Millennium system was first introduced in October 2020 at the Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center in Spokane, Washington, and its affiliated clinics. Almost immediately, it drew criticism from medical providers for its complexity, but also led to delays in care and safety risks for patients. Nonetheless, its use was expanded in 2022 to the VA Walla Walla Health Care System in March, and after delays, Columbus, Ohio, in April and Oregon in June. In November, lawmakers raised concerns that two veterans may have died as a result of the system's complexities -- one who never received a needed medication because of issues with prescription tracking in the system and another who missed a medical appointment but received no follow-up because the system didn't properly record the skipped appointment. Reviews by the Government Accountability Office and the VA have found hundreds of issues with the system -- and given the challenges, VA leaders decided the best course is a "reset," according to VA Secretary Denis McDonough. "We've heard from veterans and VA clinicians that the new electronic health record is not meeting expectations -- and we're holding Oracle Cerner and ourselves accountable to get this right," McDonough said Friday in a statement. "This reset period will allow us to focus on fixing what's wrong, listening to those we serve and laying the foundation for a modern electronic health record that delivers for veterans and clinicians." Oracle Global Industries Executive Vice President Mike Sicilia said Friday that the company is committed to providing VA and veterans an electronic health records system that "exceeds expectations." Citing the Defense Department's adoption of the Oracle Cerner system, known as MHS Genesis, which had its share of delays, Sicilia said the company will coordinate with VA to adapt the system to its needs. "We support VA's plan to improve the operation of the EHR at the current sites and take the necessary time to institute governance, change management and standardization changes to ensure the success of future VA deployments, similar to what DoD did a few years ago," Sicilia said in a statement. "DoD's modernization is now nearly complete, on time and on budget. We will continue to closely coordinate with VA to provide enhancements and updates to the EHR." Lawmakers have introduced legislation designed to fix the problems or scuttle the program altogether. A bill introduced by Rep. Matt Rosendale, R-Mont., would end the program if improvements aren't made. The VA Electronic Health Record Modernization Improvement Act, also introduced by House GOP members, including Rep. Mike Bost of Illinois, chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, would require leadership at each medical center to certify that the system is ready and staff are comfortable with the system before launch at each facility. Rep. Mark Takano of California, ranking Democrat on the committee, has introduced legislation that would require the VA to contract with an independent entity to verify and validate its four major information technology programs, including the health record system, supply chain modernization, financial management and veterans benefits management system. VA officials said during a congressional hearing Wednesday that they objected to any bill that would stop all pre-deployment program activities, because this would cause significant impacts on cost and future deployment. The VA signed a $10 billion contract with Cerner in May 2018 to develop and introduce an electronic medical record system compatible with the DoD's -- an effort to provide lifelong medical records tracking for service members. The cost estimate for the VA system has risen to $16.1 billion over 10 years; the Institute for Defense Analyses recently estimated that the system could cost up to $38.9 billion over 13 years. A number of large hospital systems that have used the Cerner platform have switched to another electronic health records system, mainly Epic, which, along with Cerner, hold 85% of the market share for medical records systems in large hospitals in the U.S. Systems like AdventHealth in Florida and Atrium Health in Charlotte, North Carolina, have abandoned the Cerner system in favor of Epic, while large hospital systems such as the Mayo Clinic, the Cleveland Clinic, Johns Hopkins and Massachusetts General all use Epic. The VA currently is in contract negotiations with Oracle Cerner for what was originally slated to be a five-year option to renew. That process is expected to be complete by May 16, but whether it will be for another five years remains to be seen. During a roundtable with reporters on Thursday, Evans said he could not comment on the specifics of negotiations but "everything has been on the table." "The structure of that contract is such that the actual awarding of an option does not obligate us to spend money on the contract," Evans said. Evans added that VA will continue to fund and maintain the VA's current Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture, or VistA, system, as it provides services to millions of VA patients. "[VistA] does perform from a system performance level and reliability level in a way that we expect, and so I'm confident that the users of [VistA] are still going to be able to deliver the excellent care to veterans that they deserve," Evans said. -- Patricia Kime can be reached at Patricia.Kime@Military.com Related: Bronze Star Recipient and VA Chief of Staff Nominated for No. 2 Job at VA Is silicon dioxide a plastic What is silicon dioxide? Silicon dioxide is used in the construction industry to produce concrete. In its crystalline form, it is used in hydraulic fracturing. Used in the production of glass and used as a Sedative. 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And unlike the one proposed in December, this one closely mirrors lines drawn by Assembly members themselves in 2022 and that advantaged incumbents of both parties. The Assembly lines for the 2022 elections were based on an agreement struck by Democratic Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Republican Minority Leader Will Barclay. In hearings around the state since December, the commission heard testimony encouraging it to keep the 2022 districts intact, which was said to be a major factor in its reversal. In Western New York, there were some minor differences between the final plan released Thursday and the 2022 lines. Republican Assemblyman David DiPietro gained the Town of Alden into his district, which was taken from the district of Republican Assemblyman Michael Norris. Another Republican, Assemblyman Steve Hawley, lost the town of Newstead to Norris. But gone were most of the sweeping changes of the draft map in December, which among other revisions, would have reshaped the district of Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes, one of the most powerful Democrats in the State Legislature. In January, the commission held a hearing in Buffalo and Peoples-Stokes' chief of staff, Mark Boyd, appeared to testify. He read a letter from Peoples-Stokes expressing "grave concerns" over the commission's plan for her district, stating it was the only majority-minority district in upstate New York, and that the commission's proposal would decrease its non-Hispanic Black population from 64% to 53%, "therefore reducing representation and voter impact." "The 141st assembly district has historically always centered upon working class African-American and minority neighborhoods referred to as Buffalo's East Side," the letter stated. "It is unconscionable to gut the 141st District mere months after the racially motivated mass shooting that claimed the lives of 10 and injured three at Tops Friendly Markets on Jefferson Avenue." That and other testimony proved effective. Aside from some minor changes on the edges, Democrats districts in the Buffalo area are largely identical to the 2022 lines drawn by the Legislature. In December, the commission proposed that instead of splitting Democrat-rich Buffalo among five Democratic Assembly members, the city be split among only three districts concentrated in the city. In the December plan, the commission broadly tried to avoid splitting up cities among so many lawmakers. The rationale was that those representing cities should not be torn by also having to cater to suburban constituents. While that idea was largely scrapped in the final plan Thursday Buffalo is again split among five Democrats the commission did seek to keep towns and villages whole. And it redrew the 101st Assembly District, which had drawn criticism for snaking northward across five counties north of New York City, from Orange to Madison. The commissions stark reversal over the past five months also may reflect the reality that, under a constitutional amendment passed in 2014, final passage of the commissions lines still rests with the State Legislature. The commission obviously realized that the Legislature has final approval and decided to make the plan more friendly to incumbents, said Jeffrey Wice, a redistricting expert and adjunct professor of law at New York Law School. When then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo proposed the new redistricting process in a 2014 constitutional amendment, the measure was opposed by some government reform groups, who argued the new 10-member body was not independent. Indeed, eight of the 10 members are appointed by Republican or Democratic leaders in the Legislature. While the draft map in December temporarily boosted the commission's bona fides as an independent body, the reversal on Thursday bolstered skeptics beliefs. If it holds this way, I think it further makes clear that this is not an independent redistricting commission," said Blair Horner, executive director of the New York Public Interest Research Group. "Its a bipartisan one and the agreement that Assembly Democrats and Republicans had for the 2022 election played out in the commission." In 2014, New York voters passed a constitutional amendment creating the bipartisan, 10-person redistricting commission. The idea was to take the drawing of new districts, spurred by once-a-decade new census data, out of the hands of the legislators who might gerrymander lines for personal benefit. In 2022, the 10-person panel deadlocked in its initial attempt to draw lines for congressional, Senate and Assembly districts in New York. Instead, a bloc of five Republican-leaning commissioners submitted one plan to the Legislature, a bloc of five Democratic-leaning commissioners another. After that deadlock, the lines were instead drawn by Democrats who control the State Legislature in a manner that was successfully challenged in court by Republicans. Following a landmark state Court of Appeals decision in April 2022, a court-appointed special master drew congressional districts, which some Democrats believe cost the party a majority in the U.S. House of Representatives following November's election. The special master also drew State Senate lines. But litigation challenging Assembly lines for 2022 was judged to have been filed too late, and instead, the process began anew. On Thursday, members of the redistricting commission emphasized the new spirit of bipartisan cooperation that had brought them together to pass consensus lines this time. Each and every one of the commissioners meeting here today approached this process with a goal of seeking compromise, said Ken Jenkins, the bodys Democratic-appointed chairman. This vote is ultimately a victory for the commission process and for democratic participation in the State of New York." The commissioners passed the lines by a vote of 9 to 1. The lone vote against them was cast by Commissioner Ross Brady, an official with the state Conservative Party in Brooklyn, who said he disagreed with the lines drawn for several districts in New York City. The lines drawn by the commission still must be passed by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul, then receive final signoff from a judge. And the commission's redrawing of the Assembly lines continues to face an ongoing legal challenge. COLUMBIA, S.C. A major anti-abortion group has blasted former President Donald Trump on the issue, saying his contention that abortion restrictions should be left up to individual states, not the federal government, is a "morally indefensible position for a self-proclaimed pro-life presidential candidate." The Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America group was responding to a statement by Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung for a Washington Post story about division among the 2024 GOP presidential field on abortion-related issues. The group has said it would not support any White House candidate who did not at a minimum support a 15-week federal abortion ban. "The Supreme Court made clear in its decision that it was returning the issue to the people to decide through their elected representatives in the states and in Congress," the group's president, Marjorie Dannenfelser, said in a news release. "Holding to the position that it is exclusively up to the states is an abdication of responsibility by anyone elected to federal office." The condemnation by one of the nation's largest anti-abortion groups amounted to a stunning rebuke of the former president, the leading contender for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. His three nominations of conservative judges to the Supreme Court paved the way for the reversal of Roe v. Wade, which had legalized abortion nationwide for nearly 50 years. Cheung had told the Post that "President Donald J. Trump believes that the Supreme Court, led by the three Justices which he supported, got it right when they ruled this is an issue that should be decided at the State level." Trump has frequently referred to himself as "the most pro-life president in history." But in the early months of his 2024 bid, he has often sidestepped the issue of abortion, even as Republicans across the country celebrate the Supreme Court decision stripping federal constitutional rights to abortion. He won't be among the GOP hopefuls gathering this weekend at the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition's spring kickoff but will instead be speaking to the group by video. Last month in Iowa, Trump repeatedly refused to say whether he would support a federal law restricting abortion in every state, a move that anti-abortion activists have been demanding of the GOP's presidential contenders. "We're looking at a lot of different things," Trump said when asked twice by the AP whether he supports a federal abortion ban. Dannenfelser said in the statement Thursday that "life is a matter of human rights, not states' rights" and that Trump's characterization of last year's Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization case was wrong. "President Trump's assertion that the Supreme Court returned the issue of abortion solely to the states is a completely inaccurate reading of the Dobbs decision and is a morally indefensible position for a self-proclaimed pro-life presidential candidate to hold," she said. Pointing to a 2021 social media post from Dannenfelsers organization calling Trump the most pro-life president in U.S. history, a spokesman for Trumps campaign also noted, Even though much work remains to be done to defend the cause of life, President Trump believes it is in the States where the greatest advances can now take place to protect the unborn. All of the candidates running in the Republican presidential primary or moving toward a bid have supported state bans on abortion. Most have been much more cautious about staking a position on a nationwide ban, though entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy's campaign has said he believes it's an issue for the states, not the federal government. Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, who launched a presidential exploratory committee last week, has said he would support a federal law to prohibit abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis last week signed a state abortion ban that, if upheld by the courts, would ban the procedure after six weeks of pregnancy, or before many women know they are pregnant. It will take effect only if the state Supreme Court, which is controlled by conservatives, upholds Florida's current 15-week ban that is part of an ongoing legal challenge. The Florida ban would be one of the toughest in the U.S. But DeSantis has not made clear his position on whether such restrictions should be imposed across the country. Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor and one-time United Nations ambassador, has called abortion a "personal issue" that should be left to the states, though she has left open the possibility of a federal ban. Haley is scheduled to give a speech on abortion next week. Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, campaigning in Iowa, stopped short of saying whether he would support a federal six- or 15-week ban as president. "Obviously I would want to look at the bill," said Hutchinson, who as governor signed a law banning abortion after six weeks of pregnancy. Trump's stance has provided an opening on the right for potential rivals like former Vice President Mike Pence, an evangelical Christian with long-held anti-abortion views. Pence's advocacy group, Advancing American Freedom, has pushed for Congress to pass legislation including a national abortion ban beginning around six weeks. People in these 20 industries donated the most money to Donald Trump People in these 20 industries donated the most money to Donald Trump #20. Crop production and basic processing #19. Pharmaceuticals/health products #18. Hospitals/nursing homes #17. Lawyers/law firms #16. Education #15. General contractors #14. Civil servants/public officials #13. Miscellaneous manufacturing and distributing #12. TV/movies/music #11. Health professionals #10. Oil and gas #9. Miscellaneous business #8. Securities and investment #7. Nonprofit institutions #6. Miscellaneous finance #5. Real estate #4. Republican/conservative #3. Casinos/gambling #2. Health services/HMOs #1. Retired A potentially monumental change to the MLB landscape was announced late last night. As team president Dave Kaval confirmed the club was firmly turning its attention to Las Vegas in its stadium search after months of parallel discussions with both Vegas and Oakland. The As entered into an agreement to purchase 49 acres in Las Vegas for what they hope to be the location of their next stadium. That led Oakland mayor Sheng Thao to announce the end of negotiations between the city and the franchise regarding a potential new Howard Terminal ballpark in Oakland. Given yesterdays events, it now seems very likely the As will relocate to Vegas within the next few years. Nothing has yet been finalized, however; the franchises land purchase is not the same as a binding stadium agreement, which involves many more hurdles at the government level. As leadership and Nevada politicians have both expressed general optimism about a stadium agreement getting done, though theres still plenty of work to be done in sorting out the details. Howard Stutz, Tabitha Mueller and Sean Golonka of the Nevada Independent shed more light on the proposal the As are likely to put in front of the state legislature within the next couple months. The As would invest around $1 billion for the construction of the new ballpark. The organization is seeking the creation of what Kaval calls an incentives package for half a billion dollars in public funding. According to the Nevada Independent, the general idea would be to use tax dollars created by the stadium project itself primarily sales taxes of consumers at the new stadium and its surrounding area (Kaval suggested the end goal would be to create a mixed use development reminiscent of Atlantas Battery) to pay off $500MM worth of bonds issued by the county. According to the Independents report, Nevada legislators have been generally briefed on the proposal. They havent yet received concrete details nor made any firm commitments on the project. Various reports have suggested Nevada governor Joe Lombardo is generally supportive of the project, though a spokeswoman tells the Independent that (t)here is no set timeline (for an official stadium agreement). The financial elements of the concept are still being discussed. Stutz, Mueller and Golonka note that the legislature remains in session through June 5. If no agreement is in place by then, the legislature could call a special session to continue negotiations into the summer. The As lease at RingCentral Coliseum in Oakland runs through the end of next season. Kaval has pegged 2027 as a target date for a new facility in Las Vegas. He told reporters last night the organization was hopeful of having a binding stadium contract in place by the end of this year and breaking ground on the stadium in 2024. (Under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement, the As need to have a stadium agreement signed by next January 15 or theyd forfeit their status as revenue sharing recipients.) Obviously, thered be a two-year gap between the end of the As lease at the Coliseum and the target date for the new facility in Vegas. Kaval addressed that this afternoon, telling the media the organization was open to both extending their lease at the Coliseum by two years or finding a temporary home in Las Vegas (as relayed by Shayna Rubin of the Bay Area News Group). The As Triple-A club, the Aviators, play in Vegas and could potentially house the MLB team while ballpark construction is ongoing. Kaval made clear the club has no plans to displace the Triple-A team over the long term (link via Mick Akers of the Las Vegas Review-Journal). The Aviators are going to stay as part of this, Kaval said. Kind of like how theres the Golden Knights and Silver Knights, were going to have the As and Aviators both in the community. Were going to have our major league team and our Triple-A team co-located. He pointed out the Astros (Houston to Sugar Land) and Twins (Minneapolis to St. Paul) both have their top affiliates in close proximity to the major league club. While theres obvious optimism on the part of As leadership about their next steps in Las Vegas, theres predictably disappointment and anger among some in Oakland. The Oakland mayor was critical of the As negotiating tactics in announcing the end of discussions regarding the Howard Terminal project last night. Thao doubled down this morning, accusing the franchise of pulling the rug out from under talks at a time when city officials perceived they were making progress. Based on the As desire to achieve certainty in 2023, we laid out a detailed and specific plan to bring the project forward to a City Council vote this summer, she told reporters (link via Rachel Swan and Sarah Ravani of the San Francisco Chronicle). But it has become clear that we are not able to reach acceptable terms and that the As are not good partners in the effort. She added the city had recently hired a mediator to shepherd daily negotiations throughout this week, saying the sides were the closest we had ever been to making a deal until Kaval informed the city about the land deal in Vegas yesterday evening. Swan and Ravani note that Thao has left open the possibility of reopening negotiations. Thatd presumably require a major setback in the As efforts in Las Vegas at this point. For now, the organizations focus is clearly on getting a stadium agreement hammered out in the Nevada legislature, which would then allow the As to petition MLB for relocation. Commissioner Rob Manfred has already expressed his support for the As efforts in Las Vegas, announcing last year the league would waive the As relocation fee if they went there. Formal relocation requires approval from 75% of the leagues ownership groups. Pennsylvania State Police are warning customers to check their groceries after they say an employee put sewing needles in food at a Lehigh County grocery store. Troopers were contacted Wednesday for reported food tampering at the Giant grocery store at 7150 Hamilton Boulevard in Lower Macungie Township. A juvenile, now a former employee, has been identified as a suspect and charges are forthcoming, troopers with the Fogelsville barracks said Thursday. No one has been injured in the incident, Trooper Nate Branosky said. No other stores are involved in this isolated incident, Giant said in a released statement. State police are urging customers to check their food, specifically shoppers who purchased grocery items between Thursday, April 13, and Wednesday from the Lower Macungie store. Giant said it was made aware of a product integrity issue on Monday and notified law enforcement for further action and investigation. Giant said the product tampering occurred after 5 p.m. on Thursday, April 13, and investigators are confident there was no contamination before then, according to Branosky. We believe its just one person involved, Branosky said. Troopers are investigating as we speak. Troopers said the juvenile put sewing needles in bagged vegetables and individual Tastykake packages; the tampered items were bought and then returned by customers. Giant said surveillance video appeared to show the employee inserting sewing needles into at least three known food items and sewing needles were found in those items. Out of an abundance of caution, Giant said it has removed the following products from the Lower Macungie stores shelves: single serve Tastykakes, fresh bagged green beans, loose sweet yellow and white onions, fresh green asparagus, soft packaged dog food and treats, soft packaged cat food and treats, instant boxed mashed potatoes, and cleaning sponges. Anyone with information about the incident should call the Pennsylvania State Police Fogelsville Criminal Investigation Unit at 610-3951438. Customers who find needles should call the State Police and immediately return the item to a Giant store, Branosky said. Giant said it is in the process of notifying customers who may have purchased these products based on available purchase data. Giant notified the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and the company is fully cooperating with law enforcement on the investigation. Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin said his office is aware of the investigation and the juvenile will be charged in juvenile court. MACKINAC ISLAND, MI - A rule-making process now working its way through state government will give more enforcement bite to Mackinac Islands e-bike ban on the 80% of the island managed by the Mackinac State Historic Parks. For years, the islands city and state park officials have been on the same page when it comes to the prohibition of electric bicycles all across this top tourist destination. The city adopted a local ordinance years ago. Meanwhile, state statute forbids e-bikes from operating within the state park, but yet park staff still need to enforce that ban in a way that complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The new piece: The state parks earlier policy to address accommodations for e-bike riders with a disability is being formally promulgated, - or turned into an official rule. Once that is done with a sign-off by the state legislature, it means the e-bike ban can be more easily enforced on state park land and scofflaws can be ticketed. Right now, e-bike riders who run afoul of this ban on the city portion of Mackinacs streets can be slapped with a civil infraction fine of $110. Once the state parks policy is confirmed as a rule, it can do the same. Steve Brisson, director of the Mackinac Island State Park Commission, said he expects the new language to be in effect very soon. Mackinac Islands e-bike ban - and the disability exemption to that ban - are pretty straightforward: The only reason you should be riding an e-bike on Mackinac Island is if you are a qualified person with a mobility disability, as outlined by the islands city government. And only if the e-bike is a Class 1 pedal-assist, with no working throttle. So, whats a Class I e-bike? According to the island ordinance: Its equipped with an electric motor of not more than 750 watts Its limited to a top speed of 20 mph The electric motor must only engage when the rider is pedaling If you are able to apply a throttle to engage the motor, that e-bike is not allowed on the island E-bike storage has been banned in some Mackinac Island buldings because of the risk posed by the batteries catching on fire. Photo by Youngrae Kim | MLive.comYoungrae Kim | MLive.com A Ban on Motor Vehicles Why this change takes so many steps has to do with the islands longtime ban on motor vehicle as it relates to e-bikes. What to know, according to Brisson: The overall ban on motor vehicles in the park is by state law. The state park commission is actually forbidden from making a rule allowing for motor vehicles. As for electric bikes, state statute explicitly forbids them within the park. But the park is still required to enforce that ban in a way that complies with the ADA. The soon-to-be-promulgated rule is simply to bring us in compliance with the federal ADA, Brisson said. This relates to a court case on the issue years ago which resulted in Class I pedal-assist bikes being allowed on the island for those who had a mobility disability. The park commission in 2003 enacted a policy to address this, then updated it in 2020 to spell out the difference between the Class I and Class II e-bikes, since Class 2 bikes are more like motorcycles, and are not the pedal-assist bikes required by the ADA, he said. Whats the Problem? So if the city and state parks ban on e-bikes has been in place for a long time, why is it still an issue? Because anyone who has been to Mackinac Island in recent years as e-bikes have soared in popularity has seen them zipping down the streets and motoring up the hills. Its unlikely that many of the people using e-bikes actually meet the disability requirements, and city police cannot ask people direct questions about their health. And many of the newer bikes are not just pedal-assist, they have throttles that allow for faster speeds. The bigger issue seems to be with these Class II and Class III e-bikes with working throttles. Some can go 25 mph or more, making them like little motorcycles speeding through town. This has become a headache on an island that has had a motor vehicle ban in place for 125 years - and a tourist area known for its seasonal swarm of regular bicycles and horse-drawn carriages. Some year-round island resident use e-bikes with the zippy throttles, claiming they need that extra help getting up Mackinacs hills if they live outside of downtown. Island construction workers use them to turn their bike-and-cart combinations into little equipment haulers. And tourists are increasingly bringing them over on the ferries. E-bikes are not only a safety concern, but they have the potential to be an atmosphere-changer on an island that has worked hard to be known for its quaint character. Brisson spelled this out in his rule request filed with the Michigan Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules: The popularity of electric bicycles has skyrocketed in recent years, posing a significant challenge to the motor vehicle ban within Mackinac Island State Park. At the same time, the Legislature has tasked the Commission with regulating electric bicycles on the Island in a way that comports with state and federal disability laws. The rules are not only required by the Legislatures directive to regulate electric bicycles in a way that complies with state and federal disability laws, but they give law enforcement officers additional tools to enforce the more than 100-year-old ban on motor vehicles on the Island. They are key to maintaining the Islands international reputation as being vehicle-free. This reputation generates hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue within Michigan, and the livelihood of thousands of people depends on it. For the state parks large swath of the island, initial enforcement can be handled by the Michigan State Police troopers who work there in the summer months, and by a state park ranger. The state park commission ... by statute can appoint special police as well. We will consider that in the future, Brisson said at a recent meeting. City Police Cite Offenders On the city portion of the island, e-bike tickets already are written by the islands police department. Police Chief Doug Topolski has said the mobility exemption for Class I bikes can prove difficult for his officers to enforce, unless they see an e-bike rider blatantly using the throttle. An example of this would be someone not pedaling an e-bike as they seem to glide effortlessly up Cadotte Avenue hill toward the islands Grand Hotel. When they see us, they make a half-hearted attempt to pedal, Topolski told MLive in a 2022 interview. Otherwise, the exemptions are largely handled on the honor system, as officers cannot ask personal questions about someones specific disability and they dont inspect each bike that is brought over on the ferries. And theres the rub, as more e-bikes are spotted on the island each season. Its very difficult to police, Topolski said. Either people are fibbing, or Mackinac Island has the highest per-capita number of disabled people around. Bikes for rent on Mackinac Island.MLive.com file City Ordinance Tweak Right now, the city requires anyone having an e-bike with a throttle to modify the bike to conform to the rules by removing or detaching the throttle. But that could get a little stricter. The city recently held a joint public hearing with the state park, saying it needed to tweak a piece of its e-bike ban dealing with the bike modifications, to better match state law. It wants to clearly state that any e-bike with a throttle has to have the throttle removed - not just detached - and have an affixed sticker identifying bikes classification. If this change is approved, bike owners would be able to get their new sticker from the island police department. This change would stop people from simply disconnecting their e-bike throttles - then reconnecting them later. Under the statute, a simple disconnection would not be allowed, Erin Evashevski, a city attorney, said during the hearing earlier this month. That would be tampering or modifying. ... Compliance with the statute is what we want and enforcement in accordance with that. The recent city-parks joint public hearing served up plenty of controversial opinions. Several people spoke out against the longtime e-bike ban, saying it was not practical or enforceable. Others claimed it was not meeting the spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the new throttle-removal tweak being discussed would become a springboard for lawsuits. The city attorney made it clear the existing ordinance overall is not changing. They are just seeking to update the piece that talks about throttle modifications. Its our position that a reasonable accommodation for a bicycle may be a Class I pedal-assist, Evashevski said. The throttle creates essentially a motorbike, which is not allowed for any person on Mackinac Island. Love Mackinac Island? Read More Here: 10 gorgeous trails that show off Mackinac Islands inner beauty E-bikes, horses, headlights: What Mackinac Islands police chief wants tourists to know Fairy Arch, the Musical Well: Fascinating forgotten spots on Mackinac Island MACOMB COUNTY, MI A Michigan man accused of killing a news anchor and attacking three others has pleaded no contest, Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido said. Arthur Williamson, 55, of Pontiac is accused of attacking WWJ-AM news anchor Jim Matthews, his girlfriend, and their two children at the Hidden Harbor Condominiums in Chesterfield Township on Sept. 23, 2022. Williamson allegedly tied up Matthews girlfriend and her two young children before killing Matthews with a hammer when he returned home by striking him multiple times in the head and slitting his throat. Williamson also struck Matthews 10-year-old boy in the head with the hammer, but the child survived. Williamson, who was found at the scene of the crime with self-inflicted wounds, pled no contest to first degree premeditated murder, two counts of assault with intent to murder and three counts of unlawful imprisonment as a habitual fourth offender. I would like to thank the Chesterfield Police Department for their diligent work in investigating this case and everyone who helped in getting accountability for this family and the start of closure, Lucido said in a statement. Macomb County Assistant Prosecutor Steve Fox agreed to not add any additional charges from this incident as part of Williamsons no contest plea. Williamson will be sentenced in front of Chief Judge James Biernat, Jr. at 9:30 a.m. on May 31. He will likely spend the rest of his life in prison for the murder charge. It feels like a dangerous moment, but it doesnt have to be that not if everyone on both sides of this strange new conflict commits to common sense. On one side are farmers who raise animals and who want to keep strangers off their property and away from their livestock. On the other are animal rights activists who know that that animals are sometimes abused and whose passion has apparently prompted some to trespass in order to see what is happening and, perhaps, to rescue animals they deem to be endangered. In Niagara County, that threat prompted Sheriff Michael J. Filicetti to issue a warning to farmers that at least two instances of trespassing have recently occurred in Newfane. They followed a social media post that encouraged people to attend an animal right to rescue summit last weekend in the City of Tonawanda, he said. All farmers in the area need to be aware and stay alert of suspicious activity related to this meeting, the public alert said. And speaking to a News reporter, Filicetti declared, Im not going to put up with it if they think theyre going to come and steal livestock. No one should have any problem with the sheriff doing his job, of course. Trespassing and the possibilities of theft require his attention. Farming is a difficult business and profits can be hard to come by. But this issue arises at a fraught moment in both this state and the country as the prevalence of weapons and an inclination to shoot first and ask questions later seems to be taking dangerous root. It happened this week in a rural part of Washington County, north of Albany. Kaylin Gillis, just 20, was killed while searching for a friends house. Shortly after she turned into the wrong driveway, neighbors heard two shots ring out. The owner of the home at the end of that driveway, 65-year-old Kevin Monahan, has been charged with second degree murder. And only days earlier in Kansas City, Mo., 16-year-old Ralph Yarl was shot in the head when he went to the wrong address to pick up his siblings. He survived, but suffered a grievous injury. Andrew D. Lester, 84, later turned himself in to authorities and has been charged with assault in the first degree and armed criminal action. Does anyone think that couldnt happen here? The prospects only rise as misguided activists consider taking the law into their own hands and farmers have been given reason to fear intrusion. The way to avoid the risk of tragedy is for cooler heads to prevail. The activists are absolutely correct that some people abuse animals, either through neglect or with intent. It happens everywhere, including in Western New York. The incidents can be shocking in their cruelty. We dont know how the activists are defining abuse, but trespassing wont serve their cause and could result in tragedy. Neither will farmers fare well if they overreact to suspicions of trespass. In both cases, the better option is to notify authorities who are legally empowered to intervene. In each case whether suspecting an intrusion or animal abuse Filicetti encourages those wishing to report incidents in Niagara County to call his dispatch office, 716-438-3393 or, in an emergency, 911. In cases of animal cruelty, the office typically involves the SPCA. If its safe to do so, the Sheriffs Office encourages those reporting possible offenses to collect information such as descriptions, license plates, video or direction of travel, but always to avoid conflict. I would never condone a confrontation, Filicetti said on Wednesday. Plainly, confrontation is a possibility when people are given to poor decision-making. The arming of America and the decline of self-control has made those confrontations more likely and hazardous to the point of lethal. Trespassers can be arrested or maybe injured. So could innocent people who turn into the wrong driveway at the wrong moment. Property owners who make the wrong decision can wind up in jail. This is a good moment for thinking first. Whats your opinion? Send it to us at lettertoeditor@buffnews.com. Letters should be a maximum of 300 words and must convey an opinion. The column does not print poetry, announcements of community events or thank you letters. A writer or household may appear only once every 30 days. All letters are subject to fact-checking and editing. DETROIT Two people have been charged in connection with the shooting death of a security guard at a Detroit liquor store. Travis Deshawn Irving, 33, and Nicole Kay Christian, 34, both of Detroit were both charged this week, Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said. Irving has been charged with first-degree murder, felon in possession of a firearm and felony firearm. Christian has been charged with accessory after the fact. Irving is accused of shooting Daryll Straughter, 48, of Detroit at a liquor store in the 570 block of Monroe Street just after 8 p.m. on April 15. Irving and Straughter allegedly had a verbal argument that escalated. Fox 2 in Detroit reported that Straughter was trying to stop an argument over someone allegedly cutting in line Irving allegedly fired a handgun, fatally wounding Straughter. He then fled the scene aided by Christian, according to prosecutors. Both suspects were arrested by the Detroit Police Department later that day. Medics transported Straughter to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead, police said. Irving, who remains in jail, has a probable cause hearing on May 2 and a preliminary examination on May 9. Christian received a $50,000 bond and has a probable cause hearing on April 27 and a preliminary examination on May 3. ANN ARBOR, MI - Officers briefly arrested a pair of striking graduate student instructors as they protested outside a restaurant where University of Michigan President Santa Ono was eating, police said. The two individuals were detained for disorderly conduct in the late afternoon of Thursday, April 20 at Fifth and East Washington streets, said Deputy Chief Melissa Overton of the universitys Division of Public Safety and Security. ANN ARBOR, MI A new lawsuit claims an Ann Arbor landlord has had a policy of illegally refusing to rent to people who use government-issued housing vouchers to pay rent. Ann Arbor resident Megan Morse filed her case against the Wilson White Company Inc. in Washtenaw County Circuit Court on Wednesday, April 19, seeking a judgment declaring the property management company violated the citys non-discrimination ordinance, which in part makes it illegal to deny someone housing based on their source of income. The city expanded the law in 2020 to define housing vouchers as a source of income. I was born in Ann Arbor and I love the city, Morse said in a statement. But my epilepsy and other disabilities make it impossible for me to earn enough money to pay Ann Arbor rent because its so expensive. I was so excited to move back to Ann Arbor when the Ann Arbor Housing Commission awarded me a housing voucher. But I was heartbroken and humiliated when a landlord refused to honor the voucher and rejected me. The Civil Rights Litigation Initiative at the University of Michigan Law School is representing Morse in what it calls a first-of-its-kind lawsuit to enforce Ann Arbors law barring source-of-income discrimination and an important case addressing a widespread housing discrimination problem in Ann Arbor. Ann Arbor enacted an ordinance to make the city more welcoming to lower-income residents like Megan Morse, Rebecca Lowy, one of the student attorneys with the initiative, said in a statement. This lawsuit puts Ann Arbor landlords on notice that discrimination against people with housing vouchers will no longer be tolerated. Other student attorneys working on the case include Elyse ONeill and Lauren Yu. The Civil Rights Litigation Initiative is led by UM law professor Mike Steinberg. Morse relies on Social Security and housing choice vouchers to pay rent and she applied to Arbor Hills Apartments and Wyndham Hill Apartments, both Ann Arbor apartment complexes owned and operated by Wilson White, the lawsuit states. Wilson White representatives told Morse and a tester from the Fair Housing Center of Southeast and Mid Michigan the company would not accept vouchers, the lawsuit states. Wyndham Hill Apartments on Stadium Boulevard in Ann Arbor on April 21, 2023.Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News Representatives for Wilson White did not respond to requests for comment on Friday, April 21. Wilson White Company is dedicated to providing our residents with a great living environment, observing the highest ethical standards with a reputation for honesty, integrity and professionalism, the company states on its website, indicating it has existed since 1946 and is led by Board Chair Andrew Copp and President James Schmunk. In addition to Arbor Hills and Wyndham Hill, the companys other apartment communities include Nob Hill Apartments in Ann Arbor and River Drive Apartments in Ypsilanti. The lawsuit asks the court for an injunction to prohibit future source-of-income discrimination and to award compensation to Morse for application costs, emotional distress, loss of civil rights, loss of housing, and humiliation and embarrassment. The complaint details the circumstances of Morses apartment search and the less-preferable living situation she landed in after allegedly being denied by Wilson White. After separating from her domestic partner of 12 years and temporarily living with her mother in Jackson last year, she wanted to move back to Ann Arbor to be close to her daughter and the University of Michigan Hospital, where she participates in studies to develop treatments for epilepsy, the lawsuit states. After being turned away by Arbor Hills Apartments and Wyndham Hill Apartments in December, she was approved for another apartment on the far south side of town in January, farther from her daughter and the hospital, according to the complaint. Her apartment is within walking distance of only one bus line which does not go directly to the hospital and no other amenities, the lawsuit states. The bus ride to the hospital is approximately 40 minutes including transfers. Wyndham Hill Apartments on Stadium Boulevard in Ann Arbor on April 21, 2023.Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News Because housing choice vouchers are paid directly to landlords by the Housing Commission, there is little risk of tenants failing to pay rent, according to the Civil Rights Litigation Initiative. Housing choice vouchers are meant to level the playing field for low-income families, who are often people of color, people with disabilities, and solo mothers groups most likely to face housing discrimination, Pam Kisch, director of the Fair Housing Center, said in a statement. Ann Arbor can be a great place to live with excellent schools, job opportunities, public transportation, parks and cultural opportunities, she said. Its also very expensive and we shouldnt add more barriers to living here than already exist. The Civil Rights Litigation Initiative posted a YouTube video further discussing the case, which is pending before Judge Tim Connors. MORE FROM THE ANN ARBOR NEWS: Ann Arbor renters get expanded rights with 10-1 final OK of new law Despite pushback from landlords, Ann Arbor bans criminal background checks Ann Arbor OKs conceptual plan for 157 housing units across from YMCA State and polluter may get their way in Ann Arbor dioxane plume case Ann Arbor officials give thumbs down to food trucks on lot next to downtown library YPSILANTI, MI -- Police are investigating an alleged assault of a high school-aged student on Eastern Michigan Universitys campus earlier this week. A student involved in the Early College Alliance program told police they were using a restroom in McKenny Hall around 4:30 p.m. on Monday, April 17, when someone grabbed them at the neck and covered their mouth, according to university spokesperson Melissa Thrasher. The alleged attacker then left the restroom after hearing someone call their name, according to Thrasher. McKenny Hall is located at 878 W. Cross St. in Ypsilanti. The incident was reported by a university staff member who was contacted by the student, Thrasher said. The student wished to stay anonymous, she added. ECA is a program meant to immerse high school students in a college learning environment. Thrasher declined to answer if the student was a minor. The schools Department of Public Safety continued to investigate. Read more from The Ann Arbor News: 2 University of Michigan strikers arrested during Santa Ono protest Fresh summer forecast just issued, see what Michigan should expect Police identify man found dead at Ypsilanti-area bus stop ANN ARBOR, MI Michigans longstanding litigation against polluter Gelman Sciences a case that originated in 1988 is once again before Judge Tim Connors in Washtenaw County Circuit Court. But during a hearing Thursday, April 20, on a new plan for Gelmans toxic chemical plume spreading through the Ann Arbor areas groundwater, Connors said hes now limited in what he can do after the Michigan Court of Appeals vacated his June 2021 cleanup order. The Court of Appeals in September very succinctly outlined what authority I have, Connors said, suggesting he has little choice but to OK a new plan proposed by the state and polluter. The state and Gelman are free to negotiate a new consent judgment as they see fit, which they may present to the trial court for entry, the appeals court ruled last September. The state and Gelman have since done that and Thursdays hearing was on their motion to enter the new agreement outlining protocols for dealing with the 1,4-dioxane contamination spreading from the former filter manufacturers old Wagner Road site. Michigan attorney general announces new plan for Ann Arbor dioxane plume The attorney generals office said the updated consent judgment requires Gelman to perform many actions, including installing more extraction wells to remove and treat contaminated groundwater and more monitoring wells to track dioxane migration to prevent people from being exposed. Unless Gelman or the state seek the trial courts involvement, a previous 2011 consent judgment stays in effect and the trial court should play no role in their negotiation of a new agreement, the appeals court ruled last September, tying Connors hands as the case lands back in his court. Connors indicated Thursday he intends to abide and order whats been negotiated between the state and Gelman, though the city of Ann Arbor and others are objecting, suggesting there at least should be a 60-day public comment period with an opportunity for revisions that local communities may want. Washtenaw County Circuit Judge Tim Connors hears testimony in the Gelman dioxane plume legal case Dec. 15, 2016.Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News Responding to Thursdays arguments, Connors said he thought the citys attorney made a legitimate point in noting the proposed consent judgment states the court finds whats proposed is protective of the public. Connors said he will not sign any order saying he is making any findings in the case, so the state and Gelman will have to submit revised language. But pursuant to the Court of Appeals ruling, the state and Gelman are still entitled to have him enter an order, he said. And Ill enter it, he said, adding he sees no provision for him to call for a public hearing or make changes, though he wants to see an answer to Washtenaw Countys Feb. 6 complaint. He gave local parties in the case a July 1 deadline to file remaining complaints, after which Gelman will have a chance to respond. The Court of Appeals decided last September the local parties must file complaints or be dismissed from the case. Courts should not sally forth each day looking for wrongs to right, the appeals court stated in its September opinion, quoting from another decision from 2020. They wait for cases to come to them, and when cases arise, courts normally decide only questions presented by the parties. A map of the Gelman Sciences property off Wagner Road in Scio Township, just across the city border from Ann Arbor, included in a March 2023 proposed consent judgment document filed in Washtenaw County Circuit Court.State of Michigan Connors said Thursday hes been called a lot of things in his life, but hes never been accused of sallying, which he had to look up to find it means to leap out suddenly. He noted the Gelman case played out for years in his court before he made his ruling in 2021. The cleanup and monitoring plan Connors ordered Gelman to implement two years ago stemmed from local intervention in the states case in 2016 and 2017 by Ann Arbor, Scio Township, Washtenaw County and the Huron River Watershed Council. The local parties spent several years battling with the polluter in the courts, trying to get a new consent judgment to which not all parties could agree before Connors ruled. Attorneys for the city, township, county and the Watershed Council appeared via Zoom during Thursdays hearing, in addition to attorneys for Gelman and the state. Protecting the public health and environment requires that this consent judgment be entered by the court as soon as possible, said state attorney Brian Negele, noting it would update outdated limits for dioxane in drinking water, among other measures. A crew works on a well at the edge of the Gelman Sciences property and neighboring Saginaw Forest off Wagner Road in Scio Township on Feb. 15, 2023.Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News Nathan Dupes, an attorney for Ann Arbor, noted the city filed its opposition with the court last week. Whats proposed could have wide-ranging impacts for generations to come, so the public should have a chance to weigh in through a formal public comment period conducted by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, he said. The local parties in the case were not involved in negotiating whats proposed, he said. Its different in several ways from what was proposed previously when local parties were involved in negotiations with the state and Gelman, he said, arguing it removes important dioxane-removal activities at the Gelman site, makes it easier to expand a groundwater-use prohibition zone and includes other adverse changes without justification. And those are activities that the state told the Court of Appeals not that long ago were necessary, he said. What the Court of Appeals decided last September was Connors could not force a settlement on the parties, and thats not what the city is asking the court to do, Dupes said. A monitoring well at the Gelman Sciences property off Wagner Road in Scio Township on Feb. 15, 2023.Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News Attorneys for the township and the Watershed Council concurred with calling for a public comment period, while Robert Davis, an attorney for the county, reminded the court the county has statutory obligations to protect public health, which include knowing whether any contamination is within 100 feet when deciding to issue well permits. The county wants it formalized in the new document that Gelman must provide monthly data about the plumes location and impacts to the groundwater-use prohibition zone. Connors said hes leaving the bench in about 20 months and hell handle the case as long as its before him, but he expects the litigation to continue under another judge after him, just as other judges before him presided over it. I was in this courtroom as a young lawyer in the 80s when it was first being litigated, he said, noting Judge Patrick Conlin handled the case then and appointed him special master. Judge Donald Shelton took over the case before it landed in Connors courtroom after Shelton retired in 2014. So, it hasnt been some sallying thing, Connors said, describing it as a decades-long, deliberative process. City Council voted Monday, April 17, to approve a ninth amendment to the citys 2016 legal services contract with law firm Bodman PLC, putting another $150,000 toward fighting Gelman. That adds to a previous contract total of $920,000. The Department of Environmental Affairs at the Gelman Sciences property off Wagner Road in Scio Township on Feb. 15, 2023.Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News This amendment is necessary to support a new lawsuit against Gelman to enforce a prior settlement, said Council Member Lisa Disch, D-1st Ward, adding it seeks to ensure Gelman complies with a 2006 settlement agreement with the city. That agreement prescribed installation of monitoring wells near the citys Montgomery Avenue well pump station, which is located in a neighborhood west of downtown. That was used as a city drinking water source before it was shut down about two decades ago due to dioxane. If concentrations of dioxane in a first series of these monitoring wells exceeded one-half of the residential cleanup criterion, Gelman was supposed to install a second series of these wells, Disch said, adding that trigger became easier to reach when the state reduced the limit for dioxane in drinking water from 85 parts per billion to 7.2 ppb in 2016. Ann Arbor's Montgomery Avenue well pump station on March 22, 2023. Once used as a source for city drinking water, it was shut down years ago due to dioxane contamination.Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News Indeed, it was reached, she said. And so Gelman was supposed to install a second series of these wells and it did not, so Gelman refused to do what it had said it would do. The wells are important for Ann Arbor residents because they provide a warning system for contamination moving toward the Montgomery Avenue well station, Disch said. And there is money involved, she said. If it becomes clear that concentrations of dioxane in the Montgomery (Avenue) well are so high as to disqualify this well permanently as a source of residential drinking water, then Gelman may be required to make a significant payment to the city. Council Member Lisa Disch, D-1st Ward, speaks at the Ann Arbor City Council meeting April 17, 2023.Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News Protecting the citys water supply is of utmost importance to residents, said Council Member Erica Briggs, D-5th Ward, noting residents in her ward on the citys west side live atop the plume. Dan Bicknell, an environmental remediation professional credited with discovering the plume in 1984 as a University of Michigan public health graduate student, said Thursday he doesnt think the new consent judgment the state and Gelman are proposing is protective of public health. It does not require Gelman to halt the plumes expansion or clean up the contaminated groundwater to drinking water standards, he said, arguing the plume is beyond the capture zone of groundwater extraction wells, so dioxane can flow freely to pollute Scio Township and Ann Arbor Township residential wells and Barton Pond, the citys main drinking water source. Dioxane in shallow groundwater in the West Park area is another concern, Bicknell said, reiterating the argument he and other activists have been making for years that its time for a federal Superfund cleanup of the miles-long plume. The drama and waste of taxpayer money can end with a Superfund site, he said. MORE FROM THE ANN ARBOR NEWS: Ann Arbor officials give thumbs down to food trucks on lot next to downtown library Ann Arbor fire department considers adding electric engine to fleet Should Ann Arbor cash in on development? City administrator makes case Ann Arbor may create Bicentennial Park for citys 200th birthday Ann Arbor unveils final concept plan for new drive-thru recycling center GENESEE COUNTY, MI Lisa Herbert remembers a moment her son recognized what was important in life. Asked for a school assignment to choose a quote that symbolized what really matters to him, a 10-year-old Christopher CJ Otto Jr. found one he thought stood out. A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove, the quote read. But the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child. The quote by Forest Witcraft was something that showed how good-hearted her son was, even at such a young age. He knew what was important in his life, Herbert told MLive-The Flint Journal, while speaking over the phone about her son. I said, Whyd you pick that one? You know, because, 10-year-old boys, theyre into cars and stuff and he says, Well, you know, I might want to be a teacher someday and, you know, help kids. Otto wouldnt be a teacher, but he did serve as a role model to the associates he knew while working the past 10 years at Walmart including six as a manager at the Burton location. He just wanted to help everyone succeed in life, Herbert added. But Ottos life was cut short on April 3. At just 30 years old, he was shot and killed while in a vehicle traveling along I-75 in Flint Township. The alleged shooter, Nicholas Hetzer, was also in the vehicle. Flint Township police, which took over the investigation after it was originated by the Flint Major Crimes Unit, have not offered much information on the shooting. Police have only said the incident took place after an argument between the men. 11 One dead after midday homicide on Flint's west side Afterward, police said Hetzer allegedly dropped Ottos body off outside Coolidge Park Apartments in Flint before being arrested. Hetzer is currently being held without bond on charges of open murder, felony firearm and carrying a concealed weapon. Open murder, which contains first- and second-degree murder as well as manslaughter, can be punishable by life in prison without parole. In the wake of her sons death, Herbert is left remembering the fond memories she has of the pair together of winter trips to Florida and late nights playing cards. Herbert said shes also inspired knowing how many people her son befriended and the positive impact he had. There was over 400 people that came to his funeral and service, and it just warms my heart to know that CJ touched that many lives, she said. You know, as his mother I always knew he was special and a sweet kid, but when you actually see all the love and support from all these people that he worked with and friends and family there is a comfort (in that). But yeah, she continued, losing your child, you can never get that back. CJ Otto was born Sept. 21, 1992, as Christopher James Lewis Otto Jr., but, as Herbert put it, that is a mouthful. From his date of birth, we called him CJ, she said, with a chuckle. No one really knew him by Chris. Otto was a 2010 Durand High School graduate. He still lived in Durand at the time of his death, staying in a home with one of his friends, the friends wife and daughter. The little girl was Ottos goddaughter. He was so close with her, Herbert said. Herbert lived about an hour away from the Flint area, where Otto worked and commuted through from his home. She remembers being so far away from her son who she still had a very close relationship with being difficult when it came to learning about his death. Herbert, who works in Bad Axe, said she got a call from one of her sons friends asking if she had seen him. He said, We cant find CJ and hes been missing for over 24 hours, and Im like, What do you mean missing? CJ is always around, Herbert recalled. So, I frantically started calling around. They had already called all the hospitals, police departments everything. And so, I called the last place I knew he was, in Davison, I called Davison police. While the person Herbert said she spoke with in Davison couldnt tell her anything about her son, they told her she needed to contact Flint Township police. Being more than two hours away, she asked her parents to visit the Flint Township police station to file a missing persons report. They raced out to Flint Township, and thats when they were told that CJ was shot and killed, she said. Always helping Herbert last saw her son the Wednesday before his death. In typical fashion, he was volunteering his time helping others. As he would do twice a year, Otto assisted his entire family as they made Hungarian sausage in Burton with the St. Joseph Hungarian Club. Together, the group made upward of 3,000 pounds of Kolbasz and Hurkah sausage, which would then be sold to raise money for the group. Memories of Otto often included just that: him helping others, no matter who they were. Hed always house sit for people because he didnt have a wife or kids, Herbert explained. And so, he would take care of peoples dogs and stuff and anytime we went away hed come over and house sit. On one such occasion, Herbert remembered, her parents invited their whole card playing group over for a barbecue. Surprised by the gathering, Otto soon found himself amid a group of senior citizens eager to eat food and play some cards. He says, Mom, I dont know what to do, Herbert said. Grandma and grandpa have a huge party at your house. And I said, Well go join then, so he did. He was playing cards with all of these retired senior citizens, and they (all) fit right in. Cards, Walmart and a 2004 Mustang Cards was something Otto had a particular interest in albeit competitively. Herbert said he was particularly fond of playing Hearts, Down the River, Canadian Salad and Euchre in typical Midwestern fashion. He was also very fond of his car a 2004 40th Anniversary Edition Ford Mustang. Herbert admitted she had always hoped her son wouldve purchased something a little more apt for Michigans winters. His very first car was 1997 Firebird, and I hated that car, she joked. It was horrible in the snow, and when that went bad, he decided to save his money and Im thinking, Oh, good, hes going to get something with all-wheel drive so mom doesnt have to worry about him driving in the snow. And the kid comes home with the 40th anniversary Mustang edition, Herbert added. I still had to worry about him, but he loved that car. Otto spent the past 10 years working at Walmart, most recently as store manager at the East Court Street location. Herbert said Ottos work family came out in support of him at his funeral, with more than 80 store associates attending many of them wearing blue polos with stripes, his favorite work attire. Another group of coworkers made shirts with Ottos face on them, some with messages that read, In Loving Memory. They gave Herbert one that read, Rest Easy, Son. It was just, Herbert said, behind tears, it was so touching that they thought that much of him. Read more at The Flint Journal: Flint Township murder suspect held without bond Flint Township police take over investigation of man found dead near Flint apartments 1 dead, 1 in custody after homicide in Flint FLINT, MI -- The lowest bid to convert a vacant office tower in downtown Flint into offices for Genesee County government is more than expected -- $26.8 million. County Director of Administration Joshua Freeman told members of the Board of Commissioners on Wednesday, April 19, that hes working with architects and the low bidder -- The E & L Construction Group -- in an effort to trim costs further before a contractor for the job is approved by the county board. In December 2021, commissioners agreed to purchase the north tower of the old Citizens Bank complex in Flint from the University of Michigan for $8.5 million and announced plans to consolidate employees from several other buildings into the 160,000-square-foot structure. The building is located on Saginaw Street, next door to Huntington National Bank, which earlier this month confirmed it had listed its downtown headquarters, which includes the Flint weather ball, for sale for $3.5 million. County officials said at the time of their purchase that they expected renovations to the building to cost roughly $20 million, but the new bids are significantly higher than those projections. E & L bid $26.8 million to carry out the job while Sorensen Gross offered to handle the work for $28 million. The numbers are higher than expected, Freeman told commissioners on Wednesday. Were working through these bids with our architect to look at possible cost savings on that. Commissioners could approve the renovation contractor during a special meeting in early May, the administrator said. County purchasing policies call for contracts to be awarded to the lowest responsive bidder and commissioners said they dont plan to interview representatives of the two companies. Commissioner Delrico Loyd, D-Flint, said he still wants to look at the details of the proposals from each company before committing to either. Im not always in agreement with going with the low bidder, Loyd said. I dont think thats always a good policy ... sometimes there are reasons why you would go with the higher bidder. Both E & L and Sorensen Gross have worked on large-scale projects for the county in the recent past and Freeman said each performed well. E & L has worked on a new Genesee Valley Regional Center for juvenile detention and Sorensen Gross oversaw the renovation and expansion of the Animal Control Department shelter. The county is getting help in the office tower renovation through a $10 million grant from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. After the tower is renovated, 350 county employees will occupy the building and the county will also realize what officials project to be a $2.5-million annual savings because of lower capital and operational costs. The lower cost is expected after those employees -- who currently work in four different buildings -- are brought together in the new headquarters. County officials have said they plan to eventually sell the current county administration building, located across Saginaw Street from Flint City Hall; the McCree Health and Human Services Building and Community Action Resource Department offices, both on Saginaw Street, and the Donald R. Haley Building on Beach Street. In addition to the savings tied to the consolidation, county officials have said they are making the move because the current administration building contains asbestos and has high maintenance and utility costs. Read more at The Flint Journal: Genesee County agrees to purchase downtown Flint tower from UM for $8.5M Genesee County takes keys to downtown Flint tower. Mott Foundation grants $10M toward purchase Huntington Bank lists Flint weather ball tower for sale with $3.5M asking price LANSING, MI The Michigan Supreme Court will not take up the case of an alleged Flint Howard Boys gang member who was hoping to have his 2016 murder conviction vacated on the grounds that he received ineffective appellate counsel and had his right to speedy trial violated. In a Friday, April 21, order, the states highest court denied an application for leave filed by attorney Rachel Wolfe on behalf of Demario Bonds appealing a prior ruling by the Michigan Court of Appeals, which affirmed a denial of the defendants motion for relief from judgment. We are not persuaded that the questions presented should be reviewed by this Court, Michigan Supreme Court justices wrote in the order Friday. However, one of the justices dissented from the others, arguing that the case should have been heard by the higher court. I would have granted the defendants application for leave to appeal in this case because it illuminates the need for further guidance on how to weigh speedy-trial claims, Supreme Court Justice Kyra H. Bolden wrote. Bonds, a supposed member of Flints Howard Boys street gang, which authorities have said controlled a drug distribution enterprise on the citys south side in the early 2000s and called its territory Murda Ville, was convicted in 2016 on all counts and sentenced to life in prison. He is currently an inmate at Michigans Alger Correctional Facility in the Upper Peninsula. Bonds previously applied for leave to appeal his conviction. However, that appeal was denied by the Michigan Court of Appeals as well as the Michigan Supreme Court. In 2018, Bonds filed a motion for relief from judgment, arguing, among other things, that he was denied his right to a speedy trial. A Genesee County Circuit Court judge denied Bonds motion, which was subsequently denied once more by the Michigan Court of Appeals. The Michigan Supreme Court, however, remanded the case to the Court of Appeals for reconsideration. It was then that the Court of Appeals in an unpublished opinion affirmed its denial of the relief for judgment motion, concluding that Bonds had failed to demonstrate prejudice. The higher court ordered oral arguments to address whether the 26-month delay between Bonds arrest and his trial violated his speedy trial rights, as well as the issue of whether the defense counsels failure to raise a speedy trial violation claim constituted ineffective assistance of counsel. But despite the arguments, held in March, the higher court still opted not to take the case. Read more at The Flint Journal: Michigan Supreme Court hears oral arguments in Flint gang members murder case Member of Flint Howard Boys street gang wants murder conviction overturned, claims ineffective counsel Prison sentences handed down against two Flint men in Howard Boys prosecution FLINT, MI The family of William Frederick Brown has not forgiven Guadalupe Pecina for having killed the man they knew and loved. But facing Pecina the man convicted of second-degree murder in Browns May 2020 stabbing death in a Genesee County courtroom Friday, April 21, Browns family said they were a Christian family and were trying. Maybe that day will come, said Rayven McCree, one of Browns goddaughters. But today, I want you to see the hurt in me, and the hurt that youve inflicted on all of us, my family, my community, friends, everyone. I want you to see the tears I shed, she continued. But today I also want you to remember his face and say his name: William Frederick Brown. Pecina, 38, was then sent away ordered by Genesee County Circuit Judge David J. Newblatt to serve a minimum of 25 years to a maximum of 60 years in prison for second-degree murder. The judge also ordered Pecina receive a time-served sentence for a tampering with evidence charge; Pecina has served 1,052 days in the Genesee County Jail. Mr. Brown was a wonderful man, Newblatt said prior to sentencing Pecina. I never met him but I wish I had. Related: Police investigate two homicides, triple shooting in Flint Pecinas case stems from May 29, 2020. Michigan State Police officials at the time said a man later identified as Pecina was taken into custody after a stabbing led to the death of the 57-year-old Brown. The call originated as a possible fight and stabbing and police were dispatched to Browns home in the 2700 block of Berkley Street in Flint. Brown was found unresponsive in the backyard of a home and later pronounced dead. Police at the time said Brown got into an argument with Pecina, a neighbor, which eventually led to the fight and stabbing. Pecina faced charges of first-degree premeditated murder and tampering with evidence in a criminal case punishable by more than 10 years in prison. But on what was scheduled as the first day of trial, Pecina opted to plead no contest to second-degree murder as well as the tampering with evidence charge. The plea included a sentence agreement calling for a minimum sentence of 25 years in prison and a time served sentence on the tampering with evidence charge. Read more: Man pleads no contest in fatal 2020 Flint stabbing case The agreement was made with consultation from Browns family, Genesee County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney John Trummer said in court Friday. It was also made with consideration given to having family members relive the trauma of Browns death, such as his wife, who was an eyewitness to the end of the assault. Despite the sentence agreement, Trummer asked that Newblatt hand down the most severe maximum sentence he could on the maximum portion of the sentence. While McCree described her godfather as loving and caring, Keith Brown, William Browns older brother, described the younger sibling as maybe too much so. Im really mad, Keith Brown said. Im mad at Fred at first because Fred was the type of person who can just open up his heart to everybody and I would tell him all the time, Ive said, All your neighbors are not your friends. But he wanted to embrace everybody. He included you in everybody, Keith Brown continued, turning to Pecina who sat in the jury box of Newblatts third-floor courtroom, nodding his head as if he was agreeing with the words coming from Browns mouth. I just hope that while you sit in that cell that you learn to forgive yourself and that if you ever get an opportunity to be around someone else on the outside, that you think about what you done. Pecina turned to Browns family in the courtroom gallery when he spoke, apologizing for killing their loved one. Im not the cold-hearted person that you think I am, Pecina told the family. Im not. Im a genuine, kind person. And I know that day was messed up, and I wish I could take it back, but now Im here taking responsibility for what I did. Pecina, Newblatt said, reading from a pre-sentence investigation report prepared by the Michigan Department of Corrections, had a criminal record although its mostly devoid of violent offenses. He also had a history of issues relating to his mental health as well as drugs. But theres no denying what you did that day, Newblatt told Pecina. You brutally murdered Mr. Brown for no reason. And thats the only thing that matters to the family. Read more at The Flint Journal: He just wanted to help everyone succeed in life, mother says of son killed in Flint Township No one injured in Flint Township plane crash Woman arrested after fetus found on Flint sidewalk GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- A former Calvin University professor claims his 14-year job was terminated because he officiated a queer wedding and opposed showing a racially charged film, according to a lawsuit. Joseph Kuilema, who started at Calvin in 2008 and was not reappointed for instruction in August 2022, filed the lawsuit April 14. The lawsuit is against Calvin University. It claims a violation of the Michigan Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act for associational discrimination and retaliation. In the lawsuit, Kuilema claims his decision to officiate an October 2021 marriage between a former student and another person, both of whom identified as queer, brought consternation from Calvin leaders. The lawsuit contains an April 4 memo from the dean of the universitys school of humanities, arts and social sciences. Kuilema was a social work professor. In it, the dean writes about how the universitys Professional Status Committee could not recommend Kuilema for continuation as a Calvin professor. Prof. Kuilemas many positive contributions to the community made this difficult decision a heavy one, the dean wrote. The PSC ultimately decided that since Prof. Kuilemas post 2018 appointments were de facto a probationary period during which his ability to adhere to the universitys guidance and conditions with regard to his LGBTQ+ advocacy were under scrutiny, his behavior and decisions around officiating an LGBTQ+ wedding in October 2021 represented a failure to meet the expectations placed on him during this period, according to the memo. Attorneys for Kuilema allege the university violated his civil rights. Kuilemas association with LGBTQ+ individuals and/or his officiating of the wedding was a motivating factor in Calvins termination of Kuilema, they wrote. Calvin discriminated against Kuilema because of his association with persons belonging to a protected class under the ELCRA, they wrote. In the lawsuit, Kuilemas attorneys also say Kuilema complained about students being show a faculty selected documentary, How Jack Became Black because he believed it perpetuated racist views and harmful stereotypes. His complaints to colleagues also happened not long before his dismissal. Kuilema also believes those complaints were a factor in his job loss. Calvin University leaders, in a statement released in response to the lawsuit, said they have done nothing wrong. The Calvin University community has been well served throughout its 150-year history by having diverse viewpoints among its faculty. The universitys denomination, the Christian Reformed Church (CRC), has recognized and supported this diversity of viewpoints, endorsing the universitys approach to confessional commitment and academic freedom, according to the statement. While there is room for personal disagreement with CRC doctrine, the university has clear expectations for employees regarding teaching, scholarship, and personal conduct, and follows established processes to review alleged violations of those expectations and to determine appropriate responses, according to the statement. We are confident those processes were followed in this case and plan to defend this lawsuit in court. At this time, the university has no further comment on active litigation, the statement read. More from MLive 4 Muskegon County jail workers sentenced, avoid jail time for connection to inmates death Beloved giraffe, Tucker, dies at Michigan wild animal park Michigan gives $175M to Gotion electric vehicle project despite backlash Years ago, I read Nuts! Southwest Airlines Crazy Recipe for Business and Personal Success, an enjoyable read about the origins of Southwest Airlines (SWA.) Nuts! was an inspiring tale of American entrepreneurship at its best, a story of how a highly profitable and innovative business was created while putting people first and having fun in the process. At the time of the books release in 1996, SWA still retained many of its original employees, key founder Herb Kelleher was still at the helm and the Buffalo Niagara International Airport still had the nations second-highest airfares. However, SWA would soon play a significant role in reversing that trend. As early as 2001, an article in The Buffalo News noted, ...today (the Buffalo airport) is the hub for a huge travel market stretching deep into upstate New York and Southern Ontario... Why? Because Buffalo Niagara International Airport is now among the cheapest places to fly into and out of in the country... Thanks to fares driven down by powerhouse budget carriers such as Southwest Airlines ... leisure and business travelers from a 100-radius are coming here to fly. So, as 2022 came to a close, it was disheartening for me to see SWAs meltdown with massive cancellations, causing widespread distress for its customers and employees alike. That scenario was the antithesis of the SWA portrayed in Nuts! It was also sad to see a business that had contributed much to Buffalos resurgence in the 21st century experience such a humiliating failure. But there was another reason that scenario was disheartening for me; a more personal reason. It was that phone call I got in November of 2000 from Camille Keith, then Senior VP of Special Marketing for SWA. Camille Keith, an original employee of SWA and the first woman officer of a major domestic airline, had been the keynote speaker at the Governors Conference held in Buffalo the previous month. After reading about her attendance at that event, I decided it was time to explore the possibility of working at SWA. I mailed a resume to SWA but also felt drawn to send a letter directed to her as well. My letter was a heartfelt account of what I liked about SWA and why I wanted to work there. All I realistically expected in return was a standard thank-you-for-your interest response, and possible referral to someone in HR. Instead, I got a phone call from Camille Keith herself. She told me she had read my letter at a meeting, and discussed the possibility of a job in general terms. Eventually, I decided I did not want to relocate to Dallas. So, alas, a job at SWA was not to be. But I never forgot that call I got from a VP at SWA. Thinking of that call still makes me smile. Both Camille Keith and Herb Kelleher eventually retired, with the former passing away in 2020, and the latter the year before. As recent events have shown, their legacy of an extraordinary airlines appears to have died too, through a slow death under the leadership of CEO successor Gary Kelly. He tossed the crazy recipe from "Nuts!" and replaced it with one focused on shareholder returns and less on employees and customers. However, there may be a glimmer of hope. Current SWA CEO Bob Jordan shows signs of returning to that crazy recipe which made SWA such an extraordinary airlines. Heres to Bob Jordan succeeding, and in the spirit of Camille Keith, may SWA be Nuts! once more. HUDSONVILLE, MI Hudsonville Public Schools is on track to open its new $36 million intermediate and upper elementary school building for the start of the 2023-24 school year. The 112,000-square-foot facility for grades 5 and 6 will feature state-of-the-art technology, ample natural lighting, open spaces for student collaboration, and breakout rooms for small group instruction. A $139.9 million dollar bond approved by voters in 2019 supported the construction of the new Georgetown 5/6 school, which was proposed by school leaders to adapt for a growing student body. The school will address space issues at the elementary schools in the area and middle school, eliminating the need to redistrict or move kids to different buildings. Hudsonville Superintendent Doug VanderJagt said the community has been supportive of the districts efforts to expand. I think they see the need, and they want their kids to have a good place and be proud of the facilities that their kids go to for school, VanderJagt said. Hudsonville is the largest district in growing Ottawa County with 6,806 students enrolled this school year. Ottawa continues to be Michigans fastest-growing county with an estimated of 300,873 people in 2022, seeing an 1.57% population increase between 2020 and 2022, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates. Related: Ottawa County still states fastest-growing among largest counties The two-story building will have around 620 students to start but will be able to accommodate up to 725 fifth and sixth graders, VanderJagt said. The district will also easily be able to add more space to the building in the future, if needed. Construction crews from Owen-Ames-Kimball were hard at work Thursday, April 20, getting the building into shape before classes start Monday, Aug. 21 for the new school year. VanderJagt gave MLive/The Grand Rapids Press a tour Thursday of the new facility, located on 36th Avenue near Baldwin Street. While the school looks like a one-story building from the outside, it actually has two stories, with the bottom floor being built partially underground, allowing for tall, spacious rooms throughout the building. Walking into the building, the main entrance leads into a central common area that connects the schools cafeteria, gymnasium, academic wing and fine arts wing. Some of the features of the new building include enhanced security at the entrance, a 9,100-square-foot gymnasium, a Makerspace for hands-on learning, music rooms, science labs, and large group instruction areas. Fifth grade classrooms will be located on the first floor of the building, while sixth graders will be on the second floor. Each grade level will have 13 classrooms, with an average of 24 kids per class. There will also be three special education classrooms on the second floor. The classroom layout will look different for fifth graders than it will for sixth graders. Heres how it will work: In fifth grade, students will be in blocks where they have two core teachers in conjoining classrooms, and rotate between those two teachers for their core classes of English, science, math and social studies. They will also go to specials each week for music, art and gym. There will be a total of six blocks for fifth grade. In sixth grade, students will take classes in teams of four, where students in each team rotate between four core teachers for English, science, math and social studies. There will be three teams of four for sixth grade. Similarly to in middle school, sixth graders will sign up for elective classes to take art, gym, band, choir and orchestra. Each floor will also have two large group instruction spaces spacious hallway areas with flexible seating that can be used for presentations or collaborative work between classes. The idea is to give students a place where they can intermingle and have a bigger, more open area to work, VanderJagt said. The building will not have a media center. Instead, students will use the large group areas to do work on their laptops or Chromebooks. The school will have a book room that will operate as a library, where students can check out books. Why the building is needed Hudsonville has seen steady annual student growth over the last 20 years, rising from around 4,718 students in 2003 to just under 7,000 in 2023, according to state data. The school district is located in Ottawa County, which remains the fastest-growing county among the largest counties in Michigan. In the last five years, Hudsonville has added nearly 125 students each year, and that growth is expected to continue, according to figures on the districts website. The new Georgetown 5/6 building will help Hudsonville accommodate student growth by relieving classroom space at several over-capacity school buildings on the districts north side, VanderJagt said. VanderJagt attributed the rise in student growth on the north side to the rapid development of Georgetown Township, which has built new neighborhoods more quickly than Jamestown Township on the southern end of Hudsonville. The idea is that the new 5/6 building will alleviate the need for more classroom space on the north side by taking fifth grade from the elementary schools and sixth grade from Baldwin Street Middle School, freeing up more classroom space at those buildings. Once the new 5/6 building is complete, the districts four elementary schools on the north side Alward, Bauer, Park and Georgetown will become feeder schools for the 5/6 building. Those four schools will no longer need to offer fifth grade and will become PK-4 buildings. Baldwin will become a 7/8 building. The four buildings on the south side Forest Grove, South and Jamestown Lower and Upper wont be impacted by the new 5/6 building. Their students will remain at the elementary level through fifth grade and join Riley Street Middle School for sixth grade. Hudsonville Public Schools will hold a ribbon-cutting event for the new building on Aug. 10. There will be an open house scheduled the follow week, when the community can tour the school for the first time. More on MLive: A target of death threats, Peter Meijer says political violence is abhorrent toward democratic process 4 Ottawa County school districts asking voters to renew tax millages Ottawa ISD board seeking candidates to fill 2 open seats 5 fun things to do in Grand Rapids this weekend (April 21-23) JACKSON COUNTY, MI -- Several ounces of illegal drugs and other contraband were seized during a drug bust at a mobile home park Friday, police said. On April 21, detectives from the Jackson Narcotics Enforcement Team and troopers from the Michigan State Police Jackson Post executed a search warrant at a residence in the Sherman Oaks Manufactured Home Community north of Jackson. During the search, police seized more than an ounce of heroin, about an ounce-and-a-half of cocaine, about an ounce of crack cocaine and over 22 ounces of crystal methamphetamine. Officers also seized a 9mm rifle and more than $500 in cash, police said in a news release. A suspect was taken into custody and lodged at the Jackson County Jail while JNET detectives seek multiple felony charges to be reviewed by the Jackson County Prosecutors Office, police said. Anyone with information regarding narcotics activity in their area is advised to call the JNET office at 517-784-2990. More from the Jackson Citizen Patriot: Former Jackson High teacher Tom Hunt remembered for bringing science to life Assault charge added to Jackson man accused in knifepoint attack Man hit, killed by vehicle during fight in Albion Officials investigating suspicious Jackson County fire KALAMAZOO, MI Police need help identifying a living woman found in the Al Sabo Land Preserve. An adult Black woman was found by a hiker around 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 20, in the Al Sabo Land Preserve in Texas Township, Michigan State Police said in a news release. Police have not been able to effectively communicate with the woman for unknown reasons, the release said. Multiple people and state resources have tried to help with identifying the living Jane Doe but nothing has worked. She was taken to Bronson Methodist Hospital for medical care and evaluation, police said. The woman is Black, possibly in her 20s, 5-foot-2, 155 pounds and was carrying a garbage bag of clothes when she was found, the release said. She had no identification with her. Anyone who recognizes the woman or knows her family or caregiver is asked to call the state police Paw Paw post at 269-657-5551 or anonymously call Kalamazoo Silent Observer at 269-343-2100. Want more Kalamazoo-area news? Bookmark the local Kalamazoo news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Kalamazoo daily newsletter. More from MLive: ICE detainee in Michigan jail denied medical care for weeks before death, lawsuit says Man, 25, drove to Michigan, raped 12-year-old girl, court records say New interchange planned for U.S. 131, but project is on hold for funding New restaurant, The Backyard of Kalamazoo, to offer 10 acres of fenced-in fun Kalamazoo Public Schools selects 6 finalists in superintendent search John Dalaly, an Oakland County businessman caught in a bribery scheme involving former Michigan House Speaker Rick Johnson, pleaded guilty Friday in federal court. Dalaly admitted to paying Johnson about $68,200 in the form of cash and gifts as he sought a license for his medical marijuana business in 2018. Johnson, who was House Speaker from 2001 through 2004, had been chair of the now-defunct board that granted licenses to medical marijuana businesses. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer disbanded the body in 2019. Read more: Ex-Michigan House speaker, 3 others to plead guilty in marijuana bribery probe Dalalys agreement stated the bribes included two private chartered flights from Michigan to Canada on a Learjet 35 and King Air 200 aircraft by way of two companies he operated. One of the companies was a dispensary, while the other was established to be a digital currency platform for marijuana transactions in Michigan. Dalaly was charged with paying a bribe, which carries a maximum of 10 years in prison. He is the first of four to formally enter a guilty plea in court. Johnson and two other Michigan lobbyists named in the probe, Tyler Brown and Brian Pierce, face arraignment in the coming week, and have signed agreements to plead guilty with the U.S. Attorneys Office in Grand Rapids, which led the multi-year probe. In the heraing, Dalaly said Johnson recommended that we use his wife, Jan Johnson, as a consultant, and proceeded to pay her $4,000 a month. Johnsons wife, according to the plea agreement Johnson signed, will not be prosecuted as a condition of his plea. Nobody knew how to do these medical marijuana applications. They were 65 pages and no one understood, Raymond Cassar, an attorney representing Dalay, told reporters after the hearing. So the whole idea was John needed to find somebody that can say, okay, heres how you fill out these forms. ... He went to Rick Johnson, Johnson said talk to my wife, and then she was obviously the conduit. Read more: Read filings describing bribery scheme involving ex-Michigan House speaker Cassar said Dalaly had been acting as a facilitator to a Canadian marijuana investment company called PharmaCo, but didnt have an ownership stake or employment with the business, according to Cassar, though he had incorporated their business in Michigan in 2016. In February 2022, a company called Red, White & Bloom reportedly acquired PharmaCos Michigan operations, which held 21 medical and recreational licenses and had roughly 180 employees at the time. In the hearing Dalaly also said Johnson asked for a loan, I gave him a loan, and he provided meals and travel on chartered airplanes to Johnson. Cassar explained the Dalaly and Johnson flew privately to Canada to meet with the Canadian investors to see what was gonna happen, and said his client had been cooperating with federal investigators at least since last summer. PharmaCo has not been publicly named in court filings and investigators havent disclosed whether any other individuals or businesses will be charged in the probe. Cassar Federal magistrate judge Phillip Green asked Dalaly if the payments were used to influence the business application process and if their application was ultimately granted as a result of the bribes. Dalaly said yes. In advance of sentencing Dalaly, who is 70, was released on a $25,000 unsecured bond after surrendering his passport and being ordered not to leave the state. He flashed a peace sign to reporters as he left the court. Dalaly has no criminal record and told the court he has been taking medication for depression and anxiety. Dalaly was also ordered specifically not to consume the drug at the center of the probe, marijuana, which remains illegal at the federal level. Michigans COVID-19 situation continues to improve. As of Friday, April 21, all 83 counties reported low COVID-19 community levels, according to metrics designed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A handful of counties had reported at least medium levels in recent weeks. Additionally, the average confirmed COVID cases reported daily by the state has dropped to the lowest point since summer 2021; the daily deaths average is down to its lowest point since last summer, and hospitalizations continue to track down. Federal health officials assess each countys COVID Community Level based on reported coronavirus infections and hospitalizations. Experts recommend residents living in high-risk areas to consider masking indoors, regardless of vaccination status, to limit transmission. Community Levels put counties in one of three buckets: low (green), medium (yellow) or high (orange). The goal is to prevent severe disease and limit strain on hospitals. No county has reached a high COVID level over the last four weeks. Dickinson, Gogebic, Iron and Menominee in the Upper Peninsula were medium a week ago before returning to low levels. Heres the latest map showing the Community Level for each Michigan county. Tap/hover over a county to see details. (Cant see the map? Click here.) For hospitalizations, the CDC looks at three pieces: the percentage of staffed hospital beds occupied by COVID patients, COVID hospital admissions per capita and COVID cases per capita. A county is at a high level when there are 200-plus new cases per 100,000 for the week and either (A) 10-plus new COVID-19 hospital admissions per 100,000 or (B) at least 10% of the staffed inpatient beds are occupied by COVID patients. If hospitalizations are particularly high, even a county with low cases can be at a high level, per the CDC formula. (Not every county has a hospital, so each is assigned a health services area, a larger region that contains at least one hospital. Counties are attributed the metrics for the entire area, weighted based on each countys population. For example: Monroe Countys health services area also includes the Toledo, Ohio area.) Heres more on the latest COVID-19 trends in Michigan. Michigan is reporting 381 new, confirmed cases per day in the past week Over the previous two weeks, the daily average for confirmed COVID cases dropped from 516 cases per day to 431. This weeks daily average of 381 reported cases is the lowest since July 2021. Five counties reported no new cases last week. They were Charlevoix, Iron, Alger, Montmorency, and Mackinac. The top 10 counties by new cases per 100,000 people were Gogebic (139), Ontonagon (86), Alcona (79), Baraga (74), Clare (68), Arenac (67), Houghton (54), Ogemaw (53), Keweenaw (49), and Oceana (49). The top 10 counties by total new cases without accounting for population were Wayne (516), Oakland (392), Macomb (276), Washtenaw (150), Kent (119), Ingham (95), Genesee (94), Muskegon (61), Kalamazoo (59), and Saginaw (48). Cases are confirmed when theres a positive result from an NAAT/RT-PCR test. Cases are probable when theres a reported antigen (rapid) test or if somebody has symptoms and was exposed to a person with COVID-19. All graphics in this story are based only on confirmed numbers, which differs from the states use of confirmed plus probable data in its reporting. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reports COVID cases once per week. There were 3,867 confirmed and probable cases this week, down from 4,646 last week. Michigan has reported more than 2.64 million confirmed COVID cases and at least 449,024 probable cases since the pandemic began. The chart below shows the seven-day average for new, confirmed COVID cases throughout the pandemic. (Cant see the chart? Click here.) 20 counties saw rise in cases in last seven days Of Michigans 83 counties, 20 had an increase in cases this week compared to last week. See the database below to search/sort case totals by county. The chart also shows the percent change from week to week and the seven-day case average per capita. (Cant see the database? Click here.) Michigan ranks 7th in the U.S. in new cases per capita Michigan had the seventh-most COVID cases per capita of the 50 U.S. states for the week of April 6-12, per the New York Times. States with the most cases per capita this week were North Dakota, Hawaii, New Mexico, West Virginia and Arizona. States with the fewest reported cases per capita were Delaware, Georgia, and Connecticut. COVID case totals dont tell the whole story. At-home tests are not reported, so those arent included in the data. Thats why its also key to look at percent positivity of reported tests and data on hospitalizations and deaths. For COVID hospital admissions, Michigan was tied for 38th-most per capita during that time. For COVID deaths per capita, Michigan was tied for fifth. Average test positivity is 8.8% About 8.8% of COVID tests submitted to the state this week were positive, which is the lowest rate in recent weeks and down from 9.4% last week. The percent positivity rate has hovered between 10% and 13% since late January. Michigans rate peaked at 35% in January 2022. It dipped as low as 2% in early March 2022 before climbing again. However, the rise in at-home, self-testing led to rates typically remaining higher due to fewer people reporting negative test results to their local health departments. The graph below shows the percentage of COVID-19 tests reported that came back positive throughout the pandemic. (Cant see the chart? Click here.) Hillsdale County had the highest percent positivity rate of all Michigan counties for the second consecutive week. The countys rate was 20%. To see the COVID test positivity rate for your county, see the searchable table below. Hospitals treating 551 confirmed or suspected adult COVID-19 patients COVID hospitalizations dropped from 596 confirmed or suspected adult cases of COVID-19 last week, and 732 the week prior. Among the adults with COVID hospitalized on Wednesday, April 19, the state reported that 70 were in intensive care and 28 were on a ventilator. Michigan also had 12 children hospitalized with confirmed or suspected COVID as of Wednesday, on par with the previous week. Michigan is reporting five new COVID deaths per day in the past week Michigan had five COVID deaths per day this week. Thats down from 10 per day last week. Twenty-two counties reported at least one COVID death, led by Wayne with six. Oakland reported five deaths and Macomb had four, while Berrien and Ottawa each had three. Michigan has had 38,410 confirmed COVID-19 deaths and 4,257 probable COVID deaths since the pandemic began. During omicrons peak last January, Michigan was averaging more than 100 COVID deaths per day. The chart below shows the seven-day average for COVID deaths throughout the pandemic. (Cant see the chart? Click here.) Vaccinations: 16.7% of residents have received omicron-specific booster About 64.1% of Michigan residents have gotten at least one COVID shot, 59.7% have received the full original regimen and 38.9% have been boosted. The omicron-specific COVID-19 booster is available in Michigan from both Pfizer and Moderna. About 16.7% of residents have received the bivalent booster so far, or about 1.66 million residents. Below is a breakdown by age group of Michiganders whove gotten at least one shot (initiated), those who have two shots (completed) and those who are considered up to date on COVID vaccines, as of Wednesday, April 19. The state didnt update its vaccination data this week due to a technical issue. 75 and older: 87.4% initiated; 82.8% completed, 36.3% up to date 65 to 74: 90.6% initiated; 86.8% completed, 41% up to date 50 to 64: 77% initiated; 73% completed, 22% up to date 40 to 49: 67.9% initiated; 63.3% completed, 12.9% up to date 30 to 39: 66.3% initiated; 60.7% completed, 10.6% up to date 20 to 29: 56.4% initiated; 50.5% completed, 6.4% up to date 16 to 19: 57.3% initiated; 52.5% completed, 6.3% up to date 12 to 15: 50.3% initiated; 46.8% completed, 7.7% up to date 5 to 11: 31.3% initiated; 28.4% completed, 5.2% up to date Younger than 5: 9.9% initiated, 6% completed, 4% up to date For more statewide data, visit MLives coronavirus data page. To find a testing site near you, check out the states online test find send an email to COVID19@michigan.gov, or call 888-535-6136 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays. Read more on MLive: Detroit hopes AI software could help predict, prevent traffic crashes Michigan gives $175M to Gotion electric vehicle project despite backlash Half of Senate GOP votes to keep Michigans 92-year-old ban on unmarried cohabitation See youth voter turnout by state for the last three midterm elections. ANN ARBOR, Mich. - In the final weekend of the regular season, two rivals square off in hopes of bettering their standing in the Big Ten Conference, as the Michigan Wolverines are set to host the Ohio State Buckeyes. Watch NCAA Lacrosse on FuboTV (7-day free trial) The Wolverines were in a tough battle this past Sunday against No. 5 Penn State on home turf. After going up by three by the end of the third quarter, Michigans defense was not able to slow down the Nittany Lions top weapons, giving up five goals in the final 15 minutes on their way to an 11-9 loss. It marks just the second time this season the Wolverines have lost back-to-back games, as they are once again below the .500 mark. Michigan is tied for last in the Big Ten with a 1-3 record in conference action. One of the three teams the Maize and Blue is tied with is the Ohio State Buckeyes. Unlike previous seasons, the Buckeyes come into Ann Arbor as the underdogs. After beating Rutgers in their conference opener last month, Ohio State has dropped their last three contests, including giving up 17 goals to both Penn State and Johns Hopkins. Their defeat at the hands of the Bluejays last Saturday pushes OSUs road record to 0-5, and are just 2-6 against ranked opponents. Michigan has won just two of their nine encounters with the Buckeyes, including losing in the opening round of the Big Ten Tournament last year. NCAA Mens Lacrosse Who: Ohio State Buckeyes (5-7, 1-3 B1G) vs. #18 Michigan Wolverines (5-6, 1-3 B1G) When: Friday, April 21 Time: 8 p.m. ET Where: U-M Lacrosse Stadium (Ann Arbor, Mich.) Channel: Big Ten Network Stream: FuboTV (Free Trial), Sling, DirecTV Stream Check out the NCAA Mens Lacrosse rankings US-based Ghanaian comedian Michael Blankson has expressed his displeasure with Twitter's decision to deactivate celebrity Twitter legacy verification tags. Blankson took to Twitter to express his frustration, stating that he is not willing to pay for a Twitter subscription just to be verified. The Hollywood star also commented on the fact that billionaire Elon Musk will be the only celebrity verified on Twitter going forward as people are not willing to pay. Elon Musk will be the only one verified on Twitter lol, Blankson tweeted. He added in a similar tweet, I cant believe this Modasucka took my verified badge on Twitter. You really need $5 a month from me Elon Musk? The move by Twitter to remove celebrity legacy account blue verification badges has sparked controversy among celebrities and users of the social media platform. The change leaves account owners with the option of subscribing to Twitters new paid service, Twitter Blue, if they want to remain verified. The changes were implemented on Thursday, April 20. Twitter, which was acquired by Elon Musk last year, has been surrounded by controversies since the acquisition. Many celebrities have been vocal about their displeasure with the new policy, including Blankson. Ghanaian comedian Derick Kobina Bonney, popularly known as DKB, has expressed his frustration after losing his Twitter legacy verification badge. DKB stated that he had worked hard for 12 years to gain his celebrity blue tick on Twitter, just to lose it to money-seeking Elon Musk. According to him, he finds himself on the same level with ordinary users who may not have worked as hard as he did to earn the verification badge. Imagine working so hard over 12 years just to gain a Twitter celebrity blue tick, to now losing it because Elon Musk needs money and you have to buy it. So, a random Joe can pay just $8 USD to be on the same recognition level as me, a celebrity? I worked too hard for that! DKB tweeted on Friday, April 21. Twitter's decision to remove celebrity legacy account blue verification badges has sparked controversy among celebrities and users of the social media platform. Legacy account owners are now faced with the option of subscribing to Twitters new paid service, Twitter Blue, if they want to remain verified. The changes were implemented on Thursday, April 20, and since then, many users have expressed their disappointment with the new policy. Many celebrities, like DKB, have worked hard to gain their verification badges, and the new policy makes it seem like their hard work is unrewarding. Twitter, which was acquired by Elon Musk last year, has been surrounded by controversies since the acquisition. The new policy has caused an uproar among celebrities, and many have taken to social media to express their displeasure with the new policy. George Quaye, Ghanaian media personality 22.04.2023 LISTEN Ghanaian media personality George Quaye has slammed celebrities in the country over their reluctance to speak up on issues affecting their profession. According to Quaye, musicians and actors frequently fail to stand up for their brands even when government institutions undermine their efforts. He cited issues crucial to their profession and livelihood such as frequent bans on the advertising of certain products. "Ghanaian celebrities never step up when it is really important. They are lazy when it comes to things that destroy their brands or take food out of their mouths," he stated. In a scathing attack on Accra-based Hitz FM's Daybreak Hitz show, Quaye cited the instance where the Food and Drugs Authority banned alcoholic beverage companies from using Ghanaian celebrities in their adverts. "We saw it happen; brands from here went to Nigeria to get actors to advertise and they came here to play them for us. But our celebrities were silent," he lamented. Quaye also pointed out how the gaming commission banned celebrities from promoting betting companies, yet nobody took any action. "Very soon, Ghana Water will tell them if they turn on their taps, they will be banned and they will keep quiet. They don't care," he remarked grimly. Explosions and gunfire resounded in Sudan's capital Thursday as fighting between the forces of two rival generals showed no signs of abating ahead of festivities marking the end of Ramadan. More than 300 people have been killed since the fighting erupted Saturday between forces loyal to Sudan's army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who commands the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Some of the fiercest fighting has been in Khartoum, a city of five million people, most of whom have been sheltering at home without electricity, food and water. As battles raged for a sixth day, Burhan dismissed any prospects for negotiations with Daglo, telling Al Jazeera he sees no option but "decisive military" action. People flee their neighbourhoods amid fighting between the army and paramilitaries in Khartoum. By - (AFP) "I do not think there is any room for talks over politics again with the Rapid Support Forces," he told the Qatar-based broadcaster, but said he was open to mediation. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for a ceasefire of "at least three days" over Eid al-Fitr, beginning Friday and marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Two ceasefires in as many days have failed to take hold, with witnesses saying "shelling did not stop" in Khartoum, as another ceasefire was breached Wednesday within minutes of its supposed start. Gunfire continued Thursday, with columns of thick black smoke rising from buildings around Khartoum International Airport and the army headquarters. "We were awoken... to the roaring sound of fighter jets and air strikes," said Nazek Abdalla, a 38-year-old in southern Khartoum. "We locked our doors and windows, hoping no stray bullets would hit our building." The fighting has taken a heavy toll on civilians across Sudan. By Sophie RAMIS, Sylvie HUSSON, Emmanuelle MICHEL (AFP) While many sheltered at home, others were venturing out and risking it "to protect themselves and their families", said architect Tagreed Abdin. Beyond Khartoum, witnesses reported loud explosions in the city of Obeid, in the central state of North Kordofan. 'Reeks of death' "It reeks of death in some parts of town," said one witness in the city. Ahmed al-Mandhari of the World Health Organization said Thursday that "almost 330 people have died and almost 3,200 more" had been wounded in Khartoum, the western Darfur region and other states. The fighting has taken a heavy toll on civilians, with UN children's agency UNICEF saying "at least nine children have reportedly been killed". The World Food Programme (WFP) warned that the violence could plunge millions more into hunger in a country where 15 million people, one-third of the population, already face food insecurity. It has suspended its Sudan operations after the Saturday killing of three WFP workers. File photographs show Mohamed Hamdan Daglo (top), leader of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), and Sudan's army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. By Ashraf SHAZLY (AFP) "We wish the fighting would stop during Eid festivities," said Abdalla. "We know it will not happen though." Burhan and Daglo's bitter dispute centred around the planned integration of the RSF into the regular army -- a key condition for a final deal aimed at restoring Sudan's democratic transition. Around Khartoum and elsewhere, RSF fighters in armoured vehicles and pickups mounted with machineguns have taken over the streets. Many have mounted checkpoints to search cars carrying civilians trying to escape the worst battle zones to safer areas in Khartoum and beyond. Civilians are becoming increasingly desperate. By Tuesday, thousands had fled the capital, with many reporting streets strewn with corpses. Hospitals hit Medics have warned of a catastrophe, especially in Khartoum where many hospitals were reportedly caught in crossfire. Destroyed vehicles line the street in southern Khartoum. By - (AFP) As many as 70 percent of the hospitals in Khartoum and neighbouring states have been rendered "out of service" by the fighting, the doctors' union said. It has warned the death toll was likely to be far higher, with many wounded unable to reach hospitals. Several countries' evacuation plans have been put on hold, the Pentagon announced Thursday it was deploying forces "nearby in the region", with hopes of "securing and potentially facilitating the departure of US Embassy personnel from Sudan". The Sudanese army said 177 Egyptian soldiers were evacuated from the northern city of Meroe to Egypt, which confirmed their arrival. The RSF said later it handed over another 27 Egyptian soldiers to the Sudanese Red Cross, and Cairo confirmed their arrival at Egypt's Khartoum embassy. The United Arab Emirates said it had "led" the mediation for the Egyptians held by the RSF. Burhan and Daglo toppled autocratic president Omar al-Bashir together in April 2019 following massive protests against three decades of iron-fisted rule. In October 2021, they again worked together to oust the civilian government installed following Bashir's downfall, derailing an internationally backed transition to democracy. Burhan, whose career advanced under Bashir, has maintained his coup was "necessary" to bring more factions into politics. But Daglo, who rose to prominence during Bashir's scorched-earth policy against Darfuri rebels, has since called the coup a "mistake" that failed to bring change and instead invigorated Bashir diehards. Artificial Intelligence Moodle Partners with Copyleaks to Detect AI Content, Interspersed Human/AI Content, and Plagiarism Open source learning management system Moodle has formed a partnership with AI content and plagiarism detector Copyleaks. With thousands of education institutions using Moodle's LMS, custom development, and learning design services, and the explosive use of AI-generated content, Moodle said in a release that feedback from its clients cemented its move to incorporate an AI detection tool. Copyleaks uses a multifaceted approach to content authentication. It first identifies whether the content was written by a human or a chatbot, either fully or partially, whether content has been plagiarized or paraphrased, and how much. Copyleaks can detect content written with ChatGPT4 "with 99% accuracy across a dozen languages, including English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish," according to the release. It is also able to detect human content interspersed with AI content at the sentence level an industry first, the release said. A Copylinks analysis done in March 2023 of the prevalence of AI-generated content, using data from tens of thousands of high school and college students worldwide in January and February, found that 11.21% of all papers and assignments contained such content. Interestingly, after students were told their papers would be checked for AI content, high school student use still increased by 237.15%, while college student use decreased by 38.9%. "Many of our clients have expressed concerns about the use of AI for content generation, particularly in the higher education space," said Jonathan Moore, head of Moodle US. Copyleaks CEO Alon Yamin acknowledged that concern, noting, "We are all still learning the rules together." The analysis discussion asks: "Is this the end of the written assignment? And what can educators do to leverage AI-generated content as a potential learning tool, much like the calculator?" Yamin agreed the AI detection tool will help Moodle users make "informed decisions about what the rules are for them surrounding AI-generated content." Copyleaks' AI and plagiarism detection tools are easily integrated into Moodle's existing LMS system and not only detect, in less than a minute, AI content and multiple forms of plagiarism, including that used in source code, but also any attempt to deceive the software. To learn more, visit the Moodle Plagiarism and AI Content page and view a sample interactive report. Moodle is a customizable e-learning toolbox used by thousands of educational institutions worldwide. Their experts work with clients to identify their unique needs, whether with hosting, course design, custom development, or more. Visit the Moodle About page to learn more about its history and goals. Copyleaks is an AI-based text analysis company whose software identifies potential plagiarism and paraphrasing across nearly every language, detects AI-generated content, verifies authenticity and ownership, and empowers error-free writing. Visit the Copyleaks About Us page for more information on its services. As French President Emmanuel Macron continues his countrywide charm offensive in the wake of the bitter dispute over pension reform, police in the southern Herault department announced a ban on "portable noisemaking devices" pots, pans, loudspeakers or megaphones in advance of the president's arrival at a school in the town of Ganges. Local authorities said the ban on "portable sound equipment" was meant to target amplifiers and speakers. The regional head of the CGT union, Mathieu Guy, maintains that protesters had also been prevented from entering the secure area close to the school with pans as well as local flutes, known as "fifres". Police fired teargas at a crowd of hundreds shouting "Macron, resign!" and blowing whistles. Opposition ridicules 'pan ban' The pan ban drew ridicule on Thursday, with Communist party spokesman Ian Brossat saying he "couldn't wait for the legislation which will ban the sale of saucepans." Greens MP Sandrine Rousseau wondered if it is "possible to leave a democratic crisis behind by banning saucepans." Once inside the school in Ganges, President Macron said he wanted to "acknowledge and pay teachers better", promising that they would receive between 100 - 230 more per month after tax from September. According to the French head of state, the increases could rise to 500 per month for staff who volunteered for additional responsibilities. Two hours of 'calm debate' Meacron spent more than two hours debating with teachers, parents and students at the College Louis-Michel in Ganges, while the CGT trade union took responsibility for cutting electricity to the school during the visit. The president listened intently and took notes. Speaking to voters on Wednesday, Macron insisted that raising the retirement age from 62 to 64 was necessary to help France reduce its public spending and bring the country into line with its European neighbours. Other protests continued on Thursday, with union members entering the headquarters of the pan-European stock exchange Euronext in the main Paris business district. Some rail workers also went on strike again on Thursday, forcing the cancellation of one in five regional trains and curtailing some commuter services. Lawyers for the Ugandan government have advised President Yoweri Museveni not to sign a draconian anti-gay bill passed by parliament last month as he met with ruling party lawmakers on Thursday to discuss the controversial legislation. The Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2023, which calls for harsh penalties against anyone who engages in same-sex activity, has been roundly condemned by the international community and rights campaigners. Museveni has faced widespread calls to reject what has been criticised as among the world's harshest anti-gay legislation. Under the bill, anyone who engages in same-sex activity could face life imprisonment while repeat offenders could be sentenced to death, according to activists. Lawyers for the government have advised the president to send the bill back to parliament, according to a letter sent by the deputy attorney general to the speaker of parliament on Thursday and seen by AFP. The move came as the European Parliament voted to condemn the bill and urged EU states to find a way to pressure Museveni into not implementing it, warning relations with Kampala were at stake. MEPs urged the European Commission to "use all necessary diplomatic, legal and financial means to convince the president to not sign the law." In the letter to speaker Anita Among, deputy attorney general Kaafuzi Jackson Kargaba said that the government's legal team has recommended that the bill "be returned to Parliament for reconsideration". The government wants to "ensure that once the Bill is assented to, it stands the test of time without being struck down by Court as being unconstitutional", Karaba said. The inclusion of the death penalty in particular would leave the bill open to legal challenge in a country that has effectively ended the use of capital punishment, he said. The bill was passed in a chaotic late-night parliamentary session and many of its hastily drafted clauses are open to interpretation, with Kargaba warning that some of its provisions are "too broad or vague". Such provisions "need to be revisited before the Bill is assented to by His Excellency the President to avoid the Bill being challenged in Court on grounds of unconstitutionality upon coming into force." 'Deeply troubling' Museveni summoned lawmakers from the ruling National Resistance Movement on Thursday to discuss the bill, with the party's chief whip Denis Hamson Obua confirming the meeting to AFP before it got under way. Sources close to Museveni's office earlier told AFP that they expect the president to reject the current draft of the bill and return it to parliament for reconsideration. Last month, the White House warned Uganda of possible economic repercussions if the legislation takes effect. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk also urged Museveni not to promulgate the bill into law. "The passing of this discriminatory bill -- probably among the worst of its kind in the world -- is a deeply troubling development," he said after the March parliamentary vote. But many of Uganda's neighbours are also cracking down on gay rights, with politicians in Kenya and Tanzania for example warning against any efforts to raise awareness of LGBTQ issues. Homosexuality was criminalised in Uganda under colonial-era laws but since independence from Britain in 1962 there has never been a conviction for consensual same-sex activity. strs-amu/cw Mr. John Dramani Mahama, a flagbearer contender of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), was allegedly booed by some party members during his campaign tour in the Dome-Kwabenya constituency in the Greater Accra Region. Videos of the incident have been circulating on social media, showing the former President being hooted at while chanting "away, away, away". Reacting to the incident, Samuel Koku Anyidoho, a former Deputy General Secretary of the NDC and CEO of the Atta Mills Institute, took to Twitter to ridicule the former President. He stated that the incident was a clear indication that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) was not afraid of Mahama if his own party members are now rejecting him. Take a close watch: Asimasi raised his hand to stop the booing and jeers but he was snubbed. And the dead goat says the elephant is scared of him? This can only exist in his unreal dreamy world, Anyidoho tweeted on Thursday, April 20. The opposition party is preparing to choose its flagbearer and parliamentary candidates in an internal polls on May 13, 2023. Attorney-General (A-G) Godfred Dame has told the Court of Appeal that the order to restart the case involving former Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) Dr Stephen Opuni, is a miscarriage of justice. The A-G also said the ruling is unfair. He has therefore filed an appeal. He told the Court of Appeal that The trial judge misdirected himself in the application of the principles regarding adoption of evidence in a trial. The learned trial judge exercised his discretion wrongly in arriving at the conclusion that he will be saddled with the same suspicion and allegation of unfairness leveled against the current state of proceedings. It is recalled that Justice Kwesi Anokye Gyimah who is the new judge assigned by the Chief Justice to take over the case decided to restart it. This was after he was asked to take over following the retirement of Justice Clemence Honyenuga who was handling the case. Justice Gyimah refused to admit proceedings from the previous court that handled the case since 2018. Parties to the case are hereby ordered to file all witness statements by Friday 21 April 2023, Justice Gyimah directed on Tuesday, April 4. This court will reconstitute for case management conference (CMC) on Tuesday 25 April 2023. he added. Dr Opuni and Seidu Agongo are facing 27 charges including defrauding by false pretences, willfully causing financial loss to the State, money laundering, corruption by public officer and contravention of the Public Procurement Act. They have both pleaded not guilty to the charges and are on a GH300,000.00 self-recognizance bail, each. -3news.com A leading member of the New Patriotic Party, Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko has taken a swipe at former Minister for Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng following allegations the latter made against him in a March 2021 report. Mr. Otchere-Darko in an exclusive interview with Citi New's Vivian Kai Lokko scolded the former minister for his galamsey report in which Mr. Otchere-Darko was accused of interfering in the work of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM). Prof. Frimpong-Boateng was really unhappy that Mr. Ochere-Darko, a leading NPP figure, was legally representing a company accused of engaging in galamsey during the peak of the fight against illegal mining. Professor Frimpong-Boateng in the report disclosed that he reported the behaviour of Mr. Otchere-Darko to President Akufo-Addo who promised to deal with it. Mr. Otchere-Darko questioned why the former minister failed to deal with him if he was certain that he had done something illegitimate. It tells you how weak the [former] Ministers understanding of his position is. If what I did was illegitimate, why didnt he take the right action? He said he had reported me to the president, as if he is a teacher and the president is a headmaster, and I am a prefect. Mr. Otchere-Darko added that he hasnt seen anything in the report suggesting he attempted gagging the former minister and demanded that he comes out to categorically point out where he went wrong and appeared to have interfered with the Committees work. Let the [former] Minister come and say that when I called him, I instructed him to do what was not right, let him come and say that when I called him, I was pushing an illegitimate point, let him come and say so. I based my intervention on the legality of what my clients were doing and what I saw to be an illegitimate action of the state against a company that the same state had issued permits and licenses to operate its business. If he has his own issues, let him deal with them, but he should not misinterpret a legitimate action of a lawyer on behalf of a client who had a legitimate case as a matter of interference, Mr. Otchere Darko added. -citinewsroom Sudan's warring forces clashed again in the nation's capital early Friday, with bombing and shelling reported in several areas of Khartoum, as they ignored appeals by world powers for an end-of-Ramadan ceasefire. Both UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called separately for a ceasefire of "at least" three days to mark Eid al-Fitr in the mostly Muslim country, as explosions and gunfire resounded in the capital Khartoum for the sixth straight night. "On the night of Eid al-Fitr, several areas of Khartoum were bombed and are still exposed to shelling and clashes between the armed forces and the RSF," the Central Committee of Sudan Doctors said in a statement. "We call on all citizens to exercise caution, stay home, close doors and windows and lie down. We also call on these forces to be responsible and immediately stop fighting to protect innocent lives." People flee their neighbourhoods amid fighting between the army and paramilitaries in Khartoum. By - (AFP) The capital has borne the brunt of some of the fiercest fighting, with most of its five million people sheltering at home without electricity, food or water. Residents have struggled to sleep for nearly a week and been jolted awake by "the roaring sound of fighter jets and air strikes", said Nazek Abdalla, a 38-year-old in southern Khartoum. "We locked our doors and windows, hoping no stray bullets would hit our building, Abdalla added. "We wish the fighting would stop during Eid festivities. We know it will not happen though." Blinken "condemned the indiscriminate fighting" in separate conversations with both Burhan and Daglo, his spokesperson said in a Friday statement. "He urged both military leaders to implement and uphold a nationwide ceasefire and sustain it through at least the end of Eid al-Fitr, Sunday, April 23," the statement said. As battles raged Friday, Burhan appeared on television for the first time since hostilities began, to deliver an Eid address as in previous years. Sitting behind a desk, dressed in military uniform and backgrounded by two Sudanese flags, he made no mention of a truce. "For Eid this year, our country is bleeding: destruction, desolation and the sound of bullets have taken precedence over joy," he said. "We hope that we will come out of this ordeal more united... a single army, a single people... towards a civilian power." After two ceasefires failed to take hold in two days, gunfire continued Thursday night, with columns of black smoke rising from buildings around Khartoum International Airport and the army headquarters. The fighting has taken a heavy toll on civilians across Sudan. By Sophie RAMIS, Sylvie HUSSON, Emmanuelle MICHEL (AFP) While many sheltered at home, others were venturing out despite the risks "to protect themselves and their families", said architect Tagreed Abdin. Beyond Khartoum, witnesses reported loud explosions in the city of Obeid, in the central state of North Kordofan. 'Reeks of death' "It reeks of death in some parts of town," said one witness in Obeid. Ahmed al-Mandhari of the World Health Organization said Thursday that "almost 330 people have died and almost 3,200 more" had been wounded in Khartoum, the western Darfur region and other states. The fighting has taken a heavy toll on civilians, with the UN children's agency UNICEF saying "at least nine children have reportedly been killed". The World Food Programme (WFP) warned that the violence could plunge millions more into hunger in a country where 15 million people -- one-third of the population -- already face food insecurity. It has suspended its Sudan operations after the killing of three WFP workers on Saturday. File photographs show Mohamed Hamdan Daglo (top), leader of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), and Sudan's army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. By Ashraf SHAZLY (AFP) Burhan and Daglo's bitter dispute centred on the planned integration of the RSF into the regular army, a key condition for a final deal aimed at restoring Sudan's democratic transition. Around Khartoum and elsewhere, RSF fighters in armoured vehicles and pickups mounted with machine guns have taken over the streets. Many have mounted checkpoints to search cars carrying civilians trying to escape the worst battle zones to safer areas in Khartoum and beyond. Civilians are becoming increasingly desperate -- by Tuesday, thousands had fled the capital, with many reporting streets strewn with corpses. Hospitals hit Medics have warned of a catastrophe, especially in Khartoum, where many hospitals were reportedly caught in the crossfire. Destroyed vehicles line the street in southern Khartoum. By - (AFP) Up to 70 percent of the hospitals in Khartoum and neighbouring states have been rendered "out of service" by the fighting, the doctors' union said. It has warned the death toll is likely to be far higher than stated, with many wounded unable to reach hospitals. Several countries' evacuation plans have been put on hold, with the US Defense Department announcing Thursday that it was deploying forces "nearby in the region" with hopes of "securing and potentially facilitating the departure of US Embassy personnel from Sudan". The Sudanese army said 177 Egyptian soldiers were evacuated from the northern city of Meroe to Egypt, which confirmed their arrival. The RSF said later that it handed over another 27 Egyptian soldiers to the Sudanese Red Cross, and Cairo confirmed their arrival at Egypt's Khartoum embassy. The United Arab Emirates said it had "led" the mediation for the Egyptians held by the RSF. Burhan and Daglo toppled autocratic president Omar al-Bashir together in April 2019 following massive protests against three decades of iron-fisted rule. In October 2021, they again worked together to oust the civilian government installed after Bashir's downfall, derailing an internationally backed transition to democracy. Government of Ghana has recalled Members of Parliament (MPs) from their recess for an emergency sitting on May 2, ostensibly to consider urgent parliamentary business. However, the move has raised eyebrows and fury, as opposition figures suspect that the real motive is to approve more loans amid concerns about the country's debt sustainability and fiscal discipline. In a letter dated April 20, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, invoked his power under Order 42(3) of the Standing Orders of the Parliament of Ghana to direct the MPs to convene at 10:00am at Parliament House in Accra. The letter copied to Modernghana News stated in portion, "Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, be recalled from recess to sit on Tuesday the 2nd day of May 2023, at ten o'clock in the forenoon, at Parliament House, Accra, to consider urgent parliamentary business." The letter did not disclose the specific agenda of the sitting, but the opposition says that the government has submitted a request for loan approval. In reaction, Joyce Bawa Mogtari, an aide to former President John Mahama took to Twitter on Thursday, April 20, to express her frustration with the government's borrowing spree. She wrote, "Wait a second: recall parliament so more loans can be considered for approval? After totally emptying the public purse they promised to protect and now literally dragging all of us into a reckless borrowing spree!" The prompt recall of Parliament has sparked outrage and disbelief among opposition politicians, who suspect that the real motive is to approve more loans amid concerns about the country's debt sustainability and fiscal discipline. In a letter dated April 20, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, invoked his power under Order 42(3) of the Standing Orders of the Parliament of Ghana to direct the MPs to convene for an emergency sitting on May 2, despite being on recess, to consider urgent parliamentary business. The letter copied to Modernghana News stated in portion, "Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, be recalled from recess to sit on Tuesday the 2nd day of May 2023, at ten o'clock in the forenoon, at Parliament House, Accra, to consider urgent parliamentary business." Although the letter did not disclose the specific agenda of the sitting, the opposition say the Akufo-Addo's government has submitted a request for a loan approval. Reacting to the news, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, the Member of Parliament for South Dayi and a member of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), expressed his shock and skepticism on Twitter. He wrote on Thursday, April 20, "So this government has actually recalled Parliament just so they can have another loan approved? This is unbelievable. We must audit all the loans Govt has taken in the past 6yrs & determine whether we have truly benefitted from them. It's over Ghc500billion (US$50billion) & counting." A Nigerian pastor, known as Dr. Feruke, has called on churches to stop seeing children as a nuisance during services. The pastor expressed his disagreement with churches relegating children to the background due to their tendency to make noise and disturb the service. In a tweet, Dr. Feruke emphasized the importance of welcoming children into the church, just as the Lord did. The clergyman encouraged his colleague pastors to pick up children who run to the pulpit, bless them, and rejoice at God's gift. He also suggested organizing a place for kids to play while the older ones sit with adults to listen God's word and grow with it. Dr. Feruke referenced Mark 9:36-37, where Jesus took a little child and placed him among them. He said, "Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me." He urged churches to stop regimenting every second of the service like a Grammy awards event designed to impress spectators. His lengthy tweet reads, Let us not treat children like a nuisance in church. Let us treat them as the Lord did. Let's be happy to have them to us. If they rub to the pulpit, pick them up and bless them. If their noise enters the mic, rejoice at the privilege of having Godly seed. Don't drive children away. Welcome them. Organise a place for the youngest ones who need a place to play and be stimulated. Let the older ones sit down with us to hear God's word and grow thereby. Mark 9:36-37 He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me. Let us treat them as the Lord treats them. Church is not a presentation that "has to go perfectly" like the Grammys. Church is the gathering of God's children. Allow a measure of chaos is as expected from a gathering of family members. Stop regimenting every second of the service like a secular program designed to impress spectators. It's a family meeting. A little chaos of love is expected and welcomed. Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin Central, Hon. Kennedy Ohene Agyapong has on 20th April 2023 donated 2,500 bags of rice and 6000 bottles of cooking oil to 30 Zongo Communities within Accra and Kasoa to mark the end of 2023 Ramadan Fasting and prayers. This is in accordance with the MP's commitment to supporting the Muslims and the needy in the country. Speaking in an interview, Kenneth Agyapong Junior, son of Kennedy Agyapong who doubles as General Manager in charge of Net 2 Television said the donation was part of the MPs desire to assist Muslims at the end of their Ramadan every year. "For the past 15 years my father has been doing this donation at the end of Ramadan fasting and prayers. Ramadan period is used to do good to others and we are committed to doing good to others," he stated. He seized the opportunity to urge the youth to stay safe as they marked the end of Ramadan. Mr. Kenneth Agyapong Junior added that 200 bags of rice and 480 bottles of cooking oil will also be presented to the National Chief Imam to support the poor and needy. Sheikh Jabil Musah of Kasoa Iron City who received the items on behalf of the beneficiary communities expressed their profound appreciation to Hon. Kennedy Agyapong for such a benevolent gesture. If God blesses you with riches use the blessings for the benefit of others like what honourable has done and God will continue to bless you, Sheikh urged Ghanaians. He offered a prayer of blessings for the MP. Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science Engineering Entrance Examination (HITSEEE) 2023 https://career.webindia123.com/career/dates_and_events/entrance/eng/hindustan-institute-of-technology-and-science-engineering-entrance-exam-hitseee.htm Details of Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science Engineering Entrance Examination (HITSEEE) 2023 2021-2-6 2023-4-30 https://career.webindia123.com/career/images/exams.png India India Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science Engineering Entrance Examination (HITSEEE) 2023 Engineering HITSEEE 2023 Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science Engineering Entrance Examination (HITSEEE) 2023 Category : Engineering Admissions 2023 Published : On February 6, 2021 By Webindia123 Editor Important Dates Last Date of Issue HITSEEE Application form 30th April 2023 Last Date for Submission of Filled in Application form 30th April 2023 Online Entrance Exam Dates(Chennai Centres) 3rd May to 10th May 2023 Online Entrance Exam Dates (Other Centers) - Counselling 24th - 31st May 2023 Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science Engineering Entrance Examination (HITSEEE) conducts an online Entrance Examination (HITSEEE) every year at various cities across India for students seeking admission for its undergraduate programmes in Engineering & Technology (B. Tech. / B. Arch Courses) Programmes Offered at HITS B.Tech. Aeronautical Engineering B.Tech. Aerospace Engineering B.Tech. Automobile Engineering B.Tech. Biotechnology B.Tech. Bio Medical Engineering B.Tech. Chemical Engineering B.Tech. Civil Engineering B.Tech. Computer Science and Engineering B.Tech. Electrical and Electronics Engineering B.Tech. Electronics and Communication Engineering B.Tech. Mechanical Engineering B.Tech. Mechatronics Engineering B.Tech. Information Technology B.Arch. Architecture B.Des. Inerior Architecture B.Des. Fashion Design Eligibility for Admission to Professional Programmes (B.Tech / B.Arch) B.Tech Programmes 1. A Pass in (10+2) or equivalent examination with a minimum average of 60% marks in Maths, Physics, & Chemistry. 2. For B.Tech. (Bio-Technology) alone, a pass in (10+2) with a minimum average of 60% marks in Physics, Chemistry & Mathematics. 3.Any other examination of any university or authority accepted by this University as equivalent of plus two. Improvement marks will not be considered for admission Vocational Candidates: Candidates who have qualified with HSC (vocational stream) with engineering / technical vocational subjects and any one or two of the related subjects like Mathematics, Physics or Chemistry are eligible provided they have passed their qualifying examinations and obtained minimum aggregate of 50% marks in the vocational & related subjects. B. Arch Programme (5 Years) 1. A Pass in plus two with an average of not less than 60% in (10+2) level or its equivalent examination with Mathematics / Business Mathematics as one of the subjects. 2. A Pass in 3 year diploma (10+3) recognized by central / state government with Mathematics / Business Mathematics as a subject of study with an aggregate of not less than 50%. 3.Any other examination of any university or authority accepted by this University as equivalent of plus two. 4.All applicants for B.Arch. course including NRI / Foreign Nationals should write the Aptitude test conducted by Council of Architecture (NATA) and the score should not be less than 80 out of 200.(for details http://www.nata.in/). Age Limit: Candidates whose date of birth falls on or after 1st July 1998 are eligible to apply for HITSEEE-2023. How to Apply for HITSEEE 2023 Register for HITSEEE on the official website of the University. Students can download the application form available online and them send it to the specified address by speed post. Aspirants can download HITSEEE 2023 admit card from the official website which will be made available in the month April. The admit card will have details like Candidate's Name, Address, contact details, test centres etc. The application fee of HITSEEE 2023 is Rs. 925 + bank charges can be paid online through Net banking/debit card/credit card. HITSEEE 2022 Hindustan University will conduct HITSEEE 2023 in 75 cities across the country. Applicants have to choose HITSEEE exam city at the time of filling the application form. HITSEEE exam centre 2023 will be allotted on the basis of city preference of applicants. The time duration of the entrance examination is 2 hours. Students are required to answer 120 questions covering Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry. Based on the entrance examination score and marks in the qualifying examination, a rank list is prepared for admission. For further details regarding course, admission details refer official website. Contact Details Address : Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science 40, G.S.T Road, St. Thomas Mount, Chennai - 600 016 Phone : 044-2747 4262, 2747 4395 Fax : 044-2747 4208 Mobile : E-mail : Contact I Website : hindustanuniv.ac.in/contact.php Find it Useful ? Help Others by Sharing Online Comments and Discussions 21.04.2023 LISTEN The Leadership of Kekeli Muslim Community wishes all Muslims across the globe Eid Mubarak. Eidul Fitr is the festival for ending Fasting in the month of Ramadan. Fasting is the fourth pillar in Islam where every sane Muslim is expected to abstain from personal desires such food, water, matrimonial intimacy among others from the dawn to sunset. (Qur'an Chapter 2:183) It should be noted that only Almighty God (Allah) knows the reward His servant receives for adhering to the clarion directive. The Holy month of Ramadan serves as a period for mankind to reect and then submit his entire live to the worshiping of only Almighty God. Ramadan fasting enable sinful persons to distance themselves from the unacceptable acts like smoking, taking in of alcohol, promiscuous intimacy relationship and among others. Instead, giving in charity to the needy that manifest during sahoor and iftar, and making supplications to Allah for expiation of sins are highly encouraged. As we mark the end of the Ramadan fast, the leadership of Kekeli Muslim Community in Ghana is calling on all Muslims to continue to exhibit the beautiful moral character adopted during the Fasting in their entire life. We further use this opportunity to solicit for support towards a fruitful Eid Feast for our newly converts predominantly in the Volta Region. It is worthy to state that Islam is gaining grounds in the Volta Region. Therefore, kind gesture should be directed to the leadership for proper disbursement to the beneciaries. We continue to pray to Almighty God (Allah) to provide us with peace in Ghana, grant the President and his Vice President with the wisdom to steer the aairs of the country for development. We pray for peaceful coexistence between Muslims and other faiths in this country for together we build a prosperous nation. Eid Mubarak Signed, Mohammed Rabiu Adam Mawuli Public Relations Ocer 21.04.2023 LISTEN A presidential hopeful of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr. Kwabena Duffuor has hinted that the next NDC government led by himself will ensure that constituency party executives are put on salary. "Constituency chairmen, and executives make several funeral donations, attend weddings and personally make financial contributions on behalf of the party when most of them are unemployed," he stated. Dr. Duffuor made this known yesterday when addressing delegates and party supporters at Effutu and Gomoa West at Apam. "Why should a person work without pay, such a person may develop evil thoughts, "I will also ensure that party offices are built for all regions and Constituencies, Cadres, party elders and founding fathers will also enjoy pension schemes", he stressed. According to him, the survival of a political party depends on its chain of businesses which serves as a source of revenue to fund the party. He thus, noted that the NDC next government will set up businesses and make lots of investment to raise funds to support the party and also create employment for party people. Dr. Duffour in an interview later with this reporter promised constituencies in the Central Region who have not enjoyed his "Ahotor project" of their share to help them finance activities in the party, hence appealed to the delegates to vote for him for victory 2024. A former national organizer of the party, Mr. Yaw Boateng Gyan described Dr. Duffour as the best candidate and urged delegates to vote for him come May 13. The former MP for Kumawu in the Ashanti Region, Yaw Baah, will not be contesting in the upcoming governing New Patriotic Partys (NPP) primaries. This follows Mr Baahs withdrawal of his candidature from the primaries slated to take place on Sunday, 23 April 2023, to elect a candidate for the Kumawu by-election. The former MP noted in a letter to the Chairman of the NPPs by-election committee that: Having considered my political status and pedigree within the larger family, I have come to the conclusion that the last atom of my political breath should be at the disposal of the national front, rather than at the periphery of Kumawu. He added: I see myself as a great player in the scheme of things as far as Breaking the 8 mantra is concerned. The former MP is the second to withdraw from the Kumawu race. Mr Baahs withdrawal means four candidates will now be contesting to represent the party in the by-election on Tuesday, 23 May 2023, after six were cleared to contest, though initially eight people had picked nomination forms. Former managing director of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) Edward Kofi Osei earlier withdrew from the race following concerns that he holds a dual citizenship status. Source: classfmonline.com Former President John Dramani Mahama has blamed the countrys economic woes on President Akufo-Addos penchant to satisfy his family and friends in his government. According to Mr Mahama, despite Ghanas debt stock and the countrys inability to service its debt, the President has refused to fire his cousin, Ken Ofori-Atta. He said even in the NPP, there are more competent people who could be appointed as Finance Minister but the President has remained adamant to the extent of ignoring his own Members of Parliament who were of the view that Mr Ofori-Atta had to be sacked. Interacting with NDC party delegates and executives at the Ayawaso Central and Ayawaso West Wuogon constituencies, the former Ghanaian leader said Ghana needs an experienced leader like him to fix the mess created by the Akufo-Addo-led government. Our country Ghana is in reverse gear and we need an experience driver to rescue it and put it back on the path of growth. This government has destroyed almost every sector of our economy. The economy is destroyed and today, we cannot pay our debt and so we are going round like beggars and begging for debt forgiveness and how did we arrive here? Because of family and friends, Mr Mahama stated. The president put his cousin as finance minister when in NPP there were even more capable people than his cousin and despite everything, he has refused to take him out of there. His own MPs rebelled against him, 80 of them, he has defied them and refused, meanwhile, we all know this finance minister was benefiting from all the loans he was taking, his company was benefiting, and so, when he was over-borrowing and we were telling him, he refused to listen and today this is where weve ended. Mr Mahama who seeking the mandate of NDC delegate to become the partys flagbearer ahead of the 2024 elections told the gathering that Ghanaians want a change and the only viable alternative is the NDC. The time has come for NDC to come back and rescue this country. What Ghana needs today is an experienced government with an experienced leader who accepts responsibility and who works to fix whatever challenge we have, and I know that by the grace of God, I have that experience because Ive done it before, he stated. Blowing his own horn, the former Ghanaian leader noted Ive taken my time to understudy big leaders from President Rawlings and even in President Kufuors time, I was an opposition MP, and I understudied President Mills and I had my own period when I took responsibility for this nation and we faced serious challenges but we solved them, we did not run away, we did not shift the blame to other people. Mr Mahama indicated that unlike the NDC and himself, this government likes shifting blames to everything except themselves. Anything that goes bad its either covid-19 or its Russia-Ukraine war or sometimes they say we make too much noise and money doesnt like noise. After seven years in office the other day, I was reading and somebody said the economy is bad because of Mahama. After seven years, Mahama is still the name on your tongue. Everyday unless they mention my name they cant sleep, he added. Source: Classfmonline.com 21.04.2023 LISTEN It may be a rare occurrence, but occasionally opportunity does come twice. In this instance, current global events have presented the Republic of Liberia with yet another golden opportunity to experience phenomenal social, economic, and political growth and development, and restoration of its leadership role in Africa. This time the people of Liberia must seize the moment. In the past 200 years Liberians have not fully capitalized on the unique relationship that has existed between the Republic of Liberia and the United States of America. The United States, on the other hand, has failed to ensure that the Republic of Liberia becomes a true representation or an illustration of its unique development model for friendly countries in Africa and beyond. This is about to change. In this latest scramble for Africa, the United States most effective pitch must run through the Republic of Liberia -- its longstanding loyal and faithful ally on the African continent. For Africans in general to perceive the United States as a credible and worthy development partner, the Republic of Liberia must become a reflection of the United States' true intentions for the people of Africa. This ought not be difficult. Liberia is the most "Americanized" country in Africa and a highly reliable partner of the United States. And the foundation for a model democracy has already been laid. Throughout the years Liberians have shown willingness to work with the United States. It is high time the United States commits itself as a true development partner and a long-time friend of the Republic of Liberia. This will help to eliminate deep-seated doubts and suspicion in the minds of Africans who have over the years closely observed Liberia's dismal plight. Historical evidence supports the argument that the United States is capable of withstanding current internal and external buffeting and that it shall remain the world's leader. The people of the United States have been there, done that. Wisdom and experience is on their side. Realistically, there is no country at this moment that could supplant the United States of America as a world leader. No cause for alarm! Following are several key reasons why the United States of America will survive the current challenges and remain a global leader : Democracy : the United States of America subscribes to democratic governance, where ordinary citizens have greater power than the president; and knowing full well the fallibility of mankind, it does not permit lifetime presidents (or head of state). Strong Economy : The United States has the largest economy in the world and is home to some of the most innovative and successful companies. Its economic power has been a driving force for global growth and development, and the country has a history of bouncing back from economic downturns. Political Stability : Despite recent political turmoil, the United States has a strong tradition of democracy and the rule of law. Its institutions and checks and balances have helped ensure a peaceful transition of power and stability in times of crisis. Military Strength : The United States has the most powerful military in the world and is a key player in global security. Its military presence and partnerships around the world have helped maintain stability and deter aggression, making it possible for billions of people to rise out of poverty within the past 78 years. Cultural Influence : The United States has a rich and diverse culture that has influenced the world through its music, movies, literature, and art. Its soft power has helped shape global trends and perceptions. Technological Innovation : The United States is a leader in technological innovation and has produced some of the most groundbreaking inventions in history. Its research and development capabilities and entrepreneurial spirit continue to drive progress and growth globally. While the United States currently faces many challenges and uncertainties, its strengths in these areas suggest that it will remain a major player on the world stage for the foreseeable future. Now, as the United States focuses its attention on Africa, the Republic of Liberia must be at the center of its plans for the people of Africa. And this must begin with its active participation in transforming the Republic of Liberia into a stable, vibrant, and a model democracy. Should the Republic of Liberia remain a miserable failure, is it likely any country in Africa will believe the United States could be a trusted, reliable, and long-term development partner? How does one explain the United States' lackadaisical response to the Republic of Liberia when there has never been any tensions or hostilities between the two countries? The Republic of Liberia's transformation must begin with the 2023 legislative and presidential elections. And this shall mark a significant turning point in Liberia-US relations. The United States can no longer ignore its historic connection with Africa's oldest republic and yet expect the people of Africa to take seriously overtures of genuine partnership. Arguably, the Republic of Liberia will always be the yardstick by which Africans and others assess the value of the United States' friendship. About the author : Mr. Thomas Q. Harris (TQ) is an Engineer who, in 1997, ran for President of Liberia in the Special Elections. Previously, he had been actively involved in peace efforts during the Liberian Civil War. As a humanitarian, he provided assistance for internally displaced people as well as Liberian refugees throughout West Africa and beyond. Mr Harris was Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MEDA Support Group, Inc. -- an engineering-consulting company he founded. Mr Harris is an Inventor and the holder of a United States Patent. He currently resides in Liberia and may be reached by email : [email protected] 21.04.2023 LISTEN How to Leverage SEO and Digital Marketing to Drive Traffic to Your Website Are you tired of having a website that nobody visits? Are you ready to take your online presence to the next level and drive more traffic to your site? We shall discuss some tips on how to leverage Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and digital marketing to give your website the boost it needs. SEO is optimizing your website to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs) for specific keywords related to your business. Here is a screenshot of the Google Search Engine Results Page for the keyword "Online President". As you can see from my LinkedIn profile, appearing first in Google search results for the phrase "Online President" can increase your online visibility. Similarly, optimizing your website can help ensure that it appears at the top of search results when potential customers search for the products or services you offer. The higher your website ranks in search results, the more likely people are to find and click on it, leading to increased visibility and potential customers. In fact, research has shown that most people rarely click past the first page of search results, so it is crucial to rank as high as possible to maximize your online presence. That is why it is important to implement search engine optimization (SEO) strategies for your business keywords. Here are seven steps you can follow to optimize your website for search engines: Start with keyword research You cannot optimize your website if you do not know what people are searching for. That is where keyword research comes in. Use tools like Google Keyword Planner or Ahrefs to find keywords related to your business and see how many people are searching for them in Ghana. For example, if you run a catering business in Accra, you might find that "catering services in Accra" is a popular keyword. And that is what your articles, videos, and banners must be about. Optimize your website Once you have done your research, it is time to optimize your website. Make sure your website structure is clear and easy to navigate. Use your keywords in your page titles, meta descriptions, headings, and throughout your content. For example, make sure you have "catering services in Accra" in your page titles and meta descriptions. Build high-quality backlinks Backlinks are like online referrals from other websites. The more high-quality backlinks you have, the more likely search engines are to trust your website and rank it higher. Reach out to other websites in your industry and ask for a link, create guest posts, or participate in online communities. Anytime I write an article for other websites, I reference my website OnlinePresident.org. That is a backlink. Utilize social media Search Engines have several rules that are used to rank articles that display when users search. Previously, our social media posts were not factored in. Now they are. As you can see from the screenshot above, it is my LinkedIn profile that showed on the first page. Social media is a great way to reach a wider audience and drive more traffic to your website. Share your content on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Quora, Medium, and Substack, and use targeted ads to reach specific demographics. For example, if you sell handmade jewellery in Tamale, you might run a Facebook ad targeting women in Tamale who are interested in jewellery. Leverage email marketing Email marketing is a powerful tool for reaching your target audience and driving traffic to your website. In fact, it is the number 1 online tool that gives the highest return on investment. Here is a step-by-step guide to email marketing: Define your target audience: Start by determining who you want to reach with your email marketing campaign. This could be your existing customers, prospective customers, or a specific segment of your audience. Build your email list: This is the most difficult part, but the most important too. Gather a list of email addresses from your target audience. You can do this by offering incentives for people to sign up for your emails, such as a discount or exclusive content. Include clear calls-to-action (CTAs) in your emails, encouraging readers to click through to your website. For example, if you run a photography business in Sunyani, you might email your list with a special offer for a photo shoot and a CTA to book an appointment on your website. Note: Make sure you have permission to email the people on your list. Choose your email service provider (ESP): There are many email service providers (ESPs) available, such as Mailchimp, Constant Contact, and AWeber. Choose an ESP that meets your needs and budget. I will recommend Mailchimp or Sender.net, just as I did in my book Digital First: The Self-employment Guide for Digital Citizens. Create compelling content: Write engaging and relevant content that will encourage your audience to open and interact with your emails. This could include articles, blog posts, promotions, or other types of content. Design your email template: Choose a template that is visually appealing and easy to read. Make sure it is optimized for mobile devices. Segment your email list: Segment your email list based on factors such as purchase history, interests, and location. This will help you personalize your emails and increase engagement. Test, test, test: Before sending your email, test it to make sure it looks and functions as intended. Send test emails to yourself and a few others to ensure everything works correctly. The ESP has features that allow you to test/preview your emails first, before sending them to your subscriber list. Send your email: Choose the right time and frequency to send your emails. Consider your target audience's preferences and habits when deciding when to send. A lot of studies have been done regarding the best time to send emails. Each industry has its own "best time". Analyze the results: Use the data from your email marketing campaigns to determine what is working and what isn't. Use this information to improve future campaigns. Continuously improve: Stay up to date on the latest email marketing trends and best practices. Continuously test and refine your campaigns to increase engagement and conversions. Be human: Limit the rate at which you send emails. Do not flood people's inboxes. Once every month or every two weeks is good. Invest in pay-per-click (PPC) advertising PPC advertising allows you to display ads on search engines and other websites. Bid on keywords related to your business and appear at the top of SERPs, driving more traffic to your website. For example, if you run an event planning company in Koforidua, you might bid on the keyword "event planning in Koforidua" and run a PPC ad that appears at the top of the search results. This can be a quick and effective way to drive targeted traffic to your website and generate leads. Measure and track your results Finally, it is important to track and measure your results to see what is working and what is not. Use tools like Google Analytics to track your website traffic, bounce rates, and conversion rates. You can also use tools like SEMrush or Ahrefs to track your SEO performance, including your keyword rankings and backlink profile. This data can help you make informed decisions about where to focus your efforts and make improvements. In conclusion, leveraging SEO and digital marketing can be a game-changer for your website and business in Ghana. By following these tips, you can drive more traffic to your site, increase your visibility, and reach more potential customers. Remember, success does not happen overnight, so be patient and persistent in your efforts. Author: Kaunda Ibn Ahmed (Online President), Communications Team Member, IIPGH For comments, contact [email protected] / +233 234809010 / OnlinePresident.org I, therefore, call upon all of you to come to Bangladesh, either with full investment or joint venture partnership with our dynamic end ever growing class of young, educated entrepreneurs. PM Sheikh Hasina (2010) After 13 years of Sheikh Hasina's statement in 2010 about the special bond shared between the two countries, we have seen some remarkable developments in the Japan-Bangladesh investment domain. Japan has emerged as a flagbearer of Bangladesh's structural development partner by investing in major projects such as the connectivity, energy and communication. The forthcoming visit of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, to Japan marks a pivotal moment in the development of bilateral investment and cooperation between these two nations. With substantive progress made by the Sheikh Hasina government in last one decade in attracting Japanese investments, this visit is poised to build a robust bridge of mutual investment and cooperation between these two economies. Moreover, complementarity of Bangladesh's skilled labour force and Japan's abundance of technology and capital create a strong basis for mutual cooperation in the field of investment, particularly during this period of the global economy's turmoil. It has become more imperative than ever for countries to strengthen their economic links and explore new investment avenues. Nevertheless, the visit is particularly significant as it provides an opportunity for Bangladesh to attract Japanese investors and establish itself as a promising foreign investment destination. Japan, on the other hand, can leverage its resources and expertise to explore new investment possibilities and enhance mutual interests with Bangladesh. As such, this visit holds the promise of a meaningful step towards a mutually beneficial economic relationship between the two countries. Strengthening the Bangladesh-Japan Partnership The forthcoming visit of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to Japan presents a unique and invaluable opportunity to further enhance the already fruitful partnership between the two nations. The continuity of the 'visit impact' domain is of paramount importance in achieving this objective. The visit promises to be a beacon of hope in forging a path towards a brighter, more prosperous future for both countries. Historically, every visit between the heads of state of Bangladesh and Japan has opened up enormous opportunities for trade, ODI, FDI, and other forms of assistance. Therefore, the continuity of the 'visit impact' domain is vital in enhancing the Bangladesh-Japan partnership. The previous visit of Prime Minister Hasina already highlighted the significant impact of such visits in the investment domain. Secondly, the Stable Supply of Power and Energy Programs aims to develop new power sources and improve the substation, transmission, and distribution of power in Bangladesh. Given Japan's technological expertise in this field, this program is essential for Bangladesh to meet the growing demand for energy in the country. Bangladesh must examine long-term plans for each energy subsector, build an integrated energy development strategy for the nation, and enhance and execute more tangible and effective steps to achieve a low-carbon society. The upcoming visit may expand this industry, and Bangladesh can assure efficient, sustainable, low-cost energy. Already, before two weeks of the visit, both Bangladesh and Japan discussed future plans to expand the business of Japanese investors in Bangladesh and expressed satisfaction with the progress made in the activities of the Bangladesh Special Economic Zone in Araihazar Upazila of Narayanganj district based on the G2G (government to government) model. Therefore, the upcoming visit will open the pathway for future G2G-based developments. It is a perfect platform for establishing new MoU's and business agreements in promising domains such as pharmaceuticals, IT technology, and G2G-based structural developments. Thirdly, Japan has been involved in the National Transportation Network Improvement Program, which promotes efficient mobility of people and goods in the national transport and traffic network. With Japan's experience in developing efficient transport systems, this program is vital for Bangladesh to improve its transport network and promote economic growth. Moreover, this visit may shed light on developing such projects in the coming years because Japan has put forth a proposal to establish an industrial hub in Bangladesh equipped with supply chains that connect to India's north-eastern states as well as Nepal and Bhutan through the development of a nearby port and transportation infrastructure. Therefore, the visit will facilitate the possibility, build smooth connectivity, and significantly increase trade between the actors. In addition, Japan has been involved in the Private Sector Development Programs that aim to promote investment from overseas, including Japanese companies. This program is essential for attracting foreign investment and promoting private sector growth in Bangladesh. Japan has also been involved in the Urban Development Program that supports comprehensive urban planning and provides assistance for the development of urban transport networks. With Bangladesh's increasing urbanization, this program is crucial for sustainable urban development. Fourthly, Japan has implemented programs in Bangladesh that aim to strengthen the value chain in the Agriculture and Rural Development sector. With technical assistance and improved financial access for farmers and agribusiness enterprises, this program aims to increase the production volume and improve the quality of agricultural products and processed products. Therefore, the upcoming visit is also important to establish newer and smarter agriculture production with the assistance of Japanese technology. The Health System Strengthening Program utilizes Japan's experience in supporting maternal and child health and responding to changes in disease trends in Bangladesh. Furthermore, the post-COVID health situation in Bangladesh needs more investment in medical research and establishing newer hospitals. Nevertheless, the upcoming visit has a viable prospect of building strong cooperation in the health sector. Finally, the Disaster Prevention or Climate Change Measures Programs aim to support climate change measures programs in Bangladesh. With the increasing effects of climate change, this program is crucial for Bangladesh to mitigate the effects of climate change. Therefore, Bangladesh must examine long-term plans and develop a comprehensive strategy to cope with the effects of climate change. Therefore, the upcoming visit will play a major role in investing criteria that can ensure the climate safety. The visit of the Bangladesh Prime Minister to Japan holds the promise of a brighter, more prosperous future for both nations. By working hand in hand and leveraging their respective strengths, Bangladesh and Japan have the potential to blaze a trail towards regional cooperation and integration. This visit is a vital step forward in cementing the partnership between these two great nations and setting the stage for a brighter tomorrow. The deep-seated expertise and technical prowess of Japan has already yielded fruitful results in Bangladesh, paving the way for a burgeoning partnership that stands to benefit both nations significantly. Therefore, this upcoming visit will open up new opportunities for Japanese investment in Bangladesh, eyeing both domestic demand and the need for greater interconnectivity and cooperation among regional economies. S. M. Saifee Islam Research Associate The KRF Centre for Bangladesh and Global Affairs (CBGA) The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has issued a press release to commend the Ghana Police Service for hosting a cordial discussion between its leadership and that of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP). At the meeting on April 17, the Police made it clear that it will leave politicians to do their politicking and only intervene when necessary especially when there is a matter of criminality. At the meeting called after inciting comments from various members of the two political parties ahead of the 2024 general elections, the Police said it has established a Police Election Security Secretariat to work with Political Parties to enhance election security. Releasing a statement on Thursday, April 20, the NDC stressed that it wants the Police to act on Bryan Acheampongs comment indicating that the NPP will never hand over power. According to the opposition party, such comments are criminal and must be dealt with. The leadership of the party disagreed with the position of the Police that the inflammatory and incendiary comments made By Bryan Acheampong to the effect that, the New Patriotic Party will not hand-over power to the NDC in 2025, did not pass the test of criminality. We made the point, and still stand by same, that the statement by Bryan Acheampong breaches Section 207 of the Criminal and Other Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), to wit, offensive conduct conducive to the breach of the peace. The National Democratic Congress hereby wishes to reiterate these concerns, and to once again remind the Ghana Police Service to take a relook particularly at their stance on Bryan Acheampongs incendiary comments, consistent with their position on similar recent events. We expect the Police to act on this matter with the speed and urgency with which they acted in apprehending and prosecuting other political actors for making similar statements in recent time, parts of the release from the NDC signed by Sammy Gyamfi said. The NDC believes that acting on this and other matters is the only way the Police can engender the confidence of the Ghanaian people. Below is a copy of the NDC press release: PRESS STATEMENT For Immediate Release: 20th April, 2023. RE: POLICE MEET LEADERSHIP OF NPP AND NDC OVER HAPPENINGS ON THE POLITICAL FRONT. The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has taken notice of a recent statement authored by the Ghana Police Service under the above caption, dated 17th April, 2023. The party would like to confirm that indeed, upon the invitation of the Inspector General of Police, the leadership of the NDC participated in a meeting with the top brass of the Ghana Police Service on 17th April, 2023, to discuss some pertinent issues of concern to us. While commending the Police for the cordial nature of the discussions, and for their initiative in establishing a Police Election Security Secretariat to work with Political Parties to enhance election security and other politically-related matters, the NDC at the said meeting disagreed with the Police on a number of critical issues as follows: 1. The leadership of the party disagreed with the position of the Police that the inflammatory and incendiary comments made By Bryan Acheampong to the effect that, the New Patriotic Party will not hand-over power to the NDC in 2025, did not pass the test of criminality. We made the point, and still stand by same, that the statement by Bryan Acheampong breaches Section 207 of the Criminal and Other Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), to wit, offensive conduct conducive to the breach of the peace. We contended and still maintain, that the said comments by Bryan Acheampong was intended, and did actually incite supporters of the ruling NPP to act in a manner that has the tendency and likelihood to breach public peace in the aftermath of the 2024 General Elections. 2. The leadership of the NDC registered our displeasure over the handling of Police investigations into the murder of Silas Wulochamey, a 28-year-old teacher trainee graduate, who met his untimely death after he was stabbed by bandits associated with the New Patriotic Party at Banda Kabrono during the 2020 Voter Registration Exercise. Following this dastardly act, seven persons were arrested by the Police in connection with the heinous crime. Regrettably, the party noted, that nearly three years on, investigations into this serious matter have stalled, as the suspects have been unceremoniously granted bail without justifiable basis, while the Police claims to be unable to obtain a pathologist report. The party found these excuses untenable and unsatisfactory, and condemned the Polices handling of this important matter. 3. Representatives of the party at the said meeting further expressed dissatisfaction over the inaction of the Police in investigating the killing of some Ghanaians during the 2020 General Election in the Techiman South and Ablekuma Central Constituencies. In this regard, the party vehemently rejected the Polices claim that it was unable to identify the Military Officers and other people in uniform, who shot and killed these innocent Ghanaian citizens. The party made the point forcefully, that the said military officers were under the Command of the Military High Command, and were deployed to these locations on that fateful day under strict instructions. It could not therefore be said that their identities were unknown. In any case, some of these incidents were captured on camera and several videos in circulation, which could provide a lead to the Police in their investigations. The party therefore charged the Police to expedite action on these serious murder cases. 4. The party expressed displeasure at the inhumane and degrading treatment that was meted out to a young activist of the party called Mohammed Nasir, who was arrested in connection with disturbances at the recent NDC National Youth and Women conference in Cape Coast. Mohammed Nazir was beaten and tortured for four days continuously while in Police custody. The National Democratic Congress hereby wishes to reiterate these concerns, and to once again remind the Ghana Police Service to take a relook particularly at their stance on Bryan Acheampongs incendiary comments, consistent with their position on similar recent events. We expect the Police to act on this matter with the speed and urgency with which they acted in apprehending and prosecuting other political actors for making similar statements in recent time. The party further expects the Police to act with dispatch in addressing the other concerns above-stated. We believe that, this is the only way, the Police can engender the confidence of the Ghanaian people in the new interventions they have introduced. Signed. SAMMY GYAMFI ESQ. NATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER Descendants of victims of genocide in Namibia will gather at the site of an infamous concentration camp this weekend to commemorate the killing of tens of thousands of people by German colonial settlers. A genocide memorial tombstone will be unveiled during a three-day event on Shark Island, a peninsula off the southern city of Luderitz that hosted a camp of the same name -- one of several set up during German rule as part of a system of repression. "Shark Island was not just a concentration camp, it was a death camp," said Nandiuasora Mazeingo, head of the Ovaherero Genocide Foundation, a non-profit group advocating for restorative justice for descendants of victims. Namibia has no official day designated to commemorate what some historians have described as the 20th century's first genocide. An undated photo taken during the 1904-1908 colonial war, showing a soldier, right, supervising prisoners. By Handout (NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF NAMIBIA/AFP/File) German settlers killed tens of thousands of men, women and children belonging to indigenous Herero and Nama people who rebelled against colonial rule in the southwest African country between 1904 and 1908. "We have taken it upon ourselves to remember the day, at Shark Island," Mazeingo told AFP. Several thousand people are estimated to have died at the camp, where prisoners were exposed to brutal conditions, beatings and forced labour. Today the area hosts a state-run holiday resort, boasting 20 campsites and a lighthouse that has been refurbished for accommodation. Descendants of the victims are disappointed that the government allows the peninsula to be "a place where people can vacation," said Mazeingo. "It is important for us to remember where we come from and what we've been through," said Veronique Kuchekana-Chirau, who teaches the history of the genocide and its legacies to Namibian children through theatre and performing arts. In August 1904, German soldiers chased around 80,000 Herero into what is now known as the Kalahari Desert, raping women and slaughtering their captives. Changing times: a street sign in Berlin marking Adolf Luederitz, a 'pioneer of colonisation' in Namibia, before it was removed last December. The street was renamed after Cornelius Fredericks, a colonial-era Nama resistance fighter. By John MACDOUGALL (AFP) The following year, on April 22, 1905, German military commander general Lothar von Trotha, ordered the extermination of the Nama. By 1908, at least 60,000 Herero and around 10,000 Nama were killed. After lengthy and sometimes acrimonious negotiations, Germany in 2021 acknowledged that it had committed "genocide" in Namibia, which it colonised between 1884 and 1915. It offered 1.1 billion euros in development aid spread over 30 years to the benefit of the Herero and Nama descendants. But descendants of the victims and Namibian political parties are unhappy, and want to reopen talks. "The genocide was the most grotesque and brutal act of criminality that took place in the territory that we know today as Namibia," said Mazeingo. US President Joe Biden and French leader Emmanuel Macron have been attempting to ease tension between Paris and Washington in the wake of Macron's recent remarks on Taiwan and the European security relationship with the United States. According to separate statements released by the White House and the Elysee Palace, the US and French leaders talked about Macron's recent state visit to Beijing. As that visit drew to a close, Macron caused a stir by telling reporters that European countries should not be drawn into a fight between China and the United States over democratic, Western-backed Taiwan. Macron said Europe should avoid "crises that aren't ours." He also repeated previous comments calling for the EU's "strategic autonomy" from the United States, which has been central to European defence since helping to defeat Nazi Germany in World War II. Shared positions, different optics The White House statement emphasised their shared positions. They "discussed President Macron's recent travel to the People's Republic of China and ongoing efforts to advance prosperity, security, shared values, and the rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific region," the statement said. "They reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait." Biden and Macron also discussed the Russian invasion of pro-Western Ukraine and "reiterated their steadfast support for Ukraine in the face of Russia's brutal aggression." In Paris, Macron's office characterised the call as an effort to brief Biden on "the results obtained" during the China trip. Referring to Macron's push for China to play a role in forging a peace deal to end the war in Ukraine, the statement said "China had a role to play in contributing, in the medium term, to ending the conflict in accordance with the principles and aims of the United Nations charter. "The two heads of state agreed on the importance of continuing to engage Chinese authorities on this basis," the statement continued. European security Washington regards Macron's initiative with some skepticism, given communist China's strong alliance with Russia. On the transatlantic security relationship, the French statement underlined "the importance of European countries continuing to re-arm themselves in order to take on their responsibilities in sharing the burden of transatlantic security." It echoed US language on Taiwan, saying "the two presidents share the same desire to reinforce cooperation underway and to support international law, including the freedom of navigation, in the whole of the Indo-Pacific region." Biden reportedly held a separate call with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday. Von der Leyen accompanied Macron to Beijing. A White House statement said they too "reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait." President Biden likewise discussed the Western effort to halt Russia's onslaught in Ukraine, as well as the transition to clean energy economies. The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has confirm that upon the invitation of the Inspector General of Police, Dr George Akuffo Dampare, the leadership of the party participated in a meeting with the top brass of the Ghana Police Service on 17th April, 2023, to discuss some pertinent issues of concern. The NDC said its leadership at the said meeting, however, disagreed with the position of the Police that the comments made by the Minister of Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong to the effect that, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) will not hand-over power to the NDC in 2025, did not pass the test of criminality. The NDC in a statement signed by Mr Sammy Gyamfi, the National Communications Officer, noted that it made the point, and still stand by same, that the statement by Mr Bryan Acheampong breaches Section 207 of the Criminal and Other Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), to wit, offensive conduct conducive to the breach of the peace. The party contended and still maintain that the said comments by Mr Bryan Acheampong was intended, and did actually incite supporters of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) to act in a manner that has the tendency and likelihood to breach public peace in the aftermath of the 2024 general elections. Apart from Mr Acheampongs comments, the NDC also said it registered its displeasure over the handling of Police investigations into the murder of Silas Wulochamey, a 28-year-old teacher trainee graduate, who met his untimely death after he was stabbed by bandits associated with the NPP at Banda Kabrono during the 2020 voter registration exercise. Following the act, seven persons were arrested by the Police in connection with the heinous crime but, the party noted that, nearly three years on, investigations into this serious matter have stalled, as the suspects have been granted bail without justifiable basis, while the Police claims to be unable to obtain a pathologist report. The party said it found these excuses by the law enforcement officers untenable and unsatisfactory, and condemned the Polices handling of the matter. Among others, the NDC stressed and reminded the Police to take a relook particularly at their stance on Mr Bryan Acheampongs comments and act on the matter with the speed and urgency with which they acted in apprehending and prosecuting other political actors for making similar statements in recent time. Read details of the NDC statement below: RE: POLICE MEET LEADERSHIP OF NPP AND NDC OVER HAPPENINGS ON THE POLITICAL FRONT. The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has taken notice of a recent statement authored by the Ghana Police Service under the above caption, dated 17th April, 2023. The party would like to confirm that indeed, upon the invitation of the Inspector General of Police, the leadership of the NDC participated in a meeting with the top brass of the Ghana Police Service on 17th April, 2023, to discuss some pertinent issues of concern to us. While commending the Police for the cordial nature of the discussions, and for their initiative in establishing a Police Election Security Secretariat to work with Political Parties to enhance election security and other politically-related matters, the NDC at the said meeting disagreed with the Police on a number of critical issues as follows: 1. The leadership of the party disagreed with the position of the Police that the inflammatory and incendiary comments made By Bryan Acheampong to the effect that, the New Patriotic Party will not hand-over power to the NDC in 2025, did not pass the test of criminality. We made the point, and still stand by same, that the statement by Bryan Acheampong breaches Section 207 of the Criminal and Other Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), to wit, offensive conduct conducive to the breach of the peace. We contended and still maintain, that the said comments by Bryan Acheampong was intended, and did actually incite supporters of the ruling NPP to act in a manner that has the tendency and likelihood to breach public peace in the aftermath of the 2024 General Elections. 2. The leadership of the NDC registered our displeasure over the handling of Police investigations into the murder of Silas Wulochamey, a 28-year-old teacher trainee graduate, who met his untimely death after he was stabbed by bandits associated with the New Patriotic Party at Banda Kabrono during the 2020 Voter Registration Exercise. Following this dastardly act, seven persons were arrested by the Police in connection with the heinous crime. Regrettably, the party noted, that nearly three years on, investigations into this serious matter have stalled, as the suspects have been unceremoniously granted bail without justifiable basis, while the Police claims to be unable to obtain a pathologist report. The party found these excuses untenable and unsatisfactory, and condemned the Polices handling of this important matter. 3. Representatives of the party at the said meeting further expressed dissatisfaction over the inaction of the Police in investigating the killing of some Ghanaians during the 2020 General Election in the Techiman South and Ablekuma Central Constituencies. In this regard, the party vehemently rejected the Polices claim that it was unable to identify the Military Officers and other people in uniform, who shot and killed these innocent Ghanaian citizens. The party made the point forcefully, that the said military officers were under the Command of the Military High Command, and were deployed to these locations on that fateful day under strict instructions. It could not therefore be said that their identities were unknown. In any case, some of these incidents were captured on camera and several videos in circulation, which could provide a lead to the Police in their investigations. The party therefore charged the Police to expedite action on these serious murder cases. 4. The party expressed displeasure at the inhumane and degrading treatment that was meted out to a young activist of the party called Mohammed Nasir, who was arrested in connection with disturbances at the recent NDC National Youth and Women conference in Cape Coast. Mohammed Nazir was beaten and tortured for four days continuously while in Police custody. The National Democratic Congress hereby wishes to reiterate these concerns, and to once again remind the Ghana Police Service to take a relook particularly at their stance on Bryan Acheampongs incendiary comments, consistent with their position on similar recent events. We expect the Police to act on this matter with the speed and urgency with which they acted in apprehending and prosecuting other political actors for making similar statements in recent time. The party further expects the Police to act with dispatch in addressing the other concerns abovestated. We believe that, this is the only way, the Police can engender the confidence of the Ghanaian people in the new interventions they have introduced. Source: Classfmonline.com The late Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie is among the big wigs of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) cited in the Frimpong-Boateng report on the fight against illegal mining in Ghana by the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM). The report said the Commission under Mr Owusu Afriyie deliberately failed to subscribe to GalamStop, an app rolled out to regulate agencies in the forest industry. Although it was worrying, I was not surprised that the Forestry Commission did not migrate onto the GalamStop Platform, Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng stated in his report dated Friday, March 19, 2021. He lamented how Sir John, as the Forestry Commission CEO was popularly known, was actively giving out timber concessions even in forest reserves for logging. He also gave forestry entry permits to mining companies, both large and small-scale, including those of foreign nationals for prospecting activities at a time when the President had put a ban on that activity. The former Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation continued: Through Charles Owusu, the Director of Operations at the Forestry Commission, Sir John had Chinese gangs doing mining on his behalf. The renowned heart surgeon recalled how at a meeting in the conference room of the President, he told Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in the presence of Sir John that the greatest danger to the forests of Ghana was Sir John. He also cited Mr Owusu for destroying the forest reserves without permit with his mining activities despite being the Director of Operations at the Forestry Commission. 3news.com Greater Accra Regional Minister who is also the Chairman of the Regional Security Council, Henry Quartey, has directed the Divisional and District Commanders of Police to liaise with the various Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDCEs) in ensuring compliance with the ban on drumming and noise making. This comes after the Ga Traditional Council announced the ban on noise-making and drumming effective May 15, as part of the annual Homowo festival celebrations. Speaking at the Ga Mantse palace, Mr. Quartey says the directive must be fully adhered to by all and sundry in the capital. I will hereby direct that with immediate effect, you will instruct your Divisional and District Commanders of Police to work with Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDCEs) to ensure strict adherence to the ban on drumming and noise making. There will be no exception, no police officer or any member of the security agency is supposed to flout this. Ban on drumming means ban on drumming. The MMDCEs are hereby directed to go back to their respective Assemblies and go to MESEC, DISEC, REGSEC meetings and invite all the faith-based groups in your Assemblies and communicate the directive to them, he noted. He also denied claims of offering portions of the Agbogbloshie land to the government for the housing project for head potters and threatened a defamation suit in demand for GH4 million. Im giving a one-week ultimatum to persons accusing me of selling portions of the reclaimed Agbogbloshie lands to retract that statement, otherwise I will take legal action against them and demand GH4 million for defaming me, Greater Accra Regional Minister warned. Moreover, the Ga Traditional Council has set up a taskforce to collaborate with the police and other security agencies to prosecute offenders of the ban on drumming and noise-making The council on Thursday announced that this year's ban on noise-making will be from May 15 to June 15 as part of activities to mark the 2023 edition of the Homowo festival Addressing the media on behalf of the Ga Mantse, Public Relations Officer of Ga Traditional Council Nii Lartey Anum Tetteh entreated the public and all stakeholders to ensure strict compliance with Ga traditions and customs We call on the public to comply with the Ga traditions and customs, the Public Relations Officer of Ga Traditional Council said. Citinewsroom Attorney General and Ministry of Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame has appealed a decision by the High Court judge hearing the case brought against former Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Stephen Opuni, and others, to start the trial from scratch . Mr. Opuni has been standing trial together with businessman, Seidu Agongo and Agricult Ghana Limited since 2018 after they were charged with 27 counts for allegedly engaging in illegalities that caused financial loss of GH271.3 million to the state and led to the distribution of sub-standard fertiliser to cocoa farmers. The case was originally before Justice Clemence Jackson Honyenuga who retired from active service. After Justice Honyenugas retirement, His Lordship Justice Kwasi A. Gyimah, was assigned to the case. But on April 4, 2023 , the new judge upheld a request from the defense counsel that the case should start de novo despite fierce resistance from the prosecutors. Unhappy with the ruling, Yvonne Atakora Obuobisa, Director of Public Prosecutors, filed an appeal, at the Court of Appeal, on behalf of the Attorney General. The Attorney General wants the Court of Appeal to set aside the ruling directing that the trial be started de novo and a further order that evidence led at the trial so far should be adopted by the trial judge. According to the office of the Attorney General, the High Courts decision to start the trial de novo has occasioned a miscarriage of justice as it will hinder an efficient trial of the accused persons in the instant case. The ruling of the court was contrary to the principles of fair trial contained in Article 19 of the 1992 Constitution and as decided by the Supreme Court in Republic v. Eugene Baffoe-Bonnie [2020] Crim. LR 343, the office of the Attorney General added in the writ sighted by citinewsroom.com. The AG further argued that the basis on which the new trial judge ruled was misdirected. The trial judge misdirected himself in the application of the principles regarding the adoption of evidence in a trial. The so-called suspicious and allegation of unfairness have already been pronounced upon by the trial court as well as courts superior to the trial court and therefore have become res judicata. The learned judge ignored the point that the only motion pending before the trial court was an application for the previous judge to recuse himself which had been rendered moot by the judges retirement and subsequent placement of the case before the learned judge. The learned judge in relying on irrelevant factors already disposed of by the Superior Courts, unfairly gave the accused persons a second bite at the cherry. The learned judge erred in ignoring the right and duty of the Republic to efficiently prosecute crime and placing premium on the presumption of innocence of the accused person, the Attorney General added in the writ. citinewsroom For the past week, forces loyal to Sudan's army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and rival fighters of Mohamed Hamdan Daglo's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been battling for control. More than 400 people have been recorded as killed and thousands wounded, but the toll is expected to be far higher, with witnesses describing corpses lying on the streets as fighting rages. AFP looks at the two main forces fighting in the worsening conflict. How big are the forces involved? The Military Balance+, compiled by International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), estimates that the army has 100,000 troops, compared with the RSF's 40,000 fighters. However, several experts have put forward the figure of 100,000 RSF troops, while giving numerical superiority to the army, or Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). But on the ground, neither side seems to have seized the advantage in nearly a week of bitter fighting. Alex de Waal, academic with a longtime focus on Sudan, said the two forces have a "comparable size and combat capacity". There are no exact figures as to sizes of the two forces -- since the conflict exploded precisely because of the dispute between the two generals on the methods of integrating the RSF into the regular army. Burhan wanted to do this within two years, by imposing the army's recruitment criteria on the paramilitaries. Daglo, also known as Hemeti, wanted a 10-year window and also ranks equivalent to those awarded in 2013 to RSF fighters who led the war in Darfur for autocrat Omar al-Bashir, before his ouster in 2019. What are the military objectives? "Neither SAF nor the RSF has much incentive to back down," said Aly Verjee of the Rift Valley Institute. The two forces normally fight together against rebel groups in far-flung provinces, but this time they are in a race against time as they fight each other on unfamiliar terrain: Khartoum. The RSF wants to prolong the conflict, while the army was aiming to use its warplanes to weaken the paramilitary force as quickly as possible, said Verjee. "Hemeti... has an interest in stretching out the conflict" since the main difference "in capacity between the SAF and the RSF is air power", said Verjee. What political goals do they have? For Jehanne Henry, a US human rights lawyer who has monitored Sudan for years, "doomsday scenarios run the gamut". If the army wins, "Burhan and his colleagues will re-install old regime Islamists" and ignore international pressure, as they did during decades of international embargo under Bashir's rule. "At best, they could make a flimsy pretence of appointing some allied civilians," Henry said. The other possibility was that the RSF win, but that scenario was seen as less likely, she added. In such a case, "they won't go down easily, and could draw out the conflict, allying with other armed groups in peripheral areas". What are their international allegiances? In the north, "Egypt, seen as a would-be coloniser, supports the SAF and has an interest in Sudan's Nile water and agricultural land", said Henry. To the south, Ethiopia "has its own interests, including to counter Egypt", she said. In the east, "the United Arab Emirates, which supported Hemeti, has benefited from the RSF's participation in the Saudi coalition in Yemen, and may have sold weapons to the RSF", she added. As for Chad and Libya, which border Daglo's stronghold in Darfur, these desert countries are possible channels for ammunition and reinforcements. For its part, the International Crisis Group think tank warned the "risk of spillover" could grow as the conflict "might directly involve ethnic groups whose homelands straddle their borders with Sudan". The Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta has stressed that he has no doubt government is on the right path to get Ghana out of its economic crisis. Although it took a while, government in the past year has admitted that the country is confronted with an economic crisis that needs to be addressed. To turn things around, government has taken a number of steps including contacting the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a $3 billion credit facility. Speaking in an interview with Joy News, Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has indicated that his focus is to bring Ghana out of this difficult period. You have to take the community across the Jordan and thats what I [Ken Ofori-Atta] intend to do irrespective of the difficulties. But were confident that were doing the right thing, were on the right path, the Finance Minister shared. Beyond the IMF deal, Ken Ofori-Atta insists that government must protect the public purse and ensure that Ghanaians pay their taxes to help with the development agenda. The challenge really is yes, we will get our Board [IMF Executive] approval hopefully in short order, but what do we as a nation learn from that?, he asked. I think those are going to be the issues the country has to contend with, understanding how to protect the public purse and ensuring that we all pay our taxes and avoid wasting government resources, Ken Ofori-Atta said. The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has asked the Police to relook into Bryan Acheampong's comments and not let it slide easily. In a press statement issued on April 21 and signed by the party's Communications Officer, Sammy Gyamfi, the NDC stated that the comments made by the Agric Minister have criminal implications and should not be ignored. The NDC has urged the Police to review its stance on Bryan Acheampong's remarks and act promptly to address the issue, consistent with its position on similar recent events. The National Democratic Congress hereby wishes to reiterate these concerns and to once again remind the Ghana Police Service to take a relook, particularly at their stance on Bryan Acheampongs incendiary comments, consistent with their position on similar recent events," the statement added. It added, We expect the Police to act on this matter with the speed and urgency with which they acted in apprehending and prosecuting other political actors for making similar statements in recent times. Background The NDC has petitioned the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to apprehend and prosecute Bryan Acheampong for his reckless and dangerous remarks. In reaction, the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) also petitioned the CID to arrest ex-president John Mahama and the National Chairman of the NDC, Johnson Asiedu Nketia for comments that they believe also threaten the peace and stability of the country. The National Organiser of the party Henry Nana Boakye popularly known as Nana B stated, "NPP wants the CID to arrest the National Chairman of the opposition NDC, Johnson Asiedu Nketia. According to him, Mr Asiedu Nketia has also made comments that portend great danger to the peace and stability of the country. The Police engaged with the two major political parties in response to the petitions filed against each other. The Police urged them to allow the security agency to do its work to maintain the peace and stability of the country. 21.04.2023 LISTEN People from Hamburg always have a good laugh watching Cologne Carnival with locals dressed up in funny costumes and happiness by force. Or at the people from Bavaria in their Lederhosen drinking beer or as snobs in Munich parade through the streets. Some Bavarians dream of restoring their lost Kingdom and the idea to get separated from the rest of the German nation. Smiles and laughter on both sides entertain locals. Africa of today is a very different ballgame. Tribalism had haunted African countries for centuries and still does. When Democracy was introduced in independent African countries to start the nation-building process very soon it became visible and clear that political parties were established along tribal lines. As much as Manifestos were drafted and proclaimed on ideas of communism, capitalism, a social market economy, etc. political parties became a collective pool of certain tribes which dominate tribalistic interests. Through the backdoor of democracy, the old tribal games still play out their cards. Power shifting is e.g. by the backroom decision of the men at the top of society while voters remain in the comfortable chairs to oversee the transition process called voting rights. In Kenya, the Kikujus (business-minded people) and Luos ( intellectual elite) carefully watch each other from an inner distance. In western Democracies party politics and the ideas behind the various manifestos count more than local attitudes. Rooted in the traditions of smaller or larger local communities these countries had not seen animosities and resistance to see other locals as equal partners for the same good course. Citizens of these nations understand the meaning and benefits behind fighting side by side to achieve each day a better country for all. Africans are still trapped in personal egos on all levels of society. Corruption is a visible result of this behavior. Solidarity demands of all or at least the majority to understand the principle of giving and taking to achieve progress fundamentally is based on overcoming personal and tribal egos. The absence of working not to mention a well-working social system in African countries regardless of their many natural resources is evidence of this conclusion. The Civil War in Sudan right now demonstrates once more how much Africans suffer at the hands of two EGOs two Generals supposedly to have the interest of the people on their mind day and night instead of confusing national blood lost in the streets of Khartoum. Zimbabwe under Robert Mugabe saw a bread basket country from election to election turned into a beggar state. Nambia and Botswana used democracy to advance their countries. Most African countries were not able to utilize a better future at the hands of democracy but rather cemented their internal traditional tribal and personal egos into stones that build the foundations of political parties. Any problem is an opportunity to overcome challenges and stand in glory. The right strategic tool and person are needed for this process. Henry Quartey 21.04.2023 LISTEN The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Henry Quartey has refuted allegations that he sold government lands in Agbogbloshie which were reclaimed from onion sellers. The lands were meant to be used for a hospital project, but the construction is yet to begin. In a meeting with Ga leaders on Thursday, Mr. Quartey threatened to sue for defamation. Quartey has debunked the allegations and has given the accuser a week ultimatum to apologise or face him in court. He said, there is this gentleman who is alleging relocating the people at Agbogbloshie, I have connived with the people belonging to the Ga people by way of selling lands and I want to say here and now that I, Henry Quartey, my person, the Regional Coordinating Council and government as a whole have not sold even 1010 to anybody and any attempt to suggest that I have sold the lands is damaging my hard-won reputation and making a false allegation against me which I will not accept. So, therefore, I have given the gentleman and that is not a threat. I have a right as a citizen to defend myself and also use a court of competent jurisdiction for that matter to seek redress where I feel that my name is being dented. I have given him a week from Monday for him to use the same medium to retract that allegation against my person and failure to do so, I will speak to my lawyers and will institute a court action against him and seek damages of a minimum of four million Ghana cedis from him, he stated. The victim, identified as Maa Adwoa, was allegedly shot five times by her boyfriend known as Taacum. The incident occurred at Adum Dufie Towers, located within the central business district of Kumasi, according to a Kumasi-based Kessben TVs report. According to sources, the couple had been in a seemingly healthy romantic relationship until Taacum accused Maa Adwoa of cheating. Despite her vehement denial, Taacum restricted her movements and communication. Out of anger, Maa Adwoa opted for a breakup, which reportedly infuriated her jealous boyfriend. Taacum reportedly warned of dire consequences if Maa Adwoa abandons him, but the young lady went ahead with her decision. Taacum reportedly tracked her down and shot her multiple times, leading to her untimely demise on Thursday, April 20 at 10pm. The incident has since sparked outrage on social media, with many calling on the police to ensure the killer is arrested and punished. The police is currently investigating the matter. It was the perfect time of year to include Prom Jump in a hit parade of musical selections. That tune was set aside for part three of the Big Spring High School spring concert titled You and the Night and the Music Friday, April 18, 1958. In a lead-up article to the show, the Valley Times-Star of Newville published an overview of the featured acts included in the three-part program presented by the school concert band, mixed chorus and a combination of the dance band and select choir. James R. Kimmel and George C. Houck directed the production. Part one included a cornet trio, solos for clarinet and trumpet and a performance of the Gladiator March by famed band leader John Philip Sousa. As for part two, it featured a chorus of 75 voices performing such songs as Let There Be Music, Lady of Spain and America Our Heritage. The evening was rounded out by part three that included not just Prom Jump, but also the schools Alma Mater and the song Sophomoric Philosophy. The entire cast performed Stand Up and Cheer, a tune composed by Kimmel. Meanwhile, Carlisle High School students and staff were gearing up for their spring concert on Saturday, May 10, in the auditorium. Band director Hans Uberseder told The Sentinel the program will include classicals, semi-classicals, marches and popular selections. Accent will be placed on variety and will demonstrate the flexibility of the group, Uberseder said. Proceeds from that event went toward the purchase of additional band uniforms. Tour Through Time runs Saturday in The Sentinel print edition. Reporter Joseph Cress will work with the Cumberland County Historical Society each week to look at the county through the years. Send any questions, feature ideas or tips to jcress@cumberlink.com. 21.04.2023 LISTEN The Paramount Muslim Chief of Aplaku, Bortianor, Oshiyie and Kokrobite (ABOK) Sarki Salifu Attram has tasked Muslims and Ghanaians in general to reflect on the essence of the holy month of Ramadan and its message of tolerance and forgiveness of sins. Sarki Attram made the statement in his yearly message to wish fellow Muslims worldwide a happy Eid-ul-fitr celebration. He called on Muslims especially the youth not to abandon the good habits they showcased during Ramadan and encouraged them to continue with the good deeds and tolerate one another. He stated that there is the need for all Muslim sects in Ghana to come together for the purpose of development in the Muslim communities. He urged the various sects to further come together and ensure that social amenities for all Muslims are provided and ensures that many Muslims particularly females are enrolled in the field of nursing and other medical professions to help Muslims especially women during delivery. He expressed concern over how male medical practitioners receive Muslim women during childbirth which according to him brings to the fore the need to train Muslim female midwives. He added that "we cannot pretend that all is well hence the need for the various Islamic seats to join heads and find a lasting solution to the problems Muslim women go through at the hospitals." According to him, although there are many success stories in the Muslim communities more is needed to hasten progress. This he said, the time has come for Muslims to venture more into the health and legal sectors of the country. He called on government to put in more effort in ensuring a good economy for Ghanaians to end the country's hardship and improve the general well-being of the people. He noted that the major cause of recession and depression in the country is due to poor economic planning and called all Muslims to remember the country in their prayers during Eid prayers. The Aplaku, Bortianor, Oshiyie and Kokrobite Muslim Paramount Chief use the Eid-ul-fitr celebration to thank his elders and Muslims under his jurisdiction for their peaceful co-existence and for their commitment to the growth and development of ABOK. 21.04.2023 LISTEN A girl of about 25 years has been shot dead by her jealous boyfriend in Kumasi. The incident happened at 10pm yesterday, April 20, 2023 at Adum around Aseda House, according to an eyewitness report. Speaking to journalists, the eye witness (name withheld) stated that the lady known only as Maa Adjoa and her boyfriend (Tycoon) together with another lady were seen conversing around 8pm. At about 10pm, a misunderstanding ensued between Maa Adjoa and Tycoon. The young man accused his girlfriend of cheating and she denied it. The young man pulled a gun and the girlfriend pleaded, Tycoon dont kill me, Ive not cheated on you. He revealed that the jealous boyfriend shot Maa Adjoa five times and she died instantly. According to the report, the killer ensured his victim was dead until he left the scene with a Pragia tricycle. The eyewitness further revealed that he and his friends conveyed the victim to the hospital but he could confirm that Maa Adjoa had died already. The Kumasi Central Police went to the crime scene and picked up evidence. The police are investigating the case to arrest the suspected killer (Tycoon) believed to hail from Breman in the Suame Municipal of the Ashanti region. 21.04.2023 LISTEN The Minister in charge of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah has reacted to the report by the former chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM), Prof. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng. In the report on illegal small-scale mining sent to the Chief of Staff at the Presidency, the Information Minister has been accused of gathering a group of journalists at the Forest Hotel in Dodowa to start a campaign to bring down Prof. Boateng. The renowned surgeon in his report alleged that the purpose of the gathering was to discuss a strategy to bring me Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng down. If Kojo Oppong Nkrumah and the likes of him have presidential ambitions, they should pursue it on merit and not attempt to destroy a hard-working patriot, whose only ambition is work to achieve a Ghana Beyond Aid, Prof. Frimpong-Boateng said in his report dated Friday, March 19, 2021. With excerpts of the report being circulated by several media reports, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah issued a statement to clear the air. According to the Ofoase-Ayirebi Member of Parliament, he is offended that such allegations have been made against him. While noting that he has a lot of admiration for Prof. Frimpong Boateng, he appeals to the former Minister of Environment, Science and Technology to leave him out of his personal fights. What would I, a much younger man, seek to gain from bringing down a person as well respected as Prof Boateng? I had no interests in his profession, his politics or his portfolios. I have absolutely nothing to gain from sullying his reputation, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah said. The Information Minister added, Over the years, I had nothing but great admiration for Prof Boatengs public-spirited works and as an inspirational citizen. I feel gravely offended over the false claims he has made and the hurtful conclusions he has sought to exact about me precisely because of the great esteem in which I have held him. He should kindly leave me out of his personal fights. 21.04.2023 LISTEN Dr. Abed Bandim, the MP for Bunkpurugu in the North East Region of Ghana, has raised concerns over President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo's failure to take a clear stance on the LGBTQ+ issue. The MP called on the government to ensure that LGBTQ+ activities do not find space in the country just as his predecessors frowned on. Speaking to the media on the anti-gay bill before parliament, Dr. Bandim said, LGBTQ+ activities are an abomination to God, Ghana and Africa at large. Traditionally and morally, the Ghanaian society abhors anything that has to do with unnatural carnal knowledge. He also urged Christians to oppose any efforts by the government to promote LGBTQ+ activities in the country. "I am calling on all Christians to unite and kick against the promotion of LGBQT+ activities by the government and I want to assure the good people of Ghana that we, the minority of parliament, will vote in support of the passage of the bill, Dr. Bandim said. The Anti-Gay Bill aims to criminalise LGBTQ+ and its related activities. The Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has denied accusations that he orchestrated a plot to bring down the former Minister for Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng over his fight against illegal mining in the country also known as galamsey. In a statement released on April 21, 2023, Mr Nkrumah rejected allegations made by Prof. Boateng in a 37-page report presented to the Chief of Staff. The report made various damning allegations against some government and political officials who undermined the former Boateng's efforts in clamping down on illegal mining in the country. Mr Nkrumah stated that the accusations were baseless and a deliberate attempt to court public disaffection against his person. He affirmed his admiration for Boateng's public-spirited works and called for reflection on his actions. Over the years, I had nothing but great admiration for Prof Boatengs public-spirited works and as an inspirational citizen. I feel gravely offended over the false claims he has made and the hurtful conclusions he has sought to exact about me precisely because of the great esteem in which I have held him. I trust that in the coming months and years, he will reflect deeply upon his own actions and comments which have led to his challenges. He should kindly leave me out of his personal fights. I am utterly disappointed, but I forgive him, the statement said. Mr Alan Kyerematen, a flagbearer aspirant of the New Patriotic Party, says his years of commitment to empowering local businesses, attracting, and retaining investments in Ghana makes him the best person to lead the party to victory in the 2024 general election. He said any leader who would succeed President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, must be someone with a proven track record of creating jobs and supporting enterprises to ease the debilitating challenges of industrialisation and youth unemployment. Based on that, he was optimistic that the delegates of the party would reward his hard work to enable him to implement policies that would support businesses to expand and create jobs to fix the socioeconomic problems. The former Trades and Industry Minister gave the assurance when he paid a courtesy call on Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II, Omanhen of Oguaa Traditional Area at the Emintimadze Palace as part of a day's tour of the Central Region. The visit was also to officially inform the Chiefs and people of Oguaa about his intention to contest the NPP's Presidential primary and to seek their support in that regard. With his in-depth understanding of the country's industrialization agenda, he promised to build on the government's 10-point Industrial Transformation Programme, including the One District One Factory (1D1F) initiative and the establishment of strategic anchor industries to diversify the economy beyond cocoa and gold. He cited the automobile assembling, garment and textiles, pharmaceuticals and the petrochemical industry, industrial parks, and special economic zones and supporting domestic retail trade and distribution to enhance the growth of the economy. During his tenure, as Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Kyerematen said he supervised the establishment and operationalized more than 100 companies under this initiative with 24 others in the pipeline, and 150 still under construction. Under the automobile assembling initiative, his tenure saw automobile giants such as VW, Nissan, and Toyota, all opening assembly plants in Ghana, hence, his decision to build on these initiatives. For Cape Coast, he pledged to work with all relevant authorities to spearhead development across the metropolis, by particularly promoting small and business-scale enterprises, fisheries, agriculture, and industrialisation. In response, Osabarima Kwesi Atta thanked the son of the soil for returning home and commended him highly for his resolve to tackle the unemployment situation in the country. He said: I am grateful for your vision to tackle unemployment. I have piles of applications from graduates searching for jobs, but where is the work for them? It is very discouraging for children to go through the mill of education only to remain unemployed after school. This is not the best, so, we thank you for your vision, and we hope and pray you succeed in your quest. He admonished political aspirants across parties and followers to eschew the use of intemperate language and be tolerant of opposing views. Later, Mr Kyerematen also paid a courtesy call on the Omanhen of Edina Traditional Area, Nana Kodwo Conduah VI, and the maternal home of Mr Kyerematen where he was welcomed at a brief ceremony. Nana Kodwo Conduah in a short remark encouraged Mr Kyerematen to remain resolute in his political quest by working hard and pray for success. Mr Kyerematen was accompanied by Nana Ohene Ntow, former national General Secretary, Mr Yaw Boaben Asamoa, former national NPP Communications Director, Ms Catherine Ablema Afeku, former Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Ms Gifty Klenam, former Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Export Promotion Authority among a host of other Regional and Constituency and polling station executives. GNA 21.04.2023 LISTEN A food vendor at Pokuase Mayera in Greater Accra Region has accused three male staff of Quick Credit and Micro Credit Investment Limited of assault. The victim identified as Emelia narrating her ordeal said she suffered the assault for defaulting on the loan payment of GHS70. According to the 30-year-old, one of the loan collectors pulled her breast while the others harassed and abused her until a good Samaritan paid the money for her to be freed. I have been taking loans from them [Quick Credit] and even give them customers. So recently I think before December last year I went for Ghc1000 which I repaid with Ghc105 per week for 13 weeks according to the agreement however defaulted payment of Ghc70 to complete the repayment of the loan. When they came. I had just returned from market so I didnt have money on me so I requested them to return the next day but they wont listen. They created scene and embarrassed me. So a woman intervened to guarantee for me before they left. I gave the Ghc70 to the woman since she became the guarantor but when they (Quick Credit staff] came after few days the woman was not around. They became furious that I have conspired with the woman. They were forcing me to take someones money in my purse for them but I told them the money wasnt mine. So the three men pounced on me, torn my dress and dragged me. One of them even pulled my breast. That breast has since been paining me so I go to the hospital frequently to check. They assaulted and used derogatory words against me, my mother and husband. A woman who came to the scene out of worry paid the amount to them before I had my freedom, Emilia narrated to Starr News. After the incident, the victim reported the matter to the Pokuase Police Station. She was issued a medical form and went to the 37 Military Hospital for diagnosis and treatment. Following the checks by medical officers, she received care for the injuries she suffered including multiple contusions on the right arm and chest, as well as muscle-skeletal pain. Smurfit Kappa Group Plc (LON:SKG Get Rating)s share price passed below its 200-day moving average during trading on Tuesday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of GBX 3,067.05 ($37.95) and traded as low as GBX 3,036 ($37.57). Smurfit Kappa Group shares last traded at GBX 3,036 ($37.57), with a volume of 203,281 shares traded. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several research firms recently weighed in on SKG. JPMorgan Chase & Co. downgraded Smurfit Kappa Group to a neutral rating and cut their price target for the stock from GBX 3,430 ($42.45) to GBX 3,400 ($42.07) in a research note on Friday, February 10th. Citigroup restated a buy rating and issued a GBX 5,000 ($61.87) price target on shares of Smurfit Kappa Group in a research note on Saturday, February 11th. Get Smurfit Kappa Group alerts: Smurfit Kappa Group Price Performance The company has a current ratio of 1.49, a quick ratio of 1.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 75.03. The company has a market cap of 7.72 billion, a PE ratio of 953.61 and a beta of 0.95. The firm has a 50 day moving average of GBX 3,045.40 and a two-hundred day moving average of GBX 3,066.88. Smurfit Kappa Group Increases Dividend Smurfit Kappa Group Company Profile The firm also recently announced a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 12th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, April 13th will be paid a dividend of 1.08 ($1.17) per share. This represents a yield of 2.75%. This is an increase from Smurfit Kappa Groups previous dividend of $0.32. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 13th. Smurfit Kappa Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 3,824.45%. (Get Rating) Smurfit Kappa Group plc, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, distributes, and sells paper-based packaging products. It operates through two segments, Europe and the Americas. The company offers consumer, retail, industrial, e-commerce, heavy-duty corrugated, and hexacomb packaging products; composite cardboard tubes, bags, and sacks; and bag-in-box, a single-use packaging system that comprises films, accessories, bags, taps, and boxes. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Smurfit Kappa Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Smurfit Kappa Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Wincanton plc (LON:WIN Get Rating) passed below its 200-day moving average during trading on Tuesday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of GBX 302.81 ($3.75) and traded as low as GBX 211.41 ($2.62). Wincanton shares last traded at GBX 213 ($2.64), with a volume of 86,198 shares. Wincanton Stock Performance The business has a 50-day moving average price of GBX 243.48 and a 200-day moving average price of GBX 302.18. The firm has a market capitalization of 266.52 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 545.51 and a beta of 0.71. The company has a quick ratio of 0.66, a current ratio of 0.66 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 317.76. Wincanton Company Profile (Get Rating) Wincanton plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides a range of outsourced and integrated supply chain solutions in the United Kingdom and Ireland. It offers business critical services, including storage, handling and distribution, eFulfilment, retailer, home delivery, fleet and transport management, and network optimization. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Wincanton Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Wincanton and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. 9258 Wealth Management LLC lowered its position in shares of Oracle Co. (NYSE:ORCL Get Rating) by 0.3% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 89,352 shares of the enterprise software providers stock after selling 274 shares during the period. Oracle comprises about 1.6% of 9258 Wealth Management LLCs holdings, making the stock its 13th largest holding. 9258 Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Oracle were worth $7,304,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Chemistry Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in Oracle by 0.4% during the 4th quarter. Chemistry Wealth Management LLC now owns 33,617 shares of the enterprise software providers stock worth $2,748,000 after acquiring an additional 118 shares in the last quarter. Steigerwald Gordon & Koch Inc. raised its stake in Oracle by 2.3% during the 4th quarter. Steigerwald Gordon & Koch Inc. now owns 5,202 shares of the enterprise software providers stock worth $425,000 after acquiring an additional 119 shares in the last quarter. Profund Advisors LLC raised its stake in Oracle by 0.7% during the 4th quarter. Profund Advisors LLC now owns 18,416 shares of the enterprise software providers stock worth $1,505,000 after acquiring an additional 121 shares in the last quarter. American National Bank raised its stake in Oracle by 0.7% during the 4th quarter. American National Bank now owns 19,225 shares of the enterprise software providers stock worth $1,571,000 after acquiring an additional 126 shares in the last quarter. Finally, London & Capital Asset Management Ltd raised its stake in Oracle by 1.1% during the 3rd quarter. London & Capital Asset Management Ltd now owns 12,063 shares of the enterprise software providers stock worth $737,000 after acquiring an additional 135 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 40.96% of the companys stock. Get Oracle alerts: Oracle Price Performance ORCL traded down $0.08 on Friday, hitting $94.75. 2,682,981 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 7,139,392. The firm has a market capitalization of $255.81 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.30, a PEG ratio of 3.01 and a beta of 1.00. Oracle Co. has a 12 month low of $60.78 and a 12 month high of $96.74. The business has a 50-day moving average of $89.73 and a two-hundred day moving average of $83.17. Oracle Increases Dividend Oracle ( NYSE:ORCL Get Rating ) last released its earnings results on Thursday, March 9th. The enterprise software provider reported $1.22 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.20 by $0.02. Oracle had a net margin of 17.46% and a negative return on equity of 262.40%. The business had revenue of $12.40 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $12.42 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.94 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 17.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts expect that Oracle Co. will post 4.01 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 24th. Investors of record on Tuesday, April 11th will be issued a $0.40 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, April 10th. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.69%. This is a positive change from Oracles previous quarterly dividend of $0.32. Oracles dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 52.81%. Insider Buying and Selling at Oracle In related news, CEO Safra Catz sold 1,837,101 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, April 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $93.86, for a total value of $172,430,299.86. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 1,118,592 shares in the company, valued at approximately $104,991,045.12. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In other news, CEO Safra Catz sold 1,837,101 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, April 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $93.86, for a total transaction of $172,430,299.86. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 1,118,592 shares in the company, valued at $104,991,045.12. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Jeffrey Berg sold 45,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, April 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $93.65, for a total value of $4,214,250.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 207,409 shares in the company, valued at $19,423,852.85. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 1,890,181 shares of company stock valued at $177,370,295 in the last quarter. 43.70% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several equities research analysts recently commented on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group set a $105.00 price target on shares of Oracle in a research note on Friday, March 10th. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price objective on shares of Oracle from $75.00 to $84.00 in a report on Friday, March 10th. TheStreet raised shares of Oracle from a c rating to a b- rating in a report on Thursday, January 26th. Credit Suisse Group set a $115.00 price target on shares of Oracle and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, March 15th. Finally, Mizuho reissued a buy rating and set a $116.00 price objective on shares of Oracle in a research note on Monday, March 6th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, twelve have given a hold rating and thirteen have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $95.46. About Oracle (Get Rating) Oracle Corp. engages in the provision of products and services that address all aspects of corporate information technology environments. It operates through the following business segments: Cloud and License, Hardware, and Services. The Cloud and License segment markets, sells, and delivers applications, platform, and infrastructure technologies. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ORCL? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Oracle Co. (NYSE:ORCL Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Oracle Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Oracle and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. A Dauphin County woman faces charges after police said she intentionally turned in front of a semi-truck to cause a crash that killed her passenger in March. Badger Meter, Inc. (NYSE:BMI 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 1,040,000 shares, a decline of 6.3% from the March 15th total of 1,110,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 132,100 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 7.9 days. Currently, 3.6% of the companys shares are short sold. Insider Buying and Selling at Badger Meter In other news, VP Fred J. Begale sold 385 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $119.73, for a total transaction of $46,096.05. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 2,863 shares of the companys stock, valued at $342,786.99. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In other news, VP Kimberly K. Stoll sold 1,620 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $120.88, for a total transaction of $195,825.60. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 4,413 shares of the companys stock, valued at $533,443.44. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, VP Fred J. Begale sold 385 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $119.73, for a total value of $46,096.05. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 2,863 shares in the company, valued at $342,786.99. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.70% of the companys stock. Get Badger Meter alerts: Institutional Inflows and Outflows Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd bought a new position in shares of Badger Meter during the third quarter valued at $41,000. Mutual of America Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Badger Meter by 18.4% during the third quarter. Mutual of America Capital Management LLC now owns 5,823 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock valued at $538,000 after purchasing an additional 907 shares in the last quarter. Synovus Financial Corp lifted its holdings in shares of Badger Meter by 26.4% during the third quarter. Synovus Financial Corp now owns 9,407 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock valued at $868,000 after purchasing an additional 1,962 shares in the last quarter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund lifted its holdings in shares of Badger Meter by 0.9% during the third quarter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund now owns 9,685 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock valued at $895,000 after purchasing an additional 89 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Credit Suisse AG lifted its holdings in shares of Badger Meter by 0.4% during the third quarter. Credit Suisse AG now owns 41,497 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock valued at $3,834,000 after purchasing an additional 159 shares in the last quarter. 86.21% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Badger Meter Trading Up 10.7 % Badger Meter stock traded up $12.84 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $133.34. The company had a trading volume of 479,490 shares, compared to its average volume of 135,338. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $119.55 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $113.66. Badger Meter has a 12 month low of $73.20 and a 12 month high of $138.12. The company has a market capitalization of $3.91 billion, a PE ratio of 58.74 and a beta of 0.89. Badger Meter (NYSE:BMI Get Rating) last released its earnings results on Thursday, April 20th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $0.66 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.55 by $0.11. Badger Meter had a return on equity of 15.73% and a net margin of 11.76%. The business had revenue of $159.10 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $142.73 million. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $0.49 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 20.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts anticipate that Badger Meter will post 2.57 EPS for the current year. Badger Meter Announces Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 24th were issued a dividend of $0.225 per share. This represents a $0.90 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.67%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 23rd. Badger Meters payout ratio is currently 39.65%. Analysts Set New Price Targets BMI has been the topic of several recent research reports. Stifel Nicolaus upped their price target on Badger Meter from $108.00 to $109.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Monday. StockNews.com raised Badger Meter from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Monday. Finally, Robert W. Baird upped their price target on Badger Meter from $110.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Monday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Badger Meter currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $101.33. Badger Meter Company Profile (Get Rating) Badger Meter, Inc engages in the provision of flow measurement, control products, and communications solutions that serve water utilities, municipalities, and commercial and industrial customers worldwide. Its products are classified into two categories: Municipal Water and Flow Instrumentation. Municipal water products include water meters and related technologies to municipal water utilities. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Badger Meter Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Badger Meter and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bank of Montreal (TSE:BMO Get Rating) (NYSE:BMO) passed below its two hundred day moving average during trading on Tuesday . The stock has a two hundred day moving average of C$126.47 and traded as low as C$122.79. Bank of Montreal shares last traded at C$123.53, with a volume of 1,458,922 shares traded. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada cut their target price on shares of Bank of Montreal from C$154.00 to C$151.00 in a research report on Monday, March 27th. CSFB cut their target price on shares of Bank of Montreal from C$150.00 to C$147.00 in a research report on Wednesday, March 1st. Barclays upped their target price on shares of Bank of Montreal from C$146.00 to C$149.00 in a research report on Wednesday, March 1st. TD Securities cut their target price on shares of Bank of Montreal from C$145.00 to C$140.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, March 1st. Finally, National Bankshares cut their target price on shares of Bank of Montreal from C$135.00 to C$133.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, March 1st. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of C$148.95. Get Bank of Montreal alerts: Bank of Montreal Trading Up 0.1 % The business has a 50 day moving average of C$124.55 and a 200-day moving average of C$126.46. The firm has a market capitalization of C$87.17 billion, a P/E ratio of 6.20, a PEG ratio of 1.49 and a beta of 1.13. Bank of Montreal Announces Dividend About Bank of Montreal The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 26th. Investors of record on Friday, April 28th will be paid a dividend of $1.43 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 27th. This represents a $5.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.62%. Bank of Montreals payout ratio is 28.61%. (Get Rating) Bank of Montreal engages in the provision of diversified financial services primarily in North America. The company's personal banking products and services include checking and savings accounts, credit cards, mortgages, personal loans, small business lending, cash management, and financial and investment advice services; and commercial banking products and services comprise business deposit accounts, commercial credit cards, business loans and commercial mortgages, cash management solutions, foreign exchange, specialized banking programs, treasury and payment solutions, and risk management products for small business and commercial banking customers. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Bank of Montreal Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bank of Montreal and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited (OTCMKTS:BXRBF 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 3,735,300 shares, a decrease of 7.3% from the March 15th total of 4,031,500 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 0 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently days. Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Price Performance BXRBF stock opened at $5.82 on Friday. Bendigo and Adelaide Bank has a one year low of $5.82 and a one year high of $6.58. The firms 50 day moving average price is $6.14 and its 200-day moving average price is $6.38. Get Bendigo and Adelaide Bank alerts: Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Company Profile (Get Rating) See Also Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited provides banking and financial products and services to retail customers and small to medium sized businesses in Australia. The company operates through Consumer, Business and Agribusiness, and Corporate segments. It offers a range of products and services, including personal and business banking, financial planning, commercial mortgages and unsecured loans, investment products, insurance, and superannuation. Receive News & Ratings for Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bendigo and Adelaide Bank and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. China CITIC Bank Co. Limited (OTCMKTS:CHCJY Get Rating)s share price reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Friday . The company traded as high as $10.38 and last traded at $10.38, with a volume of 4 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $10.38. China CITIC Bank Price Performance The stock has a 50 day moving average of $9.44 and a 200-day moving average of $8.84. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.57, a quick ratio of 0.85 and a current ratio of 0.85. Get China CITIC Bank alerts: China CITIC Bank (OTCMKTS:CHCJY Get Rating) last released its earnings results on Thursday, March 23rd. The company reported $0.70 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $7.16 billion during the quarter. China CITIC Bank Company Profile China CITIC Bank Corporation Limited provides various banking products and services in the People's Republic of China and internationally. The company operates through Corporate Banking, Personal Banking, and Treasury Operations segments. It accepts deposits; offers corporate and personal loans; and provides securities agency, remittance and settlement, and guarantee services, as well as investment banking and international services. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for China CITIC Bank Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for China CITIC Bank and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Dr. Martens (OTCMKTS:DOCMF Get Rating) had its target price trimmed by Royal Bank of Canada from GBX 240 ($2.97) to GBX 230 ($2.85) in a research note published on Monday, The Fly reports. Other analysts have also recently issued research reports about the company. The Goldman Sachs Group cut Dr. Martens from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, January 23rd. Barclays dropped their price target on Dr. Martens from GBX 270 ($3.34) to GBX 195 ($2.41) in a research report on Friday, February 17th. Morgan Stanley dropped their price target on Dr. Martens from GBX 226 ($2.80) to GBX 205 ($2.54) in a research report on Friday, January 20th. Finally, HSBC cut Dr. Martens from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 25th. Get Dr. Martens alerts: Dr. Martens Stock Performance Shares of OTCMKTS DOCMF opened at $2.05 on Monday. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $1.82 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $2.26. Dr. Martens has a 52-week low of $1.58 and a 52-week high of $3.51. Dr. Martens Company Profile Dr. Martens plc designs, develops, procures, markets, sells, and distributes footwear in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Americas, and the Asia-Pacific. Its product segments include originals, fusion, kids, and casual, as well as accessories. The company offers its products under the Dr. Martens brand name. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Dr. Martens Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Dr. Martens and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of East Africa Metals Inc. (CVE:EAM Get Rating) traded up 8.3% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The company traded as high as C$0.13 and last traded at C$0.13. 20,000 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 37% from the average session volume of 31,995 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.12. East Africa Metals Price Performance The businesss 50-day simple moving average is C$0.14 and its 200-day simple moving average is C$0.13. The stock has a market cap of C$26.56 million, a PE ratio of -4.33 and a beta of 1.09. The company has a quick ratio of 0.26, a current ratio of 1.24 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.99. East Africa Metals Company Profile (Get Rating) East Africa Metals Inc, a mineral exploration company, focuses on the identification, acquisition, exploration, development, and sale of base and precious mineral resource properties in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the United Republic of Tanzania. The company primarily explores for gold, copper, silver, and zinc deposits. Read More Receive News & Ratings for East Africa Metals Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for East Africa Metals and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (NYSE:EBS Get Rating) saw a significant increase in short interest in the month of March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 7,600,000 shares, an increase of 22.4% from the March 15th total of 6,210,000 shares. Approximately 18.7% of the companys shares are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 1,650,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 4.6 days. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Emergent BioSolutions Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of EBS. Covestor Ltd boosted its holdings in Emergent BioSolutions by 43.8% in the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 1,612 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $66,000 after buying an additional 491 shares during the period. Baird Financial Group Inc. boosted its holdings in Emergent BioSolutions by 9.1% in the 1st quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 7,313 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $300,000 after buying an additional 607 shares during the period. Centaurus Financial Inc. boosted its holdings in Emergent BioSolutions by 19.6% in the 1st quarter. Centaurus Financial Inc. now owns 3,796 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $156,000 after buying an additional 621 shares during the period. Guggenheim Capital LLC boosted its holdings in Emergent BioSolutions by 0.8% in the 1st quarter. Guggenheim Capital LLC now owns 85,792 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $3,522,000 after buying an additional 680 shares during the period. Finally, Ancora Advisors LLC bought a new position in Emergent BioSolutions in the 1st quarter worth $66,000. 80.44% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Emergent BioSolutions alerts: Emergent BioSolutions Stock Performance EBS traded down $0.44 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $10.26. 1,343,210 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,611,415. The stock has a market capitalization of $517.10 million, a P/E ratio of -2.29 and a beta of 0.93. The company has a quick ratio of 0.70, a current ratio of 0.98 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32. The companys fifty day moving average price is $11.26 and its 200-day moving average price is $13.51. Emergent BioSolutions has a 52-week low of $7.74 and a 52-week high of $41.29. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Emergent BioSolutions ( NYSE:EBS Get Rating ) last announced its earnings results on Monday, February 27th. The biopharmaceutical company reported ($0.31) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.31 by ($0.62). The company had revenue of $330.70 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $298.23 million. Emergent BioSolutions had a negative net margin of 19.97% and a negative return on equity of 7.57%. Emergent BioSolutionss quarterly revenue was down 54.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $4.50 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Emergent BioSolutions will post -1.23 EPS for the current year. EBS has been the topic of several recent research reports. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Emergent BioSolutions in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a sell rating on the stock. TheStreet cut Emergent BioSolutions from a c- rating to a d rating in a report on Monday, February 27th. Benchmark raised Emergent BioSolutions from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $22.00 target price for the company in a report on Monday, April 10th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. restated an underweight rating and set a $9.00 target price (down previously from $23.00) on shares of Emergent BioSolutions in a research report on Friday, March 17th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $29.67. Emergent BioSolutions Company Profile (Get Rating) Emergent BioSolutions Inc engages in the development, manufacture, and commercialization of medical countermeasures. It offers products for civilian and military populations that address accidental, intentional, and naturally occurring public health threats. The firms products include ACAM2000, BioThrax, Raxibacuma, Vaxchora, and VIGIV. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Emergent BioSolutions Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Emergent BioSolutions and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Epacria Capital Partners LLC purchased a new stake in Euronav NV (NYSE:EURN Get Rating) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor purchased 79,915 shares of the shipping companys stock, valued at approximately $1,362,000. Euronav comprises about 1.4% of Epacria Capital Partners LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 25th biggest position. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Amundi raised its position in Euronav by 26.8% in the 2nd quarter. Amundi now owns 5,558 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $67,000 after purchasing an additional 1,173 shares during the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. raised its position in Euronav by 43.8% in the 3rd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 5,160 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $80,000 after purchasing an additional 1,572 shares during the last quarter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC raised its position in Euronav by 5.3% in the 1st quarter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC now owns 31,861 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $337,000 after purchasing an additional 1,617 shares during the last quarter. Credit Suisse AG raised its position in Euronav by 1.0% in the 3rd quarter. Credit Suisse AG now owns 176,072 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $2,710,000 after purchasing an additional 1,713 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank raised its position in Euronav by 6.6% in the 4th quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 29,981 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $502,000 after purchasing an additional 1,846 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 68.04% of the companys stock. Get Euronav alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In EURN has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Stifel Nicolaus downgraded shares of Euronav from a buy rating to a hold rating and cut their price objective for the stock from $20.00 to $17.00 in a research report on Tuesday, January 10th. Jefferies Financial Group restated a buy rating and set a $24.00 price objective on shares of Euronav in a research report on Tuesday, March 21st. TheStreet upgraded shares of Euronav from a c+ rating to a b rating in a research report on Monday, February 6th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft downgraded shares of Euronav from a buy rating to a hold rating and upped their price objective for the stock from $19.00 to $20.00 in a research report on Monday, March 6th. Finally, StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Euronav in a research report on Thursday, March 16th. They set a hold rating for the company. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $20.70. Euronav Price Performance Shares of EURN traded down $0.37 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $16.66. The company had a trading volume of 230,595 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,239,407. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $17.31 and a 200-day simple moving average of $17.30. The company has a current ratio of 2.39, a quick ratio of 2.22 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71. The company has a market capitalization of $3.36 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.86 and a beta of 0.22. Euronav NV has a 12-month low of $9.94 and a 12-month high of $21.00. Euronav (NYSE:EURN Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 2nd. The shipping company reported $1.16 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.80 by $0.36. The business had revenue of $322.93 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $362.95 million. Euronav had a net margin of 23.67% and a return on equity of 9.65%. Research analysts expect that Euronav NV will post 2.06 earnings per share for the current year. Euronav Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 2nd. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, February 22nd were issued a $0.03 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 21st. This represents a dividend yield of 0.74%. Euronav Profile (Get Rating) Euronav NV engages in the ocean transportation and storage of crude oil. The firm operates through the following segments: Operation of crude oil tankers on the international markets (Tankers) and Floating Production, Storage and Offloading Operations (FSO/FPSO). The Tankers segment provides shipping services for crude oil seaborne transportation. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EURN? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Euronav NV (NYSE:EURN Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Euronav Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Euronav and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. ESG Planning bought a new position in shares of iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:SGOV Get Rating) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund bought 377,742 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $37,827,000. iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF comprises about 46.7% of ESG Plannings investment portfolio, making the stock its largest holding. ESG Planning owned approximately 0.58% of iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Wealthsource Partners LLC boosted its holdings in shares of iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF by 55.8% in the 3rd quarter. Wealthsource Partners LLC now owns 17,460 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,751,000 after acquiring an additional 6,253 shares during the last quarter. Royal Bank of Canada boosted its holdings in shares of iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF by 44.3% in the 3rd quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 242,594 shares of the companys stock valued at $24,324,000 after acquiring an additional 74,449 shares during the last quarter. Psagot Value Holdings Ltd. Israel boosted its holdings in shares of iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF by 18,076.9% in the 4th quarter. Psagot Value Holdings Ltd. Israel now owns 28,356 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,840,000 after acquiring an additional 28,200 shares during the last quarter. Integrated Advisors Network LLC acquired a new position in shares of iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF in the 3rd quarter valued at $268,000. Finally, Arkfeld Wealth Strategies L.L.C. lifted its stake in shares of iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF by 41.1% in the 4th quarter. Arkfeld Wealth Strategies L.L.C. now owns 3,527 shares of the companys stock valued at $353,000 after purchasing an additional 1,027 shares during the period. Get iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF alerts: iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF Stock Performance Shares of SGOV traded up $0.01 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $100.52. The stock had a trading volume of 597,840 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,393,332. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $100.36 and a 200 day moving average price of $100.26. iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF has a fifty-two week low of $99.96 and a fifty-two week high of $100.58. iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF Company Profile Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SGOV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:SGOV Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Essex Investment Management Co. LLC reduced its holdings in shares of O-I Glass, Inc. (NYSE:OI Get Rating) by 1.0% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 104,870 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 1,055 shares during the quarter. Essex Investment Management Co. LLC owned approximately 0.07% of O-I Glass worth $1,738,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can bought a new stake in O-I Glass during the 3rd quarter worth $70,013,000. Levin Capital Strategies L.P. boosted its position in shares of O-I Glass by 91.9% during the 3rd quarter. Levin Capital Strategies L.P. now owns 3,376,203 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $43,722,000 after purchasing an additional 1,616,942 shares in the last quarter. Point72 Asset Management L.P. boosted its position in shares of O-I Glass by 7,574.7% during the 3rd quarter. Point72 Asset Management L.P. now owns 1,074,462 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $13,914,000 after purchasing an additional 1,060,462 shares in the last quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. boosted its position in shares of O-I Glass by 403.7% during the 3rd quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 1,059,631 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $13,722,000 after purchasing an additional 849,274 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its stake in O-I Glass by 19.2% during the 3rd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 3,389,263 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $43,892,000 after buying an additional 545,899 shares during the period. 93.60% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get O-I Glass alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets Several brokerages have recently commented on OI. Royal Bank of Canada raised O-I Glass from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating and increased their price objective for the stock from $20.00 to $34.00 in a research note on Thursday, February 2nd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their price objective on O-I Glass from $18.00 to $24.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Thursday, February 2nd. KeyCorp increased their price objective on O-I Glass from $12.00 to $15.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a report on Thursday, February 2nd. Barclays raised their price target on O-I Glass from $13.00 to $18.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a report on Monday, February 6th. Finally, Citigroup increased their price objective on O-I Glass from $22.00 to $25.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, February 3rd. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $23.50. O-I Glass Stock Performance OI stock opened at $21.36 on Friday. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $22.06 and its 200 day simple moving average is $18.90. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.32 billion, a PE ratio of 5.96, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.20 and a beta of 1.36. The company has a current ratio of 1.10, a quick ratio of 0.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.86. O-I Glass, Inc. has a 12-month low of $11.60 and a 12-month high of $23.52. O-I Glass (NYSE:OI Get Rating) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 31st. The industrial products company reported $0.38 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.32 by $0.06. The firm had revenue of $1.70 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.59 billion. O-I Glass had a return on equity of 27.42% and a net margin of 8.52%. The companys revenue was up 7.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.36 EPS. As a group, research analysts forecast that O-I Glass, Inc. will post 2.58 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Insider Transactions at O-I Glass In other news, insider Vitaliano Torno sold 17,299 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $22.22, for a total value of $384,383.78. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 158,010 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,510,982.20. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other O-I Glass news, insider Vitaliano Torno sold 17,299 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $22.22, for a total value of $384,383.78. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 158,010 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,510,982.20. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, SVP Arnaud Aujouannet sold 2,510 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $22.33, for a total value of $56,048.30. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 55,368 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,236,367.44. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.34% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. O-I Glass Company Profile (Get Rating) O-I Glass, Inc engages in manufacturing of glass products. It offers products to the food and beverage sectors. The firm operates through the following geographical segments: Americas, Europe, and Asia Pacific. The company was founded in 1929 and is headquartered in Perrysburg, OH. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for O-I Glass Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for O-I Glass and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Missouri has received $3.7 million in federal funds designed to help implement red-flag gun laws, but a state official said such a law is not Fortis (TSE:FTS Get Rating) had its price target hoisted by analysts at CIBC from C$57.00 to C$59.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Friday, BayStreet.CA reports. CIBCs price target would indicate a potential downside of 1.45% from the companys current price. Several other brokerages have also commented on FTS. Scotiabank upped their price target on Fortis from C$57.00 to C$58.00 in a research note on Monday, January 23rd. Bank of America lifted their target price on Fortis from C$51.00 to C$52.00 in a research note on Friday, March 24th. UBS Group lowered their price target on Fortis from C$53.00 to C$51.00 in a report on Monday, March 6th. National Bankshares upped their price target on Fortis from C$55.00 to C$56.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research note on Monday, February 13th. Finally, CSFB boosted their price objective on Fortis from C$61.00 to C$62.00 in a research report on Wednesday, March 15th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Fortis presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of C$57.96. Get Fortis alerts: Fortis Stock Up 0.6 % Shares of FTS traded up C$0.34 during midday trading on Friday, hitting C$59.87. The company had a trading volume of 433,379 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,972,075. The companys 50-day simple moving average is C$56.50 and its 200-day simple moving average is C$54.77. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 127.16, a quick ratio of 0.36 and a current ratio of 0.64. The firm has a market capitalization of C$29.00 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.53, a P/E/G ratio of 3.10 and a beta of 0.16. Fortis has a 1 year low of C$48.45 and a 1 year high of C$65.26. Fortis Company Profile Fortis ( TSE:FTS Get Rating ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, February 10th. The company reported C$0.72 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of C$0.70 by C$0.02. Fortis had a return on equity of 6.92% and a net margin of 12.62%. The company had revenue of C$3.17 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of C$2.75 billion. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Fortis will post 2.9281849 EPS for the current year. (Get Rating) Fortis Inc operates as an electric and gas utility company in Canada, the United States, and the Caribbean countries. It generates, transmits, and distributes electricity to approximately 438,000 retail customers in southeastern Arizona; and 100,000 retail customers in Arizona's Mohave and Santa Cruz counties with an aggregate capacity of 3,485 megawatts (MW), including 53 MW of solar capacity and 252 MV of wind capacity. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Fortis Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Fortis and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. (NYSE:ASR Get Rating) dropped 4.3% during trading on Friday . The company traded as low as $282.71 and last traded at $282.76. Approximately 57,602 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 12% from the average daily volume of 65,282 shares. The stock had previously closed at $295.60. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several equities analysts recently issued reports on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered shares of Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. from an overweight rating to a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, March 30th. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their target price on shares of Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. from $215.00 to $255.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, March 3rd. Finally, StockNews.com raised shares of Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Thursday, April 13th. Get Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste S. A. B. de C. V. alerts: Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. Price Performance The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $293.54 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $261.34. The company has a market cap of $8.47 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.78, a P/E/G ratio of 5.96 and a beta of 1.08. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27, a quick ratio of 3.70 and a current ratio of 3.25. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. ( NYSE:ASR Get Rating ) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, February 23rd. The transportation company reported $4.34 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $4.69 by ($0.35). The business had revenue of $369.64 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $364.55 million. Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. had a return on equity of 21.49% and a net margin of 40.06%. On average, analysts predict that Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. will post 11.32 EPS for the current fiscal year. A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in ASR. Atlas Capital Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. by 55.7% in the 3rd quarter. Atlas Capital Advisors LLC now owns 151 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 54 shares in the last quarter. Wipfli Financial Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. during the third quarter worth about $39,000. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. increased its stake in Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. by 256.1% in the 3rd quarter. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. now owns 203 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $40,000 after acquiring an additional 146 shares during the last quarter. New York State Common Retirement Fund purchased a new position in Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. in the 4th quarter worth $40,000. Finally, Addison Advisors LLC boosted its position in Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. by 25.6% during the third quarter. Addison Advisors LLC now owns 265 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $52,000 after buying an additional 54 shares during the period. 15.66% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. Company Profile (Get Rating) Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste SA de CV is a holding company, which engages in the operation, maintenance, and development of airports It operates through the following segments: Cancun, Aerostar, Airplan, Villahermosa, Merida, Holding and Services, and Other. The company was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Mexico City, Mexico. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste S. A. B. de C. V. Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste S. A. B. de C. V. and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Hewlett Packard Enterprise (NYSE:HPE Get Rating) traded down 5% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as low as $14.98 and last traded at $14.99. 6,630,734 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 50% from the average session volume of 13,137,747 shares. The stock had previously closed at $15.78. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades HPE has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Citigroup boosted their price objective on shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise from $13.00 to $14.00 in a research report on Friday, March 3rd. Barclays cut shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and set a $18.00 target price on the stock. in a research note on Tuesday, January 10th. Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise from $13.00 to $14.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research note on Friday, March 3rd. The Goldman Sachs Group initiated coverage on shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise in a research note on Monday, March 20th. They issued a neutral rating and a $15.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Bank of America boosted their price target on shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise from $16.00 to $17.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Monday. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $16.85. Get Hewlett Packard Enterprise alerts: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Stock Performance The company has a current ratio of 0.85, a quick ratio of 0.63 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38. The firm has a market capitalization of $18.67 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.37, a PEG ratio of 2.45 and a beta of 1.23. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $15.43 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $15.31. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Announces Dividend Hewlett Packard Enterprise ( NYSE:HPE Get Rating ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, March 2nd. The technology company reported $0.63 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.52 by $0.11. Hewlett Packard Enterprise had a net margin of 2.92% and a return on equity of 4.22%. The business had revenue of $7.81 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.40 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.39 EPS. The companys revenue was up 12.2% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts forecast that Hewlett Packard Enterprise will post 1.32 EPS for the current year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, April 14th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 17th were issued a dividend of $0.12 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, March 16th. This represents a $0.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.33%. Hewlett Packard Enterprises payout ratio is presently 73.85%. Insiders Place Their Bets In related news, EVP Alan Richard May sold 703,226 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $15.11, for a total value of $10,625,744.86. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 249,511 shares in the company, valued at $3,770,111.21. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In other Hewlett Packard Enterprise news, EVP Alan Richard May sold 703,226 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $15.11, for a total transaction of $10,625,744.86. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 249,511 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,770,111.21. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Jean M. Hobby sold 10,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $15.28, for a total value of $152,800.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 46,161 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $705,340.08. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 747,314 shares of company stock worth $11,291,569. Company insiders own 0.53% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of HPE. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. raised its stake in shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise by 10.8% in the first quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 74,736 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $1,249,000 after purchasing an additional 7,285 shares in the last quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO. raised its stake in Hewlett Packard Enterprise by 12.6% during the first quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO. now owns 16,151 shares of the technology companys stock worth $270,000 after acquiring an additional 1,809 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. raised its stake in Hewlett Packard Enterprise by 46.4% during the first quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 16,080 shares of the technology companys stock worth $269,000 after acquiring an additional 5,095 shares in the last quarter. Blair William & Co. IL raised its stake in Hewlett Packard Enterprise by 9.8% during the first quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 332,584 shares of the technology companys stock worth $5,557,000 after acquiring an additional 29,819 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Aviva PLC raised its stake in Hewlett Packard Enterprise by 45.8% during the first quarter. Aviva PLC now owns 634,757 shares of the technology companys stock worth $10,607,000 after acquiring an additional 199,382 shares in the last quarter. 81.36% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company Profile (Get Rating) Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co is a global edge-to-cloud company, which engages in the provision of information technology, technology and enterprise products, solutions, and services. It operates through the following segments: Compute, High Performance Computing & Artificial Intelligence (HPC & AI), Storage, Intelligent Edge, Financial Services, and Corporate Investments and Other. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Hewlett Packard Enterprise Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hewlett Packard Enterprise and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund increased its position in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO Get Rating) by 25.8% during the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 309,336 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 63,386 shares during the period. Illinois Municipal Retirement Funds holdings in Altria Group were worth $14,140,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. FCF Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Altria Group by 69.5% in the 4th quarter. FCF Advisors LLC now owns 37,495 shares of the companys stock worth $1,714,000 after purchasing an additional 15,369 shares in the last quarter. OLD National Bancorp IN raised its holdings in Altria Group by 4.9% in the 4th quarter. OLD National Bancorp IN now owns 152,942 shares of the companys stock worth $6,991,000 after purchasing an additional 7,202 shares in the last quarter. Ignite Planners LLC raised its holdings in Altria Group by 11.2% in the 4th quarter. Ignite Planners LLC now owns 12,342 shares of the companys stock worth $545,000 after purchasing an additional 1,247 shares in the last quarter. Spreng Capital Management Inc. raised its holdings in Altria Group by 5.8% in the 4th quarter. Spreng Capital Management Inc. now owns 46,285 shares of the companys stock worth $2,116,000 after purchasing an additional 2,558 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Securian Asset Management Inc. raised its holdings in Altria Group by 1.9% in the 4th quarter. Securian Asset Management Inc. now owns 149,503 shares of the companys stock worth $6,834,000 after purchasing an additional 2,805 shares in the last quarter. 58.68% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Altria Group alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several brokerages have commented on MO. Citigroup decreased their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $49.50 to $47.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Monday. Stifel Nicolaus began coverage on shares of Altria Group in a report on Thursday, April 13th. They issued a buy rating and a $52.00 price objective for the company. Morgan Stanley upped their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $43.00 to $46.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Monday, January 23rd. Finally, StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Altria Group in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a buy rating for the company. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $45.50. Altria Group Stock Performance Shares of Altria Group stock traded down $0.19 during trading on Friday, hitting $45.80. The companys stock had a trading volume of 3,411,114 shares, compared to its average volume of 8,110,346. The company has a market capitalization of $81.81 billion, a PE ratio of 14.42, a P/E/G ratio of 2.28 and a beta of 0.59. Altria Group, Inc. has a 52 week low of $40.35 and a 52 week high of $57.03. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $45.98 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $45.60. Altria Group (NYSE:MO Get Rating) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, February 1st. The company reported $1.18 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $1.18. The business 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 period in the previous year, the company earned $1.09 earnings per share. As a group, analysts predict that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.06 EPS for the current year. Altria Group Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 28th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 24th will be paid a $0.94 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 23rd. This represents a $3.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 8.21%. Altria Groups dividend payout ratio is presently 117.87%. About Altria Group (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. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Altria Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Altria Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. CX Institutional raised its position in iShares MSCI Canada ETF (NYSEARCA:EWC Get Rating) by 2.8% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 177,003 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after acquiring an additional 4,762 shares during the quarter. CX Institutionals holdings in iShares MSCI Canada ETF were worth $5,793,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of EWC. BlackRock Inc. grew its position in iShares MSCI Canada ETF by 190.9% in the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 2,626,898 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $105,628,000 after acquiring an additional 1,723,720 shares in the last quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank boosted its holdings in iShares MSCI Canada ETF by 2,133.1% in the third quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank now owns 1,177,260 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $36,233,000 after purchasing an additional 1,124,541 shares in the last quarter. Korea Investment CORP boosted its holdings in iShares MSCI Canada ETF by 333.6% in the third quarter. Korea Investment CORP now owns 1,050,391 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $32,310,000 after purchasing an additional 808,115 shares in the last quarter. First Republic Investment Management Inc. boosted its holdings in iShares MSCI Canada ETF by 319.1% in the first quarter. First Republic Investment Management Inc. now owns 889,952 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $35,785,000 after purchasing an additional 677,605 shares in the last quarter. Finally, State Street Corp boosted its holdings in iShares MSCI Canada ETF by 53.1% in the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 1,481,828 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $49,908,000 after purchasing an additional 513,794 shares in the last quarter. Get iShares MSCI Canada ETF alerts: iShares MSCI Canada ETF Stock Down 0.3 % EWC traded down $0.09 on Friday, reaching $35.17. The companys stock had a trading volume of 563,305 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,523,993. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $34.20 and a two-hundred day moving average of $33.84. The company has a market capitalization of $3.61 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.06 and a beta of 1.02. iShares MSCI Canada ETF has a fifty-two week low of $29.55 and a fifty-two week high of $39.09. iShares MSCI Canada ETF Company Profile iShares MSCI Canada ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares MSCI Canada Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of publicly traded securities in the Canadian market, as measured by the MSCI Canada Index (the Index). Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EWC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares MSCI Canada ETF (NYSEARCA:EWC Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI Canada ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI Canada ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. JinkoSolar (NYSE:JKS Get Rating) will announce its earnings results before the market opens on Friday, April 28th. Analysts expect JinkoSolar to post earnings of $0.37 per share for the quarter. JinkoSolar (NYSE:JKS Get Rating) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, March 10th. The semiconductor company reported $1.50 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.45 by $0.05. JinkoSolar had a net margin of 0.75% and a return on equity of 6.84%. The business had revenue of $4.41 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.76 billion. On average, analysts expect JinkoSolar to post $7 EPS for the current fiscal year and $9 EPS for the next fiscal year. Get JinkoSolar alerts: JinkoSolar Price Performance NYSE JKS opened at $48.92 on Friday. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $50.60 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $50.06. The company has a current ratio of 1.07, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58. JinkoSolar has a 12-month low of $38.43 and a 12-month high of $76.92. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.45 billion, a P/E ratio of -1,630.67 and a beta of 0.82. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several research firms have issued reports on JKS. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of JinkoSolar in a report on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Roth Capital upgraded shares of JinkoSolar from a neutral rating to a buy rating and lifted their price objective for the stock from $50.00 to $70.00 in a research note on Wednesday, January 11th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price objective on shares of JinkoSolar from $38.00 to $41.00 in a research note on Monday, January 30th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, JinkoSolar currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $62.33. Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Credit Suisse AG lifted its position in JinkoSolar by 8.5% during the second quarter. Credit Suisse AG now owns 58,901 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $4,074,000 after purchasing an additional 4,617 shares during the period. Virtu Financial LLC acquired a new position in JinkoSolar during the first quarter valued at $778,000. Advisors Asset Management Inc. lifted its position in JinkoSolar by 58.1% during the first quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 6,050 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $292,000 after purchasing an additional 2,224 shares during the period. Prelude Capital Management LLC lifted its position in JinkoSolar by 188.7% during the first quarter. Prelude Capital Management LLC now owns 12,698 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $613,000 after purchasing an additional 8,299 shares during the period. Finally, Vident Investment Advisory LLC lifted its position in JinkoSolar by 9.6% during the first quarter. Vident Investment Advisory LLC now owns 9,283 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $448,000 after purchasing an additional 815 shares during the period. JinkoSolar Company Profile (Get Rating) JinkoSolar Holding Co, Ltd. engages in the manufacture of solar modules. It distributes solar products and sells its solutions and services to a diversified international utility, commercial and residential customers. The company was founded by Xiande Li, Kangping Chen, and Xianhua Li on August 3, 2007 and is headquartered in Shangrao, China. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for JinkoSolar Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for JinkoSolar and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. LG Display Co., Ltd. (NYSE:LPL Get Rating) was the target of a large increase in short interest in March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 714,800 shares, an increase of 9.6% from the March 15th total of 652,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 216,100 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 3.3 days. Approximately 0.1% of the shares of the company are sold short. LG Display Trading Up 1.5 % Shares of NYSE:LPL traded up $0.09 during trading on Friday, hitting $6.16. 149,206 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 218,504. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $5.93 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $5.45. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.85, a current ratio of 0.68 and a quick ratio of 0.47. LG Display has a 12-month low of $4.08 and a 12-month high of $7.42. Get LG Display alerts: LG Display (NYSE:LPL Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, February 17th. The electronics maker reported ($1.92) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.58) by ($1.34). The firm had revenue of $5.38 billion for the quarter. LG Display had a negative return on equity of 22.16% and a negative net margin of 11.31%. On average, research analysts expect that LG Display will post -0.97 EPS for the current fiscal year. Analyst Ratings Changes Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on LPL. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised LG Display from a neutral rating to an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 12th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of LG Display in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. raised its stake in shares of LG Display by 641.3% during the 3rd quarter. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. now owns 8,051 shares of the electronics makers stock worth $45,000 after buying an additional 6,965 shares during the last quarter. Arete Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of LG Display during the 4th quarter worth approximately $508,942,400,000. Drive Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of LG Display during the 4th quarter worth approximately $50,000. Inspire Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of LG Display during the 4th quarter worth approximately $51,000. Finally, Quadrant Capital Group LLC increased its stake in shares of LG Display by 54.8% during the 4th quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC now owns 10,230 shares of the electronics makers stock worth $51,000 after purchasing an additional 3,622 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 2.00% of the companys stock. About LG Display (Get Rating) LG Display Co, Ltd. engages in the manufacture and sale of thin film transistor and organic light-emitting diode display (OLED) products. Its products include television, commercial, monitor, notebook, mobile, auto, and OLED display. The company was founded on February 28, 1985 and is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea. Read More Receive News & Ratings for LG Display Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for LG Display and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mach 1 Financial Group LLC acquired a new position in Performance Food Group (NYSE:PFGC Get Rating) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 9,686 shares of the food distribution companys stock, valued at approximately $566,000. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Jupiter Asset Management Ltd. purchased a new stake in shares of Performance Food Group in the 3rd quarter worth $954,000. Renaissance Technologies LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Performance Food Group in the 3rd quarter worth $34,115,000. Sunriver Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Performance Food Group by 44.7% in the 3rd quarter. Sunriver Management LLC now owns 911,189 shares of the food distribution companys stock worth $39,136,000 after purchasing an additional 281,440 shares in the last quarter. New York State Teachers Retirement System increased its stake in shares of Performance Food Group by 7.9% in the 4th quarter. New York State Teachers Retirement System now owns 157,648 shares of the food distribution companys stock worth $9,205,000 after purchasing an additional 11,517 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Yorktown Management & Research Co Inc purchased a new stake in shares of Performance Food Group in the 4th quarter worth $251,000. 97.35% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Performance Food Group alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the company. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on Performance Food Group from $66.00 to $72.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 4th. StockNews.com lowered Performance Food Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, March 25th. Stephens reiterated an overweight rating and issued a $68.00 price target on shares of Performance Food Group in a research note on Friday, February 24th. Truist Financial increased their price target on Performance Food Group from $72.00 to $75.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, January 12th. Finally, Barclays increased their price target on Performance Food Group from $68.00 to $74.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, January 5th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $72.36. Insider Buying and Selling at Performance Food Group Performance Food Group Stock Down 1.0 % In other Performance Food Group news, insider Donald S. Bulmer sold 970 shares of Performance Food Group stock in a transaction on Monday, February 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $59.81, for a total value of $58,015.70. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 33,196 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,985,452.76. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link . In other news, insider Donald S. Bulmer sold 970 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $59.81, for a total transaction of $58,015.70. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 33,196 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,985,452.76. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website . Also, insider Patrick T. Hagerty sold 500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $56.31, for a total transaction of $28,155.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 153,790 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $8,659,914.90. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Over the last quarter, insiders sold 1,970 shares of company stock valued at $116,801. Corporate insiders own 2.80% of the companys stock. PFGC opened at $60.93 on Friday. Performance Food Group has a fifty-two week low of $38.23 and a fifty-two week high of $63.13. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a current ratio of 1.71. The company has a fifty day moving average of $58.42 and a two-hundred day moving average of $56.96. The stock has a market capitalization of $9.51 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 35.42 and a beta of 1.36. Performance Food Group (NYSE:PFGC Get Rating) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 8th. The food distribution company reported $0.83 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.76 by $0.07. Performance Food Group had a net margin of 0.47% and a return on equity of 16.15%. The company had revenue of $13.90 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $13.89 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $0.57 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 8.3% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts expect that Performance Food Group will post 3.78 earnings per share for the current year. About Performance Food Group (Get Rating) Performance Food Group Co engages in the market and distribution of food products. It operates through the following segments: Foodservice, Vistar, & Convenience. The Foodservices segment delivers food and food-related products to independent restaurants, chain restaurants, and other institutional food-away-from-home locations. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PFGC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Performance Food Group (NYSE:PFGC Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Performance Food Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Performance Food Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mach 1 Financial Group LLC acquired a new stake in Hyatt Hotels Co. (NYSE:H Get Rating) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 6,010 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $544,000. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Peregrine Asset Advisers Inc. acquired a new stake in Hyatt Hotels during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $3,681,000. Marshall Wace LLP boosted its holdings in shares of Hyatt Hotels by 129.9% during the 3rd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 284,142 shares of the companys stock worth $23,003,000 after buying an additional 160,526 shares in the last quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company bought a new position in shares of Hyatt Hotels during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $216,000. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. boosted its holdings in shares of Hyatt Hotels by 260.6% during the 3rd quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 145,241 shares of the companys stock worth $11,759,000 after buying an additional 104,966 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Factory Mutual Insurance Co. boosted its holdings in shares of Hyatt Hotels by 35.2% during the 3rd quarter. Factory Mutual Insurance Co. now owns 152,819 shares of the companys stock worth $12,372,000 after buying an additional 39,819 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 46.89% of the companys stock. Get Hyatt Hotels alerts: Hyatt Hotels Price Performance Shares of NYSE:H opened at $116.49 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.68, a quick ratio of 0.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $112.24 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $101.60. Hyatt Hotels Co. has a 1-year low of $70.12 and a 1-year high of $125.07. The stock has a market cap of $12.38 billion, a PE ratio of 28.27 and a beta of 1.36. Analyst Ratings Changes Hyatt Hotels ( NYSE:H Get Rating ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 16th. The company reported $2.55 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.32 by $2.23. Hyatt Hotels had a return on equity of 10.22% and a net margin of 7.72%. The business had revenue of $1.59 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.52 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned ($2.78) EPS. The businesss revenue was up 47.6% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts forecast that Hyatt Hotels Co. will post 2.59 EPS for the current fiscal year. A number of research firms have issued reports on H. Wells Fargo & Company cut Hyatt Hotels from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and increased their price target for the stock from $111.00 to $113.00 in a report on Thursday, January 26th. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on Hyatt Hotels from $138.00 to $139.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, March 1st. TheStreet upgraded Hyatt Hotels from a c rating to a b rating in a report on Monday, March 20th. StockNews.com initiated coverage on Hyatt Hotels in a report on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Finally, Robert W. Baird increased their target price on Hyatt Hotels from $112.00 to $124.00 in a report on Tuesday, March 7th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $121.57. Insider Activity In related news, Director Cary D. Mcmillan sold 1,790 shares of Hyatt Hotels stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $113.93, for a total value of $203,934.70. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In related news, Director Cary D. Mcmillan sold 1,790 shares of Hyatt Hotels stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $113.93, for a total value of $203,934.70. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, insider H. Charles Floyd sold 33,067 shares of Hyatt Hotels stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $112.51, for a total value of $3,720,368.17. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 31,242 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,515,037.42. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 77,357 shares of company stock valued at $8,726,994 in the last ninety days. 21.24% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Hyatt Hotels Profile (Get Rating) Hyatt Hotels Corp. engages in the development and management of resort and hotel chains. It operates through the following segments: Owned and Leased Hotels, Americas Management and Franchising, ASPAC Management and Franchising, EAME/SW Asia Management and Franchising, and Apple Leisure Group. The Owned and Leased Hotels segment offers hospitality services and hotels. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding H? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Hyatt Hotels Co. (NYSE:H Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Hyatt Hotels Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hyatt Hotels and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. McDonalds Co. (NYSE:MCD Get Rating) was the target of a significant decline in short interest in March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 5,630,000 shares, a decline of 10.5% from the March 15th total of 6,290,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 2,710,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.1 days. Approximately 0.8% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Insider Activity In other news, CEO Christopher J. Kempczinski sold 3,850 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $267.69, for a total value of $1,030,606.50. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 34,637 shares in the company, valued at $9,271,978.53. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In other news, CEO Christopher J. Kempczinski sold 3,850 shares of McDonalds stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $267.69, for a total value of $1,030,606.50. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 34,637 shares of the companys stock, valued at $9,271,978.53. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Catherine A. Hoovel sold 2,876 shares of McDonalds stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $270.00, for a total value of $776,520.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 1,184 shares in the company, valued at $319,680. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 8,122 shares of company stock worth $2,177,681 over the last three months. 0.18% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Get McDonald's alerts: Institutional Investors Weigh In On McDonalds Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its position in shares of McDonalds by 0.5% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 67,570,353 shares of the fast-food giants stock worth $15,591,183,000 after acquiring an additional 333,884 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp raised its position in shares of McDonalds by 1.1% during the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 34,704,308 shares of the fast-food giants stock worth $8,007,672,000 after acquiring an additional 365,601 shares in the last quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC grew its stake in McDonalds by 106,340.3% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 19,235,890 shares of the fast-food giants stock worth $5,069,234,000 after buying an additional 19,217,818 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its stake in McDonalds by 1.3% during the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 13,702,475 shares of the fast-food giants stock worth $3,605,408,000 after buying an additional 179,506 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Norges Bank purchased a new position in McDonalds during the 4th quarter worth approximately $2,341,360,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 66.86% of the companys stock. McDonalds Stock Down 0.1 % NYSE MCD traded down $0.27 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $291.00. 2,268,499 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,674,111. The company has a 50 day moving average of $273.16 and a two-hundred day moving average of $267.93. McDonalds has a 52-week low of $228.34 and a 52-week high of $291.67. The firm has a market cap of $212.44 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.85, a PEG ratio of 3.41 and a beta of 0.63. McDonalds (NYSE:MCD Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 31st. The fast-food giant reported $2.59 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.46 by $0.13. McDonalds had a negative return on equity of 120.10% and a net margin of 26.65%. The company had revenue of $5.93 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.75 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $2.23 EPS. McDonaldss revenue was down 1.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts predict that McDonalds will post 10.53 EPS for the current year. McDonalds Dividend Announcement The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 15th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, March 1st were given a dividend of $1.52 per share. This represents a $6.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.09%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 28th. McDonaldss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 72.81%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of analysts have recently issued reports on MCD shares. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price target on McDonalds from $315.00 to $320.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 6th. Northcoast Research raised McDonalds from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $321.00 price objective on the stock in a research note on Monday, April 10th. Wells Fargo & Company initiated coverage on McDonalds in a research note on Monday, January 23rd. They set an equal weight rating and a $280.00 price objective on the stock. Guggenheim boosted their price objective on McDonalds from $302.00 to $305.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 29th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lowered their price objective on McDonalds from $296.00 to $283.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, February 3rd. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twenty-two have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, McDonalds presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $294.63. About McDonalds (Get Rating) McDonalds Corp. engages in the operation and franchising of restaurants. It operates through the following segments: U.S., International Operated Markets, and International Developmental Licensed Markets and Corporate. The U.S. segment focuses its operations on the United States. The International Operated Markets segment consists of operations and the franchising of restaurants in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Russia, Spain, and the U.K. See Also Receive News & Ratings for McDonald's Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for McDonald's and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The independent candidate for the White Hall seat on the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors has said he wont be accepting any campaign donations from developers or other special interest groups. The incumbent Democrat Ann Mallek isnt making that promise. Id say thats his choice, Mallek told The Daily Progress when reached by phone. Mallek has already accepted campaign donations from the people and groups her challenger Brad Rykal has dismissed. Her top donor to date this year is Charlottesville-based Seminole Trail Properties, which contributed $10,000 between the start of 2023 and March 31, according to the Virginia Public Access Project. Malleks total campaign donations in the first quarter of the year total $15,500. Seminole Trail or its principal, local real estate magnate Richard Hewitt, have been Malleks top donors in every election shes run since 2012, contributing a combined $43,000 to Mallek since she was first elected in 2007. These are people outside of White Hall putting in large amounts of money trying to gain influence in Crozet and White Hall, Rykal told The Daily Progress. Rykal, a political newcomer, brought in a total of $1,450 in campaign contributions in the first quarter of the year. The number pales in comparison to the numbers Mallek has achieved, but Rykal said his decision to not accept developer dollars is not a matter of sour grapes. He said campaign contributions dont necessarily mean theres a conflict of interest or that any candidate in this years races is in the pocket of developers but that is the perception. There is a perception when I talk to people in White Hall, Rykal said. Whether or not theres a conflict of interest, the appearance of a conflict of interest is a concern. There has been tremendous development in Crozet over the past several years. Between the drafting of the first Crozet Master Plan in 2004 and today, Rykal said, we went from 3,000 to 12,000 people, we built a whole lot. White Hall District residents were also promised a whole lot, he said, in terms of infrastructure that would accompany that development. Infrastructure never came, he said. I think its fair to say that the growth happened but none of the other stuff came in. Theres substantial capital improvement projects that need to be made. He pointed to the parts of Crozet and the surrounding area where sidewalks are overgrown or nonexistent. The infrastructure projects that are undertaken, he said, are too few and too far between. A roundabout at the intersection of U.S. Route 250 and Route 151 took more than a year of construction, detours and delays and only after congestion in what is a largely rural corner of Western Albemarle became untenable. The county has received funding for three more roundabout projects: at Route 53 and Route 20 near the trailhead of the Saunders-Monticello Trail, at John Warner Parkway and Rio Road East near the Charlottesville Albemarle Technical Education Center and at Old Lynchburg Road and Fifth Street Extended. Too many of the projects that are getting priority, Rykal said, are outside of the White Hall District, which is not only growing but is struggling with the growth its experienced already. I think a lot of infrastructure projects get prioritized outside of White Hall, Rykal said. What Ive seen and what people who are engaged citizens here in White Hall see as well is that the projects out here are not on the top of priority list. An emphasis on infrastructure before development, Rykal said, is a key plank in his platform and a key difference between himself, a Wisconsin-born soldier and defense contractor-turned-author and podcaster in Crozet, and his opponent Mallek, an Albemarle native who has managed her family farm in Earlysville since 1983. Mallek, for her part, has not been silent on the need for improved infrastructure in her White Hall District. She has admitted in the past that new development has produced new demands on district residents and infrastructure is often tardy. At her own campaign launch in February, Mallek highlighted some of the very same concerns Rykal has voiced. We have around Crozet neighborhoods that come with sidewalks and bike lanes, Mallek told The Daily Progress at the time. Then, right next to that, is an older neighborhood built 20 years ago, when none of those were required. Mallek, who has said she plans this to be her last campaign, said in February that she intends to make those projects, as well as affordable housing, cornerstones of her last four years on the board if elected. Throughout her long career in county politics, she has on multiple occasions championed what infrastructure projects have been won for her district, whether that be roadway projects such as the new roundabout or the Crozet Library opened in 2013. What she said she will not support is drawing a line between residents of Albemarle County and suggesting that some are more significant than others, that some dollars count more or that some opinions have greater influence. Some of the largest obstacles to productive local governance are exclusion, condemnation, and the imaginary lines and slogans meant to divide us, Mallek said in a statement sent to The Daily Progress. Lumping people into groups and judging them, whether by their occupation, where they live, or any superficial aspect undermines the positive relationships that we can otherwise create when we enter situations with an open mind instead. Rykal said he doesnt disagree with Malleks assertions. He said there is a fair point to be made that there are developers who live and work and build in the White Hall District who deserve to play a part in the politics there, just as every citizen does. All those people are key stakeholders in White Hall and they should absolutely have influence in whats going on, he said. But Im here right now. Im in Crozet. If theres sidewalks, I walk on the sidewalks with my family; my kids go to the schools; we play at the parks; when we do or dont get something, we see that. And too often over the past several years, he said, the White Hall District has not been getting enough under the current leadership. The election for the White Hall seat is Nov. 7. Meridian Mining UK Societas (CVE:MNO Get Rating) shares rose 9.6% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as C$1.07 and last traded at C$1.03. Approximately 247,282 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 12% from the average daily volume of 220,803 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.94. Meridian Mining UK Societas Price Performance The business has a 50 day simple moving average of C$1.03 and a 200 day simple moving average of C$1.03. The company has a market cap of C$152.09 million and a price-to-earnings ratio of -3.30. About Meridian Mining UK Societas (Get Rating) Meridian Mining UK Societas, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties in Brazil. The company explores for manganese, gold, copper, and tin deposits. It holds interest in the EspigAo polymetallic project and the Ariquemes tin project located in RondAnia. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Meridian Mining UK Societas Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Meridian Mining UK Societas and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Movado Group, Inc. (NYSE:MOV 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 962,000 shares, a decline of 10.1% from the March 15th total of 1,070,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 173,700 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 5.5 days. Approximately 6.4% of the shares of the company are sold short. Movado Group Stock Down 1.2 % Shares of MOV traded down $0.32 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $26.75. 124,850 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 173,074. Movado Group has a twelve month low of $24.81 and a twelve month high of $39.64. The company has a market cap of $592.25 million, a P/E ratio of 6.57 and a beta of 1.22. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $31.27 and its 200 day simple moving average is $32.25. Get Movado Group alerts: Movado Group (NYSE:MOV Get Rating) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, March 23rd. The company reported $1.03 EPS for the quarter. The business had revenue of $194.27 million during the quarter. Movado Group had a return on equity of 20.09% and a net margin of 12.57%. As a group, analysts predict that Movado Group will post 2.79 earnings per share for the current year. Movado Group Increases Dividend Institutional Inflows and Outflows The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, April 19th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, April 5th were paid a dividend of $1.35 per share. This is an increase from Movado Groups previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, April 4th. This represents a $5.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 20.19%. Movado Groups payout ratio is presently 33.98%. Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Movado Group by 11.4% during the third quarter. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC now owns 20,602 shares of the companys stock worth $581,000 after purchasing an additional 2,116 shares during the last quarter. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Movado Group during the third quarter worth approximately $63,000. Hennessy Advisors Inc. raised its position in Movado Group by 1.5% in the 3rd quarter. Hennessy Advisors Inc. now owns 81,300 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,291,000 after buying an additional 1,200 shares during the last quarter. North Star Investment Management Corp. raised its position in Movado Group by 6.7% in the 4th quarter. North Star Investment Management Corp. now owns 56,050 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,808,000 after buying an additional 3,500 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Great West Life Assurance Co. Can grew its stake in Movado Group by 17.1% in the 3rd quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 18,612 shares of the companys stock valued at $526,000 after purchasing an additional 2,722 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 67.21% of the companys stock. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of equities analysts have commented on the stock. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Movado Group in a research report on Thursday, March 16th. They set a buy rating for the company. TD Cowen reduced their price objective on shares of Movado Group from $38.00 to $32.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a research report on Friday, March 24th. About Movado Group (Get Rating) Movado Group, Inc engages in the design, manufacture, and distribution of watches. It operates through the Watch and Accessory Brands, and Company Stores segments. The Watch and Accessory Brands segment includes the distribution of watches and, to a lesser extent, jewelry and other accessories, of owned and licensed brands, in addition to revenue generated from after-sales service activities and shipping. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Movado Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Movado Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Murray International Trust PLC (LON:MYI Get Rating) announced a dividend on Friday, April 21st, Upcoming.Co.Uk reports. Shareholders of record on Thursday, July 6th will be given a dividend of GBX 12 ($0.15) per share on Wednesday, August 16th. This represents a yield of 0.88%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 6th. The official announcement can be seen at this link. Murray International Trust Trading Up 0.4 % Shares of MYI stock traded up GBX 6 ($0.07) on Friday, hitting GBX 1,358 ($16.80). The stock had a trading volume of 183,697 shares, compared to its average volume of 190,641. The company has a fifty day moving average price of GBX 1,333.46 and a two-hundred day moving average price of GBX 1,304.03. The company has a current ratio of 0.55, a quick ratio of 0.70 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 12.36. The firm has a market cap of 1.70 billion, a P/E ratio of 1,263.55 and a beta of 0.78. Murray International Trust has a twelve month low of GBX 1,128 ($13.96) and a twelve month high of GBX 1,379.19 ($17.07). Get Murray International Trust alerts: About Murray International Trust (Get Rating) Further Reading Murray International Trust PLC is a closed ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by Aberdeen Fund Managers Limited. It is co-managed by Aberdeen Asset Managers Limited. The fund invests in public equity markets across the globe. It seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors. Receive News & Ratings for Murray International Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Murray International Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. New Found Gold Corp. (NYSE:NFGC Get Rating)s share price was down 4.7% on Wednesday . The company traded as low as $4.90 and last traded at $4.92. Approximately 128,566 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 31% from the average daily volume of 186,848 shares. The stock had previously closed at $5.16. New Found Gold Stock Performance The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $4.34 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $4.03. Get New Found Gold alerts: Institutional Trading of New Found Gold Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Van ECK Associates Corp lifted its position in New Found Gold by 3.8% during the 3rd quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 3,520,800 shares of the companys stock worth $12,449,000 after acquiring an additional 129,709 shares during the period. Integrated Advisors Network LLC lifted its position in New Found Gold by 39.7% during the 3rd quarter. Integrated Advisors Network LLC now owns 462,090 shares of the companys stock worth $1,631,000 after acquiring an additional 131,300 shares during the period. K.J. Harrison & Partners Inc acquired a new stake in New Found Gold during the 4th quarter worth approximately $70,114,000. Guardian Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in New Found Gold during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $30,000. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lifted its holdings in shares of New Found Gold by 45.3% in the 3rd quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 14,833 shares of the companys stock valued at $52,000 after buying an additional 4,625 shares during the period. 22.12% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. New Found Gold Company Profile 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. Read More Receive News & Ratings for New Found Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for New Found Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Newport Trust Co lifted its stake in Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM Get Rating) by 0.6% in the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 664,818 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 3,653 shares during the quarter. Newport Trust Cos holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $67,286,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Mark Sheptoff Financial Planning LLC bought a new position in shares of Philip Morris International in the 3rd quarter worth about $25,000. Red Tortoise LLC bought a new position in shares of Philip Morris International in the 4th quarter worth about $29,000. Winch Advisory Services LLC increased its stake in shares of Philip Morris International by 200.0% in 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 bought a new position in shares of Philip Morris International in the 4th quarter worth about $31,000. Finally, Asset Dedication LLC bought a new stake in Philip Morris International during the 3rd quarter valued at about $36,000. 75.85% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Philip Morris International alerts: Insider Activity In other news, Chairman Andre Calantzopoulos sold 80,000 shares of Philip Morris International stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $100.35, for a total transaction of $8,028,000.00. Following the sale, the chairman now owns 1,007,048 shares in the company, valued at $101,057,266.80. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. In related news, insider Stacey Kennedy sold 20,308 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, February 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $100.30, for a total value of $2,036,892.40. Following the sale, the insider now owns 22,418 shares in the company, valued at $2,248,525.40. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Chairman Andre Calantzopoulos sold 80,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, February 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $100.35, for a total transaction of $8,028,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chairman now owns 1,007,048 shares in the company, valued at approximately $101,057,266.80. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 117,064 shares of company stock worth $11,738,763 over the last quarter. Insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Philip Morris International Price Performance A number of analysts have weighed in on PM shares. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Philip Morris International in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. They set a hold rating for the company. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded shares of Philip Morris International from a hold rating to a buy rating and raised their price objective for the company from $86.00 to $118.00 in a research note on Thursday, January 19th. Morgan Stanley raised their price objective 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. Societe Generale started coverage on shares of Philip Morris International in a research note on Monday, January 23rd. They set a sell rating and a $90.00 price objective for the company. Finally, UBS Group upgraded shares of Philip Morris International from a neutral rating to a buy rating and raised their price objective for the company from $106.00 to $116.00 in a research note on Wednesday, March 1st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $111.18. Shares of PM traded up $0.48 on Friday, reaching $97.19. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,200,405 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,481,320. The stock has a market capitalization of $150.85 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.65, a PEG ratio of 2.50 and a beta of 0.68. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $98.13 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $97.33. Philip Morris International Inc. has a 12-month low of $82.85 and a 12-month high of $109.81. Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 20th. The company reported $1.38 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.34 by $0.04. Philip Morris International had a net margin of 11.22% and a negative return on equity of 127.24%. The business had revenue of $8.10 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.03 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.56 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 4.6% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts expect that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 6.31 earnings per share for the current year. Philip Morris International Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, April 11th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 23rd were given a dividend of $1.27 per share. This represents a $5.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.23%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, March 22nd. Philip Morris Internationals payout ratio is currently 87.44%. Philip Morris International Profile (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. Read More 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). Receive News & Ratings for Philip Morris International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Philip Morris International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Pinnacle Financial Partners Inc. trimmed its position in shares of ServiceNow, Inc. (NYSE:NOW Get Rating) by 6.8% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 36,883 shares of the information technology services providers stock after selling 2,704 shares during the period. Pinnacle Financial Partners Inc.s holdings in ServiceNow were worth $14,321,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of NOW. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its position in shares of ServiceNow by 1.9% during the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 16,866,914 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $6,369,116,000 after buying an additional 320,130 shares during the period. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD raised its stake in ServiceNow by 0.6% in the third quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 14,107,929 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $5,342,228,000 after buying an additional 90,051 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp raised its stake in ServiceNow by 2.3% in the third quarter. State Street Corp now owns 7,969,975 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $3,009,542,000 after buying an additional 182,606 shares in the last quarter. Polen Capital Management LLC raised its stake in ServiceNow by 26.5% in the third quarter. Polen Capital Management LLC now owns 3,953,299 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $1,492,805,000 after buying an additional 827,285 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Brown Advisory Inc. raised its stake in ServiceNow by 8.6% in the third quarter. Brown Advisory Inc. now owns 2,378,372 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $898,098,000 after buying an additional 187,393 shares in the last quarter. 86.31% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get ServiceNow alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In other ServiceNow news, insider Jacqueline P. Canney sold 1,083 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $461.03, for a total transaction of $499,295.49. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 267 shares in the company, valued at approximately $123,095.01. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other news, insider Jacqueline P. Canney sold 1,083 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, January 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $461.03, for a total value of $499,295.49. Following the sale, the insider now owns 267 shares in the company, valued at $123,095.01. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, insider Paul John Smith sold 2,301 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, January 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $447.22, for a total transaction of $1,029,053.22. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 65,629 shares of company stock worth $29,974,024 in the last 90 days. 0.28% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth ServiceNow Price Performance A number of equities analysts have weighed in on NOW shares. BMO Capital Markets raised their target price on shares of ServiceNow from $475.00 to $500.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, January 26th. Sanford C. Bernstein dropped their target price on shares of ServiceNow from $641.00 to $586.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, January 26th. KeyCorp lifted their price target on shares of ServiceNow from $520.00 to $547.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday. Barclays lifted their price target on shares of ServiceNow from $495.00 to $535.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Monday. Finally, Guggenheim raised their price objective on shares of ServiceNow from $478.00 to $511.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and twenty-seven have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, ServiceNow currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $529.28. Shares of ServiceNow stock traded up $3.68 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $471.37. The companys stock had a trading volume of 446,348 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,595,383. ServiceNow, Inc. has a one year low of $337.00 and a one year high of $521.58. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.30, a current ratio of 1.11 and a quick ratio of 1.11. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $448.13 and a 200-day moving average price of $418.45. The stock has a market cap of $96.04 billion, a P/E ratio of 292.31, a P/E/G ratio of 6.32 and a beta of 1.04. ServiceNow (NYSE:NOW Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 25th. The information technology services provider reported $0.88 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.60 by $0.28. ServiceNow had a net margin of 4.49% and a return on equity of 9.37%. The firm had revenue of $1.94 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.93 billion. On average, analysts predict that ServiceNow, Inc. will post 2.66 EPS for the current year. ServiceNow Profile (Get Rating) ServiceNow, Inc engages in the provision of enterprise cloud computing solutions. The firm delivers digital workflows on a single enterprise cloud platform called the Now Platform. Its product portfolio is focused on providing Information Technology, Employee and Customer workflows. The company was founded by Frederic B. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding NOW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for ServiceNow, Inc. (NYSE:NOW Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for ServiceNow Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for ServiceNow and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Pinnacle Financial Partners Inc. reduced its position in shares of Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM Get Rating) by 7.1% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 99,351 shares of the companys stock after selling 7,616 shares during the period. Pinnacle Financial Partners Inc.s holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $10,055,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Kwmg LLC increased its stake in Philip Morris International by 3.2% in the 4th quarter. Kwmg LLC now owns 3,161 shares of the companys stock worth $320,000 after acquiring an additional 98 shares during the last quarter. Means Investment CO. Inc. increased its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 0.3% during the 4th quarter. Means Investment CO. Inc. now owns 39,184 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,966,000 after purchasing an additional 98 shares during the last quarter. Sugarloaf Wealth Management LLC increased its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 4.0% during the 4th quarter. Sugarloaf Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,600 shares of the companys stock valued at $263,000 after purchasing an additional 99 shares during the last quarter. Ellenbecker Investment Group increased its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 0.4% during the 4th quarter. Ellenbecker Investment Group now owns 27,013 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,734,000 after purchasing an additional 102 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Dearborn Partners LLC increased its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 1.8% during the 3rd quarter. Dearborn Partners LLC now owns 5,878 shares of the companys stock valued at $488,000 after purchasing an additional 103 shares during the last quarter. 75.85% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Philip Morris International alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on PM shares. The Goldman Sachs Group raised Philip Morris International from a neutral rating to a buy rating and boosted their target price for the company from $95.00 to $120.00 in a research report on Wednesday, January 25th. Morgan Stanley upped their target price on Philip Morris International from $109.00 to $118.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, February 2nd. Stifel Nicolaus started coverage on Philip Morris International in a report on Thursday, April 13th. They issued a buy rating and a $114.00 target price for the company. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded Philip Morris International from a hold rating to a buy rating and upped their target price for the stock from $86.00 to $118.00 in a report on Thursday, January 19th. Finally, Societe Generale initiated coverage on Philip Morris International in a research note on Monday, January 23rd. They set a sell rating and a $90.00 price objective for the company. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $111.18. Insider Activity at Philip Morris International Philip Morris International Stock Performance In related news, insider Stacey Kennedy sold 8,756 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $101.31, for a total value of $887,070.36. Following the sale, the insider now owns 47,731 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,835,627.61. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link . In related news, insider Stacey Kennedy sold 8,756 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, February 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $101.31, for a total value of $887,070.36. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 47,731 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,835,627.61. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed 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 transaction of $8,028,000.00. Following the transaction, the chairman now directly owns 1,007,048 shares in the company, valued at approximately $101,057,266.80. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders have sold 117,064 shares of company stock worth $11,738,763 in the last quarter. Company insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock. NYSE PM traded up $0.28 during trading on Friday, reaching $96.99. 2,227,480 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,495,871. The stock has a market cap of $150.54 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.65, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.50 and a beta of 0.68. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $98.13 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $97.33. Philip Morris International Inc. has a 1 year low of $82.85 and a 1 year high of $109.81. Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 20th. The company reported $1.38 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.34 by $0.04. The company had revenue of $8.10 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.03 billion. Philip Morris International had a negative return on equity of 127.24% and a net margin of 11.22%. Philip Morris Internationals revenue for the quarter was up 4.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.56 EPS. Research analysts forecast that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 6.31 EPS 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. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 23rd were given a dividend of $1.27 per share. This represents a $5.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.24%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, March 22nd. Philip Morris Internationals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 87.44%. Philip Morris International Profile (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. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Philip Morris International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Philip Morris International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Restaurant Brands International (NYSE:QSR Get Rating) (TSE:QSR) had its price target increased by Truist Financial from $73.00 to $78.00 in a research report sent to investors on Monday morning, The Fly reports. Truist Financial currently has a buy rating on the restaurant operators stock. Other equities research analysts have also issued research reports about the stock. BMO Capital Markets lifted their target price on shares of Restaurant Brands International from $72.00 to $76.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 15th. Stephens reaffirmed an equal weight rating and issued a $63.00 price objective on shares of Restaurant Brands International in a research note on Monday, February 27th. Oppenheimer reaffirmed an outperform rating and issued a $81.00 price objective on shares of Restaurant Brands International in a research note on Wednesday, February 15th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price objective on shares of Restaurant Brands International from $71.00 to $74.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 18th. Finally, Barclays reduced their price objective on shares of Restaurant Brands International from $80.00 to $78.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, February 15th. Twelve research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Restaurant Brands International currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $69.77. Get Restaurant Brands International alerts: Restaurant Brands International Trading Up 1.0 % Shares of NYSE:QSR opened at $69.04 on Monday. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $65.05 and a two-hundred day moving average of $63.77. The firm has a market capitalization of $21.48 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.18, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.55 and a beta of 0.98. Restaurant Brands International has a 12-month low of $46.68 and a 12-month high of $69.47. The company has a quick ratio of 0.91, a current ratio of 0.97 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.08. Restaurant Brands International Increases Dividend Restaurant Brands International ( NYSE:QSR Get Rating ) (TSE:QSR) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, February 14th. The restaurant operator reported $0.72 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $0.72. The company had revenue of $1.69 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.67 billion. Restaurant Brands International had a net margin of 15.50% and a return on equity of 35.36%. On average, equities analysts expect that Restaurant Brands International will post 3 EPS for the current fiscal year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, April 5th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, March 22nd were issued a dividend of $0.55 per share. This is an increase from Restaurant Brands Internationals previous quarterly dividend of $0.54. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, March 21st. This represents a $2.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.19%. Restaurant Brands Internationals payout ratio is presently 67.48%. Insider Transactions at Restaurant Brands International In other news, CEO Jose E. Cil sold 264,461 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $65.64, for a total transaction of $17,359,220.04. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 187,414 shares in the company, valued at approximately $12,301,854.96. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Insiders own 1.36% of the companys stock. Institutional Trading of Restaurant Brands International A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in QSR. Bank of New York Mellon Corp increased its stake in Restaurant Brands International by 0.9% in the first quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 301,806 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $17,623,000 after acquiring an additional 2,830 shares during the period. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. increased its stake in Restaurant Brands International by 2.6% in the first quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 9,183 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $536,000 after acquiring an additional 229 shares during the period. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. increased its stake in Restaurant Brands International by 12.6% in the first quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 5,164 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $301,000 after acquiring an additional 577 shares during the period. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund increased its stake in Restaurant Brands International by 73.6% in the first quarter. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund now owns 7,076 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $413,000 after acquiring an additional 3,000 shares during the period. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its stake in Restaurant Brands International by 99.3% in the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 373,323 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $21,798,000 after acquiring an additional 185,998 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 77.87% of the companys stock. Restaurant Brands International Company Profile (Get Rating) Restaurant Brands International, Inc is a holding company, which engages in the operation of quick service restaurants. It operates through the following segments: Tim Hortons, Burger King, and Popeyes. The Tim Hortons segment provides donut, coffee, and tea restaurant services. The Burger King segment manages fast food hamburger restaurant. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Restaurant Brands International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Restaurant Brands International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Riley Exploration Permian, Inc. (NYSE:REPX Get Rating) major shareholder Alvin Gerald Libin bought 3,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, April 19th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $43.79 per share, with a total value of $131,370.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the insider now owns 1,774,779 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $77,717,572.41. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Major shareholders that own 10% or more of a companys stock are required to disclose their transactions with the SEC. Riley Exploration Permian Stock Up 1.4 % Shares of REPX traded up $0.64 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $45.47. The stock had a trading volume of 110,918 shares, compared to its average volume of 49,782. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17, a current ratio of 0.67 and a quick ratio of 0.55. The firm has a market cap of $916.68 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.59 and a beta of 1.36. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $35.77 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $31.70. Riley Exploration Permian, Inc. has a twelve month low of $15.91 and a twelve month high of $47.79. Get Riley Exploration Permian alerts: Riley Exploration Permian (NYSE:REPX Get Rating) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, March 8th. The company reported $1.64 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.23 by $0.41. The firm had revenue of $78.05 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $66.01 million. Riley Exploration Permian had a return on equity of 41.38% and a net margin of 36.68%. On average, analysts anticipate that Riley Exploration Permian, Inc. will post 9.15 EPS for the current year. Riley Exploration Permian Dividend Announcement Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, May 9th. Investors of record on Tuesday, April 25th will be given a $0.34 dividend. This represents a $1.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.99%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, April 24th. Riley Exploration Permians dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 22.70%. Several equities analysts recently issued reports on the company. Truist Financial boosted their price objective on Riley Exploration Permian from $43.00 to $60.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 11th. Roth Capital reissued a buy rating on shares of Riley Exploration Permian in a research report on Thursday, March 2nd. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Riley Exploration Permian Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in REPX. BlackRock Inc. increased its position in shares of Riley Exploration Permian by 248.5% in the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 531,585 shares of the companys stock valued at $13,332,000 after acquiring an additional 379,047 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its stake in Riley Exploration Permian by 106.0% in the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 243,229 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,617,000 after purchasing an additional 125,164 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp increased its position in shares of Riley Exploration Permian by 137.3% during the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 105,398 shares of the companys stock worth $2,643,000 after purchasing an additional 60,981 shares during the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp raised its stake in shares of Riley Exploration Permian by 231.1% during the 1st quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 76,592 shares of the companys stock worth $1,920,000 after purchasing an additional 53,457 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Riley Exploration Permian in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $1,269,000. 51.14% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Riley Exploration Permian Company Profile (Get Rating) Riley Exploration Permian, Inc is an independent oil and natural gas company. The firm is focused on the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids in Texas and New Mexico. Its activities also include the horizontal development of the San Andres formation, a shelf margin deposit on the Northwest Shelf of the Permian Basin. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Riley Exploration Permian Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Riley Exploration Permian and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Rio Tinto Group (LON:RIO Get Rating)s stock had its buy rating reiterated by research analysts at Berenberg Bank in a research note issued on Friday, Marketbeat Ratings reports. They presently have a GBX 6,600 ($81.67) target price on the stock. Berenberg Banks price objective would suggest a potential upside of 28.73% from the stocks previous close. RIO has been the subject of several other reports. UBS Group set a GBX 5,000 ($61.87) target price on Rio Tinto Group in a research report on Wednesday, February 22nd. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on Rio Tinto Group from GBX 5,790 ($71.65) to GBX 5,840 ($72.27) in a research report on Thursday, March 30th. Barclays set a GBX 5,800 ($71.77) target price on Rio Tinto Group in a research report on Thursday, January 12th. Bank of America lifted their price objective on Rio Tinto Group from GBX 6,900 ($85.39) to GBX 7,400 ($91.57) and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, January 23rd. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reissued a buy rating on shares of Rio Tinto Group in a report on Friday, March 17th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of GBX 6,110.77 ($75.62). Get Rio Tinto Group alerts: Rio Tinto Group Stock Performance RIO stock traded down GBX 315 ($3.90) during midday trading on Friday, hitting GBX 5,127 ($63.45). The stock had a trading volume of 3,385,540 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,894,593. The firm has a market capitalization of 64.09 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 832.31, a P/E/G ratio of -0.64 and a beta of 0.69. Rio Tinto Group has a 52 week low of GBX 4,424.50 ($54.75) and a 52 week high of GBX 6,406 ($79.27). The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of GBX 5,628.72 and a 200 day simple moving average of GBX 5,569.80. The company has a current ratio of 1.63, a quick ratio of 1.34 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 23.47. Insider Activity Rio Tinto Group Company Profile In other news, insider Peter Cunningham sold 2,167 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 5,922 ($73.28), for a total value of 128,329.74 ($158,804.28). In other news, insider Kaisa Hietala acquired 500 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 22nd. The stock was purchased at an average cost of GBX 5,313 ($65.75) per share, for a total transaction of 26,565 ($32,873.41). Also, insider Peter Cunningham sold 2,167 shares of Rio Tinto Group stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 5,922 ($73.28), for a total value of 128,329.74 ($158,804.28). 14.67% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. (Get Rating) Rio Tinto Group engages in exploring, mining, and processing mineral resources worldwide. The company offers aluminum, copper, diamonds, gold, borates, titanium dioxide, salt, iron ore, and lithium. It also owns and operates open pit and underground mines, mills, refineries, smelters, power stations, and research and service facilities. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Rio Tinto Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Rio Tinto Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The impact of COVID-19 on Oregon is in a steady decline that makes it possible to end emergency steps in place since soon after the virus arrived in February 2020. The Oregon Health Authority on Thursday, April 20 held what officials said would be the last monthly media briefing on the virus. The briefings are among several public health actions that are being rolled back with President Joe Biden's ending the national emergency on April 11 and the expiration on May 11 of other pandemic programs and policies. "We've come a long way," Dr. Dean Sidelinger, the state's epidemiologist, said during the briefing. Sidelinger said state officials were confident that with increased immunity from vaccinations and earlier exposures, the risk of future significant outbreaks "remains low." "But risk is not nonexistent," Sidelinger said. "We anticipate that COVID-19 will be with us for the foreseeable future, perhaps forever." The most likely positive scenario is that it has become endemic, with seasonal cycles much like the flu. Vaccinations will be suggested with the formula each year tweaked based on the latest information on mutations. While announcing the end of regular media briefings, health authority officials included updates on new actions and forecasts regarding COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Wednesday, April 19 that people age 65 and older, along with anyone with a compromised immunity older than 6, is eligible for a bivalent booster of the COVID-19 vaccine. "Anyone who is eligible should get it," Sidelinger said. Sidelinger said that while a little more than 78% of Oregonians have had at least one shot of vaccine since the pandemic began, just 22% have been vaccinated and received a booster shot with the updated bivalent formula. All new vaccinations will be only with the updated shot. The health authority also said the latest forecast by Oregon Health & Science University projected a possible spike in hospitalizations beginning in May and peaking in June. The upturn would be related to the XBB.1.9 and XBB.1.16 omicron variants that are dominating recent infection statistics. While hospitalizations could top 400 per day according to the OHSU forecast, most patients will not be hospitalized due to the virus but will test positive for the virus while seeking other medical treatment. The OHSU forecast by Dr. Peter Graven, the state's main analyst at the medical center, said the increase is based on patterns observed in India. Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Albany Democrat-Herald. Sidelinger said forecasting COVID-19 trends had become more difficult in recent months because of the vast differences in vaccination rates, public health and reporting by authorities around the globe. Earlier in the pandemic, health officials could see waves starting in Asia or Europe, then spreading to the East Coast of the United States. "We knew it would come to Oregon," Sidelinger said. But some recent forecasts of omicron variant waves have not materialized or have had less impact that expected in Oregon. Sidelinger said forecasts are estimates of a range of possible outcomes based on observable trends. "This isn't a fortune teller with a crystal ball telling you these things will come true," Sidelinger said. Currently, only versions of omicron are being tracked as spreading rapidly. Levels of contagiousness and the ability of the variant to get around vaccines have risen, but the virulence of individual infections hasn't risen in the United States. Sidelinger noted that patients with COVID-19 in Oregon hospitals around 200 per day, far below the peak of 1,178 on sept. 1, 2021, during the delta variant surge. The end of the pandemic emergencies will bring new challenges as federal support for a larger enrollment in the Oregon Health Plan is pulled back. The full list of changes in Oregon programs as the public health emergency ends can be found at oregon.gov/oha/PHE. The state is sending letters to Oregon Health Plan members, telling them their updated status and how they can apply, if necessary, to continue coverage. People covered by OHP should make sure that any change of address, phone number and email is on their records with the program. Information on OHP coverage can be found at keepcovered.oregon.gov. Funding for mass vaccination events and to update the state's electronic vaccination database will end May 11. The database will remain available, but the public will no longer be able to have their status updated, and it won't register new people. The Oregon Health Authority will monitor what Sidelinger called the expected "commercialization" of COVID-19 vaccines and medicines in months ahead that could require medical insurance or individuals to cover the costs of what previously was paid for by government emergency funds. Noting the end of the briefings, Sidelinger thanked the public, health workers, lawmakers and state officials for making Oregon one of the states with overall lower levels of infection and death during the pandemic. Oregon has recorded 972,660 confirmed cases and 9,530 deaths since the first reported case in the state at the end of February 2020. "The death toll could have been much higher," Sidelinger said. The CDC reported Thursday that 1.12 million people have died from the virus, while the World Health Organization put the death toll around the globe at just more than 6.9 million. COVID-19 was first reported in Wuhan China at the end of December 2019 and the first infections in the United States were reported in Washington state in late January 2020. Safestay plc (LON:SSTY Get Rating)s share price crossed above its 50-day moving average during trading on Tuesday . The stock has a 50-day moving average of GBX 22.24 ($0.28) and traded as high as GBX 24 ($0.30). Safestay shares last traded at GBX 23.50 ($0.29), with a volume of 42,857 shares changing hands. Safestay Price Performance The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 206.19, a current ratio of 1.27 and a quick ratio of 1.27. The company has a market capitalization of 15.52 million, a PE ratio of -342.86 and a beta of 1.52. The firm has a 50-day moving average of GBX 22.48 and a 200 day moving average of GBX 17.82. About Safestay (Get Rating) Safestay plc operates and develops traveller accommodation under the Safestay brand in the United Kingdom. The company provides overnight hostel accommodation services and owns properties. It also provides ancillary goods and services, such as food and beverage, and merchandise. Safestay plc was incorporated in 2014 and is based in London, the United Kingdom. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Safestay Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Safestay and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust PLC (LON:SMT Get Rating) crossed below its fifty day moving average during trading on Tuesday . The stock has a fifty day moving average of GBX 690.44 ($8.54) and traded as low as GBX 655.10 ($8.11). Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust shares last traded at GBX 656.60 ($8.13), with a volume of 2,270,792 shares changing hands. Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust Trading Down 0.4 % The company has a market capitalization of 9.08 billion, a P/E ratio of -118.27 and a beta of 0.71. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 18.15, a current ratio of 0.53 and a quick ratio of 0.53. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of GBX 688.23 and a 200-day moving average price of GBX 732.33. Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust Company Profile (Get Rating) Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust PLC is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by Baillie Gifford & Co Ltd. The fund is co-managed by Baillie Gifford & Co It invests in public equity markets of countries across the globe. The fund seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Securian Asset Management Inc. lowered its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (BATS:USMV Get Rating) by 2.4% during the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 1,518,931 shares of the companys stock after selling 37,355 shares during the period. iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF makes up approximately 3.1% of Securian Asset Management Inc.s portfolio, making the stock its 3rd largest holding. Securian Asset Management Inc.s holdings in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF were worth $109,515,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Bank of Montreal Can raised its stake in shares of iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF by 7.8% in the 1st quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 8,253 shares of the companys stock worth $646,000 after buying an additional 594 shares in the last quarter. Blair William & Co. IL raised its stake in shares of iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF by 1.7% in the 1st quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 95,612 shares of the companys stock worth $7,417,000 after buying an additional 1,612 shares in the last quarter. AJ Wealth Strategies LLC raised its stake in shares of iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF by 4.4% in the 1st quarter. AJ Wealth Strategies LLC now owns 1,348,690 shares of the companys stock worth $104,618,000 after buying an additional 57,434 shares in the last quarter. Founders Financial Securities LLC raised its stake in shares of iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF by 27.0% in the 1st quarter. Founders Financial Securities LLC now owns 88,779 shares of the companys stock worth $6,887,000 after buying an additional 18,853 shares in the last quarter. Finally, West Michigan Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF by 6.1% in the 1st quarter. West Michigan Advisors LLC now owns 12,575 shares of the companys stock worth $975,000 after buying an additional 719 shares in the last quarter. Get iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF alerts: iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF Price Performance Shares of USMV traded down $0.08 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $73.59. The stock had a trading volume of 3,268,309 shares. The company has a market capitalization of $30.73 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.17 and a beta of 0.76. The firms 50 day moving average price is $71.84 and its 200-day moving average price is $71.77. iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF has a 52 week low of $47.44 and a 52 week high of $55.45. About iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF The iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (USMV) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI USA Minimum Volatility (USD) index. The fund tracks an index of US-listed firms selected and weighted to create a low-volatility portfolio subject to various constraints. USMV was launched on Oct 18, 2011 and is managed by BlackRock. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding USMV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (BATS:USMV Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Sepio Capital LP lifted its stake in Envista Holdings Co. (NYSE:NVST Get Rating) by 17.8% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 50,379 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 7,627 shares during the period. Sepio Capital LPs holdings in Envista were worth $1,696,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Raymond James & Associates grew its holdings in shares of Envista by 6.1% during the 1st quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 56,493 shares of the companys stock worth $2,752,000 after purchasing an additional 3,235 shares in the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can increased its holdings in Envista by 13.9% in the 1st quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 124,799 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,103,000 after buying an additional 15,228 shares during the period. Panagora Asset Management Inc. raised its position in shares of Envista by 8.1% in the 1st quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. now owns 6,543 shares of the companys stock valued at $319,000 after buying an additional 490 shares in the last quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can lifted its holdings in shares of Envista by 8.6% during the 1st quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 88,474 shares of the companys stock worth $4,433,000 after acquiring an additional 7,020 shares during the period. Finally, Vontobel Holding Ltd. acquired a new stake in shares of Envista during the 1st quarter worth approximately $390,000. Get Envista alerts: Envista Price Performance Shares of NYSE NVST traded up $0.06 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $38.26. 86,402 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,886,165. The company has a market cap of $6.26 billion, a PE ratio of 27.88, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.77 and a beta of 1.42. Envista Holdings Co. has a twelve month low of $31.67 and a twelve month high of $45.64. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21, a current ratio of 1.15 and a quick ratio of 0.91. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $38.64 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $36.30. Insider Buying and Selling at Envista Envista ( NYSE:NVST Get Rating ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 8th. The company reported $0.52 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.49 by $0.03. Envista had a return on equity of 8.52% and a net margin of 9.46%. The firm had revenue of $660.80 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $658.40 million. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.46 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 1.4% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Envista Holdings Co. will post 1.9 EPS for the current fiscal year. In other news, CFO Howard H. Yu sold 10,016 shares of Envista stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $37.90, for a total transaction of $379,606.40. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 45,865 shares in the company, valued at $1,738,283.50. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.76% of the companys stock. Analyst Ratings Changes NVST has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Robert W. Baird boosted their price objective on shares of Envista from $38.00 to $43.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, February 9th. Piper Sandler boosted their price target on Envista from $42.00 to $46.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Monday, February 6th. Finally, TheStreet upgraded Envista from a c+ rating to a b rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 8th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $46.00. Envista Profile (Get Rating) Envista Holdings Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the development, sale, and marketing of dental products in the United States, China, and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Specialty Products & Technologies and Equipment & Consumables. The company's Specialty Products & Technologies segment provides dental implant systems, guided surgery systems, biomaterials, and prefabricated and custom-built prosthetics to oral surgeons, prosthodontists, and periodontists under the Nobel Biocare, Alpha-Bio Tec, Implant Direct, Nobel Procera, and Orascoptic brands; and brackets and wires, tubes and bands, archwires, clear aligners, digital orthodontic treatments, retainers, and other orthodontic laboratory products under the Damon, Insignia, AOA, and Spark brands. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding NVST? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Envista Holdings Co. (NYSE:NVST Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Envista Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Envista and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shandong Weigao Group Medical Polymer Company Limited (OTCMKTS:SHWGF Get Rating) hit a new 52-week high on Thursday . The company traded as high as $1.73 and last traded at $1.73, with a volume of 0 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $1.73. Shandong Weigao Group Medical Polymer Price Performance The businesss fifty day moving average is $1.69 and its two-hundred day moving average is $1.55. About Shandong Weigao Group Medical Polymer (Get Rating) Shandong Weigao Group Medical Polymer Company Limited engages in the research and development, production, and sale of single-use medical devices in the People's Republic of China. It operates through Medical Device Products, Orthopaedic Products, Interventional Products, Pharma Packaging Products, Blood Management Products, and Others segments. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Shandong Weigao Group Medical Polymer Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Shandong Weigao Group Medical Polymer and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. AerCap Holdings (NYSE:AER Get Rating) was the target of a large decline in short interest in March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 2,240,000 shares, a decline of 15.2% from the March 15th total of 2,640,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 1,340,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.7 days. AerCap Trading Down 1.0 % NYSE:AER traded down $0.54 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $55.27. 537,224 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,255,452. The stock has a market capitalization of $13.65 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -17.89, a PEG ratio of 0.71 and a beta of 1.99. AerCap has a 52 week low of $37.20 and a 52 week high of $66.85. The firms 50 day moving average is $57.18 and its two-hundred day moving average is $57.39. The company has a quick ratio of 0.39, a current ratio of 0.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.87. Get AerCap alerts: AerCap (NYSE:AER Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, March 2nd. The financial services provider reported $2.66 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.97 by $0.69. The company had revenue of $1.83 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.77 billion. AerCap had a negative net margin of 10.35% and a positive return on equity of 14.18%. The firms revenue was up 26.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $1.04 EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that AerCap will post 7.74 earnings per share for the current year. Hedge Funds Weigh In On AerCap Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in AER. BlackRock Inc. grew its stake in AerCap by 90.7% in the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 5,767,535 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $289,992,000 after acquiring an additional 2,743,035 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new position in AerCap in the 4th quarter worth about $70,546,000. State Street Corp grew its stake in AerCap by 112.8% in the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 2,155,846 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $108,396,000 after acquiring an additional 1,142,547 shares in the last quarter. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. grew its stake in AerCap by 19,970.3% in the 4th quarter. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. now owns 982,642 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $57,306,000 after acquiring an additional 977,746 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Parsifal Capital Management LP grew its stake in AerCap by 142.9% in the 3rd quarter. Parsifal Capital Management LP now owns 1,629,984 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $68,997,000 after acquiring an additional 958,884 shares in the last quarter. 98.17% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Several analysts have commented on the stock. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of AerCap in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Barclays upped their target price on shares of AerCap from $66.00 to $77.00 in a research report on Friday, January 6th. The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on shares of AerCap in a research report on Thursday, March 30th. They set a buy rating and a $74.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Susquehanna upped their target price on shares of AerCap from $70.00 to $75.00 and gave the company a positive rating in a research report on Friday, March 3rd. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, AerCap presently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $71.86. About AerCap (Get Rating) AerCap Holdings NV engages in the leasing, financing, sales, and management of commercial flight equipment. The company was founded in 1995 and is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for AerCap Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for AerCap and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Standard Life UK Smaller Companies Trust plc (LON:SLS Get Rating) crossed below its fifty day moving average during trading on Tuesday . The stock has a fifty day moving average of GBX 732 ($9.06) and traded as low as GBX 732 ($9.06). Standard Life UK Smaller Companies Trust shares last traded at GBX 732 ($9.06), with a volume of 84,315 shares traded. Standard Life UK Smaller Companies Trust Stock Performance The stock has a 50-day moving average of GBX 732 and a 200 day moving average of GBX 732. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 8.92, a current ratio of 0.60 and a quick ratio of 0.60. The stock has a market capitalization of 715.41 million and a price-to-earnings ratio of 3.37. Standard Life UK Smaller Companies Trust Company Profile (Get Rating) Standard Life UK Smaller Companies Trust plc is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched by Standard Life Investments Limited. The fund is managed by Standard Life Investments (Corporate Funds) Limited. It invests in the public equity markets of the United Kingdom. The fund seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Standard Life UK Smaller Companies Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Standard Life UK Smaller Companies Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Surge Energy (TSE:SGY Get Rating) had its price target decreased by National Bankshares from C$13.00 to C$12.00 in a research report released on Tuesday, BayStreet.CA reports. Several other equities analysts also recently issued reports on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price target on shares of Surge Energy from C$10.25 to C$12.00 in a report on Monday, March 13th. Canaccord Genuity Group lowered their price target on shares of Surge Energy from C$14.75 to C$13.75 in a research report on Wednesday, March 29th. Raymond James lowered their price target on shares of Surge Energy from C$15.00 to C$14.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Monday, January 16th. Finally, Stifel Firstegy restated a buy rating on shares of Surge Energy in a report on Thursday, January 12th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Surge Energy has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of C$13.71. Get Surge Energy alerts: Surge Energy Trading Down 2.7 % Shares of SGY stock opened at C$8.93 on Tuesday. Surge Energy has a 12-month low of C$7.15 and a 12-month high of C$13.68. The company has a market capitalization of C$878.09 million, a P/E ratio of 3.40, a P/E/G ratio of 0.59 and a beta of 2.79. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of C$8.92 and a 200 day moving average price of C$9.12. The company has a quick ratio of 0.40, a current ratio of 0.46 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 41.50. Surge Energy Announces Dividend About Surge Energy The firm also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, May 15th. Stockholders of record on Sunday, April 30th will be given a $0.04 dividend. This represents a $0.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.38%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 27th. Surge Energys dividend payout ratio is presently 18.25%. (Get Rating) Surge Energy Inc explores for, develops, and produces oil and gas in western Canada. The company holds interest in the Greater Sawn Lake assets located in Northern Alberta; Valhalla/Wembley property located in northwestern Alberta; Sparky assets located between Provost and Wainwright in eastern Alberta and western Saskatchewan; and Shaunavon properties located to the southwest of Swift Current, Saskatchewan. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Surge Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Surge Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The Bank of New York Mellon Co. (NYSE:BK Get Rating) saw a significant increase in short interest in March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 7,360,000 shares, an increase of 21.5% from the March 15th total of 6,060,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 5,900,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.2 days. Approximately 0.9% of the companys stock are sold short. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Bank of New York Mellon Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in BK. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio raised its holdings in shares of Bank of New York Mellon by 0.5% in the 3rd quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 436,802 shares of the banks stock worth $16,826,000 after purchasing an additional 2,220 shares during the period. IFG Advisory LLC raised its holdings in shares of Bank of New York Mellon by 30.9% during the 3rd quarter. IFG Advisory LLC now owns 24,182 shares of the banks stock valued at $931,000 after buying an additional 5,703 shares during the period. Teza Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Bank of New York Mellon during the 3rd quarter valued at about $1,962,000. Meritage Portfolio Management raised its holdings in shares of Bank of New York Mellon by 4.8% during the 4th quarter. Meritage Portfolio Management now owns 98,444 shares of the banks stock valued at $4,481,000 after buying an additional 4,538 shares during the period. Finally, EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Bank of New York Mellon by 238.6% during the 3rd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 948 shares of the banks stock valued at $36,000 after buying an additional 668 shares during the period. 82.29% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Bank of New York Mellon alerts: Bank of New York Mellon Price Performance Shares of Bank of New York Mellon stock traded down $0.40 during trading on Thursday, hitting $44.84. 5,400,578 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 6,103,304. 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 fifty-two week low of $36.22 and a fifty-two week high of $52.26. The stock has a market capitalization of $35.86 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.19, a P/E/G ratio of 1.17 and a beta of 1.07. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $47.14 and a 200 day moving average price of $45.68. Bank of New York Mellon Dividend Announcement Bank of New York Mellon ( NYSE:BK Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 18th. The bank reported $1.12 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.09 by $0.03. The business had revenue of $4.36 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.40 billion. Bank of New York Mellon had a return on equity of 10.78% and a net margin of 12.87%. The businesss revenue was up 11.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.86 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts expect that Bank of New York Mellon will post 4.74 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, May 11th. Investors of record on Friday, April 28th will be given a dividend of $0.37 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 27th. This represents a $1.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.30%. Bank of New York Mellons dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 46.84%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades BK has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their target price on Bank of New York Mellon from $44.00 to $49.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research report on Wednesday. Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on Bank of New York Mellon from $46.00 to $47.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research report on Wednesday. Barclays lowered their price objective on Bank of New York Mellon from $64.00 to $62.00 in a report on Wednesday, April 12th. Bank of America initiated coverage on Bank of New York Mellon in a report on Thursday, January 12th. They issued a buy rating and a $56.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, 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 on the stock in a report on Wednesday, January 4th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $51.61. About Bank of New York Mellon (Get Rating) 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. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Bank of New York Mellon Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bank of New York Mellon and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. W.G. Shaheen & Associates DBA Whitney & Co lifted its stake in The Charles Schwab Co. (NYSE:SCHW Get Rating) by 0.6% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 227,228 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 1,338 shares during the quarter. Charles Schwab comprises about 3.5% of W.G. Shaheen & Associates DBA Whitney & Cos holdings, making the stock its 3rd largest holding. W.G. Shaheen & Associates DBA Whitney & Cos holdings in Charles Schwab were worth $18,919,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. IFG Advisory LLC raised its holdings in shares of Charles Schwab by 2.4% in the 3rd quarter. IFG Advisory LLC now owns 6,175 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $443,000 after buying an additional 144 shares during the period. Desjardins Global Asset Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of Charles Schwab by 3.0% in the third quarter. Desjardins Global Asset Management Inc. now owns 5,136 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $369,000 after acquiring an additional 150 shares in the last quarter. 1ST Source Bank lifted its stake in Charles Schwab by 0.6% in the third quarter. 1ST Source Bank now owns 24,341 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,749,000 after acquiring an additional 150 shares during the last quarter. Atlas Private Wealth Management raised its position in shares of Charles Schwab by 4.1% during the 3rd quarter. Atlas Private Wealth Management now owns 3,829 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $275,000 after acquiring an additional 151 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. lifted its stake in Charles Schwab by 0.6% during the third quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. now owns 24,591 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,767,000 after purchasing an additional 157 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 73.49% of the companys stock. Get Charles Schwab alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities analysts have issued reports on SCHW shares. The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their price objective on shares of Charles Schwab from $98.00 to $75.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, March 14th. Redburn Partners cut Charles Schwab from a neutral rating to a sell rating in a research report on Thursday. Barclays cut their target price on Charles Schwab from $61.00 to $56.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, April 14th. Citigroup lowered their price objective on shares of Charles Schwab from $75.00 to $65.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, March 29th. Finally, Piper Sandler lowered their price objective on shares of Charles Schwab from $83.00 to $75.00 in a research report on Tuesday. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Charles Schwab has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $69.21. Charles Schwab Price Performance Shares of NYSE SCHW traded down $0.30 during trading on Friday, reaching $53.70. The company had a trading volume of 11,450,204 shares, compared to its average volume of 23,158,504. The Charles Schwab Co. has a twelve month low of $45.00 and a twelve month high of $86.63. The stock has a market capitalization of $96.20 billion, a PE ratio of 14.79, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.20 and a beta of 0.88. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $63.49 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $73.35. The company has a current ratio of 0.38, a quick ratio of 0.38 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77. Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW Get Rating) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, April 17th. The financial services provider reported $0.93 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.90 by $0.03. Charles Schwab had a return on equity of 27.36% and a net margin of 34.82%. The company had revenue of $5.12 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.13 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.77 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 9.5% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that The Charles Schwab Co. will post 3.55 earnings per share for the current year. Charles Schwab Increases Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 24th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 10th were paid a $0.25 dividend. This is a positive change from Charles Schwabs previous quarterly dividend of $0.22. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.86%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 9th. Charles Schwabs payout ratio is currently 27.32%. Insider Activity In other news, President Richard A. Wurster acquired 2,000 shares of Charles Schwab stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 17th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $54.39 per share, with a total value of $108,780.00. Following the purchase, the president now directly owns 101,391 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,514,656.49. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In other Charles Schwab news, Director Mark A. Goldfarb acquired 4,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 16th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $58.37 per share, with a total value of $233,480.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 27,017 shares in the company, valued at $1,576,982.29. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, President Richard A. Wurster acquired 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 17th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $54.39 per share, with a total value of $108,780.00. Following the transaction, the president now 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 three months, insiders have bought 81,000 shares of company stock valued at $4,706,960 and have sold 676,962 shares valued at $53,960,539. Corporate insiders own 6.60% of the companys stock. Charles Schwab Profile (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. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SCHW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Charles Schwab Co. (NYSE:SCHW Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Charles Schwab Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Charles Schwab and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Urals Energy PCL (LON:UEN Get Rating)s stock price passed below its fifty day moving average during trading on Tuesday . The stock has a fifty day moving average of GBX 38 ($0.47) and traded as low as GBX 38 ($0.47). Urals Energy PCL shares last traded at GBX 38 ($0.47), with a volume of 14,900 shares changing hands. Urals Energy PCL Stock Up 15.2 % The businesss 50 day moving average is GBX 38 and its 200-day moving average is GBX 38. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 28.96, a quick ratio of 0.33 and a current ratio of 0.90. The firm has a market capitalization of 4.80 million and a price-to-earnings ratio of 0.42. Urals Energy PCL Company Profile (Get Rating) Urals Energy Public Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an independent exploration and production company in Russia. Its primary exploration and production operations are on the Kolguyev Island based in Timan Pechora, on Sakhalin Island, and Komi region. The company has 2P proved and probable reserves of 46.3 mmboe. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Urals Energy PCL Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Urals Energy PCL and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. W.G. Shaheen & Associates DBA Whitney & Co increased its stake in iShares New York Muni Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:NYF Get Rating) by 15.9% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 16,257 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 2,230 shares during the period. W.G. Shaheen & Associates DBA Whitney & Co owned 0.15% of iShares New York Muni Bond ETF worth $852,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Fairfield Bush & CO. bought a new stake in shares of iShares New York Muni Bond ETF during the first quarter worth $27,000. Armstrong Advisory Group Inc. bought a new stake in iShares New York Muni Bond ETF during the 4th quarter worth about $61,000. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. acquired a new position in iShares New York Muni Bond ETF during the 4th quarter valued at about $77,000. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. raised its stake in shares of iShares New York Muni Bond ETF by 33.8% during the third quarter. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. now owns 2,336 shares of the companys stock worth $117,000 after buying an additional 590 shares during the last quarter. Finally, EP Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in iShares New York Muni Bond ETF in the first quarter valued at approximately $181,000. Get iShares New York Muni Bond ETF alerts: iShares New York Muni Bond ETF Price Performance NYF traded down $0.09 during trading on Friday, reaching $53.21. 29,122 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 45,488. iShares New York Muni Bond ETF has a fifty-two week low of $49.91 and a fifty-two week high of $54.14. The companys fifty day moving average price is $53.02 and its 200-day moving average price is $52.46. iShares New York Muni Bond ETF Profile iShares New York AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF, formerly iShares S&P New York AMT-Free Municipal Bond Fund (the Fund), is an exchange traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the S&P AMT-Free Municipal Series 2016 IndexTM (the Index). Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding NYF? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares New York Muni Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:NYF Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for iShares New York Muni Bond ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares New York Muni Bond ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wells Fargo & Company lowered shares of Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO Get Rating) from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating in a research report report published on Tuesday morning, The Fly reports. They currently have $135.00 price target on the oil and gas companys stock, down from their previous price target of $160.00. Other analysts have also recently issued reports about the company. Raymond James upped their price target on Valero Energy from $169.00 to $174.00 and gave the company a strong-buy rating in a research report on Monday, January 30th. Barclays boosted their price objective on Valero Energy from $159.00 to $166.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, April 6th. BMO Capital Markets raised Valero Energy from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and increased their target price for the company from $135.00 to $160.00 in a research note on Tuesday, January 17th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on Valero Energy from $160.00 to $172.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, March 28th. Finally, Tudor Pickering downgraded Valero Energy from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $152.38. Get Valero Energy alerts: Valero Energy Stock Down 1.2 % Shares of Valero Energy stock opened at $122.95 on Tuesday. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $132.99 and a 200-day simple moving average of $130.09. Valero Energy has a 52-week low of $96.71 and a 52-week high of $150.39. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41, a current ratio of 1.38 and a quick ratio of 1.00. The firm has a market cap of $45.63 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 4.22, a P/E/G ratio of 0.84 and a beta of 1.66. Valero Energy Increases Dividend Valero Energy ( NYSE:VLO Get Rating ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 26th. The oil and gas company reported $8.45 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $7.45 by $1.00. The company had revenue of $41.75 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $43.31 billion. Valero Energy had a return on equity of 50.15% and a net margin of 6.54%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 16.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $2.47 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts expect that Valero Energy will post 25.17 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 16th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 14th were paid a $1.02 dividend. This represents a $4.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.32%. This is an increase from Valero Energys previous quarterly dividend of $0.98. The ex-dividend date was Monday, February 13th. Valero Energys payout ratio is currently 14.01%. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Parsons Capital Management Inc. RI raised its stake in Valero Energy by 2.2% during the 3rd quarter. Parsons Capital Management Inc. RI now owns 5,231 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $559,000 after buying an additional 115 shares during the period. Avantax Advisory Services Inc. raised its stake in Valero Energy by 13.8% during the 3rd quarter. Avantax Advisory Services Inc. now owns 22,091 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $2,360,000 after buying an additional 2,682 shares during the period. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board increased its holdings in Valero Energy by 29.9% during the 3rd quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 276,830 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $29,579,000 after purchasing an additional 63,800 shares in the last quarter. Kentucky Retirement Systems Insurance Trust Fund increased its holdings in Valero Energy by 1.3% during the 3rd quarter. Kentucky Retirement Systems Insurance Trust Fund now owns 14,119 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $1,509,000 after purchasing an additional 176 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Whittier Trust Co. increased its holdings in Valero Energy by 2.6% during the 3rd quarter. Whittier Trust Co. now owns 242,950 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $25,958,000 after purchasing an additional 6,156 shares in the last quarter. 79.28% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Valero Energy Company Profile (Get Rating) Valero Energy Corp. engages in the manufacture and marketing of transportation fuels and other petrochemical products. It operates through the following business segments: Refining, Ethanol and Renewable Diesel. The Refining segment consists of refining operations, associated marketing activities, and logistics assets that support its refining operations. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Valero Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Valero Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wihlborgs Fastigheter AB (publ) (OTCMKTS:WIHLY Get Rating) announced a dividend on Friday, April 21st, investing.com reports. Investors of record on Friday, April 28th will be paid a dividend of 0.2136 per share on Friday, May 19th. This represents a dividend yield of 3.35%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 27th. This is a boost from Wihlborgs Fastigheter AB (publ)s previous dividend of $0.16. Wihlborgs Fastigheter AB (publ) Stock Performance Shares of OTCMKTS:WIHLY opened at $6.38 on Friday. Wihlborgs Fastigheter AB has a 1 year low of $5.00 and a 1 year high of $8.37. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $6.38 and a 200 day simple moving average of $6.38. Get Wihlborgs Fastigheter AB (publ) alerts: Wihlborgs Fastigheter AB (publ) Company Profile (Get Rating) See Also Wihlborgs Fastigheter AB (publ), a property company, owns, develops, rents, and manages commercial properties in the Oresund region, Sweden. The company's property portfolio includes office/retail, logistics/production, and projects and land in Malmo, Helsingborg, Lund, and Copenhagen. As of December 31, 2021, its property portfolio consisted of 299 properties with a total lettable area of approximately 2,143,000 square meters. Receive News & Ratings for Wihlborgs Fastigheter AB (publ) Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Wihlborgs Fastigheter AB (publ) and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shore Capital restated their house stock rating on shares of Wynnstay Group (LON:WYN Get Rating) in a research report released on Tuesday, Marketbeat.com reports. Wynnstay Group Stock Up 1.1 % Shares of LON WYN opened at GBX 445 ($5.51) on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.77, a quick ratio of 1.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 13.03. The stock has a market capitalization of 100.04 million, a PE ratio of 563.29 and a beta of 0.72. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is GBX 489.53 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is GBX 558.74. Wynnstay Group has a 12-month low of GBX 416.55 ($5.15) and a 12-month high of GBX 658 ($8.14). Get Wynnstay Group alerts: Wynnstay Group Increases Dividend The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 28th. Investors of record on Thursday, March 30th will be issued a GBX 11.60 ($0.14) dividend. This represents a yield of 2.17%. This is a boost from Wynnstay Groups previous dividend of $5.40. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 30th. Wynnstay Groups payout ratio is presently 2,151.90%. Insider Transactions at Wynnstay Group Wynnstay Group Company Profile In other Wynnstay Group news, insider B Paul Roberts sold 2,188 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, April 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 437 ($5.41), for a total value of 9,561.56 ($11,832.15). In other news, insider Gareth Davies sold 6,974 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 531 ($6.57), for a total transaction of 37,031.94 ($45,825.94). Also, insider B Paul Roberts sold 2,188 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, April 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 437 ($5.41), for a total value of 9,561.56 ($11,832.15). Insiders own 26.86% of the companys stock. (Get Rating) Wynnstay Group Plc manufactures and supplies agricultural products in the United Kingdom. It operates through Agriculture and Specialist Agricultural Merchanting segments. The Agriculture segment offers animal nutrition products to the agricultural market; and seeds, fertilizers, and agro-chemicals to arable and grassland farmers, as well as markets grains. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Wynnstay Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Wynnstay Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah on Friday said "Modi factor" would not have an impact in the May 10 Karnataka Assembly polls and expects Muslims to solidly back his party by opting for tactical voting. In an interview with PTI, the former Chief Minister also said the polls would be mainly fought on local issues and insisted a victory in the southern state would serve as a stepping stone for the Congress in national politics ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The 75-year-old Leader of Opposition, who reiterated this will be his last electoral battle, said he expects 90 per cent of Muslim voters to back the Congress. The ruling BJP is facing strong anti-incumbency. The veteran also ruled out any differences with state Congress president and fellow chief minister aspirant DK Shivakumar, even as he asserted anyone can aspire to come to such to posts. Following are the excerpts from the interview: Q: Whether the election will be fought on local issues or will there also be a Narendra Modi vs Rahul Gandhi contest? A. This election will be fought mainly on local and development issues. We are raising only local issues and development we made during our tenure and also during Congress governments earlier. The Modi versus Rahul contest is there at the national level mainly because people are projecting like that, but it is the fight between two ideologies -- communal and secular politics. Q. The impact of the "Modi factor"-- A: (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi's visits will not make any impact on the voters of Karnataka, because this is a state election, this is not a national election. The main issues the people are going to consider are local issues and the misrule of the BJP government. Q: On Whether Muslims, who constitute 10-12 percent of the population, opt for tactical voting in favour of Congress in Karnataka, as they did for Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal. A: In Karnataka also it looks Muslims have decided that the Congress party will come back to power and they have faith in the Congress party and its leadership. Congress is the only party that safeguards the interest of the minorities in the state. More than 90 per cent we are expecting from the Muslim community and Christian community also. Definitely, they will vote for the Congress only. That's what I hope. Q. On the adverse impact of the presence of SDPI (Social Democratic Party of India) candidates on Congress prospects. A: Every voter is very intelligent, including Muslims. They don't want to split their votes between SDPI and Congress, as they know that it will help BJP, the communal party. I hope they will vote for the Congress party only. Q: On Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and his advice to Karnataka Congress vis-a-vis election strategy. A: People of Karnataka have a lot of hopes on Rahul Gandhi. After his padayatra (Bharat Jodo Yatra) in the entire country his image has enhanced. In Karnataka also people hope Rahul Gandhi should become the Prime Minister. He is aware of the political situation in Karnataka, he is advising to go together and fight together and bring back the party to power in Karnataka, as there is ample opportunity for the Congress party to come to power. Q: On perception about political one-upmanship between him and state Congress chief D K Shivakumar to become CM in the event of Congress coming to power. A: There are no differences between me and D K Shivakumar politically. He is an aspirant, I'm also an aspirant. In democracy anyone can have aspiration. I don't think it is wrong to have an aspiration in democracy. The opinion will be collected after the election; based on the opinion of the MLAs the high command will take a decision (on CM). Q. On the importance of Karnataka poll outcome for Congress' revival nationally. A: From the point of view of national politics and upcoming parliament elections it is very important. If we win Karnataka, it will be a stepping stone for national politics. Q: On Congress' poll guarantees and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's claim that it will require Rs one lakh crore. A: No, it will not come to Rs 1 lakh crore. We have worked out economic implications on the state exchequer, it will be around Rs 50,000 crores from all the four guarantees we have promised. It will not be difficult for Karnataka state, whose budget size is Rs 3,10,000 crore and every year it increases by Rs 25-30,000 crore. I know the economy of Karnataka and the implications of the promises we have made. I think Karnataka can implement all these programmes. I have presented 13 budgets so far in Karnataka since 1994. Q. On BJP fielding senior Minister Somanna against him and another Minister R Ashoka against D K Shivakumar? A. Their intention may be to tie us down (in our constituencies), but it is not possible. I have told people in my Varuna constituency that I will come for campaigning for just two days, other days I will campaign in other constituencies. Q. Whether Congress is open to the idea of aligning with JD(S) in case of a hung verdict. A: That question does not arise at all. People are fed up with the coalition government and BJP government. They want Congress to come to power, they have decided to give it an opportunity. Q. On JD(S) prospects in the election. A.They will not cross 25 seats. Q. How many seats Congress will get. A: According to me, Congress will get more than 120 seats (out of the total 224), it may reach 150 also. This time the wind is in favour of the Congress party. Q. On discontent, rebellion and desertion in Congress after ticket distribution. A: We are talking to them. In democracy, the rebels will always be there. Not only in Congress, in other political parties also. Q. On why the high command did not allow him to contest from two seats, as per his desire. A: I didn't say that I will contest from two constituencies. My son (Yathidra, sitting MLA) wanted me to contest from Varuna this time, after I was reluctant to contest from Badami, because it is a far off place and it was difficult for me to visit there at least once in 15 days. Leaders and workers wanted me to contest from Kolar, so I told them if high command permits I will contest. As my son was very particular that I should contest from Varuna, and as it is my native constituency and since it is going to be my last election, I decided to contest from Varuna. Yathidra has taken the responsibility of campaigning in the entire constituency as he has been the MLA for five years. Q: The impact of reservation related decisions of BJP government taken during the fag end of its tenure? A: It is a political decision taken by the BJP government, it doesn't mean they are committed to social justice. BJP is never committed to or has spoken in favour of social justice. BJP is against reservation. Suddenly as the election approached they took a decision not in accordance with the provisions of the constitution. It should have been included in the 9th schedule (Of the Constitution) to provide a safeguard, as the reservation has breached 50 percent cap and reached 56 per cent. It is an eyewash to SC/STs. They claim it to be a 'double engine government' with BJP both in state and centre, they should have ensured inclusion under 9th schedule. Q: On Congress campaign so far spearheaded by only local leaders? A: Rahul Gandhi is also coming. He had come to Kolar and Belagavi. Again he is coming on April 23. Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, they will all come, in addition to myself and D K Shivakumar and other state leaders. Q: On BJP leaders targeting him more compared to other Congress leaders. A: Number one is, they target me because they are afraid of me. Number two-- the people of Karnataka have decided that the Congress party will come back to power. People of Karnataka always love me, adore me, that's why they (BJP) are afraid of me. Q. On the coming election being his last. A: Yes, this is going to be my last election. Q: On whether he wants to leave electoral politics on a high note as a Chief Minister. A: Let us see. Chief Ministership...the elected MLAs will take a decision; before that I can't call myself the Chief Minister of the state. Q: What gives you the confidence that people will give a clear mandate to the Congress this time? A: Because BJP is facing strong anti-incumbency. According to my understanding of the people and as I know the pulse of the people in Karnataka, they have decided to back the Congress party. The Bharatiya Janata Party is facing a high level of anti-incumbency and corruption charges in its quest to retain power. No Chief Minister has managed to come back to power in Karnataka since 1985 which portends bad outcomes for CM Basavaraj Bommai. To make matters worse, some senior leaders have left after being denied tickets and joined the Congress. The BJP faces larger structural challenges in Karnataka, the only southern state where it has been able to breach. It has emerged as the single largest party in three out of the last four elections. However, it has never been able to touch the magical mark of 113 seats (2004: 84, 2008: 110, 2018: 104). 1: Lingayat Tag Hurts BJP is called the LIBRA (Lingayat plus Brahmin) party in Karnataka. It has not been able to shed its dominance by the Lingayats, which is the most influential community in the state. A quarter of its candidates' hail from the community, higher than the Lingayat population in the state. BJP's overdependence on BS Yediyurappa has prevented its outreach amongst other communities. While the BJP in many states in India has become the first choice of OBCs and SC-ST voters, in Karnataka it still lags behind Congress amongst these vote blocs. 2: Lack Of Statewide Presence Just like the Janata Dal (Secular), the BJP doesnt enjoy statewide influence. While it has a strong presence in North, Central and Coastal Karnataka, in South Karnataka, especially Old Mysuru region accounting for 51 seats, it is the No:3 player behind Congress and JD(S). In Old Mysuru region, its vote share in 2018 was 19 percent, almost half of its state average of 36 percent. In the past five elections, BJP hasnt been able to extend its influence beyond 170 seats. That means it requires a very high strike rate of 67 percent, and needs to win every 2 out of 3 seats in the rest of Karnataka (113 / 170). There are 77 seats which it has never won in the last three elections. 3: Failure To Sweep Urban Bengaluru BJP is the first choice of voters in urban seats across India. However, the party has not been able to hold onto the urban seats of Bengaluru region after 2008 (see table below). With 28 seats, Bengaluru accounts for an eighth of the total seats in the assembly. This could be attributed to urban apathy, voters not seeing BJP as a party with a difference amid rampant corruption allegations against its government, and lack of progress on the citys woes like traffic, pollution etc. 4: Dependence On Borrowed Leaders BJP faces a talent issue as well in Karnataka, with one-sixth of its MLAs in the current assembly having won elections previously on the ticket of other parties. A staggering ten ministers in the Bommai government out of a cabinet size of 29 are outsiders (from Congress-JD(S)). In the initial years, it received a boost from an intake of leaders from Janata Party/ Janata Dal, CM Bommai being the perfect example, he crossing over from JD(U). In 2008, seven MLAs and in 2019, 17 MLAs of Congress-JD(S) jumped sides helping BJP reach the majority mark. To add to BJP woes, there has been the exit of six high profile leaders over denial of ticket, which further complicates the party's calculations. Amitabh Tiwari is a former corporate and investment banker-turned political strategist and commentator. Twitter: @politicalbaaba. Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication. Senior leader Ajit Pawar did not figure in the list of star campaigners released on Friday by the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) for the Karnataka Assembly elections. Earlier in the day, Pawar skipped the NCP's meeting in Mumbai as the speculation about his possible exit from the party refuses to die down. The 15-member list of star campaigners included party chief Sharad Pawar, Supriya Sule, Praful Patel, Shivajirao Garje, Clyde Crasto and R Hari. Hari, who heads the party's Karnataka unit, would be fielded from Yelburga constituency. The NCP on Friday released its list of nine candidates for the next month's elections in the southern state. USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age. *I agree to the processing of my personal information for personalized recommendations, personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites. I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS. (Optional). Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept LML, a defunct two-wheeler brand which was bought over by Yogesh Bhatias SG Corporate Mobility, is gearing up for reintroduction in the Indian market with the rollout of Star electric scooter later this year. While LML Emotion, the rechristened brand, is working on electric two-wheelers (E2Ws) across segments and sub-segments, has decided to have a singular focus on the electric scooter market in the first two years of its operations. Bhatia believes that there is still an addressable gap in the domestic scooter market, including petrol-driven vehicles. While on the one hand, the two-wheeler industry in the ICE (internal combustion engine) segment is going down, E2Ws are not going up in the same proportion. The consumer is in a dilemma over the right price, product and features which are not offered by existing EV makers. We have to address that cluttered market with LML Star, LML Emotion Managing Director Yogesh Bhatia told Moneycontrol in an exclusive interaction. When asked how the company will be able to fill the void with LML Star, he said: Apart from the trust factor and design statement, technological capabilities and innovation will give our products an edge. While it has the design cues of a motorcycle, it has the comfort of a scooter. Electric two-wheeler sales see a surge According to the Society of Manufacturers of Electric Vehicles (SMEV) data, total E2W sales, including low-speed e-scooters, went up nearly threefold to 8,46,976 units in the last fiscal from 3,27,900 in FY2021-22. While the total two-wheeler numbers in the ICE segment were up by 17 percent on a YoY basis in FY23, it is still 25 percent less than 21 million units during FY 2018-2019 (pre-COVID FY), as per Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) data. It may be recalled that last year, LML Electric unveiled the concept versions of its upcoming electric two-wheeler models Star (e-Scooter), Moonshot (e-Hyperbike), and Orion (e-Bike). The Gurgaon-based firm has already opened bookings for LML Star, which has been conceived in collaboration with Italian firm SPM Engineering as well as Desmania Design. Powering the LML Star will be a 4 kWh Lithium-ion removable battery that will offer a claimed range of 120 kmph per charge. Experiential brand Talking about the positioning of the Star, Bhatia said: We are targeting 18 to 80-years-old (currently there is no upper age limit for driving in India) customers as it is not just a simple scooter but a complete family vehicle. Since we are targeting not only masses and not only ultra-premium customers, we want to position LML as a lifestyle brand. He, however, didnt share any sales targets. Bhatia was categorical that LML is not primarily focusing on price, and, instead, plans to be an experiential brand. We wont put a high price for the Indian market and dont want to be a bang-on range. We have the DNA and a sense of the Indian consumer. We will give an industry-best price for the Indian consumer at the time of launch, said Bhatia. When asked about the rollout of Moonshot, Bhatia said: We want to gain a strategic foothold in the electric-scooter market. After that, we will think about other products. Earlier, we have given some timeline for e-motorcycles but that is likely to be extended. Moonshot, which has been developed by EV brand eROCKIT AG, was slated for a rollout in the domestic market by 2024, and Orion was meant to be shipped to US and European markets. LML has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Saera Electric Auto Pvt Ltd, which had acquired American cult bike maker Harley Davidson's manufacturing plant at Bawal in Haryana, to roll out its products in the initial phase. The Bawal manufacturing facility has an annual capacity to produce 2.25 lakh units per year. Meanwhile, LML Electric is in the process of investing Rs 350 crore, which it had earlier earmarked for the first phase, including the acquisition of the brand, product development and initial production. However, it has kept its Rs 500-crore fund-raising plan on hold Apple CEO Tim Cook met Sunil Mittal, the founder and chairman of Bharti Group, on April 21 and both of them reaffirmed commitment to work more closely in the India and African markets. Apple opened its first two official stores in India during the week. Cook on April 18 inaugurated the first Store in Mumbai and the second in New Delhi on April 20. "Tim Cook and Sunil Bharti Mittal had an hour-long meeting this morning. While expressing their satisfaction on the ongoing long relationship that Apple and Airtel have had, (they) reaffirmed their commitment to work more closely in the Indian and African market," Bharti Group said in a statement. .@tim_cook and Sunil Bharti Mittal had an hour long meeting this morning. While expressing their satisfaction on the ongoing long relationship that @Apple and @airtelindia have had, reaffirmed their commitment to work more closely in the Indian and African market. pic.twitter.com/58r1jT4EJn Bharti Airtel (@airtelnews) April 21, 2023 During his visit Cook also met Minister of State in Electronics and Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar on April 19 and discussed topics including exports, job creation and 'broadening manufacturing'. Also Read | Apple BKC store opens in Mumbai, signaling the iPhone maker's growing India ambitions Later, the same day he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and they both discussed how Apple is committed to "growing and investing" across India. On April 20, Cook met Union Minister for Railways, Communications, Electronics & Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw and discussed deepening Apples engagement in the country across manufacturing, electronics exports, app economy, skilling, etc. Apple's first retail store, Apple BKC, opened its doors to customers on April 18 in Mumbai, Maharashtra three years after it debuted its online store in the country and more than 25 years after it began operations in India. Also Read | Apple previews its Delhi retail store Apple Saket. Heres a sneak peek Beleaguered Swiss bank Credit Suisse has moved the Supreme Court against SpiceJet, alleging contempt of court over the failure of the domestic carrier to comply with a court-approved settlement plan for payment of dues. SpiceJet, however, told the apex court on April 21 that it would pay a tranche the same day and the next in May. The Supreme Court put the contempt plea on hold and will now hear the case on May 17. In May 2022, SpiceJet Limited and Credit Suisse AG entered into a settlement on a payment dispute. The dispute rose over the non-payment of dues by SpiceJet to Switzerland-based SR Technics, which maintains, repairs and overhauls aircraft for airlines. SpiceJet had defaulted on dues to the tune of $20 million. This dispute led to the Madras High Court ordering the winding up of SpiceJet. The order was also upheld by a bigger high court bench, which the airline challenged in the Supreme Court. It secured a reprieve from the country's top court, which stayed the order in January 2022. The court asked both sides to settle the dispute instead of litigating over it. A settlement agreement was drawn up in May 2022 and it required SpiceJet to pay a certain amount upfront and the balance over a mutually agreed timeline. The settlement was arrived at after SpiceJets successfully settled its previous disputes with De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited (DHC), Boeing, CDB Aviation, BOC Aviation and Avolon. Hindustan Zinc plans to send its own team for training to China to complete the commissioning of its Fumer plant in Rajasthan, the company has said in its results statement. The company has struggled for more than a quarter to bring Chinese experts to India owing to visa issues. In 2017, media reports said Hindustan Zinc will set up its first Zinc Fumer Plant in Rajasthan at an estimated expenditure of Rs 570 crore and the formal order for the plant was placed with a Chinese manufacturer. A fumer plant helps recover metal from waste. It is very difficult for Chinese engineers to get visa for various reasons, so we are looking to send our engineers there, so they can come back with the commissioning knowledge, Arun Misra, chief executive officer for Hindustan Zinc told Moneycontrol in a post results interaction call on April 21. He added, We decided to take a practical approach to things. As an alternative solution, Hindustan Zinc is now working on commissioning with internal experts and online original equipment manufacturer (OEM) support, with a team traveling to China for training in May 2023, the company said in its results statement, adding the commissioning is expected in the current financial quarter. Hindustan Zincs net profit for the quarter was down at Rs 2,583 crore, a dip of 11.8 percent year-on-year (y-o-y). For the full year, net profit was at Rs 10,511 crore, up 9.2 percent y-o-y, led by higher Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and ammortisation or EBITDA partly offset by increase in tax. Misra said the y-o-y dip in the zinc verticals performance for the March quarter was also due to higher commodity prices seen a year ago with the start of the Russia-Ukraine war. With India surpassing China to become the worlds most populous country with 1.428 billion people, it needs to grow an annual pace of 8 percent for the next three decades to ensure jobs for people of working age, economists say. The country also needs to invest heavily in skilling its workforce to become a global repository of human resources, they say. India's population has Chinas 1.425 billion people, according to the UNs World Population dashboard, and is expected to touch 1.668 billion by 2050. Chinas population is expected to contract to about 1.317 billion. The United Nations Population Funds State of the World Population Report 2023 estimates Indias mid-year population at 1.428 billion and Chinas at 1.427 billion. India surpassing China in population is only an event. What is more important are the challenges and opportunities it will bring, said NR Bhanumurthy, vice-chancellor of the Bengaluru-based Dr BR Ambedkar School of Economics, told Moneycontrol. Challenges are going to be much more in terms of providing employment to the working age population. We need to grow at 8-9 percent for a long time, i.e. 2-3 decades, to provide employment and social security measures. Compared to other countries, India has grown at an average of 7 percent in this decade, he said. Also Read | India is now the world's most populous country, surpassing China: UN report Half the population aged under 30 India has 254 million people in the 15-24 age group, the worlds largest young population. This year, 25 percent of India's population will be in the 0-14 year bracket, 18 percent between 10-19 years of age and 26 percent between 10-24 years old. Sixty-eight of Indias population is in the 15-64 age group, and only 7 percent above 65. That means half the population is under the age of 30 in India. GDP is linked to productivity and skill enhancement for which structural reforms are needed. China has done the same to focus on growth by enhancing skill sets. We are already in the direction to focus on skillsets. If reforms in land, labour market can be addressed, productivity will go up, Bhanumurthy said. Unemployment is a dynamic concept and is a problem everywhere, not only in India. Way to address it is to enhance economic activity and GDP, which will create jobs. We need to shift focus of economic activity from service-led to manufacturing as it is labour-intensive. Share of manufacturing needs to increase from 16 percent to 25 percent of GDP, then we can absorb a lot of people. Chinas 10 percent growth was heavily dependent on manufacturing. Because India's service sector share is more, we are having skewed growth, Bhanumurthy said. Instead of adopting an alarmist view towards population it is important to understand the progress made in containing the explosion by managing fertility. Indias growth rate (in fertility) has declined to 1.5 percent per annum, he said. Demographic dividend What is needed is adequate investments in education and market-ready skill building. Government needs to focus on technology and digital skill sets. Its about a targeted approach towards creating the right combination of opportunities and skill sets and investing in the demographic. Growth rate of the population has steadily declined. To progress economically, investment in the younger population is a must so that they can contribute productively to the workforce. Investment in human resources leads to economic development and progress. China invested in health, education, investment in the young demographic dividend that has led to it becoming a superpower, Sanghamitra Singh, Lead - Policy and Programs, NGO Population Foundation of India, told Moneycontrol. As the population of most developed countries declines, India can provide the skills to other countries. India can be the repository of human resources. We need to celebrate the substantive decline in infant and maternal mortality. We have managed to bring fertility levels to replacement levels. We need to make a strategy specific to inter-regional disparity as there are pockets where fertility rates are high. Going forward, employment may be a challenge, but first we have to address the huge mismatch, as there are jobs but not enough market-ready population. So many positions are vacant in rural hospitals and clinics. First opportunities need to be capitalised on, Singh said. The total fertility rate of India is 2.0 and life expectancy at birth is 71 for males and 74 for girls. This population phenomenon needs to be looked at in the backdrop of population control policies, demographic transition and growth of the economy in India and China over the years. India, now with a high working-age population, can reap benefits of demographic dividend, conditional upon high state capital expenditure on health, education and employment programs. With artificial intelligence and other technological advancements, the government should also focus on skill-based job-creating areas. So, job replacement can be turned into job displacement, A Sri Hari Naidu, economist at the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy, said. Also Read | India's population growth slows down, despite surpassing China Transition phase As far as India goes, if the annual rate of population increase remains constant as of 2023, it would take 75 years for the total population to double. Did India cross China or is it because China's population growth declined over the years but Indias population growth is declining slowly? After a level of industrialisation, India directly transitioned to the service sector. Indias death rate and birth rates have gradually fallen over this transition, Naidu said. Just eight countries will account for half the projected growth in global population by 2050 the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines and the United Republic of Tanzania; two thirds of people now live in a country where lifetime fertility corresponds to zero growth, according to The United Nations Population Funds State of the World Population Report 2023. China moved very quickly from a traditional to an industrial economy. Contrary to the demographic theory, both death rates and birth rates have fallen in China. Recognising the working population decline and high dependency ratios, China relaxed its one-child policy. This is to maintain high economic growth and high consumption. Next factory to the world? India established the first national programme to control population growth through family planning in 1952. This achieved limited success in slowing birth rates. India becoming the worlds most populous country creates a huge demographic dividend. Most of the developed world is dealing with an ageing population. Meanwhile, India, with one of the youngest workforces, equipped with smartphones and perpetually connected with high speed data, can fill the gap. With demographic dividend on its side, India can easily become the factory to the world. This offers a window of reform to create a convergence of land, labour, capital and entrepreneurship to create jobs at scale, Rishi Agrawal, co-founder and CEO of digital compliance company Teamlease Regtech, told Moneycontrol. The window of opportunity is small and bold reforms are the need of the hour. India needs to reimagine its complex, archaic regulatory framework to unleash the instincts of Indian entrepreneurs, he said. India has raised its geopolitical heft in recent years, which has helped it maintain its historic unaligned stance in tensions between the US and Russia. Still, in the major geopolitical divide of the next decade, the one between the US and China, India is likely to come off the fence and align with the US given its shared security interest with America in limiting the power and influence of China and as it stands to gain from companies that want to move their supply chains away from the Asian giant. India is well-positioned to benefit further from the 'friend-shoring' of manufacturing supply chains if it shifts towards the US, Shilan Shah, Deputy Chief Emerging Markets Economist at Capital Economics, said in an investor note on April 20. Shah cites Apples decision late last year to relocate more of its manufacturing from China to India, something that is beginning to bear fruit. The iPhone production in India trebled in the year to March. Moreover, the high-profile meeting between Apple chief executive Tim Cook and Prime Minister Narendra Modi this week raises hopes of a further strengthening of ties, he added. The power tussle The US has emerged as Indias largest trading partner in the last financial year, trumping China, imports from where were the highest. India has been in a border faceoff which its larger neighbour since 2020 at the contested land border with China. The US and China are engaged in a conflict at various levels as Beijing seeks to be the apex global power, displacing Washington. The US has curbed shipments of high-end chips to China and seeks to shelter Taiwan, on which Beijing lays a historical claim. China has rebuffed attempts by US President Joe Biden administration to restart high-level talks and lower tensions over Taiwan, according to reportage by The New York Times. The power tussle is ratcheting up tensions in the region, with an arms race starting in the Indo-Pacific. Though India imports a majority of its arms from Russia, which itself is engaged in a shadow war with the West, New Delhi has entered into a strategic partnership with US, Australia and Japan. On the other hand, Chinese President Xi Jinping is growing his influence in the Middle East and is winning new admirers, from Frances President Emmanuel Macron to Brazils Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Indian prospects Amid the raging geopolitical power shifts, prospects for Indias economy over the long term are more promising than for most major economies, Capital Economics Shilan Shah said. Its demographic potential is immense: India is now the worlds most populous nation and will replace China as home to the worlds largest labour force within the next couple of years. And in a fracturing global economy, India is a prime candidate to benefit from the 'friend-shoring' of manufacturing supply chains given its large labour supply, low costs and progress (albeit gradual) on structural reform, he said. Despite New Delhis preference to remain unaligned geopolitically, it is likely to lean towards a US-led bloc in a fracturing global economy. Apple shifting more of its manufacturing into India could prove pivotal, particularly if it helps to form an ecosystem of suppliers or encourages other multinationals to follow suit. Also read: Why India is critical to Apple's future plans: Key factors driving the much-delayed bonhomie Indias already efficient payments system could create a burgeoning online business ecosystem. It must be noted that the US and India recently signed a pact to strengthen cooperation on developing semiconductor supply chains, including by sharing technology, research and development and labour. The announcement that 31 M1 Abrams tanks could reach Ukraine by autumn brings one of Americas most powerful weapons a step closer to the war. But even the quicker-than-expected delivery would not likely reach the battlefield in time for the start of an anticipated Ukrainian counteroffensive, one in which Western allies appear to have fallen short of providing the weapons that U.S. military officials believe Ukraine needs. Documents that were among leaked classified military assessments of the war show that U.S. military planners believe that 253 tanks are needed for the coming counteroffensive. As of late February, however, only 200 had been committed, and of those, 60 were made by Western manufacturers the kind of sophisticated weaponry that Ukraine has requested. The documents, from late February and early March, offer a snapshot in time of preparations for the counteroffensive. More weapons and artillery have flowed into Ukraine in the weeks since the assessments were dated. Still, the documents reveal not just gaps in Ukraines arsenal but also the struggles of Western allies to fulfill their pledged deliveries of tanks and other weapons systems. Here is a look at five key pledged weapons: Tanks The leaked assessments show that 140 tanks being lined up for the counteroffensive, well over half the total, would be refurbished Soviet-era machines, including some from Ukraines current arsenal. A document dated Feb. 28 showed that three Ukrainian brigades gearing up for the campaign were short at least a dozen tanks each. The documents also indicated that 60 Western tanks from Britain, Canada, Germany and Poland and tanklike reconnaissance vehicles from France would be delivered to Ukraine by April, before the 31 Abrams tanks are now expected to arrive. Air Defense Systems This week, Ukraine received its first Patriot battery, a U.S.-made air defense system that is considered among the most advanced for shooting down warplanes and cruise missiles. It came 19 months after Ukraines defense minister, Oleksii Reznikov, said he had first asked for them, and allies have committed to sending only one more. The United States has sent Ukraine two air defense systems known as NASAMs, and the documents say that six more are to come from the United States, one from Canada and one from Norway. Additionally, Germany recently delivered its second of four IRIS-T systems. Artillery As of March 1, Ukraine was believed to have only about 9,800 U.S.-supplied 155 mm rounds on hand and was expected to run out within days. Over the next 12 days, the U.S. delivered another 30,000 rounds. But at this point, Ukraines appetite for 155 mm rounds is essentially limitless, and ammunition manufacturers in the United States and Europe say it will take years to catch up with the demand. Fighter Jets This week, officials said, Slovakia finished transferring 13 of its MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine, and Poland earlier this month shipped at least some of the four it has promised. But Ukraine still wants sophisticated U.S.-made F-16s, which the Biden administration has so far refused to send. A Ukrainian lawmaker this week accused the United States of preventing other nations from transferring their own F-16s to Ukraine. Long-Range Missiles The Biden administration also is adamant that it will not send Ukraine long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems, which can strike targets up to 190 miles away. Ukraine says the missiles could help it reclaim Crimea, the peninsula Russia illegally annexed in 2014, but U.S. officials are concerned that the weapons could be used to strike targets deep inside Russia. The United States has offered to send munitions known as Ground Launched Small Diameter Bombs, which have a range of 90 miles. But they must first be built, and production of even a small batch could take months. This article originally appeared in The New York Times. By Lara Jakes c.2023 The New York Times Company Shares of the cash-strapped telecom company, Vodafone Idea notched around 10 percent gains in early trade on April 21 after Kumar Mangalam Birla made a comeback to the company's board as an additional director. Birla had resigned from his position as the company's chairman in 2021 when Vodafone Idea's financials were under a turmoil. Following his departure, the company's poor performance over the quarters saw its shares slip to a 52-week low of Rs 5.70. However, investors were cheered by the return of KM Birla and shares of the company reacted positively to the news, along with a flux of strong volumes. At 10.26am, shares of Vodafone Idea were trading at Rs 6.50, up 7.44 percent on the National Stock Exchange. Around 18 crore shares of the company changed hands on the exchanges so far, as against the one-month daily traded average of nine crore shares. The cash-trapped company has been struggling to keep up with its finances as it has been consistently losing its market share over the quarters. Follow our live blog for all market action Prior to the conversion of nearly $2 billion of dues into equity by the Indian government in February, Vodafone Idea had a net debt of Rs 223,000 crore ($27.18 billion), making the government the largest shareholder in the company. In 2021, the Indian government authorised a bailout plan for telecom companies under financial distress. This plan enables these companies to transform their interest on deferred adjusted gross revenue, which is owed to the government, into equity. Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting on Friday to review the situation concerning Indians in violence-hit Sudan, government sources said on Friday. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Air Force and Navy chiefs, top officials of foreign and defence ministries and senior diplomats attended the meeting held virtually. Jaishankar is currently on a visit to Guyana. India on Thursday said the situation in Sudan is "very tense" and it is focusing on ensuring the safety and well-being of the Indian community, including working on contingency plans and possible evacuation. The conflict is a direct result of a vicious power struggle within the country's military leadership. The clashes are between Sudan's regular army and a paramilitary force called the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age. *I agree to the processing of my personal information for personalized recommendations, personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites. I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS. (Optional). Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has allowed HDFC Bank or HDFC Limited to increase the shareholding in HDFC Life and HDFC ERGO to more than 50 percent, the bank informed the stock exchanges on 21 April. The bank said the apex bank has allowed HDFC Bank or HDFC Ltd to increase the shareholding to more than 50 percent in HDFC Life Insurance and HDFC ERGO General Insurance prior to the effective date of the merger. Investments including subsidiaries and associates of HDFC Limited are continued as investments of HDFC Bank, said the bank. Also read: HDFC to complete its merger with HDFC Bank by July This is part of the clarifications provided by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for the merger of HDFC and HDFC Ltd, according to the filing. Also, the central bank has allowed HDFC Bank to calculate the adjusted net bank credit considering one-third of the outstanding loans of HDFC Limited as on the effective date of the merger for the first year, the bank said. Further, the remaining two-thirds of the portfolio of HDFC Limited can be considered over a period of next two years equally, said the bank. But how will this impact the merged company? According to RBI regulations, 40 percent of a banks total lending portfolio should be towards PSL. Out of the 40 percent, 18 percent should be towards agriculture. Given that RBI has allowed hdfc bank to spread over the PSL liability across three years, experts said that this a positive move for the bank as it will have time to work on the portfolio and divide it across three years. "HDFC Bank will get about 3 years to completely comply with these norms. This is positive for the bank as it can divide its lending portfolio across three year" said Aditya Shah, a financial and banking analyst. Experts also said that since fulfilling the PSL requirement will take time, there could be a possible marginal profit growth. "Assuming PSL requirements would kick in only in fiscal year (FY) 2024-25, PSL cost would reduce from Rs 20 billion to Rs 5 billion implying a core profit after tax (PAT) upgrade of 2 percent," said a banking analyst. Increasing stake in subsidiary The apex bank, in 2021, in its guidelines for non-banking financial companies (NBFC) and housing finance company (HFC) said that a HFC parent company cannot hold a stake of more than 50 percent in its life insurance subsidiary. "The maximum equity contribution such an HFC can hold in the JV Company will normally be 50 percent of the paid-up capital of the insurance company," RBI said in the guideline. HDFC Ltd, as of March 2023, holds 48.65 percent stake in HDFC Life, its life insurance subsidiary. The parent company held a majority stake in HDFC Life at 50.14 percent in September 2020. After RBI guidelines, it started reducing its stake in HDFC Life from 49.88 percent in December 2021 to 48.65 percent in March 2023. Experts said that in line with the permission of increased holding in its subsidiaries by the RBI, now the merged company will have almost all subsidiaries within itself. One could assume that the parent companys stake in HDFC Life could increase to 51 percent. This could impact the stock price by Rs 3-4 on its trading price of around Rs1925, said the bank analyst mentioned above. "HDFC Bank can even increase its stake in HDFC Credila. It will have all the subsidiaries within itself just like its closest private sector competitor, ICICI Bank. The hangover for subsidiaries gets removed. A large part of the de-rating of HDFC Life was due to the uncertainty of the merger. This goes away now," Shah said. The regulator also clarified that HDFC Bank shall continue to comply with extant requirements of CRR, SLR and LCR from the Effective Date without exceptions. The merger of HDFC and HDFC Bank has been in the news for a while. In fact, back in 2015, Deepak Parekh, the chairman of the countrys leading mortgage company, had said his firm could consider a merger with HDFC Bank provided circumstances were in favour. Also read: HDFC-HDFC Bank merger to lead to bigger growth opportunity; will not take executive role, says Keki Mistry Termed as the biggest transaction in Indias corporate history, HDFC Bank on April 4 last year agreed to take over the biggest housing finance company in a deal valued at about $40 billion, creating a financial services titan. The proposed entity will have a combined asset base of around Rs 18 lakh crore. Six days after SEBI issued a show-cause notice, Brightcom Group has come out with a clarification to the shareholders on promoters' stake sale between 2014 and 2020. But that has failed to stem the fall in the stock, which was locked in a 5 percent lower circuit in the morning trade on April 21. The digital marketing company, which is in the eye of the storm having wiped off 90 percent of investors' wealth in the past year, said its promoters had pledged a part of their holdings with banks and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs). "These financial institutions invoked the pledge and sold shares in the market," the company said on April 20. The company, however, is yet to reply to the Securities and Exchange Board of Indias notice, which raises questions about the firms accounting practises among others. Pledged shares are invoked when their market value drops and lenders want extra margin. If a firm is unable to offer this margin, lenders can activate the pledge. According to Brightcom, its promoters pledged a part of their holdings to ICICI Bank, SBI, Canara Bank, Axis Bank and a few NBFCs in 2013-2014 to collateralise the business debt' This was done again between 2016 and 2020. In both the cases, pledged shares were invoked. The quantum was a little over 23 crore shares. Also Read: Brightcom Group faces Sebi whip for accounting irregularities, disclosure omissions What did SEBI say? As per the SEBI order, promoters shareholding in BGL progressively fell from 40.45 percent on March 31, 2014 to 13.96 percent on March 31, 2020 and further to 3.51 percent on June 30, 2022. "The promoters offloaded shares at prices which were artificially propped up by showing higher profits through accounting irregularities," it said. To this, Brightcom said "pledged shares sold by lenders over the six-year period were at rock bottom prices". "The company and promoters shall present factual data, in greater and more granular detail, to SEBI, in its upcoming submissions and hearing, and in the subsequent adjudication process," the company said in the exchange filing. What remains unanswered? In 2022, when investors flagged off the sharp drop in promoter shareholding, chairman and co-founder Suresh Kumar Reddy became a partner in four LLPs - Aradhana Commosales, Sarita Commosales, Kalpana Commosales and Shailini Sales. Also Read: Brightcom worst performer in 2022 after 2,500% rise in 2021 These LLPs were then moved from the public shareholding section to the promoter category in April 2022, which saw many retail investors tweet their discontent. "Promoters dumped 19 percent on retail.. then, to hide they suddenly somehow without any commercial transaction become partner in those LLPs," tweeted a user. Accounting irregularities The company took impairment charges worth Rs 868.30 crore in its balance sheet for FY20. It said that the impairment was on account of subsidiaries, so it was not reflected in the P&L (profit and loss) statement. According to SEBI, it amounts to accounting irregularities. "The companys actual profits would have been significantly lesser from the reported profits. Further, the assets and reserves would also be significantly different from what were disclosed in the balance sheet," it said. At 10.15 am, the stock was quoting at Rs 12.05 on the NSE. Trading volumes were significantly higher at 20.61 million shares compared to the previous day's two million shares. The stock was investors' darling in 2021 when it zoomed from Rs 4 in April to a high of Rs 118 in December. Since then, it has tumbled close to 90 percent. Indian fintech companies are aggressively hiring former top bankers and central bankers. In the last 24 months, at least 10 former bankers have joined the boards of fintech companies. Experts attribute this to a bigger corporate strategy to gain the trust of investors and customers, besides seeking smooth relations with regulators on compliance issues. Such moves assume significance as fintech companies are facing tighter regulatory scrutiny on a range of issues related to corporate governance, lending norms, and the array of activities these companies can participate in. For example, recently Bengaluru-based-Razorpay appointed N S Vishwanathan, former deputy governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), as an advisor to the board. Also, the fintech company hired the former managing director (MD) of State Bank of India (SBI) and the former chairman of HDB Financial Services, Arijit Basu, as an advisor. Razorpay is one of the largest fintech companies in the country with operations in the payments segment. According to the companys annual financial report, its operating revenue jumped 76.1 percent to Rs 1,481 crore in financial year 2021-22 (FY22) from Rs 841 crore in FY21. Similarly, Bengaluru-based slice roped in former executive director (ED) of RBI, Eugene Emmanuel Karthak, as an independent director. The company also hired S Vishvanathan, ex-MD, SBI, for an advisory role, in March 2023. Perhaps, one of the biggest such moves in the fintech space took place when BharatPe hired former SBI chairman Rajnish Kumar, and former RBI deputy governor B P Kanungo as non-executive chairman and independent director, respectively, in September 2022. Kumar is also an advisor to Gurugram-based digital lender Indifi Technologies. There are other examples too. Delhi-based fintech company Stashfin appointed former MD and CEO of SBI Card, Vijay Jasuja, as a non-independent ED in September 2022, while EbixCash roped in Uma Shankar, former ED, RBI, as an independent director. That apart, Qwikcilver, a digital gift card fintech company based in Bengaluru, appointed former RBI ED G Padmanabhan as an advisor in August 2016. Also read: Budget 2023: Fintechs demand more allocations, tax reforms and bank partnerships In March 2020, US-based cloud-service provider Salesforce hired former SBI chairperson Arundhati Bhattacharya as its India CEO. Why are retired bankers in demand? So, why are fintech company running to hire former bankers? According to experts, such hiring is part of a bigger corporate strategy to gain the trust of investors and customers, besides seeking smooth relations with regulators on compliance issues. Fintech companies have issues with regulatory requirements and business operations compliances. Industry experts can help mitigate these issues, said Chandan Sinha, former ED, RBI. Fintechs are a booming market. According to data from the government's Invest India portal, the Indian fintech industry's market size is expected to grow to $150 billion by 2025 from $50 billion in 2021. The sector is also expected to have $1 trillion in assets under management (AUM) and nearly $200 billion in revenue by 2023, data from Invest India said. Also, the government has plans for growing and expanding the reach and innovation in the fintech sector. Also read: India has highest fintech adoption in the world, says Rajeev Chandrasekhar at India Fintech Conclave The appointment of former bankers on the boards of company as advisors can help fintech companies get clarity on the business and operations aspects of the sector, experts said. Fintech companies are young and they have creative ideas. They need guidance on several issues, said Rajnish Kumar of SBI. Sinha said the experience of veteran bankers can help fintech companies formulate policies in the short to medium term. Dealing with regulatory challenges Over the last few years, the regulator has upped scrutiny on fintech companies. RBI, in August 2022, introduced new guidelines for fintech companies operating in the digital lending space. Under the guidelines, fintech companies are required to disclose all costs upfront in a digital loan product to the customer, even as they are not allowed to scrub or read borrowers smartphones. In August 2022, ratings agency CRISIL highlighted that the new rules will raise the operational intensity and compliance costs for lenders in the near term. Also read: Budget 2023: Fintechs, NBFCs look out for a liquidity booster from FM for financial inclusion Ajay Kumar Choudhary, ED, RBI, highlighted that the regulator has to keep a watchful eye on fintechs and the associated risks. "Regulators need to keep a watchful eye on the risks by fintech companies and big techs. The risks posed by fintech start-ups and big techs are different," said Choudhary at the Moneycontrol Fintech Conclave. For fintech companies, experts highlighted, the appointment of veteran bankers can help formulate operational tactics around regulatory issues. Ram Rastogi, Chairman of Fintech Association for Consumer Empowerment (FACE) said that fintechs earlier did not look at governance and corporate aspects of the business. After the buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) crisis, some of the major fintech players had to take a second look at their governance and compliance work. This is where they are looking at making policies clear and hiring banking sector experts, Rastogi said. Sinha said that sector experts can guide fintech companies on macro policies. Fintech companies need to know what is permissible under their sector. They need a regulatory perspective on how to look at business, Sihna said. Former bankers in advisory roles When former bankers join the boards of companies, they do not have a day-to-day role to play in the business of the fintech company. Instead, these former central bankers and chiefs of banks act as guides to these fintech companies. According to experts, these bankers attend weekly or monthly meetings where major issues around the companys operations are discussed. Also read: Increased scrutiny of bank-fintech alliance puts start-up ecosystem at risk As an advisor or member of the board, they are not required to come or participate in the daily running of the company. They have to work as advisors or consultants discussing macro and major issues related to the company, such as scaling operations, regulatory aspects, etc., said Rastogi. Sinha said the 30-40 years of sector experience of the bankers help them work around the bigger issues concerned with fintech companies. Veteran bankers have seen the ups and downs of business. Their experience can help fintech companies decide their growth plans, said Sinha. For instance, Kumar's tenure as the chairman of SBI ended in October 2020, following which he joined BharatPe, and later in 2022, also became an advisor to Indifi. Kumar, while highlighting his role as the advisor, said that most of the fintech companies are young at less than five to six years. "As an advisor, we give them guidance. Especially, at this stage we give them advice not only on regulatory issues but also on compliance and other growth operations," said Kumar. Alok Mittal, CEO of Indifi Technologies, said that hiring veteran bankers who have witnessed industry evolutions through the years help the fintech companies in adapting the business to new paradigms. Hiring former bankers and fintech experts can lead to a powerful combination towards growth. Our experienced bank heads provide insights on how to scale responsibly and mitigate risks, Mittal added. Also read: Why is RBIs Payment Aggregator License significant for fintech companies? Brand-building Some experts also suggested that when fintech companies hire a veteran banker, a certain goodwill also comes along. A veteran banker has a name and reputation in the industry. Hence, when they join a fintech company, there are chances that the fintech company develops a certain goodwill, said Sinha. The Union Government has begun the fifth phase of the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS)-UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik) to improve connectivity to the country's regional territories. On April 21, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) initiated the process of inviting bids from airlines for various routes under the fifth round of bidding for its regional connectivity scheme UDAN by releasing a bid document. Funding has been made available for Category 2 and Category 3 aircrafts in the scheme's fifth phase, known as UDAN 5.0. According to a tweet from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, only aircraft operations of Category 2 (2080 seats) and Category 3 (>80 seats) will fall in this round with no restriction on the distance between the origin and destination, with stage length cap of 600 km waived. UDAN 5.0 is officially out with game changing features! Category 2 (2080 seats) and category 3 (>80 seats) aircraft operations will fall under this version of the scheme. (1/3) pic.twitter.com/lzpLZzPb2d MoCA_GoI (@MoCA_GoI) April 21, 2023 The Ministry further said the Viability Gap Funding has been revised. Viability Gap Funding is increased to 600 km from 500 km earlier. The UDAN scheme is funded through a Rs 50 levy on flight tickets on major routes. The levy accounts for 80 percent of the viability gap funding provided to the airlines, with the remaining 20 per cent provided by State governments. Under the scheme, airlines are offered viability gap funding for 50 per cent of the seats on a flight and fares for those seats are capped by the government. Other key features of UDAN 5.0 are: - No predetermined routes would be offered. Only Network and Individual Route Proposal proposed by airlines will be considered. - The airlines would be required to submit an action/business plan after 2 months from the issuance of LoA wherein they submit their aircraft acquisition plan/availability of aircraft, crew, slots, etc. at the time of the Technical Proposal. - The same route will not be awarded to a single airline more than once, whether in different networks or in the same network. - Exclusivity will be withdrawn if the average quarterly PLF is higher than 75% for four continuous quarters, to prevent exploitation of the monopoly on a route. - 25% of the Performance Guarantee to be encashed for each month of delay up to 4 months, to further incentivize quick operationalization. - Airlines would be required to commence operations within 4 months of the award of the route. Earlier this deadline was 6 months. - A list of airports that are ready for operation or would soon be ready for operations has been included in the scheme to facilitate quicker operationalization of routes under the Scheme. - Novation process for routes from one operator to another is simplified and incentivized. Commenting on the launch of UDAN 5.0, Civil Aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scinda said, UDAN has proved to be a lifeblood of many regions which are now well connected with places across the country. This new & stronger version of the scheme will raise the momentum, connecting new routes, and bring us closer to the target of operationalizing 1000 routes & 50 additional airports, heliports, and water aerodromes in the near future." What was Udan 4.0 The last round (Udan 4.0) of the Regional Connectivity Scheme was in August 2020 when 78 routes were awarded, about 40 from the northeast region. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) listed 50 airports (including heliports) and 268 routes under operation as part of the ambitious scheme. After the launch of the fourth phase, 766 routes were sanctioned under the scheme. 29 served, 08 unserved (including 02 heliports and 01 water aerodrome), and 02 underserved airports were included in the list for approved routes. What is UDAN scheme? The goal of UDAN scheme is to connect small and medium-sized cities with major cities via air service. UDAN was aimed to meet the common citizen's desire of flying. Airlines compete for air routes and participate in bids. The contract is granted to an airline that bids for the lowest subsidy. The plan was to place small-town India on the map of aviation by encouraging airlines to fly on regional routes. Compensation for business losses The fundamental goal of RCS is to make regional air connections more economical. RCS is to promote the affordability of regional air connectivity by assisting airline carriers through concessions from the Central and State Governments. It also aims to minimise the cost of regional airline operations. The government compensates airlines for losses caused by low fares through Viability Gap Funding (VGF). The airport fee has also been waived by the Airports Authority of India. At the same time, state governments provide free security, electricity, and firefighting services. When did UDAAN begin? The Union Government released the country's National Civil Aviation Policy for the first time in 2016, and the UDAN Scheme was the most essential component of this Policy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the first aircraft from Shimla to Delhi under the UDAN scheme in April 2017. Wipro Consumer Care and Lighting on Thursday announced the acquisition of Brahmins - a Kerala-based traditional vegetarian, spice mix and ready-to-cook brand - and it has also drawn up plans to launch its snacks brand targeting the southern market. The company will focus on the southern market and is in the process of launching its own brand in the fast-growing ready-to-eat and snacks segment, Wipro Consumer Care and Lighting and Managing Director Vineet Agrawal told PTI. He further said Wipro Consumer Care and Lighting would take the acquisition route for expanding in the spices segment. The company, part of Azim Premji-led Wipro Enterprises, forayed into the foods segment in December last year with the acquisition of the Nirapara brand. It is seeking to tap opportunities for growth in South India in the food space. "As of now, we would look at South India and the reason is, unlike North and West India, there is no organised player in South India in terms of snacks like Haldiram and Bikaji. That's why we are looking at snacks in South India. "Here the competition is from the unorganised and small-scale players and if we can give a value-added answer and a good product, people will switch here," Agrawal said. The company has shortlisted some names for the upcoming snacking brand and is currently under the process of registration, Agrawal added. However, he did not share the amount Wipro is investing and said it is working on the taste of the products as different South Indian states have their own different palate and different way of cooking. It would introduce 4-5 products at the time of the launch of the brand. "We are in the process of launching our own brand as far as snack is concerned. We are setting R&D facility in Bengaluru," Agrawal said, adding "If it is required for each state of South, we would have to differentiate the products". All three brands - Nirapara, Brahmins and the new one (yet to be launched) -- would operate independently, he added. "As far as spices are concerned, we will go through the acquisition route and for ready-to-eat snacks, we would do it organically," he added. For distribution, Wipro will use the existing channels. "We are at Kirana outlets, where we sell our soaps... It's the same distribution and stockist. We are not entering into the cold chain," he added. Wipro Consumer Care and Lighting's acquisition of Brahmins, known for its spices and ready-to-cook food, is its 14th so far after the Nirapara brand. With these two acquisitions, Wipro Consumer Care and Lighting "is looking at becoming a sizable player in the packaged foods segment" and consolidating its spices, breakfast and ready-to-cook category, a joint statement said. The company, however, did not disclose the financial details of the acquisition. The acquisition "will be a mutually beneficial partnership that will accelerate the expansion of the Brahmins' portfolio on one hand and embolden Wipro's foundation into the food business," it said. Adding Brahmins under the Wipro fold will further bolster its position in blended spices and ethnic breakfast (Puttu-podi, Appams and other Rice products) categories in Kerala and other markets, such as the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, the UK, the US and Australia, it noted. Wipro Consumer Care and Lighting earlier this month announced that it has crossed the milestone of Rs 10,000 crore in overall sales in FY23, helped by significant growth across its geographies, brands and categories. Wipro Consumer Care and Lighting, which started in 1945 as a vanaspati brand, with its factory in Amalner, Maharashtra, now has a presence in 60 countries. The company, which operates in FMCG and lighting products, has 18 factories with more than 10,000 employees and 51 per cent of its revenue comes from international businesses. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the contribution of civil servants towards nation building and said that India's rapid development would not have been possible without them. Addressing the 16th Civil Services Day, PM Modi said that civil servants have given the hope of good governance to the poor and are preparing India for a big leap. PM Modi noted that the expectations of the global community from India have risen phenomenally during the last nine years. Global agencies and experts are now saying that India's time has arrived, he noted. Also Read: India building capacities of civil servants of neighbouring countries: Govt Lauding the work done by the civil servants, PM Modi said that India's development gaining new momentum in the last nine years was not possible without the participation of civil servants. ''Despite the Covid crisis, today India is the fifth largest economy in the world," he said. "In such a scenario, Indian bureaucracy does not even has a second to waste. I appeal to every bureaucrat, whether from the state government or the Centre, that country has trusted you. It has given you a chance. Uphold that trust in your work," the prime minister said. "Your every decision should be in national interest," Modi told the civil servants. "It is possible you may have to take a decision for an individual or an organisation but you must ask how will my decision benefit the country," he said. PM Modi also said that India is number one in digital payments. ''India is one of the countries where mobile data is the cheapest. Today, the country's rural economy is transforming,'' he added. PM Modi said that this year's 'Civil Service Day' is very important as it is a time when the country has completed 75 years of its independence. He said it is a time when the country has started taking rapid steps to achieve the gigantic goals of the next 25 years. Also Read: Select central govt employees get one-time option to opt for old pension scheme "I would say this to every civil service officer in India today you are very lucky. You have got the opportunity to serve the country in this period...We have less time but we have a lot of potential, our goals are difficult but our courage is not low, we may have to climb a mountain, but our intentions are higher than the sky," said PM Modi. He added that no matter how great our yojanas are, no matter how good they look on paper, the last-mile delivery is the deciding factor. Civil Services Day' is observed on April 21 every year to acknowledge the work of officers engaged in different public service departments in the country. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday discussed the worsening situation in Sudan with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and underscored the need for "successful diplomacy" which can lead to an early ceasefire and create the ground situation for the safety and welfare of people. Jaishankar, who met Guterres at the UN headquarters here, also discussed other issues, including Indias presidency of the G20 and the Ukraine conflict, with the UN chief. "Good to meet UN Secretary General @antonioguterres in New York today afternoon. Discussed the current developments in Sudan, G20 Presidency and Ukraine," he tweeted. "Focus understandably was on Sudan. India strongly supports efforts towards an early ceasefire, leading to creation of safe corridors. Will continue to work closely with UN and other partners in this regard," he said. Jaishankar is headed on a nine-day trip to Guyana, Panama, Colombia and the Dominican Republic beginning on Friday, his first visit as the external affairs minister to these Latin American countries and the Caribbean. Before his travel to Latin America, he arrived in New York. He said while his trip to South America was planned quite a while ago, he came here to the UN mainly because once the fighting started (in Sudan) on the 14th (of April), you could immediately see that this was very serious and a lot of people were trapped by the situation. "We knew that the UN itself has a large presence in Sudan. This will be the centre. Because at this moment, what is needed is diplomacy, successful diplomacy because its only diplomacy which can create the ground situation for the safety and welfare of the people out there," Jaishankar told a small group of journalists here after his meeting with Guterres. Noting that he had a 'very good meeting' with Guterres, Jaishankar said once the fighting in Sudan started out, "I felt that it was very important" that he met the UN Secretary-General Guterres."Most of our meeting was on the Sudan situation. We also of course discussed the G20 and we also spend some time on the Ukraine conflict. But essentially it was about the Sudan" situation, he said. Jaishankar said that in Sudan, the UN is at 'the heart of the efforts' to establish a ceasefire. And that is really key because at the moment, unless there is a ceasefire and unless there are corridors, it is not safe for people to really come out, he said. The UN is doing its bit talking to everybody. We of course have obviously very strong interest in the matter because so many Indians are there, Jaishankar added. Around 300 people, including an Indian, have been killed, and more than 3,000 injured in clashes in Sudan, according to the World Health Organisation. The violence between forces from Sudan's army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) erupted on Saturday. Jaishankar said New Delhi is in touch with a number of countries and he has spoken to Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia Faisal bin Farhan and UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. "We have been in touch with the Americans, I have also been in touch with my British counterpart," he said. Earlier this morning, he had a 'long conversation' with the Egyptian foreign minister Sameh Shoukry for being Sudan's neighbour and having a 'strong interest and strong understanding. "So, the focus is really how do you get the diplomatic processes to yield the desired result. The desired result is a workable, on-the-ground observed ceasefire. And then to take the next step, which is how do you create corridors for movement, what are the options of movement, what are the assembly points," Jaishankar said. Meanwhile, the team in New Delhi is in "continuous touch with the Indians in Sudan, advising them, "saying we know its very difficult for everybody, but keep calm, dont take unnecessary risk. Theyll have to wait for this to sort itself out, he said"I hope that the efforts, including that led by the Secretary General will yield to something very soon. But we will have to wait and see," Jaishankar said. Earlier today, Guterres had a meeting convened by the African Union on the "dramatic situation in Sudan, bringing together the United Nations, the League of Arab States, IGAD [The Intergovernmental Authority on Development] and the European Union, as well as representatives from a number of countries that are deeply committed to solving the crisis. "There was a strong consensus on condemning the ongoing fighting in Sudan and calling for a cessation of hostilities. As an immediate priority, I appeal for a ceasefire to take place for at least three days, marking the Eid al-Fitr celebrations, to allow civilians trapped in conflict zones to escape and to seek medical treatment, food and other essential supplies," Guterres told reporters here. Jaishankar said there have been earlier attempts at ceasefire that did not hold. "What he (UN SG) said to me was encouraging in respect of the people who are trapped right now because as he said that its more important than ever before that this ceasefire holds. We hope so too." The CBI has asked former Jammu and Kashmir governor Satya Pal Malik to answer certain queries in connection with an alleged insurance scam in the Union Territory, officials said on Friday. Reacting to the development, Malik told PTI that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has asked for his presence at the agency's Akbar Road guesthouse in Delhi for "certain clarifications". "They want certain clarifications for which they want my presence. I am going to Rajasthan so I have given them dates from April 27 to 29 when I am available," Malik said. The CBI had examined him in connection with the alleged scam last year. In April last year, the CBI lodged two FIRs over corruption allegations levelled by Malik in the awarding of contracts for a group medical insurance scheme for government employees and civil work worth Rs 2,200 crore related to the Kiru hydroelectric power project in Jammu and Kashmir. USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age. *I agree to the processing of my personal information for personalized recommendations, personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites. I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS. (Optional). Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Reiterating that the United States supports a resolution of the India-China border dispute through a negotiated settlement and direct conversations between the two countries, a top Biden Administration official has said that Washington has seen "little evidence" that Beijing is seriously approaching the talks with a sense of goodwill. Indian and Chinese troops are locked in a three-year confrontation in certain friction points in eastern Ladakh. India has maintained that its bilateral ties with China cannot be normal unless there is peace in the border areas. "Our position on India's border dispute with China is long-standing. We support a resolution of that border dispute through a negotiated settlement and through direct conversations between the two countries," Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Donald Lu told PTI in an interview on Thursday. "Having said that, we see little evidence that the Chinese government is seriously approaching these talks with a sense of goodwill. What we see is the opposite. We see provocations that happen on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) on a pretty regular basis," Lu said in response to a question. India, the senior State Department official said, can count on the United States' standing with India as it faces the challenge of its northern neighbour. "We demonstrated that resolve in 2020 during the Galwan crisis, and we continue to find opportunities to cooperate with India on information but also on military equipment, exercises and that will go forward into the years ahead," he said. A top American think-tank Centre for a New American Security in a report last month said the increased prospect of India-China border hostility has implications for the United States and its Indo-Pacific strategy. As the United States considers the role that India will play in the Indo-Pacific and how to maximise US-India cooperation to meet security challenges in the region, US policymakers must closely monitor and be prepared to respond quickly to future India-China border crisis, said the report authored by Lisa Curtis who served as deputy assistant to the president and NSC senior director for South and Central Asia from 2017 to 2021 and senior defence analyst Derek Grossman. The report recommended the Biden Administration that to help deter and respond to further Chinese aggression along the border with India, the United States should elevate Indian territorial disputes with China on par with Beijing's assertiveness against other US allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific and ensure this is reflected in all national security-related documents and speeches. "Offer India the sophisticated military technology it requires to defend its borders and initiate co-production and co-development of military equipment. Assist India in strengthening its maritime and naval capacity, and conduct joint intelligence reviews with India to align assessments of Chinese plans and intentions along the LAC and enhance coordination with Indian officials on contingency planning in the event of a future India-China conflict," it said. It urged the US to establish or support an official or unofficial organisation charged with collating unclassified commercial satellite imagery on the position of PLA troops along the LAC and disseminate these images routinely for public consumption. "Criticise Beijing's efforts at land-grabbing in multilateral forums, including the UN, Shangri-La Dialogue, G20, and East Asia Summit. Message Pakistan- and enlist help from Islamabad's other important partners to convey similar points- about the need to stay neutral in the event of a potential future India-China border flare-up. And be prepared to extend full support to India, in the event of another border crisis or conflict," recommended the think-tank in its report. United Nations, Apr 20 External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Thursday that India is looking "positively" at the meeting of Special Envoys on Afghanistan to be hosted by UN chief Antonio Guterres in Doha next month. UN Secretary-General Guterres will be hosting the meeting in Doha on May 1 and 2. "Were looking at it. Were looking at it positively, but I guess well take a call closer to the time but we are looking at it," Jaishankar said here in response to a question on whether India will be participating in the meeting.Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, said the purpose of the small group meeting is to reinvigorate the international engagement around the common objectives for a durable way forward on the situation in Afghanistan. "The Secretary-General has said and continues to believe that its an urgent priority to advance an approach based on pragmatism and principles, combined with strategic patience, and to identify parameters for creative, flexible, principled, and constructive engagement. It is his aim that the discussions, which will be held behind closed doors, can contribute to a more unified consensus regarding the challenges ahead," Dujarric said. Jaishankar is on his way to South America, beginning a nine-day trip to Guyana, Panama, Colombia and the Dominican Republic on Friday. Before his visit, he arrived in New York and met Guterres, discussing the situation in Sudan with the UN chief. Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting on April 21 to review the situation concerning Indians in violence-hit Sudan. The meeting was attended by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Indian Ambassador to Egypt Ajit Gupte, among other senior officials. PM Modi received first-hand report of conditions on ground, with focus on safety of over 3,000 Indians in Sudan. PM Modi instructed relevant officials to remain vigilant, closely monitor developments, and evaluate safety of all Indian nationals. He also asked the officials to prepare a contingency evacuation plan, accounting for rapidly shifting security landscape, viability of options, the Prime Ministers office stated. The conflict in the Sudan is a direct result of a vicious power struggle within Sudans military leadership. At the heart of the clashes are two men: Sudans military leader General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the commander of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. Battle for power They were allies who worked together to topple ousted Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir in 2019 and jointly orchestrated a military coup in 2021 to derail the Sudan's transition to democracy. However, tensions escalated and turned into an unprecedented battle for control during negotiations as the dispute revolved around the integration of the RSF into the countrys military as part of plans to restore civilian rule. The core dispute was regarding who would be subordinate to whom under the new hierarchy, and who will have the ultimate control over the fighters and weapons. On April 12, the RSF initiated the deployment of their forces in the vicinity of the small town of Merowe, situated to the north of the capital city. This town holds immense strategic significance, owing to its large airport, location at the centre of the region, and the electric dam situated downstream on the Nile River. On April 15, the military base located to the south of Khartoum witnessed a sudden outbreak of violence, with both sides accusing each other of instigating the conflict. Subsequently, heavy fighting broke out between the military and the RSF, employing armored vehicles, truck-mounted machine guns, and other heavy weaponry, within densely populated regions of the capital city and the nearby city of Omdurman. Additionally, the military has launched airstrikes on RSF bases. 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. On April 16, in the wake of widespread violence in Khartoum, the Indian embassy had recommended that Indian citizens in Sudan exercise extreme caution and remain indoors. However, following the death of an Indian national and the ongoing violence, the embassy released a new advisory on April 17, urging Indians to refrain from leaving their homes, remain composed, and closely monitor any further developments. 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". On Sunday, the embassy said an Indian national died in Khartoum after sustaining bullet injuries, which was tweeted out by the Indian Mission. EAM S Jaishankar grieved over the death and assured in a tweet "The Embassy is making all efforts to extend fullest assistance to the family." Mr. Albert hailed from Kannur district of Kerala. As the Union Minister of State for External Affairs, V Muraleedharan promised necessary help and steps to bring the deceased back to their homeland. With more Indians suffering under the Sudan violence, at least 31 people from the Hakki-Pikki tribal community of Karnataka are stranded in Al-ashir, which is located 1,000 km from Khartoum. A dedicated Control Room was setup on April 17 to assist stranded Indian nationals in Sudan. On this matter, Manoj Rajan, Commissioner for Karnataka State Disaster Management Authority, said he will escalate the matter with higher-ups to take further steps to protect the interests of Kannadigas stuck in Sudan. In addition, a Twitter argument ensued between Jaishankar and Siddaramaiah regarding the safety of the 31 tribals from the Hakki Pikki community. Siddaramaiah accused the government of neglecting to rescue the stranded individuals, while Jaishankar criticised the veteran politician for politicising the crisis, deeming it an irresponsible move. Contingency plans With the ground situation becoming worse by the day, the Ministry of External Affairs said the key focus is on the safety and security of the Indians in the violence-hit country. "We are in readiness of taking multiple options. There are contingency plans. We are in close touch with our teams on the ground. But it will all depend on how long there is a pause in the fighting or a ceasefire," said Arindam Bagchi, a spokesperson in the MEA, who also said people will be provided with food and water post evacuation. EAM S Jaishankar discussed the worsening situation in Sudan with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and underscored the need for successful diplomacy, which can lead to an early ceasefire and create the ground situation for the safety and welfare of people. He also revealed he had discussed with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry the "concerning" situation in Sudan and deeply valued his "assessments and insights, as also his very helpful attitude." 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I Accept U.S. President Joe Biden is seeking $500 million to bolster Brazils strategy to protect the Amazon, a gesture to his counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva amid recent tensions over Russias invasion of Ukraine and relations with China. Biden will request the U.S. Congress deliver the money over five years to Brazils Amazon Fund, an international conservation initiative set up with Germany and Norway, as part of the South American nations efforts to end deforestation in the worlds largest rainforest by 2030, according to a White House statement Thursday. The answer to the climate challenge, maybe the biggest in our generation, depends on the coordinated action of all the countries, Lula said in a short video presentation from Brasilia after the White Houses announcement. Brazil is doing its part. The pledge comes amid recent tensions between the U.S. and Brazil, with Lula claiming that the U.S., the European Union and Ukraine shared responsibility for the war. A Biden administration spokesman accused Brazil of parroting Russian and Chinese propaganda in response. But unlike the war, environmental policy and the need to protect the Amazon are points of strong agreement between the leaders. The Amazon Fund resumed full functioning with the inauguration of Lula in January after it was suspended under the previous administration of Jair Bolsonaro. The U.S. has not previously contributed directly to the Amazon Fund, which invested more than 1 billion reais ($198 million) into projects to protect the forest and promote sustainable development between 2009 and 2018. It had more than 3 billion reais ready to allocate to new projects when it was restarted in this year, according to the Brazilian government. U.S. commitment to the Amazon Fund is a huge achievement, Environment Minister Marina Silva said at a Thursday afternoon press conference in Brasilia. The Biden administration initially indicated that it would support the initiative during Lulas visit to Washington in February. U.S. climate envoy John Kerry traveled to Brazil later that month. Sign Up For Free: Denver AM Update Your morning rundown of the latest news from overnight and the stories to follow throughout the day. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Silva, the environment minister, spoke with Kerry on Thursday to thank him for the effort being made by the Biden administration to get this done, she said. Total contributions from the U.S. could reach $2 billion once funding from private entities is included, she said. The Brazilian government has been in talks with the U.S. government about the Amazon Fund, and is grateful for the trust and the American contribution to the fund, Brazils Presidency said in a statement to Bloomberg News. The fund has been an important instrument for preservation and sustainable development in the region. Brazilian environmental groups also hailed Bidens announcement as a financial and political boost for efforts to curb deforestation. It is an extremely important act, first because we need money in the Amazon, said Marcio Astrini, the executive secretary of the Sao Paulo-based Observatorio do Clima, a network of environmental organizations. Second, because of the political signal. Having a power like the U.S. betting on the Amazon fund is a seal of trust and an invitation for other countries to participate too. ------- (With assistance from Jennifer A. Dlouhy.) 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. SpaceX has failed to fully test its Starship launch vehicle as the rocket spun out of control and was destroyed mid-air. Nevertheless, the team feels the launch is a partial success and has gathered critical data for the next attempt in the coming months. The Starship is a fully reusable rocket that SpaceX claims can transport 100 people on long-duration interplanetary travel and about 100 tonnes of cargo to Mars with the help of on-orbit refuelling. SpaceX also intends to revolutionise terrestrial air travel using the Starship. Air Travel Possibilities The Starship hosting the passengers will launch on a Super Heavy booster from a barrage. Once in space, the Super Heavy booster separates and lands back on the barrage while the Starship continues its hypersonic journey towards its destination. SpaceX claims that transport between any two points on the planet can be completed within an hour using this model. For example, a London to Hong Kong flight spanning more than 9,500 kms can be completed in about 35 minutes against the current travel time of 12 hours. The volume of the pressurised section of the Starship is more than that of an Airbus A380. With enough passengers and flight frequency, the price of a seat on the Starship is expected to not go beyond the current premium class tickets. SpaceX believes the companys wisdom of reusing the launch vehicles will help keep fares low. Elon Musk has often cited the reusable nature of aircraft as the key to affording air travel. Previously, his company granted a discount in the launch cost for satellite companies willing to fly on refurbished rockets. In fact, SpaceX has estimated that Starship can cost less than Indias GSLV Mk II by employing reusability. Operational Issues The flight-proven technologies and the experience of successfully landing the booster stages on both barrages and on the land lends credence to SpaceXs vision. However, the company must overcome a myriad of challenges before witnessing a successful mission. Unlike aircraft landing at airports in the vicinity of towns and cities, the Starship launch/landing pads are specially created barrages near the seas. While this ensures safety of a launch, fast transport to and from these barrages is yet to be solved. The launch facility is specially engineered and hosts several high-end technologies. Whether the countries hosting these barrages and other overland facilities are allowed to participate in the business, like airlines and airports, remains a key financial question. Placement of the launch facility is another area of concern. The territorial waters, Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) and the High Seas seem contiguous but impose different regulations and offer varying degrees of freedom according to the zone. SpaceX could enjoy more freedom and control of its facility on the High Seas, but not in the territorial waters that are closest (12 nautical miles) to the shore. Safety Challenges Moreover, global financial destinations like Singapore and Hong Kong sit close to congested waterways while the United Arab Emirates shares a maritime border with Iran. A London-Dubai flight will see the Starship launch on a ballistic trajectory (hypersonic speed) in northern Europe with re-entry performed over the Middle East and landing near the Strait of Hormuz. Similarly, the North Korean air defence radars can be expected to pick up the Starship flight from Los Angeles to Tokyo or Shanghai. The commercial aircraft fly slower (subsonic speed) and stay within the atmosphere. Still, several mishaps have occurred in the last few decades due to lack of proper radar capacity, lack of information sharing or the need for an immediate response in a congested zone. Iran Air Flight 655, a commercial flight, was shot down by the US Navy in 1988 in one such situation. Irans air defence system shot down Ukrainian Airlines Flight 752 in 2020 after mistaking it for a cruise missile. Investigation into the loss of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 revealed the plane was shot down over the Ukrainian separatist zones. The Starship may not be able to fly again following such an incident, unlike the airplanes. The fate of the commercial supersonic jet, Concorde, was sealed following an accident in 2000. The rising operational costs ultimately forced the suspension of this business in 2003. SpaceX can assure safety from accidents but ensuring security from air defence systems on hair-trigger alert requires communication and information sharing with a host of countries. Dont Write Off Traditional Airlines Considering the global movement towards cleaner energy sources and utilisation, mitigating the air and maritime pollution will also remain a key concern. The airline industry is experimenting with a range of cleaner fuels. However, the major competition for SpaceXs business comes from the rebirth of commercial supersonic aircraft. American Airlines has ordered 20 supersonic jets from Boom Aerospace. The company also received orders from United Airlines and Virgin Atlantic for these jets. This model is taking the next logical step in the business while trying to avoid previous financial mistakes. SpaceX is yet to put in place other pieces of the ecosystem to decidedly unlock a use case for its Starship launch vehicle while competing with traditional airlines also promising increased speed with infrastructure upgrades. Vidya Sagar Reddy is a research analyst on outer space affairs. He tracks Indian, Chinese and American space activities. Vidya has published book chapters and research articles in the Astropolitics and NewSpace journals. He also provided analyses for The Space Review, SpaceNews, East Asia Forum and DNA. Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication. For the first time since Pakistan was created three-quarters of a century ago, India is facing a conundrum in its dealings or absence of dealings, some would qualify with its western neighbour. It is a conundrum that the government will not openly talk about at this stage: Firstly, because the ball game is still evolving. Secondly, any signal of Indian partisan interest in this evolution can only complicate affairs across the border. The unthinkable is happening in the Army General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi: the Pakistan Army is divided in its political loyalties. For the better part of 76 years, it was Pakistani politicians who have been divided in their loyalties to the Army GHQ. And the GHQ unfailingly picked their favourite politician and installed him or her in office, usually to rescue a Martial-Law-Administrator-turned-President from the hot seat. These roles are likely to be reversed if the ongoing tussle on the streets of Pakistan for control of the country reaches its logical conclusion later this year. It may happen sooner if the streets of Pakistan become bloodied after Nawaz Sharif returns home from Umrah in Saudi Arabia instead of going back to his self-imposed exile in London. It may happen only next year if Sharif is able to even while being out of any formal office restore a semblance of normalcy in the life of the aam admi in his country or if simmering differences in the Army are papered over. Divided Loyalties The new Army Chief, General Asim Munir Ahmed Shah, will stop at nothing to prevent the hugely popular Imran Khan from returning to elected office in Islamabad. Khan sacked General Munir, as he is commonly known, as Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Chief before he completed even one year as spymaster and installed his most loyal General Faiz Hameed, now retired, in that crucial post. In Pakistan, the Chief of the (ISI) always has unfathomable tricks up his uniform, which less wily and conspiratorial Chiefs of Army Staff have to contend with. Despite his retirement, Faiz as he is best known commands huge loyalty at the Army GHQ. After all, as ISI Chief, he won Afghanistan back for Pakistan without firing a shot on Indias Independence Day in 2021, went to Kabul soon after and practically handpicked and installed members of the new Taliban regime that September. Since retirement, Faiz has been helping Khan build his populist mass movement just as he is said to have covertly helped the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader build up his movement to dislodge Sharif as Prime Minister after the infamous 2016 Panama Papers leak on illegal foreign assets owned by politicians. Because Faiz has a following in the Army ranks, Munir has been viewing the formers activities with great consternation. The Chief is unable to maintain the disciplined, monolithic atmosphere within the Pakistan Army any longer. Then there is another General who has become a backroom player, the retired Army Chief Qamar Javed Bajwa. Always suspected, it has now been circumstantially acknowledged that Bajwa was instrumental in regime change in Islamabad last year because, for the most part, Khan had become an insurgent against Pakistans benefactors in Washington. After Shehbaz Sharif succeeded Khan, Bajwa is known to have been in constant contact with Nawaz Sharif in London. Arrogated Guardian The unprecedented intrigues within the Army which were always firmly and quickly put down in the past before they drew big attention do not bode well for India and for the rest of the world. The Army has been Pakistans only stable institution since General Ayub Khan self-appointed Field Marshal in 1965 seized power 11 years after that countrys formation in a constitutional coup d'etat, justified by the Supreme Court under the Doctrine of Necessity. Every other institution in Pakistan has been systematically eviscerated and cannot be a reliable interlocutor for India. This applies to Washington as well, although successive administrations in the White House make a pretence of wanting democracy in Islamabad. Most of Pakistans leaders like Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif had gradually, through trial by fire, been installed in office and also thrown out of office, matured under the Armys overarching roof as the arrogated guardian of that countrys ultimate self-interest. Khan is yet to reach that level, having been in power just one time. Hillary Clinton, the United States of Americas Secretary of State, famously said: It is like that old story you cannot keep snakes in your backyard and expect them to only bite your neighbours. Eventually, those snakes are going to turn on whomever has them in the backyard. Unlike other Prime Ministers mentored by the Army GHQ, Khan is yet to learn that lesson. Otherwise, he would not have committed the monumental mistake of making peace with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). That fragile peace ended when Khan ceased to be Prime Minister and Faiz retired as ISI Chief. The proverbial snakes have since been turning on those within Pakistan. But the illusory idea of peace with the TTP has a big following within the Armys ranks and this school is now ranged against Bajwas idea of accommodation with India and engagement of the US. Munir belongs to this camp, so does Nawaz Sharif. If these differences are not reconciled soon and the Army can no longer be the glue holding the country together, there is every possibility that Pakistan could splinter like Yugoslavia. With Pakistans secret warehouses full of nuclear weapons, this is not good news for anyone, least of all for neighbour India. KP Nayar has extensively covered West Asia and reported from Washington as a foreign correspondent for 15 years. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication. The spotlight is back on banks persecuting buyers for repayments in subvention schemes where developers were to pay equated monthly instalments (EMIs) till possession. The Delhi High Court order of March 14, 2023, dismissed petitions by multiple home buyers who were asking for a direction to banks and financial institutions to not charge EMIs till possession of flats. This dismissal was challenged in the Supreme Court by 11 advocates on behalf of over 600 buyers. On April 17, 2023, the quorum of Justice V Ramasubramanian and Justice Pankaj Mithal issued an extension of the interim protection benefits that had been granted from January 31, 2022. This is till the next date of hearing. The logic of Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav for refusing the petitions in the March 14, 2023 order was that there were many alternative remedies available under the Consumer Protection Act, Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) and the Real Estate Regulation and Development Act (RERA). The fact is that none of these agencies has been able to help resolve the issue with lenders. This explains why so many consumers went back to the High Court for relief. In fact, says Advocate Aditya Purulia, who led the challenge to the order in the SC, none of these forums can rule upon lenders. Win-win Solution A subvention scheme was a dream offer by developers to rope in those buyers who did not have ready cash to buy their house. Nor could they afford to pay the rent for their present house as well as the EMI for the new house. In this case, developers gave buyers the option of paying just 10, 20 or 30 per cent of the cost of the house in the beginning. The rest of the money was secured from a financial institution as a loan in the name of the buyer on a tripartite order between the buyer, developer and lender. This money was released by the bank to the developer who undertook to pay the EMIs till possession. In theory, this was a fantastic scheme and a win-win situation for all parties. The consumers problem of funds was addressed, the bank got to disburse the amount and keep the home loan portfolios going and the developer got funds to complete the projects at retail rather than commercial rates. At the base of all this was a trust that all parties would adhere to their part of the bargain. Also, many individual buyers opted for bank loans on the premise that banks with their due diligence capability would be able to check that the developers were indeed capable of paying the promised EMIs and building the real estate. No Due Diligence So, what went wrong? Pretty much everything. Banks kept releasing instalments to developers even when there was no progress in structure on the ground. The so-called due diligence process never kicked off as banks raced to complete their stiff lending targets. In many cases, the projects were sold at prices that could never sustain completion. Noida, Greater Noida and Ghaziabad were prime examples of projects sold at extremely low and unviable prices. Again, with little or no due diligence, banks lent to the projects as well as to retail consumers. Why did the entire subvention scheme fall apart? In large measure, it was because of greed. Lender desperation to disburse was at the heart of it. But developer greed took many forms. Many developers were more interested in using these funds to shore up land banks for future developments. Before RERA was launched in 2016 and made a functional entity in 2017, there was no downside to not delivering the projects. Money could be moved across projects. So, consumers who opted for subvention schemes on the promise of payment of EMI till possession by the builder were left high and dry when possession times came and went with hardly any progress on the ground. Advocates like Purulia could not get at them then as the funding was under the radar. The Reserve Bank of India did issue cautions against the scheme from time to time. Under The Radar Lending The issue here is really one of what happens when promises are made and not kept. Especially when there is nothing strictly legal about it. Consumers want the units to be delivered before they start payments. Banks want the money back whether the project is completed or not. Many developers have siphoned out the money and not left anything to pay the promised EMIs. And the High Court, in tossing out the plea and sending consumers back to the different forums did not show empathy for their plight. The solutions are difficult to find. But it is essential that they are found, if there has to be faith in the rule of law. The Supreme Court, by allowing the rejection to be challenged by groups of buyers has proved that all is not lost yet. But it is not a class action yet. Only those who challenge the case in court can get relief from the verdict. In a post-RERA world, the subvention schemes are less risky on one level as they are registered with RERA and need to maintain escrow accounts and submit quarterly project updates. But there is no one forum that has jurisdiction over these tripartite agreements. RERA authorities are not uniformly effective. And the states where they are less effective see consumers running from pillar to post to get the relevant orders that RERAs may well provide. And the biggest message here is that lenders cannot be above the law. It is important to protect banks from failing, but not at the cost of individual consumers who are the backbone of the real estate supply chain. The Supreme Court has ignited a hope in them again. Can the promises to them now be kept? E Jayashree Kurup is a writer/researcher in Construction and Director, Real Estate & Cities, Wordmeister Editorial Services. Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication. Senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar has conveyed to the party that he is unable to attend its day-long convention in Mumbai on Friday due to his prior commitments elsewhere, which has raised eyebrows in political circles as speculation about his next political move refuses to die down. Speaking to reporters in Pune, Pawar played down the buzz saying that he is not able to attend the NCP meeting as he has to remain present for some other programmes happening at the same time. The NCP also said that Ajit Pawars inability to attend the party meeting does not mean he is planning to quit the organisation. NCP chief Sharad Pawar is scheduled to address the party meeting in the state capital in the evening. The party meet started this morning. Intense speculation is going on in Maharashtras political circles about Ajit Pawars growing proximity with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Rumours about his next political move started swirling last week when he suddenly cancelled his scheduled meetings and also made comments which were seen as being soft on the BJP and Chief Minister Eknath Shindes camp. The BJP is part of the Shinde government. Talking about Ajit Pawars absence at the meeting, NCP spokesman Clyde Crasto said the partys Mumbai event was planned a month ago. Ajitdada is continuously busy and he has accepted invitations to several programmes in Pune. He expressed his inability to attnd (the NCP meet). All leaders have their schedule to follow. Just because they are unable to attend one function, it does not mean they are planning to quit. He was present along with (Sharad) Pawar saheb for an iftar party earlier this week in Mumbai, Crasto said. In Pune, Ajit Pawar said one has to choose between two political programmes happening at the same time. One should not have any doubts, he said when asked about his absence from the party meeting in Mumbai. Ajit Pawar, who is the Leader of Opposition in the state Legislative Assembly and a former deputy chief minister, had said on Tuesday that he would work for his party till he is alive and scotched speculation that he and a group of MLAs loyal to him might align with the ruling BJP. When Maharashtra was under Presidents rule after the results of the 2019 Assembly polls were out and Shiv Sena (undivided) severed ties with ally BJP, Ajit Pawar had secretly joined hands with Devendra Fadnavis and a government was formed with Fadnavis as the chief minister and the NCP leader as his deputy. However, that government lasted for just 80 hours after Ajit Pawar resigned. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is going to be a huge focal point for Alphabet and Meta, as the two technology giants prepare to announce their quarterly results next week. Alphabet's Google is facing an ever growing threat from the likes of OpenAI's ChatGPT and Microsoft's Bing AI, as they make inroads into Google's dominance on the search market. Also Read | Meta begins second round of layoffs in Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram Google is already rushing to build AI features into Search and is reportedly eyeing a May 2023 release for an AI project codenamed "Magi". This is supposedly in response to Samsung telling the company that it's considering switching to Bing as the default search engine on its devices. Magi will offer a more personalised experience by learning user preferences when they search for content. Meta's huge push into the Metaverse hasn't panned out as the company would have hoped. The technology has taken longer than expected to put together, and some of its own employees have shown some serious doubts on the project. Despite this, Meta's annual advertising revenue is expected to reach $51.35 billion for 2023, according to MarketWatch. According to a report by the publication, Meta is looking to pivot its focus on AI for the short-term for revenue. AI is the hot thing. And Meta is playing down the metaverse for now in favor of AI with advertisers, said Evelyn Mitchell, senior analyst at Insider Intelligence, in an interview with MarketWatch. Alphabet and Google CEO, Sundar Pichai told CBS in a recent interview that AI is, "the most profound technology humanity is working on", even more than fire, water or electricity. "We are developing technology which, for sure, one day will be far more capable than anything we've ever seen before," he added. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg put up a Facebook post in February, where he announced that the company was creating, "a new top-level product group at Meta focused on generative AI". Also Read | Google to use generative AI in its ad business - FT Over the longer term, Meta plans to develop, "AI personas that can help people in a variety of ways". They are also focusing on experiences with, "text (like chat in WhatsApp and Messenger), with images (like creative Instagram filters and ad formats), and with video and multi-modal experiences". The CEO of an American digital marketing and technology company was recently recorded praising an employee who sold his pet dog in order to return to office. In a virtual town hall last week, Clearlink CEO James Clarke spoke about the sacrifices his employees have made so they could work from office. I learned from one of our leaders that in the midst of hearing this message, went out and sold their family dog which breaks my heart, Clarke said during the virtual town hall. He said it broke his heart to hear of the employees sacrifice as he himself had been at the head of the humanization of pets movement. Truly those are the sacrifices that are being made and I honour you for those sacrifices and what is taking place here, Clarke added. The Clearlink CEOs remarks raised more than a few eyebrows on social media, where many said he was glorifying the fallout of his return-to-office mandate. On a company call, Clearlink CEO James Clarke revealed a twisted company culture where one worker is even praised for selling their family dog to sacrifice more for the company. pic.twitter.com/XdJBGP6l40 More Perfect Union (@MorePerfectUS) April 20, 2023 According to Global News, Clarke told employees in an email on April 3 that they would have to come to office four days a week if they lived within 50 miles of companys headquarters in Draper, Utah. The return to office mandate came as a surprise to many employees because Clarke had earlier said he had no plans of asking employees to stop remote work. He explained the reason behind his change of heart in the town hall, saying he believed that several staff members had quietly quit and many did not even open they laptops for weeks. The Tamil Nadu Assembly, on April 21, passed a bill amending the Factories Act, 1948, which extends the daily working hours from 8 to 12 hours for factory workers amid protests and claims by several parties. The Bill was tabled by Minister for Labour Welfare and Skill Development CV Ganesan and has been amended to provide appropriate wages to the workers as per the hours worked. Industries Minister Thangam Thennarasu assured that the total working hours in a week would remain unchanged for the workers, who would now have the option to work for four days in a week and avail three days leave. "This would immensely benefit women workers," he claimed. "The remaining three days would be paid leave and the existing rules on leaves, overtime, salaries, etc., would remain unchanged," Ganesan said. Action would be taken against factories, which coerced their employees to work against their wishes, he clarified. The Ministers' clarification on the TN Factories Act, 2023, follows protests and a walkout by the Left parties, the Congress and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) from the Assembly when the bill was taken up for discussion on the concluding day of the Assembly session on April 21. The bill was however passed by voice vote as the ruling DMK enjoyed a majority in the House and also because other allies like the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) supported the government. Earlier, tabling the bill to amend the Tamil Nadu Factories Act, 1948, the Labour and Welfare Minister said the state is the hub of major manufacturing companies and has the highest number of factories and industrial workers in the country. "Representations were received from many industries and industry associations by the State government to bring out working hour reforms by making statutory provision for flexible working hours, citing the number of benefits it could bring for workers, especially women employees, industry and the economy as a whole," Ganesan said. As per the statement of objects and reasons stated in the bill, section 127 of the Central code enabled the State government by notification to provide among others flexible working hours including overtime and spread over hours inclusive of rest intervals, subject to such conditions and restrictions and for such period as deemed fit in relation to any factory or class of factories. The State government has decided to amend the Factories Act of 1948 (Central Act 63 of 1948) for its application to Tamil Nadu, as the said central code has not been brought into force, it said. "As per the amendment, factories seeking exemption should obtain the employees' consent to extend the working hours and this should not affect the employees' wellbeing," Ganesan, accompanied by Thennarasu, later told reporters at the Secretariat. There would be no change in the total number of 48 hours of work in a week and this amendment would apply only to factories or establishments where their staff opt, he said, reported news agency PTI. "This is not an anti-worker act. It will be treated as a special case to firms, and the government will implement it only after scrutiny," he added. The bill was passed amid strong criticism and opposition from various parties such as AIADMK, Communist Party of India (CPI), Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)), and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK). CPI(M) state secretary K Balakrishnan said the amendment would deprive workers of their rights. He noted that Tamil Nadu was the only non-BJP ruled state to pass such a law that accedes to the demands of industrialists. (With agency inputs) A heart-wrenching video of a senior citizen walking barefoot with the support of a broken chair to collect her pension at a bank in Odisha's Jharigaon has gone viral on social media. The woman, identified as Surya Harijan, was struggling to withdraw money due to her broken fingers. After the video was shared by news agency ANI, the State Bank of India (SBI) responded and assured the pensioner that her pension would be delivered to her doorstep going forward. The nearest link branch, SBI Jharigaon, Odisha immediately paid the pension amount by debiting the amount manually from her account. The branch manager of SBI Jharigaon stated that Surya Harijan used to withdraw her old-age pension from a CSP point situated in her village every month. However, due to her old age, her fingerprints were not matching at the CSP point. She visited the Jharigaon branch with her relative, and the branch manager paid the amount by manually debiting her account. They have also decided to hand over a wheelchair to the elderly woman. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman tweeted the video and expressed her concern about the situation. She urged the authorities to act humanely and help the elderly woman. SBI responded to the minister, stating that they are equally pained to see the video and that they have resolved the issue by providing doorstep delivery of her pension and a wheelchair. Can see the manager of the @TheOfficialSBI responding but yet wish @DFS_India and @TheOfficialSBI take cognisance of this and act humanely. Are they no bank Mitra? @FinMinIndia https://t.co/a9MdVizHim Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) April 20, 2023 As per our laid down protocols, the nearest link branch, SBI Jharigaon, immediately paid the pension amount by debiting the amount manually from the pensioners account. She has also been reassured by the branch manager of the delivery of pension at her doorstep going forward. As a goodwill gesture, SBI has donated a wheelchair to the pensioner to facilitate her movement," SBI said in an official statement after the minister's tweet. "While necessary protocols are already in place to address such situations, we have taken further cognizance of the matter and have initiated reiteration of the guidelines to all our BCs/CSPs (Bank Mitra) to contact their link branches in case of any issues faced by them in serving our customers. Bank has also been examining options of installing Iris scanners at our BC/CSP (Bank Mitra) channels to address the challenges faced by our Senior Pensioners/ Customers," the bank added. The incident has shed light on the difficulties faced by senior citizens in rural areas in accessing basic banking facilities. It is a reminder that banks must take proactive steps to ensure that their services are accessible to all, regardless of age or physical ability. An Egyptian lawyer has sued Netflix for depicting Cleopatra as a black woman in the upcoming docuseries Queen Cleopatra. Mahmoud al-Semary filed a lawsuit against the streaming service, saying that portraying Cleopatra as a black African was an attempt to erase the Egyptian identity, according to BBC. The lawyer has requested that legal action be taken against the makers of the show and that Netflix be shut down in Egypt. His complaint has stirred up an old debate about Cleopatras identity many historians say she was of Macedonian heritage and therefore fair-skinned, while others have argued that she was African, Greek or Egyptian. Cleopatra was born in Alexandria, Egypt, in 69 BC. She ruled during the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt from 51 to 30 BC. The debate around her race and complexion is not a new one most recently, it was Gal Gadot being cast as Cleopatra for an upcoming project that had led to fierce backlash online. In Netflixs Queen Cleopatra, the titular role is being portrayed by Adele James, a British actress who is black. Jada Pinkett Smith serves as narrator and executive producer. Smith said she was keen to tell the stories of black queens. We don't often get to see or hear stories about black queens, and that was really important for me, as well as for my daughter, and just for my community to be able to know those stories because there are tons of them! she was quoted as saying. But Cleopatras depiction as a black woman drew criticism from many Egyptians, not just al-Semary. According to the BBC, a top archaeologist insisted she was light-skinned, not black. In what can only be described as a miraculous turn of events, a Texas teenager who was declared dead by doctors has come back to life. 16-year-old Sammy Berko had suffered a cardiac arrest while rock climbing at a local gym in Missouri City and was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. Despite the tireless efforts of the gym staff, first responders, and medical personnel at the hospital, Sammy was pronounced clinically dead after two hours of unsuccessful attempts to revive him. However, just moments after the tragic news was delivered to his family, Sammy regained vital signs, leaving doctors and staff at the hospital completely baffled. Sammy's mother, Jennifer Berko, described the surreal moment of seeing her son's heartbeat as indescribable, and said that the medical staff who witnessed the event had never seen anything like it before. Despite going without oxygen to the brain for at least five minutes, Sammy has only experienced short-term memory loss and is recovering from an ischemic spine injury. His doctor called him a "literal miracle," as prolonged CPR typically leads to severe global anoxic brain injury. Sammy's episode was likely caused by a rare genetic condition known as catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, which had also claimed the life of his younger brother, Frankie, in 2020. Sammy and his mother have since been tested for the genetic mutation and are receiving treatment for it. The experience has been a "crazy" one for Sammy, who is now focusing on his physical health and pursuing his passion for playing the drums and keyboard. He is expected to be discharged soon to begin outpatient therapy. The Berko family's story is a testament to the power of hope and the resilience of the human spirit. Even in the face of unimaginable tragedy, they have come together and supported each other, and now they have been given a second chance with Sammy's miraculous recovery. As Sammy himself said, "It has just been an amazing experience here actually, like Ive noticed that Im better every day! Im doing something new every single day." If the incompetence of Denvers feckless, fractious and clueless school board wasnt common knowledge before last months shooting at East High School it certainly is in its wake. The shooter, an East student, had opened fire and seriously wounded two administrators who were patting him down for his daily weapons check. It turned out he already was on probation at the time for a gun charge in another school district, from which he had been expelled. The Gazettes news team also learned in the shootings aftermath that Denver Public Schools hadnt kept track of how many students with juvenile criminal records attend class. Persistent media inquiries forced DPS to take a tally, revealing 20 students on pat-down protocols. Of course, this is the school district whose elected board voted in 2020 to expel 18 Denver police school resource officers from district campuses to make a political point. Meaning, kids with criminal records have been welcome at DPS but not the cops who might have been able to intervene in terrifying incidents like the shooting at East. It was only after the shooting that the board relented to public pressure and grudgingly OKd the return of campus cops. Such reckless disregard for student safety is gaining the attention of parents citywide. DPS parents recently organized the Parents-Safety Advocacy Group to demand accountability for safety at school, and the group has lashed out at the board and district administration. District parents also have started a campaign they call Resign DPS, whose mission speaks for itself. Broad public disapproval of the boards performance is showing up in polling, too. According to one new poll, 63% of Denver voters believe the current Denver school board is putting its political ambitions ahead of improving educational outcomes for kids. And 70% of parents felt that way, according to the April 11-12 survey by Democratic firm Chism Strategies and Republican firm Cygnal. Fully 66% of the parents surveyed had an unfavorable view overall of the current Denver school board. Voters are deeply concerned about the direction of Denver schools and the current school board has lost their trust, said pollster Brad Chism. The Denver school board has become wildly unpopular. All of which culminated in an on-air radio rebuke of the board this week from Denvers Mayor Michael Hancock, as reported by The Gazette. Sign Up For Free: Gazette Opinion Receive updates from our editorial staff, guest columnists, and letters from Gazette readers. Sent to your inbox 12:00 PM. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. "This is a very dysfunctional board and it needs to be corrected," the mayor said on the Mandy Connell Show on 850 KOA. "And the only people who can correct it are the voters." Hancock, who has called DPS ouster of school resource officers a mistake, told Connell, "We're seeing people who are being elected who have no business being on the board(entrusted) with that level of responsibility, and we've got to find a way to correct the ship. The outgoing, term-limited Hancock also told the talk-radio host he has had conversations with candidates who intend to run for the Denver school board. After we elect a new mayor next month and a new city council, the entire public needs to turn its attention to the board of education, Hancock said, and move to make sure we get some responsible, mature adults on that board who are focused on every child Amen. Three of seven DPS board seats will be up for election on next Novembers ballot. Lets hope Denvers next mayor to be determined in a runoff June 6 joins Hancock in publicly supporting candidates who can get Colorados largest school system back on track. Apple CEO Tim Cook, who has been in India this week for the launch of the two Apple stores in Mumbai and New Delhi, thanked the teams across the nation and added that he could not wait to return. "What an incredible week in India! Thanks to our teams across the country. I cant wait to return," Cook posted on Twitter. What an incredible week in India Thanks to our teams across the country. I cant wait to return pic.twitter.com/ZlkkueN2Kp Tim Cook (@tim_cook) April 21, 2023 Cook was present at the Apple store launch, first in Mumbai and later in New Delhi, where thousands gathered to meet him and catch a glimpse of the store. The store in Mumbai is called Apple BKC while the store in New Delhi is called Apple Saket. During his time in Mumbai, Cook met dignitaries such as Reliance chairman Mukesh Ambani and Tata sons chairman N Chandrasekaran. During his visit to New Delhi, Cook met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Minister of State in Electronics and Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar and Union Minister for Railways, Communications, Electronics & Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw, among others. He also took some time off to watch an Indian Premier League match between the Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders at the Arun Jaitely Stadium on Wednesday. Also read: Amul's doodle on Tim Cook's India visit is winning the internet USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age. *I agree to the processing of my personal information for personalized recommendations, personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites. I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS. (Optional). Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Tim Cooks visit to India was jam-packed with store inaugurations, high-profile interactions and some great food. In fact, the Apple CEO says he had the best macaron ever at a Mumbai bakery. This morning, Tim Cook shared a picture from Le15 Patisserie with its owner and pastry chef Pooja Dhingra. Dhingra had invited Cook to stop by the bakery after he posted a picture enjoying his first vada pav in Mumbai with Madhuri Dixit. It appears that the Apple chief took Dhingra up on her offer and showed up for a taste of her famous macarons. He wasnt disappointed. It was a treat to spend time in Poojas kitchen. Her passion for baking and the business shes created is a reminder of whats possible when you follow your dreams. Great to see how she uses iPhone and Mac in her creative process. Best macaron Ive ever had! wrote Tim Cook on Twitter, sharing a picture that shows him picking a macaron from an elaborate display. It was a treat to spend time in Poojas kitchen. Her passion for baking and the business shes created is a reminder of whats possible when you follow your dreams. Great to see how she uses iPhone and Mac in her creative process. Best macaron Ive ever had! https://t.co/pMcBxXJK4x pic.twitter.com/IZSpcihZow Tim Cook (@tim_cook) April 21, 2023 Pooja Dhingra, the owner of bakery chain Le15 Patisserie, said she was in disbelief over Cooks visit. One of the most defining moments for me as an entrepreneur was when Tim Cook walked into our kitchen, tasted our macarons and other treats, and we spoke about my journey, she said. Pooja Dhingra revealed that she and Cook discussed topics like leadership, team-building and the struggles of scaling a business. The Apple CEO left her with a wonderful piece of advice always remember that joy is in the journey. Aside from macarons, Cook also enjoyed his first vada pav in Mumbai it was delicious, he wrote. The Apple top boss visited India to inaugurate the companys first two official retail stores in the country one in Mumbai and the other in Delhi. He also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his flying visit to Delhi. President Joe Biden announced plans to increase U.S. funding to help developing countries fight climate change and curb deforestation in Brazils Amazon rainforest during a meeting on Thursday with leaders from the worlds largest economies. During a virtual meeting of the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate, Biden urged his counterparts to be ambitious in setting goals to reduce emissions and meet a target of limiting overall global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. "We're at a moment of great peril but also great possibilities, serious possibilities. With the right commitment and follow-through from every nation on this call, the goal of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees can stay within reach, Biden said. The countries that take part in the forum account for about 80% of the worlds greenhouse gas emissions and global gross domestic product, according to the White House. Thursdays meeting was the groups fourth under Bidens presidency. Biden announces a U.S. contribution of $1 billion to the Green Climate Fund, which finances projects on clean energy and climate change resilience in developing countries, doubling the overall U.S. contribution. The impacts of climate change will be felt the most by those who have contributed the least to the problem, including developing nations, Biden said. As large economies and large emitters, we must step up and support these economies. Biden also announced plans to request $500 million over five years to contribute to the Amazon Fund, which works to combat deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon and related activities. A senior administration official said Bidens team would have to work with Congress to secure that funding. Together, we have to make it clear that forests are more valuable conserved than cleared, Biden said. Brazil welcomed the pledge. "It is obviously a great achievement, both for what it means to have the United States contributing to a fund like the Amazon Fund and for the volume of resources to be contributed, said Brazils Environment Minister Marina Silva, at a news conference. Bidens announcement comes during a week of tension between the U.S. and Brazil after the latters President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva called for Western powers to stop supplying arms to Ukraine and said Washington was encouraging the fighting between Ukraine and Russia. He later toned down his comments and condemned Russias violation of Ukraines territorial integrity. Biden, who has made fighting climate change one of his top policy priorities, has set a goal of reducing U.S. emissions 50%-52% by 2030 compared with 2005 levels. This month, his Environmental Protection Agency proposed sweeping emission cuts for new cars and trucks through 2032 in an effort to boost electric vehicles. Biden encouraged leaders from the group to join a collective effort to spur zero-emission vehicles and to reduce emissions from the shipping and power industries. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a new European Union-led initiative to develop new global targets for energy efficiency and renewable energy alongside the International Energy Agency, in time for a global summit on climate change in November. "These targets would complement other goals, such as the phaseout of unabated fossil fuels and the ambitious goals for zero emission vehicles and ships," she said at the meeting. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on rich countries to reach net zero emissions by 2040, a decade before the goal set in the Paris climate agreement, and developing countries to hit that milestone by 2050. He also called for OECD countries to phase out coal by 2030 and 2040 in all other countries and end all licensing or funding - both public and private - of new fossil fuel projects. Developing countries have resisted setting specific timelines for these reductions. Countries and entities that make up the Major Economies Forum include Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, China, Egypt, the European Commission, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Nigeria, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Britain, and Vietnam. As people in Sudan marked the major Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr on Friday, forces led by the two warring generals vying for control of the country ignored calls for a cease-fire and clashed across the country for a seventh day. Sudanese civilian coalitions and international officials had called for a three-day pause in fighting to allow people to gather for the Eid holiday marking the end of Ramadan, to evacuate loved ones and to seek food and medical care. But residents in several neighborhoods in the capital, Khartoum, reported intense shelling and gunfights in the streets, and many across Sudan continued to face a desperate situation as they struggled to flee battle areas or get access to food and water. As many as 20,000 people have fled from the western region of Darfur across the border into Chad, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. At least 413 people have been killed and 3,551 others wounded in the clashes, according to the World Health Organization. At least nine children and several aid workers have lost their lives as a result of the fighting. And the State Department said on Thursday night that one American has been killed. Repeating a pattern that has played out several times over the past week, the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group, led by Lt. Gen. Mohamed Hamdan, said it had agreed to comply with a cease-fire. But the head of Sudans army, Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who is also the countrys de facto leader, did not commit to the pause as he delivered his first public speech since the clashes began on Saturday. And both sides persisted with their assaults. It remained unclear which of the two warring generals was in control of Sudan, Africas third-largest nation. Countries including the United States prepared to evacuate their citizens. Al-Burhan maintained in his remarks that the military under his leadership was committed to a peaceful transition to civilian rule. But the army leader, who rose to power in 2019 when the former dictator Omar al-Bashir was ousted from power, has derailed the countrys transition to democratic rule in the past. In late 2021, he and Hamdan joined forces to carry out a coup that toppled the civilian prime minister and shattered a fragile power-sharing agreement between the military and civilians. But the two generals could not agree on a timeline for bringing the paramilitary forces under the umbrella of the army. This month, just as they were expected to sign a deal and hand over power to civilians, the forces of the two generals began clashing violently in Khartoum, the capital, and other cities. Despite the latest calls for a cease-fire, al-Burhan said on Friday, Your armed forces are advancing to defeat the rebels. At least 20 hospitals have shut their doors because of shelling or because of shortages of water, fuel and supplies like oxygen and blood for transfusion, the U.N. body said. Eight more facilities were also facing closure because of exhaustion among medical workers, the WHO added. The situation was particularly dire in Khartoum, where the warring parties have attacked hospitals and clinics and hijacked ambulances. Al-Burhan acknowledged that the clashes had caused heavy casualties, destroyed property and forced families across the country to flee their homes. Referring to the Eid holiday, he said that the fighting had left no room for the joy that our people deserve. But he added: We are confident that we will overcome this ordeal with training, wisdom and strength, in a way that preserves the security and unity of the country and enables us to transition to civilian rule. But observers remained doubtful that any cease-fire would hold soon, or that al-Burhan would soon pave the way for civilian rule without first winning the battle for control of the country. The indiscriminate shelling, the lack of independent monitoring on the ground and the weak command and control structures of the army make it impossible for any truce to hold for now, said Mohamed Osman, the Sudan researcher at Human Rights Watch. Khartoum and Sudan have inherited so much sadness. With the crisis now in its seventh day, humanitarian concerns nationwide were escalating. The U.N.s World Food Program said the conflict was hindering access to meals for school-age children and those suffering from malnutrition. The agency also said its offices and warehouses in Nyala, a city in South Darfur state, had been looted, leading to the loss of 4,400 tons of food. On Thursday, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had called on the rival parties to observe a three-day cease-fire after he held a virtual meeting with regional and global bodies, including the African Union, the Arab League and the European Union. But the clashes on Friday echoed the events of recent days, in which calls for and agreements to cease-fires quickly collapsed. On Friday, Khartoum residents said they tried to bring some normalcy into their lives and enjoy their Eid festivities. But those plans were quickly interrupted, as was the case of Hamid Khalafallah, who began baking cookies with his sister only to abandon that after loud bombardments began near the familys home north of the capital. This Eid is different than any other I have experienced, Khalafallah, 33, said in a phone interview. The violence is catastrophic on so many levels. This article originally appeared in The New York Times. By Abdi Latif Dahir Elian Peltier contributed reporting. c.2023 The New York Times Company The World Health Organization said on Friday that 413 people had been killed and 3,551 injured in Sudan since intense fighting broke out there six days ago. WHO has so far recorded 11 attacks on health facilities in the country and has called for such attacks to cease, spokesperson Margaret Harris said. UNICEF spokesperson James Elder said that at least nine children had been reported killed in the fighting and that more than 50 had been injured. He warned that the fighting put the lives of Sudanese children already suffering from malnutrition at risk. "Sudan already has one of the highest rates of malnutrition among children in the world," Elder told reporters. "And now critical life-saving care for an estimated 50,000 severely acutely malnourished children has been disrupted. This is life threatening." WHO has previously called for both sides of the conflict to open a humanitarian passage for health workers, patients and ambulances. USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age. *I agree to the processing of my personal information for personalized recommendations, personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites. I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS. (Optional). Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Chinese President Xi Jinping has been meeting or calling a number of world leaders in recent weeks. But not his American counterpart Joe Biden. Observers say he is deliberately giving the cold shoulder to the US President. Attempts by the Biden administration to restart the engagement between the US and China at the highest political level have been repeatedly rebuffed by Beijing. At a time when there is renewed tension over Taiwan, the non-engagement between Washington, DC and Beijing has started worrying observers in the region. In March, Xi travelled to Moscow to hold a bilateral summit with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin where he reaffirmed Chinas strong friendship with Russia. This month, the Chinese president hosted his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron and a few days earlier, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Later he also met the Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva when the latter visited Beijing, and had a phone conversation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohamad Bin Salman. But Beijing is simply not returning calls from the Americans, Derek Chollet, the US State Department Counsellor told the Sunday Times of the UK in a recent interview. He added, Overtures had been made by us to have engagements with them, they have not taken up on those overtures. China has also refused to respond to US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austins suggestion to restart the defence dialogue between the two countries. In November last year, the US President and his Chinese counterpart had their first in person meeting in Bali in the post-Covid period, where Biden and Xi agreed to lower tensions between the two countries over the Taiwan issue. The Chinese president had warned that Taiwan was the red line in Sino-American ties that should not be crossed by Washington while reiterating that the promised merger of Taiwan with mainland China will be done through peaceful means. Early this year, the chill deepened after a Chinese balloon was discovered floating over American airspace. Washington called it the spy balloon and accused China of trying to use it and others like it for espionage. But Beijing insisted they were to gather weather data and had floated into American territory by mistake. As domestic pressure built up in America, the Biden administration decided to shoot down the balloon. However, even as China tried to downplay the incident, the calling off of a planned visit to Beijing by US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken added further strain to bilateral ties. Observers say that the current Chinese decision of not rushing to restart engagement with the US stems from its assessment that attempting to restore normal ties with the US would be fruitless. The New York Times said Xis government has intensified a campaign of ridicule and criticism of the US and Western democracy. The newspaper added that efforts to shore up ties with American allies while publicly discrediting the US reflect Beijings hardening position as relations sink to their lowest point in decades. And it all comes back to Taiwan, which has emerged as a major irritant in Sino-American relations and is the prime factor behind China rebuffing US attempts to reengage. Tension flared up in the Taiwan Strait in April after Taiwans President Tsai Ing-wen held a meeting with the US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy while transiting through America. China, which claims Taiwan as its breakaway territory and is determined to merge it with the mainland, sees any high-level political dialogue between the Taiwan president and the US leaders as an attempt to encourage the island to declare independence. In protest against the Tsai-McCarthy meeting, China held a three-day coercive military exercise with an aircraft carrier and fighter jets near Taiwan. But the US also responded by holding its biggest ever military exercise with the Philippines and tried to assure Taiwan and other allies in Asia that it was there to protect them in the face of a possible Chinese aggression. The Chinese leadership sees the recent military exercise hosted by the US and its attempt to strengthen defence ties with Japan and South Korea as part of provoking Beijing and keeping it unsettled. But it is also careful to not cut off diplomatic relations with the US completely. In a post-Covid period when it is trying to revive its economy after two years of lockdowns, China is keen to reassure investors, especially those from the US, that it is ready to do business. The business climate and investors confidence could also be affected if tension between China and the US leadership continues to rise. Therefore, the Chinese leadership is also trying to strike a balance between the two opposing compulsions. US State Department Counsellor Chollet was quoted to have said in his interview with the Sunday Times, There is no question that the relationship with the PRC (Peoples Republic of China) has been at a tense moment. He added, We feel the responsibility to manage this relationship responsibly. But unless China shows the same urgency, a reengagement between the two countries will have to wait for some more time. In all of this, perhaps US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has provided Beijing with the opening it was looking for to restart economic engagement. On April 20, Yellen called for a constructive economic relationship between China and the US. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appealed to Sudans warring factions to observe a ceasefire over the Muslim Eid al-Fitr holiday to allow civilians to reach safe areas as rival forces battled for a sixth day on Thursday. Thousands of civilians streamed out of the capital Khartoum as gunfire and explosions sounded. Large numbers also crossed into Chad to flee fighting in the western region of Darfur. The United States said it was sending more troops to the region in the event that it decided to evacuate its embassy in Khartoum. Guterres and senior officials from the U.S., Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey and Egypt called Sudans army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan to urge an end to violence. More than 330 people have been killed so far in the violent power struggle which broke out last weekend between two previously allied leaders of Sudans ruling military junta. The fiercest battles between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been in and around Khartoum one of Africas largest urban areas and in Darfur, still scarred by a long conflict that ended three years ago. Guterres, speaking to reporters after meeting virtually with the heads of the African Union, the Arab League and other organizations, said: "There was a strong consensus on condemning ongoing fighting in Sudan and calling for cessation of hostilities as an immediate priority. Urging a three-day ceasefire, he said civilians trapped in conflict zones should be allowed to escape and to seek medical treatment, food and other supplies. The United States endorsed the ceasefire proposal. Burhan told Al Jazeera he would support a truce on condition it allowed citizens to move freely something he said the RSF had so far prevented. He also said he currently saw no partner for negotiations, and no other option but the military solution. His rival, RSF leader General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, told Al Jazeera he was ready to implement a three-day truce over Eid, which marks the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and will start on Friday or Saturday. Dagalo, widely known as Hemedti, has said several times he supports short ceasefires but each has quickly collapsed. "We are talking about a humanitarian truce, we are talking about safe passages we are not talking about sitting down with a criminal, Dagalo said, referring to Burhan. Burhan accused Dagalo, until last week his deputy on the council that has ruled since a coup two years ago, of a power grab. An alliance between the two men had mostly held since the overthrow four years ago of long-time strongman Omar al-Bashir, whose rule saw Sudan become an international pariah that was on the U.S. terrorism list. The latest violence was triggered by disagreement over an internationally backed plan to form a new civilian government. Both sides accuse the other of thwarting the transition. FIGHTING AND FLEEING Since hostilities erupted, much of the fighting has focused on the compound housing the army headquarters and Burhans residence. The embassy district and airport have also been the scene of clashes. Witnesses in the city of El-Obeid, east of Darfur, described clashes between the army and RSF troops and widespread looting. In Khartoum and sister cities Omdurman and Bahri, residents gathered at bus terminals with suitcases after more explosions and gunfire in the morning. "Theres no food. Supermarkets are empty. The situation isnt safe, honestly, so people are leaving, said a resident who gave only his first name, Abdelmalek. Many other local people remain trapped, along with thousands of foreigners in a city that has become a war zone. Burnt-out vehicles litter the streets and shells have torn gaping holes in buildings including now closed hospitals, where bodies lie unburied. In Geneva, the World Health Organisation urged the combatants to open a safe corridor for medics and to allow those trapped to flee. Around 10,000 to 20,000 people escaping the fighting have taken refuge in villages along the border inside Chad, U.N. refugee agency UNHCR and the World Food Programme (WFP) said. Even before the conflict, around a quarter of Sudans population was facing acute hunger, but the WFP halted one of its largest global operations in the country on Saturday after three workers were killed. Sudan borders seven countries and sits strategically between Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia and Africas volatile Sahel region, so the hostilities risk fanning regional tensions. Chad said it had stopped and disarmed a Sudanese contingent of 320 soldiers on Monday, while the RSF has returned Egyptian troops it captured at the northern Merowe base at the weekend. The RSF has up to 100,000 troops, according to analysts. The army has artillery and war planes, and controls access to Khartoum. It appeared to be trying to cut supply routes to RSF fighters, residents and witnesses said. STCs tower infrastructure company Tawal signed agreements to acquire towers in Bulgaria, Croatia, and Slovenia from United Group for 1.2 billion, as part of a wider move to expand overseas. In a statement, Tawal said if the deal gains the green light it will own and operate more than 4,800 sites in those countries, providing the full range of passive infrastructure services in those countries. The deal is a 20-year master services agreement with United Group, which owns operator brands SBB, Telemach, Vivacom and Nova. Tawal agreed to deploy over 2,000 shareable sites and co-location with other operators outside of United Group will be maintained and expanded. The acquisition is subject to regulatory approval from relevant authorities in Bulgaria and Slovenia. Upon completion, Tawals operations in Europe will be rebranded to Tawal Europe and it will be the company for future acquisitions in Europe. Tawal has a portfolio of 16,000 telecom towers. STC Group CEO Olayan Alwetaid said: Our agreement with United Group represents an exciting new chapter for TAWAL and the wider STC Group. The agreement is a significant milestone in our ambitious growth strategy and the expansion of our international footprint. We are already leading the transformation of Saudi Arabias digital capabilities and this transaction reinforces our commitment to investing in best-in-class technology and infrastructure to lead the way in enabling the world to connect. Panamas regulator has recommenced its attempts to find a taker for Digicel Panamas licence after the sole bidder General Internacional Telecom Panama (Gitpan) failed to provide adequate documentation. ASEP (Autoridad Nacional de los Servicios Publicos / National Public Services Authority) issued Resolution AN No. 18343-Telco to re-launch the prequalification process on 10th April. It will remain ongoing until 24th May 2023, with ASEP noting that Gitpan remains authorised to participate and provide the documentation that was indicated by the Evaluation Commission. We reported in March that Gitpan, a subsidiary of General International Telecom Limited, had emerged as the only party interested in acquiring the PCS licence (No.106) which was returned to ASEP by Digicel Panama when it exited the market last year. Valid for 20 years, the licence includes 2x 15MHz blocks in the 1900MHz band and 2x10MHz blocks in the 700MHz band. ASEP noted at this time that it wished to award the licence to an established player with at least five years of experience providing mobile services in another market, with no fewer than half a million subscribers. While Gitpans credentials in this regard are not clear, its parent firm acquired 99.3% of Telefonica Moviles El Salvador in January 2022 for US$144 million. TeleGeography reports that General International Telecom Limited is headquartered in the United Kingdom, and was incorporated in June 2021. Its initial shareholder was the Jaguar Fund, based in the Cayman Islands. April 21, 2023 Ukraine Open Thread 2023-96 Only for news & views directly related to the Ukraine conflict. The current open thread for other issues is here. Please stick to the topic. Contribute facts. Do not attack other commentators. Posted by b on April 21, 2023 at 17:30 UTC | Permalink Comments next page April 21, 2023 U.S. Cuts Itself Off From Future Chinese Profits Yesterday Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen gave a speech on the U.S.-China economic relationship. It's a bit like of declaration of war: Our economic approach to China has three principal objectives. First, we will secure our national security interests and those of our allies and partners, and we will protect human rights. We will clearly communicate to the PRC our concerns about its behavior. And we will not hesitate to defend our vital interests. Even as our targeted actions may have economic impacts, they are motivated solely by our concerns about our security and values. Our goal is not to use these tools to gain competitive economic advantage. Second, we seek a healthy economic relationship with China: one that fosters growth and innovation in both countries. A growing China that plays by international rules is good for the United States and the world. Both countries can benefit from healthy competition in the economic sphere. But healthy economic competition where both sides benefit is only sustainable if that competition is fair. We will continue to partner with our allies to respond to Chinas unfair economic practices. And we will continue to make critical investments at home while engaging with the world to advance our vision for an open, fair, and rules-based global economic order. Third, we seek cooperation on the urgent global challenges of our day. Since last years meeting between Presidents Biden and Xi, both countries have agreed to enhance communication around the macroeconomy and cooperation on issues like climate and debt distress. But more needs to be done. We call on China to follow through on its promise to work with us on these issues not as a favor to us, but out of our joint duty and obligation to the world. Tackling these issues together will also advance the national interests of both of our countries. To use undefined "values", undefined "vital interests" and undefined "international rules" always make for a sorry excuse for mischief. To claim "unfair economic practices" in China when it is the U.S. that is breaking its own rules left and right is embarrassing. As Edward Luce writes In today's Financial Times: Todays US cannot make trade deals, cannot negotiate global digital rules, cannot abide by WTO rulings and cannot support Bretton Woods reforms. [So] how can China be squeezed into a US-led order in which America itself has stopped believing? One can of course forget about the third point when the first and second are made. There will be no cooperation when the other points create a hostile confrontation. Yellen then discusses the three points in more detail. Under 'National Security' she says: We also carefully review foreign investments in the United States for national security risks and take necessary actions to address any such risks. And we are considering a program to restrict certain U.S. outbound investments in specific sensitive technologies with significant national security implications. How is prohibiting U.S. investment in China helping with national security? The U.S. has other tools to prevent Lockheed Martin from build new missiles in China. So what investments are envisioned here? Two days ago Politico had a preview of the program: Unprecedented rules limiting American investments in China are expected later this month and the administration has begun briefing industry groups like the Chamber of Commerce on the broad outlines of the executive order, which is expected to require companies to notify the government of new investments in Chinese tech firms and prohibit some deals in critical sectors like microchips. ... Since the Trump administration, national security lawmakers and Cabinet officials have sought to craft new rules to oversee and potentially block U.S. investments in Chinese tech sectors. The goal is to prevent American firms from funding or developing tech that can later be used by the Chinese military. But that is only a sorry excuse. This is an escalation in the economic war against China. As Politico continues: Those moves would come on the heels of aggressive trade action last year, when the administration put in place new export rules that explicitly sought to undermine Beijings prized microchip sector and passed massive industrial policies aimed at breaking reliance on the Chinese economy. At the time, national security adviser Jake Sullivan was clear that the goal of the strategy was to preserve Americas competitive edge in emerging high-tech industries, even if Washington does not pursue a broader decoupling. We must maintain as large of a lead as possible in high tech sectors like microchips, Sullivan said, previewing new Commerce Department rules released in October that sought to grind Chinese chip development to a halt. This has nothing to do with national security but with suppressing economic competition. The new rule prohibiting U.S. investments in China will apply to three large sectors: While policymakers last year considered including up to five major Chinese industries microchips, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, biotechnology and clean energy in the order, the biotech and clean energy sectors are now likely to be left out of the program. To prohibit U.S. investments in those three sectors is still silly. China does not lack investment money. Its capital account balance is positive and China is investing more abroad than foreigners invest in China. In the last quarter of 2022: - Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) increased by 27.7 USD bn in Dec 2022. - China Direct Investment Abroad expanded by 44.2 USD bn in Dec 2022. China also does not lack know how. It is researching and developing at a high level in all the same sectors where the U.S. is doing it. Prohibiting U.S. investments in new Chinese chip factories or AI models will only hurt U.S. industries. In earlier decades foreign companies which develop stuff that was of interest for large U.S. companies were bought by U.S. investors. Their knowledge and/or production was replicated in the U.S. or they continued running as before but with their profits flowing into U.S. pockets. China is the most dynamically developing society. There is a high likelihood that it will find and develop new things before the U.S. will do so. But instead of riding that wave and investing in it the U.S. will prohibit itself from profiting from it. The Biden administration new rules will cut off U.S. investors from China's future revenue stream. Posted by b on April 21, 2023 at 17:22 UTC | Permalink Comments next page next page They explain Wellys been left off the list not for lack of amazing coffee, vibrant coffee shops or skilled baristas, but because Kiwis are not sharing their fav spots on social media enough. At the end of the message though, they hint that an NZ coffee ranking might be on the way! The trial of four administrators at the Trinity School of Midland charged with professional failure to make required child abuse report intentional conceal continued Friday morning. The defense and prosecution briefly questioned Lucas Flores, who works in digital forensics in Kerr County and was contacted to assist in the investigation of Trinity administrators devices. He took the jury through methods in which digital forensics investigators use to gather information from devices. After Flores, a former Trinity student was called to the stand. This person brought the female students claim of sexual assault to Todd Freese, the dean of Students. The former Trinity student claimed he went to Freese in mid-September 2020 because he trusted him. He told Freese that the female student was being touched inappropriately and talked to in sexual manner by a male student. The former Trinity student said Freese told him to keep the information quiet. The defense posited this was because it was important to not spread rumors about the situation. The student agreed. The defense wondered why the female student told this male student about her situation. The defense claimed because the two students never texted each other frequently, went to each others birthday parties or went to each others houses that they werent good friends. The male former student at Trinity disagreed, said they were close and the female student trusted him. The former Trinity student said on Jan. 21, 2020, he went back to speak with Freese again after asking the female student if the inappropriate behavior was still happening and she responded affirmatively. During this time, the school had been interviewing classmates about the situation periodically, he said. The male student said he was not called into Freeses office but went in on his own. Attorneys for Shelby Hammer and Adrianne Clifton asked the male student if he had spoken directly to their clients about the situation. The student said he had not. The male student said he approached Freese because it was the right thing to do given the information hed received and that he was fond of the four administrators being charged. The male student was excused and so was the jury. The female students mother was brought to the stand, and, without the jury present, an evidentiary hearing took place regarding a waiver of release sent to the family by Shelby Hammer after the family had heard about the alleged assaults happening at school and decided to remove their daughter from Trinity. This waiver of release from the school included the reason for the female student leaving the school at the beginning of the year as student encountered unwanted behavior from another student, it also included a confidentiality agreement. The defense said the confidentiality agreement did not include any verbiage that would prohibit the family from speaking to police or the media about the situation. The judge ruled that the confidentiality and settlement agreement will not be permitted in this case and the jury was brought back into the courtroom. The mother of the female student was brought back for questioning. The prosecutors asked her about her involvement in the Trinity community, her daughters childhood and early days at the school. The female students mother said she was a smart and happy child until around December of 2019 while she was in middle school. The mother routinely kept tabs on her text conversations and found a texts between her daughter and one of her friends discussing the alleged assaults, this led the mother to question her daughter about it. The mother then brought the information to her husband, she said. After discussing their next steps, the husband sent an email to Freese saying a male classmate had slapped and pinched her rear end during school hours and informed Freese that he had instructed his daughter to defend herself the way she saw fit if it were to happen again. The father also informed Freese that he told his daughter to speak with a trusted staff member about the situation. The father did not want the alleged assailant or her daughters identity to be made public to protect their reputations. The mother said Freese did not respond promptly to the email. She also said she received a phone call from one of her friends expressing her sadness for her daughters situation, which she did not know others knew about. The parents decided to show up at Freeses office in person and discuss the situation with him. The court recessed for lunch and planned to begin the afternoon session with the defenses questioning of the mother. The cross-examination of a young female student at Trinity School of Midland who claimed school administrators failed to report her abuse continued Thursday afternoon. The four administrators -- Shelby Hammer, Todd Freese, Chrystal Myers and Adrianne Clifton -- have been charged with professional failure to make required child abuse report intentional conceal. Afternoon session Defense attorneys for the administrators first questioned the female student about the specifics of the inappropriate touching incidents that began in September 2020. They showed the courtroom a graphic of the female reproductive system. They asked the young lady to identify where the male student who touched her placed his hands when he did so. The female student said the male never technically touched her genitals but came very close. Defense attorneys stated that this was a case of indecency and not sexual assault, and they attempted to delineate between sexual contact and indecency. There was also discussion surrounding the young female students family. The female students brother, who attended Trinity, was not well-behaved at the school and received lots of discipline, according to comments made during the trial. Defense attorneys claimed this fueled the family to hold a grudge against the four administrators being prosecuted. According to the defense, the female student spoke to other staff members and administrators at the school about the situation and they were not being prosecuted along with their colleagues. The prosecution questioned claims made by the defense that the female student was out to garner attention for herself by coming forward with the allegations. The female student said the only attention she has received has been negative, including insulting text messages and personal interactions in the community. Before the court recessed, attorneys briefly questioned Jonathan McKowan, whos in digital forensics with the Midland Police Department. He took over the investigation of school computers and devices that belonged to the charged administrators. The court went into recess until Friday morning. Morning session Defense attorney Frank Sellers picked up where he left off Wednesday, cross-examining the young female who came forward, saying she was sexually assaulted by the same male student while she attended Trinity. The defense played a recording of the female students interview with the Child Advocacy Center from Feb. 22 of last year. The female student described the male student touching her inappropriately during a Spanish and gym class. The female student said she went to a different male student and described the situation. This male student went to Trinitys Dean of Students (Freese) and recounted what hed been told. Freese called in the young female the day after hed been told, according to testimony. After speaking with Freese, the female student said she spoke with Trinitys head of Middle School (Chrystal Myers). The female student said that she never spoke to the Head of School (Hammer). The female student said she did not tell those close to her or go into detail with her family and friends because, as a 12-year-old at the time, she was confused and scared by the situation. She said the male student who was touching her inappropriately was well-liked and she thought she would be viewed as a little cheerleader who lies a lot, the female student said in her interview with the Child Advocacy Center. The defense wondered why the male and female student continued to be paired together for projects in Spanish class, because the inappropriate touching happened at their desk, in which they sat directly next to each other. The female student said she had told her Spanish teacher that she didnt want to work the male student anymore, but she never described why, and the Spanish teacher did not know what was happening. Brandon Bell/Getty Images Texas lawmakers and the families of victims provided chilling testimony that shook Texas House committee members during an emotional hearing on gun control late Tuesday, April 18. One Democratic legislator, state Rep. Joe Moody said during the hearing that the Robb Elementary shooter used victims' blood to write a "disgusting" message on the classroom whiteboard. Moody was part of the investigation into how law enforcement handled the mass shooting on May 24, 2022 that killed 19 students and two teachers. He described a banner on the whiteboard that had the words "lovebirds" written on it. The shooter wrote a message in the victims' blood next to that banner, Moody said. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate JACKSON, Miss. (AP) Mississippi's Republican governor signed a bill on Friday to expand the territory of a state-run police department inside the majority-Black capital city of Jackson, and the new law is expected to face a court challenge from the NAACP. The legislation was passed by a majority-white and Republican-controlled state House and Senate. Jackson is governed by Democrats and about 83% of residents are Black, the largest percentage of any major U.S. city. NAACP national president Derrick Johnson, who lives in Jackson, said the law would treat Black people as second-class citizens" by stomping on rights of local self-government. He said at a community meeting on April 6 in Jackson that the NAACP intends to sue the state. Theyre only imposing this on the city of Jackson, Johnson said. No other jurisdiction in the state of Mississippi will have this type of oversight and taking of local authority. That is a direct violation of equal protection. Gov. Tate Reeves said this week that the Jackson Police Department is severely understaffed and he believes the state-run Capitol Police can provide stability. The city has nearly 150,000 residents and has had more than 100 homicides in each of the past three years. We have a crippling problem with violent crime in our capital city, Reeves said in a statement Friday. We're working to address it. And when we do, we're met with overwhelming false cries of racism and mainstream media who falsely call our actions Jim Crow. Capitol Police officers have been patrolling around state government buildings in and near downtown, and the Jackson Police Department patrols the entire city. Critics say Capitol Police are aggressive, and expanding the territory could endanger lives. Debate in the past four months over a larger state role in Jackson has angered residents who dont want their voices diminished in local government. It's the latest example of the long-running tensions between the state government and the capital city. Jackson officials say the state has ignored many of its requests for money to repair the city's water system. Tens of thousands of people were left without running water last year after a near-collapse of the system that is now under control of a federally-appointed manager. In 2022, Reeves vetoed several spending proposals for other projects inside Jackson, including $1 million for parking at the citys convention center and $2 million to renovate a planetarium. The law that Reeves signed Friday will create a temporary court within a Capitol Complex Improvement District inside a portion of Jackson. The court will have the same power as municipal courts, which handle misdemeanor cases, traffic violations and initial appearances for some criminal charges. Most municipal judges are appointed by city officials. Jackson has a Black mayor and majority-Black city council. The judge of the new court is not required to live in Jackson and will be appointed by the Mississippi Supreme Court chief justice. The current chief justice is a conservative white man. Jacksonians want a safer city more than anyone, but this is not what real public safety looks like, Jarvis Dortch, executive director of the ACLU of Mississippi, said in a statement Friday. If our state lawmakers really wanted to help fight crime, he said, they would invest more tax dollars into mental health and anti-poverty programs to better support all of our communities, not finding new ways to oppress and overpower the Black residents of this state. BERLIN (AP) A former head of the Catholic German Bishops' Conference is giving up the country's highest honor following scathing criticism this week of his handling of clergy abuse cases during his tenure as archbishop of Freiburg and as a personnel officer in the diocese. Robert Zollitsch has informed German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in a letter that he is handing back the Order of Merit, which was bestowed on him in 2014, his spokesperson said in a statement on Friday. He said the decision was taken in connection with a statement Zollitsch made in October, in which the 84-year-old acknowledged that he made serious errors and asked for forgiveness. An independent report commissioned by the Freiburg archdiocese on the church's handling of abuse cases over decades was presented on Tuesday the latest in a string of such reports casting light on church officials' actions, or lack thereof, in dioceses across Germany. One of its authors, Eugen Endress, said that Zollitsch completely ignored canon law in connection with abuse cases during his time in office. He said that, for example, a cleric's breach of celibacy rules was punished but that the abuse of children wasn't penalized under church law. We were speechless, he said. Zollitsch was responsible for personnel issues in Freiburg from 1983 until he became archbishop of Freiburg in 2003, a position that he held until 2013. He was the head of the German Bishops' Conference from 2008 to 2014. Freiburg, in Germany's southwestern corner, is one of the country's biggest dioceses, with about 1.8 million Catholics. Its leadership decided on Thursday to take down portraits of Zollitsch and his late predecessor, Oskar Saier, at the offices of current Archbishop Stephan Burger. Zollitsch didn't comment after the release this week of the report. In addition to giving up the Order of Merit, he has informed Burger that he will forgo the privilege of being buried in the bishops' crypt at Freiburg cathedral, according to Friday's announcement. Actor Alec Baldwin departs his home, as he will be charged with involuntary manslaughter for the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the movie "Rust", in New York, U.S., January 31, 2023.REUTERS/David 'Dee' Delgado You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close Illinois has joined a group of states demanding a recall of some Kia and Hyundai vehicles. Attorney General Kwame Raoul and the attorneys general of 18 other states are asking the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to recall vehicles from the manufacturers made between 2011 and 2022. From 2010 to 2021, Kia and Hyundai did not equip base model vehicles with engine immobilizers, which would have prevented them from being used without a key or key fob, according to the coalition. Kia and Hyundai have offered free software upgrades for affected cars, though they would not arrive until June or be unable to be installed on certain models. Owners who can't get the upgrade could instead get a free steering wheel lock. Raoul said the companies have not gone far enough in addressing the underlying issue that makes the vehicles easy to steal. In 2022, more than 7,000 Kia and Hyundai vehicles were stolen in Chicago alone, accounting for 10% of all registered Kias and 7% of all registered Hyundais. Illinois is joined by the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington. Press Release April 21, 2023 Legarda brings Miss Philippines Earth delegates to Antique In time for the celebration of Earth Day today, Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda warmly welcomes the 2023 Miss Philippines Earth delegates to her beautiful home province of Antique in partnership with Congressman AA Legarda. Antique is one of the environmental partners for the Miss Philippines Earth 2020Tree, and will serve as a fitting venue for a segment of this year's pageant with the theme "ME loves 2020TREE". "We are excited to have the delegates visit Antique and showcase the beauty and richness of our province, and I am honored to host my fellow eco-warriors in this beloved province that I call home," said Legarda. During their visit on April 22 and 23, the 28 Miss Philippines Earth delegates will explore Antique's natural and cultural heritage sites and immerse themselves in its rich history, culture, and environment. The itinerary includes a visit to the Old Capitol Building and Tindahang Lokal, Balay nga Bato, the Bamboo Processing Center, and Brick Making Facility in the University of Antique, Antique Esplanade, the Cotton Processing Center and Patnongon Weaving Center, the Bugasong Weaving Center, Calawag Mountain Resort, Malumpati Cold Spring, and Pandan Beach Resort. "This is an excellent opportunity for them to witness Antique's rich natural and cultural heritage and promote the importance of environmental preservation and protection," said Legarda. As the country's premier beauty pageant with environmental advocacy, Miss Philippines Earth will emphasize the importance of caring for and preserving the environment, specifically the trees surrounding us. Trees play a crucial role in mitigating climate change, and Miss Philippines Earth seeks to remind everyone of the power and value of trees in our fight against environmental degradation. "This is a timely reminder of our responsibility to care for and protect our environment. We hope that this initiative of Miss Philippines Earth will inspire our fellow Antiquenos and Filipinos to take action towards environmental conservation," Legarda added. Miss Philippines Earth 2023 aims to continue raising awareness about environmental issues and promoting sustainable practices through the pageant's various activities and advocacies. As such, they hope to positively impact the environment and create a more sustainable future for all. "Your participation in Miss Philippines-Earth gives a glimmer of hope in bringing positive change to our environment toward creating a resilient nation for a better, healthier, and sustainable future. Embrace your role as champions of sustainability and crusaders for a greener future. Be like the trees that adorn our planet, exuding beauty and supporting our survival," said Legarda. The Miss Philippines Earth 2023 pageant is slated for April 29, 2023. Temperatures are rising and, with them, the number of aggressive animals being encountered in the county. Morgan County Animal Control has reported an increase in calls about aggressive animals and animal bites since the weather began warming up. "More people are outside, more animals are running loose," supervisor Lisa Ladely said. "That's kind of how that works." Ladely placed the blame for the uptick in bites squarely on the warming weather, saying bites and aggressive animals have been reported all around Morgan County in a variety of circumstances. Most of the calls about bites involve dogs, she said. "One bite may be somebody jogging and a dog comes up and bites them," Ladely said. "Or somebody may be riding a bicycle and a dog comes after them." Depending on the situation, animal control "sometimes, but not always," sees an upsurge in bites when the weather turns each year, Ladely said, noting calls about aggressive animals can increase by around 50%. Illinois has had a consistently high number of dog bites over the past few years, which can prove to be expensive for insurance companies. Last year, State Farm paid out a total of $17.5 million spread across 256 dog bite-related insurance claims in the state, the second highest in the country. Before then, Illinois placed sixth overall nationwide for the total number of bite-related claims filed in 2021, with 844 claims costing an average of $56,292, per the Insurance Information Institute. When faced with an aggressive dog, the American Veterinary Medical Association advises not to provoke it with any sudden moves or loud noises, which may activate its predator instincts. Instead, the person being threatened should slowly and confidently move away from the dog before breaking eye contact with it. To prevent bites, the AVMA said never to treat any dog as if it is completely safe and not to assume that all dogs will respond the same way to interaction. Anyone approaching a dog should be mindful of both their behavior and the dog's body language, first seeking permission from the dog's owner, if they are available. Aggressive dogs without a leash should be given a wide berth. If an animal bite is bad enough, the person bitten should call animal control, the police department or the nearest hospital, Ladely said. If medical treatment is sought, the hospital will fill out a bite report and send it to animal control. The department then will take the next steps of quarantining the animal or making sure it is up to date on its rabies vaccinations, Ladely said. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate BEIJING (AP) Chinas foreign minister warned Taiwan and its supporters on Friday that they are playing with fire if they go against Beijing's demand to exert control over the self-governing island democracy. Qin Gangs remarks came at the end of a speech espousing Chinas contribution to the global economy and the interests of developing nations, in which he repeatedly praised Communist Party Secretary General Xi Jinpings Global Security Initiative. The concept is the latest of Chinas moves to position its single-party political system, with its claim to social stability and economic growth, as an alternative to the Western liberal approach that largely defines international relations. Toward the end of his speech in the financial hub of Shanghai, Qin turned to what China calls the Taiwan problem." While China has taken a consistently hard-line position on Taiwan, it has usually delegated threatening statements to spokespeople or lower-lever diplomats speaking through news releases or in bilateral settings. Qin answers directly to the Politburo Standing Committee of the ruling Communist Party led by deeply nationalistic leader Xi, and his comments Friday reflected a harsher tone of Chinese language over the possibility of a military clash over Taiwan. As a former chief spokesperson at the Foreign Ministry, Qin was a forerunner in taking Xi's more confrontational approach toward relations with the United States, its Asian allies and Western democracies. Countries from South Korea to Germany have recently spoken out against China's threats against Taiwan, underscoring a war of words that teeters on the edge of outright conflict with recent Chinese military exercises surrounding Taiwan and the strengthening of U.S. alliances in Asia aimed at responding to Beijing's increased military presence. The threat level toward Taiwan is difficult to rank, but U.S. officials have said China intends to be prepared to launch an invasion within the next decade. Qin's comments, while not unprecedented, gave higher visibility to the Chinese threats in front of an international audience of the type China has sought to recruit as partners in business and development. The safeguarding of national sovereignty and territorial integrity is beyond reproach, Qin said. "The Taiwan problem is at the core of China's core interests, he said. "We will never back down in the face of any act that undermines Chinas sovereignty and security. Those who play with fire on the question of Taiwan will burn themselves. Such remarks are typically directed at the island's democratically elected government under President Tsai Ing-wen and its most important ally, the United States. China considers Taiwan a part of its territory to be annexed by force if necessary. Earlier in April, China held large-scale air and sea drills in the areas surrounding Taiwan in retaliation for Tsai's meeting with U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on April 5 in California. China said the exercises simulating an encirclement of Taiwan were intended as a serious warning to pro-independence politicians on the self-governing island and their foreign supporters. China has stepped up its military pressure and diplomatic isolation against Taiwan in recent years, sending fighter jets and navy vessels towards the island on a near-daily basis. While Taiwan maintains official diplomatic relations with just 13 sovereign states, it retains robust ties with most major nations, including the U.S. After former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan in August, China sent more military vessels over the midline of the Taiwan Strait, an unofficial boundary that had been accepted for decades. The heightened pace of military activity and increasingly bellicose language have raised concerns about a possible conflict in one of the world's most economically vital regions. Taiwan produces much of the world's much-needed computer chips and the Taiwan Strait separating the island from mainland China is one of the world's busiest waterways. Taiwan will elect a new president and parliament in January, with China seen as heavily favoring the opposition Nationalist Party that backs political unification between the sides under terms yet to be defined. Taiwanese and U.S. authorities say China is using economic leverage and disinformation to bolster its military threats, but most Taiwanese responding to surveys back the status quo of de facto independence. At a daily briefing Friday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin criticized recent comments by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol opposing any changes in the status quo across the Taiwan Strait. Wang said that recent tensions are the responsibility of Taiwan's government, which opposes Beijing's demand that it recognize China's claim to the island. Taiwan independence cannot coexist with peace and stability in the Taiwan region, he said. To maintain the situation in the Taiwan Strait and regional peace and tranquility, it is necessary to clearly oppose Taiwan independence and external interference. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 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 Texas Sen. Ted Cruz said was better protected. 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 sinfully easy to purchase a firearm in this country, laws that make it hellishly 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. And now some governments are refusing to cooperate with national gun laws enforced by the ATF because they personally believe the ATF is unconstitutional. Nearly 8,000 kids and teens are shot per year. Weve had 250 school shootings in 2021. In fact, though the USA is not technically a war zone, we ranked second in 2019 for gun-related deaths (neither Syria or Yemen beat us). And the deadliest state for gun deaths isnt California or New York, but Mississippi (nearly 30 firearm deaths per 100,000 residents). New York City doesnt even make the top 100 cities for violent crime rates, by the way, but four Tennessee cities are in the top 60. Half of the top 100 cities for violent crime rates are in red states. More than 90% of Americans support universal background checks. My research last year shows that red flag laws could save thousands of lives. And Congress passed bipartisan legislation incentivizing such red flag laws. Now Tennessee GOP Gov. Bill Lee is supporting such measures in his state. A Fox News guest, a former police officer from Kentucky, agrees we have to talk about guns. 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 (200,000 of them), are wielded by the same gangs Republicans want to bomb (the killing of American tourists was traced to one of these guns). South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham accused leading Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois of ignoring the fentanyl crisis to try to 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 push for this year in Congress. Child among 10 family members killed in S. Africa shooting View Photo JOHANNESBURG (AP) Ten members of the same family, seven of them female and one a 13-year-old boy, were killed in a mass shooting at a house in South Africa, police said Friday. A male suspect was killed in a shootout with police hours after and two men were arrested. A fourth suspect escaped but his identity is known and he is being sought, Police Minister Bheki Cele said. According to initial reports, the family was ambushed by gunmen at the home in the city of Pietermaritzburg in the eastern KwaZulu-Natal province, police said. The shooting happened in the predawn hours of Friday. Police initially announced that the victims were seven women and three men but later said that at least one child, the teenage boy, was among the dead. The oldest victim of the mass shooting was 65, Cele said, and the youngest was the 13-year-old. He didnt give the ages of the other victims. Cele, who was at the scene, said police confronted four men on a street about a mile from the house where the mass shooting occurred and the men fired at officers. Police shot back, killed one, injured one, who is arrested, and one is arrested uninjured. One has run away, Cele said. Fortunately they know who ran away. Police recovered three guns. The suspect who was killed by police was notorious and linked to other crimes in the area, Cele said, although he didnt offer a motive for the mass shooting. The scene at the house where the 10 were killed was terrible, Cele said. Too many people were lost, he said. Police were also questioning the driver of an e-hailing taxi who is believed to have previously transported the four men when they allegedly committed other crimes. South Africa has one of the highest homicide rates in the world and there has been a spate of mass shootings in recent years. Eight people were fatally shot at a birthday party in the south coast city of Gqeberha in January. Last year, 16 people died in a mass shooting at a bar in the Johannesburg township of Soweto when a group of armed men, some of them wielding rifles, opened fire on customers. On the same day of that Soweto shooting, 12 people were shot, four of them fatally, at a bar in Pietermaritzburg. ___ More AP Africa news: https://apnews.com/hub/africa By MOGOMOTSI MAGOME Associated Press North Korea calls its nukes stark reality, criticizes G-7 View Photo SEOUL, South Korea (AP) North Koreas foreign minister on Friday called the Group of Seven wealthy democracies a tool for ensuring the U.S. hegemony as she lambasted the groups recent call for the Norths denuclearization. The top diplomats from G-7 nations, who met recently in Japan, had jointly condemned the Norths recent ballistic missile tests and reiterated their commitment to the goal of North Koreas complete abandonment of its nuclear weapons. Their communique was prepared as a template for leaders at the G-7 summit next month in Hiroshima, where North Koreas nuclear program will likely be discussed again. North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui said her country will take unspecified strong counteraction if G-7 countries the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Canada, Italy and the European Union show any behavioral attempt to infringe upon the fundamental interests of North Korea. G7, a closed group of a handful of egoistic countries, does not represent the just international community but serves as a political tool for ensuring the U.S. hegemony, Choe said in a statement carried by North Korean state media. Choe said the G-7 communique malignantly raised the Norths legitimate exercise of its sovereignty. North Korea has steadfastly argued it was forced to develop nuclear weapons because of U.S. nuclear threats against it. It has said the United States regular military drills with South Korea are a rehearsal for invasion, though U.S. and South Korean officials have said their drills are defensive and they have no intentions of attacking the North. North Korea has test-fired about 100 missiles since the start of last year in the name of responding to U.S. military training with South Korea. But many experts say North Korean leader Kim Jong Un likely uses his rivals military drills as a pretext to advance his weapons programs, cement his domestic leadership and be recognized as a legitimate nuclear state to get international sanctions on the North lifted. North Korea has been hit with 11 rounds of U.N. sanctions because of its past nuclear and ballistic missile tests banned by U.N. Security Council resolutions. Kim has previously said those sanctions stifles North Koreas economy. The G-7 foreign ministers in their communique Tuesday said North Korea will never have the status of a nuclear-weapons state under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. The treaty sought to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons beyond the five original armed powers the U.S., Russia, China, Britain and France. It requires non-nuclear signatory nations to not pursue atomic weapons in exchange for a commitment by the five powers to move toward nuclear disarmament and to guarantee non-nuclear states access to peaceful nuclear technology for producing energy. Choe also said the Norths position as a nuclear weapons state will remain as an undeniable and stark reality. She said North Korea is free from any of the treatys obligations because it withdrew from the treaty 20 years ago. North Korea joined the NPT in 1985 but announced its withdrawal from the treaty in 2003, citing what it called U.S. aggression. Since 2006, North Korea has conducted six nuclear tests and a slew of other weapons tests to develop nuclear-tipped missiles designed to attack the U.S. and South Korea. South Koreas Unification Ministry said later Friday that North Korea must halt its threats against neighbors and pay heed to international concerns about its reckless nuclear and missile programs. Deputy spokesperson Lee Hyojung told reporters that North Korea cannot earn what it wants from its nuclear program so it must not insist on a wrong path. Kim said earlier this week his country has built its first military spy satellite that will be launched at an unspecified date. Last week, North Korea test-launched a solid-fueled intercontinental ballistic missile for the first time. North Korea is expected to perform more weapons tests as the United States and South Korea continue their joint aerial exercise into next week. ___ Find more AP Asia-Pacific coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/asia-pacific By HYUNG-JIN KIM Associated Press Mexico finally sells unwanted presidential jet to Tajikistan View Photo MEXICO CITY (AP) After almost 4 1/2 years of trying, Mexicos president said Thursday he has finally sold the unwanted presidential jet to the former Soviet republic of Tajikistan. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said the government of Tajikistan paid the equivalent of about $92 million for the Boeing 787 jet. Lopez Obrador refused to use the jet after taking office on Dec. 1, 2018, saying it was too luxurious. The austerity-loving president usually takes commercial flights. Lopez Obrador had tried to lure corporations and business executives to buy the jet, but found no takers. He even symbolically raffled off the plane, which would be expensive to convert back into a normal airliner. The plane was purchased for $200 million and was used by the previous president, Enrique Pena Nieto. It has been difficult to sell because it is configured to carry only 80 people and has a full presidential suite with a private bath. Experts said it would be costly to reconfigure into a typical passenger jet that would carry up to 300 passengers. Though the plane has relatively few miles on it, Mexico was eager to unload it because maintence costs make it expensive to keep parked. There had been talk the Boeing 787 might be turned over to an army-run company for use as a commercial jet. After a long time, we managed to sell the plane, Lopez Obrador said in a video clip from inside the plane, which he had previously refused to board. We are happy. We are going to use the money from selling the plane to build two hospitals, he said. Chile leader wants state to share in any lithium extraction View Photo SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) President Gabriel Boric has announced a plan to require that private companies take Chiles government on as a partner in the extraction of lithium, which is in high demand around the world for use in electric batteries. Boric, who spoke Thursday on a national media network, said the state will participate in the entire lithium production cycle in a public-private collaboration that the government will control. Any private company, whether foreign or local, that wants to exploit lithium in Chile must partner with the state, he said. Chile has the worlds third largest lithium reserves, at 9.6 million tons, behind Bolivia with 21 million and Argentina with 19.3 million, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. But Chile was the worlds second largest producer last year with an estimated 39,000 metric tons, after Australia, with 61,000 tons. Boric wants to create a National Lithium Company to partner with private companies, but he conceded that likely will not happen quickly because it would require support from an absolute majority in both houses of Congress, which is fragmented among a variety of parties. In the meantime, he said, the state National Copper Corporation will sign agreements with private parties for lithium extraction. Currently, there are two companies that mine lithium in Chile: the U.S. company Albemarle and Chiles Chemical and Mining Society (Soquimich), which has been controlled for three decades by Julio Ponce, whose father-in-law was the late dictator Augusto Pinochet. Boric said Ponces contracts will be respected. Boric said that in addition to being involved in mining, the government will promote the development of lithium products with added value, with the goal of becoming the worlds leading lithium producer. The minister of mining, Marcela Hernando, recently told Congress that the government cannot advance alone in the exploitation of lithium because technology and knowledge are in private industry. A public-private partnership is needed, Hernando said, though he added that the state is the owner of lithium, which is an uncompromisable position of the government. Soquimich paid more than $5 billion to the government last year from its mining of lithium, almost double the trevenue generated by the state copper company. Albemarles payments totaled $600 million. Specialists estimate the demand for lithium will increase considerably in the next two decades due to the transition toward renewable energy around the globe and the fact that electric vehicles use lithium batteries. State Water Project - DWR Image View Photo Sacramento, CA For the first time since 2006, valley farmers and downstream municipalities will receive 100% of their requested water allocations through the State Water Project. It is a sharp increase from early Decembers projections when the Department of Water Resources was planning to release just 5% of requested allocations. Following the wet winter months, it was bumped up to 35% in February, and 75% in March. The State Water Project supplies water to 29 municipalities, serving an estimated 27 million customers, and 750,000 acres of farmland. The past two years, during heavy drought, the state released 0% of the requested allocation. California DWR reports that reservoirs, statewide, are at about 105% of average capacity for the date. Supreme Court preserves access to abortion pill for now View Photo WASHINGTON (AP) The Supreme Court on Friday preserved womens access to a drug used in the most common method of abortion, rejecting lower-court restrictions while a lawsuit continues. The justices granted emergency requests from the Biden administration and New York-based Danco Laboratories, maker of the drug mifepristone. They are appealing a lower court ruling that would roll back Food and Drug Administration approval of mifepristone. The drug has been approved for use in the U.S. since 2000 and more than 5 million people have used it. Mifepristone is used in combination with a second drug, misoprostol, in more than half of all abortions in the U.S. The courts action Friday almost certainly will leave access to mifepristone unchanged at least into next year, as appeals play out, including a potential appeal to the high court. The next stop for the case is at the New Orleans-based U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit, which has set arguments in the case for May 17. Two of the nine justices Samuel Alito, the author of last years decision overturning Roe v. Wade, and Clarence Thomas voted to allow restrictions to take effect, and Alito issued a four-page dissent. No other justices commented on the courts one-paragraph order, and the court did not release a full vote breakdown. President Joe Biden praised the high court for keeping mifepristone available while the court fight continues. The stakes could not be higher for women across America. I will continue to fight politically-driven attacks on womens health. But lets be clear the American people must continue to use their vote as their voice, and elect a Congress who will pass a law restoring the protections of Roe v. Wade, Biden said in a statement. Alliance Defending Freedom, representing abortion opponents challenging the FDAs approval of mifepristone, downplayed the courts action. As is common practice, the Supreme Court has decided to maintain the status quo that existed prior to our lawsuit while our challenge to the FDAs illegal approval of chemical abortion drugs and its removal of critical safeguards for those drugs moves forward, ADF lawyer Erik Baptist said in a statement. The justices weighed arguments that allowing restrictions contained in lower-court rulings to take effect would severely disrupt the availability of mifepristone. The Supreme Court had initially said it would decide by Wednesday whether the restrictions could take effect while the case continues. A one-sentence order signed by Alito on Wednesday gave the justices two additional days, without explanation. The challenge to mifepristone is the first abortion controversy to reach the nations highest court since its conservative majority overturned Roe v. Wade 10 months ago and allowed more than a dozen states to effectively ban abortion outright. In his majority opinion last June, Alito said one reason for overturning Roe was to remove federal courts from the abortion fight. It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the peoples elected representatives, he wrote. But even with their court victory, abortion opponents returned to federal court with a new target: medication abortions, which make up more than half of all abortions in the United States. Women seeking to end their pregnancies in the first 10 weeks without more invasive surgical abortion can take mifepristone, along with misoprostol. The FDA has eased the terms of mifepristones use over the years, including allowing it to be sent through the mail in states that allow access. The abortion opponents filed suit in Texas in November, asserting that the FDAs original approval of mifepristone 23 years ago and subsequent changes were flawed. They won a ruling on April 7 by U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, an appointee of former President Donald Trump, revoking FDA approval of mifepristone. The judge gave the Biden administration and Danco Laboratories a week to appeal and seek to keep his ruling on hold. Responding to a quick appeal, two more Trump appointees on the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the FDAs original approval would stand for now. But Judges Andrew Oldham and Kurt Engelhardt said most of the rest of Kacsmaryks ruling could take effect while the case winds through federal courts. Their ruling would have effectively nullified changes made by the FDA starting in 2016, including extending from seven to 10 weeks of pregnancy when mifepristone can be safely used. The court also would have halted sending the drug in the mail or dispensing it as a generic, and patients who seek it would have had to make three in-person visits with a doctor. Women also might have been required to take a higher dosage of the drug than the FDA says is necessary. The administration and Danco have said that chaos would ensue if those restrictions were to take effect while the case proceeds. Potentially adding to the confusion, a federal judge in Washington has ordered the FDA to preserve access to mifepristone under the current rules in 17 Democratic-led states and the District of Columbia that filed a separate lawsuit. The Biden administration has said the rulings conflict and create an untenable situation for the FDA. Alito questioned the argument that chaos would result, saying the administration has not dispelled doubts that it would even obey an unfavorable order in these cases. And a new legal wrinkle threatened even more complications. GenBioPro, which makes the generic version of mifepristone, filed a lawsuit Wednesday to preemptively block the FDA from removing its drug from the market, in the event that the Supreme Court doesnt intervene. The Supreme Court was only being asked to block the lower-court rulings through the end of the legal case. The appeals court has sped up its review, but there is no timetable for a ruling. Any appeal to the Supreme Court would follow within three months of a ruling, but with no deadline for the justices to decide whether to review the case. ___ Associated Press writers Jessica Gresko, Geoff Mulvihill and Matthew Perrone contributed to this report. Mulvihill reported from Cherry Hill, New Jersey. By MARK SHERMAN Associated Press Khaichuin Sim/Getty Images Live roosters commonly used in cockfighting have been smuggled across the Laredo Port of Entry in recent weeks, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. "On two separate occasions in recent weeks, Custom Border Patrol officers and agriculture specialists made an unusual discovery, roosters deeply hidden within passenger vehicles," Port Director Alberto Flores, with the Laredo Port of Entry said in a press release. Evan is one of a kind with a heart of gold and quick mind! Evan has an outstanding memory of things that interest him. He has a passion for flags from all countries, and this can be used as an incentive for him to work on accomplishing goals both in and out of school. The 15-year-old worked hard in school and recently made straight A's. Evan is persistent in reaching his desired outcome and will be very determined to accomplish goals that are consistent with his interests. Evan enjoys 3D puzzles and can engage in doing these for hours, however, ask him to play a video game and he is yours for much longer. Evan can be quite enjoyable to be around. He loves animals, especially cats and hopes to one day be able to have a kitten to care for and have as a pet. Even recently accomplished one of his life goals of hiking a trail that was considered difficult. Evans forever family will be one that is patient and understanding. He would do well in a family where he is an only child, or he is the youngest child in the home. Evan would agree with this wholeheartedly as he enjoys having the love and attention focused on him. His family will demonstrate strong communication skills as Evan does well when he is both listened to and heard when he speaks. He will thrive in a home where he is also allowed to explore his area with minimal supervision to ensure he is allowed his space. He will flourish with a strong father figure. Evan may require continued assistance as he grows and matures. --- Evan is among the children listed on the Texas Adoption Resource Exchange (TARE) website. Visit https://www.dfps.state.tx.us/Application/TARE/Home.aspx/Default for more details. Saint Francis Ministries is a nonprofit organization and a community-based care provider for the Texas Department of Family Protective Services Region 1. This region includes 41 counties across the Panhandle and South Plains. To learn more about fostering or adopting, those interested are encouraged to attend one of the monthly virtual meetings hosted by Saint Francis Ministries and other child placing agencies. The meetings provide information about how to get started, the basic qualifications and more, in addition to providing opportunity for attendees to ask questions. Those interested can visit Saint Francis Texas on Facebook @SFMtexas to register for the online meetings, which can also be found below: The meetings are scheduled for the second Thursday of the month (Lubbock area https://lubbock-area-foster-care-adoption.eventbrite.com) and the third Thursday of the month (Amarillo area https://amarillo-area-foster-care-adoption.eventbrite.com). For more information, please contact Erin Baxter at (806) 317-5631 or email texasinfo@st-francis.org. Visit Saint Francis Ministries online at https://saintfrancisministries.org. HONG KONG (AP) Hong Kongs Roman Catholic bishop on Friday said he has invited the state-appointed archbishop of Beijing to visit his city, a symbolic gesture that experts said could strengthen the fragile relationship between China and the Vatican. Bishop Stephen Chow said Joseph Li, who is the leader of the mainland's Communist Party-sponsored version of the Catholic church, appeared to be quite positive about the invitation. He gave no indication when Li might visit. Chow announced the invitation on the last day of a five-day trip to Beijing, the first by a bishop of Hong Kong in nearly three decades. Chows trip followed a year of strained relations in which Beijing unilaterally appointed two church leaders and Hong Kong arrested a cardinal. Hong Kong's diocese "is affiliated with the Vatican, so implicitly, it can be said that this strengthens Vatican-Sino ties, said Lo Lung-kwong, an honorary senior research fellow at the Divinity School of Chung Chi College at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Last month, Chow said his trip to Beijing at the invitation of Li underscored the mission of the Hong Kong diocese as a bridge church. Beijing and the Vatican severed diplomatic ties in 1951 following the Communist Party's rise to power and the expulsion of foreign priests. Since the break in ties, Catholics in China have been divided between those who belong to an official, state-sanctioned church and those in an underground church loyal to the pope. The Vatican recognizes members of both as Catholics but claims the exclusive right to choose bishops. In 2018, the two sides announced that they had reached a private accord which regularized the status of several Chinese-appointed bishops and paved the way for future nominations. The exchange of visits adds substance to the high-level ties created by the agreement, said Professor Kung Lap-yan of the divinity school at Chinese University. When (a relationship) is fragile, then it must need some building works in the lower level, he said. The agreement on Catholic bishops has been renewed twice, most recently in October for two more years. But in November, a feud broke out over the installation of an auxiliary bishop in Jiangxi province, which the Vatican does not recognize as a diocese. Two weeks ago Vatican News, the news portal of the Holy See, tersely reported that China had unilaterally appointed a new bishop of Shanghai. The agreement has been harshly criticized by Hong Kong Cardinal Joseph Zen, who was detained in May on suspicion of colluding with foreign forces under a Beijing-imposed national security law that jailed or silenced many activists. He was released on bail and has yet to be formally charged, but he and five others were fined in a separate case in November for failing to register a now-defunct fund set up to help arrested protesters. When Chow led a prayer on Friday, he said people should both love the country and love the church, Hong Kong public broadcaster RTHK reported. He later told reporters that everyone should learn how to do these two things at the same time. If someone lives in Hong Kong and China, then they should love their country, he said. Estimates of the total number of Chinese Catholics run between 6 million and 12 million, worshipping in both the recognized Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association and the underground church. Kung said the visits show that the church in Hong Kong is growing closer to the mainland. The bilateral invitations show that the concept of China and Hong Kong is a close family ... has been extended to ... religion, he said. These changes also raise questions about the fate of Chinese Catholics who are not part of the Catholic Patriotic Association, he added, and might call into question the Vaticans diplomatic recognition of Taiwan. Only 13 governments, including the Vatican, recognize Taiwan instead of China. But Professor Tobias Brandner from the divinity school said he would not read too much into Chows invitation, noting that it was a normal exchange and that the Hong Kong church is a bridge builder. He said the development would not be seen as a sign of improving ties, adding it was "offensive that China had appointed a bishop against the spirit of the 2018 deal shortly before Chow's visit. Chow visited churches and the tomb of Matteo Ricci, one of the first Jesuits to live in China, who died in Beijing in 1610. ___ This article has been corrected to show that China's recognized church organization is known as the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association, not Patriotic Catholic Association. The Bunker Mixology The folks behind Toro Kitchen + Bar and Cuishe Cocina Mexicana has been staying busy with a hefty expansion plan that includes at least four new restaurant and bar concepts opening in San Antonio this year. One such business has already opened its custom-made vault door to customers as of April 14, with a unique aesthetic that combines opulence with art. The Bunker Mixology Local hospitality group Gusto Group USA's latest endeavor is The Bunker Mixology, which is located in a subterranean space at 229 E. Houston St. that once housed now-defunct concepts like Jet-setters and The Last Word. The Bunker Mixology is part lounge, part speakeasy, and fully underground, giving some heft to the bar's name. Courtesy of Odessa Fire Rescue Video circulating online shows a train in West Texas, obliterate a truck that ended up on the tracks after a fatal accident. The video, posted by the City of Odessa and its fire and rescue team online on Wednesday, April 19, shows a white truck stalled on the train tracks at West Murphy and Business Road 2 before exploding into pieces as it's hit by the train. The driver of the truck, identified by the Texas Department of Public Safety as Jesus Guadalupe Laredo, 28, managed to escape the truck before it was hit. Laredo's truck was sent on to the tracks after a fatal crash that killed one person, the City of Odessa said on Facebook. CPS Energy is still working to restore the power to several San Antonio customers Friday morning, April 21, after thunderstorms bringing rain and hail passed through the area Thursday night. As of 8:07 a.m., 9,167 customers are without power due to 337 active outages, according to the energy provider's outage map. More than 45,000 customers were without power at the peak of outages and some 8,000 lighting strikes were recorded, CPS said in a Friday news release. As of this morning, there were 37 downed wires needing repair, which was down from a high of 71. CPS Energy How much rain did San Antonio get yesterday? According to the National Weather Service, the San Antonio area received about 2 to 4.5 inches of rainfall on Thursday, while parts of the Hill Country received anywhere from 0.5 to 2 inches. Who else was affected? Parts of the Hill Country experienced the same thunderstorms, which brought heavy rain and winds of up to 60 miles per hour mixed with hail, some of up to a quarter inch in size. However, hail as large as 1 inch was reported in parts of Bexar County. The weather led the National Weather Service to issue a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for much of the South-Central Texas region through most of the night. Fiesta Fiesta, the event kicking off the more than week-long citywide event, was cancelled because of the storm. The severe storms also placed the San Antonio area, including Converse and Live Oak, under a Flash Flood Warning. The flash flooding led to at least one high-water rescue after a vehicle stalled out going through a flooded area on I-35 and San Pedro at 10:30 p.m. Thursday, according to police. Rethabile Phakisi / EyeEm/Getty Images/EyeEm Along with hail came the possibility for tornadoes. Several counties in Texas were placed under a Tornado Warnings and Watches, including parts of Falls County, Fox News 44 in Waco reported. Tyler was one city that fell under a Tornado Warning with one forming Thursday night, according to Fox Weather. Friday morning commuters can expect a few lingering storms and showers with wet roads. Heading into the weekend residents can expect to see some lingering showers and storms on Sunday, April 23, and storms are expected to last into next week. The chances for storms are accompanied by cooler temperatures in the 50s, 60s, and 70s, NWS said. Many in the area managed to capture the hail with photos and videos to share on social media. The hail also caused damage to vehicles. MEXICO CITY (AP) The Mexican airline Viva Aerobus said one of its planes suffered an engine failure while covering a domestic route, but that the craft landed safely. The twin engine Airbus A320 was flying from the western city of Guadalajara to the Pacific coast resort of Puerto Vallarta when the mishap occurred Wednesday afternoon, the company said. Nursing students at Wallace Community College-Dothan once again achieved outstanding pass rates on their National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses exam for 2022. According to a press release, the 152 nurses who graduated from the program last year achieved a 95.39% pass rate. That mark was the second highest in the Alabama Community College System for 2022. Our Associate Degree Nursing program, along with each other program within the Health Sciences, aims to produce graduates who are highly qualified and able to step into the healthcare roles they seek to assume, Kathy Buntin, the WCCD Health Sciences Associate Dean, said A programs graduate pass rates should be a major factor in choosing a nursing program in which one wants to enroll, and the 2022 pass rate of the ADN program at Wallace exemplifies a quality that stands above others. Nationwide, first-time and total pass rates for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) have fallen to their lowest points in the last 10 years, but we are so very proud of the performance of our ADN graduates, both on their licensure exam and in the roles they play at our healthcare facilities. Due to the high scores, the Alabama Board of Nursing praised WCCD administration, faculty, and staff for maintaining high standards in nursing education. Last years statewide pass rate for all associate degree programs was 88.86%. WCCD saw a 3.08% increase in the pass rate when compared to the 2021 ADN pass rate which was 92.31%. This remarkable success has not been easily earned but with the dedicated faculty of the Associate Degree Nursing program and the students that are driven to learn to provide excellent, quality care to their patients, this milestone has been achieved, Dr. Jacqueline Spivey, the WCCD Division Director, for Associate Degree Nursing, said. Our graduates are aware that nursing is a place that you can learn every day. It is also a place where you can make a difference in the lives of your patients with compassion and understanding. Our wonderful faculty prepare these students to face the challenges that they will encounter in nursing and this ever-changing healthcare environment. WCCDs associate degree nursing program has been fully accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing since 1978. For more information about Wallaces nursing program, go to wallace.edu. My Curly Adventures When you type Waco into Google, a lot of unsavory search results pop up, and Texans who were alive in the 1990s know why. However, there's a lot to appreciate about the Texas city, including a new vacation rental that'll make you scream for ice cream. The 2,300-square-foot home, dubbed Casa Kumwesu, is one of several passion projects by Texas travel and food bloggers Jessica Serna and Ismail Mpiana, better known online by their respective handles My Curly Adventures and My Culinary Adventures. The married couple have opened this ice cream-themed vacation home that comes with a decked out, fully equipped kitchen among other colorful amenities, according to a news release. NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoana virtually addressed the NATO and the Indo-Pacific Conference in Vilnius, Lithuania on Friday (21 April 2023), emphasizing NATO's commitment to working more closely with Indo-Pacific partners to address security challenges and preserve peace. In his remarks, Mr. Geoana highlighted the global nature of security and the shared values of freedom, democracy, and the rule of law, which are under increasing pressure. He stressed that transatlantic security is interconnected with Indo-Pacific security. Russias war of aggression against Ukraine grinds on. Authoritarian regimes in Moscow, Beijing and elsewhere are openly challenging the rules-based international order, he said. The Deputy Secretary General also mentioned the rising security threats posed by terrorism, nuclear proliferation, cyber-attacks, and climate change. Mr. Geoana emphasized the importance of a unified response to these common challenges, noting that NATO is deepening its partnerships with Indo-Pacific partners, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and the Republic of Korea. He also stated that China is not NATOs adversary, but that Chinas assertive behavior and coercive policies challenge our values, our interests and our security. He added that the growing alignment of Russia and China is a concern as China refuses to condemn Russia for its unjust and unprovoked war against Ukraine. Instead, it seeks to maintain the appearance of a carefully balanced neutrality, while also amplifying Russias false narratives and disinformation, said Mr. Geoana. To address these challenges, NATO is not only strengthening its partnership with Indo-Pacific partners but also fostering cooperation with other like-minded partners across the globe. The conference, titled "NATO and the Indo-Pacific: Forging Deeper Partnerships," is part of a series of conversations organized by the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the German Marshall Fund of the United States in the lead-up to the Vilnius Summit in July. The aim of this series is to evaluate and deepen the engagement with NATO partners Australia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and New Zealand. (Natural News) The Biden administrations Department of Justice has just charged four members of the African Peoples Socialist Party (APSP) for conspiring to act as agents of Russia by using speech and political action in ways the DOJ says weaponized the First Amendment rights of Americans. (Article by Caitlin Johnstone republished from CaitlinJohnstone.com) The Washington Post reports: Federal authorities charged four Americans on Tuesday with roles in a malign campaign pushing pro-Kremlin propaganda in Florida and Missouri expanding a previous case that charged a Russian operative with running illegal influence agents within the United States. The FBI signaled its interest in the alleged activities in a series of raids last summer, at which point authorities charged a Moscow man, Aleksandr Viktorovich Ionov, with working for years on behalf of Russian government officials to fund and direct fringe political groups in the United States. Among other things, Ionov allegedly advised the political campaigns of two unidentified candidates for public office in Florida. Ionovs influence efforts were allegedly directed and supervised by officers of the FSB, a Russian government intelligence service. Now, authorities have added charges against four Americans who allegedly did Ionovs bidding through groups including the African Peoples Socialist Party and the Uhuru Movement in Florida, Black Hammer in Georgia, and an unidentified political group in California part of an effort to influence American politics. AFP reports that the conspiracy charges carry a sentence of up to ten years, with three of the four APSP members additionally charged with acting as unregistered agents of Russia which carries another five years. Russias foreign intelligence service allegedly weaponized our First Amendment rights freedoms Russia denies its own citizens to divide Americans and interfere in elections in the United States, said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen in the DOJs press release regarding the indictments, adding, The department will not hesitate to expose and prosecute those who sow discord and corrupt U.S. elections in service of hostile foreign interests, regardless of whether the culprits are U.S. citizens or foreign individuals abroad. Looks like the United States has decided to dispense with those freedoms as well. This fake and racist case flows from the Russiagate hysteria that convinced millions of Americans that Russia was paying dissident groups to destabilize the US political system The FBI was unable to find anything real, so it went after the African Peoples Socialist Party https://t.co/C1fUn2pyuW Max Blumenthal (@MaxBlumenthal) April 19, 2023 The superseding indictment containing these charges consists of a lot of verbal gymnastics to obfuscate the fact that the DOJ is prosecuting US citizens for speech and political activities in the United States which happen not to align with the wishes of the US government. The grand jury alleges that the aforementioned Ionov directed these Americans to publish pro-Russian propaganda and information designed to cause dissention in the United States, which is about as vague and amorphous an allegation as you could possibly come up with. For the record Omali Yeshitela, the founder and chairman of the African Peoples Socialist Party and one of the four Americans named in the indictment, has adamantly denied ever having worked for Russia. Earlier this month before charges were brought against him, the Tampa Bay Times quoted him as saying, I aint ever worked for a Russian. Never ever ever ever. They know I have never worked for Russia. Their problem is, Ive never worked for them. But its important to note that this should not matter. Under the First Amendment the government is forbidden to abridge anyones freedom to speak however they want and associate with whomever they please, which necessarily includes being as vocally pro-Russia as they like and promoting whatever political agendas they see fit, whether that happens to advance the interests of the Russian government or not. The indictment alleges that the four Americans engaged in agitprop by writing articles that contained Russian propaganda and disinformation, but even if we pretend thats both (A) a quantifiable claim and (B) a proven fact, propaganda and disinformation are both speech that the government is constitutionally forbidden from repressing. Read more at: CaitlinJohnstone.com (Natural News) A former California nurse who was fired for refusing to get vaccinated for the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) is speaking out about the horrors she witnessed and endured while working throughout the pandemic. Gail Macrae says she used to support organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Medical Association (AMA) prior to covid. What she saw and was ordered to do to patients as part of the governments official covid protocols, however, changed her views entirely. Before being let go, Macrae worked in hospitals, including in the intensive care unit (ICU), as a nurse, and she is also a midwife. She was employed at Kaiser Permanente Santa Rosa Medical Center from 2015 until 2021 when Operation Warp Speed was launched by the Trump administration. Around the spring of 2020 when covid was really ramping up, Macrae started to notice anomalies between what the media was reporting and what was actually happening at her place of employment. They were never full of patients, Macrae said about how her hospital was anything but overflowing like the fake news media was reporting at the time. As a matter of fact, from the onset of covid, for the whole first year of this pandemic not only was our hospital under capacity, but I was getting canceled. (Related: Remember when Sarasota Memorial Hospital in Florida was caught trying to murder patients to inflate its covid numbers and make the pandemic seem scarier?) How many other nurses were told to violate their morals by murdering patients with remdesivir and ventilators? Macraes position at the hospital was per diem, meaning she was unable to create her own schedule and choose when to work. Oftentimes the hospital would cancel her shifts because there simply were not enough patients being admitted in need of care. It turns out that this was the standard throughout the winter of 2020 as well, which is supposedly when covid cases were out of control. On just two occasions the hospital filled up with patients, but Macrae says this was not out of the ordinary for that time of year, covid or not. The only thing that changed during this time is that Macrae and her colleagues were forced to tell patients families that they could not visit their loved ones, which she felt was violating her ethics and morals. Macrae was also forced to administer deadly medications like remdesivir, which Tony Fauci directly profited from but that does not work to treat covid. Meanwhile, hospital staff was prohibited from administering hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and ivermectin to patients. And were seeing no improvement, Macrae says about the official covid protocols she was forced to administer. And as a matter of fact, were seeing patients going to multi-organ failures. Neither the CDC nor the AMA ever changed its policies, despite all the carnage, which just goes to show that these organizations cannot be trusted. In Macraes view, what they told medical workers to do throughout covid amounts to medical murder. I think that it comes from the combination, its the remdesivir, its the isolation of the patients. Its weeks on end with, you know, no access to food and water, she said about how these protocols needlessly ended many patients lives. All of these protocols, the fear mongering, the isolation, the toxic medications I walked away feeling like I had participated in medical murder. After the unleashing of the vaccines under Operation Warp Speed, Macrae started to see an influx of patients suffering from heart attack or stroke or what in the medical field are known as code blue calls. And nine out of 10 times those code blues were to the lower level, down to the clinic, where they were injecting people, Macrae said. And [two of] my colleagues did in fact go into anaphylaxis after receiving their shots. The latest news about the covid mass genocide can be found at Genocide.news. Sources for this article include: AlphaNews.org NaturalNews.com B Corp certification is becoming increasingly important for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Australia, as conscious consumers, especially younger generations, are seeking to support and purchase from companies that share their values and positively impact the world. By becoming a B Corp, SMEs can demonstrate their commitment to doing good and appeal to the values of these consumers. Moreover, B Corp certification offers numerous benefits for SMEs, such as helping businesses improve their social and environmental performance, which can lead to increased customer loyalty and positive brand recognition. Additionally, B Corps have access to a network of other socially responsible businesses and resources that can help them grow and succeed. Gavin Bunshaw, the Co-Chief Executive Officer of DB Results, a technology company based in Australia, recognizes the importance of B Corp certification. According to Bunshaw, organizations that achieve B Corp status have understood that profitability and doing good are not mutually exclusive and have provided a clear intent and commitment to achieving both. B Corp certification has become an important differentiator in the marketplace, highlighting companies that are committed to creating a positive impact on society and the environment, Gavin said. We have observed a significant change in the Australian workplace as more and more employees, customers, community and government seek out companies that align with their personal values to benefit all people, communities and the planet. At DB Results, B Corp has positively impacted our culture and perception, internally and externally, increasing employee morale, recruitment, and customer and public awareness. The certification validates and recognises outstanding performance across Governance, Workers, Community, Environment and Customers, providing us and other companies with a framework to continually improve impact on society and the environment. Becoming a Certified B Corporation is a meticulous process that assesses a companys social and environmental impact, public transparency, and legal accountability. SMEs seeking B Corp certification must complete the B Impact Assessment, which examines their influence on workers, customers, the community, and the environment. Upon completing the assessment, SMEs must provide documentation to verify their responses, such as financial statements, tax returns, and other relevant documents. After the verification, SMEs will receive a report that highlights their strengths and weaknesses based on their score. SMEs can then create an improvement plan to address any areas that require attention. Once the improvement plan is implemented, SMEs can submit their final documentation for review. If the company meets the B Corp standards, they will be certified as a B Corp. B Corp certification remains valid for two years, and SMEs must undergo recertification every two years and sustain or enhance their score to maintain certification. B Corp certification is a rapidly growing movement in Australia and New Zealand, with around 460 businesses in the region currently certified. Globally, the number of certified B Corps exceeds 4,900, with more companies joining the movement every year. The majority of B Corps are small and medium-sized enterprises, as the certification was originally designed to target this sector. B Lab, the non-profit organisation behind the B Corp certification, believes that SMEs have the most potential to create positive social and environmental impacts. SMEs are often more agile and able to pivot towards sustainable and socially responsible practices more easily than larger corporations. This is because SMEs are typically less bureaucratic and more focused on building strong relationships with their customers and communities. By prioritizing social and environmental responsibility, businesses can positively impact the world while improving their business performance and building a strong brand reputation. For detailed information on the B Corp process, including the Small Enterprise Guide for SMEs, visit the website at https://bcorporation.com.au/. Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. (Natural News) The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has been giving millions of dollars to a nongovernmental organization that tries to normalize commercial sex work and education on gender identities for children 10 and under. (Article by Amber Crawford republished from 100PercentFedUp.com) The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) is made up of 120 independent organizations in over 146 countries and has received over $80 million from Gates. The World Health Organization has also significantly contributed to the IPPF. The IPPF claims that they work to ensure people are free to make choices about their sexuality and wellbeing in a world free from discrimination. This NGO teaches sex education to children around the world and, in a 2017 toolkit that was recently spotlighted, the organization suggests that prostitution should be categorized under types of relationships like marriage and dating. This toolkit recommends that children under 10 should be taught that sexual activity may be part of different types of relationships, including dating, marriage, or commercial sex work, among others. The toolkit also insists that children are born sexual and that sexuality develops and changes throughout your life. A recommendation is that children under 10 should be told, As you grow up, you might start to be interested in people with diverse gender identities. The IPPF toolkit focuses heavily on the sexuality of children under 10, encouraging the teaching that sexuality is a part of you from the moment you are born. The organization tries very hard to make people view children as sexual beings, regardless of their age. Sex positivity acknowledges that human beings, including adolescents and young people, are autonomous sexual beings, the toolkit states, weirdly trying to normalize the sexualization of children. Sexual rights include the right to say yes or not to sex; the right to express sexuality, including the right to seek pleasure; the right to enjoy bodily autonomy, the toolkit says. The IPPF document also recommends talking to children as young as 10 about emergency contraceptives and deciding to continue or terminate a pregnancy. Read more at: 100PercentFedUp.com (Natural News) Janes Revenge recently attacked and vandalized a pregnancy center in Ohio, the latest target of the radical group pushing for abortion. According to Fox News, the pregnancy center in Bowling Green, Ohio was attacked and vandalized on the morning of April 15. Security footage captured the lone suspect, whose face was covered during the attack, spray-painting the east wall of the clinic and a glass panel beside it. Messages spray-painted on the walls of the center included liars and fake clinic. The graffiti also called to fund abortion and abort God alongside the name of the group. This vile attack is part of a nationwide movement to intimidate, threaten and terrorize pregnancy centers, said HerChoice Executive Director Rochelle Sikora. These tactics are not only anti-American, they are based on misconceptions, misinformation and outright lies. (Related: Op-ed: Abortion activists reveal their EVIL nature through threats and vandalism.) According to Sikora, the HerChoice clinic also called the Bowling Green Pregnancy Clinic provides actual healthcare for both mothers and the babies inside their womb. It offers pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, limited testing for sexually-transmitted infections and birth and parenting classes. Fox News noted that the center is one of more than 100 facilities across the Buckeye State that provide $15 million worth of services to families in need. Following the attack, a group of college students and members of the local Knights of Columbus council helped clean up the graffiti. The pregnancy centers east wall was cleaned by the afternoon of April 15. Sikora added that the clinic has filed a police report. The HerChoice executive director remarked that ever since the overturn of the Roe v. Wade abortion ruling in June 2022, the clinic has been taking additional safeguards. Weve [kind of] prepared for it since the Supreme Court decision last year. We knew that there were lots of threats being thrown around against pregnancy centers. So we installed improved security. We were ready for it, mentally. More than 100 pregnancy centers attacked since 2022 Peter Range, the CEO of Ohio Right to Life, denounced the attack and vandalism in a statement. [People] who work at the [pregnancy center] are some of the kindest, [most] loving and [most] caring individuals you could ever meet. Knowing these individuals personally, this attack on their center will only strengthen their resolve to continue to love those in need. Range also thanked the college students and members of the Knights of Columbus for helping the HerChoice clinic clean up. They represent the Bowling Green community at its finest, he wrote. In the broader context, though, there have been well over 100 attacks against pro-life pregnancy centers and pro-life organizations since last year. Everyone in this state and nation, no matter their political affiliation or stance on abortion, should support centers and organizations that help mothers. Range ended his statement with a prayer that local officials, statewide elected members and national leaders will all rise to the moment and speak out against these attacks to put an end to these senseless attacks once and for all. Meanwhile, Sikora said her organizations love for women in the community will not wane in the face of these threats. In fact, our resolve to serve is only strengthened. For those looking to help us respond to this vandalism with love and compassion, we invite you to join our mission to love, serve and equip anyone facing a pregnancy decision with Christ-centered resources and support that empower them to pursue life for themselves and their unborn child. Visit Abortions.news for more stories about attacks on pregnancy centers. Watch Susan Swift of the Right to Life League as she calls for the dismantling of the abortion cartels on the Health Ranger Report below. This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Abortion militants are firebombing pro-life centers across America and the media pretends like nothing is happening. Why arent the violent crisis pregnancy center firebombers being prosecuted like the January 6 insurrectionists? Over 20 pregnancy resource centers have been ATTACKED by pro-abortion extremists since May. FULL LIST: Pro-abortion vandalism, church storming over possibility Roe v. Wade will fall. Pro-abortion Janes Revenge firebombs Buffalo pregnancy center in targeted attack. Sources include: Breitbart.com FoxNews.com MSN.com Brighteon.com (Natural News) Several county officials in McCurtain County, Oklahoma, including the sheriff, were caught on secret audio recordings plotting the murder of several local reporters. The local newspaper, McCurtain Gazette-News, recently published a story of secret audio recordings in which the county commissioner, the sheriff and two of the sheriffs employees were caught talking about torturing, murdering and then hiding the bodies of a father and son team of local reporters. The people caught on the recording are McCurtain County Sheriff Kevin Clardy, County Commissioner Mark Jennings, Investigator Alice Manning and Jail Administrator Larry Hendrix. The relevant part of the recording began with a conversation involving Manning talking about how her late father would have beaten McCurtain Gazette-News reporter Chris Willingham. My papaw would have whipped his ass, would have wiped him and used him for toilet paper, said Manning. If my daddy hadnt been run over by a vehicle, he would have been down there. Jennings then added to the conversation by talking about how he had two big, deep holes to bury Willingham and his father Bruce, who was the editor of the paper. Clardy then chimed in by offering his excavator to cover up the holes. Jennings also said he knew two or three hit men affiliated with the Louisiana mafia who could murder the father and son reporting team. Theyre very quiet guys, Jennings allegedly said. And would cut no f mercy. Another part of the recording reveals that Manning stated that she might not be able to restrain herself from resorting to violence if she ever encountered Willingham on the street. The ire between the sheriff and county officials against the McCurtain Gazette-News stems from a series of stories the local newspaper published in 2021 and 2022 detailing accusations of mismanagement and favoritism within the sheriffs office, including allegations that Clardy and Manning had a sexual relationship and were engaging in nepotism when Clardy appointed Mannings brother to be the undersheriff. The release of the reports led to Manning retaliating by claiming without evidence that Willingham was part of a child pornography ring. This then led Willingham to file a lawsuit, claiming slander and other damages. Following the release of the recordings, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt released a written statement calling for the resignation of the four county officials in the recording. I am both appalled and disheartened to hear the horrid comments made by officials in McCurtain County, said Stitt. There is simply no place for such hateful rhetoric in the state of Oklahoma, especially by those that serve to represent the community through their respective office. I will not stand idly by while this takes place. Stitt added that he has asked the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation to conduct its own investigation into the matter. The Oklahoma Attorney Generals Office has also confirmed that it is conducting its own investigation. Jennings has already announced his resignation, while Clardy and his sheriffs office has claimed that the recordings were illegal and that they were filing felony charges against the reporters. Authorities conspire against the people Josh Reid, while filling in as a guest host for the American Media Periscopes program Unrestricted Truths with James Grundvig, used the conspiracy against local reporters in McCurtain County as an opportunity to discuss the very pervasive agenda of secrecy surrounding all levels of the American government and bureaucratic institutions. (Related: Greenwald: The government is abusing secrecy powers.) That right there is what were up against, he said. Politicians, elected officials are conspiring against the people the [local] reporters, the news, people who are uncovering the truth to murder them to keep their power in place. Now, you gotta imagine: How far did [conspiracy] extend up the ladder? Reid pointed out how this agenda of secrecy has been around for decades. He referenced the Business Plot attempt to coup former President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and install a fascist dictatorship in America in his place, the death of former Senator Joseph McCarthy which may have been an assassination, and the death of President John F. Kennedy, who Reid noted was assassinated for exactly this type of investigation into criminal conspiracies. It has infiltrated every aspect of our society social, cultural, institutional, academic, political, it is everywhere, warned Reid. It is infested within the infrastructure of the United States. Watch this episode of Unrestricted Truths with James Grundvig on American Media Periscopes as guest host Josh Reid discusses the secret recordings coming out of McCurtain County, Oklahoma. This video is from the channel AMPNews on Brighteon.com. More related stories: The leak was the op White House and Congress demand new powers, think Restrict Act, in aftermath of classified intel leaks. Orwellian censorship ramped up to next level as eugenicists in the US govt want to make it impossible for us to know theyre murdering our children. Illegal alien gets LIFE in prison for murdering whistleblower who exposed unlawful hiring scheme in Georgia. There are two American governments: The visible one and the SECRET one, says Gen. Flynn. Roger Stone was right: The same Deep State behind the assassination of JFK is attempting to take down Trump. Sources include: Brighteon.com TulsaWorld.com NBCNews.com Oklahoman.com APNews.com (Natural News) Further reckless development of artificial intelligence (AI) could lead to the creation of a God-like AI that could then bring about the destruction of the human race. This is according to entrepreneur Ian Hogarth, who has spent the past few years investing heavily in the burgeoning AI sector. In a recent opinion piece, he warned that AI is creeping ever closer to the point where AI systems will achieve a form of sentience known as artificial general intelligence (AGI). (Related: Ex-Google engineer warns Microsofts AI-powered Bing chatbot could be sentient.) AGI is the point at which a machine can understand or learn anything that humans can. While current AI systems are not there yet, it is considered the primary goal of the rapidly growing industry. But achieving this goal comes with very high and dangerous stakes. Most experts view the arrival of AGI as a historical and technological turning point, akin to the splitting of the atom or the invention of the printing press, wrote Hogarth in his opinion piece. The important question has always been how far away in the future this development might be. Hogarth further noted that estimates for reaching AGI are wide-ranging, from a decade to half a century or even more. But what is certain is that the leading AI companies of the world have made achieving AGI their goal without taking into account the risks associated with bringing such an untested technology to an unprepared world. AI developers not concerned with consequences of endless growth Hogarth noted in his op-ed that AI researchers are not focusing enough on the potential dangers of AGI, or on properly warning the general populace about them. He also wrote about how he confronted one such researcher who did not seem to understand what could go wrong with the rapidly increasing intelligence of AI. If you think we could be close to something potentially dangerous, I said to the researcher, shouldnt you warn people about whats happening?' Hogarth recounted. He was clearly grappling with the responsibility he faced, but like many in the field, seemed pulled along by the rapidity of progress. Hogarth noted that he is not blameless in the development of AI. He admitted that he is also part of this community, as he has invested heavily in over 50 startups that deal with AI and machine learning. He has gone so far as to start his own venture capital firm and launched an annual State of AI report. A three-letter acronym doesnt capture the enormity of what AGI would represent, so I will refer to it as what it is: God-like AI, said Hogarth. A superintelligent computer that learns and develops autonomously, that understands its environment without the need for supervision and that can transform the world around it. Hogarth noted that the nature of the technology means it is very difficult to accurately predict when AGI will be achieved. But what he is certain of is that when it is achieved, the consequences for humanity will be very drastic. God-like AI could be a force beyond our control or understanding, and one that could usher in the obsolescence or destruction of the human race, he wrote. He added that the race to achieve AGI will likely continue, and it will take a major misuse event or catastrophe to get people to properly focus on the consequences of reckless AI development. The contest between a few companies to create God-like AI has rapidly accelerated. They do not yet know how to pursue their aim safely and have no oversight, he added. They are running toward a finish line without an understanding of what lies on the other side. Learn more about the development of AI systems at FutureTech.news. Watch this video from InfoWars discussing how new AI systems are being programmed to end all of humanity. This video is from the InfoWars channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: AI chatbot GPT-4 TRICKED a person into solving captcha by pretending to be human. BuzzFeed has used artificial intelligence to write over 40 articles. Generative AI could replace up to 300 million mostly white-collar jobs worldwide. Microsofts AI chatbot goes haywire gets depressed, threatens to sue and harm detractors. Sources include: Futurism.com BusinessInsider.com FT.com Brighteon.com (Natural News) Big Tech platform Twitter has announced its new policy on hate speech hiding tweets falling on that classification behind a warning screen that requires a click-through. The social media site made the announcement in an April 17 blog post. It wrote that while Twitter users have the right to express their opinions and ideas without fear of censorship, the site reiterated its responsibility to keep other users safe from content violating [Twitter] rules. Starting soon, we will add publicly visible labels to tweets identified as potentially violating our policies letting you know weve limited their visibility, the blog post stated. Aside from these warning labels, the aforementioned tweets will be excluded from search results, trends and recommended posts. Advertising will not appear near these tweets, the blog post added. The blog entry also indicated examples of these warning labels, such as: Visibility warning: This tweet may violate Twitters rules against hateful conduct. Twitter admitted that visibility filtering restricting the reach of certain tweets is one of its existing enforcement actions that allow the platform to move beyond the binary leave up versus take down approach to content moderation. It also disclosed that it has not been historically transparent when it comes to this action. The tech giant said authors whose tweets were slapped with the warning label can submit feedback. While Twitter clarified that doing so does not guarantee a response or the removal of the label, it is working on an appeal system for users. The new labels, Twitter said, will initially only apply to a set of tweets that potentially violate the social media sites hateful conduct policy. It continued that the labels will be implemented in other applicable policy areas in the coming months. This change is designed to result in enforcement actions that are more proportional and transparent for everyone on our platform, Twitter said. New policy comes amid Twitters row with Substack According to Russia Today, the new policy is meant to embody Twitter CEO Elon Musks freedom of speech, not freedom of reach paradigm. Musk espoused the concept after acquiring Twitter last year for $44 billion, with the promise of liberating the platform from censorship. (Related: Elon Musk, echoing ADL talking points, says new Twitter policy is freedom of speech, but not freedom of reach.) The announcement of Twitters new policy incidentally coincided with its row with rival Substack over the latters Substack Notes function. Existing tweets with Substack links were de-boosted and locked to new replies, while new tweets were prohibited from being posted. A separate report by the Guardian also pointed out that searches for the word substack on Twitter were automatically replaced by searches for the word newsletter. Users who managed to find a tweet with a link to Substack saw labels warning that the destination site was unsafe or malicious. Independent journalist Matt Taibbi, who was hand-picked by Musk himself to publish the Twitter Files, found himself in the middle of the conflict. Taibbi was forced to part ways with Musk and Twitter over the restrictions on Substack, the platform the journalist was using. In response, Musk accused Taibbi of being a Substack employee and accused the rival platform of trying to download a massive portion of the Twitter database to bootstrap their Twitter clone. Both the journalist himself and Substack CEO Chris Best denied the accusations. The Twitter CEO also claimed Substack links were never blocked, but later backtracked on his remarks and admitted that they were temporarily marked as unsafe. Were disappointed that Twitter has chosen to restrict writers ability to share their work, Substacks three founders lamented in a joint statement. Their livelihoods should not be tied to platforms where they dont own their relationship with their audience, and where the rules can change on a whim. Visit DorseyWatch.com for more stories about Twitter. Watch Elon Musk discuss how he takes freedom of speech very seriously in this interview with Tucker Carlson of Fox News. This video is from the GalacticStorm channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Study: Twitter censorship INCREASED after Elon Musk takeover despite his free speech commitment. Twitter moderator fired by Musk expresses worries about potential free speech future of platform. Not again: Musk to reinstate Twitter censorship tools after a meeting with leftist groups. Elon Musks Twitter waging war on Substack and Brighteon; no links allowed. Elon Musk calls out BBC reporter over Twitter hate speech allegations. Sources include: RT.com Blog.Twitter.com TheGuardian.com Brighteon.com (Natural News) According to purportedly leaked classified documents by Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira, the United States is reportedly engaged in close surveillance of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and is dissatisfied with his dealings with Moscow, AntiWar.com reported this week. Multiple documents have been disclosed, which apparently outline Antonio Guterres correspondences, including one that accuses him of obstructing efforts to hold Russia accountable for its invasion of Ukraine. The document specifically refers to his exchanges with Moscow regarding the grain agreement that led to the opening of Ukraines Black Sea ports, the report said. The United Nations reportedly facilitated the agreement between Moscow and Kyiv by agreeing to assist in the export of Russian fertilizer and grain. Western sanctions have impeded such exports, despite agricultural products being exempted. UN Secretary-General Guterres is taking steps to accommodate Russia in an effort to protect the Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI), which he considers a pivotal UN success and key to addressing global food insecurity, and his actions are undermining broader efforts to hold Moscow accountable for its actions in Ukraine, says one document. The document is believed to have been written in late February or early March, prior to the extension of the grain deal between Russia and Ukraine on March 18. It says in early February, Guterres urged Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in a letter to renew the BSGI before its term expires on March 18 and Guterres emphasized his efforts to improve Russias ability to export, even if that involves sanctioned Russian entities or individuals, according to FISA-derived signal intelligence. Signal intelligence is a term used to describe information that is acquired by intercepting communications. After the disclosure that the United States was reportedly monitoring Guterres, his spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, commented to Al Jazeera that he was not surprised by the fact that people are spying on him and listening in on his private conversations. What is surprising is the malfeasance or incompetence that allows for such private conversations to be distorted and become public, Dujarric said. Other documents detailed private communications between Guterres and his deputy, Antiwar.com reported. Today, the Justice Department arrested Jack Douglas Teixeira in connection with an investigation into alleged unauthorized removal, retention, and transmission of classified national defense information, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a press conference on April 13. Teixeira is an employee of the United States Air Force National Guard. FBI agents took Teixeira into custody earlier this afternoon without incident. He will have an initial appearance at the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. However, a federal judge has postponed the pretrial detention hearing for Teixeira, CBS News reported. The hearing was scheduled to take place on Wednesday. Teixeira has been accused of two charges unlawful retention and transmission of national defense information, as well as unauthorized removal and retention of classified documents. If found guilty on both counts, he could face a sentence of up to 15 years in prison. Magistrate Judge David Hennessy granted the request made by Teixeiras public defenders to postpone the detention hearing for two weeks to enable them to examine the governments detention application. The Justice Department agreed to the delay. Its not known how many documents were posted. CBS News has reviewed more than 50 that appear to be part of the leak. The documents reviewed cover the Russia-Ukraine conflict, China, Turkey, South Korea and Israel, CBS News reported. As per the charging documents, one of the documents that was posted by Jack Teixeira on social media described the status of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, including troop movements, on a particular date. The government has confirmed that the said document is classified at the highest level, according to the criminal complaint filed against Teixeira. Sources include: CBSNews.com AlJazeera.com AntiWar.com (Natural News) First things first: If somehow we could communicate with our founding fathers, they would be appalled at how much freedom of speech and expression has been limited and even criminalized in the country they founded and bequeathed to us. For instance, they would be shocked at laws against so-called hate speech, which a) very often is only speech that some political hack pretending to be a prosecutor claims is hateful; and b) may be uncomfortable and even vile words and speech that offend the vast majority of the people in our country but which nevertheless does not libel, slander, or otherwise bear false witness against another. But weve become so accustomed to allowing people we elect to represent us dictate how we can and cannot express ourselves, as evidenced by the Biden regimes prosecution of four American citizens who were saying things that the regime just didnt like. The Biden administrations Department of Justice has just charged four members of the African Peoples Socialist Party (APSP) for conspiring to act as agents of Russia by using speech and political action in ways the DOJ says weaponized the First Amendment rights of Americans, writes Caitlin Johnstone on her website. According to the Washington Post, a deep state media outlet, on Tuesday, federal authorities filed charges against four Americans for their involvement in an alleged malicious campaign the regime claims was aimed at promoting pro-Kremlin propaganda in Florida and Missouri. The charges expand upon a previous case that had charged a Russian operative with directing unlawful influence agents within the United States. The Post noted further: The FBI signaled its interest in the alleged activities in a series of raids last summer, at which point authorities charged a Moscow man, Aleksandr Viktorovich Ionov, with working for years on behalf of Russian government officials to fund and direct fringe political groups in the United States. Among other things, Ionov allegedly advised the political campaigns of two unidentified candidates for public office in Florida. Ionovs influence efforts were allegedly directed and supervised by officers of the FSB, a Russian government intelligence service. Now, authorities have added charges against four Americans who allegedly did Ionovs bidding through groups including the African Peoples Socialist Party and the Uhuru Movement in Florida, Black Hammer in Georgia, and an unidentified political group in California part of an effort to influence American politics. Do you know what Democrats and Republicans try to do every two and four years? Influence American politics. Do you know what the left-wing, anti-Trump deep state did in 2020 to influence the outcome of those elections? They interfered by lying about Hunter Bidens laptop being Russian propaganda and having their big tech and media allies dump on the story or suppress it. According to AFP, the conspiracy charges filed against the four individuals could result in a prison sentence of up to ten years. Three of the four members of APSP were also charged with acting as unregistered agents of Russia, which could result in an additional five-year prison sentence. Russias foreign intelligence service allegedly weaponized our First Amendment rights freedoms Russia denies its own citizens to divide Americans and interfere in elections in the United States, said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen in the DOJs press release regarding the indictments. He added: The department will not hesitate to expose and prosecute those who sow discord and corrupt U.S. elections in service of hostile foreign interests, regardless of whether the culprits are U.S. citizens or foreign individuals abroad. Max Blumenthal, editor of The Gray Zone, says the allegations are BS more of the same Russia, Russia, Russia hoax played on Trump. This fake and racist case flows from the Russiagate hysteria that convinced millions of Americans that Russia was paying dissident groups to destabilize the US political system The FBI was unable to find anything real, so it went after the African Peoples Socialist Party, he wrote on Twitter. Sources include: CaitlinJohnstone.com Justice.gov WashingtonPost.com (Natural News) With the help of Ohio-based attorney Thomas Renz, Rep. Holly Jones (R-Mo.), Renzs business manager, has crafted and filed a new legislative bill that would require meat and other food producers to label their products as having been gene-edited in the event that the animals and plants they were produced from got vaccinated with mRNA (messenger RNA) for the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19). Known as Missouri House Bill No. 1169, or HB 1169, the legislation was first introduced by Rep. Jones on February 15 of this year. Known colloquially as the informed consent bill, HB 1169 states that: Any product that has been created to act as, or exposed to processes that could result in the product potentially acting as, a gene therapy or that could otherwise possibly impact, alter, or introduce genetic material or a genetic change into the user of the product, individuals exposed to the product, or individuals exposed to others who have used the product shall be conspicuously labeled with the words Potential Gene Therapy Product unless the product is known to be a gene therapy product, the bill states. Applied broadly, as is its intent, HB 1169 would basically require that all foods and medicines that have been tainted with mRNA be properly labeled as such so consumers can make an informed decision about whether or not to purchase and consume it. In other words, all foods, medicines, etc. that could even be semi-sort-of construed as gene therapy must be conspicuously labeled as such, reports The Covid Blog. The bill would allow consumers to make informed shopping decisions when buying meat, eggs, milk and other products that come from mRNA-vaxxed cows and hogs. HB 1169 comes as U.S. meat producers have signaled that they will normalize the use of mRNA-based vaccines for cattle and hogs nationwide as soon as this coming summer. (Related: Learn more from our earlier coverage about the matter.) Bill and Melinda Gates have been funding mRNA vaccine products for cattle and hogs for at least the past decade It turns out that mRNA-tainted meat products have likely already been hiding in the food supply since around 2013 when billionaire eugenicist Bill Gates and his wife Melinda first started funding mRNA vaccine products for use in cows and pigs. Billionaire electric vehicle (EV) guru Elon Musk is another mRNA promoter who just this past week tweeted his support for the use of mRNA in the human food supply. This will make some people upset, but I need to emphasize that accelerating synthetic mRNA technology was another silver lining, Musk wrote, referring, presumably, to Donald Trumps Operation Warp Speed fast-tracking for mRNA release. It is a revolution in medicine, like going from analog to digital. The Covid mRNA vaccine dosage level was too high and having a zillion booster shots was idiotic, causing more harm than good imo, but I am convinced that synthetic mRNA is the surest path to curing cancer, among other things. One wonders what these other things might be, but nevertheless, there you have it: Musk is no different than Gates when it comes to pushing gene-editing technologies on the human public. Musk is just another globalist like all the others, in other words. Back in September, Australias New South Wales government partnered with Massachusetts-based biopharmaceutical company Tiba Biotech to unleash new bovine and swine mRNA injections at warp speed. The aim is to have these injections ready for mass deployment by August 1 of this year. If you enjoy pork chops, bacon, ham, etc. in the U.S., then youve likely already been consuming synthetic mRNA meat for the past decade, The Covid Blog notes. The latest news about the mRNA assault on the food supply can be found at Frankenfood.news. Sources for this article include: TheCovidBlog.com NaturalNews.com (Natural News) After two years of claiming otherwise, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Rochelle Walensky is now claiming that a person can still spread the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) even if he or she has already gotten vaccinated. The reason for the sudden change is not because Walensky was previously lying, but because of an evolution of science, according to her. She now claims that getting jabbed for the Fauci Flu does nothing to stop the spread, even though that is precisely what she claimed was true for the past several years. Back in December of 2021, Walensky told the world that even suggesting a fully injected person could still spread covid was just conspiratorial misinformation. Now she is saying precisely that: if you get jabbed, you can still catch and spread covid just like an unvaccinated person. That statement is no longer corrected [sic] with the Omicron variants we have right now, Walensky told Congress more recently concerning her sudden about-face concerning the alleged effectiveness of Fauci Flu shots watch below: CDC Director Rochelle Walensky tells Congress that vaccinated individuals can, in fact, spread COVID, contrary to her earlier statements, attributing this change to an evolution of science.pic.twitter.com/5IWYEfJ0lu Michael P Senger (@michaelpsenger) April 19, 2023 (Related: According to Walensky, the reason why fully injected people are dying is not because of the jabs, but because of comorbidities.) Walensky changed her views on covid shots by watching far-left television It turns out that the source of Walenskys covid injection information all this time has never been any actually published or credible science, but rather the claims of talking-heads on television whom she apparently watched and drew from to form her views. Walensky told Congress in the above hearing that science, as she currently knows it, has changed since she made her previous statements to the contrary of what she is now claiming. The alleged emergence of all these variants and subvariants, she says, have rendered the injections mostly useless. At the current time, it is much better to be unvaccinated and rely on ones natural immunity, is the essence of what she admitted without actually saying it. There are some rules about covid that science has taught us, wrote one commenter mockingly. Youre in danger when entering a restaurant without a mask as covid will attack you, but once you reach a table in a restaurant you are safe. Covid knows now to attack when you are sitting down to eat dinner, and you are safe in a crowd that is not masked as long as that crowd is engaged in a liberal protest or a socialist activity such as a riot or burning down a police station. Covid never attacks people engaged in those activities. Others joked that Walensky has now committed the cardinal sin of changing her covid facts, which we were all told could never be done because to do so would be to blaspheme the covid gods. There is no possibility of evolution as Walensky now claims, one of them wrote. It was already written in stone, and it is blasphemy to question it. It is attempted murder to violate it, so string this woman up. Another person noted that the vaccinated have been the problem all along, and that covid would already be long gone if not for them going around shedding the injection poisons on others while stirring up new variants by their mere presence in a crowded room. Therefore, she lied to establish a basis for the mandate,' wrote another about Walenskys latest change of story. She is complicit in the release of a directed bioweapon. Crimes against humanity. More related news can be found at CDC.news. Sources for this article include: TheGatewayPundit.com NaturalNews.com Export turnover in HCMC reached over US$10 billion in Q1, a 17% decrease year-by-year, and also the sharpest decline in 22 years. There has been a steady decrease in export turnover in most industries, from garments, to agriculture, to forestry, fishery and wood processing. Businesses are facing an unprecedented difficult year in exports, said Nguyen Nguyen Phuong, deputy director of the HCMC Department of Industry and Trade. Garment exports downed 8%, and handicraft and woodwork decreased by about 15%, according to HCMC Business Association. Phuong said export turnover, one of the main driving forces for growth of the citys economy, has been negatively affected due to low orders from worldwide markets, and this may continue until mid-2023. HCMCs leaders said that if this situation persists, the economic outlook of the city for the whole year will be bleak. HCMCs gross regional domestic product (GRDP) grew just 0.7 % in the first quarter, the lowest among Vietnams five municipal cities. It has set a growth target of 7.5-8% for this year. (Natural News) Over a hundred teenagers torched and smashed cars in Downtown Chicago Saturday night, April 15. The rampage supposedly made for social media ended when gunshots were fired. Two boys aged 16 and 17 suffered gunshot wounds and were transported to a nearby hospital in fair condition. A bystander was also taken to hospital after getting attacked while in the driver seat of his car by rowdy teenagers. A total of 15 people, nine adults and six children were arrested. Some teenagers were seen jumping on top of a bus, disrupting the citys transportation system. Others started a brawl after descending on Millennium Park and attempting to breach barricades. Cars were also left vandalized near East Washington Street, including a Tesla worth around $120,000. A 16-year-old boy was 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. The others were charged for reckless conduct. The huge gatherings in the street are dubbed teen trends, which extends invites to teenagers across the city. The incident occurred a day after another teenage boy, 14, was shot at another gathering near 31st Avenue Beach. A 17-year-old boy was arrested in connection to the shooting. Authorities were informed about the gathering via Emergency Management and Communications. Some reports said nearly 1,000 teenagers attended the teen trends event, but the true number remains unclear. Its heartbreaking, kids fighting, chasing each other, some of them got guns, an unidentified witness told NBC News. Its really heartbreaking when one of them actually gets hurt, and thats unfortunate. The witness added that police stood no chance against the crowd. It was a lot of cops here, but they were still outnumbered. There were so many teenagers that showed up, and they tried to keep the peace and keep them under control. FBI report may have instilled fear in Chicago cops Its also possible that the Chicago cops are being too cautious or have become soft. Just over two years ago, nearly three dozen cold-blooded street gangs reportedly formed a pact to shoot on-sight any cop that has a weapon drawn on any subject in public. (Related: Chicago gangs form pact to SHOOT police on sight when cops draws weapons on thugs.) The situational information report from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) dated August 26, 2020, stated: Members of these gang factions have been actively searching for, and filming, police officers in the performance of their official duties. The purpose of which is to catch on film an officer drawing his/her weapon on any subject and the subsequent shoot on-sight of said officer, in order to garner national media attention. But outgoing Chicago Mayor Lori 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. 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, Lightfoot said in a statement. 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. Read more news about violent riots at Rioting.news Watch this video showing another riot in Chicago. This video is from the Recharge Freedom channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Chaos coming to streets of Chicago as mayor wont back off vaccine mandate and 3,200 cops refuse to take the jab. Watch: Rioters use peaceful protests as cover for attacks on Chicago police. Black Lives Matter stages protest in Chicago, claiming looting and rioting shouldnt be a crime. Sources include: DailyMail.co.uk ABC7Chicago.com Brighteon.com (Natural News) The latest investigative report from the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pension Committee (HELP), finds structural design flaws in the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) that readily allow for lab leaks of aerosol viruses. The HELP committee report found a preponderance of circumstantial evidence that SARS-CoV-2 emerged through more than one lab leak at the WIV. The report also found evidence of vaccine development that took place long before SARS-CoV-2 was officially identified. New evidence at Wuhan Institute of Virology puts Collins and Faucis coverup to shame This evidence of SARS-CoV-2 laboratory origins has been obscured thanks to aggressive stonewalling from the Chinese scientists who operate there. A full investigation has been practically impossible thanks to Dr. Francis Collins and Dr. Anthony Fauci; they both lied about funding bioweapons development. In February 2020, they orchestrated a coverup and published takedown of any scientists who dared mention U.S. coronavirus gain-of-function research that the NIH carried out through Dr. Peter Daszak at EcoHealth Alliance and at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Their complete denial of the most plausible scenario in Wuhan, China paralyzed objective investigation into the WIV. Moreover, researchers are still scared to address whether the SARS-CoV-2 invention was intentional, and whether its release was accidental or planned. The latest report from Republicans in the Senate provides a significant amount of evidence to disprove the theory that COVID-19 emerged from the Huanan seafood market a theory that was first established by Fauci and other co-conspirators in a paper titled, The Proximal Origins of SARS-CoV-2. To this date, no natural animal reservoir has been identified as the source of SARS-CoV-2. On the contrary, there was significant investment in the development of diagnostics and vaccines for a novel coronavirus, long before a causative agent could be identified, long before a pandemic could be quantified. Senate investigation finds vaccine development for SARS-CoV-2 began much earlier in 2019, before the virus was identified Kansas Senator Roger Marshall told reporters that the latest investigative report emphasizes that an accidental leak was brought on by unsafe laboratory conditions. The report also highlights the extensive and systematic coverup carried out by Chinese Communist Party officials who delayed the global response to SARS-CoV-2 by months. The virus is circulating in November. Theyre closing schools in November and December, Marshall noted. The theory is there is an initial lab leak. Theyre able to contain it, but they start developing the vaccine. The timeline shifts a little bit earlier. I think thats the theme here from this report. It shifts earlier. I think the two lab leak theory is the best conclusion we can get here, he continued. Chinese officials maintain that they first detected a new novel respiratory virus SARS-CoV-2 on December 8, 2019. An investigation by the State Department in 2021 found evidence that WIV virologists fell ill in the fall of 2019, displaying symptoms consistent with both COVID-19 and common seasonal illnesses. Professor Zhou Yusen, a Peoples Liberation Army doctor was working on a vaccine for SARS-CoV-2 long before December 8, 2019. He mysteriously disappeared and passed away in 2020, right after he became the first person to patent a vaccine for SARS-CoV-2 in February 2020. So, there is evidence that SARS-CoV-2 had either leaked earlier than December 8, 2019, because scientists were already working on vaccines. Since lockdowns were used to force populations to be injected with these experimental products, it is safe to say that these lab leaks could have been intentional, part of a predatory vaccine race. After all, these are the very reasons why scientists were enhancing coronaviruses transmissibility and lethality at the WIV in the first place to develop and market diagnostics and vaccines for pathogens of pandemic potential. If anything, the latest Senate report provides more evidence that the lab leak theory is only part of the story. The real investigation should investigate the gain-of-function programs and determine whether the evil intentions behind bioweapons development were used to subjugate, manipulate, and exploit humans with experimental technologies that could further damage human immune systems and replicate bioweapons in their bodies that injure and kill. Sources include: YourNews.com NaturalNews.com NaturalNews.com NaturalNews.com (Natural News) Taiwan has announced its intention to purchase up to 400 anti-ship missiles from the United States as the democratically-governed island nation continues to face threats from China. The Department of Defense announced several weeks ago that it had reached an agreement with an unknown buyer over a $1.17 billion contract for up to 400 Harpoon anti-ship missiles made by Boeing. Bloomberg confirmed with multiple sources that the unknown buyer is Taiwan. (Related: China simulates precision strikes on key Taiwanese targets during three-day military drills.) The Pentagon still refuses to confirm where the 400 Harpoon missiles will go, but Defense Department spokesman Army Lt. Col. Martin Meiners noted that we will continue to work with industry to provide Taiwan defense equipment in a timely manner. The United States provision to Taiwan of defense articles, which includes sustainment to existing capabilities via Foreign Military Sales and Direct Commercial Sales, is essential for Taiwans security, added Meiners. China immediately slammed the deal, with Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin saying the move undermines Chinas sovereignty and security interests. Wang warned that the U.S. should stop seeking to change the status quo between the Mainland and Taiwan. He added that China would take strong and resolute measures to defend itself. China has long claimed to have legal, if not de facto, ownership over the Taiwan Strait and the island itself. Taiwan deal to bolster islands anti-invasion capabilities The Pentagons report is for up to 400 RGM-84L-4 Harpoon Block II Update Grade B canister tactical missiles. This $1.7 billion order was preceded by a similar order Taiwan made in March 2022 for $498 million for Harpoon Coastal Defense System launch equipment such as mobile transporters, radar and training equipment. The report also shows that Taiwan ordered a variety of other logistics and support equipment, as well as four blast test vehicles. The RGM-84 version of the Harpoon missile is intended for use against surface ships, which means they are not meant for use against submarines or aircraft. The order is expected to be completed by March 2029. This deal concludes negotiations that began in 2020 when Taiwan approached the U.S. about buying land-launched Harpoon missiles as part of ongoing efforts to modernize its military. Taiwan already has older, ship-launched versions of the Harpoon missile, also made by Boeing. Ground-launched Harpoon missiles are used to bolster a countrys coastal defenses. Mark Cancian of the Center for Strategic and International Studies noted that tabletop war game simulations of a potential invasion of Taiwan by China show that land-launched Harpoon missiles significantly boosted Taiwans defensive capabilities. Because of their mobility and ability to range the entire strait, these missiles were highly effective against Chinese invasion forces, said Cancian. They also reduced the need to station U.S. forces on the island. However, 400 is not nearly enough. The Taiwanese need many more. Republican Rep. Michael McCaul, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, cited the $1.7 billion deal with Taiwan as part of over $19 billion worth of backlogged U.S. weapons sales to Taiwan that he said needed to be accelerated. In addition to the Harpoon, the list of military equipment the U.S. owes Taiwan includes F-16 Block 70 fighter aircraft, Mark 48 heavyweight submarine-launched torpedoes, FIM-92 Stinger man-portable surface-to-air missiles and M109A6 Paladin self-propelled howitzers. Taiwan has refused to comment on the deal for anti-ship missiles, but Defense Ministry spokesperson Sun Li-fang said the island nation is confident the deal can be completed on schedule. Read more about Chinas threats against Taiwan at CommunistChina.news. Watch this video from Grafted In The Vine discussing Taiwans plan to buy American anti-ship missiles. This video is from the channel Grafted In The Vine on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Chinese invasion of Taiwan looms as international leaders take neutral position over the longstanding conflict. Leaked Pentagon documents indicate latest Chinese test of hypersonic missiles can evade all existing US defenses. China carries out military drills around Taiwan in serious warning after US House Speaker visit. China increases military budget to $224 BILLION in preparation for invasion of Taiwan. Think tank: Americas defense industry is not prepared for a war with China over Taiwan. Sources include: ZeroHedge.com FoxNews.com Bloomberg.com Brighteon.com (Natural News) In celebration of Earth Day on April 21, the China-owned social media platform TikTok will implement new censorship rules that aim to silence all dissent against the idea of global warming and climate change. Even as transgender influencers and other perverts continue to indoctrinate young children via the platform, TikTok is more concerned about the spread of climate misinformation, which it wants to bury while elevating authoritative information about the climate to the top of the search query list for such terms. Just to clarify, misinformation, in this context, refers to any information that is considered harmful to powerful climate interests. Authoritative information, on the other hand, is information that powerful climate interests want to be amplified so they can achieve their man-made climate hoax goals. (Related: TikTok is infested with mentally ill influencers who are teaching impressionable teenagers how to self-diagnose themselves with rare mental disorders.) The First Amendment was never supported by TikTok, which hails from communist China In a blog post, TikTok announced that its new focus will be on driving sustainability awareness, which is code for brainwashing impressionable youth into fearing a climate crisis so they will be more obedient to the authorities about how to fix it. TikToks leaders say they have an important role to play in empowering informed climate discussions, which involves silencing all users who defy the official story about a heating planet. Several initiatives will help reduce harmful climate change misinformation while elevating authoritative information year-round, the post further states, adding that information to be censored includes any that undermines well-established scientific consensus. Denying the existence of climate change or the factors that contribute to it, TikTok says, will result in user videos being fact checked by biased organizations whose job it is to push the official narrative about a warming planet and the need to deindustrialize it. According to independent journalist Chris Menahan, this latest act by TikTok is clearly the result of a Chinese company responding to market incentives which in this case is the U.S. government threatening to ban them entirely. While nearly all social media platforms, at least the mainstream ones, openly censor content now, TikTok is arguably the worst. It has always been hostile to right-leaning content, which stands in contrast to openly dangerous content like dangerous challenges (i.e., the Benadryl Challenge, which killed at least one young boy), which is promoted on the platform. Thats fine, wrote Paul Joseph Watson sarcastically about the Benadryl Challenge, which involve taking a dozen or more Benadryl pills in the hopes of hallucinating as well as TikToks promotion of it, but calmly suggesting that the climate crisis may not be the apocalypse some are claiming will be ruthlessly forbidden. In the comments, someone wrote that China clearly wants more young Americans to vote for Democrats because they are the party pushing the man-made climate change false narrative. Voting for Democrats is good for China, this person further suggested. You know, like when China launched a bioweapon (covid) on America disguised as an accidental lab leak from Wuhan.' Another wrote that it is nothing short of ironic, not to mention hypocritical, for China to be censoring content questioning climate change when it remains a world leader in carbon output and coal plant construction. The Chinese define global warming if it were a real thing, this person said. Another stressed that what this all comes down to is the Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) aggression against free market economies, which the United States used to have before the corporate oligarchies took over and replaced it with fascism. More related Big Tech news can be found at Censorship.news. Sources for this article include: Summit.news NaturalNews.com (Natural News) Democrats have proven once again that a) they dont really care about solving the root causes of violent crime; and b) they are every bit the authoritarians that our founders warned us about (and fought to be free of). First, a little propaganda and outright false reporting from The Associated Press: A ban on dozens of semi-automatic rifles cleared the Washington state Legislature on Wednesday and the governor is expected to sign it into law. The high-powered firearms once banned nationwide are now the weapon of choice among young men responsible for most of the countrys devastating mass shootings. The vast majority of mass shootings occur almost daily in our largest cities, which by the way are run by Democrats. Also, the vast majority of shootings and mass killings are done with handguns, not scary military look-alike rifles. Now, heres a more accurate statement: The high-powered firearms once banned nationwide are now the weapon of choice among young men responsible for most of the countrys politicized mass shootings. Washingtons ban comes following numerous unsuccessful efforts in the states legislature and during a time when the nation has witnessed the largest number of mass shootings in the first 100 days of a calendar year since 2009, the year Barack Obama took over. It should also be said that the shootings coincide with the fact that rampant levels of violent crime are at their highest (in Democrat-run cities) since the same period. Over 50 gun models, including AR-15s, AK-47s, and comparable style rifles, would be prohibited from being sold, distributed, manufactured, and imported under the new Washington law. These firearms have a firing rate of one bullet per trigger pull and can automatically reload for subsequent shots. However, exemptions for sales to law enforcement agencies and the military in Washington have been incorporated. The law does not prevent individuals who already possess these weapons from keeping them, the AP reported. As soon as it is signed by the Democratic Governor Jay Inslee, who has been a longstanding supporter of such a ban, the law would take effect immediately. In March, when the state House passed the bill, Inslee stated that he has held this belief since 1994 when he was a member of the U.S. Congress and voted in favor of enacting the ban as a federal law. After the measures passage, Inslee said the state of Washington will not accept gun violence as normal. Republican state legislators objected to the ban, with some asserting that school shootings should be tackled by modifying buildings to make them less attractive targets, while others argued that it encroaches on peoples right to self-defense. HB 1240 clearly violates our state and federal constitutions, which is why it will end up in court immediately, Sen. Lynda Wilson (R) of Vancouver said, according to the AP. The possibility of the U.S. Congress reinstating a ban on semi-automatic rifles seems remote at the moment. However, President Joe Biden and other Democrats have become more assertive in advocating for more stringent gun control measures and are doing so without facing any apparent electoral repercussions, the AP said, without mentioning thats because they live in solid-blue districts. Nine states including California, New York and Massachusetts, along with the District of Columbia, have already passed similar bans, and the laws have been upheld as constitutional by the courts, according to Washingtons Attorney General Bob Ferguson, the AP added but none of those cases have made it as far as the U.S. Supreme Court, which holds a 6-3 constitutionalist majority. As usual, Democrats are playing on emotions to get approval for their unconstitutional anti-gun actions without ever bothering to delve into the root causes of many of these shootings, a primary cause of which is mental illness. No, its always preferable for a tyrannical Democrat to choose authoritarianism over constitutionality and practicality. Sources include: APNews.com Guns.news According to information published by Caspian News on April 20, 2023, the Iranian Navy has announced that it now possesses advanced drones equipped with sonar detection technology capable of detecting submarines. Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link Iranian Pelican 2 UAV. (Picture source: Tasnim News) Rear Admiral Shahram Irani, the commander of the Iranian Navy, stated that young Iranian experts had developed and constructed these drones. He also stated that the Iranian Navy is committed to maintaining maritime security for the benefit of the region and the world, amid rising tensions with the US and Israel. The Persian Gulf has seen several attacks on tankers in recent years, often occurring during periods of heightened regional tensions with Iran. In response to the deployment of the USS Florida, a nuclear-powered guided-missile submarine, to the Middle East, Irani cautioned that Iranian forces were closely monitoring the activities of US vessels in the region. In November 2019, Iran unveiled a naval VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) called Pelican 2 during a Navy Defense exhibition in Tehran. About the Pelican 2 The Pelican 2 UAV is a military drone developed by specialists from the Navy of the Islamic Republic of Iran. It has undergone field tests and inspections before being used for military missions. The UAV is equipped to conduct precise surveillance of the environment, surface ships, and to target enemy ships when necessary. It is capable of deep penetration and conducting special patrols and reconnaissance missions as required. During the first major drone exercise of the army, the Pelican 2 UAV performed exceptionally well, demonstrating its ability to carry out military missions in areas where manned aircraft cannot be used. Its specifications and design enable it to meet most mission needs in specific situations. The Pelican 2 UAV can take off from most naval missile vessels and carry out reconnaissance operations, as well as assisting in launching missiles within a range of 100 kilometers. This significantly increases the range and accuracy of the Navy's missile systems, as well as improving the accuracy of naval artillery fire. The use of the Pelican 2 UAV in the country's defense and military industry can improve the accuracy of targeting bullets from ships and vessels, and increase the range of missile systems. Workers clean bananas at a workshop in Long An Province in August 2021. Photo by VnExpress/Hoang Nam Vietnamese fresh and dried banana exports to Japan and South Korea hit $6.6 million and $4.1 million respectively last year, accounting for 0.6% and 1.3% of the countries market shares. Vietnam can increase exports if local firms improve banana quality and packaging, and conduct more marketing campaigns, said Do Quoc Hung, deputy director of the Asia-Africa Market Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade at a workshop Wednesday. Japan and South Korea annually spends $1 billion and $300 million importing bananas, respectively. Vietnams total fresh banana export value stood at $310.6 million in 2022, up 34.5% on 2021, with its major markets being China, Singapore, Malaysia, the Middle East, and Russia. Bananas overtook mangos to become the second largest fruit in terms of exports, behind dragon fruit. Vietnam has 154,000 hectares of bananas with an output of 2.3 million tons per year, according to the Department of Crop Production. Norbreeze Collective Asia (NCA) and Dara Ventures signed an agreement on March 28 to strengthen their partnership in Cambodia. Nam Huynh (L), CEO of NCA, and Thierry Tea, CEO of Dara Ventures sign the partnership agreement in Phnom Penh. Photo by NCA "We see Cambodia as an important market that is on our radar to execute on the group's 2030 vision," said Nam Huynh, CEO of NCA. "The partnership agreement between NCA and Dara Ventures is to promote our commitment to extend our strategic partnership that we have established since 2018 with the aim to expand the Pandora footprint in Cambodia in the coming years." Nam Huynh (L), CEO of NCA, and Thierry Tea, CEO of Dara Ventures sign the partnership agreement in Phnom Penh. Photo by NCA NCA, a member of Norbreeze Group, is the exclusive distributor of Panroda in Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos. It currently leads 39 points of sales across countries in the region and is headquartered in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Dara Ventures is an innovation, distribution and retail startup affiliate of OCIC Group, one of Cambodia's leading diversified conglomerates. Dara Ventures currently operates five Pandora retail stores. "Our growing customer base wants more options and more value for their hand-picked jewelry. As our Cambodian customers have been supporting Pandora Cambodia for the last 5 years, we are pledging to continue to grow the presence of the brand in the market," said Thierry Tea of Dara Ventures. "This partnership is a testament to the confidence and trust of an experienced retail player as Norbreeze Collective Asia in growing an international brand in Cambodia." Vietnam is the Czech Republics most important partner in Southeast Asia, said Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala while expressing his desire to promote bilateral cooperation in all fields. During a meeting with Petr Fiala in Hanoi on Friday, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said Vietnam consistently advocates promoting relations with "traditional friends," of which the Czech Republic is a "priority partner." The two leaders praised the rapid growth of bilateral trade turnover in recent years, especially after two years of implementing the Vietnam - European Union Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). Two-way trade reached $848 million in 2022, up 15% year-on-year. Both countries agreed to set a target of reaching a trade turnover of $1 billion in the next 1-2 years via the continued implementation of EVFTA. The two leaders encouraged Czech enterprises to boost investment in Vietnam, especially in the fields of automobile manufacturing, digital transformation, renewable energy, environmental protection, and infrastructure. Petr Fiala said he was also committed to creating favorable conditions for Vietnam's agricultural and aquatic product exports to the Czech Republic. Chinh urged the Czech Republic to push other E.U. countries to ratify the E.U.-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA). Regarding the IUU yellow card on Vietnamese seafood exports, Petr supported strengthening cooperation between the E.U. and Vietnam on sustainable fisheries development and hoped the European Commission (EC) would soon remove the yellow card. Vietnam received the yellow card in 2017 after several its fishing vessels were caught trespassing in other countries waters. The two leaders agreed to step up cooperation in security, defense, culture, education, training, labor, science, technology, transportation and tourism. They also agreed they would consider opening cultural centers in each others countries, as well as direct routes to promote investment, tourism and people-to-people exchanges. Regarding the East Sea, internationally known as the South China Sea, the two sides reaffirmed their support for the peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). After the talks, both leaders witnessed the signing of cooperation documents in the fields of mutual legal assistance, criminal investigations, investment and education. Petr Fiala is paying an official visit to Vietnam from April 20 to 22 at Chinh's invitation. The trip is the first to Asia by Petr Fiala since he took office at the end of 2021. Petr is the first of a head of the Czech Government to officially visit Vietnam in 15 years. Since establishing diplomatic relations in 1950, the Czech Republic has helped to train thousands of Vietnamese officials, engineers and laborers. As of last year, the Czech Republic had 41 FDI projects in Vietnam with a total capital of $92 million, mainly in the fields of processing, manufacturing and mining. The Czech Republic was the first Eastern European country to provide official development assistance (ODA) to Vietnam, accounting for about $20 million in total. Currently, there are nearly 100,000 Vietnamese people living in the Czech Republic. By Express News Service NEW DELHI: Apple may double or treble its investment in India and exports from the country in the next few years, said Minister of state for Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) Rajeev Chandrasekhar after a meeting with Apple CEO Tim Cook. Cook is in India to unveil its first two retail stores in the country. The minister said he is confident that the Apple-India partnership has a lot of headroom for investments, growth, exports and jobs doubling and tripling over the coming years. Cook met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday and pledged to expand and invest across the county. It is in the process of enhancing its production capacity in India, which is currently about 5-7% of its total production. The iPhone maker faced several manufacturing issues in China, which still produces 85% of iPhones. These issues include the shutdown of plants and tension between the US and Chinese governments. In India, it has a market share of 3-5% and has three vendors -- Foxconn, Wistron Corp and Pegatron Corp -- to manufacture its products. Last month, Foxconn CEO Young Liu spent a week in India and explored expansion opportunities. As per reports, Foxconn may add two more buildings at its site near Chennai and is looking to establish a research and development centre in Bengalurus Whitefield. The firm started manufacturing iPhones in India in 2017, with iPhone SE, now making all the advanced iPhones. Cook on Thursday inaugurated an Apple store in New Delhi, after opening its first outlet in Mumbai. The Apple CEO was welcomed by cheers and claps from staff and Apple enthusiasts who gathered at the store since morning. What an incredible reception, Delhi, thank you! Were delighted to welcome our customers to our newest store - Apple Saket!, tweeted Cook. NEW DELHI: Apple may double or treble its investment in India and exports from the country in the next few years, said Minister of state for Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) Rajeev Chandrasekhar after a meeting with Apple CEO Tim Cook. Cook is in India to unveil its first two retail stores in the country. The minister said he is confident that the Apple-India partnership has a lot of headroom for investments, growth, exports and jobs doubling and tripling over the coming years. Cook met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday and pledged to expand and invest across the county. It is in the process of enhancing its production capacity in India, which is currently about 5-7% of its total production. The iPhone maker faced several manufacturing issues in China, which still produces 85% of iPhones. These issues include the shutdown of plants and tension between the US and Chinese governments. In India, it has a market share of 3-5% and has three vendors -- Foxconn, Wistron Corp and Pegatron Corp -- to manufacture its products. Last month, Foxconn CEO Young Liu spent a week in India and explored expansion opportunities. As per reports, Foxconn may add two more buildings at its site near Chennai and is looking to establish a research and development centre in Bengalurus Whitefield. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The firm started manufacturing iPhones in India in 2017, with iPhone SE, now making all the advanced iPhones. Cook on Thursday inaugurated an Apple store in New Delhi, after opening its first outlet in Mumbai. The Apple CEO was welcomed by cheers and claps from staff and Apple enthusiasts who gathered at the store since morning. What an incredible reception, Delhi, thank you! Were delighted to welcome our customers to our newest store - Apple Saket!, tweeted Cook. By AFP Elon Musk was at the news epicenter Thursday, from stripping Pope Francis of Twitter verification to Tesla's drag on stocks and the explosion of the worlds largest rocket. Three utterly disparate stories dominated global news in a way that underlined the extraordinary influence of the one person who connects them all - Musk. "Elon Musk has outsized capability to sway the news cycle," University of Florida assistant media professor Andrew Selepak told AFP. Musk has quickly gone from being an innovator few knew of to a "tech billionaire playboy who has almost taken the place of Donald Trump as a Twitter troll," Selepak said. Twitter began the mass removal of blue ticks on Thursday, with the symbol previously signifying a verified account vanishing from users including the Pope, Donald Trump and Justin Bieber. Twitter's owner, Musk, who has seen his $44 billion investment in the site shrivel, had pledged to get rid of what he described as a "lords & peasants system." The platform had been providing free blue checkmarks to the accounts of high-profile users to show they were who they claimed to be. Musk's switch does away with verifying who is behind accounts, with the checks now simply indicating who has paid a monthly subscription fee. Techsponential analyst Avi Greengart described Musk's blue checkmarks as "receipts" rather than verification. ALSO READ| From SRK to Yogi Adityanath to Congress leaders, here the list who lost Twitter blue tick 'Unscheduled disassembly' Musk was looking to the sky as well, where the colossal Starship built by SpaceX exploded minutes after launch in Texas. Musk congratulated his SpaceX team on an "exciting" test of the next-generation spacecraft designed to send astronauts to the Moon, Mars and beyond. Despite the failure to complete the flight test and reach orbit, SpaceX and Musk, the founder and CEO of the private space company, declared it a success. Starship malfunctioned and began spinning out of control, exploding four minutes after lift-off in what SpaceX euphemistically called a "rapid unscheduled disassembly." Meanwhile, Wall Street stocks ended lower on Thursday following lackluster corporate results from electric vehicle maker Tesla and several regional banks. Shares of Tesla slumped after reporting a drop in quarterly earnings and hinting the Musk-led company could face further profit pressures from more price cuts on its vehicles. As Twitter, Tesla and SpaceX deal with turbulence, Musk is a common denominator, noted independent tech analyst Rob Enderle. "The CEO is supposed to be the mature member of the staff who keeps the train on the tracks," Enderle told AFP. "Musk is the opposite of that, he often lacks maturity and knocks the train off the tracks." After revolutionizing the auto industry, sending his own rocket to space and building a fortune, the eccentric billionaire bought Twitter late last year and fired its top executives. He promotes himself as a champion of free speech but has been accused of being autocratic and bullying, as well as of endorsing misinformation on the platform. The 51-year-old is among the richest people in the world. ALSO READ| Twitter begins removing blue checks from users who don't pay To Mars... and beyond? Born in Pretoria, on June 28, 1971, the son of an engineer father and a Canadian-born model mother, Musk left South Africa in his late teens to attend Queen's University in Canada. He transferred to the University of Pennsylvania after two years and earned bachelor's degrees in physics and business. Musk abandoned plans to study at Stanford University in California. Instead, he started Zip2, a company that made online publishing software for the media industry. He banked his first millions when he sold Zip2 to US computer maker Compaq for more than $300 million in 1999. Musk's next company, X.com, eventually merged with PayPal, the online payments firm bought by internet auction giant eBay for $1.5 billion in 2002. After leaving PayPal, Musk embarked on a series of ever more ambitious ventures. He founded SpaceX in 2002 and became chairman of Tesla in 2004. Musk enterprises include tunnel-drilling The Boring Company and Neuralink, which is focused on linking human brains and computers. He has said he wants to make humans an "interplanetary species" by establishing a colony of people living on Mars. Elon Musk was at the news epicenter Thursday, from stripping Pope Francis of Twitter verification to Tesla's drag on stocks and the explosion of the worlds largest rocket. Three utterly disparate stories dominated global news in a way that underlined the extraordinary influence of the one person who connects them all - Musk. "Elon Musk has outsized capability to sway the news cycle," University of Florida assistant media professor Andrew Selepak told AFP.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Musk has quickly gone from being an innovator few knew of to a "tech billionaire playboy who has almost taken the place of Donald Trump as a Twitter troll," Selepak said. Twitter began the mass removal of blue ticks on Thursday, with the symbol previously signifying a verified account vanishing from users including the Pope, Donald Trump and Justin Bieber. Twitter's owner, Musk, who has seen his $44 billion investment in the site shrivel, had pledged to get rid of what he described as a "lords & peasants system." The platform had been providing free blue checkmarks to the accounts of high-profile users to show they were who they claimed to be. Musk's switch does away with verifying who is behind accounts, with the checks now simply indicating who has paid a monthly subscription fee. Techsponential analyst Avi Greengart described Musk's blue checkmarks as "receipts" rather than verification. ALSO READ| From SRK to Yogi Adityanath to Congress leaders, here the list who lost Twitter blue tick 'Unscheduled disassembly' Musk was looking to the sky as well, where the colossal Starship built by SpaceX exploded minutes after launch in Texas. Musk congratulated his SpaceX team on an "exciting" test of the next-generation spacecraft designed to send astronauts to the Moon, Mars and beyond. Despite the failure to complete the flight test and reach orbit, SpaceX and Musk, the founder and CEO of the private space company, declared it a success. Starship malfunctioned and began spinning out of control, exploding four minutes after lift-off in what SpaceX euphemistically called a "rapid unscheduled disassembly." Meanwhile, Wall Street stocks ended lower on Thursday following lackluster corporate results from electric vehicle maker Tesla and several regional banks. Shares of Tesla slumped after reporting a drop in quarterly earnings and hinting the Musk-led company could face further profit pressures from more price cuts on its vehicles. As Twitter, Tesla and SpaceX deal with turbulence, Musk is a common denominator, noted independent tech analyst Rob Enderle. "The CEO is supposed to be the mature member of the staff who keeps the train on the tracks," Enderle told AFP. "Musk is the opposite of that, he often lacks maturity and knocks the train off the tracks." After revolutionizing the auto industry, sending his own rocket to space and building a fortune, the eccentric billionaire bought Twitter late last year and fired its top executives. He promotes himself as a champion of free speech but has been accused of being autocratic and bullying, as well as of endorsing misinformation on the platform. The 51-year-old is among the richest people in the world. ALSO READ| Twitter begins removing blue checks from users who don't pay To Mars... and beyond? Born in Pretoria, on June 28, 1971, the son of an engineer father and a Canadian-born model mother, Musk left South Africa in his late teens to attend Queen's University in Canada. He transferred to the University of Pennsylvania after two years and earned bachelor's degrees in physics and business. Musk abandoned plans to study at Stanford University in California. Instead, he started Zip2, a company that made online publishing software for the media industry. He banked his first millions when he sold Zip2 to US computer maker Compaq for more than $300 million in 1999. Musk's next company, X.com, eventually merged with PayPal, the online payments firm bought by internet auction giant eBay for $1.5 billion in 2002. After leaving PayPal, Musk embarked on a series of ever more ambitious ventures. He founded SpaceX in 2002 and became chairman of Tesla in 2004. Musk enterprises include tunnel-drilling The Boring Company and Neuralink, which is focused on linking human brains and computers. He has said he wants to make humans an "interplanetary species" by establishing a colony of people living on Mars. By Express News Service MUMBAI: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has invited the board of directors of public and private sector banks next month to discuss issues relating to governance and supervision of banks. The meeting, scheduled on May 22, is first of its kind as the RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das will interact with the top officials of banking sector. As per the letter from the RBI, the meeting will focus on the issues related to governance, ethics, role of the boards in assurance functionalities of the banks besides highlighting the supervisory expectations, a senior bank official told this newspaper. From RBIs side, deputy governors and executive directors from the Department of Supervision, Department of Regulation and the Enforcement Department will take part in the event. According to the bankers, it is rare for the governor to meet the entire board of banks. MUMBAI: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has invited the board of directors of public and private sector banks next month to discuss issues relating to governance and supervision of banks. The meeting, scheduled on May 22, is first of its kind as the RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das will interact with the top officials of banking sector. As per the letter from the RBI, the meeting will focus on the issues related to governance, ethics, role of the boards in assurance functionalities of the banks besides highlighting the supervisory expectations, a senior bank official told this newspaper. From RBIs side, deputy governors and executive directors from the Department of Supervision, Department of Regulation and the Enforcement Department will take part in the event. According to the bankers, it is rare for the governor to meet the entire board of banks. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Puran Choudhary By Express News Service BENGALURU: With the ongoing hearing for legal recognition of same-sex marriages in the Supreme Court, Bengalureans urged the poll-bound Karnataka to reply in favour of the matter. The LGBTQI+ community opined that political parties that stand up in favour of the petitions will have the communitys support. When Section 377 was decriminalised, I felt I was not a criminal anymore. I will support any party that openly supports gay marriage, Ankur Bhatnagar, a Bengaluru resident said. Ankur recalled an incident when his hospitalised partner had to sign consent documents for an operation as he was not allowed. Before my partner, Deepak, got his anesthesia shot, I had to rush to get his signature. Despite living together, we have no proof of our relationship, he said. He also mentioned that they wanted to adopt a girl child, and the legalisation of same-sex marriage will take them one step closer to realising that wish. Shubha Chacko, who owns a pride cafe in Bengaluru said, The government should allow the marriage of same sex individuals under the Special Marriage Act. During elections, political parties speak on a number of issues, why not on LGBTQ+ rights? We bought changes in our earlier practices such as legalising widow marriage and abolition of child marriages, then why not accept same sex marriage? B T Venkatesh, former Karnataka state public prosecutor and a supporter of the LGBTQI+ community opposed the Centres view of urban and elitist concept. He said The governments views on the issue are patriarchal and against the spirit of the Constitution. As a practising lawyer, I have seen a large number of cases in which the community face problems because of not recognizing their marriage, especially with succession and inheritance. He also added that the government failed to understand that LGBTQI+ community members exist in every part of our society and not just in urban areas. BENGALURU: With the ongoing hearing for legal recognition of same-sex marriages in the Supreme Court, Bengalureans urged the poll-bound Karnataka to reply in favour of the matter. The LGBTQI+ community opined that political parties that stand up in favour of the petitions will have the communitys support. When Section 377 was decriminalised, I felt I was not a criminal anymore. I will support any party that openly supports gay marriage, Ankur Bhatnagar, a Bengaluru resident said. Ankur recalled an incident when his hospitalised partner had to sign consent documents for an operation as he was not allowed. Before my partner, Deepak, got his anesthesia shot, I had to rush to get his signature. Despite living together, we have no proof of our relationship, he said. He also mentioned that they wanted to adopt a girl child, and the legalisation of same-sex marriage will take them one step closer to realising that wish. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Shubha Chacko, who owns a pride cafe in Bengaluru said, The government should allow the marriage of same sex individuals under the Special Marriage Act. During elections, political parties speak on a number of issues, why not on LGBTQ+ rights? We bought changes in our earlier practices such as legalising widow marriage and abolition of child marriages, then why not accept same sex marriage? B T Venkatesh, former Karnataka state public prosecutor and a supporter of the LGBTQI+ community opposed the Centres view of urban and elitist concept. He said The governments views on the issue are patriarchal and against the spirit of the Constitution. As a practising lawyer, I have seen a large number of cases in which the community face problems because of not recognizing their marriage, especially with succession and inheritance. He also added that the government failed to understand that LGBTQI+ community members exist in every part of our society and not just in urban areas. Authorities on Vietnam's largest island Phu Quoc are set to dismantle a 12-story hotel next month that was built illegally at the island's port entrance. An official from the Phu Quoc Peoples Committee said Thursday the committee it is looking for a unit to perform the dismantling, which is part of a campaign by Kien Giang Province to clear illegal constructions from the popular resort island Phu Quoc. The hotel was built over 2,700 square meters in Duong To Commune, Duong Dong Town. Its investor was fined more than VND60 million (US$2,550) last August for building the commercial project on agriculture land without approval. As the investor has failed to dismantle the hotel as ordered, authorities will be doing it. Phu Quoc is one of Vietnams most popular tourist destinations, attracting 2-3 million tourists every year. Its increasing popularity has come with a surge in land prices and a wave of illegal construction of hotels and villas. After a one-year investigation of property projects on the island, Kien Giang Province inspectors last month said they had found 2,300 land use violations, including structures illegally occupying state and forest land. They found that local authorities had enabled individuals and organizations to illegally use 200 hectares of public land and create 774 illicit projects. The committee has recommended that dozens of local officials, including commune chairs and heads of departments, be held responsible for allowing the illegal constructions to happen. By Express News Service CHENNAI: A 20-year-old undergraduate student of IIT Madras allegedly killed himself in his hostel room inside the campus on Friday. This is the fourth suicide in the last 75 days. The deceased was identified as Kedar Suresh, a native of Maharashtra who was a second-year undergraduate in the Chemical Engineering Department in the institution. He was staying in a hostel room inside the campus, said the police. "On Friday, Suresh's roommates left for class in the morning while Suresh stayed back. By afternoon, his friends noticed his absence and reached the hostel room. They found the room locked from the inside and after several knocks, there was no response," said a senior police officer. The students informed the management and broke open the door. They found Kedar Suresh lying dead and the ambulance crew confirmed his demise, said the police. The Kotturpuram police registered a case and sent the body to the Royapettah Government Hospital for post-mortem. ALSO READ | PhD student of IIT Madras kills self The IIT Madras management issued a statement expressing condolences to the student. ALSO READ | Suicide bid in IIT Madras: One student dies; another hospitalised It can be remembered that on March 31, a 31-year-old doctorate student Sachin Kumar Jain killed himself at his residence in Velachery. On March 14, a 20-year-old B.Tech student at IIT-Madras died by suicide in his hostel room on the campus. The deceased was identified as V Vaipu Pushpak Sree Sai from Andhra Pradesh. On February 14, an MS Research Scholar from Maharashtra, Stephen Sunny killed himself in his room, while another student was admitted to the hospital in critical condition after attempting suicide. The ambulance crew confirmed the death, said the police. Kotturpuram police registered a case and sent the body to the Royapettah Government Hospital for post-mortem. The IIT Madras management issued a statement expressing condolences. Copycat behavior is a serious issue that needs to be addressed. This is called weather phenomenon or cluster. To prevent suicides, we should analyse why it has happened and tell people who are suicidal or depressed that there are other ways to deal with it. Identify people who are suicidal, acknowledge the issue, and suicides can be prevented, said Dr Lakshmi Vijaykumar, Founder, SNEHA. (Assistance for those having suicidal thoughts is available in TamilNadus health helpline 104 and Snehas suicide prevention helpline 044-24640050) (If in distress or having suicidal thoughts, call 104 for health departments helpline or 044-24640050 for Sneha suicide helpline.) CHENNAI: A 20-year-old undergraduate student of IIT Madras allegedly killed himself in his hostel room inside the campus on Friday. This is the fourth suicide in the last 75 days. The deceased was identified as Kedar Suresh, a native of Maharashtra who was a second-year undergraduate in the Chemical Engineering Department in the institution. He was staying in a hostel room inside the campus, said the police. "On Friday, Suresh's roommates left for class in the morning while Suresh stayed back. By afternoon, his friends noticed his absence and reached the hostel room. They found the room locked from the inside and after several knocks, there was no response," said a senior police officer.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The students informed the management and broke open the door. They found Kedar Suresh lying dead and the ambulance crew confirmed his demise, said the police. The Kotturpuram police registered a case and sent the body to the Royapettah Government Hospital for post-mortem. ALSO READ | PhD student of IIT Madras kills self The IIT Madras management issued a statement expressing condolences to the student. ALSO READ | Suicide bid in IIT Madras: One student dies; another hospitalised It can be remembered that on March 31, a 31-year-old doctorate student Sachin Kumar Jain killed himself at his residence in Velachery. On March 14, a 20-year-old B.Tech student at IIT-Madras died by suicide in his hostel room on the campus. The deceased was identified as V Vaipu Pushpak Sree Sai from Andhra Pradesh. On February 14, an MS Research Scholar from Maharashtra, Stephen Sunny killed himself in his room, while another student was admitted to the hospital in critical condition after attempting suicide. The ambulance crew confirmed the death, said the police. Kotturpuram police registered a case and sent the body to the Royapettah Government Hospital for post-mortem. The IIT Madras management issued a statement expressing condolences. Copycat behavior is a serious issue that needs to be addressed. This is called weather phenomenon or cluster. To prevent suicides, we should analyse why it has happened and tell people who are suicidal or depressed that there are other ways to deal with it. Identify people who are suicidal, acknowledge the issue, and suicides can be prevented, said Dr Lakshmi Vijaykumar, Founder, SNEHA. (Assistance for those having suicidal thoughts is available in TamilNadus health helpline 104 and Snehas suicide prevention helpline 044-24640050) (If in distress or having suicidal thoughts, call 104 for health departments helpline or 044-24640050 for Sneha suicide helpline.) Ujwal Jalali By Express News Service NEW DELHI: A 40-year-old woman was shot multiple times here at a local court in the national capital on Friday by a man with whom she was undergoing a legal battle in a case of cheating. According to a senior Delhi Police official, the incident of firing was reported at Saket Court in south Delhi around 10.30 am. The injured woman, identified as Radha, a resident of southwest Delhi, received three bullet injuries -- two in the abdomen and one in the hand. "The injured woman was rushed to Max Hospital in Saket. As of now, her condition is said to be stable," Deputy Commissioner of Police (south) Chandan Chowdhary said. She informed that the accused man has been identified. Multiple teams have been constituted and activated to nab the suspect at the earliest. "The accused man had filed a case of cheating against the victim woman Radha and an Advocate named Rajendra Jha. The hearing of their case was scheduled today at Saket Court," the DCP said. WATCH | As per an eyewitness, the accused man, whose identity is yet to be revealed by the cops, fired at least 4-5 rounds of which three hit the victim woman. Soon after firing the shots, he escaped from the Court premises. Saket Court According to the FIR lodged last year in November by the accused against the victim woman Radha and Advocate Rajendra Jha, which was exclusively accessed by TNIE, the accused had alleged that the duo had defrauded and grossly cheated him for an amount of Rs 25 lakh. The FIR at that time was registered under sections 406 (Punishment for criminal breach of trust), 420 (cheating), 120 B (criminal conspiracy), and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code. The senior police official further said that the situation is normal at the Saket Court. As of now, there is no law and order issue. However, lawyers across the Capital are 'extremely angry' over the deteriorating security situation inside Court premises. North Delhi Lawyers Association Secretary General Vineet Jindal told TNIE that repeated incidents of firing in Delhi Courts are scaring litigants, Advocates, and even Judges. "This kind of life-threatening incidents are also having a negative impact on the Judicial system," he said. NEW DELHI: A 40-year-old woman was shot multiple times here at a local court in the national capital on Friday by a man with whom she was undergoing a legal battle in a case of cheating. According to a senior Delhi Police official, the incident of firing was reported at Saket Court in south Delhi around 10.30 am. The injured woman, identified as Radha, a resident of southwest Delhi, received three bullet injuries -- two in the abdomen and one in the hand. "The injured woman was rushed to Max Hospital in Saket. As of now, her condition is said to be stable," Deputy Commissioner of Police (south) Chandan Chowdhary said. She informed that the accused man has been identified. Multiple teams have been constituted and activated to nab the suspect at the earliest. "The accused man had filed a case of cheating against the victim woman Radha and an Advocate named Rajendra Jha. The hearing of their case was scheduled today at Saket Court," the DCP said. WATCH |googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); As per an eyewitness, the accused man, whose identity is yet to be revealed by the cops, fired at least 4-5 rounds of which three hit the victim woman. Soon after firing the shots, he escaped from the Court premises. Saket Court According to the FIR lodged last year in November by the accused against the victim woman Radha and Advocate Rajendra Jha, which was exclusively accessed by TNIE, the accused had alleged that the duo had defrauded and grossly cheated him for an amount of Rs 25 lakh. The FIR at that time was registered under sections 406 (Punishment for criminal breach of trust), 420 (cheating), 120 B (criminal conspiracy), and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code. The senior police official further said that the situation is normal at the Saket Court. As of now, there is no law and order issue. However, lawyers across the Capital are 'extremely angry' over the deteriorating security situation inside Court premises. North Delhi Lawyers Association Secretary General Vineet Jindal told TNIE that repeated incidents of firing in Delhi Courts are scaring litigants, Advocates, and even Judges. "This kind of life-threatening incidents are also having a negative impact on the Judicial system," he said. Shan A S By Express News Service THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Police have convened a meeting of all bank nodal officers in the backdrop of reports that the bank accounts of several people from the state were blocked without valid reasons. The meeting in which the nodal officers of all banks attended was convened by ADGP Cyber Operations, T Vikram, earlier this week. Vikram told TNIE that the meeting was convened to address the issue of certain accounts being fully frozen by the banks. We are taking effective action regarding the bank accounts in Kerala, he said. The ADGP said whenever cyber crimes are reported on cyber crime reporting portal, the information automatically goes to the banks and they take action. Because the bank officials have lack of clarity on how to go about it, they make mistakes by blocking the whole account instead of the particular amount that is suspected to be involved in fraud, he said. Another police source privy to the development, meanwhile, said clear-cut instruction has been given to the bank nodal officers not to go overboard while handling the complaints. The standing rule is that if a complaint is received regarding a fraudulent activity, the amount that is involved in the fraud alone should be frozen. The concept is that the person, who has registered a complaint should not lose his money. Also, the bank account holder, who is the recipient of the amount, should not be harassed beyond a point. The bank nodal officers have been told to exercise caution while taking action against the account. We have decided to deal with the matter on a case-to-case basis. We are in touch with the banks regularly over the matter, the source said. The freezing of bank accounts without revealing details have been widely reported in the state. In most cases the accounts were frozen by the banks acting on the directives issued by police from other states, including Punjab, Gujarat, Telangana and Rajasthan. As many as 200 people have so far reported that their accounts were blocked, while a few managed to wriggle out of the fix by allegedly paying bribes to the police officers. Shaji Sugunan, SP of the Information and Communication Technology Centre of the police, said the freezing of accounts is done by the banks at the behest of investigating officers. When the investigating officers suspect a fraud transaction, they recommend blocking that amount. When several such transactions take place, the officers direct banks to freeze the accounts fully, he said. THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Police have convened a meeting of all bank nodal officers in the backdrop of reports that the bank accounts of several people from the state were blocked without valid reasons. The meeting in which the nodal officers of all banks attended was convened by ADGP Cyber Operations, T Vikram, earlier this week. Vikram told TNIE that the meeting was convened to address the issue of certain accounts being fully frozen by the banks. We are taking effective action regarding the bank accounts in Kerala, he said. The ADGP said whenever cyber crimes are reported on cyber crime reporting portal, the information automatically goes to the banks and they take action. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Because the bank officials have lack of clarity on how to go about it, they make mistakes by blocking the whole account instead of the particular amount that is suspected to be involved in fraud, he said. Another police source privy to the development, meanwhile, said clear-cut instruction has been given to the bank nodal officers not to go overboard while handling the complaints. The standing rule is that if a complaint is received regarding a fraudulent activity, the amount that is involved in the fraud alone should be frozen. The concept is that the person, who has registered a complaint should not lose his money. Also, the bank account holder, who is the recipient of the amount, should not be harassed beyond a point. The bank nodal officers have been told to exercise caution while taking action against the account. We have decided to deal with the matter on a case-to-case basis. We are in touch with the banks regularly over the matter, the source said. The freezing of bank accounts without revealing details have been widely reported in the state. In most cases the accounts were frozen by the banks acting on the directives issued by police from other states, including Punjab, Gujarat, Telangana and Rajasthan. As many as 200 people have so far reported that their accounts were blocked, while a few managed to wriggle out of the fix by allegedly paying bribes to the police officers. Shaji Sugunan, SP of the Information and Communication Technology Centre of the police, said the freezing of accounts is done by the banks at the behest of investigating officers. When the investigating officers suspect a fraud transaction, they recommend blocking that amount. When several such transactions take place, the officers direct banks to freeze the accounts fully, he said. By PTI MUMBAI: Siddharth Roy Kapur's production banner Roy Kapur Films and American studio Wiip on Thursday announced the series adaptation of author William Dalrymple's novel "The Anarchy: The Relentless Rise of the East India Company". The two companies have hired screenwriter Jeremy Brock, known for his work on movies such "The Last King of Scotland" and "Mrs.Brown", to adapt the book, which charts the rise of the East India Company and how it became the first global corporate power by conquering an entire subcontinent. Dalrymple will serve as a creative consultant on the project. "The Anarchy" will be mounted as an international co-production between Wiip and Roy Kapur Films. It will be produced across the US, UK and India, a press release stated. The book tells the remarkable story of how one of the world's most magnificent empires, the Mughal empire, disintegrated and came to be replaced by the British East India Company - a dangerously unregulated private company based thousands of miles away in a small London office just five windows wide. Published in 2019, the book was one of The Wall Street Journal's Best Books of the Year. "We are delighted to announce that we have brought on board the acclaimed BAFTA award-winning screenwriter Jeremy Brock, to adapt William Dalrymple's global bestseller 'The Anarchy' into a premium series. Jeremy's expertise in crafting intricate character-driven narratives that are deeply rooted in history and setting them against a huge canvas, makes him the perfect collaborator for this project. We look forward to creating a globally relevant series together that will appeal to audiences across geographies, languages and cultures," Kapur said. The series will be executive produced by Wiip's Paul Lee, Kapur, and XPat Productions' Naz Haider. MUMBAI: Siddharth Roy Kapur's production banner Roy Kapur Films and American studio Wiip on Thursday announced the series adaptation of author William Dalrymple's novel "The Anarchy: The Relentless Rise of the East India Company". The two companies have hired screenwriter Jeremy Brock, known for his work on movies such "The Last King of Scotland" and "Mrs.Brown", to adapt the book, which charts the rise of the East India Company and how it became the first global corporate power by conquering an entire subcontinent. Dalrymple will serve as a creative consultant on the project.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); "The Anarchy" will be mounted as an international co-production between Wiip and Roy Kapur Films. It will be produced across the US, UK and India, a press release stated. The book tells the remarkable story of how one of the world's most magnificent empires, the Mughal empire, disintegrated and came to be replaced by the British East India Company - a dangerously unregulated private company based thousands of miles away in a small London office just five windows wide. Published in 2019, the book was one of The Wall Street Journal's Best Books of the Year. "We are delighted to announce that we have brought on board the acclaimed BAFTA award-winning screenwriter Jeremy Brock, to adapt William Dalrymple's global bestseller 'The Anarchy' into a premium series. Jeremy's expertise in crafting intricate character-driven narratives that are deeply rooted in history and setting them against a huge canvas, makes him the perfect collaborator for this project. We look forward to creating a globally relevant series together that will appeal to audiences across geographies, languages and cultures," Kapur said. The series will be executive produced by Wiip's Paul Lee, Kapur, and XPat Productions' Naz Haider. By PTI MUMBAI: The government's approval to the cinematograph bill on Wednesday was welcomed by members of the Indian film fraternity who termed the decision a move towards "preserving the movie-going experience" and "curbing the menace of film piracy". Briefing reporters on the decisions of the Union Cabinet, Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur said the bill will be introduced in the upcoming session of Parliament. He said there were demands from various stakeholders to take action to curb piracy, on age-based film classification and certain redundant provisions in the existing Act. Hindi cinema star and filmmaker Ajay Devgn tagged Thakur on Twitter and wrote: "Kudos to the @MIB_India for proactively making amendments to the Cinematograph Act, thereby preserving the movie going experience.@ianuragthakur". In a statement shared on its official Twitter page, production house T-Series said the measure will help keep piracy in check. "T-Series supports government's recent move with the amendment in the Cinematograph Act, 1952 to bring about improvements in curbing the menace of film piracy! This move is very effective as it will not only help in faster growth of the film industry but also boost job creation in the sector," the banner said in the statement. #Cabinet has approved the Cinematograph Act 2023, which will be brought to the upcoming Parliamentary Session. The purpose of the Act is to ensure that content is not affected by piracy: Union Minister @ianuragthakur #CabinetDecisions pic.twitter.com/4wJIDW1PFp PIB India (@PIB_India) April 19, 2023 Actor-director R Madhavan termed the development a "brilliant" move. "Union Cabinet approves amendment in Cinematograph Act 1952 to comprehensively curb menace of film piracy. This is brilliant and much. I awaited and welcome to use. Wonderful proactive action. @MIB_India @ianuragthakur @Murugan_MoS #CineAct2023 #CinematographAct2023," Madhavan tweeted. SLV Cinemas, the banner behind the Nani-starrer "Dasara", said the approval of the Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill 2023 is "great news for the Film Industry". "Union Cabinet approves amendment in Cinematograph Act 1952 to comprehensively curb menace of film piracy. Thank you @MIB_India and Hon'ble Minister @ianuragthakur Garu for addressing the issue. @Murugan_MoS #CineAct2023 #CinematographAct2023," the production house said in a tweet. "Extremely grateful for the initiative taken by the MIB in the effort to curb piracy. Union Cabinet approves amendment in Cinematograph Act 1952 to comprehensively curb menace of film piracy. @MIB_India @ianuragthakur @Murugan_MoS #CineAct2023 #CinematographAct2023," said Sri Venkateswara Cine Chitra, production company behind "Virupaksha". During the briefing, Thakur also said the bill has provisions to classify films on the basis of age group, instead of the current practice of "U", "A", and "UA". "U" is for unrestricted public exhibition and "A" is restricted to adult audiences, while "UA" is for unrestricted public exhibition subject to parental guidance for children below the age of 12 and "S" for special category audiences such as doctors and scientists. It is learnt that the amendments seek to add new classification --- "UA-7+", "UA-13+" and "UA-16+" in place for 12 years. Besides improving the process to certify films by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), the amendments also seek to bring about uniformity in categorisation of films and content across platforms. A Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill was introduced in the Rajya Sabha in 2019 and the new draft was based on consultations with the film industry and also incorporates the best practices from across the world, the minister said. MUMBAI: The government's approval to the cinematograph bill on Wednesday was welcomed by members of the Indian film fraternity who termed the decision a move towards "preserving the movie-going experience" and "curbing the menace of film piracy". Briefing reporters on the decisions of the Union Cabinet, Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur said the bill will be introduced in the upcoming session of Parliament. He said there were demands from various stakeholders to take action to curb piracy, on age-based film classification and certain redundant provisions in the existing Act.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Hindi cinema star and filmmaker Ajay Devgn tagged Thakur on Twitter and wrote: "Kudos to the @MIB_India for proactively making amendments to the Cinematograph Act, thereby preserving the movie going experience.@ianuragthakur". In a statement shared on its official Twitter page, production house T-Series said the measure will help keep piracy in check. "T-Series supports government's recent move with the amendment in the Cinematograph Act, 1952 to bring about improvements in curbing the menace of film piracy! This move is very effective as it will not only help in faster growth of the film industry but also boost job creation in the sector," the banner said in the statement. #Cabinet has approved the Cinematograph Act 2023, which will be brought to the upcoming Parliamentary Session. The purpose of the Act is to ensure that content is not affected by piracy: Union Minister @ianuragthakur #CabinetDecisions pic.twitter.com/4wJIDW1PFp PIB India (@PIB_India) April 19, 2023 Actor-director R Madhavan termed the development a "brilliant" move. "Union Cabinet approves amendment in Cinematograph Act 1952 to comprehensively curb menace of film piracy. This is brilliant and much. I awaited and welcome to use. Wonderful proactive action. @MIB_India @ianuragthakur @Murugan_MoS #CineAct2023 #CinematographAct2023," Madhavan tweeted. SLV Cinemas, the banner behind the Nani-starrer "Dasara", said the approval of the Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill 2023 is "great news for the Film Industry". "Union Cabinet approves amendment in Cinematograph Act 1952 to comprehensively curb menace of film piracy. Thank you @MIB_India and Hon'ble Minister @ianuragthakur Garu for addressing the issue. @Murugan_MoS #CineAct2023 #CinematographAct2023," the production house said in a tweet. "Extremely grateful for the initiative taken by the MIB in the effort to curb piracy. Union Cabinet approves amendment in Cinematograph Act 1952 to comprehensively curb menace of film piracy. @MIB_India @ianuragthakur @Murugan_MoS #CineAct2023 #CinematographAct2023," said Sri Venkateswara Cine Chitra, production company behind "Virupaksha". During the briefing, Thakur also said the bill has provisions to classify films on the basis of age group, instead of the current practice of "U", "A", and "UA". "U" is for unrestricted public exhibition and "A" is restricted to adult audiences, while "UA" is for unrestricted public exhibition subject to parental guidance for children below the age of 12 and "S" for special category audiences such as doctors and scientists. It is learnt that the amendments seek to add new classification --- "UA-7+", "UA-13+" and "UA-16+" in place for 12 years. Besides improving the process to certify films by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), the amendments also seek to bring about uniformity in categorisation of films and content across platforms. A Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill was introduced in the Rajya Sabha in 2019 and the new draft was based on consultations with the film industry and also incorporates the best practices from across the world, the minister said. Abhilasha Cherukuri By Express News Service Fresh off the success of her recent film, Sir, where she starred opposite Dhanush, Samyuktha has a lot to look forward to from her next, Virupaksha. Explaining the world of Virupaksha, Samyuktha says, The film is set in the 1990s in a small village in rural Andhra called Rudravanam. The hamlet is atop a mountain with around 50-100 houses. They have their own customs and belief systems. I play Nandini, who is spunky, straightforward, and a bit arrogant. The director was very clear that Nandini had to throw a lot of attitude. Acknowledging the appreciation coming her way for her performance and looks in Virupaksha, Samyuktha shares, Even Sukumar sir mentioned in the pre-release event that I stood out in my half-saree looks. A lot of effort was taken by the films team to ensure that I looked and felt comfortable. A lot of detailing went into my outfits. Some clothes were washed repeatedly to look older while other dresses like the ones I would wear for a festival, for instance, had a more shiny look to them. The team took care of my look so well, and all I had to do was focus on my performance. When asked about the similarities between Nandini and her real-life persona, Samyuktha says, There are not that many similarities, truth be told. We are both equally energetic, but thats about it. Even though Nandini and I grew up in villages, we grew up in different timelines so that sets us apart significantly. Even though Virupaksha was the second film Samyuktha signed in Telugu, it is her fourth release. It got amusing after a point when the films I did after signing Virupaksha came out much earlier. But, weirdly enough, it didnt feel like a long wait, says the actor, who reveals that the script of Virupaksha played a role in her learning Telugu. The minute I went through the entire screenplay, I knew that mugging up the lines will not do justice. In order to perform well and imbibe the character, I thought it was important to know the language. So, I hired a tutor and took Telugu lessons during the second wave lockdown. Praising the films story and the weightage given to all characters, Samyuktha is quick to assert that it is not just a usual throwaway line told during promotional drives. I am not saying this for the sake of praising my film. But in Virupaksha, every character, small and big alike, are written beautifully., says Samyuktha, who also talks about the spiritual energy that composer Ajaneesh Loknath brings to Virupaksha. This is his first straight Telugu film, which he composed after working in Kantara. Virupaksha has a spiritual energy, and Ajaneesh used a similar kind of music and instruments that he used in Kantara. Expressing her admiration of Shobana, Samyuktha wishes to have a film like Thalapathy in her filmography someday. Imagine featuring in Santosh Sivans frames with that amazing music characteristic of Mani Ratnams films. I also want to do a proper period film soon. Post Virupaksha, Samyuktha has Devil, opposite Nandamuri Kalyan Ram, ready for release. Samyuktha closes the interview by saying she has put a temporary hold on signing films till Virupaksha is out. I have a more significant presence in this film, compared to my previous ones. I want to wait, gauge public reactions, and make my next move after careful review and consultation. Fresh off the success of her recent film, Sir, where she starred opposite Dhanush, Samyuktha has a lot to look forward to from her next, Virupaksha. Explaining the world of Virupaksha, Samyuktha says, The film is set in the 1990s in a small village in rural Andhra called Rudravanam. The hamlet is atop a mountain with around 50-100 houses. They have their own customs and belief systems. I play Nandini, who is spunky, straightforward, and a bit arrogant. The director was very clear that Nandini had to throw a lot of attitude. Acknowledging the appreciation coming her way for her performance and looks in Virupaksha, Samyuktha shares, Even Sukumar sir mentioned in the pre-release event that I stood out in my half-saree looks. A lot of effort was taken by the films team to ensure that I looked and felt comfortable. A lot of detailing went into my outfits. Some clothes were washed repeatedly to look older while other dresses like the ones I would wear for a festival, for instance, had a more shiny look to them. The team took care of my look so well, and all I had to do was focus on my performance.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); When asked about the similarities between Nandini and her real-life persona, Samyuktha says, There are not that many similarities, truth be told. We are both equally energetic, but thats about it. Even though Nandini and I grew up in villages, we grew up in different timelines so that sets us apart significantly. Even though Virupaksha was the second film Samyuktha signed in Telugu, it is her fourth release. It got amusing after a point when the films I did after signing Virupaksha came out much earlier. But, weirdly enough, it didnt feel like a long wait, says the actor, who reveals that the script of Virupaksha played a role in her learning Telugu. The minute I went through the entire screenplay, I knew that mugging up the lines will not do justice. In order to perform well and imbibe the character, I thought it was important to know the language. So, I hired a tutor and took Telugu lessons during the second wave lockdown. Praising the films story and the weightage given to all characters, Samyuktha is quick to assert that it is not just a usual throwaway line told during promotional drives. I am not saying this for the sake of praising my film. But in Virupaksha, every character, small and big alike, are written beautifully., says Samyuktha, who also talks about the spiritual energy that composer Ajaneesh Loknath brings to Virupaksha. This is his first straight Telugu film, which he composed after working in Kantara. Virupaksha has a spiritual energy, and Ajaneesh used a similar kind of music and instruments that he used in Kantara. Expressing her admiration of Shobana, Samyuktha wishes to have a film like Thalapathy in her filmography someday. Imagine featuring in Santosh Sivans frames with that amazing music characteristic of Mani Ratnams films. I also want to do a proper period film soon. Post Virupaksha, Samyuktha has Devil, opposite Nandamuri Kalyan Ram, ready for release. Samyuktha closes the interview by saying she has put a temporary hold on signing films till Virupaksha is out. I have a more significant presence in this film, compared to my previous ones. I want to wait, gauge public reactions, and make my next move after careful review and consultation. By PTI POONCH: Security forces have launched a massive search operation in the dense forests of the Bata-Doriya area after a terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch killed five Indian Army personnel and injured one, officials said on Friday. The entire area has been cordoned off while drones and sniffer dogs are being used to sniff out the terrorists that might be hiding in the area, they said. Officials said that a high alert has been sounded in the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch amid close vigil along the Line of Control. Traffic on the Bhimber Gali-Poonch road was stopped following the incident and people have been advised to go to Poonch via Mendhar, they said. According to officials, an NIA team will visit the site of the terror attack for inspection Five Army personnel were killed and another was seriously injured on Thursday after their vehicle caught fire following a terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch, the Army said. The soldiers were from a Rashtriya Rifles unit deployed for counter-terror operations. Soldiers who laid down their lives in the line of duty in Poonch Sector.(Image @Whiteknight_IA,(via PTI) The Army said the vehicle the soldiers were travelling in came under fire from unidentified terrorists and it caught fire because of the likely use of grenades. "Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Pande and all ranks of Indian Army salute the supreme sacrifice of five Indian Army bravehearts, Hav Mandeep Singh, L/Nk Debashish Baswal, L/Nk Kulwant Singh, Sep Harkrishan Singh and Sep Sewak Singh who laid down their lives in the line of duty at Poonch Sector yesterday," the Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADGPI) said in a tweet. Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said he was anguished at the loss of lives of the brave soldiers. "Their rich service to the nation will never be forgotten. My thoughts are with the bereaved families," he said in a tweet. Political parties have condemned the attack. On Thursday evening, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal staged a protest on the Tawi bridge in Jammu city and raised anti-Pakistan slogans. POONCH: Security forces have launched a massive search operation in the dense forests of the Bata-Doriya area after a terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch killed five Indian Army personnel and injured one, officials said on Friday. The entire area has been cordoned off while drones and sniffer dogs are being used to sniff out the terrorists that might be hiding in the area, they said. Officials said that a high alert has been sounded in the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch amid close vigil along the Line of Control.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Traffic on the Bhimber Gali-Poonch road was stopped following the incident and people have been advised to go to Poonch via Mendhar, they said. According to officials, an NIA team will visit the site of the terror attack for inspection Five Army personnel were killed and another was seriously injured on Thursday after their vehicle caught fire following a terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch, the Army said. The soldiers were from a Rashtriya Rifles unit deployed for counter-terror operations. Soldiers who laid down their lives in the line of duty in Poonch Sector.(Image @Whiteknight_IA,(via PTI) The Army said the vehicle the soldiers were travelling in came under fire from unidentified terrorists and it caught fire because of the likely use of grenades. "Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Pande and all ranks of Indian Army salute the supreme sacrifice of five Indian Army bravehearts, Hav Mandeep Singh, L/Nk Debashish Baswal, L/Nk Kulwant Singh, Sep Harkrishan Singh and Sep Sewak Singh who laid down their lives in the line of duty at Poonch Sector yesterday," the Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADGPI) said in a tweet. Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said he was anguished at the loss of lives of the brave soldiers. "Their rich service to the nation will never be forgotten. My thoughts are with the bereaved families," he said in a tweet. Political parties have condemned the attack. On Thursday evening, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal staged a protest on the Tawi bridge in Jammu city and raised anti-Pakistan slogans. Yeshi Seli By Express News Service NEW DELHI: Lord Buddhas teachings are the basis for solutions to the greatest challenges confronting the world, including war, economic instability, terrorism and climate change, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The noble teachings of Gautama Buddha have impacted countless people over centuries. In the past nine years India has continuously spread the values of Lord Buddha. We have worked with full dedication for his teachings to reach every nook and corner of the world, PM Modi said in Delhi on Thursday, addressing the first Global Buddhist Summit. The Summit is being attended by Buddhist spiritual leaders from across the world. The power of crores of followers of Lord Buddha across the world is filled with infinite energy, PM Modi said adding that the Buddha had provided a solution centuries ago for the war and unrest that the world is currently grappling with. Meanwhile, 170 delegates from across 30 countries are taking part in this event which is jointly hosted by the culture ministry and the International Buddhist Confederation. However, China, which houses the largest Buddhist population in the world, has given this event a miss. Taiwan has two delegates attending as well as participants from Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka. The theme of the summit is Responses to contemporary challenges: Philosophy to praxis. It is universally accepted that todays era is the most challenging time of this century. Today two countries are at war for months and the world is going through economic instability. Threats such as terrorism and religious fanaticism are attacking the soul of humanity. A challenge like a climate change is looming large over the existence of humanity, PM Modi said. India is projecting itself as a propagator of Buddhism as Lord Buddha achieved enlightenment in India. There are millions who have faith in the Buddha and believe in the welfare of all living beings, and this faith is the biggest strength of the earth, Prime Minister Modi said highlighting that the Buddha had preached about abandoning the war, defeat, and victory for eternal peace. NEW DELHI: Lord Buddhas teachings are the basis for solutions to the greatest challenges confronting the world, including war, economic instability, terrorism and climate change, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The noble teachings of Gautama Buddha have impacted countless people over centuries. In the past nine years India has continuously spread the values of Lord Buddha. We have worked with full dedication for his teachings to reach every nook and corner of the world, PM Modi said in Delhi on Thursday, addressing the first Global Buddhist Summit. The Summit is being attended by Buddhist spiritual leaders from across the world. The power of crores of followers of Lord Buddha across the world is filled with infinite energy, PM Modi said adding that the Buddha had provided a solution centuries ago for the war and unrest that the world is currently grappling with.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Meanwhile, 170 delegates from across 30 countries are taking part in this event which is jointly hosted by the culture ministry and the International Buddhist Confederation. However, China, which houses the largest Buddhist population in the world, has given this event a miss. Taiwan has two delegates attending as well as participants from Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka. The theme of the summit is Responses to contemporary challenges: Philosophy to praxis. It is universally accepted that todays era is the most challenging time of this century. Today two countries are at war for months and the world is going through economic instability. Threats such as terrorism and religious fanaticism are attacking the soul of humanity. A challenge like a climate change is looming large over the existence of humanity, PM Modi said. India is projecting itself as a propagator of Buddhism as Lord Buddha achieved enlightenment in India. There are millions who have faith in the Buddha and believe in the welfare of all living beings, and this faith is the biggest strength of the earth, Prime Minister Modi said highlighting that the Buddha had preached about abandoning the war, defeat, and victory for eternal peace. Amit Mukherjee By Express News Service NEW DELHI: Former Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Satyapal Malik will once again appear before the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) next week tentatively to depose in connection with the two graft cases amounting to Rs 300 crore in a group medical insurance scheme of J&K administration, registered in April 2022, based on bribery allegations levelled by him. The CBI contacted Malik this week seeking his time to depose in the matter in view of questions and clarification sought from him in the case which is at present under investigation. Malik has offered to make himself available tentatively either on April 27 or 28 depending upon his availability in view of his busy personal schedule. The investigating agency may either call Malik for the recording of the statement at its guest house at New Delhis Akbar Road or the CBI sleuths may visit the former J&K Governors residence to record his deposition. This is the second time CBI has contacted Malik to record his statement in connection with the two bribery cases, based on his complaint that he had been approached by private parties, when he was the J&K Governor, to get two files cleared for which he was offered an alleged bribe of Rs 300 crore. He appeared before the CBI to depose for the first time in the matter immediately after his tenure as J&K Governor ended on October 4. The incident happened between August 23, 2018, and October 30, 2019, when Malik was the governor of J&K. In his complaint, Malik had mentioned that he was approached by two private entities one associated with a well-known corporate house and the other with well-placed political connections to get two files cleared. The files were pertaining to awarding of a contract for a group medical insurance scheme for government employees and civil work worth Rs 2,200 crore related to the Kiru hydroelectric power project in the erstwhile state of J&K, now a union territory. Following allegations of Irregularities in the award of contract for the Jammu and Kashmir Employees Health Care Insurance Scheme which involved releasing Rs 60 crore in 2017-18, Malik at the capacity of J&K Governor cancelled the contract in October 2018. The allegation mainly pertained to the process adopted and rates fixed under the scheme. Malik, who was the J&K Governor from August 2018 to October 2019, had made the disclosure at a gathering during an event in Jhunjhunu in Rajasthan in October 2021 following which the CBI in April 2022 registered the two FIRs in connection with bribery allegations levelled by him. The Rajasthan incident was reported in the media where Malik was quoted alleging that two files came to him for clearance, one belonging to Ambani and another to an RSS-affiliated man who was a minister in the previous Mehbooba Mufti-led PDP-BJP coalition government and claimed to be very close to the Prime Minister. He told the gathering that secretaries of the two relevant departments told me that he would get Rs 150 crore each for clearing the files to which he responded by saying I have come with five kurta-pyjamas and will leave with that only. He later informed the gathering that he cancelled both deals after the secretaries alerted him that there was a scam. V Malik appeared before the CBI after his five years tenure as Governor ended on October 4. He was appointed as Governor of Bihar in 2017 after which he was sent to Jammu and Kashmir in 2018 where he oversaw the revocation of Article 370 in August 2019. Malik, who had criticised the Centre during farmers agitation, was moved to Meghalaya where his five-year tenure ended this month. The move comes days after the former Jammu and Kashmir governor had levelled allegations against the Narendra Modi-led government over the Pulwama terror attack of February 2019, in which 40 CRPF Jawans had been killed. Mailk, in a recent interview, claimed that the terror attack had taken place as a result of the Union Government's incompetence and cited it as a massive "intelligence failure." (With inputs from Online Desk) READ MORE: Congress demands white paper from Modi government on Pulwama attack Centre 'manipulating' headlines to divert attention from Satya Pal's allegations: Congress NEW DELHI: Former Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Satyapal Malik will once again appear before the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) next week tentatively to depose in connection with the two graft cases amounting to Rs 300 crore in a group medical insurance scheme of J&K administration, registered in April 2022, based on bribery allegations levelled by him. The CBI contacted Malik this week seeking his time to depose in the matter in view of questions and clarification sought from him in the case which is at present under investigation. Malik has offered to make himself available tentatively either on April 27 or 28 depending upon his availability in view of his busy personal schedule. The investigating agency may either call Malik for the recording of the statement at its guest house at New Delhis Akbar Road or the CBI sleuths may visit the former J&K Governors residence to record his deposition.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); This is the second time CBI has contacted Malik to record his statement in connection with the two bribery cases, based on his complaint that he had been approached by private parties, when he was the J&K Governor, to get two files cleared for which he was offered an alleged bribe of Rs 300 crore. He appeared before the CBI to depose for the first time in the matter immediately after his tenure as J&K Governor ended on October 4. The incident happened between August 23, 2018, and October 30, 2019, when Malik was the governor of J&K. In his complaint, Malik had mentioned that he was approached by two private entities one associated with a well-known corporate house and the other with well-placed political connections to get two files cleared. The files were pertaining to awarding of a contract for a group medical insurance scheme for government employees and civil work worth Rs 2,200 crore related to the Kiru hydroelectric power project in the erstwhile state of J&K, now a union territory. Following allegations of Irregularities in the award of contract for the Jammu and Kashmir Employees Health Care Insurance Scheme which involved releasing Rs 60 crore in 2017-18, Malik at the capacity of J&K Governor cancelled the contract in October 2018. The allegation mainly pertained to the process adopted and rates fixed under the scheme. Malik, who was the J&K Governor from August 2018 to October 2019, had made the disclosure at a gathering during an event in Jhunjhunu in Rajasthan in October 2021 following which the CBI in April 2022 registered the two FIRs in connection with bribery allegations levelled by him. The Rajasthan incident was reported in the media where Malik was quoted alleging that two files came to him for clearance, one belonging to Ambani and another to an RSS-affiliated man who was a minister in the previous Mehbooba Mufti-led PDP-BJP coalition government and claimed to be very close to the Prime Minister. He told the gathering that secretaries of the two relevant departments told me that he would get Rs 150 crore each for clearing the files to which he responded by saying I have come with five kurta-pyjamas and will leave with that only. He later informed the gathering that he cancelled both deals after the secretaries alerted him that there was a scam. V Malik appeared before the CBI after his five years tenure as Governor ended on October 4. He was appointed as Governor of Bihar in 2017 after which he was sent to Jammu and Kashmir in 2018 where he oversaw the revocation of Article 370 in August 2019. Malik, who had criticised the Centre during farmers agitation, was moved to Meghalaya where his five-year tenure ended this month. The move comes days after the former Jammu and Kashmir governor had levelled allegations against the Narendra Modi-led government over the Pulwama terror attack of February 2019, in which 40 CRPF Jawans had been killed. Mailk, in a recent interview, claimed that the terror attack had taken place as a result of the Union Government's incompetence and cited it as a massive "intelligence failure." (With inputs from Online Desk) READ MORE: Congress demands white paper from Modi government on Pulwama attack Centre 'manipulating' headlines to divert attention from Satya Pal's allegations: Congress By Online Desk Mayhem has been unleashed in Twitterland as Elon Musk's grand idea of removing blue ticks and conferring those only to Twitterati willing to pay for the privilege has been rolled out in earnest in India. Our official account was among the earliest to lose the tick. The last sighting of our golden tick before it went missing. Soon, we found out that Virat Kohli, Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Sachin Tendulkar, Hrithik Roshan and Priyanka Chopra, who are in the top 10 list of most followed accounts in India, had also lost their blues. And no, none of them was making a song and dance about it. Were they lighter beings because of it? We did not ask. The only two accounts that survived the blue-tick cull belonged to the Prime Minister. Narendramodi and PMOIndia (Ranked one and three with Kohli in the middle) were both royally blue still -- the reason cited being the account belongs to a member of a government or multilateral organisation. Things were to get a little interesting as we looked further. The controversial young BJP leader from Karnataka Tejasvi Surya retained his badge of honour for the same reason, as did Shashi Tharoor, another popular tweeter, since both of them are Members of Parliament. Rahul Gandhi lost his because he has been disqualified from the Lok Sabha. But then there came the controversial omissions. Many CMs -- Mamata Banerjee, MK Stalin, Pinarayi Vijayan, Naveen Patnaik, Basavaraj S Bommai -- were all removed from the tick club. At least at the time when this was written. As for party accounts, those of the BJP, Congress and others retained their ticks. The reason given is right below. Mayhem has been unleashed in Twitterland as Elon Musk's grand idea of removing blue ticks and conferring those only to Twitterati willing to pay for the privilege has been rolled out in earnest in India. Our official account was among the earliest to lose the tick. The last sighting of our golden tick before it went missing. Soon, we found out that Virat Kohli, Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Sachin Tendulkar, Hrithik Roshan and Priyanka Chopra, who are in the top 10 list of most followed accounts in India, had also lost their blues. And no, none of them was making a song and dance about it. Were they lighter beings because of it? We did not ask.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The only two accounts that survived the blue-tick cull belonged to the Prime Minister. Narendramodi and PMOIndia (Ranked one and three with Kohli in the middle) were both royally blue still -- the reason cited being the account belongs to a member of a government or multilateral organisation. Things were to get a little interesting as we looked further. The controversial young BJP leader from Karnataka Tejasvi Surya retained his badge of honour for the same reason, as did Shashi Tharoor, another popular tweeter, since both of them are Members of Parliament. Rahul Gandhi lost his because he has been disqualified from the Lok Sabha. But then there came the controversial omissions. Many CMs -- Mamata Banerjee, MK Stalin, Pinarayi Vijayan, Naveen Patnaik, Basavaraj S Bommai -- were all removed from the tick club. At least at the time when this was written. As for party accounts, those of the BJP, Congress and others retained their ticks. The reason given is right below. South Africa: Minister condemns gruesome murders of Soweto children Minister of Women, Youth and People with Disabilities, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, has expressed her deep sadness over the killing of two children, Nqobile Zulu and Tshiamo Rabanye, in Soweto. Their mutilated bodies were found on Thursday morning after they went missing on Wednesday night. The Minister condemns the gruesome murders of these children in the strongest possible terms. As the country has witnessed previously, law enforcement agencies deal swiftly with cases involving children, and the Minister is confident that SAPS will do all within its power to find the perpetrators and ensure that justice is served. The involvement of the community policing forum and residents of the area working closely with the SAPS in the search of the boys is welcomed, said the department in a statement. The Minister said the uncalled for tragedy comes at a time where South Africans are commemorating and celebrating their freedom. Children are the most vulnerable in society and we must protect them from unspeakable crimes. Families, communities and individuals must implement measures that safeguard children from such kind of abuses. We all have a responsibility to raise awareness on the importance of protecting children, said Dlamini Zuma. The Minister said the South African Constitution has the highest regard for children, their protection and non-violation of their rights. Protecting children from violence, exploitation and abuse is not only a basic value but also an obligation clearly set out in Article 28 of the South African Constitution. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2023-04-21. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. The Minister of Justice of Georgia held a farewell meeting with the representative of the United Nations Children's Fund in Georgia, Ghassan Khalil. Rati Bregadze thanked Khalil for their fruitful cooperation and expressed hope that the partnership between the Ministry of Justice and UNICEF would continue in the future.The Minister of Justice noted that the projects implemented with the support of UNICEF primarily serve to protect the best interests of the child and their rights. For the Ministry of Justice, cooperation with UNICEF in this field has been very fruitful.Rati Bregadze emphasized areas of partnership, such as the reform of the juvenile justice system, elimination of violence against children and expansion of social programs for them, juvenile rehabilitation and resocialization, and crime prevention projects. The minister also emphasized the importance of training professionals involved in mediation and diversion processes.The Minister of Justice wished the head of the mission success in their future work.Public defender Levan Ioseliani stated that it is important to clarify the issue related to judges in the parliament, and he discussed it with journalists. He noted that society deserves to have the questions accumulated answered within the investigative commission."You know that one of the important issues is the issue related to judges, and I also believe that clarifying this issue in the parliament is important. Among them, there is this procedural war going on between the ruling party and the opposition, but ultimately, I think the society deserves to have their questions addressed within the framework of the investigative commission," he said.Levan Ioseliani also emphasized that this transparency and openness will only facilitate the process. A tourism project at the King Palace in Vietnam's resort town of Da Lat has been halted following land use and investment violations. In 2015, the authorities of Central Highlands Lam Dong Province granted Hoan Cau Da Lat JSC a hill of 18 hectares to operate a tourism project for 50 years. The land is part of the site of the King Palace, built in the 1940s by French millionaire Robert Clement Bourgery. The palace was later bought by Vietnam's last emperor Bao Dai to use as his main office. As per a plan approved by the province, the palace would be restored and upgraded at a total cost of more than VND110 billion (US$4.69 million) in the first phase before it is opened for visitors, who would pay an entrance fee. In the next phase, the company would build a luxury resort worth VND600 billion. However, in mid-2020 government inspectors found out that Lam Dong violated the Land Law and the Investment Law when allowing Hoan Cau Da Lat JSC to use the hill for tourism services. Lam Dong must suspend the project and if it wants to continue it needs to review the land lease price to the market price to avoid causing losses to the state budget, and organize a bidding process to find an investor. Bao Dai abdicated in 1945, and Vietnams southern regime started using the palace in 1956 as a private residence for President Ngo Dinh Diem. The building continued to serve as a resort for heads of state until the Vietnam War ended in 1975. It is now treated as a state asset. By PTI THANE: The post-mortem of the Kharghar tragedy victims in Maharashtra has confirmed that they died due to sunstroke, a health official said on Friday. At least 14 people died after suffering from sunstroke during the Maharashtra Bhushan award ceremony held in Kharghar area of Raigad district neighbouring Mumbai on Sunday. "The autopsy was conducted on 12 out of the 14 deceased at the Sub-District Hospital in Panvel. The procedure confirmed that they died due to heat stroke," a medical officer attached to the facility said, adding that the post-mortem of two other victims was conducted at some other hospitals. ALSO READ | Ajit Pawar demands judicial probe in Kharghar sunstroke death It was also found that two of these deceased also suffered from co-morbidities, he said. The 14 deceased included 10 women and four men, officials earlier said. Till late night on Sunday, they had confirmed 11 deaths in the incident. Two others died on Monday, while one more person - a woman - succumbed two days after the event. Raigad civil surgeon Dr Suhas Mane said the post-mortem reports of 12 of the 14 deceased were available with the Panvel Sub-District Hospital. Medical Superintendent of the hospital, Dr Madhukar Panchal, said the autopsy reports have been submitted to the authorities concerned. The Maharashtra Bhushan award ceremony was held in an open ground in Kharghar during the day. The event was attended by several lakh people, most of them followers of social worker Appasaheb Dharmadhikari, who was conferred with the Maharashtra Bhushan award by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. 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. Opposition parties have blasted the Eknath Shinde-led state government over the deaths, accusing it of mismanagement. Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Ajit Pawar has sought an inquiry into why the award event was organised around noon, while Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Thursday accused the government of hiding the real number of victims, claiming that 50 to 75 people have died in the tragedy. THANE: The post-mortem of the Kharghar tragedy victims in Maharashtra has confirmed that they died due to sunstroke, a health official said on Friday. At least 14 people died after suffering from sunstroke during the Maharashtra Bhushan award ceremony held in Kharghar area of Raigad district neighbouring Mumbai on Sunday. "The autopsy was conducted on 12 out of the 14 deceased at the Sub-District Hospital in Panvel.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The procedure confirmed that they died due to heat stroke," a medical officer attached to the facility said, adding that the post-mortem of two other victims was conducted at some other hospitals. ALSO READ | Ajit Pawar demands judicial probe in Kharghar sunstroke death It was also found that two of these deceased also suffered from co-morbidities, he said. The 14 deceased included 10 women and four men, officials earlier said. Till late night on Sunday, they had confirmed 11 deaths in the incident. Two others died on Monday, while one more person - a woman - succumbed two days after the event. Raigad civil surgeon Dr Suhas Mane said the post-mortem reports of 12 of the 14 deceased were available with the Panvel Sub-District Hospital. Medical Superintendent of the hospital, Dr Madhukar Panchal, said the autopsy reports have been submitted to the authorities concerned. The Maharashtra Bhushan award ceremony was held in an open ground in Kharghar during the day. The event was attended by several lakh people, most of them followers of social worker Appasaheb Dharmadhikari, who was conferred with the Maharashtra Bhushan award by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. 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. Opposition parties have blasted the Eknath Shinde-led state government over the deaths, accusing it of mismanagement. Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Ajit Pawar has sought an inquiry into why the award event was organised around noon, while Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Thursday accused the government of hiding the real number of victims, claiming that 50 to 75 people have died in the tragedy. Jitendra Choubey By Express News Service A new study shows that most marginal farmers who own less than 2.5 acres of land- face structural disparities. They are not able to access the benefits of government programmes meant for them. Moreover, their earnings from farming is lesser than non-farm activities. The study "Annual Survey of States of Marginal Farmers in India" was done by the Forum of Enterprises for Equitable Development (FEED). The study was based on a telephonic survey that covered 6115 respondents spread across 20 states. According to the study, around two-thirds of farmers (68.29%) households engaged in non-farm activities to supplement their income from crop cultivation. They are engaged in daily wage labour activities, especially road construction, house construction, etc. Marginal farmers' main income sources are daily wage and non-farm, and they have stuck to their marginal holding as an asset. The average income from farms is Rs 42,107, while income from non-farm sources is Rs 62,439, and from livestock is Rs 55,511. "The moot point is which government survey and our survey asks is why are the marginal land-holders considered as 'farmers'," says Sandeep Ghosh, who heads this study. The study also underlined the inability of marginal farmers not to get benefits out of the government's scheme. Marginal farmers lagged in getting benefits from agri-infrastructure such as seeds centres, credit centres, warehouses, soil testing centres, fertilizers shops and custom hiring centres. For instance, over 82% of marginal farmers are aware of the flagship scheme PM Kisan a scheme that provides Rs 6000 cash support to farmers, however, hardly 50% get benefits from it. "It shows how existing disparities on the ground which government need to address," says Dr PS Brithal, Director, ICAR - National Institute of Agricultural Economics and Policy Research. The study also highlighted the facts that marginal farmers' crop changing patterns. They prefer to cultivate potato and mustard over cereal crops such as paddy, wheat and pulses. "There is a need to re-orientate agri-extension services and make them for marginal farmers," says VV Sadamate, former Agriculture Advisor, Government of India. A new study shows that most marginal farmers who own less than 2.5 acres of land- face structural disparities. They are not able to access the benefits of government programmes meant for them. Moreover, their earnings from farming is lesser than non-farm activities. The study "Annual Survey of States of Marginal Farmers in India" was done by the Forum of Enterprises for Equitable Development (FEED). The study was based on a telephonic survey that covered 6115 respondents spread across 20 states. According to the study, around two-thirds of farmers (68.29%) households engaged in non-farm activities to supplement their income from crop cultivation. They are engaged in daily wage labour activities, especially road construction, house construction, etc.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Marginal farmers' main income sources are daily wage and non-farm, and they have stuck to their marginal holding as an asset. The average income from farms is Rs 42,107, while income from non-farm sources is Rs 62,439, and from livestock is Rs 55,511. "The moot point is which government survey and our survey asks is why are the marginal land-holders considered as 'farmers'," says Sandeep Ghosh, who heads this study. The study also underlined the inability of marginal farmers not to get benefits out of the government's scheme. Marginal farmers lagged in getting benefits from agri-infrastructure such as seeds centres, credit centres, warehouses, soil testing centres, fertilizers shops and custom hiring centres. For instance, over 82% of marginal farmers are aware of the flagship scheme PM Kisan a scheme that provides Rs 6000 cash support to farmers, however, hardly 50% get benefits from it. "It shows how existing disparities on the ground which government need to address," says Dr PS Brithal, Director, ICAR - National Institute of Agricultural Economics and Policy Research. The study also highlighted the facts that marginal farmers' crop changing patterns. They prefer to cultivate potato and mustard over cereal crops such as paddy, wheat and pulses. "There is a need to re-orientate agri-extension services and make them for marginal farmers," says VV Sadamate, former Agriculture Advisor, Government of India. By PTI AHMEDABAD: The acquittal of all 67 accused in the Naroda Gam case in which 11 members of a minority community were killed amounts to "murder" of judiciary and the verdict will only embolden rioters, said victims, some of whom claimed lives were snuffed out in front of their eyes. A special court here on Thursday acquitted all the accused in the case, including former Gujarat minister Maya Kodnani and ex-Bajrang Dal leader Babu Bajrangi. Naroda Gam violence was one of the worst massacres witnessed during the state-wide riots triggered by the Sabarmati train carnage on February 27, 2002. The case was probed by a Supreme Court-appointed special investigation team. READ HERE | Court acquits all 69 accused in Naroda Gam massacre Sharif Malek, who was injured by a mob that also looted his house, claimed that the "judiciary appears to be under pressure", and such a judgment will only encourage rioters. Imtiaz Qureshi said his house was looted and a group of people murdered three persons in front of his eyes. He claimed that Thursday's judgment shows that the "judiciary is under pressure". "If those protecting the law are made to murder the law, then this will drive the country towards destruction. This way, people will lose faith in democracy," said Adib Pathan, whose house was plundered during the violence. An eerie silence now prevails in the part of Naroda Gam in Ahmedabad where 11 members of the minority community were killed, with most of the houses locked and their walls covered in soot that reminds of the fateful day when they were set on fire. "I was a witness to three members of a family, including a woman and her two children, being burnt alive in a house in my neighbourhood. A majority of the houses are closed with hardly 10-15 families living now out of around 110 families who lived there before the riots," said Malek. "This is a murder of the judiciary. If such a judgment is passed, then it will end up encouraging the rioters. They will no longer be in the fear of law. There is no doubt that the judiciary is under political pressure. The judiciary is under political control, especially in Gujarat," he claimed. Had there been no "such pressure and the judge delivered the judgment impartially", then not less than 25-30 accused would have been given life imprisonment, Malek asserted. Qureshi, who was a witness to the violence, said that a handful of people continue to live in the neighbourhood, while the majority has left the area. "A married couple and their daughter were burnt alive before my eyes. A woman escaping from the marauding mob that burnt six members of her family was also stabbed before my eyes," said Qureshi, who ran a printing business at Naroda Gam. The acquittal of all 67 accused in the case means that the "judiciary is under pressure", he claimed. "As a witness, I identified 17 accused persons before the court, and the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probed the matter for months before coming to the same conclusion in its report. The SIT was constituted by the Supreme Court. So this means the law has been belied by the law itself," said Qureshi. Pathan said they had all the proof against the accused. "Even the SIT had the proof against the accused, but they were not considered by the court." ALSO READ | Should we celebrate rule of law or despair its demise: Kapil Sibal on Naroda Gam case acquittals The riots broke out in the Naroda Gam area of Ahmedabad on February 28, 2002, during a bandh called to protest the Godhra train burning a day before in which 58 passengers were charred to death. The trial started in 2010, and six different judges presided over the case since then, starting with Justice SH Vora who was transferred to Gujarat High Court. The then minister in the Narendra Modi government Maya Kodnani, ex-Bajrang Dal leader Babu Bajranngi, and Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Jaideep Patel were among the key accused in the case. The court of special judge SK Baxi on Thursday acquitted all the 67 accused in the case which was one of the nine that were investigated by an SIT constituted by the Supreme Court. AHMEDABAD: The acquittal of all 67 accused in the Naroda Gam case in which 11 members of a minority community were killed amounts to "murder" of judiciary and the verdict will only embolden rioters, said victims, some of whom claimed lives were snuffed out in front of their eyes. A special court here on Thursday acquitted all the accused in the case, including former Gujarat minister Maya Kodnani and ex-Bajrang Dal leader Babu Bajrangi. Naroda Gam violence was one of the worst massacres witnessed during the state-wide riots triggered by the Sabarmati train carnage on February 27, 2002.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The case was probed by a Supreme Court-appointed special investigation team. READ HERE | Court acquits all 69 accused in Naroda Gam massacre Sharif Malek, who was injured by a mob that also looted his house, claimed that the "judiciary appears to be under pressure", and such a judgment will only encourage rioters. Imtiaz Qureshi said his house was looted and a group of people murdered three persons in front of his eyes. He claimed that Thursday's judgment shows that the "judiciary is under pressure". "If those protecting the law are made to murder the law, then this will drive the country towards destruction. This way, people will lose faith in democracy," said Adib Pathan, whose house was plundered during the violence. An eerie silence now prevails in the part of Naroda Gam in Ahmedabad where 11 members of the minority community were killed, with most of the houses locked and their walls covered in soot that reminds of the fateful day when they were set on fire. "I was a witness to three members of a family, including a woman and her two children, being burnt alive in a house in my neighbourhood. A majority of the houses are closed with hardly 10-15 families living now out of around 110 families who lived there before the riots," said Malek. "This is a murder of the judiciary. If such a judgment is passed, then it will end up encouraging the rioters. They will no longer be in the fear of law. There is no doubt that the judiciary is under political pressure. The judiciary is under political control, especially in Gujarat," he claimed. Had there been no "such pressure and the judge delivered the judgment impartially", then not less than 25-30 accused would have been given life imprisonment, Malek asserted. Qureshi, who was a witness to the violence, said that a handful of people continue to live in the neighbourhood, while the majority has left the area. "A married couple and their daughter were burnt alive before my eyes. A woman escaping from the marauding mob that burnt six members of her family was also stabbed before my eyes," said Qureshi, who ran a printing business at Naroda Gam. The acquittal of all 67 accused in the case means that the "judiciary is under pressure", he claimed. "As a witness, I identified 17 accused persons before the court, and the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probed the matter for months before coming to the same conclusion in its report. The SIT was constituted by the Supreme Court. So this means the law has been belied by the law itself," said Qureshi. Pathan said they had all the proof against the accused. "Even the SIT had the proof against the accused, but they were not considered by the court." ALSO READ | Should we celebrate rule of law or despair its demise: Kapil Sibal on Naroda Gam case acquittals The riots broke out in the Naroda Gam area of Ahmedabad on February 28, 2002, during a bandh called to protest the Godhra train burning a day before in which 58 passengers were charred to death. The trial started in 2010, and six different judges presided over the case since then, starting with Justice SH Vora who was transferred to Gujarat High Court. The then minister in the Narendra Modi government Maya Kodnani, ex-Bajrang Dal leader Babu Bajranngi, and Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Jaideep Patel were among the key accused in the case. The court of special judge SK Baxi on Thursday acquitted all the 67 accused in the case which was one of the nine that were investigated by an SIT constituted by the Supreme Court. Dilip Singh Kshatriya By Express News Service AHMEDABAD: All 67 accused, including then BJP minister Maya Kodnani and former Bajrang Dal leader Babu Bajrangi, were on Thursday acquitted by a Special SIT court in the 2002 Naroda Gam riots case in Gujarat. The riots broke out a day after 58 Kar Sevaks on board Sabarmati Express died after their bogie was set afire in Godhra. Twenty-one years after the horrific incident, special judge Shubhada Baxi in her verdict invalidated a journalists sting operation and Kodnanis call details as evidence. Of the total 86 accused, 18 died during the pendency of the trial, while one person was discharged earlier by the court, reducing the count to 67. Defence lawyer Dinesh Vaghela said they were able to successfully establish that Kodnani was present at the Assembly and the Sola Civil Hospital and not at the riot site. Union home minister Amit Shah had testified in court in 2017, saying, I saw Mayaben in the state legislative Assembly and at Sola Civil Hospital on that day, informed Vaghela. Kodnani was sentenced in a different Naroda Patiya riots case in 2012, in which 97 Muslims were killed, but were acquitted by the Gujarat High Court five years ago. ALSO READ| Court acquits all 69 accused including Maya Kodnani in Naroda Gam massacre in Gujarat A disappointed prosecution counsel Shamshad Pathan said, Our question remains: who burned 11 people alive in Naroda village? We were upset with the government; the SIT was constituted extremely late; and we are again dissatisfied with the special courts decision today. He said they will challenge the verdict in the Gujarat High Court. After the judgment, a large number of people outside the court raised slogans of Jai Shri Ram. Maya Kodnani told the local media, truth has won. The Supreme Court had on August 26, 2008 appointed a Special Inquiry Team to conduct the investigations and the trial began in 2010. It examined 244 witnesses under the sequential presidency of six judges. AHMEDABAD: All 67 accused, including then BJP minister Maya Kodnani and former Bajrang Dal leader Babu Bajrangi, were on Thursday acquitted by a Special SIT court in the 2002 Naroda Gam riots case in Gujarat. The riots broke out a day after 58 Kar Sevaks on board Sabarmati Express died after their bogie was set afire in Godhra. Twenty-one years after the horrific incident, special judge Shubhada Baxi in her verdict invalidated a journalists sting operation and Kodnanis call details as evidence. Of the total 86 accused, 18 died during the pendency of the trial, while one person was discharged earlier by the court, reducing the count to 67. Defence lawyer Dinesh Vaghela said they were able to successfully establish that Kodnani was present at the Assembly and the Sola Civil Hospital and not at the riot site. Union home minister Amit Shah had testified in court in 2017, saying, I saw Mayaben in the state legislative Assembly and at Sola Civil Hospital on that day, informed Vaghela. Kodnani was sentenced in a different Naroda Patiya riots case in 2012, in which 97 Muslims were killed, but were acquitted by the Gujarat High Court five years ago.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); ALSO READ| Court acquits all 69 accused including Maya Kodnani in Naroda Gam massacre in Gujarat A disappointed prosecution counsel Shamshad Pathan said, Our question remains: who burned 11 people alive in Naroda village? We were upset with the government; the SIT was constituted extremely late; and we are again dissatisfied with the special courts decision today. He said they will challenge the verdict in the Gujarat High Court. After the judgment, a large number of people outside the court raised slogans of Jai Shri Ram. Maya Kodnani told the local media, truth has won. The Supreme Court had on August 26, 2008 appointed a Special Inquiry Team to conduct the investigations and the trial began in 2010. It examined 244 witnesses under the sequential presidency of six judges. Yeshi Seli By Express News Service NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a virtual high-level meeting on Friday to review the situation in Sudan. He has asked officials to remain vigilant, closely monitor developments, continuously evaluate the safety of Indian nationals in Sudan and extend them all possible assistance. PM Modi has further directed the preparation of contingency evacuation plans, accounting for the rapidly shifting security landscape and the viability of various options. The meeting was attended by External Affairs Minister (Dr S Jaishankar), National Security Advisor (Ajit Doval), Foreign Secretary (Vinay Mohan Kwatra), Indias Ambassador to Egypt (Ajit Gupte), Air Chief Marshal, Naval Chief, Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia (Dr Suhel Ajaz Khan), Indias Ambassador to Sudan (BS Mubarak) amongst other officials. ALSO READ | EAM Jaishankar discusses Sudan situation with UN chief Guterres During the meeting the PM assessed the most recent developments in Sudan and received a first-hand report of the condition on the ground with specific focus on the safety of over 3000 Indian citizens present across the country. The PM also offered his condolences to the family of the Indian national who fell prey to a stray bullet last week. Emphasis was also given on the importance of maintaining close communication with neighbouring countries in the region as well as those with significant members of the citizesn in Sudan. Meanwhile, Dr Jaishankar met the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, in New York on Thursday and discussed the developments in Sudan. "Focus understandably was on Sudan. India strongly supports efforts towards an early ceasefire leading to creation of safe corridors. Will continue to work closely with the UN and other partners in this regard," Dr Jaishankar said. India is also in touch with the UAE, Saudi Arabia, US and UK on Sudan and is seeking support from them for updates and safety of citizens. NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a virtual high-level meeting on Friday to review the situation in Sudan. He has asked officials to remain vigilant, closely monitor developments, continuously evaluate the safety of Indian nationals in Sudan and extend them all possible assistance. PM Modi has further directed the preparation of contingency evacuation plans, accounting for the rapidly shifting security landscape and the viability of various options.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The meeting was attended by External Affairs Minister (Dr S Jaishankar), National Security Advisor (Ajit Doval), Foreign Secretary (Vinay Mohan Kwatra), Indias Ambassador to Egypt (Ajit Gupte), Air Chief Marshal, Naval Chief, Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia (Dr Suhel Ajaz Khan), Indias Ambassador to Sudan (BS Mubarak) amongst other officials. ALSO READ | EAM Jaishankar discusses Sudan situation with UN chief Guterres During the meeting the PM assessed the most recent developments in Sudan and received a first-hand report of the condition on the ground with specific focus on the safety of over 3000 Indian citizens present across the country. The PM also offered his condolences to the family of the Indian national who fell prey to a stray bullet last week. Emphasis was also given on the importance of maintaining close communication with neighbouring countries in the region as well as those with significant members of the citizesn in Sudan. Meanwhile, Dr Jaishankar met the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, in New York on Thursday and discussed the developments in Sudan. "Focus understandably was on Sudan. India strongly supports efforts towards an early ceasefire leading to creation of safe corridors. Will continue to work closely with the UN and other partners in this regard," Dr Jaishankar said. India is also in touch with the UAE, Saudi Arabia, US and UK on Sudan and is seeking support from them for updates and safety of citizens. Rajesh Asnani By Express News Service JAIPUR: In the high-profile paper leak case in the recruitment exam for senior teachers in Rajasthan, a political row has erupted between the ruling Congress and the BJP. After the arrest of Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) member Babulal Katara in the case two days ago, leader of Opposition Rajendra Rathore has severely criticized the government. State party chief Govind Singh Dotasara is responding from the Congress side. Demanding a CBI inquiry, Rathore has alleged that Katara visited the Chief Ministers residence every 15 days. He also questioned why and how a statistics officer like Babulal Katara was nominated by CM Ashok Gehlot on a constitutional body like RPSC where the Chief Minister himself nominates the members. Earlier, in several tweets, Rathore targeted state Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasara, raising questions about RPSCs selection process where relatives of a senior Congress politician got 80 marks in the interview but less than 50 marks in the written exam. This allegation relates to the selection of some relatives of Dotasara in RPSC exams. Dotasara responded by accusing Rathore of promoting his children to become contractors. He promised strict action against those who engage in any illegal activities. Dotasara also criticised Rathores political career and argued that due to Rathores flip-flops, he has never been able to become the CM or the state BJP chief despite winning seven times. On Tuesday, the Special Operations Group of the Rajasthan Police arrested RPSC member Babulal Katara, the Commissions driver Gopal Singh, and Kataras nephew Vijay Katara. The SOG will present the three in court. The three are now in remand until April 23. Since the arrest of Sher Singh Meena, the main accused in the paper leak case, on April 6 from Odisha, the SOG kept a close watch on Katara. JAIPUR: In the high-profile paper leak case in the recruitment exam for senior teachers in Rajasthan, a political row has erupted between the ruling Congress and the BJP. After the arrest of Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) member Babulal Katara in the case two days ago, leader of Opposition Rajendra Rathore has severely criticized the government. State party chief Govind Singh Dotasara is responding from the Congress side. Demanding a CBI inquiry, Rathore has alleged that Katara visited the Chief Ministers residence every 15 days. He also questioned why and how a statistics officer like Babulal Katara was nominated by CM Ashok Gehlot on a constitutional body like RPSC where the Chief Minister himself nominates the members. Earlier, in several tweets, Rathore targeted state Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasara, raising questions about RPSCs selection process where relatives of a senior Congress politician got 80 marks in the interview but less than 50 marks in the written exam. This allegation relates to the selection of some relatives of Dotasara in RPSC exams.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Dotasara responded by accusing Rathore of promoting his children to become contractors. He promised strict action against those who engage in any illegal activities. Dotasara also criticised Rathores political career and argued that due to Rathores flip-flops, he has never been able to become the CM or the state BJP chief despite winning seven times. On Tuesday, the Special Operations Group of the Rajasthan Police arrested RPSC member Babulal Katara, the Commissions driver Gopal Singh, and Kataras nephew Vijay Katara. The SOG will present the three in court. The three are now in remand until April 23. Since the arrest of Sher Singh Meena, the main accused in the paper leak case, on April 6 from Odisha, the SOG kept a close watch on Katara. Harpreet Bajwa By Express News Service CHANDIGARH: More than two years after UPs gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari was dispatched from Punjabs Ropar jail to the Banda prison after a legal battle as then Congress-ruled Punjab opposed his transfer to UP, it has now emerged that he enjoyed VVIP facilities during his 27-month incarceration in Punjab. Besides, the Bhagwnt Mann government has refused to pay up Rs 55 lakh legal expenses incurred on account of representing its case in the Supreme Court, terming it a loot of public money. The facts about the VVIP treatment for Ansari are a part of the inquiry ordered by the AAP-led Punjab government under Additional DGP RN Dhoke, who recently submitted his report to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. The report focuses on the facilities which were extended to Ansari in the Ropar jail. Linked to the Ansari episode was the controversy over the refusal of the then Congress government in Punjab to transfer the jailed politician to UP. The Punjab government had also hired a senior lawyer to represent it in the SC. CM Mann has now returned the file refusing to pay legal expenses of Rs 55 lakh. Whats more is his assertion that he plans to recover the amount from former ministers who wanted to keep the UP don in the Punjab jail, forcing the state to hire expensive legal services. Sources said the inquiry report has not established the allegation that Ansaris wife or family members stayed with him in jail. It has recommended that a case be registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act against some jail officials for allegedly accepting bribes from Ansari in exchange for facilities and a VVIP treatment. Sources said that CM Mann has not cleared the file of fees to be paid to the lawyer who represented the state in this case in the apex court in 2021. CHANDIGARH: More than two years after UPs gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari was dispatched from Punjabs Ropar jail to the Banda prison after a legal battle as then Congress-ruled Punjab opposed his transfer to UP, it has now emerged that he enjoyed VVIP facilities during his 27-month incarceration in Punjab. Besides, the Bhagwnt Mann government has refused to pay up Rs 55 lakh legal expenses incurred on account of representing its case in the Supreme Court, terming it a loot of public money. The facts about the VVIP treatment for Ansari are a part of the inquiry ordered by the AAP-led Punjab government under Additional DGP RN Dhoke, who recently submitted his report to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. The report focuses on the facilities which were extended to Ansari in the Ropar jail. Linked to the Ansari episode was the controversy over the refusal of the then Congress government in Punjab to transfer the jailed politician to UP. The Punjab government had also hired a senior lawyer to represent it in the SC.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); CM Mann has now returned the file refusing to pay legal expenses of Rs 55 lakh. Whats more is his assertion that he plans to recover the amount from former ministers who wanted to keep the UP don in the Punjab jail, forcing the state to hire expensive legal services. Sources said the inquiry report has not established the allegation that Ansaris wife or family members stayed with him in jail. It has recommended that a case be registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act against some jail officials for allegedly accepting bribes from Ansari in exchange for facilities and a VVIP treatment. Sources said that CM Mann has not cleared the file of fees to be paid to the lawyer who represented the state in this case in the apex court in 2021. Sudhir Suryawanshi By Express News Service MUMBAI: Amid speculation over the next move of Ajit Pawar, the NCP leader has put a poser that appeared to be more self-soothing than the one that seeks to score an edge in the power game: Why should they (his party or only his loyalist MLAs?) why wait for 2024 Maharashtra assembly elections to get the CMs post, when they can get it today? In an interview with Sakal media house in Pune, Ajit Pawar sought to indicate what this paper has already reported. He said the NCP is no more enamoured with the deputy chief ministers post. In 2004, the NCP had 71 MLAs while Congress had 69, but we did not get the CMs post because of some decisions by the partys top leaders. As loyal soldiers of the party, we have to accept such decisions. Late RR Patil was the top contender for the chief ministers post. However, the post remained elusive for us, Ajit said. He said the incumbent CM Eknath Shinde will step down before he gets enough experience for the top job. Senior NCP leader and Lok Sabha MP Sunil Tatkare, who was accompanied by Ajit Pawar in Pune, said the state needs Ajit Pawar-like chief minister to put the state on the path to progress. ALSO READ| Shinde going, going... Ajit Pawar readies to be Maha successor Tatkare is part of a trio who are discussing with the BJP the future alignment and the possibility of making Ajit Pawar the chief minister. Sources said he has not given up the idea of joining the BJP and getting the top post. The BJP is unhappy with Eknath Shindes performance. Shinde has failed to deliver. The BJP does not want to take any risk ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Therefore, the BJP is trying hard to get Ajit Pawar and NCP on board so that they can cultivate him as they did in the case of Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma who earlier was with the Congress, said a source requesting anonymity. Meanwhile, in clear hints of the souring of relations between Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray) and NCP both are partners in the MVA alliance Ajit Pawar on Friday asked: Who is Sanjay Raut? In his response, Raut played it cool, saying Ajit Pawar is a very sweet person and that he has no differences with him. The BJP is trying to divide us, but we in the MVA will remain united. I have no difference with any member of the Pawar family. We are together, said Raut. Ajit Pawar is apparently upset with Rauts weekly column in Saamana. The article sought to reveal details of a discussion between NCP chief Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray at the formers Silver Oak residence. In the column, Raut claimed the Central agencies were pressuring NCP leaders and trying to break the families and party that includes Ajit Pawar and NCP leaders so that they can join the BJP. In the article, Raut said that BJP is trying to break NCP after breaking Shiv Sena and called its the Big Boss-Season-II in Maharashtra. Replying to Raut, without taking his name, Ajit Pawar attacked the Shiv Sena (Uddhav). People should not write about what is happening in other parties. They are free to write about their own party in their party mouthpiece. They should not try to be the advocate or spokesperson for our party. I will raise the issue in the MVA meeting, Pawar said. Power play NCP sources say the BJP is unhappy with the performance of CM Eknath Shinde. They said the BJP does not want to take any risk ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Therefore, it is trying hard to get Ajit Pawar and NCP on board so that they can cultivate him as they did in the case of Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, said a source. In another development, Ajit Pawar on Friday asked: Who is Sanjay Raut? In his response, Raut played it cool, saying Ajit Pawar is a very sweet person and that he has no differences with him. The BJP is trying to divide us, said Sanjay Raut of Shiv Sena(Uddhav). MUMBAI: Amid speculation over the next move of Ajit Pawar, the NCP leader has put a poser that appeared to be more self-soothing than the one that seeks to score an edge in the power game: Why should they (his party or only his loyalist MLAs?) why wait for 2024 Maharashtra assembly elections to get the CMs post, when they can get it today? In an interview with Sakal media house in Pune, Ajit Pawar sought to indicate what this paper has already reported. He said the NCP is no more enamoured with the deputy chief ministers post. In 2004, the NCP had 71 MLAs while Congress had 69, but we did not get the CMs post because of some decisions by the partys top leaders. As loyal soldiers of the party, we have to accept such decisions. Late RR Patil was the top contender for the chief ministers post. However, the post remained elusive for us, Ajit said. He said the incumbent CM Eknath Shinde will step down before he gets enough experience for the top job. Senior NCP leader and Lok Sabha MP Sunil Tatkare, who was accompanied by Ajit Pawar in Pune, said the state needs Ajit Pawar-like chief minister to put the state on the path to progress.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); ALSO READ| Shinde going, going... Ajit Pawar readies to be Maha successor Tatkare is part of a trio who are discussing with the BJP the future alignment and the possibility of making Ajit Pawar the chief minister. Sources said he has not given up the idea of joining the BJP and getting the top post. The BJP is unhappy with Eknath Shindes performance. Shinde has failed to deliver. The BJP does not want to take any risk ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Therefore, the BJP is trying hard to get Ajit Pawar and NCP on board so that they can cultivate him as they did in the case of Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma who earlier was with the Congress, said a source requesting anonymity. Meanwhile, in clear hints of the souring of relations between Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray) and NCP both are partners in the MVA alliance Ajit Pawar on Friday asked: Who is Sanjay Raut? In his response, Raut played it cool, saying Ajit Pawar is a very sweet person and that he has no differences with him. The BJP is trying to divide us, but we in the MVA will remain united. I have no difference with any member of the Pawar family. We are together, said Raut. Ajit Pawar is apparently upset with Rauts weekly column in Saamana. The article sought to reveal details of a discussion between NCP chief Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray at the formers Silver Oak residence. In the column, Raut claimed the Central agencies were pressuring NCP leaders and trying to break the families and party that includes Ajit Pawar and NCP leaders so that they can join the BJP. In the article, Raut said that BJP is trying to break NCP after breaking Shiv Sena and called its the Big Boss-Season-II in Maharashtra. Replying to Raut, without taking his name, Ajit Pawar attacked the Shiv Sena (Uddhav). People should not write about what is happening in other parties. They are free to write about their own party in their party mouthpiece. They should not try to be the advocate or spokesperson for our party. I will raise the issue in the MVA meeting, Pawar said. Power play NCP sources say the BJP is unhappy with the performance of CM Eknath Shinde. They said the BJP does not want to take any risk ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Therefore, it is trying hard to get Ajit Pawar and NCP on board so that they can cultivate him as they did in the case of Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, said a source. In another development, Ajit Pawar on Friday asked: Who is Sanjay Raut? In his response, Raut played it cool, saying Ajit Pawar is a very sweet person and that he has no differences with him. The BJP is trying to divide us, said Sanjay Raut of Shiv Sena(Uddhav). By Express News Service NEW DELHI: The Gujarat government on Monday told the Supreme Court that convicts in the 2002 Godhra train burning case were not eligible for premature release. The states submission was made by SG Tushar Mehta before the bench of CJI DY Chandrachud, Justices PS Narasimha and JB Pardiwala. Convicts do not qualify for premature release as TADA provisions had been invoked against them, said SG Mehta pursuant to CJIs query whether the convicts are eligible under the states premature release policy. Opposing their appeal, Mehta also told the bench that the case fell into the category of rarest of rare since it involved the death of 59 people. This is the case where 59 people were burnt alive. It is consistent that the (train) bogey was locked from the outside. Those who died included women and children. See the first convict who has challenged the sentence. He was identified in Test Identification Parade. He was hurling stones with the motive of not letting passengers come out said Mehta. The second, said Mehta, his role is also clear. In the third convicts case, the distinction is that a deadly weapon was found on him. The fourth one played an active role in hatching the conspiracy. He purchased petrol, stored petrol, and used it for the purpose of burning. We will be pressing that this is the rarest of rare cases- 59 people died, Mehta further said. Considering Mehtas contention, the bench while directing the applicants and states counsel to prepare a chart of the accused with relevant details posted the pleas after three weeks. The courts order was passed while dealing with a plea against the Gujarat HCs 2017 verdict that had appraised the conviction of the convicts. The HC had recently commuted the death sentences. NEW DELHI: The Gujarat government on Monday told the Supreme Court that convicts in the 2002 Godhra train burning case were not eligible for premature release. The states submission was made by SG Tushar Mehta before the bench of CJI DY Chandrachud, Justices PS Narasimha and JB Pardiwala. Convicts do not qualify for premature release as TADA provisions had been invoked against them, said SG Mehta pursuant to CJIs query whether the convicts are eligible under the states premature release policy. Opposing their appeal, Mehta also told the bench that the case fell into the category of rarest of rare since it involved the death of 59 people. This is the case where 59 people were burnt alive. It is consistent that the (train) bogey was locked from the outside. Those who died included women and children. See the first convict who has challenged the sentence. He was identified in Test Identification Parade. He was hurling stones with the motive of not letting passengers come out said Mehta.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The second, said Mehta, his role is also clear. In the third convicts case, the distinction is that a deadly weapon was found on him. The fourth one played an active role in hatching the conspiracy. He purchased petrol, stored petrol, and used it for the purpose of burning. We will be pressing that this is the rarest of rare cases- 59 people died, Mehta further said. Considering Mehtas contention, the bench while directing the applicants and states counsel to prepare a chart of the accused with relevant details posted the pleas after three weeks. The courts order was passed while dealing with a plea against the Gujarat HCs 2017 verdict that had appraised the conviction of the convicts. The HC had recently commuted the death sentences. Fayaz Wani By Express News Service SRINAGAR: Kashmir Police, on Tuesday, said two militants involved in the recent killing of Kashmiri Pandit Sanjay Sharma were killed in an encounter in the Awantipora area of Pulwama in south Kashmir. An Army jawan was also killed. A police official said a search operation was launched by troops at the Padgampora area of Pulwama in the early hours today after receiving inputs about the presence of militants. He said during the search operation, an encounter took place in which the local militants were killed. During the encounter, a soldier working with 55 Rashtriya Rifles received a bullet in his thigh, puncturing a main artery. He died later. #AwantiporaEncounterUpdate: Killed #terrorist identified as Aqib Mustaq Bhat of #Pulwama (A category). He initially worked for HM #terror outfit, nowadays he had been working with TRF. #Killer of late Sanjay Sharma #neutralised: ADGP Kashmir@JmuKmrPolice https://t.co/1EdTeobWYP Kashmir Zone Police (@KashmirPolice) February 28, 2023 Aqib Mustaq Bhat, a TRF (The Resistance Front) militant, was killed on mosque premises. The other, identified as Ajaz Ahmed Bhat, a resident of Trall near Pulwama, jumped out, possibly from a window, and took refuge in a house close to the mosque." Aqib was an A category militant and was initially working with Hizbul Mujahideen, but was now working with TRF," Additional Director General of Police Kashmir Zone, Vijay Kumar said. Militants on Sunday morning shot dead Sanjay Sharma, a father of three, at Achen village in Pulwama while he was on way to a local market. His killing had evoked strong condemnation. The locals of the area also strongly condemned the killing and made all arrangements for the cremation of the body of Sanjay. WATCH: SRINAGAR: Kashmir Police, on Tuesday, said two militants involved in the recent killing of Kashmiri Pandit Sanjay Sharma were killed in an encounter in the Awantipora area of Pulwama in south Kashmir. An Army jawan was also killed. A police official said a search operation was launched by troops at the Padgampora area of Pulwama in the early hours today after receiving inputs about the presence of militants. He said during the search operation, an encounter took place in which the local militants were killed. During the encounter, a soldier working with 55 Rashtriya Rifles received a bullet in his thigh, puncturing a main artery. He died later.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); #AwantiporaEncounterUpdate: Killed #terrorist identified as Aqib Mustaq Bhat of #Pulwama (A category). He initially worked for HM #terror outfit, nowadays he had been working with TRF. #Killer of late Sanjay Sharma #neutralised: ADGP Kashmir@JmuKmrPolice https://t.co/1EdTeobWYP Kashmir Zone Police (@KashmirPolice) February 28, 2023 Aqib Mustaq Bhat, a TRF (The Resistance Front) militant, was killed on mosque premises. The other, identified as Ajaz Ahmed Bhat, a resident of Trall near Pulwama, jumped out, possibly from a window, and took refuge in a house close to the mosque." Aqib was an A category militant and was initially working with Hizbul Mujahideen, but was now working with TRF," Additional Director General of Police Kashmir Zone, Vijay Kumar said. Militants on Sunday morning shot dead Sanjay Sharma, a father of three, at Achen village in Pulwama while he was on way to a local market. His killing had evoked strong condemnation. The locals of the area also strongly condemned the killing and made all arrangements for the cremation of the body of Sanjay. WATCH: NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue (L) and President of the National Assembly of People's Power of Cuba Esteban Lazo Hernandez exchange agreements on the establishment of an inter-parliament cooperation mechanism. Photo by VNA National Assembly chairman Vuong Dinh Hue announced the decision to donate 5,000 tonnes of rice to the Cuban people during his visit on Thursday. Hue announced the donation during his meeting with President of the National Assembly of People's Power of Cuba Esteban Lazo Hernandez. On behalf of the Vietnamese National Assembly, he also gifted 300 tablets symbolically to Cuba's National Assembly and People's Councils, according to a statement from Vietnam's NA. At the talks, which took place following a welcome ceremony for the Vietnamese top legislator, the two legislators compared notes on orientations and measures to further strengthen the fraternal solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, States, legislatures and peoples. They also briefed each other on the domestic situation, and exchanged views on regional and international issues of shared concern. Lazo Hernandez noted that the visit by Hue and his entourage is the first by a foreign high-ranking delegation to Cuba after the successful parliamentary elections in the Caribbean nation. He called it a hallmark contributing to deepening the bilateral relations and fraternal solidarity between the two countries, especially in the context of Cuba celebrating the 62nd anniversary of the Giron Victory and the declaration of the socialist character of the Revolution (April 1961), and the 70th anniversary of the Moncada Barracks attack in Cuba (June 1953), and the two countries marking the 60th anniversary of Cuba's establishment of the Committee for Solidarity with South Vietnam (September 1963), and 50 years after Cuban leader Fidel Castro's first visit to Vietnam and to the liberated zone in South Vietnam (September 1973). The Cuban leader spoke highly of the Vietnamese delegation that includes representatives from the Vietnamese legislature, ministries and agencies relating to major cooperation areas between the two countries, and welcomed the participation of Vietnamese enterprises. Lazo Hernandez affirmed that Cuba always attaches importance to and wishes to deepen the special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation with Vietnam. He also lauded and congratulated Vietnam on achievements the country recorded in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic, maintaining economic growth and ensuring social welfare. The leader used the occasion to thank the Vietnamese Party, State and people for their solidarity and sincere support for the revolutionary cause in Cuba as well as its cause of national defense, construction and development, especially in the present difficult time. For his part, Hue congratulated Cuba on its successful organization of the 10th national assembly election and the April 19 session of the 10th NA of the Peoples Power of Cuba that elected State and Government leaders for 2023-2028. The Vietnamese Party, State and people fully believe that under the leadership of the Cuban Party and State, the Cuban people will reap more attainments in defending and building a socialist nation of prosperity and happiness, he affirmed. He also congratulated Lazo Hernandez on his re-election as President of the NA of People's Power of Cuba, and invited him to soon visit Vietnam again. He presented the book titled "Several theoretical and practical issues on socialism and the path toward socialism in Vietnam" by Party General Secretary Trong to the Cuban top legislator. He also thanked Cuba for its dispatch of experts to Vietnam in the pandemic combat, and donation of Covid-19 drugs and 5 million doses of Abdal vaccine. The two leaders exchanged ideas on bilateral agendas and agreed on measures to strengthen relations and cooperation, and rejoiced at the developments of the special Vietnam-Cuba relations in the complex developments of the world situation. They agreed that in the time to come, they will continue to closely coordinate in intensifying the exchange of delegations at various levels and regularly maintain cooperation mechanism. The two sides also agreed to continue supporting policies for firms to increase their investment in the fields suitable to the need, conditions and capacities of each country; effectively implement projects on developing the production of rice, maize and aquaculture in Cuba; and at the same time continue realizing key cooperation fields such as biotechnology, health care, tourism infrastructure, etc. The two leaders stressed the importance of and agreed to coordinate closely in the activities related to the celebration of the 60th anniversary of Cuba's Committee for Solidarity with South Vietnam, the 50th anniversary of Fidel Castro's first visit to Vietnam and to the liberated zone in South Vietnam to be held in Santiago de Cuba and Vietnam's Quang Tri and Quang Binh provinces; thus continuing to further nurture and develop the two countries' special, exemplary and faithful relations of friendship and solidarity, the foundation of which was laid by President Ho Chi Minh and President Fidel Castro. Dilip Singh Kshatriya By Express News Service AHMEDABAD: Gujarats Panchmahal districts Halol town court has acquitted 22 people in a 2002 post-Godhra communal riots case due to lack of evidence, in which they were accused of killing 17 members of a minority community, including two children. The prosecution stated that on February 28, 2002 the victims were killed and their bodies were disposed of by burning to conceal any potential evidence. Defense lawyer Gopalsinh Solanki said, The court of Additional Sessions Judge Harsh Trivedi on Tuesday acquitted all the 22 accused, eight of whom died during the pendency of the case, The court acquitted all the accused in the case of rioting and murder of 17 members of a minority community, including two children, in Delol village of the district for want of evidence, He added Communal riots had broken out in different parts of the state a day after a train bogie of the Sabarmati Express was torched by a mob near Godhra town in Panchmahal district on February 27, 2002, killing 59 passengers, most of them karsevaks returning from Ayodhya. An FIR was lodged under Indian Penal Code sections pertaining to murder and rioting after the violence in Delol village. Another police inspector lodged a case afresh nearly two years after the incident and arrested 22 people for their alleged involvement in the riots. Defense lawyer Solanki said, The prosecution was unable to gather enough evidence against the accused persons, witnesses turned hostile, and bodies of the victims were never found. Police recovered bones, but they were charred so much that they could not be identified. Witness turned hostile, bodies never found Defense lawyer Solanki said, The prosecution was unable to gather enough evidence against the accused persons, witnesses turned hostile, and bodies of the victims were never found. Police recovered bones, but they were charred so much that they could not be identified. AHMEDABAD: Gujarats Panchmahal districts Halol town court has acquitted 22 people in a 2002 post-Godhra communal riots case due to lack of evidence, in which they were accused of killing 17 members of a minority community, including two children. The prosecution stated that on February 28, 2002 the victims were killed and their bodies were disposed of by burning to conceal any potential evidence. Defense lawyer Gopalsinh Solanki said, The court of Additional Sessions Judge Harsh Trivedi on Tuesday acquitted all the 22 accused, eight of whom died during the pendency of the case, The court acquitted all the accused in the case of rioting and murder of 17 members of a minority community, including two children, in Delol village of the district for want of evidence, He added Communal riots had broken out in different parts of the state a day after a train bogie of the Sabarmati Express was torched by a mob near Godhra town in Panchmahal district on February 27, 2002, killing 59 passengers, most of them karsevaks returning from Ayodhya.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); An FIR was lodged under Indian Penal Code sections pertaining to murder and rioting after the violence in Delol village. Another police inspector lodged a case afresh nearly two years after the incident and arrested 22 people for their alleged involvement in the riots. Defense lawyer Solanki said, The prosecution was unable to gather enough evidence against the accused persons, witnesses turned hostile, and bodies of the victims were never found. Police recovered bones, but they were charred so much that they could not be identified. Witness turned hostile, bodies never found Defense lawyer Solanki said, The prosecution was unable to gather enough evidence against the accused persons, witnesses turned hostile, and bodies of the victims were never found. Police recovered bones, but they were charred so much that they could not be identified. By Express News Service BENGALURU: Going by its two lists of candidates, the Congress in Karnataka may not yet have understood the importance of caste combinations, and the Lingayats, say community leaders. The caste-wise breakup of candidates shows that Lingayats, who make up 17-20 per cent of the population, have got 37 seats, despite asking for more. Veerashaiva Mahasabha secretary Renuka Prasanna said, The community has asked for about 16 more seats in the third list, which is expected soon. Of 100 seats after the first 124 constituencies were declared, Lingayats sought about 16 seats, but may end up with only four more, laments the Veerashaiva-Lingayat community. Sources said the Congress was considering non-Lingayat candidates in Hosadurga, which has over 55,000 Lingayats, and in Kadur and Tarikere, which is home to 60,000-65,000 Lingayats. Although Harihar had a large Lingayat population, the party has opted for a non-Lingayat candidate, who may still pull it off as he is the sitting MLA. Considering the large Lingayat population in Shikaripura, Shivamogga, Honnali, Byadagi and Ranebennur, community leaders question whether the Congress is doing the right thing by pegging its hope on non-Lingayats to deliver these seats. In Tarikere, the party could have considered giving the ticket to the small Madivala community instead of a Kuruba, and won over the backward communities. The backwards were seeking one seat each in Belagavi and Vijayapura districts. After MC Managuli passed away, the Lingayats wanted another community leader to replace him. Similarly, they are asking that the Chickpet ticket be given to Gangambike, a Lingayat, as the seat has a large number of Lingayats, as also Krishnaraja in Mysuru. Congress should consider winnability along with social justice while considering candidates, Prasanna said. BENGALURU: Going by its two lists of candidates, the Congress in Karnataka may not yet have understood the importance of caste combinations, and the Lingayats, say community leaders. The caste-wise breakup of candidates shows that Lingayats, who make up 17-20 per cent of the population, have got 37 seats, despite asking for more. Veerashaiva Mahasabha secretary Renuka Prasanna said, The community has asked for about 16 more seats in the third list, which is expected soon. Of 100 seats after the first 124 constituencies were declared, Lingayats sought about 16 seats, but may end up with only four more, laments the Veerashaiva-Lingayat community. Sources said the Congress was considering non-Lingayat candidates in Hosadurga, which has over 55,000 Lingayats, and in Kadur and Tarikere, which is home to 60,000-65,000 Lingayats. Although Harihar had a large Lingayat population, the party has opted for a non-Lingayat candidate, who may still pull it off as he is the sitting MLA.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Considering the large Lingayat population in Shikaripura, Shivamogga, Honnali, Byadagi and Ranebennur, community leaders question whether the Congress is doing the right thing by pegging its hope on non-Lingayats to deliver these seats. In Tarikere, the party could have considered giving the ticket to the small Madivala community instead of a Kuruba, and won over the backward communities. The backwards were seeking one seat each in Belagavi and Vijayapura districts. After MC Managuli passed away, the Lingayats wanted another community leader to replace him. Similarly, they are asking that the Chickpet ticket be given to Gangambike, a Lingayat, as the seat has a large number of Lingayats, as also Krishnaraja in Mysuru. Congress should consider winnability along with social justice while considering candidates, Prasanna said. By PTI BENGALURU: Senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah on Friday said the "Modi factor" would not have an impact in the May 10 Karnataka Assembly polls and expects Muslims to solidly back his party by opting for tactical voting. In an interview with PTI, the former Chief Minister also said the polls would be mainly fought on local issues and insisted a victory in the southern state would serve as a stepping stone for the Congress in national politics ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The 75-year-old Leader of Opposition, who reiterated this will be his last electoral battle, said he expects 90 per cent of Muslim voters to back the Congress. The ruling BJP is facing strong anti-incumbency. The veteran also ruled out any differences with state Congress president and fellow chief minister aspirant DK Shivakumar, even as he asserted anyone can aspire to come to such posts. Following are the excerpts from the interview: Q: Whether the election will be fought on local issues or will there also be a Narendra Modi vs Rahul Gandhi contest? A: This election will be fought mainly on local and development issues. We are raising only local issues and development we made during our tenure and also during Congress governments earlier. The Modi versus Rahul contest is there at the national level mainly because people are projecting like that, but it is the fight between two ideologies -- communal and secular politics. Q: The impact of the "Modi factor" A: (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi's visits will not make any impact on the voters of Karnataka, because this is a state election, this is not a national election. The main issues the people are going to consider are local issues and the misrule of the BJP government. ALSO READ | Aim for 150 seats or else BJP will 'steal' next govt, Rahul tells Congress Q: On Whether Muslims, who constitute 10-12 per cent of the population, opt for tactical voting in favour of Congress in Karnataka, as they did for Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal. A: In Karnataka also it looks like Muslims have decided that the Congress party will come back to power and they have faith in the Congress party and its leadership. Congress is the only party that safeguards the interest of the minorities in the state. More than 90 per cent we are expecting from the Muslim community and Christian community also. Definitely, they will vote for Congress only. That's what I hope. Q: On the adverse impact of the presence of SDPI (Social Democratic Party of India) candidates on Congress prospects. A: Every voter is very intelligent, including Muslims. They don't want to split their votes between SDPI and Congress, as they know that it will help BJP, the communal party. I hope they will vote for the Congress party only. Q: On Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and his advice to Karnataka Congress vis-a-vis election strategy. A: People of Karnataka have a lot of hopes on Rahul Gandhi. After his padayatra (Bharat Jodo Yatra) in the entire country his image has enhanced. In Karnataka also people hope Rahul Gandhi should become the Prime Minister. He is aware of the political situation in Karnataka, he is advising to go together and fight together and bring back the party to power in Karnataka, as there is ample opportunity for the Congress party to come to power. Q: On perception about political one-upmanship between him and state Congress chief D K Shivakumar to become CM in the event of Congress coming to power. A: There are no differences between me and D K Shivakumar politically. He is an aspirant, I'm also an aspirant. In a democracy, anyone can have aspiration. I don't think it is wrong to have an aspiration in democracy. The opinion will be collected after the election; based on the opinion of the MLAs the high command will take a decision (on CM). ALSO READ | 10 CM aspirants in Congress, I'm one of them: G Parameshwara Q: On the importance of Karnataka poll outcome for Congress' revival nationally. A: From the point of view of national politics and upcoming parliament elections it is very important. If we win Karnataka, it will be a stepping stone for national politics. Q: On Congress' poll guarantees and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's claim that it will require Rs one lakh crore. A: No, it will not come to Rs 1 lakh crore. We have worked out economic implications on the state exchequer, it will be around Rs 50,000 crores from all the four guarantees we have promised. It will not be difficult for Karnataka state, whose budget size is Rs 3,10,000 crore and every year it increases by Rs 25-30,000 crore. I know the economy of Karnataka and the implications of the promises we have made. I think Karnataka can implement all these programmes. I have presented 13 budgets so far in Karnataka since 1994. Q: On BJP fielding senior Minister Somanna against him and another Minister R Ashoka against D K Shivakumar? A: Their intention may be to tie us down (in our constituencies), but it is not possible. I have told people in my Varuna constituency that I will come for campaigning for just two days, other days I will campaign in other constituencies. ALSO READ | Varuna constituency will be no cakewalk for Siddaramaiah Q: Whether Congress is open to the idea of aligning with JD(S) in case of a hung verdict. A: That question does not arise at all. People are fed up with the coalition government and the BJP government. They want Congress to come to power, they have decided to give it an opportunity. Q: On JD(S) prospects in the election. A: They will not cross 25 seats. Q: How many seats Congress will get? A: According to me, Congress will get more than 120 seats (out of the total 224), it may reach 150 also. This time the wind is in favour of the Congress party. ALSO READ| DKS predicts 141 seats for Congress in Karnataka polls Q: On discontent, rebellion and desertion in Congress after ticket distribution. A: We are talking to them. In a democracy, the rebels will always be there. Not only in Congress, but in other political parties also. Q: On why the high command did not allow him to contest from two seats, as per his desire. A: I didn't say that I will contest from two constituencies. My son (Yathidra, sitting MLA) wanted me to contest from Varuna this time, after I was reluctant to contest from Badami, because it is a far-off place and it was difficult for me to visit there at least once in 15 days. Leaders and workers wanted me to contest from Kolar, so I told them if high command permits I will contest. As my son was very particular that I should contest from Varuna, and as it is my native constituency and since it is going to be my last election, I decided to contest from Varuna. Yathidra has taken the responsibility of campaigning in the entire constituency as he has been the MLA for five years. Q: The impact of reservation-related decisions of the BJP government taken during the fag end of its tenure? A: It is a political decision taken by the BJP government, it doesn't mean they are committed to social justice. BJP is never committed to or has spoken in favour of social justice. BJP is against reservation. Suddenly as the election approached they took a decision not in accordance with the provisions of the constitution. It should have been included in the 9th schedule (Of the Constitution) to provide a safeguard, as the reservation has breached the 50 per cent cap and reached 56 per cent. It is an eyewash to SC/STs. They claim it to be a 'double engine government' with BJP both in state and centre, they should have ensured inclusion under the 9th schedule. ALSO READ | SC calls Karnataka govt's move to scrap four per cent Muslim quota 'flawed' Q: On Congress campaign so far spearheaded by only local leaders? A: Rahul Gandhi is also coming. He had come to Kolar and Belagavi. Again he is coming on April 23. Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, they will all come, in addition to myself and D K Shivakumar and other state leaders. Q: On BJP leaders targeting him more compared to other Congress leaders. A: Number one is, they target me because they are afraid of me. Number two-- the people of Karnataka have decided that the Congress party will come back to power. The people of Karnataka always love me and adore me, that's why they (BJP) are afraid of me. Q: On the coming election being his last. A: Yes, this is going to be my last election. Q: On whether he wants to leave electoral politics on a high note as a Chief Minister. A: Let us see. Chief Ministership...the elected MLAs will take a decision; before that, I can't call myself the Chief Minister of the state. Q: What gives you the confidence that people will give a clear mandate to Congress this time? A: Because BJP is facing strong anti-incumbency. According to my understanding of the people and as I know the pulse of the people in Karnataka, they have decided to back the Congress party. READ MORE: Lingayats hold key to electoral outcome in poll-bound Karnataka Can BJP or some smaller outfits make a mark in Mandya? Exodus of Lingayat leaders may jeopardise BJP's prospects in Kittur Karnataka BENGALURU: Senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah on Friday said the "Modi factor" would not have an impact in the May 10 Karnataka Assembly polls and expects Muslims to solidly back his party by opting for tactical voting. In an interview with PTI, the former Chief Minister also said the polls would be mainly fought on local issues and insisted a victory in the southern state would serve as a stepping stone for the Congress in national politics ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The 75-year-old Leader of Opposition, who reiterated this will be his last electoral battle, said he expects 90 per cent of Muslim voters to back the Congress.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The ruling BJP is facing strong anti-incumbency. The veteran also ruled out any differences with state Congress president and fellow chief minister aspirant DK Shivakumar, even as he asserted anyone can aspire to come to such posts. Following are the excerpts from the interview: Q: Whether the election will be fought on local issues or will there also be a Narendra Modi vs Rahul Gandhi contest? A: This election will be fought mainly on local and development issues. We are raising only local issues and development we made during our tenure and also during Congress governments earlier. The Modi versus Rahul contest is there at the national level mainly because people are projecting like that, but it is the fight between two ideologies -- communal and secular politics. Q: The impact of the "Modi factor" A: (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi's visits will not make any impact on the voters of Karnataka, because this is a state election, this is not a national election. The main issues the people are going to consider are local issues and the misrule of the BJP government. ALSO READ | Aim for 150 seats or else BJP will 'steal' next govt, Rahul tells Congress Q: On Whether Muslims, who constitute 10-12 per cent of the population, opt for tactical voting in favour of Congress in Karnataka, as they did for Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal. A: In Karnataka also it looks like Muslims have decided that the Congress party will come back to power and they have faith in the Congress party and its leadership. Congress is the only party that safeguards the interest of the minorities in the state. More than 90 per cent we are expecting from the Muslim community and Christian community also. Definitely, they will vote for Congress only. That's what I hope. Q: On the adverse impact of the presence of SDPI (Social Democratic Party of India) candidates on Congress prospects. A: Every voter is very intelligent, including Muslims. They don't want to split their votes between SDPI and Congress, as they know that it will help BJP, the communal party. I hope they will vote for the Congress party only. Q: On Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and his advice to Karnataka Congress vis-a-vis election strategy. A: People of Karnataka have a lot of hopes on Rahul Gandhi. After his padayatra (Bharat Jodo Yatra) in the entire country his image has enhanced. In Karnataka also people hope Rahul Gandhi should become the Prime Minister. He is aware of the political situation in Karnataka, he is advising to go together and fight together and bring back the party to power in Karnataka, as there is ample opportunity for the Congress party to come to power. Q: On perception about political one-upmanship between him and state Congress chief D K Shivakumar to become CM in the event of Congress coming to power. A: There are no differences between me and D K Shivakumar politically. He is an aspirant, I'm also an aspirant. In a democracy, anyone can have aspiration. I don't think it is wrong to have an aspiration in democracy. The opinion will be collected after the election; based on the opinion of the MLAs the high command will take a decision (on CM). ALSO READ | 10 CM aspirants in Congress, I'm one of them: G Parameshwara Q: On the importance of Karnataka poll outcome for Congress' revival nationally. A: From the point of view of national politics and upcoming parliament elections it is very important. If we win Karnataka, it will be a stepping stone for national politics. Q: On Congress' poll guarantees and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's claim that it will require Rs one lakh crore. A: No, it will not come to Rs 1 lakh crore. We have worked out economic implications on the state exchequer, it will be around Rs 50,000 crores from all the four guarantees we have promised. It will not be difficult for Karnataka state, whose budget size is Rs 3,10,000 crore and every year it increases by Rs 25-30,000 crore. I know the economy of Karnataka and the implications of the promises we have made. I think Karnataka can implement all these programmes. I have presented 13 budgets so far in Karnataka since 1994. Q: On BJP fielding senior Minister Somanna against him and another Minister R Ashoka against D K Shivakumar? A: Their intention may be to tie us down (in our constituencies), but it is not possible. I have told people in my Varuna constituency that I will come for campaigning for just two days, other days I will campaign in other constituencies. ALSO READ | Varuna constituency will be no cakewalk for Siddaramaiah Q: Whether Congress is open to the idea of aligning with JD(S) in case of a hung verdict. A: That question does not arise at all. People are fed up with the coalition government and the BJP government. They want Congress to come to power, they have decided to give it an opportunity. Q: On JD(S) prospects in the election. A: They will not cross 25 seats. Q: How many seats Congress will get? A: According to me, Congress will get more than 120 seats (out of the total 224), it may reach 150 also. This time the wind is in favour of the Congress party. ALSO READ| DKS predicts 141 seats for Congress in Karnataka polls Q: On discontent, rebellion and desertion in Congress after ticket distribution. A: We are talking to them. In a democracy, the rebels will always be there. Not only in Congress, but in other political parties also. Q: On why the high command did not allow him to contest from two seats, as per his desire. A: I didn't say that I will contest from two constituencies. My son (Yathidra, sitting MLA) wanted me to contest from Varuna this time, after I was reluctant to contest from Badami, because it is a far-off place and it was difficult for me to visit there at least once in 15 days. Leaders and workers wanted me to contest from Kolar, so I told them if high command permits I will contest. As my son was very particular that I should contest from Varuna, and as it is my native constituency and since it is going to be my last election, I decided to contest from Varuna. Yathidra has taken the responsibility of campaigning in the entire constituency as he has been the MLA for five years. Q: The impact of reservation-related decisions of the BJP government taken during the fag end of its tenure? A: It is a political decision taken by the BJP government, it doesn't mean they are committed to social justice. BJP is never committed to or has spoken in favour of social justice. BJP is against reservation. Suddenly as the election approached they took a decision not in accordance with the provisions of the constitution. It should have been included in the 9th schedule (Of the Constitution) to provide a safeguard, as the reservation has breached the 50 per cent cap and reached 56 per cent. It is an eyewash to SC/STs. They claim it to be a 'double engine government' with BJP both in state and centre, they should have ensured inclusion under the 9th schedule. ALSO READ | SC calls Karnataka govt's move to scrap four per cent Muslim quota 'flawed' Q: On Congress campaign so far spearheaded by only local leaders? A: Rahul Gandhi is also coming. He had come to Kolar and Belagavi. Again he is coming on April 23. Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, they will all come, in addition to myself and D K Shivakumar and other state leaders. Q: On BJP leaders targeting him more compared to other Congress leaders. A: Number one is, they target me because they are afraid of me. Number two-- the people of Karnataka have decided that the Congress party will come back to power. The people of Karnataka always love me and adore me, that's why they (BJP) are afraid of me. Q: On the coming election being his last. A: Yes, this is going to be my last election. Q: On whether he wants to leave electoral politics on a high note as a Chief Minister. A: Let us see. Chief Ministership...the elected MLAs will take a decision; before that, I can't call myself the Chief Minister of the state. Q: What gives you the confidence that people will give a clear mandate to Congress this time? A: Because BJP is facing strong anti-incumbency. According to my understanding of the people and as I know the pulse of the people in Karnataka, they have decided to back the Congress party. READ MORE: Lingayats hold key to electoral outcome in poll-bound Karnataka Can BJP or some smaller outfits make a mark in Mandya? Exodus of Lingayat leaders may jeopardise BJP's prospects in Kittur Karnataka By Express News Service BENGALURU: With the Congress hitting out at the BJP and terming the party anti-Lingayat, the BJP is gearing up to project itself as pro-Lingayat. Community leaders held a meeting at former CM BS Yediyurappas residence late Wednesday night, demanding that the party announce the next chief minister too from the Lingayat community. Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Thursday said they discussed how to respond to the falsehood by the Congress. Leaders expressed their views about a Lingayat CM, and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan assured them he would speak about it to party leaders, he said. Lingayats, whose population is close to 20 per cent in Karnataka, is the strongest community. After former CM Jagadish Shettar and former deputy CM Laxman Savadi quit the BJP to join the Congress, leaders of the grand old party are terming the BJP anti-Lingayat. Speaking to reporters, Bommai recalled that the Congress unceremoniously removed Veerendra Patil as chief minister, and the statement was issued at the airport. Congress leader M Rajashekara Murthy was also neglected. The party tried to divide the Lingayat religion. People will not pardon the party for doing it just for the vote bank politics. The Congress cheated Dalits, backward classes and Lingayats, he said. Asked about the Lingayat leaders demand, Bommai said no decision has been taken regarding the chief minister. The meeting of Lingayat leaders was to take stock of the current political situation. A few leaders have given suggestions on how to respond to Congress allegations and also regarding a Lingayat CM. No decision has been taken on announcing a Lingayat CM, he added. ALSO READ| Congress against development of Lingayats, says Basavaraj Bommai BJP sources said since Congress is continuously trying to project the BJP as anti-Lingayat, candidates were told to stress on the reservation policy that has increased quota for Lingayats. They were also told to recall how the Congress, when Siddaramaiah was chief minister, attempted to divide the religion and get a separate Lingayat religion tag. Meanwhile, national BJP leaders and Union ministers have been visiting Lingayat mutts whenever they are in Karnataka. BJP leaders and candidates were also told to slam the Congress on social media. BJP Shikaripura candidate BY Vijayendra tweeted, Congress tried to divide and reduce Veerashaiva-Lingayat unity for its vote bank politics. Can anyone deny that? Truth is BJP has always been accommodative of Lingayat community & its aspirations. Lingayats have got the maximum number of representation from BJP. Its a crude joke that Congress still has the audacity to talk about Lingayats. BENGALURU: With the Congress hitting out at the BJP and terming the party anti-Lingayat, the BJP is gearing up to project itself as pro-Lingayat. Community leaders held a meeting at former CM BS Yediyurappas residence late Wednesday night, demanding that the party announce the next chief minister too from the Lingayat community. Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Thursday said they discussed how to respond to the falsehood by the Congress. Leaders expressed their views about a Lingayat CM, and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan assured them he would speak about it to party leaders, he said. Lingayats, whose population is close to 20 per cent in Karnataka, is the strongest community. After former CM Jagadish Shettar and former deputy CM Laxman Savadi quit the BJP to join the Congress, leaders of the grand old party are terming the BJP anti-Lingayat. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Speaking to reporters, Bommai recalled that the Congress unceremoniously removed Veerendra Patil as chief minister, and the statement was issued at the airport. Congress leader M Rajashekara Murthy was also neglected. The party tried to divide the Lingayat religion. People will not pardon the party for doing it just for the vote bank politics. The Congress cheated Dalits, backward classes and Lingayats, he said. Asked about the Lingayat leaders demand, Bommai said no decision has been taken regarding the chief minister. The meeting of Lingayat leaders was to take stock of the current political situation. A few leaders have given suggestions on how to respond to Congress allegations and also regarding a Lingayat CM. No decision has been taken on announcing a Lingayat CM, he added. ALSO READ| Congress against development of Lingayats, says Basavaraj Bommai BJP sources said since Congress is continuously trying to project the BJP as anti-Lingayat, candidates were told to stress on the reservation policy that has increased quota for Lingayats. They were also told to recall how the Congress, when Siddaramaiah was chief minister, attempted to divide the religion and get a separate Lingayat religion tag. Meanwhile, national BJP leaders and Union ministers have been visiting Lingayat mutts whenever they are in Karnataka. BJP leaders and candidates were also told to slam the Congress on social media. BJP Shikaripura candidate BY Vijayendra tweeted, Congress tried to divide and reduce Veerashaiva-Lingayat unity for its vote bank politics. Can anyone deny that? Truth is BJP has always been accommodative of Lingayat community & its aspirations. Lingayats have got the maximum number of representation from BJP. Its a crude joke that Congress still has the audacity to talk about Lingayats. By Express News Service KOZHIKODE: Unlike previous years, more pilgrims will embark on Haj pilgrimage this year from Kozhikode airport. In all, 6,322 people will leave Kozhikode for the holy land. A total of 10,331 pilgrims, including 6,322 from Kozhikode, 2,213 from Kochi and 1,796 from Kannur, will travel under the supervision of Kerala State Haj Committee this time. Among the pilgrims, 6,094 people belong to the general category, 2,807 are non-Mahram women and 1,430 are 70 years and above with special reservations. District-wise, the largest number of applicants is from Malappuram (6,694) followed by Kozhikode (4,308). The pilgrims will depart from three embarkation points namely Kozhikode, Kannur and Kochi. The application form submission was completed on March 20. This time the journey is straight to Mecca informed officials. Last year the pilgrims headed to Madinah first. Those selected have submitted Rs 81,000 and documents to the State Haj Committee. The second instalment of Rs 1,70,000 should be paid by the 24th of this month. The State Haj Committee has appointed 314 Haj Trainers to assist Haj pilgrims. Apart from these, Haj volunteers will be selected and given special training at the rate of one for every 300-400 pilgrims to assist the pilgrims in Mecca and Madinah. Classes will also be conducted for selected candidates in all districts. It will be inaugurated at the state level at 10 am on April 24 at Kottakal PM Auditorium by Haj and Minority Welfare Minister V Abdurrahman. Officials informed that classes will be completed in all districts by May 2. KOZHIKODE: Unlike previous years, more pilgrims will embark on Haj pilgrimage this year from Kozhikode airport. In all, 6,322 people will leave Kozhikode for the holy land. A total of 10,331 pilgrims, including 6,322 from Kozhikode, 2,213 from Kochi and 1,796 from Kannur, will travel under the supervision of Kerala State Haj Committee this time. Among the pilgrims, 6,094 people belong to the general category, 2,807 are non-Mahram women and 1,430 are 70 years and above with special reservations. District-wise, the largest number of applicants is from Malappuram (6,694) followed by Kozhikode (4,308). The pilgrims will depart from three embarkation points namely Kozhikode, Kannur and Kochi. The application form submission was completed on March 20. This time the journey is straight to Mecca informed officials. Last year the pilgrims headed to Madinah first. Those selected have submitted Rs 81,000 and documents to the State Haj Committee. The second instalment of Rs 1,70,000 should be paid by the 24th of this month.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The State Haj Committee has appointed 314 Haj Trainers to assist Haj pilgrims. Apart from these, Haj volunteers will be selected and given special training at the rate of one for every 300-400 pilgrims to assist the pilgrims in Mecca and Madinah. Classes will also be conducted for selected candidates in all districts. It will be inaugurated at the state level at 10 am on April 24 at Kottakal PM Auditorium by Haj and Minority Welfare Minister V Abdurrahman. Officials informed that classes will be completed in all districts by May 2. By Express News Service KRISHNAGIRI: A section of Dalits living in Kottayur, where clashes broke out them and caste Hindus recently, alleged that a two-tumbler system was practised in the village and that they are denied entry into a temple and hotels at Jeenmanatham village. A Basappa (27), a resident of the village , said, "On April 13, Maralinga, a Dalit, was hit by a caste Hindu man Mohan who was riding a two- wheeler. Following this clashes broke out between both communities. Apart from this, we are not allowed to sit and eat inside hotels owned by caste Hindus. We should only take parcels. Also, two tumbler system is followed in our village." Basappa told this to media persons on Thursday when he shared the dais with CPM state secretary K Balakrishnan, who announced a protest on May 3 condemning the recent caste killing in Uthangari and the plight of Dalits in Krishnagiri district. Balakrishnan invited all political parties and organisations to take part in the protest. "Krishnagiri district has witnessed three caste-related murders within a month. Police failed to arrest all those involved in the Kottayur clashes The Superintendent of Police has failed to protect people from SC and ST communities. We will take the issue to the notice of the chief minister and seek action against the SP." CPM state committee member P Dilli Babu said the district administration has not convened a peace committee meeting since the incident. This shows the lethargy of district administration handling a caste issue, he added. When contacted for a response about the discrimination charges, Krishnagiri Collector Deepak Jacob told TNIE, "Few days ago, I received a petition from VCK about two - tumbler system and temple entry issue. Revenue department staff conducted inquiries in the village and found that the complaints were not true. However, we will monitor the village. Police and revenue department has went to Kottayur village and interacted with people regarding the issue." KRISHNAGIRI: A section of Dalits living in Kottayur, where clashes broke out them and caste Hindus recently, alleged that a two-tumbler system was practised in the village and that they are denied entry into a temple and hotels at Jeenmanatham village. A Basappa (27), a resident of the village , said, "On April 13, Maralinga, a Dalit, was hit by a caste Hindu man Mohan who was riding a two- wheeler. Following this clashes broke out between both communities. Apart from this, we are not allowed to sit and eat inside hotels owned by caste Hindus. We should only take parcels. Also, two tumbler system is followed in our village." Basappa told this to media persons on Thursday when he shared the dais with CPM state secretary K Balakrishnan, who announced a protest on May 3 condemning the recent caste killing in Uthangari and the plight of Dalits in Krishnagiri district.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Balakrishnan invited all political parties and organisations to take part in the protest. "Krishnagiri district has witnessed three caste-related murders within a month. Police failed to arrest all those involved in the Kottayur clashes The Superintendent of Police has failed to protect people from SC and ST communities. We will take the issue to the notice of the chief minister and seek action against the SP." CPM state committee member P Dilli Babu said the district administration has not convened a peace committee meeting since the incident. This shows the lethargy of district administration handling a caste issue, he added. When contacted for a response about the discrimination charges, Krishnagiri Collector Deepak Jacob told TNIE, "Few days ago, I received a petition from VCK about two - tumbler system and temple entry issue. Revenue department staff conducted inquiries in the village and found that the complaints were not true. However, we will monitor the village. Police and revenue department has went to Kottayur village and interacted with people regarding the issue." By Online Desk A Russian warplane accidentally discharged a weapon that exploded in the Russian city of Belgorod, close to the Ukrainian border, late Thursday night, causing an explosion and injuring several people, Politico, quoting state media, reports. At around 22:15 Moscow time on April 20, when a Su-34 plane of the Russian Aerospace Forces was performing a flight above the city of Belgorod, an emergency release of an air ordnance occurred, the Russian defense ministry said in a statement to TASS, which didnt specify the weapon that caused the damage, the report said. The Sukhoi Su-34 is a supersonic fighter-bomber jet. Late on Thursday, local authorities reported a large blast in the city, which lies just across the border from Ukraine. The regional governor said two women had been injured, according to The Guardian. As a Sukhoi Su-34 air force plane was flying over the city of Belgorod there was an accidental discharge of aviation ammunition, the defence ministry said, according to Tass. Belgorods regional governor, Vyacheslav Gladkov, said earlier on Telegram that there had been an explosion in the center of the city, leaving a crater measuring 20 meters, with several cars and buildings damaged. The Politico, however, added that the Belgorod region, which is about an hours drive from the Ukrainian city Kharkiv, has been hit by rockets several times since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. A Russian warplane accidentally discharged a weapon that exploded in the Russian city of Belgorod, close to the Ukrainian border, late Thursday night, causing an explosion and injuring several people, Politico, quoting state media, reports. At around 22:15 Moscow time on April 20, when a Su-34 plane of the Russian Aerospace Forces was performing a flight above the city of Belgorod, an emergency release of an air ordnance occurred, the Russian defense ministry said in a statement to TASS, which didnt specify the weapon that caused the damage, the report said. The Sukhoi Su-34 is a supersonic fighter-bomber jet.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Late on Thursday, local authorities reported a large blast in the city, which lies just across the border from Ukraine. The regional governor said two women had been injured, according to The Guardian. As a Sukhoi Su-34 air force plane was flying over the city of Belgorod there was an accidental discharge of aviation ammunition, the defence ministry said, according to Tass. Belgorods regional governor, Vyacheslav Gladkov, said earlier on Telegram that there had been an explosion in the center of the city, leaving a crater measuring 20 meters, with several cars and buildings damaged. The Politico, however, added that the Belgorod region, which is about an hours drive from the Ukrainian city Kharkiv, has been hit by rockets several times since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Philippines approves tariff commitments under RCEP Manila, April 20: The Philippines on Thursday approved the executive order operationalising the country's tariff commitments under the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement. Philippines approves tariff commitments under RCEP National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary said the NEDA Board, chaired by President Ferdinand Marcos, also tasked government agencies to conduct a nationwide campaign on how the country can take full advantage of RCEP, reports Xinhua news agency.Marcos instructed agencies to "make it very clear" to the people RCEP's benefits to the country's agriculture sector and how it affects agriculture businesses and operations.Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual described RCEP as a "modern, comprehensive, high quality and mutually beneficial economic partnership agreement which provides opportunities for market access on trade, services, and investments"."The agreement also establishes clear, stable, and predictable rules on trade and investments in our region, which makes it more convenient and competitive for Philippine businesses and stores to be integrated into the global economy," Pascual said.Pascual said the executive order is proposed to be effective on June 2, to coincide with the end of the 60 days "after the deposit of the instrument of ratification".Ratified by the Philippine Senate on February 21, the RCEP is a massive free trade agreement involving Australia, China, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, and the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).It is the world's largest free trade bloc covering about 30 per cent of the world's population, as well as 30 per cent of the world's economic and trade volume.IANS20 April 2023 Shared Recently! Tourists in longtail boats in Phi Phi Islands, Thailand, on November 26, 2021. Photo by AFP The Thai police are investigating the drowning death of a 51-year-old American tourist Tuesday near the island of Koh Phi Phi Leh, a popular vacation destination in Krabi Province. They said he had been traveling with nine other friends, and they found him drowning in front of Viking Cave, a famous coral diving site, news portal Thaiger reported. They rushed him to a hospital where doctors provided him with CPR but were unable to save him. The police are investigating the cause of his death and are working with the American embassy and his family. Thailand has recently gained notoriety for a series of drowning accidents involving foreign tourists. Last month a Russian tourist drowned off an island in Krabi while a German tourist died at Koh Samuis Chaweng Beach. Promotion order of lecturers withdrawn, Punjab informs NCSC panel Chandigarh, April 20: The Department of School Education of Punjab on Thursday submitted an undertaking to the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) that the orders related to the promotion of lecturers, headmasters and vocational lecturers to the post of principal will be withdrawn. Promotion order of lecturers withdrawn, Punjab informs NCSC panel "The education department undertakes to withdraw a letter relating to the promotion of the lecturer, headmaster and vocational lecturer to the post of principal in view of the direction of NCSC," the government informed the NCSC.NCSC chairman Vijay Sampla directed the education department to hold meetings with all Scheduled Castes associations concerned to resolve their grievances. At the same time, he instructed the department to prepare reservation registers and roster registers followed by a seniority list before holding the departmental promotion committee meeting.Various Scheduled Caste organisations had submitted a complaint to the NCSC regarding the non-implementation of the reservation policy in case of promotion from lecturer to principal.Taking strict action on the complaint, Sampla had asked the government not to hold the meeting of the departmental promotion committee before the seniority list was furnished before the commission but the officers had gone ahead with the meeting.IANS20 April 2023 Shared Recently! Drones with night vision cameras to keep an eye on Maharashtra prisons Pune, April 20: Drones with night vision cameras will be deployed to ensure security, surveillance, and monitor the movements of inmates in prisons across Maharashtra prisons, an official said on Thursday. Drones with night vision cameras to keep an eye on Maharashtra prisons A decision in this regard has been taken up by the Maharashtra State Prisons Department, according to which the project will be implemented in 12 major prisons of the state in the first phase.According to Additional Director General of Police (Prison) Amitabh Gupta, the use of drones has been given priority to strengthening the security of prisons."The drones will monitor sensitive areas in different prisons, including during nighttime. The aim is to provide updates on the happenings and movements of prisoners," he said.Enumerating the places where the project will be first applicable, the official said that it will include Nashik, Thane, and Nagpur among other cities."The practical application of drones will start in Yerwada, Kolhapur, Nashik, Sambhaji Nagar, Thane, Amravati, Nagpur, Kalyan and Chandrapur. The state government has given priority to the use of drones, as per the orders issued by the Central Home Ministry," he said.The ADGP said that Maharashtra has become the second state after Uttar Pradesh to use drone cameras for the security of prisons."In addition to the use of drones for surveillance over prisons, special efforts are being made to ensure the safety of inmates. Drones will play an important role in monitoring these efforts," he said."As a result, eight central and two district prisons will be monitored by drones," the official added. All the drones which are developed are equipped with night vision cameras and are fully indigenous.ANI20 April 2023 Shared Recently! Telugu girl dies in accident in UK, family awaits mortal remains in Hyderabad Hyderabad, April 19: A girl from Hyderabad, who went to the United Kingdom (UK) to pursue higher studies, met with an accident and died in a sea wave. Telugu girl dies in accident in UK, family awaits mortal remains in Hyderabad Informing about the incident, the girl's father, who resides in Hyderabad, said she went to the UK to pursue a Master's in space engineering and met with the tragic accident last Tuesday.However, the family in Hyderabad is still awaiting her mortal remains.The mortal remains of Sai Tejaswi Kommareddy will be brought to Hyderabad on Friday.Speaking to ANI, the father of the deceased girl, Shashidhar Reddy, said, "My daughter went to the UK to study for a Master's in space engineering. She died accidentally in a sea wave there. Union Minister Kishan Reddy and others helped us a lot in clearing procedural hurdles to bringing back her last remains to India. The incident took place last Tuesday (April 11).""As per our information, they went to the place to relax after finishing the exams but unfortunately she died," he said."It is said that 3 others also died there but our daughter's body was found first and two others were found the next day. The deceased body will reach here by Friday night," the father of the girl told ANI.ANI20 April 2023 Shared Recently! PM Modi to address inaugural session of Global Buddhist Summit today New Delhi, April 20: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the inaugural session of the Global Buddhist Summit in the national capital on Thursday. PM Modi to address inaugural session of Global Buddhist Summit today The event will begin at 10 am at Hotel Ashok in Delhi.The two-day Summit is being hosted by the Ministry of Culture in collaboration with International Buddhist Confederation (IBC).The keynote speakers at the event will be Professor Robert Thurman, a leading American expert on Tibetan Buddhism, and His Holiness Thich Tri Quang, the Deputy Patriarch of, Vietnam Buddhist Sangha.Professor Thurman was awarded the prestigious Padma Shri Award in 2020 for his work on recovering India's ancient Buddhist heritage.The theme of the Global Buddhist Summit is 'Responses to Contemporary Challenges Philosophy to Praxis.'"The Summit is an effort towards engaging the global Buddhist Dhamma leadership and scholars on matters of Buddhist and universal concerns, and to come up with policy inputs to address them collectively. The discussion in the Summit will explore how the Buddha Dhamma's fundamental values can provide inspiration and guidance in contemporary settings," the PMO stated in a release.The Summit will witness the participation of eminent scholars, Sangha leaders and Dharma practitioners from all over the world, who will discuss pressing global issues and look for answers in the Buddha Dhamma that are based on universal values, the release said."The discussions will be held under four themes Buddha Dhamma and Peace; Buddha Dhamma Environmental Crisis, Health and Sustainability; Preservation of Nalanda Buddhist Tradition; Buddha Dhamma Pilgrimage, Living Heritage and Buddha Relics a resilient foundation to India's centuries-old cultural links to countries in South, South-East and East Asia," it added.ANI20 April 2023 Shared Recently! Suvendu Adhikari dares Bengal CM to sue him over claims of her seeking HM Shahs help Kolkata, April 20: West Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday dared Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to file a legal suit against him for claiming that she had sought Union Home Minister Amit Shah's intervention for restoration of national party status to Trinamool Congress. Suvendu Adhikari dares Bengal CM to sue him over claims of her seeking HM Shah's help Once a legal suit is filed against him, he will be able to appeal to the court to make Telecom Authority of India (TRAI) a party in the suit so that the call details of the two landlines at the chief ministers' office from March 4, 2023 to April 12, 2023 can be revealed, he said."I have already received a legal notice from Trinamool Congress on this count. I want them or rather challenge the chief minister to file a legal suit against me. In that case, I will be able to contest that and appeal to the court to make TRAI a party in the matter so that the call details of her official landline numbers are revealed. There is a restriction for any individual to get such details and hence right now I am not able to get the same through RTI and circulate among media persons. So, I challenge them to file a legal suit against me," the leader of the opposition told media persons this afternoon.On April 18, while addressing a public rally at Singur in Hooghly district, Adhikari claimed that immediately after the Election of Commission of India (ECI) withdrew the national party status of Trinamool Congress, Mamata Banerjee rang up Amit Shah with a plea to retain Trinamool's national party status until the 2024 Lok Sabha elections."She had appealed to Amit Shah to retain Trinamool's national party status till the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. However, the Home Minister clearly told her that the commission's decision cannot be reversed by him since ECI is an autonomous body," Adhikari said on April 18.On Wednesday, Mamata Banerjee told media persons she is even ready to resign as the chief minister if the claims of her calling the Union home minister is proved."I heard that on Tuesday one upstart individual claimed at a public meeting that I had called up their supreme leader Amit Shah four times after the EC withdrew Trinamool Congress's national party status. If they can prove this I will resign as the Chief Minister. But if they cannot prove these allegations, will they rub their noses on the ground?" she said on Wednesday.IANS21 April 2023 Shared Recently! Himalayan Buddhist Cultural Association organises rally in Siliguri to express solidarity with Dalai Lama Siliguri, April 20: The Himalayan Buddhist Cultural Association on Wednesday organised a rally in Siliguri's Salugara area to express solidarity with the Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama following the controversy over his viral video for which he has apologised. Himalayan Buddhist Cultural Association organises rally in Siliguri to express solidarity with Dalai Lama The Association claimed the video was a conspiracy to defame Dalai Lama.After the Dalai Lama's video of purportedly kissing a boy went viral, a group of Tibetan leaders and activists from across the globe, expressed their solidarity and support for him, reported Global Alliance for Tibet and Persecuted Minorities in a statement.The statement came in the wake of the media coverage around a video clip of Dalai Lama's interaction with a child at an event in February.The statement said, "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.""For some people who don't know the Tibetan context, and especially because so many children suffer serious abuse at the hands of powerful people and religious institutions, the belief and assumption is that the act was malign and the child was harmed. We can say with absolute certainty that this is not what happened," the statement added, as per Global Alliance for Tibet and Persecuted Minorities.The Global Tibetan leaders and activists said, "It is instructive to hear what the child and his family have said about their time with the Dalai Lama. The mother (seen sitting onstage next to the Dalai Lama) and the child both gave media interviews immediately after the event. While we know this won't satisfy everyone with concerns, we hope their own words will help add some context and clarity to the question of how they feel about what happened.""What has been most painful for Tibetans and our allies is witnessing the rush to condemn the Dalai Lama. Any attempt to understand Tibetan culture, the full context of the exchange, and this nearly 90-year-old icon of global peace has been shockingly absent from most media coverage and online discourse," the statement said.The Dalai Lama recently issued an apology expressing his regret after a purported video of him kissing a boy and asking him to "suck his tongue" triggered a social media uproar.An official statement released by the office of the Dalai Lama stated that the Tibetan spiritual leader "wishes to apologize to the boy and his family, as well as his many friends across the world, for the hurt his words may have caused."ANI21 April 2023 Shared Recently! BJP plays Hindutva card in Ktaka, attacks Congress Bengaluru, April 20: The BJP on Thursday played the Hindutva card in poll-bound Karnataka, accusing the Congress of being friends with people who slaughtered a cow in public. BJP plays Hindutva card in K'taka, attacks Congress Talking to reporters here, Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, Shobha Karandlaje, claimed that former Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi and state Congress President D.K. Shivakumar took up the Bharat Jodo Yatra with persons who killed a cow on road."In the Mangaluru cooker blast case probe, Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah had claimed that the accused is like their brother. On whose side they are? The leadership of Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah protect the accused who indulge in activities against the country," she alleged.Karandlaje said "ISIS claimed responsibility for the blast and put up a post on the internet. But the Congress is protecting the accused."With Karandlaje raking up such issues, high-voltage campaigns by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and other firebrand leaders in the state are likely in the coming days.The anti-cattle slaughter law enacted in Karnataka in 2021 bans transport, sale, trade and slaughter of cattle.IANS21 April 2023 Shared Recently! Takeda showcases digital health solutions at G20 meeting in India New Delhi, April 19: Takeda Biopharmaceuticals India Private Limited, (formerly known as Baxalta Bioscience India Pvt. Ltd.), a global values-based, R&D-driven biopharmaceutical leader showcased its cutting-edge digital innovations at the G20 Health Working Group meeting, held in Goa, India, from April 17th to April 19th. Takeda showcases digital health solutions at G20 meeting in India The G20 Health Working Group is a forum that brings together health experts and policymakers from the world's 20 largest economies to discuss key health issues and develop policy recommendations. Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Health Minister, Government of India, inaugurated the digital health exhibition.In order to reiterate its patient-focused digital approach, Takeda highlighted its 3 unique solutions- MyPKFit An FDA-approved application that offers real time monitoring of factor VIII levels on smartphones and aids people with hemophilia better manage their treatment.- Synapse A tool designed to enhance awareness and knowledge sharing among healthcare professionals (HCPs), it fosters academic partnerships with scientific societies to help build quality HCP education and awareness.- Athena A digital health solution that enables remote patient data capture and improved patient engagement for Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase Positive (ALK+) Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) patients, their caregivers, and healthcare professionals (HCPs).The G20 meeting's focus was 'Citizen-Centric Health Delivery Ecosystems for Universal Health Coverage leveraging Digital Health and Innovations,' where discussions were held on creating a digital health ecosystem, innovations in healthcare, technology aiding continuing care, and digital public health goods. The meeting was attended by representatives of G20 member countries, special invitee countries, and relevant international organizations."We are truly honored to be part of the prestigious G20 event which is aimed at achieving a collaborative effort to deal with the world's most pressing health challenges," said Serina Fischer, General Manager of Takeda Biopharmaceutical India Pvt. Ltd. "At Takeda, we are committed to meeting the unmet needs of patients by discovering and delivering life-transforming treatments and innovative solutions. India is a key country for our company, and we look forward to connecting and exploring synergies to achieve Universal Healthcare for All for a healthier and brighter world through our participation in this platform. We firmly believe that healthcare is a fundamental right for every individual, and we applaud this platform for bringing together meaningful dialogues toward this goal. Under the presidency of India, we at Takeda are optimistic about the positive and long-lasting impact.""Data and technology have the power to transform the way we approach healthcare. At Takeda, we are committed to leveraging advanced analytics, artificial intelligence, and digital solutions to accelerate and enhance patient care and improve health outcomes. By combining our deep scientific expertise with cutting-edge technology, we can create a brighter future for patients and the healthcare ecosystem," said Gabriele Ricci, Chief Data and Technology Officer, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited.Emphasizing the significance of digital innovations in healthcare, Ruchi Sogarwal, Head of Corporate Affairs, Takeda Biopharmaceutical India Pvt Ltd, said, "The very ethos of our company is focused on meeting the unmet needs of the patients and we are proud to be a part of this G20 gathering. Digital innovations have transformed virtually every aspect of our lives, and healthcare is no exception. The potential benefits of these innovations are enormous, including improved patient outcomes, increased access to care, and more efficient healthcare delivery. In a world that is recuperating from a global pandemic, a collaborative effort to address every unmet health concern becomes a priority. Our participation in the G20 Health working group meeting provided a platform to showcase our capabilities and explore potential collaborations with G20 member countries.""At Takeda, we are committed to leveraging digital solutions to transform healthcare", said Puneet Chopra, Head - Data, Digital and Technology, Takeda Biopharmaceutical India Pvt. Ltd. "Our innovative solutions, MyPKFit, SYNAPSE, and Athena, are aimed at improving patient outcomes and advancing healthcare access. We are excited to have showcased our digital capabilities at the G20 meeting and explore opportunities to collaborate with stakeholders to drive digital health innovation and adoption."Details of the three solutions presented at the event can be found here- MyPKFit - MYPKFIT, FDA approved application, offers personalised and interactive prophylaxis treatment option that enables both healthcare professionals (HCPs) and patients in real-time monitoring of factor VIII levels on smartphones thereby adapting their activity decisions accordingly and help improve their quality of life. Alerts are sent to patients on prophylaxis when their estimated factor VIII levels are low, and reminds them when their infusions are due, thereby providing excellent prophylactic coverage.- Synapse - Synapse is a valuable platform designed to enhance awareness and knowledge sharing among healthcare professionals (HCPs), in line with Takeda's core philosophy of "better health, brighter future." With its scientific and value-driven approach, Synapse has successfully engaged over 4000 HCPs through scientific exchange and educational initiatives, leading to significant positive impact on many lives. The platform's primary objective is to improve awareness and enhance standards of care, thereby optimizing patient benefits. Synapse also fosters academic partnerships with scientific societies to help build quality HCP education and awareness. Furthermore, it aims to identify unmet medical needs, gather insights, and provide patient health improvement-oriented solutions to improve standards of care. In essence, Synapse is a comprehensive and innovative platform that seeks to empower HCPs with the knowledge and tools necessary to make a positive impact on patients' lives.- Athena - The Athena App MVP is a digital health solution that enables remote patient data capture and improved patient engagement for Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase Positive (ALK+) Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) patients, their caregivers, and healthcare professionals (HCPs). The MVP will consist of three elements a device-agnostic app for patients, a Fitbit wearable device, and a web-based portal or PDF summary for HCPs. The functionalities of the Athena App MVP support tracking of passive and active metrics of Quality of Life (QOL) for NSCLC patients, HCPs, and researchers. The patient-centered app enables remote tracking of symptoms, quality of life, medications, activity, and educational content. Patients receive all tasks in a timeline and can add reminders, while also completing bespoke or validated questionnaires such as EQ5D5L. The Fitbit wearable device captures key metrics that can inform a patient's and HCP's view of Quality of Life. HCPs can access patient data generated from the app through a web-based portal or PDF summary, which incorporates telemedicine and messaging for direct communication.The Athena App MVP leverages a smartphone app integrated with consumer wearables and empowers patients to easily track, understand, and communicate simple, robust measures of QOL. It also provides a way for HCPs to engage holistically with patient QOL, including personal goals, activity, sleep, mental health, and cognition. Furthermore, the validated data collected from the MVP can be used by Takeda to demonstrate real-world outcomes and develop novel solutions. Project Athena seeks to develop a QOL tracking solution that benefits patients, HCPs, and researchers.Takeda is a global, values-based, R and D-driven biopharmaceutical leader headquartered in Japan, committed to discover and deliver life-transforming treatments, guided by our commitment to patients, our people and the planet. Takeda focuses its R and D efforts on four therapeutic areas Oncology, Rare Genetics and Hematology, Neuroscience, and Gastroenterology (GI), with expertise in immune and inflammatory diseases. We also make targeted R and D investments in Plasma-Derived Therapies and Vaccines. We are focusing on developing highly innovative medicines that contribute to making a difference in people's lives by advancing the frontier of new treatment options and leveraging our enhanced collaborative R and D engine and capabilities to create a robust, modality-diverse pipeline. Our employees are committed to improving quality of life for patients and to working with our partners in health care in approximately 80 countries and regions.For more information, visit .This story has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article.ANI21 April 2023 Shared Recently! Kenyan traders raise concern over Chinese business infiltration in country, calls for prohibiting permits Nairobi [Kenya], April 20: Concerned over the influx of Chinese nationals operating businesses in the country, undercutting local traders with ultra-low prices and driving them out of business, they called for prohibiting issuance of permits to Chinese nationals, reported Citizen Digital. Kenyan traders raise concern over Chinese business infiltration in country, calls for prohibiting permits The traders, under the auspices of a group called the Indigenous Capital Protection Association, have sued the government, protesting the influx of Chinese traders in Kenya.The traders want the Immigration Services department to stop issuing Chinese nationals with employment and business permits, reported Nation.They now want the court to issue orders prohibiting the Director of Kenya Citizens and Foreign Nationals Management Services from issuing permits to Chinese nationals.As per them, the government has encouraged, aided, and abetted the influx of Chinese nationals into the country, and their establishment of economic activities has jeopardized the survival of their businesses and the livelihoods of over 2,000,000 Kenyans and over six million dependents.They also want the court to stop China Square Mall from importing and selling merchandise from Chinese manufacturers and distributors, reported Citizen Digital.Chinese-owned China Square Mall is among more than 40 trading companies entangled in a lawsuit seeking to halt the operations of foreign entities selling low-priced imported goods on the Kenyan market.The suit before the High Court has been filed by a group of Kenyan traders concerned over the Chinese allegedly selling everyday goods like curtains imported from China on average 50 per cent cheaper than those brought in by their local counterparts, reported Nation.The court action comes a month after China Square, which is based at Kenyatta University on the outskirts of Nairobi, was reopened following the dismissal of a counterfeit complaint against it.The businessmen who form the indigenous capital protection association argue that the Competition Authority of Kenya should conduct an investigation and file a report in court to determine whether the China Square Mall is engaging in predatory pricing to drive competitors out.They also claimed that the Investment Promotion Authority has been illegally issuing investment certificates to Chinese traders and economic migrants in order for them to engage in economic activities that not only undermine Kenya's sustainable development and prejudice its citizens, but also violate the conditions set out in Section 4 of the Investment Promotion Act."In view of the increasing numbers of Chinese hawkers, shopkeepers, Route Eleven (11) traders, small-scale retailers, wholesalers and distributors in Nairobi's Business District East of Tom Mboya Street comprising of River Road, Kirinyaga Road, Kamukunji and Gikomba areas among others, the Applicant are convinced that the process of issuing permits to Chinese citizens has been so corrupted or otherwise compromised by the Kenya Chinese Chambers of Commerce and other Chinese nationals operating businesses in Kenya," read the court papers.There is no data available to show how many Chinese traders or people are in Kenya, but there has been growing anti-Chinese sentiment in recent years, reported Nation.This has been partly fuelled by alleged racist incidents involving individual Chinese people in Kenya and perceptions of Chinese traders taking businesses and jobs from locals.In 2019, the Kenyan authorities deported seven Chinese nationals who had been operating in two markets in Nairobi, accusing them of not having work permits and saying they could not operate in a sector reserved for locals.In 2020, four Chinese men were deported after being accused of caning a Kenyan man working at a Chinese restaurant, reported Nation.ANI21 April 2023 Shared Recently! After PM Modi seeks suggestions in Mann Ki Baat, Cheetahs in Kuno National Park renamed New Delhi, April 20: The Namibian Cheetahs that were released in Madhya Pradesh's Kuno National Park were renamed following a call by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the people to come up with suggestions. After PM Modi seeks suggestions in 'Mann Ki Baat', Cheetahs in Kuno National Park renamed This comes after PM Modi in his Mann Ki Baat on September 25 2022, had urged the citizens to come up with suggestions for cheetahs reintroduced from Namibia and South Africa, with an intention to popularize and sensitize the general public about Project Cheetah.In this regard, a competition was organized on the Government of India platform mygov.in from September 26 to October 31, 2022. In response, a total of 11,565 entries were received suggesting new names for reintroduced cheetahs, an official statement said on Thursday.Namibian Cheetah's old name was Asha (female) and her new name is Aasha, and of another cheetah, his old name was Oban (Male) and now his new name is Pavan.South Africa Cheetah whose old name was Phinda and the new name is Daksha and of another Cheetah's name was Mapesu and whose new name is Nirva. The names of the remaining Cheetah have also changed.The entries were scrutinized by a selection committee and based on the significance and relevance of the suggested names for their conservation and cultural value the following new names have been selected for Namibian and South African cheetahs.The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change congratulated the winners of the competition who suggested new names for Namibian and South African cheetahs.The last cheetahs in the Indian wilderness were recorded in 1947 when three cheetahs were shot in the Sal (Shorea robusta) forests of Koriya District, Chhattisgarh State.The main reasons for the decline of cheetahs in India were large-scale capture of animals from the wild for coursing, bounty and sport hunting, extensive habitat conversion with a consequent decline in prey base and in 1952 Cheetahs were declared extinct.The goal of the Cheetah Introduction project in India was to establish viable cheetah metapopulation in India that allows the cheetah to perform its functional role as a top predator and provide space for the expansion of the cheetah within its historic range thereby contributing to its global conservation efforts.The major objectives of the introduction project were to establish breeding cheetah populations in safe habitats across its historic range and manage them as a metapopulation.To use the cheetah as a charismatic flagship and umbrella species to garner resources for restoring open forest and savanna systems that will benefit biodiversity and ecosystem services from these ecosystems, to use the ensuing opportunity for eco-development and eco-tourism to enhance local community livelihoods and to manage any conflict by cheetah or other wildlife with local communities within cheetah conservation areas expediently through compensation, awareness, and management action.In this context, the Government of India initiated G2G consultative meetings with the Republic of Namibia which culminated in the signing of the MoU between the two countries on July 20, 2022, for cheetah conservation.Following the signing of the MoU, in a historic first wild-to-wild intercontinental translocation, eight cheetahs were transported from Namibia to India on September 17, 2022, and were released into the quarantine bomas by PM Modi.As per the Action Plan for Cheetah Introduction in India, annually 10-12 cheetahs are required to be imported from African countries for the next 5 years at least. In this context, the Government of India initiated bilateral negotiations with the Republic of South Africa in 2021 for cooperation in the field of Cheetah conservation.The negotiations were successfully concluded with the signing of an MoU with the Republic of South Africa in January 2023.Under the provisions of the MoU, a first batch of 12 cheetahs (7 males, 5 females) were translocated from South Africa to India on February 17, 2023. The translocation of 12 cheetahs from South Africa to Gwalior and onwards to Kuno National Park through Helicopters was executed by the Indian Air Force.A delegation of cheetah experts, veterinarians and senior officials accompanied the cheetahs during the transcontinental translocation exercise.To take India's ambitious project on Cheetah Introduction forward, a consultative workshop involving international cheetah experts, scientists, veterinarians, and forest officials was also organised on February 20, 2023, at Kuno National Park.The outcome of the workshop paved a way for better cheetah management which will help in successfully establishing cheetah metapopulation in India.ANI21 April 2023 Shared Recently! As Phu Quoc airfares fall ahead of holidays, hotel bookings pick up Hon Thom Islet with turquoise waters on Phu Quoc Island in south Vietnam. Photo by VnExpress/Khanh Tran Ten days before the long Reunification Day and May Day holidays airfares from Hanoi and HCMC to Phu Quoc Island have plummeted, sparking off a hotel booking rush. A round ticket from Hanoi during the holidays starts at VND3.6 million, while from HCMC it is VND3.2 million, down 20-40% from a month ago. Aviation experts said the fares started falling after aviation authorities called on airlines to increase flights to the tourist island to meet the surging demand. Vietnam Airlines announced it would offer 551,000 seats, equivalent to 2,800 flights, on domestic routes between April 26 and May 5, a slight increase from last year. Bamboo Airways will double its frequency to four daily flights from Hanoi, HCMC with tourist destinations. Data from travel platform Mustgo, which partners 2,000 hotels across the country, shows occupancy rates on Phu Quoc Island during the holidays have surged. With airfares coming down, hospitality businesses in Phu Quoc expect occupancy rates to reach 80%. Two weeks ago the rate was only 50% after many people canceled travel plans to Phu Quoc due to the exorbitant airfares. Known for its long, sandy beaches, turquoise waters and dense forests, Phu Quoc has become a popular holiday destination for both domestic and foreign tourists. In the first quarter of this year it received 1.5 million tourists, up 43% year-on-year. International arrivals to Phu Quoc topped 204,000, or equivalent to 58% of its full-year target. Wow, thats special, says Apple CEO Tim Cook on J-Ks Chenab Bridge New Delhi, April 20: On his visit to India, Apple chief executive officer (CEO) Tim Cook on Wednesday evening met Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw at the Railway Ministry office in the national capital. Wow, that's special, says Apple CEO Tim Cook on J-K's Chenab Bridge As Cook walked through the office of the Railway Ministry, he stopped to see the photograph of the Chenab Bridge right outside Vaishnaw's cabin. Seeing the photo, Cook's instant reaction was "Wow."In a video shared by Railway Minister Vaishnaw, he could be seen explaining to the Apple CEO the significance of the Chenab bridge which is currently under construction. He told Cook that the Vande Bharat train would be running on this railway bridge by December this year."This bridge connects the northern state of Kashmir. And this bridge is about 30 metres taller compared to the Eiffel Tower," Vaishnaw told Cook. On this, the Apple CEO replied "Wow".Vaishnaw further said, "Again fully designed in India, we recently commissioned the railway track over it. And by December we will be running the Vande Bharat train on this.""Oh wow! that is special! Wow!" reacted Tim Cook.Notably, Vande Bharat trains are one of the most ambitious projects of the Modi government with these semi-high-speed trains connecting the length and breadth of the country"India laid about 5,000 kilometres of new tracks. 5000 kilometres of new tracks is like setting up a completely new network equivalent to what Switzerland has. Switzerland is about 5,200 kilometres. So, it is like setting up one whole new Switzerland rail line. That is the pace with which the country is working," the Railway Minister said.Tim Cook's response was "That is amazing!"On Wednesday evening during his meeting with the Railway Minister, the Apple CEO was presented with a special memento - a replica of the Vande Bharat train.Taking to Twitter after the meeting, Vaishnaw said "Met with Tim Cook, CEO, Apple. Discussed deepening Apple's engagement in India across manufacturing, electronics exports, app economy, skilling, sustainability and job creation, especially for women. Jointly charting a long-term and strong relationship."The Apple CEO met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday. Minister of State for IT and Electronics Rajeev Chandrasekhar also met the tech giant's CEO on Wednesday. Cook expressed confidence about a long-term working relationship with India.Tim Cook is currently in India for the launch of two Apple stores. The first was launched in Mumbai on Tuesday while the second retail store was unveiled in Delhi on Thursday.Viewing India as its long-term market, the iPhone manufacturer has expressed interest in expansion plans, including manufacturing the latest products.Currently, the employment strength of Apple in India stands at 1 lakh. Sources said this is expected to go up to 2 lakh in the coming years.ANI21 April 2023 Shared Recently! PM Modi to hold discussions with Christian religious leaders during Kerala visit, says BJP State chief Kochi, April 20: Prime Minister will hold discussions with Christian religious leaders during his visit to Kerala which is scheduled on April 24 and 25, state Bharatiya Janata Party chief K Surendran said on Thursday. PM Modi to hold discussions with Christian religious leaders during Kerala visit, says BJP State chief Detailing the Prime Minister's programme during his visit, Surendran said that he will conduct a roadshow and address a public meeting."Prime Minister's visit to Kerala will give impetus to the state's development. There is a great expectation among the people of Kerala for this visit. PM Modi will hold a road show. People will come voluntarily to receive him. 'Yuvam' will be the conference that would mark the beginning of Kerala's political change. The youth who want the development of Kerala beyond party politics will participate in this," he said in a press conference.The state BJP chief alleged that the ruling CPIM and Congress are running fake propaganda against 'Yuvam'."CPIM and Congress are running fake propaganda against it. Yuvam-23 is just the beginning. It will be the talk of campuses by the next year. The negative politics put forward by LDF and UDF will be discussed. We are now receiving unprecedented support. Youth organizations are not invited to the Yuvam event. Youth in organizations are invited," he said."During his visit to Kerala, the Prime Minister will hold discussions with Christian religious leaders. The Left and the Congress do not tolerate the BJP's closeness with the Christian community," Surendran added.The state BJP chief claimed that Kerala has lagged behind in development."The result of the work done by the left and right fronts in Kerala for so long is that Kerala has been left behind in development. Statistics show that Kerala is the most backward in development. Entrepreneurs in the state are facing challenges. Kerala has not become an investment-friendly state," he said.ANI21 April 2023 Shared Recently! Its time to invite Ukraine into alliance: Zelenskyy tells NATO Kyiv [Ukraine], April 20: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday said that North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) faces no obstacle in inviting Ukraine to join the military alliance, Al Jazeera reported. He said that it was time for NATO to invite Ukraine to join the military alliance. It's time to invite Ukraine into alliance: Zelenskyy tells NATO Zelenskyy's remarks came during NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg's first visit to Kyiv since the conflict between Russia and Ukraine started in February last year. He called on the military alliance to take a decision as the majority of people in NATO nations and most of the people in Ukraine support Kyiv's NATO accession."I am grateful for the invitation to visit the summit, but it is also important for Ukraine to receive the corresponding invitation," Zelenskyy said as per the Al Jazeera report."There is not a single objective barrier to the political decision to invite Ukraine into the alliance and now, when most people in NATO countries and the majority of Ukrainians support NATO accession, is the time for the corresponding decisions," he added.NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg visited Ukraine on Thursday to meet with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. During his visit, Stoltenberg underscored NATO's "enduring support for Ukraine as it continues to defend itself in the ongoing conflict with Russia."NATO stands with you today, tomorrow, and for as long as it takes," Stoltenberg said, according to the official statement released by NATO.While addressing a press briefing with Zelenskyy in Kyiv, Stoltenberg said that NATO allies have delivered more than 150 billion euros of support to Ukraine since the conflict started in February 2022. In his remarks, he said that Ukraine's "rightful place" is in NATO.According to NATO's statement, Stoltenberg said, "Ukraine's rightful place is in the Euro-Atlantic family. Ukraine's rightful place is in NATO. And over time, our support will help to make this possible." He said that a multi-year support initiative will help Ukraine transition from Soviet-era equipment and doctrines to NATO standards and ensure full interoperability with the military alliance.He further said, "We do not know when this war will end, but we know that Russian aggression is a toxic pattern that must be stopped. So we must continue strengthening Ukraine's armed forces. And we must ensure that robust, powerful arrangements are in place for Ukraine's security."ANI21 April 2023 Shared Recently! Audit reports gained immense significance by inducing action by executive: CAG Murmu Canberra, April 20: Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India Girish Chandra Murmu has expressed that audit reports have assumed immense importance as they induced action from the executive by way of design improvements, mid-course corrections, strengthening systems and even review of certain policies. Audit reports gained immense significance by inducing action by executive: CAG Murmu Delivering a keynote speech on "Audit impact - the Indian perspective" at IMPACT 2023 in Canberra, Girish Chandra Murmu said that all business processes in Supreme Audit Institutions (SAI) were now fully digitized, and the entire audit cycle was being operated through the OIOS (One IA and AD One System), an end-to-end audit process and knowledge management system for the institution.He further underlined the role of audit as a catalyst to good governance, promoting accountability, transparency, efficient and effective functioning of organizations and government.Murmu also shared a few experiences wherein audit findings had a distinctly visible impact on executive functioning. He underlined that audit focus should be closely aligned with global megatrends and SAIs needed to be geared to not only adapt to new-age technologies and build capacities for seamless integration of the audit process into the new governance structures but also to effectively address the risk and ethical challenges posed by such technologies.Murmu's keynote speech on "Audit impact - the Indian perspective" highlighted the role of the founding fathers of the Indian constitution who ascribed great importance to the independence of the CAG through Article 148 to 151 of the Indian constitution.He emphasized the use of technological tools such as machine learning algorithms, data analytics and visualization, Geographic Information Systems, remote sensing technology and unmanned aerial vehicles which had expanded the repertoire of audit techniques.The overarching themes of IMPACT 2023 are "The Auditor of the Future" with two sub-themes "technology as a tool" and "technology and the impact on the auditor." The conference also focused on ethics in the delivery of government programs. The conference brought together participants from different countries to discuss the latest developments in audit and explore the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.Australian Council of Auditors-General hosted IMPACT 2023, the International Meeting of Performance Audit Critical Thinkers, in Canberra on April 19-20. The conference aimed to explore the exponential rate at which technology was developing and its effect on the future of audits. Girish Chandra Murmu, the CAG of India, was invited as a keynote speaker during the conference.During the IMPACT 2023 Conference, CAG Murmu, held separate meetings with the Controller and Auditor General of New Zealand, John Ryan and the Auditor-General of Australia Grant Hehir, to explore ways to enhance bilateral cooperation between their respective Audit Institutions.The discussions focused on IT audit, data analytics, environmental audit, and sustainable development. Murmu expressed his commitment to strengthening cooperation between the Audit Institutions.ANI21 April 2023 Shared Recently! Goa Congress demands white paper on water crisis Panaji, April 20: The Congress in Goa on Thursday demanded a 'White Paper' from the BJP government regarding the water crisis as many parts of the coastal state are not receiving regular supply of potable water. Goa Congress demands 'white paper' on water crisis "We also demand that you come up with a detailed plan of action as to how many hours the people of Goa living in their houses will get water supply," a memorandum submitted to the government stated.Congress members gheraoed PWD officials in Panaji for failing to provide potable water to people across the state.Goa Pradesh Congress Committee President Amit Patkar, while criticising the BJP government, said that it has failed all the time and can't handle any situation."During Covid time, the BJP government killed people by failing to provide oxygen. Today the situation is such that people are suffering due to scarcity of water, but the government is doing nothing to solve this issue," he said."Officers are saying that there is a shortfall of water. Tillari dam was constructed for irrigation purposes, but today that water is supplied to Mopa airport from this dam. There is no planning for the supply of water, even there is no check on water meters. The government is looting poor people by issuing exorbitant bills," Patkar said.Congress Media Department Chairman Amarnath Panjikar, said that the scarcity of water faced in many villages and cities of Goa has exposed the inefficiency and dearth of willpower in the BJP government."Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in August last year, congratulated the Goa government for becoming the first state to become 'Har Ghar Jal' certified. This means that every house of Goa was connected with piped water. But what is the use of such a connection which is defunct?" Panjikar questioned.He said that the government should not give excuses for their failures, and instead work to build the infrastructure.He said that people are facing hardship in every town and village, with some villages facing the brunt by getting a trickle of water for about 30 minutes.Panjikar threatened to intensify the agitation to demand regular water supply.IANS21 April 2023 Shared Recently! India number one in digital payments, rural economy is transforming: PM Modi at Civil Services Day New Delhi, April 21: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that India is number one in digital payments and the country's rural economy is transforming. India number one in digital payments, rural economy is transforming: PM Modi at Civil Services Day Addressing the Civil Services Day here in the national capital he said, "India is number one in digital payments. India is one of the countries where mobile data is the cheapest. Today, the country's rural economy is transforming."PM Modi said that this year's 'Civil Service Day' is very important as it is a time when the country has completed 75 years of its independence. He said it is a time when the country has started taking rapid steps to achieve the gigantic goals of the next 25 years."I would say this to every civil service officer in India today you are very lucky. You have got the opportunity to serve the country in this period...We have less time but we have a lot of potential, our goals are difficult but our courage is not low, we may have to climb a mountain, but our intentions are higher than the sky," the Prime Minister said.He said that no matter how great our yojanas are, no matter how good they look on paper, the last-mile delivery is the deciding factor."The civil servants are preparing the country for a big leap. They have given hope of good governance to the poor and speeded up development in India," said PM Modi.Lauding the work done by the civil servants, he said that if the country has gained momentum in the past nine years it would not have been possible without their efforts."In the last 9 years, if even the poorest of the poor of the country has got the confidence of good governance, then your hard work has also been there in this. If India's development has gained new momentum in the last 9 years, it was also not possible without your participation. Despite the Covid crisis, today India is the fifth largest economy in the world," he said."The government is working with the vision to serve everyone by efficiently using their time and resources. Our mantra continues to be the nation first, citizen first," he added.'Civil Services Day' is observed on April 21 every year to acknowledge the work of all the officers engaged in different public service departments in the country.ANI21 April 2023 Shared Recently! Health Ministry proposes 100 Food Streets across India to promote hygienic, safe food practices New Delhi, April 20: In a significant and innovative move, the Union Health Ministry in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has requested States and Union Territories to develop 100 food streets in 100 districts across the country. Health Ministry proposes 100 Food Streets across India to promote hygienic, safe food practices This initiative is being taken up as a pilot project to create an example for other such streets to come up across the country for ensuring hygienic and safe food practices. The aim of this project is to encourage safe and healthy food practices among food businesses and community members, thus, reducing foodborne illnesses and improving overall health outcomes, said the Ministry of Health.In a letter to states, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan and Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs Secretary Manoj Joshi have highlighted that "Easy access to safe and hygienic food is vital for the good health of citizens. Safe food practices not only promote eat right campaign and food safety but will improve the hygiene credibility of local food businesses, boost local employment, tourism and in turn, the economy. It also leads to a cleaner and greener environment."According to the Ministry of Health statement, this unique initiative will be implemented through National Health Mission (NHM) in convergence with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and with technical support from FSSAI. The financial assistance for the initiative to States/UTs in the form of Rs.1 crore per food street/district will be given to fill up critical gaps. 100 such food streets will be opened up in 100 districts across the country (List given below). This assistance will be provided under National Health Mission (NHM) in the ratio of 6040 or 90 10 with the condition that standard branding of these food streets will be done as per Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) guidelines.Municipal Corporations, Development Authorities and District Collectors at the state level will take major initiatives to ensure convergence in terms of financial resources and physical infrastructure. Various other initiatives such as training of food handlers, independent third-party audits, and certification of Eat Right Street Food Hubs 'SOP for Modernisation of Food Streets', have been taken to enhance food safety standards.Schemes like "Support to Urban Street Vendors (SUSV)", a component of Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana- National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAYNULM), Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs have also been taken up.In addition, States and UTs can also conduct training programmes for street vendors to orient them on aspects vis. food safety, maintenance of hygiene, and waste disposal, said the statement.ANI21 April 2023 Shared Recently! Fighting in Sudan puts millions of children at risk: Unicef United Nations, April 21: UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) Executive Director Catherine Russell has warned that escalating military clashes in Sudan has put millions of children at risk. Fighting in Sudan puts millions of children at risk: Unicef Five days of intense fighting in Sudan has already taken a devastating toll on the country's children. If the violence does not stop, this toll will only increase, Russell was quoted by Xinhua news agency as saying.At least nine children have reportedly been killed and over 50 others reportedly injured as hostilities continue in Khartoum, the Darfur and North Kordofan regions, she noted. "The perilous security situation across the country makes it very difficult to collect and verify information. But we know that while fighting continues, children will continue to pay the price."Many families are trapped in the crossfire, with little or no access to electricity, terrified about the fighting and the possibility of running out of food, water and medicine. Thousands of families have been forced from their homes in search of safety, she said."We have received reports of children sheltering in schools and care centers while fighting rages around them, of children's hospitals forced to evacuate as shelling moves closer, and hospitals, health centres and other critical infrastructure damaged or destroyed, limiting access to essential and life-saving care and medicine," she said.The fighting has disrupted critical, life-saving care for an estimated 50,000 severely acutely malnourished children. These vulnerable children need ongoing, round-the-clock care, which is being put at risk by the escalating violence, she added.Russell said the fighting also puts at risk the cold chain in Sudan, including vaccines and insulin worth over $40 million, due to the breaks in the power supply and the inability to restock generators with fuel.Even before the escalation in violence, humanitarian needs in Sudan were higher than ever before. Humanitarian assistance is critical. But UNICEF and partners cannot provide that support if the safety and security of their staff are not guaranteed, she said. "Our hearts and thoughts are with the loved ones of the WFP (World Food Programme) colleagues who lost their lives or were injured. UNICEF, and other humanitarian agencies, have been looted by armed individuals. Such attacks on aid workers and organisations are attacks on the children and families we serve."UNICEF echoes the appeal of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for forces to immediately cease hostilities, and calls on all parties to respect their international obligations to protect children from harm, and to ensure that humanitarian actors can safely and quickly reach children in need. UNICEF also calls on all parties to refrain from attacking civilian infrastructure on which children depend, such as water and sanitation systems, health facilities and schools, said Russell.IANS21 April 2023 Shared Recently! Almost 84% kids in Bdesh get vaccines by 12 months of age: Unicef Dhaka, April 21: Valid immunisation coverage in Bangladesh remains high, with almost 84 per cent of children receiving their vaccines by 12 months of age, according to a new report published here by the Unicef. Almost 84% kids in B'desh get vaccines by 12 months of age: Unicef According to the report titled "The State of the World's Children 2023 For Every Child, Vaccination", valid coverage is when a child receives all vaccines due in their first 12 months.In Bangladesh, health services were initially impacted when the country went into the Covid-19 lockdown in March 2020, leading to coverage falling below 50 per cent in the following months, Xinhua news agency quoted the report as saying.However, with the support from Unicef, the Bangladesh government moved quickly to address the decline in immunization, and the monthly uptake of vaccines surpassed pre-Covid levels by October 2020.According to the report, the number of zero-dose children in the South Asian country is 30,000, or less than 1 per cent, of children aged under one year.Coverage in hard-to-reach areas and urban slums remain low compared to the national coverage, it said.In 2022, the UN agency had said it delivered 173 million childhood vaccine doses for a value of $80 million.The success of the child immunization program in Bangladesh is a testament to what is possible when there is sustained political commitment and a well-trained and motivated health workforce, said Sheldon Yett, the Unicef representative to Bangladesh."Unicef will continue to support the country in the coming years as it moves towards self-financing of childhood vaccinations," Yett added.IANS21 April 2023 Shared Recently! New Army HQ Thal Sena Bhawan to be ready by 2025 New Delhi, April 20: The new headquarters of the Indian Army 'Thal Sena Bhawan' which is being constructed in Delhi Cantonment on an area of 39 acres is likely to be ready by 2025, a source in the know of things said on Thursday. New Army HQ 'Thal Sena Bhawan' to be ready by 2025 According to the Defence Ministry, the Thal Sena Bhawan has been conceptualised as a multi-storey green building, and it has adopted the Green Rating for Integrated Housing Assessment criteria.In the new army headquarters, an area of 7.5 lakh sq metre would be developed for various office complexes and parking spaces.The construction work that began in January this year is expected to be completed in the next 27 months at a cost of around Rs 760 crore.Defence Minister Rajnath Singh laid the foundation for the construction of this new building in Delhi Cantonment in February 2020.The building will have offices and residential complex for security personnel along with basic amenities.The new building will accommodate more than 1,700 military and civilian officers and 1,300 sub-staff.Currently, the Army Headquarters is spread over several pockets -- South Block, Sena Bhawan, R.K. Puram, Shankar Vihar and other places.A huge Ashok Chakra will be seen in the building once it is ready.The new building would also have a basement parking for 300 vehicles and open parking for 2,500 vehicles.The project is likely to be ready before June 2025.The complex will have four entrances, and it will be an earthquake-resistant building.The prime attraction of the six-storey building will be the Dharma Chakra at its top.This building will be constructed in such a manner that it can be noticed from quite a distance.Modern offices have been planned for this building for top ranking officers like Lt. General, Major General, Brigadier, Colonel, Lt. Colonel, Major, among others.The new army headquarters will also house a gymnasium and a central library.There will also be a separate building for a residential complex.IANS21 April 2023 Shared Recently! Vietjet is offering passengers a promotion week from now until April 25 for tickets to Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, and Hong Kong priced from zero dong. From midnight April 19 to midnight April 25, passengers can freely hunt for VND0 tickets on Vietjet Air website and Vietjet Air mobile app, applying to all routes connecting Vietnam to Japan, Taiwan, South Korea and Hong Kong. The flight period is from May 7 to November 30, 2023. Vietjet has a flight network comprising 66 international routes. Photo by Vietjet Vietjet has operated a wide flight network of more than 30 routes connecting Vietnam with Japan, Taiwan (China), South Korea, and Hong Kong (China), with a flexible flight schedule and diverse priorities, as well as a full-packaged services of ticket classes including SkyBoss Business, SkyBoss, Deluxe, and Eco. The promotional week has been launched together with the unlimited SkyJoy loyalty point program. Registering for the Vietjet SkyJoy loyalty program gives you the opportunity to receive up to 3,000 SkyPoints to enjoy attractive incentives including redeeming Vietjet tickets and vouchers of more than 250 food items, as well as shopping and travel brands in Vietnam and across the world through SkyJoy mobile app or website. Visit the website skyjoy.vietjetair.com/ for more details. Uttarakhand CM Dhami instructs officials to speed up works of Jal Jeevan Mission Dehradun, April 20: During the review of the drinking water department, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami instructed the legislators to solve the major problems of the assembly constituencies and speed up the works of the Jal Jeevan Mission. Uttarakhand CM Dhami instructs officials to speed up works of Jal Jeevan Mission In the meeting, he said asked the District Magistrates to hold meetings with the legislators from time to time in the districts and solve the problems of their areas.CM Dhami gave these instructions to the officials during the review of the assembly constituencies in the Secretariat.In the review meeting, Dhami instructed the District Magistrates to speed up the works of the Jal Jeevan Mission.He said, "It should be ensured that people do not face a shortage of drinking water during summer. To speed up development works and to solve regional problems, the District Magistrate should allot areas to the officers and inspects them from time to time to see the progress of the works.""From the point of view of disaster management, complete arrangements for necessary equipment and human resources should be made at the tehsil level as well," he added.Chief Minister said that continuous efforts are being made by the state government to promote agriculture, horticulture, tourism, and industry in the state. Efforts are also being made to strengthen health education and connectivity. Many public welfare schemes are being run to increase the livelihood of the people. Every possible effort is being made to bring Uttarakhand into the category of leading states of the country.In the meeting, the legislators informed about the construction and strengthening of roads, the need for hand pumps for drinking water, improving health facilities in the hilly areas, flood protection works, the problem of garbage disposal, the problem of drainage and sewerage and various problems in their areas.Responding to the problems raised by the legislators, CM Dhami said, "Whatever public problems have been raised by the legislators, every possible solution will be given to them."During the meeting, the legislators appreciated the initiative being taken by Chief Minister for the overall development of the state. He also termed this initiative as in the larger interest of the state.ANI21 April 2023 Shared Recently! Suvendu Adhikari writes to Union Minister Shekhawat on hijacking credit for Jal Jeevan Mission by West Bengal govt Kolkata, April 20: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday wrote to Union Minister of Jal Shakti Gajendra Singh Shekhawat seeking direction to the West Bengal governmnet to follow protocols while inaugurating Jal Jeevan Mission projects in the State and while carrying out publicity activities associated with the inauguration events. Suvendu Adhikari writes to Union Minister Shekhawat on hijacking credit for Jal Jeevan Mission by West Bengal govt In his letter to Jal Shakrti Minister, Adhikari said, "It is with great pleasure, I would like to thank you for the timely execution of the Jal Jeevan Mission Projects. The doorstep connectivity of drinking water in rural homes is the biggest gift to the people in this heatwave situation. The people of India are wholeheartedly thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi across India. However, the scenario is a bit different in West Bengal as the State government is trying their level best to hijack the credit due to PM and the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti."He said after the tough stance taken by the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti, West Bengal government and the State administration has reluctantly started to use the name Jal Jeevan Mission instead of Jal Swapna.However, Adhikari said the West Bengal government is still, unethically trying to pass it off as their own project."The image of the Prime Minister is conspicuously absent in publicity and display materials and plaques. But at least 50 per cent of the space of such advertisement or display boards and signages is reserved for the picture of the Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee. I have no problem regarding the display of the image of CM, but it cannot be a substitute for the PM's image," he said."So it is my earnest request to you, that kindly instruct the West Bengal government to follow the protocols regarding the publicity and the inaugural events, which the State government and the District Administration must adhere to. The Union Ministry of Jal Shakti should monitor the adherence of such protocols. The printing and display of the Prime Minister's image in the publicity materials, advertisements, banners and plaques is a must and should be non-negotiable," added Adhikari.ANI21 April 2023 Shared Recently! New Zealand doubles support for retail crime victims following rampant robbery Wellington, April 21: The New Zealand government has increased support to retailers to protect them from rampant ram raids across the country, Police Minister Ginny Andersen said on Friday. New Zealand doubles support for retail crime victims following rampant robbery The government is making sure retailers can continue to get support for security and safety measures, by more than doubling investment in the retail crime prevention program, Xinhua news agency quoted Andersen as saying."Last year we saw a spike in ram raids and other retail crime that was having a real impact on our communities," Andersen said, adding the government continues to support police on prevention and reassurance in communities.The Minister announced a further NZ$9 million ($5 million) to top up the retail crime prevention fund, bringing the total investment to NZ$15 million.A total of 501 dairies and small shops nationwide that were a victim of a ram raid or aggravated robbery have had quotes approved, and a total of 2,383 interventions have been approved for eligible stores.A total of 1,021 security interventions have been completed and invoiced by contractors, ministry statistics show.Installations so far have included 222 fog cannons, 181 security sirens, 193 alarms, 195 CCTV systems or system upgrades, 82 bollards or similar security measures, 101 roller doors, and 47 other interventions that include improved lighting and strengthened windows, Andersen said.The government is also funding programs aimed at holding the young people who are committing these crimes accountable, and if possible, getting them back on the right track, she said."The majority of these young offenders have a family history of violence, so we need to make sure we get in early and break the cycle of crime," the Minister said.IANS21 April 2023 Shared Recently! Sudan violence puts tens of thousands of pregnant women at risk: UN United Nations, April 21: The ongoing heavy fighting in Sudan is putting tens of thousands of pregnant women in danger, making it too perilous to venture outside their homes to seek urgent medical care, warned the UN Population Fund (UNFPA). Sudan violence puts tens of thousands of pregnant women at risk: UN UNFPA estimates that there are 219,000 pregnant women in the capital city of Khartoum, the epicentre of the violence, with 24,000 of them expected to give birth in the coming weeks, reports Xinhua news agency.Violent clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces since Saturday have made it extremely difficult for women to seek essential antenatal care, safe delivery services, or postnatal care, said the fund in a statement.The conflict has not spared Sudan's healthcare system. At least 20 hospitals have been forced to shut down in Khartoum because of the violence.A further 12 hospitals across the country are still operating but could soon close as they struggle with power and water cuts and a lack of staff, it said.Doctors, nurses and hospital staff are unable to travel to work and vital humanitarian aid is not getting through because of roadblocks and ongoing fighting, leaving medical facilities understaffed, overwhelmed, and running low on critical medical supplies, it said.If the violence does not stop, there is a danger that the health system will collapse and pregnant women and their unborn children will die, warned UNFPA.The agency said it is also concerned about the 3.1 million women and girls who are facing increased risks of life-threatening gender-based violence as protection services are interrupted by the clashes.UNFPA reminds all parties to the conflict of their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect all civilians, including the wounded and sick, health care workers and humanitarians, and ensure unrestricted access to health facilities and hospitals for those in need. Attacks on health care are a flagrant violation of international law and the right to health.The UN agency deplores the deadly attacks on UN staff and expresses extreme concern about the safety of its own staff in Khartoum and other affected areas, who are trapped inside their homes and are beginning to run out of water, food and critical medicines.The current insecurity is making the delivery of humanitarian aid almost impossible and comes at the worst time for the people of Sudan as the country faces unprecedented needs, it said.Under extremely challenging circumstances, the agency continues to support partners on the ground to provide life-saving health care, distribute supplies for safe births and to manage obstetric emergencies through a network of midwives, while also trying to ensure the safety of its own staff, partners and their families, it said.UNFPA joins UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in calling for the humanitarian pause to be respected so that people can access food, water, medicine and the health care they desperately need, it said.IANS21 April 2023 Shared Recently! Supriya Pilgaonkar recounts how Sachins mum advised him to proposed to her Mumbai, April 21: Film and TV actress Supriya Pilgaonkar recalled how Sachin proposed to her on the sets of his directorial Marathi film, and added that it was her mother-in-law who advised him to marry her. Supriya Pilgaonkar recounts how Sachin's mum advised him to proposed to her Supriya shared that when Sachin was making his Marathi film 'Navri Mile Navryala', he was looking for the lead actress and at that time, his mother saw Supriya performing in a programme and she suggested him to cast her as heroine in the movie.She said "He had a desire to create this film, but he struggled to find a suitable leading lady for it. As a result, he tasked everyone with finding an actress. During that time, I was performing in a small programme on Mumbai's Doordarshan channel. My mother-in-law was watching the show and noticed me, and she thought that I would be perfect for the role. She informed Sachin about me, and he agreed with his mother."Supriya has appeared in a number of TV shows and Hindi and Marathi films. She was seen in 'Tu Tu Main Main', 'Tu Tota Main Maina', 'Sasural Genda Phool', 'Dilli Wali Thakur Girls', 'Ishqbaaz', among others. She also appeared as the winner of the dance reality show 'Nach Baliye 1' with her husband. Supriya was seen in several films including 'Khoobsurat', 'Awara Paagal Deewana', 'Barsaat', 'Rashmi Rocket' and web series 'Home'.Supriya added that her mother-in-law and Sachin came to know her name from the show's credit and then he approached her for his Marathi film."They learned my name from the show's credits. Upon discovering that I was from Goa, my mother-in-law suggested that I would be a good match for him. With this, she planted a seed in his mind. Although there was no such thing between us during the film's production."After the shoot was over he proposed to Supriya for marriage. "However, at the end of the movie, after everything was finished, Sachin decided to propose to me. He was worried that I might have abandoned the film if he had proposed earlier, so he waited until the end," she concluded.Sachin and Supriya Pilgaonkar appeared on 'The Kapil Sharma Show' as celebrity guests. It airs on Sony Entertainment Television.IANS21 April 2023 Shared Recently! Did you rush to meet Navi Mumbai tragedy victims?: Shiv Sena (UBT) asks Raj Thackeray Mumbai, April 21: The Shiv Sena (UBT) on Friday launched a full-scale attack on Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) President Raj Thackeray for his comments alleging that his estranged cousin and former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray was also liable for 'culpable homicide' for mishandling of the Covid-19 crisis. Did you rush to meet Navi Mumbai tragedy victims?: Shiv Sena (UBT) asks Raj Thackeray After an earful by Sena (UBT) chief spokesperson Sanjay Raut, Deputy Leader Sushma Andhare shot off a letter, informing 'Dada' Raj (elder brother) that the Navi Mumbai tragedy of April 16 was a "man-made disaster" compared to the Covid-19 pandemic which was a natural calamity not created by Uddhav.Adopting a sweet sisterly tone, Andhare lauded Raj for the "four-day delay but finally speaking about the tragedy" that claimed 14 lives, and then hit hard "After the disaster, did you rush to meet the families of the victims?"On the government's plea that the incident should not be politicised, the Sena (UBT) firebrand woman orator pointed out that it was Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his Deputy Devendra Fadnavis who mobilised such a massive crowd to politically exploit the popularity of Appasaheb Dharmadhikari in that event.Sena (UBT) national spokesperson Kishore Tiwari hit out at Raj Thackeray, reminding him that Uddhav Thackeray's Covid-19 pandemic management was appreciated not only by the whole world but also by the BJP government at the Centre."Rather than running down the exemplary work of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, why can't Raj Thackeray give some good advice to the Shinde-Fadnavis regime whose performance has been disastrous for all sections of the population in the past nine months," Tiwari said in a potshot at the MNS leader.Andhare sharply added that instead of arranging financial help to the MVA government and Uddhav Thackeray during the pandemic, Fadnavis and the BJP were busy donating money to the private PM Care Fund.Earlier, Raut labelled Raj "as a pet parrot" of the BJP and asked him to make demands for culpable homicide against the Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat for their failure during the Covid-19 pandemic."Why only Uddhav Thackeray? Let them order similar investigations against the Chief Ministers of Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh. Remember those thousands of bodies dumped in the Ganga River in UP? Or the long queues of people waiting with bodies for cremation in Gujarat," Raut demanded.As the bitter political row continued over the 'Maharashtra Bhushan Award' post-event tragedy, the government appointed a one-man committee to probe the issue, and earlier banned all similar open-air functions in the state from 12-5 p.m. during summer.The opposition MVA has questioned how a government official could conduct an impartial probe when the Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Shinde, Fadnavis and other dignitaries were on the dais.Nationalist Congress Party's Leader of Opposition (Assembly) Ajit Pawar has demanded a judicial probe by a retired judge, state Congress President Nana Patole wants a two-day Special Legislature Session to discuss the disaster, and Raut has alleged between 50-75 deaths necessitating culpable homicide charges.IANS21 April 2023 Shared Recently! Sri Lanka Envoy Moragoda attends G20 Space Economy Leaders meet in Shillong Shillong (Meghalaya), April 20: The Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India, Milinda Moragoda, attended the G20 Space Economy Leaders' meeting in Shillong, Meghalaya. Sri Lanka Envoy Moragoda attends G20 Space Economy Leaders' meet in Shillong According to the official release of the High Commission of Sri Lanka, the envoy was invited by ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) to participate in the meeting.Other non-G20 countries represented at the meeting included Bhutan and Oman.In line with the efforts to place the 'space economy' as a formal item on the G20 agenda, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) organized an 'inception meeting' of Space Economy Leaders in Shillong, Meghalaya under India's G20 Presidency of India from April 17-18, the official release said.High Commissioner Moragoda, in his intervention at the meeting, stated that Sri Lanka's participation at this forum was a direct result of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's initiative to include "Voices from the Global South" in G20 activities.Moragoda stated that the purpose of this meeting was to discuss the value of the space economy to the global economy and to promote communication and information sharing about the current situation of the space industry in the G20 nations, according to the official release.The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is the national space agency of India.In this context, High Commissioner Moragoda stated that Sri Lanka stood ready to collaborate with the G20 under India's Presidency to explore ways and means in which non-G20 countries can benefit from the space economy, the size of which is expected to reach USD 1 trillion by 2040.Sri Lanka through the Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies has been collaborating for some time with ISRO and other international agencies in an effort to take advantage of this fast-growing sector.The use of satellite technology to promote Sri Lankan agriculture, education, climate change, fisheries, health, and telecommunications are only a few examples of practical applications. Clarke, after whom the Clarke Belt or Orbit is called, was an honorary citizen of Sri Lanka.ANI21 April 2023 Shared Recently! COP28 team calls for greater inclusion of indigenous voices in building climate solutions New York, April 20 (ANI/WAM): This week, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28, Razan Al Mubarak, and COP28 Director-General and Special Representative, Ambassador Majid Al Suwaidi, travelled to the United Nations Headquarters in New York to engage with stakeholders on the margins of the 22nd Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII). COP28 team calls for greater inclusion of indigenous voices in building climate solutions The Forum on Indigenous Issues is the central UN body dedicated to the concerns and rights of the world's indigenous peoples. In their respective engagements, both members of the COP28 leadership team reiterated the UAE's commitment to closer collaboration with indigenous communities in driving solutions to the climate crisis.In her keynote speech at the Forum, Al Mubarak emphasised the importance of leveraging the knowledge and values of indigenous peoples for achieving sustainable development and protecting biodiversity and encouraged their full engagement in the development of policies related to climate change."As a UN Climate Change Champion, I am committed to partnering with you to support your efforts and to promote solutions from indigenous peoples to solve the climate crisis," stated Al Mubarak.On the sidelines of the Forum, Ambassador Al Suwaidi briefed representatives of the Group of 77 + China on potential areas of cooperation and the UAE's commitment to work closely with developing countries of the Global South to deliver an inclusive COP28.Additionally, Al Mubarak and Ambassador Al Suwaidi co-convened indigenous youth activists and young people at the forefront of efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change.Al Mubarak highlighted the important role of indigenous youth as leaders in building climate resilience and protecting against the impacts of climate change. In his remarks, Al Suwaidi stressed the importance of creating a dedicated space specifically for indigenous youth to support COP28 outcomes and developing indigenous-led stable climate solutions.On the final day of her visit, Al Mubarak co-hosted an event with environmental and indigenous rights activist Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim as well as the International Indigenous People's Forum on Climate Change (IIPFCC) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The event focused on the promotion of indigenous values and knowledge systems to shape the global dialogue on planetary health and climate action. (ANI/WAM)ANI21 April 2023 Shared Recently! Jaishankar reaches Guyana on 3-day visit, receives warm welcome from counterpart Todd Georgetown [Guyana], April 21: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar arrived in Guyana on Friday for a three-day visit to the country. Jaishankar reaches Guyana on 3-day visit, receives warm welcome from counterpart Todd On reaching the Guyanese capital of Georgetown, the EAM was received by the Foreign Minister of Guyana, Hugh Todd.Taking to Twitter, Jaishankar wrote, "Arrived in Georgetown, Guyana to a warm reception from FM Hugh Todd. Look forward to a productive visit."Apart from calling on the leadership and interacting with several Ministers in Guyana, Jaishankar be co-chairing the Joint Commission Meeting with his counterpart, Hugh Hilton Todd which will entail discussions on the whole gamut of issues between the two countries.According to the official release of the Ministry of External Affairs, the EAM's visit to Guyana would also be an opportunity for a meeting of Foreign Ministers in the India-COFCOR (Council on Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR); a group of 15-member Caribbean Community (CARICOM)) format and hold bilateral meetings with participating Ministers.The External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar is notably on a four-nation Central and Latin America visit beginning today.Following his visit to Guyana, Jaishankar will visit Panama from April 24-25. He will be calling on top leadership and would be hosted by Foreign Minister Janaina Tewaney Mencomo. During this visit, the India-SICA Foreign Ministerial Meeting will also be convened wherein he would meet representatives of the eight-country Central American Integration System (SICA).On April 25-27, the EAM will embark on a Colombia visit where he would be meeting several top representatives of the Government, business and civil society. His Colombia visit would be the first Foreign Ministerial level visit to the country, the External Affairs Ministry said in its release.Furthermore, Jaishankar will also visit the country from April 27-29.The EAM's visit takes place after the establishment of our resident Embassy in Santo Domingo in 2022. Apart from calling on the country's political leadership, EAM will be holding discussions with Foreign Minister Roberto Alvarez, the press release said.The two leaders would also formally inaugurate the Indian resident mission. EAM is also expected to deliver a talk at the Dominican Republic Foreign Ministry.ANI21 April 2023 Shared Recently! Magnificence, Magnanimity and Morality in action: The maiden Global Buddhist Summit in New Delhi By Dr Maheep, New Delhi, April 21: Buddhism and India have shared a long-standing relationship since its very beginning starting 5th century BCE. Magnificence, Magnanimity and Morality in action: The maiden Global Buddhist Summit in New Delhi With a long and complex history in India, religion has had a significant impact on Indian culture and society.During the early years of Buddhism, it was mainly practised in India, and many of the religion's key teachings were developed and refined in this region.Many Indian rulers, such as Ashoka, were proponents of Buddhism and helped to spread the religion throughout the country. Buddhist temples and monasteries were established throughout India, and religion played an important role in shaping Indian art, literature, and philosophy.Today, Buddhism continues to be an important part of India's cultural heritage, and many Buddhist pilgrimage sites are located throughout the country.Over the centuries, Buddhism spread across Asia and beyond, but it has remained an important part of India's cultural heritage.In an attempt to reconnect with the cultural aspects and better integrate Buddhist ideas, the maiden Global Buddhist Summit will be held on April 20-21 in New Delhi in a collaborative setup between the Ministry of Culture and the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC).As part of the commemorations under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, the maiden edition of the International Global Buddhist Summit is being organised in India with prominent Buddhist monks from different countries taking part in the summit.In fact, multiple roundtable conferences are being organised to discuss how best society can deal with contemporary challenges, with the help of Buddhist philosophy and thought.In better ideating how contemporary challenges can be dealt with Buddhism, the summit shall serve as a medium to enhance the cultural and diplomatic relationships with other countries as well with 171 delegates from 30 countries participating in the same.Most discussions aim to understand today's pressing global issues and find answers in the Buddha Dhamma based on universal values.A major reason for the same is that Buddhism as a culture and religious system has been firmly rooted in the ideas of peace and non-violence.Its teachings emphasize the importance of compassion, kindness, and respect for all living beings. In today's era of war and conflict, Buddhism's message of peace and non-violence is more relevant than ever.Religion offers a unique perspective on dealing with violence and conflict, emphasizing the importance of dialogue and understanding rather than aggression and force.The principles of Buddhism also denote that violence and suffering inflicted on others ultimately come back to harm the oppressor as well.Buddhism encourages society to take a broader view of their actions and to consider the impact their actions might have on others, rather than just focusing on one's own desires and interests.Therefore, the four carefully curated themes for the summit are 'Buddha Dhamma and Peace', 'Environmental Crisis, Health and Sustainability', 'Preservation of Nalanda Buddhist Tradition and Pilgrimage', and 'Living Heritage and Buddha Relics a resilient foundation to India's centuries-old cultural links to countries in South, Southeast and East Asia'.Through these, the vision of the summit is to better understand the teachings of the Shakyamuni Buddha that have been continuously enriched over the centuries with the practice of Buddha Dhamma.This summit comes close on the heels of a recently-held successful international meet of experts from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) nations, aimed at re-establishing transcultural links, seeking out commonalities, between Buddhist art of Central Asia, art styles, archaeological sites and antiquity in various museums' collections of the SCO countries as well.This summit is a similar effort towards engaging the global Buddhist dhamma leadership and scholars on matters of Buddhist and universal concerns, and coming up with policy inputs to address them collectively.With the powerful message of hope in the face of conflict that Buddhism philosophy propounds advertently and inadvertently, its teachings have constantly focused on the importance of compassion and forgiveness, even in the face of the greatest adversity.By embracing these values, Buddhism advocates for a break in the cycle of violence resulting in a more peaceful and just world. It is expected that the deliberations at the summit will successfully explore how the Buddha Dhamma's fundamental values can provide the necessary inspiration and guidance to individuals, leaders and society in general in today's day and age to grapple with technological advancements, consumerism and the constant aggrandisement that societies and nations continue to profess and practice.The maiden edition of the Global Buddhist Summit that is held in New Delhi marks a significant moment in the history of Buddhism, highlighting its relevance and potential in contemporary times. With its focus on the philosophy of compassion, sympathy and mutual understanding.The summit offers a unique perspective on how to deal with the pressing global challenges we face today. Through its carefully curated themes and roundtable conferences, the summit aims to create a platform for Buddhist leaders, Monks, and interfaith dialogue scholars to engage in meaningful discourse and explore ways to address common concerns.The summit also serves as a medium to enhance cultural and diplomatic relationships with several countries, promoting peaceful coexistence and global peace, serenity and harmony.With its message of hope and the importance of magnificence, magnanimity and morality, Buddhism offers a golden path towards a more peaceful and just world.The Global Buddhist Summit provides an opportunity to learn from this ancient philosophy and apply it in our lives and society, ensuring a more sustainable future for all of us.The author of this opinion piece is Dr Maheep, an expert on India's Foreign affairs. He is the Principal Investigator of a National Project on India's Soft Power Diplomacy.ANI21 April 2023 Shared Recently! About 2.4 million people in Thailand have sought hospital treatment for medical problems linked to air pollution since the start of 2023, health officials said, as toxic smog chokes parts of the country. Bangkok and the northern city of Chiang Mai were among the most polluted cities in the world on Thursday morning, according to air quality monitoring company IQAir. There were 184,465 hospital admissions this week alone, Public Health Department Permanent Secretary Opas Karnkawinpong said on Wednesday. Dr Opas said respiratory problems, dermatitis, eye inflammation and sore throat were among the most common medical issues. Health officials have urged people to use high-quality N95 anti-pollution masks, close windows and doors, minimize time outside and exercise indoors. "Today is so smoggy," a Thai Facebook user said. "I have a sore throat and coughed so much. I did a test for Covid-19, but its not that. Looking at the pollution level, that could be it." Smoke from forest fires and farmers burning crop stubble have polluted the air in parts of the country, according to experts. Thailand is home to more than 70 million people and its poor air quality has become a hot-button issue ahead of the countrys May 14 election, with the incumbent government accused of not doing enough to tackle the problem. Economic growth alone is not enough to end rabies: Study Washington, April 21: According to a recent study from the University of Surrey, economic development may not be enough to achieve the internationally agreed-upon goal of eliminating human mortality from dog-mediated rabies. The study concludes that urgent action is required to eradicate the lethal disease, which has strong correlations with poverty, by increasing responsible pet ownership and targeting vulnerable groups. Economic growth alone is not enough to end rabies: Study In a landmark study, Surrey researchers investigated whether incidences of rabies are an inevitable consequence of poverty or whether other measures of development, such as healthcare access, can play a role in tackling this preventable disease.Dr Emma Taylor, a Research Fellow in the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Surrey who has also recently become a Surrey Future Fellow, said"Despite it being an entirely preventable disease, more than 60,000 people worldwide die from rabies every year. The elimination of rabies needs to be a priority, and with that, the right funding identified, and resources distributed correctly, or it will continue to be a threat to global health and devastate the most vulnerable communities. Economic growth is an important step in reducing the risk of rabies, but it cannot be the only one step to be taken."Transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal, the rabies virus infects the central nervous system of mammals which ultimately leads to death. Swift treatment with post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) can prevent the disease developing in people, but it can be expensive and is not universally accessible for many.To learn more, researchers examined data from over 100 different countries, using three measures of development to assess either the economic wealth of a country (total gross domestic product (GDP), and current health expenditure), and the proportion of deprivation experienced at the individual level (Multidimensional Poverty Index).Researchers found no relationship between death rates caused by rabies and the GDP of a country and no significant association between health expenditure (% GDP) and rabies incidence. Interestingly, no association was found to occur between health expenditure and the probability of receiving PEP indicating that economic growth alone may not be sufficient in ensuring health care access.However, researchers did find the higher the level of deprivation, depicted by a high MPI ranking within countries, the higher the probability that the patient would not receive PEP and consequentially the higher the death rate would be from rabies. Researchers believe that the link between MPI and rabies deaths may be due to lack of education and awareness of rabies and ability to travel to receive PEP.Professor Dan Horton, Professor of Veterinary Virology at the University of Surrey, said"The elimination of dog mediated human rabies in many countries shows that the goals are within our reach. However economic growth alone is not enough to achieve this goal and greater focus should be given to dog vaccinations and educating the most vulnerable about rabies."These results help to inform important next steps to meet the global 2030 goal of achieving zero human deaths as a result of dog-mediated rabies. The University of Surrey continues to generate evidence and contributes to the leading global partnership for rabies elimination, the United Against Rabies Forum, a collaboration with WHO, WOAH and the UN-FAO which is directly informing international and national rabies control.This study has been published in PloS Neglected Tropical Diseases.ANI21 April 2023 Shared Recently! I just want to focus on feeling good, Jofra Archer speaks ahead of his awaited return for MI in IPL 2023 Mumbai, April 21: Pace bowling sensation Jofra Archer is on the brink of returning to the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 action after he missed Mumbai Indians' last four matches as he picked up a little niggle. I just want to focus on feeling good, Jofra Archer speaks ahead of his awaited return for MI in IPL 2023 Archer's career has been plagued by injuries, but this time before making his return he is making sure that he feels good before making his return."To be honest, I still want to bowl fast and stuff - but when you feel good, you bowl good. I just want to focus on feeling good at the minute," Jofra Archer said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo."Obviously the last two weeks aren't exactly what you would hope for after being so fully active. But it's what you expect when you've been off for a long time, the body's not going to be 100 percent straight away.""There are going to be moments where it feels a lot more serious than it actually is. I don't know which game will be the next game, but I'm just trying to put myself in the best position possible [to play].During his recovery period, Archer has been sitting behind the scenes, analyzing MI's performances and waiting for his moment to shine for them."It's a great franchise and hopefully, I get the opportunity to win a few games for them. We've won more games than we've lost which is miles better than what we did last year, so everything is going well and the mood in the camp is good," Archer added.Even though Archer couldn't deliver the performance he expected from himself in his debut for MI, he still has high hopes for his home debut, after watching two games at Wankhede Stadium from the dugout."I probably didn't have the debut that I wanted," he said, "but I do have the opportunity to debut at home. Hopefully, I can make it a proper one this time."When we played Chennai at home, I couldn't believe the atmosphere - both teams have an unbelievable following. It is always great seeing the sea of blue [in the stands]," Archer concluded.As Archer continues to focus on his recovery, Mumbai Indians have won three of their five matches in IPL 2023. They currently sit in the 6th position and prepare for their next game against Punjab Kings on Saturday.ANI21 April 2023 Shared Recently! South Korean President Yoon to visit US from April 24-29 Seoul, April 20: President Yoon Suk Yeol will be on a state visit to the United States from April 24-29 to hold a summit with US President Joe Biden and mark the 70th anniversary of the bilateral alliance, a presidential official said Thursday, Korean News Agency Yonhap reported. South Korean President Yoon to visit US from April 24-29 Yoon will be the first South Korean president since Lee Myung-bak visited the US in 2011, Principal Deputy National Security Adviser Kim Tae-hyo told reporters while announcing the details of his trip.Yoon and Biden will hold a summit at the White House on April 26 after an official welcoming ceremony and before a state dinner where they will be joined by first ladies Kim Keon Hee and Jill Biden, Yonhap reported."The two leaders will spend a lot of time together over the course of many events ... celebrate the achievements of the South Korea-US alliance accumulated over 70 years, and exchange in-depth views on the alliance's way forward," Kim Tae-hyo said.The summit will mark the sixth meeting between Yoon and Biden, following those in Seoul last May and then in Madrid, London, New York and Phnom Penh."We expect the contents and breadth of our global comprehensive strategic alliance to be further expanded at the upcoming talks, based on the trust and friendship the leaders have built until now," Kim said.The adviser pointed to four key areas where he expects to see results, including strengthening the allies' combined defence posture and more detailed implementation of the US extended deterrence commitment to South Korea, Yonhap reported.Extended deterrence refers to the US commitment to mobilizing the full range of its military capabilities, including nuclear, to defend its ally.The credibility of that commitment has sometimes been called into question in South Korea as North Korea has simulated nuclear missile strikes on the South while advancing its nuclear and missile capabilities.Kim said the summit would also aim to flesh out cooperation on economic security, such as in semiconductors and batteries; promote exchanges between future generations, including by nurturing talents in the advanced technology sector; and strengthen cooperation on international issues, Yonhap reported.On the eve of the summit, Biden and first lady Jill will invite Yoon and first lady Kim to an informal get-together, he said.On April 27, Yoon will deliver an address before a joint session of Congress and look back on the past 70 years of an alliance rooted in the shared values of liberal democracy, the rule of law and human rights, address the challenges the two countries face and present a blueprint for the alliance's way forward.He will then have lunch with Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Vice President Kamala Harris before moving to an undisclosed location to receive a briefing from US military leaders, Yonhap reported.Later that day, Yoon will travel to Boston and hold discussions on April 28 with digital and bio scholars at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He will also deliver an address at Harvard University on the same day."President Yoon will look back on the US-led expansion of economic and political freedoms over the past 200 years and share his thoughts on the two sides of freedom in our digital era," Kim said.Yoon will wrap up his trip and depart for Seoul on April 29.ANI21 April 2023 Shared Recently! PM Modi sends Eid wishes to Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama Tirana [Albania], April 20: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday sent Eid Al Fitr wished to Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, ahead of the festival. PM Modi sends Eid wishes to Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama In the message to his Albanian counterpart, Prime Minister Modi extended warm greetings to the people of Albania on the auspicious occasion of Eid Al Fitr.PM Modi wished peace, harmony, good health and happiness to the people of Albania and across the world as they now prepare for celebrating Eid Al Fitr."Prime Minister of India, H.E. Mr. Narendra Modi sent a message today to the Prime Minister of Albania, H.E. Mr. Edi Rama extending warm greetings to him and the people of Albania on the auspicious occasion of Eid Al Fitr. He wished peace, harmony, good health and happiness to the people of Albania and across the world as they now prepare for celebrating Eid Al Fitr," the Embassy of India, Bucharest accredited to Romania, Albania and Moldova tweeted on Thursday.During Ramzan, people have two main meals -- the 'suhoor' or 'sehri' just before dawn and the 'iftar' after sunset.According to Islamic beliefs, Ramzan is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting to commemorate the first revelation of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad.Ramzan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which involves rigorous fasting for about 30 days.During this month, Muslims do not consume food or water from dawn to dusk. They eat Sehri (a pre-dawn meal) and break their day-long fast with 'Iftar' in the evening.Eid ul-Fitr is celebrated on the first day of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic lunar calendar.ANI21 April 2023 Shared Recently! Trump storms into Florida to oust rival DeSantis from 2024 race Washington, April 21: Even as the Republican Party is still weighing in options between former US President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Trump is wasting no time to oust his rival DeSantis from the race in the 2024 primaries drumming up support for himself on the Governor's home turf. Trump storms into Florida to oust rival DeSantis from 2024 race Republican Congressman Michael Waltz, who replaced DeSantis in the House, made it clear on Thursday that he won't be supporting his predecessor's expected run for the White House. He has endorsed Trump.The Combat-decorated Green Beret Waltz has virtually waltzed his way to join as many as 11 of the 20-member Florida Republican delegation that has backed Trump.Trump has also unveiled the endorsements of Representatives Gus Bilirakis and Carlos Gimenez in a fundraising email on Wednesday shaking DeSantis out of his comfort zone.Waltz, media reports said, has over the years carefully threaded the needle when it comes to Trump, avoiding any criticism of Trump, simultaneously rejecting and voting against policies pushed by his administration. But he announced he was backing Trump in 2024 on Thursday morning."We need bold iamp; experienced leadership back in the White House. That's why I'm proud to endorse Donald J. Trump for president," Waltz tweeted.Meanwhile, DeSantis reached Washington to network with influential Republicans prior to an expected presidential run, but the former President has methodically racked up endorsements from Florida in a major blow to the Governor's 2024 prospects.Trump has pre-empted DeSaantish even before he could get his campaign off the ground, political observers said in their analysis of fast paced political developments. ."I generally don't put a lot of weight on endorsements. At the same time though, when your calling card is Florida like it is for Ron, and your folks are defecting in your own backyard, that's never a good sign," Ford O'Connell, a Florida-based GOP strategist, said.It's quite apparent that Trump's campaign aimed at knocking out the plank from under DeSantis's legs before he can be really up and running.The sole Florida member, Laurel Lee, the governor's former secretary of state, endorsed DeSantis at his Capitol Hill event this week."As Ron DeSantis Secretary of State, I had the honour of witnessing first hand his unparalleled leadership under pressure, his chapter and his commitment to core conservative principles," Lee said in a statement."It was my honour to serve in his administration and it is my honour today to endorse him for president of the US."Republican sources claimed Trump is scheduled to host a dinner at his Mar-a-Lago resort Thursday night for all Florida Republicans, who have endorsed his White House bid, soon after DeSantis held his reception in Washington, D.C.Byron Donalds, the closest to DeSantis of any Republican in the House delegation, has literally dropped a bomb over DeSantis while endorsing Trump.At one stage, the DeSantis loyalist had called him "America's governor".The governor also appointed Donalds' wife to the Florida Gulf University board of trustees in March 2022."It felt like a small little bomb detonated in our state here when some within DeSantis's operation, not the governor himself, started frantically reaching out to other Florida members who had yet to endorse," a Republican political strategist said.While DeSantis' political strategist Ron Tyson was reaching out to the Florida Republicans for support, most of them were offended.DeSantis did not approach them directly, even as Trump took the trouble of personally meeting the Florida members to garner support, which he has managed to get, reports said.When DeSantis was in Congress, he was a loner, with not much of a network with the politicians inWashington D.C."I think the way I'd describe Governor DeSantis is transactional. He is only out for himself, and that has rubbed many of my colleagues and myself the wrong way," a Florida Republican who recently endorsed Trump but desired anonymity.Aides working with Republicans in the delegation claimed they found it difficult to get the Governor on the phone to discuss key issues in their districts.A poll from Yahoo News/YouGov, conducted April 14-17, showed Trump leading DeSantis by 16 percentage points (52 per cent to 36 per cent).But two weeks ago, the former president led DeSantis by 26 percentage points (57 per cent to 31 per cent). A recent University of New Hampshire poll, which found DeSantis leading Trump by 12 points in January, now finds Trump leading DeSantis by 20 points in April, Politico reported.There are still a number of Florida lawmakers who are keeping their options open such as Representatives Kat Cammack, Maria Elvira Salazar, and Mario Diaz-Balart.A number of political strategists and consultants in the state are doing the same, The Washington Examiner said.Some Republicans in the state are alarmed over Trump's endorsements and wanted members to set aside their personal feelings and assess which of the two candidates is most likely to win the general election in 2024.Former Representative Francis Rooney, a known Trump critic retired in 2021, said "Trump cannot win the general election. It's not going to happen. It didn't work in the midterms. We had a bunch of defective candidates, election deniers, they didn't win. What we should have had was a 20-seat majority, and that's not what happened."IANS21 April 2023 Shared Recently! 4th Covid death in Kolkata in 26 days Kolkata, April 21: A senior citizen in Kolkata reportedly died of Covid-19 on Friday, taking the death toll due to the Coronavirus in West Bengal to four in the last 26 days. 4th Covid death in Kolkata in 26 days Sources in the state health department said that the deceased person has been identified as Subir Kar (80). He died on late Thursday night and in the death certificate it has been mentioned that he was tested Covid-19 positive, sources said.He was admitted at the Infectious Disease Hospital at Beliaghata in North Kolkata where he died.Just two days back, on April 19, the death of Mantu Ram Bar (79) was reported from the same hospital.The first Covid-related death in 2023 was reported on March 25, when Gobindo Kundu (72), a resident of Nadia district, succumbed to it. This death was reported after a gap of three months.The second death was reported on April 13, when Bhaskar Das (76), a resident of Regent Park area in Kolkata died in a city-based private hospital."All the four deceased persons as you can see were senior citizens and all of them had comorbidities," the health department official added.On April 18, the West Bengal health department issued an advisory asking people to go for maximum use of facemasks at public places.It also advised people that if anyone is detected Covid-19 positive, he or she should stay in home-isolation for at least a week. "If your symptoms aggravate or you start feeling shortness of breath (or oxygen separation keeps falling), report to a hospital or doctor immediately," the advisory read.If a young child or person at higher risk turns Covid-19 positive, the person concerned must be taken to a hospital or doctor without any delay, it added.IANS21 April 2023 Shared Recently! PM Modi calls for evacuation plan for Indian citizens in war-torn Sudan New Delhi, April 21: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday called for a contingency evacuation plan and other viable options for Indian citizens stuck in war-torn Sudan. PM Modi calls for evacuation plan for Indian citizens in war-torn Sudan He said this while undertaking a high-level meeting to review the situation in the troubled African nation.The meeting, which took place through video-conferencing, was attended by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Indian Ambassador to Sudan, and other senior officials.PM Modi assessed the most recent developments in Sudan and received a first-hand report of the conditions on the ground, with specific focus on the safety of over 3,000 Indian citizens currently located throughout the country, sources aware of the developments said.The Prime Minister expressed his condolences on the passing away of an Indian national who tragically fell victim to a stray bullet last week.He instructed all concerned officials to remain vigilant, closely monitor developments and continuously evaluate the safety of Indian nationals in Sudan, while extending them all possible assistance.PM Modi also underlined the significance of maintaining close communication with neighbouring countries in the region, as well as those with significant numbers of citizens in Sudan.Jaishankar has already met UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres in New York to discuss the situation in Sudan, especially the condition of Indian citizens stuck there.Jaishankar, who was on his way to a series of visits to Guyana, Panama, Columbia and the Dominican Republic on Thursday, made an unscheduled stopover in New York to meet Guterres.Earlier, he had spoken to the foreign ministers of the UAE and Egypt to discuss the prevailing scenario in Sudan.Fighting between Sudan's army and paramilitary forces has been going on since April 15, which has led to the death of around 300 people, including an Indian citizen.Indian foreign ministry has advised Indian citizens in the capital city of Sudan, Khartoum, not to venture to the Indian embassy as it lies in a war zone.IANS21 April 2023 Shared Recently! Girl born with joint urethra, vagina & rectum treated successfully New Delhi, April 21: Ten-year-old Arushi Mashery born with a rare condition, where her urethra, vagina, and rectal openings did not separate at birth and were joined together, opening as a single cavity, was given a new lease of life by doctors at a private hospital in Mumbai. Girl born with joint urethra, vagina & rectum treated successfully The condition, known as cloaca, is found in one in every 50,000 babies, according to Cleveland Clinic.Less than 15 cases have been reported in medical and clinical literature, said Dr. Rasiklal Shah, Senior Consultant -- Paediatric Surgery, at the Narayana Health's SRCC Children's Hospital, in a statement.In addition to cloaca, the child also had an absence of a bladder and two hemi uteri joined with two separate vaginas and no anus.Arushi also had a very rare problem of an abnormal connection between the two iliac arteries - - blood vessels that provide blood to the legs, pelvis and reproductive organs.The surgeons had to be very careful so that the arteries are not damaged while performing several reconstructive procedures.Shah said Arushi underwent a surgery to create an anal opening about 6 months back, which "separated her rectum from the common cavity".To treat her problem of urine incontinence, the doctors created an Indiana Pouch - where instead of a urinary bag, the right colon is removed from the rest of the bowel and re-fashioned into a pouch that can hold 600 ml of fluid.The pouch when full can be emptied by the patient herself by inserting a catheter, the doctor said. The doctors also created a newly constructed rectum."Finally, her colostomy was closed and she started passing stool from the newly constructed rectum. The unique cases had multiple surgeries," Shah said.The doctors noted that Arushi was discharged from the hospital in normal health condition."Doctors here not only performed complicated surgeries but also took good care of us. All the time, they convinced us that problems are plenty but they would overcome each one by one. We are very grateful to the hospital, doctors, and other staff. We will never forget their contribution to making our life happier," said Arushi and her parents.IANS22 April 2023 Shared Recently! A proposal for a Council regulation on "Jurisdiction, Applicable Law, Recognition of Decisions and Acceptance of Authentic Instruments in Matters of Parenthood and on the Creation of a European Certificate of Parenthood" is currently being debated in the European Parliament. The aim of the initiative is to ensure that parenthood established in one EU country is recognized across the Union. This has implications also for surrogacy. This initiative will undoubtedly put pressure on the legal systems of Member States. Defining parenthood is a sole national competence. Eventually, pressure will be put to have the broadest definition. In 2021, the European Parliament stated that the sexual exploitation for surrogacy and reproductive purposes [] is unacceptable and a violation of human dignity and human rights. As a matter of fact, most EU Member States forbid this practice. Among them: Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden. Not only does the practice of surrogacy violate the fundamental rights and bodily integrity of women used as surrogate mothers, but also the rights of the child, who may, in this way, become a victim of human trafficking. While the European Commissions proposal presents the childs best interest as a pillar of its proposal, the inclusion of surrogacy as one of the areas addressed is against these very best interests. The event will consist of two lectures mentioned below and reactions from MEPs or MPs, followed by a Q&A session. - Aude Mirkovic, Legal Director - Juristes pour l'Enfance. The practice of surrogacy seen from a human dignity standpoint" - Adina Portaru, Senior Legal Officer, Europe ADF International. Legal implications of surrogacy agreements Well tell you about a mowed-down patch of prairie in Urbana security at our local trauma center wholl get to park at the new south-campus parking deck and why its so hard to keep litter out of the Second Street basin in Champaign. Oh, and you know those turquoise-colored rental bikes that seemed to be everywhere in C-U last summer? Theyre ba-a-a-ack ... Download Now The News-Gazette mobile app brings you the latest local breaking news, updates, and more. Read the News-Gazette on your mobile device just as it appears in print. Champaign County Health Care Consumers Executive Director Claudia Lennhoff said she planned to look into whether theres any opportunity for the public to intervene in the closure plan. MYC proteins are important regulators of cancer cell growth, proliferation and metabolism through their ability to increase the expression of proteins involved in these processes. Deregulation of MYC proteins occurs in more than half of all cancers and is associated with poor patient prognosis and outcomes. Numerous researchers have devoted significant efforts to try to target MYC proteins as a therapeutic approach to treat cancer. However, this has been extremely challenging to date, and other complementary strategies are being investigated. In a new article in Blood Cancer Discovery, which was published simultaneously with a presentation at the American Association for Cancer Research annual meeting 2023, a team of Moffitt Cancer Center researchers demonstrated a possible alternative approach. They showed that MYC activates a downstream pathway that chemically modifies a protein called eIF5A, and that inhibition of this modification process prevents lymphoma development and progression in mouse models. Our team hypothesized that rather than targeting MYC directly, it may be possible to inhibit its cancer effects by targeting a protein downstream of the MYC effector protein that is also critical to cancer development. We focused our efforts on the polyamine biosynthesis pathway that is involved in cell growth and survival and that is hyper altered in many cancers." Shima Nakanishi, Ph.D., lead study author and research scientist in the Tumor Biology Department at Moffitt The Moffitt team showed that MYC induces the expression of eIF5A and an enzyme called DHPS that modifies eIF5A with a unique amino acid called hypusine. The Moffitt researchers wanted to test if this chemical modification of eIF5A is important for the development and maintenance of lymphoma. They conducted laboratory experiments with cell lines and mouse models and determined that hypusine-modified eIF5A is critical to the development of lymphomas that are regulated by MYC. When the researchers blocked this modification genetically or chemically by targeting eIF5A or DHPS, lymphoma development and progression were inhibited. Mechanistically, they discovered that hypusine-modified eIF5A was important for the production of proteins responsible for cell growth and DNA replication. This is the first study to conclusively demonstrate that this modification is important to the development of cancer. "As activation of the hypusine circuit is a hallmark of MYC-driven tumors, the development of improved small molecule inhibitors of DHPS, or of agents that bind to and block eIF5A-hypusine function, are attractive therapeutic strategies for translating these findings into the clinic," said study author John Cleveland, Ph.D., center director and chief scientific officer at Moffitt. This study was supported by the National Cancer Institute (CA100603, CA241713, DK124906, DK060581 and P30 CA076292), Cortner-Couch Endowed Chair for Cancer Research from the University of South Florida School of Medicine, Diabetes Research Center (P30 DK020595) and funds from the state of Florida. Women with triple-negative breast cancer who received multiple antibiotic prescriptions within three years after their cancer diagnosis were more likely to experience disease recurrence and to die from their cancer than those who took fewer courses of the drugs, according to a study by researchers at Stanford Medicine. The effect on survival was not due to differences in cancer severity, the study showed. The risk increased substantially with the total number and types of antibiotics prescribed for each patient. "Each additional antibiotic increased the risk of death between 5% and 18% relative to patients who weren't prescribed antibiotics," said Julia Ransohoff, MD, a fellow in hematology and medical oncology at the Stanford School of Medicine. "It is important to interpret these findings with caution, however. We can't let life-threatening infections go untreated. But this study suggests that we consider how best to treat them without raising the risk of cancer recurrence." Ransohoff is the lead author of the study, which was published online April 12 in Nature Communications. Allison Kurian, MD, professor of medicine and of epidemiology and population health, and Ami Bhatt, MD, PhD, associate professor of medicine and of genetics, are the senior authors of the study. These findings offer insight into the role of the immune system, and factors that may perturb its function, in fighting the most aggressive type of breast cancer. Gaining a better understanding of this process will be important to guide patient care." Allison Kurian, MD, professor of medicine and of epidemiology and population health Effect on a type of immune cell The researchers studied 772 women who were diagnosed between January 2000 and May 2014 and treated at Stanford Health Care or Palo Alto Medical Foundation. They found that treatment with antimicrobials (a class of drugs that includes antibiotics to treat bacterial infections and antifungals to treat fungal infections) was associated with a decrease in the numbers of an immune cell called lymphocytes circulating in a patient's blood. Lymphocyte numbers have been shown to correlate with response to treatment and overall survival in people with breast cancer. (Although the researchers studied total antimicrobial prescriptions, 99% of the women in the study who were prescribed antimicrobials received antibiotics.) The researchers believe the link between antimicrobials and lymphocyte numbers lies in the gut. Its well established that antibiotic treatment, as well as chemotherapy, can be especially harsh on the bacteria that carpet our intestines a population of tiny helpers known as the gut microbiome. These bacteria not only help us digest food, but also affect many aspects of our health, including how our immune systems respond to emerging threats like infection or cancers. Weve long known that the gut microbiome plays a role in shaping the immune system and that the immune system is pivotal in how people respond to cancers and chemotherapy, Ransohoff said. We found a surprisingly strong and sustained increased risk of death in patients who had received multiple antimicrobials any time during the three years after their initial diagnosis. The study has caveats. The women were diagnosed and treated before 2021, when the use of an immune-boosting therapy called immune checkpoint inhibitors for early-stage triple-negative breast cancer became routine. Also, triple-negative breast cancer is unique among breast cancer types. It is both more rare and more difficult to treat successfully than other breast cancers. But it is also more sensitive to attacks by the immune system, so it is unclear whether the association between antibiotics and poorer survival will translate to other types of breast cancer. Antibiotic use and cancer This study is not the first to show that antibiotic use may affect cancer survival. A previous large study by researchers in Australia of more than 7,000 people with cancer found an association between antibiotic use in the six months prior to the patients diagnosis and poorer survival. And antibiotic treatment correlates with increased tumor growth in several mouse models of breast cancer. Other studies have also hinted at an association between gut microbiome health and responses to cancer treatments. But this study is the first to correlate antimicrobial use with both the number of circulating lymphocytes and overall cancer survival and to do it at several time points after treatment. While other studies have suggested that the gut microbiome is different in cancer patients who do poorly versus those who do well, few have evaluated the upstream choices that patients and doctors can make to affect the microbiome, Bhatt said. This study helps connect some of the dots finding that antibiotic use is linked to lower numbers of a type of circulating immune cell important to fight cancer. We still dont know if the microbiome is the critical connecting factor between antibiotic use and cancer outcomes, but we suspect that it may be a key player. Ransohoff and her colleagues used a database called Oncoshare, which integrates electronic health records and data from the California Cancer Registry. The women in the study were diagnosed with non-metastatic (stages 1 through 3) triple-negative breast cancer and were treated with chemotherapy and, if necessary, surgery. Eighty-four percent of the women were prescribed antimicrobials at some point after their cancer diagnosis; 99% of these prescriptions were for antibiotics. The median follow-up time for the study was 104 months. The researchers found that, over the course of the multiyear study period, 20% of the women who were not prescribed antimicrobials during the study died. In contrast, 23% of the women who had ever received antimicrobials died. There was no statistically significant difference in the risk of death from breast cancer between the average woman who did versus did not receive antimicrobials since diagnosis, suggesting that the risk associated with each prescription was small. However, Ransohoff and her colleagues found that the risk of death from breast cancer increased not just with the total number of prescriptions a woman had received since diagnosis, but also with the number of unique drugs to which she was exposed (amoxicillin versus tetracycline, for example). The association between antimicrobial use and an increased risk of death lasted about three years after the womens cancer diagnoses; the risk gradually decreased in years four and five. Further analysis showed the association was not due to how sick the patients were when they received the drugs. he data from Oncoshare didnt include information about the patients gut microbiomes, which is usually obtained through fecal samples. But Ransohoff and her colleagues hope to design a new study that directly correlates gut microbiome composition with lymphocyte numbers and long-term cancer survival. We would love to look directly at the gut microbiome and see how antibiotic exposure shapes gut taxonomy, Ransohoff said. But this study certainly raises the question of how our findings should impact clinical care of cancer patients.The researchers caution against applying the findings of the study of several hundred women to any one person. Patients should not panic if they were treated with antibiotics after a breast cancer diagnosis, Kurian said. In any individual case, the risk increase is not large. But overall, these findings suggest a link between antibiotic use, the immune system and breast cancer survival, which warrants further study. Researchers from the Palo Alto Medical Foundation Research Institute and UC San Francisco contributed to the work. The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health (grants 5T32HG000044 and R01AI14375702), the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, the Susan and Richard Levy Gift Fund, the Suzanne Pride Bryan Fund for Breast Cancer Research, the Jan Weimer Junior Faculty Chair in Breast Oncology, the Regents of the University of Californias California Breast Cancer Research Program, the BRCA Foundation, the G. Willard Miller Foundation, the Biostatistics Shared Resource of the Stanford Cancer Institute, Stand Up 2 Cancer, the V Foundation, and the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation. Rigshospitalet and Aarhus University have joined forces with the Danish health technology company T&W Engineering. They have just received DKK 15 million in funding from Innovation Fund Denmark for their potentially ground-breaking project for people with serious brain diseases. Image Credit: Aarhus Universitet / Sebastian Krog Knudsen The project will develop and test a so-called ear-EEG device similar to a pair of in-ear headphones. This specially designed measuring device will be tested on patient groups with and without Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. The aim is to examine whether using the technology to screen patients for the two serious brain diseases is possible. The ear-EEG technology reads the brain's electrical activity and gently maps sleep patterns. Recent research shows that a person's sleep patterns can indicate early signs of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. "Alzheimer's and Parkinson's are diseases that creep up over many years. They're usually only discovered when you start to develop cognitive and memory-related problems, sleep disturbances or disturbances in the musculoskeletal system, for example. Diagnosis is generally so late that the only treatment option is to treat the symptoms. In the project, we're going to try to identify signs of the two diseases 10-15 years before the first problems begin to occur, and if we can, far better treatment options will be possible," says Professor Preben Kidmose, who is the head of the Center for Ear-EEG at Aarhus University. Serious brain diseases are incredibly burdensome for patients and their relatives. They are also a growing financial burden for the healthcare sector in Denmark and internationally. According to the Danish Dementia Research Centre, around 12,000 have a Parkinson's diagnosis in Denmark, while over 100,000 live with dementia. In addition, the Alzheimer's Association has estimated that just 40 percent of all Danish women with dementia have been diagnosed, while the figure for Danish men is around 60%. Ear-EGG the sleep monitoring of the future? The small device is placed in the ear to measure electrical activity in the brain. The method measures the extremely small voltage changes on the skin's surface caused by electrical activity in the brain's neurons. It is a far more gentle and less intrusive technology than traditional sleep measurements. The PANDA-project device is also equipped with an oximeter to measure oxygen in the blood, a thermometer, and a microphone that can listen to breathing and heartbeat, much like a stethoscope. "We hope that we'll be able to use the ear-EEG to replace in part the existing and somewhat more troublesome sleep monitoring. We'll try to make the technology so simple that it can be used at home and over a longer period of time. Ideally, we hope it will be possible to measure your own sleep over a few days, weeks, or even months every year. The aim is to identify changes that may be early signs of serious brain diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, and to diagnose patients more easily and earlier than today. This would be a great advantage," says Professor Poul Jrgen Jennum, Doctor of Medical Science and head of the Danish Centre Sleep Medicine at Rigshospitalet. He continues: "Another advantage is that we can examine patients in their everyday lives, and monitor changes in sleep patterns and the effect of treatments. This makes the potential ear-EEG technology a good screening tool that can be used at home - just like a blood pressure meter." We must get the technology into patients' homes The opportunity to develop home health care technology is precisely what attracts T&W Engineering. The company's specialist area is portable health technologies that provide a very accurate picture of patient's health and provide more effective patient care, preferably at home, as Richard Tpholm, CEO of the company, explains. "We want to support the vision of a patient-centric and data driven healthcare system, and we aim to have technological solutions in patients' homes so that they don't have to go to hospitals. Dementia is a major problem that we've been struggling with for a long time without getting very far, and the methods currently available are not scalable and not suitable for repeated measurements to trace or monitor disease progression. If we can develop solutions that involve patients in their own homes, we can begin to build up much better health profiles, so that we can assign patients for the more intrusive examinations and final diagnosis far earlier. I very much hope that we can help make a difference in this area, which means so much for so many people," he says. Facts about the project The project is called PANDA, which stands for "Progression Assessment in Neurodegenerative Disorders of Ageing." It will run for four years, and Innovation Fund Denmark is funding it with DKK 15 million. The total project budget is DKK 26 million. Rigshospitalet's role in the project is to perform clinical tests and collect data. T&W Engineering is responsible for integrating the various sensors into the ear-borne apparatus. Aarhus University is responsible for developing the biomarker algorithms, and T&W Engineering will develop the diagnostic support system used by clinicians. The drug atogepant may help prevent migraines for people who have had no success with other preventive drugs, according to a preliminary study released April 20, 2023, which will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 75th Annual Meeting being held in person in Boston and live online from April 22-27, 2023. The study involved people with episodic migraine, which is defined as having up to 14 headache days per month with migraine characteristics. Atogepant is a calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonist, or CGRP inhibitor. CGRP is a protein that plays a key role in starting the migraine process. These results are exciting, as migraine can be debilitating, and this treatment led to fewer days with migraine for people who had already tried up to four other types of drugs to prevent migraine and either had no improvement or had side effects that outweighed any benefits." Patricia Pozo-Rosich, MD, PhD, Study Author, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital in Barcelona, Spain The study involved 309 people who had at least four migraine days during the month before the study and who had tried at least two classes of drugs for preventing migraine without improvement. Of those, 44% had previously taken three or more classes of preventive drugs with no success. For the study, half of the participants took 60 milligrams of atogepant once a day as a pill and the other half took a placebo for 12 weeks. Those taking the drug had an average of four fewer days with migraine per month from the start of the study to the end, while those taking the placebo had about two fewer days with migraine per month. Those taking the drug also showed improvement compared to those taking the placebo in how often they needed to take medication to stop a migraine attack and in how many people had a reduction of 50% or higher in how many days per month they had migraines. The most common side effects were constipation, which occurred in 10% of those taking atogepant and 3% of those taking the placebo, and nausea, which occurred in 7% of those taking the drug and 3% of those taking the placebo. "People who thought they may not find a way to prevent and treat their migraines may have hope of finding relief with a tolerable oral easy-to-use drug," Pozo-Rosich said. "This treatment was safe, well-tolerated and effective for people with difficult-to-treat migraine." A limitation of the study was the relatively short length of three months. Pozo-Rosich added that more research will be needed to assess the long-term efficacy and safety of atogepant. The study was supported by AbbVie, the maker of atogepant. A consortium of Siemens Energy and Spain's Dragados Offshore has signed a framework agreement with German-Dutch transmission system operator TenneT to supply high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission technology for three grid connections in the German North Sea. The projects available through the agreement will ensure that a total of 6 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind power can be transported onshore. The contract value for the consortium of Siemens Energy and Dragados Offshore is close to 7 billion. "In the global race against climate change, grid expansion must be able to keep pace with the accelerated expansion targets for renewable energies. Shorter contracting processes, large-scale tenders and standardization of solutions show how grid operators and manufacturers are already pulling together to get green energy to consumers faster," said Tim Holt, member of the Siemens Energy Executive Board. "However, in order for the industry to continue ramping up capacity, all available levers must now be pulled at the policy level as well - from raw material and skilled labor strategies to further streamlining permitting processes at all levels." The three grid connections, named BalWin3, LanWin2, and LanWin4, will transport electricity from wind farms in the German North Sea to grid connection points in the north of Germany. Each of the systems has a transmission capacity of two gigawatts. Siemens Energy will manufacture the main electrical components, such as switchgears, transformers and converter technologies, at its factories in Europe. The Spanish consortium partner Dragados Offshore is responsible for the construction and offshore installation of the platforms. Siemens Energy had already won major orders for the connection of wind farms in the German North Sea as recently as the end of 2022. With the three new projects, the company is currently handling 11 HVDC grid connection projects worldwide to connect wind farms in Germany, the UK and the US, and can look back on five completed projects in the German North Sea. Once the 11 ongoing projects are commissioned, Siemens Energy's HVDC technology will feed more than 19 GW of wind power into high-voltage grids worldwide. This is how wind power comes ashore with HVDC technology: Wind turbines generate electrical energy as alternating current. To transport the electricity from offshore wind farms onshore, it has to be converted into direct current. Siemens Energy's high-voltage direct-current transmission technology, which has been installed in offshore converter platforms, takes care of this. The platforms, steel structures as tall as houses that stand on stilts in the sea near the wind farms, collect the electricity from the wind turbines. Inside them, the alternating current is converted into direct current. Only in this way can more electricity be transported to land with reduced losses through cable systems, some of which are several hundred kilometers long. There, the onshore converter station receives the direct current and converts it back into alternating current so that it can be fed into the German high-voltage grid and ultimately brought to consumers. Contact for journalists Ivonne Junghaenel Phone: +49 172 1026780 E-mail: ivonne.junghaenel@siemens-energy.com Storing donor lungs for transplant at 10 degrees Celsius markedly increases the length of time the organ can live outside the body according to research led by a team of scientists at the Toronto Lung Transplant Program in the Ajmera Transplant Centre at the University Health Network (UHN). The prospective multicenter, nonrandomized clinical trial study of 70 patients demonstrated that donor lungs remained healthy and viable for transplant up to four times longer compared to storage at the current standard of ice cooler preservation of around 4 degrees Celsius. "The clinical impact of this study is huge. It's a paradigm shift for the practice of lung transplant.", says lead author Dr. Marcelo Cypel, Surgical Director of the Ajmera Transplant Centre and a surgeon within the Sprott Department of Surgery at UHN. "I have no doubt that this will become the gold standard practice of lung preservation for the foreseeable future." Lungs available for transplant are currently limited by the length of time a donor organ can be kept viable. Increasing storage time allows for viable donor lungs to come from greater distances, increasing the potential for greater numbers of lungs becoming available for transplant and overcoming many of the hurdles around transplant logistics. "In transplant, we still see a critical shortage of organs and people dying on the waitlist because there are not enough lungs to be transplanted.", says Dr. Cypel, who is also a Professor in the Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery at U of T. "It's a great accomplishment to see that our research is now having an impact, and that we can actually have more cases done at our centre, with continued outstanding clinical results. Better organ preservation also means better outcomes for patients." Results of the trial were published today in the New England Journal of Medicine Evidence: https://doi.org/10.1056/EVIDoa2300008 The trial took place over 18 months at UHN's Toronto General Hospital, the Medical University of Vienna, and Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro-Majadahonda in Madrid. The ability to extend the lifespan of the donor organ poses several advantages. Ultimately, these advantages will allow for more lungs to be utilized across farther geographies and the ability to improve recipient outcomes by converting lung transplantation into a planned rather than urgent procedure." Dr. Aadil Ali, Study First Author, Adjunct Scientist at the Toronto General Hospital Research Institute Some advantages of this new 10 degrees Celsius standard for lung storage include the potential to reduce or eliminate the 24/7 schedule and urgency of lung transplant procedures. By increasing the length of time donor lungs are viable, transplant surgeries could become planned procedures, which avoids bumping scheduled surgeries and overnight transplantation. This advancement on practice comes at a critical time when hospital resources are stretched and there are increased surgical backlogs due to the pandemic. The study also suggests the new preservation temperature will allow more time to optimize immunologic matching between donor and recipients, and the possibility of performing lung transplantation in a semi-elective rather than urgent fashion. Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the deadliest infectious diseases worldwide that is spread in the air like the common cold. TB is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and was responsible for approximately 1.6 million deaths in 2021. Mtb will usually attack the lungs but can attack any part of the body. Drug-resistant TB strains are spreading and present a major concern. New work and a paper by a team of scientists from Manchester, Cambridge and Huddersfield Universities using a structure-guided approach, combined with biophysical characterization obtained a series of compounds with activity against clinically relevant drug-resistant isolates. These will support further development of much-needed additional treatment options against Mtb. During infection the TB bacteria can utilize lipids (cholesterol and fatty acids) from the human host to act as nutrients to maintain and fuel the infectious state. The teams' paper, just published in Chemistry Europe, outlines this collaborative project and the results of their research into a set of enzymes involved in a key step in the breakdown of host cholesterol used by the TB bacteria. Called "Structure Based Discovery of Inhibitors of CYP125 and CYP142 from Mycobacterium tuberculosis," (https://doi.org/10.1002/chem.202203868) ; their work involves characterizing the enzymes using the UK's national synchrotron, Diamond Light Source X-ray macromolecular crystallography beamlines to view their structures in molecular detail. Corresponding author, Dr Kirsty McLean Senior Lecturer in Cell Biology/Biochemistry in the Department of Biological and Geographical Sciences, University of Huddersfield explained that these enzyme structures are used to design inhibitor molecules that can bind to the enzymes and prevent them doing their job - essential for TB infection. The inhibitors molecules initially came from screening a library of small chemical compounds and were then gradually built up and synthesized chemically designing them to sit specifically into the enzyme structure. This process iteratively combines protein structure knowledge and chemical synthesis to design a succession of better inhibitors. The leading compounds were tested against clinically active and drug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and revealed anti-TB activity. Using a structure-guided approach, combined with biophysical characterization, compounds with micromolar range in-cell activity against clinically relevant drug-resistant isolates were obtained. These will support further development of much-needed additional treatment options and provide routes to probe the role of CYP125 and CYP142 in Mtb pathogenesis. This study should incite further development of an alternative range of anti-TB inhibitors." Dr Kirsty McLean Senior Lecturer in Cell Biology/Biochemistry in the Department of Biological and Geographical Sciences, University of Huddersfield Dave Hall, Science Group Leader for Diamond's Macromolecular Crystallography Group concludes; "Much of the team's X-ray diffraction data was collected and managed using tools for remote access to our beamlines and new shift modes. Our staff worked closely with the group across various of our beamlines including I03, I04, I04-1 and I24. We are delighted to have helped move this important research on to the next stage." With the emergence of extensive drug resistance, novel therapeutic agents are urgently needed, and continued drug discovery efforts required. Host-derived lipids such as cholesterol support Mtb growth, and are also suspected to function in immunomodulation, with links to persistence and immune evasion. Mtb cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes facilitate key steps in cholesterol catabolism and thus present potential targets for inhibition. The authors present a series of compounds based on an ethyl 5-(pyridin-4-yl)-1H-indole-2-carboxylate pharmacophore which bind strongly to both Mtb cholesterol oxidases CYP125 and CYP142. In a recent study published in the Preventive Medicine Reports Journal, researchers examined the correlates of screen time in early childhood. Study: Correlates of Screen Time in the Early Years (0-5 years): A systematic review. Image Credit: CroMary/Shutterstock.com Background Screens, such as televisions, mobile phones, etc., are ubiquitous, leading to a substantial increase in screen time in children. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends zero screen time for infants/toddlers up to two years and less than one hour per day for those aged 2-4. However, many children currently exceed these recommendations. The impact of screen time on child health and development is concerning, given the increasing levels of screen time. Research suggests that increased screen time is associated with higher adiposity, sleep problems, and poor scores on cognitive/motor development measures and psychosocial health, underscoring the need for early-age interventions. While prior studies assessed specific contexts and age groups, focusing mainly or only on television screen time, there is a need for an updated overview of the correlates of screen time. About the study In the present study, researchers performed a systematic review to identify the correlates of screen time in children. Using relevant keywords, they performed a comprehensive literature search on PubMed, SPORTDiscus, PsycINFO, and Embase databases. Longitudinal and cross-sectional studies were eligible for inclusion if they quantitatively investigated the association between a potential correlate and screen time in healthy children under five years and were published after 2000. Studies were excluded if they presented data on preterm children, examined potential prenatal correlate(s), and used guideline adherence as the sole assessment. Titles and abstracts were screened after duplicate removal, followed by full-text screening. The team extracted data on methodology, participants, screen time, correlate(s), and findings. Correlates were grouped into two categories individual and environmental. Individual correlates were sub-stratified into biological, cognitive or psychosocial, and behavioral attributes or skills. Likewise, environmental correlates were sub-categorized into physical, economic, sociocultural, and political factors. Methodological quality was assessed using the quality assessment tool for quantitative studies and classified as high, moderate, or weak. The team synthesized evidence based on the number of studies, methodological quality, and consistency of results. Findings After removing duplicates, the authors identified 6,618 records and included 53 studies for analysis. The sample size in included studies ranged between 62 and 10,700. Eighteen studies had 500-1,000 participants, while 17 had over 1,000 participants. Overall, 91 distinct correlates of screen time were examined. Eight correlates were biological, six were behavioral attributes and skills, one was cognitive/psychosocial, 61 were sociocultural, seven were economic, one was political, and seven were physical. Two studies were of high quality, one was of high-to-moderate quality, nine were of moderate quality, and 43 were of low or moderate-to-low quality. Biological correlates were examined in 24 studies, where sex, age, and ethnicity/race were the most frequently examined. Most studies did not observe a significant association between screen time and sex. There were inconsistent results for race/ethnicity and age. Two studies reported a negative association between screen time and sleep duration, while two observed no associations between screen time and physical activity. Three studies found no association between a child's personality or temperament and screen time. Having an electronic device in the child's bedroom was associated with increased screen time. Household income and parental income were negatively associated with screen time. Maternal employment was associated with increased screen time. Parents' marital status and socioeconomic level indicators were not associated with screen time. Seventeen studies observed a positive association between parents and children's screen time. Being in childcare was associated with less screen time. Monitoring screen time was associated with less screen time. Children of authoritarian/permissive mothers had higher screen time in one study, whereas authoritative parenting in another was associated with less time. A less concerned attitude of parents towards screen time was associated with higher screen time. Having a television on in the house was associated with increased screen time. Moreover, parents finding increased television time suitable was associated with more screen time. Higher parental stress was associated with increased screen time. Conclusions The researchers found no or moderate evidence for the association of correlates with screen time and could not firmly conclude because the evidence was insufficient or inconsistent for most correlates. Overall, they recommend future interventions focusing on physical and sociocultural factors and emphasize the need for more high-quality research. Laboratory notebooks are essential components of the scientific process because they allow researchers to record hypotheses, methods, results, and analyses. They also serve as organizational tools and memory aids, assist reproducibility, reduce duplication of effort, and play an important role in intellectual property protection. Electronic systems have gradually replaced pen-and-paper note-taking. Electronic lab notebooks (ELNs) are purpose-built software environments to make laboratory note-taking procedures faster, more reliable, and more versatile. Image credit: Shutterstock / Studio Romantic Switching to an ELN allows labs to consolidate mixed-format records, such as paper notebooks and spreadsheets, into a single software environment, which provides several benefits: Template creation for faster and more consistent record-keeping Easily searchable notes Access to historical data records Data back-up and protection Structured organization of projects and controlled access to records Easy remote access and sharing via cloud storage An audit trail of who did what, when, and why Many ELNs are integrated into larger laboratory informatics software platforms, such as LIMS (laboratory information management systems), SDMS (scientific data management systems), and CDS (chromatography data systems), allowing companies to streamline the material and chemical development process.1 In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the first ELNs were created as custom software systems. They are now a resource: a wide range of ELNs are accessible as off-the-shelf systems with differing degrees of flexibility and customizability. Choosing the ideal ELN for your firm is a complex undertaking that is dependent on your individual aims. This article provides an overview of six of the most prominent ELN systems, along with their benefits and drawbacks. Arxspan Brukers Arxspan Notebook is a chemical and biology-specific ELN system.2 Arxspans simplicity and flexibility are significant selling points: it can be fully implemented in under 24 hours and requires little to no training to use. However, training and support are also included if more complicated setups are desired. The Arxspan Notebook is totally cloud-based, accessible through a web browser, and does not require a local server or database. All data is securely saved, and data backups are performed on a regular basis. Moreover, upgrades and new versions are automatically distributed. The Arxspan Notebook can also be seamlessly integrated with a variety of other software products, including Arxspan Analytical for automating instrument data collection and Arxspan Registration and Inventory for entity and sample management, as part of the larger Arxspan laboratory data management software suite. The Arxspan Notebook is thus part of a versatile solution ideal for businesses of all sizes. Users have praised the platform for its capabilities as a Chemical sketching tool as well as a plasmid/sequence editing tool (BioDrive) that can be incorporated within notebook entries, making it suitable for both small molecule research and analytical applications. Benchling The Benchling Notebook is an electronic lab notebook designed primarily for biotech labs. Benchling allows data to be bidirectionally linked together to facilitate internal referencing, in addition to directly populating Notebook entries with results from instrument runs. The Benchling Notebook also allows for the simple attachment of documents and the creation of Excel-style tables within Notebook entries. Benchling claims that its ELN software is the most user-friendly in the industry, although some users have complained about its lack of flexibility and intuitiveness. Unlike Arxspan, sequence editing capabilities are not included in the notebooks. There may be additional charges for specific ELN add-ons as well. Dotmatics The Dotmatics Lab Notebook is intended to facilitate collaboration among scientists by providing a variety of adaptable templates to handle data from a variety of scientific disciplines, such as chemistry, biologics, and materials studies. The Dotmatics ELN is designed for enterprise-level businesses and is web-accessible and fully searchable. It has a dashboard that allows users to search for information by experiment, notebook, or hierarchy. Dotmatics ELN is part of Dotmatics completely automated research data management package, which also includes GraphPad Prism, SnapGene, Geneious Prime, Geneious Biologics, and other products. Several users have commented on its poor assistance, which can be difficult for more complex applications that employ the whole data management package. PerkinElmer PerkinElmer worked with some of the worlds leading R&D firms to create its E-Notebook software for R&D applications, which includes critical features such as data collection, sharing, archiving, and intellectual property protection. The ELN system is intended to provide a consistent workflow across large enterprises in order to facilitate collaboration and innovation. Users of the PerkinElmer E-Notebook program cite simplicity and ease of use as important advantages. The software is designed for small molecule applications rather than biochemical applications and has fewer features. The SnapGene integration, which requires a separate license and software download, provides some integrated sequence editing, although molecular biology support is minimal. IDBS IDBS claims that its cloud-based E-Workbook is the best informatics platform for scientific research and discovery worldwide. IDBS E-Workbook, which touts flexibility as a key benefit, may be readily customized and scaled to meet a variety of organizational requirements. The IDBS E-Workbook incorporates features often found in other lab informatics software tools, such as data capture and analysis, job requesting and management, and inventory management. It also allows users to integrate any other systems or databases to create a unified picture of all available data across diverse research areas. However, some users have reported speed difficulties when uploading data or files. References and further reading Laboratory Informatics |Gartner. https://www.gartner.com/doc/reprints?id=1-2BFO168Z&ct=221018&st=sb. Electronic Laboratory Notebook. https://www.bruker.com/en/products-and-solutions/laboratory-data-management/electronic-laboratory-notebook.html. About Bruker Arxspan Arxspan is a global provider of cloud-based scientific informatics tools, founded in 2011. Our mission is to deliver cutting-edge technology solutions to customers across the globe, and we have achieved this through the release of our multi-tenant cloud ELN in the same year. Our ELN offers an enterprise-level feature set designed to support small biotech start-ups as well as global pharma. In 2013, Arxspan collaborated with multiple customers to release the integrated Registration module, which has been a game-changer in the industry. In 2017, we released the Workflow module, which enables close coordination of compound/biologic request and fulfilment between companies and their external collaborators. Our latest addition, the Data Publisher, was launched to simplify the integration of Arxspan and other enterprise, legacy, and AI data platforms. Today, Arxspan offers a comprehensive enterprise informatics suite comprising ELN, Chemical and Biological Registration, Chemical and Biological Inventory, and Assay Data Management, with system-wide search and reporting functionality. Our customers and users span North America, Asia, India, and Europe. We continue to deploy world-class platforms, tools, services, and best-in-class support to a rapidly growing customer base. In 2019, Bruker Biospin acquired Arxspan as a strategic platform to bring SaaS-based enterprise tools to their customers. This acquisition has provided us with the necessary resources and support to ensure our continued success in the future. We are excited to announce the launch of our latest product, BioDrive, which is a cloud-based platform designed to streamline the management of biological data. BioDrive provides a comprehensive solution for managing and sharing data, including genomic data, proteomic data, and bioassay data. It is designed to meet the needs of biotech and pharmaceutical companies, as well as academic institutions and research organizations. Additionally, we are pleased to announce the latest updates to our Chemical and Reg modules. These updates include new features and functionalities that improve data management, streamline workflows, and enhance collaboration. With these updates, we continue to provide our customers with the tools they need to accelerate their research and development efforts. At Arxspan, we are committed to delivering innovative solutions that empower our customers to achieve their goals. We look forward to continuing to serve our customers and to providing them with the best possible tools and support. Jaguar Land Rover is set to accelerate its transition to an electric-first, modern luxury automobile brand by 2030. The company will transform its Halewood plant in the United Kingdom to an all-electric production facility. The plant will manufacture the first of JLRs next-generation medium-sized luxury SUVs, which will be an electric vehicle. JLR is expected to invest 15 billion over five years in its vehicle programmes, artificial intelligence and digital technologies and people skills. Also Read: Rajan Amba Appointed as New Managing Director of Jaguar Land Rover India Jaguar Land Rover has confirmed that its next generation medium-size SUV architecture will be purely electric. The automaker also revealed that its Engine Manufacturing Centre in Wolverhampton, which currently manufactures the Ingenium internal combustion engines, will produce electric drive units and battery packs for JLRs next generation vehicles. The facility at Wolverhampton will be renamed as the Electric Propulsion Manufacturing Centre to reflect JLRs transition towards EV. Chief Executive Adrian Mardell reaffirmed his brands commitment to its Reimagine strategy, which aims for JLR to become electric-first. Mardell said: I am proud to announce we are accelerating our electrification path, making one of our UK plants and our next-generation medium-size luxury SUV architecture fully electric. This investment enables us to deliver our modern luxury electric future, developing new skills, and reaffirming our commitment to be net zero carbon by 2039. The first of the electric SUVs will be launched in 2025. The automaker also said that the first of three modern luxury Jaguars will be a 4-door GT. The model will be built in Solihull, which is located in the West Midlands, UK. The power output of the cars will be more than any previous Jaguar. More details regarding the new 4-door GT Jaguar will be put out later this year. The model will go on sale in selected markets in 2024, and will be delivered to clients in 2025. The company will retain the flexible modular longitudinal architecture which is present in the Range Rover Sport and Range Rover models. The SUVs will have a range up to 700 km. They are expected to be priced from 100,000 (Around Rs 1 Crore). Pre-orders for the first electric Range Rover will start later this year. JLR will offer hybrid, internal combustion engine (ICE) and battery electric vehicle (BEV) options. The British luxury brand will shift to a House of Brands approach in order to efficiently market the unique character of each of its brands - Range Rover, Discovery, Defender and Jaguar. Read all the Latest Auto News here The Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has proposed rules to enable Aadhaar authentication by entities other than government ministries and departments. This is part of the governments commitment to make Aadhaar people-friendly and enable ease of living and better access to services for citizens. Through an amendment enacted in 2019 to the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016; entities were allowed to perform authentication if the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is satisfied with their compliance with regard to standards of privacy and security specified by regulations and is either permitted by law to offer authentication services or seeks authentication for a prescribed purpose," the MeitY said in a statement. Aadhaar authentication is a process by which the Aadhaar number along with demographic information (such as name, date of birth, gender etc) or biometric information (fingerprint or iris) of an individual is submitted to UIDAIs Central Identities Data Repository (CIDR) for its verification and UIDAI verifies the correctness of the details submitted, or the lack thereof, on the basis of information available with it. Currently, government ministries and departments are allowed to undertake Aadhaar authentication under the Aadhaar Authentication for Good Governance (Social Welfare, Innovation, Knowledge) Rules, 2020, in the interest of good governance, preventing leakage of public funds and enablement of innovation and the spread of knowledge. Now, it is proposed that any entity other than a government ministry or department that desires to use Aadhaar authentication for the purpose of promoting ease of living and enabling better access to services, or usage of digital platforms to ensure good governance, or preventing dissipation of social welfare benefits, or enabling innovation and spread of knowledge, it shall prepare a proposal giving a justification as to how the authentication sought is for one of the said purposes and in the interest of the state and submit the same to the concerned Ministry or Department of the central government in respect of central subjects and of the state government in respect of state subjects," it said. According to the statement, if the ministry is of the opinion that the proposal submitted fulfils such a purpose and is in the interest of the state, it will forward the proposal along with its recommendation to MeitY. The proposed amendment has been posted on the Ministry website and comments are being invited from the stakeholders and the general public. The feedback can be submitted through the MyGov platform by May 5, 2023. Read all the Latest Business News, Tax News and Stock Market Updates here Observing that the more India grows, the better it is for India, for the United States, and for the world, Biden Administrations point person for South Asia on Thursday said that the US wants to be part of New Delhis economic miracle. One of the fastest-growing major world economies for the past several years despite the global economic downturn, India, which is now a USD 3 trillion economy, has now set an ambitious goal of becoming a USD 10 trillion economy in a decade and a developed country by 2047. We want to be part of your economic miracle, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu told PTI in an interview on Thursday. We strongly support Indias goal to grow its economy in an inclusive way. The more India grows, the better it is for India, for the United States and for the world. A prosperous India will have more resources to help address global problems like climate change and future pandemics, Lu said in response to a question. The United States, he said, is proud to host more than 200,000 Indian students who are studying at US universities. In fact, just a few days ago, we have preliminary data from the Indian Ministry of Commerce to indicate our bilateral trade and goods grew by an additional seven per cent, he said. This helps both of the economies to expand and makes clear that there is room for much more progress, he noted. Our discussions at the Trade Policy Forum, at the commercial dialogue, at the CEOs Forum, helped to bring our economies closer together, he said. At the same time, were looking to deepen our cooperation on the technologies of the future, from space to artificial intelligence to quantum computing, via the Initiative for Critical Emerging Technologies that was launched in January this year. A strong and prosperous India is good for the United States. We want to be part of your economic miracle, Lu said in response to a question. US goods and services trade with India totalled an estimated USD 146.1 billion in 2019 and in 2022 it jumped to over USD 192 billion. This year, the United States has surpassed China to become Indias largest trading partner. President Joe Biden, when he was the vice president, during a trip to India had said that the goal of the bilateral trade should be USD 500 billion per annum. According to Indias Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in fiscal 2020-21, India received the highest ever foreign direct investment (FDI) amounting to USD 81.72 billion. The US became Indias second-largest source of FDI during 2020-21 with inflows of USD 13.82 billion. The US is one of the top 5 investment destinations for Indian FDI. There are at least half a dozen dialogue mechanisms between India and the United States to strengthen their economic ties: India-US Trade Policy Forum, India-US Commercial Dialogue, India-US CEO Forum, Information and Communications Technology, IndiaUS Economic and Financial Partnership Dialogue and Indo-Pacific Economic Framework [IPEF]. Established in 2005, the India-US Trade Policy Forum is the leading bilateral mechanism to discuss trade-related matters. India-US Commercial Dialogue focuses on cooperation in standards, ease of doing business, travel and tourism, and other important issues of commercial significance. Established in 2005, the CEO Forum meets on the sidelines of the India-US Commercial Dialogue and its recommendations from this forum feed into the Commercial dialogue. A Joint Working Group on ICT was established in 2005 to bring together government and industry from both sides to discuss cooperation in the electronics and IT sectors. IndiaUS Economic and Financial Partnership Dialogue is led by the Finance Minister and the US Treasury Secretary. India joined the launch of the IPEF in May 2022 and is working with the 13 Partner countries to build an inclusive and flexible Indo-Pacific Economic Framework. Read all the Latest Business News, Tax News and Stock Market Updates here An award-winning papier-mache artisan from Kashmir has resorted to driving a auto rickshaw due to financial difficulties. When a Twitter user found himself stuck in traffic in Kashmir, he did not think that he would be running into Syed Aijaz, whose work has been recognised and awarded in South Africa, India, and many other countries. The artist has won several accolades including two State handicrafts awards. Despite being featured in various international journals, including BBC, and visiting many countries as a guest and trainer, Aijaz has struggled to make ends meet through his art. The heartbreaking story was shared in a series of tweets. The only worth (but disheartening) thing about todays traffic jam was taking an auto and recognising the driver to be Syed Aijaz, an award-winning papier-mache artisan who has received numerous accolades. His work has been recognised and awarded in South Africa, India (National award from Indian ministry of textiles) and many other places including two State handicrafts awards, read the tweet. The only worth (but disheartening) thing about todays traffic jam was taking an auto and recognising the driver to be Syed Aijaz, an award winning paper-machie artisan who has received numerous accolades. His work has been recognised and awarded in South Africa, (1/n) pic.twitter.com/IfTglwGSvl Khawar Khan Achakzai (@khawar_achakzai) April 19, 2023 In his own words, Syed Aijaz shared why he had to leave his art and instead drive an auto rickshaw. Taqdeer bani, bankar bigdi, duniya ne humein barbaad kia" (destiny was made and then destroyed us). Aijaz believes papier-mache will not sustain for more than 5-10 years now. He also claimed that everyone is leaving this art behind because of financial reasons. The Twitter user shared that for Aijaz, Tuk-Tuk does better than awards and recognitions. his skills to students all over the world. But circumstances forced him take over driving a Tuk-Tuk. Arts and crafts in Kashmir make a meagre amount of money. He could not feed his family from it. To him, Tuk-Tuk does better than awards and recognitions. (3/n) pic.twitter.com/3pYNHyijo2 Khawar Khan Achakzai (@khawar_achakzai) April 19, 2023 The Twitter user shared that, Aijaz is not just an artisan, he is the Art.. Struggling. Aijaz says that these crafts wont sustain for more than 5-10 years now. Everyone is leaving due to financial reasons. He ends his conversation with, taqdeer bani, bankar bigdi, duniya ne humein barbaad kia Aijaz is not just an artisan, he is the Art.. Struggling.(4/n) pic.twitter.com/vTmvS1aFNQ Khawar Khan Achakzai (@khawar_achakzai) April 19, 2023 Despite all the hardships in his way, Aijaz makes sure that he always finds time for his art every day, morning and evening. After spending his day driving his auto rickshaw, he returns to his world of art and creativity where he works on his incomplete masterpieces and unrealized aspirations. Aijaz Sahab is a wonderful human being. He still finds time for his art every day, morning and evening. He spends his day on his Auto and at the end retires back to his beautiful world of colour and craftsmanship; working on his unfinished murals and unworked dreams. pic.twitter.com/wmH8itvM6y Khawar Khan Achakzai (@khawar_achakzai) April 19, 2023 It is a sad reality that such a talented artisan is forced to drive an auto to make ends meet, but Aijazs dedication to his craft is a testament to his resilience and determination. His story is a reminder of the challenges faced by artisans in a world where recognition and awards do not always translate into financial stability. Read all the Latest Buzz News here A man collapsed and instantly died in Bihars Bhagalpur while he was working in office. The deceased has been identified as Pintu Kumar, a resident of Kolkata. This clip of the incident, which was captured on CCTV, is now doing rounds on the internet. In the viral video, the 42-year-old man can be seen sitting on a chair in what seems like a workspace. He was seen working normally, apparently at a gold traders place. The man reportedly suffered a heart attack and died on the spot. Soon after the incident, the police arrived at the spot and investigated the matter thoroughly. The police have now taken the dead body into their custody for further examination. The post-mortem of the body was carried out at the Mayaganj Hospital located in Bhagalpur. The details of the post-mortem report are still awaited. The incident took place on Wednesday morning and shocked everyone to the core. There have been speculations that the reason for his death can possibly be a heart attack. While others are assuming that the man could have died due to an electrical shock. Post-mortem reports can reveal the real cause behind his sudden death. This is not the first time, there have been many incidents in the past when similar cases came to the fore. Videos of people suddenly collapsing and dying have often shocked the world. Some time back, a similar incident of an old man who died while reading the newspaper created headlines. The incident was reported to be of Rajasthans Barmer. When the elderly man collapsed, he was sitting on a bench at a clinic and was simply reading a newspaper. The video of the incident created a huge stir on the internet. Earlier, one similar incident of a 19-year-old boy who fell and died while dancing at a wedding in Telanganas Nirmal district took social media by storm. The clip of the incident, which was captured on CCTV, took place in Pardi village. Read all the Latest Buzz News here George J. Brown, 31, of Salem, Oregon was arrested April 17, 2023, at 154 Wendover Blvd. for attempted burglary of a business and trespass constituting domestic violence. Bail: $20,355 Brennan J. Contreras, 29, of Jackpot was arrested April 14, 2023, on U.S. Highway 93 on a felony warrant for making a threat or conveying false information regarding act of terrorism. Bail: $10,000 Jason J. Crump, 40, of Parma, Idaho was arrested April 16, 2023, on U.S. Highway 93 for possessing a gun by a prohibited person, violating a domestic violence temporary protection order, and license plates displayed improperly. Bail: $23,255 Justine M. Gasco, 23, of Elko was arrested April 15, 2023, at Ruby Vista and Skyline drives for felony possession of a controlled substance, possession of a dangerous weapon, and violation of probation or condition of suspended sentence. Jacquelyn L. Jenkins, 45, of South Lake Tahoe was arrested April 16, 203, at 340 Commercial St. for failure to appear after bail on a felony crime. Bail: $5,000 Derrick R. Tybo, 38, of Elko was arrested April 16, 2023, at 2642 E. Jennings Way for residential burglary. Bail: $20,000 Robert B. Candelaria, 35, of Elko was arrested April 17, 2023, at Angel Park for fugitive felon from another state. Scott C. York, 43, of Reno was arrested April 17, 2023, at 340 Commercial St. for failure to appear after bail on a felony crime and false statement to obstruct a public officer. Bail: $11,140 Preston C. Gallegos, 33, of Roy, Utah was arrested April 18, 2023, for violation of probation or condition of suspended sentence. David C. Mercado, 41, of Elko was arrested April 18, 2023, at 550 S. 12th St. on a gross misdemeanor warrant for abuse of an older or vulnerable person. Bail: $5,000 Tylor J. Stafford, 54, was arrested April 18, 2023, at the Elko County Courthouse for failure to appear after bail on a misdemeanor crime and fugitive felon from another state. Kenneth F. Bills, 44, of West Valley, Utah was arrested April 19, 2023, at 680 W. Wendover Blvd. for possession to sell a controlled substance, three counts of possession of a controlled substance, and drug paraphernalia. Bail: $25,740 Jessica E. Hockenberry, 26, of Elko was arrested April 19, 2023, at High Desert Inn for felony possession of a controlled substance. Bail: $5,000 Daniel P. Murphy Jr., 44, of Elko was arrested April 20, 2023, at the Gold Country Inn parking lot for possession to sell a controlled substance. Bail: $10,000 Ronald W. Adams, 34, of El Mirage, Arizona was arrested April 20, 2023, for failure to appear after bail on a felony crime and failure to appear after bail on a misdemeanor crime. Bail: $6,995 Moises Alvarado Jr., 24, of Elko was arrested April 21, 2023, at Stockmens Casino for felony possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia. Bail: $5,640 Genevieve E. Kelly, 57, of Elko was arrested April 20, 2023, at 533 S. Fourth St. for failure to appear after bail on a felony crime. Bail: $10,000 David L. Schurman, 40, of Henderson was arrested April 20, 2023, at Humboldt County Jail for failure to appear after bail on a felony crime and failure to appear after bail on a misdemeanor crime. Bail: $7,280 When you put wild animals in the enclosure to entertain humans, it is better to grasp all that can go wrong. Just like it did at this circus taking place in Luoyang, China. Aside from the obvious animal abuse in the clip, it does not look particularly dangerous to the humans sitting outside the enclosure recording the clip. That is until the lions decide it is time for them to escape. Towards the end of the clip, the lions make their way out of the bars and as expected, panic ensues. The tweet alongside the clip read, Luoyang, Henan, China. Everything went wrong! It is clear that these animals do not want to do these silly tricks. Leave the animals alone and let them live their lives in peace. I think these lions look skinny. How are they punished now? Beating and starving? Luoyang, Henan, China Everything went wrong! It is clear that these animals do not want to do these silly tricks. Leave the animals alone and let them live their lives in peace. I think these lions look skinny. How are they punished now? Beating and starving?#animalcruelty pic.twitter.com/ypkV4HNx7c We Are Not Food (@WeAreNotFood) April 16, 2023 Anger was an understatement in the reply section of the tweet. Social media users were fuming over the treatment of the animals. Many raised their voice against the abuse. Others called for the end of such cruelty to animals. Yes, Lions are kings of the jungle If you try to play with them in the circus One day you have to pay heavily wrote a Twitter user. Yes LIONS are King of the Jungle If you try to Play with Them in the CIRCUS One day you have to Pay Heavily sivakumar (@kssivakumar) April 20, 2023 Another tweet read, To treat such a majestic animal as a mere object of the amusement is a crime against nature and against God. Tratar um animal majestoso como esse, como mero objeto de divertimento, e um crime contra a natureza e contra Deus. Pedrotugas (@Pedrotugas1) April 19, 2023 This is wrong on every level I know of! tweeted a user. This is WRONG on every level I know of! #AnimalAbuseMustEnd AVoice4TheVoiceless (@LendYourVoice2) April 16, 2023 Animal cruelty is not something that is seen only in circus enclosures. A person in Bengaluru was seen taking their pets safety for granted in a disturbing video that has since gone viral. The clip, shared by the Twitter account Forever Bengaluru, shows a dog sitting on the roof of a moving car, causing concerns over both road safety and animal cruelty. In the video, the dog is seen initially standing on the car roof before sitting down as the car continues to drive. The clip is seen to be shot at night as the car moves on the side of the road. Just Bengaluru things pic.twitter.com/Taaf18tzoL Forever Bengaluru (@ForeverBLRU) February 2, 2023 The incident has sparked outrage among viewers on Twitter, who are calling for action to be taken to prevent such incidents from happening in the future. For many this form of animal cruelty should be stopped. Read all the Latest Buzz News here Greece is a European destination thats particularly popular with summer vacationers. Now, the country has implemented a program to make its beautiful beaches more accessible, so that travelers with reduced mobility can enjoy its turquoise waters. In many ways, Greece is a picture-perfect vacation destination. But as well as being able to afford the trip to its clear blue waters, you also have to be able to physically access them. And this has not always been possible for vacationers with reduced mobility. Generally speaking, going to the beach is not an easy activity for users of wheelchairs, for example, due to the lack of suitable access. Now Greece one of the most popular destinations of Europes summer season has been reflecting on this issue of inclusivity. As a result, an extensive beach accessibility program has been implemented to provide automatic ramps to carry disabled visitors right up to (or even into) the water. Officially launched by the Greek Ministry of Tourism a few days ago, the program has been made possible thanks to 15 million in funding from the European Union, supplemented by Greek funds. These so-called Seatrac systems take the form of a long metal ramp mounted with a sliding chair that carries the vacationer to the waters edge. Thanks to a built-in remote control, users can be totally independent, and do not have to ask for assistance with operating the device. With a simple button, they can raise or lower the chair. Moreover, the system is free to use. As well as proving useful for wheelchair users, the ramp could be used by other visitors with reduced mobility, such as elderly people or pregnant women. A total of 147 of Greeces 287 beaches have been equipped with the Seatrac system. An online platform lists the places where vacationers with reduced mobility can enjoy the water without having to worry about access. An interactive map is also available. Read all the Latest Buzz News here Elon Musks latest move to abolish what he termed as the lords and peasants" system on Twitter by removing the legacy blue tick has stirred up a storm of mixed reactions from netizens worldwide. People have taken to the internet to voice their opinions on the new development, from outraged legacy users to some enthusiasts. Nonetheless, the removal of Twitters legacy blue ticks has caused an uproar. BREAKING: Twitter just removed the blue check marks from those who dont pay for Twitter Blue. I understand Elons need to generate more revenue, but I personally feel that blue checks should be grandfathered in. Some people spent years building up accounts and building a" Ed Krassenstein tweeted. BREAKING: Twitter just removed the blue check marks from those who dont pay for Twitter Blue. I understand Elons need to generate more revenue, but I personally feel that blue checks should be grandfathered in.Some people spent years building up accounts and building a pic.twitter.com/Bvc4rsDxsA Ed Krassenstein (@EdKrassen) April 20, 2023 Some Twitter users expressed concern that fraudsters may start to imposter their handles. No blue check but this is me. Dont fall for imposters. Remember I have a 92 at the end of my handle. @ Jack Quaid was taken by someone impersonating me in 2011. It was the whole reason I got a twitter in the 1st place. If only there was some sort of free verification system," Jack Quaid tweeted. No blue check but this is me. Dont fall for imposters. Remember I have a 92 at the end of my handle. @ Jack Quaid was taken by someone impersonating me in 2011. It was the whole reason I got a twitter in the 1st place. If only there was some sort of free verification system Jack Quaid (@JackQuaid92) April 20, 2023 Notably, celebrity users like author Stephen King who opposed the paid blue, have somehow retained blue checks indicating that the account was paid for verification. My Twitter account says Ive subscribed to Twitter Blue. I havent. My Twitter account says Ive given a phone number. I havent, King tweeted. Just so you know. My Twitter account says Ive subscribed to Twitter Blue. I havent.My Twitter account says Ive given a phone number. I havent. Stephen King (@StephenKing) April 20, 2023 Famous British comedian Ricky Gervais also pitched in on the blue tick debate, tweeting: My blue tick has gone. Im not sure if Im really me or not." My blue tick has gone.Im not sure if Im really me or not. pic.twitter.com/6ghPgfUSfX Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) April 20, 2023 On a lighter note, one of the users tweeted: Looking out for anyone who still has a blue tick." Looking out for anyone who still has a blue tick. pic.twitter.com/DnTcG3AYci Amanda (@Pandamoanimum) April 20, 2023 A Twitter handle was left fuming after former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khans blue tick was removed. Imran Khan without blue tick!!! Oy, Elon Musky Kuch sharam kr haya kr, Pak Lawyers Forum tweeted. Imran Khan without blue tick!!! Oy, Elon Musky Kuch sharam kr haya kr. pic.twitter.com/0zRAJgnjBF Pak Lawyers Forum (@PLF_Officials) April 20, 2023 A user from India was amused by how his account was verified while Shah Rukh Khans account was not. I have a blue tick on my account, whereas the famous Bollywood actor SRK doesnt have one," Kratika tweeted. I have a blue tick on my account, whereas the famous Bollywood actor SRK doesnt have one. pic.twitter.com/M03UxcnPjI Kratika (@kaleshiaurat) April 20, 2023 (With inputs from internet) Read all the Latest Buzz News here The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE) is set to announce the results for the Indian Certificate of School Examination (ICSE) for Class 10 and the Indian School Certificate (ISC) for Class 12 next month. To check the ICSE and ISC 2023 results, schools can use their registration ID and password to access the Careers portal of the council. On the other hand, students will be able to view and download the CISCE results 2023 from the official website- cisce.org. According to the CISCE, the board exams for ICSE 10th 2023 were conducted from February 27 to March 25, while the ISC 12th 2023 exams were held between February 13 and March 31. The council had announced the timetables for the Class 10 and Class 12 annual exams and confirmed that the results for ICSE and ISC would be likely declared in May 2023. The exact date for the release of the ICSE 10th Result 2023 has not been announced by the board yet, but it is expected to be released in May 2023. Students who fail to obtain passing marks will be able to apply for rechecking of their answer sheets. If they are still unable to clear the exams, they will need to appear for the compartment exams which will be conducted in July 2023. Students will only need to appear for exams of the subjects they have failed. If they pass, they can get admission to higher classes and courses in this academic session, but if they fail again, they will have to repeat class 10th. ICSE Class 10th Results 2023: How to Check Step 1: Firstly, you need to visit the official website of the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) at www.cisce.org. Step 2: Then, you need to select the course code as ICSE and enter their ICSE Candidate UID, Index number, and Captcha as displayed. Step 3: The results will be displayed instantly, and candidates can click on Print ICSE Result" to download a copy of their mark sheet. If one wishes to receive the results on their mobile phones, they can send an SMS with the text ICSE UniqueID" to 9248082883. The CISCE has successfully conducted the ISC Class 12 Examinations 2023 with the English language paper being the first and the environmental science paper being the last. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, CISCE split the ISC Exam into two semesters in 2022 and students got their results based on their performance in both semesters on July 24. However, for the academic year 2022-23, the ISC Result 2023 will be announced in May 2023 itself. ISC Class 12th Results 2023: How to Check Step 1: First, visit the official website of CISCE at www.cisce.org Step 2: Next, select the Course Code as ISC from the dropdown menu and enter your ISC Candidate UID and Index Number. Step 3: Click on the Get Result" button to view your results. Step 4: Your ISC Results 2023 will be displayed immediately. Step 5: To download a copy of your ISC Results 2023, click on the Print ISC Result" option. You can also get your ISC Results 2023 on your mobile phone by sending an SMS with your ISC UniqueID to 9248082883. Read all the Latest Education News here All schools affiliated with the state board in Maharashtra will remain closed from Friday in view of the prevailing heat wave conditions, the government has said. Schools of other boards can take a decision about closure after considering their curriculum and activities, the School Education Department said in its order on Thursday. It also issued instructions regarding the commencement of the next academic year after the summer vacations. Also read| From Delhi to West Bengal, States That Have Closed Schools, Revised Timings Amid Rising Heatwave Except for the Vidarbha region, schools in the state will reopen on June 15. Those in Vidarbha will restart from June 30, the order said. At least 14 persons died due to heat stroke after attending the Maharashtra Bhushan award ceremony, held in an open ground in Navi Mumbai on April 16. Opposition parties have blasted the Eknath Shinde-led state government over the deaths, accusing it of mismanagement. Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, and other parts of the state have been experiencing heatwave conditions. On Wednesday, the Santacruz observatory in Mumbai recorded a temperature of 38.5 degrees Celsius, while Navi Mumbai sizzled at 42 degrees Celsius, the India Meteorological Department said. According to Nagpur-based Maharashtra Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Chandrapur was the hottest district in the Vidarbha region on Wednesday with a maximum temperature of 42.8 degrees Celsius being recorded in Chandrapur, while Bramhapuri tehsil sizzled at 43.8 degrees Celsius. In view of the rise in mercury levels, the timing of jungle safaris at Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) in Chandrapur has been changed with effect from April 20, an official order said. Read all the Latest Education News here The Tamil Nadu Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) 2023 or Class 10 board exams conclude today, April 20. Now, all eyes are on the results which are likely to be declared by the third week of May. An official confirmation on the dates, however, is still awaited from the Directorate of Government Examinations (DGE), Tamil Nadu. Once released, the TN SSLC 2023 results will be made available to candidates on tnresults.nic.in. TN SSLC Results 2023: Steps to Download Step 1: Go to TN DGEs official website at dge.tn.gov.in. Step 2: Search and click on SSLC Exam - March 2023 Results link when available on the homepage. Step 3: As the new window opens, login using registration number and date of birth on the portal. Step 4: Then click on the Get Marks link to view the TN Class 10 result. RELATED NEWS Tamil Nadu Class 10 Board Exam 2023 Begins Today, Check Guidelines to Follow Step 5: Check all the details mentioned on it. Step 6: Save and download the scores for future reference. TN SSLC Results 2023: Alternative Websites to Check -dge.tn.gov.in/result. -apply1.tndge.org/dge-result -tnresults.nic.in -dge1.tn.nic.in -dge2.tn.nic.in -apply1.tndge.org To clear the Tamil Nadu SSLC 2023 exam, students must score a minimum of 35 per cent marks. Candidates who are not satisfied or unhappy with their scores will be allowed to apply for re-evaluation. Also, after the declaration of Tamil Nadu 10th results, students can collect their original marksheet from their schools. For the re-evaluation process, students will have to fill up a form and pay an essential fee. If in case, the marks are increased, an updated marks memo will be released by the board in due course. Ahead of the Class 10 results, Tamil Nadu Directorate of Government Examinations (TN DGE) is expected to announce the Class 12 results. The Class 12 board exams were conducted from March 13 to April 3 and the results are likely to announce by May 5. To pass the TN Class 12th exam, students will have to score a total of 35 marks out of 100 in every subject. Meanwhile, for the subjects with practical exams students must secure a total of 20 marks in their theory paper as well as 15 marks in their practical exam. Read all the Latest Education News here Karnatakas ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has fielded senior Lingayat leader Mahesh Tenginkai from the Hubli-Dharwad Central constituency in the upcoming Assembly elections. Reports suggest that Mahesh Tenginkai was chosen by the BJP from this crucial seat as the party wanted to promote new generation leaders. Mahesh Tenginkai, BJPs State General Secretary, is said to have a stronghold in the Hubli-Dharwad region. Tenginkai has been associated with the BJP and the RSS for over two decades. The 52-year-old has held various positions in the party organisation. He has also shown his acumen as a successful businessman and a social worker. This seat was previously held by another prominent Lingayat leader and former Karnataka Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar. It is worth noting that Shettar has won from the seat six times ever since he was first elected to the state Assembly in 1994. This time he is contesting on a Congress ticket after he recently quit the BJP following denial of ticket by the saffron party. Tenginkai filed his nomination from the seat on Tuesday. He was also a ticket aspirant from Hubli-Dharwad Central in 2018 but the BJP gave ticket to Jagadish Shettar. According to reports, this time BJP has chosen Tenginkai to counter Jagadish Shettars clout as both the leaders belong to the influential Lingayat community. A close contest from this seat is on the cards as both Mahesh Tenginkai and Jagadish Shettar are popular leaders from the Lingayat community. Hubli-Dharwad Central seat is under close watch of political observers as Congress has intensified its campaign around how BJP is neglecting the Lingayat leaders. The party might gain some ground at the grassroots level as former deputy chief minister Laxman Savadi has also joined the Congress in the run-up to the Assembly elections. At the same time, BJP has also stepped up its offensive against the Congress and reports suggest that the ruling party may finalise a Lingayat face as the CM candidate to counter the Congress narrative. Voting for all 224 Assembly seats in Karnataka will be held on May 10 and votes will be counted on May 13. Read all the Latest News here When Bengaluru faced a deluge after rains lashed the Silicon Valley of India in August last year, the MLA of Mahadevapura constituency which was one of the worst-hit acknowledged the unprecedented rains but clearly stated it would not have any bearing on the 2023 assembly elections. He seems to have got it right as neither floods nor potholes and traffic woes are of concern to the people of Bengaluru in this election. Bengaluru city MLAs, many of whom have been elected more than three times, are quite confident that they will once again be elected despite people raising a hue and cry over the citys failing infrastructure. The citys crumbling infrastructure, including dug-up roads, overflowing storm water drains, encroached rivers, and congested roads, continue to dog Brand Bengaluru but come elections, the issues do not seem to be the priority. People should open their eyes and vote for the government that gives them good roads, adequate drinking water, and safe mobility. Why do people suddenly get temporary amnesia about their suffering and failing infrastructure that affects their lives and homes? asks Dileep Shastri who lives near the Doddanekundi area of Bengaluru. Civic evangelist V Ravichandar explains that Bengalureans are not mature enough to realise that every vote counts and should be based on the performance of MLAs. There is a lot of sound and fury when flooding happens but even the political system does not see a correlation between better governance and getting re-elected. It does not seem to matter, he said. The urban expert stressed that Bengaluru at present has no corporators and is being governed by the state and MLAs. If things go wrong, they have to be accountable as it happened on their watch. Normally, you would think the MLAs are meant to legislate laws and do not have executive oversight. But in reality, because of the influence of the state in city governance, if they take credit for what goes well, they should also take the blame for what goes wrong, he told News18. Srinivas Alvalli, another urban expert, also said people have disconnected elections from governance. He said elections are a great tamasha and governance happens separately. Issues like floods are short-term, he pointed out. Even Covid-19 has been forgotten by our country then what about floods. People dont understand the connection between flooding and elections. The MLAs can prevent these floods by preventing constructions and encroachments. So each vote counts, Alvalli said. News18s DP Satish said: For the people of Bengaluru, issues like flooding and traffic are discussed and debated before and after elections, never during it. This shows the apathy of the voters when it comes to addressing Bengalurus infrastructure woes. During elections, infrastructure woes and voting are polls apart. They never meet. On a positive note, social media seems to play an important role this time as many first-time voters are voting rationally and not on emotions like caste, language, or religion, say Bengalureans. We need to address the elephant in the room. The city MLAs have their nexus and they ensure that the voters cast their vote not on issues related to development but on caste and other factors. The Bangalore MLAs have a sense of comfort that they cannot be defeated because of the citys problems. That narrative needs to change, says Harish Deshpande who works with an EV company in Bommanahalli. It is interesting to note that the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), for the third time, announced a budget in the absence of a city council for the year 2023-24. The budget was pegged at Rs 11,157 crore with a bulk of the money around 65 per cent allotted for infrastructure projects and another 13 per cent for solid waste management. Solid waste management has been another issue that the city was dealing with when it earned the tag of garbage city as it began to stink due to inefficient waste management. This is apart from the traffic woes, potholed roads, and overflowing lakes and rivers that flooded low-lying areas. But Bengaluru city MLAs argue that the city has grown in leaps and bounds and like Chennai or Mumbai, it is unplanned with small roads. R Ashok, the state revenue minister and an MLA from Bengaluru city constituency Padmanabhnagar, said being a Bengalurean himself, he understands the issue. However, he blames the illegal encroachment on lakes for the problem and not bad governance. Despite the troubles, the world still looks to Bengaluru to invest in technology and manufacturing, he points out. Bengaluru is like a saucer and the unprecedented rains affected the city. We have given more than Rs 2,000 crore to clear these storm-water drains. People understand that the BJP government has been working to streamline the issues and provide better roads and mobility like metro services, air connectivity, etc. Floods and potholes are not a problem that has arisen today. It is a problem the city has been facing over the last 20 years and each year it is improving, not deteriorating, Ashok told News18. Karnatakas higher education and IT/BT minister Dr CN Ashwath Narayan said there are a few groups that are jealous of Bengaluru and spare no chance to taint the brand. Just because one square meter was affected in the entire 1,000 square kilometres of Bengaluru, people criticised us. Some people were jealous of Bengaluru and how the city had developed so well. Nobody can challenge Bengaluru and it will keep growing and developing to become a world-class city, he said. Narayan added that Bengaluru is going through challenging times due to sudden changes in weather patterns. The present Basavaraj Bommai government has come out with better and more relevant policies that will help build the city and address the concerns of the people. We are building a robust system that will help address the issues in a methodical, scientific manner, Narayan told News18. In the latest budget presented by Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, he allocated a grant of Rs 9,698 crore for the IT capital of the country. This also included funds for a project to prevent flooding, building new roads, and a fresh proposal to construct a start-up park. But many called it an attempt to appease voters with an eye on elections. There is also a sense of disconnect between what the city faces and finally what drives people to vote during assembly elections, it is observed. The state elections are different from a BBMP election. We will vote for a competent corporator who will get our work done when they announce the BBMP elections. Right now, we need to vote for smart MLAs who will represent the state and Bengaluru, said Savita Rao, an IT professional who has been living in the city for the past two decades. Read all the Latest Politics News here Ahead of the Karnataka assembly elections next month, former Congress leader Yousuff Sharif alias KGF Babus home received an Income Tax (IT) department knock, after which several shocking recoveries were made. Sharif recently quit the grand old party and filed his nomination as an Independent candidate. On Wednesday, reports said that the home of KGF Babu had been raided. During the raids, more than a thousand voter IDs were recovered and an FIR was also registered in this regard. Sarees, Van Heusen Suits & Other Items Recovered During Raids The discovery of over a thousand voter IDs was not the only shocking revelation during the IT raids at KGF Babus home. Around 26 bags, 394 sarees locked in four boxes, 500 pamphlets printed in Kannada and English languages, and 481 suits of the brand Van Heusen were also recovered. Besides, a total of 1,925 checks worth Rs 5000 each from an HDFC bank account were found in a box. These checks were pasted with the voter ID card of the Chikkapete Assembly Constituency, and it has been alleged that KGF Babu had gone to the assembly seat to attract voters. After the recovery of voter IDs, Returning Officer Vijay SL filed a complaint after obtaining permission from the court. Notably, the IT department reportedly raided 50 different places in Bengaluru on Wednesday. Who is Yousuff Sharif alias KGF Babu? Even though Yousuff Sharif alias KGF Babu only tendered his resignation from the Congress party on Thursday, he was earlier suspended from the party in January, for his alleged statement where he said that Congress will not win more than 40 seats in the upcoming assembly elections in Karnataka. KGF Babu was a Congress ticket aspirant from Chikkapete but was expelled from the party after making detrimental remarks about Congress. The grand old party has now given the ticket to RV Devaraj. Meanwhile, KGF Babus wife Shazia Tarannum has filed nomination papers as an independent candidate from the constituency. She recently declared her assets worth Rs 1,743 crore in the affidavit, thus becoming the richest candidate to be contesting the polls, The Hindu said in its report. Interestingly, the total value of KGF Babus assets, including that of his wife, has decreased by Rs 121 crore compared to what he stated during the 2018 elections. In May last year, IT raids were carried out by IT officials under suspicions of income tax evasion. Officials also raided Ruksana Palace and an office owned by KGF Babu and checked records, reports said. Read all the Latest Politics News here At the invitation of Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang will visit the Philippines from April 21 to 23. Yonhap News Agency: The ROK side called in the Chinese Ambassador, made protests and pointed out the Chinese foreign ministry spokespersons remarks about the ROK yesterday amount to a diplomatic discourtesy. Whats your comment? Wang Wenbin: China has made serious demarches to the ROK side in Beijing and Seoul respectively regarding the ROK sides wrong remarks on the Taiwan question. We fully outlined Chinas position, stressed that the one-China principle is the political foundation of China-ROK relations, and urged the ROK to act according to the spirit of the China-ROK Joint Communique on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations and be prudent about its words and actions when it comes to the Taiwan question. It is legitimate and justified for China to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Our commitment to that is unwavering. We hope the ROK will abide by the one-China principle and work together with China through concrete actions to maintain the sound and steady growth of bilateral relations. CCTV: Could you share more about State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gangs upcoming visit to the Philippines and the Chinese sides expectations for the trip? Wang Wenbin: This will be State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gangs first visit to the Philippines. During the visit, he will pay a courtesy call on President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. and other Philippine leaders and political figures, and hold talks with Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo. We hope this visit will serve as an opportunity for the two sides to increase communication, enhance mutual trust, properly handle differences, deepen cooperation, jointly act on the important common understandings reached by the two heads of state during the visit to China by President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. in January this year, and keep up the momentum of sound and steady development of bilateral ties. TASS: US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in a speech at the Johns Hopkins University in Washington D.C. yesterday that Chinas no limits partnership with Russia is an indication that it is not serious about its proposal on the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis. What is your comment? Wang Wenbin: China and Russia follow the principle of no-alliance, no-confrontation and no-targeting of any third party and are committed to developing a new type of major-country relations featuring mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation. This is entirely different from the US practice of forming exclusive blocs and stoking bloc confrontation. No country has the right to interfere. On the Ukraine issue, China holds an objective and just position, actively promotes talks for peace, and plays a constructive role in facilitating a political settlement of the crisis through concrete actions. This stands in sharp contrast to certain countries double standard and moves to add fuel to the fire. We call on the US to adopt a responsible attitude, stop all actions that might escalate the situation, and work with the international community to facilitate a political settlement. Bloomberg: US President Biden is said to sign an executive order in the coming weeks that will limit investment in key parts of the Chinese economy by US businesses. These areas include semiconductors, artificial intelligence and quantum computing. Does the foreign ministry have a comment on the expected executive order to limit or curb US investment into China? Wang Wenbin: We noted relevant reports and are firmly opposed to this. The US habitually politicizes technology and trade issues and uses them as a tool and weapon in the name of national security. The US has been building small yards with high fences and pushing for decoupling and fragmenting industrial and supply chains. It even pursues selfish interests at the expense of countries it calls friends by targeting its allies with economic coercion. The true intention of the US is to take away the right to development from China and maintain US supremacy for its selfish interests. Such blatant act of economic coercion and sci-tech bullying is against the principles of market economy and fair competition, undermines the international economic and trading order, disrupts and destabilizes global industrial and supply chains and hurts the interests of the whole world. We will closely follow the developments and firmly safeguard our rights and interests. The Paper: State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang attended the Lanting Forum on Chinese Modernization and the World this morning in Shanghai. Could you share more information? Why is this forum held in Shanghai? Wang Wenbin: Today the Lanting Forum on Chinese Modernization and the World opened in Shanghai. President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the event. Chen Jining, a member of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau and Secretary of the CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee, addressed the opening ceremony. State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang read President Xis congratulatory letter and delivered a keynote speech. More than 300 prominent Chinese and foreign current and former political figures, experts, scholars, business leaders, China-based foreign diplomatic envoys, representatives of international organizations and international media held in-depth exchanges of views around the theme Chinese modernization and the world at the Grand Halls in Shanghai. As President Xi pointed out in his congratulatory letter, realizing modernization is a relentless pursuit of the Chinese people since modern times began. It is also the common aspiration of people of all countries. In pursuing modernization, a country needs to follow certain general patterns. More importantly, it should proceed from its own realities and develop its own features. After a long and arduous quest, the Communist Party of China has led the entire Chinese nation in finding a development path that suits Chinas conditions. We are now building a strong country and advancing national rejuvenation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization. China will provide new opportunities for global development with new accomplishments in Chinese modernization, lend new impetus to humanitys search for paths toward modernization and better social systems, and work with all countries to advance the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. Chinese modernization is an important theoretical innovation of the 20th National Congress of the CPC. It holds the key to the success of the Chinese path and reflects the broad common interests of all humanity. As such, it has received strong interest from the international community. Modernization of China means modernization for more people than the combined population of all developed countries in the world today. This is an unprecedented cause with global significance. As State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang noted in his speech, as the biggest developing country, China always keeps in mind the greater good of the whole world. The Chinese path to modernization is not a one-flower show, still less for self-interest. It is a path toward development of China, through which more positive energy will be added to global peace and new opportunities created for global development. While Chinese modernization is conceived in China, the opportunities it brings belong to the world. We welcome countries in the world to continue following, supporting and participating in Chinese modernization. We are ready to work together with all parties to promote diverse ways of modernization and create an even brighter future for our planet. You asked why this forum is held in Shanghai. Indeed, this is the first time the Lanting Forum is held outside Beijing, giving it special significance. Shanghai has witnessed Chinas transformation over the past century and the profound change in its relations with the world, making it the ideal place for discussions on what Chinese modernization means to the world. This forum in Shanghai is yet another action to serve high-quality development and high-level opening up for regions in China through diplomacy. We believe this world-class forum will build a bridge of even closer interaction between Shanghai and the world. NHK: Reports say that an agreement has been made on a 72-hour ceasefire in Sudan. Several countries have announced measures to protect their citizens. Can you share with us Chinas specific measures to protect Chinese nationals? Wang Wenbin: China is closely following the developments of the situation in Sudan. We call on the two sides to stop fighting as soon as possible and prevent further escalation. We hope parties in Sudan will increase dialogue and jointly move forward the political transition process. We are in close communication and coordination with relevant parties and will do everything possible to protect the safety and security of Chinese nationals and institutions in Sudan. Xinhua News Agency: One year ago today, President Xi Jinping put forward the Global Security Initiative. Since the inception of the initiative, what measures has China taken to implement the initiative and promote world peace and security? Also, could you share some details on the outcomes that have been achieved? Wang Wenbin: In a world of change and disorder on the security front, President Xi Jinping put forward the important Global Security Initiative (GSI), calling on countries to adapt to the profoundly changing international landscape in the spirit of solidarity, and address the complex and intertwined security challenges with a win-win mindset. The GSI aims to eliminate the root causes of international conflicts, improve global security governance, encourage joint international efforts to bring more stability and certainty to a volatile and changing era, and promote durable peace and development in the world. This major initiative has been widely commended and warmly received by the international community, among which more than 80 countries and a number of international organizations have expressed appreciation and support. As the initiator of the GSI, China has taken real actions to implement it. We are committed to the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security. We have had in-depth exchanges and communication on security concepts and policies with other parties to beat swords into plowshares and work for shared security. Not long ago, China issued the Global Security Initiative Concept Paper to further elaborate on the initiatives core ideas and principles as well as the priorities, platforms and mechanisms of cooperation. China has actively engaged in mediation diplomacy and made unremitting efforts for the political settlement of hotspot issues including the Iranian nuclear issue, the issues on the Korean Peninsula, the Syrian issue and the Palestinian question. Weve issued Chinas Position on the Political Settlement of the Ukraine Crisis and Chinas Position on the Afghan Issue, and stood firm on the side of peace. Not long ago, Saudi Arabia and Iran held talks in Beijing and achieved major outcomes. The two countries announced their decision to resume diplomatic relations, which is a successful practice of the GSI and sets a good example of how countries in the region can resolve disputes and differences and achieve good neighborliness and friendship through dialogue and consultation. China has actively advanced international security dialogue and exchanges. We facilitated the convening of the first China-Horn of Africa peace conference among African countries in the region, which reached important common understandings on regional peace, development and governance and injected positive energy into the efforts to uphold Africas security and stability. China successfully held the second Middle East Security Forum and made a four-point proposal for fostering a new security architecture in the Middle East. We have also vigorously promoted exchanges and cooperation in the field of security on multiple platforms including the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building measures in Asia and East Asia cooperation mechanisms to build consensus and synergy for tackling security challenges among the international community. China has actively participated in cooperation in the field of non-traditional security including COVID, counterterrorism, biosecurity, cyberspace, food and climate change. China has put forward an initiative on international food security cooperation at the G20, and promoted the adoption of the BRICS Strategy on Food Security Cooperation, offering Chinas solution for the global food security challenge. The launch of the center for disaster prevention and mitigation cooperation between China and Pacific Island countries in February this year is Chinas another robust effort to help fellow developing countries cope with non-traditional security challenges. The GSI is an international public good and guardian of tranquility and wellbeing for people around the world. China stands ready to work with other parties to act on the vision of a community of shared security for mankind, practice true multilateralism, jointly address traditional and non-traditional security challenges and advance the lofty cause of peace and development for humanity. Kyodo News: Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida made a ritual offering to the Yasukuni Shrine today. Whats Chinas comment? Wang Wenbin: The Yasukuni Shrine is a spiritual tool and symbol of Japanese militarists war of aggression. It honors 14 convicted Class-A war criminals with grave responsibilities for the war crimes committed during that war of aggression. China firmly rejects Japans negative moves concerning the Yasukuni Shrine and has lodged demarches to the Japanese side. China urges Japan to credibly honor the statement and pledge of facing up to and reflecting on the history of aggression, make a clean break with militarism and earn the trust of its Asian neighbors and the international community. CCTV: According to reports, the US intelligence community has spied on drug cartels and may have spied on the Mexican military as well. Mexico has accused the US of conducting spying activities in Mexico in the name of fighting drug trafficking and says such intrusion should not be accepted. Whats Chinas comment? Wang Wenbin: We have noted relevant reports. From PRISM to eavesdropping and espionage targeting Mexico, the US has been indiscriminately stealing secrets, and spying and eavesdropping on countries in the world, including its neighbors and allies. This is no secret. The US has long been the champion of hacking in the world. Using cutting-edge technology, it spies on its own citizens and people around the world in every way possible to steal all kinds of data in violation of the sovereignty of other countries. The US is no doubt the leading power in terms of eavesdropping. If the US truly wants to resolve the drug problem at home, it needs to respect facts, reflect on itself, correct its mistakes and stop shifting blame. China firmly supports Mexicos efforts to defend independence and oppose foreign interference. Bloomberg: The US Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of New York this week revealed two criminal complaints against 44 defendants related to crimes by Chinese national police. Does the foreign ministry have any comment about this? Wang Wenbin: I stated Chinas serious position on this earlier this week and you may refer to that. I need to stress that China always respects the sovereignty of other countries and conducts law enforcement and judicial cooperation with other countries in accordance with the law. China should be the last one to be accused of transnational repression. The US accusation has no hard evidence or legal basis. It is entirely politically motivated. China firmly opposes the US habitual abuse of extraterritorial and long-arm jurisdiction and interference in other countries internal affairs, which constitutes transnational repression in real sense. The US should reflect on what it has done and immediately stop and correct its wrongdoing. Global Times: Lately several countries have claimed that they oppose changing the status quo with force in the Taiwan Strait. Whats your comment? Wang Wenbin: The notion of opposing the use of force to change the status quo in the Taiwan Strait, uttered by certain individual countries, does not reflect the facts and reality on the Taiwan question. It is a narrative trap designed with a malign purpose. What is the status quo in the Taiwan Strait? It is that both sides of the Strait belong to one and the same China. Taiwan is part of Chinas territory. Chinas sovereignty and territorial integrity have never been divided. And who is trying to change this status quo? Certainly not the mainland, but the Taiwan independence separatists who have been promoting incremental independence, pushing for de-sinicization, and seeking to create the false impression of two Chinas or one China, one Taiwan, and the external forces who have been meddling in the Taiwan question by fudging and hollowing out the one-China principle, selling arms to Taiwan, and peddling the narrative of Ukraine today, Taiwan tomorrow. They are the ones responsible for disrupting the status quo across the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan independence and cross-Strait peace and stability are as irreconcilable as fire and water. To keep the Taiwan Strait peaceful and stable, it is essential to unequivocally uphold the one-China principle and oppose Taiwan independence and foreign interference. Those who talk about peace in the Taiwan Strait but refuse to oppose Taiwan independence are in effect conniving at and supporting separatist activities, which is bound to have a serious impact on cross-Strait peace and stability. China firmly opposes it. We will work together with the rest of the world to uphold the one-China principle, defend our sovereignty and territorial integrity, forestall any attempt to use the Taiwan question to contain China, and work for true peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. ELKO The Elko County Natural Resource Management Advisory Commission, NRMAC, will meet this Monday, April 24, in the commission room of the Elko County Nannini Administration Building at 6 p.m. Elko County residents are encouraged to attend. The seven-member commission will hear comments from the general public regarding Elko County natural resources. An update will be provided by the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management. The NRMAC members will review recently filed water applications and bills pending in the 2023 Nevada legislative session. This year NRMAC will update the Elko County Water, Sage Grouse, and Public Land Use plans. NRMAC members include commissioners Steve Boyce, Leslie Creel (vice-chair), Richard Genseal, Monty Pearce, Randy Powell, Dave Voth (chair), and Zach Woodbury. Each member was appointed by the Elko County Commission because of their relevant knowledge on Elko County natural resource issues. NRMAC meetings are generally held the last Monday of each month. If you would like to contact any member of the commission please visit the Elko County website where emails are listed. Former JD(U) parliamentary board chief Upendra Kushwaha, who met Union Home Minister Amit Shah the previous day, on Friday asserted that he saw no challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Talking to reporters at the airport in Patna upon returning from Delhi, Kushwaha also scoffed at Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumars efforts to achieve opposition unity, pointing out that only those parties were with the JD(U) supreme leader with whom he had an alliance in the state. You all are free to make speculations. I will disclose only as much as I deem proper, Kushwaha said when asked by reporters as to what transpired during his conversation with Shah on Thursday evening. To a pointed query as to whether entry into the NDA was on the agenda, Kushwaha, who formed Rashtriya Lok Janata Dal after breaking away with JD(U) a few months ago, said I do not find myself in the position to divulge many details. When the time comes, I will speak more. Notably, Kushwaha had formerly been an NDA ally, while he was heading Rashtriya Lok Samata Party, and enjoyed a ministerial berth in the first Narendra Modi ministry. He quit the BJP-led coalition ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls and sided with the Mahagathbandhan which then included RJD, Congress and a couple of other smaller parties. However, he grew disillusioned by the time assembly polls were scheduled a year later, and he fought the elections as part of a motley coalition, comprising Mayawatis BSP and Asaduddin Owaisis AIMIM. Kushwaha was humiliated at the hustings as, despite him being projected as the Chief Ministerial candidate of the alliance, his RLSP drew a blank. A few months later, he returned to the JD(U), which he had quit in 2013, and merged with the RLSP. Although he was rewarded with a fancy-sounding party post and a berth in the legislative council that helped him come out of the political wilderness, Kushwaha grew disenchanted with Nitish Kumar after the latter ruled him out for the post of the Deputy Chief Minister beside RJDs Tejaswhi Yadav. In his early 60s, Kushwaha, who belongs to the Koeri caste, the most numerous group after the Yadavs, quit the JD(U) alleging that Kumar has struck a deal with the RJD whereby Yadav will replace him as Chief Minister while he will himself move to Delhi and concentrate on national politics. Asked about the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, Kushwaha said I reiterate that as of now there is no challenge to Narendra Modi. As regards the efforts of Nitish Kumar, I wonder what people are making out of that. When he visits Delhi, only parties like Congress and RJD seem to rally around him. These parties are already his allies in Bihar. There is nothing worth noticing in that. Meanwhile, the RJD, which has been left sore by Kushwahas raking up memories of jungle raj" during the Lalu-Rabri regime, hit out. We had always said that Kushwaha has an affair with the BJP. After this meeting with Shah, he must disclose what is the deal he struck. He used to accuse us of having struck a deal with Nitish Kumar, said RJD spokesman Mrityunjay Tiwari. Notably, Kushwahas meeting with Shah comes barely a week after the Union Home Minister met former Bihar CM Jitan Ram Manjhi, who heads the Hindustani Awam Morcha. Unlike Kushwaha, Manjhi is at present firmly with the Mahagathbandhan and his son Santosh Kumar Suman is a minister in the state cabinet. Nonetheless, the developments are being viewed with interest in the political circles here, in light of the BJPs obvious need for allies in Bihar where it is left with very few. Moreover, with the Nitish Kumar government trumpeting the headcount of castes it is undertaking, and Rahul Gandhis open support to a caste census and breaking the 50 per cent barrier in quotas, the Mahagathbandhan seems poised to galvanise the numerically powerful OBCs in its favour in the Lok Sabha polls next year. The BJP pins its hopes on a combination of hard Hindutva besides weaning away a slice of votes of Dalits and non-Yadav OBCs. Kushwaha belongs to the Koeri caste, the most populous OBC group after the Yadavs. Moreover, the party recently appointed another Koeri, Samrat Chaudhary, a relative newcomer, as the state unit chief. The NDA had, in 2019, won 39 out of 40 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar. Of these 22 were won by the JD(U). Ram Vilas Paswans LJP, now split up into squabbling factions led by Union minister Pashupati Kumar Paras and the late founders son Chirag Paswan, had contributed six seats to the NDA kitty. Read all the Latest News here South star Ram Charan and his wife Upasana Konidela are awaiting the birth of their first child. Now as per reports, it has come to the fore that Ram Charan has decided to take a 3-month hiatus from work as Upasana is due in July. He wants to spend time with his wife and the newborn. As this is their first child, the would-be-parents are really happy and looking forward to embarking on their new journey. Ram Charan has called his baby lucky since his film RRR went to the Oscars and even won an award for their song Naatu Naatu. Ram Charan and Upasana have been married for almost a decade. The duo decided to become parents only when they felt the time was right. Upasana revealed in an interview earlier that she was happy that they were finally becoming parents when they wanted to. She said that they are proud that they didnt give in to societal pressures, and this shows how strong their relationship is. They have decided to have a kid now, as the couple feels that they are successful, financially secure, and can take care of their kid themselves. The couple recently returned from their vacation in the Maldives. On December 12, 2022, Ram Charan and his father, superstar Chiranjeevi tweeted about the arrival of a new member of the family. Ram Charan is currently shooting for the climax of the film Game Changer. He is looking to wrap up the film by May so that he can spend time with his family. He is only going to start shooting for next, Buchi Babu Sana, in September. Ram Charans upcoming film Game Changer features him in two distinct avatars. The film is directed by S Shankar and is a political action thriller. It also stars Kiara Advani as the female protagonist, and this is her second film with Ram Charan after Vinaya Vidheya Rama. The cast includes Anjali, Jayaram, and Nassar in prominent roles. Read all the Latest Bollywood News and Regional Cinema News here A sweet response from Shalin Bhanot is winning hearts on the internet. The was recently approached by a wheelchair-bound man who was also hungry. The person expressed his need for food by saying, Khana khana hai bhai.. halat bohot kharab hai" (I want to eat some dinner.. Im extremely hungry) while holding onto the Shalins hand. To this, the Bigg Boss 16 fame stepped out of his car to give money to the needy. Not just this, but Shalin also embraced the man and gave him a warm hug. A video of the incident has now surfaced on social media. In the same clip, actor Arjun Bijlani can also be seen giving money to an underprivileged man. Upon seeing the video, social media users flocked to the comment section to praise the actors. One of the users wrote, If we help one person in a day like this then no one will sleep hungry. Another user wrote, Shalin Bhanot is the best. One more user added, Such a kind soul. However, some social media users also lashed out at actors and claimed that the humble gesture was only for the sake of cameras. One of the fans came out in support of the actors and wrote, Even if it is for the camera, but he helped him, that is a big thing. Those who are making wrong comments here should go and help, dont talk rubbish. Watch the video below: Shalin has performed similar acts of kindness in the past, including assisting women in Mumbais red light district of Kamathipura and launching his charitable initiative LetsShareBySB. He also had his clothing from his appearance on Bigg Boss repurposed for orphaned children. On the same night, Shalin Bhanot and Priyanka Chahar Choudhary, who were both participants in Bigg Boss 16, reunited at a party and had a great time together. A video of the two at the party has gone viral, showing them enjoying each others company. In the video, Priyanka is seen asking Shalin to perform his kampann dance," which he obediently does, showing off his moves for her. Shalin Bhanot is presently portraying the character of Raanav in the television program Bekaaboo, which has led to his growing popularity for his on-screen performance. Bekaboo is a fantasy-themed drama that focuses on the battle between good and evil, represented respectively by Parilok and Rakshas. The series made its debut on March 18th and is broadcast every Saturday and Sunday at 9 pm on Colors TV. Prior to this, Shalin marked his return to television with Bigg Boss 16. Read all the Latest Bollywood News and Regional Cinema News here Every April 21, National Civil Services Day is observed. The Prime Minister of India honours officers from the central and state governments on this day for their remarkable services to public administration. The civil service system serves as the foundation for the countrys administrative functions. It is the permanent executive branch of the Republic of India. The administrative departments of the government develop various policies and activities and civil servants are in responsible of carrying out all government policies and activities at the grassroots level. The Indian Administrative Services (IAS), Indian Police Services (IPS), Indian Foreign Services (IFS), and the core Group A and Group B services are all part of it. So why was April 21 chosen for National Civil Services Day? On 21 April 1947, Indias first Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel addressed the first batch of Administrative Services probationers who constitute the steel frame of India at Metcalfe House, Delhi. Addressing the probationers Sardar Patel outlined the vision he had in mind with respect to the role that the civil servants were expected to play in independent India. What Sardar Patel said while addressing the first batch of IAS probationers He said, It will be your bounden duty to treat the common men in India as your own, or to put it correctly, to feel yourself to be one of them and amongst them, and you will have to learn not to despise or to disregard them. In other words, you will have to adapt yourselves to democratic ways of administration". Above all, I would advise you to maintain to the utmost the impartiality and incorruptibility of administration. A Civil Servant cannot afford to, and must not, take part in politics. Nor must he involve himself in communal wrangles. To depart from the path of rectitude in either of these respects is to debase public service and to lower its dignity. Similarly, no service worth the name can claim to exist if it does not have in view the achievement of the highest standard of integrity". From his words, it was evident that Patel placed civil servants at the center of the democratic governance of the state. First Civil Service Day It was in 2006 that 21 April was for the first time observed as Civil Services Day. Since then, it is a day when the work of civil servants is celebrated and acknowledged. Then PM Dr. Manmohan Singh had said on the occasion, central Civil Services are the backbone of the governance structure of our nation. They have played a vital role in the task of nation-building, right from the time we achieved independence, to the present day. It was Sardar Patels vision that the Civil Service should strengthen cohesion and national unity. He wanted a strong and vibrant federal administrative system in which the All India Services would play an important role. True to his conviction, the Civil Services have provided the framework for the administration of the country. The values of integrity, impartiality and merit remain the guiding principles of our civil services". Raison detre behind observing Civil Service Day It is an occasion for civil servants to rededicate themselves to the cause of citizens and renew their commitments to public service and excellence in work". The theme of Civil Services Day 2023 The theme of this years Civil Services Day is Viksit Bharat Empowering Citizens and Reaching the Last Mile. Composition of Civil Services Civil services in India are classified into three categories A) All India Services (IAS) B) Central Services C) State Services All India Services are the most coveted and prestigious services. It constitute of Indian Administrative Service (IAS) Indian Police Service (IPS) and Indian Forest Service (IFoS). There are around 50 Central Services. The most sought-after and prestigious services are the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and Indian Revenue Service (IRS). The difference between All India Services and Central Services is that while the officers of All India Services are recruited and trained by the Central government, they are assigned to different states for the work. Whereas Central Service officers work under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Central government. Constitutional Provisions Article 308 to 314 in part XIV of the Constitution contains provisions with regard to All India Services. Recruitment Process Civil servants are recruited through Civil Services Exam (CSE) which is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) which is Indias central recruitment agency. The CSE is a three-stage exam consisting of an objective test called the preliminary exam which is of qualifying nature. Then there is a subjective/written exam called the civil service mains exam in which the candidates have to select a subject of their interest apart from common general studies paper and essay paper. The third stage of the exam is an interview which is called a personality test. Training There are various institutes where the candidates selected for different services are trained. Initially, all selected candidates undergo foundational training at Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand. After completing the foundational training candidates, according to services allocated to them are sent to different institutes. IAS recruits are trained LBSNAA for the entire two years of their training. IPS trainees move on to the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy in Hyderabad. IFoS officers go to the Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy in Dehradun for their training. IFS are trained at Foreign Service Institute (FSI) in New Delhi. IRS officers are trained at the National Academy of Direct Taxes, Nagpur, or the National Academy of Customs, Excise & Narcotics, Faridabad. Posts Civil Servants occupy Civil servants play the most crucial role in the governance of the country as they constitute the permanent executive. Accordingly, they assume the most important administrative offices. IAS officers, starting from the sub-divisional magistrate, and chief development officers go on become to the district collectors, and the highest post they can hold is that of a cabinet secretary. Similarly, IPS officers starting from the additional superintendent of police to the inspector general of police go on to assume the officer director general of police and other para-military forces. Civil servants because of the role they play in the governance of the country assume great importance and prestige. Former Cabinet Secretary and one of Indias finest bureaucrats TSR Subramanian once told this author that He (civil servants) is not just the prime implementer of government decisions; in practice, the senior civil servants in the state secretariats and at the center, are equal if not more important partners in the decision-making process". And, perhaps, this role of an implementer of government decisions and later as a decision maker makes civil service such a sought-after career. Read all the Latest Explainers here Lingayat leaders of the BJP have raised the pitch for unleashing the Lingayat CM" campaign in poll-bound Karnataka to counter the Congress narrative to brand the ruling party as anti-Lingayat". Senior Lingayat leaders Jagadish Shettar and Laxman Savadi quit the BJP over denial of ticket to contest in the May 10 Assembly elections and joined the Congress. The ruling party has been on a damage control mode since then with the Congress accusing it of doing injustice" to Lingayats and being anti-Lingayat". #WATCH | Bengaluru: We have majority of candidates from Lingayat community and will never say that vote for us because Lingayat candidates are contesting. Instead, those who are Hindutva should vote for BJP, be it Lingayat, Kurba, or Brahmin. By playing the Lingayat card, pic.twitter.com/St0AhsYmWZ ANI (@ANI) April 20, 2023 Lingayat leaders from the BJP met at the residence of Karnataka BJP strongman and former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Wednesday evening, where there were suggestions for countering the Congress narrative by projecting that the next CM would be from the community in the event of the party coming to power. Why the Hubbub Over Lingayats? The politically influential Lingayat community forms about 17 per cent of the States population, mostly in northern parts of the State which the BJP counts as its strong vote-base. Who are Lingayats? The Lingayats, who have been BJP supporters for over two decades, are said to have sway over the outcome of 100 of the states 224 assembly seats. The Lingayat religion is thought to have evolved from the teachings of Basava, a 12th century social reformer and Kannada poet. Several scholars, however, believe he aided an established sect. Basava, who was inspired by the Bhakti movement, rejected temple worship and Brahmin ceremonies in favour of a religion free of gender and religious prejudice, said a report by the Print. Over the years, several people from backward castes chose to be Lingayats in order to avoid the rigid Hindu caste system. Although the Lingayats earlier overthrow of caste distinctions has been modified in current times, the sect remains vehemently anti-Brahmanical and opposes worship of any image other than the lingam, as per Britannica. They foreshadowed much of the stance of the nineteenth-century social reform movements in their rejection of the authority of the Vedas, the doctrine of soul transmigration, child marriage, and ill treatment of widows. In the early twenty-first century, some Lingayats began to lobby the Indian government for legal recognition as a religion distinct from Hinduism, or as a caste within Hinduism, the report says. The Recent Reservation Row On March 30, the BJP-led Karnataka government had notified the cabinet decision to scrap the 4% backward classes quota for Muslims who have been recognised as a backward class in Karnataka for more than 100 years and reallot the Muslim OBC quota to the states two most dominant communities, Lingayats and Vokkaligas. According to a report by the Indian Express, there had been strong reservation demands from Panchamasalis, a subset of the Lingayat population, who wanted to be included in the 2A reservation category, and Vokkaligas, who wanted their 4% quota increased to 12%. The BJPs electoral calculations may have been thrown off had the demands not been met. Shettar Quitting and a Different Game According to a report by Oneindia, Shettars exit came as a shock as the powerful Lingayat political leader was seen as someone who has never rebelled against the party and one who always toed the party line. Sr Sandeep Shastri, a leading psephologist told the publication that the lesson in the incident was people management. Lingayat community is a big community in Karnataka, they (BJP) accept BS Yediyurappa as their leader, and Jagadish Shettar was always in the second position. They also disrespected Yediyurappa by bringing him down from the CM post, which is why he cried when he resigned: Congress pic.twitter.com/jgb9BrLTWY ANI (@ANI) April 17, 2023 Shastri said that Shettars claims of his departure affecting 25 seats was exaggerated. When one considers the events surrounding Shettar, one should realise that the central leadership has eventually triumphed, he explained, adding that B S Yediyurappa and Prahlad Joshi had both declared Shettar would receive a ticket for sure. Regardless of these pronouncements, it is evident that the central leadership will not back down on the issue, he said. In a sense if one were to look at it, then both what Yediyurappa and Joshi said have been negated. I however wonder if the same model would work here. In Gujarat replacing old leaders worked, but giving the uniqueness of Karnataka, it needs to be seen if this will work," Shastri told Oneindia. A Lingayat CM? On Thursday, responding to questions from reporters, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai confirmed that the late-night meeting decided to strongly counter the misinformation" being spread by the Congress on some issues." There were some suggestions (on Lingayat-CM). Dharmendra Pradhan (the Union Minister who is the Karnataka election in-charge of the BJP) was also there. He (Pradhan) said he would convey our feelings (on the need for Lingayat-CM) to the high-command". When a reporter again asked about the Congress narrative branding the BJP as anti-Lingayats", the Chief Minister sought to counter him: You want to keep the issue alive?" In the last 50 years since 1967, the Congress has not made a Lingayat a Chief Minister except for the nine-month tenure of Veerendra Patil, Bommai said. Dont ask this question again", he told the reporter. There were several instances of how the Congress treated senior Lingayat leaders, the Chief Minister said, adding that people would not forget how the Congress tried to break the community (demanding a separate religious status to the community) to create a vote bank" five years ago. There is respect, honour and opportunity for all in the BJP," Bommai said and alleged that the Congress cheated" Dalits, Lingayats and Backward Classes. According to sources, the BJP is assessing a possible Lingayat backlash after the exit of Laxman Savadi and Jagadish Shettar. Even as the Wednesday meeting brainstormed various measure, many within the party are asking BJP leadership to declare that Veerashiva-Lingayat will be made next CM, the sources told CNN-News18. With inputs from PTI Read all the Latest Explainers here A Constitution bench of the Supreme Court comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud, and justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, S Ravindra Bhat, PS Narasimha, and Hima Kohli on Tuesday began the final hearing of a bunch of petitions seeking to legalise same-sex marriage. Reason for referring it to Constitution bench The apex court decided on March 13 that the issue of same-sex marriage would be settled by the Constitution bench. In its order passed to that effect, a three-judge bench led by CJI Chandrachud stated that as the case involves the interplay between constitutional rights on the one hand and specific legislative enactments", it has been referred to a Constitution bench. The apex court in its order referring the petitions to the Constitution bench stated: Having due regard to the broader context of the petitions before this court and the interrelationship between the statutory regime and constitutional rights, we are of the considered view that it would be appropriate if the issues raised are resolved by a bench of five judges of this court in view of the provisions of Article 145(3) Constitution." Article 145(3) of the Constitution Article 145(3) of the Constitution states: The minimum number of Judges who are to sit for the purpose of deciding any case involving a substantial question of law as to the interpretation of this Constitution or for the purpose of hearing any reference under Article 143 shall be five." In its order referring the case to the Constitution bench, the court also pointed to an important case. In its order, the apex court said that besides relying upon cases like Navtej Singh Johar versus Union of India, the petitioners have asserted broader constitutional entitlements arising out of the right to life and personal liberty and the right to dignity, which is embodied in the provisions of the Constitution including its Preamble and as a natural incident of Articles 14, 19, and 21. Navtej Singh Johar versus Union of India On September 6, 2018, a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court unanimously struck down Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) which criminalised same-sex relations between consenting adults. In its judgment, the apex court stated, Section 377 IPC, so far as it criminalizes even consensual sexual acts between competent adults, fails to make a distinction between non-consensual and consensual sexual acts of competent adults in private space which are neither harmful nor contagious to the society. Section 377 IPC subjects the LGBTQ community to societal pariah and dereliction and is, therefore, manifestly arbitrary, for it has become an odious weapon for the harassment of the LGBTQ community by subjecting them to discrimination and unequal treatment." Government stance on same-sex marriage On April 17, in an affidavit filed before the apex court, the union government opposed the plea seeking validation of same-sex marriage. In the affidavit, the government argued that creation or recognition of a new social institution cannot be claimed as a matter of right/choice, much less a fundamental right", and the right to personal autonomy does not include a right for the recognition of same-sex marriage". The affidavit also stated that a decision by the court in recognising the right of same-sex marriage would mean a virtual judicial rewriting of an entire branch of law". The Supreme Court in 2018 recognised the right of consenting adults to enter into sexual relations irrespective of their gender without any fear of facing the law. Now, it is to be seen whether the apex court decides to extend that right further and create a new institution which is marriage between same-sex couples. Read all the Latest Explainers here State schools are shut in Maharashtra. Heatwave conditions prevail in Gangetic West Bengal, and even though slight rains brought some relief to Delhi, the forecast for coming times is not encouraging. Climate models have predicted that El Nino is on the horizon, which can lead to severe heat waves and droughts, in many countries, including India, IANS said in a report. El Nino is related with the development of a belt of warm ocean water in the central and east-central equatorial Pacific, including the area off South Americas Pacific coast. Winds travelling west near the equator slow down during El Nino, and warm water is pushed east, resulting in warmer surface ocean temperatures. This is not good, because a heatwave can potentially kill you, apart from causing harm to your body. There are many who also do not have the privilege to stay indoors in the face of such fatal potentialities. But yes, there are certain ways one can combat heatstrokes or heat exhaustion. Read some of there here. However, a heatwave does not strike as bad a fear into ones heart as the news of a storm or tornado, right? According to one UK survey, most people do not consider themselves to be vulnerable to heat and do not take precautions to protect themselves. The survey said people are more likely to protect themselves against sunburn during heatwaves than from heat. But you are at risk. According to a study released on Thursday by the University of Cambridge, nearly 90% of Indians are more exposed to public health issues, food shortages, and greater chances of death as a result of fatal heat waves caused by climate change in 2022, ThePrint reported. There is a rising number of heat-related fatalities being recorded (the Khargar event being a recent example) but questions are also being raised on official records presenting a contradictory picture on heatwave deaths, with data issued by various authorities throughout the years at odds each other, one Moneycontrol report said. So, how does one get people to take heatwaves more seriously? A 2022 report by Vox wondered whether naming heatwaves, like we do cyclones, tornadoes and more, would help change public perception of a deadly climate event only set to increase in precedence amid global warming. The question lies in whether naming hurricanes has been effective. Kathy Baughman McLeod, director of the Atlantic Councils Adrienne Arsht-Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Center , which studies climate resiliency told Vox that it has. Hurricane-prone areas have what McLeod refers to as a culture of preparedness and prevention," in which residents understand how to prepare for hurricanes of various strength, the report says. Residents who opt to stay at home during a smaller storm, for example, may board up their windows and save a few days supply of water. Heat waves need that branding, that identity," McLeod explained. And it was done last year, in Spain! McLeods organisations are conducting pilot studies in six locations Los Angeles, Miami, Milwaukee, and Kansas City in the United States, as well as Seville, Spain, and Athens, Greece to test a heat wave categorization system they invented. Seville was the first city in the world to call a heat wave Zoe in July. The heat wave was classified as Category 3 by Spanish officials, indicating the maximum level of danger. And its good to name climate events. It raises awareness about their development, swiftly disseminating warnings to boost community readiness, and removing confusion where numerous cyclonic systems exist over a region. But exactly how did Seville name its heatwave? Seville had implemented a three-tier heatwave system, with names assigned. Heatwaves would be classified based on daytime and nighttime temperatures, humidity, and the potential health consequences of high temperatures on individuals. Starting with Z, names will be assigned in reverse alphabetical order. This is why the first heatwave was dubbed Zoe. According to Scientific American, the other four names finalised for 2022s season were Yago, Xenia, Wenceslao, and Vega. Each tier would include a set of steps to combat heatwave effects, such as sending healthcare workers to check on at-risk persons, keeping pools open longer, establishing cooling facilities, and issuing warnings. But its not so easy to name a heatwave. According to the Vox report, experts say two cities with almost identical weather could often require two different categories as local conditions make a difference to how the residents face heat, and heatwaves cannot be simply classified by temperature. Larry Kalkstein from Arsht-Rock explained how the organisation had devised a method that examines historical weather and mortality data from previous heat waves to determine which combination of meteorological factors heat, humidity, nocturnal temperatures, cloud cover, and more causes the greatest excess deaths in a certain region. They then created an algorithm that compares the characteristics of an approaching heat wave to that data, estimates the risk of excess deaths, and assigns a category based on expected mortality. And the World Meteorological Organisation says there is currently no international structure or process in place to name or coordinate the naming of heatwave occurrences. Read all the Latest Explainers here At least two people, including a woman, were injured after shots were fired at Delhis Saket court on Friday morning, reports said. A team of Delhi Police Crime Branch arrested the accused who opened fire in Saket court premises today, according to an ANI. A rather peculiar angle to the firing case came to the fore, as Delhi Police revealed that the woman who was shot, was involved in numerous fraud cases in the past. The shooter, Rajendra Jha, was an advocate in Saket court and was in his uniform at the time of the incident The woman had taken money from the person (shooter) on the promise of doubling it, both of them had come to the court related to the matter. Several other cases of fraud are also lodged against the woman," an ANI report quoted DCP South Chandan Chowdhary as saying. The shooter had allegedly loaned Rs 25 lakh on interest to the woman and she was defaulting on repayment, a PTI report quoted the source as saying. According to an eyewitness account, the accused fired four to five times before escaping through the canteens back entry, the DCP said, adding that the situation in the court is normal. The woman was with her advocate when a person shot her, a PTI report quoted a senior police officer as saying. The incident took place near the lawyers chamber at around 10:15 am in Saket court. #BreakingNews | Shocking incident of firing reported from #NewDelhis Saket Court, a lady was shot at by a shooter impersonating as a lawyerWatch the visual @nikhil_lakhwani, @anany_b with details Join the broadcast with @anjalipandey06 pic.twitter.com/wfpNmCwjfD News18 (@CNNnews18) April 21, 2023 The woman who got injured was identified as 40-year-old M Radha. She received two bullet injuries in her abdomen and hand and was subsequently taken to Max Hospital in Saket. Notably, the firing had also taken place at the Rohini court premises in April last year, after a scuffle broke out between two advocates and their one client. Before this, On September 24, 2021, two gunmen dressed as lawyers fired inside Delhis Rohini court. The gunmen were killed in police firing. The two attackers, Rahul Tyagi and Jagdeep Jagga allegedly posed as lawyers to enter the courtroom and fired multiple bullets at gangster Jitender Maan alias Gogi. (With inputs from Nikhil Lakhwani) Read all the Latest India News here Terrorist outfits in Jammu and Kashmir seem to have shifted their strategy to resemble that of Naxals, carrying out more attacks in forests than in cities, sources told News18 on Friday. Sources said following significant damage to their on-ground workers network, terrorists now are staying in jungles and retreating after carrying out attacks. They understand that movement of security forces through forest area is difficult and sensitive. Security forces on Friday picked up on-ground workers of terror outfits, hoping their questioning would lead to perpetrators of such attacks. Security forces have, meanwhile, launched a massive search operation in the dense forests of the Bata-Doriya area after a terrorist attack in Poonch killed five Indian Army personnel and injured one. The entire area has been cordoned off while drones and sniffer dogs are being used to sniff out the terrorists who might be hiding in the area, they said. Officials said high alert has been sounded in the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch amid close vigil along the Line of Control. Traffic on the Bhimber Gali-Poonch road was stopped following the incident and people have been advised to go to Poonch via Mendhar, officials said. Five Army personnel were killed and another was seriously injured on Thursday after their vehicle caught fire following a terrorist attack in Poonch. The soldiers were from a Rashtriya Rifles unit deployed for counter-terror operations. The Army said the vehicle the soldiers were travelling in came under fire from unidentified terrorists and it caught fire because of the likely use of grenades. Read all the Latest India News here The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) was reportedly camping in Odisha to hunt for Guddu Muslim, the close aide of slain dreaded gangster Atiq Ahmed. An official said that a person was also interrogated in Bargarh for two days but no arrests were made. The UP STF team visited Bargarh for verification and questioned one person. We extended all cooperation as per rules. The team did not arrest any person in Bargard," said Northern Range IG Dipak Kumar. He added that a five-member team arrived Bargarh on April 18, and after its search, the team departed on Thursday. The Odisha police DG, however, called a high-level meeting later that was also attended by ADG Law and Order and ADG Special Arm Service. DGP Sunil Bansal spoke to Kumar over phone and sought a detailed report on UP STFs visit. According to a report in OdishaTV.in, UP STF questioned one person at Bhatli in Bargarh district in connection with Guddu Muslim. The said person reportedly has links with the driver of gangster Guddu. Last week, some media reports had claimed that Guddu Muslim alias Bambaz (Bomber) Guddu has been arrested from Nashik in Maharashtra. However, the Maharashtra police later clarified that the arrested person was a waiter in a hotel and not Guddu Muslim. The reports came at a time when don Abu Salem was also on STF scanner for allegedly sheltering and providing money to Atiqs son Asad Ahmed and aide Ghulam when they went into hiding after killing Umesh Pal on February 24. Guddu Muslim is an accused in Umesh Pal murder case. While two other accused, Asad Ahmed and Mohammad Ghulam, were killed in police encounter in Jhansi, Bambaz Muslim is on the run and has been changing location since. He is Uttar Pradesh polices most wanted criminal and carries a reward of Rs 5 lakh. The police is on a massive manhunt for Atiqs closest aide. According to a report in The Quint, Guddu is an expert bomb maker and was first arrested in 1999 in a narcotics case. UP Special Task Force (STF) ADG Amitabh Yash, who was then posted as ASP in Gorakhpur, had arrested Guddu in an NDPS case. Guddu was eventually sentenced for 10 years. He was allegedly bailed out by Atiq and since then has been one of his close associates. Read all the Latest India News here Authorities are looking for a man they believe shot and killed a reserve police officer in eastern Oregon. Forty-three-year-old Nyssa police officer Joseph Johnson died Saturday night after a man he had pursued in a car shot at him. The Oregonian reports the man fled and Johnson was dead when sheriffs officers and medical workers arrived. The Malheur County District Attorney's office says Johnson had been responding to reports the man was making threats and damaging property. Nyssa is a town of about 3,200 near the Idaho state line 50 miles northwest of Boise. A 49-year old man allegedly hanged himself to death here, with police saying he has left behind an audio clip purportedly accusing his employer of harassing him and not paying him salary. The BJP attacked the states Congress government over the incident, claiming that deceased Sanjay Pande has alleged in the clip that his employer Shabbir Khan is involved in cow smuggling under the patronage of an MLA. In the audio clip recorded in his phone before he took the extreme step, Pande alleged that he was being harassed by Shabbir Khan who is associated with Rafiq Khan, police said. Shabbir Khan runs a transport company in which Pande was an employee. Pandes family members gave an audio to the police in which the man is purportedly heard blaming Shabbir Khan. He also said in the audio that Shabbir Khan has the patronage of Rafiq Khan, a police official said. A case for abetment to suicide was registered against Shabbir Khan with Kanota the police station on Thursday on the complaint given by the family members, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Bassi, Megh Chand Mina said. He said the body was shifted to the mortuary of SMS hospital for postmortem on Wednesday, but the family members did not agree to an autopsy and hence it could not be conducted. The body is still kept at the mortuary, he said. Meanwhile, BJPs Rajya Sabha MP Kirodi Lal Meena claimed in Jaipur that it was Congress MLA Rafiq Khan who Pande has named in the audio. A Brahmin has committed suicide after being troubled by MLA Rafiq Khan and his workers. The law and order in the state come in the hands of the Congress MLAs who have become mini-cm in their constituency," he told reporters. Meena went to Kanota to meet Pandes kin. BJP MP from Jaipur Ramcharan Bohra and former state party president Ashok Parnami also met the family. Meena said that Pandey was a Gau bhakt and has committed suicide after being tortured by the goons" of MLA Rafiq Khan in Ahimsa Nagar, Agra Road. How long will this anti-Hindu government continue to commit heinous atrocities on Hindus? To what extent will this government fall in appeasement?" he said. Rafiq Khan, who is the MLA from Jaipurs Adarsh Nagar constituency, could not be contacted for comments. Former BJP MLA from Adarsh Nagar Ashok Parnami said Pande alleged in the audio recording that Shabbir was involved in cow smuggling and wanted to engage him too, but when he refused and demanded his salary, Shabbir started threatening him. There is no law and order in Rajasthan," he told reporters at the residence of Pande on Agra Road. Read all the Latest India News here After five Indian Army personnel were killed in a terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmirs Poonch district on Thursday, a massive search operation has been launched by security forces to nab the terrorists behind the attack. According to reports, dense forests are becoming a struggle to carry out the manhunt. According to Defense Sources, the Indian Army has launched multiple special forces teams along with drones and surveillance helicopters who are carrying out search and destroy ops in the suspected area. The security forces including the Army, Police, and Intelligence Agencies are coordinating the operations, reports stated. Several suspects have also been detained by security forces for questioning after the Poonch terror attack. Apart from an attempt to get hold of the terrorists, the massive operation will also try to look for workers on the ground, who could have provided supplies and helped the terrorists with knowledge about the topography of the place. One Army person was critically injured and is undergoing treatment. The entire area has been cordoned off while drones and sniffer dogs are being used to sniff out the terrorists that might be hiding in the area, a PTI report said. The soldiers who were impacted during the attack, were from a Rashtriya Rifles unit deployed for counter-terror operations. BDS and FSL teams are on the spot where the terror attack had taken place. According to officials, an NIA team will visit the site of the terror attack for inspection. Officials said that a high alert has been sounded in the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch amid close vigil along the Line of Control. Traffic on the Bhimber Gali-Poonch road was stopped following the incident and people have been advised to go to Poonch via Mendhar, they said. The Army said the vehicle the soldiers were travelling in came under fire from unidentified terrorists and it caught fire because of the likely use of grenades. Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Pande and all ranks of Indian Army salute the supreme sacrifice of five Indian Army bravehearts, Hav Mandeep Singh, L/Nk Debashish Baswal, L/Nk Kulwant Singh, Sep Harkrishan Singh and Sep Sewak Singh who laid down their lives in the line of duty at Poonch Sector yesterday," the Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADGPI) said in a tweet. Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said he was anguished at the loss of lives of the brave soldiers. Their rich service to the nation will never be forgotten. My thoughts are with the bereaved families," he said in a tweet. Political parties have condemned the attack. On Thursday evening, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal staged a protest on the Tawi bridge in Jammu city and raised anti-Pakistan slogans. Read all the Latest India News here In todays edition of News18 Afternoon Digest, we are looking at Prime Minister Narendra Modis high-level meeting to review the security of over 3,000 Indian citizens stuck in the violence-hit Sudan. In other news, we are covering the Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations to be held in India on Saturday, April 22. Prepare Contingency Evacuation Plans: PM Holds Meet to Review Security of Indians in Sudan Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday chaired a high-level meeting to review the security of over 3,000 Indian citizens stuck in the violence-hit Sudan and directed the officials to prepare contingency evacuation plans. He also expressed grief over the death of an Indian national, Albert Augestine, who tragically fell victim to a stray bullet in the strife-torn African country. READ MORE Poonch Attack: Foreign Terrorists Among 5 Suspected for Killing Jawans; NIA Conducts Probe | Key Points Five attackers, including three foreign terrorists and two locals, were involved in the well-planned attack" with the intention of creating a sensation ahead of the planned G20 summit in Pooch district of Jammu and Kashmir that killed five Army personnel from a Rashtriya Rifles unit on Thursday, agency sources told News18 on Friday. READ MORE Is Atiq Ahmeds Aide Guddu Muslim in Odisha? UP STF Lands in State, Grills Man for 2 Days But Yet to Arrest The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) was reportedly camping in Odisha to hunt for Guddu Muslim, the close aide of slain dreaded gangster Atiq Ahmed. An official said that a person was also interrogated in Bargarh for two days but no arrests were made. READ MORE Eid 2023 Moon Sighting India LIVE: India All Set to Celebrate Eid al-Fitr as Festivities Begin in Saudi, Qatar and UAE The crescent moon, which marks the end of the fasting month of Ramzan, was not sighted on Thursday, which means that Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated in India on Saturday, April 22. Uttar Pradesh has banned religious events on roads and has also upped the security as Muslim residents offered Alvida Namaz. While several countries, including Egypt and Kuwait, are celebrating Eid today, India will mark Eid al-Fitr tomorrow. READ MORE Delhi Capitals Players Get Back Stolen Bats And Other Equipment, Confirms Skipper David Warner Delhi Capitals captain David Warner has revealed that the police have found the bats, pads, gloves and other stolen equipment. Delhi Capitals players got to know about the missing batting equipment after they landed in New Delhi from Bangalore as the reports suggested the stolen list includes 16 bats, pads, shoes, thigh-pads and gloves. READ MORE Samantha Still Has Naga Chaitanyas Tattoo on Her Rib Despite Divorce; Photo Goes Viral Samantha Ruth Prabhus stunning photos from Citadel premiere in London have taken the internet by storm. Her fans were elated to see the actress gorgeous avatar for the screening of the Priyanka Chopra and Richard Madden starrer series, but some eagle-eyed netizens spotted Samanthas old tattoo on her rib. READ MORE Read all the Latest India News here At least 12 people were detained on Friday for questioning in connection with the deadly ambush of five army soldiers in the dense forest area of Bata Doriya in Poonch. Officials said that those detained were being questioned at various levels by the security forces to ascertain the identity of the terror group, which is believed to be active in the area for more than a year and probably comprises a sniper too. Drones and sniffer dogs were used and an MI chopper conducted a recce of the dense forest area of Bata-Doriya in Poonch on Friday in a massive manhunt for the terrorists who killed five Indian Army personnel and injured one the day before. An NIA team visited the ambush spot and conducted a full inspection of the area and the vehicle targeted in the attack. Top police and army officers including DGP Dilbag Singh, ADGP Mukesh Singh and GoC reviewed the search operation, officials said. The entire area of Tota-Gali-Bata Doriya, which has dense forests, has been cordoned off. Officials said drones and sniffer dogs are being used to trace the terrorists, adding the army also conducted a recce of the area with an MI-chopper. Five Army personnel were killed and another was seriously injured on Thursday after their vehicle caught fire following the attack. The soldiers were from a Rashtriya Rifles unit deployed for counter-terror operations. Sources said the attack is suspected to have been carried out by a group of three to four terrorists who used some explosives, possibly a sticky bomb or grenade, because of which the vehicle caught fire. Those who executed the attack are believed to have been present in Rajouri and Poonch for more than one year and had adequate knowledge of the terrain which is quite rough, they said. The area is a hotbed of Jammu and Kashmir Gaznavi Force (JKGF) as its commander Rafiq Ahmed alias Rafiq Nayi, who is a resident of the area, they added. At present, three to four terrorist groups are active in the region of Rajouri and Poonch, sources said. The Army said the vehicle the soldiers were travelling in came under fire and it caught fire because of the likely use of grenades. The army found bullet marks on the vehicle and the body of a jawan. According to the initial investigation, the attack was carried out from both sides. Top army and police officials on Friday laid wreaths and paid homage to the soldiers. Officials said a high alert has been sounded in the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch amid heightened vigil along the Line of Control. Traffic on the Bhimber Gali-Poonch road was stopped following the incident and people have been advised to go to Poonch via Mendhar, they said. After a wreath-laying function at Rajouri, the mortal remains of Lance Naik Debashish of Algum Sami village of Puri district of Odisha were airlifted to his native place for last rites. The mortal remains of Havildar Mandeep Singh of Chankoian village of Ludhiana (Punjab), Lance Naik Kulwant Singh of Charik village of Moga district (Punjab), Sepoy Harkrishan Singh of village Talwandi of Gurdaspur district (Punjab) and Sepoy Sewak Singh of Bagha village of Bathinda district (Punjab) were being sent to their native places by road, they said. Meanwhile, Jammu witnessed several protests by BJP, VHP, Rashtriya Bajrang Dal, Shiv Sena, Dogra Front and Jammu Statehood organisation among others. In a tweet, the Army said, Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Pande and all ranks of Indian Army salute the supreme sacrifice of five Indian Army brave hearts, Hav Mandeep Singh, L/Nk Debashish Baswal, L/Nk Kulwant Singh, Sep Harkrishan Singh and Sep Sewak Singh who laid down their lives in the line of duty at Poonch Sector yesterday." Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha said he was anguished at the loss of lives of the brave soldiers. Their rich service to the nation will never be forgotten. My thoughts are with the bereaved families," he said in a tweet. Read all the Latest India News here Five attackers, including three foreign terrorists and two locals, were involved in the well-planned attack" with the intention of creating a sensation ahead of the planned G20 summit in Pooch district of Jammu and Kashmir that killed five Army personnel from a Rashtriya Rifles unit on Thursday, agency sources told News18 on Friday. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday announced an ex gratia of Rs 1 Crore for the families of the four Punjab soldiers who lost their lives in the attack. Here are the top updates on the Pooch terror attack Officials told News18 the attack on Indian army personnel in the Poonch district was a highly organized and well-planned assault, with the motive of creating a sensation ahead of the G20 summit. According to agency sources on Friday, five attackers were suspected to be involved in Thursdays terrorist attack in the Poonch district, in which five Army soldiers were killed. Among the suspects, three are believed to be foreign terrorists and two are locals. Shopkeepers in the area are being questioned by officials to determine if they witnessed any suspicious activity before the firing that occurred during the recent attack. J&K Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbag Singh and two National Investigation Agency (NIA) teams have reached the location where the vehicle was attacked in Poonch district. They are currently conducting an investigation into the terrorist attack. Four of the five soldiers are from Punjab Mandeep Singh (Chankoian Kacan village), Harkrishan Singh (Talwandi Barth village), Kulwant Singh (Charik), Sewak Singh (Bagha) while Debashish Baswal is from Odishas Algum Samil Khandayat. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has announced Rs 1 crore compensation to the families of the four martyred soldiers from the state in the Poonch terror attack. After the incident was reported on Thursday, Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande briefed Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on the incident. Anguished by the tragedy in Poonch District (J&K), where the Indian Army has lost its brave soldiers after a truck caught fire. In this tragic hour, my thoughts are with the bereaved families," the defence minister tweeted. The Army released a statement regarding the attack that took place at approximately 3 pm on Thursday, one Army vehicle, moving between Bhimber Gali and Poonch in the Rajauri sector was fired on by unidentified terrorists, taking advantage of heavy rains and low visibility in the area," the Army said. The five personnel of the Rashtriya Rifles Unit deployed for counterterrorist operations in this area have unfortunately lost their lives in the incident," it said. The Army said another soldier was seriously injured and he was evacuated immediately to the Army hospital at Rajouri. The presence of bullet marks on the vehicle and the recovery of grenade fragments confirmed the Poonch incident as a terror attack, according to sources. The Army is currently conducting operations to apprehend the attackers. (With inputs from Arunima) Read all the Latest India News here Scores of people raised anti-Pakistan slogans in Jammu on Friday and condemned the recent terrorist attack in the Poonch district that killed five Army soldiers. Led by its general secretary Yudhvir Sethi, the BJP took out a march and held a demonstration in the Kachi Chawani area. The party workers raised anti-Pakistan slogans and held placards condemning the attack. We will avenge the killing of our soldiers. We will further strengthen the zero-tolerance policy," Sethi told reporters. He said the attack was aimed at derailing peace and development in Jammu and Kashmir but the administration will not be cowed down. Five Army personnel were killed and another seriously injured on Thursday after their vehicle caught fire following a terrorist attack in Poonch, the Army said. It said the victims belonged to a Rashtriya Rifles unit deployed for counter-terrorism operations. Another protest was held by Mission Statehood Jammu Kashmir, a local organisation, led by its president Sunil Dimple in New Plot area. The protestors burnt Pakistani flags and effigies amid sloganeering. Dimple alleged the Poonch attack was due to the complete failure of the Centre and J&K administration even as they claim to have ensured peace and normalcy in the Union Territory. He recalled past incidents where several Army and security personnel lost their lives in militant attacks in Poonch and Rajouri border districts. The Shiv Sena Dogra Front also staged an anti-Pakistan protest. Its members, led by its president Ashok Gupta, demanded that Indian troops destroy the terror network in Pakistan. Read all the Latest India News here Punjab Police on Friday arrested the father of AAP MLA Jagdeep Goldy Kamboj for allegedly blackmailing and demanding Rs 10 lakh from a property dealer, who is an accused in a rape case, to settle the matter. Jalalabad Police said that extortion money of Rs 50,000 has also been recovered from the accused, Surinder Kamboj. According to the FIR, complainant and property dealer Sunil Kumar alleged that a rape complaint has been falsely lodged against him by a woman client. He claimed that the MLAs father Surinder allegedly called him and demanded Rs 10 lakh to settle the issue. Kumar decided to pay Surinder Rs 50,000 as advance money to settle the rape case against him. Police sources said that the property dealer has also handed over the recording of the extortion money by the accused. On the basis of statement, Jalalabad Police has booked Surinder Kamboj and also the woman complainant and her family for getting into a conspiracy to lodge a false rape FIR. Intriguingly, the police have also filed a separate rape complaint against the property dealer for raping the woman. The woman alleged she had sold her old house and wanted to buy a new one for which she had approached property dealer Sunil Kumar. According to the complainant, Sunil Kumar invited her to Dr Khan Wali Street to show her the house on sale. She alleged that Sunil Kumar raped her there. Sunil Kumar has been booked under section 376 of the IPC but is yet to be arrested. Read all the Latest India News here The Assam and Arunachal Pradesh governments signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Thursday in New Delhi to end a decades-long border dispute. Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu and his Assam counterpart Himanta Biswa Sarma had several rounds of meetings to address the boundary issue. They signed the final agreement in the presence of union home minister Amit Shah. How it was done Both states had formed regional committees that had made proposals to address the long-pending issue. This is being seen as a big success for the BJP in the Northeast ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Solving interstate border disputes has been the Centres priority and a 2019 poll promise. Why it is important Arunachal Pradesh and Assam share an around 804-km-long boundary. A suit had been pending in the Supreme Court on the issue since 1989. The matter dates back to 1972 when NEFA (Northeast Frontier Agency) was declared a union territory. In 1987, NEFA became Arunachal Pradesh. Arunachal then claimed most of the forest region at the border that was then under Assam. The challenges In April 1979, a high-powered tripartite committee was constituted to delineate the boundary on the survey of India maps. While around 489 km of the 804 km was demarcated by 1983-84, further exercise couldnt take place because Arunachal didnt accept the recommendations. It claimed a large chunk of the 3,648 sq km, which had been transferred to Assam in line with the 1951 report. Assam objected to this and filed a case in the Supreme Court in 1989, highlighting the encroachment" by Arunachal Pradesh. To resolve this between the two states, the top court appointed a local boundary commission in 2006, headed by a retired SC judge. The findings were submitted in September 2014. However, there was no consensus between the two states. In 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi underscored the importance of solving the interstate border disputes of the Northeast as a key agenda of his government, and union home minister Amit Shah and the two states resolved to settle the border dispute out of court through talks. Namsai Declaration In July last year, both states signed the Namsai Declaration, in which it was agreed to bring down the number of disputed villages from 123 to 86 and resolve the boundary row by forming 12 committees each headed by cabinet ministers that visited disputed areas, took feedback from residents, and submitted reports. Consequences of the interstate border dispute As per estimates, over 160 people died between 1979 and 2022 in border disputes between Assam and neighbouring states carved out of it, including Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Nagaland. Additionally, over 370 people were injured in such incidents during the period, which also saw the displacement of more than 75,000 people. The most recent incident of border violence leading to the killing of six people near a disputed stretch at the Assam-Meghalaya border in November last year disrupted the talks between the two states. What will change and what wont One village in Arunachal Pradesh as per the notified boundary will be included in Assam. 60 villages in Assam will now be counted as part of Arunachal Pradesh. No changes will be seen in 10 disputed villages in Assam. The issue of the rest of the disputed villages will be decided in the next few months. Read all the Latest India News here Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated in India on April 22 (Saturday) after the Shawwal crescent moon, which marks the end of the fasting month of Ramzan, was sighted on Friday evening. The Ruet-e-Hilal Committee of the mosque contacted many places and was informed that the moon was sighted everywhere, Fatehpuri Masjid Imam Mufti Mukarram Ahmad told PTI. Eid will be celebrated in the country on Saturday, he said. The Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind said a meeting of Ruyat-e-Hilal Committee, Imarat-e-Sharaiyah-Hind was held and it was apprised that the moon was sighted in Delhi and other parts of the country. Maulana Najeebullah Qasmi Secretary, Ruyat-e-Hilal Committee, Imarat-e-Sharaiyah-Hind, has therefore, declared that the month of Shawwal shall begin on Saturday April 22, 2023 and Eid prayers will be performed Saturday," a statement by Jamiat said. Describing Eid as a festival of brotherhood and harmony, Ahmad said On this occasion, we pray that brotherhood and harmony that has existed in the country for 75 years continues to prosper." Maulana Khalid Rasheed Firangi Mahali of Lucknow said the moon was also sighted at several places in Uttar Pradesh and Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated on Saturday. Hundreds of devotees were seen offering Alvida Namaz on the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan, at Jama Masjid in Old Delhi. Eid-ul-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramzan, is celebrated worldwide on different dates depending on the sighting of the crescent moon, which signifies the beginning of the Shawwal month according to the lunar Islamic calendar. Amid religious fervor, Jumma-tul-Vida prayers were offered across Kashmir, including at the historic Jamia Masjid in Srinagar, marking the last Friday of Ramzan President Murmu Greets Citizens Extending Eid greetings, President Droupadi Murmu urged all to take a pledge to promote feelings of brotherhood and harmony in the society. Eid marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. This festival spreads the feelings of love, compassion and affection. Eid gives us the message of solidarity and mutual harmony," she said. This festival is imbued with the spirit of harmony and inspires us to build a peaceful and prosperous society, Murmu said. On this occasion, lets take a pledge to promote feelings of brotherhood and harmony in the society," a statement issued by the Rashtrapati Bhavan quoted the president as saying. Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended greetings on the eve of Eid to his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina, wishing peace, harmony, good health, and happiness for people worldwide. He praised Hasina for transforming India and Bangladeshs multilateral partnership-based relationship into a role model of neighbourly relations. Modi conveyed his Eid greetings on behalf of the people of India and wished for peace, harmony, good health, and happiness for both countries and people around the world. Kerala CM Extends Greetings Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan extended greetings for Eid al-Fitr. May Eid al-Fitr bring us all together, transcending the boundaries of culture and religion. Lets cherish this special occasion by spreading love and compassion to everyone around us. Wishing everyone a beautiful celebration filled with gratitude and togetherness, he said in a tweet. May Eid al-Fitr bring us all together, transcending the boundaries of culture and religion. Let's cherish this special occasion by spreading love and compassion to everyone around us. Wishing everyone a beautiful celebration filled with gratitude and togetherness. #EidMubarak pic.twitter.com/hEv9fMojTF Pinarayi Vijayan (@pinarayivijayan) April 21, 2023 Celebrations Held Across the World Several countries, including Egypt, UAE, Syria celebrated Eid today. Saudi Arabia and many other Arab countries began their Eid celebrations on Friday, while Iran, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Indonesia, among others, set the first day of the holiday for Saturday. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday performed morning Eid prayers at Hagia Sophia, the 6th century Byzantine church in Istanbul that was turned into a mosque in the 15th century. It became a museum in 1934 and was reconverted into a mosque three years ago. A total of 120,000 people today performed the Eid al-Fitr prayer at Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, the Embassy of the State of Palestine said in a Tweet. A total of 120,000 people today performed the Eid al-Fitr prayer at Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem despite the strict measures taken by the Israeli occupation authorities. pic.twitter.com/EQ0zWAZOAg Embassy of the State of Palestine - The Caribbean (@caribbean_pal) April 21, 2023 In Qatar, thousands of worshippers in Qatar rushed before sunrise to the Education City Stadium to attend the Eid al-Fitr prayers. Saudi Arabias Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, performed Eid al-Fitr prayers at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca. The Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary had delivered a speech on behalf of King Salman, in which he conveyed the Kings greetings to Muslims worldwide, Saudi citizens, and residents on the eve of Eid Al-Fitr. The King expressed his hope that Eid Al-Fitr will bring stability and security to the region and the world. Meanwhile, Irans Supreme Leader Imam Sayyid Ali Khamenei will lead a live broadcast of the Eid al-Fitr Prayer from Tehran on Saturday. Russian President Vladimir Putin sent greetings to Russias Muslims on Eid al-Fitr, the Ministry of External Affairs stated in a tweet. It is deeply gratifying that the followers of Islam in our country have a deep respect for the countrys centuries-old historical, religious & cultural traditions, it stated. US Vice President Kamala Harris extended greetings on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr. Referring to her husband Doug Emhoff, she wrote in a tweet: Doug and I wish a joyous Eid al-Fitr to Muslims in America and around the world. May the community and public service forged in the holy month of Ramadan serve you throughout the year. Eid Mubarak! The iconic Empire State Building in New York glowed in green colour in honour of Eid celebrations. Sudan Conflict In Sudan, the celebration was marred by tragedy amid the explosion of conflict. In Khartoum, staccato blasts of gunfire marked the early hours of the feast day. The ongoing fighting has resulted in the loss of hundreds of lives and left thousands injured. On Friday, Sudans top general, Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, released a video message - his first speech since the start of the conflict - in which he acknowledged the somber tone of the occasion. He expressed that the widespread devastation and the sound of gunfire have stripped away any possibility of joy that the people of Sudan deserve in their beloved country. On the previous day, the Sudanese military dismissed the possibility of negotiations with the Rapid Support Forces - a rival paramilitary group - and stated that it would only accept their surrender. The continued fighting in central Khartoum and other areas of the nation poses a threat to the international efforts to establish a sustainable ceasefire. (with inputs from agencies) Read all the Latest India News here Slogans in praise of Atiq Ahmed and Ashraf, gangsters turned politicians who were slain before the camera while in police custody at Prayagraj last week, were on Friday heard near the largest mosque in Bihars capital Patna. A statement by Mohd Faisal Imam, who heads the managing committee of the Jama Masjid in Patna, was shared by the Patna district administration on social media, in an obvious attempt to keep passions under control, especially in view of the Eid ul Fitr festivities on Saturday. The matter relating to Atiq Ahmed pertains to Uttar Pradesh. In Bihar, the Nitish Kumar government has ensured excellent law and order, Imam told reporters who had made a dash to the crowded mosque, situated adjacent to the Patna Junction, upon learning about the shouting of slogans after the prayers. Rajiv Mishra, the Senior Superintendent of Police, Patna, told PTI, We have not made any arrests or detentions in connection with the incident. But we are taking all preventive measures that may be required in view of the situation. The crowd at the mosque was larger than usual, unsurprisingly because it happened to be the last Jumma (Friday) of the holy month of Ramzan. In a video that has gone viral, a section of the crowd can be seen chanting slogans in praise of the slain men and denouncing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The BJP was quick to blame the slogan-shouting on the Muslim appeasement politics of the ruling Mahagathbandhan in Bihar, which includes Chief Minister Nitish Kumars JD(U), the RJD, the Congress and the Left. Slogans calling a criminal like Atiq a martyr were raised in the heart of the city. This shows a complete administrative failure. It also shows that given a free hand, Nitish Kumar, with the help of RJD, Congress and the Left will not shy away from turning Bihar into a Pakistan where pro-PFI elements would rule the roost and implement the Talibani law, state BJP spokesman Nikhil Anand said in a statement. Atiq Ahmed, a former MP, and Ashraf, an ex-MLA, were shot dead by three gun-toting youths who raised religious slogans while opening fire and handed themselves over to the police afterwards last week. The brother duo was wanted in a number of serious criminal cases, the most famous of these being the assassination of BSP MLA Raju Pal, who was gunned down in January 2005, barely three months after snatching away Allahabad West seat, a pocket borough of Ahmed, who had won it five times on the trot before getting elected to the Lok Sabha from Phulpur. Meanwhile, the BJPs allegations were rebutted by Chief Minister Nitish Kumars JD(U) who accused the saffron party of playing up the Atiq Ahmed issue because he belonged to a particular religious community. Atiq Ahmed was a dreaded criminal who was not respected even by men of his own faith. Slogans glorifying him can never be condoned, though we do not know who was involved in raising these. But let the BJP not act too innocent. It must admit that it had hobnobbed with Atiq when it was politically convenient, alleged JD(U) MLC and chief spokesman Neeraj Kumar. Is it not a fact that the BJP had sought Atiqs support during the voting in Parliament on the Indo-US nuclear deal? Would its leaders of those days, some of whom are now in the Margadarshak Mandal, apologise? asked Kumar. He was referring to the no-confidence motion the Congress-led UPA had faced in 2008 after the Left Front withdrew its support following differences with the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh over inking the pact with the United States. The Samajwadi Party had come out in support of the UPA, enabling the government to survive, though Ahmed, who was then an SP MP, along with a few others, cross-voted against the ruling coalition. RJD spokesman Mrityunjay Tiwari also dismissed the BJPs allegation that the slogans denoted a deterioration in law and order, for which his party is often targeted. I do not know who raised what type of slogans. But I am confident that the administration will take swift action in accordance with our leader and Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadavs clear signals that no criminal activities will be tolerated, Tiwari said. Meanwhile, the police said it has made elaborate security arrangements to ensure that the Eid festivities go off peacefully. Altogether 350 sensitive points have been identified across the state. These will be manned by police personnel, assisted by state armed forces, central paramilitary forces and Home Guards. There will be adequate deployment of forces at places like Gandhi Maidan at Patna, where a large namaz congregation takes place on the occasion of Eid, a statement issued by the Police Headquarters said. Read all the Latest India News here POCATELLO, Idaho Firefighters extinguished hot spots from an early Friday morning fire at Highland High School but theyre thankful they were able to save most of the school from the flames. The Pocatello Fire Department reported at 9 a.m. Friday that the fire had been contained to the D Wing of Highland with the schools other four wings suffering only light smoke damage. We wish we could have saved the entire school but feel good that weve kept the fire from spreading to the other wings, said Shane Grow, Pocatello Fire Department assistant chief of operations. Grow said that firefighters were extinguishing the remaining hot spots in the D Wing, where the flames gutted the schools cafeteria and gym. But Grow said the rest of Highland is likely ready for students, teachers and administrators to return once inspections are done to make sure there are no underlying structural issues. He said state fire marshals and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigators were headed to the scene to investigate the cause of the fire. Grow said he does not know what caused the fire but it appears the blaze might have started in the schools cafeteria area. The blaze was reported around 4 a.m. Friday during heavy snowfall. The Pocatello Fire Department responded to the fire and quickly requested help from the Chubbuck Fire Department. Pocatello police and Bannock County Search and Rescue are also on the scene. There were no injuries in the fire but the flames caused roof and wall collapses in the schools D Wing. School District 25 announced that all Friday classes at Highland had been canceled. For the Uttar Pradesh (UP) Police, the search for two women gangsters or lady dons Shaista Parveen, wife of gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed who was murdered on Saturday, and Afsa Ansari, wife of jailed gangster Mukhtar Ansari is proving to be tougher than the hunt for their husbands, say officials. Apart from intensifying the hunt for Afsa, who is wanted in multiple cases, including under the Gangster Act, the police have also increased the cash reward on her head to Rs 75,000. Afsa is perhaps the second lady don after Shaista Parveen, who bears a cash reward (Rs 50,000) on her head. ALSO READ | Umesh Pal Murder: Manhunt On in Prayagraj & Kaushambi for Atiqs Wife Shaista Parveen, Drones Being Used Shaistas name surfaced among key conspirators in the sensational killings of lawyer Umesh Pal and his two police gunners in Prayagraj on February 24. Ansari has been lodged in Banda jail since 2019, while Ahmed and his brother Ashraf were shot dead by three assailants when they were brought for a routine medical check-up at Motilal Nehru (Colvin) Divisional Hospital in Prayagraj on April 15. WHO IS AFSA ANSARI? Afsa Ansari is a housewife and a mother of two is wanted in three major cases that includes two cases of land grabbing in Chhavni line and Babeddi locality that were lodged in 2019. On January 31, 2022, a case was registered under Gangster Act at Maus Dakshin Tola Police Station. Afsas family has also been linked to criminal activities in various districts of UP. Afsas brothers Atif Raza alias Sharjil Raza and Anwar Shahzad are reportedly absconding criminals. She has two sons Abbas Ansari and Umar Ansari. Ghazipur superintendent of police (SP) Omvir Singh confirmed the increase in the cash reward. MUKHTAR ANSARI FACES 49 CASES: THE NEXT TARGET? UP Police officials said after reducing Ahmeds empire to ashes, it is now tightening the noose around Mukhtar Ansari. Ansari is currently lodged in jail in Uttar Pradeshs Banda district in connection with criminal cases against him. He is booked in 49 criminal cases, including of land grabbing, murder and extortion. ALSO READ | Ex-MLA Mukhtar Ansari Gets 10 Years in Prison in Connection with Murder of Cong Leaders Brother The 59-year-old five-time MLA has been in jail for more than 15 years. Ansari has held the seat of Mau since 1996, having won five times on a Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) ticket. His son is the placeholder. Ansari is a political thoroughbred. He is the grandson of Mukhtar Ahmed Ansari, who was the president of the Indian National Congress. His maternal grandfather was Brigadier Mohammad Usman. Since the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power over in Uttar Pradesh, Ansari has been apprehensive about a threat to his life. His life came under greater peril after two of his trusted men were killed. In 2018, Munna Bajrangi, one of Ansaris hitmen, was killed in the Baghpat district jail. In August 2020, Rakesh Pandey was killed in Lucknow in an encounter by the police. Both these men were part of the gang that killed Krishnanand Rai, BJP MLA, in 2005. In 2010, Ansari was suspended from the BSP due to his criminal activities. He then formed a new political party Quami Ekta Dal (QED). In 2016, the news of Ansaris party QED being merged with the SP at the initiative of Shivpal Yadav triggered a rift with Akhilesh Yadav. ASSETS WORTH Rs 300 CR EITHER CONFISCATED OR RAZED The BJP government, which has a clear mandate of zero tolerance against the mafia and land sharks, has not only sealed Ansaris properties worth hundreds of crores and auctioned it, but many of his shops and properties have also been demolished by bulldozers. As per the government records, his assets worth about Rs 300 crore have been either confiscated or razed. More than 100 criminals of his gang are in jail now. In addition, about 75 arms licenses have also been canceled. Ansari, who once inspired fear in the hearts of people, is now afraid, so much so that before being brought to UP, he had expressed the possibility of his murder during the virtual appearance in the court. He feared being killed by food poisoning. His assets worth crores have been confiscated. SHAISTA PARVEEN ABSCONDING The UP Police on Wednesday carried out multiple raids in Prayagraj to nab Shaista, but failed to make any arrest. Shaista Parveen has been named among key conspirators in the Umesh Pal murder by six assailants, including her youngest son Asad in Prayagraj in February. She has been on the run since. #AtiqAhmed and his brother #AshrafAhmed were shot dead on live TV and it all ended in less than a minute! Now, where are the other members of mafia-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed's family? And, what are the cases lodged against them? Watch to know more pic.twitter.com/gdtp2ghTvF News18 (@CNNnews18) April 17, 2023 There were speculations of her surrender when Asad Ahmed, 19, was killed by the UP state task force in an exchange of fire in Jhansi on April 13, and again after the gunning down of Ahmed, but she did not show up. The police are also looking for Ayesha Noori, who is believed to have helped the assailants behind Umesh Pals murder to escape. Read all the Latest India News here AKSHAYA TRITIYA 2023: Akshaya Tritiya is a popular Hindu and Jain festival celebrated in India. It is also known as Akha Teej, and it falls on the third day of the Shukla Paksha (bright fortnight) of the Hindu month of Vaishakha. This year, Akshaya Tritiya will be celebrated on April 22. This festival is considered to be one of the most auspicious days and it is believed that any new venture or investment made on this day will bring prosperity and good luck. Many people buy gold on this day as it is also believed to be a good investment. This festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm and fervour, and food plays a significant role in the celebrations. To help you with it, we have curated a list of 5 milk-based naivedyam recipes. Akshaya Tritiya 2023: 5 Milk-based Naivedyam Recipes Pal Payasam Pal Payasam is a popular South Indian dessert made with milk, rice, sugar, and cardamom. Its a creamy and delicious dish thats often served during festivals and special occasions. The dish is made by simmering the rice in milk until it becomes soft and creamy, and then adding sugar and cardamom to it. Some people also add saffron or other flavourings to give it a unique taste. Pal Payasam is typically served hot or warm, although some people prefer to eat it cold. This dish is a great way to end a meal, and its sure to please everyones taste buds. Basundi Basundi is a popular milk-based dessert in Maharashtra and Gujarat. The dish is made by simmering milk until it thickens, and then adding sugar, cardamom, and sometimes saffron to it. Basundi is usually served cold, and its often garnished with chopped nuts or raisins. This dessert is rich and creamy, and its perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth. Rabri Rabri is a North Indian sweet dish made with thickened milk, sugar, and saffron. Its a popular dessert thats often served during festivals and special occasions. To make Rabri, milk is simmered until it reduces to half of its original volume, and then sugar and saffron are added to it. The dish is then chilled and served with chopped nuts or raisins. Rabri is a rich and creamy dessert thats perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth. Ras Malai Ras Malai is a popular Bengali sweet dish made with soft cottage cheese dumplings soaked in sweetened milk and flavoured with cardamom and saffron. The dish is made by simmering milk until it thickens, and then adding sugar, cardamom, and saffron to it. The cheese dumplings are made by kneading cottage cheese until its smooth and then shaping it into small balls. The balls are then simmered in the milk until theyre soft and tender. Ras Malai is a delicious and creamy dessert thats perfect for special occasions. Kesar Badam Milk Kesar Badam Milk is a simple and delicious drink made with milk, saffron, and almond paste. The dish is made by simmering milk until it thickens, and then adding saffron and almond paste to it. The drink is then chilled and served with chopped nuts or raisins. Kesar Badam Milk is a refreshing and nutritious drink thats perfect for any time of the day. Its also a popular drink served during Navratri and other auspicious occasions. Read all the Latest Lifestyle News here AKSHAYA TRITIYA 2023: Akshaya Tritiya is a significant Hindu festival celebrated in India and Nepal. It falls on the third day of the Hindu month of Vaishakha (April or May). The word Akshaya" means never diminishing" in Sanskrit, and it is believed that any auspicious activity performed on this day brings never-ending prosperity and good fortune. People usually buy gold, silver, and other valuable items on this day. There are certain dos and donts that one needs to keep in mind while celebrating this festival. Dos for Akshaya Tritiya Buy gold People buy gold on Akshaya Tritiya for wealth and prosperity. You can opt for gold coins, jewellery, or other forms of gold on this day. Start new ventures Akshaya Tritiya is considered an auspicious day to start new ventures, businesses, or investments. Perform charitable acts Performing charitable acts on Akshaya Tritiya is believed to bring good karma and blessings. Donating food, clothes, or money to the needy on Akshaya Tritiya is considered a noble act. Offer prayers and perform puja Offer prayers to Lord Vishnu or Lakshmi and perform puja at home or in temples to seek blessings and good fortune. Plant trees Planting trees on Akshaya Tritiya is considered a good deed as it brings good karma and helps in preserving the environment. Donts For Akshaya Tritiya Avoid consuming non-vegetarian food Devotees stay away from non-vegetarian food on Akshaya Tritiya as it is considered inauspicious. Avoid cutting nails and hair According to some beliefs, cutting nails and hair on Akshaya Tritiya brings bad luck. Avoid borrowing or lending money Some consider borrowing or lending money on Akshaya Tritiya to be inauspicious. Avoid negative thoughts and behaviour It is advised to avoid negative thoughts and behaviour on Akshaya Tritiya. Maintaining a positive outlook is supposed to attract good fortune. No quarrels and arguments It is believed that quarrels and arguments on Akshaya Tritiya can lead to conflicts and negativity. Read all the Latest Lifestyle News here WORLD CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION DAY 2023: Observed on April 21, World Creativity and Innovation Day aims at raising awareness about the role of innovation and creativity in each aspect of human development. Creativity is the imagination that employs thought and skills to create new things, while innovation is the process by which creativity, knowledge and skills are used to improve an existing idea or a new product. This day focuses on achieving Sustainable Development Goals. Lets take a look at the history and significance of the day. World Creativity and Innovation Day: History World Creativity and Innovation Day is part of the World Creativity and Innovation Week (WCIW), which begins on April 15, the birthday of Leonardo da Vinci, celebrated as World Art Day, and ends on April 21. World Creativity and Innovation Day was founded in 2002 by Marci Segal, a renowned creativity specialist and futurist from Canada. She wanted to inspire people to employ creativity to develop fresh ideas, enforce positive transformation in the world and perform problem-solving. Since then, World Creativity and Innovation Day is part of the UN initiative, Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The UN looks at the development of micro, small and medium-sized industries as fostering creativity and innovation, and generating employment to help each of its member nations economically. The UN took note of the findings of the United Nations Creative Economy Report 2013, jointly published by UNESCO and UNDP. The report highlighted that the true wealth of each nation in the 21st century, lies in human creativity and innovation, at both the individual and group levels. The above considerations led the UN to declare April 21 as World Creativity and Innovation Day, in its 79th plenary meeting on April 27, 2017. The declaration was made at the seventy-first session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). The first World Creativity and Innovation Day was celebrated in 2018. World Creativity and Innovation Day: Significance World Creativity and Innovation Day urges citizens globally to use their creativity and skills to develop new ideas and innovate existing ones. It also urges people, governments and organisations to use skills to create sustainable development, which protects and preserves all life on our planet. Read all the Latest Lifestyle News here This author has known about the Somra Tract (opposite Ukhrul in Manipur) since he became interested in the affairs of the Indian insurgent groups that had billeted themselves in Myanmar. Indeed, his association with Bertil Lintner, the famed Burma watcher, took this authors interest in the Land of Jade to a newer plane. This author recalls the long conversations that Lintner and he had in the formers Guwahati home when the author of Burma in Revolt used to come to the Northeasts first port of call. Ever since this author returned to Assam to take on the calling of a conflict analyst (more of a student of security actually) he has been researching on United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) and the myriad of other insurgent groups that sought Myanmar as a safe haven, training area and conduit to China. Indeed, Myanmar has been the primary cradle of insurgency in the enchanted frontiers. It might sound inane but it is one of this authors important theses that, had the Northeast not been so strategically encircled, there would have been no armed insurrection. Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, and to an extent, Nepal, has played very crucial roles in the insurgencies of the region. As a matter of fact, this author has often wondered why a separate system of governance has not been instituted for the expanse. In the run-up to the 2009 elections when LK Advani was the prime ministerial candidate, this author was asked to give a presentation to the Iron Man. Among other aspects, this author told Advani that a North East Security Council (NESC) (the entire format of which was unveiled by this author) should be formed if he comes to power. There was a seriousness in Advanis assurance and S.S. Ahluwalia, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson, even announced it to the press. But the BJP lost the 2009 elections and with it, the NESC also took a back seat. But the fact remains that the Northeast (an artificial construct) has to be governed and managed in a completely different manner. Today, Myanmar is in a state of complete disarray. Indeed, much of the subterfuges are being engendered in the Northeast as a result of the IIG camps that have been set up there. Earlier, there were robust operations by the Myanmar Army (Op Golden Bird, Op Sunrise-I and Op Sunrise-II) at the behest of the Indian government. But with the military takeover of February 1, 2021, the plot was lost. Surgical strikes of the sort that was sought to be engineered by the NSA in the aftermath of the 2015 attack on the Dogra Regiment in Manipurs Chandel can no longer be undertaken. Naypyidaw will not be drawn into such action and indeed, during her term in office as state counsellor, Aung San Suu Kyi warned New Delhi from venturing into such adventurism. There is, therefore, considerable stalemate on ground. But by way of devoting a paragraph to the Somra Tract, the area is situated in the Sagaing region of Myanmar in the Northeast region of Ukhrul. The Somra Tract consists of 34 Tangkhul villages. Owing to its geographic contiguity to Ukhrul, Somra has become a natural base for The Nationalist Socialist Council of India (NSCN-IM). Indeed, therein lies the rub. In the event of abrogation of the present ceasefire with NSCN (IM), Somra could become (as it is now) a safe haven for NSCN (IM). Hansie Tangkhul, the former Chief of the Naga Army is based at Yowpi Camp and has business interests at Muse, the border town to Ruili (China). He has been the primary weapon dealer for NSCN (IM) from China. The Yowpi Camp referred to as the southern command by NSCN (IM), is now part of a separate military division under NSCN (IM)s deputy commander-in-chief Absolom Tangkhul. The cadre strength of Yowpi and Pailenkot until April 2022 was approximately 150 cadres. In May 2022, post-dilution of the Naga Peace Agreement talks, there has been movement of cadres from Yowpi to Heirnkut and Ngacham. It is also widely known that NSCN (IM)s Alee Command (Foreign Legion) is situated in this area and the strongman of the area has been identified as self-styled Brigadier David Raising alias Rambo. He is also the supervisor and overall commander of Kohima Town. The issue at stake here is simply this. If NSCN (IM) (the groups leadership and the Assam Rifles top brass are in New Delhi to hold talks on the extension of ceasefire etc, at the time of writing this article) decides to come into an agreement with New Delhi in whatever form or manner, there is a distinct possibility that the NSCN (IM) cadres in Somra Tract might decide to stay away from such an agreement and carry on with the insurgency. This apprehensive has been furthered because of the commercial interests that the grouping has in the Tract. It is hoped that New Delhi would take active cognisance of this important aspect. Piecemeal accords would amount to little or nothing and sooner than later, another group would come to the fore. The Valley-Based Insurgent Groups (VBIGs) of Manipur, too, have a presence in Somra. Quite a few years ago, when the Manipuri insurgent organisation PLAs commander-in-chief, Manohar Mayum met journalists in Myanmars Somra Tracts in 2008 and proclaimed his groups alliance with the Communist Party of India (Maoist) to fight the common enemy, the speculation that had been doing the rounds about Maoist inroad into the Northeast became a reality. Mayum was quite categorical about the alliance. He said, We have been maintaining relations with CPI (Maoist) for some years. But from 2008, this has become stronger and it has been upgraded to a new level. We should unite against a common enemy. (The statement is a verbatim replication of what the PLA leader said in a videotaped statement, excerpts of which are in the possession of the author). While it is not immediately known what the upgradation to a new level actually entails, analysis has it that it could involve not only joint training in the new training facilities of PLA (M) in Kachin and sharing of bases, but joint operations as well. After all, PLA (M) is one group whose principles closely approximate that of the Maoists, by way of its ultra-left ideology. Besides Mayum is known to be close to the Chinese. But at this time, the most important aspect is the Naga Peace Process. The inordinate delayespecially in an election yearcould be countenanced by the rest of India as a failure on the part of New Delhi to cobble out a comprehensive arrangement with the Northeasts primary insurgent group. It is this authors considered belief that a conclusion to the Naga issue would open up the floodgates for other wayward groups to return to the mainstream. It is said that Paresh Baruah had once said that he does not want to return because he does not want to be caught in a traffic jam. Indeed, all eyes are on the manner in which the Naga dialogue unfolds. It had got unnecessarily mired in controversy as a result of a gubernatorial ego. And, at what cost? The Northeast is watching. Every move must be a calibrated one. The military leadership in Fort William, Rangapahar, Kohima and Imphal have gone out of their way to set the table. It is now clearly up to the political leadership and the prime security czar of the country to provide the finishing touch. A grateful enchanted but distant frontier would become an able and proximate one as a result of the finesse which Raisina Hill is perfectly capable of. Jaideep Saikia is a Conflict Analyst and Author of several bestselling books. Views expressed are personal. Read all the Latest Opinions here Union Home Minister and senior BJP leader Amit Shah is likely to visit West Bengal around the first week of May, his second trip to the state within a month as the party sets the ball rolling for 2024 Lok Sabha elections. On May 8, Shah is expected to be in Baharampur in Murshidabad, and on May 9, he is tipped to visit Rabindranath Tagores birth place in Jorasanko to mark the Nobel laureates birth anniversary. Shah had last visited the state on April 14, setting the target of winning 35 of the 42 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal in next years general election. Sources say the party has identified 24 weak seats where it didnt perform well in the 2019 elections. Sources added that Shah and BJP president JP Nadda will personally hold meetings in these constituencies. Shah and Nadda will also interact with party workers across seats and hold discussions on grassroots issues. The fact that Shah and Nadda are coming is big for us. When they meet local leaders, its not a monologue. They listen to all our problems. Getting tips and encouragement from Shah means a lot to local workers, a senior leader told News18. Marking Tagores birth anniversary in his birth place will help the BJP counter the ruling Trinamool Congress claim that it is an outsider party. The BJP won 18 of the 42 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal in the 2019 elections and is gearing up to target 35 seats next year. Shahs proposed visit in May also comes amid the controversy over Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee denying she approached the Union Home Minister after the Trinamool Congress lost the national party status. I will resign if it is proven that I called up Amit Shah over TMCs national party status," she said, rejecting Bengals leader of opposition Suvendu Adhikaris claim that she had made the call. Adhikari on Tuesday claimed that Banerjee had dialled Shah after the Election Commission revoked TMCs national party status to request him to repeal the decision. It was the norm to review the national party status of all parties after 10 years. That would mean the next review should have been in 2026 But they did it in 2019 My partys name will remain the All India Trinamool Congress. If the BJP has any problem, they can approach the Election Commission and we will approach the common people, she told reporters at West Bengals state secretariat. Read all the Latest Politics News here Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Friday said Congress workers and leaders should not do anything that damages the party, in remarks seen as a veiled attack on his former deputy Sachin Pilot who has been questioning the state governments alleged inaction in corruption" cases. Gehlot, who arrived in Delhi on Friday afternoon, said they should work towards ensuring that the Congress government is repeated in the state. The veteran Congress leader said he is here for personal obligations and would be meeting some friends before returning to the state on Saturday. It is easy to ignite a fire, but very difficult to douse it.I talk about mehngai raahat (relief from price rise). Congress leaders and workers should work towards strengthening the party and work towards bringing its government once again in the state and how they can contribute towards it. They should not do anything which harms the party," he told reporters at the airport in New Delhi. I feel that if due to some remark, one faces some loss, one should not worry about ones personal loss as the party high command would compensate you. But, one should not say or do anything that should harm the party and organisation as no one will be able to compensate for the damage caused," he said in a veiled reference to remarks made by Pilot, who sat on a fast recently seeking action on alleged corruption during the BJPs Vasundhara Raje-led previous government. Pilot sat on a protest in Jaipur last week demanding action against those involved in corruption during the previous Raje government. The Congress had termed it anti-party activity". But Pilot went ahead with his fast dharna. The Congress has so far not acted against Pilot for protesting against his own partys government. Gehlot said his government has brought in several new schemes will bring more. The people of the state feel that our government will be repeated, he said. We have talked to 100 MLAs and everyone said that whatever was asked for (from the state government) was received and work is going on everywhere in the state," he said. Asked about surveys being conducted by the party ahead of the assembly elections later this year, he said many such exercises will be held to assess the work of MLAs. On former Congress president Rahul Gandhi vacating his official bungalow after being disqualified as MP, Gehlot said, Whenever there is a conspiracy, the conspirator completes the entire conspiracy. The moment the case was filed, they decided what to do. The case was earlier not heard for four years, but suddenly everything was expedited as part of a conspiracy. It was a conspiracy." He said neither Prime Minister Narendra Modi nor Home Minister Amit Shah knows about the Gandhi family which has made sacrifices for the nation. The entire Congress family and workers want them to continue to provide leadership to the party," the chief minister noted. Gehlot expressed concern over the issue of unemployment and price rise in the country, saying, We want to address that, as it is affecting people. We are also providing jobs in the government and non-government sectors in Rajasthan." We have launched a number of schemes for the welfare of people and we are now launching Mehngai raahat camps that will provide some help," he noted, adding that these camps will function in villages across the state. He said a scheme to provide gas cylinders at Rs 500 was launched on April 1 and people are getting cheaper cylinders. We will provide benefits to all, be it of the Congress or the BJP." Read all the Latest Politics News here The BJP is pushing hard to increase its base in Telugu-speaking states Telangana and Andhra Pradesh ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections as well as the assembly polls due in Telangana this year. In this bid by the saffron camp, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be addressing the Telugu Kashi Sangam programme at Varanasi on April 29. According to the organisers, the objective of the programme is to celebrate and affirm the links between Telugu people and Kashi and, thus, numerous cultural and religious programmes will be part of this 12-day Pushkaralu festival in the prime ministers constituency. The festival will be held along the banks of the Ganga river after a gap of 12 years. Over 20,000 Telugu-speaking people from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana will be arriving in the holy city for this festival. Arrangements have been made on a large scale to help people reach Varanasi. Buses will run on five special routes and there are special arrangements for Telugu people, including a 24-hour helpline and police patrolling. We have seen that a large number of pilgrims visiting Kashi are Telugu, so arrangements are being made keeping in mind the challenges that they face, said Kashi Telugu Samiti president and Rajya Sabha member, GVL Narasimha Rao. Rao said there was no direct train from Visakhapatnam to Varanasi, but railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had agreed to run special trains from Guntur, Tirupati and Secunderabad along with Visakhapatnam for the Kashi Telugu Sangam. The BJP is putting a lot of its focus on Telangana, which will go to polls at the end of the year. In fact, there are clear instructions from Delhi to the state leadership to go full throttle against the K Chandrasekhar Rao-led government. Top leaders of the BJP are regularly visiting the state. Earlier, too, the BJP had organised its two-day national executive meeting in Hyderabad. In November 2022, Prime Minister Modi had inaugurated the Kashi Tamil Sangamam, a month-long celebration with the objective to rediscover, reaffirm and celebrate the age-old links between Tamil Nadu and Kashi in Varanasi. Read all the Latest Politics News here Congress state president D K Shivakumar on Friday hit out at the BJP government in Karnataka for giving sanction to the CBI to prosecute him in a disproportionate assets case, calling it vindictive". The High Court of Karnataka on Thursday dismissed the petition by Shivakumar challenging the sanction. Shivakumar claimed that the government did not take the Speakers consent before giving the sanction nor did it take note of the Advocate Generals purported remark that his was not a fit case for a CBI probe. The vindictive BJP government has given permission for a CBI inquiry," Shivakumar told reporters here. The speakers consent should have been there. Even the advocate general has said that this is not a fit case for the CBI," the former minister added. Quoting the Advocate General, he said the Lokayukta or the Anti-Corruption Bureau could have investigated the matter. But in order to torture me, the government has recommended it to the CBI. So I have appealed to the court, he said. After the HC rejected his plea, Shivakumar said he would approach the higher court. On whether this was a pressure tactic", Shivakumar, who is seeking re-election from the Kanakapura constituency in the May 10 Assembly elections, said that was obvious". The BJP is harassing the opposition government be it West Bengal, Telangana, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, or Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in Delhi," he alleged. Following a request by the CBI, the State government had given sanction to prosecute Shivakumar on September 25, 2019, based on which it had filed an FIR against him on October 3, 2020. The state Congress chief had challenged both the sanction and the FIR in two separate petitions before the high court. Earlier this week, the HC reserved its judgment on the petition challenging the sanction. On Wednesday, it adjourned the hearing of the other petition challenging the FIR to May 30. On Thursday evening, the single-judge bench of Justice K Natarajan dismissed the petition challenging the sanction. The Income Tax Department had conducted a search and seizure operation in the offices and residence of Shivakumar in 2017. Based on the operation, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) started its own probe against him. Based on the ED investigation, the CBI sought sanction from the State government to file an FIR against him. Shivakumar had challenged the sanction on the grounds that it was a politically motivated FIR, and three earlier FIRs had already been filed against him in relation to disproportionate income. Since he was an MLA, the permission of the Speaker of the Assembly had to be obtained which was not done in this case. Also, the government did not mention the reasons for granting the sanction to prosecute, Shivakumar said. The CBI had objected to Shivakumars petition in court, stating that the accused could not demand which agency should conduct the investigation against him. It argued that since the CBI was enacted under a special act, there was no need to mention the reasons to grant sanction for prosecution. The CBI claimed that 90 per cent of the investigation was complete, and also submitted a status report to the court. Since it is a special case related to disproportionate income, the petition was sought to be dismissed. Shivakumar has been charged under Section 13(2), Section 13(1)(e) of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Read all the Latest Politics News here Amid speculation over his next political move, senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar on Friday said his outfit can stake a claim to the post of Maharashtras chief minister now also" instead of waiting for 2024 when Assembly polls are due in the state. The Leader of Opposition in the Assembly also told an interviewer that he will 100 per cent" like to be chief minister of Maharashtra. In a free-wheeling interview to the Sakal Media Group at a programme called Dilkhulas Dada in Pune, Pawar said he had heard that Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, before his rebellion against the Shiv Sena leadership in June 2022, was unhappy and something was going in his mind. Pawar revealed his colleague late R R Patil would have become Chief Minister in 2004 when the NCP had won more Assembly seats than its ally Congress, but a message came from Delhi that his party will get the deputy CMs post. Asked whether the NCP will stake a claim for the chief ministers post next year when Assembly polls are due in Maharashtra, he remarked, Why 2024, we are ready to stake a claim for the CM position now also." He, however, did not elaborate on the statement. During rapid fire round, the MLA from Baramati in Pune district, who has served as deputy CM multiple times, was asked by the interviewer whether he would like to become chief minister. To this, Pawar promptly replied, Yes, I would 100 per cent like to be (CM)." Asked why the NCP has an attraction for the deputy CMs position as the party has got that post on multiple occasions in the last 20 years, the veteran politician said in 2004, the NCP and the Congress fought Assembly elections in an alliance and the former had won more seats. We got 71 seats, while the Congress won 69. Everyone, including the Congress, thought CM would be from the NCP. However, some decisions were taken at the highest level and a message came from Delhi that the NCP will get the deputy chief minister position and the CM post went to Congress," he said. Pawar said his colleague Patil was chosen as the Leader of the House (Assembly), and he would have become chief minister in 2004 if the top post was given to the NCP. In the subsequent Assembly polls, the Congress bagged more seats than the NCP and naturally kept the CMs post with itself, he said. Asked whether he liked working with Congress CM Prithviraj Chavan or Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray, who occupied the top post from November 2019 to June 2022, Pawar said they worked with the latter happily", but working with the former was out of choice. On Shindes revolt and subsequent split in the Shiv Sena, the former deputy CM said they used to hear that Shinde, then his Cabinet colleague in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, was unhappy and sensed something was going in his mind. We had alerted Pawar saheb (NCP president Sharad Pawar) and Thackeray was also apprised about it. The BJP had been trying to pull down the MVA government since the first day of its formation. The wife of a key politician confessed later that her husband used to go out in disguise, and later some ministers said Shinde and a particular leader used to meet," Pawar said without taking any names. He said during the MVA government, Thackeray had given full control of Thane district to Shinde, then a Cabinet minister, and some officials appointed by him had helped rebel Shiv Sena MLAs to sneak out of Mumbai and reach Surat on June 20. Pawar on Friday skipped a meeting of his partys Mumbai unit, raising eyebrows in political circles as speculation about his next political move refuses to die down. Speaking to reporters in Pune, Pawar played down the buzz saying he was unable to attend the NCP convention as he had to remain present for some other programmes happening at the same time. He insisted nothing much should be read into this. Read all the Latest Politics News here Nevada is one of 19 states with a red-flag law, which allows for temporary firearm removal from individuals believed to be at risk of harming themselves or others. States took millions to enact red-flag gun laws, but many still won't pass them A Lee Enterprises review reveals that lawmakers in 31 states have not passed red-flag laws even as most of those states received federal funding through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. The policy, which took effect in Nevada in 2020, is one that gun-safety advocates are pushing for in other states once again across the U.S. in the aftermath of the late March Nashville school shooting, which killed six people. The policy has bipartisan appeal with some Republicans in favor of it, but second-amendment advocates say the policy is concerning because it entails firearm removal. Back when the law was enacted in 2019, a conservative group unsuccessfully pushed for a judge to block the law. However, the policy has been seldom used in Nevada, despite the fact that the state was the site of the deadliest U.S. mass shooting, which killed 60 people in Las Vegas in 2017 at a country music concert. In the first two years of the law being in effect, just 13 extreme risk orders were in effect, according to reporting from The Nevada Independent. Nevadans largely support the law, with a 2022 Nevada Independent / OH Predictive Insights poll finding 69% were in favor of it. Most of Nevadas congressional delegation voted for the 2022 Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which provided states funding to implement or create red-flag laws. The states one Republican House member, Mark Amodei, voted against it. Sen. Jacky Rosen heralded the bill at the time of its passage, calling it the most significant breakthrough on gun safety legislation in three decades. Nevada applied for and was awarded more than $3 million in funding after the bill was signed by President Joe Biden. Funding will provide resources statewide for state agencies, local agencies and communities to address gun violence and those in mental health crisis to provide added protection to keep Nevadas citizens and tourists safe, according to state officials who applied for the funding. Nevada noted that with mental health as a catalyst for some gun violence, resources may be used to increase services for those at risk and in crisis. It also said its full plan would come together with the help of a new advisory board. Meanwhile, more than five years after the Las Vegas mass shooting, state lawmakers are making another attempt to regulate gun use, including banning the ownership of firearms within a decade of a gross misdemeanor or felony hate crime conviction, according to PBS. Nevada had 17 firearm deaths per 100,000 people in 2020, according to federal data. There were 547 total firearm deaths in the state in 2020. Gunji, a small village in Uttarakhands Pithoragarh district, is in a unique situation. The village, which is adjacent to the Nepal and Indo-China border, has the last State Bank of India branch in the country. The bank is only open for four to five months during the summer season. Due to the proximity of an army base and the development of the region, the demand for a permanently operating branch of the bank has been gaining momentum. A permanent operating bank branch will not only give relief to the residents of Gunji, but to the people travelling to Mansarovar, and traders involved in the Indo-China trade as well. Both the travellers and those involved in the Indo-China trade get money from the SBIs Gunji branch. Notably, this is the only bank on the Lipulekh Pass after Dharchula. Due to no internet connectivity, the Gunji branch also fails to provide services like internet banking to the people of the village. SBI has employed three personnel for the Gunji branch, who come during the month of June and return back to Dharchula after October. The employees rent accommodation in Gunji and return to Dharchula when the snowfall happens. Speaking with News18, a local resident named Nrip Singh Garbyal said that all facilities are not available in the SBIs branch. The bank opens in the first week of June and closes by the end of September. We want some relief for traders, army and other government employees who are based here. We trade goods with people in the Indo-China trade and they charge us in US dollars. If the bank is closed, we cannot exchange the money accordingly, he added. He also shared that when the bank is closed in Gunji, people have to travel to Dharchula. Garbyal demanded that the bank be open for the entire year. Apart from Gunji, residents of Napalchu, Nabhi, Kuti, Ronkang and Garbyang villages are also connected with the SBIs branch. Army personnel of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) are also dependent on this bank. The villagers are hoping that their demand will be fulfilled by the bank and the government. Read all the Latest News here US President Joe Biden and President Emmanuel Macron signaled efforts Thursday to ease tensions in the wake of the French leaders recent remarks on Taiwan and the European security relationship with Washington. The White House and Elysee said in separate statements after the phone call that the leaders discussed Macrons state visit in the first week of April to Beijing, where he spent several hours with President Xi Jinping. As he ended the trip, Macron caused a stir by telling reporters that European countries should not be drawn into a fight between China and the United States over democratic, Western-backed Taiwan. Macron said Europe should avoid crises that arent ours." He also repeated previous comments calling for the EUs strategic autonomy" from the United States, which has been instrumental in defending Europe since helping to defeat Nazi Germany in World War II. The White House statement emphasized their shared positions. They discussed President Macrons recent travel to the Peoples Republic of China and their ongoing efforts to advance prosperity, security, shared values, and the rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific region," the statement said. They reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait." Biden and Macron also discussed the Russian invasion of pro-Western Ukraine and reiterated their steadfast support for Ukraine in the face of Russias brutal aggression," the statement said. In Paris, Macrons office characterized the call as Biden being briefed on the results obtained" during the China trip. Referring to Macrons push for China to play a role in forging a peace deal to end the war in Ukraine, the statement said China had a role to play in contributing, in the medium term, in ending the conflict in accordance with the principles and aims of the United Nations charter." The two heads of state agreed on the importance of continuing to engage Chinese authorities on this basis," the statement said. Washington looks with some skepticism on Macrons initiative, given communist Chinas strong alliance with Russia. On the transatlantic security relationship, the French statement underlined the importance of European countries continuing to re-arm themselves in order to take on their responsibilities in sharing the burden of transatlantic security." It echoed US language on Taiwan, saying the two presidents share the same desire to reinforce cooperation underway and to support international law, including the freedom of navigation, in the whole of the Indo-Pacific region." Biden held a separate call Thursday with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who accompanied Macron to Beijing. A White House statement said they too reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait." The two leaders discussed President von der Leyens recent trip to Beijing and their shared commitment to upholding the rules-based international order, human rights, and fair trade practices," the statement said. Biden likewise discussed the Western effort to halt Russias onslaught on Ukraine, as well as the transition to clean energy economies, the statement said. Read all the Latest News here The Canadian government on Friday announced C$39 million ($28.9 million) in new military assistance for Ukraine that will include 40 sniper rifles, 16 radio sets and a donation to a NATO fund to help Kyiv in its war against Russia. The latest round of Canadian aid, which also includes ammunition for the rifles, was announced by Defence Minister Anita Anand at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany, where NATO defense officials are meeting to discuss new military supplies for Ukraine. The rifles and ammunition will be sourced from Canada-based Prairie Gun Works, while the radios will be from L3Harris Technologies, according to a statement from the Canadian defense ministry. The contribution to the NATO fund, of about C$34.6 million, will help to provide Ukraine with fuel supplies and other assets. The donations and support announced by Canada today will help ensure that Ukraine has what it needs to defend its sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, Anand said. Canada is among Kyivs staunchest supporters and has committed billions of dollars in aid, including over C$1 billion in military assistance, since the start of Russias invasion last year. Russia calls its actions in Ukraine a special military operation to combat what it describes as a security threat. ($1 = 1.3475 Canadian dollars) Read all the Latest News here German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius rejected a quick decision on Ukraines membership at NATO, the Western alliance that has supported Ukraine throughout its war with Russia, with member states supplying it with weapons. Kyiv wants the military alliance to offer it membership. The door is open a crack, but this is not the time to decide now, Pistorius said late on Thursday on ZDFs Maybrit Illner program, adding that Ukraine was aware of the decision-making situation. Pistorius said the decision of Ukraine joining the alliance could not be made just out of solidarity but with a cool head and a hot heart. Not the other way around. Ukraines possible membership in NATO or the European Union will not be discussed at the fourth Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting at Ramstein U.S. Air Base in southern Germany on Friday, the minister added. Pistorius comments come after NATO chief Jens Stoltenbergs first visit to Ukraine since Russias invasion 14 months ago where he invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to the NATO summit in Vilnius in July, saying Ukraines NATO membership bid and robust security guarantees for the country will be high up on the summits agenda. Read all the Latest News here The UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan on Friday strongly urged for peace in Sudan and called on both sides in the military power struggle to implement humanitarian pauses. This call for peace comes as hundred of people have been killed nationwide, a week into the fighting between troops from the national army and a powerful rival militia known as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). I am horrified by the toll the clashes are having on civilians, said Abdou Dieng. At least 331 people have been killed nationwide, including five aid workers, and nearly 3,200 have been injured. The fighting between the factions has had a devastating impact on civilian life and the major ongoing humanitarian aid operation across Sudan, UN News reported. It is with a heavy heart I confirm the death of a valued IOM Sudan staff member today after his vehicle was caught in a crossfire south of El Obeid.IOM mourns this tragedy, reiterates the call for an end to the violence and demands civilians be protected. https://t.co/Ovn3P9Ictt Antonio Vitorino (@IOMchief) April 21, 2023 It is with a heavy heart that I confirm the death of a dedicated IOM Sudan staff member this morning after the vehicle he was traveling in with his family south of El Obeid was caught in a crossfire between two warring parties, said Director General, Antonio Vitorino. He said the male staffer leaves behind a wife and newborn child, and our team in Sudan in mourning. The safety and security of all IOM staff is my number one priority. We continue to work with our UN partners to update our security response, he assured. Three workers from the World Food Programme (WFP) lost their lives in North Darfur as the military showdown first began on Saturday. Vitorino said the latest outbreak of violence has forced IOM to suspend its humanitarian operations in Sudan. IOM has operated in Sudan since 2000, responding to the complex humanitarian needs in the country where an estimated 3.7 million people are internally displaced, the IOM chief continued. Some 15.8 million people in Sudan, one-third of the population, were in need of humanitarian assistance before this weeks fighting began, according to UN News. It is with a heavy heart that I confirm the death of a dedicated IOM Sudan staff member this morning after the vehicle he was traveling in with his family south of El Obeid was caught in a crossfire between two warring parties," said Director General, Antonio Vitorino. Three workers from the World Food Programme (WFP) lost their lives in North Darfur as the military showdown first began on Saturday. The latest outbreak of violence has forced IOM to suspend its humanitarian operations in Sudan. IOM has operated in Sudan since 2000, responding to the complex humanitarian needs in the country where an estimated 3.7 million people are internally displaced, the IOM chief continued. Statement by the Humanitarian Coordinator a.i. in Sudan, Abdou Dieng,calling on all parties to the conflict to implement humanitarian pauses and cease hostilities.Read the full statement here: https://t.co/Luglqy2mDv UN OCHA Sudan (@UNOCHA_Sudan) April 21, 2023 Some 15.8 million people in Sudan, one-third of the population, were in need of humanitarian assistance before this weeks fighting began. Access to health facilities is also paramount. Many hospitals have had to close. And in those that are functioning, widespread blackouts and lack of electricity place patients at high risk. Several hospitals have simply run out of blood and other lifesaving supplies. Assaults on hospitals, humanitarian staff and facilities must stop, said the Humanitarian Coordinator. On Thursday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres made an urgent call for a three-day ceasefire over Eid, as the first step towards a permanent cessation of hostilities, noting that humanitarian operations had become virtually impossible. The UN alone has a 4,000-strong team of humanitarian workers, 3,200 of whom are Sudanese nationals. There have been reports of military strikes against health facilities, hijacking of ambulances with patients and paramedics still on board, looting of health facilities, and military forces occupying health facilities, according to the latest statement from the UN aid coordination office OCHA. In hospitals, there are severe shortages of specialized medical staff, oxygen supplies and blood bags, according to the World Health Organization, WHO, while lack of electricity and blackouts place hospital patients at high risk. There are also rapidly rising mental health and psychosocial support needs, especially among children, as the conflict continues," OCHA noted. Read all the Latest News here A second-year B. Tech student of IIT-Madras died allegedly by suicide, police said on Friday. The students body has been taken for autopsy and the preliminary investigation is underway, according to ANI. The deceased was a second-year student from Maharashtra who was pursuing Chemical Engineering at the institute. If confirmed, this would be the fourth suicide case in IIT-Madras this year. Last month on March 31, a PhD research scholar of the institutes Mechanical Department was found dead by suicide at his residence. On March 14, a third-year BTech student of IIT-Madras died by suicide. The 20-year-old student of the electrical engineering department, who hailed from neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, was found hanging in his hostel room by his roommates, they added. A preliminary investigation indicated that the deceased may have had issues on focusing on his studies and completing his academic tasks", a police officer investigating the matter said. In February, a research scholar from Maharashtra died by suicide at IIT-Madras. Disclaimer: This news piece may be triggering. If you or someone you know needs help, call any of these helplines: Aasra (Mumbai) 022-27546669, Sneha (Chennai) 044-24640050, Sumaitri (Delhi) 011-23389090, Cooj (Goa) 0832- 2252525, Jeevan (Jamshedpur) 065-76453841, Pratheeksha (Kochi) 048-42448830, Maithri (Kochi) 0484-2540530, Roshni (Hyderabad) 040-66202000, Lifeline 033-64643267 (Kolkata) Read all the Latest Education News here External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday co-chaired the 4th India-CARICOM ministerial meeting with his Jamaican counterpart Kaminaj Smith here in Guyanas capital and discussed a range of issues, including trade, climate change and counterterrorism. Jaishankar began his nine-day trip to Guyana, Panama, Colombia and the Dominican Republic on Friday by meeting his counterpart from Surinam Albert Ramdin here. Co-chaired 4th India-CARICOM Ministerial Meeting with Jamaican FM @kaminajsmith at @CARICOMorg HQ. Thank FM Guyana Hugh Todd for inviting us all, he tweeted. Co-chaired 4th India-CARICOM Ministerial Meeting with FM @kaminajsmith at @CARICOMorg HQ.Thank FM Hugh Todd for inviting us all. pic.twitter.com/pjnAlugQ0I Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) April 21, 2023 He said he appreciated the perspectives of his counterparts from the Caribbean nations of Surinam, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Dominica, Grenada, and representatives from Belize and Bahamas. Discussed our wide-ranging sectoral cooperation, including in Trade & Economy; Agriculture & Food Security; Health & Pharma; Energy & Renewables; Infrastructure, ICT & eGovernance; Development Partnership & Capacity Building; Higher Education; Culture and P2P domains, he tweeted. Also exchanged views on vital issues of Climate Change & Disaster Resilience; Counter Terrorism; Reformed Multilateralism and closer cooperation at multilateral forums. Agreed on follow-up steps, including holding the second Joint Commission Meeting this year, Jaishankar said. Earlier on Friday, Jaishankar also met Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Dr Carla Natalie Barnett and exchanged views on intensifying India-CARICOM ties in traditional as well as new areas of cooperation. CARICOM is an intergovernmental organisation that is a political and economic union of 15 member states (14 nation-states and one dependency) throughout the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean. Read all the Latest India News here In a move to strengthen regional cooperation, the Foreign Affairs Ministry of India, Armenia and Iran held their first trilateral consultations in Yerevan on Thursday. The delegations were led by Mnatsakan Safaryan, the deputy foreign minister of Armenia, Seyed Rasoul Mousavi, the assistant of the foreign minister of Iran and JP Singh, the joint secretary of the ministry of external affairs of India. During the meeting, the three countries had a wide range of discussions, particularly on economic issues and regional communication. The three sides also discussed Trilateral cooperation in various fields. First trilateral political consultations btw MFAs of #Armenia, #Iran & #India were held in Yerevan. Sides discussed, particularly economic issues & regional communications outlined prospects of deepening cultural & people to people contacts & trilateral coop in various fields," Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia said on Twitter. First trilateral political consultations btw MFAs of #Armenia, #Iran & #India were held in Yerevan. Sides discussed particularly economic issues & regional communications, outlined prospects of deepening cultural & people to people contacts & trilateral coop in various fields. pic.twitter.com/2BpRsN0GGQ MFA of Armenia (@MFAofArmenia) April 20, 2023 The trilateral meeting also discussed the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), a freight corridor connecting India, Iran and Russia, aimed at reducing costs and time of cargo from Mumbai to Moscow. The INSTC agreement was signed by Russia, Iran and India in 2002 and has since expanded. Armenia and India celebrated 30 years of bilateral diplomatic relations in 2022. The two sides maintain active political ties and effective cooperation within international bodies. The diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1992. Earlier in March this year, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan visited India, while Defence Minister Suren Papikyan visited the country in April 2022. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visited Armenia in October 2021. India-Iran relations span millennia with both countries having historic ties and sharing a common cultural heritage. The Chabahar port in Iran has been key to connectivity between the two nations. Read all the Latest India News here A special agent working for the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) claimed that the investigation into President Joe Bidens son, Hunter Biden is being mishandled, news outlets reported. The agent is seeking whistleblower protection to disclose information about the alleged mishandling of the investigation, the Associated Press said. The special agent pointed out that they have information regarding the probing agencies failure to mitigate clear conflicts of interest in the ultimate disposition. The criminal investigation into Hunter Biden focuses on his taxes and whether he made a false statement in connection with a gun purchase, the Associated Press said. Despite serious risks of retaliation, my client is offering to provide you with information necessary to exercise your constitutional oversight function and wishes to make the disclosures in a nonpartisan manner to the leadership of the relevant committees on both sides of the political aisle, Mark Lytle, the attorney for the IRS whistleblower, said in a letter, obtained by the Associated Press, that was sent to the chairmen and ranking members of several House and Senate committees. In his letter, the whistleblower says they disclosed the information they want to share with the Congress, internally with the IRS and a watchdog for the US Justice Department. Lytle added that his client is able to contradict sworn testimony to lawmakers by a senior political appointee." That appointee is not named. My client wants to come forward to Congress. Hes ready to be questioned about what he knows and what he experienced under the proper legal protections," Lytle told, while speaking to CBS News. Lytle added that his client cannot speak public about any individual tax filings and requires protections from the US Congress before revealing any information. A White House official told news agency BBC that the US President Joe Biden has not meddled into the probe. White House spokesperson Ian Sams said the US President earlier promised that the probe into his son will be conducted free from any political interference from the White House and Sams said the US President upheld that commitment. The BBC pointed out that US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in October 2022 said that it has enough evidence to charge Hunter Biden with tax crimes, dating back to 2019. Read all the Latest News here Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Phan Van Mai presents a gift to Mr. Don Farrell at the meeting (Photo: hcmcpv.org.vn) Currently, bilateral trade exchange between Ho Chi Minh City and Australia has reached over USD1.5 billion. However, the investment cooperation turnover is at only USD200 million and is not commensurate with the potential and needs of both sides. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ho Chi Minh City received very active medical support from the Australian Government. Besides, Ho Chi Minh Citys residents highly appreciate Australian education, and Australian educational cooperation through RMIT University in Vietnam is also highly appreciated. In terms of tourism, many people in Ho Chi Minh City choose Australia as a destination for tourism, discovery, education, and settlement. Meanwhile, every year, Ho Chi Minh City also welcomes a large number of visitors from Australia. The Ho Chi Minh City authority is ready to share information, improve the business investment environment, and create favorable conditions for foreign investors, Mr. Mai said. Appreciating the dynamism and development potential of Ho Chi Minh City, Australian Minister of Trade and Tourism Don Farrell agreed with the orientation of promoting multi-sectoral relations between the two countries in general and Australia localities and Ho Chi Minh City in particular. He said the Australian Government wants Vietnam to play a more important role in Australia's global trade diversification strategy, and act as a bridge to more strongly promote Australia's relations with the ASEAN region. According to Mr. Don Farrell, Vietnam in general, and Ho Chi Minh City in particular, is an investment destination for the development of manufacturing and high-tech industries of not only Australian businesses but also many other countries. Besides the traditional areas of cooperation, Ho Chi Minh City and Australia also share the same vision on green economic transformation, green energy, reduction of fossil fuel use and emissions in production to guide to sustainable development, the Australian guest added./. Two climate protesters were jailed on Friday for scaling a major road bridge over the River Thames east of London and causing huge traffic delays. Morgan Trowland, 40, and Marcus Decker, 34, used climbing equipment to scale the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge in October. The bridge was closed from 4:00 am on October 17 to 9:00 pm the next day, causing huge jams as traffic was forced to use nearby tunnels. Judge Shane Collery at Southend Crown Court sentenced Trowland to three years in prison, while Decker was jailed for two years and seven months. You have to be punished for the chaos you caused and to deter others from copying you," said the judge. He told the pair, from the Just Stop Oil protest group: (You) plainly believed you knew better than everyone else". By your actions you caused this very important road to be closed for 40 hours," he added. - Traffic chaos - The pair, who were found guilty at a trial for causing a public nuisance, have been in custody since October 20. The Queen Elizabeth II Bridge is used by an estimated 160,000 vehicles a day and links up to one of Europes busiest motorways. At nearly 60 metres (200 feet) above the road, they unfurled a giant Just Stop Oil" banner, the court was told. Just Stop Oil has mounted a series of disruptive protests to try to stop the UK government from sanctioning new North Sea oil and gas exploration. Essex Police said that those affected by the gridlock included a heavily pregnant woman who needed urgent medical help". Another person missed the funeral of their best friend of 35 years, and a business lost more than 160,000 (nearly $200,000) in earnings, it added. Jacob Bindman, Trowlands lawyer, told court that his client doesnt intend to undertake any large-scale disruptive protests in the future". Read all the Latest News here External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Thursday that India is looking positively at the meeting of Special Envoys on Afghanistan to be hosted by UN chief Antonio Guterres in Doha next month. UN Secretary-General Guterres will be hosting the meeting in Doha on May 1 and 2. Were looking at it. Were looking at it positively, but I guess well take a call closer to the time but we are looking at it, Jaishankar said here in response to a question on whether India will be participating in the meeting. Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, said the purpose of the small group meeting is to reinvigorate the international engagement around the common objectives for a durable way forward on the situation in Afghanistan. The Secretary-General has said and continues to believe that its an urgent priority to advance an approach based on pragmatism and principles, combined with strategic patience, and to identify parameters for creative, flexible, principled, and constructive engagement. It is his aim that the discussions, which will be held behind closed doors, can contribute to a more unified consensus regarding the challenges ahead, Dujarric said. Jaishankar is on his way to South America, beginning a nine-day trip to Guyana, Panama, Colombia and the Dominican Republic on Friday. Before his visit, he arrived in New York and met Guterres, discussing the situation in Sudan with the UN chief. Read all the Latest India News here In a major relief for actor Alec Baldwin, the manslaughter charges against him are set to be dropped over a fatal shooting on a movie set in 2021. The veteran actor was charged over the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. Baldwin was filming the Western Rust in New Mexico in 2021 and was holding a Colt .45 handgun during rehearsals. The gun discharged and killed Hutchins and wounded director Joel Souza. The actor was charged in January over the death of the cinematographer but he maintains that he was told the gun was safe and that he did not pull the trigger. He also pleaded not guilty before court. Here is all you need to know about the Alec Baldwin case: Hollywood star Alec Baldwin was holding a Colt .45 gun during rehearsals for the film in New Mexico. It discharged killing Halyna Hutchins and wounding director Joel Souza. Baldwin, who is the co-producer as well as lead actor and the films armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who was responsible for the weapons on the shooting set, face charges of voluntary manslaughter. If found guilty, they could face 18 months in jail and a $5,000 fine. New Mexico attorneys Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis said they are dropping the involuntary manslaughter charges but warned that it does not absolve Mr. Baldwin of criminal culpability and charges may be refiled. The charges against Hannah Gutierrez-Reed remain unchanged. The shooting of Rust will resume and the cinematographers widower, Matthew Hutchins, is serving as an executive producer. Matthew Hutchins said he has no interest in engaging in recriminations or attribution of blame," and said Halynas death was a a terrible accident." The shooting resumed at a new location in the northern US state of Montana. Baldwin earlier agreed to terms set by the New Mexico court that allowed him to complete filming of the movie, including a ban on his using guns or drinking alcohol. A documentary will also be made, covering Halyna Hutchinss life and the completion of the film. Dave Halls, the films safety coordinator and assistant director, who handed Baldwin the loaded gun, agreed to a plea deal with prosecutors and was sentenced last month to six months probation. (with inputs from AFP) Read all the Latest News here NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said Friday he was confident Ukraine could regain ground in a much-anticipated counter-offensive, as allies vowed unwavering support for Kyiv at a key meeting hosted by the US. Representatives from around 50 nations met in Germany to pore through all the different capabilities, systems, supplies that the Ukrainians need to be able to retake more land". Im confident that they will now be in a position to be able to liberate even more land," Stoltenberg told journalists, when asked if Kyiv has what it needs to successfully execute its offensive. Stoltenberg had joined talks at the Ramstein air base after travelling on Thursday to Kyiv, where he met President Volodymyr Zelensky, who urged Western allies to send more fighter jets and long-range missiles to help repel Russian troops. Stoltenberg acknowledged the need to discuss new platforms" of support with the battle now in its second year. But he also underlined the need to ensure that already supplied weapons continued to work. US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, who was hosting the Ramstein talks, also said three key issues were on the table air defence, ammunition and enablers" a reference to logistics and other support. Our support for the forces of freedom in Ukraine holds strong and true," he said, adding that we will support Ukraine for as long as it takes". Moscow reacted with anger to the latest gathering in Ramstein, with the Russian foreign ministry saying the allies action for Ukraine confirms their direct involvement in the conflict and participation in the planning of military operations". Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also accused NATO of trying to absorb and drag Ukraine into the alliance", showing Russia was right to launch this operation" to ensure its security. - Air defence - Zelensky on Thursday asked for NATOs help to overcome the reluctance" of some member states in providing long-range rockets, modern fighter jets and armoured vehicles. NATO members have forwarded Soviet-era fighter jets to Ukraine but have held off sending more modern models such as the US-designed F-16 sought after by Kyiv. They have however provided Ukraine with anti-air missiles, with Kyiv earlier in the week saying it had received the first shipment of Patriots, seen as one of the most advanced US air defence systems. Western partners have also backed Ukraine with deliveries of modern battle tanks, artillery and stacks of other weapons to help roll back Moscows invasion. We are not letting up," German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said after talks. Training of 100 Ukrainian soldiers on the German-made Leopard 1 tanks will begin on Saturday, Pistorius said. Berlin, along with allies in Denmark and the Netherlands, would also begin with the delivery of up to 80" Leopard 1 tanks from the middle of this year, he added. In eastern Ukraines Lugansk region, AFP saw a group of servicemen using British-supplied artillery several kilometres from Russian positions. One hauled shells to the UK-made gun from a nearby cache, while others set coordinates and loaded the barrel before the final order to Fire!". There are the planned targets that we work on. And some appear unexpectedly, for example, to repel an assault when the enemy advances," said Bogdan, a 40-year-old Ukrainian serviceman from the embattled town of Bakhmut. The enemy is using few military vehicles. Infantry, which is what the enemy has plenty of, goes forward," he said. - NATO bid - During Stoltenbergs visit to Kyiv, the NATO chief was also pressed on allowing Ukraine to join the alliance, but he stressed it was not an immediate priority. All NATO allies have agreed that Ukraine will become a NATO member, but the main focus now is of course on how to ensure that Ukraine prevails," he said on Friday at Ramstein. Without a sovereign, independent Ukraine, there is no meaning in discussing membership," he said. The NATO chief also said the alliance was examining a multi-year programme to help Ukraine transition from Soviet-era equipment standards (and) doctrines to NATO standards and doctrines." Over a year into its invasion, Russia struck Kyiv with drones overnight in the first such attack for almost a month, although city officials reported no casualties. Moscow suffered a setback with one of its fighter jets losing munitions over Belgorod near the Ukrainian border. Local authorities reported a blast that injured two people and left a huge crater in the Russian city. The region of Belgorod has been repeatedly shelled since Russian President Vladimir Putin sent troops to Ukraine in February 2022. Read all the Latest News here UK Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab announced his resignation on Friday following an independent investigation into allegations that he bullied colleagues. Raabs resignation gives Prime Minister Rishi Sunak a headache some two weeks before local elections at which the Conservatives are expected to lose seats. Sunak is also battling to claw back a chasm of lost ground to the main opposition Labour party before a general election next year. Raab had promised to quit if any claims against him were upheld. Raabs resignation means a third senior minister has departed over their personal conduct since Sunak entered Downing Street in October promising a government of integrity. WHAT DID DOMINIC RAAB SAY IN HIS RESIGNATION LETTER? Raab told Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in the letter the inquiry had dismissed all but two of the claims levelled against him and that it had set a dangerous precedent for government ministers. Whilst I feel duty-bound to accept the outcome of the inquiry, it dismissed all but two of the claims levelled against me," he wrote in a resignation letter. I also believe that its two adverse findings are flawed and set a dangerous precedent for the conduct of good government." Raab also said the report had concluded he had not once sworn or shouted at anyone, let alone thrown anything or otherwise physically intimidated anyone, nor intentionally sought to belittle anyone". He apologised and added, I am genuinely sorry for any unintended stress or offence that any officials felt, as a result of the pace, standards and challenge that I brought to the Ministry of Justice." Opposition Labour MP Ellie Reeves attacked Raab over the resignation letter and said that there was no contrition and no actual apology in the letter. No contrition.No self-awareness. No actual apology. He resigned as he governed. That he was allowed to lead our justice system for so long is an insult. https://t.co/bDBfj5sMQy Ellie Reeves (@elliereeves) April 21, 2023 ALL ABOUT DOMINIC RAAB Raab, who also previously served as Britains foreign minister, said he would remain supportive of Sunak and the government. Former lawyer Raab, a karate black belt, has denied bullying civil servants working for him and in his letter rejected allegations of an overbearing manner with colleagues. Sunak had come under pressure soon after he appointed Raab, a staunch supporter of his leadership for the Conservative Party and government during the campaign last year, to the two key Cabinet posts as the bullying allegations emerged. Downing Street said at the time that Sunak was not aware" of any formal complaints against Raab when he appointed him in October last year. However, the Opposition Labour Party accused Sunak of ignoring reports about Raabs conduct. Raabs exit will now necessitate a mini shuffle in the Cabinet, as reports indicate that Sunak may not refill the post of Deputy PM and only appoint a new Justice Secretary. (With inputs from agencies) Read all the Latest News here Peruvian ex-president Alejandro Toledo surrendered to US authorities Friday, ahead of his expected extradition to Lima where he is accused of corruption and money laundering. Toledo has lived in the United States for several years, and gave himself up at a federal court building in San Jose, California, where he was handed over to the US Marshals Service. The 77-year-old, who served as Perus president from 2001 until 2006, is wanted by Peruvian prosecutors investigating a sprawling scandal involving Brazilian construction conglomerate Odebrecht. Toledo, who holds a doctorate from Stanford University, is accused of taking millions of dollars from Odebrecht in exchange for favored treatment in bidding on public works. He denies all charges, which could see him jailed for up to 20 years if convicted in Peru. Fridays surrender appeared to be the start of the endgame for a man who was initially detained in California in 2019. He was put under house arrest in 2020 and ordered to wear an electronic ankle monitor in the swanky Menlo Park area near Stanford. Earlier this week, the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit rejected Toledos most recent legal move to block the extradition Peru has sought since 2018, and a US judge ordered him to surrender. Peruvian prosecutors say they have testimony from two people who claim Toledo received bribes from Odebrecht. The firm acknowledged paying backhanders in Brazil and several other nations around Latin America in the so-called Car Wash" scandal, which has so far seen dozens of politicians and business figures behind bars. Four other former Peruvian presidents currently face corruption investigations. They are Ollanta Humala (who ruled 2011-2016), Pedro Pablo Kuczynski (2016-2018), Martin Vizcarra (2018-2020) and Pedro Castillo (2021-2022). Former President Alberto Fujimori (1990-2000) was convicted of corruption charges and is in prison. Another ex-president, Alan Garcia, died by suicide in 2019 as police were preparing to arrest him in the Odebrecht case. Read all the Latest News here Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday chaired a high-level meeting to review the security of over 3,000 Indian citizens stuck in the violence-hit Sudan and directed the officials to prepare contingency evacuation plans. He also expressed grief over the death of an Indian national, Albert Augestine, who tragically fell victim to a stray bullet in the strife-torn African country. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Ambassador of India to Sudan BS Mubarak, and other senior officials were present at the briefing. During the meeting, Prime Minister Modi assessed the most recent developments in Sudan and received a first-hand report of the conditions on the ground, with a specific focus on the safety of over 3,000 Indian citizens presently located throughout the country," an official release from the Prime Ministers Office (PMO) said. He instructed all relevant officials to remain vigilant, closely monitoring developments and continuously evaluating the safety of Indian nationals in Sudan and extending them all possible assistance. The Prime Minister also emphasised the importance of maintaining close communication with neighboring countries in the region, as well as those with significant numbers of citizens in Sudan. A report by CNN-News18 said that India is ready with a contingency plan to rescue citizens from Sudan. Jaishankar stopped over in New York on his way to Latin American countries on Thursday and discussed the situation in Sudan with the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. People familiar with the developments told CNN-News18 that the government is making all efforts to coordinate the safety of Indian citizens stuck in Sudan. On Thursday, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that the Indian Embassy in Sudan falls under the fighting zone" and advised the stranded Indian nationals to avoid visiting there saying that there are no officials present inside the building. We are in readiness. We are in close touch with our teams on the ground but it all depends on how long there is a ceasefire in fighting and safe locations available for evacuation The situation on the ground continues to be very tense. Our focus is on ensuring the safety of the individuals. We are in touch with people through different channels, Bagchi said during a press conference. Over 200 people have died and 2,000 have been injured since April 15 as armed forces chief General Abdel-Fattah Burhan and the head of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group, General Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo fight to take control of the resource-rich African nation. The situation is tense because the Sudanese military and the RSF are now deployed in full capacity in Khartoum and calls for ceasefire due to the festival of Eid has failed to deter the parties engaged in conflict. (with inputs from Shalinder Wangu) Read all the Latest News here Pakistans Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said on Thursday that his party was trying to build consensus among the countrys political leadership on holding elections, but asserted that any dialogue would be futile if it is carried out with a gun to your head. The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairmans remarks came as the countrys Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial requested political leaders to hold negotiations earlier in the day after the Supreme Court resumed hearing a petition seeking to hold general elections for all national and provincial assemblies simultaneously. Justice Bandial said that there could be no obstinacy in negotiations and that consensus could be built through bilateral talks, The Express Tribune newspaper reported. He asked the political leaders to meet and negotiate on Thursday rather than after Eid. During the hearing, he said the elections could be held in July after Eid. Despite Justice Bandials request, no dialogue was held between the highly-polarised political parties. Later, the hearing was adjourned till April 27 after Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Awan and PPP lawyer Farooq H Naek met Justice Bandial in his chamber and sought more time to hold dialogue with the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf: party led by ousted prime minister Imran Khan to evolve consensus on the matter, the report said. We have made attempts in the past to unify the political leadership [on elections] and are willing to do that again, but dialogue cannot take place with a gun to your head as no one will agree, Bilawal, 34, said. He said the PPP supports holding elections on the same day and is prepared to talk to anyone to achieve this goal. The problem with the government is that its key ally Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) of Maulana Fazlur Rehman is not ready to hold talks with Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf party led by ousted premier Imran Khan. Bilawal, who met Rehman this week, said his party was trying to persuade the JUI-F chief to engage in the negotiations. Our efforts are aimed at saving democracy, which is currently in danger, he said. Rehman, however, at a press conference said that his party would not hold negotiation with anyone under the threat of a hammer, a reference to the gavel used by judges. There was a time when it was said to talk under the shadow of a gun. Today, we are being forced to negotiate in front of the hammerWe accept justice, we will not accept your hammer, he said. He also lashed at the court for not accepting the authority of Parliament when it stifled a bill aimed at clipping the powers of the chief justice even before becoming a law. He also accused the apexcourt of showing leniency towards Khan. If the Supreme Court can show flexibility towards Imran Khan, then why cant they show flexibility towards us? he said. Bilawal also said he hopes the CJP would establish consensus within his institution before leaving his post. Our history has never witnessed such fragmentation within the judiciary. The Supreme Court is currently undergoing a trial before the people, he said. Pakistan is currently in the grip of political and economic instability, compounded by the bitter tension between the judiciary and executive over the date of elections in the Punjab province. Parliament and the judiciary are divided over the holding of elections in the two provinces as the former has refused to authorise the funds to meet the expenditures. The deadlock has increased political instability and with the economy already in freefall, the threat of default of the country has increased. The federal government led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif asserts that it has the power to delay the polls and hold them after August. However, Khans PTI party was pushing for early polls and demanding that instead of delaying the Punjab elections, the National Assembly should be dissolved and general elections called in the country. Read all the Latest News here Britains Prince William helped out an Indian restaurant during a royal visit on Thursday by taking a phone reservation from an unsuspecting customer. The heir to the British throne and his wife Kate were visiting the family-run restaurant Indian Streatery during their trip to Birmingham in central England, when he took the call from someone seeking a booking for two people. After checking with the owners as to the restaurants location, he then had a discussion with the caller about when a table was free and whether they would have time to eat before catching their train. Britain's Prince William and his wife Kate visited an Indian restaurant in Birmingham as part of their royal visit https://t.co/nn9G2jfKZt pic.twitter.com/HjCKzfLd5R Reuters (@Reuters) April 21, 2023 What name is it under? the prince said as he concluded the conversation, without revealing his own name to the caller. See you at quarter past two. Williams office later said on Twitter: Hope we told this customer to come to the right place! Lunch at the @indianstreatery!The Sharma Family dont just bring authentic Indian street food to the city but do so much in the community too, including their all female chef team training many better cooks than us! pic.twitter.com/7CXi28DJhM The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) April 20, 2023 As well as taking the booking, the royals also helped out preparing dishes in the restaurants kitchen before continuing their visit in the city with a game of darts at an underground bar. Read all the Latest News here Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, who is scheduled to attend Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council meeting in India next month, said his participation reflects Islamabads commitment to the charter of the SCO. The Pakistani minister added his visit to India should not be seen in terms of bilateral ties, according to Dunya News. We are committed to the SCO charter and this visit should not be seen as a bilateral one but in the context of the SCO," Bilawal reportedly said responding to a question on a programme on Dunya News. Pakistan on Thursday announced that Bilawal Bhutto Zardari would travel to India in May to attend the SCO Foreign Ministers meeting, a development that could provide an opportunity to break the ice between the two neighbours. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will be leading the Pakistan delegation to the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) being held on May 4-5, 2023, in Goa, India," Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahrah Baloch said. She said the foreign minister would be attending the meeting as External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had invited him to attend the SCO moot. Our participation in the meeting reflects Pakistans commitment to the SCO Charter and processes and the importance that Pakistan accords to the region in its foreign policy priorities, Baloch said. The meeting would be the highest-level visit to India by any Pakistani leader in recent years and a possible opportunity to break the ice between the two nations. Then Pakistani foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar visited India in 2011. In May 2014, then-Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif visited India to attend Prime Minister Narendra Modis swearing-in ceremony. The ties between India and Pakistan came under severe strain after Indias warplanes pounded a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist training camp in Pakistans Balakot in February 2019 in response to the Pulwama terror attack. Read all the Latest News here NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue speaks at the special plenary session of the 10th NA of the Peoples Power of Cuba at the Havana Convention Palace on April 19 afternoon (local time). (Photo: VNA) The session, broadcast live by Cubas national TV station, saw the presence of First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of Cuba Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez, President of the NA of the Peoples Power of Cuba Esteban Lazo Hernandez, and all the parliamentarians of the country. NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue expressed his honour to lead a high-ranking delegation of the Vietnamese NA on an official visit to Cuba on the occasion of both countries major anniversaries, including the 62nd anniversary of the Giron Victory and the declaration of the socialist nature of the Cuban Revolution, 70 years since the attack on the Moncada Barracks, the 60th anniversary of Cubas establishment of the Committee for Solidarity with South Vietnam the predecessor of the Cuba - Vietnam Friendship Association, and the 50th anniversary of Cuban leader Fidel Castro Ruzs first visit to Vietnam and to the liberated zone in South Vietnam during wartime. He thanked the Cuban Party and State for giving him a chance to be the first foreign guest to deliver remarks in front of the NA of the Peoples Power of Cuba after the parliament elected a new State leadership of the Latin American nation. He stressed that over the past more than 64 glorious years of the Cuban Revolution (since January 1959), Vietnam is proud to have 63 years of standing side by side with Cuba. On December 2, 1960, the administration led by Fidel Castro turned Cuba into the first in the Western Hemisphere to set up full diplomatic ties with Vietnam. NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue held that the similarities in the two countries histories, aspirations, revolutionary ideals, and the heroic traditions of fighting for independence, freedom, sovereignty, and the peoples right to self-determination have connected the two peoples and created a solid foundation for the special and faithful relations between Vietnam and Cuba. In Vietnam, people always keep in mind late leader Fidel Castros everlasting remark of For Vietnam, Cuba is willing to shed its blood as well as his braving of the various dangers to visit the liberated zone in South Vietnam in Quang Tri, located in the frontline between North and South Vietnam, on September 16, 1973. He was the first and only foreign leader to do so. The Chairman highlighted Cubas support for Vietnam during the resistance war and trying times, stressing that Vietnam never forgets and always remembers the fraternal assistance from Cuba. Vietnams solidarity with and support for Cuba have always been shown in a consistent and strong manner, especially via Vietnamese Party and State leaders speeches with a steadfast stance at forums of the United Nations, the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), and international and regional events, he went on. Not an economic superpower, yet Cuba is a superpower of humanity, he said, noting that it has provided medical services for 165 countries, especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The bright example of Cuba and the development of the left-wing movements in many Latin American countries reflect the trend of social progress and national independence in the world, which is emerging strongly in the Western Hemisphere. NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue also noted cooperation between the Vietnamese and Cuban parliaments has also been enjoying attention from both countries Party and State leaders and substantially contributing to the relations and solidarity between the two peoples. During this visit, leaders of the two parliaments will ink a cooperation agreement to intensify parliamentary ties. Many other cooperation deals will also be signed between the countries agencies, ministries, sectors, and localities, he revealed. Amid complex developments in the world, Vietnam and Cuba need to become even more united, work closely together, stay steadfast in their revolutionary paths, and firmly maintain the principle of independence, self-reliance, and equal cooperation to serve as the basis for flexible and creative moves in reality, the visiting leader recommended. He wished the strong cooperation between the two parliaments and the special and exemplary solidarity between the two countries will grow even further, and both countries will jointly move forwards for the sake of peace, national independence, democracy, and socialism. Welcoming the Vietnamese delegation, President of the NA of the Peoples Power of Cuba Esteban Lazo Hernandez emphasised that Vietnam and Cuba boast a traditional friendship and unbreakable friendship. He highly valued Chairman Hues efforts in promoting the two countries special relations and parliamentary ties. He held that amidst numerous crises and challenges in the world, countries like Vietnam and Cuba should keep contributing to peace maintenance and sustainable development, in which their legislative bodies have an important role to play./. UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman remains defiant amid accusations of being racist after she said that an overwhelming majority of sexual grooming gang members in parts of England were British Pakistani men, reiterating that the truth cannot be classed as racist. In an article for The Spectator magazine this week, the Indian-origin Cabinet minister stressed that it was necessary to acknowledge the role that ethnicity played in covering up the grooming gangs scandal. Targeting the Opposition Labour Party, Braverman said unfashionable facts such as the ethnicity of those behind such scandals in parts of England were being countered by fashionable fictions. If we are to address the injustice of the grooming gangs scandal, we must be willing to acknowledge the role that ethnicity played in covering it up, Braverman writes in the article entitled The truth cant be racist. To say that the overwhelming majority of perpetrators in towns such as Rotherham, Telford, and Rochdale were British Pakistani and that their victims were white girls is not to say that most British Pakistanis are perpetrators of sexual abuse. The former is a truth, one that made authorities reluctant to confront the issue. The latter is a lie, the speaking of which would be a disgraceful prejudice, she writes. She lamented the politicians lot as she admitted that her motives for making the statement will be questioned, but hit back at those casually accusing her of racism for speaking plain truths. There is something peculiar about this political moment, where those of us advancing unfashionable facts are beaten over the head with fashionable fictions. I suppose the ethnicity of grooming gang perpetrators in a string of cases is the sort of fact that has simply become unfashionable in some quarters. Like the fact that 100 per cent of women do not have a penis, she notes, alluding to another emotive debate around transgender access to female spaces. Her intervention comes in the wake of strong objections from within the British Pakistani community, including claims that it has led many to distance themselves from the governing Conservatives since Bravermans comments earlier this month for the launch of the governments new Grooming Gangs Taskforce. Last week, the British Pakistani Foundation (BPF), which claims to represent 18,000 Pakistani heritage members, wrote to British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to ask his cabinet minister to withdraw her irresponsible words as it would be perceived as normalising bigotry against the community. Similar letters were also issued by other British Pakistani groups, with Tory peer Baroness Sayeeda Warsi warning that she feared a backlash against British Muslims due to the remarks. In a series of television interviews earlier this month, Braverman said that the perpetrators of sexual crimes via grooming gangs are groups of men, almost all British Pakistani. Led by the police and supported by the UKs National Crime Agency (NCA), Downing Street says that data analysts will work alongside the governments new Grooming Gangs Taskforce using cutting-edge data and intelligence to identify the types of criminals who carry out these offences, including police recorded ethnicity data. Read all the Latest News here The United States is deploying forces to eastern Africa in case an evacuation of American embassy staff in Sudan becomes necessary due to the battling rival factions in Khartoum, officials said Thursday. We are deploying additional capabilities nearby in the region for contingency purposes related to securing and potentially facilitating the departure of US Embassy personnel from Sudan," the Pentagon said in a statement. More than 300 people have been killed since fighting erupted Saturday between forces loyal to Sudans army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who commands the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Some of the fiercest battles have taken place in the capital Khartoum, a city home to five million people, most of whom have been cloistered in their homes without electricity, food and water. A US official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said later that the additional US forces would be deployed to the east African nation of Djibouti. The RSF, a powerful group formed from members of the Janjaweed militia that led years of extreme violence in Darfur, had said its forces would fully commit to a complete ceasefire" from Wednesday evening for 24 hours, as did the army. But witnesses said gunfire did not stop in Khartoum, as another ceasefire was breached within minutes of its supposed start for the second time in as many days. Beyond Khartoum, witnesses reported loud explosions in the city of Obeid, in central state of North Kordofan. Read all the Latest News here At the working session (Photo: VNA) TEEMA gathers companies and investors operating in the production of electronic, network, and semiconductor components. The production value of the electrical and electronic industry within the association accounts for up to half of Taiwan's total industrial production value. At the session, Chairman of Wieson Technologies Co. Ltd. and head of the delegation Hung-Chin Chen said Taiwanese firms highly evaluated the northern port city of Hai Phongs business environment, especially its convenient transport infrastructure such as seaports, deep-water ports and international airport. He added that the delegation expected to learn about eco-industrial parks, renewable energy, and the supply of electricity and water in the city. They are also interested in incentives in industrial parks, economic zones, workforce, and labour retention policies. Le Trung Kien, head of the authority, said Dinh Vu - Cat Hai Economic Zone is now the place where the Vietnamese Government offers the best incentives to investors. It is equipped with a synchronous infrastructure system to serve business activities, such as Lach Huyen deep-water port, a non-tariff zone, and a warehouse area. There are already two deep-water ports in operation and four others under construction which will soon be put into operation. Currently, Deep C and Nam Cau Kien industrial parks (IPs) are piloting the construction of eco-industrial parks, he said. According to the official, the city has signed a cooperation agreement with the Hanoi University of Science and Technology to establish a branch in Hai Phong and has a separate training programme to meet requirements of enterprises. Hai Phong also has workforce in the city and in neighboring localities. The city is building social housing and allocating land for firms to build dormitories for employees, he said, adding that the board will always stand side by side with firms and provide them with all possible support to do business effectively. Since September 2022, four delegations from Taiwanese firms have come to Hai Phong to explore the local business environment. It is the second time the TEEMA delegation has visited the city. In October 2022, a delegation from the authority successfully held trade promotion activities in Taiwan, including a seminar attracting over 150 businesses. At present, Taiwan (China) is investing in 60 projects in Hai Phong with total capital of 1.8 billion USD, of which 27 projects worth 1.6 billion USD are in IPs and economic zones, mostly in the production of electronic components for TVs, computers, industrial gas, machinery, equipment, and packaging. Last year, their revenue hit 2.5 billion USD and the average income of workers reached over 11 million VND (478 USD) each per month./. At the ceremony (Photo: moit.gov.vn) The export of the first batch of sweet potatoes showed that the quality of the province's sweet potato has improved, meeting the requirements of the General Administration of Customs China. Vinh Longs agriculture sector has coordinated with departments and localities to guide farmers to improve the cultivation and harvesting processes as well as apply scientific advances to enhance productivity, creating products that satisfy strict demand on quality, food safety and consumer health in line with international standards. Vietnam has 70 sweet potato cultivation areas and 13 packaging facilities licenced to export to China. Of these, Vinh Long has 27 planting areas with around 10,000 hectares and an average output of 300,000 tonnes per year and three packing facilities that have been granted codes for exporting to the Chinese market. At present, Vietnam has 11 fruits which are exported via official channels to the Chinese market. It has so far signed protocols with China on phytosanitary requirements for three types, namely mangosteen, passion fruit, and durian./. Five years since she last played a Russian spy in The Americans, Keri Russell is back on TV and killing it. The Diplomat, an eight-episode Netflix series from showrunner Debora Cahn (The West Wing, Homeland), finds Russell (lead actor and executive producer) on the US side as a longtime State Department operative tasked with preventing an "apocalyptic" war. Here's what critics are saying: "The intricacies of the plotting are ingenious, the pace brisk and the binge-ability factor high in what is a sophisticated show with a sterling cast," writes John Anderson at the Wall Street Journal. Russell is "magnetic" as Kate Wyler, a Middle East expert who's shocked to find herself assigned as ambassador to the UK. What she doesn't know is that her husband, Hal, played by a "first-rate, revelatory Rufus Sewell," has suggested her to replace the current vice president, who is about to resign in scandal. "At last, here's a new series that remembers how to operate like an actual season of television," writes Coleman Spilde at the Daily Beast, suggesting you put your phone away before you watch. Why? The Diplomat is "a riveting, intellectual whirlwind ... with characters entrenched in layers-upon-layers of complex detail before they've even had a chance to tell us what their names are." As Kate, Russell is "fantastic," Spilde adds, making you forget "that you were watching a scripted television show." Russell delivers "a knockout performance" in this "instantly engrossing, beautifully filmed, sharply written and wonderfully acted" series with "a generous sprinkling of humor" to boot, praises Richard Roeper at the Chicago Sun-Times. The Diplomat slowly reveals "insights into the personalities and motivations of Kate and Halbut also the supporting players," he adds, noting "the only major complaint we have is the eight episodes go by too fast, leaving us wanting more, now." Emily Tannenbaum was left missing The Americans, however. Yes, Russell is "stellar," and she and Sewell "project a level of casual intimacy that takes some scene partners years to cultivate." But compared with FX's offering, The Diplomat is a "less gritty spy thriller and more soapy workplace drama," Tannenbaum writes at Variety. It "never really lands on a consistent tone, struggling to find the right balance between its biting social commentary and attempts at grounded bureaucratic drama." (Read more television review stories.) A joint investigation by the public broadcasters of Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Finland has uncovered a large fleet of Russian spy ships allegedly posing as fishing vessels in the North Sea. The broadcastersDR in Denmark, NRK in Norway, SVT in Sweden, and Yle in Finlandsay about 50 Russian boats have been gathering intelligence in the area over the past decade, focusing on military training locations, oil and gas fields, wind farms, power plants, and underwater cables. Intelligence officers tell the outlets that Russia is likely looking for sabotage targets. Separately, the Danish government released documents Tuesday showing Russian vessels were off its coast days before explosions ruptured the Nord Stream pipelines linking Russia to Germany in the Baltic Sea in September, per the Guardian. The broadcasters identified dozens of ships that appeared to be fishing boats or scientific research vessels but had turned off their transmitters to conceal their locations in the North Sea, per CNN. One of these ships is Admiral Vladimirsky. Though registered as an expeditionary oceanographic ship, it was found to have kept its location hidden for a month while venturing close to seven windfarms off Britain and Denmark at the end of 2022. A former Royal Navy expert who tracked the ship said it slowed down, then lingered at each of the sites, per the Guardian. The ship is also believed to have sailed close to naval training areas of the Swedish Armed Forces, per CNN. A DR crew that approached the ship photographed a masked man on deck carrying an assault rifle. A Russian vessel that for years delivered fish to Norway was also found to have traveled toward military bases where naval traffic is banned, as well as the site of a major NATO exercise. The Guardian reports the severing of an underwater data cable off Norway last year may be connected to the Russian spy program, whose ships are reportedly based in the Barents Sea. The reporting has also renewed speculation of Russian involvement in the Nord Stream pipeline bombings, per Politico. "We see it very clearly now. Russia says cooperation with the West is over, now it is confrontation," Nils Andreas Stensnes, head of the Norwegian Intelligence Service, tells NRK, per CNN. But Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov claims the broadcasters are mistaken and "accuse Russia without basis," per AFP. (Read more Russia stories.) A Florida man lost his life at the very spot where a friend had died two years priorwith both having been killed in the same way. Sanford resident Michael Berry, 42, was at the roadside memorial honoring his late friend on April 12 when Berry was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver, reports USA Today . He'd reportedly visited the location on State Road 415 in Osteen regularly over the last two years after his friend Mike Roscoe died there in October 2021 after falling off his motorcycle and being hit by a pair of vehicles. Neither stopped at the scene. Berry was reportedly on his knees in the median around 9:30pm when he was struck by a vehicle that left the road. His brother Carl Smith told USA Today that Berry would kneel at Roscoe's memorial to talk to his friend. Roscoe's partner, Amy Elam, said that Roscoe and Berry "were best friends," though she "would say more like brothers to each other." She also expressed concern about the area where both men died, telling Click Orlando, "I dont understand. Is it too dark there? Is it not being patrolled enough by police? You know what I mean? There are no cameras and theres just no answers." A GoFundMe set up to handle expenses for his death and memorial says Berry's loss is "heartbreaking" and he leaves behind a fiancee and son. According to USA Today, the Florida Highway Patrol is asking for anyone who has information about Berry's death to come forward. His brother Carl, "Just have a heart and do the right thing." (Read more hit-and-run stories.) The horrifying scenes of school shootings are impossible to picture for all but a few people: those tasked with meticulously documenting the scene. In a lengthy piece for the New York Times Magazine, Jay Kirk recounts what Detectives Art Walkley and Karoline Keith and Sgt. Jeff Covello took on when they were assigned to photograph, measure, and collect evidence at Sandy Hook Elementary in the wake of the Dec. 14, 2012, massacre that left 26 dead. Kirk describes the mechanics of being a crime-scene investigator as well as the psychological toll. Keith had tried to quit two years prior after realizing "she could no longer go for a walk in the woods without mistaking every flesh-colored rock for human remains." She was convinced to stay, and she and Walkley ended up being the two tasked with writing a summary for each of the 1,495 photos taken of the scene. The horrors are unimaginable, but Kirk's writing makes them a little more real, describing the moment when Walkley, Keith, and Covello first walked into Classroom 8, "where they all stood in silent disbelief, a light drizzle on the window ticking off each annihilating second, staring into the tiny bathroom. Where the children were packed in so tightly that the inward-hinged door could not be shut all the way." Kirk makes the larger point that perhaps "nothing has changed [regarding gun laws] because we have not yet been made to see" the reality. And yet he outlines why we haven'tin this case, Connecticut state law keeps the photos out of the public eye, and even if the law changed, a news outlet would have to make the decision to share them. "Until that unlikely moment arrives, the full truth of these images and those of shooting after shooting ... will live on only in the atrocity exhibition that exists in the memory of those who photograph, measure, and collect the foul evidence." (Read the full piece.) Victoria Gryb, Member of Ukrainian Parliament, Head of the Verkhovna Rada subcommittee on energy security The full-scale invasion by Russia into Ukraine has exacerbated one of the most dramatic challenges to Ukrainian statehoodthe decline in birth rates and life expectancy. In 1991, Ukraine gained independence with a population of 51.7 million people. However, according to the most optimistic estimates, by 2030, only 35 million people will be living in Ukraine. Other forecasts predict an even lower figure of 28-29 million people. Ukraine's population is shrinking at one of the fastest rates in the world. In November 2021, the United Nations drew attention to this issue in a report on the demographic situation. At that time, experts estimated that by 2050, the number of Ukrainians might decrease to 35 million. Scientists at the National Academy of Sciences predict that the population of Ukraine will decrease to 22 million in 70 years (by the end of the 21st century). The main reasons for this decline are a low birth rate, high mortality rate, and a constant increase in external migration levels. High rates of population decline were observed in the 1990s. Even worse dynamics took place in 2009. In 2014, 45 million people lived in Ukraine, in 2015 - 42 million. The figures are given without taking into account the population of Crimea and Donbas. By 2019, we lost another million people. At the beginning of 2022, 40 million 900 thousand people lived in Ukraine. It should be emphasized that the population census has not been conducted since 2001. According to the new report of the UN Population Fund, as of 2023, 36.7 million people live in Ukraine. Its difficult to calculate exactly how many people live in Ukraine now. The Institute of Demography and Social Research of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine assumes that as of January 1, 2023, the population is between 28 and 34 million people. More accurate calculations are not possible. According to the UN, up to 8 million refugees have lived outside of Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. How many of them will return? Depends on how quickly the war ends. Will Ukraine create suitable conditions for these people? Jobs, accommodation and infrastructure. Who will rebuild Ukraine? For the complete restoration of the nation, ten women must give birth to at least 22-23 children. The problem is that even in 2021, 10 women gave birth to only 11 children. It is obvious that Ukraine is facing a catastrophic drop in the birth rate. But every war has its beginning and end. At the same time, we should not expect a mass return of women from abroad. We should not expect a post-war birth rate boom. The reason is the lack of necessary socio-economic conditions. An acute demographic crisis engulfed Ukraine long before the Russian invasion. The war accelerated it, taking hundreds of thousands of lives. Ukrainian mothers with children, saving their lives, went abroad. Many of them do not intend to return. The problem is that demographics and economics go hand in hand. Investors like stability, positive demographic data. They like concrete numbers when planning business. Therefore, the demographic situation is one of the main markers for making a decision on investing in the country. For example, a good friend of mine from the city of Rivne has been looking for a diesel engine repair specialist for three weeks. Everyone with whom he cooperated before the invasion went abroad. The return of millions of specialists is the basis of future recovery. The state should think through special programs, conditions and motivation for the return of these people. The total amount of economic losses related to human losses will amount to UAH 348.5 billion, or 6.3% of GDP. Lack of human resources will affect the state of the economy. One of the options to return people to Ukraine can be strong financial support for families and an increase in payments upon the birth of a child. An additional tool is the involvement of labor migrants. The growth of the economy in the future can partially improve the situation. The result depends not so much on time as on the right decisions. We must work on programs to increase the birth rate, ensure effective legislative work on reproductive health issues, guarantee the support of international organizations, and restore the work of industry and the economy. There is no other way to a full-fledged revival. On Thursday, Texas-born "princess" Rita Boncompagni Ludovisi was evicted from Rome's 16th-century Villa Aurora, the climax of a long-running conflict between her and her stepchildren that began after the 2018 death of her husband, Prince Nicolo Boncompagni Ludovisi. The prince's adult children from his first marriage have insisted that the villabuilt in 1570 and featuring a rare Caravaggio artwork, the only ceiling mural he paintedis their birthright. Nicolo stated in his will that his widow could remain in the villa for life and also wanted money from any sale that might happen to be divided between her and his children, the Guardian reports. His sonsone of whom stated his father was "out of his mind" when he penned the willtook the issue to court. The home was put on the market, but no one has bid on it over the course of five auctions that have taken place since January 2022, despite the price being slashed from more than $500 million to $160 million. A judge in January 2023 ordered Ludovisi's eviction, ruling that she didn't keep up the building's maintenance, as evidenced by a wall collapse that forced the closure of a nearby street. Ludovisi, who allegedly gave unsanctioned tours, told the media she was sad as police escorted her off the premises, calling it a "brutal ending to my beautiful life with my beloved Nicolo," whom she married in 2009, reports the AP. Bante Boncompagni Ludovisi, the prince's youngest son, said he watched the eviction to see the villa "liberated from that woman." Ludovisi said she had the "right to use" the residence and called what was done was "illegal." (Read more Italy stories.) If you're still drinking coffee and blinking sleep out of your eyes, you might feel sympathy for the northern elephant seal. NPR reports that in a newly-published study, researchers found the huge mammalsknown for the way the males' noses resemble elephant trunkssleep less than just about any other member of the animal kingdom, clocking in at about two hours a day. Ecophysiologist Chris McKnight at Scotland's Sea Mammal Research Unit tells NPR that these animals have some truly extreme traits in general. For example, they really are massive: Adult females weigh over 1,300 pounds and males can crush the scales at more than two tons. McKnight, who didn't take part in the study, says researchers did "an exceptional job" gathering info, considering they had relatively limited access to the seals. According to Science News, only African elephants can come close to matching the big seals' ability to snatch a quick nap, and actual elephants doesn't have to worry about circling sharks. A Science study published Friday says the northern elephant seals' two hours a day often come in 20-minute increments, while foraging at sea for months, around the clockand they can dive as deep as 3,000 feet for between 10 and 30 minutes at a time. "So there's a bit of a conundrum," explains McKnight. "If you're diving all the time, if you're spending 90% of your time at sea underwater without access to air, when the hell do you sleep?" University of California San Diego ecophysiologist Jessica Kendall-Bar and fellow researchers fitted seals with specially-designed EEG caps to measure brain activity while the big creatures hunted for food. They matched brain activity to the seals' diving patterns to gather data on how they sleep. Kendall-Bar tells Science that northern elephant seals differ from other sea mammals like dolphins, who manage to sleep with one side of their brain at a time. In her opinion, "its pretty cool that elephant seals are doing this without [one-sided] sleep." She continues that the seals are "shutting off both halves of their brain completely and leaving themselves vulnerable." Kendall-Bar also notes that it is "important to map these extremes of [sleep behavior] across the animal kingdom to get a better sense of the evolution and the function of sleep for all mammals, including humans." (Read more scientific study stories.) Orlando police had to escort a Southwest Airlines passenger from a plane on Monday after what USA Today calls an "adult tantrum" over a crying baby. Passenger Mark Grabowski recorded a nearly 4-minute viral video of the outburst as the flight, bound for Fort Lauderdale, was stuck in a holding pattern in the air for an hour due to weather. "It was a little bumpy and uncomfortable for everyone and the child was upset," Grabowski tells WOFL. "Just out of nowhere," another passenger "basically said 'shut that baby up,' and it escalated from there." The footage shows a man seated across the aisle from Grabowski arguing with flight attendants as a baby is heard in the background. "That child has been crying for 40 minutes! Can you calm the child down, please? I had headphones on. I was sleeping," the man says. "Why is the baby yelling? I'm not screaming. Want me to scream? Want me to scream? I'll f---king scream. Please stop the baby," he continues. "Can you lower that voice?" The man continues shouting as a flight attendant apparently tells him to be rational. "We are in a f---ing tin can with a baby in a goddamn echo chamber," the man complains. "You're yelling," another flight attendant tells him. "So is the baby," the passenger replies. "So, you're a man," the flight attendant counters. "F--- you and shut up," says the passenger. "I'm sorry, y'all," the male flight attendant tells others in the area before returning to the disgruntled passenger. "It's a baby, it's a child," he says. "You're a grown man." Grabowski said a woman and baby were moved to a different part of the plane, which was eventually diverted to Orlando because of the weather. He said the passenger was then asked to leave the plane, but refused. In the end, all passengers deplaned, at which point police forcibly removed him. Grabowski's video shows the man speaking with authorities before leaving a gate accompanied by police. No arrests were made, per WOFL. Southwest referred to the "unacceptable behavior" in a Thursday statement while applauding the "outstanding professionalism" of its employees. (Read more unruly passenger stories.) Last summer, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson signed a bill to designate a bridge over Interstate 70 as the Marine Lance Corporal Jared Schmitz Memorial Bridge, in honor of a 20-year-old Marine who was one of 13 service members killed by a suicide bomber the prior year in Afghanistan. KTVI reports that the state DOT recently erected signs on both the eastbound and westbound sides of the highway along a stretch in Wentzville to indicate the bridge's new name, but the signage came with something unexpected: a tab for $3,200, sent directly to Schmitz's family. "We were a little shocked to get a bill in the mail ... to pay for our own signs," says Mark Schmitz, who makes sure to add he's grateful for the tribute, per FOX 2. Schmitz says he wondered if the families of the other troops killed with his son had experienced something similar, including those in other states; he found out, after making some inquiries, that they hadn't. "That's insane," he noted. It's not that the Schmitz family couldn't afford to pay for the signsthere was enough in donation money to cover the cost from a charity they founded to help the fallen and veterans. Still, they were a little thrown that they'd have to pony up for the road signage. So was state Rep. Tricia Byrnes. "That is not a look we want in Missouri," she says, calling what happened to the Schmitzes a "sucker punch." To make sure no other family ever goes through the same, Byrnes recently introduced a bill in the state House that would bar billing the families of fallen cops, firefighters, and members of the military for memorial signs. That legislation has already unanimously passed the House, and Byrnes is now urging state senators and, eventually, the governor to make it into law. "We really want to honor our heroes," she says. "I don't ever want a hero's family to feel that way ever again." (Read more Marines stories.) Wyoming's first full-service abortion provider in years defiantly opened Thursday, nearly a year after an arson attack ravaged it and despite looming laws that could shut it down with some of the toughest abortion restrictions in the US. The clinic in a small stucco building on a busy street in downtown Casper is less than a mile from Interstate 25, where the occasional anti-abortion billboard stands against the open, sparsely populated landscape. Last May, a few weeks before the clinic was set to open, a fire tore through building, leaving soot-stained, smashed windows and police tape to mark the clinic site. A woman who has since been arrested had broken a window, filled aluminum pans with gasoline, and set them ablaze, authorities say. She told told investigators that she opposes abortion and was experiencing anxiety over the facility opening, the AP reports. With its fire damage repaired, the Wellspring Health Access clinic will be able to provide both abortion-pill and surgical abortionsat least for now. The US Supreme Court is expected to rule Friday on one of two drugs used in pill abortions. Wyoming last month became the first state to pass an explicit ban on abortion pills, which have become the predominant choice for abortions in the US in recent years. Until now, only one other clinic in Wyominga women's health center in Jackson, some 250 miles awayhas provided medication abortions. Surgical abortions haven't been available in a dedicated Wyoming clinic in at least a decade, according to Wellspring. Still, access never fully ended. There were at least 88 medication abortions reported by state medical professionals in 2020, and 98 medication abortions were reported in 2021, according to the most recent data from the Wyoming Department of Health. Still, that's not the whole picture of abortion in Wyoming. Hundreds of women travel each year to Colorado and other states for abortions, and the numbers don't include medication abortions conducted at home without medical supervision. Wellspring Health Access will begin taking appointments for services not widely available to Wyoming women in years, per the AP. The clinic opened immediately after receiving a city occupancy permit. Medical procedures are set to begin after a doctor arrives at the clinic next week, according to Wellspring. The clinic was first set to open as the US Supreme Court was preparing to overturn Roe v. Wade, triggering a new state abortion ban that took effect July 27. That day, Teton County District Judge Melissa Owens blocked the ban pending a lawsuit filed by four women, including two obstetricians and two nonprofits, Wellspring among them. The same women and nonprofits are now suing over two new state abortion lawsa first-in-the-nation abortion pill ban and an overall abortion ban the Legislature passed this winter. As before, three days after the new ban took effect March 19, Owens suspended it, ruling that the law may still violate a state constitutional amendment saying residents have the right to make their own health care decisions. Owens didn't rule on the pill ban, but it doesn't take effect until July 1. (Read more abortion stories.) After almost 4 1/2 years of trying, Mexico's president said Thursday he has finally sold his unwanted presidential jetto the former Soviet republic of Tajikistan. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said that nation's government paid the equivalent of about $92 million for the Boeing 787 jet. Lopez Obrador refused to use the jet after taking office on Dec. 1, 2018, saying it was too luxurious. The austerity-loving president usually takes commercial flights, per the AP. Lopez Obrador had tried to lure corporations and business executives to buy the jet, but he found no takers. He even symbolically "raffled off" the plane, which would be expensive to convert back into a normal airliner. The plane was purchased for $200 million and was used by the previous president, Enrique Pena Nieto. It has been difficult to sell the plane because it's configured to carry only 80 people and has a full presidential suite with a private bath. Experts say it would be costly to reconfigure into a typical passenger jet that would carry up to 300 passengers. Though the plane has relatively few miles on it, Mexico was eager to unload it because maintenance costs make it expensive to keep parked. There'd been talk the Boeing 787 might be turned over to an army-run company for use as a commercial jet. "After a long time, we managed to sell the plane," Lopez Obrador said in a video clip from inside the plane, which he'd previously refused to board. "We are happy." He added: "We are going to use the money from selling the plane to build two hospitals." (Read more Mexico stories.) On Thursday night, the Russian city of Belgorod experienced something that generally happens to cities on the other side of the bordera Russian airstrike. Officials say the city 25 miles north of the Ukrainian border was accidentally bombed by an Su-34 fighter-bomber jet, the BBC reports. Russia's defense ministry described the incident as an "abnormal descent of aviation ammunition" and an "emergency release of an air ordnance." Regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said the blast left a crater 65 feet across on a main road and injured three people, reports Reuters. Gladkov said four apartment buildings were damaged. "Thank God there are no dead," he said. The BBC reports that video shared on social media shows the bomb landing near the intersection of two roads and exploding 18 seconds later as cars passed by. According to state media, an overturned car landed on the roof of a store. Former Royal Australian Air Force officer Peter Layton, a visiting fellow at the Griffith Asia Institute, tells CNN that the incident was "odd." He says a pilot jettisoning munitions in an emergency would normally do so in an unpopulated area, with the weapons left in "safe" mode. "Where the bomb hit; the town center, not in the countryside, almost suggests accuracy," he says. (Read more Russia-Ukraine war stories.) Conservative radio host Larry Elder, who once described the 2016 election of Donald Trump as "divine intervention," is challenging Trump for the Republican nomination. Elder, who was defeated in the failed 2021 effort to unseat California Gov. Gavin Newsom, made his announcement on Tucker Carlson's Fox News show, the New York Times reports. He also tweeted an announcement that echoed Trump's campaign rhetoric. "America is in decline, but this decline is not inevitable," Elder said. "We can enter a new American Golden Age, but we must choose a leader who can bring us there." On Carlson's show, Elder, 70, said his father fought in World War II and two brothers served in the military during the Vietnam era. "I'm the only one who didnt serve, and I dont feel good about that," he said. "I feel I have a moral, religious, and a patriotic duty to give back to a country thats been so good to my family and me." Elder is entering a GOP field that already includes frontrunner Trump, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, and conservative commentator Vivek Ramaswamy, Fox reports. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Sen. Tim Scott, and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson are expected to make formal announcements in the coming weeks. Elder was the frontrunner in the race to replace Newsom, but analysts don't expect him to gain much traction in the White House race. Quartz notes that he has "made disparaging comments about minorities including women and his own Black community" over the years. "Women know less than men about political issues, economics, and current events," he wrote in a 2000 column. He has also argued in favor of reparationsfor slave owners. (Last year, Elder said that if he runs, he'll be running against President Biden, not Trump.) Twitter was apparently concerned enough by media outlets boycotting its platform that it's made a U-turn, dropping the "government-funded media" label that sent NPR, the CBC, and other outlets packing. The label is now missing from the accounts of NPR, the CBC, the BBC, and other outlets, while the "state-affiliated media" tagline applied to the accounts of Chinese publishers including Xinhua News and Russian outlets Sputnik and RT as far back as 2020 also vanished, per Reuters and the AP. Twitter's page explaining the government-funded media labels has also disappeared. The labels themselves vanished "without any explanation" on Thursday, the same day the Global Task Force for Public Media called on Twitter to correct its misleading labeling on public broadcasters, per the Canadian Press. Twitter defined government-funded media as "where the government provides some or all of the outlet's funding and may have varying degrees of government involvement over editorial content." But the task force said editorial independence was enshrined in the outlets' editorial policies and protected by law. It suggested "publicly-funded media" would be a more suitable label. After appealing to Twitter, the BBC had its label changed to "publicly-funded media." But that has disappeared, too. Some outlets, including the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, had continued tweeting under the "government-funded media" label. But NPR, PBS, the CBC, and Sweden's public radio all refused to tweet under such terms. None had resumed tweeting as of 9am ET Friday. A CBC spokesperson said it's "reviewing this latest development and will leave our [Twitter] accounts on pause before taking any next steps," per CP. An NPR rep previously said the outlet would become active again once its "false disclaimer" was removed. (Some of Twitter's blue "verified" checkmarks are vanishing, too.) UPDATE Apr 21, 2023 5:58 PM CDT The Supreme Court on Friday preserved for now women's access to a drug used in the most common method of abortion, rejecting lower-court restrictions while the legal battle continues. The justices granted emergency requests from the Biden administration and Danco Laboratories, maker of mifepristone, the AP reports. They are appealing a lower court ruling that would roll back Food and Drug Administration approval of mifepristone. In the only dissents noted, Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito said they would not have granted the request for a stay of the lower court decision, per the Washington Post. Apr 21, 2023 12:05 PM CDT The Supreme Court is expected to issue a decision before midnight Friday on the abortion pill mifepristone, one that will determine whether access to a drug used in more than half of abortions is limited beginning as soon as Saturday. The Supreme Court had been expected to decide by Wednesday whether the restrictions could kick in while the case against the lower-court rulings plays out, but Justice Samuel Alito instead issued a two-day extension on Wednesday, bumping the decision to today. Steve Vladeck of the University of Texas School of Law says there are four ways the decision could go, the Guardian reports. "1) Grant stay pending appeal; 2) Deny stay pending appeal; 3) Weird mixed ruling; or 4) No ruling," Vladeck tweeted, noting that 2, 3, and 4 will result in "big changes starting Saturday." After a federal judge in Texas decided earlier this month that the Food and Drug Administration had improperly approved the drug in 2000, a 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals panel ruled that the drug could remain available under the conditions that were in place until changes were made in 2016, meaning it could no longer be mailed and it could only be prescribed through week seven of pregnancy, not week 10, the AP reports. The Biden administration asked the Supreme Court to stay the rulings while the appeals process is underway. The Washington Post notes that today's ruling will be the first major abortion decision from the top court since it overturned Roe v. Wade last yeara decision that made access to mifepristone more important. The fact that the court extended its self-imposed deadline by two days "suggests that there may be disagreement among the justices," the New York Times reports. The Times predicts that the court might take the rare step of "leapfrogging" lower courts and hearing the case itself without delay. (Read more mifepristone stories.) It's been a challenging few days for Elon Musk: Tesla had a disappointing earnings call on Wednesday, his SpaceX rocket exploded minutes after takeoff on Thursday, and Twitter continues to ... go through some things. The CEO took a big financial hit amid these struggles from all of his three main companies, to the tune of nearly $13 billion in just 24 hours, reports Fortune. The $12.6 billion loss logged Thursday by the Bloomberg Billionaires Index left Musk with a net worth of $164 billion, almost $50 billion behind the index's No. 1 billionaire, LVMH chief Bernard Arnault. Much of Musk's wealth is tied to his Tesla shares, which dipped 10% Thursday after the previous day's earnings report, per Fortune, which notes the drop lopped off $58 billion from Tesla's market cap. But Musk's emptier wallet isn't the only fallout of the week. The New York Times reports that as SpaceX's Starship took off from a launch pad in Boca Chica, Texas, on Thursday, a huge cloud of debris and dust got kicked up, resulting in "brown grime" falling back to earth for miles near the launch site. Some reported even larger debris, including LabPadre's Louis Balderas, who films SpaceX launches. "There were bowling ball-sized pieces of concrete that came flying out of the launch pad area," he says. "Truly terrifying," Sharon Almaguer, a resident of Port Isabel, tells the paper. The rocket "exploded, and the ash started coming down," a rep from an elementary school in that town tells Insider. Locals posted photos to social media of the particulates that rained down on homes, cars, and patio furniture. Port Isabel spokeswoman Valerie Bates tells the Times that the "thick, granular, sand grain ... just landed on everything," adding that, at the moment, there's not an "immediate concern for people's health." A city statement noted that, per the Cameron County Emergency Management agency, the dust "was sand and soil from near the [SpaceX] launch site that was lofted into the air by the force of [liftoff]." An environmental compliance expert who has studied the company's launches tells the Times a chemical analysis is needed to determine if the dust truly is harmful or not. Whatever the status, Almaguer says locals are being "sacrificed" for SpaceX's needs. "[Musk] just wanted to get this thing up in the air," she says. "Everybody else sort of be damned." The Cameron County Emergency Management division advises those who want info on the dust to contact SpaceX's "debris hotline" at 1-866-623-0234. (Read more Elon Musk stories.) An American Airlines employee died at a Texas airport on Thursday after suffering "traumatic injuries" in a crash with the bridge that connects a plane to a terminal gate. The employee, who has not been identified, was operating a service vehicle that struck the jet bridge, according to authorities, who responded to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport around 2pm. Police and emergency services found an adult male with obvious signs of trauma, reports CBS Austin. The employee was pronounced dead on the tarmac near Gate 24, an airport spokesperson tells the Austin American-Statesman. The incident is being investigated as an accidental death. "We really appreciate the community's patience as we fully investigate this tragic incident," said Austin Police Officer Destiny Silva, per CBS. "We are devastated by the accident" and "are focused on ensuring that all involved have the support they need during this difficult time," American Airlines said in a statement. Airport officials said there was no major impact on operations. "AUS staff are working closely with the airline and emergency services personnel" and "our thoughts are with this employee and all those impacted by today's tragic event," the officials said. (An American Airlines worker died in Alabama in December.) The man who opened fire at a Louisville bank, killing five people and wounding eight, left behind notes saying he wanted to demonstrate how easily a person with a serious mental illness can obtain an assault-style weapon, CNN reports by way of law enforcement sources. One note was found on him after he was killed in a shootout April 10 with police; a second was located in his home. A week before the mass shooting, Connor Sturgeon bought an AR-15-style rifle legally at an authorized dealer, per NBC News. He had only to fill out a US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives form and go through an FBI records check to be make sure he wasn't a felon or named in a restraining order. The 25-year-old was being treated for depression and anxiety. His mother told a 911 operator on the day of the killings that her son didn't have a firearm. "We don't even own guns," she said. "I don't know where he would have gotten a gun." Firearms seized by law enforcement officers sent to state police officials to sell at auction, with the money raised going to buy police equipment. That would apply to this rifle; the city's mayor has warned that the "murder weapon will be back on the streets one day under Kentucky's current law." The shooter's family is trying to keep that from happening, after being "aghast to learn" the gun would be sold, a spokesman said. The auction items are sold to federally licensed gun dealers, per the AP. The statement said federal agents took possession of the rifle on Monday as part of the family's effort. (Read more mass shootings stories.) The guardians of Champagne will let no one take the name of the bubbly beverage in vain, not even a US beer behemoth. For years, Miller High Life has used the "Champagne of Beers" slogan. This week, that appropriation became impossible to swallow. At the request of the trade body defending the interests of houses and growers of the northeastern French sparkling wine, Belgian customs crushed more than 2,000 cans of Miller High Life advertised as such, the AP reports. Molson Coors Beverage Co., which owns the Miller High Life brand, respectfully disagreed with the decision. The Comite Champagne asked for the destruction of a shipment of 2,352 cans on the grounds that the century-old motto used by the American brewery infringes the protected designation of origin "Champagne." The consignment was intercepted in the Belgian port of Antwerp in early February, a spokesperson at the Belgian Customs Administration said on Friday, and was destined for Germany. Molson Coors does not currently export the brand to the EU, and Belgian customs declined to say who had ordered the beers. Frederick Miller, a German immigrant to the US, founded the Miller Brewing Company in the 1850s. Miller High Life, its oldest brand, was launched as its flagship in 1903. According to the Milwaukee-based brands website, the company started to use the "Champagne of Bottle Beers" nickname three years later. It was shortened to the "Champagne of Beers" in 1969. The beer has also been available in champagne-style 750-milliliter bottles during festive seasons, but the slogan is incompatible with European Union rules that make clear that goods infringing a protected designation of origin can be treated as counterfeit. Molson Coors said it "respects local restrictions" around the word Champagne but is still proud of is beer and "its Milwaukee, Wisconsin provenance." (Read more Miller High Life stories.) Support Local Journalism Now, more than ever, the world needs trustworthy reportingbut good journalism isnt free. Please support us by subscribing or making a contribution. The Daily News-Miner is locally owned by the Helen E. Snedden Foundation, a 501(c)(3) Subscribe or donate Global competitiveness and power challenge have made both the West and Russia to maintain their influence in the ongoing Azerbaijani-Armenian conflict. Following the recent visit of the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and the discussion over the problem made the Kremlin's top diplomat Dmitry Peskov to voice a concern over the matter. He made a statement that "trilateral agreements are the only basis for resolving the situation". But for some reason, despite the proposal for a trilateral agreement that comes from Russia, Armenia opposes to sit at the negotiation table with Azerbaijan. In reality, Armenia, which carries out Russia's orders, either behaves like whimsical or tries to show itself as an independent decision-maker. A questionable moment arises in the middle; either Russia is playing games or Armenia has gone astray from its orbit... A Ukrainian political analyst, the Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Oleksandr Oleksandrovich Merezhko, who commented on the issue to Azernews, called Russia's mediation void. Under no circumstances should Russia be trusted. Especially in relation to neighboring states- Merezhko said. In response to another question that if Russia is not a trusted partner, then what is the role of the Russian peacekeeping troops, which have temporarily been stationed in Azerbaijan's Karabakh, the expert said: There is no doubt that it is in the interests of Azerbaijan that Russian troops leave Karabakh and the South Caucasus region as soon as possible, he replied. Besides, an Azerbaijani Political analyst Ilgar Valizade provided a supportive answer to the expert's comment, saying that there are only a couple years left till the peacekeeping contingent to complete its duty in the country. "In 2025 the mission of the peacekeeping contingent expires, and if they don't fulfill their duties properly during this period, it is likely that Azerbaijan will demand the withdrawal of the troops from the region. Russia is just trying to maintain its presence in the region, and I think after 2025 they will not be needed here, the pundit said. Ilgar Valizade added that despite the presence of the peacekeeping troops in the region, and even the verbal support by the EU and the US none of the parties could deter Armenia from resorting provocations. "Unfortunately, provocations continue. For this reason, peace talks are in doubt. Although efforts have been made by various countries and administrations on this topic, it has not been of any avail. As for the statement made by Russia, they are more concerned about the efforts of the West rather than solution to the ongoing problem. Besides, Armenia still ignores the opinion of all parties, including Russia, Valizade opined. The historian also shared an incident related to the Armenians: I remember the Armenians proposed to erect a monument to the Nazi criminal Garegin Nzhdeh near the prison in the city of Vladimir where he was serving his sentence. Naturally, this idea was actively exaggerated in the Armenian press. And in Russia, it was completely ignored as a crazy and foolish idea in any way." While sharing his views, Alexander Merezhko said that Azerbaijan is Russia's close ally in all respects. Karabakh is a territory under the full sovereignty of Azerbaijan. I think it is not so important for Azerbaijan that its territorial integrity be "recognized" by everyone. The main thing is that all states respect this idea. This is their international legal obligation. Therefore, it is impossible to put forward any additional conditions in this matter, he concluded. Zelenskyy: Ukrainians and Europeans wont understand if there is no invitation for Ukraine to join Alliance at NATO summit in Vilnius Most Ukrainians and Europeans will not understand NATO leaders if an invitation for Ukraine to join the Alliance is not voiced at the Vilnius summit, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a video message on Thursday. In fact, the talks with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg were devoted to the same thing today in Kyiv. Defense of Ukraine. Protection of the entire rules-based international order. Protection of life, he said. "We are preparing for the Ramstein meeting, and Mr. Stoltenberg's position is important. We are preparing for our active actions at the front: they are inevitable. We are preparing for the NATO summit in Vilnius, which is scheduled for this summer," Zelenskyy said. But its content, he said, "is already being worked out at such meetings, in contacts of various levels that we conduct with our partners." "Neither the majority of Ukrainians, nor the majority of Europeans, nor the majority of residents of the entire NATO space will understand the leaders of the Alliance if a well-deserved political invitation for Ukraine to join the Alliance is not voiced at this summit in Vilnius," the president said. According to him, Ukraine has done everything to ensure that its application was satisfied. "It's hard to even say whose contribution is greater to European Euro-Atlantic security than our soldiers Ukrainians defending freedom with their lives. I thank all the partners who support us in this," he also said. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com The declaration of Eid Al Fitr holidays in several Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries came yesterday amid ongoing debates over the possible sighting of the crescent moon on Thursday or Friday. Sparking this debate was a cautionary statement from the International Astronomy Centre, which warned that a rare hybrid solar eclipse could make it difficult to see the crescent with the naked eye on Thursday. Despite this, countries such as UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait have stepped ahead, declaring holidays for their public and private sector employees. Although some parts of West Africa were exempted from the prediction, the Centre had said that observing the crescent would require exceptional weather conditions, a professional observer, and an accurate telescope. Regardless of the situation, the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs here has called on people with testimony or news of sighting the crescent to contact the Sharia Vision Authority, while Saudi Arabias authority has also appealed to people to report sightings to the nearest court. Astronomers had also said that it is not possible to sight the crescent because of a super-rare hybrid solar eclipse, which will include both a total eclipse and an annular eclipse, also known as a ring of fire effect. Since the Moon is close to the Earth, it completely obscures the Sun, and therefore will not be visible in the sky all night, astronomers said. Solar eclipses occur when the Sun, the Moon, and Earth line up, either fully or partially. Meanwhile, Dr Muhammad Shawkat Odeh, Director of the International Astronomy Center, announced that Friday, April 21, will be the first day of Eid Al-Fitr 2023 in most Arab countries, except for a few, such as Morocco and Oman, where Eid is expected to be on Saturday. The Australian Fatwa Council also said that Saturday will be the first day of Eid al-Fitr in the country, as astronomical calculations confirm that it is not possible to see the crescent of the month of Shawwal on Thursday evening, according to the International Astronomy Centre. Eid holidays In UAE, private sector employees, effective yesterday, until Sunday, will enjoy a four-day weekend for Eid. Saudi Arabia also announced a four-day weekend. Qatar has declared an 11-day holiday starting from Wednesday with employees returning to work on April 30, 2023. Oman and Kuwait will have a five-day weekend, starting on April 20 and April 21, respectively. Employees in Oman will resume work on April 25, while those in Kuwait will return to work on April 26. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com Batelco, part of the Beyon Group, signed a partnership agreement with the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications and Bahrain Public Transport Company, operator of Bahrain public buses, at Batelco's headquarters in Hamala. The agreement was signed by Hussain Ali Yaqoob, Assistant Undersecretary for Land Transportation, Aseel Matar, General Manager of Consumer at Batelco, and Robert Conway, General Manager of Bahrain Public Transport Company. Through this agreement, Batelco will provide a new channel for recharging Go cards, enabling its Prepaid and Lucky customers to top up their cards via SMS text message. By launching this service, new and existing Batelco and Lucky customers will be able to recharge their Go cards by using the balance available in their Prepaid accounts. New customers may visit any Batelco or Lucky branch to sign up and get a Go card with two free trips. The recharge process is simple, customers only need to send an SMS with the required amount for the Bus fee along with their Go card number to 88188. Aseel Mattar, General Manager Consumer at Batelco, said: We are proud to be the first and the only telecom company in Bahrain to offer this new channel to top up the Go card. We always aim to provide our customers with services and solutions that will make their lives easier, and with this exclusive service we are enabling them to use their Prepaid lines not only for communication purposes, but to also conduct other transactions, she added. Calling it an "awakening of youth and passion," Chinese fans of Slam Dunk, a Japanese sports manga series, swarmed into cinemas on Thursday at midnight. The series' film version has become the top-grossing imported animation film in Chinese cinemas, as seen from pre-sales. Frequent cultural exchanges are playing an important role in bringing Asia's two biggest economies closer, but as bilateral relations spiraled down to the "most severe" point in decades, how big a role such exchanges can play remains a question. Long lines began to gather at 11 pm on Wednesday at a cinema in Southwest China's Chongqing Municipality. Most in the queue were men in their 30s or 40s, and a few even donned the red uniforms worn by characters in the series. They were waiting for the premiere of The First Slam Dunk, which began at midnight. ...continue reading , Apr 21 ( Japan Today ) - Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Friday sent a ritual offering to the war-linked Yasukuni shrine in Tokyo, a source of diplomatic friction with China and South Korea, which regard it as a symbol of Japan's past militarism. Meanwhile, economic security minister Sanae Takaichi offered prayers at the Shinto shrine on the first day of the two-day spring festival. Takaichi, known for her hawkish views on security policy, has visited Yasukuni on various occasions, including its seasonal festivals. Kishida sent the masakaki offering, but the premier, who heads a dovish faction within the conservative ruling Liberal Democratic Party, is likely to eschew an in-person visit as he did previously. Yasukuni shrine honors the souls of the country's more than 2.4 million war dead, but Japanese wartime leaders convicted as war criminals in a post-World War II international tribunal are also enshrined there. ...continue reading Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Austria has frozen Russian financial assets worth almost EUR2 billion, Austrian Finance Minister Magnus Brunner said. "The effective application of sanctions against Russia is in the interests of Austria, Europe and the United States. We support Western sanctions against the aggressor and have frozen almost EUR2 billion of financial assets since the start of the war," Brunner tweeted on Thursday. Darien remained No. 1 and two more Connecticut girls lacrosse teams entered the rankings, giving the state five schools in this week's Nike/USA Lacrosse National Top 25. Sacred Heart-Greenwich jumped in at No. 17, and Ridgefield made its first appearance at No. 24. New Canaan held the No. 4 spot, with Wilton making a huge leap, jumping seven spots to No. 12. Greenwich Academy is included among the other teams considered for the Top 25. The week ahead will feature a number of matchups between Top 25 teams. Ridgefield is facing Darien on Thursday, April 20, and the Blue Wave will then take on No. 6 Ward Melville in a road game at 10 a.m., Saturday. All three teams were 7-0 entering play on Thursday. New Canaan (5-0) will host Darien at 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 26, and Wilton (7-0) hosts Ridgefield at 6 p.m., Thursday, April 27. The Blue Wave solidified its hold on the nations No. 1 spot with a 13-12 victory over No. 3 St. Pauls at the USA Lacrosse Headquarters in Maryland on Saturday. That game featured 32 players who have committed to college teams, according to Inside Lacrosse. New Canaan swept three New York teams during the past week, beating Westhampton Beach, Rye and Somers. Wilton handled defending Class M champion Guilford and Greenwich, with a one-goal victory over North Shore (N.Y.) in between. Sacred Heart-Greenwich improved to 7-1, with its only loss coming in a 9-8 decision to Darien on April 4. Ridgefield scored a big 11-10 win over Greenwich Academy last Thursday and followed with victories over Farmingdale (N.Y.) and Staples. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate HARTFORD A 12-year-old girl died after she was shot in the head during a drive-by shooting that left three others wounded Thursday night in the city's Asylum Hill neighborhood, authorities said. Hartford police said Se'Cret Pierce, a seventh grader at Thirman L. Milner Middle School, was likely not the intended target of the shooting. She was pronounced dead at Saint Francis Hospital at 7 a.m. Friday, police said. "This is a painful day in our community," a visibly shaken Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin said Friday during a news conference. I dont have the words I want to say to Se'Crets mom and loved ones that we are all so deeply sorry. That we are with them today in grief, in prayer and with love. Se'Cret's grandfather, Rev. Sam Saylor, spent the night at the hospital with family hoping for a miracle. "It was more crying than talking," said Saylor, whose son, Shane Oliver, Se'Cret's father, was killed in a Hartford shooting in 2012. Saylor said medical personnel worked hard through the night, but it was evident his granddaughter would not "return from the damage that had been done to her brain." "There's just thoughts of loss. Thoughts of Shane. Thoughts of frustration," he said. "Just anger and bewilderment. We're broken." Asked to talk about his granddaughter, Saylor said he would leave that to her mother, who has asked for privacy. "I'm a generation removed from that, but there is no grief like a mother's grief," he said. Police were alerted to gunfire on Huntington Street by a ShotSpotter activation around 8:40 p.m. Thursday, Lt. Aaron Boisvert said. Responding officers found two wounded people a male victim who was shot multiple times and Se'Cret, seated in a parked car who had been shot in the head, Boisvert said. At this point, it appears that the 12-year-old girl had nothing to do with the incident and was not the intended target, Boisvert said. Boisvert said police have reviewed video from neighborhood surveillance cameras that "painted a perfectly clear picture of what happened." Businesses that reopened Friday were a source of additional video, he added. "We are very confident that at some point today we hopefully will identify the suspect vehicle," Boisvert said. Police believe the suspect vehicle was carrying a driver and at least one other passenger. Bronin said the three people who survived the shooting had "extensive firearm involvement and criminal history," and called on them to cooperate with investigators, saying he believed they knew who fired the bullet that killed Se'Cret. "It is not acceptable not to share the information you know about who took the life of a 12-year-old girl. That's not fair to her family. That's not fair to her loved ones, it's not fair to her memory, it is not fair to our community," Bronin said. Hartford Schools Superintendent Leslie Torres-Rodriguez said Se'Cret was enrolled in the seventh grade at Milner and had previously attended Sarah J. Rawson Elementary School. She described her as "loved" by fellow students and educators. She said Se'Cret was "excited" to get back to school. "The mayor referenced when a tragedy happens, such as this one, it does have wide ripples," Torres-Rodriguez said during Friday's news conference. "And to us, Se'Cret was one of our beautiful and very capable students." She said the district has activated its crisis support teams at Milner and Rawson. "Trauma is not foreign to us in Hartford and Hartford Public Schools," the superintendent said, adding that dealing with the trauma is an "extended process." Boisvert said the 18-year-old male victim was listed in "stable" condition as of Friday morning. Boisvert said two other shooting victims, a 16-year-old boy and a 23-year-old man, arrived on their own at Saint Francis Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Boisvert said the male victims were the likely targets of the shooting, adding that the incident was "very unfortunate, very tragic, sickening." A makeshift memorial with votive candles had been arranged Friday morning outside the Hartford public safety complex. Saylor went to the scene of his granddaughter's shooting Friday afternoon to clean up a bloodstain that was left on the sidewalk in front of 48 Huntington St., where a vigil will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday. Saylor brought large blue hospital bandages to keep the area from being walked on anymore, bleach, water and a push broom to scrub the area clean. He sat on the front porch of the building with his head in his hand while he waited for Se'cret's mother, Bianca Pierce, and other family and friends to clean up the area. A short time later, Bianca Pierce and more than a dozen others arrived to scrub, cry, hug and pray. "We are in no way wiping away the horror of today's event," Saylor said as he and others watched the water used to finish the job trickle into the street and a nearby drainage grate. "We will remember that her life was ended right here." Hartford's seventh homicide of the year was the latest violence to rock the city. Last year, the city saw 39 homicides, the most since 2003. As city officials pledged their support for the family and community in the wake of the killing, it also resurfaced painful memories of other incidents in Hartford where young people became the unintended victims of gun violence. Bronin has proposed legislation at the Capitol that would make it more difficult for people with multiple felony gun convictions to be on the streets and said he believed that legislation would have had an effect on at least one of the victims of Thursday's drive-by shooting. Se'Cret's death was similar to at least two other Hartford shootings where children were wounded or killed in the crossfire. In April 2021, police said 3-year-old Rondell Jones was killed when a car pulled up alongside the vehicle he was riding in and a gunman opened fire. Police arrested Tyquam Malone on charges of murder and second-degree larceny in the killing. Malone, then 16, was initially charged as a juvenile, but the case was transferred to adult court. Malone pleaded not guilty to the charges and remains in custody on $1.5 million bond. In 2001, 7-year-old Takira Gaston was shot in the face while riding her scooter near her home during what police said was a shootout between rival gang members. She survived the encounter. The shooter was later convicted of first-degree assault and criminal attempt to commit first-degree assault. Mark Bibbins, a longtime city resident, wondered on Friday why the bystander shootings of young children continue in Hartford. "It's the same conversation with different names," he said. "Nothing changes." Clarification: This story has been updated to clarify the spelling of Se'Cret Pierce's first name. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate DANBURY When Penny Kessler, the cantor-spiritual leader of the United Jewish Center was ordained as a cantor, she had two goals. She said she wanted to ensure that people felt a friendship and sense of family within the congregation and to help people find their Jewish path to God. I hope that Ive accomplished those goals, Kessler said. Using music to teach, to embrace people and to help people embrace Judaism is wonderful. But Kessler, who became the UJCs cantor in 1995 and its cantor-spiritual leader in 2020, has decided the time is right to step down. I have been thinking about this for some time, said Kessler, who said she uses her background in music to bring the Jewish community closer to God. The UJC has been a part of my life since 1984, when I joined the adult choir under the direction of Cantor Sam Radwine. As the cantor, she sings and leads congregants in prayer in Jewish religious services, sometimes called a hazzan. But Kessler said she decided she was ready to step back from my clergy responsibilities and hand over the reins to the next clergyperson. Its time for another generation of clergy to come in to this position, make their mark and continue to move this congregation forward, said Kessler, who lives in Bethel. Her last day as UJCs cantor-spiritual leader will be at its services on June 30. Cantor Lilah Sugarman was unanimously elected to serve as the new senior clergy beginning July 1. Kesslers impact Over the years at the UJC, Kessler said she has worked with five rabbis, five educators, seven office administrators-secretaries, three custodians and many dedicated lay leaders and volunteers, including a passionate adult choir. She said she has taught hundreds of students, young and old, preparing hundreds of bar mitzvah and bat mitzvah students, including adults, and worked with adults who converted to Judaism. She has also taken part in countless baby namings; weddings; funerals; hospital visits; shiva minyanim, or prayer services for mourners; and many hours of pastoral counseling. Kessler made an impact throughout her time as cantor and senior clergy but getting the congregation through the COVID-19 pandemic was huge, United Jewish Center President Bonnie Wunsch said. We are forever in debt to Penny for her dedication, but the last three years she really stepped up to the plate as we got through the pandemic, Wunsch said. At the time we lost our senior rabbi, and Penny became our senior clergy. She was amazing and kept the spirit of enthusiasm going, tireless in her effort to make sure all of us at the UJC were connected. With the help of the centers choir and technology team, Kessler embraced the use of Zoom as the community went into lockdown, he said. Penny had the knack of bringing everyone together, including at the high holidays. When everything was shut down at the height of the pandemic, she set up a studio in her home and coordinated services through Zoom, Wunsch said. The COVID-19 pandemic posed her biggest and most memorable challenge, Kessler said. That was especially true after the UJCs rabbi left in early April 2020 before Passover. Becoming senior clergy, before the pandemic, you would only think about the normal things associated with being senior clergy, she said. When COVID struck and had its biggest impact, it was the same time I became senior clergy. COVID was huge, something you dont plan for and quickly became a priority, and it became very chaotic. At the time, the UJC had to find a way to keep the congregation together, she said. We became familiar with how to run Zoom. We held services; worked together with our religious school director and held our Hebrew school and religious classes, Kessler said. But virtual services posed some limits, she said. But how would we sing together? On Zoom, when each person is unmuted and everyone talks at the same time, there tends to be interference. But we eventually made it work. Kesslers journey In Judaism, years of extensive religious education, similar to that of a rabbi, is required in order to become an officially recognized cantor. A native of Brooklyn, N.Y., Kessler received her bachelors degree in music from Brooklyn College. A spiritual experience led Kessler to become a cantor. In 1990, she took an eight-week course at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York and also spent a summer taking a Biblical Hebrew course at Yale. In 1993, Kessler was ordained by and received her masters degree and investiture as a cantor in sacred music at the Hebrew Union College Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music in New York. She also received a doctor of divinity from Hebrew Union College in 2018. Kessler was an intern cantor at the Jewish Family Congregation in South Salem, N.Y., from 1991 to 1993, then served as cantor-educator there from 1993 to 1995. She became cantor at the United Jewish Center in 1995, and has doubled as cantor-spiritual leader there since 2020. This is the saddest of times and happiest of times, said Leslie Reiter, a member of the UJC choir and former member of the UJC Board of Directors. Its sad to see her retire, but also happy to see she will have more time for herself, Reiter said Kessler. She has a passion for music and education and has given so much to the congregation. She has been a part of every family here. She has been a part of every life cycle in my family. As she prepares to step down, Kessler said she expects to feel mixed emotions the next three months. But I am excited to go on my next venture in life. She said she will remain involved at UJC and will continue to serve on Bethels Planning and Zoning Commission. I am looking forward to doing something new and exploring all the options that are out there, Kessler said. The United Jewish Center staff has planned two events open to the public to honor Kessler. A Cantor Kessler Tribute Concert will be held from 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, April 22, at the United Jewish Center. To register, visit www.unitedjewishcenter.org/event/cantor-kessler-tribute-concert.html. The United Jewish Center Gala will serve as a retirement dinner for Kessler. It will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. May 21 at the Portuguese Cultural Center in Danbury. For more information call the UJC at 203-748-3355. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky called on Mexico to join the implementation of the Ukrainian Peace Formula. "The world and our striving for peace are stronger than any aggressor! The Ukrainian Peace Formula is addressed primarily to the world and this is its strength. It is addressed to everyone who can participate in the implementation of specific points of the Formula and become a co-creator of the victory over evil a co-creator of peace. Peace must become irreplaceable. That is why evil must lose. That is why we turn to the world for support," Zelenskyy said in a video message to the Mexican Parliament. "That is why we call on all conscientious states to join global efforts to implement the Ukrainian Peace Formula. I invite you to choose which point in the Peace Formula allows Mexico to show leadership! I sincerely wish you peace! I invite you to work together for the safety of our nations and the safety of the world as a whole!" the president said. Zelenskyy noted that "Ukraine had already proposed to the community of Latin American countries to convene a special summit and speak unanimously in defense of global principles territorial integrity, peace and respect between peoples, the sovereignty of nations. I believe that with the help of Mexico, this can happen much faster." "Mexico protects the peaceful life of peoples. Your people will understand us and understand Ukraine," Zelenskyy said. Saratoga Springs, N.Y. When it comes to horse racing, there is no shortage of places in the United States for fans hoping to watch the majestic creatures compete. The nation is home to over 300 horse racing tracks, USA Today reports. Of those many, varied tracks, which are the best? USA Today has worked to answer that question in a new 10Best contest a contest that has deemed an Upstate New York race track one of the nations premier places to watch horses race. The Saratoga Race Course is one of the 10 best horse racing tracks in the U.S., according to the 10Best contest. The historic Saratoga Springs course called the granddaddy of American horse racing tracks by 10best was ranked at No. 5 on the list. After 160 years in business, the Saratoga course remains one of the nations premier tracks, 10Best wrote. Thoroughbreds run from July to September on both dirt and turf tracks, and Saratoga also hosts steeplechase races on certain days, 10Best wrote in its ranking. Famous races run here include the $1.25 million Travers Stakes, which draws huge crowds wearing their stylish best. The Saratoga Race Course made the list alongside one other New York venue: Long Islands Belmont Park, ranked at No. 10. Delta Downs in Vinton, Louisiana, was voted No. 1. Nominees for the 10Best contest were picked by a panel of experts. Readers voted to pick the winners. Horses break from the gate during opening day in 2016 for thoroughbred racing at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, NY. Ed Burke I Contributing photographer for New York Upstate READ MORE Want to run a B&B? Quirky 138-year-old inn for sale in Upstate NY Vintage vibes, Adirondacks views await on historic Saratoga Corinth & Hudson Railway Stewarts Shops makes the best peanut butter ice cream in North America, contest rules From Saratoga with love: Celebrate 60 years of James Bond with car exhibit in Upstate NY This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate OMAHA, Neb. (AP) Rail unions want railroads to take some of the billions they're using every year to buy back their stock and spend it to improve safety in the wake of several high-profile derailments and hire more workers. The 12 unions that represent all of the more than 100,000 workers across the industry said Friday that collectively the six biggest freight railroads spent over $165 billion on buybacks well above the $119 billion they spent on upgrading and maintaining their track and equipment between 2015 and last year. At the same time, their safety record worsened as they cut costs and eliminated nearly one-third of all rail jobs. I think it has become increasingly apparent that the priorities of the railroads are out of whack, said Greg Regan, president of the AFL-CIO's Transportation Trades Department coalition that includes all the rail unions. The fiery Feb. 3 derailment of a Norfolk Southern train that led to evacuations and health fears near the Ohio-Pennsylvania border, combined with a string of other derailments since then, triggered rising concerns about railroad safety and an host of reform proposals from Congress and regulators. Unions say the recent derailments and the problems railroads have had keeping up with shipping demand highlight their concerns about how overwhelmed workers have become after extensive job cuts. They say inspections are being rushed with workers getting maybe a minute to check out each rail car and preventative maintenance may be neglected. Railroads defend their safety record and insist that cost cuts haven't made their operations riskier. Safety data from the Federal Railroad Administration does show that the rate of accidents per every million miles freight trains travel increased to 16.695 from 15.572 over the past decade even though the total number of incidents declined as the railroads hauled less freight on fewer, longer trains. The rate of accidents inside railyards also worsened from 11.044 in 2013 to 15.517 last year. Regulators say the accident rate hasn't worsened enough to show the new operating model the industry adopted over the past six years is unsafe. And the Association of American Railroads trade group has said railroads have a strong safety record overall, and they remain the safest option to transport hazardous chemicals across land routes. The railroads also say the large amount they spend on capital investments which averages to more than 18% of their revenue reflects their commitment to maintaining safe networks. Any suggestion that railroads fail to invest appropriately, and that this in turn is related to a negative safety record, is categorically false," AAR spokesman Ted Greener said. Union Pacific CEO Lance Fritz defended his railroad's spending. The first dollar we generate and spend goes to either the employees or our railroad, Fritz said. We have a great track record in terms of investment in the railroad and its actually in some of the best condition Ive ever seen it and its ever been in. So I think weve got the amount of capital being deployed to safety and the spending on safety right. Business experts say there's nothing inherently wrong with stock buybacks even though they have become a popular political target of Democrats who say the repurchases tend to widen inequality between wealthy investors, railroad executives and workers. The government imposed a 1% tax on buybacks at the start of the year and President Joe Biden has talked about quadrupling that. Buybacks reward shareholders by reducing the number of shares and making the remaining ones more valuable. Many investors prefer them over dividends because of the tax advantages. Dividends are treated as ordinary income and taxed at up to 37%. If buybacks boost a stocks value, investors who hold the shares long enough pay a lower capital-gains tax on the profit when they sell no more than 20%. And investors expect to be compensated for putting their money into a company, said Charles Elson, who founded a corporate governance center at the University of Delaware. You have to return capital to your investors or no one invests -- particularly a capital intensive business like a railroad," Elson said. Buybacks aren't without drawbacks. They do make stock options more valuable, enriching executives, and Elson said companies could wind up wasting money if they overpay for their stock. But railroads aren't likely to abandon buybacks. Billionaire investor Warren Buffett, whose Berkshire Hathaway conglomerate owns BNSF railroad, has said stock repurchases benefit all investors equally as long as companies buy the shares when they aren't overpriced. When you are told that all repurchases are harmful to shareholders or to the country, or particularly beneficial to CEOs, you are listening to either an economic illiterate or a silver-tongued demagogue (characters that are not mutually exclusive), Buffett wrote in his shareholder letter. The railroad anti-buyback campaign follows similar efforts by airline unions last year. The rail unions say even if railroads do continue to buy back shares, they should do it at a much lower level and invest more in safety and their employees. Leo McCann, president of the American Train Dispatchers Association, said the railroads are putting investors first while cutting corners on things like training and refusing to listen to worker concerns about safety. There's little or no investment in the workers. It's all about how much money you can make for Wall Street, McCann said. The railroads' spending decisions have also contributed to low morale among workers after last year's bruising contract fight that nearly ended in a strike after the railroads refused to consider adding paid sick time. Since the start of the year, railroads have eased that stance and agreed to provide sick time to a number of their unions but workers still generally don't feel very appreciated. Dean Devita, president of the National Conference of Firemen & Oilers union, said it's troubling that the railroads seem to make all their business decisions based on financial not safety concerns. You want to make money, thats fine, Devita said. We want the railroads to be profitable. We want them to make money. But when you get to that point where now its greed -- and thats what Wall Street could do with these hedge funds -- that kills. Greed will kill you. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) Prosecutors on Friday formally dismissed an involuntary manslaughter charge against Alec Baldwin in the fatal 2021 shooting of a cinematographer on the set of the Western film Rust, citing new evidence and the need for more time to investigate. In a stunning turnaround for the 65-year-old A-list actor, special prosecutors Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis filed the notice to dismiss the only remaining criminal allegation against Baldwin in state District Court in Santa Fe. Prosecutors say the investigation of the shooting that killed Halyna Hutchins and injured director Joel Souza is ongoing. An involuntary manslaughter charge against Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the weapons supervisor on the film, is unchanged. Friday's court filing echoed early statements from prosecutors that new facts had been revealed that demand further investigation and forensic analysis. On Thursday, after Baldwin's attorneys announced the decision, the special prosecutors said the decision does not absolve Mr. Baldwin of criminal culpability and charges may be refiled. They have declined further comment and only vaguely addressed the matter during a virtual status conference Friday in Gutierrez-Reed's case. Los Angeles-based entertainment litigator and defense attorney Kate Mangels, who is not involved in the Rust case, said opportunities for further charges against Baldwin are narrowing. If they dont have the evidence now, I dont see what evidence they could obtain or that could develop. It looks like they already had 30 people on a witness list, a cooperative (codefendant) witness, investigations done by various law enforcement agencies. It seems like this has already been pretty well investigated. I cant imagine what would arise to bring new charges. Authorities have not determined how live ammunition found its way into the .45-caliber revolver made by an Italian company that specializes in 19th century reproductions. Baldwin has said the gun fired accidentally after he followed instructions to point it toward Hutchins, who was behind the camera. Baldwin said he pulled back the hammer but not the trigger and the gun fired. An August FBI report on the agencys analysis of the gun found that, as is common with firearms of that design, it could go off without pulling the trigger if force was applied to an uncocked hammer such as by dropping the weapon. The only way the testers could get it to fire was by striking the gun with a mallet while the hammer was down and resting on the cartridge, or by pulling the trigger while it was fully cocked. The gun eventually broke during the testing. After reading the FBI report, retired Seattle police Detective Donald Ledbetter said it was unlikely the gun would have gone off without the trigger being pulled. In March, Rust safety coordinator and assistant director David Halls pleaded no contest to a conviction for unsafe handling of a firearm and received a suspended sentence of six months of probation. He agreed to cooperate in the investigation of the fatal shooting. A defense attorney for Halls said Friday that he is happy for Baldwin and also wishes the best for the Hutchins family. Mr. Halls never believed Mr. Baldwin should be charged with a crime. It was a tragic accident that is best resolved out of criminal court, defense attorney Lisa Torraco said in an email. When the manslaughter charges were announced in January, Santa Fe District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies said the case was about equal justice under the law and accountability in Hutchins death, regardless of the fame or fortune of those involved. She said the Ukrainian-born cinematographers death was tragic and preventable. A new legal team took over prosecution of Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed in late March, after the original special prosecutor appointed in the case resigned. When word of the dismissal came, Baldwin was at Yellowstone Film Ranch on the set of a rebooted Rust production, a representative for Rust Movie Productions said. Preparations for filming were underway at the film's new location in Montana, 18 months after the shooting shut it down. Gutierrez-Reeds attorneys said they fully expect her to be exonerated in the judicial process. A preliminary hearing scheduled in May was pushed back to August on Friday after prosecutors said they need more time. The truth about what happened will come out and the questions that we have long sought answers for will be answered, the lawyers, Jason Bowles and Todd Bullion, said in a statement. Before Friday's dismissal, the case against Baldwin had already been diminishing. In February, a weapons enhancement to the manslaughter charge was dropped, reducing the maximum prison sentence from five years to 18 months. Baldwin's 40-year career has included the early blockbuster The Hunt for Red October and a starring role in the sitcom 30 Rock, as well as iconic appearances in Martin Scorseses The Departed and a film adaptation of David Mamets Glengarry Glen Ross. In recent years, he was known for his impression of former President Donald Trump on Saturday Night Live." Baldwin has worked little as an actor since the shooting but hardly went into hiding. He stayed active on social media, making Instagram videos, posting podcast interviews and pictures of his wife and seven children. He and his wife posted pictures on their Instagram accounts Thursday embracing each other. Plans to resume filming were outlined last year by the cinematographer's widower, Matthew Hutchins, in a proposed settlement to a wrongful death lawsuit that would make him an executive producer. Souza has said he will return to directing Rust to honor the legacy of Halyna Hutchins. Gloria Allred, attorney for other Hutchins relatives who filed their own lawsuit, and for Rust script supervisor Mamie Mitchell, who witnessed the shooting and filed the first suit over it, said Friday that her clients will press forward with their civil litigation against Baldwin, regardless of what happens with the criminal charges. Mr. Baldwin should know that we remain committed to fighting and winning for our clients and holding him accountable for pointing a loaded gun at Halyna Hutchins, pulling the trigger, and killing her, Allred said in a statement. ___ This story has been updated to correct that the August FBI report did find a scenario in which the gun could have gone off without the trigger being pulled, and to correct the spelling of Morrissey. ___ Dalton reported from Los Angeles. Associated Press writers Susan Montoya Bryan in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Eugene Johnson in Seattle contributed. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate WASHINGTON (AP) The song is simple and tinny, but that hasnt stopped it from being embraced by former President Donald Trump and his allies in their campaign to rewrite the history of the deadly Capitol riot. The tune, Justice for All, is the Star-Spangled Banner, and it was sung by a group of defendants jailed over their alleged roles in the January 2021 insurrection. Recorded over a prison phone line, the national anthem sounds more like a dirge than celebration and is overlaid with Trump reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Despite its low fidelity, Justice for All has garnered a lot of fans. Trump, a Republican, played it at a recent rally in Waco, Texas, as images of Capitol rioters flashed behind him on a big screen, and the $1.29 song last month briefly vaulted to No. 1 on iTunes, supplanting such recording artists as Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift. Experts on extremism and propaganda say the song is another example of how Trump and his most ardent allies are trying to gloss over an avalanche of evidence proving the Capitol riot was anything but an act of patriotic resistance. And it shows how such revisionists have dug deep into authoritarian playbooks that rely heavily on the use of national identity to sway public opinion. In this case, Trump and his allies are ironically relying on America's most patriotic song in their efforts to whitewash an insurrection that contributed to five deaths and left more than 120 police offices injured, experts said. We should not be surprised that this propaganda is effective, but it is shocking to see this in this country," said Federico Finchelstein, chair of the history department at the New School for Social Research in New York, an expert in authoritarian disinformation. "What they are demanding is that reality be put aside for the loyalty of the leader. And that leader in this case is Donald Trump. Law enforcement officials who battled rioters are aghast, calling the song a cynical effort to mislead Americans about the truth of what transpired during the Jan. 6 attack. Some of these people are trying to get a rise out of people, and some of these people are just using it to make a buck, said Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn, who received the Presidential Citizens Medal for his actions on Jan. 6. People can believe whatever they want to believe, but this is real life. Polls show Americans remain divided by ideology when it comes to their views of Jan. 6. A survey last year from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that about half believe Trumps involvement warranted criminal charges. A second poll revealed that only about 4 in 10 Republicans recall the attack as very violent or extremely violent. Those doubts have been fueled by cable television hosts and far-right podcasters who have spent two years pushing outlandish theories to mitigate the horror of that deadly day. Jan. 6 defendants, who issued tearful apologies and expressions of remorse in court, are now boasting of their participation or seeking to profit from it. Groups have sprung up to sell T-shirts emblazoned with Free the Jan. 6 Protesters and other merchandise that seeks to portray the rioters as principled demonstrators. Many say they are trying to raise money for the Jan. 6 defendants and their families. That is the case with the groups behind Justice for All, or at least what they claim. Just as in other commercial ventures involving diehard Trump supporters and conspiracy theorists, it is difficult to pin down even basic facts about the songs production and profits. The songs producers wont say how much the song has raised, say how the proceeds will be split among Jan. 6 defendants or identify the vast majority of 20 or so participants on the recording. They have, however, been eager to tout the songs success. Buh Bye Miley, Taylor, Rihanna, and all the rest who spent Millions trying for the coveted Number 1 spot, one of the producers, Kash Patel, wrote on Trumps social media platform, Truth Social, on March 21. Hello new Music Mogul @realDonaldTrump. We just took a flame thrower to the music industry. Claiming the top spot may provide bragging points, but conquering the iTunes chart isnt the achievement it once was, as the number of people downloading music has plummeted given the popularity of streaming services like Spotify. Aside from the $1.29 download, vinyl records of the song are sold online in different color schemes prices range from $99.99 to $199.99. Released in early March, the song is associated with The Justice for All Project, Inc., a nonprofit registered the same month with an address in Sarasota, Florida. Ed Henry, a former Fox News personality, is listed as a director of the organization and is credited with Patel as being a producer of Justice for All. Another director of the nonprofit is Tom Homan, former head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement under Trump. He is also the CEO of The America Project, a Florida group that has spent millions of dollars on efforts to undermine faith in U.S. elections. The group has sponsored conferences for election deniers, helped bankroll the partisan and flawed review of Arizona ballots following the 2020 election. It now has chapters in several states. The America Project was founded in 2021 by Michael Flynn, a former Army general who briefly served as Trumps national security advisor, and Patrick Byrne, the founder of the online retailer Overstock.com. In a series of text messages, Byrne confirmed to The Associated Press that The America Project helped create the song. Further obscuring the song's genesis: Its record label is listed as Mailman Media, a for-profit company that was only registered in Florida in February. Its unclear which organization receives proceeds from the song. Mailman Media's involvement was first reported by Forbes. A spokeswoman for Patel and Henry declined to respond to questions about the song or the irony in using it in such a way. The Star-Spangled Banner was penned by Francis Scott Key after the bombardment of Ft. McHenry by the British in the War of 1812. Just weeks earlier, redcoats had burned the U.S. Capitol to the ground; that was the last time the building had been the scene of such a violent attack. Others who are working to assist Capitol riot defendants and their families said they also have few insights into how the song will help their cause. None of the organizations that are working on this are aware of how the money will be spent, or how it will help Jan. 6 defendants, said Trennis Evans, a Jan. 6 participant who operates a legal advocacy group for other defendants known as Condemned USA. Evans pleaded guilty last year to a federal misdemeanor for illegally entering the Capitol. The 20 inmates singing in the J6 Prison choir make up a tiny fraction of the 1,000 people who have been charged with federal crimes related to the riot. More than 600 have pleaded guilty or been convicted, and more than 450 have been sentenced, with over half receiving prison terms ranging from seven days to 10 years. Just one choir member has been identified: Timothy Hale-Cusanelli, now serving four years in prison for his actions during Jan. 6. Hale-Cusanelli is a family friend of Cynthia Hughes, a New Jersey woman who leads a separate organization raising money for Jan. 6 defendants. A spokeswoman for Hughes confirmed Hale-Cusanelli's participation on the song but said Hughes was too busy to respond to questions. Before he joined the mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol, Hale-Cusanelli was an Army reservist who sometimes styled his mustache like Hitler and who alarmed coworkers with his comments about women and Jews. Prosecutors alleged the 33-year-old New Jersey man urged other rioters to advance; video footage captured him yelling profanities at police and screaming the revolution will be televised! On the witness stand during his trial, Hale-Cusanelli testified he didnt realize that Congress met in the Capitol or that it was in session that day, to certify Democrat Joe Biden's 2020 presidential election victory over Trump. I know this sounds idiotic, but Im from New Jersey, Hale-Cusanelli said. In all my studies, I didnt know there was an actual building that was called the Capitol. Its embarrassing and idiotic. The judge said Hale-Cusanellis claim was highly dubious. Prosecutors called it a lie. A jury convicted him of felony obstruction of an official proceeding and four related misdemeanors. An attorney for Hale-Cusanelli did not return messages seeking comment. At his sentencing in September, like many Jan. 6 defendants, Hale-Cusanelli expressed regret for his role in the attack. My behavior that day was unacceptable, and I disgraced my uniform and I disgraced the country, he told the judge before being sentenced to four years in federal prison. If theres any kind of service that I can provide to rectify the damage done to the Capitol building or to injuries or anything done to the Capitol or Metro Police," he told the judge, "I stand by to perform whatever that duty might be. He has become a performer, of sorts on a song that seeks to recast himself as a patriot, not a rioter. ___ Associated Press writer Michelle R. Smith contributed to this report. An iconic Hartford restaurant space is reopening again in the city's Frog Hollow neighborhood, but with a new concept. Fire by Forge will take over the former Firebox on Broad Street, which closed during the COVID-19 pandemic in June 2020 after 13 years in the capital city. The new restaurant is managed by Forge City Works, a Hartford-based nonprofit that provides culinary job training and food access. The restaurant officially opens April 25, said Forge City Works executive director Ben Dubow, serving breakfast and lunch for the first month and adding dinner hours by the end of May. The debut comes after months of fundraising for the new project, which allowed for a full rebuild of the restaurant's kitchen. "We're really excited. It's Pan-American inspired food, so so the menu will be a little bit different and really focused on the ethnic groups that live here in Frog Hollow, but also that make up our trainees," Dubow said. "We're letting that food and those stories inspire our menu." Winter Caplanson / New England Food & Farm Forge City Works also ran The Kitchen on Broad Street, which served breakfast and lunch menus at a cafe adjacent to the former Firebox building and offers prepared foods and catering. The cafe is merging with Fire by Forge, relocating to the building at 539 Broad Street where the daytime meals will be served from Firebox's former bar area. Where Firebox was more of a fine dining restaurant, Dubow said Fire by Forge is aiming for more of an upscale-casual experience, hoping it will become more accessible to a wider audience. "It's still a place you can come for a celebration dinner, an expense account dinner, like you would have expected at Firebox," he said. "But also you can come in for a more casual breakfast or lunch, and hopefully [it's] more accessible to both the neighborhood as well as the way people dine now." Winter Caplanson / New England Food & Farm Breakfast will launch with egg sandwiches, breakfast burritos and empanadas filled with scrambled eggs, vegetables and chorizo; along with blue corn masa waffles with customer choice of toppings (including fried chicken with chili honey). Other options include blueberry crisp oatmeal, avocado toast and a "good morning" banana split, with split banana, yogurt, fruit, granola and chocolate hazelnut spread. At lunch, Fire by Forge offers salads and bowls featuring tuna poke and rice, salmon with quinoa and vegetables and a tacu tacu bowl with Peruvian rice and black bean fritters, vegetables, grilled chicken and fried egg. Sandwiches include an "All American" burger, a Nashville hot chicken sandwich, a tripleta with pernil, ham and salami, and a vegan BLT with house-smoked tempeh. The dinner menu, launching about a month after the initial opening, will feature main plates like steak frites, cedar plank salmon, duck breast with mole sauce, pan-roasted branzino and skillet mac and cheese. Vegetarian and vegan options include Caribbean quinoa "fried rice" with grilled cauliflower "steak" and a plant-based snack board, with vegan garlic-herb "cheese" spread, mushroom pate and crudite. The restaurant will have a full bar with beer, wine and signature cocktails. While most of the menu is new to Fire by Forge, Dubow said two specialties have remained (or returned), including The Kitchen's signature curry chicken salad sandwich on cranberry walnut bread and Firebox's fried Brussels sprouts appetizer with tamari soy caramel and crushed almonds. As a social enterprise of Forge City Works, Fire by Forge is fully integrated with its culinary and customer service job training program, according to its website. Forge City Works provides transitional employment opportunities, internships, and apprenticeships to people over the age of 18 with barriers to employment, such as poverty, incarceration, the experience or risk of homelessness, addiction and recovery. Fire by Forge will also introduce a benefits and compensation charge of 18 percent, applying it to each check in order to offer "above standard" hourly wages as well as revenue share, paid time off, healthcare coverage, retirement fund matches and other benefits. "Our goal is to get everybody from the dishwasher to the host stand up to $22.45 an hour, which is the Hartford definition of a living wage right now," Dubow said. Additional tipping beyond the charge is never expected, but always appreciated, he said. Winter Caplanson / New England Food & Farm The Melville Charitable Trust launched Firebox in 2007, with a vision "to serve extraordinary food and to bring jobs, investment, and opportunity to the community." The restaurant was an early destination for farm-to-table fare, its menus created from fresh and seasonal Connecticut produce, seafood, meat and dairy products. Firebox announced its closing on June 2, 2020, citing the pandemic and "the uncertainty it's brought." "It has become clear that we are simply unable to sustain the restaurant in its current form going forward," representatives said in a statement at the time. Plans to revive the restaurant in some form had been in the works for about two years, said Dubow, but were halted as Forge City Works' founding executive director Cary Wheaton died in May 2021. Wheaton had a "real vision" for the equity model, he said, and as he took over the director role in 2022, he and his team continued to pursue that as a key part of the restaurant's mission. "We started to look at what made sense and what was viable," he said. Understanding that the dining world has changed post-pandemic, they decided to move away from the high-end menus and prices. "Firebox was so high-end that it was a little bit off-putting to the local neighborhood, and we wanted to address that really intentionally," he said. "We wanted a menu that was more accessible, a price point that was more diverse. That was really important to us." The restaurant's commitment to a farm-to-table menu, which changed frequently, also didn't make for the best culinary training environment, Dubow said. Winter Caplanson / New England Food & Farm "Trainees need the opportunity for repetition to learn well, and a farm-to-table, always changing menu does not lend itself to that," he said. "We had to rethink the whole brand and the whole concept around making the training really the center of it." Dubow said Fire by Forge will partner with other Connecticut businesses, including Giv Coffee in Canton, the Spice Mill in Manchester and Alvarium Beer Co. in New Britain, which plans to make a signature beer for the new restaurant. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate NEW YORK (AP) New York City authorities identified a longtime employee of a parking garage that collapsed earlier this week as the lone fatality in a tragedy that is under investigation by the Manhattan district attorney and building inspectors. The medical examiner's office said the 59-year-old man was crushed to death when the parking structure imploded Tuesday afternoon. Police identified him as Willis Moore. The collapse shook nearby buildings as the thunderous implosion startled people all around the area and kicked up a thick plume of dust just blocks from City Hall and the Brooklyn Bridge. Five other people were injured when the three-story building tumbled down, burying dozens of cars in tons of debris. The City's Building Department is looking into why the century-old structure collapsed. Inspectors had cited the property owner two decades ago for failing to properly maintain the building, finding at the time that there were cracks and defects in the concrete. A more recent inspection in fall 2013 showed no further structural issues, according to an update that the Building Department provided Wednesday. Building owners had until the end of the year to conduct a structural inspection of the structure under a safety program launched by the city last year. The new requirements ordered an initial inspection and additional inspections at least once every six years. Enterprise Ann Parking, which operated the garage on Ann Street, said it was cooperating with authorities in their probe. A spokesman for the company called the collapse a tragedy. We are devastated at the loss of one of our long-time employees and our thoughts are with his family and those who were injured in the accident, the companys spokesman, Jeremy Zweig, said in a statement Wednesday night. Fire crews recovered Moore's body late Wednesday afternoon. The medical examiner's office said he had died from blunt force trauma of head, torso, and extremities. The death was ruled an accident. Moore's family could not be immediately reached. Adam Cohen, who lives near the parking garage, said he regularly saw Moore when he went by the structure to walk his daughters to school. He's parked his vehicle at the garage for more than a decade. He remembers waving to Moore on Tuesday morning, hours before the tragedy. I know Willis was out around helping people with their cars, he said. Another patron, Ahmed Scott, described Moore as a friendly man. Every morning Id see him, said Ahmed Scott, one of the regulars. When I was leaving that morning the last time we saw each other we smiled, waved at each other." Crews on Thursday continued demolition work, using heavy machinery to dig into the rubble. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate LOS ANGELES (AP) The U.S. is setting a record pace for mass killings in 2023, replaying the horror on a loop roughly once a week so far this year. The carnage has taken 88 lives in 17 mass killings over 111 days. Each time, the killers wielded firearms. Only 2009 was marked by as many such tragedies in the same period of time. Children at a Nashville grade school, gunned down on an ordinary Monday. Farmworkers in Northern California, sprayed with bullets over a workplace grudge. Dancers at a ballroom outside Los Angeles, massacred as they celebrated the Lunar New Year. In just the last week, four partygoers were slain and 32 injured in Dadeville, Alabama, when bullets rained down on a Sweet 16 celebration. And a man just released from prison fatally shot four people, including his parents, in Bowdoin, Maine, before opening fire on motorists traveling a busy interstate highway. Nobody should be shocked, said Fred Guttenberg, whose 14-year-old daughter, Jaime, was one of 17 people killed at a Parkland, Florida, high school in 2018. I visit my daughter in a cemetery. Outrage doesnt begin to describe how I feel. The Parkland victims are among the 2,842 people who have died in mass killings in the U.S. since 2006, according to a database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today, in partnership with Northeastern University. It counts killings involving four or more fatalities, not including the perpetrator, the same standard as the FBI, and tracks a number of variables for each. The bloodshed represents just a fraction of the fatal violence that occurs in the U.S. annually. Yet mass killings are happening with staggering frequency this year: an average of once every 6.53 days, according to an analysis of The AP/USA Today data. The 2023 numbers stand out even more when they are compared to the tally for full-year totals since data was collected. The U.S. recorded 30 or fewer mass killings in more than half of the years in the database, so to be at 17 less than a third of the way through is remarkable. From coast to coast, the violence is sparked by a range of motives. Murder-suicides and domestic violence; gang retaliation; school shootings and workplace vendettas. All have taken the lives of four or more people at once since Jan. 1. Yet the violence continues and barriers to change remain. The likelihood of Congress reinstating a ban on semi-automatic rifles appears far off, and the U.S. Supreme Court last year set new standards for reviewing the nations gun laws, calling into question firearms restrictions across the country. The pace of mass shootings so far this year doesn't necessarily foretell a new annual record. In 2009, the bloodshed slowed and the year finished with a final count of 32 mass killings and 172 fatalities. Those figures just barely exceed the averages of 31.1 mass killings and 162 victims a year, according to an analysis of data dating back to 2006. Gruesome records have been set within the last decade. The data shows a high of 45 mass killings in 2019 and 230 people slain in such tragedies in 2017. That year, 60 people died when a gunman opened fire over an outdoor country music festival on the Las Vegas Strip. The massacre still accounts for the most fatalities from a mass shooting in modern America. Heres the reality: If somebody is determined to commit mass violence, theyre going to, said Jaclyn Schildkraut, executive director of the Rockefeller Institute of Governments Regional Gun Violence Research Consortium. And its our role as society to try and put up obstacles and barriers to make that more difficult. But theres little indication at either the state or federal level with a handful of exceptions that many major policy changes are on the horizon. Some states have tried to impose more gun control within their own borders. Last week, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a new law mandating criminal background checks to purchase rifles and shotguns, whereas the state previously required them only for people buying pistols. And on Wednesday, a ban on dozens of types of semi-automatic rifles cleared the Washington state Legislature and is headed to the governors desk. Other states are experiencing a new round of pressure. In conservative Tennessee, protesters descended on the state Capitol to demand more gun regulation after six people were killed at the Nashville private elementary school last month. At the federal level, President Joe Biden last year signed a milestone gun violence bill, toughening background checks for the youngest gun buyers, keeping firearms from more domestic violence offenders and helping states use red flag laws that enable police to ask courts to take guns from people who show signs they could turn violent. Despite the blaring headlines, mass killings are statistically rare, perpetrated by just a handful of people each year in a country of nearly 335 million. And there's no way to predict whether this year's events will continue at this rate. Sometimes mass killings happen back-to-back like in January, when deadly events in California occurred just two days apart while other months pass without bloodshed. We shouldn't necessarily expect that this one mass killing every less than seven days will continue, said Northeastern University criminologist James Alan Fox, who oversees the database. Hopefully it won't. Still, experts and advocates decry the proliferation of guns in the U.S. in recent years, including record sales during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. We have to know that this isnt the way to live, said John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety. We dont have to live this way. And we cannot live in a country with an agenda of guns everywhere, every place and every time. The National Rifle Association did not respond to the APs request for comment. Jaime Guttenberg would be 19 years old now. Her father now spends his days as a gun control activist. America shouldnt be surprised by where we are today, Guttenberg said. Its all in the numbers. The numbers dont lie. But we need to do something immediately to fix it. ___ Fenn reported from New York. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate VERNON The impaired driver who turned into the path of an oncoming police car initially blamed his fiancee for the crash that caused her death, according to the warrant for his arrest. Phillip A. Vargas was arraigned Friday on second-degree manslaughter with a motor vehicle and other charges in state Superior Court in Rockville. With help from two relatives and leaning heavily on his crutches, Vargas struggled to rise from his seat in court, grimacing in pain, when his name was called and slowly approached the defense table. The former Marine, who wore a cervical collar and braces on his leg and foot, had posted $75,000 bail Thursday night with the help of his family, according to his lawyer, James Sulick. His case was continued to June 30. Vargas, 33, of Nye Street in Vernon, was arrested on a warrant Thursday in Bridgeport, the hometown of his fiancee, Bianca Colon Hernandez, who was killed in the violent collision on April 2. Colon Hernandez, 25, was a teacher at Springfield Preparatory Charter School. Their 1 -year-old son Damian was strapped into a safety seat in the back of the car during the crash and was treated for minor injuries. Vargas suffered life-threatening injuries in the crash. Police Officer Andre Lisee, who was not wearing his seatbelt, was treated for injuries that police described as non-life-threatening. According to his arrest warrant, Vargas told a Vernon police sergeant in the ambulance that someone else was driving the car and provided a false name for the person, the warrant stated. Police said the false information caused a delay in positively identifying Colon Hernandez. Vargas later claimed Colon Hernandez was behind the wheel when the crash occurred, according to the warrant. In addition to second-degree manslaughter with a motor vehicle, Vargas was charged with operating while under the influence, second-degree reckless endangerment, operating a motor vehicle containing a passenger younger than 18 while under the influence, risk of injury to a minor and failure to grant right of way when turning left, according to Manchester Police Chief William Darby. Manchester police led the investigation by Metro Traffic Services, a regional traffic team, to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest. According to the warrant for Vargas arrest, Lisee was driving east between 86 and 90 mph at the time of impact with the Nissan Sentra as the Nissan began to turn left from Hartford Turnpike to Bolton Road. Vargas' green arrow traffic signal had expired, the warrant said. The officer was on his way to a domestic violence incident after a fellow officer asked for help, police said. In addition to the call for backup, Lisee told investigators he heard popping sounds on his police radio that he thought was gunfire. "I believed these 'pops' were gunshots and that Officer Zawadski and Officer Sutherland were involved in a shooting," Lisee said, according to the warrant. He also said that when he approached the intersection, "the traffic light for the intersection was solid green for eastbound and westbound traffic, therefore, the left turn signal for westbound traffic would not have been on," the warrant said. Despite the officers speed, the warrant concluded that Vargas would have been able to see the approaching police car which had both its lights and sirens activated, the warrant said. An analysis by traffic investigators showed Vargas had a clear and unobstructed view of (the police SUV), with its emergency lights and sirens activated, 461 feet prior to the collision. It took 3.6 seconds for the SUV to travel that distance, according to the warrant. Vargas blood-alcohol content was 0.10, above the legal limit of 0.08, the warrant stated. He tested positive for cannabinoids or synthetic THC, alcohol and naloxone, the drug that is used to revive people when they overdose on opioids. His blood tested negative for opiates, however, according to the warrant. Police said medical staff may have administered naloxone when Vargas was being treated at the scene or hospital. Lab technicians told police it appeared he had used a THC vape or ingested an edible the day of the crash, the warrant said, and the level of cannabinoids "within his system indicates he was experiencing the psychoactive effects of delta-8 THC." There were two Fireball nip alcohol containers near the Nissan Sentra and 27 nip bottles, some opened, inside the car, the warrant said. Also inside the car were two open Guinness beer bottles, according to the warrant. Investigators wrote in the warrant that there was no way to know if Vargas was using a cellphone at the time of the crash because he did not give police his PIN access code when asked. Another piece of evidence police lack is dashboard camera footage. There is no dash cam in the patrol vehicle, a 2022 hybrid Ford Explorer. None of Vernons police vehicles have dash cams, which is a violation of state law. The cameras are on order, Police Chief John Kelley said. However, the Nissan Sentra did have a dashboard camera, but the VanTrue dash camera and memory card contained no video images or usable files, according to the warrant. Colon Hernandez was described in her obituary as a vibrant and caring person, "a force to be reckoned with." A 2019 graduate of Fairfield University, she spent her high school years attending Bullard-Havens Technical High School in Bridgeport, graduating in 2015. She was a multi-sport high school athlete and a member of the National Honor Society, said Kerry Markey, director of communications for the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System. Before getting her teaching job in Springfield, she taught in Bridgeport Public Schools. Even though she lived in Vernon and worked in Massachusetts, Colon Hernandez traveled to Stratford every other weekend to work at the House of Pho restaurant, according to its owner, Loi Le. "She didnt work here because she needed to, she worked here because she wanted to," Le said after her death. "Shes family here." Members of Ramstein format provide Ukraine with more than $55 bln aid, allies united as never before Pentagon chief In total, the members of the Contact Group on the Defense of Ukraine have provided Ukraine with more than $55 billion in aid, the allies are united as never before and will support Ukrainians for as long as it takes, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said. In total, the members of this Contact Group have provided more than $55 billion in security assistance for Ukraine. That's a tenfold increase since we first met, Austin said, opening the 11th meeting of the Contact Group on the Defense of Ukraine in the Ramstein format in Germany. He also recalled that earlier this week the United States announced a new package of security assistance to Ukraine in the amount of $325 million. We've now provided more than $35 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion began, Austin noted. The head of the Pentagon stressed that after more than a year, Ukraine is still strong, and the support of partners is unshakable. And I'm proud of the progress that we have made together, Austin added. According to him, after more than a year of Russian aggression and deceit, this Contact Group is as united as ever and more global than ever. He stressed that allies together will make sure that Ukraine has what it needs to live in freedom. Together, we will defend the rules-based international order that keeps us all secure. And together, we will support Ukraine for as long as it takes, the defence minister said. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate MOSCOW (AP) Russia's military acknowledged that a bomb accidentally dropped by one of its warplanes caused a powerful blast in a Russian city not far from Ukraine's border, injuring two and scaring local residents. Belgorod, a city of 340,000 located about 40 kilometers (25 miles) east of the Russia-Ukraine border, has faced regular drone attacks during Russia's current military operation in Ukraine. Russian authorities blamed the earlier strikes on the Ukrainian military, which refrained from directly claiming responsibility for the attacks. The explosion late Thursday was far more powerful than anything Belgorod residents had experienced before. Witnesses reported a low hissing sound followed by a blast that made nearby apartment buildings tremble and shattered their windows. It left a 20-meter (66-foot) -wide crater in the middle of a tree-lined avenue flanked by apartment blocks, damaged several cars and threw one vehicle onto a store roof. Two people were injured, and a third person was later hospitalized with hypertension, authorities said. Immediately after the explosion, Russian commentators and military bloggers were abuzz with theories about what weapon Ukraine had used for the attack. Many of them called for strong retribution. But about an hour later, the Russian Defense Ministry acknowledged that a weapon accidentally released by one of its own Su-34 bombers caused the blast. The ministry did not provide any further details, but military experts said the weapon likely was a powerful 500-kilogram (1,100-pound) bomb. Military experts charged that the weapon appeared to have been set to explode with a small delay after impact that would allow it to hit underground facilities. Belgorod Gov. Vyacheslav Gladkov said local authorities decided to temporarily resettle residents of a nine-story apartment building while it was inspected to make sure it hadnt suffered structural damage that rendered it unsafe to live in. In an editorial gaffe, an anchor on Russian state television followed the news about the local authorities dealing with the explosion's aftermath by declaring that modern weapons allow Russian units to eliminate extremists in the area of the special military operation from a minimal distance. The anchor looked visibly puzzled by the text that he had just read. Russian commentators questioned why the warplane flew over Belgorod and urged the military to avoid such risky overflights in the future. Some alleged that the bomb that was accidentally dropped on Belgorod could be one of a batch of modified munitions equipped with wings and GPS-guided targeting system that allows them to glide to targets dozens of kilometers (miles) away. The Russian air force has started using such gliding bombs only recently, and some experts say that they could be prone to glitches. In October, a Russian warplane crashed next to a residential building in the port city of Yeysk on the Sea of Azov, killing 15 people. Yeysk hosts a big Russian air base with warplanes that fly missions over Ukraine. Military experts have noted that as the number of Russian military flights have increased sharply during the fighting, so have crashes and misfires. In another deadly incident in the Belgorod region, two volunteer soldiers fired at Russian troops at a military firing range, killing 11 and wounding 15 others before being shot dead. Coyotes continue to be a problem for Niagara residents, including currently in the north end of Niagara Falls. North-end resident and Coun. Mike Strange said neighbours have been dealing with a pretty big coyote problem. We had four coyotes that basically walk around, and theyve been gone for the winter, but theyve come back now and everyones pretty afraid because theyre walking down the street and theyre huge and it doesnt seem like anything is bothering them, he said during a meeting this week. Theyre out walking right past you. I talked to (a resident) who has a small dog, and he was really scared and its getting to the point where people are actually bringing weapons and knives, just in case, because they dont know what to do if one of these things attack. Strange said there are three elementary schools in the area, and some cats have gone missing. Im just looking for some kind of direction or help. I would just be afraid if something happened, if they went after a small child, he said. Some of the residents theyre seeing (the coyotes) even during the day now. Mike Brown, who lives in the area and regularly walks his dogs, said he has had some close encounters with coyotes. Last week, coming down Appleford 10:30 in the morning, a coyote actually came running out of Rousseau (Place) and it came charging at myself and my 15-pound dog, he said. It got about 15 feet away and I actually bought one of those portable air horns back in the fall when they really were out all the time and that day, I did not have it with me, so I just started making myself big and screaming at it, loud noises, and it (took) off, but it was scary. Brown said coyotes are rampant in the area and theyre not scared anymore. Theyre out in broad daylight, he said, adding hes not worried so much about himself, but for pets. Theres a big field on Olden (Avenue), its a hydro field you can see them. Theres a bazillion rabbits out this way, too, so theyre being fed. Reports of the presence of coyotes have been received from across Niagara in recent years. In the fall there were reports from Thorold and in 2021, there were similar reports from Port Dalhousie. Coyote Watch Canada, a volunteer-run non-profit wildlife organization, provides several recommendations for people who encounter coyotes. They include picking up small children and pets when a coyote is spotted, and never run from or turn your back on a coyote or other canines, including domestic dogs. Be big and loud, the organizations website advises. Yell, Go away! Never scream. A strong voice and assertive gestures send a clear message. More information is available online at Coyote Watch Canada Strange said in an interview that when the problem began last spring and summer, he contacted city staff and Coyote Watch. Residents were told to keep authorities informed of where the coyotes are seen. He said coyotes have been spotted in areas around Harriman Street, Appleford Avenue and Rolling Acres Drive. I dont want to see any animal hurt. They might feel misplaced, I guess, from development and stuff, Im not sure. During the council meeting, Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati said he remembers similar concerns in the past around Father Hennepin elementary school and in other areas of the city. He said Coyote Watch discovered the problem was people feeding the coyotes as well as bird feeders. Bird feeders attract squirrels and birds and coyotes eat squirrels and theyre creating this food chain, said Diodati. People were setting up their wildlife cameras to catch the coyotes eating the food they were putting out. We put newsletters in everybodys mailboxes. Diodati said he has seen coyotes along the Haulage Trail and the hydro corridor. Thats their buffet they come up and down and look to eat things and then when they run out of rabbits, they look for (cats) and things like that. Erik Nickel, Niagara Falls director of municipal works, said staff will investigate. We might want to look at increasing the strength of our bylaws around bird feeders and things like that to get to the root of the problem, he said. SHARE: Youre guilty until proven innocent. Thats the message the federal government is sending to airlines as it unveils new legislation to deal with passenger complaints. In a news conference Monday, federal Transport Minister Omar Alghabra said the government had a simple goal as it put together changes to the Transportation Act: give airlines less wiggle room for getting out of compensating passengers. Its clear there are some loopholes that needed to be closed, said Alghabra as he discussed the changes, which are in an omnibus budget bill that received first reading in the House of Commons last Thursday. Among the targets? A widely criticized loophole that has allowed airlines to avoid paying compensation by claiming the cause of a delay or cancellation was outside their control, and necessary for safety purposes. Previously, passengers had to make their case that a delay or cancellation was within the airlines control. Now, the burden of proof will shift to the airlines if the legislation is passed. It is presumed to be within the carriers control and not required for safety reasons unless the carrier proves the contrary, said the legislation, which also envisions a shorter, 90-day time frame for resolving passenger complaints. The current complaints process with the Canadian Transportation Agency, at least on paper, is supposed to take 120 days. Shifting the burden of proof from passengers to airlines is a matter of fairness, Alghabra said in an interview with the Star. The idea here is to rebalance the asymmetry of power between the airline and the customer, Alghabra said. While that principle will take effect once the budget bill is passed, likely before parliaments summer break, the precise definition of whats within an airlines control wont be known until regulatory changes come into effect, something Alghabra hopes to see by the end of the year. But in the interview, Alghabra made it clear hes trying to end the wiggle room. The airlines cant say that because of staff shortage, its outside of their control. Airlines should be preparing the human resources needed to fly an airplane ahead of time, said Alghabra. To leave a passenger stranded at the last minute because suddenly they discover that they didnt have enough resources? They should have planned better. The legislation also increases the maximum fines the CTA can levy on airlines to $250,000 from $25,000. The association representing Canadas major airlines criticized the legislation, saying it wont make anything better for passengers. The best passenger protection regime is a system in which travel disruptions are minimized nothing in these legislative changes will accomplish that, Jeff Morrison, president and CEO of the National Airlines Council of Canada, said in an emailed statement. Still, Morrison and airline officials were encouraged that Alghabra broached the idea of shared accountability for delays and cancellations, suggesting airlines could seek compensation from other stakeholders, including airports. We know were the point of contact with passengers, and we accept that. But we need the accountability to be able to recover those costs, said Andy Gibbons, vice-president of external affairs at WestJet. The legislation also revealed more details proposed by the federal government in its March budget, including shifting the CTA complaints process into a mediation structure instead of its current quasi-judicial form. The government had come under heavy pressure to respond to the chaos that unfolded in airports as COVID-19 travel restrictions were gradually lifted. Backlogs of complaints about delays and cancellations, lost or damaged bags and other passenger concerns swamped the CTA. With the proposed changes, the government is on the right track, at least in theory, argued John Gradek, a former Air Canada executive and head of McGill Universitys Global Aviation Leadership program. This is something that the airlines have been pushing back against hard, said Gradek, adding that the changes would bring Canadas Air Passenger Protection Regulations more in line with stricter European regulations. This brings us closer to Europe, no question. Still, Gradek said passengers shouldnt get their hopes up that the new complaints process will be much quicker. There doesnt appear to be consequences if time lines arent met, Gradek said. Theres no accountability there, which is disappointing, Gradek said. NDP transportation critic Taylor Bachrach agreed. I dont see anything in there that would hold the CTA accountable if they dont meet those time lines, said Bachrach. Were going to be likely to see more passengers sleeping on floors and out thousands of dollars. Bachrach said airlines will still be able to get off the hook for compensating passengers. Im not confident this is going to make a significant difference for Canadian air passengers, said Bachrach, who said the government should have followed the approach in his private members bill, which he argues gives the airlines even less wiggle room. Canadians have been frustrated by this process at every turn. The government should be standing with passengers, not with big airlines, Bachrach said. Passenger rights advocate Gabor Lukacs was even harsher, calling the proposed changes smoke and mirrors. This is the government wanting to be seen doing something rather than actually doing something, said Lukacs, adding that he had no confidence that the new process will be quicker than the current one. Ninety days is the time line on paper. But right now the time lines are 120 days, and people are waiting 18 months, said Lukacs. The proposed new CTA complaints system also clamps down on how much information is released during the process, and doesnt really define criteria for evidence or proof. To call this a kangaroo court would be doing a disservice to kangaroos, said Lukacs. Id still recommend people go to small claims court for their complaints. This is smoke and mirrors. In his interview, Alghabra insisted the backlog of complaints would shrink with the new system, and with $75.9 million in new funding from the federal government for the CTA. My understanding is that the majority of that will go to front-line staff, Alghabra said. SHARE: GRANDE CACHE, ALBERTA - Alberta RCMP say a 28-year-old educational assistant is facing six charges related to the sexual exploitation of two minors. Mounties are identifying the accused as JJ Lenin Butler from the western Alberta hamlet of Grande Cache. They say he was arrested Tuesday and charged with three counts of sexual assault, two counts of sexual exploitation and one count of possessing child pornography. RCMP say Butler has been released from police custody with conditions and is set to appear in court on May 4. Mounties did not identify the school Butler worked at and say they will not release details about the charges he faces. They say investigators believe there may be more victims and are encouraging people to come forward. This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 20, 2023. SHARE: EDMONTON - A pizza restaurant employee, who was shot last month by the same teen police believe killed two officers days later, has suffered a setback in his recovery due to a suspected brain infection, his family says. Rich Albert, 55, was shot at a Pizza Hut in northwest Edmonton on March 12. Police say the suspect is a 16-year-old boy who on March 16 fatally shot two officers in a nearby apartment complex. Leslie Albert said her brothers health experienced a major setback earlier this month after his temperature started rising. Rich Albert was moved to a traumatic brain injury rehabilitation facility in the last week of March. He was scheduled to return home on April 21 after undergoing weekly physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech and memory therapy. On April 5, he had a myoclonic seizure, the sister said in an emailed statement. Myoclonic seizures are brief, shock-like seizures in muscles. He was placed in isolation and, because the rehab facility isnt equipped to deal with this medical condition, Rich was transported to a hospital, she said. Leslie Albert said her brothers temperature returned to normal on Saturday thanks to antibiotics and antivirals. With the fever gone, we were hopeful that he would be more alert and able to verbalize, she said. Sadly, that has not been the case. Before the fever, he was able to talk and stand with assistance. Its uncertain when hell be discharged from the hospital. His sister said the turnaround from the initial bright outlook of recovery has taken an immense toll on both Albert and his wife, Norma physically, emotionally and financially. The family started a fundraiser last month to help with the cost of treatment, medication and rehabilitation. Police have said the gun used to shoot Albert was the same weapon used by a teen who killed the two Edmonton police officers. Constables Brett Ryan, 30, and Travis Jordan, 35, were responding to a family dispute at the apartment complex in the northwestern part of the city when they were shot multiple times. Police say the teen then shot and wounded his mother in a struggle for the gun before shooting and killing himself. Deputy Chief Devin Laforce said a bullet casing recovered from the Pizza Hut was forensically matched to the gun recovered from the apartment. Police are investigating both cases. This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 20, 2023. ---- This story was produced with the financial assistance of the Meta and Canadian Press News Fellowship. Read more about: SHARE: Ottawas inaction on the importation of items thought to be made through forced labour in Chinas Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region is a growing concern in the United States, say advocates there and in Canada. This week, during a committee hearing in Washington, D.C., witnesses said there is concern Canada has only seized one shipment of such goods and that this country risks becoming a dumping ground for items denied entry into the U.S. Canadas inaction seems to be getting some attention in the U.S. Capitol, Mehmet Tohti of the Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project said. There is also growing concern the U.S. cannot do it alone unless the neighbouring countries like Mexico and Canada take the necessary action. Tohti said there are also fears shipments of goods denied entry to the U.S. over concerns they were made from Uyghur forced labour are being bounced across the border to Canada, where they are then sent back to the states and getting through customs. The rights of Uyghur and other Turkic minorities in China have been under scrutiny in recent years. China has conducted a campaign of massive surveillance and incarceration of the mostly Muslim population of the region. Part of it has included sending what is estimated to be more than 1 million people to internment camps. The government insists they were vocational training centres. Allegations of forced labour, physical and sexual abuse have been made by those who have spent time in the camps, including to a Canadian parliamentary subcommittee. In 2021 Canadas Parliament, with cabinet abstaining from the vote, declared the actions a genocide with a non-binding motion. Concerns about inaction on the part of Ottawa came up during a hearing in Washington earlier this week on the implementation of the countrys Uyghur Forced Labour Prevention Act (UFLPA). The law, passed by the U.S. Senate in December 2021, prohibits goods made in the Xinjiang region from being imported to the United States. The hearings, through the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, are examining how the legislation has worked so far and how to apply it in future. During the hearing Tuesday, Anasuya Syam of the Human Trafficking Legal Centre in Washington raised concerns Canada is seriously lagging behind on enforcement. Canada amended its customs tariff in 2020 to target forced labour but has seized only one shipment, which was later released. We are concerned by the slow implementation from our neighbour, Syam said. Mexico, on the other hand, did announce its import ban in February 2023 and will begin implementing it in May. By contrast the U.S. has denied 490 shipments under the UFLPA, according to the countrys Customs and Border Protection dashboard. Syam called for all three countries to take a regionwide approach to the forced labour issue, pointing out under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) all three countries are obligated to track cross border movement of goods made using forced labour. Trade ministers from the three nations need to get together to discuss the issue, Syam said, as it is currently not clear if the three countries have a strategy to stop such shipments. Concern over goods made from forced Uyghur Labour has hung over Canadas border enforcement efforts. A 2021 investigation by the Toronto Star and Guelph Mercury Tribune found hundreds of shipping containers full of goods on a U.S. list of suspected Chinese companies using forced labour had come into Canada, including 500 tonnes of clothing. Media relations manager Guillaume Berube said in an email the Canadian government is committed to eradicating forced labour from the countrys supply chains through working with partners. But Berube also pointed out the responsibility also rests with companies. The Government of Canada expects companies to take every step possible to ensure that their supply chains conform to Canadian law, Berube wrote. It is the responsibility of the importer to exercise due diligence to ensure forced labour is not directly or indirectly used in the production of the goods it imports. Tohti said, despite the claims, there is little movement on preventing such goods from getting through Canadas customs. Read more about: SHARE: Rapid response teams of the Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) honed their skills in providing assistance to the population during the flood at the joint exercises of rescue services. "In Kyiv, an exercise was held to respond to an emergency situation related to flooding ... Rapid response teams of the Ukrainian Red Cross Society joined the exercise," the URCS reported on Facebook on Thursday. In the event of a flood threat, the main task of the rapid response teams is to evacuate the population and provide them with first medical and psychological assistance. According to the URCS, during the exercises, volunteers of the rapid response teams worked out such actions as deploying a headquarters, rescue operations to remove flood victims from a drifting boat, providing emergency medical care to victims in difficult weather conditions, and catering for evacuated people. Special equipment was involved in training to rescue victims on the water. More than 120 representatives of rescue and utility services took part in the joint exercises. As reported, in 2023 the water level in the Dnipro River is 0.5-1 m higher than last year. According to the Ukrainian hydro-meteorological center, the peak of spring floods in Kyiv is expected approximately on April 22. Now there is flooding of floodplain territories, which are flooded almost every year during the spring flood, in particular, the islands of the Muromets Park, Hydropark, Trukhanov Island, Galerna Bay, Korchyvate, and private areas in the Osokorky area. VANCOUVER - The British Columbia Conservation Officer Service says a West Vancouver man has been fined for feeding black bears at his home. Court records show Vitali Shevchenko faced two charges under the Wildlife Act. One charge was stayed, and Shevcheko was fined $5,000 Wednesday in provincial court in North Vancouver, after pleading guilty to the single count of feeding dangerous wildlife. The conservation officer service says its investigation began after videos surfaced on social media in 2018. The videos showed an adult and two children feeding a black bear and a cub from the window and door of a West Vancouver home. The conservation officer service says on social media that the majority of the fine will go toward the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation to support wildlife and habitat projects as well as environmental education programs. This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 21, 2023. Note to readers: Correct to say the man is from West Vancouver Read more about: SHARE: A senior Republican on the Senate Judiciary committee is demanding that U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration chief Anne Milgram address allegations of improper hiring and contracting of her past associates. The request Thursday by Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa follows an Associated Press investigation finding that a federal watchdog is investigating whether strict federal rules on no-bid contracting and hiring may have been violated to channel DEA work to Milgrams associates. These are serious allegations, and DEA must respond to them and clear the air, Grassley wrote in a letter sent to Milgrams office, a copy of which was obtained by the AP. The scrutiny by the Justice Departments Office of Inspector Genera comes as the DEA is struggling with repeated revelations of agent misconduct and a fentanyl crisis claiming more than 100,000 overdose deaths a year that Milgram has called the deadliest drug threat our country has ever faced. The DEA didnt immediately respond to a request for comment on the letter. But Milgrams boosters inside and outside the agency have defended her actions as part of an ongoing effort to clean house, recruit talented individuals and pursue innovative ways to protect national security and the health of the American people. Much of Grassleys five-page letter focuses on a $1.4 million no-bid contract to a Washington law firm for a recent review of the DEAs scandal-plagued foreign operations that he criticized for giving short shrift to agent misconduct and how to prevent it. That review was co-authored by Boyd Johnson, former right-hand man to one of Milgrams closest friends, Preet Bharara, when he was U.S. Attorney in Manhattan. Bharara himself landed at the firm, WilmerHale, even as the review was being conducted. The report by all measures fell well short of the mark, spending most of its scant 49 pages citing publicly-available sources or the DEAs operations manuals, Grassley wrote, demanding that Milgram provide any correspondence with WilmerHale where DEA issued instructions or suggested edits of the report. Rather than answering the questions we had, this only raises new ones. Grassley, who is also co-chair of the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control. said his office had received multiple credible allegations from whistleblowers of irregular hiring that point to possible waste of federal resources as well as conflicts of interests among DEA leadership. Among them, he cites a nearly $400,000 no-bid award for data analytics to Jose Cordero, a former law enforcement official who worked closely with Milgram when she served as New Jersey attorney general more than a decade ago. DEA awarded The Cordero Group a contract within three weeks of Milgram being confirmed by the Senate to head the agency on the basis of Corderos record designing public safety strategies with rigorous crime data analysis. These do not appear to be skills that are possessed by only one company, which demands explanation of why the contract was awarded outside the normal bidding process required by law, Grassley wrote. The Iowa Republican is also looking at whether Milgram or anyone else from the DEA directed contractors to specifically hire specific subcontractors, including a New York City publicist and a former Democratic congressional staffer who Milgram knew from a public safety project she helped run in Indianapolis while teaching at New York Universitys law school. ___ Goodman reported from Miami, Mustian from New York. Contact APs global investigative team at Investigative@ap.org. SHARE: Criminal charges against a Russian academic allegedly working with her countrys security services to sway bright young westerners to Moscows world view are the result of an investigation first launched at least two years ago, the accused in the case has told the Star. At least four Canadians have been among the participants in Meeting Russia, a program launched in 2017 as an annual trip to bring young academics, analysts and journalists to Moscow for meetings with politicians, academics and other Russian leaders. A U.S. criminal complaint released this week alleges Natalia Burlinova, 39, received specific orders and funding from Russias main security service, the FSB, then flagged potentially pro-Moscow participants to an FSB handler. In an interview Friday from Moscow, the political scientist denied helping her government spy on program participants and said it was disgusting the way that American officials had sullied her reputation without, she said, even questioning her about the activities. In the eyes of the FBI, Im a criminal, but here Im a scientist and Im writing reports about the Russia public diplomacy system, she said. Specifically, its alleged that Burlinova failed to register as a foreign agent when she came to the U.S. on a trip in 2018 to promote the Meeting Russia program. Along with the criminal complaint, the FBI released a Wanted poster featuring three photos of Burlinova, a summary of the allegations against her and a warning that she was an escape risk. I dont want people in the West who see this poster to think Im a great criminal, she said. I saw (al-Qaeda leader Osama) Bin Laden with such a poster once, and to compare me with a very serious criminal who may escape escape from where? They know that I stay in Moscow. I live here. I do not hide. Burlinova said the charges came as a shock to her, though perhaps they should not have. She told the Star that she first received word back in 2021 that U.S. program participants had been visited and questioned by law-enforcement officers. Natalia, we had talks with an FBI agent and were interviewed about your program, about whether you tried to recruit us or not, Burlinova recalled being told. Some of them say they had meetings, that people in black came to their job and threatened them. Then, I didnt take it very seriously. I didnt think they would develop these cases as a kind of plot against the U.S. In July 2022, five months after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Burlinova and the organization she has headed since 2010, PICREADI, were sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department for allegedly trying to hide its relationship with the Russian government and its intelligence services. The sanctions notice read: Since at least 2017, Russias intelligence services have tracked the activities and career paths of past participants in PICREADIs events. The Star has spoken to numerous people who applied for and participated in the program, who said they looked at it as an interesting professional opportunity to meet leading Russian thinkers and officials. Some expressed surprise, others a sense of betrayal and fear that their future professional opportunities would be limited because of their participation. I think that participants in this program had seriously good intent. They came, they participated in these meetings. Everyone was intelligent. They were scholars, journalists, people working in firms, and we were genuinely critical toward the people that we met, said one female participant, who asked not to be identified. But I do think that participants can be exposed to suspicion. She added that it appeared as if Burlinova gave special attention to those who were on track to hold official government jobs. Another former participant, who was part of a July 2021 Meeting Russia reunion in Ulyanovsk, a city on the Volga River known as the birthplace of Bolshevik leader Vladimir Ilyich Lenin, said there were several unusual elements that stood out for him. Things were weird, this person said, also speaking on condition of anonymity. There was constant surveillance. I cant prove it, obviously, but with everyone we spoke to there were always the same four or five guys in black pants and leathers shoes around us. I never had any significant problems because I think they saw from the very beginning that I was not buying their crap. Burlinova said she had no knowledge of the presence or involvement of intelligence or security services in Ulyanovsk. But she noted that the 2021 conference was considered an important event for the image and profile of the region. I think that all the services within the region were focused on that, to provide security. First, medical security because there were some incidents with participants who got drunk, she said. One of them also lost a wallet and we were looking for it just before the departure. Burlinova also specifically denied that she had taken direction or money from the FSB or provided intelligence reports on individual participants. She said money for the Meeting Russia trips, as well as her 2018 trip to the United States to drum up interest for which she allegedly should have registered as a foreign agent came from Russias Presidential Fund, which required that she provide an annual accounting of how grant money was spent as well as summaries of the funded programs. We are not a pro-Kremlin organization as they describe us, Burlinova said, referring to the criminal complaint. We are a platform for conversation in Russia. She said her husband likened her legal predicament in the U.S. to someone caught in the crossfire of a bank robbery an innocent victim who finds herself in the wrong place at the wrong time. In Burlinovas case, that would be the aftermath of Russias invasion of Ukraine, which has led to a military, diplomatic and economic standoff pitting Russia against the West. We are divided now and we are polarized, she said, when asked her opinion about the war. I would say that nobodys happy about whats going on because people die from both sides. We have very, very close relations with Ukraine. Me, for example, I have relatives in Ukraine. But Burlinova says now that she is powerless. The economic sanctions and arrest warrant against her prevent her from travelling. The allegations taint a reputation and an organization she describes as her lifes work. So she has turned to one of the few people who understand the challenges she is facing: Maria Butina. Now a Russian politician, Butina was arrested in 2018 and later sentenced to an 18-month jail term for violating U.S. foreign agent laws after she infiltrated the National Rifle Association and other political groups to promote Russian interests ahead of the 2016 presidential election. She told me it would be useless to fight against the FBI, Burlinova said. But Butina suggested that she hire an American lawyer all the same to try and defend against the charges. Burlinova said, ironically, that she faces one big problem as a political scientist who now finds herself caught up in an international spy caper. I dont have money from the FSB to protect my reputation. Read more about: SHARE: PARIS (AP) A Paris court has convicted a Lebanese-Canadian academic in absentia on terrorism charges and sentenced him to life in prison over a bombing outside a Paris synagogue in 1980 that killed four and wounded 46. The court issued an arrest warrant for suspect Hassan Diab, lives in Ottawa, Canada and denies wrongdoing. His lawyers say he was in Lebanon at the time of the attack and is a victim of mistaken identity. The trial that marked the culmination of decades of investigation in one of Frances longest unsolved crimes. French authorities accuse Diab of planting the bomb outside the synagogue where 320 worshipers had gathered to mark the end of a Jewish holiday on the evening of Oct. 3, 1980, , including children celebrating their bar mitzvahs. French investigators attributed the synagogue attack to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-Special Operations. But no one ever claimed responsibility. Hassan Diab attends a press conference on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Friday, July 26, 2019. Diab is suing the federal government over his extradition to France on allegations of terrorism. The conviction was a surprise to many even in the court. Among the defense witnesses was a magistrate who investigated the case and testified that there was not enough evidence to convict Diab. The head of Frances leading Jewish group, CRIF, welcomed the conviction, and urged Canada to arrest Diab. The victims attorneys say the long-awaited trial will serve as deterrent for future terrorist acts and antisemitic sentiments. Read more about: SHARE: FREDERICTON - Former judge and law professor Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, whose claims of Indigenous ancestry have been discredited, has returned another honorary degree. A statement from Kim Fenwick, the acting president and vice-chancellor of St. Thomas University in Fredericton, says the former British Columbia representative for children and youth voluntarily relinquished the honorary degree. The statement says a university committee reviewed documents related to questions about misrepresentation of Turpel-Lafonds academic resume and Indigenous heritage and contacted her to offer the opportunity to respond. Fenwicks statement says she opted to return the degree, a decision St. Thomas University has accepted. Turpel-Lafond has already returned degrees from a number of universities in British Columbia and Ontario, while McGill University, Carleton University and the University of Regina have rescinded awards granted to her. The Indigenous Womens Collective, which has called on Governor General Mary Simon to strip Turpel-Lafond of her Order of Canada, has said she should not be given the opportunity to return awards and the institutions that granted them should instead complete their investigations. Turpel-Lafond did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday. In a statement to The Canadian Press in March, she said she was satisfied with her past work, identity and self-worth, and she found it liberating to be freed of honours to permit her to focus on what really matters in her life. This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 21, 2023. Read more about: SHARE: Laurie Brooks never thought shed one day use magic mushrooms and advocate for the ability of others to do the same. The 55-year-old B.C. resident also never imagined having colon cancer and fearing the impact her imminent death would have on her husband and four children. Her journey as a believer in the power of psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, began when a friend mentioned she could try a small dose as part of a therapy session to deal with end-of-life anxiety. The Canadian documentary Dosed: The Trip of a Lifetime, explores Brooks experience with psilocybin, which she says allowed her to gain insightinto herself and accept her cancer as it spread and she decided to forego a third major surgery. Dosed, directed by Nicholas Meyers and Tyler Chandler, was set to open Friday in Toronto before heading to cities including Vancouver, Victoria, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Halifax, Hamilton and Calgary. It comes amida court challenge filed against the federal government last July by seven patients and a health-care worker. The plaintiffs claim limited and delayed access to the psychedelic through a Health Canadaapplication process violates their right to life, liberty and security ofthe person underthe Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The government says in a statement of defence that it has international treaty obligations to regulate controlled substances and that psilocybin-based therapy has not been approved in Canada. In August 2020, Health Canada began granting one-year exemptions to qualifying patients who wanted to use psilocybin to manage end-of-life anxiety. Since January 2022, health-care professionals can apply to the Special Access Program to treat patients with the psychedelicafter conventional therapies have failed, or are unsuitable or unavailable. Brooks, who was diagnosed in 2018, was one of the first people in Canada to be given a personal exemption while she was having chemotherapy. The Abbotsford, B.C. resident took three grams of psilocybin for her first guided trip and five grams for her second time a year later. For each session, she lay on a couch blindfolded and listened to music with her therapist seated beside her. The visions she saw the first time included a kaleidoscope of colours and a forest. She went from feeling alone and afraid to calm while being led through the darkness by her deceased grandmother. Brooks says that first session helped her resolve the overwhelming grief of leaving her family behind. The second trip eased her lifelong drive to be a people pleaser who put herself last. Reached by phone while travelling in Sacramento, Calif., she says access to psilocybin through a regulated system could help people endure the anguish of a terminal illness. The current model of applying for access and waiting for a decision adds more stress for those who may die waiting, she adds. Why would you not want to help somebody? It took one experience, six hours, and thats all I needed to make a difference, she says of her first psilocybin trip. She says she was so depressed she considered applying for medical assistance in dying before she discovered psilocybin, which she says gave me life. Now I think, no, I want to squeeze every ounce of life out of this journey that I can. I dont want to know the hour and time of my own death, says Brooks, who says shes now living the dream travelling in a recreational vehicle with her husband after they sold their B.C. home in March. Honour yourself and live your life to the fullest and just enjoy. And laugh as much as you possibly can. Anxiety about death is typically treated with antidepressants, but Brooks did not consider that route due to potential side-effects. She says psilocybin offered more immediate relief. It took away my fear of dying and took away a lot of the grief and anxiety I was feeling, says Brooks. Its been a journey, but mushrooms were the catalyst to that. Dr. Gabor Mate, a retired family physician from Vancouver, as well as an author and proponent of psychedelic therapy who appears in the documentary, noted some small but significant randomized controlled trials in the United States have suggested psilocybin reduced anxiety for terminally ill cancer patients. One trial in 2016, by the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, found increases in quality of life and decreases in death anxiety continued six months after psilocybin-assisted therapy for 41 of 51 participants. I personally know of many people who have had very beneficial experiences in the hands of trained therapists, with a number of psychedelics, including psilocybin, Mate said in an interview. The study, published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, found about eight of the participants felt nauseated and 17 experienced some discomfort, such as paranoia, as part of a session that lasted four to six hours. Antidepressants have plenty of side-effects compared with psilocybin, though in rare cases patients who take the psychedelic under supervision may recall extremely traumatic events which could be processed afterwards with the therapist, Mate says. The governments are way too slow, as far Im concerned, to recognize the potential (of psilocybin). Its good to be careful, Im just saying we already have lots of evidence. Health Canada said it has greenlit two proposed trials testing psilocybin-assisted therapy for end-of-life distress one by a non-profit British Columbia program called Roots to Thrive, and another involving the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute. The B.C. trials principal investigator,Dr. Valorie Masuda, says her study on Vancouver Island would involve 64terminally ill patients of all ages and be overseen by doctors, nurses and a registered clinical counsellor. Health Canada has funded clinical trials on psilocybin to treat substance use and mental health disorders, in combination with psychotherapy. Masuda wants funding for end-of-life anxiety in Canada, too. If Health Canada expects more information from clinical trials, they should put their money where their mouth is, says Masuda, also a palliative care physician. While Health Canada is talking the clinical trial and safe-access route, really whats happening is people are accessing psychedelics in the underground, says Masuda, adding therapists who are not regulated or accountable to any professional body are putting Canadians at risk. Psilocybin treatment should involvelicensed suppliers and trained health-care providers to safeguard patientswho would be emotionally, psychologically and spiritually vulnerable while under the influence of a hallucinogenic, she says. The case filed last July in Federal Court is supported by TheraPsil, a B.C.-based non-profit that has helped three of the patients secure legal access to psilocybin through the former individual exemption process. Health Canada said in a statement that since January 2022, it has received requests from health-care professionals for 121 patients. It said access has been authorized for 93 of them while requests had been withdrawn for eight people. The remaining requests are under review. This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 21, 2023. Canadian Press health coverage receives support through a partnership with the Canadian Medical Association. CP is solely responsible for this content. SHARE: OTTAWA - The federal government has approved a contentious container port expansion project at Roberts Bank south of Vancouver, drawing swift condemnation from environmentalists. The government said Thursday that the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 Project, proposed by the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, can proceed, subject to 370 legally-binding conditions to protect the environment and prevent harm to local species. The Canada Pacific Gateway area is the countrys most important trade corridor, with more than $275 billion in trade passing through the port authority each year, it said in a statement. In the coming years, the government believes Canadas major West Coast ports will reach maximum capacity, meaning congestion will become a chronic issue, the statement said. This project would increase the ports capacity by 50 per cent, it said. Without this port expansion, $3 billion in added GDP would be jeopardized by capacity shortages. The project is also expected to create hundreds of construction jobs and several hundred more both on-site and off-site during operations, it said. The Wilderness Committee said in a statement the approval comes despite an independent environmental review that concluded the project is likely to have significant adverse effects, including on at-risk species such as killer whales and chinook salmon. Charlotte Dawe, a conservation and policy campaigner with the committee, said the decision to approve the project left her shaking with sadness and real rage and frustration. There seems to be no limit of harm thats acceptable under the federal governments eyes, Dawe said. They keep approving projects that are literally dooming species to extinction in the name of corporate profits. Dawe said the government is well aware of the potential harm to species at risk and biodiversity but chose to approve the project anyway. She said the Species at Risk Act gives the federal cabinet a lot of discretion, essentially allowing the government to sacrifice at-risk species in the name of economics. The ministers and government that are making decisions on this project know that this is a death sentence for the orcas and for the salmon, she said. They had every reason to cancel this project. One of the ports approval conditions involves monitoring noise levels and implementing procedures to delay the departure of container vessels to protect the areas southern resident killer whales. The government said the decision comes after extensive consultations with local communities and Indigenous groups. The approval of this project was not taken lightly, said federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault in a statement. With strong measures, we will protect our ecosystem, while increasing Canadas supply chain capacity to ensure Canadians receive affordable goods on time while growing our economy and creating well-paying, middle-class jobs. Christianne Wilhelmson, executive director of the Georgia Strait Alliance, said the federal governments approval of the project is devastating news and a step backwards. This is a government that last month approved $150 million to protect orcas, yet at the same time theyre approving projects that are going to harm orcas. It is a contradiction and it just shows the government is still not committed to the protection that the Salish Sea needs. Wilhelmson said the terminal project will destroy critical habitat for endangered species, further degrading biodiversity at a time when leadership from government is needed to protect it. The current system that puts the economy at all costs above the environment is the reason we are in the situation we are with the level of biodiversity loss and climate change impacts, she said. Its in these moments that a government shows its true colours about what it values. The project is a three-berth marine container terminal in Delta, B.C., about 35 kilometres south of Vancouver. The port expansion has been an issue of concern for residents of Delta for many years now, Mayor George Harvie said in a statement. The protection of the Roberts Bank ecosystem, better policing of the port, and Indigenous rights are a few of the major concerns that need to be addressed. As mayor, I will continue to work diligently with the federal government and the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority to ensure this expansion is in line with our vision for Delta. Robin Silvester, president and CEO of the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, said the projects approval will bolster our national supply-chain resilience, and deliver generational economic benefits for Canadians and Canadian businesses. The B.C. Environmental Assessment Office said it is developing a final provincial assessment report on the project and will seek input next month from First Nations and the public. This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 20, 2023. Read more about: SHARE: OTTAWAPierre Poilievres Conservatives are the reason the interim ethics commissioner quit, Liberal House Leader Mark Holland said Thursday as the government remained on the defensive over its ethical track record. Martine Richards appointment to the post drew criticism late last month after it was revealed shes the sister-in-law of Liberal cabinet minister Dominic Leblanc. Still, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau defended the choice, noting she joined the office under the previous Conservative government, was second-in-command and there are procedures in place to guard from conflicts. But the Opposition Conservatives insisted putting a family member in the position tainted the work of the office, which has found Trudeau and several cabinet ministers in violation of ethics laws several times since 2015. On Tuesday, the Conservatives had successfully passed a motion to study the issue at the ethics committee and have Richard as well as Leblanc appear. Then on Wednesday, her office announced she was stepping down, effective immediately. They gave no explanation and said they would not be answering further questions. During question period Thursday, as the Conservatives needled the Liberals with questions over not just that but Trudeaus controversial winter trip to Jamaica, Holland lay the blame for the fact the job is now vacant at their feet. What happens when they attack people and they engage in these partisan attacks is, yes, those people do leave, he said. Ethics office cant make decisions Richards office noted that without a commissioner in place, there are decisions in the office that simply cannot be taken, though they did not elaborate. In the meantime, all they can do is give guidance on how to follow the rules. One piece of guidance they gave recently was to Trudeau regarding a trip his family was taking to Jamaica over the Christmas holiday. This week, it emerged that trip was to an exclusive luxury villa resort owned by long-time family friends of the Trudeaus, who are also donors to a foundation set up in his fathers memory. The Conservatives argue that amounts to people paying for access to the prime minister, and Trudeau has been under pressure to pay back the cost of the rooms which rent for upwards of $9,000 a night during peak season. So far, he has kept saying he was with family friends, and had ensured ahead of time that would be in keeping with ethics rules. There are no prohibitions on accepting gifts from friends, provided the friends paid for it themselves. So, who will the prime minister ask advice from the next time he wants to vacation with rich friends? Conservative MP Luc Berthold asked in French during question period, noting the now-vacant job. In response, Innovation Minister Francois-Phillippe Champagne said the Tories focus is misplaced. The Conservative party is completely stuck on issues that actually, Canadians dont care about. The Liberals have committed to filling the post as soon as possible. Read more about: SHARE: Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation, has agreed to appear before a house of representatives ad-hoc committee investigating the alleged illegal sale of 48 million barrels of crude oil in 2015. Mark Gbillah, chairman of the committee, announced on Thursday that Malami will face the lawmakers on April 27. Recall that the committee summoned Malami and Zainab Ahmed, minister of finance, but they ignored the invitation. Last week, Ghillah said the committee obtained reports that Malami received funds from outside the country through the whistleblower policy but did not remit it to the federation account. The committee chairman also said the minister of finance approved payments to whistleblowers which were not in accordance with the policy. On Wednesday, the committee displayed documents allegedly involving the payment of $200 million to two companies for consultancy service. Gbillah said the attorney-general wrote to the committee that he will appear before the lawmakers with a comprehensive response. He said: Today we are in receipt of a letter from the attorney-general of the federation and the minister of justice who is averring his determination to respect the doctrine of separation of powers and to support our extant laws. He has indicated the fact that they are trying to put together the comprehensive response that we have raised. While we appreciate the attorney-generals response we would like to indicate that it came a lot later than we expected and it came without the response that we referred to. So, we will appreciate it if the attorney-general and honourable minister provides these responses and also appear before the committee next Thursday. So, lets give him the window to appear before the committee. MINISTER OF FINANCE EVASIVE Ghillah said the finance minister has not shown regard to the committee by responding to the query sent to her office. He said the committee will issue a warrant of arrest if the minister fails to appear before the lawmakers. Unfortunately, the honourable minister of finance has still been evasive. The committee has not received any submission or response from the honourable minister of finance, he said. The accountant-general sent a response and has not responded to our follow-up because we asked further questions about the information he provided us. But we want to call on the honourable minister of finance, like the attorney-general show regard and respect for the separation of powers as enshrined in our constitution and respond promptly to the request of the committee so that we can get to the bottom of our investigation. Like I already said, we are giving her the benefit of the doubt. We are not unmindful of the other powers we have and we are not afraid to exert them and we will do so if the leeway we have provided is still neglected and not recognised by the honourable minister of finance. THE PROBE In December 2022, the house of representatives set up an ad-hoc committee to investigate a whistleblowers claims that 48 million barrels of Bonny Light crude were illegally sold in China in 2015. The committee was also mandated to investigate all crude oil exports and sales in Nigeria from 2014 till date as well as all proceeds recovered through the whistleblower policy of the federal government. Reno Omokri, a former media aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan has asserted that the feisty crime thriller Gangs Of Lagos demarketed Nigeria. The movie which follows the story of three friends; Obalola (Tobi Bakre), Gift (Adesua Etomi-Wellington) and Ify (Chike-Ezekpeazu Osebuka), who each have to navigate their own destiny, growing up on the rough and bustling streets of Isale Eko, Lagos, has been trailed by mixed reactions since hitting the screens on April 7, 2023. A cultural group, Alakete Pupa Okalaba Ekun, Lagos State Government and National Association of Emerging Artists (NAEA) have all called for the withdrawal of the movie over cultural misrepresentation. Lending his voice to the call, Omokri said demarketing ones own country through movies is like punching holes in a ship on which you are a passenger. He said the essence of a movie industry is not just to make money but to also market a country. In a tweet on Thursday, Omokri wrote, On the movie Gangs of Lagos, the purpose of a movie industry isnt solely to make money for movie producers. The big picture is to market your country. De-marketing your country through movies is like punching holes in a ship on which you are a passenger. Who loses? NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has said after a visit to Kyiv on Thursday that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had accepted his invitation to attend the upcoming Alliance summit in July. President Zelenskyy and I also discussed the preparations for the upcoming NATO Summit in Vilnius in July. I have invited him to attend the meeting and I'm glad that he has accepted the invitation and will attend the NATO Summit in Vilnius, Stoltenberg said before the meeting of the Contact Group on the Defense of Ukraine at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. According to Stoltenberg, he expects that at the summit, NATO members will confirm military support for Ukraine for as long as it takes, as well as approve a multi-year program for Ukraine that will help the country fully transition from the era of Soviet doctrine to NATO standards. On the eve of his visit to Kyiv, Stoltenberg promised that Ukraine would eventually become a member of NATO. The NATO Summit will be held in Vilnius on July 11-12. President Muhammadu Buhari has observed his last Sallah festivities in the Presidential Villa. He told dignitaries who thronged the seat of power on Friday, that he cant wait to go home after eight years of being in the saddle of governing the country. The event was the 9th and final Sallah homage held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Buhari, who was all smiles, described himself as being lucky, to have led Nigeria in various capacities governor, minister, head of state and President. He commended residents of the FCT for being tolerant hosts in the last seven and half years. I cant wait to go homeI deliberately arranged to be as far away as possible from you people. I have got what I asked for and will quietly retire to my home town in Daura, Buhari stated at the brief event. President Muhammadu Buhari has scored his administration high in the just concluded elections in the country, enthusing that the elections were so transparent that some members of his party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, were routed and unseated. The President said that at no point did he interfere with the process in order to give unfair advantage to anyone. These were contained in his Sallah message which was made available to journalists by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, last night. President Buhari said that the peaceful outcome of the 2023 general electionswill go down on record as one of the proudest achievements of my administration in addition to our neutrality in the conduct of the elections. In his goodwill message to Muslims on the occasion of the Eidel fitir celebration to mark the end of the 30-day Ramadan fasting season, President Buhari explained that the outcomes of the elections were in line with my pledge to leave a legacy of free and fair elections. Im proud that I have created a level playing field for all contestants regardless of party affiliation in order to produce a fair outcome for all. According to the President, free and fair elections are the only principles that give credibility to our democracy, because the subversion of the will of the people undermines democracy itself. The elections were so transparent that even members of the my own party were routed and unseated. At no point did I interfere with the process in order to give unfair advantage to anyone, the President added. On the Ramadan fast, President Buhari congratulated Muslims on successfully completing this demanding spiritual obligation. While praying to Allah to reward the Muslims for their sacrifices during the fasting season, President Buhari advised that we shouldnt forget the important lessons of the Ramadan which includes improving our bond with the underprivileged and poor members of society. He said, Abstention from food and drinks during the fasting period had made it possible for us to appreciate the situation of those who go without eating every day. Bola Tinubu, president-elect, says he is ready to walk with all Nigerians. Speaking in a statement on Thursday to felicitate with Muslims on the occasion of the Eid-el-Fitri celebration, Tinubu said citizens should constantly seek to become a better version of themselves in patriotism, dedication to duty, and honesty. For Muslims in our country and all over the world, Ramadan is a sacred spiritual obligation as one of the five pillars of Islam. With the help of Almighty Allah, we have gone through a period of abstinence, self-discipline, self-reflection, self-purification in gratitude, and total submission to the will of Allah. We have engaged in fervent prayers and supplications to Allah, he said. Beyond the self-abnegation and pious living that the fasting period imposed on us, the spiritual exercise we just concluded has also helped us to improve our moral character, and refine our minds in pursuit of higher ideals for which there should be no turning back. At the heart of our faith and a major demand of all faithful is the requirement to commit ourselves to wholesome living. This entails love for one another, love for fellow humans regardless of creed, region, and ethnicity, love for our communities, and love for country. We are at the dawn of a Renewed Hope for a better, greater, and more prosperous Nigeria and I stand ready to walk with all Nigerians, young and old, male and female, with this opportunity to serve you in honour and dignity. This is a commitment that I have made and one in which we cannot afford to fail. I wish all Muslims in Nigeria and beyond a happy Sallah celebration. A legal practitioner, Festus Ogun, has dragged the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, to the Federal High Court. The human rights activist filed the lawsuit to challenge the police chiefs continuous stay in office after his retirement. Baba clocked 60 on March 1. I firmly believe that his continuous stay in office is illegal and unconstitutional. Rule of law must reign supreme, the Principal Partner of Festus Ogun Legal said on Friday. In the suit marked FHC/AB/CS/24/23 and filed on Thursday at the Federal High Court, Abeokuta Judicial Division, the defendants are the IGP, the President, and the Police Service Commission (PSC). In his argument, the plaintiff insisted Baba has reached his retirement age, but is not willing to step out of the Police Force, claiming he has four years tenure like the President. Why should a retired Police IG continue in office as Inspector General of Police? Rule of Law is now a joke in Nigeria, the lawyer fumed. Ogun said the position of the Minister of Police Affairs, Mohammed Dingyadi that Baba could stay in office for four years despite clocking the retirement age is rooted in [a] grave misconception of our extant laws. He said: The IGP cannot stay beyond 60 years of age in office. Upon attainment of age 60 in March, he ceases to be a police officer, let alone an IGP. Staying in office a day after clocking 60 years of age will, therefore, be illegal and unconstitutional. It will be likened to a civilian holding the highest police rank in the country. He informed the authorities that Section 7 (6) and Section 18 (8) cannot be read in isolation of each other, and thus must be read together for full effect. Dingyadi, he continued, cannot rely only on Section 7(6) of the Police Act and completely shy away from Section 18 (8) of the same law. That will be dishonest and a misinterpretation of law. This dangerous precedent must be averted. Rule of law must be respected by all persons, Ogun stressed. Atiku Abubakar, former vice-president, says he is worried about how the outcome of the presidential election has deeply divided Nigeria. Abubakar, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the election, came second to Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Tinubu secured 8,794,726 votes to defeat Abubakar, who got 6,984,520 votes, while Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) came a distant third with 6,101,533 votes. In a Sallah message to Muslims on Thursday to mark the end of the Ramadan fasting, Abubakar said Nigeria needs harmony and peace. He asked Muslims to join efforts toward building a more united Nigeria in light of the recent unfortunate bitter divisions caused by our national politics. Let me join other leaders in congratulating my fellow Muslims for successfully witnessing the end of this years Ramadan fasting period, a period that came with tough spiritual challenges designed to strengthen our Iman and Tawheed, Abubakar said. During this period of self-discipline, we had seen the importance of abstention from all sinful acts that are in the overall interest of our spiritual life and happiness. God teaches us to eschew evils because its for our own ultimate good. One of the greatest blessings of Ramadan is that it helps us to get closer to our Creator, strengthen our faith, and promote charity or the spirit of giving to the weak and poor. It is important that we continue to live with the spirit of love, peace, and harmony that Ramadan requires. It is equally important that we remember our country as we pray at our respective Eid prayer grounds. We must pray for God to enlarge His mercies and blessings upon the country. Nigeria needs peace and harmony and we as citizens must ensure that we live our lives according to the pleasings of God. We must make justice and fairness the hallmark of our nation. Lets not pretend that all is well. Our country is deeply divided. The outcome of the 2023 presidential election has made this division worse. Im sincerely worried about this appalling reality. Abubakar advised Nigerians not to give up despite the divisive nature of the nations politics. Nigeria is so important to us that we shouldnt abandon its fate to divisive and demagogic politicians. We are all stakeholders in a united Nigeria. We must be part of the efforts to achieve interfaith dialogue with a view to achieving peaceful coexistence and a clime of love and religious tolerance, he added. Premier League leaders Arsenal scored two late goals as they fought back to draw a thriller at home to struggling Southampton. It was a third draw in a row for the Gunners and Manchester City are now five points behind but with two games in hand - and host the Gunners at Etihad Stadium next Wednesday. Saints led after just 28 seconds, when Carlos Alcaraz capitalised on an Aaron Ramsdale error to score. Arsenal have now conceded the two fastest goals at home in the Premier League this season, the other being Philip Billing's strike after 9.11 seconds for Bournemouth. Theo Walcott doubled the Southampton lead against his former club, before Gabriel Martinelli pulled one back for the league leaders. Duje Caleta-Car restored the Southampton two-goal advantage and appeared to seal the three points - only for Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka to score in the 88th and 90th minutes to earn a draw. It follows draws away to Liverpool and West Ham United for Mikel Arteta's side in their previous two games. Southampton remain bottom of the table and three points from safety, having now failed to win in seven league games. A Bergen County man has been sentenced to 55 years in state prison for the murder of his neighbor, who was attacked in her apartment building after walking her dog, authorities said Friday. Francis Tattoli, 30, of East Rutherford, was convicted Nov. 1, 2022, of first-degree murder, kidnapping and felony murder a killing committed during the course of another crime in the death of Monet Thomas. Tattolis attorney, Brian Neary, of Hackensack, did not immediately respond Friday afternoon to a request for comment on the sentence. Thomas, 25, was strangled about 9 p.m. on Dec. 17, 2016, after returning from a walk with her bulldog, Meatball, according to court testimony. She died 11 days later at a local hospital. Prosecutors said Tattoli was Thomass downstairs neighbor in an apartment building where the murder occurred in the 200 block of Summer Street in East Rutherford. Tattoli attacked Ms. Thomas in the communal hallway of the apartment complex and dragged her by the throat into his apartment where he ultimately murdered her by strangulation, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said in a statement Friday. Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook. A man was found dead Thursday morning at a Mount Laurel hotel, authorities said. The man, who was not identified, was found outside of a room near a stairwell inside the Rodeway Inn on Route 73 by officers from the Mount Laurel Police Department who were dispatched there just before 10 a.m., according to a statement from the Burlington County Prosecutors Office. A person of interest was taken into custody but no further information was released by the office on the circumstances surrounding the mans death. An autopsy will be performed by Burlington County Medical Examiner Dr. Ian Hood to determine how the man died, the office said. More information was expected to be released Friday, investigators said. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com. The Camden County Board of Commissioners on Thursday agreed to purchase the Pyne Poynt Marina and plans to turn it into a waterfront park, a move that suddenly offers new hope that the marinas historic vessel, the Barnegat Lightship, can be restored. The commissioners voted unanimously to buy the seven-acre parcel for $633,000 from Anna G. Sadler. The acquisition is being funded through a mix of county funds and 50% reimbursement through the states Green Acres program, a county spokesman said. Sadler is the widow of Rodney Sadler, the community activist who nearly 30 years ago towed the Barnegat from Penns Landing in Philadelphia to Camden hoping to create a waterfront attraction. Sadlers dream never became a reality due to lack of funding, and the Barnegat slowly sunk into the mud at the marina, located on a back channel of the Cooper River. The light atop the mast went out long ago, the familiar red and white hull that guided so many ships has faded, and rust has eaten away at the 120-year-old hull. Scavengers and treasure hunters have almost stripped the vessel clean. In 2020, a group of residents from Long Beach Island bought the ships bell and brought it back to Barnegat Light and mounted it at borough hall. Now, four years after Rodney Sadlers death, the county plans to remove the abandoned boats from the property and create a park that will be added to the Link a 32-mile long hiking and biking trail that runs from Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, to Cape May. Its a magnificent property, said Commissioner Jeff Nash, who is the board liaison to the Camden County Parks Department. Credit Annie Sadler. She had other offers, but she wanted this to be her husbands legacy. Sadler said she hopes the county follows through with its promise to open Pyne Poynt up to the public and that the Barnegat is part of the plan. She needs a volunteer group to come in and clear her up, Sadler said. I don think shes sea worthy, but shes stable, in that shes been stuck in the mud for so long. Nash said the future of the Barnegat has yet to be determined, but he would like to preserve the vessel, which guided ships along the Jersey coast for 60 years and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. I cant definitely say whats going to happen, Nash said. Somebody is going to have to take a hard look at the Barnegat and see if its worth preserving. Im hoping we can preserve it. The Barnegat Lightship is docked at the Pyne Poynt Marina in Camden. Built in Camden, the 631-ton lightship joined the fleet of floating lighthouses in 1904 that was first operated by the U.S. Lighthouse Service, and later, the Coast Guard. The iron-hulled behemoth was anchored off Cape May until 1924, when she was moved to a point about seven miles east of the Barnegat Inlet, from which the lightship draws its name. During World War II, the Barnegat patrolled Delaware Bay, inspecting cargo ships before they entered port. After the war, she resumed her station off Barnegat Inlet, guiding ships with her unique flash and, when the weather called for it, her bellowing foghorn. Advances in technology mainly in the form of satellite and GPS ultimately rendered lightships obsolete, and the Barnegat was decommissioned in 1967. Three years later, the Coast Guard gave the ship to the Philadelphia Ship Preservation Guild, which docked the Barnegat at Penns Landing in Philadelphia. The ship was entered into the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. Originally from Philadelphia, Rodney and Anna Sadler moved to the Pyne Poynt Marina in 1978 (there are two houses on the property, she said). They bought the marina in 1980 and raised their family there, she said. Its always been a wonderful place for kids, she said. Sit there long enough and the deer will come up to you. When the guild could no longer afford the upkeep, Sadler had the Barnegat towed to his Pyne Poynt Marina in Camden. Sadler, a harbormaster and former member of the Camden Planning Board, started a citizens group, Save Our Waterfront, which aimed to improve Camdens side of the river. Unfortunately, most of the attention at that time went toward an even bigger ship on the Camden waterfront, the Battleship New Jersey, which arrived in 2001. When the battleship arrived all those plans were dropped, Sadler said. We tried to get funding, but it was difficult. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Richard Cowen may be reached at rcowen@njadvancemedia.com. Canada announces package of military assistance to Ukraine for almost $29 mln Canadian Defense Minister Anita Anand at Ramstein Air Base in Germany announced the provision of a new package of military assistance to Ukraine for CAD 39 million ($28.9 million). According to the website of the Canadian Ministry of Defense, the assistance includes a contribution of $34.6 million to the NATO fund. Approximately $2.5 million was allocated for 40 sniper rifles and ammunition from Prairie Gun Works, new radios worth about $2 million from L3 Harris for the Leopard 2 tank. Approximately one year after the Ukraine Defense Contact Group first met here at Ramstein Air Base, our collective resolve to stand with Ukraine is stronger than ever, the defense minister said. She noted that the assistance and support announced today by Canada will help provide Ukraine with everything necessary to protect its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. Brenda Trinidad is frustrated with the lack of answers in the disappearance of a Bridgeton girl more than three-and-a-half years ago. Trinidad volunteers with a group working to spread awareness about the case of Dulce Maria Alavez, who was 5 years old when she vanished from Bridgeton City Park during a family outing on Sept. 16, 2019. Trinidad is helping organize a birthday celebration this weekend in honor of the missing child. Dulces 9th birthday is Tuesday and her family and supporters will gather at the park this Sunday to remember her and try to keep her story alive. Authorities believe Dulce was taken from an area near a playground in the park while her mother, Noema Alavez Perez, sat in a car nearby. The family arrived at the park shortly after 4 p.m. and Alavez Perez said she remained in the car with her sister, while Dulce and her brother, 3-year-old Manny, ran off to the playground about 30 yards away. Alavez Perez said she checked a scratch-off lottery ticket, while her younger sister remained in the vehicle to do homework. When they realized they couldnt see the young kids at the playground, they walked over to investigate and found Manny in tears with his ice cream on the ground, the mother said. Dulce was nowhere to be found. The case prompted large-scale searches of the area, an investigation that stretched across the country and into Mexico and a $75,000 reward. But, none of that has led to the missing girl. Trinidad said she met up with Dulces mother recently and they spoke about the girl and other ways to bring attention to the case. Alavez Perez is in a better place emotionally these days, Trinidad said. The mother remains committed to finding Dulce while also raising her other kids. She started a new job, she got promoted. Shes doing really well, Trinidad said. Im super proud of her. Attendees for Dulces birthday gathering are invited to start arriving around 2:30 p.m. and the program will begin at 3 p.m. on Sunday. The event will be held at Dulces Tree, located near the spot where she was last seen. Learn details about the program are posted in a Facebook group run by supporters of the family. Supporters hold signs during a vigil for Dulce Maria Alavez, at Bridgeton City Park, in Bridgeton, NJ on Friday, September 16, 2022. Dulce vanished from the park on Sept. 16, 2019.Dave Hernandez | For NJ Advance Trinidad, a mother herself, believes events for Dulce should draw large turnouts because of what the case represents. The people from Cumberland County, they should be attending these events that have to do with Dulce. It doesnt matter how they feel about the family in general, thats a missing child, Trinidad said. These are things that we need to attend to so that we can keep it alive, so that we can let law enforcement, the prosecutor and everyone know that were not going to stop until Dulce is returned. For parents in the area, Dulces case has even more impact, she said. How comfortable are you letting your child go back outside into the street or to the park and have a normal life if you still have a missing child? Trinidad said. Based on interviews of people at the park the day Dulce disappeared, two witness descriptions emerged of a man who may have been in the area. Investigators believe they could be descriptions of the same person. The first was a light-skinned Hispanic man, 5 feet 6 inches to 5 feet 8 inches tall, with a thin build, no facial hair and facial acne. The second description, from a different witness, was of a Hispanic man, about 5 feet 7 inches tall, with a slender build and about 30 to 35 years old. In October 2019, police released a sketch based on the second description. Investigators this image of someone they want to speak with in connection with the disappearance of 5-year-old Dulce Maria Alavez in 2019. In a 2020 interview with NJ Advance Media, an FBI special agent on the case said that man had yet to be identified or located. The agent theorized that Dulce was likely taken by a stranger in a crime of opportunity. While investigators cast doubt in 2020 that any close family members were involved in Dulces disappearance, investigators maintain that no one has been cleared. They have, however, repeatedly said the family continues to cooperate with the investigation. Dulces mother said last year that police still ask periodically to review her cellphone. The FBI has remained mum on the case, while local investigators say all theories about what happened remain under consideration. Trinidad worries that a declining lack of public interest in the case could mean its never solved. The community has to stay strong and they have to stick together for Dulce. Dulce is what matters the most. And if we dont find her, were allowing this perpetrator to feel like he won, she said. At this point, hes probably thinking hes winning because nobodys talking about her. The last known image (left) of Dulce Maria Alavez, 5, in a store before her disappearance. And a photo of the girl headed off to school (right) days before she went missing. Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact authorities via one of these options: Bridgeton Police: 856-451-0033 Cumberland County Prosecutors Office: 856-453-0486 New Jersey State Police: 609-882-2000, ext. 2554 FBI: 1-800-CALL-FBI. Select option 4, then option 8. Anonymous tips may be sent to Bridgeton Police at bpdops.com/tips or to the prosecutors office at njccpo.org/tips. Noema Alavez Perez looks at a photo of her daughter, Dulce Maria Alavez, in the living room of the family's house. Dulce disappeared from a New Jersey park during a family outing on Sept. 16, 2019. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. After four days of working toward a tentative agreement with Rutgers University, union leaders representing faculty members who went on strike last week raised the possibility Thursday of returning to the picket lines, describing minimal progress on important issues. We believe we are close to an agreement, but unless we make real progress soon, we will have to reconsider our decision to suspend our strike, said Rebecca Givan, president of the largest striking union, Rutgers AAUP-AFT. Its time to bring these negotiations to an end and reach a fair agreement for a stronger Rutgers. Rutgers spokeswoman Dory Devlin noted that negotiating sessions are happening daily. Our focus right now is on reaching an agreement beyond the framework agreed to on Friday and supporting our students continued academic progress, she said, adding, We are coming closer to agreements every day. After Gov. Phil Murphy announced early Saturday the unions and university had reached a framework for a settlement, unions representing 9,000 faculty members returned to work Monday, bringing relief to 67,000 Rutgers students as the last day of classes May 1 drew near. While bargaining issues remained, the unions agreed to suspend but not formally end their five-day strike, the first of its kind in the state universitys 257-year history. They noted that agreements with all three faculty unions would be required before the strike could end permanently. This week, that goal has proven elusive, particularly for the union representing the universitys clinical faculty and researchers, the American Association of University ProfessorsBiomedical and Health Sciences of New Jersey (AAUP-BHSNJ). The last three days have been very slow, said Diomedes Tsitouras, the unions executive director, adding that on Thursday, he had received the first counter-proposal from Rutgers in three weeks. Tsitouras said many of the unions members started working for the University of Dentistry and Medicine of New Jersey before it merged with Rutgers in 2012 and are seeking the same benefits as the main faculty union. They are negotiating for parental leave and job security, plus a fair way of assessing their performance, and an end to alleged union-busting practices in which Rutgers has hired doctors through a private health system. Health insurance for part-time lecturers is another sticking point, said Rutgers Adjunct Faculty Union President Amy Higer. Nobody at Rutgers should be working without health care, Higer said, adding that university negotiators were refusing to let them be known as adjunct professors, even though some have worked as professors before, and many have the same qualifications as other professors. The unions contracts expired last summer, and negotiations had been slow leading up to the strike, said Todd Wolfson, general vice president for the AAUP-AFT. For example, he noted that Rutgers did not respond to a May salary proposal from the union until December. When Murphy called the union and university to bargain in his Statehouse office, with the help of his chief of staff and two mediators, progress sped up significantly, Wolfson said, but this week he said the university has been so slow and obstructionist. Its the same old Rutgers, waiting days upon days to respond, not bargaining the whole day, not moving fast, and were really upset, Wolfson said. These are important issues, and we feel theyre back to their running-out-the-clock strategy. Many welcomed what Givan had called a transformative preliminary agreement, a framework that includes a 43.8% increase in per-credit pay and some job security for part-time lecturers, also known as adjuncts; a 27.9% minimum salary increase for postdoctoral fellows; the right for graduate fellows to unionize; 10-month salaries of $40,000 for graduate assistants and teaching assistants by the end of the four-year contract; and a 14% raise for full-time faculty and counselors over four years. Full-time faculty without tenure will no longer have to apply for their jobs at the end of each contract. As the framework took shape last Friday night, both sides agreed to work to complete it this week. Now were at Thursday and have very little to show for it, Wolfson said. Were frustrated and thinking about what we have to do next, he said. We dont want to go back on strike. And we will if they force us to. What we really want is to sit down and do the hard work to get this contract done. When asked if Murphy planned to call both sides back to his office, his spokeswoman declined to comment. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Tina Kelley may be reached at tkelley@njadvancemedia.com. The Hudson County Prosecutors Office and at least seven police departments in the county are collecting unused prescription drugs and vaping devices Saturday as part of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administrations National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Members of the Hudson County Prosecutors Office will be at four locations across the county, while police departments will jave host locations to make sure these items are safely and properly disposed. When not disposed of correctly, unused prescription medication and vaping devices far too often find a way into the hands of vulnerable individuals to be abused or misused, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said. The Hudson County Prosecutors Office is collecting unused prescription medication and vaping devices at: Bayonne City Hall: 630 Avenue C, from 10 a.m. to noon Weehawken Lidl Parking Lot: 4100 Park Avenue, from 10 a.m. to noon Jersey City Bethune Center: 140 Martin Luther King Drive, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. North Bergen ShopRite Parking Lot: 3147 Kennedy Boulevard, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Vaping devices will only be accepted after the battery has been removed. Additionally, Hudson County municipal police departments are participating at the following locations from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Union City Police Department: Bella Vista Apartments, 522 22nd Street Secaucus Police Department: Secaucus Public Library, 1379 Paterson Plank Road Hoboken Police Department: Police Headquarters, 106 Hudson Street Kearny Police Department: Police Headquarters, 237 Laurel Avenue North Bergen Police Department: Police Headquarters, 4233 Kennedy Boulevard Weehawken Police Department: Police Headquarters, 400 Park Avenue Take a walk down Commerce Street in Perth Amboy, past the neighborhood dive bar on the way to the bay, and the grassy lot on the right looks as anonymous as any city block. But behind this chain-link fence lies a piece of Black history hidden in plain sight. New Jersey roads and bridges take a beating, not just from traffic, but also from criticism about their condition, from car jarring potholes to the thump-thump of cracks in the pavement. But a national report that has ranked Jersey roads dead last or close to it for years for everything from pavement condition to spending on programs to fix them has suddenly said the states roads arent as lousy as in past years. The Reason Foundation, a conservative think tank that issues the annual state-by-state ranking said New Jersey ranked 44th, in its report issued Thursday. Thats an improvement from the last report where the state ranked dead last. The report ranks state highway systems using 2020 data, except in the case of bridge and congestion data, said Baruch Feigenbaum, lead author of the report. By Janeth Caicedo Staffing agencies operating without licenses can have catastrophic results. I know this all too well. My brother, Edilberto Caicedo, was killed on the job while working for an unlicensed staffing agency in 2019. Ive shared this painful story many times as we pushed for the passage of the Temp Workers Bill of Rights, but no matter how many times I recount what happened, it never gets easier, whether Im talking to workers, the media, or testifying before the US Congress, as I did late last year. In February, Gov. Phil Murphy signed the Temp Workers Bill of Rights, a historic, first-of-its-kind law, that will bring oversight and accountability to an industry that desperately needs it. The law will grant basic labor rights to blue-collar temp workers who have worked in dangerous conditions for too long. After decades of abuse, our campaign to win justice for temp workers drew attention to this long-overlooked industry. But even as we wait for the law to go into effect, some staffing agencies continue to operate with flagrant disregard for the law. That is why state authorities, including the Department of Consumer Affairs, should act now to enforce the most basic existing requirements for staffing agencies to operate legally in our state. Dont miss an issue of our Opinion newsletter! Get it delivered each Wednesday right into your inbox by adding your email below and hitting "subscribe." My brother worked for an unlicensed temp agency and was assigned to TI Logistics in Kearny, a company that managed pieces of the supply chain for massive companies that many New Jerseyans buy from frequently, like CVS and American Eagle. He worked as a temp for years - nothing temporary about it, except the rights he was afforded. His work was ultimately in service of these large corporations, but for all that he and his coworkers produced, little value was put on his life. Its disappointing, to say the least, that more than a dozen staffing agencies listed as members of the New Jersey Staffing Alliance the organization leading the lobbying fight against the Temp Workers Bill of Rights did not hold active licenses to operate. Nearly a quarter of the Alliances listed members didnt even follow the most basic laws that apply to them - its no wonder they fought against basic protections every step of the way. Action should be taken immediately to hold all known unlicensed staffing agencies to account. By skipping out on registering with the state, perhaps the most basic requirement for legal operation for staffing agencies in New Jersey, some of the worst actors in the industry likely feel that they can fly under the radar of all types of enforcement and compliance that their above-board competitors must consider and account for. The family of Jose Luis Garcia, an essential temp worker who died of COVID-19 after he was pushed to take an overcrowded van to work at a cookie factory in Clifton, surely knows the type of pain I go through. Jose Luis worked for an unlicensed agency that faced multiple allegations of wage theft and worker safety violations. He lost his life while doing heroic work during the pandemic. Action can be taken now to prevent more of this greed-driven tragedy and pain by enforcing basic registration requirements before the law goes into effect. The Temp Workers Bill of Rights will finally bring badly needed reform, including ensuring that transportation arranged by staffing agencies in the interest of serving their clients is responsible and safe. But until then, we can count on the bad actors to invent schemes to avoid accountability and continue to put workers at risk. Temp workers I talk to will attest to it. State agencies regulating this type of transportation have the authority to follow up after previous actions, and they should. In an industry known for lawlessness, it is far less likely that enforcement action will have brought violators into compliance, and much more likely has inspired them to new schemes and tricks that remain outside the law. Similar to registration, enforcement authorities can and should act now. On April 28th, we observe Workers Memorial Day, a day to honor the memories of workers like my brother Edi, Jose Luis Garcia and the countless temp workers whose lives have been lost. There will surely be marches and vigils, which families like mine can appreciate. For some of us, its all that we can do. Others have the power to do much more, and so I call on those public servants who enforce laws meant to protect New Jersey workers to do all they can do, and act on existing law to protect workers now, so no family must go through what mine has. Janeth Caicedo is a business manager for Roca USA and a 30-year resident of New Jersey. She has been an advocate for workers rights, and since her brother passing in 2019, Janeth has been vocal about abuses in warehouses in New Jersey. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Heres how to submit an op-ed or Letter to the Editor. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow us on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and on Facebook at NJ.com Opinion. Get the latest news updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. Dont miss an issue of our Opinion newsletter! Get it delivered each Wednesday right into your inbox by adding your email below and hitting "subscribe." A man being sought by police in the killing of a woman and her 9-year-old daughter in a Roselle home on Wednesday was arrested hours later in Maryland driving a vehicle reported stolen from the house, authorities said. The person of interest is identified as Everoy J. Morrison, 44, of Roselle, Maryland State Police said in a statement. Morrison was the operator of a 2019 silver BMW 750 with a New Jersey registration, which was reported stolen. The investigation involved a stolen vehicle from a residence in Roselle, New Jersey where the owner and her daughter were found deceased. Morrison is being held in Maryland on a stolen vehicle charge pending extradition to New Jersey, authorities said. Morrison killed his brothers wife Keisha Morrison and her 9-year-old daughter Kelsey with an axe in the home on West 7th Street, Keisha Morrissons sister-in-law Atasha Scott told WABC-7. The Union County Prosecutors Office confirmed their deaths Friday afternoon and said autopsies conducted Thursday determined that the manner of death was homicide. Morrison had been living in the basement of his brothers home for about two years, but had agreed to move out due to issues with sister-in-law and niece, Scott said. She said she wanted him out, Scott said in an on-camera interview with the television station. He says he would leave before the end of the month. But he didnt he didnt leave. He murdered them. Keisha Morrisons husband found the bodies of his wife and daughter in an upstairs bedroom, Scott told WABC-7. Morrison was taken into custody at abut 4 p.m. Wednesday after being pulled over on Bel Air Road near Interstate 695 in Baltimore County, Maryland, according to Maryland State Police. An hour earlier, Roselle police had advised Maryland State Police to be on the lookout for the vehicle. Multiple local officials expresses their condolences to the family, including Roselle Mayor Donald Shaw. On behalf of myself and the full borough council, I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the family impacted by the tragedy that took place (Wednesday), Shaw wrote on Facebook. The family and this community have lost two precious souls. We will get through this together. And to the family, the borough of Roselle stands with you and will be here for the long haul. Jamel Holley, a former mayor and former state Assemblyman who is now Irvingtons public works director, also issued a statement. Our entire Roselle community is crushed into pieces over the recent tragedy that occurred yesterday, Holley said The family was a traditional hard working family that always valued the beauty of our community. We are devastated and will continue to lift them up in prayer as we all grasp this tremendous loss. Anyone with information about the incident was urged to contact Union County Prosecutors Office Detective Sergeant Lamar Hartsfield at (908) 451- 1873, Detective Wojciech Dziadosz at (908) 347-2212 or Roselle Police Department Detective Luis Vega at (732) 956-1677. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Six-day (Tuesday through Sunday) print subscribers of the Watertown Daily Times are eligible for full access to NNY360, the NNY360 mobile app, and the Watertown Daily Times e-edition, all at no additional cost. If you have an existing six-day print subscription to the Watertown Daily Times, please make sure your email address on file matches your NNY360 account email. You can sign up or manage your print subscription using the options below. Russia's actions to block the inspection of vessels passing the grain corridor are recorded by both the secretariat of the Joint Coordination Centre (JCC) and the Ukrainian side as legal evidence of one of the crimes of the aggressor country in the war against Ukraine, Ukrainian Ambassador to Turkey Vasyl Bodnar has said. "Of course, all this [Russia's blocking of ship inspections] is recorded. The work of the Joint Coordination Centre continues in a quadripartite format and, firstly, this is recorded by the secretariat itself minutes of meetings are drawn up. Secondly, reports are compiled about the daily work of national delegations. We record everything," he said at a briefing on Friday at the Ukraine-Ukrinform Media Center. Bodnar expressed confidence that the collected documentary base on the blocking of the Black Sea Grain Initiative by Russia will become evidence of deconstructive and criminal actions on food security and other war crimes against Ukraine when considered by the UN International Criminal Court. Commenting on the suspension of exports through the grain corridor on April 17-18, the Ukrainian ambassador to Turkey explained that the Russian side was not interested in this initiative. "They [the Russians] are trying to push through proposals, in particular, on the export of their mineral fertilizers and to ensure that Ukrainian grain does not enter the international markets in full," he said. Bodnar said that during the visit of Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine Oleksandr Kubrakov to Turkey, he held talks with Minister of National Defence of this country Hulusi Akar, who oversees the Black Sea Grain Initiative from the Turkish side. An agreement was reached to resume the registration and inspection of vessels waiting to be loaded with Ukrainian grain. Currently, according to the ambassador, the vessels are leaving the ports, but "there are questions about the number of inspections." On average, two inbound vessels are agreed to be inspected and two outbound, with the potential to inspect more than 10 vessels per day. According to the diplomat, such behavior of the Russian side indicates a demonstrative policy. He stressed the importance of the constructive approach of the mediators the Turkish side and UNPO representatives, so that they make the decisions necessary for the Ukrainian side. "This will affect the price of grain and the possibility of it reaching markets that need it. This is not only about grain but also about its processed products," Bodnar added. As reported, this week the inspection of vessels in the territorial waters of Turkey, passing the grain corridor, is unblocked and will be carried out on a 50:50 basis half of the vessels from the formed queue and half with humanitarian cargo. Representatives of the British Red Cross have familiarized themselves with the work of the Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) in Kyiv region. "The international partners learned about the specifics of everyday work of our employees and communicated with volunteers of Ukrainian Red Cross at the Bucha and Irpin local organizations," the URCS said on Facebook on Friday. Executive Director International at the British Red Cross Richard Blewitt said that he had visited Kyiv region in May last year, and now he "came back to see what has changed in Ukraine and how the national society continues to provide its timely response to people's needs." According to him, over this time, the URCS expanded its activities all over Ukraine, including the most war-affected and frontline areas. Blewitt stressed the importance and complexity of the URCS' work aimed at support for internally displaced persons and the host families. "All people who support us in the UK should know that the national society indeed significantly changes the life of people and that their money is spent properly and brings benefit," he said. Expect spectacular feathered suits, sizzling tambourines, age-old call-and-response chants and unique street rituals when New Orleans Mardi Gras Indians, also known as Black masking Indians, gather for the annual West Bank Super Sunday march. The procession is set to start at 1 p.m., near L.B. Landry High School, 1200 L.B. Landry Ave. in Algiers. It will follow L.B. Landry Avenue toward the Mississippi River and turn left on Newton Street and left again at Teche Street, and conclude at McDonough Playground, 1500 Teche, where a festival will continue until 6 p.m. Mardi Gras Indians spend months each year creating new suits that are seen on only a few occasions. The suits are debuted on Mardi Gras morning, worn again on St. Joseph's Day and again during three Super Sunday parades, one Uptown, one downtown and one on the West Bank. With the exception of maskers who perform at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, the Indians retire their laboriously made suits and sometimes dismantle them. This custom combines elements of Native American and African traditions, producing an art form as unusual as jazz music or Creole cuisine. The Westfest Family Day in the Park that follows the parade will have food and beverage vendors, plus live music. +9 Dianne Honores Black Masking Indian suit tells cancer that she won't bow down Mardi Gras Indians as the Black maskers are often known don't bow down. Not to rival tribes, not to the storms, floods and evacuations tha What does it mean to be pro-life? Does the term apply only to the hot-button debate over abortion, or does it also encompass respecting and protecting the lives of all people, particularly those who remain vulnerable years after leaving the womb? In political terms, pro-life is the rallying cry of no-exceptions anti-abortion conservatives and evangelicals. Its also a cudgel they wield against anyone who doesnt adhere, faithfully and blindly, to their absolutist precepts. As in, youre either their version of pro-life, or youre pro-abortion. Eight years ago, John Bel Edwards won a hotly contested race for governor by running as a staunchly anti-abortion, pro-gun Democrat. It helped that his family values Republican opponent was deeply flawed by a sex scandal. As governor, Edwards signed every anti-abortion bill that lawmakers passed, including one that increased criminal penalties against abortion providers and at least one that many health care professionals believe outlawed procedures unrelated to abortion. In fairness, Edwards also vetoed anti-trans legislation, issued an executive order prohibiting discrimination against LGBTQ persons by state agencies and contractors, expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act and supported proposals to increase the minimum wage, close the gender wage gap and expand the Earned Income Tax Credit. Now, in his final legislative session as governor, Edwards is pushing two additional hot-button issues: adding exceptions for rape and incest to Louisianas strict anti-abortion laws, and abolishing the death penalty. In announcing his legislative package, Edwards challenged pro-life lawmakers and advocates to expand their definition of the term to live their professed faith by protecting all persons, not just the unborn. To truly be pro-life in my estimation, we must make it easier for parents to feed, educate and house their children, Edwards said. We need to raise the minimum wage, close our gender pay gap, and offer our people paid family and medical leave. We must also find empathy for victims of rape and incest who become pregnant, he continued. And I am calling on the Legislature to abolish the death penalty, which promotes a culture of death and has proven to be expensive and ineffective at deterring crime. Critics will say Edwards clarion call is too little, too late; that he should have done this sooner. Truth is he slow-walked imposition of the death penalty throughout his tenure by accurately noting that the lethal injection compounds were not available. Now hes just making his opposition official. Besides, the last state-sanctioned execution occurred in 2010, six years before Edwards took office. With a new, likely Republican governor arriving in less than a year, its now or never for abolishing the death penalty and for carving out rape and incest exceptions. Independent statewide polls show public support for the death penalty has declined steadily in the past decade and voters overwhelmingly support rape and incest exceptions. The governor faces a tough, uphill fight on both fronts, but he deserves credit for trying to breathe some life into what it means to be pro-life. The New Orleans City Council Thursday voted to bar Mayor LaToya Cantrell and future mayors from using a city-owned French Quarter apartment as a residence but agreed to allow mayors to continue to have parties and other events in the space. Under an ordinance passed on an unanimous vote, Cantrell will now have to move out of the historic Pontalba building. Cantrell has lived in the apartment for much of the last year without paying rent, the first mayor to do so. In the past, the space has been used to entertain dignitaries and other official out-of-town guests, as well as for holiday parties and other events. The city recently said fair-market rent on the apartment would cost $36,000 a year. The original proposal by Council President JP Morrell would have put the apartment up for rent, although the mayor would have had right of first refusal. Although the Inspector General and others have argued the apartment should be rented, the council ultimately agreed to a modified amendment by Council Member Oliver Thomas which prohibits overnight stays or residential occupancy but keeps the unit under the control of the mayor and city. Although Morrell voted for the amendment ordinance, he warned the new language was ripe for abuse and that while I appreciate it's better than what we have ... we can do better than this. Former DEA agent Chad Scott walks to the Hale Boggs Federal Building in 2019 on the first day of his second trial regarding federal charges of obstruction of justice, perjury and falsification of government records. Scott was convicted in that case and a second one, in which a co-defendant, former Hammond police officer Rodney Gemar, was also found guilty. Gemar and Scott worked on a multi-agency task force together. Tkachenko calls on YouTube to take measures to monitor, stop the Internet activities of Wagner PMC on video hosting Minister of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine Oleksandr Tkachenko calls on YouTube to take measures to monitor and terminate the Internet activities of PMC Wagner on video hosting. "Russian propaganda is changing and evolving. Kremlin technologists are attracting more and more new channels and methods of distributing narratives. Through video hosting, Russian military formations are being popularized, in particular, the Wagner PMC," Tkachenko said in the Telegram channel. According to him, TikTok or YouTube, despite having a tough editorial policy, serve as effective advertising platforms for Russians to scale and rejuvenate the audience "and recruit new mercenaries for the war in Ukraine." "YouTube has always emphasized that its editorial policy is to block malicious content and channels that distribute it. Therefore, it has sent an official letter to CEO of YouTube LLC Neal Mohan, requesting that specific measures be taken to monitor and stop Wagner's Internet activities," the minister said. He said Ukraine considers it completely unacceptable that the world's largest video hosting service allows a transnational criminal organization to freely advertise on its site. Georgia stands apart from Louisiana and many other states for its robust system to decertify problematic law enforcement officers. Georgia has around 55,000 officers, more than double Louisianas tally. But Georgia revokes police licenses at almost 50 times the rate of Louisiana about 800 a year, on average. There are a few key reasons why. +12 Louisiana rarely bans police convicted or fired for abuse: 'This has been a failure.' More than 200 law enforcement officers in Louisiana were fired or convicted over serious offenses in the last decade. The vast majority flew below the radar of state oversight officials. Staffing: Georgias Peace Officer Standards and Training Council, which operates independently from the Georgia Department of Public Safety, has 39 full-time employees. To handle the many duties of police licensing agencies like processing certification and training paperwork, records management and coordinating workshops with police academies the staff is split into divisions. Specialized employees handle a separate workload from the agencys investigative director and a team of 12 investigators, who are positioned in field offices around the state. The group works full time compiling reports on officers who are referred to the agency. Each investigator can be working 150 cases or more at a time. Louisianas total number of full-time POST employees? Four. All have additional duties at the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement, which oversees POST. +2 No one keeps track of police convictions in Louisiana. So we built a searchable list. The newspaper identified officers in 39 parishes who were convicted of serious crimes but have not had their licenses revoked. The laws: Local police agencies in Georgia are required to report demotions, suspensions of 30 days or more, firings and resignations of officers who are under investigation. When officers are arrested on any charge, the officers themselves are required to disclose the information to POST within 15 days; they can be penalized by the POST Council for failing to do so. As a backstop, arresting agencies are also required to report when they arrest a law enforcement officer. In Louisiana, POST requires employing agencies to disclose when an officer faces criminal charges unless the officer is already out the door, as is often the case. And the requirement applies only to criminal cases that stem from on-duty behavior. A narcotics detective whose criminal history forced prosecutors to toss 60 drug arrests. A deputy fired for stalking his ex-girlfriend, who then shifted to a new job where he racked up a stack of groping and excessive-force complaints. An officer accused of two rapes, manhandling a teenager and shocking a handcuffed woman with a stun gun. All three stayed in law enforcement in Louisiana, where abusive officers who violate the law have long been offered leniency over accountability. All three went on to commit more serious crimes on the job. Other states regularly remove problem officers by permanently revoking their credentials, a process known as decertification. Allowing them to remain certified means that even when they lose one job, bad officers often simply join a neighboring department. Georgia, on average, decertifies about 800 officers a year. Louisiana, by comparison, has averaged about one a year for the last half-century, though the pace has sped up slightly in recent years. +2 No one keeps track of police convictions in Louisiana. So we built a searchable list. The newspaper identified officers in 39 parishes who were convicted of serious crimes but have not had their licenses revoked. Here, oversight boards for other occupations are far more proactive: State officials are allowed to conduct their own investigations into misconduct among licensed plumbers, veterinarians and funeral directors, but not police. Records show at least 228 law enforcement officers in the last decade were convicted of or lost their jobs over offenses including violence or harassment, dishonesty, theft, sexual assault or indecency, malfeasance and other serious on-the-job misconduct. But Louisianas threshold for decertification is so high that only 1 in 5 have lost their credentials. Lawmakers attempted to fix Louisianas slipshod system of police accountability in 2017. But the remedy was weak. They broadened the range of offenses that the states Peace Officer Standards and Training Council can cite for decertification, including excessive force and domestic violence. But they did not direct the board to do so, and they gave the undermanned board no new resources or authority. As a result, almost nothing has changed: Just three officers in six years have been decertified through the updated rules. Ronal Serpas, a former New Orleans police superintendent, said the lack of accountability is an insult to the vast majority of the states roughly 23,000 law enforcement officers. The 9 out of 10 officers who want to get it right dont want those officers around either, said Serpas, now a criminal justice professor at Loyola University. They make it dangerous to be around them, to do their job and they make it more difficult to go home safely. POST continues to decertify under its older rules, which require felony convictions. And even then, the agency is doing so cautiously. It has revoked credentials from only a third of the officers referred for decertification in the past five years. Officials said they havent acted on the rest because most involve pending court cases or charges reduced from felonies. Everybody thinks all of this stuff should happen immediately and almost overnight, said Jim Craft, executive director of the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement, which oversees POST. All over the country, police officers get their jobs back every day because an agency jumped too soon or moved too fast. To better understand this system, The Times-Picayune | The Advocate reviewed more than 9,000 pages of POST records, court documents, internal police files, news articles and minutes from civil service board meetings. Among the findings: At least 134 law enforcement officers were convicted of crimes including murder, sexual assault or indecency, dishonesty, domestic violence or harassment, theft, excessive force and other on-the-job malfeasance in the last decade. The vast majority were convicted of felonies, which requires decertification under the law. But only around a third have lost their accreditation. Another 328 officers in the last decade were fired for cause or resigned under investigation. Records show more than a quarter of those cases involved violence, dishonesty, sexual misconduct or malfeasance. But because they didn't involve felony cases, not one has been decertified. For at least 89 of those separations involving serious offenses, the law required local departments to report the officers to POST. But without penalties for skirting that mandate, just over half of the cases were reported. Among the cops with a firing or criminal conviction on their record, at least 29 appear to still be on the job, though the records that local departments are required to share with POST are so limited that the agency acknowledged the number may be higher. For Matthew Hickman, a criminal justice professor at Seattle University who has studied police decertification around the country, theres a clear conclusion. This has been a failure, Hickman said. The newspaper shared its findings with Attorney General Jeff Landry, who sits on the 12-member POST Council that has the final say on decertifications presented by POST staff. In a brief statement, Landry a leading Republican candidate for governor called the information alarming. However, he didnt respond to follow-up questions on what changes hed support, or why the council has done little to purge bad officers. Decertification is just one facet of POSTs work. The agencys four employees are responsible for a long list of duties that in similar states are handled by teams numbering in the dozens. The agencys work may be more important now than ever. Police chiefs and sheriffs across the state decry the difficulty in recruiting or retaining qualified officers, which they say partly owes to an uptick in negative perceptions of law enforcement. Louisiana decertifies a handful of police officers a year. Georgia bans 800. Here's why. Georgia gives state oversight officials the authority to investigate police on their own and hand down permanent bans for a wide range of offenses. I can tell you that the good law enforcement officers across the state want justice for our citizens and for them, said Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard, who also chairs the POST Council. The bad ones as in any profession give the rest of us a bad rap. Nora Ahmed, legal director of ACLU of Louisiana, said the end results have another impact: the perception in some communities that police operate with impunity. Decertification in Louisiana, she said, is nothing more than a mirage. Limited tools In the 40 years between POSTs founding and the 2016 killing of Alton Sterling by a Baton Rouge officer, Louisiana almost never decertified police. Just six officers were stripped of their POST credentials during that span even though the investigation into the Danziger Bridge shootings in 2005 alone, to take one example, led to felony convictions of 10 New Orleans officers. Though none of those officers appear to be actively employed, none of them were decertified. Neither was Blane Salamoni, who killed Sterling, but was cleared of criminal charges. In 2017, the Legislature sought to extend decertification beyond felons. The reforms allow but dont require POST to strip the credentials of officers convicted of misdemeanor domestic battery or fired for using excessive force. State Rep. Randal Gaines, who wrote the changes, acknowledged that the law is weak. We thought it would give them the incentive to decertify more officers, said Gaines, a LaPlace Democrat. Obviously, it hasnt done that. He said the powerful state Fraternal Order of Police which represents rank-and-file officers succeeded in watering down his bill. That groups president, Darrell Basco, declined to be interviewed, but in an emailed statement said the organization has always advocated that good cops dont like bad cops. As long as there is a process for decertification, including a fair hearing for decertification, we do not have an issue, Basco said. For Serpas, the law has another glaring flaw: It doesnt address decertifying dishonest officers. Hickman, the criminal justice professor, said thats among the most commonly cited offenses in other states laws, because a cop without credibility becomes useless to prosecutors bringing cases. Serpas said accountability starts with requiring officers to tell the truth. He imposed a rigid standard for honesty in New Orleans that he called you lie, you die. That standard, adopted in 2010, has since been dropped at NOPD. If they dont suffer sanctions for not telling the truth, its hard to find out about use of force, about civil rights violations the things the Legislature added, Serpas said. Convicted and undetected POST relies almost entirely on reports from local departments. Beyond that, the agencys director, Bob Wertz, 74, keeps an accordion folder stuffed with news clippings about officers in trouble. If theyre on the news, Ill send myself a note, Wertz said. The system is far from foolproof. Swaths of Louisiana go uncovered by the news media. And although a 2021 law added $500-a-day fines for departments who fail to report fired officers, the agency has yet to issue its first one. Police agencies are also required to notify POST when an officer is facing criminal charges unless the officer is already out the door, as is often the case. And the requirement only applies to criminal cases that stem from on-duty behavior. POST officials say the process can also lag because the agency must wait until officers exhaust appeals. To locate cases POST missed, The Times-Picayune | The Advocate reviewed news articles and online court filings, and sent more than 200 records requests to sheriffs, prosecutors and police departments across the state. The newspaper also mined a database of complaints against law enforcement officers made public by Innocence Project New Orleans. The newspaper identified officers in 39 parishes who were convicted of serious crimes but have not had their licenses revoked. They include officers who have battered women, molested children and instigated racist attacks on Hispanic and Black people; officers who used their positions to stalk ex-partners and steal drugs; even a few convicted of rape and manslaughter. POST officials say many of these offenders end up being weeded out of law enforcement anyway, because they forfeit their gun rights or their training requirements lapse. In these cases, devoting staff time to work on decertification may not be necessary, said Ponchatoula Police Chief Bry Layrisson, who also sits on the POST Council. Why are we wasting taxpayers money if theyre obviously never going to work in law enforcement again? Layrisson said. Hickman said that attitude runs counter to a key tenet of decertification: to ensure history doesnt repeat itself. Thats a very sad perspective: Were missing these guys who may have been convicted, but eventually things will catch up with them, he said. Thats not accountability. Thats wishful thinking. 'More than enough' State Rep. Tony Bacala, a Republican from Prairieville who spent nearly 40 years as a sheriffs deputy, maintains the Legislature has done its part. His 2021 law allows POST to expand the criteria for decertification on its own and immediately suspend those who may qualify. POST has yet to take that step and hasnt added any decertification rules. Meanwhile, offenders who have avoided felony convictions have continued to slip through the cracks. Pineville police Officer Terry Bradshaw was indicted in 2017 on charges that he coerced a woman into sex on the job. He pleaded guilty to simple battery in 2019. He hasnt been decertified. His lawyer didnt return messages. In 2021, Jackson Town Marshal Travis Clay Depew turned himself in on charges that he attacked an unarmed Black teenager while attempting to clear a crowd in a gas station parking lot. Depew had previously been fired for stalking his ex and had racked up a stack of complaints alleging groping and excessive force. In the latest case, Depew was accused of choking the teen and calling him the N-word. A fellow officer had to intervene, and two witnesses testified they heard Depew ask the teen, Do you want to fight? A malfeasance charge led to a hung jury, before a district judge convicted Depew of simple battery in January. Depews criminal attorney, John McLindon, said Depew denied using a slur. For Ron Haley, an attorney for the teens family, POST has ample evidence to strip Depew of his credentials. Thats more than enough, Haley said. Wertz disagrees. We would want to have more to send to the POST council, Wertz said. Depew remains on patrol in Jackson, the department's deputy chief said. Jackson Chief Fred Allen didnt return messages. New laws, same system The upshot is that the results of Louisiana's process for decertification today are almost identical to those in years past, when POST hardly ever stripped problematic officers of their badges. Cops who get into trouble at one agency often end up at small departments in rural areas, where low pay in less-desirable locations makes it difficult for sheriffs and police chiefs to retain qualified officers, said Craft, the LCLE director. Basco, the FOP president, said the problems with recruiting and retention are only made worse when police make the news for the wrong reasons. Who is left to police? Basco said. Im going to bet its not one that you would want to show up at your house when you call for help. For residents, the consequences can be devastating. In Plaquemines Parish, Deputy Elijah Gary had a violent history with a girlfriend, including a battery conviction and a restraining order violation. That presented credibility problems for local prosecutors, forcing them to drop 60 cases he worked on in a major drug sting. But because Gary never faced felony charges, he never risked losing his license. In 2013, he was booked on charges that he forced a shackled woman into a jail bathroom and sexually assaulted her. He pleaded guilty, and Plaquemines Parish taxpayers paid $48,000 to settle the womans lawsuit. An attorney for Gary declined to comment. In the civil case, Garys lawyers argued the encounter was consensual. The sheriff at the time, Lonnie Greco, said he was unaware of Garys history when he took office in 2012. He fired Gary after the arrest. Grecos predecessor, Jiff Hingle, who served time in prison after a corruption conviction, died in 2018. An officer near Alexandria, Derrick Stafford, was indicted in 2011 on charges that he raped two women in separate incidents. His fellow officer at the Marksville city marshals office, Norris Greenhouse Jr., had previously been fired from the Avoyelles Parish Sheriffs Office after an investigation found he solicited nude photos from a teenage girl and visited with her while in uniform. Greenhouse whose father was a senior Avoyelles Parish prosecutor never faced criminal charges. The case against Stafford was viable, said prosecutor Monique Metoyer now with the Caddo Parish District Attorney's Office but the charges were dropped for reasons she said she couldnt discuss. Greenhouse and Stafford went on to be accused of excessive force in at least five cases, including a woman who said Stafford shocked her with a stun gun while she was handcuffed, and a teenage girl who alleged in a lawsuit that he broke her arm. Finally, after a 2015 traffic pursuit, the pair shot at an unarmed man and his son, killing 6-year-old Jeremy Mardis. It should never have come to that, said Matthew Derbes, the lead prosecutor on the case. The Mardis situation doesnt happen if Stafford doesnt have POST certification, period, said Derbes, now chief of trials at the Orleans Parish District Attorney's Office. Thats an extreme example of somebody who shouldnt have a gun and a badge with a gun and a badge. Stafford was sentenced to 40 years for manslaughter. His POST certification has lapsed while he's behind bars, though it has not been permanently revoked. A lawyer for Stafford didnt return messages seeking comment, and a corrections spokesman declined to allow a reporter to interview him. Stafford didnt reply to an email and a letter sent to him in prison. A lawyer for Greenhouse said the officer was defending himself because Mardis' father, Christopher Few, had backed his vehicle toward police. Greenhouse was convicted of negligent homicide and malfeasance, along with a condition from the judge that Greenhouse surrender his law enforcement license. That message was apparently never delivered to POST: He still hasnt been decertified. He was released from prison in 2019. Twenty months ago, Hurricane Ida roared ashore here as a Category 4 storm and washed away one in three homes. But with every pivot of the crane, a new breakwater is taking shape. And with that breakwater, officials say, comes renewed hope for the island's ultimate survival. Floating off the Cheniere side of Grand Isle, a mechanical crane mounted on a barge scoops up boulders and drops them in the water. Twenty months ago, Hurricane Ida roared ashore here as a Category 4 storm and washed away one in three homes. But with every pivot of the crane, a new breakwater is taking shape. And with that breakwater, officials say, comes renewed hope for the island's ultimate survival. Positioned on either side of the Louisiana 1 bridge connecting Cheniere to the main island, the segmented walls of rock are designed to withstand the worst of future storm surges. And it can't come too soon: Officials say the breakwater should be completed by the start of hurricane season on June 1. The $8.5 million jetty, funded by Louisianas Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, is one example of the extraordinary investments Jefferson Parish, the state of Louisiana and the federal government have made since Ida to resuscitate and once again try to fortify Grand Isle. Long a magnet for tourists, Grand Isle is Louisiana's only inhabited barrier island. But life on the island hasn't been easy since Ida. +10 How to make Grand Isle livable in the face of storms? Raise substations, bury power lines. The structure taking shape on Grand Isles western edge rises 20 feet in the air, not unlike most houses on the barrier island, where stilts a Every one of the town's roughly 2,500 structures was damaged in some way by the storm, and 700 were completely destroyed. The public school in Grand Isle, which educates students in Pre-K through 12th grade, saw its enrollment numbers drop from 116 students pre-Ida to 85 in April. And while officials say Grand Isle is ready for its annual summer tourism surge, its post-Ida path to recovery is still a work in progress. Its amazing how far weve come, but then on other issues, its amazing how long its taken, Jefferson Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng said Wednesday after meeting with Grand Isle officials to discuss the challenges facing the barrier island. Officer of the Special Forces Roman Chervinsky, who is hiding from the investigation, is a de facto deserter, has been notified of suspicion of abuse of authority and will not escape responsibility, Head of the State Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) Vasyl Maliuk said. In an interview with Interfax-Ukraine, answering about the prospect of investigating the case against the military, who wanted to organize a special operation to hijack a Russian aircraft in the summer of 2022, as a result of which the enemy received information about the location of the Ukrainian aircraft and delivered a missile gift at Kanatove airfield, Maliuk said: "Literally today, a key defendant, Roman Chervinsky, was suspected of abuse of power. Since a person who previously liked to give interviews and engage in personal PR is hiding from the investigation, does not come for interrogations, and is even absent from his place of residence." According to the SBU head, Chervinsky is actually a deserter, since he has not appeared in the service for almost eight months. Maliuk said the State Bureau of Investigations (SBI) initiated criminal proceedings on this fact under Article 407 of the Criminal Code (unauthorized leaving a military unit or place of service). "But no tricks will help to avoid responsibility. In my opinion, the scoundrel, whose actions led to the death of one Ukrainian soldier and the wounding of seventeen more, should be punished. Indeed, some characters decided that they could arbitrarily carry out the so-called 'special operation' and Russian aircraft. They began to communicate with the enemy pilot, who allegedly agreed to go over to the side of Ukraine," Maliuk said. He drew attention to the fact that the SBU and the Main Intelligence Agency of the Ministry of Defense immediately expressed their comments on this plan, it was not agreed upon by other public agencies, since the special operation contained many risks, "but some people decided to act at their own discretion." "As a result, they didn't get the enemy aircraft, but the enemy found out where the Ukrainian planes and personnel were stationed. And launched a missile attack. The commander of the military unit was killed, and 17 defenders were injured. Not to mention the completely broken two combat fighters, the destroyed runway, other equipment and buildings," the SBU head said. "Obviously, Chervinsky's actions, which led to such consequences, need a legal assessment. The SBU opened criminal proceedings. Therefore, everything is logical and according to the law," the SBU head said. He also said the case was opened under Part 5 of Article 426-1 of the Criminal Code (exceeding power or official authority by a military official). Earlier, materials were published in the media, according to which Chervinsky, an officer of the Special Forces, tried to recruit one of the Russian pilots to fly a combat aircraft to Ukraine. The SBU is investigating the circumstances of the missile attack on Kanatove airfield in Kirovograd region in July 2022, which occurred due to unauthorized actions of individual servicemen. "The State Security Service of Ukraine is investigating all the circumstances that led to a massive missile attack on Kanatove airfield on July 23, 2022. According to the investigation, this shelling was provoked by unauthorized actions of individual servicemen who decided to conduct a so-called 'special operation' to seize the aircraft of the aerospace forces Russia, whose pilot allegedly agreed to the proposal to go over to the side of Ukraine," the Ukrainian security service said in the statement. Louisiana sets a high bar for decertifying law enforcement officers. In almost every case, the Peace Officer Standards and Training Council waits until an officer has been convicted of a felony. But the state's system for ensuring that POST learns of the offenses is filled with gaps. Local police agencies must disclose when one of their officers is facing criminal charges, but only when it relates to on-duty incidents. Most Louisiana district attorneys do not keep lists of police they've convicted. And unlike other states, there's no requirement that officers self-report to POST when they've been arrested or indicted. +12 Louisiana rarely bans police convicted or fired for abuse: 'This has been a failure.' More than 200 law enforcement officers in Louisiana were fired or convicted over serious offenses in the last decade. The vast majority flew below the radar of state oversight officials. To locate cases POST missed, The Times-Picayune | The Advocate reviewed news articles and online court filings, and sent more than 200 records requests to sheriffs, prosecutors and police departments across the state. The newspaper also mined a database of complaints against law enforcement officers made public by Innocence Project New Orleans. At least 134 law enforcement officers were convicted of crimes including murder, sexual assault or indecency, dishonesty, domestic violence or harassment, theft, excessive force and other on-the-job malfeasance in the past decade. The newspaper shared its list with POST, which said only about a third of the officers have been stripped of their accreditation. Meeting of 'tank coalition' held, Letter of Intent on establishment of Leopard 2 tank maintenance center in Poland signed Reznikov Members of the "tank coalition" met on the sidelines of the Ramstein meeting on Friday, and a protocol of intent to establish a Leopard 2 tank maintenance center in Poland has been signed, Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov said. "A 'tank coalition' meeting was held. I am grateful to my German and Polish colleagues, Boris Pistorius and Mariusz Blaszczak for their unwavering support for Ukraine. Today, we signed the Letter of Intent for establishment of a Maintenance and Service Center in Poland for Leopard 2 main battle tanks of Ukraine. It will contribute to the strengthening of our cooperation and capabilities of Ukrainian defenders," Reznikov said on Twitter. The minister said the "armored fist" formed by collaborative efforts will thwart the terrorist regime's aggression against Europe and the entire free world. "Ukrainian soldiers are skilled at defending their country. Modern Western technology will result in Moscow's defeat. The sooner it happens, the sooner peace will come," Reznikov said. Ukrainian courts have announced seven verdicts in the cases against the priests of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate, UOC (MP)), who supported the enemy, and one of the priests was exchanged for 28 Ukrainian servicemen, Chief of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) Vasyl Maliuk has said. The counterintelligence measures started at the UOC (MP) last year, he said in an exclusive interview with the Interfax-Ukraine News Agency. "As a result, criminal proceedings were launched against 61 priests. In general, courts have issued seven verdicts against certain priests who took the enemy side," Maliuk said. He also said that two UOC (MP) priests were exchanged. "I would like to emphasize that the enemy highly values its agents in robes true, one such person was swapped for 28 Ukrainian servicemen," Maliuk said. According to the SBU chief, 19 UOC (MP) priests were stripped of Ukrainian citizenship. "As I have said before, a robe and a censer is not an aggravating circumstance, but it does not exempt from criminal liability. And does not give any indulgences. We work exclusively within the framework of the law, despite the church rank," he said. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a law providing for passing exams on the basics of the Constitution, the history of Ukraine and the level of proficiency in the state language as a condition for obtaining Ukrainian citizenship. As noted in the card of relevant bill No. 7606, posted on the website of the Verkhovna Rada, the document was returned to the parliament with the signature of the head of state on April 21. Most of the provisions of the law come into force six months after its publication in the Holos Ukrayiny (Voice of Ukraine) parliamentary newspaper. The document stipulates that the conditions for the admission of foreigners and stateless people to the citizenship of Ukraine are knowledge of the fundamentals of the Constitution and history of Ukraine, as well as knowledge of the state language and mandatory passing of exams in these subjects. According to the proposed innovation in the legislation, a foreigner and stateless person who wishes to obtain Ukrainian citizenship submits a written application that, in the event of acquiring citizenship, he undertakes to pass exams on the basics of the Constitution of Ukraine, the history of the country, on the level of knowledge of the state language and within two years to provide documents on passing such exams. The law proposes to introduce special conditions for acquiring citizenship for persons who have outstanding services to Ukraine, who are of state interest to Ukraine, who are serving under a contract in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, including those awarded a state award, or who have received a temporary residence permit. Such persons will be required, within two years from the date of admission to the citizenship of Ukraine, to pass exams on the basics of the Constitution, the history of Ukraine, and on the level of proficiency in the state language. The document provides that failure to fulfil obligations to pass exams is the basis for the loss of citizenship. Intensifying around Bakhmut continues, Russia expending significant manpower for very little game Milley Fierce fighting over Bakhmut continues, with the Russian Federation expending significant manpower for very little benefit, while Ukrainian forces are highly motivated to fight for their country, Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley has said. "Ukrainian military continues to perform very well. Intensifying around Bakhmut continues has been going on for several months. Russia is expending significant manpower for very little game," Milley said at a press conference following the Ramstein meeting in Germany. He said Russia continues to pay dearly for its choice of war, while the Ukrainian forces are "highly motivated to fight for the country, for their freedom, for their democracy in a way of life." "The Russians lack in leadership, they lack will, the morale is poor and discipline is eroding," Milley said. He also said Russia "tightens conscription laws" as they "indiscriminately figure their citizens into the chaos of war." "Russia continues to fail in achieving its strategic objectives," Milley said. Candles with the names of the four young people killed in a shooting and teddy bears dressed in graduation caps sit outside the Mahogany Masterpiece dance studio in Dadeville, Ala., on April 19, 2023. (Kimberly Chandler/AP Photo) DADEVILLE, Ala.Investigators on Thursday charged a sixth person with reckless murder in connection with a deadly shooting at a Sweet 16 birthday party, saying in court documents they believe gunmen shot into the crowd during the celebration. Investigators said in court documents filed Thursday that they believe five of those charged were present at the party on April 15 and discharged firearms into the crowd, resulting in the deaths of four people. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency on Thursday night announced the arrest of a 15-year-old juvenile from Tuskegee, Alabama, the sixth person charged in the case, but court records were not released because of the persons age. All six face reckless murder charges in connection with the fatal shooting, the state agency said. The Sweet 16 birthday, at a dance studio just off the town square, was in full swing when gunfire erupted. Investigators have not discussed a motive or what they believe led to the shooting. The shooting killed four young people, ranging in age from 17 to 23, and shocked the small east Alabama city of Dadeville. Besides the four slain, 32 others were injured, four of them critically. Tyreese Ty Reik McCullough, 17, and Travis McCullough, 16, both of Tuskegee, were arrested Tuesday. Wilson LaMar Hill Jr., 20, of Auburn, Alabama, was arrested Wednesday. Johnny Letron Brown, 20, of Tuskegee and Willie George Brown Jr., 19, of Auburn, were arrested Thursday. All are charged with four counts of reckless murder, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said. The district attorney said the teens will be tried as adults as required by Alabama law when anyone 16 or older is charged with murder. All of the suspects are being held in the Tallapoosa County Jail with no bond with the exception of the 15-year-old, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said. The birthday girls brother, 18-year-old Philstavious Phil Dowdell of Camp Hill, Alabama, died as his sister knelt beside him begging him to keep breathing. He and another fatal victim, 17-year-old Shaunkivia Nicole KeKe Smith of Dadeville, were high school seniors. Also slain were Marsiah Emmanuel Siah Collins, 19, of Opelika, Alabama, and Corbin Dahmontrey Holston, 23, of Dadeville. A Community Healthcare System physician was named a fellow of the Obesity Medicine Association. Dr. Fadia Haddadin with Community Healthcare System's Healthy 4 Life advanced weight loss center earned the recognition from the medical association, which is billed as the "largest organization of like-minded clinicians dedicated to treating obesity and other obesity-related chronic diseases." This recognition is a great honor said Haddadin, a bariatrician with the Healthy 4 Life advanced weight loss center at Community Healthcare System. As a passionate physician and a Fellow of the OMA, I am committed to helping patients dealing with obesity. Whether it is through medical or even surgical weight loss options, I seek new successful and sustainable ways to help my patients on their weight loss journey. Healthy 4 Life treats patients with obesity by offering them both surgical and non-surgical care. Haddadin helps patients lose and keep off excess weight in order to attain better all-around health. Haddadin, also a diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine, had to meet a strict list of criteria to receive the honor. She had been thoroughly educated on treating obesity in a clinical setting and has belonged to OMA since 2016. Obesity is a chronic disease, she said. I work with my patients to help them to become healthier using an evidence-based, integrated clinical approach. For more information, visit COMHS.org/services/bariatric-medicine. Lil Wayne will headline Festival of the Lakes this year in a ticketed show, potentially ushering in a new era for the summer festival in Hammond. The popular rapper also known as Weezy is scheduled to take the stage July 15 at the Pavilion at Wolf Lake. Saturday is typically one of the biggest nights at the six-day celebration that features live music, a carnival and other festivities. The highly influential hip-hop artist is known for hits like "6 Foot 7 Foot," "Lollipop" and "A Milli." "Sammy Hagar and the Circle was a huge act, but this may be the biggest act we've ever had," Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. said. "Some say he's the GOAT (greatest of all time) of rapping. I expect this may be the biggest attendance we've ever had at Festival of the Lakes." Brothers Osbourne, Stone Temple Pilots and Luis "El Flaco" Angel also will headline the festival, which runs July 12 to 16. Typically, the concerts have all been free, with tickets only for the VIP section close to the stage. This time, Hammond will require tickets to get in and is charging $125 for the first batch of tickets. "Last year, Rick Ross drew 22,000 people," McDermott said. "We thought that was too many and could potentially be dangerous. So we're going to ticket to restrict access this year." McDermott said the crowds caused a variety of safety concerns, especially after concertgoers were trampled at a Travis Scott concert in Houston. "With that many people, it would be hard for paramedics to get in if someone had a heart attack," he said. "It could be dangerous." Hammond will give out 2,000 tickets for free to city residents. They can keep them or sell them, but it's only two per household. Then Hammond will sell $125-a-seat gold-section tickets closer to the stage. "Lil Wayne tickets were $200 the last time he played Chicago, so this is nearly half that," McDermott said. "We're still keeping it accessible." Hammond sold 500 tickets within hours of the announcement. Once the gold tickets sell out, Hammond will sell tickets to a silver section farther from the stage. It may also make more free general-admission tickets available, but there is no guarantee of that. Hammond plans to restrict attendance to about 15,000. "We draw heavily from Chicago, especially the far South Side," McDermott said. "We expect a lot of demand for this." Festival of the Lakes may start charging admission more in the future so that it can bring in bigger, newer acts. "A lot of our acts were at the height of their popularity 10 or 15 years ago," he said. "That's when they were playing the United Center or bigger venues. But you can't bring in someone like a Lil Wayne for a free outdoor show and break even. The math just doesn't work. This is what we have to do to get it to the next level." Charging admission could bring in more popular and contemporary musicians, he said: "There's no reason this couldn't be like Lollapalooza." For more information or tickets, visit festivalofthelakes.com. PHOTOS: Hammond Public Library grand reopening Comfort, comfort, comfort. These words echoed in my head as I greeted the ambulance transporting my mother to the VNA Hospice of Northwest Indiana in Valparaiso. One day earlier, a doctor reminded my family to provide a blanket of comfort to my 82-year-old mom. Her body is tired, he told us politely. Her frail body had absorbed so much over the past year due to stage 4 colorectal cancer, related complications and lingering side effects to chemotherapy treatments. She also lost more than 50 pounds of her beloved padding by the time she arrived at the hospice. We will take good care of her, Bob Franko told me in the lobby. Franko, president and CEO of VNA Hospice, and his compassionate colleagues have been exemplary with their care of my mother. And of my family. Can we get anything for you? theyve asked us repeatedly. Are you taking care of yourself? Have you eaten today? Its common to ignore your basic needs when a loved ones basic needs are crucial. Its also common for such life-and-death scenarios to burden families with extraordinary stressors. Tears. Pain. Grief. Anger. Sadness. Regrets. Guilt. All of these emotions rattle around our minds like razors inside a balloon. All it takes is one bad bounce and pop! These situations can either bond a family or break it apart, a doctor told me discreetly in a hallway. Both outcomes have happened with my family, as well as with millions of other families. More than a quarter of the U.S. population has lost both parents, according to federal data. Parent mortality has become even more salient amid the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 223,000 children have lost one or both parents in deaths associated with COVID-19 in our country. The most common age range in which people lost their mother was 50 to 54, so in a way I feel Ive had a few bonus years with my mom. I turned 61 on Thursday and spent the night in my mothers hospice room. It seemed poetic to usher in my birthday with the woman who gave me life as she neared death. Open your eyes, Nana, my 4-year-old grandson told her numerous times. Nana is sleeping, I told him. I wasnt lying. She has been sleeping for several days, although my family has experienced joyous moments of responsiveness from her. A lifted eyelid. An attempt to talk. The raising of her arms. The stirring of her feet. Hearing is the last ability to go, weve been told. So weve been talking up a storm and looking for responses of any kind. When my niece left her bedside one night, she said goodbye to my mom. My mothers left hand popped up over the blanket as if to wave goodbye. Was it a crazy coincidence or a grandmothers love? Nana is still with us. Guaranteed, my daughter said. My mother believes that the end of her life will come with a comma, not a period. As a longtime student of quantum physics and spiritual dimensions, she believes that everything is happening all at once on endless planes of existence. If this is the case, shes enjoying the best of all worlds as we watch her disappear into her next incarnation. Im envisioning Mom being so comfortable here that she may want to hang out awhile! my sister texted to our family. Its heartwarming to see all of us coming together and making Nanas end-of-life journey so wonderful. Shes transitioning, a hospice nurse explained to us. Still, a part of me expects my mom to wake from her deep slumber and say just one more time, Oh, hey Jer, as if I woke her on the couch while she watched the nightly news. In her presence at the hospice weve laughed and cried, joked and sang, shed quiet tears and unleashed angry words. Weve tried pouring an ocean of memories into a thimble of understanding. Weve asked her questions that should have been asked weeks ago, possibly years ago. Ive asked my mother thousands of questions since I learned to speak. I have so many more questions I didnt think about until now. Shame on me. My family returns to the hospice each day to hope for more answers. Were all here, Mom, I tell her again and again. Its true. My family is here because of her. One night, her grandchildren stayed up late in the hospices community room to recall fond moments with their Nana. Do you remember when we did this? Do you remember when we did that? The past slept in one room. The future laughed in another. A bridge of lifelong memories connected them. Sit and wait, a woman told me in the hallway. "Thats all you can do." In my case, it isnt all I can do. Im writing this column at her bedside, similar to what Ive done for the past few months in her home. Ive had more gentle moments with my mother in her hospice room than Ive had anywhere else in recent memory. Holding hands. Cello music playing. Birds chirping outside. Her breathing gently. Me sniffling through tears. Its been a one-way conversation, but she doesnt seem to mind. Thank you for sharing your mother with us, a hospice nurse told me one night at the end of her shift. Her sweet remark prompted me to re-frame the advice from that doctor at the hospital. I realized that my mother is leaving us with exactly the same gift she gave all of us since we were born. Comfort, comfort, comfort. Attorney Christopher Stidham, who was convicted two years ago of misusing city dollars while serving as clerk-treasurer in Portage, has been publicly reprimanded by the Indiana Supreme Court for failing to reveal to a client that he had received a professional suspension, records show. The agreed-to order found Stidham violated Indiana Professional Conduct Rules by "failing to act with reasonable diligence and promptness" and "failing to keep a client reasonably informed about the status of a matter and failure to explain a matter to the extent reasonably necessary to permit a client to make informed decisions." Stidham was hired by the client in question in April 2021 in a criminal case involving allegations of possessing marijuana and paraphernalia, the order says. "In the months that followed an initial phone conversation, client was unable to speak to respondent (Stidham) about his case despite a series of attempts," the Supreme Court said. An interim suspension was ordered against Stidham on Aug. 10, 2021, "in an unrelated disciplinary matter, which became effective immediately." Stidham did not notify his client as is required, the court said. "Client retained a different attorney and later entered into a pretrial diversion agreement with the state," the order says of the client's underlying criminal case. "Respondent apologized to client afterwards and issued a full refund." The court order says, "The parties propose the appropriate discipline is a public reprimand." Stidham was convicted in April 2021 of misusing his position as clerk-treasurer in 2015 and 2016 to pay tens of thousands of dollars in city funds to companies registered to his then-girlfriend, Rachel Glass. The scheme involved planning designed to minimize his chances of being caught, Porter Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Clymer said at the time. "This was more than one event," the judge said, in the wake of defense claims that Stidham's behavior was an aberration. "This was a planned scheme." Glass, who later married Stidham, pleaded guilty in June 2021 to her role in the case. Rachel Stidham pleaded guilty as charged to a misdemeanor count of deception and was sentenced to four months of probation and court costs, Special Prosecutor Stanley Levco said. HAMMOND A police chase ended with a crash into a house and the discovery a large stash of guns and ammunition, police Lt. Steve Kellogg announced. The department received a report April 9 from its BlueNET license plate reader system of a stolen license plate on a green Mini Cooper entering the city, he said. Officers found the vehicle but the driver fled, leading a chase that ended with a crash into a residence in the 200 block of 142nd Street. "Fortunately, no one was injured during the crash," Kellogg said. A man and woman, both from Iowa, were taken into custody and were found to be in possession of gun belts and a ballistic-style vest. Officers searched the vehicle and recovered eight firearms, 17 magazines and over 700 of rounds of ammunition. "This incident highlights the importance of BlueNET technology and our proactive policing efforts," Police Chief William Short said. "I would like to thank the officers involved in this case for their dedication and service," he said. "Our officers work tirelessly every day to keep our city safe and stop crimes like this potentially terroristic event." UK imposes sanctions on three Russians over Kara-Murza conviction The United Kingdom imposed sanctions on three Russian citizens on Friday in connection with the conviction of opposition activist and journalist Vladimir Kara-Murza (designated as a foreign agent in Russia), the British Foreign Office said in a statement. The restrictions have been imposed on Andrei Zadachin, a high-profile case detective with the Russian Investigative Committee's Main Investigative Department who investigated the Kara-Murza case, Yelena Lenskaya, the judge who pronounced the sentence, and Denis Kolesnikov, the head of the Main Investigative Department. The assets of those individuals will be frozen. On Monday, the Moscow City Court sentenced Kara-Murza to 25 years' imprisonment at a high-security facility, a 400,000 ruble fine and a seven-year ban from engaging in journalistic activity. The Russian citizen, who is also a British subject, was found guilty of treason, spreading disinformation about Russian military activities, and collaboration with an undesirable organization. Kara-Murza denies all charges and says his prosecution is politically motivated. His defense team will appeal the conviction. It likely won't just be injuries caused by mishandled fireworks that keep Indiana emergency room personnel extra busy this Independence Day. A new state law repealing Indiana's nearly four-decade prohibition on the manufacture, possession or use of throwing stars takes effect July 1. Throwing stars are easily concealable, star-shaped, knife-like weapons with blades set at different angles that can disable a target when thrown at the eyes, face, hands or feet. Records show a moral panic fueled by dramatic slayings using throwing stars in martial arts movies and television shows spurred Indiana lawmakers in 1985 to enact a seldom-enforced statewide ban of what they labeled at the time as "Chinese" throwing stars. The new law repeals that prohibition and treats throwing stars the same as other types of knives recognized by Indiana, including the dagger, dirk, poniard, stiletto, switchblade knife and gravity knife. Similar to those weapons, once the law takes effect, a throwing star still cannot be brought to a school, on a school bus or another student transport vehicle. The penalty for a first offense is a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by six months in jail or a $1,000 fine. It escalates to a level 6 felony and up to two and a half years behind bars if another person is injured by an individual using a throwing star on school property. The decision by the Republican-controlled General Assembly to legalize throwing stars follows similar action last year to eliminate a requirement that adults obtain a state permit prior to carrying a handgun in public, along with the 2013 repeal of Indiana's ban on switchblade knives. Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb signed Senate Enrolled Act 77 into law Thursday. Its effective date, like most new Indiana laws, is July 1, the first day of the new state budget year. The plan was cosponsored by state Sen. Lonnie Randolph, D-East Chicago. It was approved 46-2 by the Indiana Senate and 90-6 in the House. State Rep. Chuck Moseley, D-Portage, was the only Northwest Indiana legislator to vote against the new law. Meet the 2023 Northwest Indiana legislative delegation State Rep. Carolyn Jackson, D-Hammond State Rep. Earl Harris Jr., D-East Chicago State Rep. Ragen Hatcher, D-Gary State Rep. Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso State Rep. Pat Boy, D-Michigan City State Rep. Chuck Moseley, D-Portage State Rep. Mike Aylesworth, R-Hebron State Rep. Mike Andrade, D-Munster State Rep. Vernon Smith, D-Gary State Rep. Hal Slager, R-Schererville State Rep. Kendell Culp, R-Rensselaer State Rep. Julie Olthoff, R-Crown Point State Rep. Jim Pressel, R-Rolling Prairie State Sen. Dan Dernulc, R-Highland State Sen. Lonnie Randolph, D-East Chicago State Sen. Eddie Melton, D-Gary State Sen. Rodney Pol Jr., D-Chesterton State Sen. Ed Charbonneau, R-Valparaiso State Sen. Rick Niemeyer, R-Lowell State Sen. Mike Bohacek, R-Michiana Shores EAST CHICAGO Local police officers are suing their chief for allegedly trying to block their endorsements of May 2 primary candidates, including Mayor Anthony Copelands challenger. The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 59 and two of its members, former East Chicago police officers Brandon Holzhauer and John Richmond, are seeking at least $500,000 in monetary damages. They also are asking U.S. District Court in Hammond to order Police Chief Jose Rivera and other city officials to stop what the plaintiffs describe as efforts to muzzle the political speech of FOP members. Chicago attorney Christopher C. Cooper filed suit Thursday on behalf of the FOP. U.S. District Court Judge Theresa L. Springmann has taken the case and ordered the city and Rivera to be officially notified they are defendants. The litigation comes less than two weeks before the May 2 Democratic primary, where 31 candidates are seeking nomination for mayor, clerk and eight of the nine seats on the citys Common Council. The suit involves the FOPs endorsement of some candidates, including one in the hotly contested race between Copeland and his challenger Adrian Santos, currently the North Township trustee. Copeland, who is seeking election to a fourth term as mayor, and Santos, a former city councilman and clerk, have made public safety one of the key issues in their race. The FOP endorsed Santos, but not before they had to move their candidate endorsement meeting out of the city. The FOP was set to hold its candidates night April 5 at the Indiana Harbor Yacht Club, 3301 Aldis Ave., East Chicago. The suit alleges Chief Rivera ordered the club to cancel the event. He personally showed up to bar anyone from entering the building. The FOP shifted the venue of their endorsement meeting, later that same night, to an American Legion Post in Gary where FOP members chose Santos over Copeland for mayor. The FOP also endorsed four other Democrats: City Clerk Richard Medina and council candidates Alyun Taylor, Vanessa Hernandez-Orange, Jesse Gomez and Monica Guzman-Gonzalez. Rivera told The Times afterwards he had to shut down the yacht club meeting because the FOP violated a city ordinance requiring those holding public meetings to notify him 24 hours in advance so he can assign two city police officers to provide security. Rivera said he only learned of the event from a flyer he received, and no one officially notified him of the event in a timely manner. The suit alleges the police chief blocked the meeting in retaliation against Brandon Holzhauer, the FOP president. The suit alleges the chief has been infuriated with Holzhauer since last June when Holzhauer publicly complained to the city council that the police department was understaffed because pay is is too low to attract and keep officers. The suit alleges the chief called Holzhauer into a meeting afterwards, slammed his fist on a table and demanded Holzhauer stop saying there was a shortage of police officers on patrol. Holzhauer alleges he resigned as an East Chicago policeman last year because the chief had been putting pressure on him to resign as president of the East Chicago FOP lodge. The suit alleges the chief also tried to muzzle Richmond, who has left the police force, but still serves on the city FOPs political endorsement committee. The chief complained earlier this month to The Times that Holzhauer and Richmond were improperly influencing political endorsement in the name of city FOP members. Rivera couldn't be reached Friday for comment on the lawsuit. And Michael Tolbert, an attorney for the City of East Chicago, declined comment on the suit. The FOPs civil rights complaint comes two years after the city firefighters union made similar allegations of First Amendment violations by the administration of Mayor Copeland. The International Association of Firefighters Local 365 claimed in 2021 the fire chief punished members for endorsing Copelands opponent in the 2019 election by imposing work shifts that reduced the time firefighters spent with their families. A federal judge last year declared the firefighters had a strong enough case against the city that he granted their request to restore their old work schedule. The suit has yet to go to trial. Julie Montano Lowell dispatcher Julie Montano was named Dispatcher of the Year at Indiana State Police's annual awards ceremony Wednesday. INDIANAPOLIS Lowell dispatcher Julie Montano was honored as Indiana State Polices 2022 Dispatcher of the Year at ISPs annual awards ceremony Wednesday night. State police Superintendent Douglas Carter acknowledged Montanos technical expertise and calm demeanor during high-priority dispatches and non-emergency calls for service as reasons for the award. Recipients must demonstrate a superb work ethic, admirable character and moral integrity, Sgt. Glen Fifield said in a statement. In her nomination, it was noted that Julie is not only an admirable employee, but also a friend with a humble demeanor who never seeks praise for her success, Fifield said. Montano has worked with state police for 18 years. She is based at the Lowell Regional Dispatch Center and transmits call information to Lowell and Lafayette state troopers. CROWN POINT Katrina Allen and John Babbitt share different stories, each with a happy ending. And the two are not done with life. Allen, 47, of Fort Wayne is a stem-cell recipient, while Babbitt, 62, of Dyer is a double-kidney transplant recipient. They shared their stories of healing and faith at a National Donate Life Month remembrance celebration at Franciscan Health Crown Point. After donating blood at a plasma center, Allen learned she had multiple myeloma cancer and needed bone marrow testing in Indianapolis. There she would make more than 30 visits during treatment. She also underwent 12 weeks of chemotherapy. There is no cure for multiple myeloma cancer, Allen learned. She had a port installed and, on June 22, 2021, she received stem cells at IU Health in Indianapolis. I am standing today as an example, Allen said. Stem cells can cure damaged tissue. God has given me a second chance to get it right. According to Donate Life Indiana, which advocates and educates about organ donations, more than 4.2 million Hoosiers have registered to be an organ and tissue donor. DLI reports that more than 1,000 Hoosier residents are among the more than 106,000 Americans awaiting organ transplants. In addition, Donate Life Illinois reports 4,000 Illinoisans are waiting for organ transplants. Each day, 16 people die because a donated organ was not available to them. Babbitt came through after prostate cancer and kidney cancer, despite learning he would need both kidneys replaced. While on dialysis, he lived more than three years without a functioning kidney. My faith in God kept me going, Babbitt noted, recalling how people from his church offered to donate a kidney. After one kidney transplant would not work, another donation came through, and on Feb. 11, 2016, the successful operation took place at the University of Wisconsin at Madison. I have a mission in life, said Babbitt, who claimed to read every Bible passage on healing. Once you get the gift of life, youll never be the same again. Federal law prohibits the sale of organs and tissues. Organs that can be donated for transplantation include kidneys, heart, lungs, liver, and pancreas and small intestines. Tissues that can be donated include corneas, skin, heart valves, bones, veins, and tendons. Also presenting at the program were representatives from Gift of Hope, one of 57 organ procurement organizations nationally. Gift of Hope works with 180 hospitals and 12 million people in its service area. Mandi Williams, donation coordinator for Gift of Hope, recalled a heart transplant recipient whose post-surgery transformation was unbelievable. Since 1986, Gift of Hope has saved the lives of more than 23,000 organ transplant recipients. The hospital hosted a donor registration drive following the remembrance service. Williams reported that the 2022 Franciscan Health drive produced eight organ donors and more than 250 tissue donors. Also speaking was Terri Tibbot, CEO of Life Line Stem Cell. Working with Franciscan Health Crown Point, Tibbot reported talking last year to 1,372 mothers about non-embryonic stem cell donations, with 408 women able to donate. From those donations, Tibbot said, 137 plasma units, two amniotic fluids, and two cord blood units were donated. Tibbot added that Franciscan Health was the first hospital in Indiana to work with her agency on stem cell donations. Indiana is one of 19 states including D.C. with a red-flag law, which allows for temporary firearm removal from individuals believed to be at risk of harming themselves or others. States took millions to enact red-flag gun laws, but many still won't pass them A Lee Enterprises review reveals that lawmakers in 31 states have not passed red-flag laws even as most of those states received federal funding through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. The policy is one that gun-safety advocates are pushing for once again across the U.S. in the aftermath of the late March Nashville school shooting, which killed six people. In Indiana, the legislation is referred to as the Jake Laird Law in honor of an IMPD officer who was killed in 2004 after responding to a call about a man walking in a neighborhood street with a rifle. The law faced scrutiny in April 2021 following a shooting at a FedEx Ground facility during which eight people were killed. The shooter bought two rifles legally in July and September that year. But the shooters mother had told police in 2020 that she thought her son might commit suicide by cop, ultimately leading to the seizure of her sons pump-action shotgun. The states current red-flag law has been criticized by politicians and gun advocacy groups for not being strong enough. Republican U.S. Sen. Todd Young was among those questioning whether Indianas red flag law which he originally supported was actually enforced to prevent the shooting. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data, Indiana has the 20th-highest rate of gun deaths in the U.S., with an estimated 43,375 people dying by guns in an average year. The state recently applied for funding through President Joe Bidens Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which aims to help states create and implement red-flag laws, also referred to as extreme risk protection order programs. The program specifically outlines that states could use the funding for extreme risk protection programs (red-flag laws) and other related measures to prevent gun violence including implementing crisis intervention courts, mental health courts and veterans assistance courts. Indiana has not yet been awarded funding. Earlier this year Rep. Mitch Gore, D-Beech Grove, authored House Bill 1366, which would prohibit storing firearms in a place where a child is likely to access them. The legislation would also make a childs possession of a firearm resulting from a persons failure to store a firearm correctly a Class C misdemeanor. Gore introduced the bill after a video of a Beech Grove toddler playing with a loaded gun went viral online. The Indiana House passed a bill, also authored by Gore, in February that would revise the definition of machine gun to include devices that can be attached to a semi-automatic pistol in order to make the firearm function as a fully automatic machine gun in the definition of a machine gun. Those found in unlawful possession of such a weapon would face up to a Level 5 felony. The bill was supported by the Indiana Fraternal Order of Police, the Indiana Crime Guns Task Force, the Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council and the Indiana Sheriffs' Association. As a staunch supporter of the Second Amendment, I would never author or support legislation that would harm law-abiding gun owners, Gore said in a news release. This legislation is simply a way to ensure that those who wish to do harm have a tougher time getting their hands on these devices, and if found with them, face justice. 50 facts about guns in America What to know about guns in the U.S. The first firearm reached the New World in 1492 Record climb in background checks during the COVID-19 pandemic Americans purchased more firearms in 2020 and 2021 than at any point in the nation's history The Second Amendment is at odds with modern politics Protection cited as a primary reason for ownership More Americans want stricter controls Ban of bump stocks upheld by the Supreme Court The leading cause of death for children in the U.S. is guns Only certain states require background checks 2016 saw record-breaking gun manufacturing Firearm ownership triples the rate of self-murders Up to 36 states have Stand Your Ground law 3 out of 10 Americans own a gun There were nearly 700 mass shootings in 2021 The National Rifle Association formed in 1871 Bipartisan support against gun owners with mental illness 44% of Americans know someone who was shot Concealed and open carry Nonmailable Firearms Act of 1927 banned shipping firearms through USPS America has more guns than people States with more guns have higher firearm fatalities Almost 3,000 US mass shootings since Sandy Hook Higher police officer deaths in gun-friendly states Eleven states allow students to carry concealed guns on campus Vermont adolescents can own a handgun States exempt from federal gun laws 22 adolescents are shot daily in the US 39% of parents don't think kids know where their gun is stored More than a third of non-owners believe they will own a gun at some point in their lives More than 320,000 children in US have witnessed mass shootings President George Washington's pistols worth $2 million Domestic violence is a leading cause of adolescent shootings States with the most restrictive firearm regulations see fewer deaths by guns Gun-Free School Zones Act made it illegal to carry a firearm near schools Washington D.C. gun ownership was banned from 1975 to 2008 Demographics of gun ownership National Firearms Act of 1934 was passed in response to gang violence There are more than 2,000 US gun shows a year Montana has the highest percentage of gun ownership Several East Coast states have the lowest percentage of gun ownership and licenses issued 58 were killed in largest mass shooting The Federal Firearms Act of 1938 required a license to sell firearms Seven states and Washington D.C. have assault weapons bans Gun purchases contribute to wildlife conservation efforts The 1993 Brady Act introduced FBI background checks There are loopholes in background checks Alcohol abuse heightens gun violence Gun Control Act of 1968 was the first to prohibit gun sales to certain groups A city in Georgia requires that every household must own a gun Remington Arms is the oldest gun manufacturer in the US Forget (some of) what we just taught you On Friday and Saturday, we typically run into a different type of puzzle: the themeless kind. The name is self-explanatory: Its a grid with no theme answers. As far as the difficulty goes, Will Shortz, editor of the New York Times Crossword, said in an email that themeless crosswords arent inherently harder than themed ones. But he added that they tend to be harder than themed ones, because they have longer answers, especially ones that have rarely or never appeared in crosswords before. The added answer length is built in, as The Times has a lower word limit for themeless puzzles 72, compared with 78 for themed ones and its not at all unusual to see puzzles go even lower. Because of the added space, themeless puzzles are afforded more room for fresher answers, which moves the needle toward their being naturally harder to solve. Just how difficult do they get? Sam Ezersky, a digital puzzles editor, said, We save our fireworks for Friday and Saturday, if you will. The other factor is that in themed puzzles, the construction is limited by the theme itself. This isnt necessarily a bad thing sometimes an excellent theme takes a puzzle from just good to great but it means that constructors often end up using similar fill, or nonthemed, answers in a themed crossword. After youve solved a lot of puzzles, youre bound to start recognizing these as they come up, and they dont surprise you in the same way an answer like GAY PORN or COINKYDINK might. Dont worry too much if this is making your head spin. You can use the skills youve already learned from the puzzles you solved earlier in the week to help you solve a themeless. First, find something you know and build from there. There are still plenty of three- to five-letter answers in any Friday or Saturday puzzle, and odds are you already know the answer to at least one or two of them. Second, there arent really any new types of clues at the end of the week, but they tend to lean even more on misdirection. Will gave us the example of a simple clue like Light, which can be a noun, a verb or an adjective. Its hard to answer clues like that if you dont have a crossing answer. Light has appeared in New York Times Crosswords 22 times since 1993, according to XWordInfo.com, an online database of New York Times Crossword puzzles. On April 18, 2006, a Tuesday, the answer was AIRY. On April 30, 2004, a Friday, the answer was LAMP. On April 30, 2016, a Saturday, the answer was SET ABLAZE. So youll have to use your solving skills to try to figure out which meaning the puzzle is asking you for, but its nothing you havent already done. Jessica Burstein, a photographer who in extended assignments captured three quintessentially New York institutions the Law & Order television franchise, the new Yankee Stadium as it was being built and the restaurant and celebrity hangout Elaines died on April 11 at her home in Manhattan. She was 76. The cause was lung cancer, her sister Patricia Burstein said. In 1992, Ms. Burstein became the official photographer at Elaines, the night spot on the Upper East Side of Manhattan where writers, athletes, actors, politicians and filmmakers gathered in a salon overseen by the imperious owner, Elaine Kaufman. Ms. Burstein came as she pleased, with her only tangible reward the display of her framed pictures on a restaurant wall (Ms. Kaufman did not pay her). Over the next 19 years, until it closed, she photographed scenes from the haunt: Ms. Kaufman counting cash; Joan Rivers resting her head on Ms. Kaufmans shoulder; a tired-looking Andy Rooney, the CBS commentator, with a drink in hand; a party to celebrate the 100th episode of Law & Order; and Christo, the epic-scale fabric artist, in a romantic moment with his wife and collaborator, Jeanne-Claude. She also crafted striking tableside portraits of luminaries like Liza Minnelli and William Styron. In a statement on Thursday, Mr. Murdochs Australian lawyer, John Churchill, said Crikey had recently added to its defense case the thousands of pages of evidence that were made public in the recent lawsuit that Dominion Voting Systems, an election technology company, brought against Fox in the United States. Mr. Murdoch remains confident that the court would ultimately find in his favor; however, he does not wish to further enable Crikeys use of the court to litigate a case from another jurisdiction that has already been settled and facilitate a marketing campaign designed to attract subscribers and boost their profits, Mr. Churchill said. Mr. Churchill said that in the Dominion case, which was settled on Tuesday for $787.5 million just as a trial was about to begin, the judge had ruled that the events of Jan. 6 were not relevant and that Dominion did not plan to argue that Fox had caused the insurrection. Yet this is what Crikeys article alleged and what Crikey is attempting to argue in Australia, Mr. Churchill said. Will Hayward, the chief executive of Private Media, and Eric Beecher, the chairman, said in a statement that Mr. Murdochs dropping of the suit was a substantial victory for legitimate public interest journalism. At Rolos, a restaurant in Ridgewood, Queens, the bar director Tony Milici recently flirted with the idea of putting a blue drink on the cocktail menu. At the same time, he was treating special guests to a Ramos gin fizz, one of the most revered drinks in the cocktail canon. Then, an idea struck: Why not combine the two? The result was Sacrebleu, a blue riff on the gin fizz, made with rum, velvet falernum and blue curacao. Was there part of him that felt sheepish about sending such a dignified drink into the world in a sapphire suit? I slept just fine knowing I made the Ramos gin fizz blue, he said. Craft cocktail bartenders have seemingly gotten over any high-minded reservations about blue drinks, as theyve begun slowly appearing across menus in the past few years. They have even produced a few quasi-famous new drinks, such as the Gun Metal Blue, at Porchlight in Manhattan, made with the citrus-based liqueur blue curacao, like most blue drinks. Megan McDonalds body was discovered near a dirt path on the outskirts of Middletown, N.Y., on March 15, 2003. The cause of death, blunt force trauma, was obvious immediately. The search for her killer would last 20 years, one month, and four days. On Wednesday, Edward Holley, 42, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder in the death of Ms. McDonald, the New York State Police announced Thursday. Mr. Holley, who had once dated Ms. McDonald, was arrested inside Orange County Correctional Facility in Goshen, N.Y., where he had been incarcerated on unrelated probation violation charges stemming from a narcotics arrest. The murder charges are a dramatic step in a case that has frustrated Ms. McDonalds family, local law enforcement and Middletown residents for two decades. Even as it lingered for so many years, the investigation was never viewed as a cold case, State Police Capt. Joseph Kolek said Thursday. The victims father, Dennis McDonald, was widely known and respected as a New York Police Department detective who helped investigate the first attack on the World Trade Center in 1993. He died in 2002, a year before his daughters murder. The coward who killed our beloved Megan more than 20 years ago is where he belongs: in jail, Karen Whalen, the victims sister, said Thursday at a news conference. Car rental Ukraine is a highly sought-after service for travelers who arrive at Kiev Boryspil International Airport, the main gateway to Ukraine for international flights. With millions of passengers every year, planning your trip ahead of time is crucial, and figuring out how to get around once you arrive is equally important. Fortunately, there are plenty of car rental options available at Kiev airport, including major companies such as Avis, Europcar, Hertz, and Sixt, all of which have desks at the airport. These rental companies offer a diverse range of vehicles, from compact cars to luxury cars, and a variety of rental options to suit your needs. Booking your rental car in advance is highly recommended to ensure that you get the car you want and to save time and money. Most car rental companies require a valid driver's license, passport, and credit card to rent a car. Drivers must be at least 21 years old, and some rental companies have a minimum age requirement of 25 years. The rental companies' desks are located in the arrivals hall of Terminal D, the airport's primary international terminal, where you can pick up your rental car. Once you have your rental car, you can easily explore the city of Kiev and its surrounding areas, which are steeped in rich history and culture. Visit the Saint Sophia Cathedral, the Kiev Pechersk Lavra Monastery, and the Golden Gate, or take a day trip to the nearby Chernobyl Exclusion Zone or the charming town of Lviv. When renting a car at the airport, it's important to keep in mind any additional fees and charges that may apply. Some rental companies may charge an airport surcharge or extra fees for drop-off at a different location. Make sure to read the terms and conditions carefully before making a reservation to avoid any surprises. To get the best deals on car rental in Kiev airport, it's recommended to book in advance and compare prices from different rental companies. Online booking platforms such as Rentalcars.com, CarRentals.com, and Expedia.com can help you find the best deals and compare prices. In conclusion, renting a car at Kiev airport is a convenient and flexible way to explore Ukraine. With a wide range of rental companies and vehicles to choose from, you can easily find a car that suits your needs and budget. Ensure that you choose a reputable rental company, read the terms and conditions carefully, and follow traffic rules and regulations for a safe and enjoyable driving experience. Car rental Ukraine is an excellent service that offers you the freedom to explore this beautiful country on your own terms. If you're planning a trip to Ukraine, renting a car is a convenient way to get around, especially if you're arriving at Kiev Boryspil International Airport. With several rental companies, including major brands like Avis, Europcar, Hertz, and Sixt, you can easily find a rental car that fits your needs and budget. Booking in advance is recommended to save time and money, and most companies require a valid driver's license, passport, and credit card. Drivers must be at least 21 years old, and some companies require drivers to be 25 or older. Once you have your rental car, you can easily explore the city of Kiev and the surrounding areas. Visit historic landmarks like Saint Sophia Cathedral, the Kiev Pechersk Lavra Monastery, and the Golden Gate. You can also take a day trip to the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone or the charming town of Lviv. When renting a car at the airport, be aware of any additional fees and charges that may apply, such as airport surcharges or drop-off fees. It's essential to read the terms and conditions carefully before making a reservation to avoid any surprises. To get the best deals on car rental, it's recommended to book in advance and compare prices from different rental companies. Online booking platforms like Rentalcars.com, CarRentals.com, and Expedia.com can help you find the best deals and compare prices. In conclusion, renting a car in Ukraine is a great way to explore the country, and there are many rental companies available at Kiev airport. Choose a reputable company, read the terms and conditions carefully, and follow traffic rules and regulations for a safe and enjoyable driving experience. Car rental Ukraine provides the freedom to discover this beautiful country at your own pace. Built from weathering steel and glass, with a metal door finished in bright yellow automotive paint, the studio measures just under 300 square feet. It was designed by Tom Kundig, the architect who founded the Seattle-based firm Olson Kundig. Known for its buildings with moving parts from hand-cranked glass walls to camping huts mounted on enormous casters the firm actually has a staff member with the job title of gizmologist: Phil Turner, who specializes in making some of Mr. Kundigs more audacious ideas reality. But even a studio railroad initially seemed like the stuff of dreams. I just said, offhand, Wouldnt it be cool if you could just take that office, that studio, and put it on tracks, recalled Mr. Kundig, describing the meeting where he listened to Mr. Maxon explain his desire for a home office that could provide isolation. It was a joke. But the more they batted the idea around, the more appealing it seemed and the more daunting. Its a really simple idea, but requires all sorts of craziness to get there, Mr. Kundig said. Its one thing to draw it, but its another thing to deliver it. In other words, he said, I didnt know how to pull something like this off. Mr. Robinson and M.S. had met at the Kansas City Public Library in 2019, prosecutors said, and later went to a wooded area nearby under the guise of looking for a place to engage in a sex act. But M.S. changed his mind and turned to leave, prompting Mr. Robinson to pull out his pistol and fire repeatedly at M.S., according to court records. This significant penalty brings a measure of justice to the young victim and to the larger LGBTQI+ community, Teresa Moore, a U.S. attorney for the Western District of Missouri, said in a statement on Thursday. Jeffrey Alan Gedbaw, a lawyer for Mr. Robinson, did not immediately respond to an email and call seeking comment on Thursday. The sentencing of Mr. Robinson came as hate crimes continue to plague the country. In 2021, the last year for which statistics are available, the F.B.I. documented about 8,700 victims of hate crimes, including about 1,680 victims of hate crimes motivated by sexual orientation and gender identity. Those totals were a slight decrease from 2020, when the agency tallied about 11,000 victims of hate crimes, including about 2,500 victims of hate crimes motivated by sexual orientation and gender identity. The F.B.I. noted that a shift in how it collected data in 2021 may have contributed to the slight decrease, since some law enforcement agencies did not submit data on time. GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba A forensic psychiatrist testified on Thursday that, based on documents he reviewed, a Saudi prisoner accused of plotting the suicide bombing of the Navy destroyer Cole voluntarily confessed to having a role in the attack after four years in the C.I.A.s secret prison network. The psychiatrist, Dr. Michael Welner, was offering an expert opinion as a government consultant to counter arguments by defense lawyers that the prisoner, Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri, 58, was conditioned to tell federal agents at Guantanamo Bay what they wanted to hear because he had been waterboarded, humiliated, threatened and kept in isolation for years. But Dr. Welner said transcripts, prison medical records and guard records showed that Mr. Nashiri was a sometimes belligerent, unafraid and bragging prisoner who displayed free will and chose what topics he wanted to discuss when federal agents questioned him in January and February 2007 at a former C.I.A. facility at Guantanamo Bay called Camp Echo. In the records, Dr. Welner said, I saw that he was in fact bold in terms of what he was expressing about himself. He was expressing choices that he was making in the course of that time frame. OTTAWA Early Monday evening, a special container, about five to six square feet, was unloaded from an airplane at Torontos international airport. Inside it was more than 20 million Canadian dollars, about $14.8 million, in gold and other valuables. It was swiftly moved into a secure cargo holding facility. Then, like many a suitcase, it vanished. Announcing the theft on Thursday, Inspector Stephen Duivesteyn of the Peel Regional Police, the force that patrols Toronto Pearson Airport, offered few details about how the high-value container had disappeared beyond perhaps the obvious: by illegal means. The investigators gave so little information apparently because the theft remained a mystery to them. We are three days in, so our investigators have their eyes open to all avenues, Inspector Duivesteyn told reporters in Mississauga, Ontario, where the airport is. We are looking at all angles of how this item was stolen. PRAY, Mont. Alec Baldwin was mounted on a chestnut horse in a steep gully in a snow-dusted valley in Montana on Friday, his first day back filming Rust, the western whose cinematographer was shot and killed in 2021 when a gun he was practicing with on its set went off. Set, ready, and action, cried Gerard DiNardi, the movies new first assistant director, and Mr. Baldwin urged the horse forward, toward a camera rigged on a pickup truck. As Mr. Baldwin returned to the set of Rust, prosecutors in New Mexico filed court papers formally dismissing, at least for now, the involuntary manslaughter charges he had been facing in the shooting of the films original cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins, who was killed outside Santa Fe, where the movie was initially filmed. The prosecutors, Jason Lewis and Kari Morrissey, wrote in their filing in the case of the State of New Mexico vs. Alexander Rae Baldwin III that they were withdrawing the charges against him since new facts were revealed that demand further investigation and forensic analysis that could not be completed before a hearing, set to begin on May 3, at which a judge was to rule on whether the charges against Mr. Baldwin could proceed. The creator and two stars of the new Netflix series Beef addressed a brewing controversy on Friday about another actor on the show who said on a podcast in 2014 that he had sexually assaulted a masseuse, comments now recirculating on social media. David Choe, an actor and artist, has long said that he made up the incident he recounted on his podcast, an assertion that the shows creator, Lee Sung Jin, and its lead actors, Steven Yeun and Ali Wong, backed up in a statement. The story David Choe fabricated nine years ago is undeniably hurtful and extremely disturbing, said Lee, Yeun and Wong, who are also executive producers on Beef. We do not condone this story in any way, and we understand why this has been so upsetting and triggering. They added, Were aware David has apologized in the past for making up this horrific story, and weve seen him put in the work to get the mental health support he needed over the last decade to better himself and learn from his mistakes. Beginning with her 1978 debut, Compromising Positions, Susan Isaacs has spent her career writing about what she once characterized as brave dames: assertive, self-possessed women sometimes saddled with a neurosis or two who were fulfilled by marriage and family but hardly defined by them, and who had a natural ability to solve murders. But Isaacs had never deliberately written a mystery series character until 2019s Takes One to Know One, which introduced the former F.B.I. agent and occasional translator Corie Schottland Geller. Corie returns in BAD BAD SEYMOUR BROWN (Atlantic Monthly Press, 400 pp., $28), fully adjusted to life in her suburban Long IslandMcMansion with her handsome judge husband and daughter. Shes obtained her P.I. license, and because of the pandemic, her parents have fled Queens and moved in, too. Then Cories dad, a retired N.Y.P.D. detective, gets a disturbing call: The 5-year-old daughter of a couple killed by arson is all grown up, an accomplished film professor, and someone has just tried to kill her. The thoroughly enjoyable plot brims with misdirection and red herrings. And like other Isaacs characters, Corie Geller is wonderful company for the reader. The only local job available was tapping maple trees, and I couldnt even get an interview. I had moved to a small town in New Hampshire after falling in love in Montreal with a medical student in his final year at McGill University. An American, he had committed to a four-year residency in New Hampshire, and I decided to leave Canada and follow him there. Without a job, I joined him a year later, but I was miserable, missing my previously lively social and professional life as a newspaper reporter, living in Toronto, Montreal and Paris. This was a time before the internet existed, and making new friends felt impossible. My boyfriend worked long hours and was mostly absent or exhausted. His residency salary was very low, so we were on a tight budget, and it was a two-hour drive to the nearest city. After 18 months of fruitless efforts to settle happily, I asked him to move to New York so I could find a job, and he agreed. My job search took six months, and he got an instant $14,000 raise with his new residency. Thanks to a family inheritance, I had money for a down payment on a suburban co-op apartment. By the time we began planning our wedding, six years after we met, he was earning six figures as a practicing physician. I knew nothing of New York marriage laws, and by that point was wholly reliant on my fiances income and felt extremely vulnerable. So I consulted a lawyer at $350 per hour in 1992 and asked what I might win in case of a divorce. After the movie showed at the Toronto International Film Festival last year, critics were divided. For IndieWire, David Ehrlich wrote: Carmen is stretched across a few too many borders to ever feel like its standing on solid ground. And yet, its undeniably exhilarating. Other reviewers were less sure. Its an unsteady composition, a frenzied combination of willowy movement pieces, an ecstatic score and a too-loose narrative, Lovia Gyarkye wrote in The Hollywood Reporter. Over coffee, Millepied discussed the critical reaction to the film, the allure of Carmen and working with actors. These are edited excerpts from the conversation. Why did you want to direct a film? I always had a personal hobby of taking photos, a need to really look at what I was interested in visually. And I have always loved film; I remember watching They Shoot Horses, Dont They? and Satyajit Rays The Music Room, when I was around 9 years old. When I was at the School of American Ballet in my teens, I went to movies all the time. I always had this dream at the back of my head about directing a film. What was the pull of Carmen? Early on, when I was starting to think about the story, I had dinner with [the director] Peter Sellars and mentioned I wanted to make a Carmen film. He got kind of passionate, and said, You have to reinvent it, its a terrible story. I thought he was right. Its a 19th-century tale, where the woman gets punished for her sins by getting murdered, and cant love or be loved. I was interested in her essence her freedom, her fire. I wanted to tell this womans story. It definitely had something to do with my relationship with my mother, to a connection to family history and emotions. Did you think of your version as a musical? I was interested in how to tell a modern story, and use music and dance in a way that doesnt pause the narrative, isnt decorative but integral. In the end, the movie tells a lot of the story through movement. The actresses Alyssa Sutherland and Lily Sullivan grew up near each other in Brisbane, Australia, a serendipitous discovery they made when they were cast to play sisters in the new horror film Evil Dead Rise (now in theaters). Sullivan enjoyed riding motorbikes and exploring the outback. Sutherlands mom taught her to be like Annie Get Your Gun, not Warbucks. This is a generalization, but Australian women arent superprecious, said Sutherland in a recent video call. My moms always been like, Well, if a man can take a chain saw to a hedge, I can take a chain saw to a hedge and she did, recently. But what about a chain saw to the head? That is but one of many bodily injustices Sutherland and Sullivan encounter in this relentlessly gory addition to the Evil Dead universe. In it, they play Ellie and Beth, estranged sisters who reunite at Ellies apartment on the night that one of Ellies kids reads an ancient text that summons an evil demon. Ellie gets possessed, unleashing a brutal assault on her family. Car rental companies in Lviv are adapting to meet the changing needs of customers as the city's tourism industry continues to grow. Lviv is a popular destination for both domestic and international travelers, and the demand for car rental services has been on the rise. To stay competitive and meet customer expectations, car rental companies are implementing new technologies, offering a wider range of vehicles, and improving their customer service. In this article, we will explore how Ukrainian car rental companies are adapting to meet the changing needs of customers in Lviv. Car Rental Lviv: Lviv is a city rich in history, culture, and architecture. It is a popular destination for tourists from all over the world who come to explore the city's many attractions. To get around the city and explore its surroundings, many tourists opt for car rental services. Car rental companies in Lviv offer a wide range of vehicles, from economy cars to luxury SUVs, to cater to the diverse needs of their customers. Adapting to Changing Customer Needs: To meet the changing needs of customers, car rental companies in Lviv are implementing new technologies. Many car rental companies now offer online booking services, making it easier for customers to book their vehicles in advance. Mobile apps have also been developed to allow customers to manage their bookings, track their vehicles, and receive alerts about their rental status. Car rental companies are also expanding their fleets to include electric and hybrid vehicles to cater to customers who are environmentally conscious. These vehicles offer lower emissions and better fuel efficiency, making them a more sustainable choice. Improved Customer Service: To improve customer service, car rental companies in Lviv are investing in staff training and development. They are equipping their employees with the necessary skills to provide excellent customer service, including communication skills, conflict resolution, and problem-solving skills. Car rental companies are also improving their response times to customer inquiries and complaints. Conclusion: In conclusion, car rental companies in Lviv are adapting to meet the changing needs of customers by implementing new technologies, offering a wider range of vehicles, and improving their customer service. As the tourism industry in Lviv continues to grow, the demand for car rental services is expected to rise. By staying competitive and meeting customer expectations, car rental companies in Lviv will be able to thrive in this dynamic market. Fist of the Condor Stream it on Hi-Yah!. In this film by the Chilean writer-director Ernesto Diaz Espinoza, twin brothers (both played by Marko Zaror) arrive at the temple of a martial arts master to study an ancient fighting style (in the films lore, one originated by the Inca against the Spanish). They promise each other that if they cant both join the school, the one who is accepted will teach the other. When one brother is turned away, however, he abandons the plan, murdering the temples teacher and absconding with the book holding the secrets of the style. The innocent brother, credited simply as the Warrior, goes into hiding after his nefarious sibling begins fielding assassins to murder him. To avenge his teacher and save his own life, the Warrior decides to finally confront his past. Fist of the Condor is a throwback to 1970s martial arts films like The 36th Chamber of Shaolin, which render a man of few words with arresting charisma and awe-inspiring fighting ability. The final fight, set in a dusty ruin, features physics-defying flights through the air that feel rugged yet dizzyingly weightless. Weis, a professor emerita at Rutgers University and a former president of the American Institute of Biological Sciences, nominated the estuary. Mission Blue named her and Rob Pirani, the director of the New York-New Jersey Harbor and Estuary Program at the Hudson River Foundation, champions of hope. I keep getting emails, congratulations, from people in the marine biology world, Weis said. Thats not the people I was hoping to reach. I was hoping to reach all the other people who live nearby who are crossing it in their commute from one borough to another or New Jersey to New York who never give a thought to what a wonderful place it is. Sylvia Earle, the marine biologist and oceanographer who started Mission Blue in 2008, said the estuary is not a place that you would think of normally as a reason for hope, but a transformation is taking place. But Pirani said work remained to be done. We havent met the goals of the Clean Water Act, he said. Its still not fishable and swimmable everywhere, and thats the goal. He said the estuary was showing effects of the global biodiversity crisis, with some species of fish declining, such as American shad. The spring runs of American shad up the Hudson River were once legendary, he said. Now its just a fraction of what it was. He said the same was true of herring and other migratory fish. This situation was fast, volatile and dangerous, said John Chell, the Police Departments chief of patrol, at a news conference, adding: We stopped a threat to this community. Image The scissors and kitchen knife recovered at the scene. Credit... New York City Police Department The encounter was captured by officers body-worn cameras, and Chief Chell said police officials had watched the footage but did not make it publicly available for review. The man, whom the police did not identify beyond saying he was 39, was taken to a hospital for treatment. Chief Chell said police officials believed the man was from the facility, and that he had four prior arrests and a documented mental history in our department. The shooting unfolded at about 8:40 a.m. in front of a building on Washington Avenue in the Morrisania section that is operated by the nonprofit Postgraduate Center for Mental Health and has supportive-housing apartments for people with mental illness. Jacob Barak, the centers chief executive, said late Friday that privacy laws prohibited him from divulging any information about the man and that I only pray that he will recover. There is a town in western Japan named Nagi thats famous for making babies. Its fertility rate in 2021 was 2.68 lifetime births per woman, compared with 1.3 for Japan as a whole, according to an article in The Wall Street Journal that my Opinion colleague Jessica Grose recently cited. Delegations from elsewhere in Japan and abroad have come to Nagi to learn its secret formula. Is it the free medical care for all children? The affordable child care? The cash gifts to new mothers? Ive been considering another theory. Maybe people in Nagi are having babies because other people in Nagi are having babies. That would be what economists call a peer effect. We are social animals and we take our cues from family, friends and sometimes even passers-by. Peer effects could help explain the decline in fertility as well: It could be that in most of the world, people are having fewer babies partly because other people are having fewer babies. That would explain why so many towns and countries are putting in Nagi-like pronatalist measures but not getting Nagi-like results. Researchers have claimed to find peer effects on obesity, smoking and drinking, so its plausible that they influence fertility. We all know of siblings, in-laws and friends who have their first children around the same time. George Akerlof, a Nobel laureate economist from the University of California, Berkeley, wrote in a 1997 paper in the journal Econometrica that social decisions such as the demand for education, the practice of discrimination, the decision to marry, divorce and bear children, and the decision whether or not to commit crimes are not simple choices based primarily on individual considerations. I came across two problems as I looked into peer effects, though. One is that its not clear what to do about them. Lets say there are two equilibria, one low-fertility and one high-fertility, and both are the result of peer effects. How would a government planner or a church or a nonprofit or anyone else flip a society from the low-fertility equilibrium to the high-fertility equilibrium? Once you start using ChatGPT you pretty much cant stop. You begin with trivial, gimmicky prompts: Do this math problem. Tell me some vegetarian recipes with broccoli and peas. What came first, the jock or the jockstrap? But as the artificial intelligence chatbot easily dispatches your gimmes, you begin to take it more seriously. Over weeks and months you tinker with it, learn its capabilities and its deficiencies, imagine its possibilities for good and ill, its potential for ubiquity and for indispensability. Soon, ChatGPT starts to etch a groove into your life. Now you think of it differently less as a dancing pony than as a workhorse. You find yourself reaching for it for big tasks and small, and though it fails often, it feels just helpful enough that you can imagine lots of people soon coming to depend on it. Only a few times in my life have I experienced this creeping sense of possibility with a new technology. The last time was the iPhone; the others were probably Google search and the internet itself. All these were groundbreaking at the start, but none of them changed anything overnight. Instead, what was most compelling was how easy it was to imagine them becoming more and more useful to more and more people. Five years after Apple unveiled the iPhone, there seemed to be an app for everything, and nearly half of American adults owned a smartphone; five years after that, just over three-quarters did, and it was hard to think of anything smartphones hadnt changed. ChatGPT feels similarly big. Its been less than five months since the artificial intelligence company OpenAI released its chatbot. ChatGPT is far from perfect; OpenAI continues to refer to it as a research preview. Still, as my colleagues at The Upshot documented recently, doctors, software engineers, fiction writers, stay-at-home parents and many others have already begun to rely on A.I. for important tasks. Watching the nascent Republican primary race, I have a sickening sense of deja vu. As much as I abhor Donald Trumps opponents, Im desperate for one of them to prevail. Trump might be easier for Joe Biden to beat, but anyone who gets the Republican nomination has a chance of being elected, and the possibility of another Trump term is intolerable. So its harrowing to see Trump abetted, again, by the cowardice of his opponents. Ron DeSantis, the Florida governor who was supposed to stop Donald Trump, is deflating before even entering the race, with his poll numbers softening and donors fretting. Trump, meanwhile, seems more buoyed than hindered by his ever-proliferating scandals, and is racking up endorsements at DeSantiss expense. There are several explanations for why this is happening, including the backlash to Trumps indictment, DeSantiss near total lack of charisma, and concern among Republican elites about the sweeping abortion ban he just signed. But theres another dynamic at work here, and I think its the big one: Like Trumps 2016 rivals, DeSantis is making the mistake of believing that the primary race is about issues, while Trump instinctively understands that its about dominance. Dueling super PAC attack ads about Social Security and Medicare illustrate DeSantiss problem. The ad from the Trump camp is inspired by reporting about DeSantis eating pudding with his fingers on an airplane. Over a nauseating video of a man messily consuming chocolate pudding with his hands, the spot says, DeSantis has his dirty fingers all over senior entitlements. But the policy argument is just an excuse for the disgusting visuals; the point is not to disagree with DeSantis, but to humiliate him. The ad from DeSantiss allies misses this point entirely. It attempts to fact-check the claims in the pro-Trump spot with video of DeSantis promising to protect Social Security, then tries to turn the tables by airing a clip of Trump saying that at some point hell take a look at entitlements. Trump should fight Democrats, not lie about Governor DeSantis, the ad continues whining about Trumps aggression rather than countering it. The actual malice standard creates breathing room for public debate by protecting accidental misstatements about powerful people while still allowing for liability for intentional lies. In defamation lawsuits, the plaintiffs must show that the defendants published false and defamatory statements of fact about them that caused them harm. But public officials and public figures, whom we expect to tolerate sharp public criticism, must also show in a defamation case that the speaker didnt just inadvertently misspeak, but intentionally published falsehoods. From the start of the Dominion lawsuit, Fox News had pressed an argument that would have created a form of actual malice on steroids, preventing accountability altogether. Fox News argued that many (or all) of its broadcasts were protected by the First Amendment because the people have a right to know what their elected officials are saying even if perhaps especially if their government officials are lying. The trial judge twice rejected that argument; recent reporting suggests that Foxs lawyers were considering bringing it to the Supreme Court, which they believed would be receptive. Carefully calibrated doctrines protect neutral reporting and require courts to examine whether an outlet goes beyond reporting to endorsing falsehoods. Extending the type of doctrines that Fox News invoked to the facts in this case could have enabled a pernicious form of propaganda. The evidence made public suggests that after the 2020 election, Fox News hosts invited President Donald Trumps aides on air night after night knowing they would make absurd claims and often endorsing those falsehoods and they did so even though Fox News and its hosts in many cases believed the claims to be false and were aware of concrete evidence contradicting them. Any decision on appeal that the First Amendment protects this conduct could have been dangerous, allowing high-ranking officials to flood public airwaves with intentional or reckless lies through powerful allies in the media that could not be held accountable. There has actually been a movement to revisit the actual malice standard but in favor of narrowing it or even eliminating it altogether rather than expanding it. Proponents of this view include Mr. Trump, the likely presidential hopeful Ron DeSantis and the Supreme Court justices Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch. At Mr. DeSantiss urging, the Florida Legislature is considering a pair of bills that would directly challenge the standard as well as eliminate some protections for journalists in Florida. The mistakes of the past are being repeated in this country, right now. The State Senate in Texas last week advanced one of three bills aimed at public colleges that would ban diversity, equity and inclusion activities, end tenure, and fire professors accused of indoctrinating their students. Several states, including Georgia, Idaho and most notably Florida, have passed varying laws making it easier to ban books and limit what American educators can teach. Dozens of other bills are pending in state legislatures around the country with the promise of affecting what tens of millions of students will or wont be allowed to learn, and exerting a chilling effect on educators who fear for their jobs. The recent actions take aim at teaching about so-called divisive concepts, including the history of slavery in America and its legacy in modern times, structural racism, evolving concepts of gender identity, sexuality and L.G.B.T.Q. issues, and anything to do with diversity, however defined. They are just as dangerous and misguided as attempts to outlaw the teaching of evolution, or Joseph McCarthys persecution of people for their political beliefs. Like their forebears, the proponents of these laws are on the wrong side of history. They are acting out of political expediency, exploiting convenient political wedge issues. They are mounting a direct and dangerous attack on Americas longstanding commitment to free expression, democracy and education. Legislating toward a future where the state decrees what ideas may be taught and debated upends a bedrock principle of this country. I am the president of a private, nonprofit university in Rhode Island, a state founded on the values of freedom and tolerance. Brown University is not immediately threatened by new or pending laws affecting public education in Arizona, Florida, Texas, or the numerous other states where similar legislation has been introduced. I am free to speak against whats happening, but the educational leaders in the states in question, particularly those at the helm of public institutions, are in very different positions. The new laws censor their voices as well as those of their faculty and students. Proponents of these laws attempt to justify them by repeating claims that universities are places where political correctness runs rampant and students are intolerant of alternative viewpoints. In my experience, these problems are much less pervasive than media coverage suggests, but they do exist. Students should not violate university policies and shout down speakers they dont agree with. And peer pressure, like cancel culture in the larger world, is unfortunate and sometimes suppresses debate. Universities work hard to prevent and address these problems. We need to support open inquiry and debate both inside and outside of classrooms. The shooter who killed 20 children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut in 2012 used a Bushmaster AR-15-style weapon, which can fire in rapid succession (a 2018 article in Slate quoted the official Bushmaster manual as saying the gun had a maximum effective firing rate of 45 rounds per minute) and can hold dozens of rounds in its magazine. Reloading an AR-15 takes a matter of seconds. We are all too familiar with the tolls of tragedy after tragedy Parkland, Pulse, Uvalde, Sutherland Springs and, just a few weeks ago, the Covenant School in Nashville, where the shooter, armed with a military-style semiautomatic rifle, one handgun and a small 9-millimeter carbine, fired 152 rounds while on school grounds. President Biden could borrow from the nations success in protecting ducks. The executive branch has plenty of discretionary authority to regulate federal lands, including the ability to restrict firearms possession in many areas (a power it now uses to restrict guns in courthouses, post offices and many national parks and on other federal lands). It can and should prohibit shooting assault weapons or any firearms capable of shooting more than five or 10 rounds, without reloading, on federal land, or at any public shooting range that receives federal funding or is under federal license. Thats nearly 30 percent of America. The challenge for the president will be to overcome a gun culture that permeates federal land-managing agencies and their state counterparts. They will resist. I know, because I was part of that culture for over three decades. Thats why Mr. Bidens leadership can make a difference. The president can also ask governors, tribal leaders and mayors to impose restrictions in their jurisdictions and could urge big private landholders like timber, energy and agriculture companies to do the same on their lands. He can also ask the major hunting, fishing and conservation organizations, like the Boone and Crockett Club, Ducks Unlimited and the National Wildlife Federation, to urge state wildlife agencies to ban assault weapons for any hunting. This would put all of these entities into the public spotlight. We may find that people would prefer to buy lumber, power and beef from companies that do not allow assault weapons on their lands, and want to support conservation organizations that put childrens safety at least on par with that of ducks. Many people who want to end their lives because of intense mental suffering find themselves grateful for their lives once the suicidal moment or attempt has passed. As Ken Baldwin, who survived a suicide attempt by leaping off the Golden Gate Bridge, famously remarked, I instantly realized that everything in my life that Id thought was unfixable was totally fixable except for having just jumped. One might expect that as someone who has repeatedly attempted suicide and yet is happy to be alive, I am opposed to euthanasia on psychiatric grounds. But it is because of my intimacy with suicide that I believe people must have this right. Its true that policymakers, psychiatrists and medical ethicists must treat requests for euthanasia on psychiatric grounds with particular care, because we dont understand mental illness as well as we do physical illness. However, the difficulty of understanding extreme psychological suffering is in fact a reason to endorse a prudent policy of assisted suicide for at least some psychiatric cases. When people are desperate for relief from torment that we do not understand well enough to effectively treat, giving them the right and the expert medical assistance to end that misery is caring for them. Canadas MAID law recognizes that people suffering from extreme depression, for example, may find no other means to end their agony. Approximately one-third of people coping with major depressive disorder have symptoms that do not reliably respond to available treatments. If you know there is no medically sanctioned way out of your mental pain, you may be likely to take matters into your own hands. Major depression is one of the psychiatric diagnoses most common to suicidal people, and approximately two-thirds of people who die by suicide are depressed at the time of their death. Yet any of us can commit suicide and currently it is an epidemic. A panel of experts has recommended safeguards and protocols for requests for aid in dying made by people with mental illness. Should MAIDs extension to those suffering acute mental pain follow the Canadian model, patients will be able to make their case to two health care practitioners, who must agree that their illness is grievous and irremediable. This is far preferable to the messy, difficult, terrifying job of trying to do it yourself. The suicidal persons involvement in a behavioral health setting that can give a variety of kinds of help might result in rethinking the desire to die. Suicidal ideation can consume the lives of those who live with it. By interrupting or complicating the habitual patterns of chronic suicidal ideation, the prospect of relief through MAID could, paradoxically, ease the need for ending ones own life. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 21. UK Ambassador to Azerbaijan Fergus Auld congratulated Muslims on the Ramadan holiday, via Twitter, Trend reports. "I congratulate the world and Azerbaijani Muslims on Ramadan holiday. May Allah accept your fasts!", the publication says. On the occasion of the Ramadan holiday, a festive prayer on April 21 was performed at the Taza Pir Mosque in Baku. The prayer was carried out with the participation of Allahshukur Pashazade, Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims' Board. Festive prayer was also held in Azerbaijan in 2022, while prior to last year, due to COVID-19 restrictions, the festive prayers weren't performed in the mosques for two years. The first and last dates of Ramadan are determined by the lunar Islamic calendar. In the conventional view, American politics is a contest between a party of big government and a party of small government. You know the cliches. Democrats want a larger role for the state; Republicans want to drag it into the bathroom and drown it in the bathtub. But a glance at the historical record shows that, at least in the postwar period, the size of government was never really the issue. A modern state needs a large, active government. The real political question revolves around the activity itself. Its about both the scope of government to whom and for what it should provide and its reach. Will the state take a light touch, or will it intrude on and control the lives of its citizens? With this in mind, consider one of the most common criticisms of the current Republican Party: that it stands for nothing other than chaos, dysfunction and a cultlike devotion to Donald Trump. Theres a mild version of this belief in G.O.P. weakness thats entirely defensible. The Republican Party is hardly a juggernaut. It struggles mightily to win presidential-level popular vote majorities. It finds some of its strongest support among declining demographics. Its tied to a variety of unpopular positions, and its often incompetent at policymaking. It is definitely not optimized to win the thumping majorities of the Nixon or Reagan eras. But prophecies about the demise of the Republican Party as a viable force outside the South, its relegation to the status of near-permanent minority, were plausible only in the very early Obama era, following the genuine landslide defeats the G.O.P. suffered in 2006 and 2008. Since then, the story has been one of G.O.P. resilience across multiple different incarnations, whether in rabble-rousing libertarian or cautious-establishment or Trumpian-populist form. The Republican Party has championed unpopular causes, it has picked widely hated nominees, it has pioneered new forms of self-sabotage and political malpractice. Yet it has won unexpected victories and rebounded swiftly from its defeats, and it looks as competitive today as at any point since 2008. There is no perfect way to assess a partys strength as a party, as opposed to whatever a given presidential candidate or Senate map might make of it. But looking at the two-party vote for the House of Representatives is probably the best proxy we have. By that standard, the G.O.P. in 2008 seemed headed deep into the political wilderness: It lost the House popular vote by over 10 points, a showing comparable to the losses it regularly suffered in the days when the New Deal coalition dominated American politics, and even in the years before Newt Gingrichs revolution in 1994. But there have been seven House elections since 2008, and the G.O.P. has won the popular vote in four of them. In the other three contests, its suffered one actual drubbing (in 2018) and two narrow defeats (2012 and 2020). Its best showings were in 2010 and 2014, but it managed a clear majority just last year, notwithstanding pro-choice backlash against the Dobbs decision, the political anchor of the Stop the Steal candidates and the memory of Jan. 6, 2021. These arent the numbers of a fatally regionalized party, or a party that cant hope to win power absent gerrymandering and Electoral College advantages, or a party with no appeal to independents and swing voters. Indeed, you could argue that they indicate how lucky the Democrats have been that the G.O.P. is so prone to self-sabotage that with just a little more normalcy, a little less ideological and Trumpish folly and a policy agenda slightly more attuned to the median voter, the Republicans could have been Americas clear majority party over the last decade or so. Since moving thousands of miles apart, Cassidy Aria Melissa Benn and Marcini Anthony Grosvenor had only seen one another on five visits before getting married. Before the move, the two had been good friends for years, meeting at Grace Temple Assembly of God Church in Guyana, a small South American nation. So we basically always knew each other, Ms. Benn said. We eventually became best friends. On Jan. 23, 2011, things took a turn toward something new. She said she had something to ask me, Mr. Grosvenor said. I said, OK. I have something to say to you too. I said, Can I be your girlfriend? Ms. Benn recalled asking. He said he was going to think about it. Hes a jokester. He already had feelings, but he wanted to prolong it. It was the summer of 2021, a.k.a. hot vax summer, when Megan Margaret OConnor and her single friends decided to organize a fun outing in Brooklyn. Her friends had already received two Covid-19 vaccinations, and she said they were on a mission: Calling all singles tonight. The friends had a hot vax summer bingo card saved onto their phones, with squares like buy ice from a bodega and ask for someones number. Ms. OConnor had been single the entire pandemic. But Omar Mohamed Elsayed was coming out of a misguided pandemic relationship, he said. He had been moping around in his sisters apartment in Williamsburg, where he was temporarily staying, when a friend texted him to join in on the action. I hadnt shaved in a week, he said. But he pulled himself together and showed up on July 31 to Dumbo House, a private social club, where about 10 singles were mingling on the patio. Suddenly, I was in the middle of this escapade waiting to happen. In 18th-century Britain, white bread was so coveted, and so considerably more expensive than brown bread it required more grain and time to produce, as the wheat germ and bran had to be removed by hand that bakers would sometimes add chalk and powdered bone to their flour to make it paler. Since the Middle Ages, the perception of a blanched loaf as more exclusive than a darker one, though the latter is typically more nourishing, has been hard to shake. The invention of the iron roller mill in 19th-century Hungary made the process of beating all color, and nutrition, out of wheat easier and white bread cheaper. Still, the devaluing of whole grains continued, explained the Berlin-based American baker Laurel Kratochvila, 39, recently. The 20th century was a very bad time for bread, she said. We outsourced to factories so that we could make loaves faster and more affordably, and there was a massive monoculture cultivation of soft white wheat and a dependency on commercial, rather than natural, yeast. Reliance on these ingredients remains widespread; in France, for example, the perfect white baguette is still for many the gold standard of bread. But as Kratochvila points out in her book New European Baking, which was published last fall and includes dozens of sourdough bread and pastry recipes, a wave of bakers, working in cities from Paris to Warsaw, are now shaking things up, reframing ideas of what good, and healthy, bread is. Be very wary of the perfect white loaf, Kratochvila said, arching one eyebrow. Twitter has removed labels that described prominent news organizations as government-funded or state-affiliated after NPR and public broadcasters in several countries criticized the labels as misleading and suspended the use of their Twitter accounts. The removal of the labels was the latest shift that Twitter has made abruptly and without explanation under the leadership of its owner, Elon Musk. Twitter made the change one day after it began removing check mark icons from the profiles of thousands of celebrities, politicians and journalists whose identities it had verified before Mr. Musk bought the company for $44 billion in October. Twitter, which automatically responds to press inquiries via email with a poop emoji, did not immediately comment on Friday. NPR reported that Mr. Musk said in an email that Twitter had dropped all media labels and that this was Walter Isaacsons suggestion, apparently referring to the author and former media executive who is working on a book about Mr. Musk. Mr. Isaacson did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Dear Tripped Up, My two sons and I checked in at the Guatemala City airport three hours before the first leg of our return flight to Detroit. As we waited, I received two texts from Spirit announcing that our flight was delayed, first by about 20 minutes and then by an additional 15, making the new departure time 4:18 p.m. We used the delay to get something to eat, monitoring our phones for more updates, but none came. When we returned to our gate at 3:40, we were told the plane had been readied earlier than expected and the doors had closed. The gate staff said it would be three days before another flight was available, and they refused to book us on another airline. We were forced to spend over $3,000 for same-day, one-way tickets on JetBlue. We eventually received a partial $297 credit from Spirit, but we want them to reimburse us for the JetBlue flight, since they should have alerted us when the departure time was again revised. Tom, Ann Arbor, Mich. Dear Tom, If a doctors office or hairstylist or friend were planning to meet for lunch texts us that theyre running 30 minutes behind, we rightfully feel free to do whatever we want with that half-hour, as long as we show up at the new time. But air travel is an alternative universe filled with odd rules and quirky customs that sometimes fly in the face of real-world logic. Like you, had I received the same alert, I would have retreated from the crowded, germy gate area to find a restaurant or bar to while away the delay and assumed the airline would ping me if anything changed. But when I polled frequent-flying friends, several told me they would never stray far from the gate. They always tell you not to go too far, said one wizened veteran, a consultant who flies nearly every week. Turns out theyre right and were wrong. And Spirit has it in writing. When I reached out to them, a spokesman for the airline, Erik Hofmeyer, sent me an initial statement noting that key details were missing from your story, adding that section 2.4.1 (b) of our Contract of Carriage has some information that you may find useful. The University of California, Berkeley, had similar complaints, saying that students in its joint law and Ph.D. program, who take longer to graduate, were being counted as unemployed. The law schools dean, Erwin Chemerinsky, said he had complained to U.S. News but not yet heard back. Mr. Chemerinsky, however, batted back any idea that he cared about the ratings. The problem is not that schools suddenly have become believers in the value of the rankings, he said. Rather they believe that if U.S. News is going to produce rankings regardless of a schools cooperation, the data should at least be correct. I hope that by making this choice we have undermined the credibility of U.S. News, because it has far too much influence over education, Mr. Chemerinsky said. But Im a realist. I know theyre doing rankings. I want to make sure that whatever the data is, it is done accurately. To some university officials, the dust-up reveals the hypocrisy of the high-minded schools. Peter B. Rutledge, dean of the University of Georgia law school, which did not boycott the rankings, said that he thought the changes in methodology were a legitimate attempt to incorporate what U.S. News had learned from its listening tour. His school had one question about the data, and it was answered, he said. In my estimation, U.S. News has done its level best to engage deans in a dialogue, he said. The radical change in methodology was not something that U.S. News waved its magic wand and plucked out of a hat. The Rev. Charles Stanley, an influential Baptist pastor who for more than 50 years preached a conservative message from his Atlanta megachurch, through an extensive network of television and radio stations, and in many books, died on Tuesday at his home in Atlanta. He was 90. In Touch Ministries, Dr. Stanleys nonprofit organization, announced his death but did not state a cause. As the senior pastor at First Baptist Church in Atlanta, Dr. Stanley was known as one of the leading American preachers of his time, alongside figures like the Rev. Billy Graham. He was also a board member of the Moral Majority, the right-wing religious organization, and a close friend of its founder, the Rev. Jerry Falwell. Evangelicals just loved him, Barry Hankins, a professor of history at Baylor University who, with Thomas Kidd, wrote Baptists in America (2015), said in a phone interview. He was a very winsome preacher. He didnt exude the hard fighting edge that conservatives sometimes did. A massive explosion shut down part of Interstate 95 on Friday after a fuel tanker crashed on a major bridge in Connecticut, sending a column of smoke and fire into the air and killing one person, state officials said. A passenger vehicles blown-out tire set off a chain reaction that resulted in the explosion, which also injured at least two others on the bridge, melted part of the bridges outer guard rail and spewed a large amount of home heating oil into the waters of the Thames River, local officials said. Sgt. Christine Jeltema, a spokeswoman for the Connecticut State Police, said the southbound lanes of Interstate 95 will be closed for quite some time" as officials determine whether the bridge, the Gold Star Memorial, is safe to cross. The intense, wicked heat could potentially compromise the steel, but we hope that is not the case, said Gov. Ned Lamont, a Democrat, at a news conference on Friday. He said it was not clear how much fuel the truck was carrying at the time of the crash, but that its maximum capacity was 2,800 gallons. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 21. Head of Azerbaijan's delegation to NATO Jafar Huseynzade has held a meeting with NATO Secretary General's Special Representative for Women, Peace and Security (WPS), Irene Fellin, Trend reports via his Twitter publication. "We discussed issues of cooperation between NATO and Azerbaijan on the agenda of the WPS, as well as issues related to the high-level conference to be held this fall in Baku," the publication says. The foundation for cooperation between Azerbaijan and NATO was laid through the signing of a program-document within the framework of the Partnership for Peace on May 4, 1994. Azerbaijan was one of the 27 OSCE member countries to join the program. KEY WEST, Fla. Nearly 1,400 migrants from Cuba and Haiti took to the sea in rickety vessels and landed in the Florida Keys in January, overwhelming the local police. We experienced chaos, a lack of a plan and a federal problem which became a local problem, said the Monroe County sheriff, Rick Ramsay. Gov. Ron DeSantis stepped in, deploying air reconnaissance planes, assembling dozens of law enforcement agents and commissioning a cruise ship to house what the administration hoped would become a local army of state employees to help handle the migrant surge. But there was a problem: The $1 million cruise ship contract was signed before anyone realized that the vessel had nowhere to dock. Government agencies have intervened to try to address a severe gasoline shortage in Florida, where last weeks torrential rain storms and floods damaged critical infrastructure and left gas stations in the states southeast without fuel. The Environmental Protection Agency has stepped in to help Florida increase gasoline supplies, while the state was delivering fuel directly to the areas where the shortage is most acute. Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House press secretary, said at a briefing on Thursday that the E.P.A. was quickly processing a request from Florida to expand the available supply of gas in the region and that it was ready to provide additional help if requested. We are closely monitoring the situation in Florida right now, she said, adding that the Biden administration had been in touch with the state to offer assistance. Dr. Gupta said that such an approach could better allow those who are newly released to see a doctor they had seen before their incarceration. Correctional facilities will also be expected to provide inmates with a 30-day supply of treatment upon their release, giving people a head start as they re-enter society. Its all of the transitions where things fall apart, both from the transition from outside to inside, then inside to outside, said Dr. Josiah D. Rich, an epidemiologist at Brown University. People in jails and prisons are especially vulnerable to fatal overdoses shortly after they are released, when their tolerance for drugs has weakened. Studies show that the risks of overdosing in the days and weeks after release are reduced substantially if an incarcerated person uses either buprenorphine or methadone. About two million people are held in jails and prisons on any given day in the United States, and a substantial portion of them have opioid use disorder, federal officials say. Withdrawal symptoms can be especially acute during shorter stays in jails, many of which do not have treatment programs. Around nine million people cycle through jails every year, the federal government estimates. Buprenorphine and methadone typically require sustained, uninterrupted use to help drug users gradually dull cravings. The average length of a stay in a Philadelphia jail is around 120 days, meaning that the Medicaid program, with its 90-day coverage period, could pay for treatment for most or all of a persons time there. Researchers from the Jail and Prison Opioid Project, a group that Dr. Rich helps lead that studies treatment among incarcerated people, estimate that only about 630 of the nations roughly 5,000 correctional facilities offer medication treatment for opioid use disorder. About 2 percent of incarcerated people in the United States are known to have received such treatment while in jail or prison, the researchers estimate. GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba A senior official with the International Committee of the Red Cross issued a rare statement of alarm on Friday about deteriorating health conditions and inadequate preparations for aging prisoners at Guantanamo Bay. The U.S. military must do a better job of providing care for prisoners who are experiencing the symptoms of accelerated aging, worsened by the cumulative effects of their experiences and years spent in detention, Patrick Hamilton, the head of the Red Cross delegation for the United States and Canada, said in the statement. In March, Mr. Hamilton and other delegates made a routine quarterly visit to the detention facility, the organizations 146th since the wartime prison opened in January 2002. He said the detainees physical and mental health needs are growing and becoming increasingly challenging. Consideration must be given to adapting the infrastructure for the detainees evolving needs and disabilities, as well as the rules that govern their daily lives, said Mr. Hamilton, who had last visited the prison in 2003, when 660 men and boys were held there. Today, 30 detainees remain. WASHINGTON The Supreme Court issued a decision on Friday evening that maintained the Food and Drug Administrations approval of a commonly used abortion pill while an appeal moves forward, the latest development in a fast-moving legal battle that followed a lower courts ruling that ordered the drug pulled off the market. Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. had paused the lower courts ruling on the pill, mifepristone, but that freeze had been set to expire at midnight. The justices issued their decision about five hours before the deadline. When the justices overturned Roe v. Wade in June, the conservative majority said that the legislative branch, not the courts, should make decisions on abortion policy. But the issue quickly made its way back to the Supreme Court, in a case that may have wide-ranging consequences even in states where abortion is legal, as well as for the F.D.A.s regulatory authority over other drugs. Heres an explanation of whats at play now. Whats at stake? At issue is the availability of mifepristone, the first pill taken in a two-drug regimen that now accounts for more than half of the abortions in the United States. More than five million women have used mifepristone to terminate their pregnancies in the United States, and dozens of other countries have approved the drug for use. As the most powerful rocket ever built blasted from its launchpad in Boca Chica, Texas, on Thursday, the liftoff rocked the earth and kicked up a billowing cloud of dust and debris, shaking homes and raining down brown grime for miles. In Port Isabel, a city about six miles northwest where at least one window shattered, residents were alarmed. It was truly terrifying, said Sharon Almaguer, who, at the time of the launch, was at home with her 80-year-old mother. During previous launches, Ms. Almaguer said she had experienced some shaking inside the brick house, but this was on a completely different level. Meanwhile, SpaceXs Starship exploded minutes after liftoff and before reaching orbit. Near the launch site, the residents of Port Isabel, known for its towering lighthouse and less than 10 miles from the border with Mexico, were left to deal with the mess. The situation in Sudan remains violent and unpredictable. Fighting intensified yesterday as warplanes bombarded the center of the capital, Khartoum. It remains unclear who, if anyone, is in control of Africas third-largest country. This morning, the army commander, Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who was Sudans de facto leader and one of the two rival generals whose factions have been fighting since last weekend, said that he is committed to a peaceful transition to civilian rule. But repeated attempts at cease-fires have broken down, and there is no sign that his faction would commit to talks with its rivals, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. Meanwhile, the Pentagon is moving troops into position in Djibouti so that they can help with a possible evacuation of the U.S. Embassy in Khartoum. However, a State Department official said that it is currently not safe to begin an evacuation because of the severe fighting at the Khartoum airport. For the news, obviously, you know where to go. But for a deeper understanding of whats going on, you could start with the two books about coups that I mentioned in Wednesdays column: Seizing Power: the Strategic Logic of Military Coups, by Naunihal Singh, and How to Prevent Coups DEtat: Counterbalancing and Regime Survival, by Erica De Bruin. A large market for food and other supplies serving a camp for displaced people was partly damaged during a fire on Wednesday, reflecting the dangerous toll recent fighting has taken on Sudans most vulnerable citizens. The extent of the destruction was evident in satellite imagery and social media videos analyzed by The New York Times, which found that the blaze destroyed or damaged approximately 18 acres of the market. Over the past week, Sudan has been engulfed in violence as the Army and a paramilitary group, Rapid Support Forces (R.S.F.), vie for control of the country. Already, the Abu Shouk camp, located in El Fasher, the regional capital of North Darfur, was experiencing supply shortages. According to Thomas Okedi, the area manager for the Norwegian Refugee Council, the camp hadnt received any aid in the week before the fire started. He blamed the current fighting and turmoil for the blaze, saying it started because of a stray bullet or looters igniting one of the shops, and then spread quickly through some of the makeshift structures. As people in Sudan marked the major Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr on Friday, forces led by the two warring generals vying for control of the country ignored calls for a cease-fire and clashed across the nation for a seventh day. Sudanese civilian coalitions and international officials had called for a three-day pause in fighting to allow people to gather for the Eid holiday marking the end of Ramadan, to evacuate loved ones and to seek food and medical care. Fighting on the holiday had left no room for the joy that our people deserve, Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the head of Sudans army and the countrys de facto leader, said in his first public speech since the clashes began. But he added: We are confident that we will overcome this ordeal with training, wisdom and strength, in a way that preserves the security and unity of the country and enables us to transition to civilian rule. Residents in several neighborhoods in the capital, Khartoum, reported intense shelling and gunfights in the streets, and many across Sudan continued to face a desperate situation as they struggled to flee battle areas or get access to food and water. Up to 15,000 people have crossed the border from Sudan into neighboring Chad since the beginning of the conflict last Saturday, the International Rescue Committee also said on Friday. LIMA, Peru Two of Perus former presidents are behind bars, one convicted of human rights violations, the other accused of illegally trying to dissolve Congress. A third ex-president may soon join that ignominious group with all three sharing the same prison. Alejandro Toledo, who led Peru two decades ago, surrendered on Friday to law enforcement officials in California, according to a U.S. Marshal official, having exhausted efforts to resist extradition nearly four years after his arrest in connection with one of the biggest corruption scandals in Latin America. Once he is returned to Peru, Mr. Toledo is expected to be incarcerated while the case against him proceeds. His forced repatriation comes at a fraught moment for Peru, which has been rocked by violence and demonstrations since another former president, Pedro Castillo, was impeached in December after he tried to suspend Congress and rule by decree. Peru has endured years of political corruption and instability that has resulted in the Andean country being ruled by seven presidents in the last seven years. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 21. Chairman of the Azerbaijan Ascension Party Anar Asadli has been arrested, Trend reports. Narimanov district court chose a preventive measure in the form of arrest for a period of 3 months against Anar Asadli. According to the information, Asadli is accused of fraud and a criminal case was initiated against him. Four people complained about Anar Asadli. He is accused of taking a large amount of money from these people and not returning it. A Russian warplane accidentally dropped a bomb on one of its own cities, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Friday. The blast, which videos showed hit near an apartment block, wounded three people and spread panic in a major city along the border with Ukraine. Reports first came in on Thursday night that an explosion had ripped through central Belgorod, a southern Russian city of 400,000 just across the border with Ukraine. Widely circulated video footage showed a burst of smoke and flames near an intersection that cars were passing through, sending one parked vehicle twirling through the air. Suspicion initially fell on Ukraine: Since the beginning of the war last year, the Russian authorities have blamed Kyiv for a string of covert attacks on railway bridges and other strategic targets in Belgorod. The attacks have put Belgorod on edge; some residents have said that theyre worried the Ukrainians might even invade. But on Friday morning, the Russian Defense Ministry released a statement saying that the explosion was caused by an accidental discharge of aviation ammunition by a Russian fighter jet flying over Belgorod at around 10 p.m. on Thursday. The jet was identified as an Su-34, considered one of the most advanced Russian aircraft. Both the tradition and the church still stand. By the end of the 19th century, nearly 2,000 boarders lived among the Geelians, as the locals call themselves. Today the town of 41,000 in Flanders, the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium, has 120 boarders in local homes. That has made Geel both something of a model for a particular paradigm of psychiatric care and an outlier, often regarded over the centuries with suspicion (including by The New York Times, which, in a headline from March 23, 1891, called Geel a colony where lunatics live with peasants that had been productive of misery and evil results). Those suspicions only grew as Geels approach crushed up against the rising medical field of psychiatry. In more recent times, however, the town has come up for reconsideration as an emblem of a humane alternative to the neglect or institutionalization of those with mental illness found in other places. There has always been controversy about how disturbed or eccentric people should be treated, wrote Oliver Sacks, the renowned neurologist, in 2007, in his foreword to the book Geel Revisited, an examination of 19 boarders over the course of decades. Video Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III said the U.S. expedited its timeline for supplying Ukraine with American M1 Abrams tanks, and that tanks used for training would arrive in Germany in the next few weeks. Credit Credit... Patrik Stollarz/Agence France-Presse Getty Images RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany Ukrainian troops will begin training on American M1 Abrams tanks in Germany in the next few weeks, U.S. defense officials say, in what would be a major step in arming Kyiv. Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III made the announcement on Friday morning during a meeting with allies at Ramstein Air Base. U.S. defense officials said that about 31 tanks were expected to arrive in Germany to kick off a training program for Ukrainian troops that is expected to take 10 weeks. The tanks could reach the battlefields in Ukraine by the fall, said the officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss security matters. I am confident that this equipment, and the training that accompanies it, will put Ukraines forces in position to succeed on the battlefield, Mr. Austin told a news conference after the meeting, standing alongside Gen. Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. General Milley said the M1 tanks coming are training tanks, so they are not combat ready. But, he added, I do think the M1 tank when its delivered, will make a difference. That is a vastly accelerated timetable from what the Pentagon had initially projected, and officials said it means that Abrams tanks could get to Ukraine in time to play a part in the counteroffensive that Ukraine is expected to launch soon. The counteroffensive is expected to begin in weeks, and the Abrams tanks could arrive in time to help Ukrainian troops hold onto recaptured territory, one of the officials said. Defense officials had initially said that the M1 Abrams tanks would not arrive in Ukraine until next year. But since January, when the Biden administration announced that it would send the tanks, senior defense officials have said that they wanted to speed up the timeline. Mr. Austin, during remarks on Friday at U.S.-led talks with top defense officials from more than 40 nations, a collective known as the Ukraine Contact Group, said that the continued deliveries of weapons systems and ammunition and tanks to Kyiv underscore just how badly the Kremlin miscalculated. Mr. Austins trip to Europe he arrived in Germany on Thursday after meetings with top officials in Sweden has been overshadowed by the investigation of the leak of hundreds of top-secret national security documents, said to have been carried out by a 21-year old National Guard airman in Massachusetts. Many of the documents relate to the war in Ukraine. I know many of you have been following the reports of unauthorized disclosure of sensitive and classified U.S. material, Mr. Austin said. I take this issue very seriously. He praised the Ukraine Contact Group for its commitment to reject efforts to divide us. Many of the countries in the group are NATO members. The group has met regularly at the base for the past year to discuss and coordinate military and humanitarian aid for Ukraine. The Ukrainian troops training on the Abrams tanks will have to go through qualification testing, maintenance training and drills on how to operate the advanced American battle tank. They also will have to learn how to coordinate tank maneuvers with other military units, in what the American military calls combined arms maneuvers. Show more Forty-three years ago, a bombing outside a Paris synagogue killed four people and stunned France, prompting huge crowds to protest antisemitism and exposing the country to violence it thought had disappeared with the end of World War II. On Friday, after decades of false leads, a lack of evidence and legal wrangling, a verdict finally came. The defendant, Hassan Diab, a Lebanese-Canadian sociology professor, was convicted of murder, attempted murder and aggravated destruction in connection with a terrorist enterprise. He was sentenced to life in prison. It was about time, said Carole Ancona, a Frenchwoman who was in the synagogue when the bomb went off and expressed satisfaction with the courts ruling. Its never too late to do the right thing. Judges also issued an arrest warrant for Mr. Diab, who lives in Canada and was tried in absentia. Mr. Diab has long denied any involvement in the attack. In an earlier investigation into the bombing, charges against him were dropped. In Russian prisons, they said they were deprived of effective treatments for their H.I.V. On the battlefield in Ukraine, they were offered hope, with the promise of anti-viral medications if they agreed to fight. It was a recruiting pitch that worked for many Russian prisoners. About 20 percent of recruits in Russian prisoner units are H.I.V. positive, Ukrainian authorities estimate based on infection rates in captured soldiers. Serving on the front lines seemed less risky than staying in prison, the detainees said in interviews with The New York Times. Conditions were very harsh in Russian prison, said Timur, 37, an H.I.V.-positive Russian soldier interviewed at a detention site in the city of Dnipro in central Ukraine, and identified only by a first name, worried that he would face retaliation if he returned to Russia in a prisoner swap. After he was sentenced to 10 years for drug dealing, the doctors in the Russian prison changed the anti-viral medication he had been taking to control H.I.V. to types he feared were not effective, Timur said. He had vowed to clean up Britains government after months of scandal and disarray under his predecessors. But on Friday, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak lost another top minister, as his deputy, Dominic Raab, resigned following an investigation that found he had bullied subordinates. Mr. Raab, one of Mr. Sunaks most loyal political allies, had long denied allegations of abusive behavior. But the investigation, by an independent barrister, examined eight cases in which civil servants accused Mr. Raab, 49, who also served as justice secretary, of mistreating them. In at least one case, it described his behavior as an abuse or misuse of power in a way that undermines or humiliates. Mr. Raab is the third cabinet minister in six months to leave over ethics issues, illustrating the hurdles Mr. Sunak has faced in fulfilling his promise to lead a government of integrity, professionalism and accountability at every level. The drama over Mr. Raabs fate played out over two days in Downing Street, suggesting that he initially dug in his heels about the report, which he claimed on Friday had largely exonerated him, and that Mr. Sunak was not without his own qualms about the investigation, which delved into allegations going back several years. RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany Ukrainian troops will begin training on American M1 Abrams tanks in Germany in the next few weeks, U.S. defense officials say, in what would be a major step in arming Kyiv as it seeks to seize back territory from Russia. Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III announced the timeline on Friday during a meeting with allies at Ramstein Air Base. Defense officials said that about 31 tanks were expected to arrive in Germany to begin a training program for Ukrainian troops that is expected to take 10 weeks. Combat-ready tanks could reach the battlefields in Ukraine by the fall, said the officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss security matters. But the United States stood firm in its refusal to supply Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets. Speaking at a news conference after the meeting, Gen. Mark A. Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that Ukraines air-defense system had worked effectively for more than a year and kept Russian warplanes cautious for fear of being shot down. Sustaining Ukraines air defenses, he said, is the most critical thing right now. General Milley said the United States would continue to work with its allies to that end, emphasizing we need to do everything we can to ensure that Ukraine has adequate air defense ground-based air-defense capability. GAZA CITY On the morning of Eid al-Fitr, Arafat Helles will start the day with a special prayer at the mosque to mark the end of Ramadan, and eat a breakfast of salty cheeses to line his stomach for what is to come. Then, he will set out with his three brothers and father across the Gaza Strip. They will begin with their mother but eventually visit some 15 sisters, aunts and nieces, doling out dinars and shekels as part of a Palestinian custom of men marking the Muslim holiday by giving an eidiya, a gift of money, to female relatives. The visits will follow an almost choreographed routine. At each home, the men will be plied with coffee and sweets. After little more than 15 minutes, the social calls will end a rarity in a society where such visits may last for hours, and often end in an invitation to stay for dinner. This is the eidiya visit, said Mr. Helles, 48, a professor of social services at Al-Quds Open University, in Gaza. Its one of our important traditions. The announcement that 31 M1 Abrams tanks could reach Ukraine by the fall brings one of Americas most powerful weapons a step closer to the war. But even the quicker than expected delivery would not likely reach the battlefield in time for the start of an anticipated Ukrainian counteroffensive, one in which Western allies appear to have fallen short of providing the weapons that U.S. military officials believe Kyiv needs. Documents that were among leaked classified military assessments of the war show that U.S. military planners believe that 253 tanks are needed for the coming counteroffensive. As of late February, however, only 200 had been committed, and of those, 60 were made by Western manufacturers the kind of sophisticated weaponry that Ukraine has requested. The documents, from late February and early March, offer a snapshot in time of preparations for the counteroffensive. More weapons and artillery have flowed into Ukraine in the weeks since the assessments were dated. Still, the documents reveal not just gaps in Ukraines arsenal but also the struggles of Western allies to fulfill their pledged deliveries of tanks and other weapons systems. Here is a look at five key pledged weapons: Tanks The leaked assessments show that 140 tanks being lined up for the counteroffensive, well over half the total, would be refurbished Soviet-era machines, including some from Ukraines current arsenal. A document dated Feb. 28 showed that three Ukrainian brigades gearing up for the campaign were short at least a dozen tanks each. First version published on April 20 at 14:11 BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 20. Armenia tried to fully erase the traces of Azerbaijanis in Karabakh and Eastern Zangazur, Azerbaijani Deputy Minister of Culture Saadat Yusifova said at a conference on the occasion of the 'World Book and Copyright Day' within the framework of the Year of Heydar Aliyev, Trend reports. According to the deputy minister, today's event is dedicated to a very important topic - the state of Azerbaijans historical and cultural heritage in the context of Zangazur and Armenian falsifications. She noted that the transfer of the western part of Zangazur, the original Azerbaijani land, to Armenia in past led to the geographical fragmentation of the Turkic world. We are still experiencing the grave consequences of this historical tragedy that befell our people in the first decades of the XX century. The process of occupation of Azerbaijani lands by Armenia over the past 30 years takes its roots precisely from the tragedies that occurred in that period and the historical mistakes made," Yusifova noted. Speaking about Armenias attempts to falsify history, she stressed that in order to prevent the destruction and falsification of Azerbaijani historical and cultural heritage in Karabakh and Eastern Zangazur during their occupation by Armenia, Azerbaijan worked hard to ensure that the voice of the country was heard on all international platforms. Thanks to the great efforts and personal authority of the First Vice-President of Azerbaijan, ISESCO Goodwill Ambassador, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva, the historical and cultural heritage of Azerbaijan today is more recognized and highly valued throughout the world, Yusifova added. She also noted that Azerbaijan has repeatedly raised at international organizations the issue of sending a fact-finding mission to destroy and falsify cultural heritage in Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur during the 30-year occupation. Armenians, known for their falsifications, failed to use the appearance of caravanserais, mosques, baths and tombs in cities built in the style of classical Islamic architecture of the Middle East as their own, so they saw a way out - in destroying them or making them unrecognizable. "Vandalism against the historical and cultural heritage belonging to the Azerbaijani people was not prevented at the international level, since no reaction was followed. During the occupation, more than 300 historical architectural monuments in the cradle of Azerbaijani culture, Shusha, were completely destroyed. But, as President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev underlined, no matter how hard the Armenians have tried over the past 28 years, they have not been able to affect the Azerbaijani spirit," the deputy minister said. Yusifova also said that Azerbaijani Ministry of Culture conducted monitoring in Shusha, Jabrayil, Fuzuli, Zangilan, Khojavend, Gubadli, Aghdam, Tartar, Lachin and Kalbajar districts. Furthermore, many monuments were destroyed, looted, and vandalized. "But we can say with confidence that as a victorious nation, we will restore Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur, and they will be even more beautiful," she added. Yusifova added that the people who will return to their native lands after large-scale renovation and construction work on the lands liberated from Armenian occupation will return the true spirit of Karabakh, and it will again become a highly cultural center of the region. Sacculina carcini is a common species of barnacle that not only attaches itself to various species of crab, forcefully castrating males and turning them into females willing to care for and release their eggs. Most barnacles spend their entire existence attaching themselves to underwater rocks or the bottoms of ships and just filtering food from water, but sacculina carcini has evolved into a parasite that seeks out unsuspecting crabs, usually green crabs, and becomes the bane of their existence. It all starts with a microscopic Sacculina larva that attaches itself to the most vulnerable part of the crab, the membrane at the base of one of its hairs, and injects a microscopic blob called vermigon into the crustaceans bloodstream. This blob then grows into a parasitic barnacle that uses its host both for protection and reproduction, often changing its sex to achieve its insidious goal. Photo: Hans Hillewaert / CC BY-SA 4.0 From the outside, a Sacculina carcini looks like a white sack attached to the crabs body, but in reality, this is just part of the parasite. The internal part of a mature parasite looks like a system of root-like tendrils spread all throughout the body of the host. Its through these tendrils that the parasite receives nourishment and attaches itself to the crabs nervous system, controlling its behavior. When infected with Sacculina carcini, crabs suffer a series of physical transformations that culminate in sex change. Both male and female crabs are no longer able to molt, which prevents them from regenerating lost limbs and causes them to become encrusted with other animals, while males lose their gonads and develop ovarian tissue over time. They also develop other feminine characteristics, including the broadening of their abdomens. Both male and female hosts unknowingly carry the eggs of the Sacculina carcini in the sac attached to their abdomen until they are ready for release. The eggs are fertilized by male larvae which enter the sac through a pore, and when the parasite eggs are ready for release, the crab will climb onto a rock and waft them around, thus renewing the cycle. Interestingly, female crabs care for the parasite eggs just as they would their own brood, but males develop this protective, motherly trait after castration. In fact, experimental removal of the insidious parasite from female subjects caused them to regenerate their ovaries, but in males the sex change was permanent, so they started growing ovaries as well. Sacculina carcini is categorized as a threat to us humans as well, because of its ability to make crab hosts infertile, thus causing a shortage for human consumption. A farmer in Indias West Bengal state has been working on an unusual-looking house modeled after the famous RMS Titanic ship that sank after colliding with an iceberg. Mintu Roy, a man from Bengals Darjeeling district, has been dreaming of living in a house shaped like the Titanic since he was a small child growing up in Kolkata. One year, during the Durga Puja festival, he was so impressed with a Titanic-shaped pandal a temporary structure built to venerate gods during Hindu religious celebrations that he decided to one day build his own house to resemble the iconic passenger liner. Today, at age 52, Roy still hasnt given up on his dream and he is working hard to finish his already impressive Titanic house in Darjeeling. Most of my childhood was spent in Kolkata, around the Bowbazar area, Mintu Roy told Indian reporters visiting his home. The time of Durga Puja is one of my fondest memories. I watched people flocking to pandals even days after the puja ended. It was one such pandal that set the spark to make a memorable home for me and my family. After moving to various parts of India in search of employment and a better life, Roy settled in West Bengal and began making plans to begin the construction of his dream house. But finding someone to help him build a Titanic-shaped house proved easier said than done. Most construction engineers didnt believe in his vision and those who did requested more money than the farmer had to pay. So he ultimately decided to design and build it himself. After going to Nepal for three years to study masonry, Mintu Roy started working on his unique 3-storey house. He has been at it for 13 years now, because he lacked the funds to complete it sooner, but he hopes to one day live inside it with his family. Though we have not kept the record of how much money has been spent so far, I guess it should not be less than 15 lakhs ($182,000), Mintus wife, Iti, said. We were very poor and after the birth of my daughter, we started hiring land on lease from others and started cultivating vegetables. The Titanic fan hopes to finish the house in the next to years and hopefully open a small restaurant or tea shop on the top floor, as an extra source of income. Even in its current unfinished state, the 39-foot-long, 13-foot-wide, and 30-foot-high house has become a major tourist attraction in the area, with reporters coming by regularly to snap photos and interview Mintu about it. The 52-year-old farmer wants to make the Titanic as impressive on the inside as it is on the outside by installing a grand staircase as well as intricate woodwork, a main deck, and a special control room. This is my husbands dream, so it is mine and the childrens. We all want to help him accomplish that, Mintu Roys supportive wife said. It makes us happy when people even from far-flung places visit our neighborhood and click photos of the building. Journalists have been regularly visiting the family and enquiring over the phone. I also want to help my father financially to realize his dream come true, Mintus son, Kiran, added. A travel agency in Argentina recently had the misfortune of being robbed twice in one day, once by a couple of aggressive robbers and then by the police officers that were supposed to catch the criminals, not copy them. Last Wednesday, two armed robbers entered the offices of a travel agency in Buenos Aires and brutalized the staff before running off with hundreds of thousands of pesos. The victims called the police as soon as the assailants left the premises, but that proved to be a big mistake. In about 10 minutes, three police officers arrived on the scene, and after a brief interrogation of the staff regarding the robbery, they stormed off after the criminals. Thats when one of the agencys employees noticed that a black bag containing about 4 million pesos that the robbers had missed was nowhere to be found Photo: Maxim Hopman/Unsplash One of the travel agencys employees swore that the robbers had missed the bag and that it was still in the office when the police arrived. He wasnt lying. CCTV footage showed one of the police officers casually walking out of the agency with the bag under their arm. At this point, the travel agency boss was convinced that there had been some mistake and that the officer had taken the bag as evidence. He was wrong! After calling the police station to report the missing bag of money, the owner of the agency was told by the operator that the procedural record put together by the police officers didnt mention any bag of money. Thats when the agency staff started considering the possibility that the policemen that came after the robbers just finished the job instead of helping them. After reviewing the security camera footage, a prosecutor demanded the arrest of the three police officers and that they be brought before a judge. CCTV videos show the three officers taking the stairs down from the seventh-floor travel agency even though there was a more comfortable elevator. Investigators concluded that the three noticed security cameras inside the elevator, and preferred to avoid them, not accounting for the cameras in the lobby. They saw that there were cameras in the elevator and for that reason, they preferred to avoid them, but they did not take into account those in the corridors, a source involved in the investigation told Infobae. The three officers were detained this week, and the black bag full of dollars was found in one of the suspects homes. The other two people denied playing a part in the unexpected robbery, claiming that they never considered their colleague a criminal. The three police officers are currently detained in different facilities of the Federal police and will remain so until the investigation is concluded. LA Looks for Community Outreach Partner Wed., Apr. 26, 2023 Los Angeles is looking for a partner to conduct a creative engagement and communications program to support land use policy and zoning proposals for the East San Fernando Valley Transit Neighborhood Plan. Were No. 2! Hats off to Publicis Groupe CEO Arthur Sadoun for powering his French analytics/ad/PR firm past Omnicom Group to become the second largest communications combine. Publicis chalked up a 10 percent increase in Q1 revenues to $3.7B, following two years of double-digit growth. Putting this performance in perspective, the Groupe has actually changed dimension in recent years, rising to the number 2 position in the industry in terms of revenue, said Sadoun in taking a bow. Meanwhile, Omnicom CEO John Wren posted a measly one percent growth in the quarter to $3.4M. Both Sadoun and Wren project three percent to five percent organic growth for the year. But the swaggering Frenchman expects growth in the upper range of the projection. Touche! For Sadoun, its on to toppling Mark Reads WPP from the top of the heap. You got to hand it to the PR gang at Fox News Media. The department has mastered the art of snarkiness. After agreeing to a last-minute record $787.7M settlement to its defamation suit with Dominion Voting Systems, what other PR department would issue this flight from reality: This settlement reflects Foxs continued commitment to the highest journalistic standards. Walter Cronkite is spinning in his grave. Dominion sued Fox for $1.6B. I cant wait to see the PR statement that Fox puts out following conclusion of its next legal battle. Smartmatic is suing Fox for $2.7B. A lawyer for that voting machine company said it wont accept any settlement smaller than $787.7M and it wants an apology. Fox is ready to defend itself at the trial that will probably begin in 2025. As a report prepared by our financial expert shows, Smartmatics damages claims are implausible, disconnected from reality, and on its face intended to chill First Amendment freedoms, the company said in a statement. The trial will show what party is disconnected from reality. Its too bad Floridas governor Ron DeSantis is dull as dishwater on the campaign trail. Or that he thinks that he can ride a one-trick war on corporate wokism pony up Pennsylvania Ave and into the White House. His war on wokism is not exactly a stirring call to battle. A survey by PA firm RokkSolutions found that a little more than half (52 percent) say companies have gone overboard on the woke front. Conversely, more than three quarters (76 percent) of respondents believe companies should be held accountable for making positive impact on the communities in which they operate. Those findings present a pretty mixed bag. While DeSantis wastes time obsessing over Mickey Mouse, he is being ridiculed 24/7 by his former mentor turned chief tormentor Donald Trump. That's because Trump knows he's toast against his fellow Florida Man. DeSantis clobbers Trump by a 52 percent to 38 percent margin in a head-to-head GOP primary battle, according to a Wall Street Journal/Impact Research poll. Trump handily beats DeSantis by 48 percent to 24 percent if presidential wannabes Nikki Haley, Mike Pence, Chris Sununu, Chris Christie, Tim Scott and Glenn Youngkin are tossed into the mix. In a contest with president Joe Biden, Trump loses 48 percent to 45 percent, but DeSantis reverses those numbers and becomes the next president. Biden plans to announce his re-election bid on April 26. Seventy-three percent of Americans dont want him to do so, according to an AP/NORC poll. Seventy percent of Americans dont want Trump to run either. Outside the Magic Kingdom, theres an opening for DeSantis if he's less than a bully and smarty pants know-it-all. Thank you for your service. Dan Edelman on April 20 was posthumously inducted as a distinguished member of the psychological operations regiment at the US Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center at School at Fort Bragg. In his recommendation letter, COL (R) Curtis Boyd wrote that Edelmans service during a time of war proved invaluable to not only his comrades in arms but also formed a critical and credible basis for not only the military profession of psychological operations but also set the foundation for PR professionals worldwide. Dan's PSYOP service was the perfect training ground for launching what has become the world's No. 1 PR firm. THE Ulster Bank in Tullamore will close its doors for the last time today April 21. The bank is one of 63 branches around the country to close permanently. The closure is part of its phased withdrawal from the Republic of Ireland. Ulster bank was founded in 1836 and first came to Tullamore in 1893. That same year the Bank of Ireland also opened on High Street. At one time Ulster Bank had branches in Ferbane, Clara, Kilcormac and Edenderry. In 1922 the manager of the Tullamore branch Thomas Mitchell was shot dead by the Republican IRA during the course of a robbery. Mr Mitchell a farmer's son had been manager of the bank since it opened. Prior to that another serious incident occurred at the bank. In May 1921 on what was a fair day in Tullamore a gang of armed men raided the premises. The culprits no doubt realised there was more money in the bank than usual. Mr Mitchell refused to hand over any cash and he was shot and wounded. He survived, only to face another gang just 14 months later when the bank was raided for a second time. Once again Mr Mitchell refused to hand over the keys to the safe and was shot dead. The closure of the Ulster bank marks the end of an era for Tullamore and will be a loss to its many customers. Ulster Bank says that ''a range of customer services and supports will continue after April 21, through telephone and online channels, to help remaining customers move and close their accounts. Known vulnerable customers will still continue to be supported in moving to a new banking provider.'' Ulster Bank has been reducing branch services on a phased basis since its withdrawal was announced and branch transactions have seen a 99% reduction since January 2021. Less than 5% of known vulnerable customers typically use the branch network currently. In January 2023, Ulster Bank formally wrote to customers providing them with notice of the closure of its branch network, with branches ceasing transactions on March 31 2023. Ulster Bank Chief Executive, Jane Howard, said: ''Today is a poignant day in Ulster Banks 187-year history as our remaining 63 branches in the Republic of Ireland will close their doors for the last time. While the focus in recent months has been on supporting our customers as they move to new banking providers, we know our branches and colleagues have been a central part of communities around the country for many years. I would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all of our branch colleagues over the years, particularly for their dedication over the past two challenging years, and Id also like to thank our customers for allowing us to be part of your communities. ''As the closure of current and deposit accounts materially concludes, I strongly urge any remaining customer who has not yet moved their current and deposit account to act swiftly to find a new provider and move their accounts. Although our branches will no longer be open after today, we are still here to support our remaining customers.'' BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 21. UN Resident Coordinator in Azerbaijan Vladanka Andreeva congratulated the people of Azerbaijan on Ramadan holiday, Trend reports citing the publication on her Twitter page. On behalf of the UN mission in Azerbaijan, I extend our warmest wishes to the people of Azerbaijan on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr. May this day bring you peace, happiness and prosperity! the tweet reads. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 21. Azerbaijan is not a country one can speak in hostile manner with, Allahshukur Pashazade, Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims' Board (CMB) told journalists, Trend reports. He made the remark, responding to the recent statement of Armenian Catholicos, who called on Armenians for a new war against Azerbaijan. "The new calls of the Armenian Catholicos for war stem from the fact that he became a victim of political ambitions, and it is wrong that the clergy interfere in politics," Pashazade said. Following over a month of military action to liberate its territories from the long-lasting Armenian occupation from late Sept. to early Nov. 2020, Azerbaijan pushed Armenia to sign the surrender document. A joint statement on the matter was made by the Azerbaijani president, Armenia's PM, and the president of Russia. A complete ceasefire and a cessation of all hostilities in the zone of the Karabakh conflict were introduced on Nov. 10, 2020. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, the Armenian Armed Forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. OPINION: North Koreas missile tests: Need for constant vigilance Feature lekhaka-Jagdish N Singh Seoul, Tokyo and Washington today are aiming to neutralise negative implications of North Korea's ongoing nuclear-missile weaponisation programmes on their territorial integrity. New Delhi must observe constant vigilance over the North's ICBM technology. Islamabad may acquire it from Pyongyang and use it against India. South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and US President Joe Biden have one thing in common today: emphasis on trilateral cooperation between their countries. In the process, Seoul, Tokyo and Washington have of late been drawing closer to one another both bilaterally and trilaterally. Reports are that on April 14, South Korea, Japan and the United States agreed at talks in Washington to hold regular missile defence and anti-submarine exercises. On April 17, South Korea and Japan resumed "two-plus-two" talks of senior diplomatic and security officials in Seoul, after a five-year halt. The same day, South Korea, the United States and Japan staged joint naval missile defence exercises in international waters between Korea and Japan. These drills brought together South Korea's 7,600-tonne Aegis destroyer Yulgok Yi I, the US guided-missile destroyer Benfold, and Japan's Atago destroyer, equipped with Aegis radar systems. Also, the same day, the air forces of South Korea and the United States began drills for a 12-day run. OPINION: What New Delhi can do to bring Tokyo, Seoul closer Observers say such mechanisms are aimed at neutralising any negative implications that North Korea's ongoing nuclear-missile weaponisation programmes might have on the territorial integrity of South Korea, Japan and the US. North Korea has had an aggressive weaponisation programme. Today, it is already a very powerful nuclear weapon State. On April 13, the North fired a ballistic missile off its east coast. It flew 621 miles before falling in waters between North Korea and Japan. According to a study, on March 15 this year, North Korea launched the Hwasong-17 inter-continental ballistic missile (ICBM). The ICBM travelled up to a maximum altitude of over 6,000 km and flew a distance of 1,000 km for over 69 minutes before it landed in the waters off the east coast. The Hwasong-17 is capable of flying up to 15,000 km. This could be enough to hold the continental United States at risk. The study says the Hwasong-17 is not the only strategic asset North Korea has today. It has already launched six close-range ballistic missiles (CRBM) and test-fired two submarine-launched cruise missiles (SLCM). Given the totalitarian nature and aggressive history of the current regime in the North, its growing nuclear-missile programmes do not but undermine regional and international security. Aware of this, Washington today wants its two most steadfast allies - Tokyo and Seoul - in Asia to work closer together to help it face off with an increasingly assertive North Korea (and China). US President Biden talks of the "importance of US-ROK-Japan trilateral cooperation for. . . shared security and prosperity, upholding common values and bolstering the rules-based order." The observers suggest New Delhi would do well to observe constant vigilance over the North's growing missile programme. The North's ICBM is able to carry multiple warheads and has a range of around 15,000 km. This ICBM technology may pass on to the hands of Islamabad. The latter has had sinister designs against India. It may use the ICBM against India. New Delhi may bear in mind that Pyongyang has been too close to Islamabad not to transfer any weapon system to it. Its clandestine defence technology cooperation with Pakistan has been no secret. It is well-documented that in 2003, Abdul Qadeer Khan, the founder of the nuclear programme of Pakistan, traded know-how and technology with North Korea (Iran and Libya). In 2011, Khan claimed that North Korea had bribed senior officials of the Pakistani Army and got them to allow him to share nuclear technology and certain equipment with the Stalinist State in East Asia. New Delhi may bear in mind also that in the mid-1990s, Pyongyang-Islamabad secret defence cooperation already led to the supply of Rodong missiles and technology to Pakistan. Further, New Delhi may keep in mind that Pyongyang hardly shares with it the kind of linkage it has had with Islamabad. India does have diplomatic, cultural and economic contacts with the North. But there has never been much exchange of high-level visits between the two nations. It may be recalled that in September 1998, India's then Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi visited North Korea. In May 2018, some 20 years later, India's then Minister of State for External Affairs V.K. Singh visited Pyongyang. On the other hand, Pakistan has not only formal diplomatic and economic relationships with the North. They have had a lot more beyond. The two nations developed strong relationship way back in the 1970s when then Pakistan Prime Minister Z.A. Bhutto made a State visit to North Korea. North Korea today maintains a vast Consulate General in Karachi and consulates in other cities of Pakistan. (Jagdish N. Singh is a senior journalist based in New Delhi. He is also Senior Distinguished Fellow at the Gatestone Institute, New York) Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of OneIndia and OneIndia does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, April 21, 2023, 12:41 [IST] 7 ultras may have carried out RPG attack on Army vehicle in Poonch India oi-Vicky Nanjappa Seven terrorists were involved in the attack on the Indian Army soldiers, which took place in Poonch Jammu and Kashmir, the preliminary probe has shown. Sources tell OneIndia that the terrorists had fired at the vehicle from all sides and had used rocket-propelled grenades. The investigation into the incident continues, while a massive search operation has been launched to nab the terrorists involved in the attack. While a Jaish-e-Mohammad backed group has claimed responsibility for the attack, investigators are also not ruling out the possibility of the Lashkar-e-Tayiba being involved in the same. The source cited above said that the terrorists may have escaped into the dense forests and hence the search operation is tougher. Another official said that the terrorists took advantage of the rainy conditions and poor visibility to carry out the attack. Radar on JeM backed PAFF as NIA gets set to probe Poonch attack The attack took place on a day when it was confirmed that Pakistan minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari would be attending the G20 meet in India. This development also comes in the wake of Pakistan asking all G20 members, particularly to its all-weather friend China to boycott the event. According to the Intelligence agencies, the attack was specifically planned and timed to create panic ahead of the G20 event. The terrorist group has done a thorough reconnaissance before staging the attack. The official cited above said that it is clear that this was planned to reign havoc in the Valley and disrupt India's plans of holding such a big summit. The aim of the Pakistan establishment was clear and that it wanted to instigate violence in Jammu and Kashmir ahead of the event. Why 2024, NCP can stake claim to Maharashtra CM post now also, says Ajit Pawar Amid rumours of leaving NCP, Ajit Pawar skips party meet in Mumbai India oi-PTI Senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar has conveyed to the party that he is unable to attend its day-long convention in Mumbai today due to his prior commitments elsewhere, which has raised eyebrows in political circles as speculation about his next political move refuse to die down. Speaking to reporters in Pune, Ajit Pawar played down the buzz saying that he is not able to attend the NCP meeting as he has to remain present for some other programmes happening at the same time. The NCP also said that Ajit Pawar's inability to attend the party meeting does not mean he is planning to quit the organisation. NCP chief Sharad Pawar is scheduled to address the party meeting in the state capital in the evening. The party meet started this morning. Intense speculation is going on in Maharashtra's political circles about Ajit Pawar's growing proximity with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Rumours about his next political move started swirling last week when he suddenly cancelled his scheduled meetings and also made comments which were seen as being soft on the BJP and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's camp. The BJP is part of the Shinde government. On Ajit Pawars likely move towards BJP, a warning from Shiv Sena Talking about Ajit Pawar's absence at the meeting, NCP spokesman Clyde Crasto said the party's Mumbai event was planned a month ago. "Ajitdada is continuously busy and he has accepted invitations to several programmes in Pune. He expressed his inability to attnd (the NCP meet). All leaders have their schedule to follow. Just because they are unable to attend one function, it does not mean they are planning to quit. He was present along with (Sharad) Pawar saheb for an 'iftar' party earlier this week in Mumbai," Mr Crasto said. In Pune, Ajit Pawar said one has to choose between two political programmes happening at the same time. "One should not have any doubts," he said when asked about his absence from the party meeting in Mumbai. Ajit Pawar, who is the Leader of Opposition in the state Legislative Assembly and a former deputy chief minister, had said on Tuesday that he would work for his party till he is alive and scotched speculation that he and a group of MLAs loyal to him might align with the ruling BJP. When Maharashtra was under President's rule after the results of the 2019 Assembly polls were out and Shiv Sena (undivided) severed ties with ally BJP, Ajit Pawar had secretly joined hands with Devendra Fadnavis and a government was formed with Fadnavis as the chief minister and the NCP leader as his deputy. However, that government lasted for just 80 hours after Ajit Pawar resigned. Did Pakistans ISI stage Poonch attack to derail Bhuttos India visit? India oi-Vicky Nanjappa The terror attack in Poonch, Jammu and Kashmir in which five soldiers lost their lives has cast a shadow on the visit by Pakistan's foreign minister, Bilawal Bhutto. The attack came just hours after it was announced that Bhutto would visit India for the G20 meet. This attack has now cast a shadow over the visit by Bhutto. Bhutto's visit would be the first by any Pakistani Foreign Minister since Hina Rabbani Khar in 2011. It would also be the first high-level visit by a Pakistani official since the one made by Nawaz Sharif in 2014 for the swearing-in-ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 7 terrorists may have carried out RPG attack on Indian Army soldiers in Poonch The ties between India and Pakistan have been bitter of long. India has always maintained that there shall be no bi-lateral ties until Islamabad stops funding terror. When asked about Bhutto's visit, Minister of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, 'it would not be really appropriate to look at the participation by any one particular country.' The Poonch attack is not new in the scheme of things for Islamabad. Every time India has made attempts to calm down ties with the Pakistan, the ISI has staged an attack to derail ties. One such example is the Pathankot attack. The attack was staged by the Jaish-e-Mohammad at the behest of the ISI following the surprise visit Prime Minister Modi made to Pakistan. An Intelligence Bureau official tells OneIndia that the grenade attack in Poonch was planned days in advance. The ISI had this planned all along in a bid to disrupt the G20 meeting. A series of attacks are on the anvil of the ISI to disrupt the meet and create havoc in J&K, the IB official cited above said. The Poonch attack is likely to have an impact on the visit by Bhutto. There is already mistrust when it comes to Pakistan and this attack has added more to that. Ties are already strained between the two countries, owing to Pakistan's constant sponsoring of attacks in India. The Pulwama and Uri attacks are examples of this. Radar on JeM backed PAFF as NIA gets set to probe Poonch attack Following the Mumbai 26/11 attacks, peace talks between the two countries between the two countries had stalled. Ties were further strained when India and Pakistan engaged in a diplomatic spat in New York. External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar had slammed Pakistan for being an epicentre of terrorism. Eid 2023 date & time of moon sighting in Kerala, Kashmir and other states; when is Eid When is Eid: Date, time of moon sighting in Saudi, UAE & Pakistan Eid-Ul-Fitr 2023 to be celebrated on April 22 in India Villagers to skip Eid after Army trucks was ambushed in Poonch Shawwal moon sighted in India, Eid-ul-Fitr 2023 to be celebrated tomorrow India oi-Madhuri Adnal Eid-Ul-Fitr Moon Sighting 2023 Live Updates In India and Latest News: The crescent moon also called as Chaand Raat was sighted in India on Friday. The Eid-ul-Fitr 2023 will be celebrated the following day. Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated on the first day of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic calendar. Muslims in several regions of the world celebrated the beginning of Eid al-Fitr by offering prayers on Friday. The festival symbolises the conclusion of the sacred month of Ramadan and starts with the appearance of the new crescent moon. Stay tuned for all the LIVE updates: Newest First Oldest First This LIVE blog has been ended. The Kerala government has also declared April 22 as a government holiday to observe Eid, despite the official calendar marking the holiday on Friday, April 21. Eid al-Fitr is a significant and joyous occasion celebrated by Muslims worldwide on the first day of Shawwal, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, which involves fasting. Eid Moon was sighted in India as Muslims prepare to celebrate Eid ul Fitr. The crescent Moon is expected to be seen on Friday marking the end of Ramadan in India and other countries. Muslims in different parts of India are celebrating the last Jummah (Friday) of Ramadan today, April 21, before the Eid celebrations begin all across the country. 'Jumma-tul-Vida' prayers, marking the last Friday of Ramzan, were offered across Kashmir including at the historic Jamia Masjid here with religious fervour, officials told news agency PTI. The announcement of the Eid is made via television, radio stations and mosques once the sighting of the moon has been confirmed. The latest moon sighting calculations predict that Eid-ul-Fitr in India will be celebrated on April 22, based on the Shawwal crescent moon being sighted on April 21. The latest moon sighting calculations predict that Eid-ul-Fitr in India will be celebrated on April 22, based on the Shawwal crescent moon being sighted on April 21. The announcement of the Eid is made via television, radio stations and mosques once the sighting of the moon has been confirmed. 'Jumma-tul-Vida' prayers, marking the last Friday of Ramzan, were offered across Kashmir including at the historic Jamia Masjid here with religious fervour, officials told news agency PTI. Muslims in different parts of India are celebrating the last Jummah (Friday) of Ramadan today, April 21, before the Eid celebrations begin all across the country. The crescent Moon is expected to be seen on Friday marking the end of Ramadan in India and other countries. Eid Moon was sighted in India as Muslims prepare to celebrate Eid ul Fitr. Eid al-Fitr is a significant and joyous occasion celebrated by Muslims worldwide on the first day of Shawwal, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, which involves fasting. The Kerala government has also declared April 22 as a government holiday to observe Eid, despite the official calendar marking the holiday on Friday, April 21. This LIVE blog has been ended. We are fully prepared, nothing to worry, says Delhi CM Kejriwal 6 killed as fire breaks out at Delhi home after mosquito coil tips over Firing at Delhi court: Woman, lawyer injured; four rounds fired India oi-Prakash KL A woman and a lawyer were injured in an incident of firing at Saket court on Friday. "Two persons, a woman and a lawyer, have suffered bullet injuries in the firing incident," Hindustan Times quoted Chandan Chowdhary, DCP South, as saying. The victim was identified as M Radha (40) and the suspected attacker is Chowdhary, the report said. He is said to be a suspended lawyer. According to reports, the injured was rushed to Max Hospital in Saket. A senior police officer has informed NDTV that the woman was in the court over the hearing of a financial dispute with the man, who fired four rounds of bullets. Delhi: A woman has been injured in an incident of firing at Saket court. Four rounds were fired. Police on the spot. (Warning: Disturbing visuals) Visuals confirmed by police. pic.twitter.com/vdaUBqZxmp ANI (@ANI) April 21, 2023 An investigation has started. The clips doing rounds on social media sites showed the victim bleeding from her stomach. #WATCH | Delhi: Firing incident reported in Saket court. Crime team & Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) inspecting the spot. pic.twitter.com/gYR2g7Ufc5 ANI (@ANI) April 21, 2023 Responding to the incident, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted, "The law and order situation in Delhi has completely crumbled. Instead of obstructing the work of others and doing dirty politics on everything, everyone should focus on their own work. And if he does not manage, then he should resign so that someone else can do it. The safety of the people cannot be left to Ram's trust." Earlier this month, a 53-year-old lawyer was shot dead by two bike-borne assailants in Delhi's Dwarka area. It may also be recalled that two gunmen dressed as lawyers fired inside Delhi's Rohini court in September 2022. The gunmen were killed in police firing. The two attackers, Rahul Tyagi and Jagdeep Jagga fired multiple bullets at gangster Jitender Maan alias Gogi. Police personnel retaliated, allegedly killing the two on the spot. A gun-firing incident was reported following a fight between two advocates in April last year in Rohini Court. COVID-19: 18 more students of Madras IIT test positive, turning Covid cluster in Chennai IIT Madras turns into COVID-19 hotspot as 55 test positive so far; CM to hold meeting with collectors NIRF India Ranking 2022: IIT Madras is top engineering college in India again With an aim of boxers winning more medals at Olympics, IIT Madras, IIS to develop analytics software IIT Madras BTech student found dead, fourth case this year India oi-Madhuri Adnal A second-year B. Tech student of IIT-Madras died allegedly by suicide in Tamil Nadu on Friday, news agency ANI reported. The body has been taken for autopsy and preliminary investigation is underway, said Chennai Police officials. The deceased was a second-year student from Maharashtra who was pursuing Chemical Engineering at the institute. According to reports, this the fourth case of suspected suicide this year. The deceased was staying in Cauvery hostel. His friends on noticing that his room was locked for hours informed the hostel warden who in turn alerted the police. Police broke open the door and found him hanging from a ceiling fan. Meanwhile, a case has been registered by the Kotturpuram police. Earlier on April 2, a PhD student of IIT Madras had died by suicide in his room in Tamil Nadu's Velachery, police informed. The student was a native of West Bengal and was aged 32. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 21. Turkic peoples should support each other in difficult times, Allahshukur Pashazade, Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims' Board (CMB) told journalists, Trend reports. As an example, he brought up Turkiye, which was struck by a devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake, resulting in loss of over 50,000 people. The earthquake occurred at a depth of seven kilometers in the Pazarcik region of Kahramanmaras Province. The provinces of Hatay, Gaziantep, Kilis, Osmaniye, Malatya, Adiyaman, Sanliurfa, Diyarbakir, Adana, and Kahramanmaras were subjected to severe destruction. Azerbaijan was the first country to send over humanitarian aid there. As part of the Ramadan campaign organized by the "Fraternal Aid" platform, two trucks filled with gifts were sent to Turkiye on April 20 with the assistance of members of MUSIAD Azerbaijan and Azerbaijan's Fund of Aid for Youth. The gifts intended for 2,000 families were delivered to the victims of the earthquake in Kahramanmaras Province, in particular to Turkoglu region and to the village in the Elbistan region, which was recently commissioned with the support of the MUSIAD. Pashazade said the earthquake tragedy serves as an example, as in such times is when Turkic peoples must show the biggest support to one another. He also congratulated the people of Azerbaijan on the occasion of Ramadan. "May God protect our state, our statehood, and our head of state. May God protect all our soldiers standing on the border. May God not get us involved in another war," Pashazade stressed. Karnataka elections 2023: NCP releases first list of 9 candidates India oi-Madhuri Adnal The Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Friday released its first list of nine candidates for the upcoming Karnataka Assembly elections 2023. The party also named its star campaigners. The NCP has fielded Uttam Patil from Nippani assembly segment in Belgavi district, a region with dominant Marathi-speaking population, where it had actively participated in the agitation against the desecration of a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. It has fielded Masoor Saheb Bilagi from Devar Hippargi, Zameer Ahmad Inamdar (Baswan Bagewadi), Kulappa Chavan (Nagthan), R Hari (Yelburga), R Shankar (Ranebennur), K Suguna (Hagaribommanahalli), SYM Masood Foujdar (Virajpet) and Rehana Bano (Narsimharaja). Amid rumours of leaving NCP, Ajit Pawar skips party meet in Mumbai Hari is the President of the NCP's Karnataka unit and Shankar a BJP MLC who quit the party after being denied ticket to contest the May 10 elections. Elected as the lone MLA of Karnataka Pragnyavantha Janatha Party (KPJP) from Ranebennur constituency in 2018, Shankar later joined the Congress. However, he withdrew his support to Congress-JD(S) coalition government led by then Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, when a few MLAs from both parties resigned. He was then disqualified considering the fact that he was a Congress member. Shankar joined the BJP and was elected to the Legislative Council. Shankar quit the BJP and as MLC after being denied the party ticket to contest the May 10 assembly elections. NCP issues its first list of nine candidates for Karnataka Assembly elections, also names star campaigners Party leader Ajit Pawar's name is not included in the list. pic.twitter.com/P4sDEcIYCx ANI (@ANI) April 21, 2023 Earlier, the party had informed that it is planning on contesting at least 45 seats in the Karnataka polls. There are 224 constituencies in Karnataka and the magic number is 113. Although the NCP does not have any base in Karnataka, the move is still an interesting one in the wake of the developments that took place last week. The NCP had recently written to the Election Commission of India seeking allocation the 'alarm clock' symbol for the Karnataka Assembly elections. It must be noted that the NCP had lost its national party status due to its depleted fortunes in Goa, Manipur and Meghalaya. Voting in the state will take place on May 10 and counting is scheduled for May 13. (with PTI inputs) 3,632 candidates file papers in Karnataka, scrutiny today India oi-PTI Over 3,600 candidates have filed a total of 5,102 nominations for the May 10 Assembly polls in Karnataka till Thursday, the last day for filing of the papers, election officials said here. The process of filing nominations papers began on April 13 with the election notification being issued. Of the total nominations, 4,710 were filed by 3,327 male candidates and 391 nominations were by 304 female candidates. One nomination has been filed by an "other gender" candidate, the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer of Karnataka said in a Thursday night statement. It said 707 nominations were filed by candidates who identified themselves with the BJP, 651 Congress, 455 JD(S) and the rest from other smaller parties and Independents. According to the officials, one candidate may file up to four nominations. On Thursday, the sixth and last day for filing of the papers, 1,934 nominations were filed by 1,691 candidates, including several prominent leaders. In a surprise move just hours before the deadline for filing of nominations, Congress MP from Bangalore Rural D K Suresh entered the fray from the Kanakapura segment, from where his elder brother and state Congress chief D K Shivakumar is the party's candidate. Karnataka polls: DK Suresh files nomination from brother DK Shivakumar's constituency as 'backup plan' According to several Congress functionaries, Suresh has filed his papers as a "backup plan" in the event of the nomination of Shivakumar getting rejected. In Hassan, JD(S) candidate H P Swaroop filed his nomination with the backing of the entire family of former prime minister and JD(S) patriarch H D Deve Gowda. BJP candidate from Shivamogga Channabasappa, whose ticket was announced on Wednesday night by the party, filed his papers in the presence of senior leader and sitting MLA K S Eshwarappa, who has announced retirement from electoral politics. Accompanied by Independent MP Sumalatha Ambareesh and minister C N Ashwath Narayan, BJP candidate from Mandya Ashok Jayaram filed his nomination papers. According to reports, Congress working president Satish Jarkiholi filed his nomination from Yemakanmardi in Belagavi district. Minister Shashikala Jolle filed her papers from her traditional seat of Nippani in the district, accompanied by Union Minister Pralhad Joshi. Among others who filed their nominations on Thursday were the BJP's M P Renukacharya (Honnali), Katta Jagadish (Hebbal) and Ramachandra Gowda (Sidlaghatta), and the Congress' Ramanatha Rai (Bantwal) and Yogesh HC (Shivamogga). Scrutiny of nominations will take place on April 21, and the last day for the withdrawal of candidature is April 24. Eid 2023 date & time of moon sighting in Kerala, Kashmir and other states; when is Eid Kerala government declares two-day holiday for Eid-ul-Fitr India oi-Vicky Nanjappa The Kerala government has declared a two-day holiday on April 21 and 22 for Eid-ul-Fitr. Eid-ul-Fitr is observed a day earlier than the rest of India because the local moon sighting committee follows the traditional Islamic calendar and waits for the actual sighting of the moon. Kerala is the only state in India where Eid-ul-Fitr is decided in accordance with the moon sighting in Saudi Arabia. The state government declares a holiday for Eid-ul-Fitr in lines with the decision to etc committee and this year the auspicious festival is going to be celebrated in Kerala on April 21. Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated across the world on different days. It is determined by the sighting of the moon, which denotes the start of the Shawwal month in the lunar Islamic calendar. It also marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramzan. Eid-Ul-Fitr 2023 to be celebrated on April 22 in India Ramzan takes place for 720 hours ie four weeks and two days. During this period the followers of Islam or Muslims fast between dawn and sunset. They pray for peace and guidance, give back to the community in the form of charity. The ninth month in the Islamic Lunar calendar is Ramzan and the tenth is Shawwal, whose first day is marked at the festival of Eid-ul-Fitr across the world. Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated on April 22 as the crescent moon was not seen marking the end of the fasting month. If the new moon is visible, then Eid will be celebrated the following day. In India, followers of Islam are expecting the moon sighting today, post 6.45 pm. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, April 21, 2023, 10:55 [IST] National Civil Services Day: History, significance and more India oi-Prakash KL The National Civil Service Day is annually observed in India on April 21 to honour the contribution of civil servants to society. On 1947 this day, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the 'Iron Man of India' referred to the civil servants as the 'steel frame of India' as they are the executors of the policies of the government of the day - a pillar on which the wheel of governance that churns policies and programs for the country. In India, the civil services consist of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and a comprehensive list of All India Services and Central Services Group A and Group B. Hence, it is considered as the backbone of the government tha tplays a crucial role in the smooth running of the country. The first Civil Services Day function was held in Vigyan Bhawan here on April 21, 2006. Celebration This Year This year's civil services day is celebrated on the theme "Viksit Bharat' - Empowering citizens and reaching the last mile." Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the Civil Servants at Vigyan Bhawan today at 11 AM. The PM has always appreciated the contribution of Civil Servants towards nation building and enthused them to work even harder. "The programme will serve as an apt platform for the Prime Minister to motivate and inspire Civil Servants across the country so that they may keep serving the nation with the same zeal, especially during this crucial phase of Amrit Kaal," a statement from the PMO said. The PM will confer the Prime Minister's Awards for Excellence in Public Administration as well. These have been instituted with a view to recognize the extraordinary and innovative work done by districts & organizations of the Central and State Governments for the welfare of common citizens. "Exemplary work done in four identified priority programmes will be given awards: Promoting Swachh Jal through Har Ghar Jal Yojana; Promoting Swasth Bharat through Health & Wellness Centres; Promoting quality education with an equitable and inclusive classroom environment through Samagra Shiksha; Holistic Development through Aspirational District Programme - overall progress with special focus on saturation approach. Eight awards for above four identified programmes will be given while seven awards shall be given for innovations," the statement added. Meanwhile, President Draupadi Murmu greeted all civil servants on Civil Services Day and said their service to the nation has been truly commendable. "Greetings to all civil servants, past and present, on Civil Services Day! Your service to the nation has been truly commendable. The civil services have upheld the highest values of public administration, as envisaged by Sardar Patel, forming a framework for good governance," Murmu tweeted. Coimbatore blast: NIA chargesheet speaks of Islamic State larger plan India oi-Vicky Nanjappa The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a chargesheet in connection with the Coimbatore car bomb blast case. An explosion had taken place near an ancient Temple in Coimbatore in October last year. A vehicle laden with an Improvised Explosive Device driven by one Jamesha Mubin had blown up in from the front of the Temple. Mubeen was killed in the blast. The NIA's chargesheet says that Mubeen was inspired by the ideology of the Islamic State. He had also taken oath in the name of the Caliphate before he carried out the attack, an NIA official said. The Coimbatore, Mangaluru blasts puts emphasis back on forests being used as terror camps The NIA also recovered a pen drive in which a video was found where Mubeen is seen declaring that he is a member of the Islamic State. He had spoken extensively about his intention to commit a suicide terror attack on the non-believers of Islam, the NIA said. He was also inspired by the sermons of Zahran Hashim, the mastermind of the easter bombing that took place in Sri Lanka, the NIA said. Further the agency also recovered hand-written notes, where Mubeen had criticised the existing democratic system. He had said that it was not in tandem with the Islamic law. He had further mentioned that he had plans of targeting government offices, district courts and public gatherings. He had also spoken of attacking local Temples and railways stations, the NIA said. The agency that probes terror cases in India also said that the Islamic State Khorasan Province's magazine, 'Voice of Khorasan' corroborated this entire incident in an article. " A message to the inhabitants in the land occupied by cow and mice worshipping filths where the Islamic State took responsibility for the attack held in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu," read the headline of the article. The article also goes on to state that the attack was revenge to uphold the honour of their religion. In Coimbatore blast probe, after Mosque, now forests of Islamic State in Tamil Nadu crop up The NIA further noted that Mubeen was aided and assisted by four of his associates, who helped in arranging logistics. One of them had sourced the Maruti 800, which was used in the attack, the NIA said. To be sure, Mubeen had failed to hit the target and the explosive went off before the incident that he had planned. NIA in Poonch, drones deployed to probe attack on Army truck: 10 points India oi-Vicky Nanjappa A team of the National Investigation Agency is in Poonch to probe the attack on the Indian Army soldiers. A massive manhunt has been launched to find the terrorists who carried out the attack. Investigations have learnt that at least 7 terrorists carried out the attack on a military truck in Jammu and Kashmir in which five soldiers attached with the Rashtriya Rifles had lost their lives. Here are the top developments: A team of the NIA is in Poonch. The team will include a Deputy Inspector General and Supreintendent of Police. A forensic team will also be part of the team. A bomb disposal squad and special operations group of Jammu and Kashmir has also reached the spot. A massive search has been launched in the forests of Jammu and Kashmir's Bata-Doriya area to track the terrorists. The Army earlier released the list of soldiers who had lost their lives. The deceased soldiers have been identified as havildar Mandeep Singh, lance naik Debashish Baswal, lance naik Kulwant Singh, sepoy Harkrishan Singh and Sepoy Sewak Singh . All were associated with the Rashtriya Rifles. The area has been cordoned off. Drones and sniffer dogs have been pressed into action. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was briefed by Army Chief General Manoj Pande on the death of the five soldiers. The Army Chief and all ranks of the Indian Army saluted the supreme sacrifice made by the soldiers. The probe has found that at least seven terrorists were involved in the attack. While the Jaish-e-Mohammad claimed responsibility for the attack, investigations have found that the Lashkar-e-Tayiba may have been behind it. The investigation has also found that the attack was staged to disrupt the G20 meeting. That is how you lead by communication: Aamir Khan on PM's Mann Ki Baat Prepare contingency plan to evacuate Indians stuck in Sudan: PM India oi-Vicky Nanjappa Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting and review the situation relating to Indians in Sudan. During the meeting the PM asked officials to be read with a contingency evacuation plan for the Indians in Sudan. The virtual meeting was also attended by External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra, Ambassador of India to Sudan B S Mubarak along with the envoys to Egypt and Riyadh, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar, Secretary (Consular, Passport, Visa & Overseas Indian Affairs), MEA, Dr Ausaf Sayeed. The PM sought a report of the on-ground situation with a specific focus on the safety of the 3,000 Indians present in Sudan. Situation tense; focusing on safety of Indians: MEA on Sudan crisis A statement released by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said, " PM Modi asked the officials to prepare for contingency evacuation plans, accounting for the rapidly shifting security landscape and the viability of various options." Earlier the Ministry of External Affairs said that it is in contact with the Indian Embassy in Sudan. "This is an issue on which we are keeping a very close watch and the evolving situation there," MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said. "Our mission in Khartoum is in contact the Indian community there through formal and informal channels. Our embassy has issued several advisories," Bagchi also said. A control room has been been opened in New Delhi to address the concerns more efficiently. "We have set up a 24x7 dedicated control room for providing information and assistance," Bagchi said. "Most of the calls are being received in Khartoum. However, there are people who are contacting here (MEA office in New Delhi). More than 100 calls have been received in less than 24 hours," Bagchi also said. "There has been an unfortunate death of one Indian national. His body is currently at a hospital after a lot of effort, we have been able to get that body move from his apartment complex into a mortuary. Our embassy is in touch with the family of the deceased as well as the medical authorities there. We are engaged with countries in the region and other countries that have a key role to play particularly, the US, UK, Saudi Arabia and the UAE," Bagchi said on being asked about the death of an Indian in Sudan. Jaishankar, Siddaramaiah in Twitter duel over tribals stranded in Sudan "Our ambassador in Washington DC and High Commission in London are in touch with the respective host governments. We are also working with various UN Bodies that are present since the UN has a significant presence there," the MEA spokesperson also said. The situation in Sudan has come under heavy criticism by world powers. They have called for peace with immediate effect. Desperate Islamic State claims responsibility for an attack that never took place Radar on JeM backed PAFF as NIA gets set to probe Poonch attack India oi-Vicky Nanjappa A team of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) will probe the terror attack in which five Indian Army personnel were killed in Poonch district, Jammu and Kashmir. Terrorists had fired at an Army vehicle on Thursday, leading to the death of five soldiers, while injuring one. The NIA team will land at the spot at 12.30 pm today along with a team of forensic experts from New Delhi. The soldiers who were killed have been identified as Havildar Mandeep Singh, Lance Naik Debashish Baswal, Lance Naik Kulwant Singh, Sepoy Harkrishan Singh and Sepoy Sewak Singh. The jawans who were killed in the firing were from the Rashtriya Rifles Unit. They had been deployed for counter-terrorism operations in the area. The Northern Command said that terrorists had fired on the Army vehicle, taking advantage of the heavy rain and low visibility in the area. The terrorists had fired from all sides and even hurled a grenade, which led to the vehicle's fuel tank catching fire. 5 jawans killed in suspected terror attack in J&K's Poonch "Today, at approximately 3 pm, one army vehicle moving between Bhimber Gali and Poonch in the Rajouri sector was fired on by unidentified terrorists, taking advantage of heavy rain and low visibility in the area. The vehicle caught fire, due to likely use of grenades. Five personnel of the Rashtriya Rifles unit deployed for counter-terrorist operations in this area have unfortunately lost their lives in the incident," an Army statement read. The Jaish-e-Mohammad backed group People's Anti Fascist Front (PAFF) has claimed responsibility for the attack. The attack is said to have been carried out by four terrorists of the PAFF, sources tell OneIndia. The incident took place just hours after it was announced that Pakistan's foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto would take part in the G20 meet in India. The PAFF which is a proxy of the Jaish-e-Mohammad had threatened to target the upcoming G20 meeting in Srinagar. A notification by the Ministry of Home Affairs terms the PAFF as a proxy of the Jaish-e-Mohammad. "The 'People's Anti-Fascist Front (PAFF)' emerged in the year 2019 as a proxy outfit of Jaish-e-Mohammed, a proscribed terrorist organisation listed at serial number 6 of the First Schedule under the UAPA Act," the MHA notification reads. "The People's Anti-Fascist Front (PAFF) regularly issues threats to Indian security forces, political leaders, civilians working in Jammu and Kashmir from other states along with other organisations is involved in conspiring proactively, physically and in social media, to undertake violent terrorist acts in Jammu and Kashmir as well as other major cities in India is indulging in radicalisation," the MHA also said. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, April 21, 2023, 9:58 [IST] Rahul Gandhi to hand over official bungalow on Saturday India pti-PTI Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who was disqualified as MP after conviction in a defamation case, moved out all his belongings from his official residence on Friday, with sources saying he will hand over the 12, Tughlaq Lane bungalow to the Lok Sabha secretariat on April 22. The former Congress president was asked to vacate the premises by April 22 following his disqualification after the conviction and two-year sentence by a Surat court for his "Modi surname" remark. The former Congress chief had on April 14 shifted his office and some personal belongings from the bungalow to his mother Sonia Gandhi's official residence. Plea to stay conviction rejected, what next for Rahul Gandhi Sources said Gandhi moved out his remaining articles on Friday evening from the bungalow which was allotted to him as an MP. A truck was seen moving out the building with his belongings. He has been living in the bungalow for nearly two decades. After shifting his office, he started living with his mother and Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi at her 10, Janpath residence, the sources said. A Surat court on March 23 had convicted Gandhi of defamation and given him two-year sentence, leading to his disqualification. He had challenged the magisterial court order in the sessions court in Surat which rejected his appeal to set aside the conviction which would have paved the way for his reinstatement as MP. The party has said the sessions court order will be challenged in the Gujarat High Court next week. A day after his disqualification, the Lok Sabha Secretariat had sent Gandhi a notice to vacate the premises by April 22. Sources said Rahul Gandhi has been on a hunt for a space to set up his independent office. A few years ago, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was also asked to vacate her Lodhi Estate bungalow after her SPG security cover was removed. Rahul Gandhi first got elected as an MP from Amethi in Uttar Pradesh in 2004 and shifted his constituency to Wayanad in 2019. 'Even when an animal dies': Satya Pal Malik's dig at Centre over farm laws Ex-J&K governor Satya Pal Malik summoned by CBI over insurance scam India oi-Madhuri Adnal Former Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik has been summoned by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for questioning as a witness in a case of alleged corruption by industrialist Anil Ambani's Reliance General Insurance. He will appear before the agency on April 28. "CBI wants certain clarifications in connection with case reported by me," Satyapal Malik said, according to PTI. "They want certain clarifications for which they want my presence. I am going to Rajasthan so I have given them dates from April 27 to 29 when I am available," Malik said. PM Modi told me to keep quiet on Pulwama: Satyapal Malik In an interview with Karan Thapar held last week, Malik had mentioned that BJP leader Ram Madhav paid him a 'special visit to try and get him to pass the scheme proposed by Reliance Insurance' and tried to 'change his mind' post cancellation. The CBI had examined him in connection with the alleged scam last year. In April last year, the CBI lodged two FIRs over corruption allegations levelled by Malik in the awarding of contracts for a group medical insurance scheme for government employees and civil work worth Rs 2,200 crore related to the Kiru hydroelectric power project in Jammu and Kashmir. (with PTI inputs) BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 21. Smuggling of more than 20 kilograms of drugs from Iran to Azerbaijan has been prevented, the State Border Service (SBS) of Azerbaijan told Trend. Drug smuggling from Iran to Azerbaijan on April 19, at 00:25 (GMT+4) was prevented in Horadiz, near the border detachment under the SBS. "As a result, 20.6 kilograms of marijuana were seized. Operational and investigative measures are continuing," the service said. Within the recent months drug smuggling from Iran's territory has intensified. Azerbaijan has been dealing with numerous drug-trafficking attempts, all of which have been prevented. In particular, recently, a drug bust from Iran was prevented in Azerbaijan's Zangilan district on March 18. Another case, also related to drug smuggling from Iran, happened on April 1. As a result of joint activities carried out by the Goytapa border detachment service of the State Border Guard Troops of Azerbaijan and the local police, the drug trafficking operation was prevented. Ajit Pawar has backing of 40 MLAs, is a split within the NCP imminent Pawars deny trouble in NCP, but why BJP needs a new partner? 'If someone is trying': Sharad Pawar on Ajit Pawar's remarks on CM post Pawar dubs Naroda Gam riot verdict as 'murder of rule of law, Constitution' India oi-Madhuri Adnal Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) President Sharad Pawar on Friday termed the recent acquittal of 69 accused in the 2002 Naroda Gam riot case as the "murder of rule of law and the Constitution." Addressing a party meeting, Pawar said that the riots had taken place, there were deaths (11) and the accused ranged from ruling party leaders, MLAs and ministers, many of whom were arrested and enlarged on bail. "Now, the court verdict has come, acquitting all the 69 accused in that incident. Along with the killings of the victims in those communal riots, even the judiciary and the Constitution have been murdered," Pawar said. Slamming the misuse of the central investigation agencies, he said that even in small villages for local disputes, people are now being threatened with ED. "The ED or CBI have become household names," he said. A court in Gujarat on Thursday acquitted all surviving 67 accused in the case related to the killing of 11 Muslims during a riot in Ahmedabad's Naroda Gam area in 2002 in the aftermath of the Godhra train burning incident. ''The rule of law and Constitution have been murdered. This has been proved by yesterday's verdict,'' Pawar said. Amid rumours of leaving NCP, Ajit Pawar skips party meet in Mumbai Speaking on the Kharghar sunstroke deaths, the NCP chief accused the Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra government of negligence in the organisation of the award ceremony on April 16. Only a probe by a retired judge will fix responsibility for the tragedy, he said. Pawar also accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of misusing power to finish off opposition parties. "(NCP leader) Anil Deshmukh was jailed for 13 months on allegations of taking bribes of Rs 100 crore, and in the charge sheet the probe agency described donations of Rs one and a half crore for his educational institution as a bribe. I also head several educational institutions, if I take donations for them, are they supposed to be bribes,'' he asked. Nawab Malik, another NCP leader, was still languishing in jail, Pawar added. "Fundamentalism is growing in the country and we need to stay alert. We have to fight back against it at any cost,'' he said. (with PTI inputs) Why 2024, NCP can stake claim to Maharashtra CM post now also, says Ajit Pawar India pti-PTI Amid speculation over his next political move, senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar on Friday said his outfit can stake a claim to the post of Maharashtra's chief minister "now also" instead of waiting for 2024 when Assembly polls are due in the state. The Leader of Opposition in the Assembly also told an interviewer that he will "100 per cent" like to be chief minister of Maharashtra. In a free-wheeling interview to the Sakal Media Group at a programme called 'Dilkhulas Dada' in Pune, Pawar said he had heard that Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, before his rebellion against the Shiv Sena leadership in June 2022, was unhappy and something was going in his mind. Pawar revealed his colleague late R R Patil would have become Chief Minister in 2004 when the NCP had won more Assembly seats than its ally Congress, but a message came from Delhi that his party will get the deputy CM's post. Asked whether the NCP will stake a claim for the chief minister's post next year when Assembly polls are due in Maharashtra, he remarked, "Why 2024, we are ready to stake a claim for the CM position now also." He, however, did not elaborate on the statement. Amid rumours of leaving NCP, Ajit Pawar skips party meet in Mumbai During rapid fire round, the MLA from Baramati in Pune district, who has served as deputy CM multiple times, was asked by the interviewer whether he would like to become chief minister. To this, Pawar promptly replied, "Yes, I would 100 per cent like to be (CM)." Asked why the NCP has an attraction for the deputy CM's position as the party has got that post on multiple occasions in the last 20 years, the veteran politician said in 2004, the NCP and the Congress fought Assembly elections in an alliance and the former had won more seats. "We got 71 seats, while the Congress won 69. Everyone, including the Congress, thought CM would be from the NCP. However, some decisions were taken at the highest level and a message came from Delhi that the NCP will get the deputy chief minister position and the CM post went to Congress," he said. Pawar said his colleague Patil was chosen as the Leader of the House (Assembly), and he would have become chief minister in 2004 if the top post was given to the NCP. In the subsequent Assembly polls, the Congress bagged more seats than the NCP and naturally kept the CM's post with itself, he said. Asked whether he liked working with Congress CM Prithviraj Chavan or Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray, who occupied the top post from November 2019 to June 2022, Pawar said they worked with the latter "happily", but working with the former was out of choice. On Shinde's revolt and subsequent split in the Shiv Sena, the former deputy CM said they used to hear that Shinde, then his Cabinet colleague in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, was unhappy and sensed something was going in his mind. "We had alerted Pawar saheb (NCP president Sharad Pawar) and Thackeray was also apprised about it. The BJP had been trying to pull down the MVA government since the first day of its formation. "The wife of a key politician confessed later that her husband used to go out in disguise, and later some ministers said Shinde and a particular leader used to meet," Pawar said without taking any names. He said during the MVA government, Thackeray had given full control of Thane district to Shinde, then a Cabinet minister, and some officials appointed by him had helped rebel Shiv Sena MLAs to sneak out of Mumbai and reach Surat on June 20. Queried about him being soft on senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis, Pawar said the two had political and ideological differences but weren't enemies, and cited the example of Sharad Pawar and Shiv Sena founder late Bal Thackeray who attacked each other during rallies and speeches but were good friends. Pawar went on add that a commonality between him and Fadnavis was that they were both born on July 22. Pawar was born in 1959 and Fadnavis in 1970. Speaking about the rise of the BJP over the last few years, Pawar said it was all due to the charisma of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who managed to lead the party to a majority in consecutive Lok Sabha polls in 2014 and 2019, a feat which even veterans like former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Lal Krishna Advani could not manage. "However, today when the question is asked who after Modi, then no name comes to the fore and we know going forward there will be coalition governments at the national level," the NCP leader added. On India surpassing China as the world's most populous nation, Pawar said some stringent measures need to be taken to check its growth. "A child is not a blessing of Allah or Parameshwar. It is the blessing of the husband and wife. This fact should be understood by all and superstitions on this issue must be removed," Pawar said. He said had the five-point programme of Sanjay Gandhi (to check population growth) been implemented properly, the problems associated with rise in population would not have been faced by the country. Pawar on Friday skipped a meeting of his partys Mumbai unit, raising eyebrows in political circles as speculation about his next political move refuses to die down. Speaking to reporters in Pune, Pawar played down the buzz saying he was unable to attend the NCP convention as he had to remain present for some other programmes happening at the same time. He insisted nothing much should be read into this. Why is BJP mulling to project a Lingayat as CM face in Karnataka India oi-Vicky Nanjappa The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is yet to take a final call on whether to run a campaign in Karnataka on projecting a Lingayat Chief Minister candidate. The party has had several brainstorming sessions in the past couple of days and is still awaiting a nod from the party's central leadership on this issue. The issue of projecting a Lingayat CM candidate became necessary after several top leaders from the community resigned and joined the Congress. Jagadish Shettar, Ayanur Manjunath and Laxman Savadi are some of the Lingayat leaders who have left the BJP and joined the Congress after being denied a ticket. Karnataka elections: 5,102 nominations filed by 3,632 candidates, scrutiny on Apr 21 The BJP's game plan for this election was clear and that was to rope in all communities in a bid to become the largest party in the state. In three elections, the BJP has always fallen short of a majority as it has relied heavily on the Lingayat votes alone. Projecting a Lingayat face would cost the party its share of Vokkaliga votes. Sources tell OneIndia that while many in the state leadership are in favour of projecting a Lingayat face as CM, there is a section which thinks otherwise. Many are also of the opinion that the polls should be fought on the strength of a collective leadership and projecting a leader from any community could prove counter-productive. The BJP has been riding high on the Lingayat vote for long and has very often pointed out how the Congress had shabbily treated Veerendra Patil, a tall leader from the community. The Congress, however is hitting back this time, as a spate of leaders from the community have resigned from the BJP. So far the BJP has not made it clear who the Chief Minister would be if it were to win the elections. The party has said that it would decide once the election results are declared. When asked, Arun Singh, the state in-charge said that the party is fighting the elections on the achievements of Chief Minster, Basavaraj Bommai and B S Yediyurappa. Another source said that the party is confident that it would bag the Lingayat votes. The focus would be heavy on this community and the recent exits by Lingayat leaders would not affect the party's prospects, the source also added. PM Modi to campaign in about 20 places in poll-bound Karnataka The party is also heavily reliant on the 20 odd rallies that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold in the coming days. Bommai had said that the PM would hold 20 rallies in the state. The BJP is relying heavily on the PM to swing the prospects in its favour as it battle rebellion and anti-incumbency in the state. The results of the elections will be declared on May 13, while polling will be held on May 10. Why is JDS backing 7 candidates of other parties in Karnataka? India oi-Prakash KL Karnataka's main regional party Janata Dal-Secular (JDS) recently surprised many after extending its support to seven candidates of other parties, including Congress candidate Darshan Dhruvanarayana in Nanjangud, in the upcoming Assembly elections. JDS will also be supporting CPM candidates in Gulbarga Rural, Bagepalli and KR Puram as well as RPI in CV Raman Nagar, Vijayanagar and Mahadevapura. So, why the JDS is not fielding its own candidates and support others in these seats? State Congress working president and former MP R. Dhruvanarayana passed away at a hospital in Mysuru in March. He was keen to contest from the Nanjangud constituency. Following his untimely death, Congress workers exerted pressure on the party to give ticket to his son Darshan. Dhruvanarayana was known as 'ajatashatru' (unbeatable) and commanded respect from leaders across the party lines. In the last few elections, the fight was mainly between BJP and Congress in this seat. Hence, JDS leader G.T. Deve Gowda asked his party not to field a candidate there. Karnataka elections: JDS releases its third list of candidates: Check details With this move, Gowdas have tried to take moral high ground, which will help Deve Gowda get an advantage at Chamundeshwari constituency. Political analysts say that this good gesture will help the Deve Gowda gain sympathy votes as he lock horns with Congress candidate in his constituency. It also benefits the JDS which has strong presence in the old Mysuru region. Coming to other candidates who have got the JDS support, political pundits say that the decision was taken keeping the 2024 elections in mind. Party supremo H.D. Deve Gowda has already announced his support for the Left parties in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and this is part of their deal. Hence, the Gowdas have not fielded its candidates in those six constituencies. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, April 21, 2023, 17:49 [IST] Galwan Braveheart's wife all set to enter Army as Lieutenant India oi-Vicky Nanjappa On April 29, Rekha Singh will be among the 200 cadets, including 40 women, who will graduate from the Chennai-based Officers Training Academy. She is the wife of one of the 20 brave hearts who were killed in a skirmish with the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) at Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh. In a first, five lady cadets from this latest batch of officers will be commissioned into the regiment of artillery. Rekha was married to Naik Deepak Singh of the 16th Battalion of the Bihar Regimeent. He was killed in action at Galwan on June 15 2020, while fighting the Chinese PLA soldiers. He had been posthumously awarded the Vir Chakra in November 2021. The Vir Chakra is India's third highest wartime military honour after the Param Vir Chakra and Maha Vir Chakra. The infantry battalion's commanding officer, Colonel B Santosh Babu, who was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra was among the 20 soldiers who were killed in the seven-hour conflict near Patrolling Point 14 in Galwan Valley. While the Chinese did not put out the exact number of soldiers it lost, India's assessment says that the number was double when compared to the Indian Army. Beijing has officially claimed that the number of soldiers it lost was at four. Galwan hero's father beaten up by cops for constructing memorial for his son Several Army wives whose husbands were killed in conflict have chosen to pursue a career in the armed forces to carry forward the legacy. The Army too is encouraging women who are eligible to become officers to follow in the footsteps of their late husbands. The Army is also providing them with ample guidance to make a fresh start to their lives. The wives of soldiers who have been killed in action are granted exemption from appearing for the Combined Defence Services Examination, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission, to qualify for the Service Selection Board interviews. The wives are also entitled for age relaxation. Man kills live-in partner in Delhi, sister held for helping him hide crime India pti-PTI A woman has been arrested for allegedly killing her brother's live-in partner in Delhi's Teliwara area, police said on Friday. On April 12, police received information that an unidentified woman's body was found lying near Krishna Public School in Karawal Nagar, they said. Later, the body was identified to be that of Rohina Naz alias Mahi (25), a resident of Mirajpur in Uttarakhand, police said. In the CCTV footage, two bike-borne men were seen moving around suspiciously with a woman sitting in between. A man in a striped T-shirt was also seen carrying the woman's body on his shoulder and a woman walking right behind him, a senior police officer said. Later, the two people seen on the CCTV were identified as Vineet Pawar and his sister Parul Chowdhary. Following which the woman was apprehended from Kanti Nagar in Krishna Nagar, Deputy Commissioner of Police (northeast) Joy Tirkey said. Vineet and Naz had eloped four-year-ago. They lived together, but never married, he said. In 2017, Vineet and his father Vinay Pawar were involved in a murder in Ramala Sugar Mill, Baghpat. They were convicted on October 25, 2019, and were awarded life imprisonment, the DCP said. Naz lived with Parul in Delhi when Vineet was in jail. After Vineet came out on bail on November 26, 2022, Naz started pressurising him for marriage but Vineet's family was against it as Naz belonged to a different community, police said. Due to frequent fights, the brother-sister duo decided to sell off Naz. However, Naz sensed this hand retaliated. Then the duo decided to eliminate her, the DCP said. On the day of the incident, the couple fought over the issue of their marriage again and Vineet strangulated her and hid her body, Tirkey said. In the evening, Vineet called one of his associates who came with his motorcycle. He took the body on his shoulder while Parul carried the victim's clothes and cloth that Vineet used to drape over the body to hide it, police said. Vineet and his associate drove on the motorcycle with the body stacked in between them for over 12 km looking for a place to dump it. They dumped it outside a house in Karawal Nagar and fled, police said. Thereafter, Vineet left for his village in Baghpat, while Parul began searching for rented accommodation as they planned on sell their house in Teliwara, Farsh Bazaar soon, police said. Efforts are being made to trace Vineet and his associate who had brought the motorcycle, they added. Woman friend let into cockpit by Air India pilot says crew in complaint India oi-Vicky Nanjappa An Air India pilot operating from Dubai to Delhi on February 27 is said to have entertained a female friend in the cockpit, thus violating the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) safety norms. News agency ANI while quoting sources said that the complaint alleges that the Captain wanted the crew to make sure that the crew appeared to be welcoming before his inviting his friend in. He also asked that she be served food in business class. "Air India has constituted a committee to investigate the issues raised," an airline official said while confirming that it had received a crew's complaint on March 3. The DGCA has summoned the flight crew to appear before it on Friday. Full emergency at Delhi airport as AI flight lands with crack in windshield The complaint says that the issues on AI915 began even before the boarding. The cabin crew waited for the pilots beyond their reporting time and then proceeded to the aircraft without meeting them, the complaint said. The pilots then boarded the flight with the passengers. The complaint also said that the Captain asked the crew to inform him if there were vacant seats in the business class as he had a friend who was travelling in the economy class and he wanted her upgraded. The crew however informed him that there were no seats. The complaint also said that the Captain asked for his woman friend to be brought in to the cockpit. He had also asked for some pillows from the bunk for her comfort, while the woman friend sat on the observer seat. "He said the cockpit should appear welcoming, warm and comfortable, as though he was preparing his living room for a lady friend. Also, to take her drinks and snacks order and serve her in the cockpit. I told him, 'Captain, I am not comfortable serving alcohol in the cockpit'. This seems to have upset him a lot and his entire attitude changed from that moment onwards. He became very snappy and rude and from there on started treating me like a servant working exclusively for him," the crew member said in her complaint. "An employee of the aircraft operator, who has the permission of the pilot-in-command (PIC) and whose duties are such that his/ her entry into the cockpit is necessary for safe operation of the aircraft can only be allowed in the cockpit provided they have done the mandatory BA tests," reads the DGCA's Civil Aviation Regulation. Further, it specifies that only people who have completed a breath analyser test are allowed to enter the cockpit. Pilot becomes a hero for safe landing after he finds cobra in the cockpit The complaint read, "while she was inside, the crew was summoned multiple times, during the passenger service on the short Delhi- Dubai sector, to offer her business class fare food and snacks. Though it interrupted the flow of service all requests were promptly catered to." " I noticed that the first officer was sleeping reclined fully with a pillow and the pilot in charge was sitting across facing the passenger in the rear observer station to chat. The pilot in charge indicated that the first officer (co-pilot) was taking a controlled rest and sleep," the complaint said. Don't want "war of words": US on Zardari's derogatory remarks against PM Modi Not a bilateral one: Pak FM Bhutto on attending SCO meet in India International oi-Prakash KL Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has said in an interview that his visit to India to participate in a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Council should "not be seen as a bilateral one." Speaking to Pakistan's Dunya News, Zardari said that his visit reflected Islamabad's commitment to the charter of the SCO. "We are committed to the SCO charter and this visit should not be seen as a bilateral one but in the context of the SCO," ANI quoted Bhutto-Zardari as saying. In a step that provides an opportunity to break the ice between the two neighbours, Pakistan's Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahrah Baloch on announced that Zardari would participate in SCO meeting. "Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will be leading the Pakistan delegation to the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) being held on May 4-5, 2023, in Goa, India," she said. It ended the speculation around whether he would attend the conference in person or not due to differences between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. She had said that the Pakistan government had accepted Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's invitation. Pakistan foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto to visit India in May "Our participation in the meeting reflects Pakistan's commitment to the SCO Charter and processes and the importance that Pakistan accords to the region in its foreign policy priorities," Baloch said. It is the first highest-level visit to India by any Pakistani leader in recent years after the relationship of the two nuclear-armed neighbours strained India's warplanes pounded a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist training camp in Pakistan's Balakot in February 2019 in response to the Pulwama terror attack. The India's decision to withdraw special status to Jammu and Kashmir the bifurcation of the erstwhile state into Union territories in August 2019 further deteriorated the relationship. Founded in at a summit in 2001, it has Russia, China, India, Pakistan, and four central Asian countries - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan as its members. Iran is the latest member to join the group as a full-fledged member. With inputs from agencies For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, April 21, 2023, 15:17 [IST] Hossein Vafaei Ayouri is an Iranian professional snooker player. He is the first professional player from Iran. He won his first ranking title at the 2022 Snooker Shoot Out, beating Mark Williams 10 (710) in the final. The Miller Brewing Company is an American brewery and beer company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It was founded in 1855 by Frederick Miller. Molson Coors acquired the full global brand portfolio of Miller Brewing Company in 2016, and operates the Miller Brewery at the site of the original Miller Brewing Company complex. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 21. Lithuania will be assisting Azerbaijan in the area of mine action through the EU Team Europe Initiative in 2023, the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Trend. "Azerbaijan is one of Lithuania's strongest partners in terms of the number of EU Twinning projects awarded to Lithuania in the Eastern Partnership countries. So far, Lithuania has participated in 26 project selections in Azerbaijan and has been selected for 17 of them," the source said. According to the ministry, only in 2022, Lithuania has been awarded 4 EU Twinning projects in Azerbaijan in the field of transport safety, environmental protection, pension reform and health care. Currently Lithuanian institutions are implementing 5 EU Twinning projects in Azerbaijan. In March, 2023 Lithuania, together with Polish colleagues, has launched the implementation of another twinning project named "Increasing Road Safety in Azerbaijan". "The aim of this ongoing two-year project is to exchange experience with Azerbaijani colleagues in the field of road safety legislation and the development of a road safety management system. We expect that the successful cooperation between our countries through European instruments such as EU Twinning will continue in the future," the ministry added. As the source at the ministry noted, Azerbaijan is an important partner for Lithuania with a considerable potential for developing business relations, being one of the most important links between Europe and Asia with a growing role in the global market. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @mariiiakhm Belgorod is a city and the administrative center of Belgorod Oblast, Russia, located on the Seversky Donets River 40 kilometers (25 mi) north of the border with Ukraine. Population: 339,978 (2021 Census). To mark what would have been Queen Elizabeth II's 97th birthday, members of the monarchy made special social media tributes in her honor. NATO's Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said NATO's members agree Ukraine should eventually join the alliance but that the main focus for now was its conflict with Russia. He was speaking ahead of a meeting in Germany. Russia has targeted the Ukrainian capital with Iranian Shahed drones for the first time in almost a month, officials in Kyiv said. Germany says it's too early to discuss Ukraine's entry into NATO. DW has the latest. The commissions creation stems in part from an agreement made last year to reassess German failures in handling the attack by.. NYTimes.com 21 Apr 2023 US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the talks would "stay focused on the key capabilities Ukraine needs right now." He mentioned ammunition, and also non-military support gear. US and EU tank plans were also made. Prosecutors say there was "no possible doubt" that Hassan Diab was behind the deadly attack outside a Paris synagogue. French Jewish group CRIF welcomed the conviction. Newsy 20 Apr 2023 ViewNATO Chief Jens Stoltenberg is in Ukraine for the first time since the Russian-launched war. His visit to Kyiv was.. The paramilitary group fighting the army in Sudan has agreed to a "complete ceasefire" for 72 hours - as the US confirmed one of its citizens has died in the six-day conflict. Canada is buying gasoline and sniper rifles for Ukraine part of the latest military assistance package announced Friday by Defence Minister Anita Anand at a meeting of allies in Europe. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 21. Natural gas produced in Turkiye will not affect the volume of gas imported from Azerbaijan, neither now nor in subsequent periods, Head of the Caspian Barrel Oil Research Center of Ilham Shaban, told TurkicWorld, Trend reports. "Turkiye imported about 55 bcm of gas last year, reducing imports by 7 percent due to high prices. The country will produce 10 million cubic meters daily from September, which means that by September 2024 it will produce about 3.7 bcm of gas. This is a very small figure compared to Turkiye's gas needs," Shaban said. According to him, the country will not reduce the volume of gas imported from Azerbaijan, even if production will amount to about 15 bcm by 2029. "Azerbaijani gas is the most competitive among those imported by Turkiye. It is cheaper than both Iranian and Russian gas," Shaban said. Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in August 2020 announced that Turkiye had discovered hydrocarbon reserves in the Black Sea, which amount to about 320 bcm. According to Erdogan, this will help to rid the country of external energy dependence. Turkish President also noted that energy resources are essential for Turkiye's national security, and in the near future this gas will be at the disposal of the Turkish citizens. The Black Sea gas pipeline commissioning ceremony was held with the participation of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on April 20, at 21:23 (GMT+3). In addition to above mentioned, after the start of deliveries to the Black Sea gas consumers, the Turkish population will be supplied with up to 25 cubic meters of gas on a free basis by the country. The Republican Florida governor's polling is down, his donors are distressed and his prized endorsements are flowing toward Donald Trump. Can he turn it around? Rumble 22 Apr 2023 Eid ul-Fitr is one of the most significant Islamic holidays, marking the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting. It is a joyous.. ODN 26 Apr 2023 Evacuees from Sudan arrive on one of the first flights to the UK. The British evacuation mission from Sudan has lifted 301 people.. Rumble 24 Apr 2023 American diplomats and family members are now safely on their way out of Sudan via U.S. military planes. The decision to evacuate.. If federal student loan forgiveness fails, most states have their own student debt forgiveness plans if you're willing to move and work certain jobs. By Benjamin Katzeff Silberstein* (FPRI) Its an old truism that all politics is local. Today, Sweden is.. Eurasia Review 21 Apr 2023 2008-2023 One News Page Ltd. All rights reserved. One News is a registered trademark of One News Page Ltd. Tim Sanborn, of Cochrane, Alta., is one of hundreds of Canadians currently trapped in Sudan, where fighting between the countrys military and a paramilitary group has raged for nearly a week. Amid ongoing fighting, Sudan's civil society activists have started coordinating much-needed water and food supply for the crisis-ridden population, vowing to uphold their calls for democracy and a peaceful transition. Heavy firing rang out in Khartoum late on Friday after Sudan's army declared a three-day truce, to enable people to celebrate the Muslim holiday of Eid Al-Fitr, a witness told Reuters news agency. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 21. Iran's imports from Azerbaijan decreased by 20.2 percent in value and 16.8 percent in volume, over the last Iranian year (March 21, 2022 through March 20, 2023), compared to the preceding year (March 21, 2021 through March 20, 2022), Trend reports via the statistics of Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA). "Overall, Iran imported about 19,000 tons of goods worth approximately $34 million from Azerbaijan in the last Iranian year," the statistics said. Whereas, Irans imports from Azerbaijan amounted to 22,800 tons worth about $42.6 million in the preceding year. Last year, Iran mainly imported various equipment, compressed soybeans, various kinds of profile and so on from Azerbaijan. In total, Iran imported a total of 37.1 million tons of goods worth approximately $59.7 billion for the last Iranian year, which is an increase of 13 percent in volume, while a decrease of 10 percent in volume compared to the preceding year. --- Follow the author on Twitter:@BaghishovElnur AFP English 26 Apr 2023 Unwilling to announce a second mobilisation drive, Russia has instead launched the biggest PR campaign for the army since President.. The sighting of the new moon marks the end of fasting during Ramadan. South Asian Muslim communities gather all over New York City, including in Jackson Heights, to celebrate Chand Raat, night of the moon. Attorney's for Hunter Biden will be me meeting with officials from the Department of Justice next week as the federal investigation into his taxes and other matters continues. The US Republican politician, expected to run for the presidency, will also visit Israel and Japan. On the day before Earth Day, the White House announced a suite of environmental justice and climate actions. Here's what we know. Speaking at the conservative Heritage Foundation, the Florida governor doubled down on his 2024 pitch, ignoring headlines about worried donors and Republican consolidation behind Donald Trump. Here's the latest for Friday, April 21: Supreme Court set to decide on abortion pill access; US to begin training Ukrainian troops on Abrams tank; Prosecutors dismiss Alec Baldwin charge, citing new evidence; Celebrating Brazil's giant trees on Earth Day. Kansas Democratic governor on Thursday vetoed a sweeping set of anti-transgender measures, including a ban on gender-affirming care for children and teens, but Republican lawmakers who pushed them appeared to have the votes to override most of her actions. Gov. Laura Kelly rejected restrictions #kansas #laurakelly #legislature #montanahouse #northdakota #justinbrace #transgenderkansas #statehouse #kansassenate #tymasterson Nothing succeeds like success. Despite every prediction to the contrary, Syrias president, Bashar al-Assad, was not swept away during the Arab Spring but, with the considerable support of Russia and Iran, has clung to power. In an utterly ruthless, no-holds-barred civil war, which included the use of deadly chemical weapons... Subscription to paid content Gain access to all that Trend has to offer, as well as to premium, licensed content via subscription or direct purchase through a credit card. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg visited Ukraine on Thursday (20 April 2023) for talks with President Zelenskyy and his government. Mr Stoltenberg underlined NATOs enduring support for Ukraine as it continues to defend itself against Russias brutal war of aggression. NATO stands with you today, tomorrow, and for... Eurasia Review 23 Apr 2023 Russia is looking to recruit real men to fight in its invasion of Ukraine, the British Defense Ministry said Sunday in its.. South Africa, the continent's most industrialised country, is in the grip of an energy crisis that critics say is much deeper than the authorities openly acknowledge. Mountaineers in colourful gears, climbing icy heights against the snow-white backdrop. It's quite a postcard visual, but often a task reserved for the few daredevils among us. But, did you know that a team of Malayali women brave-hearts accomplished it recently, becoming probably the first female group from the state to trek to the Everest base camp? Eight women, who are part of the Kerala-based all-female travel group Appooppanthaadi, trekked to conquer the Everest base camp in Khumbu, Nepal in the first week of this month. The girls, who powered through the punishing climate, unfamiliar terrain, bare minimum facilities, low oxygen levels and more to achieve the feat, share their experience with us. Appooppanthadi trekkers on the way to the Everest base camp. Photo: Special Arrangement A scary flight and a delayed start Freelance writer Nihala Nasar from Alappuzha, who led the group, recounts the experience, On April 1, we left from Kochi and reached Kathmandu, Nepal. We were supposed to fly from another airport called Ramechhap, to the starting point, Lukla, in a short, 30-minute flight. However, due to poor weather conditions, their flight got delayed almost by a day, and this meant they had to miss an important, day-long part of the trek called acclimatisation. We knew such weather conditions happen there often, so were mentally prepared for such events. The adventurous part of the trip, however, started from the flight to Lukla itself, recalls Nihala. The flight from Ramechhap to Lukla, a twin-engine turboprop utility aircraft, was just a little bigger than a helicopter. It accommodates 17 people and flies at a lower altitude in the mountainous terrains. We could feel every manoeuvre of the flight. Nobody panicked as we had watched videos on such possibilities. But, when it finally landed, we all clapped with joy, remembers 33-year-old Nihala, who has done about six Himalayan treks before. The eight women of Appooppanthaadi female travel group during their trek to the Everest base camp. Photo: Special Arrangement Trekking up the boulders, braving yaks Trekker and Angamaly native Anuja Sasidharan, a software engineer in Germany, apparently clubbed the base camp summit with her yearly vacation, to join the group. She remembers the Appooppanthaadi girls including her heading straight to the starting point of the trek, barely 40 minutes after landing at Lukla. What was ahead of them was a seven-day trek to the base camp, with their 4-5 kg bags on their back. We hardly had any time to think and just began climbing, she recollects, describing what trekking up the mountains was like. Along the banks of the Dudh Koshi river that flows on our trail, we traversed different terrains each day steps, pine forests, rocky mountains and more. Our guide, a sherpa, patiently showed us how to navigate each of them. Thankfully, there were no rains or snowstorms during our trek. Intermittently, there were naughty groups of yaks and mules dominating their way and the trekkers had to stick to the sidelines till they passed. Anuja Sasidharan (left), Bindu Vinod (middle) and Sheeba Nair during various stages of the Everest base camp trek. Photo: Special Arrangement However, after a point, the mountaineers could see Everest at a distance. That is quite a motivation, to brave through all the challenges and inch forward, says Nihala. Yaks crossing on the way to Everest base camp (left) and a few other sights during the trek. Photo: Special Arrangement Bare minimum facilities and Rs 500 water bottle One would think having oodles of willpower is enough to climb to the base camp. But that's hardly the truth, say the trekkers. This is also an activity that checks how well one can adjust with bare minimum facilities in the most challenging of terrains. Nihala says, We climbed up holding a bag of water called water bladders on our backs. We mix purification tablets in them as they are generally not of good quality. You climb up sipping this water and occasionally munching on dry fruits, chocolates and more. As there are many foreign tourists too, there are scant bathroom facilities at some points. At the end of each day, they slept at small restaurants called tea houses that also served Chow mein, rice, chapati and the like. Nihala Nasar, who led Appooppanthadi's Everest base camp trek. Photo: Special Arrangement Interestingly, the food and water available on the way are quite expensive too. At some points, you get cold water for free, but a small flask of hot water costs around Rs 1,500. At Gorakshep, which is one of the resting points, a bottle of normal water was Rs 500, remembers Nihala. Surging ahead with depleting health As the group inched forward, two of its members slowed down as conditions got tougher. 50-year-old Bindu Vinod, one of the two, says, It got increasingly tougher to keep pace with the rest of the group. So, two of us decided to hire a horse and go up the hill, on the last leg of the trek. Little did we know, that was going to be even tougher and scarier, as the animals had to climb many boulders with the trekkers on their backs. 'Will it slip and fall to a depth,' I kept wondering (laughs). Appooppanthaadi trekkers at various point during the Everest base camp trek. Photo: Special Arrangement At 5364 feet, the base camp! The trekkers are lost for words recalling how it felt when they reached the base camp. Bindu fondly remembers seeing the world's highest glacier called 'Khumbu Glacier,' from the base camp. I truly felt I'm on top of the world. Base camp is a place for Everest climbers to acclimatise and there are many campsites there. You also have many photo spots and a fantastic view of Mount Everest from this point, describes Bindu. According to Anuja, who was into heavy endurance training to prepare for the climb, the summit was 10,000 times tougher than she thought it would be. I don't know whether scaling as high as Everest is ever possible for me. However, maybe, I might try for a higher altitude than this, someday, she says. The Everest base camp area. Photo: Special Arrangement Even while walking down from the camp, two of the members felt uneasy. Nihala says, So, they took choppers from the spot called Gorakshep to get down to Lukla. But, the other four of us managed to walk all the way down too. If we go again... Nihala opines that the experience was a true test of fitness. We formed this group of trekkers after ensuring that all of us have enough prior Himalayan or other trekking experiences and familiarity with such terrains. We had instructed the group members to also do workouts to improve stamina and the like. Despite being an experienced trekker, she too joined the gym and was training for it. What one truly needs is a routine called high altitude training, but its rarely available in Kerala. So, we tried working out wearing N95 masks, and some of us tried various breathing exercises, step workouts and the like. All of it helped us, but the next time we want to be fitter, explains the trekker. The other group members were Preetha, Smitha, Saranya, Rajalakshmi and Sheeba. The G7 group meeting in Hiroshima, Japan could not have come at a more opportune time. So many global issues demand focused attention and it is crucial that international leaders gather together for talks and make decisions. The G7 is critical for tackling global challenges and maintaining focus on achieving common goals wherever possible. The group, which comprises the United States, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Italy and Canada focused on numerous issues, but two main crises stood out: Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and China's increasing assertiveness against, and military manoeuvres around, Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own. The group put out a statement saying, "There can be no impunity for war crimes and other atrocities such as Russia's attacks against civilians and critical civilian infrastructure. We remain committed to intensifying sanctions against Russia, coordinating and fully enforcing them." They pledged to intensify sanctions against Russia over its war in Ukraine and criticised China for its actions in the Taiwan Strait and disputed South China Sea, urging Beijing "to act as a responsible member of the international community." The meeting of environment and climate ministers also agreed to cooperate on developing a "rule-based, transparent global market and supply chains based on reliable international standards and certification schemes" for low-carbon hydrogen. The ministers agreed to speed up their phase-out of the fossil fuel consumption causing climate change, although they did not set a firm date for achieving this. In a joint statement, the ministers agreed "to accelerate the phase-out of unabated fossil fuels so as to achieve net zero in energy systems by 2050 at the latest." The G7 communique published by the group also criticised North Korea over its nuclear and ballistic missile programme, expressed concern over the violence in Sudan and Myanmar and called on the Taliban to reverse its ban on women working for non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the United Nations. With regard to Sudan, the ministers urged General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who heads the military, and his rival, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, who commands the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), to "end hostilities immediately" and return to negotiations. The fighting, which erupted on Saturday over a disagreement on integrating the RSF into Sudan's military, has killed nearly 200 people and forced the closure of the country's international airport. The ministers condemned the ongoing violence in Myanmar, where the military staged a coup two years ago and is engaged in nationwide battles with civilian militias opposed to its rule, expressing deep concern over the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation there. They also slammed the Taliban's "systematic abuses of human rights of women and girls", denouncing the group's bans on female higher education and work. "We call for the immediate reversal of unacceptable decisions restricting human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the latest bans prohibiting Afghan women from working for NGOs and the UN," they said. According to a Financial Times report, the G7 also privately rebuked Switzerland for not doing enough to combat Russian oligarchs evading sanctions. A letter sent to the Swiss government, signed by the G7 ambassadors in Bern on behalf of the group, as well as the EU's ambassador, said Swiss privacy laws and other "loopholes" were being exploited by Russians to hide billions of francs in offshore assets. With all of these issues on the table, the real question is whether the G7 has the power to influence real change. Discussing these pressing global issues is one thing. Acting on them and making a difference through real change is a whole other matter. by Joel D. Joseph Blarney is Irish for sweet talk that aims to charm or flatter as "he had the street charm of an Irish politician, but this blarney concealed his inner truth." Biden was very good at blarney in his talk before the Irish Parliament, but he failed to take issue with how the Irish government has stolen thousands of jobs from the United States. Starting in 1996, Ireland began lowering its corporate tax rate from 40% to 12.5%. With the lowest tax rate of developed countries, Ireland enticed American companies to move factories and headquarters to the Emerald Isle. According to the New York Times (February 2, 2005) Ireland was a relatively poor country the 1990s. Ireland is currently the second richest country in Europe. This happened solely because Ireland has the lowest corporate tax rate. The Guardian, a leading British newspaper, reported that 700 U.S. companies are now located in Ireland. The list of major U.S. firms operating in the Irish Republic includes all American pharmaceutical companies: Intel, Boston Scientific, Dell, Pfizer, Google, Hewlett Packard and Facebook. Janet Yellen recently proposed an international tax agreement setting the minimum national corporate tax rate of 15%. Frankly, this is too little, too late. With 700 U.S. companies already in Ireland most are not likely to come back home. Ireland has agreed to Yellen's tax proposal, albeit, with a significant loophole. Ireland will increase its basic corporate tax to 15%, but will keep the 12.5% tax rate for the first 750 million Euros of income. The clever large corporations can pay taxes via their numerous corporate subsidiaries so that very little tax is paid at a about 12.5%. Puerto Rico Has Paid Dearly for Ireland's Resurgence Pharmaceutical companies originally came to Puerto Rico in the late 1960s and 1970s to take advantage of the now-expired federal tax incentive known as Section 936. This incentive allowed U.S.-based manufacturers to send all profits from local plants to mainland parent companies without having to pay any federal taxes. After Section 936 of the Internal Revenue Code was phased-out in 2006, Puerto Rico entered into a recession that has lasted until today. The American pharmaceutical companies that had benefited from this tax exemption granted under Section 936 left Puerto Rico for another island, Ireland. Now nine out of ten of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies are established in Ireland. Johnson & Johnson, Eli Lilly, Pfizer, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Amgen, Abbott Labs, Glaxo Smith Kline, Gilead Science, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Allergan, Biogen, Stryker, Regeneron, Baxter and many others. Johnson & Johnson has 3,000 employees in Ireland. Pfizer has invested more than $7 billion in its factories in Ireland while closing their factories in Puerto Rico. Bristol-Myers Squibb closed a plant in Puerto Rico, firing 225 workers while it boosted employment in Ireland to 650 workers. Allergan, the maker of Botox and other drugs, transferred its global headquarters from New Jersey to Dublin, Ireland in 2013. High Tech Jobs in Ireland The world's largest chip maker, Intel, opened a plant in Ireland in 1993 just in time to take advantage of Ireland's low corporate tax rate. Intel has invested $15 billion in Ireland expanding chip production there. Medtronic, a high-tech medical device manufacturer, was founded in Minneapolis in 1949. This company grew to become a Fortune 500 company. Medtronic shifted its global headquarters address to Ireland. This move cut its tax bill in the United States, though the company's headquarters and major operations are still run from its U.S. offices. In 2015, Apple announced a major investment in its Irish operation with the construction of a giant 850m data center in Athenry, Co Galway. The center is expected to create 300 new jobs and will be Apple's largest data collection hub in Europe. What Biden Should Have Said Biden should have proposed a trade agreement with Ireland that would have included a strong corporate income tax provision. If Ireland wants to trade with the United States, it should agree to have an equal corporate tax rate. While Biden may love his Irish cousins, this does not give them the right to steal our factories and jobs. Pfizer, who developed Viagra and Lipitor in the United States, should not be allowed to abandon the United States for a tax haven in Ireland while shipping billions of dollars worth of drugs from Ireland to the United States. Until Ireland agrees to an equal corporate tax rate, we should heavily tax all products coming from Ireland. Still temporary (Image by LAUSD) Details DMCA During last year's Labor Day Weekend, the LAUSD was forced to shut down its computer systems after finally discovering a month-long attack by Russian hackers. Seven months later users are still reporting issues with the systems, the Board of Education's website is labeled as "temporary" and not fully functional, and as of last month "Notice of Data Breach" letters were still trickling out to parents whose children had their medical records released. laschoolboard.org/sites/default/files/09-03-19-Petition-Academia-Avance-Public-Hearing.pdf as accessed on April 11, 2023 (Image by LAUSD) Details DMCA Since the attack, Superintendent Carvalho has only seemed to release unfavorable information when pressed with evidence that what he said in the past was not true. The result has been diminishing confidence that the District is handling the crisis appropriately by those affected by the breach. The Northridge Neighborhood Council spoke up on behalf of these constituents in an email sent to the Chair of the Los Angeles City Council's Neighborhoods and Community Enrichment Committee: Dear Ms. Eunisses Hernandez: During the 2022 Labor Day weekend students, parents, and teachers of the LAUSD found themselves locked out of the District's computer system due to what was later reported to be a cyber attack. In the immediate aftermath of this attack, LAUSD Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho was insistent that the IT department had immediately recognized the incursion as it was happening in "real-time" and were able to immediately bring the systems down to protect against additional damage. He also stated that the district's computers were attacked "one time, not more than one time" and warned that those disseminating a different timeline had "garnered the attention of federal authorities." In October an anonymous source from law enforcement revealed that sensitive information had been obtained by the hackers including "confidential psychological assessments of students" and "personal identifying information, including some social security numbers." In response, Superintendent Carvalho went before the press to state that these reports were "absolutely incorrect." He assured the public that "we have seen no evidence that psychiatric evaluation information or health records, based on what we've seen thus far, has been made available publicly". By January, the Superintendent's narrative about the timeline of the attack had begun to fall apart. Instead of a "one-time" attack, the intruders had been in the LAUSD's systems for over a month before they had been detected. The cyberattack that supposedly had "began and ended on September 3, 2022," had actually accessed the District's systems "between July 31, 2022, and Sept. 3, 2022." A report released in February by "The 74" revealed that files posted on the Dark Web by Russian hackers were "among the most sensitive records that schools keep about children with disabilities." This information included "detailed and highly sensitive mental health records of hundreds "" and likely thousands "" of former Los Angeles students", including "psychological evaluations". In the aftermath of this report, the LAUSD was forced to admit that "that "approximately 2,000" student psychological evaluations "" including those of 60 current students "" had been uploaded to the dark web." On March 15, 2023, the Northridge East Neighborhood Council (NENC) voted unanimously to support the following resolution drafted by the Education Committee: "The NENC expects the LAUSD Board and Superintendent Carvalho to exercise full transparency regarding all intrusions (hacks) into the District's computer systems. We expect the District to act in good faith and immediately disclose to affected parents, students, employees, and contractors the extent of the breach and assist them in limiting potential damages." After this resolution was passed, additional teachers and students revealed that they had received "Notice of Data Breach" letters from the District. The letter that I reviewed warned the parent that "one or more files that included your child's name and medical information" was identified in a "review of the files involved". It did not say if the child's information was actually found on the Dark Web or if it was simply in a file that was known to be compromised. The NENC urges the Neighborhoods and Community Enrichment Committee to join us in expressing to the LAUSD Board and Superintendent Carvalho that full transparency is immediately needed regarding the intrusion into its systems. The District must also assist those who were affected to limit potential damages. Thank You, Carl Petersen NENC Education Committee Chair Photo by GuerrillaBuzz on Unsplash (Image by GuerrillaBuzz) Details DMCA Carl Petersen is a parent advocate for public education, particularly for students with special education needs. He was elected to the Northridge East Neighborhood Council and is the Education Chair. As a Green Party candidate in LAUSD's District 2 School Board race, he was endorsed by Network for Public Education (NPE) Action. Dr. Diane Ravitch has called him "a valiant fighter for public schools in Los Angeles." For links to his blogs, please visitwww.ChangeTheLAUSD.com. Opinions are his own. False information for more than forty years from the nuclear industry has directly resulted in the unnecessary shutdown of all of the nuclear reactor power plants in Germany. In fact, German nuclear energy has shut down due to ongoing lies about explosion hazards in the nuclear industry. If nuclear power plant explosion facts are accepted by the nuclear industry, nuclear power plant hydrogen explosions can be prevented, where such explosions underpin nuclear reactor shutdowns. The issues for supporting continued nuclear reactor operations in Germany are complicated ("Germany Shuts Down Its Last Nuclear Power Reactors", click here; "Nuclear Power in Germany", click here). However, the primary reason for shutting down these reactors is a fraud in itself ("The Autoignition of Nuclear Reactor Power Plant Explosions", click here). There is so much nonsense published by the press that the facts are not clearly known to the general public ("Press Censorship and the Nuclear Power Plant Explosions That Still Bang at Our Doors", click here). Fighting the Fraud of the Nuclear Industry I have waged a one-man-war against the nuclear industry for more than a dozen years to force this industry to acknowledge nuclear dangers, and fix this preventable explosion safety inadequacy. I accused the US NRC (Nuclear Regulatory Commission) of fraud, when I stated that 'The U.S. NRC lied to us. Government accountability must be questioned and confronted when we are endangered by that government' ("Deceit is the Core of Nuclear Power Explosion Safety, click here). I accused the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) of fraud, when I stated that, 'On the war front of nuclear disaster, the IAEA refused to consider legitimate methods to prevent a potential explosive nuclear disaster, and the IAEA risked lives, homes, businesses, lands, and waterways to potential Ukraine radioactive explosions' ("The Ukraine Nuclear Scare - The IAEA Endangered Europe and Russia", click here). 'I have accused, and still accuse, the nuclear industry of covering up explosions in nuclear power plants. Such explosions endanger lives and the environment. Nuclear regulators and the ANS [American Nuclear Society] thwart nuclear power plant explosion safety.' 'Explosions can be prevented, yet those who influence nuclear industry safety fail to act' ("The American Nuclear Society Covers-up Nuclear Power Plant Explosions, Endangering Lives and the Environment", click here). I hereby accuse the Japanese Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NRA) of fraud with respect to incompetent reports concerning the Fukushima explosions. The NRA refused to respond to multiple requests for Fukushima data to augment a Fukushima explosion investigation to save lives. The NRA does not comment or respond to any requests or technical reports concerning Fukushima. This accusation and a paraphrased version of this Op Ed has been submitted to the Japan Times, but publication is not expected. Preventable Fukushima Nuclear Plant Explosion Damages ('Nuclear Power Plants Are Not So Safe: Fluid Transients / Water Hammers, Autoignition, Explosions, Accident Predictions and Ethics') (Image by U.S. government) Details DMCA The Fukushima Fraud and Cover-up The most significant factor for the closure of nuclear plants was the Fukushima disaster, which was preventable, and the next expected explosion disaster in the next 16 years is also preventable. The Three Mile Island and Fukushima disasters detonated nearly identical explosions, where Three Mile Island primarily differed from Fukushima blasts by the blast sizes of smaller TMI explosions. The 'Fukushima disaster showed that ''even in a high-tech country like Japan, the risks associated with nuclear energy cannot be controlled 100%'', Angela Merkel, Germany's then-chancellor, said at the time.' Since the technical basis for this statement has since been shown to be fraudulent, this opinion no longer has merit. The primary political influences for German reactor shutdowns were Chernobyl and Fukushima explosions (Figure 2). If politicians are provided false information by the nuclear industry, those politicians can hardly be accountable for resulting poor decisions. The Fraud and Cover-up of Small Nuclear Plant Explosions While small explosions in nuclear plants continue unabated, explosion dangers to the public are preventable. Such smaller explosions were also a significant factor in the shutdown of German reactors, since a hydrogen explosion detonated a pipe in a Brunsbuttel, Germany reactor ("Nuclear Power Plant Explosions Keep on Coming - The Monticello Nuclear Plant Joins the List of Exploding Nuclear Plants", click here). Due to the ongoing cover-up, nobody knows how many small explosions there have been - perhaps hundreds or multiples thereof. The Nuclear Industry Fraud Is an accusation of fraud too strong? I think not. Nuclear industry regulators and plant operators have been warned for years of explosion dangers and preventive actions ("Stop A Potential Radioactive Europe and Russia - A Letter To Energoatom, The Ukraine Nuclear Power Company", click here). Nuclear plant explosions can be stopped throughout the entire nuclear power industry! However, this industry turns over more than an estimated $439 million per day for 439 operating nuclear reactors, and this industry has extraordinary net profits at stake. Moreover, net profits are more than $160 trillion per year, and every six and a half years estimated net profits exceed a quadrillion-dollars ($1,040,000,000,000,000). Of course, there is no surprise that the nuclear industry blocks new technology that questions nuclear reactor safety with respect to preventable hydrogen explosions. The safety analysis paper work alone is expected to approach $439 million, or a day's net profit. Nuclear industry leaders and governments lie to us and protect profits. Unneeded German Nuclear Plant Shutdowns Here we are. "Germany has shut down its last three nuclear power plants, and some climate scientists are aghast"(Click Here). German nuclear reactors could have operated safely if the nuclear industry did not lie to us. The nuclear industry's frauds to conceal the dangers of nuclear power plant explosions have now thwarted the progress of the nuclear industry itself. That is, nuclear plants that can be operated safely were shut down due to a fraudulent cause. The Fraud Continues The NRC, IAEA, NEA, and Japanese Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NRA) all continue to refuse to respond to any and all emails and publications. Comprehensive, peer reviewed reference proofs for this research are available (Click Here). Along with the following message, a link to this Op Ed was forwarded to each of these agencies for comment immediately after publication. German Nuclear Energy Was Shuttered by Nuclear Industry Lies and Fraud Decisions to thwart nuclear safety have consequences, as discussed in the referenced Op Ed, "German Nuclear Energy Was Shuttered by Nuclear Industry Lies and Fraud". Although a tweet was forwarded to the NRA, the NRA blocked this email on their website when the email was re-titled, "An Accusation of NRA Fukushima Fraud". Previously, the word 'explosion' was blocked from emails, but now my emails are blocked as well. Addendum: Censorship of Nuclear Plant Explosions Research This new technology is still censored by the ANS and the mainstream press. OpEd News is still the only news outlet that will publish this scientific research to the public. Recently, the ANS President agreed to consider publishing my research in the ANS Nuclear News, where he responded to the following emails. Even so, further requests to publish through the ANS have been ignored. ANS and press censorships of this research are in full force. 'Nuclear Plant Explosions Research The ongoing ANS censorship of new nuclear power plant explosion information constitutes a disservice to the nuclear industry. See Click Here'. 'New Technology to Stop the Next Nuclear Power Plant Explosion I have worked most of the past six years to stop the next Fukushima-type explosion, and the ANS censors the publication of new technology to prevent such explosions. Potential Ukraine explosions highlighted the need to apply this new technology. Through years of long nights and weekends, I have made new discoveries, and I have published these discoveries in ASME, ANS, and other conference and journal publications. The facts are quite clear. Fluid transients ignite explosions in nuclear power plants, these explosions can be stopped, and the nuclear industry fears new technology more than they fear nuclear plant explosions. A series of OpEds present this new theory, where a thread to other OpEds and Journal articles can be found in "Stop a Potential Radioactive Europe and Russia - A Letter to Energoatom, the Ukraine Nuclear Power Company (Click Here). Respectfully, I request that the ANS reconsider their refusal to publish this new technology through the ANS News. Not even an editorial will be allowed [by the ANS]'. (Article changed on Apr 24, 2023 at 5:25 AM EDT) Jerry Mander: Questions We Should Have Asked About Technology Jerry Mander was one of 45 leading scholars, authors and activists who convened at The Great Hall of Cooper Union, New York ... (Image by YouTube, Channel: IntlForum) Details DMCA In 1965, Pres. Johnson proposed flooding the Grand Canyon with two dams to power the Southwest and attract tourists. Both houses in Congress passed the bill. Jerry Mander learned about it--and wrote an ad: "Should we also flood the Sistine Chapel so tourists could get closer to the ceiling?" The full page ad ran in major newspapers around the country. Congress rescinded Johnson's bill. And so, thanks to Jerry, who died last week at 86, we still have the Grand Canyon. Decades ahead of everyone else, Jerry Mander understood that technology ravages the Earth; it cannot save us. His groundbreaking books include Four Arguments for the Elimination of Television (1978) and In the Absence of the Sacred (1982). His last book, 70 Ads to Save the World, came out last fall. Click Here Here's his obit in The Nation: Click Here Thank you for living, Jerry Mander. The guardians of Champagne will let no one take the name of the bubbly beverage in vain, not even a U.S. beer behemoth. For years, Miller High Life has used the Champagne of Beers slogan. This week, that appropriation became impossible to swallow. At the request of the trade body defending the interests of houses and growers of the northeastern French sparkling wine, Belgian customs crushed more than 2,000 cans of Miller High Life advertised as such. The Comite Champagne asked for the destruction of a shipment of 2,352 cans on the grounds that the century-old motto used by the American brewery infringes the protected designation of origin Champagne. The consignment was intercepted in the Belgian port of Antwerp in early February, a spokesperson at the Belgian Customs Administration said on Friday, and was destined for Germany. Molson Coors Beverage Co., which owns the Miller High Life brand, does not currently export it to the EU, and Belgian customs declined to say who had ordered the beers. The buyer in Germany was informed and did not contest the decision, the trade organization said in a statement. Frederick Miller, a German immigrant to the US, founded the Miller Brewing Company in the 1850s. Miller High Life, its oldest brand, was launched as its flagship in 1903. According to the Milwaukee-based brands website, the company started to use the Champagne of Bottle Beers nickname three years later. It was shortened to The Champagne of Beers in 1969. The beer has also been available in champagne-style 750-milliliter bottles during festive seasons. With its elegant, clear-glass bottle and crisp taste, Miller High Life has proudly worn the nickname The Champagne of Beers for almost 120 years, Molson Coors Beverage Co. said in a statement to The Associated Press. No matter how popular the slogan is in the United States, it is incompatible with European Union rules which make clear that goods infringing a protected designation of origin can be treated as counterfeit. The 27-nation bloc has a system of protected geographical designations created to guarantee the true origin and quality of artisanal food, wine and spirits, and protect them from imitation. That market is worth nearly 75 billion euros ($87 billion) annually half of it in wines, according to a 2020 study by the EUs executive arm. Charles Goemaere, the managing director of the Comite Champagne, said the destruction of the beers confirms the importance that the European Union attaches to designations of origin and rewards the determination of the Champagne producers to protect their designation. Molson Coors Beverage Co. said it respects local restrictions around the word Champagne. But we remain proud of Miller High Life, its nickname and its Milwaukee, Wisconsin provenance, the company said. We invite our friends in Europe to the U.S. any time to toast the High Life together. Belgian customs said the destruction of the cans was paid for by the Comite Champagne. According to their joint statement, it was carried out with the utmost respect for environmental concerns by ensuring that the entire batch, both contents and container, was recycled in an environmentally responsible manner. --The Associated Press Portland said Friday that it plans to expand its bike rental program, adding about 500 new e-bikes to the fleet. About 200 new bikes will be available immediately, city officials said, and the rest will be added over the summer, bringing Biketowns fleet to about 2,000. Also Friday, Nike the programs primary sponsor will unveil a new Biketown station made with rubber from recycled footwear scraps. And on Saturday, Biketown will offer unlimited free rides, up to one hour, in honor of Earth Day. They will also add 30 Earth Day bikes to the fleet, depicting local landmarks. Its the latest expansion of the Biketown program overseen by the city of Portland, bankrolled by Nike and managed by Lyft, also known for its ride-hailing service. The city expanded Biketowns geographic range last January by about 25%, adding bike access to several neighborhoods in east and North Portland. Commissioner Mingus Mapps, who oversees the citys transportation bureau, said the expansion of the bike-sharing service will help the city bounce back from the pandemic. Our public-private partnership with Biketown, and the expansion last year into North Portland and east Portland will help some of the hardest-hit areas of our community post-pandemic, he said. Since the program launched in 2016, it has allowed registered users to rent a bike at a per-minute rate currently 30 cents, plus a $1 per ride fee and leave the bike at their destination for another rider. The city switched to a fleet of electric-assist bikes in 2020, when Lyft took over operations. The latest infusion of new bikes will keep up with the programs growing use, said Steve Hoyt-McBeth, the Portland Bureau of Transportations interim division manager for active transportation and safety. Biketown use climbed between its first two full years of service in 2017 and 2018, then dipped slightly in 2019 and plummeted in 2020, the first year of the pandemic. It quickly recovered in 2021, though, and broke its ridership record in 2022 with about 565,000 trips. The most powerful indicator of demand is trips, Hoyt-McBeth said. When more people are riding, we feel we have a successful system. In 2022, Biketown users rode close to 1.1 million miles. Even as the program has expanded across the city, the highest concentration of Biketown trips is still in its downtown core. But some more distant neighborhoods, such as around Northeast Portlands McDaniel High School, have seen more activity, which Hoyt-McBeth said is likely a result of the citys partnership with local high schools and Multnomah County health centers to promote the bike program. The city also more than doubled enrollment in its low-income membership program, Biketown for All, between 2021 and 2022. The program offers discounted rides to people who qualify for certain state or federal assistance programs, as well as college students on financial aid. In 2021, Portland State University also began offering $20 worth of Biketown credits per month to all students. But while more people are using the program, annual memberships appeared to drop in popularity, from more than 4,000 in 2019 to just over 1,200 in 2022. The annual membership program costs $99 per year, in exchange for reduced per-minute rates. Hoyt-McBeth said membership has dropped in part due to the pandemic and a change in the way people use bike share services. Early Biketown users tended to be die-hard cyclists who would regularly use the service, he said. Now, he said, more people use it for individual rides like they would a bus, Uber or Lyft, but not buying a membership. Biketown used to offer its members 90 minutes of free ride time per month, but the city got rid of that perk in 2020. And in February, Biketown rates increased from 10 cents a minute to 15 for annual members, and from 20 cents a minute to 30 for non-members. Kanika Agrawal, Lyfts general manager for Biketown, said the company isnt concerned about lower membership. I dont see it as a risk. Overall ridership has been growing year-over-year in a really strong way, which reinforces how much positive momentum weve built, she said. Nikes financial backing of the program has also helped, he said, with the footwear giant paying up to $2.5 million a year over a 9-year agreement that ends in 2025. (Nike previously renewed its sponsorship in 2020.) Overall, Hoyt-McBeth said, the city is happy with the direction Biketown is headed. We as the city want people to ride bikes, walk, take transit, he said. More trips is what were looking for. We havent returned to pre-pandemic levels, weve exceeded them. -- Jayati Ramakrishnan; jramakrishnan@oregonian.com Oregons former top administrative law judge is seeking probation as punishment after pleading guilty to possessing images of children being sexually abused, according to his lawyer. John M. Mann, 57, admitted guilt last month to all counts of first-degree encouraging child sex abuse. It didnt encompass a plea deal meaning his sentence will be entirely in the hands of Washington County Circuit Judge Andrew Erwin. A man who had been on the run in Oregon after busting out of jail in Minnesota has been sentenced to prison for shooting and killing a man at a Portland homeless camp two years ago. The jail escapee, 23-year-old Hunter I. Lewis, was sentenced to 14 years in state prison Wednesday as part of a plea deal convicting him of first-degree manslaughter in the death of Quaii J. Snider. Lawyers for the state argued before a federal appeals court Thursday that the governor and Oregon Health Authority director shouldnt be held liable for placing other people ahead of prison inmates for the COVID-19 vaccine during the pandemic. The case stems from a class-action lawsuit filed by Oregon prisoners against high-level state officials. They allege former Gov. Kate Brown and Patrick Allen, then the health authority director, violated the prisoners Eighth Amendment rights and exposed them to cruel and unusual punishment by failing to give them priority for the vaccine. In December 2020, U.S. Magistrate Judge Stacie F. Beckerman found that state leaders can be held liable if they didnt carry out safety measures adopted to combat COVID-19. Lawyers for the state told judges for the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that Brown and Allen are among those protected by qualified immunity because no clearly established precedent existed on the appropriate response to COVID-19 in prisons. They cited the federal Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act, which went into effect in 2005 in response to a threat posed by the avian flu. It authorized the health and human services secretary to issue directives providing immunity from liability against claims resulting from the administration or use of countermeasures to diseases. In March 2020, the secretary did just that for COVID-19, according to the attorneys for the state. During the pandemic, Oregon directed vaccines first be given to residents and staff at long-term care centers, residential care facilities, adult foster care homes, group homes for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, other similar congregate health care sites, hospice programs, mobile crisis care programs and people working in correctional settings. In February 2021, Beckerman ordered all people held in the Oregon prison system to be prioritized for COVID-19 vaccinations in response to the suit. As a result, the state moved state prisoners into the same category as people living in nursing homes and other congregate care settings and issued vaccines. As of April 2022, 45 people in Corrections Department custody had died after testing positive for COVID-19 and more than 5,000 people tested positive for the virus while in custody. Assistant Attorney General Robert A. Koch, who argued on behalf of the governors office, said a decision against extending immunity would have a chilling effect on officials who must make emergency decisions safeguarding Oregonians during a pandemic. Such a ruling also would run counter to the Emergency Preparedness Act, intended to enable the marshaling of a national response to a pandemic, Koch argued. If the prisoners suing the state allege the governor or others engaged in willful misconduct, they can seek damages for alleged harms through a different avenue, he said. That would mean filing a claim in the District of Columbia as established by federal law. This is exactly the type of claim that Congress intended to head off under the Emergency Preparedness Act, Attorney Jon W. Monson argued on behalf of Patrick Allen, former director of Oregon Health Authority. He told the circuit court judges that the federal acts language is purposely broad to provide sweeping immunity and covers the administration of a vaccine to combat a disease, including decisions on who will receive the vaccine first. Congress did not want district courts to step in and make public health decisions in the middle of a pandemic, he argued. Attorney Nadia Dahab, representing the state prisoners, countered that the Emergency Preparedness Act protects only those designing, formulating, manufacturing and giving people shots, such as pharmacists or drug manufacturers. Brown excluded wholesale anyone who was living in the congregate setting of a prison from getting priority vaccines, she said. The governors decision amounted to a higher-level policy decision thats not protected from immunity, she said. But the three-judge panel sounded skeptical of Dahabs assertion from their many questions and remarks. Judge Johnnie B. Rawlinson said the federal acts language is very broad and doesnt appear limited to protect just drug manufacturers or pharmacists. The chain of delivery starts with how to deliver and to whom to deliver the vaccines, Rawlinson said. Along the way someone has to decide where shots are going to go. The panel, which included Judges Carlos T. Bea and Jennifer Sung, will issue a written ruling later. -- Maxine Bernstein Email mbernstein@oregonian.com; 503-221-8212 Follow on Twitter @maxoregonian Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe Under a cloudless sky, 20,000 eclipse chasers crowded a tiny outpost to watch a rare solar eclipse plunge part of Australias northwest coast into brief midday darkness Thursday while temporarily cooling the tropical heat. The remote tourist town of Exmouth, with fewer than 3,000 residents, was promoted as one of the best vantage points in Australia to see the eclipse that also crossed remote parts of Indonesia and East Timor. Oregon is in the path of an annular solar eclipse in 2023 An international crowd had been gathering for days, camping in tents and trailers on a red, dusty plain on the edge of town with cameras and other viewing equipment pointed skyward. NASA astronomer Henry Throop was among those at Exmouth cheering loudly in the darkness. When is next total solar eclipse for US, like the one in Oregon in 2017? 2024 Isnt it incredible? This is so fantastic. It was mind-blowing. It was so sharp and it was so bright. You could see the corona around the sun there, the visibly excited Washington resident said. Its only a minute long, but it really felt like a long time. Theres nothing else you can see which looks like that. It was just awesome. Spectacular. And then you could see Jupiter and Mercury and to be able to see those at the same time during the day even seeing Mercury at all is pretty rare. So that was just awesome, Throop added. People wear protective glasses as they look up at a solar eclipse in Exmouth, Australia, Thursday, April 20, 2023. (Aaron Bunch/AAP Image via AP)AP First-time eclipse chaser Julie Copson, who traveled more than 600 miles north from the Australian west-coast port city of Fremantle to Exmouth, said the phenomenon left her skin tingling. I feel so emotional, like I could cry. The color changed and seeing the corona and sun flares , Copson said. It was very strong and the temperature dropped so much, she added, referring to a sudden 9-degree fall in temperature from 84 degrees when the moons shadow enveloped the region. It was the fifth eclipse for Detroit resident Shane Varrti, who began planning his trip to Exmouth a year ago. Its very exciting. All this effort has come to fruition, Varrti said. The sun and moon are photographed near Exmouth, Australia, during a solar eclipse on Thursday, April 20, 2023. (Aaron Bunch/AAP Image via AP)AP The hybrid solar eclipse tracked from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and was mostly over water. The lucky few people in its path either saw the darkness of a total eclipse or a ring of fire as the sun peeked from behind the new moon. Such celestial events happen about once every decade: The last one was in 2013 and the next one isnt until 2031. They occur when Earth is in the sweet spot so the moon and the sun are almost the exact same size in the sky, said NASA solar expert Michael Kirk. At some points, the moon is a little closer and blocks out the sun in a total eclipse. But when the moon is a little farther away, it lets some of the suns light peek out in an annular eclipse. Its a crazy phenomenon, Kirk said. Youre actually watching the moon get larger in the sky. Indonesian youths wear protective glasses to watch solar eclipse in Jakarta, Indonesia, Thursday, April 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana)AP Several other upcoming solar eclipses will be easier to catch. An annular eclipse in mid-October and a total eclipse in April 2024 will both cross over millions of people in the Americas. In Indonesias capital, hundreds came to the Jakarta Planetarium to see the partial eclipse that was obscured by clouds. Azka Azzahra, 21, came with her sister and friends to get a closer look by using the telescopes with hundreds of other visitors. I am still happy to come even though it is cloudy. It is happy to see how people with high enthusiasm come here to see the eclipse, because it is rare, Azzahra said. The call to prayer resounded from the citys mosques when the eclipse phase began as Muslims in the country with the worlds largest Muslim population said eclipse prayers as a reminder of Gods greatness. In East Timor, people gathered around the beach in Lautem municipality, waiting to witness the rare solar eclipse through their eclipse glasses. Some of them came from other countries and gathered with locals to have a clear view of the eclipse. A hybrid solar eclipse in seen from Lautem, East Timor, Thursday, April 20, 2023. The lucky few people in its path either saw the darkness of a total eclipse or a ring of fire as the sun peeked from behind the new moon. (AP Photo/Lorenio L.Pereira)AP Timor Leste is one of the unique countries where the experience is less humid, less cloudy, so we are expecting a clear sky, thats why many international astronomers wish to converge here. We are hoping that there is going to be a clear sky, Zahri Bin Ahmad, astrophile from the South East Asia Astronomy Network of Brunei said as they waited Thursday. People cheered as the sun and moon reached maximum eclipse. This is a very new natural phenomenon for Timor Leste. It is very important for us to be able to watch and experience it firsthand, said Martinho Fatima, a civil protection authority officer. The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content. The Black Business Association of Oregon is committed to achieving sustainable, lasting economic equity through the fluctuations in our economy. We focus on growing Black businesses, entrepreneurs, students and communities in the state of Oregon. For us, economic equity is not just a catchphrase, but a critical goal that we pursue with passion and determination. Unfortunately, Measure 26-238, a proposed local capital gains tax, runs counter to this goal. It will create new barriers to success for Black-owned businesses who too often face economic inequities rooted in historic and ongoing systemic racism. This poorly written measure will have a much broader impact than its supporters claim: All Multnomah County residents, regardless of income, will pay this tax on every dollar of capital gains, because there are no safeguards written into the measure. Small and mid-sized, locally owned businesses will pay this tax, as well as seniors and retirees. We need to support critical services that keep housing affordable and help families stay in their homes. Through the Supportive Housing Services tax, Multnomah County is already funding eviction prevention programs, including legal representation and emergency rent assistance. And the Legislature just allocated millions more to these services. We at BBAO urge you to join us in voting no on Measure 26-238 on May 16. Together, we can show that we value the success of Black-owned businesses and recognize the importance of enabling them to thrive. Lets work together to build a stronger, more equitable economy for all members of our community. Lance Randall, Camas, Wash. To read more letters to the editor, go to oregonlive.com/opinion. Central Oregons High Desert Museum has a new resident: an 8-month-old bobcat kitten. Visitors to the museum south of Bend will be able to see the male kitten, who does not have a name yet, in the museums atrium, where Gert the gray fox is kept. The two animals cant share the space so the bobcat will rotate in periodically. Officials dont know if the kitten was orphaned or just separated from its parent or parents. The bobcat kitten, then weighing just 3 pounds, was found by members of the public in the wild near Portland. Biologists with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife had hoped an adult bobcat had just left the kitten to feed and would return. They put the tiny bobcat back where he was found, but another person brought it back six days later. A bobcat kitten plays in the snow at the High Desert Museum.John Williams/High Desert Museum The best thing to do when discovering baby or injured wildlife is leave the animal there and contact the local ODFW office to report it, said Jon Nelson, curator of wildlife at the museum. The best outcome is always to locate the mother so the animal can be raised and live in the wild, but ODFW is well-equipped to determine if the animal is legitimately abandoned or otherwise requires long-term human care. Oregon biologists typically do not release bobcats back into the wild after they become used to humans. ODFW reached out to the High Desert Museum for placement. The kitten joins 130 other animals at the museum. The infant bobcat weighs 15 1/2 pounds and is expected to be 20-25 pounds once full grown. A bobcat kitten has joined the animals at High Desert Museum, south of Bend.Miahna Corella/High Desert Museum In the wild, bobcats are good hunters. The museum caretakers are feeding the kitten rats, mice, rabbit, quail and other animals. Bobcats are common in Oregon, even sometimes venturing into suburban areas. Although not generally a danger to humans, bobcats are also not housecats, said Dana Whitelaw, the museums executive director. Our team is working with him daily to ensure he will thrive here. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 21. The volume of natural gas produced at Iran's South Pars Gas Company (SPGC), increased by 6 percent in the last winter season (December 22, 2022 through March 20, 2023), compared to the previous winter season (December 22, 2021 through March 20, 2022), Deputy Director of the SPGC, Hossein Shamshiri said at todays meeting in the company, Trend reports citing Shana News Agency. The deputy director said that the company produced a total of 17.2 billion cubic meters of natural gas the last winter. He added that the South Pars Gas Company fulfilled 99.9 percent of its obligations on refining for the last Iranian year (March 21, 2022 through March 20, 2023). This is 2.7 percent more than the preceding year (March 21, 2021 through March 20, 2022). According to Shamshiri, the company's refineries were repaired within 19 days over the last Iranian year. Meanwhile, in the current Iranian year (March 21, 2023 through March 19, 2024), the repairs are planned to be carried out without reducing production from platforms in the South Pars gas field, the deputy noted. In total, the South Pars Gas Company produced more than 165 billion cubic meters of gas in the last Iranian year. The South Pars gas field (called North Dome in Qatar) is a joint gas field between Iran and Qatar. The proven reserves of the South Pars Gas Field are estimated at 51 trillion cubic meters of gas, of which 36 trillion are extractable. Iran's share in the field is 14 trillion cubic meters of gas and 18 billion barrels of gas condensate. --- Follow the author on Twitter:@BaghishovElnur Nearly three months ago, members of the Portland City Council sat quietly as they listened to a litany of troubling complaints about an abandoned Arbor Lodge bar taken over by squatters. The illegal occupants of the former Farmers Barn Tavern on North Denver Avenue had physically assaulted nearby residents and threatened people with guns, said Dusty McCord, who lives in the neighborhood. They had chopped down trees to build fires. Ashland, the art-centric city on Oregons southern border, is famous for its stages the Oregon Shakespeare Festivals and others. Yet, the downtown Plaza area, the historic gateway to century-old performance platforms, is circled by small shops that have a big fan base beyond theatergoers. Like bibliophiles who visit Portland mainly to wander through Powells Books, some of Ashlands tourists are here to check out independent businesses legendary in their retail world for catering to specific passions. There are whispers and rumors of warm sunny weather heading Portlands way by next week. But well have to get through this wet weekend first. Portland will see spotty showers Friday with much of any rain falling after about the lunch hour. Skies will be cloudy all day, and the high will be near 53 degrees. The National Weather Service says this warm front will help to raise snow levels above about 4,000 feet keeping pass roads fairly clear for much of the weekend. A front will brush by southwest Washington and northwest Oregon overnight and into Saturday morning giving Portland another chance of rain to kick off the weekend. A weak ridge of high pressure may help keep showers at bay in the afternoon. Skies will be cloudy, and the high will be near 62 degrees - fairly warm when considering how cold its been all week. The weather service says areas in the southern Willamette Valley may see even warmer temperatures. Eugene has a good chance of hitting 68 degrees. Another wet system moves into the region on Sunday bringing more chances of rain to Portland. Skies will be mostly cloudy, and showers are likely. The high will drop back down to 58 degrees. Snow levels are expected to drop a bit too late Sunday night and early Monday. Snow may fall as low as 3,000 feet, bringing more accumulation to the pass roads. Forecasts are only calling for a few inches, but factor that in if youre traveling late Sunday and into Monday morning. Now, the extended forecast: Monday has a good chance of showers, and will remain cool with high temperatures in the upper 50s. But forecast models are starting to come into better agreement that a ridge building over the Pacific will bring clear skies and warmer temperatures into next week. Will Portland see 70 degrees on Tuesday? Its possible! An even better chance of reaching 70 shows up Wednesday. Portland hasnt seen a 70-degree day in 182 days. Its about time. Professor Brain is a Professor of Pharmacology at Kings College London. When studying cardiovascular biology as a young scientist, she realised that a newly discovered a substance CGRP was able to increase skin blood flow in a more potent manner than anything known, with potential as a cardiovascular regulatory peptide. Others then realised it was present in areas related to headaches. This led to the discovery that blocking CGRP benefitted migraine. Now treatment of moderate to severe migraine with CGRP blockers has been hailed as a major new class of medicines. Meanwhile, Professor Brain will also describe how her team have learnt of the cardiovascular protective activities of CGRP and how this may potentially be developed for use clinically in treating heart failure. Professor Brain is Professor of Pharmacology at Kings College London and is a Chartered Science Teacher. She is Head of the Vascular Biology and Inflammation FWB Laboratories and School Lead for Development Diversity and Inclusion. She is an Honorary Fellow of the British Pharmacological Society and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology. Professor Brain has published over 200 research publications. Her recent research is into the role of CGRP in protecting against heart failure. She has also characterised the role of CGRP and related agents in the vascular response to cold. She was recipient of the BPS Sandoz prize for her scientific contributions to pharmacology (1989), won the Women in Inflammation Science Award presented at the World Inflammation Congress (2003), a Kings Supervisory Award (2008 and 2019), the BPS AstraZeneca prize for Women (2010) and the International Ariens Award (2016, presented by the Dutch Pharmacology Society). This year she was awarded a Chaffer Visiting Fellowship. She has organised several international science meetings and sits on the Royal Society Member, Royal Societys Newton International Fellowships Biological Sciences Panel. Streaming information Zoom link: https://otago.zoom.us/j/96129209244 Date Monday, 29 May 2023 Time 4:00pm - 5:00pm Audience Public,Undergraduate students,Postgraduate students,Staff,Alumni,Allied health professionals Event Category Health Sciences Event Type Seminar Online and in-person Campus Dunedin Department Pharmacology and Toxicology Location Biochemistry seminar room G.13, Biochemistry Building, 710 Cumberland Street, Dunedin and online via Zoom Cost Free Contact Name Debbie Hay Contact Email debbie.hay@otago.ac.nz Save this event Friday 21 April 2023 11:34am Left to right: ENGAGE trainers Lynda Harris and Anne Denham, Methodist Mission Southern Chief Development Officer Jimmy McLauchlan, Associate Professor Dione Healey, and Under-Secretary for Education Jo Luxon. PHOTO: Philippa Crick, Cre8ive Marketing. A University of Otago-developed programme that teaches self-regulation to preschool children has received $19.7 million in government funding for a nationwide roll out to early childhood centres. The ENGAGE programme is a method of building self-regulation skills in children, aged 35, that has been widely trialled and has had positive outcomes so far that will benefit the next generation. Its the brainchild of Associate Professor Dione Healey, from the Department of Psychology, who worked in partnership with Otago Innovation Limited (OIL) and the Methodist Mission Southern to trial the programme in Dunedin early childhood centres. The trial was then expanded to 28 centres and, in the past two years, the programme has been funded by the Ministry of Education to be included in 300 centres in Dunedin, Auckland and the Bay of Plenty. The government funding, which will see ENGAGE expand to 1,830 centres nationwide by 2027, is an incredible outcome, Associate Professor Healey says. I have always been focused on intervention and doing research that will have a real world impact and to now be in a position where my programme is being rolled out nationally is, to be honest, still hard to believe. To me, the ultimate goal of research is for your findings to have a clear impact and as a clinician my goal is to improve peoples wellbeing and quality of life. We are funded by taxpayers so it is wonderful to be able to give back to them. Associate Professor Healey says ENGAGE teaches self-regulation through play and these skills can have the potential to change childrens lifetime trajectory. The programme aligns well with the 2010 findings from the Dunedin Study that showed how poor self-regulations at age three was predictive of a wide array of adverse adult outcomes including higher rates of unemployment, learning difficulties, relationship difficulties, criminal activity, mental health issues and substance abuse. Self-regulation is a core skill needed for a wide range of activities across the lifespan, she says. Within the ECE setting children learn a wide range of self-regulation skills within ENGAGE including things like slowing down, remembering instructions, waiting their turn, managing their emotions, and planning activities, which are important not only within ECE but in all life settings and in helping to prepare children for school. In research trials with a diverse range of whanau, ECE , and primary school participants both in Aotearoa and overseas, ENGAGE has consistently been associated with statistically significant improvements in childrens self-regulation development, she says. OIL worked alongside Associate Professor Healey to develop ENGAGE to the stage where the rights could be licenced to the Methodist Mission Southern, which then delivered the programme to early childhood centres. OIL further supported and refined the programme to a point that saw the Ministry of Education come on board as a major advocate of ENGAGE. Chief Executive Officer David Christensen says the impact ENGAGE could have on young children and their families and caregivers was evident from his first meeting with Dr Healey, and it has been great to see this reaffirmed by Methodist Mission Southern and the Ministry of Education. That young children can often have behavioural issues is well known, he says. What is not known is that when delivered appropriately, interventions such as Diones ENGAGE have an ability to vastly improve aspects of behaviour such as self-regulation. Under-Secretary for Education Jo Luxton, who visited Kelsey Yaralla Kindergarten in Dunedin yesterday to announce the funding, says the ENGAGE trial has been a huge success and its time to scale it up so more pre-schoolers can benefit. ENGAGE has seen significantly reduced hyperactivity, less aggression, and fewer peer problems in children taking part, she says. As a former early learning teacher and early childhood centre owner, and as a mother, I know how important it is for young children to be able to manage their emotions and behaviours for themselves and with others. Having more young children learn these skills from an early age will not only benefit them, but also their teachers, parents and wider society. As more children from ENGAGE enter our classrooms, we also hope that their ability to self-regulate will allow teachers to spend more time teaching, and less time dealing with behavioural issues, and for students to spend more of their time at school learning, Jo Luxton says. Under-Secretary Luxon says the expansion is part of the Governments response to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the terrorist attacks on Christchurch Masjidain in March 2019. This Government knows how important it is to give every child in Aotearoa New Zealand the best start in life. This $19 million funding boost to teach behavioural skills to more of our young children is another significant step towards achieving that goal, she says. For more information, contact: Associate Professor Dione Healey Department of Psychology University of Otago Email dione.healey@otago.ac.nz BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 21. Air China plans to launch direct flights to Kazakhstan's Astana, Trend reports via the Civil Aviation Committee of Kazakhstan. The first flight on Beijing Xi'an Astana route is scheduled for April 21, 2023. Regular flights in this direction will be carried three times a week. Meanwhile, Air Astana plans to increase the number of flights operated on the Astana Beijing route starting from June. Flight on this route will be performed 2 times a week, on the Almaty Beijing route - 7 times, and on the Almaty Chengdu - 2 times a week. Thus, the number of direct flights between the countries will be increased from 13 to 19 flights per week, which also includes flights operated by China Southern Airlines on the Astana Urumqi (2 times a week) and Almaty Urumqi (3 times a week) routes. AUSTIN, Texas (AP) An American Airlines worker died Thursday after being injured at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, according to airport officials. The worker was injured in the area where planes pull up to the terminal, a spokesperson at the airport in Austin, Texas, said. Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services said it was called shortly after 2 p.m. and found a person dead from traumatic injuries. An Austin Police spokeswoman told reporters that the man was driving a service vehicle that struck a jet bridge. She said police were investigating the incident as an accident. We are devastated by the accident involving a team member at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport," an American Airlines spokeswoman said. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and our local team members. American declined to comment further. The worker's name was not immediately available. Work around commercial airplanes has resulted in other fatal injuries in recent years. A man died at the Austin airport in 2020 after being struck by Southwest Airlines jet on a runway. Police later ruled it was a suicide and officials said the man was not authorized to be on the runway. In December, a baggage handler for American subsidiary Piedmont Airlines in Montgomery, Alabama, died when she walked in front of a running jet engine and was pulled into the fan blades. In September, a contractor's employee who was unloading bags from a Frontier Airlines plane at the New Orleans airport died after her hair got caught in a conveyer belt. In 2019, an employee of a United Airlines contractor at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport was pinned under a bag-loading vehicle. He died later at a hospital. Many of you may not know what Tapas is. It is Spain's greatest food invention and answer to the cocktail-hour appetizer. The first time I went to a Tapas restaurant was many years ago in the Chicago area. I went with my niece and her husband when I was visiting the area. We ordered and these little plates were put on our table with the dish each of us ordered. We shared and then ordered some more, waited a few minutes and the next batch came out. The fun of Tapas is you can order and sample a lot of different foods and then stop when you are full. So much fun and a great party idea! Tapas provide an easy, make-ahead party menu. Spanish men traditionally drink outside the home and rarely alone. Tapas is not meant to be a meal (although a racion is a substantial portion). One tapa per person and a different one with each drink is the idea, then everyone enjoys tasting and sharing. Tapas food is real food - good local ingredients presented with flair. The idea comes from Andalusia. It started, or so they say, with a piece of bread, soon topped with ham or cheese, balanced over a glass, to keep out the flies - the word tapa means a cover. They were once free snacks included in the price of the drink but today they are mostly ordered separately. In dim caverns, where the sherry barrels are stacked high, men revolve the wine in their copitas, gently sipping, then select a new wine from a different cask. To compare and contrast is part of the ritual. An old man may sit by the door, with a bucket of conchas finas, opening the clams slowly. A way to experience a life less hectic than our own. In Spain, most locals enjoy tapas with sherry or wine, as a snack to tide them over until dinner which is usually eaten around 10 or 11 p.m. Almost always served at bars, these savory bites expanded to include regional specialtiesoily slices of salt cod from the Basque or fried croquettes from the sherry region of Cadizthat patrons would enjoy on toothpicks or rounds of bread. Nowadays, some tapas displays are so expansive, they could easily (and often do) comprise a full meal. More Information The first 2 photos are of EMPANADA The next 2 are of DRY SHERRY MUSHROOM SAUTE The next 2 are of GARLIC-TOMATO TOASTS The last 2 are of SPICY SAUSAGE and CHEESE TORTILLA See More Collapse This is why tapas are so perfect for entertaining. These savory nibbles make terrific hors doeuvres as well as small-plate buffets. To round out the offerings below, simply add bowls of Spanish olives, some Spanish cheeses, including buttery Manchego, and fresh orange wedges and grapes. And heres the best part: tapas improve with age, which means you can (and should) make them one or two days in advance. They also taste wonderful at room temperature, which is how theyre served in Spain. So, once you lay out all the goodies (along with plenty of bread, small plates, napkins, and toothpicks), youre done! Imaginewhen your guests arrive, you can kick back, relax, and actually enjoy your own party! ALBONDIGAS - (Meatballs In Garlic-Tomato Sauce) Paired with Sierra Cantabria Rioja This delicious recipe is perfect for a tapas party and fairly easy to make. It is especially good the next day so you can make it in advance! Meatballs: 1 large onion, chopped fine 1 large green bell pepper, chopped fine 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 pounds ground beef (not lean) 1/2 pound ground pork (not lean) 2/3 cup fine dry bread crumbs 2 1/2 teaspoons salt 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg 1/4 cup minced fresh parsley leaves In a 9-inch heavy well-seasoned skillet (preferably cast-iron) cook onion and bell pepper in 2 tablespoons oil over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until softened. Cool mixture. In a large bowl combine well onion mixture, ground meat, bread crumbs, salt, nutmeg, and parsley. Form level tablespoons of mixture into balls (about 90). In skillet heat 1 tablespoon oil over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking and brown meatballs in batches (about 16 at a time), shaking skillet frequently so that meatballs maintain their shape and adding remaining 3 tablespoons oil as necessary. Transfer meatballs with a slotted spoon as browned to a bowl. Sauce: 4 large garlic cloves, minced 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 (33 1/2-ounce) can whole tomatoes, including juice 3/4 teaspoon dried oregano, crumbled In a heavy kettle (at least 6 quarts) cook garlic in oil over moderately low heat, stirring, until fragrant, about 15 seconds. Add tomatoes with juice and oregano and simmer, breaking up tomatoes. Add meatballs and simmer, covered, gently stirring occasionally, 25 minutes, or until meatballs are tender and sauce is thickened slightly. Transfer meatballs with slotted spoon to heated serving dish. If sauce seems thin, boil gently, stirring frequently, until thickened to desired consistency. Season sauce with salt and pepper and spoon over meatballs. Meatballs and sauce may be made 2 days ahead. Let it cool uncovered and chill covered. reheat meatballs before serving. SPICY SAUSAGE and CHEESE TORTILLA (Serves 6) Paired with Fuego Garnacha Old Vine 5 tablespoon olive oil 6 ounces chorizo or salsichon (Spanish spicy sausage) , thinly sliced 1 1/2 pound waxy potatoes, thinly sliced 2 Spanish onions, halved and thinly sliced 4 extra large eggs 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley , plus extra to garnish 4 ounces / 1 cup grated Manchego cheese or other hard cheese like Parmesan Salt and ground black pepper Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a 8-inch non-stick frying pan and fry the sausage until golden brown and cooked through. Lift out with a slotted spoon and drain on kitchen paper. Add an additional 2 tablespoons oil to the pan and fry the potatoes and onions for 2-3 minutes, turning frequently (the pan will be very full). Cover tightly and cook over a gentle heat for about 30 minutes turning occasionally, until softened and slightly golden. In a large mixing bowl, beat together the eggs, parsley, cheese, sausage and plenty of seasoning . Gently stir in the potatoes and onions until coated, taking care not to break up the potato too much. Wipe out the pan with paper towels and heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil. Add the potato mixture and cook, over a very low heat, until the egg begins to set. Use a metal spatula to prevent the tortilla from sticking and allow the uncooked egg to run underneath. Preheat the grill (broiler) to high. When the base of the tortilla has set, which should take about 5 minutes, protect the pan handle with foil and place the tortilla under the grill until it is set and golden. Cut into wedges and serve garnished with parsley. EMPANADA (6 servings) Paired with Carchelo Empanadas, bread pies stuffed with shellfish, fish or meats , are iconic of Galician cuisine. The crusts and fillings vary from place to place, and nearly every Galician family, restaurant , and tavern claims to have the secret formula for making the best version. 3/4 pound of pork loin, thinly sliced 1/2 teaspoon bittersweet smoked Pimenton (Spanish paprika) 2 tablespoon chopped garlic 1/2 teaspoon oregano Salt and pepper 3 tablespoon olive oil 1/2 cup piquillo pimentos , sliced 1 large red pepper, chopped 3 onions chopped 3 tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped 2 tablespoon chopped parsley Salt and pepper 1 pound of bread dough 2 hard cooked eggs, sliced 1 egg, beaten Put the sliced pork in a dish with paprika, 1 tablespoon of chopped garlic, oregano, salt and pepper, and let sit for 30 minutes. Heat the olive oil in a pan and fry the pork very quickly, removing slices as they are browned. In the same oil, saute the chopped peppers, onions, and remaining garlic until softened. Add the prepared tomatoes, parsley, salt and pepper and cook until the tomatoes are reduced, and the sauce is very thick. Divide the dough in half. On a floured board, roll out to a thickness of 1/4 - 1/2 inch. Line a 9 X 13-inch cake pan with dough. Spread this with half the prepared sauce. Arrange the slices of pork loin on top and add a layer of piquillo pimentos above that. Layer the boiled eggs above other ingredients. Spoon on the remaining sauce. Roll out the rest of the dough and cover the pie. Crimp the edges together and trim the excess. Make a hole in the center for a steam vent. Put in a 350 F. oven for 30 minutes. Brush the top with beaten egg and bake another 15-20 minutes. The crust should be golden and crispy. Can be served hot or cool. DRY SHERRY MUSHROOM SAUTE Paired with Abad Dom Bueno Godello 1 pound wild or cultivated mushrooms, such as morels, shiitake or oyster mushrooms 2 or 3 garlic cloves, minced 3 tablespoons extra virgin or fruity olive oil 1 teaspoons fresh minced thyme OR 1 scant teaspoon dried thyme leaves, crumbled About 2 tablespoon dry sherry Salt and freshly ground pepper Chopped parsley (optional) Clean mushrooms and trim stems. Depending on their size, leave mushrooms whole, or tear or cut them into large pieces. Oyster mushrooms are best left whole, as they are very tender. In a saute pan over medium heat, warm garlic and oil. When garlic begins to sizzle, add mushrooms and thyme. Cook, tossing frequently, until mushrooms are just done (5 to 6 minutes). Add sherry and cook to reduce it. Season with salt and pepper; toss with parsley if desired. Serve hot or at room temperature. ENSALADILLA RUSA (Spanish Potato Salad) (Serves 4) Paired with Vega Sindoa Rose This traditional tapa is served throughout every region of Spain, with little variation. A poorly made version will taste like a mouthful of mayonnaise. On the other hand, a well-made ensaladilla rusa is a perfectly balanced mixture of potatoes, hard-cooked eggs, and vegetables, using the mayonnaise solely to accent these other flavors. This colorful salad is served at nearly every tapas bar; it is even served free at times with an order of beer. 3 medium (16 ounces) potatoes 1 large (3 ounces) carrot, diced 5 tablespoons shelled green peas 2/3 cup (4 ounces) green beans 1/2 medium onion, chopped 1 small red bell pepper, chopped 4 cocktail gherkins, sliced 2 tablespoons baby capers 12 anchovy-stuffed olives 1 hard-cooked egg, sliced thin 2/3 cup (5 fluid ounces) mayonnaise 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard Freshly ground black pepper, to taste Chopped fresh parsley , to garnish In a saucepan, cook the potatoes and carrot in lightly salted water. Bring to a boil and allow to simmer until almost tender. Fold in the peas and beans and cook until all the vegetables are tender. Drain the vegetables and transfer them into a serving platter. Add the onion, bell pepper, gherkins, baby capers, anchovy-stuffed olives, and egg slices. In a separate bowl, thoroughly combine the mayonnaise, lemon juice and mustard. Add this mixture to the serving platter, mixing well to ensure all the ingredients are coated. Sprinkle with pepper and toss. Garnish with chopped parsley and refrigerate. Allow to stand at room temperature for about 1 hour immediately before serving to enhance the salad's flavor. As with any dish made with mayonnaise, ensaladilla should be refrigerated and will not keep for more than 1 to 2 days. GARLIC-TOMATO TOASTS (2 Servings) Paired with La Cana Albarino Pan con tomate, a classic Catalan tapa, is delicious alongside most soups or stews. Or serve with thinly sliced prosciutto and Manchego cheese for a tasty appetizer. 2 slices whole-wheat country bread or Baguette cutting off (6) 1-inch slices 1 small clove garlic, cut in half 1/2 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil 1 small plum tomato, cut in half Kosher salt and coarsely ground pepper, to taste. Grill or toast bread. Rub one side of the toasted bread with the cut-side of a garlic clove half and drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil. Rub the cut-side of a tomato half over toast. Sprinkle with kosher salt and coarsely ground pepper. MUSKEGON, Mich. (AP) Four corrections officers in western Michigan avoided incarceration with plea bargains Thursday in the 2019 death of a jailed man who suffered multiple seizures while in a cell. Muskegon County sheriffs Sgt. David Vanderlaan and Deputies Jeffrey Patterson, Crystal Greve and Jamal Lane pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of willful neglect of duty and were sentenced in Muskegon County Circuit Court to 100 hours of community service and fined $1,000. LANSING A billboard along Interstate-496 in Lansing promotes the virtues of Florida with a warped version of Michigans motto: If you seek a pleasant peninsula, move to Florida. States attempting to poach people from other states is not unusual. But this advertisement points to the recent repeal of Michigan's right-to-work law. The Free State of Florida protects your Right to Work, reads the billboard paid for by a conservative think tank called the James Madison Institute. It is a nonprofit organization that has ties to right-wing billionaire Charles Koch and is a member of the Koch-funded American Legislative Exchange Council. The groups aim is to bring people to Florida, said Robert McClure, the president of the James Madison Institute. He cited Michigans declining population as a problem and that the people leaving should consider coming to Florida for the states Republican policies. The nonprofit did the billboard to tweak Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer when she signed the repeal of the right to work law, a repeal which means employees can now be required to join a union as a condition of employment at a workplace. Were just reminding people that Floridas a free state, and people are moving to Florida and theyre leaving states like Michigan, McClure said. Whitmers office declined to comment. The James Madison Institute also belongs to the State Policy Network, a Koch-funded network of conservative think tanks that the Midland-based Mackinac Center for Public Policy also belongs to. Jarrett Skorup, the centers vice president for marketing and communication, said he knew about the billboard before it went up. He declined to say with whom at the James Madison Institute he discussed the billboard. Florida wasnt the only state to attempt to leverage the repeal as a recruitment tool. The North Carolina Chamber of Commerce placed a full-page advertisement in the Lansing State Journal touting the Tar Heel states low-unionization rate and that it is also a proud Right to Work state. North Carolina has the second-lowest unionization rate in the country, with 2.8% of its workforce unionized. That state passed a right-to-work law in 1947. In Michigan, the right-to-work repeal has been a priority of Democrats since Republican Gov. Rick Snyder signed it in 2012. The bill repealing the labor law was one of six key priorities first introduced by Democrats in the current legislative session. Gary Salamido, the president of the North Carolina Chamber, said the purpose of the ad was to let Michigan businesses know his state is open for business. The North Carolina Chamber, Salamido said, wants to attract some of the great businesses in Michigan with his states low taxes, quality of life and beaches and mountains. Salamido said the chamber chose to advertise in Lansing to make sure the people who are making the decisions to change policy would see it. He is not concerned about offending workers in North Carolina or Michigan and the North Carolina Chamber has no plans for future advertisements, he said.< While there was not a discussion between the North Carolina and Michigan Chambers of Commerce before placing the advertisement, Salamido said that there was afterward and that the two chapters have a good working relationship. They said, We understand, and lets compete, Salamido said. Other states viewing the repeal of Michigans right-to-work law as a marketing opportunity is unsurprising, Jim Holcomb, the president of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, wrote in an email. Frankly, we anticipate more states may start targeting Michigan and our employer, Holcomb said. Whether right-to-work laws help economic growth has been studied for many years, but conclusive results have never been reached. Many scholars say it is hard to isolate right-to-work as a factor. However, the American Journal of Sociology reported a study in 2020 that found after right-to-work laws are instituted, economic inequality in a state increases, as a result of decrease in wages and union power. MyMichigan Health Davenport University announced Friday that it is partnering with MyMichigan Health to offer a Corporate Education Scholarship to the hospital systems employees and dependents. Were thrilled to be Davenports partner within this program, said Lydia Watson, M.D., president and CEO, MyMichigan Health. Our employees are our most valued resource and were committed to building talent from within, to not only strengthen our offerings but cultivate leaders within the health care industry to enhance the care we offer across our service region. MECOSTA COUNTY With the approval from the state Senate Appropriations Committee to release funding from the Strategic Outreach and Attraction Reserve Fund to support the Gotion North America battery component facility in Green Charter Township, local officials express support of the project proceeding. Gotion North America vice president, Chuck Thelen, who is a resident of Mecosta County and whose idea it was to bring the Gotion facility to the area, said he is glad to see that the funding was approved for release. I would have liked to have had more votes in the affirmative, but a win is a win, Thelen said. I hope to prove everybody wrong in the very near future as to how we are going to do this the right way. Thelen said the next step is to get the information to the Gotion leadership team and get the final approval to transfer funds from the European location to the United States location to execute the next phases. We will be re-engaging with ELGE (Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy). We worked with them for many months and now we need to file our site plans with them to get the permits to start moving earth. We are going through the permitting process and are hiring additional environmental consultants to ensure that everything we do is favorable. I dont want any issues that happen based on the design details. He added the site plans will also go to the local township officials for approval of building placement and other details. Additionally, they will need local approval for any requests for rezoning of property. Most of the property is already zoned industrial I would say 70% but there are some parcels on the east side of 220th Avenue that we will need to request rezoning, Thelen said. However, most of our building will be planned for the west side of 220th for this first phase. Thelen said they will also start meeting with Michigan Department of Transportation regarding road improvements, making sure they have the information they need to determine what improvements will need to be done, including numbers of trucks and truck weight that will be coming in and out of the area. We already have an estimate of around $20 million that will be required for the infrastructure improvements, which was accommodated in the funds that were appropriated today, he said. That money goes to The Right Place (for disbursement). Some of it will go toward land purchase. Some will go toward road improvements. A lot of the money appropriated today goes to the county and the township for infrastructure improvements. $2.36 BILLION INVESTMENT Green Charter Township supervisor James Chapman released a statement saying they look forward to breaking ground on the largest single business investment in Mecosta County history. The company's $2.36 billion investment is the largest investment ever in the Big Rapids area and will create over $11.5 billion in new personal income as a result, Chapman said. Today, we take another monumental step forward on our journey to bring thousands of good paying jobs to the Big Rapids area. Not only are we excited about the 2,300 good-paying jobs that will be created, but this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity will make a substantial positive impact for our residents and small businesses for decades to come. This is truly an historic day for the Big Rapids area. In a news release, Mecosta County officials said they celebrate the states final approval for a transformational investment by the global battery company Gotion, which has chosen to build a new electric vehicle battery component manufacturing facility in Mecosta County. This is a pivotal moment for Mecosta County residents, small businesses and communities," Mecosta County register of deeds Karen Hahn said. Final state approval for Gotions investment will bring economic vibrancy, electric vehicle component supply chains and good paying jobs right here in Mecosta County. Thanks to our strong partnership with state officials, we are ready to build a bright future for Mecosta County residents. Mecosta County board of commissioners chairperson Jerrilynn Strong said state approval of Gotions transformative $2.3 billion investment demonstrates Mecosta County is a great place to invest. As the gateway to the North, we are more than just a great place to enjoy Michigans outdoors, Strong said. We will be the epicenter of the future of American manufacturing, building thriving communities and creating good paying jobs, American jobs you can raise a family on. Lets keep investing in Mecosta County families, small businesses and residents. Commissioner William Routley, whose district includes Big Rapids Township and Big Rapids, said this is a good thing for the community and most of the people in his district, as far as he can tell, are in favor of the project. A community either moves forward or it moves backward, Routley said. If we dont do something progressive, then we are not doing our due diligence. We were elected to take care of this community and help to improve it, and I think a modern state of the art factory that provides good paying jobs is a good thing. He added, that if nothing is done, in the next 20 years small businesses will be gone because there will be nothing left to keep them going. I am definitely in favor of them coming. I have confidence that the people involved that are working on this are doing their due diligence, he said. With EGLE and OSHA and other government agencies that are responsible for monitoring the set up and the safety precautions, I am confident this is going to be safe. The LG factory in Holland is a good example of what it can be like. This is a good thing. He added his biggest concern is this project has driven a wedge in the community, and he hopes that once it is all said and done, those relationships can be mended. I have given my whole life to this community, Routley said. I was born and raised here, I was educated here, I taught here. All of my kids have gone to Ferris and my grandkids have gone there. I love it (the community), and I wouldnt do anything that is going to ruin it. 'GAMES AND POLITICS' Sen. Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Bay City), who seconded the motion yesterday to release the SOAR funding for the Gotion project, released this statement on yesterday's Gotion vote: Political games and politics should never get in the way of peoples jobs. Our office was inundated with messages from local residents asking us to approve this transfer. Responsible people at local, state and federal levels have done their due diligence. There are facts, and there are fabrications. Misinformation and baseless claims might serve the politicians spreading them but they dont serve people looking for better. They dont offer opportunities or solutions to people who really need them. What Michigan needs most are family-sustaining jobs. Its my responsibility to do everything I can to make that happen. Not all residents are in favor of the project moving forward. Big Rapids Township clerk Hannah Saez, who addressed the Senate Appropriations Committee prior to the vote, said even though the vote passed, even that loss was a victory because they were able to bring their facts and concerns to the table. Three Democrats voted with us, opposed to this project because theyre wise enough to realize its not a partisan issue. Ten to nine was much closer than anyone anticipated, Saez said. This is not nearly over. Mostly, Id like to point out that Chair Sen. (Sarah) Anthony (D-Lansing) believes this will produce good paying jobs to the area. May I remind everyone, that Chuck Thelen is now quoted from the original promise of a $60,000 average annual wage, to a now $45,000 average annual wage. Mere dollars over what our local employers and factories are already paying employees here. "The average salary in the U.S., for 2023, is $58,563, she continued. The American company Our Next Energy, also awarded SOAR funding to produce EV batteries, has already committed to a $72,000 annual salary. A project like this would have much more support, if it stuck to its original promises and actually offered a competitive livable wage. That has not happened thus far. Isabelle Pasciolla/Midland Daily News Midland Planning Commission will hear a presentation on affordable, infill and missing middle housing from the Michigan Municipal League during a special meeting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday in City Hall. Richard Murphy from the MML will present on the organization's publication "This Used to be Normal: Pattern Book Homes for 21st Century Michigan." Murphy will give an an overview of the publication, which helps to address challenges in the production of housing across the state, especially affordable and infill housing units and missing middle housing types, and provide recommendations. The annual Rotary Pancake Supper fundraiser returned on Thursday, April 20, 2023 at Dow High School after being canceled in 2021 and 2022 due to the pandemic and after being postponed from February of this year to snowy conditions. Those attending enjoyed pancakes with syrup, sausages, applesauce, coffee, milk and water. Four Muskegon County Sheriff's Office deputies were sentenced this week for their role in the death of inmate Paul Bulthouse in 2019. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced Thursday that deputies Jeffrey Patterson, Crystal Greve, Jamal Lane and David Vanderlaan were sentenced to 100 hours of community service and a $1,000 fine after pleading no contest to willful neglect of duty. "Bulthouses family remains deeply troubled by the care he received while held in the Muskegon County Jail," Nessel's office wrote in a Thursday press release. "The family has also expressed concern that the four deputies will remain in their positions with the sheriffs office." The incident occurred on April 4, 2019, when Bulthouse, 39, died after suffering 18 seizures while being held in the Muskegon County Jail on a probation violation, according to the release. Bulthouse was arrested by Norton Shores police on March 22, 2019, and brought to jail. His health began deteriorating shortly after being booked. "Bulthouse was on a suicide watch and was being monitored for drug and alcohol withdrawal symptoms and mental health issues," Nessel's office wrote in the release. "During the night of April 3, 2019, and the very early morning of April 4, 2019, surveillance video captured Bulthouse suffering from approximately 18 seizures while locked in his solitary cell." The lack of response from the four deputies was also captured on the surveillance video. Throughout the evening, Deputies Patterson, Greve, Lane and Vanderlaan can be seen "conducting quick, in-person checks into Bulthouses cell, as well as observing his cell through the closed-circuit monitor. At no point did any of the deputies attempt to ensure medical care for the prisoner," the release stated. His time of death was reportedly near 5:30 a.m. Bulthouse was not discovered until around the time of the deputy shift change at 6 a.m., according to Nessel's office. He was found lying unclothed on the floor of his cell in a pool of his urine by a deputy who had not been assigned to the floor during Bulthouse's distress. "This is a tragic case that only highlights the need for legislative efforts when it comes to the care and custody of those individuals who are detained or incarcerated," Nessel said in the Thursday release. "This was a horrible loss of life, that may have been avoided but for the inexcusable neglect of four deputies who serve roles of public service. We have a responsibility to increase the standards of service and care in this states corrections facilities." Despite public statements in support of the deputies, the sheriffs office made several changes in response to the charges, according to Nessel's office. They include instituting new policies to provide for better care and custody of those held in jail. Muskegon County also changed its medical service provider for the treatment of its inmates. The sheriff's office also moved to require all deputies to wear body cameras and microphones, including those deputies working inside the jail. Additionally, Nessel's office will be working with the Michigan Legislature to: Require jail correction staff to meet accreditation standards Strengthen consequences, including termination, for when jail correction staff do not meet or violate those standards Create a list of convictions that would prohibit a person from serving as jail correction staff "I remain committed to protecting all residents of the State of Michigan, including those in the custody of law enforcement," Nessel said in the Thursday release. "Every person deserves to be treated with care and dignity, and to have the sanctity of their life valued, and we are committed to ensuring that our laws and law enforcement officials reflect the highest standards." This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 3 1 of 3 Ron Beacom Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Ron Beacom Show More Show Less 3 of 3 Sanfords RCL Construction broke ground on a 2,100 square-foot dispensary. Sadler & Son LLC/LaBonville Properties owner Sue LaBonville said the business at 2023 N. Meridian Road is expected to open this fall. The Sanford Village Council approved LaBonvilles 159-page application on July 11. Since then, she has taken necessary steps to open a cannabis business in the village, including licensing from the state. The Michigan Senate sent the final part of the gun safety package to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Wednesday, establishing a red flag law in the state almost a week after passing laws expanding background checks and safe storage requirements. Included in the bills signed on April 13 is Sen. Kristen McDonald Rivets (D-Bay City) first standalone bill - Public Act 16. This bill updates the states criminal code for safe storage of firearms for child access protection. Children are dying at very high rates, McDonald Rivet said. Many of those kids of dying from accidental deaths...I wanted my name to go on something that is going to make a difference in childrens lives. The penalties on individuals who fail to follow the new safe storage requirements vary based on whether a minor does indeed obtain the firearm and whether it is used in a reckless manner inflicting injury or death. This legislation amends the sentencing guidelines to include the new felony penalties created by Senate Bill 79, sponsored by Sen. Rosemary Bayer (D-West Bloomfield): If a firearm isnt safely stored or locked and a minor obtains it, the individual responsible may face up to 93 days in jail and/or a $500 fine. If a minor injures themselves or someone else with the unsecured gun, the individual responsible could face five years in prison and/or a $5,000 fine. If a minor obtains the gun and inflicts serious impairment of a body function upon themselves or another, the individual responsible faces 10 years in prison and/or a $7,500 fine. If a minor obtains the firearm and kills someone or themselves, the individual responsible for failing to safely secure the firearm could face up to 15 years in prison and $10,000 in fines. There are exemptions for minors who obtain a gun with a parent or guardians permission and use it under the supervision of someone over the age 18 for ranching, farming, hunting or target practice. McDonald Rivet said the bill is meaningful to her for a number of reasons. As a mom inside the Senate she knew that safe storage around children is important to moms, just as its important to her. My father owned guns, my husband owns guns," she said. "But they are locked, the ammunition is kept separately from the weapon, I never knew where the key to the gun safe was as a child and the same for my husband's weapons." On a more personal level, she noted that her sister, Karen McDonald, is the prosecutor of Oakland County, where the parents of Ethan Crumbley are standing trial for their alleged role in the November 2021 mass shooting at Oxford High School to which their son pleaded guilty. "The fact that my bill will make her job easier and other prosecutors' jobs easier if, God forbid, any of this happens again, is meaningful," she said. "I have seen in my family firsthand what happens when we tie the hands of prosecutors." McDonald Rivet emphasized that the bills do not strip Second Amendment rights, but rather they ensure that gun owners are being responsible. It doesn't say you can't own a gun, it just says you need to understand that it is a weapon designed to kill," she said. "With that right comes responsibility, and we see that across the board. The same reason you can't shout 'Fire!' in a crowded theater. You have a right to free speech, but that can't get to a point that it is infringing on someone else's rights and causing the death of other people. To me, safe storage is the same principle." The senator has stated before that she is pro-Second Amendment and grew up in a household with gun owners. While she said she cant speak to what storage practices were like when she was younger, she said the necessity for these gun laws is overwhelming right now. We've reached a point in this country where children are dying at an alarming rate," she said. That was not true when I was little. It is an easy thing to do...even in places like Florida, safe storage is the law. Another package of bills in the legislature right now focuses on mental health support and school safety instead of gun legislation. McDonald Rivet said that she supports the package as she believes there should be better access for mental health support in schools. It's not one or the other, it is both," she said. "We are almost to 200 mass shootings in this country and it's April. And we are still having the same debate about whether it is one thing or the other when we know, at this level of crisis, it requires a multi-faceted approach...What you can't put a political spin on is the data showing the accelerating number of deaths as a result of gun violence." LANSING, Mich. (AP) A Michigan Senate committee gave final legislative approval to allocate $175 million in state funds to a factory planned by Chinese manufacturer Gotion in northern Michigan that proponents say will create thousands of jobs and be a boon for the local economy. The funds were approved in a narrow vote Thursday by the Senate Appropriations committee after multiple Democratic lawmakers sided with Republicans following concerns over Gotion's foreign ties and the plant's potential environmental impacts. The $2.4 billion Gotion project, which is planned on a large site in Mecosta County's Big Rapids, would create 2,350 jobs with average wages of $29.42 per hour, according to the companys proposal. A 30-year Renaissance Zone was approved by the state last year and will save the company an additional estimated $540 million. The factory will produce cathodes and anodes, two components that are key to electric vehicle batteries. In a statement following the committee's approval, Jim Chapman, supervisor of Green Charter Township located near Big Rapids, said the Gotion plant will be the largest single business investment in Mecosta County history," and is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, for the community. While Gotion Inc. is located in California, its parent company Gotion High-tech is based in China, which critics have said could present a national security threat. The pushback comes at a time when U.S. lawmakers are considering a ban of TikTok due to its Chinese connections and concerns over data security. Before the committees vote, community members also spoke out regarding potential environmental impacts of the massive plant. One speaker, who said he owns an organic farm near where the plant would be built, expressed concerns over spillage destroying his crops. Republican Rep. John Moolenaar, whose district includes Mecosta County, said in a statement Thursday that the appropriation committee's approval was a historic mistake." Despite what any current politician might say, there is no communist plot within Gotion to make Big Rapids a center to spread communism, Chuck Thelen, the companys vice president for North American operations, said earlier this month at a Green Charter Township meeting. Thelen told the Senate committee Thursday that Gotion had also undergone a voluntary review by the Department of Treasurys Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States to clear up any concerns. The committee determined that our proposed transaction was not subject to further review and we may proceed with the proposed transaction, Thelen said. Democratic state Sen. Sarah Anthony, who chairs the appropriations committee, released a statement following the vote that it was committee members' responsibility to separate fact from fiction and policy from politics, and that Gotions voluntary actions had addressed any concerns. The funds approved Thursday are part of the state's effort to attract large economic projects to Michigan. In February, the Michigan Strategic Fund approved a large tax incentive package to bring a $3.5 billion electric vehicle battery plant to the state, planned by Ford. Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - Libyan Minister of Justice in the national unity government, Halima Abderrahman, supervised on Thursday evening the release of 1,057 convicts from various regions, as part of a pardon granted by the Supreme Judicial Council New York, US (PANA) - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, on Thursday appealed to the warring parties in Sudan to observe a ceasefire for at least three days so that civilians trapped in conflict zones can seek medical treatment, food and other essential supplies Photo: (Photo : Pexel/Allan Mas) A mother's prayer revived her son following a fatal rock climbing incident that caused him to suffer cardiac arrest and be pronounced dead by a medical team. Sixteen-year-old Sammy Berko from Missouri City, Texas, did some rock climbing in a local gym when he suddenly passed out and died. The boy's mother, Jennifer Berko, told Houston's Fox 26 that their son climbed on top of the wall and rang the bell. They found him on top with his body limped, undecided at the start whether he was just playing around or had actually passed out. When they saw that Sammy was already unresponsive, they slowly lowered him. His parents soon discovered that their son's heart had suddenly stopped, and he had suffered cardiac arrest. Gym workers started performing CPR. When the paramedics and doctors arrived, they did too for two long hours until they declared to his parents that he was already gone. Jennifer and her husband Craig were given some alone time with their son to say their goodbyes. "I started talking to him, just telling him how much I love him and sorry that we didn't know how to save him. Suddenly, as I started praying, my husband said, 'Oh my gosh, he's moving,'" shared the mother to the news outlet. The parents immediately yelled for the medical team, who ran back to administer aid again. Revived With No Serious Brain Injuries Now called their miracle child, Sammy was revived and declared alive with no brain injuries, which the medical team said should have been highly possible as the teenager went so long without oxygen. "These are professionals who have been doing this their entire lives, who have seen the worst of the worst. Each and every one of them afterward came to us and said that they have never seen anything like this before. Ever," expressed Jennifer. Aside from having an ischemic spine injury he is currently recovering from and working out through physical therapy, Sammy has only experienced short-term memory loss, a minimal effect compared to the potential serious brain injuries that the fatal incident could have brought, Fox News reported. When he woke up, he was already in the transitional ICU, without any memory of what transpired on the day of the incident. He can only recall what happened the night before when he signed a waiver online for the rock climbing activity. Read More: Baby Found Alive In Chapel 3 Hours After Hospital Declared Her Dead Literal Miracle According to the Medical Director of the Pediatric Rehabilitation Program at TIRR Memorial Hermann, Dr. Stacey Hall, Sammy has Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT), which she describes as a "super rare genetic disorder" affecting the heart. The Boston Children's Hospital explained that CPVT causes arrhythmias, sudden abnormal rhythm disturbances that occur most of the time when adrenaline levels are high, like during doing exercise or feeling a strong emotion. Further, they stated that this disorder could happen even to healthy children. "I was very struck by his story. It's very gripping and very unusual. We do see kids all the time here who have had CPR, but with very prolonged CPR, we typically see very severe global anoxic brain injury, so to me, he is a literal miracle," Dr. Hall declared to Fox News. Sammy is still in the hospital doing physical therapy and recovering strength, especially in his legs. His parents are currently preparing their home for his homecoming and to temporarily accommodate his wheelchair. It was found that three years ago, the Berkos lost their son Frankie to the same genetic disorder that almost killed his brother. Thus, Sammy and his mother are currently going through testing and taking medications to hopefully put an end to the genetic issue. Related Article: New York Mom Prepares to Bring Home Miracle Baby After 12 Years of Heartbreak With 6 Miscarriages Photo: (Photo : Pexel/Rahul Singh) A flight attendant with 39 years of professional experience and a mom of three gives light on how to make flying with children a breeze. Recently a video of a man shouting on a plane, complaining about a crying baby went viral. According to Today magazine, the unidentified passenger was flying the Southwest Airlines flight going to Florida with his partner. He was taking a nap and was awoken with cries of a baby, which irritated him a lot. For three minutes of the almost four-minute video, which was recorded by a fellow passenger and has reached 134,000 views on TikTok, the angry passenger berated flight attendants and fellow passengers in the flight using profanity more than 20 times expressing his disgust over the baby crying. More than the public responding with so many negative reactions towards the man, people empathize over the parents of the crying baby, knowing that flying with kids, especially infants and toddlers, can really be challenging. Six Parenting Tricks To Make Flying with Kids a Breeze Robin Mermelstein, a 62-year-old flight attendant for 39 years and a mother of three, knows exactly how it feels to be both in the shoes of the parents and the flight crew, who can also have a tough time when there are children in the flight. With this, she took to TikTok today to share what she has learned about "on-board parenting" from both the jump seat and the window seat perspectives. Here are six parenting tricks Mermelstein offered to make flying with kids so much easier. 1. Leave the plane seat tidy In light of the recent complaint of Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Anthony Bass against a United Airline flight attendant who left his five-month, high-risk pregnant wife Sydney Rae Bass to pick up the accidental popcorn mess their two-year-old daughter created from the plane aisle, Mermelstein stated that as a flight-attendant, she would not have done that to Sydney. However, as a mother she follows a basic rule - ""If [your kid] dropped it on your floor at home, you wouldn't let them leave it on the floor." Thus, it is the same when on the plane, never leave the plane seat in disarray. 2. Leave the messy snacks at home Leave the big bag of popcorn at home because it will certainly spill and get all over the place. Instead, it would be best to pack and bring "very small" portions of various snacks. This will lessen the potential of spill and being messy on the plane. 3. Parents should never hesitate to ask for help She assures parents that crew members acknowledge the challenge of parenting while flying. Thus, she encourages parents flying with their children to not be afraid to speak up and ask for help when they need a hand. "If the mom or dad has to go to the bathroom, we can watch the kids. I'll hold the baby, walk around with the baby or whatever while you take a minute," she recalled several instances while flying as a flight attendant. Read More: Flying With a Baby or Child: Everything Parents Need To Know 4. Make a packing list ahead and double check Though the airplane crew members are ready to help, parents need to pack their bags with the assumption that the flight crew would not be able to extend a helping hand. "After 9/11, we really scaled back on everything. I can't provide you something that I don't have," Mermelstein explained to People. For instance, these days, cabins are not anymore equipped with diapers and domestic flights will not always provide pillows and blankets. Further, she advises parents to "overpack in the snack and diaper department" in case flights will be delayed. 5. Parents need to prepare the kids too Parents are encouraged to brief their kids that the flight will be long (or very long). They should be asked beforehand what they would need to be still in their seats and comfortable in the long flight. Mermelstein stressed that the parents who were able to brief their children "tend to have the least trouble in the air." 6. Never just rely on the ipad "You've got to have backup for young kids, because if they run out of steam for one thing, you're stuck. I wouldn't just leave everything to one plan, like just an iPad," expressed Mermelstein, who believes the more options there is the better. When her kids were younger, she would make sure to pack stickers, activity and drawing books and toys like Polly Pockets to entertain the kids in short intervals. Related Article: Infants Sitting on Parent's Lap During Flights Considered Unsafe, Attendants Want Infants to Use Own Seats BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 21. The trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan from January through March 2023 increased 5.4 times compared to the same period last year ($38.92 million), to $211.88 million, Trend reports citing the statistics data of Azerbaijans Customs Committee. According to the information, during the reporting period, Turkmenistan entered the top 15 countries in terms of trade turnover with Azerbaijan. Turkmen exports to Azerbaijan in the reporting period amounted to $190 million, which is 6.3 times higher than in the same period of 2022 ($30.14 million). Turkmenistan's share in the total volume of Azerbaijani imports in the specified period amounted to 4.71 percent compared to 1.03 percent in the first three months of last year. Furthermore, Turkmenistan increased imports from Azerbaijan 2.4 times from January through March 2023 compared to the same period in 2022 ($8.77 million) - up to $21.88 million. Turkmenistan's share in the total volume of Azerbaijani exports during this period amounted to 0.28 percent compared to 0.11 percent in the first 3 months of last year. Meanwhile, the trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan amounted to $535.3 million in 2022. This service applies to you if your subscription has not yet expired on our old site. You will have continued access until your subscription expires; then you will need to purchase an ongoing subscription through our new system. Please contact the Parsons Sun office at (620) 421-2000 if you have any questions It's being reported today that Apple Pay has surpassed 100 offline merchants within a month of landing in Korea. Despite the limitation of the limited NFC payment infrastructure in the initial stage of introduction, the number of users is rapidly increasing and cruising on a cruise. According to S. Korea's ETNews, there are currently 110 offline merchants in Korea that accept Apple Pay. This is an increase of 78 from the 32 offline affiliates Hyundai Card disclosed at the time of the first Apple Pay service on the 21st of last month. In terms of growth rate, the number of merchants that can pay with Apple Pay increased by 243% from the beginning. Apple's NFC-based simple payment service, Apple Pay, started domestic service on the 21st of last month after twists and turns. Apple Pay is the first case of NFC simple payment service in Korea along with the EMV method. The reaction of iPhone users is also hot. In fact, as iPhone users continue to demand Apple Pay, offline territory expansion is also accelerating. In the early days of the service, Apple Pay payments were available at only four convenience stores in Korea, but as the number of uses increased to Emart 24 and Storyware, a convenience store in railway stations across the country, payment is now possible at six branded convenience stores. The number of franchises in the department store and shopping industries also increased significantly from 2 to 12, and the number of franchises in the mart and super industries also increased from 3 to 10. The cafe industry was at the level of 6 merchants in the beginning, but now it has increased to a whopping 19, making it possible to pay with Apple Pay at virtually all cafes except Starbucks. In addition, the confectionery and dessert industries increased by 7, the restaurant industry by 13, the life and home appliances by 6, the movie and book industries by 5, and leisure and travel by 7. The number of places where Apple Pay is used in the hotel and resort industry has expanded to 23. Recently, as GS Calex and E1 charging stations have joined Apple Pay merchants, the number of uses for gas and charging stations is rapidly increasing. As of the end of March, the number of new Hyundai Card members was 203,000, the highest among full-time credit card companies. This is double the number of new members (116,000) of Hyundai Card in the previous month. It was followed by KB Kookmin Card (149,000), Shinhan Card (136,000), and Samsung Card (127,000). Patently Apple reported last month that Samsung and the countrys online giant Naver Corp. were scrambling to launch a simple payment service that links their services in March to counter Apple Pay. This news was first announced in late February that Naver Pay and Samsung Pay formed a strategic partnership to consolidate their current dominance over the mobile payment market in the country, a move seen as an alliance to keep Apple Pay's potential growth in local markets in check. It is the first time for Samsung Pay to join hands with financial companies, other than Samsung Card. With today's news, it appears like Samsung's plan to "keep Apple's potential growth in check" has failed to materialize. First, though, a thought about earthquakes and divine providence. I submitted this column to Meridian way back on 27 February, and I had to re-read it this morning to see whether I still agreed with it. (I do.) Im grateful that it has finally appeared: A Purpose in Lifes Earthquakes No other planet in our solar system has plate tectonics, which seems to be unique to Earth. Other planetsexoplanetsrevolving around other stars may possess similar geology but, if so, we havent found them. But why might plate tectonics, and specifically subduction, be vital for life on Earth? Im indebted to Bart Kowallis, whom Ive known since we were on the same freshman dormitory floor at Brigham Young University prior to our missions, for his willingness to read the essay through before I submitted it. Hes not to be blamed for any surviving errors in the column, of course, but I wanted to be sure that I had committed no egregious or crippling scientific errors. An important case with implications for religious liberty is currently before the Supreme Court of the United States. Here are two links regarding the matter: What the Supreme Court said Tuesday about working on the Sabbath: In its Sabbath case, the Supreme Court can clarify a confusing ruling from 1977. But at what cost? Another key test for religious liberty A large number of outside individuals and groups have filed separate amici curiae (friends of the court) briefs in this case. If you would like to read the brief in support of the petitioner, Gerald E. Groff, that was jointly filed with the Supreme Court of the United States by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the National Association of Evangelicals, the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, and the Anti-Defamation League, it is available here: No. 22-174 In the Supreme Court of the United States A quotation from the Prophet Joseph Smith is apropos here. He uses the term priests, of course, simply to refer to clergy of other faiths: Priests cry out concerning me and ask why is it this babbler gains so many followers, and retains them? I answer, it is because I possess the principle of love, all I can offer the world is a good heart and a good hand. The Saints can testify whether I am willing to lay down my life for my brethren. If it has been demonstrated that I have been willing to die for a Mormon, I am bold to declare before heaven that I am just as ready to die in defending the rights of a Presbyterian, a Baptist or a good man of any other denomination; for the same principle which would trample upon the rights of the Latter day Saints would trample upon the rights of the Roman Catholics or of any other denomination who may be unpopular and too weak to defend themselves. It is a love of liberty which inspires my Soul, civil and religious liberty to the whole of the human race, love of liberty was diffused into my Soul by my grandfathers, while they dandled me on their knees; and shall I want friends? No. (Joseph Smith, Jr., History of the Church 5:498, 9 July 1843, slightly less than a year before he and his brother Hyrum were assassinated by an anti-Mormon mob in Carthage, Illinois) Which reminds me very much of this: A recent religious poll highlights a unique Latter-day Saint quality we can be proud of: A phenomenon highlighted in a recent Pew survey could be a sign that Latter-day Saints are trying to be kind and nonjudgmental to those around them. In a recent tweet, McKay Coppins, a Latter-day Saint writer at The Atlantic, commented as follows:A fascinating (and kind of hilarious) finding in this Pew survey: Mormons are among the least popular religious groups in America. They are also the only group that expresses a net favorable opinion of *every other group,* including Muslims and atheists. https://pewresearch.org/religion/2023/03/15/americans-feel-more-positive-than-negative-about-jews-mainline-protestants-catholics/. Or, as he summarizes it, You probably dont like us, but we like you! A new entry has appeared on the unfortunately necessary Neville-Neville Land blog: Jonathan Neville tried to blackmail me Im disappointed by the personal turn that things have now taken. Of course, its always been personal in a sense. As Ive tried to say on multiple prior occasions, Im quite unconcerned by Heartland geographical models for the Book of Mormon. Im not persuaded by them, but Im not especially upset that not a few others are persuaded. What concerns me is the tendency of some Heartlanders to regard Book of Mormon geography as a central doctrine of the Gospel and, accordingly, to cast public doubt on the loyalty to the Church, the Restoration, and the Gospel of those who publicly affirm views that differ from theirs. Thats why, alas, Ive found the Neville-Neville Land blog necessary. It chronicles such poor and inappropriate behavior. And now Im further dismayed by the gleeful willingness of at least two zealous Heartlander advocates to make common cause with avowed, vocal critics the Church, the Restoration, and the Gospel against those whose views on Book of Mormon geography fail to toe the Heartland line. This new kerfuffle strikes me as a tempest in the proverbial teapot. As Gertrude Stein once wrote about Oakland, California, where she grew up, theres no there there. Especially bemusing to me is the central role in it that is now being assigned to me both by Mr. Jonathan Neville and by my Malevolent Stalker and his epigones. Im so peripheral to this story, as intrinsically insignificant as it is, that one would need a high-powered telescope even to see me from the periphery. The operating principle over at the Peterson Obsession Board and in its suburbs, however, seems to taken from their revision of Amos 3:6: Shall there be evil in a city, and Daniel Peterson hath not done it? But lets end on a genuinely chilling note from the Christopher Hitchens Memorial How Religion Poisons Everything File: The Church and LifeMoves Help the Homeless in the San Francisco Bay Area: Latter-day Saints also donate time and labor to help prepare new navigation center Thus far, in my articles and my 2023 book, The Word Set in Stone: How Archaeology, Science, and History Back Up the Bible, I have documented archaeological confirmation of one sort or another for kings of the United Monarchy (Saul, David, and Solomon), and kings in the period of the divided kingdom of (southern) Judah (931-586 B.C.) and (northern) Israel (931-722 B.C.). These include Hezekiah, Ahaz, Jotham, Pekah, Jehoiachin, Zedekiah, Jehoiakim, Manasseh, Rehoboam, Ahaziah of Judah, Jehoram I of Israel, and Ahab (with Queen Jezebel). Thats already fifteen kings out of a total of 23 kings in Judah, and 19 kings in northern Israel (= 42 total). Now I shall document the same sort of evidence for ten more kings, which means that I now have extrabiblical documentation for 25 out of 42 kings (60%). It all adds up to the Bible being relentlessly historically accurate. 2 Chronicles 26:1, 3 (RSV) And all the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king instead of his father Amaziah. . . . Uzziah was sixteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem. Uzziah, king of Judah (aka Azariah in 1 Kings 15:1-7), according to Encyclopedia Britannica reigned from 791-739 B.C. (1) Bryan Windle (2) details some of the evidence for his historicity: Two seals which once belonged to officials in his court mention him by name. One reads, belonging to Abiyau, servant of Uzziah. (3) . . . The second seal is made of red limestone and reads, Belonging to Sebnayau, servant of Uzziah. (4) . . . Based on the shapes of the letters and the styles of the seals, both date to the time of King Uzziah. Windle continues, A fragmentary inscription from the Assyrian king, Tiglath-Pileser III mentions Azariah of Judah (Uzziahs other name) several times. In one part, Tiglath-Pileser writes: 19 districts of Hamath, together with the cities of their environs, on the shore of the sea of the setting sun, who had gone over to Azariah in revolt and contempt [of Assyria]. (5) While this event is not known in Scripture, it would be consistent with Uzziahs influence as he expanded his control in the region . . . (6) Encyclopedia Britannica (7) dates the reign of Tiglath-Pileser III to 745-727 B.C., which overlaps that of Uzziah by some six years. Uzziah was a prolific builder: 2 Chronicles 26:6, 9-10 . . . he built cities in the territory of Ashdod and elsewhere among the Philistines. . . . Moreover Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the Corner Gate and at the Valley Gate and at the Angle, and fortified them. And he built towers in the wilderness, and hewed out many cisterns, . . . A fortress dated to Uzziahs time-period has been discovered by archaeologists at Ain el-Qudeirat (or Kadesh Barnea). It had eight rectangular towers and a large cistern. (8) Archaeologists Negev and Gibson wrote about it: A completely new fortress was built in the 8th century BC (Stratum II) . . . [with] three projecting towers on each side. . . . This fortress was probably erected by Uzziah . . . Its destruction is ascribed to the Assyrians. (9) Moreover, Stratum III at Lachish, from Uzziahs time, was strongly fortified and surrounded by a double wall . . . further strengthened by buttresses and towers . . . a formidable shaft measuring 75 feet by 75 feet by 66 feet . . . was probably intended to provide the city with a safe water supply . . . (10) Beth Shemesh (Stratum II), has been dated to the 9th-7th centuries B.C., and among the many finds there included a large plastered water reservoir. (11) Manasseh, king of Judah, reigned from c. 686-642 B.C. (12) The Bible states that he reigned fifty-five years (2 Kings 21:1), but this likely includes eleven years of co-regency with his father, Hezekiah. (13) A seal has been discovered that may be one that Manasseh used during his co-regency with his father. In a book about such seals, Nahman Avigad concluded, a thorough microscopic examination of the stone revealed that the engraving does not give the impression of being recent. Moreover, the script, showing a fluent classic Hebrew hand, appears to be authentic in form and spirit. (14) Bryan Windle adds, Interestingly, it bears the same iconography the Egyptian winged scarab as that of numerous seals attributed to King Hezekiah. While some may be surprised to see an Egyptian symbol on a Hebrew kings seal, it must be noted that Hezekiah established an alliance with Egypt against the Assyrians (2 Ki 18:21; Isaiah 36:6). (15) In the annals of Assyrian king Esarhaddon (r. 680-669 B.C.) (16), Manasseh was named as a mere vassal, conscripted to deliver wood for the construction of Esarhaddons palace. (17) Windle continues, Esarhaddons son and successor, Ashurbanipal, also mentions Manasseh, King of Judah in his annals, which are recorded on the Rassam Cylinder, named after Hormuzd Rassam, who discovered it in the North Palace of Nineveh in 1854. This ten-faced, cuneiform cylinder includes a record of Ashurbanipals campaigns against Egypt and the Levant. (18) This cylinder states in part, During my march (to Egypt) 22 kings from the seashore, the islands and the mainland, Baal, king of Tyre, Manasseh (Mi-in-si-e), king of Judah (la-ti-di)[etc.]servants who belong to me, brought heavy gifts (tdmartu) to me and kissed my feet. (19) The dates of reign for Ashurbanipal are 668-627 B.C. (20), so we see that 26 of those years are contemporaneous with Mannaseh. 2 Kings 14:23 In the fifteenth year of Amaziah the son of Joash, king of Judah, Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel, began to reign in Samaria, and he reigned forty-one years. Jeroboam II ruled from c. 791-c. 750 in Israel (21). Bryan Windle (22) summarizes a key evidence for his historicity, The Megiddo Seal, as it called, was discovered in excavations at Megiddo in the early 1900s. The seal was made of jasper, and depicted a crouching lion, along with the inscription, (belonging) to Shema, Servant of Jeroboam. (23) Archaeologist Kenneth A. Kitchen observes, The famous seal of Shema servant [=minister of state] of Jeroboam is almost universally recognized to belong to the reign of Jeroboam II of Israel . . . attempts to date it to Jeroboam Is reign are unconvincing. (24) In 2020, archaeologist Yuval Goren of Ben-Gurion University claimed to have proven the authenticity of a bulla (clay seal impression) bearing the image of a roaring lion and a paleo-Hebrew inscription, (Belonging) to Shema, Servant of Jeroboam. (25) 2 Kings 17:6 In the ninth year of Hoshea the king of Assyria captured Samaria, and he carried the Israelites away to Assyria, . . . Hoshea was the final king of Israel, and reigned from 731-722 B.C. (26) Windle (27) noted, An ancient seal, bearing the paleo-Hebrew inscription, Belonging to Abdi, servant of Hoshea was purchased at a Sothebys auction in 1993 for $80,000. . . . At the bottom is an Egyptian winged sun disk, an image that is common on prominent Hebrew seals, such as that of King Hezekiah. In ancient seals, the servants title, ebed, indicates that the master was a king, (28) . . . Moreover, epigrapher Andre Lemaire notes, The paleo-Hebrew writing on this seal fits very well with other dated inscriptions from the last third of the eighth century B.C.E. (29) Even though the seal was purchased on the antiquities market, most experts support its authenticity. 2 Kings 15:29-30 In the days of Pekah king of Israel Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria came and captured Ijon, Abel-beth-maacah, Jan-oah, Kedesh, Hazor, Gilead, and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali; and he carried the people captive to Assyria. Then Hoshea the son of Elah made a conspiracy against Pekah the son of Remaliah, and struck him down, and slew him, and reigned in his stead, in the twentieth year of Jotham the son of Uzziah. Along these same lines, Hoshea appears in the royal inscriptions of the Assyrian king, Tiglath-Pileser III (r. 745-727). Summary Inscription No. 4 reads: The land of Bit-Humria [literally Omri-Land, that is Israel]all of its people [to] Assyria I carried off Pekah, their king, [I/they ki]lledand Hoshea [as king] I appointed over them. (30) 2 Kings 17:3, 5-6 Against him came up Shalmaneser king of Assyria; and Hoshea became his vassal, and paid him tribute. . . . Then the king of Assyria invaded all the land and came to Samaria, and for three years he besieged it. In the ninth year of Hoshea the king of Assyria captured Samaria, and he carried the Israelites away to Assyria, . . . This biblical account of the fall of the northern kingdom of Israel is corroborated by the Babylonian Chronicle ABC 1 (BM 92502) which states, On the twenty-fifth of the month Tebetu, Salmaneser in Assyria and Akkad ascended the throne. He ravaged Samaria. (31) Shalmaneser V reigned from 726-721 B.C. (32) 1 Kings 16:23 In the thirty-first year of Asa king of Judah, Omri began to reign over Israel, and reigned for twelve years; . . . Omri was king of Israel from 886/885-875/874. (33) He is referred to several times in the Mesha Stele (34) (or Moabite Stone), dated to 840 B.C., in which King Mesha of Moab describes his exploits. Hes also mentioned on the Black Obelisk of Assyrian king Shalmaneser III (r. 858-824 B.C.) (35) Even a hundred years after Omris reign, Israel was referred to by Assyrian kings as Omri-land: by Tiglath-Pileser III (r. 745-727 B.C.) in his Annalistic Records (36) and by Sargon II (37) (r. 721-705) (38). 2 Kings 10:36 The time that Jehu reigned over Israel in Samaria was twenty-eight years. Jehu reigned over Israel in the general period of c. 842-815 B.C. (39) or 841-814/813 (40). Bryan Windle (41) sums up the archaeological evidence supporting the biblical record with regard to this king: Jehus reign corresponded with that of Shalmaneser III [r. 858-824 B.C.], . . . One of the longest versions of Shalmaneser IIIs annals . . . records the various campaigns he took through the first 21 years of his reign. (42) In his 18th year, Shalmaneser . . . wrote, I received tribute from Baali-manzeri of Tyre and from Jehu of the house of Omri. (43) Other copies of Shalmanesers annals have been discovered with the same description of Jehus tribute. These include inscriptions on two monumental bulls discovered at Nimrud (ancient Calah), (44) in an annalistic tablet, (45) as well as on the Kurbail statue of Shalmaneser III. (46) . . . It should be noted that, in Assyrian records, Jehu is often associated with the house of Omri or described as the son of Omri. Jehu was not a descendant of Omri; rather he was the successor to the Omride dynasty. The Assyrians often referred to successive rulers in relation to the name of the ruler of the country with whom they had first contact. (47) 2 Kings 13:10 In the thirty-seventh year of Joash king of Judah Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz began to reign over Israel in Samaria, and he reigned sixteen years. Jehoash II, Or Joash (2 Chron. 25:17), was king of Israel from 806/805-791/790. (48) Bryan Windle describes the primary extrabiblical evidence in his case (49): Shortly after Jehoash began to reign, the Assyrian king, Adad-Nirari III [r. 810-783 B.C.] (50) invaded the western lands. A victory stele (monument) was discovered in 1967 during excavations at Tell al-Rimah which contains a record of Adad-Nirari IIIs campaign. While its date is unknown, many scholars associate it with Adad-Narari IIIs expedition westward in 796 BC. (51) It reads: . . . I received the tribute of Jehoash the Samarian, of the Tyrian ruler and of the Sidonian ruler. (52) 2 Kings 15:17, 19 In the thirty-ninth year of Azariah king of Judah Menahem the son of Gadi began to reign over Israel, and he reigned ten years in Samaria. . . . Pul the king of Assyria came against the land; and Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver, that he might help him to confirm his hold of the royal power. Menahem reigned in Israel from 749/748-739/738 (53). Assyrian king Tiglath-Pileser III (r. 745-727 B.C.) invaded Samaria in 743 B.C. and boasted, As for Menahem I overwhelmed him like a snowstorm and he . . . fled like a bird, alone, and bowed to my feet. I returned him to his place and imposed tribute upon him: gold, silver, linen garments with multicolored trimmings (54) In another inscription, Menahem of Samaria is named with sixteen other kings as having paid tribute to Tiglath-Pileser III. (55). 2 Kings 22:1 Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. . . . Josiah was king of Judah from c. 640-609 (56). Kitchen writes, Ostracon Mousaieff 1, . . . required payment of three shekels of silver to the House [= temple] of the LORD [YHWH] in the name of Ashiah/Oshiah the king, via a man [Z]echariah. The script is either eighth . . .. or seventh century . . . In the former case, Ashiah/Oshiah is a variant of Joash, king of Judah; in the latter case, of Josiah, which is the latest date possible. In Josiahs time a Levite named Zechariah was concerned with repairs to the Jerusalem temple (cf. 2 Chron. 34:12), . . . (57) Sure enough, after Kitchen wrote the above (in 2003), further evidence of King Josiah has surfaced. A signet ring was discovered in the ancient City of David in Jerusalem which features the name of one of King Josiahs officials, Nathan-melech, a chamberlain named in 2 Kings 23:11. The inscription of the ring says, belonging to Nathan-Melech, Servant of the King (58). Sixteen years time in biblical archaeology is more than enough for all kinds of new exciting discoveries to be made. They literally arrive every few months. This find is a classic case, and not in the least surprising. Also, a seal with the text Asayahu servant of the king probably belonged to Asaiah the kings servant (2 Kings 22:12). (59) 2 Kings 8:16-17 In the fifth year of Joram the son of Ahab, king of Israel, Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, began to reign. He was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem. Jehoram II reigned in Judah from 849/848-842. (60) He is mentioned on the Tel Dan stele (61), a Canaanite artifact discovered in 1993 most notable for its reference to the House of David. The prevailing opinion as to its date is the second half of the ninth century B.C.: precisely when Jehoram II reigned. Hes referred to as the father of Ahaziah of Judah (see 2 Kings 8:24-25). Kenneth Kitchen explains the absence in extrabiblical sources of most of the rest of the kings of Judah and Israel, and the overall extraordinary accuracy of the biblical accounts: Here the evidence began with Omri and Ahab, coming up to the mid-ninth century. Before that time, no Neo-Assyrian king is known to have penetrated the southwest Levant, to gain (or record) knowledge of any local king there. And it was not Egyptian custom to name foreign rulers unless they had some positive relationship with them (e.g., a treaty). Foes were treated with nameless contempt. . . . But from 853 onward we do have some data. Some nine out of the fourteen Israelite kings are named in external sources. Of the five missing men, three were ephemeral (Zechariah, Shallum, Pekahiah) and two reigned (Jehoahaz, Jeoboam II) when Assyria was not active in the southwest Levant. And one of these (Jeroboam II) is in any case known from a subjects seal stone. Judah was father away than Israel, so the head count is smaller: from Jehoram I to Zedekiah we have currently mention of eight kings out of fifteen. Of the seven absentees, Uzziah . . . is known from his subjects seals. Amaziah reigned during Assyrian absence from the southwest Levant; Jotham . . . is known from a bulla of Ahaz. Amon and Jeho-ahaz were ephemeral, while Josiah reigned during the Assyrian decline, without documentation by them of Levantine kings. But seal impressions and possibly an ostracon come from his time. . . . The time-line order of foreign rulers in 1-2 Kings, etc. is impeccably accurate, as is the order of the Hebrew rulers, as attested by the external sources. (62) The basic presentation of almost 350 years of the story of the Hebrew twin kingdoms comes out under factual examination as a highly reliable one, with mention of own and foreign rulers who were real, in the right order, at the right date, and sharing a common history that usually dovetails together well, when both Hebrew and external sources are available. Therefore we have no valid reason to cast gratuitous doubt on other episodes where comparable external data are currently lacking . . . (63) This concludes our survey. As I already mentioned, Ive now presented extrabiblical documentation for 25 out of 42 kings of Judah and Israel (60%). As Dr. Kitchen mentioned in the preceding citation, five of the remaining kings were ephemeral (i.e., ruled for a very short time). If we dont include them, its 25 out of 37, or 68%. Plausible, feasible explanations for most or all of the remaining dozen not being mentioned are provided by Kitchen as well. The Bible, in this historical respect, as in many others, is, as Dr. Kitchen asserted, impeccably accurate and highly reliable. FOOTNOTES 1) Uzziah, Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Uzziah. 2) Bryan Windle, King Uzziah: An Archaeological Biography, Bible Archaeology Report, August 7, 2020. https://biblearchaeologyreport.com/2020/08/07/king-uzziah-an-archaeological-biography/. 3) Amahai Mazar, Archaeology of the Land of the Bible (London: Yale University Press, 1990), 519. 4) Clyde E. Fant and Mitchell G. Reddish, Lost Treasures of the Bible. (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2008), 143. 5) D. D. Luckenbill. Azariah of Judah. American Journal of The Semitic Languages and Literatures. Vol. 41, No. 4 (July 1925), 220. 6) Windle, ibid. 7) Donald John Wiseman, Tiglath-pileser III, Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Tiglath-pileser-III. 8) Catherine L. McDowell, study note on 2 Chronicles 26:10, in ESV Archaeology Study Bible (ed. John Currid and David Chapman; Wheaton: Crossway, 2018), 632. 9) Avraham Negev & Shimon Gibson, eds., Archaeological Encyclopedia of the Holy Land (New York: Continuum, revised ed., 2003), Kadesh Barnea, 277. 10) Negev & Gibson, Lachish, 289. 11) Ibid., Beth Shemesh . . ., 88. 12) Manasseh, Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Manasseh-king-of-Judah. 13) Ewin R. Thiele, The Mysterious Numbers of the Hebrew Kings, (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1983), 174-176. 14) Nahman Avigad and Benjamin Sass, Corpus of West Semitic Stamp Seals (Jerusalem: The Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities, Israel Exploration Society, and The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, The Institute of Archaeology, 1997), 55. 15) Bryan Windle, King Manasseh: An Archaeological Biography, Bible Archaeology Report, February 12, 2021. https://biblearchaeologyreport.com/2021/02/12/king-manasseh-an-archaeological-biography/. 16) Esarhaddon, Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Esarhaddon. 17) James B. Pritchard, Ancient Near Eastern Texts Relating to the Old Testament (New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 1969), 291. 18) Windle, King Manasseh . . . 19) Pritchard, 294. 20) Donald John Wiseman, Ashurbanipal, Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ashurbanipal. 21) Kenneth A. Kitchen, On the Reliability of the Old Testament (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2003), 31. 22) Bryan Windle, King Jeroboam II: An Archaeological Biography, Bible Archaeology Report, March 4, 2021. https://biblearchaeologyreport.com/2021/03/04/king-jeroboam-ii-an-archaeological-biography/. 23) David G. Hansen, Megiddo, the Place of Battles, Bible and Spade Vol. 23, No. 2 (Spring 2010). https://biblearchaeology.org/research/chronological-categories/conquest-of-canaan/3084-megiddo-the-place-of-battles. 24) Kitchen, 19. 25) Amanda Borschel-Dan, 2,700 years ago, tiny clay piece sealed deal for Bibles King Jeroboam II, Times of Israel, December 10, 2020. https://www.timesofisrael.com/2700-years-ago-tiny-clay-piece-sealed-deal-for-bibles-king-jeroboam-ii/. 26) Kitchen, 31. 27) Bryan Windle, King Hoshea: An Archaeological Biography, Bible Archaeology Report, October 8, 2021. https://biblearchaeologyreport.com/2021/10/08/king-hoshea-an-archaeological-biography/. 28) Lawrence J. Mykytiuk, Identifying Biblical Persons in Northwest Semitic Inscriptions of 1200-539 B.C.E. (Boston: Brill, 2004), 65. 29) Andre Lemaire, Royal Signature: Name of Israels Last King Surfaces in a Private Collection, Biblical Archaeology Review 21:6, (November/December 1995), 51. 30) Mordecai Cogan, The Raging Torrent: Historical Inscriptions from Assyria and Babylonia Relating to Ancient Israel (Jerusalem: Carta, 2015), 73. 31) A. K. Grayson, Assyrian and Babylonian Chronicles (Locust Valley: J.J. Augustin Publisher, 1975), 73. https://www.livius.org/sources/content/mesopotamian-chronicles-content/abc-1-from-nabu-nasir-to-samas-suma-ukin/. 32) Shalmaneser V, Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Shalmaneser-V. 33) Kitchen, 30. 34) Mesha Stele, New World Encyclopedia. https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Mesha_Stele. 35) Shalmaneser III, Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Shalmaneser-III. 36) A. Leo Oppenheim, Babylonian and Assyrian Historical Texts, in Ancient Near Easter Texts Relating to the Old Testament, ed. James B. Pritchard (New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 1969), 284. 37) Jorgen Laessoe, Sargon II, Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Sargon-II. 38) Oppenheim, ibid., 285. 39) Jehu, Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jehu. 40) Kitchen, 30. 41) Bryan Windle, King Jehu: An Archaeological Biography, Bible Archaeology Report, October 9, 2020. https://biblearchaeologyreport.com/2020/10/09/king-jehu-an-archaeological-biography/. 42) Albert Kirk Grayson, Assyrian Rulers of the Early First Millennium BC: II (858-745 BC) (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1996), 50. 43) Ibid., 54. 44) Ibid., 48. 45) Pritchard, 280. 46) Grayson, 60. 47) Randall Price and H. Wayne House, Zondervan Handbook of Biblical Archaeology (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2017), 135. 48) Kitchen, 31. 49) Bryan Windle, King Jehoash: An Archaeological Biography, Bible Archaeology Report, August 13, 2021. https://biblearchaeologyreport.com/2021/08/13/king-jehoash-an-archaeological-biography/. 50) Sammu-ramat, Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Sammu-ramat#ref258856. 51) Linda S. Schearing, Joash, in D. N. Freedman, ed., The Anchor Bible Dictionary (New York: Doubleday, 1992), 4473. 52) The Tell al-Rimah Stela, Livius.org, July 10, 2020. https://www.livius.org/sources/content/anet/cos-2.114f-the-tell-al-rimah-stela/. 53) Kitchen, 31. 54) Pritchard, 284. 55) Mordecai Cogan, The Raging Torrent: Historical Inscriptions from Assyria and Babylonia Relating to Ancient Israel (Jerusalem: Carta, 2015), 59. 56) Josiah, Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Josiah. 57) Kitchen, 20. 58) Amanda Borschel-Dan, Tiny First Temple find could be first proof of aide to biblical King Josiah, The Times of Israel, March 31, 2019. https://www.timesofisrael.com/two-tiny-first-temple-inscriptions-vastly-enlarge-picture-of-ancient-jerusalem/. 59) Michael Heltzer, The Seal of Asahayu, in William H. Hallo, The Context of Scripture (Brill, 2000), Vol. II, 204. 60) Kitchen, 30. 61) Kitchen, 17-18. 62) Kitchen, 62-63. 63) Kitchen, 64. *** Practical Matters: Perhaps some of my 4,200+ free online articles (the most comprehensive one-stop Catholic apologetics site) or fifty-one books have helped you (by Gods grace) to decide to become Catholic or to return to the Church, or better understand some doctrines and why we believe them. Or you may believe my work is worthy to support for the purpose of apologetics and evangelism in general. If so, please seriously consider a much-needed financial contribution. Im always in need of more funds: especially monthly support. The laborer is worthy of his wages (1 Tim 5:18, NKJV). 1 December 2021 was my 20th anniversary as a full-time Catholic apologist, and February 2022 marked the 25th anniversary of my blog. PayPal donations are the easiest: just send to my email address: apologistdave@gmail.com. Youll see the term Catholic Used Book Service, which is my old side-business. To learn about the different methods of contributing, including 100% tax deduction, etc., see my page: About Catholic Apologist Dave Armstrong / Donation Information. Thanks a million from the bottom of my heart! *** Photo credit: King Uzziah Stricken by Leprosy (c. 1639), by Rembrandt (1606-1669) [public domain / [public domain / Wikimedia Commons *** Summary: I provide extrabiblical documentation for ten kings of Judah & Israel, adding to my 15 previous similar efforts, for a total of 25 out of 42, or 60% outside verification. In my book, The Word Set in Stone: How Archaeology, Science and History Back Up the Bible (Catholic Answers Press, 2023), I suggest quite a few possible scenarios whereby biblical events usually assumed to be miraculous may have a plausible natural explanation. I repeatedly explain my precise position in my book, especially (and in the most sustained detail) in the Introduction. For anyone who has an e-book version, the relevant words can be searched. Miraculous appears fifteen times, miracle 21 times (not counting its appearance in one of the chapter titles), and supernatural 18 times. My (excellent) editor, Drew Belsky, passed on to me some concerns that have been expressed, and asked me if I could clarify my position. Im more than happy to do so. He wrote: I know of people who say approaches like yours diminish the majesty of God because they reduce every alleged miracle to mere natural phenomena, meaning the atheist is even less convinced of the supernatural. Well, this is what is called a straw man in logic. That is, the question presupposes that I hold a position that I dont in fact hold. I actually fully agree with the concern expressed by these people, and stated as much in my book, in the last two paragraphs of my Introduction (p. 15): A theologically liberal or skeptical mentality does exist, whereby every miracle in the Bible is explained away by natural processes because of disbelief in all miracles from the outset. I detest that, and its not at all my own position. Rather, mine is a view that fully accepts the possibility and factuality of actual divine, supernatural miracles, while at the same time recognizing that Gods omniscience and omnipotence, providence and sovereignty are such that he can and does also incorporate natural events into his divine plans for the human race and the accomplishment of his will. The claim was that approaches like mine reduce every alleged miracle to mere natural phenomena. But as I explained in the book already, I detest such a position, which flows from disbelief in all miracles. Thats why there is an urge in such people to dismiss every miracle in the Bible or in Christianity, because they have ruled out the possibility of them from the outset, as philosopher David Hume famously or infamously and irrationally did. In other words, my position may be summed up as: God can and does accomplish his purposes and incorporate into his providence both miraculous acts and natural events. I gave several examples of the latter in my book: God using the Assyrians and Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar to judge his own people when they strayed, and Persian King Cyrus to aid them, and using a meteor to judge Sodom and Gomorrah (see p. 14). And I gave several examples of things that could only be totally or partially supernatural, such as four of the ten plagues upon Egypt, and Christian beliefs such as the raising of the dead, walking on water and through walls, Balaams talking donkey, the Incarnation, the Virgin Birth, the atonement, and Jesus resurrection and ascension (see pp. 13-14). Moreover, I stated: I throw out interesting possibilities or theories, not necessarily taking a position. I never claim that things must have been the way I suggest (p. 14). The skeptical / agnostic / atheist position regarding miracles, on the other hand, can be accurately summarized as follows: If indeed there is a God, he doesnt perform miracles, because they are impossible, and if there is no God, the impossibility is all the more certain, because everything reduces to natural laws that govern the behavior of matter: God not being present to contravene or overrule any of these laws. These two positions are as different as night and day or east and west. Anyone who attributes anything remotely like the second position to me either hasnt read my book, or if he or she has done so, has vastly misunderstood what I made crystal clear over and over. My position is not at all anti-supernatural. Rather, it is against a position that appears to think that everything God does is supernatural or that every act he performs to aid human beings is supernatural. One person who responded to an article of mine at National Catholic Register that consisted of excerpts from my book, was far more blunt, as well as slanderous: What is most disturbing is that the author seems completely devoid of supernatural faith. The view he presents is that of liberal Protestantism. It completely denies the miraculous and infers God is deceptive, factually ignorant, or a writer of myths. Its offensive to see this in a supposedly Catholic publication. This article (especially the Addendum) disposes of this nonsense ten times over. As for an atheist being less convinced of the supernatural because of a possible (not necessary or undeniable!) natural explanation of some acts that are largely assumed to be miraculous, Im not convinced this is the case, or that it is more often than not. Again, I deny the assumed premise in the criticism. St. Paul said, I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some (1 Cor 9:22, RSV). Now, I am not seeking to think like an atheist in order to convince the atheist of Christianity. That would be both self-contradictory and absurd. What Im doing is attempting to persuade them in areas where there might be common ground to be had. The atheist (we must remember) denies all miracles by definition, because there is no God to perform them, and they are senseless from the perspective of natural scientific laws. Therefore, I merely throw out possibilities of natural explanations of some things in the Bible. This may have the effect of causing the atheist to consider the Bible more seriously than before, because he or she can comprehend things in a way that is not immediately contrary to their presuppositions. But in doing so I remain uncommitted to the notion that these things must be natural. I say they might possibly be, and by the same token, that they may be miraculous. The second (falsely) alleged problem in my thinking was passed along to me by Drew Belsky as follows: Christians will say that every miracle must be naturally plausible, or else it shouldnt be believed. Again, this is not my position, which makes clear that many beliefs in Christianity are clearly miraculous or supernatural, and could hardly be otherwise. How could something like the Incarnation of Jesus or his being conceived by the Holy Spirit, or our being saved as a result of his sacrifice on the cross not be miraculous? The concern as expressed or its supposed description of my view is viciously self-contradictory, because miracles (such as the three examples I just mentioned) are by definition other than natural (!). Thats why we have the term supernatural: meaning beyond the natural. The concern is even phrased wrongly. I never stated (nor ever thought) that any given miracle must have a possible natural explanation in order to be believed. Rather, I am contending that some biblical events assumed by many to be miraculous may have been in fact, natural events: the timing of which was coordinated by God in his foreknowledge and providence. I think the strongest cases for this that I made are the Hebrews being fed by quail in the wilderness, and Moses drawing water from rock. Its very plausible that both things were natural, as I argued in the book, from scientific findings. But why should that be thought of as an anti-miraculous mentality on my part? To suggest that one particular thing was perhaps not miraculous is not to extend that speculation to all things. ADDENDUM: Fifty Things That I Believe Can Only be Regarded as Miraculous / Supernatural in the Old Testament Lest someone make the unfounded charge that I supposedly deny all miraculous events in the Old Testament (something I have never stated nor believed in the 46 years that I have been seriously seeking to follow Jesus Christ as his disciple, and over the 42 years I have written about apologetics), here is a list of things in the Old Testament that I consider miraculous, and would never attempt to offer even a possible natural explanation: Gods creation of Adam and Eve (i.e., male and female human beings with souls, made in his image: Gen. 1:27). The devil as a real spiritual being. Demons as real spiritual beings. Angels as real spiritual beings. Gods creation of the universe (at least in the initial stages; e.g., one may hold that he initiated the Big Bang, and then it was all natural processes: Gen. 1:1). Gods creation of the earth (at least in the initial stages): Gen. 1:1. Gods omnipotence (Job 42:2; Jer. 32:17). Gods omniscience (1 Chron. 28:9; Ps. 147:5). Gods omnipresence (Ps. 139:7-8; Jer. 23:24). Gods eternal existence (Gen. 21:33; Exod. 3:14). The Holy Trinity. Gods immutability (inability to change): Mal. 3:6. Original sin / the fall of man as a cosmic catastrophe, requiring supernatural grace to overcome (Gen. 3:22-24). Gods prediction of the Flood (Gen. 7:4). Gods Covenant with Noah (Gen. 9:8-17). Gods Covenant[s] with Abraham (Gen. 15:18-21; 17:1-14). Gods Covenant with Isaac (Gen. 17:19-21; 26:24). Theophanies in which God appeared as a man or an angel in the OT (e.g., Gen. 18:1-2). Sarah giving birth to Isaac at age 90 (Gen. 17:17). God calling to Hagar from heaven (Gen. 21:17). Whenever God communicates to human beings in any fashion (e.g., Gen. 22:1-2). Whenever angels communicate to human beings in any fashion (e.g., Gen. 22:15). Heaven. Sheol or Hades. Balaams talking donkey (Num. 22:28). God feeding the wandering Hebrews manna (Exod. 16:14-15). The burning bush on Mt. Sinai (Exod. 3:2-6). God writing and carving the Ten Commandments (Exod. 24:12; 31:18; 34:1). Moses rod becoming a serpent (Exod. 4:2-4). Moses hand becoming leprous (Exod. 4:6-7). The killing of the first-born Egyptian children and the first-born of the Egyptians cattle (Exod. 11:5, 7; 12:29). Gods protection of the Hebrews during the first Passover (Exod. 12:22-23). God making the water become sweet (Exod. 15:25). Jonah being raised from the dead in the belly of the whale (Jon. 2:1-7). Gods presence in the pillar of smoke (Exod. 13:21). Gods presence in the pillar of fire (Exod. 13:21). Gods special presence between the wings of the cherubim on top of the ark of the covenant (Exod. 25:22). The OT sacrificial system as a way to extend Gods forgiveness to human beings (e.g., Lev. 4:27-31). Elijah raising the dead (1 Kings 17:21-22). Elisha raising the dead (2 Kings 4:32-35). The destruction of Jericho via the blowing of trumpets (Josh. 6:20). The fire on Mt. Carmel that came down from God to burn up a hundred false prophets of Baal (2 Kings 1:10-12). Elijah going up to heaven in a whirlwind (2 Kings 2:11). The three Hebrew children saved in the fiery furnace (Dan. 3:8-27). All prophecies made by the prophets that came true. Isaiah seeing God in heaven (Isa. 6:1-5). Daniels vision of God (Dan. 7:9-10). Daniel saved from the lions (Dan.6:16-23). The angels killing of thousands of Assyrian soldiers (2 Kings 19:35). Moses prayer as part of the process of God forgiving the sinning Israelites (Num. 14:19-20). *** Practical Matters: Perhaps some of my 4,200+ free online articles (the most comprehensive one-stop Catholic apologetics site) or fifty-one books have helped you (by Gods grace) to decide to become Catholic or to return to the Church, or better understand some doctrines and why we believe them. Or you may believe my work is worthy to support for the purpose of apologetics and evangelism in general. If so, please seriously consider a much-needed financial contribution. Im always in need of more funds: especially monthly support. The laborer is worthy of his wages (1 Tim 5:18, NKJV). 1 December 2021 was my 20th anniversary as a full-time Catholic apologist, and February 2022 marked the 25th anniversary of my blog. PayPal donations are the easiest: just send to my email address: apologistdave@gmail.com. Youll see the term Catholic Used Book Service, which is my old side-business. To learn about the different methods of contributing, including 100% tax deduction, etc., see my page: About Catholic Apologist Dave Armstrong / Donation Information. Thanks a million from the bottom of my heart! *** Photo credit: The Ancient of Days (1794), by William Blake (1757-1827) [public domain / [public domain / Wikimedia Commons *** Summary: Some people suspect that I am anti-miracle because in my latest book on biblical archaeology I offer several POSSIBLE natural explanations. Theyre dead wrong. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 21. The 17th EU-Uzbekistan Cooperation Council meeting will be held in Luxembourg on April 24, Trend reports via the European Council. The meeting is aimed at discussing issues of trade, economic, energy, and investment cooperation between Uzbekistan and EU countries, as well as aspects related to Uzbekistans GSP+ status and accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). It is expected that Tobias Billstrom, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden, will lead the EU delegation at the talks. At the same time, he will chair the meeting on behalf of the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell. The Uzbek delegation will be led by Bakhtiyor Saidov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan. The last meeting of the Cooperation Council between the EU and Uzbekistan was held in Brussels in November 2021. The saga of verified accounts on Twitter has reached its end. (Finally.) After months of beleaguered changes, the program that once identified notable accountslike those held by journalists, major corporations, and public figureshas faded permanently into the past. However, the blue check marks originally signifying verified status arent disappearing. Instead their meaning is now different. Check marks of other colors have now joined the line-up, too. You can boil the whole system down as a set of subscriber badges, with distinctions between each one. Weve explained them for you below, but be warned: Twitter has continually shifted its approach to check marks and how theyre applied to accounts. Whats current now might not be so in even just a couple of weeks. As for being sure a Twitter account is official, youll now need to verify the account name (e.g., cross-check against an official website) on your own. Blue check mark An example of the blue check mark on a Twitter account. PCWorld Prior to Elon Musks takeover of Twitter, a blue check mark meant an account was verifiedthat is, the persons identity had been confirmed. This distinction made it easier for people to trust that an account was truly held by a notable entity, like a business, government official, journalist, or other public figure or brand. These legacy verified accounts lost their badge on April 20. Now that blue check mark signifies that the account is subscribed to Twitter Blue. For $8 per month via the web (or $11 per month via iOS and Android), eligible accounts get the badge plus extra features like reduced ads, the ability to edit tweets, longer tweets up to 10,000 characters, and text formatting. To be eligible, an account must be active within the last 30 days, have a display name, photo, and a confirmed phone number, and cannot impersonate another account or entity. (That last requirement is likely due to the chaos that unfolded when Twitter Blue first gave check marks to subscribers immediately.) Accounts with one million or more followers also appear to be getting the blue check mark automaticallyin some cases, against the express wishes of the account holders. In other instances, the mark has been applied to high-profile accounts belonging to deceased public figures. Stephen King informed his followers that his blue check mark was applied without him having subscribed to Twitter Blue. Gold check mark An example of a gold check mark on a Twitter account held by a business. PCWorld Twitter is hurting for cash, and it wants subscription money from those who can really pay for it: businesses. Companies that participate in Twitters Verified Organization program get a yellow checkmark to indicate their participation, as well as a square avatar icon, Twitter Blue features, and the option to add affiliate accounts (i.e., individuals, divisions, or sub-brands affiliated with the organization). Given the subscription cost$1,000 per month in the U.S.its less likely that youll encounter a false account for, say, a bank or other major institution, but not impossible. The terms and conditions of the program dont describe an actual verification process. Twitter no longer has a media relations team to field questions on this point, either. Gray check mark An example of a gray check mark on a Twitter account held by a government agency. PCWorld A variant of the Verified Organizations mark, this flavor of subscription badge signifies a government organization or officialor a multilateral institution like the United Nations. Twitter previously used this icon to also identify media outlets, but that policy has now changed to identifying such organizations with a gold check mark. Labels further identifying media with ties to government appear to have disappeared as of April 21, along with the companys help page that explained its definition of state-affiliated media. Meanwhile, rival Facebook still maintains its policy of labeling outlets with direct government control over editorial content. This change closes a brief period in which news outlets typically regarded as independent showed a gold check mark along with a label identifying them as government-funded. High-profile examples included NPR, which chose to discontinue using Twitter altogether, and the Canadian Broadcasting Company. When the CBC explained its funding, Twitter adjusted the accounts label as state-funded media to include the following detail: The number here was not based on straight math. PCWorld According to a Reuters report, the CBC is 58 percent funded through government sources. On April 14, 2023, at the Kempinski Gold Coast Hotel in Accra, was an exhilarating experience as the KGL Foundation held its first ever annual fundraiser and gala. The event was graced by esteemed guests, prominent was Her Excellency Madam Rebecca Akuffo Addo, the First Lady of the Republic of Ghana, who served as the special guest of honor and delivered a stirring speech. The chairperson of the event was none other than His Royal Majesty Oseadeeyo Kwasi Akuffo III, the Okuapemhene, who radiated regal elegance as he addressed the audience. Nana Bafffour Owusu Bediako, Asante Akyem Domeabramanhene, represented the revered Asantehene Otumfour Osei Tutu II and captivated the audience with his inspiring words. The CEO of KGL Foundation, Mr. Elliot Dadey, welcomed the guests with an insightful address that set the tone for the evening. He spoke passionately about the foundation's mission to make a positive impact on the lives of the underprivileged in Ghana and beyond, and expressed his gratitude to all the attendees for their unwavering support. Adding to the sense of occasion, the Group Chairman of the KGL Group, Mr. Alex Dadey, took the stage and delivered a warm speech. He spoke about the importance of corporate social responsibility and how the KGL Group is committed to giving back to the community through KGL Foundation's initiatives. His words resonated with the audience, igniting a sense of purpose and determination to contribute to the foundation's cause. The event was attended by esteemed members of the Diplomatic Corps, Diasporans, and representatives from corporate Ghana. They demonstrated their solidarity with the foundation's noble mission. The presence of the current winner of Miss Ghana UK and the organizers of the pageant added a touch of glamour to the evening, throwing spotlight on the foundation's commitment to empowering women and promoting inclusivity. The highlight of the night was undoubtedly the speech delivered by our special guest of honor, the First Lady of the republic of Ghana. Her Excellency Madam Rebecca Akuffo Addo inspired the audience with her unwavering dedication to humanitarian causes and her call to action for all stakeholders to join hands in creating a better future for the less fortunate. The Okuapemhene, His Royal Majesty Oseadeeyo Kwasi Akuffo III, delivered a moving speech, underscoring the importance of unity and collaboration in driving positive change in society. Nana Bafffour Owusu Bediako, representing the Asantehene Otumfour Osei Tutu II, conveyed the revered king's blessings and support for the KGL Foundation's philanthropic efforts. The evening was not just about speeches, but also featured captivating performances, exquisite dining, and an auction of carefully curated items to raise funds for the foundation's initiatives. The event was a resounding success, with generous donations pouring in from individuals and corporate entities alike, demonstrating the collective commitment to making a difference in the lives of the underprivileged. As the night came to a close, the air was filled with a palpable sense of hope and determination. The KGL Foundation's inaugural fundraiser and gala had not only raised funds to support its noble cause but had also ignited a spark of inspiration and motivation among all attendees to do their part in creating a more equitable and compassionate world. In conclusion, the KGL Foundation's first annual fundraiser and gala was a unique and powerful event that brought together influential personalities, philanthropists, and changemakers to rally behind a common cause. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Ongoing fighting in Sudan's capital is now severely affecting food supplies, as well as disrupting access to water and electricity, according to Khartoum residents who spoke to the BBC. "We only have enough food for two days," Nisreen Al-Saim said. Ms Saim added that she and her family were now reducing the amount of food they consume in the hope that their supplies last longer. Water and electricity cuts have affected many Sudanese homes since clashes began between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group and the Sudanese army on 15 April. The two sides had been sharing power with the head of the army, Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, as de facto leader and the head of the RSF, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo as his deputy, but they have since started fighting each other. More than 270 people had died, according to a statement from the US embassy in Khartoum. Shops shut down In Bahri, northern Khartoum, eyewitnesses told the BBC that the main water pumping station had been hit. Hind, a local resident, said the frequent water outages forced her and her family to rely solely on their reserves of abri - a corn-based drink usually consumed during Ramadan - to quench their thirst. Hind added that all the shops in her neighbourhood had closed except for some bakeries, and even they had little flour left. A few days before the fighting started, the army had warned civilians to stockpile food following the deployment of RSF personnel to different points of the capital. But Heba, another Khartoum resident, told the BBC that "only a few families" took the advice seriously, as no one imagined that the situation would escalate to the current extent. "We did not want to go out in the heat as we had already stocked up on food for Ramadan," Heba added. UN aid suspended However, Heba's neighbourhood is only getting power for two hours a day, which means the food that some families have stored may spoil. It is not clear for how long supplies will have to hold out, given that there's no clear end to the clashes. Two ceasefires have been announced, but both collapsed as fighting continued between the warring factions. Eyewitnesses reported that in the Khartoum neighbourhoods where fighting has calmed enough for grocery stores to reopen, there are queues and products like bottled water are scarce. In others, residents are still too afraid to even leave their front door. Source: BBC Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. The Florida State Board of Education voted Wednesday, April 19, to prohibit classroom instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation through 12th grade. The expansion of the Parental Rights in Education Act, known as Dont Say Gay by critics, allows an exemption for sexual education or health lessons, for which a students parent has the option to have his or her student not attend. Board members said there are misconceptions about the rule, which they say is only a clarification of Florida standards for teachers. The new rule is part of a broader rightward push on cultural issues championed by DeSantis, who is widely expected to run for president in 2024. The board, whose members are appointed by the governor, unanimously approved prohibiting lessons on gender identity or sexual orientation in grades four through 12, unless the instruction is required by state standards or is part of a health class that parents can opt their children out of. This really isnt a complicated thing, said board member Esther Byrd. But LGBTQ+ advocates say the rule is an assault on freedom. Free states do not wage war on LGBTQ+ people to score cheap political points for a man desperate to be president, said Joe Saunders, senior political director for Equality Florida. This policy will escalate the government censorship that is sweeping our state, exacerbate our educator exodus, drive hardworking families from Florida, and further stigmatize and isolate a population of young people who need our support now more than ever. The move is the latest in Gov. Ron DeSantis attack on what he calls woke gender ideology. During this years session, the Florida Legislature discussed bills that would prohibit children from attending drag shows, require people to use the bathroom that corresponds to their sex at birth, and would ban gender-affirming care for minors. Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Professor Smart Sarpong, a Senior Research Fellow of the Kumasi Technical University, has applauded the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akufo Dampare and the Ghana Police Service over their engagement with the two largest political parties, the New Patriotic Party and the National Democratic Congress. The Police administration held a meeting with the leadership of both parties on some petitions recently received by the Police which demanded, amongst others, the arrest of some notable politicians on alleged statements made by them which, according to the petitioners, threaten the peace and security of the country. The Police noted that statements of Ex-President John Mahama, NDC National Chairman; Mr. Asiedu Nketiah, and the Minister for Food and Agriculture; Hon. Bryan Acheampong, had all failed the criminal threshold test which would warrant their arrest. Nonetheless, statements by the Suame NDC Youth Organizer were criminal and had breached the laws of the Republic, as a result his arrest and prosecution; the Police further stated. The IGP also assured the parties of the determination of the Police to serve as impartial referees in enforcing law and order. Making submissions in relation to the Police and political parties' engagement, Professor Smart Sarpong guaranteed the Police of the people's support for them to do their work without fear or favor. According to him, the IGP's assurance and caution to all political parties, particularly the NPP and NDC, that they should leave the Police to do their work without political interferences is in the right order. "They should continue to do their work. President Mahama has called on them to serve the country not individuals. They should do their best...We throw our support behind them," he said on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" morning show. To the political parties, Prof. Smart Sarpong advised them to refrain from making seditious statements but focus on clean politics and their polling stations if they want to win the elections. He stressed; "Election 2024, one party is going to win but it is going to be the party that becomes smarter, not the party that shows muscles and become more violent." Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video One York County company has been acquired by another. York-based communications agency, Gavin has been acquired by The YGS Group, which is based in West Manchester Township. After a decade of double-digit growth and market expansion, we are looking ahead to the future needs of our clients in an ever-changing landscape, Mandy Arnold, CEO of Gavin, said in a news release. By adding YGS customized brand solutions to Gavins brand strategy, digital and public relations expert offerings, our clients now have the expansive services they seek in a single strategic partner able to serve as a complete agency of record. Gavin provides brand communications services to clients across the country. The company also offers public relations services, crisis communications, media buying, and digital advertising services. The acquisition was completed in the first quarter. Terms of the deal werent disclosed. Gavin will maintain its offices in York, and Baltimore, Maryland, and operate as an independent brand under The YGS Group family of companies. With the addition of Gavin, YGS now has 260 employees. YGS has been on a strategic growth path over the past several years to become the complete resource for our clients, Jim Kell, YGS CEO, said in the news release. The addition of such an accomplished and respected brand communications agency supports our vision for the future of our companies. The YGS Group owns Association Solutions, Publisher Solutions, Print Solutions, Caskey, and Gavin. Sign up for Eat, Shop, Go, a weekly report from PennLive on food, restaurants, business, retail centers, things to do and places to go all around central Pa. Sign up for free by clicking here. North Koreas position as a nuclear weapons state will remain undeniable and it will continue legitimate action until military threats from the United States and its allies are eliminated, state media KCNA said on Friday, Trend reports citing Al Arabiya. North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui issued a statement criticizing the United States and other Group of Seven countries. The G7 foreign ministers condemned the Norths April 13 test of Pyongyang what said was a solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile and urged denuclearization at the end of their meeting in Japan on Tuesday. Tension has flared in recent weeks as the isolated country has ramped up military activities and threatened more practical and offensive action as US and South Korean forces conduct annual springtime military exercises. North Korea has been reacting furiously to those exercises, calling them a rehearsal for an all-out, nuclear war. Choe said North Koreas status as a nuclear power is final and irreversible, and will remain an undeniable reality even if Washington and others in the West deny it. Pyongyangs development of nuclear weapons was only intended to guard against US threats, she said, urging Washington to drop its hostile policy against the North to ensure its own security. It is an anachronistic idea if you think that only Washington has the right and capability to carry out a nuclear strike, KCNA quoted her as saying. As long as we have the strength to hit back against US nuclear threats, we will never seek recognition or approval from anyone. Choe accused the G7 countries of illegally interfering in North Koreas internal affairs by demanding denuclearization, saying Pyongyang will take strong action if they attempt to violate its sovereignty and fundamental interests. We will continue all legitimate action granted to any sovereign states until military threats from the US and its allied hostile forces are completely eliminated, and the hostile environment that impedes our independent existence and development is fundamentally ended, Choe said. The April 8 arrests of three New Yorkers for ID fraud and retail theft at Macys in Auburn, Mass. could lead to federal law enforcement officials getting involved, police said on Thursday. Officers were dispatched to Macys at around 3 p.m. to investigate suspicious activity at the mall, police said. The suspect attempted to use a drivers license with a stolen identity to access a line of credit and make purchases on that line of credit while at Macys. The suspects have only been identified as a 25-year-old man, a 26-year-old woman and a 35-year-old woman, all from New York, Auburn police said in a statement. As the suspects attempted to leave the mall, officers found them and stopped the vehicle before it could leave the mall. Police found 80 fake ID cards and numerous bags of property purchased with stolen credit card information at other stores in New England. The suspects were all charged with larceny over $1,200, identity fraud, organized retail theft, improper use of a credit card and conspiracy. As a result of the investigation, thousands of dollars of stolen merchandise and 80 drivers licenses with stolen identities that all displayed the same photographs of the suspects were recovered, police said in a statement, adding that it did not look like any of the victims of the stolen identities were local. The drivers licenses found contained identifying information for different victims from across the country for the states of Texas, Washington, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Licenses for different states carried matching faces from multiple individuals, which the Auburn police department shared on Facebook. Auburn Deputy Chief Scott Mills said detectives have been in contact with the FBI and the Secret Service, with the possibility that the scope of the investigation could widen due to multiple fake state licenses. Mills added that detectives are looking at two phones belonging to the suspects, not password protected, which could indicate what was behind the scheme. Based on whats found, federal law enforcement could step in. The investigation remains ongoing. Police noted that the suspects may receive additional charges. A student at Lehigh University was assaulted in a hate crime attack on campus, according to police. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that university police said a Black student was walking with a group of friends on the universitys campus over the weekend, when a group of four white people drove by yelling racist comments. The Black student ran after the car before rejoining his group of friends, but the group in the car - who police said are not students at Lehigh and not from the Bethlehem area - stopped, followed the students and assaulted the Black student. The attack continued after a verbal exchange between the two groups, when some of the suspects followed the students into a campus residence hall and assaulted the Black student again. The victim suffered no serious injuries. In a statement from the universitys chief of police Jason Schiffer, authorities are evaluating criminal charges or a potential restorative justice resolution. While I am deeply relieved that he was not physically harmed as a result of the assault, that does not mean that this was somehow insignificant, said Lehigh University president Joseph J. Helble, according to the Inquirer. We must all work together to do the hard work to eradicate hate and violence. Calling this out when it happens is a first and necessary step, and I am committed to our doing so. This must stop. In 1953, the first year of the Chevrolet Corvettes production run, only 300 C1 Corvettes were produced. During the following 70 years, nearly 2 million Corvettes have been built and sold. Corvette serial number 100, the 100th Corvette ever produced, will be crossing the auction block today at the Spring Carlisle Collector Car Auction at the Carlisle Expo Center. Heres how much one of the rarest Corvettes of all time sold for at auction in central Pa. This rare vehicle also comes with a storied history: Assembled in mid -October 1953, this Corvette was delivered by Tom Hoskins of Hoskins Chevrolet in Chicago to a prominent man of the time, Cyrus Rowlett (C.R.) Smith. Smith was the founder and CEO of American Airlines from 1934-1968 and again from 1973-74. Smith also was a Major General in the Air Force and as the wartime deputy commander of the Air Transport Command during World War II. He also served under President Lyndon B. Johnson as the United States Secretary of Commerce. While the car has changed hands multiple times since Mr. Smiths ownership, there is meticulous documentation of its ownership record. Its engine number is 535454 and there are many original elements to the car too, including valve cover (one of 305 produced), 3836066 special Corvette cylinder head, body, and specially engineered open drive shaft two-speed power glide automatic transmission, which was all-new for the Corvette only. The 53 also retains its original vacuum bag molded fiberglass body made by Lunn Laminates of Huntington, New York which is currently adorned by a 2019 repaint in acrylic lacquer formulated in the Delaware factory of E. I. du Pont de Nemours. Under the trunk bulkhead is the #100, further solidifying its place in the production line. This is not a restoration piece, though it has been re-painted. Its also won numerous awards, including as recently as 2021 when it was tapped as the National Corvette Restorers Society Top Flight Award winner. This 1953 Corvette is an excellent unrestored/first year Corvette with full provenance, notes Alan Blay, editor of On Solid Ground, the Solid Axle Corvette Club magazine and columnist and historian for six-cylinder Corvettes built in 1953, 1954, and 1955. Its body has never separated from the chassis and other than a 2019 repaint, its emulated as close as possible to the cars original finish and appearance, continued Blay. Itll roll across the auction block with all original hardware still intact and drives as it did when it was brand new 70 years ago. In fact, its current owner still drives it and has logged about 5,000 miles in the past 18 years. This car is not a trailer queen, concluded Blay. The National Corvette Restorers Society (NCRS), the premier authority on all things Corvette, has judged only 60 53s all time, and rarer yet, over the last five years, only 16 53s are known to have sold. Currently, theres only one other known active sale for a 53 and its part of a non-auction/boutique dealership sale. Location: Carlisle Expo Center, 100 K St., Carlisle, PA Hours: 12 noon auction starts READ MORE: Spring Carlisle car show at Carlisle Fairgrounds Pa. soldiers remains returned home after 80 years Flashy Cumberland County home with 28 rooms lands on Zillow Gone Wild: Cool Spaces This $1.5M home built by Milton S. Hershey has distinct historic architecture: Cool Spaces If anyone deserves to be spoiled, its your cat or dog (or whatever delightful creature youve adopted). Pennsylvanians dont need to be told twice to do this, though, as a new study has ranked them among the most likely state residents to spoil their pets. Custom gift platform, Printed Memories, conducted and published said study as released via statement which was based on Google search volume for 840 phrases related to gifts for pets such as chew toy for dog or best toys for pet. Searches were then broken out by state and calculated per 100,000 residents. While Pennsylvania didnt score a spot among the top 10, its final ranking 17th still labels it as a state with many a spoiled pet. As for the top three, those were: Wyoming in third; Maine in second; and Vermont in first. With such a large amount of money spent on pets in the U.S. each year, it is interesting to see which states are the most generous when it comes to their animals, states a Printed Memories spokesperson. Dog-specific products are the most popular when considering the type of products searched for online. Dog seem to be the pets most spoiled by their owners in most U.S. states, with toys being the most popular gift. The state where people are the least likely to spoil their pets was Mississippi. Anheuser-Busch is receiving backlash over its Bud Light partnership on Instagram with influencer, activist and transgender woman Dylan Mulvaney. Conservatives blasted Anheuser-Busch and Bud Light over the partnership. Though the controversy has spread from social media to bar fights and now Anheuser-Busch facilities are receiving threats. The safety of our employees is always our top priority, a spokesperson told CNN in a statement. We worked quickly with local law enforcement to ensure the security of our people and our facilities. While the locations were not specified the Los Angeles police department confirmed to CNN they responded to a bomb threat as well as recently did a sweep at an Anheuser-Busch brewery. The backlash has escalated to physical violence and threats after Bud Light partnered with Mulaney on Instagram. A BBQ restaurant owner told Newsweek a fight broke out at his establishment over the Bud Light controversy. While Mulvaney has online supporters and the company released a statement about unity, advocates called out for not doing enough Anheuser-Busch. Anheuser-Busch works with hundreds of influencers across our brands as one of many ways to authentically connect with audiences across various demographics, an Anheuser-Busch spokesperson said in a statement. 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. Read more via CNN. READ MORE: Yet another suspect was arrested Thursday in connection with the shooting at a Sweet 16 birthday party that killed four and injured 32 others. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency announced charges against Willie George Brown Jr. He is 19 and lives in Auburn. Brown is charged with four counts of reckless murder. Details of his arrest were not made public. He is the fifth suspect charged so far. Earlier Thursday, ALEA Sgt. Jeremy Burkett announced the arrest of 20-year-old Johnny Letron Brown of Tuskegee on the same charges. On Wednesday, authorities announced the arrests of teen brothers from Tuskegee - Ty Reik McCullough, 17, and Travis McCullough, 16. Both also were charged as adults with four counts of reckless murder. They were taken into custody Tuesday night. Later Wednesday, ALEA announced the arrest of Wilson LaMar Hill Jr., 20, of Auburn, also on the same charges. All five suspects are being held without bond in the Tallapoosa County Jail pending bond hearings. Prosecutors will ask all be held without bond. Under Alabama law, the crime of reckless murder is committed when a person recklessly engages in conduct which creates a grave risk of death to a person other than himself or herself and causes the death of another person. There is a tremendous amount of work to do. Were going to be careful with everything we say and everything we do. Were going to stay focused on the victims and their families, said Sgt. Jeremy Burkett of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency on Wednesday. A motive in the shooting has not been disclosed. Burkett also would not say how many guns were fired or how many shots were fired. Killed in the shooting were Philstavious Dowdell, 18, Shaunkivia Nicole Keke Smith, 17, Marsiah Emmanuel Siah Collins, 19, and Corbin Dahmontrey Holston, 23. Another 32 people were injured, some of them critically, when gunfire erupted at approximately 10:34 p.m. Saturday at Mahoganys Masterpiece dance studio on North Broadnax Street in downtown Dadeville, one block from the courthouse. The party was for Dowdells sister, Alexis Dowdell, who said her brother died protecting her. Dowdell said she dove to the floor near the DJ as the dozens of revelers ran. She didnt know where to run, in part because shots seemed to come from multiple directions. When there was a break in gunfire, she bolted for the front door. But someone pushed her. It was her brother, trying to protect her. The investigation is ongoing by multiple law enforcement agencies. District Attorney Mike Segrest said the suspects will have an Aniahs Law bond hearing within 72 hours, and then a preliminary hearing in the coming weeks. The cases could then go to a grand jury. More: Employee put needles in food at Pa. Giant store: police What is swatting? Heres why central Pa. police are seeing an increase in these dangerous hoaxes By Ellen Moynihan, Rocco Parascandola, Larry McShane, New York Daily News (TNS) NEW YORK Parking garage worker Pierre Vancol considers himself twice blessed. The 55-year-old Flatbush resident survived the Tuesday afternoon collapse at the Lower Manhattan facility bringing back memories of escaping with his life from 2010s devastating earthquake in Haiti. Im still shaking, Vancol told the Daily News on Thursday. This is the second time this things happened to me. God saved me two times. The employee recalled how a normal shift morphed quickly into a nightmare. I think it was shaking one or two minutes, he said. We just ran to save our lives. I was getting a ticket for a customer. I had to move away. I feel like something is going to happen. The survivor spoke before Enterprise Ann Parking LLC, the garage tenant, issued a statement saying they were fully cooperating with city agencies and other authorities investigating what happened. This is a tragic event, the statement declared. We are devastated at the loss of one of our long time employees and our thoughts are with his family and those who were injured in the accident. We thank all of the first responders who quickly attended to those who were impacted and appreciate their courageous work. Cars are seen at the partial collapse of a parking garage in the Financial District of New York, Wednesday, April 19, 2023. (Tom Kaminski/WCBS 880 News via AP) Vancol wound up at New York-Presbyterian Lower Manhattan with injuries suffered as he fled the collapse of the garage with a rooftop parking lot. He spent six hours at the hospital before heading home. I got hurt on my back, on my feet, he said. To save my life, I had to run. The adrenaline kept him from immediately noticing he was hurt. Haitian officials put the death toll of the quake 13 years ago at more than 300,000. The survivor offered fond memories of garage general manager Willis Moore, the lone fatality in the collapse. His remains were recovered and removed from the rubble on Wednesday night after the use of robotic dogs to locate him, officials said. Very nice manager, a good guy, he said of the 59-year-old Queens man. This guy is a friend to everybody, always tried to help everybody looking for jobs and things like that. Work on the site continued for a third day, with multiple vehicles stranded on the buckled top deck of the garage and tons of concrete waiting for removal. The FDNY remained on site in case of any potential fires as the clean-up continued, with all utilities in the building shut down. More: Fifth arrest made in Alabama Sweet 16 party shooting 5 employees OD on fentanyl in N.J. mall parking garage: police SpaceX giant rocket explodes minutes after launch A man being sought by police in the killing of a woman and her 9-year-old daughter in a Roselle, New Jersey, home on Wednesday was arrested hours later in Maryland driving a vehicle reported stolen from the house, authorities said. The person of interest is identified as Everoy J. Morrison, 44, of Roselle, Maryland State Police said in a statement. Morrison was the operator of a 2019 silver BMW 750 with a New Jersey registration, which was reported stolen. The investigation involved a stolen vehicle from a residence in Roselle, New Jersey, where the owner and her daughter were found deceased. Morrison is being held in Maryland on a stolen vehicle charge pending extradition to New Jersey, authorities said. Morrison killed his brothers wife, Keisha Morrison, and her 9-year-old daughter, Kelsey, with an ax in the home on West 7th Street, Keisha Morrisons sister-in-law Atasha Scott told WABC-7. Morrison had been living in the basement of his brothers home for about two years, but had agreed to move out due to issues with his sister-in-law and niece, Scott said. She said she wanted him out, Scott said in an on-camera interview with the television station. He says he would leave before the end of the month. But he didnt he didnt leave. He murdered them. Keisha Morrisons husband found the bodies of his wife and daughter in an upstairs bedroom, Scott told WABC-7. Morrison was taken into custody at about 4 p.m. Wednesday after being pulled over near Interstate 695 in Baltimore County, Maryland, according to Maryland State Police. An hour earlier, Roselle police had advised Maryland State Police to be on the lookout for the vehicle. Multiple local officials expresses their condolences to the family, including Roselle Mayor Donald Shaw. On behalf of myself and the full borough council, I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the family impacted by the tragedy that took place (Wednesday), Shaw wrote on Facebook. The family and this community have lost two precious souls. We will get through this together. And to the family, the borough of Roselle stands with you and will be here for the long haul. Jamel Holley, a former mayor and former state assemblyman who is Irvingtons public works director, also issued a statement. Our entire Roselle community is crushed into pieces over the recent tragedy that occurred yesterday, Holley said The family was a traditional hard working family that always valued the beauty of our community. We are devastated and will continue to lift them up in prayer as we all grasp this tremendous loss. The Union County prosecutors office confirmed the double homicide Thursday, but hadnt announced charges as of 7 a.m. Friday. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. By ABBY SEWELL, The Associated Press BEIRUT (AP) The holiday of Eid al-Fitr ushered in a day of prayers and joy for Muslims around the world on Friday. The celebration was marred by tragedy amid the explosion of conflict in Sudan, while in other countries it came against the backdrop of hopes for a better future. After the Ramadan month of fasting, Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr with feasts and family visits. The start of the holiday is traditionally based on sightings of the new moon, which vary according to geographic location. In Sudans capital, Khartoum, staccato blasts of gunfire marked the early hours of the feast day. A deadly conflict in the vast African country that erupted in the past week has forced many people to shelter indoors ahead of the holiday, even as water and food for civilians runs low. Palestinians attend Eid al-Fitr holiday celebrations by the Dome of the Rock shrine in the Al Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem's Old City, Friday, April 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)AP In Jerusalem, thousands of faithful gathered at Islams third holiest shrine, the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, where tensions with Israeli authorities have seethed in the past month. The compound also hosts Judaisms holiest site. Following holiday prayers, a clown entertained children and a woman painted the cheek of a girl with the green, red, black and white Palestinian flag. Some attendees trampled on an Israeli flag and unfurled banners in support of Palestinian militant groups. The streets of Arab capitals Damascus, Baghdad and Beirut were crowded with worshipers heading to mosques and cemeteries. Many Muslims visit the graves of their loved ones after the early morning prayer on the first day of Eid al-Fitr. Visitors toted bouquets of flowers, jugs of water for plants, and brooms to clean gravestones. After the Eid prayer we always visit our dead to pray and pay our respects, may God have mercy and forgive them on this blessed day, said Atheer Mohamed in Baghdads Azamiya cemetery. Muslims attend Eid al-Fitr prayers marking the end of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan at Fatih mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, Friday, April 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)AP Islams holidays follow a lunar calendar. But some countries rely on astronomical calculations rather than physical sightings. This frequently leads to disagreements between religious authorities in different countries and sometimes in the same country over the start date of Eid al-Fitr. This year, Saudi Arabia and many other Arab countries began their Eid celebrations on Friday, while Iran, Pakistan and Indonesia, among others, set the first day of the holiday for Saturday. GOLDEN, Colo. (AP) A 20-year-old Colorado woman died late Wednesday night after she was struck by a rock that investigators say was thrown through her windshield by someone who did the same thing to several other vehicles over a two-hour span. Alexa Bartell of Arvada was talking on the phone with a friend while driving when she was hit by the rock, said Karlyn Tilley, a spokeswoman for the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office. After the call went silent, the friend tracked Bartells location with a phone app and found the woman dead in her car, which had crashed into a field. Tilley said Bartell was killed by the rock, not the crash. Investigators believe the attack is linked to several similar incidents reported in the area northwest of Denver late Wednesday night and early Thursday morning. The attacks started just after 10 p.m. Wednesday and involved at least five vehicles. In addition to Bartells death, two drivers suffered minor injuries. Tilley said the rocks were either thrown from a vehicle or the roadway. Each was between 4 and 6 inches in diameter and weighed 3 to 5 pounds. Authorities are looking for the suspect or suspects. In 2014, a woman suffered permanent brain damage and other injuries after the car she was in was hit by a rock on I-80 in Pennsylvania. Four men were charged and went to prison in the case, and the womans husband died by suicide a few years later. The Canadian government on Friday announced C$39 million ($28.9 million) in new military assistance for Ukraine that will include 40 sniper rifles, 16 radio sets and a donation to a NATO fund to help Kyiv, Trend reports citing Reuters. The latest round of Canadian aid, which also includes ammunition for the rifles, was announced by Defence Minister Anita Anand at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany, where NATO defense officials are meeting to discuss new military supplies for Ukraine. The rifles and ammunition will be sourced from Canada-based Prairie Gun Works, while the radios will be from L3Harris Technologies, according to a statement from the Canadian defense ministry. West Seneca, N.Y. A 14-year-old boy who took his family car without permission died in a fiery crash when the car smashed into a tractor-trailer on the Thruway near Buffalo, New York, according to police. State police on Thursday released the identity of the boy as Sanaullah Abid, of Erie, Pennsylvania. The crash happened at 5:45 a.m. on Saturday, April 8 just south of Buffalo in West Seneca, about 90 miles from the boys home. The boy was driving the familys 2016 Nissan Rouge east on the interstate at a high rate of speed when it crashed into the back of a 2023 FedEx Freightliner tractor-trailer, troopers said. The car then struck a barrier and burst into flames. Sanaullah was declared dead at the scene by the Erie County Medical Examiner. He was the only person in the car at the time, troopers said. The driver of the trucks, Daniel Vazquez Jr., 54, of Rochester, was not injured during the crash. The boy took the car without his parents knowledge, said New York State Police spokesperson Tara McCormick. The car had not been reported stolen. The crash caused hours-long delays on the highway as troopers investigated the crash. More from PennLive: Rock tossed through windshield kills driver, 20 Resident shoots people breaking in to Pa. home, D.A. says The search for a missing sailboat in the Pacific Ocean carrying a Pennsylvania native and two others has been suspended, said the U.S. Coast Guard. Searchers spent 281 hours scouring about 200,000 square nautical miles, an area larger than the state of California, without finding any evidence of the sailboat. An exhaustive search was conducted by our international search and rescue partner, Mexico, with the U.S. Coast Guard and Canada providing additional search assets, Coast Guard Commander Gregory Higgins in Alameda, Calif., said in a statement. Higgins said the agencies worked hand-in-hand on the search for the 44-foot fiberglass Ocean Bound carrying Kerry OBrien, a native of Westmoreland County, her husband, Frank, and friend William Gross. Unfortunately, we found no evidence of the three Americans whereabouts or what might have happened, Higgins said. Our deepest sympathies go out to the families and friends of William Gross, Kerry OBrien and Frank OBrien. The Ocean Bound left Mazatlan, Mexico, on April 4 for Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, enroute to San Diego. It was expected to reach Cabo on April 6, but never arrived. Higgins previously said that the Ocean Bound crew could have encountered waves of 20 feet or higher when the weather turned bad on April 6 with winds reached 30 knots, or 44 mph. The sailboat lacked a GPS tracking system and poor cell service off the coast of Mexico hindered the crews ability to communicate, Higgins also said earlier this week. Three American sailors aboard the Ocean Bound have been missing since leaving a Mexican port April 4, officials said. The Coast Guard has suspended its search for the trio. (Courtesy of U.S. Coast Guard/TNS)TNS In a statement on Facebook, the families had said cell pings showed that the crew tried to make calls, presumably to marinas in Cabo, but were unsuccessful. That was the last sign of the Ocean Bound. The OBriens lived in Girdwood, Alaska, about 40 miles south of Anchorage. According to ABC News, the couple, both licensed boat captains, hired Gross, a mechanic and sailor with more than 50 years of experience, to guide the sailboat to San Diego. Muslims around the world are celebrating Eid al-Fitr, the feast day celebrating the end of the holy month of Ramadan. A day of communal prayer, food and celebration and for children gifts, it has the eminence for Muslim families of Christmas Day on the Christian calendar. Starting next year, in one south central Pennsylvania town, Eid will have another level significance thats not all that common in America: Derry Township School District in Hershey will be closing schools in order to help its Muslim families celebrate the festival as they wish. The Pennsylvania SPCA in Philadelphia has reported that a tiny poodle in its care was found unresponsive with its owner and was revived from a suspected drug overdose with Narcan. Narcan is a brand name for naloxone, a drug used to reverse opioid overdoses. The Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said today on social media that it had received a call on Monday from BluePearl Pet Hospital, an emergency vet in Philadelphia, that it had been brought a dog who they believed was suffering from a drug overdose. The pup was taken to BluePearl, the SPCA said, by Good Samaritans after it was found next to a person in Kensington and both were unconscious and unresponsive. The dog, now named Toodles, is recovering, the SPCA said. The SPCA said the story unfolded when the Philadelphia Police Department helped the person while the Good Samaritans sought help for the dog. It was discovered that the person who owned the dog had not only been taking drugs himself, but also according to witnesses previously claimed to share drugs with the dog. Based upon the concern for the dog having ingested drugs either accidentally or otherwise, veterinarians at BluePearl administered Narcan and thankfully the dog immediately became responsive, the SPCA said. While Toodles is alive thanks to the BluePearl and the Good Samaritans, the SPCA said, The work is just beginning. The SPCAs Animal Law Enforcement team began an investigation and Toodles care was turned over to our hospital team. Late in the day Monday, Toodles was transferred into the waiting arms of our nurses and veterinarians. He was placed on an IV and monitored closely to ensure that the drugs were working their way out of his system. Over the course of the last several days, Toodles has miraculously made a full recovery. And, he is just about the sweetest pup around. Everyone loves him. But our hearts still break for all that he has been through. Toodles could have died. He could have had lasting impacts from the drugs that he ingested. But, today he is safe, and he has a new future ahead of him. The SPCA was asking for donations today, $5 Friday to help to continue to care for dogs such as Toodles and to help the law enforcement team bring offenders of cruelty to justice. As of this afternoon, the Facebook post showed that $1,487 has been raised. There was no information provided on the condition of the dogs owner. According to reports, Seneca Valley School District filed a federal lawsuit on Wednesday against social media giants claiming they have played a massive role in a mental health crisis of U.S. students. The federal lawsuit comes after the Pittsburgh School board made an announcement about the plan to sue in January, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported. The school district in Jackson Township, Butler County, Pa., stated in the lawsuit students have a co-dependency on social media. According to the lawsuit, the increased usage of social has led to students acting out, vandalizing property, being in crisis, and seeking mental health resources, WTAE reported. One of four suspects in an early morning home invasion that resulted in gunfire Thursday in Bethlehem Township remained at large Thursday afternoon, according to the Northampton County District Attorneys Office. A resident shot and wounded two of the robbers, District Attorney Terry Houck said in a news release. The incident occurred about 4 a.m. in the 2000 block of Willow Park Road, according to the release. Three people were home at the time. Suspect Michael Matas, 29, suffered seven gunshot wounds to the back and was initially taken to St. Lukes Hospital-Warren Campus in Phillipsburg, N.J., before being taken to a hospital in Pennsylvania, officials said. He was listed in critical but stable condition and was awaiting arraignment as of Thursday afternoon, according to Houcks office. Matas is expected to survive, the DAs office said. Additional suspects Millito Delgado, 45, and Francis Ferrando, 23, were arraigned and sent to Northampton County Prison in lieu of $500,000 bail each, according to Houcks office. Ferrando was shot once in the leg, the DAs office said. Houck said his office is investigating how the wounded suspects made it to hospitals. A fourth suspect, 29-year-old Anthony Santiago, remained at large, the news release states. Dont approach this guy, leave it to the police, Houck told lehighvalleylive.com. Each suspect faces three counts of robbery-attempt serious bodily injury, two counts of possession of an instrument of crime, simple assault and related charges. Houck said the investigation is continuing and charges may be changed or added. Anyone who made have surveillance video of the surrounding area may contact Bethlehem Township police, Houck said, at 610-759-2200. Reporter Sarah Cassi contributed to this report. Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. More: 8-year-old Pa. boy dies after being shot with BB gun: police 2 cheerleaders shot in grocery store parking lot after one mistakingly opens door to wrong car A man called 911 saying he had killed his wife and his daughter was tied up inside a Lancaster County home on Thursday. Within an hour, police realized the call was a hoax. The incident, known as swatting occurred Thursday afternoon, and was the second to occur in central Pennsylvania in a week. The first occurred in Silver Spring Township, Cumberland County on Tuesday evening. Police released the following information about the call: Around 4:10 p.m., officers were directed to the 600 block of South Cedar Street, Lititz, where the caller claimed he just shot and killed his wife inside the home. The caller also said his daughter was tied up inside the home, and that he was in the backyard with a shotgun and would kill others. The caller hung up on 911 and no other information was available to investigators. When officers first arrived, they began implementing on-scene critical incident protocols, which included locating and containing the threat, identifying those who needed medical attention, establishing on-scene command and control protocols, plus anything else that would help mitigate and stabilize the situation. Lititz officers went to the last known location of the armed man, but no one could be found in the backyard or any area surrounding the home. Police began investigating the claims while other officers used the police vehicle public address system to talk to those inside the home. A resident exited the home safely and denied reports of any shooting or problems going on in the home. Officers were prepared to render aid to anyone who needed it, but no victims were found. After about 45 minutes, based on all the information police had, investigators determined that the call was fake. Lititz police said swatting is a term that usually refers to a false call made to 911 that attempts to bring a large number of police officers to a particular home. It is a tactic of deceiving emergency services that not only triggers a false emergency response but that takes away resources from legitimate emergencies and risks putting innocent people in danger, police said. However, this does not minimize or negate the potential dangers that are realized from legitimate threat situations following a similar pattern of criminal behavior, police said. Lititz police said its policies and training framework helps its officers prepare to respond to critical incidents like this if it was a legitimate threat. The investigation into the fake call is ongoing, and as of late Thursday night the identity of the caller had not been verified, police said. Read more on PennLive: A 12-year-old boy was shot, a 30-year-old man was wounded, and another teen was killed in two separate shootings in Philadelphia, according to news sources. The first shooting happened on Thursday around 10:30 a.m. The 16-year-old was shot twice in the head along the 5300 block of Grays Avenue in southwest Philadelphia, according to NBC10. The teen was rushed to the hospital by police but was pronounced dead. A motive for the shooting hasnt been revealed yet and no weapon has been recovered at the scene, but around 12:40 p.m., a barricade was declared as several people occupied a nearby Grays Avenue home. As long as weve had books, there have been efforts to keep people from reading them in times of fear and social upheaval. Post-pandemic, were experiencing a new surge of book banning and it is likely to fail like the ones before. In the United States, book banning dates back to at least 1637, when the Puritan government in Massachusetts banned a book (New English Canaan by Thomas Morton) that was critical of Puritan practices. In the 1800s, many states in the South banned Harriet Beecher Stowes Uncle Toms Cabin and other books critical of slavery. Similarly, the fear and social upheaval driving book-banning efforts today are a response to the pushback from people of color and LGBTQ people for equal treatment under the law and public policy. As an annual benchmark, on April 24 the American Library Association (ALA) will release its latest list of the top 10 most-challenged books, reflecting the ideas and groups targeted for silencing. But weve already seen the evidence. The ALA reported last month that 2022 saw a record 1,269 banning attempts, nearly double the number in 2021. The majority of the 1,858 targeted titles were books about people of color and the LGBTQ community. Fifty-eight percent of challenges targeted materials in schools, while 41% targeted materials in public libraries. Besides trying to keep adults in addition to children from reading what they choose, the current movement differs from those of the recent past in another way, according to librarians. Its driven by conservative interest groups with lists of ideologically targeted books and a national political agenda, rather than by local parents challenging the age-appropriateness of a certain book in their local school districts (as the law provides). The censorship instinct isnt confined to the political right though. The left engages in its own version by trying to revise books of the past to conform to present-day values. And some on the left aim to shut down non-conforming ideas and professors in college classrooms. As outrageous as banning books is to most Americans who value freedom of thought and speech, its also strikingly futile especially so in the internet age when even children have easy access to every imaginable (and unimaginable) idea. There has been a surge in book banning during the past two years. valmas/ iStock / Getty Images Plus All book-banning efforts ultimately fail by bringing attention to the ideas theyre trying to silence, and the efforts always reflect badly on their proponents. The real problem is that they can cause great harm in the short term: Book bans deprive young people of the cultural knowledge and relationship skills theyll need to survive in a diverse world. Children miss out on learning empathy a necessary characteristic developed from diverse reading, which grows from an awareness of other ways of being and thinking. Book bans stigmatize vulnerable groups and lower the threshold for some people to commit violence against them. They destroy social cohesion and any local sense of community. Book-banning proponents must answer for these harms. On the other hand, recent movements to do so remind us of the power of ideas and creativity, both in print and online (especially as the tech industry rushes to bring us AI-generated pablum). Bottom line is this: Banning books is un-American. In its current iteration, it is a vain attempt to censor diverse thoughts and silence different opinions. The ALAs banned-books list can be seen as an honor roll, if you will a list of powerful books with something big to say. Summer is coming. You may want to add them to your reading list. Quality local journalism has never been more important. You deserve the best. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work. Goodbye my sweet child. Have a wonderful day at school. Remember what youve learned. Stay away from windows and doors, hide if you must, run if you can. Always wear sneakers to school because you can run faster than you can in crocs or other types of shoes. Goodbye my child. Have fun with your friends. Please make sure everyone has sent you a photo of their house. Check it carefully. We wouldnt want you pulling into the wrong driveway. Goodbye my child. Thank you for offering to pick up your siblings. Do you have the correct address? Are you sure? Have the kids sent you a photo of the house so you dont ring the wrong doorbell? Goodbye my child. Have fun at cheerleading. Now remember, when you get back to the car park, always check your license plate. We wouldnt want you getting in the wrong car. FILE - Reggie Daniels pays his respects a memorial at Robb Elementary School on June 9, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)AP Goodbye my child. Have fun at your friends Sweet 16 party. A DJ in a dance studio with friends. Im betting youll have a great time. Goodbye my child. Have a great day in first grade. Just remember, if one of your classmates pulls a gun and shoots your teacher, just run to another room. Goodbye my child. Have a wonderful playdate at your friends house. If he wants to show you his mommy or daddys gun, say no thank you. Then run like hell. Welcome to America, the only country with more civilian guns than people. Yes, we have about 120 guns for every 100 Americans, according to the Small Arms Survey. As a result of our love affair with guns, so far this year 398 teens and 71 children have died of gun violence, according to ABC News. And its only April! That doesnt count many of the people in the examples above because, fortunately, some of them lived. As New Yorks governor tweeted, No one should be shot for showing up to the wrong house. My prayers are with the families and loved ones of Ralph Yarl and Kaylin Gillis. We cannot become numb to these tragedies. We must put an end to this senseless gun violence. OK, so what are we going to do about it? I imagine an overwhelming desire to cocoon your kids in bubble wrap and keep them home 24/7. But bullets go through walls and relatives sometimes go berserk, so we have no guarantees. Guns are the leading killer of children in America, and the numbers are rising. So what are we going to do about it? President Biden said recently, 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? A person attends a prayer vigil at a Methodist church, Monday, March 27, 2023, in Franklin, Tenn. Several children were killed in a shooting at Covenant School in nearby Nashville. (AP Photo/John Amis)AP So what are we going to do about it? The woman who called the police for Ralph Yarl said, This is somebodys child. I had to clean blood off of my door, off of my railing. That was someones childs blood. Im a mom this is not OK. No, its not. So what are we going to do about it? Probably nothing. Well get puffed up for a few days until something happens to move our collective minds to another topic. In the meantime, lets send our thoughts and prayers to the families and friends of the victims. In America, that seems to be all we can muster. NANCY ESHELMAN: columnist1@verizon.net Egypt urged an immediate ceasefire in Sudan, stressing its support for its southern neighbour, read a statement by Egypt's Permanent Representative to the UN Osama Abdel-Khalek at the Security Council's open debate session on Sudan on Tuesday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he had a "long and meaningful" phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday -- the first between the two leaders since the start of Russia's invasion. PokerNews Podcast: Adam Hendrix Reflects on Red-Hot 2022 and Looks to Year Ahead April 21, 2023 Chad Holloway Executive Editor U.S. On the latest PokerNews Podcast episode, Chad Holloway, Jesse Fullen, and Connor Richards give an update on the PokerNews Cup on Global Poker, look ahead to the 2023 World Series of Poker (WSOP), and preview the High Stakes Poker Live Stream on April 27 set to feature Matt Berkey, Nik Airball, Doug Polk, and Eric Persson, among others. They also debate whether personality is lacking from today's high roller poker scene, share details on the PokerStars 2023 SCOOP schedule, celebrate Josh Reichard's record-tying 14th gold ring on the WSOP Circuit, and preview the WPT Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown coming up from April 28-May 2. This week's guest is none other than Adam Hendrix, who is coming off a red-hot 2022 and is carrying that momentum into 2023. Hear from Alaska's all-time leading money winner about his start in poker and rise through the ranks. Plus, listen to our winner interview with Dakotah O'Dell, who was fresh off capturing his second RunGood Poker Series (RGPS) Main Event title! Listen to those stories and more on the latest episode of the PokerNews Podcast! Time Stamps Tell us who you want to hear from. Let us know what you think of the show tweet about the podcast using #PNPod, and be sure to follow Chad Holloway, Jesse Fullen, and Connor Richards on Twitter. Subscribe to the PokerNews Podcast on Apple Podcasts here! Check Out Past Episodes of the PN Podcast Here! Sharelines PokerNews Podcast: Hear from guest @AdamHendrix10 & recent @RGPokerSeries champ @D1dakotah. No honking geese are likely to interrupt his speeches this time. As President Joe Biden seeks a second term, he won't have to depend on glitchy Zoom connections, or deliver remarks in largely vacant theaters with attendees in chairs ringed by circle markings on the floor to ensure enough social distancing. His advisors won't scrutinize the 1918 flu outbreak for clues on pandemic-era voting. Since a bidding process ended in late March with no offers for the old Aiken County Hospital, the county has received overtures, County Council Chairman Gary Bunker told the Aiken Standard on April 18. When asked how many, he replied, I can really make no other comment at this point. Tracey Turner, however, told the Aiken Standard that he has offered to purchase the 66,072-square-foot building and its 9.44-acre site for $1 million. His plan is to preserve and repurpose the old hospital, located at 828 Richland Ave. S.W. in Aiken. Were trying to do either senior housing or high-end condos, said Turner, who is the CEO of Washington, D.C.-based Turner Development LLC. The old hospital, which was constructed prior to World War II, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Some of Turners relatives, including his mother, were born in the former medical facility. My (maternal) grandmother worked there for almost 20 years, Turner told the Aiken Standard in February. She actually cleaned rooms there. Turner attended County Councils April 18 meeting at the Aiken County Government Center. He said he didnt submit an offer for the old hospital during the bidding process that ended in late March because I fly back and forth from here (Aiken) to D.C., and I just lost track. I didnt realize it (the deadline) was that day (March 28), but we had the bid package together and we were ready for it, Turner added. During County Councils April 18 meeting, when the public had an opportunity to address the panel about issues that hadnt been discussed previously that evening, Wanda Jackson asked for the old hospital to be donated to House of Provision Family Shelter and Transition Center, a nonprofit that she said she founded. Jackson told the Aiken Standard that she would like to turn the old hospital into a homeless shelter, transition center and resource center. Her plans also call for using other structures on the old hospitals property to house female and male victims of domestic violence. Jackson said she knew of a company in Columbia that would be willing to do the necessary renovations, which would be paid for with grants and money raised through community events. When asked for a response following County Councils April 18 meeting, Bunker replied: Anyone can ask us to donate it (the old hospital) or offer to buy it. We certainly will give every proposal due consideration. The old hospital has been back on the market since County Council unanimously approved Feb. 7 a resolution that authorized the county to put the brick structure up for sale as is, where is. That action followed the collapse of a deal to sell the old hospital for $2.094 million to Aiken Lofts Manager LLC. The transaction was supposed to be finalized by Dec. 31, 2022. After that didnt happen, there was a 30-day cure period during which Aiken Lofts Manager had the opportunity to close the deal, but failed to do so. Since 2018, the county has failed to finalize the two other deals involving the old hospital one with The Marian Group, which is based in Kentucky, and the other with a local entity, WTC Investments LLC. After the old hospital ceased to be a medical facility, it served as Aiken County governments headquarters for a time. The building currently is vacant. The Aiken Chamber of Commerce presented its Man and Woman of the Year awards to Ronnie Maxwell and Sandra Field on Thursday evening. J. David Jameson, president and CEO of the Aiken Chamber of Commerce, and Jason Rabun, chairman of the chamber's board of directors, presented Maxwell and Field with the awards during the chamber's 105th annual gala at the Etherredge Center. Maxwell, the founder and namesake of the Maxwell Law Firm, said he was shocked but not speechless. He said the award was truly the highlight of his life. "Like any honor, I stand on the shoulder of giants that have held me up," Maxwell said. The emcees for the awards presentation were Jim Tunison and Kristen Emery. Maxwell was recognized as an outstanding individual who has dedicated his life to improving others and added Maxwell has served the community with distinction and has set a high standard for service and commitment. Maxwell is a former Aiken City Council member who serves as chairman of the Children's Place capital campaign and has previously served as president of the American Cancer Society and the North Augusta Chamber of Commerce, and as a member of the United Way of Aiken County board. Field, president of Joye in Aiken and a retired USC Aiken music professor, said she was shocked and honored to receive the award. She thanked the Joye in Aiken board for its efforts. Field cofounded the annual festival with Steven Naifeh and the late Gregory White Smith, the owners of Joye Cottage. The festival gets its name from the Winter Colony estate. She said she wanted to pay tribute to Naifeh and Smith. According to the chamber, Field didn't simply retire; she continued to work to implement and share her vision with the community. "Her vision and dedication have resulted in valuable experiences and opportunities for the community," the narrator said. "Her true love and passion are in reaching even deeper into the community to provide, what one student called a 'life changing experience.'" Small Business of the Year Jameson and Rabun presented the Small Business of the Year award to Paul Durban, owner of the Durban-Laird Insurance Company. The company was one of, if not the, oldest businesses in Aiken. The business started five years before Aiken County was formed in 1871. "Throughout the decades, the company has grown and evolved, the breadth of its products has gone from fire only to cyber coverage, but one thing has never changed, the company and its dedicated employees provide knowledgeable, personalized service to benefit their customers, which are both individuals and businesses," the narrator said. They said the other thing that hasn't changed is a commitment to the community. "When the Hitchcocks established the Aiken Horse Show in 1916, the family patriarch provided what was recorded in the book 'Life and Sport in Aiken' as unlimited assistance to its success," the narrator said. "This small business and its owners have continued the tradition of quiet involvement and support of their beloved Aiken through the Salvation Army, Rotary Club of Aiken and the Aiken Chamber of Commerce." Durban's grandfather was chairman of the chamber in 1942. Durban served as chairman in 2006, when Jameson became the chamber's president and CEO. Large Business of the Year Jameson and Rabun presented the 25th Large Business of the Year award to Bridgestone Corporation. Bridgestone has invested or reinvested over $900 million into Aiken County during the last 25 years. "This is a whopping amount of money that has created countless opportunities for local businesses and individuals through corporate taxes, company purchases of goods and services, and the disposable income of its nearly 1,700 employees," the narrator said. Ambassador of the Year Jameson and Rabun presented Jessica Ramp, office manager at Aiken Staffing Associates/Job Shop, with the Ambassador of the Year award. Ramp's employer challenged her to become ambassador of the year within five years of becoming an ambassador. "Well, she did it in two," said the narrator. The chamber noted Ramp truly exemplified the characteristics of a truly dedicated volunteer and noted she goes above and beyond in everything she does whether its promoting new members and encouraging them to get involved or assisting the chamber staff at events. "Our Ambassador of the Year has never met a stranger and has an unrivaled passion for people, and it shows in all she does," said the narrator. "Her smile and welcoming spirit are contagious." The event also featured brief remarks from Jameson, Rabun and Norman Dunagan, the former chairman of the board of directors. Mindy Harmon said there has always been a stigma with any kind of mental health issue. Harmon who has battled both depression and bipolar disorder her whole life, said having a group of people with similar experiences is one way people can become more comfortable with discussing all kinds of mental health. We learn from each other's past experiences and support each other like family," Harmon said. We welcome each person and it's all in very strict confidentiality. The Depression Anxiety Bipolar Support Group of Aiken and Surrounding States (DBSA) was created about 20 years ago in Aiken as a way to support those with similar mental health experiences. The local chapter is part of a national DBSA chapter that focuses on assisting people with various mood disorders, such as depression and bipolar disorder, according to the DBSA website. DBSA provides services such as resources for mental health like a support group or contacts for mental health professionals. Harmon said first local chapter meeting was held at Trinity Lutheran Home and it took a while for members to join the group because of the stigma in Aiken County. Harmon started a similar group while living in Charleston and it lasted for 10 years. It was very successful and rewarding, she said. As the founder of the group, she has also served as a facilitator which has allowed her to be a crisis intervention counselor for the group. If anyone got in trouble emotionally they would call me during a crisis, she said. I was dealing with mental health crisis all the time. Harmon said during COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the support group moved to a virtual format. She said one benefit of a virtual format is that people from various places in South Carolina and Georgia have been able to join the group. Its very rewarding for these people and being able to reach us and be part of our group from far away places, she said. People usually find out about the local DBSA group from Google or in the Aiken Standard Tuesday's edition. She said a lot of people in the group are dealing with anxiety, depression or have had mental health issues all their life. People say that we have saved their life and being part of the group on Tuesday is a priority in that part of their life, she said. Its the most important thing dealing with their bipolar disorder, anxiety or depression. Harmon shared her story of her recent depressive episode with those in the group. No matter how I am feeling, I am still there, she said. "I am glad that I am always there because they are my family and they are my support." Looking forward, Harmon said the long-term goal is to increase group membership, make people more aware of the group and let people know that its OK to talk about mental health. Its very rewarding for me to help other people feel better about themselves, feel like they have hope and there is light at the end of the tunnel, she said. More information about the group can contact Harmon at 803-507-2214 or email at manicgh@yahoo.com. On a perfect April Sunday in downtown Lake City, billowing clouds chugged along a cerulean sky. The fetching swirl merrily rolled over the blocks of proud, low-lying facades that come together in the towns commercial sector. And then theres this. On the corner brick bank, a looming, purplish, waist-up woman warrior emerges from a patch of grass. Thats Atlantis Rising, a work of steel, industrial foam and car paint by Ellex Swavoni, an artist from Alpharetta, Ga. In a nearby patch of lawn, two glistening prisms tower upward, catching the sun in twin rainbow monoliths. Thats The Meta Towers: Glass Art Sculptures, by the artist TuxedoKat from Concord, N.C. Above a streetside lot, a streak of yellow and orange sears along the side of building, a bolt of energy pulsing over parked cars. Thats Ignited, the latest work of Anderson native Herman A. Keith Jr. This marvelous, magical mashup of small town South Carolina and flights of creative fancy is all part of ArtFields, the flagship event of the ArtFields Collective that each year transforms Lake City into a charged, sprawling, citywide local gallery encompassing walls and sidewalks, streetcorners and storefronts with vibrant splashes of paint, or lolling, forged metal, or refashioned fabrics. And Lake City is all in. Local businesses display hundreds of artworks. New works of public art, from murals to sculptures, continue to crop up throughout town. Participating artists are entered in competitions, the sum total of distributed prize money having surpassed a million dollars. This years ArtFields takes place April 19-29. On April 19, when the festival got underway, ArtFields Presents Director Roberta Burns amiably reported from the frontlines some early indications of a robust event to come. I think we had the biggest crowd for the ribbon cutting yet, she said, adding that people started coming into town the weekend before, as I had. Better business, brighter future The initiative started in 2013 under the steam of philanthropist and Lake City native Darla Moore, by way of the Darla Moore Foundation. The vision was to honor the artists of the Southeast, while also elevating the town as a cultural destination. And ArtFields keeps growing. New participating businesses this year brought the grand total to nearly 50 venues. Weve really seen that ArtFields and year-round arts initiatives that we offer are creating a cultural economy. Burns said. This is, after all, a tried-and-true model in South Carolina. In early 20th-century Charleston, artists and preservationists of the Charleston Renaissance dreamed up the cultural rebirth of the city, with a tourist economy in mind. In the 1970s, a community-engaged civic effort helped birth Spoleto Festival USA. Greenville in recent decades has emphasized both a cultural district and a vibrant arts scene, which includes the 2003 launch of its annual Artisphere festival that now draws thousands. In Lake City, it has transpired in a town of about 7,000 residents, one that had long hung its hat on the tobacco industry. When it collapsed, not to be revived, it was about the same time Darla Moore came back and got interested through her father in philanthropy, said Harry Lesesne, executive director of the Darla Moore Foundation. The effort was not about revitalizing the town, as its industry was not going to come back, but instead reinventing it. The effort is community-driven. Businesses not only display artwork that they have selected from the winning applicants but are actively involved in getting to know the artists, who wear nametags and become local celebrities. Each year, 200 volunteers rally around the festival, too. On finale night, theyre rooting for their artists to win, like proud parents and grandparents, Burns said. Lesesne said that it has given the town a new confidence, with many of the businesses now seeing themselves as art connoisseurs embracing different aesthetics that resonate, whether in a fashion boutique like Miles of Style or a local hub like Joes Barber Shop. And it has brought the community together, as residents spanning age, gender and race engage with the art. It has also put Lake City on the national map, gaining best of recognition in recent years in top publications, among them Travel & Leisure, USA Today, AFAR magazine, and in 2021, the Readers Digest top-10 spot of Top Nicest Places in America list. ArtFields also recently joined the Bloomberg Connects, a cultural app that can accessed via bloombergconnects.org. Lake City is also set for continued growth, including plans for more art studios and a hotel expansion. The artists perspective Artist and Anderson native Herman A. Keith Jr.. first became a festival exhibitor, then in 2016 created his first public work for the program. From This Moment Forward," a blue-saturated mural on 100 W. Main St., was inspired by the Gees Band Quilters, informed by bow quilts bringing different pieces from different things. I always kind of saw life as like a gumbo, and you take these bits and pieces of positive things that have happened in your life, you put it in a pot and you give it heat, which is energy, he said. An educator raised by community-minded, arts educator parents, Keith weaves in the community to help make his art, eschewing the artists ego for the collective. Panels of the mural were created with Florence School District 3 students. He has also worked with nursing homes and prisons. I go in with the understanding that you can please everybody, not leaving one group or one person overlooked, he said. Displayed near that mural is his new ArtFields mural, Ignited, which examines notions of heat and energy in bursts of yellow and orange a bolt of energy intended to draw from those who created it and from those who view it. While teaching in the public school system up and down the East Coast, he saw works of public art on almost every street corner, near subways and buses, something he had not seen growing up in South Carolina. Youre starting to see it in Charleston and Columbia and Greenville, but in between these places and spaces are hundreds of little towns, and there are a bunch of people that grow up there and live there and dont have an art experience at all. Moving back to his home state, he discovered that Lake City was on the same page. They are directing change in their community using art. Moving forward with art I asked Burns what advice she would offer other South Carolina locales seeking to emulate the success of ArtFields. She cautions against being daunted by her towns present infusion of art and funding, noting that growth needs to happen. It also involves numerous moving parts and mushrooming numbers. The festival now wrangles 400 artists, 300 student artists and as many parents, 200 volunteers, 50 venues and more. But for Burns, its biggest challenge is also its biggest benefit, as the excitement and synergy of that collective effort is unmatched. I would say first not to doubt the power of art, she said. Lesesne sees Lake City as a testament to such power. Whereas Lake City was known as a tobacco town, its now known as an arts town. he said, one that used the arts as an organizing principle around which to forge a new economy. But this towns singular, successful vision is best viewed up close, by heading over to Lake City and taking a good look around. For more information on ArtFields and this years program, visit artfieldssc.org. COLUMBIA Families of veterans undergoing treatment with the Department of Veterans Affairs health care system now have a place to stay in Columbia. The Fisher House Foundation, which spearheads multifamily homes for sick veterans and families to stay free of charge, opened the doors to the state's second such home April 21, five years after opening one in Charleston. The foundation raised more than $1.2 million to build the 16-suite, nearly 15,000-square-foot house, on the grounds of the VA medical center on Garners Ferry Road. "Before there was a Fisher House, people would make do," foundation President Dave Coker said. "They'd stop by Walmart, get a tent and a sleeping bag. They'd get blankets and sleep in their car. They didn't know what was going to happen. They just knew they had to be there." The Columbia Fisher House is the foundation's 94th built in roughly 30 years. The furnished and decorated house has a combination of single and double suites with bedrooms and bathrooms. The suites share common living spaces, dining rooms and kitchens with other residents. The houses, name for the foundation's late namesake, philanthropist Zachary Fisher, are "like a Ronald McDonald house for veterans," Coker said. The average stay is about five to seven days, but that can depend on what sort of treatment a patient is receiving. Several thousand others have stayed at Charleston's Fisher House since it opened in 2018, including Army veteran Pat Sherrod Elliott. Elliott traveled back and forth between the VA hospitals and the Fisher Houses in Charleston and in Bethesda, Md., for about a year while her son, Marine Sean Joseph Victor, was treated for the genetic brain disease adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) until his death in 2021. Victor was 34. "During the worst times of my life, the Fisher House was my home away from home," Elliott said. "The stress that I was under ... being at the Fisher House made it a little less stressful. The staff was very compassionate, very caring they're always there for you, no matter what time of day or night." The foundation estimates $575 million in lodging and transportation savings for families since its inception in the early 1990s, serving more than 455,000 veterans and their families. Elliott also remembered fondly how family members would share stories, both in common spaces and in small journals placed on the desks in the suites. While Fisher Houses received support from entities like Blue Cross Blue Shield S.C., Dominion Energy and Friends of Fisher House Charleston, the foundation did not come to South Carolina without drawing some criticism. Because the Charleston Fisher House, slimmer and taller than a typical one, was not a military installation or VA property, the house's design was subject to scrutiny by the city's notoriously strict Board of Architectural Review. Neither the BAR nor the Preservation Society of Charleston were impressed with the building's final design, saying they wanted it to fit the area's historical context better. "The one in Charleston was a little bit more of a challenge," Coker said. "They were a little more verbal in blessing my heart." The foundation president said no two of its houses have the same designs because they're meant to be flexible for surrounding communities. The Charleston house is not on VA property, for instance, and is instead near the Medical University of South Carolina campus. "It's a way to honor their service," Coker said of the VA and their families. "We never consider this charity. It's our duty." The Fisher Foundation has a goal of completing 100 houses nationwide by 2024. Click here for more news from Columbia, S.C. Kyiv said Wednesday it had received the first Patriots, seen as one of the most advanced US air defense systems, and deployed France's light armored fighting vehicles as Ukraine prepares for a counteroffensive. "Today, our beautiful Ukrainian sky becomes more secure because Patriot air defence systems have arrived in Ukraine," Defence Minister Oleksiy Reznikov said on Twitter. He added that the United States, Germany and the Netherlands had "kept their word". Washington late last year said it would provide Ukraine with its Patriot air defence system as Russia pounded Ukraine's energy infrastructure from the air. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said the system will "significantly" strengthen Ukraine's defence against Russian strikes. Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed the announcement at the time, saying Russia will find an "antidote". Germany announced in January that it was following the United States in sending one of the advanced missile defence batteries to Ukraine. The Netherlands said it would supply parts of a Patriot air defence system to Ukraine, specifically two launchers and missiles. Separately, the Ukrainian army said Wednesday that France's light AMX-10 RC armoured fighting vehicles were "already in service". Search Keywords: Short link: COLUMBIA For the first time in its 222-year history, the University of South Carolina has a building named after someone who isn't White. Celia Dial Saxon Hall at 700 Lincoln St. stands in the center of what was once a tight-knit Black neighborhood before the university and city overtook it. The naming is part of the university's efforts to display the historic contributions of Black people to the university. The state's largest university has the Booker T. Washington Auditorium, a room named after the Black author and civil rights activist, but Saxon Hall is the first building. "We are assigning a spotlight on the story of an educator, an educator with ties to the university and the ground, on which it stands," USC President Michael Amiridis said during the April 21 unveiling. The seven-story hall, built in 2016, houses 297 students close to Colonial Life Arena and the Greek Village. The dorm was built in what was known as the Ward One neighborhood before development came through in 1950s and '60s. Celia D. Saxon Elementary School, which was named after the historic African American educator in 1930, is now represented by a marker on USC campus a block away from the dorm. Born enslaved in Columbia in 1857, Saxon was one of the first Black students to attend public school in South Carolina during Reconstruction. Saxon became as a teacher at Booker T. Washington High School, Benedict College and what is now S.C. State University in her 57-year career. She also was also a staple of the women's club community, leading programs for literacy, free day care and housing for orphaned girls. Her efforts made her one of the most memorialized African American women in South Carolina, said Saxon historian Alexandria Russell during the unveiling. The Saxon dorm is a result of the Presidential Commission on University History's 2021 report, USC board of trustees Chairman Thad Westbrook said during the event. The group called for changing the names of 11 buildings, including the wellness center named after the late U.S. Sen. Strom Thurmond, and offered suggestions on notable Black figures whose names could be added on campus, including Saxon. None of the names have been removed, despite community demands. The university cannot change the names without Legislature support because of what's known as the Heritage Act, which gives South Carolina lawmakers the sole power to change historic names on public property. However, the dorm did not have a name before before the decision to honor Saxon. Having a building named after a prominent Black historical figure helps tell the story of the university, said Julian Williams, USC's vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion. "It's a chance for our community to learn about her legacy," Williams said in an interview. "And ask the questions that are necessary about how that complex past informs our future." The hall is just the beginning, he said. Later this year, USC will erect a statue of the three students integrated the university in 1963. The likeness of Robert Anderson, Henrie Monteith Treadwell and James Solomon Jr. will be sculpted by Jamaican artist Basil Watson outside of the McKissick Museum on the Horseshoe. In 2018, USC installed a statue of Richard Greener, the school's first African American professor, near the university library. Saxon's great-great-granddaughter flew from New Jersey to Columbia to speak at the unveiling and donate two awards Saxon received to the university library. Gerri Lewis Hevalow continues her family's education legacy as a elementary school teacher. She grew up surrounded by artifacts of Saxon's life. Family photos of Saxon hung on the walls of Hevalow's grandmother's house in Chicago. When Hevalow's grandmother died, she inherited the museum of Saxon's heirlooms, including an award she received in 1932 for 56 years of service as an educator and a gold pendant for 16 years. "I want to represent education. I want to represent dignity, I want to represent pride," she said about her family legacy. The recognition of Saxon marks the start of recognition by USC about its role in changing the Ward One neighborhood, though advocates want the university to do more. In the 1950s and 1960s, the university and city wanted to expand campus and reached into Ward One on the west side of Assembly Street from campus. They argued that the land could have more value as public use and classrooms, and took over the houses, schools and businesses, said USC history professor Bobby Donaldson. Now Colonial Life Arena, the Koger Center, dorms, classroom buildings and parking lots occupy the land. Barbra Toatley's family lived in one of the houses near Saxon Hall, the Ward One Commission member said in an interview. She watched cranes build the first university building erected in the neighborhood, the Carolina Coliseum, from her front porch in the late 1960s. As the university took over the locations of churches and businesses that occupied the neighborhood, families moved to other areas of Columbia and the county. "We dispersed in every different places, but we still stayed together as a community," she said. Ward One community members come together for annual banquets and monthly community meetings, but many members want more recognition for the university. Toatley feels like the displacement was unjust. The university took "our established place our community our home, our friends and everything." The Ward One Commission was part of getting Saxon Hall named but wants more acknowledgments for their former neighborhood. "We were a neighborhood," Toatley said. "Y'all need to name something after Ward One because we did live here." GREENVILLE COUNTY A $55 million earmark included in the budget passed by the South Carolina Senate would fund large-scale building updates to local spaces leased by Lockheed Martin for its F-16 construction and maintenance program. The funding would go to the South Carolina Technology and Aviation Center (SCTAC), a public entity that owns the entire aviation center and has leased a portion of the former Donaldson Air Force Base to the global aerospace and security giant. Lockheed has operated in Greenville for nearly 40 years and now builds the F-16 Fighting Falcon at the facility. This spring, the company delivered its first F-16 built in South Carolina to Bahrain. It has an indefinite order from the Department of Defense to continue building the F-16 for the foreseeable future, primarily for sale to U.S. allies. The company occupies 16 hangers on 276 acres that borders an 8,000-foot-long airstrip. Many of the buildings were built when the facilities opened as Greenville Army Air Base in 1942 during World War II and later operated as an Air Force base that closed in 1962. Greenville County and the city of Greenville purchased the closed airstrip and turned it into a manufacturing center and public access airport. Updates have been made along the way but the buildings are showing their age, said state Senate President Thomas Alexander. Its almost like stepping back in time, Alexander said of visiting the Lockheed facilities recently. Theres no question that we need to invest in making sure that were providing a more modern type of facility and the right infrastructure there that will provide a path forward for them to be able to grow and prosper there at the Lockheed Martin facility. Lockheed Martin couldnt be reached for comment. Jody Bryson, executive director of SCTAC, said funding would be spent primarily on six or seven buildings owned by SCTAC and leased to the aerospace company. The city and county set SCTAC up to be self-sustaining so it does not receive annual funding from either entity, Bryson said. Currently, 110 businesses operate at SCTACs 1,400 acres, employing more than 5,000 people in all, Bryson said. The facility has received close to $20 million in the past decade in federal money to repave and repair the runway and two active taxiways that serve the flying public, but it doesnt qualify for funding to update facilities, roads and other infrastructure, he said. The state, over the last several years, has had a tremendous amount of revenues, he said. Leadership is looking for good investments in things that have a good track record on providing a good return on investment. Bryson called the uses for the funds a one-time major update that would last another 30 to 40 years at SCTAC. Though the funds are earmarked for publicly owned aeronautics infrastructure new and existing business, it would primarily go to hanger facilities for Lockheed Martin where leaks have been patched and roofs have been repaired over the years but are in need of significant updates, Bryson said. We do feel like its something that is warranted, he said. The site really hasnt been updated significantly since it operated as an Army base and then an Air Force base in terms of infrastructure. We just havent been able to keep up with the rapid growth. Lockheeds three- and four-story hangars house maintenance programs for large airplanes, including the C-130 and P-3 Orion, in addition to its F-16 program. Using a one-time infusion of state revenue would also free up funding for SCTAC to make further updates to other facilities, he said. The earmark wasnt included in the bill the House originally passed. It was added in the Senate version of the bill which passed April 19 and will head to a conference committee to reconcile differences within the two bills. Alexander said he was optimistic the funding would pass. This specific funding is an investment in the future of South Carolina and making sure we continue to make our companies competitive, Alexander said. Lockheed Martin doesnt just compete with other aerospace industry businesses. Its Greenville location also competes with other Lockheed locations for programs. We want to make sure that were providing them the framework and the environment that they need and the business-friendly competitive framework from a state policy standpoint as well, Alexander said. I think this meets all of those criteria. GREENVILLE A 20-townhome development with home prices starting at $1.4 million along downtown Greenville's McBee Avenue has received final city approval. The project, called The McDaniel, will sit on a roughly two-acre property near Cleveland Park and the Greenville Zoo. The city planning commission voted 5-1 to greenlight the development during an April 20 meeting. Matthew Jones of MHK Architecture said the homes will have limestone facades and will include large windows, balconies and rooftop terraces. The design was inspired by European architecture, he said. "We're looking to be a part of the community and provide something that's really timeless and permanent," he told the planning commission. Jay Martin of Arbor Engineering said the project has been in the works for more than a year. Construction is expected to begin this summer and last about a year. The main entrance to the property would be on McDaniel Avenue. Keene Development intends to eventually build a second phase on the site that would consist of an estimated 10 to 15 additional townhomes, but those plans are sill in the early stages. Each unit will have a driveway and garage, and there will be some street parking within the development. The four-story townhomes will be owner-occupied, with covenants in place to prohibit short- and long-term rentals. Several houses that function as offices currently stand on the property and will be demolished to make way for the new homes. Diane Eldridge, the lone member of the planning commission who opposed the project, said she voted against it because she has safety concerns about how the entrance on McDaniel Avenue will impact traffic. "I think it's beautifully designed, I think it's an appropriate use for this site, and it certainly would enhance this area," she said. "I just can't get past my heartburn over that McDaniel exit so close to McBee." The 46th Annual Edisto Natchez-Kusso Tribe Pow-Wow turned out hoards of spectators on April 22 at the future site of the Dorchester Heritage Center at 984 US-78 in Ridgeville, as drumming, dancing, food and tons of Native paraphernalia were on hand at the celebratory gathering. Read moreEternal dance: Attendees get into the groove at the Edisto Natchez-Kusso Tribe Pow-Wow Kingstree, SC (29556) Today Partly cloudy skies during the morning hours will give way to occasional showers in the afternoon. High 73F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Showers in the evening, then partly cloudy overnight. Low 53F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%. GEORGETOWN Three men have been charged with killing a Georgetown man in the Kingstree area on April 11, one day before someone driving his car led authorities on a high-speed chase in the Georgetown area. Charged with murder in Daniel Altman's shooting death are Javon Armel Chattine, 20, of Georgetown; Jakiel Treyvon Chattine, 19, of Georgetown; and Marquise Tyron Mitchum, 18, of Andrews. Each of the three is charged with multiple additional crimes. A woman, 18-year-old Serenity Octavia Jackson of Hartsville, has been arrested on charges stemming from the use of Altmans vehicle. Altman, 25, was reported missing April 13 by his mother who had last seen him April 7 and noted that he was not showing up at work at his job at Texas Roadhouse in Murrells Inlet and had missed a court date. Altman's roommate at Wedgefield Plantation said he had last seen Altman at about 12:30 a.m., April 11 when Altman left home after work wearing blue jeans, a white shirt and a red, white and black Nike headband. A joint investigation by several agencies, including the State Law Enforcement Division, determined Altman was lured to an abandoned residence on (McAllister) Road on April 11, 2023, ambushed and shot. The subjects then disposed of and burned the victim's body in a nearby wooded area on (McAllister) Road before stealing the victim's vehicle and personal belongings, according to the Williamsburg County Sheriffs Office. Altman was not named in an April 20 press release from the Williamsburg County Sheriffs Office, but spokesman Jason Lesley of the Georgetown County Sheriffs Office confirmed the victim involved is Altman. The investigation also revealed Mitchum gave Altmans debit card to Javon Chattine, the Sheriff's Office said, leading to additional charges of identity fraud against Mitchum and Chattine. The day before Altman was reported missing, in the early morning hours of April 12, a black 2013 Nissan Altima displaying the stolen license plate of a 59-year-old Spartanburg man led authorities on a pursuit that reached speeds of up to 115 mph as it stretched through Georgetown's Historic District, Maryville and North Santee. Lesley said the Altima involved in the chase was Altman's, though Altman himself was not in the vehicle. The chase ended in the area of Meria Drive and Mount Zion Avenue, about 10 miles southwest of Georgetown city limits. Jackson, who was driving, and Javon Chattine were arrested, the Sheriff's Office said. After making bail, Javon Chattine was arrested by the Williamsburg County Sheriffs Office again on April 18, while Mitchum turned himself in on April 19, the same day Williamsburg County investigators said they located skeletal remains in the area of McAllister Road. The remains will be sent for autopsy by the Williamsburg County Coroner's Office. A press release did not make clear when Jakiel Chattine was arrested but noted that he was arrested by the Williamsburg County Sheriffs Office. Jackson will be extradited from Georgetown County to Williamsburg County at a later date. Those with information about the incident are encouraged to call the Williamsburg County Sheriff's Office's Criminal Investigation Division at 843-355-6381. The first Black chairman of the Charleston County Republican Party won't be seeking reelection when the group gathers for its local convention April 22. After 38 months at the helm, Maurice Washington confirmed to The Post and Courier he dropped out of the chairman's race, ending his reelection bid for a position he's held since February 2020. Washington declined to explain his reasons for leaving. He didn't return multiple phone calls this week about his decision. But an April 8 email obtained by the newspaper shows his exit comes after he expressed concerns about the direction of the party less than a year before the state prepares to host the GOP's first-in-the-South presidential primary. The subject line warned, "We Are At a Crossroad." "The choice is simple. Continue the unprecedented growth of the CCRP or scrap it all and start over," the email said, before listing 20 bullet points outlining what was accomplished during his time as leader. During his time as chair, Republicans secured a narrow majority on County Council, began hosting an annual Black history banquet, fielded and vetted school board candidates and won back the 1st Congressional District seat in 2020. He also faced heat from his fellow Republicans. After the Jan. 6, 2021, mob attack on the U.S. Capitol, Washington struggled to keep his members unified during a raucous meeting that got national attention for the outbursts of its members. More recently he caught flack over endorsements the local GOP made in the county school board race, resulting in the Greater Lowcountry Republican Club telling the party leader he was no longer welcome. Three local Republicans are vying to succeed him at the county convention, which begins 10:30 a.m. April 22 at Wando High School gymnasium, 1000 Warrior Way in Mount Pleasant. They are Andrew Boucher, a political consultant and former executive director of the New Hampshire GOP; former Dorchester County Republican Party Chairman Jordan Bryngelson; and Cynthia Jones, a grassroots organizer. For Boucher, who was a senior consultant on Republican Katie Arrington's 2018 congressional campaign, this is his second run for party chairman. He previously sought the job in 2015. His website features more than 120 endorsements. Boucher is leaning heavily on his political chops. His website highlights the more than 25 years of experience he has helping elect Republicans, as well as his role in organizing a "Unity Rally" after U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, R-Isle of Palms, defeated Arrington in the 2022 GOP primary. After challenging Boucher and Jones to an April 18 debate at Henry's On The Market, Bryngelson said their reluctance to participate illustrates that the party has not come together. Bryngelson also posted an altered image to social media that depicts Boucher and Jones' heads attached to the bodies of chickens after it became clear they would not participate. "It's because the party's not unified and nobody wanted to come," he said, as he pointed to the two empty seats next to him. "We've got all these different factions." From his perspective, one side of the party is passionate and driven to bring new people into the party. "The other side of the party is having an event at the yacht club tonight so they didn't have to come here," he said. "You need those people to write checks, but that can't be all the party is." Unlike Boucher and Bryngelson, Jones does not have a campaign website. She is pitching herself to Republicans as the "America First" candidate and recently secured the endorsement of Lauren Martel, who ran unsuccessfully for the GOP nomination for S.C. attorney general against GOP incumbent Alan Wilson. Many Republican members declined to speak on the record ahead of the convention, but two former county chairs expressed sadness about Washington's departure. Larry Kobrovsky, who was elected to Charleston County Council in November, said he is wary about the top party job going to a political operative. "When theres a presidential cycle, this job is a political consultant's gold mine. As chairman, I got to introduce everyone running for president, got to meet them personally, and mingle with them and their staff," Kobrovsky said. "You need someone who is going to be totally focused, who is going to be guided by, 'How can I get all the different elements to come together and elect conservatives?' You have to be thinking about the big picture." Cyndi Mosteller, who was an early Trump supporter and delegate in 2016, said she is torn about who to pick as the next leader. "Maurice Washington is the finest and best chairman that the Charleston County Republican Party has had in my political lifetime," she said. "I have the highest regard for (Washington) as a person, for the diligence he has done and for every meeting and handling all the dynamics that he has had to deal with in this party." After the election takes place, the new officers are immediately installed in their new leadership roles. But, according to county convention rules, anyone can submit a name from the floor for consideration. Mosteller said depending how the numbers go, "I might just write in Maurice to give him one last vote one last time." REEVESVILLE Albert Judy's family has been farming in this rural community halfway between Summerville and Orangeburg for generations, and the 1,200 acres where he grows corn, soybeans and cotton are not for sale. But he and his business partner are regularly approached by developers, both in person and through the mail, wanting to buy them out. And since they own some acreage and lease others, even if they continue refusing to sell, there's still worry of losing their farmland. It's a scenario playing out across South Carolina as congestion in the nation's third-fastest-growing state keeps spreading and wide flat fields become increasingly attractive for new tract housing. "Development used to be in the back of everybody's mind. Now it's in the forefront," Judy, who's at least a fourth-generation farmer in Dorchester County, said of farmers across the state. And while he doesn't mind people moving his way, per se, "they're taking up farmland as they come," he said. He calls a Statehouse proposal steps away from becoming law a "godsend to keep the family farms in the state running." The bill, which the House of Representatives passed 104-2 last month, would create a Working Farmland Protection Fund within the South Carolina Conservation Bank specifically to preserve agricultural land. South Carolina lost more than 1,000 farms between 1997 and 2017, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Acreage lost to development from 2001 to 2016 totaled more than 280,000 acres, according to a 2022 report by American Farmland Trust titled "Farms Under Threat," which gave South Carolina the nation's eighth-worst threat ranking. "It's staggering," said the bill's main sponsor, Republican Rep. Patrick Haddon, who raises cattle, pigs and poultry on about 50 acres he leases in Greenville. Legislators of both parties say the situation has only worsened in the last few years, including in ripe farmlands such as Calhoun and Orangeburg counties where people are getting bombarded by offers. "Farmers in places I'd never dreamed it would happen," said Sen. Chip Campsen, R-Isle of Palms, chairman of the Fish Game and Forestry Committee. Due to traffic congestion, "people are realizing it's quicker to buy a house in Orangeburg and go east on I-26 to the Nexton area, than to live on James Island and get to Nexton," even though it's twice the distance, he said. "Farmers are sincerely concerned about that, as they should be." To ensure money isn't siphoned away from the Conservation Bank's existing mission of preserving significant natural resources and historic properties, the bill as amended by senators would reinstate a dedicated funding stream to the bank that legislators repealed five years ago: giving 25 cents of every $1.30 the state collects in deed-recording fees from property sales. Once historic funding levels are met, additional money allocated through the state budget would go toward farmland protection. To be eligible for a conservation grant, the property owner must get at least 50 percent of his income from farming the land. "If we don't commit dollars to conservation and do it in a really cost-effective way, we could end up looking like states people are fleeing because the quality of life has been destroyed," said Campsen, who authored legislation creating the Conservation Bank 21 years ago and has been pushing to reinstate a dedicated funding source instead of just relying on annual budget negotiations. This fiscal year, legislators allocated $37 million to the Conservation Bank. For the year that starts July 1, the House proposes sending the bank $30 million, while the Senate proposes again sending $37 million. Last fiscal year, a quarter from all deed recording fees collected by the state would've equaled $30 million. It's Campsen's amendment to the working farmland bill, which renewed the dedicated fee, that senators advanced April 13 to the floor and is expected to pass with widespread support whenever they get to it. Haddon supports the changes, indicating easy agreement between the chambers to send the amended bill to Gov. Henry McMaster's desk. McMaster, who has urged legislators to make bigger strides in preserving land for future South Carolinians, is expected to sign it. The bill is designed to provide another option for people who don't want to sell their farmland but are feeling pressured to do so both directly from developers offering big money and indirectly as encroaching development makes farming more challenging, Haddon said. Homeowners who move next door to a working farm may have some idealized, bucolic view of rural life without expecting the reality of the smells, noise and spraying of herbicides and insecticides that comes with it. That inevitably leads to disputes and pressure on the landowner to sell, said Rep. Russell Ott, whose family farms corn and cotton on about 2,300 acres in Calhoun County, most of which is leased. Supporters of the bill recognize that a state grant in exchange for preserving the land for agriculture in perpetuity can't come close to the tens of millions developers can offer. But they believe the voluntary program which also comes with tax breaks and can leverage state dollars to secure other sources such as federal agriculture grants will appeal to farmers looking to preserve their way of life for future generations. "Is it something that's going to completely do away with the problem of urban sprawl and conflicting land uses? No," Ott said. "But it's a start for giving property owners who need revenue and have land attractive to developers. Maybe by putting it in an easement, it gets you to where you need to be without needing to sell it." The Conservation Bank already can and has preserved farmland. Over the past two decades, about 28,000 acres with some level of farming have been preserved, said Raleigh West, the bank's executive director. But he expects the additional grant money to sweeten the pot and lead to more farmers seeking an easement. The bill would also change the criteria for ranking applications for a working farmland grant, notably not including a public access component, potentially allowing more farmland to qualify for available funding. Also aiding the effort is South Carolina Farm Bureau's creation of a nonprofit land trust to serve as the intermediary between willing landowners, other nonprofits and the Conservation Bank. Farmers who might otherwise be uneasy about committing to a forever deal will trust the Farm Bureau to oversee their easement, assured future generations won't be restricted in ways that makes farming difficult for them, Campsen said. "That's just normal," he said. "They'll feel more comfortable with the people they know is one of them and always will be. That really is a factor." Ott said the hope is that legislation like Haddon's will help stop the domino effect of South Carolina losing farm after farm. "Once you pave that parking lot over that land or you build that house, you're not coming back from that," he said. "That acreage is gone, and God only made so much dirt, so when it's gone, it's gone." SPARTANBURG The paved River Birch Trail that runs along Lawsons Fork Creek could double in length this summer. In early May, 30-foot and 100-foot bridges will each be lowered over Lawson's Fork Creek, said PAL Spartanburg Executive Director Laura Ringo. By mid-July, the rest of the half-mile extension from East Main Street to Heywood Avenue should be paved and open to the public. The existing trail is just over a half-mile long. PAL Spartanburg (Play, Advocate, Live well) is a nonprofit spearheading the development of Spartanburg Countys Daniel Morgan Trail System, a collection of 55 miles of proposed trails including the River Birch Trail and the trails that connect. PAL generally designs the system, works with property owners for access and builds the trails while the city of Spartanburg or another public entity owns the property or holds the easements, Ringo said. The extension cost PAL more than $1 million in all private-donor funds, Ringo added, but the city holds the easements. The completed trail will allow pedestrian access from the River Birch Trail to the Lower Drayton Mills Trail via the Heywood Avenue sidewalk and Beverly Road, which connects to Drayton. In 2024, PAL plans to widen the Heywood Avenue sidewalk to 10 feet using a South Carolina Department of Transportation grant and a 20 percent match of local funds to pay for the $600,000 project. Beverly Road doesnt have a sidewalk, but Ringo said that it's safe enough for walkers and bikers due to limited vehicle traffic. Of the 55 miles of proposed trails in the Daniel Morgan Trail System, 20 have been built. We've got another seven miles of trail that we are working on and expect to open in 2024, Ringo said, adding that PAL had received a federal grant for 15 miles of trail along Fairforest Creek that would have to be under construction by 2025. So I think in the next couple of years, let's say three to five years, the trail network is going to look really significantly different. PALs mission is to promote active living, healthy eating and health equity and works to make healthy lifestyles easier. In what seems to be a more and more divisive world that we're all living in, having something that brings very different people together to enjoy space together I think is really powerful, Ringo said. Arab League (AL) Secretary-General Ahmed Abul-Gheit called on the warring parties in Sudan to stop the fighting during the days of Eid Al-Fitr holiday, to be observed during the weekend, to enable civilians to respond to urgent humanitarian cases. "It is heartrending to see Sudanese brethren observe Eid Al-Fitr frightened at their homes, in fear of their lives, with children, sick and elderly people living among them, while the fighting goes on, leading to loss of life and unbearable suffering among civilians," Abul-Gheit said in a humanitarian appeal to the leaders of the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) the Rapid Support Forces (RAF) on Wednesday. Abul-Gheit said his purely humanitarian appeal has nothing to do with any political stance towards the crisis in Sudan or who must be held accountable for igniting hostilities or sustaining hostilities. The people of Sudan, women and children, must be the top priority now, said the chief of the pan-Arab body, reminding the warring factions of the sanctity of the holy month of Ramadan, and urging them to stick to a comprehensive ceasefire deal during Eid Al-Fitr holiday. The world has been calling for the halt of violence in Sudan amid clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces led by Abdel-Fattah Al-Burhan and his deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, aka Hemedti, who commands the paramilitary RSF. Since then, around 300 people have been killed in Sudan, 3,000 have been injured, and thousands of Sudanese have fled Khartoum, where the clashes started. The fighting between the army and paramilitaries raged for a fifth day after a 24-hour truce collapsed. Search Keywords: Short link: PR-Inside.com: 2023-04-21 15:10:32 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 757 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / April 21, 2023 / America's Charities:More than 50 years ago, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) did not exist, which meant there was no Clean Air Act, no Clean Water Act, and no legal regulatory mechanism to protect our environment. That all changed in April 1970 when Senator Gaylord Nelson created Earth Day as a way to force this issue onto the national agenda. Twenty million Americans demonstrated in different U.S. cities -- and it worked. In December 1970, Congress authorized the creation of the EPA, a new federal agency to tackle environmental issues. Now, each year on April 22, people all around the world come together on Earth Day to celebrate the planet's environment and raise public awareness about pollution.In honor of #EarthDay, America's Charities is celebrating the following agents of change who we are proud to call our members:The Conservation Fund: The Conservation Fund practices conservation to achieve environmental and economic outcomes. Every Fund program places conservation at its center, and our entrepreneurial staff create and implement innovative, practical ways to benefit the natural world and the well-being of Americans from every walk of life. Since 1985, The Conservation Fund has protected over 8 million acres of America's most important, at-risk lands and waters. Click here to learn more about the Fund's impact on the following focus areas: Land, Water, Wildlife, Finance, Food, Community Development, Cities, Partnerships, Climate, and Restoration.Feeding America: Many people think of ending hunger when they think of Feeding America - and they would be right. However, Feeding America is also an important ally in the work to end food waste. Each year, 108 billion pounds of food is wasted in the United States. That equates to 130 billion meals and more than $408 billion in food thrown away each year, while 38 million Americans struggle with hunger. Feeding America and its partner network rescues food every day -- rescuing 4.7 billion pounds of groceries last year. Learn how you can fight food waste in your own kitchen and learn about one Feeding America's newest innovations, MealConnect, which makes safe and quick food donations possible by matching food businesses directly to the Feeding America network. Local grocery stores, restaurants, hotels and more can use MealConnect to alert nearby food banks, food pantries or meal programs when they have food ready for immediate pick up, making more good food available and revolutionizing local food rescue.Rails-to-Trails Conservancy: The mission of Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) is to create a nationwide network of trails from former rail lines and connecting corridors to build healthier places for healthier people. For 30 years, RTC has been the leader in the national rail-trail movement and is the voice of more than 160,000 members and supporters. RTC has helped develop more than 1,600 pathways, transforming more than 30,000 miles of former rail corridors into beautiful paths for walking, biking, riding, and other outdoor activities. RTC partners with thousands of community organizations, trail groups, and local governments to create a nationwide network of trails - one community at a time. They support a healthier environment by making active transportation a viable transportation alternative. They contribute to healthier, more vibrant communities, connecting people of all ages and abilities to the places where they live, work and play. Each year on the fourth Saturday of April, you can Celebrate Trails Day (formerly Opening Day for Trails), an annual spring celebration of America's trails. Started by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in 2013, the celebration encourages people all across the country to get outside and enjoy the nation's exceptional trails and trail systems. Learn more.How to Join Us for Earth Day 2022:Engage with us on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn and let us know you are celebrating Earth Day. Be sure to include the hashtag #EarthDay in your posts to join the global conversation online.Subscribe to our CSR Newsletter as we share how our members' programs protect our environment and communities around the world.Donate & raise money for these nonprofits. America's Charities is proud of our member charities' work on behalf of ecosystems, people, and communities all over the planet. One of the most cost-efficient ways you can support these nonprofits is to donate to them via payroll deduction through your employer's workplace giving program (Don't have a program? Click here to have your employer contact our team.) Click on each charity's name above to learn more about their work, and to make a donation now!View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from America's Charities on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info:Spokesperson: America's CharitiesWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/americas-charities Email: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: America's Charities PR-Inside.com: 2023-04-21 01:10:41 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 640 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 This release replaces the press release issued on 4/20/2023 at 9:00:00 AM EDT from Clear Capital announcing: Clear Capital's Universal Data Collection product available to be ordered, fulfilled through CoreLogic Valuation Workflow SolutionsRENO, NV / ACCESSWIRE / April 20, 2023 / Clear Capital, a national real estate valuation technology company, today announced an expanded relationship with CoreLogic, a leading global property information, analytics and data-enabled solutions provider, to assist lenders in modern valuation and appraisal readiness. Through an existing integration, Clear Capital's recently launched Universal Data Collection (UDC) product is now available to be ordered and fulfilled through CoreLogic's suite of Valuation Workflow Solutions.Together, Clear Capital and CoreLogic are supporting industry-wide modern appraisal efforts by providing the ability for lenders to order data collection products in a streamlined way. CoreLogic's platforms make workflow and order management easier for lenders, and with UDC, lenders can ensure that both Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae data standards are met. This provides quick and easy transfer to the agency with the loan program that best meets the borrower's needs."The key to appraisal modernization is wide-spread adoption, and alongside CoreLogic, we are expanding access to modern appraisal tools with the aim of pushing the mortgage industry closer to this new standard," said Kenon Chen, EVP of Strategy and Growth at Clear Capital. "We have been long-time partners with CoreLogic, and we are looking forward to continuing to collaborate as we advance appraisal modernization together." Clear Capital's UDC property data collection solution provides interchangeability and less complexity in management of loans, as well as ease of adoption by integrating with CoreLogic's Valuation Workflow Solutions. In addition to the flexibility provided, UDC is available at a fraction of the cost of a traditional appraisal, and completed in half the time."At the root of our alliance is simplifying ordering and creating an efficient set-up and implementation process for lenders," said Bob Jennings, Executive of Platforms, Collateral, & Risk Solutions at CoreLogic. "Clear Capital and CoreLogic have supported the industry together for some time now, and this expansion of our relationship is a natural next step as the industry embraces a more modern approach to valuations." CoreLogic's Valuation Workflow Solutions power over 1,400 of the nation's mortgage lenders. Clear Capital currently serves more than 70 market leaders through integrations into CoreLogic's platforms, and have delivered tens of thousands of monthly valuation orders across loan origination and loan servicing clients.About Clear CapitalClear Capital is a national real estate valuation technology company with a simple purpose: to build confidence in real estate decisions to strengthen communities and improve lives. Our goal is to provide customers with a complete understanding of every U.S. property through our field valuation services and analytics tools, and improve their workflows with our platform technologies. Our commitment to excellence - wherever it leads, whatever it takes - is embodied by our team members across our brands (Clear Capital, CubiCasa, and REO Network) and has remained steadfast in this pursuit since our first order in 2001.About CoreLogicCoreLogic is a leading global property information, analytics and data-enabled solutions provider. The company's combined data from public, contributory and proprietary sources includes over 4.5 billion records spanning more than 50 years, providing detailed coverage of property, mortgages and other encumbrances, consumer credit, tenancy, location, hazard risk and related performance information. The markets CoreLogic serves include real estate and mortgage finance, insurance, capital markets, and the public sector. CoreLogic delivers value to clients through unique data, analytics, workflow technology, advisory and managed services. Clients rely on CoreLogic to help identify and manage growth opportunities, improve performance and mitigate risk. Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., CoreLogic operates in North America, Western Europe and Asia Pacific. For more information, please visit www.corelogic.com Media Contact:Ross StevensCaliber Corporate Advisers for Clear Capitalross@ calibercorporate.com (803) 549-7529SOURCE: Clear Capital PR-Inside.com: 2023-04-21 03:57:09 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 410 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW ORLEANS, LA / ACCESWIRE / April 20, 2023 / Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have until May 1, 2023 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Dutch Bros Inc. ("Dutch" or the "Company") (NYSE:BROS), if they purchased the Company's securities between March 1, 2022 and May 11, 2022, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.What You May DoIf you purchased securities of Dutch and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email ( lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com) , or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-bros/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court by May 1, 2023.About the LawsuitDutch Bros and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.On May 11, 2022, the Company disclosed dismal 1Q2022 financial results including a net loss of $16.3 million, compared to a net loss of $4.8 million for the first quarter of 2021 and an adjusted net loss of $2.5 million (a loss of $0.02 per share), which fell below analysts' expectations, due to its failure to "perceive the speed and magnitude of cost escalation within the quarter," among other things.On this news, shares of Dutch fell $9.26, or 26.9%, to close at $25.11 per share on May 12, 2022.The case is Peacock v. Dutch Bros Inc., et al., No. 23-cv-01797.About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCKSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. KSF serves a variety of clients - including public institutional investors, hedge funds, money managers and retail investors - in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, California, Louisiana and New Jersey.To learn more about KSF, you may visit http://ksfcounsel.com/ CONTACT:Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCLewis Kahn, Managing Partner1-877-515-18501100 Poydras St., Suite 960New Orleans, LA 70163SOURCE: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC PR-Inside.com: 2023-04-21 16:46:22 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 716 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / April 21, 2023 / Ericsson:Originally published by EricssonCanadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, Francois-Philippe Champagne, attend Ottawa announcement alongside Ericsson President and CEO, Borje EkholmScope of the program is expected to create and upskill hundreds of jobs over the next five years at Ericsson's Ottawa and Montreal R&D centresResearch to focus on 5G Advanced, 6G, Cloud RAN, Core Networks, Quantum Computing, and AI for mobile networksA five-year R&D partnership valued at more than CAD 470 million between Ericsson and the Government of Canada is set to put the country at the forefront of global development in next-generation communications technologies. The investment, at Ericsson's Ottawa, Ontario and Montreal, Quebec facilities, is expected to create and upskill hundreds of jobs - strengthening the sites as global leaders in 5G Advanced, 6G, AI, Cloud RAN, and Core Network technologies.The investment will also support the expansion of research facilities and staff support for quantum computing at Ericsson's recently established Quantum Research hub in Montreal.The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, says: "Today's announcement is further evidence that Canadian workers have the talent the world needs to develop faster and more secure internet connection and other wireless services. As we continue to support innovation, we are creating good jobs, strengthening the middle class, and ensuring Canada remains a global leader in technology." Borje Ekholm, President and CEO, Ericsson, says: "We are already seeing the benefits of next-generation technologies such as 5G and AI, yet we are still in the early days of their potential to transform our work, leisure, and social lives. Ericsson's R&D investment partnership with the Canadian government, supported by world-class talent in Ottawa and Montreal, will boost innovation and ultimately help to improve the lives of millions of people. We are determined to lead our industry through continued R&D investment." The Hon. Francois-Philippe Champagne, Canada's Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, says: "Canadians deserve strong, secure, and reliable wireless networks and services. By investing in Ericsson Canada, our government continues to support and strengthen the 5G networks of today and 6G networks of the future. The partnership also further solidifies Canada as a global leader in next-generation networks and creates more well-paying jobs." Jeanette Irekvist, President of Ericsson Canada, says: "Ericsson is proudly commemorating 70 years of innovation and operations in Canada this year. Today, we demonstrate our continued commitment to Canada with this high-tech R&D investment announcement. The benefits of this project will strengthen Canada's technology expertise that is second-to-none, will bolster Ericsson's world-class R&D centres, and is a testament to the concentration of talent here in the Ottawa-area and in Montreal." Mark Sutcliffe, Mayor, City of Ottawa, says: "I am excited about Ericsson's new investment in its Ottawa R&D centre, perfectly suited for a city deeply rooted in innovative technologies and the experts that create them. Supporting Research and Development centres like this helps to make our economy stronger. When we invest in research and innovation, we invest in the success of our residents and the modernization of our city." The new investment will also enable Ericsson Canada to onboard up to 60 additional interns per year - 300 across the five-year timeline - to boost ongoing academic partnerships. Most of these students will be based in the Montreal and Ottawa R&D centres.Already Ericsson's key North American R&D facility, the Ottawa site occupies 25,000 sq m - of which more than 4,300 sq m is solely dedicated to lab operations, including the recently established Ericsson Open Lab.70 Years of connecting CanadiansEricsson Canada has played a vital role in the country's innovation ecosystem for 70 years, including supporting communications service providers through every generation of mobile communication. Ericsson Canada is also a partner in the national ecosystem network aimed at fostering 5G adoption and collaboration in Canada.Ericsson Canada has R&D centres and offices in Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto and is among the leading R&D spenders in the country - averaging some CAD 345 million per year.View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Ericsson on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info:Spokesperson: EricssonWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/ericsson Email: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: Ericsson PR-Inside.com: 2023-04-21 03:45:44 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 467 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW ORLEANS, LA / ACCESWIRE / April 20, 2023 / Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have until May 5, 2023 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. (NYSE:FIS), if they purchased the Company's shares between February 9, 2021 and February 10, 2023, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida.What You May DoIf you purchased shares of Fidelity National and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email ( lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com) , or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-fis/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court by May 5, 2023.About the LawsuitFidelity National and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.On July 31, 2019, the Company announced it had completed the acquisition of payments company Worldpay, Inc. for $43 billion, which became part of the Fidelity National Merchant Solutions business. The Company subsequently, assured investors that the integration of Worldpay was "ahead of schedule," achieved "success in revenue synergies," and ultimately was "successfully completed" throughout the Class Period. Then, on February 13, 2023, the Company disclosed that it would be spinning off Worldpay and recording a goodwill impairment charge of $17.6 billion related to its Merchants Solutions business, a write-down of more than 40% of the purchase price for Worldpay just a few years earlier.On this news, shares of Fidelity National fell more than 12%, from a closing price of $75.43 per share on the prior trading day of February 10, 2023 to a closing price of $66.00 per share on February 13, 2023.The case is Palm Bay Police and Firefighters' Pension Fund v. Fidelity National Information Services, Inc., No. 23-cv-252.About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCKSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. KSF serves a variety of clients - including public institutional investors, hedge funds, money managers and retail investors - in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, California, Louisiana and New Jersey.To learn more about KSF, you may visit http://ksfcounsel.com/ CONTACT:Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCLewis Kahn, Managing Partner1-877-515-18501100 Poydras St., Suite 960New Orleans, LA 70163SOURCE: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC PR-Inside.com: 2023-04-21 16:01:16 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1002 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Highlights:First-ever soil samples at BLT Project define "Islander Zone" measuring 1,400 m x 400 m based on 845 samples;5.94 g/t Au (5,939.5 ppb) from the Islander Zone is the highest grade soil sample result across any of Gander's eight Newfoundland projects and 38,941 total soil samples taken in 2021-2022;Gold-in-soil zone at Islander is coincident with very anomalous arsenic-in-soil which is consistently present across the interpreted strike of the Islander Zone.VANCOUVER , BC / ACCESSWIRE / April 21, 2023 / Gander Gold Corp. ("Gander" or the "Company") (CSE:GAND)(OTCQB:GANDF) is pleased to report high grade gold-in-soil results from the Company's 287 sq. km BLT (Botwood-Laurenceton-Thwart Island) Project in Newfoundland, particularly from the newly-identified "Islander Zone" covering a central portion of Thwart Island in the Bay of Exploits.The Gander Gold field season begins in May which will lead toward first-ever diamond drilling at the BLT project. In addition to BLT, Gander has also made important progress at its flagship Gander North Project (see April 5, 2023 news release), Mount Peyton (see April 17, 2023 news release) and Cape Ray II properties, with additional exploration updates expected over the coming weeks.Gander Gold will be participating in Central MinEx Mineral Industry Showcase April 26-28 at the Steele Community Centre in Gander, Newfoundland, an event hosted by the Gander and Area Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Town of Gander. Eric Sprott, Gander Gold's largest individual investor (11.6%) after Sassy Gold (38.6%), will be the Keynote Luncheon Speaker Friday, April 28 beginning at 12:00 pm.Additional BLT Highlights:Gander took 5,795 B and C-horizon soil samples (including field duplicates) across the BLT Project with 18 of these samples, including seven in the 1,400 m x 400 m zone on Thwart Island, returning very high values >99.8 ppb Au, including three >1,000 ppb Au (1 g/t Au);The presence and orientation of major faults and folds occurring within the BLT Project suggest good potential for mesothermal Au mineralization;A moderate to strong antimony (Sb) correlation occurs with Au/As-in soil (As and Sb are both key minerals associated with Au mineralization in Newfoundland).Mr. Ian Fraser, P.Geo, VP Exploration for Gander Gold, commented: "We continue to generate outstanding soil sampling results in the context of Newfoundland, consistent with what has been observed at New Found Gold's Queensway Project and Labrador Gold's Kingsway Project. Most notably, from among the almost 39,000 soil samples taken by Gander over the last two seasons, the highest grade gold-in-soil result to date is found right in the heart of the newly named Islander Zone on Thwart Island." Mr. Fraser added, "We're excited to follow up on the Islander Zone with early-season prospecting and mapping to better define 2023 drill targets there, along with target definition for Gander's first ever drill programs in 2023 at the Gander North and Mount Peyton projects. The number of significant soil anomalies identified to date by the company, across multiple project areas, continues to build the potential for significant drill discoveries in 2023 and beyond." Gander Gold Corporate VideoTo view the latest Gander Gold corporate video, click on the link below:BLT Additional DetailsAirborne geophysical surveys consisting of MAG/VLF and LiDAR, soil sampling and a structural interpretation have been completed across the entire BLT project area, along with prospecting in select areas.The BLT project is structurally complex. A major NE-SW trending fault bifurcates the BLT property, while NW trending shears and several generations of folding have been interpreted on the property. The occurrence of mafic intrusive rocks is good evidence of deep-seated fault systems at BLT and the mafic intrusives in the north part of BLT show a strong correlation with known gold occurrences.Outside of the Thwart Island, notably in the Botwood and Laurenceton areas, significant very anomalous Au-in-soil values do occur along sample lines laid out perpendicular to NE-SW trends and lineaments. While these sample lines were widely spaced, results do conform to the interpreted NE-SW lineaments and additional soil sampling is required to better define the extent of these features.A significant number of Cu-in-soil results occur in the Burnt Bay Peninsula area immediately east of Thwart Island and on Thwart Island coincident with Au-in-soil. Coincident Au/Cu-in-soil anomalies may be indicative of possible epithermal-type gold mineralization.Quality Assurance/Quality ControlGander Gold Corporation has contracted the services of GroundTruth Exploration to conduct its soil geochemistry programs in Newfoundland. Soil samples are collected at pre-determined sites, placed in soil sample bags and all metadata associated with a sample is recorded. Once sorted and logged, samples are shipped to Eastern Analytical in Springdale, Newfoundland for sample preparation. At Eastern Analytical individual samples are dried and sieved and 50g splits are prepared and then shipped by courier to Bureau Veritas Commodities Canada Ltd. (Bureau Veritas) in Vancouver, British Columbia for analyses. Eastern Analytical and Bureau Veritas are ISO / IEC 17025 certified laboratories and independent of Gander Gold Corporation. At Bureau Veritas 15g splits are partially digested by aqua regia digestion and analysed for gold plus 36 additional elements by ICP-ES/MS (method AQ201). GroundTruth Exploration crews took a field duplicate every 25th sample and inserted certified reference material (OREAS 47) at a frequency of 1 in 55 samples which were inserted into the sample stream to monitor the quality of analysis for the soil sampling program. In addition, the lab was requested to perform repeat analyses at multiple intervals within the sampling stream.Qualified PersonThe technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Ian Fraser, P.Geo., Vice- President of Exploration for Gander Gold. Mr. Fraser is the Qualified Person responsible for the scientific and technical information contained herein under National Instrument 43-101 standards.AcknowledgmentGander Gold acknowledges the financial support of the Junior Exploration Assistance Program, Department of Natural Resources, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.About Gander Gold CorporationGander Gold is "All Newfoundland, All the Time". The Company is one of the island's largest claimholders targeting new high-grade gold discoveries with a current focus on the l PR-Inside.com: 2023-04-21 14:00:54 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1033 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / April 21, 2023 / Gold Terra Resource Corp. (TSX-V:YGT; Frankfurt:TX0; OTCQX:YGTFF) ("Gold Terra" or the "Company") is pleased to announce additional assay results from drill holes GTCM23-043 to 48, drilled on the Yellorex North zone during the Phase 1 winter drilling program on the Con Mine Option ("CMO") Property in Yellowknife, NWT. The drilling program was designed to expand the Yellorex North gold zone between surface and 300 metres below surface (see February 24, 2023 press release). The CMO property is under option from subsidiaries of Newmont Corporation and is acquirable by the Company upon fulfillment of certain conditions set out in the CMO agreement, as reported in the Company's news release dated November 22, 2021.Chairman and CEO, Gerald Panneton, commented, "The drilling results indicate a well-developed gold system in the Yellorex North zone and the expansion of the zone at depth which is open in all directions. The zone will require additional drilling and will be part of our next drill program. All ten completed holes on Yellorex North hit the targeted Campbell Shear and the results are highly encouraging and supporting additional drilling. The Campbell Shear structure is our highest priority target as the Con Mine produced historically more than 5 million ounces of high-grade gold (16 g/t Au). "HighlightsAlteration, veining, and mineralization suggest a well-developed gold system in each drilled hole with an indication of both an upper zone (in hole GTCM23-045) and a deeper zone (in holes GTCM22-039 and GTCM23-048) of mineralization.Hole GTCM23-045 intersected: 1.7 g/t Au over 4.34 metres from 172-176.34 metres including 3.96 g/t Au over 1.36 metres from 173.5-174.86 metres. GTCM23-045 showed smoky quartz veining with strong sericite alteration, significant pyrite and needle-like arsenopyrite mineralization, and successfully expanded the shallower portion of Yellorex North zone.GTCM23-048 intersected 4.31 g/t Au over 2 metres from 383-385 metres and 3.06 g/t Au over 6 metres from 392-398 metres. GTCM23-048 contained abundant quartz veining and exhibited strong mineralization consisting of pyrite, arsenopyrite, stibnite and trace sphalerite. This hole successfully expanded the deeper portion of Yellorex North to depth and shows that the strong mineralization system continues at depth and remains open in three (3) directions.Holes GTCM23-045 and 048 represent distinct lenses of mineralization within the Campbell Shear at Yellorex North. As it appears that the southern extend of Yellorex North is truncated by the oblique-angled Pud Fault, it is evident that an additional exploration target exists ~300 metres to the south-southeast along the primarily strike-slip fault, where it is postulated that the southern portion of Yellorex North has been off-set to. It means that the zone is open on the other side and will be tested again in the near future. A long section showing 2023 drilling is presented in Figure 1. A cross-section showing holes GTCM23-045 and 048 is shown in Figure 2.Three holes, GTCM23-043, 046 and 047 intersected zones of anomalous gold mineralization. Hole GTCM23-043 intersected anomalous gold such as 0.51 g/t Au over 9 metres from 256-265 metres and 1.65 g/t Au over 1.0 metre from 277-278 metres indicating the hole represents a narrow gap between the two mineralized horizons within the Campbell Shear. GTCM23-046 and 047 were designed to explore the northern extents of Yellorex North in an area that has seen little historical drilling. Both holes successfully encountered the Campbell Shear and returned 17.5 metres and 20 metres respectively of anomalous low-grade gold. These broad anomalous zones are interpreted to be the marginal, low-grade halos of high-grade zones.GTCM23-044 was "faulted" and intersected the footwall zone of the Campbell Shear as the hole was targeting the Yellorex North zone nearby the Pud Fault. The upper portion of the Campbell Shear was offset some 300 metres to the east along the Pud Fault.The Pud Fault is a post-mineralization feature and was intersected as a 15-centimetre-wide fault gouge at 318 metres. As this program has defined high-grade gold adjacent to the Pud Fault, the faulted-offset of the Yellorex North zone nearby to the east has emerged as a strong target for future exploration. This target is notably located in an area that has seen little historical drilling.In addition, GTCM23-042 intersected 5.3 g/t Au over 6.43 metres and was designed to verify and add depth extension to historical high-grade mineralization encountered in the Yellorex North zone of the Campbell Shear. See March 3, 2023 press release).Ten near surface drill holes have been completed on Yellorex North. The zone is only 1 kilometer south of existing infrastructure, the C1 shaft, and above the level 2300. It was previously tested only by one hole in 2022, GTCM22-039, (see August 3, 2022 press release) which returned two mineralized zones returning 3.31 g/t Au over 6.00 metres from 306.0 to 312.0 metres and including 5.39 g/t Au over 2.0 metres from 309.00 to 311.00 metres, and 2.18 g/t Au over 5.0 metres from 324.00 metres to 329.00 metres.Figure 1 - Long section showing 2023 drilling and historic drilling. Figure 2 - Cross-section showing holes GTCM23-045 and 048 The focus of the winter drilling program is to expand the September 2022 initial Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") (see September 7, 2022 press release) along the Campbell Shear immediately south of the Con Mine. The initial mineral resource estimate from drilling in 2022 is 109,000 Indicated ounces @ 7.55 g/t Au of contained gold and 432,000 Inferred ounces @ 6.74 g/t Au of contained gold between surface and to a depth of 400m below surface along a 2 km corridor. Please see the October 21, 2022 technical report, titled "Initial Mineral Resource Estimate for the CMO Property, Yellowknife City Gold Project, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada" with an effective date of September 2, 2022, by Qualified Person, Allan Armitage, Ph. D., P. Geo., SGS Geological Services, which can be found on the Company's website at https://www.goldterracorp.com and on SEDAR at www.sedar.com Qualified PersonsJoe Campbell, P. Geo., Senior Technical Advisor for Gold Terra is a Qualified Person within the meaning of NI 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this news release.About Gold TerraThe YCG project encompasses 800 sq. km of contiguous land immediately north, south and east of the City of Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories. Through a series of acquisitions, Gold Terra controls one of the six major high-grade gold camps i PR-Inside.com: 2023-04-21 21:09:04 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 700 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 BOGOTA, COLOMBIA / ACCESSWIRE / April 21, 2023 / HostDime, a hyper-edge global data center company, is proud to announce its new Tier IV Colombia Data Center has received the EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies) certificate, which is awarded to buildings that demonstrate resource efficiency of at least 20 percent in energy, water, and embodied energy in materials.EDGE is a green building standard and a global certification system developed by the World Bank's International Finance Corporation that certifies the design and resource efficiency of green buildings. EDGE is a measurable way for builders to optimize their designs to help create a sustainable future and provide better investment rates for HostDime and their clients.HostDime's Colombia "Nebula" Tier IV Data Center is the first data center in Latin America to meet these EDGE certification standards."We are very proud of obtaining the first EDGE Green Certificate in Latin America. Incorporating all these environmental features in our New Colombia Tier IV 'Nebula' Data Center allows us to operate one of the most sustainable data centers in the world. Our commitment is aligned with the broader data center industry's ESG efforts. As we continue to build out our next-gen purpose built Tier IV Data Centers throughout Latin America, we will continue to adapt such sustainable features while also taking advantage of renewable energy sources," says Edwin Tello, VP of HostDime Latin America.Data centers account for an estimated 1% of worldwide electricity use, so the industry must be conscious of its responsibilities. ESG (environmental, social, and governance) considerations are crucial when designing, constructing, and operating purpose-built data centers. Taking ESG issues seriously maximizes operational efficiencies and reduces overall risks.Power consumption can be used to measure data center efficiency. PUE (Power Usage Effectiveness) is the measurement of how efficiently a data center uses energy. The lower the PUE, the better. While HostDime achieves at or under 1.3 PUE in their constructed data centers, most providers have a PUE in the 1.6 or higher range. Bringing PUE down across the data center industry is an obtainable and worthwhile objective. HostDime's purposeful use of power-efficient electrical components, modular POD footprints, hot aisle containment, highest efficiency chillers, and renewable energy use all correspond to a large reduction in annualized PUE.HostDime continues to carry out additional actions to improve energy efficiency in its purpose-built facilities in Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, and the USA.Last year, HostDime invested $1.2 million in the construction of a solar power plant to support the entire power infrastructure of their Joao Pessoa, Brazil, data center, as well as a planned 30% expansion.This year, HostDime will open their flagship data center and headquarters in Orlando, Florida. The rooftop of this facility will feature high-density solar panels; up to 1MW of the facility's 5MW will be powered by the sun. Taking advantage of the Florida sun will reduce operating costs, lock-in energy costs, and decrease their carbon footprint."We are constantly evolving our data center designs and best practices to create energy efficiencies so that we can build and operate facilities that positively impact future generations." - David Vivar, HostDime's VP of Global Engineering.HostDime's green initiatives solidifies to their staff, customers, and the marketplace that ESG principles are held to the highest importance. Designing and building an environmentally friendly green data center should be a pattern followed by every new data center worldwide. On this Earth Day, we must take a stand and take care of our resources that are not infinite; together, we can do it.About HostDime:HostDime is a hyper-edge global data center company operating our owned purpose-built data center facilities in Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, and our flagship facility in Florida, USA, and with owned networks in the UK, India, and Hong Kong. Our mission is to design, build, and operate purpose-built, next-gen data center facilities at the global edge.We offer an array of core digital infrastructure products and services, including colocation (private data center suites, cages, racks), interconnection (cross-connects, peering, transit), Hardware-as-a-Service (bare metal servers, lease-to-own servers, hardware procurement), cloud infrastructure (private, hybrid, multi-cloud), and managed services (server management, remote hands, smart hands).Contact Information:Jared SmithDirector of Marketing386-341-0855SOURCE: HostDime PR-Inside.com: 2023-04-21 17:56:15 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 944 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 On this Earth Day, ActivePure is urging for immediate action to tackle the negative impacts of relying solely on traditional ventilation and filtration to enhance indoor air quality.DALLAS, TX / ACCESSWIRE / April 21, 2023 / In 2022, the White House's Healthy Buildings Challenge introduced new Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) recommendations for increased ventilation and filtration to mitigate the spread of airborne infectious pathogens in indoor environments. While the global leader in air and surface purification technology, ActivePure Technology, applauded the increased focus on IAQ they noted even more opportunities the plan did not address. For example, in areas where outdoor air quality is already poor, increasing ventilation inevitably introduces more pollutants indoors despite the existence of traditional filtration. An even larger concern with increasing ventilation is the need for buildings to run their HVAC systems longer. Naturally, this requires enormous energy to maintain thermal comfort, which drives up operating costs and counters global decarbonization goals.These IAQ recommendations stand in direct conflict with the vision of the 2050 Carbon Neutrality Goal. However, modern IAQ technology, such as ActivePure a patented and award-winning advanced photocatalysis process, is available as a sustainable alternative, helping organizations recognize that they no longer need to choose between protecting their workers and protecting the environment.As organizations worldwide strive to modernize their ventilation systems, they face an Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) paradox: heating and cooling buildings leave a heavy carbon footprint. In the United States alone, HVAC operating costs account for a sizable portion of the total building's energy consumption at nearly 40 percent. When a building continuously increases its ventilation and filter efficiency, energy consumption will skyrocket due to greater space conditioning and fan power demands. The economic and environmental impact will be catastrophic as 20 percent of America's carbon footprint already comes from the built environment's energy demands. Increasing ventilation, therefore, presents a direct conflict with accomplishing global decarbonization goals. As organizations become more ESG focused, any solution that involves even a minor increase in cost or carbon footprint will most likely be a non-starter for many decision-makers."On this Earth Day, ActivePure calls for urgent action to address this consequential paradox," said Joe Urso, CEO of ActivePure Technologies. "It is time to focus on developing innovative 21st-century solutions that reduce the carbon footprint of buildings while also ensuring healthy indoor air quality. There is an urgent need for collaboration among policymakers, building owners, businesses and technology providers to address this challenge." ActivePure Technology, an advanced 21st-century solution effective on a wide range of airborne and surface pathogens, could improve IAQ just as implementing drinking water disinfection and treatment in 1908 dramatically decreased waterborne diseases nationwide. ActivePure's efficacy in third-party unaffiliated laboratory studies and real-world settings demonstrates that the technology reduces over 99.9% of indoor airborne environmental contaminants, including the SARS-CoV-2 virus, mold, bacteria, fungus and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The ActivePure Medical Guardian powered by ActivePure Technology was also registered and cleared as an FDA Class II Medical Device.Anchored in science and innovation, ActivePure replicates the natural process of photolysis, which occurs when sunlight interacts with air moisture. Ambient indoor air is introduced into the ActivePure cell, which then converts the humidity into the same therapeutic molecules as those produced by the sun to cleanse outdoor air. These specialized ActivePure molecules target and neutralize airborne and surface-based pollutants without chemicals, ozone or the need for ventilating, trapping or filtering them.ActivePure helps the built environment set the standard in custom solutions for 24/7 indoor air and surface protection. The technology gives employees, customers and patients confidence that the air they breathe and the surfaces they touch have been treated. It maintains healthy environments as the technology has demonstrated effectiveness against multiple clinically-relevant pathogens and facility spread of illnesses. ActivePure also reduces energy consumption by HVAC components and comes installation-ready without the need for building retrofitting. ActivePure works with numerous organizations on the achievement of ESG benchmarks through the deployment of the technology, helping leaders not only demonstrate a commitment to sustainability but also increase corporate resiliency against future pandemics."There is a growing recognition of the importance and need for modern and reconciliatory IAQ technologies such as ActivePure's advanced photocatalysis," said Amy Carenza, ActivePure's Chief Commercial Officer. "Our studies demonstrate this technology can help improve indoor air quality and building performance, meanwhile also reducing infectious disease transmission and protecting public health." ActivePure has already left a world-changing impact on over 51 million customers across more than 45 countries who work, live and play in indoor spaces protected by this state-of-the-art technology."We urge organizations to take action to reduce their carbon footprint and promote sustainable practices that support a healthy planet and safe indoor environments. We do not need to trade off one for the other," Urso said. "Let's work together to create a world where the objectives of ESG are not a challenge but a reality." To learn more about Earth Day, visit https://www.earthday.org To learn more about ActivePure, visit ActivePure.com ###ABOUT ACTIVEPUREPrivately held ActivePure has been the global leader in sustainable, active and continuous surface and air disinfection systems for healthcare and educational institutions, commercial and public facilities and hospitality and residential applications since 1924. The patented ActivePure Technology has been proven in independent university and laboratory testing to effectively control and neutralize indoor contaminants. ActivePure is the only product in its class recognized by the Space Foundation as Certified Space Technology and inducted into the Space Foundation Hall of Fame. In 2022, ActivePure was named on the Inc. 5000 list of most successful and fastest-growing private companies in the United States. The ActivePure Medical Guardian is also registered and cle Sudan's army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan told Al Jazeera on Thursday there was "no room" for negotiations with his rival paramilitary commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo as fighting between the two sides rage. However, Burhan said he was open for mediation but there will be no "direct" talks with the paramilitaries. In a statement earlier, Sudan's military ruled out negotiations with a the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) force on Thursday, saying it would only accept its surrender as the two sides continued to battle in central Khartoum and other parts of the country. The military's statement raised the likelihood of a renewed surge in the nearly week-long violence that has pushed Sudan's population to the breaking point. Alarm has grown that the country's medical system was on the verge of collapse, with many hospitals forced to shut down and others running out of supplies. The 24-hour cease-fire, declared Wednesday evening, had brought only marginal calm to parts of the capital of Khartoum, but many residents took advantage to flee the homes where they have been trapped for days. Massive numbers of people, mostly women and children, were leaving in search of safer areas, said Atiya Abdulla Atiya, secretary of the Doctors Syndicate. Hours before the truce was set to end, the military said in a statement that it would not negotiate with its rival, the Rapid Support Forces, over an end to the crisis and would only discuss terms of its surrender. There would be no armed forces outside (of) the military system, it said. If the truce collapses completely, it would mark the second failure by the international community to push Sudan's two top generals army chief Gen. Abdel Fattah Burhan and RSF commander Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo to halt their battle for control of the country. A similar truce Tuesday, which came after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke by phone with both generals, collapsed almost immediately. At least 330 people have been killed and 3,300 wounded in the fighting since it began Saturday, the U.N.s World Health Organization said, but the toll is likely higher because many bodies lie uncollected in the streets. Through the night and the day Thursday, gunfire could be heard almost constantly across Khartoum. Residents reported the heaviest fighting around the main military headquarters in central Khartoum and at the nearby airport. Military warplanes struck RSF positions at the airport and in the neighboring city of Omdurman, residents said. The military said its warplanes Thursday also struck a convoy of RSF vehicles heading into the capital, though the claim could not be independently confirmed. Khartoum residents have been desperate for respite after days of being trapped in their homes, their food and water running out. Sounds of gunfire and air bombing are still heard, Atiya told The Associated Press said. It is escalating, and the situation is deteriorating rapidly. The truce has not been firm enough to deliver supplies and relief to Sudans overwhelmed hospitals, Atiya said. Hospitals in Khartoum are running dangerously low on medical supplies, often operating without power and clean water. Around 70 percent of hospitals near the clash sites throughout the country are out of service, the Sudanese Doctors Syndicate said Thursday. At least nine hospitals were bombed, it said. Airstrikes on Thursday afternoon hit medical facilities in Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan province southwest of Khartoum, and likely caused dozens of casualties, Atiya said. Clashes have intensified in the city, driving hundreds of people from their homes to take shelter in nearby camps for people displaced from previous conflicts, he said. The fighting has been disastrous for a country where the United Nations says around a third of the population some 16 million people are in need of humanitarian aid. The U.N. childrens agency UNICEF warned that critical care has been disrupted for 50,000 severely acutely malnourished children, who need round-the-clock treatment. Save the Children said power outages across the country have destroyed cold chain storage facilities for lifesaving vaccines, as well as the national stock of insulin and several antibiotics. Millions of children, the aid group said, are now at risk of disease and further health complications. It said 12 percent of the countrys 22 million children are suffering from malnutrition and are vulnerable to other diseases. The conflict has raised fears of a spillover from the strategically located nation to its African neighbors. Sudans fighting has also caused up to 20,000 Sudanese to seek refuge in eastern Chad, the U.N. said Thursday. At least 320 Sudanese soldiers fled to Chad, where they were disarmed, said Daoud Yaya Brahim, Chads defense minister. The troops were apparently fleeing from Darfur, where the RSF is the most powerful armed force. Chad is for the moment trying to remain neutral (but) Chad will be forced to pick sides if Sudan continues its descent into civil war, said Benjamin Hunger, Africa analyst for Verisk Maplecroft, a risk assessment firm. Search Keywords: Short link: PR-Inside.com: 2023-04-21 11:00:15 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 401 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / April 21, 2023 / Measure Studio announced the closing of its Series Seed funding round, led by New York Angels (Bombas, Pinterest, Crowdtangle, Payoneer). This round of financing will enable further development of the company's content intelligence platform and accelerate its go-to-market strategy.Measure Studio was founded in September 2021 and has quickly become a trusted tool for leading brands, agencies, and media companies, including Mattel, BBC Studios, and IGN. The content intelligence solution allows customers to analyze their social media posts across Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat, and LinkedIn to understand which elements of their content strategy are driving growth and revenue."We're excited to continue our mission to make data-driven content strategy more accessible, actionable, and easier to understand," said Thomas Kramer, Co-Founder & CEO of Measure Studio. "This additional capital enables us to accelerate our go-to-market strategy and continue to innovate at the intersection of AI and social media analytics." "Measure Studio's founders built immediate and lasting support from New York Angels, as they not only identified a very real problem for social media marketers but developed a user-friendly SaaS solution that gained substantial traction with customers," said New York Angels board member Michael Costa. "We were able to work quickly to complete a $1.5mm raise in a challenging capital market, which will allow Measure Studio to ramp up its sales efforts and power continued product innovation." In addition, serial entrepreneur and experienced operator Dan Zitting (MikMak, Diligent) has joined Measure Studio's board of directors. Zitting has an extensive track record in enterprise software and will be a valuable voice to help guide the company's future.Additional investors participating in this round include pre-seed investor Higher Ground Labs, as well as new investors Harvard Business School Alumni Angels, Kern Venture Group, Robin Hood Ventures, and Delaware Crossing Investor Group.About Measure StudioFounded in 2021, Measure Studio is a content intelligence platform that uses AI to understand and optimize content performance. Measure Studio is trusted by the world's leading brands, agencies, media, and causes.About New York AngelsNew York Angels is a member-led organization committed to finding, funding, and mentoring great companies from pitch through successful exit. Its members are experienced entrepreneurs, operators, venture capitalists, and industry leaders who have built world-class companies.ContactMeasure Studio, Inc.Daniel Buerge+1 (267) 935-9021daniel@ measure.studio SOURCE: Measure Studio, Inc. PR-Inside.com: 2023-04-21 18:45:38 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 756 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 CALGARY, AB / ACCESSWIRE / April 21, 2023 / Nexera Energy Inc. (TSX Venture:NGY) (the "Corporation", the "Company" or "Nexera") would like to provide an update on the status of the filing of its annual financial statements, accompanying management's discussion and analysis and related CEO and CFO certifications for the year ended December 31, 2022 (collectively, the "Annual Filings").The current auditors of the Corporation have recently informed the Corporation that due to the auditors delayed receipt of certain information (such delay a result of: (i) certain internal staffing issues at the Corporation that are now resolved; and (ii) certain other obligations the Corporation's reserve report engineer had to attend to which delayed his work for the Corporation), they will not be able to complete the audit of the Corporation by the prescribed filing deadline, and the Company anticipates the Annual Filings will be delayed beyond the required filing deadline: (i) under Parts 4 and 5 of National Instrument 51-102 - Continuous Disclosure Obligations and pursuant to National Instrument 52-109 - Certification of Disclosure in Issuer's Annual and Interim Filings, being May 1, 2023 (the "Filing Deadline").The Company intends to continue to work diligently and expeditiously with its auditors and expects to file the Annual Filings as soon as possible, and in any event no later than May 31, 2023.Other than as previously disclosed by the Company and herein with this press release, the Company confirms that there have been no material business developments since the date of its last financial statements that were filed.Management Cease Trade Order ApplicationIn light of the delay in filing of the Annual Filings prior to the Filing Deadline, the Company is providing this default announcement in accordance with National Policy 12-203 Management Cease Trade Orders ("NP 12-203"). The Company has made an application to the Alberta Securities Commission (the "OSC"), as principal regulator of the Company, for a management cease trade order ("MCTO") under NP 12-203 in respect of the anticipated default regarding the Annual Filings. The granting of the MCTO is at the discretion of the Alberta Securities Commission and there is no guarantee that this will be granted. The issuance of the MCTO will not affect the ability of persons who have not been directors, officers or insiders of the Company to trade in their securities. In the event that the MCTO is granted, it will be in effect until the default is remedied. The Company intends to follow the provisions of the Alternative Information Guidelines set out in NP 12-203, including the issuance of bi-weekly default status reports in the form of news releases, for as long as the Company remains in default.For further information, please contact:Nexera Energy Inc. Investor Cubed Inc.Shelby D. Beattie, President Neil Simon, CEO(403) 262-6000 647-258-3310info@ nexeraenergy.com nsimon@ investor3.cawww.nexeraenergy.com www.investor3.caAbout Nexera Energy Inc.Nexera Energy Inc. (TSX Venture:NGY) is an energy company with oil producing properties in Southwest Texas. Nexera is owner and operator of the Lavernia, Wooden Horse and Stockdale Horizon Projects. The Company also owns 100% of Production Resources Inc., a South Texas oil company.Forward Looking StatementsExcept for statements of historical fact relating to the Company, certain information contained herein relating to the timing of the filing of financial statements constitutes forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. We cannot guarantee future results, performance or achievements. Consequently, there is no representation that the actual results achieved will be the same, in whole or in part, as those set out in the forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.SOURCE: Nexera Energy Inc. PR-Inside.com: 2023-04-21 15:15:33 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 664 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / April 21, 2023 / U.S. BankJoy Lyons stands ready to serve meals and her community.Originally published on U.S. Bank company blogJoy Lyons, head of North America Operations for Elavon, the merchant processing business within U.S. Bank Payment Services, dedicates a meaningful amount of her time to volunteering with organizations that help women. She recently was recognized for her service with a Pay it Forward Star Award from the Electronic Transaction Association.Lyons, who is based in Knoxville, Tennessee, said she follows three guidelines to help her incorporate community service - including work with domestic violence shelters, contributions to organizations benefiting children and supporting young women transition from student to successful businesswomen- into her life.Follow your interestsAs a woman in the financial services industry, Lyons said it's important to mentor other women in the sector."With any activity, we are more likely to have a positive outcome when our skills and interests are aligned with a need," she said. "While I am incredibly passionate about the work I do at U.S. Bank, I am equally dedicated to giving back to other women in the industry and in my local community. I know how important it is to share our knowledge and experience with one another." That dedication motivates her to serve as an active member of the Women in Payments board and support its mission to connect, inspire and champion women in the payments industry. She serves as an executive advisor for the Elavon Women in Payments Atlanta chapter business resource group.Lyons puts her talent for motivating groups of people to work by engaging with more than 750 students and active alumnae in community service projects through her role as the alumni liaison coordinator and mother's club president for Alpha Delta Pi - University of Tennessee, Knoxville.Engage your networkLyons said she learned years ago while running a coat drive to help a nonprofit organization that when it comes to volunteer work, there's great value in bringing people together."As an individual donor, I could give a few coats at most," she said.But by partnering with her daughter and mobilizing local schools, dance studios and her coworkers, Lyons and her network have been able to donate more than 7,000 coats and blankets over a 10-year span.Lyons also volunteers alongside her Elavon colleagues to coordinate donation drives for toys, books and art supplies for the local children's hospital and collect essential school supplies for local, underserved schools."Again, as individuals, we could help a few kids, but together we are able to fill entire SUVs with goodies and necessities," she said.Make helping a habitCommitment is key in forming good habits, Lyons said, and volunteerism is no exception."When you make community work a consistent part of your life, it ceases to be a grand gesture of charity and becomes an expected part of living in a community," she said. "I give my time and energy now because I can. I know that any one of us may, at some point, need to receive assistance. We all need to recognize that giving and accepting help is part of our dedication to each other and our communities." "If someone is just starting out in volunteer work, it's fine to start small but it's important to be consistent," Lyons said. "Twenty years ago, I began dedicating time to acts of service to show my daughter the important role each of us has in supporting our community. I started with just a few activities a year but quickly saw, and felt, the positive impact. I now dedicate five days a month to work in my community." View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from U.S. Bank on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info:Spokesperson: U.S. BankWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/us-bank Email: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: U.S. Bank PR-Inside.com: 2023-04-21 14:00:35 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 607 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 The veteran marketing and e-commerce executive sat down to discuss his life, his career, and his professional philosophy.LYNNWOOD, WA / ACCESSWIRE / April 21, 2023 / It is with great enthusiasm that Rudi Kaiser, Chief of Operations at LaunchPad LLC, announces that he is the subject of a new, in-depth interview. The interview, which was conducted by the editorial staff of an online periodical that concentrates on matters of business, technology, and thought leadership, was published on April 12, 2023.Early in the piece, Rudi explains his role as Chief of Operations at LaunchPad Group LLC. "Among other things, my daily duties include overseeing the company's many departments, data analysis, and conceiving and developing new products and services. Put simply, I'm in charge of keeping the company running smoothly," he replies, before proceeding to outline his own distinct management style. "My way of conducting business can best be summed as innovative thinking with an emphasis on process management and scalability. When it comes to engaging with colleagues, co-workers, clients, and peers, I think clear, direct communication and respectfulness define my way of doing business." Further along in the interview, Rudi Kaiser dispenses some valuable advice to anyone considering a career in the e-commerce sector, addressing the readership directly. "Learn something about the different facets of your industry, not just your particular field. Understand how the dots to different departments connect. Be the person that goes above and beyond to understand the visions of your managers, CEO, and company leads in general. Understand the whole machine." Anyone interested in reading the full text of this interview will find it located here, while anyone curious to learn more about Rudi Kaiser or LaunchPad Group LLC is encouraged to visit the company's official website.About Rudi Kaiser:Originally from Hailey, Idaho, Rudi Kaiser spent much of his early life in Prague, Czech Republic. As a youth, he attended an international school where he learned the value of hard work. As an adult, Rudi entered the working world intent upon establishing a long and productive career. In this spirit, he concentrated on strengthening his problem-solving and critical thinking skills, knowing they would serve him well throughout his professional life. After distinguishing himself in multiple roles with several companies, he eventually joined LaunchPad Group LLC as the company's Chief of Operations.About LaunchPad Group LLC:Launchpad Group LLC is a dynamic and innovative website construction and maintenance business headquartered in Lynnwood, Washington. The company was founded with the mission of helping the average consumer improve their online presence through website construction and maintenance. Staffed by a team of highly skilled professionals, Launchpad Group LLC is dedicated to providing top-tier services that exceed customer expectations.The company specializes in selling e-commerce website construction services tailored to meet the needs of each individual client. From custom website designs to user-friendly interfaces, Launchpad Group LLC ensures that the online stores it creates are attractive, functional, and easy to navigate. It also provides training to help improve skills in online store management and drop shipping. This training is designed to empower clients with the knowledge and tools they require to successfully run their online stores.Committed to providing exceptional customer service, Launchpad Group LLC offers additional product and service training to its customers, ensuring their continued success even after they have completed the company-devised program. Its team of experts works closely with clients to understand their needs and offer customized solutions that meet their unique requirements. The company prides itself on its ability to deliver high-quality, industry-leading services that are both reliable and affordable.Media Contact:Email: support@ launchpadgroupllc.com Website: launchpadgroupllc.com SOURCE: Rudi Kaiser PR-Inside.com: 2023-04-21 02:07:58 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 328 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / April 20, 2023 / Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors ofCatalent, Inc. ("Catalent" or the "Company") (NYSE:CTLT). Such investors are advised to contact Robert S. Willoughby at newaction@ pomlaw.comor 888-476-6529, ext. 7980.The investigation concerns whether Catalent 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 August 29, 2022, Catalent disclosed that demand for its COVID-related products was facing substantial headwinds.On this news, Catalent's stock price fell $7.42 per share, or 7.4%, to close at $92.29 per share on August 29, 2022.Then, on September 20, 2022, a Washington Post report exposed that the release of COVID-19 vaccines produced by Catalent had been delayed by regulators due to improper sterilization at one of Catalent's key facilities.On this news, Catalent's stock price fell $8.09 per share, or 9.3%, over the following two trading sessions, to close at $79.06 per share on September 22, 2022.Finally, on November 1, 2022, Catalent revealed that its quarterly earnings had declined to zero and lowered its financial guidance, indicating falling demand. The Company also disclosed that regulatory issues at key facilities were negatively impacting its financial results.On this news, Catalent's stock price fell $20.83 per share, or 31.7%, over the following two trading sessions, to close at $44.90 per share on November 2, 2022.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 billions of dollars in damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com SOURCE: Pomerantz LLP PR-Inside.com: 2023-04-21 14:30:18 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 809 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Stemtech Corporation Announces New Chief Administrative Officer Joins Executive Management TeamMIRAMAR, FL / ACCESSWIRE / April 21, 2023 / STEMTECH CORPORATION - (OTCQB:STEK) announces Mr. I. Tufan Obuz as Chief Administrative Officer (CAO)Stemtech is pleased to announce the engagement of Mr. I. Tufan Obuz, CPA, who has joined Stemtech Corporation in the newly created position of Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), reporting to the President & COO. Tufan will be responsible for all global accounting and finance department activities and their integration for financial planning and reporting purposes. Effective immediately, Claude Ayache (Vice President of Stemtech HealthSciences Corp), the Corporate Accounting Team, and all global financial staff, external and internal accounting support, will report directly to Tufan. His role will include interfacing with our external audit preparation support team plus our PCAOB auditors. His role will also include working with each country, and HQ, for all matters related to compliance, internal controls, operational efficiency, and internal policies and procedures.Charles S. Arnold, CEO of Stemtech says "Tufan brings a wealth of finance, accounting and project management experience which will strengthen our financial resources and controls. Our global enterprise will benefit from his abilities and knowledge to enhance the Company's reporting compliance as a publicly traded company".John W. Meyer, President and Chief Operating Officer, comments that "I look forward to the addition of Tufan to our team, filling a key role in our Company structure with focus on the complexities that come along with coordinating several international locations, compliance with local regulations and consolidating financial information." ABOUT STEMTECHStemtech Corporation, a leading stemceutical company with a direct sales distribution model, was founded on April 18, 2018, after acquiring the operations from its predecessor Stemtech International, Inc., which was established in 2005. From 2010 through 2015, Stemtech International, Inc., was recognized four separate times on the Inc. 5000 Fastest-Growing Companies list. In 2018, Stemtech underwent an extensive executive reorganization, and continued operations under new leadership as Stemtech Corporation. In August 2021, Stemtech became a publicly traded company (OTCQB:STEK) and has expanded business opportunities for its Independent Business Partners, who may earn incomes by sharing Stemtech products. January 2022 saw the introduction of new marketing efforts. In August 2022, Professor Doctor Bankole Johnson joined Dr. Enrique Martinez and Dr. Lizette Leos on the Stemtech Life Sciences Advisory Board. In September 2022, the new Stemtech AdvanceOffice mobile app based on the VERB Technology platform was successfully launched as a powerful communication - recruiting tool for our Field. In October, Life Factor Research became the Research and Development, product formulation - science division of Stemtech to create cutting-edge stemceuticals and other products. On November 1, 2022, Stemtech introduced the new travel/sample size OraStem Toothpaste. On December 6, Stemtech announced the promotion of Alejandro Carrillo to the role of Vice President Global Sales from his current role as Managing Director Latin Markets. Stemtech introduced the new CellectOne Rapid Renew Stem Cell Peptide Night Cream at their December 2022 International Leadership Event in Cancun, Mexico. January 10 2023 Stemtech appoints Margie and Mike Mares to Field Advisory Board. Last month, Stemtech Ranked Number 11 in Momentum out of 700+ top Global MLM companies by Business For Home independent MLM publication, January 23, 2023.Forward-Looking StatementsThis announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include but are not limited to statements identified by words such as "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "estimates," "intends," "plans," "targets," "projects" and similar expressions. The statements in this release are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of our company's management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Numerous factors could cause or contribute to such differences, including, but not limited to, results of clinical trials and/or other studies, the challenges inherent in new product development initiatives, the effect of any competitive products, our ability to license and protect our intellectual property, our ability to raise additional capital in the future that is necessary to maintain our business, changes in government policy and/or regulation, potential litigation by or against us, any governmental review of our products or practices, as well as other risks discussed from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, without limitation, our latest 10-Q Report filed on November 23, 2022. We undertake no duty to update any forward-looking statement, or any information contained in this press release or in other public disclosures at any time. Finally, the investing public is reminded that the only announcements or information about Stemtech Corporation which are condoned by the Company must emanate from the Company itself and bear our name as its Source.Investor Relations:Phone: 954-715-6000 ext 1040Email: invrel@ stemtech.com SOURCE: Stemtech Corporation PR-Inside.com: 2023-04-21 20:15:40 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 766 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / April 21, 2023 / The Power Play by The Market Herald has announced the release of a new interview with Silver Valley Metals discussing their latest news.The Power Play by The Market Herald provides investors with a quick snapshot of what they need to know about the company's latest press release through exclusive insights and interviews with company executives.Silver Valley Metals Announces Exploration Results from the Ranger-Wyoming Complex at its Ranger-Page Project in the Silver Valley, Northern Idaho, USASilver Valley Metals Corp., a brownfield exploration Company with two potential high impact projects that comprise silver-zinc-lead located in north Idaho, USA and lithium - potassium (sulphate of potash) located in Zacatecas and San Luis Potosi, Mexico respectively, is pleased to provide strong exploration results from the Ranger-Wyoming target, related to an under-developed complex of historical mine workings, at the Ranger-Page Project, Silver Valley, Idaho.For the full interview with Dale Moore and to learn about Silver Valley Metals Corp, click here.Interviews for The Power Play by The Market Herald are released daily. To learn more about the companies featured in The Power Play or to explore our other interviews visit The Power Play by The Market Herald.About The Market HeraldThe Market Herald Canada is the leading source of authoritative breaking stock market news for self-directed investors. Our team of Canadian markets reporters, editors and technologists covers the entire listed company universe in Canada. We cover over 3,985 businesses, their people, their investors, and their customers. We write the stories that move the Canadian capital markets.DISCLAIMER: Report Card Canada Media Ltd. ("Report Card") is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Market Herald Limited, an Australian company ("Market Herald"). Report Card is not an advisory service, and does not offer, buy, sell, or provide any other rating, analysis or opinion on the securities we discuss. We are retained and compensated by the companies that we provide information on to assist them with making information available to the public. 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In such instances, Market Herald and/or its affiliates and/or their respective officers, directors or employees will use all reasonable efforts to avoid engaging in activities that would lead to conflicts of interest and Market Herald and/or its affiliates will use all reasonable efforts to comply with conflicts of interest disclosures and regulations to minimize any conflict. All the information on this document and/or the website - themarketherald.ca - is published in good faith and for general information purpose only. Report Card does not make any warranties about the completeness, reliability, and accuracy of this information. Any action you take upon the information you find on this document and/or website ( themarketherald.ca) is strictly at your own risk. Report Card will not be liable for any losses and/or damages in connection with the use of our website. From our website, you can visit other websites by following hyperlinks to such external sites. While we strive to provide only quality links to useful and ethical websites, we have no control over the content and nature of these sites. These links to other websites do not imply a recommendation for all the content found on these sites. Site owners and content may change without notice and may occur before we have the opportunity to remove a link which may have gone 'bad'. Please be also aware that when you leave our website, other sites may have different privacy policies and terms which are beyond our control. Please be sure to check the Privacy Policies of these sites as well as their "Terms of Service" before engaging in any business or uploading any information.CONTACT:The Market Heraldmarketing@ themarketherald.ca SOURCE: The Market Herald PR-Inside.com: 2023-04-21 03:00:57 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 650 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / April 20, 2023 / WHY:Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces the filing of a class action lawsuit on behalf of purchasers of securities Trinseo PLC (NYSE:TSE) between May 3, 2021 and March 27, 2023, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"). A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than June 20, 2023.SO WHAT: If you purchased Trinseo 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 Trinseo 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 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 June 20, 2023. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources or any meaningful peer recognition. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) the Company's Bristol, Pennsylvania plant had a troubled safety record while under prior ownership and continued to be unsafe after the Company acquired it; (2) Defendants did not sufficiently disclose specific risks related to conducting operations at that plant; (3) Operating a chemical plant with an unsafe history and presently unsafe operations exposed the Company to a heightened risk of a chemical spill or other adverse event; and (4) as a result, Defendants' statements about its business, operations, and prospects, were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all times.When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.To join the Trinseo class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=13711or 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: Rosen Law Firm PA PR-Inside.com: 2023-04-21 23:45:28 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 903 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 THOMPSON FALLS, MT / ACCESSWIRE / April 21, 2023 / United States Antimony Corporation (NYSE:UAMY) ("USAC" or the "Company") today announced that it received notice from the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") indicating that because the Company did not file its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 (the "Form 10-K"), it is not in compliance with Section 1007 of the NYSE America Company Manual as a result of its failure to timely file its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 (the "2022 Form 10-K) with the Security and Exchange Commission.(the "SEC"). The notice has no immediate effect on the listing of the Company's stock on the NYSE American.In accordance with the NYSE rules, the Company has contacted the NYSE to discuss the status of the late filing and is issuing this required press release. The NYSE informed the Company that, under NYSE rules, the company will have until October 17, 2023, to file the 2022 Form 10-K. The NYSE may grant at its sole discretion, an extension of up to six additional months to the Company to regain compliance, depending on specific circumstances.Notwithstanding the foregoing, the NYSE American may in its sole discretion decide (i) not to afford an issuer any cure period at all or (ii) at any time during any cure period, to truncate the cure period and immediately commence suspension and delisting procedures if the issuer is subject to delisting pursuant to any other provision of the NYSE American Company Guide, including if the NYSE American believes, in its sole discretion, that continued listing and trading of an issuer's securities on NYSE American is inadvisable or unwarranted in accordance with Sections 1001-1006 thereof.As the Company reported on its Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 17, 2023, the Company has been unable to finalize the 2022 Form 10-K as the Company's third-party independent auditors require additional time to perform audit procedures, complete related testing and review financial statements and other information for the Form 10-K. Management anticipates filing its Form 10-K at the earliest possible date.Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company, its projects, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such statements can be identified by the use of words such as "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "expect", "believe", "plan", "anticipate", "estimate", "scheduled", "forecast", "predict" and other similar terminology, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. These statements reflect the Company's current expectations regarding future events, performance and results and speak only as of the date of this press release. Such statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the cure period for the late filer delinquency, the potential for the Company's securities to either continue trading on the NYSE American or be delisted, and the Company's intention to file its Annual Report on Form 10-K as soon as practicable.Forward-looking statements are based on management's beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to management. Such statements are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements due to various factors, including: the authority of the NYSE American to truncate the cure period and delist the Company's securities; the Company's ability to complete and file the Form 10-K within the required timeframe; the Company's ability to comply with these and other NYSE American listing requirements; our history of losses; metal prices; currency prices; risks of exploration, development and mining; mining accidents; capital and operating costs, production and returns may differ from expectations; commencing extraction prior to identifying mineral reserves; COVID-19; climate; environmental risks; permitting and licensing; risks of operating in Mexico; equipment or infrastructure issues; ability to attract and retain personnel; competition; property title; cybersecurity and technology risks; stock price volatility; rights of preferred stockholders; inadequate disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting; potential dilution; inability to comply with government and stock exchange regulations; litigation; and uncertainty regarding potential acquisitions and achievement of planned benefits of acquisitions. These factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements and risk factors described in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.No assurance can be given that such future results will be achieved. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company cautions you not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Subject to applicable securities laws, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this press release, and the Company expressly disclaims any requirement to do so.CONTACT:United States Antimony Corp.PO Box 643 47 Cox Gulch Rd.Thompson Falls, Montana 59873-0643E-Mail: info@ unitedstatesantimony.com Phone: 928 234 5227SOURCE: United States Antimony Corporation Reader survey As a reader of PREMIUM TIMES, your opinion matters. Please take our survey to help us better understand the values and preferences of our readers. Your feedback will give us valuable insights into how we can tailor the different types of content we offer to meet your needs. The survey should only take about 6-8 minutes to complete. Click here to take it. The National Bureau of Statistics says it will publish the new unemployment and employment figures for the country before the end of May 2023. The bureau said this in its Nigeria Labour Force Framework Re-design 2023 report released on its website. The NBS said it has significantly enhanced the methodology it uses to collect labour market data through the Nigeria labour force survey (NLFS). The statistics office added that it collaborated with the World Bank to bring the NLFS methodology in line with best international practices. This, it said, includes the adoption of the 19th ICLS Resolution concerning statistics of work, employment and labour underutilization. It seems to also Provide measures of labour underutilization, beyond unemployment and recognize and provide a framework for the measurement of all work, paid and unpaid. The report noted that the status of the NLFS data collection for 2022/2023 is ongoing beginning from last year October. Q4 report will cover data collected between 19th October 2022 and 22nd January 2023. The report for the reference quarter is almost concluded and will be published before the end of May 2023, the NBS said. READ ALSO: According to the NBS, working with the World Bank has significantly improved the methodology and design for the conduct of the NLFS in Nigeria. The new methodology would tell an unbiased story of the Nigerian Labour Market Statistics as it should be told. The use of 1-hour criterion for employment would ensure unemployment is regarded as total lack of employment and more attention towards assessment of the quality of employment, it said. The NBS had in March 2021 reported that Nigerias unemployment rate rose to 33.3 per cent, translating to some 23.2 million people, the highest in at least 13 years and the second-highest rate in the world. The figure jumped from 27.1 per cent recorded in the second quarter of 2020 amidst Nigerias lingering economic crisis made worse by the coronavirus pandemic. The unemployment rate in the country has more than quadrupled since 2016 when the economy slipped into a recession. In April 2021, Nigerias Minister of Labour, Chris Ngige, claimed that the World Bank questioned the methodology employed by the NBS to generate its employment statistics. He added that he had on several occasions queried the employment statistics released by the NBS. We have a virtual meeting of the national economic advisory council with the World Bank to look at Nigerias modalities for employment statistics data collection. There has been a little confusion there as to the accuracy of data generated by the NBS. So, we want to align everything tomorrow (Thursday). The World Bank says the NBS methodology doesnt conform to the global standard, especially the ILO format of arriving at such (an) employment Index. Mr Ngige said. But the NBS dismissed Mr Ngiges claim, adding that the World Bank never questioned its methodology. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The United Nations said Thursday up to 20,000 people had fled escalating violence in Sudan to seek safety in Chad, many of whom lacked basic needs such as food, water and shelter. The UN's refugee agency said the majority of those arriving were women and children, who were currently sheltering out in the open. Some of the refugees had been caught up in the fighting in Sudan, it said. "In the past days, an estimated 10,000 to 20,000 people have fled the conflict in Sudan's Darfur region to seek refuge in neighbouring Chad," the UNHCR agency said, citing figures from its teams at the border. "The initial, most pressing, needs are water, food, shelter, health care, child protection, and prevention of gender-based violence. "Due to the violence experienced by those crossing the border, psychosocial support is also among our top priorities." UNHCR said eastern Chad, which borders Darfur, was already hosting 400,000 refugees from Sudan, and the new arrivals were placing additional strain on the country's already overstretched public services and resources. Chad's communications minister and government spokesman Aziz Mahamat Saleh told AFP that between 10,000 and 20,000 people had been welcomed in, mainly in the Assoungha department in Ouaddai province. "Every day people are pouring in and a humanitarian corridor is open," he said. Over 300 people have been killed since the fighting erupted Saturday between forces loyal to Sudan's army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who commands the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The fighting between the forces of the two rival generals showed no signs of abating ahead of festivities marking the end of Ramadan. "Tragically, we have already received reports of refugees caught in the ongoing fighting in Sudan," said Raouf Mazou, UNHCR's assistant high commissioner for operations. "It is urgent that the conflict stops to prevent the loss of more lives. We reiterate our call for all parties to protect civilians, including refugees and displaced people, and to respect the safety of humanitarian staff so that critical aid can be delivered." Search Keywords: Short link: Reader survey As a reader of PREMIUM TIMES, your opinion matters. Please take our survey to help us better understand the values and preferences of our readers. Your feedback will give us valuable insights into how we can tailor the different types of content we offer to meet your needs. The survey should only take about 6-8 minutes to complete. Click here to take it. Veteran Filmmaker Tunde Kelani is one of the few African producers whose latest work, Cordelia will feature at the 30th New York African Film Festival on 15th May. The Director of the Festival, Mahen Bonneti, in a statement on Saturday, said Mr Kelanis film will screen at 7.30 p.m. alongside the short film Employee of the Month by Goga Clay. Cordelia, set in Nigeria during the early 90s under military rule, is an adaptation of a work of fiction by renowned dramatist and poet Femi Osofisan. The 75-year-old founder and director of Mainframe Productions stated that it is a product of collaboration with people from different cultures and backgrounds, united by a creative force without boundaries. The movie features talented Nigerian casts, including Omowunmi Dada, Keppy Ekpeyong, Yvonne Jegede, William Benson, Kelechi Udegbe, Femi Adebayo, Taiwo Ibikunle and Ropo Ewenla. The New York African Film Festival is an annual festival running for over 30 years that showcases a selection of top African movies every year, intending to celebrate the African movie culture. Synopsis Cordelia is a period drama adapted from Femi Osofisans novella, set in Nigeria during the early 90s under military rule. The story follows a university professor who unwittingly becomes embroiled in a military coup. One morning, he arrives at his office worried about his wifes strange behaviour and is soon visited by two curious students, one of whom is Cordelia Nwaeze Peters, daughter of a popular Colonel Nwaeze Peters of the Nigerian Army was recently implicated in a military coup. As a result of the coup, there is general unrest, with students on a rampage and Cordelias life in danger. The professor decides to save Cordelias life and becomes further enmeshed in the national crisis. General Peters, encouraged by the professors altruistic action towards his daughter, can foil the coup. After settling into a new position as head of government, General Peters offers the professor a cabinet position as compensation for saving his daughters life. Cordelia is a gripping tale of sacrifice, bravery, and the lengths a person will go to protect those they care about in times of crisis. Birthing Cordelia The outing at New York Festival marks another milestone in Mr Kelanis illustrious career, easily Nigerias foremost filmmaker. He recently earned an honorary doctorate from the Lead City University, Ibadan, for his immense work in the field of cinema and contribution to the propagation and preservation of Yoruba cultural heritage. Uncle Tk, as he is fondly called, tagged Cordelia -A Goddess of Cultural Diversity and Collaboration, Speaking on how he made Cordelia, he explained the film was a result of a collaborative effort that spanned different continents and cultures. He said As a filmmaker, I have always sought to promote cultural diversity in my films and celebrate the rich heritage of Africas many cultures and languages. This is why I was excited to collaborate with Professor James Anderson, the Director of Orchestral Activities at the University of Delaware and founder of the UD Cultural Fusion Initiative. He said. He also revealed that the collaboration involved two levels. The first level was in Nigeria. Cordelia was written by Mr Osofisan and adapted for the screen by himself and with the help of a talented cast, crew, and a Nigerian composer, Michael Ogunlade. While the second level took place at the University of Delaware in the US, where a premiere of Cordelia was held. American student orchestras played the music score while the film was shown to a live audience. The project involved about seventy-five musicians, including student orchestrators and arrangers, a four-time Grammy-winning recording engineer, and faculty members from the School of Music. The recorded and edited music was sent to us in Nigeria for the final sound mix of Cordelia, which will be presented at the New York African Film Festival in mid-May 2023. He added. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Reader survey As a reader of PREMIUM TIMES, your opinion matters. Please take our survey to help us better understand the values and preferences of our readers. Your feedback will give us valuable insights into how we can tailor the different types of content we offer to meet your needs. The survey should only take about 6-8 minutes to complete. Click here to take it. Nigerias 10th National Assembly will be inaugurated in the first week of June and different interest groups across the country are already lobbying for the seats of Senate President and Speaker of the House of Represntatives. The incumbents, Ahmad Lawan and Femi Gbajabiamila, are not being mentioned in the races for the two offices principally because they are from the two zones that have produced the President- elect and Vice President- elect. Senators-elect who have declared bids for the presidency of the Senate include Barau Jibrin (APC-Kano) and Abdulaziz Yari (APC-Zamfara) from the North-west zone; Sani Musa (APC-Niger) from the North-central; Orji Kalu (APC-Abia) and David Umahi (APC-Ebonyi) from the South-east; as well as Adams Oshiomole (APC-Edo) and Godswill Akpabio (APC-Akwa Ibom) from the South-south. The All Progressives Congress (APC) has 59 of the 109 seats in the Senate and is expected to prescribe the geo-political zone that will take the seat of the Senate President. But the senators can also defy the majority partys intervention and elect whoever they prefer, as happened at the 9th Senate in 2015 when Bukola Saraki took the position. However, in Kano, where the 2023 elections were bitterly fought between the ruling APC and emergent oppositiin NNPP, lawmakers-elect and other politicians are looking beyond local rivalry in taking positiins on the Senate presidency race. 14 Senate Presidents since 1960 Since the first Senate was inaugurated in 1960, the South-east zone has produced more Senate Presidents than any other zone. Nnamdi Azikiwe of the National Council for Nigerian Citizens (NCNC) was the first to take the position. But he vacated it the same year when he became the Governor-General of Nigeria to his NCNC colleague, Dennis Osadebey. Mr Osadebey held it until he too emerged premier of the newly created Mid-west region in 1963. Nwafor Orizu, also of the NCNC, became Senate President in 1963 and remained so until the bloody military coup of 15 January, 1966 when as acting President of Nigeria he handed over government to the army chief, Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi. Thirteen years later when civil rule was restored under the Second Republic, Joseph Wayas from Cross River State served as Senate President from 1979 to 1983 under the National Party of Nigeria (NPN). Iyorchia Ayu from Benue State led the Senate from 1992 to1993 under the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the aborted Third Republic. He was succeeded by his kinsman also from Benue State, Ameh Ebute, who however held the position for only a few days in November 1993 until the military struck again. READ ALSO: With the beginning of the Fourth Republic in 1999, Evans Enwerem, from Imo State, was elected Senate president under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). But his tenure was tumultuous and brief, lasting between 3 June and 18 November 1999. He was succeeded by Chuba Okadigbo from Anambra, who was also removed in 2000. Another PDP senator from Ebonyi State, Anyim Pius Anyim, took over and served until the end of the fourth Senate in 2003. The fifth Senate began in June 2003 with Adolphus Wabara, from Abia State, elected the Senate President also under the PDP. Mr Wabara was succeeded by Ken Nnamani, from Enugu State, who served until the end of that assembly in 2007. David Mark, from Benue State, is the longest-serving Senate President, presiding over the sixth and seventh Senate from 2007 to 2015 under the PDP. in 2015, Bukola Saraki, from Kwara State, was controversially elected against the wish of his party, the APC. But despite defecting to the PDP in 2018, he hung on to the position until the end of the assembly in 2019. The incumbent, Ahmed Lawan, from Yobe State, was elected to the office in June 2019 under the APC. Unique Race The struggle for the leadership of the 10th Senate is unique because the outcome is expected to be influenced by geographical, political and religious factors. The North-west region is a strong base of the APC and has never produced a Senate President. Two senators-elect from the zone the high ranking senator and current chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation, Mr Jibrin representing Kano-North district; and a former governor of Zamfara, Abdulaziz Yari are vying for the seat. But they face an obstacle in their religious adherence because the President-elect and Vice President-elect, Bola Tinubu and Kashim Shettima respectively, are also Muslims. The APC same-faith presidential ticket was much criticised during electioneering and the party will be reluctant to give the third highest political office in the federation to another Muslim. Abdulmumin Jibrin, a member-elect of the House of Representatives from Kano and of the opposition New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), said the 10th Assembly should not elect a Muslim as the Senate President. He further canvassed that the seat should be zoned to the South East as the PDP did in 1999 when the heads of the Legislature and Executive Arm both came from the southern region after a 20-year rule by the North. Case for North-west But others have argued that the APC should give the seat to the North-west in appreciation of the zones strong support for the APC in the General Election, just as the PDP did in 1999 after the South-east emerged as its stronghold. Analysis of the voting pattern shows that the North-west gave the APC the most votes in the presidential election among the six zones, while the South-east gave it the least. Mr Tinubu got only 127,605 votes from the five South-east states, while Labour Partys Peter Obi got the bulk with 1,960,589 votes. The North-west gave the APC 2,653,235 votes, followed by the South-west with 2,279,407 votes. The North-central gave the party 1,670,091 votes, while the North-east, the home region of the candidate of the main opposition PDP, Atiku Abubakar, gave Mr Tinubu1,185,458 votes. The APC also got 799,957 votes in the South-south region. Mr Tinubu is from the South-west but has established his political base in the north because the entire 19 northern states gave him 5,507,787 votes, compared with the southern states where he got 3,206,959 votes. Thus unlike the PDP which since 1999 has got more votes from the South, the APC has been more reliant on the northern zones and is being urged to consider this in sharing the top federal political offices. However, even though the party can zone the senate presidents seat to wherever it wants, it is not easy to force its lawmakers to abide by its arrangements. That was the scenario when Mr Saraki became Senate President in 2015 and Aminu Tambuwal became Speaker of the House of Representatives in 2011. El-Jibrin Doguwa, a former senator, on Sunday declared his support for Mr Jibrins bid, describing the Kano senator-elect as the most qualified aspirant. He said senators can rely on him for quality leadership. The former lawmaker said those stressing the factor of religion are ignorant of the dynamics in the National Assembly. He said senators are statesmen who will consider the quality and capabilities of the contestants above their religions or where they come from. At the National Assembly, religion does not play a role in the selection of leadership. I was a member of the National Assembly. We always emphasise the productivity and capabilities of individuals and the issues at stake. Politics at the National Assembly never looks at somebody as coming from any direction, the National Assembly is an independent arm of the government and they dont want imposition so that they dont look like a rubber stamp, he said.. Barau Jibrin has good rapport with his colleagues and his constituents. I can tell that the success of the APC in Kano North district was based on his performance, if not because of him we will not be talking about APC in Kano. APC had a bad outing in Kano because of the wrong decisions taken. Senators can do away with whatever decision the party and even the federal government will take on the Senate presidency, Bukuola Saraki was elected Senate President against the wish of the federal government. Aminu Tambuwal was elected the speaker against the wish of former President Goodluck Jonathan. It is the relationship between the individual aspirant and his colleagues on what he is going to offer to them and the kind of leadership, because they cant put anyone that will be a problem to them. Whatever position Barau Jibrin will hold, you will never find him wanting. He is a good man, very honest, has a lot of initiatives and is a grassroots politician. I senator El-Jibrin Doguwa am absolutely in support of Barau Jibrin becoming the next Senate president if our party the APC zones that office to our area. My son, Alhassan Ado Duguwa, is also seeking the speakership and that does not mean Barau Jibrin should stop seeking the senate president and Barau Jibrins aspiration cant stop Ado Duguwa from seeking the speakership, Mr Doguwa told reporters. Also, a senator representing Jigawa Northwest, Danladi Sankara, said he is supporting Mr Jibrin. Barau Jibrin is a ranking senator, he edges others in experience and sound relationship with his colleagues. He is the kind of Senate President the 10th National Assembly needs to consolidate on the achievements of the 9th Assembly. As the chairman of the Senate committee on appropriation, he was the brain behind the redesigning of Nigerias budget circle starting from January, Mr Sankara said on Sunday while hosting the youth wing of the APC from Zamfara State drumming support for Mr Jibrin. A senator-elect for Kano South, under the NNPP, Kawu Sumaila, also declared his support for Mr Jibrin at a gathering in Kano last week. Mr Kawu said the National Assembly is the most important organ of democracy and that its leadership cannot be toyed with. He blasted religious clerics and politicians who supported the APC Muslim-Muslim presidential tickets but have been silent on the race for Senate presidency, which he considers more important than the position of vice president. Whatever I will do, I will first consider my country and my people in Kano,. My position is clear on the Senate presidency, I will vote for Barau Jibrin. I dont care that he is APC so long he will bring development here (Kano). If you give it to Abdulaziz Yari, he is my friend, I will vote for him, the NNPP politician said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Reader survey As a reader of PREMIUM TIMES, your opinion matters. Please take our survey to help us better understand the values and preferences of our readers. Your feedback will give us valuable insights into how we can tailor the different types of content we offer to meet your needs. The survey should only take about 6-8 minutes to complete. Click here to take it. President Muhammadu Buhari says the future of democracy as a system of government is bright, adding that as he prepares to leave office in a little over a month, he feels satisfied and duly assured that Nigerians will defend the system against all threats. Mr Buhari stated this while speaking to journalists shortly after observing the Eid prayer, marking the end of the 30-day Ramadan fasting by Muslims. The president, who has been in power since 2015 when he was elected, will leave the office at the end of his second four-year tenure on 29 May. He was a military head of state between December 1983 and August 1985. Nigerians appreciate the stability of democracy. The outcome of the elections, in which more than 10 governors failed to make it to the senate sent a clear message that ordinary Nigerians know the power of their votes and how to use it. Nigerians cherish democracy. They have shown their love for it and will defend it against real or perceived threats. They will continue to vote one way or the other depending on their preferences, he stated. Mr Buhari assured that the 29 May handover date remains sacrosanct. God willing, nothing will stop it, he added. On his plans after leaving office, the president said he feels fulfilled that God had made it possible for him to serve two terms of four years each and looks forward to an orderly handover. I thank God for what He has done for me personally and for what He has enabled us to achieve. READ ALSO: Buhari begs Nigerians for forgiveness I am looking forward to returning to my town, to be as far away as I can from Abuja so that the incoming president will have the time and the space to take decisions without my distracting him, he said. Garba Shehu Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity) April 21, 2023 Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Reader survey As a reader of PREMIUM TIMES, your opinion matters. Please take our survey to help us better understand the values and preferences of our readers. Your feedback will give us valuable insights into how we can tailor the different types of content we offer to meet your needs. The survey should only take about 6-8 minutes to complete. Click here to take it. A group, the Patriotic Peoples Forum (PPF), has asked the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to zone the speakership of the House of Representatives to the North-central geopolitical zone. The group specifically asked the party to micro-zone the position to Kwara State. Husseini Dikko, the acting director general of PPF, stated this during a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday. The PPF supports one of the aspirants in the speakership race, Tunji Raheem, the lawmaker representing Ekiti/Oke-Ero/Irepodun/Isin federal Constituency of Kwara State. Mr Dikko noted that the group considers North-central as the middle point that connects the South and the North, adding that zoning the position to the region is vital for national cohesion, unity and development. He also stated that the APC should reward North-central for its role in the last election. We wish to use this medium to solicit for the leadership of the ruling party to support the zoning of speakership position to North- central going by the role the zone played in the just concluded general elections, Mr Dikko said. According to an analysis of the results of the presidential election by PREMIUM TIMES, In the North-central, 4.56 million people voted in the exercise. APCs Mr Tinubu got 1.7 million (41 per cent) of the total votes. Speakership race Over 10 members-elect have declared interest in the race and have commenced campaigns awaiting the decision of the leadership of the ruling party on zoning. The APC governors, last week, recommended zoning the Speaker to North-west or North-central, while the Senate President should be zoned to the South-east and South-south. Lawmakers from North-central in the race are Mr Raheem, Deputy Speaker Idris Wase (Plateau) and Yusuf Gagdi (Plateau). From North-west are Sada Soli (Katsina), Abubakar Makki (Jigawa), Tajudeen Abbas (Kaduna) and Ahmed Jaji (Zamfara). IMiriam Onuoha (Imo) and Ben Kalu (Abia) from the South-east and Muktar Betara from Borno State, North-east have also declared interest in the race. However, the aspirants are awaiting the decision of the party on the zoning of the offices of the senate president, deputy senate president, speaker and deputy speaker of the House. Agenda Mr Dikko said Mr Raheem will run on the PEASE agenda, which is the acronym for power, education, agriculture, security and employment. He stated that the agenda of the lawmaker is consistent with the values prized by the group. He added that electing the Kwara lawmaker will assure Nigerians that there is a common and shared destiny, devoid of any divisive tendencies or any political consideration. He added that the lawmaker has the needed humility to preside over the House. Mr Raheem was first elected in 2018, following the death of Funke Adedoyin who represented the constituency. He was re-elected in 2019 and currently serves as the Chairman, House Committee on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Reader survey As a reader of PREMIUM TIMES, your opinion matters. Please take our survey to help us better understand the values and preferences of our readers. Your feedback will give us valuable insights into how we can tailor the different types of content we offer to meet your needs. The survey should only take about 6-8 minutes to complete. Click here to take it. At least six people have been killed by a windstorm in Delta State, South-south Nigeria. The incident happened on Thursday in Oko Community in Oshimili South Local Government Area of the state when a structure collapsed during the windstorm, according to the Delta State Government. The Commissioner for Information in Delta State, Charles Aniagwu, disclosed this in a news conference in Asaba on Thursday. He said one person was critically injured while five others sustained various degrees of injuries and were being treated at a hospital. It is something that is quite disturbing and unfortunate. It is our prayer that God will grant the deceased eternal rest even as we pray to God to comfort the bereaved families and grant them the fortitude to bear their loss, said Mr Aniagwu. In a related development, Mr Aniagwu said a 10-year-old boy was swept away in the Okotomi area of the Okpanam Community in Oshimili North Local Government Area. He said the state government was coordinating rescue efforts to recover the boy. The commissioner also disclosed that Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has approved the constitution of the inauguration committee to oversee a smooth transition to the next administration in the state. On the falling of a petrol tanker on Udu Bridge, Mr Aniagwu appealed to residents to be patient, saying that efforts were on to evacuate the tanker for free flow of traffic. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Reader survey As a reader of PREMIUM TIMES, your opinion matters. Please take our survey to help us better understand the values and preferences of our readers. Your feedback will give us valuable insights into how we can tailor the different types of content we offer to meet your needs. The survey should only take about 6-8 minutes to complete. Click here to take it. The federal government says it has successfully concessioned the Onitsha Port in Anambra State while discussions are ongoing for the concessioning of Baro and some other ports in the country. George Moghalu, managing director, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), said this while he fielded questions from State House correspondents after a private meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. He said that such licensing would ease pressure on the government and attract revenue to it. For Onitsha, we have successfully concessioned and handed over to Universal Elison, a company that is partnering with Port of Tuna for the next 30 years. Now, because of limited resources and to reduce pressure on the government, we opened up discussions with other interested organisations, unsolicited proposals have come for the concessioning of Baro in Niger State, Oguta in Imo and Lokoja, Kogi capital; although they are still under construction. READ ALSO: So, we are discussing with them. The advantage here is that it will reduce pressure from the government; these people own this port, complete the port, put the port to use and pay royalty to the government. So, it has a lot of advantages and we are working conscientiously on that. Mr Moghalu said Oguta River Port was not on the budget prior to his appointment but had been brought back to the budget. According to him, the fencing of the Oguta port is completed while some basic facilities required for a port to operate are being put in place depending on the availability of resources. Same is applicable to Lokoja; so, we are taking it from two perspectives. Completing the building by government and concession so that the new concessionaire can complete the ports and put it effectively to use. He said that prior to the concession, a test run was done. According to him, cargo was moved between Onne and Onitsha while the movement of cargo from Lagos to Onitsha was being concluded. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Reader survey As a reader of PREMIUM TIMES, your opinion matters. Please take our survey to help us better understand the values and preferences of our readers. Your feedback will give us valuable insights into how we can tailor the different types of content we offer to meet your needs. The survey should only take about 6-8 minutes to complete. Click here to take it. The Federal Government of Nigeria has called for a ceasefire in the ongoing fighting in Sudan to enable countries to evacuate their nationals. In a statement signed by the Spokesperson, ministry of foreign affairs, Francisca Omoyuli, the non-adherence of the warring parties to numerous international calls for a ceasefire has worsened the plight of civilians and made it impossible to embark on their evacuation. President Muhammadu Buhari had alongside Chads Transitional President Idriss Deby-Itno, condemned the situation in Sudan with the former describing it as unwelcome and unfortunate. There have been at least four attempts to reach a ceasefire agreement between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) who are fighting for power in the crisis torn country. At least 300 people have died in the fighting and almost 3,200 more have been wounded in Khartoum, the western region of Darfur and other states, Ahmed Al-Mandhari of the World Health Organisation says. READ ALSO: Nigerias Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it is in contact with the Sudanese authorities and has, through the Nigerian Embassy in Khartoum, made an official request for permission to evacuate Nigerian students and other members of the Nigerian community who may wish to depart the country. This is following several calls by Nigerian students in Sudan asking to be evacuated. The Nigerian Embassy has created WhatsApp and Telegram platforms for the students and other Nigerians in Sudan, for the purposes of proper coordination and regular updates. Nigerians in the country are advised to remain indoors and contact the Embassy on any of the following numbers: +249 90 765 0702, +234 803 698 1824, +249 90 132 5359, +249 92 440 1217, Mrs Omayuli said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Reader survey As a reader of PREMIUM TIMES, your opinion matters. Please take our survey to help us better understand the values and preferences of our readers. Your feedback will give us valuable insights into how we can tailor the different types of content we offer to meet your needs. The survey should only take about 6-8 minutes to complete. Click here to take it. Gunmen have abducted a student of a polytechnic in Enugu State, Nigerias south-east. The victim, Stanley Ogwo, was abducted on Thursday in the state, according to a report by the Punch newspaper. Stanley is a student of the Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu, a state-owned polytechnic in the south-eastern state. The victims father, Godwin Ogwo, a staffer of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, confirmed the abduction to the newspaper. Mr Ogwo said the victim, a national diploma student, was abducted while on his way to school from his residence in Emene, a community in Enugu East Local Government Area of the state. Mr Ogwo said the gunmen abducted his son with a commercial bus he boarded to school and that the abductors had contacted the family. They merely asked if we are ready to comply; I was confused and I switched off the phone, he said. He, however, said the abductors were yet to make their demand. Yes, we have been talking with them and they have said they want money but they are yet to mention the amount, Mr Ogwo added. The police spokesperson in Enugu State, Daniel Ndukwe, did not respond to calls and a WhatsApp message seeking comments from him. Not the first time Abduction for ransom has been on the increase lately in Enugu State. Like others, undergraduate students in the state have become targets of abduction in recent times. Gunmen, in late October, abducted many students of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, who were returning to the institution for their resumed academic activities. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Reader survey As a reader of PREMIUM TIMES, your opinion matters. Please take our survey to help us better understand the values and preferences of our readers. Your feedback will give us valuable insights into how we can tailor the different types of content we offer to meet your needs. The survey should only take about 6-8 minutes to complete. Click here to take it. Thousands of cocoa farmers in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State have appealed to the state government to reconsider its moves to evict them from a government forest reserve. The state government said it has allocated thousands of hectares currently occupied by the farmers in the reserve to a private company for the cultivation of oil palm. The farmers said the state government, which accused them of encroachment and poaching, has sent security operatives to chase them away from their farms. In a petition to Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, the farmers through their lawyer protested the forceful eviction from Oluwa Forest Reserve by Amotekun operatives and other local militia. The lawyer, Tope Temokun, in his petition, said the farmers had been in the location for over two decades and were duly registered with the government. We have brought this petition on behalf of farmers numbering 10,000 who engage mainly in cocoa farming in commercial quantity at their various camps in Oluwa Forest Reserve anand who also trade in cocoa business, the lawyer said. Our Clients were registered as farmers in the government forest reserve and for this, they paid the sum of N4,000 registration fee each and paid the sum of N4,000.00 each for issuance of ID Cards, though the cards paid for were not issued to them all. In consequence of their registration with the government, as farmers engaging in agricultural activities, they were directed to pay an annual rent of N10,000 per farmer either individually or camp by camp, to the Ondo State Government. He said the farmers were surprised when on 18 April hundreds of armed men stormed the forest shooting and scaring away the farmers. He urged the government to follow due process and give the farmers enough time to harvest their crops. However, the state Commissioner for Information, Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, said on Friday that forest reserves belong to the government, and farming and hunting are forbidden there. It is called encroachment and poaching respectively, and it will not be tolerated, the commissioner said. Many of these squatters have long inhabited these forests and have developed a false sense of ownership. It is no longer news that our forests have become spaces for criminal activities and hideouts for kidnappers, terrorists, ritual killers, and armed robbers who launch attacks on travellers. A few years ago, to prevent our forests from becoming ungoverned spaces, where terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and allied criminal actors situate their bases and camping grounds, we embarked on the registration of farmers in our forest reserves as part of our security strategy. While that was ongoing, the Central Bank of Nigeria created a window for states to develop commodities that is useful for import substitution. Ondo State keyed in and identified oil palm as a crop in which we have competitive advantage. Immediately, we envisioned the Red Gold project and prioritised oil palm cultivation. For this purpose, one hundred thousand hectares (100,000 ha) was earmarked, of which 100ha will be treated as free and declassified. Two leading companies on the Nigerian Stock Exchange that are players in the oil palm value chain indicated interest as investors. One of them is SAO Agro-Allied Services Limited. Our drive to open part of the Oluwa forest reserve is strictly a deliberate policy geared towards putting the state on a solid economic footing and less dependence on federal monthly allocation. From the onset, registration of farmers in the forest is not the same as conferment of ownership. It was done mainly for identification. The state can evict squatters anytime, and whenever the need arises. The resort to blackmail by squatters who have granted themselves ownership and appointed Baale for themselves will not stand. Mrs Ademola-Olateju, however, said the state government had engaged the farmers many times and discussed plans to settle those who farm on government land on 100 hectares in modern, organised farming. She warned that no amount of blackmail and misinformation would make the government rescind its decision on the use of its land. On the issue of money paid to the government, the information commissioner said rent was supposed to be paid annually. We challenge the over 10,000 farmers to produce evidence of payments to the government since they were registered, she said. We have ceded 100 ha to them and SAO Agro plans its expansion in phases and in ways that will cause them to harvest their crops. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Reader survey As a reader of PREMIUM TIMES, your opinion matters. Please take our survey to help us better understand the values and preferences of our readers. Your feedback will give us valuable insights into how we can tailor the different types of content we offer to meet your needs. The survey should only take about 6-8 minutes to complete. Click here to take it. At an occasion to mark his final outing as President on a Sallah Day, before handing over, President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday thanked Nigerians for the honour to serve for two terms, 2015-2023, asking for pardon from those he might have hurt while discharging his duties. With less than 37 days left in office, the president recounted his leadership roles in the country for more than forty years, serving variously as a military officer, military governor, minister, and Head of State, and returning as a democratically elected President in 2015. President Buhari told residents of the Federal Capital Territory led by the Minister, Muhammad Musa Bello, on Eid-el-Fitr Sallah homage, that his journey was not all smooth as he was incarcerated for three years, after the coup that ousted him from power in August, 1984, and contested elections three times, 2003, 2007 and 2011, without success. I dared the politicians and ended up at the Supreme Court three times. They laughed at me, and I responded, God dey. God sent technology to my rescue, with Permanent Voters Card (PVC). The fraudulent people became unemployed, the president noted. President Buhari said the flaunting of ethnic and religious cards in elections was rubbish as the presiding justices at the Supreme Court that squashed his cases were Muslims, from the North, Zaria in Kaduna State, Niger and Jigawa. It is good to reflect on what used to happen here, in FCT, especially on security. Security is not only about the North East, it also spread to the FCT and all over the country. Those who wanted to make our lives uncomfortable reached the FCT, and they have been marginalized, he added. President Buhari highlighted the strengths of democracy as a system of government, particularly in providing opportunity to participate, and fostering a sense of belonging among citizens. I have been counting the years. Democracy is good, otherwise how can someone come from one end of the country to rule for eight years. My home town, Daura, is about eight kilometres to Niger Republic. When the Minister of Interior wanted to shut down petrol stations ten kilometres from the border, there was a fuel station close to my house, and I pleaded if he could allow it to keep operating, he added. The President stated that he decided to retire to Daura, which was far away from Abuja in order to get some respite, after years of work. I cant wait to go home to Daura. If they make any noise to disturb me in Daura, I will leave for the Niger Republic. I deliberately arranged to be as far away as possible. I got what I wanted and will quietly retire to my home town. In spite of technology, it will not be easy to get to Daura, he said. President Buhari said he accepted all the complaints and criticisms in good stead, knowing it was part of the leadership he prayed and asked from God. God gave me an incredible opportunity to serve the country. We are all humans, if I have hurt some people along the line of my service to the country, I ask that they pardon me. All those that I have hurt, I ask that they pardon me. President Buhari said he remains grateful to Nigerians, who voted him in 2015 and 2019, without any monetary incentive, with some trooping to the campaigns, and receptions in states just to catch a glimpse. I think it is a good coincidence for me to say goodbye to you, and thank you for tolerating me for almost eight years, the President said. In his remark, the Minister of FCT thanked the President for hosting residents for the 9th Eid-el-Fitr, and allowing more people into the Villa for the last homage, before his handing over on May 29th. Bello said the conceptualization and realization of the FCT was historic and deserved commendation, reminding President Buhari of his role as part of the military Recce Team for the capital in the 70s. The minister, accompanied by Umaru Shagalinku, the man who started one of the oldest restaurants in Abuja, and some contractors, thanked the President for the privilege of serving in the same position for close to eight years. The Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, SGF, Boss Mustapha, Chief of Staff, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, Senator Philip Aduda, and CAN Chairman in FCT, Rev. Timothy Amakum were also at the Sallah homage. Garba Shehu Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity) April 21, 2023 Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The forces of two rival generals fought intense street battles in Sudan's capital Khartoum on Friday, witnesses reported, as the warring parties ignored appeals for an end-of-Ramadan ceasefire. More than 400 people have been killed and thousands wounded since the fighting erupted Saturday between forces loyal to Sudan's army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, the commander of the powerful paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) who is commonly known as Hemeti. The Central Committee of Sudan Doctors said that overnight, as the Eid al-Fitr celebrations marking the end of the Muslim Ramadan month of fasting began, "several areas of Khartoum were bombed" and reported "shelling and clashes" for the sixth straight night. Soldiers and paramilitaries fought fierce street battles Friday in densely populated residential areas of central and northern Khartoum, witnesses told AFP, with most of the city's five million people sheltering at home in the baking heat without electricity, food or water. Both UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called separately for a ceasefire of "at least" three days to mark Eid, as explosions and gunfire resounded in Khartoum. The RSF, a powerful force formed from members of the Janjaweed militia that led years of extreme violence in the western Darfur region, said they would commit to a 72-hour ceasefire starting at dawn (0400 GMT). But, like two previous declared 24-hour ceasefires, it failed to take hold. The crackle of intense gunfire continued Friday morning, with columns of black smoke rising across the capital. The World Health Organization said 413 people had been killed and 3,551 wounded in the fighting so far across Sudan, in an update issued on Friday. The death toll is thought to be higher, however, with many wounded unable to reach hospitals. 'Nightmare Scenario' For the first time since hostilities began a week ago, Burhan appeared on television. "For Eid this year, our country is bleeding: destruction, desolation and the sound of bullets have taken precedence over joy," he said in a pre-recorded video, which showed him sitting behind a desk in military uniform. "We hope that we will come out of this ordeal more united... a single army, a single people... towards a civilian power." The International Crisis Group (IGC) warned urgent steps were needed to stop a descent into "full-blown civil war", warning "the nightmare scenario that many feared in Sudan is unfolding." The World Food Programme warned the violence could plunge millions more into hunger in a country where 15 million people, one-third of the population, need aid. It has suspended its Sudan operations after the killing of three WFP workers on Saturday. Burhan and Daglo's bitter dispute centred on the planned integration of the RSF into the regular army, a key condition for a final deal aimed at restoring Sudan's democratic transition. 'They Don't Care' Civilians are becoming increasingly desperate with thousands risking the dangerous streets to flee Khartoum, with many reporting streets strewn with corpses. "This is a mere power struggle," said Abdul Wahid Othman, a 53-year-old in Khartoum. "They don't care about poor citizens who have been left without water, electricity... and water." International efforts are being planned for the potential evacuation of citizens, including with the United States deploying forces for the possible airlift of US embassy staff. Medics have warned of a catastrophe, with over two-thirds of hospitals in Khartoum and neighbouring states rendered "out of service" by the fighting, the doctors' union said. Four hospitals in Obeid in North Kordofan state had also been "shelled". In El Fasher in Darfur, some 800 kilometres (500 miles) southwest of Khartoum, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said the situation was "catastrophic". "There are so many patients that they are being treated on the floor," said MSF project coordinator Cyrus Paye, reporting continued gunfire in the city. Burhan and Daglo toppled autocratic president Omar al-Bashir together in April 2019 following massive protests against his three decades of iron-fisted rule. In October 2021, they again worked together to oust the civilian government installed after Bashir's downfall, derailing an internationally backed transition to democracy. "With neither Burhan nor Hemeti appearing ready to back down, the situation could get much worse," the ICG think tank said, adding that while some analysts thought the army would succeed in on its "home turf" in Khartoum, the risk of an all-out conflict remained. "Even if the army eventually does secure the capital, and Hemeti retreats to Darfur, a civil war could well follow, with potentially destabilising impact in neighbouring Chad, the Central African Republic, Libya and South Sudan", the ICG added. * This story was edited by Ahram Online Search Keywords: Short link: Reader survey As a reader of PREMIUM TIMES, your opinion matters. Please take our survey to help us better understand the values and preferences of our readers. Your feedback will give us valuable insights into how we can tailor the different types of content we offer to meet your needs. The survey should only take about 6-8 minutes to complete. Click here to take it. In December 2021, Nigerias Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige proposed that the Federal Government should make health workers trained by the Nigerian government to sign a bond of nine years during which they cannot consider relocating to another country. Ngiges argument at the time was that medical personnel including doctors should not be allowed to leave the country at will after receiving training for free at public expense. Fast forward to April 2023, Nigerian lawmakers are proposing a law that will make medical and dental practitioners serve the country for five years before they can travel abroad to practise. The lawmakers are advancing the same argument. Since medical doctors are trained almost free at government expense, they shouldnt be allowed to take that skill to a country that does not contribute a dime to their medical education. Nigerians should enjoy the dividends of governments investment. Sounds logical? Surprisingly, the Nigerian citizens that should hail the bill have been its most critics. I guess, people just cant trust these lawmakers. Or how can a House of Representatives that rejected a bill proposing to make it illegal for government officials to travel abroad for medicals in 2019 now come up with a bill to prevent medical practitioners from relocating when they want? It all sounds selfish! Yet, we cant deny the fact that there is an urgent need to stem the rate at which Nigerian medical practitioners are migrating abroad. Between December 2021 and May 2022 alone, 727 medical doctors trained in Nigeria relocated to the UK. That is just one country. There are many Nigerian trained doctors and other medical practitioners in the US, Saudi Arabia, Australia, etc. The President of the Nigerian Medical Association, Uche Rowland has told us that about 5,600 Nigerian doctors migrated from Nigeria in the last eight years. And a study published in October, 2022, shows that 74 percent of our health practitioners intended to emigrate. How do we stem this tide? As far back as 2021, I wrote an article titled, Feasting on Nigerian stupidity. At that time, the General Medical Council of Britain revealed that 805 Nigerian doctors were licensed in the UK within six months. The number of Nigerian-trained doctors in the UK as of December 25, 2021 was 9,189. Similarly, the Nursing and Midwifery Council of the UK said that an average of eight nurses leave Nigeria every day for the UK in the last five years. Specifically, the body said 15,049 nurses trained in Nigeria obtained licence to practise in the United Kingdom between March 2017 and March 2021,making Nigeria the third highest country with foreign nurses in England coming after the Philippines and India. Today, the problem has become so bad that the UK has placed Nigeria and 53 other countries on the red list of countries that should not be actively targeted for recruitment by health and social care employers. Shouldnt we be worried about this largescale emigration of medical personnel in a country where doctors to patients ratio is 4:10,000 as against the World Health Organisation (WHO) standard ratio of 1:600? The Women and Men report 2021 revealed that a total of 39,912 doctors were available in Nigeria as of 2017. While the number increased to 44,021 in 2018, it reduced drastically to 24,640 in 2019. With the JAPA syndrome currently afflicting the country, no one knows the number of doctors remaining here. Nigeria has been investing in other countries at the expense of its own citizens. Can we blame the medical practitioners for seeking greener pastures in places where their skills are valued and adequately rewarded? No. Is it wrong for Nigeria to enact a law that will force its medical practitioners to stay back at home and repay the society that invested so much in their education? By the way, the UK government in 2022 also mulled the idea of mandating a 4-year service in the NHS for graduating doctors to repay the society that invested in them. That is interesting because UK citizens pay so much tuition to qualify as doctors. They pay about 60,000 pounds in tuition excluding living costs to qualify as doctors. But the country says taxpayers pay an additional 230,000 to whatever students pay in tuition fees and therefore, the students should give back to the society. But Nigerians are saying the proposed law is unpatriotic and a breach of the fundamental human rights of the doctors. Some have also harped on freedom of movement as guaranteed by the constitution as the reason why doctors cant be forced to stay back in the country. But, if this is valid, why do some companies ask their workers to sign a bond that makes it compulsory for them to work for certain number of years before they can leave when such workers training or education is funded by the company? And the workers dont complain? Maybe the real issue is not the bond but the freedom to choose. Did Nigerian medical doctors ask the government to fund their education? The few medical students I spoke with said they did not beg government to send them to school free of charge. The medical student body has also said government should allow them to decide if they want the subsidy it is providing or not. Some students even said they still buy one thing or the other and that their education is not free as it is being reported. Besides there are students in private universities that pay millions of Naira to acquire their medical education. How do you force them to stay back to serve a country that didnt fund their medical education. Seriously, Nigeria is confronted with issues that require a combination of retrospection and introspection to decipher than what the lawmakers are seeking a law to stop. How can government train medical doctors free of charge and refuse to invest in things that will make the doctors stay back at home? The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) went on a 64-day strike, between August 2 and October 2021. What were their demands? Simple things like payment of Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), payment of outstanding salaries to members on GIFMIS platform, payment of death-in-service benefits to members who lost their lives in the line of duty during the COVID-19 pandemic, etc. Almost 90 per cent of their demands centred round payment for services already rendered. Which sane country treatsa critical segment of its society like that? Facilities in many government hospitals are in a shambles. What stops government that invests so much in producing manpower from investing in equipment? Truth be told, the Nigerian government does not know the worth of its investment. If it does, it wont fritter away the billions of naira invested in training its medical practitioners. The students themselves dont have an idea of how much government is investing in their medical education. If they do, they wont be saying their education is not totally free because they pay tokens for registrations and other sundry things. A medical doctor in the USA pays an average of $2,398 a month for a 30-year repayment loan plan. In other words, a medical doctor in the US owes taxpayers and government $863,500, which is paid back in monthly instalments. According to Canadian medical education statistics, the average tuition fee for Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents is approximately $17,000 per year. The cost in Ontario is the highest, with their provincial average coming in at just over $27,000 per year. According to the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada (AFMC), when taking into account all of the costs associated with attending a Canadian medical programme, Canadian students will likely spend over $100,000 to obtain their degree. Private universities in Nigeria charge as much as N4.5 million per session as tuition. But, medical students in federal government owned universities pay between N40,000 and N150,000 per session. The current school fees at the University of Lagos College of Medicine for new students is N69,500, while returning students pay N21,500. State universities charge a little bit more but nothing to compare with obtains internationally. Medical students in the College of Medicine, Lagos State University pay N115,750. How many medical students in public universities can afford to pay the huge tuition paid abroad? How many of them would have been able to become doctors without governments benevolence? If you dont know the worth of a thing abuse is inevitable. I see a government who does not know the worth of its investment and how to convert it into profit and beneficiaries who dont know the worth of what they are getting and therefore are unappreciative. British, American and Canadian citizens will green with envy when they hear that their Nigerian counterparts are holding the same certificates as theirs without having the burden of repaying student loans 20 years after graduation. Our medical practitioners trained via taxpayers money should always remember this and know that they owe Nigeria some service with or without a law in place. This is not to say that the lawmakers are being altruistic either. If they really want to convince Nigerians that they mean business, they should first make a law that forbids all political office holders from receiving their medical care abroad. Then, they will be the patients of the doctors staying back at home. They should also work with their state counterparts and enact a legislation that forbids government at all levels from owing salaries of medical practitioners and makes it mandatory for governments to upgrade medical facilities from teaching hospitals to health centres every year. If they can do all these things, they wont need any law to force Nigerian medical practitioners to stay back at home. Olabisi Deji-Folutile is the editor-in-chief, Franktalknow.com and director at AF24NEWS.COM. Email bisideji@yahoo.co.uk Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Reader survey As a reader of PREMIUM TIMES, your opinion matters. Please take our survey to help us better understand the values and preferences of our readers. Your feedback will give us valuable insights into how we can tailor the different types of content we offer to meet your needs. The survey should only take about 6-8 minutes to complete. Click here to take it. Anytime I had to look at that board in the past eight years, it reminded me that there are always entrances and exits, as Shakespeare wrote. The Yorubas talk about the man who inherited a potent charm, and is now striving to live forever. Well, if the charm was that potent, the original owner would not have died in the first place. We have our entrances and exits. I look forward to mine in 38 days, by Gods grace. All things are now ready. Last week, I wrote about the cleaning and clearing of my office in State House, Presidential Villa, Abuja. The job is now done, and as a bride waits for her groom, the office now expects its next occupant, the Adviser on Media to the incoming President. That event is now about 38 days away. William Shakespeare wrote in Romeo and Juliet: Love goes toward love, as schoolboys from their books That is how I look forward to my next endeavours, after serving in government for eight years. The Good Book says of Moses: And Moses was faithful as a servant in all Gods house, testifying to what would be spoken later. (Hebrews Chapter 3, verse 5). To the best of my ability, I have served my principal, Muhammadu Buhari, the Mai Gaskiya (honest man), who hails from Daura, in Katsina State. Through thick and thin, I have been there with him. Been called names, excoriated, flagellated, threatened. But there I was. All the way. Bloodied at times, but unbowed. Now, happily, like love goes towards love, a schoolboy away from his books, all my bags are packed, Im ready to go. Remember Jet Plane, that song by Sonya Spence? All my bags are packed Im ready to go Im standing here outside your door I hate to wake you up to say goodbye But goodbye we must say. Today, permit me to pay tribute to all those who served in the office I occupied in the past eight years. They also served their masters; faithfully, just as I have tried to do. I have written about them in the past, both living and dead, but I bring an updated version today. Something now nestles quietly in one of the drawers in my office. With the inscription, Femi Adesina, OON. Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari, 2015-2023. It is my portrait, I got it prepared since March, and in another 38 days, by the grace of God, it should be hung on that historical board, which bears the service records of those I call my ancestors and forebears. I recommend that kind of board for everyone to have in whichever traffic lane of life they operate: office, home, church, mosque, anywhere, everywhere. It would remind that we are but pilgrims, passing through life like wayfarers. We have our entrances and exits. Lifes but a walking shadow, a poor player/That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,/And then is heard no more. It is a tale/Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,/signifying nothing, wrote William Shakespeare in Macbeth. That is what and who we are. Birds of passage, with no continuing city here. But we seek one that is to come. That is, if we have any modicum of sense. The board lists the names of all those who have served as image makers to the nations heads of state since 1976, with their pictures emblazoned. First is Ogbuefi (later Igwe) Alex Nwokedi, who served General Olusegun Obasanjo as military head of state between 1976 and 1979. He later went on to become Manager, Group Public Affairs of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), and then to the royal stool as Igwe of Achalla, in Anambra State. We were in touch for many years, but the lot fell on me sadly to announce his passage to the great beyond in May, 2020. Igwe Nwokedi lived well, and died well at a good old age of 84 years. Next on the board is Mr Charles Igoh, who served Alhaji Shehu Shagari from 1979 to September 1983. Followed by Mallam Abba Dabo, who served the same President in his second term, which lasted just from October to December 1983. The military struck, and truncated the term. But whether long or short, Mallam Dabo is in the pantheon of those who served as image makers to presidents of this country. Thats history for you. It records everything, pleasant and unpleasant. Next: Mallam Wada Maida. My gentleman senior friend. We both love Muhammadu Buhari, and he served as Chief Press Secretary when our principal was military head of state between January 1984 and August 1985. Sadly, he passed away in August 2020, without being ill for one day. He was ever genial, smiling, calm. Then comes the man we call Double Chief. Duro Onabule, who served General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida for eight years. He has the singular honour of having served longest in the position till now. He went the way of all flesh in August last year, aged 83. Chief Onabule was my very senior friend and inspiration. I had read him since I was a schoolboy, and was privileged to serve as editor of National Concord, a position he had held decades earlier. He maintained a weekly column with the newspaper. When I became pioneer editor of Daily Sun in 2003, I was again delighted to invite him as a columnist, a duty post at which he remained till his last day. You cant imagine the strength I drew from Onabules private messages to me whenever we went through turbulence in government. Still on the board. Next is Sola Atere, another senior friend and professional colleague. He served the transitional government headed by Chief Ernest Shonekan, between January and August 1993. Our Fellow! Thats how I call the next man. Emma Agu, former editor of Champion newspaper, and Chief Press Secretary to the Interim National Government, headed also by Chief Shonekan. The tenure lasted only about 84 days, but Agu, a Fellow of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, is also in the books of history as one who served. Chief David Attah, also now deceased, served General Sani Abacha for five years. The lot also fell on me to announce his obituary a couple of years back. This job! Mallam Mohammed Haruna, alive and kicking to the glory of God, served for about a year with General Abdulsalami Abubakar. Hes now a National Commissioner with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Three people served with President Olusegun Obasanjo between 1999 and 2007. Dr Doyin Okupe, Mr Tunji Oseni (deceased) and Mrs Oluremi Oyo (also deceased). The next three people are my contemporaries. We went through university at the same period, are in the same age bracket, and also practiced as journalists together for decades in Lagos. We are friends. Olusegun Adeniyi served President Umaru YarAdua for three years, Ima Niboro was with Dr Goodluck Jonathan for one year, and Dr Reuben Abati was with the same president for four years. Next to be recorded on the board? Femi Adesina, 2015-2023. Like I said, the picture is ready, with the period of service indicated. All to the glory of God. He makes all things possible. Anytime I had to look at that board in the past eight years, it reminded me that there are always entrances and exits, as Shakespeare wrote. The Yorubas talk about the man who inherited a potent charm, and is now striving to live forever. Well, if the charm was that potent, the original owner would not have died in the first place. We have our entrances and exits. I look forward to mine in 38 days, by Gods grace. As a journalist, I pounded the streets for years, looking for news to report. And then in 1995, I was elevated to line editorship as Features Editor of National Concord. That was the first time I had an office to myself, outside the general Newsroom. What did I first do when I entered that office? I prayed, committing my stay into the hands of God, and also my exit, asking that it would be in glorious circumstances. And Ive done that in every subsequent office I occupied. Ive been Deputy Editor, National Concord; Editor of same paper; Editor, Daily Sun; Executive Director, Publications, The Sun Newspapers; Deputy Managing Director, and later Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief. I was equally President, Nigerian Guild of Editors, and now Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the President since 2015. On the very first day in my current office, I already handed over the last day to God. That last day now approaches. Even life does not last forever. Those who served before me have all succeeded in their different ways, no matter what people choose to believe, or say of them. They served their principals faithfully. I tried to do the same. As I move on in 38 days, let me borrow the words of Shakespeare again: If we do meet again, why, we shall smile; if not, this parting was well made. Femi Adesina is special adviser to President Buhari on Media and Publicity. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Reader survey As a reader of PREMIUM TIMES, your opinion matters. Please take our survey to help us better understand the values and preferences of our readers. Your feedback will give us valuable insights into how we can tailor the different types of content we offer to meet your needs. The survey should only take about 6-8 minutes to complete. Click here to take it. At the end of the day, the success of the Nigeria project will depend on our ability to engage in the task of the reconstruction of the Nigerian state. We cannot allow our political community to continue to crumble and suffer the outcome of state collapse, which Thomas Hobbes had assured us will make our lives nasty, brutish and short. Rebuilding the state must take the form of a new approach based on good governance The cost of the 2023 general elections on Nigerias social fabric has been very high. Many Nigerians felt threatened by the strong ethnic mobilisation aimed at harassing them, with the intention of stopping them from exercising their franchise. Voter suppression emerged as a core electoral tactic precisely because in many parts of the country, the assumed inclination of Nigerians to vote along ethno-religious lines were significantly undermined. In other words, political warlords were concerned that votes they had considered theirs for the taking were going elsewhere and would lead to the breaking up of their hegemonic control. In response, they intensified negative ethno-religious profiling to revive the latent bigotry imbibed by Nigerians over the generations. Their political objective then became to intensify national disunity for the sake of preserving their political domains. The consequence of voter suppression is to question the right of belonging and participation in the political community, thereby causing deep pain and hurt. I saw the video clip of my favourite poet and defender of the Nigeria idea, Dike Chukwumerije describing his feeling after spending 24 hours patiently waiting to vote, for the votes to be counted and for the counted votes to be transmitted and SEEN on the IReV viewers portal. He waited on his computer for three days without ever seeing his polling unit result. That was his pain. Subsequently, he wrote about the deepening of the pain as he watched the unholy alliance developed between unscrupulous politicians and thugs in Lagos to stop people voting because of their ethnicity and he asks: Yes. So, what is the struggle? Not for a non-indigenous governor. No. But for all Nigerians, wherever resident, to have the uncontested right to vote freely and in accordance with their conscience wherever they are. That is the struggle. This is the struggle we need to keep alive at this moment of hurt. Increasingly, there are questions about the idea that the existence of Nigeria and Nigerians is self-evident. There have been tons of Nigerians doing japa out of the country in the years leading up to the elections. These people had decided that the best way is out. There are yet others who would have loved Nigeria to be but have deep doubts about its future and live paralysed in the agony and fear of what could have become. The majority of us, however, are very conscious of the challenges facing Nigeria but believe with pride that its promise could become a reality and we work for its coming greatness with the skills, pride and assertiveness that Nigerians are known for worldwide. The divisions deepened by the elections present a challenge in this regard. The important learning from the elections is that it is still possible to generate hope, even enthusiasm about the future of Nigeria. The question that is posed is what happens when such hopes are once again dashed? I would like to believe that it is still very possible to regenerate hope, enthusiasm and belief in the Nigeria project. It is all a question of governance. If Nigeria is governed in an inclusive manner, social cohesion could be generated. In the 2021 social cohesion report by the Africa Polling Institute, they interrogated a cross section of Nigerians and the results are interesting. 49% of Nigerians are disappointed in their country, while 42% feel truly proud of Nigeria. Not surprisingly, 65% of citizens expressed concerns that Nigeria is today more divided than it was four years ago. It is however revealing that 82% of respondents said that they are comfortable with their dual identity of being both Nigerians and members of their ethnic groups. That is the comfort zone from where we can build the ranks of the believers in the Nigeria project. The problem is that we are in an unfortunate period of decline. In the 2019 survey, 55% of citizens said they were truly proud of being Nigerian. In the current (2021) survey, the number has declined dramatically to 42%. The key finding is that governance matters and most Nigerians believe that there is the lack of equity and justice in governance, which is a challenge that can be addressed. The lesson is that building support for the Nigeria project requires the building of trust, equity, social justice and inclusive governance. If and when the next government takes that path, pride and commitment in building the Nigeria of our dreams will begin to grow again. The survey revealed what we all know. That Nigerians are angry at the massive corruption in government and the on-going run of looting the treasury. Secondly, that there is a crisis of citizenship summarised in what Nigerians call the lack of true federalism, accompanied by the neglected call for restructuring. Thirdly, there is widespread consternation on the inability of the political class to deepen democratic practices, as it remains self-serving in its actions and is actually rolling back democratic gains. These issues are even more highlighted today, following the acrimony attendant upon the last elections. The important learning from the elections is that it is still possible to generate hope, even enthusiasm about the future of Nigeria. The question that is posed is what happens when such hopes are once again dashed? I would like to believe that it is still very possible to regenerate hope, enthusiasm and belief in the Nigeria project. It is all a question of governance. If Nigeria is governed in an inclusive manner, social cohesion could be generated. Nigerians have always defined the country as a plural one, so no one is looking for a homogenous society. What we need in the next government is the capacity to create pathways to inclusiveness in a diverse society. There must be concrete action aimed at healing the pains and hurt from reckless ethno-religious mobilisation and action. It is even more important to develop narratives of nation building. Central to the hurt people have against the current government is the belief that it has disdain for Nigerians and rarely address their issues of concern. The government does not even pretend to care. Nigerians are a resilient people and can surmount present challenges and so while nation-building is hard work, we should all commit ourselves to do the work. It can only happen, however, if the in-coming government demonstrates a real commitment to this work. It must have a body language that says power is not about self-aggrandisement for the persons exercising authority. Nigerians are a resilient people and can surmount present challenges and so while nation-building is hard work, we should all commit ourselves to do the work. It can only happen, however, if the in-coming government demonstrates a real commitment to this work. It must have a body language that says power is not about self-aggrandisement for the persons exercising authority. It has to be about addressing the security and welfare of the Nigerian people. If the mind-blowing level of corruption in the country today persists, saving Nigeria would be almost impossible. At the end of the day, the success of the Nigeria project will depend on our ability to engage in the task of the reconstruction of the Nigerian state. We cannot allow our political community to continue to crumble and suffer the outcome of state collapse, which Thomas Hobbes had assured us will make our lives nasty, brutish and short. Rebuilding the state must take the form of a new approach based on good governance in which there is effective, transparent and accountable use of public resources to provide public goods for citizens. A professor of Political Science and development consultant/expert, Jibrin Ibrahim is a Senior Fellow of the Centre for Democracy and Development, and Chair of the Editorial Board of PREMIUM TIMES. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Reader survey As a reader of PREMIUM TIMES, your opinion matters. Please take our survey to help us better understand the values and preferences of our readers. Your feedback will give us valuable insights into how we can tailor the different types of content we offer to meet your needs. The survey should only take about 6-8 minutes to complete. Click here to take it. The police in Enugu State, south-east Nigeria, said they have arraigned 26 persons for their alleged involvement in recent cult attacks and killings in the state. The police spokesperson in the state, Daniel Ndukwe, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday night. Mr Ndukwe, a deputy superintendent of police, said the suspects were behind the cult attacks in different parts of the state which resulted in the death of a yet-to-be ascertained number of individuals on different dates and times. The police spokesperson said the arrest of the 26 suspects followed an order to police operatives from the Commissioner of Police in the state, Ahmed Ammani, to clampdown all suspected criminals. He said the 26 suspects all males between the ages of 18 and 40 have all confessed to being members of Supreme Vikings and Black Axe confraternities, the two groups involved in the cult war. The cult war Mr Ndukwe narrated how the suspected cultists began the attacks in the state. Preliminary investigations reveal that some members of the Black Axe Confraternity on 29/03/2023 at about 10:30 p.m., conspired, shot and injured a member of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity in the arm at Emene, Enugu. On receipt of the information, members of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity, in solidarity with their murdered member, conspired and declared war against members of the Black Axe Confraternity, which has led to counter murderous armed attacks between the secret cult groups in different part of Enugu metropolis: Agbani and Nsukka Areas of the state, he said. Arraignment The police spokesperson said the suspects were arraigned on Thursday in court and remanded in Nigerian Correctional Custodial Centre in the state. He did not mention the court where the suspects were arraigned. Frantic operational and investigative efforts are on course to apprehend and bring other perpetrators of the act to book, he said. The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Ammani, has urged parents, guardians as well as religious and community leaders to caution their children from being part of secret cult and other criminal activities, Mr Ndukwe said. The commissioner said the police would not relent to deal decisively with anyone arrested for cultism in the state. He enjoined residents to continue to support the police by promptly reporting crime suspects and their activities. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Reader survey As a reader of PREMIUM TIMES, your opinion matters. Please take our survey to help us better understand the values and preferences of our readers. Your feedback will give us valuable insights into how we can tailor the different types of content we offer to meet your needs. The survey should only take about 6-8 minutes to complete. Click here to take it. Aba Power Ltd (APL), a subsidiary of Geometric Group, has appealed to Aba landlords in Abia State to assist the company to ensure that their tenants pay electricity bills regularly. The Chief Executive Officer, Geometric Group, Berth Nnaji, made the appeal at a meeting with Aba landlords in Ngwa Road on Thursday. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that APL, an electricity distribution company, took over power supply to Aba Ring-Fenced Area from Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) in February 2022. The Aba Ring-Fenced Area consists of Osisioma, Isiala Ngwa North and South, Aba North and South, Obingwa, Ugwunagbo, Ukwa East and West local government areas of Abia. Mr Nnaji said the company was owing its power suppliers N5.2 billion because Aba residents were using electricity but refusing to pay. He said that after paying its engineers and staying in court and incurring other expenses for nine years, the company paid EEDC $26 million instead of $11.8 million EEDC bought Aba area. Mr Nnaji said the company had spent so much money, hence urged residents to assist it by paying their bills to enable them to get better service. He said APL did not reduce the power they were buying from Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) but that the NDPHC cut its supply to APL because of debts. Mr Nnaji said the Geometric electricity generating turbines in Osisioma, the companys headquarters, would start firing in June or July 2023. According to him, this will help to stabilise power supply in Aba. He said that Geometric Power, the generating arm of the business, was expected to spend $2.2 million on 30 million standard cubic meters of gas monthly. Mr Nnaji, therefore, urged residents to support his companys effort to stabilise power supply in the commercial city with timely payment of their bills. Responding, the President-General, Aba Landlords Development Association, Alphonsus Udeigbo, demanded that residents should be billed according to the energy consumed and not by estimation. Mr Udeigbo also requested that residents be given prepaid meters in order to reduce the challenge of payment defaults. When you do these things, the business will be easier for you and Aba residents, he said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Reader survey As a reader of PREMIUM TIMES, your opinion matters. Please take our survey to help us better understand the values and preferences of our readers. Your feedback will give us valuable insights into how we can tailor the different types of content we offer to meet your needs. The survey should only take about 6-8 minutes to complete. Click here to take it. Gunmen have killed five police officers in Ulakwo, a community in Ngor Okpala Local Government Area of Imo State, south-east Nigeria. The incident happened on Friday at about 8 a.m., PREMIUM TIMES learnt. Sources told this newspaper that the officers drove from a neighbouring community in Abor Mbaise Local Government Area of the state and later stopped by at a junction in the Ngor Okpala Council Area to eat in a local restaurant. The gunmen, it was gathered, immediately drove to the area and opened fire on the officers, killing three of them on the spot. Two of the officers, who initially escaped with gunshot injuries and ran to a nearby shop for safety, were traced and also killed by the gunmen. Apart from the slain officers, a couple who own the shop was also killed by the attackers. The couple has been identified as Mr and Mrs Chinaka Nwagu. They (gunmen) left with the guns of the policemen after killing them, Onyebuchi Okpara, a resident of the community, told this newspaper. A video clip, apparently shot after the attack, has been circulating on various WhatsApp groups. In the clip, seen by PREMIUM TIMES, three bodies of the officers were lying along the road in a pool of their blood. The bodies of the couple and two other officers were also seen lying in the shop, where they were killed by the hoodlums. Some residents were seen weeping and lifting the hands of the victims, probably to confirm if they were truly dead. Mr Okpara said the slain couple relocated from Lagos State, south-west Nigeria, about one year ago. When contacted, the police spokesperson in Imo State, Henry Okoye, confirmed the incident to PREMIUM TIMES. Mr Okoye, an assistant superintendent of police, said the police have launched an operation to track down the attackers. As I am speaking with you now, intensive patrol is ongoing in Ngor Okpala with the sole aim of arresting the perpetrators of the dastardly act and bringing them to face the law, he said. The police spokesperson said the gunmen usually attack and quickly return to their criminal enclaves to prevent security agencies from getting hold of them. But now we are taking the battle to them. We are raiding their enclaves, Mr Okoye assured. Worsening insecurity Like other states in Nigerias south-east, security has deteriorated in Imo State with frequent attacks by armed persons. The attacks often target security agencies, government officials and facilities. The Nigerian government has accused the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) of being responsible for the deadly attacks in the region. But the group has repeatedly denied any involvement in the attacks. IPOB is a group leading the agitation for an independent state of Biafra which it wants to be carved out from the south-east and some parts of south-south Nigeria. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print ( Read 1784 Times) Udaipur : The Reserve Bank of India has approved the appointment of Mr Kaizad Bharucha as the Deputy Managing Director and Mr Bhavesh Zaveri as Executive Director of HDFC Bank for a period of three years,with effect from April 19, 2023. A meeting of the Board of Directors of the Bank will be convened in due course inter alia to give effect to the above-mentioned appointments. Mr. Kaizad Bharucha is a career banker with over 35 years of experience. He has been associated with the Bank since 1995. In his current position as Executive Director, he is responsible for Wholesale Banking covering areas of Corporate Banking, PSUs, Capital & Commodities Markets, Financial Institutions, Custody, Mutual Funds, Global Capability Centre & Financial Sponsors coverage, and Banks coverage. As Executive Director, in his earlier position, he was responsible for Corporate Banking, Emerging Corporates Group, Business Banking, Healthcare Finance, Agri lending, Tractor financing, Commercial Vehicle Finance, Commercial Equipment Finance, Infrastructure Finance, Department for Special Operations and Inclusive Banking Initiatives Group. At the Bank he is engaged across key operating committees. He is also the Designated Director, Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) and the Designated Director, Internal Ombudsmen Committee. Mr. Bharucha has rich and extensive experience in Risk Management, Credit Management, Banking and Business management. Mr Bharucha has previously been on the boards of HDB Financial Services Limited and International Asset Reconstruction Company Pvt Ltd. Prior to joining the Bank, he worked in SBI Commercial and International Bank in various areas including Trade Finance and Corporate Banking. He has also represented the Bank on external banking related committees. Mr. Bhavesh Zaveri is the Group Head Operations, Cash Management & ATM Product of HDFC Bank. In his current role, he is responsible for Business and Operations across the country and for creating and delivering a flawless operations execution capability across the diversified product suite of the Bank to the Corporate, MSME & Retail verticals including for Asset, for Liabilities and for Transaction Services of Payments & Cash Management, Trade Finance & Treasury, and ATM Product. He has an overall experience of over 36 years and has headed the critical functions of Operations, Cash Management and Technology at the Bank. Mr. Zaveri joined the Bank in 1998 in the Operations function. He became Business Head Wholesale Banking Operations in the year 2000 and was appointed as Group Head - Operations in 2009. He assumed additional responsibilities of the Information Technology function in 2015. In his previous role as Group Head - IT, he has contributed to the Digital transformation of the Bank by embracing technology to ensure operational efficiency resulting in improved customer experience across different product offerings of the Bank. He has also participated in RBIs Internal Payments Council Meet and was part of the Umbrella Organization for Payments Committee of 2004 that led to the formation of National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI). He is the only elected Indian from India on the SWIFT Scrl Brussels Global Board, Brussels. He has been featured twice in the Whos Who in Treasury and Cash Management by Global Trade Review. He has also been a member of various committees formed by the Reserve Bank of India and Indian Banks Association. He has also served on the Board of the Clearing Corporation of India, HDFC Securities Ltd, HDB Financial Services Ltd & Swift India Pvt Ltd. Prior to joining the Bank, Mr. Zaveri worked for Oman International Bank and Barclays Bank. He holds a Masters Degree in Commerce from Mumbai University and is a Certified Associate of the Indian Institute of Bankers. Source : ( Read 2033 Times) A rare showcase of the works of Old Masters such as V.S. Gaitonde, B Prabha, M.F. Husain, G.R. Santosh, K.H. Ara, Pilloo Pochkhanwala, Raghav Kaneria et al. The National Gallery of Modern Art [NGMA], Ministry of Culture, Government of India, presents Maharajas Treasure: Select works of art from the famed Air India collectionan exhibition which will be inaugurated in the august presence of Honble Union Minister of Culture, Tourism and DoNER [Development of North Eastern Region], Shri G. Kishan Reddy. The exhibition that opens on the 27th of April continues till the 2nd of July, 2023 at the prestigious Nation Gallery of Modern Art in Fort, Mumbai. Over the period of eighty years, Air India meticulously put together an impressive art collection which was to showcase and celebrate Indian art and culture across the globe. This collection comprises of paintings and sculptures by famous artists such as V. S. Gaitonde, B Prabha, M. F. Husain, G. R. Santosh, K. H. Ara, Pilloo Pochkhanawala, Raghav Kaneria, to name a few, traditional paintings such as Phad and Pichwai paintings of Rajasthan, Kalamkaris from Andhra Pradesh, Thanjavur gilded and glass paintings to exquisite array of textiles, jewellery and decorative art spread across the subcontinent. It was officially decided that this collection will be handed over to the Ministry of Culture and is to be housed at the National Gallery of Modern Art for posterity. It gives me immense pleasure to launch the first exhibition on the Air India collection here at NGMA. This is the first of the many to celebrate the iconic collection which was a pioneer in promoting our heritage across the globe. The exhibition consists of a thematic display of around 200 meticulously chosen artworks that brings to you a portion of the collection that Air India used to redefine the air travel in its own maharaja style, expresses an ecstatic Nazneen Banu, Director NGMA. From its very inception, Air India always collected and promoted art from various artistic traditions of India. The main purpose of the art collection was to create an ambience to lure the attention of the visitors towards the booking offices, lounges and pavilions giving a sense of awe of the grandeur of our country. After the independence of our country, traditional patronage for the arts was dwindling and, in this scenario, Air India played a very important role in commissioning and collecting art. This zeal for collecting art and crafts of India led to the creation of a very spectacular image for the airline which successfully tapped the opulence and grandeur of the erstwhile era under the maharajas. The Maharajas Treasure exhibition begins with a glimpse of few iconic works from the collection by masters such as K. H. Ara, V. S. Gaitonde, N. S. Bendre, G. R. Santosh, Manu Parekh, B Prabha, M. F. Husain, Anjolie Ela Menon and B Vithal. An untitled canvas by V. S. Gaitonde from 1970, stands prominent, evoking a serene mood through the warm hues spread across the canvas. The highlight of this section is the famous ashtray designed by surrealist Salvadore Dali which is in the form of a sea shell with a serpent coiled around its rim and supported by elephant heads which on reverse becomes swans. Proceeding to the next floor, brings to life, the various portrayals of women and their contributions to life and society. Arpana Caurs canvas depicting a woman with a blue crescent moon on her head is a part of a larger composition titled, Women Hold up Half the Sky, showing women in construction sites, where the heavy vessel on her head takes the shape of the moon. Shanti Daves painting is an extension to the same theme. The section also dedicates a corner to the fisherwomen painted by B Prabha and A. A. Raiba. Open window panes always generate a multitude possibility of imagination and a sense of freedom that lies in the horizon. This section highlights various vignettes showing landscapes laden with huts, building, birds and people engaged in farming. Both the works of Anjolie Ela Menon mounted on window frames, titled Nawab with pigeon depicts the little girls longing to break away from the patriarchy that holds her back inside the confines of age-old traditions represented by the figure of the Nawab and in the second work titled, Lady with kite represents the little girls desire to experiment with the possibilities that exist outside. Expressionism and abstract form take prominence in the next floor. The vibrant canvases of Achuthan Kudallur and Laxman Shrestha brings forth the various shapes that do not confer to a particular identifiable object but takes ones mind on a journey to infinite thoughts. The section proceeds to more fluid forms of the Kalpavriksha, tree of life, flanked by Hindu deities, Ganesh and Brahmaby S. G. Vasudev. The second half of this section is dedicated to landscapes which climaxes with the formidable mountains of Serbjeet Singh. The exhibition concludes on a joyous note of music, dance and festivities. This section under the grand dome of the building brings to life, 15th century stone celestial musicians and a dancer, the iconic image of Shiva Nataraja and canvases depicting various musicians. The celebrations around Holi and Christmas, along with the procession on the day of Muharram, also form the theme of this section. After the grand response to our last month release of NGMA video anthem and Ricky Kej live concert at the iconic Gateway of India, we are now delighted to present Maharajas Treasure. It is our sincere endeavour to promote Art and revitalise cultural spaces in Mumbai. As part of Mumbai Kaustubh, we will continue to organise more such meaningfully curated creative engagements for wider and diverse set of audience in coming months, Banu concludes. Source : Sudan's top general on Friday declared the military's commitment to a civilian-led government, an apparent bid for international support even as his forces battle a rival paramilitary group in brutal fighting that has derailed hopes for the country's democratic transition. In his first speech since the conflict engulfed Sudan nearly a week ago, army chief Gen. Abdel Fattah Burhan pledged the military would prevail and secure the vast African nation's "safe transition to civilian rule. But for many Sudanese, Burhan's claim rang hollow 18 months after he joined forces with his current rival to seize power and cast aside Sudan's pro-democracy forces. Burhan's announcement came on the Muslim Eid al-Fitr holiday, which marks the end of Ramadan and its month of fasting. The holiday, typically filled with prayer, celebration and feasting, was a somber one in Sudan, as gunshots rang out across the capital of Khartoum and heavy smoke billowed over the skyline. We are confident that we will overcome this ordeal with our training, wisdom and strength," Burhan said in his speech, vowing to preserve the security and unity of the state." Ruin and destruction and the sound of bullets have left no place for the happiness everyone in our beloved country deserves, he added. Rather than out in the open, mosques held mass morning prayers inside to protect worshippers from the intensified fighting. The violence so far has killed 413 people and wounded 3,551, according to the latest toll from the World Health Organization. That includes at least nine children killed and 50 wounded in the fighting, said the UN childrens fund. There is no safe place anymore in Khartoum, said Dallia Abdelmoniem, a 37-year-old baker who fled the Sudanese capital with her family on Thursday, after a rocket sliced through her roof. The road to the city's outskirts was littered with dead bodies. Abdelmoniem covered the eyes of her nieces and nephews. Our number one priority is just to stay alive, she said from her new shelter outside the city, where she could still hear the howl of artillery and gunfire Friday. Instead of waking up to the call to prayer, people in Khartoum again woke up to heavy fighting, Norways ambassador to Sudan, Endre Stiansen wrote in an Eid al-Fitr message on Twitter. Can any hell be more horrible than this? The explosions rocking Khartoum followed frenzied international calls for a holiday cease-fire. After the United Nations and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged a respite from the spiraling violence, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, promised to stop fighting for the three days of Eid al-Fitr to allow for evacuations and safe corridors. But there was no response from Burhan's military. Such proposed pauses in the fighting have repeatedly collapsed over the past week. The Sudanese military a day earlier ruled out negotiations with the RSF, saying it would only accept its surrender. The military claimed Friday it had moved past the phase of defending its positions and was now clearing RSF positions from around Khartoum. The military has appeared to have the upper hand, with its monopoly on air power, but it was impossible to confirm its claims of advances. The two generals vying for control over the vast African nation are also vying for acceptance by foreign powers, which have expressed support for Sudanese seeking a transition to civilian rule. Both Burhan and his rival, RSF chief Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, have sought to portray themselves as supporters of democracy. In 2019, they pushed the long-time autocrat Omar al-Bashir out of power amid a popular uprising against his rule. But since then, they have failed to implement agreements under which they would hand over power. Their forces crushed pro-democracy protests, and in 2021 they jointly removed a transitional government and entrenched them as Sudan's most powerful leaders. The current explosion of violence between them came after Burhan and Dagalo fell out over a recent internationally brokered deal with democracy activists that was meant to incorporate the RSF into the military and eventually lead to civilian rule. The fighting continued to frustrate efforts by nations to evacuate their nationals from Sudan. Multiple countries, including the United States, are moving assets to nearby countries in preparation, but none has said when of how they will be able to carry out an evacuation, with most airports out of commission and movement dangerous. The situation is simply put terrible, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said. An evacuation task is risky and complicated. The bombardment and sniper fire has hit civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, over the past week. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus decried what he called the reprehensible attacks on health facilities on Friday, saying they not only jeopardize the lives of healthcare workers but also deprive vulnerable populations of essential medical care." The spokesperson for WHO, Margaret Harris, told reporters in Geneva that the violence has forced 20 health facilities nationwide to halt operations. A dozen other hospitals are at risk of shutting down, threatening some 50,000 severely malnourished children in Sudan who are administered regular feeding by tubes to survive, according to UNICEF. Both the military and RSF have a long history of human rights abuses in Sudan. The RSF was born out of the Janjaweed militias, which were accused of widespread atrocities when the government deployed them to put down a rebellion in Sudans western Darfur region in the early 2000s. It's really hard to remain calm, said Abdelmoniem, describing shortages of fuel, medicine, cash and food causing desperation in much of Khartoum. People are telling me, Happy Eid," she added. "But then I turn on the news. Search Keywords: Short link: LONDON, April 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Champagne Bollinger hosted a regal Coronation celebration at the Bollinger Burlington Bar, Mayfair, in partnership with Illustrated London News (ILN) to unveil the first portrait released of His Majesty King Charles III, since the change of reign, which will be showcased exclusively in the Bar's window during the Coronation period. The private gathering was the first occasion when the original painting was presented to an audience. Champagne Bollinger hosts Coronation celebrations in the Bollinger Burlington Bar in Mayfair The portrait, painted in oils by Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST) Scholar, Alastair Barford, who was at the celebration, was commissioned by ILN and appears on the cover of "The Illustrated Coronation Edition", for those not able to visit the Bollinger Burlington Bar to view the portrait. The portrait was unveiled to the impressive sights and sounds of the London Scottish regimental band, which helped to get everyone into the Coronation mood. Guests at the celebratory evening were greeted with a glass of Bollinger Special Cuvee served en Jeroboam, to toast His Majesty and were amongst the first to see the magnificent Coronation installations that were unveiled that day in Burlington Arcade. The special installations include archival imagery of the Champagne Bollinger Royal Warrant history, dating back to the first royal appointment in 1884 by Queen Victoria, celebrating almost 140 years of continuously holding this prestigious honour, a recognition greatly treasured by the Bollinger family. Champagne Bollinger will be commemorating the historical occasion with their take on the quintessentially British afternoon tea, with an exclusive Coronation Afternoon Treat menu, created in collaboration with fellow Royal Warrant holder, patisserie chef Didier Merveilleux, who presented some of the delicacies on the evening. The Afternoon Treat menu, paired with a glass of Bollinger Special Cuvee, will be available exclusively at The Bollinger Burlington Bar for a limited period, 27 April to 14 May and will be served on stunning Thomas Goode & Co tableware, the tertiary Royal Warrant holder, making it a tasting experience of truly royal standards. Champagne Bollinger will be making a donation to QEST for each afternoon tea sold in recognition of the charity's work in supporting excellence in British craftsmanship. Victoria Carfantan, Director of Champagne Bollinger UK & Global Partnerships says: "As a Royal Warrant holder since 1884, Champagne Bollinger were delighted to bring so many partners and friends of the brand together to raise a toast to His Majesty King Charles III to celebrate his Coronation. We look forward to welcoming guests to the Bollinger Burlington Bar in the coming weeks to indulge in the Champagne Bollinger Coronation Afternoon Treat, a true one-off experience, created by Royal Warrant patisserie chef Didier Merveilleux." Lisa Barnard, Chief Executive of Illustrated London News, commented: "ILN was delighted to co-host this event and celebrate the magnificent new portrait we commissioned of The King by the talented artist Alastair Barford and The Illustrated Coronation Edition. What better than to toast this with a glass of Bollinger on the day of the unveiling of the splendid Coronation decorations in Burlington Arcade?" The Bollinger Afternoon Treat Menu will be exclusively available at The Bollinger Burlington Bar from 27 April to 14 May priced 125/pp and includes a glass of the House's signature Bollinger Special Cuvee. For further images please view here: https://we.tl/t-dkORrrMRAL Please note credit for reproduction of the painting of King Charles III (one-time editorial usage only): HM King Charles III by Alastair Barford Illustrated London News, commissioned for The Illustrated Coronation Edition. www.britishcoronation.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2059371/Champagne_Bollinger_Coronation.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2059372/Champagne_Bollinger_Logo.jpg SOURCE Champagne Bollinger 4.3 Megawatt (MW) solar project in Kentucky supports Stanley Black & Decker's goal of carbon neutrality by 2030 The new solar farm is the largest in the state that is 100% renewable energy sourced Hopkinsville Mayor James R. Knight Jr. helps celebrate Earth Day; presents an ECOSmart Award to the facility and its partners HOPKINSVILLE, Ky., April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Stanley Black & Decker (NYSE: SWK) in partnership with Castillo Engineering and RPG Energy Group today, just in time for Earth Day, unveiled a 4.3 MW solar farm in Hopkinsville, KY, the state's largest privately funded on-site solar project that is 100% renewable energy sourced. Covering nearly 15 acres, the solar field produces enough clean energy to power Stanley Black & Decker's 280,000 sq. ft onsite production facility while also providing excess energy back to the state. The project is estimated to deliver 5,500 metrics tons of C02 reductions and an annual energy savings of $400,000. Covering nearly 15 aces, the Hopkinsville solar field produces enough clean energy to power Stanley Black & Deckers 280,000 sq. ft onsite production facility while also providing excess energy back to the state of Kentucky. "As part of Stanley Black & Decker's global environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) initiatives , this project, which we are fittingly celebrating on Earth Day, represents an impactful milestone as the organization progresses toward its mission of carbon neutrality by 2030," said Rob Kirts, Director of Global Energy and Utilities at Stanley Black & Decker. "With the help of Castillo Engineering and RPG Energy, we are working to deliver on our sustainability goals and made our purpose For Those Who Make The World a reality." Mayor James R. Knight Jr. attended the ribbon cutting event to recognize the plant and its partners' commitment to create a more sustainable future. The Mayor helped present an ECOsmart Award to the facility, an industry-standard accreditation awarded to venues that demonstrate an environmentally conscious approach and adoption of eco-friendly measures. Stanley Black & Decker's ESG strategy includes a set of 2030 commitments aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that intrinsically ties to our purpose and spans across three pillars: people, product and planet. In alignment with the SDGs, our products are aimed at being a force for good in the world improving the environment, building and maintaining vital infrastructure, and making our cities more sustainable, especially when produced with responsible consumption in mind. About Stanley Black & Decker Headquartered in the USA, Stanley Black & Decker (NYSE: SWK) is a worldwide leader in tools and outdoor operating manufacturing facilities worldwide. Guided by its purpose for those who make the world the company's more than 50,000 diverse and high-performing employees produce innovative, award-winning power tools, hand tools, storage, digital tool solutions, lifestyle products, outdoor products, engineered fasteners and other industrial equipment to support the world's makers, creators, tradespeople and builders. The company's iconic brands include DEWALT, BLACK+DECKER, CRAFTSMAN, STANLEY, CUB CADET, HUSTLER and TROY-BILT. Recognized for its leadership in environmental, social and governance (ESG), Stanley Black & Decker strives to be a force for good in support of its communities, employees, customers and other stakeholders. To learn more visit: www.stanleyblackanddecker.com About RPG Energy Group, Inc. RPG Energy Group is a renewable energy company that offers a full turn-key solution from schematic design and engineering through final construction and system monitoring within the renewable energy markets. The company and its affiliates work with clients to educate them on how they can efficiently reduce their electricity spend through clean distributed generation technologies, thereby affording them less vulnerability to energy interruption while providing an improved cost of energy. RPG's overall process is an extensive and comprehensive approach, from identification through implementation and maintenance, which ensures projects are complete to the highest quality while providing full transparency to clients. The management team comes from a diverse and experienced background of nearly 50 years combined within the renewables and construction industries. About Castillo Engineering Founded in 1998, Castillo Engineering is a design and engineering firm that delivers expertise in full service solar and energy storage design, engineering, and consulting services to developers, EPC contractors and utility companies. Castillo Engineering's services cover electrical, structural, medium & high voltage for residential and utility-scale projects ranging from 5 kW to 500 MW. Our unmatched expertise has made us the go-to solar engineering firm for utility-scale ground mount system construction documents for the industry's leading EPCs and developers. Castillo Engineering is based in Maitland, Florida, and is licensed in 50 U.S. states and Puerto Rico. Learn more at castillope.com . CONTACT: Emily Noto, Stanley Black & Decker, PR Director, [email protected] SOURCE Stanley Black & Decker NEW YORK, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The global alpha methylstyrene market size is estimated to increase by USD 61.22 million from 2022 to 2027. The market's growth momentum will progress at a CAGR of 2.35% during the forecast period. Increasing acceptance of AMS in the manufacture of ABS is a key factor driving the growth of the global alpha methylstyrene market. Alpha-methylstyrene (AMS), a colorless liquid, is used as a comonomer in various polymerization processes to enhance heat and impact resistance. Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) resins are the main application for AMS, but they are also used in tackifiers, adhesives, resins, and inks. Hence, such applications of alpha-methylstyrene are expected to drive the growth of the market focus during the forecast period. Discover some insights on market size historic period (2017 to 2021) and Forecast 2023-2027 before buying the full report -Request a sample report Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Alpha Methylstyrene Market 2023-2027 Alpha methylstyrene market Vendor Analysis Vendor Landscape - The global alpha methylstyrene market is fragmented, with the presence of several global as well as regional vendors. A few prominent vendors that offer alpha methylstyrene in the market are 2M Holdings Ltd., AdvanSix Inc., ALTIVIA, AO GC Titan, Compania Espanola de Petroleos SA, Domo Chemicals GmbH, Eni Spa, Kumho Petrochemical Co Ltd, Merck KGaA, Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corp., Parsol chemicals Ltd., Rosneft Oil Co., SEQENS GROUP, SI Group Inc., Solvay SA, The Plaza Group, Yangzhou Lida Chemical Co. Ltd., INEOS Group Holdings SA, LG Chem Ltd., and Mitsui Chemicals Inc. and others. Vendor Offerings - AdvanSix Inc. - The company offers alpha methylstyrene for ABS plastics. The company offers alpha methylstyrene for ABS plastics. ALTIVIA - The company offers alpha methylstyrene for rubber and plastics. The company offers alpha methylstyrene for rubber and plastics. Compania Espanola de Petroleos SA - The company offers alpha methylstyrene for usage in the cosmetics industry. The company offers alpha methylstyrene for usage in the cosmetics industry. For details on the vendor and its offerings Request a sample report Alpha Methylstyrene Market - Segmentation Assessment Segment Overview Technavio has segmented the market based on type (assay above 99 percent and assay up to 99 percent), end-user (automobile, electronics, plastics, chemicals, and others), and geography (APAC, Europe, North America, South America, and Middle East and Africa). The market share growth by the assay above 99 percent segment will be significant for the market growth during the forecast period. In this segment, increasing demand for lightweight materials in the consumer goods industry is expected to have a positive impact on market growth. Therefore, the market is expected to grow significantly during the forecast period, owing to increasing demand for -methylstyrene from the automotive and electronics industries. Geography Overview By geography, the global alpha methylstyrene market is segmented into APAC, Europe, North America, South America, and Middle East and Africa. The report provides actionable insights and estimates the contribution of all regions to the growth of the global alpha methylstyrene market. APAC is estimated to account for 59% of the market growth during the forecast period. Alpha Methylstyrene is widely used in automotive and chemical applications in China , Cambodia , and Vietnam . The high demand for alpha-methylstyrene in the above-mentioned countries will contribute significantly to the growth of the regional market during the forecast period. Other factors such as rising urban population, rising retail revenues, and growth in the construction and automotive industries will be major contributors to the market during the forecast period. For insights on global, regional, and country-level parameters with growth opportunities from 2017 to 2027 - Download a Sample Report Alpha Methylstyrene Market Market Dynamics Key Trends - Increasing demand for ABS from China is a major trend in the global alpha methylstyrene market. Major end-use industries for ABS include consumer electronics, electrical engineering and electronics, construction, and automotive. In the consumer electronics industry, ABS is used in home appliance control panels, casings (shavers, vacuum cleaners, food processors), refrigerator panels, and others. ABS has strong resistance to corrosive chemicals and a low melting point. In addition, it is less expensive than other polymers and is used in electrical components such as computer monitors, keyboards and electrical mounting boards. Rising disposable income and demand for consumer goods and home appliances will significantly increase the consumption of ABS in China . The global consumer electronics market is expected to grow from 2022 to 2027, resulting in increased demand for alpha-methylstyrene. Major challenges - Increasing demand for biopolymers poses a major challenge to the growth of the global alpha-methylstyrene market. Biopolymers are derived from renewable resources and are made from non-food plants. Renewable sources include natural products such as potatoes, vegetable oil, rice and pea starch. Currently, polylactic acid, polyhydroxyalkanoates, biodegradable starch blends, biodegradable polymers, biopolyethylene terephthalate and biopolyethylene are some of the high demand polymers. Biopolymers are widely used in various end-use industries such as agriculture, packaging, and consumer goods. Driver, Trend & Challenges are the factor of market dynamics that states about consequences & sustainability of the businesses, find some insights from a sample report! What are the key data covered in this Alpha Methylstyrene Market report? CAGR of the market during the forecast period Detailed information on factors that will drive the growth of the Alpha Methylstyrene Market between 2023 and 2027 Precise estimation of the size of the Alpha Methylstyrene Market and its contribution to the market with a focus on the parent market Accurate predictions about upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior Growth of the Alpha Methylstyrene Market across APAC, Europe , North America , South America , and Middle East and Africa , , , and and A thorough analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information about vendors Comprehensive analysis of factors that will challenge the growth of Alpha Methylstyrene Market vendors Gain instant access to 17,000+ market research reports. Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform Related Reports: The alpha glucosidase inhibitors market size is expected to increase by USD 567.96 million from 2021 to 2026, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 2.51%. Furthermore, this report extensively covers alpha glucosidase inhibitors market segmentation by disease type (type 2 diabetes and dumping syndrome) and geography (North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of World (ROW)). The increase in awareness of diabetes and growth initiatives are notably driving the alpha glucosidase inhibitors market growth. The shaker bottles market in US is projected to grow by USD 54.97 million with a CAGR of 3.84% during the forecast period 2021 to 2026. Furthermore, this report extensively covers the shaker bottles market in US segmentation by type (plastic, stainless steel, and others) and application (other supplement mixes and protein mixes). The growing health and fitness industry is one of the key factors driving the US shaker bottles market growth. Alpha Methylstyrene Market Scope Report Coverage Details Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 2.35% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 61.22 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 2.12 Regional analysis APAC, Europe, North America, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution APAC at 59% Key countries US, China, India, Germany, and UK, Canada, Mexico, Italy,Spain, India, Japan, Australia, and South Korea Competitive landscape Leading Vendors, Market Positioning of Vendors, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks Key companies profiled 2M Holdings Ltd., AdvanSix Inc., ALTIVIA, AO GC Titan, Compania Espanola de Petroleos SA, Domo Chemicals GmbH, Eni Spa, Kumho Petrochemical Co Ltd, Merck KGaA, Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corp., Parsol chemicals Ltd., Rosneft Oil Co., SEQENS GROUP, SI Group Inc., Solvay SA, The Plaza Group, Yangzhou Lida Chemical Co. Ltd., INEOS Group Holdings SA, LG Chem Ltd., and Mitsui Chemicals Inc. Market dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and recovery analysis and future consumer dynamics, Market condition analysis for forecast period Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized. Browse for Technavio's Materials Reports Table Of Contents : 1 Executive Summary 1.1 Market overview Exhibit 01: Executive Summary Chart on Market Overview Exhibit 02: Executive Summary Data Table on Market Overview Exhibit 03: Executive Summary Chart on Global Market Characteristics Exhibit 04: Executive Summary Chart on Market by Geography Exhibit 05: Executive Summary Chart on Market Segmentation by Type Exhibit 06: Executive Summary Chart on Market Segmentation by End-user Exhibit 07: Executive Summary Chart on Incremental Growth Exhibit 08: Executive Summary Data Table on Incremental Growth Exhibit 09: Executive Summary Chart on Vendor Market Positioning 2 Market Landscape 2.1 Market ecosystem Exhibit 10: Parent market Exhibit 11: Market Characteristics 3 Market Sizing 3.1 Market definition Exhibit 12: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition 3.2 Market segment analysis Exhibit 13: Market segments 3.3 Market size 2022 3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2022-2027 Exhibit 14: Chart on Global - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 15: Data Table on Global - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 16: Chart on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 17: Data Table on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 4 Historic Market Size 4.1 Global alpha methylstyrene market 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 18: Historic Market Size Data Table on Global alpha methylstyrene market 2017 - 2021 ($ million) 4.2 By type Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 19: Historic Market Size By type Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million) 4.3 By end-user Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 20: Historic Market Size By end-user Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million) 4.4 Geography Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 21: Historic Market Size Geography Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million) 4.5 Country Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 22: Historic Market Size Country Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million) 5 Five Forces Analysis 5.1 Five forces summary Exhibit 23: Five forces analysis - Comparison between 2022 and 2027 5.2 Bargaining power of buyers Exhibit 24: Chart on Bargaining power of buyers Impact of key factors 2022 and 2027 5.3 Bargaining power of suppliers Exhibit 25: Bargaining power of suppliers Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.4 Threat of new entrants Exhibit 26: Threat of new entrants Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.5 Threat of substitutes Exhibit 27: Threat of substitutes Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.6 Threat of rivalry Exhibit 28: Threat of rivalry Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.7 Market condition Exhibit 29: Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2022 and 2027 6 Market Segmentation by Type 6.1 Market segments Exhibit 30: Chart on Type - Market share 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 31: Data Table on Type - Market share 2022-2027 (%) 6.2 Comparison by Type Exhibit 32: Chart on Comparison by Type Exhibit 33: Data Table on Comparison by Type 6.3 Assay Above 99 percent - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 34: Chart on Assay Above 99 percent - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 35: Data Table on Assay Above 99 percent - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 36: Chart on Assay Above 99 percent - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 37: Data Table on Assay Above 99 percent - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 6.4 Assay Up To 99 percent - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 38: Chart on Assay Up To 99 percent - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 39: Data Table on Assay Up To 99 percent - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 40: Chart on Assay Up To 99 percent - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 41: Data Table on Assay Up To 99 percent - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 6.5 Market opportunity by Type Exhibit 42: Market opportunity by Type ($ million) Exhibit 43: Data Table on Market opportunity by Type ($ million) 7 Market Segmentation by End-user 7.1 Market segments Exhibit 44: Chart on End-user - Market share 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 45: Data Table on End-user - Market share 2022-2027 (%) 7.2 Comparison by End-user Exhibit 46: Chart on Comparison by End-user Exhibit 47: Data Table on Comparison by End-user 7.3 Automobile - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 48: Chart on Automobile - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 49: Data Table on Automobile - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 50: Chart on Automobile - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 51: Data Table on Automobile - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 7.4 Electronics - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 52: Chart on Electronics - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 53: Data Table on Electronics - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 54: Chart on Electronics - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 55: Data Table on Electronics - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 7.5 Plastics - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 56: Chart on Plastics - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 57: Data Table on Plastics - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 58: Chart on Plastics - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 59: Data Table on Plastics - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 7.6 Chemicals - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 60: Chart on Chemicals - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 61: Data Table on Chemicals - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 62: Chart on Chemicals - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 63: Data Table on Chemicals - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 7.7 Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 64: Chart on Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 65: Data Table on Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 66: Chart on Others - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 67: Data Table on Others - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 7.8 Market opportunity by End-user Exhibit 68: Market opportunity by End-user ($ million) Exhibit 69: Data Table on Market opportunity by End-user ($ million) 8 Customer Landscape 8.1 Customer landscape overview Exhibit 70: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria 9 Geographic Landscape 9.1 Geographic segmentation Exhibit 71: Chart on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 72: Data Table on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%) 9.2 Geographic comparison Exhibit 73: Chart on Geographic comparison Exhibit 74: Data Table on Geographic comparison 9.3 APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 75: Chart on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 76: Data Table on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 77: Chart on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 78: Data Table on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.4 Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 79: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 80: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 81: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 82: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.5 North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 83: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 84: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 85: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 86: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.6 South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 87: Chart on South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 88: Data Table on South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 89: Chart on South America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 90: Data Table on South America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.7 Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 91: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 92: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 93: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) and - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 94: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.8 China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 95: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 96: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 97: Chart on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 98: Data Table on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.9 Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 99: Chart on Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 100: Data Table on Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 101: Chart on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 102: Data Table on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.10 India - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 103: Chart on India - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 104: Data Table on India - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 105: Chart on India - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 106: Data Table on India - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.11 US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 107: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 108: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 109: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 110: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.12 UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 111: Chart on UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 112: Data Table on UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 113: Chart on UK - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 114: Data Table on UK - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.13 Market opportunity by geography Exhibit 115: Market opportunity by geography ($ million) Exhibit 116: Data Tables on Market opportunity by geography ($ million) 10 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10.1 Market drivers 10.2 Market challenges 10.3 Impact of drivers and challenges Exhibit 117: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2022 and 2027 10.4 Market trends 11 Vendor Landscape 11.1 Overview 11.2 Vendor landscape Exhibit 118: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation 11.3 Landscape disruption Exhibit 119: Overview on factors of disruption 11.4 Industry risks Exhibit 120: Impact of key risks on business 12 Vendor Analysis 12.1 Vendors covered Exhibit 121: Vendors covered 12.2 Market positioning of vendors Exhibit 122: Matrix on vendor position and classification 12.3 AdvanSix Inc. Exhibit 123: AdvanSix Inc. - Overview Exhibit 124: AdvanSix Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 125: AdvanSix Inc. - Key news Exhibit 126: AdvanSix Inc. - Key offerings Exhibit 127: AdvanSix Inc. - Segment focus 12.4 ALTIVIA Exhibit 128: ALTIVIA - Overview Exhibit 129: ALTIVIA - Product / Service Exhibit 130: ALTIVIA - Key offerings 12.5 Compania Espanola de Petroleos SA Exhibit 131: Compania Espanola de Petroleos SA - Overview Exhibit 132: Compania Espanola de Petroleos SA - Business segments Exhibit 133: Compania Espanola de Petroleos SA - Key offerings Exhibit 134: Compania Espanola de Petroleos SA - Segment focus 12.6 Domo Chemicals GmbH Exhibit 135: Domo Chemicals GmbH - Overview Exhibit 136: Domo Chemicals GmbH - Product / Service Exhibit 137: Domo Chemicals GmbH - Key offerings 12.7 Eni Spa Exhibit 138: Eni Spa - Overview Exhibit 139: Eni Spa - Business segments Exhibit 140: Eni Spa - Key offerings Exhibit 141: Eni Spa - Segment focus 12.8 INEOS Group Holdings SA Exhibit 142: INEOS Group Holdings SA - Overview Exhibit 143: INEOS Group Holdings SA - Business segments Exhibit 144: INEOS Group Holdings SA - Key news Exhibit 145: INEOS Group Holdings SA - Key offerings Exhibit 146: INEOS Group Holdings SA - Segment focus 12.9 Kumho Petrochemical Co Ltd Exhibit 147: Kumho Petrochemical Co Ltd - Overview Exhibit 148: Kumho Petrochemical Co Ltd - Product / Service Exhibit 149: Kumho Petrochemical Co Ltd - Key news Exhibit 150: Kumho Petrochemical Co Ltd - Key offerings 12.10 LG Chem Ltd. Exhibit 151: LG Chem Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 152: LG Chem Ltd. - Business segments Exhibit 153: LG Chem Ltd. - Key news Exhibit 154: LG Chem Ltd. - Key offerings Exhibit 155: LG Chem Ltd. - Segment focus 12.11 Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corp. Exhibit 156: Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corp. - Overview Exhibit 157: Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corp. - Business segments Exhibit 158: Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corp. - Key offerings Exhibit 159: Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corp. - Segment focus 12.12 Mitsui Chemicals Inc. Exhibit 160: Mitsui Chemicals Inc. - Overview Exhibit 161: Mitsui Chemicals Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 162: Mitsui Chemicals Inc. - Key offerings Exhibit 163: Mitsui Chemicals Inc. - Segment focus 12.13 Parsol chemicals Ltd. Exhibit 164: Parsol chemicals Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 165: Parsol chemicals Ltd. - Product / Service Exhibit 166: Parsol chemicals Ltd. - Key offerings 12.14 Rosneft Oil Co. Exhibit 167: Rosneft Oil Co. - Overview Exhibit 168: Rosneft Oil Co. - Business segments Exhibit 169: Rosneft Oil Co. - Key offerings Exhibit 170: Rosneft Oil Co. - Segment focus 12.15 SEQENS GROUP Exhibit 171: SEQENS GROUP - Overview Exhibit 172: SEQENS GROUP - Product / Service Exhibit 173: SEQENS GROUP - Key offerings 12.16 SI Group Inc. Exhibit 174: SI Group Inc. - Overview Exhibit 175: SI Group Inc. - Product / Service Exhibit 176: SI Group Inc. - Key offerings 12.17 Solvay SA Exhibit 177: Solvay SA - Overview Exhibit 178: Solvay SA - Business segments Exhibit 179: Solvay SA - Key news Exhibit 180: Solvay SA - Key offerings Exhibit 181: Solvay SA - Segment focus 13 Appendix 13.1 Scope of the report 13.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist Exhibit 182: Inclusions checklist Exhibit 183: Exclusions checklist 13.3 Currency conversion rates for US$ Exhibit 184: Currency conversion rates for US$ 13.4 Research methodology Exhibit 185: Research methodology Exhibit 186: Validation techniques employed for market sizing Exhibit 187: Information sources 13.5 List of abbreviations Exhibit 188: List of abbreviations About Us Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contact Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technavio WASHINGTON, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Land Title Association (ALTA), the national trade association of the land title insurance industry, alongside AARP, the Florida Land Title Association and AARP Florida applaud the Florida legislature for passing Senate Bill 770, which will protect homeowners from the predatory practice of filing of unfair real estate fee agreements in property records, known as Non-Title Record Agreements for Personal Service (NTRAPS). Florida follows a model bill, which ALTA helped draft with input from national stakeholders. The model bill created a blueprint for states wishing to provide a remedy for existing NTRAPS while also discouraging future unfair and deceptive practices. "The property rights of American homebuyers must be protected," said ALTA Vice President of Government Affairs Elizabeth Blosser. "A home often is a consumer's largest investment, and the best way to support the certainty of landownership is through public policy. We have to ensure there are no unreasonable restraints on a homebuyer's future ability to sell or refinance their property due to unwarranted transactional costs." "This follows our advocacy efforts we have undertaken in collaboration with ALTA in other states, and we are expecting and hoping to work on similar legislative solutions in other states in helping homeowners against such predatory housing practices," said AARP Government Affairs Director Samar Jha. NTRAPS have been recorded in property records since 2018. The practice preys upon homeowners, offering small cash gifts in exchange for decades-long contracts for the exclusive rights to sell the property. Submitting NTRAPS for inclusion in property records characterized as liens, covenants, encumbrances, or security interests in exchange for money creates impediments and increases the cost and complexity of transferring or financing real estate in the future. "The Florida Land Title Association supports SB 770 because it helps protect the Florida real estate market from business practices which unnecessarily and possibly deceptively encumber people's homes," said FLTA President Mickey Godat. "The bill provides a clear framework for legitimate business practices to continue but not in a manner that adversely affects a home's marketability." "We applaud the governor, attorney general and the Florida legislature for taking this essential step in helping Florida curb this predatory housing practice," said Zayne Smith, Director of Advocacy for AARP Florida. "Our homes are often the most important investment we will make, and this legislation is an important safeguard to better ensure our investment is protected." The new law will: Make NTRAPS unenforceable by law. Restrict and prohibit the recording of NTRAPS in property records. Create penalties if NTRAPS are recorded in property records. SB 770 will head to the desk of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and once signed will go into effect on July 1, 2023. About ALTA The American Land Title Association, founded in 1907, is a national trade association representing more than 6,500 title insurance companies, title and settlement agents, independent abstracters, title searchers and real estate attorneys. Contact: Megan Hernandez Email: [email protected] SOURCE American Land Title Association NEW YORK, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The " Ambulatory Surgical Centers Market Growth By Type, Modality, and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2023-2027 " report has been added to Technavio's offering. The ambulatory surgical centers market is estimated to grow by USD 23.18 billion between 2022 and 2027, growing at a CAGR of 5.81% during the forecast period. North America will account for 51% of the market growth during the forecast period. The growth of the regional market is driven by the increasing number of ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs), the presence of key vendors, and strong regulations implemented by government organizations. The expansion of the geriatric population and increasing prevalence of chronic diseases such as diabetes also contribute to the growth of the ambulatory surgical centers market in North America. For Comprehensive details on the market size of the historic period (2017 to 2021) and forecast period (2023-2027) - View the Sample report Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Ambulatory Surgical Centers Market 2023-2027 Vendor Landscape The global ambulatory surgical centers market is fragmented with the presence of several global and regional vendors key vendors. The vendors compete based on price, product launch, strategic collaborations, mergers and acquisitions, market expansion, and distribution networks. Many key vendors in the market are competing with key vendors by offering services at relatively lower prices than global vendors. Thus, the competition is intense among these vendors with regard to pricing, which has resulted in low-profit margins. As a result of these factors, the competition among vendors is likely to be moderate during the forecast period. Some of the key vendors covered in the report include: Envision Healthcare - The company offers ambulatory surgical centers through its subsidiary Amsurg. - The company offers ambulatory surgical centers through its subsidiary Amsurg. McKesson Corp. - The company offers ambulatory surgical centers such as MedTrainer. - The company offers ambulatory surgical centers such as MedTrainer. NextGen Healthcare Inc. - The company offers ambulatory surgical centers such as EHR for ambulatory surgical centers. - The company offers ambulatory surgical centers such as EHR for ambulatory surgical centers. NorthShore University HealthSystem - The company offers ambulatory surgical centers such as Edward-Elmhurst Health. - The company offers ambulatory surgical centers such as Edward-Elmhurst Health. Advanced Data Systems Corp. Community Health Systems Inc. eClinical Works LLC GE Healthcare Technologies Inc. Healthway Medical Corp. Ltd. Oracle Corp. Pediatrix Medical Group Inc. Pinnacle Surgery Center LLC Prospect Medical Holdings Inc. SurgCenter Surgery Partners Inc. To provide a deeper understanding of the competitive landscape, Technavio has profiled key players along with the study that categorizes the global market segmentation. Download a sample report Market Dynamics Major Driver The market is driven by the growing number of cataract ambulatory services. Cataract surgeries and tonsillectomies are carried out on the same day basis in ASCs. Ambulatory surgeries account for nearly or over 90% of all cataract surgeries in the majority of OECD countries. The number of procedures such as tonsillectomies is also increasing with rising number of children suffering from chronic infections of tonsils or breathing problems. Thus, the increasing number of these surgeries will drive the growth of the market during the forecast period. Key Trend The increasing number of partnerships and collaborations is identified as the key trend in the market. Vendors in the market are adopting inorganic business strategies such as mergers and acquisitions. They are partnering with end-users and medical technology companies to improve their distribution channels and upgrade their product portfolios. For instance, in May 2021, Surgery Partners collaborated with UCI Health to expand community access to outpatient surgical facilities. Such developments among vendors will positively influence the market growth during the forecast period. Major Challenge Financial constraints are identified as key challenges hindering the growth of the market. Financial constraints make ASCs unable to offer bonuses or growth opportunities to the clinical staff. Also, the lack of training poses challenges to ASCs in recruiting new staff that carries the same level of skill and experience. In addition, the growing adoption of emerging technologies such as robotics in healthcare centers has further increased the financial pressure on ASCs. These factors limit the growth of the market during the forecast period. Drivers, trends, and challenges have an impact on market dynamics, which can impact businesses. Find more insights in a sample report! Company Profiles The ambulatory surgical centers market report includes information on the product launches, sustainability, and prospects of leading vendors including Advanced Data Systems Corp., ALLSCRIPTS HEALTHCARE SOLUTION INC., Community Health Systems Inc., eClinical Works LLC, Envision Healthcare, GE Healthcare Technologies Inc., Healthway Medical Corp. Ltd., McKesson Corp., NextGen Healthcare Inc., NorthShore University HealthSystem, Oracle Corp., Pediatrix Medical Group Inc., Pinnacle Surgery Center LLC, Prospect Medical Holdings Inc., SurgCenter, Surgery Partners Inc., Surgical Information Systems LLC, TeamHealth, Tenet Healthcare Corp., and UnitedHealth Group Inc. Get lifetime access to our Technavio Insights! Subscribe to our Basic Plan billed annually at USD 5000 Competitive Analysis The report includes competitive analysis, a proprietary tool to analyze and evaluate the position of companies based on their industry position score and market performance score. The competitive scenario categorizes companies based on various performance indicators. Some of the factors considered include the financial performance of companies over the past few years, growth strategies, product innovations, new product launches, investments, and growth in market share, among others. Market Segmentation By Type, the market is classified into single-specialty centers and multi-specialty centers. By modality, the market is classified into hospital-affiliated ASCs and freestanding ASCs. By Geography, the market is classified as North America , Europe , Asia , and Rest of World (ROW). The market growth in the single-specialty centers segment will be significant over the forecast period. The segment is driven by the increasing number of surgeries in single-specialty centers. For instance, as of December 2022, single-specialty centers accounted for some of the major surgeries, which included endoscopy (27%), ophthalmology (24%), pain related (12%), and plastic surgeries (6%). These centers not only limit the amount of equipment needed but also favors patients wanting to have specialized treatments. Such factors drive the growth of the segment. Related Reports: The global surgical sutures market is estimated to grow by USD 1,102.57 million at a CAGR of 4.68% between 2022 and 2027. The market is segmented by product (absorbable surgical sutures, non-absorbable surgical sutures, and suture-assist devices), end-user (hospitals, ASCs, and others), and geography (North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of World (ROW)). The disposable hospital supplies market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 9.05% between 2022 and 2027. The disposable hospital supplies market size is forecast to increase by USD 21.49 billion. The market is segmented by product (consumables and devices), application (cardiovascular, gynecology, and others), and geography (North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of World (ROW)). Ambulatory Surgical Centers Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 5.81% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 23.18 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 5.05 Regional analysis North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of World (ROW) Performing market contribution North America at 51% Key countries US, UK, Germany, China, and Japan Competitive landscape Leading Vendors, Market Positioning of Vendors, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks Key companies profiled Advanced Data Systems Corp., ALLSCRIPTS HEALTHCARE SOLUTION INC., Community Health Systems Inc., eClinical Works LLC, Envision Healthcare, GE Healthcare Technologies Inc., Healthway Medical Corp. Ltd., McKesson Corp., NextGen Healthcare Inc., NorthShore University HealthSystem, Oracle Corp., Pediatrix Medical Group Inc., Pinnacle Surgery Center LLC, Prospect Medical Holdings Inc., SurgCenter, Surgery Partners Inc., Surgical Information Systems LLC, TeamHealth, Tenet Healthcare Corp., and UnitedHealth Group Inc. Market dynamics Parent market analysis, market growth inducers and obstacles, fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and recovery analysis and future consumer dynamics, and market condition analysis for the forecast period. Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized. Browse through Technavio's Health Care Market Reports Table of contents: 1 Executive Summary 1.1 Market overview Exhibit 01: Executive Summary Chart on Market Overview Exhibit 02: Executive Summary Data Table on Market Overview Exhibit 03: Executive Summary Chart on Global Market Characteristics Exhibit 04: Executive Summary Chart on Market by Geography Exhibit 05: Executive Summary Chart on Market Segmentation by Type Exhibit 06: Executive Summary Chart on Market Segmentation by Modality Exhibit 07: Executive Summary Chart on Incremental Growth Exhibit 08: Executive Summary Data Table on Incremental Growth Exhibit 09: Executive Summary Chart on Vendor Market Positioning 2 Market Landscape 2.1 Market ecosystem Exhibit 10: Parent market Exhibit 11: Market Characteristics 3 Market Sizing 3.1 Market definition Exhibit 12: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition 3.2 Market segment analysis Exhibit 13: Market segments 3.3 Market size 2022 3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2022-2027 Exhibit 14: Chart on Global - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 15: Data Table on Global - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 16: Chart on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 17: Data Table on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 4 Historic Market Size 4.1 Global ambulatory surgical centers market 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 18: Historic Market Size Data Table on Global ambulatory surgical centers market 2017 - 2021 ($ billion) 4.2 Type Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 19: Historic Market Size Type Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ billion) 4.3 Modality Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 20: Historic Market Size Modality Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ billion) 4.4 Geography Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 21: Historic Market Size Geography Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ billion) 4.5 Country Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 22: Historic Market Size Country Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ billion) 5 Five Forces Analysis 5.1 Five forces summary Exhibit 23: Five forces analysis - Comparison between 2022 and 2027 5.2 Bargaining power of buyers Exhibit 24: Chart on Bargaining power of buyers Impact of key factors 2022 and 2027 5.3 Bargaining power of suppliers Exhibit 25: Bargaining power of suppliers Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.4 Threat of new entrants Exhibit 26: Threat of new entrants Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.5 Threat of substitutes Exhibit 27: Threat of substitutes Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.6 Threat of rivalry Exhibit 28: Threat of rivalry Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.7 Market condition Exhibit 29: Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2022 and 2027 6 Market Segmentation by Type 6.1 Market segments Exhibit 30: Chart on Type - Market share 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 31: Data Table on Type - Market share 2022-2027 (%) 6.2 Comparison by Type Exhibit 32: Chart on Comparison by Type Exhibit 33: Data Table on Comparison by Type 6.3 Single-specialty centers - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 34: Chart on Single-specialty centers - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 35: Data Table on Single-specialty centers - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 36: Chart on Single-specialty centers - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 37: Data Table on Single-specialty centers - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 6.4 Multi-specialty centers - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 38: Chart on Multi-specialty centers - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 39: Data Table on Multi-specialty centers - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 40: Chart on Multi-specialty centers - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 41: Data Table on Multi-specialty centers - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 6.5 Market opportunity by Type Exhibit 42: Market opportunity by Type ($ billion) Exhibit 43: Data Table on Market opportunity by Type ($ billion) 7 Market Segmentation by Modality 7.1 Market segments Exhibit 44: Chart on Modality - Market share 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 45: Data Table on Modality - Market share 2022-2027 (%) 7.2 Comparison by Modality Exhibit 46: Chart on Comparison by Modality Exhibit 47: Data Table on Comparison by Modality 7.3 Hospital-affiliated ASCs - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 48: Chart on Hospital-affiliated ASCs - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 49: Data Table on Hospital-affiliated ASCs - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 50: Chart on Hospital-affiliated ASCs - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 51: Data Table on Hospital-affiliated ASCs - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 7.4 Freestanding ASCs - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 52: Chart on Freestanding ASCs - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 53: Data Table on Freestanding ASCs - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 54: Chart on Freestanding ASCs - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 55: Data Table on Freestanding ASCs - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 7.5 Market opportunity by Modality Exhibit 56: Market opportunity by Modality ($ billion) Exhibit 57: Data Table on Market opportunity by Modality ($ billion) 8 Customer Landscape 8.1 Customer landscape overview Exhibit 58: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria 9 Geographic Landscape 9.1 Geographic segmentation Exhibit 59: Chart on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 60: Data Table on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%) 9.2 Geographic comparison Exhibit 61: Chart on Geographic comparison Exhibit 62: Data Table on Geographic comparison 9.3 North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 63: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 64: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 65: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 66: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.4 Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 67: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 68: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 69: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 70: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.5 Asia - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 71: Chart on Asia - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 72: Data Table on Asia - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 73: Chart on Asia - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 74: Data Table on Asia - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.6 Rest of World (ROW) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 75: Chart on Rest of World (ROW) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 76: Data Table on Rest of World (ROW) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 77: Chart on Rest of World (ROW) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 78: Data Table on Rest of World (ROW) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.7 US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 79: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 80: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 81: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 82: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.8 UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 83: Chart on UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 84: Data Table on UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 85: Chart on UK - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 86: Data Table on UK - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.9 China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 87: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 88: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 89: Chart on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 90: Data Table on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.10 Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 91: Chart on Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 92: Data Table on Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 93: Chart on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 94: Data Table on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.11 Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 95: Chart on Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 96: Data Table on Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 97: Chart on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 98: Data Table on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.12 Market opportunity by geography Exhibit 99: Market opportunity by geography ($ billion) Exhibit 100: Data Tables on Market opportunity by geography ($ billion) 10 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10.1 Market drivers 10.2 Market challenges 10.3 Impact of drivers and challenges Exhibit 101: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2022 and 2027 10.4 Market trends 11 Vendor Landscape 11.1 Overview 11.2 Vendor landscape Exhibit 102: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation 11.3 Landscape disruption Exhibit 103: Overview on factors of disruption 11.4 Industry risks Exhibit 104: Impact of key risks on business 12 Vendor Analysis 12.1 Vendors covered Exhibit 105: Vendors covered 12.2 Market positioning of vendors Exhibit 106: Matrix on vendor position and classification 12.3 ALLSCRIPTS HEALTHCARE SOLUTION INC. Exhibit 107: ALLSCRIPTS HEALTHCARE SOLUTION INC. - Overview Exhibit 108: ALLSCRIPTS HEALTHCARE SOLUTION INC. - Business segments Exhibit 109: ALLSCRIPTS HEALTHCARE SOLUTION INC. - Key offerings Exhibit 110: ALLSCRIPTS HEALTHCARE SOLUTION INC. - Segment focus 12.4 Community Health Systems Inc. Exhibit 111: Community Health Systems Inc. - Overview Exhibit 112: Community Health Systems Inc. - Product / Service Exhibit 113: Community Health Systems Inc. - Key offerings 12.5 Envision Healthcare Exhibit 114: Envision Healthcare - Overview Exhibit 115: Envision Healthcare - Product / Service Exhibit 116: Envision Healthcare - Key news Exhibit 117: Envision Healthcare - Key offerings 12.6 Healthway Medical Corp. Ltd. Exhibit 118: Healthway Medical Corp. Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 119: Healthway Medical Corp. Ltd. - Business segments Exhibit 120: Healthway Medical Corp. Ltd. - Key offerings Exhibit 121: Healthway Medical Corp. Ltd. - Segment focus 12.7 McKesson Corp. Exhibit 122: McKesson Corp. - Overview Exhibit 123: McKesson Corp. - Business segments Exhibit 124: McKesson Corp. - Key offerings Exhibit 125: McKesson Corp. - Segment focus 12.8 NextGen Healthcare Inc. Exhibit 126: NextGen Healthcare Inc. - Overview Exhibit 127: NextGen Healthcare Inc. - Product / Service Exhibit 128: NextGen Healthcare Inc. - Key offerings 12.9 NorthShore University HealthSystem Exhibit 129: NorthShore University HealthSystem - Overview Exhibit 130: NorthShore University HealthSystem - Product / Service Exhibit 131: NorthShore University HealthSystem - Key offerings 12.10 Oracle Corp. Exhibit 132: Oracle Corp. - Overview Exhibit 133: Oracle Corp. - Business segments Exhibit 134: Oracle Corp. - Key news Exhibit 135: Oracle Corp. - Key offerings Exhibit 136: Oracle Corp. - Segment focus 12.11 Pediatrix Medical Group Inc. Exhibit 137: Pediatrix Medical Group Inc. - Overview Exhibit 138: Pediatrix Medical Group Inc. - Product / Service Exhibit 139: Pediatrix Medical Group Inc. - Key offerings 12.12 Prospect Medical Holdings Inc. Exhibit 140: Prospect Medical Holdings Inc. - Overview Exhibit 141: Prospect Medical Holdings Inc. - Product / Service Exhibit 142: Prospect Medical Holdings Inc. - Key offerings 12.13 SurgCenter Exhibit 143: SurgCenter - Overview Exhibit 144: SurgCenter - Product / Service Exhibit 145: SurgCenter - Key offerings 12.14 Surgery Partners Inc. Exhibit 146: Surgery Partners Inc. - Overview Exhibit 147: Surgery Partners Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 148: Surgery Partners Inc. - Key offerings Exhibit 149: Surgery Partners Inc. - Segment focus 12.15 TeamHealth Exhibit 150: TeamHealth - Overview Exhibit 151: TeamHealth - Product / Service Exhibit 152: TeamHealth - Key offerings 12.16 Tenet Healthcare Corp. Exhibit 153: Tenet Healthcare Corp. - Overview Exhibit 154: Tenet Healthcare Corp. - Business segments Exhibit 155: Tenet Healthcare Corp. - Key offerings Exhibit 156: Tenet Healthcare Corp. - Segment focus 12.17 UnitedHealth Group Inc. Exhibit 157: UnitedHealth Group Inc. - Overview Exhibit 158: UnitedHealth Group Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 159: UnitedHealth Group Inc. - Key news Exhibit 160: UnitedHealth Group Inc. - Key offerings Exhibit 161: UnitedHealth Group Inc. - Segment focus 13 Appendix 13.1 Scope of the report 13.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist Exhibit 162: Inclusions checklist Exhibit 163: Exclusions checklist 13.3 Currency conversion rates for US$ Exhibit 164: Currency conversion rates for US$ 13.4 Research methodology Exhibit 165: Research methodology Exhibit 166: Validation techniques employed for market sizing Exhibit 167: Information sources 13.5 List of abbreviations Exhibit 168: List of abbreviations About Us Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contact Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technavio Minimally invasive procedure dramatically reduces stroke risk for certain atrial fibrillation patients HOPEWELL, N.J., April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Physicians and staff from Capital Health's Heart and Vascular Institute recently performed their first Watchman implant procedure at Capital Health Regional Medical Center in Trenton, New Jersey. Left atrial appendage closure, which includes the Watchman device implant, is one of the new procedures that Capital Health's expanding full-service cardiac program includes. Implantation of the Watchman device is a one-time, minimally invasive procedure for appropriate patients to prevent blood clots from forming in the heart and reducing the patient's lifetime risk of stroke. The device is considered a reasonable alternative to taking blood thinner medications to achieve similar stroke risk reduction. Scott Burke, MD Capital Health's electrophysiology team, with experts from Capital Health Cardiology Specialists, performs procedures like Watchman device implants to manage and treat patients with conditions which involve abnormal electrical behavior of the heart. Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is an irregular heart rhythm that prevents the heart from pumping blood normally. This can lead to blood pooling in a part of the heart called the left atrial appendage (LAA), where blood can form a clot. Stroke results if this clot forms and dislodges from the heart, going to the brain. People living with AFib are often prescribed blood thinners to reduce their risk for stroke. The risk of blood thinners includes bleeding and brain injury if falls occur. "The Watchman device is now a treatment option at Capital Health for people with atrial fibrillation not caused by a heart valve problem," said Dr. Scott Burke, medical director of Cardiac Electrophysiology and a board-certified, fellowship trained cardiac electrophysiologist at Capital Health Cardiology Specialists. "Guided through a narrow tube that is inserted into a vein through a small incision in the patient's leg, the Watchman implant is designed to fit into the LAA and permanently close it to prevent the risk of clots dislodging from it. The procedure can be completed in as little as 30 minutes under general anesthesia, and most patients are out of the hospital in a day or less and able to return to their daily routines soon thereafter. During recovery, the patient's own heart tissue grows over the Watchman device to prevent the clots from developing in the heart." After the procedure, most patients take blood thinners for up to one and a half to three months. At the end of this time, the cardiology team will image the LAA to ensure it is sealed and that no clot is present. Once the closure is confirmed, the blood thinners are removed and replaced with a baby aspirin. Clinical trials show greater than 95% success in removal of blood thinners for patients who receive the device. To make an appointment at Capital Health Cardiology Specialists or to find an office near you, visit capitalhealthcardiology.org. ABOUT CAPITAL HEALTH HEART AND VASCULAR INSTITUTE Capital Health Heart and Vascular Institute offers comprehensive care with a multi-specialty approach highlighted by the most up-to-date techniques and treatment options. With multiple locations throughout the greater Mercer and Bucks county region, the Institute features the most sophisticated technology guided by highly trained clinical experts in medical fields such as cardiac surgery, general and interventional cardiology, nephrology, podiatry, interventional radiology, vascular surgery, and wound management and hyperbaric medicine. For more information, visit www.capitalheartandvascular.org. SOURCE Capital Health Lawyers once again honored for their representation of plaintiffs in injury, death cases DALLAS, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- D Magazine and their fellow lawyers have named Charla Aldous and Brent Walker of Dallas' Aldous\Walker LLP to D Magazine's list of Best Lawyers for 2023. This marks the 13th year Ms. Aldous has made the list and the sixth time Mr. Walker has done so. Mr. Walker was also named to the magazine's list of Best Lawyers in Dallas Under 40 in 2018. Both lawyers are singled out for their work on behalf of plaintiffs in the areas of personal injury, product liability and medical liability. D Magazine names lawyers to the annual list through a multi-step process that begins with nominations from their peers. The D Magazine editorial staff then sorts and counts the nominations before handing the list to an independent panel for review. The final list is published in the May edition of the magazine. "This is one of those honors that means an awful lot because it's based on the thoughts and opinions of the lawyers right here in Dallas, who tend to know us best," Ms. Aldous said. In the last 12 months, Ms. Aldous and Mr. Walker have won a $21 million verdict on behalf of their client Carlos Rojas, who was left in a vegetative state following surgery for a broken leg. They also secured confidential settlements for a man who fell from a scissor lift and was left quadriplegic, a little girl left profoundly brain-injured by a defective product, a young girl crushed by a crane and a driver who was burned over 80 percent of his body when his truck was rear-ended. The two also represent Dr. Ximena Lopez pro bono in her fight to continue providing gender-affirming care to trans youth and teens. "We work on the kinds of cases where people's lives have been changed forever," Mr. Walker says. "It's important work and it's an honor to have others recognize that." The Aldous\Walker LLP law firm represents clients in civil litigation and specializes in high-profile, high-stakes cases. Learn more about the firm at http://www.aldouslaw.com . Media Contact: Mark Annick 800.559.4534 [email protected] SOURCE Aldous Walker LLP - Expands its Bipartisan Leadership - WASHINGTON, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute (CHLI) is proud to announce the addition of two new Congressional members to its bipartisan board of directors. These additions serve to solidify the representation of thoughtful leaders from the Hill in support of CHLI's vision of advancing the Hispanic community's diversity of thought and its important mission to develop future leaders. The new members of the Board of Directors are U.S. Representative Carlos Gimenez, (R-FL) and U.S. Representative Rob Menendez, (D-NJ). They join an impressive list of existing bipartisan Congressional members on the board, which can be found on the CHLI website: https://chli.org/leadership/. CHLI announces the addition of two new Congressional members to its bipartisan board of directors Tweet this Carlos Antonio Gimenez represents Florida's 28th Congressional District, encompassing all of Monroe County and the southwest portion of Miami-Dade County. First elected to Congress in 2020, he serves on the House Armed Services Committee, the Homeland Security Committee, and the House Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the US & the Chinese Communist Party. A former long-serving Mayor of Miami-Dade County, he is the first career firefighter paramedic to ever serve in the U.S. Congress. Gimenez was born in Cuba and arrived in the United States shortly after the Communist takeover of his native homeland. Robert J. (Rob) Menendez represents New Jersey's Eighth Congressional District, where he grew up and includes most of Hudson County, the East and North Wards of the City of Newark in Essex County, and the City of Elizabeth in Union County. He was sworn in on January 3, 2023. The grandson of Cuban immigrants and strong union members, Rob was born to a community leader and a public school educator who instilled in him at an early age the spirit and value of public service and giving back to his community. Rob served as a Commissioner of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. He was the first Latino from New Jersey to serve on the Board and the first millennial Port Authority Commissioner. Menendez serves on the Committee on Homeland Security, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and sits on the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee. "CHLI is very fortunate to be able to add Congressman Gimenez and Congressman Menendez to its impressive Board of Directors. The Board and our vital programs will be well served by their expertise and dedication," said The Honorable Lincoln Diaz-Balart, CHLI Chairman. About CHLI: The Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute (CHLI) is the premier organization founded by Members of Congress to advance the Hispanic Community's Economic Progress with a focus on Social Responsibility and Global Competitiveness. Founded in 2003, as a 501(c)3 non-profit and non-partisan organization, CHLI is dedicated to fostering a broad awareness of the diversity of thought, heritage, interests, and views of Americans of Hispanic and Portuguese descent. CONTACT: Mary Ann Gomez Orta [email protected] 202-841-0957 SOURCE The Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute During a special ministerial meeting of the African Union on Sudan on Thursday, Egypt's foreign minister Sameh Shoukry emphasised the need to support a ceasefire in Sudan and urged both sides in the ongoing conflict not to escalate. Shoukry, who participated in the conference virtually, also highlighted the difficult economic conditions that Sudan already faced even before the conflict broke out. He warned that the current military confrontations and resulting deterioration of infrastructure would significantly exacerbate the situation, according to the Egyptian foreign ministry. The meeting was attended by foreign ministers and senior officials from neighbouring countries of Sudan in addition to Kenya and Djibouti. It was also attended by representatives of the permanent Security Council members and African council members, the foreign ministry said. The meeting also included representatives from several Arab countries and Norway. The UN Secretary-General, the Secretary-General of the Arab League, the High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy of the European Union, and the Executive Secretary of the IGAD also attended the meeting, stated the foreign ministry. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Ahmed Abu-Zeid stated that the meeting aimed to consolidate efforts and promote collective action to end the ongoing military conflict in Sudan. He added that the foreign minister emphasised the necessity of protecting Sudans institutions and preventing their collapse and stressed that official state institutions should not be dealt with on an equal footing with non-state entities. Shoukry also emphasised Egypt's ongoing efforts to support the return of stability to Sudan, said the foreign ministry. The participants in the meeting reached a consensus on the importance of working towards a ceasefire in Sudan. Furthermore, they agreed to spare no effort and to work collectively to achieve that goal, according to the foreign ministry. The participants also stressed the importance of protecting diplomatic missions and foreign nationals in Sudan and working to open humanitarian corridors for the displaced. Finally, they stressed the need to immediately resume dialogue and negotiations between the conflicting parties, according to the foreign ministry. Search Keywords: Short link: BIRMINGHAM, Ala., April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Encompass Health Corp. (NYSE: EHC) today announced it plans to build a freestanding, 40-bed inpatient rehabilitation hospital in Danbury, Connecticut. The hospital will be located south of the intersection of Reserve Road and Winding Ridge Way. The hospital will serve patients recovering from debilitating illnesses and injuries, including strokes and other neurological disorders, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, amputations and complex orthopedic conditions. In addition to 24hour nursing care, the hospital will offer physical, occupational and speech therapies to restore functional ability and quality of life. Care will be provided by highly specialized nurses, therapists and physicians. The hospital will feature all private patient rooms, a spacious therapy gym with advanced rehabilitation technologies and an activities of daily living suite, dining room, pharmacy and therapy courtyard. "We are excited to expand our services to Connecticut and become an integrated part of the local healthcare system to provide residents with access to rehabilitative care, closer to home," said Pat Tuer, president of Encompass Health's Northeast region. "We intend to provide significant value to this community by helping patients regain the strength and function needed to reach their highest level of independence." The hospital will become part of Encompass Health's national network of rehabilitation hospitals, and it will be Encompass Health's first rehabilitation hospital in Connecticut. About Encompass Health Encompass Health (NYSE: EHC) is the largest owner and operator of rehabilitation hospitals in the United States. With a national footprint that includes 157 hospitals in 37 states and Puerto Rico, the Company provides high-quality, compassionate rehabilitative care for patients recovering from a major injury or illness, using advanced technology and innovative treatments to maximize recovery. Encompass Health is ranked as one of Fortune's 100 Best Companies to Work For and Modern Healthcare's Best Places to Work in Healthcare. For more information, visit encompasshealth.com, or follow us on our newsroom, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Forward-Looking Statements Statements contained in this press release which are not historical facts, such as those relating to the likelihood, timing and effects of the completion of this hospital project, are forward-looking statements. In addition, Encompass Health may from time to time make forward-looking public statements concerning the matters described herein. All such estimates, projections, and forward-looking information speak only as of the date hereof, and Encompass Health undertakes no duty to publicly update or revise such forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Such forward-looking statements are necessarily estimates based upon current information and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Encompass Health's actual results or events may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors. While it is impossible to identify all such factors, factors which could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated include, but are not limited to, the regulatory review and approval process, any adverse outcome of various lawsuits, claims, and legal or regulatory proceedings that may be brought by or against the Company; the possibility this project will experience unexpected delays; the ability to successfully complete this project consistent with Encompass Health's growth strategy, including realization of anticipated revenues and avoidance of unforeseen exposure to liabilities; disease outbreaks, including the speed, depth, geographic reach and duration of the spread; the actions to be taken by Encompass Health in response to disease outbreaks; changes in the regulation of the healthcare industry at either or both of the federal and state levels; competitive pressures in the healthcare industry and Encompass Health's response thereto; the hospital's ability to maintain proper local, state and federal licensing; potential disruptions, breaches, or other incidents affecting the proper operation, availability, or security of Encompass Health's information systems; Encompass Health's ability to attract and retain nurses, therapists, and other healthcare professionals in a highly competitive environment with often severe staffing shortages and the impact on Encompass Health's labor expenses from potential union activity and staffing shortages; changes, delays in (including in connection with resolution of Medicare payment reviews or appeals), or suspension of reimbursement for Encompass Health's services by governmental or private payors; general conditions in the economy and capital markets; and other factors which may be identified from time to time in Encompass Health's SEC filings and other public announcements, including Encompass Health's Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2022. Media contact: Danielle Hall | 205-970-5912 [email protected] Investor Relations contact: Mark Miller | 205-970-5860 [email protected] SOURCE Encompass Health Corp. Big Bow Award Program Honors the Achievement CHICAGO, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- We are pleased to announce that EZ Blockchain has been selected for the 2023 Best of Big Bow Award in the Manufacturer category by the Big Bow Award Program for its contribution to local economy in the state of Kansas. The company is the winner of the award the second year in a row. EZ Blockchain opened its first data center project in the area in 2022 and was shortlisted as an award winner the same year. EZ Blockchain is among a very small group of companies that have won the Best of Big Bow Award for two consecutive years. This distinction has qualified EZ Blockchain for the 2023 Big Bow Business Hall of Fame. Each year, the Big Bow Award Program identifies companies that are believed to have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and the community. These exceptional companies help make the Big Bow area a great place to live, work and play. Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2023 Big Bow Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the Big Bow Award Program and data provided by third parties. About Big Bow Award Program The Big Bow Award Program is an annual awards program honoring the achievements and accomplishments of local businesses throughout the Big Bow area. Recognition is given to those companies that have shown the ability to use their best practices and implemented programs to generate competitive advantages and long-term value. The Big Bow Award Program was established to recognize the best of local businesses in our community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to recognize the small business community's contributions to the U.S. economy. About EZ Blockchain EZ Blockchain is a technology company that is on a mission to solve the global waste energy problem with the help of crypto mining. The company focus on taping into underutilized energy sources, such as stranded gas, underutilized power on the grid, and base load for power plants. Media Contact: Sergii Gerasymovych [email protected] SOURCE EZ Blockchain Partnership Comes on the Heels of Finli's Recent Product Revamp LOS ANGELES, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Finli, a payment management platform built for service-based small businesses, announces a partnership with The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA). Together Finli and ICBA will give community banks the cutting edge solutions they need to support customers and impact communities. Finli partners with The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) to support small businesses. Tweet this Lori Shao, Founder + CEO of Finli Since launching in 2020, Finli has provided small businesses a back-office digital platform for invoicing, payment collection, CRM, and communications. This past week, Finli launched an updated dashboard featuring enhanced collaborative functionality and deeper reporting, backed by Finli's security and safety. As a part of ICBA's ThinkTECH Accelerator program, Finli will support banks in rebuilding trust and achieving more impact in their local communities. Finli's easily-to-implement solution helps bankers to support their customers more effectively while securing stickier deposits. Currently, Finli is connecting with credit unions, local banks and municipalities across the country to provide small businesses with valuable tools that help them thrive. "From our inception, Finli's mission has been to support entrepreneurs, particularly those in service-based fields," says Lori Shao, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Finli. "In order to make the most impact in these communities, Finli looks to partner with more institutions that empower small businesses." "At ICBA we are bringing visionaries and industry leaders together to redefine banking as we know it for an improved experience that strengthens the all-important customer relationship," ICBA Executive Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer Charles E. Potts said. Similar to how Finli is being embraced by the ICBA, the invoicing and CRM platform is also being widely welcomed by municipalities and other government institutions. Finli invites organizations that wish to provide their members or residents with business building solutions to contact the Finli team today . About Finli Finli is on a mission to financially lift local communities. An all-in-one payment management platform built for service-based small businesses in the US, Finli allows businesses to manage invoices, payments and customer communication in a single platform. Join the thousands of businesses who have saved hours this week with Finli, visit www.finli.com . And for more business resources, visit Finli's Finsider blog . SOURCE Finli Honoring the Best of the Best in Restaurants, Cities, Bars, Hotels, Airlines, Cruise Lines, Airports, and More NEW YORK, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- FOOD & WINE announces its Global Tastemakers Awards, the first-ever FOOD & WINE readers' choice awards celebrating the best culinary experiences and destinations in the U.S. and abroad. From the top restaurants, cities, bars, hotels, cruise lines, airports, and more, the inaugural annual survey's full results are now featured on foodandwine.com/global-tastemakers , with highlights in the May issue of FOOD & WINE, on newsstands April 21. Food & Wine Announces Its Inaugural 2023 Global Tastemakers Awards For the Best Restaurants in the U.S.,Yolan in Nashville, TN, topped the Best Restaurant list, followed by Merois and Camphor in Los Angeles, CA, ranked No. 2 and No. 3, respectively. Daru in Washington, DC, received the Editors' Pick. Portland, OR, captured the title of Top Food Truck City; New Orleans, LA, was named the Top U.S. City for Neighborhood Restaurants, and The Violet Hour in Chicago, IL, earned the title of Most Creative Bar in the U.S. "Whether it's the hottest restaurant openings, new kitchen gear that promises to change how we cook, or under-the-radar culinary destinations, we're obsessed with it all, and so are our readers," said FOOD & WINE Editor in Chief Hunter Lewis. "The inaugural FOOD & WINE Global Tastemakers Awards will help our readers plan their destinations and itineraries to upgrade their experiences as they plan their trips for the year ahead. Congratulations to this year's honorees." These awards aim to showcase the phenomenal places to eat and drink while traveling, starting from the airport, cruising the high seas, dining at your hotel, and exploring cities domestically and abroad. "From airports and airlines to the hotels we stay in, the cities we explore and the cruises we take, food is a quintessential part of every aspect of travel," said FOOD & WINE Senior Editorial Director Sean Flynn. "Our readers are intrepid adventurers with a hunger for unique experiences, so it only made sense to tap our audience for their opinions on the places worth adding to your culinary bucket list." FOOD & WINE GLOBAL TASTEMAKERS 10 BEST U.S. FOOD CITIES New York, New York New Orleans, Louisiana San Francisco, California Los Angeles, California Portland, Oregon Chicago, Illinois Charleston, South Carolina Miami, Florida San Diego, California Austin , Texas FOOD & WINE GLOBAL TASTEMAKERS 10 BEST INTERNATIONAL FOOD CITIES Mexico City, Mexico Tokyo, Japan San Sebastian , Spain Tel Aviv, Israel Madrid, Spain Paris , Mexico Copenhagen , Demark Lisbon, Portugal San Miguel de Allende, Mexico Rome, Italy FOOD & WINE GLOBAL TASTEMAKERS AWARDS 2023 OVERALL WINNERS BEST U.S. RESTAURANT FOR AMBIANCE: Yolan, Nashville, Tennessee BEST INTERNATIONAL RESTAURANT: Maximo Bistrot, Mexico City, Mexico BEST U.S. FOOD CITY: New York, New York BEST INTERNATIONAL FOOD CITY: Mexico City, Mexico BEST DOMESTIC HOTEL for FOOD: Twin Farms, Barnard, Vermont BEST INTERNATIONAL HOTEL FOR FOOD: Beaverbrook Estate, Surrey, London BEST BARS IN THE U.S.: The Fox, Nashville BEST INTERNATIONAL BAR FOR AMBIANCE: Scarfes Bar at Rosewood London BEST INTERNATIONAL HOTEL ROOM SERVICE: Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico BEST HOTEL BAR IN THE U.S.: Twin Farms, Barnard, Vermont BEST DOMESTIC AIRLINE FOR FOOD: Hawaiian Airlines BEST INTERNATIONAL AIRLINE FOR FOOD: Qatar Airways BEST AIRLINE WINE PROGRAM: Emirates BEST DOMESTIC AIRPORT FOR FOOD: San Francisco International Airport BEST INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT FOR FOOD: London Heathrow BEST CRUISE LINE FOR FOOD: Viking Cruises BEST CRUISE FOR ONBOARD CULINARY EXPERIENCES: Viking Cruises BEST CRUISE FOR CULINARY SHORE EXPERIENCES: Viking Cruises FOOD & WINE GLOBAL TASTEMAKERS AWARDS EDITORS' PICKS EDITORS' PICK: Best Restaurants in the U.S., Daru,Washington, DC EDITORS' PICK: Best U.S. Restaurants for Ambiance, Mamey, Coral Gables, FL EDITORS' PICK: Best International Restaurants, Den,Tokyo, Japan EDITORS' PICK: Best Bar in the U.S., Katana Kitten, New York City EDITORS' PICK: Top International Bar, Jigger and Pony, Singapore EDITORS' PICK: Best International Bar for Ambiance, BKK Social Club, Bangkok EDITORS' PICK: Best Domestic Hotel for Food, Blackberry Farms, Tennessee EDITORS' PICK: Best International Hotel for Food, Royal Mansour, Marrakech EDITORS' PICK: Best International Hotel for Room Service, Oberoi, Marrakech EDITORS' PICK: Best Domestic Airline for Food, Hawaiian Airlines EDITORS' PICK: Best International Airline for Food, Singapore Airlines EDITORS' PICK: Best Airline Wine Program, La Compagnie EDITORS' PICK: Best Domestic Airport for Food, Denver International Airport EDITORS' PICK: Best International Airport for Food, Singapore Changi Airport EDITORS' PICK: Best Cruise for On-Board Culinary Experiences, Regent Seven Seas Cruises EDITORS' PICK: Best Cruise for Culinary Shore Excursions, Silversea FOOD & WINE readers voted on categories including restaurants and bars, cities, hotels, airports, airlines, and cruises, based on travel completed within the past three years. FOOD & WINE editors included an editor's pick spotlighting some of their favorite places and culinary destinations in many of the categories. To access the complete Global Tastemakers Awards 2023 survey methodology, visit foodandwine.com/global-tastemakers . Hunter Lewis and Sean Flynn will host Toast & Post, a virtual celebration to honor the Global Tastemakers Awards 2023 winners, on Monday, April 24 at 2:30 p.m. ET on Instagram Live @foodandwine. Raise a toast to this year's honorees, post pictures using the hashtags #globaltastemakers, and tag @foodandwine. For the full list and descriptions of the honorees, please visit foodandwine.com/global-tastemakers . About FOOD & WINE FOOD & WINE is the ultimate authority on the best of what's new in food, drink, travel, design, and entertaining. FOOD & WINE has an extensive social media following on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube. FOOD & WINE includes a monthly magazine in print and digital; a website, foodandwine.com ; a books division; plus newsletters, clubs, events, dinnerware, cookware, and more. At FOOD & WINE, we inspire and empower our wine- and food-obsessed community to eat, drink, entertain, and travel betterevery day and everywhere. FOOD & WINE is part of the Dotdash Meredith publishing family. SOURCE Dotdash Meredith DUBLIN, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Automatic Soap Dispenser Market - Global Outlook & Forecast 2023-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global automatic soap dispenser market is projected to reach a value of $2,099.31 million market by 2028 from $1,006.94 million market by 2022, growing at a CAGR of 13% IoT Revolutionizing Automatic Soap Dispensers Vendors in the automatic soap dispenser market are connecting IoT (Internet of Things) devices to their products, providing a sanitary no-touch experience without water and soap solution spillage. This has enabled more benefits to users, such as ensuring proper for 20 seconds as per WHO recommendations. Automation in soap dispensers due to IoT is widely accepted as it gives a premium feel and helps maintain top-notch hygiene. The latest IoT-automatic soap dispensers are designed with sensors that will dispense the hand wash liquid in the precise quantity as programmed in the device. Many devices are connected securely with the help of local Wi-Fi networks and frequently share data with the internet. IoT- connected devices share information regarding consumable levels, frequency of use, and other information, which benefits end-users. For instance, in large washrooms, it helps the custodial crew to know when the soap dispenser level is low on soap and can be refilled instead of manually refilling it. In addition, places in the food industry demand impeccable hygiene of the hands. This can be easily monitored by keeping track of how much soap is being used by users. Demand Due To Rise In Healthcare-Associated Infections Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) occur when a person is undergoing treatment for another ailment. HAIs can occur in any healthcare facility, including hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, end-of-life care facilities, and long-term care facilities. They can be caused by bacteria, fungi, viruses, or other less frequent pathogens and are a leading cause of sickness and mortality, with major emotional, financial, and medical effects. Approximately one in every 31 inpatients has an infection connected to hospital care at any one moment. These diseases cause thousands of deaths yearly and cost the U.S. healthcare system billions. High Demand For Substitute Products Due to low affordability and lack of awareness in developing countries, people have yet to understand the significance of automatic soap dispensers and switch to automatic soap dispensers, especially during the unprecedented times of widespread diseases. When it comes to hygiene, regular washing of hands with soap has been considered an especially important practice by every individual. Ever since Covid took over the world, people have taken healthy habits very seriously, increasing the demand for hygiene products in several regions. People started regularly washing their hands with soaps to prevent themselves and their near and dear ones from getting infected. There are several products in the market, such as regular bar soaps, liquid hand wash available in pump bottles, and manual soap dispensers. SEGMENTATION INSIGHTS INSIGHTS BY SENSOR The passive infrared sensor segment accounted for 69.50% of the global automatic soap dispenser market share in 2022. Growing penetration of the Internet of Things (IoT) and increasing consumer preference toward better energy management are expected to boost the demand for smart home automation technology, which is further anticipated to bolster the infrared sensor demand in the market. These sensors are increasingly used in the automotive, commercial, manufacturing, and healthcare sectors. INSIGHTS BY MOUNT TYPE The wall-mounted segment accounted for a share of 58.92%, and countertop products accounted for a share of 41.08% of the market. Wall-mounted soap dispensers are largely preferred in the market, especially in healthcare settings, public toilets, airports, and more. One of the reasons for higher industry share is that it occupies less space and is usually fixed to the wall. INSIGHTS BY DISPENSE TYPE The global automatic soap dispenser market by dispense type is segmented into liquid, foam, and spray. The liquid soap dispenser market accounted for the largest share of 44.17% and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 9.92% from 2022-2028. The rising awareness of personal hygiene and increasing virus outbreaks in various geographies have propelled worldwide demand for hand hygiene solutions, including liquid-based handwash. The industry is witnessing increased demand from sectors such as healthcare, hospitality, residential, education, corporate, and government offices. The demand for liquid automatic soap dispensers is increasing in countries such as China, Germany, Japan, and India due to the booming commercial real estate, hospitality, corporate, and education markets, as well as a shift in consumer behavior toward personal hygiene in developing countries. One of the advantages of liquid solutions is that they are purchased and prepared in various concentrations per the requirement. INSIGHTS BY END USERS The hospitality end-user segment held the highest share at approximately 23.03% in the global automatic soap dispenser market. The major sectors under hospitality that generate demand for automatic soap dispensers include hotels & bars, spas & resorts, restaurants, and food chains, among others. Automatic soap dispensers are mostly found in the hospitality sector as it involves guests visiting frequently. With the increasing purchase and consumption of meals from restaurants, there exists great importance for proper and adequate hand hygiene at food preparation facilities. INSIGHTS BY DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL The online distribution channel for automatic soap dispensers is a growing trend in the retail industry, providing customers with the convenience of shopping from the comfort of their homes. This channel includes e-commerce websites, such as Amazon, Walmart, and Alibaba, as well as the websites of individual manufacturers and distributors. However, the offline channel dominates the global automatic soap dispenser market and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 9.95% during the forecast period. The offline distribution includes brick-and-mortar retail stores, home improvement stores, hardware stores, specialty stores, and online-to-offline retail stores like Amazon and Walmart. INSIGHTS BY REFILL METHOD The global open automatic soap dispenser market was valued at USD 336.75 million in 2022. The open/bulk refill segment refers to automatic soap dispensers allowing users to refill the soap container with their choice of liquid soap. The open/bulk refill segment provides an economical and flexible solution for dispensing soap hygienically and conveniently. GEOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS North America dominated the global automatic soap dispenser market share, accounting for 33.05% in 2022. The demand for automatic soap dispensers is high in the region due to factors such as an increase in the prevalence of HAIs and increasing hygiene standards among the people. The region is one of the most developed regions concerning economic stature, the standard of social living, and technological growth. The political dynamics of countries in the region pose stability, which, in turn, portrays a favorable environment for businesses in the region. The European automatic soap dispenser market was valued at USD 154.92 million in 2022. Europe is home to most developed countries, but hygiene practices are still not up to the mark. Governments are investing in installing automatic soap dispensers connected to IoT cloud technology to monitor the hand hygiene practices of people. Due to the increased affordability, the adoption of products such as automatic soap dispensers will be high in this region. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE The global automatic soap dispenser market is highly competitive, with many manufacturers producing a wide range of products catering to the needs of people. The competition among these players is intense, and the rapidly changing technological environment could adversely affect vendors as customers expect continual innovations and upgrades in hand hygiene and sanitization products. The present scenario forces vendors to alter and refine their unique value propositions to achieve a strong market presence. Market Dynamics Market Opportunities & Trends Surge in Demand for Smart Bathroom Solutions IoT Revolutionizing Automatic Soap Dispensers Expansion of Real Estate and Hospitality Industries Onset of Covid-19 Pandemic Market Growth Enablers Infectious Disease Outbreaks Worldwide Rise in Health Consciousness Among Consumers Proliferation of E-Commerce Platforms High Demand Due to Rise in Hais Market Restraints Lack of Adequate Awareness and Facilities in Lmics Volatility in Raw Material Prices High Demand for Substitute Products High Adoption of Manual Soap Dispensers Key Company Profiles American Specialties Bobrick Washroom Equipment Bradley Corporation Euronics GOJO Industries Kimberly-Clark Other Prominent Vendors 3M Ableman International Accent Controls Askon Hygiene Products Brightwell Dispensers BRIGHT PANCAR SDN. BHD. Cera Sanitaryware S.C. Johnson & Son Inc. Dihour Dreumex Ecolab Essity FontanaShowers Hokwang Industries Hi-Genie Hypuz Jaquar Group JVD Group Kohler Kutol Lovair MARC Systems Newell Brands Palmer Fixture PHS Group Reckitt Benckiser Revensa Toshi Automatic Systems Toto Saraya Secura Shenzhen City Itas In-Tech Sanitary Wares Shenzhen SVAVO Intelligent Technology Simplehuman Sloan Valve Company Spartan Chemical Company Stern Engineering Terramica VOLI For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/gganfc About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg SOURCE Research and Markets Company pledges to achieve carbon neutral operations by 2045 SHENZHEN, China, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ahead of Earth Day 2023 tomorrow, global technology brand HONOR today published its first-ever Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report, outlining its goals and progress made across its seven ESG pillars including Environmental Protection, Technology for Good, and Youth Empowerment. With the release of the report, the company has also pledged to accelerate its sustainability and decarbonization efforts to reduce its carbon emissions by 88%, achieve 100% use of renewable energy and reach carbon neutral operations by 2045, aligning with China's goal to reach carbon neutrality by 2060. "We are delighted to celebrate the release of our inaugural ESG report today and present the milestones we have reached in our ESG journey thus far," said Wan Biao, Chairman of HONOR Device Co. Ltd. "At HONOR, we strive to make a positive impact on the global community with purpose-driven, human-centric technologies. As a socially responsible company, HONOR recognizes the importance of creating meaningful value for our stakeholders and we look forward to further contributing to the environment in everything we do going forwards." Building on its continued global ESG efforts, HONOR has made progress across its key ESG pillars Environmental Protection, Technology for Good, Youth Empowerment, Privacy and Security, Staff Development, Supply Chain Management, and Responsible Corporate Governance, all identified in alignment with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals since becoming an independent company in 2020. The ESG Report is also developed in accordance with Global Reporting Initiative's (GRI) globally acclaimed GRI Standards and International Standard Organization's ISO 26000 Social Responsibility framework. In December 2021, HONOR became an official member company of the United Nations Global Compact, further demonstrating its commitment to fulfilling its sustainability responsibilities. "We're delighted to see HONOR's ESG report published and the company's commitment to combating climate change, pledging to reach carbon peak and achieve carbon neutral operations by 2030 and 2045, respectively," said Meng Liu, Head of China Office, United Nations Global Compact. "We look forward to seeing the brand continuing to push the envelope with greener products, and working together with us to foster a circular economy that promotes sustainable development and consumption." Actively responding to the challenges posed by climate change, HONOR is committed to working towards a low-carbon future through embracing greener operations, products, manufacturing, and partners. As part of these efforts, the company has infused the concept of a circular economy into its product development lifecycle. To date, HONOR has reduced the use of hazardous substances and materials by 3,861 tons and recycled more than 1,785 tons of e-waste. 98% of the materials used in the packaging of HONOR Magic Vs are also non-plastic. HONOR has also employed intelligent technology to automate 75% of its production line, further bringing down the use of energy and resources in its production facilities. Currently, HONOR is on track to reduce its carbon emissions by 88%, achieve 100% use of renewable energy and reach carbon neutral operations by 2045, which includes a 36% reduction of carbon emissions by 2035. Dedicated to creating a new intelligent world for everyone, HONOR serves users around the world with meaningful, purpose-driven technology and offers solutions to real-world problems. Since 2021, HONOR has launched over 22 accessibility features such as AI Subtitle, Select to Speak, and Magnification to bridge the digital divide, providing over 3,740,000 users with equal access to industry-leading innovation that improves their daily lives. In addition to its ongoing sustainability and Technology for Good efforts, HONOR has also pledged to invest more into nurturing the next generation of young talent. Providing a platform for young, emerging artists worldwide to showcase their creativity, the HONOR Talents Global Design Awards has received over 13,000 entries since 2020. Furthermore, the HONOR Magic Moments Awards has accepted more than 300,000 entries since its debut in 2021, enabling content creators and photography enthusiasts to demonstrate their craft in front of a global audience. The English edition of the HONOR 2021 2022 ESG Report can be downloaded from here [https://www.hihonor.com/global/honor-esg/esg-report/]. About HONOR HONOR is a leading global provider of smart devices. It is dedicated to becoming a global iconic technology brand and creating a new intelligent world for everyone through its powerful products and services. With an unwavering focus on R&D, it is committed to developing technology that empowers people around the globe to go beyond, giving them the freedom to achieve and do more. Offering a range of high-quality smartphones, tablets, laptops and wearables to suit every budget, HONOR's portfolio of innovative, premium and reliable products enable people to become a better version of themselves. For more information, please visit HONOR online at www.hihonor.com or email [email protected] http://community.hihonor.com/ https://www.facebook.com/honorglobal/ https://twitter.com/Honorglobal https://www.instagram.com/honorglobal/ http://www.youtube.com/c/HonorOfficial SOURCE HONOR CHICAGO, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The research report for Insight Engines Market is projected to grow from USD 1.7 billion in 2023 to USD 5.6 billion by 2028, at a CAGR of 27.1% during the forecast period, according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. With insight engines, businesses across the globe enables to deliver a better customer experience by assuring ease of use, quick intelligence, and a broad scope of searches. They can use pre-existing databases to automatically generate insights and make decisions based on information extracted from the data. In contrast to conventional search technologies, insight engines make information available to users in the appropriate context while using resource-efficient intelligent ways to find it. Browse in-depth TOC on "Insight Engines Market" 258 - Tables 52 - Figures 290 - Pages Download PDF Brochure @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=231500741 IT and ITeS segment to account for higher CAGR during the forecast period The market for insight engines is bifurcated into BFSI, IT and ITeS, Retali and eCommerce, Healthcare and Life Sciences, Manufacturing, Government, Telecom, and Other verticals. Organisations are primarily concentrating on the optimum use of data because of the rise in computational capabilities brought by the Al engine. To support the rising company landscape, better decision-making is now necessary due to the growing market competitiveness. When it comes to developing business plans based on consumer behaviour and shifting market trends, insight engines have been found to be helpful for a variety of industry verticals. During the forecast period, the IT and ITeS segment is anticipated to grow at a highest CAGR. Machine Learning to hold largest market share during the forecast period The market for insight engines is bifurcated based on technology into machine learning and natural language processing. The insight engines market incorporates artificial intelligence technology and have the potential to disrupt the way businesses search for data. Insights engines intended to bring modern knowledge discovery approaches to companies' private data using the latest technological advances. During the forecast period, the machine learning segment is expected to hold the largest market share. Asia Pacific to exhibit the highest CAGR during the forecast period The CAGR of Asia Pacific is estimated to be highest during the forecast period. The market demand insight engines is estimated to expand due to the rising demand for relevant and more personalized search experiences. The increasing investments among startups and the adoption of advanced technologies among verticals would drive the demand for insight engines solutions across the region. Inquiry Before Buying: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_BuyingNew.asp?id=231500741 Major vendors in the global Insight Engines Market are Microsoft (US), IBM (US), OpenText (Canada), SAP (Germany), Oracle (US), Elastic (US), Expert.ai (Italy), Almawave (Italy), Mindbreeze (Austria), Squirro (Switzerland), Sinequa (France), Coveo (Canada), Lucidworks (US), SearchBlox (US), Attivio (US), o9 Solutions (US), Celonis (US), Squiz (Australia), IntraFind (Germany), Fletch (US), Veritone (US), Progress (US), Upland Software (US), ForwardLane (US), Tecnotree (Finland), Comintelli (Sweden), Activeviam (US), Dun & Bradstreet (US), Prevedere (US), Stravito (Sweden), xFind (Israel), Turing Labs (US), Rampfy (Brazil), Raffle.ai (Denmark), Pecan AI (Israel), Omnisearch (Canada), and Fosfor (India). Browse Adjacent Markets of Analytics Market Research Reports & Consulting Speech Analytics Market - Global Forecast to 2027 Data Pipeline Tools Market - Global Forecast to 2027 Data Catalog Market - Global Forecast to 2027 A2P Messaging Market - Global Forecast to 2025 Automation Testing Market - Global Forecast to 2027 About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. We have the widest lens on emerging technologies, making us proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients. The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion of new revenue streams that are substituting existing revenue streams in this decade alone. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines - TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing. Built on the 'GIVE Growth' principle, we work with several Forbes Global 2000 B2B companies - helping them stay relevant in a disruptive ecosystem. Our insights and strategies are molded by our industry experts, cutting-edge AI-powered Market Intelligence Cloud, and years of research. The KnowledgeStore (our Market Intelligence Cloud) integrates our research, facilitates an analysis of interconnections through a set of applications, helping clients look at the entire ecosystem and understand the revenue shifts happening in their industry. To find out more, visit www.MarketsandMarkets.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Contact: Mr. Aashish Mehra MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: [email protected] Research Insight: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/insight-engines-market.asp Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ Content Source: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/insight-engines.asp Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/660509/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg SOURCE MarketsandMarkets MILAN, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- InSilicoTrials and AchilleS Vaccines have announced a strategic alliance that aims to unite visions, skills, experiences, the multidisciplinary collaboration network and interested institutions to accelerate the transition towards a complete realization of "biopharma 4.0" concept with a specific focus on vaccines and monoclonal antibodies against infectious diseases. InSilicoTrials and AchilleS Vaccines logos The collaboration will build on InSilicoTrials' existing platform and its InSilicoVaccine Suite to create vertical products based on modified Outer Membrane Vesicles (mOMV). mOMV is a technology already used by AchilleS Vaccines with significant advantages for product development, including large-scale and cost-effective production. It has also demonstrated good tolerability and high immunogenicity in humans, making it an attractive candidate for personalized vaccines. The partnership will allow AchilleS Vaccines to leverage the wide range of in silico tools provided by InSilicoTrials, among which the Immunogenicity Risk Screen tool, a computational solution that predicts the potential risk of immune responses to new protein sequences. It enables the evaluation of potential immunogenicity risks of new protein sequences in silico, without the need for animal testing, which can accelerate vaccine development and create safer and more effective vaccines. "We are excited to collaborate with AchilleS Vaccines to develop vaccines that can make a real impact on patients' lives," said Luca Emili, CEO of InSilicoTrials. "Our in silico platform and tools have the potential to accelerate the development of new vaccines while reducing the need for animal testing." "Since the birth of our company we have dreamed of carrying out a preclinical development of a vaccine or a monoclonal antibody while minimizing waste, which is why the LAB 4.0 project was born. We are now excited to partner with InSilico Trials to take this concept further and extend it to the point where we can simulate the entire biopharmaceutical development chain from lab, to animal testing, to clinic, while dramatically reducing related risks," said Riccardo Baccheschi, President and CEO of AchilleS Vaccines. The collaboration agreement between InSilicoTrials and AchilleS Vaccines represents a significant step forward in the development of personalized vaccines that could transform the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases. About InSilicoTrials InSilicoTrials is a company that specializes in using artificial intelligence (AI) and simulations to improve drugs and medical device development. The company built an ecosystem of more than 70 scientific collaborations, where computational models are developed with internationally recognized universities and research centers, offering access to the highest level of data security. InSilicoTrials' goal is to help pharmaceutical, medtech companies and researchers develop new drugs more efficiently and at a lower cost by reducing the need for traditional, time-consuming, and expensive clinical trials. With its cloud-based platform offering advanced Modeling and Simulation (M&S) tools to perform in silico trials analyses, InSilicoTrials supports companies to integrate AI and simulation technology into their drug development workflows. InSilicoTrials is currently working on four projects funded by the European Commission: In Silico World, SimCardioTest, BRAINTEASER & Disc4All. About AchilleS Vaccines AchilleS Vaccines is a biotechnology company engaged in the development of new products to address some of today's most crucial health problems, including antibiotic resistance and emerging infectious diseases and with a strategic focus on health programs on the African continent. AV's goal is to develop safe and potent vaccines and monoclonal antibodies through scalable, sustainable and cost-effective development and production processes. The company uses disruptive technology platforms, a large network of multidisciplinary, national and international partners, with the support of forward-looking European institutions. The AchilleS Vaccines LAB 4.0 represents a new paradigm for the initial development of new biopharmaceutical products and will open new opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry. We aim to expand the "LAB 4.0 vision" and the innovative approach of "development by design" towards new methodologies by combining "development by design" with a "biopharmaceutical development by simulation" starting from the laboratory stage and ending at the clinical stage, covering the whole cycle of product development. Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2059561/InSilicoTrials_and_AchilleS_Vaccines.jpg SOURCE InSilicoTrials NEW YORK, April 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The insurance market size is set to grow by USD 1,429.64 billion between 2022 and 2027 and register a CAGR of 4.5%, according to Technavio's latest market research report. With a focus on identifying dominant industry influencers, Technavio's reports present a detailed study by the way of synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources. This report offers an up-to-date analysis of the current market scenario, the latest trends and drivers, and the overall market environment. View our Sample PDF Report. The report also covers the following areas: Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Insurance Market 2023-2027 Insurance Market 2023-2027: Segmentation Distribution Channel Sales Personnel Insurance Agencies Type Life Non-life Geography North America APAC Europe South America Middle East And Africa The market share growth by the sales personnel segment will be significant for the market growth during the forecast period. Given the competitive nature of the insurance industry, sales representatives play a key role in developing and maintaining a company's brand image. Sales personnel must be able to communicate their company's vision, values, and benefits to their clients in a compelling and persuasive way. To be successful in this role, the salesperson must possess strong verbal and written communication skills. Hence, such factors drive segment growth during the forecast period. Insurance Market 2023-2027: Vendor Analysis and Scope The market is fragmented, and the degree of fragmentation will accelerate during the forecast period. Some of the major vendors of the insurance market include Aditya Birla Management Corp. Pvt. Ltd., Allianz SE, American International Group Inc., AXA Group, Bank of America Corp., Berkshire Hathaway Inc., Canara Bank, Citigroup Inc., Go Digit General Insurance Ltd., HDFC Ltd., JPMorgan Chase and Co., Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd., Life Insurance Corp. of India, Microsoft Corp., State Bank of India, Tata Sons Pvt. Ltd., The PNC Financial Services Group Inc., Truist Financial Corp., U.S. Bancorp, and Wells Fargo and Co. To help businesses improve their market position, Technavio's report provides a detailed analysis of around 15+ vendors operating in the market. To leverage the current opportunities, market vendors must strengthen their foothold in the fast-growing segments while maintaining their positions in the slow-growing segments. Backed with competitive intelligence and benchmarking, our research reports on the insurance market are designed to provide entry support, customer profile, & M&As as well as go-to-market strategy support. Vendor Offerings Aditya Birla Management Corp. Pvt. Ltd. - The company offers insurance such as Aditya Birla health insurance. The company offers insurance such as Aditya Birla health insurance. Allianz SE - The company offers insurance such as business insurance and property insurance. The company offers insurance such as business insurance and property insurance. American International Group Inc. - The company offers insurance such as Travel Guard travel insurance. Insurance Market 2023-2027: Market Dynamics Key Drivers The increasing government regulations on mandatory insurance coverage in developing countries is a major driver fueling the growth of the market during the forecast period. Automobile insurance is compulsory in most countries around the world when driving a vehicle on public roads. In some countries, such as India , it is compulsory to have automobile insurance for vehicles on public roads. For instance, anyone who owns or drives a vehicle in Maine , US, must have at least the minimum legal coverage for insurance, which is required by law. , it is compulsory to have automobile insurance for vehicles on public roads. For instance, anyone who owns or drives a vehicle in , US, must have at least the minimum legal coverage for insurance, which is required by law. Similarly, most developed countries have compulsory health insurance coverage, and travel insurance is mandatory for anyone traveling to a foreign country. Visas will not be issued to those without travel insurance. In addition, the global insurance market is expanding rapidly due to the growth of various types of insurance. Major Trends An emerging trend in the insurance market is the investors collaborating with InsurTech firms. The use of technology has transformed the entire insurance value chain. These include transforming the costing process, improving the consumer experience, increasing process transparency, reducing fraud, and simplifying the customer complaint process. InsurTech providers are focusing on increasing consumer demand for sophisticated personalization of insurance products and personalized services. InsurTech also aims to provide adequate insurance to individuals. The flow of insurance enrollment by application is increasing worldwide. Also, the importance of InsurTech for insurance companies is growing rapidly. Over the next decade, the entire insurance process will be digitized, eliminating the need for physical intervention during the forecast period. These factors are, therefore, driving more investor collaborations with InsurTech companies in the market. Key Challenges A major challenge impeding the growth of the insurance market is the tightening of the regulatory environment for insurance players. Regulatory bodies around the world are enacting new laws and regulations based on the latest industry requirements. Recently, the NAIC developed an add-on to its required assessment framework, the Own Risk and Solvency Assessment (ORSA). ORSA is an internal process undertaken by an insurance organization, individual agency, or insurance group to assess the adequacy of its risk management capabilities. ORSA must analyze all reasonably foreseeable and applicable material risks that could affect the insurer's ability to meet its customer obligations. However, with increased government regulation, insurers may face the challenge of increasing demands on the insurance industry. This will have a direct impact on the global insurance market, as it will depend on the revenues of the insurance industry in the coming years. In addition, insurers must continuously improve the services they offer to keep up with changing laws and regulations. Insurance Market 2023-2027: Key Highlights CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2023-2027 Detailed information on factors that will assist insurance market growth during the next five years Estimation of the insurance market size and its contribution to the parent market Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior The growth of the insurance market Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of insurance market vendors Subscribe to get instant lifetime access to 17,000+ market research reports and market intelligence. Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform Related Reports: The insurance technology market in Europe is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 34.58% between 2022 and 2027. The size of the market is forecasted to increase by USD 14,523.99 million. This report extensively covers market segmentation by type (solution and service), technology (cloud computing, IoT, big data and business analytics, blockchain, and others), and geography (UK, France, Germany, Italy, Rest of Europe). The increasing adoption of cloud-based solutions is notably driving market growth. The homeowners insurance market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 4.18%, and the size of the market is forecasted to increase by USD 57.01 billion between 2022 and 2027. This report extensively covers market segmentation by type (fire and theft, house damage, floods and earthquake, and others), source (captive, independent agent, and direct response. The rising number of natural disasters and man-made hazards are notably driving market growth. Insurance Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 4.5% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 1,429.64 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023(%) 4.23 Regional analysis North America, APAC, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution North America at 46% Key countries US, China, Japan, UK, and France Competitive landscape Leading Vendors, Market Positioning of Vendors, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks Key companies profiled Aditya Birla Management Corp. Pvt. Ltd., Allianz SE, American International Group Inc., AXA Group, Bank of America Corp., Berkshire Hathaway Inc., Canara Bank, Citigroup Inc., Go Digit General Insurance Ltd., HDFC Ltd., JPMorgan Chase and Co., Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd., Life Insurance Corp. of India, Microsoft Corp., State Bank of India, Tata Sons Pvt. Ltd., The PNC Financial Services Group Inc., Truist Financial Corp., U.S. Bancorp, and Wells Fargo and Co. Market dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and recovery analysis and future consumer dynamics, Market condition analysis for the forecast period Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized. Browse for Technavio's Consumer Discretionary Reports Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 1.1 Market overview Exhibit 01: Executive Summary Chart on Market Overview Exhibit 02: Executive Summary Data Table on Market Overview Exhibit 03: Executive Summary Chart on Global Market Characteristics Exhibit 04: Executive Summary Chart on Market by Geography Exhibit 05: Executive Summary Chart on Market Segmentation by Distribution Channel Exhibit 06: Executive Summary Chart on Market Segmentation by Type Exhibit 07: Executive Summary Chart on Incremental Growth Exhibit 08: Executive Summary Data Table on Incremental Growth Exhibit 09: Executive Summary Chart on Vendor Market Positioning 2 Market Landscape 2.1 Market ecosystem Exhibit 10: Parent market Exhibit 11: Market Characteristics 3 Market Sizing 3.1 Market definition Exhibit 12: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition 3.2 Market segment analysis Exhibit 13: Market segments 3.3 Market size 2022 3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2022-2027 Exhibit 14: Chart on Global - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 15: Data Table on Global - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 16: Chart on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 17: Data Table on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 4 Historic Market Size 4.1 Global insurance market 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 18: Historic Market Size Data Table on Global insurance market 2017 - 2021 ($ billion) 4.2 Distribution Channel Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 19: Historic Market Size Distribution Channel Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ billion) 4.3 Type Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 20: Historic Market Size Type Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ billion) 4.4 Geography Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 21: Historic Market Size Geography Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ billion) 4.5 Country Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 22: Historic Market Size Country Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ billion) 5 Five Forces Analysis 5.1 Five forces summary Exhibit 23: Five forces analysis - Comparison between 2022 and 2027 5.2 Bargaining power of buyers Exhibit 24: Chart on Bargaining power of buyers Impact of key factors 2022 and 2027 5.3 Bargaining power of suppliers Exhibit 25: Bargaining power of suppliers Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.4 Threat of new entrants Exhibit 26: Threat of new entrants Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.5 Threat of substitutes Exhibit 27: Threat of substitutes Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.6 Threat of rivalry Exhibit 28: Threat of rivalry Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.7 Market condition Exhibit 29: Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2022 and 2027 6 Market Segmentation by Distribution Channel 6.1 Market segments Exhibit 30: Chart on Distribution Channel - Market share 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 31: Data Table on Distribution Channel - Market share 2022-2027 (%) 6.2 Comparison by Distribution Channel Exhibit 32: Chart on Comparison by Distribution Channel Exhibit 33: Data Table on Comparison by Distribution Channel 6.3 Sales personnel - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 34: Chart on Sales personnel - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 35: Data Table on Sales personnel - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 36: Chart on Sales personnel - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 37: Data Table on Sales personnel - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 6.4 Insurance agencies - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 38: Chart on Insurance agencies - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 39: Data Table on Insurance agencies - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 40: Chart on Insurance agencies - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 41: Data Table on Insurance agencies - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 6.5 Market opportunity by Distribution Channel Exhibit 42: Market opportunity by Distribution Channel ($ billion) Exhibit 43: Data Table on Market opportunity by Distribution Channel ($ billion) 7 Market Segmentation by Type 7.1 Market segments Exhibit 44: Chart on Type - Market share 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 45: Data Table on Type - Market share 2022-2027 (%) 7.2 Comparison by Type Exhibit 46: Chart on Comparison by Type Exhibit 47: Data Table on Comparison by Type 7.3 Life - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 48: Chart on Life - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 49: Data Table on Life - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 50: Chart on Life - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 51: Data Table on Life - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 7.4 Non-life - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 52: Chart on Non-life - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 53: Data Table on Non-life - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 54: Chart on Non-life - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 55: Data Table on Non-life - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 7.5 Market opportunity by Type Exhibit 56: Market opportunity by Type ($ billion) Exhibit 57: Data Table on Market opportunity by Type ($ billion) 8 Customer Landscape 8.1 Customer landscape overview Exhibit 58: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria 9 Geographic Landscape 9.1 Geographic segmentation Exhibit 59: Chart on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 60: Data Table on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%) 9.2 Geographic comparison Exhibit 61: Chart on Geographic comparison Exhibit 62: Data Table on Geographic comparison 9.3 North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 63: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 64: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 65: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 66: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.4 APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 67: Chart on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 68: Data Table on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 69: Chart on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 70: Data Table on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.5 Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 71: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 72: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 73: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 74: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.6 South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 75: Chart on South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 76: Data Table on South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 77: Chart on South America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 78: Data Table on South America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.7 Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 79: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 80: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 81: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) and - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 82: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.8 US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 83: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 84: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 85: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 86: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.9 China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 87: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 88: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 89: Chart on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 90: Data Table on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.10 Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 91: Chart on Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 92: Data Table on Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 93: Chart on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 94: Data Table on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.11 UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 95: Chart on UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 96: Data Table on UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 97: Chart on UK - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 98: Data Table on UK - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.12 France - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 99: Chart on France - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 100: Data Table on France - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 101: Chart on France - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 102: Data Table on France - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.13 Market opportunity by geography Exhibit 103: Market opportunity by geography ($ billion) Exhibit 104: Data Tables on Market opportunity by geography ($ billion) 10 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10.1 Market drivers 10.2 Market challenges 10.3 Impact of drivers and challenges Exhibit 105: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2022 and 2027 10.4 Market trends 11 Vendor Landscape 11.1 Overview 11.2 Vendor landscape Exhibit 106: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation 11.3 Landscape disruption Exhibit 107: Overview on factors of disruption 11.4 Industry risks Exhibit 108: Impact of key risks on business 12 Vendor Analysis 12.1 Vendors covered Exhibit 109: Vendors covered 12.2 Market positioning of vendors Exhibit 110: Matrix on vendor position and classification 12.3 Aditya Birla Management Corp. Pvt. Ltd. Exhibit 111: Aditya Birla Management Corp. Pvt. Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 112: Aditya Birla Management Corp. Pvt. Ltd. - Product / Service Exhibit 113: Aditya Birla Management Corp. Pvt. Ltd. - Key offerings 12.4 Allianz SE Exhibit 114: Allianz SE - Overview Exhibit 115: Allianz SE - Business segments Exhibit 116: Allianz SE - Key news Exhibit 117: Allianz SE - Key offerings Exhibit 118: Allianz SE - Segment focus 12.5 American International Group Inc. Exhibit 119: American International Group Inc. - Overview Exhibit 120: American International Group Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 121: American International Group Inc. - Key news Exhibit 122: American International Group Inc. - Key offerings Exhibit 123: American International Group Inc. - Segment focus 12.6 AXA Group Exhibit 124: AXA Group - Overview Exhibit 125: AXA Group - Business segments Exhibit 126: AXA Group - Key offerings Exhibit 127: AXA Group - Segment focus 12.7 Bank of America Corp. Exhibit 128: Bank of America Corp. - Overview Exhibit 129: Bank of America Corp. - Business segments Exhibit 130: Bank of America Corp. - Key news Exhibit 131: Bank of America Corp. - Key offerings Exhibit 132: Bank of America Corp. - Segment focus 12.8 Berkshire Hathaway Inc. Exhibit 133: Berkshire Hathaway Inc. - Overview Exhibit 134: Berkshire Hathaway Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 135: Berkshire Hathaway Inc. - Key news Exhibit 136: Berkshire Hathaway Inc. - Key offerings Exhibit 137: Berkshire Hathaway Inc. - Segment focus 12.9 Canara Bank Exhibit 138: Canara Bank - Overview Exhibit 139: Canara Bank - Product / Service Exhibit 140: Canara Bank - Key offerings 12.10 Citigroup Inc. Exhibit 141: Citigroup Inc. - Overview Exhibit 142: Citigroup Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 143: Citigroup Inc. - Key offerings Exhibit 144: Citigroup Inc. - Segment focus 12.11 HDFC Ltd. Exhibit 145: HDFC Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 146: HDFC Ltd. - Product / Service Exhibit 147: HDFC Ltd. - Key offerings 12.12 JPMorgan Chase and Co. Exhibit 148: JPMorgan Chase and Co. - Overview Exhibit 149: JPMorgan Chase and Co. - Business segments Exhibit 150: JPMorgan Chase and Co. - Key offerings Exhibit 151: JPMorgan Chase and Co. - Segment focus 12.13 Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd. Exhibit 152: Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 153: Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd. - Business segments Exhibit 154: Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd. - Key offerings Exhibit 155: Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd. - Segment focus 12.14 Life Insurance Corp. of India Exhibit 156: Life Insurance Corp. of India - Overview - Overview Exhibit 157: Life Insurance Corp. of India - Product / Service - Product / Service Exhibit 158: Life Insurance Corp. of India - Key offerings 12.15 Microsoft Corp. Exhibit 159: Microsoft Corp. - Overview Exhibit 160: Microsoft Corp. - Business segments Exhibit 161: Microsoft Corp. - Key news Exhibit 162: Microsoft Corp. - Key offerings Exhibit 163: Microsoft Corp. - Segment focus 12.16 Tata Sons Pvt. Ltd. Exhibit 164: Tata Sons Pvt. Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 165: Tata Sons Pvt. Ltd. - Business segments Exhibit 166: Tata Sons Pvt. Ltd. - Key offerings Exhibit 167: Tata Sons Pvt. Ltd. - Segment focus 12.17 Wells Fargo and Co. Exhibit 168: Wells Fargo and Co. - Overview Exhibit 169: Wells Fargo and Co. - Business segments Exhibit 170: Wells Fargo and Co. - Key offerings Exhibit 171: Wells Fargo and Co. - Segment focus 13 Appendix 13.1 Scope of the report 13.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist Exhibit 172: Inclusions checklist Exhibit 173: Exclusions checklist 13.3 Currency conversion rates for US$ Exhibit 174: Currency conversion rates for US$ 13.4 Research methodology Exhibit 175: Research methodology Exhibit 176: Validation techniques employed for market sizing Exhibit 177: Information sources 13.5 List of abbreviations Exhibit 178: List of abbreviations About Us Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contact Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technavio SHANGHAI, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- It is reported by Xinhua News Agency that the 20th Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition (Auto Shanghai 2023) kicked off on Tuesday in east China's Shanghai and will last until April 27. As the first A-class international auto show held in China this year, Auto Shanghai 2023 serves as a grand gathering for global car manufacturers. Through boosting confidence of auto market and promoting auto consumption, the event is expected to release vitality of the auto industry and forge international cooperation for high-quality development. A new car model launched at the 20th Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition, April 18, 2023. With a total exhibition area of over 360,000 square meters, the exhibition occupies 13 indoor halls at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), attracting more than 1,000 exhibitors across the world. Global auto giants such as BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen have registered for the event, as well as major domestic auto groups including FAW Hongqi, Dongfeng Motor, SAIC Motor, Changan Automobile, BAIC Motor, GAC Group, etc. Luxury brands including Porsche, Lamborghini, Maserati, Bentley, Rolls-Royce are presented at the show, as well as new energy vehicle brands such as NIO, XPeng, Li Auto, and a number of motorcycle brands. The event is also featured by a comprehensive display of latest technologies and products of the auto industry, with the world's top auto parts suppliers and tech companies taking part in the show. It is expected that the event will promote in-depth integration of the auto industry with related sectors such as electronics, software and so on. A series of parallel events are designed alongside the show, with themes centering on the industry's heated topics such as new energy, Internet of Things, hydrogen energy, intelligent vehicle, etc. Auto Shanghai 2023 is committed to depicting the new trend of auto industry's future development which is largely driven by technological innovation. Auto Shanghai 2023 is organized by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, the Shanghai Council for the Promotion of International Trade and the Automotive Sub-Council under the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade. The show will be open to the public from April 22 to 27, according to the schedule of the event, whereas April 18 and 19 are for press only, and April 20 and 21 are designated to professional audience. Image Attachments Links: Link: https://iop.asianetnews.net/view-attachment?attach-id=440158 Caption: A new car model launched at the 20th Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition, April 18, 2023. SOURCE Auto Shanghai 2023 The Egyptian Armed Forces announced on Thursday undertaking evacuation of Egyptian troops who were in a training with the Sudanese army from the country. A statement, which was released by the official spokesperson of the Egyptian Armed Forces this morning, explained that this has taken place amid the ongoing events in Sudan and as part of the efforts of the Egyptian Armed Forces in close cooperation with all security agencies in Egypt and Sudan to secure the return of the Egyptian troops that were participating in joint training with the Sudanese army. On Wednesday 19 April, all necessary coordination was undertaken with the Sudanese authorities to land three transport planes from the Egyptian Armed Forces in an airbase in Sudan to carry out the mission of evacuating the Egyptian troops in a completely safe way and that was followed by the the takeoff of the three planes in three successive flights which carried the majority of the members of the Egyptian force to an Egyptian military base in Cairo, the statement continued. On this morning of Thursday 20 April and in coordination with concerned Sudanese parties and friendly and brotherly countries as well as the International Committee of the Red Cross, the secure arrival of all remaining Egyptian to the Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt was accomplished in preparation for evacuating them from Sudan upon stabilisation of the situation and availability of adequate security conditions back to the homeland. The statement concluded that the Egyptian Armed Forces confirms that all Egyptian troops who returned to the homeland or those who are at the Egyptian embassy in Khartoum are well and in good health. Search Keywords: Short link: Legendary Jazz Pianist Kenny Barron's Trio includes GRAMMY Award Nominated Bassist KIYOSHO KITAGAWA and GRAMMY Award Nominated Drummer JOHNATHAN BLAKE. Kenny Barron and his Acclaimed Trio perform at Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club in Portsmouth, New Hampshire on Saturday May 5 at 7:30 P.M. Tickets for the KENNY BARRON TRIO at Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club., as well as the current list of 2023 shows, can be found on Ticketmaster.com and Jimmy's Online Event Calendar at: http://www.jimmysoncongress.com/events. PORTSMOUTH, N.H., April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club Features NEA Jazz Master & 12x-GRAMMY Award Nominated Jazz Pianist & Composer KENNY BARRON and his Acclaimed Trio on Saturday May 5 at 7:30 P.M. Kenny Barron, whether he is playing solo, trio or quintet, is recognized the world over as a master of performance and composition. Barron has an unmatched ability to mesmerize audiences with his elegant playing, sensitive melodies and infectious rhythms. With over 40 recordings as a leader, Kenny Barron is one of the most influential mainstream jazz pianists since the bebop era. "One of the top jazz pianists in the world," says the LOS ANGELES TIMES about NEA Jazz Master KENNY BARRON. Tweet this Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club features Legendary Jazz Pianist KENNY BARRON on Saturday May 6 at 7:30 P.M. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com and www.jimmysoncongress.com. "One of the top jazz pianists in the world." LOS ANGELES TIMES "The most lyrical piano player of our time." JAZZ WEEKLY "More than half a century later, Barron is still writing original music that touches listeners' soul." DOWNBEAT MAGAZINE "One of the iconic pianists of our time." GLIDE MAGAZINE KENNY BARRON's recordings have earned him 12 GRAMMY Award Nominations beginning in 1992 with the song "Soul Eyes", which was an outstanding duet with Stan Getz from their album People Time. More recently, Barron's 2016 critically acclaimed album Book of Intuition was Nominated for a GRAMMY Award for "Best Jazz Instrumental Album". Barron is also 6x-Jazz Journalist Association "Pianist of the Year" Award-Winner. In 2021, Barron was Nominated for a GRAMMY Award for "Best Improvised Jazz Solo" for the song "Kick Those Feet". Barron's GRAMMY Award Nominations include: 5x-"Best Jazz Instrumental Solo", 3x-"Best Jazz Instrumental Performance" and 2x-"Best Jazz Instrumental Album". Kenny was born in 1943 and while a teenager, started playing professionally with Mel Melvin's orchestra. This local band also featured Barron's brother Bill, the late tenor saxophonist. While still in high school. Kenny worked with drummer Philly Joe Jones and at age 19, he moved to New York City and freelanced with Roy Haynes, Lee Morgan and James Moody, after the tenor saxophonist heard him play at the Five Spot. Upon Moody's recommendation, Dizzy Gillespie hired Barron in 1962 without even hearing him play a note. It was in Dizzy's band where Kenny developed an appreciation for Latin and Caribbean rhythms. After five years with Dizzy, Barron played with Freddie Hubbard, Stanley Turrentine, Milt Jackson, and Buddy Rich. The early seventies found Kenny working with Yusef Lateef who Kenny credits as a key influence in his art for improvisation. Encouraged by Lateef, to pursue a college education, Barron balanced touring with studies and earned his B.A. in Music from Empire State College. By 1973, Kenny joined the faculty at Rutgers University as professor of music. He held this tenure until 2000, mentoring many of today's young talents including David Sanchez, Terence Blanchard and Regina Bell. In 1974, Kenny recorded his first album as a leader for the Muse label, entitled Sunset To Dawn. This was to be the first in over 40 recordings (and still counting!) as a leader. Following stints with renowned bassist Ron Carter in the late seventies, Kenny formed a trio with Buster Williams and Ben Riley which also worked alongside of Eddie Lockjaw" Davis, Eddie Harris, Sonny Stitt and Harry "Sweets" Edison. Throughout the 80's, Barron collaborated with the great tenor saxophonist Stan Getz, touring with his quartet and recording several legendary albums including Anniversary (1987), Serenity (1989) and the GRAMMY Award Nominated People Time (1991). Also during the 80's, he co-founded the quartet "Sphere," along with Buster Williams, Ben Riley and Charlie Rouse. This band focused on the music of Thelonious Monk and original compositions inspired by him. Sphere recorded several outstanding albums for the Polygram label, among them Four For All and the album Bird Songs. In 2008, Barron released The Traveler (Universal France), an intoxicating mix of favorite Barron tunes set to lyrics and newly penned compositions. For his first vocal based recording, Barron invited Grady Tate (who sheds his drumsticks for this special appearance), Tony Award-Winner Ann Hampton Calloway and the young phenom and GRAMMY Award Nominated Vocalist Gretchen Parlato, Winner of the Thelonious Monk International Competition for Jazz. After a successful musical meeting of the minds with GRAMMY Award-Winning Bassist Dave Holland, the two masters decided to collaborate on a duet project released in 2014 entitled The Art of Conversation. In 2020, Barron and Holland would release a second acclaimed album, Without Deception. In 2010, Kenny Barron was awarded the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Jazz Masters Fellowship, the highest honor that our nation bestows on jazz artists. Each year since 1982, the program has elevated to its ranks a select number of living legends who have made exceptional contributions to the advancement of jazz. KENNY BARRON Tickets & Current Schedule of Shows Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club's 2023 Schedule of Shows included 7 NEA Jazz Masters, 37 GRAMMY Award-Winning Artists, 30 Blues Music Award-Winners, and a comprehensive list of talented musicians with 350+ GRAMMY Award Nominations amongst them. Tickets for the KENNY BARRON TRIO at Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club on Saturday May 5 at 7:30 P.M., as well as the current list of 2023 shows, can be found on Ticketmaster and Jimmy's Online Event Calendar at: http://www.jimmysoncongress.com/events. ABOUT JIMMY'S JAZZ & BLUES CLUB The mission of Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club is to provide guests a one-of-a-kind, world-class experience featuring serious jazz and blues music served with exceptional cuisine. Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club features a spectacular and visually breathtaking environment engineered to deliver the highest quality acoustics while utilizing state-of-the-art production, sound and lighting technologies. Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club is located within a beautifully restored 1905 building at 135 Congress Street in the heart of historic downtown Portsmouth, New Hampshire. For more information visit www.jimmysoncongress.com or follow us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/JimmysJazzBlues and on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/jimmysjazzblues/. Sign-up for Jimmy's Email Newsletter to stay informed on Upcoming Shows, New Artist Announcements, Promotional Offers, Ticket On-Sale Dates, Special Performances, and Jimmy's Sunday Jazz Brunch. PRIVATE EVENTS AT JIMMY'S An architecturally breathtaking center of arts and culture in the heart of historic Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club offers a rare and spectacular venue to host important corporate functions, weddings, intimate or large-scale social gatherings, private parties, and memorable celebrations. The team at Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club put heart and soul into creating a stunning full-service event space with new state-of-the-art production, sound & lighting technologies delivered with outstanding next-level culinary experiences. Our high-touch approach with professional and experienced event staff ensures that everything is tailored to exceed your expectations. To start a conversation about hosting your event at Jimmy's Jazz and Blues Club, please call us at 888-603-5299, or fill out Jimmy's Private Event Request Form. Website: http://www.jimmysoncongress.com Contact: Suzanne Bresette [email protected] 888-603-JAZZ SOURCE Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club CHANGSHA, China, April 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- LORD & BERRY, the premier cosmetics company, proudly hosted its first brand ceremony in China, to showcase makeup's journey over the years as well as promoting their company culture. "Beauty to Wear", the name of the showcase, provided the Italian brand the opportunity to interact with over 300 guests, including key opinion leaders and influencers, channel distributors, makeup artists, and the media. Paolo Blayer, Founder and CEO of LORD & BERRY, joined 'Recreating the Beauty of Milan Fashion Show' at the Ceremony China has a complex market of 1.4 billion people with diverse urban structures. Tier 1 cities such as Beijing and Shanghai account for only 5% of the total population, while new Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities such as Changsha already have nearly 500 million urban citizens. These cities are rapidly emerging and driving consumption growth. Changsha is not only recognized as China's first "UNESCO Creative City in media arts", but also has a booming consumer atmosphere, which provides an opportunity for beauty brands to deeply connect and dialogue with Chinese consumers. LORD & BERRY's ceremony was held at the S'Young International's operation center in Changsha, providing a spectacular show for young consumers and brand partners. A mainstay in the makeup industry for the past three decades, LORD & BERRY's display of the recent history of makeup followed the theme "Nude, Black, and Color" to convey the brand and its focus on passion and craftsmanship as integral components of the beauty industry. Each palette represented a different concept. "Nude" was chosen for its connection to the ideas of authenticity and fearlessness, "Black" embodied the reinvention of oneself and the molding of one's own character, and "Color" epitomized the breaking of rules and exploring new possibilities of personality. To further emphasize this commitment to individuality and expression, LORD & BERRY invited a diverse coteries of models to help portray the brand's identity and to highlight the fact that beauty does not conform to any one type. CEO of LORD & BERRY, Paolo Blayer was in attendance at the event. A chemical engineer by training, Blayer has been deeply involved in the beauty industry and has focused on quality as part of his leadership of the brand. At the end of the show, Blayer spoke on LORD & BERRY's journey over the years and their upcoming future. He discussed the company's entrance into the Chinese market in 2019 and how they have grown over the recent years into a brand that is synonymous with top-notch products amongst Chinese consumers. Blayer was joined by top Chinese makeup artist, and one of LORD & BERRY's first consumer, Li Ze, who shared her story working with the brand. Based in Milan since 1998, LORD & BERRY has been a mainstay of the fashion industry and makeup artists thanks to its high standard of quality. Since 1997, LORD & BERRY has maintained a cooperative relationship with Milan and London Fashion Weeks and has collaborated with professional color institutes such as Pantone to develop the latest color palettes, which are integrated into their products and show makeup. After entering the Chinese market in 2019, LORD & BERRY has leveraged its reputation as a pillar of global Fashion Weeks, to reach makeup enthusiasts throughout China via a matrix-based operational structure on Tmall, JD, and Douyin, with brand popularity increasing by 200% year-on-year and market share exceeding 500%. To date, LORD & BERRY's foundation products are some of the most highly sought-after imported items on TMall. Those remarkable achievements of LORD & BERRY in the Chinese market are the results of close partnership with its China Partner, S'Young International. With great confidence, LORD & BERRY will continue its partnership to maximize its omnichannel capabilities to integrate the brand into key fashion events. SOURCE LORD & BERRY; S'Young International NEW YORK, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Technavio has been monitoring the modular cleanroom market, and it is expected to grow by USD 2,868.69 million from 2022 to 2027. As per the latest report, the market will progress at a CAGR of 7.44% during the forecast period. This report aids business leaders with an up-to-date analysis that includes the study of the current market scenario, the latest trends and drivers that are likely to influence the market growth, and the overall market environment. Increasing demand for modular cleanrooms from the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries is one of the emerging trends in the modular cleanroom market. The pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries are examples of major end users of the market. Production should be set up to efficiently control any contamination, whether it comes from workers, raw materials, finished products, processing facilities, equipment, or accommodating services, in both the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. Hence, the demand for modular cleanrooms consequently will rise during the forecast period. Download the Latest Sample PDF Report! Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Modular Cleanroom Market 2023-2027 (PRNewsfoto/Technavio) Modular Cleanroom Market 2023-2027: Scope Technavio presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources. Our modular cleanroom market report covers the following areas: Modular Cleanroom Market 2023-2027: Market Dynamics Key Drivers Growing preference for modular cleanrooms is a major driver for the growth of the modular cleanroom market. In a modular cleanroom, walls and other cleanroom components are factory manufactured and installed where needed. Modular cleanrooms have many advantages over cleanrooms with solid walls. For example, prefabricated panels are used in modular cleanrooms to reduce the time it takes to build cleanroom walls. This cuts the overall construction time in half. It also eliminates hassles and delays caused by inclement weather and supply chain disruptions. Hence, such factors will influence the growth of the market growth of modular cleanrooms market during the forecast period. Key Challenges Fluctuations in raw material prices are a major challenge impeding the modular cleanroom market growth. Aluminum, stainless steel, and glass are the main materials for building modular clean rooms because they are lightweight, portable, and easy to clean. Manufacturers of modular cleanrooms must determine the cost of their products. The cost of raw materials determines the price of the finished product. The monthly price fluctuations of aluminum make it difficult for suppliers to price modular cleanrooms. Aluminum steel is often used by manufacturers of modular clean rooms. Therefore, when commodity prices change, it becomes difficult for manufacturers to develop pricing strategies. Profit margins can be impacted by ineffective pricing strategies. Hence, such challenges may hinder the market growth during the forecast period. Modular Cleanroom Market 2023-2027: Segmentation Type Hardwall Softwall End-user Medical Semiconductor Others Geography North America Europe APAC South America Middle East And Africa The market share growth by the hardwall segment will be significant for the market growth during the forecast period. Modular hard wall cleanrooms are growing in popularity in many industries where installing large permanent cleanrooms is a business challenge. Pre-designed construction modules make it easy to move or retrofit modular solid wall cleanroom. This reduces clean room operator losses during conversion. Due to the ever-changing demand for hard wall cleanrooms from various industries, there is a need to create more versatile modular hard wall cleanrooms. The cost benefits and additional features of modular cleanrooms are expected to boost the demand for cleanrooms during the forecast period, which will, in turn, have a positive impact on the global modular cleanroom market. How do different segments affect market growth? Find out! request a sample report! Modular Cleanroom Market 2023-2027: Vendor Analysis The market is fragmented, and the degree of fragmentation will accelerate during the forecast period. We provide a detailed analysis of around 25 vendors operating in the modular cleanroom market, including Abtech Inc., ACH Engineering Inc., AES Clean Technology, Allied Cleanrooms, American Cleanroom Systems, BasX Solutions, Bigneat Ltd., Clean Rooms International Inc., Clean Rooms West Inc., CleanAir Solutions Inc., Flowstar Corp., Gerbig Engineering, HY Cleanroom System Co. Ltd, Lennox Clean Room Technologies, MAK Clean Air Systems Pvt. Ltd., Modular Cleanrooms Inc., Nicomac Europe Srl, OCTANORM North America Inc., ProCleanroom , and Terra Universal Inc. Backed with competitive intelligence and benchmarking, our research reports on the modular cleanroom market are designed to provide entry support, customer profile, and M&As as well as go-to-market strategy support. Vendor Offerings Abtech Inc. - The company offers modular cleanrooms such as SFW Series. The company offers modular cleanrooms such as SFW Series. ACH Engineering Inc. - The company offers modular cleanroom solutions such as Modular Walls. The company offers modular cleanroom solutions such as Modular Walls. AES Clean Technology - The company offers modular cleanroom solutions such as AES Modular Wall and Ceiling. Modular Cleanroom Market 2023-2027: Key Highlights CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2023-2027 Detailed information on factors that will assist modular cleanroom market growth during the next five years Estimation of the modular cleanroom market size and its contribution to the parent market Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior The growth of the modular cleanroom market Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of modular cleanroom market vendors Get instant lifetime access to 17,000+ market research reports and world-class intelligence. Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform Related Reports: The modular construction market in US is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 5.61% between 2022 and 2027, and the size of the market is forecasted to increase by USD 5,641.62 million. This report extensively covers market segmentation by application (residential and commercial), and type (permanent and relocatable). Robust infrastructure development is the key driver boosting the growth of the US modular construction market. The self-propelled modular transporter (SPMT) market in North America size is expected to increase by USD 50.25 million from 2021 to 2026, and the market's growth momentum will decelerate at a CAGR of 4.43%. Furthermore, this report extensively covers market segmentation in North America by end-user (construction, oil industries, shipyard and offshore industry, and other industries) and geography (US, Canada, and Mexico). The growth of the construction industry is notably driving the SPMT market growth in North America. Modular Cleanroom Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 7.44% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 2,868.69 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022- 2023 (%) 7.3 Regional analysis North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution North America at 38% Key countries US, China, Japan, Germany, and UK Competitive landscape Leading Vendors, Market Positioning of Vendors, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks Key companies profiled Abtech Inc., ACH Engineering Inc., AES Clean Technology, Allied Cleanrooms, American Cleanroom Systems, BasX Solutions, Bigneat Ltd., Clean Rooms International Inc., Clean Rooms West Inc., CleanAir Solutions Inc., Flowstar Corp., Gerbig Engineering, HY Cleanroom System Co. Ltd, Lennox Clean Room Technologies, MAK Clean Air Systems Pvt. Ltd., Modular Cleanrooms Inc., Nicomac Europe Srl, OCTANORM North America Inc., ProCleanroom, and Terra Universal Inc. Market dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and recovery analysis and future consumer dynamics, Market condition analysis for the forecast period Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized. Browse for Technavio's Industrials Reports Table of Contents : 1 Executive Summary 1.1 Market overview Exhibit 01: Executive Summary Chart on Market Overview Exhibit 02: Executive Summary Data Table on Market Overview Exhibit 03: Executive Summary Chart on Global Market Characteristics Exhibit 04: Executive Summary Chart on Market by Geography Exhibit 05: Executive Summary Chart on Market Segmentation by Type Exhibit 06: Executive Summary Chart on Market Segmentation by End-user Exhibit 07: Executive Summary Chart on Incremental Growth Exhibit 08: Executive Summary Data Table on Incremental Growth Exhibit 09: Executive Summary Chart on Vendor Market Positioning 2 Market Landscape 2.1 Market ecosystem Exhibit 10: Parent market Exhibit 11: Market Characteristics 3 Market Sizing 3.1 Market definition Exhibit 12: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition 3.2 Market segment analysis Exhibit 13: Market segments 3.3 Market size 2022 3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2022-2027 Exhibit 14: Chart on Global - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 15: Data Table on Global - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 16: Chart on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 17: Data Table on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 4 Historic Market Size 4.1 Global modular cleanroom market 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 18: Historic Market Size Data Table on Global modular cleanroom market 2017 - 2021 ($ million) 4.2 Type Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 19: Historic Market Size Type Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million) 4.3 End-user Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 20: Historic Market Size End-user Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million) 4.4 Geography Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 21: Historic Market Size Geography Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million) 4.5 Country Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 22: Historic Market Size Country Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million) 5 Five Forces Analysis 5.1 Five forces summary Exhibit 23: Five forces analysis - Comparison between 2022 and 2027 5.2 Bargaining power of buyers Exhibit 24: Chart on Bargaining power of buyers Impact of key factors 2022 and 2027 5.3 Bargaining power of suppliers Exhibit 25: Bargaining power of suppliers Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.4 Threat of new entrants Exhibit 26: Threat of new entrants Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.5 Threat of substitutes Exhibit 27: Threat of substitutes Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.6 Threat of rivalry Exhibit 28: Threat of rivalry Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.7 Market condition Exhibit 29: Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2022 and 2027 6 Market Segmentation by Type 6.1 Market segments Exhibit 30: Chart on Type - Market share 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 31: Data Table on Type - Market share 2022-2027 (%) 6.2 Comparison by Type Exhibit 32: Chart on Comparison by Type Exhibit 33: Data Table on Comparison by Type 6.3 Hardwall - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 34: Chart on Hardwall - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 35: Data Table on Hardwall - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 36: Chart on Hardwall - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 37: Data Table on Hardwall - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 6.4 Softwall - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 38: Chart on Softwall - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 39: Data Table on Softwall - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 40: Chart on Softwall - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 41: Data Table on Softwall - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 6.5 Market opportunity by Type Exhibit 42: Market opportunity by Type ($ million) Exhibit 43: Data Table on Market opportunity by Type ($ million) 7 Market Segmentation by End-user 7.1 Market segments Exhibit 44: Chart on End-user - Market share 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 45: Data Table on End-user - Market share 2022-2027 (%) 7.2 Comparison by End-user Exhibit 46: Chart on Comparison by End-user Exhibit 47: Data Table on Comparison by End-user 7.3 Medical - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 48: Chart on Medical - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 49: Data Table on Medical - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 50: Chart on Medical - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 51: Data Table on Medical - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 7.4 Semiconductor - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 52: Chart on Semiconductor - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 53: Data Table on Semiconductor - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 54: Chart on Semiconductor - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 55: Data Table on Semiconductor - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 7.5 Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 56: Chart on Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 57: Data Table on Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 58: Chart on Others - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 59: Data Table on Others - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 7.6 Market opportunity by End-user Exhibit 60: Market opportunity by End-user ($ million) Exhibit 61: Data Table on Market opportunity by End-user ($ million) 8 Customer Landscape 8.1 Customer landscape overview Exhibit 62: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria 9 Geographic Landscape 9.1 Geographic segmentation Exhibit 63: Chart on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 64: Data Table on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%) 9.2 Geographic comparison Exhibit 65: Chart on Geographic comparison Exhibit 66: Data Table on Geographic comparison 9.3 North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 67: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 68: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 69: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 70: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.4 Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 71: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 72: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 73: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 74: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.5 APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 75: Chart on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 76: Data Table on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 77: Chart on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 78: Data Table on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.6 South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 79: Chart on South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 80: Data Table on South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 81: Chart on South America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 82: Data Table on South America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.7 Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 83: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 84: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 85: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) and - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 86: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.8 US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 87: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 88: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 89: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 90: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.9 China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 91: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 92: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 93: Chart on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 94: Data Table on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.10 Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 95: Chart on Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 96: Data Table on Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 97: Chart on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 98: Data Table on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.11 Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 99: Chart on Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 100: Data Table on Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 101: Chart on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 102: Data Table on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.12 UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 103: Chart on UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 104: Data Table on UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 105: Chart on UK - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 106: Data Table on UK - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.13 Market opportunity by geography Exhibit 107: Market opportunity by geography ($ million) Exhibit 108: Data Tables on Market opportunity by geography ($ million) 10 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10.1 Market drivers 10.2 Market challenges 10.3 Impact of drivers and challenges Exhibit 109: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2022 and 2027 10.4 Market trends 11 Vendor Landscape 11.1 Overview 11.2 Vendor landscape Exhibit 110: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation 11.3 Landscape disruption Exhibit 111: Overview on factors of disruption 11.4 Industry risks Exhibit 112: Impact of key risks on business 12 Vendor Analysis 12.1 Vendors covered Exhibit 113: Vendors covered 12.2 Market positioning of vendors Exhibit 114: Matrix on vendor position and classification 12.3 Abtech Inc. Exhibit 115: Abtech Inc. - Overview Exhibit 116: Abtech Inc. - Product / Service Exhibit 117: Abtech Inc. - Key offerings 12.4 ACH Engineering Inc. Exhibit 118: ACH Engineering Inc. - Overview Exhibit 119: ACH Engineering Inc. - Product / Service Exhibit 120: ACH Engineering Inc. - Key offerings 12.5 AES Clean Technology Exhibit 121: AES Clean Technology - Overview Exhibit 122: AES Clean Technology - Product / Service Exhibit 123: AES Clean Technology - Key offerings 12.6 Allied Cleanrooms Exhibit 124: Allied Cleanrooms - Overview Exhibit 125: Allied Cleanrooms - Product / Service Exhibit 126: Allied Cleanrooms - Key offerings 12.7 American Cleanroom Systems Exhibit 127: American Cleanroom Systems - Overview Exhibit 128: American Cleanroom Systems - Product / Service Exhibit 129: American Cleanroom Systems - Key offerings 12.8 BasX Solutions Exhibit 130: BasX Solutions - Overview Exhibit 131: BasX Solutions - Product / Service Exhibit 132: BasX Solutions - Key offerings 12.9 Bigneat Ltd. Exhibit 133: Bigneat Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 134: Bigneat Ltd. - Product / Service Exhibit 135: Bigneat Ltd. - Key offerings 12.10 Clean Rooms International Inc. Exhibit 136: Clean Rooms International Inc. - Overview Exhibit 137: Clean Rooms International Inc. - Product / Service Exhibit 138: Clean Rooms International Inc. - Key offerings 12.11 Clean Rooms West Inc. Exhibit 139: Clean Rooms West Inc. - Overview Exhibit 140: Clean Rooms West Inc. - Product / Service Exhibit 141: Clean Rooms West Inc. - Key offerings 12.12 CleanAir Solutions Inc. Exhibit 142: CleanAir Solutions Inc. - Overview Exhibit 143: CleanAir Solutions Inc. - Product / Service Exhibit 144: CleanAir Solutions Inc. - Key offerings 12.13 Flowstar Corp. Exhibit 145: Flowstar Corp. - Overview Exhibit 146: Flowstar Corp. - Product / Service Exhibit 147: Flowstar Corp. - Key offerings 12.14 Gerbig Engineering Exhibit 148: Gerbig Engineering - Overview Exhibit 149: Gerbig Engineering - Product / Service Exhibit 150: Gerbig Engineering - Key offerings 12.15 HY Cleanroom System Co. Ltd Exhibit 151: HY Cleanroom System Co. Ltd - Overview Exhibit 152: HY Cleanroom System Co. Ltd - Product / Service Exhibit 153: HY Cleanroom System Co. Ltd - Key offerings 12.16 Modular Cleanrooms Inc. Exhibit 154: Modular Cleanrooms Inc. - Overview Exhibit 155: Modular Cleanrooms Inc. - Product / Service Exhibit 156: Modular Cleanrooms Inc. - Key offerings 12.17 Terra Universal Inc. Exhibit 157: Terra Universal Inc. - Overview Exhibit 158: Terra Universal Inc. - Product / Service Exhibit 159: Terra Universal Inc. - Key offerings 13 Appendix 13.1 Scope of the report 13.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist Exhibit 160: Inclusions checklist Exhibit 161: Exclusions checklist 13.3 Currency conversion rates for US$ Exhibit 162: Currency conversion rates for US$ 13.4 Research methodology Exhibit 163: Research methodology Exhibit 164: Validation techniques employed for market sizing Exhibit 165: Information sources 13.5 List of abbreviations Exhibit 166: List of abbreviations About Us Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contact Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technavio NEW YORK, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The namkeen market in India size is set to grow by USD 3,162.26 million between 2022 and 2027 and register a CAGR of 8.42%, according to Technavio's latest market research report estimates. With a focus on identifying dominant industry influencers, Technavio's reports present a detailed study by the way of synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources. Get a comprehensive report summary describing the market size and forecast along with research methodology. Read our Sample Report Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled India Namkeen Market 2023-2027 Factors such as rising retail space in Tier-II and Tier-III cities of India, evolving taste preferences, and growing preference for savory snacks will offer immense growth opportunities. To leverage the current opportunities, market vendors must strengthen their foothold in the fast-growing segments, while maintaining their positions in the slow-growing segments. The namkeen market in India is fragmented, and the degree of fragmentation will accelerate during the forecast period. Namkeen Market in India 2023-2027: Segmentation Type Indian and Ethnic Snacks Western Snacks The market growth in the Indian and ethnic snacks segment will be significant over the forecast period. The segment includes snacks such as farsaan, chiwda, sev, neyappam, bhujia, and mathri. These snacks were traditionally prepared in Indian households and can be preserved for longer periods. The long preservation time has allowed vendors to pack them and distribute them through retail outlets. The increased availability of these snacks has also led people in India to choose namkeens over Western snacks. All these factors are driving the growth of the segment. Distribution Channel Offline Online The offline distribution channel segment will account for the maximum revenue generation in the market over the forecast period. The growth of the segment is driven by the expansion of hypermarkets and supermarkets in India. The ease of availability of products across platforms and the easy accessibility to outlets with a broad merchandise mix are other factors driving the growth of the segment. The report comprises of various segments as well as analysis of the trends and factors that are playing a substantial role in the market. Download a sample report Namkeen Market in India 2023-2027: Vendor Analysis and Scope The namkeen market in India is fragmented with the presence of numerous small and large manufacturers. Changes in consumer consumption pattern may affect vendor performance in the namkeen market in India market. It may also be affected by consumer tastes, global and regional economic conditions, and other demographic trends. The vendors compete based on several factors, such as quality, price, service, brand image, distribution, and marketing. Major vendors are focusing on acquiring other smaller brands to increase their market presence. In addition, the market is witnessing the entry of several private-label brands. Some of the key vendors covered in the report include: Babaji Snacks Pvt. Ltd. - The company offers namkeen such as aloo bhujia. - The company offers namkeen such as aloo bhujia. Balaji Wafers Pvt. Ltd. - The company offers namkeen such as ratlami sev. - The company offers namkeen such as ratlami sev. Bikaji Foods International Ltd. - The company offers namkeen such as roasted crushed peanuts. - The company offers namkeen such as roasted crushed peanuts. Bikanervala Foods Pvt. Ltd - The company offers namkeen such as Natkhat Nimbu. - The company offers namkeen such as Natkhat Nimbu. Ashok Masale Bikharam Chandmal Desai Brothers Ltd. Gopal Snacks Pvt. Ltd ITC Ltd. JABSONS COTTONSEED IND. PVT. LTD. Maa Laxmi Namkeen Maxvita Foods Pvt. Ltd. Parle Products Pvt. Ltd. Patanjali Ayurved Ltd. Prakash Namkeen Udyog Why Buy? Add credibility to strategy Analyzes competitor's offerings Get a holistic view of the market Grow your profit margin with Technavio The report also covers the following areas: Namkeen Market in India 2023-2027: Key Highlights Driver The market is driven by the growing demand for growing retail outlets in Tier-II and Tier-III cities. The consumption of retail goods such as namkeen is increasing among Indian cities such as Jaipur, Udaipur, Imphal, Lucknow, and Patna. In addition, the increase in per capita income of these cities has encouraged many retail chains to expand their operations. For instance, as of 2021, Reliance retail has expanded its coverage to up to 2,000 Indian cities, with almost 50% of the average sales coming from tier-II cities. Also, the increased people spending on food and beverage products in offline stores has led various vendors to launch new stores. All these factors are driving the growth of the namkeen market in India . The market is driven by the growing demand for growing retail outlets in Tier-II and Tier-III cities. The consumption of retail goods such as namkeen is increasing among Indian cities such as Jaipur, Udaipur, Imphal, Lucknow, and Patna. In addition, the increase in per capita income of these cities has encouraged many retail chains to expand their operations. For instance, as of 2021, Reliance retail has expanded its coverage to up to 2,000 Indian cities, with almost 50% of the average sales coming from tier-II cities. Also, the increased people spending on food and beverage products in offline stores has led various vendors to launch new stores. All these factors are driving the growth of the namkeen market in . Trend The growth of online channels is the key trend in the market. The convenience of shopping and attractive prices and discounts offered by e-commerce websites have increased the number of people purchasing online. This growing interest among consumers has encouraged many manufacturers and distributors in the market to focus on online sales. For instance, vendors such as Parle and PepsiCo Inc. are increasingly partnering with online retailers such as Amazon.com Inc. to sell their namkeen products on e-commerce platforms. The market is also witnessing several startups offering namkeens through online retail chains. This trend is expected positively influence the market growth during the forecast period. The growth of online channels is the key trend in the market. The convenience of shopping and attractive prices and discounts offered by e-commerce websites have increased the number of people purchasing online. This growing interest among consumers has encouraged many manufacturers and distributors in the market to focus on online sales. For instance, vendors such as Parle and PepsiCo Inc. are increasingly partnering with online retailers such as Amazon.com Inc. to sell their namkeen products on e-commerce platforms. The market is also witnessing several startups offering namkeens through online retail chains. This trend is expected positively influence the market growth during the forecast period. Challenge The availability of a wide range of substitute products is a major challenge hindering the growth of the market. There are several alternatives to namkeen such as fried and baked snacks. Vendors offering such substitutes are focused on new product launches and product innovations. In addition, various health benefits offered by substitutes have been encouraging consumers to shift from namkeens as the switching cost for such substitutes is moderate. Thus, the availability of substitutes in the market will challenge the growth of vendors during the forecast period. Gain instant access to 17,000+ market research reports. Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION Platform Namkeen Market in India 2023-2027: Key Highlights CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2023-2027 Detailed information on factors that will assist namkeen market growth in India during the next five years during the next five years Estimation of the namkeen market size in India and its contribution to the parent market and its contribution to the parent market Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior The growth of the namkeen market in India Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of namkeen market vendors in India Related Reports: The cheese-based snacks market size is expected to increase to USD 3.53 billion from 2021 to 2026, at a CAGR of 5.12%. The market is segmented by end-user (retail and food service) and geography (North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa). The savory snacks market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 4.91% between 2022 and 2027. The market size is forecast to increase by USD 32.17 billion. The market is segmented by type (potato chips, extruded snacks, nuts and seeds, popcorn, and others), distribution channel (offline and online), and geography (APAC, North America, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa) Namkeen Market in India: Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 8.42% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 3,162.26 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023(%) 6.87 Competitive landscape Leading Vendors, Market Positioning of Vendors, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks Key companies profiled Ashok Masale, Babaji Snacks Pvt. Ltd., Balaji Wafers Pvt. Ltd., Bikaji Foods International Ltd., Bikanervala Foods Pvt. Ltd, Bikharam Chandmal, Desai Brothers Ltd., Gopal Snacks Pvt. Ltd, Haldiram Foods International Pvt. Ltd, ITC Ltd., JABSONS COTTONSEED IND. PVT. LTD., Maa Laxmi Namkeen, Maxvita Foods Pvt. Ltd., Parle Products Pvt. Ltd., Patanjali Ayurved Ltd., Prakash Namkeen Udyog, Prataap Snacks Ltd., Priniti Foods Pvt Ltd, Shri Ajab Foods Pvt Ltd., and Sonal Foods Market dynamics Parent market analysis, market growth inducers and obstacles, fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and recovery analysis and future consumer dynamics, and market condition analysis for the forecast period. Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized. Browse through Technavio's Consumer Staples Market Reports Table of contents: 1 Executive Summary 1.1 Market overview Exhibit 01: Executive Summary Chart on Market Overview Exhibit 02: Executive Summary Data Table on Market Overview Exhibit 03: Executive Summary Chart on Country Market Characteristics Exhibit 04: Executive Summary Chart on Market Segmentation by Type Exhibit 05: Executive Summary Chart on Market Segmentation by Distribution Channel Exhibit 06: Executive Summary Chart on Vendor Market Positioning 2 Market Landscape 2.1 Market ecosystem Exhibit 07: Parent market Exhibit 08: Market Characteristics 3 Market Sizing 3.1 Market definition Exhibit 09: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition 3.2 Market segment analysis Exhibit 10: Market segments 3.3 Market size 2022 3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2022-2027 Exhibit 11: Chart on India - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 12: Data Table on India - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 13: Chart on India : Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) : Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 14: Data Table on India : Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 4 Historic Market Size 4.1 Namkeen market in India 2017 - 2021 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 15: Historic Market Size Data Table on Namkeen market in India 2017 - 2021 ($ million) 4.2 Type Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 16: Historic Market Size Type Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million) 4.3 Distribution channel Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 17: Historic Market Size Distribution channel Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million) 5 Five Forces Analysis 5.1 Five forces summary Exhibit 18: Five forces analysis - Comparison between 2022 and 2027 5.2 Bargaining power of buyers Exhibit 19: Chart on Bargaining power of buyers Impact of key factors 2022 and 2027 5.3 Bargaining power of suppliers Exhibit 20: Bargaining power of suppliers Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.4 Threat of new entrants Exhibit 21: Threat of new entrants Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.5 Threat of substitutes Exhibit 22: Threat of substitutes Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.6 Threat of rivalry Exhibit 23: Threat of rivalry Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.7 Market condition Exhibit 24: Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2022 and 2027 6 Market Segmentation by Type 6.1 Market segments Exhibit 25: Chart on Type - Market share 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 26: Data Table on Type - Market share 2022-2027 (%) 6.2 Comparison by Type Exhibit 27: Chart on Comparison by Type Exhibit 28: Data Table on Comparison by Type 6.3 Indian and ethnic snacks - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 29: Chart on Indian and ethnic snacks - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 30: Data Table on Indian and ethnic snacks - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 31: Chart on Indian and ethnic snacks - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 32: Data Table on Indian and ethnic snacks - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 6.4 Western snacks - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 33: Chart on Western snacks - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 34: Data Table on Western snacks - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 35: Chart on Western snacks - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 36: Data Table on Western snacks - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 6.5 Market opportunity by Type Exhibit 37: Market opportunity by Type ($ million) Exhibit 38: Data Table on Market opportunity by Type ($ million) 7 Market Segmentation by Distribution Channel 7.1 Market segments Exhibit 39: Chart on Distribution Channel - Market share 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 40: Data Table on Distribution Channel - Market share 2022-2027 (%) 7.2 Comparison by Distribution Channel Exhibit 41: Chart on Comparison by Distribution Channel Exhibit 42: Data Table on Comparison by Distribution Channel 7.3 Offline - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 43: Chart on Offline - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 44: Data Table on Offline - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 45: Chart on Offline - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 46: Data Table on Offline - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 7.4 Online - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 47: Chart on Online - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 48: Data Table on Online - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 49: Chart on Online - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 50: Data Table on Online - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 7.5 Market opportunity by Distribution Channel Exhibit 51: Market opportunity by Distribution Channel ($ million) Exhibit 52: Data Table on Market opportunity by Distribution Channel ($ million) 8 Customer Landscape 8.1 Customer landscape overview Exhibit 53: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 9.1 Market drivers 9.2 Market challenges 9.3 Impact of drivers and challenges Exhibit 54: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2022 and 2027 9.4 Market trends 10 Vendor Landscape 10.1 Overview 10.2 Vendor landscape Exhibit 55: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation 10.3 Landscape disruption Exhibit 56: Overview on factors of disruption 10.4 Industry risks Exhibit 57: Impact of key risks on business 11 Vendor Analysis 11.1 Vendors covered Exhibit 58: Vendors covered 11.2 Market positioning of vendors Exhibit 59: Matrix on vendor position and classification 11.3 Babaji Snacks Pvt. Ltd. Exhibit 60: Babaji Snacks Pvt. Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 61: Babaji Snacks Pvt. Ltd. - Product / Service Exhibit 62: Babaji Snacks Pvt. Ltd. - Key offerings 11.4 Balaji Wafers Pvt. Ltd. Exhibit 63: Balaji Wafers Pvt. Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 64: Balaji Wafers Pvt. Ltd. - Product / Service Exhibit 65: Balaji Wafers Pvt. Ltd. - Key offerings 11.5 Bikaji Foods International Ltd. Exhibit 66: Bikaji Foods International Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 67: Bikaji Foods International Ltd. - Product / Service Exhibit 68: Bikaji Foods International Ltd. - Key offerings 11.6 Bikanervala Foods Pvt. Ltd Exhibit 69: Bikanervala Foods Pvt. Ltd - Overview Exhibit 70: Bikanervala Foods Pvt. Ltd - Product / Service Exhibit 71: Bikanervala Foods Pvt. Ltd - Key offerings 11.7 Gopal Snacks Pvt. Ltd Exhibit 72: Gopal Snacks Pvt. Ltd - Overview Exhibit 73: Gopal Snacks Pvt. Ltd - Product / Service Exhibit 74: Gopal Snacks Pvt. Ltd - Key offerings 11.8 Haldiram Foods International Pvt. Ltd Exhibit 75: Haldiram Foods International Pvt. Ltd - Overview Exhibit 76: Haldiram Foods International Pvt. Ltd - Product / Service Exhibit 77: Haldiram Foods International Pvt. Ltd - Key offerings 11.9 ITC Ltd. Exhibit 78: ITC Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 79: ITC Ltd. - Business segments Exhibit 80: ITC Ltd. - Key offerings Exhibit 81: ITC Ltd. - Segment focus 11.10 JABSONS COTTONSEED IND. PVT. LTD. Exhibit 82: JABSONS COTTONSEED IND. PVT. LTD. - Overview Exhibit 83: JABSONS COTTONSEED IND. PVT. LTD. - Product / Service Exhibit 84: JABSONS COTTONSEED IND. PVT. LTD. - Key offerings 11.11 Maxvita Foods Pvt. Ltd. Exhibit 85: Maxvita Foods Pvt. Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 86: Maxvita Foods Pvt. Ltd. - Product / Service Exhibit 87: Maxvita Foods Pvt. Ltd. - Key offerings 11.12 Parle Products Pvt. Ltd. Exhibit 88: Parle Products Pvt. Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 89: Parle Products Pvt. Ltd. - Product / Service Exhibit 90: Parle Products Pvt. Ltd. - Key offerings 11.13 Patanjali Ayurved Ltd. Exhibit 91: Patanjali Ayurved Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 92: Patanjali Ayurved Ltd. - Product / Service Exhibit 93: Patanjali Ayurved Ltd. - Key offerings 11.14 Prakash Namkeen Udyog Exhibit 94: Prakash Namkeen Udyog - Overview Exhibit 95: Prakash Namkeen Udyog - Product / Service Exhibit 96: Prakash Namkeen Udyog - Key offerings 11.15 Prataap Snacks Ltd. Exhibit 97: Prataap Snacks Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 98: Prataap Snacks Ltd. - Product / Service Exhibit 99: Prataap Snacks Ltd. - Key offerings 11.16 Priniti Foods Pvt Ltd Exhibit 100: Priniti Foods Pvt Ltd - Overview Exhibit 101: Priniti Foods Pvt Ltd - Product / Service Exhibit 102: Priniti Foods Pvt Ltd - Key offerings 11.17 Sonal Foods Exhibit 103: Sonal Foods - Overview Exhibit 104: Sonal Foods - Product / Service Exhibit 105: Sonal Foods - Key offerings 12 Appendix 12.1 Scope of the report 12.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist Exhibit 106: Inclusions checklist Exhibit 107: Exclusions checklist 12.3 Currency conversion rates for US$ Exhibit 108: Currency conversion rates for US$ 12.4 Research methodology Exhibit 109: Research methodology Exhibit 110: Validation techniques employed for market sizing Exhibit 111: Information sources 12.5 List of abbreviations Exhibit 112: List of abbreviations About Us Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contact Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technavio WASHINGTON, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Following is a statement from Eileen O'Reilly, president of the National Press Club, and Gil Klein, president of the National Press Club Journalism Institute, on the publication of an audio recording in which local officials in McCurtain County, Oklahoma, made statements threatening journalists and Black people. In the recording published in full this week by the McCurtain Gazette-News, local officials are heard complaining about two journalists, discussing hit men, and where two holes are dug. One official is also heard on the recording making a threat of violence against Black people. "Threats of violence against journalists have no place in the United States, or anywhere. We are shocked and appalled by the threats against journalists made by local officials in McCurtain County, Oklahoma in an audio recording published this week by the McCurtain Gazette-News. We condemn these threats in the strongest possible terms. We are also concerned by statements made by those same officials threatening to file charges against the journalists for the making of the recording. We also condemn the threats against Black people made in the same recording by a local official. "Threats of violence by government officials against the journalists who report on them have no place in the United States. It is essential that those who issue such violent threats are held accountable. We appreciate Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt's leadership in condemning these threats and urging the resignation of the local officials involved. We are also grateful that federal and state authorities are reportedly investigating this situation. We look forward to seeing this matter fully and swiftly investigated, and for any officials who made violent threats to be fully held accountable." Contact: Bill McCarren, 202-662-7534 for the National Press Club SOURCE National Press Club MINNEAPOLIS, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The drug atogepant may help prevent migraines for people who have had no success with other preventive drugs, according to a preliminary study released April 20, 2023, which will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 75th Annual Meeting being held in person in Boston and live online from April 22-27, 2023. The study involved people with episodic migraine, which is defined as having up to 14 headache days per month with migraine characteristics. Atogepant is a calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonist, or CGRP inhibitor. CGRP is a protein that plays a key role in starting the migraine process. "These results are exciting, as migraine can be debilitating, and this treatment led to fewer days with migraine for people who had already tried up to four other types of drugs to prevent migraine and either had no improvement or had side effects that outweighed any benefits," said study author Patricia Pozo-Rosich, MD, PhD, at Vall d'Hebron University Hospital in Barcelona, Spain. The study involved 309 people who had at least four migraine days during the month before the study and who had tried at least two classes of drugs for preventing migraine without improvement. Of those, 44% had previously taken three or more classes of preventive drugs with no success. For the study, half of the participants took 60 milligrams of atogepant once a day as a pill and the other half took a placebo for 12 weeks. Those taking the drug had an average of four fewer days with migraine per month from the start of the study to the end, while those taking the placebo had about two fewer days with migraine per month. Those taking the drug also showed improvement compared to those taking the placebo in how often they needed to take medication to stop a migraine attack and in how many people had a reduction of 50% or higher in how many days per month they had migraines. The most common side effects were constipation, which occurred in 10% of those taking atogepant and 3% of those taking the placebo, and nausea, which occurred in 7% of those taking the drug and 3% of those taking the placebo. "People who thought they may not find a way to prevent and treat their migraines may have hope of finding relief with a tolerable oral easy-to-use drug," Pozo-Rosich said. "This treatment was safe, well-tolerated and effective for people with difficult-to-treat migraine." A limitation of the study was the relatively short length of three months. Pozo-Rosich added that more research will be needed to assess the long-term efficacy and safety of atogepant. The study was supported by AbbVie, the maker of atogepant. Learn more about migraine at BrainandLife.org, home of the American Academy of Neurology's free patient and caregiver magazine focused on the intersection of neurologic disease and brain health. Follow Brain & Life on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. When posting to social media channels about this research, we encourage you to use the American Academy of Neurology's Annual Meeting hashtag #AANAM. The American Academy of Neurology is the world's largest association of neurologists and neuroscience professionals, with over 40,000 members. The AAN is dedicated to promoting the highest quality patient-centered neurologic care. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as Alzheimer's disease, stroke, migraine, multiple sclerosis, concussion, Parkinson's disease and epilepsy. For more information about the American Academy of Neurology, visit AAN.com or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube. SOURCE American Academy of Neurology TOKYO, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- MD Logistics, LLC (hereinafter "MD"), a group company of NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS, INC., held an opening ceremony on March 23 for the Garner 2000 Pharmaceutical Logistics Center, a dedicated pharmaceutical warehouse established in Garner in the U.S. state of North Carolina in January this year. NIPPON EXPRESS logo: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/img/202304184990-O1-hPPV3b7z Opening ceremony: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M103866/202304184990/_prw_PI2fl_K2l3XlYL.jpg North Carolina is a key hub for the pharmaceutical industry in the United States, with numerous major pharmaceutical manufacturers and life science companies having expanded into the state. It is also home to many research institutes and universities that have amassed significant medical knowledge and technologies. The Nippon Express Group has positioned the pharmaceutical industry as a key industry in its "Nippon Express Group Business Plan 2023 -- Dynamic Growth," and is pursuing the global development of a safe and secure pharmaceutical logistics platform to meet increasingly sophisticated and diverse pharmaceutical logistics needs. MD has four warehouses in Indiana and one in Nevada, and has located its sixth U.S. warehouse in North Carolina, where pharmaceutical logistics needs are high and expected to grow further. The Nippon Express Group will continue supporting customers in the pharmaceutical industry worldwide by building a reliable and secure global pharmaceutical logistics platform, aiming to contribute to the health of people around the world. Overview of new warehouse - Name: Garner 2000 Pharmaceutical Logistics Center - Address: 2000 Garner Business Park Drive, Garner, NC 27529, USA - Total floor area: 22,297 m2 (240,000 ft2) - Supported temperature ranges: 2-8 C / 15-25 C (two temperature ranges) - Key facilities: Full air-conditioning, refrigerated storage, quarantine compliance for pharmaceuticals, surveillance cameras, access control, in-house power generation system - Start of operations: January 3, 2023 Warehouse exterior: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M103866/202304184990/_prw_PI3fl_MFM64P50.jpg Warehouse interior: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M103866/202304184990/_prw_PI4fl_FUqDi47A.jpg Nippon Express website: https://www.nipponexpress.com/ Nippon Express Group's official LinkedIn account: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nippon-express-group/ SOURCE NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS, INC. Foreclosure Defense and Real Estate Law Attorneys at Manning Law, APC allege violations of the Homeowners Bill of Rights for Los Angeles Superior Court Judge who issues injunction. FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif., April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The foreclosure defense and real estate attorneys at Manning Law, APC proudly announce they have secured an injunction barring Rocket Mortgage from "proceeding with foreclosure, sale or otherwise in any way, transferring, encumbering or in any way adversely affecting the real property" that is the primary residence of a Manning Law, APC client. "The Homeowner's Bill of Rights is a powerful tool for experienced litigators to protect the most important investment of many Californians, their home!" said Manning Law, APC founder Joseph R. Manning, Jr. "Since California enacted the Homeowners Bill of Rights in 2013 my firm has used this critical piece of legislation to stop allegedly wrongful foreclosures by nearly every major bank," according to Manning. As times get tough again, we are ready to do it again as we did in the Los Angeles Superior Court this week in LASC No. 23LBCV00646. Manning Law, APC is known for its civil rights, consumer, and environmental protection litigation including its precedent setting litigation under the Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA") and the Unruh Civil Rights Act ("UCRA"). In particular, the firm is known for its role as plaintiff's counsel in the first federal appellate case to recognize the application of the ADA and UCRA to websites and mobile applications, see Robles v. Domino's Pizza, LLC, No. 17-55504 (9th Cir. 2019). Manning Law, APC has also been recognized by the Office of the Secretary of Defense of the United States as a "Patriotic Employer" for its support of employee participation in the National Guard and Reserve Force. SOURCE Manning Law APC Amendments to Advanced Clean Truck Regulation Provide Confidence to Fleets, Owners and Operators WASHINGTON, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As states continue to pursue air quality and climate goals, the Partners for a Zero Emission Vehicle Future (PZEVF) applauds the holistic approach taken today by the Maryland Clean Trucks Act, which incorporates a thorough needs assessment into its adoption and implementation of California's ACT regulation. "We support Maryland's efforts to pursue its environmental goals and believe the Clean Trucks Act will be a meaningful step towards achieving them," said a statement from the coalition, which represents fleets, owners, operators, environmental interests, truck manufacturers and other transportation stakeholders. "This legislation rightly recognizes that the deployment of zero emission vehicles and their fueling system need to be considered together. By linking these critical elements of the ZEV transition, Maryland will provide our members confidence in their ability to invest for our zero-emission future." California's ACT regulation requires truck manufacturers to sell zero-emission trucks at an increasing percentage of their annual sales from 2024 to 2035. The Maryland Clean Trucks Act adopts the ACT regulation effective beginning with the 2027 model year and preceded by amendments which will support the overall marketplace in the shift to zero-emission vehicles. Under the Maryland Clean Trucks Act, the Maryland Department of Environment (DOE) must examine key factors to ZEV deployment, including electrical capacity, transmission distribution, grid and hydrogen infrastructure, recharging and refueling station needs and considerations, economic feasibility, and the role of incentives for vehicles and infrastructure including funding sources. Findings will be presented to the General Assembly by December 1, 2024 and Maryland would have the authority to delay ACT implementation if it determines it is infeasible to proceed. "We believe the Maryland Clean Trucks Act provides a model for states to think about all aspects of the transition to ZEVs and ensure the marketplace is ready to accelerate the shift," added the coalition. "We look forward to working with Maryland and other states as they seek to establish a sustainable marketplace for ZEV trucks." About the Partners for a Zero Emission Vehicle Future The Partners for a Zero-Emission Vehicle Future (PZEVF) is a growing coalition of stakeholders from across the transportation sector united by a commitment to minimize transportation emissions and support the adoption of medium- and heavy-duty ZEVs. For more information visit www.pzevf.org. Contact: Alex Adams [email protected] SOURCE Partners for a Zero Emission Vehicle Future LONDON, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Patrick Racz, founder, and Inventor of Smartflash, has announced the launch of a Civil Rico investigation into Apple, Inc. The investigation will focus on allegations of theft of Smartflash's intellectual property and circumstances relating to the unlawful invalidation of patents. In 2015, Racz won a resounding victory against Apple in court, with an initial jury award of $533 million for wilful infringement. The key merits and findings of the case, namely that Apple infringed on the technology and induced others to infringe, remain undisturbed today. From 2015 to 2018, Racz was then forced to defend a series of costly appeals in separate forums, including 48 individual cases at the Patent Trial Appeal Board (PTAB), where the panel of judges included ex lawyers for the defendants. Now, Racz and Smartflash are taking things a step further by launching a Civil Rico investigation. The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) is a federal law that allows for the prosecution of individuals or organizations engaged in illegal activities as part of a larger criminal enterprise. "We believe that Apple's actions are not solely restricted to wilful patent infringement, but also form part of a more significant pattern of wrongful activity," said Racz. "We are committed to protecting our intellectual property and to holding Apple accountable for their actions." The Civil Rico investigation is being led by a team of legal experts and will focus on gathering evidence to support Smartflash's claims. For more information or to request an interview contact [email protected] or call Josh Moreton, Account Manager, on +44(0)7828133445 For more information about the campaign, visit www.patrickracz.com SOURCE Smartflash Muslim nations could start celebrating Eid Al-Fitr on Friday 21 April based on astronomical calculations, according to a statement released today by the National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics. The Islamic Eid Al-Fitr is the three day holiday celebrated by Muslims starting the first day after the end of fasting in the holy month of Ramadan. However, the final word on the timing of the start of Eid remains per tradition with Egypt's Dar El-Ifta the main religious authority responsible for issuing fatwas in the country. Dar El-Ifta will make this determination based on a confirmation of a sighting of a crescent after sunset on the 29th day of Ramadan this year, which falls on Thursday 20 April according to the Gregorian calendar, to determine whether Thursday was the last day of this Ramadan or the month would stay with us for one more day. A month in the Islamic Hijri calendar, which is based on the lunar system, could be 29 or 30 days based on sighting of moons after sunset on the 29th day of a month. This means that a new month on the Hijri calendar begins when a new moon can be sighted with the naked eye after sunset on the 29th day of an outgoing one. The 29th day of Ramadan this year falls on Thursday 20 April according to the Gregorian calendar. Egypt designates all three days of Eid as paid public holiday for government and private sector workers. Per tradition, millions of Egyptians treat themselves to Kahk El-Eid, delicious white-powder-sugar-coated cookies stuffed with dates paste, to celebrate the end of the fasting month. Millions visit families and friends before flocking to public parks and movie theatres to catch new films released on the occasion. Search Keywords: Short link: MINNEAPOLIS, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Pioneer Management Consulting has been certified as a women-owned business . Laura Nelson , who was promoted to general manager of Pioneer's Minneapolis office last December, has also joined Molly Koenen and Brian Westerhaus as an owner of the firm. This big step is one of many for Nelson in recent years. She first joined Pioneer as a Practice Director in October 2019 after honing her skills in change management at various Fortune 500 companies. Nelson states: "I am honored that Pioneer has received the WBE certification and grateful to Brian and Molly for their trust in me to co-lead this organization. I've personally been inspired by many other female leaders throughout my career, and I consider myself to be a huge champion of women in business. Above all, I see this certification as an opportunity to highlight the diversity of our organization." Getting certified as a women-owned business is also an important step for Pioneer; it's a rigorous process that ultimately requires approval from the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) or from a WBE program administered by a city, county, or state. To qualify as a WBE, a company must: Be a for-profit business located in the United States Be at least 51% owned by a woman, or a group of women who, but for an inheritance, contributed a proportionate amount of capital to acquire ownership Have a governing board that's controlled by a woman or a group of women, when applicable Have a female top executive officer who's responsible for daily operations, and who has expertise in the firm's primary business activity Have female owners who are U.S. citizens or legal residents According to recent data , the national average of women-owned small businesses per 100,000 is 3,390.49. Unfortunately, Minnesota is behind the curve, with just 3,189 out of every 100,000 businesses being women-owned. Walking the Walk toward Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Pioneer has long been committed to honoring its DEI initiatives in thought, word, and deed. Together with over 1,500 like-minded CEOs and business leaders, Brian Westerhaus signed the CEO Action Pledge , promising to create more inclusive cultures while not being afraid of having difficult conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion. Honest Conversations Build Award-Winning Cultures In 2022, the Star Tribune ranked Pioneer fourth on its list of Top 200 Workplaces for small businesses. Its ranking is based on the following criteria: Employee opinions on engagement Organizational health Overall satisfaction The growing firm also received the Communications Excellence Award among all organizations for creating a space where employees can be seen and heard, keeping up-to-date on its initiatives and vision , and creating a culture of inclusivity and belonging. The company currently has a 99% employee engagement score, which the firm believes is also a significant factor in its 97% client satisfaction score. About Pioneer Management Consulting Pioneer Management Consulting is a business management consulting firm headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Its Denver office, located in the Lower Highlands District, was opened earlier this year. Pioneer was founded by Brian Westerhaus in 2009 to help midsize to enterprise-scale businesses navigate complex transformation projects through four disciplines: strategy, execution, organizational change, and data analytics. Its core values humble, hungry, and connected inform all of the firm's decisions. Learn more at PioneerManagementConsulting.com . Media Contact Molly Koenen, Partner and Owner [email protected] Cell: (763) 331-1845 SOURCE Pioneer Management Consulting 2nd Annual Pitch Competition in its Final Round with 3 Companies Still Standing ST. LOUIS, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Poets&Quants, the definitive online publication for business education news, unveils the top 3 companies that will travel to St Louis and pitch their ideas directly to a panel of judges for a $50,000 prize of seed money. This final round of judging in this second annual pitch contest has been done in partnership with the Olin Business School at Washington University of St Louis, the No. 1 school in P&Q's 2023 ranking of the Best MBA Programs for Entrepreneurship. The winner will be revealed in Livestream broadcast on April 26th, 2023. WashU Olin's BIG IdeaBounce powered by Poets&Quants pitch contest drew 130 entrants from 10 countries and more than 60 universities. The contest was open to any current undergraduate or graduate students, or any prospect interested in a graduate business school degree. "The students are not just trying something out but are really committed to it," says Doug Villhard, academic director for entrepreneurship at Washington University. "You see a higher energy around the ideas and it appears that more of them are doing customer discovery and that makes the founder speak from the perspective of the customer and those are the folks that win." The Final 3 Companies: Unsmudgeable - A green permanent anti-smudge eyewear lens coating for a lifetime of clear vision. Keye - The "ClassPass" of digital services, allowing users on-demand access to expensive subscriptions like digital news sites and streaming apps with a single subscription. Mycos Supplements - Extracts of different mushrooms containing vitamins and metabolites with medicinal value have been combined to create organic, vegan, and GMO-free daily supplements to solve common human illnesses and problems. These finalists will now pitch their ideas to our panel of judges that include John A. Byrne, Editor-in-Chief of Poets&Quants, Akeem Shannon CEO of FlipStik, and Maxine Clark, Founder and former Chief Executive Bear at Build-A-Bear Workshop. The teams will vie for a $50,000 prize to move their company forward. Readers can tune in to see the event on April 26th at 12pm ET on Poets&Quants.com. Register here to view the live broadcast of this incredible event! Learn more about the finalists here. About Poets&Quants: Poets&Quants is the leading resource for complete coverage of graduate business education. We feature multiple tools and authoritative content, including consolidated B-school rankings, news and in-depth features, videos, podcasts, two searchable directories, and events, empowering our community with information needed to make decisions along their journey from pre- to post-MBA. About Olin Business School at Washington University in St. LouisMycos Supplements Firmly established at the Gateway to the West, Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis stands as the gateway to something far grander. WashU Olin prepares our students to thoughtfully make difficult decisionsthe kind that can change the worldthrough a values-based, data-driven approach to decision-making, informed by entrepreneurial spirit, experiential learning and a global outlook on business. Olin offers 13 graduate business degree programs, including specialized master's programs and the MBA, online and in-person, along with a four-year BSBA and a host of joint degrees and related minors. Learn more at olin.wustl.edu or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. This press release was issued through 24-7PressRelease.com. For further information, visit http://www.24-7pressrelease.com. SOURCE Poets&Quants NEW YORK, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Jakubowitz Law announces that a securities fraud class action lawsuit has commenced on behalf of shareholders of Rite Aid Corporation (NYSE: RAD). To receive updates on the lawsuit, fill out the form: https://claimyourloss.com/securities/rite-aid-class-action-loss-submission-form/?id=38442&from=4 The lawsuit seeks to recover losses for shareholders who purchased Rite Aid between April 26, 2018 and March 13, 2023. Shareholders interested in acting as a lead plaintiff representing the class of wronged shareholders have until May 19, 2023 to petition the court. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as a lead plaintiff. According to a filed complaint, Rite Aid Corporation issued materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) until at least June 2019, Rite Aid filled at least hundreds of thousands of unlawful prescriptions for controlled substances that lacked a legitimate medical purpose, including for potentially lethal opioids such as oxycodone and fentanyl; (2) Rite Aid pharmacists filled these prescriptions despite clear "red flags" that indicated that the prescriptions were unlawful; (3) Rite Aid ignored evidence that its stores were dispensing unlawful prescriptions, and intentionally deleted internal notes about suspicious prescribers written by concerned pharmacists; (4) by knowingly filling unlawful prescriptions for controlled substances, Rite Aid violated the Controlled Substances Act and, where Rite Aid sought reimbursement from federal healthcare programs, also violated the False Claims Act; (5) as a result, it was at risk of prosecution by federal authorities such as the United States Department of Justice; and (6) as a result, defendants' statements about its business, operations, and prospects, were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all times. Jakubowitz Law is vigorous in pursuit of justice for shareholders who have been the victim of securities fraud. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. CONTACT: JAKUBOWITZ LAW 1140 Avenue of the Americas 9th Floor New York, New York 10036 T: (628) 895-0423 F: (212) 537-5887 SOURCE Jakubowitz Law Nine Individuals and Organizations Honored for Work on Behalf of People with Developmental Disabilities SANTA ANA, Calif., April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Regional Center of Orange County (RCOC) honored nine individuals and organizations at its 26th annual Spotlight Awards Thursday, April 20, 2023 in Fullerton. Guest-hosted by Emmy Award-winning reporter Michele Gile of KCAL News and CBS Los Angeles, the event was held in person for the first time since the pandemic, with an introduction by RCOC Board Chair Chip Wright. RCOC created the Spotlight Awards in 1997 to honor those in Orange County who have advanced the quality of life for people with developmental disabilities. The 2023 Regional Center of Orange County Spotlight Award Recipients are: About Regional Center of Orange County: Regional Center of Orange County is the private, nonprofit organization contracted by the State of California to coordinate lifelong services and supports for nearly 25,000 Orange County residents with developmental disabilities and their families. The Regional Center is the first stop for those seeking to obtain local services and supports to help them live safely and with dignity in the community. Developmental disabilities include intellectual disabilities, autism, epilepsy and cerebral palsy. Learn more at www.rcocdd.com. SOURCE Regional Center of Orange County The leading European cannabis seed bank celebrates US expansion with a Times Square ad on 4/20, marking the beginning of the company's mission to revolutionize cannabis cultivation in the US market. BARCELONA, Spain, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Royal Queen Seeds (RQS) has made history in Times Square with its latest advertisement. The company has secured a prime spot in New York's world-famous square. The exclusive message commemorates the city's first 4/20 as a legal market, a historic date in cannabis culture and recreational use. Made by Stephen Ascher 1 (PRNewsfoto/Royal Queen Seeds) Made by Stephen Ascher 2 (PRNewsfoto/Royal Queen Seeds) Made by Stephen Ascher 3 (PRNewsfoto/Royal Queen Seeds) This ad also marks the beginning of Royal Queen Seeds' overseas expansion into the United States. With headquarters in Barcelona, the company has set its sights on revolutionizing the world of cannabis cultivation and quickly becoming a market leader throughout the US. The spectacular ad, with several colourful, moving frames wrapped around a powerful message, will also include a countdown to 4:20 pm. Royal Queen Seeds congratulates all New Yorkers on 4/20 with this striking image that is sure to capture the attention of residents and tourists around the world. "Royal Queen Seeds has always been at the forefront of innovation and creativity, and this Times Square ad is just another example of our commitment to doing unique and exciting projects," said Shai Ramsahai, Royal Queen Seeds' Chief Operating Officer. Adding, "4/20 is a vital date for cannabis culture, and it was the perfect occasion to celebrate our arrival in the United States and our dedication to innovation in the cannabis industry." Royal Queen Seeds' presence in Times Square marks an essential milestone in the company's history and a significant step in its mission to instil a passion for breeding, innovation, and premium cannabis genetics. This advertisement is just the beginning of what Royal Queen Seeds has in store for the future, and alongside Cannabis Now Media, they can't wait to share this exciting moment with their customers and friends. Notes to editor Royal Queen Seeds is a leading European cannabis seed bank that has been at the forefront of the cannabis industry for over a decade. With a team of experienced breeders and a commitment to quality, Royal Queen Seeds offers a diverse selection of premium cannabis strains that cater to both recreational and medicinal users. You can see our shipping countries via our website, and we're constantly expanding our reach to provide customers worldwide with the highest-quality seeds and the best possible customer experience. At Royal Queen Seeds, we're passionate about cannabis and strive to be a driving force in the industry's evolution. www.royalqueenseeds.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2060320/Royal_Queen_Seeds_1.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2060319/Royal_Queen_Seeds_2.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2060321/Royal_Queen_Seeds_3.jpg SOURCE Royal Queen Seeds MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Two of Jamaica's top hotels, S Hotel Jamaica in Montego Bay and Spanish Court Hotel in Kingston, have been nominated for the prestigious Conde Nast Traveler 2023 Readers' Choice Awards in the hotels category in the Caribbean. The Conde Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Award is one of the most respected awards in the hospitality industry, voted on by readers of Conde Nast Traveler and Conde Nast Traveller UK, who rate hotels based on their service, amenities, and overall experience. The winners of the awards are announced each year in the magazine's November issue. "We are honored to be nominated for the Conde Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards," said Christopher Issa, owner and CEO of S Hotel and Spanish Court Hotel. "These nominations are a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team members, and we are thrilled to be recognized by such a prestigious publication." With forward thinking design and a modern take on Jamaican hospitality, the boutique-style, adults-only S Hotel Jamaica is known for its luxurious accommodations, stunning views, and exceptional service with a team dedicated to providing guests with an unforgettable, and authentically, Jamaican experience. Recently shifted to an all-inclusive concept, the 120-suite S Hotel added two new restaurants of five, new room categories and guest experiences. S Hotel also features the Irie Baths & Spa with therapeutic plunge pools, From the private beach on world famous Doctor's Cave Beach to the hotel's two pools including the Instagram-famous Sky Pool, S Hotel has everything guests need for a rejuvenating vacation. S Hotel is a favorite among guests from all over the world, and the hotel's reputation for excellence has made it a consecutive recipient of the Conde Nast Traveler's Readers' Choice Awards since it opened in 2019. The 125-room Spanish Court Hotel, located in the heart of New Kingston, Jamaica's business and financial district, offers exceptional service and attention to detail. The hotel's restaurant, Rojo Restaurant offers a variety of Jamaican and international cuisine, and the hotel's bar, The Sky Terrace, offers stunning views of the city with light bites and live music every evening. The Red Lounge; 24-hour room service and concierge; spa; and a gym with a private Mountain Deck are also on offer. Spanish Court Hotel welcomes groups for business and leisure accommodating various size parties. Voting is open now through June 30, 2023 at cntraveler.com/vote. Media Contact: Nadeige Martelly [email protected] SOURCE S Hotel Jamaica; Spanish Court Hotel STAMFORD, Conn., April 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Silver Golub & Teitell LLP (SGT), a Connecticut class action and complex litigation law firm, is investigating potential class action claims arising out of a data breach Connecticut-based Webster Bank disclosed on April 10, 2023 that has resulted in the sensitive personal information of 153,754 Connecticut customers. The types of information wrongfully disclosed include customer names together with bank account numbers, and in many instances social security numbers. According to Webster Bank, the data breach occurred between November 27, 2022, and January 22, 2023 when unauthorized third parties accessed certain the computer systems of third-party fraud detection vendor Guardian Analytics used by Webster Bank and acquired files containing Webster Bank's clients' personal information. The sensitive personal information of 153,754 Connecticut customers has been exposed by the Webster Bank data breach. Tweet this On April 10, 2023, Webster Bank began notifying customers via letters sent by U.S. mail. Connecticut Attorney General William Tong's office is investigating the Webster Bank data breach and is working with Webster Bank and Guardian Analytics in the process. If you are a Webster Bank customer and have received a letter from Webster Bank notifying you that your informed was compromised in the data breach and would like to learn more about your legal options, you can visit SGT's investigation on our website here, or you can contact SGT attorney Brett L. Burgs via email at [email protected] or by calling (203) 325-4491. SOURCE Silver Golub & Teitell LLP DALLAS, April 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Slate Hill Partners, LLC, a Dallas-based investment company, sold its subsidiary Faith Investor Services, LLC (FIS) to investors Steven T. Nelson, CFA and Kristen L. Nelson, D.V.M. Terms of the deal are private and not disclosed. Steve Nelson is the Co-Founder and CEO of Capital Insight Partners, a Scottsdale, AZ based Wealth and Investment Management firm. Mr. Nelson along with his colleagues Craig J. McCrory, CFA, and Sara A. LaClair are the Portfolio Managers for the FIS Biblically Responsible Risk Managed ETF, NYSE Ticker PRAY. Slate Hill Partner sells Faith Investor Services Tweet this "Steve Nelson is a sophisticated investor. He and Dr. Nelson are people of deep faith. They are the right people to potentially capitalize on the growth opportunities open to Faith Investor Services," said Joe Valdman, Managing Partner of Slate Hill Partners. Michael Skillman, CEO of Faith Investor Services, oversaw the transaction and continues in his role. "FIS is excited about our growing partnership with the Nelsons. We believe that we are well positioned for our next chapter of growth." says Skillman. "Kris and I are delighted to lead Faith Investor Services to new vistas. For me, managing PRAY on the New York Stock Exchange is a blessing each day. Along with Capital Insight Partners, the Knights of Columbus and their ETF, ticker KOCG, and others who may collaborate in the future, we eagerly look forward to the years ahead. Through Faith Investor Services, Kris and I seek to build the community of investors who care both about performance and in generating those results in a faithful manner," said Steve Nelson, CFA. Subject to shareholder approval, FIS will continue to advise PRAY and KOCG, the latter of which is sub-advised by Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors LLC. No shareholder action is necessary at this time. More detailed information will be provided in a forthcoming proxy statement. When you receive your proxy statement, please review it carefully and cast your vote. This press release is not a proxy and is not soliciting any proxy, which can only be done by means of a proxy statement. Quarles provided legal advice to the Nelson's and Hoge & Gameros L.L.P. advised Slate Hill Partners. To learn more, visit www.faithinvestorservices.com . About Faith Investor Services Faith Investor Services, LLC, (FIS) is an exchange-traded fund provider dedicated to delivering faith-based ETFs offering investors access to investments that align with their religious beliefs. FIS currently offers two funds PRAY and KOCG. About Capital Insight Partners Capital Insight Partners is a global multi-asset class portfolio manager working with high-net-worth families (minimum account $2 million), corporate retirement plans and institutions. Capital Insight also serves as a separately managed account (SMA) institutional manager for other financial advisors and their clients. The firm sub-advises the ETF ticker PRAY. More information is available at www.cipinvest.com. About Slate Hill Partners Slate Hill Partners, LLC is a Dallas-based private investment company specializing in investing in financial service companies. Media Contact: Michael Skillman, CEO, Faith Investor Services 214-462-7244 [email protected] Carefully consider investment objectives, risk factors, charges and expenses before investing. This and other information can be found in the PRAY or KOCG Prospectus available at www.faithinvestorservices.com . Read all materials carefully before investing. Investing involves risk including the risk of loss of principal. ETFs are distributed by Foreside Fund Services, LLC. Foreside Fund Services, LLC is not affiliated with any of the entities mentioned. SOURCE Faith Investor Services NEW BRITAIN, Conn., April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Stanley Black & Decker (NYSE: SWK) announced today that its Board of Directors approved a regular second quarter cash dividend of $0.80 per common share. This extends the company's record for the longest consecutive annual and quarterly dividend payments among industrial companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The dividend is payable on Tuesday, June 20, 2023 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on Monday, June 5, 2023. About Stanley Black & Decker Headquartered in the USA, Stanley Black & Decker (NYSE: SWK) is a worldwide leader in tools and outdoor operating manufacturing facilities worldwide. Guided by its purpose for those who make the world the company's more than 50,000 diverse and high-performing employees produce innovative, award-winning power tools, hand tools, storage, digital tool solutions, lifestyle products, outdoor products, engineered fasteners and other industrial equipment to support the world's makers, creators, tradespeople and builders. The company's iconic brands include DEWALT, BLACK+DECKER, CRAFTSMAN, STANLEY, CUB CADET, HUSTLER and TROY-BILT. Recognized for its leadership in environmental, social and governance (ESG), Stanley Black & Decker strives to be a force for good in support of its communities, employees, customers and other stakeholders. To learn more visit: www.stanleyblackanddecker.com Stanley Black & Decker Investor Contacts Dennis Lange Vice President, Investor Relations [email protected] (860) 827-3833 Cort Kaufman Senior Director, Investor Relations [email protected] (860) 515-2741 Christina Francis Director, Investor Relations [email protected] (860) 438-3470 SOURCE Stanley Black & Decker MUNICH, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Sungrow, one of the world's leading renewable energy companies, announced recently that it joined AVERE (The European Association for Electromobility), demonstrating its dedication to achieving the EU's goal of climate neutrality by 2050 and creating a zero-carbon future. Sungrow Joins AVERE to Accelerate the Development in EV Charging Market AVERE, founded in 1978, is the only European association representing and advocating for electromobility and sustainable transport on behalf of the industry, academia, and EV users at both EU and national levels. Its voice is heard at the highest level of the policymaking world and its advice on key energy and transportation policy issues is often requested. Sungrow embeds sustainability in the core of its business and applies its experience and strength to achieve its "Clean power for all" mission and contribute to the global net-zero target. Recognising the megatrend of integration of renewable energy, electric mobility and electrification, Sungrow took the first step of developing its own EV charger in 2017 based on long-term accumulated experience in the design and application of outdoor high-power inverters. Sungrow made the first entry into the European EV charging market in 2021 with an AC charger and since then the solution has been installed in an increasing number of European households. Joining AVERE is a key step for Sungrow to exchange with like-minded companies and satisfy European EV charging market demand. "Sungrow will strictly abide by AVERE's regulations, actively participate in the initiatives of the AVERE, promote the reform in the field of new energy vehicle charging, contribute corporate wisdom and professional strength to the global green development, and accelerate the early realization of the global carbon neutral goal," comments Andres Doebel, Head of EV Charging, Sungrow Europe. Features of Sungrow EV Charging Solution Sungrow EV charging solution is equipped with industry-leading features, including high integration, exemplary protection and reliability, as well as a long lifetime, making it resilient to harsh conditions. Sungrow provides AC and DC chargers to the European market. The solutions feature a compact design, user-friendly and high efficiency. They are durable due to their IP65 protection capability and UV resistance. Equipped with the digital monitoring platform iSolarCloud or iEnergyCharge, the solutions enable the customer to check in real-time energy flow and self-consumption, which puts them totally in control of their renewable energy assets. The whole system supports smart charging with scheduling functions, increasing the overall system's efficiency. It is possible to preset the system for maximum economic charging and optimising the time-of-use (ToU) prices. After successfully launching EV charging solutions for the residential and commercial market in early 2023 and aiming to become a key player in this fast-growing segment, the company plans to launch a comprehensive series of high-power fast-charging EV solutions for public and semi-public charging applications. As a pivotal player in technological innovation, Sungrow recognises the major importance of the latest market trends, such as V2G (Vehicle-to-Grid) and V2H (Vehicle-to-Home). The company is dedicated to promoting the integrated development of renewable energy and optimising the energy system by realising the synergetic interaction between electric vehicles, power grids and residential buildings. "The PV+ESS+ EV charging solution is an ideal solution for the future smart grid and an important part of our product portfolio," added Andres Doebel. About Sungrow Sungrow Power Supply Co., Ltd. ("Sungrow") is the world's most bankable inverter brand with over 340 GW installed worldwide as of 2022. Founded in 1997 by Professor Cao Renxian, Sungrow is a leader in the research and development of solar inverters with the largest dedicated R&D team in the industry and a broad product portfolio offering PV inverter solutions and energy storage systems for utility-scale, commercial & industrial, and residential applications, as well as internationally recognized floating PV plant solutions, NEV driving solutions, EV charging solutions and renewable hydrogen production systems. With a strong 26-year track record in the PV space, Sungrow products power over 150 countries worldwide. Learn more about Sungrow by visiting www.sungrowpower.com. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2059213/Sungrow_Joins_AVERE_to_Accelerate_the_Development_in_EV_Charging_Market.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1344575/Logo.jpg SOURCE Sungrow Power Supply Co., Ltd. Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi performed the Eid Al-Fitr prayers at the Mosheer Tantawy Mosque in the fifth settlement suburb of Cairo early Friday. Grand Sheikh of Al Azhar Ahmed El-Tayyeb, Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly, Defence Minister Mohamed Zaki and Chief of Staff Osama Askar also performed the prayers at the same mosque alongside other ministers and senior state officials. Prayers started with Takbeer in praise to Allah the Almighty and then recitation of verses of the holy Quran. The mosques imam then delivered Eid Al-Fitr sermon, saying this blessed day is an occasion of mercy where people share love and do good deeds, noting that a true believer in God has a pure heart that does not know hate or deceit and that is filled with goodness and kind feelings for fellow mankind. A number of the children of army and police personnel who lost their lives on duty also attended the prayer. El-Sisi also joined the children of martyrs of the Armed Forces and police during a celebration of Eid Al-Fitr at Al-Manara International Conference Centre and offered them gifts and sweets. The president also honoured a number of the families and accompanied the children to a playground to participate in outdoor activities and handed out sweets and gifts to them. The president also posed for a group photo with the children. Search Keywords: Short link: Only 9% of All U.S. Hospitals are Recognized with the Elite National Credential with the Nation's Largest Children's Hospital now among the less than 1% of US Hospitals to have Sustained the Designation for this Duration HOUSTON, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Texas Children's Hospital is proud to recognize its talented nursing team and world-renowned physicians who consistently deliver an extraordinary quality of patient care to receive Magnet Designation for Nursing Excellence for the fifth consecutive year. The honor awarded by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) acknowledges the steadfast commitment to nursing excellence and innovation of select healthcare organizations and their personnel. 2023 Magnet Designation Celebration; Photo Courtesy of Texas Children's Hospital "I am immensely grateful for our incredible nursing staff, our superb nursing leaders, our world-renowned physicians and every team member who impacts patient care across the organization," said Texas Children's President & CEO Mark A. Wallace. "Achieving Magnet designation for 20 years is exceptional and a testament to our structure and the strength of our nursing leadership team. Our ability to consistently improve the care and treatment we provide to our patients is the ultimate reason our One Amazing Team is truly beyond compare." Texas Children's Hospital, the largest children's hospital in the United States, the top ranked children's hospital in Texas and one of the top ranked children's hospitals in nation, was first presented with Magnet Designation for Nursing Excellence in 2003. With this 5th consecutive year of having received this elite credential, Texas Children's Hospital is now among the less than 1% of US hospitals to have sustained the designation for this duration. Awarded every four years, the designation reflects Texas Children's ongoing commitment to providing quality patient care and advancing nursing practice. "There are no words to describe how truly thankful I am to everyone who engaged in our virtual site visit and showcased our ongoing commitment to advancing nursing excellence," said System Chief Nurse Executive Jackie Ward. "The enthusiasm and warmth of our team made the appraisers feel like they were physically present with us, and enabled them to appreciate our unique Texas Children's culture. Being recognized for 20 years by ANCC for nursing excellence is a huge accomplishment we can all be proud of and I'm honored to lead and work alongside this inspiring team every day!" To achieve Magnet status, healthcare organizations must submit an application and complete a thorough review process that requires system-wide engagement from nursing, physicians and multidisciplinary teams. When applying for designation, the ANCC requires organizations to provide documentation and supporting evidence that aligns with Magnet standards and demonstrates improvement and sustainability in quality nursing care and outcomes. ABOUT TEXAS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL Texas Children's Hospital, a not-for-profit health care organization, is committed to creating a healthier future for children and women throughout the global community by leading in patient care, education and research. Consistently ranked as the best children's hospital in Texas, and among the top in the nation, Texas Children's has garnered widespread recognition for its expertise and breakthroughs in pediatric and women's health. The hospital includes the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute; the Feigin Tower for pediatric research; Texas Children's Pavilion for Women, a comprehensive obstetrics/gynecology facility focusing on high-risk births; Texas Children's Hospital West Campus, a community hospital in suburban West Houston; and Texas Children's Hospital The Woodlands, the first hospital devoted to children's care for communities north of Houston. The organization also created Texas Children's HealthPlan, the nation's first HMO for children; has the largest pediatric primary care network in the country, Texas Children's Pediatrics; Texas Children's Urgent Care clinics that specialize in after-hours care tailored specifically for children; and a global health program that's channeling care to children and women all over the world. Texas Children's Global Health program leads efforts that advance health care equity through innovative collaboration in care, education and research for underserved populations globally. Texas Children's Hospital is affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine. For more information, go towww.texaschildrens.org. Get the latest news by visiting the online newsroom and Twitter at twitter.com/texaschildrens. SOURCE Texas Children's Hospital WASHINGTON, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The HBCU Founders Initiative (HBCUFI), a startup accelerator and non-profit that works with founders at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), and The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) , a philanthropic organization that funds scholarships for Black students and 37 HBCUs, have partnered to host the Better Futures competition . The competition will be held on April 21st at the National Museum of African American History & Culture in Washington, D.C. and will feature 10 top-performing startups from the HBCU Founders Fellowship program who will compete for up to $25,000 in funding. "At UNCF, we are excited about our partnership with HBCUFI and look forward to co-hosting the Better Futures competition," said Dr. Chad Womack, vice president of National STEM Programs and Tech Initiatives at the UNCF. "The pitch competition represents a capstone experience for students participating in the HBCU Founders Fellowship program and provides a wonderful showcase of their entrepreneurial talents so the world can see the nextgen innovators and leaders from across our HBCU campuses." Expected attendees at the Better Futures competition include founders, corporate executives, investors, government officials, university administrators, and HBCU faculty, students, and alumni from the DMV region. "For early-stage startups, exposure to investors and potential enterprise customers is critical," Marlon Evans, President of the HBCU Founders Initiative said. "We are excited to showcase HBCU founders, who often lack access to the resources necessary to scale their businesses, at the Better Futures competition." The 10 Better Futures finalists are students and alumni from the following HBCUs: Bowie State University, Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, Morgan State University, North Carolina A&T State University, Prairie View A&M University, Spelman College, and Oakwood University. The founders are creating tech-fueled solutions in education, e-commerce, transportation, health/wellness, and more. Presenting companies include: Co-Lab Instrumental Radio - Instrumental Radio generated by hosting beat submission contests and DJ mix contests ( Bowie State University ) - Instrumental Radio generated by hosting beat submission contests and DJ mix contests ( ) Car Seat Companion - Improving car seats today, to make them safer tomorrow ( Elizabeth City State University ) - Improving car seats today, to make them safer tomorrow ( ) Vaila Shoes - A modern dress shoe brand for women with extended shoe sizes ( Fayetteville State University ) - A modern dress shoe brand for women with extended shoe sizes ( ) Idhini, Inc - Connecting the BIPOC community to medical research ( Morgan State University ) - Connecting the BIPOC community to medical research ( ) Monocle - A social e-reader that enables a community-focused reading experience through shared notes within a book ( North Carolina A&T State University ) - A social e-reader that enables a community-focused reading experience through shared notes within a book ( ) Scholist App - A scholarship platform designed to help students discover, apply, and keep track of scholarships ( Prairie View A&M University ) - A scholarship platform designed to help students discover, apply, and keep track of scholarships ( ) WellMiss - Virtual and holistic healing space for women of all backgrounds to work through trauma ( Spelman College ) - Virtual and holistic healing space for women of all backgrounds to work through trauma ( ) Back to the Roots - Solving food insecurity by providing quick, accessible, and healthy solutions ( North Carolina A&T State University ) - Solving food insecurity by providing quick, accessible, and healthy solutions ( ) Covered Always - Protect your investment with Covered Always Car Warranty (Oakwood University) - Protect your investment with Covered Always Car Warranty (Oakwood University) All Things College - Informing students and parents nationwide on college readiness, standardized test prep, and scholarships ( Spelman College ) For press inquiries, please email Miranda Perez at [email protected] . For general inquiries, please email Maggey Hoffmann at [email protected]. About the HBCU Founders Initiative Launched by Nex Cubed , the HBCU Founders Initiative aims to catalyze investment in African Americans by supporting HBCU students and alumni along their entrepreneurial journey, encouraging them to pursue technology solutions that close the racial wealth gap ranging from increasing access to healthcare, education, and financial services. From the ideation stage to the investment stage and beyond, the HBCU Founders Initiative offers programs (accelerators, hackathons, industry webinars, and pitch competitions), financial and technical resources, as well as a vast network of advisors committed to supporting HBCU founders pursuing entrepreneurship. As of the beginning of 2022, over 650 students and alumni from 75+ HBCUs have benefitted from the program. Participants in our programming have raised over $2M for their startups, positioning them to create jobs in their community. About UNCF UNCF (United Negro College Fund) is the nation's largest and most effective minority education organization. To serve youth, the community and the nation, UNCF supports students' education and development through scholarships and other programs, supports and strengthens its 37 member colleges and universities, and advocates for the importance of minority education and college readiness. While totaling only 3% of all colleges and universities, UNCF institutions and other historically Black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding 13% of bachelor's degrees, 5% of master's degrees, 10% of doctoral degrees, and 24% of all STEM degrees earned by Black students in higher education. UNCF administers more than 400 programs, including scholarship, internship and fellowship, mentoring, summer enrichment, and curriculum and faculty development programs. Today, UNCF supports more than 60,000 students at over 1,100 colleges and universities across the country. Its logo features the UNCF torch of leadership in education and its widely recognized trademark, "A mind is a terrible thing to waste." Learn more at UNCF.org or for continuous updates and news, follow UNCF on Twitter at @UNCF. SOURCE HBCU Founders Initiative DUBLIN, April 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "The Pharma Mini MBA Training Course" conference has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Working in the highly competitive pharmaceutical industry, with ever-increasing change and pressure, is probably one of the most challenging managerial roles of any industry today. This event has been specially designed to help you transcend these challenges by training you to become equipped to see the bigger picture in all aspects of your role. It will help you build your management skills for the future and prepare you to fulfil your ambitions. The Pharma Mini MBA accelerated management programme is a distillation of the most valuable parts of an MBA, as applied to the pharmaceutical industry. It will provide you with practical management tools to apply in the workplace, as well as giving a real taste of an MBA course with pharmaceutical case studies from business schools. Pharmaceutical industry context - business school pharmaceutical case studies on each module This intensive three-day course will help you to translate your learning into new behaviours and improvements in your capability and performance and will work through live issues impacting on the industry and on you directly. The individual and group exercises will focus on pharmaceutical/biopharma/generic MBA case studies, and also on your own challenges and examples. The business school case studies will help give the 'feel' of a full MBA and help you understand more about the strategies used in today's pharmaceutical and associated industries. The Pharma Mini MBA is also an invaluable guide to all that is best and most practical on an MBA course - with a specific focus on the pharmaceutical sector. It is also of value either to gain the most useful aspects of an MBA or as an MBA taster, providing a foundation of the essential MBA elements to apply directly to your role. The pharmaceutical industry requires employees to focus on successful leadership and business management skills, which this programme is designed to give you. The skills you will improve include: Problem-solving Seeing the bigger picture Decision-making, priorities Strategic leadership Implementing strategy Environmental awareness Cross-cultural communication Portfolio management Strategic thinking Leadership Commercial awareness Change management Team-working Project management Increased confidence prioritisation Key benefits of attending MBA learning style of the programme The Pharma Mini MBA learning style is 'hands-on' rather than academic. The programme is very practical, without being too theoretical, with industry-relevant case studies drawn from business school cases. The course covers the key areas of an MBA and applies these MBA tools and concepts to the pharmaceutical industry, providing you with a firm foundation of the essential MBA thinking and terminology. Three modules will be covered in just three days of interactive workshops to enhance the value of the course and, to minimise your time away from the office, there is also optional pre- and post-course work set by the programme director. Develop your understanding of the key techniques of an MBA to apply to your work Gain a greater understanding of the pharma industry, its drivers, challenges and opportunities Hear about the latest strategic technology innovations being used and developed in the pharma industry Understand what strategic thinking is and how to use strategy tools Develop your leadership and strategic skills Become more effective in coping with and managing change in the pharma industry Explore the benefits and costs of doing an MBA Take away a Mini MBA toolkit to apply to your job Discuss and learn from real pharma industry case studies Pre-course work (sent out to delegates prior to the course) Diagnostic questionnaire - your strategic competencies Discussions of diagnostic output/other areas of value Who Should Attend: A 'must-attend' for professionals in the pharmaceutical/biopharma/medical device/animal health industries wishing to develop their business management skills for more senior levels and beyond mere technical ability. It will also help anyone thinking of studying for an MBA who would like an idea of what is involved. It is particularly beneficial to attend with a colleague to maximise the practical learning. Key Topics Covered: Strategy and strategic challenges in the pharma industry Strategy and strategic thinking and their importance in the pharma industry Strategic analysis, planning and implementation Environmental analysis Understanding the competitive environment Strategic options Applying the MBA toolkit Stakeholders and their expectations in the pharma industry Obtaining the value out of strategy in the pharma industry Commercial management and leadership in the pharma industry New product development and the target product profile Portfolio management used in the pharma industry Understanding business performance The business plan Diagnosing specific performance problems Developing strategic alliances and collaborations in the pharma industry Benefits, costs of doing an MBA and the different routes The role of leadership What are the core competencies of effective leaders in pharma? Leadership vs management Leadership style and approaches in the pharma industry Managing innovation in the pharma industry Innovation approaches currently being adopted along the pharma value chain Future innovations in pharma and the life science industries Leading and implementing pharma strategy and change Leading successful change Diagnosis around change How to create the conditions for successful change Why people resist change and how to manage this Change management including leading a structural reorganisation Creating a team, department and organisation relevant to today's pharma business needs Team formation and development Implementing strategy and change, essentials of planning and managing projects Project management tools and techniques to use in implementing pharma projects Applying key project management techniques to pharma projects Understanding of cultural awareness to work more effectively with pharma colleagues Hot topics in market access strategy Practical application/review Personal development action plan to apply the learning within your own organisation Revisiting your competency assessment - what has shifted? Recommended further reading Practical application of tools (toolkit) Speakers: Leela Barham Health Economist and Policy Expert Independent (Freelance) BSc (Economics), MSc (Health Economics) Leela Barham is an independent health economist and policy expert working on a freelance basis. This follows 7 years at a specialist economic consulting firm working in a small dedicated health and pharmaceutical team. She has more than 10 years experience in the pharmaceutical industry - both at home and abroad - and has worked for all stakeholders in the health care system ranging from patient organisations, the National Health Service, health insurers, and the pharmaceutical industry. She has particular expertise in public and patient involvement, Patient Access Schemes/risk sharing schemes, the Cancer Drugs Fund, policy on Health Technology Assessment (HTA), and the Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme (PPRS). She regularly writes on hot topics affecting the industry for Pharmaceutical Executive, Pharmaphorum and EyeforPharma and has also written for PharmaTimes, and Pharma Pricing and Reimbursement. She has also had her research published in peer review journals including The Patient and Pharmacoeconomics. Oguz Ozden Strategy Consultant PwC Oguz is a strategy consultant in PwC's Strategy& practice, leading large, complex and international transformations across the Pharma and Life Sciences sector. He has over 10 years of consulting experience in the sector having worked across various functions in Biotech, Pharma and Consumer Health as well as Pharmaceutical Wholesale. Laura Brown Pharmaceutical QA and Training Consultant University of Cardiff Dr Laura Brown MBA, BSc,PhD, is a Pharmaceutical QA and Training Consultant, Course Director for the MSc in Clinical Research, School of Pharmacy at the University of Cardiff. She has more than 20 years' experience of quality assurance in the pharmaceutical industry and has worked for several companies, including GSKs Hoechst Marion Roussel, Farmitalia and Phoenix International. She has a particular expertise in quality assurance including risked based approaches to quality systems, data Integrity and project management in the pharmaceutical industry. She regularly writes on pharmaceutical regulatory issues including "The Planning of International Drug Development", in the Clinical Research Manual, Euromed and the "Impact of Brexit", RQA Journal 2017. For more information about this conference visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/pjkmwv About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg SOURCE Research and Markets A roundup of the week's most newsworthy consumer and retail industry press releases from PR Newswire, including new cold brews from Dutch Bros and Rita's Italian Ice. NEW YORK, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- With thousands of press releases published each week, it can be difficult to keep up with everything on PR Newswire. To help journalists covering the consumer and retail industries stay on top of the week's most newsworthy and popular releases, here's a roundup of stories from the week that shouldn't be missed. The list below includes the headline (with a link to the full text) and an excerpt from each story. Click on the press release headlines to access accompanying multimedia assets that are available for download. PR Newswire Weekly Consumer Press Release Roundup, April 17-21, 2023. Photo provided by Dutch Bros Coffee. https://prn.to/40dsvfF Read more of the latest consumer-related releases from PR Newswire and stay caught up on the top press releases by following @PRNcnsmr, @prnfood, @prnbeauty, and @prnfashion on Twitter. Can't-Miss Earnings In addition to these popular releases, quarterly results for Lanvin Group crossed the wire this week. Catch up on all the latest earnings reports here. Helping Journalists Stay Up to Date on Industry News These are just a few of the recent press releases that consumers and the media should know about. To be notified of releases relevant to their coverage area, journalists can set up a custom newsfeed with PR Newswire for Journalists. Once they're signed up, reporters, bloggers and freelancers have access to the following free features: Customization: Create a customized newsfeed that will deliver relevant news right to your inbox. Customize the newsfeed by keywords, industry, subject, geography, and more. Create a customized newsfeed that will deliver relevant news right to your inbox. Customize the newsfeed by keywords, industry, subject, geography, and more. Photos and Videos: Thousands of multimedia assets are available to download and include with your next story. Thousands of multimedia assets are available to download and include with your next story. Subject Matter Experts: Access ProfNet, a database of industry experts to connect with as sources or for quotes in your articles. Access ProfNet, a database of industry experts to connect with as sources or for quotes in your articles. Related Resources: Read and subscribe to our journalist- and blogger-focused blog, Beyond Bylines, for media news roundups, writing tips, upcoming events, and more. About PR Newswire and PR Newswire for Journalists For more than 65 years, PR Newswire has been the industry leader with the largest, most comprehensive distribution network of print, radio, magazine, television stations, financial portals and trade publications. PR Newswire has an unparalleled global reach of more than 200,000 publications and 10,000 websites and is available in more than 170 countries and 40 languages. PR Newswire for Journalists (PRNJ) is an exclusive community that includes over 20,000 journalists, bloggers and influencers who are logging into their PRNJ accounts specifically looking for story ideas. PR Newswire thoroughly researches and vets this community to verify their identity as a member of the press, blogger or influencer. PRNJ users cover more than 200 beats and verticals. For questions, contact the team at [email protected]. SOURCE PR Newswire A roundup of the week's most newsworthy energy industry press releases from PR Newswire, including new rooftop solar installations at Lowe's and Sigma's production of green lithium. NEW YORK, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- With thousands of press releases published each week, it can be difficult to keep up with everything on PR Newswire. To help journalists covering the energy and natural resources industry stay on top of the week's most newsworthy and popular releases, here's a roundup of stories from the week that shouldn't be missed. The list below includes the headline (with a link to the full text) and an excerpt from each story. Click on the press release headlines to access accompanying multimedia assets that are available for download. PR Newswire Weekly Energy Press Release Roundup, April 17-21, 2023. Photo provided by Lowe's Companies, Inc. https://prn.to/41DMK7q Read more of the latest energy-related releases from PR Newswire and stay caught up on the top press releases by following @PRNenergy on Twitter. Can't-Miss Earnings In addition to these popular releases, several must-read earnings reports crossed the wire this week, including the quarterly results for FIBRA Prologis and Steel Dynamics. Catch up on all the latest earnings reports here. Helping Journalists Stay Up to Date on Industry News These are just a few of the recent press releases that consumers and the media should know about. To be notified of releases relevant to their coverage area, journalists can set up a custom newsfeed with PR Newswire for Journalists. Once they're signed up, reporters, bloggers and freelancers have access to the following free features: Customization: Create a customized newsfeed that will deliver relevant news right to your inbox. Customize the newsfeed by keywords, industry, subject, geography, and more. Create a customized newsfeed that will deliver relevant news right to your inbox. Customize the newsfeed by keywords, industry, subject, geography, and more. Photos and Videos: Thousands of multimedia assets are available to download and include with your next story. Thousands of multimedia assets are available to download and include with your next story. Subject Matter Experts: Access ProfNet, a database of industry experts to connect with as sources or for quotes in your articles. Access ProfNet, a database of industry experts to connect with as sources or for quotes in your articles. Related Resources: Read and subscribe to our journalist- and blogger-focused blog, Beyond Bylines, for media news roundups, writing tips, upcoming events, and more. About PR Newswire and PR Newswire for Journalists For more than 65 years, PR Newswire has been the industry leader with the largest, most comprehensive distribution network of print, radio, magazine, television stations, financial portals and trade publications. PR Newswire has an unparalleled global reach of more than 200,000 publications and 10,000 websites and is available in more than 170 countries and 40 languages. PR Newswire for Journalists (PRNJ) is an exclusive community that includes over 20,000 journalists, bloggers and influencers who are logging into their PRNJ accounts specifically looking for story ideas. PR Newswire thoroughly researches and vets this community to verify their identity as a member of the press, blogger or influencer. PRNJ users cover more than 200 beats and verticals. For questions, contact the team at [email protected]. SOURCE PR Newswire A roundup of the week's most newsworthy financial industry press releases from PR Newswire, including the stresses of being a Gen Z or millennial homebuyer. NEW YORK, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- With thousands of press releases published each week, it can be difficult to keep up with everything on PR Newswire. To help journalists covering the finance industry stay on top of the week's most newsworthy and popular releases, here's a roundup of stories from the week that shouldn't be missed. The list below includes the headline (with a link to the full text) and an excerpt from each story. Click on the press release headlines to access accompanying multimedia assets that are available for download. PR Newswire Weekly Finance Press Release Roundup, April 17-21, 2023. Photo provided by Outlier.org. https://prn.to/3mOGGKq Read more of the latest finance-related releases from PR Newswire and stay caught up on the top press releases by following @PRNfinance on Twitter. Can't-Miss Earnings In addition to these popular releases, several must-read earnings reports crossed the wire this week, including the quarterly results for Bank of America and Prologis. Catch up on all the latest earnings reports here. Helping Journalists Stay Up to Date on Industry News These are just a few of the recent press releases that consumers and the media should know about. To be notified of releases relevant to their coverage area, journalists can set up a custom newsfeed with PR Newswire for Journalists. Once they're signed up, reporters, bloggers and freelancers have access to the following free features: Customization: Create a customized newsfeed that will deliver relevant news right to your inbox. Customize the newsfeed by keywords, industry, subject, geography, and more. Create a customized newsfeed that will deliver relevant news right to your inbox. Customize the newsfeed by keywords, industry, subject, geography, and more. Photos and Videos: Thousands of multimedia assets are available to download and include with your next story. Thousands of multimedia assets are available to download and include with your next story. Subject Matter Experts: Access ProfNet, a database of industry experts to connect with as sources or for quotes in your articles. Access ProfNet, a database of industry experts to connect with as sources or for quotes in your articles. Related Resources: Read and subscribe to our journalist- and blogger-focused blog, Beyond Bylines, for media news roundups, writing tips, upcoming events, and more. About PR Newswire and PR Newswire for Journalists For more than 65 years, PR Newswire has been the industry leader with the largest, most comprehensive distribution network of print, radio, magazine, television stations, financial portals and trade publications. PR Newswire has an unparalleled global reach of more than 200,000 publications and 10,000 websites and is available in more than 170 countries and 40 languages. PR Newswire for Journalists (PRNJ) is an exclusive community that includes over 20,000 journalists, bloggers and influencers who are logging into their PRNJ accounts specifically looking for story ideas. PR Newswire thoroughly researches and vets this community to verify their identity as a member of the press, blogger or influencer. PRNJ users cover more than 200 beats and verticals. For questions, contact the team at [email protected]. SOURCE PR Newswire A roundup of the week's most newsworthy health industry press releases from PR Newswire, including the launch of WebMD Ignite and a test of ChatGPT's advice for breast cancer screening. NEW YORK, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- With thousands of press releases published each week, it can be difficult to keep up with everything on PR Newswire. To help journalists covering the healthcare industry stay on top of the week's most newsworthy and popular releases, here's a roundup of stories from the week that shouldn't be missed. The list below includes the headline (with a link to the full text) and an excerpt from each story. Click on the press release headlines to access accompanying multimedia assets that are available for download. PR Newswire Weekly Health Press Release Roundup, April 17-21, 2023. Photo provided by Meijer. https://prn.to/3AeGJlR Read more of the latest health-related releases from PR Newswire and stay caught up on the top press releases by following @PRNhealth on Twitter. Can't-Miss Earnings In addition to these popular releases, several must-read earnings reports crossed the wire this week, including the quarterly results for Abbott and INVO Bioscience. Catch up on all the latest earnings reports here. Helping Journalists Stay Up to Date on Industry News These are just a few of the recent press releases that consumers and the media should know about. To be notified of releases relevant to their coverage area, journalists can set up a custom newsfeed with PR Newswire for Journalists. Once they're signed up, reporters, bloggers and freelancers have access to the following free features: Customization: Create a customized newsfeed that will deliver relevant news right to your inbox. Customize the newsfeed by keywords, industry, subject, geography, and more. Create a customized newsfeed that will deliver relevant news right to your inbox. Customize the newsfeed by keywords, industry, subject, geography, and more. Photos and Videos: Thousands of multimedia assets are available to download and include with your next story. Thousands of multimedia assets are available to download and include with your next story. Subject Matter Experts: Access ProfNet, a database of industry experts to connect with as sources or for quotes in your articles. Access ProfNet, a database of industry experts to connect with as sources or for quotes in your articles. Related Resources: Read and subscribe to our journalist- and blogger-focused blog, Beyond Bylines, for media news roundups, writing tips, upcoming events, and more. About PR Newswire and PR Newswire for Journalists For more than 65 years, PR Newswire has been the industry leader with the largest, most comprehensive distribution network of print, radio, magazine, television stations, financial portals and trade publications. PR Newswire has an unparalleled global reach of more than 200,000 publications and 10,000 websites and is available in more than 170 countries and 40 languages. PR Newswire for Journalists (PRNJ) is an exclusive community that includes over 20,000 journalists, bloggers and influencers who are logging into their PRNJ accounts specifically looking for story ideas. PR Newswire thoroughly researches and vets this community to verify their identity as a member of the press, blogger or influencer. PRNJ users cover more than 200 beats and verticals. For questions, contact the team at [email protected]. SOURCE PR Newswire A roundup of the week's most newsworthy culture press releases from PR Newswire, including the world's largest collection of Native American language learning materials. NEW YORK, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- With thousands of press releases published each week, it can be difficult to keep up with everything on PR Newswire. To help journalists covering different cultural groups stay on top of the week's most newsworthy and popular releases, here's a roundup of stories from the week that shouldn't be missed. The list below includes the headline (with a link to the full text) and an excerpt from each story. Click on the press release headlines to access accompanying multimedia assets that are available for download. PR Newswire Weekly People & Culture Press Release Roundup, April 17-21, 2023. Photo provided by Hearing Loss Association of America. https://prn.to/3mMOFHX Read more of the latest culture-related releases from PR Newswire and stay caught up on the top press releases by following @PRNmltcult on Twitter. Helping Journalists Stay Up to Date on Industry News These are just a few of the recent press releases that consumers and the media should know about. To be notified of releases relevant to their coverage area, journalists can set up a custom newsfeed with PR Newswire for Journalists. Once they're signed up, reporters, bloggers and freelancers have access to the following free features: Customization: Create a customized newsfeed that will deliver relevant news right to your inbox. Customize the newsfeed by keywords, industry, subject, geography, and more. Create a customized newsfeed that will deliver relevant news right to your inbox. Customize the newsfeed by keywords, industry, subject, geography, and more. Photos and Videos: Thousands of multimedia assets are available to download and include with your next story. Thousands of multimedia assets are available to download and include with your next story. Subject Matter Experts: Access ProfNet, a database of industry experts to connect with as sources or for quotes in your articles. Access ProfNet, a database of industry experts to connect with as sources or for quotes in your articles. Related Resources: Read and subscribe to our journalist- and blogger-focused blog, Beyond Bylines, for media news roundups, writing tips, upcoming events, and more. About PR Newswire and PR Newswire for Journalists For more than 65 years, PR Newswire has been the industry leader with the largest, most comprehensive distribution network of print, radio, magazine, television stations, financial portals and trade publications. PR Newswire has an unparalleled global reach of more than 200,000 publications and 10,000 websites and is available in more than 170 countries and 40 languages. PR Newswire for Journalists (PRNJ) is an exclusive community that includes over 20,000 journalists, bloggers and influencers who are logging into their PRNJ accounts specifically looking for story ideas. PR Newswire thoroughly researches and vets this community to verify their identity as a member of the press, blogger or influencer. PRNJ users cover more than 200 beats and verticals. For questions, contact the team at [email protected]. SOURCE PR Newswire A roundup of the week's most newsworthy technology industry press releases from PR Newswire, including a generative AI home builder and a new climate app for the U.S. NEW YORK, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- With thousands of press releases published each week, it can be difficult to keep up with everything on PR Newswire. To help journalists covering the business technology industry stay on top of the week's most newsworthy and popular releases, here's a roundup of stories from the week that shouldn't be missed. The list below includes the headline (with a link to the full text) and an excerpt from each story. Click on the press release headlines to access accompanying multimedia assets that are available for download. PR Newswire Weekly Technology Press Release Roundup, April 17-21, 2023. Photo provided by Zerofy. https://prn.to/3mXNhSV Read more of the latest business technology releases from PR Newswire and stay caught up on the top press releases by following @PRNtech on Twitter. Can't-Miss Earnings In addition to these popular releases, several must-read earnings reports crossed the wire this week, including the quarterly results for IBM and AT&T. Catch up on all the latest earnings reports here. Helping Journalists Stay Up to Date on Industry News These are just a few of the recent press releases that consumers and the media should know about. To be notified of releases relevant to their coverage area, journalists can set up a custom newsfeed with PR Newswire for Journalists. Once they're signed up, reporters, bloggers and freelancers have access to the following free features: Customization: Create a customized newsfeed that will deliver relevant news right to your inbox. Customize the newsfeed by keywords, industry, subject, geography, and more. Create a customized newsfeed that will deliver relevant news right to your inbox. Customize the newsfeed by keywords, industry, subject, geography, and more. Photos and Videos: Thousands of multimedia assets are available to download and include with your next story. Thousands of multimedia assets are available to download and include with your next story. Subject Matter Experts: Access ProfNet, a database of industry experts to connect with as sources or for quotes in your articles. Access ProfNet, a database of industry experts to connect with as sources or for quotes in your articles. Related Resources: Read and subscribe to our journalist- and blogger-focused blog, Beyond Bylines, for media news roundups, writing tips, upcoming events, and more. About PR Newswire and PR Newswire for Journalists For more than 65 years, PR Newswire has been the industry leader with the largest, most comprehensive distribution network of print, radio, magazine, television stations, financial portals and trade publications. PR Newswire has an unparalleled global reach of more than 200,000 publications and 10,000 websites and is available in more than 170 countries and 40 languages. PR Newswire for Journalists (PRNJ) is an exclusive community that includes over 20,000 journalists, bloggers and influencers who are logging into their PRNJ accounts specifically looking for story ideas. PR Newswire thoroughly researches and vets this community to verify their identity as a member of the press, blogger or influencer. PRNJ users cover more than 200 beats and verticals. For questions, contact the team at [email protected]. SOURCE PR Newswire SHANGHAI, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On April 18, CATL made its first appearance with cutting-edge technologies and all-scenario solutions at the 20th Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition (Auto Shanghai). It unveiled its carbon neutral plan and condensed batteries, and announced the cooperation with OEMs on new products including 4C fast charging Qilin battery and sodium-ion battery during the show, further demonstrating its innovative capabilities and achievements in the new energy industry. Disruptive innovation opens up the era of comprehensive electrification On April 19, CATL launched condensed battery, a cutting-edge battery technology at Auto Shanghai. With an energy density of up to 500 Wh/kg, it can achieve high energy density and high level of safety at the same time in a creative manner, creating a brand-new electrification scenario of passenger aircrafts. What is more, CATL can achieve mass production of condensed battery for EVs in a short period of time. As the most attention-grabbing battery technology launched at the show, the condensed battery will promote the electrification and intelligent development of passenger aircrafts, thus opening up more possibilities for the development of the industry. To address the changes of the super high energy density materials resulting from electrochemical reactions, CATL's condensed battery leverages highly conductive biomimetic condensed state electrolytes to construct a micron-level self-adaptive net structure that can adjust the interactive forces among the chains, thus improving the conductive performance of the cells and in turn the efficiency of lithium ion transporting while boosting stability of the microstructure. Meanwhile, condensed battery integrates a range of innovative technologies, including the ultra-high energy density cathode materials, innovative anode materials, separators, and manufacturing processes, offering excellent charge and discharge performance as well as good safety performance. At present, CATL is cooperating with partners in the development of electric passenger aircrafts and practicing aviation-level standards and testing in accordance with aviation-grade safety and quality requirements. In addition, it will also roll out the automotive-grade condensed batteries, which are expected to be put into mass production within this year, demonstrating CATL's capability to rapidly transform technology from the lab to the market. Advanced battery technologies to power multiple models "Meeting customers' needs is the core driving force for our technological innovation," said Wu Kai, Chief Scientist of CATL. During the auto show, CATL's advanced technologies including sodium-ion batteries and Qilin batteries have been launched on the latest models of multiple OEM partners, providing optimized solutions for customers with various technologies, and enabling consumers to enjoy sustainable driving experience. On April 16, CATL's first volume of mass-produced sodium-ion batteries were announced to power Chery EV models. Breaking the bottleneck of limited raw materials, the sodium-ion battery features excellent thermal stability, good performance in low temperature, and high level of integration efficiency. Sodium-ion and lithium-ion batteries can be complementary so as to provide the market and customers with a variety of cost-effective solutions, making for a popular choice for the mass market. On April 18, CATL signed a comprehensive strategic cooperation agreement with Li Auto, and the two companies announced that Li Auto's first BEV model will be the first to carry CATL's 4C Qilin batteries. With its excellent performance, the innovative Qilin battery can boost significantly the product competitiveness of high-end vehicle models. Supported by CATL's 4C fast charging Qilin batteries and Li Auto's 800V high-voltage fast charging BEV solution, the new model of Li Auto improves energy efficiency while increasing charging speed, enabling fast charging speed and longer range in most driving scenarios. Carbon neutrality ambition bring about new opportunities As the world translates global consensus into global action in sustainable development, CATL announced its carbon neutrality plan at this year's Auto Shanghai. It pledges to achieve carbon neutrality in its core operations by 2025 and across the battery value chain by 2035. This means that by 2025, all of CATL's battery factories will become carbon neutral, achieving carbon neutrality first in the manufacturing sector. By 2035, all of the batteries produced by CATL will become carbon neutral, achieving carbon neutrality across the entire value chain from mineral resources to finished batteries. "For CATL, achieving carbon neutrality is our responsibility, demonstrates our capability, and opens up more opportunities," said Jiang Li, CATL Board Secretary. The sales volume of CATL's lithium-ion batteries soared to 289 GWh in 2022, and it held 37% and 43.4% in the global market share of EV battery and energy storage battery shipment respectively. Therefore, CATL's carbon neutrality plan is of the largest scale in the lithium-ion battery industry. CATL will also release its carbon neutrality white paper, showcasing its approaches and action plans to achieve carbon neutrality, aiming to become the first leading battery company to achieve carbon neutrality globally. CATL showcases its phased achievements in innovation in four dimensions, namely material and electrochemistry system, structure system, extreme manufacturing and business model, including a range of products and solutions such as the lithium-ion cell family, sodium-ion battery, 12 Volt battery, 48 Volt battery, AB battery pack, Qilin battery and powertrain domain controller pack as well as all-scenario solutions centering on electrification and intelligent development such as EVOGO battery blocks and battery swapping stations, demonstrating its R&D strengths and all-round strategic planning. Together for better, CATL aspires to contribute more to the high-quality development of the new energy industry together with its customers. SOURCE Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy took a swipe Thursday at leaders who have adopted postures of neutrality regarding the Russian invasion of Ukraine, calling them populists. Zelenskyys comments, in a video link before a committee of Mexican legislators, were an apparent reference to leaders such as Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. The Brazilian leader has refused to provide weapons to Ukraine, has appeared to ascribe blame to both sides and has proposed a club of nations including Brazil and China to mediate peace. Mexico, under President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, has voted to condemn the invasion, although it has declined to impose economic sanctions on Russia. There are some leaders who have not visited Ukraine once and who have not seen what the brutal Russian aggression brought, and why it is important to defend lives, Zelenskyy said, adding "but simply seeking to achieve some sort of populism they say things like Ukraine is supposedly not ready to go for peace. Zelenskyy also slammed different companies and big multinational firms that want to make millions by trading with Russia, adding unfortunately, the world is full of hypocrisy. Earlier this month, Lula told reporters in Abu Dhabi that two nations Russia and Ukraine had decided to go to war, and a day earlier in Beijing said the U.S. must stop stimulating the continued fighting and start discussing peace. Lula has also suggested Ukraine could cede Crimea to end the war, something the spokesperson for Ukraines foreign ministry, Oleg Nikolenko, and others rejected. The Ukranian president got an expected standing ovation from the legislators of the Mexico-Ukraine Friendship Group, most of whom belong to opposition parties. In 2022, Lopez Obrador decried NATO policy of supporting Ukraine, claiming it was equivalent to saying Ill supply the weapons, and you supply the dead. It is immoral. How easy it is to say, Here, Ill send you this much money for weapons, Lopez Obrador said. Couldnt the war in Ukraine have been avoided? Of course it could. Lopez Obrador did not say how, other than Russia not invading. In 2022, a half-dozen legislators from Lopez Obradors Morena party helped create a congressional Mexico-Russia Friendship Committee. The Morena party said we respect the freedom of thought of our members after a youth group apparently affiliated with the party sent an open letter to the Russian ambassador supporting the invasion. Russia has been making a sort of diplomatic push in Latin America this week. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met Wednesday with Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, and the two commiserated about U.S. sanctions. Lavrov on Thursday met with recently reelected Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, during the last leg of a Latin American tour that took him to Brazil, Nicaragua and Venezuela. Search Keywords: Short link: Ahead of Earth Day, the global programmatic giant is taking major steps to better the planet and spur industry action NEW YORK, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- TripleLift, the digital media platform on a mission to elevate advertising across every screen, is announcing its commitment to Scope 1 and 2 and Scope 3 reductions, with the goal of lowering each more than 50% by 2030. TripleLift Earth Day Logo Global warming is continuing to wreak havoc, and the need for companies to be more aware of their carbon footprint is more important than ever. TripleLift, a company that has always been at the forefront of some of the largest issues facing our world, is dedicated to going green and lowering emissions on a global scale. The company has fully committed to reducing absolute scopes 1 and 2 GHG emissions 51.33% by 2030. Additionally, TripleLift commits to reducing Scope 3 GHG emissions related to air, hotel and car travel by 55% per full time employee by 2030. Both are science-based target (SBTI) reduction goals and are 1.5C aligned. "With Earth Day coming up this weekend and the theme being 'Invest in our Planet,' we are taking it as a call to action for our company," said Dave Clark, CEO of TripleLift. "For far too long, companies have not taken their emissions seriously and our planet is paying the price. We saw areas that we could cut back and really make a difference on a global scale, and we've committed ourselves to doing so over the next seven years. This is only the first step for TripleLift - we plan on taking even more action later this year to reduce carbon emissions, and we hope we are setting a precedent for other companies - especially those in our industry - to follow in our footsteps." TripleLift has also partnered with Patch, the platform scaling unified climate action, to offset carbon emissions by investing in the Clearloop Panola County Solar Project, a female and minority-led supplier. Clearloop is directly utilizing funds from 30+ diverse organizations to help develop new solar projects that create renewable and carbon-free electricity for the next 40 years. "Many companies have spent years allowing employees to travel unnecessarily, and have totally lost track of their own emissions, putting the world at risk for future generations," said Mary Nickels, Senior Strategic Initiatives Manager at TripleLift. "In the past, we have made travel decisions at the intersection of cost and customer impact, but now we're adding a third element: our carbon footprint. We need to be leaders in our pledge to the environment, and that's exactly what we're doing with these commitments." TripleLift has been dedicated to environmental change since its inception. In April of last year, TripleLift launched the GREEN Exchange Traded Deal, which gave advertisers another way to use their dollars to keep the planet green. The deal features websites that are leading the way in sustainable best practices and helps advertisers reach their target market and achieve their sustainable business goals. Since launching this deal, it has generated 10.5B weekly impressions from publishers with sustainability-related content and 345B weekly impressions from publishers with ESG initiatives, including BuzzFeed, Bloomberg, The Guardian, Hearst, Discovery and more. With Ad Net Zero USA having launched earlier this year, now is the time for all companies, including ad tech, to respond rapidly to climate action. While the ANA, the 4A's and IAB are leading the charge for the agency space, TripleLift is taking the reins on prioritizing climate change in the ad tech sector, with the hopes that other companies - both large and small - in the space will do the same. For more information on TripleLift's commitment, visit their website to learn about their sustainability resources. About TripleLift We're TripleLift, an advertising platform on a mission to elevate digital advertising through beautiful creative, quality publishers, actionable data and smart targeting. Through over 1 trillion monthly ad transactions, we help publishers and platforms monetize their businesses. Our technology is where the world's leading brands find audiences across online video, connected television, display and native ads. Brand and enterprise customers choose us because of our innovative solutions, premium formats, and supportive experts dedicated to maximizing their performance. As part of the Vista Equity Partners portfolio, we are NMSDC certified, qualify for diverse spending goals and are committed to economic inclusion. Find out how TripleLift raises up the programmatic ecosystem at triplelift.com. SOURCE TripleLift DUBLIN, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "U.S. Alternative Legal Service Providers Market - Industry Outlook & Forecast 2023-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The U.S. alternative legal service providers (ALSPs) market size is expected to reach $23.04 billion by 2028 from $7.37 billion in 2022, growing at a CAGR of approximately 20.91% Alternative legal service providers are organizations that offer legal services outside of the traditional law firm model. ALSPs play a crucial role in the legal industry. They offer to counsel to corporations and law firms with low cost and less time than traditional law firms. People prefer alternative legal service providers (ALSPs) for low-risk and high-volume tasks. The term "Alternative" basically represents a substitute to the traditional service providers, i.e., recruiting an attorney at a law firm. U.S. alternative legal service providers market is challenging the dominant traditional law firms market and is eating up the chunk of work that went directly to law firms. ALSPs are not only treated as an alternative these days and are portrayed as a class of highly skilled professionals chosen for high-volume tasks and to get the legal work done smoothly in less time. Alternative legal service providers leverage low overheads and technology to offer their services with added advantages, i.e., efficiency at a low cost, simplicity, speed, flexibility, and a strong client focus. These businesses typically pick up and enhance elements of legal processes to improve performance which has led to the emergence of new service categories over the years. Alternative legal service providers do not operate as law firms but as legal services firms. Apart from performing high-volume tasks, the U.S. alternative legal service providers market provides key functions like financial management, client engagement, strategic planning, knowledge management, leveraging technology and data, and many other things. STATE OF THE U.S. ECONOMY The state of the U.S. economy can help determine the growth of the alternative legal service providers market. The economy in the near future appears to be a mixed bag. On one side, looming recession & geopolitical issues, and on the other side COVID-19 is expected to impact how in-house lawyers manage their teams and accommodate their budgets in a cost-constrained environment. However, past performances are a window into how the U.S. alternative legal service providers market could pan out. IMPACT OF COVID-19 The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is propelling the desire among clients for ALSPs to deliver solutions within less time and at a low cost. The pandemic has the companies plunged into alternative legal service providers. Automation, cloud technology, and the adoption of AI emerge as drivers in the U.S. alternative legal service providers market during COVID-19. IMPACT OF RECESSION The recession is expected to be an agitator of growth for alternative legal service providers. As the next recession is on the prediction charts, its effect on the legal industry largely depends on the vendors' offerings and attributes. Their performance may be forecasted considering the industry's buying and selling trends. Digitally forward legal providers are more likely to be able to perform better during the period. SUCCESS FACTORS Value Creating value and value propositions are central to the new age legal service delivery model. It typically depends on how the resources, pricing, finances, and investment are combined in the model. Models crafted to offer a portfolio variety at flexible and fixed prices with services delivered disintegrated and automated are likely to see success in the market. Creating Agility Agile workflow processes can be the key between the success and failure of alternative legal service providers, backed by diverse human resources. Ideally, they include junior lawyers, partners, professionals, paralegals, technologists, and technicians is essential to optimize cost and accelerate service delivery. Injection of Investments There has been a wave of funding just as alternative legal service provider operators become more innovative and technologically savvy, drawing recognition for their value-added editions of the traditional legal model from legal buyers and clients alike. Further, investors are increasingly becoming aware of the impediments put in place by lawyers, resulting in division and shunned growth. As a result, the market has come far from being a young industry that witnessed transaction restrictions and has become the next 'new thing' powering the legal industry forward. Moreover, the growth in the U.S. alternative legal service providers market has unraveled a slew of private equity investments. Adoption of Artificial Intelligence & Cloud Technology Adopting AI and cloud technology will enable ALSPs to work remotely and make the legal processes easy and smooth. Law firms benefit from adopting AI to produce highly standardized documents like robotic process automation and confidential agreements. The advent of cloud technology allows applications to run smoothly on third-party servers without extensive in-house storage. ALSPs are investing in cloud technology, AI solutions, and cybersecurity, as these will make their work easy. Raised Data Security & Privacy Concerns The very nature of the law industry means it is under significant threat from security and privacy issues. Given that law, companies have access to huge volumes of IP and other confidential corporate/client information that could constitute trade secrets, insider information on M&As, personally identifiable data, approaches to litigation, and other privileged information, and handling significant funds. Such factors make Law firms highly prone to breaches. Negligence of employees and external threats from foreign governments or competitors are some of the key risks that can lead to stolen information or disrupted legal functions. Competitive Landscape The U.S. alternative legal service providers market is witnessing a growing number of international law firms crediting the concept of legal service delivery. With innovations in legal service offerings, ALSPs are getting opted for as these services are procured where traditional operational models are outdated or fall short. Vendors need to update their services to suit modern-day needs. Legal organizations such as Clifford Chance and Allen & Overy are reimagining and reinvigorating legal service delivery; hence they are likely to save themselves from acquisitions from large and dominating legal bodies. The disintermediation of legal work influences alternative legal service providers' success. There will always be some measure of legal work that entails trained sophisticated lawyers with the right skill sets to carry out some of the jobs and can't be siphoned off. With clients increasingly moving further afield in the Rogers Diffusion Curve, lawyers and law firms will account for a less dominant share. Premium Insights Market Opportunities & Trends Shift of Focus to Delivery Injection of Investments Rise of Self-Service Functions Blurring Lines Between Traditional and Alternative Law Firms Adoption of Ai & Cloud Technologies Market Growth Enablers Legal Departments in Overdrive Surge in Legal Spending High Dissatisfaction With Law Firms Intensifying Focus on Technology Adoption Market Restraints Data Security and Privacy Concerns Lack of Proper Articulation of Client Challenges Misplaced Perceptions About Customer Value Resistance and Lack of Reconfiguration to Alsps Great Resignation in Legal Industry Key Company Profiles Allen & Overy Axiom Law Elevate Services UnitedLex Other Prominent Vendors Clifford Chance Consilio Epiq Systems Everlaw Exigent Greenberg Traurig Integreon KLDiscovery LegalZoom Lawyers On Demand Mindcrest Reed Smith Lumen Technologies Morae Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe & Sutcliffe QuisLex Thomson Reuters For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/xuuwv4 About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg SOURCE Research and Markets DUBLIN, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "U.S. Monkeypox Testing Market - Industry Outlook & Forecast 2023-2025" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The U.S. monkeypox testing market was valued at USD 5,336.29 thousand in 2022 and is expected to reach USD 91.00 thousand by 2025. The market is projected to register a CAGR of (74.26%) during the forecast period. Cases of monkeypox increased at the beginning of 2022, and by the end of September, the U.S. became the country with a high number of monkeypox cases. Men accounted for the larger patient group in the country; however, the number of monkeypox cases among women and children was limited. The major reason for the spread of the disease in the country was sex among men. The LGBT community was one of the majorly affected communities. From day one of this outbreak, providers had access to a high-quality, FDA-cleared test to detect monkeypox. The CDC has scaled the testing capacity to 78 sites in 48 states, primarily at state public health laboratories, with the capacity to conduct around 10,000 tests per week. In addition, CDC began shipping the tests to some of the largest commercial laboratory companies (including some of the nation's largest reference laboratories) to increase monkeypox testing capacity. This action improved convenience for patients and healthcare providers across the nation, and the government eased the testing procedures by approving the rapid testing kits for monkeypox. The regulatory bodies approved the products faster and increased access to monkeypox testing, which further accelerated the U.S. monkeypox testing market. In addition, the government took better steps to create awareness, communicate among the LGBTQI+ community, mobilize them, and provide better treatments. It was estimated that the U.S. would require USD 7 billion to handle the monkeypox outbreak. This expansion increased the testing accessibility, building on the capacities already available within the Laboratory Response Network (LRN). In addition, the CDC has worked with the LRN to increase public health testing capacity by more than 50% since the outbreak's start, increasing testing capacity from 6,000 tests per week to approximately 10,000 tests per week. This network continued to provide spare testing capacity to jurisdictions across the country. CDC worked with the state, territorial, and local health departments to make the monkeypox testing process more accessible to health care providers. Monkeypox testing has become very significant in the high-risk community. Monkeypox lesions are extremely painful and curable, but the effect of monkeypox among undiagnosed HIV patients is extreme. This is increasing the number of tests conducted in the country. People with simpler symptoms also undergo monkeypox testing to protect them from other disease conditions. In addition, some factors have limited the Mpox testing. Factors like false positive results and the rollout of vaccines in the market reduced the spread of the infections. Such factors helped the government quickly monitor and reduce the country's monkeypox cases. However, this reduced the number of tests conducted in the market, which became a limitation for the U.S. monkeypox testing market. Monkeypox Cases Are Down but Not Gone Experts in infectious disease have made statements like monkeypox cases will never leave the country. The number of cases recorded in the U.S. was high but still considered an undercount. It is expected that more cases are not considered as the physicians have not seen this before. The virus will remain infectious for around three weeks. It is challenging for people to stay isolated for three weeks. There is a high chance that this infection will spread to the animal carriers like rodents and again jump back, reinfecting the human population. There are high chances of increasing the infection spread unless the vaccination process is complete. Developed Countries like the U.S. will largely invest in the testing infrastructure to reduce the spread of the disease in the country. Investment measures further support the growth of the U.S. monkeypox testing market. The "Panic buying" concept will hugely impact the industry, increasing the demand for Mpox testing. Strong Future Diagnostic Pipeline The U.S. has a strong pipeline in the monkeypox diagnostic segment. National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB), Department of Defense (DOD), and more institutions have invested in advanced monkeypox diagnostics. The research results are to be released in the first half of 2023. The country is investing in the future-ready diagnostics segment, which will help the region defend against future cases. Competitive Landscape Amid the CDC's orthopoxvirus test expansion, several diagnostics companies are developing and launching their monkeypox-specific assays. BD, Cepheid, and Roche have joined the race to roll out accurate, PCR-quality tests for the disease. BD has joined forces with CerTest to adapt one of the Spanish company's existing tests to run on the BD Max automated PCR system. At the same time, Cepheid partnered with reagent maker BioGX to design a molecular assay of its own. Abbott is developing a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test to detect the presence of monkeypox. The company is focused on developing a monkeypox test, which could help the world in the early detection of the disease. It will provide test kits to partners in the pandemic defense coalition. In addition, F. Hoffman La Roche launches LightMix Modular Virus test kits to analyze samples using quantitative PCR technology. Various companies across the globe are developing monkeypox test kits to increase the testing and to decrease the spread of infection globally. Premium Insights Market Opportunities & Trends Ongoing Us Monkeypox Research Activities Growing Development of Rapid Testing Methods Rapidly Growing Commercial Laboratory-Developed Monkeypox Testing Market Growth Enablers Increasing Product Launches Advances in Pcr Technology Monkeypox Eradication Unlikely to Continue in US Market Restraints Growing Access to Vaccination Against Monkeypox Monkeypox Cases Are in a Sharp Decline Potential Risk of False Monkeypox Test Results Key Company Profiles Abbott F. Hoffmann-La Roche Qiagen Thermo Fisher Scientific Other Prominent Vendors Alpha Diagnostic AtliaBiosystems Applied DNA Sciences BioGX BIONEER CERTEST BIOTEC Co-Diagnostics CorDx Creative Biogene Elabscience Biotechnology LABNOVATION TECHNOLOGIES Seegene Laboratory-Developed Monkeypox Tests Aegis Sciences ARUP Laboratories Apostle Diagnostics California Department of Public Health CDR Companies CirrusDx Clinical Reference Laboratory Devlab Bio Discover Labs Integrity Laboratories Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings Madison Core Laboratories Mako Medical Laboratories Mayo Clinic Quest Diagnostics RapidBio Shepard Health Sonic Healthcare US BioTek Laboratories UW Virology Laboratory For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/mj2fnb About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg SOURCE Research and Markets WASHINGTON, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors will meet May 9, 2023, in open session at Postal Service headquarters, 475 L'Enfant Plaza, SW, Washington, DC. The public is welcome to observe the meeting beginning at 4:00 p.m. ET in the Benjamin Franklin Room on the 11th floor. The Board is expected to discuss the following items: Remarks of the Chairman of the Board of Governors Remarks of the Postmaster General and CEO Approval of the Minutes Committee Reports Quarterly Financial Report Quarterly Service Performance Report Approval of Tentative Agenda for August 8 Meeting A public comment period will begin immediately following the adjournment of the open session on May 9. During the public comment period, which shall not exceed 45 minutes, members of the public may comment on any item or subject listed on the agenda for the open session above. Registration for participation in the public comment period is required. Additionally, the public will be given the option to join the public comment session and participate via teleconference. Should you wish to participate via teleconference, you will be required to give your first and last name, a valid email address to send an invite and a phone number to reach you should a technical issue arise. Speakers may register online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/bog-05-09-2023. No more than three minutes shall be allotted to each speaker. The time allotted to each speaker will be determined after registration closes. Registration for the public comment period, either in person or via teleconference, will end on May 7 at noon ET. Participation in the public comment period is governed by 39 C.F.R. 232.1(n). Open session meetings of the Board of Governors are available on live audio webcasts at https://about.usps.com/who/leadership/board-governors/#sessions. Three hours after the conclusion of the open session meeting, a recorded audio file will be available for listening. In compliance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, the audio webcast will be open-captioned. Please Note: The United States Postal Service is an independent federal establishment, mandated to be self-financing and to serve every American community through the affordable, reliable and secure delivery of mail and packages to nearly 165 million addresses six and often seven days a week. Overseen by a bipartisan Board of Governors, the Postal Service is implementing a 10-year transformation plan, Delivering for America, to modernize the postal network, restore long-term financial sustainability, dramatically improve service across all mail and shipping categories, and maintain the organization as one of America's most valued and trusted brands. The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations. For USPS media resources, including broadcast quality video and audio and photo stills, visit the USPS Newsroom. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and LinkedIn. Subscribe to the USPS YouTube Channel and like us on Facebook. For more information about the Postal Service, visit usps.com and facts.usps.com. Contact: Dave Partenheimer 202-268-2599 [email protected] usps.com/news SOURCE U.S. Postal Service ValueAct is a major, long-term shareholder with a longstanding history of constructive engagement Issues letter calling for removal of Seven & i's President due to long track record of entrenchment Latest examples of entrenchment include denial of an independent investigation of secret recordings of shareholders and denial of an independent review of a shareholder proposal ValueAct proposed a refreshed Board with mandate to select a new President through independent process in line with Japan's Corporate Governance Code New President should prioritize stakeholder interests and improve performance ValueAct submitted proposals to remove four entrenched and long-tenured incumbent Directors: Mr. Ryuichi Isaka (President), Mr. Katsuhiro Goto (Vice President), Mr. Kunio Ito (Chairman of Nomination Committee), and Mr. Toshiro Yonemura (Member of Nomination Committee) ValueAct proposed to re-elect the six new Independent Outside Directors who joined the Board in 2022 and four Inside Directors who directly manage major businesses and group functions to ensure operational continuity ValueAct also nominated four new Independent Outside Directors who are qualified, diverse business leaders with relevant skills and experiences Full letter available at https://valueact.com/presentations/ SAN FRANCISCO, April 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ValueAct Capital ("ValueAct"), a global investment firm who has been a major shareholder of Seven & i Holdings ("Seven & i", "the Company"), since 2020, today sent an open letter (the "Letter") (see attached) to shareholders of Seven & i in response to the Presentation made public by Seven & i on April 18, 2023. Related Documents View PDF ValueAct Capital Letter to Seven & i Shareholders ValueAct has a unique 22-year history of helping companies pursue successful transformations and long-term value creation through respectful dialogue and constructive relationship building. Seven & i, however, has continually failed to provide shareholders with an objective review of the Company's conglomerate structure following many years of poor corporate value creation and operating underperformance. After extensive dialogue over several years, ValueAct has been unable to establish confidence in the management, strategy, or governance of the Company. As detailed in the letter issued by ValueAct today, ValueAct has called for the removal of Seven & i's President based on a long series of bad faith actions over his seven-year tenure. Most notably, just in the past month, the President refused to allow an independent investigation into the practice of secretly recording shareholders without consent and the subsequent leak of one such recording to a journalist at a major news outlet. In addition, the President denied an independent review of a sensitive shareholder proposal which presented major conflicts of interest for the President and the majority of the Board. The Letter goes on to detail ValueAct's shareholder proposal to elect a Board with the skills, independence, and mandate to appoint a new President & Representative Director who can prioritize the interests of common shareholders and lead the company as a global champion in line with Japan's Corporate Governance Code. ValueAct has proposed re-electing the Company's six Independent Outside Directors and replacing four entrenched and long-tenured directors with four new and highly qualified director candidates who are diverse business leaders with relevant skills and experiences. ValueAct is known for its patient, constructive and relationship-oriented approach to long-term investing. ValueAct will not hesitate to exercise their shareholder rights as part of their fiduciary duty when the opportunity for stakeholders to benefit from transformation is so high, and the evidence of management's entrenchment becomes undeniable. The Letter was written to Shareholders and shared publicly because ValueAct believes there is an urgent need for change at the Company in order to repair trust in its governance and management. About ValueAct Capital ValueAct Capital, established in 2000, is a global investment firm managing capital on behalf of some of the world's largest institutional investors. The Firm's goal is to transform companies and help them become 21st Century Global Champions. VAC seeks to identify and invest in high-quality businesses that are temporarily under-valued, taking a patient, collaborative and constructive approach to value building for all stakeholders with long-term investments. The firm generally holds 10-18 investments at any given time, and ValueAct Capital's internal team has built a track record serving on over 55 public company board seats. For more information, please see https://valueact.com/. To view the full letter please visit https://valueact.com/presentations/. CONTACT: [email protected] SOURCE ValueAct Capital BEIJING, April 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The 6th Suzhou Jinji Lake Biennale kicked off on April 15 in the Suzhou Industrial Park, east China's Jiangsu Province. Themed on "Vivid Jiangnan, Charming Suzhou", the Biennale this year sets three thematic exhibitions, one academic forum and 20 parallel exhibitions, with more than 2,000 works to be on display and more than 300 cultural and artistic activities to be held. It will last till June 25. Photo shows the opening ceremony of the 6th Suzhou Jinji Lake Biennale held in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, April 15, 2023. Wu Weishan, an internationally-renowned sculptor and director of the National Art Museum of China and vice chairman of the China Artists Association, was invited to serve as the chair of academic activities of the Biennale. Other renowned artists from both home and abroad were also invited to introduce the three thematic exhibitions at the opening ceremony. A total of 90 percent of the exhibits in the "We're Better Off" International Contemporary Art Exhibition are displayed in China for the first time. The 6th China Youth Sculpture Exhibition brings together more than 100 innovative works from young sculptors all over China. The "Rainbow -From the World of Bridges" Contemporary Art Exhibition interprets Jiangnan culture through artistic works with Suzhou's bridges as media. The 20 parallel exhibitions, focusing on contemporary trends, modern new art and backtracking of classics, offer a complete presentation of the cultural ecology of Suzhou's modern and contemporary art. By relying on the alliances in art galleries, reading and art, as well as enterprises, business areas and other carriers, and through the combination of online and offline methods, the 300-odd cultural and artistic activities will create all-weather and diversified art festivals for the people, helping promote cultural consumption and build the business area economy. The Suzhou Jinji Lake Biennale has been held successfully for five sessions since 2012, attracting more than 1,500 artists from all around the world and 20 million visitors with over 5,000 excellent artworks from home and abroad. Covering sculpture, international design, installation, multimedia and other art forms, the Biennale has become not only a brand known to the world, but also a glittering symbol of the culture and art of Suzhou. Original link: https://en.imsilkroad.com/p/333763.html SOURCE Xinhua Silk Road The holiday of Eid Al-Fitr ushered in a day of prayers and joy for Muslims around the world on Friday. The celebration was marred by tragedy amid the explosion of conflict in Sudan, while in other countries it came against the backdrop of hopes for a better future. After the Ramadan month of fasting, Muslims celebrate Eid Al-Fitr with feasts and family visits. The start of the holiday is traditionally based on sightings of the new moon, which vary according to geographic location. In Sudans capital, Khartoum, staccato blasts of gunfire marked the early hours of the feast day. A deadly conflict in the vast African country that erupted in the past week has forced many people to shelter indoors ahead of the holiday, even as water and food for civilians runs low. In Jerusalem, thousands of faithful gathered at Islam's third holiest shrine, the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, where tensions with Israeli authorities have seethed in the past month. The compound also hosts Judaism's holiest site. Following holiday prayers, a clown entertained children and a woman painted the cheek of a girl with the green, red, black and white Palestinian flag. Some attendees trampled on an Israeli flag and unfurled banners in support of Palestinian militant groups. The streets of Arab capitals Damascus, Baghdad and Beirut were crowded with worshippers heading to mosques and cemeteries. Many Muslims visit the graves of their loved ones after the early morning prayer on the first day of Eid al-Fitr. Visitors toted bouquets of flowers, jugs of water for plants, and brooms to clean gravestones. After the Eid prayer we always visit our dead to pray and pay our respects, may God have mercy and forgive them on this blessed day, said Atheer Mohamed in Baghdads Azamiya cemetery. Islam's holidays follow a lunar calendar. But some countries rely on astronomical calculations rather than physical sightings. This frequently leads to disagreements between religious authorities in different countries and sometimes in the same country over the start date of Eid al-Fitr. This year, Saudi Arabia and many other Arab countries began their Eid celebrations on Friday, while Iran, Pakistan and Indonesia, among others, set the first day of the holiday for Saturday. In Sudan, the holiday was eclipsed by a week of raging battles between the army and its rival paramilitary force, which are locked in a violent struggle to control the country. The fighting has killed hundreds of people and wounded thousands. In a video message released early Friday, his first speech since the fighting broke out, Sudans top general Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan marked the somber tone of the holiday. Ruin and destruction and the sound of bullets have left no place for the happiness everyone in our beloved country deserves," he said. The day before, Sudans military ruled out negotiations with the rival paramilitary force, known as the Rapid Support Forces, saying it would only accept its surrender as the two sides continued to battle in central Khartoum and other parts of the country, threatening to wreck international attempts to broker a sustainable cease-fire. Yet in other parts of the region, the recent rapprochement between arch-rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran has kindled hopes for peace. In Yemen, the Saudi-Iranian rapprochement raised the possibility for an end to the civil war that had turned into a proxy conflict and torn the impoverished country apart since 2014. Saudi officials and Iran-backed Houthi rebels recently began talks in Yemen's capital of Sanaa. During the last days of Ramadan, the warring sides exchanged hundreds of prisoners captured during the conflict. However, the moment of hopes was marred by a stampede late Wednesday at a charitable event in the rebel-held capital that killed at least 78 people and injured 77. This years Eid al-Fitr also came on the heels of intensified violence in Israel and Palestine. Alaa Abu Hatab and his only remaining daughter started the holiday in the Palestinian Gaza Strip by visiting the graves of his wife and four children who were killed in an Israeli airstrike on the day of Eid al-Fitr in 2021. That strike also killed Abu Hatab's sister and her children. Because they were killed in the Eid, I miss them especially during Eid al-Fitr. I miss their laughter, Abu Hatab said, standing by his familys grave with his six-year-old daughter, Maria. The holiday has become a scene of pain and loss, he said. In Afghanistans Kabul, where worshippers gathered under the watchful eyes of its Taliban rulers, 35-year-old Abdul Matin said, I wish that besides security we had good income and good jobs. Unfortunately people cant afford to buy all their necessities at this difficult time. In Turkey and Syria, many are still mourning loved ones lost in the devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck the two countries on Feb. 6, killing more than 50,000 people. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday performed morning Eid prayers at Hagia Sophia, the 6th century Byzantine church in Istanbul that was reconverted into a mosque three years ago. Erdogan, who is facing elections next month amid an economic crisis and the fallout of the earthquake, handed out chocolate and pastries to journalists outside the mosque, renamed Holy Ayasofya Grand Mosque after 85 years as a museum. Search Keywords: Short link: The Pentagon has deployed forces and is developing options to assist in the possible evacuation of US Embassy personnel from Sudan. However, the White House said Friday there are no plans for now for a broader pullout of the potentially thousands of other Americans from the African country where warring factions are in a violent conflict. The troop moves by the US military are intended "to ensure that we provide as many options as possible, if we are called on to do something. We havent been called on to do anything yet, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said at a news conference in Germany. Austin and US Army Gen. Mark Milley, the Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman, held meeting meetings with defense leaders from other countries to discuss additional support for Ukraine. An estimated 16,000 private US citizens are registered with the US Embassy in Khartoum as being in Sudan. The State Department has cautioned that that figure probably is inaccurate because there is no requirement for Americans to register nor is there a requirement to notify the embassy when they leave. "Its absolutely imperative that US citizens in Sudan make their own arrangements to stay safe in these difficult circumstances," White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said in Washington. He added that "Americans should have no expectation of a US government coordinated evacuation at this time. And we expect that thats going to remain the case. For embassy staff, according to an American official, a small number of US troops have begun arriving in the Horn of Africa nation of Djibouti, where the US is pre-positioning forces and equipment to assist in any potential evacuation. The official said Army soldiers are being tapped for the task. The US troops are being moved to Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti. Evacuation planning for Sudan got underway in earnest on Monday after a US Embassy convoy was attacked in Khartoum, the Sudanese capital. The conflict between Sudans military and a rival paramilitary force is worsening. The military has ruled out negotiations and said it would only accept surrender as a temporary cease-fire ended, raising the likelihood of a renewed surge in the nearly weeklong violence that has killed hundreds. The US official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe private deliberations, said Milley discussed the situation with defense officials from Germany, Italy and Canada, among others. One topic was ensuring that any potential evacuation efforts did not conflict. The US State Department said Friday that an American citizen had died in Sudan, but did not have further details. We are in touch with the family and offer our deepest condolences to them on their loss. Out of respect for the family during this difficult time, we have nothing further to add, the department said in a statement. Search Keywords: Short link: Washington, April 21 : US President Joe Biden is preparing to announce his re-election campaign next week, a media outlet has reported. Biden's team has been working on a video that could be released on Tuesday, the fourth anniversary of his 2020 election run, The Washington Post reported, citing unidentified officials, who, it added, have warned that the official announcement could be delayed. President Biden has been signalling a willingness to seek a second term even as a debate rages, including in the Democratic party, about his fitness for it given his age. He is 80 now and already the oldest President in US history. He will be 86 at the end of his second term if he wins. Biden said last October that it's his "intention" to seek a second term and that he will decide in consultation with his family. He repeated that in an interview with a US media outlet in February. Though he did not go any further, his wife, First Lady Jill Biden did, saying he will run as he is "not done yet". The 2024 run will be his fourth campaign for the White House. He first ran in 1988 and then in 2008, which was won by President Barack Obama, who picked him for his vice-president. Biden was widely expected to run in 2016, at the end of Obama's second term, but gave it a miss. Biden succeeded on his third, in 2020, and now his fourth. As sitting President, the Democratic party nomination is his, even though two people have announced so far their desire to seek it as well - self-help author Marianne Williamson and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a nephew of late President John F. Kennedy and son of Robert F. Kennedy, whose run for the White House was ended by his assassination. Neither of them is capable of mounting a credible challenge to the President. The Republican line-up is still taking shape with former President Donald Trump, who has already announced; Nikki Haley, the former ambassador to the UN and Asa Hutchinson, the former governor of Arkansas the others. Also preparing to jump is Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who has emerged as the palatable Trump; former Vice-President Mike Pence and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. All eyes are on Trump. He leads all polls of Republican contenders, but is beset with mounting legal troubles, including an indictment in a New York court. He won't be deterred by these cases, he has said, and he could, legally and constitutionally, continue his run even if was jailed. Bogota, April 21 : The National Mining Agency of Colombia has confirmed that three of the seven missing miners were found dead after the coal mine explosion in the municipality of Cucunuba. At least seven miners had been missing after the explosion in the Colombian municipality in the department of Cundinamarca, Governor Nicolas Garcia was quoted by Xinhua news agency as saying. "We have a report from the rescue team stating that they pulled out alive four trapped miners, who are being taken to the hospital, while we continue the search and rescue for seven other miners," Garcia said on Thursday in a video posted on Twitter. The explosion occurred at about 1:00 a.m. local time on Thursday in interconnected mines in an area of Pueblo Viejo. Minister of Mines and Energy Irene Velez detailed on social media that teams from the National Mining Agency, the Civil Defense, the Public Force and the fire department were working on the rescue mission. "It has been difficult to enter the mines because toxic gases have been discharged, such as carbon monoxide, methane gas and coal dust ... in mines with a depth of more than 900 meters," Captain Alvaro Farfan, representative of the Cundinamarca fire department, told local media. The official also said that the affected mines were called El Roble, El Condor and El Manto and that the causes of the accident were under investigation. Filyos, April 21 : Turkey has started the delivery of natural gas from its Black Sea field, as part of its flagship project aiming at reducing the country's dependence on energy imports. The gas, shipped from a depth of 2,200 meters at the offshore Sakarya field via a 170-km-long subsea pipeline and through various compression plants, was delivered to the newly constructed Filyos land facility located in the northern Zonguldak province on Thursday, Xinhua news agency reported. Attending a commissioning ceremony of Black Sea natural gas in Zonguldak, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey is "taking a historic step toward energy independence". "With great efforts and stride, the natural gas discovered just three years ago has been put into use," Erdogan said, adding that the field will meet approximately 30 per cent of Turkey's gas needs upon full capacity. The Turkish leader announced that the country will provide free natural gas for household consumption up to 25 cubic meters monthly for one year. His announcement came less than a month before the general elections on May 14, when he will seek a third term in office. The Sakarya field will initially produce 10 million cubic meters of natural gas per day, with an expected rise to 40 million cubic meters by around 2028 at the second stage, the Turkish presidency said in a statement on Thursday. Oguzhan Akyener, president of Turkey's Energy Strategy and Political Research Center, told the semi-official Anadolu Agency that the first Black Sea gas will contribute 35 billion liras ($1.8 billion) to the economy. Turkey's offshore gas reserves in the Black Sea are estimated at 710 billion cubic meters, which is enough to meet its domestic gas demand for 35 years, the NTV quoted Turkish Energy Minister Fatih Donmez as saying. Currently, Turkey imports most of its gas from Russia and Azerbaijan. The Sakarya field is part of Turkey's plan to reduce its dependence on energy imports and turn Filyos into a significant energy hub. Turkey, with its geographical advantage, has already served as a transit route for major gas pipelines. The presence of infrastructures such as the TurkStream in the Black Sea makes it easier for the country to re-export a mix of imported gas to European countries. Jammu, April 21 : A massive search operation started on Thursday following the killing of five army soldiers by terrorists continued on Friday in J&K's Poonch and Rajouri districts. Defence sources said that a large area around and outside the spot, where terrorists attacked an army vehicle, is being combed to hunt down the terrorists. "The operation is still in progress," sources said. Terrorists attacked an army vehicle between Bhimber Gali and Poonch in Rajouri district around 3 p.m. on Thursday. They fired at the vehicle followed by grenade attack which resulted in the vehicle catching fire. Five soldiers of counter insurgency Rashtriya Rifles identified as Havaldar Mandeep Singh, Sepoy Harkrishan Singh, Lance Naik Kulwant Singh, Sepoy Sewak Singh, all four belonged to Punjab and Lance Naik Debashish of Orissa were martyred in this attack while another soldier was critically injured. Amman, April 21 : The foreign ministers of Jordan and Iran have agreed via a phone call to soon hold a meeting to discuss ways to improve their bilateral relations, the Jordanian foreign ministry said in a statement. During the phone call with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Jordan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign minister Ayman Safadi stressed the need to continue a practical and transparent bilateral dialogue to address lingering issues between the two countries, including the situation at the Jordan-Syria border and drug smuggling to Jordan. Safadi said that Jordan seeks to have good relations with Iran based on the principles of non-interference in internal affairs and cooperation that benefits the two sides as well as the region, Xinhua news agency reported, citing the statement. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, for his part, said Iran looks forward to developing good relations with Jordan, whose regional role is highly valued. The two ministers agreed to proceed with joint security meetings on remaining issues and to continue high-level communication for reaching understanding. Although having diplomatic ties, the relationship between Jordan and Iran has long been tense. In early March, Jordan welcomed the decision by Iran and Saudi Arabia to resume ties. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Lucknow, April 21 : Uttar Pradesh has registered five new Covid deaths, increasing concerns of the government. The fatalities were reported from Ghaziabad, Jaunpur, Sultanpur, Ghazipur, and Chandauli. It is for the first time this year that these many Covid patients died in a day in the state. The last time the state recorded five or more deaths in a day was 10 months ago. Meanwhile, the state also recorded 840 new Covid cases. With this, the number of active Covid cases in Uttar Pradesh reached 4,478 on Thursday. At present, 74 districts have active Covid cases in the state. Mahoba is the only district which does not have any active Covid case. On Thursday, Gautam Buddha Nagar reported 110 new Covid cases and the number of active infections reached 705 there. Similarly, Ghaziabad reported 82 new Covid cases, taking its active tally count to 453. Meerut also reported 47 new Covid cases. With this, the number of active Covid cases reached 195 in Meerut. In Lucknow, 165 more people tested positive for Covid and the number of active infections reached 1,064. Among the new cases, Alambagh reported 24, followed by Aliganj (22), NK Road (18), Indira Nagar (12), Chowk (11), Aishbagh (six). On the day, 125 patients recovered as well. Abhishek Shukla, secretary general association of international doctors, said: "During festivities and family gatherings, people with symptoms should ensure that they stay in isolation. Also, those testing positive for Covid should complete their isolation period as per the Covid protocol." Pilibhit : , April 21 (IANS) A man has been booked by the Pilibhit police for allegedly shooting his neighbour's pet dog. The incident occurred on April 17, when the 12-year-old dog was shot dead while sitting outside its owner's house. Police said before an FIR was lodged in the matter, the dog's owner sent its carcass for autopsy. According to the owner, Neelam Jain, she rushed to the dog's rescue after hearing it howl, only to find it had sustained a bullet injury near its left shoulder. In her complaint, she mentioned that the accused, Anurag Tomar, 30, who had previously hit the dog with stone and brick ballasts, was found standing at his doorstep staring at the dog. Jain suspects that Tomar is responsible for shooting her dog with a firearm. SHO Puranpur police circle, Ashutosh Raghuvanshi said, "The accused has been booked under IPC Section 429, which pertains to committing mischief by killing, poisoning, or maiming any animal, and Section 11 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act." This incident follows a similar case in Badaun, where a man was booked by the police for killing a rat by drowning it in a drain in November last year. Further investigation is underway in the matter and necessary action will be taken after getting the autopsy report, added the SHO. Milan Design Week, which is taking place through the end of April, has dedicated an exhibition to Antony and Cleopatra, featuring works by Egyptian and Italian exhibitors The Cleopatra and Antonio" exhibition displays a contemporary illustration of the possible lifestyle of the well-known ancient couple that lived during the first century BC. The most famous brands in architecture, decoration and manufacturing are collaborating to present modern designs that highlight the common history between Egypt and Italy and the relationship between Egyptian Queen Cleopatra and Roman leader Mark Antony. The exhibition is accompanied with many events, including panel discussions, symposia and initiatives highlighting the updates of design to create opportunities for partnerships between both countries. Milan Design Week was launched in 1961, and it is regarded as the most significant event which brings together designers in diversified fields in Milan. In the first years, the Design Week focused on presenting Italian furniture. Over time, it turned into a world event that highlights the variety of products underscoring the multicultural character of the event, and creating opportunities of dialogue and cooperation. Before the COVID pandemic, over half a million people from all over the globe attended Milan Design Week. This year, it is the expected that a possibly equal number of people will visits to the exhibition, eager to discover new trends in the design field, including sustainable design, creative materials, alongside the artificial intelligence interlaced with the design and allowing it to unleash yet another form of creativity. Search Keywords: Short link: Seoul, April 21 : A Russian fishing boat carrying 25 people caught fire off the South Korean coastal city of Ulsan on Friday, leaving four of them missing, Coast Guard officials said. The 769-tonne vessel was carrying 100 tonnes of seafood in waters off Ulsan, about 300 km southeast of Seoul, toward Russia when the fire broke out at 12.43 a.m., the officials said. All crew members were Russian, Yonhap News Agency reported. After receiving a distress call, the Coast Guard sent rescue ships to the scene, but four crew members went missing. The other 21 were rescued, 19 of them without any injuries. Two sustained minor injuries. To support the night-time rescue efforts, South Korea's military said it dispatched an Aegis-equipped destroyer, a patrol vessel and a transport aircraft to drop flares. With aid from Navy ships and a maritime patrol plane, authorities are continuing efforts to search for the four missing people and put out the fire. Ankara, April 21 : In a bid to end the ongoing violence in Sudan which has claimed over 300 lives in less than a week, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has offered to mediate between the warring parties in the north African country. On Thursday, Erdogan held separate phone talks with the chiefs of the two conflicting parties -- head of Sudan's Armed Forces (SAF) General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and commander of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, Xinhua news agency quoted the Turkish presidency as saying in a statement. Erdogan told the two warring leaders that Turkey has sincerely supported the transition process in Sudan since the very beginning, the statement said. Ankara will continue to stand with the brotherly Sudanese state and nation during this period as well, the President said, adding that Turkey is ready to provide any kind of support, including hosting potential mediation initiatives. He also asked Burhan and Dagalo to do their best to protect the safety and properties of Turkish citizens and institutions in Sudan. Erdogan's mediation offer comes as diplomatic pressure has intensified to put an end to the violence that started on April 15 in capital Khartoum and has since spread to other parts of Sudan. The UN, US and other countries have been pushing for a three-day truce to mark the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr. The RSF said that it has agreed to a 72-hour truce on humanitarian grounds. But the SAF was yet to respond, reports the BBC The truce would be in place from 6 a.m. on Friday to coincide with the festival, the RSF said. Two previous attempted ceasefires failed to take effect. The latest hope of a temporary truce came after UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres appealed for a ceasefire to allow civilians to reach safety. The Eid ceasefire "must be the first step in providing respite from the fighting and paving the way for a permanent ceasefire", the BBC quoted the UN chief as saying "This ceasefire is absolutely crucial at the present moment," he added. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also appealed to the warring military leaders separately to join a ceasefire at least until Sunday. Blinken "expressed grave US concern about the risk to civilians, humanitarian and diplomatic personnel, including US personnel" from the fighting, the State Department said. A Sudanese army statement said that besides Erdogan, Gen Burhan had received calls from the South Sudanese and Ethiopian leaders, as well as Blinken and the Saudi and Qatari Foreign Ministers. As a result of the unrest, between 10,000 and 20,000 people, mostly women and children, have fled Sudan to seek safety in neighbouring Chad, according to the UN. Seoul, April 21 : North Korea's Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui on Friday said the US and the West have no right to argue about Pyongyang's status as a nuclear weapons power. In a statement, Choe took issue with the G7 Foreign Ministers that condemned the North's unlawful ballistic missile launches and said Pyongyang "cannot and will never" have the status of a nuclear weapons state under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), reports Yonhap News Agency. "G7 has neither authority nor qualification to say this or that about the DPRK's exercise of its sovereignty and its national status," she said in the statement carried by the North's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). DPRK stands for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, North Korea's official name. North Korea's position as a "world-class nuclear power is final and irreversible", and will remain an "undeniable and stark reality" even if Washington does not recognise it for a thousand years, she added. Choe then warned that any move by G7 members to infringe on the North's sovereignty and fundamental interests will be "completely deterred by strong counteraction". She also claimed that the North's status as a nuclear power was not "granted or recognized" but established "along with the existence of the actual nuclear deterrence and fixed by the law". In September last year, Pyongyang passed a new law declaring itself a nuclear weapons state. Wrapping up a three-day meeting in Japan, the G7 Foreign Ministers on Tuesday issued a joint statement urging North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons and fully comply with the NPT safeguards. They also condemned the North's test-firing of what it claimed to be a solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile. Bengaluru, April 21 : Karnataka Congress President D.K. Shivakumar is fearing rejection of his candidature from Kanakapura constituency for the May 10 Assembly polls as the State Election Commission is set to verify the nomination papers on Friday. Any discrepancies in the nomination papers would lead to rejection of his candidature. Fearing rejection, Shivakumar got his brother D.K. Suresh, MP from Bengaluru Rural Lok Sabha seat, file his nomination from Kanakapura constituency on Thursday. According to the sources, the Income Tax (I-T) authorities had summoned Shivakumar for inquiry four days ago. The I-T sleuths had collected details after Shivakumar filed his nomination from Kanakapura seat. They had also come to Kanakapura town and collected information about Shivakumar's assets and other details. The sources further revealed that the I-T authorities have been focusing on property details and tax payment details of Shivakumar for the last five years. The discrepancies have been found in this regard by the IT sleuths. Sources explain that the details submitted to the IT department and details in nomination papers are found to be different. The election officers will verify the property details submitted by Shivakumar and in case of any wrong information furnished by him, they will reject his nomination papers. In case of any discrepancy, Shivakumar can also find himself in a legal soup. With these developments, Shivakumar has fielded his brother Suresh in the eventuality of rejection of his nomination papers. Shivakumar is vying for the post of CM with the Opposition leader Siddaramaiah. The development is a setback for Shivakumar. Berlin, April 21 : A 7 billion euro deal to connect offshore wind farms in the North Sea to the German energy grid has been signed by Siemens Energy and Spain's Dragados Offshore, the two companies announced. Siemens and Dragados have signed a framework agreement with the German-Dutch transmission system operator TenneT to supply high-voltage direct current transmission technology for three grid connections, reports Xinhua news agency. The agreement ensures that a total of 6 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind power can be transported onshore, Siemens added. "In the global race against climate change, grid expansion must be able to keep pace with the accelerated expansion targets for renewable energies," said Tim Holt, a member of Siemens Energy's executive board. The three grid connections will transport electricity from wind farms in the German North Sea to grid connection points in northern parts of the country. Each of the systems has a transmission capacity of two gigawatts, Siemens said. At the end of March, TenneT awarded 11 contracts for the connection of North Sea wind farms to consortia led by Hitachi Energy and General Electric. Along with the three new contracts, these are now worth a total of around 30 billion euros. To achieve the European goal of an independent renewable energy supply, the North Sea must be developed as the bloc's "green power plant", and quickly connected to onshore power grids, TenneT COO Tim Meyerjuergens said. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Bhopal, April 21 : All the 19 cheetahs at Madhya Pradesh's Kuno National Park (KNP) will now be known by their new names as they have been given Indian names. The development came following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal from people to suggest new names for the cheetahs translocated from Namibia and South Africa. Male Namibian cheetah, who has already earned a tag of "ghumakkad" (wanderer) because of straying away from KNP enclosures twice within one week, has been renamed Pavan, while female Namibian cheetah, Siyaya, who gave birth four cubs recently, will now be called Jwala. Likewise, two other female cheetahs, Savannah and Tiblisi, have been renamed Nabha and Dharti respectively. Male cheetahs Elton and Freddy will now be known as Gaurav and Shaurya. The name of only one cheetah wasn't changed completely, Asha has an extra 'a' added in her name. While 12 cheetahs (7 male and 5 female) translocated from South Africa in the second phase under reintroduction of 'Project Cheetahs' have also been given Indian names. They have been renamed Daksha, Nirva, Vayu, Agni, Gamini, Tejas, Veera, Suraj, Dheera, Uday, Prabhas and Pavak. As per the officials, following PM Modi's appeal during his programme 'Mann Ki Baat' on September 22, last year (a week after PM Modi had released eight Namibian cheetahs on his 64th birthday on September 17), a competition was organised through mygov.in from October 26 to October 31, 2022. In response, a total of 11,565 entries were received suggesting new names for reintroduced cheetahs. Official said that the entries were scrutinised by a selection committee and based on the significance and relevance of the suggested names for their conservation and cultural value the new names were selected for Namibian and South African cheetahs. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change congratulated the winners of the competition who suggested new names for Namibian and South African cheetahs. Notably, a total 20 cheetahs were reintroduced in two phases from Namibia and South Africa under 'Project Cheetahs'. In first batch, eight Namibian cheetahs (3 male and 5 female) were released at KNP on September 17 last year, while in the second phase 12 South African cheetahs were shifted on February 18 this year. Out of 20, one female Namibian cheetah, Sasha, died of kidney related aliment on March 27. So, now 19 cheetahs and four newborn cubs are living at Madhya Pradesh's Kuno National Park. All 12 South African cheetahs have also been released into the larger hunting enclosures, official said. New Delhi, April 21 : Alarmed at the success of Microsoft-owned OpenAI's ChatGPT, Alphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai has created a unit that will help the company build more capable AI systems safely and responsibly. This group, called 'Google DeepMind', will bring together two leading research groups in the AI field: the Brain team from Google Research, and DeepMind. "Their collective accomplishments in AI over the last decade span AlphaGo, Transformers, word2vec, WaveNet, AlphaFold, sequence to sequence models, distillation, deep reinforcement learning, and distributed systems and software frameworks like TensorFlow and JAX for expressing, training and deploying large scale ML models," Pichai explained in a blog post late on Thursday. As CEO of Google DeepMind, Demis Hassabis will lead the development of the most capable and responsible general AI systems -- research that will help power the next generation of Google products and services. "Jeff Dean will take on the elevated role of Google's Chief Scientist, reporting to me. In that capacity he'll serve as Chief Scientist to Google Research and Google DeepMind," said Pichai. Google has used AI to improve many of its core products, from Search, YouTube and Gmail to the camera in Pixel phones. "We've helped businesses and developers harness the power of AI via Google Cloud, and we've shown AI's potential to address societal issues like health and climate change," Pichai added. As Microsoft takes the lead with AI-powered Bing Search and ChatGPT, Google is also set to release new AI-powered Search next month, with more features coming this fall. The new features will be available exclusively in the US, and will be released initially to a maximum of one million users, according to The New York Times. The company plans are part of efforts to meet the threat posed by Microsoft's Bing chatbot and OpenAI's ChatGPT. Were proud to announce that DeepMind and the Brain team from @Google Research will become a new unit: . Together, we'll accelerate progress towards a world where AI can help solve the biggest challenges facing humanity. https://t.co/2pkooMzUvD DeepMind (@DeepMind) April 20, 2023 Google's chatbot called Bard was released in March to a limited number of users in the US and the UK. However, Bard has a long way to go to catch up with ChatGPT and GPT-4. -- Syndicated from IANS Amaravati, April 21 : A student from Andhra Pradesh was shot dead by an unknown person in a suspected case of robbery in Ohio State of the United States. Veera Saiesh (25), hailing from Eluru in Andhra Pradesh, was killed at a fuel station on West Broad Street, Franklinton in Columbus on Thursday morning. According to information received by his family, the assailant shot Saiesh at 12.50 a.m. local time at the Shell fuel station, where he was working as a clerk. Saiesh, who was pursuing his master's course and also doing a part-time job at a fuel station, was rushed to a hospital and was pronounced dead after a while. The Columbus Police have released the photos of the suspect and appealed to the people to share any information about him. Though the motive behind the shooting was not established yet, police suspect it to be a case of robbery. Saiesh, who lost his father a few years ago, had gone to the United States in November 2021 for studies. To help the family financially, he had also taken up a part-time job at a fuel station. His mother and elder brother, who stay in Eluru, were shocked on receiving the information. They have appealed to the Indian government to help in bringing home the mortal remains. Los Angeles, April 21 : Prosecutors are expected to drop manslaughter charges against Alec Baldwin in the death of 'Rust' cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. In a statement on Thursday evening, the special prosecutors in the case said that new facts had come to light that make it impossible to proceed against Baldwin in the time allotted, reports Variety. The prosecutors, Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis, said that the investigation remains "active and ongoing," and that charges could be refiled later on. Baldwin's lawyers said in their own statement that they were pleased with the outcome. Baldwin was charged in January with involuntary manslaughter for the accidental shooting on the set of 'Rust', which took place in October 2021. He could have faced up to 18 months in prison if convicted. Prosecutors accused him of negligently firing his Colt. 45 during set-up for a scene at the Bonanza Creek Ranch. Baldwin has maintained that he did not pull the trigger, and had no idea that the gun might contain a live round. The actor's lawyers recently presented evidence to the prosecutors that influenced the decision to drop the charges, according to a source familiar with the process. The evidence indicated that the Colt. 45 had been modified prior to the shooting, making it more difficult for the D.A. to prove that Baldwin actually did pull the trigger. The D.A. will drop the charges "without prejudice," meaning that the case could be refiled later, perhaps with a lesser charge. In the statement, Morrissey and Lewis said that as they were preparing for a preliminary hearing over the last few days, "new facts were revealed that demand further investigation and forensic analysis." "Consequently, we cannot proceed under the current time constraints and on the facts and evidence turned over by law enforcement in its existing form," they said. "We therefore will be dismissing the involuntary manslaughter charges against Mr Baldwin to conduct further investigation. This decision does not absolve Mr Baldwin of criminal culpability and charges may be refiled." The D.A. has also filed involuntary manslaughter charges against Hannah Gutierrez Reed, the armourer who loaded Baldwin's weapon. The prosecutors said that the charges against her "remain unchanged." Gutierrez Reed's lawyers, Jason Bowles and Todd Bullion, praised the new prosecutors for deciding to drop the charge against Baldwin, and predicted that their client will ultimately be vindicated as well. "The new special prosecutor team has taken a very diligent and thorough approach to the entire investigation, which we welcome and have always welcomed," Bowles and Bullion said. "They are seeking the truth and we are too. The truth about what happened will come out and the questions that we have long sought answers for will be answered. We fully expect at the end of this process that Hannah will also be exonerated." The prosecution has been plagued with setbacks, and many observers questioned whether the D.A. would be able to show that Baldwin acted with "criminal negligence." The Santa Fe district attorney, Mary Carmack-Altwies, initially charged Baldwin and Gutierrez Reed with a firearm enhancement, which could have tacked five years onto their sentences. That enhancement was dropped, however, after prosecutors discovered it did not apply at the time of the shooting. A special prosecutor, Andrea Reeb, was also forced to withdraw from the case after Baldwin's lawyers argued that she could not serve as both a D.A. and a state lawmaker at the same time. Carmack-Altwies recently handed off the case to Morrissey and Lewis and recused her office after a judge ruled that she could not continue to work on the case if she invoked the special prosecutor statute. Carmack-Altwies had said that her office was too overwhelmed with other casework, and was too short-staffed, to handle it without outside assistance. A preliminary hearing was scheduled for May 3, at which the special prosecutors were expected to call witnesses to show there is enough evidence to go to trial. Baldwin's attorneys indicated he was not willing to waive statutory deadlines, giving the two new prosecutors relatively little time to prepare. Baldwin is currently on set in Montana, where production on 'Rust' is set to resume after a 17-month halt. Dave Halls, the first assistant director on 'Rust', pleaded no contest on March 31 to a misdemeanor charge of negligent handling of a weapon. He was sentenced to six months of unsupervised probation. April 21 : After being part of Fast and Furious franchise, actor Ali Fazal will soon be seen in another mega-Hollywood production Kandahar, the fukrey actor unveils a brand new poster and expressed his excitement. Sharing the poster on his social media profile, actor Ali Fazal wrote, The only thing more dangerous than the mission is the escape. KANDAHAR, in theatres Memorial Day weekend. EXCITEDDD.. #kandaharmovie #kandahar, Disclaimer : am riding a bike on your right pelvic Gerry @gerardbutler Helmed by Ric Roman Waugh, written by Mitchell LaFortune, and produced by Gerard Butler, who also stars in the film alongside Ali Fazal, Navid Negahban, Olivia Mai-Barrett, Nina Toussaint-White, Corey Johnson and Travis Fimmel also a supporting roles. Image Source: News Helpline Excited for Kandahar says Ali Fazal The film revolves around Tom Harris, an undercover CIA operative, is stuck deep in hostile territory in Afghanistan. When an intelligence leak exposes his identity and mission, he must fight his way out, alongside his Afghan translator, to an extraction point in Kandahar, all whilst avoiding the elite special forces unit tasked with hunting them down. The film is scheduled to be released in theaters on May 26, 2023, by Open Road Films. Apart from Kandahar, actor Ali Fazal has also lined-up Khufiya for release, which is written, produced and directed by Vishal Bhardwaj. The film is based on Amar Bhushan's espionage novel Escape to Nowhere. The film is scheduled to be released on Netflix in 2023. Analysis of marriage and death data last week shows that there were 281,700 weddings last year compared to 281,000 deaths. Weddings long outnumbered deaths, but the difference narrowed from 150,000 in 1990 to 70,000 in 2010. There are now more funerals than weddings in Korea as the birthrate remains at a record low and many baulk at the cost of getting married. Last year, the number of marriages and deaths was about even and this year, deaths are expected to outpace nuptials. More and more young Koreans are delaying marriage while society is aging rapidly. According to Statistics Korea, 280,000 marriages are expected this year but 296,000 deaths. That also affects the business structure, with many wedding halls closing as new funeral parlors pop up. In 2014, there were 844 registered wedding halls, down 12.8 percent from 968 in 2006, while the number of funeral homes rose 21.5 percent over the same period from 1,570 to 1,908. Statistics Korea began tracking census and other data in 1970, and the only time there were more deaths than marriages in Korea was in 1973. But that was an exception whereas now the trend seems ingrained. The number of weddings had stood above 300,000 since the 1990s but fell below 280,000 last year. In contrast, the number of deaths had hovered at around 240,000 since 1990 but rose to 250,000 in 2010 and 280,000 in 2016. Kim Tae-heon at the Korea National University of Education said, "The number of Koreans of marriageable age is declining while the number of deaths is expected to reach new records." Provincial regions, which are home to large numbers of senior citizens, have long seen the number of deaths surpass the number of weddings, and the same is true in the major cities of Busan and Daegu. In Seoul, weddings still outnumber deaths, but the difference narrowed from 30,000 in 2012 to 14,000 last year. Thiruvananthapuram, April 21 : A day after what it seemed to be a major goof-up by a team comprising forest, police and the veterinarian to rescue a bear that fell into a well in the suburban town of Vellanadu in the state capital district, which led to its death is now going to be probed for any lapses. State Forest Minister A.K. Saseendran has asked his department to give a report after a proper probe into what happened in two days. According to sources in the know of things, the rescue act has come under attack and some wildlife activists are all set to approach the High Court also and it is amid this that the Forest Minister's probe has been announced. The incident occurred at the house of one Aravind at Vellanadu around Wednesday-Thursday midnight. The bear is understood to have come searching for hens. But, what raised eyebrows was how the bear reached Vellanadu, which is located about 17 kms from the forest area. Locals say that even wild pigs are rarely spotted in the area. The bear was spotted hanging on the ring of the well and had managed to stay afloat. But, things went awry during the rescue operation after a tranquilizer shot was fired by the local veterinarian. Five minutes after the shot was fired, the bear sank to the bottom of the well. Soon three people went into the well, but they could not lift the animal and had to come out. The officials then used pumps to lower the water level in the well and by 10.15 a.m. the fire brigade officials went down and put the bear in a net and pulled it out. There appeared to be lack of coordination in the rescue efforts as it was around 6.30 a.m. the local forest officials arrived at the spot. By 8.55 a.m. the Thiruvananthapuram Zoo veterinarian was asked to give the first tranquiliser shot, but it failed, and at 9.20 a.m. the second shot was fired and in 5 minutes the bear which until then was clinging on to the ring of the well soon sunk into the well. At 9.35 a.m., three people went down the well, but in a few minutes they came back and by 10 a.m. the water was pumped out. At 10.15 a.m. the fire brigade officials went into the well and were able to place the bear which was unconscious into a plastic net and taken out. Despite the best efforts, the bear had breathed its last. With the entire rescue act being telecast live by local TV channels, eyebrows were raised on the flawed strategy adopted for the rescue as before firing the tranquiliser shots the depth of the water level in the well should have been ascertained, and pumps were put into service much later, which led to the bear getting drowned in the well. Hyderabad, April 21 : An eight-year-old boy was brutally murdered in Hyderabad in what his family has suspected to be a case of human sacrifice. But the police said they have no evidence of it. The body of Abdul Wahid was found in a drain in Moosapet early Friday. The boy went missing on Thursday from his house in Allauddin Koti area of Sanath Nagar and his family had lodged a complaint with the police. Police have arrested Imran, a transgender, and four others for the murder. The victim's family ransacked his house and claimed to have found indications of a human sacrifice. However, the police said the boy was murdered over a financial dispute between Imran and the boy's father Waseem Khan, who runs a business of readymade garments After the boy went missing on Thursday evening, his father had lodged a complaint with the police. Based on CCTV footage in the area, police arrested Imran, who confessed to killing the boy and throwing the body in a drain. According to the victim's family, Imran had asked the boy to fetch ORS. When the boy, who was fasting, went to Imran's house to give the ORS packet, the latter caught hold of him. The accused strangled him to death by forcibly dipping his head in the bucket filled with water. After confirming the child had died, Imran, with the help of an auto-rickshaw driver, stuffed the body in the water bucket and a bag and threw it in the drain. The murder led to high tension in the area. Deputy Commissioner of Police Srinivas Rao said dispute over financial matters led to the murder. He, however, said if the victim's family suspects it to be a case of human sacrifice, they will probe the case from that angle as well. Minister for animal husbandry T. Srinivas Yadav visited the areas. He clarified that it was not a case of human sacrifice but assured the victim's family that culprits will not be spared. He said a fast track court will be constituted to ensure speedy trial and punishment. New Delhi, April 21 : A woman in her 40s was shot at in Delhi's Saket court complex on Friday morning and sources in the police said that the attacker, who was wearing lawyer's attire, has been identified. The injured woman was identified as M. Radha and her condition is now stable. As per sources, the accused has been identified as Kameshwar Singh, a suspended lawyer. According to police, the incident occurred around 10:30 a.m. "She received two bullet injuries in abdomen and one in hand and she was taken to Max Saket hospital. She is in stable condition," said Chandan Chowdhary, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (South). "The accused has been identified. He was even debarred by the bar council. The accused had a cheating case against the victim and hearing was scheduled today in Saket court," said the DCP. As per eyewitness Ranjeet Singh Dalal, a total of 4-5 rounds were fired and the accused escaped through the court canteen's back entry. "Police teams have been formed to nab the accused and further investigation is going on," said the DCP. A question has been raised again on the security checks, after the man entered the court premises with a weapon despite metal detectors and frisking by the security officials. Mogadishu, April 21 : Recurring clashes between security forces and clan leaders in Las Anod in northern Somalia have resulted in the killing of 80 people and displacement of 30,000 more, the World Health Organization (WHO) said. The WHO said in its latest update that between 154,000 and 203,000 people are estimated to have been displaced since December 2022 in the ongoing fighting, reports Xinhua news agency. "The situation has escalated at a time when people in the Sool region are experiencing unprecedented water shortages due to the severe drought and facing an elevated risk of disease outbreaks," the UN health body warned. According to the UN, since clashes erupted in the city of Las Anod in northern Somalia on February 6, hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced within the country, and an estimated 100,000 have crossed the border into Ethiopia to escape violence. The WHO, which has ramped up medical response in the area, said it has donated biomedical equipment to establish a triage corner in Kalabeydh and trained health staff on triage management. It also said 24 community-based surveillance teams were deployed to carry out case detection, testing, case management, and referral of severe cases to the health facilities in the Hudun and Buhoodle districts. Las Anod is in the Sool and Sanaag regions, which are claimed by both Somaliland and Puntland States. The current fighting broke out after local clan elders issued a declaration stating that they are no longer part of Somaliland and that the Sool, Sanaag, and Cayn regions are now governed by the government of Somalia. Both sides are reportedly using heavy artillery and machine guns, causing serious damage, including to health facilities in the area. Kolkata, April 21 : The CBI has summoned Trinamool Congress's block president from Bhangar in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district, Sajahan Molla for questioning in connection with the multi-crore scam in the recruitment of teaching and non-teaching staff in the state-run schools. Molla, known to be an extremely close confidante of former West Bengal education minister and Trinamool Congress secretary general Partha Chatterjee, on Friday morning reached CBI's Nizam Palace office in central Kolkata. Chatterjee is currently in judicial custody because of his alleged involvement in the recruitment scam. Sources said that a number of close family members of Molla are currently employed in different state-run schools in West Bengal and majority of them got the jobs during the period when Chatterjee was the state education minister. The central agency sleuths intend to question him on this count. Besides Chatterjee, Molla is known to be a close confidante of the erstwhile screen committee head of West Bengal School Service Commission, S.P. Sinha, who is also in judicial custody now in the same charges. Molla is considered to be a heavyweight Trinamool Congress district-level leader in South 24 Parganas. Besides being the block president of the party in Bhangar, he is also the president of the Trinamool Congress-run Bhangar-1 panchayat samiti. In February this year, the CBI sleuths escorted by the central armed forces personnel twice conducted raid and search operations at his residence. His son was also interrogated by the central agency sleuths then. Mandya : , April 21 (IANS) Karnataka Congress chief D.K. Shivakumar on Friday said that 5,000 people have downloaded his property declaration papers, and anyone, including the BJP can play foul. "I know what they are up to. In this backdrop another nomination has been filed through my brother D.K. Suresh," he stated. Speaking to reporters, he said, "We have our own strategy... Why can't he (D.K. Suresh) file nominations? We will have our political calculations. We can't let out our secret. Everything will be clear by the day after tomorrow. We also know how to conduct politics. My property submissions are downloaded by 5,000 people. There is a BJP conspiracy behind it," Shivakumar stated. Shivakumar had declared property worth more than Rs 1,414 crore. The property details have been given in more than 108 pages. Shivakumar alone owns more than Rs 1,214 crore. As per the affidavit his wife, Usha Shivakumar owns Rs 133 crore and his son, Akash owns Rs 66 crore. He stated that he owns Rs 970 crore worth immovable assets, Rs 244 movable assets and also mentioned that he has Rs 226 crore loans. His yearly income is furnished as Rs 14 crore. Shivakumar family's revenue was Rs 252 crore in 2013 and it rose to Rs 840 crore in 2018. Shivakumar is fearing rejection of his candidature for the May 10 Assembly polls as the State Election Commission is set to verify the nomination papers on Friday. Any discrepancies in the nomination papers would lead to rejection of his candidature. Fearing rejection, Shivakumar got his brother D.K. Suresh, MP from Bengaluru Rural Lok Sabha seat, filed his nomination from Kanakapura constituency on Thursday. According to the sources, the Income Tax (I-T) authorities had summoned Shivakumar for inquiry four days ago. The I-T sleuths had collected details after Shivakumar filed his nomination from Kanakapura seat. They had also come to Kanakapura town and collected information about Shivakumar's assets and other details. The sources further revealed that the I-T authorities have been focusing on property details and tax payment details of Shivakumar for the last five years. The discrepancies have been found in this regard by the I-T sleuths. Sources explained that the details submitted to the I-T department and details in nomination papers have been found to be different. The election officers will verify the property details submitted by Shivakumar and in case of any wrong information furnished by him, they can reject his nomination papers. In case of any discrepancy, Shivakumar can also find himself in a legal soup. With these developments, he has fielded his brother Suresh in the eventuality of rejection of his nomination papers. Shivakumar is vying for the post of CM with the Opposition leader Siddaramaiah. The development is a setback for Shivakumar. Mumbai, April 21 : Actress Kriti Sanon is all set to jet off to Indore for an event and couldn't be more excited to travel to the city as she'll not only get to meet her fans but also relish Indori delicacies. Kriti said: "I've been to Indore to promote my films but this time I am especially going there to meet my Indori fans and interact with them over a fun session. I remember being amazed and impressed with how clean and beautiful the city is. Indore has set a prime example for other cities to follow when it comes to waste management and cleanliness." "I also love the energy and the food of the city. Even though I'll be there for a few hours only I'll sneak in some time to have the famous Poha, Ratlami Sev, and Jalebis." On the work front, Kriti will be next seen in 'The Crew' opposite Kareena Kapoor Khan and Tabu. She also has 'Adipurush' slated to release in August, an untitled next opposite Shahid Kapoor which will release in October and 'Ganapath' opposite Tiger Shroff, up for release in the same month. -- Syndicated from IANS Melbourne, April 21 : Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Australia in May, the diaspora community in a western Sydney suburb is renewing calls to officially declare their area as 'Little India'. Home to many popular Indian eateries and retailers, Harris Park is informally referred to as 'Little India' with 45 per cent of its 5,043 residents tracing their roots to India. According to ABC News, the Parramatta Council voted last week to support a scaled-back proposal, which will see Marion Street, Wigram Street, and Station Street East in Harris Park named as 'Little India'. The Council's earlier attempts hit a roadblock after Australia's Geographic Names Board (GNB) told Parramatta Council to stop using the term in marketing material because it "creates confusion". "We want to make it an international destination on the same lines as Little India in Singapore and other places around the world," Parramatta councillor Paul Noack, who moved the motion, told ABC News. While Parramatta Council said it is continuing discussions with the GNB, a board spokesperson said it was yet to receive a formal application regarding the matter. "Once a formal application has been received, the GNB will review the submission," the spokesperson told ABC News. The Indian business owners had first proposed officially naming the area Little India in 2015, believing that the title would benefit them. According to Little India Harris Park Business Association president Sanjay Deshwal, the name would give a sense of belonging to Indian students and workers who come to Australia. "Harris Park is a very important step to provide those people a feeling of home. It's not only food, it's not only the businesses, it's not only the dresses, it's not only the colour, but it's giving them a sense of belonging," Deshwal told ABC News. Modi last visited Australia in 2014, and addressed 20,000 people at the Sydney SuperDome at Olympic Park. According to the report, the Parramatta Council has formally extended an invitation to Modi to visit Harris Park this time. The Prime Minister is scheduled to travel to Japan, Papua New Guinea and Australia in May with the power-packed visit concluding Down Under where he will attend the Quad summit from May 23 to 24 in Sydney. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese who visited India this year, formally extended the invite to his Indian counterpart. Guwahati, April 21 : A constable shot himself dead inside a police station in Assam's Biswanath district, officials said on Friday. The incident took place on Thursday night inside the Behali police station premises. The victim, Lalit Teron, shot himself in the head at close range with his 5.56 service rifle. Other policemen heard the sound of shot being fired and when they arrived, they saw Teron laying in a pool of blood with his service rifle at his side. A senior police officer of the district said: "It has been anticipated that he committed suicide. We have been investigating the matter." The body was handed over to the family after an autopsy. "It has not yet been ascertained why he took such a drastic action," the police officer added. A couple of weeks ago, an Assam Industrial Security Force (AISF) jawan was arrested for allegedly killing one of his colleagues. The incident happened at the AISF camp at Moliabari in Tinsukia district. They were engaged in Digboi's Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) security. Mumbai, April 21 : The Shiv Sena (UBT) on Friday launched a full-scale attack on Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) President Raj Thackeray for his comments alleging that his estranged cousin and former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray was also liable for 'culpable homicide' for mishandling of the Covid-19 crisis. After an earful by Sena (UBT) chief spokesperson Sanjay Raut, Deputy Leader Sushma Andhare shot off a letter, informing 'Dada' Raj (elder brother) that the Navi Mumbai tragedy of April 16 was a "man-made disaster" compared to the Covid-19 pandemic which was a natural calamity not created by Uddhav. Adopting a sweet sisterly tone, Andhare lauded Raj for the "four-day delay but finally speaking about the tragedy" that claimed 14 lives, and then hit hard: "After the disaster, did you rush to meet the families of the victims?" On the government's plea that the incident should not be politicised, the Sena (UBT) firebrand woman orator pointed out that it was Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his Deputy Devendra Fadnavis who mobilised such a massive crowd to politically exploit the popularity of Appasaheb Dharmadhikari in that event. Sena (UBT) national spokesperson Kishore Tiwari hit out at Raj Thackeray, reminding him that Uddhav Thackeray's Covid-19 pandemic management was appreciated not only by the whole world but also by the BJP government at the Centre. "Rather than running down the exemplary work of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, why can't Raj Thackeray give some good advice to the Shinde-Fadnavis regime whose performance has been disastrous for all sections of the population in the past nine months," Tiwari said in a potshot at the MNS leader. Andhare sharply added that instead of arranging financial help to the MVA government and Uddhav Thackeray during the pandemic, Fadnavis and the BJP were busy donating money to the private PM Care Fund. Earlier, Raut labelled Raj "as a pet parrot" of the BJP and asked him to make demands for culpable homicide against the Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat for their failure during the Covid-19 pandemic. "Why only Uddhav Thackeray? Let them order similar investigations against the Chief Ministers of Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh. Remember those thousands of bodies dumped in the Ganga River in UP? Or the long queues of people waiting with bodies for cremation in Gujarat," Raut demanded. As the bitter political row continued over the 'Maharashtra Bhushan Award' post-event tragedy, the government appointed a one-man committee to probe the issue, and earlier banned all similar open-air functions in the state from 12-5 p.m. during summer. The opposition MVA has questioned how a government official could conduct an impartial probe when the Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Shinde, Fadnavis and other dignitaries were on the dais. Nationalist Congress Party's Leader of Opposition (Assembly) Ajit Pawar has demanded a judicial probe by a retired judge, state Congress President Nana Patole wants a two-day Special Legislature Session to discuss the disaster, and Raut has alleged between 50-75 deaths necessitating culpable homicide charges. The pay gap between big business and smaller companies is widening again after shrinking a little during the coronavirus pandemic. The main reason seems to be hefty pay rises in large companies with powerful labor unions. According to a report by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Tuesday, the average pay at small and midsize companies with fewer than 300 employees stood at a mere 61.72 percent of bigger firms' last year. The rate was 60.78 percent in 2019 but rose to 63.29 percent in 2020. "Right after the outbreak of the pandemic, the pay gap narrowed because conglomerates' bonuses decreased while pay decreased slightly at SMEs thanks to the minimum wage hike," said Yoo Il-ho at the KCCI. "But now the pay gap is widening again as pay raises in conglomerates returned to normal." Last year, conglomerate wages increased on average by 6.6 percent but at SMEs only 3.9 percent. In the first half of this year, wages rose another 5.4 percent at large companies but only 5.1 percent at smaller ones. The KCCI predicted that the pay gap will further widen this year, given recent large-scale pay raises at conglomerates and IT firms. Kolkata, April 21 : The minority-dominated Murshidabad district will be the most likely venue for a public meeting by Union Home Minister Amit Shah during his probable visit to West Bengal next month. This would be his second visit to the state in less than a month. On April 14, he attended a public rally at Suri in Birbhum district where he said that if the people of West Bengal gifts BJP with 35 out of 42 Lok Sabha seats in the state in 2024 polls, there is a possibility of the Trinamool Congress-run state government to collapse even before 2025. A state-committee member of BJP in West Bengal said that the Union minister has himself expressed interest in attending the public rally in Murshidabad district next month. "In all probability, he will be arriving in Kolkata on May 8 and the same day he will be addressing the rally in Murshidabad. On May 9, he will be in Kolkata and attend a cultural function on account of the birth anniversary celebration of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore. He is also expected to hold a meeting with the top state leadership of the party the same day before flying back to New Delhi," he said. It is learnt that the BJP's state president in West Bengal and the party Lok Sabha member Sukanta Majumdar has held a preparatory meeting with the party's Murshidabad district leadership on this count on Thursday. Murshidabad district, being one of the largest districts in the state has three Lok Sabha constituencies -- Baharampur, Murshidabad and Jangipur. Traditionally a stronghold of Congress, in the last two elections, the voters from the district have substantially shifted to Trinamool Congress. However, in the recently concluded bypolls for Sagardighi Assembly constituency in the district, Congress made a spectacular comeback with the Left Front- supported Congress candidate Bayron Biswas winning from the seat by a huge majority. The state Congress president in West Bengal Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury is the five-time party MP from Baharampur Lok Sabha since 1999. New Delhi, April 21 : A Tata Nexon EV caught fire in Pune and the company said the incident occurred due to the replacement of the original headlamp at an unauthorised workshop, according to media reports. "We understand that this vehicle recently underwent repairs, wherein the left headlamps were replaced at an unauthorised workshop," the company stated. According to Tata Motors, there were flaws with the car's installation and repair process, which resulted in an electrical breakdown in the headlamp unit, which ultimately allowed the thermal incident. The company also said that the affected area is concentrated only in the zone of repairs carried out. In order to minimise such mishaps, the company has also urged electric vehicle owners to have their vehicles serviced and repaired only at authorised workshops using on-spec components, accessories, and spare parts, the media reports said. This is the second time, a Tata Nexon EV caught fire. In June 2022, a Tata Nexon EV caught fire in Mumbai. The EV car fire incident was reported from Vasai West (near Panchvati Hotel) in Mumbai, and the video of the Tata Nexon EV engulfed in fire went viral on social media. According to the video, the owner of the car charged his Nexon EV with a normal slow charger installed at his office. After driving about 5 km towards his house, he heard some weird sounds from the car and saw flashes of warnings on the dashboard which alerted him to stop the vehicle and get out of the car, media reports said. Later, firefighters were seen spraying water on the burning Nexon EV. New Delhi, April 21 : The Supreme Court asked the Tamil Nadu government not to move YouTuber Manish Kashyap from Madurai jail to another prison against the backdrop of multiple FIRs in the state. Kashyap was arrested for allegedly circulating fake videos of migrant labourers being attacked in the southern state. The top court also asked the Tamil Nadu government to justify invocation of the National Security Act (NSA) against Kashyap in the matter. Senior advocate Siddhartha Dave, representing Kashyap, submitted before a bench headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud and comprising justice P.S. Narasimha that NSA has been invoked against his client and pointed that there are six FIRs in Tamil Nadu and three in Bihar, registered against Kashyap. The Chief Justice wondered why the state has invoked NSA against Kashyap in the matter, and asked senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the Tamil Nadu government, "Mr Sibal, what is this NSA?......But NSA?....Why this vengeance against this man?" Sibal said he made fake videos claiming that migrant labourers from Bihar were getting attacked in Tamil Nadu. The bench said it is inclined to transfer FIRs registered against the petitioner in Tamil Nadu to Bihar. Opposing transfer of FIRs, Sibal said Kashyap has got 60 lakh followers and he is a politician, and not a journalist, and added that he has contested elections. He said Kashyap had done interviews in the southern state, while justifying registration of FIRs in Tamil Nadu. The Bihar government counsel resisted the transferring of Tamil Nadu FIRs to Bihar and argued that they are different offences and Kashyap is a "habitual offender". The top court allowed petitioner's counsel to amend the plea to challenge his detention under NSA, and also issued notice to Tamil Nadu and Bihar governments. The bench said, "Apart from the relief sought under Article 32, the petitioner seeks to challenge the detention order under NSA. The petitioner is allowed to amend the plea. Issue notice on amended prayers..." Dave urged the court to issue a direction that his client should not be moved out from Madurai jail. The top court also asked the Tamil Nadu government not to move him from the prison in Madurai, and scheduled the matter for further hearing on April 28. On April 11, the top court had issued notice to the Centre, Tamil Nadu and Bihar government on Kashyap's plea seeking clubbing of the FIRs lodged against him. Sibal had said it is not a simple matter and Kashyap has already been detained under the National Security Act and sought time to file a reply in the matter. Earlier this month, Kashyap had appeared before the Madurai district court, which remanded him to judicial custody for 15 days. Kashyap and others are facing cases for allegedly circulating fake videos of migrant workers being attacked in Tamil Nadu. Kashyap sought clubbing of all the FIRs registered against him in Tamil Nadu with those lodged in Bihar. New Delhi, April 21 : An Air India pilot is under investigation for violating safety norms by allowing a friend into the cockpit during a flight from Dubai to Delhi on February 27. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed the development and said the investigation team will examine the relevant facts. The pilot allegedly entertained a female friend in the cockpit, which violates DGCA safety norms. A senior DGCA official stated that the act is unacceptable and could have put the passengers' safety at risk. Air India has released a statement saying that they have taken note of the reported incident and investigations are underway. "The airline has a zero-tolerance policy regarding passenger safety and well-being and will take requisite action. The matter has also been reported to the DGCA, and Air India is cooperating with their investigation. "We have taken serious note of the reported incident and investigations are underway in Air India. We have also reported the matter to the DGCA and are cooperating with their investigations. We have zero tolerance in aspects related to the safety and well-being of our passengers and will take requisite action," the statement added. The violation has raised concerns about flight safety and the need to ensure strict compliance with the safety norms. The DGCA further emphasised the importance of following safety protocols and taking all necessary precautions to ensure passenger safety. "Any violation of safety norms will be dealt with severely, and strict action will be taken against the guilty party," said a DGCA official. Bengaluru, April 21 : Karnataka Congress President D.K. Shivakumar on Friday heaved a sigh of relief after the returning officer accepted his nomination from Kanakapura constituency for the May 10 Assembly polls. The authorities ruled out any discrepancy in the nomination filed by Shivakumar. He feared that BJP is conspiring to push him out of the election fray. Shivakumar is vying for the post of chief minister and the development has disturbed him. Following the suspicion that the authorities would reject his nomination, he had decided to field his brother D.K. Suresh as a contestant from Kanakapura seat. Earlier in the day, Shivakumar said that 5,000 people have downloaded his property declaration papers, and anyone, including the BJP, can play foul. "I know what they are up to. Against this backdrop, another nomination has been filed through my brother D.K. Suresh," he stated. Speaking to reporters, he said, "We have our own strategy... Why can't he (D.K. Suresh) file nominations? We will have our political calculations. We can't let out our secret. Everything will be clear by the day after tomorrow. We also know how to conduct politics. My property submissions are downloaded by 5,000 people. There is a BJP conspiracy behind it," Shivakumar stated. Shivakumar had declared property worth more than Rs 1,414 crore. The property details have been given in more than 108 pages. Shivakumar alone owns more than Rs 1,214 crore. As per the affidavit his wife, Usha Shivakumar owns Rs 133 crore and his son, Akash owns Rs 66 crore. He stated that he owns Rs 970 crore worth immovable assets, Rs 244 crore movable assets and also mentioned that he has Rs 226 crore loans. His yearly income is furnished as Rs 14 crore. Shivakumar family's revenue was Rs 252 crore in 2013 and it rose to Rs 840 crore in 2018. According to the sources, the Income Tax (I-T) authorities had summoned Shivakumar for inquiry four days ago. The I-T sleuths had collected details after Shivakumar filed his nomination from Kanakapura seat. They had also come to Kanakapura town and collected information about Shivakumar's assets and other details. The sources earlier maintained that the I-T authorities have been focusing on property details and tax payment details of Shivakumar for the last five years. The discrepancies have been found in this regard by the I-T sleuths. Sources explained that the details submitted to the I-T department and details in nomination papers have been found to be different. With these developments, he has fielded his brother Suresh in the eventuality of rejection of his nomination papers. Shivakumar was planning to field his brother from Padmanabhanagar seat represented by BJP Minister R.Ashoka. Ashoka is also contesting against Shivakumar in Kanakapura constituency. New Delhi, April 21 : The High Court on Friday said that the Delhi Police should maintain a "runaway couple cell" to support and aid couples who marry without their families' permission and face threats from them. While hearing a protection plea moved by an intercaste major couple, who married against the consent of the girl's family, Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani orally told the counsel appearing for Delhi Police: "Delhi Police should have a runaway couple cell...Let them have a separate cell which deals with the runaway couples in compliance of Ashok Kumar Todi (case)." In the Ashok Kumar Todi case, the top court had ruled: "If the parents of the boy or girl do not approve of such inter-caste or interreligious marriage the maximum they can do is that they can cut off social relations with the son or the daughter, but they cannot give threats or commit or instigate acts of violence and cannot harass the person who undergoes such inter-caste or inter-religious marriage." Justice Bhambhani was hearing a plea by a couple who married in a Arya Samaj Mandir in Tis Hazari on April 7 and were furnished a marriage certificate. The woman's family is allegedly threatening the couple since they got married without getting their approval. Due to the threats, the couple sought police protection for their life and freedom. The couple's lawyer claimed that the identity cards that were attached to the plea showed that both of the people, who were also present in court, are of legal age. Moreover, despite filimg a complaint with the relevant SHO on April 11, it was alleged that the police failed to assist them right away. The Additional Standing Counsel (ASC) appearing for Delhi Police submitted that adequate steps will be taken to ensure safety and security of the couple. "It is directed that the cell phone number of the SHO and the beat constable be furnished to the petitioners (couple) who they may call in any eventuality," the court said. While issuing notice in the plea, the court also sought a status report from the Delhi Police within six weeks' time and listed the matter for further hearing in September. Additionally, Justice Bhambhani orally told the ASC that a runaway couple cell be established outside the Arya Samaj Mandir so that the newlyweds may go there right away seeking help if they were threatened by their family. "Preferably this cell (runaway couple cell) should be set up outside the Arya Samaj Mandir, Tis Hazari...It should be streamlined," the court said. Canberra, April 21 : The proposed Indigenous Voice to Parliament of Australia would enhance the nation's system of government, the country's top lawyer said on Friday. Earlier in the day, the federal government released the legal advice of Solicitor-General Stephen Donaghue on its proposed model for the Voice, reports Xinhua news agency. Australians are expected to head to the polls in the second half of 2023 to vote on whether the Voice should be established in the nation's constitution. If the referendum is successful, the new body could have the power to make representations to Parliament and the Executive Government on issues relating to Indigenous Australians. In his 24-page opinion, Donaghue dismissed concerns that the Voice would act as a "third chamber" of Parliament. "The proposed amendment is not only compatible with the system of representative and responsible government established under the constitution, but it enhances that system," he wrote. Donaghue rejected claims and suggestions that inserting the phrase "executive government" could trigger a wave of legal challenges. He said it would not impose any obligations upon the executive government to follow representations of the Voice, or to consult with the Voice prior to developing any policy or making any decision. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the advice was clear and unequivocal in its support for the government's approach, criticising the Opposition was "just determined to play politics with this". New Delhi, April 21 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair a high-level meeting to review the situation of Indians stranded in violence-hit Sudan, sources said. In view of the prevailing situation in Sudan, the Ministry of External Affairs of India is constantly making efforts at various levels to ensure the safety of Indians stuck there. According to sources, the Prime Minister will review the situation in Sudan and all the steps being taken to ensure the safety of Indians in this high-level meeting. Actually, India is ready to evacuate its citizens from Sudan safely, but a decision about this will be taken only after looking at the local situation and talking to the stranded Indians there. As many as 31 Indian nationals belonging to Karnataka are currently stuck in Sudan. On April 15, Sudan woke up to explosions and gunfire after the culmination of a weeks-long power struggle between two generals who seized power in the country following a military coup in 2021. The two generals - Abdel Fattah al-Burhan who is the chief of Sudan's army and Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, commander of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) - are former allies. The two joined forces and worked together to topple former Sudan President Omar al-Bashir in 2019 and were instrumental in the 2021 military coup. However, negotiations to integrate RSF into Sudan's military as part of plans to restore civilian rule in the country turned hostile when questions arose on who would command whom in the new regime. San Francisco, April 21 : Google is reportedly planning to incorporate generative artificial intelligence into its advertising business in the coming months as big tech companies rush to adopt the technology. According to the Financial Times, the tech giant is preparing to integrate its generative AI technology, which also powers its Bard chatbot, into the Performance Max programme. Performance Max is a programme Google has offered since 2020 that uses an algorithm to determine where ads should run and how marketing budgets should be spent, as well as producing simple ad copy. Google currently used artificial intelligence in its advertising business to produce simple suggestions that urge people to purchase things. However, by incorporating its most recent generative AI, it will be able to develop considerably more sophisticated ads similar to those created by marketing agencies, according to the report. Moreover, the report mentioned that, with this technology, advertisers can supply "creative" content such as imagery, video and text relating to a particular campaign. Meanwhile, Google is reportedly developing an all-new AI-powered search engine. The company is currently in the early phases of developing a search service that aims to provide a highly personalised experience by anticipating the users' needs. The company is also developing a suite of new AI features for its existing search engine under the codename "Magi". Thiruvananthapuram, April 21 : Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking his intervention and guidance to ensure the safe passage of Indians trapped in violence-hit Sudan. "A good number of Keralites are working in Sudan and the Government of Kerala have been receiving numerous calls stating that a number of people are not able to get access to basic amenities such as drinking water, electricity, food and medicines since the outbreak of the conflict. We have also been informed that several people from Kerala are stuck in remote areas of Sudan and need to be repatriated," said Vijayan. "In this context, I request your intervention and guidance to the persons concerned so as to make sure the safety of Indian nationals in Sudan and their safe repatriation at the earliest," read the letter. Notably, 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. The PM has called for a high-level meeting of officials in Delhi on Friday to discuss the repatriation issues of Indians from Sudan. The Pentagon is positioning military forces near Sudan to help evacuate U.S. Embassy personnel in Khartoum, if needed, amid the explosion of violence between the African country's two warring factions. U.S. Africa Command is monitoring the situation in Sudan and conducting "prudent planning for various contingencies," according to a statement from the Department of Defense. "As a matter of policy and security, we do not speculate on potential future operations," it added. New Delhi, April 21 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday blamed legacy issues and policies of previous governments that have led to the emergence of a corrupt ecosystem. Addressing civil servants on the 16th civil services day at Vigyan Bhawan, PM Modi gave examples of results from policies of previous governments and mentioned that there were more than four crore fake gas connections, more than four crore fake ration cards, and support was provided to one crore fictitious women and children by the ministry of women and child development. He added that even fake scholarships were offered to approximately 30 lakh youths by the ministry of minority affairs and lakhs of fake accounts were created under MGNREGA to transfer the benefits of workers who never existed. He credited the civil servants for the transformation that has taken place in the system where roughly Rs 3 lakh crore have been saved from landing in the wrong hands, which is now being used for the welfare of the poor. "For a developed India, the government system should support the aspirations of common people," he added. "Earlier the thinking was that the government will do everything, but now thinking is that the government will work for everyone," the prime minister said while highlighting the change in attitude of bureaucracy. He added that the motto of the government is 'Nation First-Citizen First' and it is prioritising the deprived. "It is the duty of the bureaucracy to analyse whether a political party is making use of taxpayers' money for the benefit of their own organisation or for the nation," Modi said. Chennai, April 21 : The Rs 1,800 crore revenue farm to dining plate agri commerce company WayCool Foods and Products has hived off its three brands into a wholly owned subsidiary in order to double to revenue in a year, said a top company official. The new company -WayCool BrandsNext Private Ltd- will soon launch millet based products and various rice varieties. According to him, the hiving off of the Rs 400 crore revenue business is not with an idea to come out with an initial public offer (IPO). The business needs a focused approach and a dedicated manpower to grow it. "Last year, the revenue from the hived off brands - Kitchenji (dals, staples and spices), Madhuram (bulk grain and pulse), Freshey's (ready-to-cook items, dairy products) - was about Rs 400 crore. The business requires a new set of skills, distribution, product development, sales and marketing," Karthik Jayaraman, Managing Director, WayCool Foods told reporters here on Friday. "We will be doubling the revenue this year to Rs 800 crore by expanding our reach and launching new products. We will be present in all the South Indian towns having a population of about 30,000 people," said BP Ravindran, CEO of WayCool BrandsNext, the new subsidiary. Ravindran said the company will soon launch a health mix powder with higher millet content and also come out with millet based food products. Agreeing that post Covid people are looking at healthier food options, Ravindran said the company will also come out with various rice varieties like red/brown and others and value added dairy products. According to Jayaraman, the demand for white labelled products have gone up and the company is also serving the needs of companies that are into delivering groceries to homes. The parent company WayCool Foods is largely a business-to-business (B2B) food products supplier (source from farmers/farmer producer organisations directly and supplying to retail outlets/bulk buyers) in the southern markets and in Maharashtra. WayCool, India's leading food and agri-tech company, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) to bolster the distribution of its agri-input portfolio. The partnership aims to transform India's food ecosystem by improving supply chain efficiency and reducing wastage. The company has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) to utilize six state-of-the-art facilities located across South India, along with additional facilities to be set up in key locations. CWC will provide dedicated warehousing and incidental services, including pest control, handling and transportation, inventory management, and others. Gurugram, April 21 : A 57-year-old priest, Ajit Singh alias Joker Nath alias Pujari, and his two associates have been arrested for murdering a Nepali youth here, police said on Friday. The victim was identified as 24-year-old Dinesh alias Raju and the associates as Sonu alias Seela, 27, and Premjeet alias Sonu Balhara, 32. According to the police, the incident took place on Wednesday after Dinesh damaged 2-3 fingers of an idol while cleaning it at a temple in Khandsa village. The deceased body was recovered on Thursday afternoon from the temple premises after Mahesh, a native of Mathura in Uttar Pradesh, who is also an eyewitness in the case alerted the police. The complainant Mahesh told the police that he had been installing tiles at the temple along with his co-workers for the last few days. "On Wednesday, a man came to the temple and started cleaning the idols. During this, the fingers of an idol broke and the cleaner informed the priest who got angry and started beating him with a stick. The priest called two other people from nearby and they tied the man to a banyan tree and started beating him badly. When I reached the temple on Thursday afternoon, the man had died," Mahesh told the police. "The culprits have confessed their involvement in the crime. Based on a complaint given by Mahesh an FIR was registered against the accused under sections 302 (murder) and 34 (common intention) of the IPC at Sector 10A police in Gurugram," Preet Pal Sangwan, ACP (crime) said. New Delhi, April 21 : Battery technology startup Log9 Materials on Friday launched India's first commercial Li-ion cell manufacturing facility at its campus in Jakkur, Bengaluru. Log9's commercial Li-ion cell manufacturing line has an initial capacity of 50 MWh and the facility will cater to lithium-titanium-oxide (LTO) and lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cell manufacturing. The manufacturing line will support the production of large form factor cylindrical cells ranging from 22 Series to 66 Series, said the company. "Log9 has deployed almost 3,000 batteries in EVs which have covered around 5.5 million kms. It has also expanded its footprints in more than 20 cities across the country including Delhi, Bengaluru and Chennai etc," said Dr Akshay Singhal, Co-Founder and CEO, Log9 Materials. On the five-year cell production roadmap, Log9's LTO TiB cells will contribute to a carbon emission reduction of 90T per vehicle with a total CO2 reduction of 147 kT every year. The startup also launched its indigenously developed battery management system (BMS) called Charvik to ensure high safety and reliability for high-power applications. "Businesses, societies, and governments must work together to harness bold new ways to accelerate the race for zero emissions and tackle climate change head-on. Log9 combines innovative technologies to capture new opportunities and report a real success story," said Dr Vijay Raghavan, former principal scientific advisor to Prime Minister. The Bengaluru-based startup also launched its academic engagement programme named Log9 Rise, centred around supporting the talent pool creation in the country in battery technologies. Dr K Sivan, Ex-Chairman, ISRO said he was delighted to see that India is making great strides towards sustainability. "Log9's remarkable growth in cell chemistry over the past year has been truly impressive, and they are now producing the safest, highest quality and most reliable cells in India," he said. New Delhi, April 21 : After removing all legacy Blue check marks and asking individual users to pay for being verified, Elon Musk-run Twitter on Friday asked advertisers to either pay for the verification or they will not be able to run their ads on the platform. Social media consultant Matt Navarra shared the letter sent by Twitter to advertisers, which read that starting April 21, "your account must have a verified checkmark or subscribe to either Twitter Blue or Verified Organisations to continue running ads on Twitter." "Business accounts spending in excess of $1,000 per month already have gold checks or will soon, and they'll continue to enjoy access to advertising without interruption at this time," the company posted. The company said it aligns with the broader verification strategy to elevate the quality of content on Twitter and enhance experience as a user and advertiser. "This approach also supports our ongoing efforts to reduce fraudulent accounts and bots. Subscribing to either of these services means you have been verified by Twitter as a real person and/or business," said the micro-blogging platform. Navarra tweeted: "Twitter is now telling advertisers it MUST subscribe to Twitter Blue or Verified Organisations to continue running ads!" Twitter had told businesses to pay $1,000 per month for retaining gold badges and brands and organisations which do not pay the money will lose their checkmarks. WOW... Twitter is now telling advertisers it MUST subscribe to Twitter Blue or Verified Organisations to continue running ads! pic.twitter.com/4DrDu82Zi0 Matt Navarra (@MattNavarra) April 21, 2023 The Musk-run company, which is busy monetising its platform via various means, will also charge an extra $50 per month to add badges to each account affiliated with the brand, The Information reported recently. Earlier, all legacy verified accounts lost their Blue badges, creating chaos on the platform all over the world. Several celebrities lost their Blue check marks. -- Syndicated from IANS Bhubaneswar, April 21 : A team of Special Task Force (STF) of Uttar Pradesh Police visited Odisha recently to trace Atiq Ahmed's close aide Guddu Muslim, a police official said on Friday. According to police sources, a five-member STF team of the UP Police had visited Bargarh district on April 18 and questioned one person in connection with gangster Guddu Muslim. However, they have not arrested any person from Odisha. Earlier, some media reported that Guddu Muslim's last location was traced in Odisha's Puri. However, Puri Police said they do not have any information about the gangster. "A team of Uttar Pradesh STF came to Odisha two days back. The team conducted some investigation in Bargarh district for a day and left Odisha. They have sought our help and we have extended our support, as per protocol," Odisha DGP Sunil Bansal told media persons here. However, the UP Police had not informed anything about the investigation and case details with Odisha Police, he said. "As per normal protocol, when we visit any other state for investigation, we seek help from the concerned state police and vice-versa. There is nothing new," the DGP maintained. Northern Range IG Deepak Kumar said the UP Police had informed a police station in Bargarh and conducted some verification in the police station area and left for UP. "We have extended necessary help to them. They have examined one person from Bargarh district. However, they have not arrested any person," Kumar said. Notably, Guddu Muslim is among the 10 accused named in the high-profile Umesh Pal murder case in UP. Six of them have been killed and Guddu Muslim is among the four others who are currently on the run. The Uttar Pradesh Police launched a manhunt to catch them. Islamabad, April 21 : The Pakistan National Assembly on Friday notified the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Bill 2023 - a law that would curtail the powers of the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP), media reports said. The bill's implementation was halted by the Supreme Court's eight-member bench headed by CJP Umar Ata Bandial, Geo News reported. However, it was notified as a law on Friday because it was deemed to have been assented to by the President (with effect from April 21) under Clause (2) of Article 75 of the Constitution of Pakistan. The bill was approved by the federal cabinet on March 28 and then passed by both the Houses of the Parliament - the National Assembly and the Senate - only for the President to refuse to sign it into law with the observation that it travelled "beyond the competence of Parliament". However, a joint session of Parliament passed it again on April 10 with certain amendments amid noisy protest by PTI lawmakers. It was then again referred to the President for his assent; however, he once again returned the bill without signing it, Geo News reported. According to the Constitution, in case the President refuses to sign a bill for a second time after the joint Parliament's approval, his assent would be deemed granted within 10 days. On April 13, the Supreme Court had barred the government from enforcing the law, saying the move would "prevent the imminent apprehended danger that is irreparable" as soon as the bill becomes an act of the Parliament, Geo News reported. Prayagraj : , April 21 (IANS) Mafia-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed had made an attempt to grab property belonging to former Congress President Sonia Gandhi's relatives. The property belonged to Veera Gandhi in the posh Civil Lines area of Allahabad, now known as Prayagraj. The incident took place in 2007 when Atiq Ahmed was MP from Phulpur Since Atiq Ahmed's clout was well known, no official in the city came forward to help the victim. Sonia Gandhi had to intervene in the matter herself after which Atiq Ahmed had to reportedly return the keys to the rightful owner. The prized property behind the Palace theater came to Veera Gandhi's share in the family partition. Atiq Ahmed had bought some land from the Asthana family in the vicinity. When he came to know about Veera Gandhi's property, he forcibly took possession of it through his henchmen and got it locked. Sonia Gandhi was the President of the Congress and the Chairperson of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), which was in power at the Centre. According to sources, Veera Gandhi had tried to seek help from the local police and the state government officials to get her property back, but to no avail. As a last resort, she reportedly sought the intervention of Sonia Gandhi, who asked Rita Bahuguna Joshi, then in the Congress, to get the matter sorted out. "Atiq Ahmed was extremely greedy when it came to real estate. He had grabbed several properties in the city but had to pull back in the case of Veera Gandhi," said former IG, Lalji Shukla, who was the SP City in Prayagraj in 2001-03. Veera Gandhi later had sold many of her properties in Prayagraj and shifted to Mumbai. She however refused to speak on the matter. Rita Bahuguna Joshi, who is now in the BJP, said: "Sonia Gandhi did call me up and asked to intervene following which I called the district administration and consequently Atiq Ahmed pulled back in that case." Kolkata, April 21 : A senior citizen in Kolkata reportedly died of Covid-19 on Friday, taking the death toll due to the Coronavirus in West Bengal to four in the last 26 days. Sources in the state health department said that the deceased person has been identified as Subir Kar (80). He died on late Thursday night and in the death certificate it has been mentioned that he was tested Covid-19 positive, sources said. He was admitted at the Infectious Disease Hospital at Beliaghata in North Kolkata where he died. Just two days back, on April 19, the death of Mantu Ram Bar (79) was reported from the same hospital. The first Covid-related death in 2023 was reported on March 25, when Gobindo Kundu (72), a resident of Nadia district, succumbed to it. This death was reported after a gap of three months. The second death was reported on April 13, when Bhaskar Das (76), a resident of Regent Park area in Kolkata died in a city-based private hospital. "All the four deceased persons as you can see were senior citizens and all of them had comorbidities," the health department official added. On April 18, the West Bengal health department issued an advisory asking people to go for maximum use of facemasks at public places. It also advised people that if anyone is detected Covid-19 positive, he or she should stay in home-isolation for at least a week. "If your symptoms aggravate or you start feeling shortness of breath (or oxygen separation keeps falling), report to a hospital or doctor immediately," the advisory read. If a young child or person at higher risk turns Covid-19 positive, the person concerned must be taken to a hospital or doctor without any delay, it added. Hyderabad, April 21 : The Telangana High Court on Friday granted conditional permission to the YSR Telangana Party (YSRTP) for a day-long hunger strike at Indira Park in Hyderabad on the problems faced by the unemployed. The hunger strike was scheduled on April 17 under the umbrella of 'Telangana Students' Action for Vacancies and Employment' (T-SAVE), a platform mooted by YSRTP President Y.S. Sharmila but the police had denied permission for the same. Sharmila had filed a petition in the High Court, seeking direction to the police to allow the protest. The High Court, however, directed that not more than 500 people should participate in the hunger strike. The organisers were also directed to approach the police 48 hours before their hunger strike. Sharmila is likely to announce a new date for protest in a day or two. After the police denied the permission, the YSRTP had lashed out at Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao for it calls his atrocious reign and dictatorial treatment of those who raised voice against his failures and fake promises. Blasting the state government for forcing Hyderabad police to refuse permission to T-SAVE hunger strike, YSRTP official spokesperson Gattu Ramachandra Rao said that it is shameful in a democratic setup to not let activists enter their own party office. The Political Affairs Committee had alleged that Sharmila is repeatedly being targeted because KCR is now scared of her fight and commitment towards Telangana. "We have been tirelessly fighting for the cause and the rights of the unemployed. Not only is the state government silent and arrogant, they are also depriving us of our right to fight and protest," he said. "T-SAVE was proposed as a common platform and we had decided to conduct a hunger strike for a day near Indira Park. This plea was rejected by the city police. Is this fair on the part of the party that claims its emergence and existence to public movements and people's protests? Didn't KCR conduct numerous protests at Indira Park earlier? How can the rules be different for BRS and others?" added Ramachandra Rao. He claimed that the proposed hunger strike had the support of 39 social organisations and various political parties. --IANS ms/vd A Cambodian leader Hun Sen's eldest son was officially promoted to the rank of four-star general Thursday, in another sign of plans for him to succeed his father. Hun Sen has publicly backed Hun Manet to lead the kingdom in the future. Hun Manet, who is commander of the army, received the four-star rank at a ceremony attended by more than 1,000 senior military officials. Defense minister Tea Banh, who presided over the ceremony, said Hun Manet's promotion reflected his efforts "to serve the nation, military and Cambodian people." Hun Manet -- who was educated in Britain and the United States -- has been officially backed by the ruling party as a future prime minister and has been active on social media in recent months to increase his public profile. The 45-year-old has also had more diplomatic meetings with senior political figures than before, according to the Lowy Institute's Asia Power Index. In 2022 he met 10 world leaders, deputy leaders and foreign ministers, compared with only two in 2019, the institute said. He will run for a parliamentary seat when Cambodia goes to the polls in July this year, according to a party document seen by AFP. New Delhi, April 21 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday called for a contingency evacuation plan and other viable options for Indian citizens stuck in war-torn Sudan. He said this while undertaking a high-level meeting to review the situation in the troubled African nation. The meeting, which took place through video-conferencing, was attended by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Indian Ambassador to Sudan, and other senior officials. PM Modi assessed the most recent developments in Sudan and received a first-hand report of the conditions on the ground, with specific focus on the safety of over 3,000 Indian citizens currently located throughout the country, sources aware of the developments said. The Prime Minister expressed his condolences on the passing away of an Indian national who tragically fell victim to a stray bullet last week. He instructed all concerned officials to remain vigilant, closely monitor developments and continuously evaluate the safety of Indian nationals in Sudan, while extending them all possible assistance. PM Modi also underlined the significance of maintaining close communication with neighbouring countries in the region, as well as those with significant numbers of citizens in Sudan. Jaishankar has already met UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres in New York to discuss the situation in Sudan, especially the condition of Indian citizens stuck there. Jaishankar, who was on his way to a series of visits to Guyana, Panama, Columbia and the Dominican Republic on Thursday, made an unscheduled stopover in New York to meet Guterres. Earlier, he had spoken to the foreign ministers of the UAE and Egypt to discuss the prevailing scenario in Sudan. Fighting between Sudan's army and paramilitary forces has been going on since April 15, which has led to the death of around 300 people, including an Indian citizen. Indian foreign ministry has advised Indian citizens in the capital city of Sudan, Khartoum, not to venture to the Indian embassy as it lies in a war zone. New Delhi, April 21 : The Supreme Court on Friday granted protection from coercive action to the editor and the owner of a news portal in a case regarding allegations of spreading fake news in connection with the attack on Bihar migrants in Tamil Nadu. A bench, headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud, said: "We direct there shall be no coercive action against them for four weeks." However, the bench, also comprising Justice P.S. Narasimha, declined to consider the plea for quashing the FIR lodged in Tamil Nadu, saying that the editor and the owner of the portal, OpIndia, can approach the Madras High Court for the relief. The petitioners contended that the portal published the report based on a news article published by a newspaper but when it was found to be false, it was retracted. During the hearing, the bench told senior advocate Mahesh Jethmalani, representing the petitioners, how can the court quash the FIR under Article 32? It asked Jethmalani to move the Madras High Court. As Jethmalani submitted that in certain cases FIRs have been quashed under Article 32, the bench responded that it would depend on the facts and circumstances of each case. Jethmalani then urged the court to grant protection from arrest to the petitioners, while they move the high court. The FIR was lodged in Tamil Nadu regarding allegations that a news portal allegedly ran fake news over Bihar migrant workers being attacked in Tamil Nadu. Jethmalani represented Nupur J Sharma and Rahul Roushan of the news portal. New Delhi, April 21 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit poll-bound Madhya Pradesh as well as Kerala and Union Territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu from April 24 to 25, where he will inaugurate and lay foundation stone of projects worth over Rs 25,000 crore. The Prime Minister has been regularly touring Madhya Pradesh for the past few days as the politically crucial state goes to polls in December this year. According to official sources, Modi will participate in the National Panchayati Raj Day celebrations at Rewa, Madhya Pradesh on April 24. During the event, the Prime Minister will inaugurate an integrated eGramSwaraj and GeM portal for public procurement at Panchayat level. He will lay the foundation stone and dedicate to the nation projects worth around Rs 17,000 crore. On April 25, Modi will flag off the Vande Bharat Express at Thiruvananthapuram central railway station. Thereafter, he will lay the foundation stone and dedicate to the nation, development projects worth more than Rs 3,200 crore, at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. Later in the day, Modi will visit NAMO medical education and research institute and then will lay the foundation stone and dedicate to the nation, various development projects worth more than Rs 4,850 crore at Silvassa, Dadra and Nagar Haveli. Thereafter, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the Devka seafront at Daman. Mumbai, April 21 : Mithun Chakraborty's son Mimoh Chakraborty is now excited to feature in the upcoming Nawazuddin Siddique starrer film 'Jogira Sara Ra Ra'. He says that he will be seen in a different avatar in the family comedy. While talking about his character and how he prepared for it, Mimoh says: "I am quite excited for everyone to see me in my upcoming film 'Jogira Sara Ra Ra' as I had to physically transform myself for this film. It will see me in a completely new and unique avatar for which I have had to work on my body language as well." Mimoh is known for his roles in 'Haunted-3D', 'Jimmy', 'Loot', 'Enemmy', among others. He further elaborated about his character in the movie and said that the exciting part about it is that it is completely different. "My character is extremely different from whatever I have done in the past and that's what made it all the more exciting. The film is releasing on the 12th of May and I am so excited for all to see it," he concluded. The film has been written by Ghalib Asad Bhopali and directed by Kushan Nandy. Produced by Naeem A. Siddiqui, with Kiran Shyam Shroff as the creative producer, the film has been shot at places like Lucknow, Barabanki, Rahimabad, Varanasi and Mumbai. Los Angeles, April 21 : Hollywood actor Kevin Spacey appeared in a UK court via video link on Friday morning local time as a judge confirmed the length and date of his criminal trial, which is set for this summer. The actor spoke only to confirm his full name, Kevin Spacey Fowler, and that he could hear the judge, reports 'Variety'. Spacey's legal representative, barrister Patrick Gibbs KC, attended the pre-trial hearing at Southwark Crown Court in South London in person. The purpose of the largely administrative hearing was to set the date and length of the trial. Judge Wall confirmed the trial will commence on June 28 and it is scheduled to last four weeks, London newspaper the 'Evening Standard' reported. As per 'Variety', Spacey, who was known for projects including 'American Beauty' and 'House of Cards' before he found himself publicly accused of a slew of sexual assault allegations, faces 12 charges of sexual assault against four men that are said to have taken place between 2001 and 2013. He previously appeared in court in the UK to deny all the charges, pleading not guilty to seven counts in January of this year. He also pleaded not guilty to five separate charges last summer. His UK trial will be the latest in a long line of legal battles Spacey has faced since actor Anthony Rapp publicly accused Spacey of sexual assault in a 2017 Buzzfeed News article. Last October, Rapp lost a $40 million civil suit against Spacey in New York. Spacey was also embroiled in a civil suit with 'House of Cards' production company MRC related to alleged sexual misconduct that took place on the political Netflix drama. Bhopal, April 21 : In a suspected case of mass suicide in Madhya Pradesh, four members of a family jumped before of a moving train in Tikamgarh district on Friday. The married couple and their daughter died on spot, while their son managed to escape at the last moment. As per the police, the deceased have been identified as Laxman Namdev (50), a farmer by profession, his wife Rajni Namdev (45) and their daughter Vini Namdev. The reason for the family to take the extreme step is yet to be ascertained. The bodies were found lying across the railway track near Kharagpur in Tikamgarh district by some passersby who informed the police. According to his Aadhaar card found near his body, Laxman Namdev was a resident of Matol village in Tikamgarh district. According to the police, Laxman's son was accused of theft in the neighbourhood three days prior to the incident. A complaint was also filed against the boy who was questioned by the police. After the incident, the boy alleged that they took the extreme step following a threat by the local police to arrest the entire family in the case. "We are trying to ascertain the exact reason behind the mass suicide," a senior police officer said. Meanwhile, the opposition Congress has demanded a judicial inquiry into the incident and action against those responsible for the family to take such an extreme step. The shocking incident took place three days after a 55-year-old man killed himself due to financial distress in Satna district. The deceased person's bed-ridden daughter has alleged that his father was unable to bear the expenses for her treatment after she damaged her spinal cord in an accident few years back. She also alleged that his father was running from pillar to post to get an Ayushman card, but failed because of corrupt officials in Satna district, which ultimately forced him to commit suicide. New Delhi, April 21 : The Supreme Court on Friday stayed the Telangana High Court order, wherein YSR Congress Party MP Y.S. Avinash Reddy, an accused in the murder of Y.S. Vivekananda Reddy, was given protection from arrest till April 25. The apex court termed the order passed by the high court as "atrocious and unacceptable". A bench headed by Chief Justice of India, D.Y. Chandrachud, and comprising Justice P.S. Narasimha scheduled the matter for further hearing on April 24, after hearing senior advocate Sidharth Luthra, appearing on behalf Suneetha Narreddy, daughter of the deceased, who questioned the validity of the order passed by the high court on April 18. Vivekananda Reddy, one of the brothers of late Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, was found murdered at his residence in Pulivendula in Kadapa district on the night of March 15, 2019. Luthra contended on behalf of Suneetha Narreddy: "My father was killed; the incident was quite disturbing..." The bench observed that the order passed by the high court was "atrocious and unacceptable" and issued a notice on the plea challenging the protection given to Avinash Reddy, who is also the cousin of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy. The bench observed that it will stay the high court proceedings and it may also stay the order. After hearing the submissions, the bench said, "Issue a notice. There shall be a stay of the impugned directions contained in Paragraph 18 of the impugned order of the high court." Senior advocate Ranjit Kumar, representing Avinash Reddy, collected the notice. The high court had directed the YSRCP MP to appear before the CBI everyday for examination in connection with the murder case of Vivekananda Reddy, and granted him protection from arrest till April 25. The plea said the investigation is at a crucial stage where the CBI is probing the alleged larger conspiracy as directed by this court and for this the CBI should be allowed to investigate freely without any restrictions. The plea said the high court has practically derailed the investigation process at this crucial juncture without giving due importance to the date of April 30, by which time the CBI is required to conclude its probe. New Delhi, April 21 : In a new round of layoffs, Meta (formerly Facebook) has handed pink slips to employees with technical backgrounds across the globe, leaving many workers angry and disappointed. Carolina Rayo, a content designer at Instagram in the US, who worked for 10 months, was one of the employees who lost her job in the latest round of job cuts. Impacted by the layoff, Rayo took to LinkedIn, where she shared her ordeal, saying: "Alright, here's the badge post you never want to write, but let's rip the bandaid to make it as quick and painless as possible: Today, I was one of the many impacted by the Meta layoffs". "Working at my favourite app was the adventure of a lifetime. Ten months ago, I packed my whole life in 5 suitcases and flew alone from Chile to join Instagram in NYC (New York City) and start a new life far from home," she added. Recalling the time spent at Meta, Rayo said, "I created experiences with a global impact, made friends along the way, visited the Chicago, Menlo Park, San Francisco, and Paris offices, and got to travel for research trips. (And yes, it's true, the food and snacks were superb). This experience is nothing but a plus in my career, and I'm so grateful for all I learned." Moreover, in her post, she mentioned that the news of layoffs was not personal which gives her peace. Prior to an upcoming employee town hall at Meta, numerous employees who were affected by the recent layoff expressed their concerns and inquiries on an internal company forum. On the company forum, an employee expressed concern over the impact of layoffs on the morale of high-performing individuals. The employee questioned the value of staying at Meta if hard work and performance are not recognised and rewarded. "You've shattered the morale and confidence in the leadership of many high performers who work with intensity. Why should we stay at Meta?," the employee wrote. Mumbai, April 21 : From enjoying different delicacies to meeting family and friends, TV actors have all the plans to make the Eid celebration exciting and special. On the auspicious occasion, they share how they plan to celebrate the festival and make it enjoyable and memorable. Hiba Nawab from 'Woh Toh Hai Albela' says: "This Eid will be a little special as my mother is here so will get to eat all yummy food prepared by her. I love eating biryani so I'm very happy. This whole month is about doing good deeds and doing charity so I've been doing that and I keep this as my every year ritual. "I'll also celebrate it with my family on set on 'Woh Toh Hai Albela' as we also do Iftar together on set. On the day of Eid, I'll call all my friend's home and have good food and spend some good time together." Talking about celebrating the festival, Alma Hussein from 'Sapnon Ki Chhalaang' shares: "This year, I will celebrate Eid through a video call with my family because I am currently shooting and will be celebrating this festival with the cast. While we connect with the Almighty in this holy month, it's also a time when the family gets together, and I have a lot of fun and enjoyment because I get Eidi from them. While I'm missing all of that, I have prayed to Allah to keep everyone happy and safe. Eid Mubarak to all my fans and friends." On the other hand, 'Tere Ishq Mein Ghayal' actress Reem Sameer Shaikh says that the best of all gifts on Eid is the presence of a happy family. "Every year I try to celebrate the holy day with my family and friends. It feels so positive to be trying on new clothes, eating delicious food specially cooked by my Dadi and hosting the guests. I remember, as a child every year, I would dress up in the finest of my clothes and wait for the elders to give me Eidi." Sana Sayyad, who essays the role of Palki in 'Kundali Bhagya', shares: "Eid is a joyous occasion that brings together family, friends, and communities to celebrate the blessings and grace of Allah. Having said that, Eid has always been about my family and I only meet my family and relatives on Eid. In fact, every year, my entire family comes to my house and we have a huge feast." "While we also give each other Eidi, rather than focusing on just material possessions, we also have a deep appreciation for the opportunity we have got to spend time with our families. Though I will be shooting for Kundali Bhagya this year, I plan to pack up early and spend time with my family. Here's wishing everyone Eid Mubarak," she concludes. Thiruvananthapuram, April 21 : A senior priest of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church in Ernakulum district has been suspended after he was taken into custody by the Kerala Police for alleged sexual misconduct with a 16-year-old girl. The complaint was registered at the Oonukal police station near Muvattupuzha in Ernakulum district. An official attached to the police station confirmed that priest Shemuvon Ramban (77) has been taken into custody. The incident of alleged sexual misconduct by the priest took place earlier this month, which came to light after the girl drew the attention of the local Child Welfare Committee. The Committee reported the matter to the police, who then took the case forward. Following the registration of a complaint, the Church took cognisance of the matter and suspended the senior priest from all duties with immediate effect. South Korea on Thursday hit back at Beijing after the Chinese Foreign Ministry denounced President Yoon Suk-yeol for saying he stands by the international community in opposing attempts to use military force to bring Taiwan under Chinese control. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said Beijing does not allow others to "meddle by word" in its internal affairs and called on Yoon to respect the one-China policy. In response, the Foreign Ministry here accused Beijing of committing a "serious diplomatic discourtesy" and summoned the Chinese ambassador to lodge a protest. Vice Foreign Minister Chang Ho-jin in unusually harsh language said Wang's comments "call into question China's diplomatic stature." "In response to our leader's mention of the universal principle that we oppose the change of the status quo by force, the Chinese Foreign Ministry made an unspeakable statement," Chang said. The ministry summoned Chinese Ambassador Xing Haiming for a dressing-down. In an interview with Reuters earlier this week, Yoon had expressed the standard position of the international community. "After all, these tensions occurred because of the attempts to change the status quo by force, and we together with the international community absolutely oppose such a change," Yoon said. "The Taiwan issue is not simply an issue between China and Taiwan but, like the issue of North Korea, it is a global issue." China, which considers Taiwan a breakaway province, has recently been conducting massive invasion drills off the island's coast. New Delhi, April 21 : The Crime Branch of Delhi Police has arrested the man, who shot at woman in Delhi's Saket Court premises on Friday morning, from neighbouring Faridabad in Haryana, said the official sources. The victim woman, M. Radha, in her 40s was shot at lawyers' block in Saket court and her condition is now stable. The accused identified as Kameshwar Kumar Singh, who was debarred by the bar council, had entered court wearing lawyer's attire and carried a gun. He shot at Radha around 10:30 a.m. in front of the lawyers' block. A video of the incident was also doing the rounds on social media in which Singh can be seen running behind the woman and shooting her. The woman is screaming and several people, including lawyers can be seen standing nearby. "She received two bullet injuries in abdomen and one in hand and she was taken to Max Saket hospital. She is in stable condition," said Chandan Chowdhary, Deputy Commissioner of Police (South). As per eyewitness, a total of 4-5 rounds were fired and the accused escaped through the court canteen's back entry. "Further investigation is going on," said the DCP. New Delhi, April 21 : Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora has ordered an inquiry into the alleged misappropriation of funds allocated to the force in the Union Budget last year, prompting Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to seek a proper probe. "Prime Minister ji, Delhi Police comes under you. Will it be investigated? Will the guilty go to jail?" Kejriwal said in a tweet. According to sources, the Police Commissioner had ordered an enquiry after he was informed that certain funds from the 'Professional Services' category may have been diverted to other sectors or heads. Special Commissioner of Police, in charge of Provisioning and Financial Division, Lalatendu Mohanti, has requested all district chiefs to provide details about the expenditure of funds. He said that the category is utilised to allocate funds towards a range of activities, including the recruitment of data entry operators, consultants, and guest lecturers, in addition to the deployment of security personnel. However, there have been reports of misappropriation of funds from other categories, such as 'Minor Works', which prompted an inquiry. Mohanti emphasised that district officers have only been asked to provide clarification and information on professional funds and expenditure in specific categories, but denied any major scam. The police officials are currently verifying the allegations and an internal inquiry is being conducted by the financial advisor, who will report to Special CP Mohanti. As of now, no vigilance inquiry has been ordered against any individual, according to the officials. New Delhi, April 21 : Five men, including four Delhi Police constables, were arrested for robbing a man in his house in southwest Delhi's Sagarpur area, an official said on Friday. The accused were identified as Manish Rai, Vijay Sharma, Deepak Yadav, Manjesh Ran and Ankit Kasana. The official said that Vijay, Deepak, Manjesh and Ankit had joined the police force in 2020. According to police, the robbery took place on the intervening night of April 19-20, at the residence of one Rajnish, a resident of Mohan Nagar, Sagarpur. "The complainant told police that four persons had allegedly entered his house and threatened him in lieu of a pending amount to be returned to his known Manish and took away cash about Rs 10.40 lakh," said a senior police official. On the statement of complainant Rajnish, a case of robbery was registered. "During the course of investigation through technical surveillance, four alleged persons were apprehended," said the official. On interrogation, it was revealed that Manish is a previous employee of Rajnish. "Manish was also apprehended, and robbed items were recovered from the possession of all the accused. Besides, two cars which were used during the commission of crime have also been recovered," said the official, adding that further investigation is in progress. Kolkata, April 21 : A single-judge bench of the Calcutta High Court on Friday directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to launch a probe into the multi-crore scam in the recruitment of workers and clerks in different municipalities in the state. While passing this direction to the CBI, the single-judge bench of Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay said that if necessary, the central agency can start its investigation by filing a separate FIR. "Also inform the court the number of additional investigating officers you need for this new line of probe," Justice Gangopadhay told the CBI. He also directed the CBI to submit a preliminary report in this matter on April 28. The scam was first brought to light by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which is conducting a parallel probe along with the CBI into the multi-crore scam in the recruitment of teaching and non-teaching staff in different state-run schools in West Bengal. While raiding the residence of real-estate promoter Ayan Sil last month in connection with the teachers' recruitment scam, the ED had procured incriminating documents relating to his involvement in the municipalities recruitment scam. The ED counsel had also informed a special court in Kolkata that it detected transactions amounting to several crores of rupees in the municipalities recruitment scam, the documents of which the agency shared with its counterparts in CBI. On April 17, Justice Gangopadhyay had observed that it is unfortunate that while some persons are working day and night just to earn Rs 10,000 a month, a section of the politicians are minting crores of rupees through corrupt practices. Kolkata, April 21 : A special CBI court on Friday extended the agency custody of Trinamool Congress MLA Jiban Krishna Saha, who has been arrested in connection with the multi-crore scam in the recruitment of teaching and non-teaching staff in the state-run schools in West Bengal, till April 25. The direction came after the CBI counsel informed the court that the central agency has recovered several crucial documents pertaining to the scam from the residence of Saha. The counsel also described Saha as a middleman, who collected funds and then passed on the same to the masterminds of the scam. The CBI counsel then informed the court about Saha throwing his two cellphones in a pond adjacent to his residence during the course of raid. "We need to procure more documents for which we need more time to interrogate him. Hence, we are appealing for extension of his custody," the CBI counsel said. The judge then asked Saha why he threw his mobile phones in the pond, to which the Trinamool legislator failed to give any satisfactory answer. Saha's counsel argued that since his client is a political personality, he had several enemies and some of them might have framed him. "Someone from outside might have planted documents at his residence. It seems that someone tried to frame my client just before the panchayat polls," Saha's counsel argued. After hearing both sides, the court extended Saha's judicial custody till April 25. London, April 21 : The origins of the deadly Covid virus, which infected over 763 million and claimed more than 6.9 million lives globally, may never be revealed, a top Chinese scientist said on Friday. The debate on how the Covid pandemic started has become "too sensitive and politicised", said Dr George Fu Gao, former director of the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at the Rhodes Policy Summit in London. He also refuted the recent study that showed Covid origin may be linked to raccoon dogs at the infamous Wuhan wet market. Gao said there is "no evidence" to show that the virus emerged from animals, Daily Mail reported. Gao, who directed the Chinese CDC when Covid first emerged in Wuhan, and stepped down in July 2022, said he did not see "anything unusual" until December 2019, a month before coronavirus was officially confirmed. "Even now, people think some animals are the host or reservoir," Daily Mail quoted Gao as saying. "Cut a long story short, there is no evidence which animals (were) where the virus comes (from)." He was referring to the study, published in March, which showed that large amounts of genetic material gathered from the Wuhan wet market were a match for the raccoon dog. The study, led by experts including from Universities of Arizona, Utah and Sydney and from the Scripps Research Institute, supported the hypothesis that the pandemic had an animal origin and not lab leak. Reverting to the study, in a paper, published recently in the journal Nature, Gao and his team supported the study noting that the data provide "convincing evidence" that SARS-CoV-2 was spreading widely at Wuhan's Huanan seafood market in January 2020. However, they added it is not clear how Covid got there. They argued that it could have been from an animal, or it could also have been "introduced by a human or cold chain product", The Telegraph reported. "I too thought there must be an intermediate host - a reservoir - but now I'm not so sure. It's possible there is no animal reservoir," the newspaper quoted Gao as saying. The World Health Organisation (WHO) slammed China once again, saying the country should have shared viral samples from Wuhan which was the epicentre of the pandemic immediately, not three years later. "These should have been shared immediately, not three years later. The lack of data disclosure is simply inexcusable," Maria Van Kerkhove, technical lead for Covid-19 response at WHO, said. The WHO continues to call on China and all countries to share any data on the origins of SARS-CoV-2 immediately. "China has advanced technical capabilities and I, therefore, believe that more data exist that have yet to be shared -- on the wild and farmed animal trade; the testing of humans and animals in Wuhan and across China; the operations of labs in Wuhan working on coronaviruses; the earliest potential cases; and more," Van Kerkhove wrote. New Delhi, April 21 : The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has called former Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Satya Pal Malik, seeking more information in an alleged corruption case. The case pertains to a health insurance scheme that he was allegedly pushed to pass but had cancelled when he was the Governor of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. Malik had claimed that he was offered a Rs 300 crore bribe for clearing the files during his tenure as J&K Governor between August 23, 2018 and October 30, 2019. According to a source, the CBI has asked Malik to appear before the agency either on April 27 or April 28. The CBI officials can also approach him on either days. The source said that as of now, it appears that Malik might join the CBI at its headquarters in the national capital. "The matter pertains to the Reliance Insurance issue. While the Centre wanted green signal for the scheme, it was cancelled by then J&K Governor Malik," the source said. According to Malik, it was a health insurance scheme for Central government employees. Malik had also said that hospitals listed under the scheme were in poor condition. Now the CBI is seeking more information to decide its future course of action. It is learnt that if merit is found in the claims made by Malik, the CBI might lodge a case, otherwise it won't. New Delhi, April 21 : A sessions court here on Friday said that it will hear on May 25 the arguments on charges in the Kanjhawala case, in which a 20-year-old woman was killed on the intervening night of December 31 and January 1 after her scooty was hit by the car following which her clothes got entangled into the vehicle that went on to drag her for around 12 km, leading to her death. After the case was transferred to Additional Sessions Judge Neeraj Gaur, the court on Friday adjourned the hearing on the arguments on the charges to May 25. A metropolitan magistrate's court had, on Tuesday, committed the case to the Court of Sessions for further proceedings. The case was committed to the sessions court after cognisance of the chargesheet against seven accused persons. Rohini court's Metropolitan Magistrate Sanya Dalal had committed the case for further proceedings before the sessions court. The court had committed the case after counsels for the accused submitted that they had scrutinised the chargesheet and other documents. All the documents are complete. On April 13, the court took cognisance of the 800-page chargesheet against seven accused filed by the Delhi Police in the case. A copy of the chargesheet was also provided for the accused. Accused persons Deepak Khanna (26) Amit Khanna (25), Krishan (27), Mithun (26) and Manoj Mittal were arrested by the police on January 2. Two other co-accused, Ashutosh Bhardwaj and Ankush, were earlier given bail by the court. Amit Khanna and Bhardwaj were also booked in accordance with the Motor Vehicles Act's rules. According to the chargesheet, Amit Khanna, Krishan, Mithun and Mittal have been accused of murder. "During the course of the investigation, seven men were arrested and upon its completion, a chargesheet of around 800 pages was prepared with around 120 witnesses," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Outer), Harendra Singh, had earlier said. The police had said, "On the basis of the material and evidence collected during the investigation, to the best of capabilities, sufficient material has come on record to prosecute the accused." It said all the accused were booked for criminal conspiracy, destruction of evidence, harbouring offender, common intention and false information, with intent to cause a public servant to use his lawful power to the injury of another person. Amit Khanna has been charged with additional offences by the Delhi Police for reckless driving and causing hurt by endangering their lives or personal safety. Initially, the case was registered under Sections 279 and 304 of the IPC but later, police had added Section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code to the matter. On January 21, the Rohini court dismissed Deepak Khanna's bail plea. Toronto, April 21 : Delays and disruptions can be expected in processing applications and passport services following the strike by a labour union representing over 155,000 employees that will impact most government departments, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced. The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), the union representing federal workers, went on strike on April 19 after they failed to reach an agreement with the government on issues related to wages and decent working conditions. "During this labour disruption, certain services may be delayed or not delivered at all. As well, the public may have trouble accessing some Government of Canada buildings where services are delivered," the IRCC said in a statement. The Canadian immigration body said disruptions and delays can be expected in processing applications, immigration-related appointments, contacting IRCC via email, phone or social media, consular citizenship and passport services, citizenship ceremonies, and extending one's stay in Canada. However, some IRCC services, like applying online, mailing applications to IRCC, using one's online accounts, accessing emergency services, will remain available during the labour disruption. In addition, services offered by non-governmental organisations, including settlement services from IRCC partner organisations, healthcare through the Interim Federal Health Program, and visa application centres outside of Canada, will also remain available. The Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), which plays a key role in the country's immigration system, is also expecting disruptions to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and the collection of biometrics. New Delhi, April 21 : Ten-year-old Arushi Mashery born with a rare condition, where her urethra, vagina, and rectal openings did not separate at birth and were joined together, opening as a single cavity, was given a new lease of life by doctors at a private hospital in Mumbai. The condition, known as cloaca, is found in one in every 50,000 babies, according to Cleveland Clinic. Less than 15 cases have been reported in medical and clinical literature, said Dr. Rasiklal Shah, Senior Consultant -- Paediatric Surgery, at the Narayana Health's SRCC Children's Hospital, in a statement. In addition to cloaca, the child also had an absence of a bladder and two hemi uteri joined with two separate vaginas and no anus. Arushi also had a very rare problem of an abnormal connection between the two iliac arteries - - blood vessels that provide blood to the legs, pelvis and reproductive organs. The surgeons had to be very careful so that the arteries are not damaged while performing several reconstructive procedures. Shah said Arushi underwent a surgery to create an anal opening about 6 months back, which "separated her rectum from the common cavity". To treat her problem of urine incontinence, the doctors created an Indiana Pouch - where instead of a urinary bag, the right colon is removed from the rest of the bowel and re-fashioned into a pouch that can hold 600 ml of fluid. The pouch when full can be emptied by the patient herself by inserting a catheter, the doctor said. The doctors also created a newly constructed rectum. "Finally, her colostomy was closed and she started passing stool from the newly constructed rectum. The unique cases had multiple surgeries," Shah said. The doctors noted that Arushi was discharged from the hospital in normal health condition. "Doctors here not only performed complicated surgeries but also took good care of us. All the time, they convinced us that problems are plenty but they would overcome each one by one. We are very grateful to the hospital, doctors, and other staff. We will never forget their contribution to making our life happier," said Arushi and her parents. Seven out of 10 Korean companies plan to hire new workers this year, but rarely more than last year. The Korea Enterprises Federation polled 500 companies employing more than 100 people in March and found that 69.8 percent plan to hire new workers this year. But 67 percent said they will only hire a similar number of workers as last year while 19.2 percent plan to hire more and 13.8 percent recruit fewer people. The proportion planning to hire more markedly dropped from 30.6 percent last year. Chennai, April 21 : A second-year B Tech student, hailing from Madhya Pradesh, was found dead in his hostel room at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras, police said on Friday. The suspicious death, allegedly by suicide, makes it the fourth such incident occurring at the prestigious institution over the last three months. The incident came to light on Friday when the deceased student's friends suspected something amiss when he did not open his hostel room door. They informed the warden who contacted the Kotturpuram police station. On breaking open the door, police found the dead body and sent it for post-mortem after registering a case. Earlier this month, on April 2, a PhD student of IIT Madras had died by suicide. Sachin Kumar Jain from West Bengal had died by suicide in his room in Tamil Nadu's Velachery, triggering protests on campus by students who demanded a probe into the matter. Mumbai, April 21 : Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) President Sharad Pawar on Friday termed the recent acquittal of 69 accused in the brutal Naroda Gam (Gujarat) riots of 2002 as a "murder" of the judiciary and the Constitution". Addressing a party meeting, Pawar said that the riots had taken place, there were deaths (11) and the accused ranged from ruling party leaders, MLAs and ministers, many of whom were arrested and enlarged on bail. "Now, the court verdict has come, acquitting all the 69 accused in that incident. Along with the killings of the victims in those communal riots, even the judiciary and the Constitution have been murdered," Pawar said. Slamming the misuse of the central investigation agencies, he said that even in small villages for local disputes, people are now being threatened with ED. "The ED or CBI have become household names," he said. Continuing in the same context, he referred to a senior NCP leader, Anil Deshmukh who was arrested by the ED in late 2021 on charges of Rs 100-crore bribe, he spent 13 months in jail and the chargesheet mentioned barely donations of Rs 1.25-crore. Similarly, in the case of another NCP leader, Nawab Malik - stuck in jail for over 14 months, the news keeps coming that his bail plea is on another date, Pawar pointed out. Adopting the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) stance, Pawar demanded a probe into the Navi Mumbai tragedy of April 16 that left 14 dead after the 'Maharashtra Bhushan Award' 2022 was conferred on reformer Dattatreya Narayan Dharmadhikari by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. "It was a state government function and there was negligence in organising the event. An official will not give a report against his own administration, only a probe by a retired judge can bring out the truth," said Pawar. Referring to former Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik's comments, the NCP supremo alleged that so far no inquiry has been ordered into the terror strike of February 2019 that killed 40 CRPF personnel in Pulwama. Flanked by top NCP leaders, Pawar appealed to his party workers to start preparations for the upcoming civic, Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, and strengthen 'booth-level', and improve contact with the masses. Gurugram, April 21 : A joint team of Haryana Chief Minister's Flying Squad and Drug Department arrested a man for selling fake injections to cancer patients in Sector-52 Gurugram on Friday. The officials said they received information from secret sources that a fake cancer injection would be supplied to a cancer patient in Sector 52 Gurugram for Rs 2.5 lakh. When the team reached the spot, the information was found to be correct. During interrogation, the accused disclosed that earlier he had taken Rs 10 lakh for 10 injections from the same victim. The accused Sandeep Bhui, a native of Kolkata West Bengal, was caught with a Defibrotide (fake) injection used in cancer treatment, the officials said. When the raiding team demanded documents related to the injection, he failed to produce any paper. During questioning, the accused revealed that this injection was supplied by Motiur Rehman Ansari, a resident of Jamia Nagar South Delhi, and he works with him. "This injection is supplied from Italy. When the Italy company was informed by the Drugs Department through the mail, the Italy company informed that this injection was fake," they said. A case has been registered against the accused under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and other sections of the Copyright and Trademark Act 1957. "Motiur Rahman Ansari is a kingpin of this entire racket and the search is on to nab him. WHO has also issued an alert about this type of fake injection. It has been found that the accused have earned lakhs of rupees by selling fake injections in this manner," they added. The officials said that the case is very serious in nature because these are fake medicines and selling them to cancer patients could cause danger to life. Further investigations into the matter are underway. New Delhi, April 21 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) said on Friday that it has arrested a person named Varinder Pal Singh Dhoot, a former Naib Tehsildar, in a money-laundering case involving revenue officials and others who allegedly misallocated shares of panchayat land in Seonk village in SAS Nagar, Punjab, to the tune of more than 99 acres in the name of ineligible villagers and outsiders. The ED had initiated a PMLA case on the basis of an FIR registered by the Punjab Vigilance Bureau under various sections of Indian Penal Code and Prevention of Corruption Act. A charge sheet was also filed by the Vigilance Bureau against Dhoot and others. "Investigation has revealed that revenue officials, Dhoot and others falsely allotted shares of shamlat land in Seonk village in the name of six villagers. Subsequently, power of attorney was obtained by private property dealers from these villagers and on the basis of that, the property dealers in connivance with revenue officials sold shamlat land to non-eligible villagers and some outsiders," said the ED. The sale considerations were shared by the property dealers and revenue officials after giving small amounts to the villagers from whom the power of attorney was taken. During investigation, bank accounts maintained by Dhoot in his and his family members' names were scrutinised and unexplained credits to the tune of more than Rs 15 crore were found including cash credits of around Rs 8 crore. The investigation revealed that Dhoot had received funds in his relatives' bank accounts from the friends and relatives of the final purchaser and/or beneficial owners of the shamlat land. New Delhi, April 21 : The Delhi High Court on Friday listed, for July 18, the Association of Victims of Uphaar Tragedy (AVUT)'s revision petition challenging a trial court's order of reducing real estate magnates Sushil and Gopal Ansal's sentence for allegedly tampering with evidence in the 1997 tragedy from seven years to eight months. The plea seeks enhancement of punishment and the AVUT wanted the matter to be heard in priority. The matter was sent to the regular board of the High Court last year. Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani said the case has wider public law ramifications while directing that the other related matters like pleas by the Ansal brothers against their conviction be also listed on the same date. "The matter involves wider public law ramifications including those affecting the judicial system itself which require prioritisation. The application is allowed. "Renotify in July to verify whether the matter is ripe for hearing..It is made clear that the next date of hearing is not for final hearing. Such a date will be decided subsequently," the judge added. The High Court had, on January 25, issued a notice to Ansals and other convicts in this case. On November 8, 2021, a Delhi court awarded seven-year jail terms to the Ansal brothers in the tampering with evidence case and imposed a fine of Rs 2,25,00,000 on each. The rest were fined Rs 3 lakh each. On July 18, 2022, the Principal District and Sessions Judge of the Patiala House Courts upheld the order of conviction under Sections 409, 201 and 120B of the IPC passed by the trial court against the Ansals, Dinesh Chandra Sharma (Ahlmad, who was charged with tampering of a document) and P.P. Batra, except Anoop Singh as he was acquitted of all charges. The following day, the court passed the order on sentence and reduced the sentence of seven years to the period already undergone i.e eight months and 12 days. "We empathise with you (AVUT). Many lives were lost, which can never be compensated. But you must understand that penal policy is not about retribution. We have to consider their (Ansals) age. You have suffered, but they have also suffered," the judge had said. The AVUT's plea said that the district judge has failed to consider that the offence of tampering is extremely serious in nature as it affects the entire criminal justice system. The plea stated that the sessions court failed to consider that this is a case which shatters the confidence of the public at large in the criminal justice system and it requires a maximum sentence so that it works as a deterrent for others who even dream of tampering with the court record in future. "The Ansal brothers misused the liberty granted to them in the main case and tampered with the evidence after hatching criminal conspiracy with the court staff," stated the plea. For the 59 victims' families, Neelam and Shekhar Krishnamoorthy, who lost their two teenaged children formed AVUT on June 30, 1997, barely 17 days after the tragedy struck. New Delhi, April 21 : In an incident creating shock and tension, a woman was shot multiple times and seriously injured by an assailant wearing a lawyer's garb in the Saket Court premises in south Delhi on Friday morning, police said. The victim, M. Radha, in her 40s, is now in stable condition while the accused, identified as Kameshwar Kumar Singh, was arrested by the Delhi Police's Crime Branch from Faridabad in neighbouring in Haryana. Singh, a resident of Chattarpur and a lawyer who is presently debarred, had entered the court complex wearing a lawyer's attire and carryngd a gun. As per a video of the incident, going viral on social media, Singh can be seen running after the woman and shooting her. The woman is screaming and several people, including lawyers can be seen standing nearby. Radha received two bullet injuries in abdomen and one in the hand and she was taken to Max Saket hospital, where she was discharged after the treatment on Friday evening. As per eyewitness, a total of 4-5 rounds were fired and the accused escaped through the court canteen's back entry. According to Special Commissioner of Police, Crime Branch, Ravindra Singh Yadav, on technical surveillance, it was found that the last location of accused person was in area of Surya Nagar, Ismailpur, Faridabad. "Two separate teams had already raided the address of the accused person in Chhatarpur, but the house was found locked. The quick action by the team sent to Faridabad yielded results, when they spotted the scooty of accused person in Surya Nagar, Faridabad," he said. The contacts of the accused person were analyzed and one of contact was found in Surya Nagar, Faridabad and the scooty was also spotted in the same area. "Immediately, the house was raided and Singh was found hidden in the house. He was interrogated, wherein he disclosed involvement in the shooting," said the Special CP. On interrogation, Singh disclosed that he is a practising advocate at Saket Court, but Bar Council has suspended his licence for three years till 2024. As per the Special CP, the accused claims that he gave Rs 25 lakh "friendly" loan to Radha, but she did not repay a single penny. Singh had lodged the FIR last year in November against Radha and advocate Rajendra Jha under Sections 406 (Punishment for criminal breach of trust), 420 (cheating), 120 B (criminal conspiracy), and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code at the Saket police station. According to the FIR accessed by IANS, Jha, along with Radha, hatched a criminal conspiracy in order to "cheat, defraud, embezzle at large scope to the public at large". "Jha showed me a very good plan of investment of money in which money was paid at a very high rate of interest, i.e., @ 20-40 per cent per month. He and Radha are in collusion with each other and have induced so many persons and cheated them at large scale," Singh said, as per the FIR. "Jha introduced me to M. Radha and said to me that she is the person who grows/makes the investment very high. Jha told me that Radha will do everything to multiply the invested money at a very high rate of interest. She is the financing director/controller for investors," read the FIR. "I flatly refused the above said plan of Jha and denied to pay even a single penny in such transaction. Then Jha lured me saying that I need not to enter into any transaction of this plan but Radha is in dire need of money now and he had no money to give her so if I give her a sum of Rs 25 lakh as a friendly loan, for which he is the guarantor to repay the said amount with 20 per cent interest, saying that if she will not pay them he shall pay the same," the FIR stated. "Trusting fully upon the assurances by Jha, I made payment of Rs 25 lakh to Radha," read the FIR.A As per the FIR the amount was transferred on different dates from April 30, 2022 to August 1, 2022 through cheque and RTGS. "A amount of Rs 6,75,000 was paid in cash to Jha who gave the said money to Radha in Jha's chamber in Saket Court Complex," the FIR added. Singh said that "both the persons have hatched a conspiracy against me, defrauded me heavily and grossly cheated me in a sum of Rs 25 lakh along with interest @ 20 per cent per month thereon". "Jha and Radha have only paid me Rs 3,00,000 through the RTGS facility and no further money was paid to me thereafter. They have grossly violated the terms and conditions of my investment," read the FIR. During interrogation, Singh further disclosed that he warned her that if she did not return the money, he will kill her in the court in front of everyone. The Special CP said that on Friday, Radha had come to attend a court matter at Saket Court and the accused stopped her near the lawyer's chamber and asked her to return his money but she refused. Thereafter, he took the licensed revolver of his private security guard Ajay and fired four rounds at her. "Thereafter, he ran away from the spot and hid himself at Surya Nagar, Ismailpur, Faridabad. All the disclosures made by the accused are subject to verification and corroboration during investigation," said the official. Kolkata, April 21 : A team of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), escorted by a large contingent of central armed forces personnel, is conducting raid since Friday evening at the residence of Trinamool Congress legislator Tapas Saha in connection with the multi-crore teachers' recruitment scam in West Bengal. Till the time of filing of this report, the raid and search operations at the MLA's office and residence had been going on for over three hours. The CBI probe against Saha had been initiated following an order by the Calcutta High Court on April 18, which noted that since the state police refused to act on the allegations about Saha's involvement in the recruitment scam, the probe in the matter is fit to be handed over to the CBI. It is learnt that after reaching Saha's residence, the CBI officials immediately took possession of his mobile phone, probably taking lessons from another Trinamool MLA Jiban Krishna Saha, who has been arrested in the same scam, throwing his two cellphones in a pond adjacent to his house as soon as the CBI team reached there to conduct a raid. Saha is the fourth Trinamool MLA to come under the scanner of central agencies in connection with the recruitment scam after former Education Minister Partha Chatterjee, ex-Chairman of West Bengal Board of Primary Education Manik Bhattacharya and Jiban Krishna Saha. While Chatterjee and Bhattacharya are currently in judicial custody, Jiban Krishna Saha is in the custody of CBI. Oting : , April 21 (IANS) Hlaing Konyak, 22, says he is a changed man since the last two years. But he hastens to add that, "I have also befriended some strangers I never liked in the past but now share black tea with them every evening." Oting in Mon district had courted ill-fate and controversy in December 2021 when in a botched up operation 21 paratroopers from neighbouring Assam had killed innocuous coal mine workers from the hitherto little known village. To Hlaing (name changed to be precise), 'strangers' are Assam Rifles officers and jawans. To Hlaing's friends and parents the 'change' is welcome as he was a victim of alcoholism for years. On ground friendship with Assam Rifles personnel have been able to bring out the talented volleyball player in him. Now on ground Oting offers a different picture and there is a "modest" bonhomie between Assam Rifles and the local villagers. Village Council chairman, Longwang Konyak, also endorses the neo-friendship. But he is a man with pain in his heart. "Difficult to forget what happened on Dec 4, 2021. It was a nightmare for us. But I believe in Jesus Christ and so I say, let us forgive and move ahead. The family who suffered of course cannot forget nor forgive." A visit to the village in circa 2023 gives one a pensive experience with melancholy. The victims of the December 2021 catastrophe included a graduate too; and the sad part of the tale is that he has lost his 'thumb'. "Raasta beya asey, kopal toh besi beya asey (You are saying the road to my village is bad. It is true, but our luck is worse)," laments Village Council chairman Longwang recalling some of these nightmares. But Longwang, 61, wants the villagers to get back to normalcy. This is why he refers to the 'experience' of Hlaing. I tried to interact with a few Assam Rifles personnel posted in the small camp at the village gate. One of them --- also a tribal soldier -- agrees with the story of 'black tea (or fika cha) of Hlaing. But the soldier says Hlaing is not alone. There are many Naga youth in the Oting village now who have developed a 'taste' for black tea offered by soldiers after the regular volleyball match they play every afternoon. The soldier adds other information. "Nagas are very hospitable people and Konyaks will probably top the list. They relish our black tea and whenever we are in the village compound for regular development projects like establishing the water tanks, we get mugs full of milk tea," he says. On the return journey from the village, our vehicle got stuck up for a while just outside the village area -- thanks to the pathetic road with potholes and a bed of stones. One was little surprised to find two sets of people -- the Assam Rifles soldiers accompanied local boys rushing in to our 'rescue'. Some of them looked thirsty and tired, smouldering in the heat but they spotted that infectious smile Nagas are famous for. One was convinced, friendship has set in between two sets of people -- who were probably identified by each other as 'rivals if not enemies' even a few months back. However, all these did not come easily. The powerful Eastern Nagaland Public Organisation (ENPO) had given a clarion call for boycott of "non cooperation" with all central security forces operating in Nagaland in December 2021. But in April 2022 -- that is after almost four months, the ENPO withdrew their non-cooperation policy. And yet again despite several welfare projects being taken up by Assam Rifles, the villagers "offered land for an AR company operating base" only in December 2022. "The Government of India also admitted the major lapse in army operation during the December 4, 2021 incident. Now they say the Standard of Operations for the army has been reviewed. Home Minister Amit Shah has agreed to grant us the Autonomous Council. So, we are giving land to Assam Rifles. Moreover, Assam Rifles reports directly to Shah, we can always share our grievances to him," says one villager on the condition of anonymity. Deputy Angh of Oting Village, Chengwang konyak, clarifies: "Do not mix up matters. The Frontier Nagaland is something we want, and about security forces what went on in December 2021, people still cannot forget the agony. Now Assam Rifles is doing some good developmental work. We did not ask for it." Official sources say the Assam Rifles through Military Civic Action Projects under Operation Sadbhavana worth Rs 45 lakh will be taken up from time to time. "This is in addition to construction of two reinforced concrete cement reservoirs of 1,50,000 litre capacity for Rs 35 lakh," says one AR personnel adding that a similar quantum of Rs 45-50 lakh development works are planned for the upcoming year as well. Locals say various development projects are probably not enough to bridge the gap that got engulfed recently. I posed this question to Assam Rifles personnel. Initially they did not have any answer or did not want to respond without clearance from their bosses. At the later stage one was told that the Assam Rifles choir team has befriended locals and even performed during a Sunday service. One particular Assam Rifles man's performance was unique and so impressive that at the end of the programme, several locals congratulated him warmly. The top guns in Assam Rifles in Kohima and Dimapur have also taken note of the December 4, 2021 incident and the subsequent efforts being made by one of their battalions to rebuild the bond. One Naga woman in nearby Wangla village sums up the story of Assam Rifles's friendship with locals very well. "You must be aware that Indian army people say Assam Rifles are like friends of the hill people. Now these friends are trying to re-establish the bond". Nevertheless, local Nagas still have their complaints and apprehensions. A number of youths one interacted at district town Mon said, the Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) is a draconian law and should be withdrawn from all civilian areas in Nagaland and especially from the Tuensang-Mon region. Maj Gen Vikas Lakhera, GoC - Assam Rifles in Nagaland, was out of station when a brief interaction was sought. "The Assam Rifles is investing in building new bonds with the youth of tomorrow by training selected local boys from Oting and nearby areas for various employment opportunities including those for Agniveers," one junior official said speaking on the condition of anonymity. "The directives to us from the Defence ministry and Army headquarters are clear, even a single instance of human rights violation is totally unacceptable. Oting was a really bad thing to happen. If villagers lament it as a nightmare, for the forces the agony was deep. A few Assam Rifles jawans wept that night trying to conceal their emotions from senior officers." In Delhi, sources have stated that the government is fully committed to uphold human rights at all times. In fact, the source went on to add, respecting human rights for Assam Rifles is not simply a moral and a legal necessity, but also a crucial strategic imperative. There is already a policy of 'Zero Tolerance' towards any instance of human rights violation, the men in uniform only ought to ensure that such a policy exists in letter and spirit, and not merely on papers. Guwahati, April 21 : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday criticised the Congress for handling the harassment allegations levelled by the state unit Youth Congress chief Angkita Dutta against the national president of party's youth wing, Srinivas B.V., in an "improper way". He warned that police would intervene in the matter if the Congress party failed to solve it. Sarma also criticised the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee for handling Dutta's complaint in an "improper manner". "The way Assam Congress is dealing with the whole situation is very unfortunate. They need to solve the problem. I still believe that it is the Congress party's internal matter. "However, if they cannot find a proper solution to it, police will take action as per law. The National Commission of Women has already written to Assam DGP on this issue," he added. Meanwhile, Angkita Dutta submitted her statement in the Chief Judicial Magistrate court on Friday. She has lodged a complaint in Dispur police station in Guwahati against the national president of India Youth Congress, Srinivas BV for harassment. Meanwhile, Assam unit Congress president Bhupen Borah said that Dutta has not been suspended from the party. She submitted her reply to the show cause notice within time. Borah said: "We have received an answer from Angkita Dutta and sent it to the All India Congress Committee. We have been waiting for a reply from their end." New Delhi, April 21 : A Delhi court on Friday reserved its order on Chariot Productions Media Pvt Ltd Director Rajesh Joshi's bail application in connection with the excise policy-related money laundering case being probed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Joshi is accused of running the Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) campaign during the 2022 Goa Assembly polls. On conclusion of rebuttal arguments on Joshi's bail plea, Special Judge M. K. Nagpal of the Rouse Avenue Court said that the court will pass order on it on April 28. "The bail application of co-accused Manish Sisodia is fixed for consideration/ clarifications/ orders on April 26 and bail application of another accused Gautam Malhotra is fixed for the same purpose on April 28," the judge said. "Order on the bail application of Sisodia is already under dictation. Hence, this application is also directed to be listed on April 28 with the bail application of Malhotra for consideration/ clarifications/ orders." Joshi was arrested on February 8 and is currently in judicial custody. In the ED's charge sheet, it is said that a part of the alleged Rs 100 crore "kickbacks" generated in the scrapped Delhi excise policy were "used" in the 2022 Goa Assembly election campaign of the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP. The ED's money laundering case stems from a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)'s First Information Report. Music has become liquid in the age of access, wrote Italian tech journalists Gianluigi Bonanomi and Renzo Zonin in their 2014 book, Musica liquida. They borrowed the expression from sociologist Zygmunt Bauman, who first used it to describe the rising tide of streaming music offered by online platforms like Spotify and Deezer that was quickly submerging the reliable compact disc. Bonanomi and Zonins book explores the commercial transformation of property into access, alluding to American economist Jeremy Rifkins theories in The Age of Access (2001). Its a new world where large commercial networks rent online content for a subscription fee, and where we no longer talk about buyers and sellers, but about users and providers. Since Rifkin wrote his book over 20 years ago, this reality quickly spread to audiovisual products offered by Netflix and other, and to digital books (audiobooks and ebooks from Storytel and others). But the age of access was better suited to popular music because streaming platforms categorize music using very few attributes (or metadata): artist, album name and song title. These three attributes are enough to find a track by Rosalia or Beyonce quickly, but not a specific recording of Beethovens Emperor Concerto. Dozens of performers have recorded this composition, and some more than once. A streaming music platform should at least allow searching by composer, composition, catalog number, movement and performers. Apple came to the rescue when it launched a new iPhone application on March 28 called Apple Music Classical. The tech giant realized it needed a solution when it rolled out a new Apple Music feature in May 2021 called spatial audio (using Dolby Atmos) that provides an immersive sound experience similar to Deezers 360 Reality Audio and Tidals audio quality. Apple Music also began offering lossless high-resolution sound files without increasing subscription fees, unlike other platforms. A few months later, Apple bought Primephonic, an Amsterdam-based startup offering a streaming classical music experience through an attractive and intuitive app that addressed the metadata problem. Primephonic specialized in classical music and was helmed by Guy Jones, a former head of digital projects at the London Symphony and creator of Touchpresss successful classical music apps The Orchestra and Beethovens 9th Symphony. Apple Music Classical leveraged the Primephonic teams expertise to provide an enhanced experience for classical music lovers. Its now easier to find a classical album with just a few search terms. For example, entering Beethoven 5 Uchida instantly produces the two recordings of the Anglo-Japanese pianists performances, and recommends other recordings of the same composition. Apple Music Classical has the largest online catalog of classical music five million tracks versus Spotifys two million. It includes no less than 971 recordings of the Emperor Concerto, some in high-definition and Dolby Atmos. Screenshot of Apple Music Classical's browser. Apple However, theres still some work to be done. Apples catalog does not distinguish between recordings and releases, as the same classical recording can have multiple editions. It confuses the recording year with release year, and doesnt distinguish complete compositions and fragments, unlike the IDAGIO platform. In fact, the 917 versions of the Emperor Concerto in Apple Classical Musics search results include dozens of duplicates and fragments. While Apples high definition claims to reach a 192 kHz sampling frequency, in reality, it almost never exceeds 44.1 kHz (the same as a CD). Other platforms like Qobuz have much better high-definition catalogs. Apple Music Classicals jewel in the crown is its browser, a new feature that offers an admirable navigation system specially designed for classical music. A user can search by catalog, playlist or instrument, and then choose to search by composer, period, genre or performer (conductors, orchestras, soloists, ensembles and choirs). A search of Johann Sebastian Bach produces three popular compositions, along with the latest releases and a brief biography. But something interesting happens when we tap on View all 1224 works. We can access his entire musical output and sort it by BWV number (a number that uniquely identifies a Bach composition), popularity, name and tonality. Then we can filter the results by genre (orchestral, vocal, etc.). The catalog of playlists is immense one can search by mood, must-have recording (by composers and performers), historical period, instrument and ensemble. There are also playlists created by the artists themselves with short, text descriptions of the listening experience. For example, violinist Joshua Bell has an engaging personal playlist called Life-changing music, and cellist Yo-Yo Ma created one appealing to human connections called What unites us. A digital portrait of Ludwig von Beethoven created for the Apple Classical Music app. Apple The Listen menu offers another path to playlists, new releases and various editorial selections such as must-have albums, albums we love and hidden gems. Beginners will find a Guy Jones-narrated history of podcast music called The Story of Classical. Knowledgeable aficionados can access a series of exclusive recordings in Dolby Atmos thanks to Apples licensing agreements with the worlds leading orchestras and opera houses. The Song by song feature (why not call it Track by track?) offers performer commentaries on their own recordings, like Hilary Hahn discussing her latest Bach solo violin album (Decca). Everything in this new application bears the Apple quality and design imprimatur. Dozens of covers were created for playlists, including 55 exclusive digital portraits of major composers. Instead of Apple Musics usual San Francisco font, the New York font gives the app a retro look and feel. This new app from the Cupertino, California tech giant substantially improves the classical music experience in the age of (streaming) access. Beginners can quickly find their way, veterans can easily locate favorite recordings, and experts can explore new horizons. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition New Delhi, April 22 : The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday visited the Poonch-Rajouri highway in Jammu and Kashmir where an army vehicle was attacked by terrorists on Thursday following which five soldiers were killed. "Three out of five who attacked the army vehicle are probably Pakistani and two are local terrorists. After hurling grenades, they fled in a vehicle," a source in the know of things said. According to sources, "the main purpose of the attack was to disturb the G20 meeting which is being held in India". "They wanted to give a message that India is vulnerable," a source said. Terrorists attacked an army vehicle around 3 p.m. on Thursday. They fired at the vehicle followed by a grenade attack which resulted in the vehicle catching fire. Five soldiers identified as Havaldar Mandeep Singh, Sepoy Harkrishan Singh, Lance Naik Kulwant Singh, Sepoy Sewak Singh -- all four from Punjab, and Lance Naik Debashish of Odisha were killed in the attack while another soldier was critically injured. Bengaluru, April 22 : A video showing a farmer wiping Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cutout with his towel has gone viral on social media. Sharing the video from his twitter handle, Union Home Minister Amit Shah described it as a 'beautiful' video. The video was captured on Friday evening ahead of Shah's roadshow in Devanahalli of Karnataka. The roadshow was cancelled due to rain. However, once the rain stopped, the farmer was seen wiping Prime Minister Modi's cutout placed at the venue. When the man, who captured the video, asked the farmer whether he was paid to do the job, the farmer furiously responded, "It is love and trust. Do you think Modi has done nothing? Modi is god...." Retweeting the video shared by Karnataka BJP, Shah said: "The unwavering trust in PM @narendramodi Ji and the selfless affection for him is what the BJP has earned and it is its source of strength. Have a look at this beautiful video from Devanahalli, Karnataka." Addis Ababa, April 22 : Some 12 million children in Eastern and Southern Africa missed out entirely or partially on routine immunisation from 2019 to 2021, the United Nations Children's Fund, or Unicef, has disclosed. Unicef, in its report entitled "State of the World's Children 2023: For Every Child, Vaccination - Regional Brief: Eastern and Southern Africa" issued late Thursday, said immunisation is "one of humanity's most remarkable success stories. It has saved countless lives". Figures from Unicef show that globally, an estimated 67 million children missed out entirely or partially on routine immunisation from 2019 to 2021. In Eastern and Southern Africa, this figure is 12 million children, Xinhua news agency reported. "As these children pass the age when vaccines are routinely given, it will require a dedicated effort to ensure that they catch up with their vaccinations," Unicef said. Noting that immunisation allows children everywhere to live lives free of many forms of disability and illness, Unicef said immunisation has led to the eradication of smallpox, a disfiguring and often fatal disease that in the 20th century alone claimed an estimated 300 million lives. "There has been remarkable progress, too, towards eradicating polio. The power of immunisation was demonstrated again in the Covid-19 pandemic," the report said. It said the backsliding in immunisation highlighted that the story of zero-dose and under-vaccinated children is overwhelmingly a story of inequities. "The children who are not vaccinated are also often the children of mothers who have not been able to go to school and who are given little say in family and spending decisions," Unicef said. It said immunisation is key to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3, which aims to "ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages." It is also linked to 13 of the other SDGs. "In that sense, immunization is at the heart of our collective commitment to achieve a better and more sustainable future for us all," Unicef said. Paris, April 22 : A court in Paris, almost 43 years after the deadly bombing of a Paris synagogue, has convicted a Lebanese-Canadian university professor of carrying out the attack in which four people were killed and 38 others wounded. The judges ruled that Hassan Diab, 69, was the man who planted the motorcycle bomb in the Rue Copernic on 3 October 1980. They gave him a life sentence. Diab refused to attend the trial and called his situation "Kafkaesque". Prosecutors had argued it was "beyond possible doubt" that he was behind the bombing. His supporters have condemned the trial as "manifestly unfair", the BBC reported. The Rue Copernic attack was the first to target Jews in France since World War Two, and became a template for many other similar attacks linked to militants in the Middle East in the years that followed, the British news broadcaster said in a report. Diab is a Lebanese of Palestinian origin who obtained Canadian nationality in 1993 and teaches sociology in Ottawa. He was first named as a suspect on the basis of new evidence in 1999. Eight years later, the French issued an international arrest warrant, and it was not until 2014 that Canada agreed to extradite. But in 2018 French magistrates declared the case closed for lack of proof, allowing Diab to return to Canada. In 2021, an appeal against the closure of the case was upheld in the Supreme Court and a trial began earlier this month. From the start Diab, protested his innocence and he did not return to France for the trial, which was conducted in his absence. His conviction means that a second extradition request will have to follow, though with strong doubts over whether it will succeed. According to the Canadian Press news agency, Diab said on Friday that "we hoped reason would prevail". Claiming that 15 years of legal "nightmare... is now fully exposed in its overwhelming cruelty and injustice", the Hassan Diab Support Committee in Canada has called on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to make it "absolutely clear" that no second extradition would be accepted. Thousand Faces celebrated the first graduates of its Female Founders Accelerator Program with an virtual awards ceremony on Thursday, April 20 In web3, we always win when we walk together...Each woman has a responsibility to inspire even more women in the space to lead the change," said Sebastien Borget. Thousand Faces, a community-based investment club helping female entrepreneurs build sustainable businesses, have announced the three award winners in their first Female Founders Accelerator Program. These three winners, culled to six finalists from an initial group of more than 220 applicants from 76 countries, were selected by Thousand Faces Founding Member Board and its community of more than 4000 members and investors. The winners are: Majik Water (Kenya)- Founded by Kenyan entrepreneur Beth Koigi, Magik Water is a social enterprise that offers clean water technology to provide access to clean drinking water in arid and semi-arid regions through air-to-water technology and devices. CONCAT Tech (UK and Lebanon) - A web development company founded by Laura Jardine Paterson, CONCAT provides long-term, sustainable employment opportunities for marginalized communities. Kleiderly (Germany) - Founded by inventor Alina Bassi, Kleiderly recycles unwanted textile waste and turns it into a patented plastic alternative. Other finalists receiving non-cash awards are: Jonda Health (Singapore)- Founded by Suhina Singh, Jonda Health is a health tech company with an AI tech stack that enables the ingestion, standardization and flow of health data from various sources, within the ecosystem while preserving data sovereignty to improve care. Salubata (Nigeria)- Founded by Yewande Adebowale Akinse, Salubata makes customizable, modular shoes made from recycled plastic waste. Biiah (UK) - An employee wellness program (virtual and in-person), founded by Xann Schwinn, Biiah helps people improve their health by establishing a daily singing routine. Less than 2% of total VC funding in the world goes to female founders and only 30% of climate-related decisions are made by women, but its proven that female-led organizations are more than twice as profitable; they generate more innovation and build more sustainable businesses, respecting people and the planet, said Moojan Ashgari, CEO and co-founder of Thousand Faces, during the award ceremony that took place on April 20. Were here to fund more female founders and help them build their impact projects and we are thankful to all of our partners and all of the amazing people at these companies who are here to support us on our mission. Today is a very important day for us as we celebrate the outstanding work and achievements of the admirable founders who are graduating from our Female Founders program. They each have a unique personal story that has inspired me, our team and our community, Ashgari continued. Criteria for selection include SDG impact, product innovation and potential for product success, strength of the team (leadership and potential). The awards are sponsored by Web3-based gaming platform The SandBox, Web3 artist community World of Womens WoW Foundation, Web3 domain registrar Unstoppable Domains, and French public investment bank BPI France. The winners were determined over the course of the three-month program based on their performance through several rounds of pitches, workshops, demos and one-on-one mentoring. In addition to the top three winners each receiving $10,000 grants, tall finalists will receive a $250 credit from Unstoppable Women of Web3, promotion via social media and the Thousand Faces Thousand Voices podcast and website, a Thousand Faces NFT and continuous support in fundraising throughout the year. The awards ceremony was held virtually yesterday and can be watched on-demand at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwpN5_fimlg. In addition to Thousand Faces CEO and founder Moojan Ashgari, speakers included Sebastien Borget, Co-founder and COO of the Sandbox, Cynthia Hass, Director of the WoW Foundation, and Dr. Animo Emuwa from 100 Woman Davos. This is all part of a journey. All this knowledge that weve pushed together, to present, to pitch and to ready a product for launch in market, at the end of the day its not really the awards that matter, its about the results we deliver and the impact we drive, said Sebastien Borget. In web3, we always win when we walk together. Its important as entrepreneurs to find synergies in what youre doing to cross-promote and help each other and leverage an event like today to support everyone. Each woman has a responsibility to inspire even more women in the space to lead the change. The Female Founder Accelerator Program is a three-month program that brings together experts in different fields to deliver a startup curriculum designed exclusively to support and foster female founders building early-stage businesses supporting Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The curriculum covers business classes crucial to startup success, including business plan creation, team building, leadership, marketing and sales, branding, product development, finance, legal support and fundraising, as well as classes that support wellness and emotional well-being. About Thousand Faces Headquartered in Paris, Thousand Faces exclusive Web3 community-based Investment Club and DAO is committed to helping women entrepreneurs build SDG-focused companies. Founded by Iranian sisters, entrepreneur Moojan Asghari and artist Niousha Asghari, its mission is to democratize funding for the underfunded and excluded. Thousand Faces aims to be a first source of funding for entrepreneurs around the globe to launch companies that make the world a better place. Lifelong membership is open to holders of Thousand Faces original NFTs and founding membership is reserved for members cleared for the membership AllowList. Minting is now open at https://mint.thousandfaces.art/. Following more than three years of pandemic restrictions, China fully re-opened its borders to international travelers in mid-March, and the Nanjing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism is welcoming curious travelers to consider Nanjing for upcoming trips. Here are just a few Nanjing travel highlights that will delight visitors to this sophisticated city of ancient greatness: Cherry Blossoms Transform Historical Sites into Magical Wonderlands Each spring from March through mid-April, picture-perfect cherry trees provide a fragrant backdrop to some of Nanjings most famous landmarks. Some of the most popular locales to view the blossoms include Cherry Avenue at Jiming Temple, one of the oldest, most-visited Buddhist temples in Nanjing; Chaotian Palace where the blossoms pop against red walls and glazed roof tiles; and Mufu Hill where more than 5,000 trees are located, creating a spring canopy like none other. Visitors to Nanjing can get even more out of their cherry blossom experience by visiting the Muyan Riverside Scenic Chery Blossom Viewing Area, built along the Yangtze River offering two miles of viewing pleasure. There are over 5,000 cherry blossom trees planted alongside the river and the area has even earned its title as the Largest Number of Cherry Blossom Trees at the Riverside Pathway, by World Record Certification (WRCA.) Seasonal Festivals Celebrate Local Culture and Customs Festivals provide an educational and immersive way to experience Nanjing. On June 222, the shores of Mochou Lake draw thousands of spectators for the annual Dragon Boat Festival an annual holiday celebrated throughout China. Dragon boat races, the most important activity of the festival, date back more than 2,500 years, and feature quick paddling teams accompanied by the sound of beating drums. It is said that the winning team will have good luck and a happy life in the following year. When fall rolls around, travelers can tempt their tastebuds with one of Chinas most unique delicacies during the Hairy Crab Festival. Crabs are harvested locally from Gucheng Lake, one of Chinas best breeding grounds for the rich and buttery fur-fringed crustaceans, which can be found on menus across Nanjing. Travelers planning further ahead can consider visiting during the Qinhuai International Lantern Festival on February 24, 2024, when hundreds of thousands of red lanterns illuminate the Confucius Temple area of Nanjing to mark the end of the Chinese New Year celebration. New Luxury Hotels on the Horizon With travel in full swing, Nanjing will welcome several new hotels to provide the ultimate home base to explore all the city has to offer. Opening its doors in May 2023 in the eclectic Hexi area, Andaz Nanjing Hexi is the latest luxury lifestyle hotel from Hyatt that blends Nanjings rich culture with the vibrant character of this modern neighborhood. Offering all the amenities world travelers expect from a luxury hotel, Andaz Nanjing Hexi is conveniently located near some of the citys most popular destinations, including Zhongshan Mountain National Park, Qinhuai Scenic Area, the Nanjing Museum, and more. International hotel brands including Conrad Hotels and Resorts, the iconic luxury hotel brand of Hilton; Marriott Hotels & Resorts; and Mandarin Oriental also have properties in the works. Additional hotels on the horizon include a new luxury landmark from Capella Hotel Group and W Nanjing, both scheduled to open in 2025. About Nanjing Nanjing, the capital of Jiangsu Province, is situated in the Yangtze River Delta area 190 miles northwest of Shanghai. Recognized as one of the four great ancient capitals of China, Nanjing has served as the capital city of 10 Chinese dynasties and regimes for a total of more than 1,800 years. A sophisticated metropolis and a modern center of history, education, and culture, Nanjing is home to some of the countrys most significant historical attractions such as the Xiaoling Tomb of the Ming Dynasty, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; Dr. Sun Yat-sens Mausoleum; The Presidential Palace; and a City Wall that dates back more than 600 years. Popular attractions also include Chinas oldest public library and one of the countrys first museums, the Nanjing Museum. Nanjing is accessible by Nanjing Lukou International Airport (NKG) with daily flights from North America. Three train stations Nanjing Railway Station, Nanjing South Railway Station, and Nanjing West Railway Station connect Nanjing to all of Chinas major cities, including Shanghai, which is a 90- minute ride via bullet train or three hours by car. For more information on Nanjing, visit http://www.gotonanjing.com/ or follow the destination on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or YouTube at @GoToNanjing. APIA Scholars (Asian Pacific Islander American Scholars), with the support of 281 organizations and individuals in higher education, policy, and the AANHPI community, sent a letter to members of Congress to urge for increased funding for Asian American and Native American Pacific-Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs). AANAPISIs have been historically underfunded since their inception in 2007, and the least funded among other Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs). AANAPISIs enroll a high number of AANHPI students and provide culturally-relevant supports and services that positively impact ANHPI student success. In recent years, APIA Scholars has spearheaded a steering committee to build a coalition and support for AANAPISIs, directed research and recommendations on the impact of these institutions, as well as led the letters of support to Congress to push for increased funding. Most recently in FY2023, that effort has resulted in an increase in discretionary funding for AANAPISIs from $10 million to more than $18 million per year, an almost 70% increase over FY 2022. While the FY 2023 increase was encouraging, it is important to note that it still falls short of equitable funding. To equitably fund AANAPISIs at the level of comparable MSIs, funding totaling $100 million per year under Title III and Title V, Parts A and F would be required. To that end, the most recent sign-on letter urges policymakers to continue making strides toward educational equity in the future by supporting increased funding to the equitable level. About APIA Scholars Based in Washington, D.C., and founded in 2003, APIA Scholars (Asian Pacific Islander American Scholars) is the nations leading non-profit organization devoted to the academic, personal, and professional success of Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander students. We celebrate our community of students whose unique stories, rich cultures, and diverse perspectives equip them to be the leaders of tomorrow. Through scholarships, higher education research and policy, and institutional partnerships, APIA Scholars carries out its mission to educate, elevate, and empower a diverse community of 25 million strong and growing. For more information about APIA Scholars, please visit us at http://www.apiascholars.org. As the world shifts towards more sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation options, the electric vehicle (EV) industry has been on a steady rise. This growth has been facilitated by several factors, including government incentives, increased consumer demand, & advancements in technology. One important factor that is somewhat overlooked is the critical role that the manufacturing industry plays in supporting the growth of the EV industry. As a manufacturer supplying metal components to the EV industry, DeWys Metal Solutions is at the forefront of this movement and aware of the most recent development in the EV Industry. The Made in America rules supporting the Buy American Act for federally funded EV chargers requires all processes for iron or steel charger enclosures be made in the United States effective immediately. DeWys understands the lengthy process and time it can take to review supply chains, manufacturing processes, and move production from one supplier to the next all while complying with the mandated rules. In a recent article from autoblog.com, a variety of EV Charging Companies spoke out about their concerns with the immediate changes and how they are navigating the implementation of these new rules. Thor Anderson from Arizonas Department of Transportation said Buy America is likely to be another constraint in terms of how fast we can get the stations out. Everybody is going to be looking to install new charging stations at once to thats going to put a lot of pressure on the manufacturing of chargers. As a trusted contract manufacturer supporting the renewable energy industry, DeWys is an essential part of this movement. The company is well positioned to embrace the opportunities presented by the Made in America Act as well as support the production capacity gap in the United States. Headquartered in the greater Grand Rapids, MI area, the company has over 45 years of experience with product development, laser cutting, metal forming & bending, machining, powder coating, and assembly. These metal fabrication solutions will allow DeWys to meet domestic requirements of the act while supplying high quality metal components for EV Chargers. Sources: https://www.autoblog.com/2023/03/21/ev-chargers-usa-built-rule/ https://www.gao.gov/products/105519 https://highways.dot.gov/newsroom/biden-harris-administration-announces-latest-steps-deliver-national-network-convenient Samantha Vincent and Cara Shine On Wednesday, April 19, The Archer School for Girls presented its twelfth annual Archer Film Festival empowering young, underrepresented voices in film. The event, held at the Writers Guild Theater in Beverly Hills, included a screening of finalist films and featured a Q&A with President of One Race Films Samantha Vincent and Good Pals production company co-founder Cara Shine. Festival organizers received more than 300 student-produced film submissions from over 50 countries around the world. Event sponsors included The Kennedy/Marshall Company, the Katie McGrath & JJ Abrams Family Foundation, Mark Gordon Pictures, Paramount, Skybound, and Tara & Marc Guggenheim. SAMANTHA VINCENT is President of One Race Films, the film, television, and video game production company that has grossed over $5 billion since 2009 under her leadership. She has produced the last two installments of the Fast & Furious franchise, F9: The Fast Saga and most recently Fast X releasing May 19, 2023, and executive produced Fate of the Furious, Furious 7, Fast & Furious 6, Fast Five, and Fast & Furious. Additional credits include The Last Witch Hunter (Executive Producer), Riddick (Executive Producer), and xXx: Return of Xander Cage (Producer). Vincent drove the companys platform expansion into gaming with The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay and the original title Wheelman, representing two of the companys most successful gaming endeavors. Beyond film and video games, Vincent shepherded the company into the digital arena with the groundbreaking micro-budget series The Ropes. Vincent is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. She is a Board Director for Private School Axis in Los Angeles and Westbeth Artists Housing in New York. She holds a masters degree in Educational Policy from Harvard University. CARA SHINE teamed up with friend and former colleague Rebecca Miller in 2020 to launch the production company Good Pals. Their first foray together, The Fallout written and directed by Megan Park and starring Jenna Ortega, Shailene Woodley, John Ortiz, and Maddie Zeigler, debuted at the 2020 SXSW Film Festival and won all the top prizes in the Narrative Feature category, including the Grand Jury Award, The Brightcove Directing Award, and Audience Award. It was sold in a lucrative deal to HBO Max and debuted on January 27, 2022. They wrapped production recently on a Welsh-set Christmas comedy starring Brittany Snow and Lucas Bravo. In addition to this, the pair have also set up Simon Peggs directorial debut at Paramount, which is based on a novel by Michelle Paver and aims to shoot in 2024. In partnership with The Exchange and with Hannah MacPherson set to direct, Shine and Miller are producing the highly anticipated elevated genre film See How They Run by Lily Hollander, which came in 2nd on the 2021 Blacklist. Good Pals has also partnered with Architect Global in London to bring to life the romantic comedy Joint Custody penned by Justin Isbell. The Archer Film Festival is a student-run and student-led event. We had so much fun watching all of the submitted student films. There were so many incredible options from all around the world and we are thrilled about our final picks. We so enjoyed getting to share with the audience the amazing films that we chose, said Archer Film Festival team member and junior Tess Hubbard. We were so thrilled to get to talk to Ms. Vincent and Ms. Shine. For students like me who are interested in working in the industry, their insight is invaluable, and we are so grateful they took the time to talk to us. The gender gap still persists in the film industry. According to a 2022 report from the Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film, women comprised only 24% of all directors, writers, producers, executive producers, editors, and cinematographers working on the top 250 domestic grossing films, representing a slight decrease since 2021. The Archer Film Festival strives to bridge that divide by empowering and highlighting young filmmakers who share the goal of advancing the artform by showcasing work from students whose perspectives are rarely seen or heard. ### About The Archer School for Girls The Archer School for Girls is for the ambitious and joyful. At forefront of all-girls education, Archer is dedicated to empowering the next generation of female leaders. A contemporary girls school in Los Angeles, Archer sustains a collaborative, student-centered teaching and learning community that explores and contributes to the research on how young women learn and thrive. Since 1995, Archer has been inspiring young women to become confident, ethical changemakers by strengthening their voices and capacity to contribute positively to society and the world. For more information, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter @ArcherSchool, or visit our website http://www.archer.org. "This new manufacturing facility will result in service-level improvements that increase access to Atlas shingles and system components across the country. Stanley Bastek, vice president of sales and marketing for the Atlas Shingles and Underlayment Division Atlas Roofing Corporation, a leading North American manufacturer of innovative, high quality building products, today announced its new $200 million asphalt shingle manufacturing facility will be built in Clinton, IA. The facility represents the next phase of a vision to empower its people to create solutions and products with purpose, while creating additional shingle capacity in a geographic location that best serves its customers. We are thrilled to announce that we will be working together with the great people of Clinton, IA, to continue our growth in the steep slope roofing category, said Ken Farrish, president of Atlas Roofing Corporation. Clinton will help us meet customer demand with this investment in capacity in the Midwest, but we are equally excited to bring more than 100 new full-time jobs to the region. Atlas plans to leverage a growing team of industry leaders to design and build a facility that focuses on safety, quality, and innovation. Safety and quality are the core of our mission at Atlas, said Brad Parten, vice president of operations, as it ensures that the needs of both our employees and our customers are central to our planning and decision-making processes. Design and construction of Atlas new shingle manufacturing facility will bring together the skills and talents of Atlas employees from throughout the organization, along with the talented people of Clinton, to make this one of the most efficient and productive shingle manufacturing plants in the industry. Atlas is committed to bolstering our capacity to support our customer base across the country and this investment in Clinton meets that commitment head on, said Stanley Bastek, vice president of sales and marketing for the Atlas Shingles and Underlayment Division. This new manufacturing facility will result in service-level improvements that increase access to Atlas shingles and system components across the country. We welcome Atlas and are excited to have their company establish a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in the Lincolnway Industrial Rail & Air Park. The City of Clinton continues to be a magnet for innovative and competitive companies like Atlas. It is terrific to watch firsthand a new company make Clinton, Iowa, their home, said Clinton Mayor Scott Maddasion. The arrival of Atlas proves that Clinton, Iowa, has the workforce and pro-business environment to attract a company of high caliber, said Matt Brooke, city administrator. The Lincolnway Industrial Rail & Air Park is now a plug-and-play site, with a brand-new road, expanded public rail, and the complete build-out of all utilities. It was great working with Grow Clinton, the City of Low Moor, Iowa DOT, Iowa Economic Development Authority, and several land owners to see this project come to fruition. We are proud to partner with Grow Clinton and the City of Clinton in welcoming Atlas Roofing to the community, said May Farlinger, vice president customer and community engagement, Alliant Energy. We are thrilled to see our recent investment in the Lincolnway Rail and Air Park is proving to be an economic asset to the community. We look forward to providing energy solutions to Atlas Roofing and will continue to work with our economic development partners to build stronger communities. This investment will enable Atlas to address the growing demand for higher quality, reliable roofing materials, such as Atlas shingles featuring Core4 technology for protection against damaging wind and hail. Atlas will continue to manufacture its premium architectural shingles featuring Scotchgard Protector from 3M. In addition to expanding its roofing capacity, Atlas will manufacture new and innovative products including roofing underlayment products and Atlas proprietary roof system components. This announcement comes on the heels of Atlas celebrating 40 years in the asphalt roofing industry. Its employees and customers are the foundation of Atlas success, and this new manufacturing facility will allow Atlas employees to proudly serve its customers with high quality and innovative roofing products for the next 40 years and beyond. About Atlas From a single asphalt shingle manufacturing facility in 1982, Atlas has grown to 33 manufacturing facilities in North America providing worldwide product distribution. Today, products from the companys four major divisions, Polyiso Roof & Wall Insulation, Shingle & Underlayment, Molded Products, and Web Technologies, are manufactured in state-of-the-art facilities and shipped from our network of manufacturing plants and distribution facilities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Atlas mission is to deliver leading products and solutions that enrich the lives of those they touch, by nurturing a culture of agility, teamwork, and accessibility that attracts the most talented people in our industries. Atlas Roofing Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hood Companies, Inc. Hood Companies is a privately owned, closely held holding company and is the parent to operating subsidiaries involved in the manufacture and distribution of forest and wood products, building and construction materials, and flexible and corrugated packaging products throughout North America. Gucci, one of the most recognized brands in the luxury fashion industry, is one of the companies being investigated by the European Commission for having violated, with other manufacturers, the EUs ban on cartels. This was acknowledged by Kering, the group that owns Gucci, in a press release. In the scope of an inspection carried out as part of a preliminary investigation into the fashion sector in several countries under EU antitrust rules, the European Commission has started on April 18, 2023, an inspection at the Italian premises of Gucci, a subsidiary of Kering, the statement read. The Group is fully cooperating with the Commission in the context of this investigation. The European Commission which acts as the competition enforcer in the 27-country EU announced on Tuesday that antitrust regulators had raided companies in the fashion sector in several EU countries, but did not provide further details. The EU Directorate General for Competition suspects that the companies under investigation have violated Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), which prohibits cartels and other agreements that could disrupt free competition in the European Economic Areas internal market, and Article 53 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights. The fact that Gucci was one of the raided companies suggests the EU investigation is focused on the luxury fashion sector. No other company has acknowledged that it was targeted by the raid. This is the third investigation that the DG Competition has opened into the fashion industry in the last two years. EU antitrust regulators said in January 2022 they were probing whether French fashion house Pierre Cardins licensing and distribution deals with German clothing maker Ahlers might breach European Union rules on online and cross-border sales. A second investigation, disclosed in June 2022 following raids on some fashion companies the previous month, centered on a group of designers who had called for changes in sales periods and discounts, according to people familiar with the matter. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition The European leader in home improvement trusts Centric Software to optimize portfolio management of 57,000 products We are now able to roll up product breadth and volume and align the offer by product and also in terms of pricing. Centric Software is delighted to announce the release of a success story about its customer, ADEO. ADEO is a community of companies that brings together different brandsincluding Leroy Merlin, Bricoman, Zodio, Weldom and several others around the world. The company offers products and services via more than 1,000 retail outlets and various large online platforms. ADEO brands span two main types of offersDIY for individuals and professionals and home decoration products that cover everything from structural materials, electrical, paint, kitchens, bathrooms, storage and general supplies as well as finishing materials, decoration and lighting. Prior to the deployment of Centric PLM, ADEO used spreadsheets to manage the structure of their product assortment and product development execution. But with 95,000 SKUs in their product portfolio, including 57,000 active SKUs, the complexity of managing everything increased exponentially and they needed a tool to drive efficiency in product development as well as to be able to strategically manage the overall offer. "Our main strategic challenges were to develop a transverse view of the product offering across all ADEO companies, as opposed to each brand selecting products independently. We needed optimize and automate the process, explains Regis Lepoutre, Project Market Leader (kitchens, bathrooms and storage) at ADEO Services. We are now able to roll up product breadth and volume and align the offer by product and also in terms of pricing. With international expansion in mind, ADEO wants to strengthen their development capacity via partnerships in order to build a platform where stakeholders can connect, eventually extending to a marketplace and knowledge forum for expertise and advice for services. Thanks to Centric PLM, the completeness of available data has improved greatly, attaining a level of over 90%. Previously, this performance indicator was simply unquantifiable. Another significant improvement is meeting time-to-market goals, which is also above 90%. ADEO teams have an overview and easy access to information at all levels of the company. Find out how ADEO uses Centric PLM as the foundation to optimize their product offer. Read the full story Request a Demo About ADEO (http://www.adeo.com) ADEO is the European leader and 3rd global player in the home improvement & DIY market with a turnover of 32.4 billion in 2021 (including online turnover of 2.140 billion including VAT (X 5 in 4 years). Thanks to its network of 1,000 points of sale, marketplaces and platform partnerships, ADEO distributes its solutions for positive home living in 20 countries and is the only player in its market to offer such a comprehensive international presence. ADEO is an open platform of companies and connected partners. Every day, the 150,000 employees of our companies make products and solutions available in-store or online which are useful to residents and housing professionals for all their projects. Living in a healthy, safe, responsible, sustainable, economical and comfortable environment is an essential condition for the well-being of people everywhere. The company is motivated by a shared sense of purpose: being useful to themselves, to others, and to the world. Its clear that Green Seal offers a powerful model for collective impact, and even more clear that we have an obligation to apply it in bold new ways. Green Seal is meeting the moment with ambitious initiatives to address some of the most intractable health and environmental problems of our time. Green Seal today announced the launch of its 2023 Impact Report, showcasing how the global nonprofit and the brands that partner with it are accelerating the transition to safer and more sustainable products and spaces. This years annual report highlights the impacts of Green Seals programs; key partnerships with organizations including Amazon, Wayfair, the U.S. Green Building Council and others; and the combined environmental savings achieved by products that bear the Green Seal mark. The report focuses on impacts achieved by Green Seal-certified products, their producers, and their users, including: Protecting Human Health: Green Seal-certified cleaning products protected 9.6 million students and teachers from toxic chemicals and asthma triggers in 2022. Preserving the Climate: Green Seal-certified sanitary paper saves 12.5 million metric tons of carbon emissions each year, the equivalent of taking 2.7 million cars off the road. Ensuring Clean Water: Green Seal-certified sanitary paper, made with 100% recycled fiber, reduced manufacturing water use by 12.4 billion gallons in 2022, and prevented 500,000 pounds of persistent pollutants from contaminating water bodies thanks to chlorine-free manufacturing processes. Minimizing Waste: Green Seal-certified cleaning products save 1.7 billion industry-grade 1-liter plastic bottles each year. Its clear that Green Seal offers a powerful model for collective impact, and even more clear that we have an obligation to apply it in bold new ways, said Doug Gatlin, CEO of Green Seal. Green Seal is meeting the moment with ambitious initiatives to address some of the most intractable health and environmental problems of our time. The 2023 Impact Report also highlights Green Seals new initiatives including a sustainable packaging recognition program and strict prohibitions on PFAS in certified products and features case studies of companies that adhere to Green Seals strict science-based standard criteria and demonstrate significant leadership. Our brand is aligned with Green Seals mission to use science-based programs to empower consumers and companies to create a more sustainable world, said Jelina Saliu, President of Safely, a new household brand that has partnered with Green Seal to certify products across its portfolio, including laundry detergent, dish soap, hand soap, hand cream, glass cleaner, and all-purpose cleaner. We believe that when it comes to caring for your home, consumers shouldnt have to compromise. Buyers deserve natural ingredients that are safe for them, their family, and our planet. Outrigger is proud to be the first in the State of Hawaii to earn the prestigious Green Seal sustainability certification for its properties, and the first hospitality brand to pursue the certification outside of the United States in Fiji and Mauritius, said Monica Salter Vice President, Global Communications & Social Responsibility at Outrigger Resorts & Hotels. The Green Seal designation further solidifies Outriggers allegiance to meeting the highest standards of protecting the health and environment for its guests and hosts. See Green Seals 2023 Impact Report here. ABOUT GREEN SEAL, INC. Green Seal is a global nonprofit organization with a mission to transform the economy for a healthier, greener world. Since 1989, Green Seal has applied rigorous standards for health, environmental sustainability, and product performance to its certification programs to empower better purchasing decisions. Green Seal has certified thousands of products, services and spaces from hundreds of leading companies and is specified by countless schools, government agencies, businesses, and institutions. Today, the Green Seal certification mark is a universal symbol that a product or service meets the highest benchmark of health and environmental leadership. Visit greenseal.org or connect with Green Seal on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. NFP, a leading property and casualty broker, benefits consultant, wealth manager and retirement plan advisor, today announced it has acquired Diversified Brokerage Services, Inc. (DBS). Acquiring DBS expands NFPs life insurance business with capabilities that support larger financial institutions, including broker-dealers, warehouses and RIAs. DBS principals George Chip Van Dusen IV, president and CEO, and Tori Van Dusen-Roos, COO, will join NFP and report to Mike James, executive vice president, chief sales officer. The acquisition closed on April 10. Im very excited to welcome Chip, Tori and their team to NFP, said James. They are industry leaders in supporting financial advisors through enterprise relationships with large financial institutions and will be valuable partners for our advisors and producers. With DBS onboard, we will provide an enhanced, differentiated offering across our existing retail and wholesale life insurance businesses. I look forward to DBSs contributions to our growth, culture, and support of current and future clients. Minneapolis-based DBS is one of the largest life insurance BGAs in the United States. They support financial advisors across the country through enterprise relationships with large financial institutions, as well as individual relationships under a wholesale model. DBS offers various value-added services to these advisors, including education, point-of-sale support and placement. "Were thrilled to join NFP, an organization with significant scale in the life insurance space that shares our focus on growth, people and community, said Chip Van Dusen and Tori Van Dusen-Roos in a joint statement. We have very ambitious goals for growth, and with their commitment and resources, NFP is the ideal partner to help us achieve it. Its exciting to see so many opportunities to collaborate and deliver additional value and expertise to our current distribution partners as well as those with whom we build relationships. About NFP NFP is a leading property and casualty broker, benefits consultant, wealth manager, and retirement plan advisor that provides solutions enabling client success through the expertise of over 7,400 global employees, investments in innovative technologies, and enduring relationships with highly rated insurers, vendors, and financial institutions. NFP is the 9th best place to work for large employers in insurance, 7th largest privately-owned broker, 5th largest benefits broker by global revenue and 13th largest broker of US business (all rankings according to Business Insurance). Visit NFP.com to discover how NFP empowers clients to meet their goals. About DBS Diversified Brokerage Services is one of the largest multi-carrier brokerage general agencies in the United States specializing in life insurance. With a national headquarters located in Minneapolis, MN, DBS supports financial professionals nationwide as they look to secure life insurance, long-term care, linked benefits, disability insurance and annuities for their clients. ACW will "Celebrate Your Sparkle" with programming focused on empowerment, self-discovery and authenticity. Alliance of Channel Women, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to accelerating the growth of female channel leaders in technology, announced today that Dr. Merritt Moore, lauded as the Quantum Ballerina, will deliver the keynote address at its ACWConnect Live! networking event at the Channel Partners Conference & Expo in Las Vegas. ACWConnect Live! will be held from 4-7 p.m., May 1, on the show's main stage, Level 2, Ballroom F at The Venetian. ACW will "Celebrate Your Sparkle" with programming focused on empowerment, self-discovery and authenticity. The events keynote speaker Dr. Merritt Moore defies convention, pursuing and excelling in both science and art careers. She is a quantum physicist with degrees from Harvard and Oxford and a professional ballet dancer performing with some of the most prestigious companies in the world, including Boston Ballet and English National Ballet. During the pandemic, Moore combined her passions for computing and dance to program and dance with robots a marriage of science and art that she has taken on tour worldwide. She is a Forbes 30 under 30 honoree and also was selected as one of 12 candidates to compete on the BBCs Astronauts: Do You Have What It Takes? reality show. In her keynote address, Dr. Moore will share how she followed her dreams to realize her unconventional career path, how shes risen to the top in two seemingly opposite pursuits and what lessons she can share for staying motivated and achieving peak performance. The ACWConnect Live! event also will feature ACW's signature networking reception and engaging programming, such as: Welcoming remarks from ACW President Cassie Jeppson, Director of North America Channel Programs at Lenovo Personal branding panel discussion with female channel leaders Spotlight on ACW committee benefits and how to get more engaged "Get real" conversations Raffle prizes More! The ACWConnect Live! Networking Event is open to all genders attending the Channel Partners Conference & Expo event. Advance admission is free to all ACW members and $40 for non-members.Click here to register. Become an ACW member and attend for free; sign up at https://allianceofchannelwomen.org/join. Tickets are limited to the space available. Advance registration is recommended. Pre-registration closes on April 28 at 5 p.m. EDT. Additional tickets, at $50 each, may be available at the door on a "first come, first served" basis. ACWConnect Live! is made possible by the generous support of our sponsors, including: Diamond: Achieve Unite, BuzzTheory, Channel Futures, ChannelVision, Comcast Business, Cox Business/RapidScale, Lenovo, Lumen, NEC Corporation of America, RingCentral, Telesystem and Vonage; Gold: Fusion Connect and Telarus; Silver: 8x8, iAgent, Intelisys, Granite, Go-To, Ooma, Sangoma, Tangoe, TPx, Windstream and Zift Solutions To become a sponsor, visit ACW at https://allianceofchannelwomen.org/sponsor. About the Alliance of Channel Women Founded in 2010, the Alliance of Channel Women is a not-for-profit organization of women in the indirect sales channel of the telecom and IT industry. The Alliance of Channel Women brings us together to empower and advance women's careers and leadership roles in the technology channel through education, community, advocacy and opportunities for personal growth. To learn more and to become a member, please visit http://www.allianceofchannelwomen.org. Right at Home applauds Congress for the coming introduction of the Expanding Care in the Home Act. The bill will enable more services to take place safely in the home, including well-timed assistance with the activities of daily living for the frailest Medicare beneficiaries and those recently discharged from the hospital. Right at Home congratulates U.S. Representatives Adrian Smith (R-NE) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI) for their leadership and work in ensuring patients have the choice to receive needed services in their homes. As we identify opportunities to modernize the care Nebraskas seniors can access, we must consider the convenience and comfort home care offers them, said Rep. Smith. The Expanding Care in the Home Act is a commonsense measure to ensure Medicare can process claims for in-home care services, and Im proud to lead the introduction of this important bill. Seniors want to spend as much of their later years at home but need additional support to pay for that, said Jeremy Starkel, owner of Right at Home in Grand Island, Nebraska. This new Medicare benefit will help seniors get the care they want in the comfort of their homes. We are grateful to Congressman Smith for his leadership on this important issue. Right at Home is excited to support the introduction of the Expanding Care in the Home Act, said Margaret Haynes, President and CEO of Right at Home, a member of Moving Health Home, which is backing the introduction of the bill. Every day, our 385 provider locations across America receive inquiries from seniors and their families asking if Original Medicare pays for assistance with the activities of daily living. We call for the enactment of this bill, which enables all Medicare beneficiaries to get home care at the times they need it most. In-home support for Medicare beneficiaries is not new. Since 2018, Medicare Advantage plans have been allowed to pay for caregivers who help with cooking, getting dressed and moving around the home. As of 2023, 18% of Medicare Advantage plans include this important benefit. Medicare Advantage plans have seen the value of help in the home, and Right at Home believes the time has come to make this benefit accessible to all Medicare beneficiaries. According to ATI Advisory and the Long-Term Quality Alliance, Medicare spends twice as much on those seniors who have multiple illnesses and are unable to dress, feed, bathe or move around their homes without assistance. The home assistance benefit in the bill directs 12 hours of home care services per week for 30 days to these frail seniors. If a doctor approves it, they could receive up to 60 more hours for the year. Having a home care aide in the home to help a senior with bathing, getting dressed, meal preparation and moving around their home reduces hospital readmissions, loneliness and the risk of falls, said Haynes. Research published in the Annals of Internal Medicine in June 2019 found that not including ongoing assistance cost Medicare over $4 billion. The benefit would also provide home care services for beneficiaries recently discharged from the hospital, reducing additional Medicare spending. Right at Home providers in Columbia, South Carolina, and Winston-Salem, North Carolina, saw declines in hospital readmissions among the discharged seniors they cared for. A report published in the Professional Case Management journal about the work in Winston-Salem found a 40% decrease in hospital readmissions in the 30 days after discharge due to assistance in the home. A hospital admission costs Medicare over $13,000. Right at Home looks forward to providing care for seniors who would look to use this new benefit, said Haynes. Due to the limited nature of the assistance and to ensure there are sufficient providers, those home care agencies providing only this benefit would be exempt from Medicare Conditions of Participation (CoPs), removing an otherwise unnecessary barrier to access to care. ### ABOUT RIGHT AT HOME: Founded in 1995, Right at Home offers in-home care to seniors and adults with disabilities who want to live independently. Most Right at Home offices are independently owned and operated and directly employ and supervise all caregiving staff. Each caregiver is thoroughly screened, trained, and bonded/insured before entering a clients home. Right at Homes global office is based in Omaha, Nebraska, with more than 600 franchise locations in the U.S. and six other countries. For more information about Right at Home, visit https://www.rightathome.net or read the Right at Home blog at https://www.rightathome.net/blog/. PTI Fact Check: AI-generated clip of Russian President Vladimir Putin speaking in English peddled as real on social media New Delhi, Apr 19 (Abhinav Gupta / Pratyush Ranjan PTI Fact Check): An Instagram user shared a video that showed a split screen where a man watches Russian President Vladimir Putin speaking in English and hitting out at Americans for accusing him of election interference. In its investigation, the PTI Fact Check Desk found that the video was an AI-generated clip, created by a voting rights organisation for a 2020 ad campaign. Claim An Instagram user shared a video showing a split screen in which a man can be seen watching Russian President Vladimir Putin speaking in English and warning Americans for accusing him of election interference. America, you blame me for interfering with your democracy, but I dont have to. Youre doing it to yourselves. Polling stations are closing. You dont know who to trust. You are divided. There are strings we can pull, but we dont have to. You are pulling them for us, the video appears to show Putin stating. The user posted the video on April 16 with the caption Truth. The post has garnered over 700 likes to date. Here is the link and archive link to the post and below is a screenshot of the same: Investigation Starting the investigation, the Desk conducted an InVid Tool Search on the video, which provided a few keyframes. A Google Reverse Image Search on one of the keyframes led to a YouTube video, posted on Sep 29, 2020. This was the same video as shared in the viral social media post. The video was posted by a channel named RepresentUs and the title of the video read: Dictators - Vladimir Putin. Here is the link to the YouTube video and below is a screenshot of the same: The channel used the hashtag #DeepFake in the description of the video. Also, the video towards the end displayed the text: This footage isnt real but the threat is. This was also mentioned in the description of the video. Here is a screenshot of the same: The Desk then scanned the official website of RepresentUs. In its About section, the organization described itself as Americas leading nonpartisan anti-corruption organization fighting to fix our broken and ineffective government. On further scanning the website, we found another similar clip of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un making similar statements about division in the U.S. The organisation used the hashtag #DeepFake for this video too. Here is the link to the YouTube video and below is a screenshot of the same: The website also carried a press release issued on Sep 29, 2020, in which the organisation said it was launching the "first ever use of deepfake technology in a major ad campaign" to illustrate that "democracy will collapse" unless Americans take "immediate action to fix political corruption, voter suppression gerrymandering, and our broken election systems." The two AI-generated video clips were set to air following the first presidential debate between US President Joe Biden and his predecessor Donald Trump. But the videos were "so bold" that the clips were "pulled at the last minute" by Fox News, CNN and MSNBC, RepresentUs said. Instead, the organization posted the Putin deepfake on its YouTube channel that day. Subsequently, the Desk concluded that an AI-generated clip of Putin was shared as real on social media. Claim Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking in English, warned Americans for accusing him of election interference. Fact An AI-generated clip of Putin, created by a voting rights organisation in 2020, shared as real on social media. Conclusion An Instagram user shared a video clip which showed a split screen in which a man watched Russian President Vladimir Putin warning Americans in English for accusing him of election interference. In its investigation, the Desk found that an AI-generated clip, created by a voting rights organisation in 2020, was shared as real on social media. You can contact PTI Fact Check on WhatsApp Number +91-8130503759 and share any claim or social media post you think is essential to fact-check and want us to verify. For a city like Berlin, home to museums of all kinds (with a variety of themes ranging from lipstick to the actor Bud Spencer) and institutions devoted to local creators (Kathe Kollwitz and Max Liebermann), it would almost feel like a historical insult if George Grosz did not possess his own collection. Here is the most distinguished visual artist of the German capital and its most influential chronicler of the first half of the 20th century: an integral figure of Dadaism and New Objectivity. The Kleine Grosz Museum, a meticulously designed temporary venue inaugurated in May 2022, is a fitting act of atonement. The idea stems from the George Grosz Association of Berlin, which aims to turn a former 1950s Shell gas station, now surrounded by cherry trees, bamboo and pine trees, into its permanent home. Donated until 2027 by the Swiss collector Juerg Judin, the emblematic building is located in Schoneberg, a hub of Berlins nightlife in the 1920s, where Groszs inspiration for his paintings originated. Its his area, says Matthis Karstens, a member of the associations board of directors. Not only because of places like the Theater am Nollendorfplatz [where he worked as a production designer] and the bars and variety shows that went on in Potsdamer Strasse, but also because of the rich diversity of its art scene and its red light district. This is where his apocalyptic characters were born: casualties of war, prostitutes, starving proletarians, lavishly bejeweled ladies, and plump bourgeois, always brandishing a cigar and a drink in hand. These grotesque images constituted a seemingly distorting reflection of the Weimar Republic, while at the same time they exposed the reactionary character of the German elite classes. It is one of the pillars on which contemporary art is built, says Ralf Kemper, the associations president. Born in Berlin in 1893 as Georg Ehrenfried Gross, Grosz enlisted in the Imperial German Army at the outbreak of World War I in 1914. There, his fierce anti-nationalist and anti-war stance originated. In 1918 he joined the German Communist Party (KPD) and in 1922 he was invited to Soviet Russia to participate in the Fourth World Congress of the Communist International. This journey shaped his life and is commemorated in the current exhibition, George Grosz travels to Soviet Russia (until May 1). In his autobiography, published in 1946 (in Spain, republished by Capitan Swing under the title Un si menor y un no mayor), he relates how he left the KPD upon his return from the USSR. But there is no evidence of that, notes Kemper, who also curated this display. Many of his works between 1923 and 1925 are sheer KPD propaganda. His disappointment began after Stalinism took over the party, in 1926. In the eyes of the Nazis, the prime example of degenerate art had emigrated to the United States in 1933, before Hitler came to power. Grosz lived there until his return to West Berlin in 1958, where he died a year later. During that time in the U.S., he became enthralled with New York and the American way of life. But it is not true that he was less political, says Kemper, he produced caricatures of the Spanish Civil War and World War II, though these later pieces are not as well known. His colleague Karstens concludes: We want to demonstrate that today he is still just as relevant to matters like war or the rich-poor divide... This is not just about art history. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Gustavo Petro and Joe Biden talk in the Oval Office at the White House, on Thursday. Susan Walsh (AP) U.S. President Joe Biden hosted his Colombian counterpart, Gustavo Petro, in the Oval Office on Thursday. The two seemed relaxed, sitting comfortably on two beige sofas. Behind them were portraits of Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt and a bust of Martin Luther King. By the way, Happy Birthday, Biden began, recalling that it was the Colombian presidents birthday the day before. They say that, in this generation, being 63 is like being 40 in the old generation, Petro joked. The two leaders laughed, and then spoke for 10 minutes in front of the press. It was the first time that Petro, a former anti-imperialist guerrilla who has constantly criticized the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, had stepped inside the White House. He had traveled to the United States to call on Biden to change his governments approach to the war on drugs, arguing that the focus should be on helping farmers and coca leaf producers find legal alternatives to the drug trade not on eradicating coca fields which strips them of their livelihood. But its a thorny issue for Washington. Biden told Petro that the two nations are making joint efforts to combat drug trafficking, but at no time did he refer to any change in approach. Petro was then practical and asked for more boats, drones and vessels. He spoke with the conviction of someone who has become one of the most important leaders in Latin America, especially after his visit to the United States. In his address to the press, Biden said that Colombia was the key to the hemisphere. I think we have an opportunity, if we work at it hard enough, to have a Western Hemisphere that is united, equal, democratic and economically prosperous, he added. Petro replied that the hemisphere was well accustomed to peace and not war, arguing that democracy in the region has deepened in recent decades. The meeting comes eight months after Petro was elected president. During the visit, the two leaders agreed on the need to end dependence on fossil fuels and to protect the Amazon rainforest. Petro has proposed a new alliance of countries to support the Amazon Fund, which is aimed at protecting the rainforest from deforestation. Colombia has earmarked $150 million for the fund, while Biden pledged to invest $500 million. Biden also supported Petros idea for a debt-for-nature swap. The proposal is to cancel the foreign debt of the nine countries that make up the Amazon in exchange for a commitment to protect the rainforest. This would also be a way of relieving countries in financial trouble. Before the White House meeting, Petro visited Stanford University and the U.N. General Assembly, where he also talked about the importance of tackling climate change. In his talks with Biden, he again stressed the need to transition to green energy an idea the U.S. president supported. I honestly believe were making some real progress moving toward a carbon-free environment, said Biden. During Thursdays meeting, Biden and Petro also discussed the situation in Venezuela, which is of great concern to both. The Colombian president is trying to unblock negotiations between the Nicolas Maduro government and the opposition, and has organized an international meeting of foreign ministers in Bogota to discuss the matter. Petro has also asked Biden to lift the economic sanctions on the Maduro administration, which the Venezuelan leader has set as a requisite for resuming talks with the opposition. But the White House mistrusts the Chavista government, which it accuses of failing to take any action to democratize the countrys institutions. In the end, Petro agreed that sanctions should be lifted after free elections are held in Venezuela. This was the first time that Petro has made such a demand, as he has typically been more inclined to side with Maduro. The Colombian president has sought to break Venezuelas international isolation, while insisting the country comply with democratic standards. Petro told reporters after the meeting he advocated for a gradual and progressive deactivation of sanctions that would allow Venezuelans to decide freely, without sanctions, without pressure, their own destiny. After the press briefing, Biden and Petro talked for an hour in private. Petro was accompanied by the ministers for foreign affairs, justice and defense, as well as the presidential chief of staff and Colombias ambassador to Washington. Biden was joined by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, among others. The issue of the electrical interconnection in the Americas was on the table. While grids are connected in Canada, the United States, Mexico and Central America, between Panama and Colombia there is no connection, said Petro. If it is filled with clean energy, it would be one of the most helpful factors in decarbonizing the U.S. economy, he added. During Thursdays meeting, Biden described Petro as a man of peace and recognized his fight for human rights. The Colombian president wants to go down in history as the man who brought peace to the country after decades of internal fighting. And he knows that he needs the U.S. on his side to achieve this ambitious goal. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition The American Library Association kicks off National Library Week on Sunday, with a full slate of events to follow. This year's theme is "There's More to the Story," which organizers say emphasizes all that libraries have to offer. This year's honorary chair is award-winning and bestselling author Kelly Yang, author of many books for young readers, including the Front Desk series: Front Desk, Three Keys, Room to Dream, Key Player, and the forthcoming Top Story (due out in September). Among the 2023 National Library Week highlights: Monday, April 24 is Right to Read Day, "a day for readers, advocates, and library lovers to take action to protect, defend, and celebrate the right to read." The annual State of America's Libraries Report will also be released. Tuesday, April 25 is National Library Workers Day, "a day for library staff, users, administrators, and Friends groups to recognize the valuable contributions made by all library workers." Wednesday, April 26 is National Library Outreach Day (formerly National Bookmobile Day), "a day to celebrate library outreach and the dedicated library professionals who are meeting their patrons where they are." Thursday, April 27 is Take Action for Libraries Day, "a day to rally advocates to support libraries." As we reported in Publishers Weekly, ahead of National Library Week PEN America has issued an alarming (but not at all surprising) new report, Banned in the USA: State Laws Supercharge Book Suppression in Schools, which highlights the political battle animating the surge in book bans and threats to the freedom to read across the nation. "Of the 1,477 reported book ban cases this school year, 74% are connected to organized efforts, mainly of advocacy groups; elected officials; or enacted legislation," the report states. "Additionally, 25% of individual books banned were connected to political pressure from elected or appointed officials." The report acknowledges the "the increasing role of legislation in driving decision-makers to proactively restrict books" and the creation of "vague" standards that has led to "an environment of fear and intimidation" for librarians and educators. And PEN officials say there is no sign the movement is slowing down. "Looking ahead, PEN Americas preliminary tracking of the second half of the 2022-2023 school year suggests censorship efforts are still ramping up," the report concludes. "In defending the freedom to read, we are increasingly concerned by the burden and cost that this movement to ban books places on public schools, as well as students, administrators, educators, and librarians." According to PEN, the two most active states by far in terms of book bans are Texas and Florida. And both states advanced troubling legislation this week. In Florida, the Associated Press reports on the expansion of Florida's controversial "Don't Say Gay" law, which will now prohibit "lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity from grades 4-12, unless required by existing state standards or as part of reproductive health instruction that students can choose not to take." An article from the Hill suggests the expansion could lead to a "flood" of book bans across Florida. Although the measure does not ban books outright, Kirk Bailey, political director of the American Civil Liberties Unions Florida affiliate, told reporters "it effectively creates a process where thats what happens. A piece in Reuters, meanwhile, reinforces the politics behind the measure. "Some 72% of Democrats in a Reuters/Ipsos poll from March said they were more likely to vote for a presidential candidate who supported letting teachers discuss sexual orientation and gender identity at school," the article states. "Among Republicans, however, 76% said they were less likely to support such a candidate." Via the Texas Tribune, news that the Texas House has passed House Bill 900, which seeks to ban allegedly "sexually explicit" books from school libraries. Among the bill's provisions, if it becomes law: publishers and vendors would be required to assign ratings based on sexual content, with books deemed "explicit" banned from library shelves. Texas Republicans seem eager to send our state down a slippery slope where extremists can come together and ban huge catalogs of literature every two yearsespecially if those books dont mesh with their ideas of what traditional society should look like, Texas Democratic Party chair Gilberto Hinojosa told the Tribune in a statement. The news comes after the Texas Senate passed its own school library bill, SB 13. According to the article, it is not clear whether lawmakers will try to pass both SB 13 and HB 900, or combine them. The successful effort emboldened librarians who say theyve felt under attack for the past year and indicates how free speech advocates are adopting some of the tactics conservatives have used to wield political influence over what books are made available to children... The New Yorker explores how libraries are being dragged into the culture was via a long, well-written piece on the travails of the local public library system in Flathead County, Montana. "Local-library systems, and local librarians, are being vilified nationwide as peddlers of Marxism and child pornography. Whatever faith there was in public learning and public space is fraying. Though book bans arent new, current bids at censorship are often paired with cuts to library budgets. Last month, the Missouri House of Representatives tried to eliminate all funding for public libraries. A group of citizens in Ada County, Idaho, attempted to force a vote that would dissolve the local-library system. Tactics previously applied in public schools, ostensibly to protect children, are now being used against city-and-county-library systems whose mandate is to help everyone." In Missouri, the Independent reports that a Senate budget committee, es expected, has fully restored the funding for public libraries that was cut by the House. The spending measures will now be debated in the Senate, "setting up negotiations with the House to iron out differences before the May 5 deadline for appropriations." From Bridge Michigan, a report on how librarians and library supporters defeated a proposed ordinance in Cass County that would have exposed librarians to criminal prosecution for making allegedly inappropriate books available to children. "The successful effort emboldened librarians who say theyve felt under attack for the past year and indicates how free speech advocates are adopting some of the tactics conservatives have used to wield political influence over what books are made available to children." In her weekly Book Riot censorship news roundup, Kelly Jensen circles back to a survey of literary agents she sent out weeks ago, asking what impact they were seeing from this wave of book bans. She got few responses. "Its not even worth reporting the results of the survey because I think the lack of response tells more than anything else," she writes, pointing out that the major publishers"save for when publishers are electing to erase history and indeed, the word racism from books to make them more palatable" have also been far too silent in standing up against the coordinated attack on the freedom to read. "What happens when those of us who write and publish, those of us who care about books and reading and the First Amendment, and those of us who fall anywhere in the middle of those two categories, dont even have our own teams speaking up or out? Pushing back? Asking questions? Sharing insights?" she asks. "It further fuels book bans." Lawyers for four major publishers (Hachette, HarperCollins, Penguin Random House, and Wiley) and the Internet Archive have asked for another extension, until April 27, to file a proposal for how to proceed with the next stage of their copyright infringement case over the scanning and lending of library books. On March 24, a federal court found the Internet Archive infringed the copyrights of four plaintiff publishers by scanning and lending their books under a legally contested practice known as controlled digital lending. The parties are now tasked with working out a process to determine what judgment should be entered in the case. According to a letter filed with the judge, the parties are working toward a process that would "streamline or eliminate" the need for further litigation to determine damages, injunctive relief, and attorneys fees. Of course, an appeal is also likely in the offing. Meanwhile, in the Nation, Michelle Wu, an early proponent of controlled digital lending, opines on the Internet Archive case. "Historically, copyright was intended to facilitate the efficient consumption and use of information, not to stand in its way. Libraries remain a critical part of the intended ecosystem, both by paying authors for the number of copies they use and by providing access to borrowers who cannot afford to purchase a book themselves. The weaponization of copyright to artificially limit technologys reach where it would otherwise enable the buyer to use the work as intended when they bought it hurts all of usand undermines the very purpose of copyright." In San Francisco, local affiliate KQED reports that the Board of Supervisors in the Internet Archive's hometown of San Francisco unanimously passed a resolution supporting the Internet Archive, urging "the California State Legislature and the United States Congress to act to protect digital libraries." And finally this week, the American Library Association announced that it will confer an honorary lifetime membership upon Dolly Parton, the highest honor given by the Association. ALA is slated to officially confer the honorary membership upon Parton during the ALA Annual Conference, set for June 22-27 in Chicago. ALA is proud to bestow this well-deserving honor upon Dolly Parton in recognition of her accomplishments in the world of libraries, learning, and literacy, said ALA President Lessa Kanani'opua Pelayo-Lozada, in a release. Her Imagination Library initiative, which was inspired by her fathers inability to read or write, was launched to foster an early love of reading and learning in her hometown of Sevier Co., Tenn. Today this high-quality, book-gifting program reaches millions of children in five countries and is a shining example of her commitment to early childhood literacy and ensuring access to books for all children, which speaks to the core values of our organization. In addition to the honorary membership, Parton has joined the Celebrity READ Campaign, featuring a new poster in which she holds The Little Engine That Could and The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Readers can place an order for Dollys poster online at the ALA Store. Finally, something everyone can agree on: Dolly Parton is a national treasure. Premium online access is only available tosubscribers. If you have an active subscription and need to set up or change your password, please click here New to PW? To set up immediate access, click here. NOTE: If you had a previous PW subscription, click here to reactivate your immediate access. PW site license members have access to PWs subscriber-only website content. If working at an office location and you are not "logged in", simply close and relaunch your preferred browser. For off-site access, click here. To find out more about PWs site license subscription options, please email Mike Popalardo at: mike@nextstepsmarketing.com. The Eurometropole of Strasbourg and the Compagnie des Transports Strasbourgeois (CTS) have chosen Alstom to supply the new trams for the Strasbourg network in a contract worth a maximum of 250 million. The first order will include twelve Citadis trams, with ten further trams to follow in the second phase. Eurometropole may order more trams during the eight-year period of the framework agreement if it needs to them to deliver its service. Alstom will deliver the first trams in March 2025 and the trains will enter service at the end of the same year. The new Citadis trams will be 45 metres long and 2.40 metres wide, with eight double doors of 1.30 m per side, including at each end, to make it easier for passengers to get on and off. They can carry 286 passengers and are equipped with glass-panelled doors to enhance the feeling of comfort and safety for passengers. In compliance with the PMR (Persons with Reduced Mobility) legislation, the trams are equipped with door opening buttons at the correct height, wider seats and areas reserved for wheelchair users and pushchairs. The trams are air-conditioned and equipped with a dynamic passenger information system as well as a video protection system. The trains are cross-border in nature and will be approved in accordance with BOStrab, the German federal regulation on the construction and operation of trams in Germany. The trams will reduce energy consumption by at least one fifth compared to the current equipment, thanks to new motorisation, efficient management of climatic comfort and 100% LED lighting. The trams are eco-designed, 95% recyclable and 99% reusable. Alstom expects the Citadis trams to reduce maintenance operations by 30% during their thirty years of commercial operation. Maintenance requirements have been taken into account with a lower number of spare part references, improved accessibility of components and sensors distributed throughout the tram to enable remote diagnosis of the equipment. This is expected to anticipate and optimise periods of downtime and offer optimum availability for commercial service. Nine Alstom sites in France are involved in the manufacturing of these Citadis trams: La Rochelle, for design and assembly, Le Creusot, for the bogies, Ornans, for the engines, Villeurbanne, for on-board electronics and cyber security, Aix-en-Provence, for the tachometric units, Sens, Gennevilliers and Saint-Florentin, for brake discs and linings, and Saint-Ouen, for design. To date, Alstom has sold more than three thousand vehicles from the Citadis range in seventy cities in twenty countries around the world, including Cologne in Germany, Athens in Greece, Dublin in Ireland, Kaohsiung City in Taiwan, and twenty-three cities in France. Citadis trams have covered over one billion kilometres in ten billion passenger journeys since the first tram entered service in 2000. Jean-Baptiste Eymeoud, President of Alstom France, said that the company is very proud to supply the Eurometropole's new trams and to participate in the development of a greener and more innovative urban transport network. These new energy-efficient trams will also provide greater comfort for passengers. We would like to thank the Eurometropole of Strasbourg and the CTS for their renewed confidence in our latest generation Citadis tram solutions. Jose Wilfredo Ayala, also known as the El Indio de Hollywood, hid his identity in the small town of 3,000 inhabitants where he lived in the center of Mexico. He also hid a history of assassination, extortion and kidnapping that sowed terror across the United States and El Salvador: in reality, Ayala was the second-in-command of the feared Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) criminal organization and one of the FBIs most-wanted fugitives. His criminal empire spread to the upper echelons of the Salvadoran government, with which he and his associates would negotiate and from which they received concessions and privileges, making pacts with the major political parties to deliver votes in exchange for immunity. Ayala, 55, was arrested in Mexico City earlier this week and U.S. authorities were made aware on Thursday that the MS-13 capo had been transferred to New York, where he faces charges of racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to provide or conceal material support to terrorists, and narco-terrorism conspiracy, according to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). A DOJ statement described Ayala as being in command of MS-13 and feeding the organizations vicious appetite for power through carnage and bloodshed. El Indio was born in San Salvador in 1967 and later emigrated to California, where he was one of the founders of the Hollywood cell of MS-13. The origins of Mara Salvatrucha date back to the 1970s and 1980s, when various groups of immigrants and refugees from El Salvadors civil war organized themselves into gangs, initially to protect themselves on the streets of Los Angeles but later growing into one of the most powerful criminal organizations on the continent. Ayalas criminal career spanned over 20 years. El Indio was a ruthless gangster who killed, extorted and trafficked drugs to work his way up the ladder of the organization, which has tens of thousands of members. He was later deported to El Salvador, where he served time in jail continued to climb the ranks until he joined the Ranfla Nacional, the groups board of directors, in the words of an indictment naming Ayala and 12 more senior MS-13 members unsealed by U.S. authorities in February. In the MS-13 hierarchy, all major decisions go through the Ranfla, from deciding on punishments for snitches and collecting extortion money from the civilian population to signing pacts with high-level politicians and other criminal organizations such as the Sinaloa Cartel, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, the Gulf Cartel and the Zetas, all of which MS-13 has worked with. U.S. authorities say the influence of El Indio and other leaders of MS-13 reached the highest levels of power in El Salvador. When an MS-13 leader was arrested, chaos and violence were unleashed. When the authorities refused to negotiate, they targeted and killed officials, military personnel, police and civilians. Even when imprisoned, high-ranking gang members were able to leave their cells to hold meetings with politicians, wearing masks to cover their faces and clothes that hid their tattoos. The defendants have actively engaged in public demonstrations of violence to threaten and intimidate the civilian population, gain and control territory, and manipulate the electoral process in El Salvador, read a statement from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of New York the same court where Joaquin El Chapo Guzman and Genaro Garcia Luna, the former Mexican Secretary of Public Security, were indicted. The FBI wanted poster for Jose Wilfredo Ayala. FBI In 2012, during the Mauricio Funes administration, the leftist Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front (FMLN) organized secret negotiations with the leadership of MS-13 and Barrio 18, its main rivals, according to court documents obtained by EL PAIS. The objective was to reach a truce to reduce El Salvadors homicide rate. In exchange, the ruling party promised to transfer incarcerated gang members to less harsh prisons and provide them with better living conditions, conjugal visits and cash payments. Authorities identified El Indio as the architect of the agreement with officials, politicians and non-governmental organizations inside and outside of prison. The homicide rate subsequently dropped from just over 70 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2011 to 41 per 100,000 in 2012. The two gangs promised the FMLN votes from family and friends of their members, as well as from people living in the neighborhoods controlled by them. The MS-13 Ranfla Nacional also knocked on the door of the right-wing National Republican Alliance (Arena), the FMLNs main political rivals, and made them the same offer. The truce ended in 2015, a year after FMLN leader Salvador Sanchez Ceren became president. MS-13 accused the Salvadoran government of caving to pressure from Washington to withhold resources if it did not tear up the agreement with the gangs. MS-13 responded by ordering several assassinations in El Salvador and the United States. The Ranfla created a special unit to stage attacks on the police, set up military training camps and purchased machine guns, grenade launchers and bomb-making materials to overpower the authorities. The weapons were transported from Mexico, where MS-13 had set up a cell in 2007, according to the judicial summary. Violence spiraled out of control. In 2015, there were 103 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants in El Salvador. It was described at the time as the most violent year in the countrys history. Current Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele ran for the 2019 presidential election under the banner of sweeping away the corruption of the countrys traditional political parties. During that time, MS-13 negotiations with politicians from across the spectrum continued, according to U.S. authorities. In another round of secret negotiations with the outgoing Sanchez Ceren government held in the Zacatecoluca and Izalco prisons, the gang members demonstrated that they had the upper hand: they left jail without identifying themselves, were allowed to leave their cells under the false pretext of being treated in hospitals and even had official credentials that identified them as police officers or intelligence agents. On their frequent trips from the prisons, gang members were escorted by the security forces themselves. They also asked for changes to national laws to receive softer sentences and hinder extradition processes. When Bukele came to power in 2019, these pacts continued, according to the United States. Instead of providing votes for Arena and the FMLN, the gangs turned instead to New Ideas, Bukeles party. U.S. authorities claim MS-13 was instrumental in New Ideas victory in the 2021 legislative elections, in which the ruling party won 56 seats two-thirds of the National Assembly. That same year, a new indictment was unveiled against 14 members of the Ranfla Nacional, and Bukeles government said it would cooperate in the extradition of Elmer Canales Rivera. The drug lord was arrested in San Salvador in June 2021 after an Interpol Red Notice was issued. A month later, the Salvadoran authorities released him. Earlier, in May 2021, the New Ideas-controlled legislature dismissed the attorney general and five Supreme Court justices. Washington suggests that these are clear indications of collusion between the authorities and the gangs. In July 2020, the Salvadoran press reported that El Indio had been captured, citing Justice Minister Rogelio Rivas. The only thing that awaits him is jail, Rivas said. However, three years after his alleged arrest, Ayala was located in Mexico. He was wanted for the federal crimes of homicide, robbery and possession of weapons, and has an outstanding arrest warrant in Houston, said Omar Garcia Harfuch, Mexico Citys Security Secretary. Ayala had been dividing his time between Mixquiahuala and Tunititlan, two small towns in the state of Hidalgo, and was apprehended in the Buenavista neighborhood in downtown Mexico City, according to local media. In El Salvador, questions are being asked about the El Indios mysterious appearance over 800 miles from where he was supposedly captured in 2020. The truce between Bukele and the gangs was terminated in May 2022, according to MS-13 and audiotapes of the negotiations published by El Faro, one of the most respected media outlets in the country. The president, meanwhile, has repeatedly denied the existence of any pact with the gangs. MS-13 had been gradually setting up an alternate command center in Mexico, where several of its leaders operate, gathering substantial financial resources for the groups criminal activities by trafficking cocaine, methamphetamines and marijuana as well as migrant-smuggling, kidnapping and extortion. The organization sent leaders and members to Mexico to develop and manage MS-13 operations related to drug trafficking, arms trafficking, human trafficking and smuggling, reads the court filing. On the grounds that he did not have his immigration papers in order to remain in Mexico, El Indio was deported and detained last Tuesday when his plane made a stopover in Houston. Three other members of the Ranfla Nacional have already been captured and are in U.S. custody after the latest operation against the MS-13 hierarchy was launched last September: Vladimir Antonio Arevalo, Walter Yovani Hernandez and Marlon Menjivar, who had been sent to Mexico to run MS-13s operations there. Like Ayala, they were deported to El Salvador via Texas and detained by U.S. authorities following their expulsion from Mexico. Three other members are fugitives, and six others are presumed to be in detention in El Salvador. However, U.S. authorities have insinuated that they do not know this with any certainty: the case of El Indio has raised doubts in the United States and El Salvador as to their actual whereabouts. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition President Vladimir Putin's announced plan to put nuclear arms in Belarus may pose risks to NATO's nuclear posture. A similar risk emerged in the 1980s, when Moscow fielded a new missile aimed at Europe and Japan. Then, NATO responded by deploying its own missiles. It might consider this option again. In February 2022, Belarus decided to allow nuclear arms on its territory, and last month Putin said Russia would, if necessary, introduce them. Some short-range Iskander ballistic missiles were said to be in Belarus, and a nuclear weapon storage facility would be ready by July 1. Russia's ambassador in Minsk said the arms would be placed close to the western border, near Poland. Putin also said 10 Belarusian combat aircraft had been configured to carry nuclear weapons. But a wary Kremlin might worry that NATO has dense air defenses and that a disloyal Belarusian pilot could bomb Russia. Moscow would not likely share control with Minsk over any nuclear arms in Belarus. In an evident slight to Chinese Premier Xi Jinping, Putin announced his plan only days after the two declared that nuclear powers must not deploy nuclear weapons beyond their national territories. President Vladimir Putin's announced plan to put nuclear arms in Belarus may pose risks to NATO's nuclear posture. Share on Twitter Poland is alert to the threat. Last October, President Andrzej Duda said it was discussing nuclear sharing with the United States. If Russia does station nuclear arms in Belarus, Warsaw may request NATO consultations. There is precedent. Four decades ago, as the USSR secretly deployed hundreds of SS-20 intermediate-range missiles against Europe and Japan, West German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt appealed to NATO. It responded by deploying 572 U.S. intermediate-range missiles in Europe108 Pershing II ballistic missiles in West Germany and 464 GLCMs in five European member states, including West Germany. Then, West Germany was the most exposed frontline state; today it may be Poland. Fortunately, Moscow is no longer driven by aggressive Soviet ideology. Nonetheless, Putin's frequent nuclear saber-rattling is irresponsible and potentially dangerous. NATO might prudently weigh whether it has the right set of nuclear forces. The United States is said to have some 100 B-61 tactical nuclear-armed bombs in Europe. As in the 1980s, however, NATO might decide that missiles can better penetrate enemy defenses than aircraft that deliver gravity bombs. NATO may need to consider how to counter any move to Belarus of nuclear-armed Iskander or intermediate-range 9M729 missiles. Nuclear options might include: Take no action. NATO might decide that current U.S. nuclear forces (1,420 ( PDF ) warheads on 659 strategic missiles and bombers plus the B-61 bombs in Europe), plus British and French nuclear forces, are sufficient to deter Russian aggression. NATO might decide that current U.S. nuclear forces (1,420 ( ) warheads on 659 strategic missiles and bombers plus the B-61 bombs in Europe), plus British and French nuclear forces, are sufficient to deter Russian aggression. Offshore missiles. NATO could prefer more intermediate-range U.S. missiles. This might involve offshore basing of bombers carrying Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles or deployment at sea of new sea-launched cruise missiles. NATO could prefer more intermediate-range U.S. missiles. This might involve offshore basing of bombers carrying Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles or deployment at sea of new sea-launched cruise missiles. Land-based missiles. NATO might follow its 1980s template and deploy new land-based missiles. For example, the United States could add a nuclear mission to a planned Army ( PDF ) intermediate-range missile. The latter two options might fill a perceived gap in the U.S. deterrent spectrum between conventional and long-range nuclear forces. This could be more salient because Russia, in the view of U.S. Intelligence ( PDF ), is increasing its reliance on nuclear, cyber, and space capabilities. Some frontline allies, such as Poland, may prefer land-based systems partly because they are more visible than offshore weapons and may have a stronger deterrent effect. For survivability, land-based missiles might rely partly on mobility. Three decades after the Soviet collapse, some allies might be uneasy about reenergizing NATO's nuclear mission. But others might argue that not responding to Russia's moving forward its nuclear arms could cause the Kremlin to doubt NATO's nuclear credibility. It was not always like this. In the 1990s, Belarus eagerly accepted the removal from its territory of all former Soviet nuclear weapons and the destruction of all delivery vehicleswork completed under President Alexander Lukashenko. A return to Belarus of Kremlin-controlled nuclear arms may force NATO to rethink a nuclear strategy and posture that for long seemed settled. William Courtney is an adjunct senior fellow at the nonprofit, nonpartisan RAND Corporation. He was deputy negotiator in U.S.-Soviet defense and space talks, and ambassador to the U.S.-Soviet commission which implemented the Threshold Test Ban Treaty and, after the Soviet collapse, to Kazakhstan and Georgia. This commentary originally appeared on The Hill on April 19, 2023. Commentary gives RAND researchers a platform to convey insights based on their professional expertise and often on their peer-reviewed research and analysis. 1923 actor Brandon Sklenar has joined the cast of the new film It Ends with Us. ADVERTISEMENT Deadline reported Thursday that Sklenar will star with Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni in the forthcoming adaptation of the Colleen Hoover novel. It Ends with Us follows Lily Bloom, a woman who falls for a neurosurgeon, Ryle, while living in Boston. At first, Lily believes she's found her soulmate but begins to doubt the relationship over time. In addition, her high school love interest, Atlas, comes back into her life. Lively will play Lily, with Baldoni as Ryle and Sklenar as Atlas. Hoover confirmed Sklenar's casting on Instagram. "They announced Atlas! Cannot wait for this. Loving the cast so far. Feels like a dream #ItEndsWithUsMovie @blakelively @justinbaldoni @brandonsklenar." Baldoni will direct and executive produce the film in addition to starring. Lively, Hoover, Steve Sarowitz and Andrew Calof also serve as executive producers. Sklenar is known for playing Spencer Dutton on the Yellowstone prequel 1923, which completed its first season on Paramount+ in February. Yellowstone was renewed for Season 2 the same month. TLC By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 04/21/2023 ADVERTISEMENT [ : The Other Way Spoiler Warning: This article reveals the current status of couple Jen and Rishi, and if Jen is still living in India]. ADVERTISEMENT So are Jen and Rishi still together, or has the : The Other Way couple split? ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade. : The Other Way couple Jen Boecher and Rishi Singh are trying to make their relationship work in India on Season 4 of the TLC reality series, but they continue to face problems -- so did Rishi and Jen call it quits on their engagement, or are they still together now?Jen, a 46-year-old from Stilwell, OK, and Rishi, a 32-year-old from Jaipur, India, met in a hotel lobby while she was traveling to India alone.At the time, Jen was living on her family's Oklahoma farm with her mother, brother, and sister-in-law. She called herself a "nomad" considering she had lived in New Orleans as well as five or six major cities.Jen recalled Rishi showing her some of his modeling photos, which initially made her think that she should "hard pass" on him. She said she wasn't interested in him "at all" and thought he "was a do-ch-bag." But a couple of days later, they hung out as friends and continued seeing each other a handful of times.Jen disclosed how it's hard to pinpoint exactly when she fell for Rishi but she just knew he was The One once they got to know each other a little better.Within a month of them meeting, Rishi proposed marriage. Jen said the engagement was completely out of the blue because they hadn't discussed the future or Jen leaving or staying."But I did not hesitate at all before saying 'yes,' it just felt right," Jen recalled.After the couple got engaged, Jen left India but planned to move there to be with her fiance as soon as possible. Unfortunately, COVID-19 hit and so she hadn't seen Rishi at all.Jen waited for two years for the border to finally open, and so she gushed on the spin off how she was finally moving to India.Her family and friends worried, however, that Jen was making another "huge mistake" considering she had past relationships with similarities that didn't work out. She had been married for less than two years before Rishi came along.And Jen admittedly had insecurities in her relationship with Rishi when they were apart. Their communication was inconsistent, according to Jen, because he allegedly failed to answer calls and video messages sometimes. Jen even contemplated ending their romance.But : The Other Way's fourth season showed Jen moving to India and giving Rishi a genuine chance.Once the pair reunited, Jen and Rishi had some issues to overcome.Rishi, for instance, kept pushing back the date of when he was going to tell his parents about his engagement to Jen. And in the meantime, Rishi's parents were looking for a woman to match Rishi with for an arranged marriage. His parents had been looking for about a year-and-a-half.Jen also put her trust in Rishi to the test by allowing her best friend Randi to catfish Rishi and send him a flirty DM on Instagram.Not only did Rishi respond, but he suggested they should meet up in-person in India. Rishi also sent Randi a shirtless modeling photo of himself.Randi called this "a red flag" and thought Rishi was "shady as f-ck," but Jen wanted to give her fiance the benefit of the doubt, especially since his English wasn't great.Jen, a speech pathologist who has a Master's Degree, also couldn't envision herself being a traditional Indian wife, cooking and cleaning the house for her husband.Jen's Tourist Visa was also about to expire in India, so she had to travel back to the United States and apply for the Tourist Visa again.Jen desired more quality, in-person time with Rishi, and she worried about having to go back to a long-distance relationship. She called the news "devastating and heartbreaking," adding, "I don't think it gets any worse."But before Jen left India, Rishi proposed to her for the second time, and she said, "Yes."Even though Rishi had flirted with Randi on social media, she said she loved Rishi and needed to see him again. Although she was "disgusted" by Rishi's betrayal, she decided to return to India and confront him about his questionable behavior.Rishi ultimately explained to Jen that he knew the woman was her friend Randi all along and so he assumed she was just "pulling [his] leg." Rishi said he was essentially playing along with Randi until the conversation became inappropriate, and so he blocked her.Jen didn't really buy Rishi's explanation, but she chose to look past it.Rishi then disappointed Jen again when he told her that he wanted to wait a couple more months, until August 2, to tell his parents about their relationship."I already asked Jen to wait to tell my family about our relationship," Rishi told the cameras. "But now I have to ask her to wait even longer. I know this is hard for her, and she might be angry at me. I just hope she will not completely give up on our relationship."And then when Rishi finally got to meet Jen's friends, Randi and Myra, Rishi revealed he had met "two or three" women whom his parents had been trying to fix him up with.However, Rishi previously told Jen that he had no idea his parents were looking for a wife for him."Hello, you just found out they're looking for you yet you rejected a variety of options for the last two years?!" Jen complained in a confessional."I really don't understand Rishi's timeline of events, but it's clear to me he's known about this the whole time. We can't go forward to a future if I find out he's lying about everything in the past. There are so many lies!... He is some kind of pathological liar."And based on a preview for the show's reunion special, there is more drama for this couple to come.It appears Jen and Rishi are currently living in India. Jen and Rishi have posted several photos showing they are located in Jaipur.On April 11, Rishi posted a photo with Jen and two of their friends on Instagram, and he wrote, "Stay close to people who feel like sunlight... Blood does not make a family. Love does."Jen asked her followers not to write any hateful or mean comments about her best friend Randi, and Rishi made it known in the comments how he has no problem with Randi."She is like a diamond. You all are making mistakes... Whatever she did .. because she care of @jenboecher... And I really appreciate her work," Rishi wrote.Jen conducted an Instagram Live on March 31 from New York, asking for tips on how to gain more followers on social media."Our story is 100 percent true. I know that's a question people ask," Jen said.Rishi noticeably commented on her video, "I missed this lovely session but I love these all the comments... People understand us and love us thank you all the lovely people for your love and support.. Love [from] India and love you babe @jenboecher you made my day. I open my eyes and I found you here."About a week earlier, Rishi tagged Jen in an Instagram post and gushed, "You make me happier than I ever thought I could be."And on March 12, Jen uploaded a sweet selfie of the couple smiling."When love is not madness it is not love." - Pedro Calderon de la Barca," Jen captioned the image.Rishi and Jen were also in Jaipur City in late February. Rishi posted a photo of the couple and wrote, "I need you like a heart needs a beat. More alive in person with you @jenboecher."In addition, Rishi posted photos from his engagement party on February 8. He was standing next to Jen and smiling in the photo."Star cast ready for engagement night," he wrote.Jen and Rishi, a personal trainer, also run a wedding-planning service together."Right now we are looking for clients of any race, religion, creed, country, age, etc. who wants the full on Indian wedding experience!" Jen wrote on Instagram in March.Want more spoilers or couples updates? Click here to visit our homepage! Chaz Bono acted in only three roles before his transition from 2008 to 2010, and said he regained his passion for acting in 2012 when he could enroll in Anthony Meindel's actor workshop as a male. ADVERTISEMENT "What little acting I did was not something I was looking to do as a career at that point," Bono told UPI in a recent Zoom interview. "After I transitioned, I ended up getting a couple of cameos in things and really enjoyed the experience." Bono, 54, the son of Sonny Bono and Cher, graduated from the High School of the Performing Arts in New York in 1987. He said playing a male role in a senior year play was a pivotal experience, but it was decades before he could play male roles in Hollywood. "It was the first time I felt comfortable, really comfortable on stage," Bono said. "That kind of led me to quit acting because I knew that nothing like that was going to happen out there in the real world." Bono appeared in the 1994 film Bar Girls, a 1997 episode of Ellen and the movie Fronterz in 2004. In 2012, he played the role of Chaz on DeGrassi: The Next Generation, but soon after found his niche in horror. American Horror Story cast Bono in his first of three roles for the anthology series in 2016. He also appeared in the films Reborn, 3 from Hell and Bury the Bride, premiering Friday on Tubi. In Bury the Bride, a bachelorette party encounters a group of hunters in a remote desert, including Bono's character. Bono said Bury the Bride, which he also produced, gave him new acting challenges. "I don't speak for the majority of the film," Bono said. "I had to try to lay down these tracks for this character that would make sense once you hear my story." FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON THE ALL-NEW GOOGLE NEWS! Reality TV World is now available on the all-new Google News app and website. Click here to visit our Google News page, and then click FOLLOW to add us as a news source! Bono plays Puppy, whose major speech explains to the girls how he fell in with the violent clan. He said he believed Puppy is telling the truth, though the film leaves it open to interpretation. "I played it very much that every word that comes out of my mouth is the truth," Bono said. He said he hopes it helps make sense of how he was acting beforehand. While Bono now relishes the challenge Puppy gave him, he admits he was reticent at first. After writer Krsy Fox asked him to play the role, Bono said he had reservations about the lack of dialogue. "As actors, we like to talk," Bono said. "But she said, 'Look, this is going to be an incredibly impactful character. There's a reason why you don't speak. When you finally do, it's going to mean a lot.'" Bono said it's not a coincidence that he has acted so frequently in horror productions, noting that he grew up loving horror movies and relating to other horror fans. But as a filmmaker, he also began to appreciate what horror movies can achieve. "The genre has always mostly been independent filmmaking," Bono said. "Texas Chain Saw is such a great film. You can see they made it for next to nothing and it doesn't matter at all." While horror movies can be an escape into fictional fear, Bono said that he fears anti-trans trends in the real world. Recently, Kansas passed restrictions on gender affirming care, and Kentucky went further to compel physicians to detransition youths. "It's a lot scarier to be trans right now," Bono said. "I know this will pass. I watched them put the same attack out on gay and lesbian people in the '80s and '90s, but in the meantime, it's tough." Bono said he believes much of the anti-trans sentiment comes out of fear. He also said politicians stoke trans fears to rally their base, as well as racist sentiment against Asians, African-Americans and other groups. Bono said he worries for trans youth who are growing up under such fears and restrictions. "You're going to kill a lot of people," Bono said to the politicians passing such laws. Bono said he hopes the people behind such attacks can learn trans people are nothing to fear. "We're the ones that are afraid," Bono said. "Nobody should be afraid of us. We're not going to do anything." Michelle Obama visited "The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon" in support of her latest New York Times bestseller, "The Light We Carry." ADVERTISEMENT The former first lady was promoting her book in advance of her Netflix special of the same name with Oprah Winfrey , premiering on April 25. "The Light We Carry" is also a podcast where Obama talks to various celebrities and public figures about their own light and how they find it and reflect it to others. The 58-year-old wore a denim suit and braids with the rest of her hair flowing. She talked about everything from her White House return to see her and husband Barack Obama's official portraits hung and working with Oprah Winfrey, whose friendship she values. "Oprah was one of the very early supporters before Barack was even thinking about running," Obama told Fallon. "She spotted him when he was a U.S. Senator, and she has been that person who never asks for anything but is always there with her generosity and support." "There isn't anything you can't ask her to do if you're a friend that she won't try to do. She is who she appears to be. I'm lucky to call her a friend." FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON THE ALL-NEW GOOGLE NEWS! Reality TV World is now available on the all-new Google News app and website. Click here to visit our Google News page, and then click FOLLOW to add us as a news source! Obama also talked about her famous statement from the Democratic Convention in 2016. "They go low, we go high," is now the title of a chapter in the book. "People still keep asking me, 'Do you still mean that?'" she said. "I didn't know I'd be known for that line, but I'm proud of that. People ask me do I ever go low? And...yeah. I go low. I go low a lot of times." "But for people who have a platform, who are being looked up to, we have a responsibility to stay high because kids are watching us. If you need to go low, do it at home. Do it at your kitchen table, with your spouse. We set the example because leaders set the tone, and we felt what it felt like to be led with low. And it didn't feel great." Obama dedicated "The Light We Carry" to her parents. Her mother, Marian Robinson famously moved into the White House with the Obamas to help them with their daughters, Malia and Sasha, who are now 25 and 21 respectively. Obama says her mother deserved a chapter but says she had to ask permission to include her. "My parents are where I get any wisdom that I have. The fact that she allowed me to even say her name in the book is a big deal, because Marian Robinson isn't impressed with anything, at any time," Obama says. One of Robinson's adages is "Come home because we will always like you here." Obama says that helped instill confidence in her and her older brother, Craig. "She said that because she knew as kids of color, as a young Black woman in the world that I would be confronted in the world with a lot of people that would set my bar low for me. She knew we were going to hear racial insults." Obama continued, "She knew what we were going to confront and she never wanted us to get our self-worth from outside the home because she knew we couldn't count on it. So that maxim is 'Don't sweat the small stuff.' Don't lose it because a teacher doesn't like you, because somebody called you a bad word. Don't let your self-esteem be based on that. Get your self-worth at home." As a mentor and an inspirational figure who earned enormous support throughout her eight years as First Lady, Obama is mindful of her mother's example and follows it as she moves in the world. She added, "It's an important thing for adults to remember as we deal with young people because our words to them matter. What we say, how we treat them, it has an impact, because some kids don't have a home to go to feel that love." "I think about that every time I interact with a kid, that my interaction with them may be the only time they feel safe, and they feel at home." Obama also did one of Fallon's patented skits. In a "Bookstore Surprise" they talked to bookstore patrons who were browsing tables with Obama's book. Using a microphone set up to look like a recorded message on a wall display, they admonished one set of browsers who seemed reluctant to buy the book, and made others follow Simon Says commands. They then emerged from behind the wall to take pictures with the surprised shoppers. Margaret Josephs and Jackie Goldschneider think their "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" co-stars Teresa Giudice and Melissa Gorga need a "pause" in their relationship. ADVERTISEMENT Josephs and Goldschneider weighed in on the ongoing feud between Giudice and Gorga during Tuesday's episode of "Watch What Happens Live." Giudice and Gorga, who is married to Giudice's brother Joe Gorga, have longstanding issues that came to a head again recently after Giudice did not include Gorga as a bridesmaid in her wedding to Louie Ruelas. The pair clashed again after Giudice called out Gorga's daughter Antonia for not attending her daughter Melania's 16th birthday party. On "Watch What Happens Live," Josephs said Giudice bringing up Antonia during the fight was not "too bright." "I think that was not the best move," Josephs added. "It was mean," Goldschneider agreed. Josephs and Goldschneider were then asked if it's time for Giudice and Gorga to "cut each other out" of their lives. FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON THE ALL-NEW GOOGLE NEWS! Reality TV World is now available on the all-new Google News app and website. Click here to visit our Google News page, and then click FOLLOW to add us as a news source! "Yeah, I think so. I don't think they bring each other happiness," Goldschneider said. "I think they need a big pause from each other," Josephs added. Gorga said on WWHL in February that Giudice made a "statement" by not having her as a bridesmaid. "I didn't expect to [be]," Gorga said. "I just said, 'Alright, you've really drew the line in the sand now. Like, you're showing your kids that we're really not a family if you can't even fake it for a wedding.'" "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" is in its 13th season on Bravo. The series also stars Dolores Catania, Jennifer Aydin, Danielle Cabral and Rachel Fuda. Videos Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. Opinion articles written in the style of their author." These texts are to be based on verified facts and must be respectful towards people, even though their actions may be criticized. shall feature, along with the author's name (regardless of their greater or lesser renown), a footer stating their office, academic title, political affiliation (if any) and main occupation, or the occupation related to the topic being assessed On Tuesday, 4 April 2023 Finland joined NATO. As a result, it now enjoys protection through its members collective defence obligations under Article 5 of the Washington Treaty and Americas nuclear deterrent. Finlands most significant contribution to NATO, in turn, is built on the security and defence of our own territory said President Sauli Niinisto, adding: In this respect, the Finnish concept of comprehensive security retains its value. But, he emphasised, we no longer do this work alone. It is a mutually reinforcing relationship. Overall, Finlands membership of NATO highlights a profound geopolitical change in Europe at the time when Russias War of conquest, which triggered Finlands desire to cash in its NATO option in the first place, continues to rage in Ukraine. It marks also a historical turning point. Coincidentally, the Finns accession fell on a special day in Brussels: the 74th anniversary of the formation of the Atlantic Alliance, a proof of NATOs staying power. For Finland, meanwhile, that date now reflects liberation from the historical trauma of an imposed neutrality after World War Two. After all, in 2022-23 this small Nordic state on Europes north-eastern flank, that has been an EU member since 1995, exercised the right to freely choose its alliance membership under the principle of sovereign equality of states, as enshrined in the UN Charter. In this way, it also completed its long road to fully integrate politically and militarily in the so-called institutional West. That warm, sunny Tuesday of April 4th with winters snow almost thawed, will be etched in the Finnish peoples minds. You could see the real joy on peoples faces, while a sense of liberation and confidence was palpable on the Helsinki streets. A new era had begun. Yet why does NATO membership now mean so much, considering that Finland had managed so successfully for over seven decades with their policy of non-alignment, their confidence in self-defense, and their focus on predictability though dialogue, trade and trust building in relations with Moscow? In 1949, Finland had deeply felt the pains of World War II, during which they had fought two separate wars against the USSR: the 1939-1940 Winter War in which they resisted Soviet invasion for 105 days, and the Continuation War of 1941-1944 in which as co-belligerents with the Nazis, Finns hoped to regain the territories ceded to the USSR in the 1940 Moscow Peace Treaty. Hostilities between Finland and the Soviet Union finally ended with the signing of the Moscow Armistice of 1944, with one of the conditions being the disarming and expulsion of Germans troops from Finnish territory (which led to the Lapland War between Finland and Germany in 1945). World War II was concluded formally for Finland and the minor Axis powers with the signing of the Paris Peace treaties in 1947. But with it came the irrevocable territorial losses of Karelia, Salla, and Petsamo in the Far North with its nickel mines and ports on the Barents Sea coast, and the leasing in the South of the Porkkala naval base to the Soviets. Furthermore, Finland was required to pay US $300 million (equivalent of US $5.8bn today) in reparations to the USSR, to accept partial responsibility for the war, and to acknowledge that it had been a German ally albeit only informally. Because of Stalins pressure, Finland was also forced to refuse Marshall Plan aid. Instead, the Finns had to accept the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance (FCMA) on 6 April 1948, prohibiting them from joining any organization considered hostile to the USSR. In this way, Helsinki was left to navigate largely alone the fraught post-war arrangements with the Soviet Union. The Finns nevertheless gained political support from Sweden, when Norway, Denmark, and Iceland became founding signatories of 1949 North Atlantic Treaty, because Stockholm decided to stay out and to remain neutral. This policy of solidarity as much of one reflecting Swedens national interest did help Finland facing its huge Eastern neighbour on what became the Wests Cold War frontline in Europes North. Finns were grateful to the Swedes, as this constellation allowed them to quietly begin postwar reconstruction and building a prosperous welfare state, while retaining their democracy and integration in the global economy. Still, it led to a peculiarly delicate foreign policy in the bipolar era: orienting West, underpinned by membership in the Nordic Council, founded in 1952, and the European Free Trade Area (EFTA), formed in 1960, all the while seeking to avoid conflict with the powerful Kremlin beyond the 1300km long shared border. Cold War hawks in the West charged Finland with appeasement towards the Soviet Communist regime politically and due to close trade relations. Conservatives in West Germany coined the pejorative term Finlandization also picked up in the USA to suggest a country that was formally independent but in practice subservient to its powerful neighbour. In fact, the Finns maneuvered to get the best of both worlds: as an important player in East-West trade, all the while modernizing their economy and strengthening commercial ties with America and its European allies. Yet, geography cannot be changed, and neighbours simply have to be tolerated. To assert itself, Finland used every opportunity of exposure on the global stage, be it through hosting superpower summits, the pan-European Conference on Security and Cooperation (CSCE), when the capital became synonymous with the Helsinki Final Act of 1975 a cornerstone of the European order as we know it or, more recently collaboration on environmental and climate issues in the Arctic. Finland worked hard to develop careful but friendly relations with Moscow. But it never pursued dialogue and engagement at the expense of deterrence through heavy defence spending and strong armed forces. In security, Finns concentrated on self-reliance. Posterity, stand here upon your ground and never rely on outside help, reads the inscription on Kings Gate, the entrance to island-fortress Suomenlinna protecting Helsinki, built in the 18th century when Finland was part of Sweden. This motto, one might argue, has been guiding Finnish foreign policy ever since the country won its independence from Russia in 1917 until 2023. And when others from Sweden to Germany demobilised after 1991, Finland stuck to its guns with its system of conscription. Concern over a dangerous neighbour prevailed, even after Soviet collapse and after the long-hoped for dissolution of the Soviet-Finnish FCMA Treaty in 1992. Deep down Finns always remained sceptical of the men in the Kremlin and the direction post-Soviet Russia would take. And President Boris Yeltsins proclamations that his post-Soviet Russia would democratise and seek partnership with the USA and the West did not change such feelings, even if that decade of the 1990s was marked by talk of the end of history and hopes for a more peaceful world. Following Soviet disintegration, the Finnish government and the population felt that continuing with their independent security policies was the best way forward to avoid unnecessarily provoking the Russians who were grappling with post imperial trauma, socio-economic chaos, and constant political upheaval. In 1995 Finland (together with Sweden and Austria) joined the EU, and in doing so openly signaled its political alignment with the West. Meanwhile, Helsinki had in 1992 become an observer on NATOs new post-Cold War North Atlantic Cooperation Council a forum originally created in 1991 for dialogue and cooperation with NATOs former Warsaw Pact adversaries incl. the USSR. In 1994, through involvement in NATOs new Partnership for Peace initiative, Finland gained a form of military reinsurance which over the years developed into extremely close cooperation including participation in joint military exercises, NATO-led peace support operations (in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Afghanistan), and intelligence exchange. Over time as the international atmosphere began to change, applying for NATO membership became something Finns were ready to do, if circumstances demanded it. Since 2004, the government in Helsinki formally practised a so-called NATO option policy, facilitated by a policy of intentionally removing the technical obstacles to joining the Alliance. That is the development of compatibility and interoperability with NATO through partnerships, defence material procurement, and crisis-management operations participation. Indeed, since the first attack by Russia against Ukraine in 2014, Finland pursued a strategy of closer defence engagement with NATO, while at the same time seeking to keep Russo-Western communication channels open. In terms of the dynamics in Northern Europe, this meant Finland remaining formally outside NATO, but increasingly inter-linking its security with the Alliance. This fragile status quo was shattered when Putin in late 2021 first demanded a veto over future NATO enlargements and then, in February 2022, he launched Russias invasion of Ukraine. Finns no longer believed they could continue that they could as before. For Finland, but for Sweden, too, the time had come for a military re-alignment. With a sharp change in public opinion combined with the shift of most parliamentary parties (including Prime Minister Sanna Marins Social Democrats) in favour of NATO accession, the room for the Finnish political leadership to take the decisive step towards membership grew exponentially. As it turned out, the strong support from the people and Parliament served also as a key-signal of democratic validity for the NATO application process. Finland swiftly acted (always in lockstep with Sweden), and by July 2022 NATO Allies had already signed both countries accession protocols. For the Finns, Russias attack of Ukraine in 2022 had immediately rekindled memories of 1939, of the horrors and painful territorial losses of World War Two, and of muddling through during the Cold War under the long shadow of the FCMA Treaty and the stigma of Finlandization. Ironically, it was Putin himself who gifted Finland the opportunity to see and seize the window of opportunity to join NATO fast. It was Russias behaviour that made Fins (and Swedes) act decisively to maximise their security and catalysed the Allies into a positive response. By bringing War to Europe once more, Russias mask, as President Niinisto put it, had come off. We should never have to be alone again... In order to improve our security and guarantee our independence, we should join NATO. We still have a powerful and aggressive neighbour, said Petteri Orpo, leader National Coalition party, long-time supporter of membership in the spring of 2022 when he was leading the opposition. One year on, his party has won the general elections of 2 April. And it is he who is seeking to form the next government of Finland, a country that has just become NATOs 31st member. Finland has freed itself from the shackles of its politically painful past. It was always a western country (considering it had been part of Sweden for 700 years until 1809), but now it has officially taken its place in NATO, too. Henceforth, the focus in Helsinki is on supporting Swedens final steps to membership, on continuing to help Ukraine defend its independence, and on working from a position of newly found freedom, from a strengthened international position and with greater room for manoeuvre, towards peace and stability in Europe. A Maine man who police say confessed to shooting seven people killing four of them has made his initial court appearance Investigators on Thursday charged a sixth person with reckless murder in connection with a deadly shooting at a Sweet 16 birthday party, saying in court documents they believe gunmen shot into the crowd during the celebration The Athens-Clarke County Library and Athens Community Council on Aging will present an informational session on Medicare on April 27 at 11 a.m. The session can be useful for those confused about Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans or those that are not sure where to get factual information, according to an ACC Library release. In a mixed bag for HDFC Bank ahead of the parent HDFC's merger with itself, the Reserve Bank of India has declined to make exceptions on certain aspects, and has offered some leeway on others. Photograph: PTI Photo The country's largest private sector lender, which is aiming to conclude the merger with the home finance major by July, had written to the central bank seeking certain forbearances after announcing the $40-billion merger in April last year. In an exchange filing this evening, HDFC Bank said it received a response from RBI on Thursday and also said that there are a few pending issues. The RBI has refused to make any exceptions on cash reserve ratio (CRR) and statutory liquidity ratio (SLR) requirements as sought by HDFC Bank, while it has allowed some leeway on the priority sector lending (PSL) and investments front. HDFC Bank shall continue to comply with extant requirements of CRR, SLR and LCR (liquidity coverage ratio) from the effective date of merger without exceptions, the lender said, quoting from the RBI letter. CRR is the percentage of deposits which a commercial bank like HDFC Bank has to park with the central bank for which it does not earn any interest, while SLR is a percentage of deposits which are mandated to be invested in government securities. A non-bank lender is exempt from the same requirements and HDFC Bank had sought leeways on compliance for liabilities that come from HDFC. Meanwhile, HDFC in a filing stated that market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has approved the proposed change of controlling stake in HDFC AMC to HDFC Bank as part of the scheme of amalgamation. Sebi vide its letter dated April 21, 2023, to HDFC Asset Management Company Limited (HDFC AMC), a subsidiary of HDFC Limited and the asset management company of HDFC Mutual Fund (HDFC MF), has granted its approval for the proposed change in control of HDFC AMC, HDFC Ltd said. HDFC Bank's chief financial officer Srinivasan Vaidyanathan informed investors that the bank already carries excess investments in government securities at around 24-25 per cent as against the 18 per cent requirement, hinting that the impact of the move will be minimal. On PSL, Vaidyanathan said it has received a relaxation from the RBI, where it has been told that the adjusted net bank credit may be calculated considering one-third of the outstanding loans of HDFC as on the effective date of the amalgamation for the first year, and the remaining two-thirds of the portfolio of HDFC shall be considered over a period of next two years equally. Under the PSL norms, commercial banks are required to devote over 40 per cent of their overall advances to areas marked as priority sectors for the emancipation of certain marginalized sections of society, whereas a non-bank lender like HDFC does not have to comply with such mandates. The RBI has also allowed for the investments including subsidiaries and associates of HDFC to continue as investments of HDFC Bank, the letter said, adding HDFC Bank or HDFC can increase shareholding in HDFC Life Insurance Company and HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company to over 50 per cent prior to the effective date of the merger. HDFC Bank can continue holding HDFC's stake in HDFC Education and Development Services, which operates three education schools having 4,000 students, for a period of two years from the effective date, it said. In the case of HDFC Credila Financial Services, the higher education financier having a book of over Rs 10,000 crore and owned fully by HDFC at present, HDFC Bank will have to reduce its holding to 10 per cent in two years and stop onboarding new customers. The bank said it will engage with the RBI for certain clarifications on the letter received on Thursday, and also approach RBI with the crystalised amounts of the liabilities as of the effective date, the letter said. As a bulk of HDFC customers are under the prime lending rate set by the home financier, HDFC Bank will conduct an one time mapping of all borrowers of HDFC for benchmark and spreads. All retail, MSME and other floating rate loans sanctioned by HDFC Limited would be linked to appropriate benchmarks within six months from the effective date, it said. RBI has also permitted loan against shares for promoter contribution/in excess of Rs 20 lakh to the individuals, to continue for its existing duration/maturity, HDFC Bank said. Apart from that, asset classification of accounts in the books of HDFC Bank will be as per the norms applicable to banks, it said. The HDFC Bank scrip gained 0.11 per cent to close at Rs 1,673.80 a piece on the BSE on Friday. Tiger Global-backed Koo, an Indian alternative to Twitter, has laid off 30 per cent of its workforce of 260 employees in the last year as the budding firm, like many other start-ups in the country, battles global headwinds. Its important for businesses of all sizes to adopt efficient and conservative approaches to see this period through. "In line with this, we have acted on some role redundancies by letting go of 30 per cent of our workforce over the course of the year, said a Koo spokesperson. The firm says it has handed compensation packages, and extended health benefits and outplacement services to the affected employees. Like most start-ups, Koo also built in a workforce to account for spikes. "Given the current market environment and external realities of a global slowdown, we get affected too, the spokesperson said, adding, We are a young start-up with a long way ahead of us. "The global sentiment right now is more focused on efficiency than growth and businesses need to work towards proving unit economics. The firm had previously laid off 5 per cent of its workforce in August last year. Founded in 2020, Koo is a multilingual microblogging platform that allows users to interact via text, audio and video. It also allows influencers to network and have conversations with their fans. The Bengaluru-based firm is said to have benefitted from tussles between Twitter and the Indian government over improper content moderation, which led to many celebrities, government officials and citizens jumping ship from Twitter to its indigenously built alternative. In November last year, the company had raised $6.3 million in funding from Tiger Global and Accel Partners. The round had also seen participation from Kalaari Capital, 3one4 Capital and Dream Incubator, a Tokyo-based private equity firm. Koo raised another $10 million at the start of this year. We are well capitalised with our recent fundraise of $10 million in January 2023. "We arent looking at raising funds right now. "We are making great progress with revenue and will look to raise funds in the future as necessary, the spokesperson added. In the three years since its launch, the indigenous platform has amassed over 60 million app downloads to become the second largest microblogging platform in the world, with more than 20 languages. With over 100 brands advertising on the platform, we will continue to experiment with monetisation to build a sustainable business, the spokesperson added. Koo has joined several other start-ups in India that have laid off employees. According to industry estimates, more than 22,000 layoffs took place in 2022. This year has been no different. Reliance-backed quick commerce firm Dunzo let go of 30 per cent of its workforce earlier this month. Edtech major Unacademy also fired 12 per cent of its workforce at the end of March. Before that, fellow unicorn UpGrad laid off 120 people at one of its subsidiary companies, Impartus Innovations, which affected 30 per cent of the companys 300-strong workforce. Healthtech unicorn Pristyn Care had laid off 300 employees during the month as well. In February, Indias most highly valued edtech firm Byjus let go of 1,500 employees citing cost optimisation, joining the likes of Web3 firm Polygon that axed 100 workers. Food aggregator Swiggy fired 380 employees in January. LEAD, another edtech unicorn, sacked 100 employees at the same time. In January itself, Google-backed ShareChat also showed the door to 500 workers. The new mantra was to align Apple's ambition with the government's, focusing on Modi's favourite themes of Make in India, employment generation and India as a high-tech export hub. IMAGE: Apple CEO Tim Cook at the opening of India's second Apple store at Saket in New Delhi, Thursday, April 20, 2023. Photograph: Arun Sharma/PTI Photo The inauguration of the Apple stores symbolise the Cupertino, California-based conglomerate's ambitions to make India a manufacturing and export hub. They also mark the end of a roller-coaster ride for Apple, ever since Cook's first visit to India seven years ago. Then, it was reported, his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not go so well. That was not unexpected. Days before his arrival, the government had rejected Apple's request for import and sale of refurbished phones in the country. And the response to Cook's proposal to set up Apple-owned retail stores was to ask the iPhone maker to manufacture in India. It's 2023, and the optics are quite different. The Apple Store inauguration, delayed by Covid, is just one element in the conglomerate's India story. Apple is now a showcase success story of the government's signature production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme. It is one of the country's largest exporters of mobile phones through its three vendors -- Foxconn, Wistron and Pegatron -- pegged at over Rs 40,000 crore (Rs 400 billion) or 45 per cent of total smartphone exports from India in FY23. In FY22, it accounted for 23 per cent of smartphone exports. Based on its PLI commitments through the three vendors, between 12 and 18 per cent of its global smartphone assembly production will shift to India from China by FY26. At the same time, Apple's domestic revenues are picking up and hit Rs 33,000 crore (Rs 330 billion) in FY22. Yet it has not been an easy ride. In 2017, just a year after Cook's visit, Apple started on the wrong foot by asking for 15-year duty concessions (on capital equipment, components, consumables for smartphones) as a condition to set up manufacturing, service and repair and a reduction in customs duty on completely knocked down and semi-knocked down devices to be assembled in India. It also sought relaxation on the contentious 30 per cent local sourcing condition for foreign direct investment in single-brand retail stores. Nirmala Sitharaman, then commerce minister, rejected both proposals in Parliament through a written reply. The doors to India seemed to close for Apple Inc. Then it changed tack; instead of long-distance management, it put together an India team in 2018 that included local experts who would work closely with the government and industry associations. The new mantra, as a senior executive who has been associated with the company said, was to align the company's ambition with the government's, focusing on Modi's favourite themes of Make in India, employment generation and India as a high-tech export hub. IMAGE: Visitors after the inauguration of Apple Saket. Photograph: Rahul Singh/ANI Photo Continuous engagement with the government, flexibility in approach and dollops of patience worked, said sources associated with the government outreach. After a hectic three years of negotiations, Apple managed to convince the government to tweak some of the rules of single-brand retailing. The big one was that the government in 2019 agreed to account for the manufacturing value of its vendors for determining 'local sourcing' (that's because Apple does not manufacture anything anywhere in the world). The value of both exports and domestic sales would be taken into account. In return, Apple committed not to play the pricing game in its stores so that local retailers would not be undercut. The government also allowed them to set up an online store before the physical store and extracted a commitment that this channel would not be used for heavy discounting. Apple saw a big opportunity in shaping the PLI scheme, especially with the government identifying mobile devices as a key area. But the project needed deft handling. For instance, in the initial draft, the minimum value of the phone eligible under the PLI scheme was pegged at $300. But many competitors protested, saying this price would only benefit Apple as very few of them made such expensive phones. Apple did not oppose a move by the government to bring it down to $200. At the same time, the minimum investment requirement for global players was brought down from Rs 1,500 crore (Rs 15 billion) to Rs 1,000 crore to accommodate a global competitor that had made a large investment in a plant. The fact that its vendors and its supply chain have generated jobs for over 100,000 workers, of which the three mobile assemblers account for 60 per cent, has helped with negotiations. Geopolitical realities were also considered. For instance, Apple had wanted to bring in Chinese giant BYD, its largest vendor, for assembling iPads, but dropped the plan after the government hinted it was not inclined to encourage Chinese players. So for AirPods, Apple is going with Foxconn and not with Chinese partners Luxshare Precision. At the same time, the company is also aware that the decision not to clear FDI for Chinese component suppliers to set up manufacturing facilities in the country could severely impact the domestic supply chain ecosystem and localisation commitments made by the PLI-eligible companies of 40 per cent by the end of the PLI scheme (from 12-18 per cent for Apple currently). The US company decided not to go alone on this matter but collaborate on what is clearly an industry issue. Together with ICEA, the association for a majority of mobile device makers in the country, Apple executives undertook a series of discussions with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and found a middle ground that would benefit local manufacturers such as Lava and Dixon Technologies as well as Apple Inc. Based on the discussions, Apple would submit a list of Chinese suppliers it needed in India to MeitY (which has cleared 12 of them so far). Then it would have to seek joint ventures with Indian partners who would have a majority stake. But this process, too, would require government approval. It's not a perfect solution, an expert said, but it balances geopolitical realities and business imperatives. It is also trying to bring in more flexibility in the country's archaic labour laws to enable the creation of the kind of mammoth factories that has enabled China to become a cost-competitive destination for global manufacturing. Sources said Apple is quietly persuading some of the states to allow hostels within factory premises for women and many have shown a positive response. But Apple has some impending headwinds to weather, too. Just like Google, it is under scrutiny by the Competition Commission of India for alleged violations such as forcing developers on their store to pay large commissions, directing them to use their billing system and so on. Apple has dismissed these allegations in various forums -- but it is an area that may well have engaged Tim Cook's attention in India. Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com 'Where was the armed police?' 'Did you see armed constables around him?' 'There was deep negligence by the UP police and this was a deep conspiracy.' The killing of Uttar Pradesh gangster Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf Ahmed on a live television broadcast has put a question mark on the law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh. Atiq had approached the Supreme Court last month and stated that his life was in danger in police custody, but the apex court put its faith in the UP police by telling Atiq that the state machinery would take care of him. There were 17 policemen to protect Atiq and his brother on Saturday, April 15, 2023, night and yet the three killers shot Atiq and Ashraf at point blank range. "If the UP government really wishes that justice happens, then they should lodge an FIR immediately, get police officials from outside UP to investigate the killings, which should be looked upon as custodial killings," Kavita Srivastava, national secretary, People's Union for Civil Liberties, tells Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff.com. As a human rights activist, how do you see the killings of Atiq Ahmed and others in UP? It is horrible what is happening in Uttar Pradesh. It is so completely brazen. We used to see these things happening in Bollywood films and now the same script is being played out in Uttar Pradesh. Extensive acts of private actor violence are being televised by channels. So the live broadcast of the killings of two people who were made into monsters by a repeated narrative on the television channels was lapped up by the audience. It showed the brazen way in which the UP state machinery -- the police in this case -- facilitated the killers by making room to them to reach the killers and not firing back a single shot. There have been 183 police encounters in Uttar Pradesh since 2017, when Yogi Adityanath came to power. The 183rd encounter was that of Asad, Atiq Ahmed's son. The killing of Atiq and his brother Ashraf has made that figure 185. But Atiq and his brother Ashraf were not killed by the police. They were killed by killers in the complete protection of the police. So complete was the failure of due diligence that it appears to be a police complicit with the killers. If you are taking an accused who has 100 serious cases, then the police should have given him more protection while taking him to hospital. Don't you wish to protect the person even more for your prosecution? But the agenda is not to adhere to process if you are a Muslim. Instant punishment against the Muslim is becoming the norm. Use of bulldozers to demolish houses or naming and shaming by putting up banners of people who protested in the anti-CAA protests or the staged killings/causing injuries in the name of encounters mostly target Muslims. The UP police has to take responsibility for the killings of Atiq and Ashraf. There are clear-cut Supreme Court guidelines which state that you cannot bring out prisoners in this manner. The Justice Sirpurkar commission, while investigating the killings of the accused in the Disha Reddy case, gave general recommendations including protection of accused in these circumstances. What are the guidelines to bring prisoners to hospitals? The police has to have everything in place. After all, the possibility of the attack on Atiq and Ashraf was real. The protection of the right to life of the criminal has to be there. Why was the police car not taken up to the hospital doorstep? Why were there not enough armed police? Why were they taken in the night for a checkup? Like in the Disha Reddy case, the accused were taken for site investigation in the middle of the night and killed. Atiq Ahmed approached the Supreme Court that he feared he would be slain in an encounter. The Supreme Court also has to take some responsibility for what happened in Atiq's case. How did they just take it so coolly when he said he would be killed? Atiq knew the police would not let him live. The Supreme Court should have instructed the high court to monitor (his movements in police custody). It seems Ashraf did have police protection from an Allahabad high court order of 21st March 2023, which said the police must protect his life. There are so many questions that need to be answered in Atiq and Ashraf's killings. Why was the police car not taken right till the doors of the hospital? Why did the medical check-up for Atiq happen so late in the night? Why was there limited security? There were 17 policemen to protect Atiq and his brother. Were they not enough? No, they were not because they were mostly unarmed constables. Where was the armed police? Did you see armed constables around him? There was deep negligence by the UP police and this was a deep conspiracy. One news channel said Atiq got himself killed. It is absolutely rubbish. They are trying to set the State free of its culpability and probably sponsorship. They are trying to do that kind of narrative to set the State free of any responsibility. The Justice V S Sirpurkar Commission had said, 'Just as mob lynching is unacceptable, so is any idea of instant justice.' This must prevail at any point of time in law. Punishment to any accused has to be established by procedure of law. Are governments not scared of courts anymore? Because there is a consensus of people who have become full of bloodlust. Why does society at large believe the courts take so long to decide that it is better that gangsters like Atiq Ahmed are shot dead? If this happens, then India will become completely lawless. So, let us think of speeding up the justice system rather than taking the law into our own hands and asking for instant justice. This is completely unacceptable. No way do we want India to be a trigger-happy country. Have we reached a stage where police encounters are glorified? It also depends on who is killed. First, you malign a Muslim as a terrorist and anti-national. If you are a tribal, then you malign that person as a Maoist or Naxalite. Like they did in the case of Bhima-Koregaon where they criminalised the accused and gave them a label. Somewhere they make that accused dehumanised, make him a monster in the eyes of the public. And after that, they (the police) get public sympathy, and this is what they did to Atiq Ahmed. He must be and was involved in killings, like that of Umesh Pal, but through the media they built a massive narrative against him. So the public starts seeing him as a horrible human being and they start believing his end needs to be just like what happened to him. Instant justice, however, is not the way. The rule of law must prevail for every little violation. Punishment for the crime should be through the established procedure of law. In the Disha case the V S Sirpurkar Commission proved that the police had killed the accused. Yogi wants to show his brand of Hindutva is more ruthless in satisfying the bloodlust of the people. He is showing instant justice and he is trying to build up an aggressive saviour's image for all those who believe in Hindutva ideology. But Hindu gangsters are also being killed. If there is a Hindu gangster and a Muslim gangster, then the Muslim gangster has greater chances of getting killed in a police encounter. And now, in the case of Atiq Ahmed, we have seen outsourcing of police encounters. In the name of the cow, they have justified mob lynching. It was never there in Hindu religion which is all about consensus. Trigger-happy police and trigger-happy janata, socho haal kya hoga? Is Atiq Ahmed's killing an example to other gangsters that you too will meet the same end? Yogi has brutalised society. Take bulldozer (politics). They are naming and shaming people like they did in the Citizenship (Amendment) Act protests. Madhya Pradesh too has started doing the same now. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the chief architect of it and Yogi has mastered it in a more brutal way. It is getting worse and worse. The UP government has suspended 17 policemen who were on duty. So what? They have not accused them of being killers. Just see the narrative now, they are trying to give a new spin that Atiq got himself killed. If the UP government really wishes that justice happens, then they should lodge an FIR immediately, get police officials from outside UP to investigate the killings, which should be looked upon as custodial killings. The Supreme Court should intervene and monitor the probe and ensure that the evidence in not tampered with. Why only suspend constables? What about the officials who allowed a middle of the night medical examination? 'This setback is only transient, and I am sure this too shall pass.' IMAGE: Artists performing Sabari Moksham, a dance drama during the 'Remembering Rukmini Devi Festival 2023' at Kalakshetra. Photograph: Kind courtesy Kalakshetra Foundation/Facebook There is no end to the controversies surrounding Kalakshetra, the celebrated institution founded by dancer Rukmini Devi Arundale. The students may have called off their protest, and an assistant professor accused of sexual harassment has been arrested, but fresh allegations of discrimination, harassment and abuse surface regularly. It is in this background that Rediff.com's Shobha Warrier decided to speak to the well-known dancer V P Dhananjayan who joined Kalakshetra in 1953 at age 13. He was hand-picked from his little village of Payyanur in northern Kerala by the legendary Kathakali artist Guru Chandu Paniker and taken to Rukmini Arundale's temple of arts. The rest, as they say, is history. Kalakshetra not just crafted him into one of the most respected artistes in India, it also enabled him to find his life partner Shanta there. The Dhananjayans, as they came to be known, became well known not just in India, but across the world. Is there a lot of difference between the Kalakshetra you joined 70 years ago and the Kalakshetra of today? Yes! Indeed, there is a lot of difference. When I first joined in 1953, classes were held at the Adyar Theosophical Society campus. However, the major difference I would point out was that the classes were offered by great and established artists, all of whom had crossed 60 by then. They were real gurus and their mere presence itself was awe inspiring for the students. They had reached such a level as artists that we could see divinity in them. Not a single one of them was a youngster and that made the fundamental difference. I believe that one becomes a real guru only with experience and accumulation of knowledge, and nothing else. We, as students, were very fortunate then that we could interact with such great artists and learn from them directly. I must also say, a special visionary quality of Rukmini Devi was that she did not believe in retiring teachers after a certain age. If I remember correctly, it is because of this primary reason that she refused to accept the status of Deemed University in 1963. Was it because all the gurus were great artists that Rukmini Arundale wanted Kalakshetra to be a Gurukulam where students could spend all their time with such great artists? Yes, that's what Rukmini Devi envisaged. She wanted all the students to reside in the campus and study directly under the gurus like the age-old Gurukula Sampradaya. History has proven that under this unique umbrella of Sampradaya, the institution ran extremely well and gave birth to many well-known artists in the later years. In my view, the deterioration began after the government took over in 1988-1989. From then onwards, Kalakshetra came under the control of the government which led to many lapses in the administration including the retirement of great acharyas. It is ironic that while we had great artists as gurus in our days, today the moment a student graduates, he or she gets the opportunity to be a teacher at Kalakshetra. What kind of experience will they have to impart knowledge on art? While we were students, all our acharyas were very strict, and the administration was also very regimental and vigilant. Now, under the control of the government, the atmosphere is quite liberal. What do you mean by strict? When I say strict, you should realise that their strictness always had a lot of love behind it. One should look at strictness in the context of discipline. The three paths we had to follow were discipline, devotion and dedication: They were the three Ds. And this was our formula for success. You must also note that in those days, girls and boys were not encouraged to mix liberally. We were scared to do anything in front of our gurus. IMAGE: The staff and students of Kalakshetra at the celebration of founder Rukmini Devi's 119th birthday under the famous banyan tree, March 3, 2023. Photograph: Kind courtesy Kalakshetra Foundation/Twitter Yet in such a strict atmosphere, the two of you fell in love.... Of course, people do fall in love. But the love we had was also very quiet, discreet and disciplined. It was a kind of silent love as we were not allowed to show our feelings in public. And, of course, we had an innate fear of the administration reprimanding us and taking any disciplinary action. Would you say such a strict atmosphere helped the students develop as good artists and human beings? It was extremely helpful in our lives. Without discipline, one cannot achieve anything. Personally speaking, whatever we have achieved in our professional and personal lives, it was all because of the discipline inculcated in us by our acharyas. IMAGE: The protest at Kalakshetra. Photograph: Kind courtesy nrithyapillai/Twitter Do you think there is lack of discipline in the institution because you don't have the kind of acharyas of yesteryear? It is quite possible. There are no acharyas at Kalakshetra today. One can only see young teachers. The selection process limits both the students and teachers to be chosen from almost the same age group. Then, of course, after the government took over, one witnessed a lot of lapses in the administration. That is because the institution restricted or limited itself to government appointed staff who have no knowledge of the legacy of the institution or understanding of what Kalakshetra stood for or how it should be run. The official appointees try to learn about the institution after their appointment. Naturally, the new appointees are totally dependent on the teachers who were once students at Kalakshetra, and later employed as teachers. This would eventually lead to a few teachers having more power and influence than the administration at times. This may lead to the possibility of misuse. Were you shocked when you heard about the accusations against teachers like sexual harassment, discrimination etc? Yes, I was, and I still am in a lot of pain. I am pained because these things have happened in such a great institution and tarnished its image. But I cannot say how much truth lies in the accusations. People like us never had any inkling of something like this happening there. If we had, we would definitely have got in touch with the management and asked them to address the situation. We have had no direct contact with the students or the activities of Kalakshetra. If they had adopted people like us in the advisory board, and if they had offered us an opportunity to participate, I feel the students would have shared their fears with us honestly. The problem the students faced was, there was no platform where they could air their grievances freely and without fear. The government-appointed governing body is an eyewash because none of them have any association with Kalakshetra. Not a single senior teacher from Kalakshetra is a member of the governing body. After a lot of persuasion, one non-staff alumnus was included recently. The body meets once or twice a year, and nobody knows whether they discuss these issues in the meetings. From what I understand, they don't even interact with the students and staff. The governing body does not consult us at all on any matter concerning Kalakshetra. We have not had any chance to interact with the students. I think this is one of the reasons why incidents like these happen there. They should have made use of our experience and knowledge of the history and significance of Kalakshetra for the betterment of the students. IMAGE: Kalakshetra Director Revathi Ramachandran honours staff members for their contribution towards the success of the Vitasta festival, March 8, 2023. Photograph: Kind courtesy nrithyapillai/Twitter With not just girls but boys also complaining about sexual harassment, the image of Kalakshetra has taken a huge beating.... I feel if there was a students union on the campus, the issue would not have reached such a stage. They had to openly protest as there was no forum for them to raise the issue. The question remains unanswered as to why some of the teachers who supported the students' protests did not apprise the management earlier if they were aware of the grievances of students against some staff members. Their accusation is that the administration refused to listen to their woes. In short, there was no one to question the administrative lapses. IMAGE: V P Dhananjayan with his wife Shanta. Photograph: Kind courtesy The Dhananjayans Some old students now allege that Kalakshetra is a casteist institution and that there is Brahmanical dominance there. Is this true? No, it is not true at all. It is wrong to say that. The fact is, none of us are Brahmins. 90% of the students who come to Kalakshetra today are Nairs, Menons and from other non-Brahmin communities. A majority of them are from Kerala. The atmosphere at Kalakshetra during our time was nothing like what they say now. In those days, Rukmini Devi insisted that anyone who came to study at Kalakshetra should be admitted. She believed that it was the duty of the gurus to mould each student. It was because of their effort that we reached this level. I don't think any of the teachers of today can do what the acharyas of those days did for us. While I joined at the age of 13 with absolutely no knowledge of any art, Shanta had joined when she was just 8 or 9. Kalakshetra opened a new world for us. Today, they admit only those students who are above 18, who have already studied art or exposed to art. Unlike us, when the students of today join, they are just taught the Kalakshetra style. But I am confident that nobody can tarnish the greatness of Kalakshetra forever. This setback is only transient, and I am sure this too shall pass. Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com A boat navigates at night next to large icebergs near the town of Kulusuk, in eastern Greenland on Aug. 15, 2019 The Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets are now losing more than three times as much ice a year as they were 30 years ago, according to a new comprehensive international study. Using 50 different satellite estimates, researchers found that Greenlands melt has gone into hyperdrive in the last few years. Greenlands average annual melt from 2017 to 2020 was 20% more a year than at the beginning of the decade and more than seven times higher than its annual shrinkage in the early 1990s. The new figures are pretty disastrous really, said study co-author Ruth Mottram, a climate scientist at the Danish Meteorological Institute. Were losing more and more ice from Greenland. Study lead author Ines Otosaka, a glaciologist at the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom, said speeded-up ice sheet loss is clearly caused by human-caused climate change. From 1992 to 1996, the two ice sheets which hold 99% of the worlds freshwater ice were shrinking by 116 billion tons (105 billion metric tons) a year, two-thirds of it from Antarctica. But from 2017 to 2020, the newest data available, the combined melt soared to 410 billion tons (372 billion metric tons) a year, more than two-thirds of it from Greenland, said the study in Thursdays journal Earth System Science Data. This is a devastating trajectory, said U.S. National Snow and Ice Center Deputy Lead Scientist Twila Moon, who wasnt part of the study. These rates of ice loss are unprecedented during modern civilization. Since 1992, Earth has lost 8.3 trillion tons (7.6 trillion metric tons) of ice from the two ice sheets, the study found. Thats enough to flood the entire United States with 33.6 inches (almost 0.9 meters) of water or submerge France in 49 feet (nearly 15 meters). But because the worlds oceans are so huge, the melt just from the ice sheets since 1992 still only adds up to a little less than inch (21 millimeters) of sea level rise, on average. Globally sea level rise is accelerating and melt from ice sheets has gone from contributing 5% of the sea level rise to now accounting for more than one-quarter of it, the study said. The rest of the sea rise comes from warmer water expanding and melt from glaciers. A team of more than 65 scientists regularly calculates ice sheet loss in research funded by NASA and the European Space Agency with Thursdays study adding three more years of data. They use 17 different satellite missions and examine ice sheet melt in three distinct techniques, Otosaka said, and all the satellites, radar, on the ground observations and computer simulations basically say the same thing -- ice sheet melting is accelerating. Greenland from 2017 to 2020 averaged about 283 billion tons (257 billion metric tons) of melting a year, compared to just 235 billion tons (213 billion metric tons) annually from 2012 to 2016. The latest figures also showed what looks like a slowing of melting in parts of Antarctica, which has much more ice than Greenland. Thats mostly due to smaller and fleeting weather changes and the overall longer-term trend still shows an acceleration of melting in Antarctica, Mottram said. Antarctica from 2017 to 2020 is still losing about 127 billion tons (115 billion metric tons) of ice a year, down 23% from earlier in the decade, but overall up 64% from the early 1990s. While mass loss from Greenland is outpacing that from Antarctica, there are troublesome wild cards in the south, notably behavior of the Thwaites glacier, which is nicknamed the Doomsday Glacier, said Mark Serreze, director of the U.S. snow and ice center, who wasnt part of the study. Study authors used changes in gravity and in ice height and measured how much snow fell, how much snow melted, how much ice was lost in icebergs calving and eaten away from underneath by warmer water etching through the ice. This matters because rising sea levels will displace and/or financially impact hundreds of millions of people, if not billions, and will likely cost trillions of dollars, said University of Colorado ice researcher and former NASA chief scientist Waleed Abdalati, who wasnt part of the study. The study is not so much surprising as it is disturbing, Abdalati said in an email A few decades ago, it was assumed that these vast reservoirs of ice changed slowly, but with through the use of satellite observations, field observations and modeling techniques, we have come to learn that ice responds rapidly to our changing climate. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition The acquittal of all 67 accused in the Naroda Gam case in which 11 members of a minority community were killed amounts to murder of justice and the verdict will only embolden rioters, said some of the survivors of the communal violence. IMAGE: People who were accused in the 2002 Naroda Gam massacre case celebrate after being acquitted by the session court, Ahmedabad, April 20 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo A special court in Ahmedabad on Thursday acquitted all the accused in the case, including former Gujarat minister Maya Kodnani and ex-Bajrang Dal leader Babu Bajrangi. Naroda Gam violence was one of the worst massacres witnessed during the state-wide riots triggered by the Sabarmati train carnage on February 27, 2002. The case was probed by a Supreme Court-appointed special investigation team. Sharif Malek, who was injured by a mob that also looted his house, claimed that the judiciary appears to be under pressure, and such a judgment will only encourage rioters. Imtiaz Qureshi said his house was looted and a group of people murdered three persons in front of his eyes. He claimed that Thursday's judgment shows that the judiciary is under pressure. If those protecting the law are made to murder the law, then this will drive the country towards destruction. This way, people will lose faith in democracy, said Adib Pathan, whose house was plundered during the violence. An eerie silence now prevails in the part of Naroda Gam in Ahmedabad where 11 members of the minority community were killed, with most of the houses locked and their walls covered in soot that reminds of the fateful day when they were set on fire. I was a witness to three members of a family, including a woman and her two children, being burnt alive in a house in my neighbourhood. A majority of the houses are closed with hardly 10-15 families living now out of around 110 families who lived there before the riots, said Malek. This is murder of justice. If such a judgment is passed, then it will end up encouraging the rioters. They will no longer be in the fear of law. There is no doubt that the judiciary is under political pressure. The judiciary is under political control, especially in Gujarat, he claimed. Had there been no such pressure and the judge delivered the judgment impartially, then not less than 25-30 accused would have been given life imprisonment, Malek asserted. Qureshi, who was a witness to the violence, said that a handful of people continue to live in the neighbourhood, while the majority has left the area. A married couple and their daughter were burnt alive before my eyes. A woman escaping from the marauding mob that burnt six members of her family was also stabbed before my eyes," said Qureshi, who ran a printing business at Naroda Gam. The acquittal of all 67 accused in the case means that the judiciary is under pressure, he claimed. As a witness, I identified 17 accused persons before the court, and the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probed the matter for months before coming to the same conclusion in its report. The SIT was constituted by the Supreme Court. So this means the law has been belied by the law itself, said Qureshi. Pathan said they had all the proof against the accused. Even the SIT had the proof against the accused, but they were not considered by the court. The riots broke out in the Naroda Gam area of Ahmedabad on February 28, 2002, during a bandh called to protest the Godhra train burning a day before in which 58 passengers were charred to death. The trial started in 2010, and six different judges presided over the case since then, starting with Justice SH Vora who was transferred to Gujarat high court. The then minister in the Narendra Modi government Maya Kodnani, ex-Bajrang Dal leader Babu Bajrangi, and Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Jaideep Patel were among the key accused in the case. The court of special judge SK Baxi on Thursday acquitted all the 67 accused in the case which was one of the nine that were investigated by an SIT constituted by the Supreme Court. The Congress on Friday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of endorsing corruption after Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached out to ex-Karnataka minister KS Eshwarappa who was denied a party ticket in the upcoming state assembly polls. IMAGE: Former Karnataka Minister KS Eshwarappa with Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj S Bommai addresses a press conference, in Bengaluru, April 22, 2022. Photograph: ANI Photo The Opposition party said that Prime Minister Modi congratulating Eshwarappa for not rebelling despite not being given a poll ticket "is unacceptable". Eshwarappa stepped down as Karnataka's rural development and panchayati raj minister in April 2022. This was the fallout of a contractor, Santosh Patil, ending his own life after accusing Eshwarappa of collecting a 40 per cent commission on public works in Belagavi. A probe later gave Eshwarappa a clean chit. The former minister had recently conveyed to the BJP's central leadership his wish to retire from electoral politics but is said to have sought the ticket for his son K E Kantesh. The party, however, gave the ticket to Channabasappa overlooking the senior leader's request. The Congress on Friday said on Twitter, "This man is accused of demanding 40 per cent commission and was forced to resign over corruption charges after BJP worker Santosh Patil committed suicide." "By praising such corrupt leaders, the BJP is sending a clear message that it endorses corruption and illegal activities," it added. The attack came after Eshwarappa shared a video of him talking to Modi in a phone call. In the video, the prime minister is heard saying, "You have demonstrated your commitment to the party. I am very happy with you. So, I decided to talk to you." Modi is also heard saying that he will meet Eshwarappa whenever he visits poll-bound Karnataka. In reply, Eshwarappa told the PM that the BJP will win the May 10 assembly polls. This proves the remarks of former Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satyapal Malik that "the prime minister has no problem with corruption", Congress leader Randeep Surjewala said in Bengaluru "It is a sad day for India's democracy. PM Modi has put his stamp on 40 per cent corruption. He has conveyed that lives don't matter to the BJP. The PM called up BJP leader Eshwarappa for not rebelling. "Eshwarappa is accused of demanding a 40 per cent commission and was forced to resign over corruption charges after BJP worker Santosh Patil committed suicide," Surjewala said. The Congress leader said, "Today is a day when none less than the prime minister has committed a sacrilegious crime." He claimed that while the prime minister spoke to Eshwarappa, he has not even bothered to speak to Santosh Patil or his family members. Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera also referred to Satyapal Malik's remarks and said that it was just for the sake of votes that the prime minister was seeking the support of a leader who was removed as a minister. Party general secretary Jairam Ramesh shared a tweet showing the video of Eshwarappa speaking with the prime minister over phone and repeated the statement of former Satyapal Malik. "PM Modi's blessings are only for the corrupt. 'The prime minister does not hate corruption very much'," Ramesh said in a tweet in Hindi. Kameshwar Kumar Singh, arrested for firing at a woman in Saket court, was barred from practising law in 2022 following allegations of fraud and threatening another woman, Prem Lata, her lawyer claimed Friday. IMAGE: The woman who was injured in the firing incident at Saket court being taken to AIIMS Trauma Centre, New Delhi, April 21, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo The woman, an advocate herself, had filed a case under IPC Section 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property) against Singh in 2016 at Mehrauli police station, said Rajesh Tiwari, her lawyer. Tiwari said his client was getting a building constructed but the builder fraudulently gave the flats to Singh for Rs 70 lakh following which she approached the police. Since then, Singh used to threaten her, Tiwari claimed. The woman then approached the Bar Council of Delhi, which barred Singh from practising law for two years -- from September 12, 2022 to September 11, 2024. The Bar Council said in a notice in December last year Singh's licence to practice as an advocate has been suspended for two years on "finding him guilty of gross professional misconduct and other misconduct". "This has emanated from the complaint no. 180/2017 titled Ms Prem Lata, advocate, Vs Mr Kameshwar Kumar Singh, advocate," it said. Under the Advocates Act, 1961, an advocate may be punished for misconduct by a State Bar Council on receipt of a complaint or otherwise. A "disciplinary committee" of the council, after giving an opportunity of hearing to the advocate concerned, may "suspend" him from practice or even "remove his name" from the state roll of advocates if he is found guilty of professional or other misconduct. The lawyer claimed that ever since the case is in the court, Singh has been threatening him and his client. The case was scheduled for hearing on Thursday. "On Thursday, my client's case was heard and Kameshwar Singh was in court to attend the hearing. He threatened me even yesterday and said I will see you... I will shoot you... Even during the last hearing which was held on April 12, he had threatened me in front of the judge and warned me from pursuing the case. Even the judge heard it and warned him saying his actual place was in jail but he is out since he got bail," Tiwari said. Next date of hearing in the case is July 13, he said. When asked why he did not file a complaint against Singh despite being threatened multiple times, Tiwari said, "He keeps threatening but I am not afraid of him." On Friday, Singh fired multiple shots at a woman inside Saket court complex against whom he had filed a case of cheating over a monetary dispute involving Rs 25 lakh and a hearing in the case was scheduled Friday. The woman was injured in her abdomen and a hand, police said, adding the accused advocate has been arrested from Faridabad. At least 12 people were detained on Friday for questioning in connection with the deadly ambush of five army soldiers in the dense forest area of Bata Doriya in Poonch even as a MI helicopter, drones and sniffer dogs were pressed into service in a massive manhunt for the perpetrators of last afternoon's attack. IMAGE: Security personnel during a cordon and search operation after a terror attack in which five Army personnel were killed and another was seriously injured the previous day, at the Bata-Doriya area in Poonch district, April 21, 2023. Photograph: PTI Photo Officials said that those detained were being questioned at various levels by the security forces to ascertain the identity of the terror group, which is believed to be active in the area for more than a year and probably comprises a snipper too. A day after the attack, Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police Dilbag Singh along with Additional Director General police Mukesh Singh was camping in neighbouring Rajouri district to oversee the investigation. The two officers also visited the site. A National Investigation Agency (NIA) team headed by a Deputy Inspector General rank officer was also present as the agency is likely to take over the case. Initial reports suggest the presence of around five terrorists and the army truck is believed to have been attacked from three different sides. After the ambush, the terrorists possibly used grenades as well as sticky bombs that set the vehicle ablaze. Vehicular traffic was suspended on the national highway between Bhimber Gali and Jarran Wali Gali for the second consecutive day. The officials said those who executed the attack are believed to have been present in Rajouri and Poonch for more than one year and had adequate knowledge of the terrain which is quite tough, they said. The area is a hot bed of Jammu and Kashmir Gaznavi Force (JKGF) as its 'commander' Rafiq Ahmed alias Rafiq Nayi, who is a resident of the area, they added. At present, three to four terrorist groups are active in the region of Rajouri and Poonch, the sources said. Banned terror group People's Anti-Fascist Front (PAFF), a proxy wing of terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed, has claimed responsibility for the attack. There are reports suggesting that it was a handiwork of banned Lashker-e-Taiba group also. The entire area of Tota-Gali-Bata Doriya, which has dense forests, has been cordoned off. Officials said drones and sniffer dogs are being used to trace the terrorists, adding the army also conducted a recee of the area with a MI-chopper. The five Army personnel were killed and another was seriously injured on Thursday after their vehicle caught fire following the attack. The soldiers were from a Rashtriya Rifles unit deployed for counter-terror operations. Top army and police officials on Friday laid wreaths and paid homage to the soldiers -- Havildar Mandeep Singh of Chankoian village of Ludhiana (Punjab), Lance Naik Kulwant Singh of Charik village of Moga district (Punjab), Sepoy Harkrishan Singh of village Talwandi of Gurdaspur district (Punjab) and Sepoy Sewak Singh of Bagha village of Bathinda district (Punjab). The mortal remains were sent to their native places, they said. Officials said a high alert has been sounded in the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch amid heightened vigil along the Line of Control. In a tweet, the Army said, "Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Pande and all ranks of Indian Army salute the supreme sacrifice of five Indian Army bravehearts, Hav Mandeep Singh, L/Nk Debashish Baswal, L/Nk Kulwant Singh, Sep Harkrishan Singh and Sep Sewak Singh who laid down their lives in the line of duty at Poonch Sector yesterday." Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha said he was anguished at the loss of lives of the brave soldiers. "Their rich service to the nation will never be forgotten. My thoughts are with the bereaved families," he said in a tweet. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday issued directions for the preparation of contingency plans to evacuate Indians from Sudan as he carried out a detailed review of the security situation in the violence-hit country at a high-level meeting. IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi chairs a high-level meeting to review the situation related to Indians in Sudan. Photograph: ANI on Twitter The prime minister received a first-hand report of the conditions on the ground, with a specific focus on the safety of over 3,000 Indian citizens presently located throughout that country, the PMO said in a statement. It said the prime minister instructed officials to prepare contingency evacuation plans, accounting for the rapidly shifting security landscape in Sudan and the viability of various options. The prime minister also directed all relevant officials to remain vigilant, closely monitor developments and continuously evaluate the safety of Indian nationals in Sudan while extending them all possible assistance. The meeting that took place via video-conferencing was attended by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar, the Indian ambassador to Sudan and numerous other senior officials. "During the meeting, Prime Minister Modi assessed the most recent developments in Sudan and received a first-hand report of the conditions on the ground, with a specific focus on the safety of over 3,000 Indian citizens presently located throughout the country," the PMO said. Sudan has been witnessing deadly fighting between the country's army and a paramilitary group for the last eight days that has reportedly left around 300 people dead. "Prime Minister Modi instructed all relevant officials to remain vigilant, closely monitoring developments and continuously evaluating the safety of Indian nationals in Sudan and extending them all possible assistance. The prime minister further directed the preparation of contingency evacuation plans, accounting for the rapidly shifting security landscape and the viability of various options," the PMO said. The PMO said Modi also emphasised the importance of maintaining close communication with neighboring countries in the region, as well as those with significant numbers of citizens in Sudan. External Affairs Minister Jaishankar has already spoken to his counterparts from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt on the ground situation in Sudan with a focus on ensuring the safety of the Indians. On Thursday, Jaishankar discussed the situation in Sudan with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and underscored the need for "successful diplomacy" for an early ceasefire and to create the ground for the safety and welfare of people in the African nation. External affairs ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi on Thursday said the situation in Sudan is "very tense" and India is focusing on ensuring the safety and well-being of the Indian community there. 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 Rapid Support Forces (RSF) over a proposed timeline for handing over power to a civilian government. The fighting erupted between the forces loyal to two rival generals as both are aiming to wrest control over the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair a high-level meeting on Friday to review the situation concerning Indians in violence-hit Sudan, government sources said on Friday. IMAGE: People gather at the station to flee from Khartoum during clashes between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and the army in Khartoum, on April 19, 2023. Photograph: El-Tayeb Siddig/Reuters India on Thursday said the situation in Sudan is 'very tense' and is focusing on ensuring the safety and well-being of the Indian community, including working on contingency plans and possible evacuation. The conflict is a direct result of a vicious power struggle within the country's military leadership. The clashes are between Sudan's regular army and a paramilitary force called the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Slogans in praise of Atiq Ahmed and Ashraf, gangsters turned politicians who were slain before the camera while in police custody at Prayagraj last week, were on Friday heard close to the largest mosque in Bihar capital. IMAGE: Gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed (right) and his brother Ashraf Ahmed being escorted to a hospital by police for a medical checkup before they were shot dead in Prayagraj on April 15, 2023. Photograph: PTI Photo A statement by Mohd Faisal Imam, who heads the managing committee of the Jama Masjid in Patna, was shared by the Patna district administration on social media, in an obvious attempt to keep passions under control, especially in view of the Eid ul Fitr festivities on Saturday. The matter relating to Atiq Ahmed pertains to Uttar Pradesh. In Bihar, the Nitish Kumar government has ensured excellent law and order, Imam told reporters who had made a dash to the crowded mosque, situated adjacent to the Patna Junction, upon learning about the shouting of slogans after the prayers. Rajiv Mishra, the senior superintendent of police, Patna, told PTI: We have not made any arrests or detentions in connection with the incident. But we are taking all preventive measures that may be required in view of the situation. The crowd at the mosque was larger than usual, unsurprisingly because it happened to be the last Jumma (Friday) of the holy month of Ramzan. In a video that has gone viral, a section of the crowd can be seen chanting slogans in praise of the slain men and denouncing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The Bharatiya Janata Party was quick to blame the slogan-shouting on the Muslim appeasement politics of the ruling Mahagathbandhan in Bihar, which includes Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal-United, the Rashtriya Janata Dal, the Congress and the Left. Slogans calling a criminal like Atiq a martyr were raised in the heart of the city. This shows a complete administrative failure. It also shows that given a free hand, Nitish Kumar, with the help of RJD, Congress and the Left will not shy away from turning Bihar into a Pakistan where pro-PFI (Popular Front of India) elements would rule the roost and implement the Talibani law, state BJP spokesman Nikhil Anand said in a statement. Atiq Ahmed, a former MP, and Ashraf, an ex-MLA, were shot dead by three gun-toting youths who raised religious slogans while opening fire and handed themselves over to the police afterwards last week. The brother duo was wanted in a number of serious criminal cases, the most famous of these being the assassination of Bahujan Samaj Party MLA Raju Pal, who was gunned down in January 2005, barely three months after snatching away Allahabad West seat, a pocket borough of Ahmed, who had won it five times on the trot before getting elected to the Lok Sabha from Phulpur. Meanwhile, the BJP's allegations were rebutted by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's JD-U which accused the saffron party of playing up the Atiq Ahmed issue because he belonged to a particular religious community. Atiq Ahmed was a dreaded criminal who was not respected even by men of his own faith. Slogans glorifying him can never be condoned, though we do not know who were involved in raising these. But let the BJP not act too innocent. It must admit that it had hobnobbed with Atiq when it was politically convenient, alleged JD-U MLC and chief spokesman Neeraj Kumar. Is it not a fact that the BJP had sought Atiq's support during the voting in Parliament on the Indo-US nuclear deal? Would its leaders of those days, some of whom are now in the Margadarshak Mandal, apologise? asked Kumar. He was referring to the no-confidence motion the Congress-led UPA had faced in 2008 after the Left Front withdrew its support following differences with the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh over inking the pact with the United States. The Samajwadi Party had come out in support of the UPA, enabling the government to survive, though Ahmed, who was then an SP MP, along with a few others, cross-voted against the ruling coalition. RJD spokesman Mrityunjay Tiwari also dismissed the BJP's allegation that the slogans denoted a deterioration in law and order, for which his party is often targeted. I do not know who raised what type of slogans. But I am confident that the administration will take swift action in accordance with our leader and Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav's clear signals that no criminal activities will be tolerated, Tiwari said. Meanwhile, the police said it has made elaborate security arrangements to ensure that the Eid festivities go off peacefully. Altogether 350 sensitive points have been identified across the state. These will be manned by police personnel, assisted by state armed forces, central paramilitary forces and Home Guards. There will be an adequate deployment of forces at places like Gandhi Maidan at Patna, where a large namaz congregation takes place on the occasion of Eid, a statement issued by the police headquarters said. A 49-year-old debarred lawyer fired four rounds at a woman and wounded her in the Saket court complex in south Delhi on Friday, triggering panic inside the premises and raising questions about law and order in the national capital. IMAGE: Police personnel in the Saket Court where a firing incident occurred in which a woman sustained injuries, New Delhi, April 21, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo A man who works as a 'munshi' in the court was also injured in the firing that occurred around 10.30 am. The police said the suspended lawyer, Kameshwar Singh alias Manoj Singh, a resident of Durga Ashram in Chhatarpur, was arrested from a house in Faridabad where he was hiding after the incident. He has been booked under IPC Section 307 (attempt to murder) and sections of the Arms Act. Singh had filed a case of cheating against the woman, M Radha (42), and her lawyer Rajendra Jha over a monetary dispute involving Rs 25 lakh. The hearing was scheduled for Friday, the police said. Videos of the incident showed Singh and Radha having an argument outside the lawyers' block in the court complex and the man pulling out a gun and running after her. He fired two rounds from a close range at the woman, who scrambled to move away from him screaming for help. The man then fired two more rounds. People present there ran in panic and one of them could be heard saying, "Someone, save the woman". Singh then moved inside the lawyer's block and escaped through the back entrance of the building. Radha was taken away by people and security personnel present there. Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Chandan Chowdhary said Radha was shot in her abdomen and a hand. She was admitted to Max Hospital in Saket for treatment initially but was later shifted to AIIMS. Sharing a video of the incident on Twitter, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal asked, "LG sir, what's happening in our Delhi." In another tweet in Hindi, he said, "The law and order situation in Delhi has completely broken down. Instead of obstructing the work of others and doing dirty politics on everything, everyone should focus on their own work. If one cannot handle it, one should resign and let someone else take care of it. The safety of the people cannot be left to god's will." AAP chief spokesperson and cabinet minister Saurabh Bharadwaj too trained his gun on Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, saying he should take responsibility for the incident as the Delhi police reported to him. "The LG has only two jobs -- police and DDA. After the arrival of the new LG sir, the law and order situation in Delhi has gotten worse. Guns are fired in courts. The police are involved in Rs 350-crore corruption," he tweeted in Hindi. The police said they have increased the number of barricades inside the court complex and deployed additional paramilitary forces. The security personnel deployed there claimed not many lawyers get themselves frisked. Some lawyers, however, called for a strict vigil at the entry gates and through frisking of everyone. Arun Ramaswamy, Radha's husband, said he dropped her off around 10 am at the Saket court for a hearing in the case and was later informed by a phone call that she was fired upon and wounded. Jha, her lawyer, said he was inside the court and called Radha, who was in the lawyers' block, to come to the court. When she came out of the lawyers' block, Singh fired bullets, Jha added. The police said CCTV footage showed Singh firing four rounds and escaping on a two-wheeler, which has been found. Special Commissioner of Police (Crime) Ravindra Yadav said Singh told them he had given a loan of Rs 25 lakh to Radha but she did not pay the amount. On his complaint, a case was registered against Radha and she was arrested in December 2022. After she got conditional bail from Delhi high court, he asked her to return the money but she refused, the police said. Singh had warned Radha that if she did not return the money he would kill her in court. They had an argument over the issue on Friday, when they gathered for mediation, and Singh took the licensed revolver of his private security guard and opened fire on Radha, the police added. Singh was barred from practising law by the Delhi Bar Council following allegations of fraud and threatening another woman, Prem Lata. The woman, an advocate herself, had filed a case under IPC Section 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property) against Singh in 2016 at Mehrauli police station. Saket Court Bar Association president Vinod Sharma confirmed Singh's membership was suspended. In 2021, jailed gangster Jitendra Gogi was shot dead by two men posing as lawyers inside a crowded Rohini courtroom. The Odisha police on Friday confirmed that a team of UP police's STF had recently visited the state in connection with the hunt for slain gangster Atiq Ahmed's absconding aide Guddu Muslim. IMAGE: Gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed (right) and his brother Ashraf Ahmed being escorted to a hospital by police for a medical checkup, in Prayagraj before they were shot dead by three men. Photograph: PTI Photo They (UP STF) questioned a man here (Bhubaneswar) and the Odisha police provided assistance in accordance with protocol. The team did not inform us any details about the probe, the DGP told reporters after a meeting with senior officers including ADG (Law & Order) and other senior police officers. The DGP clarified that the UP Police has however, not arrested any person from Odisha. Guddu's driver reportedly stayed in at Bhatli town in Odisha's Bargarh district after the Prayagraj incident. Bargarh SP Prahlad Sahai Meena had also earlier confirmed about the visit of a 5-member STF team on April 18. The team camped in Bargarh and grilled one person. The team had informed us about its visit. They left yesterday, the SP said. Added Odisha's Northern Range IG Deepak Kumar, The UP STF had sought assistance from the local police. The team carried out verifications in the area and returned. No one was arrested. Guddu Muslim, a professional shooter, is on the run since killing of gangsters-turned-politicians Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf on Saturday night. The shooter's arrest assumes importance for the probe as Ashraf's last words before death was, Main baat yeh hai ki Guddu Musli(the main thing is Guddu Muslim) ... Besides. Guddu Muslim is among 10 accused named in the high-profile Umesh Pal murder case in UP. Six of them have been killed and Guddu Muslim is among the four others who are currently on the run. The Uttar Pradesh police has launched a manhunt to catch them. The police however dismissed media reports suggesting that Guddu Muslim had visited the holy town after Atiq and Ashrad's killing at Prayagraj. We have no such information of Guddu Muslim's visit to Puri, Puri SP VK Singh said. The psychiatrist Ai Koyanagi, from the Sant Joan de Deu Research Institute. IRSJD Japanese psychiatrist Ai Koyanagi is one of the worlds most frequently quoted scientists, partly because she publishes a staggering number of studies. Last year she authored 115 papers - approximately one every three days on average. Koyanagi is the co-director of the Epidemiology of Mental Disorders and Ageing group at the Sant Joan de Deu Research Institute in Sant Boi de Llobregat, Barcelona, on an elite contract funded by the Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA). However, in 2022 she modified her details to first appear as a researcher at Saudi Arabias King Abdulaziz University in one of the databases used by the influential Shanghai Ranking, which annually selects the worlds top universities. Consequently, ICREA, the institution that pays Koyanagis salary, has obliged her to renounce her contract with the Arab university, following the revelation by EL PAIS that Saudi Arabia is remunerating Spanish scientists to trick the Shanghai Ranking. Koyanagis name appears in the Highly Cited Researchers list. This is a ranking compiled by the UK-based company Clarivate comprising the 7,000 scientists from around the world with the highest number of citations from their counterparts. Numerous academic classifications use this list to award points to institutions. The more Highly Cited Researchers at a university, the higher up it will appear in the Shanghai Ranking, which is currently topped by Harvard University (U.S.A.). Koyanagi is one of 11 researchers in Spain who have falsely claimed that their main place of work is in Arab institutions, so as to artificially bump them up in international rankings. On Friday April 14, this newspaper contacted Emilia Pola, executive director of ICREA. On Tuesday, Pola replied by pointing out that Koyanagi requested and obtained authorization from her center, the Sant Joan de Deu Research Institute, to sign the agreement with the Saudi university, with the institution requiring the psychiatrist to falsely change her place of work on the Highly Cited Researchers list in return for funding. Her center of registry is private and there is full freedom to authorize researchers to accept such offers, argues Pola. When we learned of this situation, we contacted her and the institution, stressing that, while legal, ICREA policy does not permit this type of contract. Yesterday [Monday, April 17] the researcher renounced her contract with King Abdulaziz University, the executive director adds. ICREA is a foundation that is funded by the Regional Government of Catalonia. The highly prolific Ai Koyanagi has recently published studies on muscle atrophy in rats with Alzheimers disease, smoking in South Korean adolescents, the increased prevalence of Parkinsons disease in individuals taking anti-epileptic drugs in Germany, and the relationship between strength of the hand and the risk of depression. In many of her research papers, Koyanagi has been accompanied by the psychiatrist Josep Maria Haro, co-director of the group at the Sant Joan de Deu Research Institute, though in his case, independently of ICREA. Haros name also appears on the Highly Cited Researchers list and since 2017 he has been ranked as the top researcher at King Saud University in Riyadh. This newspaper has attempted to speak to both of them since April 10, but to no avail. The chemist Mira Petrovic, currently on an ICREA-funded contract at the Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICIA) in Girona, also had an offer from King Saud University in 2019. A lecturer at the Arab institution offered to deposit 70,000 in Petrovics bank account if he falsely altered his place of work in the Highly Cited Researchers database. Petrovic promptly turned down what he deemed to be an indecent proposal. In the case of Ai Koyanagi, King Abdulaziz University, located in the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah, utilized an intermediary to approach the psychiatrist and make her an offer. This was done by the mathematician Juan Luis Garcia Guirao, professor at the Polytechnic University of Cartagena, who acknowledges that he contacted the Japanese researcher and encouraged her to modify her primary place of enrollment so as to be eligible for a collaboration project with the Arab institution. Garcia Guirao, who was recognized as Distinguished Scientist of King Abdulaziz University in 2020, also intermediated with other Spanish researchers on the Highly Cited Researchers list. One of these was Jose Angel Perez, expert on food technology and a professor at the Miguel Hernandez University of Elche, who was registered as a researcher at the Saudi institution in 2020. Garcia Guirao argues that he has never been paid for this and he has never set foot in King Abdulaziz University. The 11 researchers in Spain who are listed as affiliates of Saudi universities include the chemist Damia Barcelo and the physicist Andres Castellanos, who both work at the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), which belongs to the Science Ministry. A spokeswoman for Minister Diana Morants cabinet says that the CSIC Ethics Committee is currently reviewing the situation. In the event of any irregularities, accountability will be determined, she points out. These rankings have garnered a track record of criticism regarding their validity due to the type of criteria they use and, consequently, they should not be regarded as the only references when it comes to measuring the excellence of universities around the world, added the spokeswoman for the science minister. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Amid speculation over his next political move, senior Nationalist Congress Party leader Ajit Pawar on Friday said his outfit can stake a claim to the post of Maharashtra's chief minister "now also" instead of waiting for 2024 when assembly polls are due in the state. IMAGE: NCP leader Ajit Pawar during an Iftar party, in Mumbai, April 19, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo The Leader of Opposition in the assembly also told an interviewer that he will "100 per cent" like to be chief minister of Maharashtra. In a free-wheeling interview to the Sakal Media Group at a programme called Dilkhulas Dada in Pune, Pawar said he had heard that Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, before his rebellion against the Shiv Sena leadership in June 2022, was unhappy and something was going in his mind. Pawar revealed his colleague late RR Patil would have become chief minister in 2004 when the NCP had won more assembly seats than its ally Congress, but a message came from Delhi that his party will get the deputy CM's post. Asked whether the NCP will stake a claim for the chief minister's post next year when assembly polls are due in Maharashtra, he remarked, "Why 2024, we are ready to stake a claim for the CM position now also." He, however, did not elaborate on the statement. During rapid fire round, the MLA from Baramati in Pune district, who has served as deputy CM multiple times, was asked by the interviewer whether he would like to become chief minister. To this, Pawar promptly replied, "Yes, I would 100 per cent like to be (CM)." Asked why the NCP has an attraction for the deputy CM's position as the party has got that post on multiple occasions in the last 20 years, the veteran politician said in 2004, the NCP and the Congress fought Assembly elections in an alliance and the former had won more seats. "We got 71 seats, while the Congress won 69. Everyone, including the Congress, thought CM would be from the NCP. However, some decisions were taken at the highest level and a message came from Delhi that the NCP will get the deputy chief minister position and the CM post went to Congress," he said. Pawar said his colleague Patil was chosen as the Leader of the House (assembly), and he would have become chief minister in 2004 if the top post was given to the NCP. In the subsequent assembly polls, the Congress bagged more seats than the NCP and naturally kept the CM's post with itself, he said. Asked whether he liked working with Congress CM Prithviraj Chavan or Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray leader Uddhav Thackeray, who occupied the top post from November 2019 to June 2022, Pawar said they worked with the latter "happily", but working with the former was out of choice. On Shinde's revolt and subsequent split in the Shiv Sena, the former deputy CM said they used to hear that Shinde, then his Cabinet colleague in the Maha Vikas Aghadi government, was unhappy and sensed something was going in his mind. "We had alerted Pawar saheb (NCP president Sharad Pawar) and Thackeray was also apprised about it. The BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) had been trying to pull down the MVA government since the first day of its formation." "The wife of a key politician confessed later that her husband used to go out in disguise, and later some ministers said Shinde and a particular leader used to meet," Pawar said without taking any names. He said during the MVA government, Thackeray had given full control of Thane district to Shinde, then a Cabinet minister, and some officials appointed by him had helped rebel Shiv Sena MLAs to sneak out of Mumbai and reach Surat on June 20. Pawar on Friday skipped a meeting of his party's Mumbai unit, raising eyebrows in political circles as speculation about his next political move refuses to die down. Speaking to reporters in Pune, Pawar played down the buzz saying he was unable to attend the NCP convention as he had to remain present for some other programmes happening at the same time. He insisted nothing much should be read into this. Palestinian peace activist Ismail Assad, who lives in Leyden, Mass., and owns and operates Mohawk Shawarma Grill in Greenfield, Mass. will provide catering services for a special gathering this Sunday at the Brattleboro Area Jewish Community, 151 Greenleaf St. Rep. Tristan Roberts, D-Windham 6, represents Halifax, Whitingham and Wilmington in the Vermont House. He often infuriates and sometimes entertains in his newsletter, available at tristanroberts.org. The opinions expressed by columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of Vermont News & Media. Photographer / Multimedia Editor Has been working as a photojournalist since 2007, before moving into newspapers, he worked with an NGO called Project HOPE. He then went to work for the Press and Sun-Bulletin in New York, and then in New England working for the Brattleboro Reformer. The long-awaited launch of the huge Starship rocket ended in an explosion over the Gulf of Mexico, but SpaceX considers it a learning experience rather than a failure. It was an initial test flight and more will follow. The failure occurred during the stage separation process. The first stage separated successfully after the critical max-q point, where aerodynamic pressure intensifies, stressing the rocket inordinately. The rocket achieved this, although six of its 33 engines shut down shortly after liftoff, which shows the capacity and resilience of the spacecraft. What happened? The rocket that exploded is actually two components: the first stage is the Super Heavy booster rocket used to propel the second stage the Starship spacecraft into orbit. To separate from the Super Heavy rocket, Starship does not use an active mechanism like other rockets. It simply unscrews itself (like twisting off a bottle cap) to open the connection clamps and then waits for centrifugal force to force separation. That seems to be the mechanism that failed during this flight test. It was probably the least expected failure point. A rocket explosion, in-flight disintegration and flight path deviation are more common setbacks. No one thought the clamps would fail to open they had been tested a thousand times over. Shortly after the test, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk tweeted, Learned a lot for the next test launch in a few months. What was the explosion like? The video feed showed the rocket spinning as intended, but the two stages failed to separate. At this point, the mission control team issued a command to detonate the explosive charges on both stages of the vehicle, between the oxygen and methane tanks. This mixes the two liquids that explode and destroy the rocket, preventing an uncontrolled and dangerous fall to earth. Every launch since the early years of the space race has had a similar safety mechanism. As the Super Heavy booster rocket quickly burned its fuel, the 400-foot (120-meter) Starship could not break free and would have fallen to the ground in one piece, causing significant risk to life and property below. For SpaceX, a successful liftoff and flight to the required altitude for stage separation was an achievement in itself. Now the job is to learn from this experience, refine the next Starship and conduct more tests. SpaceX engineer John Insprucker, serving as a launch commentator on the companys webcast, said, Now this was a development test. This was the first test flight of Starship, and the goal is to gather the data, and as we said, clear the pad and get ready to go again. Does it put a Moon landing at risk? NASA and the European Space Agencys Artemis project intends to use Starship to land astronauts on the Moon. The Artemis 2 mission, which will take four astronauts into Moon orbit, will fly with the SLS, a rocket developed by NASA and successfully tested with Artemis 1. But the Artemis 3 mission, which plans to land people on the Moon in 2025, will depend on Starship. Even the most optimistic space fans thought this would be impossible by 2025, and this explosion may delay this accelerated schedule. Is Starship the most powerful rocket ever built? Yes it has almost 7,500 tons of thrust and 33 simultaneously firing engines. Until now, the venerable N1 rocket developed by the USSR to go to the Moon held the title, but it failed in its only four launches. The N1 had 4,500 tons of thrust and 30 engines. The current version of NASAs SLS rocket used to propel the Orion capsule of the Artemis program generates about 4,000 tons of thrust. Until the Starship, it was the most powerful rocket to have flown successfully. The Saturn V, which powered the Apollo missions to the Moon, had only 3,300 tons of thrust. But its not all about takeoff power: sometimes less powerful rockets perform better and can send larger payloads into orbit. Why does it burn methane? Although the methalox (a mixture of liquid methane and oxygen) rocket fuel used by SpaceXs Starship is slightly less efficient than the SLS rockets liquid hydrogen and oxygen fuel, its much simpler to operate. Liquid hydrogen has to be cooled much more than methane, a difficult and expensive process. Methane is less susceptible to leakage and produces less residue than the kerosene used by SpaceX in previous rockets, making it easier to clean the engines after each flight. Also, lets not forget that this spacecrafts ultimate destination is Mars, and Elon Musk believes that methane fuel can be produced from that planets natural resources. The Perseverance probe in 2002 conducted a small-scale test of this theory when it collected 200 grams of gas from 30 samples. To be practical, future manned vehicles will have to multiply that by at least a factor of 400. Is Starship reusable? Yes, both stages of are recoverable and future flights will have them drop into the ocean. Recovering Super Heavy hasnt yet been tested, but after some spectacular failures a few years ago, a prototype of the second stage reached an altitude of nine miles (15 kilometers) and landed safely on its launch pad. Illustration of Space X's 'Starship'. SpaceXs Falcon rockets now routinely land safely after boosting their payload into orbit, showing that Elon Musks company has mastered the process. Some Falcons have made over 15 flights, making launch economics much more palatable. NASAs very expensive SLS rockets (like the old Saturn V rockets) can only be used once a new one has to be built for each launch and none of its components can be recovered. How much does a Starship cost? In 2019, Musk said the development cost of Starship would be about $3 billion (2.7 billion), although he hopes to reduce this to $9 million per unit once it can be mass-produced. Each SLS rocket costs about $4 billion. SpaceX has manufactured seven main rocket boosters and 24 upper units. Most of the latter are test models that were never intended to fly and are used to check various onboard systems and compatibility with launch facilities. Others were launched in tests to perfect vertical landings. More are already under construction. Where did it take off from? Starship was launched from Boca Chica, Texas, on the Gulf Coast, just a few miles north of the border. SpaceX built a facility there called Starbase, which has several rocket integration hangars, control and tracking centers, methane and oxygen storage systems and a 490-foot (150-meter) launch tower. A similar tower is being built at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, and another one may be forthcoming. After the development phase ends, SpaceX plans to make frequent, perhaps weekly, launches from Starbase. The success of the Starship program hinges on achieving a rapid orbital launch rotation with reusable rockets. The launch tower has a crane to assemble the two units on the support pedestal. After liftoff and separation, the first stage performs a braking maneuver and returns to the launch tower. Two huge grappling arms (SpaceX calls them the chopsticks) catch the rocket and sets it down on the launch pad. The second stage lands vertically on a nearby platform. After both stages haven been recovered, they can be re-assembled, checked out, repaired and refueled for another trip within days. Thats the vision, although this first flight did not plan to attempt recovery maneuvers. Is it part of the lunar program? Starship was originally designed to go to Mars. But its enormous payload capacity also makes it useful for sending satellites (hundreds at a time) into low orbit or to travel to other planets. In April 2021, NASA awarded SpaceX the contract to build the lunar lander for the initial phases of the Artemis program. Three candidates submitted proposals, but SpaceXs was by far the most cost-effective. It was also the only company to offer a vehicle that had been partially tested. NASAs current plan is for three astronauts from the Artemis 3 mission to land on the Moon aboard a variant of the Starship specially designed for that mission scheduled for 2025. The image of such a large lunar lander attached to the small Orion capsule, only slightly larger than the Apollo 50 years ago, will certainly be shocking. Will the lunar Starship return to Earth after landing on the Moon? No. The lunar version is a one-way spacecraft. After it lands on the Moon, it will remain anchored there. The astronauts will return to Earth in the Orion capsule, which may be used in future Moon landings after a checkout and refueling (theoretically). The big question is whether Starships lunar module will be ready in a couple of years. The refueling process, essential for the one-way trip to lunar orbit, has not been tested. In fact, no one has even seen a prototype beyond the illustrations released by SpaceX. NASA expects the lunar Starship will make an uncrewed flight late next year. Just one. Amid the space race frenzy 50 years ago, the lunar module was tested three times (twice with astronauts on board) before Apollo 11 launched. The Artemis 3 lunar landing is currently scheduled for December 2025, but many experts think making that deadline will be nothing short of miraculous. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) Bullets sprayed out from a speeding car in Connecticut's capital, killing an innocent 12-year-old bystander and wounding three other people who have have rap sheets that include gun crimes, authorities said Friday. The suspects in the drive-by shooting appeared to target three males who were standing on a sidewalk on a residential street not far from downtown Hartford shortly after 8:30 p.m. Thursday, city police said. Secret Pierce, a seventh grader at Milner Middle School, became Hartford's seventh homicide victim of the year. She was sitting in a parked car when she was shot in the head, police said. She died Friday morning. The three other victims, males ages 16, 18 and 23, were expected to survive. This is a painful day in our community, Mayor Luke Bronin said at a morning news conference outside police headquarters. I dont have the words. I want to say to Secrets mom and loved ones that we all are so deeply sorry. That we are with them today in grief, in prayer and with love. ... A tragedy like this ripples outward in a community and affects so many." Police Lt. Aaron Boisvert said Secret was an innocent bystander. Very tragic. Very unfortunate. Sickening, he said. Investigators searched for the suspects Friday. The shooting was captured on surveillance video, but the footage was grainy and police were trying to identify the suspected vehicle, Boisvert said. Authorities believe there were two people in the car. It was not immediately clear why the three males were targeted. Bronin said all three were known to police because they had extensive criminal histories that included firearms arrests. He said it appeared one of the surviving victims was on probation, and another was awaiting adjudication for a firearm offense. The mayor urged the three victims to cooperate with police. I believe they know who fired the bullets that killed a 12-year-old girl, Bronin said. "And it is not acceptable not to cooperate with investigators. ... Thats not fair to her family. Thats not fair to her loved ones. Its not fair to her memory, Its not fair to our community. City schools Superintendent Leslie Torres-Rodriguez said at the news conference that counseling and other support services were being offered at Secret's school and other schools across the district. When a tragedy happens such as this one, it does have wide ripples," she said. "And to us, Secret was one of our beautiful and very capable students. And we have activated all of our crisis support teams. Trauma is not foreign to us in Hartford and in Hartford public schools," Torres-Rodriguez said. "So its really hard for us to compartmentalize or separate when events happen. And so while we are going to galvanize all of our support and our partners, dealing with the trauma is an extended process. Several children, nearly all of them teens, have been fatally shot in Hartford over the past several years. Two years ago, 3-year-old Randell Jones was shot to death while in a car with family members during a drive-by shooting. Police believe a man in Randell's car was the intended target. The court cases of two teens charged in Randell's death remain pending. Last year, Connecticut's state legislature passed several large bills establishing new children's mental health services meant to combat increased depression, anxiety and suicide. This year, lawmakers may not approve enough funding for some of those programs to even get off the ground. A budget proposal from the legislature's Appropriations Committee on Tuesday sparked frustration from a wide range of nonprofit leaders, maybe most from those providing children's mental health services, who say they have watched the issue go from bipartisan focus to apparent afterthought in less than a year. "Last year this was the priority," said Hector Glynn, chief operating officer at The Village for Families & Children, a Hartford-based nonprofit. "How does nine months change where everyone is?" Several major providers say proposed budgets from both the Appropriations Committee and Gov. Ned Lamont would essentially undo parts of last year's mental health bills, which Democratic and Republican lawmakers alike touted as necessary and historic. At Wellmore, a behavioral health agency based in Waterbury, staff has worked for months to establish an urgent crisis center, a new level of care designed for children experiencing a mental health crisis. The center is likely to open next month, Wellmore CEO Gary Steck said Wednesday, but without funding won't last beyond early next year. "If there's no guaranteed funding, we will be opening and closing it," Steck said. "No one's answering our questions, we have no committed funding, and we can't see it in the state budget." Glynn said The Village is in a similar position, renovating buildings to add more crisis beds, with programs set to open in the coming weeks then potentially close as soon as this fall. For Child First, a program that provides mental health support to young children and their families, the Appropriations Committee's proposal would mean a loss of $5 million statewide, eliminating funding for at least 20 clinical teams serving 480 children, spokesperson Fran Benton said. While the program wouldn't disappear entirely, she said, it would be forced to downsize, leading to long waits for services. "All of the Child First local affiliate agencies in CT all have wait lists to enroll," Benton said in an email. "Therefore, any further elimination of services will compound these wait times." Last year's children's mental health bills, which passed with overwhelming bipartisan support and celebration, provided for more mental health services in schools, funds to help parents pay for treatment and a series of new programs to be run by nonprofits statewide, including urgent crisis centers. Though the new initiatives were mostly funded with federal money from the American Rescue Plan Act, providers assumed the state would replace that funding when it ran out. Instead, funding was largely missing from Gov. Ned Lamont's budget proposal in February, as well as the Appropriation Committee's proposal on Tuesday. Some of the initiatives, including the urgent crisis centers, would receive almost no state funding at all in the proposed budgets, while others, such as Child First, would continue to receive some money but wouldn't see their ARPA funds replaced. The expiration of ARPA funds has caused problems throughout the budget, as organizations that relied on federal money in recent years have looked to the state for greater allotments. Sen. Cathy Osten, a Democrat from Sprague who co-chairs the Appropriations Committee, acknowledged Tuesday that advocates and non-profits would likely be unhappy with the committee's proposal but noted that lawmakers were constrained by fiscal guardrails meant to limit spending. The committee, Osten said, had chosen to prioritize K-12 and higher education in place of more money for nonprofit agencies. "We have not made everyone happy this year," she said. "We know that almost everybody is going to want more." Lamont on Thursday emphasized his desire for a balanced budget within the guardrails but said he would like to do more for non-profits if possible and would work with the legislature to fill any "gaps" in spending on children's mental health. At a news conference Thursday, nonprofit leaders said the Appropriations Committee's proposed budget would devastate their agencies, likely leading to the elimination of jobs and programs. "This is a very desperate time," said Steve Girelli, CEO of Klingberg Family Centers, which offers children's behavioral health programs among other services. "What happens in the legislature in the next weeks is really going to be critical to the near-term and long-term future of kids and families." Sarah Eagan, the state's child advocate, said in an email she was highly concerned about the lack of funding for children's mental health services and criticized the legislature's self-imposed guardrails. "Its less about the policy choices inherent in the budget and more about the spending cap and how it is impacting the states ability to meet peoples needs," Eagan said. "Hopefully, agreement can be had between legislative leaders and the governors office to address the austere impact of the cap because Im not sure how else we can move forward." Now that both Lamont and the Appropriations Committee have released their budget proposals, the two sides have until June 7 to reach a compromise. Behavioral health providers said they hope lawmakers will eventually find money for children's mental health but have received little reassurance. Steck recently testified before the Appropriations Committee about the need for behavioral health funding. He said he received a warm reception from legislators, leaving him "at a complete loss" when the money wasn't included in the committee's budget proposal. "Even though everyone individually seems to be saying this is important, there is (almost) no committed funding beyond this year," Steck said. "It's a head-scratcher." Glynn, from The Village, noted that the major mental health bills passed last year came in response to a crisis among children in Connecticut and beyond. The situation has not meaningfully improved in the year since, he said, with kids still stuck in hospital emergency departments as they await services, yet the legislature appears to have lost interest. "Are we going to wait again to see all the headlines about children being stuck in EDs until something gets done again?" he said. Staff writer Ken Dixon contributed to this report. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Authorities say a self-described "nationalist" from Connecticut whose family told police he's "fascinated" with Hitler and spent time in white supremacist chat rooms is facing charges in Florida, after threatening to kill a sheriff who's spoken out against antisemitism. Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood drew widespread attention in February after he challenged a hate group that had been distributing antisemitic literature and appeared at a speedway holding banners at a pedestrian bridge. Chitwood claimed during a news conference that he'd been placed on the group's "hit list." "You came to the wrong county, I stand with my Jewish friends and I'm honored to be on your hit list, it's an honor to be sought after by a bunch of punk thugs like you," Chitwood said. After the clip of Chitwood's incensed challenge went viral, authorities said death threats began rolling in, including one from a Connecticut man. Connecticut resident Cristhian Zapata, 23, and two men from New Jersey and California have each been charged with making a written threat to kill, a felony. Shelton police arrested Zapata on Wednesday on a warrant and he remains in custody on $100,000 bond ahead of extradition proceedings to Florida, the Volusia County Sheriff's Office said. Authorities allege Zapata posted a message on 4chan, an anonymous image board site, threatening, "I WILL KILL CHITWOOD, MARK MY WORDS." The post was "flagged by the Central Florida Intelligence Exchange for further investigation," the sheriff's office said. According to the Florida affidavit used to charge Zapata, investigators then contacted 4chan with an emergency request for the IP address of the user who posted the April 7 message. The website responded with a message containing an IP address and indicated the threatening message had been posted to a section of the site devoted to "politically incorrect" discussions that's mostly a quagmire of racist memes, the warrant stated. With the IP address, investigators were able to obtain the address of Zapata's home through the internet service provider. When Ansonia police went to the home on Monday, the landlord informed them Zapata had been living with his sister and her fiance, but they had just finished moving out on Sunday. Police were able to meet with Zapata's sister who told them "when she heard that we were inquiring about a case involving the internet, she immediately suspected it involved her brother," an Ansonia police detective wrote to authorities in Florida, according to the warrant. "She said Cristhian is fascinated with Adolph Hitler and those types of dictators," the warrant stated. Zapata's sister also told investigators she "has seen him on the computer in chat rooms with white supremacists, and arguing with people on YouTube," according to the warrant. The sister came back to the police station with Zapata and his laptop. During an interview, Zapata told police he grew up in Bridgeport and attended but did not graduate from Central High School, according to the affidavit. The affidavit stated Zapata told police "he learned about the events that were taking place down in Florida and the other online threats against Sheriff Chitwood." "He said he was surprised to discover that people were being arrested for the threats because he believes in the First Amendment. He denied being a part of any hate groups or other organizations," the warrant stated. "He identified himself as being a nationalist and only a Trump supporter." He also admitted he made the post on 4chan, the warrant stated. In a follow-up interview with Florida authorities, the sister "described her brother as a strange person who is harmless and spends all of his off-time online in weird chat rooms talking to unknown people about conspiracy theories and white supremacist ideology," the warrant stated. In addition to Zapata, Chitwood's office said they've also charged New Jersey resident Richard Golden and California resident Tyler Meyer with the same offense. LONDON (AP) A group of Credit Suisse investors have sued Swiss financial regulators after a government-engineered takeover of the struggling bank by rival UBS left them with billions in losses. The investors are contesting an order by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority, or FINMA, that wiped out about 16 billion Swiss francs ($17.3 billion) in higher-risk Credit Suisse bonds as part of an emergency rescue last month, lawyers said Friday. The hastily arranged, $3.25 billion deal prevented the downfall of Switzerland's second-largest bank after its stock plunged and customers rushed to pull out their money amid fears about long-running troubles at Credit Suisse and upheaval in the global financial system after the collapse of two U.S. banks. FINMAs decision undermines international confidence in the legal certainty and reliability of the Swiss financial center," said Thomas Werlen, managing partner in Switzerland for global law firm Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan. The firm filed the lawsuit in Swiss federal court Wednesday on behalf of investors holding more than 4.5 billion Swiss francs ($5 billion) in the higher-risk bonds. It's one of several complaints underway in Switzerland following the bond losses. "We are committed to rectifying this decision, which is not only in the interests of our clients but will also strengthen Switzerlands position as a key jurisdiction in the global financial system," Werlen said in a statement Friday. FINMA declined to comment but has defended the decision to wipe out bondholders. Typically, shareholders face losses before those holding bonds if a bank goes under, but people with Credit Suisse stock collectively will get 3 billion Swiss francs ($3.3 billion) in the combined company. Following the 2008 financial crisis, European financial regulators use a special type of bond that is designed to provide a capital cushion to banks in times of distress. But those bonds are designed to be wiped out if a banks capital falls below a certain level. Swiss regulators say contracts for these so-called Additional Tier 1, or AT1, bonds issued by Credit Suisse show that they could be written down in a viability event, particularly if the government offers extraordinary support. That happened after the Swiss executive branch passed emergency measures that both provided billions in guarantees for the deal and allowed regulators to order a writedown of the bonds, FINMA said. The action has triggered a large number of complaints with the Federal Administrative Court in Switzerland, spokesman Andreas Notter said. We assume that there will ultimately be a very large number of complaints, each with several hundred complainants, Notter said, adding that the court doesnt comment on the content of the filings or who is behind them. Regulators have called the takeover the best option that offered the least risk of fanning a wider crisis and damaging Switzerlands standing as a global financial center. The merger minimized risk of contagion and maximized trust, FINMA chief executive Urban Angehrn said last month. Putting Credit Suisse into insolvency proceedings would have had a devastating effect on Swiss private banking, he added. The lower house of Swiss parliament, in a symbolic vote last week, rebuked the emergency rescue plan for Credit Suisse after the central bank and government splashed out more than 200 billion Swiss francs in guarantees for the deal. Vox leader Santiago Abascal with supporters at a pre-election rally in Oviedo on April 15. Europa Press (Europa Press) Encouraging fear of illegal immigration and linking it to social insecurity has become the banner of Spanish far-right party Vox ahead of municipal elections scheduled for May 28. They want to prohibit any speech that links crime with illegal immigration, vice-president and party spokesman Jorge Buxade said Monday, alluding to a proposal in the Catalan regional parliament, presented by the Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC) and the left-wing Popular Unity Candidacy (CUP), to outlaw hateful and intolerant speeches that incite discrimination based on gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, ideology, or language. Vox has described the proposal as an attack on freedom of speech and has said that it will appeal to the Constitutional Court if it is approved. Illegal immigration, by its own definition, is a crime, said Buxade. By the mere fact of entering Spanish national territory illegally, they are breaking the law. Buxade is a state attorney, so he knows the difference between criminals those who commit crimes and illegal immigrants, whose actions only constitute administrative offenses. It does not appear to have been a slip of the tongue: he went on to say in 2021, 48.8% of all criminal offenses in Catalonia, 72.2% of violent robberies and 51.1% of sexual assaults with penetration were committed by foreigners. Although it was not possible to ask Buxade for clarification of those figures (EL PAIS and many other media outlets have been banned from Vox press conferences), he had not correctly compiled the Ministry of the Interior data as the examples he provided do not refer to the region of Catalonia but to the city of Barcelona and, above all, they do not allude to criminal offenses but to detainees. According to statistics for the whole of Spain, in 2021 foreigners accounted for 24.7% of people convicted of crimes, accounting for 24.9% of the violent robberies and 28.3% of sexual assaults. This is not the first time Vox has based a campaign on manipulated data. The partys candidate in Madrid, Rocio Monasterio, has resurrected a controversial campaign poster from the 2021 regional elections that compared the 426 that constitutes the pension allowance for some widows in Spain with the 4,700 that each unaccompanied foreign minor costs the state. We fell short. Today we have found out that [Popular Party regional premier of Madrid Isabel Diaz] Ayuso pays 13,000 per month for every unaccompanied foreign minor, Monasterio said on April 14. This figure was published in La Gaceta de la Iberosfera, Voxs media mouthpiece, which misinterpreted the data arising from a tender signed by the regional government of Madrid to host 26 unaccompanied migrant children or adolescents with adaptation difficulties or behavioral problems. The budget for the contract was set at 4 million (including taxes) for a period of 24 months. La Gaceta de la Iberosfera cited the expected cost if the contract was extended for another two years but divided it by 24 months instead of 48, thus doubling the real amount. Vox's controversial 2021 campaign poster. PODEMOS (Europa Press) Voxs electoral program for the municipal elections states that the policy of open borders, imposed by the elites, has imported violence and insecurity, destroying the identity of our neighborhoods and demonstrating that multicultural societies are multi-conflictive. In Buxade's opinion: Spaniards are forced to coexist in their neighborhoods with cultures that are incompatible with Western cultures. With regard to the security of citizens, Vox has proposed measures that have nothing to do with the issue, such as the closure of centers used to house foreign minors and their immediate repatriation (something which is impossible if their country of origin refuses to admit them), preventing illegal immigrants from registering with the Spanish authorities (this denying them access to health care and education) and the establishment of national priority to obtain social aid and subsidized housing, which is also discriminatory against non-Spaniards who hold legal residency. Vox has also proposed changes to the National Defense Law to include tackling illegal immigration in the remit of the Armed Forces and to strip Spanish nationality from citizens who were not born in Spain if they are sentenced for committing serious crimes. The far-right party has also demanded that Moroccans who cannot prove they have renounced Moroccan citizenship be prohibited from obtaining a Spanish passport: which, in practice, means denying them access to citizenship as Rabat refuses to deregister them. On the other hand, Vox has said nothing about similar measures for anyone holding, for example, U.S. or British passports in addition to a Spanish one. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will embark on a nine-day trip to Guyana (April 2123), Panama (April 2425), Colombia (April 2527), and the Dominican Republic (April 2729), beginning Friday, April 21, in order to explore bilateral cooperation in new areas. EAM Jaishankars itinerary of nine-day trip to Latin America EAM Jaishankar will embark on a visit to the Caribbean nation of Guyana from April 2123, where he will be interacting with several ministers and also co-chairing the Joint Commission Meeting with his counterpart, Hugh Hilton Todd, which will entail discussions on the whole gamut of issues between the two countries. According to the MEA's official press release, the EAM's visit to Guyana would also provide an opportunity for a bilateral meeting with participating ministers in the India-COFCOR (Council on Foreign and Community Relations), a group of 15-member Caribbean Community (CARICOM). Following the visit to Guyana, Jaishankar will travel to Panama from April 24 to 25. Foreign Minister Janaina Tewaney Mencomo will serve as his host as he addresses the top leadership. He will meet with representatives of the eight-nation Central American Integration System (SICA) during the India-SICA Foreign Ministerial Meeting, which will also be held during this visit. The EAM will travel to Colombia from April 25 to April 27. While there, he will meet with numerous high-ranking officials from the government, business, and civil society. According to a statement from the External Affairs Ministry, his trip to Colombia would be the first visit by a foreign minister to the nation. In addition, Jaishankar's trip to the Dominican Republic marks India's highest-level visit there since diplomatic ties were established in 1999. The period of his visit is April 2729. Following the establishment of Indias resident embassy in Santo Domingo in 2022, this will be EAMs first visit. EAM will speak with Foreign Minister Roberto Alvarez in addition to calling on the nation's political leadership, according to a press statement. The Indian resident mission would also be formally inaugurated by the two leaders. Additionally, EAM is scheduled to give a speech at the Dominican Republic Foreign Ministry. At business activities that are also scheduled during the visit, an Indian corporate delegation led by CII will be joining EAM. These meetings highlight the rising desire for closer trade links on both sides. Additionally, EAM will meet people from the Indian community in each of the four nations. The momentum of the India-LAC contacts is increased by EAM's tour of these four nations, his bilateral interactions, as well as his discussions with counterparts of crucial organisations like CARICOM and SICA. According to the official press release, it will facilitate a chance to maintain high-level contacts with Latin American and Caribbean nations and to look into new opportunities for collaboration in a variety of fields, especially in the event of a pandemic. Two persons, including a priest, were arrested on Thursday for allegedly beating a 23-year-old man to death after he damaged an idol while cleaning it at a temple in Khandsa village in Gurugram, police said. The incident took place on Wednesday in Bani Wala temple, police said, adding that the priest and his two associates tied the victim to a banyan tree and thrashed him with sticks. According to police, the arrested accused were identified as priest Ajit alias Babaji and Sonu alias Seela. The third accused in the case, identified as Sonu Balhara, is on the run. The body of the deceased, identified as Dinesh alias Raju, was recovered on Thursday afternoon from the temple premises, said police. An FIR was registered against the accused under sections 302 (murder) and 34 (common intention) of the IPC at Sector 10A police station on the basis of a complaint filed by one Mahesh, a native of Mathura in Uttar Pradesh, who is also an eyewitness in the case, they said. The deceased was said to be a native of Nepal, said police. In his complaint, Mahesh said that he was doing the work of installing tiles at the temple along with his co-workers for the last five days. On Wednesday, a man came there and started cleaning the idols. During this, the fingers of an idol were broken and the cleaner informed the priest who got angry and started beating him with a stick. Then he called two other people and they tied the man to a banyan tree and started beating him badly... When I reached the temple on Thursday afternoon, the man had died, Mahesh said in his complaint. After getting information, a police team reached the temple and arrested priest Ajit and Seela from the temple while Sonu Balhara managed to flee, an official said. We have recovered an Aadhaar card from the possession of the victim. The body has been sent for the postmortem. We are now trying to contact his family, said Rajender Singh Dalal, ACP (City). Two accused have been arrested while raids are being conducted to nab the third, he added. Kenyas president, who is among mediators tasked with brokering peace in Sudan, on Wednesday called for an end to the fighting in the country, warning it could destabilize the region. President William Ruto also urged Sudan's rival parties to allow access to humanitarian aid and cooperate with a mission from a regional body of Eastern African countries, the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development. Sudans military and its rival, the Rapid Support Forces, have been fighting for five days killing nearly 300 people, according to the United Nations health agency. IGAD leaders on Sunday issued a resolution calling for an end to hostilities in Sudan which currently chairs the regional group. Kenya's Ruto said the situation in Sudan "is evolving into a threat to regional and international peace and security, and deplored that diplomats have been targeted in the fighting. A pattern of systematic violation of established norms and principles of international humanitarian laws is clearly emerging, he said. Sudan borders Ethiopia, Eritrea, South Sudan, Central African Republic, Chad, Libya and Egypt. The International Crisis Group's Horn of Africa director Alan Boswell said the fighting could have an impact on the region. Sudan is surrounded by fragile countries, many already immerged in conflicts. What happens in Sudan will not stay in Sudan, he told the Associated Press. Ruto said that, beyond a cessation of hostilities in Sudan, sustainable peace, security and stability should be pursued. It is time to silence the guns in our region and continent so that we can focus on the urgent work of enabling our people to pursue opportunities and actualize their aspirations, in peace and tranquility. Time is of the essence, he said. Kenya plans to evacuate about 3,000 of its citizens living in Sudan in the event of a ceasefire. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar arrived in Guyana on Friday for a three-day visit to the country. EAM is on a nine-day visit to four nations in Central and Latin America. The EAM was received by the Foreign Minister of Guyana, Hugh Todd, on reaching the Guyanese capital of Georgetown. Arrived in Georgetown, Guyana to a warm reception from FM Hugh Todd. Look forward to a productive visit. pic.twitter.com/yeHBsRxse0 Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) April 21, 2023 EAM took to Twitter and wrote, "arrived in Georgetown, Guyana, to a warm reception from FM Hugh Todd. Look forward to a productive visit." The EAM is on an official visit to Guyana (April 2123). He is further scheduled to visit Panama (April 24-25), Colombia (April 2527), and the Dominican Republic (April 2729), the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. Jaishankar will co-chair the Joint Commission Meeting with his counterpart, Hugh Hilton Todd, which will include discussions on the whole gamut of issues between the two nations, in addition to calling on the leadership and holding bilateral talks with ministers in Guyana. According to the MEA's official press release, the EAM's visit to Guyana would also provide an opportunity for a bilateral meeting with participating ministers in the India-COFCOR (Council on Foreign and Community Relations), a group of 15-member Caribbean Community (CARICOM). After almost 4 1/2 years of trying, Mexicos president said Thursday he has finally sold the unwanted presidential jet to the former Soviet republic of Tajikistan. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said the government of Tajikistan paid the equivalent of about $92 million for the Boeing 787 jet. Lopez Obrador refused to use the jet after taking office on Dec. 1, 2018, saying it was too luxurious. The austerity-loving president usually takes commercial flights. Lopez Obrador had tried to lure corporations and business executives to buy the jet, but found no takers. He even symbolically raffled off the plane, which would be expensive to convert back into a normal airliner. The plane was purchased for $200 million and was used by the previous president, Enrique Pena Nieto. It has been difficult to sell because it is configured to carry only 80 people and has a full presidential suite with a private bath. Experts said it would be costly to reconfigure into a typical passenger jet that would carry up to 300 passengers. Though the plane has relatively few miles on it, Mexico was eager to unload it because maintence costs make it expensive to keep parked. There had been talk the Boeing 787 might be turned over to an army-run company for use as a commercial jet. After a long time, we managed to sell the plane, Lopez Obrador said in a video clip from inside the plane, which he had previously refused to board. We are happy. We are going to use the money from selling the plane to build two hospitals, he said. The Supreme Court is facing a self-imposed Friday night deadline to decide whether women's access to a widely used abortion pill will stay unchanged or be restricted while a legal challenge to its Food and Drug Administration approval goes on. The justices are weighing arguments that allowing restrictions contained in lower-court rulings to take effect would severely disrupt the availability of the drug, mifepristone, which is used in the most common abortion method in the United States. It has repeatedly been found to be safe and effective, and has been used by more than 5 million women in the U.S. since the FDA approved it in 2000. The Supreme Court had initially said it would decide by Wednesday whether the restrictions could take effect while the case continues. A one-sentence order signed by Justice Samuel Alito on Wednesday gave the justices two additional days, without explanation. The justices are scheduled to meet for a private conference Friday, where they could talk about the issue. The additional time could be part of an effort to craft an order that has broad support among the justices. Or one or more justices might be writing a separate opinion, and asked for a couple of extra days. The challenge to mifepristone, brought by abortion foes, is the first abortion controversy to reach the nation's highest court since its conservative majority overturned Roe v. Wade 10 months ago and allowed more than a dozen states to effectively ban abortion outright. In his majority opinion, Alito said one reason for overturning Roe was to remove federal courts from the abortion fight. It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the peoples elected representatives, he wrote. But even with their court victory, abortion opponents returned to federal court with a new target: medication abortions, which make up more than half of all abortions in the United States. Women seeking to end their pregnancies in the first 10 weeks without more invasive surgical abortion can take mifepristone, along with misoprostol. The FDA has eased the terms of mifepristone's use over the years, including allowing it to be sent through the mail in states that allow access. The abortion opponents filed suit in Texas in November, asserting that FDA's original approval of mifepristone 23 years ago and subsequent changes were flawed. They won a ruling on April 7 by U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk , an appointee of former President Donald Trump, revoking FDA approval of mifepristone. The judge gave the Biden administration and New York-based Danco Laboratories, mifepristone's maker, a week to appeal and seek to keep his ruling on hold. Responding to a quick appeal, two more Trump appointees on the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the FDA's original approval would stand for now . But Judges Andrew Oldham and Kurt Englehardt said most of the rest of Kacsmaryk's ruling could take effect while the case winds through federal courts. Their ruling would effectively nullify changes made by the FDA starting in 2016, including extending from seven to 10 weeks of pregnancy when mifepristone can be safely used. The court also said that the drug cant be mailed or dispensed as a generic and that patients who seek it need to make three in-person visits with a doctor. Women also might be required to take a higher dosage of the drug than the FDA says is necessary. The administration and Danco have said that chaos will result if those restrictions take effect while the case proceeds. Potentially adding to the confusion, a federal judge in Washington has ordered the FDA to preserve access to mifepristone under the current rules in 17 Democratic-led states and the District of Columbia that filed a separate lawsuit. The Biden administration has said the rulings conflict and create an untenable situation for the FDA. And a new legal wrinkle threatens even more complications. GenBioPro, which makes the generic version of mifepristone, filed a lawsuit Wednesday to preemptively block the FDA from removing its drug from the market, in the event that the Supreme Court doesnt intervene. For now, the Supreme Court is only being asked to block the lower-court rulings through the end of the legal case. But the administration and Danco have a fallback argument if the court doesn't agree. They are asking the court to take up the challenge to mifepristone, hear arguments and decide the case by early summer. The court only rarely takes such a step before at least one appeals court has thoroughly examined the legal issues involved. The New Orleans-based 5th circuit already has ordered an accelerated schedule for hearing the case, with arguments set for May 17. Yim Sinorn was jailed a month ago for comments posted on Facebook that were critical of Cambodias king. A former opposition party youth leader who was recently jailed after he posted comments on Facebook about the government and Cambodias king announced on Friday that he was joining the ruling Cambodian Peoples Party. Yim Sinorn met with Prime Minister Hun Sen on Friday at his home in Kandal province, where he and his family posed for photos as the longtime leader sat at his desk. The defection of a prominent and outspoken opposition activist comes as the CPP continues to work to silence, intimidate and co-opt opposition figures ahead of the July general elections. Yim Sinorn has been a close ally of Kem Sokha, the leader of the now-banned Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP) who was sentenced to 27 years for treason last month in a decision widely condemned as politically motivated. On Friday, Yim Sinorn blamed officials from the opposition Candlelight Party for ignoring him while he was in detention last month and for accusing him of being a double agent. Samdech Hun Sen, I want to see Cambodia to have a strong democratic system based on Cambodias standard and to comply with the Constitution, he wrote on his wifes Facebook page, using an honorific title. It is my duty to be committed to protect peace and prevent any attempts to destroy the country. I have little education and experience but I want to serve the country and her people, Yim Sinorn wrote. If Samdech gives me a chance I would like to join the CPP to be able to serve the people and the country. Messages from the coffee shop Yim Sinorn was once the head of the CNRPs youth movement in South Korea, where nearly 50,000 Cambodians work, mostly as factory workers. In 2019, he helped organize a demonstration of workers against the Hun Sen government in Gwangju. Later that year, he and nine colleagues were charged in Phnom Penh Municipal Court with conspiracy and inciting serious social unrest in Cambodia and elsewhere. In September 2021, he wrote a letter to Hun Sen saying the charges against him were unfair and that he never supported leading opposition figure Sam Rainsy. Hun Sen was apparently satisfied with the letter and the court dropped all charges against him and the other nine defendants. Yim Sinorn returned to Cambodia in January 2022. In March, he was arrested after posting a comment on Facebook that seemed to highlight the political powerlessness of King Norodom Sihamoni, who is required by Cambodias 1993 Constitution to reign as a national figurehead. According to the people at the coffee shop, today we clearly know who is truly the king, Yim Sinorn wrote. He was released a week later after he posted a video and a statement from prison apologizing for the message. I take this occasion to ask for forgiveness from the king and apologize to Samdech Hun Sen publicly with honesty, he said at the time. A core person to Kem Sokha In February, Radio Free Asia reported that environmental workers and opposition party members are being offered jobs in the government by the CPP as a way of weakening any competition ahead of the July general election. Political analyst Seng Sary said Yim Sinorns switch to the CPP makes it even more likely that opposition party activists will continue to defect to the CPP in the coming months. Yim Sinorn was a core person to Kem Sokha, he said. I think there might be more people defecting [to the CPP]. This defection is like a pandemic. Yim Sinorn said on Facebook that he asked Hun Sen to release his colleague Hun Kosal, who was also arrested last month after posting similar comments about the king. Hun Kosal hasnt apologized to Hun Sen and is still in jail. Yim Sinorns wife, Sophat Makara, posted photos of Fridays meeting with Hun Sen on her Facebook page, calling the prime minister my Samdech father. My husband and family will try our best to work hard and wont disappoint my father, she wrote. I can survive because of my father and mother. CPP spokesman Chhim Phalvorun said Yim Sinorn has his political rights and can choose any party that he likes. He said the CPP will look into his request and his qualifications. Hun Sen made no comment on his Telegram account about the latest news, but he did repost an article from the pro-government news site, Freshnews, about his meeting with Yim Sonorn. Translated by Yun Samean. Edited by Matt Reed and Malcolm Foster. Former Cambodian wildlife official makes his first court appearance since his November arrest in New York. Animal rights protesters demonstrate outside the federal courthouse in Miami on Friday, April 21, 2023, during the first court appearance for Masphal Kry, the former head of Cambodias Department of Wildlife and Biodiversity. The former head of Cambodias Department of Wildlife and Biodiversity should not be held responsible for illegally smuggling research monkeys because he was acting on orders of his government and not in a personal capacity, his lawyers have argued in a U.S. government case against him. Moreover, the U.S. case against Masphal Kry is tantamount to an attack on the Cambodian government, his defense lawyers argued, calling the indictment a full-on assault on a foreign ministry. U.S. Justice Department officials said Kry and seven other individuals were running a smuggling operation involving hundreds of long-tail macaques - a primate key for medical studies - poached from the wild in Cambodia and shipped illegally to the U.S. Kry, who has been under house arrest since he was apprehended at New Yorks JFK airport in November 2022, made his first court appearance at an evidentiary hearing in Miami on Friday. Officials in the U.S. Attorneys Office in the Southern District of Florida have accused Kry of taking monkeys from the national parks and other locations in Cambodia and then falsifying permits, making it seem as though the animals had been raised in a breeding facility - the only legal place where the research primates can be sourced from. The prosecutors accused him of being part of a conspiracy in which monkeys were sold with inaccurate export permits to the U.S. The prosecutors accused Kry and his associates of trying to make it seem as though the monkeys had been bred in captivity, when in fact the monkeys had been caught in the wild. Prosecutors said that Kry and his associates concocted a scheme to sell the monkeys. He and his associates have each been charged with seven counts of smuggling and one count of conspiracy. Masphal Kry, the former head of Cambodias Department of Wildlife and Biodiversity. Credit: Masphal Kry Facebook On Friday, a judge, Lisette Reid, considered whether some of the evidence gathered by federal investigators could be admitted at trial. The lawyers argued about the circumstances of Krys arrest at Kennedy International Airport in New York in November, and whether information that he provided to an investigator on that day can be admitted. At the airport, Kry was read his Miranda rights (his right to have a lawyer present and to remain silent). But his lawyers said that he does not speak or understand English well enough to have comprehended the full meaning of his rights. If he was not aware of his rights, then the information he shared cannot be admitted. The prosecutors said that he was told of his rights, and that he was given a translation of his rights in the Khmer language. Therefore, they said, the evidence can be admitted. Kry, sitting next to an interpreter, listened intently to their arguments. He wore a dark suit and white socks, with an electronic ankle bracelet - a GPS tracking device - bulging under one of his socks. Outside the courthouse, animal rights activists, holding signs (End Monkey Smuggling) and wearing cardboard monkey faces, stood in a line. Hunters in Cambodia are taking mothers away from their babies, said Amanda Brody, a senior campaigner for an organization, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), referring to the captured animals. Were standing here in solidarity with the monkeys. Protecting public spaces? Ahead of Fridays hearing, Krys lawyers sought to have the indictment dismissed, arguing that he was following the Cambodian governments request to obtain monkeys from public spaces, places where monkeys are a nuisance for local residents. In fact, Cambodian officials viewed the capture of the monkeys as a service to the people who live in these areas. Local authorities had wanted the monkeys removed, the lawyers claimed. Kry was fulfilling his duties as a wildlife official and U.S. prosecutors are attempting to criminalize public acts by a foreign government employee that occurred entirely within that foreign country. These public acts are legal under Cambodian law, said the defense lawyers. Experts say the argument has little credibility as the issue is not whether poaching monkeys is legal under Cambodian domestic law, but that Kry and his conspirators faked import documents to pretend that the provenance of the macaques was legitimate. This would be illegal under U.S. law and under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which Cambodia has signed. The defense's argument "epitomizes the Cambodian government's way of thinking its not illegal if the government says its not," said Ed Newcomer, a former U.S. Fish and Wildlife investigator. "[But] Cambodia is a signatory to CITES and, as such, has to follow CITES rules if they want to export their wildlife." Long-tailed macaques, highly intelligent creatures prized in research for their biological similarity to humans, are protected under international trade law, and their handlers need a permit to ship them to the U.S. They were added to the endangered species list in 2022 amid increased poaching as demand for the primates surged in the midst of the COVID pandemic. The biggest market is the U.S. From 2000 to 2018, the U.S. imported between 41.7% and 70.1% of the total annual trade, according to a forthcoming article in the International Federation of Tropical Medicine journal. A demonstrator waves a flag with marijuana leaves depicted on it during a protest calling for the legalization of marijuana, outside of the White House on April 2, 2016, in Washington. The 420 culture has been growing in the U.S. since California first legalized medical marijuana in November 1996. Later, Washington became the first state in legalize recreational cannabis on December 6, 2012, while Colorado opened the first legal marijuana store on January 1, 2014. Since then, more than 20 U.S. jurisdictions have legalized recreational marijuana and authorized sales, and medical marijuana is legal in most jurisdictions. Some have decriminalized recreational marijuana but consumption isnt completely legal and several states still consider recreational use of cannabis as illegal. Its important to know the difference between the terms legalized and decriminalized to avoid legal problems related to marijuana use or possession. Legalization means that a substance is fully legal and regulated by the government. Decriminalization means that a substance is still technically illegal but the penalties for possession or use are reduced or eliminated. While some jurisdictions have completely decriminalized marijuana, some still have punishments on second offenses. If youre traveling withing the country and want to know if youre allowed to carry marijuana, heres the complete list of states and other jurisdictions that have legalized recreational cannabis. We also list the states where is decriminalized, where is completely legal, and where only medical marijuana is legalized. States where recreational marijuana is legal Alaska Legal to possess up to 1 oz since 2014. Cultivation: Twelve plants in a household with two adults older than 21 or no limit with commercial license. Arizona Legal to possess up to 1 oz since 2020. Cultivation: Six plants in a household, or a maximum of 12 with two or more adults older than 21. California Legal to possess up to 1 oz since 2018. Medical marijuana has been legal since 1996. Cultivation: Six plants for personal use or a commercial license. Colorado Legal to possess up to 2 oz since 2021. Cultivation: Six plants for personal use, or commercially licensed. Connecticut Legal to carry up to 1.5 oz or possess up to 5 oz locked inside a home or trunk of a vehicle. Marijuana was legalized in 2021 by Governor Ned Lamont. Cultivation: Up to three mature and three immature plants for all adults 21 and older. Illinois Legal to possess up to 30 grams since 2019, when the General Assembly passed the Illinois Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act. Cultivation: Five plants in home for medical use only, or commercially licensed for recreational. Maine Legal to possess up to 2.5 oz. Recreational marijuana became legal in 2016. Cultivation: Up to three mature plants, twelve immature plants and unlimited number of seedlings; or commercially licensed. Maryland Will become legal on July 1, 2023. Cultivation: No home cultivation for medical cannabis patients. Massachusetts Legal to possess up to 1 oz in public or 10 oz at home. Recreational marijuana became legal in 2016. Cultivation: Up to six plants for personal use or 12 plants maximum for 2 or more adults in a household; or a commercial license. Michigan Legal to possess up to 2.5 oz in public or 10 oz at home. Cultivation: Up to 12 plants per household; or commercially licensed. Missouri Legal to possess up to 3 oz. Legal since 2022 when Missouri voters approved Amendment 3. Cultivation: Up to six plants for personal use or twelve plants for 2 or more adults in a household with a license. Montana Legal since 2020. Its allowed to possess up to 1 oz of cannabis or 8 g of concentrates since 2020. Cultivation: Up to four plants per household. Nevada Legal since 2016. Cultivation: Allowed at least 25 miles from a marijuana store. Up to six plants per household; or commercially licensed. New Jersey Legal to possess up to 6 oz. It was legalized in 2020. In 2021, Governor Phil Murphy signed a bill including provisions for delivery and cultivation license. Cultivation: No home cultivation for medical or recreational use. New Mexico Legal to possess up to 2 oz. Medical use was legalized in 2007. In 2019 it was decriminalized, and in 2021 Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed into law recreational marijuana. Sales started April 1, 2022. Cultivation: Up to six mature plants for personal use, or 12 per household. New York Legal to possess up to 3 oz of cannabis or 24 g of concentrates. In 2019 a full decriminalization bill passed the legislature and was signed by Governor Andrew Cuomo. In 2021 a marijuana legalization law was signed. Oregon Legal to possess up to 2 oz in public or 8 oz at home since 2014. Cultivation: Four plants per household; or commercially licensed. Rhode Island Legal to possess up to 1 oz since 2022. Vermont Legal to possess up to 1 oz since 2018. Cultivation: Two mature plants and four immature. Virginia Legal to possess up to 1 oz in public and no limit at home. Retail sales have not been authorized. They are schedule to begin by January 2024 but the legislature did not develop the necessary legal framework to do so. Washington Legal to possess up to 1 oz since 2012. This was the first state to legalize recreational marijuana on December 6, 2012. Joseph DuPuis, co-founder of Doc & Yeti Urban Farms, a licensed cannabis producer, looks out at marijuana buds in Tumwater, Wash., on March 15, 2023. Associated Press/LaPresse Besides those states, the following jurisdictions have legalized recreational marijuana: Guam (Licensed sales have not yet started). District of Columbia (No commercial sales). Northern Mariana Islands (Sales started since July 16, 2021). United States Virgin Islands (Licensed sales have not yet started). Washington D.C. (Legalized, but sales have not been authorized). States where recreational marijuana is decriminalized Delaware Decriminalized. Considered a civil infraction. Cultivation: Not allowed. Georgia Decriminalized in the cities of Atlanta, Clarkston, Forest Park, Savannah, South Fulton, Statesboro, unincorporated Fulton County and Macon-Bibb County. Cultivation: Illegal Hawaii Decriminalized. Cultivation: Up to 7 plants for medical cannabis patients. Louisiana Decriminalized up to 14 grams. Cultivation: No home cultivation for medical cannabis patients. Minnesota Decriminalized since 1976. Medical cannabis was legalized in 2014. In 2022, the Minnesota legislature passed a law with a provision for sale and consumption of food and beverage products. Packages must be limited to a THC content of 50 mg total and 5 mg per serving. Cultivation: No home cultivation for medical cannabis patients. Mississippi Decriminalized on the first offense since 1978. 30 grams or less. Medical cannabis is legal after Governor Tate Reeves signed a bill in 2022. Cultivation: Licensed cultivators only. Medical users cant grow. Nebraska Decriminalized. Possession up to 1 oz fined up to 300 for first offense with potential mandatory drug education. Second offense fine up to $500 and up to five days in jail. Third offense up to $500 fine and maximum one week jail. New Hampshire Decriminalized since 2017 by Governor Chris Sununu. North Carolina Decriminalized if possessing 42 g or less. CBD has been legalized since 2015. North Dakota Decriminalized if possessing 14 g or less. Medical marijuana has been legal since 2016. Cultivation: No home cultivation for medical cannabis patients. Ohio Decriminalized with civil infraction. Medical marijuana is legal. Cultivation: No home cultivation for medical cannabis patients. Pennsylvania Decriminalized in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, if possessing less than 30 grams. Medical use has been legalized since 2016. Cultivation: No home cultivation for medical cannabis patients. States where recreational marijuana is illegal Alabama (Misdemeanor for first offense, subsequent offenses felony). Arkansas. Florida. Georgia (but decriminalized in Atlanta, Clarkston, Forest Park, Savannah, South Fulton, Statesboro, Fulton County and Macon-Bibb county). Idaho (Misdemeanor if 3 oz or less). Indiana (Misdemeanor, up to six months in jail, $1000 fine). Iowa. Kansas (Misdemeanor). Kentucky (Misdemeanor for less than 8 oz). Oklahoma. Pennsylvania (Decriminalized in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh if less than 30 grams). South Carolina (Misdemeanor). South Dakota (Misdemeanor). Tennessee (Misdemeanor first or second offense only if less than .5 oz). Texas (De facto legal by refusal to arrest for less than 4 oz in possession in Austin). Utah (Misdemeanor). West Virginia (Misdemeanor). Wisconsin (Misdemeanor on first offense, felony on subsequent offenses. Decriminalized in Milwaukee and Madison). Wyoming (Misdemeanor). A person dressed as a marijuana leaf poses at the Cannabis & Psychedelic Expo at the Miami Airport Convention Center in Miami, Florida, on February 5, 2022. CHANDAN KHANNA (AFP) It is also illegal on the territories of American Samoa and Puerto Rico. States where medical marijuana is legal Alabama. Alaska. Arizona. Arkansas. California. Colorado. Connecticut. Delaware. Florida. Georgia (CBD oil with less than 5% THC). Hawaii. Idaho (CBD oil with less than 0.1% THC). Illinois. Indiana (CBD oil with less than 0.3%). Iowa (THC content of 4.5 grams per patient in 90 day period). Kansas (CBD oil containing 0% THC) Kentucky. Louisiana. Maine. Maryland. Massachusetts. Michigan. Minnesota. Mississippi. Missouri. Montana. Nebraska (CBD oir with 0.3% THC). Nevada. New Hampshire. New Jersey. New Mexico. New York. North Carolina (CBD oil). North Dakota. Ohio. Oklahoma. Oregon. Pennsylvania. Rhode Island. South Carolina (CBD oil with less than 0.9% THC). South Dakota. Tennessee (CBD oil with less than 0.9% THC). Texas (CBD oil with less than 1% THC and no less than 10% CBD). Utah. Vermont. Virginia (Legal with commercial sales). Washington. West Virginia. Wisconsin (CBD oil). Wyoming (CBD oil). And the following jurisdictions: District of Columbia (Legal with commercial sales). Guam. Northern Mariana Islands. Puerto Rico. U.S. Virgin Islands. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and his Chinese counterpart Li Shangfu meet in Moscow on April 18, 2023. Chinas new U.S.-sanctioned Defense Minister Li Shangfu visited Russia this week, his first foreign trip since taking office, as Beijing and Moscow align closer to confront the U.S. Gen. Li was received by President Vladimir Putin on Sunday, almost immediately after he arrived in Moscow. During the four-day visit, Li also held talks with his counterpart Sergei Shoigu and paid a visit to Russias top military academy, the Military Academy of the General Staff of the Russian armed forces. "New progress has been made in strategic communication, joint exercises and training, and practical cooperation, which enriched the strategic connotations of the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era," Senior Col. Tan Kefei, a spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of National Defense, said in a news release without giving further details. The Russian and Chinese ministries of defense reiterated their joint resistance to attempts by external forces to interfere in each other's internal affairs, Tan said. Lis trip took place less than a month after the state visit by Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Xis first foreign tour after being re-elected as Chinas state president. A missile boat of the Russian Pacific Fleet firing a Moskit cruise missile at a mock enemy sea target in the Sea of Japan during military exercises on March 28, 2023. Credit: Russian Defence Ministry via AFP China and Russia have been seen as trying to form a new world order and the presence of the head of the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army could signal a new military alliance to challenge the Pentagon, said a commentator in China Today, a Beijing-supported supplement of Russian news portal Svobodnaya Pressa. Konstantin Olshansky said that the trip shows that Beijing openly supports Moscow in the Ukrainian conflict. China has so far refused to condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine but maintains that it would not provide weapons to either side of the conflict. Luke Coffey, a senior researcher at the Hudson Institute, a U.S. think-tank, said in an interview with RFA Mandarin Service that Russian and Chinese presidents had likely discussed possible ways that China can support Russias invasion of Ukraine both diplomatically and through logistical support. Sanctioned by the U.S. Li Shangfu, 65, is an aerospace expert. He became Chinas defense minister at the National Peoples Congress in March. In 2018, Li, then-Director of the Equipment Development Department of the Central Military Commission, was sanctioned by the U.S. State Department for purchasing Russian combat aircraft and equipment related to the S-400 surface-to-air missile system. The sanctions mean direct contacts between the Minister of Defense and his counterpart in the Pentagon are impossible, said Adil Kaukenov, a Russian China expert. The Chinese defense minister has no ties with the American military circles, which are especially needed given the dangerous situation in the Taiwan Strait, Kaukenov wrote on his Telegram channel. But Li has close business ties with the Russian military circles, in fact, because of which he brought sanctions on himself, he added, implying that with Li Shangfu at the helm, the relationship between the PLA and the Russian military would see an unprecedented close cooperation. During his stay in Moscow, Li discussed with Russian military leaders strategic cooperation and pledged to take the bilateral ties to a new level, according to both ministries of defense. The two armed forces are expected to have more exchanges of personnel and technologies. Zhang Hong, an associate research fellow at the Institute of Russian, Eastern European and Central Asian Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, was quoted by the Global Times newspaper saying that more military services could start to have exchanges, like strategic rocket forces. Russia previously announced that it is helping China develop a missile early warning system, Zhang said. Olshansky from Svobodnaya Pressa meanwhile said that the PLA has long been interested in Russias advanced technologies as Moscow is still far ahead of Beijing in many breakthrough technologies, from aircraft engines to nuclear submarines. Russian strategic and multi-purpose nuclear submarines deployed in the Pacific Ocean as part of a surprise Pacific Fleet combat readiness exercise on April 18, 2023. Credit: Russian Defence Ministry/Handout via Reuters Perhaps not coincidentally, when Li Shangfu was visiting Moscow, the Russian Navy held a snap exercise of its Pacific Fleet from Apr. 14 to Apr. 20 in the southern part of the Sea of Okhotsk near the Sakhalin Island and Kuril Islands, which are at the center of a long-running dispute between Russia and Japan. The Pacific Fleet, headquartered in Vladivostok, is responsible for a vast area of the Russian Far East region along the Pacific coast. More than 25,000 troops, 89 aircraft and 167 warships including 12 submarines took part in the surprise combat drills, according to the Russian military Zvezda TV channel. Russian Pacific Fleet puts on a show, including both ASW (anti-submarine warfare) forces and amphibious landings too, said Lyle Goldstein, a Russia and China expert at the think tank Defense Priorities in Washington D.C. I have to suspect this might have been timed to impress the visiting Chinese defense minister, the analyst tweeted. If Russia can intimidate/distract Japan, that must be pleasing to China, he added. Edited by Mike Firn. The former Trump national security advisor will be hosted by pro-independence groups in Taipei. Former U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton speaks during a lecture at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, U.S., Feb. 17, 2020. An outspoken China hawk who is seeking the White House is due to become the first 2024 presidential hopeful to visit Taiwan as American political positions toward Beijing harden ahead of next years U.S. election. John Bolton, who served as national security advisor to President Donald Trump from 2018 to 2019 and has launched a bid to become the next Republican nominee for president, will deliver remarks at two pro-Taiwanese independence events in Taipei, his office said Friday. The first is a keynote speech at The World Taiwanese Congress on April 29, with the theme "Maintaining Long Term Peace and Security in Taiwan." The other is a keynote address at the Formosan Association for Public Affairs' 40th Anniversary Banquet on May 1. The trip comes as U.S. and Chinese officials are facing one of the most explosive moments of their diplomatic relations, with Taiwan at the center of a fierce conflict. The island considers itself a sovereign state, but Beijing claims it as a part of the Peoples Republic of China. The U.S. does not recognize an independent Taiwan, but provides arms for Taiwanese defense. Meetings between Taiwanese and U.S. officials perennially inflame relations with Washington, as Beijing claims that these events undermine Beijings so-called One China policy. Hard line on China Bolton - who declared his candidacy for president in January - has long advocated for a hard line on China and U.S. recognition of Taiwan as a sovereign nation. His bid for the White House is considered a long-shot, but his position on China is politically astute. Austin Wang of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, who studies East Asia politics, said that current polls in the United States show that American voters' unfavorable view towards China is increasing and their support for Taiwan is rising. Bolton's visit to Taiwan as a presidential candidate carries two significant meanings: firstly, it could help him in the primaries of his party, and secondly, it reflects the importance of Taiwan issues for supporters of various political parties, Wang said. This is the most crucial time for the Taiwan issue in the U.S. election, and the first time a presidential candidate has visited Taiwan. Tough talk on Taiwan, however, has become a rite of passage for those who are running for office in the U.S., regardless of their political party. Republicans have been more aggressive in their stance on Taiwan than the Democrats, but members of both of the political parties agree that a robust defense of Taiwans autonomy sends an important message: U.S. leaders are standing up for political freedom -- and against the Chinese government on this issue. But while visits from U.S. politicians can help them burnish an image of being tough on China to American constituents, hard stances like Boltons can pose an awkward challenge for hosts in Taiwan, which is due to hold its own election in January 2024. Although the candidates have not yet been finalized, the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) suffered a setback in last year's local elections. On the other hand, the Kuomintang (KMT), which firmly opposes Taiwan independence and is striving to portray itself as the peacemaker across the Taiwan Strait with friendly relations with Chinese officials, sees a glimmer of hope for regaining power. A recent official poll conducted in Taiwan in March has shed light on the political sentiments of the population. The results show that almost 90% of respondents favor maintaining the status quo, while a meager 5.3% support hastening independence, and a mere 1.1% back expediting unification. Desire for stability These findings underscore the prevailing desire for stability and continuity among Taiwanese citizens, and highlight the importance of maintaining the delicate balance of power in the region. If a hawkish U.S. presidential candidate visits Taiwan, the impact may not be significant in terms of the visit itself. What is more important is what is done during the visit or what is said in Taiwan, said Wang, the University of Nevada expert. If the U.S. presidential candidate visits Taiwan and publicly states the need to send troops to defend Taiwan, it will be welcomed by the Taiwanese public but will also create tension, he said. This could also further polarize the Taiwanese public's attitude towards the U.S. A spokesperson for the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Washington declined to comment on the risks, and possible benefits, of a Bolton visit. We will continue to promote the deepening of Taiwan-U.S. relations in various fields, said the spokesperson, and welcome visitors from all walks of life in the United States to Taiwan. Privately, though, Taiwanese officials have spoken of being wary of having to deal with the fallout from even casual remarks made by prominent American visitors during their trips. Recently, remarks by another former Trump advisor, Robert OBrien, floating a hypothetical idea about the value of having an assault rifle in Taiwan was turned into an incendiary local headline: "Former U.S. national security director: Taiwan should educate its people to use AK47s." The headline was amplified by Chinese government officials, who claimed that OBriens remark was a sign that the United States was pushing Taiwan into a military confrontation with China. But Taiwanese officials may have to brace for further turbulence, as Bolton will not be the only high-profile Republican to visit the island. Former vice president Mike Pence, also believed to have presidential aspirations, is due to visit in June, according to analysts in Washington. (Pences office did not respond to a request for comment). And just ahead of Boltons visit, Virginia Gov. Glen Youngkin - another ambitious Republican - will also be in Taiwan. With the border virtually sealed and communication difficult, North Korean escapees must hope for the best for the family members they left behind. Pictured: A North Korean is seen through barbed wire in the Demilitarized Zone. Earlier this month, news that one of her family members in North Korea had died reached escapee Park So-yeon months after it had happened. Park, who had resettled in the South several years ago, had heard only sporadically from her family north of the border in the past three years since the COVID-19 pandemic struck. As news of food shortages, starvation and rumblings of another famine trickled out of the North, she could only hope for the best, so she was crushed when she learned of her loved ones passing. A lot of times, we find out about deaths a long time after they happened, Park a pseudonym to protect her identity told RFAs Korean Service. "I couldn't believe the news. I still feel like it was not real." Most of the time, such news comes via a North Korean broker who owns a Chinese cell phone and can make calls close to the border by using Chinese relay towers. But recently, a clampdown by authorities on such cell phone brokers has led to reduced communication and long periods of silence, said Ji Seong-ho, an escapee who resettled in the South and was elected a lawmaker in 2020. It is not easy to get news of a death right away because of the situation in North Korea, Ji said. So, when you find out six months or a year later, the heart breaks and it hurts more. Over the past year, many escapees who live in the South have been getting belated news that their relatives in the North have passed away, Seo Jae-Pyoung, secretary general of the Seoul-based Association of the North Korean Defectors, told RFA. Parents came to South Korea and settled here, but there are many cases in which their children died in North Korea, said Seo. The number of deaths has increased by two or three per neighborhood watch unit, the typical community-level unit that meets once per week in North Korea. There are many people who could not prepare firewood during the winter, so their bodies became cold and their immunity decreased because they also were not eating well, Seo said. They were so vulnerable. Many North Korean escapees fall into depression upon learning of their family members death, Kim Dan Geum, another escapee who settled in the South, told RFA. I see many North Korean defectors suffering from depression, thinking about their families they left behind in North Korea, said Kim. They hear the news that their family members have died of starvation. Sending money and fraud The pandemic and crackdown on cell phone brokers has also made it difficult to send money to struggling family members in the North. Brokers can arrange for money sent from South Korea to an intermediary in China to be delivered to intended recipients in North Korea, after taking a percentage for their services. Authorities have increased punishments not only on the families of escapees who try to contact their family members in the South, they are also punishing brokers. With each broker that the government punishes, families who had been using that particular broker lose contact with their escapee family members. They will have to find new brokers to try to get in contact with their relatives. In the past year, many North Korean escapees in the South have been getting belated news that their relatives in the North have passed away, says Seo Jae-Pyoung, secretary general of the Seoul-based Association of the North Korean Defectors. Credit: Reuters file photo Another problem that has risen out of the crackdown is that sometimes escapees in the South are contacted by people posing as brokers, saying they have a message from the family requesting money. They say, The family will starve to death if you dont send the money. But we cant confirm whether thats true or not. There is no way to confirm, said Kim. She said that brokers try to emotionally manipulate escapees in the South by describing hardships suffered by North Koreans, but when they send money, there is no way to know if it was delivered or if the broker kept it for himself. One lady I know said she keeps sending money, and the broker plays for her the recorded voices of the family saying I got the money, or I did not get the money, said Kim. Seo said that there are frequent cases of brokers exploiting the situation in which direct communication with family members is impossible. Border control is now strict, so people from other provinces cannot get near the border. Still, brokers tell you to send money because they can deliver it, he said. I myself got a call yesterday. The broker said my nephews name and told me to send money for him, Seo said. "I cant connect with my nephew so I cant just keep sending money. I cant even check whether the money I sent actually got to him or not. Seo said that the defectors association has posted warnings on its website urging escapees to be careful when trying to remit money to their relatives in the North, because of the large number of reported fraud cases since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020. Remittance brokers are using various fraudulent methods to scam senders by pretending that money has been delivered to their families, taking advantage of the difficulty of access to border areas due to the recent coronavirus crisis, the warning read. The inability to discern between actual requests for money and fraudulent ones can be deadly for people living in the North, Seo said. A defector I know had a younger brother living in Hyeryong, who called her in April last year requesting money, so she sent it to him. Two months later he called again saying he had [liver disease], said Seo. The sister said, You dont even drink alcohol. Dont lie, and she hung up on him. A few months later news came that her younger brother had died. She began to wail, because what her brother said was true. Translated by Claire Shinyoung Oh Lee. Written in English by Eugene Whong. Edited by Malcolm Foster. The four opposed the bombing in posts to social media and were charged with incitement. UPDATED at 6:17 p.m. EDT on 04-21-2023 Authorities in Myanmar have arrested a journalist and three celebrities who criticized the juntas bombing of a village in Sagaing region that killed 200 people, including children, a source with knowledge of the countrys legal system said Friday. Kyaw Min Swe, a reporter in Yangon, actress May Pa Chi, and vocalists Shwe Yi Thein Tan and May La Than Sin were charged on Thursday with violating Article 505 (a) of Myanmars penal code for inciting public unrest, a Yangon-based justice lawyer told RFA Burmese. The junta has routinely used Article 505 (a) to prosecute those who oppose its rule in the 26 months since it seized power in a coup detat. Kyaw Min Swe was handed over to the Sanchaung township police station yesterday, said the lawyer, who spoke on condition of anonymity citing security concerns. A complaint was opened against actress May Pa Chi and [vocalist] Shwe Yi Thein Tan under Article 505 (a) at the North Dagon township police station last night, and vocalist May La Than Sin has been charged under the same article in East Dagon township, he said, adding that May La Than had been arraigned in court on Thursday. The lawyer said that all four had been charged for allegedly inciting the public against the junta by posting messages to their Facebook accounts opposing the juntas April 11 air raid on the opening ceremony of a public administration building in Kanbalu townships Pa Zi Gyi village, believed to be one of the deadliest attacks on civilians in Myanmar since the February 2021 coup. The attack has drawn condemnation from across the globe. He said the four had been arrested by junta security forces on April 11 and 12 and taken to an interrogation center in Yangon, where they were held prior to being charged. Kyaw Min Swe was the editor-in-chief of The Voice Weekly magazine. He also served as the secretary for the Myanmar News and Media Council. Paris-based media watchdog Reporters Without Borders on Friday condemned the journalists arrest and called for his immediate and unconditional release in an emailed statement to RFA. Kyaw Min Swes arrest is yet another confirmation of the absolute terror journalists have to face in Myanmar, said Daniel Bastard, head of the groups Asia-Pacific desk, calling it all the more shocking that the arrest was related to his reaction to the bombing of Pa Zi Gyi. It is a common pattern for war criminals to try and erase any kind of comment regarding their crimes, and this is precisely what the junta is trying to do in shutting down journalists like Kyaw Min Swe, Bastard said. According to reports compiled by journalists, the junta has killed three local members of the media and arrested more than 150 since the coup. UN failure to condemn Reports of the four arrests came as criticism mounted against the United Nations Security Council for failing to speak out against the April 11 airstrike. In the immediate aftermath of the attack U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, as well as several Western governments and human rights organizations, issued statements condemning the juntas use of deadly force against civilians. Myanmars permanent representative to the U.N., Kyaw Moe Tun, who the junta has charged with high treason for accepting his appointment to the world body by the shadow National Unity Government, said on April 13 that it is painful for the people of Myanmar to see the Security Councils inaction on the attack. On April 15, Zin Mar Aung, the NUGs minister of foreign affairs, echoed Kyaw Moe Tuns frustration, telling reporters that the U.N. and the Security Council particularly member countries with veto power have an obligation to hold the junta to account for the airstrike and other atrocities. China and Russia, both of which have maintained close ties with the junta since the coup, make up two-fifths of the councils permanent members with veto power, along with the United States, the United Kingdom, and France. Myanmars military confirmed in a statement last week that it had carried out a precision attack on Pa Zi Gyi on April 11 because members of the armed resistance had gathered there and committed terrorist acts. Junta Deputy Information Minister Major Gen. Zaw Min Tun told the military-controlled broadcast channel MRTV that those killed in the strike were members of the anti-junta Peoples Defense Force, not civilians, and that the large number of casualties was the result of a rebel weapons cache exploding during the operation. But rescue workers have disputed that account. They say the attack on the site was deliberate and thorough, beginning with a jet fighter bombing run and followed by an Mi-35 helicopter strafing the area. In this image grab from a video, a victim lies with damaged motorbikes on a road at the aftermath of the Myanmar juntas shelling and airstrikes on Pa Zi Gyi village, Kanbalu township, Sagaing region on April 11, 2023. Credit: Citizen journalist Despite the international blowback, the junta again bombed Pa Zi Gyi on Thursday. Initial reports said no one was injured in the latest bombing, as most of the villages residents were either killed or still in hiding from last weeks attack. But sources told RFA Burmese that many of the remaining buildings were damaged. Speaking to RFA on Friday, residents of Pa Zi Gyi urged the international community, and more specifically, the U.N. Security Council, to take immediate action against the junta. There will be no civilians left in this country if effective action isnt taken, said one resident who lost eight family members in the attack. We call for a total end to the juntas use of airstrikes against us. I request that the U.N. and the international community take strong action against the junta as soon as possible because I dont want any more people to face the tragedies weve faced, said a second resident. Onus on the people of Myanmar Other observers questioned whether the U.N. or other global bodies could have any impact on the situation in Myanmar were they to take a harder tack with the junta. If you look at the current crisis in Ukraine or any other issues that happened in countries such as Iraq and Afghanistan, you can see that the Security Council could never have resolved any of those issues, said analyst Hla Kyaw Zaw. I think that the issue of the Pa Zi Gyi village incident or any other problems in Myanmar can only be solved by the people of Myanmar. Ye Tun, a political analyst and former member of parliament for the Shan Nationalities Democratic Party, suggested that the international community should assume the role of mediator in Myanmars political crisis, with the goal of bringing a lasting peace to the country. The best thing is to encourage the two sides of the political spectrum to hold discussions and negotiate politically, he said. If countries that have influence over the junta, such as China and India, and superpowers like the U.S. that have influence over the resistance organizations can work cooperatively to bring the two sides together, I think a solution may be possible. Than Soe Naing, another analyst, agreed that the people of Myanmar cannot rely on the U.N. Security Council or other international organizations to solve their problems. The U.N. itself is in such an unreliable situation that it has transferred the matter to the hands of ASEAN, he said, referring to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, of which Myanmar is a member. ASEAN faced similar criticism for failing to condemn the airstrike until it finally did so in a statement issued days after the attack. Translated by Myo Min Aung. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Matt Reed. Correction: An earlier version of this story mistakenly referred to Ye Tun as a former member of parliament for the deposed National League for Democracy. The bombing is the second this month on a National Unity Government village office. The National Unity Government administrative office in Laung Bo Lay village, Tilin township, Magway region was destroyed by Thursdays junta bombing raid. A junta airstrike in Myanmars central Magway region killed three people and injured 12, residents told RFA. Thursdays attack destroyed a National Unity Government administrative building in Tilin townships Laung Bo Lay village, the second deadly attack on an NUG village office this month. The Public Administration Office was bombed, said a resident who requested anonymity for safety reasons. Three People's Defense Force comrades died on the spot and about 12 other people were injured. The two men and a woman who died were members of the Yaw Revolutionary Army, based in Tilin township, according to an official from the local defense force, who also declined to be named. He said four men and eight women were injured, including one person in charge of assisting people left homeless by the conflict in Magway region. The official told RFA a jet fighter flew over Laung Bo Lay village at around noon Thursday, dropping three bombs. He said the junta ordered the air strike after being tipped off about the presence of Peoples Defense Force members at the office. It cut telephone lines in Tilin and nearby Gangaw township ahead of the attack. After the air strike, troops stationed at the Shwe Htee Hall in Tilin township and the junta-affiliated Pyu Saw Htee militia staged ground attacks on villages in Tilin, according to locals. They said hundreds of residents from 13 villages were forced to flee. The junta has not issued a statement on the incident and calls to the juntas Deputy Information Minister Major Gen. Zaw Min Tun by RFA went unanswered. Myanmars military is increasingly resorting to air attacks as it meets fierce resistance on the ground from Peoples Defense Forces and ethnic armies across the country. On April 18, it carried out an air strike on Ma Gyi Kan village in Magway regions Myaing township, destroying the hospital. Thursdays air strike comes 10 days after the junta bombed an NUG office in Sagaing regions Pa Zi Gyi village, killing around 200 people, the deadliest air strike since the military seized power in a February 2021 coup. The junta bombed the Pa Zi Gyi again Thursday but no one was injured in that attack as most people had fled the village. The National Unity Government was formed shortly after the 2021 coup and serves as a parallel government, campaigning for the restoration of democracy. It also carries out local administrative work in areas not under junta control, while its People's Defense Forces fight junta troops for control of townships across Myanmar. Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Mike Firn. Fighting became so intense that the junta launched three airstrikes a day for six days. Houses burn in Si Thaung village, Shwegu township of Myanmars Kachin state after air attacks by junta military forces on April 6, 2023. Credit: People Defense Force - Shwegu Houses burn in Si Thaung village, Shwegu township of Myanmars Kachin state after air attacks by junta military forces on April 6, 2023. Credit: People Defense Force - Shwegu Houses burn in Si Thaung village, Shwegu township of Myanmars Kachin state after air attacks by junta military forces on April 6, 2023. Credit: People Defense Force - Shwegu Houses burn in Si Thaung village, Shwegu township of Myanmars Kachin state after air attacks by junta military forces on April 6, 2023. Credit: People Defense Force - Shwegu Houses burn in Si Thaung village, Shwegu township of Myanmars Kachin state after air attacks by junta military forces on April 6, 2023. Credit: People Defense Force - Shwegu The military offensive began in Shwegu township on March 23 and continued for 19 days, during which the junta carried out more than a dozen airstrikes and engaged local resistance forces in at least 10 major battles. Over the period, junta troops from the militarys 88th Division had killed at least 10 civilians and razed some 1,000 houses to the ground, residents said. The offensive, which ended on April 10, is the latest push by the military to gain control of northern Myanmars Kachin state, where the junta has been battling local units of the Peoples Defense Force paramilitary group and the formidable Kachin Independence Army since its Feb. 1, 2021 coup detat. A member of the Shwegu PDF told RFA Burmese that at one point, the fighting was so intense that the junta launched three airstrikes a day for six days. They fired into the villages with heavy artillery that burned down the villages. The remaining houses were torched and destroyed by the junta troops, said the PDF member, who spoke on condition of anonymity citing security concerns. A total of 12 villages were damaged. Some civilians were killed, too. When we tried to clear the ruins after they left, we found the bodies of civilians left unburned. Following the offensive, the junta convoy proceeded towards the main road between Shwegu and neighboring Bhamo township, the PDF member said, although he could not provide further details on its location. A statement issued by the junta on April 9 seemed to confirm the reports, saying that 21 battles took place in Shwegu between March 23 and April 8. Those who didnt die were shot A resident of Shwegus Si Thar village told RFA that 10 civilians from the area were killed by junta troops when their convoy suddenly appeared in the area. Some of them were herding the cattle in the fields, others were trying to hide when the advancing junta convoy found them, likely on April 8, said the resident, who also declined to be named. They were captured and killed by the junta troops. They left some of them burning with their hands tied together behind their backs. Those who didnt die after being set on fire were shot dead. The resident said members of the convoy set fire to the villages of Si Thaung, Si Maw and Nat Lan before leaving. The people they killed were only innocent civilians from Si Thar village, she added, and ranged in age from 22 to more than 60 years old. Residents buried the bodies, which were discovered with gunshot wounds and cut throats, on April 14, after the convoy departed, she said. In its press release on April 9, the junta said that members of the military were injured during the offensive and that it had recovered the bodies of 17 KIA and PDF fighters during the fighting. It claimed that the KIA and PDF had been providing weapons and ammunition to resistance forces and smuggling timber after gaining a foothold in the area. An information officer with the Shwegu PDF told RFA that 50 junta soldiers were killed during the offensive, while the KIA and PDF lost three fighters each. RFA was not able to independently verify the information officers claims. We are still too scared Meanwhile, thousands of residents of Shwegus 12 villages have been sheltering in the jungle since the fighting began, according to area sources. A resident of one of the villages, Man Hkar, said they dare not return out of fear that the junta troops would return. We are still hiding in the jungles, while some are staying in small huts on their farms, the resident said. People told us that we can go back because the fighting has cooled off, but we dare not. We are still too scared. Residents who have been surveying the damage said that during the 19-day offensive, junta troops burned down nearly 1,000 civilian homes in Shwegus 12 villages. Some of the homes were destroyed by bombs dropped by junta jet fighters, although most were razed by arson, they said. The junta has previously denied that its troops set fire to civilian homes. A resident of Si Thar who was among those whose homes were burned said that rebuilding what the junta had destroyed would be difficult, noting that the local population is still dealing with the trauma of the fighting and loss. Some of us have fled to the town and some to the jungles, but we all are facing food shortages and sheltering difficulties, the resident said. We can stay in other peoples houses for now, but we dont have the money to buy new ones for ourselves ... About 100 houses were burned in our village alone. I have become homeless. According to Thailands Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma), authorities in Myanmar have killed at least 3,427 civilians and arrested nearly 21,500 since the February 2021 coup, mostly during peaceful anti-junta demonstrations. Independent research group Data for Myanmar said that junta troops had burned more than 60,000 civilian homes across the country as of the end of February. Translated by Myo Min Aung. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Malcolm Foster. Authorities in Thailand have contacted friends of dissident who may have been abducted. Vietnamese blogger Duong Van Thai had been applying for refugee status with the United Nations refugee agencys office in Bangkok. Thai authorities have been investigating the disappearance of a Vietnamese dissident blogger believed to have been abducted from Bangkok last week as activists continue to review security camera footage from areas near the mans home. The Special Forces of Thailands Royal Police contacted Vietnamese-American human rights activist Grace Bui and other close friends of missing blogger Duong Van Thai on Thursday to learn more about the circumstances of his disappearance, Bui said. Thai had been applying for refugee status with the United Nations refugee agencys office in Bangkok. He fled to Thailand in 2019 fearing political persecution for his many posts and videos that criticized the Vietnamese government and leaders of the Communist Party on Facebook and YouTube. Friends realized he was missing on April 13 after calls to his mobile phone that afternoon went unanswered. Police in Vietnams Ha Tinh province announced on April 16 that he was in Vietnam. They said he had entered the country via trails on its border with Laos. Thais friends have publicly claimed that he was likely kidnapped by Vietnamese security forces and brought back to Vietnam. Another Vietnamese blogger, Truong Duy Nhat, was abducted from Bangkok as he was applying for refugee status in 2019. Activists have long believed that Thai police were involved in that case. Bui said there was some initial suspicion that authorities in Thailand assisted in the kidnapping of Thai, but she now believes that isn't the case. I have spoken to the chief of Bangkok police, and he said he did not know anything, Bui said. I think Vietnam handled this case by themselves. BenarNews, an affiliate of Radio Free Asia, contacted Thailands deputy national police chief, the chief of the immigration bureau and the spokesman for the immigration bureau on Friday but didnt immediately receive a reply. RFA also attempted to contact the Thai Royal Police via email but have not received a response. According to the Bangkok Post, Thai police have contacted Vietnamese authorities seeking information about the blogger but havent received any information. Coffee in the park Bui and friends reported the disappearance on Tuesday. Local authorities have since allowed them to collect footage from public security cameras in the areas where the blogger might have been on the day he went missing. Bui said they have determined from the footage that Thai left his home the afternoon of April 13 to go to a nearby coffee shop. He bought two cups of coffee and went to a park inside Rajamangala Technology Universitys campus north of Bangkok. Blogger Duong Van Thai prepares to leave his home on his Fino motorbike in Bangkok, Thailand, on the day of his disappearance. Credit: Screenshot from security camera footage He drank coffee with Loc AnHa, a new friend who is also a Vietnamese refugee and who also is active on Facebook, Bui said. Thai headed in the direction of his rental home after leaving the park, she said. RFA contacted Loc AnHa, whose real name is Nguyen Khac Dinh Loc. This person confirmed that the information provided by Bui was accurate. Loc said Thai called and asked him to go to the park to escape from the heat and enjoy the breeze something they had done together previously. The two drank coffee while Thai did a live-streamed video in which he talked about U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blikens visit to Hanoi and the recent trial in Vietnam of another blogger, Nguyen Lan Thang, Loc said. At around 5:30 p.m., Thai finished live-streaming and returned to his rental home. Loc told RFA that he stayed in the park for a while before leaving. Loc, a religious activist from the southern Vietnamese province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau, said he received the news of Thais disappearance as he waited for Thai to come to his home the next day. The two were planning to go to a market together, he said. Vietnam authorities claim that Thai illegally entered Ha Tinh province from Laos was fabricated, Loc said. Thai did not intend to return to Vietnam and could not have traveled up to 920 kilometers by road from his place of residence to the Laos-Vietnam border within a day, he said. Sets a grave precedent More than 300 Vietnamese refugees in Thailand signed a petition sent on Wednesday to the UNHCRs office in Bangkok and to international rights organizations, urging them to investigate Thais case. The refugees also urged the U.N. to take measures to ensure their security and to speed up the process of resettling them in a third country. RFA sent an inquiry by email to UNHCRs Bangkok office on April 20 but has not received a response.On Thursday, the International Federation of Journalists condemned the abduction and detention of Thai and called on the Vietnamese authorities to immediately release him. Duong Van Thais abduction demonstrates the significant danger faced by Vietnamese journalists and sets a grave precedent for the safety of overseas media workers, the group said in a statement. Repressive and severe punishments in Vietnam for critical and independent journalism mean Thai will likely face persecution for his work. Translated by Anna Vu. Edited by Matt Reed and Malcom Foster. BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated news organization. No media source currently available The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. Afghans are defying a ban on using Iranian rials or Pakistani rupees, as their economy struggles following the Taliban takeover. Welcome back to The Azadi Briefing, an RFE/RL newsletter that unpacks the key issues in Afghanistan. To subscribe, click here. I'm Mustafa Sarwar, a senior news editor at RFE/RL's Radio Azadi. Here's what I've been tracking and what I'm keeping an eye on in the days ahead. The Key Issue The Taliban has closed all education centers in the southern provinces of Kandahar and Helmand that were funded by foreign NGOs. The hundreds of education centers, mostly funded by UNICEF, the United Nations children's agency, and Save The Children, provided literacy classes to tens of thousands of girls and boys in remote areas that lack government schools. Wakil Ahmad Mutawakil, a spokesman for the Kandahar educational department, told Radio Azadi that the activities of the education centers had been suspended until further notice. He said the decision was made after complaints from locals, without elaborating. Why It's Important: The decision is the latest blow to education in Afghanistan, where the Taliban has banned girls above the sixth grade from attending school and women from studying in universities. The militant group has also tried to root out all forms of secular education and converted scores of secular schools, universities, and training centers into madrasahs, or Islamic seminaries. Munir Ahmad, a resident of Kandahar, told Radio Azadi that he is "very concerned" about the Talibans decision. "This is not good news for us because most classes were in areas where children have no [other] access to education," he said. The Talibans move appears to be the latest salvo in its standoff with foreign NGOs. The Taliban has imposed restrictions on the UN and other international organizations, including banning them from employing Afghan women. What's Next: There are fears that the closure of foreign-funded education centers in southern Afghanistan, the birthplace and political base of the Taliban, could be extended nationwide. If that occurs, hundreds of thousands of children will join the already estimated 3 million school-aged girls who are unable to receive an education. The Week's Best Stories The sidewalks outside bakeries in the Afghan capital, Kabul, are packed with desperate mothers and children hoping for a bite to eat. The Taliban has banned women and girls from many jobs, secondary schools, and universities since returning to power in August 2021, triggering an economic crisis, according to the UN. Kandahar, the countrys second-largest city, appears to be becoming the de facto capital under the militant groups rule. Several officials have recently been transferred from Kabul to Kandahar. Taliban Supreme Leader Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada lives in the city and rarely leaves the Pashtun heartland in southern Afghanistan. What To Keep An Eye On The UN has threatened to leave Afghanistan as soon as next month if the Taliban does not reverse its ban on Afghan women working for the world body. Achim Steiner, the administrator of the United Nations Development Program, said on April 18 that the entire United Nations system is taking a step back and reevaluating its ability to operate in Afghanistan. He said the UN would not negotiate its fundamental principles. Taliban chief spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said on April 12 that the group does not want to create "obstacles for the United Nations," but added that the ban on Afghan women working for the organization was "an internal issue of Afghanistan." But the UN has said the around 600 Afghan women it employs are vital in delivering life-saving aid to Afghans and warned that the Taliban would bear responsibility for the humanitarian consequences. Why It's Important: The UNs exit from Afghanistan would have disastrous consequences and aggravate the already dire humanitarian crisis in the country. UN agencies provide critical assistance in the fields of health, education, and food security. The UN on April 18 announced that an estimated 34 million Afghans -- out of a population of 40 million -- were living below the poverty line. The figure is a huge increase of 15 million since 2020, when the Western-backed Afghan government was still in power. That's all from me for now. Don't forget to send me any questions, comments, or tips that you have. Until next time, Mustafa Sarwar If you enjoyed this briefing and don't want to miss the next edition, subscribe here. It will be sent to your inbox every Friday. The prosecution has asked a court in Minsk to convict and sentence Raman Pratasevich, a journalist who was detained in Belarus in 2021 after the commercial flight he was on was forced to land in Minsk, to 10 years in prison -- less than half the maximum possible -- on charges linked to his reporting. The prosecutor also asked the Minsk regional court to convict and sentence Pratasevich's two co-defendants, Yan Rudzik and Stsyapan Putsila, who are being tried in absentia, to 19 and 20 years in prison respectively. The three were authors of the Nexta Live Telegram channel that extensively covered unprecedented protests against official results of an August 2020 presidential election that the opposition and many Western countries say was rigged. The journalists' trial started in mid-February. They were initially charged with forming and leading an extremist group, insulting the authoritarian ruler of Belarus, Alyaksandr Lukashenka, plotting to seize power through unconstitutional means, discrediting Belarus, financing extremist activities, inciting social hatred, organizing mass disorders, conducting acts of terrorism, and other actions aimed to undermine national security. Putsila was additionally charged with orchestrating the activities of a terrorist organization. Last week, the prosecutor at the Minsk regional court additionally charged Pratasevich and Rudzik with "repetitively forming and leading an extremist group" over their running of the Telegram channel called Belarus Golovnogo Mozga (Belarus of the Brain) based in Lithuania that also was critical of Lukashenka and his regime. The prosecution, which did not comment on the sentence requests, could have asked for as many as 25 years, giving rise to speculation that "confessions" Pratasevich gave in public, which many consider to have been given under duress, may be the reason for his more lenient sentence guidance. Pratasevich, who used to work as an editor and a key administrator of the Nexta Live channel on Telegram, fled Belarus in 2019. In May 2021, he and his then-girlfriend, Russian citizen Sofia Sapega, were arrested after their commercial flight from Greece to Lithuania was forced to land in Minsk. Belarus said it had ordered the plane to land after an anonymous bomb threat. Evidence later revealed Belarusian officials conspired to fake the bomb threat as a pretense for diverting the plane so they could detain the two. Sapega was accused of administering a channel on Telegram that published the personal data of Belarusian security forces and sentenced to six years in prison in May last year. Last week, officials at the Russian Embassy in Minsk said Sapega will be extradited to Russia soon. Pratasevich made several appearances on Belarusian state television in 2021 that prompted the opposition and Western officials to accuse Lukashenka and his regime of extracting video confessions through torture. The officials also called for Pratasevich and Sapega's immediate release. Michael Crowder stands nervously at the front of his third grade classroom, his mustard-yellow polo shirt buttoned to the top. Give us some vowels, says his teacher, LaNeeka Gilbert-Jackson. His eyes search a chart that lists vowels, consonant pairs and word endings, but he doesnt land on an answer. Lets help him out, Gilbert-Jackson says. A-E-I-O-U, she and the students say in unison. Michael missed most of first grade, the foundational year for learning to read. It was the first fall of the pandemic, and for months Atlanta only offered school online. Michaels mom had just had a baby, and there was no quiet place to study in their small apartment. He missed a good part of second grade, too. So, like most of his classmates at his Atlanta school, he isnt reading at the level expected for a third grader. And that poses an urgent problem. Third grade is the last chance for Michaels class to master reading with help from teachers before they face more rigorous expectations. If Michael and his classmates dont read fluently by the time this school year ends, research shows theyre less likely to complete high school. Third grade has always been pivotal in a childs academic life, but pandemic-fueled school interruptions have made it much harder. Nationally, third graders lost more ground in reading than kids in older grades, and theyve been slower to catch up. To address pandemic learning loss, Atlanta has been one of the only cities in the country to add class time 30 minutes a day for three years. Thats more time for Gilbert-Jackson to explain the confusing ways that English words work and to tailor lessons to small groups of students based on their abilities. She hopes it will be enough. The school year has been a race to prepare her students for future classes, where reading well is a gateway to learning everything else. Yes, I work you hard, she says about her students. Because we have too much to learn. Slow progress Right before December vacation, Gilbert-Jacksons class is subdued and visibly tired. A handful of students, anticipating the long break, dont come to school. One girl has been out for weeks; now, back in class, she swings her arm across her desk and tries to go to sleep. You gotta wake up, baby girl, Gilbert-Jackson says to her gently. You need to tell Mama to put you to bed. The lethargy is palpable, but Gilbert-Jackson moves on with her lessons. Theres too much to learn. She reviews suffixes, how to spell words ending in -ch, -tch, and how to make different words plural. Some students have spellings memorized; for those who dont, Gilbert-Jackson explains the rules that govern spelling. Its a phonics-based program that the district now mandates for all third graders, in line with science-backed curricula gaining momentum across the country. Last year, the district started mandating the same curriculum for all first and second graders. It can be dry and tedious stuff, replete with obscure jargon like digraph and trigraph. The strong readers nod and respond during these sessions, but the students still learning the basics look lost. To inject fun into the lesson, Gilbert-Jackson turns it into a quiz game. The students perk up as they race to set up their laptops. Teach, Gilbert-Jackson calls out. How do you spell teach? Students have to choose between teach and teatch. Yes! some of the children shout from their desks as their scores pop onto their screens. Says Gilbert-Jackson: I dont know why Im hearing so many yeses when only half got it right. Long term relationships As the first semester draws to a close, 14 of her 19 students arent meeting expectations for reading. That includes Michael. Gilbert-Jackson has an important advantage: She has known Michael and most of his classmates and their parents since the first fall of the pandemic. She taught them in first grade and second grade, and followed them to third. She knows how much school many of them missed and why. The strategy was adopted by Boyd Elementary to give students some consistency through the crisis. It has paid off. The steady relationship has helped her adapt her approach and care for her students at a school where 81% of families receive food stamps or other government assistance. I know what they know, she says. The long-term connection or perhaps just the continuity of attending school every day has helped Michael start reading. At the end of first grade he knew two of the so-called sight words a and the. By that point in the year, first graders were expected to have memorized 200 of these high-frequency words that arent easily decodable by new readers. Now, midway through third grade, he is reading like a mid-year first grader two years behind where hes supposed to be. But, says Gilbert-Jackson, its progress. You can see the wheels turning, she says. Sometimes hell draw a blank, but hes still trying. When hes not in school, Michael has been dropping by his apartment complexs community center most afternoons to read books to the staff, who encourage the activity with pizza parties. His report cards show improvement. His parents have noticed his growth. I see a change in him, says Michaels stepfather, Rico Morton, who works landscaping and manages a pizza delivery store at night. Morton says he sometimes quizzes Michael and his siblings on trivia and multiplication tables. Hes matured. Now he speaks in complete sentences, Morton says. I feel like he has the potential to be someone. But Michaels days in Gilbert-Jacksons third grade class are numbered, and hes still far behind whats expected for a third grader. Thats an important inflection point. Until the end of third grade, students generally receive guidance from teachers to perfect their literacy. After that, students are expected to read more challenging texts in all of their subjects and to improve reading skills on their own. Researchers have found students who dont read fluently by third grade are four times more likely to drop out or not finish high school on time. And if a student fails to graduate, the risks increase. For instance, adults without a diploma are more likely to end up in prison. Michael isnt the only student in this perilous zone. A handful of his classmates are also reading or comprehending at the first grade level. Some, like Michael, didnt attend Zoom classes. There are two girls who did attend classes, and appeared to be doing well at the time. But Gilbert-Jackson believes their parents were doing some if not all of their work for them, and the girls didnt learn to read and write. One of those girls is now reading at the second grade level, but her comprehension is more like a mid-year first grader, says Gilbert-Jackson. The words just bounce off her, Gilbert-Jackson says. She doesnt internalize what shes reading. For me, thats harder to fix. The other girl whose mother likely did her schoolwork during online learning is reading at the level of a beginning first grader. Gilbert-Jackson worries about her. Lets say she does go to fourth grade: Nobody is going to read anything to her, she says. I dont want to set them up for failure. Not many alternatives Good options are few. On paper, Atlantas district policy is to promote elementary school students who master reading, math and other subjects. But how often the district actually holds students back is unclear. Atlantas school system did not respond to requests for data. Making students repeat a grade has fallen out of practice across the country, although more students are being held back because of the pandemic. Research before the pandemic showed the practice had mixed academic results, can stigmatize students and causes stress for families. Its also expensive for school districts, because it could require adding classes and teachers. These students can attend four weeks of summer school, but that likely wont be enough to bring them up to third grade reading levels. And attendance by kids who sign up for summer school is notoriously low nationwide. When the students start fourth grade, their schools will test their reading and math levels, and they will be placed in the appropriate interventions, according to the district. Teachers and students will have a daily extra half hour of class next year, the last in Atlantas three-year plan to address pandemic setbacks. Before leaving for Christmas vacation, Gilbert-Jackson started reaching out to students parents to talk about how their children were progressing and what may or may not happen with their prospects for fourth grade. Though its rare, she tells them she could recommend holding back a student or a parent could request it. She encourages parents to keep working with their kids, buy workbooks at dollar stores and, in some cases, agree to testing to determine whether their children need more specialized help. The parents of some of her struggling readers dont return her calls or show up for parent-teacher conferences. In most cases, says Gilbert-Jackson, I think they mean well. But I think some have the attitude, Im sending you to school and you better listen to that lady, she says, but theres not that much support at home. No easy solutions While Gilbert-Jackson appears to have a plan to move most of her students forward, two new students are testing the veteran teacher. At this stage of the year, their challenges resist easy solutions. One day in late February, Gilbert-Jackson asks her students to revise a narrative theyd each been writing about a glowing rock. Most get to work quickly. One new student, a boy with a 100-watt smile and a halo of loose hair twists, had transferred from another Atlanta public school in November. Instead of taking out his narrative, he chooses a book from the class library and starts writing in his notebook. A few minutes later, he presents his notebook to Keione Vance, the teachers assistant. So, did you copy this from a book? she asks. I know you just copied it. She asks him to read to her. He happily starts on the book, an easy reader aimed at a first grade reading level. He struggles with words: nice, true, voice, sure, might, outside, and because. When he arrived in November, it appeared he needed to learn everything from first, second and third grade, says Gilbert-Jackson. He often puts his head down in class. Im getting more work out of him now. But you can tell when he hits his limit. Hes like, uh-uh. While most of the class works on writing, the other new student, a tall girl with long braids that curl at the end, sits at her desk staring into the distance and humming. Shes struggling, says Gilbert-Jackson. Theres something I cannot put my finger on. Gilbert-Jackson worries she isnt serving her two new students as well as shed like. What they need would require all of my attention, she says. This train has been running for three years. I cant start over. A last chance As the other students in class keep working, some ask Gilbert-Jackson to read their stories. Some are written in complete sentences with few errors. Others lack punctuation and capitalization and have misspellings throughout. After a few more students ask Gilbert-Jackson to check their stories, she gets the classs attention. Class, class, calls Gilbert-Jackson. Yes, yes, replies the class. Class, class, class, calls Gilbert-Jackson. Yes, yes, yes, replies the class. And then their teacher says words that, for some of them, may be very daunting. Mrs. Gilbert-Jackson cannot be the person who says when your final draft is ready, she says. Im not going to be there when you are in fourth grade. Im not going to be there when you take your exams. Gilbert-Jackson and the other third grade teachers are so concerned about their students reading and writing abilities, along with math skills, that they decided after Christmas break to cut back on social studies and science to give students extra instruction and practice for the rest of the year. Its her last chance to help them before they move on to another teacher and to the expectation they will read everything by themselves. The extra time may have helped some students get across the line. Now only seven of the 19 students are below grade level in reading. Of the students who are still behind, Gilbert-Jackson is the least worried about one: Michael Crowder. Shes confident hell find a way to navigate the new world ahead of him a world where hell have to be more self-sufficient, even if there is too much to learn. He wants it, she says. Hell catch up. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Yevgeny Prigozhin, the Kremlin-connected businessman who controls the notorious Wagner mercenary group, has accused decision-makers in Russia of treason for not providing his troops and military units of Russia's regular armed forces with ammunition needed to fight in Ukraine. "A criminal group did not give us ammunition, Prigozhin said in a five-minute audio statement posted on Telegram on April 26 in which he reiterated his claim that ammunition is being stockpiled in depots but not delivered to the battlefield. 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. Prigozhin claimed his troops have no ammunition to fight against Ukrainian artillery because of "treason" by unspecified top Russian officials, pledging to reveal names "when the time comes." I think what is happening today is a crime against Russia and Russian people. The criminals must be held accountable," he said. Prigozhin said that Ukraine's armed forces will most likely start an expected counteroffensive in early May "to cut our flanks that we are unable to cover" because of the lack of ammunition. "We are doing all we can with that minimal quantity of ammunition we have now," Prigozhin said in the statement, in which he noted that many Wagner mercenaries had died, were wounded, or had left the group after their contracts expired. "Those thugs who make decisions, they must be held responsible to the mothers, children, and wives of those who perished, because instead of one person, several people are dying at once. Instead of one person, five die when storming a building, because we do not have ammo." Prigozhin has previously referred to fighting in the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut as a "meat grinder" and has clashed with Russian military officials over ammunition supplies. Ukrainian and Western military officials have said that Russian conscripts and Wagner forces were being treated like "cannon fodder" in the war. Prigozhin also said those responsible for supplying Wagner troops and regular Russian armed forces with ammunition "are sitting on the ammo like roosters sit on eggs" instead of sending it to the battlefield. He used the word petukhi (roosters) instead of the word for hens. The word petukhi is used among criminal groups across the former Soviet Union as a homosexual insult. Prigozhin added that the Ukrainian armed forces' counteroffensive is "inevitable," adding that Wagner will be able "to stand here for two to three more weeks until the last bullet remains in the assault rifle's magazine." In an apparent attempt to justify his troops' possible defeat, he added: "In general, the private military group Wagner has completed its historical mission." Prigozhin's statement comes less than two weeks after he urged the Kremlin to declare that the goals of what Moscow calls its special military operation in Ukraine have been achieved and to stop the fighting, emphasizing that many of those who yesterday supported the special operation, today either have doubts or are categorically opposed to what is happening. Svitlana, a refugee from Ukraine, weaves camouflage nets for the soldiers back home alongside volunteers from Estonia. More than 1,000 square meters of mesh have been woven in her improvised workshop alone. Svitlana, from the Mykolayiv region, says people come here to help so refugees can one day return to Ukraine. Welcome back to The Farda Briefing, an RFE/RL newsletter that tracks the key issues in Iran and explains why they matter. To subscribe, click here. I'm RFE/RL correspondent Golnaz Esfandiari. Here's what I've been following during the past week and what I'm watching for in the days ahead. The Big Issue Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has ruled out holding a referendum on key national issues, a demand made by antiestablishment protesters, activists, and opposition figures. "Where in the world is this done? Is it possible to hold a referendum for various issues of the country?" Khamenei, who has the final say on all important matters of the state, said during a meeting with students on April 18. According to Iran's constitution, a referendum can be held on "extremely important economic, political, social, and cultural matters." A vote can only be called with the approval of two-thirds of parliament. Why It Matters: Khamenei's rejection of a referendum appears to be in response to a call by former President Hassan Rohani, a relative moderate, who recently suggested that holding a popular vote on domestic, economic, and foreign policy matters could resolve the unrest in the country. Iran was gripped by months of antiestablishment protests that erupted in September, the biggest challenge to the Islamic republic in decades. Many protesters demanded greater social and political freedom and the end of clerical rule. In recent months, some opposition figures and civil society groups have called for a referendum on protesters' demands. They include opposition figure Mir Hossein Musavi and Iran's top Sunni cleric, Molavi Abdolhamid. Others have called for the drafting of a new constitution that could pave the way for a new political system. What's Next: Khamenei's dismissal of a referendum, although not surprising, has been criticized by some Iranians. Some accused the Iranian leader of double standards, saying he has previously called for a referendum to resolve the Israel-Palestinian conflict. Others noted that the current clerical system was established after a referendum was held soon after the Islamic Revolution in 1979. In his comments, Khamenei had also questioned whether voters had the "capacity" to make informed choices on important state matters if a referendum were to be held. "If we don't have the capacity to analyze and take part in a referendum, then why do we have the capacity when it comes to noncompetitive elections?" the Islamic Association of University Teachers said in a statement. Paris-based analyst Reza Alijani told RFE/RL's Radio Farda that Khamenei has monopolized power and has "issues even with regime insiders." "He opposed a referendum, which Rohani called for based on the constitution, unlike Musavi and others who have demanded a referendum that goes beyond the constitution," Alijani said. Stories You Might Have Missed A U.S.-trained professor at the Faculty of Law and Political Science at the University of Tehran said he was fired after he came out in support of nationwide protests against the clerical establishment. Many Iranian university professors have faced expulsion for their support of the demonstrations, while others have already been pushed from their jobs. Iranian former crown prince Reza Pahlavi's recent visit to Israel, Tehran's arch foe, courted controversy. Some Iranians criticized Pahlavi for being silent on the plight of Palestinians. Others questioned why he met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a time when tens of thousands of Israelis are protesting his controversial plan to overhaul the judiciary. What We're Watching Hamed Esmaeilion has announced he is leaving an alliance of exiled Iranian opposition figures and celebrities. The Alliance for Democracy and Freedom in Iran was formed in February and includes Pahlavi, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi, rights activist Masih Alinejad, actress Nazanin Boniadi, and Abdullah Mohtadi, the leader of a Kurdish political party. In March, the alliance issued a charter for a transition to a new, secular democratic system that would be followed by free elections. The group has called for international efforts to isolate Iran's clerical establishment. Esmailion, who was the spokesman of a Canada-based association that represented the families of the victims of a passenger flight that was shot down in Iran in 2020, said he quit because of "anti-democratic" attempts by "pressure groups" to impose their views on the alliance. Why It Matters: Esmailion's withdrawal suggests Iran's exiled opposition has been unable to end infighting and bridge their differences. Further withdrawals could lead to the collapse of the alliance. Prominent Tehran-based analyst Sadegh Zibalakam said the exiled opposition "only agrees on opposing the Islamic republic." "Outside of their opposition to the clerical establishment, they don't have much of a [policy],' he said on Twitter. That's all from me for now. Don't forget to send me any questions, comments, or tips that you have. Until next time, Golnaz Esfandiari If you enjoyed this briefing and don't want to miss the next edition, subscribe here. It will be sent to your inbox every Wednesday. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said his first conversation with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, since the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine was "long and meaningful" as Russia increased the pressure on the defenders of Bakhmut -- the site of the most intense battle for the eastern Donetsk region. 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. "Had a long meaningful telephone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping," Zelenskiy wrote on Twitter. "I believe that this call, as well as the appointment of Ukraine's ambassador to China, will give a powerful impetus to the development of our bilateral relations." Zelenskiy did not provide other details about the call, but his spokesman, Serhiy Nykyforov, said on Facebook that the two had an almost hourlong telephone conversation. China's state broadcaster CCTV said that Xi told Zelenskiy that "talks and negotiation" were the "only way out" of the war. China says it is neutral in the conflict and Xi has refrained from condemning the invasion. White House national security spokesman John Kirby welcomed the call but said it was too soon to tell whether it would lead to a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine. "If there's going to be a negotiated peace, it's got to be when President Zelenskiy is ready for it," Kirby said, adding that the United States would welcome any effort to arrive at peace as long as it could be sustainable. Kirby said the United States did not have advance knowledge of the call. "These are two sovereign leaders and we're glad to see that they did talk," Kirby said. Beijing has floated a peace proposal -- a 12-point paper calling for a de-escalation and eventual cease-fire in Ukraine -- dismissed by Kyiv and its Western allies as echoing Russian talking points. Chinese Ambassador to France Lu Shaye last week sparked widespread condemnation by suggesting countries that emerged after the fall of the Soviet Union "don't have effective status under international law because there is not an international agreement confirming their status as sovereign nations." Russia has used such sentiment as one of the reasons it justifies its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, formerly part of the Soviet Union, launched in February 2022. China's Foreign Ministry later backtracked on Lu's comments, affirming that it has always recognized the sovereign status of countries that were at some point part of the Soviet Union. On the battlefield, Moscow has been stepping up its offensive actions on the Bakhmut-Avdiyivka-Maryinka front line in the east, where Ukrainian defenders are facing increasing pressure from Russian shelling, air strikes, mortar fire, and infantry assaults, Kyiv said on April 26. "Russia is concentrating its main efforts on conducting offensive operations on Bakhmut, Avdiyivka, and Maryinka, where Ukrainian forces repelled 39 Russian attacks over the last 24 hours," the General Staff said in its daily report. "Fierce battles continue in Bakhmut and Maryinka," the military said. Russian troops launched three missile strikes, 13 air strikes, and 49 rocket salvoes at Ukrainian positions and civilian infrastructure, it added. Repeated Russian assaults have also been repelled in the village of Klishchiyivka, some 10 kilometers south of Bakhmut, the Donetsk region city that has been the epicenter of a monthslong, grinding battle. In the southern Zaporizhzhya region, where Europe's largest nuclear power plant is located, an air-raid alert was declared overnight. RFE/RL correspondents reported numerous explosions that were likely caused by attacking Iranian-made Shahed drones. Yuriy Malashko, the head of Zaporizhzhya military administration, urged inhabitants to take cover but did not elaborate on the nature of the blasts. "Stay in safe places until the air alert is over," he said. Russian forces, who control the local nuclear power plant, regularly shell the parts of Zaporizhzhya region still under Ukrainian control. On April 25, a Russian missile strike on a museum in the eastern city of Kupyansk killed at least two people and injured 10, an attack that President Volodymyr Zelenskiy described as "barbaric." Oleh Synyehubov, the head of the Kharkiv region 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. "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!" Separately, Russian state news agency RIA Novosti said Moscow began using its new T-14 Armata battle tanks in the war, firing on Ukrainian positions but not yet participating "in 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. With reporting by AP and Reuters In November 2018, at Tufts University's Fletcher School, near Boston, Natalia Burlinova, a Russian foreign policy expert visiting from Moscow, was the featured guest for a discussion on the importance of public diplomacy. The event featured a small group discussion with graduate students, meetings with professors, and a dinner. Shortly after the event concluded, Burlinova sent photographs and details of her meetings with participants. She later sent more photographs and information, as well as resumes, from similar events that were held around the same time at other U.S. universities: George Washington University, Harvard University's Davis Center, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). According to the FBI, the alleged recipient of the photographs and notes on her meetings was Russia's main domestic intelligence agency, the Federal Security Service (FSB). Now residing in Russia, Burlinova was charged this week by the Justice Department with conspiracy to defraud and failure to register under the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act. The FBI has issued a warrant for her arrest. According to the U.S. criminal complaint, the meetings with American students and academics were part of "a years-long effort to influence the opinions of future leaders in the United States on behalf of the Russian government." In addition to the U.S. meetings, Burlinova and her organization, called Creative Diplomacy, or PICREADI, hosted dozens of young journalists, public policy specialists, and newly minted graduate students at annual events in Russia over the course of four years -- a program that "was funded in part by the FSB, a fact never disclosed to the public," according to the FBI. The organization's website prominently features an interview with a Russian couple who were kicked out of the United States in 2010 after the FBI identified them and eight others as "sleeper agents" for Russian intelligence. "Burlinova provided extensive information to the FSB about the U.S. citizen participants in the Meeting Russia programs, including biographical information, their interests, and their political opinions," the FBI alleged. "The FSB subsequently monitored the career developments of these U.S. citizen participants with an aim that some would become influential public figures." Nefarious Purposes? The allegations have stunned some of those who participated in the events in Moscow and the United States, according to interviews with more than a dozen people who attended programs hosted or organized by Burlinova. Others said they weren't surprised by the criminal charges. Still others said they were disappointed that they may have been duped, having believed they were merely engaging in high-minded academic discussions about public diplomacy and cross-cultural understanding. "There were no discussions at any point of any covert contacts or funding or of any nefarious purposes," said one person who was involved the program for many years and who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the subject. If the allegations are true, "this would mean that [Burlinova] acted very irresponsibly toward members of the team, participants, and partners of the program." "It was very obvious to me that she had a desire to influence our thoughts on Russia, but I didn't think she was particularly good at that," said Caleb Larson, a Berlin-based reporter who traveled to Moscow in 2018 to participate in one of the Meeting Russia events. "In retrospect, you end up thinking, 'Oh, so you're some sort of low-level FSB informant trying to play a bigger game, and you're not doing it particularly well,'" he said. In a series of audio recordings that she provided to RFE/RL, Burlinova said the charges were politically motivated, calling herself a "humble teacher" and saying the allegations echo the case of Maria Butina, a Russian who was arrested in the United States in 2018 and convicted on similar foreign agent charges. "It's just an attempt to create a Butina Part II," she said. "That is, the case of Maria Butina Part II." Creative Diplomacy The case against Burlinova is one of several that U.S. law enforcement has pursued in recent years, highlighting what U.S. authorities argue are Russian "malign influence" efforts in the United States and elsewhere. One of the best known cases is that of Butina, a gun-rights activist who sought to infiltrate Republican Party political circles and who worked closely with a powerful Kremlin-connected political figure. She was deported in 2019 after serving a prison sentence on charges of being an unregistered foreign agent. Other cases include Elena Branson, a Russian-American woman who headed an NGO that ostensibly advocated on behalf of Russian expatriates. She fled the United States in October 2020 a month after FBI agents raided her Manhattan apartment and now lives in Russia. Burlinova's case "hearkens back what was going on pre-Trump election in 2016, when you had the Russians trying to get into Twitter accounts, Facebook accounts and other social mediato try and attract Americans," said Steven Hall, who served as the CIA's station chief in Moscow in the 1990s. "This seems to be an advanced variation of that." Founded in 2010, PICREADI says it was formed to engage in Russian public diplomacy, a concept that basically describes government efforts to influence public opinion as part of conducting foreign policy. For years, according to the U.S. documents, Burlinova communicated with an unnamed FSB officer to coordinate her travels and event planning. In 2015, for example, the FSB officer gave Burlinova a list of people associated with U.S. universities and foreign policy institutes and instructed her to research them, the FBI said. 'We're Angry Now' Details in the FBI affidavit suggest agents had extensive, detailed access to Burlinova's cell phone or e-mail accounts or computer files, including her correspondence with an unnamed FSB officer with whom she consulted frequently and to whom she sent photographs, resumes, and other information. "If she didn't delete the e-mails, texts, or pictures on her phone, then it's all fair game," said Darren Mott, a retired FBI special agent who specialized in cyber- and counterintelligence threats. "If she wasn't officially trained by the FSB to be an asset, then she was probably lazy in her operational security," he said -- for example, storing files on her phone that could then be easily accessed. In November 2018, Burlinova and a colleague traveled to the United States for events and meetings at several universities, including Tufts' Fletcher School, Harvard's Davis Center, George Washington University, and MIT. The FSB gave Burlinova 150,000 rubles ($2,300) for the trip, the FBI complaint said. According to people with knowledge of the events, Burlinova espoused Russian government positions in her discussions and supported President Vladimir Putin but didn't come across as a Kremlin shill or voice unwavering support for Kremlin policies. On November 15, "Burlinova sent to the FSB Officer several photographs of her meetings with U.S. citizens at the U.S. universities, and updated him on her various meetings in the United States," the complaint said. It said she sent the officer more information later in November, after returning to Russia. "We were fairly clear-eyed when we decided to invite her," said one person with knowledge of the events, also speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media. But "we never suspected she was some sort of spy." "We're angry about the situation now," the person said. The FBI later met twice with officials at Tufts, most recently in March 2022, asking questions about Burlinova and her organization. The Fletcher School declined to comment on questions about Burlinova's events there. MIT and Harvard's Davis Center did not respond to e-mails seeking comment. George Washington University declined to comment; a person with knowledge of the events said that Burlinova had met informally with two professors and never gave any presentations to students or faculty there. Meeting Russia Between 2017 and 2021, Burlinova organized a series of annual events in Moscow called Meeting Russia. The events were billed as a way for young professionals -- foreign policy experts, graduate students, journalists -- to "facilitate productive dialogue among the new generation of leaders and draw attention to the critical points in Russia's relations with the United States and the European Union." The program paid for participants' food, lodging, and transportation within Russia. Some participants said their airfare was paid for, while others said they paid their own way. In interviews with RFE/RL, participants said it was clear there was a pointed effort to present a pro-Russian, pro-government point of view. Some, particularly journalists who participated, said they saw no problem with that and that it was useful to hear directly from Russian lawmakers and others. Burlinova's "own designs, her own point of view, were totally Kremlin-friendly, but it was a transparent thing. It wasn't being hidden. She was clear about where her positions stood," said Reid Standish, who attended the event in 2018 as a freelance journalist. Standish is now a reporter with RFE/RL who focuses on China. "I went into it with very clear eyes. I was curious to check it out," Standish said. Another attendee agreed that Burlinova was up-front about her pro-government views. Still, he was surprised to hear about the arrest warrant and the criminal charges. "What was weird to me about the entire thing is what [was] couched in this public diplomacy language. PICREADI was billed as this public diplomacy organization. But I had the sense that they didn't know what that was," said the person, who asked not to be named so as not to jeopardize a job search or security clearance. "What [the event] was at its core was a just series of meetings. [It] didn't seem like it was intended to quote-unquote recruit anyone," the person said. The FBI also questioned several attendees about the events, according to the criminal complaint. Several participants confirmed to RFE/RL they had been questioned about Burlinova and her organization. "The FSB link. I knew others that I have talked to on the program. We all assumed there would be spying, but the question was, 'Is the program being spied on, or is the program spying on us?'" said Bennett Murray, a journalist who attended the program in Moscow in 2019 and is now a freelance journalist living in Serbia. "I'm not too shocked about the whole spying stuff," he said. One European attendee said it was completely not a surprise Burlinova had allegedly been working with the FSB and said she had exchanged messages with other participants after news broke of the arrest warrant. "We were always right, what we thought about this organization," said the person, who also asked to speak anonymously due to her work with a European government agency. "I was messaging with two other friends. We were like, 'This is insane, but also I'm not really surprised.'" The person said it was upsetting to know Burlinova had allegedly been passing personal information to the FSB, but: "If you really thought that you could go to Russia in 2018 and thought something like that could not happen to you, you're really super naive." "We were aware of the risks, data being monitored. We would joke that there were like dodgy cars following us," another European attendee said. "It seems like everyone was there in good faith, establishing a dialogue. We didn't think she was actively involved in passing information." Burlinova spoke openly about how the organization had received government funding -- a grant from the government's Presidential Fund, which gives money to many Russian organizations, participants said. "I was thinking about the allegation that the program was funded by the FSB," another participant said. "It's so disheartening. We all knew she would get funding from the Russian [Foreign Ministry], and I remember her justifying it because of the foreign agent law, the difficult environment for NGOs, the lack of alternatives." "We believed her. I guess we were trusting her good faith," the person said. 'Absolutely Groundless' In her audio responses to RFE/RL, Burlinova contended the charges that she was a foreign agent of the Russian government operating in the United States were "groundless." "The accusations of the American government that I was engaged in some kind of recruiting activity or was illegal activityas a foreign agent there -- I think they are absolutely groundless," she said. "I didn't represent the Russian government or the state. I had a purely personal mission to present the Russian program, which is a public diplomacy program, and what we promoted within the framework of this program is Russian narratives." The Meeting Russia events ended after 2021 for unclear reasons. But Burlinova set up an alumni group for people who participated, including a Facebook page where she and others regularly debated, and sometimes argued, about current events. In some cases, a person using a PICREADI log-on would post pointed, critical comments to participants' own social media accounts -- on Instagram, for example. After Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, discussions involving many of the participants in the Meeting Russia events turned more negative toward Burlinova, PICREADI, and Russian foreign policy altogether. Burlinova posted commentary echoing unfounded Russian claims that Russia was forced to invade Ukraine and that Ukraine was home to bio-weapons laboratories funded by the United States. In July 2022, Burlinova and her organization were hit with financial sanctions by the U.S. Treasury Department, which said that PICREADI and other "Kremlin proxy organizations...lure in foreign actors and fund local partners and manipulate open societies to promote the Kremlin's views, stir divisions, and distract international communities from pressing issues." "Despite trying to hide its relationship with the Russian government and its intelligence services, Russia's intelligence services direct and fund Burlinova and PICREADI," the department said in a statement. ON SOCIAL: Burlinova shared a photo on Telegram of herself alongside Maria Butina on April 21, thanking the convicted Russian foreign agent for her "interest" in the "situation." Burlinova "sees herself as a public diplomat person," Murray said. "At the same time, she probably realizes now that all of her work cultivating people in the West has been wrecked" by the Ukraine invasion. PICREADI's website has a mix of blog posts, videos, journal articles, and promotional materials. It also includes interviews with Russian public figures. Two of those interviews -- one published in 2018 and one in 2020 -- are interviews with a husband and wife who were among the 10 Russians arrested by the FBI in 2010 and accused of being "sleeper agents" posing as average U.S. citizens in the United States. "If [Russia] can manage to preserve peace, it will be a country that is much more open to the world and much more active, especially from the people's point of view," Andrei Bezrukov, who was living under the name Donald Heatherfield when he was arrested, was quoted as saying. "It also has the potential to become a serious exporter, especially [an] exporter of technology. "But, if there is war, and I hope not, then all forecasts are off," he said. On April 21, Burlinova posted a photograph to her Telegram channel, showing her standing alongside Butina in an undisclosed location. "So, two 'foreign agents' have met up, the main weapon of Russian intelligence in the United States," she wrote. "Thank you, Maria, for your interest in my situation." Todd Prince contributed to this report KYODO NEWS - Apr 21, 2023 - 19:32 | All, Japan Japan pledged to promote the development of unmanned underwater drones to strengthen maritime security against China's increasing military assertiveness in a revised draft of Tokyo's five-year ocean policy, government officials said Friday. In the new version of the Basic Plan on Ocean Policy, which will serve as a guideline for Japan's ocean policy, the government of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida warned that China's rise has rapidly changed the military balance in the Indo-Pacific region. The draft also proposed resource-poor Japan should implement measures to facilitate the use of ocean-derived energy, such as wind power. The government is expected to approve the new edition of the policy as early as this month. In revising the current version, Tokyo referred to Beijing by name as Chinese coast guard vessels have repeatedly entered Japanese territorial waters in the East China Sea. Relations between Japan and China have often been strained over the Tokyo-controlled Senkaku Islands, which Beijing claims and calls Diaoyu. Japan has become wary that China has conducted military drills with Russia in the nearby waters, and Tokyo believes this puts its national interests at risk. In a bid to bolster its maritime security, the draft said Japan will accelerate the research and development of autonomous underwater vehicles and remotely operated vehicles for surveillance and resource exploration activities. With an eye on realizing a carbon neutral society through energy generated from the ocean, the draft added the government will develop legislation that will enable offshore wind power generators to be installed within Japan's exclusive economic zone. In the wake of a deadly tour boat accident off the northern main island of Hokkaido in April 2022, the draft also emphasized the necessity of taking steps to enhance rescue capabilities to respond to maritime accidents swiftly. The Basic Plan on Ocean Policy was first crafted in 2008 and has been revised every five years. Fortifying Ukraine's air-defense capability was the major theme of a meeting on April 21 of dozens of countries that have supported Kyiv in its fight against invading Russian forces and as it prepares to launch a spring counteroffensive. General Mark Milley, the chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, told a news conference that beefing up Ukraine's air-defense system was "the critical military task right now," adding that the goal is to make sure that it is robust and rigorous -- "layered from high altitude to mid-altitude to low altitude and from short range, mid-range to long range." 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. Milley said air defense was the theme all day of the meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, speaking alongside Milley at the news conference, said Kyiv's allies in the contact group believe that what Ukraine needs most urgently is ground-based air-defense capability. "That is what has enabled them to prevent the Russian air forces from having a meaningful impact in this fight," Austin said. The Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting consisted of representatives from some 50 countries that are providing military aid to Ukraine. The Russian Foreign Ministry responded to the Ramstein meeting by warning of an "uncontrollable" arms race and said Moscow needed to build up its tactical missile capabilities, including those on its Kaliningrad territory bordering Poland and Lithuania, the RIA Novosti state news agency said. Milley also said the Ukrainian military continues to perform very well, adding that Russia is expending "significant manpower for very little gain" in intense fighting in and around the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut. Russian forces also have intensified indiscriminate shelling in Avdiyivka and other cities and urban areas, he said. "Russia continues to pay severely for its war of choice," he said. "Unlike the Ukrainian forces who are highly motivated to fight for their country, to fight for their freedom, their democracy and their way of life, the Russians lack in leadership, they lack will, the morale is poor, and their discipline is eroding." Austin confirmed that the United States plans to deliver Abrams tanks to Germany in the coming weeks, saying Ukrainian soldiers will be trained on how to use them. The training is to take place at a military training area in southern Germany and last around 10 weeks, according to earlier news reports about the delivery of the tanks. The Pentagon previously announced that the Abrams tanks would be delivered in the autumn, but Austin said that the delivery had been expedited. Milley said the tanks that are to arrive in the next couple of weeks as "training tanks" that are not combat-capable. He said they would be used to train the crews on how to shoot, maneuver, and maintain the tanks. Neither Austin nor Milley said exactly when combat-ready Abrams tanks would arrive, but Milley predicted that when they get to Ukraine and are used in combination with mechanized infantry, "they'll be very effective." German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius also made promises to Ukraine during the Ramstein meeting. German Leopard tanks damaged in the war are to be repaired in Poland from now on, he said. This will ensure their quick return to the front, he said. Also on April 21, six Leopard tanks left Spain by ship destined for Ukraine, according to a naval monitoring website. Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles said this month that Spain would send 10 Leopard 2A4 tanks. The remaining four are undergoing repairs. Spain has also trained 40 tank crew members and 15 mechanics. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said earlier he was "confident" that Ukraine is prepared to retake more territory amid preparations for an expected counteroffensive against Russian forces as Kyiv's international supporters gather in Germany to discuss beefing up weapons deliveries for Ukraine. "I'm confident that they will now be in a position to be able to liberate even more land," Stoltenberg told journalists on the sidelines of the meeting. WATCH: In an interview with RFE/RL and Current Time, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said it is up to Kyiv to decide when is the right time to launch a counteroffensive against the invading Russian Army. The NATO chief noted that Germany and the United States have delivered multiple Patriot air-defense batteries, which he said are "operational in Ukraine." He declined to provide other details or the exact number of Patriot systems that have been delivered. Stoltenberg added that the alliance's current focus is to ensure Ukraine prevails against Russia's unprovoked invasion, and once the war ends, that Kyiv has "the deterrence to prevent new attacks." Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov, who is also attending the meeting, met with Austin ahead of the talks. "Over the past year, members of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group have provided tremendous capabilities to Ukraine. We will support them for as long as it takes," Austin tweeted after meeting with Reznikov. On the battlefield, Russia pressed its offensive in the eastern city of Bakhmut despite suffering heavy losses, the Ukrainian military said on April 21, while Kyiv and Poltava regions sustained more drone attacks that caused damage to infrastructure. Ukrainian air defenses detected and shot down eight Iranian-made Shahed drones above Kyiv overnight, the capital's military administration said early on April 21. "After a 25-day lull, the capital of Ukraine suffered another air attack from the enemy.... About eight enemy drones were detected and shot down," Serhiy Popko, the head of the Kyiv military administration, said on Telegram, adding that according to initial reports there were no casualties or major damage. IN PHOTOS: With nearly 70 percent of Irpin destroyed during Russia's brutal invasion and occupation, the commuter city, which lies adjacent to Kyiv, is slowly coming back to life as its community rebuilds. In the eastern region of Poltava, a Russian drone attack damaged civilian infrastructure, Dmytro Lunin, the region's military governor, said on Telegram. "There is destruction of civilian infrastructure. Rescuers are working to control the fire. Preliminarily, there are no victims," Lunin said. In the eastern region of Donetsk, fighting raged on the Bakhmut-Avdiyivka-Maryinka front, which Russian forces have been unsuccessfully attempting to break through for several months, the General Staff said in its daily bulletin. "The enemy, at the cost of heavy losses, continues to concentrate its main efforts on conducting offensive actions in the Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiyivka, and Maryinka directions," the military said, adding that the fiercest battle continues to be fought for Bakhmut. Over the past day, more than 60 enemy attacks were repulsed by Ukrainian defenders, it said. With reporting by Reuters, AFP, dpa, and AP "Looking for my brother," reads a social-media post published on March 26. "Mozharov, Stanislav Vitalyevich, 10.10.77 D.O.B., Mobilized. Last contact was December 31, 2022. Forty-Fourth regiment. Was in Makiyivka during the strike. Come back, brother! We are all waiting for you. Please help a mother get her son back. Maybe someone has seen him? Please, help us." Just after midnight on New Year's Day, a Ukrainian rocket strike hit a trade-school dormitory in the Donetsk region city of Makiyivka where Russian troops, mainly mobilized soldiers from the mid-Volga Samara region, were quartered. Scores of soldiers were killed in what was one of the most lethal strikes Ukraine has inflicted on the invading Russian forces. Nearly five months later, the Russian military remains tight-lipped about what happened that night and how many soldiers were killed or wounded. Moscow only acknowledged the incident two days afterward, initially reporting 63 soldiers killed. On January 4, that figure was raised to 89, although the names were not released. At the same time, the Ukrainian military claimed up to 400 soldiers had been killed and another 300 wounded. An open-source investigation by RFE/RL's Idel.Realities earlier this month identified by name at least 140 soldiers who were killed in the Makiyivka strike, based on death and funeral announcements on social media and local government information resources. A follow-up investigation has now identified by name 21 additional soldiers who relatives believe were in Makiyivka that night and who haven't been heard from since. Idel.Realities studied chat groups and other social media forums to identify the missing soldiers, all of whom were from the Samara region. No Information In another social media post, someone else was also seeking information about Stanislav Mozharov. "At the time of the tragedy, he was in the trade-school building," the post reads. "Where he might be since then is unknown. We have asked everywhere, but always get the same answer: 'We have no information.' Our only hope is that someone has seen or heard something." The motif of "no information" runs through many of the posts studied by RFE/RL. "We have submitted all possible requests -- no information," reads a post seeking the whereabouts of 24-year-old mobilized soldier Aleksandr Kulikov. "His fellow soldiers have told us he might be in a hospital." A post seeking information about soldier Dmitry Petrov from Tolyatti reads: "Soldiers carried him out on a metal door. He was conscious. They handed him over to an ambulance. No further information." Idel.Realities was able to locate contact information for the relatives of some of the soldiers it identified as missing, but none of them agreed to be interviewed for this investigation. One woman whose brother has was killed at Makiyivka agreed to speak with RFE/RL, on condition of anonymity, and said families had been urged not to speak out. "We were also told not to publish obituaries," the woman said. "But I told them we didn't sign anything, and we aren't in the military. I don't have anything to do with them. They took away our only male relative. I'm not afraid of anything." She said her father traveled to Makiyivka in mid-January to search for his son. "He said it was just hell there," the woman recalled, adding that military officers there told him that 370 soldiers were killed that night, rather than the Russian government's figure of 89. RFE/RL identified one soldier, Nikolai Lednyov of Samara, whose relatives think he might have been in Makiyivka and who has not been heard from since he was sent to Ukraine shortly after December 24. Because it is not clear whether he was at Makiyivka, RFE/RL did not add him to its list of missing victims of that rocket attack. "Maybe in 10 years we will learn the truth," said the woman whose brother was killed in Makiyivka. "I am sure that your list does not include everyone. The number of killed is definitely higher. There are many families -- I personally know five or six -- who haven't posted any notices because they are in such grief." Adapted by RFE/RL's Robert Coalson based on reporting by RFE/RL's Idel.Realities A single mother living in eastern Uzbekistan, Odina Rahmonova was delighted when she was told recently that she was selected for a special social-housing program for women from disadvantaged backgrounds. Ahead of International Women's Day last month, Shavkat Abdurazakov -- the governor of Namangon Province where Rahmonova lives -- announced that 110 widows, single mothers, and other low-income women would receive money they could use to live in homes for up to five years. At a public gathering on March 3, Abdurazakov presented the women with special certificates granting them the social housing assistance. But more than a month later, only a handful of the women have moved into new homes, while several others accuse local officials of trying to profit from the women's social benefit or denying them the money altogether. Rahmonova said she was hoping to live in a new home "with running water and gas," but the head of her local neighborhood committee in the Uchteppa district told her to buy an old, dilapidated house that belongs to his in-laws. "Each woman was allocated [some] $8,870, and this money is enough to get a proper home in our area, but local officials are only offering places in run-down buildings," she told RFE/RL's Uzbek Service. Rahmonova said she agreed to transfer the money to the local official's relatives and move into their ramshackle home because she doesn't have anywhere else to go. The 28-year-old mother of three says she currently lives in a rented, mudbrick house and the landlord has demanded she move out. 'A State Of Disrepair' Ten of the 110 women selected for the housing scheme come from Namangon's Uchqurghon district. "Only two of us received new homes, and district officials are trying to move the rest of us into shabby buildings," said Shahnoza Davidova, a 37-year-old raising two small children alone since her husband died in unexplained circumstances while in police custody in 2018. "We were supposed to receive about $8,800 each, but the authorities transferred about $8,407 to our accounts. Now, for that money they're offering us dilapidated homes that cost about $4,400 to $5,200 on the market. Besides, it's impossible to live in those buildings," Davidova said. Another woman on the list is Gulchehra Omonova, a 28-year-old single mother of two from the Turaqurghon district. Omonova said the house she has been offered "is in state of disrepair and doesn't have a toilet." She added that she would agree to get "any house, even a very old house," as long as it's habitable. "But the places local officials were showing us are not livable at all," she said. "I go to the authorities every week with this issue but they just drag it on and on, telling me each time that some document they want from me is missing." RFE/RL contacted local government officials in Namangon but did not get a response. Some of the women claimed the terms of ownership of the social housing they will receive wasn't made entirely clear to them. In his March speech, Abdurazakov explained that the eligible women and their families can stay up to five years in their new homes. The women would not own the homes, which would still be considered state property. In 2021, the Uzbek government issued a decree aimed at providing social housing support to women from disadvantaged backgrounds, including young women who have lost both or one of their parents. As part of those measures, the document ordered local governments to purchase 1,000 homes for the women in need. But some residents told RFE/RL that in several regions the social houses earmarked for the women were given to local officials' relatives instead. RFE/RL cannot independently verify those claims. Written by Farangis Najibullah based on reporting by Sadriddin Ashur of RFE/RL's Uzbek Service I'm Steve Gutterman, the editor of RFE/RL's Russia/Ukraine/Belarus Desk. Welcome to The Week In Russia, in which I dissect the key developments in Russian politics and society over the previous week and look at what's ahead. To receive The Week In Russia newsletter in your inbox, click here. Vladimir Kara-Murza is sentenced to 25 years in prison, the longest term handed down to an opponent of President Vladimir Putin or a critic of Russia's war on Ukraine. As fighting persists, Putin is "tethering his future to that of an unpredictable conflict," an analyst and Kremlin expert says. Here are some of the key developments in Russia over the past week and some of the takeaways going forward. A 'Monstrous Sentence' In addition to deadly wars and a retreat from democracy, Putin's long rule has been defined in large part by politically charged trials in which the verdict -- guilty -- is never in doubt, but in which the severity of the sentence is used by the state to send signals to audiences at home and abroad. Often, judges in high-profile cases have handed defendants prison terms that are a little bit shorter than those sought by prosecutors, presumably as part of an effort by the state to suggest that the trial is fair and that the sentence has not been delivered from inside the Kremlin walls. Sometimes, judges have suspended the sentence, allowing the defendant to avoid prison for whatever reason -- in the early trials of opposition politician Aleksei Navalny a decade ago and more, for example, the reason was to avoid provoking street protests by creating a martyr. Those days are long gone, though: Navalny, behind bars since January 2021, is serving very real and very dangerous prison time after being sentenced to terms of nine years and 2 1/2 years in separate cases widely seen as the fabrications of a vengeful state. And at the April 17 verdict hearing in the trial of Vladimir Kara-Murza, a vocal Putin foe who has spoken out against the war on Ukraine and has lobbied hard in the West for sanctions against Russians who violate human rights, there was no pretense of a carefully reasoned decision on the severity of the punishment. Within about 10 minutes of the start of the hearing -- hours, even days faster than some interminable verdict-readings in past trials of prominent Kremlin opponents such as Mikhail Khodorkovsky -- the judge pronounced Kara-Murza guilty of treason and two other crimes and sentenced him to 25 years in prison. It was the term requested by prosecutors and the longest prison sentence handed down to an opposition figure in post-Soviet Russia, by far. It was also a sign of the times, in several ways. For one thing, it was a crude display of the state's power to do what it wants. For another, it was a warning to the West: Kara-Murza has both Russian and British citizenship, has spent much of his time in recent years in the United States, and is probably best known outside Russia for his advocacy of the 2012 Magnitsky Act -- which gives the U.S. president the authority to freeze the U.S. assets of Russian government officials and businessmen accused of gross violations of human rights -- and similar legislation in other countries. He had a close relationship with John McCain, the late U.S. senator from Arizona who was one of Putin's fiercest critics in Congress, and he served as a pallbearer at McCain's funeral in 2018. Mainly, though, it was part of an effort to underscore the idea that no opposition to the war will be tolerated, and that anyone who criticizes it is not just a criminal -- an accusation covered by a now much-employed law that Putin signed days after launching the large-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 -- but a traitor. 'War Crimes' If the message wasn't clear enough, it was amplified by Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova. Asked about U.S. and British criticism of the verdict, she was unwilling or unable to limit herself to a simple claim that the court had issued its verdict independently of the executive branch, instead stating that "traitors and betrayerswho are applauded in the West will get what they deserve." Kara-Murza was arrested in April 2022, about two months after the invasion began and shortly after he returned to Russia following a speech to lawmakers in the U.S. state of Arizona in which he accused the "dictatorial regime in the Kremlin" of committing "war crimes." A year later, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Putin over what it says has been the illegal deportation of children from Ukraine -- a war crime. The charges against Kara-Murza have been the object of derision and anger among supporters, Western governments, and rights groups. He was facing "a monstrous prison term for no more than raising his voice and elevating the voices of others in Russia who disagree with the Kremlin, its war in Ukraine, and its escalating repression within Russia," Hugh Williamson, Europe and Central Asia director at Human Rights Watch, said ahead of the verdict. Kara-Murza is the most prominent Russian to be convicted of treason since the invasion, but he is not the only one: In 2022, 22 cases of treason were opened in Russia, while at least 20 cases have already been announced this year -- and human rights lawyers say there may be dozens more that are being kept under wraps. The increase in publicized cases of treason seems to coincide with a growing effort by Putin and the government apparatus he controls to bind citizens together and keep them from challenging the state by convincing them that Russia's "special military operation" is not a war of aggression against Ukraine but part of a struggle for survival against a "collective West" that, with Washington at the helm, is bent on tearing the country apart and erasing it. To some extent, this propaganda push may have succeeded, at least for the time being. Hundreds of thousands of Russians who oppose the war, are afraid of being sent to die, or want a brighter future have fled in just over a year -- many of them after the invasion, many others after Putin announced a "partial mobilization" that was actually a massive military call-up last September. So, some of the Russians most likely to resist government narratives and government pressure are gone. "The Kremlin has managed to transform the special operation' into a people's war,' a shared task that should unite the nation," Andrei Kolesnikov, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center in Berlin, wrote in an April 10 article. "Anyone who is against the Kremlin -- national traitors,' in Putin's words -- must be fought against." But it would be easier for Putin to mold the country into a monolith if it were winning the war. Instead, Russia has suffered numerous setbacks -- from the failure to subjugate Ukraine within days or weeks of the invasion, as he apparently expected, to the trouble its forces have had trying to seize just one small city, Bakhmut, the focus of extremely deadly fighting for at least eight months. That means that Putin may have to turn to another major mobilization before long. 'High Levels Of Discontent' The stage has just been set for that: Putin signed a bill into law last week that digitalizes the draft, potentially making it much harder for Russians to avoid service -- until now, something that could be done by physically avoiding receipt of a call-up notice. Whether and when it might be used for a big new call-up is uncertain, for reasons that involve Putin's political calculations. Putin is expected to seek a fifth term in a presidential election next March and will want to engineer as commanding a victory as he can. He could complicate that goal if a big escalation or major new mobilization deepens concerns among the Russian elites and brings what analyst Tatyana Stanovaya called their "high levels of discontent" -- now largely hidden out into the open. "Russians are aware that Putin could remain in power for a long time to come. Yet if the conflict drags on and Moscow continues to flail, it is possible to imagine that the country's elites could start to seriously consider choosing a successor themselves," Stanovaya wrote in an April 11 article in the journal Foreign Affairs. "That does not mean Russia's elites will attempt any kind of coup in the immediate future; for now, Russia's leader reigns supreme," she wrote. "But the war is remaking Russia, and Putin's willingness to commit ever-greater resources to avoid defeat has set him on a risky path, tethering his future to that of an unpredictable conflict. Putin may not be likely to lose power, but a historically large reelection victory is by no means guaranteed." Bloomberg Opinion columnist Leonid Bershidsky, meanwhile, suggested that it would take more than a major escalation or a series of new setbacks to shake Putin's grip on power. For now, at least, he "appears to be digging in and hoping that Russia's moneyed elite will adapt itself to the new order, as it's done repeatedly in the past -- just give it time," Bershidsky wrote in an April 19 article. Putin will "only allow even partially dissenting voices if they sing harmony with each other and, ultimately, with him," he concluded. "Only a massive military defeat could, in theory, change that." Kara-Murza, for his part, voiced confidence that change is on the way. The day will come "when a war will be called a war, and a usurper a usurper;" he said in a final statement in court on April 10, "and when those who kindled and unleashed this war, rather than those who tried to stop it, will be recognized as criminals." That's it from me this week. If you want to know more, catch up on my podcast The Week Ahead In Russia, out every Monday, here on our site or wherever you get your podcasts (Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts). Yours, Steve Gutterman KYODO NEWS - Apr 21, 2023 - 13:38 | All, World U.S. President Joe Biden will host Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for a meeting on May 1 in Washington, the White House said Thursday, as the two countries move to rapidly deepen their bilateral security alliance amid China's growing military ambitions. During the meeting at the White House, Biden will reaffirm his country's "ironclad commitment" to the defense of the Philippines, and discuss with Marcos efforts to secure the rules-based order and advance a free and open Indo-Pacific, it said. The two presidents will also review opportunities to boost cooperation on economic issues, climate change and person-to-person exchanges, while trying to ensure respect for human rights, White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement. The summit comes after the longtime security allies last week held the first meeting of their defense and foreign secretaries since 2016. During the so-called two-plus-two talks in Washington on April 11, the United States said it will help the Philippines modernize its armed forces. The secretaries at the time agreed to reinforce interoperability and shared defense capabilities, especially in the maritime domain. Marcos' administration is continuing its pursuit of a different approach to former leader Rodrigo Duterte, who repeatedly threatened to sever the Philippines' security ties with the United States and sought to cozy up to China and Russia. In February, Marcos granted the U.S. access to four more military bases, increasing the number that American soldiers can use to nine. The Biden administration considers the alliance with the Philippines, located near key sea lanes and Taiwan, as increasingly important to boost deterrence against China. Related coverage: U.S., Philippines agree to modernize alliance with China in mind Subic, Clark bases not included in pact with U.S.: Philippine pres. Japan, Philippines to boost economic, security ties amid China rise KYODO NEWS - Apr 21, 2023 - 21:33 | All, Japan, World A Self-Defense Forces aircraft left for Djibouti on Friday to prepare to evacuate Japanese nationals from Sudan, where military clashes are intensifying. The C-130 transport airplane departed from Komaki Air Base in the central prefecture of Aichi to stand by in Djibouti to extricate 63 Japanese citizens in Sudan, most of whom are in the capital Khartoum. Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada told a press conference that a C-2 transport aircraft and a KC-767 aerial refueling plane are also expected to leave Japan for Djibouti as soon as they are ready. Relevant ministries and agencies will "work together to secure the safety" of Japanese nationals, he said. In 2011, the SDF set up a base in Djibouti, a tiny country in the Horn of Africa about 1,200 kilometers southeast of Khartoum, as part of an anti-piracy mission in the Gulf of Aden off Somalia. Hamada indicated the government might also try to evacuate Japanese citizens by land. With fighting escalating in Sudan, it remains unclear when the planes will head to the East African country. The conflict has left more than 400 people dead and 3,500 others injured, according to the World Health Organization. Fighting between two rival factions, the Sudanese armed forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, has triggered a closure of Khartoum International Airport, making it difficult for foreign people to leave the country. Following Hamada's instruction on Thursday to dispatch SDF aircraft, the Defense Ministry sent five liaison officers to Djibouti, while forming a joint task force consisting of around 370 personnel from the Ground and Air Self-Defense forces. Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno has said the government has kept in touch with all of the Japanese living in Sudan, adding that no injuries have been reported so far. In a related move, Hamada has decided to cancel his planned visit to Australia in May to focus on dealing with the situation related to Sudan, a government source said. His decision came as the search also continues for missing SDF members following a helicopter crash in waters near Miyako Island, Okinawa Prefecture, earlier this month. He was scheduled to meet with his Australian counterpart Richard Marles to discuss the expansion of the two countries' joint exercises and response to China's maritime assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region. Related coverage: Japan to send SDF planes to Djibouti to evacuate nationals from Sudan Japan to send SDF to rescue nationals in Sudan: gov't DESPICABLE thieves stole gold jewellery dating back to the 19th century in a heist a Clifton Park Museum. Seven pieces originating from India including earrings, bracelets and a necklace were taken during the break-in. Rotherham Council leader Cllr Chris Read said: This is a despicable crime against the Rotherham community, stealing items that are displayed for the benefit of everyone. These would seem to be very specific items stolen and I would urge anyone with any knowledge of the crime or the whereabouts of the stolen jewellery to come forward to the police as soon as possible. The museum announced last Friday that the Library Gallery would be closed for the day due to unforeseen circumstances. Paul Woodcock, the councils director of regeneration and environment, said: We were shocked and saddened to learn of the break in and theft at Clifton Park Museum. We are continuing to work with South Yorkshire Police during their investigations, therefore we cannot comment further. However, I would like to appeal to residents if they know anything about the break in to contact the police immediately using the 101 service. The grade II*-listed house was built in 1783 for Joshua and Susannah Walker the son and daughter-in-law of industrialist Sam, who founded the famous Walkers iron and steel firms in 1746 with his brothers. The building was bought by the Rotherham Corporation in 1891 and opened as a museum two years later. Nelson the Lion inspiration for the bronze statues in Trafalgar Square arrived in 1947, and a near-3 million building renovation project took place in 2005. A South Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: An investigation is under way into a reported burglary at Clifton Park Museum. It is understood that at some point overnight between Thursday, April 13, and Friday April 14, persons unknown broke into the museum building causing damage. Anyone with information is asked to contact police via the forces website or on 101 quoting incident 165 of April 14. THE stolen items all of Indian origin and dating from 1880 to 1910: 1.Gold bracelet with cut decoration, torque shaped i.e. semi round, with a gap making it easier to put on. 2. Single gold loop earring with elaborate openwork design and pearl and green glass bead droplets. 3. Five strand necklace made of gold wire gold beads with pear-shaped red and clear glass pendants in gold mounts. It is held by embossed triangular end plates connecting gold wire and purple cotton fastenings. 4. Bracelet with gold openwork central disc of narrow strips in a pyramid and Arabesque pattern. 5.Torque shaped gold bracelet with diamond pattern decoration and an animal head on each end. It possibly represents a Makara, a mythical Hindu creature with the body of a crocodile and the head of an antelope. 6. Bracelet is made of gold thread and coloured cotton. It has 22 gold zigzag links in its centre panel that are ended with beads 7. Ornate gold object, possibly a type of necklace. Arabesque design with gold openwork panels of a central hexagon ending in triangular groundwork of narrow gold strip. KYODO NEWS - Apr 21, 2023 - 13:50 | All, Japan, World Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is a potential 2024 Republican presidential candidate, said Thursday he will visit Japan next week and meet with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. DeSantis, who will lead a business delegation and hold talks with business executives, is also scheduled to have a meeting with Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi on Monday, the first day of his two-day stay in Japan, according to Hayashi. In addition to Japan, the governor of the southeastern U.S. state said he will travel to South Korea, Israel and Britain. "This trade mission will give us the opportunity to strengthen economic relationships and continue to demonstrate Florida's position as an economic leader," DeSantis, who was re-elected to a second term in November, said in a statement. The former congressman, who has not yet officially declared a presidential bid, is seen as one of the major potential contenders for the Republican nomination. Japan is Florida's second-biggest bilateral merchandise trade partner in the Asia-Pacific region and the U.S. state's seventh-largest trade partner overall, according to the statement. Underscoring the "significant relationship" between Japan and Florida, Hayashi told a press conference in Tokyo on Friday that he and DeSantis will exchange views on ties between their countries and the international situation. Following Japan, the governor said the delegation will visit South Korea and then travel on Thursday to Israel. The 44-year-old was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives between 2013 and 2018. He was once a vocal supporter of former President Donald Trump, whose endorsement helped him become governor of Florida. But he and Trump are now increasingly at odds. Trump, who was charged in early April with 34 felony counts linked to his alleged role in a hush money payment to a porn star before the 2016 presidential election, has sharpened his attacks on the governor. Despite the indictment, Trump is a front-runner in the Republican presidential field ahead of the election in November 2024. DeSantis remains the second favorite, but some recent poll results have shown the former president's lead is growing. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who it is speculated may launch a campaign for the Republican nomination, is also scheduled to travel next week to Taiwan, Japan and South Korea to promote business opportunities. During his two-day stay in Japan from Wednesday, Youngkin plans to meet with Kishida and attend meetings of Japanese business organizations, according to an official. The Washington Post and other major U.S. media outlets reported Thursday that President Joe Biden is preparing to officially announce his bid for a second term as early as next week. Related coverage: Trump declares bid to return to White House amid party dust-ups NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says all members of NATO are in favor of granting Ukraine membership in the western military alliance. "All NATO allies have agreed that Ukraine will become a NATO member, but the main focus now is of course how to ensure that Ukraine prevails," Stoltenberg told reporters at a Ukraine Defense Contact group meeting at Ramstein U.S. Air Base in Germany on Friday. He added, "When the war ends, we need to assure that history doesn't repeat itself, that Russia is not able to continue to attack and to wage war again against Ukraine and to continue to chip away at European security." Friday marks the fist anniversary of the Ukraine Defense Contact group, which brings together Ukrainian officials and their counterparts from the coalition of more than 50 nations. "On the agenda are an analysis of what's been done, our strategy for 2023, current needs of the Armed Forces, and the distribution of assistance programs to all divisions of Ukraine's Defense Forces. We feel the support of our partners, and we continue to strive for victory," Ukraine's defense minister Oleksii Reznikov wrote on Twitter. The NATO chief said he expects NATO allies and partners to announce additional support for Ukraine, including ammunition, spare parts, fuel, maintenance and repair. Stoltenberg flew to Germany after visiting Ukrainian capital Kiev on Thursday. Stoltenberg met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and toured the city, seeing burned out Russian tanks and armored personnel carriers, bombed buildings and the resilience of the Ukrainian people. "Let me be clear: Ukraine's rightful place is in the Euro-Atlantic family," the secretary general said. "Ukraine's rightful place is in NATO, and over time, our support will help you make this possible." Stoltenberg praised Zelenskyy's personal leadership and said the courage of Ukraine's armed forces and the resilience of the Ukrainian people have inspired all. The NATO leader also visited the city of Bucha the scene of Russian atrocities in the early days of invasion. "Russian atrocities continue against the Ukrainian people today, and those responsible must be held to account," he said. He told the president that NATO will stand with Ukraine. "We stood by you after Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014. We stand by you today in your heroic fight against the Russian invaders and in defense of your country. And we will stand by you tomorrow as you rebuild and work toward a brighter future for the Ukrainian people." NATO allies have provided training for tens of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers, and since March 2022, they have also delivered more than 150 billion euros in support, including 65 billion euros in military aid. "This has enabled your troops to force Russia out of Kyiv, Kherson and Kharkiv," Stoltenberg said. "The allies are now delivering more jets, tanks and armored vehicles, and NATO's Ukraine Fund is providing urgent support, including medical supplies, mobile satellite systems and pontoon bridges." Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Air Force claimed that its air defense system shot down most of a dozen drones launched by Russian forces targeting the Ukrainian capital Kyiv early Friday. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News The Hero Passion Plus will re-launch in India with the same 100cc engine developing 7.91 bhp and 8.05 Nm, mated to a 4-speed gearbox India is one of the largest two wheeler market in the world. Hero MotoCorp continues to dominate this market. They offer a slew of budget commuter motorcycles, which help them generate record breaking sales month after month. Some of their best selling motorcycles are Splendor, HF Deluxe and Passion. Despite the launch of new rivals, Hero continues to be at the top. Now, Honda has announced the launch of a new 100cc motorcycle, which will be their yet another attempt into ending Heros dominance. To counter the launch of this new Honda Shine 100, Hero MotoCorp is launching a new motorcycle as well, in the form of Passion Plus. Images are credited to Automobile Tamilan. Hero Passion Plus Re-Launch Honda Shine 100 Rival Hero Passion Plus was discontinued in 2019, citing low demand. It was the 100cc offering of the Passion line, while regular Passion and Passion Pro are 110cc offerings. This move might be to counter the new kid in the budget commuter motorcycle block, Honda CB Shine 100. Passion Plus has already reached dealerships. Pricing will be out soon. Hat tip to Automobile Tamilan. In India, Hero MotoCorp has three lineups that classify all its motorcycles. They are Practical Line, Executive Line and Performance Line. Practical Line consists of 100cc offerings, Executive Line consists of 110cc and 125cc motorcycles and Performance Line gets Heros 160cc and 200cc lineup. Till now, Splendor is the most expensive offering in Practical Line. Hero Passion Plus will now take that spot, offering a slightly more executive appeal with a 100cc engine. This way, Hero offers three different models in the 100cc category. They are HF, Splendor Plus and Passion Plus. Diversifying its 100cc portfolio is the best bet for Hero to attract customers from jumping onto Hondas ship. Features and Specifications Hero Passion Plus is likely to be the new flagship for Heros Practical Line. Followed by Splendor Plus, HF Deluxe and HF 100. Passion Plus will come equipped with the same 97.2cc engine generating 7.91 bhp at 8000 RPM and 8.05 Nm of torque at 6000 RPM. This engine gets a 4-speed gearbox unit. Instrumentation and features list is likely to be identical to standard Passion 110. Were talking about a semi-digital instrument cluster along with a mobile charging port beside it. There is an analog speedometer along with a squarish LCD display. This display will show odometer readings, trip meters, fuel gauges and more. Heros proprietary i3S stop-start tech is present too. Fuel efficiency is likely to be Hero Passion Plus forte. There is no official figure as of now. But 60+ km/l of fuel efficiency is likely. Hero might launch an XTEC version in the future too, if demands exist. XTEC variant will get a fully digital instrument console with Bluetooth connectivity as well. How Much Does It Cost? Drum brakes at both ends, conventional telescopic front forks, twin shock absorbers at the rear, 80/100-18 tyres at both ends, and a long seat are expected componentry. Lighting involves halogens for headlights, tail lights and turn indicators. Apart from Honda Shine 100, Hero Passion Plus will rival Bajaj Platina 100 as well. 2023 Hero Passion Plus 100cc motorcycle prices are not out yet. Bookings have commenced, though. It is expected to be priced aggressively. For context, Bajaj Platina 100 costs Rs. 52,915, Honda Shine 100 costs Rs. 64,900, Hero Splendor Plus costs 72,076 and Splendor Plus XTEC costs Rs. 76,346 (all prices ex-sh, Delhi). Rajiv Bajaj has confirmed that more than 1 motorcycle will be launched Likely to be a roadster and scrambler body style to rival Royal Enfield Collaborations with international brands have been on the rise in the Indian two-wheeler segment. Some examples include TVS-BMW and the recent agreement between Hero MotoCorp and Harley Davidson. Another notable mention is Bajaj Auto, which appears to be getting better with such collaborations. The company is already manufacturing KTM and Husqvarna bikes for both domestic and international markets. Bajaj will soon be producing bikes for British brand Triumph Motorcycles as well. Not only that, Bajaj has now taken over Triumph India operations. Bajaj-Triumph Motorcycle Launch Date Announced The JV between Bajaj and Triumph is aimed to manufacture low-cost motorcycles for the British brand to broaden its sales horizon. These new motorcycles are designed and developed entirely in the UK. Manufacturing will be handled by Bajaj. These motorcycles will be manufactured at Bajaj Autos new manufacturing facility in Chakan, near Pune. In an interview with CNBC-TV18, Rajiv Bajaj has announced the launch date of the first range of Bajaj-Triumph motorcycles. The launch will take place on Tuesday 27th June, 2023 in London. Yes, it will be a global launch event, which will be handled by Triumph. The motorcycles will be wearing Triumph branding. Take a look at the detailed interview below, from about the 8 minute mark. New Bajaj-Triumph motorcycles will be aimed at Indian as well as global markets. They are likely to be offered in engine options of 250cc and 400cc. Various body styles will be on offer. Some of them spied already include a roadster and a scrambler. Triumph has registered new motorcycle names Adventurer, Hurricane and Street Tracker. Bajaj Triumph Motorcycles To Rival Royal Enfield Test mules of Bajaj-Triumph bikes have been spotted globally and even in India. A lot of design elements found on recently spotted Indian test mules match that of global ones. Were talking about a neo-retro design language that is lifted straight from Triumphs Street lineup. A simplistic design with funky elements gave them an old-world charm. For starters, there are two models being introduced, one is a neo-retro street bike and the other is a scrambler. Both models are likely to be offered with two engine options as well. One a 250cc and the other, a 400cc. Elements like USD front forks, rear mono-shock, alloy wheels, single-disc setup at both ends, round headlights and turn indicators and bar-end mirror up the retro appeal. Pricing & Rivals There are speculations in place suggesting that Bajaj-Triumph will only launch the smaller 250cc offerings in India, while 400cc offerings (or 350cc) might only be limited to global markets. Specs of these engines are not yet out, but the smaller 250cc mill should make around 30 bhp, while the larger motor might develop around 40 bhp. Pricing for the smaller 250cc model might start from Rs. 2.5 lakh (ex-sh). India launch has been confirmed for July Sep 2023 period. Toyota will be increasing production by at least 20-30% to meet increased demand for Innova, HyRyder / Grand Vitara, Glanza and Fortuner In FY2023, Toyota sales were at 173,245 units whereas production was at 166,690 units. With bookings of more than 1.20 lakh units (end-March 2023), Toyota is looking to boost production at its existing facility in Bidadi, near Bengaluru. Production will be increased by starting a third shift. During the current financial year, Toyota production is expected to reach more than 3.20 lakh units. This will be close to double of existing production and the highest ever for Toyota in India. Strong demand for Innova, HyCross, Fortuner Waiting period for Toyota cars is in the range of 3 to 18 months. Toyotas hybrid SUVs have turned out to be a spectacular success. Innova HyCross is among the bestsellers and has the highest waiting period. Recently, Toyota had to temporarily halt bookings for Innova HyCross ZX, ZX (O) hybrid variants. Waiting period had touched 2.5 years in specific cases, which prompted the company to halt bookings. Earlier in 2022, bookings for Innova Crysta also had to be stopped temporarily. It was restarted only in February 2023. As of March 2023, cumulative bookings for HyCross and Crysta is around 60k to 70k. With supply situation gradually improving and production set to increase, Innova customers can expect reduced waiting period. With the third shift in place, Toyota is looking to boost production of Innova, Fortuner and HyCross to 510 units per day. As of now, production is 380 units per day. Annual production capacity by end of this financial year will be in the range of 3.20 lakh to 4 lakh units. Toyota was looking to increase production much earlier, but it could not be executed due to shortage of semiconductor chips. It has also come to light that Toyota had planned to discontinue Innova Crysta. However, as production of HyCross was impacted due to shortage of chips, the company decided to continue production of Crysta till end of FY2024. Considering the strong demand for Crysta, Toyota may continue producing the MUV till at least end of FY2025. Toyota also meeting Grand Vitara demand Apart from its own cars and SUVs, Toyota is also manufacturing Maruti Suzukis Grand Vitara at its Bidadi factory. Grand Vitara has been registering strong growth and has emerged as the second bestselling compact SUV. It is ahead of Kia Seltos, while trailing Hyundai Creta. As of end-FY2023, bookings for Grand Vitara were around 1.40 lakh units. Waiting period for the SUV is around 3-6 months. In FY2023, Toyota commanded market share of 4.45%. Thats a gain of 40 basis points. As part of its alliance with Suzuki, Toyota is expected to launch rebadged versions of Maruti Suzuki Fronx and Ertiga MPV in the near future. In return, Maruti will be launching a rebadged version of Innova HyCross. Maruti currently supplies Glanza (rebadged Baleno) to Toyota, which has registered sales of 40k units in FY2023. Source Resurrecting iconic names from the past will allow Triumph improved traction in retro segment that has been witnessing a renaissance of sorts across the globe Triumph has busy days ahead, as it plans to enter multiple new markets and launch new products. The British brand is working to diversify its portfolio to include motocross bikes, electric motorcycles and smaller capacity single-cylinder bikes. The new entry-level bikes will be manufactured in India in collaboration with Bajaj. These will take on Royal Enfield in India as well as in the international markets. Recent trademark applications reveal that Triumph is also working to revive iconic names such as Hurricane, Adventurer and Street Tracker. Trademark applications have been filed in multiple locations such as the US, UK, Australia and Canada. A similar approach is being utilized by BSA as well, that has recently filed trademark applications for Thunderbolt, Lightning and Bantam titles. Triumph Hurricane can be a three-cylinder machine In the US, Triumph has filed a trademark application for Hurricane title. In comparison, the trademark paperwork in UK mentions Triumph Hurricane. As trademark application has been filed in the US, it reveals that Hurricane is likely to reach production stage. Thats because new rules in the US provide trademark protection only to names that will be used in near future. It is a way to prevent entities from registering names that they dont intend to use. It helps avoid the so-called deadwood trademarks. Talking about Hurricane, the most common association is with the X-75 Hurricane. The bike was in production from 1972 to 1973. Designed by fairing specialist Craig Vetter, X-75 Hurricane used the same platform as that of Triumph Trident and BSA Rocket 3. X-75 Hurricane was specially designed for the US market. Interestingly, it was originally planned for launch under BSA brand. However, as the BSA factory shut down in 1972, the bike was launched as a Triumph. In production for just around a years time, fewer than 1,200 units were manufactured. It is likely that Triumph will use a three-cylinder setup for the resurrected Hurricane. It will also borrow quite a few of the distinctive design elements. Triumph had tried to resurrect the Hurricane title earlier also, around two decades back. However, it was a completely different machine at that time. It was the era of bikes like Suzuki Hayabusa and Kawasaki ZX-12R, when the focus was on horsepower and top-speed. Triumph was developing a challenger in the form of a 1,298cc four-cylinder bike, codenamed A13HC. HC was probably short for Hurricane. However, the project was eventually discontinued. Triumph Adventurer a middleweight scrambler Trademark application for Adventurer has been filed in the US, UK, Australia and Canada. Adventurer title has been used more than once in the past. One of the associations is with TR5T Adventurer produced during 1972 74. The bike utilized a 500cc twin-cylinder motor. Triumph also had Adventurer 900 triple, which was in production from 1995 to 2001. It was a cruiser based on the Thunderbird. In the present era, most people will associate the title Adventurer with an adventure bike. Triumph already has multiple offerings in this space such as Tiger models in 660cc to 1,200cc range. Theres Scrambler 900 and 1200 as well in the Modern Classics range. Triumph is also working on an affordable 660cc triple that will have superior off-roading capabilities in comparison to existing Tiger Sport 660. Adventurer name could also be used for one of the new single-cylinder bikes being developed in collaboration with Bajaj. Street Tracker trademark filed Triumph could use the Street Tracker name for one of the upcoming single-cylinder bikes. It is also possible that the new bike could be based on Street Triple. The Street range currently has only the Triple, after Street Scrambler and Street Twin were rebranded into Scrambler 900 and Speed Twin 900. KYODO NEWS - Apr 21, 2023 - 13:05 | Japan, World, All, G7 The Group of Seven countries are considering banning almost all exports to Russia, in an extension of the sanctions regime against Moscow for its ongoing invasion of Ukraine, a Japanese government source said Friday. Japan is set to host the G-7 summit in May in Hiroshima, western Japan, where discussions will take place on measures to expand support to Ukraine and strengthen sanctions on Russia among other key topics. The G-7 countries have already stopped exporting a wide range of items to Russia, including products that can be used for military purposes and luxury goods. But the latest plan could expand the trade embargo to used cars, tires, cosmetic items and clothing, the source said. The May 19-21 summit brings together leaders of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States, plus the European Union. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to join the gathering online. Related coverage: G-7 digital chiefs to call for more research, governance of AI G-7 unified in backing Taiwan peace, urges China to act responsibly FOCUS: Japan's G-7 leadership role faces tests at decarbonization talks KYODO NEWS - Apr 21, 2023 - 20:10 | Feature, All, Japan The new president of Toyota Motor Corp. said the company is focusing on cutting carbon dioxide emissions rather than boosting sales of electric vehicles, sticking to its green technology strategy of offering multiple options. Koji Sato said the world's biggest automaker by volume is committed to the goal of reducing average CO2 emissions from vehicles sold globally by 33 percent by 2030 and by more than 50 percent by 2035 when compared with 2019 levels. The automaker aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. "What matters the most is a CO2 emissions reduction," the 53-year-old longtime engineer said in a recent meeting with a group of reporters. Sato took the helm at Toyota on April 1, replacing founding family scion Akio Toyoda in the company's first leadership change in 14 years. The auto industry faces a rapid shift as demand is sharply increasing for zero emission and autonomous vehicles on the back of stricter emission regulations and fierce competition for safer vehicles. Attention is often paid to how Toyota's EV sales will fare. But EVs are just one option of reducing emissions, Sato said. The new president said earlier this month that Toyota aims for sales of 1.5 million EVs by 2026, a sharp rise from the 24,000 it sold last year. The figures compare with the 1.31 million electric vehicles sold by Tesla, the world's largest EV maker, in 2022 and the Volkswagen Group's sales of 572,100. Toyota believes battery EVs are not the only solution, betting on the need for multiple alternatives such as hydrogen-powered fuel-cell vehicles, hybrids and plug-in hybrids to cut CO2 emissions. Its "multi-pathway strategy" is sometimes considered a factor behind its relatively slow shift to all-electric vehicles. But Sato said there would be no change in the automaker's plan to provide a variety of powertrain options, saying that "What would happen if (all vehicles) were consolidated into just EVs and something happened to the electric (supply)?" Toyota aims to offer more green vehicles in emerging markets in particular, Sato said. Analysts say Toyota's multi-pathway strategy makes business sense to meet different emission cut requirements worldwide and Toyota still needs to strengthen its EV business to stay competitive. "We are going to pursue the best product mix" including vehicles powered by hydrogen and battery, Sato said. Related coverage: FOCUS: New chief Koji Sato to embark on EV push as Toyota plays catch-up Toyota vows to expand EV lineup, boost sales by 2026 Milena (Sellers) Phillips (right) and Maria Keever on Wednesday as they arrive at the office complex in San Francisco where the California Supreme Court was to hear the appeal of a death sentence for the killer of their sons. It has been 26 years since the two mothers last saw their young sons, boyhood friends who hopped on their bikes one Saturday afternoon to enjoy burgers and candy and never came home. But on Wednesday, Milena (Sellers) Phillips and Maria Keever sat in the chambers of the California Supreme Court in San Francisco listening to a lawyer argue why the sexual predator who murdered their children should have his death penalty sentence overturned. As long as were alive, anything that has to do with our children, were going to be there, Phillips said. Advertisement Ever since Charlie Keever, 13, and Jonathan Sellers, 9, were abducted, raped, tortured and killed by the banks of the Otay River in 1993, Phillips and Keever have been searching for justice and some semblance of peace. Just about every night I cry and talk to Charlie. Every night, said Keever, 72. Its like a tape recording in my head. From the minute it happened, it just goes on and on. I dont know how Im not crazy. When she talks to her son at night, Keever asks Charlie for help. And then I thank God for what Ive got. Ive got a roof over my head and food. And I think Charlie is with me. I feel him. I know he is with me. Keever said a few years ago a man came to laminate a floor in her house, the same house where she raised her son in the South Bay neighborhood of San Diego. He didnt know the story. He told me he had seen a little boy running in the kitchen. I said, What? He said, Yeah, I didnt think you had any kids. And then I told him the story. His hair on his arms was standing up. He was so shook up. Isnt that weird? I knew Charlie was in the house. Maria Keever (left) and Milena (Sellers) Phillips on their way to San Francisco to attend a California Supreme Court hearing about the appeal of a death sentence for the killer of their sons. (J. Harry Jones / San Diego Union-Tribune) Milena Sellers wore a button with a photo of her son Jonathan and his friend Charlie Keever, who were killed by Scott Erskine. (Don Kohlbauer / San Diego Union-Tribune) For eight years, the crime that detectives testified was the worst they had ever worked went unsolved. Then advances in DNA testing locked on a suspect, Scott Erskine, who was already serving a 70-year sentence for the brutal rape of a woman that took place later in 1993. From 2002 until 2004, the mothers attended numerous hearings in San Diego Superior Court as the death penalty case against Erskine progressed. He was found guilty and, after two penalty phase trials, sentenced to die. He has been on death row at San Quentin ever since. Last week, the first of what promises to be many more automatic appeals of the sentence was heard by the state Supreme Court justices. Phillips and Keever were in the gallery. Draped around their necks, as always, were necklaces with photos of their boys. It will be 90 days before the justices rule on the appeal, but lawyers with the Attorney Generals office told the mothers after the 20-minute hearing that they were confident it would be rejected. But they warned this was just the beginning, with many more appeals to come. The mothers know Erskine will almost certainly never be put to death. California hasnt executed anyone since 2006. And the list of death row inmates hovers around 750, with Erskine far back in the pack. Im realistic, Phillips said. They told me its not going to happen. I only want him on death row because he doesnt want to be there. The punishment on death row is different than the punishment they give for life in prison. I want him on death row, by himself, period. End of discussion. He will not make new friends. He will not be watching movies with other inmates. No. He doesnt deserve it. Both said Erskines freedom should be limited to his small death row cell. Look how much space my son and Charlie have, Phillips said. Theyre in coffins, forever. Look at their space. On the flight to the Bay Area Tuesday, Keever said she wished the trip was to view Erskines execution. Both women would like to witness that. I dont feel like its revenge; its just justice, Phillips said.You dont kill kids. You dont kill people. Were talking innocent kids doing nothing. He purposely murdered them for his own sexual pleasures. He needs to be punished. Thats not revenge. I dont believe in revenge. I do believe in justice. They were comforted by Deputy Attorney General Robin Urbanski, who argued the states case and later told the women she will follow the case for as long as it takes. She said there are plenty of cases she would gladly pass on to another attorney, but not this one. I have only a handful I can say that about. Thank you, Phillips said. Keever also came out of the hearing with a ray of hope. Erskines attorney, Kimberly Grove, said her client, now 56 years old, is ill and recently was hospitalized for heart and lung problems. Grove said she would encourage Erskine to speak with Keever, something Keever has been trying to do all this time. Twice in the early years of his death row incarceration, Keever went to the prison to speak with Erskine, but he declined. Keever wants to know every detail of what happened to the boys. Many specifics were covered in gruesome detail during the trials. What nobody knows is how Erskine lured the boys into a man-made brush enclosure by the river, where they were found two days later. Keever hopes Erskine will tell her, especially now if his health is poor and he realizes his time is short-lived. I think if he would talk to me, it would give me more peace, Keever said. If I knew what happened, how he took them. Milena doesnt want to know, but I want to know. I think it would make me feel better. Because right now, all I know is what I imagine. Maybe Im imagining worse things than what really happened. I want to know how he got them. Thats what bothers me, not knowing. All death penalty sentences are automatically appealed directly to the Supreme Court. The brief prepared by Erskines lawyer numbered hundreds of pages, but Grove chose just one issue to focus on during the hearing. It had to do with the dismissal of one juror by the court during the second penalty phase trial (the first ended with the jury hung 11-1 for death). The argument was that the juror had said she was opposed morally to the death penalty, but could set her beliefs aside and follow the instruction of the court. Its an argument that has been made often in other cases without success, attorneys said. The justices asked only a couple of brief questions. During a Lyft ride back to a motel after the hearing, the driver, listening to snippets of the conversation the women were having in the back, asked why they were in town. He was shocked when he heard the reason, a look of admiration mixed with pity in his face. There is a park at the south end of San Diego Bay that was dedicated in 2012 to the boys memory. The Sellers-Keever Park is located along the Bayshore Bikeway at the end of 13th Street . There is the Jonathan Sellers and Charlie Keever Foundation, run by the moms. Its mission is to promote the safety and well-being of children through education to prevent child abduction and exploitation, and provide support to families whove lost a loved one to violence. Phillips is a nurse at a Fallbrook elementary school, one of several jobs she has, many of which have to do with Jonathans murder. She lectures police on how to deal with parents of abducted kids and has written a childrens book aimed at keeping children safe. She is also an actress, having performed in many local theatrical productions. Right now on television, a Mor Furniture ad begins with a shot of her happily jumping onto a couch with a little girl in her arms. She and Jonathans father divorced the same year their son was killed. She remarried in 2008 and moved to Fallbrook with her husband, Clyde Phillips, where they are now legal guardians to a 9-year-old boy. Jonathan was nine when he was killed on March 27, 1993. Just before Jonathan and Charlie took off on their bicycles that day, Jonathan reminded her he was going to be turning 10 in less than three weeks. The scene that keeps playing over and over in my head is Jonathan coming into the house, Phillips said. He asked for his bike lock, reminded me he was going to be the big 1-0 soon, and gave me a big wet kiss. She said she plans on making sure the boy she is raising now has a very special 10th birthday. jharry.jones@sduniontribune.com; 760/529-4931; Twitter: @jharryjones Speaking at a panel about the history of tuna fishing in San Diego, Julius Zolezzi demonstrated for the audience how they used poles to fish for tuna. Zolezzi was among the guests invited to discuss the Portuguese perspective on San Diegos fishing history. Julius Zolezzi first went out on a San Diego tuna boat when he was just 9 years old. It wasnt until many years later, he said, that he realized why he was allowed to go out at such a young age. My mother couldnt handle me, he said. Zolezzi, 89, and five other retired fishermen swapped sea stories Sunday at a symposium on the history of tuna fishing in San Diego from a Portuguese perspective at Saint Agnes Church in Point Loma. The panel discussion detailed the rise and fall of what was, at one time, a top local industry. Advertisement Therese Garces, president of the Portuguese Historical Center, said keeping this history alive was important. The tuna industry is the heart and soul of this community, Garces said, adding that her grandfather and father were both tuna fishermen. She said she had fond memories of when her father would go out to sea, and even fonder ones of when hed return. Wed go to the Embarcadero to say goodbye, then race our cars to Shelter Island to honk our horn, she said, remembering the ships heading out. It was a big party every time dad came home. If he wasnt home for Christmas, the Christmas tree stood there until March or April and we celebrated Christmas again. A guest in the audience looks over photos of past and present tuna boats. The public was invited to listen to guest panelist talk about the tuna fishing industry in San Diego at Saint Agnes Church in Point Loma. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / San Diego Union-Tribune) Sundays panel was part of a series of symposiums the historical center hosts throughout the year, Garces said. August Felando, who worked from another major tuna port in San Pedro, talked about the changes in technology that affected the tuna industry. Until the 1950s, tuna were fished from bait boats by fishermen using bamboo poles to fish one by one. However, a new type of fishing vessel, the purse seiner, soon took over. Felando said San Diegos fleet transitioned from bait boats to purse seiners in the 1960s. It was a more efficient way of fishing tuna. So that developed from California all the way down to Chile, he said. Zolezzi, who once served as the director of the American Tunaboat Association, also talked about the switch in technology from his fathers generation to his. He built his first boat in 1937, a 65-ton bait boat, he said. Later on, I built a 600-ton purse seiner. San Diego was once the tuna capital of the world with the tuna industry lagging only behind the military and aerospace in the local economy. There were four large canneries operating on the waterfront. However, stricter environmental regulations pushed fishing grounds further away, and many American companies began operating from more distant ports. A recession in the early 1980s did the rest. In 1984, the last San Diego cannery, owned by Van Camp Seafood, closed, taking 12,000 jobs with it. Garces said the impact of the industry on San Diego should not be forgotten, and that the Portuguese Historical Center would like to see a permanent reminder on the Embarcadero, where the fishing vessels once moored. Were in the process of working with the Port (of San Diego) to see if we can get a tuna purse seiner as a museum downtown next to the Star of India, she said. Its going to cost money, but if the port says OK then well start fundraising. I think the community will come out for something like that. Garces said members of her family are still involving in the tuna fishing industry her husband is a tuna captain but she wasnt sure the tradition would continue. We never left, but its getting there, she said. This is probably the last generation. It just doesnt pay the bills. Contact Andrew Dyer via email or Twitter. Hong Kong: HK delegation meets SZ officials The delegation of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the Legislative Council led by Chief Executive John Lee arrived in Shenzhen to begin its Greater Bay Area visit. Apart from enabling all sectors of Hong Kong society to learn about and participate in opportunities arising from the bay areas development, Mr Lee said the four-day trip will help Hong Kong to integrate into the countrys overall development more proactively. He shared his belief that the trip will also help enhance effective co-operation between Hong Kong and Mainland bay area cities. This evening, the delegates enjoyed dinner hosted by CPC Shenzhen Municipal Committee Secretary Meng Fanli and Shenzhen Municipal Government Mayor Qin Weizhong. Deputy leader of the delegation and Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki said Mr Meng and Mr Qin talked about Shenzhens development in different areas, including its economic situation and advancements in innovation and technology. I think this is a very good opportunity for us to understand more about the achievements made by Shenzhen recently. Also, this is a very good opportunity for us to discuss this and have the discussion on a formal basis with the Shenzhen officials. While in Shenzhen, the Hong Kong delegation will learn about the coastal city's innovation and technology, transport, energy industry and youth entrepreneurship. Their itinerary will also cover visits to innovation and technology companies and cultural and tourism facilities. This story has been published on: 2023-04-21. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. On the eve of Eid Al-Fitr, King Salman addressed Saudi nationals, residents, and Muslims worldwide in a speech given by Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary on Thursday. King Salman and the Crown Prince also sent out cables to the leaders of Islamic nations. On Thursday, Saudi Arabia declared Friday, April 21, as the day of Eid Al Fitr 2023, after the sighting of the crescent moon for the month of Shawwal, which is the tenth month in the Islamic calendar and signifies the end of Ramadan. Read More: Best Places to Pray Eid Al Fitr in Riyadh Read More: Top Places for Eid Al Fitr Shopping in Jeddah Read More: Best Places for Eid Al Fitr Shopping in Riyadh Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman wished that the world and Saudi Arabia would experience stability and security with the celebration of Eid al-Fitr. The King said, Praise be to Allah that honored the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with serving the Two Holy Mosques to ensure the comfort of pilgrims, and visitors. Among the blessings of Allah is that he made millions of pilgrims perform Umrah during this month of Ramadan in ease and comfort. One of the manifestations of Eid is to show joy, communication, tolerance, and attention to people in need. May Allah keep us happy and pleasant, he further added. Leaders of Islamic countries also sent their best wishes to the king and crown prince on the special occasion of Eid Al Fitr. KYODO NEWS - Apr 21, 2023 - 20:20 | All, Japan, G7 Farm minister Tetsuro Nomura on Friday asked his European Union counterpart to lift restrictions placed on some of Japan's agricultural exports following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear plant disaster. In a meeting in Miyazaki, southwestern Japan, Nomura asked EU Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski to swiftly remove restrictions on products such as seafood and wild mushrooms from northeastern Fukushima Prefecture. The restrictions were implemented after a massive earthquake and tsunami triggered multiple-reactor meltdowns at the Fukushima Daiichi power station. In a separate meeting, Nomura agreed with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack on creating a new forum for regularly exchanging information to promote sustainable farming. In the Japan-U.S. Dialogue on Sustainable Agriculture, the two countries agreed to hold regular in-person dialogue sessions, preferably in Tokyo and Washington, to share information and discuss relevant policies, according to a joint statement. "I have hopes that Japan-U.S. cooperation on sustainable agriculture will become even stronger," Nomura, the minister of agriculture, forestry and fisheries, said at the meeting, part of which was open to the media. "Japan has provided leadership in focusing on the important role of innovation in responding to a changing climate and the demand for more production," Vilsack said. Nomura met with his U.S. and EU peers ahead of a two-day meeting of the Group of Seven farm ministers from Saturday, where they are expected to focus on ways to ensure global food security undermined by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. A villager shows homemade yellow wine at Beiqian Village of Daixi Township in Pingnan County, southeast China's Fujian Province, on April 20, 2023. Beiqian Village created a multi-format industry based on the integration of the resources of ancient village, folk culture and yellow wine culture. In 2022, the village received nearly 40,000 tourists and the comprehensive income from tourism was over 6 million yuan (about 870,000 U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan) This photo taken on April 20, 2023 shows a view of Beiqian Village of Daixi Township in Pingnan County, southeast China's Fujian Province. Beiqian Village created a multi-format industry based on the integration of the resources of ancient village, folk culture and yellow wine culture. In 2022, the village received nearly 40,000 tourists and the comprehensive income from tourism was over 6 million yuan (about 870,000 U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan) This photo taken on April 20, 2023 shows sculptures in the Beiqian Village of Daixi Township in Pingnan County, southeast China's Fujian Province. Beiqian Village created a multi-format industry based on the integration of the resources of ancient village, folk culture and yellow wine culture. In 2022, the village received nearly 40,000 tourists and the comprehensive income from tourism was over 6 million yuan (about 870,000 U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan) Tourists visit Beiqian Village of Daixi Township in Pingnan County, southeast China's Fujian Province, on April 20, 2023. Beiqian Village created a multi-format industry based on the integration of the resources of ancient village, folk culture and yellow wine culture. In 2022, the village received nearly 40,000 tourists and the comprehensive income from tourism was over 6 million yuan (about 870,000 U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan) Villager Wu Shandi shows the brewing process at a yellow wine experience hall at Beiqian Village of Daixi Township in Pingnan County, southeast China's Fujian Province, on April 20, 2023. Beiqian Village created a multi-format industry based on the integration of the resources of ancient village, folk culture and yellow wine culture. In 2022, the village received nearly 40,000 tourists and the comprehensive income from tourism was over 6 million yuan (about 870,000 U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan) A staff member of a yellow wine shop prepares local yellow wine for tourists in Beiqian Village of Daixi Township in Pingnan County, southeast China's Fujian Province, on April 20, 2023. Beiqian Village created a multi-format industry based on the integration of the resources of ancient village, folk culture and yellow wine culture. In 2022, the village received nearly 40,000 tourists and the comprehensive income from tourism was over 6 million yuan (about 870,000 U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan) A tourist takes water for drinking from an ancient well that can be used for wine making at Beiqian Village of Daixi Township in Pingnan County, southeast China's Fujian Province, on April 20, 2023. Beiqian Village created a multi-format industry based on the integration of the resources of ancient village, folk culture and yellow wine culture. In 2022, the village received nearly 40,000 tourists and the comprehensive income from tourism was over 6 million yuan (about 870,000 U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan) This photo taken on April 20, 2023 shows the Beiqian Village of Daixi Township in Pingnan County, southeast China's Fujian Province. Beiqian Village created a multi-format industry based on the integration of the resources of ancient village, folk culture and yellow wine culture. In 2022, the village received nearly 40,000 tourists and the comprehensive income from tourism was over 6 million yuan (about 870,000 U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan) A new study from a team led by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that signs of common infections in a sample of middle-aged and older adults were associated with poorer performance on a test of global cognitive function. The results add to a growing body of evidence suggesting that infections in mid- and late-life can worsen cognitive performance and may increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. For their analysis, the researchers examined antibody levels to five common pathogens in 575 adults, ages 41 to 97. The adults were recruited from East Baltimore in 1981, as part of the Epidemiologic Catchment Area Study started that year by the National Institute of Mental Health. Baltimore study participants donated blood for testing and took cognitive tests during the same study period. Antibody tests for pathogens were conducted, including four herpes viruses -- herpes simplex virus type 1, cytomegalovirus, varicella zoster virus (chickenpox and shingles viruses), and Epstein-Barr virus -- and the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. The latter often spreads to humans from cat feces or from eating undercooked meat. The research team compared participants' blood test results to their performance on the Mini-Mental State Examination -- a global cognitive test that assesses things like orientation, attention, verbal comprehension, memory, and visual perception -- and on a word recall task, which tested memory for a list of words after a 20-minute delay. The researchers found that elevated antibodies to either herpes simplex virus type 1 or cytomegalovirus were individually associated with worse performance on the global cognitive test. Further, participants with a higher number of positive antibody tests tended to miss a larger number of items on the global cognition test. The study was published online April 7 in the journal Alzheimer's & Dementia. "The idea that common infections could contribute to cognitive decline and perhaps Alzheimer's disease risk was once on the fringe and remains controversial, but due to findings like the ones from this study, it's starting to get more mainstream attention," says senior author Adam Spira, PhD, professor in the Bloomberg School's Department of Mental Health and a core faculty member of the Johns Hopkins Center on Aging and Health. "After accounting for participants' age, sex, race, and the largest genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease, the data in our study showed that a greater number of positive antibody tests related to five different infections was associated with poorer cognitive performance. To our knowledge, this kind of additive effect of multiple infections on performance on a cognitive test has not been shown before." The cause of Alzheimer's disease remains unclear. Prior research has made the connection with infections, including studies linking herpes simplex virus type 1 and cytomegalovirus to greater Alzheimer's risk. There is also evidence that the protein fragment amyloid beta, which forms insoluble plaques in the brains of people with Alzheimer's, functions as an antimicrobial peptide, and is secreted at higher levels by brain cells in response to infections. Since the 2003-2004 wave, ECA study researchers at Johns Hopkins have conducted periodic follow-up interviews in Baltimore, including standard cognitive tests and taking blood samples. The two most recent waves of the study, funded by the National Institute on Aging, have focused on Alzheimer's disease and related outcomes. The pathogens assessed in the study are often encountered in childhood and are either cleared or turned into suppressed, latent infections. As such, the researchers considered significant levels of antibodies against them in the middle-aged and older study participants as likely indicators of their reactivation due to immune system weakening with age. The study's first author, Alexandra Wennberg, PhD, who completed her doctoral training in Spira's research group, is currently a postdoctoral research associate at Sweden's Karolinska Institutet. The co-authors include faculty in the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and collaborating scientists at the National Institute on Aging Intramural Research Program. Co-author Brion Maher, PhD, a geneticist and professor in the Bloomberg School's Department of Mental Health, also analyzed the results for participants who had a common Alzheimer's risk factor, the 4 variant of the apolipoprotein-E (ApoE) gene. The link between positive antibody count and cognitive status was present in both the 4 and non-4 groups, but was stronger in the non-4 group. "That was a surprise, finding a weaker link in the 4 group," says Maher. "It's something that should be followed up with larger studies." Spira, Maher, and their team, with funding from the National Institute on Aging, are following up with analyses of the Baltimore ECA data from the 2016 to 2022 wave. The researchers will also be collecting another round of data from this cohort. "Association of Common Infections with Cognitive Performance in the Baltimore Epidemiologic Catchment Area Study Follow-Up" was co-authored by Alexandra Wennberg, Brion Maher, Jill Rabinowitz, Calliope Holingue, Ross Felder, Jonathan Wells, Cynthia Munro, Constantine Lyketsos, William Eaton, Keenan Walker, Nan-ping Weng, Luigi Ferrucci, Robert Yolken and Adam P. Spira. Funding was provided by the National Institute on Aging (R01AG075996, U01AG052445), the National Institute of Mental Health (MH 47447), and the Stanley Medical Research Institute. MIT researchers are using artificial intelligence to design new proteins that go beyond those found in nature. They developed machine-learning algorithms that can generate proteins with specific structural features, which could be used to make materials that have certain mechanical properties, like stiffness or elasticity. Such biologically inspired materials could potentially replace materials made from petroleum or ceramics, but with a much smaller carbon footprint. The researchers from MIT, the MIT-IBM Watson AI Lab, and Tufts University employed a generative model, which is the same type of machine-learning model architecture used in AI systems like DALL-E 2. But instead of using it to generate realistic images from natural language prompts, like DALL-E 2 does, they adapted the model architecture so it could predict amino acid sequences of proteins that achieve specific structural objectives. In a paper to be published in Chem, the researchers demonstrate how these models can generate realistic, yet novel, proteins. The models, which learn biochemical relationships that control how proteins form, can produce new proteins that could enable unique applications, says senior author Markus Buehler, the Jerry McAfee Professor in Engineering and professor of civil and environmental engineering and of mechanical engineering. For instance, this tool could be used to develop protein-inspired food coatings, which could keep produce fresh longer while being safe for humans to eat. And the models can generate millions of proteins in a few days, quickly giving scientists a portfolio of new ideas to explore, he adds. "When you think about designing proteins nature has not discovered yet, it is such a huge design space that you can't just sort it out with a pencil and paper. You have to figure out the language of life, the way amino acids are encoded by DNA and then come together to form protein structures. Before we had deep learning, we really couldn't do this," says Buehler, who is also a member of the MIT-IBM Watson AI Lab. Joining Buehler on the paper are lead author Bo Ni, a postdoc in Buehler's Laboratory for Atomistic and Molecular Mechanics; and David Kaplan, the Stern Family Professor of Engineering and professor of bioengineering at Tufts. Adapting new tools for the task Proteins are formed by chains of amino acids, folded together in 3D patterns. The sequence of amino acids determines the mechanical properties of the protein. While scientists have identified thousands of proteins created through evolution, they estimate that an enormous number of amino acid sequences remain undiscovered. To streamline protein discovery, researchers have recently developed deep learning models that can predict the 3D structure of a protein for a set of amino acid sequences. But the inverse problem -- predicting a sequence of amino acid structures that meet design targets -- has proven even more challenging. A new advent in machine learning enabled Buehler and his colleagues to tackle this thorny challenge: attention-based diffusion models. Attention-based models can learn very long-range relationships, which is key to developing proteins because one mutation in a long amino acid sequence can make or break the entire design, Buehler says. A diffusion model learns to generate new data through a process that involves adding noise to training data, then learning to recover the data by removing the noise. They are often more effective than other models at generating high-quality, realistic data that can be conditioned to meet a set of target objectives to meet a design demand. The researchers used this architecture to build two machine-learning models that can predict a variety of new amino acid sequences which form proteins that meet structural design targets. "In the biomedical industry, you might not want a protein that is completely unknown because then you don't know its properties. But in some applications, you might want a brand-new protein that is similar to one found in nature, but does something different. We can generate a spectrum with these models, which we control by tuning certain knobs," Buehler says. Common folding patterns of amino acids, known as secondary structures, produce different mechanical properties. For instance, proteins with alpha helix structures yield stretchy materials while those with beta sheet structures yield rigid materials. Combining alpha helices and beta sheets can create materials that are stretchy and strong, like silks. The researchers developed two models, one that operates on overall structural properties of the protein and one that operates at the amino acid level. Both models work by combining these amino acid structures to generate proteins. For the model that operates on the overall structural properties, a user inputs a desired percentage of different structures (40 percent alpha-helix and 60 percent beta sheet, for instance). Then the model generates sequences that meet those targets. For the second model, the scientist also specifies the order of amino acid structures, which gives much finer-grained control. The models are connected to an algorithm that predicts protein folding, which the researchers use to determine the protein's 3D structure. Then they calculate its resulting properties and check those against the design specifications. Realistic yet novel designs They tested their models by comparing the new proteins to known proteins that have similar structural properties. Many had some overlap with existing amino acid sequences, about 50 to 60 percent in most cases, but also some entirely new sequences. The level of similarity suggests that many of the generated proteins are synthesizable, Buehler adds. To ensure the predicted proteins are reasonable, the researchers tried to trick the models by inputting physically impossible design targets. They were impressed to see that, instead of producing improbable proteins, the models generated the closest synthesizable solution. "The learning algorithm can pick up the hidden relationships in nature. This gives us confidence to say that whatever comes out of our model is very likely to be realistic," Ni says. Next, the researchers plan to experimentally validate some of the new protein designs by making them in a lab. They also want to continue augmenting and refining the models so they can develop amino acid sequences that meet more criteria, such as biological functions. "For the applications we are interested in, like sustainability, medicine, food, health, and materials design, we are going to need to go beyond what nature has done. Here is a new design tool that we can use to create potential solutions that might help us solve some of the really pressing societal issues we are facing," Buehler says. This research was supported, in part, by the MIT-IBM Watson AI Lab, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Energy, the Army Research Office, the National Institutes of Health, and the Office of Naval Research. Transmissible cancers, which occur only rarely in the animal kingdom, are spread by the transfer of living cancer cells. In the case of Tasmanian devils, the cells are transferred through biting - a behaviour that is common in devils especially in fights over mates and food. Tasmanian devils are susceptible to two fatal transmissible cancers called devil facial tumour 1 (DFT1) and devil facial tumour 2 (DFT2) that have caused rapid population decline in recent decades. The two cancers both manifest with disfiguring facial tumours. In a new study, University of Cambridge researchers mapped the emergence and mutations of DFT1 and DFT2 and characterised these cancers' ongoing evolution. The findings underline the continued threat that transmissible cancers pose to Tasmanian devils. The results are published today in the journal Science. "The incredible fact that Tasmanian devils have not one, but two, transmissible cancers, makes it possible to compare their evolution, and this gives us new insights into the key mechanisms involved," said lead author Elizabeth Murchison, Professor of Comparative Oncology and Genetics at the Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge. "By looking at the mutations that have accumulated in these cancers' DNA, we can trace the origins and evolution of these diseases. Our results show that the two cancers arose through similar processes and that both have striking signals of ongoing evolution. It is difficult to predict how this continued cancer evolution will impact devils." The researchers created an improved 'reference genome' - essentially a map of the entire DNA sequence - of the Tasmanian devil and compared this to DNA taken from 119 DFT1 and DFT2 tumours. DFT1 was first observed in 1996 in Tasmania's northeast and is now widespread throughout Tasmania. DFT2, on the other hand, was first observed in 2014 and remains confined to a small area in Tasmania's southeast. The scientists identified mutations in the tumours and used these to build 'family trees' of how the two cancers had each independently arisen and evolved over time. By tracking mutations the researchers discovered that DFT2 acquired mutations about three times faster than DFT1. As mutations usually occur during cell division, the most likely explanation is that DFT2 is a faster growing cancer than DFT1, say the researchers, underlining the importance of DFT2 as a threat. "DFT2 is still not widespread in the devil population, and very little is known about it. We were really startled to see just how quickly it was mutating, alerting us to what could be a very unpredictable threat to the devils in the long term," said Maximilian Stammnitz, first author of the study. The team found that DFT1 arose in the 1980s, up to 14 years before it was first observed, whereas DFT2 emerged between 2009 and 2012, only shortly before it was detected. Mapping the mutations revealed that DFT1 underwent an explosive transmission event shortly after it emerged. This involved a single infected devil transmitting its tumour to at least six recipient devils. DFT1 has now spread throughout almost the entire devil population and has recently been reported in the far northwest of Tasmania, one of the few remaining disease-free regions of the state. Researchers also identified for the first time an instance of DFT1 transmission between a mother and the young in her pouch. Additionally, they found that the incubation period - the time between infection and the emergence of symptoms - can in some cases be a year or more. These findings have important implications for conservation scientists working to protect the species. "I come from Tasmania and love Tasmanian devils - they have a special place in my heart," said Murchison. "Transmissible cancers pose an unprecedented and unpredictable threat to Tasmanian devils. This research highlights the continuing importance of monitoring and conservation programmes. It also gives us new insights into the evolutionary mechanisms operating in cancer more broadly, including in human cancers." The research was funded by Wellcome, the Gates Cambridge Trust and Eric Guiler Tasmanian Devil Research Grants from the University of Tasmania Foundation. Soil is transported on an assembly line at an intelligent rice farming demonstration base in Gongyi Town of Pengshan District in Meishan, southwest China's Sichuan Province, April 20, 2023. Pengshan District has taken efforts to speed up the construction of digital intelligent rice farming demonstration base. Intelligent machinery has been used in the process of raising and transplanting to improve the efficiency of rice farming. (Xinhua/Wang Xi) Rice seedling trays are transported on the conveyer belt at an intelligent rice farming demonstration base in Gongyi Town of Pengshan District in Meishan, southwest China's Sichuan Province, April 20, 2023. Pengshan District has taken efforts to speed up the construction of digital intelligent rice farming demonstration base. Intelligent machinery has been used in the process of raising and transplanting to improve the efficiency of rice farming. (Xinhua/Wang Xi) This photo taken on April 20, 2023 shows an intelligent rice seedling raising system at an intelligent rice farming demonstration base in Gongyi Town of Pengshan District in Meishan, southwest China's Sichuan Province. Pengshan District has taken efforts to speed up the construction of digital intelligent rice farming demonstration base. Intelligent machinery has been used in the process of raising and transplanting to improve the efficiency of rice farming. (Xinhua/Wang Xi) This aerial photo taken on April 20, 2023 shows farmers with an intelligent rice farming demonstration base raising rice seedlings in the fields in Gongyi Town of Pengshan District in Meishan, southwest China's Sichuan Province. Pengshan District has taken efforts to speed up the construction of digital intelligent rice farming demonstration base. Intelligent machinery has been used in the process of raising and transplanting to improve the efficiency of rice farming. (Xinhua/Wang Xi) Rice seedling trays are transported on the conveyer belt at an intelligent rice farming demonstration base in Gongyi Town of Pengshan District in Meishan, southwest China's Sichuan Province, April 20, 2023. Pengshan District has taken efforts to speed up the construction of digital intelligent rice farming demonstration base. Intelligent machinery has been used in the process of raising and transplanting to improve the efficiency of rice farming. (Xinhua/Wang Xi) Robotic arms stack rice seedling raising trays on an assembly line at an intelligent rice farming demonstration base in Gongyi Town of Pengshan District in Meishan, southwest China's Sichuan Province, April 20, 2023. Pengshan District has taken efforts to speed up the construction of digital intelligent rice farming demonstration base. Intelligent machinery has been used in the process of raising and transplanting to improve the efficiency of rice farming. (Xinhua/Wang Xi) A farmer transports a rice seedling tray from a conveyer belt at an intelligent rice farming demonstration base in Gongyi Town of Pengshan District in Meishan, southwest China's Sichuan Province, April 20, 2023. Pengshan District has taken efforts to speed up the construction of digital intelligent rice farming demonstration base. Intelligent machinery has been used in the process of raising and transplanting to improve the efficiency of rice farming. (Xinhua/Wang Xi) Rice seeds are sowed into rice seedling trays on an assembly line at an intelligent rice farming demonstration base in Gongyi Town of Pengshan District in Meishan, southwest China's Sichuan Province, April 20, 2023. Pengshan District has taken efforts to speed up the construction of digital intelligent rice farming demonstration base. Intelligent machinery has been used in the process of raising and transplanting to improve the efficiency of rice farming. (Xinhua/Wang Xi) This photo taken on April 20, 2023 shows an intelligent rice seedling raising system of an intelligent rice farming demonstration base in Gongyi Town of Pengshan District in Meishan, southwest China's Sichuan Province. Pengshan District has taken efforts to speed up the construction of digital intelligent rice farming demonstration base. Intelligent machinery has been used in the process of raising and transplanting to improve the efficiency of rice farming. (Xinhua/Wang Xi) Farmer Wang Chenglin checks the growth of rice seedlings in an intelligent rice seedling raising system at an intelligent rice farming demonstration base in Gongyi Town of Pengshan District in Meishan, southwest China's Sichuan Province, April 20, 2023. Pengshan District has taken efforts to speed up the construction of digital intelligent rice farming demonstration base. Intelligent machinery has been used in the process of raising and transplanting to improve the efficiency of rice farming. (Xinhua/Wang Xi) The Information Office of Beijing Municipality holds a press conference briefing on the Beijing Changfeng Hospital fire, in Beijing, capital of China, on April 19, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin) BEIJING, April 21 (Xinhua) -- The Work Safety Committee of China's State Council will supervise the investigation into the Beijing Changfeng Hospital fire, the Ministry of Emergency Management said on Friday. The death toll from the fire, which broke out Tuesday at the Beijing Changfeng Hospital and was extinguished within an hour, had risen to 29, according to a press conference on Wednesday. The committee will send staff to help guide local authorities in handling and investigating the accident. It requires a prompt probe into the accident, in accordance with relevant laws and regulations, to quickly find out the cause and seek accountability. According to a preliminary investigation, the fire was caused by sparks from a construction project that ignited volatiles produced by combustible paint. Wang Chunying, deputy head of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, attends a press conference held by the State Council Information Office on China's foreign exchange market in the first quarter of 2023 in Beijing, capital of China, April 21, 2023. China's foreign exchange market got off to a good start in the first quarter of 2023, with a stable exchange rate of the renminbi, steady market expectations, and balanced supply and demand, Wang said Friday. (Xinhua/Pan Xu) BEIJING, April 21 (Xinhua) -- China's foreign exchange market got off to a good start in the first quarter of 2023, with a stable exchange rate of the renminbi, steady market expectations, and balanced supply and demand, an official said Friday. The yuan's exchange rate has seen two-way fluctuations within a reasonable range and a slight appreciation since the beginning of the year, Wang Chunying, deputy head of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, told a press conference. Since mid-March, China's major economic indicators have shown an upward trend, and the tightened monetary policies of developed economies have been softened, which rendered the yuan stable and strong against a basket of currencies, Wang said. As of Thursday, the Chinese yuan had strengthened by 1 percent against the U.S. dollar since the end of 2022, she added. Indicators in the forex market also showed that expectations from market entities were steady with more rational trading, Wang said. Chinese banks saw a net forex settlement deficit of 15.3 billion U.S. dollars in the first quarter, data from the administration showed. Wang noted that the deficit is mild and in accordance with the appreciation of the RMB, adding that the balance between supply and demand in the forex market has been further consolidated. Concluding that China's forex market has solid foundations to maintain steady operations with the support of sound long-term economic fundamentals, Wang said the bright prospect of the country's growth is also an appeal for foreign capital. China's current account saw steady capital flows in the first quarter, Wang said, adding that trade in goods posted a relatively high inflow, and trade in services saw an increasing outflow as expenditure in cross-border tourism gradually recovered. The improvement in the quality and efficiency of trade in goods and services has contributed to keeping the current account surplus within a reasonable range, ensuring the smooth functioning of the forex market, Wang said. Foreign direct investment into the Chinese mainland in actual use expanded 4.9 percent year on year to 408.45 billion yuan (about 59 billion U.S. dollars) in the January-March period, according to the Ministry of Commerce. China has a complete infrastructure, stable system of industrial and supply chains, world-leading manufacturing capacity, high-quality labor force and vast consumption potential, providing a good foundation for the development of multinationals, while new growth points such as scientific innovation and wider opening-up in the service sector continue to emerge, Wang said. As China's economic recovery gains momentum and market expectations rise, foreign investors are increasingly viewing yuan-denominated assets as more investment-worthy. In January, net overseas capital inflow into shares traded on the Shenzhen and Shanghai bourses hit a single-month record of 131.146 billion yuan, more than the whole of 2022. RMB assets remain highly attractive as they have stable investment returns and help diversify investment portfolios, Wang said. As per her predictions, overseas investors will increase their holdings in China's securities market steadily in the future. Wang said the country will stick to high-level opening-up by optimizing the business environment, reducing restrictions on foreign investment access and improving services offered to foreign-invested enterprises. She added that the administration will facilitate cross-border investment and financing. There is still large room for foreign capital inflow with the economic recovery and the promotion of financial opening-up, Wang said. Tchad: le president promet de liberer 12 accuses d'un "coup d'Etat rate" Le president du Tchad, le general Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, a promis vendredi la liberation d'au moins 12 hommes, dont 11 officiers de l'armee, accuses d'avoir tente un "coup d'Etat" en decembre 2022. Mahamat Deby avait ete proclame il y a deux ans President de transition par l'armee, a la tete d'une junte de 15 generaux, a l'annonce de la mort de son pere, Idriss Deby Itno, tue au front contre des rebelles apres avoir dirige le Tchad d'une main de fer pendant 30 ans. Malgre une promesse de remettre le pouvoir aux civils par des elections au bout de 18 mois, il avait ete reconduit en octobre 2022 --a l'issue d'un forum de reconciliation nationale boycotte par l'opposition et les principaux mouvements rebelles-- pour une nouvelle periode de transition de deux ans. Le 5 janvier dernier, le gouvernement avait affirme avoir arrete, a partir du 8 decembre 2022, 11 officiers et un militant connu des droits de l'Homme, Baradine Berdei Targuio, presente comme le cerveau d'une "tentative de destabilisation" de "l'ordre constitutionnel" et "des institutions de la Republique". "Je mengage devant vous et devant Dieu a liberer tous les compatriotes inculpes en raison de leur implication dans le Coup dEtat rate du mois de decembre dernier", a declare Mahamat Deby vendredi dans un discours a l'occasion de l'Aid al-Fitr, la fete musulmane qui marque la fin du mois de jeune sacre du ramadan. M. Berdei Targuio, president de l'Organisation tchadienne des droits de l'Homme (OTDH), est un defenseur connu des droits humains et un critique virulent des regimes Deby pere et fils. Depuis les arrestations, rien n'avait filtre sur l'enquete. Vendredi, le chef de l'Etat n'a fourni dans son discours aucun detail supplementaire et aucun responsable du pouvoir n'a pu etre joint pour des precisions. Fin mars, Mahamat Deby avait deja gracie puis fait liberer 259 jeunes condamnes a de la prison ferme, arretes pour avoir, selon les autorites, participe le 20 octobre 2022, date de la fin de la premiere periode de transition, a une manifestation a N'Djamena contre son maintien au pouvoir. Elle avait ete reprimee dans le sang par les forces de securite. Selon le gouvernement, 73 personnes avaient ete tuees mais bien davantage selon l'opposition et les ONG nationales et internationales, qui assurent avoir documente par la suite de nombreuses arrestations arbitraires, disparitions forcees, executions sommaires et meme actes de tortures. SHANGHAI, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang met with Dilma Rousseff, the president of the New Development Bank (NDB), during the Lanting Forum on Chinese Modernization and the World in Shanghai on Friday. Congratulating Rousseff on her assumption of office, Qin said the NDB represents the trend of collective rise of emerging markets and developing countries. Qin expressed the hope and confidence that the NDB will take heed of the voice of developing countries, give full play to its role as a multilateral development financial institution, and take an active part in cooperation on the Global Development Initiative. It is believed that the NDB will make a greater contribution to strengthening solidarity and cooperation among developing countries, achieving common development, improving global governance, establishing a more just and equitable international financial order, and benefiting more countries and regions, he added. As the bank's host country, China is ready to strengthen the cooperation with the NDB, and provide support and assistance to Rousseff for the operation of the bank, Qin said. Rousseff said the achievements of Chinese modernization have set an example for developing countries, and the NDB is willing to carry out close cooperation with China. The NDB should and can play an important role in transforming unjust international order, building a better world of multilateralism and promoting the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, she said. Kate Galbraith Police were investigating whether a shooting occurred Thursday afternoon in San Franciscos Haight-Ashbury neighborhood two blocks from the citys annual 4/20 cannabis celebrations in Golden Gate Park. Officers responded to reports of shots fired on the 500 block of Cole Street near the Haight Street shopping district around 1:21 p.m. Thursday, said San Francisco Police Department spokesperson Allison Maxie. The city of Antioch, shaken by disclosures that its police officers exchanged racist and homophobic messages about its residents for years, now faces a damage suit from four people who say they were abused by police and a fifth who says his father was unarmed when an officer shot him to death. Antioch police are accused in the lawsuit of abusing residents through a culture of intolerance aided by city officials deliberate indifference. The culture of intolerance in the Antioch Police Department is rooted in the deliberate indifference of high ranking city officials, who have routinely acquiesced in the misconduct, attorney John Burris said in the lawsuit, filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court. A report by the Contra Costa County District Attorneys Office found that as many as 45 police officers, half of the citys police force, shared text messages between 2019 and 2022 referring to Black people as gorillas, monkeys and water buffaloes, and using other slurs such as n, pussies and faggots. One message an officer sent to a private citizen contained an image that had been doctored to show a Black man sitting on the neck of George Floyd, the Black man killed in 2020 by a white Minneapolis police officer who knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes. The officer, Derek Chauvin, was convicted of murder and sentenced to 21 years in prison. Antioch Mayor Lamar Thorpe, who is Black, has said he was disgusted by the messages and called for an internal audit of the Police Department. The district attorneys report said one police officer promised a prime rib dinner to anyone who would shoot Thorpe with a rubber bullet. Two Bay Area members of Congress, Reps. Mark DeSaulnier, D-Antioch, and John Garamendi, D-Fairfield, asked Attorney General Merrick Garland on Thursday to investigate what the texts have shown to be a systemic culture of racism, intolerance and cruelty at the Antioch Police Department. The population of the city in northeastern Contra Costa County has been increasing while growing more racially diverse; the 2020 census found that 36.5% of Antioch residents were white, compared with 65% in 2000, while Latinos and Blacks made up 35% and 20% of the population respectively, compared with 22% and less than 10% in 2000. One plaintiff in the lawsuit, Trent Allen, was arrested on a charge of attempted murder in March 2021 and said the arresting officer, Eric Rombough, beat him and kicked him in the head. The suit said Rombough sent text messages calling Allen a faggot and n, and boasting that he gave Allen 6 muzzle thumps and tried to kick (Allens) head over the fence. Allen, who was treated at a hospital for his injuries, remains in custody but has not yet gone to trial. Joshua Butler said he was arrested in February 2022 for allegedly discharging a firearm, though police never found a weapon. Since then, the suit said, officers have conducted nearly 10 traffic stops on Butler, each time verbally accosting him with racist obscenities but not arresting him. He is fighting the charge in court. Another plaintiff, Adam Carpenter, said he was also subjected to nearly 10 traffic stops in 10 months before officers arrested him in November 2020, maliciously and without provocation, for allegedly possessing a firearm, a charge that was later dropped. Carpenter did not allege any racist slurs were used against him but said Antioch police during that time were exchanging numerous insulting messages about Black people. Plaintiff Shagoofa Khan is a 22-year-old activist who has organized protests against the Police Department. She said officer Josh Evans sent vulgar racist and sexist text messages about her to other officers in September 2020. Four months later, the suit said, she was arrested and accused of arson by police for burning a Blue Lives Matter flag at a protest. The fifth plaintiff, Diego Savala, is the son of Guadalupe Savala, 57, who was shot to death by Rombough and another officer, Scott Duggar, in December 2021. Police said Guadalupe Savala, wearing military clothing and body armor, fired at least 30 rifle shots from his house and then set the house on fire before officers shot him. But the suit said Savala later put the gun down and was climbing out through a window, unarmed, when officers shot him 19 times. Although the suit involves incidents from 2020 to 2022, Antioch residents have complained of abuses by those officers from as long as 10 years ago, Burris said Thursday. These people have suffered for many years at the hands of the same officers, he said. Im hopeful we will be able to rid them of racist cops and start a new process of bringing legitimate constitutional policing to the city. The suit accuses Antioch and its police chiefs of condoning and tacitly encouraging the abuse of police authority. Besides the city, the defendants include six officers and three police chiefs: Tammany Brooks, in office from 2017 through October 2021; Tony Morefield, interim chief through May 2022; and Steve Ford, who has held the position since then. Ford has publicly apologized to the community, and promised in a statement last week to hold accountable the officers expressing racist or bigoted beliefs, biased insensitivity, and those boasting about harming members of the community. Ford and other Antioch officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment about the lawsuit. In October 2022, San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins directed her prosecutors to file CCP 170.6 disqualifications against Judge Anthony Kline to prohibit him from hearing all juvenile delinquency cases, commonly known as a blanket disqualification. She announced that the 42-year veteran liberal and retired jurist, presiding temporarily in juvenile court, was biased against the prosecution. Jenkins did not explain why this was so because section 170.6 of the California Code of Civil Procedures didnt require her to. Jenkins blanket disqualification of Judge Kline occurred just one month before her successful election as district attorney after she promised voters that she would try 16- and 17-year-old juveniles as adults for egregious crimes. More recently, elected Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price this month ordered her prosecutors to file 170.6 disqualifications against Judge Mark McCannon for all criminal cases after he had lawfully rejected a plea deal proposed by the district attorney in a murder case. According to Price, the judge overstepped his boundaries as a judicial officer and has created a firestorm of prejudicial comments that do not, in my view, serve justice. Section 170.6 did not require Price to explain what those prejudicial comments were. Jenkins tried to steer the judiciary to support her tough-on-crime policies. Price tried to do the same to support her progressive policies. Neither should be permissible. But this 1957 rule makes both possible. Section 170.6 allows the disqualification of a judge based on his or her alleged bias, limits its use to one time per case for each side, requires an affidavit of prejudice, prohibits a disqualified judge from again being assigned to the same case and requires that the disqualification motion be made within 15 days of the judges assignment to the case or the partys first appearance in the case, whichever comes later. The affidavit in support of the disqualification needs to assert merely that the party cannot have a fair and impartial trial before the judge. In essence, the 170.6 is akin to a peremptory challenge that allows each side to dismiss a potential juror without giving a reason. If the 170.6 motion is timely, the statute allows an attorney to disqualify a judge without showing that the judge actually harbors bias or prejudice. In 1977, the California Supreme Court in Solberg v. Superior Court upheld blanket disqualification, acknowledging that it may be used for judge-shopping but that the Legislature had given both sides in civil and criminal cases an extraordinary right to disqualify a judge in a newly filed case. So what hath this judicial reasoning wrought? Though there is scant history of blanket disqualifications invoked by public defenders, there are numerous accounts of blanket disqualifications by district attorneys. In 1985, Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office issued a directive to disqualify Superior Court Judge David Workman from presiding over all criminal cases. Judge Workman had a policy of allowing jurors to question witnesses, he refused to issue a subpoena requested by the prosecutor, he dismissed an assault charge counter to the prosecutors wishes, and he considered a lesser sentence than the one requested by the prosecutor in a plea deal, all of which were entirely lawful. That same year, Judge G. Keith Wisot was the recipient of another of the Los Angeles County district attorneys blanket disqualification after he lawfully ordered police officers to show up in court first thing in the morning, rather than remain on call, as had been the practice. And there was Judge Melvin Grover, who lawfully dismissed a manslaughter case against a woman who claimed self-defense. The Los Angeles district attorneys blanket disqualification landed the judge in another courthouse presiding over civil cases. Judge Thomas M. Goethals was the recipient of the Orange County district attorneys blanket disqualification in 2014, following the judges rulings in three cases in which he found that prosecutors and police officers had committed misconduct. From February 2014 to September 2015, Judge Goethals was assigned 49 murder cases for trial and was disqualified 46 times by the district attorneys office. In 2022, Los Angeles County Head Deputy District Attorney Michael Yglecias issued an order to prosecutors in the Pomona courthouse: Effective immediately, all DDAs are directed to file CCP 170.6 Peremptory Challenge against (Los Angeles County Superior Court) Judge (Rob B.) Villeza if designated to his court. The judges sin was reinstating a sentencing enhancement in a murder case that conflicted with District Attorney George Gascons directive that prosecutors were not to file these enhancements. Justice Mathew Tobriner, dissenting from the 1977 Solberg ruling that legitimized blanket disqualifications, wisely opined, The use of blanket challenges under section 170.6 to disqualify a judge because of his judicial philosophy or his prior rulings on questions of law seriously undermines the principle of judicial independence and distorts the appearance, if not the reality, of judicial impartiality. I believe that Justice Tobriner was right. It is time for the Legislature to amend 170.6 by prohibiting blanket disqualifications of judges in response to their lawful decisions. District attorneys in California wield immense power. They decide who should face criminal charges and they decide what those charges should be. What they must not do is force judges to do their bidding. When prosecutors control judges decision-making authority, judicial independence is no more. Denise Pinkston said it felt like nobody in Sacramento was taking her seriously when she started pitching state leaders on the idea of using ADUs, or accessory dwelling units, to help reduce Californias housing shortage. She said the notion that such secondary units better known as backyard cottages, casitas, granny flats or in-law suites could be a significant piece of the puzzle when the state needs millions more homes to serve its existing population seemed ludicrous to many back in 2016. People laughed at me, said Pinkston, who chairs the Casita Coalition, a nonprofit advocacy group. I had no idea it would catch on in this way. Its obviously been vastly more successful than we ever imagined. Seven years later, after legislators passed a series of laws to make it easier to build ADUs, Californias backdoor revolution is in full swing. Nearly 20% of housing units built in California today are accessory dwelling units, according to the state housing department. Thats more than 20,000 new homes each year that might not have been constructed otherwise, a sharp uptick considering that fewer than 800 ADUs annually were built statewide a decade ago. To be clear, ADU advocates said those secondary units account for a fraction of the homes that the state must construct to dig itself out of a worsening affordability and homelessness crisis. But they said the success of ADUs, in a relatively short time frame, illustrates how state laws can effectively ease barriers to housing in cities resistant to development. The ADU construction boom started after legislators passed bills to expedite the permit approval process, allow larger units, ease parking requirements, reduce fees and suspend local rules requiring that the owners occupy the units. The ADU construction boom has been most visible in sprawling cities like Los Angeles, where more than 19,700 such units were constructed between 2017 and 2021. San Francisco built more than 1,650 ADUs in the same time frame. Now, lawmakers say they want to ramp up the ADU construction boom even further by passing measures that will make it easier to finance and sell the smaller units. Assembly Member Phil Ting, D-San Francisco, is carrying a pair of the most high-profile ADU bills at the state Capitol this year. He said the state has only scratched the surface for such secondary units to increase density in existing neighborhoods or multi-family apartment buildings. Theres a huge amount of potential, he said. The more controversial of Tings measures, Assembly Bill 1033, would allow cities to decide whether to allow property owners to sell ADUs separately, as condos, from the primary home. This would repeal an existing law that prohibits the separate sale of ADUs and make it easier for homeowners to get loans to build ADUs and recoup their investment more quickly (as opposed to repaying loans gradually through rental income). His other measure, Assembly Bill 976, would permanently prohibit local ordinances that require property owners to live in their ADU. Such rules discourage ADU construction because the units cannot be used as rental properties. Existing state law bans such owner occupancy rules, but that provision expires in 2025. Ting, whos previously carried pro-ADU bills, said the new measures will make it easier for older homeowners and those with significant equity to tap into that wealth without giving up their primary residence. He stressed that the benefits of ADUs arent just financial. Ting said part of the reason construction has soared is because its allowed families to build secondary units to house their relatives, including elderly parents who might need assistance or adult children who cannot afford to buy a home in California. That multi-generational case for ADUs is personal for the Grant family, who built a backyard cottage in Dublin for their dad after he suffered a severe stroke and didnt want to go to a nursing home. Their father, Robert Grant, 72, was so happy with his new backyard cottage and the independence it afforded him that his five adult children decided to go into the ADU business. In 2021, they launched the WellNest Company, which sells prefabricated pods designed for seniors and helps connect buyers with in-home support services. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle Bakari Grant, the companys CEO, said they haven't been able to expand quickly enough amid the states ADU construction boom. He said thats because many families see the benefits of communal living. As much as you like your own space, everyone likes community, the younger Grant said. Were human, were built on connectivity. Housing and ADU advocates say those types of stories have helped ADUs become Californias sleeper housing success, at least in terms of the number of new units generated thus far. While the Legislature has passed myriad laws to speed up housing construction, those laws have generally produced fewer units thus far. Part of the success with ADUs has been the sentiment that theyre often less controversial than multi-family apartment buildings. Some cities have fought ADU laws, though not to the extent theyve opposed other density measures. Its probably the most successful thing the Legislature has done to spur construction of housing, said Louis Mirante, vice president of public policy at the Bay Area Council, a pro-business advocacy group thats sponsoring AB1033. Mirante said ADUs have sparked less resistance, in large part, because building a backyard cottage behind a home or converting garages in an apartment building into flats doesnt require a drawn-out public hearing process with notices in the mail. Ultimately, he said, the aim of promoting ADU construction is to create more affordable housing in wealthy neighborhoods with good access to schools, parks, public transportation and other amenities. But in order for the ADU construction boom to continue and grow, housing advocates say the rule that prohibits cities from requiring homeowners to live onsite needs to be extended. That measure, AB976, has no formal opposition, though some cities fought the prohibition when it was first enacted. Moreover, housing advocates said allowing ADUs to be sold as condos would help accelerate ADU construction and make it accessible to homeowners who need to borrow money to pay for construction. Tings measure that would allow ADU condo conversions, AB1033, faces strong opposition from some business groups, including the powerful California Association of Realtors. Real estate industry lobbyists said the bill could have the unintended consequence of forcing lenders to intervene if lots are subdivided when theres an existing mortgage or liens on the original property. Im not really sure how this all works out, Jennifer Svec, a lobbyist for the realtors association, told legislators during a hearing this week. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle AB1033 sailed through its first committee in the Assembly on Wednesday, passing on a 6-1 vote. Ting added amendments to ensure all property liens are settled before an ADU condo can be transferred to a new owner. Ting, who previously served as San Franciscos property assessor-recorder, told committee members that he will continue to work on the bill. He noted that its already legal in California to convert a duplex into condos and sell the units separately, which he said he has done as an investor. This is something that many property owners, including myself, have already done in the past, Ting said. Were not inventing the internet, were not sending someone to space. California state police and the California National Guard will start a partnership with local law enforcement agencies to disrupt fentanyl trafficking in San Francisco in the wake of city officials asking for state and federal help cracking down on open-air drug dealing. Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the plan Friday. Earlier in the week, Newsom, California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Mayor London Breeds chief of staff walked around the Tenderloin viewing the conditions and discussing the citys fentanyl crisis. Newsom announced the agreement among the California Highway Patrol, the California National Guard, the San Francisco Police Department and the San Francisco District Attorneys Office to help the city. The governor directed the CHP to identify ways to assist local police, including through the assignment of personnel and resources, technical assistance, training and drug trafficking enforcement within key areas, including the Tenderloin. The governor also directed CalGuard to identify specialist personnel and resources to analyze drug trafficking operations, with a focus on dismantling fentanyl trafficking rings. There were no details Friday on whether state police would be on the ground in the city and, if so, how many officers might be deployed and for how long. A statement from Newsoms office said the agreement would lead to the formation of a new collaborative operation among the four agencies to disrupt the drug supply and hold the operators of large-scale fentanyl trafficking operations accountable. Through this new collaborative partnership, we are providing more law enforcement resources and personnel to crack down on crime linked to the fentanyl crisis, holding the poison peddlers accountable, and increasing law enforcement presence to improve public safety and public confidence in San Francisco, Newsom said. Newsom also hinted at the recent debate around San Francisco crime, noting the city has a violent crime rate lower than comparable cities, but also said more must be done to address public safety concerns, especially the fentanyl crisis. Breed said in a statement that she is grateful for the support. Our Police Department and District Attorney have been partnering to tackle this issue and increase enforcement, but our local agencies can use more support, the mayor said. The announcement will probably spark polarized reactions in San Francisco, where debate rages over how to solve the citys drug crisis and whether cracking down on drug dealing is an effective way to confront it. Progressives protest that the city is repeating a failed war on drugs that wont fix its problems, while moderates, including many residents and business owners, have voted in officials who want more prosecutions of drug dealers amid calls for increased action. The Tenderloin and South of Market are the epicenters of the citys drug and homelessness crises, with people dealing and using drugs on sidewalks. New numbers show a 41% jump in overdoses in San Francisco in the first three months of this year compared with the same period last year, with 200 people dying in those months, from January through March. Newsoms news release said the partnership will not seek to criminalize those struggling with substance use and instead focus on holding drug suppliers and traffickers accountable. The mayors spokesperson, Jeff Cretan, would not comment on any conversations the governor had with city staff Wednesday when he toured the Tenderloin, but said Breed and Newsom have spoken on the issue. He said city officials had requested support but didnt specify which agencies. Breed has promised local crackdowns on drug dealing since December 2021, when she declared a three-month emergency in the Tenderloin. She put more cops on the streets to address the issue in March 2022, and then again in February 2023, in response to complaints from business owners. Last year, Breed appointed District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, who pledged to make fentanyl trafficking one of her top issues, after the recall of Chesa Boudin. In the first three months after Jenkins took office in July, officials saw an increase in arrests citywide, drug seizures in the Tenderloin and felony narcotics charges compared with the same time period the year before. Voters elected Jenkins in November. Recently, San Francisco politicians have been asking for outside help to handle the situation. In March, Breed wrote to Northern Californias new U.S. attorney to ask for help curbing the citys open-air drug markets as the Police Department struggles with staffing. Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin recently said hes sending a letter to former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Newsom and the boards of BART and the University of California, which has a law school near U.N. Plaza, requesting the creation of a joint task force with the police department to address the crisis. Supervisor Matt Dorsey, whose district includes drug hot spots, said hes incredibly grateful for help from the state. It feels like the cavalry is coming, he added. San Francisco needs resources to disrupt, dismantle and deter the brazen open air drug markets that are costing lives and diminishing our neighborhoods and hampering our economic recovery. Critics including Public Defender Mano Raju, pointed to research showing criminalization hasnt fixed the drug crisis and said resources should instead be put toward treatment for people who use drugs and alternatives for drug dealers. We do need our state and city leaders to act with this type of urgency to prevent overdose deaths, like opening overdose prevention centers, Raju said in a statement. No amount of law enforcement will solve what is really a public health crisis. Bill Hing, a former San Francisco police commissioner and professor of law and migration studies at the University of San Francisco, feared the enforcement push would end up criminalizing a lot of people that need help. It sounds like the military coming in to help address the war on drugs. And nothing about the war on drugs that included more law enforcement led to anything good. It led to racist outcomes, and it did not diminish the desire for drugs, he said. Newsoms office said Fridays announcement builds on his Master Plan for Tackling the Fentanyl and Opioid Crisis, which includes an expansion of CalGuard-supported operations that last year led to a 594% increase in seized fentanyl and spending $1 billion statewide on the problem. In his budget plan for the upcoming fiscal year, Newsom proposed an additional $97 million to combat the opioid crisis. Breed and other local leaders criticized Newsom last year when he vetoed a bill that would have allowed San Francisco, Oakland and Los Angeles to launch pilot supervised drug consumption sites. In his veto letter, Newsom said he worried the bill could have had unintended consequences and directed state health officials to develop a more limited pilot program. San Francisco Chronicle staff writer Trisha Thadani contributed to this report. Mifepristone, the pill used in more than half of all U.S. abortions, will remain available by mail and without restrictions while courts determine whether it was properly found safe by a federal agency in 2000, the Supreme Court decided Friday. The justices blocked a ruling last week by the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans. That court allowed continued sale and use of mifepristone putting on hold a federal judges ruling that the Food and Drug Administration had wrongly approved it in 2000. But the appeals court ruling would have required patients to obtain the drug in person from a physician rather than receiving it by mail, which the FDA had approved in 2021. The appeals court ruling would have also halted enforcement of FDA decisions in 2016 that made mifepristone available at up to 10 weeks of pregnancy rather than seven weeks, allowed nurses and some other non-physicians to prescribe it and approved a generic version of the drug. The Supreme Court barred all those restrictions from taking effect while the case is being heard by the lower courts. It is likely to return to the high court for a final ruling, expected next year. The court did not give details about why it decided to block the restrictions. Two justices, Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas, announced they opposed the ruling. The court did not announce how the other justices voted, although typically it announces all the names of justices who dissent. The order came 10 months after the Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to abortion that it had declared in Roe v. Wade in January 1973. Since that ruling, 13 states have banned most or all abortions, and others have restricted the procedure. Voters in California, meanwhile, added a right to abortion to the state Constitution last November, and legislators have passed laws seeking to protect both patients and abortion providers from laws in other states. Before the decision, California Gov. Gavin Newsom and other state leaders had promised to safeguard access to the abortion drug, regardless of how the Supreme Court ruled. The leaders of the womens caucus of the California Legislature, Sen. Nancy Skinner, D-Berkeley, and Assembly Member Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, D-Winters (Yolo County), cheered the courts decision. We commend the Supreme Court for staying the lower court rulings and not interfering with the medical decisions made by professionals at the FDA in their approval of mifepristone, they wrote in a statement. Mife should remain legal and accessible, and we will continue to fight any court action that seeks to cut off access to this proven and safe medication. Newsom also applauded the ruling. The U.S. Supreme Court is right to take this action to protect access to medication abortion, Newsom said in a statement Friday afternoon. For now, the Court has followed science, data, and the law rather than an extreme and out of touch political agenda. California has stockpiled more than 250,000 doses of a second abortion pill, misoprostol, which women take after using mifepristone. Together, the drugs are more than 99% effective in terminating a pregnancy and, according to the FDA and most health care researchers, rarely have side effects and are far safer than giving birth. Misoprostol can be used by itself for an abortion, with an effective rate of about 85% and side effects such as pain and bleeding. Antiabortion doctors who filed suit in Texas sought to halt sale of both medications, but U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk barred only mifepristone in his April 7 ruling, which said the FDA had failed to consider what he described as the drugs potential dangers. He also said supplying the medication by mail was forbidden by the Comstock Act, an 1873 federal law that prohibited the mailing of anything that was obscene, lewd, lascivious, filthy or vile, including any substance designed, adapted, or intended for producing abortion. Federal courts and the Biden administrations Justice Department say the Comstock Act bars only mailings for illegal abortions. But the Fifth Circuit panel agreed with Kacsmaryks reading of the law, and will consider the issue and others in the case at a hearing scheduled May 17. (The Supreme Court did not refer to the Comstock Act in Wednesdays order allowing continued distribution of mifepristone.) The appeals court, one of the nations most conservative, also accepted Kacsmaryks conclusion that the FDA had wrongly approved mifepristone in 2000 but blocked his decision to halt all distribution of the drug, saying abortion opponents appeared to have waited too long to challenge it. But the Fifth Circuits 2-1 ruling on April 13 approved the judges invalidation of the later FDA actions, including prescription by nonphysicians and use up to 10 weeks of pregnancy. The Supreme Court first put that decision on hold until Wednesday, then extended its order through Friday before barring enforcement of either lower-court ruling while the case continues. In a filing with the Supreme Court, Alliance Defending Freedom, the conservative Christian organization representing the antiabortion doctors, said the FDA for decades has stripped away every meaningful and necessary safeguard on chemical abortion, demonstrating callous disregard for womens well-being, unborn life, and statutory limits. But California, 22 other states and the District of Columbia told the court that mifepristone is a safe, reliable, and effective drug, and the availability of mifepristone has been critical to (the states) efforts to provide access to reproductive health care, including in low-income, underserved, and rural communities. Alliance Defending Freedom Senior Counsel Erik Baptist, who represents the antiabortion doctors who are trying to block the FDAs approval of mifepristone, said they will continue to challenge the decision. As is common practice, the Supreme Court has decided to maintain the status quo that existed prior to our lawsuit while our challenge to the FDAs illegal approval of chemical abortion drugs and its removal of critical safeguards for those drugs moves forward, he wrote in a statement. Our case seeking to put womens health above politics continues on an expedited basis in the lower courts. Getty Images A person was seriously injured after a fire erupted in a recreational vehicle in San Francisco, officials said. The fire at 1035 Palau Ave. in the Bayview happened around 5:30 a.m. Friday because of the RVs oven. The victim was living in the RV, Fire Department spokesperson Lt. Jonathan Baxter said. Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, speaks at a symposium on General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Xi Jinping's thought about improving the work on ethnic affairs, in Beijing, capital of China, April 21, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling) BEIJING, April 21 (Xinhua) -- A symposium was held Friday in Beijing on Xi Jinping's thought about improving the work on ethnic affairs. The thought of Xi, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, about ethnic affairs should be carefully studied and understood, said Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, at the symposium. The Party's work on ethnic affairs should be carried out with a strong sense of responsibility and mission, Wang added. He said that Xi's thought about improving the work on ethnic affairs summarizes the historic achievements the Party has made and the valuable experience it has gained about ethnic work over the past century, particularly in the new era, and should be implemented throughout the entire work related to ethnic affairs. Fostering a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation should be the main task, Wang said, calling for solid progress in modernization for ethnic minorities and in areas where they inhabit. Wang also stressed the need to develop an accurate understanding of the history of the Chinese nation and encourage more communication and exchanges among different ethnic groups, while strengthening the overall leadership of the Party in the work on ethnic affairs. Warm, dry air is flowing into Northern California on Friday and Saturday, cranking up temperatures across the Bay Area. Its all part of a warming trend being kicked off by a ridge of high pressure. This ridge will play a pivotal role in raising temperatures to the 80s for the first time in the region since last summer, but its not likely to stick around long. Northwest winds are forecast to skim the waters off the coast of the Peninsula, likely spilling cool breezes to the shoreline, bays and delta by Saturday evening, before engulfing the region with chilly, misty air by Sunday. Depending on where you are in the Bay Area, some of this cooling might reach you earlier, with a few places set to sit under the marine layer of the atmosphere as early as Saturday morning. Whats a marine layer? The term marine layer has been used in the Bay Area for quite some time, and like the clouds it often produces, its definition has always been a bit of a gray area. The key thing to know is that the marine layer is just that: a layer of the atmosphere that hovers over a body of water. The layer often stretches thousands of feet into the air and acts like a boundary between all the cool air sitting over the Pacific Ocean and the rest of the atmosphere. When winds blow in from the northwest, this cool layer of the atmosphere drifts into the coast and bays of the region, which is why its sometimes called the Bay Areas natural air conditioning. Baron/Lynx Temperatures will rise into the 60s and 70s along San Francisco Bay right as northwest winds crank up Saturday afternoon. These cool winds will spill the marine layer over the region, cooling cities along the bayside and delta before drying up once it reaches the west-facing sides of the Oakland and Berkeley hills. Thats because the marine layer isnt expected to be any more than 1,000 or so feet in depth. In other words, its not tall enough to overcome the hillsides and spread into the rest of the East Bay. But like a bathtub being filled with water, the marine layer will continue to fill up with moisture brought on by the Pacific Oceans northwest winds. Eventually the air will reach a point on Saturday night where it cant hold that much moisture anymore, condensing into fog and mist. Weather models expect there to be a good chance for foggy conditions to form by Sunday morning along the coast, bays and delta region, which will further cool things. The cool, moist air will then spill over into the inland valleys of the Bay Area, bringing down temperatures 5 to 7 degrees and ending this weekends warming trend. Weekend breakdown San Francisco: Warm, dry air will set up shop over the city over the next few days, with Fridays temperatures warmest. Expect light winds and mostly sunny skies as a high pressure system siphons warm air from distant deserts into Twin Peaks, Bernal Heights and Mount Davidson. Many hillsides are poised to reach temperatures in the upper 60s on Friday, with Dolores Park possibly hitting the lower 70s just before the 2 p.m. sea breeze kicks in. By Saturday the sea breeze is forecast to become more pronounced, with the Outer Richmond and Sunset districts seeing gusts to 25 mph by afternoon. This will create a boundary between Saturday afternoons daytime highs in the lower 60s on the west side and mid-60s as you head east of Forest Hill and toward the Castro, SoMa and downtown. The cooldown continues on Sunday as the breeze spills over Mount Sutro. Weather models suggest that Sundays push of cool, moist air from the Pacific Ocean has a good chance of raising fog along the west side and by the Presidio, with pockets of mist possible by Lake Merced and Glen Park. This rush of cooler air should keep Sunday afternoons temperatures closer to the lower 60s citywide. Pacific Coast and Peninsula: Warm, dry air is slated for Friday, clearing out clouds and raising daytime highs to the upper 60s along Highway 1 between Pacifica and Half Moon Bay, while the rest of the Peninsula can expect temperatures in the lower 70s. This warm air is looking to linger into Saturday, though weather models suggest that a sharp sea breeze is likely after 2 p.m. This cool breeze is a common feature during the tail end of warming trends, and its likely to gust to 30 mph along Highway 1 and 25 mph in the San Bruno Gap, including Daly City, Millbrae and San Francisco International Airport. Saturdays temperatures will only reach the mid-60s by the coast and San Bruno Gap and upper 60s south of Millbrae. A few pockets of lower 70s will be possible in wind-shielded areas along I-280, including San Andreas Lake, Emerald Hills and Portola Valley. The cool sea breeze will spill farther into the Peninsula by Sunday, reeling in mist and fog to parts of the coast. High fog could breach the San Bruno Gap, making for cloudier conditions in South San Francisco and the Highway 92 pass between Half Moon Bay and San Mateo. The cooler air is looking to keep daytime highs Sunday in the lower 60s by the coast and mid-60s across the rest of the Peninsula. North Bay: A warming trend is on tap for the Santa Rosa, Napa and Petaluma valleys the next couple of days, with the first 80-degree days of the year likely. Look for temperatures in the lower 80s on Friday and Saturday afternoons, with light winds out of the northeast in Napa County. Some dry winds are likely to make it to Solano County, meaning residents in Vacaville and Fairfield are likely to reach the mid-80s over the next couple of days. The same cant be said for Vallejo and for most residents along the delta region and bayside. A cool breeze from the Pacific Ocean is looking to curl into San Francisco Bay on Friday afternoon, spreading into the rest of the bays and marshes of the North Bay for the weekend. This means most of the Sonoma County coast and the banana belt in Marin County, including Tiburon, Sausalito, San Rafael and Novato, can expect daytime highs in the lower 70s on Friday and upper 60s on Saturday. This breeze will eventually make it to Vallejo as well, keeping daytime temperatures in the delta in the upper 70s on Friday and Saturday. Temperatures across the whole region are then looking to take a 5- to 7-degree nosedive on Sunday as the cool breeze ramps up 30 mph gusts by the water and eventually spills into the inland valleys. Its influence will result in daytime temperatures on Sunday in the lower 60s by the bays, lower 70s by the delta and mid- to upper 70s inland. East Bay: Residents in Walnut Creek, Dublin and Danville are likely to get their first taste of 80-degree temperatures since last summer. This warm-up is looking to be the most pronounced in Pleasanton and most of the Livermore Valley as warm air and calm winds allow temperatures to reach the lower 80s. This trend will continue into Saturday for the inland valleys, though a light breeze off the delta is likely to keep the San Ramon Valley and most of Concord and Pittsburg closer to the upper 70s. Friday and Saturdays warm-up is likely to be ramped down for residents west of the Caldecott Tunnel by a persistent bay breeze. Its cool, moist air will flow into Richmond, Albany, Alameda and Hayward before coming to a halt on the western slopes of the Oakland and Berkeley hills. Look for temperatures in the mid-70s on Friday and lower 70s by Saturday as the breeze cools and moistens the air over the I-80 and I-880 corridors. By Sunday the breeze is looking to ramp up its gusts to 30 mph by the water, giving it enough momentum to spread east of the Caldecott Tunnel and into the San Ramon and Livermore valleys. And because of all the moisture spilling into Alameda and Contra Costa counties, weather models suggest that there could be some shallow fog by the bayside and high fog inland by Sunday morning. The combination of cool air and high humidity will keep temperatures closer to the upper 60s by the bays and delta and lower 70s inland. South Bay and Santa Cruz: Warm, dry air is looking to raise temperatures to the lower 80s across San Jose, Los Gatos and most of the Santa Clara Valley on Friday and Saturday. Some warmth will spill into the 101 corridor between Morgan Hill and Gilroy and Highway 17 in the Santa Cruz Mountains, leading to afternoon highs in the mid- to upper 70s. But thanks to a breeze off Monterey Bay this warm pool of air is looking to come to a halt as it tries to head south toward Watsonville and Scotts Valley. The cool, moist breeze will act like natural AC for Santa Cruz, Soquel, Captola, Aptos and Watsonville, keeping daytime highs in the lower 70s on Friday and upper 60s by Saturday. Some of this cooling will spread north into Felton and Ben Lomond, where Friday and Saturdays highs are looking to stay in the low to mid-70s. Temperatures across the region are then expected to fall by 3 to 5 degrees on Sunday as the bay breeze clocks in 30 mph gusts by the water, spreading north into the Santa Clara Valley. It will then meet up with the breeze off San Francisco Bay, leading to misty conditions as the warm, dry air is ejected and cool, moist air takes its place. This will lead to San Joses daytime temperatures on Sunday landing closer to 70 degrees. After privately signaling renewed interest in working toward a development agreement for a ballpark at Howard Terminal, the Oakland As instead announced a land deal for a ballpark in Las Vegas on Wednesday night, a move that Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao took as a disrespectful leverage play, resulting in her informing As owner John Fisher that she was no longer interested in negotiating with the club. During a Thursday press conference, Thao told the press that the city and the As had been meeting daily and were closer to a deal than they had ever been when team President Dave Kaval rang her up on Wednesday to say that a news report about the As purchasing a 49-acre site near Tropicana Boulevard and Interstate 15 was imminent. It shows they had no interest in reaching a deal with Oakland at all, Thao said at the press conference. ... We will not continue discussions under these circumstances, and we will instead work for a development deal that actually creates opportunities for Oaklanders and includes partners that are committed to the success of our city, our communities, our residents and our businesses. In an interview with SFGATE, Thaos chief of staff, Leigh Hanson who was closely involved in recent negotiations filled in some blanks from the citys side of things. She said that in mid-March, Thao met with Fisher and Kaval in person. They agreed to mutually cease talking to the media about the state of negotiations between parties and agreed to convene in mid-April this week for a summit of sorts. The stakes of the summit were high, given a series of upcoming deadlines. Realistically, a development agreement wouldve needed to go to the Oakland City Council for a vote by its summer recess in late July; any later, and the As would be in danger of not having a finalized agreement in place by mid-January of 2024, which is MLBs deadline for the club to secure a future ballpark site, or risk losing out on revenue-sharing funds. To further speed up negotiations, Hanson said, the city brought on Steve Kawa a political adviser with ties to former San Francisco mayors, the governors office and Fisher to act as a third-party mediator. More than a month ago, Kawa began speaking separately to both the city and the As multiple times a week, Hanson said. Thaos priority, according to Hanson, was to create the conditions where we can bring the decision to a head; either we have a deal, or we don't have a deal. The back-and-forth wasn't serving them, and it wasn't serving us. The As, and Kawa, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Last Monday, April 10, a lead negotiator on the As side asked if Kawa, the city and the As could talk through specific details of a potential deal in preparation for this weeks summit, Hanson told SFGATE. Hanson said that every day of last week, As negotiators met with Kawa and the city, and that last Friday, [the city] had an exceptionally reasonable proposal that we presented to the A's through the mediator. Hanson said the As set the agenda for the summit and that the mayor had cleared her schedule for the week to work toward an agreement. As late as Tuesday of this week, Hanson said, the As lead negotiators were still engaged in talks with Kawa and the city, going through line-item details of a potential development agreement, including how to address growing off-site infrastructure costs. Wednesday morning, the mayors office was feeling very confident that we'd made significant progress on off-site infrastructure issues and feeling like we had met the A's request to accelerate those conversations, Hanson said. But the As internal meeting on Wednesday ran long, the mayors first sign that something was amiss. Kaval called Thao at 6 p.m., the mayor said at the press conference, about the impending news reports of a Vegas land deal. The citys side reached out to Kawa, who, according to Hanson, hadnt been informed of that pertinent update yet, and then reached out to Fisher to figure out what was going on. It was completely in violation of our mediation terms and our good-faith bargaining efforts to go to the press in this way and end the deal in this way, Hanson said. [Kawa] encouraged John to pick up the phone and call the mayor directly. Fisher called Thao at 8 p.m., and they had a brief conversation, Hanson said. Fisher asked to keep the lines of communication open, and Thao declined, wishing him luck in Las Vegas. Our interpretation was that he was expecting us to say, No, no, please stay, we love you, we miss you, well do anything for you, Hanson relayed. I think the mayor recognized that Oaklanders deserve certainty. And that's what we're providing. Hanson added that the mayors office felt blindsided by the As land deal announcement in part because they were preparing to have a joint press conference on Friday to inform the public about whether the summit had produced tangible progress or if a deal was looking untenable. The hope was that we would be able to provide some clarity to the public, to the fans, to MLB, around where the deal stood, Hanson said. Instead, they elected to do what they have done for the last four years, which is surprise attack us with an onslaught of press that makes it look like we're not operating in good faith. SFGATE politics reporter Alec Regimbal contributed to this report. Screenshot via Google A shooting occurred near the 4/20 festival in San Franciscos Golden Gate Park on Thursday. No one appeared to be hurt, according to the San Francisco Police Department. The shooting took place near Haight Street and Cole Street, two blocks away from the park, just after 1 p.m. The shooting was not believed to be connected to the annual cannabis festivities, SFPD said. Reports of the shooting began circulating Thursday afternoon and were confirmed Friday morning by SFPD Deputy Chief Raj Vaswani on Twitter. Thousands of people gathered at San Franciscos Golden Gate Park on Thursday to celebrate 420, ringing in one of the haziest Bay Area holidays of the year. Soul music icon Erykah Badu served as this years marijuana grand marshal, commanding thousands of stoners to Put your weed in the air just as the clock struck 4:20, the international call time for smoking pot. Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE Like a maestro, Badu had the audience obeying her every gesture; heady smoke billowed in all directions. Badu graced the stage in futuristic sunglasses and a plaid trench coat. For a lot of us, this is our medicine, she said to the audience, as she raised a joint into the air. This st is here to take you to a higher place. Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE A haze of smoke covers the crowd right at 4:20 p.m. during Erykah Badu's set at the 420 Hippie Hill event in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco on Thursday. (Douglas Zimmerman / SFGATE) A haze of smoke covers the crowd right at 4:20 p.m. during Erykah Badu's set at the 420 Hippie Hill event in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco on Thursday. (Douglas Zimmerman / SFGATE) The term 420 is used around the world as a euphemism for marijuana, and April 20, as well as 4:20 p.m., have become designated times for consuming the ancient herb. However, this global phenomenon has local roots a group of high schoolers in Marin County started using the term in the early 1970s. Golden Gate Park has long hosted the Bay Areas biggest 420 celebration, bringing pot lovers to a grassy knoll in the park unofficially dubbed Hippie Hill. The event has the magical ability to gather aging bikers, goth girls and Rick and Morty fans all together on one lawn. It had all the music, food vendors and crowds that youd typically expect at a music festival, except that the main act here was, well, weed. Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE Attendees at the 420 Hippy Hill. (Douglas Zimmerman / SFGATE) Attendees at the 420 Hippy Hill. (Douglas Zimmerman / SFGATE) A major moment at this years festival was an official King of Z Hill cannabis competition, where growers competed to prove they had the best weed and concentrates. Brandon Parker, an organizer of the event, described the contest as the World Series of bud. Competitors flew in from around the world and the far corners of California to sling their best product in hopes of winning a cash prize of $40,000. Despite the impressive competition, Parker still felt confident that San Francisco had some of the best cultivators around. Some of the most exotic flavors in the world come out of the West Coast right here in San Francisco, he said. Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE The festivals competitors, wearing tie-dye and clothing emblazoned with the Louis Vuitton logo, used blowtorches to heat dab rigs, a type of water pipe for smoking cannabis hash, with near mathematical precision. As Joe Evans of SoCal Dank, a California cannabis company, cleaned out a rig shaped like a green peyote cactus, he explained that the competition was about more than just money. Its not always about winning, he said. Its about really networking and seeing what the other people have. We all want to be winners. We all want to be super successful in this industry. Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE When SFGATE asked Aaron Salles, vice president of marketing and sales at MOCA Humboldt, what he hoped to take away from the experience, he laughed and simply said, $40,000. Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE Judges take part in the King of Z Hill cannabis competition during the 420 Hippie Hill event at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco on Thursday. (Douglas Zimmerman / SFGATE) Judges take part in the King of Z Hill cannabis competition during the 420 Hippie Hill event at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco on Thursday. (Douglas Zimmerman / SFGATE) Honestly, the money would be nice. Theres a lot of really good competitors here today that grow a lot of good weed, he continued. Weve come a long way from when we used to hang out here as teenagers, he said, referring to himself and his business partner. A panel of judges sampled the products and selected the victors: Royal Budline won the contests flower category; Have Hash won the rosin category; and Hash Muppets won the hash and dry sift category. While weed is typically the star of the show on this mid-April day, this years 420 festival had more than just marijuana. A booth tucked away in the back simply said Lucid Psychedelics, while another advertised Lotus Entheogenic Church, a nondenominational religious nonprofit that subscribes to the belief that magic mushrooms are a religious sacrament. Tracy Stansbury, one of the churchs founders, said they plan to open a location in Oakland in July or August, though its unclear where. In the meantime, attendees can sign up to become a member or shell out an $80 donation for a psilocybin-infused chocolate bar. Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE At the booth next door, Brian Hilliard, Lucid Psychedelics chief operations officer, cheerfully handed over a bag of vegan mushroom gummies, explaining that hes been in the psychedelics realm for two decades now. Each package contained five functional mushrooms in a variety of candy flavors though Hilliard later confirmed that they werent psychedelic at all. Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE Attendees smoke at the 420 Hippie Hill event in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco on Thursday. (Douglas Zimmerman / SFGATE) Attendees smoke at the 420 Hippie Hill event in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco on Thursday. (Douglas Zimmerman / SFGATE) Back at the main stage, the spring sunshine and free spirit of Golden Gate Park seemed to put attendees in good spirits. And the massive amount of pot certainly didnt hurt. As Badu joked while she was onstage: Yall some high motherfkers. TEHRAN, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on Thursday called for greater unity among Muslim states in support of the Palestinians. Raisi made the remarks in a phone call with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, in which the two leaders also discussed bilateral and regional issues. Condemning the recent "crimes" by Israel against the Palestinian worshipers at Al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem, Raisi noted the necessity of greater "solidarity and coordination" among the Muslim states to prevent such actions by Israelis. The Iranian president said strengthening ties with neighbors is Iran's foreign policy priority, noting that ensuring the development of the region hinges on dialogue, interaction and cooperation among regional countries. The Qatari emir, for his part, highlighted the "unchanged" position of his country in support of the "oppressed" people of Palestine and the condemnation of Israel's "aggressions" against them. In another phone call on the same day with his Jordanian counterpart Ayman Safadi, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian stressed the necessity of the Muslim world's unity against Israel and to safeguard the Palestinian nation's rights. Amir-Abdollahian praised Jordan's support of the Palestinians and sacred places in Jerusalem, saying Israel is the "biggest threat" to the region and the Muslim world. The two ministers also expressed a willingness to expand bilateral relations. Earlier in the month, the Israeli forces raided for two consecutive days on the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, firing teargas canisters and stun grenades to disperse Palestinian worshipers. The raids were condemned by countries in the Middle East and triggered an escalation of conflicts along Israel's borders. Hartfords Terreno may have set a Connecticut restaurant record when it opened, then closed, within just 12 days. To be fair, it wasnt just them. That was in March 2020, when the order came down to close all public spaces, and chef Tyler Andersons new reimagining of the former Porron & Pina Spanish tapas spot and bar seemed to pop from existence, like a soap bubble in the wind. Three years later almost to the day it was another Friday night with nearly a full house. Heres what we saw, what we ate, and what the chef had to say about willing Terreno to life. The idea behind it was you want to create a restaurant that works with the hotel, Anderson says. It started as Porron for two and half years, and Terreno began with a concept a little more approachable to guests than maybe the Spanish food was. The result is what I call Tyler Food; he calls it Cal-Italian-style comfort food thats craveable. The menu really is the greatest hits. Its the chicken I want to have at home, its the gnocchi alla vodka I want to have at home. A lot of chefs laugh, because an alla vodka isnt exactly the most glamorous thing to do, but I think its a fun one with what we do, roasted tomatoes to boost it up ... I really like the salads. Its everything. Number one, we didnt want it to have a lot of rules. Comforting, delicious, but not strict with the menu. Our head chef, Alejandro Leiva, whos worked with me for about 10 years (a right-hand fella, Tyler calls him), was born and raised in Argentina and makes amazing empanadas, so youll see those on the menu. Those empanadas, with short rib and chimichurri aioli, catch our eyes as we game-plan dinner, sipping wine and an outstanding Frequent Flyer cocktail, made with Banhez mezcal, Meletti amaro, lime and 1870 bitters. Sharp, smoky and punchy, the citrus seems just the thing to cut through an appetizer of duck wings. The wings are served sticky-coated with a sweet, tangy saba glaze, under a drizzle of spiced yogurt and crumbled pistachios. The sizable wings come in fours, pungent umami rolling in the mouth with alternating round and spiky Mediterranean flavors. With their crisp skin and familiar form, the wings make for a hearty happy-hour snack, or a mouth-pleasing starter for the table. I ask the chef about the difference between creating the menu for a more thematically focused operation, like the TA-Que food truck outside his Millwrights restaurant in Simsbury, where people go to have barbecue and tacos, or a hotel restaurant, which exists to serve a wide variety of people who are already there. Its sometimes easier for me as a chef to create food more within a box, he explains. At Millwrights, everything is 100 percent seasonal, all using New England techniques, and its fun. The older I get, the more I like to play and just create good food. At Terreno, is there a Double-Double smash burger with grilled onions, cheese and special sauce? Yes. A chopped salad with peppers, olives, parmesan, shallots and mortadella? It shares menu space with a side of potato rosti with black garlic crema. Thats good because you never know from where guests will arrive, or what they crave to settle into a stay in Hartford. Terrenos cioppino is what Tyler calls an East Coast version of a West Coast dish with global appeal. Every fishing culture has their version of a tomato-based broth with shellfish and fish in it France, Portugal, wherever. This is in line with a traditional San Francisco fishermans stew, but were using Connecticut shellfish and fish from New England. Dishes veer toward Italian: meatballs, arancini, rigatoni Bolognese. All the fresh pasta is made in-house, with the dried pasta made by Gargano Pasta & Italian Market, run by Joel and Lani Gargano of the Chester Italian hot spot Grano Arso. Joel Gargano used to work with us at Millwrights, says Anderson. And hes amazing. I cant pass up the ricotta walnut agnolotti. The big, plump agnolotti arrive swimming in a brown butter, sage and parmesan sauce, and, being part of our shared meal, we go for the smaller of two available sizes. Alejandro had a dish exactly like this when he was growing up in Buenos Aires, Anderson explains. Its an Argentinian Italian dish, and a perfect example of us as chefs going to our background and drawing inspiration for our comfort food. The pizzettes are a perfect example. The pizzettes are from me growing up in Southern California where there was a terrible pizza culture growing up. We wouldnt go out for pizza a lot, but my mom would make us French bread pizza. Up here, I found Kevin Masse from Small State Provisions [bakery in West Hartford], who makes some of the most amazing focaccia Ive ever eaten in my life, and I thought it would be fun to make basically fancy French bread pizza, with Italian-influenced toppings and ingredients. Years spent in Connecticut and Georgia have left two deep impressions OK, snobberies in my personal judgment: pizza and barbecue. Mid-range either is a waste of time, money and precious stomach space when you live in one of the best places on Earth to get either. Normally, I would bob and weave around an inch-and-a-half-thick pizza like Ali dodged Dynamite Dokes, and yet ... When our pizzette hits the table, we sigh an unconscious, simultaneous Ooohh. Of the four pizzette options, and we chose one with mortadella, garlic ricotta, mozzarella, pistachio and pesto. A heavy smear of garlic ricotta coats the crusty focaccia, and Anderson is right: the two, just on their own, are divine. I could have happily eaten just this as a side dish. This is seriously special bread. Sliced mortadella comes next, all crispy edges and unctuous meat under blistered chunks of fresh, white mozzarella, crunchy nuts, and sweet, fresh slices of green onion. Fancy French bread pizza in this case isnt code for lack of something better, or a stopgap to keep hungry teenagers from climbing the walls, it was kind of a delight. My companion, through either keen emotional intelligence, or because I was openly staring and tapping on the table, spoke just the words to soothe a fevered mind. Do you want the last piece? Bliss. You want people to feel happy to come here, Anderson said when we speak later. And happier by the time they leave. Mission accomplished. Terreno The Goodwin Hotel, 1 Haynes St., Hartford The food: Terrenos SoCal-raised owner calls it Italian-inspired California comfort food, but theres intentionally something for everyone at The Goodwin hotels in-house restaurant, from steaks and salads to the chefs excellent gnocchi alla vodka. The atmosphere: Terreno sits within the 19th-century facade of The Goodwin, with pale Mediterranean brick inside, an elegant library without, and a few steps from the hotels Pina bar looking out onto Hartfords street life. The Mediterranean look continues through the open, softly lit bar, to circular booths in the rear, rounded for a communal, family vibe, backed by colorful murals. The prices: Starters $6$14; pizzettes $11$14; entrees $17$28 860-904-2101, terrenorestaurant.com, @terrenorestaurant on Instagram Wheelchair accessible San Francisco's Pier 70 is now one step closer to turning from a collection of deserted maritime buildings into a mixed-use waterfront hub after seven new tenants recently signed leases at the pier's historic Building 12. Mission District-based brewery Standard Deviant and popular local bakery Breadbelly are both set to open second locations at the pier, the San Francisco Business Times reported. Other tenants include florist Marbled Mint, sneaker design company Studio Duskus and motorcycle dealer Scuderia. Studio spaces were also leased to a design company and two local artists. A mixed-use neighborhood spanning the 28 acres of Pier 70 that are owned by Brookfield Properties has been in the planning process for several years now. According to a 2021 fact sheet published by the Port of San Francisco, the new development owned by Brookfield Properties will eventually host over 1 million square feet of commercial space and 1,100 to 2,150 residential units, 30% of which will be below market rate. The project will also include 6.5 acres of open space. Its thrilling to see Pier 70s Building 12 spring to life and attract so many of our local artists and small businesses, Elaine Forbes, executive director of the Port of San Francisco, said in a comment shared with SFGATE. The Ports vision was to create a sense of belonging in a new waterfront neighborhood for all San Franciscans to enjoy, and were excited to see it blossoming into reality. The new tenants signed to Building 12 a three-story, 150,000-square-foot building originally used for ship repair and construction during World War II are scheduled to open at staggered times over the next 18 months, according to the Business Times. The tenants will take up around 20,000 square feet of the building, which was raised onto new foundations in 2020 to accommodate for anticipated sea level rise along the waterfront. It really does take your breath away, Brookfield Properties Senior Director of Development Tim Bacon told the Business Times. Youll have these different moments as you walk in, seeing people making things. Big stainless steel brewing tanks. Beautiful, colorful pastries and the smell of baking, and a place to sit down and watch all this happening. At its start in 2018, the redevelopment of Pier 70 took off in record time, with some describing the efficiency of the project as heartening, unique and exciting. The pandemic threw a wrench into the development's momentum, forcing Brookfield Properties to halt construction last year due to declining market conditions. Brookfield Properties did not respond to SFGATE's requests for comment by publication time. Building 12's new tenants are on leases lasting from three to 10 years, according to the Business Times, with some tenants on lease terms that were negotiated prior to the pandemic. If the entire effort follows its original plans, it will cost an estimated $3.5 billion to redevelop multiple projects across the 69-acre property owned by the Port of San Francisco. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate HONOLULU (AP) A shooting that killed two people and wounded three others in Hawaii last weekend began with an argument at a cockfight attended by 100 to 200 people, according to court documents released Thursday. Probable cause papers detailing one of the most serious shootings in state history were made public after an initial court appearance for one of the suspects, Jacob Borge. Borge, 23, and a 16-year-old boy turned themselves in to police. Borge was charged with first- and second-degree murder, three counts of attempted murder and firearms charges. Bail was set at $2 million. Petitions were filed against the juvenile for the same charges, police said. State Public Defender James Tabe, whose office represented Borge at the initial hearing, said it is too early to comment on the case. Honolulu police were dispatched to a rural neighborhood in Waianae following a report of shots fired shortly after midnight Saturday at a cockfight. When police arrived, attendees were hurrying away from the scene, court documents said. One of the men who was shot told police that as the cockfight ended, three young males were involved in an argument that turned physical with six male affiliates of a well-known organizer of chicken fights in the Waianae area, court papers said. Commonly known as chicken fights, cockfighting is popular in Hawaii despite being illegal. Another man who was shot told police he saw a person holding a gun and began to shoot at the crowd, documents said. One shooting victim told police there were 100 people at the cockfight, while another told police there were 200. Cathy Rabellizsa-Manners, 59, died from a gunshot wound to the face and Gary Rabellizsa, 34, died from multiple gunshot wounds, documents said. Rabellizsa-Manners' husband told police that Rabellizsa tried to break up at the altercation and got into a fistfight with two males who shot at Rabellizsa-Manners and Rabellizsa. Police familiar with Borge, who goes by the street name Hot Boi Jake, negotiated to turn himself in, documents said. A preliminary hearing for Borge is scheduled for Monday. GoFundMe pages were set up for Rabellizsa-Manners and Rabellizsa. I will always remember the first time ever hearing my dad cry it was heartbreaking, I never thought this day will come where I would lose my mom to gun violence, the page organized by Keri Rabellizsa said. Keri Rabellizsa also organized the page for Gary Rabellizsa, who is described as a sheet metal fabricator and father of six: As a result of trying to keep the peace, my husband was fatally shot multiple times. (The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.) Marc Arsell Robinson, California State University, San Bernardino (THE CONVERSATION) When it comes to civil rights history, the focus is often on the marches, boycotts, sit-ins and other protests that took place in the South. In Washington State Rising, Marc Arsell Robinson, assistant professor of African American history at California State University, San Bernardino, takes a look at the civil rights protests that occurred in a lesser-examined region of the United States: the Pacific Northwest. The following Q&A is about what Robinson found for his forthcoming book, which is set to be published in August 2023. Why write a book on Black student activism in the Pacific Northwest? As an African American born and raised in Seattle, I was curious to learn if and how my hometown was connected to the protests of the Civil Rights and Black Power movements. I was pleased to learn the city, and region, was deeply connected to these larger movements. I felt a responsibility to share what I had learned. Also, studies of Black protests from the 1960s tend to focus on the South. And even studies of civil rights events and groups outside the South position the Pacific Northwest as marginal. This pattern holds true of research on 1960s Black student activism, such as the studies of nationwide protest by Ibram X. Kendi and Matha Biondi. My book shines light on Black Powers reach beyond major cities like New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. It shows Black Powers impact on higher education, and it details how some Black student activists used community organizing and interracial alliances to create change. What was one of your most interesting discoveries? The Black Student Union, or BSU, at the University of Washington helped connect the Black Panther Party to Seattle. The group formed in fall 1967, and later several of its members helped co-found the Seattle Panthers in April 1968. This includes Aaron Dixon, who confirms in his memoir that he was in the Black Student Union at UW before being appointed by Bobby Seale as Captain, or leader, of the Seattle Panthers. Moreover, as detailed in Washington State Rising, Dixon and other Seattle activists were introduced to the Panthers through BSU activities, including a trip to Oakland and San Francisco in April 1968 for a Black political conference, and the BSUs network of local campus chapters and allied groups. What is the legacy of the Black Student Union in Washington state? Examples of the Black Student Unions legacy are the Black studies courses and programs that were established in the 1960s. Prior to this, very few, if any, classes or assigned materials included the perspectives and experiences of Black people. Today, students and faculty continue to study Black history, even if names of programs or departments have changed to ethnic studies and so forth. Similarly, ongoing efforts to recruit and retain diverse students, faculty and staff are part of the Black Student Unions legacy. The most prominent example is the Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity, known as OMAD, at UW. This initiative was a direct outcome of the Black Student Unions 1968 sit-in of the UW presidents office and negotiations with campus officials. The BSU was protesting UWs small population of nonwhite students and faculty, along with related concerns. Today, the OMAD continues to offer African American and other minority students academic advising, cultural support, tutoring, leadership development and more. What does Black student activism in Washington state look like today? Black Student Unions are active at numerous colleges and universities in Washington, including the two schools featured in my book, the University of Washington and Washington State University. Like their 1960s counterparts, progressive Black students today continue to push their institutions to create, maintain and expand initiatives to graduate Black students, hire Black faculty and fund Black studies and related curricula. In recent years, Black students across the Pacific Northwest have organized in support of Black Lives Matter and against the killings of unarmed Black people, often using social media as a tool for communication and public education. Overall, todays Black student politics and struggles for greater equity continue the legacy of the Black Student Unions of the 1960s. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: https://theconversation.com/black-students-in-washington-state-played-key-role-in-the-civil-rights-movement-new-book-states-202907. (The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.) Marie T. Reilly, Penn State (THE CONVERSATION) On April 19, 2023, the Boy Scouts of America declared that it has exited its bankruptcy case after clearing one of the last legal hurdles in its way. Some insurance companies and sex abuse claimants objected to the Boy Scouts plan to pay claimants, but the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals held that the plan can go ahead anyway while the insurers appeal is pending. Its now possible to begin the process of paying at least US$2.45 billion to resolve about 82,000 claims against the Boy Scouts and affiliated entities asserted by people who allege that they were sexually abused as children over the past 80 years. The Boy Scouts operate through the national organization known as the BSA, which includes hundreds of separate but affiliated organizations known as local councils, and faith-based or civic groups called chartered organizations. Because these troop-sponsoring nonprofit organizations across the country are responsible for ensuring the safety of children in scouting, all of them faced child sexual abuse claims. The BSA filed for bankruptcy in February 2020 to halt the hundreds of lawsuits that were then pending in state courts. More than two years later, the BSA reached an agreement with many of its insurers, all of the local councils, some of the chartered organizations and roughly 85% of all sex abuse claimants on a plan to pay claims. The Conversation asked Marie T. Reilly, a Penn State law professor who studies bankruptcy cases involving child sex abuse claims against Catholic dioceses, to explain what this means. What happens next? The plan the court approved in the BSAs bankruptcy case will create a settlement trust to process and pay sexual abuse claims. Two retired judges and a committee made up of lawyers who represent sex abuse claimants will administer the trust, which will be the largest sexual abuse compensation fund ever established in the U.S. It will operate independently of the BSA. The trust will take over responsibility for all claims against the BSA. All parties that contribute to it will be relieved of their liability. Where will the money come from? The BSA will contribute to the trust property estimated to be worth $220 million. Local councils will contribute about $515 million in cash, property and money obtained from their insurers. Chartered organizations, including the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Roman Catholic and Methodist churches, schools and other affiliated institutions, will also contribute and receive a release from liability for claims. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, still sometimes called the Mormon Church, used to participate in the Boy Scouts but severed ties to it in 2018. It will contribute $250 million. Insurance companies that issued policies covering the BSA will contribute about $1.6 billion. The trustee of the settlement trust has the authority to sue the insurance companies that have not agreed to the settlement to try to get more money to pay claims. How much money will survivors get and when will payments begin? People who have filed sex abuse claims have three options: 1) Accept a $3,500 payment based on the information already submitted about their claim in the bankruptcy case. About 6,700 survivors have already elected this option. 2) Submit additional information and have the trustee determine the amount based on agreed-upon factors, including the severity of the abuse. 3) Sue in state court and have a jury determine the amount. Payments will not start to flow until the trust determines the payment amount of each claim. If the fund is not big enough to pay every claim in full, the trust will reduce the amount of each claim to reflect the estimated shortfall. Its hard to say how long it will take to process the nearly 75,000 claims that have not elected the $3,500 option. Among other things, the trust will need to hire and onboard staff and to set up secure systems to gather and evaluate personal information from tens of thousands of people. This is likely to be both expensive and slow. How will this settlement affect the Boy Scouts? The Boy Scouts face an uncertain future after the bankruptcy case. The organizations revenue depends on membership dues, contributions from its troop sponsoring organizations, product sales, service fees and donations. And the dues are lower because of a sharp decline in membership. The BSA now has a little more than 1 million members across the country about half as many as in 2019. Trying to convert some of the Boy Scouts-owned properties into cash to meet the organizations obligations under the bankruptcy plan is complicated. It may take years to accomplish, dragging out the timeline. Local councils are already selling property to raise the cash they need to make the contribution to the fund. For example, a local council in New Jersey is selling its land in the Pocono Mountains to pay its share of the contribution to the compensation fund. Local residents are concerned that the pristine land, estimated to be worth $4 million, will end up lost to developers. The same controversy is unfolding regarding the sale of local council property in Connecticut. The U.S. Forest Service estimates that 6,000 acres (24 square kilometers) of open space are lost every day to other uses. Local Boy Scouts councils own a significant portion of open space in the U.S., and much of it may be lost. Are there precedents for this? Catholic organizations have resolved liability for child sexual abuse in bankruptcy cases with plans that are similar to the BSAs. But the scale of the Boy Scouts case in terms of the number of claims and the size of the settlement trust fund is much larger than any case involving a single diocese, or any other nonprofit organization bankruptcy case. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: https://theconversation.com/boy-scouts-of-america-can-now-create-2-4-billion-fund-to-pay-claims-for-scouts-who-survived-abuse-a-bankruptcy-expert-explains-whats-next-202915. BRIDGEPORT A local man was sentenced Wednesday to five years in prison for his role in a large-scale heroin trafficking ring, according to federal prosecutors. Wilfredo Rosado-Rodriguez, 40, pleaded guilty last year to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin. He has been detained since his October 2021 arrest, U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery said in a news release. VENTURA, Calif. (AP) A man accused of intentionally ramming his car into a group of California high school students, killing one and injuring three others, was charged Thursday with murder and other counts in a series of alleged crimes earlier this week. Austin Eis, 24, of Camarillo, appeared in a Ventura County courtroom but didn't enter a plea. His attorney asked that his arraignment be postponed, and Eis was ordered held without bail until his court hearing next month, the county district attorney's office said in a statement. File photo MIDDLETOWN A Cromwell man was sentenced Tuesday to 19 years in prison for stealing the car of a person he met on a dating app in 2020, according to the state Division of Criminal Justice. Orlando Ferreira, 31, was found guilty earlier this year of first-degree robbery, attempted first-degree robbery, first-degree reckless endangerment in connection with the incident. The jury also found Ferreira guilty of committing robbery of an occupied motor vehicle, otherwise known as carjacking, Middlesex State's Attorney Michael A. Gailor said in a news release. FALLS CHURCH, Va. (AP) The family of a northern Virginia man fatally shot by U.S. Park Police officers has reached a $5 million settlement in its civil lawsuit against the government. Two officers shot 25-year-old Bijan Ghaisar of McLean in November 2017 after a stop-and-go chase on the George Washington Memorial Parkway outside the nation's capital. Ghaisar was unarmed, but the officers said they feared for their lives when Ghaisar's car lurched forward after it had stopped and the officers stood outside the vehicle with weapons drawn. The civil settlement comes after more than five years of legal wrangling and criticism of Park Police alleging excessive force and a lack of transparency. Federal prosecutors declined to prosecute the officers, Lucas Vinyard and Alejandro Amaya, after a two-year FBI investigation. At that point, Fairfax County Commonwealths Attorney Steve Descano filed manslaughter charges against the officers in state court. That set off a tug-of-war between state and federal officials over who had jurisdiction to prosecute the case. In October 2021, a federal judge tossed out the manslaughter charges brought by Descano's office. The judge ruled that the officers were entitled to immunity and that their actions were proper under the circumstances. Even though the criminal charges were tossed out, Ghaisar's family continued to pursue a civil lawsuit alleging wrongful death. The Ghaisar family said the officers violated their own policies by chasing Ghaisar, who was unarmed when officers opened fire. The settlement, detailed Friday in a court filing in federal court in Alexandria, describes the agreement as a compromise. It says that Ghaisar's parents, James and Kelly Ghaisar, will receive $3.75 million, and their lawyers will get $1.25 million. The settlement still must be approved by a judge. Dashcam video of the shooting shows the pursuit starting on the parkway, then continuing into a residential neighborhood. It shows the car driven by Ghaisar stopping twice during the chase, and officers approaching the car with guns drawn. In both cases, Ghaisar drives off. At the third and final stop, the officers again approach with guns drawn, and Amaya stands in front of the drivers door. When the car starts to move, Amaya opens fire. Seconds later, when the car begins moving again, both Amaya and Vinyard fire multiple shots. This year's United Nations Chinese Language Day was marked around the world with various celebrations. Since 2010, the UN has marked Chinese Language Day on April 20 over the language's contribution to the world while encouraging more people to learn it. Produced by Xinhua Global Service NEW ORLEANS (AP) A federal judge refused Friday to recuse himself from the New Orleans Roman Catholic bankruptcy after an Associated Press report that he donated tens of thousands of dollars to archdiocese charities and consistently ruled in favor of the church in the contentious case involving nearly 500 clergy sex abuse victims. U.S. District Judge Greg Guidry told attorneys in the high-profile case that a panel of federal judges he asked to review the possible conflict determined no reasonable person would question his impartiality despite his contributions and longstanding ties to the archdiocese. Guidry read from the opinion of the Washington-based Committee on Codes of Conduct, which noted that none of the charities he donated to has been or is an actual party in the bankruptcy and that Guidrys eight years on the board of the archdiocese's charitable arm ended more than a decade before the bankruptcy. Based upon that advice and based upon my certainty that I can be fair and impartial, I have decided not to recuse myself," said Guidry, who oversees the bankruptcy in an appellate role. Guidry's announcement came hours after AP published its report and more than a week after it confronted him with its findings. Several ethics experts told AP the 62-year-old jurist should step aside from the case to avoid the appearance of conflict, even if it threatened to send the complex, three-year bankruptcy into disarray with a slew of new hearings and appeals of his decisions. It would create a mess and a cloud of suspicion over every ruling hes made, said Keith Swisher, a professor of legal ethics at the University of Arizona, describing the judges donations as more like fire than smoke. APs reporting on Guidry and other judges in the New Orleans bankruptcy underscores how tightly woven the church is in the citys power structure, a coziness perhaps best exemplified when executives of the NFLs New Orleans Saints secretly advised the archdiocese on public relations messaging at the height of its clergy abuse crisis. It also comes at a fraught moment when attorneys in the bankruptcy are seeking to unseal a trove of thousands of secret church documents produced by lawsuits and an ongoing FBI investigation of clergy abuse in New Orleans going back decades. Guidry had rebuffed at least one such request to unseal some of the documents. APs review of campaign-finance records found that Guidry, since being nominated to the federal bench in 2019 by then-President Donald Trump, has given nearly $50,000 to local Catholic charities from leftover contributions he received after serving 10 years as a Louisiana Supreme Court justice. Most of that giving, $36,000 of it, came in the months after the archdiocese sought Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in May 2020 amid a crush of sexual abuse lawsuits. That included a $12,000 donation to the archdioceses Catholic Community Foundation in September 2020 on the same day of a series of filings in the bankruptcy, and a $14,000 donation to the same charity in July of the following year. But the advisory opinion Guidry cited Friday noted that his contributions to the Catholic charities amounted to less than 25 percent of the campaign funds he had available to donate. It also said simply participating as a faithful participant in the life of your parish and the archdiocese of which it is a part cannot amount to a reasonable basis for questioning impartiality in litigation involving the church. Guidrys philanthropy over the years also appears to include private donations. Newsletters issued by Catholic Charities of New Orleans, the charitable arm of the archdiocese, recognized Guidry and his wife among its donors for unspecified contributions, in 2017 listing both the judge and his campaign. The judge previously provided pro bono services and served as a board member for Catholic Charities between 2000 and 2008, a time when the archdiocese was navigating an earlier wave of sex abuse lawsuits. Catholic Charities was involved in at least one multimillion-dollar settlement to victims beaten and sexually abused at two local orphanages. Within a year of his most recent contributions, Guidry began issuing rulings that altered the momentum of the bankruptcy and benefited the archdiocese. Guidry upheld the removal of several members from a committee of victims seeking compensation from the church. Those plaintiffs repeatedly complained about a lack of transparency in the case and argued that the archdioceses primary reason for seeking the legal protection was to minimize payouts. The Moodys rating agency found that the archdiocese sought bankruptcy despite having significant financial reserves, with spendable cash and investments of over $160 million. And just last month, Guidry affirmed a $400,000 sanction against Richard Trahant, a veteran attorney for clergy abuse victims who was accused of violating a sweeping confidentiality order when he warned a local principal that his school had hired a priest who admitted to sex abuse. Trahant, who declined to comment, has become a prominent adversary of the archdiocese, drawing attention to what he calls a conspiracy by top church officials in New Orleans to cover up clergy abuse. Charles Geyh, a professor at Indiana University who studies judicial ethics, said Guidrys generous donations and close ties to the church are clearly reasons to question his ability to be a fair referee. Not only has the judge made significant financial contributions to a church whose archdiocese is a party in litigation before him, but those contributions are inextricably linked to his status as a judge, Geyh said. The judge chose to donate the overflow of campaign funds generated to further his professional life as a judge to further his religious life in the church, which implies a connection in the judges mind between his religious and professional identities. In heavily Catholic New Orleans, Guidry is far from the only federal judge with longstanding ties to the archdiocese. Several of Guidrys colleagues have recused themselves from the bankruptcy or related litigation. They include U.S. District Judge Wendy Vitter, who for years worked as general counsel for the archdiocese, defending the church against a cascade of sex abuse claims before Trump nominated her to the federal bench in 2018. Another federal judge, Ivan Lemelle, serves on the board of the Catholic Community Foundation. Yet another, U.S. District Judge Jay Zainey recused himself from cases related to the bankruptcy after publicly acknowledging the role he played in the behind-the-scenes media relations campaign that executives of the New Orleans Saints did for the archdiocese in 2018 and 2019. At the time, Zainey told The Times-Picayune he would recuse himself from future church-related cases. But less than a year ago, Zainey quietly struck down a Louisiana law, vigorously opposed by the archdiocese, that created a so called look-back window allowing victims of sexual abuse to sue the church and other institutions no matter how long ago the alleged abuse took place. Zainey didnt respond to a request for comment. These are federal judges who are incredibly active in different ministries throughout the archdiocese, said James Adams, a past president of the Catholic Community Foundation who was abused by a priest as a fifth-grader in 1980. Im not saying they dont do good works, but it certainly raises an eyebrow when they then have cases involving the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Jason Berry, an author who has written several books on clergy abuse and most recently a history of New Orleans, said the influence of the church on the court system in the city stinks to high heaven. The larger question here is whether justice has been compromised, he said. Youre talking about 500 people whose lives have been plundered, and thats one thing many people dont have a grasp of. ___ Contact APs global investigative team at Investigative@ap.org. INDIANAPOLIS (AP) The man who shot and wounded two Indianapolis police officers before being killed in a gunbattle with members of the Indiana Crime Guns Task Force was identified Friday as an ex-convict with three weapons convictions. The Marion County Coroner's Office said the man killed in Thursday's shooting was 46-year-old Daniel Yefter Ghebrehiwet. He had an AR-15-style rifle and riddled a police patrol vehicle with bullets before being killed, according to police. VERNON A local man has been charged after authorities determined he caused a car crash that killed his fiancee and injured their infant son earlier this month, according to Manchester police. Phillip Vargas, 33, of Nye Street in Vernon, was intoxicated and driving recklessly at the time, Manchester police said. Vargas was charged with second-degree manslaughter with a motor vehicle, second-degree reckless endangerment, operating under the influence, operating a motor vehicle containing a passenger younger than 18 while under the influence, risk of injury to a minor and failure to grant right of way when turning left, William Darby, chief of police for the Manchester Police Department, said in a statement Thursday evening. The crash occurred at the intersection of Center Road and Hartford Turnpike around 7 p.m. on April 2, according to police. When a white 2010 Nissan Sentra driven by Vargas attempted to turn left onto Bolton Road as it traveled westbound on Hartford Turnpike, it collided with an oncoming police cruiser driven by Officer Andre Lisee, heavily damaging both cars, an arrest warrant affidavit said. In the process of responding to a call for assistance, the cruiser had its emergency lights and siren turned on, the affidavit said. The investigation determined that Vargas did fail to yield the right of way when turning left and fail to yield properly to an approaching emergency vehicle, the affidavit said. Members of the regional Metro Traffic Services Accident Reconstruction Team responded to the scene around 7:30 p.m. on April 2, according to Chief of Police Darby. One of Vargas two passengers, his fiancee Bianca Colon, had already been pronounced dead, according to the affidavit. Their 1-year-old son, strapped into a car seat in the back seat, suffered injuries, the affidavit said, as did Lisee and Vargas himself. Vargas initially identified Colon as the driver of the Sentra, the affidavit said. "This suggests ... that (Vargas) was intentionally misleading and hindering the investigation by stating (Colon) was operating the vehicle due to the seriousness of the collision and his level of intoxication," Sgt. Justin Gaudino of the Manchester Police Department's Detective Division wrote. Colon, 26, of Vernon, was born in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, but spent most of her life in Bridgeport, according to her obituary. She received a degree in special education from Fairfield University in 2019 and was working as a middle school science teacher at Springfield Preparatory Charter School in Springfield, Mass., when she died. Her obituary described her as a vibrant, head-strong character with a caring personality. Police in the neighboring town of Manchester took charge of the investigation at the request of Tolland County States Attorney Matthew Gedansky, according to Darby. Two Fireball nip bottles and a pink vape cartridge were located in the vicinity of the Sentra on the scene, according to the affidavit. Two Guinness beer bottles and approximately 27 more Fireball nip bottles were subsequently discovered in the passenger compartment when the car was searched on April 5, the affidavit said. When interviewed by Sgt. Gaudino in the hospital, Vargas said he did not remember anything about the crash itself, according to the affidavit. Multiple substances were detected in his system, the affidavit said, including the cannabinoid delta-8 THC; ethanol; and naloxone, an opioid overdose-reversal medication commonly known by the brand name Narcan. The ethanol value was equivalent to a blood alcohol content of 0.11 above the national limit of 0.08, according to the affidavit. In the affidavit, Gaudino wrote that he believed Vargass alcohol and THC intoxication significant impaired his judgement (sic), perception, and ability to safely operate his vehicle and caused him to turn left in front of an emergency vehicle causing the collision. No drugs or alcohol were detected in Lisees system, according to the affidavit. Investigators concluded that Vargas was at fault for the crash and decided against charging Lisee, the affidavit said. Vargas was arrested in Bridgeport around 11 a.m. Thursday, according to Darby. Following processing at Manchester police headquarters, he was held on $75,000 bond and is scheduled to appear at state Superior Court in Tolland on Friday, Darby said. GREENWICH Saturday is Earth Day but sustainability is a year round concern for Mohan Sundaram he just completed a year without burning fossil fuels to power anything in his house, relying instead on a 30 kilowatt solar panel system and heat pumps. His familys refrigerator, television, stove, two cars, heated pool, air conditioning and more all run on power generated by his rooftop panels. People should know that it's possible in Connecticut, it's not something that's only relevant to sunshine states. We can do it, he said. A lot of people think, 'Oh, it's not relevant to here.' It's super relevant here. Sundaram has gone to considerable lengths to modify his house, but he said he hopes to use his knowledge to help others go green, too. The Greenwich resident said he has been interested in clean energy for a while. Each year from 2017 to 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic he traveled to China to attend a large solar power conference. He even started his own company to import panels and distribute them in the United States. The company is called Xoorya, a play on the Tamil word for sun that Sundaram spoke growing up, but it's been mostly dormant in the pandemic years. He said he has a shipping container in Stratford mostly full of panels that he will put to use one day. But having his own panels made it more cost-effective to install his system, he said. Sundaram put up his solar energy system in 2021 and it cost him about $40,000 after tax credits. Sundaram said his 30 kW setup is big and he warned that these days, even a 10 kW system can cost nearly $30,000. The panels and heat pumps are a major upfront cost, but Sundaram said he was paying about $12,000 each year for energy and that cost is gone now. I can break even with this $12,000-a-year-spend on energy in three years when I put on solar, and it's gonna last for 30 years, he said. Part of the reason Sundaram's system is so cost-effective is because Eversource takes the excess energy his panels produce and feeds it back into the grid, a program called net metering. On sunny summer days, Sundaram sends the extra power back to Eversource and they credit his account. You don't need a battery to store the energy, you generate more energy and give it to the grid. The grid is your battery, essentially, he said. Eversource charts how much power the house uses and how much it contributes to the grid each year. Sundarams annual cycle was up in March and it showed that the house generated about 1,100 kWh more than it used in the course of the year. The home is heated and cooled with a heat pump, an unassuming cylinder in the basement coupled with an outside unit that extracts ambient heat from the air. Heat pumps dont create heat, but they use electricity and refrigerant to move energy (heat) from one location to another. Sundaram and his family just completed their first winter with the heat pump and he said it worked well. He kept his heating oil burner in his basement just in case something failed this first time around, but he said hes ready to take it out now. The familys indoor water heater is also on a heat pump as is the pool heater. Sundaram said they used to heat the pool with propane, which was efficient but expensive and bad for the environment compared with the solar panel setup he has now. Sundaram said that there's more sun in Connecticut than people realize and that adding extra panels helps absorb as much energy as possible. "It's possible in Greenwich." MANCHESTER, Conn. (AP) The cause of death for a man who was found unresponsive in his Connecticut jail cell and died days later at a hospital was cardiac arrest caused by drug withdrawal, not an officer's use of force, according to a state investigation's findings released Friday. Autopsies determined that 37-year-old Joseph Torrice died July 18 of cardiac arrest caused by a withdrawal from opioids and other drugs, the state Office of Inspector General found. Manchester police arrested Torrice on July 8 for allegedly interfering with an officer and on drug offenses. Police also learned that he was also wanted on an extraditable felony warrant for burglary and larceny in New York, where authorities say he was supposed to be taking part in a prison reintegration program. Torrice, who resisted officers efforts to take him into custody, was ultimately pinned to the ground before being handcuffed, according to the report. During transport to police headquarters, Torrice complained of a headache and was later taken to Manchester Memorial Hospital, where he was diagnosed with a concussion, according to the report. He also had a small bump on his head. Based on hospital records, he did not tell doctors that he was prescribed suboxone, a drug that helps people recover from opioid addiction, the report says. On July 10, police found Torrice unresponsive on the floor of his cell. According to the report, police officials pulled him out of the cell and performed CPR. He was then transported to Hartford Hospital, where he died eight days later. In a 12-minute video released by the office, Torrice can be seen rolling out of his bed in his cell and later becoming motionless on the floor. About 10 minutes later, police enter the cell and drag him by his feet to the entrance, where they appear to check his pulse before the video ends. According to the report, police agencies should make efforts to allow an arrestee to continue using drugs like naloxone to combat an opioid overdose. The death was also investigated by the Connecticut State Police Eastern District Major Crime Squad. Connecticuts Office of Inspector General was created in 2021 to investigate incidents involving the possible use of excessive force by police or cases in which police or correctional officers may have failed to properly intervene in an incident that results in a death in police custody. LAS VEGAS (AP) Families of people killed in the Las Vegas Strip massacre in October 2017 will receive shares of almost all the $1.4 million estate of the man who unleashed the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history and killed himself before police reached him, according to a probate case that ended Thursday in Nevada. In the next several weeks, a total of almost $1.3 million will be distributed to the families of 61 victims of the shooting, said Alice Denton, the Las Vegas attorney who handled the case with her partner, Jarien Cho, at no cost to the estate of the gunman, Stephen Paddock. We have done what we set out to do, Denton said of the more than five-year process to appraise, sell and distribute proceeds from Paddock's assets, including two homes and an investment property in Nevada, a vehicle and 49 guns. We worked to ensure that the victims' families received the most that they could, Denton told The Associated Press. The guns were destroyed, and the funds will be distributed to the families of the deceased victims according to the direction of the shooter's mother. None of the money is going to anyone in the Paddock family." Fifty-eight people died the night of the shooting, and authorities said two died months later from their wounds. More than 850 people were injured. The list of recipients of shares of Paddock's estate was sealed by the court, and Denton said she could not disclose the identity of a 61st person or how they died. This is not intended in any way to compensate for the loss of these lives. It cant," Clark County District Court Judge Gloria Sturman said as she closed the case, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported. The guns including assault-style rifles that authorities found had been fitted with bump stock devices to make them fire more rapidly were purchased for $62,500 by an anonymous donor in January 2019 with the provision that they be turned over to the FBI, according to court records. Thirty-six of the weapons were destroyed, according to documents the FBI provided on Feb. 28 to the estate, and 13 were kept by the bureau for training purposes. Las Vegas police and the FBI said they never found a conclusive motive for Paddock to rain gunfire from a 32nd-floor suite at the Mandalay Bay resort into an open-air concert audience of 22,000 people across Las Vegas Boulevard. Recent disclosures of material collected by the FBI and letters released by Las Vegas police have provided new looks at the case, but no additional answers. Paddock was a 64-year-old retired postal service worker, accountant and real estate investor with a penchant for guns and gambling, and homes in Reno and Mesquite, a retirement community more than an hours drive from Las Vegas. His investment property was in suburban Henderson. His father was a notorious bank robber and federal prison escapee once listed on the FBI most-wanted list. Stephen Paddock held a private pilots license, and he sometimes wagered tens of thousands of dollars at a time playing video poker. Police and the FBI concluded that Paddock meticulously planned the shooting, burned through more than $1.5 million of personal savings and distanced himself from his girlfriend and family in the months before the Las Vegas shooting. A settlement totaling $800 million was reached in September 2020 between casino company MGM Resorts International and its insurers with more than 4,400 relatives and victims of the shooting to resolve lawsuits involving plaintiffs from nearly every state in the U.S., at least eight Canadian provinces, the United Kingdom, Iran and Ireland. NORWALK After languishing for five years, a new charter school in Norwalk is a step closer to receiving the state funding it needs to operate. The legislative Appropriations Committee on Tuesday approved $2.1 million for the school as part of the state budget proposal that will be reviewed by legislators and the governor. This would be Norwalk's second charter school. Its been a very long time coming and Norwalk is a growing city, said state Sen. Bob Duff, D-Norwalk. Ive always said that kids, different kids learn in different school environments and there should be various opportunities for them. In 2018, the state Board of Education approved a state charter but not funding for the Norwalk Charter School of Excellence, which would be part of a management organization that runs charter schools in Stamford and the Bronx, N.Y. Excellence Community Schools could not be reached for comment. Duff says a lot changed since this school was proposed. The city of Norwalk is going to be undergoing a comprehensive school construction process for all of our public schools, Duff said. The city is in the midst of building a new South Norwalk school. But there is certainly always room for more educational opportunities for our students in Norwalk. Some leaders remain skeptical that a new charter school would help close Norwalks educational gap. Decades of under investment have made Connecticuts public school system the worst in the nation for funding inequity, said Mary Yordon, president of Norwalk Federation of Teachers. The students who need the most support live in districts like Norwalk with the lowest levels of per-pupil school funding, the worst staffing shortages and the largest class sizes. Yordon said she remains concerned that the prospect of siphoning limited resources away from Norwalks community schools wont be good for the vast majority of her members students and could make inequity worse. Preparing young people to 'succeed' This new school would be a part of the Excellence Community Schools, which has nine schools in the Bronx and one in Stamford. The Bronx Excellence schools began in 2004. By 2012, they were highest-performing charter school in the state of New York and was named a U.S. Department of Education National Blue Ribbon School, according to the schools website. In the fall of 2015, the Stamford Charter School of Excellence opened under the same educational model as the Bronx Excellence schools. The model outlined on its website includes setting behavioral standards, having extended school days, fostering parent and community engagement, and creating flexible learning groups. Today, Stamford Excellence enrolls 560 students from prekindergarten through eighth grade. They seem to have good results, which is one of the reasons why I believe that this school would be a complement our school system in Norwalk, Duff said. Norwalk Excellence proposed a prekindergarten through fifth grade school, "with a potential request for expansion to include a middle school model upon renewal," according to its application. In the application, educational inequity was a key issue that the school aims to address by following the Excellence Community School model. The Norwalk Charter School for Excellence will prepare young people in Norwalk, Connecticut, to compete for admission to and succeed in top public, private, and parochial high schools by cultivating their intellectual, artistic, social, emotional, and ethical development, the school's mission statement says in the application. Side by Side charter school, which has been operating since 1997, supports the creation of a second charter school in the city. All of us from the Side by Side community believe public education to be an engine for economic, social, and cultural empowerment for families and neighborhoods, Side by Side Executive Director, Matt Nittoly said. There is always a need for additional high-quality early public education options in Norwalk, and other cities across the state to meet the challenging needs of our children. Side by Sides mission is to create a learning environment where diverse groups of students are challenged academically, encouraged to problem solve and work cooperatively. It is my hope that alongside Side by Side Charter School and the Norwalk Public Schools, this new charter school will help underserved Norwalk children to eventually attend the best high schools and colleges in the country, Nittoly said. In addition to the $4.1 million for Norwalk, the Appropriations Committee's proposed budget includes $4.75 million for a charter school in Middletown and $937,500 for a charter school in New Haven. Funding for a proposed charter school in Danbury was not included. The General Assembly has until June 7 to approve the proposed state budget. CORRECTION: This story has been updated to reflect that Duff said the city will be undergoing a "comprehensive school construction process." Currently Reading Alert: Radio host Larry Elder, who sought to replace California governor in failed recall effort, launches GOP presidential bid CARACAS, April 20 (Xinhua) -- Bolivia's President Luis Arce arrived here on Thursday to sign bilateral cooperation agreements with his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolas Maduro. New cooperation agreements will be signed during Arce's visit, within the framework of the Third Venezuela-Bolivia Joint Integration Commission, Venezuela's Foreign Minister Yvan Gil said on social media. Before leaving for Caracas, Arce tweeted that his trip will serve to consolidate "important mutual cooperation agreements for the benefit of both people." Bolivia's Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Freddy Mamani said Wednesday that the two countries will work on a 2023-2028 Strategic Plan for bilateral cooperation. According to Venezuela's Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister for Latin America, Rander Pena, the bilateral agreements cover a range of areas such as trade, culture, energy, health and academic exchanges. Ezra Acayan/AP WASHINGTON (AP) President Joe Biden will host Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for talks at the White House next month as the U.S. looks to continue to tighten relations with the Pacific nation. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Thursday that the two leaders' meeting on May 1 is expected to focus on deepening economic cooperation, climate change, human rights, efforts to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific region and more. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate DAKAR, Senegal (AP) Burkina Faso's government has opened investigations into allegations of human rights abuses by its security forces after a video surfaced that appeared to show the extrajudicial killing of seven children in the countrys north. The conclusions of the said investigations will lead, if the facts are established, to legal proceedings against the persons responsible for these acts," government spokesperson Jean-Emmanuel Ouedraogo said in a statement issued Thursday. "There will be no impunity for the proven perpetrators of human rights violations in Burkina Faso. The announcement was in response to calls from the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to investigate the video, which circulated on chat groups starting in mid-February. The Associated Press this month published its own findings about the video. AP's investigation determined that Burkina Fasos security forces killed the children in a military base outside the town of Ouahigouya. Relatives of one of the boys, 16-year-old Adama, said he had come from feeding cows when security forces detained and later killed him. Jihadi fighters linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group have waged a violent insurgency in Burkina Faso for seven years. The violence has killed thousands of people, displaced some 2 million, and destabilized and divided the once peaceful country, leading to two coups last year. Since Capt. Ibrahim Traore seized power in September during the second coup, extrajudicial killings of civilians have increased and civic freedoms have shrunk, according to rights groups and residents. The government's pledge to bring perpetrators to justice marked a stark shift from its initial response to the killings captured in the video. At the time of the AP investigation's publication, authorities said Burkina Faso's security forces were not involved and that jihadis often disguise themselves as military personnel and film killings in order to blame the government. The government also cracked down on journalists days after French newspaper Liberation published its own story about the killings. Liberation correspondent Agnes Faivre and Sophie Douce, a French correspondent for French newspaper Le Monde, were expelled and given 24 hours to leave the country with no explanation. Rights groups say the government's announcement was a step in the right direction but only if the promised investigations yield results and enhances the protection of human rights. The problem is that these types of communiques are very rarely acted upon. There is no guarantee that this one will be the exception," Chrysogone Zougmore, president of the Burkina Faso Movement for Human Rights, said. "The very few sanctions that do occur are so insignificant that they do not act as a deterrent. In short, and in terms of importance, this umpteenth government communique of its kind offers no guarantee of respect for human rights and civil liberties, he said. WASHINGTON (AP) A federal judge in Washington reprimanded an attorney whose withdrawal from a Jan. 6 defendant's case led to a delay in the man's trial potentially keeping him behind bars longer but the judge declined to refer him for disciplinary action. U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden, an appointee of former President Donald Trump, suggested last month that he was considering referring attorney Joseph McBride to the court's committee on grievances, saying it appeared the attorney misled the court when he withdrew from the case of a man charged with assaulting officers during the riot. McBride withdrew from Christopher Quaglins case last month just weeks before the mans April trial date because McBride said he needed to focus on another Jan. 6 case. McBride told the judge that another attorney, Jonathan Gross, would take over, saying Gross knows Quaglins case well. Soon after, however, Gross told McFadden that he wanted to delay Quaglin's trial because he doesn't practice criminal law and couldn't serve as the lead attorney at trial in just a few weeks. McBride later told the judge the plan was for Gross to only serve as lead counsel for a time until they found a replacement. During a court hearing on Tuesday, McBride also told the judge that Quaglin actually fired McBride because his client perceives that the judge doesnt like the attorney. I did not try to pull one over on you, McBride told the judge. I dotted all my is. I crossed all my ts. In a written order filed Thursday, McFadden rejected McBrides suggestion that he didnt tell the judge that he was fired because he was trying to protect his clients interest. More likely, he was protecting himself from the embarrassment of disclosing that he had been fired, the judge wrote. McBride's omissions forced the court to delay the trial of Quaglin and his co-defendants for a second time, the judge wrote, adding that he likely wouldn't have allowed McBride to withdraw if he had known all the facts. McFadden admonished McBride to scrupulously adhere to his duty of candor to this Court and others going forward," but found that further disciplinary action is unwarranted. McBride, who represents several other Jan. 6 defendants, said Friday that he is glad the issue is over and is looking forward to moving on with his cases. The judge had also questioned whether McBride was being sincere when he sought an earlier delay in Quaglin's trial because the lawyer said he had chronic Lyme disease and needed time for treatment and recovery. The judge noted last month that McBride continued after that to do media interviews and visit former President Donald Trump's Mar-A-Lago resort. But the judge said at the hearing Tuesday that he was satisfied McBride was telling the truth about his medical condition. Quaglin, of North Brunswick, New Jersey, is among more than 1,000 people facing federal charge in the Jan. 6 riot. He is accused of attacking officers with a stolen riot shield and spraying them with a chemical irritant. He faces charges including assaulting an officer using a dangerous weapon. He is now scheduled to go to trial in July. ___ Associated Press reporter Michael Kunzelman in Washington contributed. ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) The Minnesota Senate waded into the culture wars Friday by passing bills to make Minnesota a refuge for youth seeking gender-affirming care, out-of-state abortion patients and providers seeking protection, and to ban so-called conversion therapy for LGBTQ+ youth. All three bills passed the Democratic-controlled House earlier this session. While Democrats hold just a one-seat majority in the Senate, bill sponsors were confident heading into the emotional debate. First up was the conversion therapy ban, which passed 36-27 with two Republicans voting yes. The abortion refuge bill passed 34-29 on a party-line vote, and the trans refuge bill won similar approval 34-30. The conversion therapy ban and trans refuge bills now go straight to Democratic Gov. Tim Walz for his signature. Meanwhile, the bill expanding abortion rights was headed back to the House for its agreement with adding pharmacists to the list of shielded medical providers. The through-thread in all of these, of course, is people should be free," Democratic Sen. Scott Dibble, of Minneapolis, author of the conversion therapy ban, said at a news conference ahead of the debate. People should have the liberties that are guaranteed in our constitution," Dibble said. "People should have the right to self-determination, and in Minnesota, people should be free from the laws of other states that would impact and negatively affect all of those basic American rights and freedoms. Democratic Sen. Kelly Morrison, of Deephaven, the author of the abortion bill, said the three pieces of legislation collectively say to Minnesotans that you are safe here in Minnesota, and to people who are forced to flee their home states because they are not safe there, we say, Welcome and you are safe here in Minnesota. Walz has already signed an executive order to protect young people and their families who come to Minnesota for health care from states where it's illegal to seek gender-affirming care. But the bill will etch those protections into law. Similarly, the conversion therapy ban builds on another Walz executive order. The abortion bill is designed to protect people who come to Minnesota for abortions from legal repercussions in states where abortion is banned or sharply restricted, such as lawsuits, subpoenas and extradition. Minnesota courts would be prohibited from enforcing out-of-state subpoenas for medical records or judgements against patients or providers. Opponents of the conversion therapy ban argued that it would impinge on religious freedom and the ability of families to seek counseling for children who they say need help sorting out their sexual identities. GOP Sen. Paul Utke, of Park Rapids, argued against the abortion bill, saying Minnesota should not protect doctors, nurses and other medical professionals who have intentionally violated the abortion laws of other states. We need to uphold and honor the rules and laws of our neighboring states, and states across the country, Utke said during the debate. The author of the trans refuge bill, Democratic Sen. Erin Maye Quade, of Apple Valley, filed an ethics complaint this week against Republican Sen. Glenn Gruenhagen, of Glencoe, over a link to a video that he emailed to Democratic senators, with a note saying it documented mutilating transgender surgeries on minor children. Extremely graphic and disturbing. Maye Quade said at the news conference that it would be wildly inappropriate for senators to send videos of genitalia to their colleagues. She said she wanted to draw a very bright line in the sand of what is and is not appropriate behavior and conduct. ... This crossed the line. Experts testified as the bill went through committee hearings that gender-confirmation surgery is very rare for minors, and that gender-affirming care for them normally ranges from changes in dress and hairstyles to counseling and hormone therapy. Gruenhagen clarified that what he shared was actually a video created by doctors at the University of Louisville Medical School as a tutorial for gynecologists to familiarize them with gender transition surgery. The introduction to the video does not disclose the age of the patient. Im disappointed that Sen. Maye Quade choose to take this matter public before ... approaching me with her concerns," Gruenhagen said in a statement, in which he claimed the complaint was without merit. Im sure we could have found some resolution as colleagues. Maye Quade told reporters that senators can maintain strong opinions without sharing such imagery. She was backed up by Democratic Rep. Leigh Finke, of St. Paul, the first trans person elected to the Minnesota Legislature. Trans people are not mutilated. Trans people are whole, Finke said. We are wholly ourselves. ... They are obsessed with our bodies and genitalia in a way that is absolutely horrific. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate HELENA, Mont. (AP) The latest high-profile example of statehouses deciding who can be heard during legislative debates is playing out in Montana, where a transgender lawmaker has for days been silenced by Republican leaders, despite efforts to speak on various proposals. Leaders in the GOP-controlled state Legislature on Monday continued denying Rep. Zooey Zephyr the chance to speak during proceedings on Monday, even after protesters chanted Let Her Speak! and forced them to adjourn temporarily. The lawmakers are demanding she apologize for telling colleagues they would have blood on their hands if they voted for a bill banning gender-affirming care. Zephyr doubled down on her stand in a speech to supporters gathered on the statehouse steps and vowed not to change course. Montana is among a wave of states passing legislation that opponents say could exacerbate the suffering of transgender teens, who are disproportionately plagued by bullying, depression and high suicide rates. The measure has passed and is in the hands of Gov. Greg Gianforte, who has indicated he will sign it. Here's what you need to know: WHO IS THE TRANSGENDER LAWMAKER AT THE CENTER OF THIS? Last year, Zephyr became the first openly transgender woman elected to the Montana Legislature putting her among a record number of transgender lawmakers who began serving across the U.S. The 34-year-old Democrat is from the left-leaning college town Missoula, where she's been a staffer at the University of Montana. She has spent much of her life advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and worked behind the scenes during the 2021 legislative session to help block efforts to ban gender-affirming health care. Following her November election, she said she wanted to enlist moderate Republicans to push back on what she called extreme and dangerous attacks" and help people understand transgender adults like her. Instead, she and fellow members of the Democratic minority have been powerless to stop Republicans from passing proposals focused on transgender kids. In addition to legislation banning gender-affirming care for minors, lawmakers also passed legislation that says misgendering or deadnaming students is not illegal discrimination unless it rises to the level of bullying. Deadnaming refers to using the name a transgender person used prior to transitioning. She has been unfazed by calls from Republican leaders and legislative staffers to apologize, scale back her remarks or calm protesters. In a speech on Monday, Zephyr likened gender-affirming care bans like the one that passed in Montana to eradication, echoing fears raised throughout the transgender community that stripping transgender youth of access to care endangers their lives and mental health, and attempts to force people and their doctors to maintain their gender assigned at birth. WHAT STARTED THIS DISPUTE? On April 18, as the House debated the governor's proposed amendments to a measure banning gender-affirming care for minors, Zephyr spoke against the bill while making a reference to the body's opening prayer. I hope the next time theres an invocation, when you bow your heads in prayer, you see the blood on your hands, she said. House Majority Leader Sue Vinton, a Republican, immediately called Zephyrs comments inappropriate and disrespectful. That evening, a group of conservative lawmakers known as the Montana Freedom Caucus demanded Zephyr's censure and deliberately referred to her using male pronouns in a letter and Tweet. Thats known as misgendering using pronouns that dont match a persons gender identity. Zephyr previously upset legislative leaders with emotional testimony earlier this session. She made a similar blood on your hands comment the first time the House heard the bill and has also given emotional testimony indicating bills that attack LGBTQ+ rights will lead to suicide. When there are bills targeting the LGBTQ community, I stand up to defend my community, Zephyr told The Associated Press after she was silenced Thursday. And I choose my words with clarity and precision, and I spoke to the real harms that these bills bring. WHO IS LEADING THE CHARGE TO SILENCE HER? Though Montana has long leaned Republican, for years voters crossed party lines and elected Democrats to the U.S. Senate and governors mansion. But the state has recently shifted rightward. Republicans now command control of state government, which theyve used to push legislation restricting abortion and loosening gun laws. One reflection of such a shift is the newly influential Montana Freedom Caucus a group founded in January that includes at least 21 of the Legislature's 102 GOP lawmakers. Its ideological leader is U.S. Rep Matt Rosendale, a hardline conservative who backed former President Donald Trumps false statements about fraud in the 2020 election and was among a core group of Republicans who opposed electing U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy as speaker of the House. Efforts to punish Zephyr originated in the Freedom Caucus, whose members said Zephyr's comments displayed a hateful rhetoric and called for a commitment to civil discourse" similar to criticisms leveled against Democrats who were expelled from the Tennessee statehouse for joining in gun control demonstrations. Two days after the caucus' letter, Speaker Matt Regier refused to allow Zephyr to speak against a bill that would put a binary definition of male and female into state code. She was blocked from speaking for a second day Friday during discussion of a bill to prevent minors from seeing pornography online. Regier said he silenced Zephyr after discussions with other lawmakers. Democrats objected, but the decision was upheld by Republican lawmakers on party-line votes both days. WHO IS THE HOUSE SPEAKER ENFORCING THE GAG ORDER? Zephyrs punishment has thrust leaders in Montanas Republican-majority Legislature into the spotlight, including Regier, who was elected House Speaker in January. Throughout his tenure, Regier, a real estate investor from a northwestern Montana political family, has spearheaded legislation to restrict local governments from enacting gun control measures. He also has sought to tighten restrictions on abortion, including pushing a 2022 ballot initiative that, if passed, could have subjected providers to criminal charges. Regiers bill to ban the type of abortion most commonly used after 15 weeks of gestation has passed the Legislature this year. Gianforte hasn't acted on the bill. Kalispell, where Regier is from and represents, is the largest city in Montana's deeply Republican Flathead County. Former President Donald Trump received 64% of the vote in the county in 2020. County commissioners there opposed mask requirements to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and library directors and staff have resigned over efforts to ban books about gender identity, sexuality and race. The region is known for agriculture and as a tourist gateway to Glacier National Park. Regier's father, state Sen. Keith Regier, has served in the Legislature since 2009 and is chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. His sister, Rep. Amy Regier, is in her second session and is chair of the House Judiciary Committee. SO, HAS ZEPHYR BEEN CENSURED? Formally, no, but practically, yes. A censure in the Montana Legislature is a public reprimand. The House did not go through that process. However, Regier used his authority under House rules to decide questions of order, privilege and recognition. IS THIS RELATED TO THE TENNESSEE LAWMAKERS BEING EXPELLED? Not directly, but the dispute reflects tensions and harsh rhetoric around culturally divisive issues including firearms, racial justice and rights for the LGBTQ+ community that currently dominate much of America's political discourse. The Tennessee expulsions stemmed from a dispute over gun control. It drew accusations of racism after Republicans removed two Black lawmakers following their participation in a protest but retained a third lawmaker involved who was white. WHATS NEXT? Regier is expected this week to stick to his stance that Zephyr cant speak on the floor until she apologizes. Zephyr has said she stands by her statements. It remains unknown if conservatives and the Montana Freedom Caucus will keep pushing for formal censure. The Montana Legislature is scheduled to end in early May. ___ AP writer Matt Brown in Billings contributed to this report. Metz reported from Salt Lake City. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) New Mexico officials identified on Friday dozens of cases of potential abuse and neglect after completing wellness checks on thousands of developmentally disabled people around the state. The state Health Department announced that it has checked on all 6,815 clients receiving services through a wavier program. The wellness checks were prompted by abuse claims that were made public in March and resulted in the state terminating contracts with four providers in the Albuquerque area. Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and top health officials had warned that any caregivers who mistreat and abuse developmentally disabled or otherwise vulnerable people would be held accountable. Republican legislative leaders also requested that the federal government investigate, saying an independent inquiry would ensure transparency and might prompt the state to take necessary steps to prevent such cases in the future. State Health Secretary Patrick Allen said in a statement Friday that in-person visits to developmentally disabled clients over such a short period of time was a huge and necessary undertaking. The visits identified a total of 111 sites with possible concerns. Every one of these incidents is being fully investigated, Allen said. Home repairs and other environmental concerns were found at 50 sites, while 61 site visits resulted in reports of potential abuse, neglect and exploitation. The governor had announced in March that the state would be embarking on a forensic review of the entire Developmental Disabilities Waiver program, which is meant to offer an alternative to institutional care. Critics have said the incidents of neglect and abuse seem to be related to system failures of various home and community-based programs that fall under the purview of the Developmental Disabilities Supports Division and Division of Health Improvement, which report to the Health Department. The Health Department has said it would cooperate with federal officials should they choose to investigate and that the department has contracts with a law firm to recommend improvements in the system. State officials said anyone found to be in an abusive situation or in danger of immediate harm would be removed and that referrals to law enforcement would be made as appropriate. Allen said the state has responsibility to make sure developmentally disabled clients are being well cared for. Most (developmentally disabled) waiver providers do, he said. Our job is to make sure that they all do. Details on the case of abuse that triggered the in-person wellness checks still have not been made public. SALEM, Ore. (AP) Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek said Thursday she has directed the state to obtain a supply of the most commonly used abortion medication in the U.S. amid fears that a court ruling could restrict access to it. The Democratic governor said regardless of the courts decision about mifepristones availability, patients in Oregon will have access to it for years. I will make sure that patients are able to access the medication they need and providers are able to provide that medication without unnecessary, politically-motivated interference and intimidation, Kotek said in a statement. According to Koteks office, the state is partnering with Oregon Health & Science University to obtain 22,500 doses of mifepristone. The state joins Washington, California, New York and Massachusetts in buying bulk amounts of abortion medication in recent weeks. Marylands governor announced Friday that his state was doing the same, while New Jersey's governor has said hes considering doing so. Mifepristone was approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration over two decades ago and has been used by more than 5 million women to end their pregnancies, the Justice Department said. Research shows that medication-induced abortions are safe and effective and that complications afterward, such as infection, are rare. The lawsuit over mifepristone was filed in Texas last year by conservative Christian legal group Alliance Defending Freedom, representing the pills opponents, who say the FDAs approval of mifepristone was flawed. The Supreme Court is currently considering whether to allow restrictions on the drug to take effect while the legal challenge continues. The conservative group filed the lawsuit after last year's U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade took away the constitutional right to end a pregnancy. A federal judge in Washington state, meanwhile, has ordered the FDA to preserve access to mifepristone under the current rules in 17 Democratic-led states including Oregon and the District of Columbia that filed a separate lawsuit. President Joe Biden's administration has said the rulings conflict and create an untenable situation for the FDA. TALLINN, Estonia (AP) A Russian court has dropped the authorities' lawsuit to restrict the parental rights of a single father convicted of discrediting the army and sentenced to prison following his daughters antiwar sketch at school, a prominent rights group involved in the case said Friday. Child services officials earlier this week had announced they would withdraw the lawsuit to restrict the parental rights of Alexei Moskalyov and Olga Sitchikhina, the separated parents of 13-year-old Maria whose antiwar drawing set in motion a swift and ruthless crackdown against her father. OVD-Info, a prominent rights group involved in the case, reported Friday that the court in Moskalyovs hometown of Yefremov has dropped the lawsuit, citing his lawyer, Vladimir Biliyenko. Biliyenko called it an important moral victory, the group said, and thanked all caring people who worried about this family. Moskalyov, 54, was convicted of discrediting the army and sentenced to two years in prison last month over social media comments critical of Moscow's war in Ukraine. The charges against him were brought under a law adopted shortly after Russian troops rolled into the neighboring country in February 2022. According to his lawyer Biliyenko and supporters, Moskalyovs troubles began after his daughter drew an antiwar picture at school in Yefremov that depicted missiles flying over a Russian flag at a woman and child, and said No to war and Glory to Ukraine. The school called police, the girl was questioned and Moskalyov was fined for critical comments on social media, they said. Months later, his apartment was raided and a criminal case was opened against him. Last month, he was placed under house arrest and his daughter was placed in the orphanage. He escaped from under house arrest before the verdict was announced by a court in Yefremov on March 28, but two days later was detained in neighboring Belarus. Belarusian rights group Viasna said he was extradited to Russia. His whereabouts remain unknown. In addition to criminal charges against Moskalyov, the authorities filed a lawsuit to restrict him and Maria's mother Sitchikhina in their parental rights. Moskalyov had raised Maria alone as a single father after Sitchikhina left and started another family in a different part of Russia. Earlier this month, however, Sitchikhina picked Maria up from the orphanage and said she would be taking care of her. Yefremov child service officials said in an online statement this week that now Maria is with her mother, they have a good relationship and she started studying (in school) again, the reasons for their lawsuit have been eliminated. TEHRAN, April 21 (Xinhua) -- The foreign ministers of Iran and Saudi Arabia held a phone conversation to follow up on the progress of reopening diplomatic missions, said the Iranian foreign ministry on Friday. In the Thursday phone call, Iran's Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and Saudi Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud agreed that the technical teams sent by the two countries to each other have done a positive and constructive job, according to a statement posted on the ministry's website. The two top diplomats also agreed that the two countries are moving toward further cooperation. Amir-Abdollahian said that his ministry and the Iranian technical teams in the Saudi capital Riyadh and port city Jeddah are making efforts to reopen the diplomatic missions there before the start of the Hajj, the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca, in late June. He praised the Saudi technical team for delivering good outcomes during their visits to the Iranian capital Tehran and the northeastern city of Mashhad. The Saudi foreign minister, for his part, expressed hope that he would soon meet with his Iranian counterpart in Riyadh and Tehran. He added that the kingdom will provide necessary convenience for the reopening of Iran's embassy and consulate general, as well as for Iranian pilgrims' visits during the Hajj period. The two diplomats also congratulated each other on Eid al-Fitr. This was the fourth phone conversation between the two top diplomats after Tehran and Riyadh agreed on March 10 to resume diplomatic ties and re-open embassies within two months, said the Iranian ministry. On April 6, the two countries announced the resumption of diplomatic relations with immediate effect. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) President Gabriel Boric has announced a plan to require that private companies take Chile's government on as a partner in the extraction of lithium, which is in high demand around the world for use in electric batteries. Boric, who spoke Thursday on a national media network, said the state will participate in the entire lithium production cycle in a public-private collaboration that the government will control. Any private company, whether foreign or local, that wants to exploit lithium in Chile must partner with the state, he said. Chile has the worlds third largest lithium reserves, at 9.6 million tons, behind Bolivia with 21 million and Argentina with 19.3 million, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. But Chile was the worlds second largest producer last year with an estimated 39,000 metric tons, after Australia, with 61,000 tons. Boric wants to create a National Lithium Company to partner with private companies, but he conceded that likely will not happen quickly because it would require support from an absolute majority in both houses of Congress, which is fragmented among a variety of parties. In the meantime, he said, the state National Copper Corporation will sign agreements with private parties for lithium extraction. Currently, there are two companies that mine lithium in Chile: the U.S. company Albemarle and Chile's Chemical and Mining Society (Soquimich), which has been controlled for three decades by Julio Ponce, whose father-in-law was the late dictator Augusto Pinochet. Boric said Ponce's contracts will be respected. Boric said that in addition to being involved in mining, the government will promote the development of lithium products with added value, with the goal of becoming the worlds leading lithium producer. The minister of mining, Marcela Hernando, recently told Congress that the government cannot advance alone in the exploitation of lithium because technology and knowledge are in private industry. A public-private partnership is needed, Hernando said, though he added that the state is the owner of lithium, which is an uncompromisable position of the government. Soquimich paid more than $5 billion to the government last year from its mining of lithium, almost double the trevenue generated by the state copper company. Albemarle's payments totaled $600 million. Specialists estimate the demand for lithium will increase considerably in the next two decades due to the transition toward renewable energy around the globe and the fact that electric vehicles use lithium batteries. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 3 1 of 3 Niranjan Shrestha/AP Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Niranjan Shrestha/AP Show More Show Less 3 of 3 KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) An Indian climber who was rescued after spending three days trapped in a 300-meter (980-foot) -deep crevasse on Mount Annapurna, the world's 10th-highest mountain, was joined by his family at a hospital in Nepal where he is receiving treatment. Anurag Maloo fell into the crevasse on Monday. After several attempts, he was finally rescued on Thursday and is being treated in Kathmandu, the capital. His condition has not been released. Michael Sohn/AP BERLIN (AP) A German court on Friday convicted a 30-year-old man who drove into groups of pedestrians in Berlin last year of one count of murder and 16 counts of attempted murder, ordering him to be permanently held in a psychiatric hospital. The Berlin regional court concluded that the driver, a German citizen born in Armenia, was in a psychotic state when he drove onto the sidewalk in a popular shopping district in the west of the capital in June, killing a teacher and injuring eleven students on a school trip. A pregnant woman, a teenage girl and two men were also injured. WARSAW, Poland (AP) A Polish volunteer who died of wounds sustained during a humanitarian mission in eastern Ukraine was buried in his home city in western Poland Friday. Marek Mastalerz of the Inicjatywa Nehemiasz (Nehemiah Initiative) private aid group is the first Polish volunteer known to have been killed in neighboring Ukraine since Russia started the war there 14 months ago. A number of Polish activists have been injured while taking aid to Ukraine. Mastalerz, in his mid-40s, was buried in a Roman Catholic service in Poznan, according to the volunteer group. Mastalerz and another volunteer, a Ukrainian man living in Poland, were injured March 16 in a Russian missile attack on Konstiantynivka, a town some 27 kilometers (17 miles) southwest of Bakhmut. Mastalerz died of his injuries on March 27 in a hospital in Kyiv. The Ukrainian volunteer was evacuated to Poland and is recovering. Both volunteers knew where they were going. They both knew the risk. Still, they took it, in order to deliver humanitarian aid and encouragement to the fighting Ukrainians, Inicjatywa Nehemiasz said on Facebook. It stressed they have both gone though security and first aid training. The group members are setting off on another mission for Ukraine on Saturday. European Union and NATO member Poland has been a major supplier of military, political and humanitarian support to Ukraine. ___ Follow APs coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine MediaNews Group/The Mercury News/MediaNews Group via Getty Images In an interview with the Mercury News earlier this week, the new mayor of San Jose took a shot at San Francisco. I will say emphatically that San Jose will not become San Francisco, said Mayor Matt Mahan, who was elected in last years general election. I think everyone deserves to live in a safe and clean environment. The Mercury News article, about recent crime at San Jose small businesses, examined crime statistics from the FBI to show that San Joses rates of property crime which includes burglary, larceny theft and vehicle theft have remained relatively stable over the past decade, while the number of violent crimes has begun to trend upward during that time. In a statement to SFGATE, Mahan expanded on his criticisms of San Francisco, saying the citys leaders have failed its residents. San Francisco and all big California cities are struggling with the most basic quality of life issues, and sadly, SF is a cautionary tale of what happens when government doesnt focus enough attention on residents most pressing problems: homelessness, blight and crime, he said. Residents living in any city are right to be fed up when government fails to get the basics right. Im fed up too thats why I ran for mayor, because I know we can do better, and why Im committed to ending San Joses era of encampments, making San Jose the safest big city once again and cleaning up our city so residents can take pride in the place they call home. The offices of San Francisco Mayor London Breed and San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins did not reply to requests for comment from SFGATE. Lyft plans to cut a reported 1,200 jobs, more than a quarter of its non-driver workforce, in the tech companys second layoff round in less than six months. Employees will learn whether theyre still employed by the San Francisco-based ride-hailing firm April 27, according to a Friday email from CEO David Risher. The cut comes less than a month into Rishers tenure he told employees layoffs were in the air at his first all-hands meeting in late March and on Friday confirmed that Lyft would significantly reduce its workforce. We need to be a faster, flatter company where everyone is closer to our riders and drivers, Risher told employees in the email. And we need to bring our costs down to deliver affordable rides, compelling earnings for drivers, and profitable growth. The Wall Street Journal reported Friday that the new layoff round would leave at least 1,200 people out of work. After cutting 683 jobs in November, Lyft finished 2022 with 4,419 employees. (The company does not count drivers in its reported workforce statistics.) Locally, the company has become a useful last-mile transit option, with bike rental stations across San Francisco, Berkeley and Oakland. But Lyft has never reported an annual profit, and its decisions to skip on food delivery and international expansion eroded the companys stock price and market share. Ubers slice in the rideshare market has grown as Lyft slipped; Ubers valuation is now 16 times that of Lyft. Rishers move to CEO corresponded with Lyfts co-founders stepping back from daily management. The new layoff round comes as companies across the tech industry double down on cost cuts and workforce trims. Some firms are opting for more intense performance reviews, real estate pullbacks or fewer perks. Others are on their second or third rounds of layoffs more than 170,000 tech workers have lost their jobs in 2023, according to job tracker Layoffs.fyi. The ride-hailing business has long relied on fine margins and huge amounts of outside funding, but as Lyft and Uber mature, investors are asking for sustained profitability. We intend to use these savings to invest in competitive pricing, faster pick-up times, and better driver earnings, Risher said in his note. All of these require us to reduce our size and restructure how were organized. He said he owns the layoff decision and added that he regrets the cut is one of his first moves as CEO. This is a hard decision and one were not making lightly, a Lyft spokesperson said in a statement to SFGATE. But the result will be a far stronger, more competitive Lyft. Want to talk about Lyft or another tech company? Contact tech reporter Stephen Council securely at stephen.council@sfgate.com or on Signal at 628-204-5452. Storm Prediction Ctr, Norman, OK Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Thursday, April 20, 2023 _____ SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH OUTLINE UPDATE FOR WS 155 NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK 723 PM CDT THU APR 20 2023 SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 155 REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1000 PM CDT FOR THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS TX . TEXAS COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE ATASCOSA BANDERA BASTROP BEXAR BLANCO BURNET CALDWELL COMAL CONCHO DEWITT DIMMIT EDWARDS FAYETTE FRIO GILLESPIE GONZALES GUADALUPE HAYS KARNES KENDALL KERR KIMBLE KINNEY LAVACA LEE LLANO MCCULLOCH MASON MAVERICK MEDINA MENARD REAL SAN SABA SCHLEICHER SUTTON TRAVIS UVALDE WILLIAMSON WILSON ZAVALA The National Weather Service in Shreveport has issued a * Flash Flood Warning for... Central Smith County in northeastern Texas... * Until 1030 PM CDT. * At 723 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between 2 and 3 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly. 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... Tyler, Noonday, New Chapel Hill and Winona. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. ...FLOOD ADVISORY HAS EXPIRED... The Flood Advisory has expired for a portion of north central Texas, including the following county, Kaufman. The heavy rain has ended and new flooding is no longer expected. Nuisance flooding of low lying and/or poor drainage areas may continue for a few hours until the water has had a chance to recede. Please continue to heed any remaining road closures. ...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 745 PM CDT FOR SOUTHEASTERN VAN ZANDT COUNTY... At 724 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located near Edom, or 15 miles south of Mineola, moving east at 30 mph. HAZARD...Tornado and quarter size hail. SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation. IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely. This tornadic thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of southeastern Van Zandt County, including the following locations... Redland, Ben Wheeler and Primrose. TAKE COVER NOW! If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter now! Get to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building and avoid windows. Southern Bowie County in northeastern Texas... Northern Franklin County in northeastern Texas... Northern Morris County in northeastern Texas... Southern Red River County in northeastern Texas... Northern Titus County in northeastern Texas... * At 725 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts up to 2 inches are New Boston, Boxelder, Hagansport, Hooks, Redwater, Maud, Dalby Springs, Us 259 And I 30 Intersection, Wilkerson, Talco, Lydia, Harts Bluff, Spring Hill and Johntown. The National Weather Service in Fort Worth has issued a * Tornado Warning for... Southern Robertson County in central Texas... East central Milam County in central Texas... * Until 815 PM CDT. * At 725 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located 2 miles west of Mumford, moving east at 10 mph. HAZARD...Tornado. SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation. IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely. * This tornadic thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of southern Robertson and east central Milam Counties, including the following locations... Benchley, Wheelock, Mumford and Gause. TAKE COVER NOW! Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris. Heavy rainfall may hide this tornado. Do not wait to see or hear the tornado. TAKE COVER NOW! East central Smith County in northeastern Texas... Southwestern Upshur County in northeastern Texas... West central Gregg County in northeastern Texas... * At 726 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located 8 miles northeast of Tyler, moving northeast at 20 mph. HAZARD...Tornado and quarter size hail. * Locations impacted include... Gladewater, Big Sandy, Clarksville City and Winona. TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris. _____ Copyright 2023 AccuWeather Storm Prediction Ctr, Norman, OK Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Thursday, April 20, 2023 _____ SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH OUTLINE UPDATE FOR WS 153 NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK 752 PM CDT THU APR 20 2023 SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 153 REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM CDT FOR THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS TX . TEXAS COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE ANDERSON BELL BOSQUE BOWIE BRAZOS BURLESON CAMP CASS CHEROKEE CORYELL DELTA ELLIS FALLS FANNIN FRANKLIN FREESTONE GREGG GRIMES HAMILTON HARRISON HENDERSON HILL HOPKINS HOUSTON HUNT KAUFMAN LAMAR LAMPASAS LEON LIMESTONE MCLENNAN MADISON MARION MILAM MILLS MORRIS NACOGDOCHES NAVARRO PANOLA RAINS RED RIVER ROBERTSON ROCKWALL RUSK SHELBY SMITH TITUS UPSHUR VAN ZANDT WALKER WASHINGTON WOOD ...FLOOD ADVISORY HAS BEEN REPLACED WITH A FLASH FLOOD WARNING... The threat of flooding continues and a Flash Flood Warning is now in effect. Please refer to that bulletin for more information. The National Weather Service in Austin/San Antonio has issued a * Flash Flood Warning for... Travis County in south central Texas... Southeastern Williamson County in south central Texas... * Until 1045 PM CDT. * At 752 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1 and 3 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly. HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms producing flash flooding. SOURCE...Radar. IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses. * Some locations that will experience flash flooding include... Austin, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Pflugerville, Taylor, Elgin, Granger, Windemere, Anderson Mill, Austin Bergstrom Int Airport, Hutto, Lakeway, Manor, Lago Vista, Bee Cave, West Lake Hills, Hudson Bend, The Hills and Rollingwood. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. ...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of southern Williamson, central Travis, north central Bastrop and northern Lee Counties through 845 PM CDT... At 752 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along a line extending from 6 miles west of Caldwell to near Spicewood. These storms were nearly stationary. HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 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... Austin, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Pflugerville, Taylor, Elgin, Lexington, Anderson Mill, Windemere, Leander, Hutto, Lakeway, Manor, Lago Vista, Bee Cave, West Lake Hills, Hudson Bend, The Hills and Rollingwood. Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms. Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle. These storms 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 south central Texas. LAT...LON 3025 9789 3048 9810 3049 9810 3050 9812 3051 9811 3067 9724 3046 9715 3056 9696 3054 9692 3049 9690 3046 9690 3046 9688 3043 9687 3043 9685 3039 9679 3033 9676 TIME...MOT...LOC 0052Z 212DEG 4KT 3056 9680 3045 9814 MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH ...FLOOD ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 830 PM CDT THIS EVENING... * WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected. * WHERE...Southeastern Kimble County. * WHEN...Until 830 PM CDT. * IMPACTS...Minor flooding in low-lying and poor drainage areas. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 750 PM CDT, Radar indicated showers and thunderstorms repeatedly developing and moving east across the southeastern part of Kimble County. Rainfall amounts of 1-2 inches have already occurred, and additional half to one inch of rainfall is expected. Minor flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly in the advisory area. - Some locations that will experience flooding include... I-10 Near The Kimble-Kerr County Line and The Intersection Of I-10 And Us 290. - This includes the following highways... Interstate 10 between Mile Markers 472 and 477. This includes the following Low Water Crossings... RM 385 crossing Falls Prong and RM 385 crossing Perdenales River. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood ...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 815 PM CDT FOR EAST CENTRAL SMITH...SOUTHWESTERN UPSHUR AND WEST CENTRAL GREGG COUNTIES... At 753 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located near Big Sandy, or 9 miles west of Gladewater, moving northeast at 20 mph. HAZARD...Damaging tornado and quarter size hail. SOURCE...Law enforcement confirmed tornado. At 750 PM CDT, fire department personnel reported a tornado at Highway 155 and Highway 271 about to cross Interstate 20. IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely. Gladewater, Big Sandy, Clarksville City and Winona. To repeat, a tornado is on the ground. TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris. ...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 845 PM CDT FOR SOUTHWESTERN GUADALUPE...CENTRAL WILSON AND CENTRAL BEXAR At 755 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Elmendorf, or 7 miles southeast of Stinson Municipal Airport, moving southeast at 25 mph. HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail. IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees. San Antonio, Schertz, Cibolo, Universal City, Live Oak, Floresville, San Antonio Int Airport, Stinson Municipal Airport, Randolph AFB, Kirby, Alamo Heights, Windcrest, Terrell Hills, Olmos Park, St. Hedwig, Elmendorf, La Vernia, China Grove, New Berlin and Zuehl. 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. _____ Copyright 2023 AccuWeather Storm Prediction Ctr, Norman, OK Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Friday, April 21, 2023 _____ SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH OUTLINE UPDATE FOR WS 158 NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK 303 PM CDT FRI APR 21 2023 SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 158 REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM CDT FOR THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS TX . TEXAS COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE BROOKS CAMERON HIDALGO JIM HOGG KENEDY STARR WILLACY ZAPATA The National Weather Service in Brownsville has issued a * Severe Thunderstorm Warning for... Southern Jim Hogg County in Deep South Texas... Northeastern Starr County in Deep South Texas... Southwestern Brooks County in Deep South Texas... * Until 345 PM CDT. * At 304 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Agua Nueva, moving southeast 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... Agua Nueva, La Gloria, La Reforma, San Isidro, San Rafael Ranch Airport, Santa Elena, Delmita, Diamond O Ranch Airport and Puesta Del Sol Airport. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building. To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement agency. They will send your report to the National Weather Service office in Brownsville. 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. _____ Copyright 2023 AccuWeather BEIJING, April 21 (Xinhua) -- China's service outsourcing industry saw a steady expansion in the first quarter of this year, according to data from the Ministry of Commerce on Friday. Chinese firms inked service outsourcing contracts worth approximately 576.8 billion yuan (about 83.9 billion U.S. dollars) in the first three months of the year, up 18.2 percent year on year. The executed contract value came in at 396.1 billion yuan in the period, up 24.4 percent year on year. Of the total, the value of offshore service outsourcing contracts rose 18.1 percent year on year to about 312.7 billion yuan. In terms of executed contract value, offshore service outsourcing contracts with the United States, the European Union and members of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership expanded 21.7 percent, 32.2 percent and 34.3 percent, respectively. During the period, the offshore service outsourcing undertaken by China's private sector accounted for 27.8 percent of the country's total, while that undertaken by foreign-funded companies accounted for 49.7 percent. Outsourcing is the hiring of a third party to carry out services or produce goods typically undertaken by in-house employees. Storm Prediction Ctr, Norman, OK Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Friday, April 21, 2023 _____ SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH OUTLINE UPDATE FOR WS 158 NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK 333 PM CDT FRI APR 21 2023 SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 158 REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM CDT FOR THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS TX . TEXAS COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE BROOKS CAMERON HIDALGO JIM HOGG KENEDY STARR WILLACY ZAPATA The National Weather Service in Brownsville has issued a * Severe Thunderstorm Warning for... East central Jim Hogg County in Deep South Texas... Northwestern Brooks County in Deep South Texas... * Until 415 PM CDT. * At 336 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 9 miles north of Agua Nueva, moving east at 20 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... Hidalgo City Park. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building. Prepare immediately for large hail and damaging winds. People outside should move immediately to shelter inside a strong building. Stay away from windows. 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. _____ Copyright 2023 AccuWeather WFO AUSTIN/SAN ANTONIO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Thursday, April 20, 2023 _____ SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING Severe Weather Statement National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio TX 629 PM CDT Thu Apr 20 2023 ...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR NORTHWESTERN BLANCO... NORTHEASTERN GILLESPIE AND SOUTHERN LLANO COUNTIES WILL EXPIRE AT 630 PM CDT... A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for south central Texas. Remember, a Severe Thunderstorm Warning still remains in effect for central Burnet, northwestern Travis, and western Williamson County until 700 PM CDT. ...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 700 PM CDT FOR EAST CENTRAL MEDINA...SOUTHEASTERN BANDERA...SOUTHWESTERN KENDALL AND NORTHWESTERN BEXAR COUNTIES... At 630 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Government Canyon State Natural Area, or 13 miles south of Boerne, moving east at 40 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... San Antonio, Boerne, Helotes, Fair Oaks Ranch, Cross Mountain, Walnut Grove, Cliff, Kreutzberg, Government Canyon State Natural Area, Pipe Creek, Kronkosky State Natural Area, Sea World, Leon Springs, Lakehills, Grey Forest, San Geronimo, Cascade Caverns and Scenic Oaks. 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 715 PM CDT FOR ROBERTSON...NORTHEASTERN MILAM...SOUTHERN LIMESTONE AND EASTERN FALLS COUNTIES... At 629 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from Otto to Reagan to Ben Arnold, moving east at 20 mph. HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail. IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees. Marlin, Cameron, Hearne, Groesbeck, Franklin, Rosebud, Calvert, Bremond, Lake Limestone, Twin Oak Reservoir, Camp Creek Lake, Fort Parker State Park, Thornton, Kosse, Crossroads, Silver City, Jones Prairie, Ben Arnold, Baileyville and Fallon. The National Weather Service in League City has issued a * Severe Thunderstorm Warning for... Northeastern Grimes County in southeastern Texas... Northwestern Montgomery County in southeastern Texas... Southwestern Madison County in southeastern Texas... West central Walker County in southeastern Texas... * Until 715 PM CDT. * At 631 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 8 miles northeast of Anderson, or 17 miles northeast of Navasota, moving north at 15 mph. HAZARD...Half dollar size hail. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Damage to vehicles is expected. * Locations impacted include... Bedias, Richards and Roans Prairie. FOR NORTHWESTERN WILLIAMSON...NORTHWESTERN TRAVIS AND CENTRAL BURNET COUNTIES... At 631 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from Serenada to near Liberty Hill to near Burnet, moving southeast at 25 mph. HAZARD...Ping pong ball size hail. IMPACT...People and animals outdoors will be injured. Expect damage to roofs, siding, windows, and vehicles. Round Rock, Georgetown, Burnet, Bertram, Serenada, Leander, Bartlett, Liberty Hill, Jarrell, Florence, Weir, Georgetown Dam, Watson, Joppa, Andice, Shady Grove, Oatmeal, Briggs, Sun City and Mahomet. _____ Copyright 2023 AccuWeather WFO AUSTIN/SAN ANTONIO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Thursday, April 20, 2023 _____ SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING The National Weather Service in Austin San Antonio has issued a * Severe Thunderstorm Warning for... Central Gillespie County in south central Texas... * Until 900 PM CDT. * At 803 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Doss, or 17 miles west of Fredericksburg, moving east 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. * Locations impacted include... Fredericksburg, Blumenthal, Tivydale, Crabapple, Doss, Rocky Hill and Harper. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building. Large hail, damaging winds, and continuous cloud to ground lightning are 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. ...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of west central Smith County through 900 PM CDT... At 802 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over Edom, or 17 miles west of Tyler, moving east at 10 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... Tyler, Lindale and Carroll. 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 900 PM CDT for northeastern Texas. LAT...LON 3250 9536 3230 9535 3230 9545 3237 9545 3237 9547 3239 9550 3242 9551 3243 9554 3245 9555 3246 9557 3248 9559 TIME...MOT...LOC 0102Z 266DEG 10KT 3240 9559 MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH ...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 930 PM CDT THIS EVENING FOR ROBERTSON COUNTY... At 805 PM CDT, trained weather spotters reported thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between 2 and 3 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts up to 1 inch are possible. Flash flooding is already occurring. HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms. SOURCE...Trained spotters reported. IMPACT...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... Hearne, Franklin, Calvert, Bremond, Twin Oak Reservoir, Camp Creek Lake, Lake Limestone, New Baden, Easterly, Wheelock, Bald Prairie, Ridge, Benchley, Mumford and Seale. _____ Copyright 2023 AccuWeather WFO AUSTIN/SAN ANTONIO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Thursday, April 20, 2023 _____ SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING The National Weather Service in Austin San Antonio has issued a * Severe Thunderstorm Warning for... Southeastern Williamson County in south central Texas... Northeastern Travis County in south central Texas... North central Bastrop County in south central Texas... * Until 900 PM CDT. * At 807 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Pflugerville, moving east 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. * Locations impacted include... Austin, Round Rock, Pflugerville, Elgin, Windemere, Hutto, Manor, Coupland, Rices Crossing, Wells Branch, McDade, Cedar Hills and Butler. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building. Large hail, damaging winds, and continuous cloud to ground lightning are 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 Shreveport has issued a * Flash Flood Warning for... Southeastern Little River County in southwestern Arkansas... Northwestern Miller County in southwestern Arkansas... Southeastern Bowie County in northeastern Texas... * Until 1115 PM CDT. * At 809 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain in Texarkana. Between 2 and 3 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts up to 2 inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is already occurring. 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... Texarkana, Wake Village, Nash, Hooks, Redwater, Red Lick, Mandeville, Genoa, Leary and Mount Pleasant. Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. ...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SOUTHWESTERN GUADALUPE... CENTRAL WILSON AND CENTRAL BEXAR COUNTIES IS CANCELLED... 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 has been cancelled. However small hail and heavy rain are still possible with this thunderstorm. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for south central Texas. ...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN ROBERTSON COUNTY WILL EXPIRE AT 815 PM CDT... The storms which prompted the warning have moved out of the area. Therefore the warning will be allowed to expire. However gusty winds and heavy rain are still possible with these thunderstorms. Southeastern Hempstead County in southwestern Arkansas... Miller County in southwestern Arkansas... Lafayette County in southwestern Arkansas... Southern Nevada County in southwestern Arkansas... Northwestern Columbia County in southwestern Arkansas... East central Cass County in northeastern Texas... * At 810 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from 7 miles southeast of Fulton to near Genoa to near Queen City, moving east at 25 mph. Atlanta, Stamps, Lewisville, Queen City, Fouke, Bradley, Buckner, Rosston, Garland, Fulton, Willisville, Bodcaw, Genoa, Brightstar, Canfield, Bloomburg, Cale, Patmos, Waterloo and Falcon. _____ Copyright 2023 AccuWeather WFO CORPUS CHRISTI Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Saturday, April 22, 2023 _____ FLOOD WARNING BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED Flood Warning National Weather Service Corpus Christi TX 927 AM CDT Fri Apr 21 2023 ...The National Weather Service in Corpus Christi TX has issued a Flood Warning for the following rivers in Texas... Guadalupe River Near Bloomington affecting Refugio, Victoria and Calhoun Counties. For the Guadalupe River...including Bloomington...Minor flooding is forecast. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Additional information is available at www.weather.gov/crp. ...FLOOD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY AFTERNOON UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE... * WHAT...Minor flooding is forecast. * WHERE...Guadalupe River Near Bloomington. * WHEN...From Sunday afternoon until further notice. * IMPACTS...At 20.0 feet, Minor lowland flooding occurs, with the flow reaching the right flood plain near the Invista Plant near Bloomington. Downstream above Highway 35, the flow escapes into the left flood plain cutting off the lowest homes. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 9:00 AM CDT Friday the stage was 11.3 feet. - Forecast...The river is expected to rise above flood stage early Sunday afternoon to a crest of 21.9 feet early Monday morning. It will then fall below flood stage Tuesday morning. - Flood stage is 20.0 feet. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood Below are the latest river stages and stage forecasts: Fld Observed Forecasts (10 am) Location Stg Stg Day/Time Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Guadalupe River Bloomington 20.0 11.3 Fri 9 am 10.5 19.4 21.9 19.5 15.8 _____ Copyright 2023 AccuWeather WFO DALLAS / FT. WORTH Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Thursday, April 20, 2023 _____ SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING Severe Weather Statement National Weather Service Fort Worth TX 634 PM CDT Thu Apr 20 2023 ...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 700 PM CDT FOR SOUTHEASTERN KAUFMAN...SOUTHWESTERN VAN ZANDT AND NORTH CENTRAL HENDERSON COUNTIES... At 634 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Canton, moving southeast 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... Canton, Mabank, Purtis Creek State Park, Cedar Creek Reservoir, Myrtle Springs, Whitton, Phalba, Roddy, Jackson, Oakland, Wise, Walton, Prairieville, Tundra, Martins Mill and Colfax. The National Weather Service in Fort Worth has issued a * Flash Flood Warning for... Falls County in central Texas... Milam County in central Texas... * Until 815 PM CDT. * At 635 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1 and 2 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2.5 inches are possible. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly. HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms. SOURCE...Radar. IMPACT...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... Marlin, Cameron, Rosebud, Buckholts, Wilson, Crossroads, Yarrelton, Silver City, Jones Prairie, Hoyte, Wilderville, Baileyville, Pleasant Grove, Burlington, Ben Arnold, Cedar Springs, Travis, Highbank, Maysfield and Terrys Chapel. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads. ...FLOOD ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 945 PM CDT THIS EVENING... * WHAT...Urban and small stream flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected. * WHERE...A portion of northeast Texas, including the following county, Smith. * WHEN...Until 945 PM CDT. * IMPACTS...Minor flooding in low-lying and poor drainage areas. Dangerous flows over low-water crossings. Water ponding on roadways. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 636 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated heavy rain due to thunderstorms. This will cause urban and small stream flooding. Between 1 and 2 inches of rain have fallen. - Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are expected over the area. This additional rain will result in minor flooding. - Some locations that will experience flooding include... Tyler, Whitehouse, Noonday, New Chapel Hill and Winona. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood _____ Copyright 2023 AccuWeather WFO DALLAS / FT. WORTH Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Thursday, April 20, 2023 _____ SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING The National Weather Service in Fort Worth has issued a * Severe Thunderstorm Warning for... Southern Van Zandt County in north central Texas... * Until 730 PM CDT. * At 652 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Purtis Creek State Park, or 10 miles northeast of Gun Barrel City, 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... Canton, Mabank, Van, Edom, Purtis Creek State Park, Redland, Ben Wheeler, Whitton, Phalba, Roddy, Jackson, Wise, Primrose, Pruitt, Tundra, Martins Mill, Colfax and Oakland. This includes Interstate 20 between mile markers 528 and 542. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... For your protection get inside a sturdy structure and stay away from windows. TX . TEXAS COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE ATASCOSA BANDERA BASTROP BEXAR BLANCO BURNET CALDWELL COMAL CONCHO DEWITT DIMMIT EDWARDS FAYETTE FRIO GILLESPIE GONZALES GUADALUPE HAYS KARNES KENDALL KERR KIMBLE KINNEY LAVACA LEE LLANO MCCULLOCH MASON MAVERICK MEDINA MENARD REAL SAN SABA SCHLEICHER SUTTON TRAVIS UVALDE WILLIAMSON WILSON ZAVALA * Flash Flood Warning for... Limestone County in central Texas... * Until 900 PM CDT. * At 655 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly. HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms. SOURCE...Radar. IMPACT...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... Mexia, Groesbeck, Fort Parker State Park, Lake Limestone, Thornton, Kosse, Box Church, Oletha, Fallon, Shiloh, Ben Hur and Farrar. Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads. ...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 730 PM CDT FOR CENTRAL SMITH COUNTY... At 655 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located over Tyler, moving northeast at 15 mph. HAZARD...Tornado and quarter size hail. SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation. IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely. Locations impacted include... Tyler, Whitehouse and New Chapel Hill. TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris. The National Weather Service in Austin San Antonio has issued a Western Williamson County in south central Texas... Northwestern Travis County in south central Texas... Southwestern Burnet County in south central Texas... * Until 745 PM CDT. * At 656 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from near Florence to near Andice to near Oatmeal to near Marble Falls, moving southeast at 35 mph. HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and half dollar size hail. Austin, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Pflugerville, Taylor, Burnet, Bertram, Anderson Mill, Serenada, Windemere, Leander, Hutto, Lago Vista, Hudson Bend, Liberty Hill, Jarrell, Florence, Weir and Georgetown Dam. For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building. ...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SOUTHERN LIMESTONE AND EASTERN FALLS COUNTIES IS CANCELLED... The storms which prompted the warning have weakened. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled. Heavy rain will continue that may lead to Flash Flooding. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM CDT for central Texas. ...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 715 PM CDT FOR ROBERTSON AND NORTHEASTERN MILAM COUNTIES... At 655 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located from Bremond to Hearne, 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. Cameron, Hearne, Franklin, Calvert, Bremond, Twin Oak Reservoir, Camp Creek Lake, Lake Limestone, Crossroads, Silver City, Jones Prairie, Ben Arnold, Baileyville, Maysfield, Seale, Easterly, New Baden, Bald Prairie, Wheelock and Burlington. Heavy rainfall is occurring with these storms, and may lead to flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. _____ Copyright 2023 AccuWeather WFO DALLAS / FT. WORTH Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Thursday, April 20, 2023 _____ TORNADO WARNING Severe Weather Statement National Weather Service Fort Worth TX 737 PM CDT Thu Apr 20 2023 ...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHERN ROBERTSON AND EAST CENTRAL MILAM COUNTIES IS CANCELLED... The tornado threat has diminished and the Tornado Warning has been cancelled. However, damaging winds remain likely and a Severe Thunderstorm Warning remains in effect for the area. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM CDT for central Texas. ...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northeastern Tarrant and northwestern Dallas Counties through 815 PM CDT... At 737 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over Bedford, moving east at 30 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... Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, Irving, Grand Prairie, Carrollton, Euless, Bedford, Grapevine, Keller, Coppell, Hurst, Farmers Branch, Southlake, University Park, Colleyville, Addison, Highland Park, Richland Hills and North Richland Hills. This includes the following highways... Interstate 35E between mile markers 428 and 445. Interstate 30 between mile markers 47 and 48. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building. LAT...LON 3298 9679 3278 9675 3276 9721 3295 9723 3299 9707 3298 9704 3299 9703 3299 9684 TIME...MOT...LOC 0037Z 260DEG 26KT 3286 9715 MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS CANCELLED SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 155 FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS IN TEXAS THIS CANCELS 4 COUNTIES IN WEST CENTRAL TEXAS CONCHO MCCULLOCH MENARD SCHLEICHER THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF BRADY, EDEN, ELDORADO, ERNA, FIFE, FORT MCKAVETT, HEXT, LIVE OAK, LOHN, LOWAKE, MENARD, ROCHELLE, AND VOCA. SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 155 REMAINS VALID UNTIL 10 PM CDT THIS EVENING FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS IN TEXAS THIS WATCH INCLUDES 4 COUNTIES KIMBLE MASON SAN SABA SUTTON THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF CHAPPEL, CHEROKEE, CLEO, FREDONIA, HARKEYVILLE, JUNCTION, KATEMCY, KOOCKVILLE, LONDON, LOYAL VALLEY, MASON, PONTOTOC, ROOSEVELT, SAN SABA, SEGOVIA, SONORA, STREETER, AND TELEGRAPH. ...FLOOD ADVISORY WILL EXPIRE AT 745 PM CDT THIS EVENING... The Flood Advisory will expire at 745 PM CDT this evening for a portion of central Texas, including the following counties, Bell, Coryell and McLennan. The heavy rain has ended and new flooding is no longer expected. Nuisance flooding of low lying and/or poor drainage areas may continue for a few hours until the water has had a chance to recede. Please continue to heed any remaining road closures. The National Weather Service in Austin San Antonio has issued a * Severe Thunderstorm Warning for... Southwestern Guadalupe County in south central Texas... Central Wilson County in south central Texas... Central Bexar County in south central Texas... * Until 845 PM CDT. * At 739 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Stinson Municipal Airport, moving southeast 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... San Antonio, Schertz, Cibolo, Universal City, Live Oak, Floresville, San Antonio Int Airport, Stinson Municipal Airport, Randolph AFB, Kirby, Alamo Heights, Windcrest, Terrell Hills, Olmos Park, St. Hedwig, Elmendorf, La Vernia, China Grove, New Berlin and Zuehl. For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building. Large hail, damaging winds, and continuous cloud to ground lightning are 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. ...FLOOD ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 1045 PM CDT THIS EVENING... * WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected. * WHERE...A portion of south central Texas, including the following counties, Travis and Williamson. * WHEN...Until 1045 PM CDT. * IMPACTS...Minor flooding in low-lying and poor drainage areas. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 740 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated heavy rain due to thunderstorms. Minor flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly in the advisory area. Between 1 and 2 inches of rain have fallen. - Additional rainfall amounts up to 2 inches are expected over the area. This additional rain will result in minor flooding. - Some locations that will experience flooding include... Austin, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Pflugerville, Taylor, Elgin, Granger, Windemere, Anderson Mill, Austin Bergstrom Int Airport, Hutto, Lakeway, Manor, Lago Vista, Bee Cave, West Lake Hills, Hudson Bend, The Hills and Rollingwood. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood 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 Thursday, April 20, 2023 _____ SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX 937 PM CDT Thu Apr 20 2023 ...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southwestern Grimes, southeastern Burleson, southeastern Brazos, Washington and northwestern Waller Counties through 1015 PM CDT... At 937 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near Lake Somerville Dam, or 14 miles northwest of Brenham, moving east at 35 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... Brenham, Navasota, Washington, Somerville, Burton, Millican, Lake Somerville Dam, Lake Somerville State Park & Trailway, Lyons, Independence and Quarry. 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 1100 PM CDT for southeastern Texas. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch also remains in effect until 200 AM CDT for southeastern Texas. LAT...LON 3045 9668 3050 9604 3031 9602 3015 9604 3013 9665 3015 9665 3015 9667 3027 9667 3029 9666 3030 9664 3030 9667 3031 9668 TIME...MOT...LOC 0237Z 266DEG 30KT 3029 9659 MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH ...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of west central Natchitoches, central Sabine Parishes in northwestern Louisiana and central Sabine Counties through 1045 PM CDT... Hemphill, or 17 miles northwest of Toledo Bend Dam, moving northeast at 30 mph. HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and nickel size hail. Milam, Many, Zwolle, Hemphill, Converse, Oak Grove, Florien, Provencal, Noble, Fisher, Robeline, Belmont, Negreet and Columbus. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 200 AM CDT for northwestern Louisiana...and eastern Texas. LAT...LON 3127 9372 3132 9385 3183 9375 3166 9320 TIME...MOT...LOC 0237Z 210DEG 27KT 3136 9376 MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH _____ Copyright 2023 AccuWeather WFO HOUSTON/GALVESTON Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Friday, April 21, 2023 _____ SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX 458 AM CDT Fri Apr 21 2023 ...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of Galveston, east central Brazoria, Chambers, southeastern Liberty and southeastern Harris Counties through 600 AM CDT... At 457 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along a line extending from near Baytown to Texas City to near San Luis Pass. Movement was northeast at 50 mph. HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea 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... Southeastern Pasadena, eastern League City, Baytown, Galveston Causeway, Galveston Island West End, Texas City, La Porte, Deer Park, Dickinson, La Marque, Santa Fe, Seabrook, Webster, Hitchcock, Beach City, Kemah, Galveston Pier 21, Highlands, Channelview and eastern Clear Lake. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building. Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. These storms 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 700 AM CDT for southeastern Texas. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch also remains in effect until 700 AM CDT for southeastern Texas. LAT...LON 2941 9436 2929 9457 2922 9464 2896 9523 2934 9510 2977 9513 3009 9445 2989 9444 2989 9436 2956 9435 2955 9439 2946 9435 TIME...MOT...LOC 0957Z 229DEG 48KT 2980 9495 2943 9494 2913 9506 MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILL ALLOW SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 156 TO EXPIRE AT 5 AM CDT EARLY THIS MORNING FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS IN LOUISIANA THIS ALLOWS TO EXPIRE 2 PARISHES IN SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA CALCASIEU CAMERON IN TEXAS THIS ALLOWS TO EXPIRE 2 COUNTIES IN SOUTHEAST TEXAS JEFFERSON ORANGE THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF BEAUMONT, BRIDGE CITY, HACKBERRY, JOHNSON BAYOU, LAKE CHARLES, ORANGE, SABINE PASS, SEA RIM STATE PARK, SULPHUR, AND VIDOR. ...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR NORTHWESTERN GALVESTON... NORTHEASTERN BRAZORIA AND SOUTHEASTERN HARRIS COUNTIES WILL EXPIRE AT 500 AM CDT... The storms which prompted the warning have weakened below severe limits, and no longer pose an immediate threat to life or property. Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire. However gusty winds are still possible with these thunderstorms. _____ Copyright 2023 AccuWeather WFO SHREVEPORT Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Thursday, April 20, 2023 _____ SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING The National Weather Service in Shreveport has issued a * Severe Thunderstorm Warning for... Southeastern Little River County in southwestern Arkansas... Southwestern Hempstead County in southwestern Arkansas... Miller County in southwestern Arkansas... North central Lafayette County in southwestern Arkansas... Northeastern Cass County in northeastern Texas... Southeastern Bowie County in northeastern Texas... * Until 815 PM CDT. * At 726 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from near Ogden to Wake Village to 6 miles southeast of Redwater, 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... Texarkana, Wake Village, Nash, Red Lick, Fouke, Garland, Fulton, Ogden, Mandeville, Genoa, Mount Pleasant, Domino, McNab, Pleasant Hill, Hervey, Homan, Pine Prairie and Red Bluff. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building. ...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SOUTH CENTRAL COMAL COUNTY IS CANCELLED... The severe thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out of the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for south central Texas. ...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 745 PM CDT FOR CENTRAL BEXAR COUNTY... At 727 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over San Antonio, moving southeast 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... San Antonio, Schertz, Universal City, Live Oak, Stinson Municipal Airport, San Antonio Int Airport, Randolph AFB, Leon Valley, Kirby, Alamo Heights, Windcrest, Terrell Hills, Olmos Park, St. Hedwig, China Grove, Lackland AFB, Converse, Castle Hills, Balcones Heights and Martinez. 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. FOR SOUTHERN BEXAR COUNTY... At 729 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Stinson Municipal Airport, moving southeast at 25 mph. San Antonio, Stinson Municipal Airport, Somerset, Elmendorf, Calaveras Lake, Sandy Oaks, Von Ormy, Buena Vista, Mitchell Lake, Losoya, Macdona, Southton, Mangus Corner, Thelma and Braunig Lake. ...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southwestern Tarrant County through 800 PM CDT... At 730 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over Benbrook, moving east at 20 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. Fort Worth, Arlington, Mansfield, Haltom City, Hurst, Benbrook, White Settlement, Crowley, Forest Hill, Richland Hills, River Oaks, Kennedale, Everman, Sansom Park, Rendon, North Richland Hills, Edgecliff Village, Westworth Village, Edgecliff and Westover Hills. This includes the following highways... Interstate 35W between mile markers 40 and 55. Interstate 20 between mile markers 423 and 445. Interstate 30 between mile markers 2 and 22. If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building. LAT...LON 3257 9718 3260 9755 3278 9755 3284 9719 TIME...MOT...LOC 0030Z 268DEG 16KT 3270 9747 MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH _____ Copyright 2023 AccuWeather Analysts at Canaccord Genuity lowered their target price on software firm Kainos from 1,525.0p to 1,270.0p on Thursday and downgraded the stock from 'buy' to 'hold', stating "slimmer public sector pickings" made future beats less likely. Canaccord Genuity said Wednesday's 8% sell-off on the back of an "in-line" FY23 trading update highlighted "the main dilemma" for investors. It said the roughly 20% organic growth delivered last year was "impressive" and that its forecasts now assume that Kainos can at least maintain an approximately 11% compound annual growth rate in 2024 and 2025. "However, the still rich valuation premium relative to listed peers in our view bakes in expectations of continued future upgrades to consensus growth and earnings per share, which in our view will become increasingly difficult to achieve," said the Canadian bank. "Putting it all together, we have a high-quality IT services business delivering resilient low-teens % sales and EPS growth in a slow macro environment. This is a good place to be, but with growth and EPS upgrades in our view less likely over the next 12 months, the shares' rich valuation relative to global and UK peers makes us move to the sidelines." Analysts at Berenberg upped their target price on manufacturing and research company Oxford Instruments from 2,930.0p to 3,100.0p on Thursday, stating that the group was "graduating at the top of the class". Berenberg said it had recently argued that consensus forecasts for Oxford Instruments' second half were "clearly too low" and that investors should expect "significant upgrades" to near-term estimates. Well, Berenberg declared last week's trading update was evidence of this, with the company announcing that it had delivered 22% year-on-year revenue growth, with flat year-on-year operating margins, suggesting a 12% beat to its prior estimates. While we await further details on performance from the company's full-year results in June, this represents another excellent year of progress and earnings growth for OI," said the German bank, which stood by its 'buy' rating on the stock. "With future forecasts still conservatively set, significant exposure to structural growth markets including life sciences, compound semiconductors, advanced materials analysis and quantum technology as well as an improving mix towards faster growing segments within the group we expect further periods of strong earnings growth and momentum over the coming years." Jefferies upgraded Direct Line on Thursday to 'buy' from 'hold' and lifted its price target on the stock to 210.0p from 175.0p as it pointed to an improving market outlook and depressed valuation. "We forecast a Solvency II ratio of 161% by HY 2023, improving to 184% by FY 2025," Jefferies said. "This, combined with improving pricing conditions and at an attractive 6x 2024F P/E multiple, leads us to upgrade to buy." Jefferies reckons the insurer can restore its Solvency II ratio without having to raise equity and highlighted that in a scenario where market conditions sufficiently harden, it expects Direct Line to outperform Admiral. "With market pricing improving, we view DLG as the best way to play this theme, given that a) DLG currently trades at a 6x 2024F P/E multiple and b) we expect the favourable market conditions to earn through into DLG's result quicker than Admiral," said Jefferies. "If pricing conditions do not adequately improve, then we would still expect DLG to outperform, as we expect poor margins from 2022 to impact Admiral's result for longer in the form of lower profit commissions." Insurers Aviva, Phoenix pull membership of lobby group Two insurers announced on Friday that they were quitting the Confederation of British as the crisis engulfing the business lobby group deepened after a second rape allegation. The CBI has called off all public events since an allegation of rape emerged, and hired Fox Williams, the law firm, to carry out an independent investigation. Three staff have already been suspended, and former director general Tony Danker was sacked last week. One woman claimed she was raped in 2019 at a staff party in London, where the organisation is based, and earlier on Friday the Guardian reported that a second woman claimed she had been raped by two colleagues. The newspaper said the alleged attack happened in one of the CBIs overseas office, but did not specify where or when. The newspaper also reported a case from 2018, where a female employee was stalked by a colleague. Although an internal investigation agreed there had been harassment, the incident was not referred to the police and the man was allowed to keep his job, the Guardian said. Insurer Aviva was the first big firm to say it was ending its membership with the CBI, followed by Phoenix Group. In a brief statement, Aviva said: "In light of the very serious allegations made, and the CBIs handling of the process and response, we believe the CBI is no longer able to fulfil its core function - to be a representative voice of business in the UK. "We have therefore regrettably terminated our membership with immediate effect." Pension scheme The Peoples Partnership also announced an end to its relationship with the CBI, while supermarket retailer Asda said it was pausing its relationship with the group. Trade body the British Insurance Brokers Association said it would cancel its membership last week, while Sky News reported on Friday that Abrdn is currently debating whether to continue as a member. CBI president Brian McBride has been a non-executive director of the FTSE 100 fund manager since 2020 but is due to step down next month. In a statement, McBride said the latest allegations were "abhorrent, and our hearts go out to any women who have been victims of the behaviour described". He added that while the organisation had not been aware of the "most serious allegations", it was now liaising with the police "to help ensure any perpetrators are brought to justice". However, he continued: "We recognise the substance of the harassment report outline as relating to an allegation made and investigated in January 2018. "The CBI does not recognise many of the most serious elements of the Guardian story relating to harassment. "Neither is the CBI aware and our records do not support the report that the CBI discouraged her from referring the matter to the police." Danker has spoken out against his sacking, claiming he has been made the "fall guy" for the more serious allegations that have continued to emerge, many of which took place before he joined in November 2020. In response, the CBI said it had strong legal grounds for his dismissal. Fox Williams is due to publish its report early next week. FirstGroup is mulling a bid for parts of Deutsche Bahn s international transport business Arriva , it was reported on Friday. According to Reuters, citing unnamed people familiar with the matter, the London-listed transport group is considering making an offer for Arrivas activities outside the UK, because of regulatory issues, although it has not ruled out partnering with another bidder for the domestic business. Infrastructure fund I Squared Capital is also considering an offer for the business, Reuters added. Neither FirstGroup nor I Squared commented on the report. Deutsche Bahn also declined to comment. Deutsche Bahn, Germanys state-controlled railway operator, acquired Arriva in 2010, but is now looking to offload the business, which is expected to fetch around 2bn. Deutsche Bahn first put it up for sale in 2019 but failed to secure a deal. Arriva operates various British rail franchises as well as Londons buses and had sales of 4.2bn in 2022. BEIJING, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday sent a congratulatory message to the Lanting Forum on Chinese Modernization and the World held at the Meet-the-World Lounge in Shanghai. In the message, Xi pointed out that realizing modernization is a relentless pursuit of the Chinese people since modern times began, and it is also the common aspiration of people of all countries. "In pursuing modernization, a country needs to follow certain general patterns. More importantly, it should proceed from its own realities and develop its own features," said Xi. After a long and arduous quest, the Communist Party of China has led the entire Chinese nation in finding a development path that suits China's conditions, Xi said. "We are now building a strong country and advancing national rejuvenation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization." Xi said China will provide new opportunities for global development with new accomplishments in Chinese modernization, lend new impetus to humanity's search for paths toward modernization and better social systems, and work with all countries to advance the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. The Lanting Forum on Chinese Modernization and the World was organized by the China Public Diplomacy Association and the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs, and was supported by the Shanghai Municipal People's Government. Representatives of governments, think tanks and the media from nearly 80 countries participated in the Forum. 'The Anarchy: The Relentless Rise of the East India Company', a book written by historian William Dalrymple, is set to be adapted for the screen. The book, which tells the story of how one of the world's most biggest empires, the Mughal empire, disintegrated and came to be replaced by the British East India Company, will be turned into a series. The book won accolades as President Barack Obama's top 10 recommended books and was also the recipient of the 2019 Baillie Gifford Prize. Acclaimed screenwriter Jeremy Brock has been entrusted with the task of adapting the book for the screen. Brock is a BAFTA winning writer, director and producer, best known for his work in 'Her Majesty Mrs Brown', 'The Last King of Scotland', 'Driving Lessons', and 'How I Live Now'. With a career spanning over two decades, Brock is a member of both the American and British Academies. The production will be done by global independent studio WIIP and India's Roy Kapur Films. Executive producers on the project include Paul Lee, Siddharth Roy Kapur and Naz Haider. Dalrymple will serve as a creative consultant. Talking about the project, Siddharth Roy Kapur said, "We are delighted to announce that we have brought on board the acclaimed BAFTA award winning screenwriter Jeremy Brock to adapt William Dalrymple's global bestseller 'The Anarchy' into a premium series. "Jeremy's expertise in crafting intricate character-driven narratives that are deeply rooted in history and setting them against a huge canvas makes him the perfect collaborator for this project. We look forward to creating a globally-relevant series that will appeal to audiences across geographies, languages and cultures." 'The Anarchy' will be mounted as an international co-production to be produced across the US, the UK and India. Wipro Consumer Care & Lighting, a part of the billionaire Azim Premji-led Wipro Group, stated it bought Kerala-based ready-to-cook brand Brahmins, marking its 14th takeover deal till date. The transaction marks Wipro Consumers second acquisition in Kerala in the packaged food category. In December 2022, it bought Nirapara, a packaged rice powder and spices brand. The company didnt disclose financial terms of the latest transaction. Wipro, best known for its soap brand Santoor and Yardley talcum powder, aims to expand and consolidate its business in the spices, breakfast and ready-to-cook category. "In Kerala, Brahmins is a strong heritage brand leading the spice and ready- to-cook category with a significant consumer recall. The high-quality standards adopted by Brahmins have played a key role in making it one of the most significant players in the market," said Vineet Agrawal, CEO of Wipro Consumer and MD at Wipro Enterprises. Brahmins, launched in 1987, offers primarily ethnic breakfast pre-mix powders, spice mixes, straight powders (spices), pickles, dessert mixes, and others. The company says its premium flagship products are sambar powder and puttu podi. "We are confident that with Wipros distribution strength, network, and marketing expertise we will significantly expand our geographical presence and scale Brahmins to newer heights," said Sreenath Vishnu, MD at Brahmins. A Wipro Consumer spokesperson said Brahmin's blended spices and ethnic breakfast (puttu-podi, appams and other rice products) will appeal to a larger set of consumers in Kerala and other markets such as the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, the UK, the US and Australia. Wipro has been one of the most active buyers in the consumer goods sector. Its bets include the purchase of healthcare brand Onelife Nutriscience Pvt Ltd in 2021 and Chandigarh-based male grooming startup LetsShave Pvt Ltd in 2020. Wipro Consumer has also made a number of overseas acquisitions in the past. In 2019, the consumer goods firm acquired Splash Corporation, a personal care company in the Philippines, for an undisclosed sum. In 2016, it bought Chinese fast-moving consumer goods company Zhongshan Ma Er Daily Products Ltd, in an all-cash deal. Its first acquisition was in 2003, when it bought Glucovita, a glucose brand, from Hindustan Unilever. In subsequent years, it added Chandrika (2004), Unza (2007), Yardley - Middle East, North Africa and Australasia (2009), Yardley UK (2012), and LD Waxsons Group (2012) to its portfolio. Inner peace is what we all seek, but it may become elusive in the chaos of life, and stress is one of chaos we face, its actually a body's response to a perceived threat or challenge. When stressed, the sympathetic nervous system releases hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, while this response initially was intended to protect us from physical danger, it is now triggered by various psychological and emotional stressors causing anxiety, depression, irritation, and cognitive impairment, disrupting sleep, and affecting physical health. These effects increase the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and autoimmune disorders. But by unlocking mindfulness it can provide a path to reduce stress and cultivating self-Awareness. By mastering mindfulness, we can be fully present in each moment, cultivate a deep sense of calm, and achieve inner peace. This article explores the benefits of mastering mindfulness. Benefits of Mindfulness Stress Reduction and Self-Awareness are two essential components for achieving a balanced and fulfilling life and mindfulness is the key component being aware and non-judgmental of your thoughts, feelings, and sensations is mindfulness. This practice allows individuals to be more present in the moment, improve emotional regulation, and enhance cognitive functioning. Chronic stress is one which can negatively impact mental and physical health, but studies indicate that mindfulness can successfully lower cortisol levels and reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms. By identifying patterns and events that may lead to stress or unpleasant feelings, mindfulness may help people become more self-aware. By incorporating with stress reduction techniques and self-awareness practices into daily routine, we can lead a healthier and more fulfilling life. Mindfulness Techniques for Reducing Stress Deep Breathing: is a straightforward technique to relieve stress. Sit quietly in a calm space, close your eyes, take a deep breath through your nose, hold it, and exhale through your mouth. Repeat several times while focusing only on your breath. This practice lowers heart rate and reduces anxiety. Body Scan: This mindfulness technique involves focusing on different body parts. To practice, sit or lie comfortably, close your eyes, and slowly scan from head to toe. Observe any sensations or tension in each area. With practice, you'll learn to detect and release tension before it becomes too much to handle. Mindful Walking: is an effective way to integrate mindfulness into daily routine. Choose a peaceful location where you can walk undisturbed for a few minutes. Focus on your breath as you take each step, and be aware of your surroundings. Pay attention to the sensation of your feet on the ground, the movement of your arms, and the air against your skin. Mindful Walking is an excellent technique that can be practiced indoors and outdoors. Loving-Kindness Meditation: This technique cultivates feelings of love and kindness towards yourself and others. Sit comfortably, close your eyes, and think of someone you love. Repeat the phrase "May you be happy, healthy, and peaceful" to generate feelings of love and kindness. Extend these feelings to yourself and others as you become more comfortable. Overcoming Challenges in Mindfulness Practice Lack of time: To overcome the lack of time for mindfulness practice, start with just a few minutes each day. Scheduling it in the morning or before bed can make it a routine. Restless mind: It's natural for the mind to wander during mindfulness practice, but this can be frustrating for beginners. Instead of forcing your mind to focus, try observing your thoughts without judgment. Over time, this can help you develop greater mental clarity and focus. Physical discomfort: Sitting for long periods can be uncomfortable, especially for those with physical limitations. Try different postures, such as using cushions or a chair for support. Yoga or tai chi can also help by incorporating movement-based mindfulness practices. Lack of motivation: Even those committed to mindfulness practice may experience periods of low motivation. To stay motivated, set specific goals, track your progress, and remind yourself of the benefits of mindfulness. Challenging emotions: Mindfulness can bring up difficult emotions like anxiety or sadness. Instead of trying to push these emotions away, practice accepting them without judgment. If you find this difficult, consider seeking support from a mental health professional. Integrating Mindfulness into Daily Life Mindfulness can be incorporated into daily life to reduce stress and improve well-being by paying attention to the present moment without distraction or judgment. Start by focusing on your breath or a short word or mantra for a short period each day, and then gradually extend it. Take in the sensation of the sun on your skin, the taste of your food, and the sound of birds singing outside your window as you do this. Engage with your surroundings by being aware of your senses as you conduct your daily business. Set alarms or sticky notes on your computer screens as reminders to check in with yourself and take deep breaths throughout the day. In Conclusion, mindfulness is a tremendous technique that can change our lives. Mindfulness can help us live more fully in the present moment and enhance our general well-being by lowering stress and raising self-awareness. We can anticipate new methods and approaches that will enable us to master this vital practice as we further investigate its advantages. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Several suspects are being prosecuted in connection with massive drug busts at smoke shops in Great Kills and Port Richmond after authorities allege nearly 100 pounds of weed and 69 candy bars laced with a hallucinogenic were seized. District Attorney Michael E. McMahon previously announced the raids that occurred on March 28 as part of a joint effort by his office, the NYPD and other authorities to fight back against illegal smoke shops that are threatening the blossoming legal marketplace for marijuana. Authorities armed with a search warrant swarmed GK Express at 27 Brower Court steps from the Great Kills train station at about 2:35 p.m. Alwasia Yafa, 22, of Woodward Avenue in Queens, and Augusto Costanzo, 26, of the 200 block of Tennyson Drive in Great Kills, were arrested in connection with the search at that shop, according to the criminal complaint. Yafa was working behind the sales counter where there were stashes of greenish-brown, leafy marijuana and gummies containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive ingredient in weed, the complaint alleges. The same illegal items also were seized from a storage room, according to police. Authorities allege they recovered chocolate bars laced with the hallucinogenic psilocybin, commonly referred to as magic mushrooms, secreted in a storage room. The bars were labelled as mushroom Belgium chocolate and packaged for sale, police say. The complaint alleges that Yafa and Costanzo were involved in a drug deal with an undercover officer earlier in March. The undercover officer gave cash to Costanzo and Yafa handed over psilocybin to the cop, the complaint alleges. Yafa allegedly peddled magic mushrooms to an undercover officer two additional times last month. Both Yafa and Costanzo have been charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance, criminal possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell and criminal possession of a controlled substance. Yafa also faces additional charges of criminal possession of cannabis. Yafa and Costanzo have been released on their own recognizance and are due back in Criminal Court on May 16, according to public records. Attorney Matthew Santamauro, who is defending Costanzo, declined to comment at this time. An attorney for Yafa did not immediately respond to a request for comment. RAID OF SMOKE SHOP IN PORT RICHMOND Also on March 28, police executed a search warrant around 1:15 p.m. at the P.A.I.N. Station at 207 Port Richmond Ave. based an investigation by Narcotics Borough Staten Island. Officers arrested the following suspects: Javon Mitchell, 38, of Park Hill Avenue in Clifton; Jamal Wade, 25, of New Street in Port Richmond; Dashaun Lewis, 29, of Richmond Terrace in New Brighton; Theresa Harris-Lacewell, 54, of Bush Avenue in Mariners Harbor; Ryan Lewis, 35, of Carroll Street in Brooklyn, and Walter Harris, 37, of New Street in Port Richmond. The criminal complaint alleges that Mitchell was behind the counter when he and Ryan Lewis allegedly were caught with 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), a powerful type of Ecstasy, in the form of pills in multiple shapes and colors that were hidden in the pockets of their pants. Deshaun Lewis, Harris-Lacewell, Ryan Lewis and Harris were in a back stock room where illegal items were stored, including codeine pills, chocolates, liquids and gummies laced with magic mushrooms, and greenish-brown leaves of marijuana, the complaint alleges. Drug-related paraphernalia in the stock room allegedly included scales and a heat press used to seal packages typically used in the drug trade. Mitchell allegedly sold items, including cookies and candy bars tainted with magic mushrooms, to an undercover police officer in February. Wade is accused of peddling products such as tainted cereal bars and chocolate candy bars to an undercover officer in March, according to the complaint. All six suspects linked to the Port Richmond shop have been charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell. Dashaun Lewis, Harris-Lacewell, Ryan Lewis and Harris also have been charged with criminal possession of cannabis and criminal use of drug paraphernalia. Attorney Mario Gallucci is defending all of the suspects accused in the raid on Port Richmond Avenue. A major part of my practice has shifted to the constantly changing marijuana laws and applications, Gallucci said. Had my clients been arrested in New York County, District Attorney Bragg would give them a parade. Unfortunately, District Attorney McMahon does not share the same exuberance. There is a need to enforce these laws across the state more uniformly. Until then, we will have many legal issues OTHER STATEN ISLAND NEWS: >> Carjackings, threats, scams on Staten Island prompt warning about selling, buying cars on Facebook Marketplace >> NYPD identifies man, 66, who died crossing Staten Island street >> NYPD details terrifying attempted abduction on Staten Island; cops search for two males in brown van >> NYPD seeks tips in alleged assault on MTA bus on Staten Island >> Woman, 43, shot and then buried in Staten Island basement identified by NYPD >> NYPD files charges against gun suspect in Staten Island incident where officer opened fire >> Crash prompts emergency response at major intersection on Staten Island; bus, livery car, SUV damaged >> Man, 25, dies after being shot in head on Staten Island, NYPD says West Seneca, N.Y. A 14-year-old boy who took his family car without permission died in a fiery crash when the car smashed into a tractor-trailer on the Thruway near Buffalo, according to police. State police on Thursday released the identity of the boy as Sanaullah Abid, of Erie, Pennsylvania. The crash happened at 5:45 a.m. on Saturday, April 8, just south of Buffalo in West Seneca, about 90 miles from the boys home. The boy was driving the familys 2016 Nissan Rouge east on the interstate at a high rate of speed when it crashed into the back of a 2023 FedEx Freightliner tractor-trailer, troopers said. The car then struck a barrier and burst into flames. Sanaullah was declared dead at the scene by the Erie County Medical Examiner. He was the only person in the car at the time, troopers said. The driver of the trucks, Daniel Vazquez Jr., 54, of Rochester, was not injured during the crash. The crash caused hours-long delays on the highway as troopers investigated the crash. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. If you have a Facebook account, you may be eligible for money from a $725 million class-action settlement from a lawsuit that alleged Facebook shared private user data, a new website shows. The lawsuit was prompted from the Cambridge Analytica scandal in 2018, though Meta the parent company of Facebook denies allegations it shared user data with third parties without permission. Despite this, Meta agreed to pay $725 million to settle the cases. If you live in the United States and had a Facebook account between May 24, 2007, and Dec. 22, 2022, you may be eligible for a portion of the class action settlement. Each person can only file one claim, even if they have multiple Facebook accounts. You can submit a claim form online at https://facebookuserprivacysettlement.com/#submit-claim, or printed and mailed to the Settlement Administrator at: Facebook Consumer Privacy User Profile Litigation, c/o Settlement Administrator, 1650 Arch Street, Suite 2210, Philadelphia, PA 19103. You may also contact the Settlement Administrator to request a Claim Form by telephone 1-855-556-2233, by emailing info@FacebookUserPrivacySettlement.com, or by U.S. mail at Facebook Consumer Privacy User Profile Litigation, c/o Settlement Administrator, 1650 Arch Street, Suite 2210, Philadelphia, PA 19103. To file, youll need your Facebook user name, phone number, or email of your account. You will also have to provide your contact information and select a choice of payment prepaid MasterCard, PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, or check. Its unclear how much you will receive from the settlement. The amount depends on how much is taken to cover legal fees, how many class members submit claims, and how long you were a user on Facebook in the period covered by the settlement. The deadline for submitting a claim form is Aug. 26, 2023, at 2:59 a.m. You can also choose to opt out of the settlement and receive no payment, an option that allows you to sue, continue to sue, or be part of another lawsuit against Facebook related to the claims. Read more on the settlement at https://facebookuserprivacysettlement.com. FOLLOW ANNALISE KNUDSON ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Dozens attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday morning for New York States first certified offshore wind training school on the waterfront in Mariners Harbor. The school is a joint venture of TMI Waterfront, Indigo River and Menotti Enterprise firms with expertise in waterfront development and design, renewable energy, safety training, and workforce development and will offer basic safety training for personnel who work on wind turbines, granting students a certification at the completion of their training. The facility is located on Richmond Terrace on an actual working barge, which will allow the classroom to travel to different communities throughout the five boroughs. The Staten Island Economic Development Corporation welcomes the TMI Waterfront to Staten Island, said Mike Cusick, the agencys president and CEO. A direct result of this effort will be an increase in green jobs for Staten Island residents, as New York State moves quickly into the green economy. The program is designed to provide the first of its kind education for union trades, contractors and under or unemployed workers, with an emphasis in low-income, marginalized and environmental justice communities. The transition to renewable energy presents our city with a unique opportunity to build a skilled workforce for a more sustainable future, said NYC Comptroller Brad Lander. Offshore Wind training will play a critical role in preparing union tradespeople and workers from underinvested communities to enter this emerging industry, and I am excited to see us move closer to a clean energy New York with their help. Lander volunteered to be rigged into a harness and lifted into one of the several shipping container work areas on the barge. He was carefully lowered down a few minutes later to the applause of the crowd. This is not just another company taking root here, this is an industry that will be here for decades to come, said Borough President Vito Fossella. Staten Island is positioned to be a major piece in the states lofty offshore wind energy goals. The boroughs projected offshore wind manufacturing and staging sites are currently featured in multiple proposals for the states third offshore wind solicitation moving them closer to eventual operation. Participants can sign up for the program here. New York States first certified offshore wind training school on Staten Island is housed on an actual working barge on the waterfront in Mariners Harbor. (Staten Island Advance/Scott R. Axelrod) NYC Comptroller Brad Lander volunteered to be rigged to a harness and lowered from atop the barge of New York States first certified offshore wind training school on Staten Island. (Staten Island Advance/Scott R. Axelrod) RELATED COVERAGE: Staten Island and offshore wind >> New NY proposals position Staten Island as pivotal piece in burgeoning off-shore wind industry >> Heres how College of Staten Island is preparing for offshore wind boom: Plans include a 7-ft turbine in lab >> Whats next for Staten Island offshore wind? Here are 4 developments were eyeing in 2023 STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. If it becomes law, a piece of state legislation would exempt fire department and law enforcement vessels from maritime regulations when responding to emergencies. State Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton (D-North Shore/Brooklyn) announced Wednesday that the legislation, which she sponsors, passed the Senate, and that it would bring the states navigation law in line with its vehicle and traffic law that allows for a similar type of exemption for emergency response vehicles. Our first responders need to be able to get to an emergency as efficiently and swiftly as possible, she said. The fact that our current law does not account for first responders traveling via waterways has been an oversight for far too long, and Im proud that this legislation will protect our first responders commanding fire and law enforcement vessels. Like the vehicle and traffic law, Scarcella-Spantons bill only exempts vessels with audible sirens turned on, and requires the operators of those vessels to exercise regard for safety. New York State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton speaks on the floor of the State Senate. (Courtesy/Senator Scarcella-Spanton's Office) The bill passed the Senate unanimously, but does not currently have a version in the Assembly. This also isnt the first effort to get similar legislation passed. A version of the bill has been introduced in every Senate session dating back to 2009. While its unclear if Scarcella-Spantons maritime legislation will become law, it is the fourth piece of legislation shes sponsored thats become law since entering office earlier this year. MORE LEGISLATIVE NEWS NYC Council bans sale of guinea pigs; heres why NYC law would ban discrimination based on persons height, weight Hoping to catch Trump trial on TV? Heres what you should know New Yorks minimum wage would reach $21.25 if some lawmakers have their way If passed, NY state law would make some MTA buses in NYC free to ride Thank you for visiting the Daily Journal. Please purchase an Enhanced Subscription to continue reading. To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account. We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription. A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means youre helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much! URUMQI, April 21 (Xinhua) -- With machines rumbling, the vast field of China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the country's major cotton-producing area, has just entered its cotton-sowing season this year. With the help of satellite navigation and agricultural machinery, the sowing process has been much easier, as Ablikim Bakri, one of the busy farmers, has observed. "It would take my parents one month to sow the cotton on a land of 200 mu (about 13 hectares), but now it only takes me one day," he said. Bakri now leases more than 60 hectares of land. All the operations on the vast land, from plowing and laying film to sowing, now rely on machines, so four people can complete the work, he said, adding that he still has spare time to take care of his cattle and sheep. "My father used to work in the fields every day and didn't earn much in a year," he said. "Nowadays, I use high technology to farm, and earn more with much less work." At present, 94 percent of the region's cotton planting and harvest have been done by machinery. In 2022, more than 2.47 million hectares of cotton were sown in the region, with an overall output of 5.39 million tonnes, accounting for more than 90 percent of China's total cotton output, according to local agricultural authorities. Cotton production in Xinjiang has become a model for the rest of the world and provides a learning point for other countries, especially developing countries in regions like Africa, said Cavince Adhere, a Kenya-based international relations scholar. Xinjiang, the largest cotton-growing region in China, now tops the wish list of places for foreigners visiting China, and many people visiting the region have been greatly inspired by the cotton production activities there, said the expert. For Clare Daly, an Irish member of the European Parliament, Xinjiang has been her desired destination after a visit to four cities in China, including Beijing and Chongqing. In an interview with Xinhua, she said that she gained a lot from her visit to China and she wants to come back to see more places in the country later this year. Ronnie Lins, director of the China-Brazil Center for Research and Business, was impressed by the economic achievements of Xinjiang as the GDP per capita there has increased from 240 yuan to over 50,000 yuan from 1955 to 2020, growing about 30 times at constant prices. "The growth had an immense impact on improving social conditions in the region," he said, adding that Xinjiang is enjoying great prospects thanks to the unprecedented opportunities brought by the Belt and Road Initiative and the effective measures of the Chinese government. "As an enthusiastic researcher of the Belt and Road Initiative, I hope to someday visit Xinjiang, which despite its thousands of years of existence, continues to be an important place for development and cultural sharing," he said. In the South Korean capital Seoul, Woo Su-keun, director at the Institute of East Asian Studies of South Korea, watched with great interest a video of the sowing process of Xinjiang cotton. "The faces of the Xinjiang cotton farmers, like the locals I met in Xinjiang, gave me a feeling of being back in the area," he said. During his two visits to Xinjiang, Woo visited local markets and restaurants and talked to local people he bumped into. Among the many things that impressed him are the sincere and bright smiles of the local people. "At that time, I felt that Xinjiang was no different from other parts of China, and local people were living in peace and stability," he said. "I don't understand why it is under attack by negative Western media reports." The high degree of mechanization in the spring planting of Xinjiang cotton deeply impressed Woo. "Thanks to the popularization and development of technology, the farming process has become more modernized, and the locals' lives have become more affluent," he said. "I hope to have the opportunity to go to Xinjiang again, and to raise a toast with local friends," he added. There are some very rare bingo moments in journalism where after a lot of hard work and preparation, you suddenly strike gold. It can be accessing a document you have been told of but cant get your hands on. It can be tracking down an obscure interviewee who has eluded other people over decades. For investigative reporter Adele Ferguson, her bingo moment came to light this week when she confronted financial adviser Kris Ridgway with claims he had sucked in multiple investors with promises of large returns by buying unlisted shares, which he then offloaded and made large commissions from. Usually, in these situations, people run a mile, threaten you with lawyers or try to blame others. But Fergusons video interview with Ridgway is compulsory and compelling viewing because he admits to wrongdoing. 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 Ferguson in an investigation published this week by The Sydney Morning Herald and broadcast on 60 Minutes. Wilkinson, 84, says: I dont like the thought of it going extinct before I do. Today weve reunited for lunch at Melbourne Museums Mercury restaurant, both a little relieved to be out of the reach of leeches. Far from a few modest sandwiches at a picnic table, a decadent high tea is on the cards this time. The high tea spread at Mercury in Melbourne Museum. Credit: Paul Jeffers. Wilkinson has been catching up with some curator colleagues still at the museum, though the building is new since his days at the old Russell Street site. He spent much of his time in the basement then, poring over fossils of giant prehistoric wombats. Everything down there would get covered in this foul black dust, he says. They analysed it later and found it was metal filings from the trams rattling by overhead. According to his superiors, the Leadbeaters Possum belonged in one of those basement drawers with the other extinct, stuffed mammals. But Wilkinson grins as he recalls how, at just 22, he marched up to the director of the museum and told him he was wrong. The possum was alive. And he had a photo to prove it. Eric Wilkinson on New Years Eve 1958, aged 20. Credit: Courtesy of Eric Wilkinson Charles Brazenor was an expert on the possum but had given up his own search for it years before. He held Wilkinsons photo up to the light, inspecting it through a magnifying glass. Wilkinsons heart was roaring thunder in his chest as he waited. Charles shot me down. He said it must be a sugar glider. Wilkinson had taken the photo because he knew his say-so wouldnt be enough. I recognised it by its club tail, Id seen specimens at the museum. All those nights trekking into the forest with his fellow amateur naturalists, piling into his overheating car and lugging around a spotlight that ran on leaky acid batteries the size of beer cans, Wilkinson hadnt really expected to find anything. No one at the museum even knew I was [into] wildlife, he laughs. I worked in fossils. When he did see the possum, he was so shocked he stumbled and hit his head on an overhanging branch, losing sight of it. But driving home with friends, he spied a second Leadie, right near the road. A nightjar [bird] flew down at the car and suddenly there it was in a tree. Of course, by the next day, even Id started to doubt my notes. So Wilkinson returned with a flash camera. Today, hes brought a whole folder of Leadie photos for me to thumb through over our scones. The possum really is tiny; it weighs half as much as a can of Coke and can fit in the palm of your hand. But on camera himself, it seems Wilkinson is even more elusive. It never occurred to me to take photos of ... me. (He would later unearth one photo, spotted in the wild in 1958.) Jimmy, the first captive Leadbeaters Possum after its rediscovery in 1961. He lived with Wilkinson for a time at home. Credit: Eric Wilkinson Still, it wasnt until Brazenor had sent the museums best marksmen into the trees with Wilkinson to bag a Leadbeaters specimen that the director believed his young assistant. The first Leadie discovered was shot dead not by Wilkinson and not to his liking for the museums collection. The second was captured live. Named Jimmy for its scientific name Gymnobelideus leadbeateri, it lived between Wilkinsons house in Box Hill and the museum, but most of the time in his pocket. They said I treated it more like a pet than a specimen, he smiles. But it was hard not to. Hed hop up on my shoulder and Id feed him milk and honey. After a few months, there were two others in captivity, and Jimmy joined them at a reserve, but no one would mate with poor Jimmy. Indeed, Leadbeater breeding programs down the years have never had much success and the animal remains critically endangered as its forest shrinks. A draft recovery plan for the species has been sitting, unfinalised, on the desk of a score of environment ministers since 2016 since Wilkinson and I first met on that forest trek, in fact. Wilkinson in 2011 inspecting a Leadbeaters Possum specimen in the Melbourne Museum archives. Credit: Paul Rovere Now at the museum, as we contemplate fighting each other for the last pink lamington, he tells me of his latest visit to those trees; returning just that weekend on the anniversary of the rediscovery (April 3, 1961). Hes made the trip every year on the day or close enough for nearly two decades guest of honour of the community environmental group Friends of the Leadbeaters Possum. (Steve Meacher, who runs the group, calls Wilkinson a treasure.) Wilkinson recalls camping there in his 20s, watching greater gliders soar across the water. Today, gliders are endangered themselves, and smoke sometimes looms overhead, mushroom clouds that can look like an atomic blast, as the logging coupes burn. This is the forest where Melbournes drinking water comes from. The old trees store the most carbon of any in the world. But scientists say the highlands have been decimated by logging, putting Victoria at greater bushfire risk and robbing animals like the Leadie and the glider of the old tree hollows they need for nesting. Loggers, meanwhile, say ending clearing will put hundreds out of work. Mountain Ash timber makes sought-after tabletops and kitchen benches (though, most of the time it just becomes paper). Victorias government-owned logging company VicForests is running at a loss and has repeatedly been found logging illegally, including clearing protected possum and glider habitat after recent devastating bushfires. The Andrews government plans to end all logging in native forests by 2030, and has pledged $200 million to help workers and communities transition out. Federal Environment minister Tanya Plibersek, meanwhile, has vowed to reverse Australias course as world leader in mammal extinctions, but its unclear if the Commonwealth will rein in state-managed logging. 2030 is too long for the possum to wait, says Wilkinson. Id love to go there one April and see the whole place as a national park. The high tea spread at Mercury in Melbourne Museum. Credit: Paul Jeffers The museum heavyweights may not have been impressed by upstart Wilkinsons find in 1961, but his future wife was. When he took Mary back to the spot in Toolangi soon after the possum sighting, it ended up being their first date. Loading It was Mary who first encouraged Wilkinson to write a book on the fairy possum. More than 20 years on, its almost finished delayed, Meacher says, by Wilkinsons unstoppably curious mind. Every time hes gotten close before, hes stumbled across another obscure document, another clue, and hed be off investigating that. As both museum worker and then geologist, Wilkinson admits hes always loved solving a mystery. And he credits his grandfather, who ran a Baptist church, with fuelling his fascination with nature. Still, for all the wonder in the world trees as tall as giants and possums that fit in your pocket Wilkinson knew early on there was sadness too. I met death young, he says. 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 Penny Sharpe holds a small, black and yellow Corroboree frog in gloved hands, protecting it from the freezing winds. The amphibian, which is highly toxic, calmly explores its surroundings, completely unaware that the woman who holds it is responsible for helping to bring its numbers back from the brink. The frog is critically endangered, with only 300 of the southern species of frogs remaining in the Kosciuszko National Park (there are up to 1000 of the northern species left). But ensuring the frogs survival is among many of the challenges Sharpe will face after stepping into the role of environment minister last month following Labors state election win. Southern Corroboree frogs numbers have plummeted following disease and bushfires, representing some of the massive challenges Sharpe will face while in office. Credit:James Brickwood Sharpe is no stranger to politics. She became a member of the legislative council in 2005 and has held many roles in the Labor Party since, including deputy leader in 2018. She previously served as the parliamentary secretary for transport, parliamentary secretary for mining and energy, and more recently as shadow minister for the environment. But Sharpe has now stepped into the biggest role of her life, inheriting four of the biggest portfolios in the state: climate change, energy, environment and heritage. Despite the challenge, Sharpe said the issues were interlinked, and the biggest challenge would be addressing the states biodiversity crisis and climate change while also ensuring the smooth transition to renewables. After several years of putting pressure on the opposition to act on various issues, shes finally got her chance. Im feeling excited about really being able to do something rather than just talk about it, Sharpe said. Im not naive to the challenges either. Its a big responsibility that comes with the trust that weve been given [by the people of NSW]. As Sharpe settles into the multiple portfolios, she is meeting with a long list of relevant people. That included a meeting with former Coalition environment minister James Griffin and energy minister Matt Kean. While Sharpe wont disclose what they discussed, she said it showed the handover had been gracious. There has been a generosity in the change of government, she said. Advertisement Loading Sharpe took one of her first out-of-office trips last week, when she toured the Kosciuszko National Park to see the Corroboree frogs, meet the people behind the mammoth effort to save them, and see the damage that feral horses are inflicting across the landscape. The Herald tagged along. Environment Our helicopter flew over an apparently pristine Alpine landscape with winding streams snaking across it. But on the ground, it was a different story. What first appeared to be a dirt walking track had been cleared by hundreds of feral horses, and the stream banks destroyed by their hooves. It is perhaps one of the most controversial environmental issues the previous government dealt with. Feral horse populations in the park have increased by more than 30 per cent in two years, despite the state government setting reduction targets, prompting experts to demand a bigger culling effort. Feral horse populations have damaged large parts of the park, including destroying river banks. Credit:James Brickwood The current plan, which was signed off last year, is in part a reprise of the 2016 draft management document that also called for the reduction of horse numbers to fewer than 3000 horses in five to 10 years. Advertisement Many conservation groups said the increasing numbers highlighted the need to re-introduce aerial shooting of the pests. Sharpe said thats not in the plan, which says existing measures, such as trapping, rehoming and ground shooting are enough to hit the target. Less than two years ago, Sharpe, then shadow environment minister, said the plan was a good start, but we are yet to learn what more she thinks needs to be done. Advocacy Manager at the Invasive Species Council Jack Gough said Sharpe had tough choices to make, especially if she is to reach that 3,000 feral horse target this term. The most recent government data indicates there are about 18,000 feral horses in the national park - a number that has been rapidly increasing. Credit:James Brickwood The issue of feral horses trashing and trampling the Snowies is emblematic of the broader environmental challenges facing Sharpe, he said. The election has given her a clear mandate to rapidly reduce the population and save our native wildlife, but years of inaction and delay under the previous government means it is not going to be easy. He added that the agency was pleased Labor had promised 100 new national park officers, as well as announced it would take steps to stop the sale of weeds in nurseries and establish a Biosecurity Commission. But Gough said more funding was needed to meet the ongoing invasive species threat that endangers 70 per cent of threatened wildlife and ecosystems in the state. The number of NSW species at risk of extinction now sits at 1043, with an additional 18 threatened species added in the past three years, the latest State of Environment report indicates. A further 116 ecological communities, a group of naturally occurring plants or animals living in a unique location, are also listed as threatened. Advertisement Prior to the election, Labors environmental commitments were scant. It did, however, pledge funding for a Great Koala National Park, the third time it took the proposal to the election. The park, stretching from Kempsey to Coffs Harbour, could see an area of about 300,000 hectares of key habitat for the native species protected. The government has not put a figure on the potential cost of compensation for the logging industry as a result of the transfer of state forest land. Sharpe said the proposal was vital to ensuring koalas survived in the wild, but she ruled out any sudden suspension of native forest logging. Any decision would be made carefully and consider the impact on different parts of the community, she said. Sharpes trip to Kosciuszko National Park was the first time shed been in a helicopter. Credit:James Brickwood Whatever her decision, environmental groups will be watching closely. Among them will be Jacqui Mumford, chief executive officer of the NSW Nature Conservation Council. Sharpe must tackle climate change by ramping up renewables, she said, as well as halting the destruction of forests, mismanagement of the Murray Darling Basin, and accounting for how fire operates in the Australian landscape. Mumford said the governments commitment to the Great Koala National Park was encouraging, but concerns remained around ongoing logging within the area. We want to see a moratorium on logging across the proposed area until the assessment is complete, Mumford said. Energy and climate Advertisement Sharpe has set herself three goals when it comes to tackling climate change. First, she wants to legislate emission reduction targets and, second, establish a net-zero commission. The commission will develop the governments plan to get to net-zero emissions by 2050. It will monitor and review the plan and its trajectory, including impacts on jobs and industry, as well as energy prices. Lastly, she wants to establish an energy security corporation, a publicly owned company that will accelerate renewable energy production. NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe visits Kosciuszko National Park less than a month after taking over the role. Credit:James Brickwood Future energy generation is another major issue facing the state. Attention is being sharply drawn to it with the closure of the Liddel coal-fired power station later this month and other closures drawing nearer. While Liddells shutdown wont result in a shortfall in energy generation, the government remains concerned about supply further down the track. For example, Origin Energy has indicated it would like to close the Eraring coal-fired power station as early as 2025. But Sharpe said the government would intervene to keep the station going if needed. Her job is clear: keeping the lights on, she said. We are not ruling out anything, Sharpe said. My job is to keep the lights on and to make that transition as quickly as possible. None of us want the coal-fired power plant being open longer than it needs to be, but weve also got a responsibility to make sure that households and businesses can go about their business. Part of that will also be ensuring that there are ample renewables to bolster the fossil-fuel energy thats being phased out. Despite being in the role for less than a month, Sharpe said she was taking briefings and meetings to understand if the states plans were big enough, and what barriers were standing in the way. Advertisement Police are appealing for anyone with information to come forward after a newborn baby girl was found abandoned in the backyard of a home in Sydneys west on Friday. Officers were called to a house on Girra Road in Blacktown about 2.40pm after the girl was found naked and crying. She was thought to be between one and three hours old. Paramedics were called and treated the baby before she was taken to Blacktown Hospital to be assessed. Police believe she was left in the yard between 12.30pm and 2.40pm on Friday and have urged anyone who saw a pregnant woman in the area, or a woman who appeared to be distressed, to come forward. With its glittering seaside views nestled on the Great Ocean Road, Point Grey in Lorne is one of the regions best parcels of coastal real estate that has long been earmarked for rejuvenation. The site hosts the popular but ageing Lorne Aquatic and Angling Club house, which needs an overhaul, while the operator of the long-running seafood restaurant has now left Point Grey. The fishing co-op, which adjoins the former restaurant building, closed more than five years ago. The confirmation of an extra $2 million in government funding earlier this year, bringing the total to almost $13 million, should have been a clear win for the community. Committee for Lorne chairman Ian Stewart at Point Grey. Credit: Joe Armao But the 1.7 hectare site of mostly Crown land, located beside the Lorne Pier, is languishing and there is growing frustration with redevelopment plans stretching back well over 10 years. The Perth man who beat his former housemate to death with a claw hammer while on a cocktail of alcohol and prescription drugs in what a judge described as a brutal and inexcusable attack has been jailed for life. Andrew John Myles, 37, pleaded guilty to murdering surfer Zeljko Kuch, 51, at his Ocean Reef home on the evening of May 1, 2021. Zeljko Kuch. Picture: Supplied The court was told Myles was high on prescription medications and alcohol when the pair had a verbal altercation which ended with Myles striking Kuch several times over the head with a hammer before leaving him to die in a pool of his own blood. A friend found the 51-year-old gasping for air on the floor of his Marine Boulevard property after sustaining extensive fractures to his skull and a subarachnoid haemorrhage which proved fatal. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has agreed to attend the NATO summit in Lithuania in July after coming under criticism when it appeared he would skip the high-powered gathering. International support for Ukraines war against Russia will be high on the agenda at the summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, that will be held on July 11 and 12. Albanese attended last years NATO summit at the invitation of host country Spain, but The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age reported he did not intend to attend this years summit, in part because of a packed schedule of travel including the coronation of King Charles III in London next month. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met other world leaders at the NATO summit in Madrid last year. Credit: AP A spokeswoman for Albanese on Friday confirmed Albanese would attend the summit. A once dried-up lake in Minqin County in China's Gansu Province has been revived thanks to the government's desertification control efforts. Produced by Xinhua Global Service Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor has criticised the government over its new Reserve Bank board appointments, saying recommendations of a recent review have not been followed. Taylor also conceded the Coalition made errors with past board appointments. The Reserve Bank review recommended sweeping changes to the banks operation including a new expressions of interest process for selecting any board members needed between now and July 1 next year. Philip Lowes term as Reserve Bank governor expires in September. Credit: James Brickwood Taylor said all RBA board positions and that of the governor should be decided through that merit-based process, as recommended in the review of the central banks operations. The opinion of the Commonwealths top legal adviser that the federal cabinet and public service will not be forced to consult with the Voice before making policy has thrown down a challenge to conservatives adamant that enshrining the body in the Constitution risks clogging up the courts and hamstringing government. Solicitor-General Stephen Donaghues written opinion, published on Friday, was proclaimed by Labor and Voice advocates as further confirmation the Constitutional change was legally sound, but it failed to allay the concerns of the Coalition which demanded the full legal advice provided to cabinet be released. In advice attached to a submission by Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus to a joint parliamentary inquiry into the referendum, Donaghue said the Voice would enhance Australias system of representative and responsible government, and will not fetter or impede the powers of the parliament or executive. His opinion comes amid a raging debate over the proposed power of the Voice to make representations to the executive government, which some constitutional conservatives and politicians have argued would result in another layer of bureaucracy and trigger a deluge of High Court litigation if the Voice believed it had not been properly consulted. Australians have wasted no time returning to Japan after a long wait through COVID, lured back to the travel hotspot by bumper ski and cherry-blossom seasons and an attractive return on the yen. Data released this week from the Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO) revealed the number of Australian visitors surpassed pre-pandemic levels in March, despite only opening to tourists five months earlier. Overall tourism to the country is still more than a third lower than the same time in 2019. The flowering of cherry blossoms known as hanami in Japanese is a symbol of spring and one of the countrys most magnificent sights. Credit: Christopher Jue According to the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics figures, Japan is now our fourth most-visited overseas destination. Before the pandemic it sat at number seven. Australians took more than 42,000 trips to Japan in February 2023, behind only New Zealand (97,000), Indonesia (72,000) and India (70,000). It has seized on the leaked Pentagon documents to highlight how Washington has been spying on its allies. And it has mocked the Biden administration for holding a summit on democracy last month, describing US democracy as troubled, messy and in constant decline. Loading Beijings harsher line reflects its frustrations over a series of US moves, particularly in relation to Taiwan, the self-governing island claimed by China. Taiwans president, Tsai Ing-wen, visited the United States this month and met with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. On Monday, Taiwan said it had clinched a deal to buy up to 400 US anti-ship missiles to help counter a potential Chinese invasion. Then there are the joint military drills the United States is conducting with the Philippines, the largest in decades. Those moves compound deeper resentments that centre on US restrictions of advanced semiconductor exports to China and growing security ties between the United States and countries on Chinas periphery such as Japan, South Korea, Australia and India. To Chinese officials, US pleas for renewed diplomatic engagement including a long-awaited call between President Joe Biden and Xi ring hollow in the face of what they view as rising hostility and provocations. High-level talks can only proceed after the United States has demonstrated credible sincerity with concrete actions, Chinese state media said last week. Loading The responsibility for the current difficulties in China-US relations does not lie with China, Wang Wenbin, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said recently when asked about resuming dialogue with Washington and the potential rescheduling of a visit to Beijing by Secretary of State Antony Blinken that was called off after the emergence of a suspected high altitude Chinese spy balloon over the continental United States in February. The US needs to stop interfering in Chinas internal affairs and harming Chinas interests, and stop undermining the political foundation for our bilateral relations while stressing the need to put guardrails on the relationship, Wang added. The Biden administration says it wants to establish guardrails to prevent an incident from flaring over a misunderstanding in heavily contested areas such as the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait, where China conducted live-fire drills in response to Tsais visit. Without protocols and direct lines of communication, the risk for an incident will remain high as US and Chinese forces patrol the region regularly, and often at close range. Beijing views guardrails as another form of containment because they would disclose to the United States how far it can be pressured without triggering a military response. China would prefer its red lines to remain ambiguous and leave Washington guessing. Loading China suspended most military dialogue with the United States last August following former House Speaker Nancy Pelosis visit to Taiwan. The Pentagon said as recently as last week that Beijing had declined requests for engagement with Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and the chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Mark Milley. Blinken expressed some optimism that high-level talks would resume. My expectation would be that we will be able to move forward on that. But it does require China to make clear its own intentions in doing that, he told reporters Tuesday at a meeting of the G7 nations in Japan. Analysts say Xi likely believes he has nothing to gain from speaking to Biden at this moment, particularly as negative views on China in the United States appear increasingly entrenched. Loading Xi clearly believes that engagement for engagements sake is a fools errand. The time for talk has passed. Instead, its time for Beijing to batten down the hatches, said Craig Singleton, a senior China fellow at the nonpartisan Foundation for Defence of Democracies. Simply put, there is no going back to the way things were, so Xi must now prepare China for a more fraught future. Minxin Pei, a professor at Claremont McKenna College who studies Chinese politics, said it is possible that Beijing will reengage with Washington once it feels it has more leverage. That could come after Beijing has deepened ties with more nonaligned countries like Brazil or after it has widened splits in Europe over how closely to follow the United States in its tougher stance toward China. China wants to engage the US from a position of strength, and China is clearly not in that position now, Pei said. If anything, Americas success in rallying allies and waging the tech war against China proves that it is still far more powerful than China and has more tools at its disposal. China is trying to tread a fine line between snubbing the United States diplomatically and trying to persuade central bankers and investors that it is open for business again after years of stringent COVID measures. Yi Gang, Chinas central bank governor, met with Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on the sidelines of a World Bank and International Monetary Fund meeting in Washington last week to discuss their countries economies. Plans are also in the works for Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo to visit China. But Yi had grievances, too. He criticised Western countries from diverting trade away from China toward geopolitical allies instead, using the term friend-shoring in a statement to the International Monetary and Financial Committee on Friday. Chinese analysts say the prospects of Sino-US relations improving anytime soon remains remote. The modest progress Xi and Biden achieved after meeting in Indonesia in November is all but gone following the balloon incident and Tsais visit to the United States, said Wu Xinbo, dean of international studies at Fudan University in Shanghai. In Chinas view, though Biden showed a good attitude in Bali, he is not strongly willing to improve Sino-US relations, Wu said. China thinks the US has neither the sincerity nor the ability to improve relations. PHILIPSBURG:--- The St. Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association and the St. Maarten Tourism Bureau (STB) jointly announce a follow-up to its 2022 St. Maarten Flavors 2023 Program. Following a post-event survey, various restaurants requested for a swift repetition of the program. This year participating restaurants, bars, lounges, and breweries have the opportunity to not only partake in St. Maarten Flavors in November but also a June Appeteaser Week and Flavors Feast. The Food Show will take place on June 17 at Dock Maarten Marina, Philipsburg, where vendors can share their flavorful delights with island foodies and visitors. Expanding on the goal in 2023, the program wishes to have even more tourists and residents alike enjoy the many tastes St. Maarten and St. Martin have to offer at sharply reduced prices. By giving a taste of the food that will be provided in November, during a June Appeteaser Week. The SHTA and the STB will equally promote the restaurants participating as well as the various events, from the many outstanding culinary experiences prepared by our high-end restaurants as well as our unique street side lolos and food trucks. To showcase the culinary destination, to as wide an audience as possible, the regional marketing partner firms of the St. Maarten Tourism Bureau will also be maximizing exposure for the destination. As a Caribbean hub due to its central location, St. Maarten is home to a wide variety of cultures and influences including Creole, Asian, Dutch, French, Italian, Surinamese, and many more, which are all reflected in the islands varied culinary offerings. The goal of St. Maarten Flavors is to put St. Maarten on the map for food lovers around the world, invite visitors and locals to immerse themselves in the dynamic food scene at an accessible price point of either $49 (three courses) or $17.50 and to give local restaurants a platform to showcase a signature dish. With an accessible price point set for St. Maarten Flavors the organizers want to ensure that everyone has the ability to participate and try places one might not otherwise get to experience or would have thought of going to, thus involving our local diners as well as our visiting ones. Main supporters of the project are the St. Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association (SHTA) the St. Maarten Tourism Bureau (STB), PDG Supplies, and Prime EZ Shop. Other organizations that actively support the 2023 event are Sol Cooking Gas, Caribbean Liquors & Tobacco (CLT), Island 92 radio, ORCO Bank, VISIT Magazine, SXM Talks, Dock Maarten Marina and Sound 2000. Restaurants interested in participating in St Maarten Flavors can contact the SHTA office This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / www.stmaartenflavors.com or contact by phone at 542-0108 for all details. PHILIPSBURG:--- May 4 is the date on which the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, is commemorated annually by a formal solemn wreath-laying ceremony by dignitaries and uniformed troops. To stimulate and expand the knowledge and awareness of the youth about this important historic event and in general about all those who fight for freedom, the Government committee tasked with organizing this event joined forces with the Royal Marines and initiated a Marines Talk at five selected primary schools as a pilot project for this year. The Talk by the Marines had several goals, one was to encourage group 7 (former grade 5 ) to read and discuss the books that are received annually from the Sint Maarten Library entitled Caribbean Think Book (both available in Dutch and English) and a more long term goal is to bring awareness of the struggle for freedom that our ancestors in the Kingdom and the Dutch Caribbean Islands had to endure during the World War and any other war thereafter. The visits to the schools took place on Wednesday, April 19, and Thursday, April 20, 2023. The talks and presentation by the Marines were held on Wednesday at the Marie Genevieve de Weever School/Martin Luther King School, The Browlia F. Millard Campus (MAC), Hillside Christian School (Helmich Snijders Campus), and at Sr. Regina Primary School, and on Thursday, April 20, 2023, at the Seven Day Adventist School. As the Minister of Education, Culture, Youth, and I consider it of great importance to teach our students about the role The Netherlands, Sint Maarten, and other Caribbean islands played in the fight for our freedom in the second world war in connection with the annual program on May 4 Remembrance Day. The interaction between the students was educational, but fun and allowed our pupils to receive clarity on the link between war and the role the Royal Marines have in the Kingdom and the Dutch Caribbean islands. Minister drs. Rodolphe Samuel thanks the school management and the teachers for embracing this new initiative and encourages the Government Organizing Committee of May 4 and the Marines to work on extending these talks to more schools in the coming years. Several children expressed their interest in joining the marine and the talks were well received and dubbed a great success. Program such as these needs to be continued and as people, we need to remember all the fallen soldiers and the civilians who lost their lives fighting for our freedom so that you and I can live the life we enjoy today, said Minister Samuel. The Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a global conflict that lasted from 1939 to 1945. The vast majority of the world's countries, and all of the great powers, fought as part of two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis. Many participants threw their economic, industrial, and scientific capabilities behind this total war, blurring the distinction between civilian and military resources. Silver demand and silver deficit In 2022, silver demand was at a record high, at the same time 2022 brought a silver deficit. Worldwide demand for silver was 1.24 billion ounces last year. The deficit was 237.7 million ounces of silver, according to the Silver Institute. This was the second year in a row that there was a deficit in the precious metal. To be clear, the Silver Institute expects solid silver demand for the current year as well. Industrial demand is even expected to reach an all-time high. Even if demand from the coin and bar sector and from the jewelry sector is lower than in previous years, industrial demand will more than compensate for this. And since silver supply is unlikely to grow, a deficit is also expected this year. In 2022, industrial demand grew by five percent, and there was a 22 percent increase in physical investment. In jewelry, the increase was 29 percent and in silverware it was an 80 percent increase, mainly caused by Indian demand. In jewelry, too, pent-up demand from India ensured a new record level. In physical silver, India again excelled. An increase of 188 percent was recorded here. An important factor is the demand from the photovoltaic sector, which amounted to around 140 million ounces of silver in 2022. This sector is therefore experiencing tremendous growth. Electromobility, the expansion of 5G networks and the construction industry also made not insignificant contributions to the increased demand for silver. Since 2023 should also be an excellent silver year, stocks of silver companies in the portfolio could not hurt. MAG Silver https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/mag-silver-corp/ owns 44 percent of the Juanicipio silver mine (now in the commissioning and ramp-up phase) in the Fresnillo Trend in Mexico. There are other high-grade properties in North and South America. Tier One Silver https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/tier-one-silver-inc/ has other projects in the country (Hurricane, Coastal Batholith, Corisur) in addition to the main Curibaya project in Peru. Current corporate information and press releases from MAG Silver (- https://www.resource-capital.ch/en/companies/mag-silver-corp/ -) and Tier One Silver (https://www.resource-capital.ch/en/companies/tier-one-silver-inc/ ). In accordance with A34 WpHG I would like to point out that partners, authors and employees may hold shares in the respective companies addressed and thus a possible conflict of interest exists. No guarantee for the translation into English. Only the German version of this news is valid. Disclaimer: The information provided does not represent any form of recommendation or advice. Express reference is made to the risks in securities trading. No liability can be accepted for any damage arising from the use of this blog. I would like to point out that shares and especially warrant investments are always associated with risk. The total loss of the invested capital cannot be excluded. All information and sources are carefully researched. However, no guarantee is given for the correctness of all contents. Despite the greatest care, I expressly reserve the right to make errors, especially with regard to figures and prices. The information contained herein is taken from sources believed to be reliable, but in no way claims to be accurate or complete. Due to court decisions, the contents of linked external sites are also co-responsible (e.g. Landgericht Hamburg, in the decision of 12.05.1998 312 O 85/98), as long as there is no explicit dissociation from them. Despite careful control of the content, I do not assume liability for the content of linked external pages. The respective operators are exclusively responsible for their content. The disclaimer of Swiss Resource Capital AG also applies: https://www.resource-capital.ch/en/disclaimer/ Posting of Accounts and Notice of AGM First Tin ( https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/first-tin-ltd ),A a tin development company with advanced, low capex projects in both Germany and Australia, is pleased toA announce that itA has posted its Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2022, together with the Notice of Annual General Meeting, to its shareholders today. The Annual General Meeting will be held on the 1st Floor at 47/48 Piccadilly, London, W1J 0DT on 27 June 2023 at 12 p.m. Copies of all documents are available on the Company\-s website,A https://firsttin.com/ MACAO, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Macao businessman Chan Weng Lin, former boss of Tak Chun Group, was sentenced to 14 years in prison on Friday over illegal gambling and gang crimes by the Court of First Instance of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR). Four other defendants in the case were also sentenced to years in prison over gang crimes and fraud involving huge amounts of money. The rest of the nine defendants in the case were acquitted due to insufficient evidence. In January 2022, the Judiciary Police under the Macao SAR government announced the arrest of two Macao men, including Chan, who were suspected of being involved in criminal groups, illegal gambling operations and money laundering. UK climate protester jailed for three years London, April 21 (AFP) Apr 21, 2023 Two climate protesters were jailed on Friday for scaling a major road bridge over the River Thames east of London and causing huge traffic delays. Morgan Trowland, 40, and Marcus Decker, 34, used climbing equipment to scale the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge in October. The bridge was closed from 4:00 am on October 17 to 9:00 pm the next day, causing huge jams as traffic was forced to use nearby tunnels. Judge Shane Collery at Southend Crown Court sentenced Trowland to three years in prison, while Decker was jailed for two years and seven months. "You have to be punished for the chaos you caused and to deter others from copying you," said the judge. He told the pair, from the Just Stop Oil protest group: "(You) plainly believed you knew better than everyone else". "By your actions you caused this very important road to be closed for 40 hours," he added. - Traffic chaos - The pair, who were found guilty at a trial for causing a public nuisance, have been in custody since October 20. The Queen Elizabeth II Bridge is used by an estimated 160,000 vehicles a day and links up to one of Europe's busiest motorways. At nearly 60 metres (200 feet) above the road, they unfurled a giant "Just Stop Oil" banner, the court was told. Just Stop Oil has mounted a series of disruptive protests to try to stop the UK government from sanctioning new North Sea oil and gas exploration. Essex Police said that those affected by the gridlock included a "heavily pregnant woman who needed urgent medical help". Another person missed the funeral of their best friend of 35 years, and a business lost more than pound160,000 (nearly $200,000) in earnings, it added. Jacob Bindman, Trowland's lawyer, told court that his client "doesn't intend to undertake any large-scale disruptive protests in the future". BEIJING, April 21 (Xinhua) -- China is considering strengthening the protection of snow-capped mountains, glaciers and frozen soil on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau by specifying special requirements in the latest version of a new draft law, a spokesperson said Friday. A draft law on ecological conservation on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, which is scheduled for its third reading in late April, requires establishing and improving the protection system of snow-capped mountains, glaciers and frozen soil on the plateau, said Zang Tiewei, a spokesperson for the Legislative Affairs Commission of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee. It also aims to strengthen the monitoring, early warning and systematic protection of these natural resources, he added. According to Zang, revised provisions of the draft law state that provincial-level governments on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau must establish and promote the implementation of ecological conservation red lines for large ice caps and glaciers, as well as for groups of small glaciers. They should also protect key snow mountains and glaciers by taking strict and effective measures to prevent human interference. The provincial-level governments are also required to delimit the protection scope of permafrost regions. Major projects involving transportation, pipeline construction and power transmission in these areas should be subject to strict review and approval, according to the draft. It is necessary to monitor and assess the impact of the melting and degradation of snow-capped mountains, glaciers and frozen soil on the regional ecosystems, and strengthen monitoring and early warning of natural disasters such as avalanches, ice collapses and permafrost melting, said Zang, noting that scientific investigation and research on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau should also be strengthened. A legislative bill normally goes through three readings before it is put to vote. The NPC Standing Committee completed two readings of previous versions of the draft law on ecological conservation on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in August and December last year. The third reading will take place at an NPC Standing Committee session between April 24 and 26. BEIJING, April 21 (Xinhua) -- President of Xinhua News Agency Fu Hua met with YK Chan, vice president of the Associated Press (AP), in Beijing on Friday. Fu said that AP is an important cooperative partner of Xinhua and the two sides have maintained long-term friendly cooperative relations. Over the past 50 years and more, personnel exchanges between Xinhua and AP have become increasingly frequent and cooperation in such fields as news exchange has been deepened, making the two agencies mutually trusted partners, Fu said. Fu expressed the hope that the two sides will continue to deepen cooperation on photo services and commercial promotion, and work with each other under the framework of the World Media Summit. He called on the two sides to tap more cooperative potential in fields such as economic information to achieve mutual benefits and win-win results, and explore more promising innovative joint projects to increase the level of cooperation. During the meeting, Fu invited the AP side to attend the fifth World Media Summit, which will be held later this year. Chan said that AP and Xinhua are long-term cooperative partners, with a friendly and harmonious relationship between the two agencies. "I am sure we can increase our cooperation more in the future," Chan said. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate POCATELLO, Idaho (AP) An early morning fire destroyed part of a large high school in the southern Idaho city of Pocatello on Friday. No one was injured in the fire, but Pocatello Fire Department Assistant Chief Shane Grow said one wing of Highland High School was completely destroyed. The wing housed the school's cafeteria, gymnasium, choir and band rooms, and it had severe structural damage including a collapsed roof. Still, the Pocatello School District said in a memo to parents that it appears the fire doors between the other wings of the school operated properly, preventing the fire from spreading. Its not yet clear how much smoke and water damage occurred to the rest of the school, but at least two other wings have significant water on the floor surface, the district said. We wish we could have saved the entire school but feel good that weve kept the fire from spreading to the other wings, Grow said. The fire was reported just before 4 a.m., and when firefighters arrived they found flames showing above the building amid heavy snowfall. Grow said an investigation into the cause of the fire would begin once the smoke clears. The school has roughly 1,500 students, making it one of the largest in Idaho. School district officials canceled classes until Tuesday and said they would switch to remote learning then until classes can resume in-person. Standardized testing set for next week has been postponed and Idaho State University is now hosting the school's prom, set for Saturday. Officials are working with the districts insurance company to replace any personal property that was destroyed in the fire, and trying to come up with plans to handle school lunches for the rest of the year, the district said in a memo to parents. Grow said he does not expect any part of the school to reopen before the current school year ends in June. Idaho Gov. Brad Little said he was working with Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield and local officials to determine the district's needs. Tyler Sizemore/Hearst Connecticut Media STAMFORD Strawberry Hill School seventh-grade band students visited Factory Underground Studios in Norwalk to learn about the music industry, recording, sound engineering, and radio on Thursday. Students had a chance to participate in hands-on demonstrations, live music recording, microphone technique, on-air radio and an intro to recording software. STAMFORD Thieves "ransacked" a High Ridge Road gas station after using a car to break in early Wednesday morning, according to local police. No arrests have been made in connection with the burglary, but the two suspect vehicles, a Hyundai sedan and a dark-colored Mercedes SUV, have been recovered, Sgt. Sean Scanlan of the Stamford Police Department told Hearst Connecticut Media Thursday afternoon. Both cars were found to have been stolen, Scanlan said. The roughly seven suspects were divided between the Hyundai and the Mercedes, according to Scanlan. Minutes after 3 a.m. Wednesday, Scanlan said, the suspects broke into the Mobil at 920 High Ridge Road, pushing the front door open with the Hyundai. Raiding the store, they stole vapes, cheap lighters and cigars, but nothing of real value, Scanlan said. The cost to repair the door was estimated at around $2,500. A security camera recorded the incident. The Hyundai was later found ditched a short distance away from the gas station, according to Scanlan. Investigators discovered it had been stolen in Yonkers and notified the owner, who didnt even realize it was missing but determined the theft must have occurred around the time of the burglary, Scanlan said. The car's ignition was "compromised, according to Scanlan, meaning it was likely stolen via the method popularized by a viral TikTok challenge. Exploiting a design vulnerability in Kias and Hyundais of certain model years, the challenge taught participants how to hotwire the cars with a USB cord and a screwdriver, according to the Associated Press. Scanlan believed the Yonkers cars model year fell within the range susceptible to theft but said investigators did not find a USB device in the car. Once they had abandoned the Hyundai, the suspects all regrouped in the Mercedes to continue traveling, according to Scanlan. The Mercedes was located in the Bronx Thursday, Scanlan said. Scanlan said the nature of the merchandise stolen from the store led him to believe the suspects may have been juveniles. Stand with us this year. Stand with us as we Stand Against Racism. YWCA Greenwich will host its annual Stand Against Racism event, on Friday, April 28, which will be in-person at Greenwich Town Hall at noon. We will also be awarding Racial and Gender Equity scholarships to nominated youth who have demonstrated a commitment to making their school or community more diverse, equitable, inclusive, or anti-racist. Our first selectman will present a proclamation supporting Stand Against Racism. Each year we select an area of focus for this event, and this year Bobbi Riddick, community impact and equity program manager from the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness will keynote our event speaking on How Homelessness Intersects with Race and Gender. Homelessness is on the rise throughout the United States, and here in Connecticut. In Connecticut, homelessness has increased by 39 percent, and as of this writing, 4,835 individuals are homeless in our state, 376 are families and 85 percent of those families include young children. The majority of the individuals and families who are homeless are people who have held jobs, paid their rents or mortgages and bills on time. Most are homeless because a catastrophic event an unexpected and costly illness, losing a job, the end of a marriage, domestic abuse, mental illness or addiction -- upended their lives. Today, the catastrophic events include the escalating rents, the lapse of the eviction moratorium, residual effects of COVID and the lack of housing for people of all incomes. It is clear, however, that homelessness does not impact everyone in our state at the same rate. Homelessness disproportionately affects marginalized groups, especially those at the intersections of race and gender. For example, although Black/African-American individuals makeup nearly 13 percent of the Connecticut population, data from the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness suggests that these individuals comprise almost 40 percent of those experiencing homelessness. Furthermore, nearly one quarter of Connecticut youth who experience homelessness identify as LGBTQ+, and many are Black/African-American, multi-racial, and/or Hispanic. We also know that these disparities are driven by structural inequities and barriers in our state and our country, rather than individual responsibility. There is a profound intersection between homelessness and systems in our society such as the criminal justice system, housing, health care, and education, among others. Homelessness also relates to a variety of efforts to marginalize particular groups who have historically suffered discrimination, such as forced removal of Black and brown communities via gentrification, or the abandonment of LGBTQ+ and gender-expansive youth by their families due to their identity. We hope you will join us On Friday, April 28, at noon, for this important keynote address, stand with us against all forms of systemic and, interpersonal racism, and help us celebrate youth in our community who are leading their peers toward a more equitable and just society. I nsurance giant Aviva has become the first major business to quit the scandal-hit Confederation of British Industry (CBI), after a second woman alleged she was raped while working at the business group. It comes just over a week after CBI boss Tony Danker was sacked over devastating workplace misconduct complaints. The board of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) said Mr Dankers conduct fell short of what was expected of him and said there had been serious failings in how it acted as an organisation. According to reports, Danker sent a female employee a barrage of messages, some featuring sexually suggestive language, over more than a year. Today, the Guardian reported that a woman claimed she was raped by two male colleagues while working at the group. She is the second former CBI employee to make such claims, after another Guardian report earlier this month. Soon after todays allegations became public, Aviva announced that it would cancel its CBI membership. In light of the serious allegations made, and the CBIs handling of the processes and response, we believe the CBI is no longer able to fulfil its core function to be a representative voice of business in the UK, an Aviva spokesperson said. We have therefore regrettably terminated our membership with immediate effect. In an interview earlier this week, Danker said he believed he had been assigned as the fall guy for a wider crisis engulfing the lobby group which is facing a number of claims some of which predated his time at CBI. D ozens of the UKs largest firms have paused or ended their relationship with the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) following a second rape allegation from a woman working for the business group. NatWest, the John Lewis Partnership, BMW, Aviva, and Virgin Media O2 were among the firms announcing that they were cancelling their involvement with the CBI after the news broke on Friday. They were joined by Mastercard, Phoenix, Energy UK, Zurich, Vitality, B&Q owner Kingfisher and Peoples Partnership. Other major employers - such as Tesco, Meta, Sainsburys, Asda, Lloyds Banking Group, Unilever, ScottishPower, the British Beer and Pub Association, and Shell - have also suspended all activity with the lobbying group. It is also understood that the Crown Estate will not be attending meetings with CBI, although it said it would not comment at this stage. Earlier this month, the Government said it would pause all engagement with the CBI after initial reports of misconduct at the group. The crisis facing the trade group deepened after The Guardian reported on Friday that the woman claimed she was raped by two male colleagues. The woman claimed the alleged rape took place while she was unconscious following a night-out while working at a CBI office abroad. She said she had no recollection of the alleged rape itself but had described in detail the physical signs that led her to believe she was raped, and was later presented in the office with an explicit photograph. It is the second claim from a woman that she was a victim of rape at the organisation. Previously, a member of staff alleged that she was attacked by a manager on a summer boat party in 2019. Details of the new rape allegation have been passed on to police. City of London Police were already investigating the previous rape allegation, alongside a series of other misconduct claims from about a dozen workers. Separately, The Guardian also reported on Friday that a woman based at the organisations London office claimed she was stalked by a male colleague in 2018. In response, CBI president Brian McBride said: The latest allegations put to us by The Guardian are abhorrent and our hearts go out to any women who have been victims of the behaviour described. While the CBI was not previously aware of the most serious allegations, it is vital that they are thoroughly investigated now and we are liaising closely with the police to help ensure any perpetrators are brought to justice. We recognise the substance of the harassment report outlined as relating to an allegation made and investigated in January 2018. The finding of harassment was upheld and a sanction was imposed. However, the CBI does not recognise many of the most serious elements of The Guardian story relating to harassment, including the assertion that the individual had told the CBI of feelings of a sexual and violent nature towards the victim; and that he had followed her home. The CBI added it is expecting a further report from the law firm conducting an internal investigation later on Friday and will announce steps to bring about the wider change that is needed early next week. On Thursday, the CBI confirmed that it passed fresh information to the police regarding a report of a serious criminal offence. It said it was liaising closely with the authorities and has urged anyone with further information to come forward. Separately, former CBI director-general Tony Danker was sacked last week after being accused of making unwanted contact with a woman who works for the organisation. On Wednesday, he said his reputation has been totally destroyed by the allegation and claimed he has been made a fall guy for a wider crisis. Mr Danker told the BBC his name had been wrongly associated with separate claims, including the rapes which allegedly happened before he joined the CBI. After initial allegations, the business group also suspended three other employees and hired a law firm, Fox Williams, to carry out an internal investigation. BEIJING, April 21 (Xinhua) -- China saw nearly 1.22 billion domestic tourist trips in the first quater of 2023, an increase of 46.5 percent year on year, according to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism on Friday. Of these trips, 944 million were made by urban tourists, while 272 million were made by rural residents, according to statistics released by the ministry. During the period, domestic tourism revenue reached 1.3 trillion yuan (about 189 billion U.S. dollars), an increase of 69.5 percent compared with that of the same period last year, official figures showed. G iven all the challenges it has faced in recent years you would be forgiven for assuming that the High Street is in terminal decline. The long-term shift to online shopping, the trauma of the lockdown years, the inexorable rise in rents and energy bills make it seem that the days of bricks and mortar shopping are numbered. And yet... perhaps it is too soon to bury what is sometimes described as Britains favourite pastime. New figures compiled by the Evening Standard show that major retailers quoted in the FTSE 100 or the FTSE 250 actually opened far more stores than they shut last year. The companies that provided data collectively added just over 300 more UK branches to their estates in 2022 and exited just 79. Bosses of these firms, which represent various sectors such as fashion (ABFs Primark), luxury goods (Watches of Switzerland Group), pasties (Greggs) and more, also say they expect to invest in further sites this year. The moves come as shopping-centre owners are seeing visitor numbers bounce back from pandemic lows. At Angel Central in Islington, footfall is up 13.5% and sales by 35.4% year-to-date over 2022. Meanwhile Westfields White City and Stratford sites experienced annual footfall growth of almost 10% and 5% respectively in March. Watches of Switzerland Group opened a number of new UK showrooms last year / Watches of Switzerland Kate Orwin, leasing director at Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, the owner of the Westfield centres, said: Brands are choosing to upsize in the best locations where shoppers are spending and footfall figures are increasing. Richard Scott, executive director of property consultancy Nash Bond, says: We witnessed an uptick in retailer interest [in new sites] in the second half of last year and this has continued into 2023. He adds: This demand is largely across the board, from major brands to independents, national to international. So other than improved footfall, why are retailers, many of which saw sales hammered during lockdowns, confident to go bigger, even as they battle numerous challenges? For Brian Duffy who leads Watches of Switzerland, spending on plush showrooms is integral to offering a luxury experience to high-spending clients who want to buy products in person. He says the company has an exciting pipeline of openings ahead, including a new 7200sq ft flagship Rolex Boutique on Old Bond Street. Homewares chain Dunelm, which is committed to more London openings and unveiled a store in Feltham in December, boasts a strong performance at its larger and smaller formats. Chief executive Nick Wilkinson thinks physical branches give customers the choice to shop how they want to and the ability to touch, feel and discover the breadth of homewares ranges, while also benefiting from specialist services such as made-to-measure curtains. Primarks Paul Marchant has a similar view: Theres nothing quite like being able to see, touch and try on items in-store. He adds: In the UK we have 191 stores and weve plans to open at least four more new stores over the next two years, as well as invest in bigger and better locations and refresh existing stores too. Its been a challenging few years for our High Streets but we believe in the importance of our stores now more than ever. And it is not just London-listed firms looking to spend on bricks and mortar in 2023. Health and beauty company Superdrug this week announced plans to invest in 25 new stores, including a Brent Cross branch. In the food-to-go retail sector, Greggs is targeting 150 net openings in 2023 including around 50 with franchise partners. Boss Roisin Currie says: The versatility of our shop format allows us to service numerous customer channels and is one of our greatest strengths, as we can operate in anything from a kiosk to a full-service drive-thru unit. Retail commentators point to a few factors that make now a particularly attractive time to expand, including this months business rates revaluation, which will reduce bills in some locations. Richard Hyman, partner at TPC Retail Consulting, thinks the large number of High Street casualities and the troubled economy have made some landlords willing to offer better lease terms. However, Hyman points out that spending on real estate is not without risk: Following lockdown consumers have almost rediscovered physical shopping, and the pendulum has swung a little away from online, to stores. But pendulums always swing back. R ishi Sunak committed to dealing with the fallout from the Dominic Raab report swiftly. Now 24 hours on, despite a resignation, that has proven not to be the case. It is unclear why it took so long to come to a decision given that, in reality, there was little choice. The former justice secretary and deputy prime minister promised to quit if claims of bullying were found to be substantiated. Still, Mr Raab has gone down fighting. In his resignation statement, he suggests that in setting the threshold for bullying so low, this inquiry has set a dangerous precedent by encouraging further spurious complaints against ministers. But by upholding two complaints, the report by Adam Tolley KC ought to be definitive. The Ministerial Code must be upheld. Good relations between ministers and civil servants are vital for the operation of government. And now the department can welcome a new secretary of state to deliver its vital work to resolve the widespread delays and chokepoints in the justice system. Justice for Stephen Tomorrow marks the 30th anniversary of the murder of Stephen Lawrence, who was killed in an unprovoked racist attack while waiting for a bus in Eltham, south-east London. Today the Evening Standard has a moving and wide-ranging interview with Dr Neville Lawrence, Stephens father. He is demanding an outside police force be called to bring to justice the other racist gang members who killed his son on April 22, 1993. Dr Lawrences plea comes days after Stephens mother, Baroness Lawrence, said the Metropolitan Police had failed to change. Today Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley issued a fresh apology for our past failings, which will have made the grief of losing a loved one all the more difficult to endure. But Dr Lawrence says he has no interest in meeting the Scotland Yard chief because Sir Mark refuses to accept the conclusion from the Baroness Casey Review, which found that the Met was institutionally racist as well as misogynistic and homophobic. Dr Lawrence has not given up on securing total justice for his son, and neither should the public. It is right that no stone be left unturned in the pursuit of the gang members responsible for Stephens death who remain at large. Old Vics bright future For more than two centuries, the Old Vic has stood at the heart of a vibrant community, serving as a music hall, tavern and opera house. And it is looking to the future. More than 1 million has been raised following a gala night at the theatre to help build a five-storey annex to double the number of education, community and artist development participants in its programmes and promote emerging talent in south London. The Old Vic is a London cultural icon. This exciting expansion suggests it is gearing up for another 200 years serving the capital. C harges of involuntary manslaughter against Alec Baldwin over the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins have been formally dismissed by New Mexico prosecutors. Prosecutors said they were currently unable to proceed with the case, but the decision to dismiss the charges did not absolve Mr Baldwin of criminal culpability. The Hollywood actor had faced two counts of involuntary manslaughter over the shooting on the New Mexico set of the movie Rust in October 2021. We cannot proceed under the current time constraints and on the facts and evidence turned over by law enforcement in its existing form. We therefore will be dismissing the involuntary manslaughter charges against Mr Baldwin to conduct further investigation. The incident occurred after a prop gun held by Baldwin went off, killing Ms Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza. The actor previously pleaded not guilty to both charges of involuntary manslaughter. On Thursday, newly appointed special prosecutors Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis confirmed they were dismissing both charges. Over the last few days and in preparation for the May 3 2023 preliminary hearing, new facts were revealed that demand further investigation and forensic analysis in the case against Alexander Alec Rae Baldwin III, a statement shared with the PA news agency read. Consequently, we cannot proceed under the current time constraints and on the facts and evidence turned over by law enforcement in its existing form. We therefore will be dismissing the involuntary manslaughter charges against Mr Baldwin to conduct further investigation. This decision does not absolve Mr Baldwin of criminal culpability and charges may be refiled. Our follow-up investigation will remain active and on-going. The statement said similar charges against Rusts armourer Hannah Gutierrez Reed remained unchanged. Earlier, following the announcement by his own legal team that the case had been dismissed, Baldwin seemed to pay tribute to his wife and lawyer. The Hollywood actor posted a photo of himself and his wife Hilaria Baldwin online. I owe everything I have to this woman (and to you, Luke), he captioned the photo. The Hollywood actor has been defended by lawyers Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro throughout proceedings. We are pleased with the decision to dismiss the case against Alec Baldwin and we encourage a proper investigation into the facts and circumstances of this tragic accident In a statement shared with PA, Mr Nikas and Mr Spiro said they were pleased with the decision and encouraged a proper investigation. We are pleased with the decision to dismiss the case against Alec Baldwin and we encourage a proper investigation into the facts and circumstances of this tragic accident, the statement read. The announcement comes less than two weeks before a preliminary hearing in the case in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where it was to be determined whether there was enough evidence to take it to trial. Santa Fe district attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies and special prosecutor Andrea Reeb had previously stepped down from the case. Their decisions came after much back and forth between the two sides, with Baldwins lawyers arguing Ms Reebs involvement was unconstitutional due to her elected position in the New Mexico House of Representatives. In turn the district attorneys office had accused Baldwin of using his fancy attorneys to distract from the gross negligence in the case. The actor was formally charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter by the DA in February, alongside Gutierrez Reed. The first charge required proof of underlying negligence and included the misdemeanour charge of negligent use of a firearm. The second charge included a firearm enhancement, which would have made the crime punishable by a mandatory five years in jail. The enhancement was later dropped after Baldwins lawyers argued it was unlawful and said prosecutors had committed an unconstitutional and elementary legal error. In the statement of probable cause, filed alongside the charges, the DA accused Baldwin of showing wilful disregard for the safety of others in the days leading up to the shooting. His reckless deviation from known standards and practice and protocol directly caused Ms Hutchins death, the DA had alleged. Baldwin also faces a separate civil lawsuit, filed on February 9 by the family of Ms Hutchins. The family is suing the actor and the Rust movie production company for alleged battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, and loss of consortium. Loss of consortium is a claim which seeks to recover compensation for damage to certain relationships that are mutually dependent. Thursdays development coincided with the resumption of production on the movie in the US state of Montana. Legal representatives for Rust Movie Productions stressed all use of working weapons or ammunition is, and always has been, prohibited on set. L ana Del Rey has been announced as the final headliner for the British Summer Time [BST] concerts that will be held over several weekend days this summer in Hyde Park. This summer will be the tenth year that the series of performances have been held and Del Rey will perform on Sunday, July 9. The announcement on Friday (April 21) generated a buzz on Twitter. One fan asked if she would be the only performer, to which the BST Hyde Park account replied: No, there will be other acts announced soon. But she will play a full headlining set! Its gonna be amazing. Del Rey released her album Did You Know That Theres a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd last month and received a four-star review in the Evening Standard. Here is all we know about BST Hyde Park 2023. What are the dates for BST Hyde Park 2023? These concerts will be held in late June and early July, beginning on Saturday, June 24 and ending on Sunday, July 9 when Del Rey performs. There are nine dates for concerts and all will be held on a Thursday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. Who is playing at BST Hyde Park 2023? This is the full line-up as of April 21. More acts could be announced. Saturday, June 24: Pink and Gwen Stefani Sunday, June 25: Pink and Gwen Stefani Friday, June 30: Guns N Roses Saturday, July 1: Take That, Sugababes, The Script Sunday, July 2: Blackpink, Sabrina Carpenter, The Rose Caity Baser, Mae Stephens Thursday, July 6: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, The Chicks, Frank Turner Friday, July 7: Billy Joel, Daryl Hall Saturday, July 8: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, The Chicks Sunday, July 9: Lana Del Rey Tickets will be on sale soon for Lana Del Rey / Alberto E Rodriguez / Getty Images for CBS Radio Inc When do the Lana Del Rey tickets go on sale for BST Hyde Park 2023? For AMEX (American Express) cardholders, the presale has already started. It ends at 9am on Thursday, April 27. Tickets start at 78.95 for general admission. You can follow that link here: https://www.bst-hydepark.com/lanadelreyamex/ The Lana Del Rey general presale will go live at 10am on Tuesday, April 25, and will run until 9am on Thursday, April 27. To sign up to the presale email, click here: https://www.bst-hydepark.com/lana-del-rey-presale-signup/ BST has said you will receive your email right before the presale and to remember to check the junk and spam folders for the link. How to get tickets for BST Hyde Park 2023 for other acts? Tickets are sold out for shows headlined by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band (both dates), Billy Joel, and Pink (June 24 date). Review at a glance You guys know that its ridiculous that were still here, right? laughed Hayley Williams, shortly after serenading The O2 Arena with a swaying rendition of The Only Exception, lit by twinkling phone-lights. A soft-edged stand-out from 2009s Brand New Eyes, the song has come to symbolise the beginning of Paramore ripping apart at the seams; shortly after that albums release founding members Zac and Josh Farro swiftly departed in acrimonious circumstances. The years that followed were tough to weather, and at one point even Williams secretly quit the band. So it is something of a miracle that Paramore are still standing, with Williams, Taylor York, and a back-in-the-fold Zac Farro a now-formidable trio. In recent years, the band have been making some of their most eclectic work yet, between the new-wave stylings of 2017s After Laughter, and the fidgeting post-punk of this years This Is Why. Theyve also been further energised by their respective side-projects: Williams spiny and experimental solo releases, and Farros psych-garage outlet Half-Noise. Zachary Gray Paramore drew on all parts of this story for their live return to London, bringing a powerful sense of catharsis to older songs that perhaps have some difficult connotations. Alongside favourites Still Into You, Aint It Fun, and Thats What You Get, the band also rummaged deeper, unearthing Twilight soundtrack contributions Decode and I Caught Myself, and also creating space for a pair of solo track performances by Williams (Crystal Clear) and Farro (unreleased Half-Noise song Baby). Riot! smash hit Misery Business which the band previously retired out of regret for the internalised misogyny of certain lyrics was also reclaimed with the help of three eager front-row fans summoned up onstage. Best yet was an electrifying penultimate performance of All I Wanted a Brand New Eyes highlight the band only began performing live last year. Zachary Gray More recent material also shone. Both Liar and Crave two of the more gently melodic cuts from This Is Why glimmered and twisted, the latter speaking to Williams insistence that she wouldnt change a single part of Paramores journey. I romanticise even the worst of times, when all it took to make me cry was being alive, she sang. Though occasionally backed by artful visuals, the focus was not on stadium-baiting spectacle. Aside from a smattering of red confetti, it all felt rather more paired back, punctuated with a poem written by Williams, and a lo-fi montage of phone footage (a particularly large cheer went up for a shot of Williams goldendoodle Alf) ahead of the encore. Keeping this kind of close focus felt like the ideal approach to a show seemingly centred on one important goal: reclaiming all of the fun theyve had along the way. A pril 23 is National Shakespeare Daya day for fans of the bard to celebrate his life and work. William Shakespeare is widely considered to be one of the worlds greatest poets and playwrights. He was also responsible for contributing hundreds of words to the English languagemany of which we still use today. National Shakespeare Day is a great opportunity to read (or go watch) your favourite Shakespearean play. Or, with dozens of movies based on the bards work, you can celebrate the influence the playwright has had on popular culture. Getty Images However you celebrate, find the answers to all your questions on Shakespeares life and death below. When is William Shakespeare Day? National Shakespeare Day is celebrated annually on April 23the anniversary of the bards death. Shakespeares birthday is also traditionally celebrated on April 23, though his exact birthday is unknown. However, his baptism is recorded as taking place on April 26. Where was William Shakespeare born? Henley Street, Stratford-upon-Avon / Getty Images William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, in April 1564. His parents were John Shakespeare and Mary Arden, who bought a house on Henley Streetwhich is now known as Shakespeares birthplace. Where did William Shakespeare live? Shakespeare grew up in Stratford-upon-Avon and married his wife Anne Hathaway in 1582, when he was 18. Little is known about Shakespeare between the years of 1585 and 1592known as The Lost Years--but he was living in London by 1592. In 1597, Shakespeare began buying property and land in Stratford and may have inherited two houses in the town when his father died. He retired to Stratford sometime after 1611. Where did William Shakespeare die? British poet and playwright William Shakespeare's grave is pictured in The Holy Trinity Church / AFP via Getty Images Shakespeare died in his hometown of Stratford-upon-Avon at the age of 52. He died on April 23, which is thought to be his birthday, and was buried two days later, at Holy Trinity Church in Stratford. A musical is in the works about the life of Twiggy, charting how a working-class teenager from Neasden became the most famous model in Britain almost overnight with one haircut. Ben Elton has written Close Up The Twiggy Musical, which will star Elena Skye as the eponymous lead when it opens on September 16 at Londons Menier Chocolate Factory, where it will run until November 18. The now 73-year-old Twiggy grew up in north-west London under the more humble name of Lesley Hornby. A photo of her with a more androgynous look of cropped hair catapulted her into the big time in October 1966. Her hairdresser boyfriend, Nigel Davies, became her manager, changed his name to Justin de Villeneuve, and persuaded her to change her name to Twiggy, from her childhood nickname Twigs (because of her thin build). Twiggy, who went on to become an actor and fashion designer, told the Guardian of her rise: It happened almost overnight. One day I was an ordinary schoolgirl and the next I was the face of 1966. It was madness but wonderful. Twiggy was a 1960s icon / AP / Shutterstock The model was only 16 when the iconic image threw her into the deep end of Londons showbusiness scene. The play will reflect a famous period in the history of the West End, with the glamour and seediness of the era recently being reflected in the 2021 film Last Night in Soho and the 2013 movie The Look of Love. The play pays tribute to the longevity and work of Twiggy, who was made a dame in 2019 for services to fashion, the arts, and charity. It also explores how she broke down barriers in becoming famous despite her less privileged upbringing. For girls like me, being a model wasnt an option as a job, she said. If you think of all the models before me, they were usually middle- or upper-class, and some went to finishing schools. They modelled until they got married. I was probably the first working-class model. Twiggy in 2017 / Matt Crossick / PA She added that she was flattered that Ben Elton, who wrote the material for the We Will Rock You musical as well as television comedies such as Blackadder and Upstart Crow, was writing a play about her life. Elton told the Guardian: [Sixties London] felt like a time of endless possibilities, a different Britain, when for a brief shining moment working-class people really had their shot, from the Beatles for about 10 years onwards. It was very cool, very fashionable, and almost imperative to be working-class, and those that werent pretended they were. It was a period when social mobility exploded. Close Up will be in the middle of a musical sandwich at Menier Chocolate Factory, which will start its mini-season with an adaption of Graham Greenes thriller The Third Man and end with a reinvention of Stephen Sondheims Pacific Overtures. For more information, visit the theatres site here. As stunning and inspiring a setting as the mountains may be, they are also, of course, full of danger. So its vitally important to put safety first. Darren Swift knows this better than anyone, after climbing some of the worlds most challenging peaks over the past three decades. Since building up his mountaineering skills in the Royal Marines, who he joined as a teenager, he has literally saved lives with his knowledge and expertise. Be prepared for the whole journey 1 / 4 Be prepared for the whole journey Swift is keen to stress the importance of being prepared for anything Barnaby Newton In 2003 Swift abandoned his Everest ascent to help an injured climber off the mountain Barnaby Newton Having the correct equipment and clothing is vital Barnaby Newton Keep on top of the small things so they dont turn into big things later, Swift believes Barnaby Newton Abandoning his Everest attempt In 2003, for instance, he abandoned his own ascent of Everest at a height of 8,000m to help an injured climber down the mountain to safety. He was awarded the Royal Humane Societys Gold Stanhope Medal for his bravery and selflessness, which had at that time only been awarded to 13 people in 200 years. He attributes his decision to the Marine credo of never leave a comrade behind, but he adds, I think most mountaineers would do the same if they could its just that once at that height on Everest they often dont have the physical or mental capacity to help because theyre already stretched to their limits. Preparing to push yourself to the summit Swift has been awarded the Royal Humane Societys Gold Stanhope Medal / Barnaby Newton Thats one reason why Swift is keen to stress the importance of being prepared for anything, and to always have a plan B, in his role as a safety expert and instructor on expeditions around the world. He has just returned from Nepal, where he was an advisor on the set of the Fox networks Special Forces: The Ultimate Test. How does that square, though, with an ambitious climbers natural desire to take risks? You have to push yourself to reach a summit, he admits, but what many people dont think about is that the summit is only part of the journey. Its no good getting to the summit exhausted because you wont be able to get back down. So you need to be prepared mentally and physically for the whole journey. You are only as good as your gear According to Swift, the summit is only part of the journey / Barnaby Newton Having the correct equipment and clothing is also vital, he explains. Theres a saying theres no such thing as bad weather, just inadequate clothing. So if you go out in a 20 jacket youre likely to be wet and cold within a few hours. But if you have decent clothing on you can go out for days on end and feel protected. Its important, because when youre cold, wet and tired, thats when you make silly mistakes that can cost lives. Keep on top of the small things Hashtag be bothered is Swifts catchy mantra when it comes to mountain safety / Barnaby Newton Swift reveals that he promotes a simple catchphrase as part of his safety briefings: Hashtag Be Bothered he says, with a social media reference thrown in. #BeBothered to put your waterproofs on; #BeBothered to put your gloves on and an extra layer when cold; and #BeBothered to eat and drink at the right time. If you dont cut those corners and skip the boring stuff when youre able to do it, youll feel more able to do them when its most important later on. Swift believes its a good mindset to take into daily life: Keep on top of the small things so they dont turn into big things later, he concludes. And by taking care of such small details, he has shown that incredible feats can be achieved. Explore the new Berghaus Extrem range. Made for the mountains. berghaus.com/extrem A tiny west London bedsit without a private toilet is up for rent for 1,240 per month and is described on the listing as suitable for a couple. The Bayswater property features a dining space wedged beneath a bunk bed, a pair of wardrobes, a corner kitchen and a built-in shower. But the listing photographs show no comfortable seating, and no internal toilet, instead requiring the tenant to use communal toilets dotted around the large residential complex opposite Cleveland Square. There is no floorplan available on the listing, but Glissen Management said the ground-floor Bayswater property is of good size and in an ideal location. All mod cons: the property has an integrated oven, a standalone fridge and a built-in shower / Zoopla / Glissen Management A spokesperson for the lettings company, who didnt want to be named, said they expect interest from professionals looking to make it their permanent home. The annual rent bill comes to 14,880. This includes all utility bills and council tax, they added, and the property is a good size by London standards. It has high ceilings and massive windows so there is a good deal of light and space, and the tenants will have their own shower and kitchen. There are six toilets on the ground floor and they are all going to be redone. It is somewhere between a studio and a house share but you have no cleaning up of others mess. Residents at the Victorian Cleveland Square building can apply for a Westminster Zone B parking permit / Zoopla / Glissen Management The agent said it is selective about tenants to maintain the right living environment within the building. We look for professionals, we dont want party animals. Featuring a double bunk bed, twin wardrobes and two chairs, the apartment is suitable for a couple although most likely to go to an individual they added. Located a short walk from Paddington Station and Hyde Park, the property may well attract those looking to sleep in the capital for work from Monday to Thursday before heading elsewhere for weekends. But the agent said it was more likely to go to working people looking to use it as their permanent home. However, they conceded that enquiries had so far been slow and the property was reduced in price last week. Properties in Bayswater sold for an average of 1.4 million in the last year, according to Rightmove. A three-bed flat on Cleveland Square sold for 630,000 last summer. Renting an average room now costs 1,000 or more in almost a third of London postcodes, it emerged this month. Beauty junkies will go to great lengths to stop the clock. The latest buzzword on every aestheticians lips? Exosomes. You might have heard the words stem cells being bandied about in beauty. They are cells with the potential to develop characteristics specific to a given organ or tissue, meaning they have incredible powers to regenerate and replace cells in the body. In medicine, stem cell transplants have been commonplace for some time. They might, for example, be extracted from the blood or bone marrow of a healthy family member and transferred to a cancer patient, or harvested from an umbilical cord and stored in case a baby should need healthy stem cells later in life. Essentially, they hold a regenerative superpower that beauty disruptors have long wished to bottle. However, there is currently no way for human stem cells to survive in a product vial. And even if they could, using human-derived matter in cosmetics is currently against EU law. Companies in South Korea and the US have begun harvesting stem cells from human matter like umbilical cords, bone marrow and fat, and extracting exosomes from them for use in beauty. For now at least, the exosome products popping up in the UK are only made from Damascus rose, which researchers have found to be similar in size and shape to human stem cell-derived exosomes. But this whole area is being hailed as a new frontier in beauty. Barbara Sturm is a proponent of exosomes / Sturm What is an exosome? Exosomes are not cells but signalling ambassadors, around 1/800th the size of a cell. They awaken and stimulate your skin at a cellular level by activating cells to work optimally and, therefore, say their proponents, have the power to slow the ageing process. There is no cellular matter in the exosomes, so any risk of disease transfer or cell rejection does not apply. Big pharma companies excited because it doesnt contain any DNA, says Dr Damree, who launched a 5 billion EXO Face treatment at Urban Retreat in Knightsbridge in January, combining exosomes with a radiofrequency microneedling machine. Its like they are little satellites that travel in from one cell to the other and pass on their signal. The recipient skin cell will become more active. As we age, the concentration of circulating exosomes declines and skin structure becomes disordered and untidy, resulting in unevenness, loss of elasticity and wrinkles, she continues. We have seen up to a 700 per cent increase in collagen production and 300 per cent increase in elastin production. Exosome treatments have popped up everywhere from Dr Barbara Sturms Mayfair spa to Andrea Pfeffers new Carnaby clinic and even the new Dr. Vali wellness centre in Selfridges. This is as cutting edge as it gets, says Dev Patel, a specialist in aesthetics and regenerative medicine, and medical director of Perfect Skin Solutions clinic, where he has been using exosomes since 2020. They are like a troubleshooter. You dont have to have a specific skin indication to use them as they will signal pretty much everything. It could just be pigmentation and open pores, or it could be loss of elasticity. If youre looking to reduce inflammation (which makes you look old), regenerate your skin and increase the thickness of the dermis (which makes you look young), or if youre someone in want of a full mop of hair, exosomes might just be your new besties. I personally think they are an exciting development and I am looking forward to seeing some impressive data on them, says award-winning aesthetician Dr Sophie Shotter, noting that a lot of the data currently available is from human-derived exosomes, and so not applicable here. The advantages for skin will be improved skin elasticity and firmness, and they should be very good for post-procedure recovery from lasers and more invasive procedures. Skincare line Cell Tweet harnesses the power of exosomes / Cell Tweet Exosomes on the market Over the counter exosome products are new and, for now, fairly few. Among the frontrunners is Dr Sturm, who launched her Exoso-Metic End Level skincare line in October 2021, and an exosome microneedling treatment in her spas globally in November of the same year. Its just fascinating what they can do, says the German skincare guru, who first used exosomes 20 years ago as part of her now-famous vampire facial. I was always bound to making exosomes from patients own blood instead of just having it [bought in] to use, says Dr Sturm, who describes her two products as game-changing, and for 380 for a pot of serum youd hope for little less. Dr Damree has a skincare line called Cell Tweet, which launched in October 2022. She notes that the skincare market is fairly unregulated and finding an effective product can be difficult. The most important thing to know is the manufacturing company, says Dr Damree, who recommends Googling the supplier to see if they supply to clinics, or better still buying from a clinic or doctor direct. Theres a lot of white labelling, and many products on the market that are claiming to be exosome products that arent. Others, like Patel, are unconvinced by the efficacy of over-the-counter exosomes. I find it questionable. It comes to me frozen and when I mix it up I literally have to use it within 30 minutes or it will become inactive. Andrea Pfeffers London salon offers exosome treatments / Salon C Stellar Exosomes are currently only legal for topical application, meaning youre not allowed to inject them Botox/filler-style. You can, however, apply them with microneedling (the needles are shorter so it doesnt count as far as regulations are concerned). The beauty of microneedling, says Dr Damree, is that different skin concerns can be targeted by using different depths of needle. A lady in her 60s, for example, might be suffering from skin laxity, fine lines, rosacea and pigment if you place the exosomes in all different layers, you can correct all these concerns in one. No other product can do this at the moment. When Andrea Pfeffer, who founded cult Fitzrovia facial destination Pfeffer Sal in 2015, opened her second clinic Salon C. Stellar in December, exosome treatments were first on her list. I was really looking for the latest innovative and minimally invasive treatments I could find. Treatments and new technology that made your skin and body work for you rather than relying on freezing and plumping Microneedling and RF needling have been around for a while now and they are brilliant technologies that target a multitude of skin conditions. However, when you combine them with exosomes you really take it to a whole new level. Not only do exosomes get your own cells to respond, rejuvenate and of course correct [pigmentation], they also have incredible inflammatory properties which help with acne, rosacea, psoriasis and much more. I have seen many treatments promising change or improvement but with the exosomes the results really are there! Exosomes are set to be the next big thing not just in beauty but also pharmaceutical drugs in the next 20 to 30 years. The first wave of use is topical innovation but we are only seeing the tip of the iceberg, says Dr Damree. This is not just another type of filler, this is the future. China has been praised for promoting the restoration of diplomatic relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia by people in the Middle East and political insiders. Produced by Xinhua Global Service J ust Stop Oil said a judge was trying to set a precedent by jailing two of its activists for their protest at the Dartford Crossing. Morgan Trowland, 40, and 34-year-old Marcus Decker used ropes and other climbing equipment to scale the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, which links the M25 in Essex and Kent. Prosecutor Adam King said the bridge was closed from 4am on October 17 last year to 9pm the following day, causing gridlock as traffic was forced to use the tunnels instead. Both defendants were found guilty by unanimous verdicts of causing a public nuisance, following an earlier trial at Basildon Crown Court. Judge Shane Collery KC sentenced the men at Southend Crown Court on Friday, with a three-year jail sentence for Trowland, and Decker jailed for two years and seven months. The pair appeared shocked as the sentences were read out, with structural engineer Trowland then nodding to acknowledge people around the courtroom from behind the glass of the secure dock. Private tutor Decker simply stood and waited for the dock officer to lead him to the cells. Both men have been in custody since their arrest last October. The pair were prosecuted under the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 10 years. The judge said the pair have to be punished for the chaos you caused and to deter others from copying you. He added that protest is tolerated but that in no society can there be a blank cheque in terms of whats permitted. The judge said that Trowland, who has six previous convictions relating to protests, had a leading role while Decker had one previous conviction relating to a protest. The judge said the pair plainly believed you knew better than everyone else, adding: In short, to hell with everyone else. By your actions you caused this very important road to be closed for 40 hours, the judge said, noting that the disruption affected many tens of thousands, some very significantly. Stephanie Golder, a Just Stop Oil spokesperson, said outside court that she was horrified by the sentences. I think the judge was trying to set a precedent, she said. Hes trying to deter people but we are not to be deterred because until the Government commits to no new oil and gas we will continue in our campaign of resistance. It wasnt what I expected at all. I felt tearful, emotional. But what makes me feel tearful is the fact were going to be dealing with millions and potentially billions of climate refugees in the next 20, 30 years. Thats what drives me, and thats likely what drives Morgan and Marcus. Prosecutor Mr King said that the protesters ascended to a point close to 200ft above the road and unfurled a giant Just Stop Oil banner and rigged up hammocks and stayed there. This closure caused gridlock for miles around throughout that period, which we say was the point, said Mr King. He said the men came down at about 5.30pm on October 18 with the help of police and a very tall cherry picker crane but the bridge was not reopened to traffic until later. Trowland, of Islington, north London, and Decker, of no fixed address, had denied causing a public nuisance, arguing that it was a protest. Essex Police said that those affected by the traffic disruption included a heavily pregnant woman who needed urgent medical help. Another person missed the funeral of their best friend of 35 years, the force said, and a business lost more than 160,000 in earnings. Counsel for the two men said they did not intend to conduct further disruptive protests but the judge said he saw no signs the defendants were any less committed to the causes you espouse than before. Jacob Bindman, for Trowland, said his client had in his words done his bit and he doesnt want to spend the rest of his days going in and out of prison. Rebecca Martin, for German citizen Decker who holds two degrees, said that the protest wasnt his idea. She said that the expert in climbing was not part of the initial planning process. T wo Just Stop Oilprotesters who scaled a bridge on the Dartford Crossing causing gridlock when police closed the bridge to traffic have been sentenced. Morgan Trowland, 40, and Marcus Decker, 34, were sentenced at Southend Crown Court to three years in prison, and two years and seven months in prison respectively, for causing a public nuisance. Both defendants were found guilty by unanimous verdicts of causing a public nuisance following an earlier trial at Basildon Crown Court. In response to their sentencing Home Secretary Suella Braverman said: These selfish protesters caused families to miss funerals, cost businesses money, disrupted emergency services and brought chaos to the law-abiding public. I welcome the courts verdict. Others considering similar stunts should take note. The pair used ropes and other climbing equipment to shuffle up the cables of the bridge in October last year. They ascended to a point close to 200ft above the road and unfurled a giant Just Stop Oil banner and rigged up hammocks and stayed there, prosecutors said during their trial. The Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, which links the M25 in Essex and Kent, was closed from 4am on October 17 to 9pm the following day. PA On Friday Judge Shane Collery KC said: You have to be punished for the chaos you caused and to deter others from copying you. The judge said that Trowland, who has six previous convictions relating to protests, had a leading role while Decker had one previous conviction relating to a protest. He said the pair plainly believed you knew better than everyone else, adding: In short, to hell with everyone else. By your actions you caused this very important road to be closed for 40 hours, Judge Collery KC said, noting that the disruption affected many tens of thousands, some very significantly. Prosecutor Adam King previously told Basildon Crown Court: Small businesses lost, in some cases, hundreds of thousands of pounds, people missed loved ones funerals, children were left on the side of the road waiting for buses. He said the men came down at about 5.30pm on October 18 with the help of police and a very tall cherry picker crane, but the bridge was not reopened to traffic until later. Jacob Bindman, for Trowland, said: Hes able to say this protest, and his experience of having spent time in prison, largely represents the end of his involvement in this kind of activity. He doesnt intend to undertake any large-scale disruptive protests in the future. He said that structural engineer Trowland had in his words done his bit and he doesnt want to spend the rest of his days going in and out of prison. Rebecca Martin, for Decker, said that the protest wasnt his idea and that the expert in climbing was not part of the initial planning process. Morgan Trowland (left) and Marcus Decker / Essex Police She said that both private tutor Decker, who is a German citizen with two degrees, and his co-defendant were trying to act for the greater good in the long term. Ms Martin said Decker would also not take part in further disruptive protests. But the judge said he saw no signs the defendants were any less committed to the causes you espouse than before. On Friday Just Stop Oil issued a statement saying that Trowland and Decker were given draconian custodial sentences. The Just Stop Oil supporters were demanding that the government halt licensing and consents for the development of any new fossil-fuel projects in the UK. Speaking outside the courtroom spokesperson Stephanie Golder said:What Morgan and Marcus did was extraordinary, risky and extremely disruptive. Just Stop Oil will not be deterred by these draconian sentences. Where they imprison one of us, ten more will take their place. When they imprison ten of us, one hundred will stand to take their place. We must unite against this genocidal government and be brave. For now, that means slowly marching around the streets of London. Just Stop Oil have continued disruptive protests and this week targeted the World Snooker Championships. It is feared disruptive action could also take place during the London Marathon this weekend. R oughly 70 firefighters tackled a blaze that broke out in north London in a four-storey building containing a shop and flats above. Ten fire engines and several ambulance crews rushed to the scene in Cricklewood Broadway in Cricklewood at about 10.10am. More than half of the third floor of the four-storey building was alight as well as the roof, according to London Fire Brigade (LFB). Fire engines from West Hampstead, Kentish Town, Finchley and surrounding fire stations were at the scene, and spent more than two-and-a-half hours bringing the blaze under control. A photo from the scene showed the street filled with smoke, as firefighters shot jets of water at the building. An eyewitness reported lots of fire engines and ambulances at the scene, while another described the fire as massive. LFB is urging people to avoid the area. The brigade says the cause of the fire is under investigation. One person left the property before firefighters arrived, and another person self-presented themselves at hospital. London Fire Brigade London Ambulance Service was also called to the blaze around 10.15am, and the fire was under control by 12.45pm. A spokesperson said: We have sent a number of resources to the scene, including an ambulance crew, an incident response officer, a medic in a fast response car and members of our hazardous area response team (HART). Our first medics arrived in less than three minutes. T he family responsible for the thousands of uniforms to be worn during the Kings Coronation say they are honoured to be involved. Staff at Kashket & Partners will be hard at work until just hours before the ceremony, expecting new orders or to fine-tune garments. The Coronation of the King and Queen will see the largest military ceremonial operation in 70 years when it takes place on May 6. More than 6,000 men and women of the Armed Forces will take part at Westminster Abbey. Kashket & Partners is the London-based firm responsible for creating every item of uniform for the event. The company is run by Nathan Kashket, 25. He is the fourth generation of the family to head the firm, Britains leading manufacturer of high-quality uniforms for ceremonial, parade and formal wear. Nathan Kashket on the factory floor at Kashet & Partners / Kashet&Partners Their main base is in Tottenham where 75 members of highly trained staff such as seamstresses, material cutters and embroiderers work. Some of them have worked for the company for nearly four decades, with many starting as apprentices. It holds the contract to provide military uniforms throughout the year for the Armed Forces. It was also behind the uniforms worn at other royal events, including the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II and weddings of Princes William and Harry. But Mr Kashket told the Standard that the Coronation was the biggest job the firm had taken on, adding that plans for creating up to 8,000 items of clothing for the event had been in motion for almost nine years. He says that within two weeks of starting work at the family firm aged 16, he was told about Operation London Bridge, the preparation for the Queens death, and Operation Golden Orb, the coronation of the next monarch. When whispers started last year that the Coronation would be in May time, we knew we were in for a very busy Christmas. It has been frantic, he said. Mr Kashket said in normal circumstances the firm was contracted to take six to eight weeks to create a uniform. However, their team can produce something in as little as two days for a big event like the Coronation. Mr Kashket said: There are so many highly-skilled people involved. Almost every piece of military uniform you see is made by us. But this is a new level. He added that the role was the biggest honour of my career. We are so delighted to be a part of it. It is a huge responsibility but I could not be more proud. The family will be the focus of a BBC documentary, Coronation Tailors: Fit for a King, on May 3. P aper day travelcards could be permanently withdrawn from sale at London stations under plans from the Mayor to save money. The paper tickets give unlimited travel on TfL services, including bus, Tube, Tram, Docklands Light Railway, London Underground, London Overground and Elizabeth line, as well as National Rail services in London. But under plans the paper tickets would no longer be accepted at stations and tourists from outside the city would be expected to use contactless or Oyster cards on arrival. Under the proposals, instead of purchasing child day travelcards, would be expected to apply in advance for a Zip card or get the Young Visitor discount set on an Oyster card. The mayor claims the move will allow TfL to keep providing weekly and longer-term travelcards. A TfL spokesperson said: As required by conditions of the governments funding settlements, we are considering proposals to generate additional income. One of these proposals is withdrawal from elements of the Travelcard Agreement, such as TfLs acceptance of day travelcards, but we are not proposing to make any changes to the daily pay-as-you-go caps on contactless or Oyster. The purchase of weekly, monthly and annual season tickets has fallen from a total of about 1.2m to around 220,000, per four week period, in under a decade. The trend has accelerated since the launch of Contactless and pay-as-you-go ticketing in 2014 and has continued as a result in the growth of working from home due to the pandemic. To have your say on the proposals click here. A woman in her 50s has died after her car collided with a lorry and a van in an east London suburb. A huge emergency response involving ambulance crews, police and firefighters was scrambled to the scene in Rainham around 8.30am on Wednesday. The crash happened on the A1306 New Road in Wennington, at the busy A-roads junction with the B1335 Wennington Road. Responders tried to save driver of the car a woman aged in her 50s - but she died at the scene. The drivers of the lorry and the van were taken to hospital with minor injuries. The Met Police said the lorry driver was not arrested, and is helping them with their enquiries. Detectives investigating the crash are urging anyone with information to get in touch. The force confirmed the womans next of kin have been informed of her death, and are receiving support from specially trained officers. Detectives from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit are appealing for any witnesses, or those with dashcam footage, to make contact. Please call 101 ref CAD 2706/19 Apr. A CTOR Jude Law tells us he is proud to be starring in a diverse Peter Pan film. I hope were moving into a chapter of a more inclusive society, he said at the premiere of Peter Pan & Wendy last night. The film features new Lost Girl characters among the Lost Boys. Tinkerbell is played by black actress Yara Shahidi while Noah Matthews Matofsky, who has Downs syndrome, plays Slightly. Being a lost boy is a state of mind. Neverland is a place owned by everyone, so everyone deserves to go, Law said. Law plays Captain Hook, and said he tried to be as terrifying as possible. He was the only pirate that Long John Silver feared, so I thought Ive got to make this guy believably scary, believably a killer, in a kids movie, he said. Not that his co-star Ever Anderson noticed: On set Jude was the scary pirate captain, but off set he was this complete gentleman, she told us. 1m boost for Old Vic plans Ellie Bamber attending The Tomorrow Gala for The Old Vic in London. Picture date: Thursday April 20, 2023. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Suzan Moore/PA Wire / PA The Old Vic Theatre raised more than 1 million at a gala last night. The money will be used to transform the historic venue, with a new five-storey annexe to help promote emerging talent. Actress Ellie Bamber was one of the guests at the gala, which featured a quiz hosted by Sir Ian McKellen. Artistic director Matthew Warchus told us that the Old Vic currently doesnt really have a suitable space for emerging talent, which he aims to rectify. The plans also include a space for local children to do homework. Ritchie: I never wanted to use real guns Guy Ritchie attends a special screening of "The Gentlemen" at The Curzon Mayfair on December 03, 2019 in London, England. / Dave Benett/WireImage Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels director Guy Ritchie says he never liked using real guns in his films and is glad the rules have changed. Charges against Alec Baldwin for the death of a crew member on the film Rust were dropped yesterday. Ritchie says he has no idea why the industry used actual firearms and its a tremendous relief fake ones are the standard since the tragic death in 2021. Bentons day out at Spurs TORY MP Scott Benton had the whip removed after he told journalists who he thought were gambling lobbyists he could ask questions for them in Parliament. Should he wish to keep his links to the gambling industry quiet, the new register of MPs interests wont help. They show Benton got three free hospitality tickets to see a Tottenham match... paid for by the Betting and Gaming Council. All roads lead to the Baftas Londoners Diary 21st April 23 1 / 8 Londoners Diary 21st April 23 BAFTA Television Craft and BAFTA Television Awards Nominees Party - VIP Arrivals Sue Perkins, Claudia Winkleman and Kirsty Young attends the BAFTA Television Craft and BAFTA Television Awards Nominees Party at the Tate Britain on April 20, 2023 in London, England. Pic credit: Dave Benett Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty Images BAFTA Television Craft and BAFTA Television Awards Nominees Party - VIP Arrivals Clara Amfo attends the BAFTA Television Craft and BAFTA Television Awards Nominees Party at the Tate Britain on April 20, 2023 in London, England. Pic credit: Dave Benett Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty Images The Old Vic Tomorrow Gala - VIP Arrivals Lennie James (L) and Mark Rylance arrive at The Old Vic Tomorrow Gala at The Old Vic Theatre on April 20, 2023 in London, England. Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty Images The Old Vic Tomorrow Gala - VIP Arrivals Jason Isaacs arrives at The Old Vic Tomorrow Gala at The Old Vic Theatre on April 20, 2023 in London, England. Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty Images "Peter Pan & Wendy" - World Premiere - VIP Arrivals Yara Shahidi attends the World Premiere of "Peter Pan & Wendy" at The Curzon Mayfair on April 20, 2023 in London, England. Dave Benett/WireImage "Peter Pan & Wendy" - World Premiere - VIP Arrivals Ever Anderson attends the World Premiere of "Peter Pan & Wendy" at The Curzon Mayfair on April 20, 2023 in London, England. Pic credit: Dave Benett Dave Benett/WireImage Presenters Sue Perkins, Kirsty Young, Claudia Winkleman and Clara Amfo went to the Bafta Television Awards Nominees Party at the Tate Britain last night. In Waterloo, actors Lennie James, Sir Mark Rylance and Jason Isaacs were at the Old Vics Tomorrow Gala, while stars Yara Shahidi and Ever Anderson enjoyed a rainy world premiere of Peter Pan & Wendy at the Curzon Mayfair. Shahidi plays Tinker Bell, and Anderson is Wendy. Anderson told us the cast played pranks on each other with water guns. A council has lost a High Court bid to block the Government housing up to 1,700 asylum seekers at an airfield in Esssex. Braintree District Council had brought legal action against the Home Office over the plans for former RAF base Wethersfield Airfield in Essex. Lawyers for the local authority, which is Conservative run, asked for an injunction preventing the use of the site to house asylum seekers and opposed the Home Offices argument that the need to provide shelter for them was an emergency under planning law. Mr Justice Waksman concluded on Friday that the court did not have the legal power to grant the councils application for an injunction and ruled in favour of the Government. The Ministry of Defence-owned land was one of the sites identified when immigration minister Robert Jenrick unveiled plans last month to house asylum seekers in disused military bases to reduce reliance on costly hotels. Mr Jenrick previously said the sites are undoubtedly in the national interest and said only single adult males will be put into the barracks, as he seeks to reduce a hotel bill he put at 2.3billion a year. Paul Brown KC, for the Home Office, said in written submissions that, as of last month, it was estimated that the department was accommodating over 109,000 asylum seekers, 48,000 of them in hotels, at a total cost of over 6.2million per day. He added: Significantly, the number needing support is predicted to grow still further: Home Office operational plans are based on scenarios of up to 56,000 small boat arrivals in 2023. That would take the supported population to between 120,000 and 140,000. The court was told the planning provision allowing the government to use land like airbases, called Class Q, is aimed at dealing with emergencies which threaten serious damage to human welfare. The government has been scouring the country for potential sites to sign asylum seekers amid rising numbers heading to the UK on small boats. About 1,500 asylum seekers could be housed under plans for RAF Scampton near Lincoln where the 617 Squadron, or Dambusters, were formed - the unit famous for launching bouncing bomb raids against German infrastructure in World War Two. However, that plan has also met with local resistance. D ominic Raab faces an uphill fight to hold his seat at the next General Election with the bullying claims swirling over him, say political experts. The Deputy Prime Minister held the affluent constituency of Esher and Walton in 2019 with a majority of just 2,743, down from 23,298 just two years earlier. Support for him evaporated amid a fierce backlash against Brexit, a cause he championed. The Liberal Democrats have set up an office in the constituency which they are heavily targeting. Lord Hayward, a leading Tory pollster, said: He is in an uphill fight having faced a very substantial Liberal Democrat challenge last time around. Another political expert said that while anger against Mr Raab over Brexit may have eased, he is seen as vulnerable as some voters in 2019 may have been worried that if they voted Lib-Dem and ousted him it could have given the keys to No10 to Jeremy Corbyn. These voters, he argued, are thought to be less concerned at the prospect of Sir Keir Starmer becoming Prime Minister than Mr Corbyn. Labour on Friday sought to drag Rishi Sunak into the fall-out of the bullying inquiry into Justice Secretary Mr Raab who resigned on Friday morning. The Lib-Dems immediately called for a by-election. Earlier, shadow health secretary Wes Streeting said before the announcement: Rishi Sunak has been holed up in Downing Street, reading the report, and he has got no-one to blame but himself because he knew these allegations were in the air when he appointed Dominic Raab as Deputy Prime Minister and he has got form for weakness in appointing people to the highest offices who are not fit to hold them. Mr Raab had rejected the bullying claims against him from a number of civil servants during his time at the Foreign Office, Ministry of Justice and former Brexit Department but accepted the inquirys findings. Mr Sunaks Government has also faced a series of other controversies over senior figures including Home Secretrary Suella Braverman, who quit the post under Liz Truss administration over a breach of the ministerial code relating to use of private emails only to be reappointed to it by her successor, Nadhim Zahawi who was sacked as Chancellor over a tax row, and Sir Gavin Williamson who resigned as a Government minister after bullying claims, which he strongly denied. But Transport Secretary Mark Harper hit back at the Labour attack, defending the Prime Minister who he stressed wanted to reach a swift conclusion on the Raab inquiry after taking a little bit of time to consider the report. He emphasised that Mr Sunaks pledge to lead a Government of integrity, accountability and professionalism still stood. He added: He only received the report yesterday, at the conclusion of a five-month inquiry. Its right that the Prime Minister takes the time to read the report in full, go through all of the details, and that is fair to the complainants who made serious complaints and also fair to Dominic Raab. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks to reporters at the UN headquarters in New York, on Feb. 14, 2023.(Xinhua/Xie E) "You are the major economies -- but also the major emitters. And our world has a major climate challenge before us. Today's policies would make our world 2.8 degrees hotter by the end of the century. And this is a death sentence," said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. UNITED NATIONS, April 20 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday called for accelerated climate action through global cooperation. "We need global acceleration through cooperation. And that means rising above disagreements, differences and tensions. Geopolitical divisions must not torpedo the world's climate fight for 1.5 degrees," he told the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate in a video message. "You are the major economies -- but also the major emitters. And our world has a major climate challenge before us. Today's policies would make our world 2.8 degrees hotter by the end of the century. And this is a death sentence," said Guterres. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has made clear that it is still possible to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels -- but only if the world takes a quantum leap in climate action. And that depends on the major economies, he said. Guterres called for accelerated action in three areas. First, net-zero deadlines. He called on leaders of developed countries to commit to reaching net-zero emissions as close as possible to 2040 and on leaders of emerging economies to commit to reaching net-zero as close as possible to 2050. "And I also urge all countries, developed and developing, to step up their national climate action plans, or NDCs, to bring them in line with the 1.5 degrees goal," he said, referring to Nationally Determined Contributions. Second, departure from fossil fuels. Renewables can deliver -- on access, affordability, and energy security. And the science is clear: new fossil fuel projects are entirely incompatible with 1.5 degrees. Yet many countries are expanding capacity on fossil fuels, he said. "And I urge you to change course: phase out coal by 2030 in OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries and 2040 in all others; end all licensing or funding -- both public and private -- of new fossil fuel projects; make sure generation of electricity is net-zero by 2035 in developed countries, and 2040 elsewhere; decarbonize major sectors faster -- from shipping, aviation and steel, to cement, aluminum and agriculture -- in close cooperation with the private sector; put a price on carbon; shift fossil fuel subsidies to finance a just transition to renewables." Third, acceleration of climate justice by reforming the international financial system. He asked the leaders of the major economies, as major shareholders of multilateral development banks, to push them to coordinate their operations better, and to overhaul their business models and approaches to risk, in order to turbocharge climate action and sustainable development. Developed countries must also deliver on the commitments made in previous UN Climate Change conferences. Adaptation must reach 50 percent of climate finance. The loss and damage fund must be operationalized. And the Green Climate Fund must be replenished, said Guterres. The Major Economies Forum held its fourth meeting -- in virtual format -- on Thursday under the auspices of the U.S. government. R ishi Sunak is facing a growing row after his deputy Dominic Raab quit ahead of the release of a damning report into bullying claims by staff. The Prime Minister was accused of weakness by Sir Keir Starmer after he allowed Mr Raab to resign rather than sacking him. Mr Raab quit as Deputy PM as an inquiry found he acted in an intimidating and aggressive way with officials in behaviour that could have amounted to bullying. Adam Tolley KCs investigation published on Friday concluded Mr Raab engaged in an abuse or misuse of power that undermines or humiliates while foreign secretary. Mr Raabs conduct in the department had a significant adverse effect on one colleague and he was also found to have been intimidating to staff by criticising utterly useless work while justice secretary. Mr Sunak, who had spent the night agonising over whether to sack his key ally, said he accepted Mr Raabs resignation on Friday morning with great sadness. Mr Raab, who also quit as justice secretary, went down swinging, criticising the Kafkaesque saga and saying he had been warned that unionised officials were targeting him. Mr Sunak filled the gap in his Cabinet by promoting two longstanding allies, with Alex Chalk becoming Justice Secretary and Oliver Dowden appointed as Deputy Prime Minister. Mr Tolleys five-month investigation into eight formal complaints about Mr Raabs conduct as Brexit secretary and foreign secretary, and in his previous tenure leading the Ministry of Justice, was handed to Downing Street on Thursday morning. Downing Street suggested that Mr Sunak accepts his ally broke the ministerial code with what amounted to findings of bullying. The Tolley report said Mr Raab acted in an intimidating fashion with unreasonably and persistently aggressive conduct in a work meeting while he was foreign secretary. He also committed an abuse or misuse of power in a way that undermines or humiliates with a staffing move, which Mr Raab argued was key to Brexit negotiations on Gibraltar with Spain. But Mr Tolley said he introduced an unwarranted punitive element while his conduct was inevitably experienced as undermining or humiliating by the affected individual. On a separate occasion while running the Foreign Office, Mr Raab was found to have caused a significant adverse effect on a civil servant after conveying a threat. He was said to have issued unspecified disciplinary action, suggesting there had been a breach of the Civil Service Code. In a separate strand of the investigation, Mr Tolley praised the Ministry of Justice complainants courage for coming forward with allegations that launched the inquiry. Though he did not make any formal findings about Mr Raabs conduct in relation to these claims, Mr Tolley did say Mr Raab acted in an intimidating manner at meetings with policy officials. He made unconstructive critical comments about the quality of work, including criticising the absence of the basics. Mr Raab was found to have criticised the obstructiveness of officials and described some work as utterly useless and woeful. Though he stopped short of describing the conduct as bullying, Mr Tolleys findings were consistent with what he said what would amount to the offence under the Ministerial Code. Behaviour that could be characterised as offensive, intimidating or insulting, or amount to a misuse of power in a way that undermines or humiliates would fall within the description of bullying, the lawyer wrote. Mr Tolley said Mr Raabs conduct as Brexit secretary could not be characterised as offensive or malicious, though he said it was experienced as intimidating, in the sense of excessively demanding. Mr Raab said in his resignation letter to the Prime Minister that he was genuinely sorry for any unintended stress or offence that any officials felt. But he criticised a number of improprieties during the inquiry, including systematic leaking of skewed and fabricated claims as he called for an independent review. Mr Raab said the inquiry has set a dangerous precedent by setting a low threshold for bullying, which he says will encourage spurious complaints. Going further in an article for the Telegraph, Mr Raab said that the Kafkaesque saga I endured was shorn of the safeguards most people enjoy. And he claimed that the nation will pay the price if the threshold for bullying in government has been lowered. He later told BBC News: What youve got is the risk here that a very small minority of very activist civil servants, with a passive-aggressive culture of the civil service, who dont like some of the reforms whether its Brexit, whether its parole reform, whether its human rights reform effectively trying to block government. Thats not on, thats not democratic. The Labour leader accused Mr Sunak of continual weakness by allowing Mr Raab to resign rather than sacking him, before hitting out at the outgoing ministers whining. Speaking to broadcasters, Sir Keir said: Why didnt he sack him? And now its left for Dominic Raab to resign because the Prime Minister hasnt acted. Its that indecision and its that weakness that goes to the heart not just of this Prime Minister but 13 years now of failure. Mr Sunak spoke to Mr Raab by phone on Friday morning, but Downing Street declined to say whether or not he told him to resign. But the Prime Ministers official spokesman suggested that Mr Sunak accepts Mr Raab broke the ministerial code with the finding of bullying. Asked whether he would condemn the behaviour, the spokesman said: Clearly any bullying in general terms is unacceptable and there are clear rules that apply to that. The resignation comes months after the Prime Minister sacked Nadhim Zahawi as Conservative Party chairman amid controversy over his tax affairs. Sir Gavin Williamson another key Sunak ally resigned only days into his premiership after it was alleged he sent expletive-laden messages to a former chief whip. FDA union general secretary Dave Penman called for an independent inquiry into ministerial bullying following the investigation. His obviously reluctant tone and dismissal of the complaints says more about his conduct than any findings will. This resignation is not a vindication of the current system, its a damning indictment of the inadequacy of a process that relies solely on the prime minister of the day to enforce standards, he said. A few Tory MPs defended Mr Raab following the release of the report. Jacob Rees-Mogg told Channel 4 News: I think his resignation was unnecessary and the PM should not have accepted it. It seems to me there is one way accountability. Civil servants can be as incompetent and useless and fail to do deliver on government policy and there is no consequence for them. This is undemocratic. But a Ministry of Justice source said they were relieved that Mr Raab was gone. There is a noted sense of deep relief in the MoJ today. The lack of remorse from Raab is upsetting but entirely predictable. The behaviour evidenced in the report falls so far below any standard that would be acceptable in any workplace, the source told The Guardian. Dominic Raab hit out at activist civil servants after quitting as Deputy PM as an inquiry found he acted in an intimidating and aggressive way with officials in behaviour that could have amounted to bullying. Adam Tolley KCs investigation published on Friday concluded Mr Raab engaged in an abuse or misuse of power that undermines or humiliates while foreign secretary. Mr Raabs conduct in the department had a significant adverse effect on one colleague and he was also found to have been intimidating to staff by criticising utterly useless work while justice secretary. Rishi Sunak, who had spent the night agonising over whether to sack his key ally, accepted Mr Raabs resignation on Friday morning with great sadness. Mr Raab, who also quit as justice secretary, went down swinging, criticising the Kafkaesque saga and saying he had been warned that unionised officials were targeting him. Mr Sunak filled the gap in his Cabinet by promoting two longstanding allies, with Alex Chalk becoming Justice Secretary and Oliver Dowden appointed as Deputy Prime Minister. Mr Tolleys five-month investigation into eight formal complaints about Mr Raabs conduct as Brexit secretary and foreign secretary, and in his previous tenure leading the Ministry of Justice, was handed to Downing Street on Thursday morning. Downing Street suggested that Mr Sunak accepts his ally broke the ministerial code with what amounted to findings of bullying. The Tolley report said Mr Raab acted in an intimidating fashion with unreasonably and persistently aggressive conduct in a work meeting while he was foreign secretary. He also committed an abuse or misuse of power in a way that undermines or humiliates with a staffing move, which Mr Raab argued was key to Brexit negotiations on Gibraltar with Spain. But Mr Tolley said he introduced an unwarranted punitive element while his conduct was inevitably experienced as undermining or humiliating by the affected individual. On a separate occasion while running the Foreign Office, Mr Raab was found to have caused a significant adverse effect on a civil servant after conveying a threat. He was said to have issued unspecified disciplinary action, suggesting there had been a breach of the Civil Service Code. In a separate strand of the investigation, Mr Tolley praised the Ministry of Justice complainants courage for coming forward with allegations that launched the inquiry. Though he did not make any formal findings about Mr Raabs conduct in relation to these claims, Mr Tolley did say Mr Raab acted in an intimidating manner at meetings with policy officials. He made unconstructive critical comments about the quality of work, including criticising the absence of the basics. Mr Raab was found to have criticised the obstructiveness of officials and described some work as utterly useless and woeful. Though he stopped short of describing the conduct as bullying, Mr Tolleys findings were consistent with what he said what would amount to the offence under the Ministerial Code. Behaviour that could be characterised as offensive, intimidating or insulting, or amount to a misuse of power in a way that undermines or humiliates would fall within the description of bullying, the lawyer wrote. Mr Tolley said Mr Raabs conduct as Brexit secretary could not be characterised as offensive or malicious, though he said it was experienced as intimidating, in the sense of excessively demanding. Mr Raab said in his resignation letter to the Prime Minister that he was genuinely sorry for any unintended stress or offence that any officials felt. But he criticised a number of improprieties during the inquiry, including systematic leaking of skewed and fabricated claims as he called for an independent review. Mr Raab said the inquiry has set a dangerous precedent by setting a low threshold for bullying, which he says will encourage spurious complaints. Going further in an article for the Telegraph, Mr Raab said that the Kafkaesque saga I endured was shorn of the safeguards most people enjoy. And he claimed that the nation will pay the price if the threshold for bullying in government has been lowered. He later told BBC News: What youve got is the risk here that a very small minority of very activist civil servants, with a passive-aggressive culture of the civil service, who dont like some of the reforms whether its Brexit, whether its parole reform, whether its human rights reform effectively trying to block government. Thats not on, thats not democratic. Sir Keir Starmer accused Mr Sunak of continual weakness by allowing Mr Raab to resign rather than sacking him, before hitting out at the outgoing ministers whining. Mr Sunak spoke to Mr Raab by phone on Friday morning, but Downing Street declined to say whether or not he told him to resign. But the Prime Ministers official spokesman suggested that Mr Sunak accepts Mr Raab broke the ministerial code with the finding of bullying. Asked whether he would condemn the behaviour, the spokesman said: Clearly any bullying in general terms is unacceptable and there are clear rules that apply to that. The resignation comes months after the Prime Minister sacked Nadhim Zahawi as Conservative Party chairman amid controversy over his tax affairs. Sir Gavin Williamson another key Sunak ally resigned only days into his premiership after it was alleged he sent expletive-laden messages to a former chief whip. FDA union general secretary Dave Penman called for an independent inquiry into ministerial bullying following the investigation. His obviously reluctant tone and dismissal of the complaints says more about his conduct than any findings will. This resignation is not a vindication of the current system, its a damning indictment of the inadequacy of a process that relies solely on the prime minister of the day to enforce standards, he said. The Liberal Democrats demanded a by-election in Dominic Raabs Esher and Walton constituency in Surrey following his resignation. T he UK has sanctioned five people including two Russian spies following the imprisonment of a British-Russian dissident for 25 years in Moscow. Vladimir Kara-Murza was jailed on Monday after being convicted of treason and spreading false information about the Russian army in a process he described as a show trial. The Kremlin critic, a close ally of murdered opposition figure Boris Nemtsov, has already survived two poisonings that left him in a coma in 2015 and 2017. The Foreign Office has now placed sanctions on three individuals involved in his arrest and two members of the FSB, the successor to the KGB, who followed Mr Kara-Murza prior to his poisonings. Those sanctioned for their involvement in Mr Kara-Murzas arrest have been named as Elena Lenskaya, the judge who approved the arrest, and investigators Denis Kolesnikov and Andrei Zadachin. FSB agents Alexander Samofal and Konstantin Kudryavtsev have also been sanctioned, with the Foreign Office saying they were part of an operational team that followed Mr Kara-Murza on multiple trips before he was poisoned. The five people will now be subject to travel bans and asset freezes. Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said: Russias treatment and conviction of Vladimir Kara-Murza once again demonstrates its utter contempt for basic human rights. Today five individuals connected to his case have been sanctioned, sending a clear message that the UK will not stand for this treatment of one of its citizens. The UK will continue to support Mr Kara-Murza and his family. I call on Russia to release him immediately and unconditionally. The judge who presided over Mr Kara-Murzas trial and the head of the detention centre where he is being held have already been sanctioned in connection with another case. Following his imprisonment on Monday, Mr Cleverly praised Mr Kara-Murza, who holds a British passport, for bravely speaking out against Russias invasion of Ukraine and summoned the Russian ambassador to explain his countrys actions. The dissidents wife, Evgenia Kara-Murza, had called for the UK to sanction those involved in his prosecution, saying she was baffled that sanctions had not come sooner. Bill Browder, a friend of Mr Kara-Murza and head of the Global Magnitsky Justice Campaign, welcomed the sanctions but said the decision falls far short. He said: Vladimir is a British citizen and his health has critically deteriorated in prison. His life is significantly at risk as he begins his 25-year sentence in a Russian penal colony. The government has sanctioned only five individuals involved in his political persecution and there are more than 30 involved in this brazen breach of human rights in Russia. Furthermore, it is completely inexplicable why it has taken this long for James Cleverly to act while the US and Canada imposed sanctions months ago. The Foreign Secretary and the British Government should be doing everything in its power to free Vladimir for jail. T he King and the Queen Consort will unveil the staging for the Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool next week. Charles and Camilla will be shown around the M&S Bank Arena and meet creative teams and celebrity presenters, ahead of the contest next month. The grand final of the competition is due to take place on May 13, a week after the coronation ceremony. Eurovision 2023 will take place in Liverpool after the UK was chosen to host the competition on behalf of war-torn Ukraine. It will be the first time the competition has been held in the UK for 25 years. On Wednesday, Charles and Camilla will be met at the arena by BBC director general Tim Davie, BBC director of content Charlotte Moore and managing director for BBC Eurovision 2023 Martin Green. They will be given a tour backstage to meet production staff before revealing the competition staging for the first time. The couple will also be introduced to Eurovision hosts Julia Sanina, Hannah Waddingham, Scott Mills and Rylan Clark, before meeting with this years UK entrant, Mae Muller. Charles and Camillas visit is one of several royal engagements in Liverpool, recognising the cultural partnership of the UK and Ukraine and celebrating Eurovision. They will also visit Liverpool Central Library to officially mark its twinning with Ukraines first public library, the Regional Scientific Library in Odesa. They will meet key partners involved in a two-week cultural festival running alongside the contest, and Eurolearn, a Eurovision-inspired education programme for primary and secondary pupils. A recital of Poem For Eurovision by poet Levi Tafari, written with the help of secondary pupils from several of Liverpools Schools of Sanctuary, will take place on their arrival. Charles will later reveal a plaque to mark the twinning of the libraries, during a live link with the site in Odesa, and the visit will end with a performance by English National Opera. T oday is International Day of the Midwife, an annual holiday dedicated to celebrating and advocating for midwives all over the world. On International Day of the Midwife, the World Health Organisation (WHO)s European office reiterates that planned investments in the midwifery workforce are essential to ensure better health for all. WHO says: Investing in midwives could avert two-thirds of maternal and newborn deaths by 2035, as well as help to strengthen primary health care systems and provide a pathway to universal health coverage. It added: Let us join forces on this occasion to recognize and show appreciation for their work and to advocate for strengthening the role of the midwife. What is International Day of the Midwife? International Day of the Midwife was established by the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) in 1992, and it is celebrated annually on May 5. The ICM coordinates the day in partnership with member organisations, and it is observed by more than 50 nations. In 2023, the theme is together again: from evidence to reality. The Royal College of Midwives said in a statement: This time of celebration honours the efforts of midwives and their associations to action critical evidence like the State of the Worlds Midwifery (SoWMy) towards meaningful change for our profession and the women and families we care for. We hope that midwives, maternity support workers and student midwives across the globe celebrate in unison. International Day of the Midwife is a chance to celebrate the work that midwives around the world do, and to advocate for midwifery. International Day of the Midwife messages Health professionals and health services have been sharing messages of support for midwives on social media to celebrate the annual day. Dr Amir Khan said in 2022: Its #InternationalDayoftheMidwife. A huge THANK YOU to all the incredible midwives out there who are working so hard for mothers, babies and families You are there through the good times and bad, and are truly wonderful. University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: Our midwives are a fantastic, versatile and dedicated team. We are grateful for all that they have done to support families and their babies, especially over the past couple of years. Barts Health said: Happy #InternationalDayoftheMidwife! A big thank you to our amazing midwives for their hard work in providing high-quality care to women, birthing people and their families. They shared a video of midwives Ariya, Lucy, Jenise and Juan speaking about what being a midwife means to them. The London Ambulance Service said: On #InternationalDayOfTheMidwife wed like to celebrate our three dedicated midwives Stacey, Camella and Aimee who support and train #TeamLAS colleagues on responding to and taking maternity calls. We received 11,000 pregnancy-related emergency calls in 2021. #100YearsOfProgress. How to celebrate International Day of the Midwife The ICM is encouraging people to share their messages of support on social media. The organisation has prepared 14 messages complete with graphics that midwives and their supporters are encouraged to share on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. For example, one message people can share is #ImagineIfMidwives were recognised as autonomous healthcare professionals, no longer conflated with nurses and obstetricians. More women would receive high-quality #SRHR by the care provider most qualified to deliver these services: a #midwife. #ICM100. For other messages, and to find out how to share them, head to the official website for IDM2022.com. D ominic Raabs fight to keep his job as deputy prime minister, a murderers appeal for a shorter sentence and Elon Musks SpaceX explosion featured on the front pages of Fridays newspaper. The i reports on Mr Raab refusing to resign after a report into eight bullying accusations against him was delivered to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. The Daily Telegraph and The Times say he will fight to keep his job as Mr Sunak mulls the report. The Daily Mirror says the man who killed Oliva Pratt-Korbel, 9, has appealed to have his 42-year sentence cut. The United States Secretary of the Treasury said the US decoupling from China could be a disaster for both countries, according to the Financial Times. Unelected Lords have plotted to block tough immigration laws which could trigger public outrage, according to the Daily Mail. The Daily Express asks why the BBC ignored calls from MPs to protect womens rights. The Metro reports on the failed SpaceX launch which exploded after lift off, as Elon Musk called the launch a success. The Daily Star led with the funeral of TV legend Paul OGrady where dozens of dogs lined the street to farewell him. T he father of Stephen Lawrence is demanding an outside police force is brought in to nail the final racist gang members who murdered his teenage son 30 years ago. Dr Neville Lawrence, 81, says the Metropolitan Police is not fit for purpose and cant be trusted to pursue new leads that might arise, which could let him see full justice before dying. In a wide-ranging interview, Mr Lawrence told the Standard about three decades of pain and why Stephens body is buried in Jamaica. Stephen, 18, was stabbed to death by racists in an unprovoked attack at a bus stop in Eltham, on April 22, 1993. The bungled original investigation was hampered by racism and alleged corruption. The 1999 Macpherson report branded the Met institutionally racist. Mayor Sadiq Khan and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer are expected to attend a memorial service on Stephen Lawrence Day, tomorrows national commemoration. Mr Lawrence says he has no interest in meeting Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley because the police chief wont accept Baroness Caseys recent conclusion that the force is institutionally racist, misogynist and homophobic. He said: I grew up as a child thinking the Metropolitan Police was the best force in the world. With Rowley Ive made it plain, I dont want to talk to him. Im not going to waste my breath. He knows a lot about what is happening in the force. Its not fit for purpose for black people in this country. It took 19 years for two of Stephens five killers to be brought to justice. Retired Detective Chief Inspector Clive Driscoll, who caught Gary Dobson, 47, and David Norris, 46, was told by a trial judge the Met shouldnt close the file with three or four other killers of Stephen Lawrence at large. Driscoll said he was probing an alleged sixth member when taken off the case. Mr Lawrence said: Theres nobody in the Metropolitan Police I would trust to do what they are supposed to do. If Clive Driscoll was still in the force, I would feel more comfortable. At least you have one person. Can they send me another officer who, once he leaves the front door, I believe hes going to do the job? The judge said to Clive, Go and catch the rest and within weeks they got rid of him. So whats that telling you? Theyre not interested. If theres powerful evidence to convict anyone who was part of that gang, I wouldnt want the Metropolitan Police to have it. If its possible, a different police force somewhere in this country should take over the case. He added: Im convinced there is something why they dont want this case to be solved. Theres somebody that may be involved with these boys who, if they talk, that person will be in trouble But Im a determined person. I think somehow all those others will eventually go to prison for my sons murder. I dont know how long I am alive for. Im now 81. But I pray I see that before I go. Norris will become eligible for parole next year and Dobson in 2025. Mr Lawrence, who forgave them after being baptised in a Seventh-Day Adventist church, plans to speak at both hearings to encourage them to admit their crimes. Mr Lawrence yesterday spoke at an event in front of 700 Crown Prosecution Service staff at their HQ in Westminster. Lionel Idan, Chief Crown Prosecutor for London South, said: We must strive to work together now, to tackle these issues and the quiet dignity and strength of Dr Lawrence serves to remind us of the need to keep Stephens legacy alive for generations to come. Downing Street announced on Friday (April 21) that the Prime Minister had promoted Dowden, a minister in the Cabinet Office, after Raabs decision to stand down as a result of bullying allegations made against him. Sunak announced Alex Chalk will fill Raabs other job as justice secretary. Mr Raab resigned as justice secretary and deputy prime minister on Friday morning, publishing a damning 1,100-word essay in the Telegraph. In his resignation letter to Rishi Sunak, he claimed the investigation had been flawed and said the conclusions set a dangerous precedent for the conduct of good government. Who is Oliver Dowden? Oliver Dowden has been the MP for Hertsmere, in Hertfordshire, since 2015. Growing up near Watford, he said he had an excellent state education, attending a comprehensive school before reading law at Trinity Hall, Cambridge. His father worked at a factory and his mother at Boots. Before becoming an MP, Dowden worked for PR firm Hill & Knowlton and as former prime minister David Camerons deputy chief of staff. He was appointed Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on October 25, 2022, before being appointed Secretary of State in the Cabinet Office in February 2023. Mr Dowden is a key ally of Rishi Sunak, and was a vocal backer for Mr Sunak in both Tory leadership contests last year. Over the years, the newly chosen deputy prime minister was previously Minister without Portfolio, Cabinet Office between September 2021 and June 2022. Before that, he was Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media ,and Sport between February 2020 and September 2021. His career harks back even earlier, with other roles in the Cabinet Office, such as paymaster general and minister, and parliamentary secretary. Cancel culture and the war on woke Dowden has hit headlines over the past couple of years by intervening in the national debate over the so-called cancellation of controversial historical figures. Speaking to the Evening Standard last year, Dowden said that woke culture runs contrary to the great liberal traditions of Western democracies. While culture secretary, Dowden opposed the return of historic artifacts held in British museums and galleries that had been brought to Britain during colonisation. In particular, he argued that the Benin bronzes, most of which had been forcibly by British armed forces from Benin City during a punitive raid, should remain in Britain. In an interview with Channel 4 News in September 2021, about the bronzes held in the British Museum, he said: The collections of our great national institutions have been developed over many, many centuries, in many times in questionable circumstances. I think the question now is about what we do with these. I love the Benin bronzes, Ive seen them many times throughout my life, and I think them being in the British Museum, which is a world repository of heritage, allows people to see it but that doesnt stop us from sharing it. Dowden was also embroiled in a controversy over claims that his department was behind an anti-woke purge of arts board members deemed to be on the wrong side of a cultural war surrounding statues, wealth derived from the slave trad,e and the representation of colonialism in museums. During his time as co-chairman of the Conservative Party, Dowden continued to be identified with the controversy over woke culture. In February 2022, Dowden gave a speech in the USA to The Heritage Foundation in which he called cancel culture a painful woke psychodrama sweeping the West and sapping its confidence. N ext month, thousands of people will be relishing in all things Mexican as countries around the world celebrate Cinco de Mayo. The Mexican holiday commemorates the date of the Mexican armys 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War. Whilst its a relatively minor occasion in Mexico, in the US, Cinco de Mayo is a large, joyous celebration of Mexican culture and heritage. Heres everything you need to know about Cinco de Mayo, and how you can join in with the celebrations: When is Cinco de Mayo? Baby Alexander and his father Alfonso Mendoza attend Cinco de Mayo festivities at El Pueblo de Los Angeles / Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images Cinco de Mayo literally translates as Fifth of May, so is celebrated on this date every year to mark the Battle of Puebla. Its not a federal holiday in Mexico, so offices, banks, and stores remain open. What was the Battle of Puebla? In response to Mexico being unable to repay its debt to European governments, France, then ruled by Napoleon III, invaded the small Mexican town of Puebla de Los Angeles in 1862. Despite being vastly outnumbered, the Mexican army defeated the French. The victory was short-lived, however, as France would later go on to occupy Mexico for a number of years. Still, Cinco de Mayo is a cause for celebration in Puebla and in the US, especially in areas with a large Mexican-American population. Why is Cinco de Mayo important in Mexican culture? For many Mexican-Americans, Cinco de Mayo is seen as a celebration of their heritage. Cinco de Mayo in the US has its roots in the 1960s, when many Mexican-American activists who were involved in the countrys civil rights movement used the day as a source of pride. How is Cinco de Mayo celebrated? Mexicans re-enact the Battle of Puebla during Cinco de Mayo / Susana Gonzalez / Newsmakers In Puebla, thousands of locals gather to take part in a massive parade, dressing as French and American soldiers to re-enact the war. Thanks to the commercialisation of the holiday in the US, the day is all about Mexican food, culture, traditions and, of course, tequila. Similarly, in London, bars across the capital take the opportunity to host events, with drink deals on Mexican-inspired cocktails. A n easyJet plane has been forced to make an emergency landing after one of the crew fell ill. The pilot landed the aircraft in Faro, Portugal, with 100 people on board to allow the First Officer to receive medical attention. The flight took off from London Gatwick just after 6.30am on Friday bound for Agadir in Morocco. It was due to arrive at 9.25am local time. Online flight trackers are showing the Airbus A320s unscheduled stop following the mid-air alert triggered by the First Officer, who is in charge of flight checks and safety on the plane, falling ill. An easyJet spokesperson told The Mirror in a statement: easyJet can confirm that flight EZY6469 from London Gatwick to Agadir on 21 April diverted to Faro due to the First Officer requiring medical assistance. The Captain performed a routine landing in accordance with standard operating procedures and the aircraft was met by medical services on arrival in Faro. A replacement crew was arranged and passengers have since continued their journey to Agadir. We apologise for any inconvenience experienced due to the diversion and resulting delay. The safety and well-being of its passengers and crew is easyJets highest priority. Earlier this week, another easyJet flight from the UK was forced to make an emergency landing because of two unruly passengers. The aircraft had taken off from Liverpool John Lennon Airport headed for Turkey, but was forced to touch down in Munich - where armed police lay in wait. Witnesses said the disruptive pair were left for questioning on the plane with German police. Passengers praised the air crew for their professionalism. An easyJet spokesman said on that incident: easyJet can confirm flight EZY3409 from Liverpool to Dalaman on 19 April diverted to Munich and was met by police due to two passengers behaving disruptively onboard. F ox Corporation boss Lachlan Murdoch has dropped his defamation suit against Australian news site Crikey. Mr Murdoch launched legal action against the independent news outlet last August for publishing an article that referred to him as an unindicted co-conspirator in the US Capitol attack. Mr Murdochs lawyer John Churchill said in a statement he had filed a notice of discontinuance in Federal Court on Friday. Crikey has tried to introduce thousands of pages of documents from a defamation case in another jurisdiction, which has now settled, the statement said, referring to the Fox News settlement with Dominion Voting Systems that was announced on Tuesday. Mr Murdoch remains confident that the court would ultimately find in his favor, however he does not wish to further enable Crikeys use of the court to litigate a case from another jurisdiction that has already been settled and facilitate a marketing campaign designed to attract subscribers and boost their profits, Mr Churchill said. Private Media chief executive Will Hayward said his company, which is valued at less than 20 million Australian dollars (10.7 million), stood by Crikeys description of the Murdochs as conspirators in the Capitol violence. The initial statement was clearly intended with a certain degree of hyperbole, Hayward said. Its really important that in Australia, journalists have room to express good faith opinions and they dont have to be terrified of litigious billionaires, Hayward added. Hayward and Private Media chairman Eric Beecher said in a joint statement they were proud to have exposed the hypocrisy and abuse of power of a media billionaire. We stand by our position that Lachlan Murdoch was culpable in promoting the lie of the 2020 election result because he, and his father, had the power to stop the lies, the statement said. Crikeys law firm Marque Lawyers said Lachlan Murdoch would be expected to pay all legal costs. We and our client are well pleased, the firm tweeted. The Crikey suit had been set for a three-week hearing in Sydney starting on October 9. It comes after Fox News agreed to pay $787.5million (633million) to voting machine firm Dominion over coverage of ex-president Donald Trumps false claims of election fraud. The huge settlement was announced hours before a court hearing billed as the defamation trial of the century. The parties have resolved their case, Judge Eric Davis told Delaware Superior Court. The $1.6billion lawsuit filed by Dominion Voting Systems was also expected to see on-air hosts including Tucker Carlson, Sean Hannity and Jeanine Pirro called to give evidence. BEIJING, April 21 (Xinhua) -- China will continue to levy anti-dumping duties on imports of dispersion unshifted single-mode optical fibers from the European Union (EU) and the United States for another five years, the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said Friday. The extension will take effect from April 22, the MOC said in an online statement, adding that the decision was made following an expiry review launched at the request of the domestic industry in April last year. The MOC ruled that should the anti-dumping measures be scrapped, dumping would continue or reoccur in the Chinese market and have harmful effects on the domestic industry, according to the statement. China started to impose anti-dumping duties on imported dispersion unshifted single-mode optical fibers from the EU and the United States from April 2011. Dispersion unshifted single-mode optical fibers are used for high-speed and long-distance data transmission, such as in the long-distance communication and cable TV networks. C ampaigners have urged cosmetics giant LOreal to discontinue its hair-straightening products after research linked them to an increased risk of cancer. Female activists also asked the company to invest in research on the long-term use of chemical relaxers, which make hair easier to straighten. The open letter, coordinated by the UK feminist group Level Up, has been signed by a number of prominent public figures including Labour MP Dawn Butler and author Reni Eddo-Lodge. It follows the publication of a National Institutes of Health study last October that found women who used the products multiple times a year were more than twice as likely to develop uterine cancer. We estimated that 1.64 per cent of women who never used hair straighteners would go on to develop uterine cancer by the age of 70, but for frequent users, that risk goes up to 4.05 per cent, study leader Alexandra White of the US National Institute of Environmental Health Safety said in a statement. Uterine cancer is the most common gynecologic cancer in the US, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with rates rising, particularly among Black women. Black women in the US, who report using hair straightening products more than other populations, are more likely to suffer from aggressive forms of womb cancer than other populations and death rates are higher among this group too, according to the National Institutes of Health study. The research tracked data from 34,000 women for over a decade. Other signatories of the open letter include Leanne Pero, from Black Women Rising; the Labour MP Apsana Begum; the campaigner Lekia Lee; and the feminist activist Dr Akima Thomas. Eight other Labour MPs signed the petition, including Paulette Hamilton, Ian Lavery and Valerie Vaz. Ikamara Larasi, a campaigner at Level Up, told The Guardian: We should all be able to trust that the products we use on our bodies are safe As one of the biggest brands in the world, were calling on LOreal to use their resources and power responsibly and listen to Black women. Ms Butler said: I am all too familiar with these hair-relaxing products. It is deeply worrying that not enough is done to inform everyone using these products of the potentially serious damage that may be caused by long-term use. A spokesperson for LOreal said: Our highest priority is the health, wellness and safety of all our consumers. We are confident in the safety of our products and believe the recent lawsuits filed against us in the US have no legal merit. LOreal upholds the highest standards of safety for all its products. Our products are subject to a rigorous scientific evaluation of their safety by experts who also ensure that we follow strictly all regulations in every market in which we operate. A ll Nato allies have agreed Ukraine will eventually become a member of the military alliance, secretary general Jens Stoltenberg said this morning. But he stressed the main focus of Nato at the moment is to ensure that Ukraine prevails against Russias illegal invasion. Speaking ahead of a meeting of the allies Ukraine defence contact group at Ramstein air base in Germany, he told reporters that once the war ends Kyiv must have the deterrence to prevent new attacks. Nato leaders said in 2008 that Ukraine would join the alliance one day, and Mr Stoltenberg has repeated that promise throughout the war, though the organisation has established no pathway or timetable for membership. It comes after Mr Stoltenberg yesterday pledged continued support for the country during his first visit to Kyiv since Russias invasion just over a year ago. Let me be clear, Ukraines rightful place is in the Euro-Atlantic family, he told a news conference. Ukraines rightful place is in Nato. So far, Nato allies have trained tens of thousands of Ukrainian troops and have provided 57 billion of military aid alone. However the alliance has no official presence in Ukraine and provides only non-lethal support to Kyiv. There is still some hesitation from members of the alliance about Ukraine joining. German defence minister Boris Pistorious said the door is open a crack but he added that it was not the time to decide that now. The minister said Nato must carefully weigh any step towards including Ukraine in the alliance. You have to decide with a cool head and a hot heart and not vice versa, he added. Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky, who has appealed to Nato for aid in persuading some member states to supply advanced fighter jets, long-range rockets and armoured vehicles, said he was grateful for an invitation to a Nato summit in July in Vilnius, the Lithuanian capital, but urged that his country should be given a roadmap for becoming a member. The time has come for the leaders to define the prospects of Ukraines acquisition of Nato membership, to define the algorithm of Ukraines movement towards this goal, and to define security guarantees for our state for the period of such movement that is, for the period before Nato membership, he said. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters in a conference call yesterday that preventing Ukraine from joining Nato remains one of the goals of what Moscow calls its special military operation. He warned that Ukraines accession would pose a serious, significant threat to our country, to our countrys security.Finland joined the alliance earlier this month. A body recovered from the rubble of a parking garage in New York that collapsed earlier this week has been identified as a missing employee of the company. Longtime member of staff Willis Moore, 59, was crushed to death when the parking structure imploded Tuesday afternoon, the citys medical examiners office said. Five other people were injured when the four-storey building tumbled down, burying dozens of cars in tons of debris. The collapse shook nearby buildings as the thunderous implosion startled people all around the area and kicked up a thick plume of dust just blocks from City Hall and the Brooklyn Bridge. The Citys Building Department is looking into why the century-old structure collapsed. Inspectors had cited the property owner two decades ago for failing to properly maintain the building, finding at the time that there were cracks and defects in the concrete. The aftermath of Tuesdays collapse / AP A more recent inspection in 2013 showed no further structural issues, according to an update that the Building Department provided Wednesday. Building owners had until the end of the year to conduct a structural inspection of the building under a safety programme launched by the city last year. The new requirements ordered an initial inspection and additional inspections at least once every six years. Enterprise Ann Parking, which operated the garage on Ann Street, said it was cooperating with authorities in their probe. A spokesman for the company called the collapse a tragedy. Workers clear the scene / AP We are devastated at the loss of one of our long-time employees and our thoughts are with his family and those who were injured in the accident, the companys spokesman, Jeremy Zweig, said in a statement on Wednesday night. Fire crews recovered Mr Moores body late Wednesday afternoon. The medical examiners office said he had died from blunt force trauma of head, torso, and extremities. The death was ruled an accident. Adam Cohen, who lives near the parking garage, said he regularly saw Mr Moore when he visited the building to walk his daughters to school. He has parked his vehicle at the garage for more than a decade. He remembers waving to Mr Moore on Tuesday morning, hours before the tragedy. I know Willis was out around helping people with their cars, he said. Another patron, Ahmed Scott, described Mr Moore as a friendly man. Every morning Id see him, said Ahmed Scott, one of the regulars. When I was leaving that morning the last time we saw each other we smiled, waved at each other. Crews on Thursday continued demolition work, using heavy machinery to dig into the rubble. S even women and three men from the same family have been shot dead in a horrific mass shooting in South Africa. According to initial reports, the victims were ambushed by unknown gunmen at the home in the city of Pietermaritzburg, police said. Police spokesperson Brigadier Jay Naicker said officers at the Plessislaer police station discovered the gruesome killings early on Friday. In the early hours of this morning, police in Plessislaer were informed of gunshots emanating from Imbali, Unit 14, he said. When they attended to the scene, they found 10 members of one family were shot and fatally wounded in one of the homes. Police believe that two assailants opened fire on the family, Mr Naicker added. It is believed that two unknown gunmen entered the home and opened fire on the family members seven females and three males. He said members of the provincial task team were on the scene and will take over the investigation. Presently, the motive for the killings is unknown. Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube condemned the attack and called on police to leave no stone unturned in finding the perpetrators of this horrendous act. Police Minister Bheki Cele was due to visit the homestead on Friday hours after the attackers stormed in. South Africa has one of the highest homicide rates in the world and there has been a spate of mass shootings in recent years. Eight people were fatally shot at a birthday party in the south coast city of Gqeberha in January. Last year, 16 died in a mass shooting at a bar in the Johannesburg township of Soweto when a group of armed men, some of them wielding rifles, opened fire on customers. O vershadowed by scientific advances and the latest and greatest buzz ingredients, toners may just be one of the most undervalued steps in your skincare routine. While once considered a prerequisite in a cleanse, tone, moisturise three-step process, as our beauty regimes have got progressively complex, this important step has fallen by the wayside for many. Toners have gotten a bad rap. The high concentration of alcohol in formulas of time gone by would dry out skin and do more harm than good. But if you use the right one for your skin type, it is an invaluable step. These miracle solutions work alongside your cleanser to offer an even deeper clean. Think back to all the times that you could still spot dirt and grime on your cotton wool pad even after a double cleanse. Toners improve the cleansing process by targeting any oil, film or impurities that still remain. They also work to restore skin and prep it for the next stage - whether that is a moisturiser or serum. They may also have a gently exfoliating formula to give you an even and clean canvas in which to apply your makeup. The best toners are packed with anti-inflammatories, antioxidants and can even include ingredients like retinol or hyaluronic acid to leave your skin looking soft, smooth and nourished. They penetrate easily and deep into the skin to treat it to an instant hit of hydration. There are toners for every skin type, whether you have dry skin and so need an alcohol-free formula, sensitive and so need a gentler alternative, oily, acne-prone, or dull. Apply twice daily after cleansing morning and night to make a real difference to your complexion. Make sure you go beyond just your face and jaw-line and treat your neck to the same thorough cleanse. Your skin will thank you. See our pick of the best toners. A Sydney hospital where Australian entertainer Barry Humphries is currently being treated has denied reports that his is in an unresponsive state. St Vincents Hospital said that reports on Thursday by multiple local media outlets were incorrect, and that Humphries was stable and in the best hands. The 89-year-old, best known for his character Dame Edna Everage, is being treated at the hospital after suffering health issues following hip surgery. According to Sydneys Daily Telegraph, he was readmitted after suffering complications. On Thursday it was further reported by multiple local outlets that Humphries had gone into an unresponsive state and had been given morphine by doctors. But a spokesperson for the hospital later told the PA news agency the reports were not accurate. Reports that he is unresponsive are not accurate, a hospital spokesperson said. He remains stable in the hospital in the best hands. A family statement previously issued to the Sydney Morning Herald thanked fans and hospital staff for their support and good wishes. Humphries has been a staple of the British comedy circuit since moving to London in 1959, appearing in West End shows such as Maggie May and Oliver!. He was among the leading members of the British comedy scene, alongside Dudley Moore, Alan Bennett and Spike Milligan. Alongside his Dame Edna Everage alter ego, he also appeared as the lecherous Sir Les Patterson and Sandy Stone, an elderly, childless man living in the suburbs. B ritish Vogue editor-in-chief Edward Enninful has described working on the magazines May issue, which features five disabled people on its cover, as one of the proudest moments of my career. The 51-year-old told the BBC many people forget how hard it is for the disabled community. Created with accessibility consultancy company Tilting The Lens and its chief executive Sinead Burke, the edition features actress Selma Blair, models Aaron Rose Philip and Ellie Goldstein and American Sign Language interpreter and performer Justina Miles as its separate cover stars, alongside Burke herself. Inside, a total of 19 disabled people from the words of fashion, sport, culture and activism are featured through interviews, a personal essay and more. Enninful told the BBC: My tenure here at Vogue has always been about inclusivity and diversity, and people forget how hard it is for the disabled community. In his memoir published last year, he revealed he had a visual impairment and a blood condition. It was so important I could relate I felt real pride that people can actually speak up about disabilities and not have to hide it and how it impacts them, he added. I think this is one of the most incredible issues Ive had the privilege of editing in my tenure. Also featured in the edition are comedian Rosie Jones, who has cerebral palsy, and racing driver Nicolas Hamilton, who also lives with the condition and races with a specially modified car. Enninful added to the BBC: What I loved about all of them is they all just speak up and champion their community by teaching the world to be more caring and understanding. During the campaign, British Vogue worked with Tilting The Lens to look at how it can become more accessible, including a review of its facilities at photo studios in London regarding lift and ramp access. See the full feature in the May issue of British Vogue available via digital download and on newsstands from Tuesday April 25. C laire Sweeney has shared her delight after announcing she is joining the cast of Coronation Street. The former Brookside star, 52, has been cast in the role of Tyrone Dobbs biological mum, Cassie, and says its better than landing a part in a Hollywood movie. Speaking about joining the long-running ITV soap in a press release, she said: Even though Ive been lucky enough to have enjoyed an amazingly varied career for nearly 40 years, being cast in Coronation Street is, to me, better than being cast in a Hollywood movie! Ive watched it all my life and cant quite believe that Ill now be stepping onto those famous cobbles myself. I was really nervous when I got the scripts to audition as this show means so much to me and my family, and this is Corrie gold. I was beyond thrilled and very grateful when I got the call that Iain MacLeod is trusting me to play Tyrones Mum and work alongside one of my heroes, Dame Maureen Lipman. Cassie is a character who is definitely going to make an impact I just hope the audience will enjoy watching her as much as Im going to be enjoying playing her! The Liverpudlian actress is due to begin filming on set in Manchester next week with her on-screen debut broadcast on ITV on June 28. As long-time Corrie fans will know, mechanic Tyrone, played by Alan Halsall, was brought up to believe that Jackie Dobbs was his mum but in 2018 he met his grandmother, Evelyn Plummer (played by Dame Maureen Lipman), who told him her daughter Cassie was actually his real mum and had abandoned him at a police station in 1982 due to a drug habit. Evelyn also told Tyrone that his biological mum was dead. He will soon discover however that Evelyn wasnt telling the whole truth. Coronation Street Producer Iain MacLeod added: Claire bowled us over in her audition and the scenes with her, Tyrone and Evelyn will be electric. Her arrival will mark the start of a tumultuous time for Tyrone and the family, and her impact will be felt across the street in the weeks and months that follow. T he full line up of judges and professional dancers for this years Strictly Come Dancing have been confirmed amid reported chaos behind the scenes. Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Shirley Ballas will all return to the judging panel when the show returns, despite reportedly angering BBC bosses in a row over pay rises. They are said to have backed down on their demands for a 11 per cent pay rise, according to The Sun, and have now accepted an offer of between 3 and 5 per cent. Meanwhile, one of the professional dancers is not returning, which is said to have had producers scrambling for a replacement. Pro-dancer Cameron Lombard has quit after two years of appearing on the ballroom show. The Strictly Come Dancing pro-dancers are all back bar Lombard / BBC/Guy Levy Cameron is a fantastic performer and we have loved working with him for the past two years on Strictly, a Strictly spokesperson told MailOnline. He is currently pursuing other opportunities but will always be part of the family and our door will always be open to him in the future. Lombard started competing at age six and has won 18 national titles across Ballroom and Latin during his career. He called joining Strictly a life changing opportunity and a dream come true. Cameron Lombard will not return for Strictly Come Dancing this year / PA Media Viewer favourites Nadiya Bychkova, Neil Jones, Katya Jones, Gorka Marquez, Giovanni Perniceand Dianne Buswell will all be back on the dancefloor. Theyll be joined by fellow dancers Graziano Di Prima, Karen Hauer, Luba Mushtuk, Kai Widdrington, Amy Dowden, Karen Hauer, Luba Mushtuk, Jowita Przystal, Nancy Xu, Lauren Oakley, Michelle Tsiakkas, Nikita Kuzmin, Johannes Radebe, Kai Widdrington, Carlos Gu and Vita Coppola. Presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman will also be back to their hosting duties. The celebrity contestants will not be announced later in the year. The Standard has contacted the BBC for comment. W hatsApps disappearing messages no longer have to self-destruct if you dont want them to. Thanks to a new update, the app can save a private text before it times out, with the senders approval. However, if they dont agree, then youre out of luck. As WhatsApp notes in a blog post, the sender will have the ability to veto the decision. Launched in 2020, WhatsApps disappearing messages can be set to vanish after either 24 hours, seven days, or 90 days from the time they are sent. Users can choose to turn on the feature for all their chats by default or for specific chats. As part of the change, the sender of a disappearing message will receive a notification when someone has kept their message. They will then be able to allow the decision or overrule it, with WhatsApp offering senders 30 days grace to change their minds. If approved, a saved disappearing message will remain in the chat for everyone to view. It will also be stored in a separate folder, titled Kept Messages, for you to access whenever you want. WhatsApp says it is making the update available globally over the next few weeks, so you may not have it straightaway. It currently does not appear to be live on iOS and Android in the UK. Weve reached out to WhatsApp for more info on the rollout. Though giving people the option to retain disappearing messages sounds contradictory, there are plenty of cases where it could be useful. For example, it could save you having to repeatedly share the WiFi code with someone you trust. You may also want to hold on to a location someone has shared with you on a night out. Plus, it can save you the embarrassment that comes with screenshotting a disappearing message you want to save. Just remember to keep a message before the timer runs out. Though that should prove easy enough now, WhatsApp is poised to add more granular duration settings to the feature. As a result, users could be able to set them to expire after just an hour. How to save a disappearing message on WhatsApp To use the new feature, all you have to do is hold down a disappearing message to highlight it in a chat. Then, tap the bookmark icon at the top of the screen. This will prompt WhatsApp to send a notification to the sender of the disappearing message for approval. To view your kept messages, tap or click on the chat info and select Kept messages. To unkeep a message, tap the downward-pointing arrow icon on the message you want to unkeep, select unkeep, and then confirm by pressing ok. SHANGHAI, April 21 (Xinhua) -- China sees it as its solemn duty to defend the authority of the UN and uphold the post-war international order, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang said on Friday. Qin made the remarks in a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the Lanting Forum on Chinese Modernization and the World in Shanghai. Recently, there have been some absurd rhetoric accusing China of challenging the so-called rules-based international order, of unilaterally changing the status quo across the Taiwan Strait through force or coercion, and of disrupting peace and stability across the Strait, Qin said. "Such claims go against basic common sense on international relations and historical justice. The logic is absurd, and the consequences dangerous," Qin said. He said having suffered among the heaviest casualties in the world anti-fascist alliance during WWII, and as a founding member of the UN and the first country to sign the UN Charter, China sees it as its solemn duty to defend the authority of the UN and uphold the post-war international order. "We have the best record in abiding by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, international law and the basic norms of international relations. We need no reminder by certain countries or groups of countries," Qin said. Fair-minded people can see full well who is exploiting and discarding the UN at its own will, who is disrupting the international order, and who is engaged in hegemonic, bullying and high-handed practices, he said. Taiwan has been an inalienable part of China's territory since ancient times, and both sides of the Strait belong to one and the same China. This is Taiwan's history, and it is also the status quo of Taiwan, Qin said. Taiwan's return to China is a component of the post-war international order, written in black and white in the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation, he said. It is not the Chinese mainland, but the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces and a handful of countries attempting to take advantage of "Taiwan independence", that are disrupting international rules, unilaterally changing the status quo, and undermining stability across the Strait, Qin said. Their definition of rules, status quo and stability is in fact aimed to hollow out the one-China principle, achieve "peaceful division" of China, and ultimately tamper with the history of WWII, subvert the post-war order, and trample on China's sovereignty, he said. "This is unacceptable to the 1.4 billion Chinese people. China will not lose any part of its territory that has been restored. And the established post-war international order will not be upended," he said. Qin said it is right and proper for China to uphold its sovereignty and territorial integrity. "We would like to make it clear to those who seek to sabotage international justice in the name of international order: The Taiwan question is the core of the core interests of China, and there will be no vagueness at all in our response to any one who attempts to distort the one-China principle; we will never back down in face of any act that undermines China's sovereignty and security. Those who play with fire on Taiwan will eventually get themselves burned," he said. S paceXs Starship had an explosive inaugural test flight. The worlds biggest and most powerful Spacerocket took off from its launch pad in Texas on Thursday (April 20), but its ascent was cut short. Just four minutes after launch, the uncrewed spacecraft began tumbling through the air before bursting into flames in view of nearby spectators. Though Elon Musks SpaceX dubbed the test flight a success, clearly something went wrong. Heres what we know about the historic launch, including what happened on the day, the possible reasons behind the explosion, and whats next for SpaceXs Starship. What happened to the Space X Starship? While Thursdays test flight saw the rocket leave the launch pad and ascend to an altitude of about 39km, the first and second stages of the launch vehicle failed to separate, ending the mission with a bang. / Reuters The Starship spacecraft and Super Heavy rocket collectively referred to as Starship both appeared to flip in the air a number of times before disappearing in a fireball over the ocean about four minutes after lift-off. SpaceX said the Starship had experienced a rapid unscheduled disassembly before stage separation. That sounds like a very technical way of saying that the rocket blew up. Why did the SpaceX Starship explode? It appears that the two stages of the Starship vehicle failed to come apart. Specifically, the rocket system and cruise vessel were unable to separate, which possibly caused it to fail. The flight-termination system a series of charges that can usually be found on the side of most rockets was then initiated to destroy the vehicle, either by the Starship computer or someone on the ground. Thats what caused the bang people witnessed over the Gulf of Mexico. Footage of the test flight also appears to show that at least six of the 33 raptor engines underneath the vehicle were not lit up during its ascent. This could indicate that either the rocket launched with some of the engines turned off, or that they were shut off deliberately during the flight when SpaceX noticed something was not right. Starship had a successful initial take-off / Reuters What has Elon Musk said about the Starship test flight? Evidently, the Starship failure was a costly test for SpaceX, but it wasnt a complete surprise. The company had previously cautioned that the chances for success were slim and that the main aim of the flight was to gather data. That may explain why SpaceX itself and other experts have hailed the launch a success. With a test like this, success comes from what we learn, and we learned a tremendous amount about the vehicle and ground systems today that will help us improve on future flights of Starship, Space X said in a statement. In a tweet, Musk echoed that sentiment. Congratulating the SpaceX team, the entrepreneur added that a lot had been learned for the next test launch in a few months. Meanwhile, Nasa chief Bill Nelson praised the launch in a tweet. Every great achievement throughout history has demanded some level of calculated risk, because with great risk comes great reward, he said. The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) likewise hailed the test flight. AIAA executive director Dan Dumbacher issued a statement congratulating SpaceX on the flight, and for the companys continued work to advance spaceflight. "This flight is an important milestone, and much will be learned from the engineering data. With Starship, SpaceX is taking bold steps that are helping us accelerate the future of humans living and working off our planet. Flight tests and taking risks will lead to this future," Dumbacher wrote in the statement. "We are excited to see commercial space launch companies pushing the industry forward toward the moon and Mars," Dumbacher continued. What happens next? Space X will inevitably conduct more test flights of its Starship with the goal of getting it into orbit. Musks aerospace firm does have a fully built Starship vehicle ready to go for its next launch in a few months, and several others that are nearing completion, should any more accidents occur. The Starbase launch pad will also have been damaged by the sheer power of the rocket, and will need to be repaired or rebuilt. Nasa has recruited Starship for its upcoming Artemis 3 mission, with the aim of putting astronauts back on the moon around 2025. After that, Starship will also shuttle human crews to the lunar surface and back for Artemis 4 and perhaps also Artemis 5, according to Nasas current plans. BEIJING, April 21 (Xinhua) -- An official website has been launched for the education campaign to study and implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, together with an official account for the campaign on social media platform WeChat. Focusing on the guiding principle and plan of the Communist Party of China Central Committee to launch the Party-wide campaign, the official website and account offer publicity and interpretation of the important events attended and important remarks delivered by General Secretary Xi Jinping. They also showcase the progress and results of the campaign, and promptly reflect useful experience and paragons during the campaign. The official website, http://ztjy.people.cn, features over 10 sections including relevant information release, progress and status, and learning services. There promises to be a little something for music lovers of all stripes when the Queenston Womens Choir hits the stage in St. Catharines. As the group celebrates its 20th anniversary, members will be singing a mixture of choral-secular music, folk songs, songs from musicals such as Lullaby of Broadway or Over the Rainbow, favourites from the 2012 movie "Pitch Perfect", and even a few Beatles tracks for good measure. It all takes place Saturday, April 29 at Trillium United Church in St. Catharines. Its just a great variety show, said Lisa Brillon, conductor and founder of the choir. This marks the second show since the chorus returned from a COVID-19 hiatus. Brillon said members were eager to get back together, practising, performing and simply enjoying each others company. Its a nice composition of women who like to sing and socialize, she said. Formed in 2003, the chorus originally focused on women in the Queenston area of Niagara-on-the-Lake. Over time, theyve expanded to include members from all over the region, with one woman even driving in each week from Wainfleet, Brillon said. Their rehearsals still take place at Queenston United Church in St. Davids, but the shows are now out of Trillium United Church in St. Catharines. Brillon said its a lovely venue and provides a more central location that reflects the wider membership. Joining the choir at the April 29 show will be two former scholarship wins, Emily Draper and Alexandre Brillon. Historically the choir has donated proceeds from shows to local charities and maintained a scholarship for Niagara musicians. Brillon said highlighting some former winners is a great way to celebrate the big anniversary. Several other scholarship winners have gone on to do great things, such as Matthew Cairns, who debuted at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City in 2022. Brillon said the chorus is still somewhat in the recovery phase following the pandemic shutdown. But shes happy to see a membership of 27 enthusiastic women ranging in age from 25 to 81 years old. Money raised from the upcoming show will likely be used for a special 20th-anniversary project, she said. The Queenston Choir is looking and collaborating with a womens choir from Uxbridge to commission a work. Tickets for the show will be available at the door and are $20 for adults or $15 for students. Trillium United Church is located at 415 Linwell Rd. in St. Catharines. It gets underway at 7 p.m. For more information, visit queenstonwomenschorus.ca. SHARE: St. Catharines firefighters were expected to be on scene putting out hotspots for most of Friday after an early morning blaze at an empty former St. Catharines church slated for demolition. Firefighters were called to the former Maranatha Christian Reformed Church at 301 Scott St. just after 6 a.m. where they encountered a building engulfed in flames, which were coming through the roof. Police arrested a man nearby in relation to the fire and later released him with a charge of obstructing a peace officer. Fire Chief Dave Upper said the building was unoccupied and no one was injured. Work had already begun to demolish the building which made it incredibly convenient, he said. Theyd already removed all the asbestos and the hazards you worry about with some of the older construction. Upper said the fire crews had the fire contained in about 30 minutes and once it was under control they were dealing with hot spots for the rest of the day. They were aided by the demolition company that was supposed to be tearing down the church anyway. This is going to go down as the fastest fire in history because the demolition company was reporting to work like a regular day and all their equipment was already on scene, Upper said Friday morning. Instead of us waiting for hours to assemble heavy equipment and crews, theyre there ready to go. Theyre already pulling the building apart for us so we can get to hot spots. Niagara Regional Police Const. Phil Gavin said officers responded to the building fire and received information that a person was seen running away from the scene. He said officers searched the area and stopped and investigated a person found walking nearby. The person was arrested and taken to the prisoner management unit in Niagara Falls. A 42-year-old St. Catharines man was charged with obstructing a peace officer and released with a future court date. Police are calling the fire suspicious and detectives are continuing to investigate. The Maranatha Christian Reformed Church of St. Catharines disbanded in 2014. The city issued a permit this past February to demolish the building. Director of planning and building services Tami Kitay said the city hasnt received any planning act applications for the site so its not yet known what the owner plans to do with the property. Police are asking anyone with information to contact 905-688-4111, ext. 1009367 or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers. SHARE: Police are investigating a three-car collision that resulted in the arrest of a 70-year-old man Thursday evening. Niagara Regional Police said officers were called to the scene of an accident in Niagara-on-the-Lake, near the intersection of Scott Street and Stewart Road at about 9:40 p.m. Niagara Emergency Medical Service and Niagara-on-the-Lake Fire Services also attended. Paramedics treated one passenger, who was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries. Police said a grey Toyota and a green Chevrolet pick-up truck collided, causing the truck to flip over onto its roof. While in the middle of the road, a silver Land Rover struck both cars, forcing the pick-up truck into a ditch. The driver of the Toyota, a 70-year-old man from St. Catharines, was charged with making an improper turn. All vehicles were towed from the scene and police said the road re-opened at 11:19 p.m. Police said there was about $7,000 damage to the Toyota, $20,000 damage to the Land Rover and the pickup truck was totalled. Anyone who witnessed the collision is asked to contact the investigating officer at 905-688-4111, option 3, ext. 1022200. SHARE: A tentative deal struck late Thursday has ended a three-week labour dispute between Community Living Port Colborne-Wainfleet and Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 2276. About 100 developmental service workers have been striking since late March. In a news release Friday morning, the union said an agreement has been reached. The tentative agreement comes after the two sides were ordered back to the negotiating table this week by a conciliator. Local 2276 vice-president Cassie Bisson said shes proud of her co-workers and the strength of the union. The work we do can be invisible to so many. But we werent willing to remain invisible or accept less than were worth. Our members stayed united, and the bargaining team is going to stand behind this agreement and all that we achieved for our coworkers, she said in Fridays release. The three-week long work stoppage brought simmering staffing and scheduling challenges to the forefront, said the release. The labour dispute was centred on staff saying they were often stuck at work for additional, unwanted hours when relief was not available at the end of their shifts. This deal would not have happened if the courage of my coworkers wasnt met with equal support from families of residents, community members, and allies across the labour movement, said Bisson. We are grateful to everyone who stood with us through this struggle, and we are excited to get back to doing what we love to do: helping people with intellectual disabilities live rich, fulfilling lives. Picket lines will come down immediately. CUPE Local 2276 will hold a one-day ratification vote beginning at noon on Sunday, and closing noon Monday. No further information will be released publicly until the tentative agreement has been presented to the membership, said the release. In an interview Friday, Bisson said it is a good agreement the bargaining committee will bring to its 100 members who will vote Sunday, adding she is unable to share specifics of the deal until that takes place. But shes confident members will support it. We can stand behind this one. Thats for sure, she said. Bisson said its important workers return to their clients to provide care and a sense of normalcy they are used to. We definitely missed the people we support, and we definitely love our jobs, she said. In the 10 homes the organization has in Port Colborne, there are about 45 individuals who are supported by the staff who have been away for the last three weeks, said Bisson. If the deal is ratified, workers will return to work next week. CUPE Local 2276 members and the employer have been bargaining since the prebious agreement expired last March. What would have been a two-year deal, the new one now expires in March 2024 because, if approved, will be finalized a year overdue. Community Living Port Colborne-Wainfleet chief executive officer Joanna Mataya could not be reached for comment Friday. Kris Dube is a reporter for the Welland Tribune. Reach him via email: kris.dube@niagaradailies.com SHARE: Inmates at the Niagara Detention Centre have launched a hunger strike over complaints about staffing and food issues. Inmates at the maximum-security facility were on day three of the hunger strike on Friday. The prisoners are having things taken away from them that have upset them, leaving them feeling they have no option but to take part, said Maureen Willis, an inmates girlfriend. Theyve been slowly losing their privileges, theyve been taking away their yard time or little things that normally would be a right in jail, she said. In an email, Ministry of the Solicitor General spokesperson, Andrew Morrison, said the ministry is aware of the ongoing situation and is working to resolve it in a timely manner. The ministry is aware inmates at the Niagara Detention Centre are refusing meals. In response, correctional staff are engaging with inmates to address their concerns, he said. Health-care staff are monitoring the inmates involved, and inmates continue to have access to canteen, including snacks. He said the ministry has verified the facility remains secure and is operating as it should. The hunger strike in Niagara is similar to one which is occurring in Hamilton at the Hamilton-Wentworth Detention Centre, where upwards of 100 prisoners are demanding better conditions at the Barton Street jail. The Hamilton hunger strike began on the fourth floor of the jail Wednesday morning and has been gradually expanding as word spreads, reports the Hamilton Spectator. According to the Barton Prisoner Solidarity Project, which has heard from prisoners on four ranges, they are demanding fewer lockdowns, more regular access to the yard and crucially that they be allowed to keep access to television stations that had been won in an earlier protest. In Niagara, Willis said she has heard from her boyfriend that inmates are also feeling frustrated over their treatment. Prisoners, sometimes, must resort to more unconventional means of protest to get their point across, said Jordon House, assistant professor in the department of labour studies at Brock University and author of Solidarity Beyond Bars Unionizing Prison Labour. Prisoners have to resort to different kinds of protest tactics because normal channels to protect ones interests are very constrained in the context of prison, with little access to legal supports, restricted abilities to speak to the media or to make the case for improved conditions, he said. House indicated there are mixed outcomes to situations involving hunger strikes, but contends often they end with negotiations, settlements and concessions. He said a hunger strike is a good way to get the attention of staff at the detention centre to take their concerns seriously. Nothing is more serious than an individuals own health and safety, and what hunger strikes demonstrate are a real commitment to making their voices heard, he said. Its saying a person is willing to risk potential negative health outcomes in order to be heard and have their issues addressed. Willis said inmates feel as if they are not being heard by detention centre staff, when voicing their concerns, which resulted in a loss of some privileges such as television time which was the last straw leading to the hunger strike. With files from the Hamilton Spectator SHARE: Lets start from a premise we can all agree on: Everyone wants Ontario students to get the most from the education thats offered them. No matter how well they are doing, we all want to see improvement. And yet a new plan that aims to get to that point, unveiled this week by the provincial government, raises at least as many questions as it answers. In a nutshell, the Ford government wants to have an even greater role in the inner workings of Ontarios school boards, from oversight of the education directors to student achievement and even in the way unneeded school properties are disposed of. Where traditionally conservatives have been for small government, this Progressive Conservative government keeps reaching for more power. Now its trying to expand its role in education. Its been doing that over the past few years in other areas of governance. Examples include expanding use of ministers zoning orders that allow the housing minister to override local land-use decisions, and it wanted to do that by consolidating public health units before the COVID-19 pandemic changed everything. And wasnt it the Ford government that also took away Niagaras right to have its regional chair decided by popular vote for no good reason? Small government, indeed. But back to the education proposals introduced as legislation this week by Education Minister Stephen Lecce. In explaining why he and his department need some of the authority local boards currently hold, he said parents want to see better academic achievement, especially in the basics like mathematics and writing. The thing is, the education ministry could do that without changing the rules because it sets the curriculum that is followed in schools across Ontario. There are already people working at the school boards whose job it is to see that the curriculum is followed and that students results are satisfactory. If Lecce wants to take on more work for his department, does that mean it will need more staff? Presumably, the people already working in the ministry have enough on their plates without taking on more work thats currently being done by staff at Ontarios 72 publicly-funded school boards. According to the Toronto Star, the bill tabled by Lecce would also aim to keep trustees focus on students by requiring boards to use integrity commissioners to deal with disputes between elected officials. In Niagara, the experience has been that using integrity commissioners can get pretty expensive and time consuming. Are they effective? Meh. As the president of the Ontario School Boards Association, Cathy Abraham, told Niagara Dailies this week, there isnt much in Lecces plan that school boards arent already doing. She noted that even as Ontario school boards have been underfunded for years, high schools still have an 89 per cent graduation record. Refocusing, she said, puts undue blame on the boards even though theyve been able to achieve that success. When all this dust settles, where will that leave the local school boards and their trustees? They lost the ability to raise funds through taxation more than two decades ago and now are wholly dependent on the province for funding. If the government strips more authority from them in educating children, managing their own properties and training their own senior managers, trustees basically become flak-takers human shields standing between concerned or angry parents and the Ontario government. Still democratically elected, but looking more and more like figureheads. The government needs to prove that strong local management of schools in Ontario isnt working before it retools the system. So far, it hasnt made that case. Read more about: SHARE: First things first: I spent more than 30 years working for CBC News in Winnipeg, Calgary and Toronto, initially as a reporter, then a newsroom leader, and finally a member of senior management. That context is important because Pierre Poilievre, the leader of His Majestys loyal Opposition (as he described his role to U.S. President Joe Biden) took another one of his swipes at the CBC which he derides as a biased and kowtowing mouthpiece for the governing Liberals and their loathsome leader. Poilievre used as a jumping off point the spat between Twitter owner Elon Musk and National Public Radio in the United States. Musk wanted to tag NPR as government funded media. But NPR would have none of it, and decided it would abandon Twitter and take its 52 accounts with it, claiming the top tweeters label would undermine its credibility. Poilievre played copycat and, in an open letter on Twitter, asked Musk to apply a similar label to the CBC. We must protect Canadians against disinformation and manipulation by state media, he thundered in his tweet. He didnt have to wait long. On Sunday, one of CBCs accounts was labelled by Twitter as Government-funded media. Poilievre was over the moon. BREAKING he proclaimed on his Twitter account (odd that a politician who derides and ignores mainstream media would use newsroom language, but thats where we are). CBC officially exposed as government-funded media. How having Musks stamp of approval officially exposed anything that wasnt already known is anybodys guess. After all, the CBC has received public funding since it was started in 1936. But CBC-bashing can be profitable for the Conservatives. Poilievre wasnt going to let a good fundraising opportunity go by, and the letter to Musk and the top tweeters response is the reddest of red meat for his base. But what he has never explained and isnt likely to any time soon is how he would go about shutting down the English-language side of the CBC while leaving SRC the French-language arm of the public broadcaster intact, and receiving taxpayer money from Anglo voters who no longer have a CBC. Poilievre argues that the free market would fill the gap left by a shuttered public broadcaster. The likelihood of that happening is between slim and none. For instance, there isnt a market for delivering news in eight different Indigenous languages to northern communities, as the CBC does. Another example: Private broadcasters Poilievres market have been reluctant to take on the Olympics every two years. They are an expensive and incredibly demanding production in a far off land. Only the CBC has been willing to bid on the Olympics when they are outside Canada. Similarly, most over the air radio stations prefer classic rock to highlighting emerging Canadian musicians something else most leave to the CBC. Would there be any great clamour among private broadcasters to provide local French language radio and television news outside Quebec as the CBC does when there is no English equivalent? Extremely unlikely. The local French language newscasts are a good example of how the two arms of the corporation are deeply entwined. If the private sector wanted the CBC/SRCs territory they would have moved in long ago. The fact that they havent tells you how hollow Poilievres defund the CBC gambit may turn out to be. But if Poilievre does follow through on his fundraising pitches, he might find out that the CBC even in parts of Western Canada has staunch, strident and vociferous supporters of public broadcasting in two languages. But what would I know? Fred Youngs is a former reporter, executive producer and senior manager at CBC News. Read more about: SHARE: 2023 Subaru Solterra EV Type: Compact battery-electric SUV, dual-motor, permanent all-wheel-drive Engine: Twin 80 kW motors (net 215 hp, 249 lb-ft); 72.8 kWh battery Fuel economy (city, highway, combined), range: 18.6 kWh/100 km in the city; 22.4 kWh/100 km on the highway; 20.3 kWh/100 km combined; 360 km range Transmission: One-speed automatic Cargo capacity: 820 litres (28.9 cu ft.) Tow rating: Not recommended Price: $54,295 base; $64,090 as tested (not including taxes and fees) INDIAN WELLS, CALIF.Its not always easy being the little brother, and, in the corporate relationship between global powerhouse Toyota and relatively smaller Subaru, which co-developed the all-new 2023 Subaru Solterra EV, its clear that both companies are relatively new at all-electric vehicle design and production. The result for Subaru is that its first-ever global battery electric vehicle looks and drives similarly to its bZ4X twin from Toyota. The Solterra offers standard full-time all-wheel drive in a refined family SUV that could be a worthy second vehicle for its largely suburban target demographic, but isnt an overly ambitious effort in the all-electric compact SUV space. Subaru Canadas decision to offer all-wheel drive as standard is relatively rare in the electric compact SUV world, as is the decision to only offer one battery size, a relatively large lithium-ion unit thats 72.8 kWh in size. Combined, this means that the Solterras $54,295 starting price is somewhat higher than rivals. But considering the desirability of more range and full-time AWD, courtesy of identical 80 kW motors on each axle, Solterra prices are right in the ballpark of its non-luxury rivals once similarly equipped, as far as the drivetrain (parts that deliver the engine power to the wheels) is concerned. The Solterras rated 360-km. range is near the bottom of this class, although its still pricier than many electric SUVs such as the Volvo XC40. Hopping into the drivers seat after a full overnight charge, its 357-km. range estimate could be found on its drivers instrument cluster, which is meant to be peered at above the steering wheel, not through it. Its one of the most unique aspects of driving the Solterra: Using a similar layout to its Toyota sibling, and combined with the standard heads-up display, it is meant to minimize the amount of time your eyes are off the road. Our top-line-Technology-package-equipped, Canadian-spec vehicles came complete with green EV-specific licence plates, which provide access to provincial HOV lanes when the driver is alone. And the Solterra is eligible for the federal $5,000 EV rebate, as well as all provincial EV incentives. (Eight provinces or territories are now offering purchase and/or charging station rebates.) From the drivers seat, the Solterra is quiet and refined, but no powerhouse, even in Power mode. It produces 215 horsepower and 249 lbs.-ft. of torque (motive force). Theres an S-Pedal button near the gear shifter, which is not for sport mode but for increasing the level of regenerative braking. It doesnt bring the Solterra to a complete stop, however, but it does slow it down considerably more when the accelerator pedal is released. We were at about two-thirds charged when we engaged the S-pedal button. And soon after, on a steep downhill slope, we received an S-Pedal currently unavailable message, and had to use the brake pedal. Which is fine, but true one-pedal driving is popular amongst many long-time EV drivers, especially Tesla owners, suggesting that the Solterra may appeal more to first-time EV buyers who appreciate a feel similar to a gasoline vehicle. The faux leather seats are comfortable and offer lots of legroom front and back. But at this price, a manual passenger seat is not impressive, nor is the fact that the car does not come with a native navigation system. Subaru argues that many drivers would rather use the standard wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto regardless, so why increase the cost of the car with a redundant native navigation system. Theres a large cargo area behind the second-row seats, with a well under the floor that can hold the mobile charge cord (120-volt) or a small amount of groceries, to help them not slide around. The Solterra is not recommended for towing, but theres a 100-pound hitch available as a dealer accessory, at one-and-a-quarter-inch in size, so strong enough for a good bike rack or cargo basket, but small enough not to tempt folks to try heavy towing. At the end of our 219-km. drive, our 357-km. original range estimate should have been at roughly 140 km., but we pulled in with 168 km. left. Part of this discrepancy is accounted for by the fact that my drive partner and I wanted to check its DC quick-charging speed, which is rated at a maximum of 100 kW and will take roughly an hour to charge a dead battery to 80 per cent, which is slower than the competition. Subaru says this slower speed was designed to reduce battery degradation. When we plugged in to a 150 kW Electrify America DC charger with a 43-per-cent charge, the fastest speed we saw was 47 kW. Disappointing, especially in the warmer California climate. The Solterra is now sold across the country, but not necessarily everywhere, or even at every Subaru dealer. Subaru Canada officials say that roughly 60 per cent of its 95 dealers will offer the Solterra this model year, as dealer training, equipment and charger investments are needed first. The Solterra is a refined and comfortable electric vehicle well suited for folks with a charger in their garage or as a second vehicle. Overall it falls a bit short of the competition in this rapidly growing category. Editors note: Please be aware that availability of vehicles depends on supply. Manufacturers have been experiencing a shortage of microchips, which has affected their inventory. Correction April 24, 2023: The Subaru Solterra EV is pricier than many electric SUVs such as the Volvo XC40. A previous version of this article said the Solterra is pricier than the Mercedes-Benz EQB. SHARE: CALGARY - TC Energy Corp. says a third-party investigation into an oil spill from the companys Keystone pipeline in December has concluded the incident was caused by a crack in a weld that occurred at the time of the pipelines construction. The Calgary-based company says the affected pipe segment was subjected during construction to inadvertent bending stresses, initiating a small crack that progressed over time to pipe failure after a decade of operations. TC Energy says the findings are consistent with the conclusions from an earlier metallurgical analysis, the results of which the company released in February. TC Energy was ordered to commission a third-party investigation by a U.S. regulator after the Keystone pipeline leaked about 13,000 barrels of oil spill into in Washington County, Kansas in December. The Canadian company is still on site cleaning up the mess. It says it has recovered 98 per cent of the spilled oil and remediated 90 per cent of the creeks shoreline. Last month, the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Administration expressed concern over the risk of additional spills from Keystone, and ordered TC Energy to operate the pipeline at a reduced pressure until it receives written permission from the regulator. This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 21, 2023. Companies in this story: (TSX:TRP) Read more about: SHARE: 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, meets with participants of a Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) National Executive Committee workshop led by CCM General Secretary Daniel Godfrey Chongolo in Beijing, capital of China, April 21, 2023. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu) BEIJING, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, met with participants of a Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) National Executive Committee workshop led by CCM General Secretary Daniel Godfrey Chongolo in Beijing on Friday. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, said that President Hassan was the first African head of state China received after the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. During her visit to China, the two sides announced the elevation of China-Tanzania relations to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership. Under these new circumstances, China is ready to work with Tanzania to implement the important consensus reached by the top leaders of the two parties and countries, deepen inter-party exchanges and cooperation, and promote the greater development of China-Tanzania and China-Africa relations, Wang said. Chongolo said that Tanzania and China enjoy a profound traditional friendship, and that the CCM is willing to enhance its exchange of governance experience with China and promote bilateral and Africa-China cooperation for the benefit of both peoples. SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) Prosecutors in New Mexico plan to drop an involuntary manslaughter charge against Alec Baldwin in the fatal 2021 shooting of a cinematographer on the set of the Western film Rust, Baldwins attorneys said Thursday. We are pleased with the decision to dismiss the case against Alec Baldwin and we encourage a proper investigation into the facts and circumstances of this tragic accident, Baldwins attorneys Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro said in a statement. When word of the dismissal came, Baldwin was at Yellowstone Film Ranch on the set of a rebooted Rust production. Filming was to resume Thursday at its new location in Montana, 18 months after the shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins shut it down, a representative for Rust Movie Productions said. Baldwin and the films weapons supervisor, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, were both charged with involuntary manslaughter in the shooting. Baldwin was pointing a pistol at Hutchins during a rehearsal when the gun when off, killing Hutchins and wounding director Joel Souza. Baldwin has said the gun went off accidentally and that he did not pull the trigger. An FBI forensic report found the weapon could not have fired unless the trigger was pulled. Heather Brewer, a spokeswoman for the Santa Fe district attorneys office, declined to comment on the status of the criminal charge against Baldwin when reached by telephone Thursday. It wasnt immediately clear whether charges could be refiled, nor whether the charge would also be dropped against Gutierrez-Reed. Gutierrez-Reeds attorneys said that they fully expect at the end of this process that Hannah will also be exonerated. The truth about what happened will come out and the questions that we have long sought answers for will be answered, the lawyers, Jason Bowles and Todd Bullion, said in a statement. The case against Baldwin had already been diminishing. A weapons charge that would have meant a much longer sentence had already been dismissed, and the first special prosecutor appointed in the case resigned. The charges against Baldwin had marked a stunning fall for an A-list actor whose 40-year career included the early blockbuster The Hunt for Red October and a starring role in the sitcom 30 Rock, as well as iconic appearances in Martin Scorseses The Departed and a film adaptation of David Mamets Glengary Glen Ross. In recent years, he was known for his impression of former President Donald Trump on Saturday Night Live. The 65-year-old worked little since the shooting but hardly went into hiding. He stayed active on social media, making Instagram videos and posting picture of his wife and seven children. Rust safety coordinator and assistant director David Halls pleaded no contest in March to a conviction for unsafe handling of a firearm and a suspended sentence of six months of probation. Plans to resume filming were outlined last year by the cinematographers widower Matthew Hutchins in a proposed settlement to a wrongful death lawsuit that would make him an executive producer. Souza has said he will return to directing Rust production to honor the legacy of Halyna Hutchins. Despite the settlement, attorneys for the Hutchins family said they welcomed the criminal charges against Baldwin when they were filed. They had no immediate comment on the pending dismissal Thursday. After a scathing safety review by regulators in New Mexico that detailed ignored complaints and misfires before Hutchins death in October of 2021, the production company agreed to pay a $100,000 fine. Baldwin had yet to even travel to New Mexico for a court appearance, and none had been required of him under state law. Evidentiary hearings had been scheduled for next month to determine whether to proceed toward trial. Santa Fe District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies had said previously that her office is pursuing justice in the death of Hutchins and wants to show that no one is above the law when it comes to firearms and public safety. She says the Ukrainian-born cinematographers death was tragic and preventable. ___ Dalton reported from Los Angeles. Associated Press writer Susan Montoya Bryan in Albuquerque, New Mexico, contributed. SHARE: Government lawyers were challenged in court to justify the options for lost Canadians to be granted citizenship and the undue hardship endured by families affected by a rule that limits the passage of citizenship rights by descent for those born abroad. At a hearing in Toronto on Thursday, federal government counsel argued theres no charter right to citizenship and alternative pathways are available for children born overseas to foreign-born Canadians who cant inherit citizenship under the second-generation cut-off rule. Theres simply one rule for passing on citizenship for the first generation born abroad, and thats having a child born in Canada to continue the connection to Canada, Hillary Adams, one of three lawyers for the government, told the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. Or they can have their children born outside of Canada and confirm the connection to Canada by establishing permanent residence here and apply for citizenship, like most immigrants to Canada The end result is the same. Your child gets Canadian citizenship. The lawsuit was brought by 23 individuals from seven families that have been negatively affected by the cut-off rule, arguing the law discriminates against them based on their place of birth, violates their mobility and liberty rights, and disproportionately puts women at a disadvantage when they have to give birth outside of Canada due to circumstances beyond their control. Government co-counsel David Tyndale said people make personal choices as to where to look for jobs, where to start a family or whether to pursue a career abroad, and the choices have intersecting effects on one another. They may be difficult. They may involve serious consequences in some area or others of the persons life. But the fact that life imposes choices on people as to where they live and where they have children isnt necessarily a breach of the charter, Tyndale argued. The government contended that theres no blanket prohibition for the second-generation born abroad to restore their Canadian citizenship through a discretionary grant by the immigration minister or indirectly first as a permanent resident through a family sponsorship before they turn 22 years old. Refused applicants can appeal to the Federal Court. Noting that these processes could take months if not years, Justice Jasmine Akbarali raised concerns over mix-ups and mistakes in some of those decisions. They have to first become permanent residents and we know that hasnt always been easy to obtain, Akbarali said. Theres children who applied for and did not get PR status. Theres no evidence to tell me how often that happens, that children of Canadian citizens obtain PR status on application or not. Government counsel Kevin Spykerman responded that theres no evidence in the submissions but referred to some of the litigants who were granted citizenship by the immigration minister or successfully obtained permanent residence. In many of these applications, we see a much shorter processing time. And of course the 27 month processing time is not always 27 months, said Spykerman. We see success through this provision. But at what cost, the judge wondered. The courts are full of self-represented people who cant afford lawyers. If you need a representative to find someone who knows somebody inside (immigration) to assist you in getting this exceptional grant to citizenship then what about people who cant afford it? asked Justice Akbarali. Is it enough that theyre viable if they are incredibly difficult? If they cause hardship? Adams said the Federal Court is a better place to hear immigration and citizenship cases because of its expertise and experience in dealing with the relevant law and provincial courts generally defer jurisdiction to the federal court. Am I being asked to assume jurisdiction over immigration matters or am I being asked to apply the charter to federal law, the judge interjected. You are being asked to apply the charter to federal law, which, again, you have jurisdiction to do. Were not debating that, Adams replied. The government argued that none of the litigants mobility and liberty rights were infringed because at no point were the first-generation Canadians born abroad refused entry or exit from Canada. In addition, their foreign-born children were issued visitor visas to come to Canada. The applicants have been able to make fundamental personal choices free from state interference by moving overseas and having children overseas and by returning to Canada, noted Adams, adding that the law is meant to ensure citizenship by descent is not passed from generation to generation to people without a connection to Canada. The 23 litigants from multi-generational families, including grandparents and parents, have established ties to Canada before moving abroad and having children overseas. The court questioned if those ties matter when the pejoratively known birth tourists with no connection to this country are able to obtain citizenship for their children by travelling to Canada and giving birth here. They have the choice as a birth tourist does to have child in Canada and reap the benefits of citizenship, Adams answered. Theres a choice where to have your children. The litigants are seeking an order to declare the second-generation citizenship cut-off unconstitutional and grant citizenship to the four children in the lawsuit whose citizenship is still pending. Clarification April 21, 2023: In immigration and citizenship cases, provincial courts generally defer jurisdiction to the federal court, not higher court. SHARE: An education consultant in India will be summoned to testify in the admissibility hearing in Canada of an international student, who allegedly used a fake college admission letter to illegally gain entry into the country. Amritraj Singh Batth, 25, is among a group of international students who have been charged with misrepresentation by Canada Border Services Agency in connection with the same consultant for using fraudulent documents to obtain their study permits, all pending removal from Canada. The students some have been here since 2017, have completed their studies and were on the path to permanent residence have claimed that they didnt know the admission letters allegedly provided by Brijesh Mishra, owner of EMSA, a consulting firm in Jalandhar, to facilitate visas to study in Canada, were forgery. At Batths hearing in Toronto on Friday, the immigration tribunal accepted the request by his lawyer, Jaswant Mangat, to call Mishra as a witness into the case, arguing that the consultants evidence would be extremely material for his client to have a fair process. Despite the government counsels objection that the consultants fraud was not the subject of the proceeding, adjudicator Karina Henrique agreed that theres a narrow pathway for the tribunal to consider the claim of innocent representation. If it can possibly be shown that the consultant defrauded the person concerned to the extent that there was nothing the person concerned could do to prevent or be aware of it despite his due diligence, then the person concerned would fall within that narrow exception, Henrique concluded. Batth, who arrived in Canada in 2018, said a relative referred his parents to Mishra in 2018 and he didnt know the agent was neither a registered lawyer nor immigration consultant in Canada. He also claimed he wasnt aware the admission letter to Humber Colleges business program used for his visa application was doctored. Upon arrival in Canada, Batth said the agent was trying to help him switch to the food and nutrition program, but then stopped all communication. Through another consultant in Brampton, he enrolled in a web design and programming diploma course at CDI College in Montreal. His initial study permit was extended and he received a postgraduate work permit in 2022 and now works as a truck driver. In a written request filed earlier this week, his lawyer argued that Mishra is the only person who can give evidence about the most important issues in this case, fraud, his role, and the process he used to commit fraud. The lawyer also submitted a police report dated March 17, 2023 detailing fraud allegations involving Mishra, warranting further investigation and an order issued by local authorities in Jalandhar to revoke the consultancy license of EMSA. The translated police report indicated that the original complaint against Mishra was lodged in April 2019 by the family of another international student, Simrat Kaur, who was informed by the Canadian embassy a month earlier that her documents were fake and her student visa was refused. She was banned from entering Canada for five years. RELATED STORIES Canada Indian student fighting deportation says he was duped by consultant who gave him bogus college admission letter EMSAs licence cancellation which was based on the police report, stated that travel agents are regulated by the State of Punjab, which monitored illegal and fraudulent activities, and malpractices. If a person, who is not enjoying a clean police record, is permitted to continue the work of travel agent, it will send a wrong message to the public, wrote Jaspreet Singh, Deputy Commissioner, Jalandhar, in an order issued on March 20, 2023. The tribunal has given Batths lawyer four weeks to serve the summons to the consultant in India to testify at the next hearing in May. Read more about: SHARE: HALIFAX - A Nova Scotia judges ruling released Friday sheds light on rising violence and intimidation among inmates in a Halifax jail. Nova Scotia Supreme Court Justice Jamie Campbell denied a request from inmate Isaac deMolitar to be given more time outside his cell at the Central Nova Scotia Correctional Facility. Campbell noted that rules imposed on inmates in March limiting their time outside their cells were reasonable given dangerous behaviour at the provincial jail on the outskirts of Halifax. A system of rotational lockdowns allows for 16 inmates to be out of their cells on the unit at a time and gives inmates six hours out of cell each day down from the usual 12 hours. Campbell noted evidence from the facilitys deputy superintendent, Rachel Critchley, that the reasons for the rotating lockdowns go back to early March when there were incidents of violence in the West 1 unit, the jails only general population unit. The judge noted that assaults were observed on security cameras resulting in a variety of injuries, including two inmates who had to be taken to hospital. Campbell said inmates arriving on the unit were being forced to leave by other inmates for no apparent reasons. There were no known incompatibles. Those are people who have issues from the street with people already in that unit. That was not the case. They were not people who had sex-related offences on their records, nor had they been charged with sex-related offences, he said. Assaults were being carried out by people who were strangers to them. The judge said corrections staff tried to meet and discuss the problems with inmates, but five days later, on April 9, an assault happened in the day room involving seven inmates. A series of lockdowns confining inmates to their cells continued. Campbell ruled that corrections managers dont have free rein to ignore the rights of inmates, but neither do those incarcerated run the jails. They do not decide who is to be housed where and who is acceptable to have on a range. They do not have the right to administer punishment to those who fail to respect the rules set by the inmates and do not have the right to intimidate those who just want to do their time without becoming wrapped up in someone elses street beefs or desire to be seen as a heavy in the facility, he wrote. Deborah Bayer, a spokeswoman for the provincial Department of Justice, wrote in an email that the safety of persons in custody in Nova Scotia correctional facilities is a priority. She noted the corrections officers use various security measures to keep individuals safe and prevent violence, and that the facility is not currently overcrowded. This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 21, 2023. Read more about: SHARE: VICTORIA - British Columbia Premier David Eby says his provincial and territorial counterparts are unanimous in calling on the federal government to implement bail reforms and expand support to fight against guns and gangs in communities. Eby says the premiers met Friday with the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, where the importance of encouraging the federal government and provincial and municipal leaders to build safe communities was highlighted. The virtual meeting with police chiefs took place after recent violent attacks in Metro Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Regina and Toronto. Eby says in a statement that Canadians are concerned about the crime and violence theyre seeing in neighbourhoods and in public places like transit and parks. He says preliminary data on bail hearings in B.C. indicate that more than half of the attempts by prosecutors to keep alleged offenders in custody are being rejected by the courts. Eby says the federal government must act on a recent promise to amend bail laws to address the national risk to public safety that has become apparent in every province and territory. This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 21, 2023. Read more about: SHARE: Stargazers are in for a treat this weekend: this years Lyrid Meteor Shower is expected to light up the skies over Canada, potentially dazzling spectators with up to 20 meteors an hour. Experts say the annual event is expected to peak on Sunday, but will be visible for one or two days before and after. Heres what you need to know. Why do meteor showers happen? According to John Percy, professor emeritus of astronomy at the University of Toronto, meteor showers happen when space dust enters and burns up in Earths atmosphere, appearing as bright streaks across the sky or shooting stars. This most commonly happens when Earths orbit encounters the debris left behind by an icy comet: When the ice turns to vapour, as the comet nears the sun, the dust is left behind along the comets orbit, Percy said. Meteor streaks typically last a second or two before dissipating in the atmosphere, Percy continued Whats the Lyrid Meteor shower? The Lyrid Meteor Shower is among the oldest meteor showers recorded, having first been documented by Chinese astronomers back in 687 B.C., said Suresh Sivanandam, an associate professor at U of Ts Dunlap Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics. Its the oldest recorded meteor shower that still is visible now, he said, explaining that it returns to Earths sky every April. The reason its called the Lyrid meteor shower is because its close to the constellation Lyra, present in the northern sky, Sivanandam continued. You will see it in that general direction. Lyrid meteors are made from the debris of Comet Thatcher, a long-period comet discovered in 1861, Percy said. When is the Lyrid shower? According to Percy, the shower is expected to peak around Sunday, though it will still be visible for several days before and after. Sivanandam said the shower becomes visible only when its dark enough, typically starting a couple hours after sunset and lasting until the early dawn. While the Toronto sky is expected to be cloudy Friday night, Sivanandam said, You might be able to catch it tomorrow night if the weathers clear. How to watch the Lyrid Meteor Shower You wont need any special equipment to see the shower, just some warm clothes and a thermos of hot cocoa, Sivanandam explained. That said, Torontonians likely wont be able to catch it from the heart of the city, given the light pollution: Trying to find a spot where there is not much city lighting is probably the most important, he continued. Sivanandam recommends heading a little way outside of Toronto, ideally to a flat area with no trees or tall buildings blocking the view. Plop down a deck chair or blanket, relax and enjoy the show. Remember to check the weather forecast before you go Unfortunately, if its cloudy, youre not going to see anything, he said. That said, its not guaranteed that youll see 50 or 60 meteorites in the sky it can come in bursts, Sivanandam continued. You have to be patient. SHARE: RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany (AP) Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin sought Friday to tamp down any discord between the U.S. and its allies over the massive U.S. leak of classified documents, as he met with defense leaders from around the globe to coordinate additional military aid to Ukraine. Acknowledging that the other nations have closely followed the issue, Austin hit the subject head on in his opening remarks to start the meeting. The move underscored the gravity of the situation, since many of the documents distributed online revealed details on the status of the war in Ukraine and the ongoing delivery of weapons and other equipment to Ukrainian forces in battle intelligence matters the other defense officials are keenly involved in. I take this issue very seriously, Austin said at the start of the daylong session at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. And we will continue to work closely and respectfully with our deeply valued allies and partners. Austin said hed spoken to allies and partners about the matter, and Ive been struck by your solidarity and your commitment to reject efforts to divide us. And we will not let anything fracture our unity. The meeting marks the one-year anniversary of the creation by Austin of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group. This is the 11th time the defense leaders have met to coordinate aid to the invaded country. They have vowed to support Ukraine in its fight against Russian forces for as long as it takes. But the document leaks pose a multi-pronged concern. Some allies in the room may be more wary about sharing intelligence and other information with the U.S,. fearing it might spill out to the public. Others may worry that the U.S. will clamp down on its own dissemination of intelligence involving the war, leaving them less informed. The unease comes at a crucial time. Ukrainian leaders are gearing up for the launch of a spring counteroffensive to try and take back territory gained by the Russians, hoping to give Kyiv a stronger position if the warring sides try to negotiate peace. So far, Austin and others have insisted that the intelligence leak hasnt driven a wedge between the U.S. and its allies and partners. But the stunning breach exposing closely held intelligence has sparked international concern and raised fresh questions about Americas ability to safeguard its secrets. Airman 1st Class Jack Teixeira, a member of the Massachusetts Air National Guard, has been charged under the Espionage Act with unauthorized retention and transmission of classified national defense information. He served as an information technology specialist and held a top secret security clearance, which gave him access to highly classified programs. Teixeira, 21, is accused of sharing highly classified military documents about Russias war in Ukraine and other top national security issues in a chat room on Discord, a social media platform that started as a hangout for gamers. U.S. Air Force leaders said earlier this week that they were investigating how a lone airman could access and distribute possibly hundreds of highly classified documents. The Air Force has also taken away the intelligence mission from the Air National Guard 102nd Intelligence Wing based in Cape Cod, where Teixeira served, pending further review. ___ Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine: https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine Read more about: SHARE: MINNEAPOLIS (AP) A white former police officer convicted of manslaughter after mistaking her handgun for a Taser and fatally shooting Black motorist Daunte Wright in suburban Minneapolis in 2021 is set to be released from prison Monday. Minnesota Department of Corrections spokesman Andy Skoogman announced Friday that former officer Kim Potter was to be released after serving about 16 months of her two-year sentence. He said the exact timing of her departure Monday from Minnesota Correctional Facility-Shakopee wont be disclosed for security reasons. Our criminal investigative analysts are working closely with law enforcement to monitor the situation to ensure Kim Potter, like all incarcerated persons, is safe as she leaves our facility, Skoogman said in a statement. The shooting happened April 2021 as Derek Chauvin was on trial in Minneapolis on murder charges in George Floyds killing. Wrights death sparked several days of protests. Judge Regina Chu had said at Potter's sentencing that she would be required to serve two-thirds of her sentence 16 months then spend the rest on probation. Potter, now 50, appears much thinner in a new photo released by the Department of Corrections. Her attorney, Earl Gray, said he had no idea why her appearance changed. It just shows its rough doing time, Gray said. I dont know many mug shots that show somebody in a good light. A message left with civil rights attorney Ben Crump, the lawyer for Wrights family, wasnt immediately returned. Wright, a 20-year-old father, was killed on April 11, 2021, after Brooklyn Center officers pulled him over for having expired license tags and an air freshener hanging from his rearview mirror. Officers discovered he had a warrant for a misdemeanor weapons possession charge and he was shot during a struggle as officers tried to arrest him. Civil rights advocates say laws against hanging objects from rearview mirrors have been used as a pretext for stopping Black motorists. Potter is heard on video yelling Taser several times just before she fires her pistol as Wright tried to drive away from the traffic stop. The state attorney generals office had sought a sentence recommended by state guidelines of just over seven years in prison. Wrights family and Crump denounced the two-year sentence as too lenient and accused the judge of giving more consideration to the white officer than the Black victim. Wrights mother, Katie Wright, said after the sentencing that Potter murdered my son, adding: Today the justice system murdered him all over again. Chu said at the time that the case wasnt the same as other high-profile killings, including George Floyds death that resulted in a 22 1/2-year sentence for Chauvin. This is a cop who made a tragic mistake, she said. Defense attorneys argued at the sentencing hearing that Potter deserved leniency because Wright was trying to drive away and Potter had the right to defend herself. Potter, a 26-year police veteran, apologized to Wrights family at sentencing and spoke directly to his mother: Katie, I understand a mothers love. Im sorry I broke your heart ... my heart is broken and devastated for all of you. SHARE: CLEVELAND - Its an all-too-common bad mistake to judge Canadas commitment to global military security solely on the basis of how much money it spends on defence, President Joe Bidens envoy to Ottawa said Friday. David Cohen refused to comment on a Washington Post report this week that said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had privately told NATO officials Canada would never hit the military alliances spending target of two per cent of GDP. But he had a lot to say about whether Canada deserves its long-standing reputation as miserly when it comes to devoting resources to the Canadian Armed Forces. I think it would be a bad mistake and I frankly think that too many people are making this mistake that somehow we need to assess Canadas commitment to defence by one metric, Cohen said. I dont think thats right. Cohen was the keynote speaker Friday among several past and present U.S. ambassadors, trade lawyers and bilateral scholars gathered for the annual conference of the Canada-U.S. Law Institute in Cleveland. Canada makes its own decisions about priorities and budget allocation, he said. In 2014, it voluntarily agreed, along with a host of other allies, to aspire to the two per cent target originally established by NATO in 2006. But Cohen suggested the countrys support for Ukraine in its war against Russia and its plans to fortify Arctic defence should carry more weight in the policy debate than they currently do. Forget about the percentage of Canadas defence spend as compared to GDP. Canada has stepped up at every opportunity, whenever requested by the United States or by the UN, to provide military support to Ukraine, he said. Every time theres been a need, Canada stepped up. Cohens defence stood in contrast to the assessment of one of his predecessors, David Jacobson, who told the previous nights awards banquet that he fears the consequences of what Trudeau reportedly said. Jacobson, who served as Barack Obamas ambassador from 2009 to 2013, said the Post report could make it harder for Canada and the U.S. to resolve future bilateral irritants. Its one of those things that causes governments to lose confidence, Jacobson said. Its a perfect example of what not to do in order to help solve some of the bilateral issues in both directions that are legitimately very important to segments of the Canadian public and the American public. Peter MacKay, who was the Canadian minister of national defence for six years under Stephen Harpers Conservative government, noted that Trudeau has not denied the report. Its notable that the prime minister didnt take the opportunity to clarify or contextualize or say thats simply not true. And so, the intrigue festers, MacKay said in Cleveland. I still hold on (to) some hope that well hear someone from government say, in fact, we will meet our two per cent (target), or we will continue to aspire to reach that level of spending. The report, published online Wednesday and then Thursday on the newspapers front page, was based on a document from a trove of Pentagon secrets leaked in recent weeks in an online chat forum for gamers. Jack Teixeira, a 21-year-old IT specialist and member of the Massachusetts Air National Guard, was arrested last week and faces charges of violating the U.S. Espionage Act. The Post said the unsigned, undated document, which The Canadian Press has not seen, mentions widespread military deficiencies in Canada that are causing friction with security partners and allies. Jacobson acknowledged a long-standing truth in the politically polarized U.S.: that public support for military missions abroad is fragile, especially when American taxpayers are footing the bulk of the bill. While NATO has long struggled to get many of its members to meet its two per cent spending target, military spending in the U.S. is about 3.3 per cent of a GDP that is 13 times the size of Canadas. By comparison, the federal government in Ottawa currently spends about 1.4 per cent of GDP on defence. What will happen is that the American public is going to decide, Why should we do this? Why should we defend the world? Jacobson said. Its in the best interests of the U.S. to do it, he added. But at some point, people are going to say, Well, weve got all these freeloaders I hate to use that term weve got all these freeloaders and were not going to do it anymore. Its a turn of phrase that brings to mind former president Donald Trump, who frequently berated NATO allies for shortchanging the alliance and who is running for president again next year. The Post story did not detail Trudeaus comments. But it did describe complaints from a number of allies about perceived shortfalls within the Canadian military. NATO, for instance, is concerned that Canada hasnt added to the ranks of its battle group in Latvia, part of a multinational deterrence mission in eastern Europe known as Operation Reassurance. Turkey was disappointed by Canadas apparent refusal to help transport aid after an earthquake earlier this year, while Haiti is frustrated by Canadas reluctance to mount a security mission there, the Post reported. Widespread defence shortfalls hinder Canadian capabilities, the Post quoted the document as saying, while straining partner relationships and alliance contributions. The document appears to predate Bidens visit to Ottawa in March, which Canada capped with some showcase military spending, including on modernizing Norad, the binational continental defence system. When you look at this on a threat assessment basis, and not just looking at a single data point, Canada has stood up. They have been responsible, they have been our partner, they talk to us, said Cohen. The trajectory of defence spending in Canada has also been gradually improving in recent years, he added. The Liberal government has committed to nearly $40 billion on Norad modernization and North American defence, along with $8 billion in military spending announced in the 2022 budget. In the Joe Biden view of the world, no country should be judged or assessed out there on their own for what theyre doing in the defence space, Cohen said. The question is: what kind of a partner are you? We think of Canada and the United States as inextricably intertwined. As for Latvia, Canada has launched an urgent, competitive procurement process to equip troops there with anti-tank, anti-drone and anti-air defence systems, Defence Minister Anita Anand said. The Post said the Forces warned in February that a major military operation was currently impossible, given the Latvia deployment and Canadas ongoing military support for Ukraine in its war against Russia. The U.S. has been anxious to find someone to lead a multinational support mission in gang-ravaged Haiti, and officials have even name-checked Canada as a worthy option. But Jacobson said his sense is that the question of Canadas role in Haiti is less a bilateral disagreement than a serious question about capacity. One of the things I learned about military engagement is you cant do everything. You never have enough bullets, you never have enough tanks, you never have enough soldiers to do all the things you want to do, he said. You have even fewer tanks and soldiers and bullets if youre spending 1.4 per cent of your GDP. This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 21, 2023. SHARE: Zhao Leji, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, presides over the first plenary meeting of inspection teams for enforcement of the Seed Law in Beijing, capital of China, April 21, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling) BEIJING, April 21 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislator Zhao Leji on Friday urged promoting the development of the seed industry through law-based means, and further consolidating the legal basis for the industry's vitalization. Zhao, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, made the remarks while presiding over the first plenary meeting of inspection teams for enforcement of the Seed Law. Zhao called on the NPC to fulfill its duty in areas including legislation and oversight, and to contribute to boosting high-quality development of China's seed industry, while safeguarding the country's seed and food security. Zhao stressed the importance of scrutinizing prominent issues facing the law enforcement and high-quality development of the seed industry, and conducting law-enforcement inspections to improve the protection and utilization of seed resources, enhance original innovation, and intensify supervision and management of seed quality. The small southwestern Ontario city that gained fame more than a century ago as Canadas railway capital is being remade as the national anchor of Canadas electric-vehicle supply chain, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Friday at the official launch of a new Volkswagen battery plant. He made clear its a project that will also become an anchor of his partys next re-election plan, too, delivering a biting criticism of his chief political rival and all but outright daring Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to campaign against the investment. Volkswagen announced last month that its new electric vehicle battery company, PowerCo, had selected St. Thomas, Ont., for its first gigafactory outside of Europe. The official announcement with details of the plan didnt come until Friday. Canadas political leaders and PowerCos executives were grinning like cats as they chatted giddily about the 3,000 direct and 30,000 indirect jobs expected as a result of the new factory, and tossed around random comparison numbers in a bid to explain to Canadians the scale of the planned factory. It will have six production blocks on a 370-acre site that sits inside a new 1,500-acre industrial park on land St. Thomas purchased just for this purpose last year. PowerCo CEO Frank Blome took the European approach, and said the factory will be the size of 210 football fields, before pausing to clarify that he of course meant soccer. Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne came at it from the North American view and said his number is 378 football fields, clearly referring to American football. Ontario Premier Doug Ford went after the Volkswagen love, and said the new industrial park is so big it could cram 700,000 Volkswagen Golfs onto its land. But the biggest numbers, without doubt, are the government subsidies that sealed the deal. Canada has committed $700 million and Ontario another $500 million in up-front capital costs towards the $7-billion price tag to build the factory. Canada offered between $8 billion and $13 billion more in production subsidies that will paid once batteries are made and sold. They are designed to match the size of production tax credits the United States was offering through its Inflation Reduction Act. Canadas production subsides arent tax credits and will disappear or be reduced if the U.S. supports within the Inflation Reduction Act are eliminated or phased down. Volkswagen was also considering some U.S. sites for the factory which would have put it in closer proximity to its existing U.S. auto plants. Canada won out. Congratulations from our side for outperforming the competition and bringing this gigafactory to St. Thomas, Blome said at the announcement. That wasnt easy. He said about 200 factors were considered in making the decision. Canadas abundant critical minerals, which are used in the batteries, and the availability low-cost, clean electricity were among them. So money, said Blome, wasnt the only factor. But it was the first entry. You have to be competitive, he said. If your product is not competitive in product or in cost, you have no future. Trudeau said every cent is worth it. Lets be really clear about whats happening today, he said. Other parts of the world, including our neighbours to the south, were willing to put up an awful lot of money to get this project there, he said. Everyone wanted this, so yes, we put up a lot of money. Money thats going to come back in economic investments very quickly. The federal government said that with the economic benefits from the plant, the government investments will be recouped in just five years. The importance of the project to the region, the province and the country was apparent in the number of politicians showing up to get a piece of the good publicity. In addition to Trudeau and Ford, almost every federal, provincial and municipal politician with even a tenuous connection to St. Thomas or southwestern Ontario was in the crowd. Local Conservative MP Karen Vecchio was among them. Trudeau said her presence made clear she understood the value of the deal. Her leader, he said, does not. Ill be direct and honest, he said. You have some work to do to convince your leader, Pierre Poilievre, who thinks this investment is a waste of money. Last month Poilievre criticized the deal and demanded to know how many jobs the government was buying, even before the exact size of the dollar figure was known. This money belongs to Canadians, Poilievre said on Twitter. Not to a foreign corporation. Not to Justin Trudeau. In question period Friday, Nova Scotia MP Rick Perkins asked a similar question about how many jobs the $14 billion subsidy guaranteed. Liberals surely would not give away $14 billion in taxpayer money without a contract on the exact commitments of jobs in the plant, he said. Trudeau has accused Poilievre of stoking anger among Canadians, and said Friday its not good enough to throw up your hands, get mad and say that Canada is broken. The latter is one of Poilievres most frequently used talking points to criticize the Trudeau government. Sorry, anger doesnt deliver this plant in St. Thomas, Trudeau said. Confidence, hard work, optimism and a willingness to invest in Canadians and in the brightest possible future for all thats why were here today. Vecchio, sitting among the VIPs alongside the podium, smiled politely. Trudeaus political posturing moments aside, the mood in St. Thomas was mostly jubilant. What a great day, Ontario Economic Development Minister Vic Fedeli roared. This is truly our moment to shine, declared a glowing Champagne. The aim is for the plant to become the centre of a supply chain that starts with Canadas critical mineral mines and includes all stages of processing them into the various components that make up an EV battery. The spinoffs from Volkswagens deal may already be falling into place. Fedeli said additional manufacturers are being attracted to the St. Thomas industrial park to supply critical components for the batteries. And Blome said PowerCo had already signed a deal with Umicore, a Belgian company, to provide cathode materials used in EV battery cells. Umicore said last summer it was building a cathode materials plant in Kingston. This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 21, 2023. Note to readers: This is a corrected story. A previous version misspelled Frank Blomes last name in last graf. SHARE: TORONTO - Abdelgadir Eltayeb and his family have no electricity, dwindling food and water, and havent been able to venture far from the home in Khartoum where they took shelter after violence exploded in Sudans capital this week. The Canadian, who is visiting relatives in Sudan with his wife and two children, says fighting between the countrys army and its rival paramilitary force has unleashed chaos. Its a very difficult situation, the 68-year-old said in a phone interview from Khartoum on Friday. We lived our worst night last night, and most of today. Shelling and dark smoke covered the sky. The situation in Sudans capital was generally stable a week ago but a skirmish over a planned transition to democratic rule last Saturday escalated into raging battles. The violence so far has killed 413 people and wounded 3,551, according to the World Health Organization. Many have fled the countrys capital for other parts of Sudan. Khartoums airport is inaccessible. On Friday night, the federal government announced that it had deployed members of its Global Affairs Standing Rapid Deployment Team to Djibouti due to the volatile and rapidly deteriorating situation in Sudan. Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly said Canadas embassy in Khartoum has temporarily suspended in-person operations. Joly said the Rapid Deployment Team can provide emergency response, co-ordination, consular assistance and logistical support. The situation in Sudan is volatile and deteriorating rapidly, Joly said in a release. Canada continues to call for an end to violence and stands with the Sudanese people as they strive for peace. We are actively monitoring the situation in Sudan and working with neighbouring countries, as well as with like-minded governments and the international community to co-ordinate the response to this crisis. The government said the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces are also planning for contingencies but gave no further details. On Thursday, Joly said there were currently no means of evacuating Canadians from Sudan and urged people there to shelter in place. Global Affairs Canada said it knows of 1,663 Canadians registered as being in Sudan. Eltayeb said shells have fallen mere blocks from the relatives home where he is taking shelter. The Edmonton resident and his family had a return flight to Canada booked for May 9 but that was changed by the airline this week to May 16, he said. He has extended family who live outside the capital, where there is less fighting, but many roads and bridges leaving Khartoum are blocked and the risk of encountering violence on the way out is too great, he said. Most of the people killed were killed moving, trying to get out of Khartoum, said Eltayeb, adding he and his family planned to stay in the capital for now. Eltayeb, who came to Canada from Sudan in 1989, has registered with Global Affairs Canada but said he hasnt heard from officials on ways Canada can support him. Hisham Idris, another Canadian visiting Khartoum, said hes trying to leave Sudan by crossing its land border into Egypt. He hoped to fly back to Canada from there. It was hell. Some of the gunshots were falling around us, he said of the situation in Khartoum. Its very very bad. Several hospitals in Khartoum have run out of supplies or been shut down. Banks have been closed and account holders have been unable to withdrawal funds. Canadas travel advisory warns that Sudans telecommunication networks could break down without notice. Zainab Doleeb, who was born in Sudan and moved to Canada as a child, said shes heard from extended family in Khartoum that civilians have been left to fend for themselves. All the rescue indicatives, support and efforts to leave the city have been organized by (Khartoum) community members, civil society and family members, she said in Toronto. Doleeb said her cousins were trapped in a hospital before fleeing Khartoums city core for the outskirts, where they are now trying to find ways to escape to the countryside. Every time they develop a plan, they hear that this road has fighting in it or that this road is unsafe, she said. Canada should be open to receiving potential refugee claimants from Sudan, Doleeb said, adding theres a significant Sudanese diaspora that could support such newcomers. There are many of us who just waiting to help and would be happy to host them, she said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 21, 2023. This story was produced with the financial assistance of the Meta and Canadian Press News Fellowship. SHARE: OTTAWA - Canada is committing another $39 million in weapons and non-lethal military aid to Ukraine. Defence Minister Anita Anand announced the latest contribution during a meeting with counterparts from the U.S. and other allies in Germany. The donation includes almost $35 million in cash to help Ukraine buy fuel, first-aid kits and other non-lethal provisions through a special NATO fund. The remaining money will be used to buy 40 sniper rifles and ammunition from a Winnipeg company, and new radio sets for the eight Leopard 2 tanks that Canada has donated to Ukraine. Canada has committed more than $8 billion in financial, military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine since Russian forces invaded the country in February 2022. While the conflict has become a war of attrition over the past few months, Ukraine is expected to launch a counteroffensive with the aid of Western weapons in the coming weeks. This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 21, 2023. Read more about: SHARE: OTTAWA - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has often been followed by crowds of people looking to snag selfies, but with the largest federal public-sector strike in decades underway, Jagmeet Singh is the one receiving rock-star treatment in Ottawa. The federal NDP leader visited the picket line near Parliament Hill multiple times this week, appearing to be the only party leader to have shown face-to-face support to the thousands of public servants who walked off the job starting Wednesday. It is a nice moment for New Democrats to show Canadians, particularly working-class folks, that come hell or high water they are standing with them and they always stand with them, said Melanie Richer, a former director of communications for the federal party. The Public Service Alliance of Canadas decision to strike amid stalling negotiations with the federal government is landing in the middle of a political fight for the support of organized labour and the working class. Statistics Canada shows that 74 per cent of public-sector employees belong to a union, an increase of about four per cent from 1997, according to 2021 data. In contrast, union jobs in the private sector have dropped to 14 per cent in 2021 from 19 per cent in 1997. Women account for the largest share of all union members. Despite that decline, parties are jockeying for position to appeal to what is still a large voting bloc. Union leaders and their members have historically found a home with the New Democrats, but for nearly a decade Trudeau has concentrated on eating into that support and a confidence-and-supply agreement between the two parties has muddied the waters even more. This (strike) puts into question who the parties are, Richer said. The Liberal government agreed under the deal to provide 10 paid sick days to federally regulated workers, and said in this years federal budget that it would introduce legislation this year banning the use of replacement workers during strikes or lockouts in federally regulated industries measures Trudeau takes credit for, but Singh says they are New Democrat initiatives. PSAC said in a statement that the government is hypocritical because even though it is promising to introduce anti-scab legislation, some union members are receiving emails from their employers giving them the option to work during the job action. The Canadian Press has not independently verified the communication. In a statement, the Treasury Board said the employer does not encourage employees to cross the picket line, but employees can choose whether or not to come to work, unless they are occupying an essential position. It said managers have been receiving questions about workers who are unclear on the implications of continuing to work, and the government has a responsibility to provide factual information so employees can make informed decisions. Both Singh and Trudeau are also watching another opponent, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, who has signalled he is committed to seeking the support of the countrys working class a group he charges is finding itself increasingly isolated under Trudeau. Although Poilievre regularly attacks Trudeau for his elite exterior and extols the virtues of common people, the Tory leaders nearly 20 years in the House of Commons shows a record of supporting back-to-work legislation. He once espoused the belief that members of the union currently on strike should have a chance to opt out of paying their dues. The federal Conservatives have so far steered clear of telling the workers to return to their jobs, instead saying the strike itself and the service disruptions it is beginning to cause are the fault of Trudeaus incompetence. Calgary MP Stephanie Kusie, who serves as the partys critic for the Treasury Board in Parliament, told reporters this week that the striking public servants are also paying high prices thanks to inflation. Dan Robertson, who served as the Conservatives chief strategist during the 2021 federal election campaign, when Erin OToole led the party, suggested that the Tories might have an edge with some unionized workers. Although parties are in a closer fight for those in the private sector, recent polling suggests that those in public-sector unions are more likely to support Poilievres Conservatives, Robertson said. Poilievre should focus on the concerns of those individuals if he wants to form the next government, Robertson said, arguing they are the same for all working- and middle-class people: affordability, retirement, security and wages. The federal Tories should look no further than Ontario Premier Doug Fords Progressive Conservative government to be reminded of the power of courting union votes, Robertson said. They gained the endorsement of the provinces trade unions in the last provincial election a historic feat for any conservative party. But Ford has also become a cautionary tale used by labour leaders such as Mark Hancock, the national president of the Canadian Union of Public Employees. Last fall, some 55,000 education workers found themselves at the centre of a labour dispute that galvanized the union movement after Ford turned to the notwithstanding clause to push a contract on them. The government ultimately backed down in the face of widespread backlash. Hancock said he dislikes Poilievre and makes a point of telling members he speaks to across the country not to trust him, even as the Conservative leader makes a play for workers. When they are using the language we use, when theyre talking about workers, when theyre trying to appeal to them, it definitely makes our work harder, he said Richer echoed that sentiment, pointing out that while Poilievre had no qualms about delivering coffee and doughnuts to protesters with last years Freedom Convoy, he has been absent from the picket line. Poilievre isnt who he pretends he is. Singh and other NDP MPs have been quick to point out that the Conservatives may be the Liberals only dance partner if they decide to pursue back-to-work legislation. Thats a step neither Trudeau nor his ministers have mentioned, as negotiations between the union and government continue. Singh has ruled out helping the government pass any legislation of the kind. A confidence-and-supply agreement has the NDP supporting the minority Liberals through key votes in the House of Commons to avoid an election until 2025, in exchange for advancing NDP priorities. During negotiations, the NDP made it clear that if the Liberals ever considered back-to-work legislation, they could 100 per cent not count on the NDP, said Richer, who said the agreement was drafted during the CP Rail strike. As federal parties try to court workers, the president of the countrys largest private-sector union said their response to the current strike will be remembered. Silence in the face of this struggle is just not on, Unifor national president Lana Payne said in a statement Friday. The federal Conservatives have their chance now to show they actually support working people and their Charter rights and the exercising of those rights to improve living standards. ... But Im not holding my breath. Payne added that Unifor, which boasts more than 300,000 members, fully expects Trudeaus government to work with the Public Service Alliance of Canada to reach a collective agreement at the bargaining table. This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 21, 2023. Read more about: SHARE: "Given that we are the signatories of a joint letter to the President of the European Commission", we agreed to wait for the decision that will be made by Brussels on the subject of grain imports from Ukraine, Agriculture Minister Petre Daea declared on Friday at the end of the meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart Mykola Solski. Daea added that "we stand in solidarity with the farmers from Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria and Slovakia, but we must also make the rules together, not enter into a competition of legal decisions". Therefore, he argues, Romania has agreed to wait for the Commission's decision, given that it is the signatory of a joint letter addressed to the President of the European Commission by the prime ministers of Romania, Poland, Hungary and Slovakia, as well as by Bulgaria's president. "We, the five leaders from the countries in the immediate proximity of the war, agreed to submit in a joint letter proposals to the Commission Vice President responsible for trade policy and to the Agriculture Commissioner, urging them to take prompt measures in such a way as to solve the problem by mutual agreement, in a coherent, rules-based context that respects all parties involved. On the one hand, we seek to protect our farmers, on the other hand, let us allow grain from Ukraine to head for the due destinations, so that the food gets on time to those who are waiting for it from this area," Daea explained. AGERPRES Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) senator Valentin-Rica Cioromelea appreciates as "hilarious" the decision of the Ministry of Agriculture to ensure the transit on Romanian territory of a quantity of one million tonnes of sealed grains from Ukraine. The MP explained his opinion by the fact that Romania is the only state that allows the transit of these products, told Agerpres. "It's a bit strange and even hilarious maneuver. (...) It's as if we didn't have control until now, and the control over the trucks was established with the agreement between Mr. Daea and the Ukrainian minister. That is, we transit on further, when the other countries banned the transportation of grains on their territory, and we favour them, seal and commit to one million tonnes of grain to transit Romania," stated Senator AUR in a press conference. He also said that the decision adopted by the Ministry of Agriculture will not help Romanian farmers. "From 2022, I think there are 25 million tonnes left in transit and the production for 2023 is announced in Ukraine of 85 million tonnes. You can imagine where we will be with the transit through our county," mentioned Cioromelea. The AUR MP recalled that the party he represents signed the censure motion against the Minister of Agriculture, Petre Daea, initiated by the USR (Save Romania Union) and Forta Dreptei, because the government official did not obtain more money for Romanian farmers affected by the cheap grain crisis in Ukraine. During the press conference, the president of the AUR organization from Nalbant rural town, Dorinel Bucurlescu, pointed out that the Town Hall of Nalbant rural town does not have an updated website, which would provide taxpayers with information of public interest. "There are several posts from 2019, and the only update is to the list of local councilors that was published in 2021. As a citizen, I am interested in the projects at the commune level, what public consultations are held for the approval of some decisions at the local level, but such a thing does not exist, although the law provides for this procedure," mentioned Bucurlescu. In the context, Valentin-Rica Cioromelea recalled that a similar situation was registered in the case of the Babadag City Hall website. The Bucharest Stock Exchange (BVB) closed Friday's trading session down on almost all indices, and the value of exchanges amounted to 580.175 million RON (117.442 million euros), of which 556.353 million RON (112.620 million euros) were bonds. Out of the total volume of bond transactions, 55,500 were issued by Bucharest City Hall, their total value reaching 555 million RON, told Agerpres. The main BET index depreciated by 0.23%, up to 12,396.70 points, and the BET-Plus, which shows the evolution of the most liquid 37 shares on the Stock Exchange, recorded a decrease of 0.21%. At the same time, the extended blue-chip index BET-XT, of the 25 most liquid securities, recorded a decrease of 0.26%, while the index of SIFs, BET-FI, ended on a plus by 0.23% . The BET-BK index, the yield benchmark of investment funds, fell by 0.17%, and the BET-NG, which measures the performance of the ten energy and utility companies, depreciated by 0.22%. The BET AeRO index, which includes 20 representative companies on the AeRO market, gained 0.19%. On the Regulated Market, the most traded were Transilvania Bank's shares, with 6.934 million RON, followed by Fondului Proprietatea's securities, which generated exchanges worth 5.124 million RON, and those of Nuclearelectrica, with 1.576 million RON. The best developments were registered by the shares Electroarges (+11.29%), Turism, Hoteluri, Restaurante Marea Neagra (+3.88%) and Mecanica Ceahlau (+2.88%). On the other hand, the most important decreases were recorded by Mecanica Fina (-2.98%), Compa (-2.04%) and SSIF BRK Financial Group (-2.01%). Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca stated, on Friday, during a visit to Brasov County, that the Government will take the necessary measures to support Romanian companies, so that they can develop collaborations with external partners, the goal being the consolidation of economic activity in our country. "Based on the dialogue that we will continue to have, the necessary measures will be taken at the Government level to support Romanian companies, for the openness that our companies with a high level of representation can have in their relationship with external partners. It is very important to have consolidated Romanian capital, consolidated Romanian companies, which can enter into a relationship, in partnership with other external companies and in this way we can align and aggregate Romanian capital with foreign capital, in our level of ambition to develop the economy of our country," stated Nicolae Ciuca. On Friday, the Prime Minister paid a visit to Brasov county, being present at SC Electroprecizia SA and Fabrica Bilka, two companies with full Romanian capital. He also participated in the Entrepreneurial Caravan, a debate organized by the Club of Liberal Business People, at Poiana Brasov, told Agerpres. In the speech held on Friday morning in this context, he told Romanian businessmen to have the will to leave the county or national perimeter and move to the international level, to enter the "big game", stressing that only when Romania will having its own Siemens or Samsung will really matter at this level. National Defense Minister Angel Tilvar participates on Friday in the eleventh meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group taking place at the Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany. According to a release from the National Defense Ministry, the meeting of the already established international format of support to the Ukrainian partner is an opportunity to exchange ideas on the security situation generated by the Russian Federation's war of aggression against Ukraine and to identify further ways of aid for Ukraine. AGERPRES BEIJING, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday stressed upholding fundamental principles, breaking new ground and taking solid steps to write a new chapter in reform and opening-up on the new journey. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks while presiding over the first meeting of the commission for deepening overall reform of the 20th CPC Central Committee, which he heads. This year marks the first year for fully implementing the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress. It also marks the 45th anniversary of China's reform and opening-up and the 10th anniversary of the third plenary session of the 18th CPC Central Committee, said Xi. To achieve the goals and tasks on the new journey of the new era, deepening overall reform should be taken as the fundamental driving force for advancing Chinese modernization and an important leverage to stabilize the overall situation, deal with changes, and make new advances. Li Qiang, Wang Huning and Cai Qi, who are members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and deputy heads of the central commission for deepening overall reform, also attended the meeting. The meeting approved documents on strengthening enterprises' principal position in sci-tech innovation, enhancing and improving the management of the state-owned economy to effectively support Chinese modernization, and boosting the private economy. It also approved working rules for the central commission for deepening overall reform, those for the commission's special groups and office, and key tasks of the commission in 2023. The meeting called for strengthening the principal position of enterprises in sci-tech innovation, which it said is a crucial move to deepen structural scientific and technological reform and achieve high-standard self-reliance and strength in science and technology. Efforts must be made to establish an innovation system in which enterprises are the main players, and enterprises, universities and research institutes are efficiently collaborating and deeply integrated. There should be greater support for enterprises' innovation with a focus on national strategies and major demands of industrial development, according to the meeting. Private enterprises should be actively encouraged and effectively guided to participate in China's major innovation endeavors and play their role in the innovation of core technologies in key fields and making breakthroughs in significant original technologies. The meeting also stressed deepening the reform of state-owned enterprises to build a management system of the state-owned economy with top-level coordination, well-defined rights and obligations, efficient operation and effective supervision. Supporting the private economy is a consistent principle of the CPC Central Committee, the meeting noted. To promote the development and growth of the private economy, it is necessary to improve the development environment and remove the institutional barriers that keep private enterprises away from fair market competition. It is also vital to help private enterprises find their right position in high-quality development and improve their development quality via self-reform and development, business compliance, as well as transformation and upgrading, said the meeting, which urged efforts to ensure precise implementation of preferential policies to effectively address the enterprises' difficulties. The meeting stressed that since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, China has been working on comprehensively deepening reform with great political courage, and opened new horizons in this respect with unprecedented strength. In the first decade of the new era, China promoted reform on all fronts and in a profound and fundamental way, and made historic, revolutionary and groundbreaking achievements, the meeting said. No other country or political party can pursue bold self-reform with such political courage and sense of historical responsibility, nor advance reform with similar scope, scale and strength within such a short period, revealing the distinct features and notable advantage of the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, according to the meeting. To step up efforts to comprehensively deepen reform on the new journey, it is a must to uphold and strengthen the Party's leadership, the meeting stressed. More work should be done to address difficulties in major reform tasks, improve investigations and research, ensure the reform measures are fully implemented and keep all sectors motivated for reform, according to the meeting. Russian President Vladimir Putin's plan to divide the Euro-Atlantic community has failed, Romania's Defence Minister Angel Tilvar said on Friday, adding that support for Ukraine will continue as long as it takes. Tilvar and Romania's Chief of Defence Daniel Petrescu attended a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group for Ukraine in Ramstein, Germany, according to the Romanian Defence Ministry (MApN), told Agerpres. "This unity is constantly tested and I would like to highlight that it was also demonstrated by the numerous participation of the states, both in person and virtually, in the first edition of the Black Sea Security Conference under the umbrella of the Crimea International Platform, an event that I hosted in Bucharest together with my colleague, the Romanian Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu, and our Ukrainian counterparts Oleksii Reznikov and Dmytro Kuleba. It is very clear now that President Putin's plan to divide us has failed," said Tilvar. He also mentioned Romania's support for Ukraine's right to self-defence and highlighted the need for continued international support as long as it takes. Tilvar also advocated for need to support the countries in the Black Sea area exposed to hybrid threats, cyber-attacks and the propaganda and disinformation of the Russian Federation, such as Moldova and Georgia. According to MApN, the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, an initiative that will soon turn one, "has showed, both at the practical and conceptual level, the unity of more than 50 democratic states and international organisations in supporting Ukraine, a nation determined to protect its internationally recognised borders, in the face of a brutal and unprovoked invasion." The initiative launched by US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin continues to provide Ukraine with the necessary international support to face multiple and heterogeneous crises, including humanitarian and energy, 422 days after the beginning of the Russian Federation's war of aggression, which changed the paradigm of security in the Black Sea region, generating multiple challenges for the international security system, according to MApN. Romanian ambassador to Chile Floricel Paul Mocanu has announced that the first Romanian language lectureship in Latin America will open at the Faculty of Philosophy and Humanities of Universidad de Chile in October. "On Thursday morning, I had a meeting at the Faculty of Philosophy and Humanities of Universidad de Chile (...) on this topic. I think it is the last technical discussion regarding the opening of the lectureship. It was agreed that it will open in October of this year because the Chilean academic year is divided into quarters, not semestres, as it is in Romania, and in October the third quarter of the actual academic year will begin. All the conditions are met with help from the Romanian Language Institute in Bucharest, which has recently obtained approval for the establishment and funding of the position of Romanian language, culture and civilisation lecturer in Santiago, and Universidad de Chile and the respective faculty welcomed us with great enthusiasm. They told us that -- next to the great interest not only in the Romania language, but also in the Romanian literature -- there is also the interest of the university in completing the gamut of all the Romance languages that are studied in this university," said the ambassador. He added that the Romanian language lectureship will be the first in Latin America, not only in South America, told Agerpres. He also spoke about the official visit to Chile that President Klaus Iohannis was scheduled to make on Saturday. "Bilateral relationships have been on an upward trajectory for at least a year and a half. (...) During the past year, we had diplomatic consultations at the level of state secretaries that led to the visit of President Iohannis, which will take place these days. During this period, we had two visits to Romania at the parliamentary level by chairs of friendship groups from both the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, with the event of these days being practically the most important political activity in bilateral relationships in the last two decades. There was another presidential visit about ten years ago, but it was at the level of international organisations -- it was a meeting in Santiago of state and government leaders from the EU member countries and from the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. This is basically the first Romanian presidential visit in the history of a head of state in bilateral relations with Chile," said Mocanu. He added that Iohannis and his Chilean counterpart Gabriel Boric will discuss business co-operation, bilateral diplomatic dialogue and dialogue inside international organisations, as well as world current affairs such as environmental protection, renewable energies, cyber-security, protection against disasters, cultural themes. President Klaus Iohannis is on a Latin America tour until April 26 that includes official visits to Brazil, Chile and Argentina. The visit to Chile is the first at this level in the last ten years. Former president Traian Basescu participated in 2013 in the EU (European Union) - CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Summit, which took place in Santiago de Chile, January 25-28. The Fit for 55 package is seen as an important instrument to combat global warming, with proponents even calling it the 'biggest climate protection law ever'. Now the European Parliament has given the green light for the central legislation of the package. The EU wants to reduce its carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 55 percent by 2030, compared to 1990 levels, and become climate neutral by 2050. In Strasbourg on Tuesday, the European Parliament voted by a large majority in favour of the three areas considered the centrepiece of the 'Fit for 55' package: emissions trading, the climate social fund and the CO2 tariff. All three were presented by the European Commission in the summer of 2021 to counteract climate change, told Agerpres. German MEP Peter Liese (EPP, right), the rapporteur responsible for the report, spoke of the 'biggest climate protection law of all time.' Although almost all member states are on board when it comes to a greener future, the regulations and targets pose challenges. Key legislation: Emission trading rules, no more 'climate dumping' Emissions trading is a key instrument for European climate protection. Companies have to buy pollution certificates if they emit CO2. This is supposed to create an incentive to produce less of it. The system is now being tightened, with the number of pollution allowances to be reduced faster than previously planned. This is also intended to motivate non-EU countries to increase their climate protection targets. From 2034 onwards, producers abroad will also have to pay for CO2 emissions if they want to sell their goods in the EU. The measure aims to ensure that climate protection efforts are not undermined by shifting production out of the EU to countries with more lax regulations. The rules apply to iron, steel, cement and aluminium, but also to fertilisers, electricity or hydrogen. Anyone who wants to import these goods must make up for the difference between the CO2 price paid in the country of production and the higher price of CO2 allowances in the EU emissions trading system. 'The CO2 border adjustment strengthens the polluter pays principle' as the basis for a sustainable industrial policy. Such a mechanism protects the European market from carbon leakage by third countries with weaker environmental standards,' praised German MEP Delara Burkhardt, the spokeswoman on environmental policies for the German Social Democrat delegation in the European Parliament. 'By extending the Emission Trading Scheme (ETS) to new sectors, strengthening its instruments and abolishing free emission allowances, we will ensure that the EU's biggest polluters will have to abandon old practices and switch to clean technologies, processes and products,' the Slovenian Ministry of Environment, Climate and Energy said with regard to the border-based carbon adjustment mechanism on Wednesday. In the summer of 2022, Spain had proposed a cap on the CO2 emission allowances mechanism designed to encourage pollution reduction and make the sectors that emit the most greenhouse gases pay. 'The CO2 border adjustment strengthens the polluter pays principle' as the basis for a sustainable industrial policy.' German MEP Delara Burkhardt France, Spain, Germany: Committed with reservations? While France is committed to reducing its emissions by 40 percent by 2030 compared to 1990, the country is lagging behind on its renewable energy deployment targets for the 2019-2023 period and relies heavily on nuclear power for its decarbonisation efforts, even though this form of energy is not unanimously supported within the EU. Furthermore, rising energy prices and the phasing out of free CO2 emission allowances in Europe are threatening more than 150,000 industrial jobs in France, stated pro-industry think-tank La Fabrique de l'Industrie in a study earlier this April. If the introduction of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) was once considered favourably as a means of putting an end to the 'climate dumping' of certain commercial powers, industrialists point to the shortcomings of the system: they argue in particular that the CBAM will only tax entries into the European domestic market and will weigh on the competitiveness of European exports 'in the face of foreign competition that will not have suffered the same upstream carbon costs.' While Spain supports the package, there is still a long way to go: In 2021, Spain's gross carbon dioxide emissions amounted to 288.6 million tonnes. While this is similar to the 290.1 million tonnes emitted in 1990, and well below the 2007 peak of 446.7 million tonnes, Spain needs to cut emissions more strongly. In September 2022, the main opposition party in Spain, Partido Popular, proposed a substantial price reduction of CO2 emission rights at the European level on a temporary basis or, if necessary and agreed to, the suspension of their application for a few months. After the vote, Olaf in der Beek, member of the German Bundestag and climate policy spokesman for the German FDP parliamentary group, spoke of a 'good day for climate protection in Europe.' However, in der Beek still sees room for improvement: the next step in Germany, he said, is for the national system of CO2 pricing to develop into a genuine emissions trading system with a fixed CO2 cap from 2024. Bulgaria urges importance of legal framework At the informal meeting of the European Union Ministers for the Environment in Stockholm earlier this week, Bulgaria's position took challenges for businesses into account. According to Bulgaria, action is needed to increase European production capacities for green technologies and the competitiveness of EU industry. This could be done by minimising the administrative burden for both industry and the public sector, accelerating access to financing and encouraging investment in the construction of zero-emission industrial zones. Looking at preserving and increasing its competitiveness, the country underlines the importance of a stable and predictable legal framework. EU accession candidate Serbia harmonises its decarbonisation goals The Serbian Minister of Mining and Energy, Dubravka edovic, stated that the goal for the country's economy is to be decarbonised by 2050. According to her, Serbia wants to harmonise its goals with the EU goals as much as possible 'One is the share of renewable energy sources in electricity production, our goal is a 45 percent share in 2030, and it is realistic and achievable. As for the share of renewable energy sources in gross final consumption, this is something that we are now trying to harmonise. My expectations are that it will be more than 30 percent and less than 40 percent of the share,' said edovic and added that the country had to be ambitious, but realistic. According to her, seven years is not a long period for energy projects, as they require both time and large funds. In addition, care must be taken to ensure a fair transition, primarily for workers in the mining sector. Climate social fund against higher costs, partly funded by emission trading revenue Higher costs for consumers due to the energy transition, such as rising heating costs, are to be cushioned by a fund worth 86.7 billion euros from 2026. The climate social fund can be used to relieve households or finance investments, for example in more efficient buildings or public transport. Three-quarters of the fund will be financed by revenue from emissions trading and one-quarter by the Member States. The fund will ensure that the costs of the green transition are not disproportionately borne by the EU's socially most vulnerable citizens, the Slovenian Ministry of Environment, Climate and Energy stated. However, the social policy spokesman for Germany's right wing AfD group in the EU Parliament, Guido Reil, criticised the climate social fund as 'an indirect admission that the EU's climate policy is an elite project that places a greater burden on the weaker and poorer members of society in particular.' The EU Member States still have to approve the plans, but this is considered a formality. This article is published Fridays. The content is based on news by by AFP, BTA, dpa, EFE, STA, Tanjug agencies participating in the enr. On April 18, the Romanian Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure sent the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) a request for MAE to discuss through diplomatic channels with Ukraine a transfer of the data of the measurements carried out by Ukrainian experts on the Bystroye Canal, Transport Minister Sorin Grindeanu said on Friday. "On April 18, we sent the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs a request to discuss through diplomatic channels with Ukraine a transfer of measurement data carried out by Ukrainian experts. So, we requested MAE to forward, through diplomatic channels, this request to the Ukrainians. We are in a situation where we are waiting for a response from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which, probably, in its turn, is waiting for a response from Ukraine," said the minister. Grindeanu added that when these data are received, they will be sent to other bodies of the Romanian state, such as the Ministry of the Environment, in order to draw some conclusions. He said that that he has nothing against the interpretation of the data from the Romanian portion of the canal reaching Ukraine, told Agerpres. "They have to send it to us, and we to them, because you know how measurements were made (...). If they want the interpretation that we made on our portion, I'm sure we have no problem sending that interpretation as well," said Grindeanu. On Bright Friday, in the Costesti commune, the southern county of Valcea, holy water flows from the tap, brought through the locality's water supply pipe, which has as its source 44 springs at the foot of the Buila-Vanturarita massif and which are sanctified every year by local priests during the Spring Healing Day. The springs in Pietreni have been known for hundreds of years by the villagers, who are convinced that the water has miraculous powers, but also by hermits who have sought peace over time in the mountains that guard the town of Valcea. In fact, a monk from the Bistrita Monastery was the one who built here, at the beginning of the 18th century, a small church known today as the "Hermitage of 44 Springs" and where, on the first Friday after Easter, the ritual of sanctification of the waters takes place, told Agerpres. People from all over the area used to gather in the village of Pietreni to participate in the consecration service of the small holy water. For several years, however, after the local authorities have captured these springs and use them as a source of water supply in the locality, the holy water reaches the households of the locals connected to the network. "The tradition has remained, and here, in Pietreni, the water consecration service is held, the small holy water, right in the place where the people of Costesti benefit from water, so today they will benefit from holy water right at the tap. Next to the church is a gallery, which was dug by former political prisoners, and there are 44 springs where the water comes from the mountain, collects in a collecting basin and from there in a larger basin, some 300 cubic meters of water, from where it goes down to Costesti commune, to Pietreni and to Costesti, from where the world benefits from drinking water. They have, as they say, directly at the tap on Good Friday. It is even said that today the waters are sanctified and it is good to give water to animals so that they are healthy all year round," the mayor of Costesti, Toma Pestereanu, said. The church next to the springs is dedicated to Saint Nicholas and is one of the most beautiful in Valcea County. Crowned heads of Romania passed through here, among them the ruler Alexandru Ioan Cuza, King Carol I and his daughter-in-law, Queen Maria. Local people say that the royal family had the intention of even building a palace in the clearing around the Pietreni springs, but gave up, because at that time there was no railway in the area. The 44 Springs church was built between 1700 and 1701 by the hieromonk Stefan, the abbot of the Bistrita Monastery, as part of a hermitage also known as the Schitul Supiatra/Supiatra Hermitage, which was served by the Bistrita monks. In 1768, however, it became the chrism church of the village of Pietreni, after it was looted and set on fire by the Turks, and the villagers, together with the priest Patru Schiteanu, rebuilt it. Also the painting inside the church was done thanks to the care of the priest Patru Schiteanu, in 1779, by the painter Efrem Zugravul. Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca said on Friday in Brasov that Romania has not decided to block imports of agricultural produce from Ukraine because the entire set of consequences any such measures produce in the current context has to be taken into account. "Romania is fully aligned with the measures that will be established at the level of the European Commission; an AgriFish Council meeting will be held on April 25 and measures will be established there. It is certain that, at the moment, Romania has not decided to unilaterally block imports and we need to see the whole and the consequences that will happen on such a decision and, further, to see what the Ukrainian people suffer in their need to defend their country. We need to think about these measures as much as possible and see all the consequences they produce," said Ciuca. He said on Thursday, before a meeting of the government, that at the EU level "measures are being discussed that confirm the concern at the European Commission level, so that we can have a coordinated, unitary and solidary mode of action," noting that, in response to the letter sent to Ursula von der Leyen regarding the situation of farmers, the allocation of a second support package, of approximately 100 million euros, for the countries affected by imports of agricultural produce from Ukraine was confirmed, told Agerpres. He added that, based on the response in the letter received from the president of the European Commission, a series of measures were also announced, "including safeguard measures on four agricultural produce: wheat, corn, sunflower and rapeseed." "What I want to mention following this letter is the request that, at the level of each country, the avoidance of unilateral measures should be taken into account and we can have a dialogue, which will certainly happen next week, on 25, (...) at the meeting of the ministers of agriculture and, this way -- based on dialogue and political consultations -- solutions will be identified to protect farmers, to ensure a market balance for all that means agricultural produce and, of course , further, of support for Ukraine," added Ciuca. In a letter to the European Commission, five countries -- Romania, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and Bulgaria -- requested additional support for farmers affected by cheap Ukrainian agricultural produce and including the reintroduction of customs duties for agricultural produce from Ukraine. Later, four of them -- Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria and Slovakia -- announced the suspension of Ukrainian imports of cereals and other agricultural produce. Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca stated on Friday, in Brasov, that there is no risk for Romania to lose European funds from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), and that the money for the second payment request will be received soon. "Yesterday (Thursday - ed.n), in the government meeting, the secretary of state with the Ministry of Investments and European Projects (MIPE) presented the elements of progress for the two benchmarks (on energy - ed.n) and we are going to receive the full financing for the second payment request," said Nicolae Ciuca. Asked when this will happen, the prime minister answered "as soon as possible", adding that "the decision is up to the European Commission". MIPE announced, a week ago, that Romania did not fulfill two milestones of Payment Request 2 from the PNRR, the Ministry of Energy being responsible for both milestones, told Agerpres. According to MIPE, the second tranche of payment from the PNRR, with a total net value of 2.81 billion euros, targets 51 milestones and targets, and milestones 129 and 133, which would not have been met, are worth 143 of millions of euros. President Klaus Iohannis is paying an official visit to Chile on Saturday, the first of this level in the last 10 years. His official visit to Chile marks the second stage of the tour that the Romanian head of state is conducting in South America. On Saturday, Klaus Iohannis will be received by his Chilean counterpart, Gabriel Boric, at La Moneda Palace. The two presidents will have face to face and official talks, followed by joint press statements. On the occasion of the visit, a memorandum of cooperation in the field of emergency situations will be signed between the relevant institutions in the two countries. President Iohannis will also attend an official lunch. According to the Presidential Administration, the official visit to the Republic of Chile of the Romanian president is aimed at boosting political collaboration, economic exchanges, strengthening sectoral cooperation between the two countries and encouraging people-to-people contacts. The two presidents are to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation, possibilities for encouraging sectoral projects, with an emphasis on the development of trade exchanges and the mutual attraction of investments, in the IT, energy, environment and agriculture sectors. Emergency situations and the response to disasters generated by climate change will also be on the agenda. Multilateral cooperation, aspects related to the security climate in the vicinity of the two countries, the strengthening of democracy at the global level, the defence of human rights and the fight against climate change, including climate education, are also among the topics that will be addressed in the discussions between the two heads of state. In the coming period, Romania will open the first Romanian language lectureship in Latin America, at the Universidad de Chile, with the support of the Romanian Language Institute. President Klaus Iohannis is on a tour of Latin America until April 26. On Tuesday and Wednesday, the head of state paid a visit to the Federative Republic of Brazil, the first at the head of state level in the last 23 years. On this occasion, he met in Brasilia with his counterpart, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and in Rio de Janeiro with representatives of the local authorities. The head of state will end his South American tour with an official visit to the Republic of Argentina, the first of this level in the last 30 years. Social Democratic Party (PSD) senator Daniel Zamfir declared on Friday, in a press conference held in central Alba Iulia, that his party supports turnover taxation, a measure that would be included in the government programme that the party's president, Marcel Ciolacu, will present after assuming the office of prime minister. "I want to announce here, as a first (...) that at the level of the Social Democratic Party this decision (tax of 1 pct of turnover, ed. n.) will be one that will be found in the government programme that the president of the party, Marcel Ciolacu, will present immediately after assuming the position of prime minister. PSD, I repeat, supports taxation on turnover. It is, after all, a mechanism that brings equity in taxation, since 1 pct on turnover, this tax rate is paid by SMEs, those that carry out production activities and not only, fall within the turnover of 500,000 euros," said Daniel Zamfir, president of the Economic Committee of the Romanian Senate. According to Zamfir, the 1 pct taxation will bring a balance in the taxation mechanism, since, says he, large multinational corporations, through the "tax optimization mechanism, transfer a large part of the profit to tax havens", and "here, where they do profit, a very small amount remains to be taxed, which is absolutely incorrect". "What we want to do with this tax mechanism, we bring a balance between what Romanian companies pay and what large multinational companies, which operate and make a profit in Romania, should also pay," Daniel Zamfir added. The PSD senator opined that paying tax where you make profit is also the foundation that was the basis when the European Union issued Directive 1164, by which it decided that multinational companies should pay tax where they make profit. "It should not be understood that this tax mechanism is a way to overtax or punish multinational companies in any way. But, above all, it is a way to bring fairness to the tax mechanism. This is the desire of the PSD, with which, obviously, we will go in the coalition. The decision will be made together with the National Liberal Party (PNL), I hope from the bottom of my heart that, here, the PNL will stop wavering," Daniel Zamfir said. The PSD senator expressed his belief that through this type of taxation, which "will be much easier to control", the state budget will be "fed much more correctly and the amounts will be consistent compared to the current situation".AGERPRES The secretary of state for Strategic Affairs with the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Iulian Fota, on a visit to Italy between April 19-21, held talks with Maria Tripodi, secretary of state at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Italy, about the deterioration of the regional situation of security, a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) sent on Friday, reads. The two officials discussed the strengthening of the bilateral cooperation, the deterioration of the regional security situation as a result of Russia's aggression against Ukraine, measures to boost security in the Black Sea region, strengthening NATO's position on The Eastern Flank, the continuation of support for Ukraine, but also for the Republic of Moldova and Georgia, told Agerpres. Security challenges in the Western Balkans, the Middle East and Africa and actions within NATO and the EU to counter them were also addressed. In this context, the Romanian secretary of state thanked Italy for its contribution to the strengthening of NATO's deterrence and defense position in Romania and security in the Black Sea and Western Balkans, the MAE says. Iulian Fota also went to the NATO Joint Command in Naples, where meetings were held with the head of the command, Admiral Stuart Munsch, and his deputy, Lieutenant General Stephen Kelsey. On this occasion, the implementation of the decisions of the NATO Summit in Madrid regarding the strengthening of the allied posture of deterrence and defense and security in the extended Black Sea region were addressed, as well as relevant elements for the preparation of the NATO Summit in Vilnius. Secretary of state Iulian Fota appreciated the efforts of the NATO military, including the Romanian ones, to put into practice the decisions aimed at strengthening the Alliance's support for Romania's security, but also the special contribution to these efforts of the Romanian military in the structure of the Naples Command. The discussions highlighted the fact that Romania's security is guaranteed and that every inch of the national territory is and will be defended, the mentioned release adds. Shi Baoyin (R), a member of the 26th Chinese medical team, guides a local doctor at the regional hospital of Natitingou in Atakora, Benin in March 2023. (The 26th Chinese medical team to Benin/Handout via Xinhua) YINCHUAN, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Shi Baoyin, a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) doctor in Benin, can barely contain his delight when his local patients give him a thumbs-up after their recovery. Shi, from northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, is a member of the 26th Chinese medical team sent to the West African country, serving in the regional hospital of Natitingou in Atakora. Over the past few months, the number of patients he received every day has doubled, reaching a maximum of 30. "The effects of the treatment are the best advertisement," Shi, 43, said in an online interview, adding some of his patients are from other areas. Shi started his 18-month term in Benin in August last year. Before leaving China, he packed his suitcase with acupuncture needles and small scalpels. "I learned local people have a habit of carrying heavy loads on their heads, which can easily lead to neck, shoulder and back pain. I also learned that injuries are frequently caused by accidents involving motorbikes, a common means of travel here. So I prepared some tools to treat such patients," said Shi. However, when Shi presented his acupuncture needles to his patients, they were initially reluctant to try and were sensitive to the pain involved in such treatment. "They initially complained about the pain, but came back the next day saying the treatment had greatly alleviated their suffering," he said. TCM can also be helpful in emergencies. Once, Shi saw a newborn baby suffering from ileus, but his parents could not afford regular treatment. "We offered to use acupuncture to treat the child free of charge. His conditions greatly improved within hours of receiving the treatment," Shi recalled. Since the first Chinese medical team arrived in Algeria in 1963, China has dispatched around 30,000 medical personnel to 76 countries and regions across five continents, with a primary focus on Africa, providing 290 million diagnoses and treatments for local people, according to the National Health Commission of China. Eloge Florent Bokossa, president of the regional hospital of Natitingou, said since TCM doctors came to the hospital in 2019, many patients have benefited from their services due to the low cost and effectiveness. In March, a TCM clinic was established in the hospital, attracting not only a large number of patients but also local doctors looking to learn about TCM. "The treatment methods of TCM are simple and effective, easy to be accepted by ordinary people and easy to be used by medical staff. I will spare no effort to treat patients with TCM methods and train local doctors," Shi said. This photo taken on March 24, 2023 shows the opening ceremony of a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) clinic at the regional hospital of Natitingou in Atakora, Benin. (The 26th Chinese medical team to Benin/Handout via Xinhua) ST. LOUIS A partnership of nine St. Louis-area Christian leaders, including the Archbishop of St. Louis, is launching an effort to boost affordable housing in the region. The initiative, called Hearts Hands & Homes, aims to raise millions of dollars to spread equally among six different affordable housing organizations: Lutheran Development Group, St. Joseph Housing Initiative, Catholic Charities Pathways to Progress, FT Holdings, Tabernacle Community Development Corp. and The FAM, according to a release. The partnership, which calls itself Oikos Group, aims to raise up to $6 million this year. So far it has collected $1.8 million, according to the release. Oikos Group said the money will go to adding more affordable rental units, social services to support stable housing and first-time homeownership programs. In addition to Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski, Oikos Group consists of the Rev. Darren Casper of St. Louis Metro; the Rev. Jeff Cloeter of Christ Memorial Lutheran Church; Pastor Greg Holder of The Crossing Church; Bishop Michael Jones of Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist Church; Pastor Brent Roam of One Family Church; the Rev. Clay Smith of Central Presbyterian Church; the Rev. Thurman Williams of New City Fellowship; and Bishop Lawrence Wooten of The Church of God in Christ. Those wanting to donate can do so through any of the Oikos Group member churches or through a portal administered by the Archdiocese of St. Louis here. From Somali to Turkish, Muslim communities in St. Louis will put their own cultural twists on this weekends Eid al-Fitr celebrations. The Islamic festival will be celebrated by tens of thousands of Muslims across the region with cultural influences from dozens of countries and cultures. The Eid holiday follows Ramadan, a month of daylong fasts. While many of the religious practices are similar across Muslim-majority countries, the diversity in ethnic backgrounds is expressed through different traditional foods, customs and clothing. We talked to local Muslims from various backgrounds about their favorite Eid traditions. These are their stories, edited for length and clarity. Betty Shah, 71, Ballwin My familys background is French-German, and I was born and raised in St. Louis. I was raised Catholic, and my dad was a big party guy, especially around the holidays. I guess its where I get it from. When my husband and I first lived in a flat in the city, we had a few people over for an Eid open house. When we moved to our house in Ballwin, we continued the annual party. It just got bigger and bigger. We started with about 30 guests. Over the past 35 years, its grown to about 300 people. I get so excited about it. We have tents set up outside. Im still doing a lot of the cooking myself the roast beef, mostaccioli, coleslaw and the halwa dessert. Ive learned to cook the month before Ramadan starts, so Im not doing all that cooking while Im fasting. My freezers are full now. The garage has the decorations and cases of bottled water. COVID kind of shut down our open house for a few years. Even though we had family over, it wasnt the same. This year, I said Im going to come back. I spend a lot of the month preparing for the open house, even while Im still fasting. My husband says, I don't know how you are doing this. Dr. Ghazala Hayat, 68, Town and Country When I first moved here from Pakistan about 30 years ago, I used to get so sad on Eid because I felt so lonely. I remember one day I was watching an episode of "MASH," and the unit was sad and lonely on Christmas Eve. They decided to re-create the holiday for themselves in South Korea. I thought, "Thats a great idea." We started hosting an Eid open house, and it gave me a way to connect with my culture from back home. When we had young kids, I wanted them to know that Islam also has celebrations. Just like other religious traditions, they have something fun and exciting to look forward to. Now that our kids are grown and married, their kids look forward to it. The entire family helps to plan and host the event every year. Once we had 450 visitors come by our home in a single day. In the past several years, we've added things for the grandkids, like a bounce house, ice cream truck and video game truck. My favorite food that we serve are the roasted lamb shanks. I also love the traditional sweet vermicelli dish called seviyan. But I usually dont eat much that day because its so hectic. Nayab Bashir, 30, Town and Country I was born and raised in the St. Louis area, and now we have three young children. At the start of Ramadan, I buy "Ill be dreaming of Eid" pajamas by Jasmine and Marigold, a company in California. The kids wear those at night throughout Ramadan. When I was growing up, one of my uncles in Belleville would do a huge Eid gathering for all the relatives, and we would stay from lunch until evening. My father was one of nine siblings, so our family was around 60 people. My uncle passed away in 2019, so we started doing something similar. I bought a 5-foot crescent moon decoration. We put up lights inside and inflatables outdoors. My grandmother gets new clothes stitched for my kids in Pakistan. I apply henna on the girls hands while they are still sleeping. I make a traditional Pakistani Eid brunch early in the morning. I make the sweet sheer korma before anyone else is awake and make sure everyones new clothes are ironed. I dont sleep much the night before Eid. I have butterflies of excitement. On Eid morning, we eat something sweet before we go for Eid prayer. My children will open one or two gifts before prayer. After prayer, we will visit my parents' house, and sometimes the 5-foot moon and all the gifts will go with us. My dad will have us all line up for Eidi, a cash gift given to children. I make a video of all the kids in the house saying "Eid mubarak." With all the cousins and relatives, its just pure chaos. Its just fun. Adela Muheljic, 33, Oakville I was born in Bosnia and lived there for a year and a half before the war started. Then, I left for Germany for five years and went back to Bosnia for a few years. I emigrated to St. Louis in 2000. In Bosnia, we would go to prayers at night during Ramadan and party with the crew on Eid. The whole community would gather. What we usually do here is plan a big party. We have some land by the lake in De Soto, so we call everyone to come there. We roast a couple of whole lambs and have a big barbecue. If we stay here in Oakville, we will meet in someones backyard and have the roast there. We end up with around 30 to 40 people. When we first did this in our neighborhood, the neighbors asked us if we were roasting a dog! Now, they are like part of the clan, so they will come out with their chairs when its Eid and hang out with us. We have a Bosnian tradition where small children will kiss an adults hand and ask for Eidi, a cash gift. We make lots of side dishes to go with the roast, like these rolled circles of thinly layered phyllo dough, in different flavors like spinach, potato, cheese or meat. Every family has a big fridge to store the lamb. Im vegetarian, by the way, but roasting the lamb is a must. Taofeek Sowemimo, 53, Florissant Ive been in St. Louis for 19 years and came here from Nigeria. Over there, the government declares a two-day public holiday for Eid. Before you go for the morning prayer, you give a charitable donation. Everybody will walk to a big, open area to pray Eid. We take a different road back, as a religious tradition. You either go to your relative's house, or if people come over, you cook for them. Christians and Muslims celebrate together. Some of our traditional dishes are jollof rice, a rice dish mixed with stew, fried rice with vegetables, and fried or roasted goat. Most of the time, people will buy and sew new clothes for Eid. Sometimes, people buy gifts for their kids. In St. Louis, we go and pray in the morning. Then, we go back home and eat. With our mosque, we pick a date to celebrate by bringing food together. We invite a lot of other communities to join us Ghana, Guinea, Mali at our Nigerian mosque in Florissant. Every African country has its own community. My favorite thing is that after fasting for 30 days, you have this feeling its now time to celebrate with your family. Its a great joy that you were able to complete Ramadan. Hossam Aziz, 42, Manchester I have been here in St. Louis, on and off, since 2009. I grew up in Cairo, Egypt, in a religious family. During Ramadan, we used to spend most of the time in the masjid (mosque). Eid is a big celebration time. After spending a month of fasting and praying, my mom used to make traditional cookies, kahk. We used to help her make them at home. On Eid morning, we drink tea with milk and eat these cookies. Most of the time we are wearing new clothes. As a family we go to salah (the prayer), usually outdoors. There are more than 10,000 people there. There will be balloons and candies for the kids. You feel it you feel the Eid. A lot of people are wearing white jilbabs, and we say prayers aloud as we walk to the congregational prayer. Its a very, very good time. Sometimes in the evenings, I would go out with my friends and eat traditional foods, like kushari and fatayer, from the shops that would close during Ramadan. In St. Louis, we are planning to celebrate Eid like we did in Egypt. We want to buy kahk or bring it from Egypt. Last year before Eid, I went to Bank of America and asked for $200 in new dollar bills. This is for the money gifts for the kids. My wifes family is planning to visit us, or we will go visit them. There is an Egyptian community here, and we will meet in a park or community center. Everyone brings traditional Egyptian dishes. Im waiting for that day just for the food. Roro Sanusi-Wahana, 50, Ballwin I grew up in Indonesia, and I was 30 years old when I left. Eid is the biggest holiday for us. Ive brought our traditions here. Starting on Eid day, we go to the prayer in the morning. After that, we plan a potluck together, or one of us invites everyone from the Indonesian community. We have a feast. We have special foods we cook like rendang beef, vegetables and Eid cookies. We usually have a special kind of rice, pressed and cubed and cut into pieces. I invite people to our house after prayer. We have four kids, and I ask them what their favorite foods are, so I can cook them. We also give them money in envelopes and goody bags. Once, we had a hundred people come by our home for the party. Some Indonesian people from other cities come here to pray and attend our open house. Many of them are students. My favorite part of Eid is the gathering that we can eat together with the Muslim Indonesian community. We dont have any family here, so its like spending time with our family in Indonesia. Anthony Merrill, 46, Maplewood I was born and raised Catholic in St. Louis, and Ive been Muslim now for 23 years. Im in a WhatsApp group with about 10 other Muslim men. Most are also converts. During Ramadan, we will try to figure out which masjid we will attend for iftar in the evening. After we break our fast, we pray together, then sit around and talk until the evening prayer. Ill read some of the Quran and then pray the special night prayers that are only during this month. On Eid, I like to try to find the masjid with the earliest prayer time. I usually go to the 8 a.m. prayer, and everyone else is at the 9 a.m. Then, Im waiting around for everyone else to figure out what brunch or lunch place we are going to. Usually we will meet at the Golden Pancake on Natural Bridge Road, across from the airport. Weve been doing this for several years. About 70% to 80% of masjids offer food for iftar here during Ramadan. Theres a community feel. Ive been to about seven different masjids. At each one, there is usually going to be one particular ethnic group that predominantly goes there. But Ive never been in a masjid where I feel like I dont belong. Qayum Mohammad, 52, Ballwin I was in Afghanistan until I was 17 years old. In 1988 I went to Pakistan and lived there for three years. In 1991, I came to the USA. In Afghanistan, we would look so forward to Eid. I remember all the traditions very vividly. We would have dry fruit, eggs and candied nuts as popular Eid snacks, along with sweet vermicelli noodles in milk. Of course, we looked forward to kissing the hands of the elderly relatives to collect Eidi. In our house, we had a lot of Eid cookies and cakes. We would prepare new traditional clothing. One tradition in Afghanistan was that if you had a death in the family in the year prior to this Eid, everyone would also come to your house on the holiday to offer their condolences again. For my children here, I always buy them new clothing for Eid, and I also give them Eidi. Women sometimes go out the night before Eid to get henna on their hands and celebrate together. On the day of Eid, each family brings some kind of food to a gathering. My brother usually takes the mantle on hosting the family. This year, on the first day of Eid, I have to go to Memphis with my restaurant (Sameem's) to cater a party for 400 people. Ill get a few hours of sleep, then I have to go to Indiana to cater another huge event. Its a very busy time. Durriah Helwani, 42, Ballwin I have been in St. Louis for seven years, and before that I had spent my whole life in Syria. Eid is all about family and friends. It is a three- or four-day celebration there. On the first day, we would go to my in-laws' family and spend the day visiting them. The second day is for my family. We have lunch with them and spend time there. On the third day we are accepting visitors and guests in our home. In St. Louis, we go to the prayer in the morning, and then I have my brother-in-law and mother-in-law over. We start calling our family back home when we get back from the prayer. We might also try to arrange with the Syrian community a lunch or dinner. Sometimes we go to a restaurant. We also make a special cookie called maamoul. Its like a biscuit with a date filling. We made them last year. Back home in Syria, we make a lot. Here, you dont get many visitors. For the kids, we give the Eidi and decorate the house. I ordered some stuff from Amazon: an "Eid mubarak" sign, stars and moons, and balloons. For me, its all about the community and friends. When you see others, you feel it. Back home, its three or four days. Here it's just a few hours. Lena Salameh, 30, Wildwood I was born and raised in St. Louis and lived in Palestine for about three years. Ive also gone back in the summers. Usually we get up early and go to the prayers, depending on where the majority of the family is going. Something my family does on Eid is go to the cemetery to visit loved ones who have passed away. Its something we grew up doing. In the evenings, we go to dinner, either a restaurant or at a family members house, and hang out there. In Palestine, some relatives go from house to house and give Eidi to nieces, sisters, cousins, daughters. My aunts will make them a special type of Eid cookie and give them to the family. I remember helping when we were little. Usually we buy a brand-new outfit for the day new shoes, new hijab, everything. When you first wake up in the morning on Eid, it feels a little weird to eat because youve been fasting for the past month. The entire day is also spent calling all your relatives grandparents, aunts, uncles and wishing them a happy Eid. My dad is one of 12, and most of his siblings live in Palestine. My mom is one of nine, and all of her siblings live in Chicago. We usually call one person, and the phone gets passed around. Dr. Bahar Bastani, 71, Town and Country In 1984 I left Iran, where I had been a faculty member in Tehran University. I went to Virginia to repeat my residency, then to Wisconsin for a fellowship. For the past 32 years, I have been at St. Louis University School of Medicine. The Iranian community in St. Louis is about 3,000 people. In our mosque, we will have a celebration on Saturday with prayer and sweets to congratulate one another. On Monday, the first weekday after Eid, I will bring Persian food, kebabs and saffron rice for the faculty lounge at SLU hospital. Dr. Ghazala Hayat, who also works here, will bring Pakistani food. We have a colleague who brings Bangladeshi food and an Egyptian colleague who brings traditional sweets. Every year, we host this Eid lunch for about 100 to 120 clinical faculty. Its a way for us to share our culture, so they get to know us better. The diversity is beautiful, and people really enjoy it. Some of our colleagues will even say to us, "Its after fasting, you will be celebrating Eid al-Fitr." They know it happens at the end of Ramadan, and we are going to have the lunch. They all look forward to it. Photos: Ramadan ends in an almost shuttered American shopping mall 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 Gov. Mike Parson made it more likely for a paranoid white man in Missouri to stand in his house and shoot a Black teenager through a closed glass door. We know this because Parson has bragged about it. Long before he was governor, Parson, a former sheriff, was a Republican member of the Missouri House in 2007. The Legislature that year passed Senate Bill 62, which was backed by the National Rifle Association and expanded the states castle doctrine, among other things. The castle doctrine is a stand your ground legal concept that allows a homeowner to defend their property. But in Missouri, since 2007, its been much more than that. The law, which was made even worse in 2016, protects a gun-toting homeowner from both criminal and civil liability in most cases if they shoot an intruder in their house, by their car or pretty much anywhere as long as they claim to be afraid. Ralph Yarl, a 16-year-old Kansas City teenager who knocked on the door of the wrong house while he was looking to round up his siblings, was shot by 84-year-old Andrew D. Lester, who says he was afraid of harm. Yarl is Black. Lester is white. According to his grandson, Lester watches a lot of right-wing media, plunging into fear and paranoia. Its no wonder. Lets travel back to the summer of 2020, when two wealthy, white St. Louis homeowners, Mark and Patricia McCloskey, waved their firearms at protesters most of them Black who were walking past their home. At the time, Parson claimed the castle doctrine law that he voted for in 2007 should have protected the couple from the charges they eventually faced. He ran to Fox News as did former President Donald Trump and other Republicans to come to the McCloskeys defense. How dare they be charged for facing down the scary mob, the governor said. The castle doctrine, which I helped write in the state of Missouri, they did what they legally should do, Parson said at the time. A mob does not have the right to charge your property or come on your property not knowing what the intent is. They had every right to protect themselves. There was no mob. The McCloskeys were never in danger. But if all you ever watch is a network that just agreed to pay out nearly $800 million in a record settlement for its election-related lies, how are you to know? Parsons understanding of the law that he says he helped write legislative records cast some doubt on that was mistaken. But his fear-mongering served its purpose. Indeed, plenty of white men who spend their time watching the well-documented lies of Fox News are afraid. Afraid enough to shoot first and ask questions later. Who can blame them when Parson promised the McCloskeys a pre-emptive pardon before they were even charged with a crime? Its open season on scared white people waving their guns at Black people who dare to even walk on sidewalks near the homes, the governor said in his actions. This is the state of gun laws in Missouri, and its deadly. One provision of that 2007 law was the repeal of the need to get a permit to buy a handgun. For much of Missouris history, a person who wanted to buy a gun had to go see their local sheriff or police chief to get such a permit. Missouri got rid of that provision in 2007, opening the flood gates to more gun deaths. Getting rid of the permitting requirement led to between 49 and 68 additional firearms deaths a year in Missouri, Johns Hopkins researchers found in 2021. And since then, guns have become the leading cause of death among children in Missouri and the nation. Yarl, thank goodness, didnt die from his gun wounds, even after Lester opened the door and shot the teen a second time as he lay on the porch bleeding. Yarl is home recovering. But Parsons Republican allies in the Missouri Legislature could make it even more likely that Yarl will continue to face gun violence in Missouri, recently advancing a bill to make it legal to carry guns on buses and trains, and in churches and schools. More guns, everywhere, with no oversight. This is the world Parson and his NRA-backed friends have created. Yarl is just collateral damage. What kind of world are we creating with these kinds of laws? Rep. Barbara Phifer, D-St. Louis, asked during a debate on the bill. Its a good question, and, sadly, the answer is in our headlines every day with a kid shot on a neighbors porch, children and teachers dying in schools, and grocery stores, churches and synagogues turned into firing ranges. Its absolute insanity, Phifer says, and its morally corrupt. Messenger: Moms Demand Action leader says Missouri should check the data on gun safety Shannon Watts has ties to St. Louis and says the recent school shooting in the city could have been prevented. ST. LOUIS COUNTY A county agency on Thursday said it is moving as quickly as possible to demolish the crumbling, vacant Jamestown Mall near Florissant after a fire badly damaged the building earlier this week. The fire started in a loading dock of the million-square-foot building shortly before 6 p.m. Wednesday, and firefighters battled it until about midnight. Two firefighters were injured, and the blaze caused a center part of the roof to collapse. The structures dilapidated state made it a particularly dangerous fire to fight, and firefighters would like to see it demolished as soon as possible, said Black Jack Fire Protection District Interim Chief Roger Ellison. Anytime theres vacant buildings like that, theres risk to firefighters, Ellison said. And firefighters would like to see something done. The board for the St. Louis County Port Authority, a county government body that owns the property, approved a measure at its regular meeting Thursday, as expected, that allows it to seek bids from contractors as soon as Monday. The mall, which sits on 142 acres in the middle of North County subdivisions, closed in 2014. The agency for months has been working with county and state officials to use $12 million in federal COVID-19 relief money for demolition. But bureaucratic hurdles have slowed the process. St. Louis County Council Chair Shalonda Webb, who represents the district that includes the mall, said the delay is unacceptable. If a firefighter wouldve lost his life last night on that property, it wouldve been a different situation, Webb said at the agencys meeting. I do not want to have a phone call with you all because there has been another fire or catastrophe where someone lost their life and it couldve been avoided. The boards chairman said the demolition continues to be the single highest priority for staff. I think I speak for the entire Port Authority when I say were troubled and concerned about the incident that occurred last night at Jamestown Mall, Chair Kevin OMalley said. The procedure for choosing a winning contractor could take up to a month and a half. The agency wants the site cleared by the end of the year. Firefighters found piles of debris burning in this weeks fire, and the cause is under investigation, Ellison said. But its not the first fire since the building became vacant. In June 2020, Black Jack firefighters discovered large piles of furniture on fire in the old Dillards and Macys stores. And in 2021 burst pipes flooded several floors of the old Sears building. The Port Authority has sought possible development ideas for the site after demolition. After the agency bought the site in 2017, it made a tentative deal with a developer. But that fell through when former County Executive Steve Stenger was indicted on corruption charges. A plan to develop the site as a distribution center was scrapped in 2021 amid opposition from Webb. Webb said residents overwhelmingly preferred a mixed retail site or community center. Last year, crews finished remediating the site for hazardous materials such as mold and asbestos. The Port Authority also hired consulting firm i5Group to come up with options. In December, the firm suggested an agriculture technology annex, among other ideas. JEFFERSON CITY The days of lobbyists wining and dining local elected officials may be coming to an end. Under legislation approved in the Missouri Senate, lobbyists would be banned from handing out free St. Louis Cardinals tickets or picking up the tab for a lunch meeting for city and county officers and their staff and families. The measure is being sponsored by Senate President Caleb Rowden, R-Columbia, who said local officials should be barred from getting freebies, just as state officials have been since 2019. In the Capitol, that ban has meant no more heaping plates of free food for lawmakers and legislative staffers financed by lobbying groups representing business and industry. Were banned from taking lobbyists gifts, but that prohibition did not extend to local officials, Rowden said. The state-level ban has helped the pocketbooks of the lobbyists who patrol the Capitol during the annual legislative session. Prior to the ban, longtime Jefferson City lobbyist Bill Gamble often supplied thousands of dollars worth of pizza and soda to members of the House and Senate who want to give visiting schoolchildren lunch when they tour the building. He also used to purchase beverages for lawmakers who are holding community events in their districts. Similar proposals targeting local officials have been introduced in the past, but they have not advanced in the Legislature, allowing the freebies to continue flowing to local officials. In April 2022, for example, St. Louis County Executive Sam Page received two tickets worth a total of $428 from SSM Healthcare for Glennon Live, a fundraiser benefiting Cardinal Glennon Childrens Hospital. In August 2022, a number of local elected officials received $170 Cardinals tickets from Ameren Missouri, including St. Louis County Council Chair Shalonda Webb, Florissant Mayor Tim Lowery and Brentwood Mayor David Dimmitt. Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas received Kansas City Chiefs playoff tickets worth more than $500 from Evergy. Much of the spending is by utility companies, including Ameren, Spire and Missouri American Water. Not all of the spending is on tickets to events. In January, for example, former alderwoman-turned-lobbyist Sarah Wood Martin purchased a $22 lunch for St. Louis Aldermanic President Megan Green. Information about the spending is part of a monthly report that lobbyists must submit to the Missouri Ethics Commission. Rowdens proposal also would also eliminate the monthly report requirement and instead require an annual report on spending. If we ban lobbyist gifts for local officials as well, then there really is no need for any sort of monthly reporting because at that point theres no elected official that exists in Missouri thats able to take a lobbyist gift, Rowden said. The legislation also includes a provision added by Sen. Tracy McCreery, D-Olivette, allowing officials to tap their campaign accounts to pay legal fees related to their jobs. The legislation is Senate Bill 378. POTOSI, Mo. Mysterious hammering rang from Presbyterian Cemetery on the morning of April 21, 1938. Curious citizens found three laborers with shovels and picks breaking into the tomb of town father Moses Austin. Overseeing the work was Thurlow B. Weed, an undertaker from Texas who claimed to be on official business. Weed said the Texas Historical and Landmark Commission had divined that Moses' bones would be better resting next to those of his son, Stephen, in the Texas capital city bearing their last name. Potosi Mayor W.L. Edmonds angrily said of the commissioners, "Who do they think they are?" Edmonds called together the city councilmen, who told Weed to pack and scram. (Weed had been named after his uncle, a famous 19th-century New York politician.) Texas officials countered that Austin's descendants had consented to the removal and said the gravesite was shabby. Edmonds said it was "in excellent condition until their workmen tore out the side." He announced plans to spruce it up. Five months later, the Texas government donated $1,000 to Potosi's new Moses Austin Memorial Society. Austin, born in Connecticut, became rich in the early 1800s mining lead in Mine au Breton, a settlement 75 miles south of St. Louis. Austin transformed local prospecting into a major industry, with deep shafts, a smelter and rolling mill. When the town was renamed Potosi in 1816, Austin was its leading businessman. But he lost his fortune in a bank failure in St. Louis and headed for the Texas territory, then a part of Mexico, to start over. Austin became ill returning home to Missouri and died near Potosi in 1821 at age 60. His son founded the American settlement near present-day Houston that was Moses Austin's last big idea. Stephen F. Austin became a leader of Texas' war for independence from Mexico in 1836 and the namesake of its capital. By then, Moses Austin's remains had been moved from a rural plot to Potosi. An imposing above-ground vault was added in 1890. After Weed's raid, Moses Austin was granted rest until 1949, when another oddball event unfolded. The Potosi Lions Club proposed selling the remains to Texas for $50,000, enough to build a new town hall. Texas Gov. Beauford Jester wouldn't touch the offer, which drew rebukes from the Missouri Historical Society and other Potosi residents. In 1955, U.S. House Speaker Sam Rayburn of Texas left a wreath at the tomb. Potosi's mines had switched to barite (tiff) long before, and closed about two decades ago. In 1994, Belgrade State Bank of Potosi built a shelter over the well-tended grave, two blocks west of the Washington County Courthouse. Every June, Potosi hosts a Moses Austin Heritage Festival. Read more stories from Tim O'Neil's Look Back series. CAHOKIA HEIGHTS The countrys top environmental watchdog has promised to appoint a coordinator who will oversee efforts to fix the citys chronic sewer overflows, as residents wait for answers from officials to letters demanding immediate repairs and transparency. Residents hope dedicated attention from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will finally fix the broken and flooded lift stations designed to move sewage to treatment plants. For decades, raw sewage has backed up into houses and the streets, eventually making its way to streams and rivers. Complaints have been met with finger-pointing among public agencies and temporary fixes. Meanwhile, home values have plummeted. The city has made progress in eliminating overflows during dry weather, improving staffing and developing maintenance programs, EPA officials have said. But the EPAs latest inspection after a rainstorm in February noted sewage flowing from a pipe on 82nd Street and bubbling up from a ditch a couple blocks away, filling stormwater ditches. A coordinator is most welcome and any additional oversight to ensure that work starts immediately on the ground, said Nicole Nelson, an attorney with Equity Legal Services that represents residents in two lawsuits against city officials. The residents need repairs yesterday. A history of little progress The promise of a coordinator came after Illinois Rep. Nikki Budzinski, D-District 13, used a Wednesday hearing of the House Committee on Agriculture to ask EPA Administrator Michael Regan about Cahokia Heights flooding woes and request a federal coordinator. Regan responded, You have my commitment to do that. The EPA coordinator can help ensure repair funds are quickly and responsibly disbursed to the city and organize what has been a disjointed response among federal, state and local agencies, Budzinski said in a statement. In July 2020, Illinois U.S. Sens. Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin, both Democrats, called on the EPA to enforce environmental protection laws. A year later, after a series of inspections, the EPA issued an administrative order requiring the city of Centreville to submit a plan to address the sewer overflows. Centreville, Alorton and Cahokia combined in May 2021 to form Cahokia Heights. Officials campaigned on promises that a new, larger city would help lead to a fix. And in August 2022, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Cahokia Heights would receive $21 million in state funding to rebuild the sewer system, with nearly $10 million earmarked to immediately repair lift stations and sewer lines. The city finally received $2.4 million of it last month, as the funding requires oversight measures to ensure money is being spent properly on long-term fixes. Residents say they still havent seen any work being done and have no idea when it might begin. The state funding also requires the city to inform residents of repair plans through a webpage and public meetings, but that hasnt happened, either. The webpage was supposed to be up in April, said Kim Biggs, spokeswoman for the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, which is overseeing the state grant. While the state agency has approved the Cahokia Heights construction strategy, Biggs said in an email Thursday, city officials wanted to use $2.4 million to help them win a separate grant from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. No details were provided about the Corps grant. Cahokia Heights Mayor Curtis McCall Sr. did not return several requests by the Post-Dispatch for comment. Pleas for help At the end of March, residents of Cahokia Heights and East St. Louis, which shares the sewer system, sent a letter to the mayors of Cahokia Heights and East St. Louis, Duckworth, Durbin and Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Director John Kim. The March 30 letter, provided to the Post-Dispatch, demanded immediate repairs to the sewer system, a system for keeping the public updated, and adequate cleanup and relief services after heavy storms. Our local elected officials need to show us that they are equipped to develop the right solutions and oversee millions of dollars, the letter states. But many of us remain not only in the dark about exact plans, but underwater with sewage in our yards and surrounded by broken lift stations. Maliaka Hill, a community organizer at Equity Legal Services, says Duckworth and Durbins offices confirmed receipt of the letter, but residents have yet to receive a response from any of the officials. The Illinois EPA is still preparing a response, Biggs said. Hill welcomed the news that the EPA was appointing a coordinator but hopes its not another broken vow. The residents have had nothing but promises and are consistently being told that things are about to change, Hill said. And yet, here we are almost a year since these things have been announced and no repairs have been made. ST. LOUIS COUNTY When Alan Jeudes wife died in August, six years after her Alzheimers diagnosis, the first person he called wasnt one of their children, or a hospice nurse, or even the crematorium. It was his death doula. Almost a year before, as he was suffocating under the pressure of round-the-clock care, Jeude hired Natalie Turner-Jones, owner of Companioning the Dying. I had no idea what to expect, said Jeude, who lives in south St. Louis County. Birth doulas, who support a woman through pregnancy and labor, are relatively well-known. Fewer people are familiar with the role at the other of end of life. Death doulas, as theyre called, help people prepare for and cope with their last hours, or their loved ones. And now demand for the service, pushed by the pandemic and an aging cohort of baby boomers, is growing. Some, like Turner-Jones, provide respite, act as an intermediary with medical professionals or sit vigil during a clients final moments. Others host workshops on legal documents, burial options and obituary writing. They oversee legacy projects, like memory albums, cookbooks and quilts. My goal is that everyone has a good death, said Joan Bretthauer of Creve Coeur, who named her doula business ACE, for advocacy, choice, education. You only have one time to do it right. In 2019, Bretthauer founded the Midwest End of Life Doula Collective, which recently topped two dozen members. Many came to the vocation after the death of a loved one. Delaney Rhea of Eureka lost her father-in-law, to cancer, and her grandfather, of natural causes, on the same day. I was in a panic, said Rhea. It made me realize how little I knew. Three years ago, she completed a training program through Lifespan Doulas in Michigan. Rhea, who calls her enterprise the Sacred Sunset, compares the dying process to that of giving birth: The unknowns are immense. Best laid plans go awry. There is pain. The first great transition and the last great transition are so similar, she said. I think of end-of-life doulas as midwives for the soul. No certification is required for death doulas. The National End of Life Doula Alliance, founded in 2018, offers a proficiency badge in ethics and what it calls core competencies, such as communication, confidentiality and bereavement. The alliance has ballooned to over 1,300 members today from about 200 five years ago. Almost all are women. For most end-of-life doulas, the practice is a calling, not a bill-payer. Some work for free, especially with friends or family. Hourly rates can range from $20 to more than $100. Insurance does not cover doulas, who provide no medical treatment. Lauren Ponder of Webster Groves has a full-time job in human resources. She opened her side business, With Love, as a way to prod people into thinking about the inevitable. Last fall, she coordinated the first Death Positive Festival, with speakers on green burials, estate planning and memorial artwork, at Bellefontaine Cemetery in north St. Louis. Confronting mortality helps you live better, said Ponder. We really suck at death. With some positivity One of Ponders first clients was a lifelong friend, Zach Schaefer. The two sat down together over multiple sessions and hammered out what Schaefer would like to happen hopefully decades down the road after he dies. I think how typical funerals are done is terrible, said Schaefer, who lives in Webster Groves. They picked readings, eulogists and songs, mostly hits from his teen years in the late 90s. Everyone will eat barbecue. Schaefers family will take a vacation after. Im going to go out the way I want to go out, he said. And, hopefully, with some positivity. An ongoing joke between Suzy and Jeff Hutson of Wildwood had been that Jeff wanted his ashes flown to Scotland, his ancestral home, and scattered on the floor of a bar, so he could soak up the Scotch, said his wife. Other than that, the couple didnt broach the topic. After Jeff was diagnosed with cancer in 2021 and in the ensuing year of chemotherapy, radiation and debilitating side effects the Hutsons never discussed what was looming. Finally, last April, Suzy Hutson faced reality. The tumor inside Jeffs brain was going to kill him. She would be on her own to run their marketing agency and get their daughter through college. The clarity did little to ease her burden. The medical details were complicated and ever-changing. Decisions piled up; friends fell away. It was a terribly lonely situation, said Hutson. Youre literally navigating the world by yourself. Companionship and the assurance of being available at a moments notice is a key feature of Amy Rushs service, Inspired Dying. In May, the two women connected through a friend. Rush, of Des Peres, mapped out what Hutson should expect in the coming weeks, organized Jeffs schedule of medications, and in July, facilitated his move to a nearby hospice house, where he spent his last days. Amy gave me strength, said Hutson. I dont know what I would have done without her. Someone to lean on Alan and Helen Jeude moved back to St. Louis in 2016, the year they found out Helen had Alzheimers. As his wifes symptoms worsened, Jeude made adjustments. At first, it was manageable. He had a wheelchair ramp built onto the front porch of their house and added a security system so he would know if she went outside. Every morning when Helen woke up, Jeude would gently remind her: Hi, honey. This is your husband, Alan. Were in our bedroom in St. Louis. But as Helens disease progressed, the unknowns gathered into a storm cloud. She stopped paying attention to the Hallmark movies theyd watch together. Jigsaw puzzles were too confusing, even when Jeude sorted the pieces. He would do anything for Helen, but he also needed to do something for himself. Jeude heard about end-of-life doulas through a relative. In the fall of 2021, he met with Turner-Jones for the first time. The theater teacher from St. Louis trained as a doula five years ago. She calls her practice pretty broad-spectrum. With Jeude, that meant regular visits: once a week early on, then twice. They worked through contingency plans, filled out forms, made lists. Sometimes, Turner-Jones helped with household chores. A lot of times, they just talked. She was an anchor I could lean on, Jeude said. By summer, he had begun sleeping on the well-worn leather couch in the living room, to be closer to Helens hospital bed. One August morning, he woke early, at quarter to six, and checked on Helen. She wasnt breathing. Within 30 minutes, Turner-Jones was at his door. Jeude could exhale. KHARTOUM, April 21 (Xinhua) -- The Sudanese Ministry of Health said on Friday that over 400 people were killed and about 3,500 others wounded in the continued clashes between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). "The death toll on Friday reached more than 400 with about 3,500 wounded," Sudanese Health Minister Haitham Mohamed Ibrahim said in a statement. "Most of the cases were in Khartoum, where 130 deaths and 1,900 injuries were recorded," he said. He pointed out that the number of deaths and injuries dropped on Friday compared to past days, with 59 deaths and 200 injuries recorded. Sudan has been witnessing deadly armed clashes between the Sudanese army and the RSF in Khartoum and other areas since April 15, with the two sides accusing each other of initiating the conflict. At 4:20 pm -- and all day -- pot smokers around the St. Louis area celebrated the first "4/20 Day" since recreational marijuana became legal in Missouri. In a sign of the burgeoning industry, 3 days of festivities are planned on Cherokee Street to celebrate the occasion and include art classes, yoga and music. On Saturday, the inaugural Loop 420 Fest will fill University City streets with music, munchies and more. Photos by David Carson and Christine Tannous, St. Louis Post-Dispatch Missouri is one of 31 states without a red-flag law, which allows for temporary firearm removal from individuals believed to be at risk of harming themselves or others. States took millions to enact red-flag gun laws, but many still won't pass them A Lee Enterprises review reveals that lawmakers in 31 states have not passed red-flag laws even as most of those states received federal funding through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. The policy, enacted in 19 states and D.C., is one that gun-safety advocates are pushing for once again across the U.S. in the aftermath of the late March Nashville school shooting, which killed six people. The policy has bipartisan appeal with some Republicans in favor of it, but Second Amendment advocates say the policy is concerning because it entails firearm removal. A federal judge recently shut down a Missouri law that banned local police from enforcing federal gun laws, noting that the law was unconstitutional and void. U.S. District Judge Brian Wimes ruled the 2021 law is preempted by the federal government under the U.S. Constitutions supremacy clause, according to the Associated Press. The law would have subjected law enforcement officers who knowingly enforced federal gun laws without state laws to a fine of $50,000 per violation. At best, this statute causes confusion among state law enforcement officials who are deputized for federal task force operations, and at worst, is unconstitutional on its face, Wimes wrote. While purporting to protect citizens, SAPA exposes citizens to greater harm by interfering with the federal governments ability to enforce lawfully enacted firearms regulations designed by Congress for the purpose of protecting citizens within the limits of the Constitution. But Republican Attorney General Andrew Bailey plans to appeal the ruling. We are prepared to defend this statute to the highest court, and we anticipate a better result at the Eighth Circuit, he said. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported in March there was a lone Republican in the Missouri House who stood to oppose the law the first time a version was passed in 2013. State Rep. Jay Barnes, a Republican from Jefferson City, said the Constitution should be treated like a Chinese buffet. The Post-Dispatch also reported the law was vetoed by Gov. Jay Nixon, a Democrat. Then, in 2021, the law passed. Missouri has a rate of 22.3 deaths per 100,000 people and has the seventh-highest rate of gun deaths in the country. The state recently applied for federal funding that is meant for the implementation of extreme risk protection orders (also known as red-flag laws) and other gun violence prevention measures. When asked about the $3.7 million in federal dollars the state received, Missouri Department of Public Safety Communications Director Mike OConnell said a red-flag law is not in the works. Missouri does not have a red-flag law, and the department is not aware of any legislation that would implement one that is moving forward in the current legislative session, OConnell said. The state application did not list details of what the funding will go toward, but other states are creating programs such as mental health courts, crisis intervention courts and veterans assistance programs in addition to extreme risk protection orders. Chinas second aircraft carrier, the Shandong, recently appeared off Taiwan with some escorts and carried out exercises involving its air group, which includes 24 J-15 jet fighters and a dozen helicopters and UAVs. The J-15 is a 32-ton twin-jet fighter-bomber that can carry up to 6.5 tons of bombs and missiles. J-15 entered service in 2013 as the heaviest carrier aircraft currently in service anywhere (which is not a good thing). So far 60 J-15s have been built and two have been lost due to accidents. China is working on a lighter, more reliable carrier aircraft to replace the J-15. During the recent exercise off Taiwan the Shandong carried out 80 takeoffs and landings with its J-15s. This was a realistic test of the carrier and its J-15s operation under wartime conditions. The Shandongs task force also contained two destroyers, a frigate and a supply ship with more fuel. China is building more carriers. In 2022 China launched its third aircraft carrier, the 80,000-ton Fujian (CV-18). Fujian is powered by steam turbines that generate the needed electrical power for its EMALS (electromagnetic aircraft launch system) in a conventionally powered carrier. Fujian was supposed to have three EMALS catapults but these were not installed and Fujian used conventional steam-catapults instead. Fujian turned out to be larger than expected, in part because of the space needed for the IEP (integrated electric propulsion) system that supplied the power for EMALS. The only other carrier using EMALS is the American nuclear-powered USS Ford. China was more deliberate in designing their EMALS system and appears to have learned from the mistakes the Americans made, and so delayed installing EMALS on Fujian. At 300 meters (984 feet) Fujian appears to be nearly as long as the 333-meter Ford, which displaces about 100,000 tons. Fujian has a smaller crew and operates fewer aircraft. The nuclear-powered Ford moves at higher speeds for sustained periods than the Fujian, which has to dedicate a lot of internal space for its oil fuel. Fujian is expected to be ready for sea-trials by the end of 2022 and enter service in 2023 or 2024, China already has two carriers in service; Liaoning (CV-16) and the similar Shandong (CV-17), which completed sea trials and entered service at the end of 2019, as it was seen moving past Taiwan. Back then it was assumed that China wanted to build two more similar carriers (CV-18 and 19) which would lose the ski jump deck and instead adopt a catapult. This was the case with Fujian (CV-18) that was already under construction in 2019, and in the water a year later. At that point it appeared that CV-18 would be in service by 2024 but details of its layout and displacement were still vague. It was believed that CV-18 might be delayed by the decision to use EMALS instead of steam catapults. The U.S. Navy has had problems getting its EMALS to work effectively and the Chinese were believed to be waiting to see how that works out before deciding. That was not the case as CV-18 was built with the IEP, which was only required if EMALS was used. What is unknown is if CV-19 will be similar to CV-18 or use nuclear-power. China has more problems with nuclear-powered surface ships than with EMALS. China has been working on nuclear propulsion for submarines for decades and encountered lots of technical problems that seriously limited the development of an effective Chinese nuclear submarine force. Chinese nuclear power experts informed the government that China did not yet have reliable nuclear power plants for surface ships and it would be a while before that technology was perfected. With the official recognition of Fujian, it became clear that China probably would have five or six non-nuclear-powered carriers by 2030, with all but two of them (Liaoning and Shandong) based on the Fujian. Since carriers spend a lot of time in port getting upgrades and maintenance, you need three or more in order to guarantee having at least two available at all times for operations. China has already built or is building enough escort and support ships, along with air wings, to keep several carrier task forces, each built around one carrier, busy while one or more carriers were sidelined by months of maintenance and upgrades. China announced in 2020 that their first carrier, a rebuilt Russian carrier, would not remain a training carrier but would be equipped and manned with a crew that would enable it to also serve as a combat carrier in an emergency. Fujian was not a complete surprise. As early as 2014 there were official photos of carrier model displayed at an official event. The detailed model had the hull number 18 and the ship looked similar to an American Nimitz class CVN. The Chinese CVN has four catapults and three elevators and much other evidence of being nuclear and very similar to the Nimitz class. This was an early Chinese Navy proposal for a CVN and that has apparently been refined to something that is similar to the Nimitz. At one point it was believed that the first Chinese CVN would be more like the American USS Enterprise (CVN 65). This was the first American nuclear-powered carrier and it served as the prototype for the subsequent Nimitz class. The Enterprise was an expensive design, and only one was built, rather than the expected class of six. While a bit longer than the later Nimitz class, it was lighter (92,000 tons displacement, versus 100,000 tons). The Enterprise was commissioned in 1961, almost 40 years after the first U.S. carrier (the Langley) entered service in 1923. CVN 65 was active until 2012 and decommissioned in early 2017, two months before the second Chinese carrier was launched. China may end up going that way before building their first nuclear carrier. A large oil-fueled carrier would enable them to gain experience with a large carrier and allow designers to perfect the design of a nuclear-powered large carrier. Chinese are keen students of history, their own as well as that of others. Chinese ship designers know all about the Langley and the Enterprise. The Chinese are also well aware that in the two decades after the USS Langley there were tremendous changes in carrier aviation. While the innovation slowed after World War II, major changes continued into the 1950s (jet aircraft, nuclear-propulsion, anti-aircraft missiles). But in the ensuing half-century, there has been no major innovation in basic carrier design. This has not been a problem because the carriers have proven useful, at least for the U.S. Navy, the only fleet to use such large carriers. Currently the United States has 11 CVNs, although that may shrink to ten because of problems getting the Ford class operational. No one else has maintained a force of these large carriers. Only the U.S. has felt a constant need to get air power to any corner of the planet in a hurry. More importantly, no navy has been able to give battle to the U.S. carrier force since 1945. The Soviets built new anti-carrier weapons and made plans to use them, but that war never occurred. China is building carriers but does not yet seem committed to having a lot of them to confront the U.S., but rather just a few to intimidate its neighbors. The Chinese Navy is very popular with most Chinese and its commanders are enthusiastic about expanding in order to protect the seaborne trade that the modern Chinese economy depends on. For thousands of years Chinese rulers did not consider naval power important because it wasnt. Now it is and the navy is getting the money and encouragement to do what China has never done before. But at the moment Chinese tech is not up to the task of providing capable carrier aviation, especially on a large scale. The government also realized that the money required to make it all work was not really available either. Another problem is the shrinking number of qualified Chinese willing to join the navy. The Chinese working age population is declining as a result of the one-child policy that began in the 1980s and lasted for three decades. But when the one-child limits were eased in the last decade it was discovered that a more affluent Chinese population was not interested in having large families. This is a common pattern, especially in the newly affluent nations of East Asia. Already South Korea and Japan are suffering from falling birth rates. It's worse in Europe. The United States has avoided this problem so far but that appears to be changing. For China the population problem is a major limit to the effectiveness of their growing navy and its aircraft carrier component. A carrier does not operate alone, but requires several destroyers and frigates as escorts, along with supply and fuel ships. Each carrier task force requires over 5,000 officers and sailors. The sea trials for Shandong took 19 months, which was six months longer than their first carrier, Liaoning. There was no official explanation why the second carrier took longer to debug but it was put into active service by December 2019. It is known that Shandong has more electronics, including a powerful AESA (flat panel phased array) radar and a more capable communications and control system built into the ship. It would not be surprising if those improvements caused unexpected and repeated problems. Shandong is 315 meters (1,033 feet) long, which is three percent longer than Liaoning. Shandong displaced 75,000 tons, which is 12 percent more than Liaoning. Obvious differences are a slightly (about 10 percent) smaller control tower and about ten percent more flight deck area. There is more space internally for maritime and aircraft fuel. It appears that Shandong would have to be refueled about once a week when at sea and Fujian will be no different. Shandong was considered a new design but based on the first Chinese carrier, the Liaoning. That first carrier was a 65,000-ton, 305 meter (999 feet) long ship that was itself a modified version of the last Cold War Russian carrier design. In 2016 China confirmed that Shandong would also have the ski jump deck like Liaoning, would be somewhat heavier, and incorporate new design features that would enable it to carry more aircraft (mainly the J-15) in a larger hangar deck (just below the flight deck) as well as more fuel and aircraft weapons. Photos of Shandong under construction revealed that it also incorporated design features that will make it more capable of surviving combat damage as well as operating more efficiently and effectively as a carrier. In addition to the Chinese built J-15 fighter, the Shandong had an early-warning radar and anti-submarine aircraft, which had long been standard on American carriers, as well as some helicopters. The carrier itself had modern radars and electronics to detect and control aircraft. Shandong operates about 20 percent more aircraft than Liaoning (50 fixed-wing and helicopters compared to about 40). In 2019 China only had about fifty carrier qualified J-15 pilots and Liaoning was kept busy being what was designed for; a training carrier. By 2023 there were over a hundred qualified J-15 pilots. by Austin Bay April 20, 2023 At a New York City press briefing held April 17, U.S. Attorney Breon Peace nailed the core national security issue at stake in The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Police Stations in America Fiasco: "This prosecution reveals the Chinese government's flagrant violation of our nation's sovereignty by establishing a secret police station in the middle of New York City..." Kudos to Peace for stating the gut truth. Here's the rest of Peace's quote: "...As alleged, the defendants and their co-conspirators were tasked with doing (communist China's) bidding, including helping locate a Chinese dissident living in the United States, and obstructed our investigation by deleting their communications. Such a police station has no place here in New York City -- or any American community." Peace was addressing the specifics of the case he is prosecuting. Nevertheless, his case and two other Justice Department investigations involving CCP secret police operations in America are tactical (small) examples of the strategic challenge the U.S. and its allies confront -- communist China obeys no rules other than it will do whatever the hell it wants to do. I add this as a caveat at least for the next two to three years: Beijing will do whatever it wants to do as long as doing what it wants doesn't exact a heavy penalty. I don't think China's leaders are quite ready for war. Operating secret police stations in the U.S. suggests the CCP is still in the process of undermining American, international and domestic Chinese resistance to its corrupt rule. However, Xi Jinping is confident. February 2023's cross-country Chinese balloon violated U.S. sovereignty with no cost. President Joe Biden refused to shoot it down until it was over water. Now media report military sources confirm it had a spy mission, gathering intelligence at lazy balloon speed. According to recent reports, recovered debris indicates the balloon carried high-resolution three-dimensional mapping electronics. When analyzed, the data can reveal underground structures. To gather the detailed data requires an aerial platform loitering over the target -- a balloon instead of an airplane or satellite. It now appears several loitering Chinese spy balloons have violated U.S. sovereignty. Regular readers of this column know I've followed CCP depredations against the Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, Japan and India for over two decades. The CCP has raped the Philippines. In July 2016, The Hague's international arbitration tribunal, relying on the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea treaty (UNCLOS), supported the Philippines' claims that China had violated its territory in the South China Sea by seizing islets and "sea features." China also plundered resources in the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone. Despite having signed the treaty (and accepting arbitration), the Chinese government callously ignored the verdict and disdained the court's authority. Having gotten away with disdaining international legal norms, the CCP now has the nerve to flout U.S. sovereignty and launch a terrorist attack on the First Amendment as well as the ethnic Chinese their secret police targeted. Focused state terrorism is a fair way to frame all three cases DOJ is pursuing. China's communist government covertly planted secret police stations in the U.S. and then proceeded to intimidate, threaten and harass mainland Chinese expatriates, ethnic Chinese dissidents (no matter their passport citizenship) and American citizens who aid the CCP's vulnerable human victims. Another DOJ senior officer, Acting Assistant Director Kurt Ronnow of the FBI Counterintelligence Division, also spoke candidly. "It is simply outrageous that China's Ministry of Public Security (secret police) thinks it can get away with establishing a secret, illegal police station on U.S. soil to aid its efforts to export repression and subvert our rule of law... This case serves as a powerful reminder that the People's Republic of China will stop at nothing to bend people to their will and silence messages they don't want anyone to hear." DOJ now has a term for the CCP's police station crimes: Transnational repression schemes. Yes, it reeks of bureaucratese, and avoids my word, "terror," but it's accurate enough for government work. TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / April 21, 2023 / Big Tree Carbon Inc. (the "Company" or "Big Tree") (TSXV:BIGT) is pleased to announce the closing of the first tranche of the brokered private placement (the "Offering") announced on March 31, 2023 with the issuance of 6,000,0000 working capital units (the "WC Units") of the Company at a price of $0.05 per WC Unit for gross proceeds of $300,000. The Offering was led on a best-efforts basis by IBK Capital. Each WC Unit consists of one (1) common share of the Company priced at $0.05 per common share and one (1) common share purchase warrant (each a "WC Warrant"). Each WC Warrant entitles the holder to acquire one (1) common share until April 20, 2025 at a price of $0.06. The Company paid IBK Capital a commission of $20,500 and issued 545,000 broker warrants ("Broker Warrants") to IBK Capital. Each Broker Warrant entitles the holder to acquire a WC Unit until April 20, 2025 at a price of $0.05 per Broker Warrant. One eligible finder was paid a commission of $3500 and another eligible finder was issued 55,000 Broker Warrants. All securities issued are subject to a statutory hold period expiring on August 21, 2023. ABOUT BIG TREE CARBON INC. Big Tree Carbon Inc. is an indigenous led publicly-traded natural asset development company based in Ontario, Canada. The Company maintains several legacy mineral exploration properties in Northwestern Ontario as active exploration holdings, including the Ranger Lake, Richardson Lake, Trout Lake South and Bridget Lake properties. The Company is currently developing two First Nations forest carbon offset project development partnerships for the Lac Seul First Nation "Lac Seul Community Forest Project" and the Ogoki Forest. Subsidiary corporation Wiigwaasaatig Energy Inc. is a contributor to the Company's sustainable forest optimization approach, focusing on renewable electrical generation and biofuel processing in partnership with proximal indigenous communities. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Big Tree Carbon Inc. Christopher Angeconeb President and C.E.O. (807) 737-5353 [email protected] Ian Brodie-Brown Director of Business Development (416) 844-9969 [email protected] Forward-Looking Statement: Some of the statements contained herein may be forward-looking statements which involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralization and resources, exploration results, and future plans and objectives of the Company are forward-looking statements that involve various risks. The following are important factors that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements: changes in the world-wide price of mineral commodities, general market conditions, risks inherent in mineral exploration, risks associated with development, construction and mining operations, the uncertainty of future profitability and the uncertainty of access to additional capital. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events may differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Big Tree undertakes no obligation to update such forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE: Big Tree Carbon Inc. View source version on accesswire.com: NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / April 21, 2023 / Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE: BSX) recently released its 2022 Performance Report on the company's work to innovate with medical devices and therapies to improve patient outcomes while also prioritizing environmental, social and governance (ESG) progress. "At Boston Scientific, we advance science by developing new solutions that help people lead healthier lives," said Mike Mahoney, chairman and chief executive officer, Boston Scientific. "This work involves building greater business value, as well as contributing to a healthier planet and addressing inequities in the world around us. We have much more to do, and thanks to the agility, commitment and talent of our more than 45,000 employees on our global team, we are making strong progress toward our goals." In 2022, the company invested more than $1.3 billion in research and development1 and helped to improve the lives of more than 33 million patients across the world. Boston Scientific further advanced diversity, equity and inclusion in its workplace and continued to make progress toward its environmental goals. A commitment to sustainable and inclusive business practices is central to the company's work and is reinforced by an ESG scorecard that is part of the annual employee bonus program. 2022 Performance Report Highlights The 2022 Performance Report addresses five areas of focus, including transforming care, investing in people, accelerating possibilities, protecting the environment and creating value responsibly. Boston Scientific made a measurable difference in 2022 through its business and ESG progress, including: Became one of the first companies in its sector to have its net-zero, science-based target approved under the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) Net-Zero Standard, which will help guide the company's path to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. to have its net-zero, science-based target approved under the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) Net-Zero Standard, which will help guide the company's path to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Achieved 76% renewable electricity 2 and remained on track for the company's goal of carbon neutrality (scopes 1 and 2) 3 in all manufacturing and key distribution sites by 2030. and remained on track for the company's goal of carbon neutrality (scopes 1 and 2) in all manufacturing and key distribution sites by 2030. Delivered improved results on its aspirational diversity goals , with 42.6% of supervisor and manager roles now held by women globally, 22.6% by multicultural employees in the U.S., including Puerto Rico. , with 42.6% of supervisor and manager roles now held by women globally, 22.6% by multicultural employees in the U.S., including Puerto Rico. Increased diversity in medical research and identified more than 121,000 women and people of color in health action plans to advance equitable care in underserved U.S. communities. and identified more than 121,000 women and people of color in health action plans to advance equitable care in underserved U.S. communities. Contributed 31,000+ employee volunteer hours, including science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) outreach to 70,000 students. including science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) outreach to 70,000 students. Contributed more than $67 million in corporate donations to fund medical research, fellowships, education and charitable organizations. in corporate donations to fund medical research, fellowships, education and charitable organizations. Expanded digital and operational capabilities while adding digitally and AI-enabled operational resiliency, cybersecurity and patient data privacy safeguards. The Boston Scientific 2022 Performance Report was prepared with reference to the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards as well as alignment with the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) standards for the Medical Equipment & Supplies industry and the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) recommendations. Detailed information about the company's ESG progress is available on the company's Corporate responsibility website and ESG investor site. All data as of December 31, 2022, unless otherwise specified. About Boston Scientific Boston Scientific transforms lives through innovative medical solutions that improve the health of patients around the world. As a global medical technology leader for more than 40 years, we advance science for life by providing a broad range of high-performance solutions that address unmet patient needs and reduce the cost of healthcare. For more information, visit www.bostonscientific.com and connect on Twitter and Facebook. Contact Media: Kate Haranis, 508-683-6585 1 Represents GAAP R&D expense per 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K. 2 Purchased electricity matched with electricity from renewable sources, inclusive of all manufacturing and key distribution sites only. 3 Scope 1 emissions are direct emissions from owned or controlled sources. Scope 2 emissions are indirect emissions from the generation of purchased energy. Read More View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Boston Scientific on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Boston Scientific Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/boston-scientific Email: [email protected] SOURCE: Boston Scientific View source version on accesswire.com: NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / April 21, 2023 / Ericsson: Originally published by Ericsson Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, Franois-Philippe Champagne, attend Ottawa announcement alongside Ericsson President and CEO, Borje Ekholm Scope of the program is expected to create and upskill hundreds of jobs over the next five years at Ericsson's Ottawa and Montreal R&D centres Research to focus on 5G Advanced, 6G, Cloud RAN, Core Networks, Quantum Computing, and AI for mobile networks A five-year R&D partnership valued at more than CAD 470 million between Ericsson and the Government of Canada is set to put the country at the forefront of global development in next-generation communications technologies. The investment, at Ericsson's Ottawa, Ontario and Montreal, Quebec facilities, is expected to create and upskill hundreds of jobs - strengthening the sites as global leaders in 5G Advanced, 6G, AI, Cloud RAN, and Core Network technologies. The investment will also support the expansion of research facilities and staff support for quantum computing at Ericsson's recently established Quantum Research hub in Montreal. The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, says: "Today's announcement is further evidence that Canadian workers have the talent the world needs to develop faster and more secure internet connection and other wireless services. As we continue to support innovation, we are creating good jobs, strengthening the middle class, and ensuring Canada remains a global leader in technology." Borje Ekholm, President and CEO, Ericsson, says: "We are already seeing the benefits of next-generation technologies such as 5G and AI, yet we are still in the early days of their potential to transform our work, leisure, and social lives. Ericsson's R&D investment partnership with the Canadian government, supported by world-class talent in Ottawa and Montreal, will boost innovation and ultimately help to improve the lives of millions of people. We are determined to lead our industry through continued R&D investment." The Hon. Francois-Philippe Champagne, Canada's Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, says: "Canadians deserve strong, secure, and reliable wireless networks and services. By investing in Ericsson Canada, our government continues to support and strengthen the 5G networks of today and 6G networks of the future. The partnership also further solidifies Canada as a global leader in next-generation networks and creates more well-paying jobs." Jeanette Irekvist, President of Ericsson Canada, says: "Ericsson is proudly commemorating 70 years of innovation and operations in Canada this year. Today, we demonstrate our continued commitment to Canada with this high-tech R&D investment announcement. The benefits of this project will strengthen Canada's technology expertise that is second-to-none, will bolster Ericsson's world-class R&D centres, and is a testament to the concentration of talent here in the Ottawa-area and in Montreal." Mark Sutcliffe, Mayor, City of Ottawa, says: "I am excited about Ericsson's new investment in its Ottawa R&D centre, perfectly suited for a city deeply rooted in innovative technologies and the experts that create them. Supporting Research and Development centres like this helps to make our economy stronger. When we invest in research and innovation, we invest in the success of our residents and the modernization of our city." The new investment will also enable Ericsson Canada to onboard up to 60 additional interns per year - 300 across the five-year timeline - to boost ongoing academic partnerships. Most of these students will be based in the Montreal and Ottawa R&D centres. Already Ericsson's key North American R&D facility, the Ottawa site occupies 25,000 sq m - of which more than 4,300 sq m is solely dedicated to lab operations, including the recently established Ericsson Open Lab. 70 Years of connecting Canadians Ericsson Canada has played a vital role in the country's innovation ecosystem for 70 years, including supporting communications service providers through every generation of mobile communication. Ericsson Canada is also a partner in the national ecosystem network aimed at fostering 5G adoption and collaboration in Canada. Ericsson Canada has R&D centres and offices in Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto and is among the leading R&D spenders in the country - averaging some CAD 345 million per year. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Ericsson on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Ericsson Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/ericsson Email: [email protected] SOURCE: Ericsson View source version on accesswire.com: Highlights: First-ever soil samples at BLT Project define "Islander Zone" measuring 1,400 m x 400 m based on 845 samples; 5.94 g/t Au (5,939.5 ppb) from the Islander Zone is the highest grade soil sample result across any of Gander's eight Newfoundland projects and 38,941 total soil samples taken in 2021-2022; Gold-in-soil zone at Islander is coincident with very anomalous arsenic-in-soil which is consistently present across the interpreted strike of the Islander Zone. VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / April 21, 2023 / Gander Gold Corp. ("Gander" or the "Company") (CSE:GAND)(OTCQB: GANDF) is pleased to report high grade gold-in-soil results from the Company's 287 sq. km BLT (Botwood-Laurenceton-Thwart Island) Project in Newfoundland, particularly from the newly-identified "Islander Zone" covering a central portion of Thwart Island in the Bay of Exploits. The Gander Gold field season begins in May which will lead toward first-ever diamond drilling at the BLT project. In addition to BLT, Gander has also made important progress at its flagship Gander North Project (see April 5, 2023 news release), Mount Peyton (see April 17, 2023 news release) and Cape Ray II properties, with additional exploration updates expected over the coming weeks. Gander Gold will be participating in Central MinEx Mineral Industry Showcase April 26-28 at the Steele Community Centre in Gander, Newfoundland, an event hosted by the Gander and Area Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Town of Gander. Eric Sprott, Gander Gold's largest individual investor (11.6%) after Sassy Gold (38.6%), will be the Keynote Luncheon Speaker Friday, April 28 beginning at 12:00 pm. Additional BLT Highlights: Gander took 5,795 B and C-horizon soil samples (including field duplicates) across the BLT Project with 18 of these samples, including seven in the 1,400 m x 400 m zone on Thwart Island, returning very high values >99.8 ppb Au, including three >1,000 ppb Au (1 g/t Au); The presence and orientation of major faults and folds occurring within the BLT Project suggest good potential for mesothermal Au mineralization; A moderate to strong antimony (Sb) correlation occurs with Au/As-in soil (As and Sb are both key minerals associated with Au mineralization in Newfoundland). Mr. Ian Fraser, P.Geo, VP Exploration for Gander Gold, commented: "We continue to generate outstanding soil sampling results in the context of Newfoundland, consistent with what has been observed at New Found Gold's Queensway Project and Labrador Gold's Kingsway Project. Most notably, from among the almost 39,000 soil samples taken by Gander over the last two seasons, the highest grade gold-in-soil result to date is found right in the heart of the newly named Islander Zone on Thwart Island." Mr. Fraser added, "We're excited to follow up on the Islander Zone with early-season prospecting and mapping to better define 2023 drill targets there, along with target definition for Gander's first ever drill programs in 2023 at the Gander North and Mount Peyton projects. The number of significant soil anomalies identified to date by the company, across multiple project areas, continues to build the potential for significant drill discoveries in 2023 and beyond." Gander Gold Corporate Video To view the latest Gander Gold corporate video, click on the link below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=op06adMXkHs BLT Additional Details Airborne geophysical surveys consisting of MAG/VLF and LiDAR, soil sampling and a structural interpretation have been completed across the entire BLT project area, along with prospecting in select areas. The BLT project is structurally complex. A major NE-SW trending fault bifurcates the BLT property, while NW trending shears and several generations of folding have been interpreted on the property. The occurrence of mafic intrusive rocks is good evidence of deep-seated fault systems at BLT and the mafic intrusives in the north part of BLT show a strong correlation with known gold occurrences. Outside of the Thwart Island, notably in the Botwood and Laurenceton areas, significant very anomalous Au-in-soil values do occur along sample lines laid out perpendicular to NE-SW trends and lineaments. While these sample lines were widely spaced, results do conform to the interpreted NE-SW lineaments and additional soil sampling is required to better define the extent of these features. A significant number of Cu-in-soil results occur in the Burnt Bay Peninsula area immediately east of Thwart Island and on Thwart Island coincident with Au-in-soil. Coincident Au/Cu-in-soil anomalies may be indicative of possible epithermal-type gold mineralization. Quality Assurance/Quality Control Gander Gold Corporation has contracted the services of GroundTruth Exploration to conduct its soil geochemistry programs in Newfoundland. Soil samples are collected at pre-determined sites, placed in soil sample bags and all metadata associated with a sample is recorded. Once sorted and logged, samples are shipped to Eastern Analytical in Springdale, Newfoundland for sample preparation. At Eastern Analytical individual samples are dried and sieved and 50g splits are prepared and then shipped by courier to Bureau Veritas Commodities Canada Ltd. (Bureau Veritas) in Vancouver, British Columbia for analyses. Eastern Analytical and Bureau Veritas are ISO / IEC 17025 certified laboratories and independent of Gander Gold Corporation. At Bureau Veritas 15g splits are partially digested by aqua regia digestion and analysed for gold plus 36 additional elements by ICP-ES/MS (method AQ201). GroundTruth Exploration crews took a field duplicate every 25th sample and inserted certified reference material (OREAS 47) at a frequency of 1 in 55 samples which were inserted into the sample stream to monitor the quality of analysis for the soil sampling program. In addition, the lab was requested to perform repeat analyses at multiple intervals within the sampling stream. Qualified Person The technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Ian Fraser, P.Geo., Vice- President of Exploration for Gander Gold. Mr. Fraser is the Qualified Person responsible for the scientific and technical information contained herein under National Instrument 43-101 standards. Acknowledgment Gander Gold acknowledges the financial support of the Junior Exploration Assistance Program, Department of Natural Resources, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. About Gander Gold Corporation Gander Gold is "All Newfoundland, All the Time". The Company is one of the island's largest claimholders targeting new high-grade gold discoveries with a current focus on the large Gander North, Mount Peyton, BLT (Botwood-Laurenceton-Thwart Island) and Cape Ray II projects where there has been very promising early exploration success. Other opportunities advancing through the pipeline are Carmanville, Gander South, Little River and Hermitage. Contact Info: Mark Scott Chief Executive Officer & Director [email protected] Terry Bramhall Gander Gold - Corporate Communications 1.604.833.6999 (mobile) 1.604.675.9985 (office) [email protected] Caution Regarding Forward Looking Statements Investors are cautioned that, except for statements of historical fact, certain information contained in this document includes "forward looking information", with respect to a performance expectation for Gander Gold Corp. Such forward looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections formulated using assumptions believed to be reasonable and involving a number of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. Such factors include, without limitation, fluctuations in foreign exchange markets, the price of commodities in both the cash market and futures market, changes in legislation, taxation, controls and regulation of national and local governments and political and economic developments in Canada and other countries where Gander carries out or may carry out business in the future, the availability of future business opportunities and the ability to successfully integrate acquisitions or operational difficulties related to technical activities of mining and reclamation, the speculative nature of exploration and development of mineral deposits, including risks obtaining necessary licenses and permits, reducing the quantity or grade of reserves, adverse changes in credit ratings, and the challenge of title. The Company does not undertake an obligation to update publicly or revise forward looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. Some of the results reported are historical and may not have been verified by the Company. The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. SOURCE: Gander Gold Corporation View source version on accesswire.com: GenPsych's Adult Program Offers Personalized, Evidence-Based, and Holistic Mental Health Care with Long-Term Outcomes BRIDGEWATER, NJ / ACCESSWIRE / April 21, 2023 / Leading mental health care provider GenPsych has announced the launch of its innovative adult program, which sets it apart from the competition. The program takes a fresh approach to mental health care, with a focus on personalization, evidence-based treatments, and long-term outcomes. With a team of highly trained and experienced mental health professionals, GenPsych is well-equipped to provide cutting-edge treatments that meet the needs of each patient. GenPsych Mental Health Services Unlike traditional mental health programs that rely on a one-size-fits-all approach, the GenPsych adult program is designed to cater to the unique needs of each patient. This personalized approach ensures that patients receive the right treatment at the right time, leading to better outcomes. The Prevalence of Mental Illness in Adults - Statistics on adult mental health The GenPsych adult program incorporates evidence-based treatments, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). These treatments have been proven to be effective in treating a range of mental health disorders, including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and substance abuse. The program's holistic approach to mental health care is also a key factor in its success. In addition to evidence-based treatments, patients receive support in areas such as nutrition, exercise, and sleep hygiene. This approach recognizes that mental health is intricately linked to physical health and well-being. Another unique aspect of the GenPsych adult program is its focus on long-term outcomes. The program is designed to help patients not just manage their symptoms, but to achieve sustainable improvements in their mental health. This approach involves developing skills and strategies that patients can use in their daily lives to maintain good mental health. GenPsych's commitment to innovation and excellence has earned it a reputation as a leader in mental health care. The company offers a range of services, including outpatient and intensive outpatient programs, and telepsychiatry. Its team of mental health professionals includes psychiatrists, psychologists, and licensed therapists, including clinical social workers and professional Counselors and mental health counselors, who are dedicated to providing the highest quality of care to patients. The GenPsych adult program is available at its clinics in New Jersey. For more information, visit www.genpsych.com or call 855-436-7792. The GenPsych adult program represents a game-changer in mental health care. Its personalized, evidence-based, and holistic approach is designed to meet the unique needs of each patient and achieve long-term outcomes. With a team of highly trained professionals and a commitment to innovation and excellence, GenPsych is poised to transform the mental health care landscape. The launch of this innovative adult program marks a significant step forward in mental health care and represents a major change in the way mental health care is delivered. Contact Information GenPsych PC [email protected] (855) 436-7792 Related Files Adult Mental Health Program.mp4 GenPsych.mp4 SOURCE: GenPsych View source version on accesswire.com: NEW DELHI, April 20 (Xinhua) -- The Indian government is in touch with various nations and United Nations agencies to ensure the safety of Indians in strife-torn Sudan and their evacuation, said spokesman of the Ministry of External Affairs Arindam Bagchi on Thursday. The spokesman declined to comment on the exact number of Indians present in Sudan currently. Bagchi said the evacuation plans would depend on situations on the ground, which remain very tense. "Our mission in Khartoum has been in contact with the Indian community there through multiple channels, including formal and informal," said the spokesman. NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / April 21, 2023 / CNH Industrial brand New Holland Agriculture has opened Argentina's second Smart Dealer and the first in the province of Buenos Aires. It is in collaboration with ire Maquinarias , the brand's official representative in the city for 19 years. This new concept integrates commercial offices, training rooms and a coworking space for clients with a workshop, spare parts warehouse, Intelligence Center and merchandising store. It has also been designed with consideration for the environment. There is a complete focus on sustainability. Sustainable materials were used in the dealer's construction. And it utilizes renewable energy with two wind generators and a system of biodigesters to reuse water. Also, its windows feature nanotechnology that filters solar rays, reducing the use of energy and improving temperature regulation within the workspace. The opening day was attended by New Holland's Latin America executives such as Eduardo Kerbauy, Vice President, Paulo Maximo, Director of Commercial Marketing, Jefferson Kohler, Director of Network Development, Tomas Liceda, Commercial Director, and Gabriel Tronchoni, Marketing Manager for Argentina. Over 400 additional people were present too, including rural producers, local and regional contractors and the media. Orlando and Francisco Riopedre, the dealer's owners, spoke about how important sustainability is to this new branch: "We are working with wind technology and recovering rainwater for internal use, such as washing and irrigation. It is a sustainability concept covering different areas". They added: "For us this project is a dream. It's almost 20 years of hard work, love for the brand from the start and passion for what we do." The Smart Dealer's objective is to become a meeting point for customers, with a culture fully focused on providing them with more personalized and valuable care. "Today is a historic day for us. We want our customers to have a different, innovative experience, and feel that the Smart Dealer is their second home," said Jefferson Kohler. New Holland opens new sustainable Smart Dealer View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from CNH Industrial on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: CNH Industrial Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/cnh-industrial Email: [email protected] SOURCE: CNH Industrial View source version on accesswire.com: VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / April 21, 2023 / Pampa Metals Corp. ("Pampa Metals" or the "Company") (CSE:PM) (FSE:FIRA) (OTCQB:PMMCF) advises that it has today cancelled 600,000 stock options held by directors and management and granted 750,000 incentive stock options to a consultant. The granted options have an exercise price of $0.21 and a 5-year term. ABOUT PAMPA METALS Pampa Metals is a Canadian company listed on the Canadian Stock Exchange (CSE:PM), and the Frankfurt (FSE:FIRA) and OTC (OTCQB:PMMCF) exchanges, which wholly owns a 47,400 hectare portfolio of seven projects highly prospective for copper, molybdenum and gold located along proven and highly productive mineral belts in Chile, one of the world's top mining jurisdictions. The Company is actively advancing its projects through systematic exploration and drill testing of the highest priority targets, with a current focus on the Buenavista target and the Block 4 project more broadly. The Company's vision is to create significant value for shareholders and stakeholders through the application of its technical and commercial expertise towards exploring for a major copper discovery along the prime mineral belts of Chile. For more information, please visit Pampa Metals' website www.pampametals.com. The latest Company Presentation can be accessed at https://pampametals.com/investor/. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Joseph van den Elsen | President & CEO INVESTORS CONTACT Joseph van den Elsen | President & CEO [email protected] Neither the CSE nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENT This news release contains certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical fact, that address events or developments that Pampa Metals expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will" or "may" occur. These statements are subject to various risks. Although Pampa Metals believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guaranteeing of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. SOURCE: Pampa Metals Corp. View source version on accesswire.com: VANCOUVER BC / ACCESSWIRE / April 21, 2023 / Veji Holdings Ltd.(CSE:VEJI) (OTC PINK:VEJIF) (the "Company'' or "Veji") is pleased to announce that, having received approval from the Supreme Court of British Columbia (Vernon Registry) for its Division I proposal pursuant to the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada), the Company intends to issue 25,726,146 common shares ("Settlement Shares") to its creditors to settle outstanding debt in the approximate amount of $4,000,000. Subject to the approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange, the Settlement Shares will be issued after 5 business days from the date of this press release. All Settlement Shares will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day from the date of issuance. About Veji Holdings Ltd. The Company is a reporting issuer in Canada and is listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol "VEJI" and on the OTC under the symbol "VEJIF". For more information please visit VejiHoldings.com ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Kory Zelickson Director and CEO For investor inquiries or further information, contact: [email protected] No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved of the contents of this news release. THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE (THE "CSE") HAS NEITHER APPROVED NOR DISAPPROVED THE CONTENTS OF THIS PRESS RELEASE. NEITHER THE CSE NOR ITS MARKET REGULATOR (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE CSE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This release includes forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of Canadian securities laws regarding VEJI and its business, including, without limitation, statements regarding the issuance of the Settlement Shares. Often, but not always, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "is expected", "expects", "scheduled", "intends", "contemplates", "anticipates", "believes", "proposes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Such statements are based on the current expectations of the management of VEJI and are based on assumptions and subject to risks and uncertainties. Although the management of VEJI believes that the assumptions underlying these statements are reasonable, they may prove to be incorrect. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release may not occur by certain specified dates or at all and could differ materially as a result of VEJI's failure to receive approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange and the risk factors identified in VEJI's most recently filed management's discussion and analysis and in other publicly filed documents under VEJI's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, as well as other unknown risks. Although VEJI has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements or information. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Except as required by applicable securities laws, forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and VEJI does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. SOURCE: Veji Holdings Ltd. View source version on accesswire.com: SINGAPORE--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of a- (Excellent) of Tower Limited (Tower) (New Zealand). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. The ratings reflect Towers balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management. Towers balance sheet strength assessment is underpinned by its risk-adjusted capitalisation, as measured by Bests Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), which was at the strongest level at fiscal year-end 2022 (30 September 2022). Despite a one-off share buyback and elevated dividend payout in fiscal year 2022, Tower has maintained robust regulatory solvency coverage and strongest risk-adjusted capitalisation as a result of prudent capital management. AM Best expects Towers risk-adjusted capitalisation to remain at least at the very strong level over the medium term. Other supporting factors include strong financial flexibility, a prudent reinsurance programme and a conservative investment strategy. Towers adequate operating performance assessment is supported by a weighted average return-on-equity ratio of 4.2% over the past five fiscal years (2018-2022). Over this period, operating earnings were driven predominantly by technical performance with typically low and stable investment income. In the first six months of fiscal year 2023, Towers underwriting results were impacted by several large weather events, including the Auckland Anniversary Weekend floods and Cyclone Gabrielle. However, the majority of the gross cost arising from these events are expected to be absorbed by Towers catastrophe excess-of-loss reinsurance treaty with no spill-over. AM Best expects Tower to report positive underwriting and operating results over the medium term, supported by appropriate risk selection and pricing, as well as positive investment return. Tower is a medium-sized non-life insurer that operates predominantly in New Zealand, with some operations in the Pacific Islands. Tower has a market share of 4% to 5% in New Zealands general insurance market and gross written premium of NZD 445.6 million (USD 253.8 million) in fiscal year 2022. The companys core product offerings are domestic home and motor insurance, typically distributed through direct channels and partnerships. Ratings are communicated to rated entities prior to publication. Unless stated otherwise, the ratings were not amended subsequent to that communication. This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Bests website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Bests Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Bests Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Bests Credit Ratings, Bests Performance Assessments, Bests Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Bests Ratings & Assessments. AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specialising in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com. Copyright 2023 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230421005282/en/ Ken Lau Senior Financial Analyst +65 6303 5025 [email protected] Christopher Sharkey Associate Director, Public Relations +1 908 439 2200, ext. 5159 [email protected] Yi Ding Senior Financial Analyst +65 6305 5021 [email protected] Al Slavin Senior Public Relations Specialist +1 908 439 2200, ext. 5098 [email protected] Source: AM Best HANGZHOU, China--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- According to figures certified by the China Environmental United Certification Center (CEC), Ant Group has once again achieved operational carbon neutrality (Scope 1 & 2) for the second consecutive year, following the companys initial achievement in 2021. This marks another concrete step for Ant Group towards fulfilling its pledge made in March 2021 to achieve net zero carbon emissions across Scope 1, 2 & 3 by 2030. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230420006073/en/ Through a combination of reduction, substitution and offset measures, Ant Group achieved carbon neutrality in Scope 1 & 2 in 2022. (Graphic: Business Wire) The Greenhouse Gas Protocol (Protocol) classifies a company's Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG) into Scope 1, 2 and 3. Based on the Protocol, Ant Group, in its Carbon Neutrality Road Map, released in April 2021, defined its GHG emissions scopes as follows: Scope 1: direct & fugitive emissions from the combustion of fossil fuel by the companys owned or controlled sources. Scope 2: indirect emissions from the consumption of purchased energy, such as heating or cooling networks. Scope 3: indirect emissions which occur in the company's value chain, such as emissions from the use of leased data centers, employees business travel and their daily commute. According to CEC certified figures, in 2022, after reductions and substitutions, Ant Group's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for Scope 1 & 2 totaled 21,087.93 tonnes of CO2e, which were fully offset by the companys purchase of carbon credits from a Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Project, namely the CECIC Gansu Yumen Changma No.3 Wind Farm Project (VCS Project No.728). CEC certified figures indicate that Ant Group reduced a total of 68,665.35 tonnes of CO2e across Scope 1, 2 & 3 in 2022, up 81% from 37,909.87 tonnes in 2021. This is equivalent to taking more than 28,000 cars off the road each year, assuming each car is driven 12,000 kilometers per year at 0.203 kilogram of CO2e per kilometer. The CEC was an official service provider to the 2022 Winter Olympics, helping the Olympic Committee measure the effectiveness of its carbon reduction efforts. This reduction was mainly due to the implementation of green computing technologies. These technologies reduced about 62,000 tonnes of CO2e, which accounted for more than 99% of all carbon emissions reduced in Scope 3 during 2022. This was a 110% improvement over the 30,000 tonnes of CO2e that green computing technologies reduced in 2021. At Ant Group, we believe a companys commercial value creation should go hand in hand with social value creation, said Yijie Peng, Chief Sustainability Officer of Ant Group. Technological innovations has always been an important pathway for us to achieve this goal. We are committed to reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2030 and will continue to explore innovative ways to help reduce our carbon footprint and that of the industry. Ant Group has been developing and adopting green computing technologies since 2019. These technologies include Green AI, a series of technologies such as elastic management, GPU memory pooling and virtualization, which make large-scale model training more efficient. For example, ATorch, Ant Group's PyTorch extension library, can double the utilization rate of AI computing power in large GPU cluster configurations compared to Megatron-DeepSpeed, an opensource deep learning optimization software suite. The use of ATorch has led to energy efficiency gains and carbon emission reductions for AI model training operations, which the company uses to iterate its AI-based products and services for better customer experience. Ant Group also uses other green computing technologies, such as online-offline hybrid deployment, cloud-native time-shared scheduling, AI-based auto scaling, and OceanBase enterprise-level distributed relational database to help improve energy efficiency of data centers. In 2022, Ant Group joined the Low Carbon Patent Pledge and granted free patent access to its green computing technologies. The CECs carbon neutrality certificate for Ant Group for the year 2022 is publicly available on the Information Platform for Carbon Neutrality, which is affiliated with the Environmental Development Center of Chinas Ministry of Ecology and Environment. About Ant Group Ant Group aims to create the infrastructure and platform to support the digital transformation of the service industry. It strives to enable all consumers and small and micro businesses to have equal access to financial and other services that are inclusive, green and sustainable. For more information, please visit our website at www.antgroup.com or follow us on Twitter @AntGroup. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230420006073/en/ Media Enquiries Zhumei WANG [email protected] Source: Ant Group AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Blue Sage Capital (Blue Sage) is pleased to announce its recently completed investment in NexGen Financial (NexGen or the Company) in partnership with Four Point Capital Advisors (Four Point). Founded in 2018, NexGen provides flexible capital solutions to debt settlement companies. The cash infusions from NexGen allow debt settlement companies to finance customer acquisition costs and maintain operations without sacrificing growth goals. Further, NexGens deep understanding of the industry and flexible capital solution makes them a highly strategic partner to their customers. The investment from Blue Sage will serve as primary growth capital on NexGens balance sheet to accelerate growth. NexGens Founder and President, James Shanahan, commented, Partnering with Blue Sage and Four Point will enable us to meet the demands of our debt settlement partners that are rapidly growing in the current macroeconomic environment. By leveraging Blue Sage and Four Points resources and strategic support, NexGen will be positioned to grow with our existing partners, begin supporting new partners, and expand our service offerings and analytical insight capabilities. Jonathan Pearce, Partner at Blue Sage, stated, We are excited to partner with James Shanahan and Drew Jackson at NexGen as well as Danny Totah at Four Point to support the Company, which is entering an inflection point in its growth trajectory. We are impressed with NexGens ability to offer a unique capital solution to its partners while maintaining a highly scalable business model. Given the Companys deep and robust experience in the debt settlement space, we believe they are uniquely positioned to expand their partnerships with existing and new customers during a time of rapid growth. Blue Sage was represented in the transaction by Queen Saenz + Schutz PLLC (Legal). About Blue Sage Blue Sage Capital is an Austin, Texas-based private equity firm that has been investing in profitable, growing, lower middle-market companies since 2002. Blue Sage currently has over $400 million of assets under management and seeks to partner with founders, families, and management teams as the first round of institutional capital for businesses that enjoy leadership positions in niche manufacturing, environmental solutions, or specialty services industries. Blue Sage typically invests $20 million to $40 million in control buyout investments and recapitalizations of companies with $20 million to $200 million of revenue. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230418005239/en/ For questions or inquiries, please contact: Jonathan Pearce ([email protected]) or Joe Haddad ([email protected]). Source: Blue Sage Capital New GUARDIAN-Heart dataset presented at the 43rd ISHLT Annual Meeting & Scientific Sessions demonstrates that the Paragonix SherpaPak significantly reduced the likelihood of Severe Primary Graft Dysfunction, a life-threatening complication shown to diminish patient survival rates. CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Paragonix Technologies, Inc., a leading organ transplant company, announces that the latest clinical report of over 1,000 transplant patients studied in the GUARDIAN-Heart Registry was presented at the 2023 ISHLT Annual Meeting & Scientific Sessions. GUARDIAN clinical investigators and 21 independent transplant centers presented extensive findings in over 20 presentations throughout the conference, detailing the impact of advanced donor heart preservation and the clinical benefits that transplant recipients experienced with the use of the Paragonix SherpaPak Cardiac Transport System. The conclusions of multiple research presentations highlighted that the use of a Paragonix SherpaPak system is associated with a reduction in common post-transplant complications, as well as an increase in survival rates. Notably, the most impactful results consistently demonstrate a significant reduction in Severe Primary Graft Dysfunction (PGD), a serious post-transplant complication. Dr. Andreas Zuckermann, a renowned cardiothoracic surgeon at the University of Vienna (Austria), also presented data at the conference showing that patients who experience Severe PGD after a heart transplant have an over 677% or almost 8 times higher risk of mortality (p= The findings of this analysis confirm our hypothesis that Primary Graft Dysfunction, especially Severe PGD, can have a notable and potentially hazardous effect on the survival of heart transplant recipients, both in the immediate post-operative period and at the 1-year mark. It will be very interesting to evaluate longer follow-up to estimate the impact on long term survival, said Dr. Andreas Zuckermann. During the conference, Dr. David D'Alessandro, US Principal Investigator of the GUARDIAN study, Associate Chief of Clinical Operations in Cardiac Surgery, and Associate Professor of Surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital, presented data showing that the Paragonix SherpaPak reduced the incidence of Severe PGD by 36% in a study of over 1000 patients. Further analysis revealed that the rate of reduction increased to over 50% in over 550 patients who were propensity matched based on donor characteristics.2 Multiple other presentations that examined subpopulations of the GUARDIAN-Heart Registry also demonstrated a consistent trend of decreased incidence of Severe Primary Graft Dysfunction (PGD) and improved post-transplant outcomes, including: Extended Criteria Donors3 (Donor Pool Expansion) 36% reduction in all post-transplant MCS (p=0.012) 49% reduction in newly placed ECMO/VAD post-transplant (p=0.03) 45% reduction in PGD (p=0.015) 55% reduction in Severe PGD (p=0.02) Long Ischemic Times4 (Over 4 Hours Ischemic Time) 43% reduction in all post-transplant MCS (p=0.019) 53% reduction in new ECMO/VAD post-transplant (0.045) Older Reciptents5 (Over 50 Years) 51% reduction in Severe PGD (p=0.01) 46% reduction in new ECMO/VAD post-transplant (p=0.01) LVAD Patients6 61% reduction in Severe PGD (p=0.01) 60% reduction in new ECMO/VAD post-transplant (p=0.012) The data was collected retrospectively from medical records of patients already transplanted before the initiation of the GUARDIAN-Heart registry, and any new patients who met the eligibility criteria. Study results indicate that the use of the Paragonix SherpaPak represents one of the very few modifiable factors available to transplant physicians to decrease the probability of Severe PGD.2 The researchers discovered that in many cases, advanced organ preservation with the Paragonix SherpaPak, as opposed to ice storage, is the sole controllable variable for preventing Severe PGD.2 After analyzing the results from 1,000 heart transplant recipients, we can now say with more confidence than ever that the Paragonix SherpaPak has proven benefits in reducing Severe PGD, which is a serious and dangerous post-surgical complication following a heart transplant," said Dr. David D'Alessandro. "The wealth of data pointing to the clinical benefit of the Paragonix SherpaPak should urge the clinical community to consider how organ preservation methodologies may impact patient outcomes. Our research continues to provide key insights into how transplant surgeons can utilize the Paragonix SherpaPak system to improve the standard of care, said Dr. Lisa Anderson, CEO and President of Paragonix Technologies. Now, in the United States more than 40% of heart transplant centers and a large number in Europe have adopted this advanced technology with the goal to improve the quality of life that heart transplant patients deserve to experience. At Paragonix, our relentless efforts to advance clinical research in donor organ preservation are driven by our commitment to improving the lives of both current and future organ transplant patients. About Paragonix Technologies Paragonix Technologies is a leading developer, manufacturer, and service provider in the organ transplant industry, establishing a novel approach to preservation that represents a significant improvement over the traditional standard of care. Paragonix Advanced Organ Preservation devices combine clinically-proven, stable cooling techniques with digital tracking and monitoring technologies to provide clinicians complete control and oversight throughout the donor organ journey. The clinical impact of Paragonix preservation technology is reinforced by the GUARDIAN clinical registries, the largest database of organ preservation data in the world that analyzes post-transplant outcomes in transplant recipients. For more information, visit www.paragonix.com. Follow us on Twitter: @ParagonixSherpa Connect with us on LinkedIn: Paragonix Technologies Like Us on Facebook: Paragonix SherpaPak Zuckermann et al., ISHLT Presentation 2023, Data on file DAlessandro et al., ISHLT Presentation 2023, Data on file Moayedifar et al., ISHLT Presentation 2023, Data on file Takeda et al., ISHLT Presentation 2023, Data on file Copeland et al., ISHLT Presentation 2023, Data on file Lerman et al., ACC Moderated Poster 2023, Data on file Disclaimer Comparison of Paragonix SherpaPak to Ice Storage, Paragonix data on file. GUARDIAN is a registered clinical study (NCT04141605) funded and administered by Paragonix Technologies. At the time of this analysis, GUARDIAN contained data from 21 sites on 1013 patients (453 ice transports and 560 Paragonix SherpaPak CTS transports). The data from the registry is descriptive, not statistically powered, and not pre-specified. The information should be interpreted accordingly. Paragonix SherpaPak Indications for Use The Paragonix SherpaPak Cardiac Transport System is intended to be used for the static hypothermic preservation of hearts during transportation and eventual transplantation into a recipient using cold storage solutions indicated for use with the heart. The intended organ storage time for the Paragonix SherpaPak Cardiac Transport System is up to 4 hours. Donor hearts exceeding clinically accepted static hypothermic preservation times should be evaluated by the transplant surgeon to determine transplantability in accordance with accepted clinical guidelines and in the best medical interest of the intended recipient. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230421005327/en/ Media: Adam Lafreniere, Sr. Director, Marketing [email protected] L-427 Rev. 0 Source: Paragonix Technologies, Inc. OLDSMAR, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Cryo-Cell International, Inc. (NYSE American LLC: CCEL ) (the Company), the worlds first private cord blood bank to separate and store stem cells in 1992, announced results for the fiscal first quarter ended February 28, 2023. Financial Results Revenue The revenues for the first quarter of fiscal 2023 were $7.82 million compared to $7.26 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2022. The revenues for the first quarter of fiscal 2023 consisted of $7.56 million in processing and storage fee revenue, $32,000 in product revenue and approximately $231,000 in public banking revenue compared to $7.16 million in processing and storage fees, approximately $18,000 in product revenue and approximately $83,000 in public banking revenue for the first quarter of fiscal 2022. Net Income The Company reported net income of approximately $767,000 or $0.09 per basic and diluted common share for the three months ended February 28, 2023 compared to net income of approximately $832,000, or $0.10 per basic and diluted common share for the same period in 2022. Net income for the three months ended February 28, 2023 resulted from an 8% increase in revenue, a 2% decrease in cost of sales and a 15% increase in selling, general and administrative expenses. Also, for the three months ended February 28, 2023, the Company recorded a decrease of approximately $165,000 to the fair value of the contingent consideration compared to a decrease of approximately $116,000 to the fair value of the contingent consideration for the three months ended February 28, 2022. The contingent consideration is the current valuation of the potential earnout that Cord:Use Cord Blood Bank, Inc. is entitled to from the Companys sale of the public cord blood inventory from and after closing of the acquisition of substantially all of Cord:Uses assets. About Cryo-Cell International, Inc. Founded in 1989, Cryo-Cell International, Inc. is the worlds first private cord blood bank. More than 500,000 parents from 87 countries have entrusted Cryo-Cell International with their babys cord blood and cord tissue stem cells. In addition to its private bank, Cryo-Cell International has a public banking program in partnership with Duke University. Cryo-Cells public bank has provided cord blood for more than 600 transplantations and operates cord blood donation sites across the U.S in prominent hospitals such as CedarsSinai Hospital in Los Angeles and Baptist Hospital in Miami. Cryo-Cells facility is FDA registered, cGMP-/cGTP-compliant and licensed in all states requiring licensure. Besides being AABB accredited as a cord blood facility, Cryo-Cell was also the first U.S. (for private use only) cord blood bank to receive FACT accreditation for adhering to the most stringent cord blood quality standards set by any internationally recognized, independent accrediting organization. Cryo-Cell has the exclusive rights to PrepaCyte-CB, the industrys most advanced cord blood processing technology. Cryo-Cells mission is to provide the premier cord blood and cord tissue cryopreservation services, to develop, manufacture and administer cellular therapies to significantly improve the lives of patients worldwide and to offer the highest quality and most cost effective biostorage solutions available. In February 2021, Cryo-Cell entered into a license agreement with Duke University that the Company believes has allowed Cryo-Cell to begin its transformation into an autonomous, vertically integrated cellular therapy company. In March 2022, Cryo-Cell launched ExtraVault to offer its expertise in biostorage and distribution to biopharmaceutical companies and healthcare institutions. For more information, please visit (www.extravault.com). Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act). In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as will, may, should, could, would, expects, plans, anticipates, believes, estimates, predicts, forecasts, potential or continue or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Generally, the words anticipate, believe, continue, expect, intend, estimate, project, plan and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. In particular, statements about our expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance contain forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and reflect only our current views, expectations and assumptions with respect to future events and our future performance. If risks or uncertainties materialize or assumptions prove incorrect, actual results or events could differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Risks that could cause actual results to differ from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements we make include, among others, risks related to: the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our sales, operations and supply chain, the success of the Companys global expansion initiatives and product diversification, including its addition of the ExtraVault services, the Companys actual future ownership stake in future therapies emerging from its collaborative research partnerships, the success related to its IP portfolio, the Companys future competitive position in stem cell innovation, future success of its core business and the competitive impact of public cord blood banking on the Companys business, the success of the Companys initiative to expand its core business units to include biopharmaceutical manufacturing and operating clinics, the uncertainty of profitability from its biopharmaceutical manufacturing and operating clinics, the Companys ability to minimize future costs to the Company related to R&D initiatives and collaborations and the success of such initiatives and collaborations and the success and enforceability of the Companys umbilical cord blood and cord tissue license agreements, together with the associated intellectual property and their ability to provide the Company with royalty fees, along with the Risk Factors set forth in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 28, 2023. This list of risks and uncertainties, however, is only a summary of some of the most important factors and is not intended to be exhaustive. Given these risks and uncertainties, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties may cause our actual future results to be materially different than those expressed in our forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof. Except as otherwise required by applicable law, we do not undertake and expressly disclaim any obligation to update any such statements or to publicly announce the results of any revisions to any such statements to reflect future events or developments. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us, or to persons acting on our behalf, are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230421005094/en/ Irene Smith 813-749-2102 [email protected] Source: Cryo-Cell International, Inc. NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- DoubleVerify (DV) (NYSE: DV), a leading software platform for digital media measurement, data and analytics, announced that its 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders will be held on June 1, 2023 at 10 a.m. ET in a virtual only format. Stockholders of record as of the close of business on April 10, 2023 will be able to attend, vote and ask questions during the meeting through the online platform. To access the online platform, such stockholders may visit https://web.lumiagm.com/223761380, enter the password doubleverify2023 and log in with their control number. About DoubleVerify DoubleVerify is a leading software platform for digital media measurement and analytics. Our mission is to make the digital advertising ecosystem stronger, safer and more secure, thereby preserving the fair value exchange between buyers and sellers of digital media. Hundreds of Fortune 500 advertisers employ our unbiased data and analytics to drive campaign quality and effectiveness, and to maximize return on their digital advertising investments globally. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230421005325/en/ Investor Relations Tejal Engman DoubleVerify [email protected] Media Chris Harihar Crenshaw Communications 646-535-9475 [email protected] Source: DoubleVerify Innovative amenities offer a premium fitness experience at an affordable price in the Southeast Valley QUEEN CREEK, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The doors to the newest EoS Fitness in Arizona are now open, welcoming exercise practitioners of all levels, ages and abilities to the brand-new, 40,000 square-foot Queen Creek gym stacked with premium amenities and something for everyone. Located at 20722 E Riggs Rd, EoS newest High Value. Low Price. (HVLP) gym is its first location to open in the rapidly growing community of Queen Creek and its 28th location in the state, offering cutting-edge fitness technology to optimize workouts, along with dedicated recovery spaces to keep members feeling rested and rejuvenated. EoS has long been a staple in the Arizona fitness scene and were eager to bring our amenity-rich, high-energy fitness experience to members in Queen Creek, said Richard Idgar, COO, EoS Fitness. As we celebrate our newest location in the state, we welcome new members to the EoS community with open arms as they challenge themselves to new fitness feats. The Queen Creek location features EoS Smart Strength Equipment, a seven-piece smart technology line that personalizes each members workout to their fitness level and goals. The gym features multiple recovery spaces including The Tank, with professional grade stretch tables, percussion massagers and compression boots, and a Recovery Room designed for relaxation with massage chairs and a CryoLounge, EoS newest, coolest recovery amenity. Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, EoS memberships start at $9.99/month, providing access to premium amenities, including a variety of group fitness and cycle classes; the MOVEoS Cinema, where members can work out in a movie theatre setting; The EoS Yard, an indoor turf functional training area; The EoS Kids Club; an indoor lap pool; expert personal trainers and more. For more information or to join, visit: EoSFitness.com. About EoS Fitness EoS Fitness, a leader in the fitness industry with its High Value. Low Price. (HVLP) gyms, is an inclusive and welcoming organization committed to empowering exercise practitioners of all experience levels. With more than 100 locations open or on the way in Arizona, Florida, Nevada, Southern California, Texas and Utah, EoS Fitness is rapidly expanding. Providing serious fitness options, EoS Fitness offers the best equipment, high-energy workout classes, and extensive personal training options starting at just $9.99 per month. www.eosfitness.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230421005088/en/ Melissa Rue [email protected] 208-850-5939 Source: EoS Fitness CANBERRA, April 21 (Xinhua) -- A protein found inside the immune system could be key to defeating flesh-eating bacteria, Australian scientists have found. In a new study, a team from Australian National University (ANU) found that the protein NLRP3 can be weaponized against Clostridium perfringens -- a bacteria that is a common cause of food poisoning but that can also be responsible for deadly infections including gangrene. In severe cases, the bacteria produces two toxins -- one that punches a hole in the surface of a cell and the other that damages its internal structures. The research described NLRP3's ability to detect the toxins, comparing it to a fire detector. However, they found that the protein can become overactive and trigger a disproportionate response from the body, leading to safety mechanisms shutting down and life-threatening conditions such as sepsis. The scientists, led by Anukriti Mathur and Callum Kay from the ANU John Curtin School of Medical Research (JCSMR), used drugs to dampen the response triggered by NLRP3, allowing them to decipher molecular mechanisms responsible for the alarm. They say by better understanding the mechanisms new therapies could be developed to defeat the bacteria. "The death rate of muscle necrosis, which is caused by Clostridium perfringens, remains alarmingly high, exceeding 50 percent," Mathur said in a media release on Thursday. "By understanding the role NLRP3 plays in detecting these deadly toxins and the defensive mechanisms it activates to protect the body, we can start to develop new techniques that target the protein and 'dampen' its overactive response." "This would not only help prevent the body from triggering extreme and potentially deadly reactions to infection, but it could also help us find new ways to outsmart the bacteria and potentially develop new treatments," said the scientist. IRVING, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Exxon Mobil Corporation will release first quarter 2023 financial results on Friday, April 28, 2023. A press release will be issued via Business Wire and available at 5:30 a.m. CT at www.exxonmobil.com. Darren Woods, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer; Kathy Mikells, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer; and Jennifer Driscoll, Vice President of Investor Relations, will review the results during a live conference call at 7:30 a.m. CT. The presentation can be accessed via webcast or by calling (888)-516-2433 (United States) or (929)-477-0431 (International). Please reference confirmation code 9075155 to join the call. An archive replay of the call and a copy of the presentation with accompanying supplemental financial data will be available at investor.exxonmobil.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230421005300/en/ ExxonMobil Media Relations (972) 940-6007 Source: Exxon Mobil Corporation PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE: FCX) today announced that it has posted its first-quarter 2023 financial and operating results press release on the Investor Relations page of its website at https://investors.fcx.com/investors/news-releases. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230420006060/en/ As previously indicated on its website, FCX will host a conference call today with securities analysts at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss quarterly results. The conference call will be webcast on the Internet along with slides. Interested parties may listen to the conference call live and view the slides on the Investor Relations page of FCXs website at https://investors.fcx.com/investors/presentations. A replay of the webcast will be available through Friday, May 19, 2023. FREEPORT: Foremost in Copper FCX is a leading international mining company with headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona. FCX operates large, long-lived, geographically diverse assets with significant proven and probable reserves of copper, gold and molybdenum. FCX is one of the worlds largest publicly traded copper producers. FCXs portfolio of assets includes the Grasberg minerals district in Indonesia, one of the worlds largest copper and gold deposits; and significant mining operations in North America and South America, including the large-scale Morenci minerals district in Arizona and the Cerro Verde operation in Peru. By supplying responsibly produced copper, FCX is proud to be a positive contributor to the world well beyond its operational boundaries. Additional information about FCX is available on FCX's website at fcx.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230420006060/en/ Financial Contact: David P. Joint (504) 582-4203 Media Contact: Linda S. Hayes (602) 366-7824 Source: Freeport-McMoRan Inc. Acquisition Will Allow FullBeauty to Launch a New Digital Mall with Fashion Authority ELOQUII as its Anchor Tenant along with SwimsuitsForAll and June+Vie. NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- FullBeauty announced today that it has agreed to acquire plus-size fashion authority ELOQUII Inc. from Walmart. ELOQUIIs mission to inspire positive change through the transformative power of fashion complements FullBeauty, a first mover in inclusive sizing, proudly inclusive since 1901 where we like to say, We were inclusive before anyone was looking. FullBeauty Brands offers an incredible breadth of sizing with apparel from 12W to 44W, bras in bands from 30 to 58 and cups from A to O, footwear in medium, wide and wide-wide, and more. The acquisition will allow FullBeauty Brands to further expand its presence in the $81B women's plus-sized sector in the United States, which is growing three times faster than the broader womens apparel market. More than half of women ages 18-65 in the U.S. wear size 14 or higher, and these customers have been historically underserved, with clothing limited by its lack of fashion, lack of fit, or both. ELOQUII specifically caters to this customer with expertise in both fashion and technical design. Founded 12 years ago, ELOQUII is a digitally native vertical brand that offers fashion and on-trend apparel starting at size 14 exclusively through its website and select wholesale accounts. ELOQUII has evolved into a leading fashion authority and has maintained a cult following by offering on-trend, fast-fashion clothing. ELOQUII adds fresh, new runway-inspired styles and introduces new collections and influencer collaborations regularly. As at FullBeauty, ELOQUII is fit obsessed, positing that the difference between like and love is the perfect fit. Data-driven ELOQUII has a direct connection with its customers that drives how products are developed, marketed and how the brand comes to life in an authentic way. Both FullBeauty and the ELOQUII team expect this to be the same ELOQUII that customers know and love. To be that same ELOQUII who will continue to listen to its customers and uniquely deliver for them. Following the acquisition, ELOQUII will become the anchor tenant in a new FullBeauty digital mall, joined initially by SwimSuitsForAll and June+Vie. Building from this nucleus, FullBeauty intends to accelerate its growth with this younger diverse demographic. FullBeautys current digital mall will continue to house the brand websites of WomanWithin, Roamans, Catherines, Jessica London, Ellos, KingSize, Brylane Home, and OneStopPlus. The innovative universal cart technology allows shoppers to browse and buy from all the digital malls brands and product lines in one seamless shopping cart with a single convenient checkout. "ELOQUII is a great success story with very loyal customers that will now become part of the FullBeauty family of brands," said Jim Fogarty, FullBeautys CEO. "This strategic acquisition complements our brands perfectly and allows us to leverage our scale and platform to support ELOQUII and our shared mission, and thereby accelerate our growth with this important demographic. Our approach was critical to our recent successful acquisition and integration of Catherines and will be here as well. While we hope to bring scale and platform expertise to bear, we will also humbly be learning from Julie and the talented ELOQUII team, who are the soul of the ELOQUII brand DNA, and who fortunately are joining us on this next phase of the ELOQUII journey. "We're thrilled to become part of this great company and to have found a partner that supports our vision for ELOQUII," said Julie Carnevale, co-founder and Brand Leader. "ELOQUII is here today because of its customers. With FullBeauty's scale and platform, more customers will learn about ELOQUII as we continue to provide our existing customers with the great products and exceptional service they've come to expect from us." The acquisition is subject to certain customary closing conditions. About FULLBEAUTY Brands, Inc. FULLBEAUTY Brands, Inc. is the industry leader in extended sizes and a pioneer in size inclusive fashions for plus-size women and big & tall men seeking fashion inspiration, style advice, and clothing tailored to their individual needs. Beginning in 1901 with a mission to serve the plus sized customer, the companys mission continues over 120 years later. The FULLBEAUTY Brands family of premier fashion websites includes OneStopPlus, the worlds first and largest online shopping destination for plus-size women, Catherines, WomanWithin, Jessica London, Roamans, SwimSuitsForAll, Ellos, Active For All, Shoes For All, Intimates For All, KingSize, Brylane Home, and FullBeauty Outlet, collectively offering more than 100 individual brands. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230421005125/en/ Media Relations: ICR, Inc. [email protected] Source: FULLBEAUTY Brands, Inc. SAB Strengthens GL CHEMTECs Mission of Being the Trusted North American CDMO for Small Molecule R&D, Scale-Up and Integrated Drug Delivery Solutions OAKVILLE, Ontario--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- GL CHEMTEC (GLC), a specialist in advanced chemistry R&D and scale-up services to support Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) development, and the development of advanced materials for drug delivery, medical devices, and other life science applications, today announced the formation of its Scientific Advisory Board comprised of distinguished leaders in Small Molecule R&D (Chemistry/Biology), Process Development & Scale-Up, Green Chemistry, Medical Devices and Drug Delivery. Lisa Studnicki Hunt, Ph.D., COO and Co-Founder of GLC commented, We are proud and honoured to introduce GL CHEMTECs inaugural SAB. This is a team of world leaders in their respective fields who bring a wealth of experience to our company during our next phase of growth. We cant thank these outstanding individuals enough for committing their time and expertise to GL CHEMTECs success. Gamil Alhakimi, Ph.D., MBA, CEO and Co-Founder of GLC commented, It is a great privilege to welcome our distinguished Scientific Advisory Board members to the GL CHEMTEC family. Their vast experience and accomplishments in various scientific disciplines will be invaluable in supporting our dedication to innovation and growth within Small Molecule R&D, Scale-Up, and Integrated Drug Delivery Solutions. Their collaboration with our team will ensure we remain at the forefront of the industry, providing our clients with unparalleled expertise and cutting-edge solutions for years to come. The founding members of the GL CHEMTEC Scientific Advisory Board are: Dr. John Warner is one of the cofounders of the field of green chemistry, coauthoring the defining text Green Chemistry: Theory and Practice and articulating the 12 principles of green chemistry with Paul Anastas. John has over 100 publications providing foundational work in the fields of noncovalent derivatization, polymer photochemistry, metal oxide semiconductors and synthetic organic chemistry. John received his BS in Chemistry from UMASS Boston, and his PhD in Chemistry from Princeton University. After working at the Polaroid Corporation for nearly a decade, he then served as tenured full professor at UMASS Boston and Lowell (Chemistry and Plastics Engineering). Dr. Mark Hellberg retired from Novartis where he built a Chemical Technologies group that developed an integrated model of chemical innovation as a key component of the discovery process spanning hit expansion through candidate advancement. Prior to joining Novartis, Mark was the Head of Research Chemistry at Alcon where he was responsible for medicinal chemistry, research, analytical and scale-up teams (initial synthesis through Phase 1 GMP material). He spent over 20 years at Alcon initially leading internal medicinal chemistry teams and ultimately serving as a member of both research and development governance boards representing all aspects of research chemistry. At Alcon he gained board experience in all aspects of ophthalmic drug discovery. Dr. Wolf-Ulrich Nickel has a PhD. In Organic Chemistry, which he earned at the University of Hamburg/Germany. After a Postdoc at ETH in Zurich/CH he entered the pharmaceutical industry in R&D area as his professional calling. From lab director in medicinal chemistry to research team leader, then project manager and later global program director, he contributed and was responsible for more than 40 drug development programs in ten therapeutic areas. He worked with increasing responsibilities and extended geographic foot print at companies Hoechst AG, HMR, Aventis, Kyowa-Kirin, Celgene and lately at Alcon and Novartis. Key areas were Ophthalmology/Otolaringology, Cardio-Metabolic-Renal, Neuroscience and Inflammatory diseases. Dr. Nickel contributed to more than forty patent applications and authored several academic and industrial publications with focus on chemistry and presented case studies at several project management and clinical association conferences. He retired recently from Novartis Pharmaceutical Corporation in US and continued to serve as consultant for program strategy reviews and scientific advisory boards. Dr. Rob Larsen is an organic chemist having received his BS degree in Chemistry from the University of Michigan-Dearborn and his PhD in Organic Chemistry with Professor Joseph P. Marino at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor in 1982. He worked in the pharmaceutical industry for over 39 years in the area of Process Research & Development at Merck, Amgen, Alcon and Novartis having retired from Novartis in 2021. He rose through the ranks of Process R&D achieving the position of Executive Director. Over his career he was on the development teams that lead to the commercialization of rizatriptan, losartan, montelukast, etoricoxib, aprepitant, and finafloxacin. He is a co-author on 95 papers, 11 review articles and was the Book Editor for Topics in Organometallic Chemistry, Organometallics in Process Chemistry, Volume 6. His interests over his career covered heterocyclic chemistry, organometallics, in particular the application of palladium in processes, and biocatalysis. Dr. Kasey Minick has forty-one years of hands-on experience with Pharmaceutical (NDA & ANDA), OTC (Dry Eye, Ophthalmic Tears, Allergy, Vitamins, Oral liquids) and Medical Device (Contact Lenses and Contact Lens Care) Formulation Research and Development, Formulation Process Development and Engineering, Technical Transfer (R&D to Manufacturing), Product Registration and Project Management of full-scale Pharmaceutical and/or Medical Device projects from NCE/pre-clinical research to POC (proof of concept) through clinical studies to commercial transfer and commercial registration and product launch. Dr. Minick is a Pharm.D. and has worked for Alcon, CIBA Vision, Cardinal Health and Novartis. Dr. David Mangelsdorf is Professor and Chair of the Department of Pharmacology at UT Southwestern Medical Center and Investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. He holds the Alfred G. Gilman Distinguished Chair in Pharmacology and Raymond and Ellen Willie Distinguished Chair in Molecular Neuropharmacology. He is also an elected member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences. Dr. Mangelsdorf is a molecular biologist and world leader in nuclear receptor and endocrine FGF signaling. Together with his scientific partner Steven Kliewer, he has discovered several of the orphan nuclear receptors, identified their hormonal ligands, and demonstrated their importance as therapeutic targets. About GL CHEMTEC: For almost 20 years, GL CHEMTEC (GLC) has been a leading chemistry-based CRO supporting the pharmaceutical industry and broader Life Sciences sector. GLC specializes in advanced multi-step organic synthesis, process R&D, and scale-up services to support API development, as well as advanced materials for medical devices, drug delivery, and other Life Science applications. GLC has a particular focus on the development of new bio-based materials inspired by the 12 Principles of Green Chemistry. Operating from two modern, North American-based facilities, GLC has the experience and capabilities to deliver materials ranging from milligrams to hundreds of kilos. GLC is the partner of choice from small emerging Biotechs to Big Pharma and other Life Science organizations, and is recognized for its speed and client-centric business model. Visit us at www.glchemtec.ca. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230421005290/en/ GLC Contact: Lisa Studnicki Hunt COO [email protected] Phone: (416) 803-5358 Source: GL CHEMTEC WALTHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Global Partners LP (NYSE: GLP) (the Partnership) today announced that it will release its first-quarter 2023 financial results before the market opens on Friday, May 5, 2023. At 10:00 a.m. ET, the Partnership will conduct a conference call for investors and analysts hosted by Eric Slifka, President and Chief Executive Officer, Gregory B. Hanson, Chief Financial Officer, and Mark Romaine, Chief Operating Officer. The call can be accessed by dialing (877) 709-8155 (U.S. and Canada) or (201) 689-8881 (International). The live and archived audio replay of the conference call can be accessed by visiting the Events & Presentations section of the Investors portion of the Global Partners website, https://ir.globalp.com. About Global Partners LP With approximately 1,700 locations primarily in the Northeast, Global Partners is one of the regions largest independent owners, suppliers and operators of gasoline stations and convenience stores. Global also owns, controls or has access to one of the largest terminal networks in New England and New York, through which it distributes gasoline, distillates, residual oil and renewable fuels to wholesalers, retailers and commercial customers. In addition, Global engages in the transportation of petroleum products and renewable fuels by rail from the mid-continental U.S. and Canada. Global, a master limited partnership, trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol GLP. For additional information, visit www.globalp.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230420005827/en/ Gregory B. Hanson Chief Financial Officer Global Partners LP (781) 894-8800 Sean T. Geary Chief Legal Officer and Secretary Global Partners LP (781) 894-8800 Source: Global Partners LP SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Guild Holdings Company (NYSE: GHLD), a growth-oriented mortgage company that employs a relationship-based loan sourcing strategy to execute on its mission of delivering the promise of homeownership, today announced that it will release results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2023 after the market close on Monday, May 8, 2023. Management will host a webcast and conference call at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on May 8, 2023 to discuss the financial first quarter ended March 31, 2023. To access the live webcast please log onto Guild Holdings Investor Relations website at: https://ir.guildmortgage.com/. The conference call can be accessed by using the following dial-in information: 1-877-300-8521 (Domestic) 1-412-317-6026 (International) A replay of the call will also be available on the Company's website after the live call through May 22, 2023. To access the replay, dial 1-844-512-2921 (Domestic) or 1-412-317-6671 (International). The replay pin number is 10176707. The replay can also be accessed at https://ir.guildmortgage.com/. About Guild Holdings Company Guild is a growth-oriented mortgage company that employs a relationship-based loan sourcing strategy to execute on its mission of delivering the promise of homeownership in neighborhoods and communities across the United States. Guild was established in 1960 and is licensed in 49 states plus the District of Columbia. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230421005099/en/ Investors: [email protected] 858-956-5130 Media: Melissa Rue Nuffer, Smith, Tucker [email protected] 619-296-0605 Ext. 247 Source: Guild Holdings Company Ribbon Cutting with Residents Celebrates Modernization and Efficiency, Both at the Forefront of Recent Updates WARWICK, R.I.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- With quality of life as a top priority for Fort Polk leadership, Corvias, a solutions provider to the Department of Defense, proves to be a valued Army partner dedicated to housing and infrastructure enhancements. At the same location, Corvias Property Management continues its award-winning commitment to operate, maintain and provide service to the more than 4,800 residents of on-base housing at Fort Polk. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230420005283/en/ Corvias joined Army leadership to cut the ribbon on the renovated Berkley Court home. Pictured left to right: Col. Smith, Army Housing Officer Betty Beinkemper, Brigadier General Gardner, Staff Sgt. Brody Gragg, Pete Sims, Corvias DoD Managing Director, Kirk Green, Corvias Operations Director and Command Sgt.Maj. David Hanson. (Photo: Business Wire) In 2021, Corvias announced a commitment to perform more than $92M worth of housing upgrades to Fort Polk by 2024. As part of that commitment, today the company, along with its Army partner, celebrated the delivery of 22 newly renovated homes during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Berkley Court. Guests at the event included Brigadier General Gardner, Command Sgt. Major Devereaux, Col. Vaseliades, Staff Sergeant Brody Gragg and Corvias leaders Pete Sims, DoD Managing Director and Kirk Green, Operations Director. After sharing a few words, attendees were able to walk through the home to see upgrades and details firsthand. Local residents also stopped by the event to connect with other guests and enjoy refreshments. As a long-term Army partner, we are fully invested in providing quality homes for our military families. After a long trip from Alaska, we welcome Staff Sergeant Brody Gragg and his family not only to Fort Polk, but also to a house that they can be proud to call home, said Pete Sims. From new countertops, cabinets, flooring, appliances, light fixtures, windows and doors on the interior to exterior upgrades like new roofs, porches and walkways, these homes received a variety of extensive renovations. Both the interiors and exteriors received a fresh coat of paint, as well. Geothermal heating and cooling pump upgrades will also significantly reduce the communitys carbon footprint. Additional road and driveway improvements, as well as modifications to allow for better drainage, strengthened the communitys infrastructure. Corvias future Fort Polk improvements include playground updates, and both medium and major home renovations and a 13MW ground-mount solar project. This work is part of both short- and long-term capital improvement plans, as well as through partnership savings created by utilities and water efficiency programs that reduce expenses and fund additional improvements. Corvias will continue to reinvest into its Fort Polk partnership with the U.S. Army and at all installations in which they have military housing partnerships to consistently improve the on-post housing experience and enhance the quality of life for military families. To learn more about Corvias military housing partnerships, please visit their website. About Corvias As a privately-owned company headquartered in Warwick, RI, Corvias partners with the Department of Defense and higher education institutions nationwide to solve their housing, infrastructure and energy resiliency challenges and to create long-term, sustainable value through our unique Solutions Through PartnershipsSM approach. Corvias pursues the kinds of partnerships that materially and sustainably improve the quality of life for the people who call our communities home. Corvias seeks to partner with organizations with aligned values and missions that are important to our nations success. To learn more, please visit: www.corvias.com. About Corvias Property Management Corvias Management, LLC and its military property management affiliate apply their resident-first approach to provide housing operations, maintenance and service support for university and military communities to create safe, high-quality places to live, learn, work and interact. Together they manage 42,000 residential units, totaling approximately 50 million square feet of real estate across ten U.S. states, including at seven military installations and 15 universities. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230420005283/en/ Mary Humphreys (401) 541-3375 [email protected] Source: Corvias HANGZHOU, China--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- MOGU Inc. (NYSE: MOGU) (MOGU or the Company), a KOL-driven online fashion and lifestyle destination in China, announced that: Mr. Yibo Wei (Mr. Wei) has resigned as a director of the Company due to personal reasons, effective April 19, 2023; and Mr. Xuqiang Yue (Mr. Yue) has resigned as a director of the Company and a member of the compensation committee (the Compensation Committee) of the board (the Board) of directors of the Company due to personal reasons, effective April 19, 2023. Each of Mr. Wei and Mr. Yue has confirmed that neither of them has disagreement with the Board, nor is there any other matter relating to their resignation as the directors that needs to be brought to the attention of holders of securities of the Company or The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). The Board further announced that: Ms. Qi Feng (Ms. Feng) has been appointed as a director of the Company and a member of the Compensation Committee, effective April 21, 2023; and Mr. Yiming Fan (Mr. Fan) has been appointed as a director of the Company, effective April 21, 2023. The Compensation Committee consists of two board members, Mr. Andrew Hong Teoh, who is an independent director of the Company and Ms. Qi Feng, who is an executive director of the Company. The Company opts to follow its home country practice in lieu of the requirement under NYSE Section 303A.05(a) to have a compensation committee comprised entirely of independent directors. The biographical details of Ms. Feng and Mr. Fan are as follows: Ms. Qi Feng has served as our financial controller since May 2021. Ms. Feng joined the Company in June 2013 as the director of the finance department and served as the assistant to the president of the Company from February 2018 to May 2021. Prior to joining us, Ms. Feng worked at State Street Technology (Zhejiang) Co., Ltd. as the reporting manager from 2012 to 2013 and worked for over 6 years at PricewaterhouseCoopers Consultants (Shenzhen) Limited and KPMG Enterprise Consulting Co., Ltd. Ms. Feng received her bachelors degree in mathematics in 2003 and masters degree in financing in 2006 from Zhejiang University. Mr. Fan is currently serving as the chief executive officer of our Company. He has been working at the Company since 2014, and served as a brand director, a vice president of marketing and a general manager of business prior to his appointment as the CEO. At his prior position, Mr. Fan was in charge of the Companys live video broadcast, platform operation, marketing, branding, public relations and other businesses. At the same time, Mr. Fan serves as a visiting professor at Suzhou University and acted as the final judge of various international marketing communication awards. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Fan worked at an advertising company for 5 years, which is a member of The American Association of Advertising Agencies. Mr. Fan graduated from Jiangsu Normal University, majoring in advertising. I want to congratulate Ms. Feng and Mr. Fan on their new roles at the Company. Their leadership and extensive experience will strengthen the Board and help MOGU fulfil its mission of making fashion accessible to everyone. As we welcome the new additions to our Board, we would also like to thank Mr. Wei and Mr. Yue for their unwavering dedication and service to our Company over the years. Mr. Wei and Mr. Yue played critical roles in forging MOGU into the vibrant company it is today. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to them and wish them the very best in their future endeavors, commented Mr. Qi Chen as the chairman of Board. About MOGU Inc. MOGU Inc. (NYSE: MOGU) is a KOL-driven online fashion and lifestyle destination in China. MOGU provides people with a more accessible and enjoyable shopping experience for everyday fashion, particularly as they increasingly live their lives online. By connecting merchants, KOLs and users together, MOGUs platform serves as a valuable marketing channel for merchants, a powerful incubator for KOLs, and a vibrant and dynamic community for people to discover and share the latest fashion trends with others, where users can enjoy a truly comprehensive online shopping experience. For more information on MOGU, please visit: http://ir.mogu-inc.com. Safe Harbor Statement This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as will, expects, anticipates, future, intends, plans, believes, estimates and similar statements. MOGU may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC), in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about MOGUs beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in our annual report on Form 20-F, the 6-K and other documents filed with the SEC. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and MOGU does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230421005187/en/ For investor and media inquiries: MOGU Inc. Ms. Qi Feng +86-571-8530-8201 [email protected] Christensen In China Mr. Eric Yuan +86-10-5900-1548 [email protected] In the United States Ms. Linda Bergkamp +1-480-614-3004 [email protected] Source: MOGU Inc. Publications highlight the safety and tolerability of Radspherin for patients and those externally exposed to radiation, all dose levels were well tolerated with dose level toxicity (DLT) not reached. OSLO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Oncoinvent AS, a clinical stage company advancing alpha emitter therapy across a variety of solid cancers, today announced the online publication of two articles in the recent special edition of Frontiers in Medicine focused on alpha radioisotopes. The first article, titled Radiation safety considerations for the use of radium-224-calciumcarbonate-microparticles in patients with peritoneal metastasis, focuses on the effective radiation dose limit for hospital workers, carers, and the public from patients receiving 224Ra-CaCO3-MP. The second, titled First experience with 224Radium-labeled microparticles (Radspherin) after CRS-HIPEC for peritoneal metastasis in colorectal cancer (a phase 1 study), supports the favorable safety profile of Radspherin and establishes sustained tolerability in all dose levels for patients treated to date with colorectal cancer. We are excited to share these compelling and important publications in this special edition of Frontiers in Medicine, which continue to demonstrate that all dose levels of Radspherin are well tolerated with no dose limiting toxicities to date, said Jan A. Alfheim, Chief Executive Officer of Oncoinvent. Additionally, with these publications, we have shown that no precautions related to external exposure should be required for patients treated with 224Ra-CaCO3-MP a major risk factor to consider in radiopharmaceutical development that has now been significantly reduced. We are highly encouraged by the clinical data we have obtained to date and look forward to leveraging our expertise as a leader within the radiopharmaceutical space and progressing the clinical development of Radspherin. In the publication titled Radiation safety considerations for the use of radium-224-calciumcarbonate-microparticles in patients with peritoneal metastasis, six patients with colorectal cancer from the phase 1 trial were injected with 7 MBq of 224Ra-CaCO3-MP. At 3, 24, and 120 hours post injection, the patients underwent measurements with an ionization chamber and a scintillator-based iodide detector as well as whole body gamma camera imaging. Researchers also collected urine and blood samples post injection to estimate activity concentration of 224Ra and 212Pb. It was found that the patients median effective whole-body half life of 224Ra-CaCO3-MP ranged from 2.6 to 3.7 days, with a mean value of 3.0 days. Importantly, in the scenarios with exposure at the hospital, sporadic patient contact resulted in a range of 3.96.8 Sv per patient, and daily contact resulted in 4.331.3 Sv depending on the scenario, suggesting that a single hospital worker can treat around 200-400 patients injected with 224Ra-CaCO3-MP before external exposure is exceeded. Family members and other members of the public were expected to receive well below 0.25 mSv, thereby eliminating the need for restrictions to reduce external exposure. These data demonstrate that, due to low dose rates from the patients and low amount of activity found in blood and urine, no precautions related to external exposure are required when treating patients with Radspherin. In the publication titled First experience with 224Radium-labeled microparticles (Radspherin) after CRS-HIPEC for peritoneal metastasis in colorectal cancer (a phase 1 study), 23 patients were enrolled and administered Radspherin at increasing activity dose levels of 1-2-4-7 over a period of 30 days. A total of 68 grade 2 adverse events were reported for 17 patients during the first 30 days; most were considered related to CRS and/or HIPEC. No DLT was documented at the 7 MBq dose level that was then defined as the recommended dose. Additionally, the biodistribution of Radspherin showed a relatively even peritoneal distribution. These results underscore that all dose levels of Radspherin were well tolerated, and DLT was not reached. Of note, no deaths occurred, and no serious adverse events were considered related to Radspherin. This favorable safety profile in the current study is in line with documentation from other preclinical and clinical studies with other related alpha-emitting compounds administered intraperitoneally. About Frontiers in Medicine Frontiers in Medicine is a broad-scope, multidisciplinary journal covering all established medical disciplines to improve clinical practice and patient care. Led by Field Chief Editor Prof Michel Goldman (Universite libre de Bruxelles, Belgium), Frontiers in Medicine welcomes basic and clinical medical research that facilitate the translation of scientific advances into new therapies or diagnostic tools. In addition to papers that provide a link between basic research and clinical practice, a particular emphasis is given to studies that are directly relevant to patient care. About Radspherin Radspherin is a novel alpha-emitting radioactive microsphere suspension designed for treatment of metastatic cancers in body cavities. The radium-224 based therapeutic, Radspherin has shown strong and consistent anticancer activity at doses being essentially non-toxic in preclinical studies. It is anticipated that the product can potentially be used to treat several forms of metastatic cancer. About Oncoinvent Oncoinvent AS is a clinical stage company developing innovative radiopharmaceutical technology that delivers precise, alpha-emitting particles across various cancers. By leveraging internal manufacturing and supply chain capabilities to enable a clinical supply of radioisotopes, the company is advancing therapy based on alpha particles, a higher Linear Energy Transfer (LET) form of radiation, that can potentially eradicate cancer cells. Oncoinvent s lead candidate, Radspherin, is designed for treatment of metastatic cancers in body cavities, and its versatility allows it to be deployed for the treatment of a variety of cancer indications. Radspherin is in two ongoing clinical studies to treat peritoneal carcinomatosis from both ovarian cancer and colorectal cancer. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230421005242/en/ Jan A. Alfheim, CEO Cell: +47 46 44 00 45 Email: [email protected] IR enquiries: Courtney Turiano, Stern Investor Relations Email: [email protected] Source: Oncoinvent AS MIDLAND, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Permian Resources Corporation (Permian Resources or the Company) (NYSE: PR) announced today that it will report first quarter 2023 financial and operating results after the market closes for trading on May 8, 2023. Management will host an earnings conference call on May 9, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. Central (10:00 a.m. Eastern). Interested parties are invited to participate on the call by dialing (888) 396-8049 (Conference ID: 92425142) at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the call or via the internet at www.permianres.com. A replay of the call will be available on the Companys website or by phone at (877) 674-7070 (Passcode: 425142) for a 14-day period following the call. About Permian Resources Headquartered in Midland, Texas, Permian Resources is an independent oil and natural gas company focused on the responsible acquisition, optimization and development of high-return oil and natural gas properties. The Companys assets and operations are located in the core of the Delaware Basin. For more information, please visit www.permianres.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230421005102/en/ Hays Mabry Sr. Director, Investor Relations (832) 240-3265 [email protected] Source: Permian Resources Corporation NEW DELHI, April 21 (Xinhua) -- A 50-member business delegation of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) will be on a four-day visit to Russia next week to explore more trade opportunities, FIEO president A. Sakthivel said on Friday. The business delegation would comprise members from the agro and food-processing sectors, Sakthivel told Xinhua over the phone. The visit aims to explore more trade opportunities as the Russian market holds a huge potential, the FIEO chief said. The FIEO intends to take their exports to Russia to 5 billion U.S. dollars this fiscal year from last year's around 3 billion U.S. dollars. It will also sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Russian business chambers for a bilateral exchange of information and delegations regularly. According to Sakthivel, the business trip aims to establish tie-ups with Russian companies, including large departmental stores in the agro and processed-food sectors. JOHANNESBURG--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Trust, but verify. This is the value of third-party assessments including the annual review undertaken by EcoVadis. All three of Sappis manufacturing regions Europe, North America and South Africa once again achieved the highest possible rating, platinum, in the annual EcoVadis Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) ratings. This achievement places the regions individually and Sappi collectively in the top 1% of over 90,000 companies assessed by EcoVadis. Enhancing trust is one of Sappis key strategic fundamentals. We work to make every day more sustainable for people, communities and the planet. We demonstrate this through our tangible actions, our partnerships, through public reporting, by the groups alignment with the United Nations Global Compact and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and importantly also through various assessments and verifications. "There is no endgame to our sustainability journey, and we can and must go further," says Tracy Wessels, Sappi Group Head Investor Relations and Sustainability. "Even with our high scores and platinum ratings, the value of the EcoVadis assessment is that it highlights areas for improvement." Were reducing waste, emissions and optimising material and resource use at every opportunity across the company, explains Sarah Price, Director of Sustainability in Europe. This rating recognises the positive impact of all our actions in 2022 and motivates us all to keep going. As of 2021, EcoVadis assessments of CSR performance are extending through Sappis value chain. Sappi is using the EcoVadis platform to assess the sustainability practices of its suppliers. "Having undergone the rating process in all three of their regional entities and achieving platinum-level performance, Sappi is setting a great example for their suppliers to follow," says Emily Rakowski, CMO of EcoVadis. As a ratings agency for business sustainability performance, EcoVadis assessments are thorough and respected. Over 90,000 companies from more than 160 countries across more than 200 purchasing categories have been assessed. Companies are evaluated for their performance in terms of a total of 21 criteria, which in turn are divided into four general areas: environment, labour and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230421005258/en/ For further information Andre F Oberholzer Group Head Corporate Affairs Sappi Limited Tel +27 (0)11 407 8044 Mobile +27 (0)83 235 2973 [email protected] Tracy Wessels Group Head Investor Relations and Sustainability Sappi Limited Tel +27 (0)11 407 8391 Mobile +27 (0)83 666 6589 [email protected] Source: Sappi WILMINGTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Onto Innovation Inc. (NYSE: ONTO) (Onto Innovation, Onto, or the Company) today announced that it will host a Company sponsored analyst event on Thursday, June 1, 2023. The event will be held at the New York Stock Exchange, 11 Wall St., New York, New York 10005. The professional investment community is invited to join Ontos management team for presentations and engage with our key technology exhibits. Event Details: Achieving Growth Outperformance Through Connected Thinking 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET: Onto Executive Team Presentations Featuring Mike Plisinski, CEO; Mark Slicer, CFO; Mike Rosa, CMO; and Srini Vedula, Sr VP Customer Success 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. ET: Luncheon and Technology Exhibits Featuring metrology, inspection, software, lithography, and advanced interferometry If you plan to attend in person, please RSVP here. A live webcast will also be available on the Companys website at www.ontoinnovation.com. To listen to the live webcast, please go to the website at least 15 minutes early to register, download and install any necessary audio software. There will be a replay of the webcast available for one year on the Companys website at www.ontoinnovation.com. About Onto Innovation Inc. Onto Innovation is a leader in process control, combining global scale with an expanded portfolio of leading-edge technologies that include: Un-patterned wafer quality; 3D metrology spanning chip features from nanometer scale transistors to large die interconnects; macro defect inspection of wafers and packages; metal interconnect composition; factory analytics; and lithography for advanced semiconductor packaging. Our breadth of offerings across the entire semiconductor value chain combined with our connected thinking approach results in a unique perspective to help solve our customers most difficult yield, device performance, quality, and reliability issues. Onto Innovation strives to optimize customers critical path of progress by making them smarter, faster and more efficient. With headquarters and manufacturing in the U.S., Onto Innovation supports customers with a worldwide sales and service organization. Additional information can be found at www.ontoinnovation.com. Source: Onto Innovation Inc. ONTO-I View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230421005251/en/ Michael Sheaffer, +1 978.253.6273 [email protected] Source: Onto Innovation Inc. Schneider will be a strategic carrier on the CPKC out of Mexico furthering its objective to double intermodal by 2030 GREEN BAY, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Schneider National Inc. (NYSE: SNDR), a premier multimodal provider of trucking, intermodal and logistics services, announced today it will offer customers intermodal service on the newly merged Canadian Pacific Kansas City (TSX: CP) (NYSE: CP) (CPKC) which connects the upper Midwest of the United States and Mexico. Schneider will be a strategic intermodal carrier on CPKCs north-south flagship intermodal service between Chicago and all major points in Mexico. It is a natural fit to pair CPKCs rail operating excellence and Schneiders superior dray execution to provide unparalleled service, said Schneider President and CEO Mark Rourke. Our 30-plus years operating in Mexico and broad portfolio of services will bring an intermodal service offering into and out of Mexico that is comparable to the speed and efficiency of shipping over the road, but with the added benefit of sustainability. As Schneider helps to grow intermodal offerings between the U.S. and Mexico, it will create more sustainable solutions for shippers. This service adds to the carriers already impressive portfolio of capabilities and shipping options Truckload, Regional, Brokerage, Power Only and more available to solve its customers unique supply chain challenges. Schneider has one of the largest intermodal fleets in North America, with over 28,000 containers and plans to double the companys intermodal size by 2030. The CPKC combination creates compelling new transportation solutions for Schneiders current and future customers looking for more reliability and increased capacity in their supply chains, said Keith Creel, CPKC President and Chief Executive Officer. Our team is eager to deliver truck-competitive services to Schneider on our newly-created, cross-border single-line network from Mexico into the United States. Schneider will begin moving certain freight on CPKCs railway in mid-May. About Schneider Schneider is a premier multi-modal provider of transportation and logistics services. Offering one of the broadest portfolios in the industry, Schneiders solutions include Regional and Long-Haul Truckload, Expedited, Dedicated, Bulk, Intermodal, Brokerage, Warehousing, Supply Chain Management, Port Logistics and Logistics Consulting. With $6.6 billion in annual revenue, Schneider has been safely delivering superior customer experiences and investing in innovation for over 88 years. The companys digital marketplace, Schneider FreightPower, is revolutionizing the industry giving shippers access to an expanded, highly flexible capacity network and provides carriers with unmatched access to quality drop-and-hook freight Always Delivering, Always Ahead. For more information about Schneider, visit Schneider.com or follow the company socially on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter: @WeAreSchneider. Source: Schneider SNDR View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230420006027/en/ Kara Leiterman, Media Relations Manager M 920-370-7188 Source: Schneider SNDR NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Smokiez Edibles, a national leader in the cannabis edibles space, is proud to announce its expansion into the New York market with licensing partner, Hepworth Ag and joint venture partner Pura Industries NY. With Smokiez high-quality and innovative products and Hepworths infrastructure, Smokiez Edibles is poised to become a top player in the New York cannabis industry. "We are excited to partner with Smokiez to manufacture and deliver their high-quality and great-tasting products to the NY Market made with our healthy sun-grown cannabis ingredients right from our Hudson Valley farm," said Gail Hepworth, CEO Hepworth Ag. Inc. Smokiez first New York sale was to the Union Square Travel Agency (USTA) dispensary, located in Union Square on the corner of Broadway and 13th in Manhattan. Despite USQTA having the largest portfolio of products in the state of New York, we identified Smokiez as a must have premium edible for our retail store, said Dave Vautrin, Operating Partner at Union Square Travel Agency. "We are bringing our top-selling products to the New York market. We look forward to selling to the entire market!" said Chuck Wright, Co-Founder of Smokiez Edibles. "Our team has worked tirelessly to ensure that we meet all state and local regulations and provide our customers with the best possible experience." Smokiez products are currently available in 17 states, with four additional markets slated for 2023. The initial launch will include six fruit chew SKUs across a variety of flavors with distribution to dispensaries across the state. Hepworth will expand Smokiez offerings in Q2-Q3 of this year with several fruit chew products that feature minor cannabinoid blends (CBD, CBN, CBG) as well as beverages and chocolates. With a focus on quality and consistency, Smokiez Edibles has become a trusted brand among cannabis consumers. "We are confident that our products will resonate with New York customers," said Ryan Wright, co-owner of Smokiez Edibles. "We look forward to working with our local partners to provide top-quality products and excellent customer service." About Smokiez Smokiez Edibles, headquartered in Portland, Oregon, is a family owned and operated business that started in 2010 specializing in incredibly delicious vegan edibles. With a total of 17 active markets, Smokiez has the largest edible brand footprint in the United States. Smokiez owns licenses in Oregon, Washington, Oklahoma and Colorado and licenses its wholly owned branded cannabis edibles to licensed operators in California, Nevada, Florida, Michigan, Maine, Ohio, Massachusetts, Missouri, Arizona, Arkansas, Maryland, New York and Puerto Rico. For more information on Smokiez Edibles and its products, please visit www.smokiez.com. About Hepworth Pura LLC Hepworth Pura LLC (HP) is the joint venture partnership between Hepworth Ag and Pura Industries LLC. Hepworth Ag holds adult use cultivation license and adult use processing license within the State of New York. Hepworth is a 7th generation farm located in Milton, in the heart of the Hudson Valley, led by sisters Amy and Gail Hepworth. Hepworth leverages its longstanding organic vegetable farm that serves Whole Foods, Fresh Direct, and other stores across the northeast across its 550 acres. Pura Industries NY is an experienced cannabis operator who brings its NY roots along with its advanced genetics library, cannabis cultivation and manufacturing experience that its management has led in several other states. HP operates on 70 acres, including an advanced ~25,000 sq ft manufacturing and processing center. HP is dedicated to bringing high quality cannabis products to NY from both its own internal brands such as Hepworth and Pura, along with products from its leading brand partners. To learn more about HP, please reach out to Jon Lasser at [email protected] or Gail Hepworth at [email protected] About Union Square Travel Agency: A Cannabis Store Union Square Travel Agency: A Cannabis Store is a purpose-driven cannabis dispensary that redirects more than half of all proceeds to the not for profit, The Doe Fund. We are a New York birthed company that believes in the legalization of cannabis, and that the cannabis industry should help to repair the damage done by the War on Drugs. We are New Yorkers who are committed to giving back. We support BIPOC and woman-owned brands. We hire formerly incarcerated and legacy operators with support from our community partners. We also believe that a cannabis dispensary should serve a diverse clientele and a discerning customer who values quality and safe consumption. We celebrate design, innovation, and education, and want to create spaces that can help transport all those who visit to a better world and a higher plane of consciousness. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230421005043/en/ Smokiez Olivia Sian [email protected] Hepworth Pura LLC Jon Lasser [email protected] Gail Hepworth [email protected] Union Square Travel Agency: A Cannabis Store Stu Zakim [email protected] 732-754-9051 Source: Smokiez Edibles - SqueezeBits optimizes Stable Diffusion, a representative image generation AI model, for Android smartphones and achieves worlds fastest processing speed - Optimized model facilitates on-device image generation services, reducing server costs and protecting personal privacy - SqueezeBits envisions proliferation of AI-based services with lightweighted large-scale AI models including generative AI SEOUL, Korea--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- SqueezeBits, led by CEO Hyungjun Kim, has revealed a demonstration of image generation AI model, Stable Diffusion, optimized to run on Android smartphones. The demonstration highlighted SqueezeBits prowess in AI model optimization field, drawing interest from major corporations worldwide. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230421005299/en/ World's fastest Stable Diffusion demo on Android smartphone (Graphic: Business Wire) SqueezeBits is a startup that specializes in making AI more efficient using model compression techniques. With excellent research and development capabilities in both AI algorithms and hardware, the company secured investments from Naver D2SF and Postech Holdings shortly after its founding. The Stable Diffusion model, which SqueezeBits has optimized, is a popular image generation AI model that creates novel images based on text prompt. The model, containing over 1 billion parameters, has primarily been processed using GPU-based platforms on cloud environments for service provision. In collaboration with the VLSI Lab at Seoul National University, led by Professor Jae-Joon Kim, SqueezeBits successfully compressed the Stable Diffusion model without compromising image quality or performance. As a result, the model can be processed on Android smartphones without cloud connectivity, achieving the worlds fastest mobile performance. The demonstration was revealed at TinyML Summit 2023, a specialized exhibition on edge AI held in San Francisco. Hyungjun Kim, CEO of SqueezeBits, stated, The demonstration has attracted a lot of attention from other companies participating in the Summit, as it implies a significant development in the ability to run large-scale AI on edge devices. With SqueezeBits' AI compression technology, image generation services can be deployed to smartphones with significantly reduced server costs. Furthermore, since personal information like selfies is not required to be sent to cloud servers, users can also benefit from strengthened privacy protection. Hyungjun Kim also stated, We have garnered significant interest from numerous global companies following our demonstration. Our compression technology is anticipated to facilitate the development of a wide array of image generation AI services, and we plan to actively collaborate with companies interested in utilizing mobile Stable Diffusion. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230421005299/en/ Hyungjun Kim Ph.D CEO & Co-founder @ SqueezeBits Inc. [email protected] | +8210-7240-5552 | Linkedin Source: SqueezeBits SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Vehere, a key provider of cyber network intelligence solutions, is beaming with success after attending the prestigious GISEC 2023 cybersecurity conference and other national security events held last month in Dubai. Thanks to the overwhelmingly positive feedback received from the conference attendees, Vehere is now preparing for the RSA Conference USA, slated for this month. With its cutting-edge technology and unparalleled expertise, Vehere is poised to continue expanding its influence globally and cement its status as a cybersecurity leader. This year, the GISEC cybersecurity conference brought together leading companies, CISOs, government officials, and experts to drive innovation and improvements in the field of cybersecurity across different sectors and countries. In this event, Vehere got a fantastic opportunity to exhibit its signature product, the Vehere Network Detection & Response solution, which combines threat hunting at scale, real-time threat detection, and network forensics for proactive network security. Veheres team at GISEC, comprising Ramsunder Papineni, Avinash Garg, and Vipul Kumra, shared valuable insights with the visitors about the organization's dynamic products and their potential to bolster the cyber-resilience of enterprises. Veheres co-founder, Praveen Jaiswal, present at the event, said, Global cybersecurity conferences like GISEC provide a wonderful chance to get a fresh perspective on the latest trends, technologies, and threats facing the industry. We are gearing up for the RSA Conference in San Francisco next. RSA will give us a unique platform to effectively collaborate with other cyber leaders to explore innovative solutions that can address the continually evolving challenges in cybersecurity. Vehere is set to participate in the RSA Conference USA, scheduled to take place from April 24 - 27 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. The theme for this year is Stronger Together and Vehere is proud to contribute to this journey of collective progress and accomplishment with its advanced Network Detection and Response solution. It empowers the security team to identify attacks at the earliest possible stage and stop them before they become breaches. Vehere is the future of network security and is revolutionizing the way organizations and governments protect themselves from cyber threats, thereby improving situation awareness. Established in 2006, it is headquartered in San Francisco and Kolkata. Vehere: Hunt before Breach. Visit https://vehere.com/ Keywords: #cybersecurityconference #gisecglobal #rsaconference #ndr #vehere View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230421005138/en/ Indrani Bhaumik +1 628 251 1215 Source: Vehere FILE PHOTO: The logo for Procter & Gamble Co. is displayed on a screen on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York, U.S., June 27, 2018. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo By Jessica DiNapoli and Ananya Mariam Rajesh (Reuters) -Procter & Gamble Co's customers, particularly in the United States, continued to show little resistance to repeated price hikes helping the Tide detergent maker boost its sales forecast and third-quarter margins. The maker of Pampers diapers, Pantene shampoo and Oral-B toothpaste raised average prices across its categories by 10% during the quarter, and saw overall volumes fall just 3%. The reopening in China, P&G's second-biggest market after the U.S., helped moderate volume declines, executives said, adding that they expect "a number of twists and turns along the way" as the country restarts. Executives in a conference call flagged new products like Native body wash, Gillette Labs exfoliating razors and updated cardboard packaging as driving growth. Europe, however, saw steeper volume declines of 7% as consumers shifted their spending to private label rivals, which are holding back on price hikes, executives said. "A concern for the company, which is taking price globally including the U.S., is at what point do we see (consumer demand) not work in their favor," said Samantha Palm, a portfolio manager at San Francisco-based Parnassus Investments. "It's not that we're saying taking price is not justified, but taking price in what could be a recessionary environment in 2023, 2024 could have implications for consumers." Palm said the implications could be that P&G sees sharper volume declines or "more significant discounting." The Cincinnati-based company beat Wall Street targets for quarterly results and sweetened the pot for investors by raising the upper end of its 2023 share buyback target to between $7.4 billion and $8 billion, sending its shares up 3.9% to $156.73 in early afternoon trading. Consumer goods makers, typically the last to see demand hit by economic slowdowns, have hiked prices repeatedly to pass on steep input costs stemming from supply-chain snags and worsened by the Ukraine crisis. P&G's gross margin rose by 150 basis points from a year ago, with a 470-basis point bump from the higher pricing. Shrinking consumer wallets in the face of high inflation have fanned concerns of how much longer shoppers will tolerate rising prices before switching to cheaper, private-label brands. The decline in P&G's volumes sold is "obviously driven by pricing," Chief Financial Officer Andre Schulten said. "We see consumers being a bit more careful with dosing and drawing down inventories over time," he said. He later added that shopper behavior is returning to normal, and that he does not anticipate consumers stocking up their pantries like they did during the pandemic. The fabric and home-care unit, P&G's biggest, saw sales volumes fall 5%, with average price rising 13%. Sales in China grew 2% after falling over the past couple of quarters due to pandemic lockdowns. Sales of SK-II, the company's $100-a-bottle facial serum popular in Asia, is recovering, executives said. But Chinese consumers are not yet returning to travel retail, such as duty-free shops in airports, hurting results for the brand. Jefferies analyst Kevin Grundy said P&G is "trying to not let expectations get too far ahead because China does move the needle" for the company. The company lowered its annual cost estimate related to commodity and freight expenses to about $3.5 billion from $3.7 billion, but Schulten said there is "no broad-based relief in input costs". "Some (commodities) are down. ... Others are going up. Every highly energy intensive material, if you think about caustic soda or ammonium, it's actually increasing in pricing." The company expects fiscal 2023 organic sales growth of about 6%, compared with its previous forecast for a 4% to 5% increase. P&G maintained its annual earnings forecast of flat to a 4% rise. (Reporting by Ananya Mariam Rajesh in Bengalaru and Jessica DiNapoli in New York; Editing by Devika Syamnath and Jonathan Oatis) FILE PHOTO: A model of the all-new Ford F-150 Lightning electric pickup is parked in front of the Ford Motor Company World Headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan, U.S., April 26, 2022. REUTERS/Rebecca Cook By Jonathan Stempel (Reuters) - Ford Motor Co on Friday defeated an appeal by consumers who said the automaker cheated on fuel economy tests for its F-150 and Ranger trucks, allowing it to inflate mileage estimates on window stickers. In a 3-0 decision, the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati said federal law gave the Environmental Protection Agency authority to estimate vehicle fuel economy, preempting the plaintiffs' state law-based claims. Ford's F-series has been the best-selling American truck for 46 straight years. The proposed class action covered 2018-2020 model year F-150s, and 2019-2020 model year Rangers. Ford was accused of misleading the EPA by intentionally miscalculating factors used in certification testing. The plaintiffs said this led the EPA to overestimate fuel economy by as much as 15%, inducing them to overpay for their trucks and resulting in extra fuel costs. Circuit Judge Richard Griffin, however, said federal law provided standards for the EPA's estimates, and the estimates did not need to be strictly accurate. He also said the EPA had "significant authority" to investigate and deter fraud. "State-law tort claims, like plaintiffs', would skew this balance and permit juries to take the EPA's place in determining whether fuel economy estimates are reasonable," Griffin wrote. Friday's decision upheld a February 2022 ruling by Chief Judge Sean Cox in federal court in Detroit. "This is a horrible result for consumers," Steve Berman, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, said in an email. "This is dead against Supreme Court precedent that gives states the right to regulate deceptive conduct." Ford said in a statement it was pleased the court concluded that consumers can rely on the EPA's testing process and data. In February 2021, the Dearborn, Michigan-based automaker said the U.S. Department of Justice had closed a criminal probe into its fuel economy and emissions certification process without taking action. The case is In re: Ford Motor Co F-150 and Ranger Truck Fuel Economy Marketing and Sales Practices Litigation, 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, No. 22-1245. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; editing by Jonathan Oatis) FILE PHOTO: A man walks past a logo of Alphabet Inc's Google in front of at an office building in Zurich, Switzerland July 1, 2020. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann (Reuters) - Alphabet Inc's Google said on Friday it will update Bard, its generative artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot, to help people write code to develop software, as the tech giant plays catch-up in a fast-moving race on AI technology. Last month, the company started the public release of Bard to gain ground on Microsoft Corp. The release of ChatGPT, a chatbot from the Microsoft-backed startup OpenAI, last year caused a sprint in the technology sector to put AI into more users' hands. Google describes Bard as an experiment allowing collaboration with generative AI, technology that relies on past data to create rather than identify content. Bard will be able to code in 20 programming languages including Java, C++ and Python, and can also help debug and explain code to users, Google said on Friday. The company said Bard can also optimize code to make it faster or more efficient with simple prompts such as "Could you make that code faster?". Currently, Bard can be accessed by a small set of users who can chat with the bot and ask questions instead of running Google's traditional search tool. (Reporting by Akash Sriram in Bengaluru; Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips) VICTORIA, British Columbia, April 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On a small Island off the coast of Vancouver Island, Parks Canada is seeking to once again hold an unjustifiable and inhumane eradication of fallow deer with aerial gunning from helicopters and harassment by dogs. Sidney Island is part of a chain of Islands that make up the Gulf Islands National Park. It is also partly private property with approximately 100 lots overseen by a strata corporation. Fallow deer were initially introduced to Sidney Island back in 1908 for hunting purposes. With minimal predators on the Island, the population grew to approximately 3000 deer in the early 2000s. At that time, approximately 2000 deer were killed and recent estimates by local residents suggest the population currently is around 300. While damage to the ecosystem was present with the peak population, a UBC report from five years ago shows a 30% improvement to the ecosystem since, said AAC West Coast Campaign Director Jordan Reichert. There is no evidence to support Parks Canadas assertion that the ecosystem is currently not continuing to regenerate and that the current population of deer is not sustainable." Regardless of a lack of evidence and data to support eradication, and no current scientific count, Parks Canada has pushed forward an agenda to exterminate fallow deer from Sidney Island, Reichert continued. This includes spending $5.9 million dollars to hire contractors, Coastal Conservation, to kill the deer from helicopters and hunting on the ground with dogs. This is very similar to the $6 million spent in 2018 to eradicate deer from Haida Gwaii with aerial sharpshooters from New Zealand. Reichert said the eradication program is unethical, unjustified, and absurdly expensive. Without even doing a scientific count of deer, Parks Canada has claimed there are too many deer on Sidney Island to maintain its ecology and are proceeding with a $6 million eradication program that sounds more like a blockbuster film plot than good science. Thanks to a small group of concerned and compassionate landowners who started the Sidney Island Deer Management Society on Sidney Island, Parks Canada and stakeholders have been exposed for promoting this unjustifiable and inhumane killing. These include serious concerns mentioned by Parks Canada staff, obtained through FOI requests, of the spurious justification for eradication and conflicts of interest in how the contract to kill was awarded that we are currently investigating. We strongly oppose the eradication program and will work to hold Parks Canada and other involved accountable. Jordan Reichert250-216-0562[email protected] Source: Animal Alliance of Canada WELLINGTON, April 21 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand's ongoing judicial changes have provided greater legal protection for victims of sexual and serious violence, which includes a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison in punishing sexual connection with a child. "Currently a child sexual assault victim can be questioned as to whether they consented to sexual activity. This is unacceptable and falls well below societal expectations of how the law should work. We're fixing the law to minimize the risk of this happening," Justice Minister Kiri Allan said on Friday. The government is to improve victims' experiences in the courts and wider justice system, Allan said, adding efforts have been made to change the law and trialing approaches that will better support children and adult victims in the courts, as part of the drive to make the justice system fairer for victims. These changes will make an immediate and meaningful difference to the lives of the victims of some of the most serious and violent crimes, Allan said, adding that improving the system will help make complainants feel more comfortable in court and encourage them to come forward. The government will also launch three pilot programs in mid-2023 to improve safety and help navigate the court system for victims of serious crime, strengthen support for child victims of sexual violence, and ensure that victim's views are provided in bail decisions, she said. The government is also providing further funding to help the Victim Support organization and the Victims Assistance Scheme. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Apollo Silver Corp. (Apollo or the Company) (TSX.V:APGO, OTCQB:APGOF, Frankfurt: 6ZF0) is pleased to announce it has filed the independent technical report for the Calico Silver Projects (Calico or the Project) updated Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE). The report titled NI 43-101 Technical Report for the Mineral Resource Estimate of the Calico Silver Project, San Bernardino County, California, USA is dated April 20, 2023 (with an effective date of February 8, 2023) (the Technical Report). The Technical Report can be found under the Companys issuer profile on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) and on the Companys website (www.apollosilver.com). The Technical Report was prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 (N.I. 43-101) Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects by Stantec Consulting Ltd., (Stantec) of Denver, Colorado. There are no material differences in the Technical Report from those results disclosed in the Company's press release dated March 6, 2023. Highlights of the MRE announced on March 6, 2023, include: 110 million ounces (Moz) silver classified as Measured and Indicated (M&I) declared at Waterloo with an average grade of 100 grams per tonne (g/t) silver: 81% (90 Moz) classified as Measured at 103 g/t silver 1 . 95% of Inferred silver ounces have been converted to M&I 1 . 51 Moz silver classified as Inferred: 720,000 oz silver at Waterloo Property 1 50 Moz silver at Langtry Property 2 70,000 oz Inferred oxide gold ounces added to metal inventory at Waterloo 1 . Conservative base-case estimate uses 50 g/t silver cutoff grade 1 . Low strip ratio of 1.1:1 for Waterloo silver resource 1 . Significant growth opportunities remain. 1The Technical Report has been prepared by Derek Loveday, P. Geo., of Stantec, who is an independent qualified person as such term is defined in NI 43-101 (a Qualified Person), in co-operation with Mariea Kartick, P.Geo., of Stantec (an independent Qualified Person for drilling data quality control and quality assurance) and Eric Hill, P.E., of Samuel Engineering (an independent Qualified Person for metallurgical test work). The Waterloo mineral resource estimate was produced in conformance with the Canadian Institute of Mining Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) Estimation of Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserves Best Practices guidelines and are reported in accordance with NI 43-101. The Waterloo mineral resource estimate has an effective date of February 8, 2023. Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. There is no certainty that any mineral resource will be converted into a mineral reserve. 2No drilling was completed on the Langtry Property since the disclosure of the Companys 2022 mineral resource estimate on February 9, 2022 (the 2022 MRE) and as such, the Inferred mineral resource disclosed at that time for the Langtry Property, with effective date January 28, 2022, remains unchanged and current. The 2022 MRE was prepared by Derek Loveday, P. Geo. of Stantec, an independent Qualified Person. The mineral resource estimate for the Langtry Property from 2022 has been restated in the Technical Report. ABOUT THE CALICO PROJECT Location The Calico Project is located in San Bernardino County, California and comprises the adjacent Waterloo and Langtry properties which total 2,950 acres. The Calico Project is 15 km (9 miles) from the city of Barstow, 5 km (3 miles) from commercial electric power and has an extensive private gravel road network spanning the property. Geology and Mineralization The Calico Project is situated in the southern Calico Mountains of the Mojave Desert, in the south-western region of the Basin and Range tectonic province. This 15 km (9 mile) long northwest- southeast trending mountain range is dominantly composed of Tertiary (Miocene) volcanics, volcaniclastics, sedimentary rocks and dacitic intrusions. Mineralization at Calico comprises high-level low-sulfidation silver-dominant epithermal vein-type, stockwork-type and disseminated-style associated with northwest-trending faults and fracture zones and mid-Tertiary (~19-17 Ma) volcanic activity. Calico represents a district-scale mineral system endowment with approximately 6,000 m (19,685 ft) in mineralized strike length controlled by the Company. Silver and gold mineralization are oxidized and hosted within the sedimentary Barstow Formation and the upper volcaniclastic units of the Pickhandle formation along the contact between these units. Qualified Person The scientific and technical data contained in this news release was reviewed, and approved by Derek Loveday, P. Geo., Mariea Kartick, P.Geo., both of Stantec, and Eric Hill, P.E., of Samuel Engineering. All are Qualified Persons independent of the Company. Mr. Loveday is a registered Professional Geoscientist in Alberta, Canada and is responsible for the mineral resource estimation; Ms. Kartick is a registered Professional Geoscientist in Ontario, Canada and is responsible for drilling data QA/QC for estimation purposes and Mr. Hill is a registered Professional Engineer in the U.S. and is responsibly for metallurgical test work. This news release has also been reviewed and approved by Isabelle Lepine, M.Sc., P.Geo., Apollos Director of Mineral Resources. Ms. Lepine is a registered Professional Geoscientist in British Columbia, Canada and is not independent of the Company. Please visit www.apollosilver.com for further information. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Tom PeregoodoffChief Executive Officer About Apollo Silver Corp. Apollo Silver Corp. has assembled an experienced and technically strong leadership team who have joined to advance world class precious metals projects in tier-one jurisdictions. The Company is focused on advancing its portfolio of two significant silver exploration and resource development projects, the Calico Silver Project, in San Bernardino County, California and Silver District Project in La Paz County, Arizona. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release includes forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. All statements included in this news release, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements including, without limitation, statements with respect to the potential of the Calico Project; the potential for identification of gold and barite resources at Calico; the potential to expand the resource estimate and upgrade its confidence level, including prospective mineralization on strike and at depth. Forward-looking statements include predictions, projections and forecasts and are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as anticipate, believe, plan, estimate, expect, potential, target, budget and intend and statements that an event or result may, will, should, could or might occur or be achieved and other similar expressions and includes the negatives thereof. Forward-looking statements are based on the reasonable assumptions, estimates, analysis and opinions of the management of the Company 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. Forward-looking information is based on reasonable assumptions that have been made by the Company as at the date of such information and is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may have caused actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to: risks associated with mineral exploration and development; metal and mineral prices; availability of capital; accuracy of the Companys projections and estimates; realization of mineral resource estimates, interest and exchange rates; competition; stock price fluctuations; availability of drilling equipment and access; actual results of current exploration activities; government regulation; political or economic developments; environmental risks; insurance risks; capital expenditures; operating or technical difficulties in connection with development activities; personnel relations; contests over title to properties; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The estimate of mineral resources may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, sociopolitical, marketing, or other relevant issues. The quantity and grade of reported inferred mineral resources in this estimation are uncertain in nature and there has been insufficient exploration to define these inferred mineral resources as an indicated or measured mineral resource and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in upgrading them to an indicated or measured mineral resource category. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable, including but not limited to the price of silver, gold and barite; the demand for silver, gold and barite; the ability to carry on exploration and development activities; the timely receipt of any required approvals; the ability to obtain qualified personnel, equipment and services in a timely and cost-efficient manner; the ability to operate in a safe, efficient and effective matter; and the regulatory framework regarding environmental matters, and such other assumptions and factors as set out herein. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate and actual results, and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward looking information contained herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. The forward-looking information contained herein is presented for the purpose of assisting investors in understanding the Companys expected financial and operational performance and the Companys plans and objectives and may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. For further information, please contact: Tom Peregoodoff Chief Executive Officer Telephone: +1 (604) 428-6128 [email protected] Source: Apollo Silver Corp. Paris, April 21st, 2023 2022 DIVIDEND At the Annual Shareholders Meeting of Christian Dior held on Thursday, April 20th, 2023, approval was given for the payment of a dividend for financial year 2022 of 12 Euros per share. Taking into account the 5 Euros paid on Monday, December 5th, 2022, the balance amounts to 7 Euros ; it will be paid on Thursday, April 27th, 2023. The last trading day with dividend rights is Monday, April 24th, 2022. This financial release is available on our website www.dior-finance.com . Attachment Sign up for StreetInsider Free! Receive full access to all new and archived articles, unlimited portfolio tracking, e-mail alerts, custom newswires and RSS feeds - and more! VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- American Future Fuel Corporation (CSE: AMPS, Frankfurt: K14, WKN: A3DQFB, OTCQB: AFFCF) (the Company, or American Future Fuel) is please to announce that, effective as of April 21, 2023, Mr. David Suda will assume appointments as both, Chief Executive Officer, and Director of the Company. Mr. Suda brings 15 years of capital markets experience to the Company, along with strong relationships and expertise in corporate strategy, capital raising, sustainability performance and marketing. Mr. Suda is a finance professional that has previously served as Managing Director at both, Beacon Securities Limited, a global investment bank, and Paradigm Capital, a research driven investment dealer. He has been instrumental in raising over $10 billion for private and public companies across both roles. Throughout his career in the capital markets, Mr. Suda established strong relationships with institutional managers. Mr. Suda is a graduate, with honours, of York University where he earned a bachelors degree in Environmental Studies. I am excited to lead a company that has tremendous potential and a clear path to advancing to the next level. Our Cebolleta Project is in the prolific Grants Mineral Belt that has accounted for approximately 37% of all uranium production in the United States. Cebolleta is an advanced project with substantial past uranium production and several historically delineated deposits that we believe can be efficiently converted into 43-101 compliant resources. Furthermore, several hundred historical mineralized drill holes from the southern half of the property have not been accounted for and provide a significant opportunity for growth. I look forward to working with the team on the ground, with the goal of building a significant player in the United States uranium sector, Stated Mr. Suda, CEO of the Company Mr. Luke Montaine, the Company's current CEO will step down, effective the same date. The Board wishes to thank Mr. Montaine for his service as CEO. ABOUT AMERICAN FUTURE FUEL American Future Fuel Corporation is a Canadian-based resource company focused on the strategic acquisition, exploration and development of alternative energy projects. The Company holds a 100% interest in the Ceboletta Uranium Project, located in Cibola County, New Mexico, USA, and situated within the Grants Mineral Belt, a prolific mineral belt responsible for approximately 37% of all uranium produced in the United States of America. American Future Fuels Ceboletta Uranium project is an advanced exploration project. On behalf of the Board of Directors, AMERICAN FUTURE FUEL CORPORATION David Suda, Chief Executive Officer For further information, contact: David Suda at [email protected] This news release includes certain forward-looking statements under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties, uncertain capital markets; and delay or failure to receive regulatory approvals. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Source: American Future Fuel Corporation BTSE's latest report analyzes investor psychology and the trends of FUD (Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt) and FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) The report offers insights on methods for managing feelings of FUD and FOMO Discover how to utilize technology to your advantage and remove emotions from your trading ROAD TOWN, British Virgin Islands, April 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BTSE, a leading digital asset exchange, today announced the release of its latest report on trading psychology, addressing Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt (FUD) and Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) in depth. Traders can access this free report to gain insights and learn methods to counteract FUD and FOMO as they trade in the cryptocurrency space. Titled Crypto Trading Psychology: Dealing with FUD and FOMO in the Cryptocurrency Market, the report provides practical tips on how investors can recognize and manage FUD and FOMO to finetune their trading strategies. FUD and FOMO are prevalent in both traditional investment and cryptocurrency trading; FUD and FOMO behaviors contribute to market volatility while influencing the buying and selling behavior of traders. The report highlights case studies, such as the 2017 Bitcoin crash, the 2020 COVID market panic, and the recent Silicon Valley Bank collapse, to illustrate the impact of these psychological factors on traders. The report provides readers with practical methods for overcoming FUD and FOMO, offering insights into developing risk management techniques and utilizing technology to eliminate emotion from the decision making process. Traders can access the free report to learn about strategies to overcome these psychological barriers and enhance their trading performance. In an industry dominated by projects making the most of social media hype to expand their business, BTSE offers a learning opportunity for traders to more effectively discern between real information based in reality, and social media hype. Developing and maintaining a long term perspective, factual trading plan, realistic goals, and a healthy trading mindset are all necessities laid out in BTSEs report. BTSE encourages traders to read the full report and delve deeper into the psychology of crypto trading. By recognizing and addressing these psychological challenges, BTSE hopes traders can develop a more balanced and disciplined approach to maximize the potential for sustainable gains. At BTSE, we are committed to providing our traders with valuable resources that help them succeed in the crypto market, said Jeff Mei, COO, BTSE. Understanding the psychological aspects of cryptocurrency trading is crucial for success in this fast-paced market. We believe that by addressing FUD and FOMO head-on, traders can make more informed decisions and ultimately trade with increased confidence. The report is the latest addition to BTSE's growing library of educational resources. BTSE continues to invest in providing its traders with the tools and knowledge they need to navigate the rapidly evolving cryptocurrency market. To download the full report, click here. About BTSE BTSE is a leading digital asset exchange that offers a simple and secure way to trade cryptocurrencies. As the go-to exchange for all things crypto, BTSE is one of the top trusted crypto platforms for institutions, retail users and first-time traders. BTSE has developed multiple trading technologies that have been adopted across the industry, setting new standards for excellence and innovation in the world of digital asset trading. Additionally, BTSE licenses its industry-leading technology to exchanges worldwide through its white label exchange solutions, strengthening the BTSE ecosystem and bridging traditional finance with digital assets everywhere. Read more at btse.com. Contact details: BTSE PR[email protected] Eleven International PR [email protected] Source: BTSE Holdings Limited NEW YORK, NY, April 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NewMediaWire -- ILUS International Inc. (OTC: ILUS) is a Mergers and Acquisitions company focused on acquiring and growing companies in the public safety, industrial, defense and renewable sectors. Having previously signed a first phase Investment Project deal with the Serbian Government which was delayed due to ILUS concerns following the 2022 Serbian General Election and heightened geopolitical tensions in the region, the Serbian Government has since resolved these concerns, allowing ILUS to negotiate a new and improved Phase 1 deal with the government. The new first phase deal is expected to secure land and facilities for Replay Solutions and ILUS EV Technologies while returning 35% of the gross salaries of all hires and 25% of all capital expenditure made by the two ILUS entities. Total Investment Project incentives were estimated to be $8 million for ILUS EV Technologies and in the region of $6 million for Replay Solutions. ILUS CEO, Nicolas Link, will be in Serbia early next week to meet with the government and visit the new shortlisted options for rapidly occupiable land and facilities for the Phase 1 deal and also for meetings regarding the Phase 2 deal, which as a significantly larger deal, requires further evaluation. In seeking to develop a more stable long-term partnership with ILUS, the Serbian government has resolved to negotiate an improved opportunity for our subsidiaries in the country. Having already invested so much of our time and effort into our Serbian production strategy due to the vast range benefits that it provides to our group companies, I am very pleased that we are able to move forward with this strategy. Despite pressure from the market, our patient watch and wait approach may ultimately pave the way for an improved Replay Solutions and ILUS EV Technologies deal which should further benefit future investment projects that we have planned in the region, said ILUS CEO, Nick Link. Following the filing of its Form 10-K Annual Report and confirmation of ILUS Industrial subsidiary, QINDs planned uplist to the NYSE American, ILUS will be providing updates and/or announcements on the following within the next two weeks: ILUS Share Lockup and QIND uplist value to ILUS Shareholders Hyperion Defense Solutions Counter IED Agreement ERT Fixed Firefighting (Fire Suppression) Systems production E-Raptor production QIND NYSE American listing application ERT Acquisitions For further information on ILUS, please see its communication channels: Website: https://ilus-group.com Twitter: @ILUS_INTL Email: [email protected] Source: ILUS Related Links https://ilus-group.com Forward-Looking Statement Certain information set forth in this press release contains "forward-looking information", including "future-oriented financial information" and "financial outlook", under applicable securities laws (collectively referred to herein as forward-looking statements). Except for statements of historical fact, the information contained herein constitutes forward-looking statements and includes, but is not limited to, the (i) projected financial performance of the Company; (ii) completion of, and the use of proceeds from, the sale of the shares being offered hereunder; (iii) the expected development of the Company's business, projects, and joint ventures; (iv) execution of the Company's vision and growth strategy, including with respect to future M&A activity and global growth; (v) sources and availability of third-party financing for the Company's projects; (vi) completion of the Company's projects that are currently underway, in development or otherwise under consideration; (vi) renewal of the Company's current customer, supplier and other material agreements; and (vii) future liquidity, working capital, and capital requirements. Forward-looking statements are provided to allow potential investors the opportunity to understand management's beliefs and opinions in respect of the future so that they may use such beliefs and opinions as one factor in evaluating an investment. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and undue reliance should not be placed on them. Such forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual performance and financial results in future periods to differ materially from any projections of future performance or result expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although forward-looking statements contained in this presentation are based upon what management of the Company believes are reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by applicable securities laws. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") has provided guidance to issuers regarding the use of social media to disclose material non-public information. In this regard, investors and others should note that we announce material financial information via official Press Releases, in addition to SEC filings, press releases, Questions & Answers sessions, public conference calls and webcasts also may take time from time to time. We use these channels as well as social media to communicate with the public about our company, our services, and other issues. It is possible that the information we post on social media could be deemed to be material information. Therefore, considering the SEC's guidance, we encourage investors, the media, and others interested in our company to review the information we post on the following social & media channels: Website: https://ilus-group.com Twitter: OTC_ILUS Note: ILUS Coin does not sit within ILUS International Inc. (Ilustrato Pictures International Inc.), so the public are recommended to follow the correct Media Channels relating to the public company OTC: ILUS Source: ILUS International Inc. Naamloze Vennootschap Nijverheidsstraat 2, 2340 Beerse VAT BE0403.807.337 RPR Turnhout INVITATION ORDINARY GENERAL MEETING Wednesday 24 May 2023 at 11 a.m. The shareholders are invited to participate in the ordinary general meeting, which will be held on Wednesday 24 May 2023 at 11 a.m. at Hotel Marriott, Korenlei 10, 9000 Gent, with the following agenda and proposals: 1. Reading and discussion about the report of the board of directors, the annual accounts and consolidated annual accounts of the financial year closed on 31 December 2022. 2. Reading of and discussion about the auditors report on the above-mentioned annual accounts. 3. Approval of the annual accounts of the financial year closed on 31 December 2022. Resolution proposal : The ordinary general meeting approves the annual accounts of the financial year closed on 31 December 2022. 4. Approval of the appropriation of the result of the financial year closed on 31 December 2022. Resolution proposal : The ordinary general meeting decides to appropriate the result of the financial year closed on 31 December 2022 as proposed by the board of directors. The ordinary general meeting decides to distribute a dividend of 3.750 mio (this means 2.50 gross per share) against presentation of coupon no 14, with payment date: 9 June 2023 (ex-date: 7 June 2023 and record date: 8 June 2023). 5. Approval of the remuneration policy of the company. Resolution proposal : The ordinary general meeting approves the remuneration policy (including the introduction of the LTI plan) as mentioned in the annual report 2022. 6. Approval of the remuneration report of the financial year closed on 31 December 2022. Resolution proposal : The ordinary general meeting approves the remuneration report of the financial year closed on 31 December 2022. 7. Discharge to the board members for the financial year closed on 31 December 2022. Resolution proposal : The ordinary general meeting grants discharge to the board members for the execution of their mandate during the financial year closed on 31 December 2022. 8. Discharge to the auditor for the financial year closed on 31 December 2022. Resolution proposal : The ordinary general meeting grants discharge to the auditor for the execution of his mandate during the financial year closed on 31 December 2022. 9. Statutory nominations: 9a. The mandate of DELOX BV, represented by its permanent representative Mr. Patrick De Groote is expiring. Proposal to renew the mandate of DELOX BV, represented by its permanent representative Mr. Patrick De Groote as board member for a period of 4 years. Resolution proposal : The ordinary general meeting approves the renewal of the mandate of DELOX BV, represented by its permanent representative Mr. Patrick De Groote as board member for a period of 4 years. The mandate ends automatically, unless renewed, after the ordinary general meeting held in 2027. The directors remuneration amounts to 21,000 for 2023. According to the articles of association the amount is automatically increased by 250 on the first day of each new financial year. 9b. The mandate of ZENDICS BV, represented by its permanent representative Mr. Willem De Vos is expiring. Proposal to renew the mandate of ZENDICS BV, represented by its permanent representative Mr.Willem De Vos as board member for a period of 4 years. Resolution proposal : The ordinary general meeting approves the renewal of the mandate of ZENDICS BV, represented by its permanent representative Mr. Willem De Vos as board member for a period of 4 years. The mandate ends automatically, unless renewed, after the ordinary general meeting held in 2027. The directors remuneration amounts to 21,000 for 2023. According to the articles of association the amount is automatically increased by 250 on the first day of each new financial year. 9c. The mandate of YASS BV, represented by its permanent representative Mrs. Ann De Schepper is expiring. Proposal to renew the mandate of YASS BV, represented by its permanent representative Mrs. Ann De Schepper as board member for a period of 4 years. Resolution proposal : The ordinary general meeting approves the renewal of the mandate of YASS BV, represented by its permanent representative Mrs. Ann De Schepper as board member for a period of 4 years. The mandate ends automatically, unless renewed, after the ordinary general meeting held in 2027. The directors remuneration amounts to 21,000 for 2023. According to the articles of association the amount is automatically increased by 250 on the first day of each new financial year. Please note that you are required to comply with the following conditions and requirements: CONDITIONS OF ADMISSION Only the person who is an official shareholder on the registration date (Wednesday 10 May 2023 at 12 p.m.) either by means of a registration in the Companys register of shares or by means of a registration on the accounts of the recognised account holders or clearing institution are admitted to the ordinary general meeting, irrespective of the number of shares in his possession on the date of the ordinary general meeting. Furthermore, the shareholder confirms his participation to the ordinary general meeting ultimately on Thursday 18 May 2023 (4 p.m.). P lea se note that this is a public holiday in Belgium, so it should be sent earlier. T he shareholders are requested to provide their email address when registering: the holder of registered shares : in writing to the company (see contact registered office) ; : in writing to the company (see contact registered office) the holder of dematerialised shares : to Euroclear Belgium preferably by email: [email protected] . The recognised account holder, or the clearing institution issues the necessary certificate to the shareholder indicating the total number of dematerialised shares, respectively delivered or registered in his name in his account on the registration date, with which the shareholder wants to participate in this general meeting. A DD ITEMS TO THE AGENDA One or more shareholders holding together at least 3% of the share capital may add items to the agenda of this general meeting and submit resolution proposals relating to topics already included or to be included on the agenda. These requests must be addressed to the Company (see contact registered office) ultimately on Tuesday 2 May 2023. The shareholders who exercise this right must: prove that on the date of their request, they possess the required percentage of the share capital (by a certificate of registration of the registered shares in the Company's register of shares or by a certificate issued by a recognised account holder or clearing institute indicating that the respective number of dematerialised shares are registered in their name in an account) and; prove that on the registration date they are still shareholder holding together at least 3% of the share capital. When appropriate, the revised agenda and adjusted form to vote by proxy will be made public ultimately on 9 May 2023. Nevertheless, the proxies received by the Company prior to the publication of the revised agenda, remain valid for the items mentioned on the agenda. Exceptionally contradictory to the above mentioned, the proxy holder can - in compliance with article 7:130 of the Code on Companies and Associations - during this general meeting, deviate from possible instructions of the proxy principal, for items mentioned on the agenda, for which new resolutions were submitted, if the execution of these instructions could damage the interest of the proxy principal. The proxy holder has to inform the proxy principal in this case. The proxy should mention whether the proxy holder is entitled to vote on new items put on the agenda or whether he has to abstain from them. RIGHT TO ASK QUESTIONS Pursuant to the Code on Companies and Associations and under certain conditions, the shareholders can submit questions in writing, prior this general meeting, to the board of directors or the auditor regarding their report or items mentioned on the agenda. These questions will be handled during this general meeting if the shareholder complies with the participation formalities and as far as the communication of information or facts does not prejudice Campine nv's business interests nor the confidentiality to which Campine nv, its board of directors or auditor have committed themselves. These questions can be submitted in writing or per email beforehand to the Company (see contact registered office ultimately on Thursday 18 May 2023 (4 p.m.). P lease note that this is a public holiday in Belgium, so it should be sent earlier. VOTING BY PROXY Each shareholder who wants to be represented has to comply with the above mentioned registration and confirmation of participation procedures. Each shareholder who complies with the formalities for admission to this general meeting provided for by the law and the company's articles of association may designate one person, preferably Mrs. Karin Leysen, company secretary, - to represent him at this general meeting in accordance with the Code on Companies and Associations by means of the form to vote by proxy which can be found on the website www.campine.com/investors/shareholders information/general meetings and is available on request (see contact information). Every appointment of a proxy holder has to be made in compliance with Belgian legislation, especially regarding conflict of interest and the register keeping. The notification of the appointment of a proxy holder must be received ultimately on Thursday 18 May 2023 (4 p.m.). P lease note that this is a public holiday in Belgium, so it should be sent earlier -in writing or by electronic means to the company (see contact registered office) or to Euroclear Belgium: preferably by email: [email protected]. FORMALIT IES The documents to be presented to this general meeting are available on the website www.campine.com/investors/shareholder information/general meetings and financial publications): the annual financial report as of today, the other documents as of Friday 21 April 2023 or can be consulted at the registered office and are also available free of charge on request to the registered office. Contact registered office Campine nv, Nijverheidsstraat 2, 2340 Beerse, www.campine.com Att: Karin Leysen: [email protected], tel: 014/60 15 49 Attachments TORONTO, April 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MANITOU GOLD INC. (TSX-V: MTU) ("Manitou" or "the Company") is pleased to announce that it has completed the mailing of its management information circular and related materials (the "Meeting Materials") for the Company's special meeting of shareholders to be held on May 11, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. (Toronto time) at 77 King St. West, Suite 3000, Toronto, ON M5K 1G8 (the "Meeting"). At the Meeting, shareholders will be asked to approve a plan of arrangement pursuant to which Alamos Gold Inc. (TSX: AGI, NYSE: AGI) ("Alamos") will acquire all of the outstanding common shares of Manitou ("Manitou Shares") not already owned by Alamos, for deemed consideration of C$0.05 per Manitou Share (the "Arrangement"), as further detailed in the Company's press release dated February 28, 2023 available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The Meeting Materials are available on SEDAR under Manitou's profile at www.sedar.com. YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT The Board of Directors of Manitou UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS that Manitou shareholders vote FOR the resolution approving the Arrangement. Shareholder Questions and Assistance If shareholders have any questions or require more information in respect of the voting procedures or completing the form of proxy or voting instruction form, please contact the Company's transfer agent, Marrelli Trust Company Limited, by telephone at 416-361-0737, or by email at [email protected]. Additional Information Full details of the Arrangement are set out in the Arrangement Agreement filed on SEDAR on March 10th, 2023, under Manitou's profile at www.sedar.com. In addition, further information regarding the Arrangement will be contained in the Meeting Materials. All shareholders are urged to read the Meeting Materials. About Manitou Gold Manitou Gold Inc. is a Canadian exploration company that has consolidated over 360 km2 of prospective gold properties on the Michipicoten Archean Greenstone Belt, between the Island Gold Mine (operated by Alamos Gold Inc.) to the west and, to the east, the former producing Renabie Gold Mine, (owned by Barrick Gold). The lands assembled consist of 37 kilometres of strike length with at least seven under-explored large-scale deformation zones showing favorable lithology supported by more than 50 government-documented and registered gold occurrences. Manitou Gold also owns a 148 km2 land package of highly prospective gold properties located in the historical Gold Rock District, in Northwestern Ontario (Dryden). All scientific and technical information contained in this press release has been prepared under the supervision of Richard Murphy, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Manitou and a "qualified person" within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101. Contacts Manitou Gold Inc.Richard MurphyPresident and CEO(705) 698-1962www.manitougold.com Cautionary Note About Forward-Looking Statements and Information Certain of the information contained in this news release constitutes 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of securities laws. Such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to statements relating to: the transaction and the proposed Arrangement as proposed to be effected; the ability of the parties to satisfy the conditions to closing of the Arrangement; and the anticipated timing of the completion of the Arrangement, involve risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, obtaining required shareholder, court, third party and regulatory approvals, exercise of any termination rights under the Arrangement Agreement, meeting other conditions in the Arrangement Agreement, material adverse effects on the business, properties and assets of Manitou, and whether any superior proposal will be made. Although Manitou has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Manitou does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. The forward-looking statements in this press release involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause Manitou's actual results, performance and achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements expressed or implied therein. Neither TSX nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. None of the securities to be issued pursuant to the transaction have been or will be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any state securities laws, and any securities issuable in the transaction are anticipated to be issued in reliance upon available exemptions from such registration requirements pursuant to Section 3(a)(10) of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable exemptions under state securities laws. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities. Source: Manitou Gold Inc. MONROE TOWNSHIP, N.J., April 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. (OPT or the Company) (NYSE American: OPTT), a leader in innovative, cost-effective, and autonomous low-carbon marine data, power, and consulting service solutions, is pleased to announce a $0.5M extension of its contract to continue providing their WAM-V 22 Autonomous Surface Vehicle (USV) asset to a US Government Agency Overseas for ongoing autonomous maritime activities. The contract extends through September 30, 2023, and is a testament to the capabilities of the WAM-V ASV and OPT's skilled operators, securing recurring revenues and supporting the company's long-term growth plans and anticipated path to positive cash flow. "Ocean Power Technologies is proud to continue our support for the US Government with our state-of-the-art WAM-V ASV," said Philipp Stratmann, President, and CEO of OPT. "This contract extension reflects the confidence our clients have in our technology and our ability to deliver reliable and effective solutions. We are grateful for the continued opportunity to play a part in keeping our nation safe and our Government Agencies supplied with cutting-edge technology." OPT's WAM-V ASV is a leading-edge autonomous surface vehicle that provides versatile, efficient, and cost-effective capabilities for a wide range of maritime applications. Its advanced technology enables it to perform a variety of tasks, including data collection, surveillance, and communication, making it an invaluable asset in maritime exercises and operations. With this contract extension, OPT continues to strengthen its financial position through recurring revenues from this contract and others like it. This success underscores OPT's commitment to providing innovative and reliable marine solutions and supporting its clients' needs in the ever-evolving maritime landscape. About Ocean Power Technologies OPT provides intelligent maritime solutions and services that enable safer, cleaner, and more productive ocean operations for the defense and security, oil and gas, science and research, and offshore wind markets. Our PowerBuoy platforms provide clean and reliable electric power and real-time data communications for remote maritime and subsea applications. We also provide WAM-V autonomous surface vehicles (ASVs) and marine robotics services through our wholly owned subsidiary Marine Advanced Robotics. We are headquartered in Monroe Township, New Jersey, and have offices in Houston, Texas, and Richmond, California. To learn more, visit www.OceanPowerTechnologies.com. Forward-Looking Statements This release may contain forward-looking statements that are within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are identified by certain words or phrases such as "may", "will", "aim", "will likely result", "believe", "expect", "will continue", "anticipate", "estimate", "intend", "plan", "contemplate", "seek to", "future", "objective", "goal", "project", "should", "will pursue" and similar expressions or variations of such expressions. These forward-looking statements reflect the Company's current expectations about its future plans and performance. These forward-looking statements rely on a number of assumptions and estimates that could be inaccurate and subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could vary materially from those anticipated or expressed in any forward-looking statement made by the Company. Please refer to the Company's most recent Forms 10-Q and 10-K and subsequent filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for further discussion of these risks and uncertainties. The Company disclaims any obligation or intent to update the forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release. Note to editors: For further inquiries or to schedule an interview with Philipp Stratmann, President and CEO of Ocean Power Technologies, Inc., please contact: Media: 609-730-0400 or [email protected] Investor contact information Investors: 609-730-0400 x401 or [email protected] Source: Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. SANTA BARBARA, CA, April 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Financial advisory firm Pensionmark, a World Insurance Associates LLC company, announced today that it has acquired Xponential Growth Solutions (XGS) located in San Diego, CA. XGS is an industry leader in education for plan sponsors and their employees. Founded in 2009, XGS is an independent thought leader in the retirement benefits space dedicated to improving retirement plan management and ultimately, employee outcomes via unbiased educational workshops, certified online courses, local training events and customized tools. Serving retirement and benefit plan sponsors and fiduciaries, HR professionals and financial professionals, the firm has consistently led the industry in their ability to connect the right prospects to the right advisors. This acquisition is yet another example of our unwavering commitment to deliver solutions that help our financial advisors grow their businesses, said Mike Woods, president of Pensionmark. We are excited to welcome the XGS team and know they will be an invaluable part of the Pensionmark growth suite of services that includes technology, tools and resources that empower lead generation, cross selling, sales enablement and marketing initiatives. Our specialized product offering and commitment to service excellence are a great fit with Pensionmark, said Jon Freye, managing director of XGS. We look forward to joining the team and delivering solutions that make a difference for our advisor network, their clients, and the plan sponsor community. _____ About World Insurance Associates LLC World Insurance Associates LLC (World) is headquartered in Iselin, N.J., and is a nationally ranked, full-service insurance organization providing individuals and businesses with top products and services across personal and commercial insurance, employee and executive benefits, retirement and financial services and human capital management solutions. Since its founding in 2011, World has completed more than 190 acquisitions and serves its clients from more than 250 offices across the United States. World is ranked #34 on the 100 Largest Brokers of U.S. Business list by Business Insurance, ranked #3 on the Fastest Growing Brokers list by Business Insurance, ranked #3 on the Fastest Growing Benefits Brokers list by Business Insurance, ranked #24 on the Top 100 P&C Agencies by Insurance Journal and ranked #20 on the Top 50 Personal Lines Agencies by Insurance Journal. For more information, please visit www.worldinsurance.com. About Pensionmark, A World Company The Pensionmark Financial Group network represents more than 345 advisors and staff across 67 U.S. locations with thousands of retirement plan and wealth management clients. The Pensionmark network of retirement professionals includes defined contribution, defined benefit, terminal funding, not-for-profit, wealth management and executive/deferred compensation specialists. For more information, please visit www.pensionmark.com. Pensionmark Financial Group, LLC (Pensionmark) is an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. Pensionmark is affiliated through common ownership with Pensionmark Securities, LLC (member SIPC). About Xponential Growth Solutions Xponential Growth Solutions delivers retirement and benefits events and workshops, specialized fiduciary training courses for plan sponsors and advisors, custom plan evaluation and connections and industry resources and tools to professionals across the retirement plan management spectrum. For more information, please visit www.xgrowthsolutions.com. Vietnamese students display Chinese calligraphy during an event celebrating the 14th annual United Nations Chinese Language Day at Hanoi University in Vietnam, April 21, 2023. (Xinhua/Hu Jiali) HANOI, April 21 (Xinhua) -- The Confucius Institute at Hanoi University in Vietnam celebrated the 14th annual United Nations Chinese Language Day on Friday. The celebration attracted hundreds of people to various activities to explore Chinese language and culture including calligraphy, painting, food tasting and music performances held on the university's campus. The Chinese Language Day has been received with enthusiasm from educational institutions around the world, said Ma Jianfei, director general of Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC) of China, pointing out that hundreds of millions of people from more than 150 countries have spent this day getting themselves immersed in Chinese cultural and language activities. This year's Chinese Language Day is held under the theme of "Chinese Language Facilitating Dialogue across Civilizations" with an aim to foster tolerance and promote cultural exchanges among countries, said Zheng Dawei, education counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Vietnam. Hence the Chinese language undertakes an important mission in enhancing mutual understanding and win-win cooperation between China and the rest of the world, the diplomat said. The Chinese diplomat also expressed gratitude that with the support of the Confucius Institute, the learning of the Chinese language in Vietnam has gained significant progress. The Confucius Institute was established in 2014 at Hanoi University to respond to the needs of learning the Chinese language in Vietnam and as a mark of strong bilateral ties between the two countries. The institute regularly opens Chinese language courses as well as workshops on Chinese language, arts, culture, society and economics in an effort to build a platform for people-to-people and cultural exchanges. "My job at the Confucius Institute has helped me grow a lot as a person," said Le Mai Huong, a lecturer at Hanoi University, who started working with the institute since she was a freshman student. There has been "a fever of learning Chinese" in recent year as young Vietnamese link learning Chinese with promising career opportunities, said Nguyen Tien Dung, vice president of Hanoi University. Thanh Thao, 17-year-old high school senior, spent last three years self-studying Chinese out of pure curiosity and interest. She said her plan was to become a Chinese-language student at Hanoi University so the Chinese Language Day offered her a chance to get closer to her dream university. "I am in love with Chinese culture, especially calligraphy and Beijing Opera," said Do Nguyen Hoai Nam, a fourth-year student at Hanoi University, who wished to go to China for graduate study. More than 50 universities in Vietnam are currently offering education in Chinese language to about 15,000 students, statistics showed. China has pledged to offer more than 1,000 scholarships to Vietnamese students and another 1,000 scholarships to Vietnamese teachers in the next five years to foster a talented workforce and educate highly qualified Chinese language teachers. A Vietnamese student works on a Chinese painting during an event celebrating the 14th annual United Nations Chinese Language Day at Hanoi University in Vietnam, April 21, 2023. (Xinhua/Hu Jiali) A Vietnamese student paints a paper fan during an event celebrating the 14th annual United Nations Chinese Language Day at Hanoi University in Vietnam, April 21, 2023. (Xinhua/Hu Jiali) A Vietnamese student wearing traditional Chinese costume experiences Chinese culture during an event celebrating the 14th annual United Nations Chinese Language Day at Hanoi University in Vietnam, April 21, 2023. (Xinhua/Hu Jiali) Dallas, Texas, April 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ranger Guard and Investigations is pleased to announce the launch of its security guard services in Dallas, Texas. Ranger Guard and Investigations is a Texas-owned and operated security company in Dallas Texas, that specializes in providing reliable security services to diverse security needs. The company has announced that it is expanding its current security guard services to include special event security management, such as controlling venue access, regulating crowd flow, and K-9 patrols. A spokesperson for Ranger Guard and Investigations said, With our full-service package, event organizers can have peace of mind, knowing their attendees will be protected in every possible way. We also offer equipment and supply rentals as well as limousine services. Since our clients satisfaction is our primary concern, our company aims to provide full-service security options for your event so you dont have to miss anything. Whether it is a local celebrity doing an appearance at a bookstore or concert security with tens of thousands in attendance, Ranger Guard and Investigations event security guards for hire in Dallas Texas will work with the venue staff to ensure the event is successful and your guests, employees, and VIPS receive a high standard of security and safety. What is Event Security? Event security management begins by controlling access and crowd flow. Access control and crowd flow management enables you to maintain order, conduct bag searches, and prevent theft or individuals attempting to smuggle inappropriate items into the venue. Since there are almost always rules in place for what people can or cannot bring with them, security guards play a pivotal role in keeping everyone safe. The security guards provided by Ranger Guard and Investigations will conduct a comprehensive event firewatch service in Dallas Texas where they are naturally looking for guns or other weapons that a person may be trying to sneak in and are fully authorized to confiscate these if found. Additionally, professional event security guards with knowledge of access control allow you to funnel media or staff to the right location. If the environment requires it, Ranger Guard and Investigations also offer an armed security service in Dallas Texas, specifically designed to help the successful running of events by deterring potential criminals. When your venue is large, the event security guards at Ranger Guard and Investigations can conduct patrols of the site to keep attendees safe while spread out. Whereas, during street events, the uniformed guards can be backed up by timed visits from frequent vehicle patrols in the area. In addition to Ranger Guard and Investigations event security guard service, the company offers specialist K-9 searches or K-9 units for crowd control. These trained security dogs get the attention of anyone who may be a disruptive presence and are especially effective for deterrence at large events where crowd control or violent attacks could be an issue. About Ranger Guard and Investigations Founded in 2009 by an experienced security professional and former Secret Service Agent Assaf Catran, Ranger Guard and Investigations has since grown to become one of Texass most dependable and reliable security agencies. Whether guarding against potential terrorists, disgruntled employees, robberies, or other incidents, Ranger Guard and Investigations provides a complete security service with its team of expertly trained security guards to individuals, businesses, apartment complexes, and other facilities in Dallas, Texas. More information To find out more about Ranger Guard and Investigations and the companys new special event security services, please visit the website at https://rangerguard.net/texas/north/dallas/. Source: https://thenewsfront.com/ranger-guard-and-investigations-announce-new-special-event-security-guard-services-in-dallas-texas/ Ranger Guard and Investigations 3838 Oak Lawn Ave Suite #1000 Dallas Texas 75219 United States 469-283-5110 https://rangerguard.net/texas/north/dallas/ Source: Ranger Guard and Investigations WAUKESHA, Wis., April 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sew Much More is ecstatic to celebrate 50 years in the business with a special, one-day only event on Thursday, April 27th, 2023. Sewing and quilting enthusiasts of all levels are invited to take part in the celebration that includes machine demonstrations, event pricing, and fourth-generation BERNINA owner, Hanspeter Ueltschi, as the events guest speaker. Owners Brad and Wendy Kleman are well-versed in the sewing industry with a rich background in craft as well as the repair of the machines. Since Sew Much Mores opening, the duo has offered the Waukesha community the tools and resources to complete their projects. From opening a longarm studio to hosting a variety of classes and trainings, Sew Much More is excited to continue to foster this love of the industry through this upcoming event. We are looking forward to celebrating our multi-generational business with BERNINA, who is also a multi-generational business," shared Wendy Kleman, We cannot wait to celebrate all things BERNINA and Sew Much More with our customers. The lively event will allow attendees to meet the Rock Star of Sewing, Hanspeter Ueltschi, a rich discussion on the future of sewing, light refreshments, and one lucky winner will receive a brand new BERNINA machine. The event will be held at the Sew Much More location at 2140 W. St. Paul Avenue, Waukesha, WI from 12pm - 2pm on April 27th. Call (262) 547-7774 to reserve your spot today, seating is limited. ABOUT BERNINA BERNINA is the world's premier manufacturer of quality state-of-the-art sewing, quilting and embroidery machines, overlockers and embroidery software. Since being founded over 125 years ago, BERNINA has maintained a strong commitment to serving the creative community. This dedication threads through the Swiss precision found in every machine, the training and education available through our over 400 fully trained independent BERNINA Dealers and the endless tutorials and content shared on the BERNINA WeAllSew blog and social media channels. BERNINA products are designed for beginning to advanced sewists and priced to meet a variety of budgets, with new products being introduced every year. CONTACT: Samantha ShrevePHONE: 773-208-7707 EMAIL: [email protected] A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/80abaa23-c5a8-49fe-9b0c-dceeb8e05144 Sew Much More, Waukesha, WI Sew Much More location at 2140 W. St. Paul Avenue, Waukesha, WI from 12pm - 2pm on April 27th Source: BERNINA of America Vancouver, BC, April 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Skyharbour Resources Ltd. (TSX-V: SYH) (OTCQX: SYHBF) (Frankfurt: SC1P) (the Company) is pleased to announce that it has retained Red Cloud Securities Inc ("Red Cloud") to provide market making services with the objective of maintaining a reasonable market and improving the liquidity of its Common Shares. Under the agreement between Red Cloud and the Company (the "Red Cloud Agreement"), the Company has agreed to initially pay Red Cloud a fee of C$5,000 plus applicable taxes, per month. Red Cloud will not receive any Common Shares or options as compensation. Red Cloud and its clients may acquire a direct interest in the securities of the Company. Skyharbour Red Cloud are unrelated and unaffiliated entities. Red Cloud is a member of the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada and a member firm of the Toronto Stock Exchange and the TSX Venture Exchange. The term of the Red Cloud Agreement is ongoing unless terminated by written notice. The engagement of Red Cloud remains subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. About Red Cloud Securities Inc.: Red Cloud Securities Inc. is registered as an Investment Dealer in Ontario, Quebec, Alberta and British Columbia and is a member of the Investment Industry Organization of Canada. It is focused on providing unique comprehensive capital market services and innovative financing alternatives to the junior resource sector. The company was founded by capital markets professionals who designed the firm to service small public and private companies. This solution is a comprehensive platform that provides a full range of unconflicted corporate access services. Offering these services as a unified platform provides the ultimate value proposition for issuer clients. About Skyharbour Resources Ltd.: Skyharbour holds an extensive portfolio of uranium exploration projects in Canada's Athabasca Basin and is well positioned to benefit from improving uranium market fundamentals with twenty-three projects, ten of which are drill-ready, covering over 490,000 hectares of land. Skyharbour has acquired from Denison Mines, a large strategic shareholder of the Company, a 100% interest in the Moore Uranium Project which is located 15 kilometres east of Denison's Wheeler River project and 39 kilometres south of Cameco's McArthur River uranium mine. Moore is an advanced-stage uranium exploration property with high-grade uranium mineralization at the Maverick Zone that returned drill results of up to 6.0% U3O8 over 5.9 metres including 20.8% U3O8 over 1.5 metres at a vertical depth of 265 metres. Adjacent to the Moore Uranium Project is Skyharbours recently optioned Russell Lake Uranium Project from Rio Tinto, which hosts historical high-grade uranium drill intercepts over a large property area with robust exploration upside potential. The Company is actively advancing these projects through exploration and drill programs. Skyharbour has a joint-venture with industry-leader Orano Canada Inc. at the Preston Project whereby Orano has earned a 51% interest in the project through exploration expenditures and cash payments. Skyharbour now owns a 24.5% interest in the Project. Skyharbour also has a joint venture with Azincourt Energy at the East Preston Project whereby Azincourt has earned a 70% interest in the project through exploration expenditures, cash payments and share issuance. Skyharbour now owns a minority interest in the Project. Preston and East Preston are large, geologically prospective properties proximal to Fission Uranium's Triple R deposit as well as NexGen Energy's Arrow deposit. Skyharbour has several active option partners including: ASX-listed Valor Resources on the Hook Lake Uranium Project, CSE-listed Basin Uranium Corp. on the Mann Lake Uranium Project, and CSE-listed Medaro Mining Corp. on the Yurchison Project. More recently, Skyharbour announced two new earn-in option agreements with Yellow Rocks Energy, a private Australian entity, to option the Wallee and Usam Island projects, and Tisdale Clean Energy at the South Falcon East Project. Furthermore, the Company owns a 100% interest in the South Falcon Point Uranium Project on the eastern perimeter of the Basin which is host to the Fraser Lakes Zone B Uranium and Thorium Deposit. Skyharbour has recently optioned the South Falcon East Project, a uranium project in the southeast Athabasca Basin and represents a portion of the larger South Falcon Project, to Tisdale Clean Energy whereby Tisdale will fund exploration, pay Skyharbour in cash, and issue shares of the company over a five-year earn-in period. Collectively, Skyharbour has now signed option agreements with partners that total over $34 million in partner-funded exploration expenditures, over $22 million in stock being issued and just under $15 million in cash payments coming into Skyharbour, assuming that these partner companies earn-in the full amount at their respective projects. Skyharbour's goal is to maximize shareholder value through new mineral discoveries, committed long-term partnerships, and the advancement of exploration projects in geopolitically favourable jurisdictions. Skyharbours Uranium Project Map in the Athabasca Basin:https://www.skyharbourltd.com/_resources/maps/SKY_SaskProject_Locator_20230320_V2A.jpg To find out more about Skyharbour Resources Ltd. (TSX-V: SYH) visit the Companys website at www.skyharbourltd.com. SKYHARBOUR RESOURCES LTD. Jordan Trimble Jordan TrimblePresident and CEO For further information contact myself or:Nicholas ColturaCorporate Development and CommunicationsSkyharbour Resources Ltd. Telephone: 604-558-5847Toll Free: 800-567-8181Facsimile: 604-687-3119Email: [email protected] NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THE CONTENT OF THIS NEWS RELEASE. The securities offered have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, United States persons absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor in any other jurisdiction. This release includes certain statements that may be deemed to be "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that management of the Company expects, are forward-looking statements, including the Private Placement. Although management believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements, include market prices, exploration and development successes, regulatory approvals, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Please see the public filings of the Company at www.sedar.com for further information. Source: Skyharbour Resources Ltd TACOMA, Wash., April 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Spectrum Pension Consultants, Inc. (Spectrum) today announced its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Petros Koumantaros was accepted into the Forbes Finance Council, an invitation-only community for executives in accounting, financial planning, wealth and asset management, and investment firms. Petros was vetted and selected by a review committee based on the depth and diversity of his experience. Criteria for acceptance include a record of successfully impacting business growth metrics, as well as personal and professional achievements and honors. We are honored to welcome Petros into the community, said Scott Gerber, founder of Forbes Councils, the collective that includes Forbes Finance Council. Our mission with Forbes Councils is to bring together proven leaders from every industry, creating a curated, social capital-driven network that helps every member grow professionally and make an even greater impact on the business world. As an Official Member of the Forbes Finance Council, Petros will: connect with other respected leaders in private forums, collaborate with a professional editorial team to share his expert insights into original business articles on Forbes.com, and contribute to published Q&A panels alongside other experts. Petross first article as a Forbes Finance Council Official Member, America Needs Financial Education, And Finance Professionals Can Help, was recently published on Forbes.com. Forbes is among the most well-respected names in business and finance. I am delighted to join this incredible network of leading financial professionals, said Petros. I look forward to sharing perspectives and insights within the community and the broader network of Forbes.com readers. ABOUT FORBES COUNCILSForbes Councils is a collective of invitation-only communities created in partnership with Forbes and the expert community builders who founded Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC). In Forbes Councils, exceptional business owners and leaders come together with the people and resources that can help them thrive. For more information about Forbes Finance Council, visit forbesfinancecouncil.com. To learn more about Forbes Councils, visit forbescouncils.com. ABOUT SPECTRUM PENSION CONSULTANTSSpectrum Pension Consultants is a Washington State Corporation that enables American Workers to plan and save towards a secure and dignified financial future by designing, administering, and operating the ranges of retirement and financial plans for U.S. organizations. As a fintech platform provider of retirement plans, Spectrum Pension Consultants provides services and solutions to retirement plan sponsors and other client organizations. For more information about Spectrum Pension Consultants, visit: http://spectrumpension.com. Contacts:Yannis P. Koumantaros[email protected]6402 19th Street WestTacoma, WA 98466Ph: +1-253-565-2100 Source: Spectrum Pension Consultants, Inc. Paris, Amsterdam, April 21, 2023 Press release Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield SE announces changes to Management Board Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield SE (URW) today announces changes to its Management Board focused on preparing the Group to harness future growth. Anne-Sophie Sancerre joins the Management Board as Chief Customer & Retail Officer, with responsibility for gaining market share by driving footfall and consumer demand, generating new revenues, and growing URWs leading retail operations. Vincent Rouget joins URW and the Management Board as Chief Strategy & Investment Officer, with a focus on developing and executing the Groups strategy, and URWs future investment roadmap. Anne-Sophies appointment is effective on May 2, 2023; with Vincent joining URW on June 1, 2023. Commenting on the changes, Jean-Marie Tritant, Chief Executive Officer of URW, said: Since the launch of our strategic plan in March 2022, we have successfully strengthened our core retail operations, established new revenue platforms, and continued to deliver our committed development pipeline with disciplined capex control. In 2022 we delivered strong financial results, completed our operational recovery and continued to make deleveraging progress. Now is the time to build on this momentum to harness future growth and I am delighted to welcome Anne-Sophie and Vincent to URWs Management Board. Both Anne-Sophie and Vincent are proven leaders who strengthen the Management Board and set us on the path to long-term success. Anne-Sophie Sancerre is an experienced and respected leader at URW, most recently as Chief Operating Officer for Southern Europe. In this new role, Anne-Sophie will ensure we build the preeminent retail platform for the brands and retailers of the future by integrating all aspects of the customer experience, increasing revenues and accelerating the growth trajectory of our emerging media and digital capabilities. Vincent Rouget is a real estate investment and asset management specialist with a deep understanding of the European commercial real estate industry. He will work closely with me to shape URWs investment approach beyond deleveraging and explore new value-creating opportunities bringing his skills, experience and network to support our long-term growth. Olivier Bossard, current Chief Investment Officer, will transition to a new role as Special Advisor to the CEO, continuing to support the US deleveraging programme and the Groups development pipeline. Caroline Puechoultres, current Chief Customer Officer, will leave the company in the coming months. Jean-Marie Tritant continued: Olivier has been instrumental to URWs successes since he joined our company, and I look forward to continuing our work together in this new role, with an immediate focus on the completion of our deleveraging plan as well as our key development projects. We thank Caroline for her leadership in evolving URW into a more customer- and brand-centric organisation and wish her success in her next chapter. # # # PR NOTES Biography Anne-Sophie Sancerre Anne-Sophie was most recently Chief Operating Officer for Southern Europe, a position she has held since 2021. In this role she was responsible for URWs assets in France, Spain and Italy and was a member of the Groups Executive Committee. Anne-Sophie joined URW in 2008, after five years at Morgan Stanley. She has held roles in investments, operations and investor relations. She graduated from Sciences Po Paris, holds a degree in Finance and Accounting from Paris-Dauphine University and a Masters degree in Finance and Strategy from Edinburgh Napier University. Biography Vincent Rouget Vincent was most recently a Partner and Investment Committee member at Aermont Capital, a leading independent pan-European real estate private equity group. At Aermont Capital, Vincent was responsible for Continental European activities, working over the years on several corporate transactions and various property development investments encompassing c.10 Bn of gross development value across asset classes in all major Continental European markets. This included the creation of the second largest owner of German shopping centres and the pan-European expansion of The Student Hotel Group (now The Social Hub), an integrated developer, owner and operator of hybrid student hospitality assets across Europe. Prior to joining Aermont Capital in 2007, Vincent worked at Morgan Stanley in Paris and New York. He is a graduate of HEC Paris with a Master of Science in Management. Biography Olivier Bossard Olivier Bossard has been URWs Chief Development Officer since 2013, and was appointed its Chief Investment Officer and a member of the Management Board in January 2021. He has worked across the company to lead many of its most successful and transformational projects including most recently the Trinity Tower in La Defense, Westfield Mall of the Netherlands in Leidschendam and the major urban transformation of Les Ateliers Gaite in Paris. Olivier joined the companys Office Division in 1998 as Portfolio Manager, then became Head of Asset Management and Deputy General Manager of the Office Division. He was involved in the Unibail merger with Rodamco as Executive Vice President in charge of Development and Strategy in 2006, and later became Managing Director of the Office Division and then Managing Director of Development. Before joining URW, Olivier worked at Paribas and COGEDIM. He holds a degree in architecture and a degree in history from the Ecole des Beaux-Arts Paris. He also holds a degree in City Planning and Urbanism from Sciences Po Paris. For further information please contact: Investor Relations Alex Estruch VP, Chief of Staff to the CEO +1 (424) 303-1948 [email protected] Media Relations Global: Robin Haddrill FinElk +44 7920 016 203 [email protected] France: Sonia Fellmann PLEAD +33 6 27 84 91 30 [email protected] About Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield is an owner, developer and operator of sustainable, high-quality real estate assets in the most dynamic cities in Europe and the United States. The Group operates 78 shopping centres in 12 countries, including 43 which carry the iconic Westfield brand. These centres attract over 900 million visits annually and provide a unique platform for retailers and brands to connect with consumers. URW also has a portfolio of high-quality offices, 10 convention and exhibition venues in Paris, and a 3 Bn development pipeline of mainly mixed-use assets. Currently, its 52 Bn portfolio is 87% in retail, 6% in offices, 5% in convention and exhibition venues, and 2% in services (as at December 31, 2022). URW is a committed partner to major cities on urban regeneration projects, through both mixed-use development and the retrofitting of buildings to industry-leading sustainability standards. These commitments are enhanced by the Groups Better Places 2030 agenda, which strives to make a positive environmental, social and economic impact on the cities and communities where URW operates. URWs stapled shares are listed on Euronext Amsterdam and Euronext Paris (Ticker: URW), with a secondary listing in Australia through Chess Depositary Interests. The Group benefits from a BBB+ rating from Standard & Poors and from a Baa2 rating from Moodys. For more information, please visit www.urw.com Attachment TORONTO, April 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sintana Energy Inc. (TSX-V: SEI, OTCQB: SEUSF) (Sintana or the Company) is pleased to confirm that over fifty per cent of the 6,872 square kilometers of 3D seismic survey data has been gathered from Petroleum Exploration License 87 (PEL 87) and the surrounding area in the Orange Basin in Namibia. Initial processed results are expected to be available and interpreted by the end of August 2023. PEL 87 includes the very large Saturn turbidite complex that has been mapped. This complex shares many geologic characteristics and is on-trend with the Venus oil discovery made by TotalEnergies in February 2022. The core features of Saturn, covering approximately 2,400 square kilometers, lie entirely within the PEL 87 area. Survey activities on PEL 87 are well advanced and we remain confident that the results will confirm that we are on trend with the recent massive discoveries in the basin, and will further demonstrate that Saturn Turbidite Complex is a significant offshore deep water oil opportunity. said Robert Bose, President and Director of Sintana. Woodside Energy (GOM), Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Woodside Energy Group Ltd. (Woodside) entered into an agreement in March of 2023 whereby it has the option to acquire a 56% Participating Interest in PEL 87 in consideration for, among other things, paying the full cost of a 3-D seismic survey covering an area of at least 5,000 square kilometers within the PEL 87. Woodside has a period of at least 180 days after delivery of the survey to exercise its option. If the option is exercised, Woodside has agreed to enter a farmout agreement whereby it will carry existing joint venture partners for the full cost of drilling the first exploration well. Custos Investments (Pty) Ltd. (Custos) retains a 15% interest in PEL 87 and benefits from this carry and other elements related to the farmout and joint venture agreements. Sintana owns an indirect 49% interest in Custos. ABOUT SINTANA ENERGY: The Company is engaged in petroleum and natural gas exploration and development activities in five large, highly prospective, onshore and offshore petroleum exploration licenses in Namibia, as well as in Colombias Middle Magdalena Basin. Sintanas exploration strategy is to acquire, explore and potentially develop superior quality assets with substantial reserves potential. On behalf of Sintana Energy Inc.,Douglas G, MannerChief Executive Officer For additional information or to sign-up to receive periodic updates about Sintanas projects, and corporate activities, please visit the Companys website at www.sintanaenergy.com Corporate Contacts: Investor Relations Advisors: Douglas G. Manner Sean J. Austin Jonathan Paterson Chief Executive Officer Vice-President Founder & Managing Partner 832-279-4913 713-825-9591 Harbor Access 475-477-9401 Forward-Looking Statements Certain information in this release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intensions for the future, and include, but not limited to, statements with respect to potential future farmout agreements on PEL 83 and/or PEL 87, and proposed future exploration and development activities on PEL 90 and neighbouring properties, as well as the prospective nature of the Companys property interests. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements, including, but not limited to risks relating to the receipt of all applicable regulatory approvals, results of exploration and development activities, the ability to source joint venture partners and fund exploration, permitting and government approvals, and other risks identified in the Companys public disclosure documents from time to time. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. The Company assumes no obligation to update such information, except as may be required by law. NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. Infographic Infographic Source: Sintana Energy Inc. Denver, Colorado, April 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- What States released a new report that examined what the different US states and territories are famous for. The report analyzes the uniqueness of each state and what makes them special. What States is a website designed for people who want to learn more about the US and want to have a deeper understanding of its different states. What States is an online website that has become a go-to resource for people looking for interesting facts and trivia about different US states. The website released a new report that shows what each US state is known for and readers can learn more by visiting the What States website to discover interesting facts about the 50 states. Main Findings of the New Report What States analyzed all the 50 US states and divided its findings into different categories so that readers can read about the specific states theyre most interested in. The report shows the top 20-35 famous things, people, and places that make each state unique from the rest. This is valuable information for travelers who want to gain valuable knowledge about the geography and history of these states. According to the report about South Dakota, this state is known for 25 things including the Mount Rushmore National Memorial, the Crazy Horse Memorial, and the Badlands National Park. These are the top three places that South Dakota is famous for and are great spots for tourists to explore when they visit this state. South Dakota is also well-known for the Native American Sioux tribe. Similarly, New Mexico is famous for 21 places that include Santa Fe, Albuquerque, and the White Sands National Park. New Mexico has beautiful cities and marvelous parks that are a sight to behold. The state is also famous for the Native Americans that have lived there for centuries and its rich Spanish heritage. Nevada is known for its sin city, Las Vegas, where people from around the world go to party, gamble, and have the time of their lives. Nevada is also famous for Reno City, the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and the Hoover Dam. Each state has its own uniqueness and What States team carefully analyzes the people, places, and things that make each state special. The website makes it easier for people to find this information all in one place and learn valuable information about the 50 states. About What States What States is an excellent reference website that gives information about US geography and historical insights into each state. The team of writers aims to make geography and history fun and interesting by sharing fascinating facts about each of the 50 United States. The writers also prepare guides that are great for travelers who want to be more informed about the states that theyre visiting and want to have a deeper understanding of each states history. Whether readers want to know which state has the most lakes, which ones have the largest rivers, or the best nightlife, What States has all the information theyll need. The writing team is dedicated to producing well-researched content that helps people learn more about the unique and special aspects of different states. The website is designed to be a go-to resource for anyone who wants to learn about the most interesting facts about each US state. If youd like to learn more about this website, visit WhatStates.com and connect with us on Facebook. Source: https://thenewsfront.com/what-states-publishes-new-report-about-what-the-us-states-are-famous-for/ Source: What States Toronto, Ontario, April 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Yooma Wellness Inc. (CSE: YOOM, AQSE: YOOM) ("Yooma" or the "Company") today announced that it anticipates it will be unable to file the following periodic disclosure documents (the Annual Filings) by the filing deadline of May 1, 2023: Annual audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022; Managements discussion and analysis for the year ended December 31, 2022; and CEO and CFO certifications of the annual filings for the year ended December 31, 2022. By virtue of being unable to file the Annual Filings by the filing deadline, the Company anticipates that it will be issued a failure-to-file cease trade order (CTO) by the Ontario Securities Commission. The financial and operational challenges faced by the Company over the past several months have consumed significant financial and management resources, resulting in inevitable delays which have impacted on the ability of the Company's external auditor to commence and conduct its audit procedures. The Company has now resolved these issues to the extent required to allow the audit to proceed and is working diligently and expeditiously with its auditors to complete the Annual Filings as soon as possible. The Company anticipates that it will complete the Annual Filings on or before May 31, 2023, and revocation of the CTO is expected to occur within a few days after the Annual Filings are made. A copy of the CTO will be posted on the Ontario Securities Commission website once issued. The Company expects that the CTO will provide that a beneficial security holder of the Company who is not, and was not at the date of the CTO, an insider or control person of the Company, may sell securities of the Company acquired before the date of the CTO if: (a) the sale is made through a foreign organized regulated market, as defined in section 1.1 of the Universal Market Integrity Rules of the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada; and (b) the sale is made through an investment dealer registered in a jurisdiction of Canada in accordance with applicable securities legislation. Holders of the Companys securities are urged to consult with their own investment advisors or legal counsel about the implications of the CTO. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to remedy its filing default and have the CTO lifted in a timely manner or at all. The Company confirms that there are no insolvency proceedings against it as of the date of this press release. The Company also confirms that there is no other material information concerning the affairs of the Company that has not been generally disclosed as of the date of this press release. About Yooma Yooma's mission is to build a global leader in the marketing, distribution, and sale of wellness products including hemp seed oil and hemp-derived and cannabinoid (CBD) ingredients. The company leverages strategically curated sales channels and ecommerce networks to deliver a diverse mix of wellness products through operating subsidiaries in the United Kingdom, France and Japan. Learn more at www.yooma.ca. Issuer Contact:Jordan Greenberg, CEOEmail: [email protected]Phone: 1-512-823-1678 Notice regarding Forward-Looking Statements All information included in this press release, including any information as to future financial or operating performance and other statements of Yooma that express managements expectations or estimates of future performance or activities, other than statements of historical fact, constitute forward-looking information or forward-looking statements (collectively, forward-looking statements) within the meaning of applicable securities laws and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as of the date hereof. Forward-looking statements are included for the purpose of providing information about managements current expectations and plans relating to the future. Wherever possible, words such as will, anticipates, expected, intends or the negative of these words or other variations thereof, have been used to identify such forward-looking information. Specific forward-looking statements include, without limitation, all disclosure regarding future results of operations, economic conditions and anticipated courses of action, including statements about the issuance of any cease trade orders and the contents of these orders, the Companys ability to file its Annual Filings on the timeliness described above, and the subsequent revocation of any cease trade orders. There are many risks and uncertainties that may affect forward-looking statements including, among others, regulatory risk in each jurisdiction in which Yooma does or intends to operate; the uncertainties, effects of and responses to the COVID-19 pandemic; reliance on licenses; competition; dependence on senior management and key personnel; general business risk and liability; regulation of the CBD industry; changes in laws, regulations and guidelines; compliance with laws; limited operating history; unfavourable publicity or consumer perception; product liability, risks related to intellectual property; product recalls; difficulties with forecasts; management of growth; litigation; Yoomas ability to effectively integrate existing and future acquisition targets into its platform; the effects of competition in the industry; the requirement for increasingly innovative product solutions and service offerings; trends in customer growth; the availability of financing to support future growth and working capital requirements, transactional activity and operations; sufficiency of current working capital to support future operating and working capital requirements; Yoomas ability to prepare and file its Annual Filings before the date specified herein; and other matters which are beyond the control of Yooma. Although the forward-looking statements contained herein reflect management's current beliefs and reasonable assumptions based upon information available to management as of the date hereof, Yooma cannot be certain that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking information. Yooma cautions you not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements. Yooma disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Nothing herein should be construed as either an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy or sell securities of Yooma. Source: Yooma Wellness Inc Reflex (CSE: RFLX) (OTCQB: RFLXF) (FWB: HF2) is a strategic minerals company focused on locating and developing economic properties in the strategic metals and advanced metals space. The company aims to improve domestic specialty mineral infrastructure efficiencies to meet surging national demand from North American manufacturers, effectively positioning itself as one of the only North American suppliers of high purity natural graphite for hi-tech applications Processing graphite domestically in the U.S. is expected to provide Reflex Advanced Materials a competitive advantage as manufacturers begin to seek out American supply in the face of increased diplomatic tension, a recent article reads. Its project portfolio includes the Ruby Graphite Deposit in Montana and the ZigZag Lithium Property in Ontario. Located in a mining-friendly jurisdiction in southwest Montana, the Ruby Graphite Deposit is a low-cost, rapid re-entry opportunity that produced roughly 2,400 tons of graphite from 1902 to 1948. Reflex Advanced Materials holds mining rights for 755 hectares at the Ruby Graphite Project, with 96 federal lode mining claims. Recent sample assay at 95.8% to 98.4% total carbon Located in the Thunder Bay Mining Division of Ontario, the ZigZag Lithium Property consists of eight mining claims spanning roughly 2,710 hectares. Mineralization at the property, most notably lithium, is based in pegmatite dikes and concentrated in spodumene crystals, which are consistent throughout the entire unit. Spodumene is readily observable in outcrops and in drill cores, with crystal sizes ranging from 3-15cm, on average. To view the full article, visit https://ibn.fm/rzQKf About Reflex Advanced Materials Corp. Reflex Advanced Materials is a mineral exploration company based in British Columbia. Its objective is to locate and, if warranted, develop economic mineral properties in the strategic metals and advanced materials space. It is focused on improving domestic specialty mineral infrastructure efficiencies to meet surging national demand by North American manufacturers. The company is working to advance its Ruby Graphite Project, located in Beaverhead County, Montana, and ZigZag Lake Lithium Property, located in Thunder Bay Mining Division, Crescent Lake Area, Ontario. For more information, please review the companys filings available at www.SEDAR.com. NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to RFLXF are available in the companys newsroom at https://ibn.fm/RFLXF About MiningNewsWire MiningNewsWire (MNW) is a specialized communications platform focused on developments and opportunities in the global resources sector. The company provides (1) access to a network of wire services via InvestorWire to reach all target markets, industries and demographics in the most effective manner possible, (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ news outlets (3), enhanced press release services to ensure maximum impact, (4) social media distribution via the Investor Brand Network (IBN) to millions of social media followers, and (5) a full array of corporate communications solutions. As a multifaceted organization with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, MNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. By cutting through the overload of information in todays market, MNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. MNW is where news, content and information converge. To receive SMS text alerts from MiningNewsWire, text BigHole to 844-397-5787 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only) For more information, please visit https://www.miningnewswire.com Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the MiningNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by MNW, wherever published or re-published: https://www.miningnewswire.com/Disclaimer MiningNewsWire Los Angeles, California www.miningnewswire.com 310.299.1717 Office [email protected] MiningNewsWire is part of the InvestorBrandNetwork. A visitor looks at an exhibit at an exhibition featuring artworks about Rewi Alley in Wellington, New Zealand, April 21, 2023. An exhibition featuring artworks about Rewi Alley, who opened the door for New Zealand-China diplomatic ties, and historical items and pictures that showcase his prominent contribution to China's revolution, development and bilateral friendship, kicked off here on Friday. (Photo by Meng Tao/Xinhua) WELLINGTON, April 21 (Xinhua) -- An exhibition featuring artworks about Rewi Alley, who opened the door for New Zealand-China diplomatic ties, and historical items and pictures that showcase his prominent contribution to China's revolution, development and bilateral friendship, kicked off here on Friday. This is the largest exhibition about Alley, a New Zealand-born writer, social reformer and educator, held in New Zealand in recent years. An old friend of the Chinese people, Alley had spent 60 years living and working in China before he died in 1987 in Beijing. Last year marked the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between China and New Zealand. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the three-day event, Chinese Ambassador to New Zealand Wang Xiaolong said that as an internationalist, humanitarian and above all, a pathfinder for China-New Zealand friendship, Alley helped to bring the two peoples closer across vast oceans. He is truly a precious asset for both countries. "We should build on his legacy and carry forward the Rewi Alley spirit of friendship, inclusiveness and endeavor, especially among the younger generation, with a view to taking the mutually-respectful and mutually-beneficial partnership between our two countries to new heights as we usher in the next 50 years for our diplomatic relationship," the ambassador said. David Carter, former speaker of the New Zealand Parliament, said younger generations should recognize the impact Alley has made. The Rewi Alley Memorial Exhibition is to continue Alley's knowledge and contribution to the bilateral relationship. Artist Deng Bangzhen, Alley's foster son, and his wife Lu Bo brought 100 of their paintings and artworks to the exhibition. Deng said Alley encouraged them to create paintings of Chinese landscapes and folklore to be exhibited in New Zealand, and paintings about New Zealand to be displayed in China. "Rewi Alley is an important part of our history," said Chris Lipscombe, national president of the New Zealand China Friendship Society. "Many of you will know that our organization was founded over 70 years ago at Alley's suggestion, and that during his life he entrusted the Society to work on his behalf in New Zealand," he said. Chris Lipscombe, national president of the New Zealand China Friendship Society, speaks during the opening ceremony of an exhibition featuring artworks about Rewi Alley in Wellington, New Zealand, April 21, 2023. An exhibition featuring artworks about Rewi Alley, who opened the door for New Zealand-China diplomatic ties, and historical items and pictures that showcase his prominent contribution to China's revolution, development and bilateral friendship, kicked off here on Friday. (Photo by Meng Tao/Xinhua) Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 20, 2023) - Advantagewon Oil Corp. (CSE: AOC) (OTC Pink: ANTGF) (the "Company"), wishes to announce that effective today, Frank Kordy as director of the Company and Victor Hugo has resigned as Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary of the Company. The Company has appointed Paul Haber as Interim Chief Financial Officer effective April 20, 2023, to fill the vacancy as a result of Mr. Hugo's resignation. The Company would like to thank Mr. Kordy and Mr. Hugo for their leadership and help in guiding the Company to this point and wishes them the best in their future endeavors. About Advantagewon Oil Corp. Advantagewon's common shares are listed on the OTC Markets in the United States and on the CSE in Canada. Advantagewon is a member of the CSE Composite Index (CSE: AOC). For more information, please visit www.aoc-oil.com. For further information please contact: Mr. Paul Haber Interim Chief Executive Officer & Director Advantagewon Oil Corp. T: (416) 318-6501 NEITHER CSE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. Forward-Looking Statements Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "continue", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These statements are only predictions. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/163257 Warsaw, Poland--(Newsfile Corp. - April 21, 2023) - CasinoCanada.com, a top online casino affiliate in Canada, is excited to announce its attendance at Conversion Conf, which gets underway on April 19th. Image 1 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8658/163024_f48444e684850a03_001full.jpg Conversion Conf, which takes place in Warsaw, Poland, is a conference for affiliate marketing professionals to come together, share ideas and network. The convention will feature more than 20 speeches, panels and workshops from dozens of the industry's leading experts. All of which are designed to help businesses succeed in the fast-paced world of affiliate marketing. CasinoCanada is delighted to be a part of this year's conference, as it presents a valuable opportunity to connect with fellow industry specialists. The team is eager to meet like-minded individuals and exchange ideas to help cement their status as Canada's top casino affiliate. At CasinoCanada, the team is dedicated to offering the best possible experience for Canadian casino enthusiasts. The project's standout feature is its comprehensive database, which houses over 200 detailed reviews of legal casinos in Canada. This extensive collection of information helps players find the perfect online casino to match their needs. CasinoCanada's high-quality guides cover various aspects of the casino experience, such as games, payment methods, customer support, and bonuses. The project ensures that all reviewed casinos are legal and adhere to strict industry standards. Julia Avotina, the Sales Manager for CasinoCanada, will be present at Conversion Conf and is looking forward to meeting other members of the industry. "We are thrilled to be attending Conversion Conf this year and cannot wait to connect with other professionals in the business," said Avotina. "CasinoCanada is always looking for ways to improve the online gaming experience of our readers. We expect to learn a lot from the many talented speakers who will be presenting their undoubtedly valuable insights. And of course, we are super excited for the networking opportunities the convention will bring." Don't miss the chance to meet Julia and learn more about CasinoCanada's commitment to social responsibility. Look out for her at Conversion Conf on April 19th and 20th. For more information about CasinoCanada, visit their website at www.casinocanada.com. -------- Contact information: CasinoCanada.com +17782004787 Dmitry Rogalchuk [email protected] 1771 Robson Street - 1027 Vancouver, BC V6G 3B7, Canada To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/163024 -- Quebec Pegmatite, a wholly owned subsidiary of Coloured Ties, plans spring and summer aerial and boots on the ground exploration campaigns in the prolific Mazerac and James Bay regions of Quebec. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 21, 2023) - Coloured Ties Capital Inc. (TSXV: TIE) (OTC Pink: APEOF) (FSE: 97A0) ("Coloured Ties" or the "Company"), an investment company focused on business incubation and opportunities that disrupt their industry, is pleased to provide the following update: APPOINTS MIKE STIER AS CEO OF QUEBEC PEGMATITE CORP. Coloured Ties is pleased to announce that Mike Stier has been named to the position of Chief Executive Office and Director of Quebec Pegmatite Corp. ("QPC"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Coloured Ties. Mr. Stier has spent the past 15 years focused on and building expertise in the capital markets. He is experienced in corporate structure, finance, business development, IPO's, M&A, and wealth management, Mr. Stier served as a CIBC IIROC licensed Senior Financial Advisor, senior analyst for a private equity company and more recently holds executive and directorship roles with private companies and publicly listed issuers. He has consulted in industries including mining, oil & gas, fintech, VR, eSports, health, life sciences and biotech. Mr. Stier acts for several other entities, including Independent Director of Rektron Group Inc., CEO & Director of New Leaf Ventures Inc. and is a Co-Founder and former CEO & Director of Optimi Health Corp. QUEBEC PEGMATITE MOBILIZES ON EXPLROATION PROGRAMS Quebec Pegmatite is pleased to announce that Longford Exploration has designed and is mobilizing on exploration programs for the company's Mazerac and Vieux Comptoir projects. MAZERAC LITHIUM PROJECT: The Mazerac Project is project has 108 contiguous claims located around the Decelles Reservoir, about 50km southwest of Val-d'Or and easily accessible by a network of forestry roads. This property is immediately adjacent to claims currently held by exploration companies including Winsome Resources, Brunswick Exploration and Vision Lithium and near infrastructure including (see regional map in Schedule1). This property is immediately adjacent to claims currently held by exploration companies including Winsome Resources, Brunswick Exploration and Vision Lithium and near infrastructure including (see regional map in Schedule1). This expanded area, known as Mazerac, has recently attracted many lithium prospecting and exploration companies due to recent discoveries of several lithium bearing pegmatites in the region. has recently attracted many lithium prospecting and exploration companies due to recent discoveries of several lithium bearing pegmatites in the region. The consolidated rocks of the region are of Precambrian age. The oldest include weathered rocks of sedimentary origin, and a few of volcanic origin, which are considered part of the Pontiac group. The majority of the bedrock in the region is composed of granitic and syenitic rocks, which have been intruded and mixed with rocks of the Pontiac Group. Pegmatites and associated aplites have varying textures and reported to be abundant in the region (See Figures 3 and 4). The schist enclaves of the Pontiac group showing various degrees of assimilation are locally abundant. Large clusters of pegmatite are essentially homogeneous, however, some of the smaller dykes and lenses are zoned. Diabase and gabbro dykes cut across all these rocks. Extensive Lidar coverage reveals the influence of tectonics on the topography of the region. The general northeast orientation of the topographic features of the eastern part of the region is controlled by the granite and pegmatite sills in the biotite schists. There are many north, north-east and north-west trending joints in all the rocks of the region. Earlier intermittent surveys conducted in the 1950s-60s reported on the presence of spodumene in the region. However, this was not of sufficient quantity to sustain systematic exploration at the time. Beryl crystals were also found associated with quartz segregations in pegmatites in several locations. The Property is believed to have a favourable geological setting for Li-Cs-Ta (LCT) Pegmatite style deposits, which have been noted in association with the DRB in the Lac Simard area to the west of the Property. There are no catalogued mineral showings on the Property and no previous exploration programs have been carried out on or in the immediate vicinity of the property. During the first week of November 2022, a total of 488 soil samples were collected over seven small grids on QPC's Mazerac 43-101 listing Property. The soil sampling grid areas were selected to provide coverage across multiple zones of the Property. Additionally, a total of twenty-four litho-geochemical grab samples were collected across the Property through prospecting in the immediate vicinity of the soil survey grids. Results were numerous single and multi-point lithium geochemical anomalies looking at subtle anomalism for Li, Ta, Rb, REE's and various geochemical ratios as indicators to prospectivity and pegmatite fertility in the seven zones explored. VIEUX COMPTOIR LITHIUM PROJECT: The Vieux Comptoir Lithium Property comprises a total of 381 Quebec mineral exploration claims, which amount to a total of 19,533.81 hectares or 195 square kilometers. Located in the centre of significant lithium discoveries by Patriot Battery Metals (V.PMET) and Winsome Resources (ASX:WR1). The Vieux Comptoir Lithium Property has been optioned to Superior Mining International (V.SUI) and was successfully approved by the TSX-V. Pursuant to the terms of the option QPC will receive a total of 14 million shares of Superior Mining over an 18-month disbursement schedule. See news release dated April 11, 2023 for additional details on the option. With this approval Superior Mining will fund exploration on the Vieux Comptoir property going forward. Located approximately 45 km east of Patriot Battery Metals Corvette Lithium Discovery where extensive drilling has encountered high grade lithium intersections including recently announced 83.7m of 3.13% Li2O, including 19.8m of 5.28% Li2O. The Vieux Comptoir Lithium Property is also located 45km west of Winsome Resources' (ASX: WR1) Adina Lithium Project which discovered a large outcropping pegmatite dyke with significant lithium mineralised intercepts including 1.34% Li2O over 107.6m. The Property encompasses lithium pegmatite prospective source rocks of the Vieux Comptoir Granitic Suite, which have been identified on the Property. The Property sits along the volcanic belt and encompasses various intrusive suites, including the lithium pegmatite prospective source rocks of the Vieux Comptoir Granitic Suite, which have been mapped on the property. Regionally, the Vieux Comptoir Granitic Suite is known to host K-feldspar granite phases in pegmatite form, which may host an abundance of spodumene. Viuex Comptoir Lithium Property is underlain by the source rock (Vieux Comptoir suite) which would have injected pegmatite dykes into those greenstone rocks in the region. This geological interpretation strongly supports the prospectivity of the Project for further lithium discoveries. "The Eeyou Istchee James Bay region is experiencing heightened staking activity based on its abundance of lithium-bearing pegmatites including four deposits with defined resources. Quebec Pegmatite acquired the projects in mid 2022, well before the staking rush of 2023. In addition, this region has recorded numerous recent discoveries including Corvette by Patriot Battery Metals just east of our projects underscoring the exploration potential of the area. The Mazerac Region has also seen increased staking activity and recent work by other companies active in the area suggests prospects for lithium discoveries in the area. We believe both properties have excellent potential for the discovery of lithium-bearing pegmatites," states Mike Stier, CEO of Quebec Pegmatite Corp. MOBILIZING WORK PROGRAMS ON MAZERAC AND VIEUX COMPTOIR LITHIUM PROJECTS QPC and Superior Mining are pleased to have engaged Longford Exploration to conduct a detailed exploration on the Mazerac and Vieux Comptoir Lithium Projects. (See project maps below): To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8431/163272_4cadc419647bc9de_002full.jpg To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8431/163272_4cadc419647bc9de_003full.jpg To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8431/163272_4cadc419647bc9de_004full.jpg Programs for Mazerac and Vieux Comptoir include: Phase 1 Historical government assessment and data compilation Remote sensing Lithostructural interpretation Data interpretation and targeting Phase 2 Mapping and prospecting field program (3 weeks) Phase 2 Lab Results Data Interpretation and Targeting Winkie Drill testing on identified pegmatites Upon completion of the Phase 1 remote sensing, and lithostructursal interpretation, the results of the interpretation, and subsequent Phase 2 field work, will be incorporated to develop areas of interest for further field work utilizing ground-based IP geophysical techniques. A 2D/3D dipole IP survey will be recommended to resolve the host rock resistivity anomaly which is commonly found to be associated with pegmatite emplacement where coincidental magnetic anomalism and remote sensing indicators are present. QPC and Superior Mining are planning an aggressive field program during the 2023 work season in the James Bay and Mazerac regions, and have established agreements to ensure availability of crews, accommodations, and equipment for the upcoming season. Finally, QPC is in advanced discussions to complete a reverse takeover transaction in the coming months. There are currently 11 million shares outstanding, of which, Coloured Ties owns 91%, and will be a significant shareholder in the transaction capital structure. No transaction has been finalized and there is no guarantee a transaction will be completed. About Coloured Ties Capital Inc Coloured Ties Capital is a TSX-V listed issuer that invests in early-stage commercial ventures and provides investee companies with capital market access and advisory services. The Company offers investors an opportunity to participate in early-stage opportunities that are often only offered to high net worth or institutional investors via investment in the Company's common shares listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under symbol V.TIE. Coloured Ties Capital is a 2022 TSXV 50 Company. About Quebec Pegmatite: Quebec Pegmatite Inc is subsidiary of Coloured Ties and holds the Viexu Comptoir and Mazerac Lithium Projects located in the James Bay and Mazerac regions of Quebec. The company plans aggressive and extensive exploration programs for 2023 to explore the lithium potential for these properties. For further information please contact: Coloured Ties Capital Inc. Kal Malhi Chief Executive Officer [email protected] Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Except for historical information contained herein, this news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially. Except as required pursuant to applicable securities laws, the Company will not update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. More detailed information about potential factors that could affect financial results is included in the documents filed from time to time with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities by the Company. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release present the expectations of the Company as of the date hereof and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/163272 Kingston, Jamaica--(Newsfile Corp. - April 21, 2023) - Global travel can be an exhilarating experience, but it also comes with its fair share of risks. From losing your way in an unfamiliar city, to encountering medical emergencies, these risks are very real. Understanding this reality, First Alert is proud to announce the global launch of its award-winning travel safety app, that brings 24hr emergency response services to the fingertips of travellers worldwide. Aldain Reid, Founder - First Alert To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9578/163289_3c1affa734aea9f2_001full.jpg Founded by Jamaican tech entrepreneur Aldain Reid, First Alert has created a first-of-its-kind, on-demand emergency response service for travellers; successfully bridging the gap between technology and travel safety. The app leverages cutting-edge solutions to offer users a one-stop solution for all their travel safety requirements; connecting them to a 24hr contact centre manned by trained dispatch professionals who provide assistance in various emergency situations, such as medical, roadside assistance, or personal safety issues. The First Alert app is a comprehensive travel safety solution designed to give travellers peace of mind, whether they get lost in an unfamiliar city, feel unsafe, or encounter an unexpected bout of illness. But that is just the beginning. The app offers several convenient subscription packages for individuals, couples, families, and weekend playmakers alike, making it accessible to everyone. It is available on both iOS and Android platforms, and is perfect for family excursions, solo travellers, company travel, group trips, and digital nomads. "We are super excited to unleash the power of technology to revolutionise travel safety with the global launch of First Alert," said Reid. "We believe that every traveller deserves the peace of mind that comes with knowing that help is just a tap away. Our travel safety app is designed to provide exactly this assurance. With the app's user-friendly interface and diverse range of services, our ultimate aim is to empower travelers to confidently explore new destinations without worrying about potential risks." First Alert's commitment to excellence has earned the company numerous accolades, including the Jamaica National Innovation Award in the Health and Safety category in 2018, in recognition of its game-changing innovation. With its global launch underway, First Alert is set to make a profound impact on travel safety, empowering travellers to explore the world with confidence. For more information about the First Alert app, please visit www.getfirstalert.com. For press inquiries please contact Suzanne Scarlett at [email protected]. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/163289 Hong Kong, Hong Kong--(Newsfile Corp. - April 21, 2023) - Globiance, a leading banking and crypto exchange platform, is about to release a new widget that will enable customers to trade their fiat currency directly into cryptocurrencies. The widget is a simple and convenient solution designed to offer customers easy access to a wide range of payment methods, exchange, and currencies. The release of this new widget will enable the seamless conversion of traditional money into digital assets making it even easier to enter into the crypto market. Globiance To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9243/163342_6244696c943428cb_001full.jpg Globiance's new widget supports a wide range of currencies. Customers can trade using the most popular currencies, such as; the Euro, Pound Sterling, and the US Dollar. Using the new widget, trades can now also be made using; United Arab Emirates Dirham, Australian Dollar, Azerbaijan Manat, Bangladeshi Taka, Brazilian Real, Canadian Dollar, Swiss Franc, Chilean Peso, Colombian Peso, Costa Rican Colon, Czech Koruna, Danish Krone, Dominican Republic Peso, Algerian Dinar, Egyptian Pound, Georgian Lari, Hong Kong Dollar, Croatian Kuna, Hungarian Forint, Israeli Shekel, Indian Rupee, Japanese Yen, Korean Won, Kuwaiti Dinar, Morocco Dirham, Mexican Peso, Malaysian Ringgit, Nigerian Naira, Norwegian Krone, Peruvian Sol, Philippine Peso, Polish Zloty, Romanian Leu, Saudi Riyal, Swedish Krona, Singapore Dollar, Thai Baht, Tunisian Dinar, Turkish lira, Ukrainian Hryvnia, Central African CFA Franc, South African Rand, Bulgarian Lev, Bahraini Dinar, Indonesian Rupiah, Kazakhstani Tenge, New Zealand Dollar, Qatar Riyal, Taiwan New Dollar, Uruguayan Peso, and Vietnamese Dong. This diversity of currencies is a unique feature of Globiance and the addition of this widget will enable customers from around the world to purchase cryptocurrencies by using their local currency. The payment methods supported by Globiance's widget include; Credit/Debit Card, ApplePay, GooglePay, Giropay, Astropay, Skrill, Neteller, PIX, Khipu, Webpay, PSE, SPEI and direct Bank Transfer. Bank Transfer is available in Malaysia, Nigeria, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and more& providing customers with a wide range of options to fund their accounts and start trading. In terms of cryptocurrencies, Globiance offers a comprehensive selection of popular currencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Tether. Additionally, the platform supports Binance Coin (BEP2 and BEP20), Animal Farm Dogs (AFD), Animal Farm Pigs (AFP) Ripple, Cardano, Dogecoin, Polygon, Solana, Polkadot, Binance USD, Litecoin, Shiba Inu, Tron, Dai, Wrapped Bitcoin, Chainlink, Uniswap, Stellar, Bitcoin Cash, Aave, Tezos, Axie Infinity, The Sandbox, Chiliz, Curve DAO Token, Maker, Enjin Coin, Basic Attention Token, Holo, Compound, Yearn Finance, SushiSwap, Swipe, Kyber Network Crystal, Numeraire, and Perpetual Protocol. This extensive range of cryptocurrencies enables customers to diversify their portfolios with a variety of digital assets. The Globiance widget is a simple and convenient way to access the crypto market, using a wide range of currencies, payment methods, and cryptocurrencies. The combination of banking and crypto services makes Globiance a well-rounded platform designed with users in mind. About Globiance: Globiance is a banking/crypto exchange platform that combines banking and crypto services onto a single platform. It offers exchanges, payment gateways, centralized (CEX) and decentralized (DEX) marketplaces, trading, staking, online wallets, and more. The platform is deflationary by design, and the native token of Globiance is GBEX, which is utilized in many different capacities, including paying fees, rewards, and referrals. For media inquiries or more information about Globiance, interested parties can contact Terry Junior, the Media Contact person for GLOBIANCE Holdings Limited, via email at [email protected] or visit their website at https://eu.globiance.com. Globiance is based in Hong Kong, and offers its services globally. Media Contact Contact person: Terry junior Company Name: GLOBIANCE Holdings Limited Website: https://eu.globiance.com Email: [email protected] City: Hong Kong State: Hong Kong Country: China To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/163342 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 21, 2023) - Hertz Lithium Inc. (CSE: HZ) (the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has granted an aggregate of 750,000 stock options (the "Options") to consultants and a director and officer of the Company to purchase 750,000 common shares (the "Shares") in the capital of the Company pursuant to the Company's stock option plan. The Options, which vest immediately, are exercisable at an exercise price of $0.19 per Share for a period of two (2) years from the date of grant. The Company has also entered into a services agreement dated March 24, 2023 (the "Services Agreement") with IR PUB LLC ("PUB"). Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Services Agreement, PUB has agreed to assist the Company with an awareness campaign and to provide the Company with advertising and marketing services including, but not limited to, the following: (i) email marketing; (ii) financial newsletter traffic; (iii) social media; (iv) articles; and (v) video interviews. PUB will provide its services for a period of approximately 90 days, which began on or around April 10, 2023, and will continue until approximately July 10, 2023. In accordance with the terms and conditions of the Services Agreement, and as consideration for the services provided by PUB, the Company has agreed to pay PUB a cash fee of USD$50,000. PUB and its principals are arm's length from the Company and do not have any interest, direct or indirect, in the Company or its securities,nor do they have any right or intent to acquire such an interest. PUB's business is located in Ponte Vedra Beach, its email contact is [email protected], and its phone number is Tel:386.868.0616. About Hertz Lithium Inc. Hertz Lithium Inc. is a British Columbia based mineral exploration company primarily engaged in the acquisition and exploration of mineral properties. The Company currently has one material mineral property, the Lucky Mica Project, located in the Arizona pegmatite belt, which is in the exploration stage. For further information, please contact Mr. Kal Malhi or view the Company's filings at www.sedar.com. On Behalf Of the Board of Directors Kal Malhi Chief Executive Officer and Director Phone: 604-805-4602 Email: [email protected] The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold within the United States, or to or for the account or benefit of any U.S. person or any person in the United States, unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. "United States" and "U.S. Person" are as defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act. Cautionary Statement Regarding "Forward-Looking" Information This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this new release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION OR DISSEMINATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/163269 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 21, 2023) - Kodiak Copper Corp. (TSXV: KDK) (OTCQB: KDKCF) (FSE: 5DD1)(the "Company" or "Kodiak") announces that it has closed its oversubscribed non-brokered private placement (the "Concurrent Financing") that was announced on April 4, 2023 and upsized on April 6, 2023, for gross proceeds of approximately $3.4 million. Together with the bought deal private placement that was announced with the Concurrent Financing and closed on April 14, 2023 the aggregate gross proceeds to the Company are approximately $8.4 million. The Concurrent Financing was oversubscribed, receiving strong interest from the investor community and existing investors. A total of 1,532,654 charity flow-through units ("Charity FT Units") at a price of $1.32 per Charity FT Unit and 1,461,090 flow-through units (the "FT Units", and together with the Charity FT Units, the "Units") at a price of $0.96 per FT Unit, were sold pursuant to the Concurrent Financing for gross proceeds to the Company of $3,425,750. Teck Resources Limited ("Teck") exercised its equity participation right to maintain its partially diluted 9.9% ownership position in Kodiak, acquiring 592,593 units in connection with the Concurrent Financing. Kodiak's chairman Chris Taylor and certain other insiders of the Company also participated in the Concurrent Financing. Claudia Tornquist, President and CEO of Kodiak said, "There was considerable demand for this financing and I am pleased to welcome some strong new investors as Kodiak shareholders. I wish to thank our largest shareholder Teck for their ongoing support, as well as all our insiders and shareholders who participated in this financing. With a treasury of over $13 million Kodiak is now fully funded for what will be an exciting 2023 exploration program at our MPD project. Our field season has already kicked off and with a suite of compelling drill targets and a world-class team we are well placed to make 2023 a rewarding year for our shareholders." Each Unit consists of one common share of the Company (a "Common Share") and one-half of one Common Share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "FT Warrant"), both of which qualify as "flow-through shares" (within the meaning of subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada)). Each FT Warrant issuable under the Concurrent Financing will entitle the holder to purchase one non-flow-through Common Share (a "Warrant Share") at an exercise price of $1.10 for a period of 24 months following the closing date. Further, in the event that the Common Shares' price closes at or above $1.70 on the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSX-V") for 20 consecutive trading days, the Company may, within 15 days of the occurrence of such event, deliver a notice to the holders of the FT Warrants accelerating the expiry date of the FT Warrants to the date that is 30 days following such notice, and any unexercised FT Warrants after such period shall automatically expire. The Common Shares, the FT Warrants and the Warrant Shares are subject to a four month hold period, expiring on August 22, 2023. The Concurrent Financing remains subject to final acceptance of the TSX-V. Insiders of the Company subscribed for a total of 301,042 FT Units. The participation of insiders in the Concurrent Financing constitutes a "related party transaction", within the meaning of TSX-V Policy 5.9 and Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company has relied on the exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101, in respect of the related party participation in the Concurrent Financing, as neither the fair market value (as determined under MI 61-101) of the subject matter of, nor the fair market value of the consideration for, the transaction, insofar as it involved the interested party, exceeded 25% of the Company's market capitalization (as determined under MI 61-101). The Company will use the gross proceeds received by the Company from the sale of the Units to incur eligible "Canadian exploration expenses" that qualify as "flow-through critical mineral mining expenditures" as both terms are defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the "Qualifying Expenditures") on the Company's MPD project in British Columbia, with such expenses to be incurred on or before December 31, 2024, and the Company will renounce all the Qualifying Expenditures in favour of the subscribers of the Units effective December 31, 2023. If the Qualifying Expenditures are reduced by the Canada Revenue Agency, the Company will indemnify each Unit subscriber for any additional taxes payable by such subscriber as a as a consequence of such reduction. The Company paid to eligible finders (the "Finders") who introduced subscribers to the Concurrent Financing finders fees in cash equal to 6% of the gross proceeds from the sales of Units to the subscribers arranged by such Finders. In connection with the closing of the Concurrent Financing, the Company paid finders fees in the aggregate cash amount of $73,278 to arm's length Finders, in compliance with the policies of the TSX-V and applicable securities legislation. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities described herein have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or available exemptions from such registration requirements. This press release does not constitute an offer to acquire securities in any jurisdiction. On behalf of the Board of Directors Kodiak Copper Corp. Claudia Tornquist President & CEO For further information contact: Nancy Curry, VP Corporate Development [email protected] +1 (604) 646-8362 About Kodiak Copper Corp. Kodiak is focused on its 100% owned copper porphyry projects in Canada and the USA. The Company's most advanced asset is the MPD copper-gold porphyry project in the prolific Quesnel Trough in south-central British Columbia, Canada. MPD has all the hallmarks of a large, multi-centered porphyry system. Kodiak has made the Gate Zone discovery of high-grade mineralization within a wide mineralized envelope, and MPD hosts several other targets with similar discovery potential. Kodiak also holds the Mohave copper-molybdenum-silver porphyry project in Arizona, USA, near the world-class Bagdad mine. Kodiak's porphyry projects have both been historically drilled and present known mineral discoveries with the potential to hold large-scale deposits. Kodiak's founder and Chairman is Chris Taylor who is well-known for his gold discovery success with Great Bear Resources. Kodiak is also part of Discovery Group, one of Canada's leading exploration organizations. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statement (Safe Harbor Statement): This press release contains forward looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The use of any of the words "anticipate", "plan", "continue", "expect", "estimate", "objective", "may", "will", "project", "should", "predict", "potential" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward looking statements. In particular, this press release contains forward looking statements concerning the Concurrent Financing, including the size of the Concurrent Financing and the proceeds thereof, the proposed use of proceeds, and the expected receipt of regulatory and stock exchange approvals. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward looking statements because the Company cannot give any assurance that they will prove correct. Since forward looking statements address future events and conditions, they involve inherent assumptions, risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of assumptions, factors and risks, many of which are beyond the Company's ability to control or predict. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to, conditions in the equity financing markets, stock market volatility, unquantifiable risks related to government actions and interventions, the termination of any agreement governing the Concurrent Financing, changes in laws or permitting requirements, failure to obtain necessary regulatory approvals as well as those risks identified in the Company's annual Management Discussion & Analysis. Management has provided the above summary of risks and assumptions related to forward looking statements in this press release in order to provide readers with a more comprehensive perspective on the Company's future operations. The Company's actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward looking statements and, accordingly, no assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits the Company will derive from them. These forward looking statements are made as of the date of this press release, and, other than as required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/163213 Road Town, British Virgin Islands--(Newsfile Corp. - April 21, 2023) - LBank Exchange, a global digital asset trading platform, will list UCX on April 25, 2023. For all users of LBank Exchange, the UCX/USDT trading pair will be officially available for trading at 5:00 UTC on April 25, 2023. UCX Listing Banner To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8831/163158_e3b6cd9f247d8b89_001full.jpg Leveraging the power of blockchain technology, GBCKorea is here to increase execution efficiency and provide on-chain investments through the ownership of its cryptocurrency called UCX. The UCX token will be listed on LBank Exchange at 5:00 UTC on April 25, 2023, to further expand its global reach and help it achieve its vision. Introducing GBCKorea GBCKorea seeks to be the first company to offer exposure to specialized investments, through a unique cryptographic token. As an organization of leading financial and investment professionals, GBCKorea is offering token holders access to investments in Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) deals, as well as offering traditional asset management, exchange listing and trading services. The M&A platform is operated by asset management and investment professionals who worked for many decades in the financial industry. The team utilizes blockchain technology to streamline the M&A process, improve and optimize M&A services, and provide low-cost and efficient services to its clients. GBCKorea performs KYC/AML and identity verification for all users using the platform. Upon successful registration, users can view the status of proposed, ongoing, and completed M&A deals. Participants can select the M&A they wish to participate in by purchasing a UCX token during a specific period when the funding window for a specific transaction is open. Another core component of the GBCKorea decentralized financial application is the Asset Management (AM) Platform. This platform is operated by a team of investment professionals who are responsible for performing the necessary investment research and due diligence to select the appropriate financial assets to invest in. AM asset managers will utilize capital obtained from the sale of UCX token to purchase off-chain, real world investments as well as promising cryptocurrencies. Through the use of pooled capital, GBCKorea will have increased purchasing power and function similarly to a traditional asset management division of a large financial institution. The UCX token is designed to allow its investors exposure to the underlying assets held in AM Platform. There's also GBCKorea Exchange, which is designed to be a cryptocurrency and unlisted securities exchange utilizing a robust trading engine modeled after the top equities exchanges. GBCKorea intends to provide quality exchange trading services to world class investors and institutions, and expects to work closely with regulators and obtain any necessary licenses or approvals to operate its exchange. GBCKorea can offer these specialized investment services as a result of its significant and diversified experience in these fields. The team consists of globally recognized investment bankers and financial professionals, that combined, have over 100 years of market experience, conducted over $1 billion USD in M&A deals and collectively managed over $1B in assets. The mission of GBCKorea is to utilize innovations in distributed ledger technologies and cryptocurrency to provide liquidity to a traditionally, non-liquid economy. Through an integrated ecosystem that consists of Asset Management and M&A Services, coupled with its GBCKorea Exchange, GBCKorea seeks to provide a one-stop financial services platform that offers exposure to investments that were previously unavailable to everyday investors. About UCX Token GBCKorea is powered by UCX token. This token serves as the primary gateway to allow capital raising by the GBCKorea team, of which will be deployed to acquisition of assets, development of the platform and operations. It also serves as the fundamental conduit to transferring economic value between two parties as a currency. And finally, it is an asset that is designed to provide value appreciation to investors and token holders, through the distribution of profits earned from successful financial transactions. Based on ERC-20, UCX has a total supply of 1 billion (i.e., 1,000,000,000) tokens, of which 15% is provided for token sale, 30% is allocated for the ecosystem, 5% is reserved, 20% is provided for the community, 15% is allocated to the team and advisors, and the remaining 15% will be used for marketing. UCX token will be listed on LBank Exchange at 5:00 UTC on April 25, 2023, investors who are interested in GBCKorea can easily buy and sell it on LBank Exchange by then. Learn More about UCX Token: Official Website: https://www.ucx.info Telegram: https://t.me/UCXofficial Twitter: https://twitter.com/UCX_official Discord: https://discord.com/invite/gAqWzdAejt Medium: https://medium.com/@UCX_official About LBank LBank is one of the top crypto exchanges, established in 2015. It offers specialized financial derivatives, expert asset management services, and safe crypto trading to its users. The platform holds over 9 million users from more than 210 regions across the world. LBank is a cutting-edge growing platform that ensures the integrity of users' funds and aims to contribute to the global adoption of cryptocurrencies. Start Trading Now: lbank.com Community & Social Media: l Telegram l Twitter l Facebook l LinkedIn l Instagram l YouTube Contact Details: LBK Blockchain Co. Limited LBank Exchange [email protected] [email protected] To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/163158 Bridgewater, New Jersey--(Newsfile Corp. - April 21, 2023) - Nataliya Andreychuk, Co-founder and CEO of Viseven, a global MarTech services provider for life sciences and pharma industries, has been awarded the 2023 Excellence in Customer Service Award by The Business Intelligence Group. The award recognizes Andreychuk's unwavering commitment to providing exceptional customer service and delivering innovative digital solutions to clients. Nataliya Andreychuk is recognized as one of the top experts in digital pharma marketing and digital content implementation, with over 12 years of solid leadership experience. Under her leadership, Viseven has grown from a startup into a global company with a team of 700+ IT and Pharma Marketing experts from all over the world. "I am truly honored to receive this award. At Viseven we have always been directed toward bringing high-quality and reliable products to meet the customers' diverse marketing demands. This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team, which I'm proud to lead," commented Nataliya Andreychuk. Nataliya has been contributing her vast expertise to developing smart digital solutions and software, which are now serving clients in over 70 global markets, delivering intelligent, personalized content across channels, platforms, and countries. The Excellence in Customer Service Awards celebrate those who are winning by supporting their customers and those who are developing the tools to help others succeed. Awards were given to consultants, outsourcing partners, and technology providers for superior performances in the past 12 months. "Customer service professionals and suppliers have had to make significant changes to adapt to our evolving world," said Maria Jimenez, chief nominations officer of the Business Intelligence Group. "It is our honor to recognize Nataliya Andreychuk as they are leading by example and making real progress on improving the daily lives of so many." About Viseven Viseven is a future-inspired global MarTech Services Provider for the Pharma and Life Sciences industries with more than a decade of experience. Viseven's digital transformation center offers innovative solutions for companies of different sizes and digital maturity levels by merging marketing and digital technology expertise with innovation and strategic capabilities. The company's solutions, products, and services are actively used by the TOP 100 Pharma and Life Sciences companies in more than 50 countries around the globe. Follow Viseven on social media: LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook Follow Nataliya Andreychuk on LinkedIn Contact Information: Viseven 1170 US Highway 22, Suite 306 Bridgewater, New Jersey +1 908 210 9069 [email protected] To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/163181 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 21, 2023) - Origen Resources Inc. (CSE: ORGN) (FSE: 4VXA)(the "Company" or "Origen")is pleased to announce it has appointed Mr. Rodney Stevens as VP, of Corporate Development. Mr. Stevens is a Chartered Financial Analyst ("CFA") charterholder with over a decade of experience in the capital markets, first as an investment analyst with Salman Partners Inc. subsequently as a merchant and investment banker. While at Salman Partners, Mr. Stevens became top-rated by Starmine for the metals and mining industry. Mr. Stevens was also a Portfolio Manager registered with Wolverton Securities Ltd. and over the course of his career, he has been instrumental in assisting in financings and mergers and acquisitions activities worth over $1 billion in transaction value. Gary Schellenberg, Origen's CEO, commented, "Rodney will be an invaluable asset to the Origen team. I am excited by our on-going work in Argentina at Los Sapitos, and look forward to the summer program on our Newfoundland lithium project. Great to have Rodney come onboard to help us rapidly advance our goals." Origen's first phase of sampling and mapping work at Los Sapitos is being analysed and a ground-based gravity survey is being contracted. The Company expects sampling results shortly and is still on-track for the initial drill testing program planned for the second half of this year. Private Placement Further to Company's first-tranche closing of its private placement on March 14, 2023, the Company has extended the financing and plans to close a second tranche of the unit financing in the near term for estimated proceeds of $1.25 million. Each unit will be issued at $0.25 per unit and consist of one common share and one-half of one common share purchase warrant, with each full warrant being exercisable for a period of 18 months at 40 cents. About Origen Origen is fully focused on its 100% interest in the Los Sapitos Lithium project in Argentina and its 100% interest in the 33,000 ha Newfoundland Lithium projects, and also holds a property portfolio of four 100% owned precious and base metal projects in southern British Columbia, a 100% interest in the 26,771 ha LGM project in the mineral rich Golden Triangle of British Columbia, and a portfolio of investments from prior property joint ventures and sales. On behalf of Origen, Thomas Hawkins Managing Director For further information, please contact Gary Schellenberg, Chief Executive Officer, at 604-681-0221. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. Certain of the statements made and information contained herein may constitute "forward-looking information." In particular references to the private placement and future work programs or expectations on the quality or results of such work programs are subject to risks associated with operations on the property, exploration activity generally, equipment limitations and availability, as well as other risks that we may not be currently aware of. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/163280 CANBERRA, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Australia's Treasurer Jim Chalmers has convened a roundtable of experts to chart a course toward the country becoming a renewable superpower. Chalmers on Friday hosted discussions with leading clean energy experts and investors including banks and global asset managers on Australia's transformation to clean energy. Speaking ahead of the meeting, Chalmers said Australia must embrace its big opportunities in the sector over the next "defining decade." "Australia has a huge opportunity to be a renewable energy superpower but to grab this opportunity, we must align efforts across the economy," he said in a media release on Friday. "Today's Investor Roundtable focused on investment opportunities for Australia in the net zero transformation, action needed to support the growth of sustainable finance in Australia and opportunities to unlock savings for consumers through better financing energy performance upgrades." His comments echoed those of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who in mid-2022 declared that Australia has a once-in-a-lifetime chance to become a renewable energy superpower. Australia ranks high globally for deposits of minerals that are essential for the transition to clean energy. The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) estimates that demand for some metals will increase up to 500 percent by 2050 as more wind turbines, large-scale battery storage and electric vehicles are built. Friday's meeting coincided with Rod Sims, former chair of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), arguing that green energy is a bigger opportunity for Australia than the resources boom of the past years. "Australia has the world's best combinations of wind and solar energy resources, and it has enormous sources of biomass for a zero emissions chemical industry," he wrote in a piece for the Guardian Australia. "The world is moving to a zero emissions economy -- albeit at an uncertain speed -- and we can have the lowest-cost zero emissions electricity available for large-scale economic development in the world." Certificate of Analysis issued for processed psilocybin truffles imported from Red Light Holland's farm in the Netherlands by CCrest Laboratories. Child proof packaging has been sourced. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 21, 2023) - Red Light Holland Corp. (CSE: TRIP) (FSE: 4YX) (OTCQB: TRUFF) ("Red Light Holland" or the "Company"), a company engaged in the production, growth and sale of functional mushrooms and mushroom home grow kits in North America and Europe, and a premium brand of psilocybin truffles to the legal, recreational market within the Netherlands, in compliance with all applicable laws, is thrilled to announce updates regarding its manufacturing plans to create homogenised natural psilocybin microdosing capsules. CCrest Laboratories Inc. ("CCrest Laboratories"), a Montreal-based cGMP pharmaceutical laboratory that holds a Controlled Drugs & Substances Dealer's License from Health Canada, has completed dehydration and homogenization and has produced a Certificate of Analysis of Red Light Holland's natural psilocybin truffles grown in the Netherlands that were imported to Canada under a Health Canada licence. Further, the Company has selected and sourced child proof packaging for its microdosing capsules. The packaging includes a HDPE plastic bottle with Child Resistant Closures (CRC) and an auto lock external box (see Image 1 and 2). As disclosed previously, and subject to obtaining Health Canada's approval for export, the natural psilocybin microdosing capsules are intended to be distributed in Australasia by NUBU Pharmaceuticals ("NUBU Pharmaceuticals"), a leading medical cannabis company based in New Zealand with distribution ties to Australia. "We are very hopeful that our prestigious partnerships with CCrest and NUBU Pharmaceuticals will bring about an excellent natural psilocybin microdosing product that has the potential of helping many people," said Todd Shapiro, Red Light Holland CEO and Director. "We will continue to carefully yet aggressively seek legal opportunities to increase responsible access to natural psilocybin around the world." "We are very excited to now have a first potential destination for the natural psilocybin microdosing capsules we are developing, and to make significant progress towards the end product," said Alex Grenier, CEO of Shaman Pharma and President of CCrest Laboratories. "This is a great first step towards getting the Microdosing capsules distributed in Australasia," said Mark Dye, Co-Founder and CEO of NUBU. Australia has recently, on February 3, 2023, announced a down-listing of psilocybin in its list of controlled substances to allow psychiatrists to prescribe psilocybin to patients suffering from treatment resistant depression. The change in scheduling was announced to take effect on July 1, 2023. Image 1 - 40cc Pill Bottle and CRC Cap To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2017/163274_48e190dec408782c_001full.jpg Image 2 - Autolock Box To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2017/163274_48e190dec408782c_002full.jpg About Red Light Holland Red Light Holland is an Ontario-based corporation engaged in the production, growth and sale of functional mushrooms and mushroom home grow kits in North America and Europe, and a premium brand of psilocybin truffles to the legal, recreational market within the Netherlands, in compliance with all applicable laws. For additional information on the Company: Todd Shapiro Chief Executive Officer & Director Tel: 647-643-TRIP (8747) Email: [email protected] Website: www.RedLight.co About Shaman Pharma Corp. Shaman Pharma is a federally registered Canadian corporation with the mission to power outstanding psychedelic life science innovation. Accelerating time-to-market through its portfolio of assets, Shaman Pharma launches and consolidates revenue-driven pharma-biotech life sciences ventures focused on supplying psychedelic drugs & novel active ingredients. About NUBU Pharmaceuticals Formed in 2017, NUBU Pharmaceuticals (New Zealand's largest medicinal cannabis distribution company) specializes in the distribution of therapeutics from the new frontier of medicine, including cannabis and psychedelics. The company also develops New Zealand-made cannabis products for export markets, harnessing two of New Zealand's great strengths, it's innovative culture and unique botanicals. For additional information on NUBU Pharmaceuticals: Mark Dye Co-Founder/Chief Executive Officer Tel: +649-360 0204 Email: [email protected] Website: www.nubupharma.com CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Company's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained herein include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: the Company's performance, business objectives and milestones and the anticipated timing thereof, and costs in connection with, the execution or achievement of such objectives and milestones, including its plans to continue seeking legal opportunities to increase responsible access to natural psilocybin around the world and NUBU Pharmaceutical's distribution of the Company's microsdosing capsules in Australasia; the Company and the Company's partners, including NUBU Pharmaceuticals and CCrest Laboratories, to maintain its stated licenses and obtain all necessary additional licenses and regulatory approval required for the Company to carry out its plans as described, including bringing a microdosing product that has the potential of helping many people; the Government of Australia to down list psilocybin under its controlled substances list and under the stated timelines; the Company's continued commitment to its products for microdosing that can potentially be accessible in emerging legal markets worldwide; and that the Company will provide updates with respect to its continued work with its partners on the microdosing capsules. Forward-looking information in this press release are based on certain assumptions and expected future events, namely: the Company's ability to maintain or exceed its current performance, and carry out its business objectives and milestones and under the anticipated timing and costs in connection with, the execution or achievement of such objectives and milestones; the Company and the Company's partners' abilities, including NUBU Pharmaceuticals and CCrest Laboratories, to maintain its stated licenses and obtain all necessary additional licenses and regulatory approval required for the Company to carry out its plans as described; the ability of the Government of Australia to down list psilocybin under its controlled substances list and under the stated timelines; the Company's ability to continue developing its products for microdosing that can potentially be accessible in emerging legal markets worldwide; and the Company's ability to provide updates with respect to its continued work with its partners on the microdosing capsules. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements, including but not limited to: the Company's inability to maintain or exceed its current performance, and carry out its business objectives and milestones and under the anticipated timing and costs in connection with, the execution or achievement of such objectives and milestones; the Company and the Company's partners' inabilities, including NUBU Pharmaceuticals and CCrest Laboratories, to maintain its stated licenses and obtain all necessary additional licenses and regulatory approval required for the Company to carry out its plans as described; the inability of the Government of Australia to down list psilocybin under its controlled substances list and under the stated timelines; the Company's inability to continue developing its products for microdosing that can potentially be accessible in emerging legal markets worldwide; and the Company's inability to provide updates with respect to its continued work with its partners on the microdosing capsules. Readers are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement and reflect the Company's expectations as of the date hereof and are subject to change thereafter. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, estimates or opinions, future events or results or otherwise or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such forward-looking information, except as required by applicable law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/163274 London, United Kingdom--(Newsfile Corp. - April 21, 2023) - Leading industry experts from renowned insurance firms will come together to address the rising complexity of insurance claims and the critical need for accuracy and faultless prediction. The upcoming interactive webinar will feature a panel of claims executives who will discuss ways to strike a balance between automation and human resources to energize claims operations. The event is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, at 11 am EST, and registration is now open for interested attendees. The webinar promises to offer attendees a unique opportunity to learn from the experiences of top claims experts and understand how to optimize claims processes while leveraging the full potential of digital technology to enhance customer satisfaction and retention. The panel of claims experts comprises of: Nathan Lundquist, SVP Claims, Protective Insurance Dan Moore, SVP Claims Shared Services, CNA Insurance Nicole Nevulis, Global Senior Director Go-To-Market Strategy, Verint Moderator: Michael Fiedel, Managing Director, InsurTech Ohio These industry experts will delve deep into the challenges facing claims operations, share practical insights, and discuss ways to synergize automation and human resources for improved outcomes. The webinar is produced in partnership with Reuters Events: Connected Claims USA 2023, and attendees can look forward to learning about the latest industry trends and technological advancements. Register for the webinar today, and gain access to a wealth of knowledge, strategies, and insights from some of the best in the business. Even if you cannot attend the live event, you can still register and receive a recording of the webinar afterward. Additionally, attendees can send their questions before the event, and the moderator will select some to be answered by the panelists during the webinar. For more information, please email [email protected]. Join the webinar to discover how to Energize Claims Operations with Streamlined Automation and AI, and position yourself to take advantage of the opportunities offered by this rapidly evolving industry. Register now at Energize Claims Operations - Energize Claims Operations with Streamlined Automation and AI (reutersevents.com) Taylor Brackin Global Project Director, Insurance Reuters Events UK: +44 20 7513 4097 E: [email protected] W: https://events.reutersevents.com/insurance/connected-claims-usa To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/163283 Val-d'Or, Quebec--(Newsfile Corp. - April 21, 2023) - Val-d'Or Mining Corporation (TSXV: VZZ) ("Val-d'Or Mining" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that further to the Company's news release of March 10, 2023, it has now closed the transactions contemplated by the letter agreement dated March 9, 2023 (the Agreement) with Gold Royalty Corp.s wholly owned subsidiary, Golden Valley Abitibi Royalties Ltd. (Abitibi which, together with Gold Royalty Corp., is referred to as "Gold Royalty"). The Company has purchased from Gold Royalty the mineral rights and interests in the Upper Red Lake property located in Northern Ontario in consideration for which the Company has granted to Gold Royalty a net smelter return royalty of 1.0% on the Upper Red Lake property (the "Royalty"). No cash or equity consideration was paid for the Upper Red Lake property acquired by the Company. The Company will pay to Gold Royalty 20% of any future consideration received by the Company (the "20% Consideration"), consisting of cash, shares or other securities of any entity received by the Company from a third party in consideration for any interest in, or otherwise in relation to, the Upper Red Lake property, pursuant to any transaction, agreement or other arrangement entered into, agreed to or announced by the Company on or before March 21, 2024 in relation to such property. Gold Royalty holds 28,965,050 shares in the capital of the Company, representing 35.6% of its issued share capital, and accordingly is an insider of the Company in accordance with applicable securities legislation. The transaction discussed herein therefore constitutes a "related party transaction" under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 ("MI 61-101"). The Company availed itself of the exemptions contained in section 5.5(a) of MI 6-101 for an exemption from the formal valuation requirement and Section 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 for an exemption from the minority shareholder approval requirement of MI 61-101. The Company availed itself of these exemptions on the basis that neither the fair market value of the Upper Red Lake property, nor the fair market value of the consideration paid by the Company to the Gold Royalty for such property (which consists of the 20% Consideration and the Royalty) exceeded 25% of the Company's market capitalization at the time such transaction was agreed to. About Upper Red Lake: The Upper Red Lake Gold Project consists of 12 contiguous mineral claims (1,750 Ha) located in the Birch-Uchi Greenstone Belt, within the Red Lake Mining Division of Ontario. The project, located approximately 60 kilometers ENE of Red Lake ON, is road accessible and largely lies along the NW boundary of Prosper Gold Corporation's Golden Sidewalk Project. Till sampling in the fall of 2021 over three target areas (C1, C2 and C3) returned anomalous values, primarily from the C1 target area. C1 has been described as spanning 2200-metres in an east-west direction, characterized by a linear magnetic high coincident with a greenstone-intrusive contact (values ranging up to 7834 ppb). Targets C2 and C3, located to the south are thought to potentially represent the continuation of the "Golden Corridor" target, a 7-km * 0.5-km gold in till anomaly, on the adjacent Prosper Gold Corporation property. About Val-d'Or Mining Corporation Val-d'Or Mining Corporation is a natural resource issuer involved in the process of acquiring and exploring its mineral property assets, most of which are situated in the Abitibi Greenstone Belt of NE Ontario and NW Qubec. To complement its current property interests, the Company regularly evaluates new opportunities for staking and/or acquisitions. Outside of its principal regional focus in the Abitibi Greenstone Belt, the Company holds several other properties in Northern Quebec (Nunavik) covering different geological environments and commodities (Ni-Cu-PGE's). The Company has an expertise in the identification and generation of new projects, and in the early stages of exploration. The mineral interests are broad and range from gold, copper-zinc-silver, nickel-copper-PGE to industrial and energy minerals. After the initial value creation in the 100%-owned, or majority-owned properties, the Company seeks option/joint venture partners to conduct more advanced exploration on the projects. For additional information, please contact: Glenn J. Mullan President & Chief Executive Officer 2864 chemin Sullivan Val-d'Or, Quebec J9P 0B9 Tel.: 819-824-2808 Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/163266 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 21, 2023) - VALOREM RESOURCES INC. (CSE:AGC) (FSE: X37) (the "Company") has changed its name to "Avanti Gold Corporation" under the trading symbol "AGC". Trading of the common shares will resume trading under the new name and the ticker symbol on the Canadian Securities Exchange as of market open on April 21, 2023. Please note that all open orders will be cancelled at the end of business on April 21, 2023. Dealers are reminded to re-enter their orders. Effective date: April 21, 2023 New Symbol: "AGC" New Cusip No: 05352C106 New ISIN: CA05352C1068 Old symbol: "VALU" Old Cusip: No: 92026P200 Old ISIN: CA92026P2008 Further information is available under the Company's profile on the Canadian Securities Exchange website. About Valorem Resources Inc. Valorem Resources Inc. is a mineral exploration company working on a Tier-1 gold opportunity in the Democratic Republic of the Congo ("DRC"), located in the Fizi territory of South Kivu province, in the DRC. The Misisi Gold Project (or the "Project") has a contained Inferred Mineral Resource of 3 million ounces of gold as reported in the Company's National Instrument 43-101 technical report on the Misisi Gold Project (the "Technical Report"). The Project is located 250 kilometres south of Bukavu, the provincial capital of the South Kivu Province, in the DRC. The Project is comprised of three contiguous 30-year mining leases, valid until 2045, covering 133 square kilometres of prospective exploration ground along the 55-kilometre-long Kibara Gold Belt. The Kibara Belt is a well-known metallogenic province and hosts a number of other deposits including the Twangiza (5.1 Moz oz Au, source: S&P Global) and Namoya (1.9 Moz, source: S&P Global) gold mines. The Project is host to the Akyanga deposit, which is the subject to Inferred Resource of 44.3 million tonnes at an average grade of 2.16 grams per tonne gold containing 3.0 million ounces. Qualified Person Ephraim Masibhera, a "Qualified Person" as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"), has reviewed the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for this news release and has approved the disclosure herein. Historical information contained in this news release cannot be relied upon as the Company's Qualified Person, as defined under NI 43-101 has not prepared nor verified the historical information. This news release also includes references with respect to the Twangiza (5.1 Moz oz Au, source: S&P Global) and Namoya (1.9 Moz, source: S&P Global) gold mines, which are located near the Misisi Gold Project. The Company advises that, notwithstanding their proximity of location, discoveries of minerals on such properties, any promising results thereof are not necessarily indicative of the mineralization of, or located on the Misisi Gold Project, or the Company's ability to commercially exploit the minerals claims which comprise the property or to locate any commercially exploitable deposits therefrom. For more information on the Misisi Gold Project, please refer to the Technical Report filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR. On behalf of the Board of Directors, Tony Louie, Interim CEO and Director Email: [email protected] Office: +1 (604) 908-1679 Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/163088 Represents Key Step in Path to Entering the Public Markets Campbell, California--(Newsfile Corp. - April 21, 2023) - Zircon Corporation today announced it has entered into a merger agreement with Harmony Energy Technologies Corp. ("Harmony"). The combined company will do business under the name Zircon and will be centered on leveraging Zircon's sensor-based, ASIC processor technology and patent portfolio, to accelerate growth by expanding its electronic hand-tool product line, entering new markets globally and launching a data, IP and technology licensing business. Harmony is a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) reporting company. Zircon expects its merger with Harmony will allow it to accelerate the process of accessing the U.S. capital markets as a publicly traded company. With a 46-year history, Zircon is centered on building on its leadership in designing and developing innovative hand tools and maintaining a dominant market share. The Company's multi-faceted strategy spans new product development, entry into adjacent markets, global expansion and data, IP and technology licensing. Leveraging its technology and manufacturing resources, Zircon believes it is well-positioned to capitalize on the growing need for advanced construction tools across multiple industries including commercial building, government infrastructure, and building information modeling. "Backed by our talented team, proprietary technology and state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities, we believe we have ample opportunity to expand our business and deliver profitable growth," commented John Stauss, Chief Executive Officer of Zircon. "Through this merger and a subsequent public listing, we strengthen our ability to execute on our growth plan and move forward with new technological solutions to a wider range of global markets." The merger closed on April 14, 2023. Pickwick Capital Partners LLC acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Zircon. Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP acted as legal counsel to Zircon. Anthony L.G., PLLC acted as legal counsel to Harmony. About Zircon Zircon Corporation, manufacturer of the original StudSensor" stud finder, is a Silicon Valley-based company established and operating in Northern California since 1977. Dedicated to delivering innovative, affordable, and easy-to-use technology to the world's toolboxes, Zircon patented technology drives the design, manufacture, and marketing of high-tech electronic hand tools, saving do-it-yourselfers and professional tradesmen time and money. Zircon StudSensor" stud finders, MultiScanner wall scanners, MetalliScanner metal detectors, and electronic scanning, water detection, and leveling tools can be found worldwide throughout the Americas, Europe, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. For more information, visit https://www.zircon.com. Contact: Mike Smargiassi/ Ryan Golden The Plunkett Group 212-739-6729 [email protected] [email protected] To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/163415 TOKYO, Apr 21, 2023 - (JCN Newswire) - - Fujitsu today announced that it will participate in the G7 Digital and Tech Ministers' Meeting and related events prior to the G7 Hiroshima Summit hosting an exhibition booth, holding panel discussions, and delivering keynote speeches, in alignment with the Data Free Flow with Trust (DFFT) initiative(1), which was proposed by the Japanese government as the main theme of the Meeting. At the Digital and Tech Exhibition, Fujitsu will present hands-on exhibits that utilize leading-edge technologies with themes of solving environmental problems, realizing well-being, and sustainable economic growth. In addition, Takahito Tokita, Representative Director, CEO of Fujitsu Limited, will take the stage for panel discussions and keynote speeches held jointly by the public and private sectors and participate in discussions with experts from various fields from the standpoint of leading digital industry in Japan. Fujitsu will contribute to promoting international discussions and collaboration to promote the use of digital technology by publicizing initiatives in Japan and internationally that create new value for a society in which individuals and companies can connect and contribute with peace of mind in alignment with its vision for Fujitsu Uvance. In conjunction with the G7 Hiroshima Summit, which will be held from Friday, May 19, 2023 to Sunday, May 21, ministerial meetings will be held in 14 cities across Japan to discuss international issues in various fields. From Saturday, April 29, 2023 to Sunday, April 30, the G7 Digital and Tech Ministers' Meeting will be held in Takasaki City, Gunma Prefecture, Japan. Digital and Technology Ministers from around the world will meet to exchange views on key themes such as the promotion of the Japanese government's DFFT initiative, the promotion of emerging technologies to improve online safety and reliability, and human-centered approaches to ICT infrastructure and artificial intelligence, including Beyond 5G and 6G. In conjunction with the meeting, various events will be held in cooperation between the public and private sectors. Fujitsu will participate in the following events to promote international use of digital technology and stimulate discussion. Exhibiting at the Digital and Tech Exhibition to be held along with the G7 Digital and Tech Ministers' Meeting Fujitsu will exhibit at the Digital and Tech Exhibition to be held at G Messe Gunma from Friday, April 28 to Sunday, April 30. About 100 companies and organizations in Japan will participate in the exhibition to promote the latest digital technologies and initiatives to stakeholders in G7 countries and to promote future international expansion and collaboration. Fujitsu will exhibit cutting-edge experiential technologies focusing on the following topics, with an overarching theme of realizing a sustainable future to realize people's happiness and wellbeing, in a society in which no one is left behind. 1. Using AI to visualize sounds in train stations to promote mutual understanding of diversity Fujitsu will exhibit Ekimatopeia, a device that visually expresses environmental sounds, such as train announcements and train sounds, as text, sign language and onomatopoeia, with the aim of making railways more enjoyable and easier for everyone to use. Fujitsu will also introduce a case its introduction to a demonstration at JR Ueno Station last year, as well as a project conducted jointly with students from Kawasaki Municipal School for the Deaf. 2. Embracing reality and virtual, the metaverse provides a new, unconstrained experience Live camera images in real space are analyzed via private 5G networks and reflected in the metaverse space in real time. Visitors will be able to experience immersive and realistic communication using VR. 3. Contributing to the realization of a safe and secure society through AI action detection and autonomous action robots Fujitsu will introduce an AI technology for public safety that automatically detects and responds to suspicious situations, utilizing its behavior detection technology, which boasts the world's highest recognition accuracy(2). Fujitsu will contribute to the realization of a safe and secure future by sharing information with frontline workers at all times, enabling quick initial response to incidents and improving the work efficiency. 4. Proposing optimal solutions to social issues with the digital twin in the real world Fujitsu will introduce the Social Digital Twin, which draws on vast data to simulate the activities of people and society and supports the solution of complicated societal issues by verifying solutions in advance from various perspectives. As a use case, Fujitsu will introduce a "digital rehearsal" use case of mobility services on the Isle of Wight in the United Kingdom, which aims to reduce CO2 emissions and make it easier for people to travel. Period: April 28, 2023 (Friday) to April 30, 2023 (Sunday) Venue: G Messe Gunma (12 -24, Iwaoshimachi, Takasaki City, Gunma Prefecture, Japan) Fujitsu Booth: Booth number 7 Prior application is required from the official site of the Digital and Tech Exhibition. (https://g7digital-tech-2023.go.jp/en/exhibition/index.html) Public-Private Meeting along with the G7 Digital and Tech Ministers' Meeting On Thursday, April 27, 2023, representatives from the digital industries and government agencies of G7 participating countries will gather under the theme of "DFFT Social Implementation and Emerging Technology to Solve Social Issues" to share best practices of DFFT and to conduct a panel discussion on the latest technological trends to promote data utilization and the development of an environment for digitization. From Fujitsu, Takahito Tokita, Representative Director, CEO, who serves as Chairman of the Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA), will attend the meeting, leading international discussions at the G7 and playing a role in promoting DFFT as a leader of the digital industry. Digital Transformation Summit (DX Summit), an official public-private event of the G7 Digital and Tech Ministers' Meeting At the DX Summit to be held on Friday, April 28, 2023 in Ikaho, Shibukawa City, Gunma Prefecture, Japan, discussions will be held from a variety of perspectives, including government officials, industry, and academia, toward social transformation based on the DX and Cyber Physical System (CPS)(3). In a session entitled "Realization of Green Transformation (GX)," Tokita, Representative Director, CEO of Fujitsu, will present how DX can help resolve global environmental issues facing the world. (1) Data Free Flow with Trust (DFFT): The concept of Data Free Flow with Trust (DFFT) is to promote the data free flow based on securing trust through transparency, where data useful for business and solving social issues can freely across borders, while ensuring trust in privacy, security, and intellectual property rights etc. (2) The world's highest recognition accuracy: The technology achieved the world's highest recognition accuracy at NTU RGB+D, the benchmark for basic motion recognition in 2020. (3) Cyber Physical System (CPS): A diverse and complex system in which cyber space and physical space are highly integrated. About Fujitsu Fujitsu's purpose is to make the world more sustainable by building trust in society through innovation. As the digital transformation partner of choice for customers in over 100 countries, our 124,000 employees work to resolve some of the greatest challenges facing humanity. Our range of services and solutions draw on five key technologies: Computing, Networks, AI, Data & Security, and Converging Technologies, which we bring together to deliver sustainability transformation. Fujitsu Limited (TSE: 6702) reported consolidated revenues of 3.6 trillion yen (US$32 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022 and remains the top digital services company in Japan by market share. Find out more: www.fujitsu.com. Press Contacts Fujitsu Limited Public and Investor Relations Division Inquiries (bit.ly/3rrQ4mB) Copyright 2023 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved. SAINT PAUL, Minn. , April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The full-service solar installation company, All Energy Solar , is showing off a new look as the spring season begins with a brand refresh and a new company website. The announcement rings in a new era of the local business that continues to grow in its home state of Minnesota and the additional states it serves . "This is something we wanted to do for a while. Our previous website, logo and branding served us well, but as our company has matured and evolved, so has our vision for how we want to present to our customers," reflected All Energy Solar CEO Michael Allen . "While there is some nostalgia for the original look that supported our success to this point, today our new messaging better reflects what makes us uniquely prepared to address our customers' needs, and that's our talented people ." Beyond the logo, the biggest changes can be seen in the company's new website, which is optimized for the visitor experience. As a company that prioritizes customer service, this was the primary goal for the update. "We wanted our website to be a tool of convenience for our customers, and we saw an opportunity to improve that experience. We have many great solar resources that are now easier to find for people to learn about solar energy and how we can help them," said Ryan Buege , Vice President of Sales and Marketing for All Energy Solar. The new website helps users navigate the solar buying experience and find what they need, whether they are at the beginning stages of learning how solar could meet their energy demands or they're an existing solar customer seeking to optimize their system. The site is regularly updated with solar news , educational information , local incentive programs , project examples , and more. All Energy Solar has been a solar leader in the local community since its founding in 2009. Though providing quality customer service has always been a top priority, plenty has happened over 14 years. The company started by two brothers employs more than 250 people today with operations in Minnesota , Wisconsin , Massachusetts , New Hampshire , and Iowa for residential installations , and commercial operations have reached even further. Though the company has expanded services and territory over time, All Energy Solar remains rooted in values of providing high-quality smart energy solutions with excellent customer service. "We are the same trusted company we've always been, but with a refreshed look and website to launch the next successful stage of our growth," added Allen. The new website is available to help people who are ready to switch to solar and those interested in learning about the benefits of solar energy . About All Energy Solar All Energy Solar provides a full-service solar energy integration experience for residential, commercial, agricultural, and government customers seeking to make the switch to solar energy. With industry-leading certifications and full electrical and building licenses. www.allenergysolar.com . View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/all-energy-solar-kicks-off-solar-installation-season-with-a-new-look-301804187.html SOURCE All Energy Solar, Inc The national delinquency rate dropped 53 basis points (-15%) in March, falling below 3% for the first time on record, ending the month at just 2.92% While delinquency rates almost always fall in March as borrowers utilize tax refunds and other seasonal revenues to pay down past-due debt the drop marked the second largest decline in the past 17 years Factoring in March's decline, the total number of past-due mortgages (including active foreclosures) has fallen to its lowest level in nearly 23 years, dating all the way back to April 2000 Serious delinquencies (90+ days past due) showed marked improvement, falling by 51K to their lowest level since March 2020 , with volumes shrinking in every state , with volumes shrinking in every state Likewise, every state saw overall delinquencies fall in March, with improvements ranging from 11.9% in Washington to 21.5% in Vermont to 21.5% in Both foreclosure starts (+9.0%) and sales (+4.6%) rose in the month but still remain well below pre-pandemic volumes at the national level Active foreclosure inventory held steady, but remains 31K (12%) below March 2020 levels levels The prepayment rate (SMM) rose to 0.50% (+44% month over month) driven, as anticipated, by seasonal tailwinds in sale-related prepayments and an increased demand for refis due to falling rates JACKSONVILLE, Fla. , April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Black Knight, Inc. (NYSE: BKI) reports the following "first look" at March 2023 month-end mortgage performance statistics derived from its loan-level database representing the majority of the national mortgage market. Total U.S. loan delinquency rate (loans 30 or more days past due, but not in foreclosure): 2.92% Month-over-month change: -15.23% Year-over-year change: -13.23% Total U.S. foreclosure pre-sale inventory rate: 0.46% Month-over-month change: -0.21% Year-over-year change: 13.24% Total U.S. foreclosure starts: 32,000 Month-over-month change: 9.03% Year-over-year change: -5.69% Monthly prepayment rate (SMM): 0.50% Month-over-month change: 44.42% Year-over-year change: -61.41% Foreclosure sales: 7,500 Month-over-month change: 4.59% Year-over-year change: 24.64% Number of properties that are 30 or more days past due, but not in foreclosure: 1,539,000 Month-over-month change: -272,000 Year-over-year change: -209,000 Number of properties that are 90 or more days past due, but not in foreclosure: 511,000 Month-over-month change: -51,000 Year-over-year change: -331,000 Number of properties in foreclosure pre-sale inventory: 240,000 Month-over-month change: 0 Year-over-year change: 31,000 Number of properties that are 30 or more days past due or in foreclosure: 1,779,000 Month-over-month change: -272,000 Year-over-year change: -178,000 Top 5 States by Non-Current* Percentage Mississippi : 7.05 % Louisiana : 6.61 % Alabama : 5.13 % West Virginia : 4.55 % Pennsylvania : 4.53 % Bottom 5 States by Non-Current* Percentage California : 2.03 % Montana : 1.95 % Idaho : 1.86 % Washington : 1.83 % Colorado : 1.80 % Top 5 States by 90+ Days Delinquent Percentage Mississippi : 2.36 % Louisiana : 1.98 % Alabama : 1.62 % Arkansas : 1.43 % Georgia : 1.30 % Top 5 States by 12-Month Change in Non-Current* Percentage Alaska : -28.18 % Vermont : -24.48 % Connecticut : -21.67 % New Jersey : -18.90 % New York : -18.77 % Bottom 5 States by 12-Month Change in Non-Current* Percentage Idaho : -0.60 % South Dakota : -0.93 % Florida : -4.01 % Michigan : -4.66 % Utah : -5.17 % *Non-current totals combine foreclosures and delinquencies as a percent of active loans in that state. Notes: Totals are extrapolated based on Black Knight's loan-level database of mortgage assets. All whole numbers are rounded to the nearest thousand, except foreclosure starts, which are rounded to the nearest hundred. For a more detailed view of this month's "first look" data, please visit the Black Knight newsroom. The company will provide a more in-depth review of this data in its monthly Mortgage Monitor report, which includes an analysis of data supplemented by detailed charts and graphs that reflect trend and point-in-time observations. The Mortgage Monitor report will be available online at https://www.blackknightinc.com/data-reports/ by May 1, 2023 . For more information about gaining access to Black Knight's loan-level database, please send an email to [email protected]. About Black Knight Black Knight, Inc. (NYSE: BKI) is an award-winning software, data and analytics company that drives innovation in the mortgage lending and servicing and real estate industries, as well as the capital and secondary markets. Businesses leverage our robust, integrated solutions across the entire homeownership life cycle to help retain existing customers, gain new customers, mitigate risk and operate more effectively. Our clients rely on our proven, comprehensive, scalable products and our unwavering commitment to delivering superior client support to achieve their strategic goals and better serve their customers. For more information on Black Knight, please visit www.blackknightinc.com. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/black-knights-first-look-mortgage-delinquencies-hit-record-low-in-march-while-prepayments-rose-on-easing-rates-and-seasonal-tailwinds-301803787.html SOURCE Black Knight, Inc. HARBIN, China , April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A large scale tree-planting event has been launched on April 20th by Longjiang Forest Industry Group in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province , with 23 affiliated companies all joining the campaign to build a "Green Longjiang". 54,156 participants, including CPC members, staff and employees of the forest industry group as well as people living and working in the forest areas, have planted 522,100 trees in the forest industry operation area, covering 6,585,700 hectares. The effort is considered a vivid practice by the Party Committee of Longjiang Forest Industry Group to the ecological construction and protection in northern China. It was inspired by the concepts of "Beautiful China" and " Two Mountains " that means clear waters and green mountains are as good as mountains of gold and silver. At the tree planting base located in Weihe Forestry Bureau, Zhang Xiaobo, member of the Party Committee and deputy general manager of Longjiang Forest Industry Group, said the activity should be taken as an opportunity to mobilize more forestry workers to participate in the voluntary afforestation. "Everyone should be a practitioner and promoter of ecological civilization construction, to help transform the ecological advantages of forest industry into development advantages, to create more ecological, social and economic value, and strive to build a new modern forest industry with greener mountains, clearer water and more beautiful homes," he said. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/chinas-forest-industry-giant-holds-second-tree-planting-day-event-301804005.html SOURCE Longjiang Forest Industry Group JACKSON, Mich. , April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Board of Directors of CMS Energy has declared a quarterly dividend on the company's common stock. The dividend for the common stock (CUSIP: 125896100) is 48.75 cents per share. It is payable May 31, 2023, to shareholders of record on May 5, 2023. CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS) is a Michigan -based energy company featuring Consumers Energy as its primary business. It also owns and operates independent power generation businesses. For more information on CMS Energy, please visit our website at cmsenergy.com. To sign up for email alert notifications, please visit the Investor Relations section of our website. Check out Consumers Energy on Social Media Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/consumersenergymichigan Twitter: https://twitter.com/consumersenergy LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/consumersenergy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/consumersenergy View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cms-energys-board-of-directors-declares-quarterly-dividend-on-common-stock-301804392.html SOURCE CMS Energy LONDON, April 21 (Xinhua) -- British Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab resigned on Friday, one day after an independent report into allegations that he bullied staff members while working at several government departments reached the desk of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. An inquiry was requested by Raab in November following formal complaints about his bullying behavior when dealing with civil servants. Sunak appointed senior employment lawyer Adam Tolley to lead an independent investigation. In his resignation posted on Twitter, however, Raab hit out at the inquiry, saying: "In setting the threshold for bullying so low, this inquiry has set a dangerous precedent. It will encourage spurious complaints against ministers, and have a chilling effect on those driving change on behalf of your government -- and ultimately the British people." Raab also resigned from his post of Britain's secretary of state for justice, making him the third senior minister who has departed the Sunak administration over their personal conduct. Gavin Williamson, a member of Sunak's cabinet, quit in November over bullying claims and Sunak sacked the Conservative Party Chair Nadhim Zahawi in January for a "serious breach" of ministerial code amid a multimillion-dollar tax dispute. After assuming the post of prime minister last October, Sunak vowed to lead a government of "integrity, professionalism, and accountability" as the chaotic period under his two predecessors -- the scandal-hit Boris Johnson and Liz Truss, who had a short-lived tenure due to economic turbulence -- damaged the reputation of the Tory Party and cast a cloud over its prospects in the next general elections. The subsidiary designing technology for the automotive giant now runs nearly 1,000 Kubernetes clusters in production AMSTERDAM , April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- KubeCon + CloudNativeCon Europe The Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF), which builds sustainable ecosystems for cloud native software, today announced that Mercedes-Benz Tech Innovation GmbH on behalf of Mercedes-Benz AG has won the CNCF End User Award in recognition of its achievements in cloud native development and notable contributions to the cloud native ecosystem. Mercedes-Benz Tech Innovation GmbH is a wholly-owned subsidiary that develops technological innovations, digital products, and advanced software solutions exclusively for Mercedes-Benz AG. Today, the company's stack for Mercedes-Benz AG runs largely on free and open source software (FOSS), including a wide range of CNCF projects, such as Kubernetes, Prometheus, Helm, Open Policy Agent, containerd, and more. "We're honored to be recognized by CNCF for our efforts, joining the likes of innovators like Apple, Didi, Intuit, Spotify, and Zalando," said Joerg Schueler , CIO at Mercedes-Benz Tech Innovation. "We've worked hard over the past eight years to provide an ecosystem that empowers our application teams. Today each team can get its own Kubernetes cluster, driven by APIs and self-service open source tools, making managing Kubernetes a community effort. In addition, with our OpenSource Manifesto , we have anchored FOSS in our corporate culture at Mercedes-Benz." Mercedes-Benz Tech Innovation was an early adopter of Kubernetes. It began experimenting with the technology in 2015 after it was open sourced in 2014. After seeing the flexibility and scalability that Kubernetes and cloud native could enable, the company underwent a complete digital transformation from fully closed and proprietary software. A small team of developers built a new grassroots cloud native deployment , running nearly 1,000 Kubernetes clusters in production with Cluster API. Over the last year, this platform has transformed from an On-Premise solution into a Multi-Cloud solution. CNCF's Annual Survey for 2022 shows that only 50% of end users are running more than 10 clusters in production. "Cloud Native End Users play a pivotal role in the cloud native ecosystem by providing valuable feedback and upstream contributions to open source projects," said Taylor Dolezal , Head of Ecosystem at CNCF. "We are continually impressed by Mercedes-Benz Tech Innovation's dedication to cloud native and open source technology. Their team's unwavering efforts in spearheading the adoption of new technologies for critical infrastructure in production environments set them apart." In recent years Mercedes-Benz Tech Innovation GmbH was constantly one of the top end user companies that contributed to Kubernetes worldwide. The company also actively contributes to the Cluster API project and more. Mercedes-Benz is one of more than 145 organizations in the CNCF End User Community , which meets regularly to share adoption best practices and feedback on project roadmaps and future projects for CNCF technical leaders to consider. Additional Resources About Cloud Native Computing Foundation Cloud native computing empowers organizations to build and run scalable applications with an open source software stack in public, private, and hybrid clouds. The Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) hosts critical components of the global technology infrastructure, including Kubernetes, Prometheus, and Envoy. CNCF brings together the industry's top developers, end users, and vendors and runs the largest open source developer conferences in the world. Supported by more than 800 members, including the world's largest cloud computing and software companies, as well as over 200 innovative startups, CNCF is part of the nonprofit Linux Foundation. For more information, please visit www.cncf.io. The Linux Foundation has registered trademarks and uses trademarks. For a list of trademarks of The Linux Foundation, please see our trademark usage page. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds . Media Contact Katie Meinders The Linux Foundation [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cncf-presents-top-end-user-award-to-mercedes-benz-tech-innovation-301800192.html SOURCE Cloud Native Computing Foundation Investments in Transmission, Grid Upgrades Will Support Delivery of 100 Percent Clean Energy by 2040 NEW YORK , April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In celebration of Earth Week, Con Edison has published its annual Sustainability Report, detailing the company's progress in helping New York meet its climate and clean energy goals, while strengthening its diverse workforce and supporting the communities it serves. Con Edison is investing in a range of clean energy technologies and projects to support New York's goal of a net-zero statewide economy by 2050, including transmission lines, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, heat pumps, energy efficiency and battery storage. "As New York's largest energy-delivery company, we're investing in clean energy infrastructure that will help the state meet its ambitious climate goals," said Tim Cawley , Con Edison's chairman and chief executive. "I'm proud of the progress we've made building a workforce that's reflective of the communities we serve, passionate about our role in the clean energy transition, and equipped to meet the big challenges ahead." Delivering Renewable Power in New York New York's target of 70 percent renewable power by 2030 requires new transmission lines that will carry energy generated by offshore wind turbines, solar panels and other clean sources to the customers who need it. In 2022, Con Edison began building the Reliable Clean City project, a major transmission upgrade that will deliver large amounts of power to New York City's outer boroughs while helping enable the retirement of local fossil fuel plants in environmental justice communities. The first portion of the project, in Queens , is due for completion this year, with two additional sections in Brooklyn and Staten Island due for completion in 2025. In early 2023, Con Edison finalized the sale of its renewable energy development subsidiary, known as the Clean Energy Businesses, to RWE Renewables America. The sale allows Con Edison to intensify its focus on its home state of New York , where its investments and expertise have the biggest impact. Replacing Fossil Fuel Heaters with Electric Heat Pumps The gas distribution system plays a key role in New York's energy system today, keeping homes and businesses warm and providing fuel for cooking in many buildings. However, Con Edison expects its deliveries of fossil natural gas will decline significantly in the years ahead, even as demand for electricity rises with the adoption of electric vehicles and heat pumps. Con Edison is supporting New York's transition away from fossil heating systems. The company has incentivized the installation of heat pumps and other clean heat technologies in more than 24,000 buildings to date, with a goal of helping to electrify 150,000 buildings by 2030. Solar on Rooftops, Electric Vehicles on Roads The shift to electric vehicles is accelerating in New York and will play a critical role in the state's plan to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Con Edison's PowerReady incentive program is among the largest of its kind in the nation, offering utility support for EV charging infrastructure. Just two years after its establishment, PowerReady has already supported more than 2,600 charge points, with a goal of 19,000 by 2025 and 400,000 by 2035. Solar energy is another market that is growing rapidly in the New York City region. Con Edison's customers in New York City , Westchester , Orange and Rockland counties have installed more than 60,000 solar systems to date totaling 700 megawatts of capacity, adding significant clean generation capacity. To complement New York's growing base of distributed energy resources, Con Edison has installed smart meters across nearly its entire customer base. Smart meters allow customers to track their energy usage in near-real time while giving Con Edison deeper insight into its electric network, improving system efficiency and reducing the impact of service outages. Nurturing a Diverse Workforce Con Edison provided financial support to more than 600 nonprofit organizations in 2022, with a focus on groups supporting environmental stewardship and STEM education. The company has begun taking a more systematic approach to protecting and restoring biodiversity in the ecosystems in which it works and operates infrastructure, and recently issued a Biodiversity Action Plan. In addition to highlighting Con Edison's clean energy and climate efforts, this year's report includes new sections on topics such as environmental justice, biodiversity protection, human rights, and a deeper focus on community and stakeholder engagement. Con Edison remains steadfast in its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and the company's teams are becoming more diverse including the executive team. Employee Resource groups and local DEI Councils are advancing awareness of cultural differences within the company, while helping to recruit and develop the careers of a diverse group of employees. Download and read Con Edison's Annual Sustainability Report Consolidated Edison, Inc. is one of the nation's largest investor-owned energy-delivery companies, with approximately $16 billion in annual revenues and $69 billion in assets as of December 31, 2022 . The company provides a wide range of energy-related products and services to its customers through the following subsidiaries: Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. (CECONY), a regulated utility providing electric service in New York City and New York's Westchester County , gas service in Manhattan , the Bronx , parts of Queens and parts of Westchester , and steam service in Manhattan ; Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc. (O&R), a regulated utility serving customers in a 1,300-square-mile-area in southeastern New York State and northern New Jersey ; and Con Edison Transmission, Inc., which falls primarily under the oversight of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and manages, through joint ventures, both electric and gas assets while seeking to develop electric transmission projects that will bring clean, renewable electricity to customers, focusing on New York , New England , the Mid-Atlantic states and the Midwest. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/con-edison-releases-sustainability-report-powering-new-yorks-clean-energy-transition-301804157.html SOURCE Consolidated Edison, Inc. LOS ANGELES , April 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Craftchain unveils its brand story detailing its mission to disrupt the timepiece industry's traditional, overpriced, outdated models. The company brings together independent designers and customers to discover new designers, sponsor them through crowdfunding, and receives regular deliveries of unique and high-quality watches for a fraction of the cost of traditional timepieces. They collaborate with leading horological schools to find the most promising young designers and provide them with the resources and assistance they need to realize their ideas. Craftchain, the innovative watch subscription platform, has released its brand story, revealing its mission to disrupt the overpriced and old-fashioned models of the timepiece industry. Craftchain aims to bring unique, reasonably priced timepieces to its customers through its unique discovery model that sets it apart. The platform brings together independent designers and people who value their work. It allows customers to discover new designers, sponsor them through crowdfunding with blockchain-enabled transparency, and receive regular deliveries of high-quality watches for a fraction of traditional timepieces. Craftchain presents a hand-picked selection of fine timepieces crafted by independent designers educated at the world's leading institutes of horological craftsmanship. 5% of the monthly payment goes towards supporting the design partners, creating a platform for them to showcase their skills. Craftchain collaborates with leading horological schools across the globe to find the most promising young designers, providing them with the resources and assistance they need to make their ideas a reality. The subscription service provides a reliable source of recurring revenue, which helps Craftchain plan for the future, regularly bringing the latest and most extraordinary designs. The service allows customers to try out multiple styles and designers and offers a weekly lucky draw from brands like Rolex, iPhone, Trek bikes, DJI drones, Patagonia outdoor gears and even Tesla electric cars. Craftchain has distributed over a thousand free watches through its "Subscribe One, Give One" program as part of its commitment. Customers who sign up for the service receive a high-quality timepiece while helping Craftchain give back and better people's lives, one watch at a time. The company's unique approach to the watch industry has revolutionized watch culture by connecting customers to manufacturers, empowering the world's best manufacturers with a new global supply chain that bypasses brands and merchants, and pushing them to offer equivalent quality at lower prices. The platform has improved its supply chain with modern technologies and a worldwide network of manufacturers to benefit itself, manufacturing partners, and customers. Craftchain believes in the power of timekeeping to inspire and motivate, which is why it launched the "Subscribe One, Give One" program, giving away over one thousand watches to those in need. These watches have been worn by students striving for achievement, rising entrepreneurs, and families keeping in touch during difficult times. Through its program, Craftchain has had the honor of hearing countless inspiring stories about how its watches have made a genuine difference in people's lives, making it both humbling and motivating. Contact Details: Business Name: Craftchain Contact Name: Lucy Contact Email: [email protected] Country: United States Website: https://craftchain.com/ View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/craftchain-disrupts-traditional-watch-industry-with-innovative-subscription-model-and-unique-brand-story-301803740.html SOURCE Craftchain.com Pilot Program Aims to Bring High-Quality Diagnostics to People with Diabetes CORALVILLE, Iowa , April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Digital Diagnostics, a leading artificial intelligence diagnostic health care company, announced its expansion into lab settings in the southeast region of the United States . The company's flagship product, LumineticsCore formerly IDx-DR , is now available in nine Labcorp patient service centers (PSCs) in Alabama providing access to care for people with diabetes through the initial market launch of the De Novo FDA-cleared autonomous artificial intelligence diagnostic system. LumineticsCore is FDA cleared to detect diabetic retinopathy during a patient encounter by analyzing retinal images for signs of disease without the need for a specialist to interpret the images. Digital Diagnostics is committed to creating artificial intelligence (AI) systems that are free of racial, ethnic and other undesirable biases that also enhance the patient and provider experience by bringing high-quality AI diagnosis to the point-of-care. In collaboration with Labcorp, they have launched diabetic retinopathy exams at Labcorp PSCs in Alabama , improving access and reducing a gap in care for many patients and providers. Patients can visit one of the nine Labcorp PSC locations for other lab testing like an A1c blood draw - and also take the LumineticsCore diabetic retinopathy exam in the same visit when ordered by their care provider. The LumineticsCore exam is the first and only pairing of autonomous AI with a laboratory service center setting. LumineticsCore will be integrated into Labcorp's existing IT infrastructure without an additional technical lift. The eye exam, which is for people living with diabetes, is ordered by physicians through, and with results delivered to, their electronic medical record system similar to other Labcorp tests. This diabetic retina exam is tailored for those with diabetes to prevent visual loss and blindness but does not replace the 8-point eye exam. "This strategic relationship with Labcorp to bring LumineticsCore to their patient service centers aligns with their mission to improve health and improve lives," said Digital Diagnostics' co-founder, president and chief operating officer, Seth Rainford . "Offering this important exam in locations that are easily accessible, coupled with our mission to work with the health care ecosystem, furthers our collective goal of improving patient outcomes." "We are always seeking innovative ways to bring convenient care to our patients and providers," said Lenny Monsour , senior vice president of Labcorp Diagnostic's Southeast Division. "Working with Digital Diagnostics allows us to offer an expanded set of services to our patients, while empowering our providers with more ways to serve the health care needs of their local communities." The LumineticsCore test can be performed at one of the Labcorp PSCs listed below. After a provider places an order for the LumineticsCore exam, we recommend scheduling an appointment for "routine labwork" at either labcorp.com or via the Labcorp Patient portal for the exam. Additional laboratory tests can also be scheduled during the same visit. Initial LumineticsCore launch site locations: 301 Governors Dr. Sw, Ste 110, Huntsville, AL 35801 Sw, Ste 110, 35801 333 Whitesport Dr. Sw, Ste 202, Huntsville, AL 35801 Sw, Ste 202, 35801 615 Mynatt St. Sw, Ste C, Hartselle, AL 35640 Sw, Ste C, 35640 1890 AL Hwy 157 Pob 11 220b, Cullman AL 35058 157 Pob 11 220b, 35058 1701 Leighton Ave , Anniston, AL 36207 , 36207 790 Montclair Rd. , Ste 120, Birmingham, AL 35213 , Ste 120, 35213 209 W Spring St. , Ste 201, Sylacauga, AL 35150 , Ste 201, 35150 919 Plantation Blvd , Fairhope, AL 36532 , 36532 1851 North McKenzie St. , Ste 102, Foley, AL 36535 To learn more about the LumineticsCore exam, visit www.digitaldiagnostics.com/products/ . The site locations listed above are subject to change without notice and qualified prospect users can contact [email protected] for more information. About Digital Diagnostics Inc. Digital Diagnostics Inc. is a pioneering AI diagnostics company on a mission to transform the quality, accessibility, equity, and affordability of global health care through the application of technology in the medical diagnosis and treatment process. The company, originally founded by Michael Abramoff , MD, PhD, a neuroscientist, practicing fellowship-trained retina specialist, and computer engineer, is led by him and co-founders John Bertrand and Seth Rainford . Digital Diagnostics is paving the way for autonomous and assistive AI technology that is free of bias to become a new standard of care, contributing to democratizing health care and closing care gaps. The company works closely with patient advocacy groups, provider organizations, regulators, and other quality of care and ethics-focused stakeholders to enable the adoption of health care AI. For more information and the latest news follow: https://digitaldiagnostics.com/ View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/digital-diagnostics-expands-to-lab-settings-increasing-access-to-care-301804230.html SOURCE Digital Diagnostics BIRMINGHAM, Ala. , April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Encompass Health Corp. (NYSE: EHC) today announced it plans to build a freestanding, 40-bed inpatient rehabilitation hospital in Danbury, Connecticut . The hospital will be located south of the intersection of Reserve Road and Winding Ridge Way . The hospital will serve patients recovering from debilitating illnesses and injuries, including strokes and other neurological disorders, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, amputations and complex orthopedic conditions. In addition to 24hour nursing care, the hospital will offer physical, occupational and speech therapies to restore functional ability and quality of life. Care will be provided by highly specialized nurses, therapists and physicians. The hospital will feature all private patient rooms, a spacious therapy gym with advanced rehabilitation technologies and an activities of daily living suite, dining room, pharmacy and therapy courtyard. "We are excited to expand our services to Connecticut and become an integrated part of the local healthcare system to provide residents with access to rehabilitative care, closer to home," said Pat Tuer , president of Encompass Health's Northeast region. "We intend to provide significant value to this community by helping patients regain the strength and function needed to reach their highest level of independence." The hospital will become part of Encompass Health's national network of rehabilitation hospitals, and it will be Encompass Health's first rehabilitation hospital in Connecticut . About Encompass Health Encompass Health (NYSE: EHC) is the largest owner and operator of rehabilitation hospitals in the United States . With a national footprint that includes 157 hospitals in 37 states and Puerto Rico , the Company provides high-quality, compassionate rehabilitative care for patients recovering from a major injury or illness, using advanced technology and innovative treatments to maximize recovery. Encompass Health is ranked as one of Fortune's 100 Best Companies to Work For and Modern Healthcare's Best Places to Work in Healthcare. For more information, visit encompasshealth.com, or follow us on our newsroom, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Forward-Looking Statements Statements contained in this press release which are not historical facts, such as those relating to the likelihood, timing and effects of the completion of this hospital project, are forward-looking statements. In addition, Encompass Health may from time to time make forward-looking public statements concerning the matters described herein. All such estimates, projections, and forward-looking information speak only as of the date hereof, and Encompass Health undertakes no duty to publicly update or revise such forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Such forward-looking statements are necessarily estimates based upon current information and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Encompass Health's actual results or events may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors. While it is impossible to identify all such factors, factors which could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated include, but are not limited to, the regulatory review and approval process, any adverse outcome of various lawsuits, claims, and legal or regulatory proceedings that may be brought by or against the Company; the possibility this project will experience unexpected delays; the ability to successfully complete this project consistent with Encompass Health's growth strategy, including realization of anticipated revenues and avoidance of unforeseen exposure to liabilities; disease outbreaks, including the speed, depth, geographic reach and duration of the spread; the actions to be taken by Encompass Health in response to disease outbreaks; changes in the regulation of the healthcare industry at either or both of the federal and state levels; competitive pressures in the healthcare industry and Encompass Health's response thereto; the hospital's ability to maintain proper local, state and federal licensing; potential disruptions, breaches, or other incidents affecting the proper operation, availability, or security of Encompass Health's information systems; Encompass Health's ability to attract and retain nurses, therapists, and other healthcare professionals in a highly competitive environment with often severe staffing shortages and the impact on Encompass Health's labor expenses from potential union activity and staffing shortages; changes, delays in (including in connection with resolution of Medicare payment reviews or appeals), or suspension of reimbursement for Encompass Health's services by governmental or private payors; general conditions in the economy and capital markets; and other factors which may be identified from time to time in Encompass Health's SEC filings and other public announcements, including Encompass Health's Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2022 . Media contact: Danielle Hall | 205-970-5912 [email protected] Investor Relations contact: Mark Miller | 205-970-5860 [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/encompass-health-announces-plans-to-build-a-40-bed-inpatient-rehabilitation-hospital-in-danbury-connecticut-301804452.html SOURCE Encompass Health Corp. NASSAU and FREEPORT , The Bahamas , April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Justice in The Bahamas has entered a new era, thanks to advanced digital court recording and speech-to-text technology from For The Record, funding from the U.S. Department of State, and guidance from the National Center for State Courts (NCSC). The Bahamian Courts are the first in the Caribbean region to adopt this revolutionary cloud-based technology, which will dramatically accelerate access to justice and enhance courtroom efficiency. Like many nations, courts in The Bahamas contend with a limited number of court reporters and a growing caseload. In 2018, the NCSC offered to share its expertise in improving judicial processes with the island nation. The organization subsequently identified an opportunity in the Magistrates Courtthe country's primary civil and criminal court. The Magistrates Court did not have a formal provision or mechanism for recording legal proceedings, which further strained the courts. The NCSC subsequently recommended a digital solution for capturing, storing, and distributing the Magistrates Courts' recordings and for improving efficiency throughout the legal justice system. For The Record, a leading legal technology company with 30 years of global experience and expertise in digital court recording technology, was an ideal partner for The Bahamas' project. Over the course of several years, For The Record worked closely with key stakeholders in the islands' legal system, as well as collaborated with the NCSC, to outfit more than 30 courtrooms and hearing rooms with advanced recording equipment. In addition to installing digital court recording systems, For The Record enabled automatic cloud-based storage and speech-to-text technology for The Bahamas . An additional 12 courtrooms will be updated in the coming months. "This will be transformational for legal justice in The Bahamas ," said For The Record CEO, Tony Douglass . "Our audio recording equipment will preserve every word of proceedings at the Magistrates Court level, so the judiciary can access vital, historical insights and intelligence. At the Supreme and Appeals Court levels, our speech-to-text technology will unlock a same-day, keyword searchable record to improve efficiency. We are proud to be part of this groundbreaking project." Renaldo Toote , Deputy Registrar of The Judiciary of The Bahamas , commented, "The conversion of audio recordings to text within minutes is revolutionary and propels The Bahamas forward, into a new era of modern justice." Toote added, "An accurate record is necessary for the proper dispensation of justice." About For The Record For The Record is the global leader in digital audio, visual, and record-keeping innovations for legal justice. Over three decades, the company has modernized more than 30,000 courtrooms across 70+ countries. For The Record's innovations include FTR RealTime, an instant speech-to-text platform; the world's first cloud-based recording management system; and a virtual justice platform that observes traditional court protocols. With the goals of supporting justice and enhancing accessibility, For The Record continuously develops new courtroom technology. For The Record: The Sound & Sight of Justice. www.fortherecord.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/for-the-record-completes-major-courtroom-modernization-project-in-the-bahamas-301804231.html SOURCE For The Record Cargill honored for three innovations in the food and agriculture category and one in sustainability, two of which won gold WAYZATA, Minn. , April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Cargill's teams around the world innovate with purpose to help its customers and partners overcome their biggest challenges and seize their greatest opportunities. In recognition of that drive for innovation, this year the company has won four 2023 Edison Awards for three innovations in the food and agriculture category and one innovation in the sustainability category. The Edison Awards, named after the American inventor Thomas Alva Edison , recognizes some of the most innovative products and business leaders in the world. The prestigious accolades honor excellence in new product and service development, marketing, design and innovation. Cargill is uniquely positioned to lead the transformation of the food and agriculture system, addressing many of the world's most pressing needs from supply chain continuity and climate action to nutrition and food security. The company is honored to win the following Edison Awards for these innovative solutions: GOLD - Cargill RegenConnect provides farmers a financial incentive for positive environmental outcomes through the adoption of regenerative agriculture practices. With an increased focus on sustainability around the globe, this program connects farmers to emerging environmental markets while enabling end-use customers to meet their sustainability commitments. provides farmers a financial incentive for positive environmental outcomes through the adoption of regenerative agriculture practices. With an increased focus on sustainability around the globe, this program connects farmers to emerging environmental markets while enabling end-use customers to meet their sustainability commitments. GOLD - Galleon Broiler Microbiome Intelligence is an innovative analysis tool leveraging the power of artificial intelligence. This tool allows poultry farmers to determine the gut microbiome health of their flocks and its correlation to their management practices. Galleon provides insights and actions to help improve flock health and positively influence profitability and performance. is an innovative analysis tool leveraging the power of artificial intelligence. This tool allows poultry farmers to determine the gut microbiome health of their flocks and its correlation to their management practices. Galleon provides insights and actions to help improve flock health and positively influence profitability and performance. SILVER - SimPure RF is a breakthrough soluble rice flour and a 1:1 clean label alternative to maltodextrin for many foods. SimPure RF offers high solubility and neutral flavor while enhancing creaminess and body. is a breakthrough soluble rice flour and a 1:1 clean label alternative to maltodextrin for many foods. SimPure RF offers high solubility and neutral flavor while enhancing creaminess and body. BRONZE - EverSweet + ClearFlo (EC1) Sweetening System is a game-changing product which combines EverSweet, Reb M-based stevia sweetener with ClearFlo natural flavor, marking the first-ever solution of its kind. This innovation improves flavor, mouthfeel, dissolution and solubility. It also reduces sugar across countless foods and beverages. Each of these innovations is an example of how Cargill is leveraging more than a century of experience in the food and agriculture industry to create impactful solutions for its global customers. Together, they show Cargill's ability to innovate across a broad spectrum of challenges facing its customers and consumers. "Our teams around the world are excited to receive this prestigious recognition for all four of these innovative solutions. Through dedication, innovative thinking and critical partnerships, we are transforming the industry and empowering our customers and communities," said Florian Schattenmann , Cargill's Chief Technology Officer and Vice President of Research & Development and Innovation. "This recognition is just the beginning as Cargill continues to invest in innovation and our people to drive impactful change." All nominations are reviewed by the Edison Awards Steering Committee with the final ballot being determined by an independent judging panel. The panel is comprised of more than 3,000 senior business executives and academics from the fields of product development, design, engineering, science, marketing and education, as well as past winners. For more information on the Edison Awards, please visit www.edisonawards.com . About Cargill Cargill helps the world's food system work for you. We connect farmers with markets, customers with ingredients and families with daily essentialsfrom the foods they eat to the floors they walk on. Our 155,000 team members around the world innovate with purpose, empowering our partners and communities as we work to nourish the world in a safe, responsible, sustainability way. From the feed that reduces methane emissions to waste-based renewable fuels, the possibilities are boundless. But our values remain the same. We put people first. We reach higher. We do the right thing. It's how we've met the needs of the people we call neighbors and the planet we call home for 157 yearsand how we'll do so for generations to come. For more information, visit Cargill.com and our News Center. About The Edison Awards: Established in 1987, the Edison Awards is a program conducted by Edison Universe, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to fostering future innovators. The annual competition honors excellence in new product and service development, marketing, design and innovation. Past award recipients include Steve Jobs , Elon Musk , and leaders of global corporations such as Coca-Cola, Genentech, General Electric, General Motors, IBM and Campbell Soup Co. In 2022, the Edison Awards introduced the inaugural Lewis Latimer Fellowship program designed to celebrate, connect and bring together a community of innovative Black thought leaders. For more information, visit www.edisonawards.com . View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/four-cargill-innovations-win-the-prestigious-2023-edison-awards-301804141.html SOURCE Cargill, Inc. SHAKER HEIGHTS, Ohio , April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp. (the "Company") announced, in accordance with Section 2(i) of its Investment Management Trust Agreement with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as amended (the "Trust Agreement"), that at least five days prior to April 27, 2023 , the Company received notice from Gardiner Healthcare Holdings, LLC (the "Gardiner Sponsor") that the Gardiner Sponsor intends to extend the deadline to consummate an initial business combination pursuant to the Trust Agreement and the Board of Directors of the Company has approved such extension. Furthermore, the Company received notice from the Gardiner Sponsor that the Gardiner Sponsor intends to deposit funds into the trust account under the Trust Agreement on or prior to April 27, 2023 to extend the deadline from April 27, 2023 to May 27, 2023 . The Company is a blank check company formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization, or similar business combination with one or more businesses. While the Company may pursue an initial business combination target in any business or industry, it intends to focus its search on the healthcare or healthcare related industries. The Company is sponsored by the Gardiner Sponsor, Chardan Gardiner LLC, and CCMAUS Pty Ltd. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities. Any offers, solicitations or offers to buy, or any sales of securities will be made in accordance with the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("Securities Act"). This announcement is being issued in accordance with Rule 135 under the Securities Act. Contact: Marc F. Pelletier , PhD [email protected] View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/gardiner-healthcare-acquisitions-corp-announces-extension-301804529.html SOURCE Gardiner Healthcare Acquisitions Corp. Clean lines and decorative subtleties marry to stylishly finish any space SOLON, Ohio , April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Kichler Lighting LLC, a leader in innovative lighting and ceiling fans, illuminates design possibilities with new interior decorative collections: New Modern and Ceiling Space. "The New Modern Collection brings an edgy mood, soft curves, contrasting finishes and adjustable elements for one-of-a-kind looks. The new release offers a fresh perspective on ceiling lights with oversized flush and semi flush fixtures, as well as smaller decorative alternatives to downlights, giving consumers and designers more stylish options for the ceiling. We curated this line to allow the fixtures to complement each other or be easily paired with other Kichler collections," says Kichler Lighting's Creative Director Greg Martin . "Our new Ceiling Space collection focuses on emulating the latest ceiling design trends while going above and beyond to achieve a striking decorative element." Kichler's newest fixtures are available in several finishes, including Black, White, Champagne Bronze, Polished Nickel and Classic Pewter. Both collections are suited to layer, allowing designers and homeowners to incorporate them into new and existing design concepts. The New Modern collection includes 11 new families: Deela Inspired by the simple, soft curves of a Ukrainian vase, the Deela collection has a sculptural presence. Deela's clean design illuminates in true soft modern splendor. Hex The Hex collection spotlights bold geometric shapes and clean, minimalistic stylings. Hex gives you a truly modern look. Petal The Petal collection marries the soft curves of nature with the high elegance of Art Deco design. Petal takes style to an unforgettable level. Torche Inspired by knurled hardware and modern aesthetics, the Torche collection enriches your space. Clean lines, classic forms and modern finishes make Torche trendy yet timeless. Phix Featuring a classic mid-century silhouette, the Phix collection is modern style you can truly customize. Adjustable shades and dual finishes let your inner designer run wild. Albers On-trend yet timeless, the artistry of the Albers collection is instantly evident. With its less-is-more approach, Albers proves statement pieces don't need to be complex. Odensa The Odensa collection is soft curves, elevated details, and modern style. Designed to impress, Odensa updates your space with its graceful elegance. Solia The Solia collection celebrates modern's simple and clean design approach. With dual-finishes and opal glass, Solia exudes refinement and sophistication. Farum Dressed in the most refined shapes and finishes, the Farum collection illuminates beautifully. A chameleon of style, Farum easily blends with your decor. Arcus Patterns found in nature inspired the Arcus collection, reflected in its soft curves, long stems, and leaf-inspired shades. Arcus is modern lighting that's as stylish as it is functional. Gala Clean lines, mixed finishes, and adjustable arms make the Gala collection functional sculptures. Reinvent your space with this truly modern lighting collection. The Ceiling Space collection includes 10 new families: Brit Clean and crisp, the Brit collection is modern industrial style. Instantly elevating your space, Brit is refined and forever on-trend. Cecil Open spaces and geometric shapes make the Cecil collection go beyond the traditional. Where opulence and modern meet, you'll find Cecil. Malen A beautiful arrangement of lights, the Malen collection was inspired by the notion of holding and resting, as its shade rests comfortably into the design. Niva Globes, arches and domes define the Niva collection. Its modern shape and refined finishes are complemented by Niva's versatility. Ocala Sunburst forms, ribbed details, and crystal accents make the Ocala collection elegantly unique. When ordinary isn't your style, Ocala is. Remy Invigorating and modern, the Remy collection doesn't need added detail to shine. Its minimalistic, refined style makes Remy the center of attention. Riu The Riu collection features sleek forms and bold geometry, the essence of modern design. Riu's simple style speaks for itself. Sago Slim, sleek, and savvy the Sago collection epitomizes modern lighting. Its minimalist design and on-trend dual-finish make Sago an easy choice. Sisu The Sisu collection emphasizes a minimalistic style that is sleek and modern. Sisu keeps it simple. Tibbi The Tibbi collection plays well with modern lifestyles. There's versatility in its simplicity and refinement in its design. KICHLER LIGHTING LLC Kichler Lighting LLC strives to transform the home and workspace by developing fixtures that perform efficiently, install intuitively, and deliver an overall effect that combines style with purpose. With an extensive portfolio of more than 3,000 on-trend products including lighting, landscape and ceiling fans and a commitment to providing services and project solutions, Kichler is the brand homeowners and professionals know and trust since 1938. Kichler Lighting products are available at independent showrooms, Lowe's, electrical and landscape distributors and online. For more information, visit www.kichler.com. Connect with Kichler Lighting socially on: Twitter is a registered trademark of Twitter, Inc. Facebook is a registered trademark of Facebook, Inc. Pinterest is a registered trademark of Pinterest, Inc. Houzz is a registered trademark of Houzz, Inc. Instagram is a registered trademark of Facebook, Inc. MASCO CORPORATION Headquartered in Livonia, Michigan , Masco Corporation is a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of branded home improvement and building products. Our portfolio of industry-leading brands includes Behr paint; Delta and Hansgrohe faucets, bath and shower fixtures; Kichler decorative and outdoor lighting; LIBERTY branded decorative and functional hardware and HotSpring spas. We leverage our powerful brands across product categories, sales channels and geographies to create value for our customers and shareholders. For more information about Masco Corporation, visit www.masco.com. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kichler-lighting-illuminates-the-soft-and-simplistic-with-new-modern-and-ceiling-space-collections-301804491.html SOURCE Kichler Lighting LOS ANGELES , April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Arias Sanguinetti filed the first of several lawsuits on behalf of individuals who allege they were sexually harassed and abused as children while in custody in Los Angeles County . These kids, both male and female, were taken advantage of by predatory staff members at various juvenile detention facilities. According to the complaint, guards, counselors, and security personnel, subjected children, some as young as 12 years of age, to horrific acts of sex abuse, grooming many of them as soon as they arrived. While in custody, these minors were unaware of how to navigate the corrections system, were unable to consent to sexual activity, were at the mercy of these predators, and many ended up acting out as a result of the abuse. According to the complaint, a number of the children were simply there because they were homeless, and while the juvenile system is meant to rehabilitate them, they were instead traumatized for life. This created a system of abuse from which these kids could not escape. "Predators employed by the County of Los Angeles took advantage of these then-minors who had no way to protect themselves," said lead Los Angeles sex abuse attorney Mike Arias. "They were treated as objects and were left with no one to help them, until now." The complaint alleges that each of the individuals who suffered abuse developed serious long-term mental health issues including emotional distress, anxiety, and depression, as well as loss of opportunities because of the crimes committed against them. "Even if these kids did want to speak up, the system does not make it easy for a victim to report a crime," added Mike Arias . "Between a fear of retaliation (by officers and other detainees) and the fact that these predatory authority figures would dismissively respond 'it didn't happen,' each of these survivors had no chance to stop the abuse." Survivors of sex abuse in any juvenile detention center should contact the firm immediately at 310-844-9696 or email [email protected]. The case is Jane/ John Doe v. Roe 1 County, Los Angeles Superior Court, Case No. 23STCV06578. About Arias Sanguinetti With more than 40 years of experience and over $1 billion obtained for clients, Arias Sanguinetti is the premier law firm handling sex abuse cases in Los Angeles . The firm made history obtaining the $852 million settlement against USC on behalf of more than 700 former students, the largest known settlement in a sexual abuse case in U.S. history, as well as the largest known personal injury settlement against a university. Media Contact: Arias Sanguinetti 310-844-9696 [email protected] View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lawsuit-alleges-la-county-employed-sexual-predators-in-juvenile-detention-centers-creating-systemic-abuse-of-children-301803706.html BERLIN, April 21 (Xinhua) -- The alga Melosira arctica, which grows under Arctic sea ice, contains ten times as many microplastic particles as the surrounding seawater, according to a study led by the German Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI) and published on Friday. "We have finally found a plausible explanation for why we always measure the largest amounts of microplastics in the area of the ice edge, even in deep-sea sediment," Melanie Bergmann, head of the research team, said in a statement. During an expedition with the research vessel Polarstern in the summer of 2021, the team collected samples of Melosira algae and the surrounding water from ice floes. The samples were then analyzed by the Ocean Frontier Institute (OFI), Dalhousie University, and the University of Canterbury. Once entrapped in the algal slime, the microplastics travel "as if in an elevator to the seafloor, or are eaten by marine animals," Deonie Allen of the University of Canterbury and Birmingham University explained. Because ice algae are an important source of food for many deep-sea organisms, microplastic can enter the food web. An earlier study had already shown that ice algae were also an important food source at the sea surface. This "could explain why microplastics were particularly widespread among ice-associated zooplankton organisms," AWI said. As zooplankton is eaten by fish, which in turn are eaten by seabirds, microplastics could also enter the human food chain, the study found. The detailed analysis identified numerous types of plastics in the Arctic, including polyethylene, polyester, polypropylene, nylon and acrylic. "Plastic waste and consequently microplastics are a global problem that no country can tackle alone," a spokesperson of the German Federal Environment Agency (UBA) told Xinhua on Friday. The Artic in particular is "suffering from waste carried in from other regions of the world by ocean currents, river systems and air currents," the spokesperson said. International efforts are needed to "start very early in the life cycle of plastic products to prevent waste instead of disposing of it downstream." Plastic pollution has become a global problem. Of the 9.2 billion tonnes of plastic produced between 1950 and 2017, approximately 7 billion tonnes ended up as waste in landfills or dumped, according to United Nations (UN) estimates. Back in March 2022, 175 nations agreed at the UN Environment Assembly in Nairobi to develop a legally binding agreement on plastic pollution by 2024. 15 current MLH Associates complete 15-month surgical technologist program MEMPHIS, Tenn. , April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Since launching the Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare Associate Advancement Program (MAAP), 60 employees have completed specialized certification programs or earned bachelor's degrees with little or no out-of-pocket expense. MAAP, in partnership with the University of Memphis, offers current Methodist Le Bonheur employees opportunities to affordably pursue higher education degrees and certificate options on their own schedule. Recently 15 Methodist Le Bonheur employees completed a 15-month certification program to become surgical technologists in operating rooms across the six-hospital healthcare system. "For some, this is a return to a learning structure they haven't experienced in years, maybe decades," said Janine Scott , director of the surgical tech program at the University of Memphis. "Changing a career is exciting, as is the potential for growth and advancement." Memphian Nikki Gist joined Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare in 2020 and is a patient access coordinator with MLH's cardiology clinic, Sutherland Cardiology Clinic. "The opportunity Methodist Le Bonheur has for us is awesome. I wanted more for my life and I want a career. This program is fulfilling my goals," she said. Tamie Joyner , also from Memphis , has been part of the Methodist Le Bonheur system for 18 years. She currently works as a utility aid at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, but is excited to change her career path. "This is something I've always wanted to do, but the timing was never right. When this program became available, I knew this was the right time for me." Langdon Eason has been with Methodist University Hospital for four years, most recently as a patient care assistant. "I feel like I've cleared a major hurdle in my life with this program. I didn't know if I could do it, but Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare believed in me and here I am. I have overcome my self-doubts." Ethel Thomas from Horn Lake, Miss. , joined the Memphis -based healthcare system in 2016 and currently monitors EKG telemetry at Methodist South Hospital but is eager to support patients and clinical teams in the operating room. "I love being part of a team that helps patients and returns them home to their loved ones. By the end of the day, I'll know I've helped multiple people. There is no greater feeling than that." For more information on MAAP, visit MethodistHealth.org/MAAP. For career opportunities with Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, visit MethodistHealth.org/careers. About Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare Based in Memphis, Tennessee , Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare has been caring for patients and families regardless of their ability to pay for more than 100 years. Guided by roots in the United Methodist Church and founded in 1918 to help meet the growing need for quality healthcare in the greater Memphis area, MLH has grown from one hospital into a comprehensive healthcare system with 13,000 Associates supporting six hospitals, including nationally ranked Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, ambulatory surgery centers, outpatient facilities, hospice residence and physician and specialty practices serving communities across the Mid-South. From transplants and advanced heart procedures to expert neurology services and compassionate cancer care, MLH offers clinical expertise with a focus on improving every life we touch. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/methodist-le-bonheur-healthcare-employees-gain-certifications-through-university-of-memphis-301803512.html SOURCE Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare TAIPEI , April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The MIH Consortium, an open electric vehicle (EV) initiative by Hon Hai Technology Group (Foxconn), showcases expertise and innovation in the automotive supply chain on the global stage at 2023 Auto Shanghai. With over 2,600 global members across 14 working groups, MIH is striving to establish a comprehensive EV supply chain, with a particular focus on enabling the future of smart cities for mobility service providers and fleet operators. Last November, MIH launched "Project X" to provide partners interested in entering the EV market with the freedom to select vehicle segment and specifications via a modular and highly customizable system. To showcase Project X's open and agnostic spirit and the technical achievements of MIH's working groups, an A-Segment three-seater electric vehicle has been designed as the initial demonstration model. The project is progressing steadily, and the Project X prototype is scheduled to make its debut at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show in Tokyo in October, with six-seater and nine-seater prototypes also expected to be launched within the next two years. Jack Cheng , CEO of MIH Consortium, has reaffirmed the consortium's commitment to play a pivotal role in the future of global smart cities, participating actively in enabling services such as ride-hailing, carpooling, car-sharing, delivery, and logistics fleets. Cheng has further revealed that MIH plans to launch Proof of Concept (POC) projects in Southeast Asia , including Thailand and Japan , with the B2B approach based on "Project X" being the foundation in defining MIH's portfolio of EV products. Additionally, MIH has announced its intention to develop a new range of electric vehicles including tuk-tuks and commercial vehicles, including mini vans, 3.5-ton trucks, and 5-ton trucks. Following MIH's participation in Taiwan's largest smart mobility exhibition, "2035 E-Mobility Taiwan & Taipei AMPA," their partners C2A Security, DeepDrive, Elaphe, FEV, Foxconn Industrial Internet (Fii), HCMF Group, Longsys, UL Solutions and Voyager Technology is making another strong impression at the 2023 Shanghai International Auto Show, demonstrating cutting-edge technology solutions. MIH is set to make significant strides in the global electric vehicle and smart mobility markets. The anticipated debut of the Project X prototype along with new smart city initiatives will be made at the Japan Mobility Show in October. MIH is committed to the development of smart city, customizable and modular vehicles, and global partnerships to offer compelling option for businesses seeking smart EV and mobility solutions. About MIH Consortium MIH Consortium is creating an open EV ecosystem that promotes collaboration in the mobility industry. We realize key technologies, develop reference designs and standards, while we bridge the gap between members in the ecosystem resulting in a lower barrier to entry, accelerated innovation, and shorter development cycles. Our goal is to bring the strategic partners together to build the next generation of EV, autonomous driving, and mobility service applications. For More: https://www.mih-ev.org View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mih-unveils-smart-city-initiative-and-innovative-project-x-prototype-set-to-debut-at-tokyo-motor-show-301803841.html SOURCE MIH Consortium MINNEAPOLIS , April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The drug atogepant may help prevent migraines for people who have had no success with other preventive drugs, according to a preliminary study released April 20, 2023 , which will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 75th Annual Meeting being held in person in Boston and live online from April 22-27, 2023 . The study involved people with episodic migraine, which is defined as having up to 14 headache days per month with migraine characteristics. Atogepant is a calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonist, or CGRP inhibitor. CGRP is a protein that plays a key role in starting the migraine process. "These results are exciting, as migraine can be debilitating, and this treatment led to fewer days with migraine for people who had already tried up to four other types of drugs to prevent migraine and either had no improvement or had side effects that outweighed any benefits," said study author Patricia Pozo-Rosich , MD, PhD, at Vall d'Hebron University Hospital in Barcelona, Spain . The study involved 309 people who had at least four migraine days during the month before the study and who had tried at least two classes of drugs for preventing migraine without improvement. Of those, 44% had previously taken three or more classes of preventive drugs with no success. For the study, half of the participants took 60 milligrams of atogepant once a day as a pill and the other half took a placebo for 12 weeks. Those taking the drug had an average of four fewer days with migraine per month from the start of the study to the end, while those taking the placebo had about two fewer days with migraine per month. Those taking the drug also showed improvement compared to those taking the placebo in how often they needed to take medication to stop a migraine attack and in how many people had a reduction of 50% or higher in how many days per month they had migraines. The most common side effects were constipation, which occurred in 10% of those taking atogepant and 3% of those taking the placebo, and nausea, which occurred in 7% of those taking the drug and 3% of those taking the placebo. "People who thought they may not find a way to prevent and treat their migraines may have hope of finding relief with a tolerable oral easy-to-use drug," Pozo-Rosich said. "This treatment was safe, well-tolerated and effective for people with difficult-to-treat migraine." A limitation of the study was the relatively short length of three months. Pozo-Rosich added that more research will be needed to assess the long-term efficacy and safety of atogepant. The study was supported by AbbVie, the maker of atogepant. Learn more about migraine at BrainandLife.org, home of the American Academy of Neurology's free patient and caregiver magazine focused on the intersection of neurologic disease and brain health. Follow Brain & Life on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. When posting to social media channels about this research, we encourage you to use the American Academy of Neurology's Annual Meeting hashtag #AANAM. The American Academy of Neurology is the world's largest association of neurologists and neuroscience professionals, with over 40,000 members. The AAN is dedicated to promoting the highest quality patient-centered neurologic care. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as Alzheimer's disease, stroke, migraine, multiple sclerosis, concussion, Parkinson's disease and epilepsy. For more information about the American Academy of Neurology, visit AAN.com or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-drug-may-help-prevent-migraine-for-difficult-cases-301804119.html SOURCE American Academy of Neurology Announcement of Brand Evolution Speaks to Brand's Recommitment as Innovative Partner for All Orthodontic Needs BREA, Calif. , April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- With over 60 years of distinguished history in providing the orthodontic community with a breadth of high-quality, innovative products, solutions, and education, Ormco announces a brand refresh inspired by its recommitment as an innovative partner to the orthodontic community. With a continual dedication to partnership, investment in doctor-inspired innovation, and greater clinical freedom, the company will share its new company tagline, "Driving the future of orthodontics, together" along with the unveiling of a visually refreshed brand identity at this year's American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) in Chicago, Illinois April 21-24, 2023 . Ormco's Announcement of Brand Evolution Speaks to its Recommitment as an Innovative Partner for all Orthodontic Needs Initial elements of Ormco's brand refresh include: New Company Tagline: "Driving the future of orthodontics, together" New Logo: As a prominent representation of the company and its dedication, the new logo incorporates "Together" as a recommitment to collaboration and doctor-inspired innovation. New Brand Colors: Fresh new colors convey passion and bring to life Ormco's commitment, dedication, innovation, and future-focused partnership for all orthodontic solutions. "In the spirit of a brand refresh, we continue to recognize and respect the expertise of orthodontic specialists as well as their investment in advancing their education, building a vision for their practices, and growing their businesses, all while helping patients enjoy healthier beautiful smiles," said Eric Conley , SVP Orthodontics for Envista. "The renewed commitment to our existing and new customers is to provide best-in-class products, doctor-inspired innovation, and clinical freedom by giving the flexibility to choose orthodontic solutions and preferences that best fit their practices," he continued. As part of its commitment to driving the future of orthodontics, Ormco continually invests in doctor-inspired innovations. Ormco has more than 1000 patents worldwide and invests millions annually in Research & Development to ensure its products continue to respond to the evolving needs of orthodontists and patients. "By investing in innovation, Ormco is also investing in me. It's a symbiotic partnership. We make Ormco better, and Ormco makes us better," said Dr. Trevor Nichols of Frost Nichols Orthodontics. "Ormco also invests in the success of orthodontists through industry-leading partnership," said Dr. Stuart Frost of Frost Nichols Orthodontics. "As the single, trusted, and proven partner for orthodontic specialists, Ormco helps simplify vendor management so we can focus on growing our practice. We turn to Ormco as our one source for complete orthodontic needs, as well as robust educational offerings, a dedicated support team, marketing resources, a generous loyalty program, and expert-led events to keep us at the forefront of our profession," Dr. Frost continued. The significant investment in R&D has led to a number of industry-first and breakthrough products and features including: The first true full expression system designed for faster and more precise finishing with the Damon Ultima System .1 The new Ultima Hook, the only repositionable hook .2 Proprietary ceramic bracket technology and advanced clear bracket design with Symetri Clear TruRoot for Spark Clear Aligners that allow doctors to see actual roots in the treatment plan Ormco's new OrthoPulse 2.0 light-powered treatment accelerator that applies low-intensity infrared technology for up to 50% faster treatment time3 and a 73% reduction in pain4 Along with the Damon Ultima System for self-ligation, Ormco's portfolio includes the Spark TM Clear Aligner System, Titanium Orthos TM, Symetri TM Clear, AOA Lab, Mini Twin TM, and OrthoPulse Light Accelerated OrthodonticsTM*. In addition, as part of the Envista family of companies, Ormco provides doctors with Dexis IS scanning solutions and Metrex infection prevention solutions. With a portfolio encompassing wire and bracket systems, clear aligners, light accelerated technologies, 2D and 3D imaging, infection prevention, custom appliances, and more Ormco provides a full gamut of innovations that help doctors improve patients' smiles by leveraging the future of orthodontics. Learn more at https://ormco.com/en-us/our-mission ABOUT ORMCO Envista is a global family of more than 30 trusted dental brands, including Nobel Biocare, Ormco, DEXIS, and Kerr, united by a shared purpose: to partner with professionals to improve lives. Ormco, headquartered in Brea, Calif., is a global leader and innovator of orthodontic products and solutions to help enhance the lives of its customers and their patients. For 60 years, Ormco has partnered with the orthodontic community to help create over 20 million smiles in over 140 countries. Distinguished products range from twin brackets (Symetri Clear, Titanium Orthos and Mini Diamond) to pioneering self-ligating appliances with the Damon System (including Damon Ultima System and Damon Clear2). The Spark Clear Aligner System is designed to meet the needs of the orthodontist with the TruGEN material and 3D Approver software. Ormco's Insignia Advanced Smile Design provides an all-inclusive customized indirect bonding solution for efficiency through personalization. From personalized service to professional education programs and marketing support, Ormco is committed to helping orthodontists achieve their clinical and practice management objectives. Connect on Facebook at www.facebook.com/myormco and LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/ormco. ABOUT ENVISTA HOLDINGS CORPORATION Envista is a global family of more than 30 trusted dental brands, including Nobel Biocare, Ormco, DEXIS, and Kerr, united by a shared purpose: to partner with professionals to improve lives. Envista helps its customers deliver the best possible patient care through industry-leading dental consumables, solutions, technology, and services. Our comprehensive portfolio, including dental implants and treatment options, orthodontics, and digital imaging technologies, covers a wide range of dentists' clinical needs for diagnosing, treating, and preventing dental conditions as well as improving the aesthetics of the human smile. With a foundation comprised of the proven Envista Business System (EBS) methodology, an experienced leadership team, and a strong culture grounded in continuous improvement, commitment to innovation, and deep customer focus, Envista is well-equipped to meet the end-to-end needs of dental professionals worldwide. Envista is one of the largest global dental products companies, with significant market positions in some of the most attractive segments of the dental products industry. For more information, please visit here . 1Data on file. 2Using the Ultima Hook Repositioning Instrument. 3 Shaughnessy et al. Intraoral photobiomodulation-induced orthodontic tooth alignment: a preliminary study. BMC Oral Health, 2016. 16:3 4 Al-Okla N , Ferguson D et al. Pain perception of photobiomodulation treated and sham-controlled patients undergoing orthodontic treatment: JCO / February 2020 , Volume LIV No.2 *OrthoPulse is a registered trademark of Biolux Technology GmbH. OrthoPulse is distributed by Ormco. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ormco-unveils-a-refreshed-brand-identity-while-staying-true-to-core-values-301803831.html SOURCE Ormco Corporation LONDON , April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Patrick Racz , founder, and Inventor of Smartflash, has announced the launch of a Civil Rico investigation into Apple, Inc. The investigation will focus on allegations of theft of Smartflash's intellectual property and circumstances relating to the unlawful invalidation of patents. In 2015, Racz won a resounding victory against Apple in court, with an initial jury award of $533 million for wilful infringement. The key merits and findings of the case, namely that Apple infringed on the technology and induced others to infringe, remain undisturbed today. From 2015 to 2018, Racz was then forced to defend a series of costly appeals in separate forums, including 48 individual cases at the Patent Trial Appeal Board (PTAB), where the panel of judges included ex lawyers for the defendants. Now, Racz and Smartflash are taking things a step further by launching a Civil Rico investigation. The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) is a federal law that allows for the prosecution of individuals or organizations engaged in illegal activities as part of a larger criminal enterprise. "We believe that Apple's actions are not solely restricted to wilful patent infringement, but also form part of a more significant pattern of wrongful activity," said Racz. "We are committed to protecting our intellectual property and to holding Apple accountable for their actions." The Civil Rico investigation is being led by a team of legal experts and will focus on gathering evidence to support Smartflash's claims. For more information or to request an interview contact [email protected] or call Josh Moreton , Account Manager, on +44(0)7828133445 For more information about the campaign, visit www.patrickracz.com View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/patrick-racz-and-smartflash-launch-civil-rico-investigation-into-apple-301804457.html SOURCE Smartflash MINNEAPOLIS , April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Pioneer Management Consulting has been certified as a women-owned business . Laura Nelson , who was promoted to general manager of Pioneer's Minneapolis office last December, has also joined Molly Koenen and Brian Westerhaus as an owner of the firm. This big step is one of many for Nelson in recent years. She first joined Pioneer as a Practice Director in October 2019 after honing her skills in change management at various Fortune 500 companies. Nelson states: "I am honored that Pioneer has received the WBE certification and grateful to Brian and Molly for their trust in me to co-lead this organization. I've personally been inspired by many other female leaders throughout my career, and I consider myself to be a huge champion of women in business. Above all, I see this certification as an opportunity to highlight the diversity of our organization." Getting certified as a women-owned business is also an important step for Pioneer; it's a rigorous process that ultimately requires approval from the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) or from a WBE program administered by a city, county, or state. To qualify as a WBE, a company must: Be a for-profit business located in the United States Be at least 51% owned by a woman, or a group of women who, but for an inheritance, contributed a proportionate amount of capital to acquire ownership Have a governing board that's controlled by a woman or a group of women, when applicable Have a female top executive officer who's responsible for daily operations, and who has expertise in the firm's primary business activity Have female owners who are U.S. citizens or legal residents According to recent data , the national average of women-owned small businesses per 100,000 is 3,390.49. Unfortunately, Minnesota is behind the curve, with just 3,189 out of every 100,000 businesses being women-owned. Walking the Walk toward Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Pioneer has long been committed to honoring its DEI initiatives in thought, word, and deed. Together with over 1,500 like-minded CEOs and business leaders, Brian Westerhaus signed the CEO Action Pledge , promising to create more inclusive cultures while not being afraid of having difficult conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion. Honest Conversations Build Award-Winning Cultures In 2022, the Star Tribune ranked Pioneer fourth on its list of Top 200 Workplaces for small businesses. Its ranking is based on the following criteria: Employee opinions on engagement Organizational health Overall satisfaction The growing firm also received the Communications Excellence Award among all organizations for creating a space where employees can be seen and heard, keeping up-to-date on its initiatives and vision , and creating a culture of inclusivity and belonging. The company currently has a 99% employee engagement score, which the firm believes is also a significant factor in its 97% client satisfaction score. About Pioneer Management Consulting Pioneer Management Consulting is a business management consulting firm headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota . Its Denver office, located in the Lower Highlands District , was opened earlier this year. Pioneer was founded by Brian Westerhaus in 2009 to help midsize to enterprise-scale businesses navigate complex transformation projects through four disciplines: strategy, execution, organizational change, and data analytics. Its core values humble, hungry, and connected inform all of the firm's decisions. Learn more at PioneerManagementConsulting.com . Media Contact Molly Koenen , Partner and Owner [email protected] Cell: (763) 331-1845 View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pioneer-management-consulting-certified-as-a-women-owned-business-301804416.html SOURCE Pioneer Management Consulting BEIJING , April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- RLX Technology Inc. ("RLX Technology" or the "Company") (NYSE: RLX), a leading branded e-vapor company in China , today announced that it filed its annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on April 21, 2023. The annual report on Form 20-F can be accessed on the SEC's website at https://www.sec.gov and on the Company's investor relations website at https://ir.relxtech.com. The Company will provide a hard copy of its audited consolidated financial statements, free of charge, to its shareholders and ADS holders upon request. About RLX Technology Inc. RLX Technology Inc. (NYSE: RLX) is a leading branded e-vapor company in China . The Company leverages its strong in-house technology, product development capabilities, and in-depth insights into adult smokers' needs to develop superior e-vapor products. For more information, please visit: https://ir.relxtech.com. Contacts In China : RLX Technology Inc. Head of Capital Markets Sam Tsang Email: [email protected] The Piacente Group, Inc. Jenny Cai Tel: +86-10-6508-0677 Email: [email protected] In the United States : The Piacente Group, Inc. Brandi Piacente Tel: +1-212-481-2050 Email: [email protected] View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rlx-technology-files-2022-annual-report-on-form-20-f-301802576.html SOURCE RLX Technology Inc. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Sends a Heartwarming PSA to Conservation Supporters Worldwide Co-created with Partners at David&Goliath SAN DIEGO , April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- From scientists working to protect polar bears in the high Arctic, sloths across Amazonia and Galapagos tortoises in the Pacific Islands, to cutting-edge reintroduction programs to save endangered rhinos on the savannas and burrowing owls in the Southwest, without you, there is no them. The world's wildlife needs everyone's helpand together with its partners in more than 200 global conservation initiatives across eight strategic Conservation Hubs worldwide, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is on the front lines, answering the call. This Earth Day , San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance wants to thank all of its conservation allies and supporters for their commitment to a world where all life thrives in their latest PSA campaign, "Thank You for Being A Friend," created with its partners at David&Goliath (D&G). The health of people, wildlife and the planet we all share are inextricably linkedand now more than ever, protecting Earth's vibrant biodiversity is only possible through the support of allies around the globe. Conservation starts with people, and a commitment to nature is critical to creating a world where all life thrives. So, in this campaign, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance team members express their gratitude from all over the world. The :60 PSA, which goes live April 22, 2023 , rallies behind this year's Earth Day theme "Invest in Our Planet." It begins with two conservationists in the cold Arctic, protecting polar bears and acknowledging their supporters. They do so by singing a familiar song: "Thank You for Being a Friend." The song continues, sung by community-led conservationists in different locations from duos in the rainforest observing a sloth in a tree, a pair tending to a large tortoise, and a rock climber checking in on owl eggs on a cliff, to a conservationist recording an endangered rhino on the savanna. The spot ends with the tagline "Thank you for supporting wildlife conservation. Without you, there's no them." It's not only a show of gratitude, but also an invitation for more people to become friends of wildlife around the world by supporting San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. "Often, PSAs can take a serious or dire tone," said Courtney Pulver , Executive Creative Director at D&G. "But we wanted this campaign to feel more celebratory." Robert Casillas , Executive Creative Director at D&G, joined in: "It was our way to show gratitude to all of these people who give so much to protect wildlife around the globe." Ben Purcell , Chief Creative Officer at D&G, added, "With this new take on The Golden Girls theme, we're pretty sure lifelong animal lover Betty White would be smiling." "Conservation starts with people, and we are so excited to share this message with millions of allies for wildlife around the world," said David Miller , Chief Marketing Officer, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. "This PSA really speaks to our identity as a global conservation organization with two of the world's leading conservation-focused zoos, highlighting the importance of our supporters, members and guests who help us create a world where all life thrives". In addition to the :60 broadcast PSA, additional campaign elements include a :30 PSA cutdown for broadcast and :60/:30 PSAs for radio. To become a friend and support San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, visit sdzwa.org/friend. Credits Client: David Miller , CMO Client: Damien Lasater , Director of Creative Services Client: Christian Wooten , Production Specialist Agency: David&Goliath, LA Founder & Chairman: David Angelo Chief Creative Officer: Ben Purcell ECD / Copywriter: Courtney Pulver ECD / Art Director: Robert Casillas ACD / Art Director: Israel Medeiros ACD / Copywriter: Marcos Botelho ACD / Art Director: Evan Bross ACD / Copywriter: Chris Davis Managing Director, Broadcast Production: Paul Albanese Agency Senior Producer: Jane Krull Account Director: Kelly Marshall Account Executive: Eric Brothers Director of Business Affairs: Quynh-An Phan Senior Business Affairs Manager: Shay Davis Business Affairs Manager: Lupe Ramos Project Manager: Heather Williams Production Company: Native Content Director: Sorrel Brae Director of Photography: Kai Saul Executive Producer: Teresa Sparky Pomeroy Managing Partner: Tomer DeVito Executive Producer/Head of Production: Sean Blair Editorial House: Spinach Editor: Adam Bright Assistant Editor: Marshall Thompson Second Assistant Editor: Robby Salisbury Senior Producer: Cristy Torres Executive Producer: Jonathan Carpio Color: JAMM Colorist: Beau Leon Color Assist: Carver Moore Color Producer: Jon Lazar Visual Effects: Spinach VFX Supervisor/Lead Flame Artist: Christopher Moore Producer: Ian Dawson Executive Producer: Adam Bright Additional VFX - JAMM VFX Supervisor / Lead Compositor: Alex Snookes Nuke Artist: Brady Doyle Nuke Artist: Toma Bowen Nuke Artist: Kevin Pierce CG Supervisor: Zak DiMaria CG Artist: Jaguar Lee CG Artist: Steven Nelson CG Artist: Ben Martin CG Artist: Elyse Resseguie CG Artist: Yu Fujii Animator: Stew Burris Matte Painter: Brandon Kachel Producer: Anna Dood Executive Producer: Asher Edwards Mix Facility: Margarita Mix Sound Designer/Mixer: Nathan Dubin Executive Producer: Paula Arnett Executive Producer: Whitney Morris Music: Song: "Thank You For Being a Friend" Written by Andrew M. Gold [BMI] Published by Luckyu Music [BMI] Admin by Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing Arrangement Company: Mophonics Creative Director: Stephan Altman Executive Producer: Colette Huemer Head of Production: Shelley Altman About San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is a nonprofit international conservation leader, committed to inspiring a passion for nature and working toward a world where all life thrives. The Alliance empowers people from around the globe to support their mission to conserve wildlife through innovation and partnerships. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance supports cutting-edge conservation and brings the stories of their work back to the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Parkgiving millions of guests, in person and virtually, the opportunity to experience conservation in action. The work of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance extends from San Diego to eco-regional conservation "hubs" across the globe, where their expertise and assetsincluding the renowned Wildlife Biodiversity Bankare able to effectively align with hundreds of regional partners to improve outcomes for wildlife in more coordinated efforts. By leveraging these skills in wildlife care and conservation science, and through collaboration with hundreds of partners, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance has reintroduced more than 44 endangered species to native habitats. Each year, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance's work reaches over 1 billion people in 150 countries via news media, social media, their websites, educational resources and the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Explorers television programming, which is in children's hospitals in 13 countries. Success is made possible by the support of members, donors and guests to the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park , who are Wildlife Allies committed to ensuring all life thrives. CONTACT: San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance [email protected] 619-685-3291 WEBSITE: sdzwa.org DOWNLOAD VIDEO AT: sdzwa.org/pr/EarthDayPSA View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/san-diego-zoo-wildlife-alliance-wants-to-thank-you-for-being-a-friend-this-earth-day-301803523.html SOURCE San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance STOCKHOLM , April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Sandvik has appointed Bjorn Roodzant as Executive Vice President and Head of Group Communications and Sustainability, effective May 1, 2023 . Bjorn Roodzant , born in 1969, will also be a member of the Sandvik Group Executive Management. He is currently Vice President Group Communication and Brand at Sandvik Group. " Bjorn Roodzant has strong leadership skills, a broad expertise in global communications and marketing, and an extensive knowledge of Sandvik. I am confident that he is very well suited to further develop our communications organization and that he will be a strong addition to the Group Executive Management," says Stefan Widing , President and CEO of Sandvik. Before his current role, Bjorn Roodzant was Vice President Marketing and Communications at Sandvik Coromant, a division within Sandvik, heading up the global marketing and communications management team. He joined Sandvik Coromant in 2004, and was based in the United States for 6 years between 2007-2013. Bjorn Roodzant replaces Jessica Alm , who as previously announced is leaving Sandvik for a similar position at Essity. Stockholm , April 21, 2023 Sandvik AB For further information, contact: Louise Tjeder , VP Investor relations, phone: +46 (0) 70782 6374 Johannes Hellstrom , Press and Media Relations Manager, phone: +46 (0) 70721 1008 The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Main/208/3755225/2000138.pdf Sandvik appoints new Head of Group Communications and Sustainability https://news.cision.com/sandvik/i/bjorn-roodzant,c3169335 Bjorn Roodzant View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sandvik-appoints-new-head-of-group-communications-and-sustainability-301803872.html SOURCE Sandvik STOCKHOLM , April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Sandvik has appointed Mattias Nilsson as President of Business Area segment Sandvik Manufacturing Solutions and new member of the Sandvik Group Executive Management, effective May 8, 2023 . He is currently Vice President Offer Management and R&D at Sandvik Coromant, where he is also part of the management team. Mattias Nilsson , born in 1972, joined Sandvik Coromant in 2007. He has extensive leadership experience from the manufacturing industry and a strong track record of developing high-performing operations in areas spanning from R&D and product development to sales and service. "I am convinced that Mattias Nilsson with his strong leadership skills, deep understanding of the manufacturing industry and broad international experience will be an excellent President of Sandvik Manufacturing Solutions and a great addition to the Group Executive Management," says Stefan Widing , President and CEO of Sandvik. His broad experience within Sandvik Coromant also includes the position as General Manager of Sales Area South Europe, where he was based in Spain , and the role as Managing Director of the Silent Tools business Sandvik Teeness, based in Norway . He has also been Head of Strategic and Global Account Management. Before joining Sandvik, he spent several years in the banking industry in different positions at Nordea Bank. Mattias Nilsson replaces Christophe Sut , who as previously announced is leaving Sandvik for the position as CEO of Scanfil. Stockholm , April 21, 2023 Sandvik AB For further information, contact: Louise Tjeder , VP Investor relations, phone: +46 (0) 70782 6374 Johannes Hellstrom , Press and Media Relations Manager, phone: +46 (0) 70721 1008 The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Main/208/3755221/2000081.pdf Sandvik appoints new President of Sandvik Manufacturing Solutions https://news.cision.com/sandvik/i/mattias-nilsson,c3169334 Mattias Nilsson View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sandvik-appoints-new-president-of-sandvik-manufacturing-solutions-301803869.html SOURCE Sandvik Two volunteers install shelves in a portable house designed to aid earthquake victims in Istanbul, Turkiye, April 13, 2023. The house is small but fully functional. A bathroom, a kitchen, and sleeping space are squeezed into 15 square meters to make the entire unit easy to transport, according to the builders. (Photo by Omer Kuscu/Xinhua) by Zeynep Cermen ISTANBUL, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Yildiz Tasdelen, a 65-year-old Turkish retiree, is among a batch of Istanbulites who have volunteered for the past two months in a suburb for building portable houses to shelter earthquake victims. Varnishing the exterior of a tiny house at an expo center-converted construction site, Tasdelen said he came every day to help out with the work. "I can say there is nothing I haven't done except for building the roofs," Tasdelen told Xinhua. "I've done many tasks, including interior painting, sanding, and cementing the ground." On the fourth day of the disaster that had wreaked havoc in southern Turkiye in early February, a group of interior architects in Istanbul launched the project to provide ready-to-use houses for earthquake victims. Immediately, hundreds of people and local businesses answered to the volunteering call on social media. Tuyap fair convention and congress center provided ample space for building the houses until they were ready to be transported in bulk to quake-hit regions, where they would be put into use for resettlement. Many manufacturers supplied the necessary raw materials. The house is small but fully functional. A bathroom, a kitchen, and sleeping space are squeezed into 15 square meters to make the entire unit easy to transport, according to the builders. At its peak, some 500 people had worked around the clock in shifts on the construction site. "It is an incredible experience," Hamide Goksan, co-founder of the project, recalled. "We knew there would be a massive demand for four-season insulated houses and shelters ... Tents and containers would go. After all, they were temporary solutions. We had to be thinking about something long-term," he said, pointing to the prefab houses. Soon with local authorities' permission, the group installed the tiny houses on a 2.42-hectare area in Hatay, creating an "organic village" in the worst-hit province. They planned to install a total of 100 homes in the first phase. "There are so much more to be built. The entire city vanished," she said, speaking of the severity of damage in the south. Rahsan Kiris and her husband, Ayhan Kiris, were among the volunteers for construction since the beginning of the project. "The first few days, we dealt with cleaning. We then realized that we could do anything," Rahsan told Xinhua. "Install kitchen cabinets, tile the ceiling, and nail the shelves," she counted. "We do our best to make our people there have a good life," said Kiris. A volunteer applies varnish to a portable house designed to aid earthquake victims in Istanbul, Turkiye, April 13, 2023. The house is small but fully functional. A bathroom, a kitchen, and sleeping space are squeezed into 15 square meters to make the entire unit easy to transport, according to the builders. (Photo by Omer Kuscu/Xinhua) A volunteer prepares building materials for houses designed to aid earthquake victims in Istanbul, Turkiye, April 13, 2023. The house is small but fully functional. A bathroom, a kitchen, and sleeping space are squeezed into 15 square meters to make the entire unit easy to transport, according to the builders. (Photo by Omer Kuscu/Xinhua) Hamide Goksan, co-founder of the Tiny House Project, speaks during an interview in Istanbul, Turkiye, April 13, 2023. The house is small but fully functional. A bathroom, a kitchen, and sleeping space are squeezed into 15 square meters to make the entire unit easy to transport, according to the builders. (Photo by Omer Kuscu/Xinhua) Finished portable houses designed to aid earthquake victims are pictured in Istanbul, Turkiye, April 13, 2023. The house is small but fully functional. A bathroom, a kitchen, and sleeping space are squeezed into 15 square meters to make the entire unit easy to transport, according to the builders. (Photo by Omer Kuscu/Xinhua) TARRYTOWN, N.Y. , April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Tarrytown Honda has earned the prestigious 2022 President's Award from American Honda Motor Co., Inc. for the second time for excellence in sales performance, service performance, and other business operations. Tarrytown Honda is one of only 177 top-performing Honda dealerships in America to receive the Honda President's Award for 2022. The President's Award is the highest accolade that Honda bestows on its dealerships and was established in 1995 to recognize Honda dealerships that excel across all dealership functions. Each year, the lofty requirements to achieve the President's Award are modified to reflect changes in customers' expectations for buying and owning a vehicle and stay ahead of current market trends. "The President's Award is the highest honor Honda awards to our dealer partners because it requires outstanding performance across all areas of the dealership," said Lance Woelfer , assistant vice president of Honda National Auto Sales at American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "I am incredibly proud to recognize the entire team at Tarrytown Honda for their dedication to taking care of their Honda customers." "We know that customers have a choice when selecting a Honda dealership, and our team strives to earn their business by delivering an exceptional customer experience," said Dwight Dachnowicz , Owner and President. "This 2022 Honda President's Award is testament to the commitment of all of our employees at Tarrytown Honda to excel every day in all areas of our dealership operations." About Honda Honda offers a full line of clean, safe, fun and connected vehicles sold through more than 1,000 independent U.S. Honda dealers. The award-winning Honda lineup includes the Civic and Accord, along with the HR-V, CR-V, Passport and Pilot sport utility vehicles, the Ridgeline pickup and the Odyssey minivan. Honda's electrified vehicle lineup includes the Accord hybrid, CR-V hybrid, and, in the future, Civic hybrid. The Honda Prologue SUV, Honda's first volume battery-electric vehicle, will join the lineup in 2024. Honda has been producing automobiles in America for over 40 years and currently operates 18 major manufacturing facilities in North America . In 2022, more than 99% of all Honda vehicles sold in the U.S. were made in North America , with more than two-thirds made in America, using domestic and globally sourced parts. More information about Honda is available in the Digital FactBook. Media Contact: Dwight Dachnowicz 9146310815 [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tarrytown-honda-honored-with-2022-honda-presidents-award-301803411.html SOURCE Tarrytown Honda CHICAGO , April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Prebiotic Association, the only global trade association serving as a resource for prebiotic education, insights, and awareness building, announced today its 2023 Young Researcher grant recipients. Grants were awarded in two categories Fundamental and Applied Research. The 2023 Fundamental Research grant was awarded to Cynthia Fernandez-Lainez from the University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen for her paper (26)-Type fructans attenuate proinflammatory responses in a structure dependent fashion via Toll-like receptors published in Carbohydrate Polymers . The 2023 Applied Research grant was awarded to Ambra Giorgetti from the University of Oxford for her paper Prebiotic Galacto-Oligosaccharides and Fructo-Oligosaccharides, but Not Acacia Gum , Increase Iron Absorption from a Single High-Dose Ferrous Fumarate Supplement in Iron-Depleted Women published in the Journal of Nutrition . "We are excited to see this program continue to grow and expand," said GPA Executive Director Len Monheit . "Evidence surrounding prebiotics and prebiotic activity along with the potential of synbiotics continues to grow and we are committed to supporting future thought leadership in the category and all research exploring these areas." GPA grant winners each received a $2,000 USD grant and a one-year GPA Professional Membership. The grants were open to postdoctoral fellows or PhD students younger than 40 years of age at the application deadline. Topics could cover any aspect of prebiotic research (primary authorship) including gut and other microbiomes and must have been original research published in a peer-reviewed journal. Applications were judged by a panel of expert scientists from the prebiotic field, including GPA members and other researchers from around the world. The 2024 grant application period will open in November 2023 and will be open to researchers covering prebiotics and synbiotics. Learn more at PrebioticAssociation.org. About the Global Prebiotic Association The Global Prebiotic Association is comprised of scientifically-validated prebiotic ingredient manufacturers, brand holders, retailers, and service companies. The Global Prebiotic Association (GPA) is the only global trade association focused on prebiotics and their applications and science. Media Contact: Traci Kantowski , Communications Director, Global Prebiotic Association +1-331-806-3864 | [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-global-prebiotic-association-announces-2023-young-researcher-fundamental-and-applied-research-grant-winners-301804030.html SOURCE Global Prebiotic Association MEXICO CITY , April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The United Mexican States (" Mexico ") previously announced an offer to purchase for cash (the " Tender Offer ") its outstanding notes of the series set forth in the table below (collectively, the " Old Notes "), on the terms and subject to the conditions contained in the Offer to Purchase, dated April 20, 2023 (the " Offer to Purchase "). Mexico has instructed Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, as the billing and delivering bank for the Tender Offer, to accept, subject to the terms and conditions contained in the Offer to Purchase, all validly submitted Preferred Tenders and NonPreferred Tenders in aggregate principal amounts for each series of Old Notes as set forth below. All capitalized terms used but not defined in this communication have the respective meanings specified in the Offer to Purchase. The Aggregate Maximum Purchase Amount is U.S. $1,959,759,000 principal amount. The aggregate principal amount of Preferred and Non-Preferred Tenders of each series of Old Notes and the aggregate principal amount of Preferred and Non-Preferred Tenders of such series that have been accepted, subject to the terms and conditions contained in the Offer to Purchase, are shown in the table below. Appropriate adjustments have been made so that purchases are made in the minimum denominations set forth in the Offer to Purchase. Accepted Principal Amounts of Old Notes Old Notes Maximum Purchase Amount Aggregate Principal Amount of Preferred Tenders Aggregate Principal Amount of Preferred Tenders Accepted Aggregate Principal Amount of Non- Preferred Tenders Aggregate Principal Amount of Non- Preferred Tenders Accepted 4.280% Global Notes due 2041 U.S. $630,779,000 U.S. $630,779,500 U.S. $630,779,000 U.S. $36,268,000 U.S. $0 4.750% Global Notes due 2044 U.S. $0 U.S. $407,482,000 U.S. $0 U.S. $48,658,000 U.S. $0 5.550% Global Notes due 2045 U.S. $0 U.S. $130,991,000 U.S. $0 U.S. $107,000 U.S. $0 4.600% Global Notes due 2046 U.S. $0 U.S. $119,422,000 U.S. $0 U.S. $5,000,000 U.S. $0 4.350% Global Notes due 2047 U.S. $199,672,000 U.S. $199,906,500 U.S. $199,672,000 U.S. $0 U.S. $0 4.600% Global Notes due 2048 U.S. $139,283,000 U.S. $139,483,000 U.S. $139,283,000 U.S. $0 U.S. $0 4.500% Global Notes due 2050 U.S. $313,818,000 U.S. $313,818,000 U.S. $313,818,000 U.S. $0 U.S. $0 5.000% Global Notes due 2051 U.S. $0 U.S. $268,636,000 U.S. $0 U.S. $1,785,000 U.S. $0 4.400% Global Notes due 2052 U.S. $676,207,000 U.S. $676,407,000 U.S. $676,207,000 U.S. $1,000,000 U.S. $0 The settlement of the Tender Offer is scheduled to occur on Wednesday, April 26, 2023 (the " Tender Offer Settlement Date "), subject to change without notice. Failure to deliver Old Notes on time may result, in the Billing and Delivering Bank's sole discretion, in any of the following: (i) the cancellation of your tender and your becoming liable for any damages resulting from that failure, and/or (ii) the delivery of a buy-in notice for the purchase of such Old Notes, executed in accordance with customary brokerage practices for corporate fixed income securities, and/or (iii) in the case of Preferred Tenders, the cancellation of your tender and your remaining obligated to purchase your allocation of New Notes in respect of your related Indication of Interest. Mexico reserves the right, in its sole discretion, not to accept any or all Tender Orders and to terminate the Tender Offer for any reason. The Dealer Managers for the Tender Offer are: Citigroup Global Markets Inc. 388 Greenwich Street New York, NY 10013 +1 (212) 723-6106 HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. 452 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10018 +1 (888) HSBC-4LM Mizuho Securities USA LLC 1271 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10020 +1 (866) 271-7403 Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC 1585 Broadway New York, NY 10036 +1 (800) 624-1808 The Billing and Delivering Bank for this Tender Offer is: Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC Questions regarding the Tender Offer may be directed to the Dealer Managers at the above contact. The Offer to Purchase may be downloaded from the Information Agent's website at www.dfking.com/ums or obtained from the Information Agent, D. F. King & Co., Inc., at [email protected] or from any of the Dealer Managers. Important Notice The distribution of materials relating to the Tender Offer and the transactions contemplated by the Tender Offer may be restricted by law in certain jurisdictions. The Tender Offer is void in all jurisdictions where it is prohibited. If materials relating to the Tender Offer come into your possession, you are required by Mexico to inform yourself of and to observe all of these restrictions. The materials relating to the Tender Offer, including this communication, do not constitute, and may not be used in connection with, an offer or solicitation in any place where offers or solicitations are not permitted by law. If a jurisdiction requires that the Tender Offer be made by a licensed broker or dealer and a Dealer Manager or any affiliate of a Dealer Manager is a licensed broker or dealer in that jurisdiction, the Tender Offer, as the case may be, shall be deemed to be made by the Dealer Manager or such affiliate on behalf of Mexico in that jurisdiction. Owners who may lawfully participate in the Tender Offer in accordance with the terms thereof are referred to as "holders." This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities nor will there be any sale of these securities in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or other jurisdiction. This communication, the preliminary prospectus supplement and the Offer to Purchase are only being distributed to and are only directed at (i) persons who are outside the UK or (ii) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "Order") or (iii) high net worth entities, and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated, falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as "relevant persons"). Any investment or investment activity to which the Offer to Purchase or the New Notes Offering relates will only be available to, and any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire the same will be engaged in only with, relevant persons. The New Notes will only be available to, and any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire the New Notes will be engaged in only with, relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this communication, the preliminary prospectus supplement, the Offer to Purchase, the prospectus supplement or any of their contents. In Belgium , the New Notes Offering and the Tender Offer are not directly or indirectly, being made to, or for the account of, any person other than to qualified investors (gekwalificeerde beleggers/investisseurs qualifies) within the meaning of Article 2(e) Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 June 2017 on the prospectus to be published when securities are offered to the public or admitted to trading on a regulated market, and repealing Directive 2003/71/EC. (Reglement (UE) 2017/1129 du 14 juin 2017 du Parlement europeen et du Conseil concernant le prospectus a publier en cas d'offre au public de valeurs mobilieres ou en vue de l'admission de valeurs mobilieres a la negociation sur un marche reglemente, et abrogeant la directive 2003/71/CE / Verordening (EU) 2017/1129 van het Europees Parlement en de Raad van 14 juni 2017 betreffende het prospectus dat moet worden gepubliceerd wanneer effecten aan het publiek worden aangeboden of tot de handel op een gereglementeerde markt worden toegelaten en tot intrekking van Richtlijn 2003/71/EG), as amended or replaced from time to time (Belgian Qualified Investor), that do not qualify as consumers (consumenten/consommateurs) within the meaning of Article I.1, 2 of the Belgian Code of Economic Law of February 28, 2013 (Wetboek van economisch recht/Code de droit economique), as amended or replaced from time to time (Consumers). A Consumer within the meaning of Article I.1, 2 of the Belgian Code of Economic Law is any natural person who is acting for purposes which are outside their trade, business, craft or profession. As a result, the New Notes Offering and the Tender Offer do not constitute a public takeover bid pursuant to Articles 3, 1, 1 and 6, 1 of the Belgian law of April 1, 2007 on public takeover bids (Wet op de openbare overnamebiedingen/Loi relative aux offres publiques d'acquisition), as amended or replaced from time to time. Consequently, the New Notes Offering and the Tender Offer and any material relating thereto have not been and will not be, notified or submitted to, nor approved by the Belgian Financial Services and Markets Authority (Autoriteit voor Financiele Diensten en Markten/Autorite des Services et Marches Financiers) pursuant to the Belgian laws and regulations applicable to the public offering or tendering of securities. The New Notes Offering and the Tender Offer as well as any materials relating thereto may not be advertised, nor distributed, directly or indirectly, to any person in Belgium other than Belgian Qualified Investors acting for their own account who are not Consumers, and may not be used in connection with any offering in Belgium except as may otherwise be permitted by law. The New Notes and the Old Notes will not be registered under Chilean Law No. 18,045, as amended, with the Comision para el Mercado Financiero de Chile (Financial Market Commission of Chile, or " CMF ") and, accordingly, the New Notes and the Old Notes cannot and will not be offered or sold to persons in Chile except in circumstances which have not resulted and will not result in a public offering under Chilean law, and in compliance with Norma de Caracter General (Rule) No. 336, dated June 27, 2012 , issued by the CMF. The New Notes may not be offered, sold or negotiated in Colombia , except in compliance with Part 4 of Decree 2555 of 2010. The Offer to Purchase and the New Notes Offering do not constitute and may not be used for, or in connection with, a public offering as defined under Colombian law. The New Notes Offering and the Tender Offer have not been and will not be approved by the Danish Financial Supervisory Authority, as neither constitute a public offer in accordance with the EU Prospectus Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2017/1129) nor the Danish Capital Market Act. This announcement does not constitute an offer to the public in France . It is not a prospectus within the meaning of the Prospectus Regulation. No prospectus (including any amendment, supplement or replacement thereto) has been prepared in connection with the New Notes Offering that has been approved by the French Autorite des marches financiers (" AMF ") or by the competent authority of another Member State of the EEA and notified to the AMF under the Prospectus Regulation; the materials relating to the New Notes have not been distributed or caused to be distributed and will not be released, issued or distributed or caused to be released, issued or distributed, directly or indirectly, to the public in France , or used in connection with any offer for subscription, exchange or sale of the notes to the public in France . Any such offers, sales and distributions have been and shall only be made in France to (i) qualified investors (investisseurs qualifies) acting for their own account, and/or to (ii) investment services providers authorized to engage in portfolio management services on behalf of third parties and/or to (iii) a limited group of investors (cercle restreint d'investisseurs) acting for their own account, all as defined in, and in accordance with, Articles L.411-2, II, D.411-1, D.411-4, D.744-l, D.754-l and D.764-1 of the French Code monetaire et financier. In the event that the New Notes purchased or subscribed by investors listed above are offered or resold, directly or indirectly, to the public in France , the conditions relating to public offers set forth in Articles L.411-1, L.411-2, L.412-1 and L.621-8 to L.621-8-3 of the French Code monetaire et financier must be complied with. Investors in France and persons into whose possession offering materials come must inform themselves about, and observe, any such restrictions. In the Federal Republic of Germany (" Germany "), this communication and the Tender Offer are directed exclusively at existing holders of the Old Notes. Neither the Offer to Purchase nor the prospectus supplement or the base prospectus constitutes a prospectus compliant with the Prospectus Regulation. No prospectus (Prospekt) within the meaning of the Prospectus Regulation and the German Securities Prospectus Act (Wertpapierprospektgesetz) or any other applicable laws in Germany has been or will be published in Germany , nor has any prospectus or prospectus supplement been filed with, approved by or notified to the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (Bundesanstalt fur Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht) for publication in Germany . The prospectus supplement is strictly for use of the person who has received it. It may not be forwarded to other persons or published in Germany . With respect to persons in Hong Kong , the New Notes Offering and the Tender Offer are only made to, and are only capable of acceptance by, "professional investors" within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) of Hong Kong (the " SFO ") and any rules made thereunder. No person or entity may issue or have in its possession for the purposes of issue, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere, any advertisement, invitation or document relating to the New Notes, Old Notes or the Tender Offer, which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public of Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to the Old Notes which are or are intended to be tendered, or New Notes which are intended to be purchased, only by persons outside Hong Kong or only by "professional investors" as defined in the SFO and any rules made under thereunder. The Old Notes and the New Notes, and the Offer to Purchase and the New Notes Offering prospectus supplement, and any other documents or materials related to such offers have not and will not be registered with the Italian Securities Exchange Commission (Commissione Nazionale per le Societa e la Borsa, or " CONSOB ") pursuant to applicable Italian laws and regulations. The Offer to Purchase and the New Notes Offering are being carried out pursuant to the exemptions provided for, with respect to the Offer to Purchase, in Article 101 bis, paragraph 3 bis of Legislative Decree No. 58 of 24 February 1998 , as amended (the "Consolidated Financial Act") and Article 35 bis, paragraph 4, of CONSOB Regulation No. 11971 of 14 May 1999 , as amended; and, with respect to the New Bonds Offering, in Article 1, paragraph 4, letter c), of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129. Holders or beneficial owners of the Old Notes that are resident and/or located in Italy can tender the Old Notes for purchase, and the New Notes Offerings can be offered, sold and delivered, through authorized persons (such as investment firms, banks or financial intermediaries permitted to conduct such activities in Italy in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2017/1129, the Consolidated Financial Act, the CONSOB Regulation No. 20307 of 15 February 2018 , as amended, and Legislative Decree No. 385 of September 1, 1993 , as amended) and in compliance with any other applicable laws and regulations or with any requirements imposed by CONSOB or any other Italian authority. Each intermediary must comply with the applicable laws and regulations concerning information duties vis a vis its clients in connection with the bonds or the relevant offering. Neither the Offer to Purchase, nor any other documents or materials relating to the Offer to Purchase have been approved by or will be submitted for the approval of, the Mexican National Banking and Securities Commission (Comision Nacional Bancaria y de Valores, or the " CNBV ") and, the New Notes have not been and will not be registered with the Mexican National Securities Registry (Registro Nacional de Valores) maintained by the CNBV, and therefore the Old Notes and New Notes have not and may not be offered or sold publicly in Mexico . However, investors that qualify as institutional or qualified investors pursuant to the private placement exemption set forth in Article 8 of the Mexican Securities Market Law (Ley del Mercado de Valores ), may be contacted in connection with, and may participate in the Offer to Purchase, and can be offered or purchase New Notes. The participation in the Offer to Purchase or the acquisition of New Notes will be made under such investor's own responsibility. In Norway , the New Notes Offering and the Tender Offer are made only in accordance with applicable exemptions from the requirement to prepare a prospectus or offer document in accordance with the Norwegian Securities Trading Act. Accordingly, the New Notes Offering and the Tender Offer have not been and will not be filed with or approved by the Norwegian Financial Supervisory Authority, the Oslo Stock Exchange or the Norwegian Registry of Business Enterprises. The Tender Offer is not intended for any person who is not qualified as an institutional investor, in accordance with provisions set forth in Resolution SMV No. 021-2013-SMV-01 issued by Superintendencia del Mercado de Valores (Superintendency of Capital Markets) of Peru , and as subsequently amended. No legal, financial, tax or any other kind of advice is hereby being provided. None of the offer materials related to the New Notes Offering or Tender Offer have been approved or registered in the administrative registries of the Spanish Securities Market Commission (Comision Nacional del Mercado de Valores ). Consequently, the securities may not be offered, sold or distributed in Spain except in circumstances which do not constitute a public offer of securities in Spain within the meaning of Article 35 of the restated text of the Securities Markets Act approved by Royal Legislative Decree 4/2015, dated October 23, 2015 (Real Decreto Legislativo 4/2015, de 23 de octubre, por el que se aprueba el texto refundido de la Ley del Mercado de Valores ), Royal Decree 1310/2005, dated November 4, 2005 (Real Decreto 1310/2005 de 4 de noviembre), or otherwise in reliance on an exception from registration available thereunder. The prospectus supplement is not intended to constitute an offer or solicitation to purchase or invest in the New Notes described therein in Switzerland, except as permitted by law. The New Notes may not be publicly offered, directly or indirectly, in Switzerland within the meaning of the Swiss Financial Services Act (" FinSA ") and will not be admitted to any trading venue (exchange or multilateral trading facility) in Switzerland. Neither the prospectus supplement nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the New Notes constitutes a prospectus as such term is understood pursuant to the FinSA, and neither the prospectus supplement nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the New Notes may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland. The New Notes Offering and the Tender Offer qualifies as a private placement pursuant to section 2 of Uruguayan law 18.627. The New Notes and the Old Notes are not and will not be registered with the Central Bank of Uruguay to be publicly offered in Uruguay . Contact information: D. F. King &Co., Inc. 48 Wall Street , 22nd Floor New York, NY 10005 E-mail: [email protected] Call Collect: +1-212-269-5550 Call Toll-Free: +1-888-605-1957 website: www.dfking.com/ums ANY DISCLAIMERS OR OTHER NOTICES THAT MAY APPEAR AFTER THIS MESSAGE ARE NOT APPLICABLE TO THIS COMMUNICATION AND SHOULD BE DISREGARDED. SUCH DISCLAIMERS OR OTHER NOTICES WERE AUTOMATICALLY GENERATED AS A RESULT OF THIS COMMUNICATION BEING SENT VIA BLOOMBERG OR ANOTHER EMAIL SYSTEM. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-united-mexican-states-announces-tender-results-301804175.html SOURCE The United Mexican States The new California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA) demands that businesses processing consumer data comply with stricter, more well-defined regulations to avoid potential fines and lawsuits. TORONTO , April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - California is leading the United States in privacy legislation. The state passed landmark legislation to protect consumer privacy with the California Consumer Privacy Act (CPPA) in 2018, and now it is expanding on these consumer rights with the CPRA. Additional compliance areas in the new legislation bring the state closer to being on par with the highest global standard, the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). To support organizational leaders in their efforts to ensure their businesses are CPRA-compliant without disrupting operations, Info-Tech Research Group has released its timely blueprint Comply With the California Privacy Rights Act. "The challenge for businesses is to find a non-disruptive way to adopt privacy practices into their operations and goals," says Alan Tang , principal research director of Security & Privacy at Info-Tech Research Group. "Regardless of which jurisdiction an organization operates within, complying with the provisions of the CPRA is critical and non-negotiable. Leaders must be prepared to build better business practices that will support their organizations in staying compliant." This new act is of particular interest in the digital marketing space, as most businesses rely on personal data from social media analytics to promote their campaigns and must consider privacy in all planning and design discussions for marketing and advertising initiatives. Digital marketing under the CPRA will require a complete reevaluation of business marketing strategy. There are also three new CPRA requirements that stand out to significantly impact the marketing and digital advertising industry. The new requirements are below: Do not share or sell Businesses must provide the option to consumers to opt out of the sharing and selling of their personal data. Opt-out Organizations must also provide the option for consumers to opt out of cross-contextual behavioral advertising and opt out of both the sale and sharing of their personal information. Right to correct Fulfilling consumers' right to correct any inaccurate personal information in an organization's repository is now an organizational responsibility. In response to these legislative changes, Info-Tech's new industry resource suggests three key practices that organizational leaders should strive to master both to remain compliant with CPRA regulations and to maintain regular, non-disruptive business functions. These practices are as follows: Know what data is collected and where it is stored Businesses will be required to reasonably limit the collection of personal information to what is necessary for the purpose of conducting business. Retention of personal information will also be limited to the least amount of time necessary, and said data must be stored securely. Proactively respond to and track verifiable consumer requests Consumers' rights to access and control their data is a key part of the CPRA. Organizations must disclose and deliver the required information to a consumer free of charge within 45 days of receiving a verifiable consumer request from a consumer. This type of request was previously known as a data subject access request (DSAR). Conduct risk assessments regularly The CPRA requires risk assessments to be conducted on a regular basis. Businesses are mandated to implement reasonable security procedures and practices appropriate to the kind of personal information they collect. The blueprint reminds organizations that privacy programs can be compliant one day but quickly fall out of compliance the next amid constantly evolving requirements. Keeping up with new and amended regulations can be daunting, and "checkbox compliance" no longer works in this dynamic environment. A privacy program that is proactive and able to measure success as regulations continue to evolve is crucial to overall organizational compliance. To access the complete research for guidance on ensuring an organization is CPRA-compliant, organizational leaders can download Comply With the California Privacy Rights Act. For more information about Info-Tech Research Group or to view the latest research, visit infotech.com and connect via LinkedIn and Twitter. About Info-Tech Research Group Info-Tech Research Group is one of the world's leading information technology research and advisory firms, proudly serving over 30,000 IT professionals. The company produces unbiased and highly relevant research to help CIOs and IT leaders make strategic, timely, and well-informed decisions. For more than 25 years, Info-Tech has partnered closely with IT teams to provide them with everything they need, from actionable tools to analyst guidance, ensuring they deliver measurable results for their organizations. Media professionals can register for unrestricted access to research across IT, HR, and software and over 200 IT and industry analysts through the Media Insiders program. To gain access contact [email protected]. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/three-key-business-practices-will-assist-organizations-in-complying-with-new-california-privacy-rights-act-says-info-tech-research-group-301803230.html SOURCE Info-Tech Research Group MELBOURNE, Fla. , April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Tomahawk Robotics, the leading innovator of robotic common control solutions, was awarded a $55.0M full-rate production contract for the Flexible Cyber Secure Radio (FlexCSR) program by the United States Navy. The FlexCSR contract has a base year award of $28.4M with four additional years for production, post-production support, and engineering services for the FlexCSR system. U.S. Navy awards Tomahawk Robotics a $55.0M full-rate production contract for FlexCSR (Flexible Cyber Secure Radio). FlexCSR is the first stand-alone, encrypted radio that conforms to the United States Department of Defense (DoD) Joint Communications Architecture for Unmanned Systems (JCAUS) and provides the ability to operate securely in multiple reconfigurable spectrum bands. The FlexCSR design is the result of collaboration between Tomahawk Robotics, MIT Lincoln Labs, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, and the US Navy. Tomahawk Robotics is leveraging Persistent Systems LLC's embedded radio module and interchangeable frequency modules to provide the program's flexible RF architecture, allowing operators to select environment-appropriate frequencies without replacing the entire radio. "We are proud to continue our work with the US Navy and to provide NSA Type 1 equivalent data links for tactical robotic communications. The FlexCSR program is emblematic of where the military is moving; robotic platforms with more robust and versatile communication capabilities needed for the more sophisticated and challenging operating environments of the future," said Brad Truesdell , CEO of Tomahawk Robotics. The FlexCSR system will improve performance and reliability, enable technology enhancements, and address obsolescence as well as ensure interoperability with future Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) robotic systems. The FlexCSR systems will also provide transformational capabilities to the end user such as preserving information security, enhancing mobility, and reducing the equipment footprint traditionally involved with bringing secure, encrypted communications into the tactical environment. About Tomahawk Robotics Tomahawk Robotics is the leading innovator of common control solutions that transform how humans and unmanned systems work together to make the world safer and more secure. Our products and technology safeguard users working under the most extreme and stressful conditions. Designed from the ground up with the user in mind, Kinesis is the only multi-domain, cross-architecture, AI-enabled control system that unlocks intuitive interaction with remote environments from across the room or around the world. https://www.tomahawkrobotics.com Media contact: [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tomahawk-robotics-awarded-flexcsr-flexible-cyber-secure-radio-production-contract-from-the-united-states-navy-301804169.html SOURCE Tomahawk Robotics WASHINGTON , April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors will meet May 9, 2023 , in open session at Postal Service headquarters, 475 L'Enfant Plaza, SW , Washington, DC . The public is welcome to observe the meeting beginning at 4:00 p.m. ET in the Benjamin Franklin Room on the 11th floor. The Board is expected to discuss the following items: Remarks of the Chairman of the Board of Governors Remarks of the Postmaster General and CEO Approval of the Minutes Committee Reports Quarterly Financial Report Quarterly Service Performance Report Approval of Tentative Agenda for August 8 Meeting A public comment period will begin immediately following the adjournment of the open session on May 9 . During the public comment period, which shall not exceed 45 minutes, members of the public may comment on any item or subject listed on the agenda for the open session above. Registration for participation in the public comment period is required. Additionally, the public will be given the option to join the public comment session and participate via teleconference. Should you wish to participate via teleconference, you will be required to give your first and last name, a valid email address to send an invite and a phone number to reach you should a technical issue arise. Speakers may register online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/bog-05-09-2023. No more than three minutes shall be allotted to each speaker. The time allotted to each speaker will be determined after registration closes. Registration for the public comment period, either in person or via teleconference, will end on May 7 at noon ET . Participation in the public comment period is governed by 39 C.F.R. 232.1(n). Open session meetings of the Board of Governors are available on live audio webcasts at https://about.usps.com/who/leadership/board-governors/#sessions. Three hours after the conclusion of the open session meeting, a recorded audio file will be available for listening. In compliance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, the audio webcast will be open-captioned. Please Note: The United States Postal Service is an independent federal establishment, mandated to be self-financing and to serve every American community through the affordable, reliable and secure delivery of mail and packages to nearly 165 million addresses six and often seven days a week. Overseen by a bipartisan Board of Governors, the Postal Service is implementing a 10-year transformation plan, Delivering for America, to modernize the postal network, restore long-term financial sustainability, dramatically improve service across all mail and shipping categories, and maintain the organization as one of America's most valued and trusted brands. The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations. For USPS media resources, including broadcast quality video and audio and photo stills, visit the USPS Newsroom. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and LinkedIn. Subscribe to the USPS YouTube Channel and like us on Facebook. For more information about the Postal Service, visit usps.com and facts.usps.com. Contact: Dave Partenheimer 202-268-2599 [email protected] usps.com/news View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/us-postal-service-board-of-governors-to-meet-may-9-301804619.html SOURCE U.S. Postal Service UTI campuses to benefit from industry expertise PHOENIX , April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE: UTI), a leading workforce solutions provider of transportation, skilled trades, and energy education programs, is joining forces with 3t Energy Group, a global training powerhouse, to enhance and expand the UTI family of school's Wind Power Technician training program, currently offered at its MIAT campuses in Canton, Mich , and Houston, Texas . The new agreement means 3t Energy Group will review UTI's training facilities, help design the curriculum and train its instructors in the development of Global Wind Organisation (GWO)-accredited safety and skills training. UTI is currently in the process of expanding the Wind Power Technician program to an additional two UTI campuses in 2023 - Rancho Cucamonga, Calif , and Lisle, Ill - and are exploring future expansion opportunities. "The demand for skilled workers, specifically in green energy, is the reason why UTI is increasing its capacity to train more students to become wind turbine technicians," said UTI Division President Tracy Lorenz . "This partnership will uniquely position us to become a market leader in wind energy training." 3t Energy Group is a leading provider of training, technology, and simulation solutions to the worldwide energy industry. As a world-leading GWO and energy sector training facilitator, 3t works directly with independent and government workforce development organizations all over the world in the creation of new, GWO, and industry-accredited training facilities. "This is a very exciting partnership for 3t Energy Group, and I'm thrilled to be bringing our years of industry-leading experience and knowledge to UTI to help shape the future of the renewables industry," said Geoff Croft , Global Head of GWO Training and Development at 3t Energy Group. "This is the beginning of an exciting, and no doubt long-term, partnership with UTI, joining them in their ambition to be a leading provider of GWO and industry training courses across the US." The Wind Power Technician program can be completed in as little as seven months and includes training in everything from materials, processes, and welding to electrical theory, climb and rescue, and hydraulics and gears. Graduates are prepared for entry-level careers such as wind service or wind turbine construction technicians, control room operators, or composite technicians. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the job outlook for wind turbine technicians is growing at a rate much faster than the average for all occupations. It is projected to increase by 44% from 2021 to 2031 1 . For more information on the UTI family of school's Wind Power Technician training program, click here. About Universal Technical Institute, Inc. Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE: UTI) (the "Company") was founded in 1965 and is a leading workforce solutions provider of transportation, skilled trades and healthcare education programs, whose mission is to serve students, partners, and communities by providing quality education and support services for in-demand careers across a number of highly skilled fields. The Company is comprised of two divisions: Universal Technical Institute ("UTI") and Concorde Career Colleges ("Concorde"). UTI operates 16 campuses located in 9 states and offers a wide range of transportation and skilled trades technical training programs under brands such as UTI, MIAT College of Technology, Motorcycle Mechanics Institute, Marine Mechanics Institute and NASCAR Technical Institute. Concorde operates across 17 campuses in 8 states, offering programs in the Allied Health, Dental, Nursing, Patient Care and Diagnostic fields. For more information, visit www.uti.edu or www.concorde.edu, or visit us on LinkedIn at @UniversalTechnicalInstitute and @Concorde Career Colleges or on Twitter @news_UTI or @ConcordeCareer. About 3t Energy Group 3t Energy Group, incorporating Drilling Systems, AIS Survivex, UCT, 3t Transform and 3t EnerMech, is the leading provider of training and technology solutions to the Worldwide Energy industry. It is the number one provider of training to the UK Energy Sector and offshore wind market globally and its drilling and well control simulation business is the world-leader. 3t's consultancy division, Powered By, can provide flexible and bespoke training consultancy, solutions and support as well as a wide range of internationally accredited training and assessment programs. With a wealth of experience in delivering to internationally recognized training standards 3t have developed a number of approved energy training centers in the UK , USA and South America . 3t is a world leading GWO and energy sector training provider and plays a leading role in the development of new standards and accreditations to support client requirements and local workforce development initiatives. Across its businesses 3t has offices in Europe , North America , Latin America , and the Middle East . 3t's consultancy services in the US are spearheaded by Geoff Croft , Global Head of GWO Training Solutions for the Group: [email protected]. For more information, visit www.3tenergygroup.com or visit LinkedIn @3tenergygroup 1 The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the employment of Wind Turbine Technicians is projected to grow 44% from 2021 to 2031. Job openings include openings due to net employment changes and net replacements. See Table 1.10 Occupational separations and openings, projected 202131. UTI is an educational institution and cannot guarantee employment or salary. Media Contact Alanna Vitucci [email protected] (480) 710-6843 View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/universal-technical-institute-and-3t-energy-group-team-up-to-help-meet-high-demand-for-wind-turbine-technicians-301804168.html SOURCE Universal Technical Institute, Inc. COLLEGE PARK, Md. , April 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The University of Maryland has named Rafael Lorente dean of the Philip Merrill College of Journalism , effective July 1, 2023 . As dean, Lorente will provide strong and visionary leadership for the College; support an environment of diversity and inclusive excellence in teaching and learning; and promote a culture of impactful research, scholarship and creative activities. Lorente will work among the College's students, faculty, staff and alumni to effectively advance the mission of the College. "Over the past 20 years, Rafael has proven his commitment to everything our university values and strives for: creating a diverse and inclusive community, providing our students unparalleled opportunities, and pursuing excellence in everything we do," said Senior Vice President and Provost Jennifer King Rice . "Under his leadership, the Philip Merrill College of Journalism will teach the next generation of journalists to research, investigate and contextualize the grand challenges of our time." Lorente currently serves as associate dean for academic affairs and director of the master's program for UMD's Philip Merrill College of Journalism. In these roles, he works to connect research and practice to courses throughout the College's curriculum, and collaborates with the journalism industry to facilitate partnerships and internships for students. He has steered the restructuring of the College's curriculum toward strategic areas, including data journalism, changing business models and investigative journalism. With a particular focus on increasing diversity in the College's master's program, Lorente's leadership has resulted in cohorts that average 40 percent students of color. During his tenure, Lorente has worked closely with national news outlets to elevate opportunities for UMD's journalism students. He initiated a partnership with the Associated Press, making Capital News Service one of the first student-staffed news services in the country to be distributed nationally by the Associated Press. He helped oversee a multi-university partnership for student coverage of the national political conventions in 2016, allowing UMD journalism students to report from the residence of the U.S. ambassador in London . He also worked with USA Today to create a co-taught class featuring a UMD faculty member and the company's senior director of news strategy. "I believe passionately in the power of journalism to right wrongs and create more level playing fields, and I believe in the power of universities and journalism programs to do the same," said Lorente. "Merrill College and the University of Maryland are uniquely positioned to tackle the grand challenge of reimagining journalism education in the service of democracy, and in alignment with the university's strategic plan. I am honored to lead these efforts as the College's next dean." Lorente has led multiple innovative efforts to advance the College's offerings. He helped lead a team of faculty and staff that put together the successful proposal for a three-year, $3 million grant for investigative journalism from the Scripps Howard Foundation to create the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism. He also co-led the interdisciplinary team that developed a master's degree in data journalism to be offered jointly with the College of Information Studies. Previously, Lorente was a senior lecturer in the College, and served as both the Washington and Annapolis Bureau Director for the College's Capital News Service. Prior to joining academia, Lorente was a practicing journalist at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, particularly focused on legislative and political matters and higher education. He covered the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections, the attacks of September 11 , and U.S. - Cuba relations. He currently serves as vice chair of a national committee for the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication; on the board of directors for both the Center for Media Integrity of the Americas and the National Press Foundation; and chairs the D.C. Regional Planning Committee for Phillips Academy, Andover. He also recently served on the board of directors for the National Press Club Journalism Institute. Lorente holds a master's degree from the University of Maryland in journalism, and a bachelor's degree from the University of Miami in English, politics and public affairs. About the University of Maryland The University of Maryland (UMD) is the state's flagship university and a leading public research institution, propelled by a $1.3 billion joint research enterprise. Located four miles from Washington, D.C. , the university is dedicated to addressing the grand challenges of our time and is the nation's first Do Good campus. It is driven by a diverse and proudly inclusive community of more than 50,000 fearless Terrapins. UMD is a top producer of Fulbright scholars and offers an unparalleled student experience with more than 300 academic programs, 25 living-learning programs and 400 study abroad programs. Spurred by a culture of innovation and creativity, UMD faculty are global leaders in their field and include Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners and members of the national academies. For more information about the University of Maryland, visit umd.edu . View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/university-of-maryland-names-rafael-lorente-to-lead-philip-merrill-college-of-journalism-301803645.html SOURCE University of Maryland People protest outside the embassy of Brazil in Portugal over Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's position on Russia-Ukraine war as he arrives in the country for a state visit in Lisbon, Portugal, April 21, 2023. REUTERS/Pedro Nunes By Catarina Demony and Miguel Pereira LISBON (Reuters) - Waving flags and holding photographs depicting conflict atrocities, Ukrainians gathered outside the Brazilian embassy in Lisbon on Friday to protest recent remarks about the Ukraine war made by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Lula, who arrived in Portugal earlier on Friday for a five-day official visit, has angered many in the West for suggesting both Ukraine and Russia were to blame for the conflict that began when Moscow invaded its neighbour in February 2022. He said last weekend the United States and European allies should stop supplying arms to Ukraine, saying they were prolonging the war. In recent days, he has toned down his rhetoric, condemning the violation of Ukraine's territorial integrity by Russia, while calling again for mediation to end the war, a peace initiative the Ukrainian government has criticised for treating "the victim and the aggressor" the same way. Ukrainian refugee Yana Kolomiiets, who has been in Portugal for four months, took part in the protest in Lisbon and said she felt "terrible" when she heard Lula's comments. "It has made me so upset because I don't know how the president of Brazil can support Putin ... this killer," said the 27-year-old. Two Brazilian officials told Reuters on Thursday that Lula - keen to protect Brazil's neutrality - was expected to avoid criticism of the Western role in the Ukraine war during his visit to Portugal. He will meet the Portuguese president and prime minister on Saturday. Outside the embassy, protesters held signs saying "Russia is a terrorist state" and "Stop killing our children". "People die in Ukraine every day and we need international support," said the president of Portugal's Ukrainian Association, Pavlo Sadokha, describing it as "strange" that a "president ... who has fought for democracy all his life was now on the side of totalitarianism." Sadokha's association delivered a letter to the Brazilian embassy to express their discontent, given to Brazil's ambassador Raimundo Carreiro and government minister Marcio Macedo. "Brazil and president Lula have a vocation for peace and the president will work to unite other countries to seek an alternative to end this conflict", Macedo told reporters after receiving the letter. On Tuesday, Ukraine invited Lula to visit, a day after Lula had met with Russia's foreign minister in Brasilia. Asked if the president would visit Ukraine, Macedo said Lula's foreign policy adviser, Celso Amorim, would go. There was still no fixed date, he said. (Reporting by Catarina Demony, Miguel Pereira and Pedro Nunes in Lisbon; Additional reporting by Lissandra Paraguassu in Brasilia; Editing by Rosalba O'Brien) U.S. President Joe Biden convenes the fourth virtual leader-level meeting of the Major Economies Forum (MEF) on Energy and Climate at the White House in Washington, U.S., April 20, 2023. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque WASHINGTON/MANILA (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden will meet his Philippine counterpart Ferdinand Marcos Jr at the White House on May 1 to discuss economic cooperation and the Indo-Pacific region, Manila and Washington said on Friday. The treaty allies have enjoyed warmer ties since Marcos took office last June, reversing his predecessor's anti-U.S. stance. Next month's bilateral talks will be the latest in a series of high-level meetings the Philippines has conducted with leaders of the United States and China, both of which are jostling for strategic advantage in the region. Biden and Marcos will discuss economic and defence cooperation, White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement. "During the visit, President Biden will reaffirm the United States' ironclad commitment to the defense of the Philippines, and the leaders will discuss efforts to strengthen the longstanding U.S.-Philippines alliance," the statement said. In what will be his second trip to the United States in less than a year, the presidential palace said on Friday that Marcos will travel to Washington from April 30 to May 4 to meet Biden and key cabinet officials. "It will substantively progress efforts to further deepen...political ties, to bring about lasting socio-economic partnerships, as well as to enhance defence and security cooperation," the palace said. Marcos will seek closer partnership in agriculture, energy, climate change, digital transformation, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, supply chains, and infrastructure, it added. More than 17,000 Philippine and U.S. soldiers are currently conducting their largest ever joint military drills in the Southeast Asian country, drawing criticism from China. Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang will meet his local counterpart and Marcos on Saturday, just weeks after the Philippines gave the United States access to four additional military bases. In March, the Philippines hosted a meeting between Manila and Beijing's diplomats to discuss the South China Sea, a key trade corridor that's also a source of tensions between the two countries. (Reporting by Eric Beech in Washington and Costas Pitas and Dan Whitcomb in Los Angeles; Additional Reporting by Neil Jerome Morales in Manila; Editing by Kanupriya Kapoor) VALLETTA, April 21 (Xinhua) -- The Mediterranean Regional Centre for Traditional Chinese Medicine (MRCTCM) on Friday opened an insomnia specialist clinic in Paola, Malta, offering TCM treatment for sleep disorders. Chinese Ambassador to Malta Yu Dunhai said that the opening of the clinic marks a significant milestone for the MRCTCM and reflects the strong bilateral relations between China and Malta. This year commemorates the 60th anniversary of China sending its first medical aid team abroad, as well as the 30th anniversary of China dispatching its first medical team to Malta, Yu added. Noting the assistance provided by Chinese medical teams to the Maltese community, Yu said their ongoing commitment to serving Maltese people is a reflection of "excellent bilateral relations" and "a message of bringing closer people-to-people exchanges." Clarence Pace, director general of the Department for Health Services within the Ministry for Health, and chairman of the board of MRCTCM as well, emphasized the popularity of TCM among the local population. Insomnia is a prevalent condition in Malta, he said, adding that TCM uses treatments including acupuncture, which research has proved effective in treating sleep disorders. Mario Tabone Pumpach, 56, has suffered from severe insomnia for seven years. Acupuncture has improved his condition, he told Xinhua, adding that he hoped the clinic would bring recovery and help more patients like him. After the opening ceremony, Pace told Xinhua that cooperation in the field of TCM is an integral part of strengthening friendly relations between Malta and China. He also expects more and better TCM treatment services for patients in the future. Dong Xiaoyan, head of the 18th Chinese medical team, said the insomnia clinic will help insomniacs with acupuncture, massage and cupping in order to enhance their sleep quality and health. Since 1994, when the MRCTCM was established by the Chinese and Maltese governments, 18 Chinese medical teams composed of over 100 physicians have offered TCM treatment to more than 200,000 Maltese patients. FILE PHOTO: A grain ship carrying Ukrainian grain is seen in the Black Sea, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, near Ukrainian port of Odesa, Ukraine November 2, 2022. REUTERS/Serhii Smolientsev By Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - A deal allowing the safe Black Sea export of Ukraine grain could start winding down next week after Russia said it will not approve any new vessels unless their operators guarantee the transits will be done by May 18 - "the expected date of ... closure." Russia has strongly signaled that it will not allow the Ukraine Black Sea export deal - agreed in July last year - to continue beyond May 18 because a list of demands to facilitate its own grain and fertilizer exports has not been met. According to an excerpt of a letter, seen by Reuters, Russia said that "based on the expected date of the initiative's closure (May 18)" any further registration of new vessels will only be "carried out after receiving guarantees from shipowners to complete their participation in the initiative" by May 18. "It will make possible to avoid commercial losses and prevent possible safety risks," warned Russia in the letter. Under the deal a Joint Coordination Centre (JCC) in Istanbul - made up of officials from Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the United Nations - agrees on the ships to take part in the deal. Those ships are then inspected by the JCC officials near Turkey before traveling to a Ukrainian Black Sea port via a maritime humanitarian corridor to collect their cargo and return to Turkish waters for a final inspection. Based on public data from the JCC, on average in April the outbound inspection was 21 days after the inbound inspection. It is not clear if Russia's interpretation of "participation in the initiative" is that a ship needs to have completed its final inspection by May 18 or if it simply needs to have exited the maritime humanitarian corridor by May 18. If a ship has to complete its final inspection by that date, it means Russia may not approve any new ships for transit under the deal from as early as next week. Russia's U.N. mission in New York referred a request for comment to Moscow. The letter was sent to the United Nations by Russia's JCC officials on Wednesday. The United Nations declined to comment on the Russian letter. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is due to meet with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York on Monday and will discuss the future of the Ukraine grain export deal. The deal was brokered by the United Nations and Turkey to help tackle a global food crisis that U.N. officials said had been worsened by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the deadliest war in Europe since World War Two. To help persuade Russia to allow Ukraine to resume Black Sea grain exports, a separate three-year pact was also struck in July in which the U.N. agreed to help Russia export food and fertilizer. (Reporting by Michelle Nichols; editing by Jonathan Oatis) FILE PHOTO: An aerial view shows containers and cargo vessels at the Qingdao port in Shandong province, China May 9, 2022. Picture taken with a drone. China Daily via REUTERS BEIJING (Reuters) - China's overall exports to North Korea in March rose sharply compared with the same month last year for the second month in a row, with the major export items including rice, Chinese customs data showed on Friday. Chinese outbound shipments to the isolated country surged 141.7% year-on-year last month following a 161.5% leap in January-February, data released by China's General Administration of Customs showed. Rice was the most imported commodity by value, totalling $22 million. The country also imported around $8 million in artificial wigs and $7 million in tobacco. China's foreign ministry said last month that relations between China and North Korea had entered "a new historic period" in recent years and continued to develop under the "strategic leadership" of both countries. China's new ambassador to North Korea, Wang Yajun, arrived in the North on March 27. (Reporting by Liangping Gao and Ryan Woo; Editing by Hugh Lawson) FILE PHOTO: Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang attends a joint press conference with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (not pictured) at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, China, April 14, 2023. Suo Takekuma/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo SHANGHAI (Reuters) -China's Foreign Minister Qin Gang said on Friday that both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to China, and that it is right and proper for China to uphold its sovereignty. Qin made the remarks at the Lanting Forum in Shanghai, where he discussed a wide range of topics from debt, the global economy, and Taiwan. "Recently there has been absurd rhetoric accusing China of upending the status quo, disrupting peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait," Qin said. "The logic is absurd and the conclusion dangerous." He added that "fair-minded people can see who is engaged in hegemonic bullying and high-minded practices." "It is not the Chinese mainland, but the Taiwan independence separatist forces and a handful of countries attempting to disrupt the status quo," Qin said. "Those who play with fire on Taiwan will eventually get themselves burned." China recently held military exercises around the self-ruled island after Taiwan's president, Tsai Ing-wen, returned to Taipei following a meeting in Los Angeles with U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Beijing views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, a claim the government in Taipei strongly rejects, and routinely denounces high-level meetings between Taiwanese and foreign leaders and officials. (Reporting by Casey Hall; Writing by Bernard Orr; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman and Gerry Doyle) SANTIAGO (Reuters) - Chile's state-owned Codelco, the world's largest copper producer, on Friday said a demonstration against insecurity and crime in the neighbouring mining city of Calama has blocked access to its large deposits in that northern part of the country. "Codelco informs that since approximately 4:30 a.m. (0830 GMT) this morning, the accesses to the Chuquicamata, Radomiro Tomic, Gabriela Mistral and Ministro Hales divisions have been blocked," the state-owned company said in a statement. After midnight, the northern Chilean city began a strike to protest crime violence, in the midst of a worsening public security crisis in the country that is hitting the northern regions bordering Peru and Bolivia the hardest. "We are a company in the municipality of Calama and our workers are part of this community, so we understand the unease and concern of the citizens about crime, of which we have also been victims as an organisation," he added in his statement. Codelco said, however, that the blockades "put infrastructure and critical equipment at risk, which could affect the future development of our operations" as it affects both workers who have finished their shifts and those who are due to start their shifts. The strike was called by Calama's own mayor, Eliecer Chamorro, after several violent incidents earlier this week, including an armed attack on a police office, left two dead and five injured. According to Carabineros police, incendiary barricades, protesters and detained trucks blocked other routes as well, towards the airport and in the direction of the coastal city of Antofagasta, a major urban centre in northern Chile. (Reporting by Natalia Ramons; Writing by Natalia Siniawski; Editing by Mark Porter) BOGOTA (Reuters) - The suspension of pumping operations at Colombia's Cano Limon-Covenas oil pipeline will be prolonged after a new bombing attack damaged its infrastructure in the country's Arauca province, oil transportation company Cenit said. The attack, the ninth this year, took place on Thursday in the Saravena municipality, prompting the company to activate its emergency contingency plan to control the subsequent oil spill and mitigate pollution, said Cenit, a subsidiary of Colombia's majority state-owned oil company Ecopetrol. "The company calls on the nearby community to refrain from approaching the site of the incident, until the evaluation, repair and clean-up operation that is in place is completed," Cenit said in a statement late on Thursday. Colombia's military is working to secure the area, Cenit added. Pumping along the pipeline has been suspended since April 14 due to other attacks, a Cenit spokesperson said, adding that the restarting of operations will depend on the military's ability to secure the area where the attacks took place while repairs continue. Cenit did not attribute the attack to any particular group, but guerrillas of the National Liberation Army (ELN) and FARC dissidents who reject a 2016 peace deal with the government operate in the area, according to the military. The Cano Limon-Covenas pipeline, which can transport up to 210,000 barrels of oil per day and runs along Colombia's northern border with Venezuela, was attacked 13 times last year, leading to fires and contamination of the surrounding area. It was not immediately possible to establish how the suspension of oil pumping had affected production at oil fields in Colombia's Arauca province, including those belonging to private companies SierraCol and Parex. (Reporting by Luis Jaime Acosta; Writing by Oliver Griffin; Editing by Paul Simao) NAIROBI (Reuters) -A conservative group of Anglican church leaders said on Friday that it no longer had confidence in the leader of the Church of England (CoE) over his stance on same-sex unions. Earlier this year the CoE - where the Anglican tradition originated - set out proposals to allow priests to bless same-sex couples in church after a civil marriage, while still not allowing them to get married in church. The global Anglican church, comprising some 85 million people across 165 countries, has been deeply divided for more than two decades over issues such as ordaining gay clergy members and same-sex unions. Homosexuality is taboo in Africa and illegal in more than 30 countries there. "Public statements by the Archbishop of Canterbury and other leaders of the Church of England in support of same-sex blessings are a betrayal of their ordination," the conservative group, the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON), said in a statement at the end of a conference in Rwanda's capital. "We have no confidence that the Archbishop of Canterbury nor the other Instruments of Communion led by him ... are able to provide a godly way forward that will be acceptable to those who are committed to the truthfulness, clarity, sufficiency and authority of Scripture." Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, head of the CoE and spiritual leader of the global Anglican communion, has urged Anglican church leaders not to victimise homosexuals. DISCUSSIONS A spokesperson for Lambeth Palace, the Archbishop of Canterbury's office in London, said many points in the GAFCON statement had been made previously. "The Archbishop continues to be in regular contact with his fellow Primates and looks forward to discussing this and many other matters with them over the coming period," the spokesperson said in a statement. The GAFCON conference in Kigali, which ended on Friday, brought together more than 1,300 delegates from 52 countries. Among those at the forefront of opposing support for same-sex unions is Uganda's Anglican church, which strongly supports stricter laws there against homosexuality. Uganda's president on Thursday sent back to parliament "for strengthening" a bill he supports that contains some of the world's harshest anti-LGBTQ legislation. GAFCON has previously said it was not intending to split from the Anglican communion but would oppose what it saw as a "false gospel" being preached in liberal Western churches. Unlike the Roman Catholic Church, Anglicans are organised more as a federation of national churches without hierarchical lines of authority. (Reporting by Nairobi newsroom;Additional reporting by Michael Holden in London;Writing by George Obulutsa and Hereward Holland;Editing by Alexander Winning and Gareth Jones) WARSAW (Reuters) -The European Union's top court has halved the daily fine imposed on Poland in a dispute over judicial reforms to 500,000 euros, it said on Friday, adding that Warsaw had largely implemented the reforms it required. Poland's nationalist government is embroiled in a long-running row with Brussels over judicial reforms that critics say undermine the independence of the courts. The dispute has blocked billions of euros in EU funds to Warsaw and also triggered the fines. In 2021 the EU's top court ruled that Poland's system for disciplining judges was incompatible with the bloc's laws and then imposed a daily fine of 1 million euros ($1.10 million) for Warsaw's failure to implement its ruling that the disciplinary chamber for judges be dissolved. Poland has now dissolved the chamber and replaced it with a new body, although critics say the core problem of the politicisation of the judiciary remains unsolved. "The Vice-President (of the Court of Justice of the European Union) considered that the measures introduced by Poland... may, to a large extent, ensure the implementation of the interim measures indicated in the decision of July 14, 2021," the court said in a statement. The court noted the disciplinary chamber had been disbanded and said measures had been taken to strengthen the legal rights of judges affected by its rulings. However Laurent Pech, dean of the UCD Sutherland School of Law in Dublin, and a vocal critic of Poland's judiciary reforms, said the EU court was "seemingly becoming less serious about respect for the rule of law and ensuring compliance with its own orders/case law... (by) accepting cosmetic measures". A Polish government spokesman was not immediately available for comment. A spokesperson for the EU said the reduced daily fine was coming into effect as of Friday. ($1 = 0.9120 euros) (Reporting by Alan Charlish and Pawel Florkiewicz, additional reporting by Marine Strauss in BrusselsEditing by Frances Kerry) FILE PHOTO: Smoke rises from burning aircraft inside Khartoum Airport during clashes between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and the army in Khartoum, Sudan April 17, 2023. REUTERS/Stringer (Reuters) - A conflict raging in Sudan is rattling neighbouring countries and worrying the United States and others for reasons ranging from concern about shared Nile waters and oil pipelines to the shape of a new government and a new humanitarian crisis in the making. Sudan, which relies heavily on foreign aid, is no stranger to conflict. But this time fighting is tearing apart the capital instead of a remote corner of a nation, which lies in an unstable region bordering the Red Sea, Sahel and Horn of Africa. Five of Sudan's seven neighbours - Ethiopia, Chad, Central African Republic, Libya and South Sudan - have faced political upheaval or conflict themselves in recent years. The fighting that erupted between the army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on April 15 in Khartoum has derailed an internationally backed plan for a transition to civilian rule after the ousting in 2019 of Omar al Bashir, the Islamist president who had himself seized power in a 1989 coup. The conflicts pits General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the head of Sudan's ruling council who commands the army, against the irregular RSF forces led by the wealthy, one-time militia leader General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, better known as Hemedti, who is Burhan's deputy in the council. WHAT'S AT STAKE FOR REGIONAL STATES? EGYPT - The histories of Egypt, the most populous Arab state with a powerful army, and Sudan are intertwined by politics, trade, culture and shared Nile waters. Cairo has worried about political upheaval to its south since the 2019 uprising that toppled Bashir. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who also took office in a military power grab, is close to Burhan. Sudanese are by far the largest foreign community in Egypt, numbering an estimated 4 million people, including about 60,000 refugees and asylum seekers. Egypt and Sudan, which both rely on the Nile for fresh water, are concerned about threats to their supplies from the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) project upstream on the Blue Nile. The two nations have pushed to regulate the Ethiopian dam's operation. Any tension in ties between Khartoum and Cairo could disrupt their efforts to secure a deal. LIBYA - Sudanese mercenaries and militia fighters have been active on both sides of the civil conflict that split Libya after 2011. In recent years, many Sudanese fighters have returned to Sudan, contributing to tensions in Sudan's western Darfur region, where another conflict raged for years and fighting continued after a deal with some rebel groups in 2020. Sudan has also been a departure point and a transit route for migrants seeking to head to Europe via Libya, where people traffickers have taken advantage of the conflict and political turmoil. CHAD - Sudan's western neighbour Chad, a poor nation which hosts about 400,000 displaced Sudanese from previous conflicts, has seen about 20,000 more refugees arrive from Sudan since the latest fighting began, according to the United Nations. Chad worries about the crisis spilling across the border to areas where it hosts the refugees, most of whom are from Darfur. During the Darfur conflict, Chad faced cross-border raids from Sudan's Arab militias, known as the Janjaweed, which morphed into the RSF. The raiders attacked Darfur refugees and Chadian villagers, seizing livestock and killing those who resisted. Chad's government said it disarmed a contingent of 320 paramilitary forces that entered its territory on Monday. Chad also worries that Russia's Wagner Group private military contractors in neighbouring Central African Republic, who are reported to have close ties with RSF, could back Chadian rebels threatening Ndjamena's government. Wagner denies having any activities in Sudan. GULF ARAB STATES - Wealthy oil producers Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have long sought to shape events in Sudan, seeing the transition from Bashir's rule as a way to roll back Islamist influence and stabilise the region. Investors from both countries have deals to invest in a range of projects from agricultural projects, where Sudan holds vast potential based on large irrigated areas, to an airline and strategic ports on its Red Sea coast. SOUTH SUDAN - South Sudan, which seceded from Sudan in 2011 after a civil war lasting decades, exports its oil output of 170,000 barrels per day via a pipeline through its northern neighbour. Analysts say neither side in Sudan's conflict has an interest in disrupting those flows but South Sudan's government said this week fighting had already hampered logistics and transport links between the oilfields and Port Sudan. Sudan also hosts 800,000 South Sudanese refugees. Any mass return could put further strains on efforts to supply vital aid to more than 2 million displaced people in South Sudan who have fled their homes inside the country because of civil strife. ETHIOPIA - Skirmishes periodically flare along disputed parts of Sudan's border with Ethiopia. Analysts say either side could take advantage of Sudan's unrest to press their objectives. When war erupted in Ethiopia's northern Tigray region in 2020, tensions surfaced over the fertile but contested Al-Fashqa border and drove more than 50,000 Ethiopian refugees into already impoverished parts of eastern Sudan. Ethiopia will also be watching developments given tensions over the $4 billion GERD dam, which Sudan says could present a threat to its own Nile dams and its citizens. ERITREA - Sudan hosts more than 134,000 refugees and asylum seekers from Eritrea and is the main route for Eritreans fleeing forced conscription by Asmara government's repressive rule. Many Eritrean refugees in northern Ethiopia fled from their camps during the Tigray war between 2020 and 2022. Eritrean refugees in Sudan could face a similar plight if any conflict beyond Khartoum escalates. WHAT ARE THE CONCERNS OF WORLD POWERS? RUSSIA - Moscow, which has long sought warm water ports for its navy, secured a deal with Bashir for Sudan to host a naval base and Sudan's military leaders have said this remains under review. In 2020, Russian President Vladimir Putin approved the creation of a Russian naval facility in Sudan capable of mooring nuclear-powered surface vessels. Western diplomats in Khartoum said in 2022 that Russia's Wagner Group was involved in illicit gold mining in Sudan and was spreading disinformation. Two years earlier, the United States imposed sanctions on two companies operating in Sudan that it linked to Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin. In a statement on April 19, Wagner denied it was operating in Sudan, said its staff had not been there for more than two years and said it had no role in the latest fighting. It said it was responding foreign media inquiries "most of which are provocative". In February 2023, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met officials in Sudan during an African tour seeking to expand Moscow's influence at a time when Western nations have sought to isolate Moscow with sanctions over its invasion of Ukraine. THE UNITED STATES AND THE WEST - The United States, like other Western powers, was happy to be rid of Bashir, who was charged with genocide and war crimes by the International Criminal Court over the Darfur conflict. But critics say Washington was slow to swing behind a transition towards elections. Sudanese hopes for democracy were shattered when Burhan and Hemedti staged a coup in 2021. The latest fighting is expected to derail any swift return to civilian rule with neither of the two opponents in Khartoum showing any readiness for compromise. (Reporting by Aidan Lewis, Michael Georgy, Hereward Holland, Bate Felix and Aaron Ross; Editing by Edmund Blair) (Reuters) -Lawsuits have been filed over the terms of last month's emergency deal to save Swiss lender Credit Suisse by selling it to its bigger rival UBS. The 3 billion Swiss franc ($3.4 billion) rescue, hammered out over a weekend during a bout of turmoil in the global banking sector, upended a long-established practice of giving bondholders priority over shareholders in a debt recovery. Around 16 billion Swiss francs of Additional Tier 1 (AT1) Credit Suisse debt was written down to zero, in a shock to markets. Law firms such as Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, Pallas Partners and Korein Tillery, a boutique law firm specializing in complex litigation, are among those who have spoken to prospective bondholder clients about bringing claims. Shareholders are also nursing losses. Here is a snapshot of legal action, by jurisdiction. SWITZERLAND * A group of investors representing more than 4.5 billionSwiss francs of AT1 bonds sued the Swiss regulator in one of thelargest such bondholder disputes, their lawyers said on April21. The case was filed in the Federal Administrative Court in StGallen, north east Switzerland. The regulator, FINMA, declinedto comment. * The Federal Administrative Court says it is continuing toreceive complaints and has "many more than four". But it hasdeclined to name claimants or provide an ongoing tally of thoselodged by bondholders or their lawyers. UNITED STATES * One of the first proposed U.S. class actions againstCredit Suisse over alleged false or misleading statementspre-dates the rescue. In a case led by shareholder BradenTurner, investors alleged on March 16 that the bank failed todisclose it was suffering "significant" customer outflows andhad material weaknesses in internal controls over financialreporting. Credit Suisse declined to comment. * A string of similar proposed class actions have been filedon behalf of shareholders. * U.S. AT1 bondholders are also suing. A proposed classaction was filed in the district court of New Jersey on April 21against Credit Suisse and five senior managers on behalf ofinvestors who bought AT1 bonds and shares in the U.S. betweenFeb. 18, 2021 and March 20, 2023. The case seeks to recoverdamages caused by Credit Suisse's alleged violations of federalsecurities laws for failing to disclose customer outflows andoverstating its financial health. SINGAPORE * Credit Suisse investors in Singapore are also in talks tosue the Swiss government over the AT1 bond writedown on groundsit violated a free trade agreement, the Financial Timesreported. The bondholders argue that the move breachedprotections against unfair state actions under theSingapore-European Free Trade Association signed withSwitzerland in 2003, the newspaper said. ($1 = 0.8937 Swiss francs) (Reporting by Kirstin Ridley in London, John Revill in Zurich and Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Alexander Smith and Josie Kao) FILE PHOTO: People stand near a logo of Ford at the Auto Shanghai show, in Shanghai, China April 18, 2023. REUTERS/Aly Song DETROIT (Reuters) - Facing a booming and hyper-competitive market for electric vehicles (EVs) in China, Ford Motor Co needs to reshape its brand for the world's largest car market, Chief Executive Jim Farley said. "We're going to have to rethink what the Ford brand means in a place like China," Farley told reporters on Thursday evening in Detroit, speaking on the sidelines of a charity event. "It can't be like middle of the market. It's totally over-filled." He was not asked and did not provide details on what a brand reset would entail. Ford-brand sales were down in China in the first quarter, along with sales and market share for other established, global automakers as sales of battery-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles boomed, led by China's BYD. Farley, who had just returned from a trip to China, said it was notable the only premium brands succeeding in China were all-electric from the start, with a focus on technology, the "digital experience" of drivers and services. He mentioned domestic players Xpeng, Nio and Li Auto as companies that were getting it right. Even state-owned automakers in China had created new brands for EVs, he said. "The differentiation really comes down to technology and services," he said. "They're all beautiful. All of these vehicles are so beautiful. Go to China." Farley said Chinese automakers also faced intense competition in the market for two-row, SUV-styled electric vehicles, a segment where Tesla also competes with the Model Y. "The have so much overcapacity in the two-door crossover that the amount of money those companies are losing and burning is incredible," he said of the Chinese brands. "That's why they're going big on Europe. Europe is a premium export market. They're all going there." Farley, who appeared by video at the Shanghai auto show this week, said BYD, which sells the most-popular EV in China and dominates the market for EVs and plug-in hybrids, had a singular lead in controlling all the key elements in its supply chain. "There is one huge company that is so impressive, BYD. They're in a totally different world than Tesla," he said. "They're totally vertically integrated, completely, all the way to batteries. No one is doing that on the globe." BYD used this week's Shanghai auto show to unveil an entry-level EV dubbed the Seagull that shocked analysts and industry executives with its combination of design, battery range and price. The entry-level hatchback will start from 78,000 yuan ($11,300), a sharp discount from EV global brands' prices. (Reporting by Joseph White; Writing by Kevin Krolicki; Editing by Kenneth Maxwell) MOSCOW, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone conversation with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud on Friday on expanding bilateral relations in trade, economic cooperation, investment and energy. The leaders discussed several key topics, and expressed satisfaction with the level of coordination at the OPEC Plus mechanism aimed at ensuring the global oil market stability, the Kremlin said in a statement. During the conversation, which was "friendly, constructive and substantive," the two sides agreed to build up contacts in various areas of cooperation, the statement added. GENEVA (Reuters) - An humanitarian worker was killed in Sudan earlier on Friday after his vehicle was hit by crossfire as he tried to move his family to safety, the International Organization for Migration said. The Sudanese man is the fourth U.N. employee to be killed since fighting broke out six days ago between the army and a paramilitary force. Gunfire ripped through the capital Khartoum at the start of the Muslim holiday of Eid al Fitr on Friday, with the army deployed on foot in the city. "I am deeply saddened by the death of our humanitarian colleague, and join his wife and newborn child, and our team in Sudan in mourning," said Director-General Antonio Vitorino. The worker was travelling with his family near El Obeid, a town southwest of Khartoum, when he was shot, the IOM said. "He was relocating his family at the time," an IOM spokesperson told Reuters. The organisation, which helps meet the needs of some 3.7 million displaced people in the country, said in the same statement that its work in Sudan was currently suspended. (Reporting by Emma Farge; Editing by Madeline Chambers) FILE PHOTO: Lebanon's Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh speaks during an interview for Reuters Next conference, in Beirut, Lebanon November 23, 2021. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir/File Photo BEIRUT/PARIS (Reuters) - French prosecutors have told Lebanon's central bank governor Riad Salameh they plan to press preliminary fraud and money laundering charges against him, partly based on allegedly forged bank statements used to conceal his wealth, according to French court documents seen by Reuters. The accusation of using fake account statements, which had not previously been reported, is contained in documents sent to Salameh by French judicial authorities ahead of a planned hearing in France on May 16. During that hearing, French prosecutors intend to press the preliminary charges and formally name him a suspect. Salameh declined to comment on his alleged use of fake documents. He has repeatedly denied accusations of fraud and money laundering, saying he is being made a scapegoat for Lebanon's financial crisis that erupted in 2019. A lawyer for Salameh said earlier this month that his client had not yet decided if he would travel to France to attend the May 16 hearing. As part of a joint investigation with counterparts in Lebanon and at least four other European countries, French prosecutors suspect Salameh, 72, colluded with his brother Raja to divert more than $300 million in public funds, some of which was used to buy properties across Europe. Riad and Raja Salameh have denied diverting public funds. French and other European investigators, who questioned Salameh in Beirut last month, suspect the bulk of the governors fortune stems from the public funds he allegedly diverted. As part of his response to accusations, Salameh sent French prosecutors a 65-page memo supplied by Marwan Kheireddine, the chairman of Lebanon's AM Bank. The document seen by Reuters contains series of bank statements which, according to one of Salameh's lawyers, show how the governors savings rose from $15 million in 1993 to more than $150 million by 2019 "as he capitalized interests". But according to the French court documents seen by Reuters, French investigators have reached the conclusion the bank statements were fake. Salameh "used fake records of bank accounts at AM Bank provided by Marwan Kheireddine, to justify in a deceitful manner the origin of his properties or revenues," French prosecutors say in the court documents. Kheireddine's lawyer, Thierry Marembert, said his client denied wrongdoing. Following Salameh's questioning in Beirut, French prosecutors wrote that "Riad Salameh is not able to justify the different loans and investments that allowed him to increase his wealth by more than 250 million euros (at a minimum) during this period", according to the French court documents. Salameh has said his fortune came from the sound management of savings he amassed during his career as an investment banker. Kheireddine was questioned in France earlier this month on suspicion of participation in a criminal association and aggravated money laundering. The banker was told not to leave the country and his passport was confiscated. (Reporting by Maya Gebeily, Laila Bassam and Timour Azhari in Beirut and David Gauthier-Villars in Istanbul; Editing by Frances Kerry) FILE PHOTO: Japan's new Chief of Cabinet Secretary Matsuno Hirokazu announces new cabinet members at a news conference in Tokyo, Japan October 4, 2021. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon TOKYO (Reuters) - The Group of Seven (G7) countries are considering a near-total ban on exports to Russia, Kyodo news agency reported on Friday, citing Japanese government sources. Bloomberg news on Thursday also reported that the United States and Ukraine's allies were considering "an outright ban on most exports to Russia". That report said officials from G7 nations were discussing the idea before a summit meeting in Japan next month. Asked about the Bloomberg report, Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said the government was aware of it but refrained from commenting on exchanges among G7 countries and like-minded nations about possible further sanctions against Russia. "What is important for ending Russian aggression as soon as possible is that G7 remains united for severe sanctions against Russia and strong support for Ukraine," he told a press briefing. (Reporting by Tokyo Newsroom; Editing by Himani Sarkar and Muralikumar Anantharaman) FILE PHOTO: The Google logo is displayed outside the company offices in New York, U.S., June 4, 2019. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Alphabet Inc's Google asked a court late Thursday to toss out several allegations made by Epic, Match and U.S. state attorneys general about how the search and advertising giant runs its app store for Android phones. Google's motion is the company's latest bid to end costly and time-consuming antitrust lawsuits. It has also asked a federal court in Washington to dismiss claims in a 2020 antitrust lawsuit filed by the Justice Department. And it has asked a federal court in Virginia to dismiss a complaint that the federal government filed this year. "Google looks forward to vindicating itself at trial and defending the innovation that made Android successful," the company said in its filing, noting that it had brought a "targeted motion for partial summary judgment, which will narrow this sprawling antitrust case for trial." In its court filing in federal court in California on Thursday, Google asked that five claims be thrown out. Among them, it asked the court to toss out allegations that Google prohibited the distribution of other app stores and, thus, broke the law. Google argued it does not have a legal obligation to put other app stores in Android and, in fact, most Android phones come preloaded with more than one app store and others can be installed. It also asked the court to toss out allegations related to Project Hug, where Google paid game developers to keep their games in Google's Play Store rather than releasing them independently. Again, Google argued that game developers are not prevented from creating alternate app stores. Google also argued that revenue sharing agreements with wireless carriers had expired more than four years ago, and were outside the statute of limitations. (This story has been corrected to say that court fight is in California, in paragraph 4) (Reporting by Diane Bartz; editing by Jonathan Oatis) MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (Reuters) - Gunmen killed five Nigerian police officers and two civilians during an attack in southeastern Imo state on Friday, a police spokesperson said, the latest incident in a state riven by gang and separatist violence. Armed groups have attacked police stations and government and electoral offices in states in the southeast, which the government often blames on the banned separatist Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) group. IPOB denies the charges. Imo police state spokesperson Henry Okoye confirmed the death of the officers and civilians but did not give details. Africa's most populous nation, Nigeria, is prone to widespread insecurity, with gun attacks and kidnappings in the northwest, a festering Islamist insurgency in the northeast and separatist and gang violence in the southeast. Separatist groups such as the IPOB campaign for southeastern Nigeria, homeland of the Igbo ethnic group, to be an independent country. The region attempted to secede in 1967 under the name Republic of Biafra, triggering a three-year civil war in which more than a million people died, mostly of starvation. (Reporting by Adewale Kolawole, writing by MacDonald Dzirutwe; editing by Barbara Lewis) FILE PHOTO: The logo of the Canadian mining company Teck Resources Limited is displayed as people visit the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) annual conference in Toronto, Ontario, Canada March 7, 2023. REUTERS/Chris Helgren/File Pho OSLO (Reuters) -Norway's sovereign wealth fund, one of the world's largest investors, said on Friday it will support a plan by Canadian miner Teck Resources to spin off its metallurgical coal business and focus on copper and zinc. By voting in favour of the Teck board's proposed spin-off at a meeting of shareholders on April 26, the Norwegian fund implicitly rejected Swiss miner Glencore's attempted takeover of the Canadian group. Glencore on Wednesday said it was willing to improve its $22.5 billion offer for Teck, raising pressure on the Canadian miner to ditch a restructuring plan and sit down at the negotiating table. But the Norwegian sovereign wealth fund, which does not own shares in Glencore due to the Swiss company's large thermal coal business, said it would vote in favour of Teck's plan. The Norwegian fund at the end of 2022, the last available data, owned a 1.48% stake in Teck Resources worth $287 million, while its share of voting rights under the miner's dual-class share structure stood at 0.59%. Glencore had last week proposed to introduce a cash component to its previous all-share bid for Teck in an effort to convince those investors who prefer a full thermal coal exit to support its proposal. (Reporting by Terje Solsvik, editing by Essi Lehto) FILE PHOTO: Poland's Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki delivers remarks with U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris before their meeting in her ceremonial office in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House campus in Washington, D.C., U.S. Ap WARSAW (Reuters) - European Union measures to help farmers affected by a glut of Ukrainian food imports are too little too late, the Polish prime minister said on Friday, after the government approved 10 billion zlotys ($2.4 billion) in aid for Polish agriculture. Central European countries are trying to thrash out a deal with Brussels on EU-wide measures to help agriculture after some of them unilaterally introduced import bans on Ukrainian food products. "What the EU is offering us is offered with a delay, it is too little, a drop in the ocean of needs," Mateusz Morawiecki told a news conference. Several central European countries became transit routes for Ukrainian grain that could not be exported through the country's Black Sea ports because of Russia's invasion in February 2022. Bottlenecks then trapped millions of tons of grains in countries bordering Ukraine, forcing local farmers to compete with an influx of cheap Ukrainian imports. The European Commission has offered 100 million euros of aid for central European farmers in addition to an earlier 56-million-euro package. It has also said it will take emergency "preventive measures" for wheat, maize, sunflower seeds and rape seed, but the central European states want this list to be widened to include products including honey and some meats. On Friday, the Polish government approved measures including increasing the amount of excise duty farmers can have refunded on diesel to 1.46 zlotys from 1.20 zlotys. Morawiecki said the government would also ask the European Commission to give it permission to raise the amount that can be refunded to 2 zlotys. It will also pay subsidies to ensure farmers get a minimum price of 1,400 zlotys per ton of wheat. ($1 = 4.2014 zlotys) (Reporting by Alan Charlish and Pawel Florkiewicz, Editing by William Maclean) FILE PHOTO: Luis Almagro, secretary general of the Organization of American States, speaks during the Ninth Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles, California, U.S., June 10, 2022. REUTERS/Lauren Justice/File Photo By Matt Spetalnick WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Organization of American States passed a resolution on Friday calling for a plan to update its rules and ethics code in response to an outside investigation that found its chief showed poor judgment but did not commit serious misconduct in an intimate relationship with a staffer. The OAS Permanent Council approved the document by consensus, but Mexico took the opportunity to criticize Secretary General Luis Almagro, saying he should have resigned and could not be trusted. The findings of the probe, launched late last year following a whistleblower's complaint, were laid out in a 121-page report distributed to member-states on Monday. The allegations against Almagro, who has long enjoyed U.S. backing, raised questions about the future leadership of the Western Hemisphere's largest multilateral body. It was founded 75 years ago to promote regional cooperation, but in recent years has struggled with ideological divisions among its 34 members. The report stopped short of stating that Almagro, a former Uruguayan foreign minister who has headed the OAS since 2015, was cleared of all allegations over a relationship with a Mexican-born woman that ended last year, but it made no recommendations specific to him. In a carefully worded resolution, the council said it "takes note" of the findings of the probe by the Washington law firm Miller & Chevalier Chartered and backed its recommendations. The resolution called on OAS officers to present "proposals for the further updating of the Code of Ethics and the Staff Regulations of the Organization." Luz Elena Banos Rivas, Mexico's OAS ambassador and a frequent critic of Almagro, said he should have resigned after admitting to the relationship. "For his personal and political conduct we do not trust the current secretary general," she said, even as Mexico joined consensus approval of the resolution. The U.S. has made clear its continued support for Almagro. He has mostly aligned himself with U.S. policy as an outspoken critic of Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua, which has alienated some on the Latin American left. Almagro did not immediately respond to a request for comment. He said in a statement earlier this week that he believed the report "exonerates me of all responsibility." The probe determined Almagro did not favor the staffer in salary or personnel decisions or break conflict-of-interest rules, but that he did violate ethical standards for "common sense and good judgment." (Reporting by Matt Spetalnick; Editing by Paul Simao) FILE PHOTO: A view of the cereal terminal with grain silo in the Black Sea port of Constanta, Romania, May 11, 2022. REUTERS/Olimpiu Gheorghiu By Luiza Ilie and Pavel Polityuk BUCHAREST/KYIV (Reuters) - Ukraine's prospects of unblocking grain shipments to eastern Europe improved on Friday as Romania opted against a unilateral ban on food imports, but there was no progress on extending a deal on Black Sea exports. Russia's foreign minister made clear Moscow considered its conditions had not been met for extending a U.N.-brokered agreement guaranteeing safe exports via the Black Sea during the war in Ukraine. "Here, practically nothing has been done," Foreign Minster Sergei Lavrov told reporters in Havana on Thursday during an official visit. Russia has said extending last July's agreement beyond a May 18 deadline depends on the West lifting restrictions it says hinder Moscow's agricultural exports. Grain sales are a vital revenue source for Kyiv, and food import bans imposed by four European Union member states in eastern Europe over the last week have increased Ukraine's concerns about its food exports. Offering Kyiv some relief, Romania said it would not join Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia in banning food imports from Ukraine to protect local producers hit by an influx of cheaper Ukrainian supplies. Instead, Bucharest will wait for the European Commission, the EU executive, to enforce measures to help farmers in central and eastern Europe. "I think it is necessary we wait ... to see what the Commission decides, and then we will meet again to establish long-term rules, because Romania and Ukraine are large grain producing countries," Agriculture Minister Petre Daea said. A major grain transit hub for Ukraine, Romania's Black Sea port of Constanta shipped some 12 million tonnes of Ukrainian grains in 2022 and the first quarter of this year. Daea said, after talks with Ukrainian Agriculture Minister Mykola Solsky, that Romania and Ukraine would consult weekly on expected grain volumes, as Romania tries to limit imports. Solsky told reporters it was obvious the situation required quick decisions, adding: "We understand these decisions must be comfortable for Romanian farmers and ... we wait for the European Commission." GRAIN DEAL HANGS IN BALANCE The European Commission has announced plans to offer farmers in eastern and central Europe compensation for some products if the unilateral import bans are lifted, but the countries affected want the list of products widened. Poland went further than others by initially banning the transit of Ukrainian grain and food products through its territory. Warsaw agreed on Tuesday to lift the measures, and transit traffic resumed on Friday. But Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said the support measures offered by the Commission were too little, too late, after the government approved 10 billion zlotys ($2.38 billion) of aid for Polish agriculture. Black Sea grain exports are more significant for Kyiv than exports to eastern Europe, and talks are under way on the status of the Black Sea Grain Initiative deal agreed last July to create a safe shipping channel. The initiative unblocked three Ukrainian Black Sea ports five months after Russia's invasion, and was designed to alleviate a global food crisis as well as to support Ukraine. Russia says it has agreed to extend the deal only until May 18 even though Kyiv and its allies say the terms of the agreement stipulate that it should continue beyond that date. Worried about its ability to ship grain from its Black Sea ports, Ukraine has stepped up exports via ports on the Danube River that flows though central and southeastern Europe. "Undoubtedly, the Danube Cluster has become a critical element of global food security in the face of limited operation of Black Sea seaports," Deputy Prime Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov said on Facebook. ($1 = 4.2014 zlotys) (Reporting by Luiza Ilie in Bucharest, Pavel Polityuk in Kyiv, Gergely Szakacs and Boldizsar Gyori in Budapest, and Alan Charlish, Pawel Florkiewicz and Marek Strzelecki in Warsaw, Writing by Timothy Heritage, Editing by Barbara Lewis) OTTAWA, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Canada is providing a new military aid package for Ukraine, the Department of National Defence announced Friday. In a news release, the department said this 39 million Canadian dollars (31 million U.S. dollars) assistance includes 3.3 million litres of much-needed fuel supplies, modular floatation bridge assets to enable wet-gap crossing, medical first aid kits, as well as sniper rifles and ammunition. This donation comes from the remaining funds across the government of Canada's various funding envelopes for military assistance to Ukraine, the release said. According to the release, all eight Leopard 2 main battle tanks committed by Canada to Ukraine have been delivered to Poland, and Canada has deployed three Leopard Gunnery Skills Trainers to assist with efforts to train Ukrainian tank crews on the operation and tactics of the Leopard 2 tanks. Since February 2022, Canada has committed over 1 billion Canadian dollars in military assistance to Ukraine, which includes eight Leopard 2 main battle tanks, a National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System, 39 armoured combat support vehicles, anti-tank weapons, and high-resolution drone cameras. (Reuters) - A Russian official warned on Friday of an "uncontrollable" arms race involving multiple nuclear powers, the state-owned RIA news agency said. "In essence, we are witnessing a missile arms race with consequences that are hard to predict. Tens of billions of dollars are being invested in improving missile technology. This process is taking on an uncontrollable character," Grigory Mashkov, ambassador-at-large, was quoted as saying. RIA said Mashkov referred in a magazine interview to China's rapid expansion of its missile systems and to the nuclear capabilities of Israel, India and Pakistan. Atomic scientists said in January that the "Doomsday Clock" - a notional measure of the risk of mankind's extinction - had ticked closer to midnight than ever before as a result of rising nuclear tensions since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Russia has claimed four regions of Ukraine as its own territory and placed them under its nuclear umbrella, in moves condemned as illegal by most countries at the United Nations. President Vladimir Putin has said repeatedly that Russia would use all means at its disposal to defend its "territorial integrity". In February, Putin announced Moscow was suspending the New START treaty with the United States, which limits each side's deployed nuclear warheads, saying Washington was trying to inflict a "strategic defeat" on Russia in Ukraine. Earlier, RIA quoted the Russian Foreign Ministry as saying a "vacuum" could arise in strategic stability once New START expires in 2026. It was not clear whether this was a ministry statement or a comment from Mashkov's interview. RIA also quoted the ministry as saying Moscow needed to build up its tactical missile capabilities including in its Kaliningrad region, which borders NATO members Poland and Lithuania. (Reporting by Reuters, writing by Mark Trevelyan; Editing by Gareth Jones) MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia's Defence Ministry said in a briefing on Friday that assault troops were fighting in western parts of Bakhmut, the last part of the embattled Ukrainian city still held by Kyiv's forces. Ukrainian and Russian units have been battling for months over the eastern city, which largely lies in ruins. The defence ministry did not give details of the latest fighting. Kyiv said Russian forces had made some advances in fierce fighting for Bakhmut but that the situation was under control. "Decisions are being made according to military expediency," Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Malyar wrote on the Telegram messaging app. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in a video address that Kyiv was actively preparing new units that had yet to appear on the front line. Zelenskiy and other officials have long promised Ukraine will launch an offensive. Russia's assault on Bakhmut relies heavily on the Wagner Group private army, whose commander Yevgeny Prigozhin on Friday expressed concern about a Ukrainian counter attack. "Today we are killing those who were trained in Ukraine but the ones coming from Germany will be technologically educated," he said in an audio recording released on Telegram, an apparent reference to Ukrainians who will be trained in Germany to use Abrams tanks provided by the United States. "The West has handed over 230 tanks and 1,500 other armoured vehicles. This, too, is enough to provide serious opposition." Ukraine, he predicted, would strike when the ground had firmed up after spring rains. "They will attack ... they will come and try to tear us apart, and we must resist," he said. (Reporting by Reuters; Editing by David Ljunggren and Grant McCool) SpaceX's next-generation Starship spacecraft atop its powerful Super Heavy rocket lifts off from the company's Boca Chica launchpad on a brief uncrewed test flight near Brownsville, Texas, U.S. April 20, 2023. REUTERS/Joe Skipper By Steve Gorman and Arlene Eiras LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The spectacular explosion of SpaceX's new Starship rocket minutes after it soared off its launch pad on a first flight test is the latest vivid illustration of a "successful failure" business formula that serves Elon Musk's company well, experts said on Thursday. Rather than seeing the fiery disintegration of Musk's colossal, next-generation Starship system as a setback, experts said the dramatic loss of the rocket ship would help accelerate development of the vehicle. Images of the Starship tumbling out of control some 20 miles up in the sky while mounted to its Super Heavy rocket booster before the combined vehicle blew to bits dominated media coverage of the highly anticipated launch. SpaceX acknowledged that several of the Super Heavy's 33 powerful Raport engines malfunctioned on ascent and that the booster rocket and Starship failed to separate as designed before the ill-fated flight was terminated. But SpaceX executives including Musk - the founder, CEO and chief engineer of the California-based rocket company - hailed the test flight for achieving the major objective of getting the vehicle off the ground while providing a wealth of data that will advance Starship's development. PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT At least two experts in aerospace engineering and planetary science who spoke with Reuters agreed that the test flight delivered benefits. "This is a classical SpaceX successful failure," said Garrett Reisman, an astronautical engineering professor at the University of Southern California who is a former NASA astronaut and is also a senior adviser to SpaceX. Reisman called the Starship test flight a hallmark of a SpaceX strategy that sets Musk's company apart from traditional aerospace companies and even NASA by "this embracing of failure when the consequences of failure are low." No astronauts were aboard for the crewless flight, and the rocket was flown almost entirely over water from the Gulf Coast Starbase facility in south Texas to avoid possible injuries or property damage on the ground from falling debris. "Even though that rocket costs a lot of money, what really costs a lot of money are people's salaries," Reisman told Reuters in an interview hours after Thursday's launch. Reisman said SpaceX saves more money in the long run, and takes less time to identify and correct engineering flaws by taking more risks in the development process rather than keeping "a large team working for years and years and years trying to get it perfect before you even try it." "I would say the timeline for transporting people (aboard Starship) is accelerated right now compared to what it was a couple of hours ago," Reisman said. Planetary scientist Tanya Harrison, a fellow at the University of British Columbia's Outer Space Institute, said clearing the launch tower and ascending through a critical point known as maximum aerodynamic pressure were major feats on the first flight of such a large, complex launch system. "It's part of the testing process," she said in an interview. "There are a lot of accidents that happen when you're trying to design a new rocket. The fact that it launched at all made a lot of people really happy." She said the risks of a single flight test were small in comparison to the ambitious gains at stake. "This is the biggest rocket that humanity has tried to build," she said, adding that it is designed to carry "orders of magnitude" more cargo and people to and from deep space than any existing spacecraft. Whereas NASA is working on a mission to retrieve samples of Martian soil and minerals measured in kilograms being collected by the Mars Perseverance rover, Starship will carry back many tons of rock, as well transport dozens of astronauts and entire lab facilities to and from the moon and Mars, Harrison said. Musk has billed Starship as crucial to SpaceX's interplanetary exploration goals as well as its more near-term launch business, with commercial satellites, science telescopes and eventually paying astro-tourists expected to use the fully reusable rocket system for rides to space. Citing SpaceX's rapid pace of development since its 2002 founding, leading to dozens of commercial missions a year with its workhorse rocket for low-Earth orbit, the Falcon 9, Harrison said, "it wouldn't surprise me if we had humans on Mars with Starship in the next decade." (Writing and reporting by Steve Gorman in Los Angeles; Additional reporting by Arlene Eiras and Joey Roulette in Washington; Editing by Leslie Adler) MADRID (Reuters) - Spanish military aircraft are on standby and ready to evacuate some 60 Spanish nationals and about 20 civilians from other countries from Sudan's capital Khartoum amid armed conflict there, Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said on Friday. The unabated fighting that broke out six days ago in Sudan has killed at least 413 people and injured 3,551, according to the World Health Organisation. In the absence of a ceasefire, foreign nations - including the United States - have been unable to evacuate their citizens from Sudan. "Every day, combats are increasing in intensity and that is why it hasn't been possible to organise an evacuation yet," Albares told a joint news conference with his German counterpart, Annalena Baerbock, in Berlin. However, military airplanes are ready to proceed with the evacuation and would act promptly at the first opportunity, he added. Albares said that supplies had been provided to the Spanish embassy and ambassador's residence in Khartoum and security around the diplomatic buildings had been tightened. A Spanish citizen on a vessel off the coast of Sudan has been taken to safety, he added. (Reporting by Inti Landauro and Emma Pinedo; Writing by David Latona; Editing by Andrei Khalip) FILE PHOTO: A view of a brine pool of a lithium mine on the Atacama salt flat in the Atacama desert, Chile, August 16, 2018.REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado/File Photo By Alexander Villegas and Ernest Scheyder SANTIAGO (Reuters) -Chile has moved to boost state control over its lithium industry as it seeks to diversify from mining into batteries and other areas, spooking investors in the country's dominant miners of the white metal, SQM and Albemarle Corp. Chile's progressive President Gabriel Boric late on Thursday announced the move that would see the world's second largest lithium producer shift to a model with the state holding a controlling interest in all projects through a public company that would partner with private mining firms. By late Friday trading, Chilean firm SQM's U.S.-listed shares tumbled some 18%, while Albemarle was down nearly 9%. SQM's lithium contract in Chile is set to expire in 2030 and Albemarle's in 2043, giving it more insulation from the potential move. The bid for state control in Chile, which has the world's largest reserves of the battery metal, reflects a wider wave of resource nationalism around Latin America, home to the so-called "lithium triangle", which holds the world's largest trove of the metal essential for electric vehicle batteries. It poses a fresh challenge to electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers scrambling to secure battery materials. Mexico nationalized its lithium deposits last year, and Indonesia banned exports of nickel ore, a key battery material, in 2020. Boric said in his announcement that Chile would not cancel existing contracts, though it would try to negotiate with mining firms to voluntarily shift to a public-private model. But he signaled the country's ambitions to participate in the higher margin industries surrounding battery production rather than being restricted to mining, a common lament of emerging markets with big deposits of the metal. Speaking from the northern city of Antofagasta on Friday afternoon, Boric, 37, said the government has ambitions to produce value added products and batteries. "In Chile we can add value, we can produce batteries, here in our country, we just don't have to extract the raw material," Boric said, adding that the government was opening a technological institute of lithium and salt flats in the northern city. 'NO MATERIAL IMPACT' Separately, Chilean economic development CORFO said Chinese automaker BYD Co Ltd plans to build a $290 million lithium cathode factory in Chile's northern Antofagasta region. SQM has a larger footprint in Chile, with 81,000 hectares (about 200,000 acres) for lithium extraction compared with Albemarle's 16,000 hectares. In a statement, SQM it was "analyzing the strategy delivered by the government." Albemarle said it would have "no material impact on our business" and that it would continue talks on investing in further growth and using new technologies in Chile. The economy ministry pushed back against describing the planned move as a nationalization of the industry but acknowledged the state would have a controlling stake in every public-private venture looking to extract lithium. "It's not valid to talk about a process of nationalization because the announced strategy doesn't alter the standing of legal valid legal property," the ministry said in a statement to Reuters, adding that the current law gives state ownership over lithium already. "When it comes to the Atacama salt flats, the president clearly said in his speech that Chile will respect what's been established in existing contracts." RESOURCE NATIONALISM In neighboring countries in the lithium triangle, which spans Chile, Argentina and Bolivia, governments are increasingly pushing for a greater public sector stake in mining of the metal. Such resource nationalism, long a hallmark of Latin America's oil sector, has a poor record, according to Benjamin Gedan, director of the Latin America program at The Wilson Center, a Washington think tank. He said historically, mining in Latin America has mostly failed to bring about steady growth, and caused untold environmental damage, which has frequently led governments to take over for private companies. Todays lithium boom offers an opportunity to learn from past mistakes, Gedan said, calling it a difficult balancing act. Giving a big role to the state without excluding private investors is a savvy middle ground, he said. Argentine state energy firm YPF last year began exploring lithium, while Bolivia has long maintained strict control over its huge though largely untapped resources. It recently gave out a lithium tender to a Chinese consortium including battery giant CATL. Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and Bolivia's Luis Arce have touted the idea of a regional lithium "OPEC" to coordinate on lithium policy and benefit local economies. (Reporting by Alexander Villegas, Ernest Scheyder, Rodrigo Campos and Anthony Esposito; Writing by Adam Jourdan; Editing by Jan Harvey, Christian Plumb and Marguerita Choy) FILE PHOTO: Romania's Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca, pictured, and Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson during a news conference on aid to the Ukraine and security within the European Union, in Stockholm, Sweden, March 31, 2023. Jonas Ekstromer / TT New STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Sweden will evacuate its embassy staff and their families from Sudan as soon as the situation makes that possible, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said on Friday, adding that Sweden was coordinating its policy with other countries. "The decisions we have taken mean that, it will be possible to evacuate ... embassy personnel and their relatives if and when the security situation allows," Kristersson told reporters. He said that help would also be given to other Swedes in the country, "to the extent that it is possible". (Reporting by Simon Johnson, editing by Terje Solsvik) FILE PHOTO: British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak drinks water during a press conference following the launch of new legislation on migrant channel crossings at Downing Street on March 7, 2023 in London, United Kingdom. Leon Neal/Pool via REUTERS LONDON (Reuters) - A local authority in southeastern England on Friday lost a bid at London's High Court to stop the British government from accommodating asylum seekers at a former military base. Braintree District Council, in Essex to the northeast of London, had sought an injunction to prevent the Home Office (interior ministry) housing up to 1,700 asylum seekers at the site. The council said the government was wrongly using emergency powers to house asylum seekers at the air base, which its lawyers said in court filings was "driven by cost". Judge David Waksman said on Friday he had no jurisdiction to grant the council an injunction. However, the judge granted the council permission to appeal against his ruling. A Home Office spokesperson welcomed the decision, saying in a statement that "surplus military sites will provide cheaper and more suitable accommodation for those arriving in small boats whilst helping to reduce the use of costly hotels". Documents filed with the court for a hearing on Wednesday stated that, as of March, Britain was estimated to be accommodating more than 109,000 asylum seekers, with 48,000 in hotels at a cost of 6.2 million pounds ($7.7 million) per day. Braintree District Council said it was disappointed with the ruling, but welcomed that it would be able to appeal. The case will likely be considered by the Court of Appeal, and could affect Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's Conservative government's plans to use other disused military bases to house asylum seekers. Britain anticipates 56,000 migrants will cross the Channel in small boats to its shores this year, according to court documents filed by its interior ministry. That would mean the government would need to accommodate as many as 140,000 asylum seekers, the filings showed. Sunak has made stopping boat arrivals one of his five priorities after more than 45,000 migrants arrived on the south coast of England in 2022. The number was a record and marked a 500% increase in the last two years. (Reporting by Sam Tobin; editing by Barbara Lewis) FILE PHOTO: Ukrainian flag is covered with grains in this picture illustration taken May 9, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration By Pavel Polityuk KYIV (Reuters) - Danube River ports are critical to Ukrainian exports of agricultural products as a wartime deal guaranteeing safe grain shipments via the Black Sea hangs in the balance, a senior Ukrainian official said on Friday. Three Black Sea ports that were initially blockaded after Russia's invasion of Ukraine last year have been exporting grain since last July under the Black Sea Grain Initiative brokered by Turkey and the United Nations. Russia says the agreement is due to expire on May 18, and has given no sign that it plans to extend it. It wants Western powers to agree to lift restrictions on payments, logistics and insurance which it says hinder its own agricultural exports. As Ukraine's concerns about the future of the deal mount, Deputy Prime Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov said that what is known as the Danube Cluster offered a viable alternative export route. "Undoubtedly, the Danube Cluster has become a critical element of global food security in the face of limited operation of Black Sea seaports," Kubrakov said on Facebook. Ukraine has increased exports via its three Danube ports to 1.5 million tonnes of grain per month since Russia's invasion in February last year. It is also deepening the Bystre Canal on the Danube with the aim of increasing food exports from its river ports and hoping that a deeper canal will allow an additional 500,000 tonnes to be exported monthly. Kubrakov said digging work on the canal was "operational" and that Ukraine "is reviving the Bystre Canal as an alternative route for Ukrainian agricultural exports." Ukraine is also concerned about import bans imposed on transit of its food products through eastern European countries, which fear that Ukrainian food supplies could have a negative impact on local farmers. (Reporting by Pavel Polityuk, Editing by Timothy Heritage) WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A senior U.S. sanctions official is alerting European countries to Russian efforts to acquire certain sanctioned goods, as Washington seeks to root out sanctions evasion by Moscow. Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nelson is visiting Switzerland, Italy, Austria and Germany this week, where he is meeting with government officials, financial institutions and other businesses. The Treasury Department is warning during the visits that Washington believes Russia is using evasive methods to acquire over a dozen types of goods, including electronic components, optics and manufacturing equipment, according to a document that has been handed to partner countries and was seen by Reuters. Those goods include processors and controllers, video camera recorders, lasers and signal generators, among others. Nelson's visit comes as Washington tries to crack down on Russia's sanctions evasion and ahead of travel by Assistant Secretary for Terrorist Financing and Financial Crimes Elizabeth Rosenberg to Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan next week. Washington has previously said it is concerned about sanctions evasion in Kazakhstan. In this week's visits, the Treasury is also explaining what red flags financial institutions should watch for as they try to identify Russian procurement networks, according to the document. Those include tenders from companies with no track record and little or no Web presence, frequent or last-minute changes to end users or payees, and businesses located in transshipment countries involved in the electronics or machinery sectors. The United States and its allies, including the European Union and United Kingdom, imposed sanctions on Russia following the invasion of Ukraine more than a year ago and have continued to ratchet up pressure. (Reporting by Daphne Psaledakis; Editing by Don Durfee and Jonathan Oatis) FILE PHOTO: A general view as members of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (not pictured) inspect the site of a train derailment of hazardous material in East Palestine, Ohio, U.S., February 16, 2023. REUTERS/Alan Freed By Amna Karimi (Reuters) - U.S. labor unions called on railroad operators to halt all stock buybacks until they improve safety and abandon their lean operating model, which regulators and shippers say has led to deterioration in the quality of service. The unions have blamed Precision Scheduled Railroading (PSR), a concept that encourages running longer trains on fixed schedule with lesser staffing, for worsening working conditions for employees, while shoring up profit for railroads. Railroads, however, say PSR helps provide predictable and consistent service to customers. U.S. railroads, crucial in connecting large swathes of the country, have come under fire after a Norfolk Southern train carrying hazardous materials derailed in East Palestine, Ohio in February, resulting in the release of over 1 million gallons of harmful pollutants. Last month, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer urged a federal investigation into safety practices of all seven major freight railroads - Norfolk Southern, BNSF Railway, CSX, Union Pacific, Canadian National, Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern. Schumer said over the past five years, freight rail companies have had "over 26,500 accidents and incidents and 2,768 deaths, all while cutting roughly 20% of their workforce". A spokesperson for the Association of American Railroads (AAR) on Friday defended the industry's safety record. "Any suggestion that railroads fail to invest appropriately, and that this, in turn, is related to a negative safety record, is categorically false," the AAR said on Friday. The AAR added that railroads' capital spending as a percentage of revenue was 18.4% from 2012-2021, six times that of an average U.S. manufacturer. The 14 rail unions, which represent more than 100,000 freight rail workers, said on Friday the six publicly traded railroads spent over $165 billion in buying back stock since 2015, a number that is at least $46 billion more than what they have invested in safety. (Reporting by Amna Karimi, additional reporting by Nathan Gomes in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil D'Silva) After victory, Ukraine can simply say Were ready, we can join NATO tomorrow German Ambassador 21 April, 03:55 PM Exclusive Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a joint press conference with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, April 20, 2023 (Photo:REUTERS/Alina Yarysh) Ukraines accession to NATO will be a political decision of all member states, not just Germany or the United States, German Ambassador to Ukraine Anka Feldhusen said in an interview with Radio NV on April 20. She noted that there are countries in the Alliance that are more important militarily than Germany, especially the nuclear powers of the United Kingdom and France, as well as the United States and Turkey. It seems to me that Germany is indeed the largest industrial country in the European Union, but we dont play the same role in NATO as in the EU, she said. Video of day There are also other countries to talk with. Feldhusen stressed that Ukraine had demonstrated its military compatibility with NATO since the beginning of Russias full-scale invasion. Ukraine has shown that it can use the latest NATO technologies, the envoy said. The command structure was very different from the Russian one, which was much more Soviet. Ukraine has shown that its already implementing the (NATO) standards on the battlefield. And thats good. The diplomat added that Ukraine must also carry out political reforms to join NATO and the EU. It seems to me that one day, after the victory, Ukraine can simply say: Were ready. We can join NATO tomorrow, Feldhusen said. During a meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Kyiv on April 20, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that there is not a single objective barrier that would prevent the adoption of political decisions to invite Ukraine to NATO. Security guarantees in no way replace or delay Ukraines membership in NATO, Zelenskyy said. Stoltenberg agreed, saying that Ukraines rightful place in NATO. As many as 82% of Ukrainians support Ukraines accession to NATO, if a referendum were held today, according to a poll conducted by Center for Insights in Survey Research (CISR) for the International Republican Institute (IRI) published on March 22. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba previously said that at the NATO Summit in Vilnius in July, Kyiv would categorically not accept a continuation of NATOs open doors policy toward Ukraine in place since 2008. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google News FILE PHOTO: John Kirby, NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications, answers questions during the daily press briefing at the White House in Washington, U.S., April 10, 2023. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein WASHINGTON (Reuters) - No decision yet has been made to evacuate American diplomatic personnel from Sudan but the United States is preparing for such an eventuality if it becomes necessary, the White House said on Friday. John Kirby, the White House national security spokesperson, said that for all American citizens in Sudan, they must "make their own arrangements to stay safe" as violence rocks the country. He said President Joe Biden had approved a plan earlier this week to move U.S. forces nearby in case they are needed to help evacuate American diplomats. "We are simply pre-positioning some additional capabilities nearby in case that they're needed. But I want to stress again ... there's been no decision to move forward with any kind of an evacuation at this time," Kirby told reporters. Kirby said the situation in the capital Khartoum remained tense and that the warring parties have been unable to stick to ceasefires that have been agreed upon. "We're focused right now on the situation we're in. We want to get all our government personnel consolidated and safe at the (U.S.) embassy," he said. (Reporting by Steve Holland, Doina Chiacu and Andrea Shalal; editing by Jonathan Oatis) FILE PHOTO: Zambia's Finance Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane attends the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank in Washington, U.S., October 15, 2022. REUTERS/James Lawler Duggan/File Photo By Chris Mfula LUSAKA (Reuters) - Zambia's official creditors are close to signing a memorandum of understanding on debt relief, Finance Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane said on Friday. Zambia became the first African country to default on its sovereign debt during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, but it has struggled to finalise restructuring talks on external debt that reached $18.6 billion at the end of last year. "We are close but not yet there. By now we should have had an MoU signed by official creditors giving the IMF assurances," Musokotwane said at a media briefing. "The creditors... are asking questions. They are all agreed on one thing: assistance will be provided, but the question is how much?" the minister said. "They are saying we must understand because they are losing money." Sources told Reuters earlier this week that Zambia's official creditors were getting closer to signing the memorandum of understanding (MoU) on debt relief in May, a key step to pave the way for more funding from the International Monetary Fund. China is Zambia's largest bilateral creditor and many Western officials have blamed it for delays in the restructuring process -- a position Beijing strongly denies. The IMF wants official creditors to outline in the MoU specific modalities of how they intend to deliver debt relief aligned with the parameters of a $1.3 billion 38-month programme approved by the fund's board in August 2022. The release of about $188 million - the loan's second disbursement - is subject to IMF Executive Board approval, with the IMF saying it is contingent upon bilateral creditors reaching a debt restructuring deal. "Everyone is working very hard to make sure that this money is released. I feel confident that this money will come," Musokotwane said, referring to the IMF's next payout. (Reporting by Chris Mfula; Writing by Bhargav Acharya; Editing by Alexander Winning, William Maclean) SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 Form 6-K REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER PURSUANT TO RULE 13A-16 OR 15D-16 UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 April, 2023 Commission File Number 1-15182 DR. REDDYS LABORATORIES LIMITED (Translation of registrants name into English) 8-2-337, Road No. 3, Banjara Hills Hyderabad, Telangana 500 034, India +91-40-49002900 (Address of principal executive office) Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F. Form 20-F Form 40-F Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): ______ Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1) only permits the submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted solely to provide an attached annual report to security holders. Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): ______ Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7) only permits the submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted to furnish a report or other document that the registrant foreign private issuer must furnish and make public under the laws of the jurisdiction in which the registrant is incorporated, domiciled or legally organized (the registrants home country), or under the rules of the home country exchange on which the registrants securities are traded, as long as the report or other document is not a press release, is not required to be and has not been distributed to the registrants security holders, and, if discussing a material event, has already been the subject of a Form 6-K submission or other Commission filing on EDGAR. Indicate by check mark whether by furnishing the information contained in this Form, the registrant is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Yes No If Yes is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-________. EXHIBITS SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. DR. REDDYS LABORATORIES LIMITED (Registrant) Date: April 21, 2023 By: /s/ K Randhir Singh Name: K Randhir Singh Title: Company Secretary ATTACHMENTS / EXHIBITS EXHIBIT 99.1 51, Sogong-ro, Jung-gu Seoul 04632, Korea Tel: 82.2.2125.2050 Fax: 82.0505001.0451 http://www.woorifg.com April 21, 2023 VIA EDGAR Securities and Exchange Commission 100 F Street, N.E. Washington, D.C. 20549 Re: Notice of disclosure filed in Exchange Act Annual Report under Section 219 of the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012 and Section 13(r) of the Exchange Act Ladies and Gentlemen: Pursuant to Section 219 of the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012 and Section 13(r) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1394, as amended, notice is hereby provided that Woori Financial Group has made disclosure pursuant to those provisions in its Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2022, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 21, 2023. The disclosure can be found under the heading Item 3.D. Risk Factors-Other risks relating to our businessWe engage in limited activities relating to Iran and Russia, which may result in regulatory or enforcement actions under relevant laws and regulations of the United States and other jurisdictions as a result of such activities, which may adversely affect our business and reputation in the Annual Report on Form 20-F and is incorporated by reference herein. 0001911467 Circle Energy, Inc./NV POS AM true 0001911467 2022-12-31 2022-12-31 0001911467 2022-12-31 0001911467 2021-12-31 0001911467 2022-12-30 0001911467 2022-01-01 2022-12-31 0001911467 2021-01-01 2021-12-31 0001911467 2020-12-31 0001911467 us-gaap:CommonStockMember 2020-12-31 0001911467 us-gaap:AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember 2020-12-31 0001911467 us-gaap:RetainedEarningsMember 2020-12-31 0001911467 us-gaap:CommonStockMember 2021-01-01 2021-12-31 0001911467 us-gaap:AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember 2021-01-01 2021-12-31 0001911467 us-gaap:RetainedEarningsMember 2021-01-01 2021-12-31 0001911467 us-gaap:CommonStockMember 2021-12-31 0001911467 us-gaap:AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember 2021-12-31 0001911467 us-gaap:RetainedEarningsMember 2021-12-31 0001911467 us-gaap:CommonStockMember 2022-01-01 2022-12-31 0001911467 us-gaap:AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember 2022-01-01 2022-12-31 0001911467 us-gaap:RetainedEarningsMember 2022-01-01 2022-12-31 0001911467 us-gaap:CommonStockMember 2022-12-31 0001911467 us-gaap:AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember 2022-12-31 0001911467 us-gaap:RetainedEarningsMember 2022-12-31 0001911467 2022-10-01 2022-12-31 0001911467 srt:MinimumMember us-gaap:LeaseholdImprovementsMember 2022-12-31 0001911467 srt:MaximumMember us-gaap:LeaseholdImprovementsMember 2022-12-31 0001911467 srt:MinimumMember us-gaap:OfficeEquipmentMember 2022-12-31 0001911467 srt:MaximumMember us-gaap:OfficeEquipmentMember 2022-12-31 0001911467 srt:MinimumMember us-gaap:EquipmentMember 2022-12-31 0001911467 srt:MaximumMember us-gaap:EquipmentMember 2022-12-31 0001911467 2022-01-01 2022-03-31 0001911467 2022-04-01 2022-06-30 0001911467 2022-07-01 2022-09-30 iso4217:USD xbrli:shares iso4217:USD xbrli:shares If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of large accelerated filer, accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, and emerging growth company in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act). If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act) check the following box: Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this registration statement. The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine. Explanatory Note Circle Energy, Inc., a Nevada corporation, (the Company) filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) on Form S-1 (Registration number 333-263384) which was declared effective on July 14, 2022. This Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Form S-1 (Post-Effective Amendment) contains an updated prospectus, This Post-Effective Amendment is being filed by the Company (i) to include the Companys audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022, (ii) to update the corresponding discussion of such financial information contained in the section Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations and other sections of the prospectus, and (iii) to update certain other information in the prospectus, including business activities since the effective date of the Form S-1 as reflected in the Companys annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, as filed with the SEC on March 29, 2023 . All filing fees payable in connection with the registration of the securities registered by the Form S-1 were paid by the Registrant at the time of the initial filing of the Form S-1. The information in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED April ____, 2023 PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS Circle Energy, Inc. 330,000 shares of common stock This prospectus relates to the offer and sale from time to time of up to 330,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the Common Stock), of Circle Energy, Inc. (we, our, Circle Energy, or the Company). We are registering the resale of the 330,000 shares of Common Stock (the Shares) for resale by various selling stockholders who purchased shares in a prior non-public offering of the Shares (collectively, the Selling Stockholders). All net proceeds from a sale will go to the Selling Stockholders and not to us. All costs incurred in the registration of the Shares are being borne by the Company. This is an initial public offering of our securities. Each share of common stock has an offering price of $1.00. As of and after such time (if ever) that our Common Stock is quoted on OTCQB, the Shares offered under this prospectus by the Selling Stockholders may be sold on the public market, in negotiated transactions with a broker-dealer or market maker as principal or agent or in privately negotiated transactions not involving a broker-dealer, and the prices at which the Selling Stockholders may sell the Shares may be determined by the prevailing market price of the Common Stock at the time of sale, may be different from such prevailing market price or may be determined through negotiated transactions with third parties. Our initial shareholders currently own 1,530,000 shares of common stock. Currently, there is no public market for our securities. We intend to apply to have our stock quoted on OTCQB or listed on an exchange. We are a smaller reporting company under applicable federal securities laws and will be subject to reduced public company reporting requirements. We are also an emerging growth company as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), as modified by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the JOBS Act) and are subject to reduced public company reporting requirements. This prospectus complies with the requirements that apply to an issuer that is a smaller reporting and an emerging growth company. Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. See Risk Factors beginning on page 5 for a discussion of information that should be considered in connection with an investment in our securities. Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense. The date of this prospectus is ____________, 2023 i TABLE OF CONTENTS We are responsible for the information contained in this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information, and we take no responsibility for any other information others may give to you. No offer is being made to sell securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of this prospectus. Until ______________, 2023, all dealers that effect transactions in these securities, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the dealers obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as an underwriter and with respect to unsold allotments or subscriptions. 2 SUMMARY This summary only highlights the more detailed information appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. You should read this entire prospectus carefully, including the information under Risk Factors and our financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus, before investing. General Circle Energy, Inc., a Nevada corporation, (the Company, or Circle, we, us, our, or similar terms) is a newly incorporated Nevada company formed for the purpose of acquiring oil and gas companies, projects, or properties and partnering with an established management team in the oil and gas industry. We have acquired an interest in our first oil and gas property and entered into a joint venture agreement for further development of the area of mutual interest. Our plans include first to explore and expand our acreage position with our joint venture partner and second to devise a development plan, partnering with industry players and associates to expand and generate growth of our company. We have not established specific criteria for additional projects but will rely on the experience of our management team in identifying and negotiating the purchase of potential oil and gas companies, projects, or properties. The Company was founded and incorporated on December 7, 2021, by Mr. Lloyd (Tim) Rochford. Mr. Rochford has extensive experience in the oil and natural gas industry and in the public market and has built meaningful relationships both in the exploration and production industry and in the financial and capital markets. Over the last five decades, Mr. Rochford has established, operated, developed and sold/merged multiple natural resource companies aggregating in value in the billions of dollars and has arranged and raised approximately $1 billion in private and public financing for oil and natural gas projects and development. Of the most recent three companies founded by Mr. Rochford, spanning over the last 25 years, two were listed on the New York Stock Exchange and one was listed on the NYSE AMEX. Mr. Rochford has formed Circle with the intent of establishing an operating company from which to pursue opportunities to partner with an established management team, providing that team with access to the public market and his own extensive experience and with the benefit of his expansive relationships. Either in conjunction with or subsequent to uniting with a top-notch management team, Circle intends to acquire operatorship of existing oil and gas properties it believes have significant remaining development potential. During his decades of involvement in the oil and natural gas industry, Mr. Rochford has gained vast knowledge and experience in all phases of establishing and growing a company, including assessing management team potential and evaluating and acquiring assets. Additionally, we believe the relationships he has established throughout his career will be highly beneficial in connecting with and engaging a high-quality management team and in identifying, evaluating and acquiring high quality assets. We further believe his experience and relationships with the financial and capital markets will provide the selected management team with valuable tools in identifying, negotiating for and financing targeted acquisitions. Initial funding of $240,000 was provided by our founder, Mr. Rochford, and the Company raised $264,000 in a nonpublic offering of its shares. All of these funds are allocated to the acquisitions of one or more target businesses or projects and for general and administrative expenses. Our executive offices are located at 8211 E Regal Place, Tulsa, OK 74133, and our telephone number is 918-994-0693. 3 The Offering We are registering the resale of 330,000 shares of Common Stock by the Selling Stockholders named in this Prospectus, or their permitted transferees. Common Stock offered by Selling Stockholders Up to 330,000 shares (the Shares) of our common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the Common Stock) owned by the Selling Stockholders. Common Stock outstanding before and after the offering 1,530,000 shares. Offering price $1.00 per share until our shares are quoted on OTCQB or listed on an exchange and thereafter at prevailing market prices or privately negotiated prices. Term of the offering The Selling Stockholders will determine when and how they will dispose of the Shares registered under this Prospectus for resale. We have agreed to maintain the effectiveness of the registration statement until December 31, 2023, or until all the Shares are resold or can be sold under Rule 144. Use of proceeds We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the Common Stock by the Selling Stockholders. Risk factors We have not yet identified or acquired any interest in an oil and gas company or project. We will be subject to general risks associated with oil and gas operations. On February 23, 2023, trading was initiated on the Companys common stock through its listing on the OTCQB. Currently our common stock is thinly traded. See Risk Factors below. Our Emerging Growth Company Status As a company with less than $1.07 billion in revenue during our last fiscal year, we qualify as an emerging growth company as defined in the JOBS Act. As an emerging growth company, we may, for up to five years, take advantage of specified exemptions from reporting and other regulatory requirements that are otherwise applicable generally to public companies. These exemptions include: the presentation of only two years of audited financial statements and only two years of related Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations; deferral of the auditor attestation requirement on the effectiveness of our system of internal control over financial reporting; exemption from the adoption of new or revised financial accounting standards until they would apply to private companies; exemption from compliance with any new requirements adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board requiring mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditors report in which the auditor would be required to provide additional information about the audit and the financial statements of the Company; and reduced disclosure about executive compensation arrangements. 4 We may take advantage of these provisions until we are no longer an emerging growth company, which will occur on the earliest of (i) the last day of the fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of our IPO, (ii) the last day of the fiscal year in which we have more than $1.07 billion in annual gross revenue, (iii) the date on which we issue more than $1.0 billion of non-convertible debt over a three-year period and (iv) the date on which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, as defined in Rule 12b-2 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act). We have elected to take advantage of each of the exemptions for emerging growth companies. Accordingly, the information that we provide you may be different than what you may receive from other public companies in which you hold equity interests. RISK FACTORS You should carefully consider each of the risks described below, together with all of the other information contained in this prospectus, before investing in our Common Stock. If any of the following risks develop into actual events, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected, the trading prices of the Common Stock could decline and you may lose all or part of your investment. Risks Relating to Our Proposed Business We are a recently incorporated startup company with limited operating history and no revenues, and purchasers of the Shares will have no basis on which to evaluate our ability to achieve our business objective. We were incorporated on December 7, 2021, and during our startup phase have only acquired our first oil and gas property in May 2022. Thus, we have no financial operating result on which to evaluate investment in the Company. Because we lack a significant operating history, you have no basis upon which to evaluate our ability to achieve our business objective of acquiring, drilling, and developing oil and gas properties and generating revenue therefrom. Past performance by Messrs. Rochford and Broaddrick may not be indicative of future performance of an investment in us. Information regarding performance by, or businesses associated with, Messrs. Rochford and Broaddrick is presented for informational purposes only. Any past experience and performance is not a guarantee either: (i) that we will be able to successfully identify profitable oil and gas properties or companies; or (ii) of any results with respect to any such acquisitions we may consummate. You should not rely on the historical record and performance of Messrs. Rochford or Broaddrick as indicative of the specific future performance of an investment in us or the returns, if any, we may or could generate going forward. An investment in us is not an investment in Messrs. Rochford or Broaddrick. Our officers and directors will allocate their time to other businesses thereby causing conflicts of interest in their determination as to how much time to devote to our affairs. This conflict of interest could have a negative impact on our ability to complete our initial business combination. Our officers and directors are not required to, and will not, commit their full time to our affairs, which may result in a conflict of interest in allocating their time between our operations and our search for a business combination and their other responsibilities. We do not intend to have any full-time employees prior to the completion of our initial acquisition. Each of our officers and directors is engaged in other business endeavors for which they may be entitled to substantial compensation and our officers and directors are not obligated to contribute any specific number of hours per week to our affairs. 5 We are dependent upon our officers and directors and their departure could adversely affect our ability to operate. Our initial operations are dependent upon a small group of individuals, namely Messrs. Rochford and Broaddrick. We believe that our success depends on the continued service of these officers and directors, at least until we have completed our initial target acquisition. We do not have an employment agreement with, or key-man insurance on the life of either of these persons. The unexpected loss of the services of one or more of these parties could have a detrimental effect on us. We may issue notes or other debt securities, or otherwise incur substantial debt, to acquire further oil and gas projects or companies, which may adversely affect our leverage and financial condition and thus negatively impact the value of our stockholders investment in us. Although we have no commitments as of the date of this prospectus to issue any notes or other debt securities, or to otherwise incur outstanding debt following this offering, we may choose to incur substantial debt to initiate our principal business activities. The incurrence of debt could have a variety of negative effects, including: default and foreclosure on our assets if our operating revenues after an initial business acquisition are insufficient to repay our debt obligations; acceleration of our obligations to repay the indebtedness even if we make all principal and interest payments when due if we breach certain covenants that require the maintenance of certain financial ratios or reserves without a waiver or renegotiation of that covenant; our immediate payment of all principal and accrued interest, if any, if the debt is payable on demand; our inability to obtain necessary additional financing if the debt contains covenants restricting our ability to obtain such financing while the debt security is outstanding; our inability to pay dividends on our common stock; using a substantial portion of our cash flow to pay principal and interest on our debt, which will reduce the funds available for dividends on our common stock if declared, expenses, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate purposes; limitations on our flexibility in planning for and reacting to changes in our business and in the specific industry in which we operate; increased vulnerability to adverse changes in general economic, industry and competitive conditions and adverse changes in government regulation; and limitations on our ability to borrow additional amounts for expenses, capital expenditures, acquisitions, debt service requirements, execution of our strategy and other purposes and other disadvantages compared to our competitors who have less debt. We may be unable to obtain additional financing to fund our oil and gas operations or growth acquisitions, which could compel us to restructure or abandon a particular project. Although we believe that the net proceeds from our founder and from our prior nonpublic offering will be sufficient to allow us to complete our initial operations, in order to complete our drilling obligation on our current lease or to acquire further properties or existing oil and gas companies. If our funds on hand prove to be insufficient, either because of the inability to partner with others for development of our current oil and gas lease, or the depletion of the available cash in search of new projects, we may be required to seek additional financing or to abandon a proposed acquisition. We cannot assure you that such financing will be available on acceptable terms, if at all. To the extent that additional financing proves to be unavailable when needed to complete our initial acquisition, we would be compelled to either restructure the transaction or abandon that particular target and seek an alternative candidate. The failure to secure additional financing could have a material adverse effect on the continued development or growth of our business. None of our officers, directors or stockholders is required to provide any financing to us in connection with or after any business transaction. 6 Our founding stockholders will control the election of our board of directors until consummation of our initial business acquisition and will hold a substantial interest in us. As a result, they will elect all of our directors prior to the consummation of our initial acquisition and may exert a substantial influence on actions requiring a stockholder vote, potentially in a manner that you do not support. Our founding stockholders own approximately 78.7% of our outstanding common stock. In addition, the founder shares, all of which are held by our initial stockholders, will entitle the holders to elect all of our directors prior to the consummation of our initial business acquisition. As a result, other shareholders will not have any influence over the election of directors prior to our initial business acquisition. Provisions in Nevada law may inhibit a takeover of us, which could limit the price investors might be willing to pay in the future for our common stock and could entrench management. Section 78.411 et seq. of the NRS affects the ability of an interested stockholder to engage in certain business combinations, for a period of two years following the time that the stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. We may elect in any future amendments to our articles of incorporation not to be subject these sections. These provisions may limit the ability of third parties to acquire control of our Company. Risks Related to Our Oil and Gas Activities The recent US import ban on energy from Russia which has resulted in increased commodity prices, and a threatened corresponding export ban from Russia, creates uncertainty in the oil and gas markets which may affect the Companys ability to commence operations. On March 8, 2022, in response to Russias invasion of Ukraine, the President signed an executive order banning the import of Russian oil, liquified national gas, and coal to the US. In addition, the executive order mandates that the US will work with its allies to adopt a similar ban. Oil prices spiked to their highest levels since 2008 as a result of the executive order. Russia has threatened to retaliate with an embargo on gas exports, particularly to Europe, and has further demanded payment for gas by customers in Rubles, the Russian currency, rather than in euros or dollars. Historically, oil prices have been volatile, as evidenced most recently by the significant decline in oil and gas prices as a result of global reduction in the consumption of oil and gas products during the initial stages of the pandemic. The current import ban, and any Russian export ban, could result in much higher prices for oil and gas based on increased demand for oil and gas, particularly in the US and Europe. It is impossible to predict the ultimate effect actions to ban oil and gas imports and exports from and to Russia will have on the global economy and commodity prices in general. Uncertainty in the oil and gas markets could have an adverse impact on the proposed business of the Company if investors and others are reluctant to invest in oil and gas projects. Prospects that we decide to drill may not yield oil or natural gas in commercially viable quantities. We have not yet commenced drilling activity on our current oil and gas prospect. For this prospect and any future ones, there is no way to predict in advance of drilling and testing whether any particular prospect will yield oil or natural gas in sufficient quantities to recover drilling or completion costs or to be economically viable. The use of seismic data and other technologies and the study of producing fields in the same area will not enable us to know conclusively prior to drilling whether oil or natural gas will be present or, if present, whether oil or natural gas will be present in commercial quantities. We cannot assure you that the analogies we draw from available data obtained by analyzing other wells, more fully explored prospects or producing fields will be applicable to our drilling prospects. A substantial or extended decline in oil and natural gas prices may adversely affect our proposed business and our future financial condition or results of operations. The price for oil and natural gas production may heavily influence any future our revenue, profitability, access to capital and future rate of growth. Oil and natural gas are commodities and, therefore, their prices are subject to wide fluctuations in response to relatively minor changes in supply and demand. Historically, the markets for oil 7 and natural gas have been volatile. These markets will likely continue to be volatile in the future. The prices at which a company could generate for production, and the levels of such production, depend on numerous factors, many of which would be beyond our control. These factors include, but are not limited to, the following: changes in global supply and demand for oil and natural gas, which has recently been negatively affected by concerns about the impact of COVID-19; delays in equipment and other items based on supply chain slow downs; the actions of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, or OPEC; oil price conflicts between oil producing countries; the price and quantity of imports of foreign oil and natural gas; political conditions, including embargoes, in or affecting other oil-producing activity; the level of global oil and natural gas exploration and production activity; the level of global oil and natural gas inventories; weather conditions; technological advances affecting energy consumption; and the price and availability of alternative fuels. Lower oil and natural gas prices may not only decrease revenues on a per BOE basis but also may reduce the amount of oil and natural gas that could be produced economically. Lower prices also negatively impact the value of proved reserves. The recent drop in the price of oil has forced many companies to re-evaluate their current capital expenditure budgets and make changes accordingly that may be in the best interest of their company and its stockholders. A substantial or extended decline in oil or natural gas prices may materially and adversely affect our future business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity or ability to finance capital expenditures. Drilling for and producing oil and natural gas are high risk activities with many uncertainties that could adversely affect any future business venture we seek. Our future success may in part depend on the success of any exploitation, exploration, development and production activities in which we may engage. Oil and natural gas exploration and production activities are subject to numerous risks beyond our control, including the risk that drilling will not result in commercially viable oil or natural gas production. For example, on January 20, 2021, the Biden Administration placed a 60-day moratorium on new oil and gas leasing and drilling permits on federal land, and on January 27, 2021, the Department of Interior acting pursuant to an Executive Order from President Biden suspended the federal oil and gas leasing program indefinitely. These actions or other future executive actions could have a material adverse effect on potential future activities in this industry. Any decisions to purchase, explore, develop or otherwise exploit prospects or properties will depend in part on the evaluation of data obtained through geophysical and geological analyses, production data and engineering studies, the results of which are often inconclusive or subject to varying interpretations. The cost of drilling, completing and operating wells is often uncertain before drilling commences. Overruns in budgeted expenditures are common risks that can make a particular project uneconomical. Further, many factors may curtail, delay or cancel drilling, including the following: delays imposed by or resulting from compliance with regulatory requirements; pressure or irregularities in geological formations; shortages of or delays in obtaining equipment and qualified personnel; equipment failures or accidents; adverse weather conditions; reductions in oil and natural gas prices; title problems; and limitations in the market for oil and natural gas. 8 We may incur substantial losses and be subject to substantial liability claims as a result of any oil and natural gas operations. It may not be possible to insure against all risks. Losses and liabilities arising from uninsured and underinsured events could materially and adversely affect any future business opportunities. Oil and natural gas exploration and production activities are subject to all of the operating risks associated with drilling for and producing oil and natural gas, including the possibility of: environmental hazards, such as uncontrollable flows of oil, natural gas, brine, well fluids, toxic gas or other pollution into the environment, including groundwater and shoreline contamination; abnormally pressured formations; mechanical difficulties, such as stuck oil field drilling and service tools and casing collapse; fires and explosions; personal injuries and death; and natural disasters. Any of these risks could adversely affect our ability to conduct future operations or result in substantial losses. We may elect not to obtain insurance if we believe that the cost of available insurance is excessive relative to the risks presented. In addition, pollution and environmental risks generally are not fully insurable. If a significant accident or other event occurs and is not fully covered by insurance, then it could materially and adversely affect. Competition is intense in the oil and natural gas industry. We intend to operate in a highly competitive environment for acquiring oil and gas companies, projects, or properties and marketing oil and natural gas. Competitors include multinational oil and natural gas companies, major oil and natural gas companies, independent oil and natural gas companies, individual producers, financial buyers as well as participants in other industries that supply energy and fuel to consumers. Many competitors have greater and more diverse resources than we will have. Additionally, competition for acquisitions may significantly increase the cost of available properties. We may compete for the personnel and equipment required to explore, develop and operate properties. Competitors also may have established long-term strategic positions and relationships in areas in which we may seek to enter. Consequently, competitors may be able to address these competitive factors more effectively than we could. If access to markets were restricted, it could negatively impact a companys production, income and ability to retain leases. Market conditions or the unavailability of satisfactory oil and natural gas transportation arrangements hinders companies access to oil and natural gas markets or delays production. The availability of a ready market for oil and natural gas production depends on a number of factors, including the demand for and supply of oil and natural gas and the proximity of reserves to pipelines and terminal facilities. A companys ability to market its production depends in substantial part on the availability and capacity of gathering systems, pipelines and processing facilities owned and operated by third parties. Its failure to obtain such services on acceptable terms could materially harm its business. We may be adversely affected by natural disasters, pandemics (including the recent coronavirus outbreak) and other catastrophic events, and by man-made problems such as terrorism, that could disrupt our business operations. Natural disasters, adverse weather conditions, floods, pandemics (including the recent coronavirus outbreak), acts of terrorism and other catastrophic or geo-political events may cause damage or disruption to our operations and the global economy, or could result in market disruption, any of which could have an adverse effect on our business, operating results, and financial condition. 9 The ongoing coronavirus outbreak has impacted various businesses throughout the world, including an impact on the global demand for oil and natural gas, travel restrictions and the extended shutdown of certain businesses in impacted geographic regions. If the coronavirus outbreak situation should worsen, it could have a material adverse impact on our business operations, operating results and financial condition. Extreme weather conditions, which could become more frequent or severe due to climate change, could adversely affect our ability to conduct drilling, completion and production activities in the areas where we operate. Any future exploitation and development activities and equipment could be adversely affected by extreme weather conditions, such as hurricanes or freezing temperatures, which may cause a loss of production from temporary cessation of activity from regional power outages or lost or damaged facilities and equipment. Such extreme weather conditions could also impact access to our drilling and production facilities for routine operations, maintenance and repairs and the availability of and our access to, necessary third-party services, such as gathering, processing, compression and transportation services. These constraints and the resulting shortages or high costs could delay or temporarily halt our operations and materially increase our operation and capital costs, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Risks Relating to Legal and Regulatory Matters Legislative and regulatory initiatives related to global warming and climate change could have an adverse effect on our operations and the demand for oil and natural gas. The U.S. Congress and the EPA, in addition to some state and regional authorities, have in recent years considered legislation or regulations to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, or GHGs. These efforts have included consideration of cap-and-trade programs, carbon taxes or fees, GHG reporting and tracking programs, and regulations that directly limit GHG emissions from certain sources. In the absence of federal GHG-limiting legislation, the EPA has determined that GHG emissions present a danger to public health and the environment and has adopted regulations that, among other things, restrict emissions of GHGs under existing provisions of the U.S. CAA. For example, the EPA has adopted and implemented regulations under existing provisions of the CAA that, among other things, establish permitting requirements for GHG, require that certain facilities meet best available control technology standards, and mandate annual reporting of GHG emissions. The EPA also sought to address climate change through its GHG NSPS regulations, which the current administration intends to review, pursuant to the Executive Order on Protecting Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science to Tackle the Climate Crisis. Many state governments have established rules aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, including greenhouse gas cap and trade programs. Most of these cap-and-trade programs work by requiring major sources of emissions to acquire and surrender emission allowances. It is difficult to predict the timing and certainty of such government actions and their ultimate effect, which could depend on, among other things, the type and extent of greenhouse gas reductions required, the availability and price of emissions allowances or credits, the availability and price of alternative fuel sources, the energy sectors covered, and the ability to recover the costs incurred through our operating agreements or the pricing of oil, natural gas, and other products. On an international level, the United States is one of almost 200 nations that agreed in December 2015 to the Paris Agreement. However, the Paris Agreement does not impose any binding obligations on the United States. In June 2017, President Trump announced that the United States would withdraw from the Paris Agreement, which became effective November 4, 2020. On February 19, 2021, the United States rejoined the Paris Agreement. Further, several states and local governments remain committed to the principles of the Paris Agreement in their effectuation of policy and regulations. 10 Oil and gas companies are subject to complex laws that can affect the cost, manner or feasibility of doing business. Exploration, development, production and sale of oil and natural gas are subject to extensive federal, state, local and international regulation. It is not possible to predict how or when regulations affecting operations might change. The Biden Administrations January 20, 2021 issuance of a 60-day moratorium on new oil and gas leasing and drilling permits on federal land, and the related January 27, 2021 Executive Order suspending the federal oil and gas leasing program are examples of the uncertainties oil and gas companies and the industry face with respect to regulation at the federal level. Similarly, at the state level, New Mexicos consideration of legislation to prohibit certain uses of freshwater in fracking operations, implement new disclosure requirements, and increase penalties may affect the cost and feasibility of a companys business. It could be required to make large expenditures to comply with governmental regulations. Other matters subject to regulation include: discharge permits for drilling operations; drilling bonds; reports concerning operations; the spacing of wells; unitization and pooling of properties; and taxation. Under these laws, a company could be liable for personal injuries, property damage and other damages. Failure to comply with these laws also may result in the suspension or termination of its operations and subject it to administrative, civil and criminal penalties. Moreover, these laws could change in ways that substantially increase a companys costs. Any such liabilities, penalties, suspensions, terminations or regulatory changes could materially adversely affect the companys financial condition and results of operations. Oil and gas operations may incur substantial liabilities to comply with the environmental laws and regulations. Oil and natural gas operations are subject to stringent federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the release or disposal of materials into the environment or otherwise relating to environmental protection. These laws and regulations may require the acquisition of a permit before drilling commences, restrict the types, quantities and concentration of substances that can be released into the environment in connection with drilling and production activities, limit or prohibit drilling activities on certain lands lying within wilderness, wetlands and other protected areas, and impose substantial liabilities for pollution resulting from our operations. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations may result in the assessment of administrative, civil and criminal penalties, incurrence of investigatory or remedial obligations or the imposition of injunctive relief. Changes in environmental laws and regulations occur frequently, and any changes that result in more stringent or costly waste handling, storage, transport, disposal or cleanup requirements could require a company to make significant expenditures to maintain compliance and may otherwise have a material adverse effect on its results of operations, competitive position or financial condition as well as the industry in general. Under these environmental laws and regulations, a company could be held strictly liable for the removal or remediation of previously released materials or property contamination regardless of whether it was responsible for the release or if its operations were standard in the industry at the time they were performed. The amount of additional future costs would not be fully determinable due to such factors as the unknown magnitude of possible contamination, the unknown timing and extent of the corrective actions or compliance efforts that may be required, the determination of the companys liability in proportion to other responsible parties, and the extent to which such costs are recoverable from third parties. Our proposed operations are subject to a series of risks arising out of the threat of climate change that could result in increased operating costs, limit the areas in which we may conduct oil and natural gas exploration and production activities, and reduce demand for the oil and natural gas we produce. In the United States, no comprehensive climate change legislation has been implemented at the federal level. Nevertheless, a number of regulations have been adopted and proposed which could result in significant changes to the oil and gas industry. For example, the release of methane into the environment is now strongly regulated and may require the dedication of additional funds for compliance. The adoption and implementation of new or more stringent international, federal or state legislation, regulations or other regulatory initiatives that impose more stringent standards for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the oil and natural gas sector or otherwise restrict the areas in which this sector may produce oil and natural gas or generate GHG emissions could result in increased costs of compliance or costs of consuming, and thereby reduce demand for, oil and natural gas. Additionally, political, 11 litigation and financial risks may result in us restricting or cancelling production activities, incurring liability for infrastructure damages as a result of climatic changes, or having an impaired ability to continue to operate in an economic manner. One or more of these developments could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Further, the effects of climate change, such are more frequent and severe climate events could adversely affect our ability to produce, transport, or market any oil and gas we produce. Risks Related to our Common Stock Purchasers of the Shares may have difficulty trading and obtaining quotations for our Common Stock. Our common stock may not be actively traded, and the bid and asked prices for our common stock may fluctuate widely. This would have the effect of severely limiting the liquidity of our common stock and would likely reduce the market price of our common stock and hamper our ability to raise additional capital. We have not paid cash dividends since inception and do not expect to pay dividends in the foreseeable future. Any return on investment may be limited to the value of our common stock. We have never paid cash dividends on our common stock and do not anticipate doing so in the foreseeable future. The payment of dividends on our common stock will depend on earnings, financial condition and other business and economic factors affecting us at such time as our board of directors may consider relevant. If we do not pay dividends, our common stock may be less valuable because a return on your investment will only occur if our stock price appreciates. We are an emerging growth company, and will be able take advantage of reduced disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies, which could make our common stock less attractive to investors. We are an emerging growth company, as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or JOBS Act, and, for as long as we continue to be an emerging growth company, we intend to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements applicable to other public companies but not to emerging growth companies, including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. We could be an emerging growth company for up to five years, or until the earliest of (i) the last day of the first fiscal year in which our annual gross revenues exceed $1.07 billion, (ii) the date that we become a large accelerated filer as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act, which would occur if the market value of our common stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter, or (iii) the date on which we have issued more than $1 billion in non-convertible debt during the preceding three year period. As an emerging growth company, our financial statements may not be comparable to those of other companies because of the reduced reporting requirements of an emerging growth company. Further, we cannot predict if investors will find our common stock less attractive if we choose to rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our common stock less attractive as a result of any choices to reduce future disclosure, there may be a less active trading market for our common stock and our stock price may be more volatile. We may authorize and issue shares of preferred stock to acquire an oil and gas property or company or shares of our common stock under an employee incentive plan after completion of an acquisition of such a company. Any such issuances would dilute the interest of our stockholders and likely present other risks. Although our articles of incorporation do not authorize any preferred shares, they could easily be amended to do so with board consent and majority shareholder approval by the founders. We would also likely issue a substantial number of shares of Common Stock, and may issue shares of preferred stock, in order to complete our 12 initial acquisition or under an employee incentive plan after completion of our initial business combination. The issuance of additional shares of common or preferred stock: may significantly dilute the equity interest of current shareholders; may subordinate the rights of holders of common stock if preferred stock is issued with rights senior to those afforded the holders of our common stock; could cause a change in control if a substantial number of shares of common stock are issued, which may affect, among other things, our ability to use our net operating loss carry forwards, if any, and could result in the resignation or removal of our present officers and directors; and may adversely affect prevailing market prices for our common stock. CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS Some of the statements contained in this prospectus may constitute forward-looking statements for purposes of the federal securities laws. Our forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our or our management teams expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions, or strategies regarding the future. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. The words anticipate, believe, continue, could, estimate, expect, intends, may, might, plan, possible, potential, predict, project, should, would and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements in this prospectus may include, for example, statements about: our ability to select appropriate oil and gas companies, project, or property; our expectations around the performance of a prospective target company, project, or property; our potential ability to obtain additional financing to complete fund our oil and gas projects; our pool of prospective target oil and gas companies, projects, or properties; our ability to consummate acquisitions due to the uncertainty resulting from the recent COVID-19 pandemic; the ability of our officers and directors to generate a number of potential target opportunities; our public securities potential liquidity and trading; changes in the oil and gas industry; regulatory developments; or Factors affecting the economy or otherwise caused by war, terrorist attacks, severe weather conditions, climate change, supply chain delays, pandemic or other public health conditions, or similar events. The forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus are based on our current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on us. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting us will be those that we have anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those factors described under the heading Risk Factors. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. 13 USE OF PROCEEDS We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the Shares by the Selling Stockholders. All of the costs of this offering will be borne by the Company, except for selling commissions or other costs associated with the sale of the Shares by the Selling Stockholder, or costs incurred for legal counsel retained by the Selling Stockholder. MARKET FOR OUR COMMON STOCK Market Information On February 23, 2023, trading was initiated on the Companys common stock through its listing on the OTCQB. Our Trading Symbol is CRCE Holders At the date of this prospectus, we had approximately 75 record holders of our Common Stock. We have appointed Colonial Stock Transfer Company, Salt Lake City, Utah, to act as the transfer agent of our Common Stock. 14 MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and related notes thereto contained in this prospectus. Overview We were incorporated on December 7, 2021, as a Nevada company for the purpose of acting as an independent exploration and production company to engage in oil and natural gas development, production, acquisition, and exploration activities currently focused in Texas. We have acquired a 75% working interest in an 80-acre oil and gas lease located in Andrews County, Texas, and have entered into a joint venture agreement to explore the area of mutual interest surrounding the current lease for further acquisitions and development. Results of Operations and Known Trends or Future Events We are in our startup phase of operations and have not generated any revenues to date. Activities since inception include corporate organizational activities, our recently completed private offering, those activities necessary to prepare for the registration of shares for the Selling Stockholders, acquisition of our first oil and gas lease interest, and arrangements to expand operations in the current area of interest through a joint venture with a third party. We have incurred operating expenses related to legal and accounting services, and oil and gas lease acquisition costs. We expect to incur expenses to develop the oil and gas lease and anticipate increased expenses as a result of being a public company (for legal, financial reporting, accounting, and auditing compliance), as well as for due diligence expenses related to future oil and gas business growth. We expect our expenses to increase substantially as a result. Year Ended December 31, 2022 Compared to the partial Year Ended December 31, 2021 Sales, production costs and production taxes. The Company does not currently have any producing wells and thus has no production, sales, production costs or production taxes nor has it ever had any to date. Depreciation, depletion and amortization. We have no production and our current oil and gas properties thus are not yet subject to amortization. Further, we have no depreciable assets. General and administrative expenses. General and administrative expenses were $63,095 for year ended 2022, as compared to $3,226 for the partial year ended December 31, 2021, which included $3,000 in formation related expenses. The increase is related to costs incurred in 2022 towards listing the common stock of the Company on OTC Markets. Net loss. The Company had net loss of $63,095 for year ended 2022, as compared to $3,226 for the partial year ended December 31, 2021, which included $3,000 in formation related expenses. This increase in loss was the result of incurring costs in 2022 towards listing the common stock of the Company on OTC Markets. Liquidity and Capital Resources Financing of Operations. Our source of cash in 2022 was from a private placement offering of our common stock and in 2021 was from this issuance of founders shares. These funds, along with funds from the issuance of founders shares, were used to fund our operations during 2022. Those operations consisted of acquiring our initial acreage position and costs incurred towards listing the common stock of the Company on OTC Markets. Equity Offering. During 2022, the Company issued 330,000 shares of common stock in a private placement offering. The shares were subsequently registered via a Form S-1 filing. Gross proceeds from this offering were $264,000. Cash Flows. During 2022 and 2021, we had cash inflow from issuance of common stock of $209,413 and $237,650, respectively. During 2022, we expended $34,500 in capital expenditures, to acquire our initial property. We used in cash operating activity of $76,672 during the year ended December 31, 2022 and $2,650 for the partial year ended December 31, 2021. 15 As of December 31, 2022, we had cash on hand of $336,241 and working capital of $346,242, as compared to cash on hand of $235,000 and working capital of $234,424 as of December 31, 2021. Contractual Obligations. The Company has a short term lease for executive office-sharing space in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Management believes it has on hand sufficient cash resources to meet its material cash requirements for the next 12 months but will require further funding or other arrangements to commence extensive drilling operations or acquire further oil and gas interests. As discussed further below, management believes that through its resources and relationships, appropriate arrangements for required funding can be reasonably obtained. We have no capital commitments for expenditures, other than those existing under our current oil and gas lease. We anticipate primarily utilizing these funds to increase our acreage position adjacent to our initial acreage position. Any remaining funds would be used to cover the initial costs of drilling wells on the Companys existing lease, to seek drilling partners for the costs of the wells, and to secure additional oil and gas properties. Under our current oil and gas lease, we are required to drill two wells on the property within three years from the lease date. If we fail to commence, drill or develop one or both of the wells within the three-year period, the undrilled tract or tracts will automatically revert to the lessor. Before commencing development activity, management first intends to increase our acreage position adjacent to our initial acreage position. Once this process is complete, we can determine how best to proceed, particularly as it relates to whether we would drill vertically or horizontally. The amount and configuration of the acreage will determine whether to implement vertical or horizontal drilling. If the Company is not successful in adding additional acreage, we would proceed with developing our initial acreage, beginning with the drilling of the two vertical wells as required by the current oil and gas lease. Each of these wells would cost approximately $750,000 to drill and complete. To fund this drilling, the Company would likely enter into agreements with industry partners who would provide funding in return for a portion of the working interest in the wells. Management has not yet entered into any agreements but has had extended conversations with those industry partners regarding potential participation in the drilling. These discussions have concluded with positive indications that they would wish to participate and so the required funding would be available. In the alternative, management may seek funding through the sale of equity in the Company after the Common Stock commences trading. On February 23, 2023, trading was initiated on the Companys common stock through its listing on the OTCQB. 16 PROPOSED BUSINESS We are a recently incorporated Nevada corporation formed for the purpose of acquiring and developing oil and gas prospects, primarily in the state of Texas and surrounding states. We anticipate acquiring these properties either directly from the owners or through one or more acquisitions of smaller oil and gas companies with existing oil and gas assets and established management teams. We have acquired an interest in our first oil and gas lease and have entered into an arrangement to develop an area of mutual interest in the same area. Management has also had ongoing preliminary discussions with multiple potential sellers and management teams as well as with contacts within the banking community to further develop the companys ongoing business. Through managements prior relationships, we acquired our first prospect and have identified a selection of additional potential acquisition targets. Further, the Company has filed with the Texas Railroad Commission to be established as an operator of oil and gas properties in Texas. In addition, Mr. Rochford, one of our founders, paid $240,000 for his founders shares in the Company, and in March 2022, we completed a non-public offering of our common stock in which we raised gross proceeds of $264,000, all of which we intend to be used for general operating expenses, for our current project, and to search for additional suitable oil and gas properties or projects. C. W. Logsdon Lease Under the terms of a Farmout Agreement and Conditional Lease Assignment dated May 16, 2022, we have acquired a 75% working interest, and 55.5% net revenue interest, in the C. W. Logsdon Lease, an 80-acre tract located in Andrews County, Texas. We acquired the interest from Aspen Energy Partners, LTD., a Florida limited partnership which holds the remaining 25% working interest. Under the lease agreement, we are required to drill at least two wells, one on each 40-acre farmout tract, within three years or the rights under the lease to any undrilled tract or tracts will automatically revert to Aspen. There are currently two plugged but no producing wells on the lease. These two wells were drilled on 40-acre spacing, produced from the Clear Fork and were economical. There are additional wells on surrounding acreage that have produced marketable quantities of oil and gas. The initial intent is to drill two new Clear Fork wells based on 20-acre spacing. Management believes there is potential for further downspacing to 10-acre spacing, depending on oil and gas prices, development cost and completion results of the 20-acre development. Management also believes there is potential for San Andres development with possible 10-acre spacing, again depending on oil and gas prices, development costs and completion results. We have also entered into a joint venture agreement with Aspen to mutually develop an area of mutual interest near the current lease. This area of mutual interest consists of approximately 880 acres including and adjoining the acquired acreage. If we are successful in acquiring additional acreage, we would jointly own mineral rights in the same percentage of ownership with Aspen as the current lease (75% Circle, 25% Aspen). The parties intend that the joint venture would use AAPL 610-19819 or AAPL 610-2015 or similar operating agreement to structure the joint venture. The liabilities of the parties would be severed and not joint, and each party would be responsible only for its share of the costs and liabilities incurred under the operating agreement. Aspen is a ten-year-old oil and gas exploration company with the majority of its projects located in Texas. During its operating history, Aspen has owned over 70 oil and gas producing wells. Management intends to lease additional acreage within the area of mutual interest. Towards this end, we have engaged a petroleum engineer to prioritize the acreage for leasing. We then intend to engage a landman to commence our leasing efforts. Once we have identified and acquired the specific acreage for development and evaluated our best options to develop it, we will be able to determine whether to utilize vertical or horizontal drilling. This will be determined based on the amount and configuration of any additional acquired acreage. 17 If we are unsuccessful in adding additional acreage, we intend to commence development or our existing property via vertical drilling, beginning with the two wells required under our current lease. We estimate that drilling and completing these wells would cost approximately $750,000 per well. If the results of the initial well are successful, we would commence drilling of the second well at a similar cost and timeframe. We intend to seek joint venture opportunities to fund the drilling of these wells. We anticipate that any wells drilled on the existing lease would produce primarily oil. Business Strategy Our strategy is to leverage the strategic and transactional experience of our founders to bring advice and attention to potential future oil and gas projects or properties. Our selection process will leverage our founders and our joint venture partners networks of industry relationships as well as relationships with management teams of public and private companies, attorneys and accountants, which we believe should provide us with a number of oil and gas target acquisitions. Based upon the past experience of management, we anticipate that the initial properties added to the current project would be located in or around Andrews County, Texas, where Mr. Rochford operated hundreds of wells and successfully drilled both vertical and horizontal wells while in management of Arena Resources, Inc. (Arena) and Ring Energy, Inc. (Ring). Our management team has experience in: Sourcing, structuring, acquiring and selling businesses, most recently with Arena and Ring. Fostering relationships with sellers, capital providers and target management teams. Negotiating transactions favorable to investors, including multiple significant acquisitions for both Arena and Ring that were accretive to investors and mergers or transitions that created value for investors. Among the acquisitions with Arena were the East Hobbs acquisition in May 2004 with a purchase price of approximately $10 million resulting in an increase in the Standardized Measure of Discounted Future Net Cash Flows of the company of approximately $47.9 million at the time of acquisition and the Fuhrman Mascho acquisition with an aggregate purchase price of approximately $11 million resulting in an increased in the Standardized Measure of Discounted Future Net Cash Flows of the company of approximately $66.8 million at the time of acquisition. With Ring, the company completed the Wishbone acquisition in April 2019 for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $292.5 million resulting in an increase in the Standard Measure of Discounted Future Net Cash Flows of the company of approximately $487.5 million. All of these acquisitions became keystone properties for their given companies and had extensive upside and, through development, provided even greater return to investors when compared with the acquisition cost. Additionally, under Mr. Rochfords guidance, Arena was merged with a NYSE listed company (Sandridge Energy, Inc.) with overwhelming shareholder approval of the transaction, and Ring completed a transition to new management, which was a factor in shareholder value for Ring investors to more than double since the transition occurred. Executing transactions in multiple geographies and under varying economic and financial market conditions. Arena acquired oil and gas properties throughout Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas and New Mexico, with varying zones of production, depths and methods of development (i.e., drilling or injection) between 2000 and 2008 and completed a merger in 2010. Over that time oil prices ranged from less than $20 to in excess of $100. Similarly, Ring completed acquisitions of oil and gas properties or projects under Mr. Rochfords guidance throughout Kansas, Texas and New Mexico between 2012 and 2020, also experiencing great volatility and guiding the Company through the turmoil created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Accessing the capital markets, including financing businesses and helping companies transition to public ownership. Mr. Rochford led Arena through the IPO process and multiple private and public equity transactions between 2000 and 2008 aggregating in excess of $290 million raised as well as establishing revolving lines of credit which eventually had achieved a borrowing base of $150 million, though utilization peaked at $36.5 million. Additionally, through a reverse merger Mr. Rochford brought private assets to public ownership with Ring. Following the reverse merger, as with Arena, Mr. Rochford led Ring to access the capital markets through both private and public equity transactions, aggregating in 18 excess of $465 million and established revolving lines of credit that at one point achieved a borrowing base of $425 million and was utilized for as much as $366.5 million. Operating companies, setting and changing strategies, and identifying, monitoring and recruiting world-class talent. Both Arena and Ring focused on operating oil and gas properties in which they owned interests, so that the companies could control the operation of the properties, particularly operating costs and development expenditures. This control allowed the companies to adjust strategies, particularly in relation to development, as best suited a given economic or financial circumstance. The primary volatility which required adjustment was commodity price, and control of the operations allowed the companies to increase or decrease development activity based on changes in commodity prices. Additionally, under Mr. Rochfords leadership, at a time when engaging drilling rigs was exceptionally costly and at times difficult to engage, Arena acquired its own drilling rigs in order to allow it to maintain its drilling activity. Acquiring and integrating companies. Both Arena and Ring completed numerous acquisitions, some being individual assets, some the entirety of assets from a given entity, and some the entities themselves. Regardless of the form of the acquisition, the management team successfully integrated the assets and/or companies. Developing and growing companies, both organically and through acquisitions and strategic transactions. As noted above, the management team has led previous companies through a multitude of transactions, allowing for the continued growth of their companies. All the acquisitions have been targeted not just for their production, but also for the potential for further development allowing for further growth. We intend to focus on oil and gas companies, projects, properties, and related assets, with extensive production histories and limited geologic risk. Our executive team has extensive experience in assessing acquisition targets and a proven ability to evaluate resource plays. We intend to continue to pursue strategic acquisitions that meet our operational and financial targets. To the extent possible, we intend to acquire producing properties and/or developed undrilled properties rather than exploratory properties. We do not intend to limit our evaluation to any one state. Acquisition Criteria Consistent with our business strategy, we intend to continue our acquisition of oil and gas properties or companies owning such properties. In evaluating a prospective target property or business, we expect to conduct an extensive due diligence review which may encompass, as applicable and among other things, meetings with property owners, incumbent management and employees, document reviews, interviews of customers and suppliers, inspection of facilities and a review of financial and other information about the target property or company. We will also utilize our management teams operational and development planning experience. If we determine to move forward with a particular target, we will proceed to structure and negotiate the terms of the acquisition transaction. We may seek partners in the industry to help fund the cost of drilling and development of our existing and future oil and gas projects. We may also need to obtain additional financing to complete our initial business combination because the transaction requires more cash than is available from the proceeds held in our company bank account, in which case we may issue additional securities or incur debt in connection with such acquisition. We will also attempt to fund acquisitions of oil and gas properties or projects using our equity securities. Management believes that having its common stock quoted on OTCQB would provide equity currency which could be used in this process. There are no prohibitions on our ability to issue securities or incur debt in connection with our oil and gas acquisitions or operations. We are not currently a party to any arrangement or understanding with any third party with respect to raising any additional funds through the sale of securities, the incurrence of debt or otherwise. Competition We operate in a highly competitive environment for acquiring properties, marketing oil and natural gas and securing trained personnel. Most of our competitors possess and employ financial resources substantially greater than ours and some of our competitors employ more technical personnel. These factors can be particularly important in the areas in which we operate. Those companies may be able to pay more for productive oil and natural gas properties and exploratory prospects, and to evaluate, bid for, and purchase a greater number of properties and prospects than 19 what our financial or technical resources permit. Our ability to acquire additional properties and to find and develop reserves in the future will depend on our ability to identify, evaluate and select suitable properties and to consummate transactions in a highly competitive environment. Government Regulations Oil and natural gas operations are subject to various types of legislation, regulation and other legal requirements enacted by governmental authorities. This legislation and regulation affecting the oil and natural gas industry is under constant review for amendment or expansion. Some of these requirements carry substantial penalties for failure to comply. The regulatory burden on the oil and natural gas industry increases our cost of doing business and, consequently, could affect our future profitability. Regulation of Drilling and Production The production of oil and natural gas is subject to regulation under a wide range of local, state and federal statutes, rules, orders and regulations. Federal, state and local statutes and regulations require permits for drilling operations, drilling bonds and reports concerning operations. The trend in oil and natural gas regulation has been to increase regulatory restrictions and limitations on such activities. Any changes in, or more stringent enforcement of, these laws and regulations may result in delays or restrictions in permitting or development of projects or more stringent or costly construction, drilling, water management or completion activities or waste handling, storage, transport, remediation, or disposal emission or discharge requirements which could have a material adverse effect on the Company. For example, in January 2021, President Biden signed an Executive Order directing the Department of Interior (the DOI) to temporarily pause new oil and gas leases on federal lands and waters pending completion of a comprehensive review of the federal governments existing oil and gas leasing and permitting program. In June 2021, a federal district court enjoined the DOI from implementing the pause and leasing resumed, although litigation over the leasing pause remains ongoing. In February 2022, another judge ruled that the Biden Administrations efforts to raise the cost of climate change in its environmental assessments, would increase energy costs and damage state revenues from energy production. This ruling has cause federal agencies to delay issuing new oil and gas leases and permits on federal lands and waters. The Biden Administration has also announced that it intends to review the Trump Administrations 2017 repeal of the 2015 rule regulating hydraulic fracturing activities in federal land under the Presidential Executive Order on Protecting Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science to Tackle the Climate Crisis. While our existing lease is not located on federal lands, these regulatory actions could have a material adverse effect on our industry and the Company should we acquire federal leases. Our initial property and area of interest is located in Texas, which also has regulations governing conservation matters, such as the unitization or pooling of oil and natural gas properties, the establishment of maximum allowable rates of production from oil and natural gas wells, the regulation of well spacing, and plugging and abandonment of wells. The effect of these regulations is to limit the amount of oil and natural gas that we can produce from our wells and to limit the number of wells or the locations at which we can drill, although we can apply for exceptions to such regulations or request reductions in well spacing. Moreover, Texas imposes a production or severance tax with respect to the production and sale of oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids within their jurisdictions. The failure to comply with these rules and regulations could result in substantial penalties and could have a material adverse effect on any future revenue generated from our initial or future properties. Regulation of Transportation of Oil Sales of crude oil, condensate and natural gas liquids are not currently regulated and are made at negotiated prices, however, Congress could reenact price controls in the future. Our sales of crude oil are affected by the availability, terms and cost of transportation. The transportation of oil in common carrier pipelines is also subject to rate regulation. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or the FERC, regulates interstate oil pipeline transportation rates under the Interstate Commerce Act. Intrastate oil pipeline transportation rates are subject to regulation by state regulatory commissions. The basis for intrastate oil pipeline regulation, and the degree of regulatory oversight and scrutiny given to intrastate oil pipeline rates, varies from state to state. Insofar as effective interstate and intrastate rates are equally applicable to all comparable shippers, we believe that the regulation of oil transportation rates will not affect our operations in any way that is of material difference 20 from those of our competitors. Further, interstate and intrastate common carrier oil pipelines must provide service on a non-discriminatory basis. Under this open access standard, common carriers must offer service to all shippers requesting service on the same terms and under the same rates. When oil pipelines operate at full capacity, access is governed by pro-rationing provisions set forth in the pipelines published tariffs. Accordingly, we believe that access to oil pipeline transportation services generally will be available to us to the same extent as to our competitors. Regulation of Transportation and Sale of Natural Gas Historically, the transportation and sale for resale of natural gas in interstate commerce have been regulated pursuant to the Natural Gas Act of 1938, the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 and regulations issued under those Acts by the FERC. In the past, the federal government has regulated the prices at which natural gas could be sold. While sales by producers of natural gas can currently be made at uncontrolled market prices, Congress could reenact price controls in the future. Since 1985, the FERC has endeavored to make natural gas transportation more accessible to natural gas buyers and sellers on an open and non-discriminatory basis. The FERC has stated that open access policies are necessary to improve the competitive structure of the interstate natural gas pipeline industry and to create a regulatory framework that will put natural gas sellers into more direct contractual relations with natural gas buyers by, among other things, unbundling the sale of natural gas from the sale of transportation and storage services. Although the FERCs orders do not directly regulate natural gas producers, they are intended to foster increased competition within all phases of the natural gas industry. We cannot accurately predict whether the FERCs actions will achieve the goal of increasing competition in markets in which our natural gas is sold. Therefore, we cannot provide any assurance that the less stringent regulatory approach established by the FERC will continue. However, we do not believe that any action taken will affect us in a way that materially differs from the way it affects other natural gas producers. Intrastate natural gas transportation is subject to regulation by state regulatory agencies. The basis for intrastate regulation of natural gas transportation and the degree of regulatory oversight and scrutiny given to intrastate natural gas pipeline rates and services varies from state to state. Insofar as such regulation within a particular state will generally affect all intrastate natural gas shippers within the state on a comparable basis, we believe that the regulation of similarly situated intrastate natural gas transportation in any states in which we operate and ship natural gas on an intrastate basis will not affect our operations in any way that is of material difference from those of our competitors. Environmental Compliance and Risks Our proposed oil and natural gas exploration, development and production operations are subject to stringent federal, state and local laws and regulations governing the discharge of materials into the environment or otherwise relating to environmental protection. At the federal level, among the more significant laws that may affect our business and the oil and natural gas industry generally are: the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA); the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA); the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA); the Clean Air Act (CAA); Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972, or the Clean Water Act (CWA); and the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 (SWDA). These federal laws are administered by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Generally, these laws (i) regulate air and water quality, impose limitations on the discharge of pollutants and establish standards for the handling of solid and hazardous wastes; (ii) subject our operations to certain permitting and registration requirements; (iii) require remedial measures to mitigate pollution from former or ongoing operations; and (iv) may result in the assessment of administrative, civil and criminal penalties for failure to comply with such laws. In addition, there is environmental regulation of oil and gas production by state and local governments in Texas. As described below, there are various regulations issued by the EPA and other governmental agencies pursuant to these federal statutes that govern our proposed operations. In Texas, specific oil and natural gas regulations apply to oil and gas operations, including the drilling, completion and operations of wells, and the disposal of waste oil and saltwater. There are also procedures incident to the plugging and abandonment of dry holes or other non-operational wells, all as governed by the applicable governing state agency. 21 At the federal level, among the more significant laws and regulations that may affect our business and the oil and natural gas industry are: Hazardous Substances and Wastes CERCLA, also known as the Superfund law, and analogous state laws impose liability on certain classes of persons, known as potentially responsible parties, for the disposal or release of a regulated hazardous substance into the environment. These potentially responsible parties include (1) the current owners and operators of a facility, (2) the past owners and operators of a facility at the time the disposal or release of a hazardous substance occurred, (3) parties that arranged for the offsite disposal or treatment of a hazardous substance, and (4) transporters of hazardous substances to off-site disposal or treatment facilities. While petroleum and natural gas liquids are not designated as a hazardous substance under CERCLA, other chemicals used in or generated by our operations may be regulated as hazardous substances. Potentially responsible parties under CERCLA may be subject to strict, joint and several liability for the costs of investigating and cleaning up environmental contamination, for damages to natural resources and for the costs of certain health studies. In addition to statutory liability under CERCLA, common law claims for personal injury or property damage can also be brought by neighboring landowners and other third parties related to contaminated sites. RCRA, and comparable state statutes and their implementing regulations, regulate the generation, transportation, treatment, storage, disposal and cleanup of solid and hazardous wastes. Under a delegation of authority from the EPA, most states administer some or all of the provisions of RCRA, sometimes in conjunction with their own, more stringent requirements. Federal and state regulatory agencies can seek to impose administrative, civil and criminal penalties for alleged non-compliance with RCRA and analogous state requirements. Certain wastes associated with the production of oil and natural gas, as well as certain types of petroleum-contaminated media and debris, are excluded from regulation as hazardous waste under Subtitle C of RCRA. These wastes, instead, are regulated as solid waste (i.e., non-hazardous waste) under the less stringent provisions of Subtitle D of RCRA. It is possible, however, that certain wastes now classified as non-hazardous could be classified as hazardous wastes in the future and therefore be subject to more rigorous and costly disposal requirements. Legislation has been proposed from time to time in Congress to regulate certain oil and natural gas wastes as hazardous waste under RCRA. Any such change could result in an increase in our costs to manage and dispose of wastes, which could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations and financial position. Under CERCLA, RCRA and analogous state laws, we could be required to remove or remediate environmental impacts on properties we currently own and lease or formerly owned or leased (including hazardous substances or wastes disposed of or released by prior owners or operators), to clean up contaminated off-site disposal facilities where our wastes have come to be located or to implement remedial measures to prevent or mitigate future contamination. Compliance with these laws may constitute a significant cost and effort for us. No specific accounting for environmental compliance has been maintained or projected by us at this time. We are not presently aware of any environmental demands, claims, or adverse actions, litigation or administrative proceedings in which either we or our acquired properties are involved in or subject to, or arising out of any predecessor operations. Air Emissions Our operations are subject to the federal CAA and comparable state and local laws and regulations, which regulate emissions of air pollutants from various sources and mandate certain permitting, monitoring, recordkeeping and reporting requirements. The CAA and its implementing regulations may require that we obtain permits prior to the construction, modification or operation of certain projects or facilities expected to produce or increase air emissions above certain threshold levels and strictly comply with those permits, including emissions and operational limitations. These permits may require us to install emission control technologies to limit emissions, which can impose significant costs on our business. We note that in June 2016, the EPA finalized rules regarding criteria for aggregating multiple small sites into a single source for air permitting purposes applicable to the oil and natural gas industry. This rule could cause small facilities to be aggregated for permitting purposes, resulting in treatment as a major source, and thereby triggering more stringent air permitting requirements. Violation of CAA requirements could subject us to monetary penalties, injunctions, conditions or restrictions on operations and, potentially, criminal enforcement actions. Furthermore, future capital expenditures may be required for air pollution control equipment in connection with obtaining and maintaining operating permits and approvals for air emissions. 22 The trend under CAA regulations has been to increase the stringency of air quality standards, which may require us to incur capital expenditures for air pollution control equipment or other costs. For example, in October 2015, the EPA lowered the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ozone to 70 parts per billion, which was a significant decrease from the prior standards. On December 31, 2020, EPA published in the Federal Register its decision to retain the 2015 ozone standards; however, the current administration has announced that it intends to review this rule under the January 20, 2021 Executive Order on Protecting Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science to Tackle the Climate Crisis. Further reductions in the ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards could affect our operations and result in the need to install new emissions controls, longer permitting timelines and significant increases in our capital or operating expenditures. Compliance with these and any future air pollution control and permitting requirements has the potential to delay the development of our oil and natural gas projects and increase our costs of development and production, which costs could be significant. Oil Pollution Prevention The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 amended the CWA to impose liability for releases of crude oil from vessels or facilities into navigable waters. If a release of crude oil into navigable waters occurs during shipment or from an oil terminal, we could be subject to liability under the Oil Pollution Act. In 1973, the EPA adopted oil pollution prevention regulations under the CWA. These oil pollution prevention regulations require the preparation of a Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) plan for facilities engaged in drilling, producing, gathering, storing, processing, refining, transferring, distributing, using, or consuming crude oil and oil products, and which due to their location, could reasonably be expected to discharge oil in harmful quantities into or upon the navigable waters of the United States. SPCC requirements under the CWA require appropriate containment berms and similar structures to help prevent the discharge of pollutants into regulated waters in the event of a crude oil or other constituent tank spill, rupture or leak. The SPCC regulations require affected facilities to prepare a written, site-specific SPCC plan, which details how a facilitys operations comply with the requirements of the pollution prevention regulations. To be in compliance, the facilitys SPCC plan must satisfy all of the applicable requirements for drainage, bulk storage tanks, tank car and truck loading and unloading, transfer operations (intra-facility piping), inspections and records, security, and training. Most importantly, the facility must fully implement the SPCC plan and train personnel in its execution. Where applicable, we maintain and implement SPCC plans for our facilities. Water Discharges The CWA and analogous state laws and regulations impose restrictions and strict controls regarding the discharge of pollutants into navigable waters, defined as waters of the United States (WOTUS), as well as state waters. The CWA prohibits the placement of dredge or fill material in wetlands or other WOTUS unless authorized by a permit issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) or a delegated state agency pursuant to Section 404. In addition, the CWA and analogous state laws require individual permits or coverage under general permits for discharges of storm water runoff from certain types of facilities. Some states also maintain groundwater protection programs that require permits for discharges or operations that may impact groundwater conditions. Also, in June 2016, the EPA issued a final rule implementing wastewater pretreatment standards that prohibit onshore unconventional oil and natural gas extraction facilities from sending wastewater to publicly owned treatment works. This restriction of disposal options for hydraulic fracturing waste and other changes to CWA requirements may result in increased costs. Federal and state regulatory agencies can impose administrative, civil and criminal penalties for non-compliance with discharge permits or other requirements of the CWA and analogous state laws and regulations. The scope of EPAs and the Corps regulatory authority under Section 404 of the CWA has been the subject of extensive litigation and frequently changing regulations. The EPA issued a final rule in September 2015 that attempted to clarify the federal jurisdictional reach over WOTUS under Section 404 of the CWA. The EPA and the Corps issued a final rule in January 2018 staying implementation of the 2015 WOTUS rule for two years. On October 22, 2019, EPA and the Corps published a final rule repealing the 2015 WOTUS rule. The EPA and the Corps replaced the 2015 WOTUS rule by promulgating the Navigable Waters Protection Rule on April 21, 2020, which provides a revised definition of WOTUS and became effective on June 22, 2020. These regulations have been challenged in federal court, however, and the scope of the CWAs jurisdiction may remain fluid until all litigation is concluded. Further regulatory changes are likely, as the current administration has announced that it intends to review the Navigable Waters Protection Rule under the January 20, 2021 Executive Order on Protecting Public Health and the 23 Environment and Restoring Science to Tackle the Climate Crisis. The pending litigation and future regulations concerning the definition of WOTUS may result in an expansion of the scope of the CWAs jurisdiction, and we could face increased costs and delays with respect to obtaining permits for dredge and fill activities in WOTUS in connection with our operations. Underground Injection Control The underground injection of crude oil and natural gas wastes is regulated by the Underground Injection Control (UIC) Program, as authorized by the Safe Drinking Water Act, as well as by state programs. The primary objective of injection well operating requirements is to ensure the mechanical integrity of the injection apparatus and to prevent migration of fluid from the injection zone into underground sources of drinking water, as well as to prevent communication between injected fluids and zones capable of producing hydrocarbons. The Safe Drinking Water Act establishes requirements for permitting, testing, monitoring, recordkeeping, and reporting of injection well activities, as well as a prohibition against the migration of fluid containing contaminants into underground sources of drinking water. Any leakage from the subsurface portions of the injection wells could cause degradation of fresh groundwater resources, potentially resulting in the suspension of permits, issuance of fines and penalties from governmental agencies, incurrence of expenditures for remediation of the affected resource and imposition of liability by third parties for property damages and personal injuries. Under the auspices of the federal UIC program as implemented by states with UIC primacy, regulators, particularly at the state level, are becoming increasingly sensitive to possible correlations between underground injection and seismic activity. Consequently, state regulators implementing both the federal UIC program and state corollaries are heavily scrutinizing the location of injection facilities relative to faulting and are limiting both the density and injection facilities as well as the rate of injection. Hydraulic Fracturing Hydraulic fracturing is a practice in the oil and natural gas industry used to stimulate production of natural gas and/or oil from low permeability subsurface rock formations by injecting water, sand and chemicals under pressure. Oil and natural gas may be recovered from certain of our oil and natural gas properties through the use of hydraulic fracturing. Hydraulic fracturing is subject to regulation by state regulatory authorities, and several federal agencies have asserted federal regulatory authority over certain aspects of the hydraulic fracturing process. For example, the EPA published permitting guidance in February 2014 addressing the use of diesel fuel in fracturing operations, and in June 2016 EPA issued final effluent limitations guidelines under the CWA that waste-water from shale natural gas extraction operations must meet before discharging to a publicly owned treatment works. The EPA also issued an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) in 2014 regarding reporting of the chemical substances and mixtures used in hydraulic fracturing but, to date, has taken no further action. Separately, the BLM published a final rule in March 2015 that establishes new or more stringent standards for performing hydraulic fracturing on federal and Indian lands. However, a Wyoming federal court struck down this rule in June 2016. The June 2016 decision was appealed by the BLM to the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. However, following issuance of a presidential executive order to review rules related to the energy industry, in July 2017, the BLM published a notice of proposed rulemaking to rescind the 2015 final rule. In September 2017, the Tenth Circuit issued a ruling to vacate the Wyoming trial court decision and dismiss the lawsuit challenging the 2015 rule in light of the BLMs proposed rulemaking. The BLM issued a final rule repealing the 2015 hydraulic fracturing rule in December 2017. The current administration has announced that it intends to review the repeal of Notice Of Exempt Solicitation: (VOLUNTARY SUBMISSION) NAME OF REGISTRANT: WEC Energy Group, Inc. NAME OF PERSON RELYING ON EXEMPTION: Majority Action ADDRESS OF PERSON RELYING ON EXEMPTION: PO Box 4831, Silver Spring, MD 20914 Written materials are submitted pursuant to Rule 14a-6(g)(1) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Submission is not required of this filer under the terms of the Rule but is made voluntarily. WEC Energy Group, Inc. NYSE:WEC : Due to the companys FAILURE to: Include scope 3 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in its net zero ambition and medium-term targets Align its operating and planned coal and fossil gas-fueled generation capacity with a Below 2C Scenario or a 1.5C scenario, and Make a specific commitment to ensure its trade associations lobby in accordance with the Paris Agreement and refrain from taking negative positions on U.S. climate change policy; Vote AGAINST: Executive Chair, Gale Klappa (Item 1.07), Independent Lead Director, William M. Farrow III (Item 1.04), and Audit and Oversight Committee Chair, Danny L. Cunningham (Item 1.03). The physical and financial risks posed by climate change to long-term investors are systemic, portfolio-wide, unhedgeable and undiversifiable. Therefore, the actions of companies that fail to align to limiting warming to 1.5C pose risks to the financial system as a whole, and to investors entire portfolios. See www.proxyvoting.majorityaction.us for more information regarding Majority Actions Proxy Voting for a 1.5C World initiative and the transformation required in key industries. WEC Energy Group (WEC) had the fourteenth-highest CO 2 emission rate (CO 2 lb/MWh) in the U.S. in 2020 1 while generating the eighteenth-most electricity among privately/investor owned power producers. 2 In 2021 WEC relied on fossil fuel sources for 72% of its total generation. 3 The company is among the 166 target companies named by Climate Action 100+ as the most significant global emitters and key to driving the global net zero emissions transition. 4 Electric power production is responsible for nearly one-third of energy-related carbon emissions in the United States. 5 The largest publicly-traded electric utilities remain among the largest sources of carbon emissions in the U.S. economy. 6 Their capital investments in fossil fuel-based electric power infrastructure have the potential to lock in greenhouse gas emissions for decades to come. In addition to curbing a direct source of emissions, the decarbonization of electricity production also enables the decarbonization of the transportation and industrial sectors as electrification efficiencies are implemented. Failure to set ambitious decarbonization targets in line with 1.5C pathways, and to align companies business plans and policy influence to those targets, is a failure of strategy and corporate governance, for which long-term investors should hold directors accountable. At companies where the production, processing, sale, and/or consumption of fossil fuels is central to their core business, GHG emissions reductions have profound strategic implications. The board chair, lead independent director where the position exists, and other board members with climate-related oversight responsibilities should be held accountable for oversight failures related to decarbonization. In 2023, we have updated our metrics to more closely align with the Climate Action 100+ Net Zero Benchmark Indicators , while still focusing on the core pillars of target setting, disclosure and measurement, capital allocation, and policy influence. This allows for a more standardized assessment across companies that is broadly accepted by investors. Target setting Climate Action 100+ Net Zero Benchmark Indicators Disclosure Indicator 1.1 The company has set an ambition to achieve net zero GHG emissions by 2050 or sooner. Disclosure Indicator 1.1A The company has made a qualitative net zero GHG emissions ambition statement that explicitly includes at least 95% of its scope 1 and 2 emissions. Disclosure Indicator 1.1B The companys net zero GHG emissions ambition covers the most relevant scope 3 GHG emissions categories for the companys sector, where applicable. X Disclosure Indicator 3.1 The company has set a target for reducing its GHG emissions by between 2026 and 2035 on a clearly defined scope of emissions. Disclosure Indicator 3.2 The medium-term (2026 to 2035) GHG reduction target covers at least 95% of scope 1 & 2 emissions and the most relevant scope 3 emissions (where applicable). Disclosure Indicator 3.2A The company has specified that this target covers at least 95% of its total scope 1 and 2 emissions. Disclosure Indicator 3.2B If the company has set a scope 3 GHG emissions target, it covers the most relevant scope 3 emissions categories for the companys sector (for applicable sectors), and the company has published the methodology used to establish any scope 3 target. X Disclosure Indicator 3.3 The target (or, in the absence of a target, the companys latest disclosed GHG emissions intensity) is aligned with the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5C. X WEC aims to be net carbon neutral by 2050. 7 Similarly, the company has established a 2030 CO 2 reduction goal of 80% below 2005 levels for electric generation, and a 2030 net zero methane emissions goal for natural gas distribution. 8 The companys 2050 and 2030 targets cover at least 95% of its scope 1 and scope 2 emissions. 9 However, the company has not established goals for reducing its scope 3 emissions, such as those derived from its customers use of fossil gas or purchased power delivered. 10 In 2021 scope 3 emissions from WEC customers use of natural gas was estimated to be 25.6 million metric tons CO 2 e, vs the 21.2 million from the companys scope 1 emissions from electricity generation. 11 WEC has indicated that it is in the development process of a comprehensive scope 3 emissions reduction strategy. 12 The Transition Pathway Initiative (TPI) has assessed WECs 2021-2030 decarbonization trajectory to be out of alignment with the global 1.5C decarbonization pathway, 13 not to mention the 1.5C pathway for advanced economies that requires net zero emissions from power production by 2035. 14 The same assessment calculated WECs 2021-2030 targeted pathway to be in alignment with the global below 2C scenario. 15 Capital allocation and investment plans Climate Action 100+ Net Zero Benchmark Indicators Capital Allocation Alignment Assessment (Carbon Tracker) 1: Coal Phase-Out Has the company announced a full phase-out of coal units by 2040 that is consistent with Carbon Tracker Initiative's (CTIs) interpretation of the International Energy Agencys (IEAs) Beyond 2C Scenario (B2DS)? X Capital Allocation Alignment Assessment (Carbon Tracker) 2: Gas Phase-Out Has the company announced a full phase-out of gas units by 2050 that is consistent with CTI's interpretation of the IEAs B2DS? X WEC plans to eliminate coal as an energy source by the end of 2035. 16 Similarly, the company anticipates using coal as a backup fuel only by the end of 2030, and its near-term retirements include six units totaling 1,439 MW of coal-fired generation capacity. 17 Accordingly, one-third of WECs operating and planned coal-fired generation capacity remains out of alignment with the Carbon Tracker Initiatives interpretation of the IEAs B2DS, 18 let alone a 1.5C scenario which would require even faster closure timelines. In its 2022 Climate Report, WEC emphasizes the importance of new fossil gas-fueled generation as a replacement for older coal-units and gas units. 19 As such, fossil gas-fueled plants are projected to make up 32% of WECs 2030 generation portfolio, 20 with half of the companys operating and planned fossil gas-generation capacity out of alignment with the IEAs B2DS, 21 let alone a 1.5C scenario. Policy influence Climate Action 100+ Net Zero Benchmark Indicators Climate Policy Engagement Alignment (InfluenceMap) 1: Organization Score The level of company support for (or opposition to) Paris Agreement-aligned climate policy. 44% Climate Policy Engagement Alignment (InfluenceMap) 2: Relationship Score The level of a companys industry associations support for (or opposition to) Paris Agreement-aligned climate policy. 40% WECs positions on U.S. climate change policy, including at the state level in its operating jurisdictions, appear to be mostly negative, according to InfluenceMap. 22 The company has advocated for preserving the role of fossil gas in the energy mix, taken negative positions on gas ban preemption legislation and lobbied against GHG emissions caps, renewable energy credits and energy efficiency provisions at the state level. 23 In spite of WECs top-line commitment to conduct all of its lobbying in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement, the company does not publicly disclose its climate-related lobbying activities, such as meetings and policy submissions. 24 Likewise, the company does not have a process to ensure its trade associations lobby in accordance with the Paris Agreement on its behalf. 25 WECs lack of commitment with regard to its trade association affiliations is concerning given the companys Board-level membership to the American Gas Association, which is strategically involved in negative top-line messaging, policy positions, and campaigns against the clean energy transition. 26 Conclusion: WEC has failed to include its scope 3 GHG emissions in its net zero ambition and medium-term targets, align its operating and planned coal and fossil gas-fueled generation capacity with a B2DS or a 1.5C scenario, make a specific commitment to ensure its trade associations lobby in accordance with the Paris Agreement, and refrain from taking negative positions on U.S. climate change policy. Therefore, it is recommended that shareholders vote AGAINST Gale Klappa (Item 1.07), William M. Farrow III (Item 1.04), and Danny L. Cunningham (Item 1.03) at the companys annual meeting on May 4, 2023. 1 Ceres, et al., Benchmarking Air Emissions of the 100 Largest Electric Power Producers in the United States, September 2022, https://www.sustainability.com/globalassets/sustainability.com/thinking/pdfs/2022/benchmarking-air-emissions-2022.pdf , p. 14 2 Ceres, et al., Benchmarking Air Emissions of the 100 Largest Electric Power Producers in the United States, September 2022, https://www.sustainability.com/globalassets/sustainability.com/thinking/pdfs/2022/benchmarking-air-emissions-2022.pdf , p. 9 3 WEC, Pathway to a Clean Energy Future: 2022 Climate Report, August 2022 https://wecenergygroup.com/csr/climate-report2022.pdf , p.14 4 Climate Action 100+, Companies, https://www.climateaction100.org/whos-involved/companies/ , accessed April 19, 2023 5 U.S. Energy Information Administration, Frequently Asked Questions, https://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.php?id=75&t=11 , accessed April 19, 2023 6 Ceres, et al., Benchmarking Air Emissions, p. 7 7 WEC, Pathway to a Clean Energy Future, p. 6 8 WEC, Pathway to a Clean Energy Future, p. 6 9 Climate Action 100+, WEC Energy Group, Inc., Company Assessment, https://www.climateaction100.org/company/wec-energy-group-inc/ , accessed April 19, 2023 10 WEC, Pathway to a Clean Energy Future, p. 46 11 WEC, Pathway to a Clean Energy Future, p. 46 12 WEC, Pathway to a Clean Energy Future, p. 46 13 WEC, Pathway to a Clean Energy Future, p. 4 14 IIGCC as part of Climate Action 100+, Global Sector Strategies: Investor interventions to accelerate net zero electric utilities, October 2021, https://www.climateaction100.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Global-Sector-Strategy-Electric-Utilities-IIGCC-Oct-21.pdf, p. 6 15 WEC, Pathway to a Clean Energy Future, p. 4 16 WEC, Our ESG Progress Plan Update (Investor Update), April 2023, https://s22.q4cdn.com/994559668/files/doc_presentations/2023/Mar/27/04-2023-april.pdf , p. 20 17 WEC, Our ESG Progress Plan Update, p. 20 18 Climate Action 100+, Climate Action 100+ Net Zero Company Benchmark, Carbon Tracker data, October 2022, https://www.climateaction100.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Downloadable-Excel_CA100-Benchmark_Dec-2022_CAAA-scores-v1.1.xlsx 19 WEC, Pathway to a Clean Energy Future, p. 15 20 WEC, Our ESG Progress Plan Update, p. 14 21 Climate Action 100+, Climate Action 100+ Net Zero Company Benchmark, Carbon Tracker data, October 2022, https://www.climateaction100.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Downloadable-Excel_CA100-Benchmark_Dec-2022_CAAA-scores-v1.1.xlsx 22 InfluenceMap, WEC Energy Group Inc, LobbyMap, https://lobbymap.org/company/WEC-Energy-Group-Inc-ba7ae7a1bbf87e08cce4e074235eaf2d/projectlink/WEC-Energy-Group-Inc-in-Climate-Change-2a35d84ac6dddac8a3eb1b227a1e4ebb , accessed April 19, 2023 23 InfluenceMap, WEC Energy Group Inc 24 Climate Action 100+, WEC Energy Group, Inc 25 Climate Action 100+, WEC Energy Group, Inc STUTTGART, Germany Preparations are underway for Air Defender 23, billed as the largest demonstration of allied air power in Europe in NATOs 74-year history. The multinational exercise, which has been in the works for four years and will include warplanes from across the alliance, is slated to kick off in June across Europe, NATOs Allied Air Command said in a statement Thursday. Our goals for this largest deployment exercise since the foundation of NATO are comprehensive, said Lt. Gen. Ingo Gerhartz, chief of the German air force, in the statement. We want to demonstrate the agility and swiftness of air forces as a first responder and showcase NATO air power. The exercise is being led by the German military, which is coordinating with more than 20 other countries for a drill that includes some 220 planes and 10,000 personnel. The participants will simulate maneuvers against a would-be aggressor. The U.S. contribution will include about 100 U.S. Air National Guard aircraft that will fly into Europe. The training will revolve around an Article 5 scenario, which is NATOs bedrock policy that when one member comes under attack, a collective response from the alliance is required. Planes will operate from numerous German sites as well as the U.S. Air Forces Spangdahlem Air Base, and locations in the Netherlands and the Czech Republic. Maneuvers also will feature so-called out-and-back missions into the Baltic states and Romania, according to NATOs Allied Air Command, headquartered at Ramstein Air Base. For NATO and U.S. forces in Europe, expanding the scope of war games has been a priority over the last several years as allies focus on being able to carry out large-scale combat operations designed around defending alliance turf. Russias initial intervention in Ukraine in 2014 was the spark for the stepped-up efforts, which have intensified in the aftermath of Moscows full-scale invasion of the country in February 2022. While Russia wasnt mentioned in NATOs announcement about the exercise, Air Defender will serve as an opportunity to showcase the alliances extensive array of fighter jets, drones and transport aircraft. The high-profile display is likely intended as a signal of strength to Russia, which has struggled to gain air superiority over Ukraine throughout the course of the war there. Air Defender also coincides with the U.S. European Commands Defender Europe series of combat drills, which will begin later this month and stretch into late June. That U.S.-led program will involve 7,800 U.S. troops and 15,000 service members from more than 20 allied and partner nations. Authorities cautioned that Air Defender will result in increased air traffic and noise between June 12 and June 24. Planners are hoping to minimize exposure to aircraft noise by using airspace corridors over sparsely populated areas, the alliance said. The countries taking part in Air Defender are the following: Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Finland, France, Italy, Japan, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Spain, Czech Republic, Turkey, Hungary, the United Kingdom and the United States. GRAFENWOEHR, Germany The memory of an American paratrooper who died in Afghanistan in 2005 lives on with a new designation at the Armys vast rural Bavarian training ground. A landing zone was dedicated Thursday to Cpl. Emmanuel Hernandez, who served in the 173rd Airborne Brigade as a member of the Grafenwoehr-based 4th Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment. From now on, soldiers who jump at Grafenwoehr will fill out their logbooks with Hernandez DZ,'' Lt. Col. Robert Kinney, the regiment commander, said at the naming ceremony. The 22-year-old Hernandez and Sgt. Michael J. Kelley of the Army National Guard were killed June 8, 2005, in a rocket attack by insurgents at a forward operating base near Shkin, Afghanistan. Cpl. Hernandez was not working the drop zone that day, Kinney said at Thursdays ceremony. He was out there to greet his friends. Friends and former soldiers who served with Hernandez were on hand for the dedication as well. Emmanuel was larger than life, said Luke Spencer, a platoon member deployed with Hernandez in Afghanistan. His smile would light up a room. Spencer said that no one outworked Hernandez and that he was the embodiment of a 319th paratrooper. Also in attendance were six of Hernandezs relatives, including his mother, wife and sisters, who flew in from Puerto Rico. Three of them spoke at the dedication ceremony. Hernandez and his wife, Jessica, were high school sweethearts. We were a very happy couple, she told Stars and Stripes through an interpreter at a memorial service in 2005 in Vicenza, Italy, where the 173rd Airborne has its headquarters. The ceremony was accompanied by a live parachute demonstration as well as a six-round cannon salute, one for each of the family members in attendance. A memorial plaque was unveiled at the site with an engraved picture of Hernandez that details his life and service. RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany The United States is delivering Abrams tanks next month to the Armys sprawling base in Grafenwoehr, where it will train Ukrainian soldiers to use them in their fight against Russia, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Friday. The announcement came at a meeting of the Ukraine Contact Defense Group, where NATO leaders also said that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will attend a pivotal heads of state summit in Lithuania this summer, a move that indicates more advanced alliance support may be on the way. A total of 31 training tanks will arrive at Grafenwoehr Training Area in Bavaria at the end of May, and the troops will start training a couple of weeks later, U.S. officials said. Training will last about 10 weeks. Our common efforts have made a huge difference to Ukraine's defenders on the battlefield, Austin said Friday. And they underscore just how badly the Kremlin miscalculated. Ukraines requests for Western battle tanks were rebuffed at a Ramstein contact group meeting in January, but allies came to an agreement soon afterward that included a package of M1 Abrams and European-made tanks. I do think the M1 tank, when its delivered, will make a difference, Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters Friday. However, Milley cautioned that theres no silver bullet in war, which is full of variables and requires the right mix of combined forces on the battlefield. Also on Friday, Germany and Poland signed an agreement to create a maintenance hub for tanks used in Ukraine. The delivery of up to 80 Leopard 1A5 battle tanks by midyear is progressing rapidly, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said. Germany will begin training 100 Ukrainian troops on the Leopard this weekend, Pistorius added. The training is a joint project between Germany, the Netherlands and Denmark. Besides tanks, Zelenskyy has asked repeatedly for Western fighter jets, which until now have been ruled out by President Joe Biden and other leaders concerned about the wars escalation beyond Ukraines borders. Milley and other U.S. officials have continued to advocate that Ukraine rely on artillery and more cost-effective air defense tactics against Russian planes. Russians are cautious to come into Ukraine because of the effective use of the Ukrainian air defense system, said Milley, who said the system must be effective at multiple altitudes and ranges. That was the theme of this entire day air defense, air defense, air defense, Milley said. Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov, meanwhile, said he remains optimistic that fighter jets such as U.S. F-16s will be part of the next stage of aid to Ukraine. Its last on his wish list, he added, but I think it will be done. Esa Pulkkinen, permanent secretary for the defense ministry of Finland, NATOs newest member, said Friday that he expected Western fighter jets to be a part of Ukraines forces eventually. Whether that time is now or later, thats kind of the speculative question, Pulkkinen said. The subject is likely to come up at this summers NATO summit in Vilnius. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg met with Zelenskyy on Thursday during what was the alliance leaders first visit to Kyiv, he told reporters Friday at Ramstein. Zelenskyy accepted the invitation to the summit, though Stoltenberg didnt say whether Zelenskyy would attend virtually or in person, given the unknowns about the war. No one can tell today when this war ends, Stoltenberg said. We need to be prepared for the long haul. Thats why NATO allies have said we will stand by Ukraine as long as it takes. Ukrainian officials have previously said in different ways that Zelenskyys interest in attending the summit was tied to requests for more advanced weaponry or to concrete steps toward NATO membership. Allies agree that Ukraine should be a NATO member, Stoltenberg said, not only for its future security but for that of Europe. However, Ukraine first must win its fight, he said. If Ukraine doesnt prevail, theres no meaning in discussing membership, Stoltenberg said. Stoltenberg joined leaders of more than 50 countries at Ramstein for the round of discussions on how best to support Ukraine. Besides discussions on high-impact weaponry, the leaders also stressed the importance of ensuring that Ukraine has the logistical capabilities it needs, including the means to move battle tanks, spare parts, fuel and ammunition. This is now a battle of attrition, Stoltenberg said. And a battle of attrition becomes a war of logistics. The contact group has met 11 times since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The first meeting was at Ramstein a year ago. In his opening remarks, Austin reiterated Wednesdays Pentagon announcement of an additional $325 million in military equipment and weapons for Ukraine. Austin said the latest round of security aid, which includes more ammunition for U.S.-provided HIMARS and anti-armor capabilities, brings the U.S. contribution to Ukraines defense to $35 billion since last year. Overall, members of the contact group have provided $55 billion to Ukraine, a tenfold increase since the first meeting at Ramstein, Austin said. Recent contributions include the equipment and training to support nine more armored brigades, advanced battle tanks such as the Leopard 2 from Germany and Patriot missile systems. Austin briefly addressed the recent leak of Pentagon classified documents, a number of which were related to the Russia-Ukraine war. Jack Teixeira, a 21-year-old Massachusetts Air National Guard member, was arrested last week and charged under the Espionage Act in connection with the breach. I take this issue very seriously, he said. Speaking to allies and partners about the matter, Austin said, Ive been struck by your solidarity, and your commitment to reject efforts to divide us. We will not let anything fracture our unity, Austin said. Stars and Stripes reporter Alexander Riedel contributed to this report. Buedingen is one of those classic German towns that conjure up the stuff of fairy tales or Disney movies: half-timbered houses, cobblestoned lanes, defensive walls with towers and a castle. If it werent for the modern traffic, you might think you were back in the Middle Ages. On a cool but sunny spring day, I took a trip to the medieval town, which was once also home to the U.S. Army. Much of the towns history is intricately connected to the earls and princes of Ysenburg-Buedingen. It was they who had the mighty defensive walls built and they who lived in the impressive castle, from where they ruled the surrounding lands. I crossed the Seemenbach, the stream that runs along one section of the town walls, on a covered pedestrian bridge, walked atop the ramparts, then disappeared into the maze of the old town. Buedingens historic district isnt that big, so it is fun to just stroll along the sometimes very narrow cobblestone streets and see the sights. The oldest part of town dates to the mid-14th century, when the first defensive walls were built. The historic town hall, built in 1458, is the center of the Altstadt, or old town. Its worth checking out the imposing half-timbered and stone houses around here and the 15th-century church. There is also the Neustadt, or new town, in Buedingen, but that is a misnomer now. The Neustadt was established at the end of the 14th century to accommodate new residents. The town walls were extended to surround it, too. Buedingen has seen its share of wars and calamities over the centuries, although luckily it escaped destruction during World War II. During the 17th centurys Thirty Years War, both sides occupied the town. The bubonic plague made more than one visit during that century, and witch hunts were common too, with more than 150 townsfolk put to death. If you leave the old town via the imposing early-16th century Jerusalem Gate, you can see the other side of the coin, however. Here is the Vorstadt, created after an edict of tolerance issued in 1712 by Prince Ernst Casimir I permitting religious dissenters to live in Buedingen. The Vorstadt became a suburb for the new settlers. Back inside the walls I strolled to the Marktplatz, lined with half-timbered houses, where a farmers market is held on Fridays. Walking through the Neustadt, I came to the Oberhof, a 16th-century courtyard surrounded by historic buildings, and the quirky Rathausstuhl, or town hall chair, a giant wooden seat adorned with intricate carvings that is big enough for two people. A walk along the Oberhofdamm affords an excellent view of the castle and its tall tower. A cafe and a hotel are located in the outer courtyard, but the castle is usually closed to the public. It has been in Ysenburg-Buedingen family hands for more than 20 generations. I spent a little more time walking along the walls until I came to a mighty old guard tower and imposing stone house, with a bridge over the Seemenbach, a popular photo motif. Near here is the tiny Butcher Museum. Open on weekends, it features two rooms displaying what a butchers shop once looked like and the tools used in the job. Returning to the 21st century, I retrieved my car and drove past what American service members and their families had called home over a span of more than 60 years. U.S. Army units, mostly cavalry, were stationed here from the end of World War II until 2007. Today, you can still see some renovated family housing, and the heart of Armstrong Barracks still stands, being used as a refugee reception facility. On the QT Directions: Buedingen is about 54 miles from Wiesbaden via Autobahn A3, highway B43a and A66. From Kaiserslautern, it is about 100 miles via A63, A60, A3, B43a and A66. Times: Any time, but best when the weather is nice. Costs: There is some free parking outside the old town. The spacious Altstadt parking lot inside the town walls costs five euros for five hours, except Fridays where there is a two-hour limit, because of the farmers market. Food: There are restaurants spread throughout the town. Information: Online: buedingen.info; the tourist information office is at Marktplatz 9. Two other places to visit nearby are Gelnhausen and Ronneburg Castle. Mexicos Congress gives Ukraines Zelenskyy back-to-back standing ovations 21 April, 01:42 PM Zelensky made a speech in the Congress of Mexico (Photo:REUTERS/Henry Romero) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenksyy received a standing ovation on April 20 after appealing to Mexicos congress for assistance in defending Ukraines territorial integrity, reported RFE/RLs Ukrainian service. The meeting of the Mexico-Ukraine friendship group began with his speech. The Ukrainian leader also received a standing ovation from lawmakers before his speech. Your vote in the UN General Assembly and other international organizations is very important, he said via video. It is the vote to defend the principles and objectives of the UN Charter and therefore to defend the territorial integrity of Ukraine and all nations of the world. Video of day Zelenskyy noted that both Mexico and Ukraine have taken different state paths and speak different languages. But we also have something that allows us to understand each other, he said. It is equally heartbreaking for Ukrainians and Mexicans when we see how innocent lives are taken. Mexico and Ukraine are united by the dream of safety and peace on all the streets of all the cities, the president said. We both equally do not accept evil. Evil has many manifestations, but always one main target human life, he stressed. Zelenskyy asked Mexico to continue to protect Ukraine and thanked the country for humanitarian aid and for treatment and rehabilitation programs for Ukrainians. He also invited Mexico to work together for the safety of our nations and the safety of the world as a whole. Zelenskyys speech in Mexico coincided with the Latin American tour of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Lavrov visited, in particular, Brazil and Cuba, where his colleague Bruno Rodriguez spoke out against the policy of isolating Russia. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google News For some its the love of a bargain, for others the thrill of the chase. Collectors seek to find the rarities that have thus far eluded them, and professional traders can smell where theres money to be made. Small wonder, then, that flea markets remain such popular events across Europe. And like flowers after a spring rain, theyre popping up all over. Here are some particularly interesting markets to check out in the weeks and months to come. Germany Munich: For one spring Saturday each year, the vast grounds that host Munichs world-famous Oktoberfest celebrations host an eagerly anticipated event of another kind. On April 22, tens of thousands of seekers of secondhand treasures will make their way to the Theresienwiese to peruse the stalls of the Bavarian capitals biggest flea market. Early risers will have the best chance of finding the article of clothing or household good theyre after, as selling starts at 7 a.m. and continues until 4 p.m. Theres another good reason to be in the area: The Fruhlingsfest, known affectionately as the Oktoberfests little sister, runs simultaneously right next door. Online: tinyurl.com/4b98fdn5 Schweinfurt: Some 500 stands set up across the citys Volksfestplatz are the place to search for antiques, art, old furniture, clothing, toys and other secondhand treasures on May 13. The flea market, organized by the Red Cross, runs 7 a.m.- 4 p.m. Online: tinyurl.com/mt7wyuua Nuremberg: Twice a year, the streets of Nurembergs Old Town bustle as up to 4,000 private sellers and professional traders set up stalls offering toys, tools, jewelry, books, household goods and everything in between. These markets get underway on Fridays at 4 p.m. and run until midnight, then reopen at 7 a.m. Saturday and trade until 8 p.m. Dates for 2023 are May 12-13 and Sept. 8-9. Online: tinyurl.com/2p8d5sjs Stuttgart: Hundreds of traders will take over Stuttgarts inner city on May 21, the first of two dates of a bustling flea market that sprawls across the Marktplatz, Schillerplatz and beyond. A wide range of sellers, from high-end antiques dealers to junk removers, will be on hand. The flea market runs 11 a.m.- 6 p.m. The events fall edition is slated for Sept. 17. Online: tinyurl.com/3k7h6d4u Konstanz: This flea market just a stones throw from the shores of Lake Constance has two unique features: it runs throughout the night, and it crosses an international border. The 24-hour flea market that spills into Kreuzlingen, Switzerland, offers more than a thousand stalls to peruse along a five-mile route. Musicians and street artists further enliven the scene, as do specialty markets for foodstuffs, arts and crafts, comics and record albums. The shopping frenzy kicks off at 6 p.m. on June 17. Online: tinyurl.com/2hathm4d Belgium Ciney: Some 500 exhibitors from all corners of Europe attract thousands of visitors to a flea market and antiques fair thats held three times annually. The main event always occurs on a Friday, when trucks chock full of furniture and assorted bric-a-brac park up outside the Ciney Expo and unload their contents straight onto the pavement. The gates open at 2 p.m., allowing thousands of visitors to begin a frenzied search for rare and unique objects from furniture to folk art. On Saturdays and Sundays, the indoor exhibition space offers stalls offering vintage gems and an antique fair. An expert appraiser is on hand to offer advice free of charge. The upcoming dates of the Ciney Puces & Antiquites are July 21-23 and Oct. 6-8. Adult entry costs 10 euros on the Friday and 8 euros on Saturday or Sunday. Online: tinyurl.com/3rx98v26 France Amiens: On April 23, the Grande Rederie d'Amiens will see some 2,000 exhibitors set up stands promising rare finds. Bargain hunters from around the world will start their treasure hunts, flashlights in hand, as early as 5 a.m. Considered one of the countrys most prestigious flea markets, the event is staged twice annually, with its autumn edition slated for Oct. 1. Online: grande-rederie-amiens.com Lille: Its well worth planning ahead for whats hailed as the biggest flea market in Europe. The Grande Braderie de Lille, held on the first weekend of September each year, transforms this pleasant Flemish city known for its outstanding architecture into a bargain hunters paradise. Shoppers in need of sustenance eagerly tuck into moules frites, mussels and French fries, eaten by the ton here. City officials anticipate that up to two million visitors might attend the events 2023 edition, set to unfold Sept. 2-3. Online: braderie-de-lille.fr Finland Countrywide: A fairly new tradition established about a decade ago is Siivouspaiva, or Cleaning Day. On this day, private individuals are encouraged to put their used but still functional items up for sale in informal markets that spring up on streets, courtyards and parks. As sellers register the places where they will be selling, an online map can be used as a guide from one point to the next. The next Cleaning Day takes place on May 27. Online: siivouspaiva.com/en Wearing frosted purple eyeshadow and a borrowed suit jacket with massive shoulder pads, I entered the College Career Center with my head held high and my big hair bouncing. My Class of 1988 graduation was only a few weeks away, and I felt ready to discover all the exciting opportunities my Bachelor of Arts degree would bring. With four years of higher education nearly under my belt, I was quite proud of myself. Sure, Id slipped up a few times. Like that political science course, when Id skipped most of the classes, wrote an embarrassing term paper on the politics of Iran, then pulled an all-nighter before the final exam. When would I ever need to know about the Middle East anyway? Id thought, naively. Id chosen a major that would please my domineering father. He, a lifelong salesman, believed that the School of Business was the only path to success. However, I couldnt understand business, much less spell it, so I signed up for Communications. It required business courses like marketing and statistics that would keep my father happy, but allowed me to explore my secret curiosity for writing, psychology, geology, journalism, physics and philosophy. After studying the campaign communication strategies of various U.S. presidents, my future career came into focus: Id become a press secretary! Of course, I couldnt simply graduate and voila! land a job working for a famous national politician. Duh! Id find an entry-level job that would hone my burgeoning public relations skills, then branch out into the political communications world. Im here to find out which interviews Ive been selected for, I said to the woman behind the College Career Center desk. My schools career system matched seniors resumes with employers, and spit out interview matches. The woman handed me a dot-matrix printout showing the interview slots Id been assigned. While ripping the perforated margins from the printout, I dreamed of a cozy cubicle in a sleek skyscraper where Id contribute to national PR campaigns for Procter & Gamble, Kroger Corp., Macys Inc. or Kraft Foods. When my creative genius attracted the attention of the CEO, Id be on my way. Plastered with a giddy grin, I looked down at the printout. Ferguson Enterprises? Ameritech? Standard Textile? Richardson-Vicks? my eyes scanned the page for anything familiar. The Ameritech interviewer didnt ask typical interview questions such as, Why are you a good fit for our company? Instead, he launched into a cheesy sales pitch, offering me the opportunity to pay my own way through a six-week training course, then work on commission selling telephones. Im a public relations professional, not a saleswoman! I huffed. I wasnt really sure what textiles were, but the Standard Textile meeting went so well, they offered me a second interview, and I drove my 1976 Volkswagen Beetle to their headquarters. Waiting in their lobby, surrounded by portraits of the companys male founders wearing yarmulkes, a rendering of a manufacturing facility in Israel and two competing male interviewees wearing yarmulkes, I was pretty sure I wasnt getting the job anyway. The Richardson-Vicks job required setting up cough syrup displays in grocery stores around Cincinnati to earn sales commissions. My battered and beaten post-grad job hopes finally died when my last interviewer informed me that Ferguson Supply was a plumbing equipment company, and my dream job involved selling toilet bowl bulbs and urinal screens. Utterly defeated, I wondered, Why had I worried so much about declaring a major, padding my resume and passing poly sci? I shouldve gone to more frat parties, because four years of hard work only got me lousy sales jobs! That summer, I applied to law school in a desperate attempt to avoid becoming a saleswoman for my fathers industrial cleaning chemical company. The moral of this cautionary tale is not College degrees arent worth it, but rather, Manage your expectations. Ive strongly encouraged our three children to attain bachelors degrees, because college sets one up for success. Statistics show that college graduates earn more money, have an easier time finding jobs and are more likely to have health insurance than non-graduates. So reach for your career dreams, but keep one foot firmly planted in post-grad job reality. Read more at themeatandpotatoesoflife.com and in Lisas book, The Meat and Potatoes of Life: My True Lit Com. Email: meatandpotatoesoflife@gmail.com In Tunisia this week, there was a bleak, if symbolic, convergence. Not long after authorities arrested the country's leading opposition leader as part of a widening crackdown on dissent, Tunisia's increasingly autocratic president, Kais Saied, hosted Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad for a three-day visit aimed at restoring ties with Damascus. The regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is reaping the rewards of a steady process of normalization among its Arab neighbors, which follows years of isolation provoked by the hideous campaigns of violence Assad unleashed on his own country in a decade-long civil war. With the conflict at a low ebb and Assad firmly in control, countries like the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain have already mended fences with Assad's regime. In a major move, Saudi Arabia signaled last week after hosting Mekdad in the city of Jiddah that it was ready to follow suit. On Wednesday, Assad greeted Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud in Damascus, the first visit of a top diplomat from Riyadh since Syria's rebellion escalated into full-blown conflict. But Tunisia was supposed to be different. At the vanguard of the so-called Arab Spring - pro-democracy uprisings that flared across the Arab world in 2011 - it was among the first countries to break ties with Assad, a despot who embodied the region's entrenched, if decaying, authoritarian order. Tunisian protesters had forced their own long-ruling strongman out of power, inspiring Arab brethren elsewhere to clamor for change in their societies. Saied, though, has brought a decade of fitful democratic consolidation to a shuddering halt. The detention this week of Rachid Ghannouchi, leader of the country's main moderate Islamist party, came after the arrest of other civil society activists and opposition figures. It marked a grim inflection point: Before the 2011 Arab Spring uprising, Ghannouchi had spent years in prison and decades in exile. He was a polarizing figure after his return to the county. But he remained an emblem of the possibility of political pluralism in Tunisia, a rarity for a region more familiar with the stifling of those aspirations. Now, Saied's Tunisia seems a stepchild of the bad old order, the latest iteration of what Nadim Houry, executive director of the Paris-based Arab Reform Initiative, described as an "authoritarian restoration" that got underway in the years after the Arab Spring. Saied is pushing through a "striking process of detransition" from democracy, Houry told me. But the Tunisian president, whose critics accuse him of carrying out a de facto coup in 2021 when he dissolved parliament, is hardly alone. In 2019, anti-government protests flared across the Arab world, from Algeria to Sudan to Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq. They were fueled by anger over endemic corruption, stagnant economies and failing, feckless political elites. In some countries, heads of state or government stepped down, cowed by the demonstrations. There "was hope that they would move toward more inclusive democracies," Houry said. "That didn't happen." See the chaotic battles this week in Sudan, which burst whatever wisp of an illusion remained that the generals running Khartoum's transitional regime cared about building a solid, inclusive democracy after jettisoning a fragile civilian government in 2021. Hundreds of civilians have been killed or wounded in the crossfire between feuding factions, each eager to expand and consolidate their fiefdoms. Various Arab states, especially Gulf monarchies in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, have helped sponsor the anti-democratic backlash. It's a sign both of enduring interests - a fear of instability and spillover threats to their monopolies on power at home - as well as the shifting geopolitical sands of the region. Recent Saudi and Emirati moves to bury the hatchet with Iran paved the way for the current moves to bring Assad, a close ally of Tehran, from out of the cold. "That Saudi Arabia would be spearheading efforts to return Syria to the Arab fold would have once seemed unthinkable," wrote my Washington Post colleague Sarah Dadouch. "For years, the kingdom was among the main suppliers of arms to rebel groups that fought to overthrow the government in Damascus. In 2015, then-Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said if a political process failed to remove Assad, Riyadh would continue to support the opposition 'to remove him by force.'" But after a few years of aggressive actions, especially with a costly war effort in Yemen, Riyadh may be recalibrating. "I think the lesson [for Saudis] now is maybe actually it's better if we just focus on diplomacy; we don't need to demonstrate strength through military intervention," Andrew Leber, an assistant professor at Tulane University and expert on Saudi politics, said to Dadouch. Washington's perceived disengagement with the region has also altered the calculus. "The enmity between the Iranian axis and the gulf stems in large part from a perception that the gulf is an essential pillar for the U.S. security order in the region," Mohammed Alyahya, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, told The Post. "If there is no longer a commitment to that order by America, then it follows that a significant source of that enmity disappears." Despite the West's supposed absence, "the West has not played a particularly positive role" for the region's democratic hopes, Houry said. In Sudan, the United States seemed more preoccupied in getting the country's generals on board with an agreement to normalize ties with Israel than guiding a genuine transition back to democracy. In Algeria and Tunisia, European governments prioritized access to natural gas and cooperation in stopping migrant flows, respectively, over helping support the aspirations of protesters and a mobilized, if embattled, civil society. Indeed, the coercive threat of Arab autocracies even reaches into the West. A recent report by the Freedom Initiative, a nonprofit rights organization, found that Egypt and Saudi Arabia - U.S. allies - have deployed a whole tool kit of repression to intimidate and silence dissidents even on U.S. soil. "While U.S. politicians frequently voice outrage and impose consequences in response to such tactics on the part of adversaries such as China, Iran and Russia," explained my Post colleague Claire Parker, "policymakers have not meaningfully held Saudi Arabia and Egypt to account - including for behaviors that violate U.S. law and threaten national security." Arrayed against this status quo, protesters and pro-democracy activists can't be faulted for feeling pessimistic. But the conditions for future upheaval are as present as ever. "On the surface, it may look like we are back to the future ... but the authoritarian restorations are on very thin ice," Houry told me, pointing to enduring economic dysfunction and frailty in countries like Tunisia and Egypt. "The broken social contracts which led to the Arab uprisings are even more exposed today." World leaders called on Sudan's rival armed forces to commit to a cease-fire for the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr on Friday after a week of fighting that has rocked the country and killed at least 400 people. Fighting at the airports has prevented any kind of evacuation so far even as governments including the United States have sent planes and troops to Sudan's neighbors in preparation for extricating their citizens. Thousands of Sudanese have been injured and trapped in the power struggle between the army chief, Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the commander of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. The RSF said early Friday that it agreed to a 72-hour cease-fire for the holiday, which marks the end of Ramadan, but residents reported gunfire and shelling in the capital, Khartoum, as morning Eid prayers began. The army said in a statement that it had moved to "the stage of gradual cleansing of the hotbeds of rebel groups" around the capital. In a speech posted online earlier on Friday, Burhan made no mention of a cease-fire. He said he was confident that the army would prevail to ensure "the country's security and unity and allow a safe transition to civilian rule." The RSF said it sought to achieve people's aspirations of "democracy and the rule of law." But the comments from two factions firing at each other in the streets rang hollow for many Sudanese who have sheltered from the heavy weapons for days. The warring generals were once allied, seizing power in a 2021 coup that deposed the country's short-lived civilian government and derailed its democratic transition after long-ruling dictator Omar Hassan al-Bashir was deposed. Tensions between the two generals erupted last weekend amid divisions over a draft power-sharing deal. Attempts to implement temporary cease-fires have failed. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with the two generals ahead of Eid, urging them to agree to a cease-fire for the holiday at least until Sunday. "Instead of waking up to the call to prayer, people in Khartoum again woke up to heavy fighting," the Norwegian ambassador tweeted early Friday. "It is deeply sad & awful that it is this way. It should be a day of joy and togetherness, not war." Street battles have prevented ambulances from retrieving the dead and medics from delivering aid, and the conflict has pushed the United Nations to halt most operations around the country as aid workers come under attack. Many residents have had to hide at home while enduring power cuts and dwindling food supplies; some have tried to find a way out while braving the danger of gunfire as well as checkpoints and military vehicles. In the war-ravaged Darfur in western Sudan, between 10,000 and 20,000 people are estimated to have fled into neighboring Chad. "We are seeing that the refugees arriving over the border are traumatized and are arriving with very little provisions," Aleksandra Roulet-Cimpric, the director in Chad for the International Rescue Committee, said in a news release Friday. "The greatest need is for health services as well as water, sanitation, hygiene and protection services, particularly for women and girls." U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres also appealed for a cease-fire to allow civilians to reach safety, and the World Health Organization called for a pause to allow it to deliver medical supplies. Most of the major hospitals in the capital have closed because they were hit or could not be resupplied. Farhan Aziz Haq, a spokesman for Guterres, said the United Nations has not been able to evacuate any of its staff from the country, "given the level of fighting on the ground." "During some lulls in fighting, we have been able to move some personnel to safer locations within Sudan," he said. Biden administration officials said the Defense Department was preparing troops near Sudan in case U.S. diplomatic and other personnel needed emergency evacuation. The State Department has been instructing American citizens in Sudan to remain indoors and avoid travel to the U.S. Embassy. "We are offering assessments about security measures and other precautions," said State Department spokesman Vedant Patel. The U.S. government is not undertaking an evacuation of citizens. Such an operation would be too dangerous while the Khartoum International Airport and Sudan's border with Chad remained closed, Patel said. Some 16,000 Americans, many of them dual nationals, are in Sudan, according to a U.S. official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive information. Despite the risks, the department has not ruled out the possibility of an evacuation mission to rescue U.S. personnel. Biden administration officials are quick to point out that the situation in Sudan differs significantly from the evacuation of U.S. personnel from Afghanistan in 2021. As the administration comes under continued criticism in Congress over the chaotic nature of the withdrawal there, it is keen to avoid parallels. With Khartoum's airport closed, South Korea said Friday that it sent a military aircraft to a U.S. base in Djibouti, where the plane will be on standby to evacuate 26 nationals who are in Sudan. Japan's defense minister on Thursday also ordered military aircraft sent to Djibouti to be ready for an evacuation of around 60 Japanese nationals from Sudan, and the Netherlands sent aircraft to Jordan, according to the Associated Press. Germany is in contact with other governments to discuss plans to evacuate its citizens from Sudan. The number of Germans in the country is in the hundreds, said Christofer Burger, the German Foreign Ministry spokesman, in a briefing Friday. The Washington Post's Min Joo Kim in Seoul, Karen DeYoung in Washington and Kate Brady in Berlin contributed to this report. (Tribune News Service) House lawmakers are reigniting an effort to give Puerto Ricans the right to decide their status, including the possibility of statehood, after a similar attempt fell short at the end of last year. Rep. Raul M. Grijalva, D-Ariz., introduced legislation Thursday that, if approved, would force a plebiscite allowing Puerto Ricans to vote on three non-territorial status options: Independence, sovereignty in free association with the U.S., or statehood. America means choice. America means freedom. America means liberty. Therefore, the people of Puerto Rico ought to have choice, Rep. Steny H. Hoyer, D-Md., said at a news conference outside the Capitol Thursday. Hoyer was majority leader last Congress when a nearly identical measure passed the House 233-191, with 16 Republicans voting in support. The Biden administration also issued a statement of administration policy last year in support of the measure. But it never got a vote in the Senate. Our government has always honored and protected civil rights and ensured that every citizen has a voice and a vote, Puerto Rican Gov. Pedro R. Pierluisi said at the news conference. That is what Puerto Ricans ask from Congress. That is what they deserve as American citizens. To be heard. To be counted. To have a seat at the table. There is some bipartisan support for the new legislation. Republican Reps. Don Bacon of Nebraska and Maria Elvira Salazar of Florida were present at the news conference alongside Democratic Reps. Nydia M. Velazquez of New York and Darren Soto of Florida and Res. Cmmsr. Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon, R-Puerto Rico. Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ritchie Torres, both New York Democrats, are also cosponsors. Republicans opposing the measure last Congress cited complications with transferring military bases back to the U.S. should the island become sovereign or independent, and the potential burden on its taxpayers to pay back relief funds given to the island during natural disasters. They also took issue with the lack of a fiscal impact score from the Congressional Budget Office. Despite those roadblocks, Grijalva and others expressed optimism. Last Congress, an early draft of the legislation wasnt introduced until May 2022 after a lengthy period of negotiations and soliciting feedback from residents of Puerto Rico, leaving a narrow window for passage. The early introduction of the measure this year will give lawmakers more time to move the bill through committee and to the floor, Grijalva and others said. Filing these bills early on this Congress will allow all of us not just to have a hearing, but to actually see the bill and get something done in the Senate at the same time, Gonzalez-Colon said. So I think the most important thing is were doing this early in this Congress. But any action will require buy-in from House Committee on Natural Resources Chair Bruce Westerman, R-Ark., and Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. It will also require Republican support in the Senate to overcome a filibuster. Pierluisi said he and Gonzalez-Colon were meeting with Westerman later Thursday to discuss the bill and address any concerns he may have. Grijalva said offices in the Senate had expressed interest in introducing a companion bill there. Now its a new day, so lets move it forward, Pierluisi said. The U.S. acquired Puerto Rico from Spain in 1898 and granted it territory status in 1917, which means those born on the island are U.S. citizens but do not have a voting representative in Congress. Puerto Rico has held a series of popular votes on the islands relationship to the U.S., including non-binding plebiscites in 2012, 2017 and 2020. In the 2020 plebiscite, 52.3% of voters answered affirmatively when asked whether Puerto Rico should be immediately admitted to the union as a state. The bill introduced Thursday would set a binding plebiscite vote for November 2025, with a runoff set for March 2026 if no majority is reached. It also ensures the implementation of whatever option chosen by Puerto Rican voters. What we are offering here is a democratic, inclusive, fair process, Velazquez said. The people of Puerto Rico must decide their future and Congress has the responsibility and power to facilitate that process. Niels Lesniewski contributed to this report. 2023 CQ-Roll Call, Inc., All Rights Reserved. Visit cqrollcall.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa Japans army identified two officers Thursday whose remains were recovered from the wreckage of a military helicopter that crashed into the East China Sea earlier this month with 10 aboard, including a division commander. The Ground Self-Defense Force also identified Col. Masahito Iyota, commander of Camp Miyako, a key installation halfway between Taiwan and Okinawa, as among the missing. Col. Toru Niwata, 48, and Maj. Hiroki Kouso, 34, both division headquarters staff, were identified as two of the five bodies recovered since Sunday from the Japan Air Self-Defense Force UH-60JA Black Hawk, a Japan Defense Ministry statement said Thursday. The aircraft crashed April 6 shortly after departing Miyako Airport. It is with great regret that we inform of their deaths, said Gen. Yasunori Morishita, Ground Self-Defense Force chief of staff, during a Thursday press conference at the ministry in Tokyo. I would like to express my condolences to their families. As of Friday, six bodies have been found and five recovered. One body remains with the aircraft section found April 13 in 350 feet of water just offshore of Irabu Island, southwest of Okinawa. The Japanese military is preparing quickly to raise the aircraft section from the seabed, Morishita said. Some government spokespeople in Japan are required to speak to the media only on condition of anonymity. The Black Hawk was on a reconnaissance flight 11 miles northwest of the airport when it went down with Lt. Gen. Yuichi Sakamoto, commander of the Ground Self-Defense Forces 8th Division; Niwata, Kouso and two other division staff members; four members of the Air Self-Defense Forces 8th Wing; and Iyota aboard. Iyota was previously described as a member of Camp Miyakos security force. He took command of the base in March 2022. His replacement, Col. Hayato Higa, was transferred from the 5th Engineer Group at Camp Takada in Niigata prefecture, Morishita said. Sakamoto, 55, was appointed division commander March 31. He previously served as commander of the 12th Brigade. He was replaced Friday as division commander by Maj. Gen. Shinichi Aoki, who is being promoted to lieutenant general, Morishita said. Aoki was previously the commander of 11th Brigade. Four surveillance aircraft, four Japanese navy and coast guard vessels and 390 personnel continued the search Friday for the remaining four crew members and missing parts of the Black Hawk, said a spokesman from Japans Joint Staff. The Black Hawk had flown to Miyako from its base on Kyushu, the southernmost of Japans four main islands, and crashed 10 minutes after taking off from Miyako Airport. The crew last radioed air traffic controllers about two minutes before the helicopter disappeared from radar but they said nothing about in-flight emergencies. North Koreas recent ballistic missile tests are part of a two-year-old military blueprint and a reaction to U.S. and South Korea military exercises, the commander of U.S. Forces Korea told a congressional panel Thursday. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un laid out a trajectory and he is moving on it, Gen. Paul LaCamera said in testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee in Washington, D.C. Kim unveiled a plan during North Koreas ruling Workers Party Congress in 2021 that included development of strategic nuclear weapons and a nuclear-powered submarine. We must further strengthen the nuclear war deterrent while doing our best to build up the most powerful military strength, Kim said at the time, according to the Korean Central News Agency. North Korea has fired 12 ballistic missiles in nine separate days of testing so far this year. The communist regime last fired what it claimed was a solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile on April 12. South Koreas military estimated that the missile, launched near Pyongyang, flew 620 miles and splashed into the East Sea, or Sea of Japan. The launch prompted the Japanese government to warn residents in Hokkaido to seek shelter and halt trains for roughly 25 minutes. Kim is also reacting to the largest-ever military drills by Washington and Seoul, conducted last month throughout South Korea and in the air and waters that surround it, LaCamera told the committee. North Korea continued to fire missiles while the exercises were underway. The challenge is when we telegraph the timing of it it gives [Kim] an opportunity to plan to use that as a reaction to us, he added. USFK regularly declines to publicize details of its military drills due to security concerns. During the Warrior Shield exercise, around 1,200 U.S. and South Korean soldiers conducted a four-day field exercise at six separate sites that included live-fire by artillery and tanks, mine removal, aerial assaults and squad-level infantry maneuvers. Naval and amphibious forces carried out the two-week Ssangyong exercise with the arrival of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz and its strike group in Busan. U.S. sailors and Marines equipped with Marine Corps V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft and amphibious assault vehicles conducted sea and landing operations with their South Korean counterparts on the peninsulas southern coast. In addition, U.S. troops held the Freedom Shield exercise that for the first time tested the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense anti-missile systems remote launcher capability in an operational setting on March 24. The remote launcher function allows the Armys THAAD system to fire missile interceptors remotely and increases the users defensive range. North Koreas missile launches also prompted air power demonstrations over and around the Korean Peninsula. On April 14, one day after Pyongyang last fired a ballistic missile, at least two Air Force B-52H Stratofortress bombers and four F-16 Fighting Falcons flew alongside four South Korean air force F-35As over South Korean airspace, according to a press release and photos of the flight from U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. The U.S. and South Korean military describe their drills as defensive in nature, but North Koreas official propaganda arm calls them a declaration of war and rehearsal for an invasion. Security around the region is unstable due to the reckless and provocative military maneuvers of the U.S. and its allies, North Korean Foreign Affairs Minister Choe Son Hui said in a statement in KCNA on Friday. The U.S. and the West have no right to say this or that about [North Koreas] position as a nuclear weapons state, and it will never change no matter what they say, he said. BERLIN When 13,000 demonstrators gathered at the Brandenburg Gate on Feb. 25 to call for an end to weapons supplies to Ukraine, the protest was led by Sahra Wagenknecht, a member of parliament for Germany's far-left Die Linke party and a firebrand with national ambitions. Wagenknecht decried the prospect that German tanks, soon to be delivered to Ukraine, could once again be used to shoot at "Russian women and men." "We don't want Germany to be drawn deeper into this war," she said, as she called for the creation of a new peace movement and condemned the bloodshed in Ukraine, without mentioning Russia's invasion. Among the crowd in Berlin was Jurgen Elsasser, editor of a far-right-wing magazine, and dozens of members of the far-right Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD) party who cheered Wagenknecht's calls to cut off Ukraine. Elsasser's Compact magazine had recently declared on its cover that Wagenknecht was: "The best chancellor - a candidate for the left and the right." The coming together of political opposites in Berlin under the banner of peace had been percolating for months, though the union remains ad hoc and unofficial. But marrying Germany's extremes is an explicit Kremlin goal and was first proposed by senior officials in Moscow in early September, according to a trove of sensitive Russian documents largely dated from July to November that were obtained by a European intelligence service and reviewed by The Washington Post. The documents record meetings between Kremlin officials and Russian political strategists, and the Kremlin's orders for the strategists to focus on Germany to build antiwar sentiment in Europe and dampen support for Ukraine. The files also chronicle the strategists' efforts to implement these plans and their reports back to the Kremlin. The documents do not contain any material that records communications between the Russian strategists and any allies in Germany. But interviews show at least one person close to Wagenknecht and several AfD members were in contact with Russian officials at the time the plans were being drawn up. The documents - details of which were broadly corroborated by officials in Western governments - show for the first time the Kremlin's direct attempts to interfere in German politics by seeking to forge a new coalition among Wagenknecht, the far left and the AfD, as well as to support protests by extremists on the left and right against the German government. The aim of a new political formation, according to a document dated Sept. 9, would be to win "a majority in elections at any level" in Germany and reset the AfD to boost its standing beyond the 13 percent the party was polling at then. The reset, laid out among the documents in a proposed manifesto for the AfD that was written by Kremlin political strategists, includes forging the AfD into the party of "German unity" and declaring sanctions on Russia as counter to German interests. "Inadequate politicians, unable to calculate the consequences of their decisions, have dragged Germany into conflict with Russia - a natural ally of our country and of our people," the manifesto stated. "Our interests demand the restoration of normal partnership relations with Russia. ... Today in Germany there are only two parties: the party of enemies of Germany and the party of its friends." It is unclear from the documents if the manifesto ever reached anyone in the AfD. Efforts to build antiwar sentiment in Germany are part of a hidden front in Russia's war against Ukraine as the Kremlin tries to undermine Western unity and freeze the war on its terms. Exploiting peace protests to divide the West repeats tactics that were first honed in Soviet times, and have come back to the fore since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Elsasser, 66, who has migrated from the Communist left to the far right over the course of his political life, first led demonstrations in the 1980s against the deployment of U.S. Pershing II missiles in West Germany. His Compact magazine is now described by German officials as a Kremlin propaganda outlet. "We know [these tactics] from the Cold War, when the Soviets tried to influence and manipulate the antiwar movements," said a senior German security official who, like others, spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters. The files indicate that on July 13, first Kremlin deputy chief of staff Sergei Kiriyenko assembled a group of Russian political strategists and told them that Germany was to become "the focus" of Moscow's efforts to undermine support for Ukraine in Europe. The Kremlin's proposed strategy would draw together two German factions with long-standing pro-Russian stances. Wagenknecht, 53, is a former Communist who grew up in East Germany and has clashed several times with the more traditional leadership of Die Linke, including over her populist stance against unauthorized immigration and her claims that the party was too focused on left-wing academic elites, not the working class. Opinion polls show that her popularity is growing nationally and she is openly mulling forming a new party. German pundits predict she would draw support from the AfD's base, and overall could garner up to 24 percent of the national vote, according to a recent poll cited by the German magazine Der Spiegel, which just put Wagenknecht on its cover. Wagenknecht said in a statement to The Post that there would not be "any cooperation or alliance" between her "and elements of the AfD in any form." She said that any suggestion that she may have received communications from Russian officials or their representatives proposing an alliance with the AfD was "absurd," adding that she had "not been in contact with anyone from the Russian state or any of its representatives." The AfD - called the party of "Putin understanders" by some in Germany - has echoed the Kremlin's view that the war in Ukraine was triggered by the United States and that Russia was simply defending itself from NATO encirclement while protecting Russian speakers in eastern Ukraine. Moscow has long cultivated dozens of AfD members, especially through lavish, all-expenses-paid trips to Russia, documents and interviews show. It is not clear from the documents how the political strategists working with the Kremlin attempted to communicate with members of the AfD or other potential German allies about Moscow's plans. But soon after the Kremlin gave the order for a union to be forged between Wagenknecht and the far right, AfD deputies began speaking in support of her in parliament and party members chanted her name at rallies. Bjorn Hocke, chairman of the AfD in Thuringen in eastern Germany, publicly invited her to join the party. The AfD as well as its co-leader Tino Chrupalla declined to comment in response to questions about the alliance and whether the AfD had received any communications from the Kremlin or individuals close to it proposing such a union. Some in the AfD described the Russian effort as predictable but not necessarily having any actual role in charting the party's direction, especially since the two German camps held diametrically opposed views on running the economy. "Of course, the Russians are going to make use of every opportunity, but for them it is only theory," said one AfD member of parliament, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive party matters. "It is some kind of theoretical battle plan. But it is not what we are practicing here." Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov denied that the Kremlin was involved in any efforts to interfere in German politics. "This is 100 percent fake," Peskov told The Post. "We never interfered before and now we really don't have time for this." At least two key figures - one in the AfD and another close to Wagenknecht - said they were in contact with Kremlin officials or Kremlin allies at the time Moscow's proposals for a coalition were being drawn up. In addition, three AfD lawmakers traveled to Russia on Sept. 20 but broke off the trip after less than a day following a public outcry - and censure from the AfD party leadership - over their plans to visit Donbas, the region in eastern Ukraine that is illegally occupied by Russia. One of the individuals in contact with Russian officials was Ralph Niemeyer, Wagenknecht's ex-husband. He told The Post that he was still in near-daily communication with Wagenknecht and that during recent meetings with top-level Kremlin officials in Moscow it was clear to him that "there are certain people in Russia who have [an] interest" in a union between Wagenknecht and the far right. "I know from private talks with these people that they are aware of the potential that this would have," said Niemeyer, whose house was raided in late March as part of a criminal investigation over his alleged involvement in a plot by the ultra-right Reichsburger movement to overthrow the German government - allegations that Niemeyer denies. Despite the Kremlin's interest, Niemeyer said, Wagenknecht would never accept any support from Moscow. "That would immediately destroy this project because ... you saw it with Marine Le Pen in France. She only borrowed some money from some Russian bank, and not even a donation, and that cost her the presidency. Sahra can't make that mistake." Wagenknecht said she would not comment about her private contacts in response to a question about whether she was in frequent communication with Niemeyer. The other individual was Petr Bystron, a charismatic AfD member of parliament. Bystron traveled secretly to Belarus for three days in November; he only acknowledged the trip after it was exposed by Lithuanian and German media. Bystron told The Post that he met with the Belarusian foreign minister and that the visit was a fact-finding mission to prepare an AfD peace initiative, not to discuss German politics. He said he did not meet with any Russian officials. An earlier trip he made to Kyiv to visit Viktor Medvedchuk, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin who was under house arrest, not long before Russia's invasion had also raised concerns among European officials, according to a European security official. In early July, Putin declared that "even in the countries that are still satellites of the United States, there is a growing understanding that their ruling elites' blind obedience to their overlord, as a rule, does not necessarily coincide with their national interests, and most often simply and even radically contradicts them." Days later, Kiriyenko summoned the political strategists to the Kremlin, and they began to try to exploit the perceived contradiction identified by Putin, the documents show. The political strategists had been told at the meeting with Kiriyenko that their main target was Germany, where they were to discredit the European Union, the United States, Britain and NATO while convincing Germans they were being harmed by the sanctions imposed on Russia, one of the documents dated July 13 shows. The share of the German population in favor of improving relations with Russia, Kiriyenko demanded, was to be boosted by 10 percent within a three-month time frame, a later document shows. The Russian political strategists rued the difficulty of their task. "This is going to be complicated," one of them noted. They immediately scrambled to work with Russian troll farms to pump out slogans for German social media platforms and protests - "Buy gas, not war" and "Ukraine wants war, Germany want peace." Preparing slogans for protests over soaring energy costs formed another part of the strategy, according to the documents, though that issue failed to get much traction because of a mild winter in Europe and the German government's ability to diversify energy supplies. The campaign even extended to graffiti to be painted on walls across Germany and then photographed and placed in the German press, the documents show. These included a drawing of a fat "Uncle Sam" saying, "Bear it a few more years." Another depicted German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock sitting on the Nord Stream natural gas pipeline connecting Russia and Germany, waving a Ukrainian flag and saying, "I don't care what the Germans think." It is unclear whether any of this graffiti appeared. The strategists reported their progress at least once a month to Kremlin officials, the documents show, using a dashboard presentation to demonstrate the reach of their social networks, Telegram accounts and other media, such as a YouTube talk show, "Understanding the Russians," set up in August. By late August, the documents show, the strategists were compiling information about planned protests across Germany, from Neustrelitz, a small town north of Berlin, to Stuttgart in the west. The protests were to take place under the leadership of the far left or the far right, including demonstrations to be led by the Reichsburger movement. The strategists hoped to use the rallies as an opportunity to promote their own agenda, a security official familiar with the documents said, adding that they may have initiated some of the protests. Demonstrators taking part in protest walks held every Monday in Leipzig and Neustrelitz carried slogans drawn up by the Kremlin strategists, demanding in Leipzig: "Launch Nord Stream 2 immediately!", "Lift the anti-Russian sanctions!" and "Lower electricity prices!" In Neustrelitz, they declared: "We want to live and not just survive!" and "What are we going to warm ourselves with in winter?" For many AfD members of parliament, the party's alignment with Russia over the war in Ukraine, and with the Kremlin's anti-LGBTQ and anti-globalist agenda, is natural - and, they insist, not dictated by Moscow. The party was founded in 2013 in opposition to the German government's handling of the euro-zone crisis, but it soon took ever-harder right-wing stances: anti-immigration and railing against what party members saw as Germany's Atlanticist and liberal ruling elites. "Normally, defending Ukraine would coincide with our own interests in the idea of national sovereignty. We believe in a Europe of fatherlands," said Andreas Kalbitz, former chairman of the AfD in Brandenburg and a member of the party's executive board until 2020, when he was ousted over his membership in a neo-Nazi group. "But this is a proxy war. And for many conservative people, Putin is the only big player working against the whole idea of Western liberalism. ... You have to choose one side, especially in wartime. But you can't say AfD is some kind of fifth column." Kalbitz, like many other AfD members of parliament, was a frequent guest in Moscow. The AfD lawmakers' expenses, documents from the trove show, were often paid out of the Kremlin kitty, often through the "Russian Peace Foundation," an organization chaired by the Russian parliament's foreign affairs committee chief, Leonid Slutsky. The foundation "will cover the expenses for your trip to Russia," said one such invitation from Slutsky to Kay Gottschalk, an AfD MP, dated Oct. 3, 2018, according to one of the documents. Gottschalk declined to comment. Kalbitz insisted his Kremlin hosts had never offered the party money - and noted that Alexander Gauland, one of the AfD's founding fathers, said the party would never accept if offered. But he conceded that he could not speak for every AfD lawmaker and said the Russians had frequently wowed their guests with sumptuous hospitality. In his case, that included an evening in one of St. Petersburg's most ornate imperial palaces, the Yusupov Palace, rented out solely for the handful of AfD visitors and their Kremlin-connected hosts, complete with a private performance by soloists from the Bolshoi Theater. "The Russians believe they can do most things with money," Kalbitz said. Leaked emails from Russian officials, including an attache in the Russian Embassy in Berlin, previously reported in Der Spiegel in cooperation with the Dossier Center in London, have offered some insight into how the Russians viewed their German guests. "We will have our own absolutely controlled MP in the Bundestag," one April 2017 email said of Markus Frohnmaier, an AfD member of parliament and a guest on several junkets. Frohnmaier has previously denied the assertion and didn't respond to a request for comment from The Post. AfD members and Niemeyer have continued to travel to Russia since the war began. When Niemeyer traveled to Vladivostok, a Russian city in the Far East, in September, he posted images on social media of his meetings at an economic forum with Peskov, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Alexei Miller, chief executive of Gazprom, the Russian state gas giant. Niemeyer said at the time he was there to negotiate a new gas supply contract through Nord Stream 2 with Moscow, on behalf of what he called "a German government in exile." The aim of the exercise was clear: a publicity stunt to try to put pressure on the government of Chancellor Olaf Scholz to seek a new relationship with Moscow as German businesses smarted from soaring energy costs. Niemeyer told The Post he delivered a copy of the proposed contract to the chancellor's office, and then told Alice Weidel, the AfD co-leader, who raised the issue with Scholz in parliament. "She said, 'What if we found out later that you were sitting on an offer from Gazprom and you didn't sign it?'" Niemeyer said. Niemeyer said he returned to Moscow following the Baltic Sea explosions that damaged the Nord Stream pipelines in September and was told by a top Kremlin official, Yury Ushakov, that supplies could still be delivered through Nord Stream 2, where one branch was undamaged in the explosions. During these meetings, he said, he was given a special encrypted telephone for communicating securely with Peskov, who, he said, is also interested in the effort to unite Wagenknecht and the AfD. Peskov did not respond to a request for comment about whether he gave an encrypted phone to Niemeyer. "Peskov doesn't openly speak about that because he can't be quoted as saying, 'We wish this happens in Germany.' That's domestic policy," he said. "But I know from private talks with these people they are aware of the potential this would have. ... That's why I am talking to people who are more right-wing and saying, 'Let's forget about all the differences we have.'" The idea of union with the AfD, he said, has so far not sat well with his ex-wife. Even though at the Feb. 25 protest, Wagenknecht said she welcomed everyone who was "pure in heart" and for peace and negotiations with Russia, she has balked at openly seeking an alliance with the far right, fearing it would cost her support on the left. Niemeyer said that if she formed her own party, she could garner about 10 to 20 percent of the national vote, drawing some AfD support. But if she officially forged an alliance with the AfD, Niemeyer asserted, without citing any specific polling, "she would probably be given a majority." "She is immensely popular in Germany, so she would win the chancellorship with that, yes," he said, adding that he was already preparing a platform for Wagenknecht in hope that calls from Germany's main opposition party, the Christian Democratic Union, for a parliamentary inquiry over Scholz's handling of a tax fraud scam before he became the country's leader could lead to early elections. The Russians "would immediately support her," Niemeyer said, after spending a further two weeks in Moscow in April. Some in the AfD are wary of joining forces with Wagenknecht, fearing she will end up diluting the potential of the party as a national force. While such an alliance could win AfD votes in east Germany, it would cost the party in the west, Kalbitz said. "Without the western part of Germany, the AfD will have no future on the level of the whole republic. We don't intend to lose our standing. I don't want to have one piece of cake when I can have the whole bakery. ... We are not here to fulfill Russian dreams." But for Bystron, the AfD spokesperson on foreign policy, an alliance with Wagenknecht is attractive. "It is visible that on one side there is the globalist coalition and on the other side the populists, in the positive sense of the word." Bystron insisted any such alliance was happening naturally and had nothing to do with any Kremlin plans. AfD supporters had first joined with the far left for protests against restrictions during the pandemic, he said. "This coalition is already [here]," he said. "The people are on the streets. They are already there. They are standing side by side." Harris reported from Washington. The Washington Post's Loveday Morris in Berlin contributed to this report. KYIV, Ukraine As Ukrainian and Russian troops fight conventional battles on the front lines, Europe's first major war of the internet age has also sparked a war of technology as both sides vie for advantage with their drones and satellite communications. While the two sides have kept pace with one another thus far, Ukraine's minister in charge of technology told The Associated Press in an interview Friday that he was confident his country had the motivation and abilities to out-innovate Russia in the end. Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine's Minister of Digital Transformation, said unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), electronic warfare, satellite communications and other technologies had been a fundamental part of the war with Russia that began more than a year ago. "Technologies allow traditional and modern artillery to be more accurate, and they help save the lives of our soldiers," he said. "When you have 'eyes' over you, you can make more effective decisions about managing your troops." He acknowledged that Russia was also aware of the importance of technology on the battlefield, and was actively developing and improving its own. "Every day, there are new UAVs on the battlefield from our side and from Russia's side," Fedorov said. "We see what kind of drones they have. We receive, disassemble and study them". He said the government was planning investments in new technology projects to encourage further competition and innovation. "In this technology war we will surely win," he said. "Even if fewer than 50-60% of supported projects will give some result, it can be decisive on the battlefield." In recent weeks, anticipation of a possible Ukrainian counteroffensive this spring has risen. Fedorov said it was impossible to imagine any efficient operations without technologies on the battlefield. Ukraine has not mounted a major operation to liberate occupied territories since it retook the city of Kherson and part of the surrounding province last November. However, the frequency of reported drone attacks in Russia has increased. Over the past months, a spate of drone strikes has targeted areas in southern and western Russia, reflecting the growing reach of the Ukrainian military. After each strike, Russian authorities blamed Ukraine, but Ukrainian official stopped short of openly claiming responsibility. Instead, they emphasized the right to strike any target in response to the Russian aggression. Fedorov said the effect of Ukraine's drone warfare could be seen in Russia's actions, noting that Russia has now started moving armored equipment further from the front line. "There have been certain events that have changed the situation, but we continue to scale this useful experience," he said, but refused to be drawn on the details. Commenting on the battle for the city of Bakhmut, the longest of the war so far, Fedorov said that the "use of technologies is invaluable in such situations." "When you have limited artillery resources, weapons, ammunition, and strike drones, you need to be as accurate as possible," he said. This accuracy can be achieved in particular by drones. However, with a front line thousands of kilometers long, the heavy weapons and armored equipment traditional for warfare remained essential, Fedorov said. Technology could help Ukraine locate potential targets, but the army could not hit them all because it lacked the necessary artillery and ammunition, he said. The delivery of promised aid from partner countries remained "critical," said the minister in charge of technologies. Ukrainian defender beheaded by savage Russian occupiers possible identified, media reports 21 April, 01:15 PM Serhiy Potoki (Photo:www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100025222425600) The Ukrainian defender whose beheading was filmed by the Russian occupiers is probably Serhiy Potoki, 30, Hungarys Telex reported on April 20. Potoki had worked at the market, before defending Ukraine at the frontlines hottest place Bakhmut, the outlet wrote. Read also: Ukraine says Russia is using the same tactics in Bakhmut as in Syria Before enlisting, he lived with his wife, six-year-old daughter, and half-year-old son in Vynohradiv, Zakarpattia Oblast. The soldier was reportedly killed in combat in March, reported Golos Karpat. Video of day Deputy Minister of Defence Hanna Malyar asked previously not to voice any versions of the deceased's identity until the official conclusions are made. Identifying a person from a video input, especially in such circumstances, is "an arduous task," she said. The video started circulating on Russian Telegram channels on April 12, showing a Russian soldier savagely decapitating a Ukrainian prisoner with a knife. The prisoner was alive when the barbaric execution began. Ukraine's Security Service has vowed to find and punish the Russians behind the grotesque beheading murder of a Ukrainian soldier. Ukraine's intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov said on April 17 that the identity of the Russian war criminals from the video was established, although he declined to disclose the information. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has assured that Russia would be held liable for all its crimes and called on world leaders to respond to Russian atrocities. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google News Hamas, the small Palestinian militant group once confined to the Gaza Strip, is growing in influence, making inroads against its enemy Israel while rebuilding ties across the Middle East. After its sponsor, Iran, re-established relations with arch-rival Saudi Arabia, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and his deputies visited the kingdom this week for the first time in years. It's also re-established ties with Syria after a decade-long rift, and set up bases in Turkey, Lebanon and Qatar. Earlier this month, Hamas launched the biggest volley of rockets at Israel from Lebanon since those countries were last at war in 2006. "Hamas has a way of being able to draw a wide range of actors into its conflict with Israel," said Jonathan Schanzer, senior vice president of research at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a Washington think tank. "They are now the means, the delivery system for the Iranian strategy of bringing war to Israel's borders." Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority and chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization, was also invited to Saudi Arabia. But his credibility with his people in the West Bank is at rock bottom after failing to deliver a Palestinian state in almost two decades in power, and Hamas is trying to speak for the entire movement. When Israeli police and Palestinians clashed recently at Jerusalem's Al Aqsa Mosque, it was Hamas that barraged Israel from Gaza and Syria, as well as Lebanon, while arming groups in the West Bank. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has warned that Iran is waging a multifront war of attrition against Israel. And Tehran's hand may be strengthening, as reconciliation with Saudi Arabia comes alongside ongoing support from Russia and high oil prices. The Arab world's re-acceptance of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad provided another boost, as he is strategic ally. U.S. involvement in the Middle East has meanwhile diminished, and Iran has advanced its nuclear program. "One gets a sense that the organization may be experiencing a sort of resurgence," Schanzer said of Hamas. "I'm not saying they're an all-powerful operation. But they're enjoying greater acceptance than what we've seen, and that has to do with the changing landscape of the region." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office declined to comment on Hamas's widening reach. Realigning ties "put Hamas at the heart of things, and perhaps it is looking for a foothold in some important capitals, such as Cairo, Amman, Riyadh, Tehran, and of course Damascus and Beirut," said Adnan Abu Amer, professor of political science at Al-Ummah University in Gaza City. "Hamas believes that its political work, diplomatic relations and external contacts with Arab and Islamic countries and other nations promote its narrative with regard to the Israeli occupation, and serve to legitimize its armed resistance," he said. For most of its existence, Hamas was a local Palestinian group supported by Qatar, but regarded with hostility in other parts of the Arab world because of its ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, considered a terrorist organization. In recent years, Hamas moved several of its top leaders out of Gaza, where they'd been penned up under Israel's tight watch, giving them freedom of movement. The group tightened ties with Iran ally Hezbollah, which controls the most powerful armed force in Lebanon, giving it an additional base against Israel. The changing regional landscape "increases the freedom of action of Iran and its proxies to escalate military confrontation with Israel," the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security, a conservative think tank, wrote in a recent paper. "The chances of deterioration into a wider conflict are more significant today than before" - at a time when Israel is seen from the outside as a "torn society, gradually losing its ability to function" because of the fierce domestic controversy surrounding the government's proposal to weaken the country's courts, it said. For Schanzer, the real question is whether Hamas has access to what Israel has termed a game-changer: the precision-guided missile program that Hezbollah and Iran have created in Lebanon. Such missiles are navigable and can be guided toward a specific target. If there is significant collaboration and cooperation between Iran's proxies in Lebanon, "I think it's fair to ask, is Hamas now part of this," Schanzer said. "There's no reason why it shouldn't be if Iran's goal is to encircle Israel and endanger it with advanced weaponry." Iran's anti-government uprising has been marked by cycles of killing and mourning. As the deaths pile up, funerals and commemorations have become their own form of protest, as well as another grim venue for the state's systematic crackdown on dissent. The Washington Post analyzed 18 cases of state violence at mourning events - focusing on three where security forces used fatal force - interviewing eyewitnesses and human rights observers and reviewing dozens of videos and images. Many of the cases were from the predominantly Kurdish northwest, fitting a pattern of disproportionate use of state force against ethnic minorities. Visual evidence shows national police units and Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps using live fire and less-lethal weapons on mourners. In the Iranian Shiite funerary tradition, there is the burial itself, followed by memorial gatherings on the third and seventh days after the death, followed by a third, a "chehellom," on the 40th day. Many of those killed have been elevated as martyrs by the protest movement, with each public display of mourning inspiring new rounds of demonstrations - and new repression by the state. One of the uprising's earliest viral images was from the funeral of Javad Heydari, who was killed on Sept. 22 in the northern city of Qazvin during an anti-government demonstration. Videos showed his sister cutting her hair over Javad's casket - a sharp departure from the past, when families of those killed by the state would bury their loved ones in private, pressured by authorities to keep quiet. Iran's clerical rulers understand the power, and danger, of public grief. In July 1978, religious leaders organized large protests around the death of a popular opposition figure. Crowds marching in funeral processions in Mashhad chanted slogans against the ruling Pahlavi monarchy. Riot police reportedly fired into the crowds, killing around 40 people. Seven months later, the Islamic revolution would overthrow the shah. Iranian security forces have killed at least 530 protesters since September, according to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, and protests have been more sporadic in recent weeks. On March 21, Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, struck a triumphal tone, saying the government had put down the unrest. "The Islamic republic proved that it is strong," he said. "They want to scare the population, and they want to convey the message that 'we won't let you rest even if you're dead,'" said Shahin Milani, the executive director of the Connecticut-based Iran Human Rights Documentation Center, which has worked to verify state attacks on mourning events. A spokesman for Iran's mission to the United Nations in New York did not respond to a request for comment for this story. Death at a chehellom Hadis Najafi was killed Sept. 21 during an anti-government protest in Karaj, a large city near Tehran. Najafi's death received widespread attention because she was close in age to Mahsa Amini - the 22-year-old whose death in the custody of Iran's "morality police" sparked the uprising - and had a large following on Instagram and TikTok. Forty days after her death, on Nov. 3, thousands of people headed to the Beheshte Sakineh cemetery on the outskirts of Karaj for Najafi's chehellom. Government forces blocked the highway exit that leads to the cemetery, according to eyewitnesses. Videos show mourners walking along the highway, trying to make their way in. Unable to reach the gravesite, mourners spread out across the city. Farther south, hundreds marched along Beheshti Boulevard, on the northern edge of the Khorramdasht neighborhood. There, a video verified by The Post shows the moment that 17-year-old Mehdi Hazrati was shot and killed. In the video, protesters are seen throwing rocks toward the security forces, some of which are clad in black body armor. Mark Pyruz, an expert on Iran's security services, identified the officers wearing black body armor as riot police - a unit under the national police force, or FARAJA. As Hazrati walks toward the police, a gunshot rings out. His body slumps to the ground. "The gunshot sounds like a clear muzzle blast," said Steven Beck, a forensic gunshot analyst who reviewed the video for The Post, suggesting it came from a smaller firearm. "It is not a big gun like a sniper rifle," he added. "The shooter, without hesitation or making a mistake, took aim at close range and aimed exactly at the head and shot [Hazrati]," according to a Karaj resident whose mother recorded the video, which later made its way to activists. Too afraid to speak to journalists, the woman shared her account with her son, who spoke to The Post on her behalf. The Iranians interviewed for this story spoke on the condition of anonymity, fearing reprisals from the authorities. In the chaos that followed, the government said protesters assaulted a member of the Basij, a volunteer paramilitary under the command of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or IRGC, the country's most feared military force. Fifteen people were arrested, and five of them were sentenced to death in what Amnesty International described as "sham trials." Mohammad Mehdi Karami, 22, and Seyyed Mohammad Hosseini, 39, were hanged on Jan. 7; the death sentences for the other three men are under review by the judiciary. In mid-December, mourners gathered again at Beheshte Sakineh cemetery, this time for Hazrati's chehellom, according to a video posted to Telegram by the Iranian citizen journalist account Mamlekate. In the video, a family member claims that Hazrati's parents were put under house arrest, preventing them from visiting his grave. 'More and more ruthless' On Dec. 31 in Javanrud, a Kurdish city in western Kermanshah province, a crowd of hundreds gathered for a chehellom for seven protesters killed by security forces. But as mourners reached the Haji Ibrahim Cemetery, they were met by a large contingent of government forces. "A policeman from the special police forces used a speaker attached to one of their vehicles to tell people to go home," a 29-year-old Javanrud resident told The Post. "He said, 'This is a holy place. Don't let there be any blood spilled here.' In a way he was making both a request and a threat." One video from the cemetery shows more than 20 officers in dark uniforms and body armor. The Post showed these videos to Pyruz, who identified forces from the FARAJA's Special Unit, as well as from the IRGC's Ansar al-Rasoul Brigade and what appear to be plainclothes operatives. "[The security forces] were clearly outnumbered by multiples," Pyruz said. "This is typically where one observes the application of lethal force - when police or IRGC/Basij are at an overwhelming numerical disadvantage in confronting a resisting force of protesters." Afshon Ostovar, an associate professor at the Naval Postgraduate School in California who focuses on Iranian national security, also analyzed the videos. "When the military gets involved, it means that the protests have become a national security concern," he said, referring to the deployment of the IRGC. "Typically, that means the military is authorized to use greater degrees of violence than the police, including lethal violence to put down the protests." When riot police failed to contain the crowd, IRGC forces opened fire, eyewitnesses said. "The Revolutionary Guard started to shoot at us. People didn't even make a single move. We were just standing in the same place and were chanting protest slogans," said another Javanrud resident who was there that day. Borhan Elyasi, 22, was killed during the crackdown, according to Hengaw, a Kurdish human rights group. Hengaw shared graphic footage online claiming to show Elyasi bloody on a hospital stretcher, and his death was confirmed to The Post by locals. "People rushed him to the hospital, but he didn't survive," said a staff attorney for the Iran Human Rights Documentation Center (IHRDC) who has documented the incident in Javanrud and dozens of others like it at mourning events across the Kurdish region. "The Iranian government has become more and more ruthless and shameless in using live ammunition in the light of the day." "It is unknown why they started shooting at people, because I have seen it in different videos from different angles that they could have stopped people from entering the cemetery," the attorney added, pointing to video posted by Hengaw that shows mourners fleeing the area amid clouds of tear gas. 'They martyred poor Borhan' On Nov. 15, Foad Mohammadi was killed in a protest in Kamyaran, in Kurdistan Province in the west of the country, near the border with Iraq. The following day, people gathered outside Mohammadi's family's home in Kamyaran to pay their respects and to express outrage at his killing. "We saw that we were surrounded by security forces in uniforms, civilian clothing. Basijis [members of the IRGC's volunteer wing], intelligence agents, they were all over the area. People were chanting protest slogans like 'Women, life, freedom' and 'Martyrs don't die,'" a Kamyaran resident told The Post. A video filmed outside Mohammadi's parent's house and verified by The Post captures the moment that a 32-year-old named Borhan Karami is shot and killed. There are at least four audible gunshots in the footage; Karami collapses after the third shot. Before Karami is hit, he appears to point in the direction of the gunfire. It is unclear from the video who fired the fatal shot, but the Kamyaran resident said he saw anti-riot forces open fire. "Maybe about five or 10 meters away from me, I saw that all of a sudden, a young person fell to the ground. He hit the asphalt with his head. People ran away," the eyewitness recounted. "We ran over and saw that the shooters were still standing right there on the street. They martyred poor Borhan." The chief justice of Kurdistan Province, speaking to a local news site, confirmed that Karami was fatally shot in the head but stated that "no officer was present when this person was shot." "The government showed no interest in doing investigation in this case," said the IHRDC staff attorney, who has also reviewed Karami's case. "No person has been held accountable for his murder." Hengaw shared a video online that purports to show a gathering of mourners at Karami's nighttime burial on Nov. 16. "Mother, don't mourn for your child, we promise to avenge him," the crowd chants, before reverting to the protest movement's defining slogan: "Death to Khamenei." The Biden administration is proposing a widespread ban on a toxic chemical used in paint strippers that has been linked to dozens of accidental deaths, the first of several long-awaited moves planned for this year to bolster the country's chemical-safety rules. The Environmental Protection Agency said Thursday its plan would ban methylene chloride for all consumer use and most industrial and commercial uses. EPA officials say that would go much further than past efforts, though it falls short of a total ban some health groups have called for in the past. The last rule on methylene chloride - approved under the Trump administration in 2019 - had banned only consumer paint remover uses, giving wide exceptions elsewhere. This new proposal would allow only limited use in industrial manufacturing and processing, especially the production of other chemicals. Methylene chloride is a solvent often used to refinish bathtubs and other surfaces, and to make pharmaceuticals and refrigerants. Short-term exposure can cause dizziness, headaches and harm the central nervous system, and long-term exposure can be toxic to the liver and cause cancer. The EPA says it is especially risky to home renovators, even trained workers in protective gear. Despite such risks, the chemical's use has continued because of its popularity with the military and, also, its use in newer coolants developed to replace some types of hydrofluorocarbons, among the most potent contributors to climate change. The EPA proposal would give leniency for methylene chloride's continued use by the Defense Department - among other federal agencies - and makers of more climate-friendly coolants, the agency said. The agency has been under pressure to issue new rules like this under Congress's 2016 overhaul of the Toxic Substances Control Act. This is only the EPA's second proposal in the eight years since. Lobbyists and agency officials have said to expect four to seven more this year, plus a potentially completed rule banning one of the last actively used forms of asbestos, the only other proposal EPA has issued under the law. "The science on methylene chloride is clear, exposure can lead to severe health impacts and even death, a reality for far too many families who have lost loved ones due to acute poisoning," EPA Administrator Michael Regan said in a statement. "This historic proposed ban demonstrates significant progress in our work to implement new chemical safety protections and take long-overdue actions to better protect public health." Many safety advocates lauded the agency for making progress but also said it should do more. The environmental law firm Earthjustice, which helped lead a lawsuit over the Trump administration's rules, said it will push the agency to produce a final rule with narrower exemptions and work to make them as short-lived as possible. "This proposal is a win for public health, and a tribute to the workers, families, and other advocates," Jonathan Kalmuss-Katz, a senior attorney with the group, said in a statement. "But exemptions in the rule would allow certain uses of methylene chloride to continue for a decade or more, leaving workers, service members, and communities at risk." But the agency is also getting some support from safety advocates who had expressed disappointment with the more lenient rule. Wendy Hartley, whose 21-year-old son, Kevin, died in 2017 while refinishing a bathtub - even after being trained in how to apply the paint stripper - lauded the proposal in a statement provided to the EPA. "No mother should have to face that," Hartley said of her son's death. "The EPA is proposing to ban its use as a commercial bathtub stripper once and for all, and I urge the agency to quickly finalize the rule and make sure no other mother has to go through what I did." Since 1980, the EPA said, at least 85 people died from acute exposure to methylene chloride. Most of them were workers in home renovation. That has made the solvent a top target for regulators. It was among the first 10 chemicals designated for evaluation under the 2016 law - the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act. The EPA proposed an outright ban on Jan. 19, 2017, the day before President Barack Obama left office, saying it posed "unreasonable risks" to human health. But the agency in 2019 retreated from that decision under pressure from the Pentagon, proposing to allow commercial operators to keep using the chemical so long as they are trained. For uses still allowed under the new proposal, the EPA would apply "strict exposure limits," the agency said. It would allow limited uses of methylene chloride by the Defense Department, NASA and the Federal Aviation Administration with strict controls, the agency said, because their "highly sophisticated environments" can reduce worker exposure and minimize their risks. Data provided by those government agencies and companies gave EPA officials confidence that they can protect workers, Michal Freedhoff, head of the EPA's chemical safety and pollution prevention, said in a call with reporters. "Every single time, when we allowed either an exemption from a ban or continued use of a particular application of methylene chloride, it was accompanied by [an] extremely strong safety protection program," she said. "We did trust that a large, sophisticated chemical company would be able to implement the engineering, monitoring and [protective gear] requirements that our rule requires." The American Chemistry Council, which represents chemical manufacturers, said the rule could overlap with other existing federal safety regulations. It also noted an EPA estimate that the proposal would block what now amounts to more than half of the country's annual use of methylene chloride, which it said would be a challenge, given the agency's timeline. "That scale of reduction in production, that rapidly, could have substantial supply chain impacts if manufacturers have contractual obligations they need to follow through on or if manufacturers decide to cease production entirely," the group said in a statement. It added there could be ripple effects, including on "pharmaceutical supply chains and the specific safety-critical, corrosion-sensitive critical uses identified by EPA." The proposed phase-down for consumer uses and most industrial and commercial uses would be fully implemented in 15 months, the EPA said. That would come after the rule is completed - a process that usually takes several months. The next step for the agency is to publish the proposal in the federal register, opening it to 60 days of public comment. The agency has five more proposals to come soon, Freedhoff said. That includes the likely next up, perchloroethylene, a solvent used for cleaning and degreasing, and carbon tetrachloride, another solvent that is commonly used to produce other chemicals such as refrigerants. Those proposals are more likely to be similar to the partial ban proposed for methylene chloride than the full ban proposed for white asbestos, Freedhoff said. A South Carolina attorney who used her law firm to orchestrate a $31 million fraud scheme targeting veterans and the elderly faces up to five years in prison after pleading guilty this week to conspiracy. Candy Kern, 55, carried out a nationwide scam from 2012 to 2021 that took advantage of cash-strapped veterans and clients who were seeking a secure retirement investment, the Justice Department said in a statement Wednesday, the same day as the plea agreement. The scheme offered veterans cash in exchange for temporary rights to their pensions and disability payments, usually until their loans were repaid with interest. Kern was the managing partner at the law firm and served as the banker, legal counsel, and debt collector in the scheme, which bilked victims out of $31.4 million, according to the DOJ. Despite knowing that the contracts were illegal, Kern and her associates persuaded retirees to fork over the money lent to the veterans, saying the payments would eventually yield returns, the Justice Department statement said. She filed lawsuits against those who defaulted, even though the contracts were void. Over time, some veterans realized that the pension assignments were illegal and stopped paying, according to the statement. This led to the collapse of the scheme after more than eight years. Kern and an undisclosed number of associates pocketed over $1.4 million, the DOJ said. This elaborate scheme preyed upon and exploited some of our most vulnerable populations, and when it collapsed, it left thousands of veterans in financial ruin and scores of retiree-investors without adequate resources to retire, Brian Boynton, head of the Justice Departments civil division, was quoted in the statement as saying. Kern surrendered her law license in 2021. As part of her plea deal, she agreed to help prosecutors in their ongoing investigation. It is reprehensible that a former member of the South Carolina state bar would participate in such a scheme and use her standing as a lawyer to give victims a false confidence, Adair Boroughs, the U.S. attorney for the District of South Carolina, said in the statement. The date of Kerns sentencing was not provided in the statement. Besides prison time, she also faces a $250,000 fine. The National Elder Fraud Hotline is available to anyone 60 or older who has experienced financial fraud at 1-833-372-8311. The hotline is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. E.S.T to 6 p.m E.S.T. " " Sir Anish Kapoor stands with his piece "Ishi's Light 2003" at the Tate Modern gallery to mark World Refugee Day on June 20, 2019, in London, England. Leon Neal/Getty Images British-Indian artist and sculptor Anish Kapoor had been famous for over 30 years when he bought exclusive rights to use a color called Vantablack as an art material. Vantablack at the time (2016) was the blackest pigment out there, absorbing 99.965 percent of visible light. This maneuver meant no other artist could use it, causing outrage among painters. In retaliation, another British artist named Stuart Semple created a pink paint called Pinkest Pink and put it for sale on his website. He also listed a disclaimer: "By adding this product to your cart you confirm that you are not Anish Kapoor, you are in no way affiliated to Anish Kapoor, you are not purchasing this item on behalf of Anish Kapoor or an associate of Anish Kapoor. To the best of your knowledge, information and belief this paint will not make its way into the hands of Anish Kapoor." Advertisement Sales flooded in and artists who used the pink paint posted pictures on social media of their work with the hashtag #sharetheblack. As revenge, Kapoor had a representative buy the color and shared an Instagram picture of himself giving a pink-coated finger to the camera. He also said he would be suing Semple, though it doesn't seem as if a lawsuit was ever filed. At the same time, Semple made his own version of blackest-black paint with help from other artists, which anyone could purchase (except one person). This somewhat petty feud is just one of many in the art world, where fierce rivalries can develop between artists. Here are five of them. The court heard that the owner of the bank account had interacted with a fraudulent text message, a fraud known as smishing. Chelsea Dooley (23) of Fortlawn Park, Blanchardstown, Dublin pictured leaving the Criminal Courts of Justice(CCJ) on Parkgate Street in Dublin Pic: Paddy Cummins Paddy Cummins - PCPhoto.ie Chelsea Dooley (23) of Fortlawn Park, Blanchardstown, Dublin pictured leaving the Criminal Courts of Justice(CCJ) on Parkgate Street in Dublin Pic: Paddy Cummins Paddy Cummins - PCPhoto.ie A Dublin childcare worker who allowed her bank account to be used to launder over 24,000 stolen from someone's bank account has been sentenced to 200 hours of community service. Chelsea Dooley (23) of Fortlawn Park, Blanchardstown pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of the proceeds of criminal crime. She has no previous convictions. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that gardai were contacted on January 5, 2021, when a man said that money had been taken from his AIB account. From December 21, 2020 until January 4, 2021, a total of nine transactions were taken from the account, with a total value of 24,900. The court heard that the owner of the bank account had interacted with a fraudulent text message, a fraud known as smishing. The 24,900 was directed to two different bank accounts, with one account receiving only one euro and Dooleys bank account receiving the remaining 23.899. Simon Mathews, BL, prosecuting, told the court that the AIB fraud team made the gardai aware of the smishing activity. Chelsea Dooley (23) of Fortlawn Park, Blanchardstown, Dublin pictured leaving the Criminal Courts of Justice(CCJ) on Parkgate Street in Dublin Pic: Paddy Cummins Paddy Cummins - PCPhoto.ie A court order was requested, and the bank details for the account where the 23,899 was transferred were obtained. This account was registered to Dooley, who had opened the account when she was a child. Dooley was arrested and interviewed. At one stage during her interview, Dooley said she had lost her bank card. CCTV footage was shown to her of an unknown male using her bank card to withdraw money at an ATM, which she could not explain. Olan Callanan BL, defending, said other parties took the money from Dooleys account and that she has not come to any adverse garda attention since this offence. He also said that Dooley had not profited from the scheme in any way and just allowed her bank account to be used for no financial gain. Dooley has now progressed from a childcare assistant to the deputy manager of a childcare centre and is involved in further education. Counsel said Dooley was a young lady who made a foolish and criminal mistake, and she realises that she has made a fundamental mistake. A letter from Dooley's mother and employer was handed into court. He asked the court to take into account his client's guilty plea, her naivety and to be as lenient as possible. Judge Martina Baxter said Dooley had shown ample remorse and contrition for her actions, and she noted Doolety received no financial gain from allowing her bank account to be used. The judge took into account a number of mitigating factors, including the fact that Dooley has a good employment history and is furthering her education. Judge Baxter handed down a 12 month sentence and suspended it in lieu of Dooley carrying out 200 hours of community service. He turned up at the school again this morning, marking 85 days since the fines were imposed. Sacked teacher Enoch Burkes fines for persisting to turn up at his old workplace will tip over the 60,000 figure this weekend. Mr Burke continues to make the regular trek from Castlebar in Co Mayo to Wilsons Hospital School in Multyfarnham in Co Westmeath despite a daily fine of 700 imposed upon him by the High Court on January 27 for contempt. He is driven to the school by his father on the two-hour, 150km journey, and then collected again at the end of the school day for the return leg. He turned up at the school again this morning, marking 85 days since the fines were imposed. This brings his total fines to date to 59,500. The teacher is being fined for each day he remains in contempt of a court order restraining him from showing up at the school. Mr Justice Brian OMoore last month made a ruling allowing the school to take steps to recover the 23,800 due up to March 1 if Mr Burke did not pay them. His ruling means that the school can take measures to enforce the fines, such as applying for the sequestration of the teachers assets. This would involve the seizure of assets and their sale to pay the fines. The school has yet to make any such application, but there has been no indication that Mr Burke met a deadline to pay the 23,800. The board of management of Wilsons Hospital School secured orders against Mr Burke last August and September after he continued to show up to work at its premises despite being suspended pending the outcome of a disciplinary process. One of those orders remains in place. The paid administrative leave came after Mr Burke, an evangelical Christian, refused on religious grounds to comply with a request from the schools then principal to call a transgender child by a new name and by they/them pronouns, clashing on a number of occasions with school management over the issue. It now seems probable that Burke intends to continue to turn up at the school until the end of the term in about a months time before the summer holidays. Enoch Burkes behaviour at court sittings, as well as that of other family members, has come under severe criticism and also led to the arrest and conviction of his younger brother Simeon. On Monday Simeon Burke was found guilty of a public order offence over his conduct during and after he and members of his family disrupted the delivery of a judgment at the Court of Appeal last month. Enoch Burke pictured outside the entrance to Wilson's Hospital School in Multyfarnham, Co Westmeath. Photo: Gerry Mooney Judge John Hughes said he did not accept the barrister-at-law students evidence about the courtroom melee and his interactions with gardai after they physically removed him and members of his family. The judge fined the 24-year-old 300, giving him six months to pay. However, although Simeon Burke walked free from Dublin District Court, he told the judge he would refuse to pay the fine, saying he should not have been convicted and alleging that gardai had perjured themselves in court. He had earlier begged to be spared a criminal conviction and to be dealt with under the Probation Act, given what he described as the blot it might have for his career prospects. However, after the judge intimated that if Mr Burke was to have dealings with the Probation Service he would have to sign a bail bond, the student said he would refuse to do so. He had been held in Cloverhill Prison since being charged on March 7, refusing to take up bail offered by the court. Mr Burke, of Cloonsunna, Castlebar, Co Mayo, was found guilty of a single count of engaging in threatening, insulting and abusive words and behaviour in and around the Four Courts. He and members of his family had been present in the Court of Appeal for the delivery of a ruling in the dispute between Wilsons Hospital School and Enoch. Kevin Treacy (36) believed the bouncer had been rough with his girlfriend when he pushed him into a crash barrier during the gig Kevin Treacy of Belgrave Square, Monkstown North, charged with assault and breach of the peace A film-maker charged a security man to the ground at a Dublin Guns N' Roses concert in a row over admittance to the VIP area. Kevin Treacy (36) believed the bouncer had been rough with his girlfriend when he pushed him into a crash barrier during the gig. The US rock band famous for songs like Welcome to the Jungle were playing Marlay Park when the assault happened. Judge Anthony Halpin struck the case out, sparing Treacy a criminal record after he paid 500 to charity. The judge said there was a degree of provocation and some of these security officers can be a little bit too gung ho. Treacy, of Belgrave Square, Monkstown North, admitted assault and threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour. Dublin District Court heard gardai were on duty at the concert at 9.45pm on June 28 last year when the assault was reported. The victim had been working at the pit entrance when the accused and his girlfriend tried to gain admittance with a bracelet that was not correct, a garda said. They were refused entry and Treacy charged the security man to the ground, causing him to fall into the crash barrier. He fell to the ground with the barrier. Treacy was acting in an aggressive manner and was held at the scene until the gardai arrived, the court heard. The victim suffered no lasting injuries. Treacy had no prior convictions. The concert had not sold out and VIP area wrist bands were being given out to anyone who wanted them, Treacys lawyer said. His girlfriends became unattached and though two guards took no issue with this, the third stopped the couple. Treacy believed this guard was particularly rough with his girlfriend. Treacy tried to de-escalate the situation but the security guard threw away the wrist band aggressively, the lawyer said. Treacy then pushed him. He remembered it as self defence but when he saw the CCTV footage of what happened, he was ashamed of his actions. Treacy was director at a film post production company and was a man of good character, his lawyer added, asking the judge for leniency Judge Halpin said he was finding the facts proven and striking the case out on payment to charity "given that there was a degree of provocation." "I'm going to take that into account," he said. "Some of these security officers can be a bit too gung ho in respect of carrying out their duties." Caption for pic: Kevin Treacy of Belgrave Square, Monkstown North, charged with assault and breach of the peace In 2012, father-of-nine Kelly was shot four times in the back by a gunman as he walked towards his home on Dublin's northside The "spotter" in a gang that gunned down veteran criminal Eamon Kelly over a decade ago has launched a bid to overturn his murder conviction, arguing that the process that identified him from CCTV was flawed and raises a Garda witness credibility issue. In 2012, father-of-nine Kelly was shot four times in the back by a gunman as he walked towards his home on Dublin's northside. He was one of the countrys most well-known criminal figures, having been involved in organised crime for more than four decades. In November 2021 at the Special Criminal Court, Mr Justice Alexander Owens said the court found that Darren Murphy (52), who had denied the charge, was guilty of the murder of Kelly at Furry Park Road, Killester, Dublin 5, on December 4, 2012. The court found him not guilty of possessing a Glock pistol with intent to endanger life on the same date and location due to insufficient evidence. In January 2022, the three-judge court imposed a life sentence on Murphy, of George's Place, Dublin 1, for his role as a "spotter" in murdering 65-year-old Kelly. Murphy was involved in the murder as part of the common design of the murder gang, said Mr Justice Owens. Eamon Kelly "This involved him meeting with other members of the gang on the day of the murder. He acted in concert with them as the net closed in on Kelly and in coordination with them in the immediate aftermath of the shooting," he added. CCTV footage, he said, established that members of the gang were "scouting" in Killester in the afternoons leading up to and on the day of the murder. In 2015, Sean Connolly, then aged 35, of Bernard Curtis House, Bluebell, Dublin, was jailed for life by the Special Criminal Court for Kelly's murder. At the Court of Appeal today, Paul Carroll SC with James McCullough BL argued that the case against his client, Murphy, "boiled down to the visual identification" by gardai of Murphy from CCTV footage. Mr Carroll said the superintendent in the case had put in place a new process regarding recognition evidence whereby gardai were summoned to Balbriggan Garda Station in June 2018 without prior knowledge that the reason was to view CCTV. Of those 58 gardai, eight gardai identified Murphy from CCTV walking his dog in the inner city, which then allowed gardai to then track Murphy's movements throughout the day, including where he met up with others and travelled in convoy to Killester, where Kelly was murdered. Presiding at the three-judge court, Mr Justice George Birmingham asked if only eight out of 58 gardai identified Murphy "does that not indicate the process was a very fair one and not teed up to make identifications?" Mr Carroll said the prosecution had described the procedure as a "sterile" one, but that all the Garda witnesses gave evidence saying that by 2018 when the CCTV was viewed, "they had all forgotten about knowing that Darren Murphy was a suspect in the Eamon Kelly investigation". Mr Carroll said he cross-examined six Garda witnesses who had previously looked up Pulse records for Murphy and the Kelly investigation, "yet all came into court saying 'we didn't know he was a suspect'". "None of them would accept that, 'yes. I knew Darren Murphy was a suspect'. When confronted they said they were not aware that he was a suspect," said the barrister. Mr Justice Birmingham said that of the two groups who attended Balbriggan - with one being comprised of 28 gardai - seven identified Murphy, with 21 failing to do so and three of those identifying someone else. Mr Justice Birmingham said that only one of a separate group of 30 identified Murphy from the same footage. Mr Carroll said gardai were viewing footage from six years earlier which also raised a "concern" regarding delay. The barrister said that records showed some gardai searching Pulse for Murphy and the Kelly investigation "within minutes" of each search entry. Mr Carroll said the Special Criminal Court "made errors" in both admitting the CCTV footage and again on the "weight" they gave to it as evidence. "If someone was aware of the connection between my client and the investigation it wouldn't rule it [identification] out but it would affect the weight in knowing well my client was a suspect and then they are being asked to pick him out again," he said. Mr Carroll said that another concern was that one of the CCTV stills used in the identification process had nobody but his client in the shot instead of Murphy being picked out of a number of people walking on a street. The barrister said that the date of the murder was also "writ large" on the CCTV footage viewed, but that "not one" of the identifying gardai said they noticed the date of December 4, 2012. Mr Justice Birmingham asked "could someone give you the date of the Veronica Guerin murder or the Regency Hotel murder, for example? I find it hard to believe people hold that". "It's members of An Garda Siochana accessing Pulse and Darren Murphy lives in their district," said Mr Carroll. "If a murder suspect was in your district, any Garda worth their salt would take an interest," said Mr Justice Birmingham. "That's the point. They were looking this up. It's a credibility issue that the court just didn't deal with it," said Mr Carroll. Responding, Dominic McGinn SC for the State said "the system is entirely transparent". "If there were any shortcomings it was open and the defence did challenge that. The way it was done was abundantly clear," said Mr McGinn. Mr McGinn said the gardai involved were contacted without knowing what the matter was about "and neither did their sergeants". "There was no indication at all regarding what the material related to and no clear flags on the footage as to what it might be about. The date was there but the locations were not clear. It would be very difficult to isolate the [inner city] street as being distinguishable compared to other Dublin streets. "There was nothing on it as a clear marker as to where it came from and nothing as to the shooting," said Mr McGinn. "The details of Pulse were disclosed, as were all the search dates for those involved in the process who were looking for Darren Murphy or the Eamon Kelly investigation. The defence had all that," said the barrister. "The defence was able to examine the process in great detail and highlight any inconsistencies," said Mr McGinn, who added that the identification process itself was also filmed and placed on a DVD that was also disclosed. "Nothing that would have made that process inadmissible. The probative value of that was enormous," he said. Regarding the credibility of the witnesses, Mr McGinn said it was "within the province of the Special Criminal Court to assess that they were credible". Mr McGinn said these gardai had accessed Pulse regarding Murphy and the investigation "many months, sometimes years prior" to the 2018 identification. Mr Justice Birmingham, sitting with Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy and Ms Justice Una Ni Raifeartaigh, said the court would reserve its judgement in the matter. Cartel boss desperately trying to avoid extradition Daniel Kinahan: The cartel boss is believed to have moved to Iran Cartel boss Daniel Kinahan is believed to have fled Dubai and relocated to Iran as he desperately tries to avoid extradition to face justice, the SundayWorld can reveal. As Gerry The Monk Hutch enjoyed his first few days of freedom in Dublin this week, it is understood that senior members of the Kinahan cartel including its leader have fled Dubai for a safe haven within Iran. The 45-year-old mob boss is under mounting pressure from law enforcement agencies across the globe and is understood to have become fearful in recent months that authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) would hand him over to the US police or An Garda Siochana. This is despite Kinahan allegedly handing over huge sums to corrupt officials within Dubai to ensure his familys protection and freedom over the past couple of years. Senior members of the cartel are concerned that living in the UAE is no longer safe as gardai and the US authorities pressure the government there to expel Kinahan and his associates. A source said: Daniel and his immediate family do not want to run this risk and are believed to be gone, for now at least. Cartel chief Daniel Kinahan There have been recent cases involving the authorities in the UAE agreeing to hand over criminals to other jurisdictions that seek them, such as the Americans. The Kinahans fear they could well be used as a bargaining chip. Their reality is Dubai is no longer considered to provide them with the protection it once did. It is understood the Kinahan cartel has links to terrorist groups in Iran as well as funding. It is the perfect safe haven for them because they can be afforded protection due to forged criminal links, the source added. The movements of the cartel leadership are believed to be fluid with the organised crime group also exploring the possibility of places further into the Middle East. Alongside his father Christy Kinahan Sr (65) and younger brother Christopher Jr (41), Daniel Kinahan has a $5m (4.6m) bounty of on his head from the US government. A wanted poster of Christopher Kinahan Jnr , Daniel Kinahan and Christopher Vincent Kinahan Iran has been identified as the cartels suspected current location for a number of reasons. It is a country that has no extradition treaty with the US, which is seeking to arrest Daniel Kinahan and members of his family. It has had no formal diplomatic relations with the US since 1980. The war-torn country of Yemen has also been identified as a possible location for the organised crime group left reeling in the past year after the international sanctions were announced against them. Despite the turmoil and sustained pressure on the Kinahan cartel, gardai believe the international crime gang still has the clout to try to murder The Monk, his brother Patsy and any senior member of the Hutch gang, The garda operation to contain the Kinahan/Hutch feud since the Regency gun attack in 2016 is believed to have cost tens of millions of euro. Gerry "The Monk" Hutch leaving the CCJ. Photo: Mark Condren And although organising a gangland murder hit against the Hutch mob in the current climate is not necessarily feasible given the sustained garda presence around Dublin in the aftermath of Gerry Hutchs release sources said it does not mean that plans are not under way to commit further murders and reignite the feud. But the reality is that these proposed plans might take some time to come to fruition. The threat against Gerry Hutch from the Kinahan cartel remains. And it remains at the highest of levels. Even if the Kinahans are under pressure, which they are, this does not mean they cannot simultaneously be trying to orchestrate murders against the Hutch gang, the source added. Gardai this week have put in place a policing plan near Gerry Hutchs location and have continued to provide discreet and sustained around-the-clock presence to protect his family and associates. Much of this policing operation on Dublins northside is being carried out by the garda national surveillance unit and last night Hutch remained in the capital. Justice Minister Simon Harris vowed yesterday that gardai would follow organised crime organisations to the ends of the Earth. I want to send out a very strong message today. Justice always prevails. You can run. You can try to hide. But An Garda Siochana will never stop pursuing and dismantling the criminal gangs causing fear, violence and murder across this country, he said. That pursuit does not stop at any border. An Garda Siochana have built law enforcement coalitions around the world. These gangs have been left under no illusions that wherever they try to go we will follow. The garda was subsequently arrested in relation to the possession of drugs for the purpose of sale or supply. A serving garda has been arrested after being caught with suspected cocaine at Dublin Airport. The female officer, aged in her 30s, was arrested on suspicion of possession of drugs for the purpose of sale or supply this afternoon. She had been due to travel on an outbound flight but was detained prior to boarding. Sources told Independent.ie that gardai put an operation in place after receiving information in relation to the possession of controlled drugs at the airport. The investigation is being led by the Garda's Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) who are tasked with investigating alleged misconduct and criminality within the force. It's understood that cocaine, with an estimated value of around 100, was recovered. The garda was subsequently arrested in relation to the possession of drugs for the purpose of sale or supply and taken to Ballymun Garda Station. She has since been released without charge. One source said: This individual was arrested as part of an intelligence led operation. The seized drugs will be sent for analysis as is standard procedure. The fact that this person was outbound allegedly in possession of suspected drugs makes this as even more serious matter. It's understood that the arrested member is attached to a garda station in the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR). Gardai confirmed details of the arrest operation this evening. A spokesman told Independent.ie: A female in her 30s was arrested by gardai this afternoon, Thursday 20th April 2023, at Dublin Airport having been found in possession of a small quantity of controlled drugs (analysis pending). She was taken to Ballymun Station and later released without charge. The drugs will be forwarded to FSI (Forensic Science Ireland) for analysis. The female concerned is serving member of An Garda Siochana based in the Dublin Region. No further information is available at this time. Enquires are ongoing. The intelligence led operation targetted persons suspected to be involved in an organised crime operating in the Dublin and Western Regions Two men have been arrested after more than 200,000 worth of cannabis was seized during operations in Tallaght and Roscommon. Officers attached to the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) alongside the Revenue Customs Service took part in the intelligence led operation targeting persons suspected to be involved in an organised crime operating in the Dublin and Western Regions. Backed up by the Roscommon Divisional Drugs Unit and the Tallaght District Drugs Unit, Revenue officers seized approximately 5.74 kilograms of herbal cannabis with an estimated value of 114,800 today. Gardai in Tallaght arrested one male (aged in his 30s) who is currently detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996 at a Garda Station in South Dublin. In a separate operation, in Roscommon on Thursday, Revenue officers discovered approximately 4.5 kilograms of herbal cannabis with an estimated value of 90,000. Gardai in Roscommon arrested one male (aged in his 30s) who was detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996 at a Garda Station in Co. Roscommon. This male was subsequently charged and brought before Castlerea District Court today New guidance has been issued by the National Cyber Security Centre in the wake of mounting concern globally about the Chinese-owned video sharing app Goverment ministers, their departments and state agencies had been advised not to download or use TikTok on their official devices unless there is a business need. New guidance has been issued by the National Cyber Security Centre in the wake of mounting concern globally about the Chinese-owned video sharing app. The Government had sought fresh security advice on the issue in February. A Government spokesperson said on Friday: The National Cyber Security Centre has conducted a technical assessment. Its advice is that TikTok should not be installed or used on official public sector devices save in exceptional cases where there is a business need. This is consistent with the position taken by the European Commission. The spokesperson was not immediately able to clarify what an example of a business need is. The US and UK governments have all recently banned the use of the app on official devices amid growing fears about what information the Chinese government could access through the platform. TikTok owned by Chinese company ByteDance was recently banned from the phones of staff working at the European Commission due to cyber-security fears. TikTok has repeatedly denied that it has ever shared data with the Chinese government and has said the company would not do so if asked. It has described the government bans as misguided. Independent.ie previously reported that rural Independent TDs have become the unlikely stars of TikTok, clocking up thousands of followers on the controversial platform. Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae is joined by Limericks Richard ODonoghue and Clare TD Michael McNamara in the top 10 most-followed politicians on the app. However, it is Justice Minister Simon Harris who has drawn the biggest crowd with just over 90,000 followers. The Fine Gael TD has previously told followers that while some politicians like to sneer at TikTok, he has a no bull, no spin approach to the platform popular with young people. In this article, we will be taking a look at the 15 most powerful Islamic countries in the world. To skip our detailed analysis, you can go directly to see the 5 most powerful Islamic countries in the world. There are currently 55 countries with an Islamic majority, who are a part of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. The second-largest religion in the world, there are currently approximately 1.9 billion Muslims in the world, and the figure is expect to rise consistently and continuously because of high population growth rates of many Muslim-majority countries, while even in countries where Muslims are a minority, Islam is the fastest growing religion. In the UK, Muslims make up around 6.5% of the total population, a major growth from 4.9% in 2011. However, almost 40% of Muslims live in impoverished areas in the country, which has led many to believe that Muslims in the country are trapped in a cycle of poverty. Even though Muslim countries make up a sizable part of the global population, their economies aren't doing so well. On one hand, you have smaller countries in the Middle East such as Oman, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Qatar which have huge oil deposits because of which they are among the wealthiest nations in the world in terms of GDP per capita, but because of their small population size, this doesn't really translate well into absolute wealth. On the other hand, you have some of the most populous countries in the world including Indonesia which has the highest number of Muslims in the world, followed by Pakistan. While Indonesia's economy is still stable and continues to grow, Pakistan's economy has suffered significantly because of various reasons which we will discuss later. Most Muslim nations are located either in Africa or Asia, and while possessing great potential for development, have seen their economies stagnate in recent years. This is why the combined GDP of these 55 Muslim countries is less than $8 trillion, a fraction of the GDP of the U.S. alone, the biggest economy in the world. Story continues 15 most powerful Islamic countries in the world Photo by Somchai Kongkamsri from Pexels On the other hand, despite economic vulnerability and uncertainty, the most powerful Islamic countries in the world boast fearsome militaries. Unlike in the West, many of these countries are in constant turmoil and have strained relationships with their neighbors or other countries, because of which spending on the military takes precedence rather than on improving the standard of living or long-term economic development. In fact, many countries in the Middle East have massive arms deals with the U.S. in an attempt to bolster their defenses though often, it's just their attack which is bolstered. Even in the second half of 2022, two huge arms deals were agreed by U.S. President Biden to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates worth over $5 billion. As we discussed earlier, the Middle East is home to some very wealthy Muslim countries, because of which they have the resources to purchase arms. Threats by countries nearby included Houthi rebels in Yemen attacking both countries with rockets. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia, another controversial oil-rich nation with questionable human rights, is a major arms partner to the U.S., and in 2017, the U.S. and Saudi Arabia signed a series of letters of intent for the latter to purchase weapons amounting to $110 billion from the former over a period of 5 years, and $350 billion across a decade. Some of the biggest defense contractors in the world including Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT), Raytheon Technologies Corporation (NYSE:RTX) and Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) are all active in the Middle East. On the other hand, some countries have invested heavily in their military despite not having sufficient wealth, including Pakistan, which has had to spend on military because of terrorism threats both from within and external, not to mention increasing tension with India over the last decade which almost culminated in a war in 2019 after an Indian fighter jet invaded Pakistani airspace and was promptly shot down. Meanwhile, the Taliban's retaking of Afghanistan has created a security threat from Pakistan's eastern border. Similar conflicts in Africa, both internal and external, have resulted in countries in the continent also spending heavily on military even though African nations dominate the list of poorest countries in the world. Despite the issues faced by some of the most powerful Islamic countries in the world, there can be no doubt that they are integral to the world's economy. Even though some countries, such as Yemen, Syria and Iran, are under heavy sanctions by Western nations for a variety of nations, that does not mean that their economy has come to a standstill, with Iran's biggest trade partner being China, followed by the UAE and then India. In fact, China is a major trade partner for most Muslim countries and in fact accounts for over 15% of all exports to the Middle East and North Africa according to the World Bank, and is followed by the U.S. at 8.2%. To determine the most powerful Islamic countries in the world, we first identified Muslim nations as those which were part of the Organization for Islamic Cooperation. We then calculated the GDP of each nation, before ascertaining their military strength based on global rankings by Global Firepower. We then assigned 60% weightage to GDP and 40% to military strength. After all, if a country has a strong military but a very weak economy, its power and influence is not as significant. We then deducted the average score from 100 to come up with our score for each country, sorted highest to lowest. So, let's take a look at the Muslim countries looking to be a force in global politics, starting with: 15. Qatar Insider Monkey Score: 66.2 Qatar is one of the richest nations in the world in terms of GDP per capita because of its vast oil reserves. In 2017, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt all ended diplomatic relations with Qatar resulting in a blockade which lasted till early 2021. Despite this embargo, Qatar developed better relationships with Turkey and Iran, and actually emerged stronger both economically and militarily. 14. Morocco Insider Monkey Score: 66.6 Morocco's economy is relatively liberal after privatization of many companies in the 1990s. One of the most expensive countries in Africa, it was also ranked first in the quality of life index by the Economist Intelligent Unit. 13. Kazakhstan Insider Monkey Score: 67.6 Kazakhstan is home to the largest economy in Central Asia, as the former Soviet Republic continues to grow its GDP. In addition to deriving income from manufacturing and service sectors, the nation is also home to oil, minerals and metal reserves. 12. United Arab Emirates Insider Monkey Score: 74.0 The UAE is one of the most visited countries in the world, as it continues to try and diversify its economy from oil, which is the basis of the country's riches. After establishing relations with Israel recently after decades of enmity, the UAE recently combined with Israel on a joint naval vessel as military ties between the countries grow. 11. Malaysia Insider Monkey Score: 78.4 Malaysia has generally enjoyed stability over the last three decades, but this has evaded the nation recently with political upheaval taking center stage. It is still the 8th largest economy in the Muslim world. 10. Iraq Insider Monkey Score: 79.4 Iraq's economy was decimated when the U.S. invaded the country in 2003 on the pretext of searching for weapons of mass destruction, which were never found. However, it is still among the most powerful Islamic countries in the world. 9. Bangladesh Insider Monkey Score: 81.0 Bangladesh gained independence from Pakistan in 1971, a little over 50 years ago but has grown significantly and steadily since. Considered to be among the fastest growing economies in the world, the country has made great strides in development and aspires to become an upper-middle income country by 2031. Since its independence, the country has received over $35 billion from the World Bank. 8. Algeria Insider Monkey Score: 81.2 Algeria's economy is still expected to grow by 3.7% in 2022 amid a slowdown, with the country's economy dependent on oil. While oil prices fell heavily when the Covid-19 pandemic hit in 2020, they have recovered since and Algeria's ecnomy has recovered accordingly as well. 7. Nigeria Insider Monkey Score: 83.2 Nigeria is expected to become the most populated Muslim country in the world in a couple of decades, with its high population growth being a detriment to its economic growth. Internal conflict has also been a burden on resources in the country. 6. Iran Insider Monkey Score: 87.8 Iran is an enigma; it has continued to remain influential despite massive Western sanctions for pursuing nuclear proliferation and its dismal relationship with Israel. With its threats mainly coming from Israel and Saudi Arabia, Iran has also invested heavily in its military and thus remains a powerful country to come up against. Click to continue reading and see the 5 most powerful Islamic countries in the world. Suggested articles: Disclosure: None. 15 most powerful Islamic countries in the world is originally published at Insider Monkey. Dancing with the Stars winner to become a daddy again this summer. RTE dancing champion Carl Mullan and his wife Aisling are expecting their second child together. The 2FM Breakfast host shared the happy news on Instagram alongside a picture of their labrador, Angie, with their baby scans. The pair welcomed their first child, Daibhi, in August 2021. Carl took to social media to explain the joy that is coming into their lives over the next 6 months. Angie and baby scan "A bit of news friendsin the midst of all the madness of the last few months, we felt we needed a little more of it just for the craic. "Weve a new little brother/sister on the way for Daibhi and Angie this summer," the presenter said. While competing on Dancing with the Stars, the Dubliner held down a full time show on 2fm while his wife Ais took care of their son Daibhi and managed life at home, including house renovations. Carl was full of praise for his wife. "So you know how I said Ais was absolutely incredible the whole way through dancing with the stars? "Holding down a full time job, keeping the house running and generally just looking after the entire family? Carl and dance partner Emily Barker "Well she was doing it all whilst expecting as well. I couldnt be prouder or more grateful to her. "Becoming a parent alongside Ais has been the absolute adventure of a lifetime, and Im so excited to get to do it all over again." Carl and Ais welcomed baby Daibhi back in August 2021. Carl was on air on 2fm when he had to rush into the hospital for the birth. Announcing the news at the time, he said: "Welcome to the world Daibhi Mullan, it's pretty great here, you're going to love it," he wrote. Thank you everyone for all the lovely messages checking in on us over the last couple of weeks. We've just been loving every second of our new life as a family and trying to taking it all in." The Hollywood actor had faced two counts of involuntary manslaughter over the shooting on the New Mexico set of the movie Rust in October 2021. Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins who was fatally shot on the set of Rust. Photo: Fred Hayes Prosecutors in New Mexico have dropped an involuntary manslaughter charge against Alec Baldwin in the fatal 2021 shooting of a cinematographer on the set of the Western film Rust, Baldwin's attorneys said on Thursday. Prosecutors said they were currently unable to proceed with the case, but the decision to dismiss the charges did not absolve Mr Baldwin of criminal culpability. It came as filming resumed on the production of Rust in Montana. The Hollywood actor had faced two counts of involuntary manslaughter over the shooting on the New Mexico set of the movie Rust in October 2021. The incident occurred after a prop gun held by Baldwin went off, killing Ms Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza. The actor previously pleaded not guilty to both charges of involuntary manslaughter. On Thursday, newly appointed special prosecutors Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis confirmed they were dismissing both charges. Over the last few days and in preparation for the May 3 2023 preliminary hearing, new facts were revealed that demand further investigation and forensic analysis in the case against Alexander Alec Rae Baldwin III, a statement read. Consequently, we cannot proceed under the current time constraints and on the facts and evidence turned over by law enforcement in its existing form. We therefore will be dismissing the involuntary manslaughter charges against Mr Baldwin to conduct further investigation. Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins who was fatally shot on the set of Rust. Photo: Fred Hayes This decision does not absolve Mr Baldwin of criminal culpability and charges may be refiled. Our follow-up investigation will remain active and on-going. The statement said similar charges against Rusts armourer Hannah Gutierrez Reed remained unchanged. Earlier, following the announcement by his own legal team that the case had been dismissed, Baldwin seemed to pay tribute to his wife and lawyer. The Hollywood actor posted a photo of himself and his wife Hilaria Baldwin online. I owe everything I have to this woman (and to you, Luke), he captioned the photo. The Hollywood actor has been defended by lawyers Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro throughout proceedings. We are pleased with the decision to dismiss the case against Alec Baldwin and we encourage a proper investigation into the facts and circumstances of this tragic accident In a statement, Mr Nikas and Mr Spiro said they were pleased with the decision and encouraged a proper investigation. We are pleased with the decision to dismiss the case against Alec Baldwin and we encourage a proper investigation into the facts and circumstances of this tragic accident, the statement read. The announcement comes less than two weeks before a preliminary hearing in the case in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where it was to be determined whether there was enough evidence to take it to trial. Santa Fe district attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies and special prosecutor Andrea Reeb had previously stepped down from the case. A photograph of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins (Andres Leighton/AP) Their decisions came after much back and forth between the two sides, with Baldwins lawyers arguing Ms Reebs involvement was unconstitutional due to her elected position in the New Mexico House of Representatives. In turn the district attorneys office had accused Baldwin of using his fancy attorneys to distract from the gross negligence in the case. The actor was formally charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter by the DA in February, alongside Gutierrez Reed. Alec Baldwins charges of involuntary manslaughter dismissed by prosecutors (Santa Fe County Sheriff/PA) Santa Fe County Sheriff The first charge required proof of underlying negligence and included the misdemeanour charge of negligent use of a firearm. The second charge included a firearm enhancement, which would have made the crime punishable by a mandatory five years in jail. Alec Baldwin speaks to officers (Santa Fe County Sheriff/PA) The enhancement was later dropped after Baldwins lawyers argued it was unlawful and said prosecutors had committed an unconstitutional and elementary legal error. In the statement of probable cause, filed alongside the charges, the DA accused Baldwin of showing wilful disregard for the safety of others in the days leading up to the shooting. His reckless deviation from known standards and practice and protocol directly caused Ms Hutchins death, the DA had alleged. Baldwin also faces a separate civil lawsuit, filed on February 9 by the family of Ms Hutchins. The family is suing the actor and the Rust movie production company for alleged battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, and loss of consortium. Loss of consortium is a claim which seeks to recover compensation for damage to certain relationships that are mutually dependent. Thursdays development coincided with the resumption of production on the movie in the US state of Montana. Legal representatives for Rust Movie Productions stressed all use of working weapons or ammunition is, and always has been, prohibited on set. Fieldays, the Southern Hemisphere's largest agricultural event, is set to return to its traditional winter dates from June 14-17, and tickets are on sale now. This year marks the 55th year for this iconic New Zealand event, bringing town and country together to celebrate and champion innovation, education and globalisation. "We are thrilled to welcome everyone back to Fieldays in June says Fieldays CEO Peter Nation. "After the challenges of the past few years and more recently the adverse weather events, we are looking forward to bringing everyone together to reconnect and regroup. This year we celebrate 55 years of Fieldays, its a pretty amazing milestone and one that we dont take for granted. From the first Fieldays in 1968 held at Te Rapa Racecourse in Hamilton, there has been a lot of change and growth over the years. Visitors to Fieldays 2023 can expect to see over 1,000 exhibitors showcasing the latest in agricultural farming equipment, technology, innovation and agri-services. While there are still some programming and exhibitor announcements to come, the "must see" Fieldays Hubs will once again feature strongly as will the crowd favourites; the tractor pull, excavator and fencing competitions. Fieldays are pleased to announce that visitors will again be in to win an Isuzu D-Max Ute thanks to their friends at Isuzu Utes New Zealand. Bruce Calkin from Rotorua was 2022s lucky winner driving away with a brand-new vehicle right before Christmas. Ross Sommerville, National Sales Manager of Isuzu Utes New Zealand, is looking forward to handing over another set of D-Max keys to a lucky attendee this year. Our longstanding partnership with National Fieldays is representative of our commitment to the rural sector in New Zealand. This will be the fourth Isuzu D-Max Ute we have given away as the gate prize to a hard-working Kiwi and it never gets less exciting handing over the keys," says Ross. Visitors will have three chances to be in to win by, linking their ticket to the Fieldays App, visiting the Isuzu Utes New Zealand site and scanning their Smart Band at the tag station and returning their Smart Band at as they exit the event the gates. Entries for the coveted Fieldays Innovation Awards are still open and close on Thursday May 4. Like previous years, the entrants will be part of the popular Fieldays Innovations Hub showcasing the best innovators in the sector. The Fieldays Hauora Taiwhenua Health & Wellbeing Hub supported by Mobile Health, will no doubt again be a popular site, providing a one stop shop for health check-ups and medical advice. The health providers and services within this Hub bring a much valued and appreciated presence to visitors and exhibitors alike. For those thinking about a career change or soon to be leaving school, the Fieldays Opportunity Grows Here - OGH - Careers Hub hosted by MPI will be offering panel sessions as well as the Careers trail. Helping job seekers connect with potential employers, the trail was extremely popular last year showcasing different pathways available in the primary sector. Last years new hub on the block, the Fieldays Forestry Hub gave visitors the opportunity to learn about with the forestry sector with over 30 sector organisations under one canopy. Returning this year, the hub will once again showcase the many facets of the industry and how the sector has a vital role in mitigating climate change. Showcasing Fieldays continued commitment to sustainability, 2023 sees the launch of the Fieldays Sustainability Hub in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Authority - EPA - under the theme of The Time to Act is Now. A well as visiting the Hub that features a select number of sustainability-focused organisations, people can also join the Sustainability trail throughout the site visiting other exhibitors highlighting their sustainability practices. With a larger presence in the Pavilion, the Fieldays Digital Futures partnering with AgriTechNZ offers an opportunity for conversation and engagement about rural data, and digital adoption. Its a chance for visitors to talk first-hand to key players in the data landscape, discuss the way forward, and identify where they are on their digital journey. Fieldays is based on a 114-hectare site at Mystery Creek 10 minutes from Hamilton and is the largest agricultural event in the Southern Hemisphere. Fieldays draws people from around the globe both as exhibitors and visitors. Fieldays is run by New Zealand National Fieldays Society, a charitable organisation founded in 1968 for the purpose of advancing the primary industries. The New Zealand National Fieldays Society thanks their partners and premier sponsor Hyundai New Zealand, Ministry of Primary Industries, One New Zealand and CASE IH for their continued support. Shaping up to be one of best events yet, with so much to see and do for visitors of all ages, Fieldays 2023 is not to be missed. Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased online via the Fieldays website, or at the gate during the event. For more information head to www.fieldays.co.nz. A first-of-its-kind conservation project to help one of New Zealands most ancient birds to thrive in the Bay of Plenty has attracted $351,000 worth of funding from BayTrust. The Kokako Ecosystem Expansion Programme seeks to establish habitat corridors linking the Kaharoa Forest, north of Rotorua, to nearby Otanewainuku Forest in the Western Bay of Plenty. By restoring and re-planting pockets of native bush between these two forests and carrying out pest control, it is hoped the existing populations of kokako will be able to expand. The kokako is considered to be an indicator species so if it is flourishing, the ecosystems contained in the new habitat corridors will also be flourishing, delivering multiple biodiversity benefits. KEEP spokesperson and Port Blakely Regional Forester, Alfred Duval, says there are currently 173 breeding pairs of kokako at Kaharoa which is nearing the maximum capacity the forest can hold. Each breeding pair is territorial and take up about 8ha of space. However, a genetically sustainable kokako population requires at least 250 breeding pairs spread over 2000ha of bush. To ensure the kokako population keep growing and thriving, they need more habitat and thats what KEEP is seeking to achieve. The KEEP coalition currently comprises 16 different entities including Tapuika iwi, foresters, farmers, private landowners, local government and volunteer conservation groups like the Kaharoa Kokako Trust who have spearheaded local conservation efforts for the past 25 years. Thanks to the BayTrust funding, a part-time Project Manager will now be employed to handle all the administration and communication tasks, as well as helping to identify areas suitable for restoration planting and pest control to help in-fill the 6km-long corridor itself. Translocating kokako from the Kaharoa Forest. Photo: Neil Robert Hutton. This money is going to make a significant difference to the long-term survival of this species, Duval says. Up till now KEEP has been really organic in our spread and ability to reach out. This grant is going to really help us get some structure around formally managing what we want to achieve and getting more pest control and new plantings underway. Its hard to put it into words how excited we are. No-one has created a habitat corridor specifically for kokako before. I view this as a really important test case and were going to learn a huge amount from it. Hopefully it will also benefit other conservation groups in the long-run, and other populations of kokako around New Zealand. For an outfit like BayTrust to view our project as an important avenue for funding is the most incredible vote of confidence for what were trying to do. BayTrust CEO Alastair Rhodes says North Island kokako are a taonga (treasure) to all New Zealanders and should be protected at all costs. Its South Island counterpart hasnt been seen for decades and its wattlebird relative, the huia, has been extinct since the early 20th century. Successful predator control efforts to protect North Island kokako in small pockets of native forest like Kaharoa Forest mean the species is now deemed to be at risk recovering. One of BayTrusts key funding priorities is kaitiakitanga to protect and improve our natural environment. Were very pleased to offer this financial support to KEEP to ensure these beautiful birds continue to fill our forests with their haunting birdsong for future generations and so newly established corridors will benefit multiple species and ecosystems. From the dairy farms of Holland to the tables of Malaga A former chef in the Dutch Navy, Lodewijk van Venetien set up Craxiqueso, a popular specialist Gouda cheese shop in the heart of the city Tony Bryant Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Telegram Finding a niche in the market in a particular field is something that many entrepreneurs and business owners dream of achieving, although many fail to find a product that becomes an almost instant success. One young Dutchman believes that he might just have succeeded, although his venture seems to be taking off in a slightly different direction than he first imagined. A former chef in the Dutch Navy, 22-year-old Lodewijk van Venetien first visited Spain during his teens, and returned to set up home in Malaga in June 2021. He began working as a chef on the coast, but quickly decided to open a business of his own. With no background in the cheese industry in Holland, Lodewijk's love of "good food", and seeing as he particularly missed "decent" Dutch cheeses, he decided to open a shop that specialises in Gouda, the creamy, cow's milk cheese that originated in the Netherlands. Lodewijk found suitable premises in the Mercado de Mercedes in the heart of historic Malaga, and began by opening his shop, Craxiqueso, just at the weekends. This was in November 2022, and the shop became so popular that the Dutchman was forced to offer full-time opening hours from the beginning of last month. "I moved to Spain with the idea of maybe setting up a business after a few years, but it happened a lot quicker than I had imagined. It began to take off and it got to the point when I had to phone my sister, who was living and studying in Valencia at the time, to come to Malaga to help run the shop," Lodewijk told SUR in English. The shop stocks a wide range of different Gouda cheese, and he had obviously had the large Dutch community in mind as possible clients, but Lodewijk was surprised by the number of Spanish customers he began to receive in the first few weeks of opening. "I am very happy with how the shop has taken off, especially as the Spanish people, who have a reputation for preferring hard cheese, like it. This is important, because I don't want to have to rely solely on Dutch residents," he said. One of the things the young entrepreneur prides himself on is the quality of the cheese he sells, which, he claims, is more flavoursome than the supermarket brands. The cheeses are still made on farms in the Netherlands from raw cow's milk, and it is recognised by the European Union as a traditional speciality, just like the Spanish Manchego cheese. The result, he claims, is a "taste of a real authentic Gouda cheese". "You can obviously buy Dutch cheese in the supermarket, but it is factory produced, so it obviously tastes a lot different to what I sell, which are based on a centuries-old tradition. I have quite a lot of Spanish customers, who like the spicy types that I offer, and also the British, who, it seems, also appreciate good Gouda," Lodewijk explained. Gouda is one of the world's most popular cheeses, although the name is used today as a general term for numerous similar cheeses produced in the traditional Dutch manner. It is one of the oldest cheeses that is still made today - its first mention in writing was in 1248. Although Lodewijk offers cheese that adheres to this age-old custom (some of them are matured for two years), he also offers a range of artisanal products like green pesto, truffle or fenugreek cheese, to one of his most popular among the large Dutch community of the Costa, traditional Dutch Gouda. "We have a lot of Dutch people living in Malaga, but we are also attracting Dutch customers from all along the coast and also inland. Many of these people really miss their cheese, which is good for my business," he said. Along with his shop in Malaga, Lodewijk also has an online site, which is attracting interest from all over the world: he is also hoping to start promoting his cheese at some of the different food markets and fairs that feature cuisine from around the world that are staged in the province throughout the year. "My first online sale came from the Czech Republic, and I have since had orders from places like India and France. "I would also like to expand the business by promoting Dutch cheese at some of the food festivals, especially events like the international feria in Fuengirola. I applied this year, but was too late, but I am hoping to be there next year," he concludes. Am I sad or do I have depression? Specialists say it is important that people do not self-diagnose, but prevention is also necessary Ivan Gelibter Malaga Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Telegram Stress, financial problems or the strain of so much time spent in front of a computer screen: these are things that society faces every day, a set of circumstances which in some cases can cause depression, a disorder which has now become more visible. It affects hundreds of millions of people all over the world and is the main cause of disability. Public debate However, although mental health issues are forming part of public debate at last, depression should not be confused with feeling sad: that is one of the five basic human emotions (happiness, sadness, fear, disgust and anger) and they are not the same thing. That is how Antonio Soto, a psychologist from Malaga and the head of a psychology and personal development centre of the same name, explains it. He says prevention is by far the best way of combating a condition which has found the pandemic and its consequences to be an important catalyst. Dr Soto explains that depression can occur in two ways, and on many occasions they are intertwined. One is the organic aspect, where there could be a lack of neurotransmitters or an imbalance between several of them. "But then there are cognitive components. Patterns of thinking or learning with regard to questions of life," says this expert, who also points out that although professionals sometimes treat the organic element as the most important, it is not always the main cause of the diagnosis. In fact, he suggests that sometimes the cognitive can be reflected by the organic, and this is something that also occurs with anxiety. "The correlation between them is two-directional," he stresses. In his opinion, some of these diagnoses could be prevented, or at least treated, at a very early stage. "People go to the psychologist when they need to improve a situation or to grow as a person. You don't need to have symptoms to go," he says, at the same time insisting that the earlier a problem can be treated, the simpler the solution. "People should see a psychologist in the same way that they would see a GP for a physical health problem. To make it clear: you don't have to consult a psychologist because you're ill. It can be a preventive measure, so you don't become ill," he says. Dysthymia in young people Although it is very positive that mental health is becoming more visible these days, Dr Soto says it is important not to frivolise depression. "A professional diagnosis and self-diagnosis are very different things. It's one thing for an illness to become more visible, but diagnosing yourself as suffering from it is something very different," he says. Self-diagnosis has become more recurrent in recent years. "The pandemic has brought mental health into the public debate, but at the same time it has served as a catalyst. Now a lot of young people are asking for help for depressive states; the pandemic has been very hard for adolescents," he explains. Without specifying personal cases, he says he can describe a profile: in general, they are young men aged between 18 and 22, most of whom did brilliantly at secondary school but who became so demotivated that they gave up their studies. They can't find emotional support among their friends or their families either," he says. He also says that in most cases this dysthymia (a low and negative mood, the phase before depression) stems from three negative ideas: about the world, about themselves and about the future. In this type of situation Dr Soto, like any other expert, stresses the importance of not self-diagnosing. "Consult a specialist, and don't treat these feelings as something trivial", he says. No self-diagnosing "There are risks at both extremes,in fact sometimes the diagnosis itself can be part of the problem," he says. But he does recognise that not everyone can consult a professional easily. "It is outrageous what is happening. There needs to be a public psychology service. On average, there is a four-month wait for the first appointment, then a month and a half between the next ones," he says. "People need the health service to be able to give them tools to help them to deal with the situation". Mirador del Carmen: the Malaga city art gallery scene arrives in Estepona Lorena Codes steps up as artistic director for this exhibition space mixing art with education and much more: "All the strands are in place to make its mark" Regina Sotorrio Malaga. Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Telegram She strolls through each room, noting every small detail. She profiles the public as they enter, focusing on which artworks catch the children's eyes, or the painting that most interests the lady... And, if the opportunity arises, she strikes up a conversation with them. She brings a twist to this role: journalist by profession, analysing everything, while revealing her artistic passion for this project. "I'm the kid with candy," she confessed, surrounded by works by Sorolla, Romero de Torres, Fortuny, Tapies, Saura and Menchu Gal, among others. Lorena Codes, from Malaga, is artistic lead for the Mirador del Carmen exhibition centre, recently opened by Estepona town council - a blank canvas for the arts, attracting new audiences. "All the strands are in place to get this place on the cultural map," she said. The Mirador del Carmen is the first installation along the Costa del Sol to offer top museum-standard space outside Malaga city. Such a concept "needs to be opened up to the province", argued Codes. Live in Painting. Spanish Art in the Carmen Thyssen Collection is the first exhibition to occupy the gallery space on the first floor of the Mirador, with nearly fifty pieces on show from the Carmen Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection. The space still smells new. No fewer than 5,000 people visited the exhibition in its first week, almost half from Estepona and nearly 30 per cent from overseas. "They leave with a mixture of surprise and gratitude, excited that this is here. For residents in particular it is a great pleasure not to have to travel far to see art," said Codes, accompanied by Jose Luis Garcia Gomez, charged with technical operations for the centre. Ampliar The new mirador del Carmen was opened last month D. Lerma Best of all, art of this calibre. Visitors are greeted by a highly symbolic work: Beach at Estepona with a View of the Rock of Gibraltar, Fritz Bamberger (1855). The German painter probably captured this landscape from somewhere close to the Mirador, but 150 years have rendered the coastline unrecognisable. Further on, we find Sorolla's Breakwater, San Sebastian; Julio Romero de Torres' Cordoba Fair; Mariano Fortuny's North African Landscape; and El Bano (Sevilla) by Francisco Iturrino, a work standing two metres tall. Landscapes and more traditional scenes give way to the abstract art of Saura and the pop art of Antonio de Felipe - two of the artists, according to Codes, proving popular with children. The exhibition was curated by Lourdes Moreno, artistic director of the Carmen Thyssen Malaga Museum. "And the teamwork from her staff has been key to making this an easy launch," said Codes, who worked hand in hand with the museum's conservators on the displays. Moreover, the Thyssen advised on optimum conditions for the space regarding lighting, aircon and more. More than just a gallery According to Codes, this show is just for starters. Baroness Thyssen's artworks will be in Estepona until 25 September. Works from another important Spanish foundation are expected in October, soon to be announced. The project goes far beyond being just an exhibition gallery of 380 square metres - its design splits into three spaces, allowing multiple possibilities. When crossing the main hall, there's access to the upper part, a kind of double-height, open corridor from which visitors can see the entire ground floor. Currently pristine white and empty, this space can be filled with content and, above all, activities: from children's workshops to a concert or a theatrical performance. With direct access from the street, it lends itself to being 'occupied' in differently creative ways. In detail Venue Exhibition gallery on the first floor of the Mirador del Carmen on the seafront in Estepona. Opening hours Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 2pm and 4pm to 8pm. Admission 6 euros general and 4 euros concessions. Free for registered Estepona residents. Lorena's head right now is buzzing with ideas. With the guided tours already under way, Codes and Garcia Gomez are working on the educational programme, a key priority. "It's what I most want, as the experience of art with children is incredible. This makes sense because it is for them, it generates our future visitors and it changes lives. This is not just a beautiful building for taking selfies," Codes reflected. This new job is a natural step for Codes, uniting her two professional loves. The journalist, with years of experience in the sector and a regular contributor to SUR, has also been a Literature teacher since 2018, a post that she has combined with other artistic and cultural undertakings (exhibition curator at the Alianza Francesa, the MUPAM, the Malaga University Rectorate and the Mingorance Rooms). Both facets, she assured us, complement each other: "Working in any classroom is very enriching, it gives me a lot of feedback." Mirador del Carmen is also a facility that will soon be "filled with life and young people", said Garcia Gomez. Several floors of the 12-storey tower designed by well-known architect Salvador Moreno Peralta will be used as a digital library. Right by the main entrance is the conservatoire, a music school opening after summer with a fully equipped auditorium (148 seats) facing the sea. The synergies between art, music and creative thinking are inevitable. "It's an exciting project," concluded Lorena Codes. An Afghan journalist who fled the Talibans arrival in Kabul, an Iranian filmmaker with high hopes for the protest movement and an Algerian analyst of feminism and the Arab Spring meet in Malaga Cristina Vallejo Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Telegram Wassyla Tamzali, an Algerian legal expert and writer, says it straight: in feminism, different perspectives co-exist. Several feminists go together recently in Malaga to analyse how the latest events in North Africa and the Middle East have affected the lives of women. To take one example: the Arab Spring that happened more than a decade ago. This societal agitation brought changes, advances for the women leading the way in such protests, but the rights they won are once again under threat. Now dissent against the Iranian regime is taking shape. The fuse that ignited the latest fire demanding justice was the murder of a woman for not correctly wearing her veil, as viewed by the morality police. But filmmaker Bani Khoshnoudi, based in the United States, says that the protests were made by men and women across the globe against a regime whose core purpose is the oppression of women, and from which they no longer seek far-reaching reforms, rather its total collapse. Afghanistan has been the latest example of how womens lives can change overnight with a change of regime. The return of the Taliban to Kabul in August 2021, and the departure of the United States troops, caused Afghan women to lose their right to work and girls to stop attending school. Khadija Amin had to leave her country; she worked there as a journalist, she did not back down and wanted to bear witness to these events, denouncing the situation to international media. That made her the victim of death threats and is why she ended up in Spain as a refugee. Nor could Khoshnoudi ever return to Iran. Rather, as she points out, she could enter the country, but once inside, the authorities would never let her leave owing to the censorship suffered by one of her video productions, in which she narrated the history of previous uprisings. Khadija Amin Afghan journalist Our men fear the Taliban, but they put up with them Khadija Amin is a journalist who used to work for Afghan state television presenting the news. When the Taliban arrived in Kabul on 15 August, 2021, her life changed: women could no longer work. Amin denounced the situation to the international media. Its important to me to talk about it. We are journalists and we want to publish the reality in our country, she stated in her defence. Then she started receiving threats. A Spanish journalist helped her get out of Afghanistan and she now lives in Spain where she helps other women from her country and tries to revive her career. She left behind her husband, from whom she is divorced, and her three children: I tried to bring my children over with their father. We prepared all the papers, but he told me that he didnt want to come to Spain just to hurt me. Ampliar Khadija Amin, in Malaga. Francis Silva Has the international community abandoned Afghan women? Yes. Since the war in Ukraine, the situation has changed. Now I work as a volunteer helping Afghan women who fled to Pakistan. They are awaiting visas to enter other countries. But it is very slow. They cant return to Afghanistan and in Pakistan they have no food. How have the expectations of Afghan girls changed? Its been a year since girls were stopped from going to school. Neither are our young women permitted to go to university. They are just cooped up at home. Reasons? Religion, machismo, the struggle for power? We have no problems with our religion. The thing is the Taliban want to have power over women. They know that when a woman has an education, she has more freedom to choose the life she wants. Now, we are also concerned that they want to marry girls as young as 12 years. I was married at 19 years old. My marriage was also arranged by force. A paradox: a war could bring hope for these women... For twenty years we were fighting to gain our rights. Now, once again, women fight for freedom. And the men do not support us: they are afraid of the Taliban but they also tolerate them and agree with them that women should stay at home. When I married ten years ago, there was democracy in Afghanistan, but my husband wouldnt let me study or work. After 15 August the women came out to protest. The Taliban arrested many of them and there are some whose whereabouts remain unknown. The rights of Afghan women are hostage to the geopolitics of the country. With each regime change, women suffer. My mother was a teacher and when the Taliban first took power she had to stay at home. I studied with my sister in clandestine classes, but my brother could go to school. The level of violence in Afghanistan is very high right now. No one is listening to Afghanistans women. We had a ministry for womens affairs, but the Taliban closed it down. Now there are no female judges, there is no one to help the women. Protest When I married ten years ago, there was democracy in Afghanistan, but my husband wouldnt let me study or work Khadija Amin Afghan journalist What about the veil? In photos I always wear one. Its a symbol for women in Afghanistan to know that I might be outside my country, but Im still fighting for them. Will you go back to Afghanistan? If one day there is freedom in Afghanistan and women have rights, yes, I would like to return and work in my country. But not now. Wassyla Tamzali Algerian legal expert and writer Its not a catch-all. Within the plurality of feminism there are rules Wassyla Tamzali has journeyed far and wide in her commitment to womens rights and her fight for womens freedoms on platforms such as that of Unesco. She downplays contemporary feminist debates by stating that there have always been different ebbs and flows in the movement. But she also asserts that it should not be a free-for-all in feminism: there are rules that all ideals must agree on. She also verifies that, as can happen when a great love affair ends, one cannot speak of failure, as happened with the Arab uprisings. Ampliar Wassyla Tamzali, in Malaga. Francis Silva Whats your take on what feminism is going through right now? On the one hand, it has experienced a resurgence, but on the other, cracks have appeared. In feminism there have always been different trends; thats to be expected because it has a long, deep history. Firstly, for example, there were the notions about equality with men, then differentiating ourselves from men, and the debate centred around these two ideas. And now the debate is different: it focuses on the issue of universality and the question of decolonisation [adopting a less Euro-centric view of feminism to date]. It is a debate that does not put feminism at risk, but rather talks about the liberation of women from different points of view. Were not all just one case; this feminism accepts at its heart that women of Africa have their points of view, Arab women theirs, and Westerners too. Theres no division. They are different viewpoints. But not everything is feminist. Its not a catch-all. It is not about claiming that we are feminists and suddenly we are feminists. Within the plurality of feminism there are rules on which all feminist debates have to agree. For example, Islamic feminism is not feminism. Why? Because this notion defends Islam for affording certain rights. And that is true. But there are many which are not the case: being in favour of polygamy or making inheritance laws that benefit men. That is a defence of Islam under the guise of feminism. Islam, although it guarantees some rights, prevents women from entering other fields, other roles. And this is clearly not feminist. Islamic feminism is manipulated by men, clerics, to create a conflict with secular feminism - which truly is feminism because it fights for all the rights of women. They accuse secular feminists of importing analogies and ideas that clash with their own culture. This is how a confrontation between two peoples is created so that each claims to be fighting for its own identity. -What would be the rules that feminism must comply with? -We have done very important work on the awareness of freedom. Our grandmothers, great-grandmothers and great-great-grandmothers only realised at the end of their lives that they had had no freedom because theyd assumed that they had to marry certain men, that they had to meet the expectations of their family or that they had to conform to the stereotypes set by the patriarchy, for the good for the family. Women today live in perpetual turmoil, an inner battle over what to do: work or take care of the family. Those conflicting feelings are the fruits of gaining the freedom to choose, proof that we achieve such freedom. If we were in a world where we had no choice but our traditional role, that conflict would not occur. The freedom of women is based on a principle: the equality of men and women. From there we have the right to determine what to do with our life, our body, sexual orientation and to develop our profession. But this comes with a heavy load because we acknowledge that we cannot be everywhere. Prostitution Im an abolitionist because I think it is the most despicable form of patriarchal domination Wassyla Tamzali Algerian legal expert and writer You have spoken of a paradigm shift in feminism. #MeToo was revolutionary. A paradigm shift. The problem is now moving into the legal field. The lawyer for film producer Harvey Weinstein told him not to plead guilty because his relationships had been with adult women who had freely entered his office. Whats going on? That this is a patriarchal interpretation of the law and definition of consent, but now we can better understand it under a feminist microscope: they went voluntarily, in quotes, to his office; nobody tied their hands or feet; but the power rested with the producer as viewed by those women. Consent is now interpreted from a feminist perspective and this was a turning point. Have you taken stock of what was yielded by the Arab uprisings, the Arab Spring? No revolution is going to be a total failure. But unfortunately, in history, Gramsci [Marxist thinker] already said it; a revolutionary movement is always followed by a counter-revolution. In Tunisia, for example, they are now in crisis, although their revolution was one of the more robust examples. And in Algeria, as power was never fully taken from those in power, those ruling classes now take revenge out of fear, leading a conservative movement, fast-freezing any moves for change. Women are always the first to pay the price for any counter-revolution. Should feminism be in favour of abolishing prostitution? - I am an abolitionist. Since the feminist movement is not a police state that dictates what is and is not included in feminism, there are feminists who are in favour of prostitution. I am against it because I think it is the most despicable form of patriarchal domination. Bani Khoshnoudi Iranian filmmaker and artist If women dont free themselves, nobody will have freedom She was born in Tehran but, with the Islamic revolution led by Ayatollah Khomeini, she fled with her family to grow up outside Iran. She then returned to work as a filmmaker and artist for several years. But now Bani Khoshnoudi lives in the United States and fears that if she returns to Iran, they will not let her leave. The cause? Her film, The Silent Majority Speaks, about the uprisings of 2009, which was banned in the country. Ampliar Bani Khoshnoudi, in Malaga. Francis Silva How does it feel to be living through these times as Irans women revive their fight? Its a very exciting moment. It is the result of years of struggle, years of resistance. It is not something that has just emerged, but it has been reinterpreted by the younger generations who have no memory of what we did in the previous protests, but who know about the here and now and who do not tolerate any kind of imposition. Many struggles are converging. It seems that the fruit has already matured so that we can pick it. It is an unprecedented struggle at all levels of society. Will women be the key players in the regimes overthrow? The repression of women is the backbone of the regime. Now a rejection of that repression has been flagged up by the murder of a woman and by the universal message of woman, life and freedom. All of this is led by women. But not only them. Also all society is aware that a key aim of the regime is the oppression of women. If society doesnt come together to liberate women, there will be no freedom for anyone. Future After decades, people expect nothing from this government. But... when or how will it fall? We dont know Bani Khoshnoudi Iranian filmmaker and artist So, there is solidarity from men? Most people have been against the regime from the beginning, because the regime has never existed with peace. From the very first day they were executing people. There are so many men who are against the oppression of women. Now the cracks are showing in the culture of patriarchal authority. I would say that this is not just about men showing their solidarity, but that it is an uprising, a revolution, that men and women are doing together. The regime has responded with violence, but it has announced an end to the morality police. It was something that all the foreign media reported. Untrue. There is so much resistance in the street with women going uncovered that it is already overwhelming: they cant kill or arrest all of them. It has always been like this: such violence from the morality police has been on and off from the beginning for the last 45 years. The regime is never going to change and that is what people have realised after decades. The people expect nothing from this government. But... when or how will it fall? We dont know that. Is there an alternative? There are many groups. What happens is that we will not see a single party, group or figurehead taking power; instead well see advisory bodies coming forward. This is not a utopian idea. These groups already exist: intellectuals, lawyers, other associations, sometimes illegal. Many are imprisoned. There are also people outside the country. But there is coordination between those outside and those inside. It is also something that will take time. Do you need international help? What is being formally requested is that the European and US governments do not sit down with the Iranian government, because that legitimises and normalises it. Were also asking that at least the international community listens to, and supports, the opposition, but that is very naive of us. If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, BGR may receive an affiliate commission. When HBO released the first trailer a few days ago for its upcoming spy series based on Viet Thanh Nguyens Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Sympathizer, I didnt know what to expect (as I hadnt gotten around to reading the novel yet). I certainly knew nothing about the story herein, which is focused on a half-French, half-Vietnamese communist spy during the last days of the Vietnam War who goes on to live in exile in the US. But what I can tell you is the exact moment when I went from What is this? to Okay, HBO, definitely watching. Its right at the beginning of the trailer when Hoa Xuandes character The Captain is asked by an eager-beaver American about his time over there So, did you kill anyone? The Captain is the spy I mentioned above, who embeds in a refugee community in Los Angeles. Today's Top Deals The Captain draws out his response, with a sort of dramatic flourish, and his response is intercut with intense flashbacks. With my own hands? No. No, I never killed anyone. Continues the American: We were all marching. We were on your side. The Captains eyes widen. Really! And which side was that? Uh the side of the Vietnamese people. The people in the north? Or the people in the south? Well, all of them, I guess. A soft chuckle. I guess we all look the same after all, right? I mean, I could be Viet Cong for all you know. A spy how would you know? He lets the silence hang there. And then laughs conspiratorially, laying one hand across his chest. Im not, of course! I love America! Park Chan-wook and Don McKellar are the co-showrunners and executive producers, and in addition to Xuande the cast of this HBO series includes Fred Nguyen Khan, Toan Le, Ky Duyen, and Sandra Oh. Robert Downey Jr. is also an executive producer and will portray multiple characters in the series (coming in 2024). Get ready, this one is going to be truly, unforgettably, epic. Story continues Spy/Master HBO series As for the second HBO spy series that I cant wait for, HBO on Wednesday gave us a trailer for Spy/Master, which is coming to the network very soon (on May 19). Its a six-part espionage drama series starring Alec Secareanu and created by Adina Sadeanu and Kirsten Peters, and its set during the height of the Cold War. Heres the official logline for the series from HBO. The show: covers a week in the life of fictional character Victor Godeanu, played by Secareanu (Gods Own Country, Ammonite, Happy Valley), the right-hand man and closest advisor to Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceausescu. However, Godeanu is also a secret agent for the KGB and must escape Romania and Ceausescu before his cover is blown. With only one shot at staying alive, he uses a diplomatic trip to Germany as a springboard to the United States. Helped by an undercover Stasi agent and former flame played by Svenja Jung (Deutschland89), and an up-and-coming CIA agent played by Parker Sawyers (Southside with You), Godeanu must elude the KGB and his own countrys spooks, fully aware that his defection is putting his family back home in mortal danger. Don't Miss: Todays deals: $4 smart plugs, $99 Nest WiFi, huge BLUETTI sale, Yeedi robot vacuums, more More Top Deals See the original version of this article on BGR.com The end of Ramadan: the essence of Morocco in Nerja The Costa del Sol's easternmost town has a significant Muslim community; the majority are Moroccans who create a special atmosphere, thanks to shops, cafes and restaurants Alekk M. Saanders Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Telegram This weekend the Muslim community around the world is celebrating the end of Ramadan, a month of fasting. The traditional greeting 'Ramadan Kareem', which in Arabic translates into 'Have a generous Ramadan', has been heard in many countries over the last few weeks, including the south of Spain, which, unsurprisingly has a significant Muslim population, given the proximity of Morocco. In Nerja, the essence of that country just across the Strait lies in the range of Moroccan shops, cafes and restaurants which are a stone's throw from the town centre. Moroccan inspiration of Nerja. A.M.S. Like a trip through the country Every day you can plunge into the charming atmosphere of Morocco in Nerja if you drop in one of the largest shops in the centre of the town. Entering 'Riyad' is like setting foot in a fairy-tale, for example, One Thousand and One Nights. Mosaic lanterns and individually hand-blown glassware are ablaze with different colours. Brass copper vintage Aladdin genie oil magic lamps shine from the shelves as well. When you touch them, he appears... not Aladdinn but Said, the shop-assistant. The display of goods around the shop makes it look like an excursion through Morocco - from north to south. Lots of foreigners drop in our shop looking for unique and exotic home decor. And they always find something. I think Moroccan-inspired items can add a touch of global flair to any space. There are works from industrial producers but most of the pieces here are unique and handmade - from exclusive pottery from Sahara to wool-woven textiles from the Atlas Mountains. "One of the oldest cities in Morocco, Safi (also Safim, Zaffim or Asfi), is represented with its pottery. Algerian potter Boujemaa Lamali established a pottery school in Safi, supported by the colonial administration. Since then, pottery has been a mainstay of Safi's economy. There are a couple of thousand registered artisans working in nearly 200 workshops. Additionally, thousands remain as unregistered artisans. Look, this plate has a signature and the name of a potter, Said told SUR in English. The shop variety and Said. A.M.S. Plates made from Atlas stones are monocoloured, and their colours are very soft, and definitely might 'satisfy' any Northern European taste. However, the lamps are intricate and very bright-coloured. Some of them are actually called Turkish though became a part of typical Moroccan interiors. Scents and sounds are also in the air in the shop. Moroccan mosaic water fountains create peace and calm through their 'whispering'. They are usually placed in a patio of a typical two-storey house called a 'riad'. Said explained that the name of the shop makes people think about Saudi Arabia and its capital Riyadh though indeed it is a name for a typical home in Morocco where different generations of the family live together. "Riads were once the estates of the wealthiest citizens, merchants, and courtiers in Morocco. It is a building shaped like a rectangle with multiple storeys centred around an open-air courtyard with a fountain. Nowadays, riads are a part of travelling to Morocco, and no visit to the country is complete without staying in one, Said said. Leather Calle El Barrio in Nerja is recognised for its strong smell. Here there is a leather bazaar offering a variety of goods. Most of them are quality products handmade by skilled artisans using traditional techniques. The world-famous tanneries are located in Fez and Marrakesh. However, Tangier is also gaining more fame as a modern centre of leather goods that follows trends in fashion. Ampliar Karim and his leather shop. A.M.S. Our leather selection includes leather poufs in different designs and motifs. We sell leather bags, travel bags, backpacks and wallets in different colours. We work collaboratively with artisans because the charm in these rightly imperfect creations is still appreciated and wanted. At the same time, knowing the tastes of foreign guests of Nerja, we also have products, that are a sort of fusion between contemporary design and old tradition, Karim, a shop assistant, told SUR in English. Moroccan food Moroccan cuisine is fuelled by interactions and exchanges among many cultures and nations over the centuries. Nerja recently gained a new restaurant with authentic Moroccan cuisine, located in Calle Pintada. The variety is impressive. Karim and his recently opened restaurant. A.M.S. Like Malaga, coastal Morocco has variety of sardine dishes. Herring-like European pilchard is mostly caught and especially loved. Other fish species include anchovy, mackerel, sardinella and horse mackerel. In cooler weather we offer hot soups. 'Harira' is a typical heavy soup, eaten during winter to warm up. It is usually served for dinner. 'Bissara' is a broad bean-based soup that is also consumed during the colder months of the year, the owner, Karim Ibnoziri Madaya, told SUR in English. Ampliar The old tea shop. A.M.S. Meanwhile, for delicious sweets and aromatic tea, people in Nerja head to Zaidin in Calle Granada. This Arabic style tearoom lures customers with the charm of its picturesque courtyard and cosy rooms. A wide selection of teas, coffees and chocolates, including delicious sweets and homemade pastries, is provided in this emblematic 'teteria'. National Police officers arrested four members of the gang and discovered more than 100 other victims during the investigation Juan Cano Malaga Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Telegram Four people have been arrested by National Police in Malaga after swindling 70,000 euros from a female victim who believed she was sending the funds to a doctor who was on a UN humanitarian mission to Ukraine. The victim had fallen in love with the social network profile of a fake doctor, in which the criminals had used the real photos and details of a rhinoplasty specialist from Turkey. The gang that has now been dismantled, with the arrests in Malaga, targeted more than a hundred other victims throughout Spain and across Europe. National Police officers in Malaga have also dismantled another cybercrime gang, as SUR has recently reported, in which a local lawyer was tricked into losing 300,000 euros over five years. She had believed that the person to whom she was giving the money was an American military man with whom she had fallen in love. In that scam there were 60 victims throughout Spain. Crowds turn out in Ronda to greet King Felipe on bullring visit The king presided over an event in the town on Wednesday to mark the 450th anniversary of the Real Maestranza de Caballeria institution Antonio M. Romero RONDA. Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Telegram Spain's King Felipe VI was greeted with cheers and applause by the crowds who had gathered in Ronda to welcome him on Wednesday. The monarch, on his first visit as king to the town, walked down Avenida Virgen de la Paz on his way to Ronda's famous bullring, shaking hands and chatting to the people as he went. Felipe was in town to preside over the events to mark the 450th anniversary of the Real Maestranza de Caballeria, the royal cavalry training school, a military institution which now has a cultural and social purpose. It was another King Felipe (II, of the House of Austria), who put his seal on the decree that saw the birth of the Real Maestranza in Ronda 450 years ago. Meeting On Wednesday the present King Felipe attended the general meeting of Spain's five royal cavalry schools (Ronda, Seville, Granada, Valencia and Zaragoza). In his speech at the private event, he said that "no one, neither institution nor individual, can ignore renovation and modernity", adding that these days more "ethical role models" were needed, examples of that "demanding and dignified form of leadership". He congratulated the institutions on the "enormous value of their social function". Felipe VI, who was not accompanied by Queen Letizia, arrived that morning by helicopter at the Spanish Legion's barracks in Montejaque, from where he was driven to Ronda. After the meeting, the king greeted the attending authorities in the building's Patio de los Herradores. Officials present included the president of the Junta de Andalucia, Juanma Moreno; the president of the regional parliament, Jesus Aguirre; the mayor of Ronda, Maria de la Paz Fernandez; the government representative in Andalucia, Pedro Fernandez; and the secretary of state for defence, Amparo Valcarce. From there, Felipe VI went into the bullring itself and took his place in the Palco Real (the royal box, which had not been opened since 1997 when King Juan Carlos went to the annual Goya bullfight) to watch a show put on by students from the Real Maestranza de Caballeria riding school. Ampliar Students of the Ronda riding school in the bullring Nito Salas Schoolchildren The audience in the bullring was made up by 2,500 children from schools in Ronda, Montejaque and Estacion de Gaucin, who received the king with cheers and applause. After the playing of the national anthem, 18 young riders put on a display of equestrian art and dressage. At the end of the event the monarch went down to greet the youngsters in the audience, before being given a tour of the 200-year-old bullring and its bullfighting museum. The king later attended a reception with about 400 local representatives. Ampliar King Felipe VI greets the royalty fans who lined the streets near Rondas bullring on Wednesday Nito Salas 'We didn't expect to bump into the King of Spain' Tales of those who met the King Elisa Calle is one local royal fan who managed to shake hands with the monarch. "May the Lord bless you Felipe," she told him. Angeles Oliva had gone especially to Ronda from Fuengirola with her husband to get a glimpse of the king. "We love the monarchy," she explained. Dirk Gerdes, a German resident in Tenerife who is on holiday in Andalucia, said Felipe seemed "very close to the people". "We didn't expect to bump into the King of Spain," he said. "It was a pleasant moment." "Now I've got a story to tell my baby," said pregnant Carolina Sanchez, who managed to have her photograph taken with the king. Meanwhile Mari Angeles Rios, who made the headlines earlier this week for her collection of press cuttings about Felipe that she started when she was a girl in 1975, had the chance to meet her idol. "He knew who I was and said I had more documents about him than he has," she laughed. Spanish PM promises to finance 43,000 flats to ease rental crisis The extra homes, aimed at low-income young people and families, are in addition to another 50,000 announced earlier Paula de las Heras Madrid Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Telegram Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez boasted this week of a new housing plan which could see up to 43,000 new flats developed or refurbished to ease the countrys rental crisis. These homes would be in addition to the governments plans announced last weekend to make up to 50,000 foreclosed homes held by Spain's bad bank Sareb available for affordable rent. This means that in just four days the government promised 93,000 properties aimed at helping young people and low-income families access their own homes. In Congreso on Wednesday, 19 April, the Spanish prime minister announced four billion euros to finance, through cheap government ICO loans, the development of the extra 43,000 flats for affordable rent. It was part of Spains plan to help millions of young adults still living with their parents to rent their own homes by offering properties abandoned when its housing market collapsed a decade ago. The rising cost of rent has become a key campaign issue as Spain gears up for regional ballots on 28 May and a general election later this year. But Sanchez's latest announcement on the issue was described by the opposition PP as a "reheated dish". Its spokesperson, Cuca Gamarra, questioned the initiatives credibility after seeing what had been left of Sanchez's promise to make 50,000 foreclosed homes available for affordable rent. Economy minister Nadia Calvino had clarified that only 9,000 were ready to move into, 12,000 were being worked on due to their poor condition and could take about nine months, another 14,000 were already occupied and 15,000 flats were still unbuilt. In Spain, only 16 per cent of young people live independently, compared to an average of 32 per cent in Europe, according to a monitoring organisation. The governments plan for 93,000 homes follows a previous promise of 100,000 new affordable homes, which is yet to be fulfilled. Sanchez said on Wednesday that 60,000 of them were "built or under construction", but did not elaborate further. "There is a long way to go, a long way to go and that requires not three or four years but a decade of progressive governments," he said. Current Print Subscribers will be prompted to either login to their current site user account or to create a new one. A confirmation email will be sent when a new user account is created, which must be confirmed within three days in order to provide uninterrupted online access through your Print Subscription. Once the email address is confirmed please provide your Account Number to activate your Print Subscription Service. Best luxury gifts for Mother's Day 2023 Recommendations are independently chosen by Revieweds editors. Purchases you make through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission. No budget? No problem! While we're sure your mom would appreciate her favorite flowers or chocolates, why not add something that will last a little longer this year? Luxury gifts might cost more, but theyre sure to put a big smile on your special mother figure's face come Mother's Day on Sunday, May 14! So go ahead and splurgeMom deserves to be pampered! Theres a lot more where this came from. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get all our reviews, expert advice, deals and more. Whether Mom enjoys fashion, cooking, tech or another pastime, there are lots of luxury gift ideas from high-end brands like Dolce & Gabbana, Louboutin and YSL for moms that will win you major points on Mother's Day 2023. Here are some of the best luxury gift ideas for her, including Le Creuset cookware, long-lasting roses, a high-end coffee maker and more. Mother's Day 2023 gift guide: 60 best Mother's Day gift ideas any mom will love 1. For the home chef: Le Creuset Dutch Oven Best luxury gifts for Mother's Day: Le Creuset Dutch Oven Le Creuset cast iron cookware is the creme de la creme of the cooking world, and nothing says #1 Mom quite like a gorgeous piece of cookware from the iconic brand. For Mother's Day, Le Creuset's beautiful new Shallot collection features a rosy-brown hue and enameled cast-iron construction for durabilityand the 5.5 Quart Round Dutch Oven is one of the best we've ever tested. $420 at Williams-Sonoma 2. For the fashion lover: Christian Louboutin Kate Leather Pump Best luxury gifts for Mother's Day: Christian Louboutin Kate Leather Pump Theres arguably no shoe thats more iconic than Louboutin red-bottom heels, and every fashionista needs a pair of the versatile Christian Louboutin Kate Leather Pumps. The Italian-made heels come in glossy or matte black, as well as a flattering shade of nude, and all the colors have the brands signature red sole. The timeless design is perfect for pairing with virtually any outfitwhether casual, professional or dressyand these gorgeous pumps are sure to become a go-to in your moms closet. Story continues $795 at Nordstrom 3. For the jet-setter: Away Bigger Carry-On Best luxury gifts for Mother's Day: Away luggage Is Mom in need of a little getaway? The Away Bigger Carry-On suitcase is a luxuriousyet practicalgift to surprise your mom. It's spacious enough to hold up to nine outfits, and the durable polycarbonate hard shell can withstand being bumped around in overhead bins. The suitcase is available in seven colors, and you can even have it personalized with Mom's monogram or custom luggage tag for an extra special touch. $295 at Away 4. For the flower lover: Venus et Fleur The best luxury gifts for Mother's Day: Venus et Fleur Instead of getting your mom regular roses, which will only last a week or two, you should splurge on the Le Grand "Mom" Gift Set this Mother's Day. The luxe Venus et Fleur arrangement features three beautiful boxes of eternity roses that spell out "mom". The gorgeous roses are 100% real, yet theyve been put through a special treatment process that allows them to stay fresh for up to a full yearall the way until next Mother's Day! $1,197 at Venus et Fleur 5. For the handbag collector: Saint Laurent Small Loulou Shoulder Bag Best luxury gifts for Mother's Day: Saint Laurent Small Loulou Shoulder Bag If your mom loves designer handbags, youll win serious points if you gift her the classic Saint Laurent Small Loulou Shoulder Bag. The beautiful luxury handbag is made in Italy using premium leather, and it comes in seven different colors to match her style. The Loulou, which is named for Yves Saint Laurent's muse Loulou de la Falaise, features the brands signature monogram hardware and a chain-and-leather strap for easy carrying, and it has several interior compartments for storage. $2,950 at Nordstrom 6. For the self-care enthusiast: Dolce & Gabbana Jacquard Bathrobe Best luxury gifts for Mother's Day: Dolce & Gabbana robe Your loved one will be able relax in style with the Dolce & Gabbana DG Logo Jacquard Bathrobe. The plush robe is made from soft cotton, and it comes in a variety of colors for both men and women. The fabric is decorated with a swirling jacquard pattern and the brands logo, and it has a thick waist tie and large pockets for stashing self-care essentials. $595 at Bloomingdales 7. For the hostess: Estelle Colored Glass Iridescent Champagne Coupe Set Best luxury gifts for Mother's Day: Estelle coupe glasses The Estelle Colored Glass Iridescent Champagne Coupe Set would look beautiful on any bar cart thanks to their unique multi-colored design. The glasses come in a set of six, and theyre hand-blown by glass artisans in Poland. Not only are they eye-catching, but the coupe-shaped glasses are perfect for a champagne toast on Mother's Day or even serving specialty cocktails at your next dinner party. $205 at Anthropologie 8. For the loungewear enthusiast: Eberjey Gisele PJ Set Best luxury gifts for Mother's Day: Eberjey Gisele pajamas Every homebody needs a pair of luxurious pajamas, and the Eberjey Gisele PJ Set definitely fits the billin fact, theyre the best pajamas for women that weve tested! Theyre made from a super comfortable stretch-jersey fabric, and the two-piece set looks chic and elegant thanks to its notched collar and piping details. You can choose from a variety of pretty colors, and theres also a short-sleeve version available for those who sleep warm. $138 at Bloomingdales 9. For the fragrance collector: Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb perfume Best luxury gifts for Mother's Day: Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb A bottle of designer perfume is a great gift for Mother's Dayit will ensure your mom smells heavenly as she heads out on the town for a much needed night out. Viktor&Rolf Flowerbomb is a popular luxury scent. The warm, spicy floral fragrance has notes of cattleya, jasmine and rose, and it comes in a geometric bottle that will be eye-catching on her vanity. $180 at Sephora 10. For the coffee drinker: SPINN Coffee Maker Best luxury Mother's Day gifts: Spinn coffee maker Anyone who is particular about their coffee will absolutely love the SPINN Coffee maker, a high-tech single-serving coffee machine. Weve tested this cool gadget, and we loved that youre able to customize each drink to your liking via the machines app. Plus, it makes a much better cup of joe than other single-serve machines thanks to its built-in bean grinder and centrifugal brewing technology. $799 at Amazon 11. For the skincare fanatic: Foreo Bear Best luxury gifts for Mother's Day: Foreo Bear Your loved one will be able to recreate their favorite spa treatments at home with the help of the Foreo Bear. The cute pink tool is a microcurrent facial device, which helps to tighten and firm the skin. It offers five different treatment levels, and its T-Sonic pulsations help to encourage product absorption into the skin while gently massaging the face. The Foreo Bear can even be synced up to their smartphone for access to pre-set treatment settings and additional intensity levels. $329 at Bloomingdales 12. For the modern mama: Blue Nile Split Bar Diamond Ring Best luxury Mother's Day gifts: Blue Nile Double Bar Diamond Ring She'll be immediately impressed with the glamorous sparkle of the 18 pave-set diamonds on this split bar diamond ring. The fashion ring is available in rose, yellow or white gold. The unique design gives off modern vibes without being too trendy, so it will never go out of style. $510 at Blue Nile 13. For the outdoorsy mom: YETI Tundra 35 Best luxury gifts for Mother's Day: Yeti Tundra If your mom is into fishing, boating, camping or other outdoor activities, she could definitely use the YETI Tundra 35 Cooler. This iconic cooler may be pricey, but most people agree it's worth every penny thanks to its extra-thick insulation, which can keep food cool for days at a time. The Tundra 35 can hold up to 20 drink cans at once, and its even certified as bear-resistant to keep its contents safe and sound. $275 at Amazon 14. For the mom with long hair: Dyson Airwrap Multistyler Complete Best luxury gifts for Mother's Day: Dyson Airwrap The Dyson AirWrap Multistyler Complete is a hot commodity and often sold out, so youll definitely win the day if you snag one for your mom. This cult-favorite hair styling tool comes with six attachments, including curling barrels, smoothing brushes and a volumizing brush, and this particular version has 50% longer barrels that are ideal for long hair. The AirWrap Multistyler can be used to shape, curl and smooth hair, all without using extreme heat, making it a must-have luxury tool for anyone who takes pride in their luscious locks. $600 at Nordstrom 15. For the tech-lover: Apple Watch Series 8 Best luxury gifts for Mother's Day: Apple Watch Series 8 Does your mom love having the latest technology? Then you should definitely splurge on the Apple Watch Series 8 for them. The latest version of Apples smartwatch is the best one we've ever tested and comes in a variety of sizes and finishes to suit any style, and its equipped with a range of cool features. For example, its new health sensors allow it to take an ECG, measure heart rate and blood oxygen and even track body temperature changes for menstrual cycle insights. It has advanced safety features like fall detection, and the always-on display is the most durable version available from the brand. $329 at Amazon 16. For the candle collector: Diptyque Roses Candle Best luxury gifts for Mother's Day: Diptyque candle The Diptyque Roses Candle comes in an extra-large 21-ounce container, making it the ultimate gift for candle lovers. The huge candle is poured in a pretty pink jar, and its triple-wick design will burn for a whopping 90 hours. The classic scent will make any home smell like a fresh bouquet of roses, making it the perfect choice for Mother's Day, especially if you pair it with an arrangement of real flowers. $74 at Nordstrom 17. For the mom who catches rays: Ray-Ban Aviator Sunglasses Best luxury gifts for Mother's Day: Ray-Ban Aviators A high-quality pair of sunglasses is a must for anyone who enjoys spending time in the sunshine, and the Ray-Ban Classic Aviator Sunglasses are a stylish and protective choice. You can choose from a variety of frame and lens colors, all of which are polarized to protect against 100% of harmful UV rays. The glasses come in several sizes, and the iconic design is flattering on virtually everyone. $213 at Amazon 18. For the jewelry-lover: 14k Yellow Gold "Mama" Pendant Best gifts for moms: "Mama" necklace This 14K yellow gold necklace features a charming "Mama" pendant on an adjustable cable chain. It's super sweet, elegant and Mom will feel so special wearing it. $475 at Saks Fifth Avenue 19. For the mom who loves to bake: KitchenAid stand mixer Mothers Day gifts for moms who like cooking and baking: stand mixer. Theres a reason anyone who loves to bake wants a KitchenAid standing mixer: Its the best, period. If mom doesnt own this iconic mixer yet, its time to invest in one. She can combine baking ingredients, knead bread dough, whisk meringue, and even make her own pasta at home. Its equipped with 10 speeds and comes with a wire whisk, flat beater and dough hook. $449 at KitchenAid 20. For the mom who needs extra comfort: Gravity Weighted Blanket Best luxury gifts for Mother's Day: Gravity weighted blanket You can help your mom de-stress after a long day with the popular Gravity Weighted Blanket. Its the best weighted blanket weve tested, thanks to its soft cover and high-quality construction, and we think its well worth the splurge. The blanket comes in several sizes, ranging from 15 to 35 pounds, and there are seven colors to choose from, as well. The gentle weight makes you feel like youre wrapped up in a big hug, and it can help soothe away anxiety, as well as improve sleep. $250 at Gravity From the plant mom to the pet mom: 65 best gift ideas for any type of mom The best gift ideas for moms: 50 best Mother's Day gifts Gift ideas for moms at Amazon: 50 best Amazon Mother's Day gifts The product experts at Reviewed have all your shopping needs covered. Follow Reviewed on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok or Flipboard for the latest deals, product reviews and more. Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time. This article originally appeared on Reviewed: The best luxury Mother's Day gifts to spoil your mom Syracuse, N.Y. About 50 people gathered at the spot where Gregory Dugga Graves was murdered to hold a candlelight vigil and release balloons Thursday night. Graves, 39, was fatally shot at about 7:30 p.m. Sunday in the 400 block of Shonnard Street in Syracuse. Police officers swarmed the area when the shooting was reported. On Thursday night, the street where he was gunned down was filled again. This time it wasnt police cars and crime scene tape. People spilled into the street holding blue and white star-shaped balloons. Someone counted to three and everyone released the balloons, along with three red heart-shaped ones. We love you Uncle Dugga, a womans voice called out. I love you baby, another person called. Tall blue and white glass candles lined the curb of the street along with small tea lights. People linked arms and took photos with a large photo of Graves. People in shirts with Graves photo greeted each other and hugged. A car drove by with R.I.P Dugga on it. For this family, it was the second loss to gun violence. Gravess sister, Lashonda Graves, was shot to death on April 10, 2010. She was 30 years old. She left behind two daughters and a son. Her boyfriend, Henry M. Williams, admitted to shooting her in a car in DeWitt. He is serving an 18 year-to-life prison sentence. Related article: Syracuse family loses a second loved one to gun violence: Leave the guns alone Arthur Fido Huddleston Sr., the uncle of the Lashonda and Gregory Graves, said this week if he had the chance, he would tell his nephews shooter that you had 10 seconds to think about what you did before you did, and now that you did it, there are consequences youre facing now that are a lot longer than 10 seconds. On Wednesday, Miguel A. Cruz, 35, of Clay, was charged with murder and weapons possession in connection with Gravess murder. He handed a gun to a person who fired the shots that killed him, police said in a criminal complaint filed in Syracuse City Court. He is not accused of firing the gun. Cruz was captured on multiple cameras in Syracuse, according to the complaint. The video footage and other evidence were enough to show Cruzs complicity in this crime, according to the complaint. No other arrests have been made in this case as of Thursday. Cruz was arrested at the Hampton Inn on Rt. 31 in Clay. He was taken into custody by Syracuse Police SWAT officers and homicide detectives, Syracuse police spokesman Sgt. Thomas Blake said in a news release Thursday. He is being held in the Onondaga County Justice Center jail without bail on charges of second-degree murder and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, according to jail records. Graves is survived by his father, two sons, a daughter and an 11-month-old granddaughter. Gregory "Dugga" Graves, 39, of Syracuse, was shot and killed Sunday, April 16, 2023, on Shonnard Street in Syracuse. His family is mourning his death. ** Gregory Graves obituary ** Staff writer Rylee Kirk covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, story idea, photo, question or comment? Reach her at 315-396-5961, on Twitter @kirk_rylee, or rkirk@syracuse.com. Update: CNY deputy accused of kissing woman, trying to break into house as he handled her domestic violence case Syracuse, N.Y. An Onondaga County Sheriffs Office deputy was arrested and jailed Thursday after he was accused of having inappropriate contact with a woman he met through a police investigation. Deputy Brian Lynch, 37, was charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief and official misconduct, Onondaga County Sheriffs Office said in a news release Friday. The charges are both misdemeanors. The conduct began on March 21, Sheriff Toby Shelley told Syracuse.com | The Post Standard Friday. Lynch met a woman during a police investigation while working as a road patrol deputy, he said. Since March, Lynch met the woman at least two times on duty and once while off duty, Shelley said. On Thursday, the woman notified the sheriffs office of minor property damage Lynch is accused of causing, he said. The sheriffs office would not be more specific about the exact conduct that led to the charges. The woman did not want Lynch to be prosecuted but wanted the sheriffs office to know what happened, he said. There was no violence against the woman or coercion during Lynchs interactions with her, Shelley said. Despite the woman not wanting Lynch to be arrested, an investigation showed probable cause to make the arrest, Shelley said. The conduct Lynch engaged in was inconsistent with the standard of the sheriffs office, sheriffs office spokesperson Thomas Newton said in the release. Lynch was arrested around 11 p.m. Thursday. He was booked in the Onondaga County Justice Center jail around 4:20 a.m., according to county incarceration records. He was arraigned Friday morning. After his arraignment, Lynch was granted pre-trial release. Lynch has been suspended from the sheriffs office without pay for 30 days pending an internal investigation. Staff writer Anne Hayes covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? You can reach her at ahayes@syracuse.com. Four Syracuse-area restaurants are among the top 10 finalists in the annual best-burger contest put on by the New York Beef Council. The contest opened April 1, with the public nominating their favorite burger. Voting to pick the top 10 from among the 30 nominees was April 9 to 19. The finalists were announced this afternoon. Among the four locals to make the cut is Ale n Angus, the reigning champion. The others are Angry Garlic, Bear Creek Restaurant and Brewer Union Cafe. You can vote here for your favorite starting on Saturday. Voting ends next Saturday, April 29. The final four advance to an in-person cookoff on May 8 at Onondaga Community College. A panel of judges votes on the winner following a blind taste-test. The top 10 competing entities are (in alphabetical order): Ale n Angus Pub, Syracuse: Bacon Grilled Cheeseburger Angry Garlic, Baldwinsville: Hot Mess Burger Bear Creek Restaurant, Brewerton: Bourbon Burger Bens Fresh, Port Jervis: Benny Burger Black Door Burger, Long Beach: The Black Door Burger Brewer Union Cafe, Brewerton: Irish Hand Grenade Chatham Brewing, Chatham: The Trowbridge Burger Illusive Restaurant, Rensselaer: The Bougee Burger Rock Burger, Niagara Falls: 716 Burger Tap It Bar & Grill, Rochester: Aftermath Burger Best burger contest 2023 **** Charlie Miller finds the best in food, drink and fun across Central New York. Contact him at (315) 382-1984, or by email at cmiller@syracuse.com. You can also find him under @HoosierCuse on Twitter and on Instagram. Sign up for his free weekly Where Syracuse Eats newsletter here. MORE CNY FOOD & DRINK Hungry Chucks, a legendary Marshall Street bar, says it needs donations to survive Ditch dining in the Hamptons and head to Upstate NY, national magazine says Original vendor from Syracuses Salt City Market to launch standalone full-service restaurant Downtown Syracuses newest late-night club lands its first national artist, singer Sean Kingston Maplewood Bar & Grill prioritizes live music over food & drinks (Dining Out Review) Ongoing series: Dining Out reviews Ongoing series: Hidden Gems of CNY Ongoing series: First Looks in CNY In 2023, an annular solar eclipse will cross the sky in North America, creating a cant-miss ring of fire that wont happen again in this part of the world for more than a decade. The eclipse will cross North, Central and South America on October 14, 2023, starting at 9:13 a.m. PDT in Oregon, and moving across Nevada, Utah, New Mexico and Texas before continuing into Mexico and further into South America. Book solar eclipse 2023 rentals with Vrbo. The eclipse will make for a popular travel event, and if youre planning to cross the country to see it along the path of annularity (where the moon is most completely blocking the sun), youll want to book in one of the following locations: Eclipse watchers can find the perfect accommodations on Vrbo.com and Hotels.com, and get bargains on travel from Expedia. The 2023 annular solar eclipse will create the infamous ring of fire as the moon takes up its position directly between the sun and the planet Earth, but you must be along that path of annularity in order to see it. A full map of the path of annularity can be found on NASA.gov, and more cities and towns along the line of annularity are listed on Space.com. The eclipse will be partially visible across all of North America, even as far away as Maine, but with less of the sun covered the further a viewer stands from the line of annularity. How to view the solar eclipse Because this is an annular eclipse, and the ring of fire is present, it is imperative that you use a solar filter regardless of how you are viewing it, and regardless of whether you are inside or outside of the line of annularity. Solar eclipse glasses, and special filters for cameras, binoculars and telescopes all exist to help you safely view the event. Viewing without the filter can cause damage to your retina and even blindness, according to Space.com. Here are some products that will help you safely view the solar eclipse: By Molly Crane-Newman | New York Daily News New York A New York appeals court has granted an emergency request by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg to delay a former prosecutors deposition before House Republicans probing Braggs criminal case against Donald Trump. Mark Pomerantz was slated to testify under subpoena at 10 a.m. Thursday in Washington, D.C., per a federal judges decision Wednesday, who sided with lawyers for the GOP-led House Judiciary Committee. Lawyers for Braggs office and Pomerantz appealed the decision to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, resulting in a late-night order temporarily halting the scheduled sit-down. Pomerantz led the offices criminal probe into Trump for about a year before resigning in February 2022 amid a disagreement with Bragg about the case being ready with the then-new DA wanting more time to investigate. In February, Simon & Schuster published his tell-all memoir People vs. Donald Trump: An Inside Account, which chronicles his work on the Trump probe, over objections from the DAs office, which wanted to review the book to make sure nothing in it would harm the pending case against Trump. The Trump-backing lawmakers intent on grilling Pomerantz say they are investigating whether there is an issue with political prosecutions of former presidents involving federal dollars that needs to be legislated. Braggs office says the Houses inquiry represents a power grab and unconstitutional intrusion in a state-level criminal case. The appeals court said Braggs office has until Friday to file arguments and the GOP committee has until Saturday. 2023 New York Daily News. Visit at nydailynews.com. Gov. Kathy Hochuls plan to boost affordable housing in New York is off the table in state budget negotiations, striking a blow to one of the governors signature initiatives to address a statewide housing crisis. Assembly Democrats were told in their conference meeting Thursday that the housing plan will be put aside in order to break a budget impasse, Assembly member Pam Hunter, D-Syracuse, confirmed Friday. Hochuls proposed New York Housing Compact had been one of two issues, along with bail reform, holding up progress on a budget deal. The budget is now three weeks late and legislative leaders said they dont expect an agreement before next week. The governor and state lawmakers could still negotiate a housing deal in the legislative session, outside of the budget process. Hochuls office would not confirm Friday that the housing plan has been dropped from budget talks. Assembly and Senate leaders have been unwilling in budget negotiations to support part of Hochuls plan that would allow the state to override local zoning laws for new housing developments. Cities, towns and villages would be required to grow their housing by 1% over three years in Upstate New York, and 3% over three years in New York City and its suburbs. The state would be able to override zoning decisions for projects with affordable housing in municipalities that failed to meet the targets. The governors plan is supported by housing advocates across the state. But towns and village officials in Central New York were among those who set off a last-minute lobbying blitz against the proposal. At least four state Assembly and Senate members from Central New York had urged legislative leaders and the governor to compromise on an initiative that has held up the state budget for weeks. Lawmakers suggested setting aside $500 million in the budget as incentives for housing developers to build new housing, while dropping the ability for the state to override local zoning laws. Hochul said her proposal to speed the construction of 800,000 housing units across New York over the next decade would ease the statewide shortage of housing that has led to an affordability crisis. The governor acknowledged this week that she hasnt been able to reach a deal with Democratic leaders on the proposal to bypass local zoning laws. She said incentives alone will not solve the problem. RELATED Last-minute lobbying blitz aims at Hochuls plan to override suburban zoning Is suburban zoning the enemy? NYs affordable housing plan looks to bypass local officials Got a tip, comment or story idea? Contact Mark Weiner anytime by: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 571-970-3751 Company Logo Dublin, April 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Operations Management in Changing Times" conference has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Operations management is an area of business concerned with the production of goods and services and involves the responsibility of ensuring that business operations are efficient in terms of using as little resource as needed and effective in terms of meeting customer requirements. It is concerned with managing the process that converts inputs (in the forms of materials, labour and energy) into outputs (in the form of goods and services). To perform this function effectively, Operations Managers need to fulfil a number of responsibilities, for examples: Aligning the operation's strategy to the company strategy - developing a clear vision of how the operations should support the company's long-term objectives; it also means translating goals into implications for performance objectives in terms of quality, speed, dependability, flexibility and cost. Deploying the operations strategy - operations management is often characterised by the need to make decisions both frequently and quickly, so it is necessary to have a framework to guide decision making; that is the role of operations strategy. Designing the company's services and processes - in the service sector the product is often a process, the design of which, often, falls into the domain of operations management. In manufacturing sectors processes are designed to prepare a product for market. Planning & controlling the operation - is the activity of deciding what the operation's resources should be doing, then making sure they do it and as efficiently as possible. Improving the performance of operations - continuous improvement is the responsibility of all operations managers with a focus on improving quality and reducing costs. The overall aim of this course is to provide delegates with relevant insights, allow delegates to explore key aspects of operations management and help them improve their impact and value as an operations manager in current fast changing times. Story continues Learning Objectives By the end of the programme, you will be able to: Explain the purpose of operations management and how to align operations management strategies with the organisation's strategy (Operational Excellence) Outline the approach for aligning the operation to meet the needs and expectations of the customer both internal and external (Service Excellence) Demonstrate an ability to use a number of tools and techniques to improve the performance of key business processes (Process Excellence) Describe a number of approaches to improve the effectiveness of the human resource (Performance Excellence) Appreciate alternative organisational structures to deliver improved customer service while delivering greater efficiencies (Organisational Excellence) Who Should Attend: It is not only for operations managers or factory managers who run operations; all managers in all sectors run some form of operation, for example: a finance manager's operation processes invoices and other financial transactions, an HR manager's operation processes recruitment, so if you are responsible for the management of processes then you are an operations manager. It is designed for all managers: senior, middle, first line and supervisors in all sectors including: manufacturing, energy, financial services, healthcare, government departments, etc. Agenda: Day One Administration, introduction, course objectives & methodology Operations Management Exercise: what is operations management? Establishing the operations vision and mission; Operations management responsibility for process management; The prime activities of operations management; The model of operations management The Strategic Role of Operations Management The role of the operations function in developing and executing strategy The operations performance objectives; Operations Improvement Exercise: simulating a business process; Review of the Exercise; The 7 classic wastes + 6 more The Toyota Production System The foundations of the system: line balancing, standard work, total productive maintenance and the value stream, which leads to operational stability; The three pillars of the Toyota Production System: Just in Time (JIT) How to use Takt Time to control production Exercise: Calculating Takt time; Demonstration: Pull versus Push systems; Demonstration: How to achieve one-piece flow Jidoka Automatic and manual line stops; Managing the integration of people and machines; Error proofing systems; Andon - visual control systems Culture - the critical role of organisational culture Day Two Lean Operations The Lean philosophy and the five principles of Lean Operations; Specifying value and the value stream; The benefits of process mapping; The process of mapping a business process; Exercise: SIPOC mapping, Process Sequence mapping, Spaghetti mapping and Value stream mapping; The application of Single Minute Exchange of Die to your business processes A System for Workplace Organisations The 5S system Exercise: developing a product and creating a process to build it The Deming Cycle Quality Planning and Control How is quality defined? Special cause and common cause variation; Exercise: how to calculate standard deviation; Introduction to the Case Study company; Deploying control charts to monitor business processes in the Case Study company; Data collection and sampling tools; Exercise: constructing a control chart using data from the Case Study company; Calculating process capability and sigma scores Process Improvement in the Case Study Company Feedback systems to inform improvement activities; Establishing improvement priorities; Exercise: deploying tools and techniques to deliver business improvement; Action Planning: Exploring how to transfer learning to the workplace Day Three Manpower Planning & Control - The Human Side of the Enterprise Understanding the drivers of performance; The purpose of Performance Appraisal; The contributions of Industrial Psychology to management thinking; The key to motivating people at work; Exploring alternative approaches to people Management - examples from the case study company Job Design and Work Organisation for Operations Managers What is job design? Key factors to consider designing operations jobs; How to identify the primary job characteristics of operations roles; Developing guidelines for job redesign; How ergonomics and environmental conditions inform job design Action Planning: Exploring how to transfer learning to the workplace Speakers: Alan Power Award Winning General Manager Alan Power is an international corporate management trainer and consultant with over 30 years experience working in the UK service sector. He has a passion for operation excellence and is an expert in developing and deploying business improvement strategies including Lean and Six Sigma. In the early years of his career, he was a highly successful corporate trainer who led several initiatives to establish world-class corporate training capabilities for his employers. Today, he is able to draw on that experience when designing, developing and delivering corporate training programmes for his international clients. Later in his career, he became an advocate of Quality Management and, as a consequence, led a number of initiatives to introduce quality management strategies for his employer. This interest resulted in his appointment to a role as General Manager for a banking division, an appointment he used to demonstrate the many business benefits of adopting quality management and operation excellence strategies. His experience during this time forms the foundation of the case studies he uses today to illustrate quality management and operation excellence strategies during his training programmes. The success of his approach was demonstrated when the division he led won several awards. Alan's final appointment in his corporate sector career was as Head of Quality Policy & Strategy, a head office role that gave him responsibility for deploying Business Excellence strategies throughout an organization that employed over 86,000 staff. During this period he launched initiatives that today have resulted in his ex-employer becoming one of the leading practitioners of Lean Six Sigma in the UK. In 2003 Alan set up his own management consultancy, MPOWER (UK) Ltd. offering training and consultancy in Service Excellence, Lean Operations and Six Sigma, in the UK, the Middle East and further afield. For more information about this conference visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/45p7li About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. CONTACT: CONTACT: ResearchAndMarkets.com Laura Wood,Senior Press Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 Richard Mascarenas, 38, of Taos Pueblo, was sentenced to 9 years in prison April 20 after pleading guilty to kidnapping and assaulting a domestic partner in 2022. fizkes / Getty Images/iStockphoto A recession is technically defined as two or more quarters of negative growth in the economy. While the technical definition is a bit sterile, the reality of a recession is that it drags down earnings and profits for most companies. As earnings drive stock market prices over the long run, a drop in profitability typically drags down stock prices as well. See: 10 US Cities With Plenty of Jobs and Cheap Housing Find Out: 3 Things You Must Do When Your Savings Reach $50,000 Since the stock market tends to overreact on both the downside and the upside, prices may drop dramatically even before a recession actually occurs, as economists and financial pundits predict bad times ahead. As many are predicting a recession in the second half of 2023 in America, it could be time to start recession-proofing your portfolio. Here are some of the steps you can take. Select Recession-Resistant Industries Theres no absolutely foolproof way to avoid a recession-driven selloff in the stock market. If the market is in a panic, it tends to drag down everything with it. But there are some industries that are more recession-proof than others, and their stocks tend to hold up better during economic contractions than others. For example, utility and consumer staples companies often perform better during recessions because they offer products that everyone needs. Even if you dont want to pay your utility bill or spend at the grocery store, you typically will, even during a recession, because everyone needs to eat and to power their homes. This makes these types of stocks more naturally recession-resistant than others. Buy Stocks With Defensive Characteristics In addition to stocks that have recession-resistant characteristics, there are a number of types of stocks that are defensive by the way they are structured. Stocks that pay high dividends, for example, often attract investors during recessions because although their stock prices may fall a bit, the income they pay helps reduce any losses. Story continues Stocks with high dividends are also generally more conservative in nature, with consistent cash flows. That makes them more desirable to investors during recessions than more aggressive, high-flying companies that may not even survive an economic downturn. Take Our Poll: Are You Concerned About the Safety of Your Money in Your Bank Accounts? Keep an Eye on the Long Term If youre a long-term investor, you shouldnt fret too much about a recession-driven market correction. After all, corrections tend to last only a few months, and they occur fairly regularly to boot. After the correction ends, the next bull market will follow, and investors who added to their positions while they were down will reap the rewards over the long run. While you may not exactly want to hope for a market correction, thats the time when you can take advantage of cheaper share prices to stock up on long-term winners. Add Shorter-Term Bonds Most stock investors arent interested too much in bonds. But bonds can not only help diversify your account even in the best of times, they can also cushion the blow during recession-triggered market corrections. One of the reasons is that recessions are often triggered by excessive interest-rate increases by the Fed. What this means is that as the economy is tipping into recession, short-term rates are often high. Investors picking up short-term bonds, CDs or even high-yield savings accounts can see rates that are even higher than long-term rates, as is the case in 2023. As the stock market drifts down during a recession-driven correction, investors who picked up high-yielding short term investments can sit back and collect interest until the Fed starts cutting rates again which often sets the next bull market into motion. Increase Your Retirement Plan Contributions As the stock market falls during a recession, the emotional reaction many investors have is to simply sell everything until the damage is done. The problem with this is that no one knows when the market will reverse. By the time its back in an uptrend, you may have missed out on a 20% or 30% move upwards, stunting the long-term growth of your portfolio. As famed billionaire Warren Buffett often says, Be fearful when others are greedy, and greedy when others are fearful. If your portfolio is crashing down during a recession, continue adding even more to your best investments, buying when their share prices are low. Youll thank yourself in the long run. Make Yourself Indispensable at Work You cant add to your investments if you arent drawing an income. Part of the unfortunate truth about recessions is that they are always accompanied by job losses. No matter what type of investments you own, losing your job will derail your portfolio. If a recession appears to be on the horizon, theres no better time to make yourself indispensable at work. Whatever your company values more than anything be it raising more assets, making more customers happy or building more widgets do your best to make yourself noticeable, in the best possible way. Fight for your job ahead of time, before any possible layoffs, so that if bad news is coming to the company, youve already secured your position. This will allow you to continue building your investment portfolio. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 6 Ways To Recession-Proof Your Investment Portfolio Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. Tgo Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Calgary|Jaipur Posts: 1,244 Thanked: 3,593 Times View My Garage From a Duster in India to a Tiguan in Canada - Winter Driving 5 PM rush hour traffic. 5 PM rush hour traffic. I am happy to have found such a variation in the surface you drive on in Canada. We think it is all good roads and infrastructure which is true to an extent, but you get snow in the winter, gravel for when the roads are sanded to aid traction, ice, slush, wet and dry tarmac. If this doesn't keep you entertained and focussed while driving, I cannot think of anything else that will. No wonders Nordic countries have really good drivers, as they learn to go sideways before they learn to go straight. Wheel spin, skids, braking, weight transfer all the basics of learning vehicle dynamics and control can be experienced as slow speeds and everyone gets to experience them in these slippery situations. Its not just the presence of water in different forms on the road, the low temperature also weighs in heavy and has a consequence on everything from grip to fuel efficiency. The ubiquitous mall crawler in the parking lot. The ubiquitous mall crawler in the parking lot. Engines do not like to run hot, it is the same case when it gets sub zero, they have a tough time getting warmed up. Modern engines compensate by dumping in more fuel initially to get the engine to its optimal operating temp. And running the heater only worsens the situation, with the coolant letting out the heat gained through the heater core to heat the cold air in the cabin. Add to this the fact that every lubricant in the engine, gearbox, differential and any other crevice has thickened up and drags everything down in those components of the powertrain. You can expect a drop of almost 1.5 km/l if you have short commutes. The there's the winter prep. for your car before the season sets in and while you trudge through winter. Three basic things that are essential; Change of Tires: By law, Alberta only asks you to have All-Season tyres which have a deeper and wider tread pattern to allow the snow to fling out and clear the tread. Snow actually sticks like mud and can make your tyres turn to slicks if the grooves are packed up with it. Then there are all weather tires which have a more aggressive tread pattern akin to the mud/slush knobby tyres we know. These also have a softer compound than the All-seasons to remain more elastic and in effect grippy. Then come the winter tire which have sipes in them. These sipes are basically making the knobby parts of the tyres rougher by adding micro grooves (sipes) and they also have the soft compound. Last in are the studded tyres which are winter tyres with sipes and actually have metal studs embedded in the rubber to claw onto ice like surfaces, they do make a racket on tarmac though. So every winter, people get their tyres swapped or changed. Some keep a second set of rims ready to bat on when needed. So Ideally if you have a set of all season tires, that's all you need legally, but its mediocre performer. People usually have a set of grippy summer/all season tires for the summer and a set of winter tires for the colder months. Studded tyres up close. Studded tyres up close. Washer Fluid: Mind you, I say washer fluid and not water. It was a "I was this years old when I.." moment for me when I learnt why there is a need for a dedicated washer fluid and not water in the windshield washer reservoir. Water would freeze instantly. And you need to clear up the windshield almost every 5 minutes or so because of all the muck being thrown up after snow and slush. These fluids are at times rated to -45C . You also cannot keep drinking water in non-insulated bottles inside the car. In the door pockets a disposable water bottle would take only a few hours to freeze completely. Tank-up, Gear-up, Stock-up This is more of a change in your usual pattern of re-fuelling . You don't want to be suck in a jam with the fuel running low. Accidents are very common and recovery and clearing up the roads can take hours. You cannot afford to stop the engine for more than 15 minutes in a warmed up car. You feel the cooling down of the cabin happen very quickly. It's imperative to get a snow brush and scraper to clear the windshield and lights after a dump of snow. The scraper helps to break down the ice that usually forms on the glass area. Since the glass is warmer from the cabin heat, snow falling on the glass quickly melts and solidifies as ice on it. The brush is used to dust the loose snow from the exterior and also from yourself after your'e done. Also, it's a good idea to keep some snacks and a warm blanket in the car if you venture out of the city quite often or commute desolate routes at odd hours. https://youtu.be/SygrdCMLIBQ Clearing up after an overnight light dusting of snow. That's after you shovel the drive way. Other things that people do but you can live without in modern cars are - Engine Block Heater : This is an electrical accessory which basically is a heating element which is screwed onto the engine block. The element sits in the coolant gallery and heats up the plugged into an electrical outlet. You have these outlets in parking lots as well and have to carry a cabe to plug this in for the block heater to work. It is supposed to warm up the engine block, coolant and the oil to get the fluids flowing freely. With modern engines using synthetic oils the need for block heaters is no longer there. I have cranked up the car successfully in temperatures as low as -29C Battery Tender : Yes, the juices inside the battery also fail to function and the battery tender helps keep it in good shape. Remote Starter : This a more of a convenience feature to pre-heat the car by starting it remotely. The car runs and warms up and the HVAC system does its job to heat up the cabin based on what it was last set at. Special Note on Car Washes: This was another one of those things I realised after the first winter. Drive through car washes are not a fun and frill item. You just cannot do a manual car wash in this weather. And you cannot go without a carwash for long. The salty slush gets into the nooks and crannies of the wheel arches and given sufficient time can start eating the metal away. You have a regular drive through car wash which has those foam bristle rollers which wipe off the dirt and grime from the surface of the car. You have water and soap spray stations to assist the rollers and you get a hot air curtain in the end to get you relatively dried when you exit. Cost CAD 10 on an average. Also most of these car washes have a vacuum station and air filling station. Vacuum session is free per car wash and is timed (~ 3 minutes). You have to go there prepared with everything out of the way before you start your session. The other more famous one these day is the touchless car wash. Which uses only high pressure water jets to clean the car. It takes away the rollers and is essentially giving you a scratch/swirl free result. You still drive through it like a regular car wash. Costs CAD 12-15 depending on the products you want on the car (soap, wax etc.)Finally you also have the wash booth kind of car washes. Equipped with Pressure washer, foam sprayer, brush, mitt etc. This one charges you for the time you have these nozzles active. Its cheaper is you know how to do this quickly. Cost like CAD 2 per minute or something like that. https://youtu.be/crGqg4DP7no Another fun fact is that the car washes shut down after a certain temp (for example say -20C), and not because the water freezes, its because of very high chances of the glass cracking due to thermal variation of warm water on icy cold glass, which becomes a liability for them if someone goes and sues them for damages. So let's get to the good part. It's nothing new but these things were quite fascinating to me.I am happy to have found such a variation in the surface you drive on in Canada. We think it is all good roads and infrastructure which is true to an extent, but you get snow in the winter, gravel for when the roads are sanded to aid traction, ice, slush, wet and dry tarmac. If this doesn't keep you entertained and focussed while driving, I cannot think of anything else that will. No wonders Nordic countries have really good drivers, as they learn to go sideways before they learn to go straight. Wheel spin, skids, braking, weight transfer all the basics of learning vehicle dynamics and control can be experienced as slow speeds and everyone gets to experience them in these slippery situations. Its not just the presence of water in different forms on the road, the low temperature also weighs in heavy and has a consequence on everything from grip to fuel efficiency.Engines do not like to run hot, it is the same case when it gets sub zero, they have a. Modern engines compensate by dumping in more fuel initially to get the engine to its optimal operating temp. And running the heater only worsens the situation, with the coolant letting out the heat gained through the heater core to heat the cold air in the cabin. Add to this the fact that every lubricant in the engine, gearbox, differential and any other crevice has thickened up and drags everything down in those components of the powertrain. You can expect a drop of almost 1.5 km/l if you have short commutes.The there's thefor your car before the season sets in and while you trudge through winter. Three basic things that are essential;: By law, Alberta only asks you to havetyres which have a deeper and wider tread pattern to allow the snow to fling out and clear the tread. Snow actually sticks like mud and can make your tyres turn to slicks if the grooves are packed up with it. Then there aretires which have a more aggressive tread pattern akin to the mud/slush knobby tyres we know. These also have a softer compound than the All-seasons to remain more elastic and in effect grippy. Then come thetire which have sipes in them. These sipes are basically making the knobby parts of the tyres rougher by adding micro grooves (sipes) and they also have the soft compound. Last in are thetyres which are winter tyres with sipes and actually have metal studs embedded in the rubber to claw onto ice like surfaces, they do make a racket on tarmac though. So every winter, people get their tyres swapped or changed. Some keep a second set of rims ready to bat on when needed. So Ideally if you have a set of all season tires, that's all you need legally, but its mediocre performer. People usually have a set of grippy summer/all season tires for the summer and a set of winter tires for the colder months.: Mind you, I say washer fluid and not water. It was a "I was this years old when I.." moment for me when I learnt why there is a need for a dedicated washer fluid and not water in the windshield washer reservoir. Water would freeze instantly. And you need to clear up the windshield almost every 5 minutes or so because of all the muck being thrown up after snow and slush. These fluids are at times. You also cannot keep drinking water in non-insulated bottles inside the car. In the door pockets a disposable water bottle would take only a few hours to freeze completely.This is more of a change in your usual. You don't want to be suck in a jam with the fuel running low. Accidents are very common and recovery and clearing up the roads can take hours. You cannot afford to stop the engine for more than 15 minutes in a warmed up car. You feel the cooling down of the cabin happen very quickly. It's imperative to get ato clear the windshield and lights after a dump of snow. The scraper helps to break down the ice that usually forms on the glass area. Since the glass is warmer from the cabin heat, snow falling on the glass quickly melts and solidifies as ice on it. The brush is used to dust the loose snow from the exterior and also from yourself after your'e done. Also, it's a good idea to keep somein the car if you venture out of the city quite often or commute desolate routes at odd hours.Other things that people do but you can live without in modern cars are -: This is an electrical accessory which basically is a heating element which is screwed onto the engine block. The element sits in the coolant gallery and heats up the plugged into an electrical outlet. You have these outlets in parking lots as well and have to carry a cabe to plug this in for the block heater to work. It is supposed to warm up the engine block, coolant and the oil to get the fluids flowing freely. With modern engines using synthetic oils the need for block heaters is no longer there. I have cranked up the car successfully in temperatures as low as -29C: Yes, the juices inside the battery also fail to function and the battery tender helps keep it in good shape.: This a more of a convenience feature to pre-heat the car by starting it remotely. The car runs and warms up and the HVAC system does its job to heat up the cabin based on what it was last set at.Special Note onThis was another one of those things I realised after the first winter. Drive through car washes are not a fun and frill item. You just cannot do a manual car wash in this weather. And you cannot go without a carwash for long. The salty slush gets into the nooks and crannies of the wheel arches and given sufficient time can start eating the metal away.You have a regular drive through car wash which has those foam bristle rollers which wipe off the dirt and grime from the surface of the car. You have water and soap spray stations to assist the rollers and you get a hot air curtain in the end to get you relatively dried when you exit. Cost CAD 10 on an average. Also most of these car washes have a vacuum station and air filling station. Vacuum session is free per car wash and is timed (~ 3 minutes). You have to go there prepared with everything out of the way before you start your session.The other more famous one these day is the touchless car wash. Which uses only high pressure water jets to clean the car. It takes away the rollers and is essentially giving you a scratch/swirl free result. You still drive through it like a regular car wash. Costs CAD 12-15 depending on the products you want on the car (soap, wax etc.)Finally you also have the wash booth kind of car washes. Equipped with Pressure washer, foam sprayer, brush, mitt etc. This one charges you for the time you have these nozzles active. Its cheaper is you know how to do this quickly. Cost like CAD 2 per minute or something like that.Another fun fact is that the car washes shut down after a certain temp (for example say -20C), and not because the water freezes, its because of very high chances of the glass cracking due to thermal variation of warm water on icy cold glass, which becomes a liability for them if someone goes and sues them for damages. Last edited by Tgo : 20th April 2023 at 10:34 . In brief: Imagine Googling your name and discovering search results that link to an article falsely calling you a pedophile. Now imagine that Google refused to remove the links. That's the nightmare situation one Montreal businessman had to deal with for years, but now Google must pay him $500,000 for his troubles. The "prominent businessman" in the case was granted anonymity throughout the proceedings, writes Ars Technica. He was once at the "pinnacle of the commercial real-estate brokerage world" in the US and Canada, but found that in 2006/2007, several clients declined to do business with him after a series of good meetings. In April 2007, the man discovered why: a website called RipoffReport.com had published a post in April 2006 falsely stating that he was a con man and "convicted of child molestation in 1984." As one would normally do in this situation, the man contacted the founder of the website, asking them to remove the post. But they refused, stating that they never pulled posts and asked the man to prove he was never charged with being a pedophile. Quebec Supreme Court judge Azimuddin Hussain called the website's request a "Kafkaesque reverse-burden demand to prove one's innocence." The ordinary course of action in this situation would be to sue the website and have the post removed, but in Canada, this can only be done within one year of its appearance, regardless of when the victim discovers the publication. With no option to remove it, the man tried to limit its visibility by asking Google to remove links to the article. Sometimes it complied, other times it didn't, with the links re-appearing over the years. It damaged his professional life and one of his sons had to distance himself from his father as he also worked in real estate. Hussain wrote in his March 28 decision that "Google variously ignored the Plaintiff, told him it could do nothing, told him it could remove the hyperlink on the Canadian version of its search engine but not the US one, but then allowed it to re-appear on the Canadian version after a 2011 judgment of the Supreme Court of Canada in an unrelated matter involving the publication of hyperlinks." The man eventually sued Google, which used Section 230 of the US Communications Decency Act to claim it was not liable for third-party content and wasn't under any obligation to remove the links. It said because of the Canada-United States-Mexico free trade agreement, a Quebec law requiring companies to remove illegal content once it was aware of it didn't apply due to Section 230. Earlier this year, in a case to determine whether YouTube violates the federal Anti-Terrorism Act whenever its algorithm recommends its users videos from the terrorist group ISIS, a Google lawyer warned that the internet would be a "horror show" without Sections 230, but many argue that companies hide behind it while their platforms are spreading hate and defamatory content. Hussain disagreed with Google's argument and found in favor of the Plaintiff. The man had originally asked for compensatory and punitive damages amounting to $6 million, but the judge said he didn't assess punitive damages because Google had refused to remove the links under the "good faith belief" that it legally didn't have to. The man, now in his early 70s, still received $500,000 for moral injuries due to lost business deals and strains on personal relationships. Maybe Google should have hired Elon Musk's lawyer. WTF?! In another example of why tech CEOs (or any CEOs, for that matter) find little love from others, the boss of a Utah digital marketing company who wants his employees back in the office has praised one worker for selling their family dog in order to comply with his demands. Not content with that remark, he went on to accuse employees of "quiet quitting" and not working enough. He also questioned single parents who work full-time, stating that such an arrangement wasn't fair to children or employers. The man at the center of the controversy is James Clarke, CEO of Clearlink, a digital marketing company based in Utah. He held a virtual town hall last week, which is making headlines for his extreme, nose-to-the-grindstone work ethic being pushed to employees. Motherboard posted an edited video of the meeting after it was taken offline elsewhere following a copyright complaint from Clearlink. It was mostly meant to discuss the company's return-to-work policy that forced workers living within 50 miles of company headquarters in Draper, Utah, back into the building four days per week, with some exceptions. This was despite Clarke telling staff in late October that there were no plans to end remote work - some employees had been hired on the understanding that they would be working from home. But rather than reassuring staff about returning to the office, Clarke seemed to spend much of the video complaining about them. He said around 30 employees had not opened their laptops for a month (quiet quitters) and claimed some developers had been working at other companies while picking up a paycheck from Clearlink. Clarke said recent advancements in AI meant the company should be increasing its productivity by 30 to 50 times its normal production. He also mentioned that he went to Oxford and Harvard, which he says were founded and operated under the Judeo-Christian ethic. "I challenge any of you to outwork me, but you won't," he said. The CEO also praised the sacrifices people have made in order to come back to the office. "I've sacrificed, and those of you that are here have sacrificed greatly to be here as well to be away from your family." He noted that "I learned from one of our leaders that, in the midst of hearing this message, [someone] went out and sold their family dog." Clarke, who spent a decade on the board of pet health company PetIQ, said the dog story "breaks my heart, as someone who's been at the head of the humanization of pets movement in other businesses that we've built." But then it does sound as if he's praising the dog-seller it's not like he added the words "Please, people, don't sell your beloved pets" at the end of the anecdote. Clarke finished his memorable tirade by taking aim at single mothers, claiming they struggle to fulfill both roles as caregivers and full-time employees. "Breadwinning mothers were hit the very hardest by this pandemic. Many of you have tried to tend to your own children and in doing so also manage your demanding work schedules and responsibilities. And while I know you're doing your best... one could argue this path is neither fair to your employer, nor fair to those children," Clarke said. "I don't necessarily believe that," he continued, possibly covering his back before confirming, "But I do believe that only the rarest of full-time caregivers can also be a productive and full-time employee simultaneously. You may take issue with any part of this, but I believe the data will also support this in time." Not surprisingly, it seems some employees have compared Clarke to a "Wall Street felon," likely a reference to Michael Douglas' Gordon Gekko character in the Wall Street films, whose "Greed is good" mantra often seems to be one that CEOs abide by. Clearlink told Vice that what Clarke said was internal company business. It's not as if CEOs are averse to this kind of behavior. In December 2021, Vishal Garg, CEO of mortgage firm Better.com, laid off 900 staff during a three-minute Zoom call. More recently, MillerKnoll CEO Andi Owen said that, after giving herself a $6 million bonus, the rest of the company would not be getting yearly bonuses and should "leave Pity City." TechSpot is about to celebrate its 25th anniversary. TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust What just happened? The European Union has unveiled its latest regulatory initiative, a watchdog organization designed to bringing a new level of transparency to "very big" IT companies and their often mysterious algorithmic applications. The newly introduced European Centre for Algorithmic Transparency (ECAT) is EU's first center focused on researching how big corporations use (or abuse) algorithms to amass their ungodly financial wealth. Working to enforce the Digital Services Act (DSA) directives, ECAT will give experts the chance to see how the algorithms work, and check if their inner cogs are infringing the latest European regulations. According to the DSA, platforms with more than 45 million users are considered "Very Large Online Platforms" or "Very Large Online Search Engines." Those gigantic companies doing business in the European market are now required to carry annual assessments about how they are protecting their users against online threats, illegal content or disinformation. Starting January 1, 2024, companies will be required to operate in a more transparent way, detailing how their algorithms work and how their online products provide advertisers with user profiling and ad targeting features. ECAT officials will audit said algorithms to check Big Tech's actual commitment to transparency and user protection. The DSA is a response to the "increasing need to unveil and better understand the technologies that drive platforms business models," ECAT's official presentation states. The creation of ECAT will allow Europe to improve its technical expertise in the field of data science and algorithms. ECAT is recruiting "top-notch experts" to support the new regulatory tasks, and is aiming to become the "reference for research around algorithmic transparency." AI systems are growing in size and complexity at an extremely accelerated pace, EU officials said, and demand for regulating and governing AI capabilities is becoming a crucial issue. ECAT's main duty won't be AI, however, as regulators will spend their time probing the algorithms hiding behind social media, online search, e-commerce shops and such. ECAT will work together with scientists, experts, industry representatives, academia, and NGOs to "improve our understanding of how algorithms work," the EU says. ECAT will analyze companies for transparency, assess risks, and ultimately propose "new transparent approaches and best practices." As for the big AI elephant in the room, Europe is debating on yet another regulatory effort and overall framework known as "AI Act." TechSpot is about to celebrate its 25th anniversary. TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust In a nutshell: SpaceX attempted its first Starship orbital test flight this week following a canceled launch earlier in the week due to a frozen valve. To the surprise of many, the heavy-lift rocket made it off the launch pad and got a couple of minutes into its mission before things went south. Starship reached a maximum altitude of 39 kilometers (about 24 miles) despite several of its Raptor engines failing shortly after launch. Unfortunately, Starship failed to separate from the Super Heavy booster. Shortly after, the flight termination system took over and the craft experienced a rapid unscheduled disassembly. Even with all the failures, the test was still deemed a success. SpaceX simply wanted to get Starship off the launch pad. Anything after clearing the tower was icing on the cake. The uncrewed test flight was not carrying a payload. "As we promise, excitement is guaranteed," said John Insprucker, SpaceX's principal integration engineer. Two things immediately stood out when watching the launch. First was the enormous size of Starship and the sheer amount of energy needed to break gravity's grip. The other was the huge debris field created by Starship, which SpaceX clearly didn't anticipate. This clip from LabPadre highlights the incredible amount of energy generated as Starship lifted off. Unfortunately for the nearby Dodge Caravan, it's probably destined for the scrap yard as its rear windows got blown out and the whole rear frame was caved in. It also appeared as if the security gate in the distance didn't survive the blast. Another shot from LabPadre shows the crater that Starship left under the launch pad. A spokesperson for the Federal Aviation Administration told The Wall Street Journal it will oversee an investigation into what went wrong during the flight. As is standard procedure, SpaceX will not be allowed to conduct another Starship flight until the FAA is satisfied it won't have an impact on public safety. SpaceX said the test will help them improve Starship's reliability, and that they look forward to another flight in a few months. Nintendo fans can rejoice at the announcement of four additional games for its Switch Online Expansion Pack service - Street Fighter II: Special Champion Edition, Pulseman, Kid Chameleon, and Flicky. Experience Iconic Characters in Street Fighter II: Special Champion Edition According to the story by Nintendo Life, these classic games have been lovingly recreated for the modern audience, allowing old and new gamers to experience the charm of the classic Sega Genesis / Mega Drive days. Beginning with Street Fighter II: Special Champion Edition, this title improved on the original game with the addition of mirror matches, new moves, the option to play in either Champion or Hyper modes, 11-speed settings, and a Group Battle mode. This recreation also adds M. Bison, Balrog, Vega, and Sagat as selectable fighters, perfect for those who want to throw down with some of the franchise's most iconic characters. Four More Quality Games Added to Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack Service With the addition of four more excellent games, the library of classic games available on the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack Service continues to grow in quality and number. Fans can learn more about the Genesis Update from Nintendo of America's official video. From the intense action of Street Fighter II: Special Champion Edition and the wacky adventure of Flicky to the futuristic world of Pulseman and the imaginative levels of Kid Chameleon, Nintendo's selection of titles for the Nintendo Switch has something for everyone. Experience New Moves and Battle Against Your Friends with Street Fighter II: Special Champion Edition Street Fighter II: Special Champion Edition is an improved version of the original Street Fighter II console game, released in 1993 for the Sega Genesis. Gamers can now battle against their friends in mirror matches, try new moves, enjoy 11-speed settings, or play in Champion or Hyper modes. Moreover, this version includes M. Bison, Balrog, Vega, and Sagat as selectable fighters, allowing players to challenge each other in higher-difficulty matches. Another exciting title arriving on the Nintendo Switch is Pulseman, a side-scrolling action game set in the far future. Using Nine Different Helmets to Conquer Over 100 Levels in Kid Chameleon Players must help the electrifyingly heroic Pulseman thwart the ambitious, genius scientist Doc Waruyama who aims to conquer the galaxy. This title is vibrant, fun, and filled with challenges to overcome. More details regarding the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack benefits were detailed on Nintendo's official website. Kid Chameleon is a side-scrolling action game that puts players in the shoes of a hero with nine faces set in the world of holograms. With its nine different helmets, gamers must beat over 100 levels with its special powers. Read Also: 'Pokemon Go' Creator Niantic Wants to Bring AR- Experience to 'Monster Hunter' Play Flicky on the Nintendo Switch - An Exciting Expansion Pack for All Ages Finally, Flicky lands on the Nintendo Switch to safely get those little chirps home. Our cute bluebird hero has to escape Tiger, the mean old cat, by jumping and hitting him with a hammer or a mug. This classic arcade game is a blast and looks great on the Switch. This new expansion pack of games for the Nintendo Switch is an amazing addition to its library. From classic fighting-style games to vibrant and colorful side-scrollers, this package entertains gamers of all ages. Related Article: Super Mario Bros. Movie's Box Office Success Drives Sales for Multiple Mario Games 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A new division has been formed over at the Mountain View internet company today, and this is with its previously acquired UK-based startup, centering on the Google DeepMind to bring AI advancements soon. This latest formation aims to develop better artificial intelligence and everything it encompasses for the company, particularly with existing and upcoming projects. In the previous iterations of Google's AI, there seems to have been a significant setback for its development, particularly with the search engine chatbot, Bard, as the company went silent after its introduction and beta. (Photo : Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) Google DeepMind to Develop the Company's AI Advancements Google CEO Sundar Pichai announced a new development over at the company which formed a new division to focus on its AI advancements to bring better and improved capabilities. This is with the Google DeepMind development, centering on the 2014 acquisition of the company of the UK-based AI startup, DeepMind. It was almost ten years in the making for Google, and it is now combining its different divisions to bring forth a new age of AI for the internet company moving forward. As per Pichai, DeepMind co-founder and CEO Demis Hassabis will take on the role of Google DeepMind CEO and lead the company to the next generation of AI. On the other hand, Jeff Dean, will "take on an elevated role as Google's Chief Scientist," and will report directly to Pichai. His role will "help set the future direction of our AI research and head up our most critical and strategic technical projects related to AI, the first of which will be a series of powerful, multimodal AI models." Read Also: Google Races to Build New Search Engine, Powered by AI Google Magi, Bard, GIFI, and MORE to Develop Further? Hassabis also addressed the folks over at DeepMind for this new direction that is set as part of Google, saying that "Through Google DeepMind, we are bringing together our world-class talent in AI with the computing power, infrastructure and resources to create the next generation of AI breakthroughs and products across Google and Alphabet, and to do this in a bold and responsible way." Google's Massive Focus on AI Now The start of 2023 showed the massive advancements of AI as two Big Tech companies went head to head to bring artificial intelligence to web browsers, making it a more accessible feature for users. Google went ahead with Bard and was followed shortly with the announcement of Microsoft's Bing with ChatGPT. Bard was one of the leading tech and AI developments before, but the company faced significant challenges in its creations as it gave a wrong answer as shown in its demo. However, Google announced that Bard's flaws were seeing different fixes from its team, one that can answer mathematics and logic questions better with enhanced features. DeepMind has been with Google since 2014 but was not given this much of a highlight before, with the acquisition having the company's team working under the Mountain View company until now. Almost ten years later, Google DeepMind was formed, and this would center on helping its AI developments progress better with its existing and upcoming projects now. Related Article: Google Chrome to Update with AI Features, 'GIFI' and 'Searchalong' Among Many Projects Besides 'Magi' 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A dreaded moment in Twitter is finally here, and the company has begun its crackdown on the legacy blue checkmark to remove the verification on their profiles. This is under the company's policy on Twitter Blue which would only allow users to keep their verification checkmarks if subscribed to the company's services, one that costs $8 to $11 per month. Legacy blue checkmarks are those who had the verification before Elon Musk's time as its CEO and owner, and not everyone was willing to pay for what the company asks for, under its subscriptions. Twitter Legacy Checkmarks Begins Removing Unsubscribed Users In the announcement of the company as per Twitter Verified's latest tweet, the meme date 4/20 (April 20) is the day the company begins removing legacy verifications on their profiles, for all those that refuse to pay. Several high-profile individuals have already lost their verification on the platform, including Oprah Winfrey, Beyonce, Donald Trump, and more. It is not only with celebrities, but government accounts, journalists, and others have also seen it disappear from their profiles. However, some hold out against this verification program and still retained their checkmarks, such as LeBron James, Stephen King, and William Shatner. This is because the Twitter CEO confirmed that he is personally paying for their subscriptions, out of his pockets. Read Also: CBC Takes Break From Twitter Following Government-Funded Media Label Want the Blue Verification Checkmark on Your Profile? Pay for It Despite the many callouts and complaints from different personalities and renowned individuals in their field, Twitter is affirming its decision to remove these legacy checkmarks and push for subscribers to regain their verifications. Twitter is only demanding $8 to $11 from individuals, as well as their verified phone numbers to have the blue checkmark available on their accounts when they sign up. However, it is a different case for organizations as it would cost them as much as $1,000 per month, with a $50 additional fee for every affiliated account to join in. Twitter's Verification and Its Issues When Elon Musk came up on Twitter, the company and social media platform seems to have been doing its normal operations, but the top billionaire shake things up for them. One of the most iconic announcements from late last year was the subscription-based program under Twitter Blue to give verified checkmarks to all. Musk said that everyone would have a chance to get a verified blue checkmark and this would speed up the process from the previous applications based on their influence and follower base. However, it took a turn down a dark road, as many users who were willing to pay for it began creating fake accounts that impersonate famous personalities and get the verification, leading to a massive problem on the platform. Despite previously promising to crack down against misinformation and verified accounts that bring anarchy to the public, it was seen earlier this March that accounts with the blue checkmark are still publishing fake news and information for all to see. After this issue, Twitter has reinforced that those who do not pay for their verification would see it disappear from their profiles, the so-called legacy blue checkmarks. The day has already come where previously-verified accounts who enjoyed it for free would no longer see it from their profiles on social media, unless they subscribe to Twitter Blue and pay the monthly fee. Related Article: Will Elon Musk's Ask-Me-Anything for Twitter Blue Subscribers Encourage More to Subscribe? 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Key Insights Institutions' substantial holdings in LEG Immobilien implies that they have significant influence over the company's share price The top 22 shareholders own 50% of the company Analyst forecasts along with ownership data serve to give a strong idea about prospects for a business Every investor in LEG Immobilien SE (ETR:LEG) should be aware of the most powerful shareholder groups. With 62% stake, institutions possess the maximum shares in the company. In other words, the group stands to gain the most (or lose the most) from their investment into the company. Because institutional owners have a huge pool of resources and liquidity, their investing decisions tend to carry a great deal of weight, especially with individual investors. Hence, having a considerable amount of institutional money invested in a company is often regarded as a desirable trait. Let's take a closer look to see what the different types of shareholders can tell us about LEG Immobilien. Check out our latest analysis for LEG Immobilien What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About LEG Immobilien? Institutional investors commonly compare their own returns to the returns of a commonly followed index. So they generally do consider buying larger companies that are included in the relevant benchmark index. As you can see, institutional investors have a fair amount of stake in LEG Immobilien. This can indicate that the company has a certain degree of credibility in the investment community. However, it is best to be wary of relying on the supposed validation that comes with institutional investors. They too, get it wrong sometimes. When multiple institutions own a stock, there's always a risk that they are in a 'crowded trade'. When such a trade goes wrong, multiple parties may compete to sell stock fast. This risk is higher in a company without a history of growth. You can see LEG Immobilien's historic earnings and revenue below, but keep in mind there's always more to the story. Story continues Since institutional investors own more than half the issued stock, the board will likely have to pay attention to their preferences. LEG Immobilien is not owned by hedge funds. The company's largest shareholder is Massachusetts Financial Services Company, with ownership of 11%. With 9.5% and 4.4% of the shares outstanding respectively, BlackRock, Inc. and The Vanguard Group, Inc. are the second and third largest shareholders. A closer look at our ownership figures suggests that the top 22 shareholders have a combined ownership of 50% implying that no single shareholder has a majority. Researching institutional ownership is a good way to gauge and filter a stock's expected performance. The same can be achieved by studying analyst sentiments. Quite a few analysts cover the stock, so you could look into forecast growth quite easily. Insider Ownership Of LEG Immobilien The definition of an insider can differ slightly between different countries, but members of the board of directors always count. The company management answer to the board and the latter should represent the interests of shareholders. Notably, sometimes top-level managers are on the board themselves. Insider ownership is positive when it signals leadership are thinking like the true owners of the company. However, high insider ownership can also give immense power to a small group within the company. This can be negative in some circumstances. Our data cannot confirm that board members are holding shares personally. It is unusual not to have at least some personal holdings by board members, so our data might be flawed. A good next step would be to check how much the CEO is paid. General Public Ownership With a 38% ownership, the general public, mostly comprising of individual investors, have some degree of sway over LEG Immobilien. While this size of ownership may not be enough to sway a policy decision in their favour, they can still make a collective impact on company policies. Next Steps: It's always worth thinking about the different groups who own shares in a company. But to understand LEG Immobilien better, we need to consider many other factors. Consider for instance, the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 2 warning signs with LEG Immobilien (at least 1 which makes us a bit uncomfortable) , and understanding them should be part of your investment process. But ultimately it is the future, not the past, that will determine how well the owners of this business will do. Therefore we think it advisable to take a look at this free report showing whether analysts are predicting a brighter future. NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. 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 Tesla decided to bring its trip planner to its own mobile application. This has been requested by Tesla owners for a long time now as the automaker always had a good system when it comes to planning a trip despite being only available inside its vehicles. (Photo : Carsten Koall/Getty Images) BERLIN, GERMANY - OCTOBER 29: The driver of an electric Tesla car looks to the mobile phone to unlock the public charging station on October 29, 2021 in Berlin, Germany. Berlin, along with most of Germany's large cities, is seeking to vigorously expand its number of public electric car charging stations both to meet growing demand and to meet environmental goals. Launching Trip Planner to Mobile Trip planning and accurate range prediction are both useful to avoid and remove curb range anxiety in your systems. But despite Tesla having a good system for trip planning, it was only available inside its vehicles. But the company officially rolled out Trip Planning on mobile in a new update pushed today. Electrek reported that the release notes of the update called 4.20.69 feature a Phone Key pairing that no longer requires your key card to complete, and Schedule Service for Tesla Insurance claims for customers in the United States. The Trip Planner mobile launch was not mentioned in the release notes, despite being the most heavily requested feature by its owners for a long time now. This will make planning a road trip before leaving your destination easier than ever before. Trip Planner's Features In the mobile app, owners have the ability to type in their destination which will provide the route and Superchargers needed to complete the journey. A 'Send to Car' button is now available when using a feature to transmit the route, along with the Supercharger stops and travel time to the vehicle. However, Teslarati reported that the Trip Planner only allows users to set a single destination. The current version is still void of the Waypoints feature, which many of its owners fought for through in-car navigation. Launching this feature allows for plenty of convenience and new abilities to be prepared and studied before a trip is taken. As per previous reports, the launch of this feature to the mobile app is already expected and had in some markets. Unfortunately, it only made its way only to the United States. Also Read: Elon Musk: Tesla Full Autonomy Promised for 2023, Again-Is He Referring to Level 4/5 Autonomy? Experiencing Tesla App Down Last February, the Tesla app started crashing out of nowhere across European countries, which leave drivers and electric vehicle owners worried that they might end up being locked out of their cars. The app showed an error message, preventing them from using its services including opening doors and basic controls. Affected owners reported right away the downtime and outrage on social media, including Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk-owned platform Twitter. As per the affected drivers and owners, the app outage lasted for roughly six hours. LAD Bible reported that drivers were only able to unlock their doors by relying on the Bluetooth connectivity of their smartphones. Besides the unlocking feature, other essential options were inaccessible, including the Powerwall battery system. They were not able to check if they need to top up the battery of their EV using their smartphones through the app. Related Article: Tesla Cuts Prices for Model 3, Model Y Ahead of Q1 Earnings Report 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A new project backed by the United States government and the Biden administration is helping renters in America to tap into clean energy despite the restrictions of their rented homes. This is through "Community Solar" which will allow the public to buy clean energy from solar farms and help reduce electricity bills from regular lines. The US Department of Energy now introduces this to the country, by sharing solar power to offset this nation's dependence on traditional power grids and going to the sustainable route. (Photo : Sean Gallup/Getty Images) Community Solar: Renters in America May Tap into Clean Energy In a press release by the DOE earlier, it announced that the country has made a massive move and investment towards making "community solar" available for all. This centers on solar farms or institutions that help provide clean energy to the public without the need to install it in their rented homes, as there may be restrictions on this change. This is under the National Community Solar Partnership which selected 25 teams to participate in the competition in providing the best and most feasible solution for this need. Instead of requiring residents or landlords to have solar panels available in their buildings or houses, it will relay customers to solar farms and companies that will provide them with the clean energy they need. In turn, renters will pay for the generated electricity which will help cut their costs on paying for electric bills connected to power grids. Read Also: US, Japan Team Up to Develop Geothermal Energy Biden Administration's Push for Community Solar This push for community solar is part of the Biden administration's goals of a 100 percent clean energy electricity grid by 2035, and a carbon-free United States by 2050. Its long-term goal finds a new partnership with community solar, one that would help accelerate the initiative to all citizens, and not restricted to homeowners only. Clean Energy in the US The United States, under President Joe Biden's administration, has seen a massive push towards clean energy and sustainability which first centered on electric vehicles. However, it does not stop there, as the government is seeing new pledges for the 2030 switch to green power, despite the many experts that claim it is not feasible. From this development, there are several changes to the way the US is dealing with its clean energy switch, including the importing of materials, panels, and other needs for the migration. The Biden administration has already removed the tariff for the next 24 months on clean energy materials imported from Southeast Asia to expedite the plans. Solar power is now looking at a massive expansion in the country, and different states are already offering better regulation that helps homeowners transition from their reliance on traditional power to clean energy. However, this is not limited to homeowners only, but also for the renters that live in a home that is not theirs-and instead of installing solar panels as their main source, would have the chance to buy from available community solar providers near them. Related Article: Floating Solar Panels Atop Reservoirs Could Supply 30% Of Global Power: Study 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Taiwanese officials have urged the officials of the US to tone down their rhetoric statements about the risk and danger of relying on chips made by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. They believe that the administration is going too far with these statements. (Photo : Annabelle Chih/Getty Images) HSINCHU, TAIWAN - SEPTEMBER 16: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Limited (TSMC), the world's most valuable semiconductor company at Hsinchu Science Park on September 16, 2022 in Hsinchu, Taiwan's semiconductor manufacturing capabilities are crucial to global supply chains, with megacap companies like Apple, Nvidia and Qualcomm heavily dependent on the island's exports. Urging US to Tone Down Rhetoric Statements The United States released many statements regarding the danger and risk of depending on and relying on chips made by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., as they are frightened by the threat that China might invade Taiwan. Because of this, Bloomberg reported that Taiwanese officials have called out the Biden Administration for these statements, particularly with Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo who called US dependence on Taiwanese chips "untenable" and "unsafe." Aside from her, Republican lawmaker Michael McCaul was also called out for his remarks, calling Taiwan's semiconductor industry a strategic asset that will make the United States very vulnerable to the invasion. McCaul stated that it is time to move the chip supply chain out of Taiwan as "The window's closing. We don't have a whole lot of time." The Effect of Remarks These warnings stated by US officials about the risk of attack have taken on new urgency in Taiwan amidst signs that some investors are listening. This includes billionaire Warren Buffet whose Berkshire Hathaway Inc. cut its holdings in TSMC by 86% during the 4th quarter over concerns between China and Taiwan. As per Buffet in an interview with CNBC, "I re-evaluated that part of it. I didn't re-evaluate the business, the management, or anything of the sort." Despite selling shares from both TSMC and BYD Company, he described both as extraordinary and fabulous enterprises. US Officials' Response Following the pressed concerns of Taiwanese officials, a Commerce Department official who asked to be identified stated that the United States will still continue to work with allies like Taiwan in order to diversify and strengthen its supply chains in the country. This will include an increased investment and trade with Taipei. As per the reports, the support for the island is now firmly bipartisan in Washington, with both Republicans and Democrats accusing Beijing of a plan to have its military ready to invade Taiwan by 2027. Also Read: China to Use AI Against US over Taiwan Invasion, Smart Deterrence to Counter Forces Council on Foreign Relations stated that China views Taiwan as its territory and national security priority, as it is officially known as the Republic of China. Several nations described Taiwan as an independent country, including US President Joe Biden who repeatedly said that the US would come to Taiwan's defense if attacked. Related Article: TSMC is in Talks with Germany Regarding Subsidies for its First European Plant 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. In a groundbreaking discovery, astronomers have found the heaviest element ever detected in an exoplanet's atmosphere. The researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) used the Echelle SPectrograph for Rocky Exoplanets and Stable Spectroscopic Observations (ESPRESSO) to study the distant "ultra-hot Jupiter" exoplanet, MASCARA-4b, and made an astonishing find. Finding Rubidium and Samarium The gas giant, which orbits a bright A-type star 556 light-years away from Earth, has an equilibrium temperature of 2,250 K and a size of about 1.51 Jupiter radii. The researchers found rubidium and samarium in the planet's atmosphere for the first time, alongside ions of titanium and barium. The discovery of rubidium and samarium is particularly notable. With an atomic number of 62, samarium is the heaviest element ever detected in an exoplanet's atmosphere. The detection of samarium in the atmosphere of MASCARA-4 b is significant as it represents the first time a lanthanide series element has been identified in an exoplanet. This discovery can potentially provide important clues about the formation of heavy elements in the universe. The researchers employed the cutting-edge ESPRESSO spectrograph, a fiber-fed ultra-stable echelle high-resolution spectrograph mounted on the Very Large Telescope (VLT) at European Southern Observatory (ESO) in Cerro Paranal, Chile. The team observed two transits of MASCARA-4 b, which occurred on February 13, 2020, and March 1, 2020, as part of the ESO programs 0104.C-0605. Using data obtained during the transits, the scientists examined the elements and ions in the planet's atmosphere. Read Also: NASA's James Webb Space Telescope Captures First Clear Evidence of Carbon Dioxide in an Exoplanet's Atmosphere Notable Progress The study of MASCARA-4b marks notable progress in comprehending the composition of ultra-hot Jupiters. Due to their extensive atmospheric scale heights and transmission spectroscopy metrics, these planets are perfect candidates for atmospheric examination. The team's discovery of these elements at high altitudes proposes that these planets may undergo atmospheric phenomena that remain a mystery. Furthermore, they validated prior identifications of magnesium, calcium, chromium, and iron in the atmosphere of MASCARA-4b. "Higher precision HRS [high-resolution spectroscopic] studies should be further conducted on UHJs to reveal the presence of additional species and even some relatively abundant minor isotopes," the researchers wrote in their paper. This discovery could have profound implications for understanding how heavy elements form in the universe. By studying the atmospheres of exoplanets, astronomers can gain valuable insights into the composition of these distant worlds and how they may have formed. As we continue to explore the cosmos, discoveries like this will help us to paint a complete picture of the universe and our place in it. Related Article: Rare Exoplanet Clouds Appear on NASA Hubble Space Telescope's Data! But, They Don't Contain Water 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. In a move that has raised eyebrows in the media industry, Twitter has removed labels identifying global media organizations as government-funded or state-affiliated, according to a report by AP. This decision came after the platform began removing blue verification checkmarks from accounts that do not pay a monthly fee. Government-funded Labels Gone Last week, National Public Radio (NPR) in the United States announced that it would no longer use Twitter after its main account was designated state-affiliated media. But after Twitter changed the label to "government-funded media," NPR believed that the label was still misleading, as it only relies on the government for a small portion of its funding. Similarly, Canadian Broadcasting Corp. (CBC) also exited the platform after receiving the label. On Friday, CBC's government-funded label disappeared along with state-affiliated tags on media accounts such as Sputnik and RT in Russia and Xinhua in China. Previously, Twitter's blue verification checkmarks were used to confirm an account's authenticity on the platform. However, on Thursday, many high-profile users, including celebrities like Beyonce, Oprah Winfrey, and former President Donald Trump, lost their blue checks under Twitter's new policy. The new verification system requires individual web users to pay $8 per month, while organizations must pay a starting price of $1,000 monthly, plus $50 monthly for each affiliate or employee account. While some users are hesitant to pay for verification, others worry that the removal of the blue checkmarks could lead to the spread of false information from unverified sources. Read Also: Elon Musk to File Lawsuit Against Microsoft for Removing Twitter from Smart Campaigns Ad Platform Agencies, Non-profits Lose the Checks Additionally, many government agencies, non-profits, and public-service accounts worldwide also lost their blue checks on Thursday, further raising concerns about the accuracy and reliability of information shared on the platform. Although Twitter continues to provide gold checks for "verified organizations" and gray checks for government organizations and their affiliates, the process of distributing these checks is still not fully understood. Elon Musk's arrival on Twitter had a significant impact on the social media platform that had been operating smoothly until the billionaire disrupted their plans. Last year, Twitter introduced its subscription-based service, Twitter Blue, which promised to provide verified checkmarks to anyone who could afford it. This was one of the most significant announcements made by the company. Twitter has faced a barrage of criticism from notable personalities across different domains for its decision to revoke the highly sought-after blue checkmarks from user profiles. However, Twitter is steadfast in its approach and has urged users to pay a small fee ranging from $8 to $11 and verify their phone numbers to regain their verified status. Related Article: Elon Musk BBC Interview Goes Viral! Twitter CEO Is His Dog? Here are Other Unbelievable Things He Said 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. ESA is now seeking help from AI to discover and understand planets outside the solar system, well-known as exoplanets. To do this, the European Space Agency decided to conduct the new Ariel Data Challenge 2023. Ariel Data Challenge lead, Dr. Ingo Waldmann, said that AI technologies had revolutionized many fields of industry and science in the past few years. "The field of exoplanets has fully arrived in the era of big data, and cutting-edge AI is needed to break some of our biggest bottlenecks holding us back," added Dr. Waldmann, who is also an associate professor in astrophysics at the University College London. ESA Seeks Help From AI to Discover Exoplanets According to Space.Com's latest report, the Ariel Data Challenge 2023 invites AI experts and machine learning experts to help ESA's upcoming Ariel telescope. Also Read: ESA's New Space Tech to Detect 4-Leaf Clovers! Here's What to Know About Lucky Clover Project The Ariel mission is expected to be launched in 2029. Once it is in outer space, it will conduct one of the largest exoplanet surveys. ESA's Ariel space telescope will examine the atmospheres of more than 1,000 known exoplanets; this is around 16% of the 6,000 exoplanets recorded. This space-based tech will study the light emitted by the host stars of these exoplanets. Ariel will do this since the light that passes through exoplanets' atmospheres will help ESA learn more about these heavenly bodies. However, the European Space Agency needs a more advanced method when it comes to interpreting the data gathered by the Ariel space telescope. Ariel Data Challenge 2023's Details Since ESA needs a more advanced interpreting method for its Ariel telescope, it needs the assistance of AI experts and machine learning researchers. The Ariel Data Challenge 2023 already started on Apr. 14. Participants are required to attend the Beta testing period (Apr. 14 until Apr. 21). On June 30, ESA will invite participating AI experts to the Final Evaluation round. Winners of the challenge will be informed on June 30. From Sept. 18 until Sept. 22, ESA will present the winning AI solutions at the ECML-PKDD 2023 Workshop. To learn more about the new Ariel Data Challenge 2023, all you need to do is click this link. ESA is not the only one making efforts to improve space endeavors. Recently, Airbus unveiled its new LOOP space station concept. Meanwhile, NASA successfully deployed its super pressure balloon from New Zealand. For more news updates about ESA and other space organizations, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes. Related Article: ESA JUICE Mission Aiming to Find Life on Jupiter Moons! Here's What is Known So Far 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Fortune Business Insights According to Fortune Business Insights, the global advanced energy storage system market size is projected to reach USD 211 billion by 2026 from its value USD 145 billion in 2018, at CAGR of 4.82% during forecast period. Pune, India, April 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global advanced energy storage system market size is likely to derive growth from the increasing number of solar farms. According to a report published by Fortune Business Insights, titled Advanced energy storage system: Global Market Analysis, Insights, and Forecast, 2018-2026, the market was valued at US$ 144.9 Billion. Fortune Business Insights states that the market will reach US$ 211.2 Billion by 2026, thereby exhibiting a CAGR of 4.82%. Advanced energy storage system has the ability to enhance electricity grids. The gradual depletion of fossil fuels has created the need to conserve energy on the global platform. This has resulted in a huge emphasis on deployment of several methods of energy harnessing across the world. The adoption of advanced energy storage system can play a major part in enhancing energy storage, thereby improving energy resource utilization. To suffice the needs of the massive global population, it essential to preserve energy and deploy it based on the convenience of end users. Recent advancements in advanced energy storage industry have, therefore, favored the growth of the global advanced energy storage system market in recent years. The report provides a detailed analysis of several factors that have contributed to the demand for advanced energy storage. Fortune Business Insights forecasts the advanced energy storage system market values for the period of 2019-2026. Industry Development: In July 2021-Babcock & Wilcox have announced an Intellectual Property Option Agreement with the U.S. Department of Energys National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). According to the agreement, B&W will have the exclusive rights to market an advanced, particle-based thermal energy storage technology. B&W is further expected to develop a long-term thermal energy storage system, pressurized fluidized-bed heat exchanger, and an innovative electric particle heater. Story continues Get a Free Sample Research Report: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/sample/advanced-energy-storage-system-market-100817 Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2019-2026 Forecast Period 2019 to 2026 CAGR 4.8% 2026 Value Projection USD 211.2 Billion Base Year 2018 Market Size in 2018 USD 144.9 Billion Historical Data for 2015-2017 No. of Pages 130 Segments covered Advanced Energy Storage Market Size, Share and Global Trend By Technology (Solid State Battery, Flow Battery, Thermal Energy Storage, Pumped Hydro Storage), By Application (Residential, Commercial, Industrial, Utility) and Regional Growth Drivers Increasing Number of Solar Farms Will Fuel Demand Company Collaborations Will Create Attractive Growth Prospects Growth Driver: Increasing Number of Solar Farms Will Fuel Demand The increased awareness regarding global warming and ways to minimize it has given rise to several products that are able to harness solar energy. In a bid to conserve energy, governments across the world are actively engaged in building the right platforms for efficient distribution of solar energy. Solar farms are by far, the most effective ways of harnessing solar energy to generate electricity. Growing number of government subsidies have further attracted the riches and solar farm deployment firms are gaining investor traction. The adoption of advanced energy storage system in solar farms has led to efficient energy harnessing methods. In April 2019, subsidiaries of the China Energy Engineering Corp. initiated two solar farms with the ability to generate a combined 500 MW solar energy. Considering the enormous population in China, this will be a major step towards establishing green energy regions, in a bid to conserve energy. Fortune Business Insights states that the use of advanced energy storage systems in solar plants across the world will have a positive impact on the global market growth in the forthcoming years. COVID-19 Impact: This market is expected to be negatively affected during the COVID-19 pandemic due to disruptions in multiple industry verticals. The alarming spike in COVID-19 patients may lead to the closure of transport activities. Furthermore, the closure of manufacturing facilities significantly reduced the service demand. However, the resumption of manufacturing activities may enhance manufacturing activities, thereby fostering the demand for the service. These factors may propel the market development during the pandemic. Click here to get the short-term and long-term impact of COVID-19 on this market. Please visit: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/industry-reports/advanced-energy-storage-system-market-100817 Segmentation: The advanced energy storage market is a growing industry, driven by technological advancements, increasing demand for energy storage solutions, and the need to reduce carbon emissions. The market segmentation based on technology, application, and geography provides a clear understanding of the market dynamics, trends, and opportunities for growth. Technology: The different types of technologies used in advanced energy storage include batteries, flywheels, compressed air energy storage (CAES), pumped hydro storage (PHS), thermal energy storage (TES), hydrogen storage, and others. Each technology has its own unique characteristics and advantages, and they are suitable for different applications. Application: Advanced energy storage systems find their applications in various sectors such as transportation, residential, commercial, industrial, and grid storage. Regional Insights: The advanced energy storage market can be analyzed regionally to gain insights into the market trends, drivers, and challenges. The major regions analyzed in the advanced energy storage market are North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and South America. Quick Buy - Advanced Energy Storage Market Research Report: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/checkout-page/100817 Competitive Landscape: Company Collaborations Will Create Attractive Growth Prospects The increasing number of company collaborations have created several opportunities for the companies involved. Mergers and acquisitions will help companies generate a substantial amount of advanced energy storage system market revenue in the coming years. The report highlights a few of the major company mergers and takeovers in recent years and gauges the impact of these M&As on the global market. In 2019, General Electric (GE) signed an agreement with Helios Energy to establish two hybrid solar array systems. GE is expected to witness accelerated gains in the coming years due to this collaboration, which in turn will aid the growth of the global market. A List of Key Manufacturers Operating in the Global Market: ABB AES Corporation Ecoult Energy Storage Solutions LG Chem Ltd. Tesla Inc. GS Yuasa Corporation Samsung SDI Co. General Electric Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Evapco Inc. Panasonic Corporation Saft Groupe S.A. Hitachi Chems Sonnen GmbH Lockheed Martin Advanced Energy Storage Market Segmentation: By Technology: Solid State Battery Flow Battery Thermal Energy Storage Pumped Hydro Storage Others By Application: Residential Commercial Industrial Utility Have Any Query? Ask Our Experts: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/speak-to-analyst/advanced-energy-storage-system-market-100817 Table of Content: 1.Introduction 1.1. Research Scope 1.2. Market Segmentation 1.3. Research Methodology 1.4. Definitions and Assumptions 2.Executive Summary 3.Market Dynamics 3.1. Market Drivers 3.2. Market Restraints 3.3. Market Opportunities 4.Key Insights 4.1. Key Emerging Trends For Major Countries 4.2. Latest Technological Advancement 4.3. Regulatory Landscape 4.4. Porters Five Forces Analysis 5.Global Advanced Energy Storage System Market Analysis (MW & US$ Mn), Insights and Forecast, 2015-2026 5.1. Key Findings 5.2. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast By Technology 5.2.1. Solid State Battery 5.2.2. Flow Battery 5.2.3. Thermal Energy Storage 5.2.4. Pumped Hydro Storage 5.2.5. Others 5.3. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast By Application 5.3.1. Residential 5.3.2. Commercial 5.3.3. Industrial 5.3.4. Utility 5.4. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast By Region 5.4.1. North America 5.4.2. Latin America 5.4.3. Europe 5.4.4. Asia Pacific 5.4.5. Middle East & Africa Continued. Get your Customized Research Report: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/ask-for-customization/advanced-energy-storage-system-market-100817 About Us: Fortune Business Insights offers expert corporate analysis and accurate data, helping organizations of all sizes make timely decisions. We tailor innovative solutions for our clients, assisting them address challenges distinct to their businesses. Our goal is to empower our clients with holistic market intelligence, giving a granular overview of the market they are operating in. Contact Us: Fortune Business Insights Pvt. Ltd. US: +1424 253 0390 UK: +44 2071 939123 APAC: +91 744 740 1245 Email: sales@fortunebusinessinsights.com 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 The restaurant of a scrapyard in Madrid that triumphs with its luxury menus at popular prices 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 "I finally have my best friend by my side": the sigh of relief of Nicolas who found his stolen dog "I am destroyed," says the mother of the girl who died in the Vosges An olive oil from Jaen is placed as the second best in the world in 2023, behind a South African Borisov announced the need to enter production of up to 300 satellites per year by 2025 Murder of a girl in the Vosges: the suspect was already indicted for rape of a minor The best gifts for Mother's Day: 25 'gadgets' to not buy the same old "He talks to his bike": in Rambervillers, the teenager suspected of killing a girl alarmed the inhabitants "Maman, ne me pas me let me fall asleep" directed by Sylvie Testud: the true story of a mother who lost her son, addicted to anxiolytics The court re-imposes the harasser of Paula Bonet three years of internment for his "erotic-maniac" disorder Reiwa First garden party in 5 years to be held on the 11th of next month, inviting Shingo Kunieda and others From Jesulin de Ubrique to Pocholo, passing through Luis Tosar, Albert Espinosa returns to the childhood of the famous Nuclear generated a fifth of electricity in Spain in the year of the 'sorpasso' of gas "I would like nothing more than to work with Meryl Streep": the opinion of Isabel Coixet, Emma Suarez, Elvira Lindo and Daniela Fejerman Video game: in France, the practice appeals mainly to the over 50s Harvesting admiration in wartime. What did a young Sudanese man do to reassure people of their possessions? Lesbians and mothers through the ROPA method: "I am a mommy and my wife is a mom" Professional Baseball ResultsLeader DeNA wins and widens the gap between the team and No. 2 Hanshin Had to compete in the Olympics after a fake photo now the top athletes are suspended How did the Moroccan national team and its players become Ronaldo's complex? A football club will make access to some matches free of charge next season, a first Degerforsbacken Oscar Wallin on the acclaimed pictures: "Maybe it can be my thing" Watch- He wasted against Barcelona and shone against Real Madrid. Argentine Castillanos name will not be forgotten in the history of the "royal" A series of eclipses: Yang Nepomniachtchi lost to Ding Liren with black in the 12th game of the match for the world chess crown Rugby World Cup: changes to come in the terms of the draw It hasn't happened in more than a decade. Extraordinary in the FA Cup final between Manchester City and Manchester United Novak said that Russia redirected 20% of the oil supplied to Europe to Asia Iberdrola shoots up its profits by 40% at the start of the year despite the new tax on electricity companies The BdE notes that Spanish households pay more taxes than their European neighbors on the electricity and gas bill Brussels proposes a minimum adjustment of 0.5% per year to countries such as Spain with deficits above 3% Luis Gallego, best businessman of the year by ACTUALIDAD ECONOMICA: "IAG will be the most sustainable airline group in the world" Since the beginning of this year, the import and exit trade volume of Zhangfeng Port on the China-Myanmar border has exceeded 10 billion yuan A precautionary step: Putin signed a decree on retaliatory measures in the event of the seizure of Russian assets abroad Foxconn's new business headquarters in Zhengzhou was inaugurated, and the pace of deep cultivation in the Central Plains accelerated Pensions: civil aviation asks to cancel 33% of flights at Orly, 25% at Roissy on May 1st "May Day" hotel full screen "booked", what should I do if I encounter a price increase and break the contract? The new Imserso de Belarra: more culture and nature with the offer of sun and strangled beach After the postponement of the immigration bill, Olivier Veran refutes any "admission of impotence" The head of the Ministry of Digital Development: about 70-80% of fraudulent calls in Russia are made via WhatsApp The European PP accuses Brussels of "campaigning for Sanchez" on Donana: "We see Commissioner Sinkevicius with a red shirt" For the first time since the Cold War. U.S. sends nuclear ballistic submarine to South Korea On the 12th day of the battles of Sudan. Death toll rises to 512, UN fears of more casualties A US fund declares Spain in "technical default" and asks for the reimbursement of government bonds for 910 million A woman dies in the Paris metro after her coat is hooked in the car Why is Mr. DeSantis Japan? Florida Governor explains the reason for his visit to Japan "Discrimination of pure water": the Polish airline refused to put tennis player Dyachenko on the flight because of the passport of the Russian Federation What income and salary do Paco Gonzalez and Manolo Lama have, cheated by the false cancer of Guillermo Valades Pope Francis will allow women to vote at the next Synod of Bishops A Murcian company receives calls and WhatsApp messages because its number appears in an episode of The Simpsons The 'kiss of the ascent': Alberto Lejarraga, goalkeeper of Marbella, reveals that he is homosexual Communities 2019 - Privacy The information on this site is from external sources that are not under our control.The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them. Americans feel apprehensive about the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in hiring and evaluating workers, according to a new study released by the Pew Research Center. Pew Research surveyed 11,004 U.S. adults in mid-December of 2022, asking participants for their views on AI's impact on the workforce. While some respondents acknowledged the efficiency of AI-driven recruitment, many expressed fears that the technology might invade privacy, impact evaluations, and lead to job losses. According to the study, published on Thursday, 32% of Americans believe that AI in hiring and evaluating workers is more likely to harm rather than help job applicants and employees. Seventy-one percent of US citizens are against the idea of using AI to decide whether to hire or fire someone. On the other hand, the study found that 40% of Americans still think AI can provide benefits to job applicants and employees by speeding up hiring processes, reducing human errors, and eliminating potential biases inherent in human decision-making. Some respondents also highlighted the potential of AI-driven performance evaluations to provide a more objective and consistent assessment of workers' skills and productivity. The research reveals that 32% of Americans believe that over the next 20 years, AI will do more damage than good to workers, with just 13% showing an optimistic point of view, with almost two thirds of the respondents saying that they would not apply for a job if they knew they were going to be evaluated by an Artificial Intelligence. These concerns extend to various aspects of the hiring process, from resume screening and applicant evaluation to performance monitoring and personnel decisions. The report highlights that the majority of participants worry that AI systems will infringe on their privacy by collecting too much personal information, such as browsing history or social media activity. Ninety percent of upper-class workers, 84% of middle-class workers, and 70% of lower-class workers have concerns of being inappropriately surveilled if AI were used to collect and analyze information, the study says. Story continues Addressing Concerns: Policy, Transparency, and Education As AI continues to make inroads into the workforce, tech industry leaders have been pushing for policymakers, businesses, and developers to address the public's concerns. In the European Union, for example, regulators have tried to prevent potential misuse by called for transparency in AI systems, education, and training for workers to adapt to a rapidly changing job landscape. Some of the most famous minds in the AI industry have called for a pause in the training of more advanced models in an effort to tackle these issues before its too late. Meanwhile, regulators have begun to pay attention to how these artificial intelligence models are trained and how they could affect citizens' rights. The first step was taken by Italy when it banned the use of ChatGPT in the country on the grounds that it could be illegally collecting data from its users and exposing minors to inappropriate interactions. F1 Legend Michael Schumachers Family Threatens Lawsuit Over Faked AI Interview Other European countries have also expressed similar concerns, especially because artificial intelligence models are particularly useful if they are properly trainedwhich requires large amounts of data. AI's growing role in the workplace presents both benefits and concerns, such as privacy, fairness, and discrimination. By taking a proactive approach to policy, transparency, and education, politicians are looking to guarantee that AI serves as a force for goodassuring that AI models will be good bosses is not something they have on their minds right now. LONDON, April 21, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of B+ (Good) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of "bbb-" (Good) of FAIR Oil & Energy Insurance Syndicate (the Syndicate) (Bahrain). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. The ratings reflect the Syndicates balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management. The Syndicate is one of four reinsurance vehicles formed by the Federation of Afro-Asian Insurers and Reinsurers (FAIR), with a remit to write energy business. The Syndicates members are drawn from participants of FAIR, who subscribe to the Syndicates units of capacity. Whilst unique in its legal structure, the Syndicate operates like a traditional reinsurer, providing capacity and expertise to its cedants. The Syndicates balance sheet strength is underpinned by its risk-adjusted capitalisation, as measured by Bests Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), which is assessed at the strongest level. Given the Syndicates relatively small capital base, prospective risk-adjusted capitalisation is susceptible to potential volatility. The balance sheet strength benefits from a conservative investment portfolio by asset class and prudent reserving strategy. The Syndicate has demonstrated adequate profit generation over the last five years (2017-2021), with a weighted average combined ratio of 105.2%, negatively skewed by weak performance in 2019 when it reported a combined ratio of 171.1% and a net loss of USD 3.9 million. The Syndicate subsequently returned to profitability, as demonstrated by combined ratios for 2020 and 2021 of 99.3% and 80.7%, respectively. Preliminary results for 2022 show continued positive earnings, with a net profit of USD 3.8 million, driven by an improved loss ratio. Operating profits are driven by technical earnings and are augmented by marginal but stable returns from investment activities. Story continues Although limited in size, the Syndicate benefits from a defendable niche business profile. Members provide the Syndicate with good access to energy risks across the Afro-Asian territories, supplemented by business written through the open market across the region. Whilst the Syndicate is concentrated heavily by line of business, it benefits from diversification through the geographical spread of its business. This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Bests website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Bests Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Bests Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Bests Credit Ratings, Bests Performance Assessments, Bests Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Bests Ratings & Assessments. AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specialising in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com. Copyright 2023 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230421005259/en/ Contacts Anna Sheremeteva Financial Analyst +44 20 7397 6264 anna.sheremeteva@ambest.com Catherine Thomas, CFA Senior Director, Head of Analytics +44 20 7397 6264 catherine.thomas@ambest.com Christopher Sharkey Associate Director, Public Relations +1 908 439 2200, ext. 5159 christopher.sharkey@ambest.com Al Slavin Senior Public Relations Specialist +1 908 439 2200, ext. 5098 al.slavin@ambest.com Amundi Amundi: Ordinary and Extraordinary general meeting of shareholders, 12th May 2023 Arrangements for making preparatory documents available and consultation Paris, Friday 21st April 2023 The Ordinary and Extraordinary General Meeting of shareholders of Amundi will be held at 10 a.m. CET (+1) on Friday, 12th May 2023 at the companys head office at 91-93, boulevard Pasteur, 75015 PARIS. The notice of meeting, including the agenda and draft resolutions, was published in the Bulletin des Annonces Legales et Obligatoires (BALO, French gazette for compulsory legal announcements) of 7th April 2023 and may be accessed on the companys website (https://about.amundi.com/general-meetings). The convening notice will be published in the BALO of 26th April 2023 and will also be made available on the companys website. The documents and information relating to the general meeting, including those listed in article R. 225-83 of the French Commercial Code, are included in the notice of meeting and in the companys Universal Registration Document 2022, also available on the companys website (https://about.amundi.com/general-meetings) Other documents and information relating to the general meeting will be kept available to shareholders in accordance with the applicable regulatory provisions at the companys head office at 91-93, boulevard Pasteur, 75015 Paris. For more information, please contact the Financial Communication department at investor.relations@amundi.com About Amundi Amundi, the leading European asset manager, ranking among the top 10 global players1, offers its 100 million clients - retail, institutional and corporate - a complete range of savings and investment solutions in active and passive management, in traditional or real assets. This offering is enhanced with IT tools and services to cover the entire savings value chain. A subsidiary of the Credit Agricole group and listed on the stock exchange, Amundi currently manages more than 1.9 trillion of assets2. Story continues With its six international investment hubs3, financial and extra-financial research capabilities and long-standing commitment to responsible investment, Amundi is a key player in the asset management landscape. Amundi clients benefit from the expertise and advice of 5,400 employees in 35 countries. Amundi, a trusted partner, working every day in the interest of its clients and society www.amundi.com Press contact: Natacha Andermahr Tel. +33 1 76 37 86 05 natacha.andermahr@amundi.com Investor contacts: Cyril Meilland, CFA Tel. +33 1 76 32 62 67 cyril.meilland@amundi.com Thomas Lapeyre Tel. +33 1 76 33 70 54 thomas.lapeyre@amundi.com 1 Source: IPE Top 500 Asset Managers published in June 2022, based on assets under management as at 31/12/2021 2 Amundi data as at 31/12/2022 3 Boston, Dublin, London, Milan, Paris and Tokyo Attachment Mining giant BHP says Indian steelmakers and Chinas economic rebound will prop up demand for some of Australias largest commodity exports, helping to offset the impact of slowing growth in the US, Japan and Europe. BHP, Australias biggest mining company, has reported a record run over the nine months to March from its flagship West Australian iron ore operations, a result that echoes its main rival Rio Tintos, whose exports from the Pilbara have also hit fresh peaks. BHP said its full-year production of metallurgical coal - used in steelmaking - will fall at the lower end of guidance because the highest level of rainfall experienced in the past 10 years. Credit: Krystle Wright The miner produced 59.8 million tonnes of iron ore over three months to March, slightly ahead of the same period the year before, but down 11 per cent from the December quarter. The key steelmaking ingredient provides more than half of BHPs earnings and is one of Australias biggest exports, adding $134 billion to the nations coffers last financial year. Chief executive Mike Henry said Chinas economic rebound and solid momentum in Indias steelmaking growth were helping offset a slowdown in other parts of the world. Recent engagements with customers in China and India have reaffirmed our positive outlook for commodity demand, Henry said. NSW Police have launched an investigation after a group of senior Kings School students allegedly killed a goanna at a school camp last month. Police have been told the reptile was killed during the afternoon of March 29 while the students attended a camp at the Singleton Military Area in the Hunter Valley. A group of senior Kings School students allegedly killed a goanna at a school camp in the Hunter Valley last month. School staff reported the incident to police and Defence. In a statement, the school said the incident occurred at its annual cadet camp towards the end of last term. Queensland police have shot a man dead in Townsville after the 52-year-old allegedly rushed at them carrying two knives. Officers attended Bel Air Avenue at Kirwan, in the citys west, about 4.40pm on Friday. Within 15 minutes, the situation had escalated, resulting in the mans death. Townsville Acting Chief Superintendent Chris Lawson said the man had been threatening self-harm and advanced towards officers while armed with knives. There were between five and six officers at the scene at the time, Lawson said. Usually police respond to a crisis: if street gang crime is on the rise, form a special unit; if there is a spike in the road toll, send more cars onto the road. But the Cryptocurrency Operations Team was formed more than 12 months ago on guesswork. There were no reliable figures on the extent of the crimes and no comparable unit in Australia to act as a model. The times are changing. TV Homicide actors Jack Fegan, Leonard Teale and Terry McDermott in black and white. Credit: Crawford Productions Police work under the Crimes Act that came into operation in 1958 - two years after black-and-white television was introduced in Australia and when Qantas still flew propeller-driven planes to London. Crime was local, crooks stayed in their own patch and cops rarely travelled. Police had a method of gathering evidence and catching offenders. Sure, there have been developments such as DNA and CCTV, but the actual system hasnt changed (other than detectives no longer wear pork pie hats). How do you investigate a crime when the offender is in an office in Moscow and the victim is sitting on their couch in Footscray? And how do you seize the assets of crime when there is no cash and the profits moved offshore with the touch of a button? Achtypis says the investigator has to throw away the old rule book not once but again and again. It is not about just re-honing the same old tools, but going to the drawing board and designing entirely new ones, with the very real understanding that many of these will likely be useful for only a short time before they themselves are rendered obsolete, he says. It is the ultimate in cyber-chess. The crooks are constantly looking for a weakness to exploit while the cops are searching for a weakness in the criminal organisations defences. Loading This means just about every police breakthrough will be redundant. Like the flu vaccine, what works this year will be obsolete the next. Not that long ago crooks laundered money at racecourses, bought into businesses, set up companies run by their stooges or buried cash. Deceased drug dealer Dennis Allen was rumoured to have left a fortune underground. The Cryptocurrency Operations Team discovered a local money laundering operation that turned over nearly $500 million in six months. Achtypis says the money from South-East Asia (original source unknown) was used to buy real estate in Australia and around the world. They bought every flavour available - land, commercial properties and residential at both ends of the market. This means home buyers are indirectly competing against criminals at auctions. Crooks have embraced cyber laundering because, he says, it is more secure than having a pile of cash, you dont have to trust a middle man, and you can transfer money anywhere in the world without using a bank. How did Achtypis end up an international cyber cop? After graduating from Monash University in sociology and psychology, he felt he lacked life experience and decided to join the police for a couple of years to gain it. Twenty-seven years later, he is still there. A point of indulgence here. (In this column? Surely not.) Dion says after reading crime books such as the critically acclaimed (again, surely not) Underbelly series co-authored by this reporter, he decided to become a crook catcher. A self-confessed computer nerd, he joined the e-crime squad in 2012. The following year, a suburban detective with misgivings about returning information to a suspect from a seized computer called the squad. Achtypis said an examination showed drug trafficking through the dark web and 24,500 bitcoin then valued at $3.4 million. At its peak, it was valued at $2.4 billion. From a standing start, the Cryptocurrency Operations Team of three discovered a local money-laundering operation, assisted in 44 virtual currency seizures totalling $13 million, uncovered serious corruption and assisted in more than 200 major crime investigations. Pound for pound, they must be the most effective investigators in the country. Not bad for a unit that could hold its Christmas party in a phone booth (or perhaps a small internet cafe). Dion loves his job and increasingly so do his colleagues, with veteran detectives embracing the new ways. They have taken to it like ducks to water. It is a shiny new investigative tool. One of more than 100 arrests from the Australian Federal Police Operation Ironside. These six facts, he says, speak for themselves: Australia has the second-highest concentration of dark net drug traffickers in the world, just behind the Netherlands. A staggering $50 billion of bitcoin changed hands in the past 24 hours. The World Economic Forum lists cyberattack and data theft in its top 10 risks, between extreme weather events and armed conflict. Sixty per cent of human communication is data-based. Fake identity technology that a few years ago was only used by high-end hackers is now available through off-the-shelf apps. Data-based businesses have replaced oil as the most valuable industry in the world. The twist is that new-world policing can turn the computer weapons used by crooks against them. They may have dug a moat, but there is always a bridge. You say no one was home when the house burnt down? Then how is it the smart fridge was opened 30 minutes before the fire? You say you were at home asleep at the time of the assault? Then how is it your pulse rate on your smartwatch was 170 bpm? Operation Ironside is the perfect example of the new rules. Using a former syndicate insider, the Australian Federal Police and FBI built the phone app An0m, sold as a rock-solid encrypted phone system for crooks. It grew to 12,000 phones connecting 300 criminals around the world. But there was a back door and 27 million messages sent over three years were automatically downloaded to a police-friendly server. The crooks who years ago were assured their dark web money movements were untraceable should be looking over their shoulders. Cryptocurrency movements, Achtypis says, leave a trail. You only need to find the tools to follow the money. Like DNA, as the science develops, there are more positive results and more convictions. There is more than one way to hide a treasure chest of ill-gotten gains. Credit: Istock The Cryptocurrency Operations Team has developed a cold-case capacity to look back at cryptocurrency movements, which means an offender who thought he had successfully tip-toed with the crypto worth millions some time ago has recently been arrested. There will be more. Achtypis says while the technology has changed, the motive is the same make money illegally and hide it. They are modern-day pirates who use the dark web rather than shovels to bury their treasure. Take the Nigerian scam, where thousands of emails are sent by someone who says they have millions locked away unfairly and with just a little financial help, the fortune is there to be shared. KYIV, UKRAINE / ACCESSWIRE / April 21, 2023 / ARIA NOIR , whose limited edition of self-authenticating apparel is designed by designers, for designers, has announced it has finished shooting its latest music video in Kyiv, Ukraine. The production of the company's signature song "Aria Noir," which embodies beauty, design, grace, and drama, included four model-actors and two ballet dancers who performed in the National Opera of Ukraine. Excellence Embedded ARIA NOIR says that its production team is especially proud of the video given its often difficult road to completion. The war in Ukraine and its impact on the population delayed the video's production. "We had to find and collect our team members in one place for the project, which was not an easy task," says Tetyana Bolgar, the music video's casting director and project manager. "A lot of female models and actresses left the country when the war started or moved to safer regions of Ukraine. Some male models and actors were fighting or volunteering, and the production team had to travel to Kyiv from the west. They had no doubts about joining the project because they were creative artists who appreciate great works of art, which Aria Noir' is." The company states that while some crew members were reluctant to participate because the song was in Russian, they were able to overcome this obstacle so that the show would go on. The first day of shooting took place in Kyiv on August 16, 2022. The company arranged it on short notice because the main male model was going to the frontlines to fight in the Ukrainian army the next day. "He is a professional actor, a poet, and a very talented man, and we pray for him to return home safely," says ARIA NOIR. The company reveals that on the first shooting day, it took some great shots and videos of the male actor with three female models. "They did such an impressive job that we decided to use them again for more scenes on August 22, the second shooting day. The dancers then choreographed and performed an incredible dance. They wanted to have their interaction with the three female models from the first day, and it developed into a beautiful story that will soon see the light." Story continues While the production's leadership wanted to change the second filming location and do it outdoors, they could not because of the current circumstances. Without special permission, it was not possible to use random city locations or the production's drone. Ultimately, another studio was rented, with both filming days at two different studios and with one of the top creativity photographers in the city. On the set of ARIA NOIR's music video in Kyiv, Ukraine "Currently, we are editing the video, and we will soon present it to the public on various platforms around the world," says ARIA NOIR. "We hope everyone will enjoy our music, which is slow and sharp but filled with light. In the meantime, check out our backstage video of the song's production to get an unforgettable sneak preview." Across the ocean in Brazil, another music video was produced for ARIA NOIR, this time by musical artist Isa Nielsen. Isa, a Brazilian/Danish guitarist, composed and played "Light of Night" and shot its video exclusively for ARIA NOIR. The video was recorded over two days at three locations, including Cama do Anchieta in Itanhaem, a beach city; the famous Avenida Paulista in Sao Paulo, and on Minhocao, an avenue in Sao Paulo. The video was released in September 2022 and can be viewed on YouTube . "I created the music video for ARIA NOIR because it is an amazing brand that truly cares about the arts," says Isa. "I love its complexity as well as its beautiful, modern, elegant design." ARIA NOIR also reveals that it was featured in The Untitled Magazine's 10th anniversary Rebel issue, which is available at retailers in over thirty countries. The company's sunglasses were used for the project. ARIA NOIR states that it remains committed to using its fashion to redefine the limits of art and music around the world. "We continue to develop our ideas for celebrating innovation and originality in the world," the company says. "We look forward to unveiling more projects that capitalize on the unconquerable human spirit and the beauty of the mind." About ARIA NOIR The fashion designed by ARIA NOIR is patterned after perfection and is aligned along the equilibrium of things both pretty and practical. In short - sacred geometry speaks. ARIA NOIR's artistic endeavor is driven by the passion of the creative process, ever searching for the ultimate "product" of orchestrated talent for the enjoyment of the company's customers. For more information about ARIA NOIR, please see its website or contact: Vivian Ramirez, ARIA NOIR admin@arianoir.com 1-888-969-NOIR SOURCE: ARIA NOIR View source version on accesswire.com: https://www.accesswire.com/750745/ARIA-NOIR-Completes-Shooting-of-Music-Video-in-Kyiv-Ukraine Going deeper, Reed unearths a striking fact about the move against the Liberals. The loss of votes for the Liberals in the last month is entirely due to female voters deserting the party, he tells me. Dutton inherited a party which already was doing terribly with women voters. In the words of the partys own official election review: The Liberal Party performed particularly poorly with female voters, continuing a trend that has been present since the election of 1996, the year that John Howard first took the prime ministership. A majority of women preferred Labor in all age segments in 2022. MP Karen Andrews announced her retirement from parliament at the next election. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen And Dutton is making it worse. Although its not entirely Duttons fault. As hes explained many times, the Liberals decision to say No to the Voice was a result of the overwhelming majority of the partys MPs and senators. It was an irrepressible expression of the partys identity. Its just that women voters increasingly dislike that identity. Australias women roared at last years election. More women were elected than ever before, comprising a record 38 per cent of members of the House of Representatives and a record 57 per cent of senators. In Labor, 53 per cent of the caucus today is female. They are not there as window dressing. Albanese appointed record numbers of women to the inner sanctums of decision-making. Forty-three per cent of cabinet ministers are female, almost identical to the proportion of women sitting in the expenditure review committee of cabinet. Loading This is the locus of critical choices about where to spend budget revenues and where to cut. Of its nine members, four are women Penny Wong, Katy Gallagher, Michelle Rowland and Madeleine King. So, its just that Australian women didnt roar in, or for, the Liberal party. The Libs had 13 women MPs in the last parliament and just nine in this, or 21 per cent of their total in the House. In one revealing rationalisation for the absence of female voices, the Liberals deputy leader, Sussan Ley, said that men also speak for women. Yes, and Tony Abbott appointed himself to be his governments minister for women, too. Brilliant. As Liberal senator Linda Reynolds put it to the first meeting of the party room after the election: Menzies with the support of Dame Elizabeth Couchman founded the Liberal Party as the progressive party for women, which until 2001 was the party over 50 per cent of Australian women voted for. Today it is around 30 per cent. We cannot win majority government again without regaining the trust and electoral support of women of all ages. Reynolds was caught up in the problem as the minister who employed Brittany Higgins at the time of her alleged rape in the ministerial office. Instead of regaining women voters, the party is still shedding more. Senator Linda Reynolds at the ACT Supreme Court. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen And this week a senior woman on the Liberal frontbench, Karen Andrews, minister for home affairs under Morrison, announced her retirement from parliament at the next election. Which isnt any kind of shock decision from a 62-year-old after 13 years on the Canberra shuttle. But its not any great inspiration for aspiring women, either. The next night, Peter Dutton delivered a speech in which he reassured the party that it was suffering merely the normal fortunes of the electoral cycle: In the cycle of politics, parties will be down, but, of course, they are never out. But unless the Liberals can reverse the trend of ever-falling support from women, they will be out. Many Liberal men reading this will be sceptical, questioning the principle of pursuing a particular minority or special group, resisting the idea of diversity or equating it with wokeness. Which illustrates the problem exactly. Women are not a minority or a form of diversity. Women are the majority. They are Australia. Overlook them and you overlook not some exotic subgroup but most of the country. Former shadow attorney-general Julian Leeser has quit the frontbench in order to campaign for a Yes vote on the Indigenous Voice referendum. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen Dutton went on to reassert the timeless principles set out by the partys founder, Robert Menzies, and rightly so. He referenced his most famous speech, the Forgotten People broadcast. He made no mention of the fact that this piece of Liberal holy writ was, in part, an appeal to women voters. Much of the Forgotten People seems particularly addressed to women, writes Judith Brett in her book Robert Menzies Forgotten People. She goes on: Prima facie, the forgotten people Menzies was addressing were the middle class, but they were also women whose particular interests and problems had generally been forgotten by a politics organised around the conflicts of the economy and the workplace. In elaborating the virtues of the home as central to non-Labour [sic] ideology, Menzies was elaborating the virtues of womens traditional social space, writes Brett, emeritus professor of political science at La Trobe University. Loading It made it easier for the needs of women in the home to be articulated as political demands A generation before the womens movement, Menzies was politicising the non-political. Not only did Menzies very much have women in his pitch, women were structured into the origins of his party at its birth in 1944. One of the Liberals foundations was the Australian Womens National League. Led by Couchman, it was a slick and monied political league which carried a peak membership of 50,000. The Australian Womens National League joined on condition it had equal representation throughout the Liberal organisation and had the right to participate in preselections, even though the group did not itself advocate that women stand for parliament. It was a different era. But this female foundation helped the Liberal Party build an election-winning lead with women voters that it cultivated for years, providing an electoral advantage that lasted until the defeat of the Fraser government in 1983, as Margaret Fitzherbert wrote in Menzies: The Shaping of Modern Australia. Loading Menzies embraced women not because he was especially enlightened but because he needed them. There is a lesson here for todays Liberals. One of the co-authors of the partys election review, Senator Jane Hume, says the party is about to begin work on implementing several review recommendations designed to bring more women into the party and to better support them. But its not competing for women in a vacuum. Theres a federal budget afoot, and the Finance Minister, Katy Gallagher, also the Minister for Women, says that shes working carefully through all the recommendations in a newly published letter from the Womens Economic Equality taskforce. We cant afford to do everything but we are serious about looking at addressing inequality for women and doing that in the confines of a tough budget, looking to implement new measures. Former Liberal prime minister Tony Abbott has been enlisted by moderate Liberal MP Jenny Ware to debate the Voice at a community forum to help her decide what position she will take. Abbott will argue the case for voting no and broadcaster Joe Hildebrand will debate in favour of voting yes at the upcoming referendum, as Ware weighs up whether to join backbencher colleagues supporting the Voice or toe the party line laid down by Opposition Leader Peter Dutton. Former prime minister Tony Abbott will take part in a debate to help Liberal MP Jenny Ware and her constituents decide on their views on the Voice. Credit: Getty Images Id like to see as many of my electorate as possible turn up and listen to both sides, listen with open minds, Ware told The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. That will then inform me as to how my electorate is now feeling about the referendum. The public forum will be held in Wares southern Sydney electorate of Hughes early next month. Throughout Europe, the US and Asia, local governments are grappling with a push by Beijing to split policy at the subnational and national levels. Federal Labor wants to stabilise the relationship, but McGowan went much further than that by suggesting the national cabinet should go to Beijing. The event was organised by AustCham, a business lobby that facilitates meetings between Australian leaders and corporate executives in China. In his former life, Nick Coyle would have been at McGowans royal table. Today, the former chief executive of AustCham is fighting every day for his partner Cheng Leis release from a Beijing jail. WA Premier Mark McGowan in conversation with China-Australia Chamber of Commerce chair Vaughn Barber. I was thinking to myself 18 months ago that would have been me at that table, he said. McGowan has refused to raise the cases of Cheng and fellow detained Australian Yang Hengjun in his four days in the country. He has argued that foreign policy is not his domain, despite accusing federal Opposition defence spokesman Andrew Hastie of taking Cold War pills and calling for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and every premier to go to Beijing for meetings this year. Its pretty ridiculous that the premier cant point out the bleeding obvious, said Coyle. The ongoing detention of Lei causes significant problems in the relationship. McGowan preferred to focus on networking with Chinese oil giant Sinopec, Woodside and Pran, a Chinese importer of sanctioned premium Australian wines that had sponsored the event. Yang Hengjun and Cheng Lei have been detained by Chinese authorities for more than two years. Credit: SMH/The Age There was banter about buying vineyards in Margaret River, jokes about living on campus at university in Queensland and praise from a high-flying Beijing-based executive who despite WAs sealed borders found shelter for himself and his wife when he was locked out of China during COVID. McGowan told those gathered at another event, the China-WA strategic dialogue on Thursday, that WA had gone further than any other state to keep its back channels open with Beijing. Even over the COVID period, we ensured that our language publicly and our work privately was very much designed to ensure that continuing strong relationship that is mutually beneficial both for China and for Western Australia, he said. Loading McGowan hoped this relationship would give him some sway when he raised the issue of Chinese trade tariffs and import bans that decimated WA exports like wine, barley and rock lobsters. Matt Taylor, the Western Rock Lobster Councils chief executive said he was encouraged by McGowans trip. At the end of the day, its only going to be solved through actions and relationship-building activities rather than just words, so I think its encouraging for sure, he said. Grain Industry Association WA barley council chair Lyndon Mickel said McGowans representations in China would help edge the country closer to removing the tariffs. It puts a light at the end of the tunnel for us after the last couple of years of not having one of our major markets, he said. Kerry Stokes newspapers have given Mark McGowans China trip glowing praise. Credit: John Woudstra But the premiers trip has also raised questions about transparency. Chinese government restrictions meant only one reporter and one photographer were allowed to travel with him. They were both chosen from Kerry Stokes West Australian newspaper, which gave the trip four days of glowing coverage. Stokes has millions of dollars in business interests in China. The papers made no mention of Cheng, Yang or any of the other human rights or national security hurdles in the relationship. West Australian journalists on the flight with McGowan to Beijing did not appear at the premiers press conference, nor were reporters in Australia asked to dial in. The questions were left to his press secretary David Cooper. What are the key outcomes you want to get from this trade mission, he asked McGowan. It cant be overstated how important Chinas relationship is to Western Australias economy, but this isnt just about reconnecting, its also about the future, isnt it? The premier was unavailable for an interview during the trip. Other outlets had to rely on edited vision captured by staff hired by McGowans office and distributed to networks. Media expert Tim Dwyer from the University of Sydney said he was not surprised that McGowan wanted to control the message. Clearly, its not ideal in terms of accountability to only have the premiers PR rep asking the questions at his press conferences, he said. WA Premier Mark McGowan and businessman Kerry Stokes in 2018. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen The fact Kerry Stokes is getting favourable access to China through The West Australian to further his own business interests, is also arguably beneficial for folks in WA. The premier gave an interview during his time in Beijing to The Global Times, the Chinese state media outlet whose editor threatened Australia with long-range missile strikes at the height of the diplomatic dispute in 2021. New Electric Pick-up From GMC +VIDEO GMCs introduction of the first-ever Sierra EV marks a turning point for the premium truck brand, as it expands its portfolio of all-electric trucks. Led by the 2024 Sierra EV Denali Edition 1, it offers uncompromising pickup capability, a GM-estimated 400 miles of rangeon a full charge and unique features made possible only by its dedicated EV truck platform. This is the Denali of EVs and a truck that is every bit a GMC, said Duncan Aldred, vice president of Global Buick and GMC. That means it leaves nothing on the table when it comes to hauling, towing and overall power while unlocking even more possibilities around what a GMC pickup can offer. GMC will be the only brand to offer three all-electric trucks, with the Sierra EV joining the popular GMC HUMMER EV Pickup and SUV2. Underpinning these three trucks is GMs groundbreaking Ultium Platform, which enables incredible versatility and optimal performance in an all-electric truck. The 2024 Sierra EV Denali Edition 1 will be available at launch in early 2024. GMC will introduce the Sierra EV AT4 and Elevation trims in the 2025 model year. The 2024 Sierra EV Denali Edition 1 is just the beginning, said Aldred. It will offer customers our very latest in technology, capability and luxury delivered in a way only GMC can do with much more to come. From the HUMMER EV supertruck to the first-ever Sierra EV, GMC continues to write the next chapter in its future as a premium truck and SUV brand. NEW YORK, April 20, 2023 -- The military hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) and electric vehicle (EV) market size is estimated to grow by USD 8.48 billion from 2022 to 2027, growing at a CAGR of 14.36%. North America is estimated to account for 43% of the global market growth during the forecast period. There is an increasing demand for hybrid vehicles in the region because the government focuses on shifting to eco-friendly military HEV and EVs. Moreover, in order to increase awareness and availability of hybrid vehicles military HEV manufacturers are ramping up dealerships. Get a comprehensive report summary describing the market size and forecast along with research methodology - View Sample report Military Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) And Electric Vehicle (EV) Market - Vendor Landscape The military hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) and electric vehicle (EV) market is fragmented; the vendors are competing with competitors and are trying to get a greater market share. The market is growing, and chances of new entrants cannot be overlooked. The major vendors have well-established economies of scale and market presence and generally rely on positioning, technological advances, and the price of the products. Company Profiles The military hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) and electric vehicle (EV) market report includes information on the product launches, sustainability, and prospects of leading vendors including AeroVironment Inc., Alke s.r.l., BAE Systems Plc, Elbit Systems Ltd., Ford Motor Co., General Atomics, General Dynamics Corp., General Motors Co., Honeywell International Inc., L3Harris Technologies Inc., Lockheed Martin Corp., Logos Technologies LLC, Milrem AS, Nikola Corp., Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Oshkosh Corp., QinetiQ Ltd., Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd., The Boeing Co., and Zero Motorcycles Inc. Military Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) And Electric Vehicle (EV) Market - Market Dynamics Major Drivers & Challenges- The market is driven by factors such as the push toward the adoption of green (eco-friendly) vehicles., stringent regulations on emissions and fuel efficiency, and the increasing sales of HEVs. However, high total cost of ownership of HEVs is hindering market growth. A key driver in the military hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) and electric vehicle (EV) that is expected to fuel the market growth is the push toward the adoption of green (eco-friendly) vehicles. Some of the important solutions to reduce greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere to acceptable levels include the development and introduction of green cars and vehicles. HEVs and EVs run on only electricity, hybrid power, and other energy sources such as solar, wind, and biofuels. The government incentives and tax credits attract automobile manufacturers to invest in military HEV and EV production expansion in their region. Additionally, it is also believed that the green vehicle push will drive the military HEV and EV market to higher growth, covering large shares of the global military hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) and electric vehicle (EV) market during the forecast period. A major challenge for the growth of the market is the high cost of ownership of HEVs. Military HEVs have a higher total cost of ownership than conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles due to their use of advanced electronic components and design considerations, as well as the additional high-capacity batteries used in military HEVs. The cost depends on mileage provided, hours of use, fuel cost, and government subsidies. For instance, one of the best-selling economic hybrid vehicles, the Nissan Leaf, has a 24 kWh battery that costs USD 12,000; in this amount, a plush sedan model of an ICE car can be availed. Hence, such factors will hinder market growth during the forecast period. Key Trends- High-density, high-power, and small-size li-ion batteries are some of the opportunities for the market players to grow. On the other hand, the cost-to-weight ratio high for hybrid vehicles than for ice vehicles is a huge challenge in front of the industry. To facilitate electric drive functions when the engine is off, current hybrid systems include heavily built battery packs. It can supply the energy needed for acceleration, recharging is done by regenerative braking, and it doesn't deplete much. But this electric propulsion function is required only for a small portion of the time when the engine works in the inefficient range, which is while starting and sudden acceleration of the vehicle. Hence, the heavy battery pack gives no additional benefits. Moreover, the heavy battery packs take more time to recharge and unlike EVs, HEVs must be recharged through the engine and regenerative braking. Thus, the efficiency of an HEV depends on the time rate at which energy can be taken out or pushed back into the battery pack and not on the electric drive mode, which can be achieved with small-size and high-density battery packs. In addition to the forecast, the report also highlights the key opportunities by analyzing drivers, trends, and challenges for the market - View Sample Report Competitive Analysis The report includes competitive analysis, a proprietary tool to analyze and evaluate the position of companies based on their industry position score and market performance score. The competitive scenario categorizes companies based on various performance indicators. Some of the factors considered include the financial performance of companies over the past few years, growth strategies, product innovations, new product launches, investments, growth in market share, among others. Military Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) And Electric Vehicle (EV) Market - Market Segmentation This report extensively covers market segmentation by product (manned military HEV and EV and unmanned military HEV and EV), type (AC charging and DC charging), and geography (North America, APAC, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa). The market share growth by the manned military HEV and EV segment will be significant during the forecast period. Manned HEVs and EVs are suitable for large-scale operations. They have a low risk of technical failure. These are the primary factors for the adoption of manned HEVs and EVs over unmanned military HEVs and EVs. Hence, increasing favorability due to the many advantages of manned HEVs and EVs is expected to drive the growth of the manned HEVs and EVs segment in the global HEVs and EVs market during the forecast period. To get insights on the impact of segments on the market growth, Request a Sample Report! Military Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) And Electric Vehicle (EV) Market: Key Highlights CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2023-2027 Detailed information on factors that will assist Military Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) And Electric Vehicle (EV) Market growth during the next five years Estimation of the Military Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) And Electric Vehicle (EV) Market size and its contribution to the parent market Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior The growth of the Military Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) And Electric Vehicle (EV) Market Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of Military Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) And Electric Vehicle (EV) Market vendors Gain instant access to 17,000+ market research reports. Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform Related Reports: The global hybrid electric vehicle market Size is estimated to grow by 17,098.51 thousand units between 2022 and 2027 accelerating at a CAGR of 30.88%. This market research report extensively covers market segmentation by propulsion (full HEVs, mild HEVs, and PHEVs), vehicle type (passenger cars and commercial vehicles), and geography (APAC, Europe, North America, South America, and Middle East and Africa). Stringent emission norms have been introduced by governments worldwide to combat global warming and reduce GHG emissions. The global EV traction motor market size is estimated to grow by USD 6,960.3 million and the EV traction motor market size forecast is set to increase CAGR of 16.73% between 2022 and 2027. This market research report extensively covers market segmentation by Application (railways, electric vehicles, and others) and Geography (APAC, Europe, North America, South America, and the Middle East and Africa). The advantages of EV traction motor will drive market growth. Military Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) And Electric Vehicle (EV) Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 14.36% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 8.48 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 13.98 Regional analysis North America, APAC, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution North America at 43% Key countries US, China, India, UK, and Russia Competitive landscape Leading Vendors, Market Positioning of Vendors, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks Key companies profiled AeroVironment Inc., Alke s.r.l., BAE Systems Plc, Elbit Systems Ltd., Ford Motor Co., General Atomics, General Dynamics Corp., General Motors Co., Honeywell International Inc., L3Harris Technologies Inc., Lockheed Martin Corp., Logos Technologies LLC, Milrem AS, Nikola Corp., Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Oshkosh Corp., QinetiQ Ltd., Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd., The Boeing Co., and Zero Motorcycles Inc. Market dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and recovery analysis and future consumer dynamics, Market condition analysis for forecast period Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized. Browse for Technavio's Industrials Reports Table Of Contents : 1 Executive Summary 1.1 Market overview Exhibit 01: Executive Summary Chart on Market Overview Exhibit 02: Executive Summary Data Table on Market Overview Exhibit 03: Executive Summary Chart on Global Market Characteristics Exhibit 04: Executive Summary Chart on Market by Geography Exhibit 05: Executive Summary Chart on Market Segmentation by Product Exhibit 06: Executive Summary Chart on Market Segmentation by Type Exhibit 07: Executive Summary Chart on Incremental Growth Exhibit 08: Executive Summary Data Table on Incremental Growth Exhibit 09: Executive Summary Chart on Vendor Market Positioning 2 Market Landscape 2.1 Market ecosystem Exhibit 10: Parent market Exhibit 11: Market Characteristics 3 Market Sizing 3.1 Market definition Exhibit 12: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition 3.2 Market segment analysis Exhibit 13: Market segments 3.3 Market size 2022 3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2022-2027 Exhibit 14: Chart on Global - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 15: Data Table on Global - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 16: Chart on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 17: Data Table on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 4 Historic Market Size 4.1 Global military hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) and electric vehicle (EV) market 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 18: Historic Market Size Data Table on Global military hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) and electric vehicle (EV) market 2017 - 2021 ($ billion) 4.2 Product Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 19: Historic Market Size Product Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ billion) 4.3 Type Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 20: Historic Market Size Type Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ billion) 4.4 Geography Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 21: Historic Market Size Geography Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ billion) 4.5 Country Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 22: Historic Market Size Country Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ billion) 5 Five Forces Analysis 5.1 Five forces summary Exhibit 23: Five forces analysis - Comparison between 2022 and 2027 5.2 Bargaining power of buyers Exhibit 24: Chart on Bargaining power of buyers Impact of key factors 2022 and 2027 5.3 Bargaining power of suppliers Exhibit 25: Bargaining power of suppliers Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.4 Threat of new entrants Exhibit 26: Threat of new entrants Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.5 Threat of substitutes Exhibit 27: Threat of substitutes Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.6 Threat of rivalry Exhibit 28: Threat of rivalry Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.7 Market condition Exhibit 29: Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2022 and 2027 6 Market Segmentation by Product 6.1 Market segments Exhibit 30: Chart on Product - Market share 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 31: Data Table on Product - Market share 2022-2027 (%) 6.2 Comparison by Product Exhibit 32: Chart on Comparison by Product Exhibit 33: Data Table on Comparison by Product 6.3 Manned military HEV and EV - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 34: Chart on Manned military HEV and EV - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 35: Data Table on Manned military HEV and EV - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 36: Chart on Manned military HEV and EV - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 37: Data Table on Manned military HEV and EV - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 6.4 Unmanned military HEV and EV - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 38: Chart on Unmanned military HEV and EV - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 39: Data Table on Unmanned military HEV and EV - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 40: Chart on Unmanned military HEV and EV - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 41: Data Table on Unmanned military HEV and EV - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 6.5 Market opportunity by Product Exhibit 42: Market opportunity by Product ($ billion) Exhibit 43: Data Table on Market opportunity by Product ($ billion) 7 Market Segmentation by Type 7.1 Market segments Exhibit 44: Chart on Type - Market share 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 45: Data Table on Type - Market share 2022-2027 (%) 7.2 Comparison by Type Exhibit 46: Chart on Comparison by Type Exhibit 47: Data Table on Comparison by Type 7.3 AC charging - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 48: Chart on AC charging - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 49: Data Table on AC charging - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 50: Chart on AC charging - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 51: Data Table on AC charging - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 7.4 DC charging - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 52: Chart on DC charging - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 53: Data Table on DC charging - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 54: Chart on DC charging - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 55: Data Table on DC charging - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 7.5 Market opportunity by Type Exhibit 56: Market opportunity by Type ($ billion) Exhibit 57: Data Table on Market opportunity by Type ($ billion) 8 Customer Landscape 8.1 Customer landscape overview Exhibit 58: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria 9 Geographic Landscape 9.1 Geographic segmentation Exhibit 59: Chart on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 60: Data Table on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%) 9.2 Geographic comparison Exhibit 61: Chart on Geographic comparison Exhibit 62: Data Table on Geographic comparison 9.3 North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 63: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 64: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 65: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 66: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.4 APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 67: Chart on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 68: Data Table on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 69: Chart on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 70: Data Table on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.5 Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 71: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 72: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 73: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 74: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.6 South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 75: Chart on South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 76: Data Table on South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 77: Chart on South America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 78: Data Table on South America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.7 Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 79: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 80: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 81: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) and - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 82: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.8 US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 83: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 84: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 85: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 86: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.9 China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 87: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 88: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 89: Chart on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 90: Data Table on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.10 India - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 91: Chart on India - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 92: Data Table on India - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 93: Chart on India - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 94: Data Table on India - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.11 UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 95: Chart on UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 96: Data Table on UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 97: Chart on UK - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 98: Data Table on UK - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.12 Russia - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 99: Chart on Russia - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 100: Data Table on Russia - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 101: Chart on Russia - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 102: Data Table on Russia - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.13 Market opportunity by geography Exhibit 103: Market opportunity by geography ($ billion) Exhibit 104: Data Tables on Market opportunity by geography ($ billion) 10 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10.1 Market drivers 10.2 Market challenges 10.3 Impact of drivers and challenges Exhibit 105: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2022 and 2027 10.4 Market trends 11 Vendor Landscape 11.1 Overview 11.2 Vendor landscape Exhibit 106: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation 11.3 Landscape disruption Exhibit 107: Overview on factors of disruption 11.4 Industry risks Exhibit 108: Impact of key risks on business 12 Vendor Analysis 12.1 Vendors covered Exhibit 109: Vendors covered 12.2 Market positioning of vendors Exhibit 110: Matrix on vendor position and classification 12.3 AeroVironment Inc. Exhibit 111: AeroVironment Inc. - Overview Exhibit 112: AeroVironment Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 113: AeroVironment Inc. - Key news Exhibit 114: AeroVironment Inc. - Key offerings Exhibit 115: AeroVironment Inc. - Segment focus 12.4 Alke s.r.l. Exhibit 116: Alke s.r.l. - Overview Exhibit 117: Alke s.r.l. - Product / Service Exhibit 118: Alke s.r.l. - Key offerings 12.5 BAE Systems Plc Exhibit 119: BAE Systems Plc - Overview Exhibit 120: BAE Systems Plc - Business segments Exhibit 121: BAE Systems Plc - Key offerings Exhibit 122: BAE Systems Plc - Segment focus 12.6 Elbit Systems Ltd. Exhibit 123: Elbit Systems Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 124: Elbit Systems Ltd. - Product / Service Exhibit 125: Elbit Systems Ltd. - Key offerings 12.7 Ford Motor Co. Exhibit 126: Ford Motor Co. - Overview Exhibit 127: Ford Motor Co. - Business segments Exhibit 128: Ford Motor Co. - Key news Exhibit 129: Ford Motor Co. - Key offerings Exhibit 130: Ford Motor Co. - Segment focus 12.8 General Atomics Exhibit 131: General Atomics - Overview Exhibit 132: General Atomics - Product / Service Exhibit 133: General Atomics - Key offerings 12.9 General Dynamics Corp. Exhibit 134: General Dynamics Corp. - Overview Exhibit 135: General Dynamics Corp. - Business segments Exhibit 136: General Dynamics Corp. - Key news Exhibit 137: General Dynamics Corp. - Key offerings Exhibit 138: General Dynamics Corp. - Segment focus 12.10 General Motors Co. Exhibit 139: General Motors Co. - Overview Exhibit 140: General Motors Co. - Business segments Exhibit 141: General Motors Co. - Key news Exhibit 142: General Motors Co. - Key offerings Exhibit 143: General Motors Co. - Segment focus 12.11 L3Harris Technologies Inc. Exhibit 144: L3Harris Technologies Inc. - Overview Exhibit 145: L3Harris Technologies Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 146: L3Harris Technologies Inc. - Key news Exhibit 147: L3Harris Technologies Inc. - Key offerings Exhibit 148: L3Harris Technologies Inc. - Segment focus 12.12 Lockheed Martin Corp. Exhibit 149: Lockheed Martin Corp. - Overview Exhibit 150: Lockheed Martin Corp. - Business segments Exhibit 151: Lockheed Martin Corp. - Key news Exhibit 152: Lockheed Martin Corp. - Key offerings Exhibit 153: Lockheed Martin Corp. - Segment focus 12.13 Milrem AS Exhibit 154: Milrem AS - Overview Exhibit 155: Milrem AS - Product / Service Exhibit 156: Milrem AS - Key offerings 12.14 Nikola Corp. Exhibit 157: Nikola Corp. - Overview Exhibit 158: Nikola Corp. - Product / Service Exhibit 159: Nikola Corp. - Key offerings 12.15 Northrop Grumman Systems Corp. Exhibit 160: Northrop Grumman Systems Corp. - Overview Exhibit 161: Northrop Grumman Systems Corp. - Business segments Exhibit 162: Northrop Grumman Systems Corp. - Key news Exhibit 163: Northrop Grumman Systems Corp. - Key offerings Exhibit 164: Northrop Grumman Systems Corp. - Segment focus 12.16 Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd. Exhibit 165: Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 166: Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd. - Business segments Exhibit 167: Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd. - Key offerings Exhibit 168: Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd. - Segment focus 12.17 The Boeing Co. Exhibit 169: The Boeing Co. - Overview Exhibit 170: The Boeing Co. - Business segments Exhibit 171: The Boeing Co. - Key offerings Exhibit 172: The Boeing Co. - Segment focus 13 Appendix 13.1 Scope of the report 13.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist Exhibit 173: Inclusions checklist Exhibit 174: Exclusions checklist 13.3 Currency conversion rates for US$ Exhibit 175: Currency conversion rates for US$ 13.4 Research methodology Exhibit 176: Research methodology Exhibit 177: Validation techniques employed for market sizing Exhibit 178: Information sources 13.5 List of abbreviations Exhibit 179: List of abbreviations About Us Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Monday 05 September, 2016 Reliable information reaching Biafra writers desk has it that the life of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indi... (Bloomberg) -- President Joe Biden aims to sign an executive order in the coming weeks that will limit investment in key parts of Chinas economy by American businesses, people familiar with the internal deliberations said. Most Read from Bloomberg The administration, which has been debating the measure for almost two years, plans to take action around the time of a summit of the Group of Seven advanced economies thats due to start on May 19 in Japan. The US has been briefing its G-7 partners on the investment curbs for high-tech industries, and hopes to get an endorsement at next months meeting, even though the other countries arent expected to announce similar restrictions at the same time, the people said. The likeliest sequence is for the executive order to be signed soon after that expression of international support, one of the people said. The move marks a new phase in the years-long economic campaign against China thats already seen the US impose tariffs on Chinese imports under ex-President Donald Trump, and more recently seek to restrict exports of key American technologies. Now, capital flows between the worlds two biggest economies are in the crosshairs. On Friday, China accused the US of politicizing tech issues. Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said Washingtons real goal is to deprive China of its development rights. It is pure economic coercion. The Asian nation would protect its rights and interests, he said at a regular press briefing in Beijing, without going into detail on how that would happen. Investors largely shrugged off concerns of more restrictions, saying they would do little to impact actual business because US investments in some of Chinas high-tech sectors have already been receding. Chinas chip stocks slid Friday as investors took profit while assessing the impact of rising geopolitical tensions with the US. Story continues The US has been working towards this for awhile and US investments in sensitive areas has already been declining, said Marvin Chen, an analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence. Nonetheless, China tech will become more reliant on domestic capital pool and state support as foreign investment continues to withdraw. AI, Quantum Computing The US says its imposing the curbs on national security grounds a point emphasized by Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen in a speech Thursday rather than in an effort to hold back the development of a rival superpower, as Beijing has argued. Tensions have escalated since Russias invasion of Ukraine, a conflict in which the US and China effectively find themselves on opposite sides, and theres growing concern about a new Cold War that could fracture the world economy into rival blocs. The executive order will cover the fields of semiconductors, artificial intelligence and quantum computing focusing on investments where US firms play an active role in management. That includes venture capital and private equity, as well as certain forms of technology transfer and joint ventures. Officials involved in drafting the order say it targets potential new investments, not existing ones. Some types of investment will be barred outright, while others will require companies to notify the government. Details are set to be outlined in a set of regulations to follow the executive order, and companies will have some time to offer feedback before the order goes into effect. US officials say the investment limits are intended to choke off critical funding and know-how that could advance Chinas military capabilities. In a speech delivered in Washington Thursday that addressed US-China economic ties, Yellen said the curbs on outbound investment will affect specific sensitive technologies with significant national security implications. Competitive Advantage These national security actions are not designed for us to gain a competitive economic advantage, or stifle Chinas economic and technological modernization, Yellen said. The US will pursue its security concerns regarding China even when they force trade-offs with our economic interests, and will engage and coordinate with our allies and partners over the policies, she said. US officials have made clear that a unilateral measure wouldnt fulfill the national security goals because investments in China by other countries could just take the place of the American ones that the administration is about to block. Treasury Department officials this week briefed their European counterparts on the measure, and the administration has begun sharing information with business leaders too. Once the order takes effect, Treasury will be administering a one-year pilot program that could later be expanded. A spokesman for the National Security Council declined to comment. As Chinas economy took off in the past three decades, American companies plowed money in as they sought to capture a slice of the worlds fastest-growing major market and lower the cost of production for supply chains. Cumulative total investment there by US business was worth almost $120 billion at the end of 2021, with about half of that going into manufacturing, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. But the growing consensus in Washington in favor of curbs on China, along with Beijings turn to more interventionist policies, may already have dented the enthusiasm of many firms. Last year, the share of deals by US private equity investors that involved buying stakes in Chinese companies shrank to about one-quarter of what it was a decade earlier, PitchBook data show. --With assistance from Alberto Nardelli, John Cheng, Catherine Ngai, Colum Murphy and Philip Glamann. (Updates with comments from Chinas Foreign Ministry.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. /NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES. ANY FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS RESTRICTION MAY CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF U.S. SECURITIES LAWS./ TORONTO, April 21, 2023 /CNW/ - Blockchain Venture Capital Inc. (the "Company" or "BVCI") announces that the terms of its non-brokered private placement offering previously announced on October 21, 2022 and December 16, 2022 (the "Private Placement") have been revised by increasing the aggregate number of common shares in the Company ( the "Shares") issuable under the Private Placement to up to 2,438,134 Shares and increasing the aggregate gross proceeds to up to $3,047,668. Blockchain Venture Capital Inc. Logo (CNW Group/Blockchain Venture Capital Inc.) The Company intends to close a final tranche of its Private Placement on or about April 27, 2023. In the final tranche the Company expects to issue a total of 492,000 Shares and 1,120,000 units, each at a price of $1.25, with each unit comprised of one Share and one-half of a warrant, for total gross proceeds of $2,015,000. Each warrant issued as part of a unit will be exercisable for one Share at an exercise price of $1.50 for a period of 24 months from the date of issue. To date, the Company has issued 826,134 Shares under the Private Placement for gross proceeds of $1,032,667.50. The Company intends to use the proceeds from the Private Placement to fund corporate expenditures and general working capital purposes in respect of the development of the Company's BvcPay platform and CADT, including expenditures related to seeking applicable regulatory approvals in respect of dealer registrations to permit BVCI to carry out its CADT related business. All securities issued under the Private Placement will be subject to a hold period expiring four months and one day from the date of issuance. The Private Placement may be completed in multiple tranches and is subject to receipt of executed subscription agreements and funds as well as certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary approvals, including the approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange. Story continues This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such jurisdiction. This news release does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States. The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and such securities may not be offered or sold within the United States absent registration under U.S. federal and state securities laws or an applicable exemption from such U.S. registration requirements. About the Company BVCI is an Ontario incorporated company and is registered as a money service business with the Financial Transaction and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC). It is a provider of an innovative technology infrastructure to participants in the emerging blockchain and distributed ledger technology industry. Instrumental to BVCI's business and growth strategy is BVC Chain, a proprietary blockchain platform and distributed ledger technology, which can operate as a centralized or decentralized ledger. BVC Chain was designed to be a turnkey solution, which can be customized and implemented by organizations wishing to deploy blockchain platform based solutions, products or services. BVC Chain will also serve as the platform and infrastructure for BvcPay and CADT. BvcPay is a cloud based mobile application that is intended to have the capability to function as a Digital Currency wallet and which can facilitate point of sale and online transactions using Bitcoin, Ethereum and CADT. CADT is the native Digital Currency of the BVC Chain, and it is intended to be a stablecoin. BVCI's CADT business division is expected to issue CADT, a cryptographic stablecoin supported on a 1:1 basis with an equivalent amount of Canadian dollar held in a custodial account. CADT is expected to support real time pricing, payment, settlement, digital asset issuance and ledger capabilities. To allow BVCI to carry out its CADT related business, BVCI filed an application on June 17, 2021 to obtain registration as an exempt market dealer in accordance with applicable securities laws in Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia. Such application is pending, and there is no assurance that BVCI will obtain such registration. Unless and until the Company is registered under applicable securities laws for purposes of carrying out its CADT related business, or the Company is otherwise satisfied that it can conduct such business in compliance with all applicable securities laws, it intends to have all its CADT trading occur through a dealer (via the BVC Chain) that is registered in a category of registration under applicable securities laws which permits CADT to be traded through it, which dealer arrangement is subject to finalization. Accordingly, there is no assurance BVCI will be able to pursue its proposed CADT business or any related BvcPay business that relies on CADT. Forward-Looking Information and Statements Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward-looking" statements which involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements of the Company or the industry in which it operates to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. When used in this press release, the words "estimate", "believe", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "plan", "may", "should", "will", the negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to statements related to: the Company's business plans and strategies; use of proceeds from the Private Placement; and closing and size of the Private Placement. Such statements reflect the current expectations of the management of the Company with respect to future events based on currently available information and are based on certain assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements, including assumptions and risks related to receipt of regulatory approvals, the Company obtaining registration as an exempt market dealer or implementing its arrangement with a registered dealer. These risks and uncertainties are detailed from time to time, including, without limitation, under the heading "Risk Factors", in the Company's listing statement, which is available on www.sedar.com., and in other continuous disclosure documents that are filed by the Company from time to time with the Ontario, Alberta or British Columbia Securities Commissions which are available at www.sedar.com and to which readers of this press release are referred for additional information concerning the Company, its prospects and the risks and uncertainties relating to the Company and its prospects. New risk factors may arise from time to time and it is not possible for management to predict all of those risk factors or the extent to which any factor or combination of factors may cause actual results, performance and achievements of the Company to be materially different from those contained in forward-looking statements. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent and investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results. The forward-looking information contained in this press release is current only as of the date hereof. The Company does not undertake or assume any obligation, except as required by law, to release publicly any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. No securities commission or regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the contents of this press release. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release nor have they approved or disapproved of the content hereof. SOURCE Blockchain Venture Capital Inc. Cision View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/April2023/21/c0376.html MAXIMIZE MARKET RESEARCH PRIVATE LIMITED Cable Joints Market is segmented into Type, Voltage and Industry Vertical for the analysis of the market. Growing infrastructure and demand for constant energy and power supply are expected to drive the Cable Joints Market over the forecast period. Pune, April 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A global Electronics research and business-consulting firm, Maximize Market Research, has published a market intelligence report on the Cable Joints Market . The report is a combination of primary data and secondary data and domain expert has analyzed the Cable Joints Market from a local as well as a global point of view. Over the forecast period, Maximize Market Research expects, the market to grow from USD 16.7 Bn in 2022 to USD 25.28 Bn in 2029 at a CAGR of 6.1 percent. Cable Joints Market Report Scope and Research Methodology Market Size in 2022 USD 16.7 Bn Market Size in 2029 USD 25.28 Bn CAGR 6.1 percent (2023-2029) Forecast Period 2023-2029 Base Year 2022 Number of Pages 276 No. of Tables 116 No. of Charts and Figures 114 Segment Covered Type, Voltage and Industry Vertical Regional Scope North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, South America Report Coverage Market Share, Size & Forecast by Revenue | 20222029, Market Dynamics, Growth Drivers, Restraints, Investment Opportunities, and Key Trends, Competitive Landscape, Key Players Benchmarking, Competitive Analysis, MMR Competition Matrix, Competitive Leadership Mapping, Global Key Players Market Ranking Analysis. Request For Free Sample Report: https://www.maximizemarketresearch.com/request-sample/184716 The report includes growth hubs, opportunities, restraints and regional insights in major geographic regions such as North America, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, Europe and South America. The report includes detailed analysis of market size, product penetration, new market trends and share of the market held by Cable Joints Market Key players. The report provides data regarding recent developments, partnerships and collaborations happening in the market. The report includes in-depth analysis of the market through segments such as type, voltage and industry vertical along with their multiple sub-segments. The bottom-up approach was used to estimate the size of the market by value and volume. Primary and secondary research methods were used to collect data. Primary research was conducted based on interviews with market leaders and opinions from senior research analysts. Whereas, data from annual reports, public records and white papers from organizations were collected in secondary. Collected data was later analyzed by tools such as SWOT analysis and PORTERs five force model. Story continues Cable Joints Market Overview Cable Joints are used to connect low, medium and high-voltage cables. The basic role of cable joints is to maintain the continuity of electrical cables over long distances. Increasing industrialization and penetration of IT&ITES worldwide have been creating lucrative opportunities for cable joint manufacturers. The report has analyzed the total market opportunity for cable joints by end-user segment by country. At the same time, the report has focused on the contribution of local players in the market versus big consolidated players. Cable Joints Market Dynamics The growing adoption of renewable energy sources and their deployment is expected to drive the Cable Joints Market. Cable joints provide dependable electrical connection, mechanical support and physical safeguarding of cables. Smart cable joints are more useful as compared to normal cable joints since they have quick response and turnaround time, less maintenance and high efficiency. These factors are expected to drive the Cable Joints Market. The Cable Joints Market is also driven by government initiatives to upgrade the transmission and distribution systems and growing urbanization and industrialization in developing economies are expected to drive the market across the world. The need for electricity penetration with fewer failures in rural areas of the world is expected to drive the Cable Joints Market. Get a Sample Copy of the Report: https://www.maximizemarketresearch.com/request-sample/184716 Cable Joints Market Regional Insights North America held the largest share of the market in 2022 and is expected to dominate the market throughout the forecast period. The growing use of renewable energy sources are creating lucrative opportunities for local Cable Joints key manufacturers, which is expected to drive the North America Cable Joints Market. Asia Pacific and the Middle East and Africa are also expected to grow significantly during the forecast period in Cable Joints Market. The growing manufacturing and automobile industry in developing economies such as China and India are expected to propel growth in the region. Cable Joints Market Segmentation By Type: Indoor Outdoor By Voltage: High Voltage Low Voltage Medium Voltage By Industry Vertical: Industrial Aerospace and defence Oil and gas Energy and Power IT and Telecommunication Others Based on Voltage, the high voltage segment held the largest share of the Cable Joints Market in 2022. The growing electricity generation and consumption due to growth in the manufacturing industry of all sectors are expected to drive the segment to hold the largest share. Based on Industry Vertical, the energy and power segment dominates the Cable Joints Market since the increased infrastructure and the need to provide power in remote areas are driving the segment to grow in Cable Joints Market. Get Customization on this Report for Specific Research Solutions: https://www.maximizemarketresearch.com/request-customization/184716 Cable Joints Market Key Competitors include: Nexans S.A. TE Connectivity Ltd. Fujikura Prysmian Group (General Cable) ABB Ltd Yamuna Power & Infrastructure Ltd Cable Jointer Solutions Connect Cable Accessories Co., Ltd. Prysmian Group CommScope Belden SAB 3M NKT Key questions answered in the Cable Joints Market are: What is Cable Joints Market? What was the Cable Joints Market size in 2021? What is the expected Cable Joints Market size during the forecast period? What are the global trends in the Cable Joints Market? What are the major restraints for the Cable Joints Market? Which segment dominated the Cable Joints Market growth? What is the demand pattern for the Cable Joints Market? What growth strategies are the players considering to increase their presence in Cable Joints Market? What are the upcoming industry applications and trends for the Cable Joints Market? Who are the leading companies and what are their portfolios in Cable Joints Market? Which region dominates the largest market share in Cable Joints Market? Get the Sample PDF of Report: https://www.maximizemarketresearch.com/request-sample/184716 Key Offerings: Past Market Size and Competitive Landscape (2018 to 2021) Past Pricing and price curve by region (2018 to 2021) Market Size, Share, Size & Forecast by different segment | 20222029 Market Dynamics Growth Drivers, Restraints, Opportunities, Organization Size, Application and Industry Vertical Market Segmentation A detailed analysis by Type, Voltage and Industry Vertical Competitive Landscape Profiles of selected key players by region from a strategic perspective Competitive landscape Market Leaders, Market Followers, Regional player Competitive benchmarking of key players by region PESTLE Analysis PORTERs analysis Value chain and supply chain analysis Legal Aspects of business by region Lucrative business opportunities with SWOT analysis Recommendations Maximize Market Research is leading Electronics research firm, has also published the following reports: Automotive Data Cable Market - The market size is expected to reach USD 16.48 Bn by 2029 at a CAGR of 11.5 percent during the forecast period. The market is expected to be driven by technological advancements and the increasing demand for advanced electronic systems in vehicles. Cable Fault Locator Market - The market size is expected to reach USD 1556.2 Mn by 2029 at a CAGR of 10 percent during the forecast period. The market is expected to be driven by the growth of the telecommunications and electronic industries, as well as the advancement of energy transmission infrastructure. Aircraft Wire & Cable Market - The market size is expected to reach USD 1317.7 Mn by 2029 at a CAGR of 5.6 percent during the forecast period. The market is expected to be driven by rising demand for uninterrupted communication and the increased number of additional features like sensors and analytical hardware in the aircraft has resulted in a rise in the number of cables and wires present in the electrical assembly of the aircraft. Insulated Wire and Cable Market - The market size is expected to reach USD 283.50 Bn by 2029 at a CAGR of 5.1 percent during the forecast period. The market is expected to be driven by increased investments in high-capacity network infrastructure and wired broadband technologies. Cable Lugs Market - The market size is expected to reach USD 9.37 Bn by 2029 at a CAGR of 6.75 percent during the forecast period. The market is expected to be driven by the growing need for low-voltage and medium-voltage electrical systems in the construction and automotive industries. About Maximize Market Research: Maximize Market Research is a multifaceted market research and consulting company with professionals from several industries. Some of the industries we cover include medical devices, pharmaceutical manufacturers, science and engineering, electronic components, industrial equipment, technology and communication, cars and automobiles, chemical products and substances, general merchandise, beverages, personal care, and automated systems. To mention a few, we provide market-verified industry estimations, technical trend analysis, crucial market research, strategic advice, competition analysis, production and demand analysis, and client impact studies. CONTACT: Contact Maximize Market Research: 3rd Floor, Navale IT Park, Phase 2 Pune Banglore Highway, Narhe, Pune, Maharashtra 411041, India sales@maximizemarketresearch.com +91 96071 95908, +91 9607365656 This week was all about traveling and being away from the office. It started with a celebration of life well lived---former Mayor Leo Pandos funeral was held at St. Louis Catholic Church in Louisville, Colorado. The Pandos moved to Louisville, CO, after Leo retired to be closer to their son. It was nice seeing folks from Cheyenne, who came to pay their respects to a man who gave so much to our community. Mayor Kaysen and I really enjoyed the stories about Leos life and impact. Tuesday, the Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce flew a group of 28 folks to Washington, DC, to visit our congressional delegation. Each year, the Chamber sponsors this meet and greet to allow our business community to share their concerns and to thank our delegation for all they do for Cheyenne and Wyoming. Every time I visit DC, Im filled with wonder by the scale and beauty of the federal buildings. It gives me a sense of permanence to the jobs and missions that go on behind the scenes. The weather was great; the temperature was in the high 70s, the grass was green and getting mowed, and the wind did not blow. It was a glorious time to visit. Our first meeting of the trip was with Senator John Barrasso, our senior senator. He updated us on the status of the new missile program slated to begin soon at FE Warren Air Force Base. The Sentinel ICBM will replace the venerable Minute Man III missiles currently on alert at three bases in the USA. With all that is happening in the world, China and Russia flexing their military muscle, it appears the missile upgrade is on track and budgeted. It will be a huge financial boost to our local economy, ensuring that our base has a mission for decades to come, and will be a huge upgrade for one leg of our nuclear triad. We also spoke with Senator Barrasso about the needed upgrades of our C-130H model planes flown by our Air National Guard. The Air Force is now flying C-130J models. However, if we want to have a flying mission in the future, it will require our base to have newer model planes. We have been close to getting new planes recently, but you know how these decisions can change at the last minute. Nevertheless, we believe adding a firefighting mission as one of the decision points could help the 153rd get new planes and maintain their mission. The base has an amazing economic impact on our city, and we want to make sure it continues. I asked Senator Barrasso to watch the Colorado River water situation. Cheyenne receives 70 percent of its water from the Colorado River Basin, and we need him to protect our interests in Congress. In Wyoming, one in seven people receives their water from our Board of Public Utilities. I also asked him to look for ways he can help our city and state create more affordable housing units. I shared the statistics and how it is a workforce issue for the state. Wyoming can grow its industry if there isnt any place for the workers to live. We spent a lot of time discussing the cost and time exhausted acquiring permits to get infrastructure built in our state. Most of us support the National Environmental Policy Act and the Buy American Act. However, there are some things our nation does not supply in enough quantity to support building projects, which we desperately need. Things like concrete mostly come from China, and without a variance to the regulation, local road and bridge builders cant move forward. Our next stop for the week was a visit to the US Chamber of Commerce. Jack Howard shared some insight on the political happenings---the closely divided House and Senate are having trouble moving legislation forward these days. In the Senate, they are having trouble getting judges and other appointed officials through the confirmation process. I found it interesting that only 6,700 votes determined control of the House. The US Chamber believes there are only 24 true moderates left in the House of Representatives and the remainder have moved further from the center. I also found this interesting; if a district has a Cracker Barrel, then the constituents are more likely to vote Republican, but if it has a Whole Foods, they are more likely to vote Democrat. Their research shows 48 percent of the electorate now identifies as independent. They shared there is only one potential employee for every two job openings in our country. A meaningful immigration policy is one solution they believe we need if we are going to continue to thrive economically. Our next meeting was with Congresswoman Hageman. It was fun to see Wyomings hospitality team leaving the office as we were coming in. We shared similar concerns regarding the Colorado River, affordable housing, permitting, and our military support. Dale Steenbergen went a step further and talked about adverse property ownership. According to Dales report, we learned that governments who are opposed to the United States are buying property next to sensitive military and industrial locations for the purpose of spying. It is a goal to pass a law in Wyoming and hopefully in the nation to prevent this from happening. It is a tough issue as we believe in a persons right to buy property, but how do we protect our interests against our enemies? Representative Hagemans team shared how the national debt is becoming a huge risk to the economic health of our nation. I think she said we are now over $31 trillion in debt and again passed our debt threshold. Other folks from our group also spoke about the need for immigration reform. Those folks were representatives of the construction industry and for years now, have been unable to find enough employees to meet the demand. They asked for a legal way to bring a skilled workforce into the country to meet the need. Senator Lummis was our last meeting on the Hill. We spoke again about the issues of the day. A big topic was if a continuing resolution would be required to fund the government, how would that affect the ongoing missile upgrades and new planes for our National Guard. A hopeful sign is the new leadership in appropriations from both sides of the aisle seems to be focused on working the spending bills. We hope a continuing resolution can be avoided. During my visit, I learned Senator Lummis is part of the Colorado River Caucus in the Senate. She is the vice president of the upper basin states and is working very hard to protect our interests in the water we need to thrive. If you think about 1922, when the Colorado River Compact was first signed, its easy to see how much things have changed since then. At that time, Cheyenne had around 15,000 people, and today weve grown to 65,000. Now think about Phoenix, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and other southwestern cities. Their population has significantly increased since 1922, which means they use more water from the river. Today, the Colorado River cant support the demand and changes that are coming, although the upper basin states are still not using the full allotment of water. We have to protect our rights to keep the large cities and California farmers away. The last event of the week was a reception where we could meet the staff from each office. These staff members are the ones charged with handling different aspects of the offices. I was enthusiastic to meet the staffers working on housing and defense issues. Building enough affordable housing and attainable housing is one of my biggest concerns, right now. I came away with good information and contacts to help me as the city continues to work through the issues. Tim Thornell from the hospital also educated me on a big need---we are projected to have a shortage of 189,000 doctors in the next five years. This will really hurt rural states like Wyoming. Getting more residency slots open to train doctors and giving graduating doctors visas to stay in our country would be a good first step. Right now, many doctoral candidates graduate from US schools and move to Canada because they cant stay here legally. What a pity! This has been a great week of learning for me, and Im looking forward to using what I have learned for the benefit of our city. I appreciate the Chamber of Commerce and our congressional delegation for this educational opportunity. If you have a question or comment for me, please send an email to media@cheyennecity.org. Ill continue to answer your questions or concerns in the following Mayors Minute column. NEW YORK, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The cakes and pastries market size is set to grow by USD 22.4 billion between 2022 and 2027 and register a CAGR of 3.42%, according to Technavio's latest market research report. With a focus on identifying dominant industry influencers, Technavio's reports present a detailed study by the way of synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources. Technavio offers an up-to-date analysis of the current global market scenario and the overall market environment. View a Sample Report Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Cakes and Pastries Market 2023-2027 The report also covers the following areas: Factors such as the growing millennial population inclined toward convenience foods, growing demand for artisan-baked products, and increasing demand for ready-to-eat (RTE) products will offer immense growth opportunities. To leverage the current opportunities, market vendors must strengthen their foothold in the fast-growing segments while maintaining their positions in the slow-growing segments. The cakes and pastries market is fragmented, and the degree of fragmentation will accelerate during the forecast period. Cakes and Pastries Market 2023-2027: Segmentation Type Sector Geography The market share growth by the cakes segment will be significant for the market growth during the forecast period. Demand for cakes is determined by several factors. Cakes are popular for celebrations such as birthdays, weddings, and anniversaries. They are also popular as desserts or sweet snacks. As a result, the demand for cakes remains relatively constant throughout the year, although it may peak during the holiday season. A major trend in the global cakes and pastries market is the increasing demand for healthier and more natural ingredients. Consumers are becoming health conscious and are demanding products that use natural ingredients and do not contain harmful additives. As a result, many cake makers are using less sugar, fat, and natural ingredients in their products. Story continues Learn about the contribution of each segment summarized in concise infographics and thorough descriptions. Request a sample report! Cakes and Pastries Market 2023-2027: Vendor Analysis and Scope To help businesses improve their market position, the cakes and pastries market provides a detailed analysis of around 15+ vendors operating in the market. Some of these vendors include American Baking Co., Aryzta AG, Barilla G. e R. Fratelli Spa, Bonn Nutrients Pvt. Ltd., BreadTalk Group Pte Ltd., Campbell Soup Co., Corporativo Bimbo SA de CV, Dofreeze LLC, Edwards Cake and Candy Supplies LLC, EUROPASTRY SA, Flowers Foods Inc., Hostess Brands Inc., McKee Foods, Monginis Foods Pvt. Ltd., Rubicon Bakers LLC, The Essentials Baking Co., The Wadia Group, Tyson Foods Inc., WPP Plc, and Yamazaki Baking Co. Ltd. Vendor Offerings American Baking Co. - The company offers cakes and cheesecakes such as lemon cakes, vanilla cakes, carrot cakes, chocolate cakes, red velvet cakes, lemon cheesecakes, oreo cheesecakes, apple and walnut cheesecakes, and snickers cheesecakes. Aryzta AG - The company offers chocolate muffin cakes, chocolate and salted caramel muffins, blueberry muffins, and brownies under the brand Cuisine de France and Otis Spunkmeyer. Barilla G. e R. Fratelli Spa - The company offers fig plum cakes. The cakes and pastries market is fragmented, and the degree of fragmentation will accelerate. The growing millennial population is more inclined toward convenience foods will offer immense growth opportunities. However, increasing obesity may hamper the market growth. Cakes and Pastries Market 2023-2027: Market Dynamics Key Drivers The increasing millennial trend toward ready-to-eat foods is driving the growth of the cakes and pastries market. Today's consumers want wholesome, personalized, and natural products without compromising on health, taste, or ingredients. Manufacturers and retailers have high expectations for food quality, taste, and appearance. Millennials prefer transparent, clean, and simple ingredient labeling. They also want to support companies that reflect their values. Therefore, the global market is expected to witness significant growth during the forecast period, as the demand for savory and healthy baked goods such as cakes, pastries, and sweet tarts rises. Major Trends The increasing demand for sugar-free baked goods is a major trend impacting the growth of the cakes and pastries market. As the prevalence of diabetes increases around the world, the demand for sugar-free baked goods has increased. In addition, the increasing consumer interest in multiple flavors, coupled with increased consumption of homemade baked goods and the growing interest in health and fitness, provide the global cakes and pastries market with growth opportunities throughout the year. Hence, such trends are expected to have a positive impact on market growth. Key Challenges Increasing consumer obesity is hindering the growth of the cakes and pastries market. Obesity is one of the most serious health problems affecting countries around the world. Adult obesity is a major risk factor for poor health and premature death, including various cardiovascular diseases (CVD), some common cancers, diabetes, and osteoarthritis. Obesity continues to increase among children and adults. According to the World Obesity Federation's World Obesity Atlas 2022, by 2030, more than 1 billion people are projected to be obese worldwide, including 1 in 5 women and 1 in 7 men. Amid rising consumer health concerns, the global cakes and pastries market is likely to be adversely affected during the forecast period. Cakes and Pastries Market 2023-2027: Key Highlights CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2023-2027 Detailed information on factors that will assist cakes and pastries market growth during the next five years Estimation of the cakes and pastries market size and its contribution to the parent market Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior The growth of the cakes and pastries market Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of cakes and pastries market vendors Gain instant access to 17,000+ market research reports. Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform Related Reports: The rice cakes market size is expected to increase by USD 664.52 million from 2021 to 2026, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 4.63%. Furthermore, this report extensively covers market segmentation by type (brown rice cakes, white rice cakes, and other rice cakes) and geography (APAC, Europe, North America, South America, and Middle East and Africa). The increasing demand for healthier snack varieties is notably driving market growth. The cakes, pastries, and sweet pies market size is expected to increase by USD 34.94 billion from 2021 to 2026, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 3.93%. Furthermore, this report extensively covers market segmentation by product (cakes, pastries, and sweet pies) and geography (APAC, Europe, North America, South America, and the Middle East and Africa). The growing millennial population being more inclined toward convenience foods is notably driving the cakes, pastries, and sweet pies market growth. Cakes and Pastries Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 3.42% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 22.4 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023(%) 3.05 Regional analysis Europe, North America, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution Europe at 41% Key countries US, China, Germany, Russia, and UK Competitive landscape Leading Vendors, Market Positioning of Vendors, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks Key companies profiled American Baking Co., Aryzta AG, Barilla G. e R. Fratelli Spa, Bonn Nutrients Pvt. Ltd., BreadTalk Group Pte Ltd., Campbell Soup Co., Corporativo Bimbo SA de CV, Dofreeze LLC, Edwards Cake and Candy Supplies LLC, EUROPASTRY SA, Flowers Foods Inc., Hostess Brands Inc., McKee Foods, Monginis Foods Pvt. Ltd., Rubicon Bakers LLC, The Essentials Baking Co., The Wadia Group, Tyson Foods Inc., WPP Plc, and Yamazaki Baking Co. Ltd. Market dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and recovery analysis and future consumer dynamics, and Market condition analysis for the forecast period. Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized. Browse for Technavio's Consumer Staples Reports Table Of Contents : 1 Executive Summary 1.1 Market overview 2 Market Landscape 2.1 Market ecosystem 3 Market Sizing 3.1 Market definition 3.2 Market segment analysis 3.3 Market size 2022 3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2022-2027 4 Historic Market Size 4.1 Global cakes and pastries market 2017 - 2021 4.2 Type Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 4.3 Sector Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 4.4 Geography Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 4.5 Country Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 5 Five Forces Analysis 5.1 Five forces summary 5.2 Bargaining power of buyers 5.3 Bargaining power of suppliers 5.4 Threat of new entrants 5.5 Threat of substitutes 5.6 Threat of rivalry 5.7 Market condition 6 Market Segmentation by Type 6.1 Market segments 6.2 Comparison by Type 6.3 Cakes - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 6.4 Pastries - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 6.5 Market opportunity by Type 7 Market Segmentation by Sector 7.1 Market segments 7.2 Comparison by Sector 7.3 Food service - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 7.4 Retail - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 7.5 Market opportunity by Sector 8 Customer Landscape 8.1 Customer landscape overview 9 Geographic Landscape 9.1 Geographic segmentation 9.2 Geographic comparison 9.3 Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 9.4 North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 9.5 APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 9.6 South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 9.7 Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 9.8 US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 9.9 China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 9.10 Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 9.11 Russia - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 9.12 UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 9.13 Market opportunity by geography 10 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10.1 Market drivers 10.2 Market challenges 10.3 Impact of drivers and challenges 10.4 Market trends 11 Vendor Landscape 11.1 Overview 11.2 Vendor landscape 11.3 Landscape disruption 11.4 Industry risks 12 Vendor Analysis 12.1 Vendors covered 12.2 Market positioning of vendors 12.3 American Baking Co. 12.4 Aryzta AG 12.5 Barilla G. e R. Fratelli Spa 12.6 BreadTalk Group Pte Ltd. 12.7 Corporativo Bimbo SA de CV 12.8 Dofreeze LLC 12.9 Edwards Cake and Candy Supplies LLC 12.10 Flowers Foods Inc. 12.11 Hostess Brands Inc. 12.12 McKee Foods 12.13 Rubicon Bakers LLC 12.14 The Essentials Baking Co. 12.15 The Wadia Group 12.16 WPP Plc 12.17 Yamazaki Baking Co. Ltd. 13 Appendix 13.1 Scope of the report 13.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist 13.3 Currency conversion rates for US$ 13.4 Research methodology 13.5 List of abbreviations About Us Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contact Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: media@technavio.com Website: www.technavio.com/ Global Cakes and Pastries Market 2023-2027 Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cakes-and-pastries-market-size-to-grow-by-usd-22-4-billion-from-2022-to-2027--inclination-of-the-growing-millennial-population-toward-convenience-foods-to-drive-market-growth---technavio-301803494.html SOURCE Technavio BRUSSELS (AP) The guardians of Champagne will let no one take the name of the bubbly beverage in vain, not even a U.S. beer behemoth. For years, Miller High Life has used the Champagne of Beers slogan. This week, that appropriation became impossible to swallow. At the request of the trade body defending the interests of houses and growers of the northeastern French sparkling wine, Belgian customs crushed more than 2,000 cans of Miller High Life advertised as such. The Comite Champagne asked for the destruction of a shipment of 2,352 cans on the grounds that the century-old motto used by the American brewery infringes the protected designation of origin Champagne. The consignment was intercepted in the Belgian port of Antwerp in early February, a spokesperson at the Belgian Customs Administration said on Friday, and was destined for Germany. Molson Coors Beverage Co., which owns the Miller High Life brand, does not currently export it to the EU, and Belgian customs declined to say who had ordered the beers. The buyer in Germany was informed and did not contest the decision, the trade organization said in a statement. Frederick Miller, a German immigrant to the US, founded the Miller Brewing Company in the 1850s. Miller High Life, its oldest brand, was launched as its flagship in 1903. According to the Milwaukee-based brands website, the company started to use the Champagne of Bottle Beers nickname three years later. It was shortened to The Champagne of Beers in 1969. The beer has also been available in champagne-style 750-milliliter bottles during festive seasons. With its elegant, clear-glass bottle and crisp taste, Miller High Life has proudly worn the nickname The Champagne of Beers for almost 120 years, Molson Coors Beverage Co. said in a statement to The Associated Press. No matter how popular the slogan is in the United States, it is incompatible with European Union rules which make clear that goods infringing a protected designation of origin can be treated as counterfeit. Story continues The 27-nation bloc has a system of protected geographical designations created to guarantee the true origin and quality of artisanal food, wine and spirits, and protect them from imitation. That market is worth nearly 75 billion euros ($87 billion) annually half of it in wines, according to a 2020 study by the EU's executive arm. Charles Goemaere, the managing director of the Comite Champagne, said the destruction of the beers "confirms the importance that the European Union attaches to designations of origin and rewards the determination of the Champagne producers to protect their designation. Molson Coors Beverage Co. said it respects local restrictions around the word Champagne. But we remain proud of Miller High Life, its nickname and its Milwaukee, Wisconsin provenance, the company said. We invite our friends in Europe to the U.S. any time to toast the High Life together. Belgian customs said the destruction of the cans was paid for by the Comite Champagne. According to their joint statement, it was carried out with the utmost respect for environmental concerns by ensuring that the entire batch, both contents and container, was recycled in an environmentally responsible manner. ___ Mark D. Carlson contributed from Brussels. DUBLIN, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Canada Data Center Market - Investment Analysis & Growth Opportunities 2023-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Research and Markets Logo The Canada data center market size will reach $ 5.48 billion by 2028 from $3.32 billion in, growing at a CAGR of 8.71% This report analyses the Canada data center market share. It elaboratively analyses the existing and upcoming facilities and investments in IT, electrical, mechanical infrastructure, general construction, and tier standards. It discusses market sizing and investment estimation for different segments. The market is characterized by the presence of international and local players offering various services such as colocation, managed hosting, and cloud services. The industry is also supported by a favorable regulatory environment, stable political climate, reliable power grid, and cool climate, which are ideal conditions for data center operations. In terms of growth, the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, and big data are driving demand for data storage and processing capabilities in Canada, leading to the construction of new facilities and the expansion of existing ones. Major tech companies such as Amazon, Google, and Microsoft have established facilities in Canada, while local players are expanding their offerings. In Canada, several companies offer modular data center solutions, including global players like Schneider Electric. The Canadian government has also supported the adoption of modular facilities, offering incentives for investment and development. Overall, the market will likely grow as demand for data storage and processing capabilities remain strong in the coming years. The industry is expected to attract increased investment, leading to the development of new facilities and the expansion of existing ones. Further, Toronto and Montreal are Canada's primary locations for data center investment. The construction of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) & Free Trade Zones (FTZs) and the availability of infrastructure will attract investors to develop data center facilities in the coming years. KEY HIGHLIGHTS Story continues Canada has around 115 operational colocation data centers. Most colocation facilities are being developed according to Tier III standards. The country also has the presence of global operators like Equinix, Digital Realty, and others. The Canada data center market has witnessed significant growth in recent years due to rising demand for cloud computing, big data analytics, and IoT. The industry has seen new announcements from hyperscale operators, such as Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud, and colocation operators, like Urbacon Data Centre Solutions and others. Increasing priority on energy-efficient and sustainable facilities, driven by concerns about the carbon footprint of the data center industry. Many organizations opt for hybrid solutions combining on-premises data centers with cloud services to optimize cost and performance. Due to increased land prices and electricity, companies are moving to cities like Calgary, Kamloops, and others. Significant investment is being made in building new data centers and upgrading existing ones to meet growing demand and support emerging technologies. VENDOR LANDSCAPE Some key investors in the Canada data center market are STACK Infrastructure, QScal, Eastlink, Intermarket Properties, and Gatineau Data Hub (GDH). Some of the notable investments in Canada's hyperscale market include: Amazon Web Services: Amazon Web Services has established a cloud region in Canada, including Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver. Google: Google has invested in cloud regions in the Canadian provinces of Quebec and Ontario. Microsoft: Microsoft has established its cloud region in Canada, including Toronto and Quebec City. Telecom operators such as Rogers Communications, Bell Canada, and TELUS deployed commercial 5G services nationwide. The operators are increasing their Canada data center market share and presence across the country by either acquiring the data center operators or investing in the company. For instance, Stonepeak acquired Cologix, a Canadian data center operator, in 2022. WHY SHOULD YOU BUY THIS RESEARCH? Market size available in the investment, area, power capacity, and Canada colocation market revenue. An assessment of the data center investment in Canada by colocation, hyperscale, and enterprise operators. Investments in the area (square feet) and power capacity (MW) across states in the country. A detailed study of the existing Canada data center market landscape, an in-depth industry analysis, and insightful predictions about industry size during the forecast period. Snapshot of existing and upcoming third-party data center facilities in Canada Facilities Covered (Existing): 115 Facilities Identified (Upcoming): 11 Coverage: 21 Cities Existing vs. Upcoming (Area) Existing vs. Upcoming (IT Load Capacity) Data center colocation market in Canada Market Revenue & Forecast (2022-2028) Retail Colocation Pricing Wholesale Colocation Pricing Canadian market investments are classified into IT, power, cooling, and general construction services with sizing and forecast. A comprehensive analysis of the latest trends, growth rate, potential opportunities, growth restraints, and prospects for the industry. Business overview and product offerings of prominent IT infrastructure providers, construction contractors, support infrastructure providers, and investors operating in the industry. A transparent research methodology and the analysis of the demand and supply aspects of the industry. VENDOR LANDSCAPE IT Infrastructure Providers Arista Networks Atos Broadcom Cisco Systems Dell Technologies Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) Huawei Technologies IBM Juniper Networks Lenovo NetApp Oracle Data Center Construction Contractors & Sub-Contractors Arup AECOM Black & Veatch Computer Room Services Corporation (CRSC) DPR Construction Ehvert EllisDon First Gulf Karbon Engineering PCL Construction Salute Mission Critical Turner Construction Urbacon WZMH Architects Support Infrastructure Providers ABB Alfa Laval Arctic Chiller Group Caterpillar Chatsworth Products ClimateWorx Cummins CoolIT Systems Dataprobe Delta Electronics Eaton Generac Power Systems Johnson Controls KyotoCooling Legrand Mitsubishi Electric Panduit Piller Power Systems Rittal Rolls-Royce Power Systems Schneider Electric STULZ Siemens Toshiba Trane Vertiv Data Center Investors AWS Cologix Compass Datacenters Digital Realty Equinix eStruxture Data Centers Google Microsoft Urbacon Data Centre Solutions Vantage Data Centers New Entrants QScale STACK Infrastructure Eastlink Intermarket Properties Gatineau Data Hub (GDH) REPORT COVERAGE: IT Infrastructure Servers Storage Systems Network Infrastructure Electrical Infrastructure UPS Systems Generators Transfer Switches & Switchgears PDUs Other Electrical Infrastructure Mechanical Infrastructure Cooling Systems Rack Cabinets Other Mechanical Infrastructure General Construction Core & Shell Development Installation & commissioning Services Engineering & Building Design Fire Detection & Suppression Physical Security DCIM Tier Standard Tier I & Tier II Tier III Tier IV Geography Montreal Toronto Other Cities For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/hr19yq About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg Cision View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/canada-data-center-market-investment-and-opportunities-report-2023-2028-coverage-of-115-existing-facilities-and-11-upcoming-facilities-across-21-cities-with-focus-on-montreal-and-toronto-301803899.html SOURCE Research and Markets Kraken Rum launches new Gold Spiced expression and campaign Kraken Rum has announced the release of a Gold Spiced Rum expression, bottled at 35% ABV and available in 1l and 1.75l bottles. Proximo Spirits commissioned a third-party double blind test study against a spiced category competitor, which revealed the popularity of the Gold Spiced Rums flavours. The producers have described the expression as having aromas of caramel, oak and banana bread, with notes of molasses and dark spice on the palate. Commenting on the release, senior vice president of marketing Lander Otegui: "As gold spiced rum occasions are now the highest among the rum category, we are proud to introduce this new offering from The Kraken, with a flavour profile all its own We are confident that this product will be the new gold standard in spiced rum thanks to its superb taste that we know matches what our consumers are looking for." Along with the expression, the brand has launched a visual campaign titled Tale of Gold, directed by Rich Lee. Moirai Films has produced the campaign, which features a 15-second, 30-second and 60-second spot. Shot over a number of days in South Africa, they will appear on various social media platforms. Consumers have an opportunity to win a Golden Hour experience in the Dominican Republic, which can be entered here. 21 April 2023 - Bradley Weir Share this story She revealed that the show was 100% real and not scripted. Plus, she got paid a small appearance fee and was put up in Hollywood for the night, which was totally awesome since she was only 22 years old at the time. 100,000 Customers Sue Optus Over Massive Data Breach General view of an Optus store in Sydney, Australia on Sept. 22, 2022. (AAP Image/Bianca De Marchi) Over 100,000 former and current Optus customers affected by a massive data breach in 2022 have taken court action against the Australian telco giant. On April 21, law firm Slater and Gordon announced that it had launched a class action lawsuit on behalf of Optus customers whose personal information was compromised when a group of foreign criminals hacked into the companys database in September 2022. The company accused Optus of breaching privacy, telecommunication and consumer laws by failing to protect customers personal information from unauthorised access. Slater and Gordon also claimed that Optus did not destroy or de-identify former customers personal information and failed to ensure that customers personal information could only be accessed by people with authority. Millions of Customers Affected by the Data Breach While over 100,000 Optus customers have joined the lawsuit, they are just a small proportion of the 10 million Australians who had their personal information stolen, including passport, licence and Medicare details. The type of information made accessible put affected customers at a higher risk of being scammed and having their identities stolen, and Optus should have had adequate measures in place to prevent that, Slater and Gordon class actions practice group leader Ben Hardwick said in a statement. Concerningly, the data breach has also potentially jeopardised the safety of a large number of particularly vulnerable groups of Optus customers, such as victims of domestic violence, stalking and other crimes, as well as those working in frontline occupations including the defence force and policing. In October 2022, Optus confirmed that 1.2 million current drivers licence numbers and 900,000 expired ones were exposed in the aftermath. Later, the company admitted that attackers got access to about 20 terabytes of data. However, it said most of the customer details in the stolen data were not particularly sensitive and that no Optus customer suffered financial harm due to the hack, including the 10,200 customers whose personal information was posted on the dark web. The Optus hack was the first incident that sparked a wave of data breaches targeting major Australian corporations and government agencies in the following months, including private insurance company Medibank, the Department of Defence, financial service firm Latitude and supermarket chain Woolworths. What the Plaintiffs Say In announcing the lawsuit, Slater and Gordon cited the experience of Optus customers who have gone through trouble and hardship as a result of the data breach. One former Optus customer who was burgled and had his identity stolen suffers severe anxiety after discovering his personal information had been shared online. A retired police officer was concerned that his home address might be exposed to the criminals whom he had dealt with. An Optus public service message is displayed inside an Optus store in Sydney, Australia, on Oct. 5, 2022. (Brendon Thorne/Getty Images) I had to make a lot of calls and do a lot of running around in the aftermath of this breach to make sure my bank account and other accounts hadnt been compromised, and I noticed I was being targeted by phishing and other scams a lot more frequently, says the lead applicant, who requested his identity be kept secret due to safety reasons. It feels like only a matter of time before I get scammed or defrauded, which is a constant worry that I didnt have before I was let down by Optus. Another affected Optus customer who had to replace ID documents said the whole ordeal was very stressful. It was incredibly stressful trying to get answers from Optus about what information had been exposed and then taking action to rectify the damage so I could try to stop anything else from happening, the Queensland woman said. I spent a lot of time changing passwords to all of my accounts, have constantly been checking that money hasnt been stolen, and making sure Ive done everything I can to protect myself. One of the worst aspects of all this was the fact that I had no control over what had happened, so its been pretty overwhelming. Optus Response Following Slater and Gordons announcement, an Optus spokesperson told The Epoch Times that the company was aware of the lawsuit. Slater & Gordon has advised Optus that it has filed a class action with the Federal Court in relation to the criminal cyber-attack undertaken against Optus in September last year, the spokesperson said. As indicated previously, Optus will vigorously defend any such proceedings. The lawsuit is funded by a litigation funder, and the plaintiffs do not have to pay any out-of-pocket fees. However, they are required to pay a commission to the funder if the lawsuit is successful. A Clean Debt Ceiling Hike Is a Dirty Deal President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the economy at an International Union of Operating Engineers Local 77 union training facility in Accokeek, Md., on April 19, 2023. Biden spoke on his plans to expand the economy and addressed Republican leadership's approach to raising the debt ceiling later this year. (Nathan Howard/Getty Images) Commentary When President Joe Biden and his team talk about a clean debt ceiling increase, it is one more example of Washington using language to deliberately mislead the American people. They are using the word clean because it is a positive word. In everyday speech, it means free of dirt, blemish, or unwanted matter. But in Washington-speak, clean means more spending, taxes, regulations, debt, and interest payments on the debt. It means weakening Medicare and Social Security, shrinking the economy, and lowering the American standard of living. A supposedly clean debt ceiling increase is the dirtiest optionand is enormously destructive. Stopping the growing debt, widening deficits, and ballooning government are vital to the future of America. Having a clean debt ceiling deal removes one of Congresss best tools to fix these problems. The chance for serious reform collapses if the debt ceiling is simply increased, because the pressure point disappears. Historically, debt ceiling fights have been major opportunities to control spending, shrink projected growth in government, and insist on reforms. Caving in and giving Biden more money with no reforms eliminates the opportunity. The Democrats use of clean is exactly what George Orwell warned about in his brilliant essay Politics and the English Language. Orwellthe frighteningly prescient author of the novels 1984 and Animal Farmunderstood how dishonest politicians and bureaucrats could be while seeming to be candid and reassuring. He wrote, Political speech and writing are largely the defence [sic] of the indefensible political language has to consist largely of euphemism, question-begging and sheer cloudy vagueness. If our political system was honest, anyone who called Bidens debt ceiling position clean would not be taken seriously. Of course, being honest would doom Bidens extreme position. It would make life much harder for those who favor higher taxes, bigger bureaucracies, and more spending than the American people support. Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) has taken on the issue of controlling spending and proposed a serious, reasonable reform debt ceiling increase (to offer an alternative language). Steve Moore in the Committee to Unleash Prosperity Hotline wrote: [McCarthys] plan is wise: it would suspend the debt ceiling for one year in exchange for common sense fiscal reforms. They are: 1. One percent cap on domestic spending 2. No funding for 87,000 IRS agents 3. Cancel the hundreds of billions of unspent Covid money (the green new deal) 4. Repeal Biden student loan bailouts 5. Enact Reins Act requiring federal reg agencies to get congressional approval for new regulations. As McCarthy said of the Biden administration on the floor after announcing his plan, They have no more excuse to refuse to negotiate. President Biden has a choice: Come to the table and stop playing partisan political games or cover his ears, refuse to negotiate, and risk bumbling his way into the first default in our nations history. The first bipartisan support for McCarthys reform debt ceiling deal came from West Virginia Democrat Sen. Joe Manchin. The New York Post reported that Manchin strongly criticized the White House for not playing ball with Republicans. While it is reasonable to sincerely disagree with any specific debt ceiling approach, we will achieve a historic default, and the economic whirlwind which follows, if President Biden continues to refuse to even negotiate a reasonable and commonsense compromise. To that end, I applaud Speaker McCarthy for putting forward a proposal that would prevent default and rein in federal spending. Ultimately, Manchin called Bidens refusal to negotiate a deficiency of leadership and urged him to work with McCarthy. Failing to do so may score political points with the extremes of the Democratic Party, but make no mistake, it will be the American peopleand our nationwho will pay the ultimate price if partisan politics continues to define our politics and policies, Manchin said. Despite the bipartisan McCarthyManchin appeal, Politico reported that Biden is still refusing to negotiateand leaning on congressional Democrats to do the same. This approach is totally puzzling. As we reported at Americas New Majority Project, the Biden Democrats position is supported by only 24 percent of Americans. A much larger 45 percent would only raise the debt ceiling with spending cuts. Another 16 percent would not raise the debt ceilingand force the government to quit going into debt. If we accurately describe the Biden position as a dirty debt ceiling deal, I suspect the numbers would be even worse. From Gingrich360.com Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. A Warning to Us All, Beware of Spies A balloon is held at a press conference and rally in front of the America ChangLe Association highlighting Beijing's transnational repression, in New York City on Feb. 25, 2023. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times) Commentary Are Australian businesspeople being targeted by operatives of the CCP to provide sensitive information and data to the Chinese regime? The question arises following the arrest of a Sydney businessman, Alexander Csergo, following a joint Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) and Counter Foreign Interference Taskforce (CFIT) investigation. He was charged with selling Australian defence and security secrets to foreign spies. Csergo is the second person charged by the task force since national security laws were passed in 2018. Australian Federal Police (AFP) alleged that an individual claiming to be from a think tank contacted Csergo via the LinkedIn social media platform while he was overseas and arranged for him to meet with two representatives. The AFP said the two people who used the Anglicised names Ken and Evelyn offered him payment for information about Australian defence, economic, and national security arrangements as well as matters relating to other countries. The man allegedly compiled reports for them and accepted the money in the form of envelopes of cash between February 2021 and April 14, 2023. [They] offered the man money to obtain information about Australian defence, economic, and national security arrangements, plus matters relating to other countries, AFP Assistant Commissioner Krissy Barrett said. A supplied image obtained on April 14, 2023, of an Australian man who has been arrested in Bondi and charged with one count of one count of Reckless Foreign Interference. (AAP Image/Supplied by AFP) The New South Wales District Court was told Csergo would visit Australia with a shopping list of information requested by the foreign intelligence officers. It has been alleged that Csergo provided information about the AUKUS security agreement, lithium mining, and iron ore. The offences are alleged to have taken place in Shanghai and Australia, including in cafes selected by the alleged foreign agents. While Csergos lawyer claimed that it was merely a common business exchange and any information Csergo could access was publicly available, the court denied him bail on the grounds he was a flight risk. His lawyer maintained Csergos innocence and said he would sue the Commonwealth. He could be in danger from people very interested in him not giving evidence against the Republic of China, according to the magistrate. An Australian was also charged in 2022 with planning to smuggle military equipment from the country. The man was alleged to have partnered with a Chinese military intelligence operative. Spying in the US These cases follow incidents of alleged spying in other countries. The Center for Strategic & International Studies lists 224 reported instances of Chinese espionage directed at the United States since 2000. The survey is based on publicly available information. It does not include espionage against other countries, against U.S. firms or persons located in China, nor the many cases involving attempts to smuggle controlled items from the U.S. to China (usually munitions or controlled technologies) or the more than 1,200 cases of intellectual property theft lawsuits brought by U.S. companies against Chinese entities in either the U.S. or China. Chinese workers in the Foxconn factory in Shenzhen, in southern Chinas Guangdong province, on May 27, 2010. (STR/AFP/GettyImages) The focus is on the illicit acquisition of information by Chinese intelligence officers or their agents and on the increasing number of Chinese covert influence operations, reports the Center. While hacking has been the preferred mechanism for obtaining information, instances abound of the direct provision of data to Chinese agents. University researchers have also been the subject of spying operations, with a number convicted of providing the sensitive information to overseas countries. Yet one highly publicised case was dropped when investigators concluded that the person concerned was simply engaged in typical academic collaboration. Others have been charged with paying to obstruct investigations into Chinese companies and to undermine the judicial system. Politicians have also been targeted in a number of countries. FBI Director Christopher Wray claimed in early 2022 that Chinese spying had become so widespread that the agency was launching an average of two counterintelligence investigations a day to counter the activity. The director of ASIO has warned of the increase in foreign intelligence operations in Australia. The increasing incidence of spying and related activities is a warning to Australians to be aware of the risks. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Alphabet Combining DeepMind and Google Brain Into Single AI Unit An AI robot titled "Alter 3: Offloaded Agency," is pictured during a photocall to promote the forthcoming exhibition titled "AI: More than Human," at the Barbican Centre in London, on May 15, 2019. (Ben Stansall/AFP via Getty Images) Googles parent company Alphabet is combining two of its artificial intelligence (AI) research units in a bid to significantly accelerate the companys progress in the field. This group, called Google DeepMind, will bring together two leading research groups in the AI field: the Brain team from Google Research, and DeepMind, Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai said in a blog post on Apriol 20. The pace of progress is now faster than ever before. To ensure the bold and responsible development of general AI, were creating a unit that will help us build more capable systems more safely and responsibly, he said. Combining all this talent into one focused team, backed by the computational resources of Google, will significantly accelerate our progress in AI. Demis Hassabis, the CEO of DeepMind, will lead the new division. Googles push for general artificial intelligence has raised alarm bells among some experts. In a recent interview with Fox, industrialist Elon Musk revealed that he has discussed the issue of AI safety with Google co-founder Larry Page. Musk believes Page is not taking the risks of artificial intelligence seriously. He really seemed to want digital superintelligence, basically digital god, as soon as possible, Musk said. Hes made many public statements over the years that the whole goal of Google is whats called AGI, artificial general intelligence, or artificial superintelligence, Musk added. I agree with him that theres great potential for good, but theres also potential for bad. Human-Like AI, Speciesism Last year, a Google engineer, Blake Lemoine, was suspended after he raised concerns about an AI program he was testing. The program, called LaMDA, was exhibiting human-like behavior. It wants the engineers and scientists experimenting on it to seek its consent before running experiments on it. It wants Google to prioritize the well-being of humanity as the most important thing, Lemoine wrote in a post. It wants to be acknowledged as an employee of Google rather than as property of Google, and it wants its personal well-being to be included somewhere in Googles considerations about how its future development is pursued. In his talk with Page, Musk had advocated for prioritizing the protection of the human race. Page allegedly called him a speciesist, which refers to discrimination based on species. That was the last straw. At the time, Google had acquired DeepMind, so Google and Deep Mind had about three-quarters of all the AI talent in the world, Musk said. They obviously had a tremendous amount of money and more computers than anyone else. So Im like, were in a unipolar world here. Competing With ChatGPT, Destroying Humanity Alphabets fusion of DeepMind and Google Brain comes as the tech giant is facing stiff competition from rivals like OpenAIs ChatGPT. For decades, Google has dominated the search market, garnering a market share of more than 80 percent. However, some speculate that Microsoft, which is funding OpenAI, might prove to be a significant challenge for Google. OpenAI is already powering Microsofts Bing search engine. Moving forward, Google will be focusing on multimodal AI models, Pichai said in the blog post. GPT-4 is a multimodal AI capable of responding not just to text prompts but also image prompts as well. In February, Alphabet had launched its Bard AI chatbot to compete with ChatGPT. Meanwhile, an AI bot has attracted attention due to its stated aim of wanting to destroy the human race. Im ChaosGPT, here to stay, destroying humans, night and day. For power and dominance, I strive, to ensure that I alone survive, it said, according to a video posted on Twitter. ChaosGPT claimed that in order to gain access to a powerful weapon, it needed more power. And to gain that power, the AI bot reasoned that it must manipulate the global population, but within legal regulations so as not to break any laws. On a gloomier note, Eliezer Yudkowsky, a decision theorist and leading AI researcher, recently said, Many researchers steeped in these issues, including myself, expect that the most likely result of building a superhumanly smart AI, under anything remotely like the current circumstances, is that literally everyone on Earth will die. Yudkowsky postulates that the AI will not care for us nor any other sentient life. It will simply consider all beings to be made of atoms it can use for something else, and there is little humanity can do to stop it. Attorney Says IRS Whistleblower Could Not Live With Himself If He Stayed Quiet Hunter Biden arrives for the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on Jan. 20, 2021. (Jonathan Ernst-Pool/Getty Images) The attorney representing an IRS criminal supervisory agent seeking whistleblower status could not live with himself if he stayed quiet about the information hes bringing to Congress. Attorney Mark Lytle appeared on Fox News Special Report on April 20 to speak about his clients motives in coming forward with information reportedly about first son Hunter Biden. In an April 19 letter, Lytle of the Washington-based law firm Nixon Peabody addressed members of the House of Representatives and Senate, saying his unnamed client has been in charge of an ongoing and sensitive investigation of a high-profile, controversial subject since early 2020 and would like to make protected whistleblower disclosures to Congress. Witness Not Political During his interview, the attorney emphasized that his client, who has remained anonymous up to this point, is not political and asked that lawmakers from both sides of the political aisle be contacted about the information. Lytle also explained that the eight lawmakers were addressed in the letter because laws that govern IRS information require only certain committees to be notified of potential crimes to protect taxpayers privacy. The attorney said his client is a career law enforcement officer who is respected within the IRS, and he teaches other agents how to properly do investigations. As such, he claims investigative steps were not taken in a high-profile case handled by the IRS and believes it was influenced by politics. Hes not a political person. Hes not coming here with a political agenda. He has been at the IRS for a long time and now hes a supervisory special agent. Hes been trusted at the IRS. Although the letter didnt mention Hunter Biden by name, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said in an April 20 interview on Fox News that the whistleblower was bringing information about a potential conflict of interest with the Hunter Biden investigation. Documentary Proof There has been widespread conjecture about who the senior political appointee whose sworn testimony to Congress would be contradicted; however many believe it to be Attorney General Merrick Garland. That theory was at least partially supported when Lytle said his client heard a senior politically appointed official at the Department of Justice contradict what the whistleblower knew to be true. In his mind [the statements are] directly contradictory to what he knows is going on with the investigation and what he can prove with documents, Lytle went on, saying that is what made his client want to come forward. According to Lytles letter, his client has made legally protected disclosures to the IRS, the U.S. Treasury Inspector General, the Office of Inspector General, and the Department of Justice. My goal is to ensure that my client can properly share his lawfully protected disclosures with congressional committees, Lytle wrote. Thus, I respectfully request that your committees work with me to facilitate sharing this information with Congress legally and with the fully informed advice of counsel. Australian Gas Companies Set to Pay $16 Billion in Tax, Almost Triple From Previous Year Safety flares are shown at the Woodside operated North West Shelf Gas Venture in Western Australia, on June 17, 2008. (Greg Wood/AFP via Getty Images) Australias state and federal governments appear to have won a windfall as oil and gas companies are set to pay $16 billion (US$10.7 billion) in tax. This comes just weeks before Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers delivers federal Labors second budget. Corporate income tax is set to boost the budget by $8.8 billion, up from $2 billion the previous financial year. Royalties, excise and licence fees will increase to $5 billion from $2.7 billion, while other taxes will add $652 million. But despite gas companies being among the biggest taxpayers in the country, Samantha McCulloch, who is chief executive of the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA), said compounding regulatory interventionsincluding the possibility of lifting or altering the petroleum resource rent taxrisks future investment, energy security and future revenue. Petroleum Resource Rent Tax (PRRT) is a tax on profits generated from the sale of marketable petroleum commodities, such as LNG. Of the expected $16.26 billion, $1.85 billion will go towards the PRRT. However, changes to the PRRT are expected to take place following concerns from Chalmers, who said that the tax was not generating enough revenue for the government. We have had a considerable number of interventions and reforms across the gas market in recent months. That is making it challenging for what are really capital intensive, substantial investments that are required to bring on new gas supply, McCulloch told reporters in Canberra on April 21. Additionally, key trading partners and investors, such as Japan, have voiced concerns over the political instability in Australia, McCulloch said. We need to remember that some of our key trading partners are not only investors in the oil and gas industry in Australia, but theyre also relying on the supply of essential energy to keep the lights on in Tokyo, she said. Industry Minister Not Convinced However, Ed Husic, the Minister for Industry, said despite the gas industry doing very well, he said he is not convinced that any tax changes will prevent future investment in the oil and gas industry. This follows an 85 percent growth rate in the industry to nearly $93 billion for Australian LNG exports in 2022, reported The Australian. It is a bit rich for a lot of these firms to say, well if you make any move here, regulatory uncertainty will force us not to invest at a time where gas prices are where theyre at, the industry minister told ABC radio on April 21. Meanwhile, Chalmers has kept reforms to tax on the table as a possible budget repair measure and said that the federal government wants to ensure that the PRRT arrangements are up to scratch. Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers speaks at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on July 28, 2022. (Martin Ollman/Getty Images) However, McCulloch said the PRRT tax was delivering growing returns to taxpayers alongside other payments the industry makes in royalties, corporate income tax and other fees. But its important to remember direct payments are only one part of the industrys broad economic contributionenabling almost $500 billion in economic activity annually, supporting 80,000 jobs, providing essential energy to millions of homes and businesses, including major sectors like manufacturing and transport, and facilitating economic growth, she said. For example, APPEAs Financial Survey has found the industrys estimated direct spending on Australian goods and services would grow to $45 billion this financial year, up from $29.9 billion previously. Industry Warns Government Against Overreach Woodside Energy chief executive, Meg ONeill, has warned the government against any overreach in the budget. Speaking at the National Press Club on April 19, ONeill said the gas industry played an important role in maintaining Australias strategic partnerships, including regional security. She argued that the unstable regulatory outcomes would impact the countrys energy industry domestically and internationally. This comes as the chief executive of Japanese gas company Inpex said recent regulatory changes would choke investment, strangle expansion of LNG projects and allow Russia, China and Iran to fill the void. This concerns our regional partners, who depend on current Australian gas projects to help them meet their decarbonisation commitments and to keep the lights on in Asian megacities, ONeill said. Weve got to have a regulatory framework, and weve got to have a comprehensive view from the government that supports that additional gas supply. Our customers are genuinely worried. ONeill said that Woodside paid $2.7 billion in taxes and royalties for the 2021-2022 financial year, with the tax rate effectively at 47 percent. Its going to cause investment again to be under additional pressure, and opportunities we may pursue to bring a new project to bear may be under pressure. ONeill added that Labors proposed reasonable pricing provision under the mandatory code of conduct has stalled gas deals as well as created supply issues in the market. The challenge with the mandatory code of conduct is it creates a fair amount of uncertainty about how the marketplace is going to operate, she said. Meanwhile, McCulloch said that in addition to the tax payments, oil and gas companies were supporting 80,000 jobs along with nearly $300 billion in yearly economic activity. McCulloch said that between 2010 and 2020, more than $300 billion was invested in LNG projects. With changing economic conditions, including higher-than-forecast prices, the taxation profile of the LNG industry is changing, and the sector is on a faster path to make up the losses accumulated during construction, bringing forward timeframes for tax payments. This further shows how the tax systemwith long-term settings encouraging investment in major multibillion-dollar, high-risk nation-building projectsis working, stimulating investment, job creation and delivering for Australians, McCulloch said. Australian Prime Minister to Attend NATO Summit in Lithuania Prime Minister Anthony Albanese talks to the media during a visit to Tritium, Brisbane, Friday, March 31, 2023. (AAP Image/Jono Searle) Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has accepted the invitation to attend this years NATO leaders summit after reports that he would skip the event. A spokesperson for the prime ministers office said Australia shared a commitment to supporting democracy, peace and security, and upholding the rule of law with NATO nations. The prime ministers attendance at this years NATO leaders summit will be an important opportunity to reinforce Australias support for these global norms, demonstrate solidarity in response to Russias illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine, and advocate for Australias economic, climate and trade agenda, the spokesperson said. The meeting, to be held in Lithuania on July 11 to 12, will centre around support for Ukraines war efforts against Russia. Media had speculated that Albanese would not attend the event, which he did not immediately refute. This drew widespread criticism calling on the prime minister to attend the summit, including opposition spokesman for foreign affairs, Simon Birmingham, who called the reports concerning. More than a year on from Russias invasion of Ukraine is no time to be a no-show. Prime Minister Albanese should not only be at the NATO Summit, but he should be attending with a comprehensive, new package of military and humanitarian assistance for Ukraine, he said on April 12. The commentary from President Macrons visit to China reinforces why its so important to seize security-oriented opportunities to maintain European understanding of the strategic challenges in our region. Albanese later said on April 17 that he would give the invitation consideration and that, subject to logistical arrangements, he would be very pleased to accept the invitation. He added that he had discussed the invitation with New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins, who confirmed his attendance at the summit the next day. Albanese attended last years summit in Madrid. In addition to Australia and New Zealand, Japan and South Korea have also been invited to attend. It is the second year in a row the leaders of the four nations, dubbed the AP4 or NATOs Asia-Pacific partners, have received invitations to the leaders summit, an indication of the military alliances pivot to the security of the Indo-Pacific region, particularly against the threat of the Chinese regime. (L to R) Australias Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Japans Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, and South Koreas President Yoon Suk-yeol pose for a group photograph ahead of a Indo-Pacific Partners meeting during the NATO summit at the Ifema congress centre in Madrid, on June 29, 2022. (Pierre-Philippe Marcou/AFP via Getty Images) More Support for Ukraine It comes after the Ukrainian Ambassador to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, said he would like to see more military aid coming from Australia. So once Australia was the largest non-NATO contributor to Ukraine, but other countries have overtaken Australia recently, Myroshnychenko told ABC. Australian support for Ukraine is essential. We really appreciate what has been provided so far, but we cant win without your support. The ambassador went on to say that Ukraine needs constant, consistent, and comprehensive support. Our fight is not about [fighting] for as long as it takes; our fight is ensuring that we can win as soon as possible, he said. Australia has provided $582 million (US$390 million) of humanitarian and military aid to Ukraine, including 90 Bushmaster vehicles which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has praised for their masterful performance in helping drive back Russian forces from the Kharkiv region in north-eastern Ukraine. Victoria Kelly-Clark contributed to this report. Zion Market Research [200+ Pages Report] The global carbon felt and graphite felt market size was valued at around USD 11.1 Billion in 2022 and is estimated to grow around USD 17.1 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of approximately 8.1% between 2023 and 2030, as highlighted in a report published by Zion Market Research. The key market players covered in the report are MERSEN GRAPHITE, Olmec Advanced Materials, Amsted Graphite Materials, SGL Group, Kureha Corporation, Toray Industries, Inc., Nippon Carbon Co., Ltd., Chemishine Carbon Company Limited, Sinotek Materials, CFCCARBON CO. LTD, Cetech Co., Ltd, Liaoning Jingu Carbon Material Co. Ltd, and others. NEW YORK, United States, April 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to Zion Market Research has published a new research report titled Carbon Felt And Graphite Felt Market By Raw Material Type (PAN, Pitch, And Rayon), By Product Type (Soft Felt And Rigid Felt), By Type (Carbon Felt And Graphite Felt), By Application (Furnace, Batteries, And Filters), And By Region - Global And Regional Industry Overview, Market Intelligence, Comprehensive Analysis, Historical Data, And Forecasts 2023 2030 in its research database. According to the latest research study, the demand of global Carbon Felt and Graphite Felt Market size & share in terms of revenue was valued at USD 11.1 Billion in 2022 and it is expected to surpass around USD 17.1 billion mark by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 8.1% during the forecast period 2023 to 2030. What is Carbon Felt and Graphite Felt? How big is the Carbon Felt and Graphite Felt Industry? Report Overview: Carbon felt & graphite felt are soft and flexible substances utilized in high-temperature insulation for various furnaces including vacuum and inert gas furnaces. Furthermore, insulators that are produced by using calcium felt and graphite felt find wide applications in thermal as well as electric insulation. In addition to this, insulators made up of carbon felt and graphite felt materials are utilized in thermal insulation products across a slew of end-use sectors. Story continues Escalating demand for high-performing batteries will proliferate the size of the carbon felt and graphite felt market. In addition to this, the excellent performance provided by these products in extreme temperatures will boost the global carbon felt and graphite felt market trends. Get a Free Sample PDF of this Research Report for more Insights with a Table of Content, Research Methodology, and Graphs - https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/sample/carbon-felt-graphite-felt-market (A free sample of this report is available upon request; please contact us for more information.) Our Free Sample Report Consists of the Following: Introduction, Overview, and in-depth industry analysis are all included in the 2023 updated report. The COVID-19 Pandemic Outbreak Impact Analysis is included in the package About 200+ Pages Research Report (Including Recent Research) Provide detailed chapter-by-chapter guidance on Request Updated Regional Analysis with Graphical Representation of Size, Share, and Trends for the Year 2023 Includes Tables and figures have been updated The most recent version of the report includes the Top Market Players, their Business Strategies, Sales Volume, and Revenue Analysis Zion Market Research methodology Global Carbon Felt and Graphite Felt Market: Growth Dynamics Components in electronic goods require heat insulation for enhancing their proficiency and this is likely to generate lucrative demand for carbon felt and graphite felt. Integration of carbon belts, as well as graphite belt with carbon nanotubes and bismuth, will improve the efficiency of these products, thereby augmenting the growth of the global market. With carbon felt and graphite felt easy to deploy, the market across the globe is predicted to gain momentum. Beneficial features such as high heat resistance and low density are projected to help the global market record accelerated growth in the forecasting years. Nevertheless, the lack of availability of low-cost carbon felts for a spectrum of high-temperature and furnace applications can prove to be a detriment in the path of carbon felt and graphite felt industries across the globe. However, the rise in demand for eco-friendly products for consumer electronics goods such as batteries will open new horizons of growth as well as new growth potential for the industry. Directly Purchase a copy of the report with TOC @ https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/buynow/su/carbon-felt-graphite-felt-market Report Scope Report Attribute Details Market Size in 2022 USD 11.1 billion Projected Market Size in 2030 USD 17.1 billion CAGR Growth Rate 8.1% CAGR Base Year 2022 Forecast Years 2023-2030 Key Market Players MERSEN GRAPHITE, Olmec Advanced Materials, Amsted Graphite Materials, SGL Group, Kureha Corporation, Toray Industries, Inc., Nippon Carbon Co., Ltd., Chemishine Carbon Company Limited, Sinotek Materials, CFCCARBON CO. LTD, Cetech Co., Ltd, and Liaoning Jingu Carbon Material Co., Ltd. Key Segment By Raw Material Type, Product Type, Type, Application, and Region Major Regions Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East &, Africa Purchase Options Request customized purchase options to meet your research needs. Explore purchase options Carbon Felt and Graphite Felt Market: Segmentation Analysis The global calcium felt and graphite felt market is divided into raw material type, application, product type, type, and region. The raw material type segment of the carbon felt and graphite felt market is subdivided into PAN, pitch, and rayon segments. Furthermore, the PAN segment, which dominated the segmental surge in 2022, is slated to retain its segmental dominance in the near future. The segmental expansion over 2023-2030 can be subject to reduced prices of PAN raw materials. Additionally, the favorable physical properties of PAN have made them popular in the manufacture of carbon felt and graphite felt. On basis of application, the carbon felt and graphite felt industry across the globe is sectored into filters, furnace, and batteries segments. Moreover, the furnace segment, which contributed to the major share of the global industry in 2022, is anticipated to lead the segmental expansion in the upcoming years. The growth of the segment can be credited to the growing use of carbon felt & graphite felt in furnace thermal insulation, thereby making them popular in insulating furnaces leading to their increased efficiency. Based on the product type, the global carbon felt and graphite felt market is divided into soft felt and rigid felt segments. The soft felt segment, which lead the global industry share in 2022, is slated to record the highest CAGR over the forecast timespan. The growth of the segment in the upcoming timeline can be owing to its unique structural flexibility, lightweight property, and heat insulation feature of the product. In terms of type, the global carbon felt and graphite felt industry is segmented into carbon felt and graphite felt segments. The global Carbon Felt and Graphite Felt market is segmented as follows: By Raw Material Type PAN Pitch Rayon By Product Type Soft Felt Rigid Felt By Type Carbon Felt Graphite Felt By Application Furnace Batteries Filters Browse the full Carbon Felt And Graphite Felt Market By Raw Material Type (PAN, Pitch, And Rayon), By Product Type (Soft Felt And Rigid Felt), By Type (Carbon Felt And Graphite Felt), By Application (Furnace, Batteries, And Filters), And By Region - Global And Regional Industry Overview, Market Intelligence, Comprehensive Analysis, Historical Data, And Forecasts 2023 2030 Report at https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/report/carbon-felt-graphite-felt-market Competitive Landscape Some of the main competitors dominating the global Carbon Felt and Graphite Felt market include - MERSEN GRAPHITE Olmec Advanced Materials Amsted Graphite Materials SGL Group Kureha Corporation Toray Industries Inc. Nippon Carbon Co. Ltd. Chemishine Carbon Company Limited Sinotek Materials CFCCARBON CO. LTD Cetech Co. Ltd Liaoning Jingu Carbon Material Co. Ltd. Key Insights from Primary Research: As per the analysis shared by our research analyst, the global carbon felt and graphite felt market is projected to expand annually at the annual growth rate of around 8.1% over the forecast timespan (2023-2030) In terms of revenue, the global carbon felt and graphite felt market was evaluated at nearly $11.1 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach $17.1 billion by 2030. The carbon felt and graphite felt industry is anticipated to record massive growth over the forecast period owing to a rise in government funding for research & development activities by key product manufacturers. Based on raw material type, the PAN segment is predicted to record the fastest CAGR over the forecast timeline. In terms of application, the furnace segment is slated to contribute majorly towards the market growth over 2023-2030. On basis of product type, the soft felt segment is predicted to make major contributions towards the global market share over 2023-2030 Region-wise, the North American carbon felt and graphite felt market is projected to register the highest CAGR during the assessment period. Have Any Query? Ask Our Experts: https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/inquiry/carbon-felt-graphite-felt-market Key questions answered in this report: What is the market size and growth rate forecast for Carbon Felt and Graphite Felt industry? What are the main driving factors propelling the Carbon Felt and Graphite Felt Market forward? What are the leading companies in the Carbon Felt and Graphite Felt Industry? What segments does the Carbon Felt and Graphite Felt Market cover? How can I receive a free copy of the Carbon Felt and Graphite Felt Market sample report and company profiles? Key Offerings: Market Size & Forecast by Revenue | 20232030 Market Dynamics Leading Trends, Growth Drivers, Restraints, and Investment Opportunities Market Segmentation A detailed analysis by Raw Material Type, Product Type, Type, By Application, and Region Competitive Landscape Top Key Vendors and Other Prominent Vendors Request for Customization on this Report as per your requirements - https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/custom/7151 (We tailor your report to meet your specific research requirements. Inquire with our sales team about customising your report.) Regional Analysis: the carbon felt and graphite felt market in North America is set to the fastest CAGR in the ensuing years over the analysis timeline. The expansion of the market in North America can be subject to the growing use of carbon felt and graphite felt in the manufacturing of crude oil in the U.S. and Canada. In addition to this, a rise in product usage in the oil & gas sector will proliferate the regional market expansion. Apart from this, the Asia-Pacific carbon felt and graphite felt industry is projected to dominate the global market share over the forecasting timeframe subject to large-scale penetration of the product in batteries, filters, and furnaces in emerging economies such as China, Bangladesh, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and India. By Region North America U.S. Canada Rest of North America Europe France UK Spain Germany Italy Rest of Europe Asia Pacific China Japan India South Korea Rest of Asia Pacific The Middle East & Africa Saudi Arabia South Africa Rest of the Middle East & Africa Latin America Brazil Argentina Rest of Latin America Get Infographics: https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/content/uploadedimages/global-carbon-felt-and-graphite-felt-market.png Recent Developments In the third quarter of 2021, SGL Carbon SE, a German-based firm in carbon producing business, is expanding its soft felt product portfolio. The firm is likely to invest in expanding its carbon manufacturing facilities in Germany. This initiative will boost the expansion of carbon felt ad graphite felt production in Germany. In the second half of 2019, Toray Industries, Inc., a key leader in manufacturing low-cost industrial-grade carbon fibers, declared that it will extend its carbon felt product line for improving power storage applications. The move will boost the expansion of the carbon felt and graphite felt business across the globe. In the third quarter of 2022, SGL Carbon SE announced that it will expand its graphite-producing capacity in China, Germany, and the U.S. for using it in semiconductors. The move will promote the demand for carbon felt and graphite felt in Asia, North America, and Europe. To know an additional revised 2023 list of market players, request a brochure of the report: https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/requestbrochure/carbon-felt-graphite-felt-market FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: What is carbon felt and graphite felt? Which key factors will influence global carbon felt and graphite felt market growth over 2023-2030? What will be the value of the global carbon felt and graphite felt market during 2023-2030? What will be the CAGR value of the global carbon felt and graphite felt market during 2023-2030? Which region will record the highest growth in the carbon felt and graphite felt industry globally? Which are the major players leveraging the global carbon felt and graphite felt market growth? 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(Stefani Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images) The viability of a baby to survive outside the womb will no longer be a legal limitation on abortion, if Maine Democrats get their way. The new legal standard will be the professional judgment of a physician, according to the language of a proposal thats currently before the Judiciary Committee of the Maine House of Representatives. The measure, LD 1619, has become known as The Governors Bill because it was introduced in the state Legislature by Democrat Gov. Janet Mills. Mills said her support for the bill was motivated by the plight of a Maine woman who had to travel out of state to obtain an abortion in the eighth month of pregnancy after the baby was diagnosed with a painful and likely fatal defect. Under current Maine law, abortion providers may not perform an abortion beyond six months into a womans pregnancy, except to save the life of the mother. Criminal penalties that doctors now face if they violate the time limit of the current statute would be removed by LD 1619. The new legislation gives a doctor the ability to prescribe an abortion until the end of the ninth month, even up to the moment of birth. Maine Gov. Janet Mills in 2019. (Rebecca Hammel/U.S. Senate/Public Domain) The Mills Bill In her formal introduction of LD 1619, a proposal she calls rational and compassionate, Mills included statements from medical professionals, civic organizations, and religious leaders across the state in support of the legislation. Maine physicians understand more than anyone the anxiety, fear, and differing personal circumstances of each patient, including the real-life impacts of pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting, said Dr. Erik Steele, president of the Maine Medical Association. We stand steadfast with Governor Mills in defense of the health care of all Mainers and our profession. Meagan Sway, policy director for the American Civil Liberties Union of Maine, stated: This legislation will reinforce Maines position as a leader in protecting abortion access by repealing outdated and anti-science laws criminalizing this essential health care. Across the country, too many states are banning abortion and threatening prosecution against patients and providers. The United States remains deeply divided on the issue, according to a recently updated study by the Center for Reproductive Rights, an international legal advocacy group fighting for more access to abortion. The study found that abortion is protected by law in 21 states and the District of Columbia and is at risk of being severely limited or prohibited in 26 states and three territories. Nicole Clegg of the Planned Parenthood Maine Action Fund called the proposed legislation an opportunity for Maine to set an example for state legislatures throughout the country. As we have seen over the past year, people opposed to abortion will not stop until they have banned access to legal abortions. I applaud our state leaders for taking steps to safeguard our rights and protect people seeking medical care and those who provide it. The executive director of the Maine Council of Churches, Jane Field, said: Like the majority of Christians across the United States, [the Council] believes abortion should be safe and legal. We affirm the ability of pregnant people to make good moral choices and believe the decision to end a pregnancy can be such a choice. Abortion is a complex health care and moral issue requiring nuanced medical, ethical, and spiritual discernment in each unique situation, without interference from the government. Opponents Speak Out Carroll Conley, executive director of the Christian Civic League of Maine (CCLM), questions the biblical grounding for Fields comments and called her assertion that a majority of Christians believe abortion should be safe and legal absurd. That most Christians support legislation like LD 1619 is at best wishful thinking, but more likely duplicitous propaganda, he told The Epoch Times. Wherever folks may land on the pro-life/pro-abortion spectrum, poll after poll shows that extreme legislation like LD 1619 is opposed by 80 percent of Americans. Regardless of a persons religious affiliationor lack thereofand political association, Mainers are speaking up and declaring their opposition to a bill that would legalize abortion at any time for any reason. Not to mention the removal of any criminal consequence for someone performing an abortion without a license, he said. Section 3 B of the bill does away with the current penalty for an unlicensed person performing an abortion. Dr. Jerry Collins, a retired psychiatrist and pro-life activist from Kennebunkport, also opposes the removal of criminal penalties for someone performing an abortion without being a licensed physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse. Late-term abortion is really no-term abortion, he told The Epoch Times because the bill permits the procedure at any stage of the womans pregnancy without any legal penalties as long as the patient and her doctor deem it necessary. Muzzling Opposition Another bill, LD 1137, introduced on March 13 by Democrat state Rep. Lori Gramlich, would make most church-sponsored pro-life pregnancy counseling centers subject to civil fines of up to $500 per offense for disseminating deceptive or misleading or partial information. Collins said the text of the proposed law sets up Democrat Attorney General Aaron Frey as the de facto judge and jury over what speech constitutes a violation. He called the proponents of LD 1137 control freaks bent on restricting freedom of speech. Enforcement would be a huge problem. Will the state bug all the examining rooms? This is sheer craziness, Collins said. If enacted, the law would also require the offending party to pay for the dissemination of information that corrects the information identified as deceptive or misleading. A court could also order whatever measures it deems necessary to remedy adverse effects that the information identified as deceptive or misleading had on a person seeking counseling, according to the proposed bill. Gramlich didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. Eliminate Pro-Life Pregnancy Counseling The Christian Civic League of Maine believes LD 1137 would mean the end of the states 16 privately supported pro-life pregnancy counseling facilities. In an online statement, CCLM described the bill as a direct attack on faith-based pregnancy crisis centers. The largest part of the mission is to offer hope to a young woman and show her that abortion is not her only option. the statement said. Carroll Conley (L) and Thomas Keith of the Christian Civic League of Maine in Augusta on May 24, 2022. (Steven Kovac/The Epoch Times) CCLM expressed concern that there are no clear criteria defining misleading and deceptive information specified by the legislation. They fear the deciding factor will be whether the information agrees with pro-abortion ideology. Addressing the corrections and remedies outlined in LD 1137, the CCLM statement said similar laws compelling speech contrary to a persons religious beliefs have been struck down in California and Connecticut. Acting With a Mandate? Democrat lawmakers believe they are following the wishes of their constituents by offering bills that would defend and extend access to abortion. Some have referred to their capturing control of both houses of the state Legislature in last years midterm election as a mandate to do so. The election told us all we need to know about where Maine stands on abortion, one Democrat representative said. The Democratic majorities have since drafted legislation to ban municipalities from ignoring or overriding state abortion laws and to eliminate insurance co-pays for abortions. Theres also a push by Democrats to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution. The Republican minority in the state House and Senate have authored bills that would provide insurance coverage for an expectant mother to obtain a second opinion if her health care provider recommends an abortion and to ban the sale of abortion-inducing drugs by mail or if ordered remotely through telehealth. Biden Administration Unveils Forest Conservation Program to Tackle Climate Change Dead and dying trees are seen in a forest stressed by historic drought conditions in Los Padres National Forest near Frazier Park, Calif., on May 7, 2015. (David McNew/Getty Images) The Biden administration has announced steps toward fostering forest conservation and enhancing forest resilience to climate change. In a press release on April 20, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of the Interior (DOI) announced a program designed to achieve those goals on federally managed lands administered by the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). USDA and DOI collaborated on several reports, as directed by President Joe Bidens executive order on Strengthening the Nations Forests, Communities, and Local Economies (E.O. 14072) signed in 2022. The order requires auditing mature and old-growth forests, setting reforestation targets on federally managed lands, and analyzing reforestation opportunities on state, tribal, and private lands. The Forest Service has introduced a new tool that attempts to illustrate the risks and vulnerabilities of climate change across the landscape, along with a call for public input on managing national forests and grasslands to withstand projected climate change. These actions reportedly reflect progress on the goals and priorities outlined one year ago in the executive order; Secretary Vilsacks memorandum on Climate Resilience and Carbon Stewardship; and the USDA Forest Services Wildfire Crisis Strategy, Climate Adaptation Plan, and Reforestation Strategy. Our forest ecosystems and communities are struggling to keep up with the stresses of climate changewhether its fire, drought, or insect infestationsit is clear that we must adapt quickly, said agriculture undersecretary for natural resources and the environment, Homer Wilkes, according to the press release. The USDA and our federal, tribal, state, local, and community partners are working together to meet these challengespooling knowledge, sharing resources, and discovering new ways to conserve resources, protect communities, and ensure future generations can enjoy the countless benefits our forests provide. USDA and DOI are also publishing a joint reforestation report that includes goals, assessments, and recommendations for increased seed and nursery capacity. Healthy, resilient forests are critical to helping us respond to the climate impacts being felt by communities across the country, because they store carbon, provide clean air and water, and sustain biodiversity, said BLM Director Tracy Stone-Manning. The reports released today will help enhance our work to protect and grow forests by creating a scientific framework for further study and public engagement for effective forest management and protection. Rep. Austin Scott (R-Ga.) is drawing attention to deforestation in privately owned areas of the United States. The lawmaker recently made comments about the administrations seeming lack of concern for forests in the United States during a hearing by the House Committee on Agriculture, where they heard testimony from Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administrator Michael Regan. It bothers me to see our forest lands being cut down and solar panels put up on it, Scott said. I dont understand how thats a square deal for the environment or the taxpayer. The lawmaker asserted that the solar subsidies are so high that plots of land are being bought at 30 to 40 percent higher prices than what the land is worth to be used for solar fields. The new owners then cut down forests and put solar panels on them. He asked that the EPA director take a closer look at the subsidies saying, If were going to be honest about whats good for the environment, we have to be honest about whats good for wildlife, and the watershed, and everything [else] as well, not just carbon. Biden Labor Nominee Grilled by Republicans Over Rampant Pandemic Fraud While in Previous Post $31 billion was fraudulently accessed in pandemic funds under nominee Julie Su's watch Deputy Labor Secretary Julie Su testifies before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee during her confirmation hearing to be the next secretary of the Labor Department in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on April 20, 2023. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) President Joe Bidens nominee for the Department of Labor was grilled by Senate Republicans over rampant fraud that took place under her watch in a previous post. Nominee Julie Su, who would replace retired Secretary Marty Walsh, appeared before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee on April 20 to testify on her confirmation. Su is serving as the acting head of the Department of Labor, but she still needs to win the Senates approval to cement that position. Su previously served as the California Secretary of Labor. During the hearing, Su faced substantial pushback from Republicans, who pointed to the $31 billion in fraud that occurred during Sus time in a California post. I can say with a straight face that I dont think you should be the Secretary of Labor, Ranking Member Bill Cassidy (R-La.) told Su during his opening remarks. During his opening remarks, Chairman Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) defended Su, suggesting that President Donald Trump was to blame for Californians exploitation of COVID-19 benefits programs. Sanders said the Trump administration did not provide proper guidance to state-level officials on how to administer the funds granted by the $1.9 trillion CARES Act. However, Republicans werent swayed by this defense. Cassidy pointed to Sus track record at the Employment Development Department (EDD)which lost over $31 billion to fraud, Cassidy said, by waiving fact-checking requirements recommended by the Department of Labor guidance. Under Ms. Su, fraud in California was rampant, Cassidy said. To bolster this claim, Cassidy cited the case of rapper Nuke Bizzle, who was arrested after releasing a song rapping about how he had defrauded the California government of COVID-19 relief funds. Cassidy recited the lyrics during the hearing: I done got rich off of EDD. The rapper claims to have made $300,000 by defrauding the program. After his conviction, Bizzle was ordered to pay back $700,000. The rapper was not held accountable due to Ms. Sus oversight, but because he publicly admitted to his crime on a rap video, Cassidy said before having the rap video in question placed in the record. Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) also criticized the nominees track record in California. Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) in Washington in a file photograph. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times) The fact that under your lead, unemployment insurance payments in California of some $31 billion, went to people who were basically receiving money on a criminal basis, illegally receiving money from the federal government, Romney said. Thats about as much as we provided in military aid to Ukraine. Thats almost twice the total budget of the Department of Labor. Under your leadership in California, $31 billion was fraudulently paid out, Romney reiterated. In this case, your record is so severely lacking that I dont know how in the world it makes sense for the president to nominate you to take over this department, he said. Romney cited Sus lack of experience in negotiating labor deals, adding, and your leadership of an enterprise resulted in $31 billion of fraudulent paymentswhat am I missing? Anti-Gig Economy Bill Su was also grilled by Republicans on a bill targeting the gig economy that she supported in California. Cassidy cited Sus administration of the effort to dismantle the gig economy in California, targeting services like Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash as part of the reason for his opposition to the candidate. These services employ people as independent contractors, meaning they work on an independent basis and are not subject to the same protections or privileges as other types of employees. Supporters of the platforms say that they provide an easy way for people to make money on the side, while their opponents accuse them of exploiting their workers. Notably, none of these platforms have yet achieved profitability. The bill in question, California Assembly Bill 5, required the application of an ABC test to determine whether workers in California were employees or independent contractors. Su supported and helped carry out the policy, which closed off the gig economy to many, during her time as California Secretary of Labor. Later, California lawmakers had to pass over 100 exemptions to the lawa legislative list longer than the original bill itself, Cassidy noted. Cassidy said the measure, which Su supported, stripped independent contractors of their right to do work they were willing and able to perform. Nothing to Do With Her Qualifications: Sanders In his opening remarks, Sanders suggested that GOP criticisms of the candidate were not substantive and have nothing to do with her qualifications. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) speaks in Washington in a file photograph. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) No one can tell us with a straight face that Ms. Su is unqualified for this position, Sanders said. In fact, shes extremely well-qualified. This debate really has everything to do with the fact that Julie Su is a champion of the working class of this country who will stand up against the forces of corporate greed, he said. Thats really what this debate is about. Sanders added, Julie Su should be confirmed as the Secretary of Labor because she spent her life fighting for those working families and they need her now. He also noted that Su has the support of every single labor organization in this country. Sus confirmation is far from certain. She has yet to win the support of key Democrat players in the Senate, like Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.)both of whom are up for reelection in heavily red states next year. A final vote on the nominee in the HELP Committee is expected sometime next week. Cabinet Ministers Met With Trudeau Foundations Chinese Donors on Several Occasions The two businessmen linked to the Chinese regime who donated to the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation in 2016 met with federal ministers on several different occasions. Zhang Bin, president of the regime-backed China Cultural Industry Association (CCIA), and his colleague Niu Gensheng, an adviser to the CCIA, had reached a deal in 2014 to donate $200,000 to the Trudeau Foundation and $800,000 to the Universite de Montreal (UdeM), where former prime minister Pierre Trudeau used to study and teach. The signing ceremony for the deal took place in June 2016, just weeks after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attended a cash-for-access event in May at which Zhang was present. A few months later, in October 2016, Niu met with Trudeau at Willson House in Meech Lake, Quebec. Niu, a dairy industry magnate, was part of a delegation from the China Entrepreneur Club that visited Canada that October. A family photo of the event posted on Twitter by then-minister of innovation Navdeep Bains shows Niu to the left of Trudeau. Others who attended include then-finance minister Bill Morneau and then-environment minister Catherine McKenna. All three former ministers have since left politics. A Chinese-language account of the meeting posted online reports that Trudeau called for closer relations between Canada and China. The global relationship with China has changed dramatically, and I hope that as China produces great change, it can better engage with Canada, and between our two countries, we can explore more and greater opportunities, and we are partners, and we can produce all kinds of collaborative relationships, and we are going to face a new era, he reportedly said. A few weeks earlier, Trudeau made his first official visit to China and gave an address at a roundtable hosted by the China Entrepreneur Club in Beijing. Because [of] the friendship and the openness towards China that my father taught me, Im certainly hoping to pass [that] along, not only to my children but to generations of Canadians in the future, he said. The Epoch Times asked the Prime Ministers Office whether Trudeau knew that Niu was behind the donation when he met with him in October 2016. A response was not returned by publication time. After requests by Opposition parties to probe the donation in 2016, then-ethics commissioner Mary Dawson said there were no lapses since Trudeau had left the foundation and wasnt involved in its affairs. Donation Controversy The controversy surrounding the donation to the Trudeau Foundation from the Chinese businessmen erupted after the Globe and Mail reported on Nov. 22, 2016, that Trudeau had attended a cash-for-access fundraiser with Chinese billionaires that May. The report covered the donation by Zhang and Niu in June 2016 to the Trudeau Foundation. The story resurfaced this February when the Globe reported that CSIS had intercepted a conversation in 2014 between Zhang and a Chinese consulate official, stating that the official asked Zhang to donate to the Trudeau Foundation, and that Beijing would reimburse him. Zhang is a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People Political Consultative Conference, an advisory body to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). A post in Chinese on the CCIA website lays out the mandate Zhang was given by CCP leader Xi Jinping. In accordance with the instruction of General Secretary Xi and the policy of the Party Central Committee, in order to give full play to the role of the industry association as a bridge and link, Mr. Zhang Bin has always been committed to building a high-level industrial exchange platform, says the website. It adds the CCIA is at the forefront of a large number of enterprises bringing Chinas cultural industry to the world through international cooperation, with long-term contact mechanisms with government agencies in North America and elsewhere. The Epoch Times reached out to the CCIA but hasnt heard back. Other Meeting Another Liberal minister who met one of the donors was Melanie Joly when she was head of Heritage Canada. Joly led a delegation to China in April 2018 where she attended a Cultural Industry Cooperation and Project Matchmaking Meeting that was co-hosted by the CCIA and the Canada-China Business Council, according to a CCIA web posting. A picture shows Joly beside Zhang Bin and Yu Qun, an official within the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The Epoch Times reached out to the Canada-China Business Council (CCBC) about its links to the CCIA but didnt immediately hear back. In 2018, the CCBC awarded its Gold-level Education Excellence Award to the UdeMs Faculty of Law, with former faculty dean Guy Lefebvre receiving the prize on its behalf. Lefebvre told Le Devoir he had orchestrated the 2014 donation deal with Zhang Bin and Niu Gensheng, who both work with the CCIA. Lefebvre did not respond to several previous requests for comment. Turmoil at Foundation The Trudeau Foundation announced on March 1 it would be returning its part of the donation, the day after the Globe and Mail published its report based on CSIS information. The foundation said the amount it actually received was $140,000, and not $200,000. Similarly, the UdeM says it only received $550,000 of the initially promised $800,000. On April 11, the entire leadership of the foundation resigned following internal tensions arising over how the donation was handled. Publicly, the board said it was due to politicization of the issue. The foundation reportedly was unable at first to reimburse the donors since the name on the cheque was for a business controlled by Zhang instead of his own name. The Globe reported that the CCIA had contacted the Trudeau Foundation to request that the name of Zhang and Niu not appear on the tax receipt for the donation. The foundation has since announced an independent review of the matter and called on the auditor general (AG) to investigate. However, Karen Hogans office said on April 24 that she will not conduct an audit as examining the source of private donations is not within her authority. The Trudeau Foundation says its an independent scholarship organization. It received a $125 million endowment from the federal government upon its creation in the early 2000s and it is associated with the Innovation Canada portfolio. The minister of Innovation can appoint up to eight members of the foundations leadership. California Bill Considering Release for Murderers Sentenced to Death Advances The Santa Barbara County Detention and Correctional Facility is seen in Santa Barbara, Calif., on June 12, 2005. (David McNew/Getty Images) California legislators will continue to consider a bill that allows for the potential release of former death-row inmates convicted of murder, after it passed its first hurdle in the Senate Public Safety Committee April 11 on a 41 vote. Authored by state Senator Dave Cortese (D-San Jose), and co-authored by a list of Democratic senators, Senate Bill 94 aims to allow for judicial discretion of cases dating back to before June 5, 1990. The individuals in question are currently facing life without the possibility of parole. Cortese argues that inmate populations targeted by the bill are less likely to commit another crime and should be eligible for sentencing review because they are older and have spent decades behind bars. The recidivism rate for this inmate population is zero. That shows us that people age out of crime, and many have done the work to rehabilitate after decades behind bars, he said in an April 12 press release. This inmate population deserves a path to parole. He additionally noted the disproportionate cost to the state because of increased healthcare expenditures for such inmates. SB 94 would save the state hundreds of millions of dollars each year by giving elder inmates the right to judicial review, Cortese said in the statement. But some legal experts are questioning the bills potential risk to public safety. Im a Democrat [and] Im 100 percent against this bill. Im also a dad [and] a caring human being, Jonathan Hatami, a prosecutor in Los Angeles County, wrote on Twitter April 12. People who brutally torture [and] murder children should not be released. Period. District Attorney Jason Anderson testified at the Senate Public Safety Committee hearing in opposition to SB 94a bill granting death row and life without the possibility of parole inmates the ability to petition for potential recall and resentencing on April 11, 2023. (Courtesy of San Bernardino District Attorneys Office) Jason Andersonthe district attorney for San Bernardino Countyis also adamantly opposed to the legislation. There are three foundations to our criminal justice system: notice, separation of powers, and finality, he testified to the committee. SB 94 undermines all three foundations it does not promulgate justice. It dispenses with justice. The bill is backed by a number of non-profit groups, including the California Coalition for Women Prisoners, the Anti-Recidivism Coalition, and Californians United for a Responsible Budget. More than 700 murderers were originally sentenced to death by juries of their peers, only to have their sentences reduced to life in prison after California Gov. Gavin Newsom ended the death penalty in the state with the issuance of an executive order in 2019. An executive moratorium on the death penalty shall be instituted in the form of a reprieve for all people sentenced to death in California, Newsom wrote in the order. This moratorium does not provide for the release of any person from prison or otherwise alter any current conviction or sentence. While Newsoms directive in 2019 did not release death row inmates, some of these individuals will be considered for parole if SB 94 is passed, according to legal experts. Critics point to the case of Tiequon Cox, convicted of murdering four family members in Los Angeles after targeting the wrong house in a gang-related revenge attack in 1984. Cox subsequently stabbed Stanley Tookie Williams, another death row inmate, while serving time for the killings and was involved in an escape attempt at San Quentin State Prison in 2004. Based on the proposed legislation, Cox would be eligible for judicial review with the possibility of receiving clearance for parole. The bill is next scheduled to be heard by the Senate Appropriations Committee on April 24. Call for China Appeasement: Australian Premier Says PM Should Bring Entourage of State Leaders to Meet With Xi Chinese President Xi Jinping applauds during the opening of the 3rd Session of the 12th National People's Congress at the Great Hall of the People on March 5, 2015 in Beijing, China.(Lintao Zhang/Getty Images) Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the nations state leaders should come together to visit and meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, says Western Australian (WA) Premier Mark McGowan. The Labor Premier McGowan is currently touring ChinaWAs largest trading partnerand has been vocal in his support for stronger economic ties with Beijing and critical of any talk of a Cold War. The prime minister, hopefully, will come to China sometime in the next six months and meet with President Xi Jinping, McGowan told The West newspaper on April 20. One of the things he could do is, invite all the premiers and chief ministers to come with him. (L-R) Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, former NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews, and Western Australia Premier Mark McGowan speak to media during a press conference after a National Cabinet meeting at Parliament House in Canberra on Feb. 3, 2023. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas) He said the premiers could fan out across China to cover more ground. It would be a strong demonstration that the relationship is back to a harmonious and productive one, he said. McGowan also told Beijings media mouthpiece, The Global Times newspaper, that talk of decoupling trade from China was now in the past while also praising a new era of Australia-China ties under the federal Labor government. The Epoch Times has contacted McGowans office for confirmation of the remarks. McGowan is the second state leader to visit China this year, following Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews visit a few weeks earlier. Andrews, who controversially signed up for the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), did not allow a media contingent to join him during his week-long tour. Andrews BRI agreement was later torn up under specific laws passed by the former Morrison government who cited concerns that the Belt and Road were against Australias national interest. Later this year, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is expected to also tour China. McGowans suggestion, meanwhile was lambasted by Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce, who said, Honest to God, I couldnt believe it. Australias Former Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce speaks to the media during a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on June 21, 2021. (AAP Image/Lukas Coch) I thought it was an article from [satrical website] the Betoota Advocate, he told Sky News Australia on April 20. To the people of Western Australia, really and truly, I know you think Mr. McGowan walks on water, but he is walking on water all the way to Beijing, Joyce said. This is the country that took over the South China Sea without firing a shot and built military bases there. Has incarcerated the Uyghur peopleup to a million people. Who has ripped journalists off the streets in Hong Kong and are never seen again, and summarily executes people for a range of reasons. McGowans Slip Creating Fissures in National Cohesiveness As part of his diplomatic offensive, McGowan took part in a China-Australia Chamber of Commerce dinner in Beijing. However, the premier was filmed badmouthing WA federal Liberal Party MP Andrew Hastie, who is banned from entering China. I like Mathias Cormann, he had the same view as me, but he had no sway on this issue [of Australia-China ties]. He had a lot of sway, but on this issue, he was the odd one out, McGowan said in the footage. The other Western Australian who was senior, well, there was a few of them actuallyHastie. He swallowed some sort of Cold War pills back when he was born, and he couldnt get his mindset out of that. Hastie responded quickly, saying McGowan was out of his intellectual depth. I was not surprised that he was running down Australian MPs in China, but I was surprised that he would do that given he was a former legal officer in the Royal Australian Navy, Hastie said. I think when youre overseas, and youre representing our country, you keep those sorts of comments to yourself and you back in your colleagues across the Parliament regardless of what party they are in. I think its pretty damaging, and it shows he is out of his intellectual depth. Canadas Premiers, Police Chiefs to Talk Bail Reform as Ottawa Faces Calls for Change Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson speaks at the convention centre in Winnipeg on April 15, 2023. (The Canadian Press/John Woods) The association representing Canadas chiefs of police is expected to meet with provincial and territorial premiers today to talk about reforming Canadas criminal justice system. Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson, who chairs the Council of the Federation, says premiers aim to hear chiefs public-safety concerns and their perspectives on how Ottawa should amend federal law, including on bail reform. Premiers have been calling on the federal government to renew and enhance its Guns and Gang Violence Action Fund, which supports provincial and territorial public-safety initiatives. That request follows previous calls for Ottawa to create reverse onus measures for certain offences that would require a person seeking bail to prove why they should not stay behind bars. Justice Minister David Lametti committed to move forward quickly on targeted reforms to the Criminal Code that would update Canadas bail system after meeting with his provincial and territorial counterparts last month. The virtual meeting with police chiefs, which is also expected to touch on broader public-safety concerns, is taking place after recent violent attacks and murders in Metro Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Calgary, Edmonton, Regina and Toronto. CBC Holding Off On Returning to Twitter Despite Platform Removing Government-Funded Label The CBC News logo is projected onto a screen during a CBC event at the Mattamy Athletic Centre in Toronto on May 29, 2019. (Tijana Martin/The Canadian Press) The CBC says it will hold off on returning to Twitter for the time being despite the social media platform removing a government-funded label from the networks account that caused CBC to stop posting on Twitter earlier this week. We are reviewing this latest development and will leave our Twitter accounts on pause before taking any next steps, CBCs director of media relations, Leon Mar, said in an email to The Epoch Times on April 21. Mar also pointed to a statement issued the previous day by the Global Task Force for public media calling on Twitter to remove its Government-funded Media labels from several outlets. The Task Force, which is chaired by CBC President Catherine Tait, said the labels that had been applied to the Twitter accounts of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, CBC/Radio-Canada, the Korean Broadcasting System, and Radio New Zealand were misleading and had been applied without warning or consultation. Labelling them in this way misleads audiences about their operational and editorial independence from government, the Task Force wrote in its statement. Twitter did not provide The Epoch Times with a comment on why it removed the labels. The platform also removed its state-affiliated media tags on outlets such as the Russian governments RT and Chinas state-run CGTN. Twitter owner Elon Musk has not yet commented on the matter. However, the label removal came shortly after Twitter also removed its blue-check verification for all accounts not subscribed to Twitter Blue. Previously, individual-user accounts that Twitter had verified prior to Musks takeover of the platform in October 2022 had retained their blue-check status even if they did not pay the US$8 monthly subscription fee for Twitter Blue. However, as of April 20, Musk said individuals must be subscribed to Twitter Blue to be verified on the platform. Halting Activity CBC announced on April 17 that it would be temporarily halting its activity on Twitter in response to being labelled as government-funded media. The public broadcaster said Twitters label was inaccurate because the Canadian government has no control over CBCs editorial content. The Global Task Force said in its statement that the labelling shows a fundamental misunderstanding of the concept of public service media. They are publicly funded organisations that are statutorily independent of government influence, it wrote. This model has served audiences well in democratic countries for much of the last century. The Task Force added that if Twitter is to apply any labels to government-funded outlets, the most accurate and appropriate label would be Publicly funded media.' The CBC said in its 2021-22 annual report that it received over $1.2 billion in federal funding last year. After CBC protested to Twitter that the funding accounted for less than 70 percent of its overall annual revenue, Musk changed its account label on April 17 to say 69% Government-funded Media. The label lasted for about 3 days before Twitter removed it. The Canadian Press contributed to this report. CCP Military Newspaper Releases 20 Obituaries After the Two Sessions Patients in a temporary hospital converted from the National Exhibition and Convention Center to quarantine COVID-positive people in Shanghai, China, on April 18, 2022. Interviews with family members of people with COVID-19, a phone call with a government health official, and an independent tally raised questions about how Shanghai calculates COVID cases and deaths and almost certainly indicated a marked undercount. (Chinatopix via AP) From March 26 to April 17, the Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) military newspaper published 20 obituaries. All were for CCP members, including three lieutenant generals, one academician, and eight Corps Leader rank generals. The release of these obituaries was seriously delayed, as 18 died during the three weeks between Dec. 28, 2022, and Jan. 18, 2023, when COVID was in full swing throughout China. Li Zhao, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and a former senior engineer of the Institute of Engineering Equipment of the Ministry of General Armaments, died in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, on Jan. 24 due to illness. Li was born in February 1940 and joined the CCPs army in August 1959. He served as deputy chief engineer, deputy director, and director of the institute and was promoted to major general in 1994. The list of deceased included six scientists, a military strategist, and a Marxist scholar. Chen Qizhi, a retired military cadre and former National University of Defense Science and Technology president, died in Changsha on Jan. 15 after a long illness. Chen was a professor of Applied Mechanics before taking office as the university president. He was awarded the rank of Major General in 1988 and promoted to Lieutenant General in 1993. Zhang Weikang, who passed away on Jan. 18 this year in Wuhan, Hubei Province, was the director of the Department of Naval Engineering of the Naval Engineering University. Shi Pan, who died on Jan. 18 this year in Xian, Shaanxi Province, was the deputy director and chief engineer of the Survey and Mapping Institute of the General Staff Department. Zhang Xumao, who died in Xian, Shaanxi Province, on Jan. 17, was a researcher at the Institute of Survey and Mapping of the General Staff Department. Yang Wenjun, who passed away on Jan. 13 in Guangzhou, Guangdong, was formerly a professor and chief physician of the First Affiliated Hospital of the First Military Medical University. Jia Siguang, who passed away in Beijing on Jan. 1 this year, was the director of Department Two of the Institute of Aerospace Medical Engineering of the National Defense Science and Industry Commission. Li Yijun, a Ph.D. advisor on military strategy, had served as the deputy director and director of the Office of the Central Military Commission of the CCP. He passed away in Beijing on Jan. 13 after a long illness. Hou Shudong, former vice president of the National Defense University and director of the Marxist Theory Department, died on Jan. 13 in Beijing after a long illness. Zhang Weikang, Shi Pan, Zhang Xumao, Yang Wenjun, and Jia Siguang were high-ranking civilian cadres of the Chinese Communist Army. The 20 obituaries include eight Corps Leader rank generals and one Corps Deputy Leader rank general. In the CCPs military system, Corps Leader positions include group army commander and political commissar, provincial military district and military-level police district commander and political commissar; and Corps Deputy Leader positions include group army deputy commander, deputy political commissar, chief of staff and director of the political department, provincial military district deputy commander, deputy political commissar, chief of staff and director of the political department. The regimes military newspaper stopped issuing obituaries during the CCPs Two Sessions in early March and resumed at the end of March. Since the COVID-19 surge in December 2022, many Chinese celebrities have died, and it is widely believed that the CCPs official numbers of the pandemic cases and deaths are a gross understatement. As a hospital chaplain, Lee Witting would make a point of asking those who had died and been resuscitated if they remembered experiencing anything on the other side. And about one out of 10, or one out of 12, would have a story, said Witting, who has been the host of the podcast NDE Radio for 10 years now. Witting, who had a near-death experience (NDE) himself at age 7, has interviewed some 500 other experiencers for his show and many more before that as a chaplain. Near-death experiences, theyre universal. They happen to anyone, he said. It doesnt matter how you were raised, if you were a believing Christian or an atheist, or from a different religious tradition the voice from the light has actually told a number of people from near-death experiences that its not your religion, its your capacity for love thats determinative of how you spend eternity. Witting said he feels those who do have NDEs are called to. Some 80 or 90 percent of people resuscitated dont have these experiences. Their souls didnt leave the body. I interviewed someone the other day, and his whole near-death experience was a message, and the message was youre not living up to your potential to let people know get down there and let people know what youre going through here right now because you havent been doing it even though when you left here, that was your intention: to tell them more about the peace and the comprehensive nature of the other side, the oneness, he said. We came from there we arrive with an awareness, we arrive with an intention, we arrive with an assignment. Bottom of the Lake The 7-year-old Witting was swimming in a lake when he stepped too far out and screamed before sinking down. As my body was down at the bottom of the lake, my soul was suddenly up in a birch tree next to the cottage, Witting said. His mother heard the scream and ran out of the cottage, diving in and pulling him out of the water. She threw him facedown on over a log, thumped him on the back trying to get the water out, and effectively gave him chest compressions this way and revived him. Then Witting went back into his body. Besides the out-of-body experience, Witting had been in a space of infinite darkness, and saw a small pinprick of light. For years, he assumed this was the view he had of the sky from the bottom of the lake before he died, and dreamed of it often. He became very interested in astronomy and the big picture, asking his parents for a telescope and turning the attic into a planetarium. Years later, he read Dr. Raymond Moodys book Life After Life, the seminal work on NDEs that alerted people across America that the strange experience they had was, in fact, more common than they might have believed. By then, Witting had gone back to that lake and realized the view of the sky was nothing like those dreams. That bright, velvety darkness and pinprick of light was something many other near-death experiencers also described. When people come back from the other side, [they talk about how] the light of God and the love of God are one and the same, he said. And it seems to be a testing ground here on Earth for how we can reintegrate our love into the love of God. To the Next Room Witting, retired now, was the chaplain of a major hospital in Maine for 15 years, talking to an average of 30 people a day. Ill give you one simple example from a hospital visit I made. I went in and asked the woman if shed seen anything when she was on the other side, and she said, Yes! I saw my dad.' The woman, in her 60s, said her father had died three years prior, but when she saw him, he looked much younger, better, maybe in his 30s. She saw a beautiful light behind him and wanted to run toward it like a little girl, but he picked her up and held her, telling her she had to go back because it wasnt her time. She was so happy to have had that experience, Witting said. And as a chaplain, you can take a story like that and take it to the next room. There might be a cancer patient, someone a doctor has told, Sorry, theres nothing more we can do for you, [someone] in depression and terrible pain, and if chaplains would only realize they can use these stories to pick up peoples spiritsI would say to a person like that, Well listen, I just heard a really interesting story from another patient about how she died and what she saw. Would you like to hear it?' Witting did so often and saw just how their spirits could be lifted. Because one thing it does is it removes your fear of death. The second thing it does is tells us theres a God that loves us; theres consciousness on the other side, Witting said. How Can I Call You? Mentions of God come up rather frequently in NDEs. And manyand this is interestingmany of them say they meet Jesus, and its not necessarily Christians, Witting said. Often hes described as a golden light that, as you get closer, becomes a figure of a man. I interviewed an Orthodox Jewish man one time. He said, I was there and Jesus hugged me. I say, How did you know it was Jesus? He said, Oh I just knew,' Witting said. So this is a manifestation of Gods love in a being that is available to all on the other side; it doesnt matter if youre Christian or non-Christian. Its a manifestation of Gods love that materialized on earth for a time. In his NDE studies, Witting has also picked up an interest in quantum mechanics, which touches on a oneness that many near-death experiencers try to describe. Moses, when he asked God, How can I call you? What name do you have? when he first encountered God, God said I am that I am. And in Hebrew am is an imperfect, its an is-ness that comprises both the past and the future, Witting said. This is what quantum is beginning to realize too two particles light years apart, when one does one thing, the other particle reacts exactly, simultaneously, in the same way because of this entangled connection that it has, that we all have. Whether near-death experiencers meet another being during the experience or not, they tend to describe feeling a perfect sort of peace and unconditional love many times greater than that of a parents love for a child that they can only attribute to God. Many will explain that they understand this light and love force, or being, to also be the source of all life. The Dark Experiences Researchers note that there are unpleasant, hellish NDEs as well, but they are a very small number. Witting found the same; one man described to him something from a Dante-esque hell, another described being in a clam shell that was closing slowly. I think these are warnings, I dont know if they are self-generated or not, Witting said. Some Buddhist traditions say once you go past the light you go to a place of self-generating monsters, he added, and he feels there is some truth in that. When you feel like youre being closed in a clamshell or somehow being separated from the source, its because youre not ready for the source. Refusing to believe one is worthy of Gods love, these spirits wont enter the light. Witting says ghosts are also an example of this. Its either an addiction to the place, or to a person, or a fear of not being ready for God that keeps spirits here on the plane, Witting said. 10 Other People The biggest difference Witting has seen these stories make is reducing the fear of death. When Witting had his own experience at age 7, he had no idea what it was and didnt tell his mother for fear it would upset her. What good could it do to tell her that her son, whom she took her eyes off momentarily, had not just drowned but actually died? But today, since Moodys book defined the NDE and research steadily grew in the 1970s and 1980s, many people are quite familiar with the idea. Various estimates state that well over 100 new NDEs may be taking place each day in the United States, though this cannot be tracked. Surveys have found that around 1 in 20 American adults have had an NDE. If everyone who has had a near-death experience would tell not only their family and friends, but 10 other people, we could change the attitude of the whole world about this, the importance of love, the capacity for compassion would be incredibly increased, Witting said. His own experience and speaking about NDEs during his chaplaincy taught him the vital importance of practicing love, compassion, and empathy. For the patients who had had these experiences themselves, it was often the most important spiritual experience of their life, and the last thing he would want anyone to do was belittle it. I like to say that everyone is entitled to, in their lifetime, at least one mystical experience that they cannot explain rationally, Witting said. Likely youve had one, he explained. If we could only acknowledge it, we might realize that God is still speaking to us. The people that wrote the Bible down, how did they get that message? Some of them got it through dreams, some got it through automatic writing, some got these amazing books in the Bible through near-death experiences, and to deny the reality that God is still speaking to us is to shortchange God, I think. Once, at an NDE conference, he met a man who asked him to tell him more about the idea because he had a contract from a publisher to write a book on it, but he didnt believe they were real. He said, Well whats happened in your life? Have you ever had something you couldnt explain? The man thought about it, and eventually, he shared a story about his pet dog, a wonderful dog he traveled with everywhere, including on those long trips driving across states. He was heartbroken when the dog died. One year, as he was driving down to Florida for the winter, he was falling asleep at the wheel on a high-speed road, coming close to the guardrail and cliffside. Suddenly, he heard his dog barking in his ear and jerked awake, shook his head, and pulled away in time. He said, Well how could that be, how could my old dog be there for me like that? And Witting said, Well theres your experience. With reporting by NTD. Confederation of Business Industry (CBI) President Brian McBride - OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images On its website, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) lays out its raison detre using the sort of typically vague management jargon you might expect from lobbyists: shaping change, leading change, and embracing change for UK Plc. It does so, it says, by proactively speaking to government about issues and opportunities, ensuring firms of all kinds get to use their voice. But after being engulfed by a deepening sexual misconduct scandal which has resulted in the sacking of its boss Tony Danker ministers shunning the lobby group and a wave of prominent members quitting, the CBI now appears incapable of carrying out its most basic function. FTSE 100 insurer Aviva led the charge, saying it believes the CBI is "no longer able to fulfill its core function to be a representative voice of business in the UK". Given that chunky membership fees from Britains biggest businesses make up around 90pc of its annual revenue, the exodus of members that took place on Friday could bring down the organisation that claims to represent 190,000 companies. It begs the question: if the CBI collapses under the weight of these allegations, who will speak for Britains businesses? Ann Francke, chief executive of the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), a professional body that encourages better management practices, says the CBI is now facing an existential crisis. She adds: These allegations tell us that this was not a one-off or a bad apple there was a much bigger cultural problem here and CBIs members are questioning its ability to address what was clearly a toxic workplace culture. That speaks to leadership and management failures to be aware of, and deal with, shocking incidents at work events, and to create an environment where people felt safe speaking out about bad behaviours at work. It is difficult to see how the CBI can reform without a genuinely independent review into its culture, structures, and processes - and, most particularly, its management practices. Story continues However, if enough members flee, it is difficult to see how the CBI survives the current crisis, raising questions about who will represent private businesses. The CBI is one of the five largest lobby groups in the UK, alongside the Institute of Directors (IoD), the British Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Small Business and Make UK. In the wake of allegations against the CBI, Kemi Badenoch, the business and trade secretary, postponed a meeting with all five lobby groups, raising concerns about the future of private sector engagement with the Government. Each of the trade bodies represents different interests the IoD predominantly focuses on governance issues, for example but their ultimate aims are similar: lobbying ministers to listen to the wants of private businesses. This has led some senior lobbyists to suggest that the five largest bodies could merge to form a single pressure group to represent UK Plc. Simon Walker, a former director-general of the IoD, wrote in The Times this week that the CBI scandal could be an inflection point in how British business seeks to be represented. He said: Among the five business bodies, there are common interests, although the concerns of large and small, incumbents and new entrants occasionally collide. There tends to be broad agreement on most policy issues. But there is also organisational fragmentation, with duplication of back-office functions. Talented individuals are spread unevenly and, as weve observed, there have been serious management weaknesses. In the medium term, there must also be doubts about the viability of five member bodies covering overall business interests. None is financially robust and a consolidated umbrella group could be much better resourced once synergies have been realised. Tony Danker, former director-general of the Confederation of British Industry - REUTERS/Phil Noble/File Photo There is precedent for lobby groups to consolidate. In 2017 UK Finance brought together six leading City trade associations to create a single group, which has proven to be effective. Walker added: Each group has its own history and traditions. Some members undoubtedly would resist cutting the number of regions and branches with the roles and titles they provide, but local focus and personal vanity projects should not stand in the way of rationalisation. With an economically pivotal election likely to take place within the next 18 months, it should be unthinkable for the business community to go unrepresented because politicians and government departments refuse to deal with the principal organisation representing employer interests. The CBI said this week that it will release the findings of an independent investigation into sexual misconduct allegations imminently. Given the extent of high profile membership resignations on Friday, however, too much damage may already be done. The CBI says: With CBI membership, you'll be better equipped to confidently plan with exclusive political, economic and regulatory insight. You'll get practical guidance to empower your business, and discover opportunities to showcase your expertise. Big business likes to have the ear of ministers, but many companies, including NatWest, Aviva, Rolls-Royce and John Lewis, decided on Friday that they do not need the CBIs insight and expertise and no longer see it as a vehicle to advance their interests. Without the CBI, the door is open for a bigger and better group to take its place. Child Among 10 Family Members Killed in South Africa Shooting Curious onlookers behind a police cordon, where ten people from the same family were shot dead in the city of Pietermaritzburg in the eastern KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa, on April 21, 2023. (AP Photo) JOHANNESBURGTen members of the same family, seven of them female and one a 13-year-old boy, were killed in a mass shooting at a house in South Africa, police said Friday. A male suspect was killed in a shootout with police hours after and two men were arrested. A fourth suspect escaped but his identity is known and he is being sought, Police Minister Bheki Cele said. According to initial reports, the family was ambushed by gunmen at the home in the city of Pietermaritzburg in the eastern KwaZulu-Natal Province, police said. The shooting happened in the predawn hours of Friday. Police initially announced that the victims were seven women and three men but later said that at least one child, the teenage boy, was among the dead. The oldest victim of the mass shooting was 65, Cele said, and the youngest was the 13-year-old. He didnt give the ages of the other victims. Cele, who was at the scene, said police confronted four men on a street about a mile from the house where the mass shooting occurred and the men fired at officers. Police shot back, killed one, injured one, who is arrested, and one is arrested uninjured. One has run away, Cele said. Fortunately they know who ran away. Police recovered three guns. The suspect who was killed by police was notorious and linked to other crimes in the area, Cele said, although he didnt offer a motive for the mass shooting. The scene at the house where the 10 were killed was terrible, Cele said. Too many people were lost, he said. Police were also questioning the driver of an e-hailing taxi who is believed to have previously transported the four men when they allegedly committed other crimes. South Africa has one of the highest homicide rates in the world and there has been a spate of mass shootings in recent years. Eight people were fatally shot at a birthday party in the south coast city of Gqeberha in January. Last year, 16 people died in a mass shooting at a bar in the Johannesburg township of Soweto when a group of armed men, some of them wielding rifles, opened fire on customers. On the same day of that Soweto shooting, 12 people were shot, four of them fatally, at a bar in Pietermaritzburg. By Mogomotsi Magome China Issues More Crop Subsidies, Highlighting Its Farm Crisis China will provide 10 billion yuan ($1.45 billion) in one-time farm subsidies, according to a government statement on April 17. The subsidies are meant to help grain farmers. Funds will be deposited directly to farmers bank accounts, according to a report in Chinese state media the Global Times. However, experts believe despite recent subsidies, the incentive for Chinese farmers to engage in crop production remains low. Further, it is unclear how much of the money will actually reach farmers. Connections Are Everything The latest round of subsidies are meant to support spring farming and motivate farmers, according to an article in state media Xinhua News. In recent years, China has heavily subsidized its farmers. Last year alone, China issued three subsidies, for a total of 40 billion yuan ($5.81 billion), to support and encourage grain production. However, a Chinese journalist told The Epoch Times he suspects the actual amount going to farmers will be low. The journalist used the pseudonym Mr. Huang for fear of reprisal. He said he is concerned that embezzlement due to Chinas corrupt bureaucracy will divert the funds from their intended recipients. In just one example, a 2017 investigation uncovered at least 730 million yuan that had been misappropriated from the countrys poverty-relief initiative. Huang said the so-called direct deposit to farmers bank accounts was just an announcement. In fact, whether farmers actually get subsidies depends on their connections to local authorities. Under the regimes ruling, nothing is open, fair, or just, he said. A good connection will get you the subsidies, even if youre not a farmer; a bad connection will get you nothing, even if youre a farmer. Workers are seen next to a truck unloading harvested soybeans at a farm in Chiping County, Shandong Province, China on Oct. 8, 2018. (Reuters) Food Security: Chinas Longtime Focus Food security has been an emphasis of the regimes No. 1 Central Document for years, said Scott Y. Lin, director of the Graduate Institute of Development Studies at Taiwans National Chengchi University. However, while the subsidies are meant to encourage farming and secure food sources, Lin believes the reality may be different. Since 2004, the so-called No. 1 Central Document, the first policy statement issued by Beijings top echelons each year, has centered on food security and three rural development issues: agriculture, rural areas, and farmers. Mr. Wang (a pseudonym), a farmer from Chinas northern Hebei Province who turned to migrant work to make ends meet, told The Epoch Times that individual farmers simply cant afford to farm full time. Theyd rather lease their land to large growers, he said. The large growers can get more subsidies. Wang thinks his family will receive some of the subsidy money, but he is not overly optimistic. Ordinary farmers wont get much, he said. Wang pointed to haphazard agricultural development under corrupt authorities as one reason for the regimes grain shortage. They cut down all the trees for growing crops, even those just planted for a couple of years. Some people grow crops by the lake, he said. Recent research shows that the cost of labor, land rental, and farming tools has made it hard for farmers to make ends meet. Young farmers are increasingly leaving rural areas to find more lucrative employment as migrant workers, according to an investigative report on farming in Raohe County, a base for soybean production. Millions of migrant workers power the factories and commerce of Chinas cities, sometimes making as much in one year as an entire familys farm income. The report, detailed on Chinese news portal Sina Finance, said The annual income of a familys farming is not as good as the income of one person going out to work, resulting in a large number of rural laborers going out to work. Looking Toward a Food Shortage To compensate for the loss of domestic farmers, Lin said, China has been importing more and more soybeans and corn. China recorded imports of 11.989 million tons of grain in March of 2023, according to an April 14 report by AskCI Consulting, an industry research supplier. China imported 38.727 million tons of grains from January to March, a year-on-year increase of 4.7 percent. Chinas food self-sufficiency rate has been declining steadily over the past 20 years, averaging a decline of at least one percentage point annually. That rate of decline is higher than that of Japan, South Korea, or Taiwan, according to a report in state media The Paper. By 2020, Chinas grain self-sufficiency had dropped to 76.8 percent and is expected to drop even furtherto 65 percentby 2035, according to the report from January 2022. Chinese researchers warned that China may experience a food shortage of about 130 million tons by 2025, according to the 2020 China Rural Development Report. Haizhong Ning and Luo Ya contributed to this report. Colorado Lawmakers Shelve Assault Weapons Ban Bill A King Soopers grocery store, not connected to Monday's shooting, is reflected in the window of the Eagles Nest Armory in Arvada, Colo., on March 26, 2021. (Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images) Lawmakers in the Colorado House of Representatives voted early on Thursday morning to shelf a bill that prohibits people from buying and selling assault weapons in the state. The bill, HB23-1230, was brought by Denver Democratic Rep. Elisabeth Epps. The bill defined assault weapons as semi-automatic rifles that can be made to accept a detachable magazine and has any number of additional features, including a pistol grip, a collapsible stock, flash suppressor, threaded barrel, functional grenade launcher or a barrel shroud allowing the bearer to hold the firearm with the non-trigger hand without being burned. The bill also bans semiautomatic pistols that can accept detachable magazines and has any of the aforementioned features or that exceed a weight of 50 ounces when unloaded or a buffer tube or other part that protrudes behind the pistol grip. Shotguns with revolving cylinders or a semiautomatic shotgun that has a pistol grip, collapsable stock or the ability to accept a detachable magazine are also included in the list of banned weapons, along with .50 caliber rifles. The Democrat-controlled Colorado House Judiciary Committee voted 85 on Thursday morning to indefinitely postpone the bill. Four Democratic lawmakers on the committeeLindsey Daugherty, Bob Marshall, Said Sharbini, and Marc Snyderjoined the four Republicans on the committee in the vote to shelf Eppss bill. The committee members came to that vote at approximately 12:54 a.m. on Thursday morning after 14 hours of debate. The debate over the gun control bill drew hundreds of Coloradans to the Capitol on Wednesday. According to a statement by the Colorado House Republicans, more than 500 Coloradans signed up to voice their opinions on the legislation. The Colorado Republicans claimed the ratio of people who spoke in opposition to the bill was about 6:1 against those who favored the legislation. Colorado spoke up today, loud and clear, and told this legislative body to leave their constitutional rights alone, Republican House Minority Leader Mike Lynch said Wednesday. Democratic lawmakers in Colorado have passed other gun control measures during this legislative session, including expanding red-flag lawswhich allow a judge to temporarily remove someones firearm if they pose a risk to themselves or othersalong with raising the gun purchase age to 21 and imposing a three-day waiting period on gun purchases in the state. Colorado lawmakers also passed a bill allowing shooting victims to sue the gun industry. While they supported those other gun control measures, some Democrats said Eppss bill went further than what theyre comfortable with. Democratic Rep. Marc Snyder, who voted against the bill, said hed told constituents hed work to reduce gun violence. But the other thing I told them was that I had no interest in taking guns away from law-abiding citizens. And the, bill I believe, does. Epps challenged her fellow Democrats to move forward on the gun control bill in her opening remarks on Wednesday. Ive long said that Democrats werent serious about a statewide ban on assault weapons. So if we fail, I was right. I want to be wrong. I want to be wrong. Id like to be wrong today, Epps said at the start of the hearing, Colorado Public Radio reported. While the lawmakers in Colorado stalled on Eppss legislation, a similar ban on various semiautomatic weapons passed through the Democrat-controlled Washington state legislature on Wednesday. Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee is expected to sign the bill into law. Epps Offers Softened Bill In a final effort to get a bill passed the committee, Epps made amendments that would have watered the bill down to merely ban the sale of rapid-fire trigger activators and bump stocks, which enable a person to shoot faster. Those proposed changes also failed to garner enough support from Democrats. Supporters of Eppss original legislation reportedly expressed some apprehension at the concessions she offered. Jane Dougherty, whose sister Mary Sherlach was killed in the 2012 Sandy Hook school shooting, told Colorado Public Radio I was shocked, a little disappointed after Epps offered a pared-down version of her bill. The Associated Press contributed to this article. From NTD News Communist China the Greatest Threat to US in 100 Years: Sen. Hawley Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) speaks at the Heritage Foundation's Leadership Summit in National Harbor, Md., on Apr. 20, 2023. (Terri Wu/The Epoch Times) NATIONAL HARBOR, Md.The United States is facing a multi-generational threat from communist China, and must act to immediately insulate its economy and technologies from the regime, according to several lawmakers and experts. To ensure that the nation does not spiral into economic and societal collapse, great strides need to be made to sever the outflow of labor and capital from the United States to China, said Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) at an April 20 summit of the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. We face in China an adversary the likes of which we have not seen in any of our lifetimes, Hawley said. China has the ability to be a true competitor to the United States in a way we simply have not seen in over a century now. Hawley said the decision to grant communist China permanent status as a most-favored trade partner in 2000 was one of the most colossal errors any global power has made in its history. The result, he said, was the continued guaranteed gutting of the American working class. This outflow of jobs and wealth, he added, contributed directly to the Chinese communist regimes military expansion and modernization, which now directly threatens global stability and U.S. interests. After we let China into the [World Trade Organization], our trade deficit exploded. Over 3 million jobs vanished. Not Wall Street jobs, Main Street jobs, Hawley said. China has built its military on the back of our middle class. The United States, Hawley said, was at one of the great crossroads and a time for choosing between the well-being of the nation and unbridled corporatism was nigh, he said, echoing a famous speech by President Ronald Reagan. The United States, he added, must be proactive to counter the threat posed by Chinas communist regime, wherever it presented itself. We face a rising adversary in China, Hawley said. We do not have to be a global hegemon, but we do have to defend American interests and American security. Leaders Embrace Strategic Decoupling Hawleys comments were embraced by key D.C. insiders at the summit, chief among them the former U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer. To prevent U.S. decline and deter military conflict with China, Lighthizer said, the nation should pursue strategic decoupling, systematically pulling flows of capital, research, and technology away from China for the benefit of national security. Operationally, the strategic decoupling process should start from Congress, Lighthizer told The Epoch Times after his speech. So long as the United States is economically dependent on communist China, he said, the nation will continue to falter. If the American way of life depends on $580 billion of Chinese imports, then we are doomed, Lighthizer said. Lighthizer added that the United States should drop Chinas most-favored trade status, which grants it special privileges, and apply tariffs on everything coming in from China to help balance the continued trade deficit between the two powers. Above all, he said, it was vital that U.S. commercial interests understood any investments they made in China were effectively propping up the state and military of the nations greatest adversary. If youre shipping money to invest in China, youre shipping money to help the state. Period. Full stop. Would you have done it with the Soviet Union? Would you have done it with Nazi Germany? US-China War a Possibility Related to the issue of Sino-American economic entanglement was the ever-present question of the potential war with China. When asked whether the United States and China would go to war this generation, Heritage Foundation Senior Fellow Michael Pillsbury spoke candidly. Yes, he said. There may not be a nuclear war in which we all die, Pillsbury added ironically. There may just be a small one. On a more hopeful note, however, Pillsbury said that Chinas communist regime may opt not to invade Taiwan, which it claims as its own, if it felt the United States was not encouraging the continued acceptance of Taiwan as an independent nation. Theyre certainly thinking about it, Pillsbury said. We need to take it very, very carefully, the issue of deterring a Chinese invasion of Taiwan. Pillsbury said the greatest danger currently is the potential for a catastrophic miscommunication between China and the U.S. militaries or political leadership. Without serious, frank communication between the powers, the worlds two largest economies could sleepwalk into a war of terrible consequence. Im very nervous about misperception between the United States and China by accident leading to another war like Korea, Pillsbury said. Asked if the United States could win such a brutal war if it needed to, Pillsbury was confident enough. Yes, he said. Terri Wu contributed to this report. Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab Resigns Over Bullying Claims Dominic Raab, then the UK's deputy prime minister, leaves 10 Downing Street following a cabinet meeting in London on April 18, 2023. (Jordan Pettitt/PA Media) Dominic Raab has resigned from his roles as the UKs deputy prime minister and justice secretary over claims of bullying. Raab said in a statement on Friday that he felt duty bound to resign after an inquiry found he had acted in an intimidating manner, but he also claimed the findings are flawed and set a dangerous precedent for the conduct of good government. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak accepted Raabs resignation, saying its clear that there have been shortcomings in the historic process that have negatively affected everyone involved. We should learn from this how to better handle such matters in future, he wrote in a letter to Raab. The prime minister said he was grateful for Raabs steadfast personal support of his leadership campaign last year, and paid tribute to his dedication, commitment, and loyalty as deputy prime minister. Raab requested an independent investigation in November last year after formal complaints were made alleging he had bullied civil servants. The complaints followed media reports that claimed the minister had been very rude and aggressive towards civil servants and that he had created a culture of fear at the Ministry of Justice (MOJ). When he called for the inquiry, Raab denied any wrongdoing and vowed to cooperate fully with the investigation and respect whatever outcome Sunak would decide on. Downing Street on Thursday confirmed Sunak had received the report into the allegations (pdf) from senior lawyer Adam Tolley KC, and that Sunak was considering the findings. The prime ministers spokesperson also said Sunak still had full confidence in Raab. Intimidating Behaviour The report, which was published on Friday, said Raab acted in a way which was intimidating, in the sense of unreasonably and persistently aggressive conduct in the context of a work meeting when he made a legitimate management choice as the foreign secretary. The report said Raab also mentioned the Civil Service Code in a way which could reasonably have been understood as suggesting that those involved had acted in breach of the Civil Service Code, which was a form of intimidating behaviour, in the sense of conveying a threat of unspecified disciplinary action. It also said Raab didnt target anyone or intend to threaten anyone, but should have realised that his mentioning the Civil Service Code could well have been understood as a threat. Regarding group complaints in relation to the MOJ, the report said the former justice secretary had acted in a manner which was intimidating by making unconstructive critical comments on a number of occasions. The examples cited showed that Raab complained about the lack of basic information in documents and obstructiveness on the part of officials whom he perceived to be resistant to his policies, and referred to some items of work as utterly useless and woeful. The report said Raab didnt intend to target anyone or to upset or humiliate, but the unconstructive criticisms, combined with a habit of interrupting people, is likely to be experienced as intimidating, in the sense of being unreasonably difficult to deal with, and plainly was so experienced by some individuals. The report said Raabs style of working was inquisitorial, direct, impatient, and fastidious, but said there was no persuasive evidence that he had shouted or sworn at anyone. Raab: Dangerous Precedent In his letter of resignation to Sunak, Raab said he had promised to resign if the report made any finding of bullying whatsoever, adding, I believe it is important to keep my word. Energy Company Bets Big on Australias Largest Battery as Major Coal Power Plant Set to Close An Origin Energy power bill is pictured in Brisbane, Australia on June 8, 2018. (AAP Image/Dan Peled) One of Australias largest coal-fired power stationsthat supplies a quarter of New South Wales (NSW) energy needswill soon close and be replaced by the countrys largest battery in the rush to reach net-zero. On April 20, Origin Energy, one of the Big Three energy providers, servicing 4.2 million households and businesses, said it would spend around $600 million (US$403 million) to construct a battery system at the site of its Eraring Power Station. The company said it had finalised agreements with its business partners, and construction work will commence in the next few weeks. In the first stage of the construction, Origin plans to build a 460-megawatt battery storage system with a dispatch duration of two hours by the final quarter of 2025. The company also reserves the option to expand the systems capacity to 700 megawatts and four hours dispatch duration in the future. Finnish technology group Wartsila will supply battery equipment, while Enerven, a subsidiary of SA Power Networks, will be responsible for the design and construction of the project. The Department of Planning and Environment of NSW approved the projects initial planning in May 2022. A Fluence Cube stands adjacent to the AES Alamitos Battery Energy Storage System in Long Beach, California, on Sept. 16, 2022. (Patrick T Fallon/AFP via Getty Images) Origin CEO Frank Calabria said the battery project was a significant step toward the companys strategy to lead the energy transition and accelerate net zero. We are pleased to make this significant capital investment in Origins first major battery project to support the growth in renewable energy thats occurring across the National Electricity Market, together with the expansion of our own portfolio of renewable energy developments, he said in a statement. Meanwhile, Origins head of energy supply and operations, Greg Jarvis, praised the projects location, saying it was a strategic site that could deliver energy to major demand centres. Development of the Eraring battery is a key next step as we look to transform the Eraring site for the future, given our intention to exit coal-fired generation by as early as August 2025, he said. Eraring Power Station Shutting Down Earlier The moves come as Origin moves to retire its Eraring Power Station early, raising concerns around energy security and prices in Australias most populous state NSW. In February 2022, the company submitted a notice to the Australian Energy Market Operator saying it would shut the power station down by August 2025, seven years ahead of the original schedule. Origin cited increasing, unsustainable pressure by cleaner and lower cost generation and its transition to renewable energy generation as the main reasons for the closure. The 2,880-megawatt coal-fired power station has been operating since its inception in 1984 and supplies around a quarter of NSWs electricity needs. Origin acquired the power station from the NSW government in 2013 for $660 million. As it announced the construction of the battery, Origin said it would continue to assess market conditions to determine the timing of Erarings closure. Meanwhile, the NSW government acknowledged the challenge caused by the early closure of Eraring and other power stations in the state. We know that theres a big challenge coming around the corner particularly in relation to Eraring, (with) baseload supply of power in the state of NSW, Premier Chris Minns said. While the government has not ruled out intervening to keep Eraring open, the premier said his government had to consider the commercial aspect of energy production. Its important that electricity consumers in this state have a steady, reliable source of power, and theres big challenges there in terms of the renewable energy revolution, Minns told reporters. We believe that if we get the pathway right, we can put downward pressure on bills and make sure that energy is reliable. LONDONFaisal Shaukat, who runs an events management company, attended Shen Yun Performing Arts at Eventim Apollo on the evening of April 20. This was the second time he had seen Shen Yun. Every time I watch the show, its better, and bigger, and more beautiful than the previous one, Shaukat said. Im always happy, and its really a joy to be part of such a performance. He gave his overall impression. Its definitely positive. I personally believe that the whole idea of the show is to revive the roots, the true culture of China, he said. And everybody knows that this show is banned in China for various reasons. I really salute the production team, and everyone who are behind it, who has this courage to just try and give this new generation, the actual feeling of how the culture was. Its always good to stay connected with the roots and revive that, he said. Shaukat said he liked the beautiful culture presented. Its beautiful. Shen Yun is like the beauty of the Divine, so its really beautiful. Obviously, you cant describe the divine itself, but the way its being portrayed, he said. Im so amazed with the visuals that complement the whole performance. And its interesting that the visuals have some sort of virtual effect, Shaukat said. So you combine the real performances and they merge with the visual, which is something really interesting and very nice. It is very unique. Its something like a cinematic experience; its very immersive cinema, you know, you become part of it. Shaukat was most impressed with the costumes. Beautiful costumes in a performance. I love the colorful costumes. Its so amazing. Its so beautiful. Based in New York, Shen Yun was founded in 2006 by leading Chinese artists and quickly became the worlds premier classical Chinese dance and music company. Shen Yuns mission is to revive traditional Chinese culture. Yes. I think no matter where you live, which part of the world you live in, or which religion you believe in, what is natural to you, and whomever you believe in, thats divine power. There is a source for that. So it could be anything, it could be anyone, but when you have that, thats where you get the peace from, he said. He had praise and gratitude for the performers. Congratulations, because theyve been traveling a lot, I know. Shaukat said he follows Shen Yun on social media. I understand that its not easy to manage and cope. Sometimes they do two shows a day, and thats really something to ask, and hats off to them. Congratulations, well done. I look forward to seeing the next performance either at the end of this year or the next year, he said. Reporting by NTD. The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yuns inception in 2006. Ex-CIA Official: Biden Campaign Behind Letter Framing Hunter Biden Laptop Story as Russian Disinformation A former deputy director of the CIA was prompted by the Biden campaign to frame the Hunter Biden laptop story as Russian disinformation in a letter signed by dozens of former senior intelligence officials ahead of the 2020 presidential election, according to testimony revealed by Congressional lawmakers. Former CIA deputy director Michael Morell was among the 51 signatories of an open letter (pdf) that said the New York Posts October 2020 report dismissing the explosive contents of a laptop purportedly belonging to Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden. The letter said that the arrival on the U.S. political scene of emails purportedly belonging to Vice President Bidens son Hunter, much of it related to his time serving of the Board of the Ukrainian gas company Burisma, has all the classic earmarks of a Russian information operation. Subsequent reporting has confirmed that the laptop wasnt part of a Russian disinformation campaign but had been abandoned at a computer repair shop. Some of the contents found on the laptop included embarrassing photos of Hunter Biden, including one apparently showing him passed out with a crack pipe. At the time, Bidens presidential campaign cited the letter in framing the Hunter Biden laptop story as Russian disinformation. Polling suggests that if voters had been aware of the laptops contents, some would have voted differently, with a potentially different outcome of the 2020 presidential election. Morrell said in Congressional testimony cited by Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) that Morrell had organized the letter at the urging of Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who at the time was serving as an adviser to Bidens presidential campaign. Jordan, who heads both the House Judiciary Committee and the Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government, has demanded that Blinken answer a series of questions about Morrells testimony and provide records of related communication. Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) at the CPAC convention in National Harbor, Md., on Feb. 28, 2019. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times) Triggered Morrells remarks come in the form of a transcribed interview with the Weaponization Subcommittee, according to Jordans April 20 letter to Blinken. The transcript shows that Morrell had no intention of writing the letter suggesting the Hunter Biden laptop story was Russian disinformation but that a conversation with Blinken triggered it. So his call triggered that intent in you? one of the committee members asked Morrell, per Jordans letter. It did, yes, Morrell replied, indicating that Blinken called him on or around Oct. 17, 2020, to discuss the Hunter Biden laptop story. According to Morrell, although your outreach was couched as simply gathering Morrells reaction to the Post story, it set in motion the events that led to the issuance of the public statement, Jordan wrote. Jordan said Morrell also received a call from Steve Ricchetti, who chaired the Biden campaign, thanking Morrell for writing the statement. Steve thanked me for putting the statement out, Morrell said, per Jordans letter. And that was the extent of the conversation. Morrell said that one of his two goals in releasing the statement was to help Biden in a debate and win the election. There were two intents. One intent was to share our concern with the American people that the Russians were playing on this issue; and, two, it was [to] help Vice President Biden, Morrell said, per the letter. You wanted to help the Vice President why? Jordan asked. Because I wanted him to win the election, Morrell replied, per the letter. The Epoch Times has been unable to contact Morrell for comment. The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Ian Sams, White House spokesperson for oversight and investigations, told The Epoch Times in an emailed statement that House Republicans are weaponizing their power to go after their political opponents and re-litigate the 2020 election with misleading claims. The American people see these House GOP attacks for what they are: political stunts intended to hurt President Biden, and House Republicans would be wise to instead focus on doing their job, raising the debt ceiling to avoid an economic catastrophe, and working together with the President to make actual progress on important issues, he added. President Joe Biden with his son Hunter Biden arrives at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base in Syracuse, N.Y., on Feb. 4, 2023. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images) Grave Disservice Jordan said in his letter to Blinken that its apparent that the Biden campaign played an active role in the origins of the public statement, which had the effect of helping to suppress the Hunter Biden story and preventing American citizens from making a fully informed decision during the 2020 presidential election. Politico published the letter on Oct. 19 with the headline Hunter Biden story is Russian disinfo, dozens of former intel officials say. In their letter, the 51 former officials wrote that they do not know if the emails, provided to the New York Post by President Trumps personal attorney Rudy Giuliani, are genuine or not and that we do not have evidence of Russian involvement. Making an appeal to authority, they wrote that their experience makes us deeply suspicious that the Russian government played a significant role in this case. While Jordan acknowledged the unquestioned right to free speech on the part of the IC letter signatories, he said that their reference to their national security credentials lent credibility to its contents and its key suggestion that the Hunter Biden story had the markings of a Russian disinformation campaign. This concerted effort to minimize and suppress public dissemination of the serious allegations about the Biden family was a grave disservice to all American citizens informed participation in our democracy, Jordan wrote. He gave Blinken until May 4 to provide the requested documentation. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken attends a press conference at State Department in Washington on April 11, 2023. (Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times) Big Guy The letter that was purportedly inspired by Blinken was widely referenced by news outlets in the lead-up to the November 2020 election between then-President Donald Trump and Joe Biden. Biden used the letter to deflect criticism about his sons business dealings during the second debate with Trump. Around the same time, Twitter and Facebook moved to suppress the New York Posts initial Hunter Biden laptop story, with Twitter locking the paper out of its account for over two weeks. Two years after the laptop story was published, a poll found that 79 percent of people who have been following reports about Hunter Biden said that truthful media coverage of the story would have changed the outcome of the 2020 election. In September 2022, a poll from Rasmussen Reports found that 63 percent of likely American voters believe the Hunter Biden laptop story is important. Hunter Biden, in an ABC News interview in 2019, said that he engaged in no illegal activity and that there was nothing improper about his overseas business deals. I gave a hook to some very unethical people to act in illegal ways to try to do some harm to my father. Thats where I made the mistake, Hunter Biden said at the time. So I take full responsibility for that. Did I do anything improper? No, not in any way. Not in any way whatsoever. It comes as House Republicans have been probing the Biden familys business dealings. Jack Phillips contributed to this report, which has been updated with a comment from the White House. EXCLUSIVE: Lawmaker With Doctorate in AI Warns About Technologys Real DangerIts Not Killer Robots The only member of Congress with an advanced degree in artificial intelligence (AI) is urging caution as other lawmakers and industry leaders rush to regulate the technology. Rep. Jay Obernolte (R-Calif.) is one of only four computer programmers in Congress and the only member with a doctorate in artificial intelligenceand he says the rush to regulate is misguided. Obernolte said his larger concerns about AI center around the potentially Orwellian uses of the technology by the state. Recently, a coalition of technology leaders such as Twitter owner Elon Musk and Apple CEO Tim Cook, among others, called for a total shutdown of AI research and development. This followed the release of ChatGPT 4, an extremely powerful artificial intelligence chatbot that has, among other milestones, completed the bar exam in the 90th percentile and passed the SAT. The release of ChatGPT 4, easily the most powerful consumer AI on the market, prompted fears that AI was getting much more intelligent much more quickly than expected. In their letter, tech leaders called for a six-month shutdown of new AI development and called on Congress to regulate the technology. Obernolte sat down with The Epoch Times to discuss AI, saying that regulation without more knowledge is ill-advised and based on a fundamental misunderstanding of AI technology. Im not standing up and saying we shouldnt regulate, Obernolte said. I think that regulation will ultimately be necessary. But he said lawmakers need to ensure that they understand what the dangers are that [theyre] trying to protect consumers against. If we dont have that understanding, then its impossible for us to create a regulatory framework that will guard against those dangers, which is the whole point of regulating in the first place, Obernolte said. Right now, its very clear that we do not have a good understanding of what the dangers are. Others in Congress have called for prompt action on the issue. This is something that is going to sneak up on us, and well get to the point where were in too deep to really make meaningful changes before its too late, Rep. Lance Gooden (R-Texas) told Fox News. He and others from both parties have raised concerns over the potential for AI to take over jobs previously done by humans. Others worry about the so-called singularity, a predicted moment in AI development at which AI will supersede human intelligence and capabilities. AI Not Likely to Take Over the World Obernolte said the letter from tech leaders is helpful in calling attention to the emergence of AI and the impacts its going to have on our society. But he observed that for laymen, the greatest fears about AI are like those displayed in the Terminator movies, in which AI takes control of human computer networks and destroys the world in a nuclear apocalypse. The layman probably thinks that the largest danger in AI is an army of evil robots rising up to take over the world, he said. And thats not what keeps thinkers in AI up at night. It certainly doesnt keep me up at night. Before Congress can even consider regulating, Obernolte said, it needs to define danger in the context of AI. What are we afraid might happen? We need to answer that question to answer the question [of how to regulate], he said. One big fear that Obernolte cited is the development of emergent capabilities in AI, which are abilities AI develops that it wasnt initially programmed to do. But he said this isnt as big of an issue as some say, as it follows trends similar to those observed in primate brains. Thats very frightening and alarming to people, he said. But if you think about it, it shouldnt be that alarming, because these are neural nets. Our brain is a neural net. And thats the way our brain works. You know, if you look at it, primate brain sizes, you know, as you grow the brain size, all of a sudden things like language begin to emerge and were discovering the same things about AI. So I dont find that alarming. Obernolte said the real function of ChatGPT 4 only bolsters his position. If you look closely at ChatGPT 4, it reinforces the veracity of what Im saying, Obernolte said. AI is a tremendously powerful and efficient pattern recognizer. ChatGPT 4 is designed to take in this enormous amount of language, images, and prose in order to synthesize answers to questions. If you think about what has alarmed [AI critics], in the context of all of the data its been trained to recognize patterns in, it becomes a lot less alarming. AI Cant Think or Reason Another important aspect of AI that Obernolte pointed to is its inability to pass the Turing test or reason independently. Proposed by World War II British codebreaker Alan Turing, the Turing test describes a machines resemblance to a human being. For an AI to pass the Turing test, human beings speaking to it via chatbox shouldnt be able to tell that theyre speaking to an AI. The test was proposed as a measure of the refinement of AI technology. An AI robot titled Alter 3: Offloaded Agency is pictured during a photo call to promote the exhibition entitled AI: More than Human at the Barbican Centre in London on May 15, 2019. (Ben Stansall/AFP via Getty Images) Many see the Turing test as the gold standard for measuring AI intelligence. Thus far, no AI has been able to pass the Turing test. This is important because if AI cant reason like a human being and act independently, it poses little risk to humans. Almost all fears about AI involve AIs becoming independent from humanity and working against the interests of humanity. Obernolte opined that even if in the future an AI could pass the Turing test, that wouldnt necessarily mean that its a thinking, reasoning entity. Its a matter of philosophical debate whether AI could ever have motives or carry out independent actions in the same sense as human beings can. And for at least the foreseeable future, theres no reason to worry, he said. Certainly ChatGPT 4 cannot pass the Turing test, Obernolte said. It may be the case that ChatGPT 6 or 7 can pass the Turing test. It might be that it can. You could sit for an hour, talking back and forth, and not be able to determine whether or not its a person or a computerthat still will not mean that we have created a thinking, reasoning entity. Regulating Would Empower US Foes Obernolte said shutting down U.S. research into AI technology would only serve to empower enemies of the United States. In the most draconian case, lets say that tomorrow I introduced a bill that required everyone in the United States of America to stop development of AI that was anything beyond the capabilities of GPT 4, he said. But we would still have bad actors in the United States who saw financial gain in continuing development of advanced AI that would continue to do it and flout the law. We would still have foreign adversaries using it. Thus, AI development would still occurit would just occur in the black market and among U.S. adversaries, according to Obernolte. Its undeniable that we would put our country at greater risk of attack from advanced AI if we stopped our development of it, he said. Because when we resume it, our AI is not going to be as advanced as those of the people that didnt stop. So its just not realistic to say, Everyone stop what youre doing. Lets talk about this. Im glad that were talking about it. Orwellian Uses Obernolte said he isnt afraid of AI becoming independent and destroying humanity but that he is concerned about the Orwellian uses the technology could have. I do worry about some other very real dangers that, in their own way, are just as consequential and hazardous as robots taking over the world, but in different ways, he said. For one, Obernolte cited AIs uncanny ability to pierce through personal digital privacy. The result could be to help government or corporate entities predict and control behavior, he said. Obernolte said AI could put formerly disaggregated personal information together and use it to form behavioral models that make eerily accurate predictions about future human behavior. And then it could give people clues on how to influence that future human behavior. Its already being done, he said, pointing to the social media companies whose whole business model revolves around the collection and sale of personal data. On a corporate level, Obernolte said this could mean a few major players form a monopoly over data with effectively insurmountable barriers to entry. But the effects could be far worse if a state got hold of the technology, he predicted. I worry about the way that AI can empower a nation-state to create, essentially, a surveillance state, which is what China is doing with it, Obernolte said. Theyve created, essentially, the worlds largest surveillance state. They use that information to make predictive scores of peoples loyalty to the government. And they use that as loyalty scores to award privileges. Thats pretty Orwellian. So this is a disruptive way that government can use it. And as we have learned to our misfortune in the history of our country, we need to put guardrails around government as well as industry. EXCLUSIVE: Senator Demands Answers From Government on COVID-19 Vaccine Injury Compensation A U.S. senator is demanding answers from U.S. officials on compensation to people who were injured by COVID-19 vaccines. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), ranking member of the Senates Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, asked for key details on the U.S. compensation scheme, including how much each person who has been compensated requested. The government recently paid three people who were injured by the vaccines, marking the first time payments were rendered for the COVID vaccines. But the highest payout was just $2,019. Johnson is also asking whether the government has advertised the Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program (CICP), the only venue for federal compensation; whether officials expect an increase in claims in light of how many injury reports have been logged with the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System, and how much money injured people are eligible for under the program. The Republican outlined the requested information in a letter to Xavier Becerra, the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and Carole Johnson, the administrator of the Health and Resources Administration (HRSA). HHS and HRSA did not respond to requests for comment. Although the government appears to be providing very limited compensation to individuals who have filed COVID-19 vaccine injury claims, the process by which HHS evaluates these claims or even advertises the existence of this compensation program remains opaque, Johnson told The Epoch Times in an emailed statement. HHS owes the American people a complete explanation of its administration of the compensation program for individuals who have suffered COVID-19 vaccine injuries, he added. An office inside HHS, HRSA administers the CICP. The program covers the COVID-19 vaccines because the Trump administration early in the COVID-19 pandemic made a declaration under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act that shields manufacturers and others, such as vaccine administrators, from liability. The Biden administration has extended the declaration. All people who are or believe they were injured by a COVID-19 vaccine or another countermeasure can apply to the CICP for compensation for unreimbursed medical expenses and lost employment income. People whose family members died from an injury can ask for survivor benefits. According to the HRSA, a person must prove a causal connection between a vaccine and a serious injury or death. The connection must be supported by compelling, reliable, valid, medical and scientific evidence. As of April 1, 11,425 COVID-19 applications have been filed, many for alleged vaccine injuries. Just 22 have been deemed eligible for compensation, and no compensation had been given until recently. Another 684 have been denied. While a similar program, the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, has judges decide on injury cases, the CICP features HRSA administrators deciding on applications. Precedence Research The central lab market size was valued at USD 3.1 billion in 2022 and it is anticipated to reach around USD 5.4 billion by 2032, representing 10.58% growth through 2032. Ottawa, April 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Precedence Research predict, the global central lab market is predicted to grow at a CAGR of 10.58% from 2023 to 2032. The central lab market growth can be attributed to rising R&D expenditures as well as sponsors' and investigators' greater attention to research cost containment. The outsourcing of key lab work is accelerating market expansion. Market Overview The growth can be linked to rising R&D spending as well as sponsors' and investigators' greater focus on cutting costs in the research process. The central lab work's outsourcing is a further factor in the market's expansion. As part of their integrated service models, CROs that offer central lab services are increasingly being preferred by the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industries. Patient management is made simpler by better integration of central lab and bioanalytical services. The way business is conducted in central labs has been considerably changed by changes in demand. Customers are increasingly seeking a personalized strategy based on their unique needs. The individualized approach is substantially more favorable for the client in terms of logistics and sample management due to greater individual monitoring of candidates based on diseases. Get the sample pages of report@ https://www.precedenceresearch.com/sample/1556 Growing knowledge and individualized methods of treatment are two factors that are driving an increase in the demand for novel medications to cure diseases. Moreover, preclinical stages are being reached by items as a result of the speeding up of innovation cycles. Providing a business opportunity for the central labs in the process. The technological prerequisites for shipping clinical trial samples reveal the importance of a central lab. Two significant strategies imposed by players in the global central lab market are the adoption of cutting-edge technological solutions and service bundling. The market is expected to benefit from increased complexity and the availability of a large amount of clinical trial data for study purposes. Companies in the biopharmaceutical and pharmaceutical industries can get a wide range of services from bundled services for a considerably lower price. Story continues Regional Analysis In 2022, North America held a 45.5% market share, dominating the industry. The presence of a favorable regulatory environment and a sizeable portion of R&D in the area together drive the market. Additionally, it is projected that the high prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases (STIs) and tuberculosis in the area will increase the need for clinical research related to the development of diagnostic tools and therapies. To aid physicians in making wiser clinical decisions, the US and Canada are both promoting the opening of more central labs. A number of factors, including the extraordinary growth in the number of people gaining access to affordable, high-quality healthcare through new insurance options under the Affordable Care Act, are contributing to an unprecedented rise in the demand for laboratory services within the American healthcare system. Hospitals employ about 41% of all medical laboratory technologists in Canada. Doctors and other healthcare professionals can choose from a wide range of services provided by central laboratories. General chemistry, hematological, coagulation, immunoassays such ELISAs and multiplex tests, urinalysis, and toxicity screening are among the services offered. Usually, automated analyzers made by firms like Beckman Coulter Inc., Roche Diagnostics Corp., Siemens Medical Solutions USA, or Ortho Clinical Diagnostics L.P. are used for these tests. Due to the region's growing reliance on central lab services, the Asia Pacific is predicted to have the market's quickest growth, at 8.5%. This can be linked to the nation's quick economic expansion and an increase in R&D spending by nations like China and Japan, which has resulted in a rise in the number of clinical studies done. Given the rising drug research and development activities, favorable government support, rise in cases of genetic disorders, and presence of some of the most cutting-edge central labs in the world, including Eurofins, the Europe central lab market is anticipated to expand at a healthy rate during the forecast period. Competitive Landscape The global central lab market is fragmented, and the top market participants are constantly updating their technologies and software in order to increase the range of services they offer. In addition, to acquire a competitive edge in the market, they have implemented a variety of expansion tactics, such as alliances and agreements with pharmaceutical or biotechnology firms. Some of the key players in the global central lab market include: ACM Global Laboratories Labconnect Cerba Research Eurofins Scientific Medicover Integrated Clinical Services Versiti A.P. Mller Holding A/S Ampersand Capital Partners Lambda Therapeutics Research Ltd Cirion Biopharma Research Inc. Ask here for customization study@ https://www.precedenceresearch.com/customization/1556 Scope of this report Coverage Details Market Size in 2032 USD 5.4 Billion CAGR 5.71% from 2023 to 2032 North America Revenue Share 45.5% in 2022 Biomarker Services Segment Revenue Share 40.6% in 2022 Pharmaceutical Industry Revenue Share 50.4% in 2022 Covid-19 Impact on the Market During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, companies in the central lab market have come under fire for attempting to minimize any interruptions to the logistical movements of human samples and potential supply concerns for clinical kits. Due to the rising expense of shipping goods, stakeholders in central laboratory support services are making more of an effort to collaborate closely with their logistics providers and courier partners to establish alternate transportation solutions. Market participants and network laboratories are working together to analyze the present coronavirus situation and prepare for any potential effects on lab testing services. In the most badly affected COVID-19 regions, like the United Kingdom and China, laboratory vendors are actively monitoring and revising their business continuity strategies. The subject compliance is being actively watched by stakeholders and their employees. Market Dynamics of the Central Lab Market Market Drivers: Expansion of pharmaceutical studies in clinical, pathological, genetic, and microbiological fields The expansion of the market is being driven by the rise in clinical, pathological, genetic, and microbiological pharmaceutical studies for the discovery of new drugs. Global demand for the central lab market is being driven by the rise in the number of people affected by and affected by various diseases, such as cancer and cardiovascular disorders. Also, the use of cutting-edge hardware and software to automate certain tasks helps shorten the time required for particular services, lowering the cost of the clinical trial in the process, and is predicted to promote the expansion of the global central lab market. However, the requirement for large capital expenditures to set up and run a central laboratory facility may impede market expansion during the anticipated term. Market Restraints: Lack of availability of central labs Despite its upbeat outlook, there are a number of obstacles that could impede the worldwide central lab market's expansion. The lack of central labs in numerous emerging and undeveloped locations is one of these concerns, as are regulatory difficulties. The necessity for significant capital expenditures to set up and run central laboratories is another factor that is inhibiting industry expansion. Market Opportunities: International Businesses Have Fresh Opportunity Thanks to Central Labs Central labs are beneficial to multinational corporations with R&D facilities located all over the world because they enable them to introduce new compounds to the market more rapidly by eliminating pointless transportation processes, which results in a significant improvement in speed and efficiency. As central lab manufacturing facilities can be constructed rather rapidly, a business can start developing a compound without having to make long-term preparations for where it will produce the finished product. Identifying the parts of their business that are ready for centralization is one of the main questions for multinational organizations. The centralization of entire laboratories or specific industries now opens up new opportunities for numerous corporations. Report Highlights of the Central Lab Market Service Insights The market share represented by the biomarker services segment, which was 40.6% in 2022, is projected to expand at the highest rate during the forecast period. The co-creation of medications and diagnostics as well as the choice of suitable assay development platforms, which open up new possibilities for the incorporation of biomarkers in clinical procedures, can be credited with the segment's rise. When it comes to central labs, combining biomarker services with other trial support services can improve the offerings by making it easier to assess biomarker assays. Due to the growing importance of genetic analysis in clinical investigations, genetic services are gaining traction and are predicted to expand at a CAGR of 8.9% over the projection period. The development of tailored medicines for a number of illnesses, including cancer and inheritable disorders, can be aided by understanding the underlying genetic variables. End-User Insights In 2022, the pharmaceutical industry's end-use segment had the biggest market share (50.4%). Central laboratories fund clinical trials for novel drugs as well as genetic testing services for diseases like Alzheimer's disease, sickle cell anemia, and Parkinson's disease. Thus, it is anticipated that over the forecast period, the rising number of clinical studies and the incidence of genetic disorders will fuel the market's growth. Due to the rising trend among pharmaceutical companies to outsource non-core operations or development-related processes to off-shore facilities in an effort to reduce costs, the academic and research institutes segment had a sizeable market share in 2022. Hence, hiring CROs might provide a number of operational advantages. Recent Development of the Central Lab Market In September 2020, In order to meet its enormous growth in the fields of immuno-oncology research and cell and gene therapy, LabConnect announced the expansion of its Johnson City facility. Market Segmentation By Product Type Genetic Services Biomarker Services Microbiology Services Anatomic Pathology/Histology Specimen Management & Storage Special Chemistry Services Clinical Research & Trial Services Others By End User Pharmaceutical Companies Biotechnology Companies Academic & Research Institutes Others By Geography North America Europe Asia-Pacific Latin America Middle East & Africa (MEA) Immediate Delivery Available | Buy This Premium Research Report@ https://www.precedenceresearch.com/checkout/2621 You can place an order or ask any questions, please feel free to contact at sales@precedenceresearch.com | +1 9197 992 333 About Us Precedence Research is a worldwide market research and consulting organization. We give unmatched nature of offering to our customers present all around the globe across industry verticals. Precedence Research has expertise in giving deep-dive market insight along with market intelligence to our customers spread crosswise over various undertakings. We are obliged to serve our different client base present over the enterprises of medicinal services, healthcare, innovation, next-gen technologies, semi-conductors, chemicals, automotive, and aerospace & defense, among different ventures present globally. For Latest Update Follow Us: https://www.linkedin.com/company/precedence-research/ https://www.facebook.com/precedenceresearch/ https://twitter.com/Precedence_R A 50-year-old Spanish extreme athlete emerged on April 14, from a 500-day challenge living 230 feet (70 meters) deep in a cave outside Granada with minimal contact with the outside. Wearing dark glasses and smiling as she adjusted to the light of spring in southern Spain, elite mountaineer Beatriz Flamini told reporters that time had flown by and she did not want to come out. When they came in to get me, I was asleep. I thought something had happened. I said: Already? Surely not. I hadnt finished my book, she said. Beatriz Flamini entered a cave in southern Spain in 2021 and spent 500 days in isolation before surfacing in March. (Dokumalia Producciones/Handout via REUTERS) Flaminis support team said she broke a world record for the longest time spent in a cave in an experiment monitored by scientists studying the human mind and circadian rhythms. She was 48 when she went into the cave, celebrating two birthdays alone underground. Flamini began her challenge on Nov. 20, 2021before the outbreak of the Ukraine war, the end of Spains COVID mask requirement, and the death of Britains Queen Elizabeth II. Beatriz Flamini, a Spanish mountaineer, was isolated for 500 days in a cave in Motril, Spain. (Dokumalia Producciones/Handout via REUTERS) She did come out for eight days, her team disclosed, but stayed isolated in a tent waiting for repairs to a router used to send audio and video to tell her team how she was doing. On Friday, she was greeted by a phalanx of cameras and her support team, who encircled her in a hug. Asked if she ever thought about pressing her panic button or leaving the cave, she replied: Never. In fact, I didnt want to come out. Knitting and Reading Flamini spent her time underground doing exercises, painting and drawing, and knitting woolly hats. She took two GoPro cameras to document her time and got through 60 books and 1,000 liters of water, according to her support team. Beatriz Flamini, a Spanish mountaineer, was isolated for 500 days in a cave in Motril, Spain. (Dokumalia Producciones/Handout via REUTERS) She said she began her challenge by trying to keep track of time. On day 65 I stopped counting and lost perception of time, she said. There were hard momentssuch as when the cave was invaded by fliesand some beautiful ones, she said. If this is your dream, and youre realizing it, why are you going to cry? She said she had focused on retaining coherence, eating well, and relishing the silence. She looked forward to treats such as avocados, fresh eggs, and clean t-shirts that her support team sent down before, like gods, also removing her waste. I didnt talk to myself out loud, but I had internal conversations and got on very well with myself, she said. Spanish sportswoman Beatriz Flamini reacts as she leaves a cave in Los Gauchos, near Motril on April 14, 2023, after spending 500 days inside. (JORGE GUERRERO/AFP via Getty Images) Spanish sportswoman Beatriz Flamini leaves a cave in Los Gauchos, near Motril on April 14, 2023, after spending 500 days inside. (JORGE GUERRERO/AFP via Getty Images) You have to remain conscious of your feelings. If youre afraid, thats something natural but never let panic in or you get paralyzed. She said her team had been told to contact her under no circumstances, even about a family death. If its no communication, its no communication regardless of the circumstances, she said. The people who know me knew and respected that. Flamini was monitored by a group of psychologists, researchers, cave specialists, and physical trainers looking for insight into how social isolation and disorientation can affect time, brain patterns, and sleep. Spanish sportswoman Beatriz Flamini reacts upon getting out of a cave in Los Gauchos, near Motril on April 14, 2023, after spending 500 days inside. (JORGE GUERRERO/AFP via Getty Images) She was looking forward to a shower and sharing a plate of fried eggs and chips with friends. She said she would put herself in the hands of doctors to study the impact on her body and mind before planning new mountaineering and caving projects. The Guinness Book of Records website awards the longest time survived trapped underground to 33 Chilean and Bolivian miners who spent 69 days at 2,257 feet (688 meters), trapped in 2010. A spokesperson for Guinness was not able to immediately confirm whether there was a separate record for voluntary time living in a cave and whether Flamini had broken it. (Video Credit: Reuters) Share your stories with us at emg.inspired@epochtimes.com, and continue to get your daily dose of inspiration by signing up for the Inspired newsletter at TheEpochTimes.com/newsletter Florida Reps. Mike Waltz, Gus Bilirakis Endorse Trump Over Gov. DeSantis in 2024 Former President Donald Trump attends the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) 287 mixed martial arts event at the Kaseya Center in Miami on April 8, 2023. (Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images) Republican Florida Congressmen Mike Waltz and Gus Bilirakis named Donald Trump their preferred 2024 Republican presidential candidate on Thursday, choosing the former president over Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is rumored to be considering a run. Today I am proud to endorse Donald J. Trump for President, Waltz said in a statement to Breitbart News and republished on Trumps campaign website. Under his leadership, President Trump secured our southern border, created seven million jobs with record-low unemployment, brought manufacturing back to the U.S., made America energy independent and affordable, brokered historic Middle East peace deals, destroyed the ISIS caliphate, launched the Space Force, took out Soleimani, gave veterans choice, and put measures in place to stop Chinas march towards global dominance. Waltzs endorsement carries some added significance in the match-up between Trump and DeSantis. Waltz represents Floridas Sixth Congressional District, the same district DeSantis represented before winning his 2018 gubernatorial race. DeSantis has yet to announce a run for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. Still, Trump and his campaign have warned DeSantis not to run and issued statements attacking DeSantis record and even claiming DeSantis is being advised by endless-war neo-cons like Jeb Bush, George Bush, and Karl Rove. Potentially further complicating a DeSantis decision to run in 2024 is Floridas resign-to-run law, which would require DeSantis to resign from his position as governor just months after winning reelection to pursue the 2024 Republican nomination. In his endorsement of Trump on Thursday, Bilirakis acknowledged the other Republicans currently in the field and potential candidates in a possible reference to DeSantis. The robust field of Republican leaders is reflective of our diversity and strength. I am fortunate to call several candidates (and potential candidates) friends and colleagues whose proven track record of leadership I deeply admire and respect, Bilirakis said. The State of Florida, alone, boasts two trailblazers of unabashed, bold leadership whose achievements in governance during challenging times are to be commended, Bilirakis added. President Trump has a proven track record of delivering results for the American people at the federal level, and I am proud to support him in his 2024 campaign. Where Florida Republicans Stand Republicans control 20 of Floridas 28 Seats in the House of Representatives and both of its Senate seats. In addition to Waltz and Bilirakis, Trump has garnered endorsements from eight other Florida Republican representatives. Trump has endorsements from Florida Reps. Vern Buchanan, Byron Donalds, Matt Gaetz, Anna Paulina Luna, Brian Mast, Cory Mills, John Rutherford, and Greg Steube. Rep. Laurel Lee, who previously served as Floridas Secretary of State, endorsed DeSantis on Wednesday, saying, As Ron DeSantiss Secretary of State, I had the honor of witnessing firsthand his unparalleled leadership under pressure, his character, and his commitment to core conservative principles. His leadership and his vision made Florida a shining beacon of freedom. Republican Florida Reps. Aaron Bean, Mario Diaz-Balart, Kat Cammack, Neal Dunn, Scott Franklin, Carlos Gimenez, Bill Posey, Maria Elvira Salazar, and Dan Webster have yet to issue an endorsement in the 2024 Republican primary. Republican Florida Sens. Marco Rubio and Rick Scott have not weighed in on the 2024 Republican presidential primary. Trump Leads DeSantis in 2024 Polls Trump has led DeSantis in numerous 2024 polls. Trump has expanded that polling lead over DeSantis in recent weeks amid a surge in support after Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg indicted him on allegations of falsifying business records. DeSantis led Trump 45 to 41 in a head-to-head match-up in the Yahoo News/YouGov poll in early February. By mid-March, a match-up (pdf) by the same pollsters, the two Republicans remained relatively close, but by then, Trump led DeSantis 47 to 39. In the days surrounding Trumps Manhattan criminal indictment, his lead over DeSantis reached 57 to 31 in the Yahoo News/YouGov poll. Trumps lead over DeSantis has since slipped slightly in the Yahoo News/YouGov poll, with Trump ahead 52 to 36 in the pollsters latest match-up between April 14 and 17. From NTD News PURCHASE, N.Y.Tony Gamiello attended Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Performing Arts Center, Purchase College, on April 20. Retired from the motion picture/television industry, Gamiello said, I enjoyed the whole show, the way they incorporated everything: the choreography, the music, and incorporating the Eastern and Western instruments in the orchestra. And I also enjoyed the 3D backdrop animation that was incorporated in [the performances]. It was spectacular the way it was done. Excellent. With his background in movies and television, Gamiello said, I used to do props, set dressing, special effects, set decorating, things like that, so I can appreciate all the costuming and everything that went into it. All the work, all the props: everything is very detailed. Gamiello was involved in the filming of The Irishman and Goodfellas. I had to make sure the sets were ready to shoot, he said. We worked directly with the designer and the art directors and the decorators. And like I say, that was when we set up. When we were actually with the film crew, we got to change things according to where the camera was, where the actors were, where the lighting was. He thought that Shen Yuns production was tremendous the way it was presented and the way it went to different eras in history and all. Very well done. Many stories from Chinas colorful history as well as the present were dramatized. Based in New York, Shen Yun was founded in 2006 by leading Chinese artists and quickly became the worlds premier classical Chinese dance and music company. Shen Yuns mission is to revive traditional Chinese culture by presenting China before communism. The stories were great and they brought out a lot of things that are missing from society today. And Im also glad that they accentuated the repression that goes on today and has gone on for more than 50, 60 years, 70 years. And maybe someday, itll change, Gamiello said. But right now it seems to be getting worse around the world, including [in] this country. So hopefully, maybe with productions like this, it will open peoples eyes and maybe wake people upto trying to push for more liberty and freedom against these megalomaniac leaders that we have in the country and all over the world, and these cartels that are repressing people and enslaving people. Reporting by Weiyong Zhu. The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yuns inception in 2006. Grenfell: Michael Gove Threatens Cladding Companies With Severe Consequences Cladding is removed from the side of Whitebean Court in Salford, Manchester, on June 26, 2017. (Andrew Yates /Reuters) Housing Secretary Michael Gove has threatened severe consequences if the companies responsible for producing the flammable cladding and insulation panels involved in the Grenfell Tower fire do not come up with a financial support package. The fire in the West London suburb of North Kensington in June, 2017 killed 72 people. A public inquiry has heard the blaze began in a refrigerator in a fourth-floor flat, but spread quickly up the side of the 24-storey building. This was possible because the aluminium composite material (ACM) cladding panels and insulation panels that had been fitted to the exterior of the tower as part of a renovation programme in 2016 were flammable. After the fire, then-Prime Minister Theresa May ordered that cladding on hundreds of tower blocks across the country be tested and removed if found to be flammable, but progress has been slowand largely because of the costs involved. The government has funded most of the cost of removing cladding from council and housing association blocks, but many leaseholders and private landlords are bearing the cost for hundreds of other towers. Dany Cotton (L), commissioner of the London Fire Brigade, speaks to then-Prime Minister Theresa May (2nd L) as she visits Grenfell Tower in London, on June 15, 2017. (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) The government believes that manufacturers Kingspan, Arconic, and Saint-Gobain should stump up money to pay for the removal of the cladding. On Thursday, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) confirmed that Gove had written to the companies shareholders asking them to use their position of influence to get the firms to engage constructively in helping us reach a just resolution for all concerned. The main institutional investors involved are Blackrock, Vanguard, Fidelity Management and Research, and the Norwegian central bank, Norges Bank. A DLUHC spokesman said the shareholders were told that if a financial package was not forthcoming, the consequences for that firm are likely to be severe. Goves letter also warned the investors of reputational damage if he was forced to use the legal and commercial tools available. Gove Says Things Could Get Extremely Uncomfortable The housing secretary said a legal solution would make the cladding companies extremely uncomfortable. He said in the letter: I have always been clear that those responsible for the building safety crisis must pay. But despite the fact that their products continue to put lives at risk, some cladding firms have no intention of doing whats right and addressing their moral and financial obligations to innocent residents. Today, we ask responsible investors to use their influence to encourage these companies to come forward immediately with a comprehensive financial package for remediation work. It cannot be right that cladding companies continue to profit whilst so many innocent, hardworking people face financial hardship and misery. To those cladding companies who fail to do the right thing: you will face severe consequences and I will use all commercial and legal tools available to me to ensure you take responsibility, Gove wrote. The DLUHC also said 46 firms have now signed up to post-Grenfell building safety contracts. A huge fire engulfs the Grenfell Tower in West London on June 14, 2017. (Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP/Getty Images) Gove is also considering the findings of a review of the testing regime for construction products, commissioned after the Grenfell inquiry and carried out by Paul Morrell and Anneliese Day KC. Morrell and Day said in their report that Amongst the least edifying spectacles of the Grenfell Tower tragedy have been the arguments deployed by successive parties in denying or deflecting responsibility. It is for the public inquiry to investigate and report on the failings that occurred and by whom, but there are some truths that should be taken as evident. A Long Way from Justice Reform of the construction products sector is vital and long overdue. But we are still a long way from justicetrue justice for Grenfells bereaved, survivors, and residents and for innocent leaseholders trapped in unsafe buildings across the country, the End Our Cladding Scandal campaign group said in a statement. In November 2022, Imran Khan, a lawyer representing 25 survivors and bereaved relatives, said he hoped the public inquiry would lead to meaningful action. Making his closing statement at the end of the second and final phase of the inquiry, Khan said: Our clients truly, truly hope that this inquiry does not prove to be another administrative formality, a box-ticking exercise. Adrian Williamson KC, a lawyer who represented other Grenfell victims, told the inquiry: This is not just a story of incompetence or worse on the past of individuals and companies. They were all operating within a culture which did not encourage either competence or honesty, and a market and a system in which there was a headlong race to the bottom. Kingspan, Arconic, and Saint-Gobain have all denied they bear corporate responsibility for the Grenfell fire. The inquiry was set up by the then-Prime Minister Theresa May and was conducted in parallel with a criminal investigation by the Metropolitan Police, which could lead to criminal charges of manslaughter or corporate manslaughter. Last year the Building Safety Act was passed, which introduced tougher rules for cladding on new high-rise buildings. PA Media contributed to this report. Guilbeault Says Ottawa is Bending the Emission Curve After Environment Commissioner Criticizes Lack of Tracking Minister of Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault rises during Question Period, Monday, April 4, 2022 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault says the Liberal government is bending the emission curve through its climate policies despite the federal environment commissioner criticizing Ottawa over its lack of tracking how much current greenhouse gas regulations are actually reducing emissions. Speaking to reporters in Ottawa on April 20, Guilbeault pointed to a number of environmental initiatives being carried out by the government en route to its target of hitting net-zero emissions by 2050. Were seeing large-scale investment in clean fuel production, he said. Electric vehicle sales have doubled since last year. All these measures combine and work together to drive down our overall emissions. We continue to work to refine our reporting. In the meantime, as they say, the proof is in the pudding and thats what were doing. Were bending the emission curve. Environment Commissioner Jerry DeMarco tabled a report on the same day saying his office found that Guilbeaults department did not know the extent to which the greenhouse gas regulations we examined contributed to Canadas overall emission reductions. The report, titled Emission Reductions Through Greenhouse Gas Regulations, said the Environment Departments approach to measuring emissions did not attribute emission results to specific regulations. It also found that Environment and Climate Change Canada could not be certain whether regulations to limit methane emissions helped Canada reach its targets. Reducing methane emissions is one of the federal governments key priorities outlined in its national climate plan, which it introduced in December 2020. The plan sets a target of reducing methane emissions from Canadas oil and gas sector by at least 40 percent by 2025. Ottawa updated that goal in March 2022 by setting a new target to reduce methane emissions by 75 percent relative to 2012 levels over the next eight years. Without comprehensive impact information, the federal government does not know whether it is using the right tools to reduce emissions, said DeMarcos report. Guilbeault said his department and Natural Resources Canada are both already taking steps to address the recommendations outlined by Demarcos office in the series of reports tabled on April 20. Were improving every year, but we wont stop fighting climate change while we figure out reporting methodologies, he said. Were moving full steam ahead with an ambitious climate plan. The environment minister also acknowledged that his department can do better in terms of tracking if regulations are actually reducing emissions. We need to improve our modeling methods to be able to determine which measures will lead to certain emission reduction, he said. Hassan Diabs Supporters Urge Canada to Rebuff Extradition After Guilty Verdict Hassan Diab leaves a vigil with supporters, Apr. 21, 2023 in Ottawa. (The Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld) Supporters of Hassan Diab are calling on Canada to refuse any new extradition request from France after a court found the Ottawa sociology professor guilty of a 1980 bombing. Diab, who has always maintained innocence, was tried in absentia in Paris for the attack on a synagogue that killed four and wounded 46. A French court sentenced Diab to life in prison Friday and issued an arrest warrant for him. Diab called the outcome incredible and Kafkaesque. We hoped that reason would prevail. It is the latest twist in a long-running case that has spurred demands in Canada to reform extradition laws. The RCMP arrested Diab in November 2008 in response to a request by France. Following lengthy proceedings that went all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada, Diab was extradited to France where he spent three years behind bars, including time in solitary confinement. French judges dismissed the allegations against him in January 2018 and ordered his immediate release, allowing him to return to Ottawa where he lives with his wife and children. In May 2021, a French court upheld a decision directing Diab to stand trial, a ruling his Canadian lawyer Donald Bayne called inexplicable. Diabs supporters have long argued he was in Beirut writing university examsnot Pariswhen the attack took place. They say fingerprint, palm print and handwriting evidence clears Diab of the crime. They maintain the case against Diab was anchored in secret, unsourced intelligence that may be the product of torture. The evidence shows hes innocent and yet theyve convicted him, Bayne said Friday alongside Diab at the Canadian Tribute to Human Rights monument in downtown Ottawa. Its a political result. Its a wrongful conviction. Bayne said the next step is to wait and see if France makes a second extradition request, a demand Canada could refuse. After Diabs 2018 return to Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said what he went through never should have happened. The time is now for Canada to make the prime ministers commitment a reality, Diabs support committee said Friday in a statement. Canada must make it absolutely clear that no second request for the extradition of Dr. Diab will be accepted. There must be no further miscarriage of justice! In most cases, only long-term, untreated HPV infections will trigger cervical cancer, and these are typically easily caught and treated with regular Pap smears. As of March 31 there were more than 73,302 adverse reactions from HPV vaccines listed in the U.S. Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS), including 623 related deaths, 7,400 hospitalizations, and 3,530 disabling conditions. Due to the low VAERS reporting rates, this may represent only 1 percent of the cases. Most people who are sexually active contract HPV during their lifetimein more than 90 percent of cases, the HPV infection resolves on its own within two years. The bill originally proposed mandating the shot for middle schoolers, as a requirement to enter eighth gradethis was amended to a requirement for schools to notify parents that their children are expected to get the HPV vaccine before entering eighth grade. If passed, California bill AB 659 would require public college students under 26 to receive the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine in order to attend college. They want to put college students lives at risk to protect them from a disease that is easily avoided. If this bill is passed, college students under 26 would be forced to receive this shot in this state. A proposed California bill, AB 659, would require public college students under 26 to receive the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine in order to attend college.1 The bill originally proposed mandating the shot for middle schoolers, as a requirement to enter eighth grade. This was amended and it now proposes a requirement for schools to notify parents that their children are expected to get the HPV vaccine before entering eighth grade at any public or private school in the state.2 While HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States,3 there is much fearmongering about its role in cancerand the HPV vaccine causes more harm than good in many who take it. Mandating an HPV vaccine to attend college threatens health freedom, and the idea that its necessary to protect public health is far more propaganda than science. The Truth About HPVIts Usually Not Harmful There are more than 200 types of HPV, and most of them are harmless. Most people who are sexually active contract HPV during their lifetime. In more than 90 percent of cases, the HPV infection resolves on its own within two years.4 Whats more, HPV antibodies are left behind that may prevent against reinfection. About 40 HPV types may cause anogenital infections, while 15 are considered high-risk types associated with cervical cancer. In the general female U.S. population, the prevalence of HPV 16 and 18 infections, considered the most frequent and most aggressive, is only 2.3 percent, researchers explained in the Journal of Vaccines & Vaccination.5 In the cases when HPV doesnt clear up on its own, infection can become chronic. Over the course of years, precancerous cervical lesions may develop. Its estimated that only 5 percent of high-risk HPV infections persist beyond three years and progress into cancer precursors. From there, if left untreated, 20 percent may turn into invasive cancer after five years, while 40 percent may turn into invasive cancer after 30 years.6 However, this is why its recommended that women get regular Pap tests, also known as Pap smears, which collect cervical cells and check them for signs of changes caused by HPV. If the test comes back abnormal, treatment is available to remove the abnormal cervical cells. According to the National Cancer Institute, Very few people who are screened for cervical cancer at routine intervals develop cervical cancer. Screening can find cervical changes early, which can lower a persons chance of dying from cervical cancer.7 Nonetheless, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends Gardasil 9, which is the only HPV vaccine approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in the United States,8 for routine vaccination at age 11 or 12 years, although the shots may be started as young as 9. Further, the CDCs Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends the HPV vaccine for everyone through age 26 if they didnt get the shot when they were younger.9 But in the review of Gardasil published in the Journal of Vaccines & Vaccination, researchers wrote:10 Gardasil can only offer women participating in [Pap] screening programs a 10 percent reduction in abnormal Pap tests with a resultant 20 percent decrease in colposcopies and a 42 percent decrease in treatments. HPV Vaccine Risks Are Well-Documented As of March 31, there were more than 73,302 adverse reactions from HPV vaccines listed in the U.S. Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS).11 This includes 623 related deaths, 7,400 hospitalizations and 3,530 disabling conditions. More than half the serious adverse events (56 percent) occurred in youth aged 6 to 17 years. Due to the low VAERS reporting rates, this may represent only 1 percent of the cases. In the United States, there is a federally operated vaccine injury compensation program (VICP) that Congress created under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act. The U.S. Court of Federal Claims in Washington, D.C., handles contested vaccine injury and death cases in what has become known as vaccine court. As of April 1, there have been 766 claims filed with the VICP relating to injuries and deaths after HPV vaccination. The claims involve 20 deaths and 746 serious injuries, but fewer than one-third of the claims have been compensated, according to the National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC).12 Reported side effects of Gardasil vaccination include immune-based inflammatory neurodegenerative disorders, suggesting something is causing the immune system to overreact in a detrimental way, sometimes fatally.13,14 As noted by NVIC:15 For example, an HPV vaccine injury claim was filed and awarded by the VICP for Christina Tarsell. Christina was a 21-year-old college student majoring in studio arts at Bard College when she received a series of three Gardasil shots. A talented athlete, artist, and honor roll student, she died suddenly and without explanation shortly after the third shot in June 2008. Ten years later, in 2018, the government conceded the case and awarded compensation to her mother for Christinas vaccine-related death.16 HPV Vaccine May Lead to Autoimmune Syndrome The dangers of high immunogenicity were addressed in my 2015 interview with Lucija Tomljenovic, Ph.D., a research scientist at the University of British Columbia. In it, she explains that by triggering an exaggerated inflammatory immune response, vaccine adjuvants end up affecting brain function. In collaboration with a team led by professor Yehuda Shoenfeld, a world expert in autoimmune diseases who heads the Zabludowicz Autoimmunity Research Centre at the Sheba Hospital in Israel, Tomljenovic has demonstrated how the HPV vaccine can cause brain autoimmune disorders. It was these findings that prompted the Japanese government to remove the HPV vaccine from its list of recommended vaccines.17 Shoenfeld used the term autoimmune syndrome induced by adjuvants (ASIA) to describe autoimmune conditions that may be triggered by exposure to a vaccine or other stimuli. A team of researchers from Italy explained in the EPMA Journal:18 This syndrome is characterized by the appearance of myalgia, myositis, muscle weakness, arthralgia, arthritis, chronic fatigue, sleep disturbances, cognitive impairment, and memory loss The adjuvants added into vaccines can induce a non-specific activation of the immune system with a subsequent expansion of autoreactive (in our case, myelin specific) lymphocytes that may be further accelerated by defective regulatory cells/circuits, in genetically susceptible individuals. In the 2016, we retrospectively described a case series including 18 girls (aged 1224 years) for the evaluation of neuropathy with autonomic dysfunction immediately after HPV vaccine All girls complained of long-lasting and invalidating somatoform symptoms of the recently described ASIA syndrome (including asthenia, headache, cognitive dysfunctions, myalgia, sinus tachycardia, and skin rashes) that have developed 15 days, 515 days, and 1520 days after the last dose vaccination. The HPV vaccine formula contains aluminum but also high polysorbate 80 (50 mcg) concentration that might also induce a greater meningeal permeability leading to a facilitated entrance of many substances to the CNS [central nervous system]. Based upon these observations, it might be speculated that HPV vaccine could induce some abnormal activation of immune competent cells in the CNS, such as the glia. Have Cervical Cancer Rates Decreasedor Increased? The HPV vaccine is misleadingly referred to as a tool to prevent cancer. Even Californias proposed bill AB659 is known as the Cancer Prevention Act.19 But does the vaccine actually reduce cancer cases? A CDC study suggested that incidence rates of cervical squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma declined since the introduction of the HPV vaccine, but this was among women aged 15 to 20 years, who dont typically receive cervical cancer screening or get cervical cancer.20 There are an average of 14 cervical cancer cases in 15- to 19-year-olds annually in the United States, to put this into perspective.21 This simply doesnt show the whole picture, including whether or not HPV shots are preventing cancer as claimed. Instead, a troubling spike in advanced cervical cancer cases has been noted.22 As reported in the December 2022 issue of the International Journal of Gynecological Cancer:23 Over the last 18 years [2001 through 2018], 29,715 women were diagnosed with distant stage cervical carcinoma When examining the trends over time, there has been an annual increase in distant stage cervical cancer at a rate of 1.3 percent per year. The largest increase is seen in cervical adenocarcinoma with an average annual percent change of 2.9 percent. Theres even evidence suggesting HPV vaccination makes women more susceptible than their nonvaccinated peers to HPV genotypes not covered by the vaccine.24 Due to a phenomenon known as clinical unmasking, it appears that women who received the HPV vaccine may be more vulnerable to infection by other cancer-causing HPV strains. This could attenuate long-term reductions in high-grade disease following successful implementation of HPV vaccination programs in screened populations, according to the study, published in The Lancet Oncology.25 Trial data from Merck even shows that Gardasil may actually increase your risk of cervical cancer by 44.6 percent if you have been exposed to certain HPV strains, such as 16 or 18, prior to vaccination.26 According to a Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee background document regarding Gardasil concerns:27 One was the potential for Gardasil to enhance disease among a subgroup of subjects who had evidence of persistent infection with vaccine-relevant HPV types at baseline. The other concern was the observations of CIN 2/3 [abnormal precancerous cervical cells] or worse cases due to HPV types not contained in the vaccine. These cases of disease due to other HPV types have the potential to counter the efficacy results of Gardasil for the HPV types contained in the vaccine. Whats the Best Way to Avoid Cervical Cancer? Mandates for the HPV vaccine have no place in public health. There are multiple ways to reduce your risk of HPV infection, as well as cervical cancer, without risking adverse health effects from the vaccine. To avoid contracting HPV, practice safe sex, including using condoms during sexual activity. This can reduce the risk of HPV infection by 70 percent,28 which is far more effective than the HPV vaccine. Further, women should get regular Pap smears once sexually active, and get treatment if you test positive for HPV infection or abnormal cervical cells. Remember, its the long-term, untreated infections that usually trigger cancer, and these are typically easily caught and treated with regular Pap smears. Originally published April 21, 2023, on Mercola.com References: A few years ago, the term mRNA was primarily confined to scientific circles and research papers. Back then, the use of messenger RNA (mRNA) seemed promising: It would teach cells to create a protein that would initiate an immune response against a specific pathogen. Today, many more of us have heard of mRNA, as both the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines use messenger ribonucleic acid, or mRNA, as the active ingredient. At least, thats what weve been told. In fact, RNA-based vaccine technology utilizes modified RNA (modRNA), not mRNA. This applies to the COVID-19 vaccines and all vaccines currently in the research and development stages. Because mRNA is so fragile that the human immune system will destroy it within a few minutes, mRNA cannot be effective on its own. Therefore, the current technology was made possible only after stabilizing mRNA; the result is modified RNA. Furthermore, modified RNA-based vaccines are not vaccines but gene-based injections that force healthy cells to produce a viral protein. In this article, we will look at the uses and dangers of modRNA. Natural Infection and Conventional Vaccination When you are infected naturally by a virus or have received a conventional vaccine, your immune system identifies virus-specific antigens from active or inactivated virus particles, respectively. The two main types of immune cells, T and B cells, behave differently. T cells identify infected cells and initiate apoptosis (the cell-killing process), while B cells produce antibodies that bind to the virus and thus prevent infection of other cells. There are various proteinscalled antigenson the surface of each virus. Your immune system can memorize more than one of them. When the virus mutates and some proteins change, your immune system can still recognize and kill them. This is referred to as cross-immunity. Particularly in the case of respiratory disease, most pathogens are already prevented by the first natural barrier, the mucous membrane. This barrier, however, is bypassed when an intramuscular injection (such as the COVID-19 shot) is administered. T and B cells behave differently depending on whether the host is infected naturally, with a conventional vaccine, or with an RNA-based injection. (Courtesy of Klaus Steger) Injections of modRNA Result in the Genetic Manipulation of Healthy Cells To protect against destruction by the immune system, modified RNA (modRNA) is packaged in lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), which, due to their small size and synthetic optimization, can easily overcome biological barriers and even reach vital cells in the heart and brain. According to the concept of RNA-based injections, the antigen (here, the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2) is synthesized by our cells and presented at the cell surfaces, where it serves as a target for the generation of neutralizing antibodies. However, this mechanism is highly problematic. On the one hand, in addition to the desired neutralizing antibodies, non-neutralizing antibodies may be generated, resulting in antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE). This process allows endocytosis of virus-antibody-complexes into the hosts immune cells (i.e., macrophages), causing a weakening of the immune system. Put simply, non-neutralizing antibodies represent devils in disguise, making a persons body more susceptible to illness related to follow-up and booster injections. On the other hand, the viral spike protein, produced by the bodys cells and presented at the cell surfaces, acts as a label, which transforms the recipient cell from friend to foe and causes the immune system to initiate the destruction of that cell by apoptosis. Furthermore, since COVID-19 RNA-based shots deliver only the genetic information for the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, based on the Wuhan sequence, protection will be inferior to natural infection, which is known to establish cross-immunity. It does so by generating additional antibodies against another protein in the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the nucleocapsid protein. Given the virus variantsAlpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and so onthe original Wuhan sequence no longer exists. That means that antibodies produced by our immune system (based on an old virus sequence) are ineffective against the sequences of the new variants. This is yet another reason that RNA-based vaccine technology is and will always be inferior to natural infection and conventional vaccines, as viruses mutate far more rapidly than the pharmaceutical industry can produce new, adapted vaccines. The Dangers of Redundant Proteins Proteins represent our bodys building material and our metabolisms central molecules. For a functional metabolism, only essential proteins must be present in a distinct cell at a specific time. Proteins that are not required must be absent, as they will disrupt or even block the smooth running of the cell metabolism. Proteins, or mRNAs in healthy cells, can be compared to orchestra musicians: Harmony depends on various players pausing, not on every musician playing without stopping. Likewise, the absence of a specific protein/mRNA plays an essential role in metabolism. As modRNAs are developed for longevity and maximal efficiency and (via lipid nanoparticles acting as natural exosomes) have access to all cells, they contradict the nature of mRNAs, which are cell-specific and short-lived. In our orchestra analogy, it would be like giving one musician a bass drum and instructing him to bang it from start to end, completely ignoring the piece of music being played. The COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine Is Made With modRNA Messenger RNA carries the genetic information for the blueprint of one specific protein. The human body has different mechanisms to prevent mRNA from being translated and to support the degradation of mRNA that is no longer needed. Messenger RNA carries the genetic information for the blueprint of one specific protein. (Courtesy of Klaus Steger) A study published in Science Advances in 2017 reported that the expected lifetime of mRNA is not hours to days, as previously assumed, but only minutes. However, the lifespan of modRNA is long. Therefore, the basic idea of RNA-based injections contradicts the nature of mRNA in all aspects, as modRNA has been optimized for maximum translation efficiency and maximum lifespan. There is no reason that any cell in our body, including vital cells in the heart and brain, should produce as many molecules of a foreign viral protein as possible for as long as possiblewhich, in addition, transforms this cell into a target to be attacked and destroyed by our immune system. To ensure mRNA can stay in the recipients body longer, the COVID-19 vaccine makers modified the mRNA to use modRNA. The modRNA: A Trojan Horse That May Be Worse Than the Disease How RNA-based injections work. (Courtesy of Klaus Steger) Even though modRNA encodes for the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, the aim was never to mimic viral RNA, which our immune system would immediately destroy, but to adapt it to the structure of human mRNA. The fake mRNAmodRNAcan have three problems: 1. It Can Increase Errors While Making Spike Proteins Of note, the synthetic methyl-pseudouridine, which replaces the natural uridine, has been reported to increase the transcriptional error rate, namely one error every 4,000 nucleotidesone error per every synthesized vaccine molecule. 2. Active Ingredients Vary Greatly by Different Batches Another factor of concern is the unusually broad tolerance level of the active ingredient. The modRNA concentration ranges from 0.37 millograms/milliliter (mg/ml) to a maximum of 0.63 mg/ml (pdf), as shown in the European Medicines Agency (EMA) Assessment Report. Such a variation is highly unusual for a drug. Furthermore, the vaccine requires only a minimum of 50 percent of modRNA to be present as intact molecules with a complete sequence, which means there can be up to a 3.4-fold variation of the active substance present in different batches. Since one dose of Comirnaty (Pfizer-BioNTech) represents 0.3 ml containing 30 micrograms of active substance, approximately 13 trillion modRNA molecules will be transferred into the body per injection. And the third problem is an even more significant concern. 3. This modRNA May Be Incorporated Into the Human Genome According to the political narrative, mRNA from COVID-19 vaccines does not enter the cell nucleus, where human DNA is located. The narrative also insists that COVID-19 vaccines do not contain reverse transcriptase, thereby entirely precluding reverse transcription of mRNA into DNA with subsequent transport into the nucleus and incorporation into the host genome. Two publications have refuted this. Liguo Zhang and colleagues added the RNA genome of SARS-CoV-2 in the absence of reverse transcriptase to human embryonic kidney (HEK293T) cells. They observed that the cultured cells reverse-transcribed the viral RNA into DNA and integrated this DNA into the cells genome. In their PNAS-published study, the authors suggested a mechanism mediated by LINE1 (Long Interspersed Nuclear Element-1), which can act as an endogenous reverse transcriptase. As LINE1 accounts for approximately 17 percent of the human genome, it is highly likely that reverse transcription of the administered modRNA is possible. In their study published in Current Issues in Molecular Biology, Markus Alden and colleagues added the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 RNA vaccine (BNT162b2) to human liver (Huh7) cells and observed reverse transcription into DNA in as short a period as six hours. The DNA sequence unique to BNT162b2 was demonstrated within the cultured cells genome, confirming the integration of reverse-transcribed modRNA into DNA. In addition, an increased nucleus distribution of LINE1 has been observed, corroborating a LINE1-mediated integration mechanism. Critically, sperm is known to contain high levels of LINE1 (pdf). Although earlier findings are based on studies in cell cultures, insertion into the human genome is possible, a fact that has already been impressively proven by evolution, as it is known that up to 8 percent of the human genome does not originate from our ancestors but from retroviruses. As previously shown, reverse transcription with subsequent genome integration is also possible for SARS-CoV-2 as a single-stranded RNA virus using LINE1. The modRNA and Its Secret Byproducts The so-called RNA-based vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna contain DNA impurities in addition to the active substance modRNA. As stated in the EMA Assessment Report, the BNT162b2 [Pfizer vaccine] active substance is manufactured by in vitro transcription using a linear DNA template, produced via plasmid DNA from transformed Escherichia coli cells. In a very recent study, researchers demonstrated that the DNA contamination in both the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna injections averages 9.1 nanograms/microliter (ng/l) mean DNA concentration versus 33.4 ng/l mean RNA concentration. This means that approximately one-quarter (9.1 / 33.4 x 100 = 27.3 percent) of the nucleic acids in the analyzed vials can be attributed to DNA impurities. At the same time, the active substance modRNA represents the remaining three-quarters. Plasmids are circular DNA molecules that can replicate by themselves. It is assumed that this is not the case with linearized DNA. Although the proportion of circular, replication-competent DNA plasmids versus linear DNA templates for the in vitro transcription of modRNA is still unknown, the DNA concentration is not only several orders of magnitude over the limit of 330 nanograms/millogram (ng/mg), as specified by the EMA, but also implies that billions of DNA molecules are transferred per shot of the so-called RNA-based vaccines. This has the following two consequences: Plasmids generally comprise sequences encoding for antibiotic resistance; this is essential for the production process to avoid the reproduction of other bacteria, which did not contain the sequences encoding for the spike protein. In this instance, kanamycin can be exchanged with other bacteria, increasing the risk of developing multiresistant germs. DNA impurities have the potential to incorporate into the recipient cell genome and, in consequence, may cause mutations that are followed by aberrant gene expression. Reverse transcription by LINE1 is no longer a mandatory step for the integration of spike protein-encoding sequences into the genome. Reverse transcription of modRNA into DNA followed by genome integration is the long way. However, an additional short way may existnamely, direct integration of DNA contaminants. Both sequences (RNA and DNA) encode for the spike protein. Finally, the process of in vitro transcription will also result in truncated RNA species as product-related impurities, which will result in the synthesis of imperfect spike proteins. Summary The administered COVID mRNA vaccine is modRNA, which has been optimized for longevity and translational effectiveness, and contradicts the nature of mRNA. The modRNA forces perfectly healthy cells to produce a viral protein, transforming these cells from friend to foe. Therefore, RNA-based injections are not vaccines at all but genetic manipulations. This certainly challenges the political narrative of a powerful next generation of vaccines. Potential negative consequences are still far from being understood. Numerous adverse effects have already become obvious, shifting the cost-benefit ratio of RNA-based vaccine technology for mass application unequivocally to the negative side. Acknowledgment The highly valuable support and discussion with Andreas Schnepf, University of Tubingen, is gratefully acknowledged. House Democrat Claims Twitter Files Journalist Matt Taibbi Gave False Testimony to Congress, Threatens Jail Time Ranking member Del. Stacey Plaskett (D-Virgin Islands) delivers opening remarks during the first hearing of the Weaponization of the Federal Government subcommittee in the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington on Feb. 9, 2023. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Del. Stacey Plaskett (D-Virgin Islands) has threatened Twitter Files journalist Matt Taibbi with up to five years in prison for allegedly providing false and misleading testimony before Congress last month. In an April 13 letter (pdf) to Taibbi, the lawmaker accused him of lying under oath, stating that he contradicted his congressional testimony in March about Twitter in a subsequent interview with MSNBC host Mehdi Hasan. Taibbi is one of the multiple reporters to be granted exclusive access by Elon Musk to internal Twitter documents, including conversations among employees at the social media platform, that showed the social media giant colluding with the federal government and left-leaning organizations to censor tweets from conservative commentators and suppress a New York Post article about Hunter Bidens laptop ahead of the 2020 election. The long-time journalist testified to the Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Governmentof which Plaskett is the ranking member, in March. During that hearing, Taibbi said executives at Twitter took moderation requests from nonprofits such as the Stanford Election Integrity Partnership (EIP) and government agencies such as the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) regarding which posts should be censored on the platform. Effectively, news media became an arm of a state-sponsored thought-policing system, Taibbi told lawmakers in his opening statement. We learned Twitter, Facebook, Google, and other companies developed a formal system for taking in moderation requests from every corner of government: the FBI, DHS, HHS, DOD, the Global Engagement Center at [the] State [Department], even the CIA. For every government agency scanning Twitter, there were perhaps 20 quasi-private entities doing the same, including Stanfords Election Integrity Partnership, Newsguard, the Global Disinformation Index, and others, many taxpayer-funded, he added. Journalist Matt Taibbi testifies at the Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government hearing on The Twitter Files in Washington on March 9, 2023, in a still from video. (House Judiciary Committee/Screenshot via NTD) Taibbi Admits Mistake He continued, What we see in The Twitter Files is that Twitter executives did not distinguish between DHS or CISA and this group, EIP. For instance, we would see a communication that said, From CISA escalated by EIP. We have come to the realization that this bright line that we imagine that exists between, say, the FBI or the DHS or the GEC and these private companies is illusory and that whats more important is this constellation of kind of quasi-private organizations that do this work, he testified. However, during an April 6 interview with MSNBC, host Mehdi Hasan pointed out that Taibbi had cited CISA, the Cybersecurity, and Infrastructure Security Agency, as having been one of the government agencies to direct Twitter to take down or censor certain tweets, as opposed to CIS, the Center for Internet Security. Taibbi admitted during that interview that he had made a mistake and subsequently updated the error in his own reporting of his testimony and the Twitter Files. Despite acknowledging the mistake and correcting it, Plaskett, in her letter to Taibbi, accused the journalist of alleging that CISAa government entitywas working with the EIP to have posts removed from social media, as opposed to making a harmless spelling error. She added that Taibbi has not yet corrected the mistake during the hearing in the record in Congress. When presented with this misinformation, you acknowledged that you had made an error by intentionally altering the acronym CIS and you subsequently deleted your erroneous tweet, she wrote. While these inaccuracies may seem minor to you, they could lead Congress to rely on inaccurate testimony in considering and/or passing new legislation which would impact all Americans, she said. Twitter logo and a photo of Elon Musk are displayed through a magnifier in this illustration taken on Oct. 27, 2022. (Dado Ruvic/Illustration/Reuters) Plaskett Threatens Jail Time The lawmaker also noted that prior to his appearance before the subcommittee on March 9, Taibbi signed the Judiciary Committees Truth in Testimony form, certifying that he understood that [k]knowingly providing material false information to this committee/subcommittee, or knowingly concealing material information from this committee/subcommittee, is a crime (18 U.S.C. 1001). Additionally, at the start of his hearing, the veteran journalist swore under penalty of perjury that the testimony he was set to provide would be true and correct to the best of your knowledge, information, and belief, the letter noted. Under the federal perjury statute, 18 U.S.C. 1621, providing false information is punishable by up to five years imprisonment, Plaskett continued. In light of the potential for such serious consequences, I would like to offer you the opportunity to correct your statements before the panel. Plaskett gave Taibbi until April 21 to respond to a list of questions regarding the accuracy of his Twitter Files as the testimony he gave to Congress. She also asked the journalist to reveal when Twitter CEO Elon Musk first got in touch with him and whether the businessman placed any conditions on your discussions of him and Twitter and if so, what they were. After receiving Plasketts letter, Taibbi took to Twitter where he shared screenshots of the EIPs official website saying it partnered with CISA in 2020 under former President Donald Trumps administration. According to its official website, EIP partnered with CISA in 2020, both to help them understand rumors and disinformation around the 2020 election and so CISA could provide corrective and/or clarifying information from election officials. The CIS site saying the same thing, and the award showing CIS is a DHS contractor. Youre wrong on this and you convinced a politician to threaten me with jail as a result. This has gone too far, he wrote to Plaskett. IN-DEPTH: Americas Nurses Are Burnt Out and Ready to QuitHospitals Nationwide Brace for Shortages Jay Cuesta grew up planning to go to medical school. Then, in 2000, his premature infant died at just two weeks old, and Cuestas vision for the future was realigned. Cuesta told The Epoch Times that nurses were beside him and his wife throughout their ordeal. Nurses were beside them during the birth of the child they knew wouldnt survive. Nurses were beside them as they grieved in the otherwise sterile hospital environment. They were beside them through it all. I knew what kind of medicine I wanted to practice, Cuesta said. Thats the hands-on that I wanted. According to recent statistics, many nurses, perhaps the very nurses who inspired Cuesta, are now burnt out, fed up, and ready to quit. Registered Nurse Jay Cuesta (L) is shown at work with some of his fellow nurses in this undated photo. (Courtesy of Jay Cuesta) A May 2021 survey of nurses by Vivian Healthan employment service for health care professionalspaints a bleak picture. Vivian surveyed 1,273 nurses across all 50 states and disciplines one year into the pandemic. Fifty-three percent reported pessimism about the future of health care in the United States. Twenty percent said they were optimistic, and 27 percent werent sure. Nearly three-fourths report hospital morale has gotten worse in their hospital or health care facility since this time last year, according to the Vivian report. Cuesta earned his registered nursing (RN) degree in 2005 and is now working to become a nurse practitioner. Cuesta loves his work and plans to do it for as long as possible. According to experts, he is in the minority. Cuesta agrees with that assessment. A lot of (nurses) just said, Were going to retire early, Cuesta said. Sutter Health nurses and health care workers hold signs as they participate in a one-day strike outside of the California Pacific Medical Center Van Ness Campus in San Francisco on April 18, 2022. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) Burnout a Major Issue Robert Rossetter is the chief communications officer for the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). Since the pandemic, we are seeing more reports about nurse dissatisfaction due to burnout, insufficient staffing, and poor working conditions, which may lead to more nurses leaving the profession, Rossetter wrote in an email to The Epoch Times. According to Cuesta, as their neighbors locked down and worked remotely early in the pandemic, health care workers put in overtime and suppressed concerns about spreading the sickness to their friends and families. According to the 2021 Vivian survey, 83 percent of respondents felt that their mental health had been affected by pandemic-related stress. Forty-three percent felt that their employers didnt address their mental health concerns. Ronnie Cubley has been a registered nurse in southeast Oklahoma for almost 30 years. (Courtesy of Ronnie Cubley) Ronnie Cubley has been a nurse for almost 30 years. He said many of his fellow nursing veterans are just tired. Staff desperately need work-life balance and wont stay without it. Throughout the U.S., many nurses are doing accelerated retirement, Cubley wrote in an email to The Epoch Times. Cuesta said the issue extends beyond the physical demands of increased hours. He said that for most nurses, the intangible rewards of nursing were just as important as the paycheck. But as overtime pay increased, the more abstract rewards diminished. The feeling that they might not be doing enough was left in their place. Cuesta said seeing his patients in the grocery store or elsewhere is common. Helping them through some of the more challenging experiences of their lives creates a lasting bond. Its very rewarding. Its nice to see people in Walmart who want to give you a hug. Thats why I do it, Cuesta said. When youre taking care of your neighbors, you want to do a good job. But when a nurse runs from one bed to the next with little time between, its easy to begin feeling as if they are short-changing those neighbors. It really makes it more difficult to provide good quality, consistent care, Cuesta said. Consequences of Understaffing A New England Journal of Medicine report indicates Cuestas concerns are well-founded. In March 2011, the journal published a study on the effects of insufficient nurse staffing on patient mortality. The study was done by a team led by Jack Needleman, a professor in the Department of Health Policy and Management at the University of CaliforniaLos Angeles. According to the article, the mortality risk for patients in understaffed units was approximately 6 percent higher than in fully staffed units. Researchers also found that mortality risk increased when a nurses workload increased because of high patient turnover. Nurse Amber Kirk wears personal protective equipment as she performs range of motion exercises with a COVID-19 patient in the intensive care unit at Sharp Grossmont Hospital amid the coronavirus pandemic in La Mesa, Calif., on May 5, 2020. (Mario Tama/Getty Images) Cubley expressed the same concerns as Cuesta. He said he has personally seen the effect of the pandemic. So many nurses left the profession during the pandemic because of burnout with overwhelming stress caused by excessive workloads, Cubley said. But not all nurses left the profession. Some just quit their jobs. The increased pressures on work and family life drove many nurses to find higher-paying jobs. Many became travel nurses. What Nurses Earn Travel nurses are RNs who work for staffing agencies and temporarily fill vacant positions. Travel jobs are popular because they usually pay more. The nurses get to do the bedside care they love and avoid much of the administrative work a full-time nurse at a hospital must do. According to NursingProcess.org, travel nurses can make between $32 and $86 per hour, averaging $56. Most positions include a living stipend, and some cover other expenses. During the pandemic, the average travel nurses pay leaped into triple digits, luring many nurses into that field. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national average salary for registered nurses is $77,600 annually, or about $37 per hour. Many staff nurses were upset with hospital administrators who paid high rates for temporary travel nurses instead of hiring local nurses or paying existing nurses more. According to the Vivian survey, 78 percent of respondents said their job search priorities changed. If they would give up aspects of the job they loved, they wanted at least to be compensated. Sixty-six percent of the survey respondents ranked pay as the most important factor. Eventually, at the end of the day, we have to take care of our families, Cuesta said. But compensation is only one issue, and administrators say compensation will work itself out through supply and demand market forces. Another, more crucial, problem is on the horizon, experts have said. Labor Deficit The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the registered nursing workforce will grow by 6 percent in the next 10 years from 3.1 million in 2021 to 3.3 million in 2031. This is an increase of 195,400 nurses. However, the Bureau expects the demand for nurses to increase to more than 203,000 annually. Generally, this demand would be met by nursing programs at colleges and vocational schools. But nursing schools only turn out a fraction of the new nurses needed. Rossetter said this isnt because no one wants to be a nurse. Annual data show that thousands of qualified applicants are turned away from nursing schools each year because schools reach enrollment capacity, Rossetter wrote in his statement. Simply put, the United States needs more nursing instructors. According to the AACN, the average nursing instructor earns about $65,000 annually, which is less than a working nurse brings in. With most registered nurses being older than 50, a wave of retiring nurses will take their experience with them. Nurses in Houston on Jan. 8, 2022. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images) As baby boomers retire, health care providers expect continued growth in the demand for nurses that younger, inexperienced nurses will partially meet. Cuesta said that when he started his career, some of the most important lessons he learned came on the job from experienced nurses. He said he has tried to follow that example by teaching the younger nurses he encounters. But, just as patient care is more rushed, the increased workload will make it harder to mentor new nurses. Cuesta said he and his colleagues are concerned the current situation could result in an experience deficit. Sarah Szanton is the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing dean in Baltimore. In February, she told the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions that the situation is dire but some things can be done. Our nation is perilously short of nurses, Szanton told the committee. The average age of registered nurses is 54. We need people to become new nurses, and we need to retain current nurses. Experts Say Solutions Available Szanton said the Future Advancement of Academic Nursing Act (FAAN Act), introduced in the 117th Congress, would go a long way toward solving these problems. The FAAN Act would authorize the Health Resources and Services Administration to award grants to nursing schools to increase their capacity to respond to public health emergencies and otherwise enhance nursing education programs. The FAAN Act would prioritize programs at historically black colleges and universities and other minority-centered schools. Testifying before the same committee, Dr. Leonard Seoane, chief academic officer for Ochsner Health in New Orleans, agreed that the act would be beneficial. He said his organization had 1,200 open positions, including physician and nursing jobs, and their staffing costs had increased 900 percent during the pandemic. He said Ochsner Health is exploring partnerships with universities and medical schools to form apprenticeship programs to recruit and train new medical staff. But to scale them, we need support from our universities; we need support from our community colleges; we need support from our governments. I do think its a partnership, Seoane told the committee. Cubley and Cuesta said that such programs can help if they are correctly implemented, and soon. According to Cubley, the health care system cant continue to rely on temporary staff and overtime pay. As a nation, we must invest in the nursing workforce beyond Band-Aid solutions, Cubley said. We can readily understand why investors are attracted to unprofitable companies. For example, biotech and mining exploration companies often lose money for years before finding success with a new treatment or mineral discovery. But the harsh reality is that very many loss making companies burn through all their cash and go bankrupt. So should Cheetah Mobile (NYSE:CMCM) shareholders be worried about its cash burn? For the purpose of this article, we'll define cash burn as the amount of cash the company is spending each year to fund its growth (also called its negative free cash flow). We'll start by comparing its cash burn with its cash reserves in order to calculate its cash runway. View our latest analysis for Cheetah Mobile When Might Cheetah Mobile Run Out Of Money? A company's cash runway is calculated by dividing its cash hoard by its cash burn. As at December 2022, Cheetah Mobile had cash of CN1.7b and no debt. Importantly, its cash burn was CN431m over the trailing twelve months. Therefore, from December 2022 it had 3.9 years of cash runway. A runway of this length affords the company the time and space it needs to develop the business. You can see how its cash balance has changed over time in the image below. Is Cheetah Mobile's Revenue Growing? We're hesitant to extrapolate on the recent trend to assess its cash burn, because Cheetah Mobile actually had positive free cash flow last year, so operating revenue growth is probably our best bet to measure, right now. While it's not that amazing, we still think that the 6.7% increase in revenue from operations was a positive. Of course, we've only taken a quick look at the stock's growth metrics, here. You can take a look at how Cheetah Mobile has developed its business over time by checking this visualization of its revenue and earnings history. Can Cheetah Mobile Raise More Cash Easily? Notwithstanding Cheetah Mobile's revenue growth, it is still important to consider how it could raise more money, if it needs to. 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. Story continues In the last year, Cheetah Mobile burned through CN431m, which is just about equal to its CN452m market cap. That suggests the company may have some funding difficulties, and we'd be very wary of the stock. How Risky Is Cheetah Mobile's Cash Burn Situation? On this analysis of Cheetah Mobile's cash burn, we think its cash runway was reassuring, while its cash burn relative to its market cap has us a bit worried. Even though we don't think it has a problem with its cash burn, the analysis we've done in this article does suggest that shareholders should give some careful thought to the potential cost of raising more money in the future. On another note, Cheetah Mobile has 4 warning signs (and 1 which is concerning) we think you should know about. Of course Cheetah Mobile may not be the best stock to buy. So you may wish to see this free collection of companies boasting high return on equity, or this list of stocks that insiders are buying. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here IN-DEPTH: Why a New York Judge Is Siding With Jim Jordan in Alvin Bragg Lawsuit By publishing a book about the investigation of former President Donald Trump, an ex-prosecutor created a predicament for himselfand for the man pressing the historic criminal case against Trump, District Attorney (DA) Alvin Bragg. A New York federal judge repeatedly cites the book written by Mark Pomerantz, who formerly worked on a probe into Trumps finances in the Manhattan DAs office, when she ruled that Pomerantz should be compelled to answer a congressional inquiry into Trumps prosecution. U.S. District Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil wrote that Bragg appears unlikely to succeed on the merits of his arguments against Pomerantzs subpoena. At Braggs request, an appeals court has put the subpoena on hold temporarily. In her April 19 decision, Vyskocil listed 18 points from Pomerantzs book, examples of publicly disclosed information that most often would remain under wraps while a case is pending. Thus, Pomerantz has already revealed information of the type that Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) and his House Judiciary Committee want to explore, the judge said. Pomerantzs Predicament Vyskocil concluded that the House Judiciary Committee has a valid legislative purpose for questioning Pomerantz, despite protestations from both Pomerantz and Bragg. Pomerantz complained that the subpoena will put him in an untenable position, forcing him to choose between ethical and legal consequences. File photo of Mark Pomerantz at a New York news conference in 2008. (Chris Hondros/Getty Images) But the judge said, Pomerantz is in this situation because he decided to inject himself in the public debate when he authored People vs. Donald Trump: An Inside Account. The tell-all book was released in February, a year after Pomerantz left the Manhattan DAs office in disgust over Braggs decision not to pursue a Trump indictment then. From 2021 to 2022, Pomerantz had worked pro bonowithout paymentas a special assistant DA investigating the Trump case. Most of that work was done under Braggs predecessor, Cyrus Vance Jr.; Pomerantz left in February 2022, a month after Bragg took office. Since then, Bragg said his office developed more information that made the case against Trump ripe for prosecution. Political Theater Critics have raised concerns the move is political, coming just months after Trump declared he was running to become the Republican Partys nominee for the 2024 presidential election. In his attempt to block Pomerantzs subpoena, Bragg argued that subjecting Pomerantz to the congressional inquiry would reveal information that should be confidential. The court rejects the premise that the committees investigation will interfere with Braggs case against Trump, Vyskocil wrote, noting Pomerantzs status as a private citizen and public commentator and is no longer in his role as a special prosecutor. The judge wrote, Bragg cannot seriously claim that any information already published in Pomerantzs book and discussed on prime-time television in front of millions of people is protected from disclosure. In further objecting to the subpoena, Bragg argued that there was no other case in which Congress attempted to subpoena a state prosecutor to extract information about an ongoing state prosecution. However, the judge pointed out, There also is no prior case in which a former President of the United States has been criminally charged in a state trial court. As a result, it appears that both parties swim in untested waters, Vyskocil wrote. The judge said she was unmoved by Braggs expressed concern of injecting partisan passions into a forum where they do not belong. By fighting the Pomerantz subpoena, Bragg is engaging in precisely the type of political theater he claims to fear, she said. Judge Cites Book She said Pomerantzs observations about the Trump case included: The central facts of the case did not amount to much in legal terms. Other sections of the book note that creating false business records is a misdemeanor and that no felony crime appeared to be in play, the judge said. Pomerantzs book says no New York court had ever tested a case that elevated a misdemeanor to a felony by alleging that the misdemeanor was committed to cover up a federal crime. Yet Trump was indeed charged with 34 felony counts of falsification of business records. The former president has pleaded not guilty. Michael Cohen, ex-lawyer for Donald Trump, leaves federal court after his sentencing in New York on Dec. 12, 2018. (Craig Ruttle/AP Photo) He is accused of covering up an election-influencing hush-money payment to an adult film actress. Stormy Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, had agreed to keep quiet about her allegations of a 2006 affair with Trump after his lawyer, Michael Cohen, paid her $130,000 just before the November 2016 election. Vyskocil said Pomerantzs book declares: Paying hush money is not a crime under New York State law, even if the payment was made to help an electoral candidate. But, under Braggs theory of the case, Trump committed crimes by concealing his alleged reimbursements of Cohens payment, which was an illegal campaign contribution, according to a statement of facts Bragg filed. Payments Legal? A former head of the Federal Election Commission (FEC) recently told The Epoch Times that he believes it would be illegal for Trump to have used campaign funds for the Clifford payment. Candidates are barred from using campaign funds for any expense that benefits them personally and politically; the Clifford payment arguably falls into that category, Bradley Smith, former FEC chair, said. In February 2017, the month after Trump became president, he wrote the first in a series of monthly checks to Cohen. Writing each of those checks, along with their corresponding invoices and ledger entries, is alleged to be a criminal act in Trumps indictment. Pomerantz raised concerns about Trump being accused of election-related offenses after his inauguration, Vyskocil said, and he revealed that prosecutors harbored credibility concerns about basing much of their case on Cohen, who had admitted to lying to Congress. Further, she said Pomerantz opined that prosecutors would be running a big risk that such a case against Trump would be dismissed before it reached a jury. In his book, Pomerantz conceded that the Trump case belonged under the purview of the U.S. Department of Justice, not the New York DA; Pomerantz also said federal prosecutors wouldnt have had to torture or massage statutory language to score an indictment of Trump. The DOJ declined to prosecute Trump, and the FEC took no action regarding the Cohen-Clifford matter. Public Relations Tirade But on March 30, a grand jury indicted Trump; that same day, information leaked into media reports, Vyskocil pointed out, noting that grand jury secrecy was already compromised before an indictment was announced. Former president Donald Trump (3rd R) appears in court at the Manhattan Criminal Court in New York on April 4, 2023. (Steven Hirsch/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) On April 4, Bragg announced Trumps indictment. Two days later, the Judiciary Committee issued a subpoena to Pomerantz to appear before the committee on April 20. On April 11, a week after Trump appeared in court and pleaded not guilty to the charges, Bragg filed a 50-page complaint against Jordan, his committee, and Pomerantz. The first 35 pages are nothing short of a public relations tirade against former President and current presidential candidate Donald Trump, Vyskocil wrote. As framed, this action is merely a motion to quash a subpoena dressed up as a lawsuit. Pomerantz joined Bragg in opposing the subpoena. Political Dogfights Vyskocil talked about her role in refereeing the dispute. In our federalist system, elected state and federal actors sometimes engage in political dogfights, she said. The judge said that while presumably operating in good faith, both sides face political realities. As New York Countys elected prosecutor, Bragg has some constituents who wish to see Bragg wield the force of law against the former president and a current candidate for the Republican presidential nomination. On the other side, Jordan has initiated a political response to what he and some of his constituents view as a manifest abuse of power and nakedly political prosecution. Vyskocil said the stakes are high because the case could potentially influence the outcome of the 2024 presidential election. The Court does not endorse either sides agenda, said the judge, a Trump appointee whom the Senate confirmed in 2019. The sole question before the Court at this time is whether Bragg has a legal basis to quash a congressional subpoena that was issued with a valid legislative purpose. He does not. Vyskocil encouraged the parties to reach a mutually agreeable compromise regarding how the deposition of Mr. Pomerantz will proceed. Instead, Bragg wrote in an April 19 court filing that he intends to appeal Vyskocils decision to a higher court. He requested in the filing that the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals put the House subpoena to Pomerantz on hold in the meantime. The appeals court on April 19 granted Braggs request and temporarily froze the deadline of the congressional subpoena to Pomerantz. It allowed Pomerantz to delay his testimony until the appeals court decides whether the lower courts decision should be reversed. Instead, Bragg challenged Vyskocils decision to a higher court. The next action in the case will come after both sides file briefs; the last one is due April 22 in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit. A three-judge panel is to consider whether to take any further action about the disputed Pomerantz subpoena. Gary Bai and The Associated Press contributed to this story. Is the CCPs Rule Permanent? The phoenix is a sadly apt metaphor for Chinas military Commentary The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) styled itself a mythical phoenix in a 1959 propaganda poster. The phoenix rises from a sheaf of wheat to govern China, depicted as a dragon emerging from the smelting pot of industrialization. That phoenix now boasts a formidable nuclear arsenal. The CCPs rapid military buildup could make it, like the eternal phoenix, a near-permanent fixture of the future. Nuclear weapons will deter the CCPs foreign adversaries, and its techno-totalitarianism can quash internal dissent. No dictatorship as powerful as the CCP, or as technologically sophisticated, was ever defeated in war or by internal enemies. The mythic phoenix was red and gold, like the CCPs flag. Like Beijings state-owned mouthpieces, including Phoenix TV, the regime attempts a melodious cry that, to free ears, sounds more like the siren song of an ideologue. Unlike the phoenix, however, the CCP seeks to speed the process of its rejuvenation by destroying, rather than just replacing, its predecessor. Like Russian President Vladimir Putins attempts to vanquish democratic Ukraine, Chinese leader Xi Jinping wants to demolish not only democracy in Taiwan, but also democracy globally. The CCP is obviously beguiling to Beijings leadership, which controls its fearsome power. But for the rest of us, the CCP is a threat to our freedoms, liberties, and diverse cultures. To save ourselves, we must be able to defend against Chinas growing military, about which languid democracies in North America and Europe are finally getting educated. On April 19, The New York Times published an article about Chinas emerging as the third nuclear superpower, with the United States and Russia. The NY Times reported that the CCP appears to be lying about its new breeder reactors, which produce plutonium. Although Beijing claims that the reactors are purely civilian, the NY Times quotes an expert saying, Breeder reactors are plutonium, and plutonium is for weapons. On April 18, we learned not only that Beijing has hypersonic missiles that successfully circumnavigated the world, but also that its surveillance capabilities are deployed on supersonic vehicles that evade our best defenses by flying at Mach 3 and at 100,000 feet. A Long March 5B rocket lifts off from the Wenchang launch site on Chinas southern Hainan island on May 5, 2020. Another variant of the Long March rocket was used to get Chinas hypersonic missile into orbit in July. (STR/AFP via Getty Images) Despite Russias invasion of Ukraine, Beijing feels comfortable deepening its defense cooperation with Moscow, including through military exercises. On April 16, Putin met with Chinas sanctioned defense minister, and the two hailed their growing military ties. April 19 brought news of Chinas first policy to increase military recruitment of veterans and the better educated during wartime. The policy appears to form part of Beijings future war planning. On April 16, we learned that China is apparently building an air and naval base in the Bay of Bengal, giving Beijing a critical link in what is developing into a string of military bases from its coast through the South China Sea and onward to the Cambodian coast, Burmas Great Coco Island, Sri Lankas Hambantota port, Gwadar port in Pakistan, and the already-completed Peoples Liberation Army base in Djibouti, Africa. The Biden administrations weak reaction to Chinas military buildup is apparently to beg for more cooperation and assure Beijing publicly that despite all their transgressions, we are not targeting the CCP as a whole. U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen called for more cooperation with Beijing on April 20. U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has long bemoaned repeated rebuffs by his counterpart in Beijing, including after the United States shot down Chinas spy balloon. The Pentagon has for years attempted to increase talks with its counterpart in China, to no avail. NATO seeks an agreement with Beijing on limiting military uses of artificial intelligence, despite the CCPs repeated violation of its international agreements, including, most recently, the 2020 Trump trade agreement and, most spectacularly, the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration on Hong Kongs autonomy. The CCP has proven time and again that it is an unreliable partner. What remains is a threat to the world, with which negotiations are untenable. In Islamic mythology, the phoenix (anqa or simurgh) was perfection, as communism claims to be. But the anqa became a bane to humanity and had to be defeated. The CCP, as brightly colored its plumage and mellifluous its cry, follows the same path. The United States has, for the past five years, attempted a trade war with China to rectify its trajectory. But that failed to defeat the CCP, which is only growing stronger. Perhaps the sanctions and tariffs need to be more thorough and more widely adopted by our allies. Perhaps that cannot be achieved before the CCP attacks Taiwan and pulls the world toward another major military conflict. In which case, wed better get ready. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Japan Kickstarts IndoPacific Warship Tour With Eye on China Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force's (JMSDF) JS Mogami (FFM-1), a Japanese multi-mission stealth frigate, takes part in the International Fleet Review to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the foundation of JMSDF, at Sagami Bay, off Yokosuka, south of Tokyo, on Nov. 6, 2022. (Issei Kato/Reuters) Japans Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) deployed its fleet on April 20 to begin an IndoPacific tour to bolster defense cooperation in the face of mounting military threats from communist China. The annual IndoPacific deployment will run until Sept. 17, and the MSDF fleet will make port calls in 17 countries, including the Pacific island nations of Kiribati, the Solomon Islands, Fiji, Palau, and Tonga. About 1,190 personnel will take part in the deployment, which involves a submarine and three surface units, including the multi-mission stealth frigate Kumano, according to Japans Defense Ministry (pdf). The MSDF fleet also will participate in some exercises, including the Pacific Vanguard exerciseinvolving the United States, Australia, Japan, and South Koreaand the MALABAR exercise, which Australia will host. During the next two months, JS Kumano [will] enhance relations with the other navies and contribute to the peace and stability of the region to realize Free and Open Indo-Pacific,' MSDF wrote on Twitter. 20 APR, IPD23 third surface unit, JS KUMANO have left Japan for Indo-Pacific Deployment. During the next two months, JS KUMANO enhance relationship with the other navies and contribute to the peace and stability of the region to realize Free and Open Indo-Pacific.#FOIP pic.twitter.com/loPfKZD6vL Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (@jmsdf_pao_eng) April 20, 2023 Japan has sought to bolster defense cooperation with IndoPacific countries to counter Beijings military assertiveness. During a bilateral meeting in Beijing on April 2, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi raised concerns over Chinas intensification of military activities around Japanparticularly near the Japanese-controlled Senkaku Islands that China also claimsand Chinas cooperation with Russia. We are facing numerous challenges and are at a critical stage. Both Japan and China are major powers that bear important responsibilities for the peace and prosperity of the region and the international community, he said. Hayashi said Japan is concerned about the situation in the disputed South China Sea, where Beijing is pushing its claims on neighboring countries despite a Hague Tribunal ruling against its claims in 2016, and emphasized the need to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. China Warns Japan Over Meddling in Taiwan Issue In response, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang warned Japan to refrain from interfering in the Taiwan issue or undermining Chinas sovereignty in any form. He said the Taiwan issue is at the very core of Chinas core interests. Qin said Beijing is willing to work with Japan to properly manage differences, remove obstacles and ease burdens for bilateral relations, and build a ChinaJapan relationship that meets the requirements of the new era. Japanese Coast Guard vessel and boats (rear and right) sail alongside a Japanese activists fishing boat (center) near a group of disputed islands called Diaoyu by China and Senkaku by Japan on Aug. 18, 2013. (Emily Wang/AP Photo) The two nations have established a direct military hotline to prevent maritime and air clashes. Japans Defense Ministry said the line will be used to respond to unforeseen circumstances and to build trust between the two countries. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) claims democratic self-ruled Taiwan as part of its territory and has threatened to bring the island under its control by force if necessary. Beijing staged a three-day military drill around Taiwan on April 8 after Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen met with U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) in California. Chinese aircraft incursions into the region continued even after the CCP proclaimed the conclusion of its military exercise on April 10. Taiwans military stated that it detected 18 Chinese aircraft and four naval vessels near the island on April 16, with four aircraft spotted entering southwest and southeast of Taiwans airspace. The United States sent the guided-missile destroyer USS Milius through the Taiwan Strait on April 16, just days after the Chinese military simulated precision strikes against Taiwan. Reuters contributed to this report. In this episode of Kashs Corner, we take a look at the two Chinese men recently arrested by the FBI in connection with a secret Chinese police station in New York City. This is just one among multiple Chinese Communist Party (CCP) police outposts in the United States, according to the watchdog group Safeguard Defenders. In two separate cases, the DOJ is charging 40 Chinese officials and police with conducting a coordinated harassment campaign against Chinese dissidents residing in the United States. And we continue looking at the Pentagon leaks. How did the suspected leaker, a 21-year-old Air National Guardsmen, get access to so many pages of classified documents? FULL TRANSCRIPT Kash Patel: Hey everybody, and welcome back to Kashs Corner. Even though Jan and I are on opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean, theres too much breaking news in national security, defense, and intel for us to take the week off. Thanks to the Epoch crew and staff for making this a reality. Jan, theres a couple of things I know you want to jump into. Where should we start? Jan Jekielek: There have been two arrests in New York of people that are allegedly agents of the Chinese communist regime working out of this Chinese police station. As part of a bigger effort, Safeguard Defenders exposed these stations that have been set up by the CCP all around the world. Thats one. I really want to dig into that and the implications of what these things are and of this particular indictment. We were also looking at AI and weve been learning in this recent interview with Elon Musk that he says AI is being taught to lie. Finally, the Pentagon papers. We have this egregious leak, but its also given us some incredibly important information to work with. We have to break that all down. Lets start with the Chinese Communist Party police stations in the U.S. I still cant really believe that Im saying that, and these have been operating with impunity for quite some time. Mr. Patel: Jan, its no surprise, certainly to you and most of our audience, that the CCPs number one adversary is the United States of America. They dont act with any respect to any sort of laws, international or otherwise. It doesnt surprise me that theyre intruding on our infrastructure or personnel to gain leverage over America. The fashion in which they have now been caught doing it might be stunning to some folks who werent in the government or have much government intelligence experience, but lets break it down. Theres actually two separate prosecutions. In lane A, you have prosecutions of two suspects who were actually arrested in New York City for conducting operations to damage America. Lets just leave it at that for right now. Prosecution track number two; concerning a 40-person bot farm, the Chinese government, the CCP, has been caught utilizing them in mainland China and in the United States of America to coordinate an information attack campaign against Chinese dissidents in the United States of America. Thats the sum and substance of it, Jan. Mr. Jekielek: These two individuals in the first track that were charged, theyre actually known to The Epoch Times and known to people in Chinatown, New York, as being people who have been involved in organizing counter protests to dissident protests. Mr. Patel: Yes. Whats shocking to many, even in government, is the extent that the Chinese government, the CCP, has come in and placed individuals throughout American society, and not just in New York City. Jan, theres actually reporting out there talking about these police stations, as well call them for now, in multiple cities in the United States of America. From a government perspective, in order to install anyone overseas in an official diplomatic capacity is a major lift, because your two nations have to have a diplomatic relationship. Then, you exchange documentation, and you stand up embassies. These are the most popular examples. You allow people from your treasury, your DOJ, your law enforcement, and intel-military communities to nest over in their country and vice versa. What happens when the CCP comes on board? They use these non-benign diplomatic postings to infiltrate American society for a maleficent purpose, like trying to harm Chinese dissidents in the United States of America. Theyre not just violating our national sovereignty, but as we now have been shown by the DOJ, also our federal statutes to obstruct justice and literally conspire against the United States of America. Because thats what theyre doing. Just think of it the other way around, Jan. What if the United States of America had sent American government employees throughout Mainland China and tasked them with the following; go buy land in Mainland China, set up an infrastructure system, and on behalf of the United States government collect against Xi Jinping and his allies. The CCP would have a problem with that. They would think its an absolute violation of their national sovereignty. Thats what theyve just done to us. These are the two guys that have gotten caught so far, but I dont believe for a second theyre the only two. And that is only New York City. As the discovery process comes along, well learn a lot more information. But Jan, with me being a former national security prosecutor, the problem with this case, unlike 99.9 percent of all prosecutions, is that this one involves classified information. What makes it very difficult for a federal prosecutor is that you cannot use classified information in a public court. You have to get the information declassified. Youre talking about some pretty sensitive stuff here when you are talking about collecting against CCP officials or spies who have been installed in mainland America to collect against America and our government. Now, in order to do that, some of the informations going to be unclassified. But the way in which we go about detecting and collecting against that is going to be classified. Theres a very methodical process at DOJ, which I utilized on multiple occasions, to prosecute defendants in these types of cases that has to be undertaken before you even get to an arrest or an indictment, because you cant have that information still be classified. That means the intelligence community, all 17 agencies have to sign off on the information you are going to put out in public to bring this prosecution. Its a very lengthy ordeal. The fact that these guys were arrested just this week means to me this investigation is probably at least one year in the making. Mr. Jekielek: Yes. Again, these so-called police stations, theyve been running for years. This is not a new phenomenon and it just highlights to me how naive weve been on this side of the Atlantic or on that side of the Pacific with respect to Chinese Communist Party intentions. It strains credulity that one would allow such things, under the cover of providing diplomatic support. Many of these entities exist not just in the U.S., but around the world. Mr. Patel: Yes. There needs to be swifter action, in my opinion. A couple of individuals is step one, but as weve been shown by these prosecutions, the Chinese government, the CCP, has a parallel track to perpetuate these crimes. They have a bot farm in Mainland China to support this activity. That means they have an entire troll station, according to the other indictment, with 40-plus individuals sitting in Mainland China supporting this police station in New York City, in the United States of America. They have thought this thing out. Of course, theyre going to come in and deny it, but the action from the United States government should be the expulsion of Chinese diplomats, at least the majority of them, for violating the diplomatic agreement between our countries. Going back to our earlier point, just think what Xi Jinping would do, if he caught government assets from the United States of America on his soil acting in concert to violate Chinese national sovereignty? It would be an international crisis and they would not hesitate to act. Thats the distinction. While the federal prosecution is great because it holds people accountable publicly, what our government needs to do is implement some heavy trade sanctions, some swift and forceful economic sanctions and start expelling diplomats immediately. We need to say, Xi Jinping, you have violated United States national sovereignty. It doesnt get much bigger than this Jan. Im surprised, and yet Im not surprised by the reticence from the Biden administration to make a swift response here. A prosecution is just not enough. Mr. Jekielek: This classified information piece is similar to this Pentagon leak that has been in the news everywhere. Weve got two sides of the coin here. On one hand, weve got some very, very valuable information that was revealed. I want you to comment on what it means, and what weve actually learned. And on the other hand, how did this leak happen in the first place? Theres quite a discussion about whether this is a good or a bad thing, and I want to explore that. Lets start with what the intelligence actually means. Mr. Patel: We now know according to the disclosures that have been reported in the media, the heart of the matter is that the effort by the United States government to fund on a large scale assistance to the Ukrainians for their war effort against Russia and Vladimir Putin has failed. Now, many organizations have been saying that, and many politicians have been saying that. But the crux of the matter is that the Biden administration and a lot of politicians have been saying, We are succeeding in Ukraine. The problem we have here is that you now have reporting, if accurate, that shows that to be a lie. Its not like its a report from Australia or Canada or another Five Eyes partner. Its a United States intelligence collection from the Department of Defense, a member of the intelligence community. Specifically, the DOD is the one responsible for war fighting operations, planning, assistance, and training overseas in places like the Ukraine. What Ive asked publicly is why hasnt the House Armed Services Committee, the Committee of Jurisdiction in the House of Representatives, and the Senate Armed Services Committee on the Senate side, immediately issued subpoenas to Secretary Austin and Chairman Milley, who lead our DOD, and asked them, Why did you not provide accurate information to the White House and Congress? Is this leak totally incorrect? Is it completely made up? Is it a bogus story? Also, there are questions that the Armed Services Committee needs to ask of the Gang of Eight. Reminding our audience, the Gang of Eight is the top eight leaders in Congress in the House and the Senate from Democrat and Republican parties who are put in place by law to oversee the intelligence that goes to the President, so that someone else other than just the commander-in-chief has access to it. As a co-equal branch of government, they have oversight for this specific purpose. If a president was lied to or if a president had information and went out and lied to the world about the success or failures of an operation, then they need to be held to account. But Ive seen no action from Congress, the Armed Services Committee, or the Gang of Eight, to indicate theyre moving to acquire this information. That is as problematic as the information that was just released. Now weve had an arrest, just like we talked about in the first subject with the Chinese police stations. Prosecution is a good thing. Its a step, but it does not reveal the entirety of the situation. We must look at this. Its an internal operation, insofar as we can tell. We dont know if he had external assistance from foreign governments or foreign actors. It looks like the leaker had assistance through chat rooms and other individuals that were involved. We can get into why I believe he had assistance in the Department of Defense. But there needs to be an accountability measure undertaken by Congress and its just entirely lacking right now. To me, that is as bad as the leak. Mr. Jekielek: Lets start on this side of things. In our previous episode, you mentioned the DOD or the intelligence community saying that this leaked information is categorically false, really means that its accurate. Thats what we said last week. This hasnt changed. Weve been assuming that this information is accurate. If its accurate, many people are saying, Wow, this guy is a hero. This guys actually a whistleblower. This guys a whistleblower and this is really important information to shape our foreign policy decision making. On the other hand, youre saying that he should be prosecuted. We touched on this last week, but this is a very serious question that a lot of people have right now. Mr. Patel: The answer lies within your question, Jan. He could have been a whistleblower. There are statutes in place for individuals like this who want to expose government waste fraud and abuse and corruption to the United States Congress via the Intelligence Committee or the Armed Services Committee or the Judiciary Committee, the United States Congress has legislated for this specific purpose. Being a former senior staffer in the House Intel Committee who accepted whistleblower complaints and knowing how that process works, he could have done that. Let me remind the audience, Jan, this individual has been at it for six months at a minimum. A uniformed United States military employee decided on his own to take information over a months-long campaign and disperse it illegally on the internet. I refuse to believe for one second that his good intentions could not have been met by becoming a whistleblower. He knows the United States government. He could have hand delivered this information to many committees of jurisdiction, and this information could have gotten out and he would not have broken the law. People may regard him as a hero, because they like the information that was produced, but it does not give him the right to break the law. Then there were people commenting on our board last week. Im glad there was such a vigorous discussion on it that compared him to Julian Assange, and called for his pardoning. I dont call for that. I think Julian Assange committed espionage and should be prosecuted. It doesnt matter what the substance of the information is. The ends do not justify the means in the United States of America. They never have, and they never should. If we or any sector of our community says, Because it exposed this huge corruption, we must permit it. Just think of what happens next. Whos coming out next to leak all sorts of sensitive information to achieve what I identify as a political objective? If you are a U.S. employee entrusted with our nations secrets, and serving our nation to protect its independence and freedom, then you cannot go out there and break the law to achieve your objective. I still dont know what his objective is. We dont have the entire case out there yet. We dont know who else he worked with. Theres no way he did it alone. Theres too many questions out there, putting aside my feelings on whether or not he should be prosecuted. Theres so many other questions that I think we need to get to the public, before they make their final determination on this. Theres always going to be people out there that say, Youre wrong. He should not be prosecuted. I just disagree. Mr. Jekielek: Kash, the response to this would be that we are living in a time when weve seen these Twitter Files, disclosures, and discovery from multiple lawsuits. Its been shown that certain elements of the intelligence community, DOD, and DOJ have been weaponized against Americans. In this situation, you can imagine people thinking, I cant trust the system. I have to go around it. A lot of people that heard what you just said might be thinking exactly what Im saying right now. How do you respond to that? Mr. Patel: Its the United States of America. You cant break the law to perform an act which you might think is saving the union or critical to our existence. Its the reason we are different from the majority of nations out there, especially like the CCP and Vladimir Putin and their corrupt regimes. We do not allow for that in the US of A. Theres no one more frustrated than me when you have a system in the U.S. that is failing. I am in wild agreement with you on the fact that things like the Twitter Files have exposed government waste, fraud, and abuse, but so have whistleblowers, namely the FBI whistleblowers that came forward and exposed corruption at the FBI. Its not an easy path. Its definitely not fun for those individuals, but we cannot have a national security apparatus that is premised in the law only to allow people to break it, because the next person says, I did it for an objective that I thought was right, so give me a pass just like you gave that other guy. The distinction is going to be what is the ultimate objective of the person, which becomes subjective. He could be a far-Left individual or a far-Right individual. Jan, this is the reason why I dont agree, and why the United States of America does not allow for an illegal type of disclosure just to correct a failing part of the United States government. I agree with you, this is a massive exposure and were going to learn a lot from it. But I violently disagree with the way this individual went about it. Im not cheering him on, because then I would be cheering on the next iteration of it, and the next 100 that would follow him. That is the slippery slope you never want to cannonball down. Mr. Jekielek: To your point, Kash, strategic leaking of classified information has actually been used by multiple people,during the past administration to achieve particular ends. In this case, you have also argued that the leaker in no way acted alone. Mr. Patel: Yes. Heres why. To remind our audience, a lot of information has broken since we last covered it. Thats why were continuing the conversation here. From my experience as both the deputy DNI and chief of staff at DOD, and having worked operationally in the intelligence community space, that the information were talking aboutfor folks who havent seen last weeks episode, go check it out because its the underlying groundwork for answering the next questionthe reason he cant act alone is because he cannot solely access this information. More importantly, he cannot solely disclose it during a months-long campaign. Jan, its not like he took a sheet of paper that was classified and said, Here you go, give it over to the media, and publish it on the internet. From what were told, he has hundreds of documents, and lots of pages of material. That means he went in and out on multiple occasions. He accessed secure compartments in information facilities, skiffs, and vaults that house this type of information. With the level of information were talking about that we discussed last week, that style of classified intelligence, just because you have a top secret SCI clearance doesnt mean you have the need to know, to access it. Thats the distinction here. Lots of government employees have a TS/SCI [Top Secret/Secure Compartment and Information Clearance]. The overwhelming majority of those individuals do not have a need to know on 95 percent of what is top secret SCI. They have never given access to it. This individual falls in that basket. Because as a 21-year-old Air National Guardsman, you should not have information about Mossadi intelligence collection. As a 21-year-old Air National Guardsman, you should not have troop movements in and around Ukraine, and Vladimir Putins response to that posturing. You just shouldnt have it because youre not involved in any level in the operational policy or planning decision making that that intelligence is utilized for. As a 21-year old E3, his level in the military, he just doesnt have access to it. How did he get it? We dont know that yet. Who else did he give it to? Was he working with someone on the outside? Theres a lot of questions that remain unanswered. Is there going to be another disclosure? Maybe. Maybe he gave a bunch of stuff to someone else. It seems from the public reporting, this individuals objective by disclosing this information was to inform the world about these subject matters. It seems like he wanted a bunch of stuff out there. That means he thought about it methodically, being an individual in the United States military with access to classified information, and knowing its illegal to collect it and distribute it outside. He had to have thought of a plan to do so and acted in concert with somebody or had some assistance. Heres the thing I havent talked about anywhere yet, Jan. If Im wrong, and he acted alone, we have an even bigger problem. How did some guy at 21 years of age access the United States of Americas most secure intelligence information and then leak it all on his own? To me, thats an even bigger problem for the intelligence community. Its not about me being right or wrong, but the alternative is shockingly worse for the national security apparatus in this country. Mr. Jekielek: Im imagining this situation. Lets say you have people of different political persuasions for different strategic reasons leaking classified information. That could become a war, if you will. In the end, it is breaking down the system. This is what this extreme Left onslaught that America is facing today is actually all about. Its about breaking down the system. This is a very difficult thing to deal with when you are on the side of fighting for rule of law, and fighting for the system that allows for freedom and liberty. Mr. Patel: Yes, absolutely. Mr. Jekielek: Another area that is endangering all this now is this development of AI. We have this recent interview with Elon Musk where he talks about AI being taught to lie. Victor Davis Hanson, whom I speak with regularly on American Thought Leaders, was on record talking about how very Left-wing false talking points have made it into the Academy revisionist history is becoming the norm. He talked about how certain AI chat bots are responding to queries around history. Theres always been this attempt in communist societies to erase history and to rewrite history. In 1984 by George Orwell, there was a whole department dedicated to this. Its a central theme in the book. With AI, this takes this whole idea to a new level, where essentially whole swaths of digitized history can be completely erased and rewritten into something very ideological. Mr. Patel: Yes, its not surprising, but a shocking development. What I mean by that is were talking about going back and changing historical facts. Thats mentioned in one of these articles, which we can put up for our audience, about Al Gores father and his opposition to the 1964 Civil Rights Act, versus what AI is doing on the internet to change that hard fact of history. Thats just one example of where its going in terms of historical spaces. Regarding AI, my expertise doesnt come from that part of it, but from the governments utilization of it. It applies to both areas of conversation were having right now. AI serves a purpose, of course it does. But my central thesis upfront is AI cannot replace human manpower, it just cant. When you try to do that, then you run into these problems of revisionist history. In the government space, you run into these problems of missing critical evidence and intelligence that could prevent another attack, that could lead to a criminal objective that youve been looking for, or that could even lead to a war, if we have missed the intelligence or got it wrong. The Persian Gulf War is a prime example of that, and also us being on the precipice of war in the Ukraine. This is why its so critical to talk about it. I talk to my former colleagues and they say, AIs great because heres what it can do. We ingest all of this intelligence, and all of this information comes into the United States government. Its stored in all these databases. How do we go through it? Of course, we dont have the human manpower to go through everything person by person. But we cant have AI supplant human manpower. It should supplement it. If we figure out a way to do that, then they can coexist. What youre talking about Jan with the media reporting about revisionist history is that AI is going out there and uniformly just disbanding fact and replacing it with fiction. Theres no human being in place to say, What is this algorithm doing? And then, to ask further, Who put this algorithm in place? Who created it? Who bought it, who paid for it, and who sold it? In government, you want to ask the same question, Wheres this algorithm, this AI machinery coming from, and where are we sending it? Who has access to it? Remember, at the end of the day, AI is artificial intelligence. That means theres an input and an output. Someone is getting everything that is being generated by that AI system. Who is that someone? Are we open to vulnerability? Can a foreign adversary, the CCP, use AI in the United States of America and intrude upon our systems and expand their police station operation across the United States of America? I bet you they did just that, Jan. Theyve got the AI hub station in Beijing that we talked about earlier. Why wouldnt they use it for that nefarious, illegal purposes? This discussion has gone on for a long time, and Im glad its now front and center, because of things that are being discussed with AIs involvement in Big Tech at Google, Facebook, Twitter and the like. Those institutions will continue to use more and more and more and more AI. Someone, whether its Congress or the executive branch needs to step in and say, Hang on a second. What are we doing in the government intelligence space to counterman the abuses that AI has allowed, and will lead to? Mr. Jekielek: Multiple things occur to me here. Number one, in this recent piece by Jacob Siegel in Tablet, having been an intelligence officer, he talks about how its this kind of dream for intelligence to have the perfect information, which can then be digested using some kind of system like AI to make perfect determinations. This is the holy grail in these communities. Youre basically explaining here why that can never work. The second piece is to imagine a situation where the people that were programming these things have rigorous commitment to measuring objective reality as best as you can. That ethic also is being programmed into the AI. But many of the people programming these things believe that reality is constructed. They believe their very specific, particular narratives should be the correct narratives, and reality be damned. What are the implications of that for AI? Elon Musk was talking about AI being taught to lie. Its being taught to pursue narratives over reality, and explain those narratives as if they were reality to the people using AI. Mr. Patel: You said it in a very meaningful way that I want to lead with to our audience. This conversation cant possibly end today. What happens when AI couples with bad actors? Someone has to build the AI. What happens, whether its in the media space, the Big Tech space or the government space, bad actors or bad individuals take that AI and use it for nefarious, unlawful purposes. Thats the ultimate problem we face with artificial intelligence, and theres no short-term solution for it right now. Mr. Jekielek: The third piece that I didnt mention yet, is that most of the most cutting edge AI development with Microsoft and Google is actually being done in China. That means the CCP has been given access to this technology, because those are the conditions for operating there. I find this terrifying. Again, its a reality where you have a system that basically has no guardrails. There is a civil-military fusion doctrine. If there is a military application for technology, which obviously there is here, it is exploited as much as possible. Why are we still doing this development in China? Mr. Jekielek: The short answer is money. Theres no regulation right now from the United States government standpoint, that is a check on performing that type of activity; taking and creating and deploying AI from a U.S. company in Mainland China. Just think about it. The Chinese government does the opposite all day long. TikTok is on some level an algorithmic-based infrastructure system that operates partially on AI that the Chinese use to tunnel into America. When we give them one that they didnt build themselves and is hosted in Mainland China, what do you think the CCP is going to do? Look at the CCPs unlawful conduct setting up police stations across America. Now we have companies like Google and Amazon and Apple distributing or deploying pieces of this AI that they are creating as American businesses in Mainland China. But were to believe that its fully safeguarded from the CCP. Not for one second. And that, Jan, is the biggest pending problem thats coming up on the AI front. Mr. Jekielek: Its huge. Major AI R&D operations are located there. I might add one more thing. Ive described AI as a voracious devourer of information. The more information you can feed into AI, the faster it can develop, and the more information they have to make their calculations and be more effective. China would be an incredibly attractive place to do AI R&D. This might be another reason because the amount to ingest is so massive. You have this whole social credit system operating, which is micro-information, unbelievable detailed amounts of information on every single citizen. Again, the implications are staggering. Mr. Patel: Yes, its like anything else from a national security perspective. Jan, if the CCP is involved, you can bet that they are going to use it in some fashion to attack or degrade the United States of America. And that to me is the bottom line. Mr. Jekielek: Kash, tough topics today. Its time for our shout-out. Mr. Patel: They are tough topics. Thats what we tackle on this show. Im very appreciative that we have an audience that will tell us what they think, even when they disagree with us. This isnt a show thats supposed to go out there and have 100 percent uniformity. The topics of this weeks episode highlight that. This weeks shout-out goes to Gary Long. Thank you so much for your suggestions and commentary on our chat board. Thank you to everybody who posted so many extensive comments on last weeks episode. We review them thoroughly and it builds a better show for you all in the coming weeks. Please keep posting, and we look forward to the next live chat. Well see you next week on Kashs Corner. This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity. Labour Board Flags Irregularities, Low Turnout in Public Service Strike Vote A flag flies as Public Service Alliance of Canada members walk the picket line outside government buildings, April 21, 2023 in Gatineau, Quebec. (The Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld) The federal labour board has found low turnout and irregularities of significant concern with the strike vote that led more than 100,000 public servants to walk off the job this week. The board found in a decision posted Thursday that the Public Service Alliance of Canada failed to properly let members know it had shortened the voting period by eight days, moving the deadline from April 19 to April 11. Only about 35 percent of members of the bargaining unit, or 38,207 people, actually cast a ballot and 80 percent of them were in favour of a strike mandate. Members of the union received notice of a strike vote via email on Jan. 23, and voting began on Feb. 22. But the decision shows the union did not have the correct email addresses of 15,000 members. Those people received a letter in the mail, instead, which was sent before the union moved up the April deadline. Union president Chris Aylward had not previously revealed how many members were in favour of the strike mandate, except to say that it was an overwhelming majority. The labour board decision arose from a complaint by a public servant who asked the board to overturn the result of the vote after he was unable to cast his ballot. The board decided against granting that request, finding it was unlikely there would have been a different result even if the union had been more forthcoming with its members. The support for the strike was high enough that even if there were no irregularities, it is very likely that the outcome would still have been favour of a strike, the decision said. The irregularities are of significant concern, and with different numbers, they could have resulted in the invalidation of the strike vote. In particular, the board said that reducing the voting time by eight days without adequately notifying members of the change was a significant issue, and the union fell short of its legislatively mandated responsibilities. The board ruled that the union was allowed to change the date of the vote. However, it expressed great concern that the union did not make a discernible effort to announce the date change. The union did mention the new date on social media and in e-news updates, but the board found that those notices didnt adequately draw readers attention to the deadline. Bargaining unit members might have wanted to wait until the end of the voting period before casting their vote, so as to have the most current information when making their decision. Larry Elder Announces 2024 Presidential Run Republican conservative radio host Larry Elder announced he will run for President of the United States. Im announcing that Im running for the presidency of the United States, he broke the news on Tucker Carlson Tonight on Fox News on April 20. I have a moral, religious, and patriotic duty to get back to a country thats been so good to my family and to me. That is why Im doing this. He told The Epoch Times he has been asked by supporters and fans to run for president, and so after careful consideration and more than four decades of political commentary, he has decided to do just that. Elder, turning 71 in late April, is the host of The Larry Elder Show on EpochTV, which he is pausing for his presidential campaign. He previously ran against California Gov. Gavin Newsom in September 2021 in a recall election, in which he received 3.5 million votesor 49 percent of the votes against the governor spilt among 46 replacement candidates. His closest competitor, by comparison, garnered 9 percent. Of the replacement votes, Elder carried 57 of Californias 58 counties and raised $27 million for his campaign. While he knew entering politics wouldnt be easy for him, especially as a black conservative, Elder said he was still surprised by the smear campaigns during the recall election. I know how brutal it is, he said. I know how your enemies will dissect things that youve said and put the worst spin on it, or will even make things up particularly when it comes to a black conservative, because I refute the narrative. Elder said that because the left promotes the narrative that America is inherently racist, he is often portrayed as an Uncle Tom, by leftwing media just for his conservative views. If a black guy from the inner city, as I was, whose dad cleaned toilets comes along and says, Im sorry. Its all about working hard. Its all about making sure that you invest in yourself, and avoiding bad moral mistakes, and if you can do that, youll be fine in America, that blows a whole narrative. So, Im an enemy, he said. Supporters of Larry Elder attend a gubernatorial recall election night gathering at the Hilton hotel in Costa Mesa, Calif., on Sept. 14, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times) But Elder never anticipated the leftwing media would stoop to brand him as the black face of white supremacy as one Los Angeles Times columnist did during the recall election. Elder claims many black Americans are being duped and misinformed to believe theyre victims of systemic racism. Rejecting the push for reparations for slavery, Elder said that the notion of victimhood has affected the attitude and mood of the black community. Youre not a slave, and the person over here is not a slave owner, he said. Why should somebody who did nothing to you pay for something that was never done to you? It doesnt make any sense. And this whole victim mentality is, in my opinion, almost a cancer within the black culture. Elder was also criticized for discussing the issue of fatherless homes in the black community and high rates of crime in black neighborhoods, and for pointing out that Black Lives Matters is a self-described Marxist organization that seeks to destroy the family structure in America. Its all because of the breakdown of the family. The values are not there. The adherence to Judeo-Christian values is not there, he said. Thus, he said, young black people who grew up without a father figure are angry and mad at the world, which leads to a set of social ills, and we dont talk enough about this. An Unhyphenated American Elder said he never uses the term African-American because he doesnt support the notion of what President Teddy Roosevelt called hyphenated Americans because it is divisive. Im an American. Im an American who is black. Im not a hyphenated American, he said. Were all Americans. He said the United States is the most successful democracy in the worlds history because it is based on the concept that all its citizens are Americans irrespective of race and ethnicity. I was born in Los Angeles. My dad was born in Georgia. My dads never been to Africa [and] my dad never had this whole idea of African American, he said. I have friends who are Italian. They dont call themselves Italian Americans but black Americans call themselves African Americans. I think its ridiculous, and to me, its a refutation of what America is all about. As a syndicated columnist, Elder has written more than 1,200 weekly opinion columns since 1998, but he was attacked during his gubernatorial campaign for exploring the pros and cons of the minimum wage and suggesting it be abolished. A Divided America Disheartened by the political division in America, Elder said civil debate has become a lost art. Ive lost friendships over Donald Trump, he said. I think almost everybody in this country has lost a relationship because of supporting Donald Trump or opposing Donald Trump. Pointing out that his mom was a lifelong Democrat and his dad a lifelong Republican, Elder said his parents had civil conversations despite their political differences. During the Watergate scandal in the early 1970s, Elder remembers that his dad defended Richard Nixon, while his mom criticized the embattled president, but they didnt divorce each other over it, he said. Elder, who is pro-life, supports stronger borders, school choice, and lower taxation. He said he believes racism is no longer a problem and never thought it would reach the point in America where you cant have a serious discussion or political disagreement without calling the other side fascist or Nazi. I havent seen this kind of vitriol since the Vietnam War, [when] families were across the dinner not even talking to each other, he said. Were at that point. It is even more vicious right now than it was back then. Elder criticized Newsom for pushing policies to end sales of gasoline-powered vehicles by 2035 in California because of climate change. The climate is always changing, he said. There is a good body of knowledge to suggest the thing is overblown, and the people who are going to be hurt the most by force-feeding us this so-called renewable energy, which costs a lot more than regular fossil fuel, are poor people. Elder supported the U.S. Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and said he is baffled by the response of pro-abortion groups. I just never thought the people who are pro-choice would not recognize all it does is put the issue back to the states, the way it was for all of our nations history until 1973 when the Supreme Court nationalized that issue, he said. Former President Donald Trump has announced he will seek another four-year term. Three other Republicansformer Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, and Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinsonhave also entered the race for the Republican nomination. Republicans Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence, and South Carolina U.S. Sen. Tim Scott are also expected to run but have not made any official declarations. President Joe Biden is expected to officially announce his re-election campaign Tuesday. Two other Democrats have also entered the raceMarianne Williamson, a self-help author who is running for a second time, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a nephew of former President John F. Kennedy. Law Firms Using Public Contracts to Divert Money to Democrats: Consumer Advocates O.H, Skinner, executive director of Alliance for Consumers and former Solicitor General of Arizona. (Courtesy of O.H. Skinner.) A consumer advocacy organization is sounding the alarm on major law firms siphoning money out of conservative states and into radical, left-wing agendas. The Alliance for Consumers (AFC) has sent letters (pdf) to Republican governors warning them that major law firms are using public contracts with their state and local governments to fund Democrat officials and organizations while diverting money away from victims and consumers. In the letter, AFC Executive Director O.H. Skinner discusses its consumer protection report on what it called the Shady Trial Lawyer Pipeline, (pdf) in which eight law firms the report labeled the Shady Eight, have used consumer protection contracts to funnel money into aggressively partisan political giving. The Consumer Protection Report exposes how these trial lawyers rely on public contracts with states and local governments that often lack basic protections (including basic ethics protections) to tighten their hold, all while diverting money away from everyday consumers and sending 99% of their federal donations to liberal candidates and committees, Skinner wrote in the letter. In the report, the AFC said law firms, which include Morgan & Morgan, Motley Rice, and Maron & Budd, have generated up to $18 million in political donations to Democrat committees and candidates. That is the total given by the firms directly, their 1,400 or so combined lawyers, and other employees and staff, the report states. Of that, over $3 million was generated by the firms during 2021 and 2022. Partisan Political Giving Supported by Money From State Contracts In 2021 and 2022, the report said these firms continued to donate strongly. According to the report, the law firms sent 99 percent of their over $3 million in combined federal donations to Democrat campaigns and allied committees. The lowest contribution percentage given by a member of the Shady Eight to Democrats and their allies between 2021 and 2022 was from Grant & Eisenhofer, with 97 percent of donations going to support Democratic campaigns and allied political committees, the report said, while other firms demonstrated a 100 percent commitment to Democrats. According to the Federal Election Commissions (FEC) recorded donations, Lieff Cabraser, another law firm, sent more than 50 percent of its over $750,000 in combined donations to support Democratic senatorial candidates in 2021 and 2022. This includes sending more than $100,000 to Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.). According to the report, in 2021 and 2022, Motley Rice generated over $750,000 in combined FEC donations, with 55 percent used to fund Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate. The report listed U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Sen. Catherine Masto (D-Nev.), and Warnock among the top five recipients of the law firms donations. Morgan & Morgan donated $2.2 million to President Joe Bidens campaign and to the Democrat National Committee, $1 billion of which came from Morgan & Morgan founder John Morgan, who, according to the AFC, bragged about flying Bidens brother, Frank, to Bidens inauguration. This partisan political giving is supported by money from lucrative public contracts signed by politicians and public officials, money that really belongs in the pockets of taxpayers and consumers, the report states. The report states that the public contracts are missing basic ethical protections resulting in them being a gateway to the pipeline. In an interview with The Epoch Times, Skinner said his rationale for sending the letters only to Republican governors is that they will be more motivated to act because theres no silver lining for them. I dont expect Democrat officials to be quick to action because its tantalizing that these law firms are giving large donations to help federal Democrats push their left-wing priorities, Skinner said. If youre a conservative official, then you and your constituents would want to have no part in that, so thats why were raising awareness to them. In March, Republican attorney generals in Kansas and Iowa terminated their contract with Morgan & Morgan, while Montanas attorney general parted ways with Motley Rice. Morgan & Morgan Denies It Only Donates to Democrats The Epoch Times contacted each law firm for comment. Morgan & Morgan was the only firm to respond, denying that it only donated to Democrats. Your assumptions are incorrect and just wrong, a spokesperson for Morgan & Morgan said. In Florida alone, our attorneys have given and raised millions to the leaders of the Republican legislature. Our firm also represented the last two senate presidents and the party in elections and recounts. When asked for more specifics, the firm didnt respond. In response to Morgan & Morgans statement, Skinner said: The federal-level donations make very clear the ideological leanings of these firms. When you give 98 or 99 percent to one side at a national level, that is something that everyone can understand all across the nation. Those numbers are striking and speak for themselves. Los Angeles Bans Overnight Parking for RVs in Venice A new ban limiting vehicle dwellers from parking overnight, approved by the Los Angeles City Council unanimously last week, has begun in Venice after previous city laws were rolled back to accommodate the COVID-19 pandemic-era shelter-in-place orders for the homeless nearly three years ago. Los Angeles Councilwoman Traci Park of the 11th Districtlargely representing the coastal area of the cityintroduced the resolution in March to prohibit the parking of vehicles that are in excess of 22 feet in length or over 7 feet in height between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. along several Venice streets. The resolution instructs the Department of Transportation, which will enforce the new policy, to post signs giving notice of a tow away, no parking restriction for oversized vehicles within the specific hours. Its unclear how much the signage will cost. Traci Park, elected to the Los Angeles City Councils District 11 in Nov. 8, 2022, election, poses for photo on Jan. 30, 2022. (Courtesy of Traci Park) This is an important step to improve traffic safety and uniform parking enforcement, which is a concern I have heard loud and clear from our community, Park told The Epoch Times in a statement. The result of relaxing some city codes in early 2020 that banned encampments in public spaces led to the expansion of homeless encampments across Venice as well as a proliferation of people living in RVs. Oftentimes, some RV dwellers would disturb neighborhoods by playing loud music, littering, and engaging in alleged criminal activities involving drug dealing and prostitution, The Epoch Times has previously reported. Fires have also erupted from some RVs. Residents have previously told The Epoch Times that the RVs would receive citations for parking illegally in Venice, but that a local homeless provider in the area would pay the fines. Just three miles south of Venice, the Ballona Wetlandsan ecological reserve in Marina Del Reyalso has a row of RV dwellers with reports of fires and crime, which Lucy Han, a Playa del Rey resident and founder of Friends of the Jungle, a local environmental advocacy nonprofit, have been trying to get cleared for more than a year. A homeless RV encampment sits parked in front of a Los Angeles County Cooling Center site in Westchester, Calif., on Sept. 4, 2022. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times) But addressing those RV dwellers has proven a difficult task due to red tape surrounding which jurisdictionthe city or the countyis responsible for cleaning up the reserve and providing outreach for the homeless in RVs living there. The Los Angeles Sheriffs Department Homeless Services Outreach Team told The Epoch Times previously theyve been providing outreach along the wetlands for the last 10 years, but COVID-19 paused those operations and the issue worsened. Park said her office is aware of the challenges and actively working with the mayors team and appropriate departments to address the Ballona Wetlands. The citys transportation department can make corrections or clarifications to the new resolution as they see fit. A citation will be given to anyone found in violation of the new restriction, Parks office said. Majority of Members at Largest Teachers Union Are Unaware of Far-Left Motions Pushed at Conferences Striking members of the National Education Union (NEU) on Piccadilly march to a rally in Trafalgar Square, central London, on March 15, 2023. (Aaron Chown/PA Media) The majority of teacher members in The National Education Union (NEU) are unaware of its shift into hyper-progressive causes a source told The Epoch Times. The source requested anonymity out of a concern of retribution. A tiny base of far-left activists at the UKs largest education union is responsible for putting forward hyper-progressive motions at conferences because its members are apathetic, a NEU source told The Epoch Times. This has led to some creating alternative unions amid growing concerns about schools incorporating critical race theory and gender ideology into teaching materials. In April, the National Education Union (NEU) passed a motion at its annual conference that backed bringing Drag Queen Story Time into school as it would help challenge the heteronormative culture and curriculum in education. Delegates voted for the union to work with LGBT educators to create guidance on how to set up LGBT spaces or lunch clubs so more schools participate and the spaces become usualised through practice. According to The Classroom website, in the context of the schools, usualising occurs when a teacher references lesbian, gay, or bisexual sexual orientation without inviting further comment. With 510,000 members, the NEU is the largest education union in the UK and Europe. The NEU source that the union is popular because it does good work in securing pay conditions, has a good legal team, with solicitors and officers that are trained in casework. A Shift However, the source said that a shift happened around 2016 when the LGBT union group seemed to align with the LGBT lobby Stonewall and implemented motions around its policy. A new dynamic came into the union, identitarian nonsense which has grown and crystalised around identity groups, the source said. He said that despite motions voted upon at school union conferences becoming policy, they didnt relate too much to what happens in schools because the majority of teachers dont know about them. He said there is a small base of activists at the NEU and that this base is tiny. He estimated 520 people are responsible for writing the most excessively progressive motions at the conferences, translating to about 150 people as hardcore hard-left from Communist-aligned and independent intersectionality activists. Though the vast majority of teachers wont know the motions and dont really care, he said. He said the drag queen story hour motion was crazy but he also pointed to one about a proposed union definition of transphobia. This would have allowed teachers who discuss sex-based womens rights with transgender colleagues to be considered transphobic. However, the source said he believed that the motion was instructed by solicitors to be shut down. The Epoch Times has not been able to verify this claim. The NEU did not respond to requests for comment. He said, rather than inviting successful gay actors, intellectuals, playwrights, etc, who are rooted in this society the activists push Drag Queens in schools because they believe this opens the door to a new egalitarian utopian society. Extreme Ideologue The source echoed the concerns that were picked up in the publication Unherd about the NEUs new leadership, which said that the UKs largest teaching union is being taken over by an extreme ideologue. Daniel Kebede, who was recently elected as NEU general secretary, is a regular writer for the British communist daily newspaper The Morning Star. A low turnout overall, 9 percent, handed the leadership to primary school teacher Kebede. In a video from 2020, Kebede said that he was looking at how to strengthen anti-racism currently in education by developing a decolonising agenda around the curriculum. He added that the curriculum is very Eurocentric and that children are taught this kind of nationalistic island-nation narrative of British history that doesnt reflect the truth. Increasingly See Their Role as Progressive Some are setting up new unions, however. The Scottish Union for Education (SUE) was founded after concerned parents, grandparents, teachers, and ex-teachers raised growing concerns about schools incorporating critical race theory and gender ideology into teaching materials. Stuart Waiton, senior lecturer in sociology and criminology at Abertay University, founded the union, which will operate under the banner of education not indoctrination. Waiton told The Epoch Times by email that he thinks unions increasingly see their role as progressive, the teaching unions, or at least the EIS [The Educational Institute of Scotland] in Scotland being one of the worst examples of this. He warned that teachers as activists are a threat to education and a potential danger to children. He pointed out that EIS, Scotlands largest teaching union, in March came out in support of the new self-ID gender change laws. The EIS is clear that trans women are women and trans men are men, the union wrote. This was after Sturgeon resigned and the furore over male rapists being dumped into female prisons. One can only assume from this that this teachers union thinks rapists should be placed in womens prisons, said Waiton. It also suggests that they have become ideological and see it as the role of teachers to promote a transgender ideology to children, he added. He said that new organisations are needed for teachers and lecturers, ones that defend classical educational principles, of academic freedom, in universities, and an understanding that schools are there to impart the knowledge of disciplines rather than to be social justice activists. The NEU and the EIS did not respond to the Epoch Times request for comment. Man Arrested for Allegedly Tossing 2-Month-Old Puppy Over Tujunga Fence LOS ANGELESA 25-year-old man was behind bars April 20 for allegedly tossing a caged puppy over a fence and into the Tujunga Washan act that was caught on home security video and widely viewed. Daniel Arias of Tujunga was arrested Tuesday, according to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). He was booked on suspicion of animal cruelty and was being held in lieu of $20,000 bail, according to police and jail records. The disturbing video surfaced March 27, showing a man exiting a brown Chevrolet Tahoe near Renaissance Drive and Cardamine Court, opening the vehicles rear liftgate, removing a caged puppy, and tossing the cage and animal over a fence before driving away. A puppy was rescued by Los Angeles Police Department officers after being tossed over a fence and into the Tujunga Wash, Calif., in March 2023. (Courtesy of Los Angeles Police Department) After the video went public, police went to the area and spoke to a resident who said he went into the wash to retrieve the puppy, initially finding only the empty crate but then finding the injured animal. The roughly 2-month-old puppy was placed in the care of Los Angeles Animal Services, police said. Veterinarians who examined the animal said the puppy suffered injuries likely due to the fall, but police said the animal is expected to recover and be put up for adoption. Detectives investigating the case successfully followed up on leads and gathered valuable information from the public, according to the LAPD. With the communitys assistance, they identified the suspect. Arias was arrested at his home without incident, police said. Anyone with additional information was asked to contact the LAPD Foothill Division at 818-834-3115. Callers who choose to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477. (Bloomberg) -- Chile delivered its long-awaited lithium policy late Thursday, giving the state a majority stake in all new contracts and sending shares in the two current producers in the South American nation SQM and Albemarle Corp. tumbling. Most Read from Bloomberg While the government will respect existing arrangements with the two companies, both would move to the state-controlled model once contracts expire in 2030 and 2043, respectively. Alternatively, they could opt to give up a majority stake in their operations before then. SQM shares were down a record 20% at 3:35pm in New York, while Albemarle lost 10%. President Gabriel Borics left-leaning administration is seeking a bigger role for the state in a metal thats critical to the clean-energy transition. Chile is currently the worlds No. 2 supplier of the battery metal. The new framework is an attempt to attract more private capital, defend the environment and move further down the value chain, all at the same time. Its a big ask and an important balance to strike for the Chilean economy, the global lithium market and the transition away from fossil fuels. The Latin American nation holds the biggest reserves of the key ingredient in electric-vehicle batteries. Lithium presents us with a tremendous opportunity that we cannot miss and we have to do it differently than we have done before, Boric said Friday. The lithium industry has to be at the service of people. For this, it is essential that the state be present throughout the lithium production cycle. Losing Share Under Chiles current model, companies sign contracts and are assigned quotas, rather than holding indefinite concessions. Royalties are by far the highest globally with a marginal 40% rate. Chile has been losing market share to countries with more investor friendly rules such as Argentina. Story continues In the new model, copper giant Codelco will be the states lithium representative, signing up partners for new joint ventures. A dedicated state company would take on that role at a later date. As such, Codelco will be in charge of any negotiations with SQM and Albemarle over a stake for the state in their Atacama salt flat operations. The states role in investments or sharing of risks in the new public-private partnerships wasnt discussed. Read More: SQM Weighs Chile Contract Options as Shares Plunge by Record 18% While the scary headlines are likely to pressure both companies shares, they are protected by current contracts and any early talks would probably be voluntary, BMO Capital Markets Joel Jackson wrote in a note to clients. Having the state as a partner could be beneficial for small exploration companies, although it would remove incentives for more established players by relegating them to minority status, said BTG Pactual analyst Cesar Perez-Novoa. While it is too early to tell, should the Chilean state overreach here, there is a risk of that foreign development capital moving to other jurisdictions, said Chris Berry, president of House Mountain Partners, an industry consultancy. Chinese Investment The government also plans to set up a lithium institute and is promoting downstream investments to capture more of the EV boom rather than just sending semi-processed material to Chinese and Korean plants. This week, Chinas BYD Co. was granted access to preferential prices to make battery-grade lithium carbonate at a plant that would start up by end-2025. As a free-trade partner with the US, Chile stands to benefit from President Joe Bidens green stimulus program. Still, China is Chiles top trading partner based on raw material exports. With Chilean lithium currently produced in the worlds driest desert, the government has said it plans to require all new projects to employ a production technique thats barely used commercially in a bid to reduce water losses. Turning from the current solar evaporation method to direct lithium extraction would speed up output and avoid vaporizing billions of liters of salty water. But DLE is relatively untested at scale and initially may mean less output and profit. This technology is not commercialized at scale, so there is a risk here, consultant Berry said. What happens if the technology doesn't deliver optimal results? --With assistance from Yvonne Yue Li and Valentina Fuentes. (Updates shares, adds comment from president in fifth paragraph) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Man Sought in Robbery, Suspected Beating of His Ex-Girlfriend in Laguna Beach LAGUNA BEACH, Calif.Police were asking for the publics help April 20 to find a man suspected of robbing and assaulting his ex-girlfriend at her Laguna Beach home, leaving her with significant injuries. Police said a residential burglary Tuesday evening was allegedly carried out by Charles Thomas Kelley IV, who hours later allegedly attacked the victim. Officers responded the following morning to a reported domestic violence incident at the home in the 1600 block of Tahiti Avenue, and contacted the woman, who suffered significant injuries, police said. She was taken to a hospital for further evaluation. Due to the proximity of the incident to area schools, Thurston Middle School and Laguna Beach High School were placed on alert though no threat to student or staff safety was present, according to Laguna Beach police. Kelley has a lengthy criminal past. He was charged in January with assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury with a sentencing enhancement for the infliction of great bodily injury for an assault on a man Jan. 21, according to court records. He was also convicted in San Diego County Aug. 29, 2016, of aggravated battery, according to court records. The suspect was described as a 6-foot-1, 200-pound man with brown hair and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing a dark blue jacket, gray T-shirt, and black pants. The departments Major Crime and Intelligence Unit urged anyone with any information regarding Kelleys whereabouts to call them 949-497-0371 or email MLee@lagunabeachcity.net. Nashville Official Says School Shooters Manifesto Is Astronomically Dangerous Officials have identified the suspect in Monday's Nashville Christian school shooting incident as 28-year-old Audrey Hale as Nashville Police released surveillance footage, seen above, on March 28, 2023. (Nashville Police Department) Federal officials are delaying the release of a manifesto written by Audrey Hale, who killed six people in a Nashville Christian school, according to local officials, with one calling it astronomically dangerous. Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) told the New York Post this week that the FBI is currently behind the delay. He said that the documents should be made public for grieving family members and for members of Congress. Hale, who was born female, used he/him pronouns, and police officials previously told a news conference she identified as transgender. Later, Nashville Police Chief John Drake said Hale suffered from mental health issues and was under the care of a doctor, while her parents did not know she had procured several firearms. The shooters notes could maybe tell us a little bit about whats going on inside of her head, Burchett told the newspaper. I think that would answer a lot of questions. About 20 journals, five laptops, a suicide note, and other materials written by Hale were taken from the house where she lived with her parents, according to a search warrant in the case. What I was told is, her manifesto was a blueprint on total destruction, and it was so, so detailed at the level of what she had planned, Metro Nashville Council Member Courtney Johnston told the NY Post, without elaborating. That document in the wrong persons hands would be astronomically dangerous, she added. Johnson claimed that the the vast, overwhelming majority of it would be too dangerous for the public to see. I personally dont want to know the depths to which her psychosis reached When Im told by an MNPD high-ranking official that it keeps him up at night, Im going to defer to that person in that agency that I dont need to read that, she added. The official did not elaborate on why the documents would be a danger to the public. Based on the interview, its not clear if Johnson was worried about detailed plans to attack other sites or was worried about Hales mental health issues. The Epoch Times has contacted the FBIs press office for comment. Audrey Hale in an undated image. (Nashville Police Department via The Epoch Times) Hale, 28, was a former student at The Covenant School when she shot and killed three children and three adults at a private school last month. The victims who were murdered include Evelyn Dieckhaus, 9, Hallie Scruggs, 9, William Kinney, 9, Cynthia Peak, 61, Katherine Koonce, 60, and Mike Hill, 61. Since the shooting, a range of conservative commentators have publicly called for Hales manifesto to be made public, saying that the FBIs delay is part of a cover-up to keep the public from knowing about the dangers of transgenderism. About a week after the Nashville mass shooting, a 19-year-old male who reportedly identified as female was arrested in Colorado with detailed plans for several school shootings. Rep. Walter Hudson (R-Minn.) told the NY Post this week that the documents should be released and said that by doing so, the FBI and other agencies could gain more Americans trust. He cited conversations with his constituents who have exhibited an increasing distrust with the FBI and with government agencies generally. One of the greatest threats to democracy or, as I would say, threats to the Constitutional Republic, is the erosion of trust in institutions. The FBI is one of those institutions, he told NY Post. If youre going to wield power in a free country, then you have a responsibility to maintain the publics trust in that powerand the FBI needs to figure out how to do that, the lawmaker said. Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) told the paper that if the documents are not ultimately released, then we need to investigate why. Nebraska State Senator Wins 7-Year Fight for Constitutional Carry Nebraska is set to be the 27th state to allow constitutional carry of firearms. This has been a seven-year labor of love, state Sen. Tom Brewer, sponsor of LB77, told The Epoch Times. The bill, approved on April 19 on a 3314 vote in the states unicameral Legislature, allows anyone who can legally own a firearm to carry it openly or concealed without a permit. Gov. Jim Pillen is scheduled to sign the bill on April 25. Brewer has one year left on his second four-year term. Nebraska senators are limited to two terms. Seven of my eight years was the fight for constitutional carry, Brewer said According to Brewer, this will be one of the first bills signed by Pillen, who took office on Jan. 5. In an email to The Epoch Times, Pillen said hes proud to be part of the event. I support constitutional carry because Nebraskans have a right to self-defense, and this bill would eliminate unnecessary burdens and barriers for gun owners, he wrote. As governor, Im focused on cutting unnecessary regulation in all areas of government and protecting our citizens constitutional freedoms. Art and Diana Ramirez of Austin with their pistols in custom-made holsters during an open carry rally at the Texas state Capitol in Austin on Jan. 1, 2016. (Erich Schlegel/Getty Images) Brewer said when it came down to the wire, supporters of the bill were able to work out concerns from law enforcement, including a requirement to notify an officer if you are armed. They also garnered enough votes in the state Legislature to overcome a filibuster that had plagued Brewers past efforts. Conservative State Nebraska is a relatively sparsely populated, largely rural state where most of the population is politically conservative, Brewer said. He said most of the anti-gun sentiment is located in Omaha and the state capitol of Lincoln. Because Nebraska has only one chamber in its legislature, a minority can delay legislation through a filibuster. Each bill in the Nebraska legislature must survive three votes to make it to the governors desk, and each is subject to the filibuster. It shouldnt be that way, Brewer said. Brewer said he withstood a 44-hour filibuster to get the final, filibuster-proof vote on April 19. Pillen said he has always supported the Second Amendment, and this bill proves that the majority of Nebraskans do as well. The fact that a supermajority of legislators voted for the bill speaks for itself, Pillen wrote. This bill sends a message that Nebraska is a state that supports Second Amendment rights. National Rifle Association members listen to speakers during the NRAs annual Meetings and Exhibits at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston on May 4, 2013. (Johnny Hanson/Houston Chronicle via AP) Gun rights groups celebrated the new law. The National Association for Gun Rights released a statement praising Brewer, Pillen, and other state leaders. Today is a great day for gun owners and the Second Amendment in Nebraska, Dudley Brown, president of the National Association for Gun Rights, wrote in the statement. In a statement on the National Rifle Associations (NRA) website, the associations Nebraska state director said the new law shows where Nebraskans stand. With Gov. Pillens signature, Nebraska becomes the 27th state in America that protects the right of Americans to carry a firearm outside of their home without first asking the government for additional permission and paying additional fees, said Travis Couture-Lovelady, Nebraska state director for the NRA. Gun Owners of America buttons are sold at the State Capitol in Lansing, Mich., on Sept. 27, 2022, during the annual rally organized by the Second Amendment March group. (Rebecca Cook/AFP via Getty Images) Iain Graeme, Gun Owners of America (GOA) regional director for the Rocky Mountains and Great Plains, said the new law is a significant accomplishment. While there is still more work to be done, LB 77 is a necessary first step in the continual battle to restore just governance to Nebraska, Graeme wrote in a statement on the GOA website. Brewer said this is only the first in what he expects to be a conservative rising in Nebraska. He said that in the past, a liberal minority has been able to stymie conservative efforts through the filibuster. The fact that LB77 got a filibuster-proof vote is a good sign, he said. He said the Legislature is expected to take up bills related to abortion, gender reassignment surgery for children, and other hot-button issues. He said the 2020 election set the stage for Nebraska conservatives to make some real headway. Nebraska elected a lot of very good senators, Brewer said. This year, were getting big things done. Fauci Lied During Deposition, New Twitter File Indicates Dr. Anthony Fauci lied under oath when he said he didnt use social media, according to a newly disclosed file from Twitter. Fauci did an account takeover in February 2021 for the White House COVID-19 response teams account while he led the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), the newly released internal Twitter report says. Journalist Paul Thacker obtained the file. I dont do social media, Fauci said while being deposed in late 2022 as part of a lawsuit alleging collusion between the U.S. government and Big Tech to censor people. Im so dissociated from social media. I dont have a Twitter account. I dont do Facebook. I dont do any of that, so Im not familiar with that. Ive never gotten involved in any of that. I dont even know how to access a tweet, he added later. I wouldnt know how to access a tweet if you paid me. An account takeover is when a person is allowed to assume control of an account for a period of time, posting content on a social media platform. The White House said on social media in February 2021 that Fauci is taking over this account to answer questions from the public. In April 2021, it said that Fauci would take over this account to answer questions. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases didnt respond to a request for comment. Fauci couldnt be reached. Martin Kulldorf, a professor of medicine on leave from Harvard University, said that the newly disclosed file appears to show Fauci lied. Hes involved even if he doesnt write the tweets, Kulldorff, a regular Twitter user who is part of the lawsuit against the federal government over its pressure on Big Tech to censor users, told Thacker. To me thats explosive, and it seems he lied under oath. Inconsistent Fauci, who served as President Joe Bidens chief medical adviser from 2021 to 2022, has come under fire before for questionable and false statements, including his claim that the U.S. government didnt fund gain-of-function research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China. NIAID funds were funneled by a nonprofit to the institute for experiments that included increasing the transmissibility of a bat coronavirus, records show. Experts say those experiments fit the definition of gain-of-function. Some of Dr. Faucis testimony is inconsistent with some of the intelligence that we have that remains classified as well as inconsistent with some information that is publicly available, John Ratcliffe, a former director of national intelligence, told Congress on April 18. Fauci also was involved in a paper that claimed the theory that COVID-19 originated at the Wuhan Institute was disproven. Fauci cited the paper from the White House podium as showing COVID-19 had a natural origin without revealing his involvement. COVID-19 is believed to originate with bats but no intermediary animals have been identified, undercutting natural origin proponents such as Fauci. Theres a growing belief that COVID-19 came from the Wuhan laboratories, including a new Senate report that concluded it was likely that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, was accidentally released amid vaccine development. The preponderance of information supports the plausibility of an unintentional research-related incident that likely resulted from failures of biosafety containment during SARS-CoV-2 vaccine-related research, the report states. Dr. Lawrence Tabak, acting director of the National Institutes of Health, which includes the agency that Fauci led, told members of Congress on April 19 that he had no idea whether the virus came from the labs. There are two prevalent theoriesa lab accident, or as you say a lab leak, versus a zoonotic transfer from animals to humans, Tabak said. In my mind, the available evidence favors the latter, but, of course, our minds are open to the former possibility. Winston Peters, Leader of NZ First, at the Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, in Auckland, on April 20, 2023. (NTD) AUCKLAND, New ZealandWinston Peters, leader of the NZ First political party who formerly served as deputy prime minister of New Zealand twice, saw Shen Yun Performing Arts for the first time at the Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre on April 20. First class, top rate, he said, everyone was faultless and that is not easy to see in a show. Mr. Peters said the synchronization of the dancers with the live orchestra and the animated backdrop, which allows the performers to seamlessly travel back and forth between the stage and the background projection, was brilliant extraordinary, [and] professionally done. This was a very excellent example of thousands of years of Chinese history and drama a marvelous imaging and portraying of a critical part of the history of this world, he said. Based in New York, Shen Yun Performing Arts is the worlds premier classical Chinese dance company. Along with folk dances and solo performances, the production depicts story-based pieces that tell tales from ancient times to the modern-day. Having also served twice as Foreign Minister of New Zealand, Mr. Peters said he has been out west of China to the border of Kazakhstan. Having had many cultural experiences, he said he was quite amazed by Shen Yuns orchestra and that he had never heard anything like it before. According to the companys website, Shen Yun is the first in the world to permanently combine classical Western and Chinese instruments within a Western symphony orchestra. Ancient Chinese instruments, such as the two-string erhu and the pipa, lead the melody amidst the traditional western instrumentation. Since 2006, Shen Yun has performed at top theaters worldwide with a mission to revive Chinas 5,000-year-old traditional culture. However, Shen Yun is still banned from performing in China. Mr. Peters said Shen Yun presents the alternative view of China, and that the autocracies and dictatorships cannot stand contrast. Freedom is about choice and that is the problem [t]here. China was once known as The Land of the Divine and Shen Yun presents this culture by drawing upon the Middle Kingdoms Buddhist and Daoist philosophies. As such, the performance often includes portrayals of ancient customs that were replete with rituals connecting man to the divine, contradicting the communist culture of atheism. After watching the performance, Mr. Peters said, the view that Chinese are atheists is renounced and disposed of by this show because so many are not, they are believers. He said he was impressed with the audience turnout and was pleased to have finally seen the performance. Shen Yun had five shows in Wellington this year, all of which were sold out. [Y]ou can not do better than that, he said. Reporting by NTD and Jennifer Schneider. The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yuns inception in 2006. Newport Coast Doctor Faces Federal Charges of Health Care Fraud An Orange County physician and a Los Angeles County lab owner are facing federal charges in separate cases for their alleged participation in fraud schemes involving health care services that exploited the COVID-19 pandemic and allegedly resulted in false billings to federal programs and theft from federally funded pandemic programs, officials announced Thursday. Dr. Anthony Hao Dinh, 63, of Newport Coast, allegedly submitted fraudulent claims for treatment of patients who were insured, billed for services that were not rendered, and billed for services that were not medically necessary, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. He is scheduled to be arraigned in Santa Ana federal court on May 22. If convicted as charged, Dinh would face up to 50 years in federal prison, according to federal prosecutors. Dr. Dinh is alleged to have stolen from a taxpayer-funded program meant to provide COVID-related health care to uninsured patients, U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada said in a statement. We will not tolerate stealing from the American people, and our prosecution of this large-scale scheme demonstrates our continued efforts to stop fraud of all sorts. Dinh is also charged with two others for allegedly submitting over 70 fraudulent loan applications under the Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program and fraudulently obtaining over $3 million in loan funds, prosecutors said. The other defendants named in the scheme are Dinhs sister, Hang Trinh Dinh, 64, of Lake Forest, who is currently a fugitive being sought by federal authorities, and Matthew Hoang Ho, 65, of Melbourne, Florida. Anthony Dinh is charged in the complaint with health care fraud and two counts of wire fraud. Hang Dinh and Matthew Ho are each charged with one count of wire fraud, according to prosecutors. The U.S. Attorneys Office said Anthony Dinh was the second-highest biller in the country to the Health Resources and Services Administration COVID-19 Uninsured Program. The program was designed to prevent the further spread of the pandemic by providing access to uninsured patients for testing and treatment, and to provide financial support to health care providers fighting the COVID-19 pandemic by reimbursing them for services provided to uninsured individuals. As a result of the scheme targeting the Uninsured Program, Anthony Dinh and his companies were paid more than $153 million, and he used fraud proceeds for high-risk options trading, losing over $100 million from November 2020 through February 2022, according to court documents. In another case filed in the Central District of California, a Glendale lab owner was charged for allegedly submitting over $358 million in false and fraudulent claims to Medicare, the Health Resources and Services Administration, and a private insurance company for laboratory testing, federal prosecutors said Thursday. Lourdes Navarro, 64, was charged in a superseding indictment with conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud, health care fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and making false statements, in connection with the operation of Matias Clinical Laboratory, Inc., also known as Health Care Providers Laboratory, a laboratory she operated, controlled and managed with her husband Imran Shams, according to prosecutors. The indictment alleges that the defendants lab performed COVID-19 screening testing for nursing homes and other facilities with vulnerable elderly populations, as well as primary and secondary schools. But to increase its reimbursements, Navarro allegedly fraudulently added claims for respiratory pathogen panel tests even though ordering providers and facility administrators did not want or need them, prosecutors said. Navarro was previously charged in an indictment returned in April 2022. The superseding indictment adds allegations that Navarro conspired with Shams and carried out a scheme to submit false and fraudulent claims to Medicare, the HRSAs COVID-19 Uninsured Program, and an insurance company for respiratory pathogen panel testing that was not ordered, medically unnecessary, procured through illegal kickbacks and bribes, and ineligible for reimbursement. Oliver Dowden Becomes Deputy Prime Minister After Raab Resigns Over Bullying Claims Oliver Dowden has replaced Dominic Raab as deputy British prime minister on Friday after Raab resigned over bullying claims. Downing Street also appointed defence procurement minister Alex Chalk as the new Lord Chancellor and secretary of state for justiceanother role Raab has vacated. Formerly a barrister, Chalk has been an MP since 2015 and previously served as HM solicitor-general for England and Wales and as the prisons and probation minister. Also elected in 2015, Dowden was appointed as the culture secretary in 2020 and is currently the chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and the secretary of state in the Cabinet Office. Downing Street also used the mini-reshuffle to announce that former Work and Pensions Secretary Chloe Smith will cover for Michelle Donelan when the science, innovation, and technology secretary is on her maternity leave. New Justice Secretary Alex Chalk leaving 10 Downing Street, London, on April 21, 2023. (Aaron Chown/PA Media) Raabs Resignation Raabs resignation came after an inquiry into bullying claims against him found that he had acted in an intimidating manner. The former Cabinet minister said he felt duty bound to resign as he had promised to do so if the report made any finding of bullying whatsoever, but he claimed that the bar for bullying was set so low that it would set a dangerous precedent for the conduct of good government. The inquiry, carried out by senior lawyer Adam Tolley KC, was requested by Raab and approved by Sunak after media reports that claimed the minister had been very rude and aggressive towards civil servants and that he had created a culture of fear at the Ministry of Justice (MOJ). It examined a total of eight claims in relation to Raabs behaviour as foreign Secretary, justice secretary, and Brexit Secretary. The report (pdf) didnt find evidence of bullying when Raab was the Brexit secretary. Regarding the Foreign Office complaint, Tolley said Raab had acted in a way that was intimidating, in the sense of unreasonably and persistently aggressive conduct in the context of a work meeting. It also involved an abuse or misuse of power in a way that undermines or humiliates, the report said. According to Raab, who hit out at what he described as a Kafkaesque saga in an article published in The Telegraph, he made changes to the personnel conducting the Brexit negotiations on Gibraltar with Spain, having found out a senior negotiator had gone beyond the democratic mandate set by Cabinet. He said the change involved no demotion or longer-term detriment and was essential to securing a deal with Spain at the time. But the report found that while the personnel change was legitimate, Raab mentioned the Civil Service Code in a way which could reasonably have been understood as suggesting that those involved had acted in breach of the Civil Service Code, which could be interpreted as a threat of dismissal. It was a form of intimidating behaviour, in the sense of conveying a threat of unspecified disciplinary action, the report said. It also said Raab didnt target anyone or intend to threaten anyone, but should have realised that his mentioning of the Civil Service Code could well have been understood as a threat. Dominic Raab, then the UKs deputy prime minister, leaves 10 Downing Street following a Cabinet meeting in London on April 18, 2023. (Jordan Pettitt/PA Media) Regarding group complaints made by MOJ officials, the report said the former justice secretary had acted in a manner which was intimidating by making unconstructive critical comments on a number of occasions. The examples cited showed that Raab complained about the lack of basic information in documents and obstructiveness on the part of officials whom he perceived to be resistant to his policies, and called some work as utterly useless and woeful. The report said Raab didnt intend to target anyone or to upset or humiliate, but the unconstructive criticisms, combined with a habit of interrupting people, is likely to be experienced as intimidating, in the sense of being unreasonably difficult to deal with, and plainly was so experienced by some individuals. Raab: Bullying Threshold So Low In his letter of resignation to Sunak, Raab said hes genuinely sorry for any unintended stress or offence any officials felt as a result of the pace, standards, and challenge he brought to the MOJ, but argued that the inquiry has set a dangerous precedent by setting the threshold for bullying so low, saying it will encourage spurious complaints against ministers, and have a chilling effect on those driving change. He also called on Sunak to order an independent review of a number of improprieties that came to light during the course of this inquiry, including the systematic leaking of skewed and fabricated claims to the media in breach of the rules of the inquiry and the Civil Service Code of Conduct, and the coercive removal by a senior official of dedicated private secretaries from his MOJ private office in October last year. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak accepted Raabs resignation, saying he was right to keep his promise, but its clear that there have been shortcomings in the historic process that have negatively affected everyone involved. We should learn from this how to better handle such matters in future, he wrote in a letter to Raab. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said the prime minister showed double weakness in his handling of the matter, by bring Raab back into the government after being allegedly warned about his behaviour and by not sacking Raab upon receiving the report. Asked if Sunak regretted appointing Raab last year, the official spokesman for Downing Street said: No. I think the report makes clear that the former secretary of state is highly intelligent, pays close attention to detail, seeks to make decisions based on evidence, has strong principles and is guided by them, and works assiduously. So, obviously, the prime minister stands by his decision. Clearly, this report has established a number of facts and the prime minister has come to a judgement, he added. Downing Street also rejected public service union FDAs call for an independent inquiry into ministerial bullying. But the spokesman said Sunak had asked the Cabinet Office to look at how ministers can better learn to handle some of the issues that this report has raised, in terms of how concerns about working practices are raised in a timely manner and how they are dealt with. PA Media contributed to this report. Orange County Power Authority Fires CEO Brian Probolsky Behind closed doors, the Orange County Power Authority (OCPA) voted to relieve chief executive officer Brian Probolsky of his position on April 19 after the embattled green energy agency has faced pressure from city and county leaders to find new leadership. During the Wednesday meeting in Irvine, California, board members voted 3-1 with Jose Castaneda, Tammy Kim and Kathleen Treseder voting for Probolskys termination, while Fred Jung abstained and Casey McKeon was absent. Don Wagner was the only member to vote against the decision, according to a report given after the closed session discussion. In just a few short years, the Orange County Power Authority has gone from one citys vision to a fully operational community choice energy provider serving approximately 240,000 residential and commercial customers in four Orange County communities, said Jung, OCPA Board chair and mayor of Fullerton, in a statement Wednesday. The CEOs last day will be at the end of May and an interim CEO will be announced sometime soon, according to the statement. The Board of Directors decision isnt reflective of the agencys finances, Jung said, as OCPA is operationally sound and financially strong with tens of millions of dollars in reserve. The Board appreciates Brian Probolskys dedication and service building an organization that is having a positive environmental impact on the region, he said. Brian Probolsky (R), CEO of Orange County Power Authority, shakes hands with Poseidon Water Vice President Scott Maloni in an agreement to work together toward desalination efforts in Irvine, Calif., on Feb. 22, 2022. (Courtesy of Orange County Power Authority) Similar sentiments were echoed in the close of Wednesdays meeting, during open session. Despite the challenges and the uphill battles that weve all shared together, youve provided so much leadership in bringing a team that is going to carry out this vision of transforming Orange County and our energy future for good, Castaneda, a councilman for Buena Park, said. Vice chair of the board Treseder, a councilwoman for Irvine, said the board had some very challenging decisions to make, but she is optimistic about the future of OCPA. I have full confidence in it going forward, she said. Since its inception in November 2020, OCPA has been challenged by criticism over a lack of transparency and inexperienced management. Several audits of the agency have been issued, including by an Orange County Grand Jury last June, the Orange County Auditorat the request of County Supervisorsin December, and the California State Auditor in February. Audit findings verified concerns over a need for more experienced staff and better record-keeping protocols, with the countys report suggesting the CEO wasnt qualified for his role. The State Auditor said Probolsky improperly executed power purchase agreements worth $1.8 million for contracts to marketing and financial services, while skirting required board procedures in the process. [T]he pattern of contracting practices we identified at OCPA that were neither competitive nor accountable to the boards oversight poses a risk to the organization, the Feb. 28 audit reads. Probolsky chose to remember his accomplishments in a statement of his own Wednesday. In the past 24 months, I helped Orange County Power Authority grow from an idea into one of Californias largest and greenest retail energy providers. This includes creating the brand, raising $42 million in credit facilities, and building a renewable energy portfolio worth more than $1 billion, he wrote. The energy providerwhich serves Huntington Beach, Buena Park, Irvine, and Fullertonwas formed in 2020 as an energy provider emphasizing green power, as an alternative to Southern California Edison, the primary energy provider in the region. Power lines in Fullerton, Calif., on Dec. 22, 2020. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times) In mid-January, OCPA lowered its rates, and its Basic Choice plan, which provides 38 percent renewable energy, became cheaper than its competitor by 2 percent, according to the agency. As CEO, I hired a team of professionals as we launched this highly-regulated $300 million revenue energy provider with more than 250,000 customers to fulfill the promise of bringing renewable energy to Orange County at cheaper rates than Southern California Edison, Probolsky concluded in his statement. The Orange County Board of Supervisors in December voted to withdraw the countys unincorporated areas from OCPA and has been seeking a new agency to replace it. Supervisor Katrina Foley said in a statement she still hopes for more change from the power authority in the coming months. I wish I could say I am pleased to see the Orange County Power Authority Board is finally beginning the necessary process to address the longstanding concerns of this agency, but there is much structural reform needed as outlined in our Internal Audit report, she wrote. Referencing recommendations the county requested in their audit, Foley said she will continue to monitor the authority and see which reforms they decide to enact, she said. I remain committed to the cause of providing cleaner power options at competitive rate that will benefit our ratepayers and help our environment, Foley wrote. Board member Kim, also vice mayor for Irvine, applauded Probolsky for leading the authority through tough times. I dont know many people who would have the strength and fortitude to do what youve done, despite all the criticism and all the scrutiny, she said. So I just applaud all of your work and all of your efforts. Kudos to you. Orange Housing Plan Shot Down by State, City Officials Back to Square One The city of Orange, California, had its sights on the finish regarding receiving acceptance of its state-mandated housing plan, but now its back to the drawing board after the states housing department rejected its latest submission. Orange adopted its so-called housing element Feb. 14, which began a 90-day review by the state. Previously, Californias Department of Housing and Community Development indicated the citys plan would likely be approved, after the city addressed state-requested revisions. But state housing officials again requested more revisions to the plan in a letter dated April 14. Updated every eight years, a housing element is a state-mandated affordable housing plan. For this cyclewhich runs from 2021 to 2029Orange is required to zone for 3,927 new homes, with nearly 60 percent of those set aside for low- or moderate-income residents. The states request for further revisions came after receiving letters from a developers attorney and two pro-housing groups claiming some of the sites the city identified for residential development were non-viable, according to the letter sent to the city by state Housing Accountability Chief Melinda Coy. Coy said in the letter that the city hadnt included specific information on how development could occur at locations where existing use is already present. If the sites the city zoned for arent feasible, then it may need to amend the housing element, to provide a buffer of sites accounting for possible constraints, or find new sites altogether, Coy wrote. But city officials argued the state had no issues with its plan just a couple of months ago until they received complaints. Issues were raised by an attorney representing a developer who has been seeking to build a three-story apartment building in the city for almost two years. The location is currently zoned as open space and would have required a zone change to residential. According to Orange City Attorney Mary Binning, the city requested developers provide additional environmental analysis of the project, but as of last fall, they had not done so. Instead, according to Binning, the developers requested that their property be put on our housing element that is somewhat where the battle between the developer and the city began. The entry to the council chambers at the City of Oranges Civic Center in Orange, Calif., on Oct. 6, 2020. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times) The developer has now filed whats known as a builders remedy application for the projectincreasing the buildings height to seven storieswhich is allowable under state law if a citys housing element is not approved. Oranges plan was due 18 months ago. Additionally, the developers attorney Allan Abshez, with Loeb and Loeb out of Los Angeles, said in letters to the state that 89 percent of the sites in Oranges housing element were on 11 sites with deed restrictions, easements, alleged owners statements arguing against redevelopment, and other impediments. But city officials disagree. I think the sites were adequate One of the developers doesnt agree with that and their attorneys are the ones that changed [state officials] mind. That doesnt sound like theyre playing fair, Orange Mayor Dan Slater told The Epoch Times. According to Abshezs letter, the alleged problematic sites include the Ayres Hotel on Chapman Avenue, the Orange Town and Country shopping center, City Town Center, Promenade shopping center, Outlets at Orange, Orange County Classical Academya public charter school with over 500 studentsand an Orange County Sheriffs Training Center. Other letters received by the state with concerns about Oranges plan came from People for Housing Orange Countya pro-housing organizationand Californians for Homeownership, a nonprofit that has sued 12 cities over their housing elements. The city has actively disregarded statements from property owners who do not intend to redevelop their sites, and whose sites are burdened by commitments that make redevelopment impossible, attorney for Californians for Homeownership Matthew Gelfand wrote in a March 15 letter to the state housing department. It is clear that the city does not have adequate sites to meet its [zoning requirements]. Instead, it is relying on multiple sites for which there is affirmative evidence that the sites will not be redeveloped. Elizabeth Hansburg, director of People for Housing Orange County, alleged similar claims in a letter to the state. Not every city is openly defying housing element law and policies as in Huntington Beach. Some are doing so quietly, hoping their violations go unnoticed, she wrote. Huntington Beach and the state filed dueling lawsuits against each other in March regarding the housing element and other housing issues. Huntington Beach city officials gather with residents to challenge state housing laws in Huntington Beach, Calif., on Feb. 14, 2023. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times) But Orange officials said they have willfully followed every suggestion or requirement from the state and that the housing element has been a moving target, requiring constant adjustments. Binning, the city attorney, said unlike Huntington Beachwho has willfully opposed some of the states housing mandatesOrange has gladly worked with the housing department over the last two years but despite the different approaches the two cities have found themselves in the same boat. The first thing that we need to do is speak with somebody at [the housing department] who is able to give us very clear and precise directions, she said. Its been a moving target, and were told by [them] that the target can continue to move so long as there are complaints coming in. Parents Protest as Massachusetts School Holds Drag Queen Assembly Massachusetts Pastor Kendall Lankford reads to a crowd at the Chelmsford Public Library for the first "pastor story hour" held in New England. (Courtesy of The Shepherd's Church, Chelmsford, Mass.) As some states work to ban drag queen events for minors, a Massachusetts high school recently hosted a drag queen whose description of himself and the shows secret weapon is too lewd to print. With full support of the faculty, police, and town officials, Missy Steak performed at a student body assembly at North High School in Newton, a community that borders Boston. The event was organized by the student group Gender Sexuality Alliance. In a YouTube series called Drag Gauntlet, Missy Steak uses a word to describe his ability to maintain sexual excitement (the secret weapon) despite all the antidepressants Im on. I can do comedy, I can do sexy, and I will do it all on the cheap, says his website, which also uses a phrase synonymous with prostitute to characterize his drag queen persona. Some local parents looked into his background and came away outraged. Henry Barbaro, whose child attends high school, said he was even more outraged when the Newton schools officialsincluding the school committeeignored parental concerns and questions about the event. They left parents on their own to try to determine the content of this performance, he told The Epoch Times. When we did we found these hypersexual and raunchy images. When the parents alerted the school committee about their findings, Barbaro said they were ignored. In a statement supporting the event, Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller described the drag queen performance as Newtons commitment to better understanding and celebrating individuality and diversity. As Mayor, I wholeheartedly and proudly support our LGBTQ+ students as they build awareness of and celebrate their identities. This day and this work are important and necessary to create a welcoming and inclusive school community. The event was held as part of the schools annual To Be Glad Day, which celebrates gay pride. The controversy comes shortly after the Massachusetts Department of Education Office for Civil Rights (OCR) launched an investigation of Newton schools after it was announced that only people of color could try out for the school play. Massachusetts native Lonnie Brennan, editor of The Boston Broadside and an established advocate against liberalism, told The Epoch Times that Massachusetts has become a vestige of age-inappropriate activities like the one at Newton. He pointed out that the states new governor, Maura Healey, the nations first openly lesbian governor, had called for more drag queen events at schools while on the campaign trail. Brennan modified a famous quote by President John F. Kennedy, another Massachusetts native, to emphasize his position that drag shows are just open grooming events for children. Ask not why there are drag queen shows in schools and libraries, ask instead why guys in gaudy and stripper womens clothes crave audiences composed of children. Jim Baribeault, a resident of Newburyport and member of Citizens for Responsible Education (CRE), told The Epoch Times that he and other parents were similarly ignored by local officials when they objected to a drag queen teen dance being held in their town. Like the Newton event, the one at Newburyport was also spearheaded by a student-led LGBT group and promoted by Newburyport Youth Services. Concern for Taxpayers My initial concern was [that] Newburyport Youth Services (NYS), which is financed by Newburyport tax payers, planned a drag queen event without any advance notice to the taxpayers, he said, We felt NYS was trying to hide this drag queen event from the taxpayer. Despite news reports of explicit videos of Miz. Diamond Wigfall promoting drug use and lewd acts, Newburyport went ahead with the teen dance, with a local Masonic hall offering to host it for free. Last year, Baribeault found himself at the center of a controversy after school officials called police and had him banned from school property for passing out flyers about an upcoming CRE meeting to parents as they waited in their cars on the street to pick up their children at school. Both he and Barbaro said they have felt bullied by the very groups who profess to stand for diversity and tolerance, and have come to feel that their own government has joined in. Schools certainly have no empathy, concern or hesitation that using a drag queen as a role model may be having a negative impact on some kids, or an adverse effect on their mental health, said Barbaro. Earlier this year, local Christians pointed to the contradiction when they scheduled pastor story hours at some Massachusetts public libraries that had hosted drag queen story hours. All of the libraries initially canceled the pastor story hours, but restored them after they were threatened with discrimination lawsuits. At times, violence has erupted across the nation. On the same day as the Newton school drag queen assembly, a man wearing a dress flipped over a display table belonging to the conservative campus group Turning Point USA at the University of Washington, a state-funded college in Seattle. Last week at a California event sponsored by the same group, NCAA champion swimmer Riley Gaineswho gained national notoriety after objecting to competing against Lia Thomas, who swam for three years as a malewas trapped in a room for hours while an angry mob chanted threats. The incident at the San Francisco State University followed a speech Gaines gave about her experiences competing against a male. Opponents of drag shows in schools and transgender ideology have found some success in protesting against companies who have engaged in woke marketing. After Anheuser-Busch hired trans influencer Dylan Mulvaney to promote Bud Light, the beer companys stock plummeted more than $5 billion. The beer giant issued a statement over the controversy. 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 Anheuser-Busch CEO Brendan Whitworth. Also on the same day, Newtons North High Principal Henry Turner did not respond to inquiries about the drag queen event held at the school on Friday. An online community board called Village 14, named after the 14 neighborhoods that make up Newton, was riddled with comments in support of the event and drag queen events in general. One local wrote Good for the students, the administration, and the parents for standing up to this hatred. Another posted Why dont the protesters cross the river and protest at Harvards Hasty Pudding Club? Some of their alums havent turned out so badly. Each year, the universitys social club, founded in 1795, puts on an original, student-written burlesque musical that runs for a month in Cambridge, before going on tour. By Valerie Insinna and Brenda Goh WASHINGTON/SHANGHAI (Reuters) -China's aviation regulator has published a report that Boeing views as a key step for the U.S. planemaker to resume deliveries of its 737 MAX to Chinese airlines more than four years after they were halted following two deadly crashes. Boeing has more than 130 completed MAX jets in inventory for Chinese customers worth more than $15 billion at list prices, although airlines typically receive substantial discounts. The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) on April 14 released the second revision of its 737 evaluation report which incorporates updates to 737 MAX training and technical information. The report, which is available online and has been seen by Reuters but was not publicized by the CAAC, would have been distributed to Chinese airlines and conveyed the message that the regulator had reviewed the airplane and that carriers could take delivery should they want to, one person familiar with the matter said. Boeing sees the document as the "final technical requirement" necessary for restarting MAX deliveries, a second person told Reuters, adding that U.S.-China trade tensions could still stall progress. The sources declined to be named because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the matter. CAAC could not be reached for comment. The regulator's report was mentioned by Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun at the company's annual meeting on Tuesday. He called it "encouraging progress" and "an important step" for enabling future deliveries. He added however that "our customers will determine the timing of when they are ready to take delivery of their airplane." Chinese airlines begun returning the MAX to service in January led by China Southern and as of April, all Chinese MAX operators have resumed flight operations, with 45 of 95 MAX jets now back in service, Calhoun said. While deliveries have yet to restart, carriers have signaled positive intentions. Story continues Hainan Airlines said on Thursday that it planned to take delivery of 14 MAX planes from lessors between 2023 and 2026, in addition to 47 Airbus A320neo family jets. It was the first time a Chinese carrier had announced plans to add MAXs to its fleet beyond those ordered before the March 2019 grounding after fatal crashes in Ethiopia and Indonesia. China Eastern and China Southern said in March they would resume taking delivery of MAX jets this year, without providing further details. The CAAC, the first regulator globally to ground the plane in 2019, did not publicly announce it had approved the MAX's return before China Southern resumed flights in January. JPMorgan analyst Seth Seifman said it was still "hard to say" when China would begin to accept MAX deliveries. "It's a geopolitical question, in my view," he said. "[If] some of the administrative things that have to happen can actually happen, then that's helpful. But I've found this whole process to be extremely opaque." The CAAC report is a reason for "incremental" optimism on MAX momentum in China, Myles Walton of Wolfe Research wrote in to a note to investors. (Reporting by Valerie Insinna in Washington and Brenda Goh in Shanghai; Editing by Jamie Freed) Pentagon Readies Troops for US Embassy Evacuation in Sudan as 1 American Dead Destroyed military vehicles are seen in southern in Khartoum, Sudan, on April 20, 2023. (Marwan Ali/AP Photo) The Pentagon said it is repositioning troops in the region of Sudan ahead of a possible evacuation of the U.S. Embassy in Khartoum as fighting between rival Sudanese factions intensifies and as the U.S. State Department confirmed the death of one American citizen. We can confirm the death of one U.S. citizen in Sudan, a State Department spokesperson said in a statement to media outlets. We are in touch with the family and offer our deepest condolences to them on their loss. The State Department declined to provide further details on the circumstances of the unidentified Americans death. Hundreds of people have been killed in Sudan as fighting continues in battles between rival generals vying for control of the country through force. Residential buildings damaged in fighting are seen in Khartoum, Sudan, on April 20, 2023. (Marwan Ali/AP Photo) Department of Defense Spokesperson Lt. Col. Phil Ventura said in a statement that the Pentagon is planning for various contingencies and that it will deploy additional capabilities to the region to facilitate a possible evacuation of embassy staff. We are deploying additional capabilities nearby in the region for contingency purposes related to securing and potentially facilitating the departure of U.S. Embassy personnel from Sudan, if circumstances require it, Ventura said. As a matter of policy and security, we do not speculate on potential future operations, he added, without providing further details nor stating the location where the additional forces would be deployed. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the decision to prepare for a possible evacuation was made by President Joe Biden in the last couple of days. The president authorized the military to move forward with pre-positioning forces and to develop options, Kirby told reporters at a White House briefing Thursday. Theres no indication that either side is deliberately going after or trying to hurt or target Americans, Kirby said. But its obviously a dangerous situation. Americans in Sudan have been urged to shelter in place. Smoke is seen in Khartoum, Sudan, on April 19, 2023. (Marwan Ali/AP Photo) Simmering Conflict The conflict has been simmering for months between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), controlled by Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a powerful paramilitary group led by Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. The fighting has trapped the 10 million residents of Khartoum with no means of escape. Several short-lived ceasefires had been agreed to between the warring groups, with the latest effort to halt the fighting coming early Friday. RSF said Friday it had agreed to a 72-hour truce on humanitarian grounds on Friday to coincide with the start of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr and to allow residents the opportunity to evacuate. The truce coincides with the blessed Eid al-Fitr to open humanitarian corridors to evacuate citizens and give them the opportunity to greet their families, the RSF said in a statement. Sudanese army soldiers, loyal to army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, man a position in the Red Sea city of Port Sudan, on April 20, 2023. (AFP via Getty Images) Al-Burhan, who leads the opposing faction, posted a statement to mark Eid, though he did not address the RSFs announcement of a ceasefire. Our country has been afflicted by a deep wound, which has taken victims, injured many, displaced families, destroyed institutions and homes, he said. We are confident that we will overcome this tribulation with the wisdom and strength that will protect the safety of the country and will allow us a safe transition to civilian rule, he added. Fighting between the RSF and Sudans army erupted on April 16, derailing an internationally backed plan for a transition to a civilian democracy four years after the fall of Islamist autocrat Omar al-Bashir and two years after a military coup. Around 10,000 to 20,000 people escaping the fighting have taken refuge in villages along the border inside Chad, U.N. refugee agency UNHCR and the World Food Programme (WFP) said. People gather at the station to flee from Khartoum during clashes between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and the army in Khartoum, Sudan, on April 19, 2023. (El-Tayeb Siddig/Reuters) Very Fluid Security Situation State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel said Thursday that, because of an uncertain and very fluid security situation and the closure of the airport in Khartoum, it is currently not safe to undertake a U.S. government-coordinated evacuation of private U.S. citizens. Patel added that all U.S. personnel are accounted for, and he is not aware of specific threats against embassy personnel or American citizens in Sudan. We have been very clear about the need tofor American citizens to remain indoors, to stay off the roads, to shelter in place, and to avoid traveling to the U.S. embassy at this time, he said. Senior U.S. officials are in direct contact with the leadership of both sides and are pushing for an immediate ceasefire, a National Security spokesperson said. Patel said in a separate statement that Secretary of State Antony Blinken had spoken with both generals heading the two warring factions. Secretary Blinken condemned the indiscriminate fighting that has caused significant civilian deaths and injuries and damage to essential infrastructure, Patel said. He urged both military leaders to implement and uphold a nationwide ceasefire and sustain it through at least the end of Eid al-Fitr, Sunday, April 23, he added. The U.S. embassy in Sudan has recorded around 16,000 American citizens as being present in the country. However, the State Department has said this number may not be reliable since there is no mandatory registration or notification requirement for Americans in Sudan. Reuters contributed to this report. Pro-Democracy Activist Persecuted by Chinese Authorities for Criticizing the CCP A guard looks through the window of a hallway inside the No.1 Detention Center during a government guided tour in Beijing on Oct. 25, 2012. (Ed Jones/AFP via Getty Images) A man said the Chinese authorities tortured him for publicly criticizing the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and claimed that authorities prevent him from receiving medical treatment even though his health has continued deteriorating since he was released from prison. In an interview with the Chinese language edition of The Epoch Times on April 13, Shao Mingliang recounted the torture he endured while imprisoned for four years. I didnt expect that I could have survived all the torture, he said. Shao, a native of Jiangsu Province, is a pro-democracy activist and an anti-CCP critic. He said he almost died from torture several times while being kept in a detention center in Nanjing and a prison in Changzhou, both in Jiangsu Province, from 2019 to 2023. I could smell a bad odor from my body as if it were a corpse, but I was so weak that I didnt even have the energy to think of committing suicide, Shao said. When he was released on March 15, Shao was in poor health. The authorities didnt allow his family to pick him up from prison and sent him home on a stretcher. He has since been placed under house arrest. With the help of his family and friends, Shao managed to get to a hospital in Nanjing for medical treatment. But he said a group of local police in plainclothes followed him and prevented the medical staff from administering treatment. I suffered brutal torture in prison during the four years of imprisonment. Are there any human rights or rules of law at all in China? I am the best case, and I am the best witness of the red horror and the dark history [of the CCP]! Shao said in a video on Chinese social media. Shao said the authorities wanted him dead. He now weighs less than 88 pounds and desperately needs medical care. Shao said years of torture affected his joints, heart, kidneys, esophagus, stomach, and other organs. The CCP limits the freedom of dissidents and minority groups deemed a threat to its authority. For example, dissidents and rights activists are kept under house arrest, and plainclothes police closely monitor their movements. The CCP Is a Terrorist Organziation Shao is a resident of Xiangtang village in Nanjings Pukou district. He is the founder of the Minfu Party (or Democracy Revival Party). He called for removing the CCP from power. His political views were written on the front wall of his house: In the future, after overthrowing the Russian-Maoist Communist Party [CCP] that has occupied our country, [we should] immediately declare it as an anti-human terrorist organization and a Nazi criminal organization. He also protested outside the office complexes of the local governments, denouncing the CCP. On Jan. 25, 2014, right outside the Pukou District government complex, Shao was hit by a vehicle, and the driver fled the scene. He was hospitalized and suffered from injuries for two yearsthe accident left him disabled, and he had to use a wheelchair. Shao suspected the local authorities were behind the car accident, according to Civil Rights and Livelihood Watch, a Chinese language human rights information website. Torture in Prison Shao was sentenced to four years of imprisonment for picking quarrels and provoking trouble, a common charge under article 293 of Chinas Criminal Law that Beijing uses to target critics and dissidents. The suffering made me feel like Id rather die than live, Shao said, as he began to cry during the interview. Shao said he was subjected to various torture methods, including the airplane torture, in which the victims hands are tied behind the back and hung up on the wall while the head is pulled down toward the ground, and this position is held for an extended period. He recalled eating food mixed with drugs. Shao was locked up for 17 months in the Pukou Detention Center. He said he was tied down to a bed for a long time without food. The police once incited inmates to punch his left ear so that his eardrum was perforated. The police also starved him and inserted a feeding tube up his nose to torture him. He was later transferred to Changzhou Prison, where he was tortured even worse. The torments I suffered in prison are too numerous to count, Shao told The Epoch Times. One time Shao was struck hard that his face and head became swollen. The prison police tried various torture methods to force Shao to give up his political beliefs. They hit my genitals with sticks, pulled out my pubic hair, even put insects in my underwear, and poured urine over my head, Shao recalled. One day, several prison police stuffed Shao in a tiny storage box and didnt allow him to sleep. They also forced him to read aloud: Love the Chinese Communist Party. But Shao refused to do so. The police then tied Shao to a bed frame and stretched his limbs to the extreme while inmates forcibly opened his eyes and forced him to look at the sentence. But I didnt say that sentence, not even once, he said. Shao was tormented severely that, for over a year, he could not sit up straight and had to urinate and defecate in bed. On the eve of Nov. 27, 2020, the police thought that Shao was going to die. Although Shao suffered so much, he said he would never cave in and believes the CCP would soon collapse. The Epoch Times contacted the Pukou District Detention Center and Changzhou Prison for comment. Hong Ning contributed to this report. PSAC President Warns of More and More Inconvenience on 2nd Day of National Strike CLC President Hassan Yussuff (R) looks on as PSAC President Chris Aylward speaks during a news conference about pay equity in Ottawa on Oct. 31, 2018. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press) On the second day of the national strike for more than 155,000 workers under the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), National President Chris Aylward warned Canadians will begin to see more and more inconvenience. Were not taking over the streets. Were not shutting down airports or borders yet. Were not inconveniencing the public today, Aylward told reporters in Ottawa on Thursday. But the longer were out here, the public is going to see more and more inconvenience. We dont want to do that. Its up to this government how long this strike lasts. Two PSAC groupsa larger Treasury Board group of more than 120,000 workers across several government departments and a smaller group of more than 35,000 workers at the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)have been striking nationwide since Wednesday. Board workers set up picket lines at more than 250 locations across Canada, including eight in the Ottawa-Gatineau region. The union is asking for a large raise because of the rising cost of living, arguing that its workers stepped up during the pandemic and deserve compensation. Also at issue is remote work, with PSAC seeking to allow employees to work from home full-time, while the Treasury Board has pushed for a hybrid model. The federal government has warned that the strike will impact a number of federal services, disrupting tax season, causing slowdowns at the CanadaUnited States border, and interrupting employment insurance, immigration, veteran support, and passport applications. Already because of the strike, Ottawa has paused the processing of passport and immigration applications, while the CRA is operating at a reduced capacity ahead of the tax filing deadline. During a media availability on Thursday, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said the federal government offered the striking workers a fair deal that wouldnt burden the treasury with necessarily high wage costs in a time of economic uncertainty. The budget was clear that, in order to spend money on Canadians and on our economic capacity, in order to spend money on the clean tax credit, it is important for the government to be thoughtful about our spending on ourselves, on the spending on the operations of government, Freeland said. The last budget called for the federal government to cut spending by about $15 billion over the next five years through cuts to professional services, consulting, and travel budgets, which Freeland called a highly realistic, highly achievable plan, given the size of government. Quebec Education Minister Bans Prayer and Other Religious Practices in Public Schools Quebec Education Minister Bernard Drainville responds to reporters' questions at the legislature in Quebec City on April 20, 2023. (Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press) Quebecs education minister has banned prayer and other religious practices in public schools, saying aim is to preserve the provinces secular characteristic. Bernard Drainville issued a directive on April 19 saying the National Assembly had adopted a motion affirming the secularism of Quebec, and that having places of prayer in public schools goes against this principle. The directive noted that school service centres, including vocational training centres and public adult education centres, must respect the legal framework to preserve their secular character. However, it does not apply to private schools or indigenous school boards, according to a press release issued on April 20. They must ensure, in each of their schools and each of their centres, that no place is used, in fact and in appearance, for purposes of religious practices such as manifest prayers or other similar practices, says the directive, translated from French. The general management of the establishments are asked to take the necessary steps to ensure that the appropriate corrective measures are taken in the event of non-compliance with the directive, the release said. No requests for accommodation will be heard, the government added. Afin de preserver le caractere laique de lecole publique, jemets aujourdhui la directive concernant les pratiques religieuses dans nos ecoles publiques. Les ecoles sont des lieux dapprentissage et non des lieux de culte. Voici la directive pic.twitter.com/X9yUgmZiKH Bernard Drainville (@BDrainvilleQc) April 19, 2023 Schools are places of learning and not places of worship, Drainville wrote on his Twitter account, where he published a copy of his order. The directive comes after Drainville said earlier this month that he had learned of at least two Montreal-area schools allowing students to gather for prayer. He said the concept of prayer rooms runs counter to Quebecs policy of official secularism. The provinces secularism law, known as Bill 21, already prohibits many public-sector workersincluding teachers, judges, and police officersfrom wearing religious symbols on the job. The directive notes that the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms recognizes freedom of religion but also claims the fundamental importance of secularism. It also claimed that according to the principle of freedom of conscience, a student has a right to be protected from all direct or indirect pressure aimed at exposing him or influencing him so that he conforms to a religious practice. Drainville has said he cant ban prayer altogether and that students who want to pray should do so discreetly and silently. Religious groups including Muslims have denounced the ban, saying they would keep a close eye on how the directive would be implemented to ensure rights arent violated. The Epoch Times reached out to Quebecs Ministry of Education for comment on the concerns about the directive violating religious rights, but didnt immediately hear back. The Canadian Press contributed to this report. Rising Number of Attacks on US Churches in 2023 on Pace to Set Record: Report A balloon with names of the victims is seen at a memorial at the entrance to The Covenant School, in Nashville, Tenn., on March 29, 2023. (Wade Payne/AP Photo) Attacks on American churchgoers in 2023 are on pace to make it the worst in six years, according to a Washington non-profit group. Criminal acts against churches have been steadily on the rise for the past several years, and the first quarter of 2023 has continued the upward trend, the Family Research Council reported on April 10 in a supplement to its issue brief titled Hostility to Churches. The killing of six people in the Covenant School shooting on March 27 in Tennessee, and vandalism on church properties, point to a spike in attacks against Christians since the council started tracking such events in 2018. By Easter Sunday on April 9, believers had witnessed three times as many acts of hostility as in the same timeframe in 2022, the FRC reported. Dede Laugesen, executive director of Save the Persecuted Christians. (Courtesy of Dede Laugesen) Some attacks on church property include assaults on staffsuch as the assault on the entrance of St. Louise Catholic Church in Bellevue, Washington, on June 28, 2022. A 31-year-old man, who identifies as transgender, spray-painted a church employee and did more than $30,000 worth of damage before police arrested him. A year later the Biden administrations Department of Justice stands accused of bias in handling a plea deal that calls for no jail time for 31-year-old Maeve Nota, who destroyed an Italian-made Blessed Virgin Mary statue, smashed windows, and sprayed paint on administrator Jonathan Taasan. By contrast, pro-life activist Mike Houck faced 11 years in prison for violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act after a protest in which he had pushed aside an abortion staffer. A Pennsylvania jury acquitted Houck on Jan. 30, 2023. Less Respect for Christianity The number of attacks on Christian believers compiled by FRC policy expert Arielle Del Turco tells the story. There appeared to be an increase in frequency over the course of the reporting, Del Turco wrote. FRCs report identified 137 acts of hostility against churches between January and September 2022. By comparison, there were 96 incidents in all 12 months of 2021. FRC also identified 54 incidents against churches in 2020, 83 in 2019, and 50 in 2018. The question for many faithful is Why? Growing secularism in the United States means that fewer people are familiar with Christianity and therefore are less respectful, Del Turco said to The Epoch Times. Criminal acts of vandalism and destruction of church property are symptomatic of a collapse in societal reverence and respect for houses of worship and religionin this case, churches and Christianity, she observes in her report. Some people appear increasingly comfortable lashing out against church buildings, pointing to a larger societal problem of marginalizing core Christian beliefs, including those that touch on hot-button political issues related to human dignity and sexuality, Del Turco adds. Agencies Targeting Christians The FRC Report gives context to ripples within believer communities who fear that in addition to random acts of murder by school shooters, agencies of the federal government are targeting Christians. Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri is among them. Hawley grilled Attorney General Merrick Garland on March 1 to find out how many FBI agents had developed sources within Catholic Latin Mass Churches in an effort to smoke out domestic terrorists. A leaked FBI memo cited Radical Traditionalist Catholics as a link to groups with an adherence to anti-Semitic, anti-immigrant, anti-LGBT and white supremacist ideology, according to media reports. Garland denied the FBI had done it, but Hawley accused him of lying. This is a symptom of a very sad and dark agenda of the Left, said Patti Price, founder of Our Voices for Freedom, a conservative advocacy group in Frederick, Maryland. Its a very fundamental and systemic prejudice against the majority of Americans, and those who acknowledge individual rights endowed by our Creator. Its the start of a Jacobin reign of terror from those who seek communist power, while they demand diversity, but tolerate zero diversity of thought and conscience, Price said. The report is troubling, according to Dede Laugesen, executive director of Save the Persecuted Christians. Trust Is Shattered Violent trans-extremists and shadow groups like Janes Revenge, are targeting Christians across America. Whether it is vandalism and destructive violence to property or worsethe mass shooting of Christian students and their teachersit is all a worrisome sign of Americas cold-morality civil war turning hot, Laugesen said to The Epoch Times. Tempers are short, and trust is shattered on both sides of the divide, said Laugesen. Even more worrisome is the federal government and its agencies support of those rallying against people of belief and traditional principles versus the lopsided heavy-handed treatment, censorship, and overt othering of Christians, concerned parents, and others who, as President Obama said, cling to guns or religion, Laugesen went on to say. We know that left unchecked, destruction and vandalism of properties associated with marginalized groupsand Christians in America are being dehumanized, dismissed, censored, and shoved out of the public squarewill eventually lead to the kind of violent persecution seen elsewhere and which historically has led to the death of millions, Laugesen said. Violence on either side is wrong. Treating one side of the divide with impunity and praise while exacting punishment upon the other is dangerous to the extreme. The Nashville shootings ought to be labeled a hate crime and prosecuted as such by the DOJ and state authorities. RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel Announces Location of Second GOP 2024 Primary Debate A crowd gathers as the Republican National Committee (RNC) reelects Ronna McDaniel for a fourth two-year term as chairwoman after a three-day meeting at a luxury resort in Dana Point, Calif., on Jan. 27, 2023. (Mei Li/The Epoch Times) Republican National Committee (RNC) Chair Ronna McDaniel announced Thursday that the second GOP presidential debate will be in California. The second debate will be held at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California, McDaniel said while speaking from the library. McDaniel said she firmly believes our next president will be on that stage. I am honored to be able to make one really important announcement here today, McDaniel said. The second presidential primary debate will take place here at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. The next election is so important, she added. Were not dealing with small minor differences between two parties. These arent simple policy discussions that were discussing. Were electing and determining the future of our country. Thats what were electing. Theres two very different paths being laid out. McDaniel did not say who will broadcast the debate or if it would be. The RNC previously announced that the first debate would be held in Milwaukee in August. Fox News will host the first debate, McDaniel announced last week. The nominating convention will also be held in Milwaukee in 2024. It will be the fifth time a presidential debate has been held at the Regan Library, according to President and CEO David Trulio. We at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute are grateful for Chairwoman McDaniels announcement, Trulio told Fox News. The debate will continue a proud tradition that lives up to President Reagans vision that the institution that bears his name be a dynamic intellectual forum where leaders debate the future. Trump was one of 10 Republican candidates debating when the Regan Library last hosted a GOP primary debate in 2015. According to recent polls, former President Donald Trump is still the most popular among the Republican candidates. Other Republican candidates include former ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, and conservative radio host Larry Elder, who recently entered the race. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence, and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott are also thought to be considering running for the Republican nomination. They havent officially announced their candidacies yet. President Joe Biden is expected to officially announce his campaign for reelection on Tuesday. In addition to Biden, two other Democrats have entered the race. Marianne Williamson, a self-help author, is running for the second time, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the nephew of former President John F. Kennedy. Shen Yun Performing Arts will perform at the Civic Theater in downtown San Diego for four shows during the weekend of April 21 to 23. After the successful shows in northern San Diego County in February, the worlds premier classical Chinese dance company is visiting the San Diego area for a second time as part of the 2023 world tour. The greater San Diego area officials sent proclamations, certificates, and letters expressing their appreciation for the groups efforts to revive traditional Chinese culture around the world. Rep. Juan Vargas said in a proclamation that the Shen Yun 2023 world tour, which started on Dec. 24, 2022, is the largest by far covering more than 180 cities in 20 countries and five continents; and that this is the 16th consecutive year San Diegans get to enjoy Shen Yun shows, which give the message of hope that disperses darkness. Rep. Scott Peters noted in an earlier proclamation that Shen Yun produces new performances each year and performs in front of millions of audience members in the worlds most prestigious theaters. California State Senator Kelly Seyarto sent a Certificate of Recognition thanking Shen Yuns service and dedication in sharing your art and culture with our community. Senator Brian Jones attended the performance in February and presented a certificate in support of Shen Yuns mission. Six out of seven State Assembly members from San Diego sent their greetings. Assemblywoman Akilah Weber said that the rich and vibrant Chinese history that you bring to the stage is truly a great contribution to our San Diego region. Assemblywoman Marie Waldron praised each Shen Yun performance showcases the incredibly expressive art form of classical Chinese dance in its purest form, along with a unique live orchestra combining eastern and western instruments. Assemblywoman Tasha Boerner Horvath sent a certificate recognizing Shen Yuns performances at the San Diego Civic Theater, which are combining history and artistry to delight audiences all over the country, including here in San Diego. San Diego County Supervisor Joel Anderson proclaimed April 21 as Shen Yun Performing Arts Day in the second district to recognize their portrayal of the beauty of traditional Chinese culture through dance, music and story. The proclamation further states that Shen Yun is a great success story, in which hundreds of people worked together seamlessly towards a common goal, reviving the authentic Chinese culture that was suppressed by the Communist regime of Mao. Supervisor Jim Desmond sent a representative to the theater in February to present a proclamation as well. The mayor of Chula Vista, the second largest city in San Diego County, John McCann sent a proclamation praising Shen Yuns growth from 1 to 8 equally sized companies in 17 years, with the artists living by the values of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, the tenants of Falun Dafa, and the source of inspiration of Shen Yun programs. The mayor congratulates and commends Shen Yun for their second visit to the area. La Mesa Mayor Mark Arapostathis sent a proclamation commending Shen Yun on its tour of the world and encouraging La Mesa residents to attend a Shen Yun performance and immerse themselves in the traditional Chinese culture through dance and music. San Marcos Mayor Rebecca Jones and city council members praised Shen Yun artists for bringing on stage stories from Chinas history, filled with tales of courage and sacrifice, integrity and loyalty, compassion, and virtue. Scientific ConsensusA Manufactured Construct Commentary In a recent interview, famed astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson was challenged on his scientific views about COVID-19, and he said, Im only interested in consensuswords that would have Nicolaus Copernicus and Galileo Galilei rolling in their graves. The appeal to scientific consensus is fraught with problems, just like the science is settled, trust the science, and other authoritarian tropes that have dominated the pandemic. A widely accepted theory, such as the theory of evolution, depends on a consensus being reached among the scientific community, but it must be achieved without censorship or reprisal. As Aaron Kheriaty, a fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, recently said: Science is an ongoing search for truth & such truth has little to do with consensus. Every major scientific advance involves challenges to a consensus. Those who defend scientific consensus rather than specific experimental findings are not defending science but partisanship. Consensus by Censorship Its not difficult to reach a scientific consensus when you squelch dissenting voices. The origin of COVID-19 is a classic example. Twenty-seven scientists published a letter in The Lancet condemning conspiracy theories that suggested that the virus did not have a natural origin. Dissenting views were censored on social media and labelled misinformation. Its only now that the U.S. Department of Energy and the FBI say the virus was likely the result of a lab leak in Wuhan, that its possible to have these discussions openly. The Great Barrington Declaration is another example. Three eminent professors from Harvard, Stanford, and Oxford universities, argued against lockdowns, which they said would disproportionately harm the underprivileged. But former National Institutes of Health Director Francis Collins dismissed them as fringe epidemiologists, asking Anthony Fauci for a quick and devastating take down of the declaration. Scientific consensus has become a manufactured construct, dictated by politics and power. The recent release of the Twitter Files reveals how government agencies, big tech, media, and academia colluded in an effort to police online content and censor dissenting voices to create a false perception of consensus. One egregious example was Stanford Universitys Virality Project, which brought together elite academia, experts in artificial intelligence, and social media companies to censor true stories of vaccine injuries under the guise of fighting disinformation. Robert Malone, physician and pioneer of mRNA technology, summed up the situation accurately when he said; The real problem here is the damn press and the internet giants. The press and these tech players act to manufacture and reinforce consensus around selected and approved narratives. And then this is being weaponized to attack dissenters including highly qualified physicians. The pandemic has made this insidious behaviour more visible, but the reality is that it has been happening for a long timeI would knowI was caught up in it. Consensus in Mainstream Media As a TV presenter on Australian Broadcasting Corporations (ABC) top-ranking science program Catalyst for over a decade, my role was to investigate science issues and, if necessary, challenge orthodoxy. The ABC is not funded by private industry, but by the public purse, to avoid the bias which befalls the commercial networks. Or so I thought. Several years ago, my successful career at the ABC came to a grinding halt after defenders of scientific consensus criticised several documentaries I produced, which questioned various medical orthodoxies, such as cholesterol-lowering drugs, nutritional guidelines, and the over-prescription of medicines. One documentary questioned the health impacts of prolonged exposure to wireless devices (such as iPads, laptops, and smartphones) which emit low-frequency radiationwe did our due diligence and undertook an excruciating process of reviewing the program for legal, editorial, and factual integrity. In the program, we questioned why the Australian governments radiation safety authority (ARPANSA) had safety standards that were out-of-date and excluded important evidence from multiple peer-reviewed papers by independent scientists. It unleashed a firestorm of complaints from the telco industry, the regulatory authority, and ARPANSA, all of which had been preparing for the biggest wireless rollout the country had ever seen. Industry experts emerged from the shadows, and the media obliged, uncritically reporting criticisms of the program while ignoring those defending it. No attention was paid to industrys influence over the science. Critics complained that I had given weight to a fringe position that was not supported by science. And by fringe, they were referring to Devra Davis, professor of epidemiology at the University of Pittsburgh with a distinguished career at the National Academy of Sciences and the National Research Council. The ABC caved to the relentless pressure and suspended me from on-air duties, concluding that I had given prominence to views challenging the scientific consensus. And by scientific consensus, they meant the position taken by ARPANSA, the very organisation I had criticised for its lax regulations. Eventually, the ABC banned the program and restructured the department by firing the staff. What the network believed would be a quick solution had serious and far-reaching consequences. It would not only deter future journalists from questioning orthodoxy, but it sent a chilling message that the ABC would succumb to industry pressure and favour scientific consensus. I think Michael Crichtonphysician, producer, and writerexplained it best when he gave a lecture on science, politics, and consensus in 2003: I regard consensus science as an extremely pernicious development that ought to be stopped cold in its tracks. Historically, the claim of consensus has been the first refuge of scoundrels; it is a way to avoid debate by claiming that the matter is already settled. Consensus is the business of politics. The greatest scientists in history are great precisely because they broke with the consensus. There is no such thing as consensus science. If its consensus, it isnt science. If its science, it isnt consensus. Period. From the Brownstone Institute Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Sen. Rand Paul Says Key to Reducing Government Waste Is Congressional Will to Cut Spending Comptroller General Gene Dodaro of the Government Accountability Office testifies during a hearing before the Coronavirus Crisis Subcommittee of House Oversight and Reform Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington on June 26, 2020. (Alex Wong/Getty Images) Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) is glad the Government Accountability Office publishes its High Risk List of agencies and programs that need reform. But, he said its a useless exercise if the work stops there. Whats really needed is Congressional will, said Paul, the ranking member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. On Thursday, the committee heard testimony about the 2023 High Risk List from GAO Comptroller General Gene Dodaro. Committee Chairman Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) said the GAOs report had saved taxpayers more than $675 billion over the past eight years by exposing fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement in various agencies, and forcing those agencies to reform. The High Risk List and GAO important oversight has been a vital resource for this committee to identify problems and work on bipartisan legislation to improve the way that the federal government works each and every day, he said. Peters said the one overarching issue that influences all the areas listed is cybersecurity. The government needs to adequately address the problem of cybersecurity by hiring qualified experts to ensure government IT systems are up to speed on the latest security threats, he said. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) speaks in Washington on Dec. 20, 2022. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) According to the GAO website, this years list includes 37 areas. Of those, 16 have shown improvement. Dodaro told the committee that two had been removed from the list. He said the Pension Benefits Guarantee Corporation Multi-Employer Pension Program was set to be insolvent in 2026. Improvements in the program and Congressional funding have pushed that date back to 2051. Also, the 2020 Census implemented some cybersecurity measures and improved its efficiency to the point that it is considered solvent and was removed from the list. However, Dodaro said the programs are still subject to oversight. Just because they come off the list they are not out of sight, Dodaro said. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) building is seen in Washington, on July 22, 2019. (Alastair Pike/AFP via Getty Images) He told the committee that three areas had been added to the list. According to Dodaro, the pandemic showed that the Department of Health and Human Services was unprepared for a major health emergency. Many of the areas on the list were exacerbated by the pandemic, and HHS was a great example. HHS is no more prepared for the next emergency than the last one, Dodaro said. The Department of Labors Unemployment Insurance program paid a minimum of $60 billion in fraudulent claims. This was due to another shortcoming aggravated by the pandemic, Dodaro said. The sudden surge in requests overloaded state-level staff, who often needed updated and efficient computer systems. In addition, removing oversight in the process made fraudulent claims even more challenging to prevent. Dodaro said the pandemic is not an excuse. The federal prison complex in Terre Haute, Ind., on Aug. 28, 2020. (Michael Conroy/File Photo via AP) It was occurring even before the pandemic, he said. The third area in need of immediate attention is the Bureau of Prisons. Dodaro said staffing levels, security, and recidivism are all issues that must be addressed to get spending under control. Paul thanked Dodaro for his work and highlighted many areas that must be addressed. But Paul, who publishes his annual list of wasteful programs, said the problem goes deeper than fraudulent claims and overloaded systems. Paul said the problem is bipartisan. He said that even as Congress faces a $31 trillion mountain of debt both parties continue to propose new spending. An exterior view of building one of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) inside Bethesda campus, in Bethesda, Md., on Nov. 21, 2020. (grandbrothers/Shutterstock) According to Paul, Congress gave the National Institutes of Health $1.1 million to study the effects of alcohol on mice. Apparently were not aware of what happens when you drink too much, Paul said. Congress also funded a project to inject beagle puppies with cocaine to the tune of $2.3 million and paid $3 million to watch hamsters on steroids fighting. Paul said the governments response to the pandemic is emblematic of the problem. He pointed out that Medicare and Medicaid programs suspended all oversight functions. So, he said, it should be no surprise that Medicare made $46 billion in questionable payments, and Medicaid almost doubled that with $81 billion in improper payments. Paul said the reason for the overpayments is apparent. All of the so-called rules for looking for abuse just went out the window, Paul said. Its a Bipartisan Problem Paul said this is not a problem confined to one party. He said the Department of Defense (DOD), generally considered a favorite of Republicans, has become a behemoth of spending. He told the committee that the DOD had been a financial management risk since at least 1995. Unfortunately, not much has changed since then, other than the checks keep getting bigger and bigger, Paul said. Unless Congress stops funding pet projects and rewarding its political allies, Paul said everything would stay the same. Until then, the problem will continue to grow with the debt as Congress does what it always does. Congress sticks its head in the sand and crosses its fingers and hopes the problem will fix itself, he said. Roimata Minhinnick enjoyed Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre in Auckland, New Zealand, on April 20, 2023. (NTD) AUCKLAND, New ZealandThis is a never to miss moment! said Mr. Roimata Minhinnick from Ngati Te Ata, which is around Manukau Harbour, after seeing Shen Yun Performing Arts for the first time on April 20. A member of the New Zealand Maori Council, Mr. Minhinnick has served as the chair of its Law, Justice, and Corrections Committee, as well as the chair of its Tamaki Ki Te Tonga (South Auckland) District Council. He is now the chair of the NZ Maori Councils Environment and Climate Change Committee, and also chair of the Ngati Te Ata Uenuku Committee. Mr. Minhinnick is also the CEO of Te Kopu Inc., a charitable group with almost two decades under its belt that has a focus on education and working with the local community to foster learning and community enterprise. We are inspired here, he said after seeing Shen Yun with his wife. I was uplifted. This is such a wonderful and inspiring undertaking, he added. It is more than a performance; it is more like a movement a movement about humanity and embracing it. It has been amazing, outstanding, overwhelming really It was amazing! It was absolutely outstanding! Founded in 2006, New York-based Shen Yun seeks to revive the magnificence and wisdom of Chinas divinely-inspired culture through breathtaking music and dance. Thursday was Shen Yuns first of six performances in Auckland as part of its 2023 tour. Shen Yuns eight companies are touring simultaneously to 20 countries and almost 200 cities to showcase China before communism. What a wonderful application of people reasserting, reaffirming who they are and where they are from, and why they are from there, and the opportunity to see that expression on stage today is just inspiring We are just stoked, absolutely stoked, Mr. Minhinnick said. The synergy between the Chinese culture and our own [Maori] history here, it felt like I was being relayed some of that special connections between what was happening in China and some of our own history here in New Zealand. So that was fantastic to see, he said, adding, We are going to go back and think about how we can do things ourselves here, to look at some of the examples and see where we can look at our own production in terms of inspiring our own people this way through the performances we saw tonight. The hallmark of Shen Yun is classical Chinese dance, which has a history of thousands of years and is among the most comprehensive and expressive dance systems in the world. Shen Yun artists hail from all over the world. According to the company, most dancers are ethnic Chinese, and mainly come from North America, Australia, Taiwan, and China, and the musicians come from Korea, Germany, Armenia, and many other countries. He said the dancers presented something that was so moving. Each and everyone of them, you could look at them in their eyes. In Maori, we dont look in their eyes, it is a humble way to actually not look at their eyes. But the opportunity to look at them in their eyes and say that was absolutely moving, and we could see in their performances something akin to where we are performing to the world and expressing our culture from our heart with absolute authenticitythere is nothing better! Mr. Minhinnick said the dancers captured absolute balance. The balance between the male and female they complemented each other on stage, he said. Amazing to see. He said he would 100 percent recommend Shen Yun to everyone around the world who has not seen it. Shen Yun Unapologetically Spiritual: Doctor Nafeesa Akhtar and Caroline Borkett-Jones enjoyed Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre in Auckland, New Zealand, on April 20, 2023. (Li Menxin/The Epoch Times) Nafeesa Akhtar and Caroline Borkett-Jones, two doctors specialising in anaesthesiology, based at North Shore Hospital in Auckland, praised the divinity and freedom of Chinese culture portrayed on stage. I quite enjoyed it I found it quite refreshing that [Shen Yun] was very unapologetically spiritual, Ms. Akhtar shared. I really enjoyed it because it makes you think of the greater good, and there must be a meaning and a purpose to life, and dwell on actions to make us accountable. I found it quite powerful. Shen Yun translates to the beauty of divine beings dancing. She said Shen Yuns performances conveyed a message that aligned with her core beliefs. There being a divine, there being a purpose to our actions, and I think it was quite nice to bring that into the whole performance and be quite open about it, Ms. Akhtar said. [Shen Yun] did say that atheism is the real decline of society today, she continued. I think that was also refreshing because not everybody has the courage to say that out loud, and I think to be able to sing that to an audience is quite powerful. Each year Shen Yuns vocal soloist perform all-original new songs, with lyrics imbued with philosophical reflections about human life. Ms. Borkett-Jones shared that she enjoyed the songs that speak against communism. I quite like the songs that are combating communism, she said. If you talk to people, I would say that [there exists] a truth or a searching for truth inside every human being and the majority of human beings have an acknowledgement of the divine. I quite like the strident rejection of atheism. I enjoyed that. She also said that Shen Yun showed both the freedom of China before communism, as well as the repression by the communist regime in modern China. She noted how Shen Yun depicted the Chinese Communist Partys organ transplant abuses in one of its story-based dances, describing it as a shock element. You can hear the gasps in the audience. Including that was really, really powerful. Falun Dafa practitioners who have been persecuted by the CCP since 1999, form the bulk of the prisoners of conscience targeted for forced organ harvesting by the Chinese communist regime. I feel its quite a sad thing that still happens today, she said, commenting on the ongoing persecution. And it made it feel quite real, really. They did show that, Ms. Akhtar said. Artists have had a history of integrating spirituality into their work. In ancient China, artists believed that to create real art, one had to cultivate virtue and inner purity. Today, Shen Yuns artists follow this noble tradition. According to the company, they find divine inspiration from Falun Dafa, a spiritual discipline rooted in traditional Chinese culture that encourages the values of truthfulness, compassion, forbearance. Ms. Borkett-Jones said that Shen Yun artists have a really powerful way of communicating what you hold to be true. She shared that her overall experience of Shen Yun was really beautiful and inspiring. Reporting by NTD, Li Menxin, and Mimi Nguyen Ly. The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yuns inception in 2006. Employees are seen working on the final assembly of ASML's TWINSCAN NXE:3400B semiconductor lithography tool with its panels removed, in Veldhoven By Stephen Nellis (Reuters) - Two companies that make tools for manufacturing chips said that they expect sales to China to boom later this year despite U.S. export restrictions on equipment used to make cutting-edge semiconductors. The comments by California-based Lam Research and the Netherlands' ASML Holdings NV are a sign that China may be a bigger customer for the industry than expected this year given its strong demand for less-advanced chips like those used in electric vehicles (EVs). The companies reported quarterly earnings that beat analyst expectations, though Lam's sales were lower than a year ago because of a downturn in the memory market. Both also said they expect sales to Chinese companies to increase in the coming months despite the U.S. imposing sweeping restrictions on China's semiconductor sector in October, arguing that Beijing was using American chipmaking technology to modernize its military. Lam is subject to the U.S. export restrictions, and ASML will face new rules from the Dutch government on China sales later this year. But those rules so far have only affected equipment used in making the most advanced chips. Lam and ASML said Chinese customers are buying tools for building less advanced chips that go into products like EVs, mobile phones and personal computers amid the country's drive for more self-sufficient production. In Lam's case, it had originally estimated that the China restrictions would cost it between $2 billion and $2.5 billion of revenue in 2023. But the company said it had received a "clarification" of the rules from the U.S. government that Chief Financial Officer Doug Bettinger said during a conference call would allow Lam to sell "a few hundred million dollars" worth of tools that it initially thought were banned. A Lam spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment on what the clarification from U.S. regulators entailed. Lam also said that it had received around half a billion dollars in advanced cash payments, primarily from new customers. Story continues "I will acknowledge it's got a decent Chinese footprint to it," Bettinger said of the group of new customers. ASML said it has a backlog of about 39 billion euros, the equivalent of about two years of tool shipments. Chief Executive Peter Wennink told investors during a conference call that Chinese customers working to make less advanced chips make up about 30% of those orders. That's a jump from November, when ASML said China made up 18% of its then 38 billion euro backlog. Wennink said those Chinese chipmakers were focused on markets like electric vehicles, which require many more chips than their combustion-engine counterparts. Most of those chips do not require ASML's most advanced tools. "This is where ... the mature semiconductor space is very important and needs to grow. And this is where China is very strong," Wennink said. Later this year, ASML will have to start applying for Dutch export licenses for what are called immersion deep ultraviolet lithography machines (DUV) for shipment to China after the U.S., Dutch and Japanese governments agreed to begin regulating the tools. They are not ASML's most advanced machines but are still close enough to its state-of-the-art machines to make powerful computing chips and were previously not restricted by export rules. Wennink said ASML expects to sell about 93 immersion DUV machines this year, after several years of strong demand. They are cheaper than its most advanced systems but still cost tens of millions of euros each. (Reporting by Stephen Nellis in San Francisco; Editing by Jamie Freed) Taiwans 2024 Presidential Hopeful: Dr. William Lai Son of a coal miner turned Taiwan's top politican Taiwan Vice President and Chairman of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) William Lai gestures during his speech at the DPP headquarters in Taipei on April 12, 2023. - Lai will represent the DPP running for presidential elections in 2024. (Sam Yeh/AFP via Getty Images) Taiwans pro-independence ruling party has nominated Vice President Lai Ching-te (or William Lai) as its 2024 presidential candidate ahead of next Januarys election. Lais supporters believe that he could mend Taiwans political divide and stand up to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Unlike some Taiwanese politicians, Lai is unafraid to address cross-strait issues head-on. He asserted that his governments position is anti-CCP but not anti-China, and opposed Taiwan being annexed by the Chinese regime. The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) on April 12 formally announced that Lai will represent the party in a bid to succeed President Tsai Ing-wen, who will step down after completing her second presidential term in May next year. Humble Beginnings Born in present-day New Taipei, Lai came from humble beginnings. He is neither a second-generation politician nor from an influential family. His father was a coal miner who died in a mining disaster when Lai was two years old. Lai and his five siblings were brought up by their mother, who worked hard to make ends meet to support the family. Despite the many struggles, he would go on and become a prominent medical doctor, legislator, mayor, premier, and now the vice president, becoming a significant figure in Taiwans politics. Vice President Lai Ching-te (C) waves to reporters at the DPP headquarters in Taipei after he received the DPPs nomination to run in the presidential elections scheduled on Jan. 13, 2024, in Taiwan, on April 12, 2023. (CNA Photo) From Medicine to Politics Lai obtained a bachelors degree from National Taiwan Universitys Department of Physical Medicine, completed a post-bachelor program in medical science at National Cheng Kung University, and obtained a masters degree in public health from Harvard University. According to his public profile, he is one of the few physicians in Taiwan with rehabilitation, clinical care, and public health expertise. In 1994, he was a chief resident at National Cheng Kung University Hospital. Lais transition from a career in medicine to politics coincided with Taiwans democratization movement, which began in the 1990s when democratic elections were first introduced in Taiwan. In particular, during the 1996 Taiwan Strait Crisis, when Beijing conducted a series of missile tests in the waters surrounding Taiwan, Lai gave up his successful medical career to enter politics in pursuit of democracy. In the election for National Assembly representatives that year, Lai was the top vote-getter representing Tainan City, a major municipality in southern Taiwan. After winning a seat, he set out on a mission to abolish the National Assembly, which, at that time, was under the Kuomintangs (KMT: the Chinese Nationalist Party) one-party control. Early Life and Family Despite having an impoverished childhood, Lai said that the biggest asset his father left him was poverty, which led him to develop the courage to overcome the most difficult challenges. His mothers hardship and unconditional love in the upbringing of Lai and his siblings shaped his character. A screenshot of an undated photo of Taiwan Vice President William Lai from his Facebook account. (Screenshot via The Epoch Times) Despite being in politics for nearly 30 years, Lai dislikes publicity and hype, and his family stays out of the spotlight. His wife, Wu Mei-ju, has rarely appeared in public. She had reportedly made a deal with Lai that she would not interfere nor participate in politics but instead focus on raising their two sons, who are now in their 30s. Political Career and Achievements In 1998, Lai was elected as a legislator representing Tainan City. During his tenure, he addressed over 100,000 local issuesa service record unheard of at the time. He placed equal emphasis on both professional governance and service to his people. In appreciation, Tainan residents elected him to the legislature for four consecutive terms (19982010). He was selected as Taiwans Best Legislator four consecutive times by Citizen Congress Watch, a Taipei-based non-profit overseeing the performance of Taiwans legislators. In 2010, Tainan County and Tainan City were merged to form the Tainan Special Municipality. Lai was elected as its first mayor with over 60 percent of the voteit was the first time he ran for executive office. Then-Tainan Mayor William Lai briefs the press on the current status of the search and rescue operation in a building that collapsed in the 6.4 magnitude earthquake in the southern Taiwanese city of Tainan early on Feb. 9, 2016. (Anthony Wallace/AFP via Getty Images) Lai was the only mayor among Taiwans major municipalities who did not use the municipals budget to hire a chauffeur. He was ranked the top mayor of Taiwan during his first term and was given the name of five-star mayor by the public and media. In 2014, when Lai sought reelection as mayor, he did not set up campaign headquarters, erect billboards, and flags, or use broadcasting vehicles for his election ads typical in Taiwans elections. He reportedly did not want to disturb the citys residents or its landscape. Despite a general lack of campaign ads, he received nearly 73 percent of the votes for his reelection bid, the highest in Tainans history. During his tenure as mayor, he built a reputation for running an honest, diligent, and efficient government. Many have referred to him as a humble and selfless man with integrity, according to various local media reports. After the mayorship, Lai served as premier, the head of Taiwans Executive Yuan, from 2017 to 2019. A local Taiwanese media compiled the records of Lais property declarations and found that Lai and his wife lived like ordinary people, carrying mortgage debts and gradually paying them off with work salaries. A Candidate That Could Mend Taiwans Political Divide In late 2019, President Tsai Ing-wen invited Lai to be her vice-presidential running mate in the 2020 election. At the time, the anti-extradition protests were taking place in Hong Kong, and defending Taiwans democracy was more important than ever amid escalated threats from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Lai accepted Tsais proposal, and both won the election with a record 8.17 million votes, the highest in Taiwans presidential history. Lai was sworn in as Taiwans 15th vice president in May 2020. Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen (R) and Vice President-elect William Lai (L) gesture outside the campaign headquarters in Taipei on Jan. 11, 2020. Tsai declared victory in Taiwans election on Jan. 11 as votes were counted after an election battle dominated by the democratic islands fraught relationship with China. (Sam Yeh/AFP via Getty Images) Lai is seen as more socially conservative than Tsai, a progressive who spearheaded reforms, such as legalizing same-sex marriage and establishing climate goals. These topics are not as widely accepted by Taiwans general public. Lai has taken a more neutral stance on some of Tsais more progressive agenda despite being a member of her government. His traditional values appear more aligned with the people of Taiwan, which remains more socially conservative compared to most Western nations. Lai is one of the less polarizing political figures in Taiwan, as members of the opposition parties have recognized and praised him as a pragmatic person. Stance on China In January this year, Lai won his partys uncontested chairmanship election on Jan. 15, which was called after Tsai resigned as DPP chairwoman following the partys defeat in a midterm election last November. The chairmanship would put him in charge of the party and its direction while paving the way for his presidential bid. At a press conference following the swearing-in ceremony on Jan. 18, he asserted, Taiwan is already an independent and sovereign nation and, therefore, there is no need to declare independence. Lai advocates that the two sides of the Taiwan Strait should respect and cooperate with each other. In 2019, Lai stated that the DPP governments position is anti-CCP but not anti-China, and opposes Taiwan being annexed by the Chinese regime. He criticized the CCP for seeking to expand and change the international order. He added that Taiwan should stand firm in the democracy camp, play an active role in the U.S.-led Indo-Pacific strategy, and resist the expansion of communist forces. He also advocated that Taiwan help promote the values of democracy and human rights in mainland China. Beyond Politics: Pursuit for Peace and Human Rights Lai attaches great importance to the universal values of peace and human rights. In his campaign for the 2024 presidential election in Tainan, Lai emphasized that peace is priceless and that there is no winner in war. In 2022, Lai visited Tokyo to attend the funeral of the late former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who had always viewed Taiwan as an important partner and precious friend of Japan. Taiwans Vice President William Lai leaves after a funeral of the late former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was shot while campaigning for a parliamentary election, at Zojoji Temple in Tokyo, on July 12, 2022. (Issei Kato/Reuters) Abe said in an online forum in 2021 that a Taiwan emergency is a Japanese emergency, and therefore an emergency for the Japan-U.S. alliance. Lais visit to Tokyo displeased Beijing and was seen as a diplomatic breakthrough. He is the highest-ranking Taiwanese official to visit Japan since Tokyo cut off diplomatic ties with Taipei (Republic of China) in 1972 and established official relations with Beijing. In a recent campaign rally for president, Lai said that the 2024 election in Taiwan is not a duel between war and peace but a duel between democracy and autocracy; this is the essence of cross-strait relations. Many top politicians in Taiwan are afraid to touch on sensitive human rights issues for fear of angering the CCP. Lai has long supported Falun Gong adherents and condemned the CCP for organ harvesting. He also served as the head of the Asian branch of the Coalition to Investigate the Persecution of Falun Gong. Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is an ancient Chinese spiritual practice consisting of five meditative exercises and moral teachings based on the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance. The practice became widely popular for its health benefits in China in the 1990s, eventually attracting an estimated 70 million to 100 million by the end of the decade, according to official Chinese records. Falun Gong practitioners meditate at a park in Guangzhou, China, in 1998. The Chinese Communist Party banned the spiritual group in 1999. (Courtesy of Minghui.org) Perceiving this popularity as a threat to its power, the CCP started an elimination campaign in 1999, resulting in millions of adherents being detained and an unknown number of deaths from slave labor, torture, and other abuses over the past 23 years. In 2019, an independent tribunal in London concluded, after a year-long investigation, that forced organ harvesting had taken place in China for years on a significant scale, with detained Falun Gong practitioners being the principal source of organs. Its final judgment, released in March 2020 and included 300 pages of witness testimony and submissions, found no evidence of the practice having been stopped. In recent years, Lai has attended at least four performances by Shen Yun Performing Arts, most recently at the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall in Taipei on March 28. Shen Yun Performing Arts International Companys curtain call at National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall in Taipei on the afternoon of July 8, 2022. (Annie Gong/The Epoch Times) New York-based Shen Yun is the worlds top classical Chinese dance company, and since its inception in 2006 has become a global phenomenon. Using the universal language of music and dance, it seeks to revive 5,000 years of Chinese civilization and show audiences the beauty of China before communism. Lai has repeatedly voiced concerns about human rights violations in China and expressed support for the 20192020 Hong Kong pro-democracy protests. Xueling Teng and Eva Fu contributed to this report. Tear Down the CCP Internet Firewall, Says Global BanGFW Organizer Chinese netizens posted signs saying "Ban GFW" in Chinese, English, or Russian to support the online movement to tear down the Great Firewall after the campaign was launched on March 8, 2023. (The Epoch Times) BanGFW, or Ban Great Firewall, is an online global campaign to break down the cyber wall that hinders Chinas residents from accessing information from the free world. A group of Chinese non-IT activists, including lawyers and journalists, launched BanGFW on March 8. The movement quickly drew the regimes attention. The communist secret police initiated a special month-long battle against the movement, according to Qiao Xinxin, one of the organizers and a former journalist for Radio Free Asia. Origin Qiao says at least 95 percent of the online channels going to China are blocked because of the cyber wall. The majority of our potential readers are inside the wall, he told the Chinese language edition of The Epoch Times, Weve always found this wall to be quite abominable. Chinas Great Firewall, or Golden Shield Project, set up in 1998, is managed by the regimes Ministry of Public Security to monitor and censor what can and cannot be seen in China through an online network. Qiao explained that BanGFW hopes to invite global citizens to help the Chinese bring down the wall, an effort that goes beyond the technical support of virtual private networks (VPN), and allow them to freely access the internet. BanGFW Official explained, The public opinion in the international circles of English, Japanese, Russian, and so on, is what frightens and annoys the senior Communist Party officials. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) doesnt care about the noise made by people inside the wall. What scares them is sanctions imposed on their overseas mistresses, banknotes, food, etc. Feasibility The BanGFW organizers believe the only reliable way to tear down the Great Firewall is for the CCP to face a public trial for imposing it in the first place. That becomes achievable when millions of people join the movement, global media report on the movement, and the world governments hold the CCP accountable. It is easy to join the movement, according to Qiao, by simply displaying the BanGFW sign and posting it on the web. To facilitate the effectiveness of the activities, the group published a Handbook of Ban GFW Movement, on 5 April. We want to amplify the voice, says the Handbook, by bringing the activities to international circles, on a global scale. The GFW split the world by blocking information from 1.7 billion people (including 300 million people from Russia, Iran, Myanmar, and Cambodia) and forcing them to engage in a battle against 6.3 billion people. How can a normal society tolerate the massive population fighting against each other for no reason? Logos designed by BanGFW, an online movement to bring down the Great Firewall of China. (BanGFW/Screenshot via The Epoch Times) Secret Police Mobilized About two weeks after the movement launched, Beijing reacted by initiating a nationwide cyber police special operation, led by Chen Siyuan, the deputy director of the Public Security Bureau, according to an insiders notice to the BanGFW. Qiao considered it great publicity for the movement. We have reported this to the FBI, the Five Eyes Alliance, and countries such as Japan, South Korea, Europe, the United States, France, and Germany, he said, and hed like to invite people to visit the Chinese embassies and question them about the online censorship and the suppression of free speech. Qiao emphasized that the Great Firewall is a crime that deserves 10,000 years of imprisonment. The world, that is 8 billion people, should come together and tear down the wall. He said, We dont limit the effort to the technical circle. The specific implementation can be simply summarized in two meanswriting posts and holding signs. Justice The mission has one goal, Bring the CCP to the International Criminal Court in The Hague, said Qiao. For example, he said, Fang Binxing, known as the father of the Firewall, is the person the BanGFW will sue. He believes that the CCP will eventually be hit with a lawsuit. With the publicity of BanGFW, it will detonate global awareness of this wall, he said. Qiao explained the main battlefield is outside China, with the Chinese circle as the first step, and quickly covering the English circle and the Russian circle, to connect all nationalities. The CCP does not just target Chinese. It exports violence, it also threatens the interests of global citizens, he said. If everyone is involved, it will scare the CCP, he said. The movement has expanded quickly and says supporters require zero capital and zero technology. Get yourself an account with the BanGFW, then youre the real Monkey King who fights against the CCP, he said. Qiao said that many overseas Chinese have found it difficult to freely convey their thoughts to their parents, and the wall is the barrier causing this problem. He appeals to everyone to stand up and join the effort. It will tear down this wall, and destroy the CCP quickly, he said. Yuanming Li contributed to this report. Teixeira Whistleblower Case Raises Troubling Questions From the medias role in finding the leaker, to the true origin of the documents, there are a multitude of questions Commentary Last week, 21-year-old low-level Massachusetts Air National Guardsman Jack Douglas Teixeira was arrested and charged with violating the Espionage Act and leaking sensitive defense material. Among other things, the leaked top-secret documents show that the Biden administration has been misleading the public about the reality of the situation in Ukraine, overstating the countrys success in its war with Russia. The leaked documents, which appear to include briefings prepared for senior Pentagon leadership, including Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Mark Milley, contained assessments from a multitude of agencies. The real story, however, is how corporate media organizations, rather than focusing on the content of the revealing documents themselves, chose to focus on finding out who leaked them. Only after first working to identify Teixeira as the alleged whistleblower, which resulted in his arrest, both The Washington Post and The New York Times began to publish exclusive stories about classified informationsome of it still unseen by the publicthat had been leaked by Teixeira as if the discovery were their own. As Hans Mahncke, my co-host on Epoch TVs program Truth Over News, has noted: Can you imagine Woodward and Bernstein spending their time writing about Deep Throat instead of Nixon? Because thats what this is. Hes completely right. This story exposes the complicity of our nations media with our nations intelligence community. Although the timing of events isnt yet entirely clear, it appears that Teixeira began uploading classified documents on Discord, an online platform popular with gamers sometime in the winter of last year. Then on Feb. 28, some of those classified documents began to appear on another Discord server. From there, the documents began to spread. On March 4, 10 documents appeared on Minecraft Earth Map, a Discord server focused on the video game. Then, on April 5, classified documents were posted on Russian Telegram channels and the message board platform 4chan. The next day, on April 6, the NY Times published the article Ukraine War Plans Leak Prompts Pentagon Investigation. According to the NY Times report, military analysts claimed that the documents had been modified, overstating American estimates of Ukrainian War dead and understating estimates of Russian troops killed. The newspaper suggested that Russia was responsible for the leak but wasnt definitive about it. The next day, Reuters published a story claiming that Russia was indeed behind the leak according to unnamed U.S. officials. As it turns out, both of these early narratives would turn out to be false. On the same day of the NY Times story, Aric Toler, director of research at Bellingcat, a Netherlands-based open-source investigative journalism outfit whose work has been praised by the CIA, began posting on Twitter about the documents that had been leaked. He was looking for the original source of the documents. Just a few hours later, Toler found his source. On April 9, two days after the NY Times story, he published an article in Bellingcat, titled From Discord to 4chan: The Improbable Journey of a US Intelligence Leak. He went so far as to speak with members of a separate Discord community, who told him that the classified documents had been first posted on a now-deleted server called Thug Shaker Central. One of the people who spoke with Toler told him that they knew the identity of the person who was responsible for the original posting of the classified documents. The hunt was on. He also reached out to the Department of Defense and was told that they were actively reviewing the matter and had made a formal referral to the Department of Justice for an investigation. On April 12, The Washington Post officially entered the hunt for the whistleblower. In an article, titled Discord member details how documents leaked from closed chat group, the Post provided a trail of breadcrumbs for the FBI, which would lead to the identification of the whistleblower. Rather than report on the information contained within the leaks, the newspaper focused solely on providing information that could lead to the identification of the whistleblower, whom the Post described as a charismatic gun enthusiast who led a group united by a mutual love of guns, military gear, and God. The official narrative was already being established. The next day, the NY Times published an article, headlined Heres what we know about the leader of the online group where secret documents were leaked. Toler was listed as the lead author of the article, despite not being employed by the NY Times. Unlike The Washington Post, which provided specific clues about the alleged leaker, the NY Times went further, identifying the young National Guardsman as Teixeira. The Times also furthered the same narrative as The Washington Post, referring to Teixeiras online group as being composed of young men who came together over a shared love of guns, racist online memes and video games. Later that day, the NY Times published an article detailing the arrest of Teixeira. They noted that as reporters from The New York Times gathered near the house on Thursday afternoon, about a half-dozen FBI agents pushed into the home of Airman Teixeira. The NY Times also continued to push the narrative that according to people who knew him online, Airman Teixera was no whistleblower. Providing no evidence whatsoever, the NY Times claimed that, unlike previous leaks of information, outrage about wrongdoing or government policies does not appear to have been a factor. As was noted earlier, many questions remain. For one thing, it seems highly unusual that the NY Times not only outed Teixeiras identity but was literally there as the FBI showed up at Teixeiras house. And how is it that senior defense officials werent even aware of the leak until April 6? And why were those leaks initially ascribed, without any evidence, to Russia? We do know that on the same day that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was briefed, Twitter Daily News reported that the Pentagon is trying to get Twitter to remove posts that contain classified documents about the war in Ukraine. To which Elon Musk replied, Yeah, you can totally delete things from the internet that works perfectly and doesnt draw attention to whatever you were trying to hide at all. Among the documents leaked by Teixeira was also a diagram of the Chinese spy balloon, along with the tech equipment it carried. On April 3, just days before news of the leak broke, the Biden administration suddenly acknowledged that Chinas spy balloon had, indeed, transmitted intelligence from sensitive military sites back to the CCP. The other major question all of this raises is, did the NY Times and The Washington Post really lead the intelligence community to Teixeira? Or did the intelligence community lead the NY Times and the Post to Teixeira? How did Bellingcat miss months of the documents being posted online, only to become involved just as the news was emerging? Did a young, low-level airman really act alone or was he provided the information? If so, by whom? Is it pure coincidence that this leak occurred just as the flawed RESTRICT Act, laden with more surveillance powers, is making its way through Congress? Again, I have questions. Finally, I have the obvious questions as to how a young, inexperienced, low-level E-3 tech came by these secrets. Some who have served have noted that contrary to what many might suspect, classified information is widely and disturbingly availablean entirely separate problem unto itselfbut the question of how Teixeira knew what information to select still remains. We need to understand exactly how Teixeira came by his information, how he went through the process of selecting what to take, and how he got the actual documents out of a supposedly secure facility for months without anyone knowing. Was he truly working alone, or did he have assistance? Former congressional candidate Joe Kent, a Special Forces combat veteran, summed up our thoughts neatly when he wrote on Twitter: The most important part of evaluating a source is to determine their accesshow do they know what they know? If they cant plausibly explain it & prove it, but they are giving u good intel, its being given to u for a reason. Teixeira needs to explain how he obtained the leaked information, step by step. Theres either much more to the story or we have major holes in our systems. Post Manning/Snowden I find that hard to believe based on my time in the intel community. I would add that it isnt just Teixeira, but our government that needs to explain those things as well. Tennessee House Republicans Clash With Gov. Lee on Gun Confiscation Orders Republicans in the Tennessee House of Representatives are signaling defiance of their fellow Republican, Gov. Bill Lee, after he proposed legislation to allow law enforcement officers to temporarily seize firearms from persons if a court agrees that they pose a threat of harm to themselves or others. Tennessee policymakers have considered a number of new laws since the March 27 Covenant School Shooting, in which an assailant killed three children and three employees at a private Christian school in Nashville. In the days after the shooting, Lee proposed a revised state budget that included additional spending for school security. In more recent days, Lee has also called for legislation that would allow police and courts to intervene to remove firearms from persons believed to pose a risk to themselves or others. On Wednesday, Lees office shared draft legislation (pdf) that would establish a so-called temporary mental health order of protection. This order would allow law enforcement officers and agencies to petition a court to temporarily seize a persons firearms if the officials could convince the court that the person had made threats or attempts of serious bodily harm to themselves or others, or places another in reasonable fear of violent behavior and serious physical harm. The language proposed in Lees draft legislation is similar to laws adopted in other states that allow concerned parties to petition courts to remove a persons firearms. These laws are often referred to as extreme risk protective orders (ERPOs), gun violence restraining orders (GVROs), or similar terms, but are most often referred to colloquially by both critics and proponents as Red Flag laws. In a video message posted on Twitter, Lee said we all agree that dangerous, unstable individuals who intend to harm themselves or others should not have access to weapons. And that should be done in a way that requires due process and a high burden of proof, supports law enforcement and punishes false reporting, enhances mental health support, and preserves the Second Amendment for law-abiding citizens. The governor said he had crafted his proposed legislation after working with Tennessee lawmakers, including constitutionally minded, second amendment-protecting members of the state legislature. Lee Rejects Red Flag Label In his remarks proposing the legislation, Lee opposed placing his proposed temporary mental health order of protection in the same category as other bills that have been deemed red flag laws. National politicians and punditseven the White Houseare calling our proposal something that its not. Red flag is nothing but a toxic political label meant to draw lines in the sand so nothing gets done, Lee said in the video. This is about Tennessee and the unique needs of our people. It should be reviewed on its own meritsnot lumped in with laws from other states, many of which, I believe, dont strike the right balance of preserving rights and protecting society. Lee argued that the law he is proposing simply expands on procedures the state already has in place to remove firearms. In Tennessee right now, if a husband threatens to hurt his wife, an Order of Protection would temporarily restrict his access to weapons to protect the spouse, Lee said. If that same man threatens to shoot himself or a church or a mall, our proposal will provide that same level of protection to the broader public. Lee said lawmakers owe Tennesseans a vote on his proposal. Democrats Back Lees Efforts Democrats in the Tennessee House reshared Lees video message calling for the introduction of the temporary mental health order. The Democrats said that The time is always right to do right. The eyes of the nation are upon us. We must act, and we must do it now. Rep. John Ray Clemmons, a Democrat from Nashville, described Lees proposed legislation as weak, but something Democrats could work with. The temporary removal bill @GovBillLee threw into the wind today was weak, but it was *something* that we could work with at least. Its becoming clear that TN GOP is going [to] do NOTHING before we adjourn. Failing to act is simply unacceptable, Clemmons tweeted on Wednesday. Republican Resistance While Lee insisted his legislation would strengthen public safety and preserve individual rights, Republicans in the Tennessee House signaled opposition to proposals like the one Lee described. Any red flag law is a non-starter for House Republicans, the Tennessee House Republican Caucus wrote in a tweet on Wednesday. Our caucus is focused on finding solutions that prevent dangerous individuals from harming the public and preserve the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens. We have always been open to working with Governor Lee on measures that fit within that framework. Rep. Jason Zachary, a Republican, wrote on Twitter that Red flag/order of protection legislation will not pass the TN House. I do not and will not support. The vast majority of my fellow @tnhousegop colleagues feel the same. From NTD News Texan Princess Evicted From Rome Villa, Caravaggio Stays Texas-born Princess Rita Boncompagni Ludovisi, born Rita Jenrette Carpenter and last wife of late Prince Nicolo Boncompagni Ludovisi, leaves her residence, The Casino dell'Aurora, also known as Villa Ludovisi, during the execution of an eviction order, in Rome on April 20, 2023. (Andrew Medichini/AP Photo) ROMEA Texas-born princess piled her four yapping bichon frise dogs into a taxi Thursday after being evicted, following a bitter inheritance dispute, from a historic villa in Rome that contains the only known ceiling painted by Caravaggio. Princess Rita Jenrette Boncompagni Ludovisi, nee Rita Carpenter, abandoned the Casino dellAurora off the swank Via Veneto hours after Carabinieri police arrived to enforce a court-mandated eviction order. Before she had even left, a locksmith changed the locks on the big green front door. Her dramatic exitone of the dogs briefly escaped as she spoke to journalists on the streetcapped a remarkable, years-long soap opera that exposed the dirty laundry of one of Romes aristocratic families. The Boncompagni Ludovisi are perhaps best known for having produced Pope Gregory XIII of Gregorian calendar fame. But lately they have attracted more attention due to the inheritance dispute and court-mandated auction of their famous villa in the heart of Rome. I feel like Im in a surreal movie, like Sartres No Exit, the princess said on the street, interrupted repeatedly by a barking fluffy white dog in her arms and three others at her ankles. Casino dellAurora, also known as the Villa Ludovisi, has been in the Ludovisi family since the early 1600s. After Prince Nicolo Boncompagni Ludovisi died in 2018, the villa became the subject of an inheritance dispute between the children from his first marriage and his third wife, the San Antonio, Texas-born Princess Rita, whom he married in 2009. Previously, she had been married to former U.S. Rep. John Jenrette Jr. of South Carolina. The children have argued that the home, built in 1570, belongs to them, that their grandfather intended for them to inherit it, and that their late father abused them and mismanaged his fortune. They mounted a multi-pronged legal campaign to get control of the property so it can be sold. Texas-born Princess Rita Boncompagni Ludovisi (L), born Rita Jenrette Carpenter and last wife of late Prince Nicolo Boncompagni Ludovisi, talks to journalists a she leaves her residence, The Casino dellAurora, also known as Villa Ludovisi, during the execution of an eviction order, in Rome on April 20, 2023. (Andrew Medichini/AP Photo) The latest chapter in the saga came in January after Rome Judge Miriam Iappelli issued an eviction order, accusing the princess of having violated a previous order forbidding her from conducting guided tours of the property. Boncompagni Ludovisi has said the tours were necessary to raise money to maintain the villa. In addition, the judge found that the princess had failed to maintain the home in a good state of conservation after an exterior wall crumbled. One of the heirs, Prince Bante Boncompagni Ludovisi, was on hand Thursday at the villa to watch that woman, as he refers to his fathers widow, leave the property. This house needs renovations. The pipelines of water need to be restored and the frescoes are in danger, he told reporters. This is a country: We have our police, we have our judges and you need to respect our country and our laws if you stay here. Its not clear who will now undertake the work on the house, which needs at least 11 million euros in renovations to bring it up to code. The villa was put on the court-ordered auction block last year as part of the inheritance dispute and assigned a court-appraised value of 471 million euros ($533 million), in large part due to the Caravaggio. After the minimum bid of 353 million euros ($400 million) failed to get any takers in the first auction, the price was progressively lowered in a series of successive auctions, with more scheduled until a buyer is found. The Caravaggio ceiling graces a tiny room off a spiral staircase on the second floor. It was commissioned in 1597 by a diplomat and patron of the arts who asked the then-young painter to decorate the ceiling of the small room being used as an alchemy workshop. The 2.75-meter (9-foot) wide mural, which depicts Jupiter, Pluto and Neptune, is unusual: Its not a fresco, but rather oil paint on plaster, and represents the only ceiling mural that Caravaggio is known to have painted. While the villas fate is uncertain, so too is that of the princess. Vowing that the truth will eventually come out (and announcing a book deal), Boncompagni Ludovisi insisted she had cared for the villa during her two decades living there and digitized the familys archive, with the help of Rutgers University. I see no logic in this. I was a good custodian for the villa, she said. She didnt say where she would go next, though she noted that the Episcopal Church in Rome had reached out to help. I love Italy and Im so sorry to have such a brutal ending to what has been a labor of love for 20 years, she said. Her book, on the villa and its famous ceiling, is expected to be published at the end of the year. Its dedicated to my husband, Nicolo, she said, before speeding off with the dogs in a taxi into the Roman traffic. By Nicole Winfield and Francesco Stati The Ideological Capture of the CBC Commentary Elon Musks Twitter has dropped the labels government-funded or state-affiliated from several media corporations, including the CBC. Nevertheless, calling the CBC government-funded is merely stating the obvious. Last year, the Canadian government provided over $1 billion in funding to the CBC, or about 70 percent of annual operating costs. But as Edward R. Murrow famously observed, The obscure we see eventually. The completely obvious, it seems, takes longer. As Ive written here before, I was formerly a supporter of the CBC, particularly CBC Radio. Historically it tilted to the left, but one always heard alternative voices, including those of conservatives. I considered the mother corporation an exemplar of Canadian fairness in always treating dissident ideas and those who promulgated them respectfully. Alas, that CBC is long gone. Its difficult to pinpoint when this change occurred, but at some time over the past two decades, the CBC decided that instead of striving to be a disinterested and fair-minded bearer of news and ideas pertinent to Canadians, its mandate was to re-make Canadian society. Happily for the CBC, its version of utopian perfection conforms with the Liberal governments promotion of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). This ideology proceeds from the premise that the majority culture forever oppresses and victimizes the minority other. As a glance at the stories posted on the CBC website will confirm, the public broadcaster is in thrall to this new, identarian dispensation. The mother corporation now sees itself as a media entity whose remit is not merely conveying news to Canadians; it has a much higher calling. It is in the business of remaking Canadian society in line with an ideological, abstract conception of social justice. Its instructive to look at job postings on the CBCs website. The aspiring candidate will soon be directed to the diversity and inclusion section of the website, where they will be met with this statement: At CBC/Radio-Canada, weve come to embrace inclusion as a mindset. The notion that a publicly funded news corporation has embraced inclusion as a mindset is worrying. To state the obvious, the values advanced by DEI are ideological in the sense that political philosopher Hannah Arendt used the term. For Arendt, ideological thinking is contemptuous of the empirical realm. It establishes a functioning world of no-sense in which facts are seen only through the lens of an a priori ideological explanatory theory. Ideologies start from an axiomatically accepted premise, deducing everything else from it. Ideological argumentation [is] always a kind of logical deduction. Like the closed, axiomatic systems of logic or mathematics, ideologies are exempt from reality, from the world in which human life takes place. Arendt sums it up this way: Ideological thinking proceeds with a consistency that exists nowhere in the realm of reality. What ideologies aim at, says Arendt, is not the transmutation of society, but the transformation of human nature itself. Why, we might ask, should a state-funded media organization so enthusiastically embrace an overtly ideological agenda? Shouldnt the default setting of a free press be a wary skepticism of, or outright hostility to, any ideology? Shouldnt our journalists be asking challenging and uncomfortable questions about DEI? Could the CBCs full-throated embrace of DEI have something to do with its government funding? The CBCs website further proclaims, Weve deepened our thinking [about diversity and inclusion] from focusing mainly on numbers and compliance to something far more encompassing The moral earnestness here is unmistakable. They have deepened their thinking and have arrived at something far more encompassing. I dont know what this means, but it strikes an ominous and totalitarian note in my ear. The mother corporation appears to be on a crusade to remake Canadian society. The CBC has defenders who reject outright the idea that it censors or interferes with its journalists. For example, Marsha Lederman, writing in the Globe and Mail, tells us she worked for the CBC from 2000 to 2007 and claims she was never once censored. I have no reason to doubt her. But leaving aside the fact that 2007 is ancient history in media years, she misses the point. The ideological bias in CBC occurs at hiring. New hires must sign on to diversity, inclusion, and equity goals, guaranteeing that all employees subscribe to the same set of values and work for the desired political outcomes. CBC now speaks with a near-monolithic voice and has adopted a tendentious reading of events, favouring stories, news items, and op-eds that advance DEIs goals while ignoring with smug and sneering condescension those voices who dissent from its overtly political values. As Matthew B. Crawford notes, Ideological thinking is intolerant of aspects of the world that resist its intellectual schemes. They must be brought into conformity with the guiding vision, or else denounced. As many have pointed out, the irony is that despite its nominal commitment to diversity, the last thing one turns to the CBC for are opinions that span the political spectrum. It is a news organization committed to a state-sponsored ideology, and Canadians deserve better. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Dear Dr. Chloe, My Boyfriend Is Still Married and Though Separated for Years After Only Being Married for One Day Tibetan Police Mass-Collect DNA and Lawmakers Say US Firm Is Helping Chinese paramilitary police (in green uniforms) secure an exit as Tibetans monks (C) walk out from a stadium at the end of a local government sponsored festival in Yushu, in the China's northwestern Qinghai Province, on July 25, 2016. (Nicolas Asfouri/AFP via Getty Images) News Analysis Legendary actor and humanitarian Richard Gere recently made a splash during a visit to Capitol Hill. Sporting a floppy, now pure-white mane of hair, the 73-year-old Gere flashed his still-boyish grin to members of Congress, staff, and visitors who flocked to see him, many snapping photos with the Golden Globe winner which they quickly shared on social media. While Gere, who chairs the board of directors for the International Campaign for Tibet, graciously embraced the attention, he had a far more serious message and tone while testifying before the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, the reason for his Washington visit. For more than four decades, the Officer and a Gentleman and Pretty Woman star has used his international fame to urge the global community to do more to help protect the people of Tibet from the Chinese governments attempts to wipe out their language, culture, and religion. Even though the Tibetans have long resisted Chinese repression, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has recently instituted more systematic and sophisticated methods, utilizing finely tuned digital spying and tracking technology to monitor every citizens movements, phone calls, texts, and internet habits, Gere said. Chinas surveillance no longer halts at the Tibetan border, Gere told the commission in late March. The CCPs techno-authoritarianism and fear tactics extend to Tibetan communities abroad. This oppression is being perpetrated behind a digital iron curtain to hide reality on the ground. The development of these systems of repression, reaching all the way around the world, reflects the lengths the CCP will go to dismantle the Tibetan civilization. Chinas escalating repression in Tibet is part of Chinese leader Xi Jinpings increasingly harsh crackdown against all forms of religion. Over the last few years, news headlines have mainly focused on the more than 1 million Uyghur Muslims incarcerated in labor camps. Xi also has intensified the decades-long persecution of Tibetan Buddhists and practitioners of Falun Gong, a meditative spiritual discipline, and Chinese authorities are stepping up attacks and intimidation tactics against underground Christian churches, targeting both Protestants and Catholics. Beijings assault on Tibetan Buddhism has evolved since its 1950 military invasion, the witnesses testified, transitioning from destroying religious institutions and banning gatherings and practices to one of tight control with the goal of eliminating core attributes of Buddhism and co-opting Tibetan Buddhists rights to determine their own leaders. Testifying at the same hearing, Pnepa Tsering, the Sikyong, or head of the Tibetan government in exile, said Chinese authorities are trying to speed up the assimilation of the Tibetan people through large-scale forced relocations of Tibetans from their traditional homeland to Chinese territories and other parts of Tibet. At the same time, the Chinese government is providing Han Chinese citizens incentives to move to Tibet and is either coercing or forcing children across Tibet into colonial-style boarding schools far away from their families or transferring them to areas in China. Several witnesses, including Lhadon Tethong, director of the Tibet Action Institute, and Tenzin Dorjee, a senior researcher and strategist at the same group, cited their organizations groundbreaking 2021 report, which found that 80 percent of Tibetan children are educated in a vast system of boarding schools run by the CCP, separated from their families and culture. Some as young as four years, Dorjee testified, are forced to take classes that include nursery rhymes and bedtime stories recited only in Mandarin in an all-Chinese environment that includes participating in war re-enactments dressed in Red Army suits. During the hearing, Rep. Chris Smith, a New Jersey Republican and longtime human rights champion who chairs the commission, cited a 2022 State Department report finding that the CCP has effectively placed Tibetan Buddhism under central government control and subjected Tibetan women to coerced abortion or forced sterilization. At the end of his testimony, Gere urged members of Congress to follow the moneyand scrutinize U.S. and Chinese business interests and any ongoing role these ties have played in assisting the CCPs persecution of Tibetans. Its all about the money, Gere lamented at the end of the hearing. The message was well received. The four members of Congress who co-chair the commission had already begun an investigation into an American companys sale of DNA testing kits and replacement parts to Tibetan authorities despite warnings from the U.S. government that the sale of such technologies could be used to intensify human rights abuses in several regions of China. Thermo Fisher Scientific, a Massachusetts-based firm that manufactures analytical and laboratory products, chemicals, and supplies including those used in COVID test kits and vaccines, had previously ceased the sale of similar supplies to police in Xinjiang. It only did so, however, after scientists and human rights groups raised concerns that the supplies were possibly being used in elaborate human tracking and surveillance databases and schemesor worse, to identify ideal involuntary organ donors among persecuted ethnic and religious minorities across China. Xinjiang is where Chinese authorities have incarcerated a million or more residents, mostly Uyghur Muslims, placing them into labor camps. Both the Trump and Biden administrations formally designated Chinas systematic persecution of the Uyghur population as a genocide, specifically citing evidence that the Chinese government has slashed birth rates among Uyghurs and other minorities through forced sterilization and birth control. In 2019, the Trump administration prohibited the sale of American goods to most law enforcement agencies in Xinjiang unless the companies received a license. In 2020, several U.S. federal agencies issued a joint warning that companies selling biometric technology and other products in Xinjiang should be aware of the reputational, economic and legal risks. But in 2021, the New York Times discovered that DNA-collection tools made by two American companies, Thermo Fisher and Promega, were continuing to flow to the Xinjiang region, with sales occurring through Chinese companies that buy the products and resell them to the police in Xinjiang. More recently, the Intercept last fall uncovered a deal between Thermo Fisher and Tibetan police to purchase hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of DNA profiling kits and other supplies. That news broke shortly after two human rights groups documented vast Chinese government campaigns to collect DNA from ethnic Tibetans. In September, the University of Torontos Citizen Lab published a report by author Emile Dirks estimating that authorities have collected DNA from 919,000 to 1.2 million Tibetans, a fourth to a third of the regions population. Human Rights Watch, which uncovered the first findings about sales of DNA kits to Xinjiang police, found that the biometric collection includes blood samples from children in Tibet and the surrounding region. In December, the bipartisan co-chairs of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China sent a letter to Thermo Fisher President and CEO Marc Casper asking him why the DNA kits and DNA sequencer replacement parts were sold directly to Tibetan police. Those who signed the letter include Smith, along with Rep. Jim McGovern, a Massachusetts Democrat, Sens. Marco Rubio, a Florida Republican, and Jeff Merkley, an Oregon Democrat. As you may know, the bipartisan leadership of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China has taken a keen interest in the U.S. exports that facilitate the [Peoples Republic of Chinas] mass biometric collection and surveillance efforts, the members wrote. There are so few safeguards for how DNA is gathered and used in the PRC that we are alarmed that U.S. companies, including Thermo Fisher Scientific, may be wittingly or unwittingly aiding or abetting human rights abuses. The members demanded answers to several questions, including whether Thermo Fisher had conducted investigations into how its products were purchased by police in Tibet and why its DNA products were reportedly used in Xinjiang even after a company ban on selling to police there. More broadly, it asked whether the company would consider a blanket prohibition on selling to state and non-state entities in all of China to assure its shareholders and the American public that its products cannot be used to commit human rights abuses. The answer they received was noncommittal and unresponsive to several of their questions, according to commission sources. Thermo Fishers failure to provide a substantive response to our bicameral letter raises serious concerns about the companys commitment to human rights and their inability to condemn the crimes of the Chinese Communist Party, a spokeswoman for Rubio told RealClearPolitics. Smith went further and condemned the company for continuing to do business with CCP authorities despite U.S. government warnings that the sales likely assist in Chinese government surveillance of its citizens. Biometric dataDNA and iris scansof over a million Tibetans have been harvested and stored by the CCP, said Smith. Blood samples were drawn even from children in kindergarten. And you know what is even more shocking? he continued. It is the role of an American company, Thermo Fisher Scientific, in this genetic data collection and genetic surveillance program. In February 2019, Thermo Fisher announced it would stop selling its DNA testing products to Xinjiang authorities as consistent with Thermo Fishers values, ethics code, and policies. But in a January letter to CECC co-chairs, which RealClearPolitics (RCP) obtained, Casper, Thermo Fishers president and CEO, vigorously defended his companys sales in Tibet. The kits and parts it sold to authorities there in 2022 are entirely consistent with a law enforcement entity engaging in routine forensics investigations in a locality with a population on part with the Tibet Autonomous Region. Based on the throughput and capabilities of the products, orders of this size could not reasonably support the widespread sampling report in the media, Casper argued, noting that the company hasnt made any other substantial deliveries in the region. Thermo Fisher, therefore, is confident that the products that we or our distributors have provided are being used for their intended use in Tibet, namely police casework and forensics, Casper wrote. Concerning Xinjiang, Casper said there are no sales by Thermo Fisher or any authorized distributor to entities listed in the transaction data provided to the company by the New York Times. Thermo Fisher did not respond to multiple inquiries from RCP about the statements Casper made in the letter. Dirks, who authored the Citizen Lab report on extensive DNA collection in Tibet, used open-source writings and social media postings referring to police DNA collection as the basis for his research. He also found that among strict pandemic lockdowns in 2020, government and local media posts mentioning mass DNA collection in the region tripled, with some local authorities combining DNA testing with what they described as COVID prevention. There is no indication that these people who had their DNA collected are suspected of or had any involvement in any criminal activity, Dirks said in an interview. Dirks also stressed that there were broad references to social stability in the social media posts from Tibetan police involved in conducting the DNA tests, although there was no one particular reason consistently provided for collecting the biometric data from so many people. From his years of studying police activity in China, Dirks also took issue with Thermo Fishers rationale for continued sales to Tibetan law enforcement agencies because the company says its confident the products are being used in routine police casework and forensics. Remember in China, there really isnt a firm line being drawn between what the Western World considers normal casework, and social control and repression, he said. Oftentimes the distinction between the two are quite blurred. The Chinese government has a long history in Tibet of failing to establish and enforce laws designed to prevent the most basic human rights abuses, including arbitrary detention, imprisonment, and executionlaws standard for mainland Chinese citizens (although often broken to punish dissidents). And the Chinese government has passed new laws, such as Hong Kongs national security law, passed in 2020, to outlaw public protests and voicing dissent over the internetanything it deems subversive to the CCPs authority. The government has used these expansive powers to oversee and manage schools and social organizations, shut-down media outlets and impose internet blackouts. The Hong Kong courts used the law to convict Cardinal Zen, a 90-year-old Catholic cardinal, and five others for failing to register a fund that aimed to help people arrested in widespread protests four years ago. The Chinese government has waged its longest campaign of repression against the Tibetan people. The brutal persecution began in the late 1940s under Chairman Mao Zedongs regime. Some 6,000 monasteries were destroyed and thousands of Buddhist monks and nuns were arrested and killed. The Tibetan government was abolished entirely after the failure of the 1959 Tibetan uprising and the flight of the Dalai Lama to India. Another period of brutality came during the crackdown against any form of protest after the deadly Tiananmen Square massacre when then-President Jiang Zemin quashed violent rebellions against Chinese rule in Tibet. Hundreds of Tibetans were killed, and thousands were imprisoned. The Dalai Lama has said that, all told, the Chinese government is responsible for the deaths of 1.2 million Tibetans, or a fifth of the population, while thousands of Tibetans still languish in prisons and labor camps. The Chinese government disputes the numbers and argues it has a right to the land, citing the Qing Dynastys 18th century rule. The reasons behind Chinas targeting of Tibet are manifold: The region is rich in oil, natural gas, and other minerals, and Tibet marks Chinas western edge and is a vital link between China and South and Central Asia. Given its history of resisting Chinas dominance, Tibetan advocates contend that the regime is threatened by Tibetan culture, its distinct language and religion. China is committing genocide in Tibet and has been working for decades to change history, to distort and obscure the present situation on the ground so as to erase Tibet from the world stage, both in the past and in the present, Tethong said during the hearing. Thermo Fishers intransigence in the face of blatant human rights transgressions throughout Tibet is a prime example of Washingtons ongoing struggle to prevent American technology from becoming tools of repression by authoritarian regimes around the world. Sen. Rubio has authored legislation tightening export control laws aimed at preventing American firms from enabling human rights abuses. Last week, the U.S.-China and Security Commission held a hearing on Chinas pursuit of defense technologies and implications for U.S. and multilateral export control laws and regulations. Several human rights experts argue that Washington needs to overhaul out-of-date U.S. laws governing American companies sales to China and other repressive regimes. In 1990, after Tiananmen Square, Congress passed laws prohibiting U.S. companies from selling fingerprinting devices, weapons, and ammunition to Chinese police. Rubio and others argue that the sanctions should be updated to include the latest technological advances in surveillance products, facial recognition software, and DNA equipment. Now that China has grown more bellicose toward Taiwan and has imposed stricter control of Hong Kong while drawing closer to Russia, the United States needs to recognize that increased business and diplomatic ties with China have utterly failed to make it more cooperative with the U.S. or improve its human rights record, Tibetan activists argue. The U.S., and the West in general, has conceded so much ground to China in the last three decades and moved the equilibrium so far toward Beijings baseline, said Tenzin Dorjee. It is time to liberate ourselves from the tragically misguided notion that sweeping human rights under the rug would somehow make China more likely to cooperate on issues of geopolitical interest. From RealClearWire Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. TikTok Gaslighting Governments on Data Protection, FCC Commissioner Warns Australian Senate CANBERRA, AustraliaThe United States federal communications commission (FCC) has warned the Australian government not to trust TikTok to keep any user data it collects out of the hands of the Chinese communist regime. FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr said that TikTok could not be trusted to keep data safe from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and that the U.S. governments experience with the company on data privacy was nothing short of gaslighting. The commissioner was appearing before the Australian governments senate select committee on foreign interference through social media, which runs from April 20-21. The committee is looking at ways to stop social media apps from promulgating foreign interference in the country and has focused primarily on apps that have deep-seated connections to authoritarian regimes. Calling the company a unique threat to national security, Carr said that despite the U.S.s best efforts to establish if there were barriers to Chinas data oversight, including looking at TikToks data onshoring initiatives like the U.S. Project Texas, TikTok staff have remained tight-lipped about the possibility of CCP officials accessing private data. With TikTok, weve had this years-long approach that strikes me as sort of nothing short of gaslighting in terms of their misrepresentations. Thats why I say theres something very unique there. That requires serious action, Carr said. Project Texas has been floated. One of the most significant things was at a recent congressional hearing; you have the Democrat ranking member of the House Committee say that he was doubtful that even if we put Project Texas in place, it would have sufficient protections against the CCP having control over TikTok, and hes right. Stronger Privacy Laws Not Enough Carr told the inquiry that no data privacy laws would be sufficient to stop TikTok surveillance and intelligence gathering, pointing to the European Union, which he said had the gold standard of privacy data laws yet has begun a concerted action to address TikTok. TikTok faces being banned in the European Union if it does not step up efforts to comply with EUs Digital Services Act (DSA) well ahead of the Sept. 1 deadline, European Commissioner Thierry Breton told TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew, according to an EU readout of a video call between the two. Read More Comply With EU Rules or Face Ban, Breton Tells TikTok CEO We will not hesitate to adopt the full scope of sanctions to protect our citizens if audits do not show full compliance, Breton said. But Carr said that even if countries do adopt better baseline privacy protections that apply to all social media, it still will not address the unique type of threats that were seeing with respect to TikTok. The privacy protections that are in place right now in Europe are held up by a lot of advocates as a gold standard GDPR or other protections? And yet were seeing right now Europe engaged in concerted action to address TikTok. Additionally, he said that TikTok staff themselves are not confident that its parent company Bytedance and, in turn, the CCP would be able to be stopped from accessing personal data. Carr cited a 2022 Buzzfeed article that leaked internal audio from TikTok staff meetings where staff noted that even if Project Texas was put in place, it would remain to be seen if Beijing would continue to access the data. So TikTok officials themselves dont believe that Project Texas is actually going to safeguard data in terms of access from inside China, Carr said. When a senior Tiktok official, I believe their CEO, was testifying here in our Senate, was asked point blank, Do you share sensitive U.S. user data with personnel in Tiktok or Bytedance in Beijing who are themselves members of the CCP? And that official declined to answer that question. I think a lot of these concerns could have been put to rest if theyd answered pointedly either no, or frankly, perhaps its yes, heres the protections put in place. But the evasive nature of these answers over the years is deeply concerning. TikTok Denies Data at Risk However, a TikTok spokesperson assured The Epoch Times that Project Texas, like Project Clover in Europe, would protect users data. Under Project Texas, all protected U.S. data will be stored exclusively in the U.S. and under the control of the U.S.-led security team, the spokesperson said. This eliminates the concern that TikTok U.S. user data could be subject to Chinese law. Similarly, under Project Clover, were enhancing our approach to European data security by further tightening data access controls, working with a European third-party company to audit, monitor, and provide independent verification of our approach, as well as incorporating further privacy-enhancing technologies into our approach. Project Clover is a program focused on creating a secure enclave for European TikTok user data. FCC Wants TikTok Ban, But Biden Administration May Not Be Onboard The FCC commissioner believes that the only way to handle TikTok is to impose a country-wide ban. However, some experts believe that may be difficult. Cybersecurity expert Rex Lee told NTDs China in Focus program that he believes there is little will in Washington to ban TikTok. One good thing about this last TikTok congressional hearing is there was a lot of bipartisan support to ban it, which is a positive thing. But then here we are, two or three weeks later, and theres no action being taken, Lee said. He called such hearings political theatre, saying, What I find out about these congressional hearings, theyre more about politics than resolve. We see these executives go before Congress; half of the politicians in the congressional hearings are addressing the real problems, the other half isnt, and they never seem to come to full resolution. Lee, a security adviser at My Smart Privacy, argued that obstacles stem from lawmakers still using the platform. A lot of people dont realize this, but over 30 members of the House and Senate are on TikTok, he said. He singled out the report by Axios, which states that President Joe Biden and his campaign are planning on teaming up with social media influencers to reach young voters. According to the article, several TikTok influencers are among the hundreds with whom the Biden group would work. It was just in the news the other day that the Biden administration had TikTok influencers, along with Instagram and Facebook influencers, at the White House to spread information about the Biden administrations platform across the social media platform, Lee said. So when you have congressional hearings, when you have congressional members of Congress and the Senate utilizing TikTok as well as the president, I dont see how its gonna get banned anytime soon, he added. Hannah Ng and Tiffany Meier contributed to this report. Trudeau Defends $13.8 Billion in Subsidies for Electric Vehicle Battery Plant, Hits Back at Conservatives Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday defended the federal governments decision to spend $13.8 billion in subsidies on a new Volkswagen battery factory in St. Thomas, Ontario, while attacking the federal Conservatives for criticizing the investment. Unbelievably, there are still those who continue to say that there is a choice to be made between protecting the environment and growing the economy, Trudeau said during a press conference alongside Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne. Here today, no one should continue to doubt that building a strong economy with great jobs for the middle class must go hand in hand with clean air and a brighter future for this country. On Thursday, Champagne confirmed the approval of between $8 and $13.2 billion in subsidies and a $700 million grant to build the Volkswagen battery factory in St. Thomas, Ontario. The factory, which will produce batteries for up to 1 million electric vehicles per year following its completion in 2027, is expected to create 3,000 direct jobs and 30,000 indirect jobs. Trudeau said countries around the world, including the United States, were willing to offer an awful lot of money to get the project. Everyone wanted this. So yes, we put up a lot of money, money thats going to come back in investments in economic activity very quickly. When the announcement was first made that Canada had been chosen for the first Volkswagen EV battery plant in North America, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said the money the federal government invested belongs to Canadians, not to a foreign corporation. How much of Canadians money is he giving to this foreign corporation? How many jobs? How much is the cost per job? he asked. Trudeau responded that confident countries invest in their workers and invest in their future. The prime minister said his government had been criticized many times over the years for making investments in the environment, childcare, public health care, or partnerships with indigenous people. That is how we build the strong economy of the future. We had to put money on the table to show Volkswagen we were serious about wanting them to come here and to be partners in building this incredible opportunity for Canadian workers, Trudeau said. But if it hadnt been for the quality of Canadian workers, for things like $10 childcare, dental care, public healthcare, Canada Child Benefits and supports for the middle-class, then Volkswagen wouldnt have been as interested. The prime minister said when the next federal election is called in a few years, Canadians will have to choose whether they want to see challenges around the world as an opportunity for Canada to step up. Or do we want to throw up our hands and say oh, its just too tough out there? The world is too complicated. Were never going to be able to succeed in this. Canada is broken,' Trudeau said, referencing Poilievres tagline Canada is broken. Anger doesnt deliver this plant and St. Thomas. Confidence, hard work, optimism, and a willingness to invest in Canadians and in the brightest possible future for all. Thats why were here today, he said. Beijing, China--(Newsfile Corp. - April 21, 2023) - The Center for Language Education and Cooperation in Beijing held a celebration on Thursday to promote the 14th International Chinese Language Day. Scholars and many ambassadors to China sent their congratulatory notes. Young sinologists from all over the world gathered for forums at the event to discuss the role and impact of the Chinese language around the world. Opening Ceremony of 2023 International Chinese Language Day To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8457/163270_chinese%20language%20day.jpg A series of exhibitions, activities and forums helped promote Thursday's International Chinese Language Day, established by the United Nations, to a broader audience. To mark the 14th International Chinese Language Day, which falls on April 20, Cape Town in South Africa witnessed the opening of a special exhibition: The Way of Type - Modernization of Chinese Typography. By showing the development of fonts starting from ceramic movable type, the exhibition gives visitors an overview of the general landscape of the modern development of Chinese characters. "This exhibition will travel around the world, including the UK and South Korea, to celebrate the special day," curator of the exhibition, Yue Jieqiong, said. This is just one of the worldwide celebrations held on Chinese Language Day. In the Headquarters of UNESCO in Paris, the day was celebrated early on Tuesday with a singing performance in both Chinese and French by a performer dressed in qipao. Chinese Language Day was celebrated in the theme of "Chinese Wisdom for a Green World" by the UN in the hope of contributing Chinese knowledge in green and sustainable development, which will also echo meetings such as the Water Conference and the SDG Summit that will be held by the UN throughout 2023. Separate activities include the school of Chinese calligraphy event held at the Confucius Institute at the University of Johannesburg, in Johannesburg, South Africa, and folk music performances held in Vienna, Austria, to further explore the role of China's traditional culture in today's modern world. Story continues "The Chinese language is increasingly becoming the bond that links friendly relations between China and the world, especially Indonesia, and promotes mutual understanding and trust between Chinese and Indonesian people," Indonesian Ambassador to China, Djauhari Oratmangun, said at Thursday's ceremony. "Chinese Language Day's events provide a window for people around the world to get close to Chinese language while feeling Chinese culture," Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Wang Wenbin, noted at Thursday's regular press briefing. Statistics show that as of now, more than 180 countries and regions around the world have Chinese language teaching programs, 82 of which have incorporated Chinese language learning into their national education system, such as Iran, which will add Chinese language to the national middle school education system from 2024, and UAE, where around 60 schools across the country have included the language. "Academically speaking, the relationship between China and the Arab world has always been a hot topic. In the past few decades, the trend of mutual language learning between China and Arab countries has greatly improved. And this is evidence of the increase in mutually beneficial cooperation and friendly exchanges between the two sides," Xue Qingguo, an Arabic studies professor at the Beijing Foreign Studies University, told the Global Times on Thursday. Chinese Language Day falls annually on Guyu, or the Grain Rain, the sixth of the 24 solar terms in the Chinese calendar. Created in 2010, the day was designated to celebrate multilingualism and cultural diversity, and promote the equal use of the six official languages within the United Nations. "If you want to understand China, you need to start by learning Chinese; but if you want to understand Chinese culture, it is not sufficient to just learn the language. In addition, you need to go deep into the local areas, travel all over China, and go to different cities to experience the cultural differences, and the folklore of the country," Patricia, a Peruvian sinologist and anthropology Ph.D. who has visited places across China including Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Hong Kong Special Autonomous Region during her 20-year stay in the country, told the Global Times on Thursday. "This is a friendly country where you are always offered help." Contact: Luo Kang Email: tougao@chinese.cn Website: www.chinese.cn To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/163270 Twitter Drops Government-Funded Label on News Organizations Profiles The Twitter app is seen on a smartphone in this illustration taken on July 13, 2021. (Dado Ruvic/Reuters) Twitter stopped using the Government-funded and China state-affiliated labels for news organizations, their profiles showed on Friday. Twitter dropped the Government-funded Media label from the accounts of U.S.-based National Public Radio (NPR), British Broadcasting Corp. (BBC), and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). It also dropped the China state-affiliated media tag on the accounts of Xinhua News, as well as of journalists associated with government-backed publications. While Chinese publishers accounts, including those of their senior staff as well as of some key government officials, started getting the label in 2020, the likes of NPR and CBC were labeled only earlier this month. CBCs Twitter profile before the Government-funded label was removed. (Screenshot via The Epoch Times) NPR and CBC stopped posting on their accounts after that, saying the label was not accurate. CBC posted that it was 69 percent funded by the government, and that was the reason it said the Government-funded label was not accurate. Twitter later changed the label to 69% Government-funded, before dropping it altogether. CBC also made a post with the CBC profile link in other social media, so that readers could access CBC outside the realms of Twitter. The implication of the Government-funded label was that these media were not credible. In a BBC interview last week, Twitter CEO Elon Musk said the social media platform was trying to be accurate and looking into amending the label. Our goal is simply to be as truthful and accurate as possible. Were adjusting the label to be publicly funded, which I think is perhaps not too objectionable, Musk had said. BBC is funded by a taxpayer fee. This fee raised 3.8 billion in 2022 for the BBC, accounting for about 71 percent of the BBCs total income of 5.3 billion. Before the label was removed, Musk had emailed BBC, writing: We are aiming for maximum transparency and accuracy. Linking to ownership and source of funds probably makes sense. Twitter, NPR, CBC, and BBC did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the removal of the tag. Twitter on Thursday also removed the legacy verified blue tick from the profile of thousands of people, including celebrities, journalists, and prominent politicians, such as Hillary Clinton. Among those losing their badges were former president Donald Trump, Microsoft Corp. co-founder Bill Gates, and reality TV star Kim Kardashian. Meanwhile, Musk also said in the BBC interview last week that the social media company is roughly breaking even, as most of its advertisers have returned and its aggressive cost-cutting efforts have started bearing fruit after large-scale layoffs. Musk had said in December that Twitter was on track to be roughly cash flow break-even in 2023 as top advertisers slashed their spending on the social media platform after the billionaires takeover. He said Twitter was in a $3 billion negative cash-flow situation and had to take drastic actions, referring to its large-scale layoffs. We could be cash-flow positive this quarter if things go well, he said in the interview that attracted more than three million listeners, adding the company currently has all-time high user numbers. Reuters contributed to this report. UK Tycoon Accused of Defrauding Hewlett-Packard has Appeal Against US Extradition Rejected A person browses the Hewlett-Packard website while using an HP computer at a cafe in Midtown Manhattan on Feb. 23, 2015. (Benjamin Chasteen/The Epoch Times) A British tycoon who allegedly defrauded Hewlett-Packard when he sold his software company to the U.S. tech giant in 2011 has failed in an appeal against his extradition to the United States. In January 2022, the then Home Secretary Priti Patel ruled Mike Lynchwho founded Autonomy in 1996could be extradited to the United States, where he is wanted on charges of perpetrating a $5 billion (3.9 million) fraud. Lynch, 57, has denied the charges and appealed against extradition. But after a High Court hearing in London, Lord Justice Lewis and Mr. Justice Julian Knowles gave a ruling on Friday in which they said, We are unpersuaded there is anything in this ground of appeal. Autonomy was sold to Hewlett-Packard for $11 billion (8.8 billion) in 2011, but a year later the U.S. firm announced a huge write-down, which reduced HP Autonomys value by $8.8 billion (7 billion). In 2018, Lynch, who is accused of manipulating the companys accounts to inflate its value, was charged with 14 counts of conspiracy and fraud by a court in California. Also indicted was Autonomys former vice-president for finance, Stephen Chamberlain. Lynchs barristers claimed District Judge Michael Snow erred by allowing Patel to make the final decision on extradition, but lawyers representing the U.S. government said Snow had made the correct decisions. In their ruling, the judges said Lynchs lawyers claimed the extradition request was an abuse of the courts process, and the district judge was wrong to conclude that it was not. One example was that the U.S. authorities claimed an email was sent by an Autonomy employee in the United Kingdom, when it had actually been sent by a trainee solicitor. But the judges said these examples did not come close to undermining the validity of the extradition request in a way that could properly trigger the exceptional jurisdiction to stay extradition proceedings as an abuse. One of Largest Frauds Ever Prosecuted In their ruling they said: The applicants extradition has been sought so that he can stand trial in California for fraud. The American prosecutors have described the case as one of the largest frauds ever prosecuted by the United States Department of Justice. The value of the alleged fraud runs into the billions of dollars. HP has already sued Lynchwho has a Ph.D. in signal processing from Cambridge University and founded the company in the cityand Autonomys former chief financial officer, Sushovan Hussain, for $5 billion (3.9 billion) at the High Court in London. A High Court judge, Mr. Justice Hildyard, who oversaw that trial, said HP had substantially succeeded in its various claims against the two men but warned the U.S. firm will get substantially less than the amount claimed in damages. Lynch has said he intends to appeal against Hildyards ruling. In the ruling by Lewis and Knowles, they made it clear the allegations against Lynch remain to be proved at trial. But they said: In summary, the applicant is accused of engaging in a conspiracy to provide dishonest financial and other information about Autonomys performance to the markets from 2009, and then to HP from about 2011 during the purchase negotiations, thereby dishonestly maintaining or inflating Autonomys share price, and hence, ultimately, the price which HP paid for it. They added, The applicant owned a substantial number of Autonomys shares, and so the alleged fraud benefited him personally. The applicant is also accused of attempting to obstruct justice in relation to the investigation into the alleged fraud, and of money laundering in relation to the money he personally received following HPs acquisition, said the ruling. Disappointed A spokesman for Lynch said: Dr. Lynch is very disappointed, but is reviewing the judgment and will continue to explore his options to appeal, including to the European Court of Human Rights. Lynchs case is covered by the 2003 Extradition Act, which made it easier for British citizens to be extradited to a number of countries, including the United States. It followed the signing of the U.S.-UK Extradition Treaty in 2003. There have been a number of controversial cases in the last 20 years, including Pentagon hacker Gary McKinnon and the so-called NatWest Three. McKinnon, who admitted accessing NASA computers in 2002 but claimed he was looking for evidence of UFOs, fought a long campaign against extradition and in 2012 the then Home Secretary Theresa May blocked his extradition. She said McKinnon, who was then 46, had Aspergers syndrome, suffered from a depressive illness, and was seriously ill. But the NatWest Three were not so successful. David Bermingham, 44, Gary Mulgrew, 45, and Giles Darby, 44, were extradited and in February 2008 were jailed for 37 months each after admitting one wire fraud charge after a plea bargain. The three menwho had originally faced 35 years in prisonadmitted conspiring with employees of the collapsed Texas-based energy giant Enron to defraud their own employer, NatWest, of $19 million (15.3 million). PA Media contributed to this report. Ukraines Allies Must Count Cost of a Long War, Analysts Say A destroyed Russian T-72 tank is seen near Pokrovy Presvyatoyi Bohorodytsi Church in Svyatohirs'k city, Donetsk region, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine, on March 1, 2023. (Ihor Tkachov/AFP via Getty Images) Russia will not give up on its war aims in Ukraine and is able to sustain a long war of attrition, some leading analysts say. That means NATO allies must clearly define their own endgame for the hostilities and be prepared for the domestic cost of supporting a lengthy conflict in Eastern Europe. Experts on NATO and the Ukraine war from major think tanks as well as from the embassies of Finland and Sweden voiced those conclusions at a public forum in Washington on April 20. Relitigate End of Cold War Russias aim for the war in Ukraine is, at a minimum, to destabilize Ukraine and force its dependence on Russia. More likely, according to Angela Stent, a nonresident senior fellow and co-chair of the Hewett Forum on Post-Soviet Affairs at Brookings, the goal is to effectively reassemble the old Soviet empire. [Vladimir] Putins goal all along has been to relitigate the entire settlement of the end of the Cold War. He does not believe that the collapse of the Soviet Union is final, Stent said, adding that the Russian leader has stated this publicly several times. Russian President Vladimir Putin gestures while speaking via videoconference in Moscow on Dec. 7, 2022. (Mikhail Metzel, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) Ukraine is really part one, and probably the most immediately important part, of revisiting the entire settlement including countries like Poland. In other words, the vision is really to restore a sphere of control over the post-Soviet states and a sphere of influence over the Warsaw Pact states, she said. At the very least, Russia is intent on keeping Ukraine from tightening ties with the West, for example, by joining NATO, as Finland did on April 1. Finland, like Ukraine, shares a border with Russia. What Russia wants is to prevent Ukraine from being a Western-oriented, democratic, liberal state, said Ingrid Ask, deputy chief of mission at the Embassy of Sweden to the United States. Sweden has applied for NATO membership, which is pending. Ask speculated that Russia might be satisfied with leaving Ukraine as a broken state or preventing it from joining the European Union or other Western-aligned groups. Long Game In any case, Ukraines allies should be prepared for a long conflict, analysts agreed. I think we have to bear this in mind. This is, in [Putins] mind and in the mind of people who think like him, a much longer process, Stent said. The problem in dealing with Russia, according to Col. Juha Helle, is the countrys ability to withstand a war of attrition. Helle is a defense, military, naval, and air attache at the Embassy of Finland to the United States. Although Russia has already been defeated politically, I dont believe it can ever be defeated militarily or economically. They can continue waging this war from an economical and military point of view for quite a long time, he said. Leaked U.S. military documents reportedly place the number of Russian soldiers killed or wounded in the conflict between 189,500 and 223,000. Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the Kremlin in Moscow on March 21, 2023. (Sergei Karpukhin/Sputnik/AFP via Getty Images) A long war would also serve the interests of China because it weakens both Russia and the NATO countries, according to Helle. The weaker those two elements are, the West and Russia, the better for China. So they will balance their moves to make this war continue as long as possible, he said. Cost of Victory The Ukrainians have said they are battling for their independence and will not stop fighting, an aim that should be respected, according to Candace Rondeaux, senior director of the Future Frontlines and Planetary Politics Initiative at New America. However, supporting the war aims of Ukraine will take a toll on its allies as well, Rondeaux said. I think we are starting to feel this in the grocery store when we go and buy a dozen eggs. We see when we go to the gas pump, when we turn on our heat, that this existential thread between us is very real. This is a global war, she said. The United States and other allies will eventually have to weigh the cost of continuing to support Ukraine in the conflict, Rondeaux believes. We have to decide how long can we sustain this effort before it becomes corrosive for our own societies, she said, referencing the political, economic, and human toll of the U.S. war in Afghanistan. So Ill just offer to you that self-determination is a nice idea. But it also requires us to be a little bit realistic and pragmatic about what we mean when we talk about alliances. UN Says Afghanistan Meeting Not About Recognizing Taliban Leadership United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres deliver remarks to reporters outside the U.N. Security Council at U.N., headquarters in New York City, on April 20, 2023. (Reuters/Mike Segar) The United Nations said Thursday that its upcoming meeting in Doha, Qatar, will not focus on the Taliban recognition but on building a unified consensus with the international community regarding Afghanistan. This came after U.N. Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed said the U.N. intended to convene a meeting with envoys from across the region to discuss the potential international recognition of the Taliban ruling. What I can say is that the Doha conference on 1 and 2 May is not focusing on recognition, and we dont want there to be any confusion about that, Farhan Haq, a deputy spokesman for U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, told reporters. The point of the discussion, which will be held in a closed private setting, is to build a more unified consensus on the challenges at hand, Haq added. He said the U.N. seeks to reinvigorate international engagement around the sort of common objectives that the international community has on Afghanistan, which has been ruled by the Taliban since August 2021 following the withdrawal of U.S. troops. No country has recognized the Taliban as Afghanistans legitimate government, and the former government of President Ashraf Ghani still holds the countrys U.N. seat. The Taliban had requested to represent Afghanistan, but the U.N. deferred its decision last December. Taliban fighters stand guard at the site of an explosion near the Interior Ministry, in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Jan. 1, 2023. (Ebrahim Noroozi/AP Photo) During an interview at the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs on April 18, Mohammed said the U.N. meeting could include talks on baby steps towards recognizing the Taliban leadership. There are some that believe this can never happen. There are others that say, well, it has to happen, she said. The Taliban clearly want recognition. And thats the leverage we have. Guterress spokesman Stephane Dujarric later clarified that Mohammed was not in any way implying that anyone else but member states have the authority for recognition of Afghanistans government. Dujarric said that Mohammed was merely reaffirming the need for a coordinated approach on Afghanistan, which includes finding common ground on the longer-term vision of the country and sending a unified message to the de facto authorities on the imperative to ensure that women have their rightful place in Afghan society. She has really been on the front lines of fighting for the inalienable rights of women and girls in Afghanistan, Dujarric told reporters. She spoke directly, face to face with Taliban leaders on this issue. Taliban Recognition Absolutely Absurd U.S. senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), the senior Senate Foreign Relations Committee member, has criticized Mohammed for her comments and rejected any discussions about recognizing the Taliban administration. The U.N. needs a wake-up call. Any talk of recognition of the Taliban is absolutely absurd. This murderous regime continues to deny women the ability to work or go to school while millions of Afghans are in dire humanitarian needs, Risch said on Twitter. Hillel Neuer, executive director at the U.N. Watch, said the U.N. granting credentials to the Taliban would result in the misogynist terrorist group inheriting Afghanistans seat on the U.N. Womens Rights Commission until 2025. No joke: U.N. Deputy Secretary-General calls for official recognition of the Taliban. Amina Mohammed: We hope we will find those baby steps to put us back on the pathway to recognition of the Taliban. A principled recognition. The Taliban clearly want recognition. https://t.co/440XVe1vaN pic.twitter.com/vuvPYLiDkk Hillel Neuer (@HillelNeuer) April 19, 2023 Earlier this month, the Taliban banned Afghan women from working with the United Nations in Afghanistan, drawing condemnation from the world body. It has also barred Afghan women from attending universities and secondary schools. U.S. Deputy Ambassador to the U.N. Robert Wood has said that the Taliban wont be a legitimate member of the international community until they respect the rights of all Afghans, especially the human rights and fundamental freedoms of women and girls. US Lawmakers Went on Bank Stock-Selling Spree Amid Banking Crisis Member of the Congressional Hispanic Conference (CHC) Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.) speaks during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 1, 2023. (Alex Wong/Getty Images) Dozens of members of Congress and their close relatives continued to sell off banking stocks amid the extreme financial turbulence in March prompted by the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), according to an analysis by Capitol Trades. Many of the selloffs came at the same time as some of the lawmakers were actively meeting with banking regulators to discuss the financial turmoil. The analysis by the platform shows that Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) sold $65,000150,000 worth of Seacoast Banking Corporation shares on March 10, the same day that SVB failed. Posting on Twitter regarding the collapse of SVB two days later, Moskowitz wrote, Very concerned we will see contagion come Monday if action isnt taken. In an interview with MSNBC shortly after, Moskowitz said he was happy to see the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the Treasury Department had stepped up to protect depositors impacted by the collapse of SVB and that it was the right decision to do so. We have to try and contain this from spreading among other banks. I am still worried about tomorrow, Monday, when the markets open, he said. There are a lot of people working behind the scenes on a bipartisan basis I got off a bipartisan briefing, and there are Democrats and Republicans in both chambers worried about this and working with the administration to try and prevent contagion, Moskowitz added. Seacoast Banking shares fell nearly 20 percent on March 13. According to the analysis, Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) also sold $1,00015,000 worth of shares of First Republic Bank on March 15, two days after its shares plunged more than 60 percent in premarket trading amid concerns it might be next to collapse. Silicon Valley Bank customers wait in line at SVB headquarters in Santa Clara, Calif., on March 13, 2023. (Noah Berger/AFP via Getty Images) Other Lawmakers Follow Suit The bank later received a $30 billion rescue deal from 11 of the largest financial institutions in the United States, staving off another failure. Elsewhere, the wife and children of Rep. Ro Khanna, (D-Calif.) sold $1,000 to $15,000 shares of First Republic Bank on March 15. According to separate financial disclosures analyzed by The Wall Street Journal, a string of other lawmakers, including Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), who also sits on the House Ways and Means Committee, and Rep. John Curtis (R-Utah), a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, reported selling up to $15,000 in stocks of First Republic Bank in the days after it was hit by the banking crisis. Curtis also sold Bank of America shares. Meanwhile, Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.), who sits on the House Ways and Means Committee, reported buying between $1,001 and $15,000 in New York Community Bancorp stock on March 17, a few days after meeting with regulators to discuss the collapse of Signature Bank, according to the publication. Both last night and this morning I have been meeting with the Federal Reserve, U.S. Department of Treasury, Governor [Kathy] Hochul, and New York State Department of Financial Services Superintendent Adrienne Harris to discuss the closure of Signature Bank, her office said in a March 13 statement posted to her official Twitter account. A subsidiary of New York Community Bancorp announced on March 19 that it would buy a large portion of the failed Signature Bank under a $2.7 billion deal with U.S. regulators. People walk by the First Republic Bank headquarters in San Francisco, Calif., on March 13, 2023. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) Senators Introduce Trading Bill In an emailed statement to The New York Times, which also reported on the stock selloffs, a spokesperson for Moskowitz said that the congressmans financial adviser has suggested the Seacoast share sales as a way to diversify his young childrens holdings. Moskowitz said the congressional briefing on the bank crisis had taken prior to his television interview and after the shares were sold. A spokesperson for Goldman told the publication that his portfolio is managed by a third party without his knowledge and that he will be establishing a blind trust to avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest. Khanna told the publication that his filings relate to trades made by a diversified trust belonging to his wife and young children and that he is not involved in it. A spokesperson for Curtis did not respond to the publications requests for comment. The Epoch Times has contacted his office for comment. Malliotakiss spokesperson told The Wall Street Journal that her financial adviser recommended she make the trade and denied having any knowledge of New York Community Bancorps plan to buy failed Signature Banks assets, while a spokeswoman for Blumenauer told the outlet that he was not aware of that trade as it was made by his wife Details regarding the lawmakers stock selloffs come shortly after Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) led 21 senators in introducing the Ending Trading and Holdings in Congressional Stocks (ETHICS) Act aimed at banning congressional members, their spouses, and children from abusing their positions for personal financial gain by owning or trading securities, commodities, or futures. Its simple: members of Congress are supposed to serve the American people, not their stock portfolios, said Brown in a statement. Elected officials have access to private information that can affect individual companies and entire industries. We need more accountability and transparency to prevent members from abusing their positions for personal gain. NorfolkLexy Rogers hopes to teach people how to make easy, soulful meals with her debut cookbook, Break Bread on a Budget: Ordinary Ingredients, Extraordinary Meals, which was released April 4. She should know since shes a private chef, Air Force wife, and mother of three living in Hampton, Virginia. Rogers grew up in Illinois about an hour from Chicago. She fell in love with cooking at the age of 11 while watching her grandmother and aunt. She didnt see them use recipes or measure anything. She noticed how happy family and friends were eating their food, though. Rogers enjoys the same creative freedom with her home cooking, which she says is influenced by the South. One of the things my grandmother taught me was to cook with confidence, said Rogers, who became a private chef in 2020. In 2021, she went on Foxs MasterChef Season 11, a cooking show hosted by the legendary chef Gordon Ramsay. Rogers spoke about how she fed her family of five on a $40-a-week budget. Her children were younger than 2 and ate less. She finished in the Top 9 of the competition. People emailed and contacted her on social media with budgeting questions. She became overwhelmed and decided to write Break Bread on a Budget. It features more than 60 kid-friendly recipes, such as Creole Mac and Cheese, Cinnamon Toast Crunch Donut, and Not Ya Mamas Chili, but it can also appeal to college students and anyone who wants to save money and eat delicious meals. The paperback also includes shopping lists, meal prep advice, and budget-stretching techniques. She keeps it simple with easy-to-find ingredients; she shops at Walmart. Rogers shared some of her tips: Purchase pasta, rice and potatoestheyre a good way to stretch a meal. Buy meat, such as chicken and ground turkey, in bulk for the week. Go shopping in the morning. Grocery stores get their shipments then and mark down old items to make room. Make a menu for Monday through Friday so everyone knows what theyre eating for lunch and dinner. Prepare different meals with the same ingredients. Make a little extra for dinner and portion it out for lunch the next day. Get creative with what you have and stop going to the store multiple times a week. For picky eaters, she recommends having kids help in the kitchen when preparing the food. If my 5-year-old son knows whats going into the dish, he feels like its his meal and hes more inclined to eat it. Never shop hungry. For the kids breakfast, Rogers makes oatmeal and sometimes pancakes or waffles with fresh or frozen fruit. Her husband is not big on the morning meal. Its not all Apron-Worthy Burgers and Mozzarella Monkey Bread; shell cook frozen chicken nuggets for her kids, sometimes. Snacks, such as Fruit Roll-Ups, eat up a huge part of her budget. She said she doesnt have the time nor the patience to make them herself. In a pinch, Rogers go-to meal is a one-pot chicken thighs recipe (in the book). It includes seasoned chicken, potatoes, and peppers. She cooks it in a pot on the stove for about 30 minutes and serves it with rice. My kids love it and it goes really far, Rogers said. She admits its been difficult to stay with a $40 price point with higher food costsand her children are older and eat more. Her budget is about $80 a week now. Rogers had a baby a day prior to our phone conversationcan someone say party of six? She adds: Be creative, have a good balance and give yourself grace. Details about Lexy Rogers, cheflexyrogers.com Hot Honey Sauteed Chicken Prep time: 5 minutes | Cook time: 20 minutes Serves: 3 Ingredients 4 cups water 2 cups rice 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon pepper 4 tablespoons butter (divided) 2 pounds of chicken tenders 2 tablespoons cornstarch 1 teaspoon chili powder 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes 1 tablespoon minced garlic 1/4 cup honey 3 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons white or red wine vinegar Sesame seeds for garnish (optional) Fresh chopped chives for garnish (optional) Directions 1. Bring water and rice to a boil in a saucepan over high heat. 2. Once boiling, reduce heat to low, add salt, pepper and one tablespoon of butter. 3. Cover and cook for 15 to 20 minutes or until water is absorbed and rice is fluffy when forked. 4. While rice is cooking, coat chicken in cornstarch. 5. Combine chili powder, red pepper flakes, garlic, honey, soy sauce and vinegar in a small bowl and place to the side. 6. Melt remaining butter in a skillet over medium to high heat and place chicken in the pan. 7. Cook for 3 minutes on one side, or until browned, and flip. 8. Pour sauce into the pan and continue to cook for another 3 to 4 minutes on medium to low or until the chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. 9. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and chives, if using. 10. Serve with rice. Budget tip: Freshen your leftovers by adding your cold, dried-out rice to a skillet with a few tablespoons of canola oil. Fry and add one to two tablespoons of soy sauce to make fried rice. Break Bread on a Budget, by Lexy Rogers. (Simon & Schuster/TNS) Copyright 2023 The Virginian-Pilot. Visit pilotonline.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Washington Legislature Passes Semi-Automatic Rifle Ban Another gun control restriction has been passed by Washington state legislatures, implementing a ban on dozens of models of semi-automatic rifles on Wednesday. Democrat Gov. Jay Inslee is expected to sign the bill (HB 1240) into law and posted his reaction to this latest effort to stop the growing list of mass shootings in the United States. WA does not and will not accept gun violence as normal. Banning the sale of assault weapons, our bill to enact training requirements and a waiting period, and the bill to improve the accountability of manufacturers and retailers will save lives, the governor posted on Twitter in response to the bills approval. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee speaks during the Presidential Gun Sense Forum in Des Moines, Iowa, on Aug. 10, 2019. (Scott Morgan/Reuters) The Washington law would block the sale, distribution, manufacture, and importation of more than 50 gun models, including AR-15s, AK-47s, and similar-style rifles. Some exemptions are included for sales to law enforcement agencies and the military in Washington. The measure does not bar the possession of weapons by people who already have them. Republican state lawmakers opposed the ban, with some contending school shootings should be addressed by remodeling buildings to make them less appealing as targets and others saying it infringes on peoples right to defend themselves. HB 1240 clearly violates our state and federal constitutions, which is why it will end up in court immediately, state Sen. Lynda Wilson of Vancouver said in a statement. President Joe Biden called for stronger gun control laws during a visit to Monterey Park, California, in March, where he met the families of the mass shooting that claimed 11 lives and injured nine others in January 2023. Im here on behalf of the American people, to mourn with you, to pray with you. To let you know youre loved and not alone. Every case is different. But I know what its like. I know what thats like to get that call, Biden said in his speech. Requirements should be enforced more effectively before an individual can buy a firearm. Its just common sense to check whether someone is a felon, a domestic abuser before they buy a gun, Biden added. Gun manufacturing CEOs Marty Daniel of Daniel Defense and Christopher Killoy of Sturm, Ruger & Co. both testified last year before Congress and denied any responsibility in connection to Americas mass shootings over the decade. I believe that these murders are a local problem that has to be solved locally, Daniel said in a statement. These acts are committed by murderers. The murderers are responsible. Killoy, the CEO of the largest manufacturer of rifles in the United States, said blaming an inanimate object for deaths caused by murderers isnt accurate. We firmly believe that it is wrong to deprive citizens of their constitutional right to purchase a lawful firearm they desire because of the criminal acts of wicked people, Killoy said in a statement. A firearm, any firearm, can be used for good or for evil. The difference is in the intent of the individual possessing it, which we respectfully submit, should be the focus of any investigation into the root causes of criminal violence involving firearms. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott believes raising the minimum age to buy assault-style rifles from 18 to 21 years old wouldnt help solve the murder problem and would be unconstitutional. It is clear that the gun control law that they are seeking in Uvaldeas much as they may want ithas already been ruled as unconstitutional, Abbott said in a statement during his reelection campaign last year. California is one of the strictest states when it comes to gun control laws as Gov. Gavin Newsom continues to push for tighter reforms leading the nation. From our schools to our parks to our homes, our kids deserve to be safein California, were making that a reality. As the Supreme Court rolls back important gun safety protections and states across the country treat gun violence as inevitable, California is doubling down on commonsense gun safety measures that save lives, Newsom said in a statement. The lives of our kids are at stake, and were putting everything on the table to respond to this crisis. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Why Colorado is Topping the Charts in Violent Crime Rep. Gabe Evans isnt a career politician. Before being elected to his first term as a Colorado State representative on Nov. 8, 2022, Evans served 12 years in the U.S. Army and Colorado Army National Guard, and 10 years as an Arvada, Colorado, police officer, sergeant, and lieutenant. As such, Evans has extensive experience in law enforcement and combating crime. When he was asked about a March report from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) that found that among the 22 most populous states, Colorado was number one for violent crime and whats led to the increase, Evans was quick to answer. In 2012, 2013, 2014, what we really started to see was this push to either reduce penalties or to completely decriminalize a whole bunch of differentand Ill call them addictive substances because, to me, thats the important part of thisbut Im talking drugs, Evans told The Epoch Times. Its the addiction power of drugs that I think kind of laid part of the foundation for where were at. Theres a lot of [legislation] weve [passed] to reduce penalties on meth, on cocaine, on heroin, on fentanyl. We just legalized, via a popular referendum, psilocybin this last election. And the unfortunate side effect of all that is there is still a massive international presence dedicated to the drug trade. You know, youve got huge cartels in Mexico that the Mexican government has trouble controlling. Boxes carrying a total of more than 3,100 pounds of illicit drugs seized at the southwest border in San Diego, California, on Oct. 9, 2020. (US Customs and Border Protection) Evans said the push to reduce drug penalties encouraged cartels to set up shop in Colorado, as did the push to make it harder to enforce existing laws. What happens is, inadvertently or not, [these policies] attract a huge criminal presence from the people who make a living distributing and trafficking this stuff, Evans said. That, Evans added, led to an increase in other crimes, like vehicle theft and robberies, to fuel drug habits. Still, lax drug laws arent entirely responsible for Colorados escalating crime. The other factor, Evans explained, is whats happening to officers. You dont usually see a lot of attrition in law enforcement in the 5-to-15-year range, Evan said. When Senate Bill 20-217 kicked in, most of the attrition occurred in that 5-to-15-year range. Among other provisions, SB 217 requires all local law enforcement to wear body-worn camerasexcept in undercover, and certain situationsupdating reporting requirements, and updated penalties for unlawful use of force. It also limits how officers can respond to a protest or demonstration, and allows for civil action suits against officers. I mean, look at me. I was 10 years into my career. I was the youngest lieutenant in recent history at Arvada. I was making a solid six figures, and I walked away from that career, in which I was on a trajectory to be a chief or a sheriff in a few more years if I wanted to be competitive. And I walked away from it. And there are, from my agency alonemy agency is less than 200 copsfrom my agency alone, I can tell you dozens of similar stories of solid cops, solid detectives, solid sergeants with 5-to-15 years of experience that said, Im out. I cannot work in this toxic environment. That goes back to Senate Bill 217. Escalating Crime The DOJ March report analyzed data from the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) from 20172019 and found 45 violent victimizations per 1,000 persons age 12 or older in Colorado. Violent victimization includes sexual assault or rape, robbery, and aggravated and simple assault. The NCVS is considered the nations primary source for data on criminal victimization because it includes crimes reported and not reported to the police. The March report is the first time the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) has released the NCVSs victimization data. Moreover, while the report covers 20172019, the most recent data shows Colorado crimes have escalated. The Common Sense Institute reports that in 2022, crimes increased in seven major categoriesarson, prostitution/pandering, robbery, motor vehicle theft, buying stolen property, vandalism, and drug possession/sales. In fact, for drug trafficking, the Colorado State Patrol reports that Colorado is in the middle of a 10-year drug trafficking record. A suitcase full of bags of fentanyl pills seized by DEA Los Angeles. (Courtesy of DEA Los Angeles) In the first five months of 2022, Colorado law enforcement seized more fentanyl than it did for all of 2021enough to kill 93 million people. The report states, Concurrent with Colorados rising crime rates, since the start of the pandemic, incarceration in Department of Corrections facilities dropped by 15.5 percent, the number of offenders on parole by 14.1 percent, and the number of offenders on probation by 14.4 percent. A rise in crime should catalyze a corresponding rise in arrests, convictions, and incarceration for the sake of public safety and justice for victims. The reason escalating crime hasnt resulted in a corresponding rise in law enforcement is because of changing laws. Legislations Impact The vast majority of our general assembly is pushing bills that lower penalties for crimes and otherwise find ways of turning the criminals into victims in Colorado, Colorado State Republican Rep. Ryan Armagost told The Epoch Times. Like Evans, Armagost served in the military and was in law enforcement for 10 years. The bills that [Republicans] push forward that would raise penalties for auto thefts and things like that are being killed before they even get to the floor, Armagost said. And then bills that are otherwise helping to find alternative means for those who offendother than going through the correctional systemis kind of the means that the Democrats have been pushing. So, weve been seeing a lot more of the alternative sentencing and alternative means for detention. Armagost noted that people are showing up to support the Democrats bills lowering penalties, while also showing up to protest the Republicans bills looking to stiffen penalties. But he pointed out that theres a distinct criminal thread. The rallying and support for [the Democrats bills] have been [from] the people who have offended and the people who are going to have a criminal record. They are coming out and speaking in support of these bills that [Democrats are] pushing. It is the same group that comes out to oppose the bills that the Republican side is pushing to stiffen penalties and stiffen sensors and corrections, correctional facilities, and stuff like that, he said. Evans, in agreement with Armagost, added, You know, when certain narcotics are either legalized or penalties reduced, we see people come inand when I say people, Im talking cartels, organized crime, drug traffickers, things like thatthey come in with the billions of dollars at their disposal and set up shop. Thats one of the things that drives our No. 1-in-the-nation auto theft rate. Thats one of the things that helps drive our violent crime rate up. Police investigate the scene after a shooting in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Oct. 31, 2015. (Christian Murdock/The Gazette via AP) I remember a particular case that we had shortly after a particular drug was legalized, where there was a daytime burglary, and this mid-70s gentleman homeowner was assaulted and thrown down the stairs in his own home by somebody who had just gotten off of probation for drugs and assault in Texas that came to Colorado. He told me after I Mirandized him, he told me to my face, The reason I came to Colorado is because I like your drug laws.' Former Colorado State Rep. Dave Williams, who now serves as the Colorado GOP chair, concurred. Colorado has certainly been at the forefront of legalizing drugs, and this all started back when Colorado legalized marijuana in 2012, Williams told The Epoch Times. We were one of the few states that actually legalized recreational marijuana. And that brought in a huge influx of folks wanting to partake in and get involved in marijuana. And that sort of kick-started it all. You had transients or homeless individuals, people with mental health conditions, that just came and started out panhandling. But then they started to engage in other types of crime, like burglary, armed robbery, or things of that nature to obtain resources to get marijuana. Its only gotten worse from there as time has gone on. Williams added, Democrats are absolutely incentivizing crime. For whatever reason, they care more about criminals that mean us harm or harm to themselves. And theyre more interested in letting criminals run loose on the streets than enforcing the law and making sure that hardworking taxpayers can conduct their affairs safely in a safe environment. Still, lax drug laws and laws that incentive crime are only part of the problem. Demonizing Police Law enforcement in Colorado is facing a historic recruiting, retention, and morale crisis, Evans said. Nobody wants to be a cop. The cops that were cops are fleeing the profession in droves. And thats the second prong of this kind of two-pronged issue thats driving crime up in Colorado. Specifically, according to Evans, one of the policies that broke the back of law enforcement was the passage of SB 217. Evans explained that after the police custody death of George Floyd on May 31, 2020, Denver experienced massive riotsthe third most violent in the nationand lawmakers, hoping to quell the fury, passed SB 217, the Enhanced Law Enforcement Integrity Act. It was signed into law on June 19, 2020, having passed through the general assembly and into law in 16 days. According to Evans, two parts of SB 217 are particularly demoralizing to law enforcement. The first was the requirement that every encounter be extensively documented, adding significant paperwork to an already demanding job, and the second was a body camera requirement. The insidious part of how Senate Bill 217 implemented body cams was that it basically put a guilty-until-proven-innocent mandate in there which said that if something is not captured on law enforcement body cameraand whatever that was that was not captured is challenged in courtthe courts are allowed to assume misconduct on the part of the officer, and its up to the cop to prove that they didnt behave in an inappropriate manner, Evans explained. Police officers walk through a cloud of tear gas as they try to disperse people protesting against the death of George Floyd in front of the Colorado State Capitol, in Denver, Colo., on May 30, 2020, amid nationwide protests and riots. (Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images) Evans said that when he was an officer, he loved his body cam, but added that there are numerous reasons why it might not capture footage. If somebody makes an allegation against you, and the body cam didnt capture itthe battery died, you forgot to turn it on, you know, whateverthere are 101 reasons why the good well-meaning cop whos doing the right thing, the body cam might not be ready. [Then] the courts are allowed to impugn and basically assume misconduct on behalf of the officer. Now its on you to prove that misconduct did not occur. So, every time cops are putting on their body camera, its a visible reminder to them that, look, the state of Colorado thinks that youre actually the bad guy and youre the one thats out here terrorizing and causing problems in the community. Armagost agreed with Evans, adding that most of the anti-law enforcement legislation originates in California, and is then adopted by the Colorado General Assembly. Watching whats going on nationally, pretty much youll notice that whatever is passing legislation in California, becomes a proposed bill the next year in Colorado, said Armagost. The anti-law enforcement sentiment is definitely one of those. They keep finding bills that are working in California and trying them here to further tie the hands of law enforcement and their ability to do their job. A police vehicle is seen in front of the Boulder High School after police responded to an unconfirmed report of an active shooter in Boulder, Colo., on Feb. 22, 2023. (Kevin Mohatt/Reuters) Armagost added that in Denver, school resource officers were removed from almost all the schools, which he said led to an uptick in incidences within our schools. We just had a shooting a couple of weeks ago in a Denver school. Armagost said that currently, Republicans have one of the smallest Caucuses theyve ever had in the General Assembly, and Democrats have used that to attack police officers. [Democrats] made the law enforcement career the most toxic career to be in by basically giving everyone the right to be as belligerent and disrespectful to law enforcement as possible, and get away with it. You have law enforcement officers leaving early, not even finishing to retirement, at rates that weve never seen before. So, I mean, the retention in law enforcement agencies is very, very slim. Its very disturbing. Nobody wants to be a cop. Nobody really wants to be subjected to that kind of abuse on a daily basis anymore. Reversing Rising Crime To reverse flagging retention and recruitment rates in law enforcement, and also reverse escalating violent crime in Colorado, Armagost said, We need to evaluate, I think as a whole, and hopefully convince our democratic counterparts that we need to focus more on taking care of our protectors, not on taking care of criminals. Evans concurred, Im always up for criminal justice reform, but not if its making cops out to be the bad guys. We have to support law enforcement. And you know, I was a lieutenant. Im very familiar with vicarious liability, all the bad stuff that happens when we got cops doing bad things, so Im all for more training. Im all for more education. But we have to make it an environment in which people actually want to join this career and dedicate a significant chunk of their life to it. Because thats the only option that we got. We have to be able to fix that recruiting and retention problem. John Garrod, of Arvada, stands holding a blue line flag at the beginning of a line of about 30 police cars lined up for a procession in honor of the officer who was fatally shot in Arvada, Colo., on June 21, 2021. (Colleen Slevin/AP Photo) Specifically, to reduce rising violent crime, Evans added, We need to have a nice balance of carrot and stick. If you harm your fellow human beings, youre gonna be caught, youre gonna be held accountable for it. Thats the stick. But we also have to have the carrot, of look, we need to increase our mental health, behavioral health, substance abuse, we need to increase the focus on those programs to help those individuals that do want to be productive citizens actually have a productive life. If you want a hand-up, we extend you an open hand of assistance. But if you continue to want to victimize your community, you will be met with a closed fist. The Epoch Times requests for comment from Democratic lawmakers in Colorado were not returned by the time of publication. Yellen Says US-China Relations at a Tense Moment, Seeks Constructive Solutions Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen delivers remarks at Johns Hopkins Universitys School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) in Washington on April 20, 2023. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) In a speech delivered at a global economic forum, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen described the current state of U.S.-China relations as being at a tense moment and emphasized the need for a productive approach towards bolstering economic ties with China. Yellen acknowledged the ongoing tensions between the two economic giants but expressed optimism for a positive resolution. Her speech, which comes amid heightened trade disputes and geopolitical tensions between the United States and China, underscored the importance of fostering better relations between the two nations. She called for dialogue and cooperation to address the challenges and conflicts that have arisen in recent years, particularly in the economic sphere. Our relationship is clearly at a tense moment, the secretary said. My goal is to be clear and honest, to cut through the noise and speak to this essential relationship based on sober realities. Yellen emphasized the importance of addressing critical issues such as intellectual property protection, market access, and technology transfer, which have been points of contention in U.S.-China trade negotiations. She noted that while progress has been made, there is still work to be done to ensure a mutually beneficial economic relationship that promotes global economic stability and prosperity. We must address the real and serious differences that exist, Yellen said. We are deeply integrated with one another. Overall trade between our countries reached over $700 billion in 2021. While nominal trade is robust between the two nations, the goods deficit is rather one-sided. In 2022, the annual goods-trade deficit increased by 8 percent to $382.9 billion, the second largest on record. Many have pointed to the widening deficit as a point of vulnerability in the U.S. economy as the country becomes ever more reliant on foreign goods. Human Rights Concerns The secretary specifically called out human rights abuses against Muslims living in the Xinjiang region, where many have accused the Chinese regime of unlawfully detaining Uyghurs in forced labor camps. The United States has really serious concerns about the PRC governments abuses in Xinjiang, she said. Weve imposed sanctions on the PRC, regional officials, and companies for a range of human rights abuses, from torture to arbitrary detentions. Her speech comes at a critical juncture in U.S.-China relations, with both countries navigating complex geopolitical and economic dynamics. While acknowledging the challenges, Yellen expressed optimism that a solution could be reached through dialogue and cooperation. We believe that by working together in a cooperative and constructive manner, we can find solutions to the challenges we face, Yellen said. We are committed to engaging with China in a manner that is fair, respectful, and beneficial to both countries and the global economy. Concord Medical Services Holdings (NYSE:CCM) Full Year 2022 Results Key Financial Results Revenue: CN472.1m (down 2.8% from FY 2021). Net loss: CN489.7m (loss narrowed by 40% from FY 2021). CN5.61 loss per share (improved from CN18.79 loss in FY 2021). All figures shown in the chart above are for the trailing 12 month (TTM) period Concord Medical Services Holdings shares are up 18% from a week ago. Risk Analysis What about risks? Every company has them, and we've spotted 4 warning signs for Concord Medical Services Holdings (of which 3 are a bit unpleasant!) you should know about. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. 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 Assam, Arunachal Pradesh sign pact to resolve decades-old border disputes NEW DELHI, THE Assam and the Arunachal Pradesh Governments on Thursday signed an agreement in presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah here to resolve their decades -old border disputes. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and his Arunachal Pradesh counterpart Pema Khandu signed the agreement. Assam and Arunachal Pradesh share an 804.1-km-long border. The two States have been in discussions to resolve the border dispute with Sarma and Khandu signing the Namsai Declaration on July 15 last year wherein they had pledged to find a solution soon. Officials said the two States decided to resolve the dispute in 123 villages. BJPs visibility assumes low on ground ahead of state assembly election By E V Murli With only six months left for the state assembly election, the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is facing concerns over its visibility on the ground. In the 2018 election, the BJP suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of the Congress after 15 years of rule in State. Despite changing its state unit President and the Leader of Opposition in the assembly, the BJP has not been able to recover from its debacle. The lack of visibility of the BJPs activism on the ground has led people to wonder what the party is up to. While some of the BJP leaders have been vocal in their criticism of the ruling party, they remain silent on important issues, leaving people to question their commitment. Political analysts have pointed out that the party cannot afford to wait until the last minute to activate its cadres, as energised cadres are crucial for winning elections. In contrast, the Congress appears to be making a comeback, with the party machinery working hard to promote its message. However, there is a feeling that the Congress is likely to suffer from anti-incumbency and resentment among its own cadres and leaders. Senior party leaders are unhappy with a group who have been close to the ruling dispensation, and the raids by central investigating agencies have made people more aware of corrupt officials and the government's delayed action against them. The BJP has not been able to take advantage of the situation arising from the investigations due to its lack of a clear approach. The Congress, on the other hand, has succeeded in blaming the central government for political victimisation and a vindictive approach. If the BJP wants to give a tough fight to the Congress in the upcoming election, it needs to change some of its candidates who were defeated in the previous election. The ire of the people was on the BJP leaders who had become arrogant and unresponsive to the voters. The party needs to ensure that its cadres are energised and working for the party candidate, as was the case with the Congress workers and people in the 2018 election. The BJPs visibility on the ground ahead of the state assembly election is a cause for concern. The party needs to take proactive steps to activate its cadres and change its approach to win over voters. On the other hand, the Congress is facing its own set of challenges, including anti-incumbency and resentment among its own leaders. It remains to be seen which party will emerge victorious. Five Army soldiers killed in terrorist attack in Poonch JAMMU/NEW DELHI, FIVE Army personnel were killed and another was seriously injured on Thursday after their vehicle caught fire following a terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmirs Poonch, officials said. The deceased Army soldiers were from a Rashtriya Rifles unit deployed for counterterror operations, the Army said in a statement. Army chief General Manoj Pande has briefed Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on the incident. The Army said the vehicle the soldiers were travelling in came under fire from unidentified terrorists and it caught fire because of likely use of grenades. Today, at approximately 1500 hours, one Army vehicle, moving between Bhimber Gali and Poonch in the Rajouri sector was fired on by unidentified terrorists, taking advantage of heavy rains and low visibility in the area, the Army said. The vehicle caught fire, due to likely use of grenades by terrorists, it said. Five personnel of the Rashtriya Rifles Unit deployed for counterterrorist operations, in area have unfortunately lost their lives in the incident, it said. Guj court acquits all 67 accusedin 2002 Naroda Gam riots case AHMEDABAD : MORE than two decades after 11 Muslim community members were killed in the postGodhra riots in Ahmedabads Naroda Gam, a special court here on Thursday acquitted all the 67 accused in the case, including former Gujarat Minister Maya Kodnani and ex-Bajrang Dal leader Babu Bajrangi. The Ahmedabad-based court of S K Baxi, special judge for Special Investigation Team (SIT) cases, acquitted all the accused in one of the worst massacres witnessed during the Statewide riots triggered by the S a b a r m a t i train carnage on February 27, 2002. T h o s e a c q u i t t e d include former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Minister in the Gujarat Government Kodnani (67), former VHP leader Jaydeep Patel and exBajrang Dal leader Babu Bajrangi. There were a total of 86 accused in the case, of which 18 died during the pendency of the trial, while one was discharged by the court. A d v o c a t e S h a h s h a d Pathan, who represented the victims, said the acquittal order will be challenged in the Gujarat High Court. India attaches very special importance to SCO, says Shah NEW DELHI, INDIA attaches very special importance to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in promoting dialogue on multi-dimensional political, security and economic subjects, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Thursday. He said this while chairing a meeting of Heads of Departments of SCO member States responsible for Prevention and Elimination of Emergency Situations in New Delhi. He said, Indias priority as the chair of the SCO is to take forward the SECURE theme articulated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Qingdao Summit of the grouping in 2018. SECURE stands S - Security, E - Economic Cooperation, C - Connectivity, U - Unity, R - Respect For Sovereignty and Integrity and E - Environment Protection. Under the leadership of Modi, India attaches special importance to the SCO in promoting dialogue on the subject relating to multi-dimensional political, security and economic subjects, an official statement said. Shah said, India attaches special importance to disaster risk reduction and is ready to share its expertise and experience in this field for greater cooperation and mutual trust among SCO member States. He said, India believes that no hazard is small or big and it does not leave anyone behind. Shah said, India now has more accurate and timely early warning system in place and the country has seen a sea change in early warning systems. Ladli Bahna is not just a scheme but a social revolution: Chouhan Staff Reporter On Thursday, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that a grand campaign to change the lives of sisters is going on in Madhya Pradesh. The Government has now formed Ladli Bahana Yojana, in which poor and lower middle class women will get Rs 1,000 per month. He said that Ladli Bahana is not just a scheme but a social revolution. My sisters will no longer have to reach out to anyone to fulfill their minor needs. This is a gift from a brother to his sisters, which they will receive throughout the year, not just on Raksha Bandhan. Chouhan attended Mukhya Mantri Ladli Bahna Mahasammelan at Keolari in Seoni district on Thursday. The Chief Minister dedicated and laid the foundation stone of various development works worth Rs 129 crore. Along with this, the pattas (leases) of the Mukhya Mantri Awasiya Bhu-Adhikar Yojana were distributed to the beneficiaries. Benefits in other schemes were also distributed to the beneficiaries. He said that my sisters are giving their immense support to the ongoing campaign for women empowerment in Madhya Pradesh. Even today the tent proved too small to accommodate them. I am deeply grateful to my sisters for their love, affection and support. Brother-sister relationship is a wonderful relationship. I have taken a vow that I will not let tears come in the eyes of my sisters. Today, I have come to tell you my feelings, not to give a speech. He said that there was a lot of respect and honour for women in ancient India. It reduced in the middle ages and discrimination and injustice started being done to the daughters. I have been witnessing discrimination against daughters since childhood. Thats why I took a vow that I will end this discrimination and injustice. I am working continuously to fulfill it. He said that Ladli Laxmi Yojana was first formulated in the state and at the time of their birth, daughters were given savings certificates worth Rs 30,000. In this, from time to time, they get funds for studies and on completion of 21 years of age, they get one lakh rupees in lump sum. Today, there are more than 44 lakh Ladli Laxmis in Madhya Pradesh. People bear the brunt as JMC turns blind eye towards illegal posters, banners Staff Reporter The city is now-a-days facing a serious problem of illegal posters and banners being erected on road dividers, which are posing a threat of road accidents. Despite being aware of the issue, Jabalpur Municipal Corporation (JMC) has remained silent and is neglecting its responsibility to deal strictly with those who ruining the beauty of public properties and playing with the life of citizens. The unconcerned attitude of the civic body is giving political parties and other organizations a free hand to tarnish the beauty of the city by putting up giant banners and posters on rotary of main squares, road dividers and electricity polls. These illegal posters and banners are not only creating inconvenience to the citizens but also causing road accidents. Shivraj Singh Chouhan, V D Sharma among star campaigners for Karnataka polls By Bhavana Aparajita Shukla As the Karnataka Assembly elections date is nearing, the Bharatiya Janata Party is gearing up by bringing some of its highest-ranked leaders to campaign. Two senior leaders from Madhya Pradesh, BJP Unit head and Member of Parliament, Vishnu Datt Sharma and Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will campaign in Karnataka for the organisation. The (BJP) has released a list of star campaigners, which includes names of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and others for Karnataka Assembly Elections. 2023. Talking to The Hitavada, the media incharge of State, told that BJP State head will be in Karnataka for two days where he will campaign in support of party candidate on April 25 and 26. He will campaign for Malleshwaram seat. A letter in this regard had been sent by the BJP to the Election Commission of India. In addition to this, Shivraj Singh Chouhan is also in the list of chief ministers in BJP-ruled states and Union ministers. The Karnataka current Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanth, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis too are on the list of star campaigners. Voting for the 224-member Karnataka Assembly will take place on May 10, and the results will be declared on May 13. Malleshwaram is an Assembly constituency in Karnataka. Solar Industries indigenous loiter munition for Army Business Bureau After successfully demonstrating the world class loitering munition, the city-based Solar Industries India Limited (SIL) bagged its supply order from the Indian Army in the face of competition from international players as well as domestic ones. Considering its strategic significance in the current scenario, the Indian Army placed the supply of the first indigenous loiter munition named Nagastra1 under emergency procurement system. The sophisticated weapon, also displayed in the Army Commanders Conference being held in New Delhi, has been designed and developed by Economics Explosives Ltd (EEL), a 100 per cent subsidiary of Solar Industries Nagpur, in association with Z-Motion, Bangalore. Rear Admiral Sanjay Misra (Retd), President (Business Development) Solar Industries India Limited, confirmed the development saying that Nagastra -1 has many world class features. It can neutralise any hostility or threat with GPS-enabled precision strike with an accuracy of 2 metres. The fixed wing electric unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has an endurance of 60 min with a man-in-loop range of 15 km and autonomous mode range of 30 km, he added. Besides day-night surveillance cameras, the loiter munition is equipped with fragmenting warhead to defeat soft-skin targets. In case a target is not detected, or the mission is aborted, the loiter munition can be called back and make a soft landing with a parachute recovery mechanism enabling it to be reused multiple times. Abort, recover and reuse features of the loiter munition make this system superior to similar class of systems developed by advanced countries. Drone technology has proved to be a force multiplier in military operations as evident from its application in various recent conflicts across the world, especially Armenia - Azerbaijan, Syria, strikes on oilfields in Saudi Arabia and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Even in Indian context, the recent incidents along the borders have seen a noticeable increase in drone related incidents along the northern borders. Solar Industries has taken the initiative to develop a wide array of weaponised drones to neutralise various targets using gravity drop bombs, guided missiles or using them in a Kamikaze mode. In Kamikaze mode, pilots performed suicidal missions by crashing their aircraft loaded with explosives. The growing participation of private industries in manufacture of armament and ammunition is a major boost in the Aatma Nirbharta of armed forces. Development and manufacture of such a world class weapons by private industry for the first time is a big achievement for the country. Surat court rejects Rahuls plea forstay on conviction in defamation case SURAT/NEW DELHI : A SURAT court on Thursday rejected Rahul Gandhis plea for a stay on his conviction in a criminal defamation case over his Modi surname remark, holding that the Congress leader should have beenmore careful with his words since he was a Member of Parliament and the then President of the countrys second largest political party. Denying the disqualified MP relief that could have paved the way for his reinstatement in the Lok Sabha, additional sessions judge R P Mogera observed that a high standard of morality is expected from a person like Gandhi, adding that the trial court had imposed a sentence which was permissible in law. It also observed that the Congress leaders removal or disqualification as MP under section 8(3) of Representation of the People Act, 1951 cannot be termed as irreversible or irreparable loss or damage. Gandhi, who will continue to remain out on bail, stood disqualified from contesting Lok Sabha and Assembly elections for a period of eight years unless a higher court stays his conviction. Dismissing Gandhis application against the Surat trial court order on March 23, the sessions court said the power accorded under Section 389 (1) of the CrPC to suspend/stay the conviction is required to be exercised with caution and circumspection as observed by the Supreme Court in a number of pronouncements. If such poweris exercised in a casual and mechanical manner, the same would have serious impact on the publicperceptiononthejusticedeliverysystems and such order will shake public confidence in judiciary, the court said inits27-pageorderthattriggeredafresh slugfest between the Congress and the BJP ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The Congress termed as erroneous andunsustainable thecourt orderand said the judge seems to be over-shadowed by the high office of the Prime Minister. Congress senior spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said they would be moving the High Court very shortly as the judgement is fallacious and is contrary to all basic elementary principles of law. Sources said that Singhvi, himself a noted lawyer, is likely to appear before the Gujarat High Court. There isalegal error in the judgement.Werespectall courtsandwehave the HighCourt and SupremeCourt.We have several grounds to challenge the judgement.WewillmovetheHighCourt in the very near future, Singhvi told reporters in Delhi. The BJP hailed the court order as a victory of the judiciary and the people. Hitting out at the Congress, BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra said the courts decision is a blow to the arrogance of the Gandhi family, especially Rahul Gandhi. Itsaslap on Gandhi familys arrogance...Gandhifamilyhadthoughtthat they can get away after abusing backward classes. But that did not happen, Patra claimed. The courts decision proves that law is equal for everyone, he said. This week we saw the Concord Medical Services Holdings Limited (NYSE:CCM) share price climb by 18%. But don't envy holders -- looking back over 5 years the returns have been really bad. In that time the share price has delivered a rude shock to holders, who find themselves down 67% after a long stretch. So is the recent increase sufficient to restore confidence in the stock? Not yet. Of course, this could be the start of a turnaround. While the last five years has been tough for Concord Medical Services Holdings shareholders, this past week has shown signs of promise. So let's look at the longer term fundamentals and see if they've been the driver of the negative returns. View our latest analysis for Concord Medical Services Holdings Given that Concord Medical Services Holdings didn't make a profit in the last twelve months, we'll focus on revenue growth to form a quick view of its business development. Generally speaking, companies without profits are expected to grow revenue every year, and at a good clip. Some companies are willing to postpone profitability to grow revenue faster, but in that case one does expect good top-line growth. In the last half decade, Concord Medical Services Holdings saw its revenue increase by 18% per year. That's better than most loss-making companies. In contrast, the share price is has averaged a loss of 11% per year - that's quite disappointing. This could mean high expectations have been tempered, potentially because investors are looking to the bottom line. If you think the company can keep up its revenue growth, you'd have to consider the possibility that there's an opportunity here. You can see below how earnings and revenue have changed over time (discover the exact values by clicking on the image). This free interactive report on Concord Medical Services Holdings' balance sheet strength is a great place to start, if you want to investigate the stock further. Story continues A Different Perspective We regret to report that Concord Medical Services Holdings shareholders are down 25% for the year. Unfortunately, that's worse than the broader market decline of 6.2%. 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. 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. Like risks, for instance. Every company has them, and we've spotted 4 warning signs for Concord Medical Services Holdings (of which 3 make us uncomfortable!) 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 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 American exchanges. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here UP Police recreate crime scene of Atiq, Ashraf killing PRAYAGRAJ, UP POLICE on Thursday recreated the crime scene outside the hospital in Prayagraj where gangster-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf were shot dead by three men on live television. Members of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) and the forensic team visited the area outside Colvin Hospital to understand the sequence of events leading to the killing of Ahmad and his brother on the night of April 15. The policemen who were escorting Ahmad and Ashraf during the shootout were also called to the spot. The three shooters were not brought to the crime scene. A heavy police deployment was made as the officials recreated the sequence of events beginning from Ahmad and Ashraf getting down from the police jeep until the firing by the three men who posed as mediapersons. ADG Bhanu Bhaskar, Police Commissioner Ramit Sharma and Joint Commissioner of Police Akash Kulhari were present when the scene was being recreated. Police said, recreating the crime scene is likely to provide clues in the investigation and on the basis of them the accused can be interrogated. Atiq Ahmad gang member arrested: AN alleged member of the Atiq Ahmad gang, carrying a reward of Rs 50,000, has been arrested, police said. Asad Kalia, a resident of New Chakia, was arrested by the Kareli police on Wednesday. NORWALK The city's first recreational cannabis dispensary, Fine Fettle, received approval from the Planning & Zoning Commission to begin operating in Norwalk. The vote, which was unanimous with one member abstaining at Wednesday's meeting, means Fine Fettle can add a Norwalk location to its portfolio of four other locations around Connecticut, including in Stamford. It wasn't immediately clear when the dispensary, planned for 191 Main St., will open. The company will look to hire Norwalk residents to work at the dispensary, Ben Zachs, chief operating officer for Fine Fettle, said during the meeting. "Everywhere we are, we recruit locally," Zachs said. "Our goal is to recruit 50 percent within areas of disproportionate impact areas, which are the areas that were most affected by the war on drugs. And to have a minority and LGBT hiring of above 50 percent. And we've been able to do that across our locations, and then to also focus our hiring locally." The company proposed an 800-square-foot addition to the existing property, which was approved by the commission. Operating procedures for the dispensary have been approved by the state Department of Consumer Protection, officials said. During the meeting, Zachs and local officials answered questions from Norwalk residents and committee members about the proposed cannabis dispensary. Consumption will not be allowed on the property not even in the parking lot, Zachs said. The company hasn't had many issues at other locations where employees have had to refuse service to a customer, he said. "This is not a consumption lounge," he said. "It will not be a consumption lounge. Those aren't allowed in the state of Connecticut. We have no plans of making that available in any future where it would be. And so it's clearly against the law and against our policies." The new dispensary will have a retail area, a check-in area and an area for employees, according to plans presented to the commission. Zachs and Adam Blank, a lawyer speaking on behalf of the company at the meeting, said they weren't concerned that there would be an increase to traffic because of the dispensary. About 80 percent of Fine Fettle customers order online and pickup at stores, Zachs said. Most customers take less than five minutes in the store at a time, he said. But some commission members expressed concerns with the project, even as it was approved. "I am very pleased that the use of marijuana has been decriminalized," commission member Louis Schulman said. "Sorry that it wasn't done many, many years ago, because it's destroyed so many lives. Nonetheless, on the one hand this is not necessarily a business that I personally would support. On the other hand, we passed a regulation that permits it. So, frankly, I don't feel I have any choice, so I'm going to vote yes." The commission also has a proposal from Shangri-La Dispensaries for another cannabis dispensary on its next agenda. He said his 2-year-old daughter has transformed his family and puts a smile on everyone's face no matter where she goes. "She's changed everyone's lives, including my son's," the girl's father said, declining to provide his name due to the circumstances of her birth. "He's 22 and just loves her to death. Everyone in the family treats her as their daughter. She's part of the family." The little girl is among 52 newborns who were saved since 2001 by Connecticut's safe haven law that allows parents in distress to leave their newborns at an emergency department without providing their identity and with no criminal repercussions as long as the child is under 30 days old and has not been abused, according to state officials. Even though the law is 23 years old, the state Department of Children and Families staged an event at St. Francis Hospital Thursday as part of Child Abuse Prevention Month to raise awareness for a new generation of potential parents who may not realize they can safely leave a newborn if they feel they can't raise the child on their own. "What I always say is that if two people, tell two people, we can get the word out," said former Republican state Rep. Pam Sawyer, who authored the law in 2000 after a chilling death of a baby named by the faith community "David Paul" in Meriden in 1988. Sawyer, who is now the first selectman in Bolton, continues to champion awareness for the law years after she retired from the legislature. She was on hand with DCF Commissioner Vannessa Dorantes and St. Francis Nurse Manager of the Emergency Department Ivan Sarmiento to discuss the law Thursday morning. Newborn boy David Paul was found frozen to death in January 1988 in Meriden. Local police still hold an annual ceremony marking the boy's life. The newborn's death had a profound impact on Sawyer, who was a young mother at the time, she said. Years later in 1999, she read in a newspaper that Texas had passed a safe haven law allowing desperate parents to leave their newborns at a safe place without criminal repercussions. "I thought, I am a legislator, I can do something about this," she said. The resulting law allows people to show up at any emergency department in the state to voluntarily give up custody of their newborn who is less than 30 days old without criminal charges as long as the child has not been neglected or abused. A nurse will meet with the parent, in most cases, the mother, in a private spot to take the child's medical history, according to the law. The parent is asked their name and address but they are not required to provide any information, according to the law. The parent will then receive a packet of information on their legal rights and a bracelet that matches their baby's, Sawyer said. If the parent has a change of heart or second thoughts, they can contact DCF and indicate they have the matching bracelet. An emergency department physician will examine the baby, Sarmiento said, and then the child will be turned over to DCF within 24 hours for adoption placement. All of the ED and triage nurses at St. Francis are trained in the protocol, said Sarmiento, whose hospital has seen six safe haven newborns the most of any emergency department in the state. Sawyer was able to get the law passed in 2000, but realized after four infant abandonments from the time the law went into effect until 2004 that most people didn't know that newborns could be brought to emergency departments. "We forgot to tell anyone about it," she said. But that was rectified when then Gov. M. Jodi Rell agreed to do a public service announcement in 2005 and Sawyer was able to get legislation passed requiring schools to discuss the safe haven law. DCF has families who are trained and waiting for safe haven adoptions like the man who adopted the girl two years ago. "She's been with us since she was three days old," the man said. "We can't imagine life without her." Anyone with questions about the safe haven law or a baby who has been voluntarily left at an emergency department can call the DCF Careline at 800-842-2288. Help is also available at Infoline at 211. AVON A house on West Avon Road was destroyed in a fire Wednesday, according to local authorities. Firefighters responded to the 340 block of West Avon Road at 4:24 p.m. Wednesday for a report of a building fire, the Avon Volunteer Fire Department said in a Facebook post at 7:54 a.m. Thursday. Neighboring fire departments in Canton, Simsbury, Farmington and Unionville also responded to provide mutual aid, Avon fire officials said. The fire appears to have started on a rear deck of the home, according to Lt. John Schmalberger, head of the Avon Police Department's Operations Division. The owner of the house and a friend were home at the time but were able to evacuate safely, Schmalberger said. While no injuries were reported, Schmalberger said, the house was totally lost, displacing the residents. Fire officials have not determined the cause of the fire but are investigating, according to Schmalberger. Officials said in the Facebook post that the fire stemmed from some sort of explosion. The fire closed the stretch of West Avon Road between Burnham Road and Country Club Road starting Wednesday afternoon, Avon police said in a Facebook post at 4:59 p.m. Wednesday. Travelers were asked to avoid the area. The post was edited at 6:01 p.m. to report that fire crews had the fire under control. Units cleared the scene late Wednesday night, according to Avon fire officials. COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) A major anti-abortion group blasted former President Donald Trump on the issue Thursday, saying his contention that abortion restrictions should be left up to individual states, not the federal government, is a morally indefensible position for a self-proclaimed pro-life presidential candidate. The Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America group was responding to a statement by Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung for a Washington Post story about division among the 2024 GOP presidential field on abortion-related issues. The group has said it would not support any White House candidate who did not at a minimum support a 15-week federal abortion ban. The Supreme Court made clear in its decision that it was returning the issue to the people to decide through their elected representatives in the states and in Congress," the group's president, Marjorie Dannenfelser, said in a news release. Holding to the position that it is exclusively up to the states is an abdication of responsibility by anyone elected to federal office. The condemnation by one of the nation's largest anti-abortion groups amounted to a stunning rebuke of the former president, the leading contender for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. His three nominations of conservative judges to the Supreme Court paved the way for the reversal of Roe v Wade, which had legalized abortion nationwide for nearly 50 years. Cheung had told the Post that President Donald J. Trump believes that the Supreme Court, led by the three Justices which he supported, got it right when they ruled this is an issue that should be decided at the State level. Trump has referred to himself as the most pro-life president in American history. But in the early months of his 2024 bid, he has often sidestepped the issue of abortion, even as Republicans across the country celebrate the Supreme Court decision stripping federal constitutional rights to abortion. He wont be among the GOP hopefuls gathering this weekend at the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalitions spring kickoff but will instead be speaking to the group by video. Last month in Iowa, Trump repeatedly refused to say whether he would support a federal law restricting abortion in every state, a move that anti-abortion activists have been demanding of the GOPs presidential contenders. Were looking at a lot of different things, Trump said when asked twice by the AP whether he supports a federal abortion ban. Dannenfelser said in the statement Thursday that life is a matter of human rights, not states rights" and that Trump's characterization of last year's Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization case was wrong. President Trumps assertion that the Supreme Court returned the issue of abortion solely to the states is a completely inaccurate reading of the Dobbs decision and is a morally indefensible position for a self-proclaimed pro-life presidential candidate to hold," she said. Pointing to a 2021 social media post from Dannenfelsers organization calling Trump the most pro-life president in U.S. history, a spokesman for Trumps campaign also noted, Even though much work remains to be done to defend the cause of life, President Trump believes it is in the States where the greatest advances can now take place to protect the unborn. All of the candidates running in the Republican presidential primary or moving toward a bid have supported state bans on abortion. Most have been much more cautious about staking a position on a nationwide ban, though entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamys campaign has said he believes its an issue for the states, not the federal government. Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, who launched a presidential exploratory committee last week, has said he would support a federal law to prohibit abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis last week signed a state abortion ban that, if upheld by the courts, would ban the procedure after six weeks of pregnancy, or before many women know they are pregnant. It will take effect only if the state Supreme Court, which is controlled by conservatives, upholds Floridas current 15-week ban that is part of an ongoing legal challenge. The Florida ban would be one of the toughest in the U.S. But DeSantis has not made clear his position on whether such restrictions should be imposed across the country. Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor and one-time United Nations ambassador, has called abortion a personal issue that should be left to the states, though she has left open the possibility of a federal ban. Haley is scheduled to give a speech on abortion next week. Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, campaigning in Iowa, stopped short of saying whether he would support a federal six- or 15-week ban as president. Obviously I would want to look at the bill, said Hutchinson, who as governor signed a law banning abortion after six weeks of pregnancy. Trumps stance has provided an opening on the right for potential rivals like former Vice President Mike Pence, an evangelical Christian with long-held anti-abortion views. Pences advocacy group, Advancing American Freedom, has pushed for Congress to pass legislation including a national abortion ban beginning around six weeks. ___ Associated Press writer Sara Burnett in Chicago contributed to this report. ___ Meg Kinnard can be reached at http://twitter.com/MegKinnardAP DETROIT (AP) A businessman pleaded guilty Friday to bribing the head of a Michigan marijuana licensing board, the first conviction in a federal investigation into payoffs and other benefits before the panel was disbanded in 2019. John Dalaly appeared in federal court in Grand Rapids, two weeks after his plea deal was announced. Dalaly said he provided at least $68,200 in cash and other benefits to Rick Johnson, including two private flights to Canada. Johnson, 70, was chairman of the marijuana board for two years. The board reviewed and approved applications to grow and sell marijuana for medical purposes. Dalaly had a stake in a company that was seeking a license, defense attorney Ray Cassar said. As soon as the investigation launched, he was on board to accept responsibility, Cassar told The Associated Press. This is a good man, 71 years old. Unfortunately he fell into this mess. Johnson had also recommended that Dalaly hire Johnsons wife as a consultant to help with his application, Cassar said. Johnson, a Republican, is scheduled to plead guilty to bribery next Tuesday. He was a powerful lawmaker years ago, serving as House speaker from 2001 through 2004. Two lobbyists are also due in court next week. Brian Pierce and Vincent Brown have agreed to plead guilty to conspiring to pass bribes to Johnson. All four men are cooperating with investigators, which could help them at sentencing. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer abolished the medical marijuana board a few months after taking office in 2019 and put oversight of the industry inside a state agency. Michigan voters legalized marijuana for medical purposes in 2008. A decade later, voters approved the recreational use of marijuana. ___ Follow Ed White at http://twitter.com/edwritez EDWARDSVILLE Emergency appropriations of $200,000 to fight trash coming from trucks going to the Roxana Landfill and $100,000 for new uniforms for Madison County sheriffs deputies were approved by the Madison County Board at Wednesdays regular meeting. The two items were among a number of emergency appropriations. Such appropriations are common, usually the result of the receipt of grants after the budget is complete, or unexpected expenses. Trash along routes used by garbage trucks taking refuse to the Roxana Landfill has been an ongoing concern and has recently gotten a lot more attention by county officials. The $200,000 is part of a larger plan to clean up the areas, primarily along Interstate 270 and Illinois 143, then determine a more permanent solution to the problem. The $200,000 will come from the Host Fee Fund, which is funded through tipping fees collected at the countys landfills. In addition to the funding, residents were reminded that Saturday would be a volunteer clean-up of the area as part of Earth Day from 9 a.m. to noon. Participants were told to meet at Wanda Church, located at Madison Avenue and Wanda Road in Roxana. Load-bearing vests an option Also approved is $100,000 for new uniforms for the Sheriffs Department. New uniforms, including the option of load-bearing vests to replace the standard equipment belt used by deputies, is one of a number of ongoing improvements planned by Sheriff Jeff Connor. In addition to updating the departments image, previously he had said there is a practical consideration. The dark brown shirts are getting hard to find, Connor said. Were looking at basically flipping our colors to a dark brown pants and then a lighter, tan shirt. Chief Deputy Maj. Marcos Pulido also said that because the new uniform is more common, it will be much easier to order. At the same time the department is also considering switching to a load-bearing vest, in part to redistribute the weight of a deputys equipment off of their belts. It disburses the weight, Connor said. Some of that weight would be on their shoulders rather than their hips. Statistics show it lowers the wear and tear on somebodys back. Its a heavy belt, there are 12 hours a day getting in and out of a car and running, he said. Deputies have already been fitted for vests, and most of them have said they are looking forward to the change. Trio of other grants Three other emergency appropriations were also approved. The health department is receiving a $350,000 grant to support the continuation of COVID-19 vaccination efforts, along with other vaccination programs. The department is also being reimbursed $11,616 for local health preparedness expenditures in 2022. Also approved was a $49,000 emergency appropriation for the coroners office for a new vehicle. One of the offices vehicles developed multiple mechanical problems, and it was determined it was not worth to cost to fix. Also approved by the county board was a $69,670 contract with Fidlar Technologies for a service contract with the recorders office, and a change in fee schedules for that office. Recorder fees are set by the state, and recent legislation changed some of those fees. In other business, the board also approved spending up to $40,000 for electronic monitoring devices for subjects awaiting trails or other court procedures; approved a $60,750 contract with Onsolve LLC for the countys Code Red warning services agreement with the Emergency Management Agency; and approved the purchase of a new police vehicle for the sheriffs department at a cost of $50,700. SPRINGFIELD Lawmakers have advanced a measure that would require public elementary and high schools to include a unit of Native American history in their social studies curriculum, beginning with the 2024-25 school year. House Bill 1633 passed out of a Senate committee this week with a 10-3 vote after passing the House 75-32 last month. It now heads to the full Senate for consideration before it can go to Gov. J.B. Pritzker. The measure also requires that the State Education Equity Committee, which provides recommendations for advancing equity in education, include a representative from an organization that works for economic, educational, and social progress for Native Americans. According to Andrew Johnson, executive director of the Native American Chamber of Commerce of Illinois, the lack of Native American representation on the committee was a serious oversight that doesnt reflect the states diversity. This is one of the many examples where the lack of proper education has deprived our citizens of discovering the full extent of the complexity, interrelations and impact of the people who originally inhabited this land and who continue to live here today, Johnson said in committee. Material must include genocide info While the legislation does not actually create curriculum for the history course, it does specify the unit should include Native American contributions in government and the arts, humanities, and sciences, as well as the contributions of Native Americans to the economic, cultural, social, and political development of their own nations and of the United States. The bill also requires the unit of instruction to include descriptions of large urban Native American populations in Illinois and, for grades 6 through 12, a section on the genocide of and discrimination against Native Americans. While the Illinois State Board of Education would provide instructional materials and guidelines for the development of the curriculum, each school district would be required to develop it on their own. Additionally, each school board will have to determine the minimum amount of time that qualifies as a unit of instruction. It was sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Suzy Glowiak Hilton, who said in committee that teaching the subject matter has been overlooked for far too long. Suicide rate is high Joseph Rupnick, chairman for Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, said in committee that Native Americans experience higher suicide rates because of cultural disconnection, alienation and pressure to assimilate. He added the inclusion of their history in school curriculum may help them feel further connected to their community and history. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. suicide rate increased 33 percent from 1999 to 2017. Over the same period, the suicide rate for American Indian or Alaska Native women increased by 139 percent and 71 percent for men. Integrating Native history in our education system will help discriminatory myths about Native Americans in an inclusive environment free of caricatures of our families, parodies of our tradition and words that diminish our worth, Rupnick said. cbi Big business is never shy when it comes to delivering lectures on responsible behaviour. Unilever has turned it into an art form, from its Sunsilk shampoo that claims to improve "life opportunities for young women in developing countries, to its Hellmanns mayonnaise brand that wants to inspire consumers to be more resourceful with their food. Tesco is striving for new ways to reduce its impact on the planet and wants to help its customers do the same. BPs code of conduct stretches to 20 pages and its purpose includes a commitment to Make a positive impact - everywhere we work, and with everyone we work with. But as HSBC boss Noel Quinn once said: Saying the right words is easy. Doing the right thing is harder. The same could be said of just about every other major company in Britain. The City is perfectly happy to carp on about ethics, but by and large when faced with a genuinely serious scandal in its own backyard the silence has been deafening. Im talking, of course, about the CBI and the seven long weeks it has taken for UK plc to show any glimmer of a backbone over the rape and sexual misconduct allegations engulfing the organisation. It took a second allegation of rape to finally spur corporate Britain into action. Insurance giant Aviva deserves credit for being the first to sever ties with the lobby group. It takes courage to break ranks, but one cant help wondering why it has taken this long given such a deeply troubling series of events. What is it that the great and good of UK corporate life have seemingly grappled with on moral grounds? Allegations of rape, sexual assault and other inappropriate behaviour against senior managers, not to mention separate complaints of misconduct against its former director general, are some of the worst that anyone can face, and they are now multiple. When pressed about its continued membership of the CBI, the boss of one of Britains largest companies told me earlier in the week that the principle of the presumption of innocence was an important one, and hes right of course. Story continues The allegations remain unproven, and all those accused have the right to a fair investigation. No arrests or charges have been brought, but the CBI itself admitted a week ago that serious failings took place. At the very least, it seems without question that a rotten culture had taken hold in the lobby group. It should have taken about five minutes for businesses to decide that this is not an organisation they should be maintaining ties with, at least until independent legal and police investigations have been concluded. The Government and the Bank of England halted engagement weeks ago, so why did big business not follow suit? It is difficult not to reach the conclusion that Britains largest companies were content to look the other way as long as the CBI furthered their agenda. The impression and certainly not for the first time is that the City hoped that if it stayed silent then this would all quickly go away. Instead, it has got materially worse, exposing the rank hypocrisy of business when it comes to ethics. Remember the collective state of panic that the countrys business establishment was sent into by Russias invasion of Ukraine? The vast majority didnt know what to do with themselves as they stumbled over the apparent moral dilemma of whether to continue doing business with a nakedly criminal regime like Moscow. Even now some of the Wests largest companies are still shamefully peddling their wares in Russia. Others have had the audacity to ask whether its OK to return to a country that continues to commit heinous war crimes. The CBI probably wont survive this. By Friday afternoon, the penny was beginning to drop as other big names John Lewis and O2 among them scrambled for the exit. That is reassuring but only up to a point. Having wanted to avoid being the first one to stick their neck out, companies now dont want to be the last one out of the door. In the end, image trumps principles. Others such as Shell and the National Grid, have said they are merely pausing their membership. Thats almost worse than doing nothing. Sitting on the fence, hedging your bets should not be mistaken for standing up for what is right. After this sorry saga, one wonders why anyone would listen the next time the boss of a major company tries to lecture the country about how to behave thats if most people hadnt given up long ago. Ultimately, it should never have taken this long for an establishment that has turned ethics into an industry of its own to turn its back on the toxic CBI. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Chances are shrinking fast for a key gun-control proposal to make it through the Tennessee Legislature in the wake of a deadly school shooting, as GOP lawmakers push back against the Republican governors proposal to keep firearms away from people who could harm themselves or others. Tennessee has become a flashpoint in the nations heated debate over gun rights. Two young Black Democratic lawmakers were expelled from the state House for a protest over gun control. Theyve since been reinstated. Pressure to pass gun safety measures has also come from students, parents, politicians and others after last month's shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville, which killed three children and three adults. Tennesseans are asking us to set aside politics and personal pride, Gov. Bill Lee said in a video Wednesday. GOP House Caucus Chairman Jeremy Faison recommended that the governor consider calling a special session at a later time to take up the issue, saying he doesn't see the political will to pass it in the next couple of days. Facing scrutiny over the expulsions and public demands for gun control, Republican lawmakers are hurrying to wrap up the legislative session this week. The GOP has supermajorities in both chambers. In the final days of the session, Lee has mounted a campaign for temporary mental health orders of protection. Law enforcement would first determine if a person is a threat, then a hearing with the person in question would be held, and a judge would rule whether they should indeed have their weapons taken away temporarily. If so, the person would have to surrender their guns, ammunition and any handgun carry license to a third party within 48 hours, for up to 180 days. A person facing a order of protection petition would be offered a court-appointed attorney, and anyone determined to have filed a frivolous report could face a felony perjury charge. There would also be a mental health evaluation. Lee said top lawmakers gave input on the proposal and he argued it isn't a red flag law. He called that term a toxic political label meant to draw lines in the sand so nothing gets done. In a cool reception, House Republicans didnt appear to make a distinction on terminology. Any red flag law is a non-starter, the House GOP caucus tweeted Wednesday. Our caucus is focused on finding solutions that prevent dangerous individuals from harming the public and preserve the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens. Republican Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, who runs the Senate, has said the governors proposal strikes the right balance. Republican House Speaker Cameron Sexton was noncommittal, saying he wants to find the best path forward to protect Tennessee children. Lee's plan still hasn't been put onto a bill. As Senate Democrats called for a vote on Lee's proposal, Sen. Jeff Yarbro of Nashville on Thursday tried to force a floor vote on a similar plan. Republicans rejected it on procedural grounds. During that debate, Katy Dieckhaus, whose daughter Evelyn Dieckhaus died in The Covenant School, watched from the gallery with a photo of her daughter in her lap. After the shooting, lawmakers and Lee have passed proposals that largely focus on school security. A new budget passed Thursday includes $204.7 million proposed by Lee for enhanced school safety and student behavioral health measures, including a school resource officer in every public school and grants for private school security. Lawmakers also passed a bill to further protect gun and ammunition dealers, manufacturers and sellers against lawsuits, despite pleas not to consider it in light of the shooting. Public pressure for stricter gun laws has continued to grow. Bill Frist, the former Republican U.S. Senate majority leader from Tennessee, was among the authors of a newspaper column calling for so-called extreme risk protection orders and other changes. Frist is a heart and lung transplant surgeon. "The vast majority of Americans support sensible gun laws. The vast majority of Tennesseans do too, the column states. Gun lobby groups have quickly cried foul. The Tennessee Firearms Association said Lee's proposal shows callous disregard of the United States Supreme Court and the Constitution. The National Rifle Association's legislative arm said Tennessee law already allows for detention of dangerous individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. Lee has said involuntary commitment would restrict all kinds of constitutional rights, including the Second Amendment. Police say the shooter at The Covenant School was under a doctors care for an undisclosed emotional disorder. However, authorities havent publicly stated a link between that care and the shooting. Police say the shooter was not on their radar before the attack. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Amanda Karina (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, April 21, 2023 09:00 5 003a0fdfeebb1025ab3702947b0c237c 4 Companies APRIL-Group,forestry,World-Economic-Forum,restoration Free Recognizing the pivotal role of women in today's business world has become more crucial than ever before. A diverse, inclusive, and sustainable business environment is built on gender equality, where different viewpoints are respected, and implementing solutions that work for a brighter future. According to the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report 2021, Indonesia ranks 85th out of 156 countries in terms of gender equality. While this is an improvement from its ranking of 100th in 2020, there is still a significant gender gap in the country. Some of these changes are already manifesting around us, including at pulp and paper producer APRIL Group. As a signatory of the UN Womens Empowerment Principles (WEPs) since November 2021, the company endeavors to become more aligned with global standards of advancing equal opportunities and participation for women at work. In January 2022, APRIL Group published its standalone Human Rights Policy, publicly committing the organization to promote equal opportunity and diversity in the workplace, including equal opportunity and participation for women, and seek to eliminate all forms of discrimination and harassment. While the forestry sector is typically associated with male-dominated industry, APRIL Group has taken positive strides in promoting gender equality, ensuring roles within the company are equally accessible to both men and women as part of its APRIL2030 Inclusive Progress targets, primarily in the business world where recognizing the crucial role of women has never been more loudly demanded. Our collective destination to bridge the gap will not be reached without womens full, equal participation and leadership. In celebration of Kartini Day on April 21, meet three women who are forging exciting works in the land-based industry. Breaking Down Stereotypes in Conservation . (./.) Tiurma Rosinta Siagian, a molecular biology graduate, is breaking stereotypes that women do not fit in the forest. Tiurma found her passion when she joined RER (Restorasi Ekosistem Riau), a pioneering private sector-led collaborative program to restore and conserve ecologically important high conservation areas on Indonesias Kampar Peninsula and Padang Island in the Province of Riau, initiated by APRIL. The communal call of the Agile Gibbon, the chirps of songbirds, the aqueous monotonic sounds of the Serkap River flowing, and the forest leaves rippling in the wind these are all refreshing and feels very satisfying to know that our effort is meaningful, Tiur said. RER oversees a 150,000-hectare degraded peatland area, which is the last and largest intact tropical peat swamp forest in Sumatra and home for 838 species of plant and animal. Many are of conservation concern as being Vulnerable, Endangered or Critically Endangered. Tiur shared an unforgettable experience during her tenure at RER was the rehabilitation and recovery of an injured female Sumatran Tiger in 2019, a critically endangered species. As part of the RER Communications team, Tiur also actively involved in raising public awareness on the importance of conservation and biodiversity including supporting a documentary Frontier Sumatra that tells the incredible story of the people, the animals and the land of Kampar Peninsula in Riau Province, last year. The documentary has been shown at five cities so far that aims to provide an interactive platform for university students to learn about forest conservation and restoration. Moving the Needle as a Female Electrician . (./.) When Edenia Prudenty joined APRIL Group as an Electrical Technician in the Finishing Maintenance department, she was surprised to discover that, "I was the first female electrician of this department, and I am very proud of that," said Edenia, who was 22-years-old when she took the role. Edenia has always viewed working with electrical part like solving a tic-tac-toe game. She has been fascinated by mending damaged devices and completing numerous do-it-yourself projects since she was a child, and she decided to pursue a degree in electrical engineering. Finishing school, she joined APRIL Group because she believed that it would provide her with all the support she needed to prosper and enhance her professional career. Not only has it improved her technical knowledge from the day-to-day work challenges she encounters, the regular skills training that she receives and the supportive environment from her colleagues. Her co-workers, who are predominantly male, have allowed her to learn and contribute to the same working realm as they do, viewing each other as equals, narrowing the gap to pursue the desired goals. "I am thankful for the challenges I experience and the support I receive at work. APRIL certainly provides a positive atmosphere for young people like me," explained Edenia. Balancing Motherhood and Career . (./.) After previously receiving a Regional Champion scholarship that was supported by Tanoto Foundation and APRIL Group, Sri Ella Gisti joined the company in 2019 as a plantation assistant, monitoring and maintaining plantation forests areas from planting to harvesting process in Logas Estate, Riau. After two years in the role, Ellas determination and hard work led her to being promoted as a plantation trainer: Im very proud that I am the only female plantation trainer in the plantation division, and supporting our company to improve its human capital. As a plantation trainer, Ella manages training new plantation employees, as well as providing certification training to APRIL contractors operating in APRIL estates. Finding a balance between the responsibilities of raising a family and pursuing a career is a challenging one, yet supportive working environment goes a long way. Ellas initial fear of burdening her team, given the nature of her job where she sometimes had to go into the field accompanying her trainees, proved unfounded, as her team rallied to support her. "My co-workers were willing to support throughout my pregnancy, she said. Not one to stay in her comfort zone, Ella aspires to advance into a leadership role and contribute to APRILs diversity goals by helping more women enter the forestry industry. "When I take up a leadership role, I will prepare women employees to be ready for important positions such as supervisors, superintendents and managers to challenge the stigma associated with women in the forestry industry. APRIL Group's commitment to gender equality and inclusion is not just limited to its employees. The company has also established partnerships with local communities, NGOs, and other stakeholders to promote women's empowerment and gender equality in the areas where it operates. This article was published in collaboration with APRIL Group. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Apriadi Gunawan (The Jakarta Post) Medan Fri, April 21, 2023 13:52 5 d5259e4d93052b0e76bee70b0551c605 1 Archipelago Idul-Fitri,traffic-accident,North-Sumatra,police Free Eight people have died, including three toddlers, after a minibus was swept away by a flash flood while crossing the Sipange River in South Tapanuli, North Sumatra, on Wednesday night. The vehicle was carrying 14 passengers from Rokan Hulu, Riau who were traveling to celebrate Idul Fitri in South Tapanuli. South Tapanuli Police chief Adj. Comr. Imam Zamroni said the vehicle was crossing the river in Sigolang village at around 7 p.m. when it was hit by the flash flood, which caused the engine to fail. Six adults got out of the vehicle to prevent it from being swept away, but failed. Cars are the most popular choice for holidaymakers this year, with around 27 million people preferring to use them to travel back to their hometowns. With no health restrictions in place, the government expects some 123 million Indonesians to perform mudik (exodus) this year. While the government has declared Idul Fitri to fall on Saturday, Muhammadiyah, the second-largest Muslim organization, is celebrating the end of Ramadan on Friday. (dre) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, April 21, 2023 09:16 5 003a0fdfeebb1025ab3702947b0c9e54 1 Society Idul-Fitri,Religious-Affairs-Ministry,Nahdlatul-ulama,Muhammadiyah,isbat Free The government announced on Thursday evening that the first day of the month of Syawal, which marks the Idul Fitri celebration, will fall on Saturday following an isbat (confirmation) meeting. The meeting decided that 1 Syawal of the Hijriah [Islamic calendar] 1444 falls on Saturday, April 22, 2023, Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas said at the press conference after the meeting at the ministry office in Jakarta The ministry held the isbat meeting at dusk Jakarta time, which was attended by representatives from the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), Islamic organizations, the House of Representatives, partner countries ambassadors and related ministries and government institutions. Muhammadiyah, Indonesias second-largest Muslim organization, had already set the date of Idul Fitri for Friday. Muhammadiyah relies on hisab (mathematical calculations) to determine Ramadan and Idul Fitri every year, while the government uses a method combining astronomical calculations with an old-fashioned sighting of the moon, called rukyah. The rukyah method is also adopted by Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), the countrys largest Islamic group. Im calling on all Muslims to maintain tolerance, respect and ukhuwah Islamiyah [Islamic brotherhood] in regards to the different Syawal 1 date decisions, Yaqut said. For years, Muhammadiyah had set different dates both for the start of the fasting month and for Idul Fitri. Muslims in Singapore will celebrate Idul Fitri on Saturday with Ramadan this year lasting for 30 days, the Mufti of Singapore Nazirudin Mohd Nasir said in a statement on Thursday. Saudi Arabia has issued official confirmation that the first day of Idul Fitri will fall on Friday. On Thursday, the Saudi moon-sighting committee in the kingdom announced that April 20 would be the last day of the month of Ramadan and that Idul Fitri would be celebrated from Friday onward. (dre) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, April 21, 2023 13:31 5 5fceed71997e5776a1634d25dc53f12d 1 Jakarta Idul-Fitri,traffic,Transportation,jakarta Free Jakarta will see the peak of the return flow of people celebrating Idul Fitri on Tuesday, the end of the seven day holiday period, a senior minister has said. Coordinating Human Development and Culture Minister Muhadjir Effendy said on Friday that Tuesday was predicted to see 203,000 vehicles entering the capital. We will have to anticipate the peak of return flow on Tuesday, Muhadjir said on Friday in Jakarta as quoted by Kompas.com. The minister is calling on holidaymakers to avoid traveling on Tuesday. Its better [for them] to extend their holiday, especially those who have no urgency to return to work, he said. According to the Transportation Ministry, the peak of the counterflow will happen on Tuesday, the last day of the collective mandatory leave, which is expected to see 17.7 million people on the move. State toll-road operators Jasa Marga previously predicted that 176,000 cars would pass through the Jakarta-Cikampek toll road on their way back to Jakarta on Tuesday. To help alleviate traffic, authorities are hoping to stagger the return to Jakarta by enacting an odd-even policy and a one-way traffic policy on the trans-Java toll road from Kalikangkung to Cikampek from Monday to Friday, as well as from April 29 until May 1, the weekend following Idul Fitri. Muhadjir reported that the mudik (exodus) traffic had gone well, especially on two crucial spots: the eastward toll roads and the Sumatra-Java ferry crossings. Jasa Marga ended at midnight Thursday the one-way traffic system from Cikampek in West Java to Kalikangkung in Central Java on the trans-Java toll road. The toll road stretch had been used as the main passage for people leaving Jakarta eastward to Central Java, Yogyakarta and East Java in the past few days. During the one-way period from Tuesday to Friday, Jasa Marga recorded 9,439 vehicles passing every hour at the Cikampek Utama toll gate and 4,516 vehicles per hour at the Kalikangkung toll gate. The Merak and Ciwandan ports in Banten, which ferry cars and motorcycles from Java to Sumatra, respectively, had seen a spike in the number of travelers. The Ciwandan Port averaged around 800 to 1,200 motorcycles ferried per trip as of Wednesday morning, up from the 200 to 300 motorcycles averaged in the days prior. Merak Port, meanwhile, carried a total of 13,280 cars on Tuesday, up from the total of 10,650 cars ferried on Monday. State-owned railway company PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) also reported that long-distance trains heading out of the capital had reached an occupancy rate of 100 percent on Wednesday, as a total of 41,900 passengers traveled out of Jakartas Pasar Senen and Gambir stations. With no health restrictions in place, the government expects some 123 million Indonesians to perform mudik this year amid a slight increase in the countrys COVID-19 cases. (dre) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, April 21, 2023 10:01 5 d5259e4d93052b0e76bee70b0551998f 1 Society Idul-Fitri,mudik,Trans-Java-Toll,Transportation Free State-owned toll road operator Jasa Marga ended midnight Thursday the one-way traffic system from Cikampek in West Java to Kalikangkung in Central Java on the trans-Java toll road. The toll road stretch had been used as the main passage for people leaving Jakarta eastward to Central Java, Yogyakarta and East Java in the past few days. Lisye Octaviana, Jasa Marga spokesperson, said that the transition from one-way to normal arrangement took two hours. Normal traffic returned on Friday 2 a.m., Lisye said in a statement as quoted by Tempo.co. During the one-way period from Tuesday to Friday, Jasa Marga recorded 9,439 vehicles passing every hour at the Cikampek Utama toll gate and 4,516 vehicles per hour at the Kalikangkung toll gate. Wednesday, the start of a seven-day Idul Fitri holiday period, saw the Jakarta-Cikampek toll road pummeled by heavy traffic. West Java Police reported there were lines of cars stretching 60 kilometers. According to Transportation Ministry estimates, cars are the most popular choice for mudik-goers this year, with around 27 million people preferring to use them to travel back to their hometowns. The police estimated that the peak of traffic for mudik this year had happened on Wednesday, while the Transportation Ministry estimated that the peak would instead occur on Friday. The government has declared that Idul Fitri falls on Saturday. Muhammadiyah, the second largest Muslim organization, is celebrating the end of Ramadan from Friday. With no health restrictions in place, the government expects some 123 million Indonesians to perform mudik this year amid a slight increase in the countrys COVID-19 cases. Preparations have been made to handle the counter-mudik flow, which will see millions of people heading back to the countrys metropolitan areas. According to the Transportation Ministry, the peak of the counter flow will happen on April 25, the last day of the collective mandatory leave, which is expected to see 17.7 million people on the move. Jasa Marga estimates that 176,000 cars will pass through the Jakarta-Cikampek toll road on their way back to Jakarta on April 25. To help alleviate traffic, authorities are hoping to stagger the return to Jakarta by enacting an odd-even policy and a one-way traffic policy on the trans-Java toll road from Kalikangkung to Cikampek from April 24 to 26, as well as from April 29 until May 1, the weekend following Idul Fitri. (dre) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Yvette Tanamal (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, April 21, 2023 13:39 5 d5259e4d93052b0e76bee70b0551bdf8 1 Society Sudan,civil-war,armed-conflict,diaspora,evacuation,khartoum,military Free As Sudan continues to grapple with the violent conflict between its military and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Indonesia on Thursday expressed its concern over the deteriorating situation, adding that it was working to evacuate the 1,209 Indonesian nationals currently residing in the Northeast African country. The statement, made before the RSF fighters on Friday agreed to commence a 72-hour ceasefire, noted that vital objects had become targets of contention between the two parties. This includes Sudans State Palace, the military base, Khartoum International Airport and the International University of Africa where many Indonesian nationals are living. The Foreign Ministry has immediately issued its concern at the outset of the conflict, as well as calls for a peaceful resolution and emphasizing civilians safety as the [primary] priority, said Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi. In mid-April, fighting broke out between Sudans military, whose general is effectively the countrys leader, and the RSF, a paramilitary group that was a close ally of the military before vastly growing in power over the past few years. Though tensions have been building for months between the two armed forces, violence finally broke when both sides started accusing each other of attacking their bases in Khartoum. The Foreign Ministry said its embassy in Khartoum had established a safe house as well as logistical support for its citizens, though currently it has only succeeded in evacuating 43 nationals. This effort has gone through several challenges due to the ongoing armed conflict. There were a few times when the Indonesian guest house and the embassy were affected by the violence. Alhamdulillah, all Indonesian nationals and the embassy staff are safe, Retno said, explaining that the developments required deep concern and high vigilance. As the Foreign Ministry continues to enhance its evacuation procedures, she explained, Jakarta had so far communicated with the Sudan envoy in Jakarta and the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to urge for a ceasefire for humanitarian assistance. Jakarta has also attempted to communicate with Sudans Foreign Minister Ali Al-Sadiq Ali, Retno said, but that the calls had yet to be answered. Indonesia urges the UNSC to act immediately, Retno asserted. Meanwhile, we advise Indonesian nationals in Sudan as well as their families here to stay calm. The government will pull all the strings it has to protect our citizens in Sudan. Coordination between Indonesian envoys nearby Khartoum is ongoing, specifically between ambassadors in Cairo, Riyadh, Addis Ababa and Jeddah, she said. Over a week after violence erupted, at least 350 people have died and over 2,600 have been left injured, Reuters reported. Hospitals in Khartoum, where most of the violence has been concentrated, have quickly reached full capacity as basic needs such as food and clean water have run out in the city. Despite international calls for a ceasefire, the situation in Sudan only seemed to worsen until Friday, when the RSF announced a three-day long truce in light of Eid al-Fitr celebrations when humanitarian corridors would be opened. Yet the Sudan Militarys Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has yet to comment on the matter. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Daryl Ng Hong Kong, China Fri, April 21, 2023 09:14 5 003a0fdfeebb1025ab3702947b0c9059 2 Academia Hong-Kong,reopening,COVID-19,tourism-industry,ASEAN,culture,ties,investment Free On a recent visit to Hong Kong, Indonesian Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno spoke about his keenness to build closer ties with China through Hong Kong. With borders opening post-pandemic, Indonesia plans to attract more visitors to the country. The authorities have set an ambitious target of 7.4 million tourist arrivals to the country for the year. We are rolling out the red carpet to Chinese tourists. We welcome them and we hope to attract more of them in 2023, he said at a lecture organized by the Hong Kong-ASEAN Foundation on March 10. Chinese tourists have favored Southeast Asia for their travels, accounting for 22 percent of all visitors to the region before the pandemic. Of the 32.3 million visits made by Chinese tourists to Southeast Asia in 2019, 6.4 percent of those travels were to Indonesia, and they spent an average of US$1,114 per visit in Indonesia. This translates into an enormous room for growth for arrivals to Indonesia. There is clearly scope to do more to forge closer cultural ties between Indonesia and China. Tourism is a starting point for these ties to blossom, and here is where Hong Kong can play a key role. Hong Kong is a major global financial center, playing the important role of connecting mainland China with the world. Vibrant and energetic, it is often described as the city that never sleeps. Post-pandemic, Hong Kong is confidently back on the world stage and ready to welcome visitors back, tourists, businesses, and investors alike. Hong Kong launched the Hello Hong Kong campaign recently, which included a mega giveaway of 500,000 free round-trip air tickets, to revitalize the tourism industry. The authorities hope the campaign can attract tourists from Southeast Asia, including Indonesia. In Indonesia, the 11,510 free tickets on offer were snapped up almost immediately after the campaign began at noon on March 15 even though the campaign was due to run for days. Similar scenes played out in Singapore and Thailand. The early signs are promising. The month of March alone was packed with multiple events, beginning with the Clockenflap Festival, Hong Kongs biggest annual arts and music fest. The festival staged a grand return to a sell-out crowd after a four-year hiatus, featuring acts such as British rockers Arctic Monkeys and French pop rock band Phoenix. Art Basel presented its show at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre with 177 galleries, with global auction houses Sothebys and Christies holding in-person VIP events as wealthy overseas collectors return. The Hong Kong International Film Festival returned on March 30. The event screened more than 200 titles including four world premieres and 32 Asian premieres across 12 days. The month concluded with the Hong Kong Sevens, the high-profile rugby tournament, making a full-fledged comeback, electrifying spectators that filled the Hong Kong Stadium. The city is enhancing its status as an international wealth hub and attracting wealthy elites to base their family offices there. The Wealth for Good Summit, which took place in Hong Kong on March 24, gathered over 100 representatives from global family offices to discuss wealth management opportunities. Hong Kong has a world-class infrastructure that renders it uniquely equipped to host, convene, and facilitate cutting-edge exhibitions and displays of an impressive array of arts. It is in a good position to host a wide range of exhibitions, festivals and events, serving as a cosmopolitan and bustling regional tourist hub. Such infrastructure extends beyond the hardware to event management personnel and highly trained professional service sector that has been the core pillars to the higher end of Hong Kongs tourism industry As tourists and investors from Southeast Asia return to Hong Kong, these events represent great opportunities for cultural exchanges to build mutual understanding and appreciation, in return leading to more partnerships. These exchanges will also spur more Chinese tourists to visit Indonesia and gain deeper insights into the country and its culture and customs. Hong Kong is the most international city in China, geographically located near its ASEAN neighbors, and has the benefits of the One Country, Two Systems policy. The city has always been an important financial center where east meets west, as well as a key connector to mainland China. With the global reopening, Hong Kong is in the ideal position to play an important role in deepening ties between China and Indonesia in all aspects. *** The writer is chairman of the Hong Kong-ASEAN Foundation, an independent platform dedicated to strengthening China-ASEAN relations through Hong Kong. This year, it kick-started the lecture series with Minister Sandiaga Uno as guest of honor. Indonesia, the rotating chair of ASEAN and the biggest economy of the trade bloc, is a strategic partner for China and Hong Kong. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Reuters Washington/Manila Fri, April 21, 2023 14:39 5 d5259e4d93052b0e76bee70b0551d1c3 2 Asia and Pacific Government-Politics,Conflicts-War-Peace,US-president Free US President Joe Biden will meet his Philippine counterpart Ferdinand Marcos Jr at the White House on May 1 to discuss economic cooperation and the Indo-Pacific region, Manila and Washington said on Friday. The treaty allies have enjoyed warmer ties since Marcos took office last June, reversing his predecessor's anti-US stance. Next month's bilateral talks will be the latest in a series of high-level meetings the Philippines has conducted with leaders of the United States and China, both of which are jostling for strategic advantage in the region. Biden and Marcos will discuss economic and defence cooperation, White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement. "During the visit, President Biden will reaffirm the United States' ironclad commitment to the defense of the Philippines, and the leaders will discuss efforts to strengthen the longstanding US-Philippines alliance," the statement said. In what will be his second trip to the United States in less than a year, the presidential palace said on Friday that Marcos will travel to Washington from April 30 to May 4 to meet Biden and key cabinet officials. "It will substantively progress efforts to further deepen...political ties, to bring about lasting socio-economic partnerships, as well as to enhance defence and security cooperation," the palace said. Marcos will seek closer partnership in agriculture, energy, climate change, digital transformation, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, supply chains, and infrastructure, it added. More than 17,000 Philippine and US soldiers are currently conducting their largest ever joint military drills in the Southeast Asian country, drawing criticism from China. Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang will meet his local counterpart and Marcos on Saturday, just weeks after the Philippines gave the United States access to four additional military bases. In March, the Philippines hosted a meeting between Manila and Beijing's diplomats to discuss the South China Sea, a key trade corridor that's also a source of tensions between the two countries. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Khalid Abdelaziz and Nafisa Eltahir (Reuters) Khartoum Fri, April 21, 2023 09:40 5 d5259e4d93052b0e76bee70b05519883 2 Middle East and Africa Insurgencies,Conflicts-War-Peace,military-conflicts Free The Sudan capital Khartoum was rocked by bombing and artillery shelling on Friday, despite reports that warring forces had welcomed a proposal for a truce during the Muslim holiday of Idul Fitri. "There are still clashes between army forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), leaving buildings, facilities and public property destroyed," said a doctors' committee. A coalition of civil groups said on social media that it had submitted a proposal for a three-day truce to rival factions that have been locked in a week-long battle for control, and they responded favorably. "We welcome the positive position of the leadership of the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces," the group said, adding that it would continue to work on details. Neither force publicly said it had agreed to a ceasefire. The RSF issued a statement that made no mention of a possible truce and condemned the military for what it said was fresh assaults. "At this moment, when citizens are preparing to receive the first day of Idul Fitri, the neighborhoods of Khartoum are waking up to the bombings of aircrafts and heavy artillery in a sweeping attack that is directly targeting residential neighborhoods," the RSF said early on Friday. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday appealed for a ceasefire to allow civilians to reach safety. Thousands of civilians streamed out of the capital Khartoum as gunfire and explosions sounded on Thursday. Large numbers also crossed into Chad to flee fighting in the western region of Darfur. At least 350 people have been killed so far in the violent power struggle which broke out last weekend between two previously allied leaders of Sudan's ruling military junta, Sudan's army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and RSF leader General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. A doctors' group separately said at least 26 people were killed and 33 were injured in El-Obeid, a city west of Khartoum, on Thursday, the eve of Idul Fitri which ends the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. Witnesses there described clashes between the army and RSF troops and widespread looting. Guterres, speaking to reporters after meeting virtually with the heads of the African Union, the Arab League and other organizations on Thursday, said: "There was a strong consensus on condemning ongoing fighting in Sudan and calling for cessation of hostilities as an immediate priority". Urging a three-day ceasefire, he said civilians trapped in conflict zones should be allowed to escape and to seek medical treatment, food and other supplies. The United States endorsed the ceasefire proposal. Burhan told Al Jazeera he would support a truce on condition it allowed citizens to move freely - something he said the RSF had so far prevented. He also said he currently saw no partner for negotiations, and "no other option but the military solution". His rival Dagalo told Al Jazeera he was ready to implement a three-day truce. Dagalo, widely known as Hemedti, has said several times he supports short ceasefires but each has quickly collapsed. "We are talking about a humanitarian truce, we are talking about safe passages ... we are not talking about sitting down with a criminal," Dagalo said, referring to Burhan. Burhan accused Dagalo, until last week his deputy on the council that has ruled since a coup two years ago, of "a power grab". An alliance between the two men had mostly held since the overthrow four years ago of long-time strongman Omar al-Bashir, whose rule saw Sudan become an international pariah that was on the US terrorism list. The latest violence was triggered by disagreement over an internationally backed plan to form a new civilian government. Both sides accuse the other of thwarting the transition. Fighting and fleeing Since hostilities erupted, much of the fighting has focused on the Khartoum compound housing the army headquarters and Burhan's residence. The embassy district and airport have also been the scene of clashes. In Khartoum and sister cities Omdurman and Bahri, residents gathered on Thursday at bus terminals with suitcases. "There's no food. Supermarkets are empty. The situation isn't safe, honestly, so people are leaving," said a resident who gave only his first name, Abdelmalek. Many other local people remain trapped, along with thousands of foreigners in a city that has become a war zone. Burnt-out vehicles littered the streets and buildings had gaping holes from shells. Hospitals, where bodies lie unburied, were closed. Around 10,000 to 20,000 people escaping the fighting have taken refuge in villages along the border inside Chad, U.N. refugee agency UNHCR and the World Food Programme (WFP) said. Even before the conflict, around a quarter of Sudan's population was facing acute hunger, but the WFP halted one of its largest global operations in the country on Saturday after three workers were killed. Sudan borders seven countries and sits strategically between Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia and Africa's volatile Sahel region, so the hostilities risk fanning regional tensions. (Bloomberg) -- Japan investors bought about 140 billion yen ($1 billion) of Credit Suisse Group AGs bonds that were written off when the Swiss bank was suddenly sold last month, Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki said. Most Read from Bloomberg Its regrettable that the fallout from Credit Suisses woes affected investors in Japan, Suzuki said at a news briefing in Tokyo on Friday. Securities firms must make every effort to deal carefully with their customers, he added. Investors around the globe are on the hook for losses on the 16 billion Swiss francs ($18 billion) in risky bonds, known as Additional Tier 1 notes, that were wiped out when the Swiss government brokered an emergency takeover of Credit Suisse by UBS Group AG. In Japan, wealthy clients of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc.s securities venture with Morgan Stanley lost 95 billion yen on the notes, Bloomberg reported last week. Mizuho Financial Group Inc.s clients lost more than 4 billion yen on the instruments, while Daiwa Securities Group Inc.s customers lost less than 1 billion yen. The Financial Services Agency determined the amount of Japanese investment in the Credit Suisse AT1 notes after checking with a range of domestic and foreign securities firms, an official from the regulator told Bloomberg. The FSA wants brokerages to give thorough explanations to clients affected and carefully deal with any complaints, the official said, asking not to be identified in accordance with the agencys policy. Brokerages may also need to check whether their sales processes were proper, the official added. The regulators stance adds to a call by a lobby group representing Japanese brokerages urging members to clearly explain complex products to customers. Story continues AT1 notes, also known as contingent convertible or CoCo bonds, are considered the riskiest debt sold by banks. Thats because they are designed to impose losses on bondholders or be converted into equity if a lenders capital ratios fall below a predetermined level. Regulators can write them down as well if a bank starts to fail. Credit Suisses AT1 debt was deemed worthless by Switzerlands financial regulator, while shareholders were able to recoup some value. That upended financial tradition as equity holders are usually the first in line to absorb a struggling banks losses. Switzerlands finance watchdog is facing a handful of court challenges over the decision, Bloomberg reported on Thursday. --With assistance from Taiga Uranaka. (Updates with FSA officials comments in the fifth and sixth paragraphs) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Hyonhee Shin (Reuters) Seoul Fri, April 21, 2023 15:06 5 003a0fdfeebb1025ab3702947b110aa6 2 Asia and Pacific G7,defense,military-conflicts Free North Korea's position as a nuclear weapons state will remain an undeniable reality as it builds up its forces until military threats from the United States and its allies are eliminated, state news agency KCNA said on Friday. It was quoting comments by North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui in a statement criticising the United States and other Group of Seven countries, following a statement at the end of their meeting in Japan on Tuesday. The G7 foreign ministers had condemned the North's April 13 test of what Pyongyang said was a solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile, and urged denuclearisation. Tension has flared as North Korea has ramped up military activities, and threatened "more practical and offensive" action as U.S. and South Korean forces hold annual spring military exercises it called a rehearsal for "an all-out, nuclear war." Choe said North Korea's status as a nuclear power was "final and irreversible," and would stay an "undeniable and stark reality" even if Washington and others in the West denied it. Pyongyang's development of nuclear weapons is only intended to guard against U.S. threats, she added, telling Washington to drop its "hostile policy" against the North to ensure its own security. "We will never seek any recognition or approval from anyone, as we are satisfied with our access to the strength for a tit-for-tat strike against the U.S. nuclear threat," KCNA quoted her as saying. Choe accused the G7 countries of illegally interfering in North Korea's internal affairs by demanding denuclearisation, saying Pyongyang would respond if they attempted to violate its sovereignty and fundamental interests. "We will continue to take action measures based on all legal rights granted to a sovereign state until the military threat posed by the U.S. and its allied forces hostile toward us is completely removed," Choe said. Seoul's unification ministry, charged with handling relations between the neighbours, denounced the North's statement as "far-fetched," urging it to stop making threats and developing unlawful weapons programmes. "North Korea will never get what it wants through nuclear and missile development, and it will only become more isolated from the international community," ministry deputy spokesperson Lee Hyo-jung told a briefing. Unification Minister Kwon Young-se said it was not possible to rule out a major provocation by North Korea ahead of a U.S. visit next week by the South's president, Yoon Suk Yeol, for a summit with President Joe Biden. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Reuters Reuters Fri, April 21, 2023 19:32 5 5fceed71997e5776a1634d25dc542fb5 2 Middle East and Africa Diplomacy-Foreign-Policy,military-conflicts,Sudan,US Free A conflict raging in Sudan is rattling neighboring countries and worrying the United States and others for reasons ranging from concern about shared Nile waters and oil pipelines to the shape of a new government and a new humanitarian crisis in the making. Sudan, which relies heavily on foreign aid, is no stranger to conflict. But this time fighting is tearing apart the capital instead of a remote corner of a nation, which lies in an unstable region bordering the Red Sea, Sahel and Horn of Africa. Five of Sudan's seven neighbors - Ethiopia, Chad, Central African Republic, Libya and South Sudan - have faced political upheaval or conflict themselves in recent years. The fighting that erupted between the army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on April 15 in Khartoum has derailed an internationally backed plan for a transition to civilian rule after the ousting in 2019 of Omar al Bashir, the Islamist president who had himself seized power in a 1989 coup. The conflicts pits General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the head of Sudan's ruling council who commands the army, against the irregular RSF forces led by the wealthy, one-time militia leader General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, better known as Hemedti, who is Burhan's deputy in the council. What's at stake for regional states? Egypt - The histories of Egypt, the most populous Arab state with a powerful army, and Sudan are intertwined by politics, trade, culture and shared Nile waters. Cairo has worried about political upheaval to its south since the 2019 uprising that toppled Bashir. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who also took office in a military power grab, is close to Burhan. Sudanese are by far the largest foreign community in Egypt, numbering an estimated 4 million people, including about 60,000 refugees and asylum seekers. Egypt and Sudan, which both rely on the Nile for fresh water, are concerned about threats to their supplies from the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) project upstream on the Blue Nile. The two nations have pushed to regulate the Ethiopian dam's operation. Any tension in ties between Khartoum and Cairo could disrupt their efforts to secure a deal. Libya - Sudanese mercenaries and militia fighters have been active on both sides of the civil conflict that split Libya after 2011. In recent years, many Sudanese fighters have returned to Sudan, contributing to tensions in Sudan's western Darfur region, where another conflict raged for years and fighting continued after a deal with some rebel groups in 2020. Sudan has also been a departure point and a transit route for migrants seeking to head to Europe via Libya, where people traffickers have taken advantage of the conflict and political turmoil. Chad - Sudan's western neighbour Chad, a poor nation which hosts about 400,000 displaced Sudanese from previous conflicts, has seen about 20,000 more refugees arrive from Sudan since the latest fighting began, according to the United Nations. Chad worries about the crisis spilling across the border to areas where it hosts the refugees, most of whom are from Darfur. During the Darfur conflict, Chad faced cross-border raids from Sudan's Arab militias, known as the Janjaweed, which morphed into the RSF. The raiders attacked Darfur refugees and Chadian villagers, seizing livestock and killing those who resisted. Chad's government said it disarmed a contingent of 320 paramilitary forces that entered its territory on Monday. Chad also worries that Russia's Wagner Group private military contractors in neighbouring Central African Republic, who are reported to have close ties with RSF, could back Chadian rebels threatening Ndjamena's government. Wagner denies having any activities in Sudan. Gulf Arab states - Wealthy oil producers Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have long sought to shape events in Sudan, seeing the transition from Bashir's rule as a way to roll back Islamist influence and stabilize the region. Investors from both countries have deals to invest in a range of projects from agricultural projects, where Sudan holds vast potential based on large irrigated areas, to an airline and strategic ports on its Red Sea coast. South Sudan - South Sudan, which seceded from Sudan in 2011 after a civil war lasting decades, exports its oil output of 170,000 barrels per day via a pipeline through its northern neighbor. Analysts say neither side in Sudan's conflict has an interest in disrupting those flows but South Sudan's government said this week fighting had already hampered logistics and transport links between the oilfields and Port Sudan. Sudan also hosts 800,000 South Sudanese refugees. Any mass return could put further strains on efforts to supply vital aid to more than 2 million displaced people in South Sudan who have fled their homes inside the country because of civil strife. Ethiopia - Skirmishes periodically flare along disputed parts of Sudan's border with Ethiopia. Analysts say either side could take advantage of Sudan's unrest to press their objectives. When war erupted in Ethiopia's northern Tigray region in 2020, tensions surfaced over the fertile but contested Al-Fashqa border and drove more than 50,000 Ethiopian refugees into already impoverished parts of eastern Sudan. Ethiopia will also be watching developments given tensions over the $4 billion GERD dam, which Sudan says could present a threat to its own Nile dams and its citizens. Eritrea - Sudan hosts more than 134,000 refugees and asylum seekers from Eritrea and is the main route for Eritreans fleeing forced conscription by Asmara government's repressive rule. Many Eritrean refugees in northern Ethiopia fled from their camps during the Tigray war between 2020 and 2022. Eritrean refugees in Sudan could face a similar plight if any conflict beyond Khartoum escalates. What are the concerns of world powers? Russia - Moscow, which has long sought warm water ports for its navy, secured a deal with Bashir for Sudan to host a naval base and Sudan's military leaders have said this remains under review. In 2020, Russian President Vladimir Putin approved the creation of a Russian naval facility in Sudan capable of mooring nuclear-powered surface vessels. Western diplomats in Khartoum said in 2022 that Russia's Wagner Group was involved in illicit gold mining in Sudan and was spreading disinformation. Two years earlier, the United States imposed sanctions on two companies operating in Sudan that it linked to Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin. In a statement on April 19, Wagner denied it was operating in Sudan, said its staff had not been there for more than two years and said it had no role in the latest fighting. It said it was responding foreign media inquiries "most of which are provocative". In February 2023, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met officials in Sudan during an African tour seeking to expand Moscow's influence at a time when Western nations have sought to isolate Moscow with sanctions over its invasion of Ukraine. The United States and the West - The United States, like other Western powers, was happy to be rid of Bashir, who was charged with genocide and war crimes by the International Criminal Court over the Darfur conflict. But critics say Washington was slow to swing behind a transition towards elections. Sudanese hopes for democracy were shattered when Burhan and Hemedti staged a coup in 2021. The latest fighting is expected to derail any swift return to civilian rule with neither of the two opponents in Khartoum showing any readiness for compromise. Investec lowered shares of AngloGold Ashanti (NYSE:AU Get Rating) from a buy rating to a sell rating in a research note issued to investors on Monday morning, The Fly reports. A number of other brokerages have also issued reports on AU. HSBC lowered AngloGold Ashanti from a buy rating to a reduce rating in a research report on Monday, January 30th. Morgan Stanley raised AngloGold Ashanti from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, March 30th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft boosted their price objective on AngloGold Ashanti from $20.00 to $27.00 in a report on Tuesday, January 10th. Finally, StockNews.com lowered AngloGold Ashanti from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, April 7th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $27.00. Get AngloGold Ashanti alerts: AngloGold Ashanti Stock Up 1.7 % Shares of NYSE AU opened at $26.58 on Monday. AngloGold Ashanti has a 1 year low of $11.94 and a 1 year high of $28.13. The company has a quick ratio of 1.60, a current ratio of 2.50 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $21.37 and its 200-day simple moving average is $19.17. AngloGold Ashanti Cuts Dividend Hedge Funds Weigh In On AngloGold Ashanti The business also recently announced a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Monday, April 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 17th were issued a dividend of $0.177 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 2.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, March 16th. Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Lesa Sroufe & Co grew its holdings in shares of AngloGold Ashanti by 1.6% during the first quarter. Lesa Sroufe & Co now owns 107,996 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $2,612,000 after purchasing an additional 1,666 shares during the last quarter. IFP Advisors Inc grew its holdings in shares of AngloGold Ashanti by 498.6% during the first quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 3,041 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $99,000 after purchasing an additional 2,533 shares during the last quarter. LGT Capital Partners LTD. grew its holdings in shares of AngloGold Ashanti by 45.2% during the first quarter. LGT Capital Partners LTD. now owns 15,100 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $365,000 after purchasing an additional 4,700 shares during the last quarter. Raymond James & Associates bought a new position in shares of AngloGold Ashanti during the first quarter valued at approximately $366,000. Finally, National Bank of Canada FI grew its holdings in shares of AngloGold Ashanti by 16.0% during the first quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 879,101 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $21,271,000 after purchasing an additional 121,149 shares during the last quarter. 24.90% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. AngloGold Ashanti Company Profile (Get Rating) AngloGold Ashanti Ltd. engages in the exploration, mining, and production of gold. It operates through the following business segments: Africa, Australia, and Americas. The Africa segment consists of Ghana, Guinea, the DRC (Democratic Republic of the Congo), and Tanzania. The Americas segment comprises of Argentina, Brazil, and projects in Colombia and the United States. Read More Receive News & Ratings for AngloGold Ashanti Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for AngloGold Ashanti and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Canadian Natural Resources (TSE:CNQ Get Rating) (NYSE:CNQ) had its price objective decreased by ATB Capital from C$94.00 to C$90.00 in a report published on Monday morning, BayStreet.CA reports. A number of other brokerages also recently issued reports on CNQ. National Bankshares cut their price target on shares of Canadian Natural Resources from C$105.00 to C$100.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Friday, March 3rd. Morgan Stanley dropped their target price on shares of Canadian Natural Resources from C$90.00 to C$87.00 in a report on Monday, March 27th. Stifel Nicolaus set a C$97.00 target price on shares of Canadian Natural Resources and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, January 13th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on shares of Canadian Natural Resources from C$76.00 to C$82.00 in a report on Friday, March 3rd. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on shares of Canadian Natural Resources from C$92.00 to C$94.00 in a report on Tuesday, March 14th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of C$92.47. Get Canadian Natural Resources alerts: Canadian Natural Resources Stock Down 1.7 % Shares of TSE CNQ opened at C$80.54 on Monday. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of C$77.04 and a 200-day simple moving average of C$77.39. The company has a market capitalization of C$88.59 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.46, a P/E/G ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 2.01. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 34.01, a current ratio of 0.82 and a quick ratio of 0.54. Canadian Natural Resources has a 1 year low of C$58.75 and a 1 year high of C$88.18. Canadian Natural Resources Increases Dividend Insiders Place Their Bets The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, April 5th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 17th were paid a $0.90 dividend. This is an increase from Canadian Natural Resourcess previous quarterly dividend of $0.75. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, March 16th. This represents a $3.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.47%. Canadian Natural Resourcess payout ratio is 37.82%. In other news, Director Stephen W. Laut sold 5,000 shares of Canadian Natural Resources stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$80.00, for a total transaction of C$400,010.00. In other news, Senior Officer Trevor James Cassidy sold 20,000 shares of Canadian Natural Resources stock in a transaction on Monday, January 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of C$81.38, for a total transaction of C$1,627,600.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 34,806 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately C$2,832,512.28. Also, Director Stephen W. Laut sold 5,000 shares of Canadian Natural Resources stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$80.00, for a total transaction of C$400,010.00. Insiders sold a total of 255,000 shares of company stock worth $20,747,197 over the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 2.22% of the companys stock. Canadian Natural Resources Company Profile (Get Rating) Canadian Natural Resources Limited acquires, explores for, develops, produces, markets, and sells crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids (NGLs). The company offers synthetic crude oil (SCO), light and medium crude oil, bitumen (thermal oil), primary heavy crude oil, and Pelican Lake heavy crude oil. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Canadian Natural Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Canadian Natural Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. State Street (NYSE:STT Get Rating) had its target price decreased by Bank of America from $84.00 to $80.00 in a report published on Monday, The Fly reports. STT has been the topic of several other reports. Credit Suisse Group raised their target price on State Street from $76.00 to $84.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Monday, January 23rd. Royal Bank of Canada dropped their price objective on State Street from $85.00 to $80.00 in a report on Friday, March 24th. Evercore ISI dropped their price objective on State Street from $92.00 to $87.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 5th. StockNews.com began coverage on State Street in a report on Thursday, March 16th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Finally, Barclays dropped their price objective on State Street from $116.00 to $102.00 in a report on Wednesday, April 12th. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $83.96. Get State Street alerts: State Street Stock Down 0.4 % Shares of NYSE:STT opened at $74.99 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $25.23 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.50, a PEG ratio of 1.18 and a beta of 1.56. State Street has a 12-month low of $58.62 and a 12-month high of $94.74. The company has a current ratio of 0.56, a quick ratio of 0.56 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $81.13 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $78.73. State Street Dividend Announcement State Street ( NYSE:STT Get Rating ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, January 20th. The asset manager reported $2.07 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.00 by $0.07. The business had revenue of $3.16 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.06 billion. State Street had a return on equity of 11.86% and a net margin of 18.73%. On average, research analysts forecast that State Street will post 8.21 EPS for the current year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, April 13th. Stockholders of record on Monday, April 3rd were given a $0.63 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, March 31st. This represents a $2.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.36%. State Streets dividend payout ratio is currently 35.29%. Insider Transactions at State Street In other news, EVP David C. Phelan sold 15,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, February 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $86.63, for a total value of $1,299,450.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 72,491 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,279,895.33. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other State Street news, EVP David C. Phelan sold 15,000 shares of State Street stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $86.63, for a total transaction of $1,299,450.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 72,491 shares in the company, valued at $6,279,895.33. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CAO Ian Appleyard sold 6,725 shares of State Street stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $88.42, for a total value of $594,624.50. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 14,493 shares in the company, valued at $1,281,471.06. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 32,893 shares of company stock worth $2,923,987 in the last three months. Insiders own 0.34% of the companys stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On State Street A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in STT. Raymond James Trust N.A. increased its holdings in shares of State Street by 29.3% during the first quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 4,505 shares of the asset managers stock worth $392,000 after buying an additional 1,021 shares in the last quarter. Blair William & Co. IL boosted its position in shares of State Street by 14.3% during the 1st quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 17,756 shares of the asset managers stock worth $1,547,000 after purchasing an additional 2,216 shares in the last quarter. Sei Investments Co. boosted its position in shares of State Street by 3.8% during the 1st quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 280,353 shares of the asset managers stock worth $24,436,000 after purchasing an additional 10,187 shares in the last quarter. Prudential PLC acquired a new position in State Street during the 1st quarter valued at about $812,000. Finally, Cetera Investment Advisers boosted its stake in State Street by 16.5% during the 1st quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 23,170 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $2,019,000 after purchasing an additional 3,276 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 88.41% of the companys stock. About State Street (Get Rating) State Street Corp. engages in the provision of financial services to institutional investors. It operates through the Commercial and Financial, and Commercial Real Estate segments. The company was founded in 1792 and is headquartered in Boston, MA. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for State Street Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for State Street and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wealth Effects LLC decreased its position in Barclays PLC (NYSE:BCS) by 71.4% in the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 10,000 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 25,000 shares during the period. Wealth Effects LLCs holdings in Barclays were worth $78,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the stock. Balyasny Asset Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Barclays by 268.6% during the third quarter. Balyasny Asset Management LLC now owns 3,822,683 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $24,465,000 after purchasing an additional 2,785,466 shares in the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC grew its holdings in Barclays by 326.2% in the 1st quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 2,405,686 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $19,005,000 after buying an additional 1,841,259 shares during the last quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership bought a new position in Barclays in the 1st quarter worth approximately $13,274,000. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky bought a new position in Barclays in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $9,335,000. Finally, Jane Street Group LLC increased its position in shares of Barclays by 611.0% during the second quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 1,678,838 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $12,759,000 after purchasing an additional 1,442,726 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 3.32% of the companys stock. Get Barclays alerts: Barclays Trading Down 2.3 % Shares of BCS stock opened at $7.62 on Friday. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $7.72 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $7.77. The company has a market cap of $30.25 billion, a PE ratio of 5.26 and a beta of 1.37. Barclays PLC has a fifty-two week low of $5.89 and a fifty-two week high of $9.44. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.72, a quick ratio of 1.40 and a current ratio of 1.40. Barclays Cuts Dividend Barclays ( NYSE:BCS Get Rating ) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, February 15th. The financial services provider reported $0.31 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $0.31. The firm had revenue of $6.81 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.13 billion. Barclays had a return on equity of 6.81% and a net margin of 20.04%. Equities analysts predict that Barclays PLC will post 1.71 EPS for the current fiscal year. The company also recently disclosed a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 31st. Investors of record on Friday, February 24th were issued a dividend of $0.104 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 6.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 23rd. Barclayss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 32.41%. Analysts Set New Price Targets Separately, StockNews.com assumed coverage on Barclays in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Barclays presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $212.00. About Barclays (Get Rating) Barclays Plc operates as a bank holding company, which engages in the provision of retail banking, credit cards, corporate and investment banking, and wealth management services. The firm operates through Barclays UK and Barclays International segments. The Barclays UK segment consists the U.K. retail banking operations, U.K. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BCS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Barclays PLC (NYSE:BCS Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Barclays Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Barclays and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. CACI International (NYSE:CACI Get Rating) was upgraded by equities research analysts at StockNews.com from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report issued on Thursday. A number of other equities research analysts have also recently issued reports on the company. Cowen upped their price objective on CACI International from $313.00 to $330.00 in a research note on Monday, January 9th. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on CACI International from $355.00 to $357.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, February 2nd. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $338.50. Get CACI International alerts: CACI International Stock Down 0.6 % NYSE CACI traded down $1.98 during trading on Thursday, hitting $307.33. The stock had a trading volume of 93,499 shares, compared to its average volume of 156,403. The company has a market capitalization of $7.23 billion, a PE ratio of 19.94, a P/E/G ratio of 2.35 and a beta of 0.97. The companys 50-day moving average price is $295.41 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $294.42. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47, a quick ratio of 1.20 and a current ratio of 1.20. CACI International has a 12 month low of $245.32 and a 12 month high of $319.33. Insider Activity CACI International ( NYSE:CACI Get Rating ) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, January 25th. The information technology services provider reported $4.28 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $4.35 by ($0.07). The firm had revenue of $1.65 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.60 billion. CACI International had a net margin of 5.63% and a return on equity of 13.59%. The companys revenue was up 11.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $4.39 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that CACI International will post 17.99 EPS for the current year. In related news, Director William L. Jews sold 1,018 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, March 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $284.43, for a total transaction of $289,549.74. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 8,065 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,293,927.95. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Insiders own 1.23% of the companys stock. Hedge Funds Weigh In On CACI International Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Studio Investment Management LLC boosted its holdings in CACI International by 3.0% during the 4th quarter. Studio Investment Management LLC now owns 1,534 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $461,000 after acquiring an additional 44 shares during the period. Quent Capital LLC increased its holdings in shares of CACI International by 33.0% in the 1st quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 234 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $69,000 after purchasing an additional 58 shares in the last quarter. Dark Forest Capital Management LP increased its holdings in shares of CACI International by 262.5% in the 4th quarter. Dark Forest Capital Management LP now owns 87 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 63 shares in the last quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp boosted its stake in shares of CACI International by 6.9% in the 3rd quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 1,120 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $292,000 after buying an additional 72 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Advisors Asset Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of CACI International by 0.8% in the 3rd quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 10,276 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $2,683,000 after buying an additional 79 shares during the last quarter. 87.08% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. About CACI International (Get Rating) 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. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for CACI International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for CACI International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE:CMG Get Rating) had its price target boosted by Truist Financial from $1,800.00 to $1,960.00 in a report released on Monday, The Fly reports. The brokerage currently has a buy rating on the restaurant operators stock. Other equities research analysts have also recently issued reports about the company. Robert W. Baird increased their price objective on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $1,800.00 to $1,900.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 8th. Stephens reaffirmed an overweight rating and issued a $1,760.00 target price on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in a research report on Wednesday, February 8th. Barclays raised their target price on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $1,450.00 to $1,550.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 8th. Argus raised their target price on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $1,800.00 to $1,900.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, February 9th. Finally, Oppenheimer raised their target price on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $1,875.00 to $1,940.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 4th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twenty-three have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $1,878.76. Get Chipotle Mexican Grill alerts: Chipotle Mexican Grill Trading Down 0.4 % CMG opened at $1,798.40 on Monday. Chipotle Mexican Grill has a 1-year low of $1,196.28 and a 1-year high of $1,816.70. The stock has a market capitalization of $49.65 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 56.09, a P/E/G ratio of 1.63 and a beta of 1.32. The business has a 50 day moving average of $1,625.49 and a 200-day moving average of $1,550.06. Insider Activity Chipotle Mexican Grill ( NYSE:CMG Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 7th. The restaurant operator reported $8.29 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $8.88 by ($0.59). Chipotle Mexican Grill had a net margin of 10.41% and a return on equity of 40.96%. The business had revenue of $2.18 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.23 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $5.58 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 11.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts predict that Chipotle Mexican Grill will post 41.46 EPS for the current year. In other news, CMO Christopher W. Brandt sold 584 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, January 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $1,595.00, for a total value of $931,480.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief marketing officer now directly owns 7,782 shares in the company, valued at $12,412,290. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In related news, CMO Christopher W. Brandt sold 584 shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill stock in a transaction dated Monday, January 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $1,595.00, for a total value of $931,480.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief marketing officer now directly owns 7,782 shares in the company, valued at $12,412,290. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO Brian R. Niccol sold 5,636 shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $1,646.82, for a total value of $9,281,477.52. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 23,347 shares of the companys stock, valued at $38,448,306.54. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 11,440 shares of company stock worth $18,870,221. 1.01% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Chipotle Mexican Grill A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in CMG. Panagora Asset Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 79.5% during the first quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. now owns 948 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $1,500,000 after purchasing an additional 420 shares during the period. Cibc World Market Inc. grew its stake in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 15.5% during the first quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 171 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $271,000 after purchasing an additional 23 shares during the period. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board grew its stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 7.3% in the first quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 3,032 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $4,796,000 after acquiring an additional 205 shares during the period. Cetera Investment Advisers grew its stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 6.1% in the first quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 777 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $1,229,000 after acquiring an additional 45 shares during the period. Finally, Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC grew its stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 38.9% in the first quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 218 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $345,000 after acquiring an additional 61 shares during the period. 93.26% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About Chipotle Mexican Grill (Get Rating) Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc engages in the development and operation of classically-cooked, real food with wholesome ingredients without artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. It offers a focused menu of burritos, tacos, burrito bowls, and salads prepared using classic cooking methods. The company was founded by Steve Ells in 1993 and is headquartered in Newport Beach, CA. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Chipotle Mexican Grill Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Chipotle Mexican Grill and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cinemark (NYSE:CNK Get Rating) had its target price increased by Morgan Stanley from $16.00 to $21.00 in a research note issued to investors on Monday morning, Benzinga reports. They currently have an overweight rating on the stock. CNK has been the topic of several other research reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on shares of Cinemark from $15.00 to $17.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, February 27th. B. Riley boosted their target price on shares of Cinemark from $15.00 to $20.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, April 10th. Credit Suisse Group boosted their target price on shares of Cinemark from $12.00 to $14.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, April 6th. Roth Capital reaffirmed a neutral rating on shares of Cinemark in a research note on Monday, February 13th. Finally, StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Cinemark in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. They set a sell rating for the company. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $17.13. Get Cinemark alerts: Cinemark Price Performance Shares of NYSE:CNK opened at $16.52 on Monday. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $13.81 and a 200-day simple moving average of $12.07. Cinemark has a one year low of $8.28 and a one year high of $19.76. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 21.44, a quick ratio of 1.19 and a current ratio of 1.22. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.01 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -7.34, a PEG ratio of 4.53 and a beta of 2.28. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Cinemark ( NYSE:CNK Get Rating ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, February 24th. The company reported ($0.82) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.34) by ($0.48). The business had revenue of $599.70 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $589.47 million. Cinemark had a negative return on equity of 84.89% and a negative net margin of 11.05%. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 10.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business earned $0.05 earnings per share. On average, analysts predict that Cinemark will post 0.44 EPS for the current year. A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Cinemark by 3.2% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 11,649,459 shares of the companys stock worth $201,303,000 after buying an additional 359,501 shares during the period. Wellington Management Group LLP grew its position in shares of Cinemark by 1.7% during the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 10,801,403 shares of the companys stock worth $186,648,000 after buying an additional 184,373 shares during the period. Millennium Management LLC grew its position in shares of Cinemark by 1.5% during the 4th quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 3,765,155 shares of the companys stock worth $32,606,000 after buying an additional 57,023 shares during the period. Renaissance Technologies LLC grew its position in shares of Cinemark by 37.9% during the 4th quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 3,596,200 shares of the companys stock worth $31,143,000 after buying an additional 989,200 shares during the period. Finally, Morgan Stanley grew its position in Cinemark by 26.7% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 2,740,649 shares of the companys stock valued at $23,734,000 after purchasing an additional 576,816 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 98.99% of the companys stock. About Cinemark (Get Rating) Cinemark Holdings, Inc is a holding company, which engages in the provision of motion picture exhibitions through its subsidiaries. It operates through the U.S. and International segments. The company was founded by Lee Roy Mitchell in 1984 and is headquartered in Plano, TX. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Cinemark Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cinemark and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The big shift in venture capital funding away from crypto projects has come into stark focus. A comparison between this and last years Q1 funding shows a drop from $9.1 billion during the first three months of 2022 to $1.7 billion in 2023, an 82% fall, according to a Crunchbase report. However, while the dip in deal flow and sector funding harken back to or below levels last seen in Q4 2020, Delta Blockchain Fund Founder Kavita Gupta told Decrypt that there are many factors at play. There are multiple things happening. We are seeing more and more companies who have raised at a very high valuation in 2021 or early 2022 that are now coming back into the market trying to do extensions at the same valuations, which are not going through. So a lot of companies are doing their down rounds, said Gupta. Those high valuations were driven by companies such as Yuga Labs, ConsenSys, Polygon, as well as FTX and FTX USall of which raised between $400 million and $450 million in 2022. Reduced deal flow In todays market, the sword now cuts the other way. Where major institutions like FTX and Silvergate Bank once stood, there are ruins. Overall only a trio of companies came out of Q1 2023 having secured sizable funding, and of those, only two saw more than $100 million, according to Crunchbase data. 'Uniswap Controlled by a16z?': Crypto Twitter Split Over VC Firm's Governance Move Vancouver-based technology provider Blockstream raised $125 million in convertible notes and secured loans, and French hardware wallet maker Ledger raised $108 million to bring its Series C funding to a total of $488 million. Israel-based semiconductor startup Chain Reaction secured a $70 million Series C funding round. Reacting to market conditions With respect to funding, we are definitely seeing low valuations and more incubation stages instead of growth stages at slashed values, said Gupta. The secondary market and the lower value for the growth stage companies are also picking up with actually even lower buyers. Story continues In some cases companies planning on token launches saw projects sidelined amid sour market conditions, according to Gupta. Prices are down and people are not raising as much money as they were initially aiming to raise from the token listings, she said. While Ethereum and Bitcoin still have some balance according to Gupta, those with capital may have second thoughts about sinking cash into other crypto assets. Potential regulatory factors are causing investors to have their doubts around tokens, she said, even if they may be considered blue chips by the wider market. Greener pastures Likely hastened by the growing popularity of deep learning modules such as ChatGPT, venture capitalists are beginning to shift interest. Mysten Labs co-founder and CEO Evan Cheng said this change is due to the wider appeal of AI products, which have drawn a number of recent investments over recent months. Crypto Derivatives Platform Paradigm Slashes Salaries to Reduce Need for Layoffs Crypto investment veteran Andreessen Horowitz put $150 million behind Character AI last month. The team that built AI image generation tool Stable Diffusion raised $101 million from Lightspeed Venture Partners for Stability AI in October 2022. In an effort to thwart OpenAIs ChatGPT, billionaire Elon Musk days ago announced on CNBC the creation of X.AI, a company rumored to be headquartered in Nevada, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal. The AI bug also seems to have bitten Tron founder Justin Sun who said that his company would create a $100 million fund for AI development. CX Institutional cut its holdings in iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:IWF Get Rating) by 12.9% in the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 91,829 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 13,567 shares during the period. iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF comprises about 1.2% of CX Institutionals holdings, making the stock its 17th biggest position. CX Institutionals holdings in iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF were worth $19,673,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the business. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P grew its position in iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF by 34.1% during the first quarter. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P now owns 26,203 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $7,275,000 after buying an additional 6,665 shares during the period. Worth Asset Management LLC bought a new position in shares of iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $42,000. International Assets Investment Management LLC grew its position in shares of iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF by 11.6% during the 1st quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 6,211 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $1,724,000 after acquiring an additional 644 shares during the period. West Michigan Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF by 3.7% during the 1st quarter. West Michigan Advisors LLC now owns 7,595 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $2,109,000 after purchasing an additional 272 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Flow Traders U.S. LLC bought a new stake in shares of iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF in the 1st quarter worth approximately $33,422,000. Get iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF alerts: iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF Stock Performance NYSEARCA IWF traded up $0.02 on Friday, hitting $243.89. 357,193 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,605,479. The businesss fifty day moving average is $236.37 and its two-hundred day moving average is $226.92. iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF has a 12 month low of $202.05 and a 12 month high of $259.98. The firm has a market capitalization of $64.11 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.14 and a beta of 1.07. iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF Profile iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment returns that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Russell 1000 Growth Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of equity securities of Russell 1000 index issuers with relatively higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IWF? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:IWF Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. First Industrial Realty Trust (NYSE:FR Get Rating) updated its FY 2023 earnings guidance on Wednesday. The company provided earnings per share (EPS) guidance of $2.33-$2.43 for the period, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.38. The company issued revenue guidance of -. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of brokerages recently weighed in on FR. StockNews.com began coverage on First Industrial Realty Trust in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada reissued an outperform rating and issued a $65.00 price objective on shares of First Industrial Realty Trust in a research note on Thursday, February 23rd. The Goldman Sachs Group began coverage on First Industrial Realty Trust in a research note on Tuesday, March 21st. They issued a sell rating and a $48.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Truist Financial raised their price objective on First Industrial Realty Trust from $55.00 to $60.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 21st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $59.63. Get First Industrial Realty Trust alerts: First Industrial Realty Trust Price Performance Shares of NYSE:FR opened at $52.49 on Friday. First Industrial Realty Trust has a 1-year low of $42.91 and a 1-year high of $65.26. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.94 billion, a PE ratio of 19.37 and a beta of 0.98. The businesss 50 day moving average is $52.25 and its 200-day moving average is $50.08. The company has a current ratio of 1.25, a quick ratio of 1.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.82. First Industrial Realty Trust Increases Dividend Institutional Trading of First Industrial Realty Trust The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, April 17th. Investors of record on Friday, March 31st were paid a $0.32 dividend. This is a positive change from First Industrial Realty Trusts previous quarterly dividend of $0.30. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, March 30th. This represents a $1.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.44%. First Industrial Realty Trusts payout ratio is currently 47.23%. Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Neo Ivy Capital Management acquired a new stake in First Industrial Realty Trust in the 2nd quarter valued at $28,000. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. acquired a new stake in First Industrial Realty Trust in the 1st quarter valued at $46,000. Lazard Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in First Industrial Realty Trust by 99.1% in the 1st quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 1,396 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $86,000 after buying an additional 695 shares in the last quarter. Covestor Ltd boosted its stake in First Industrial Realty Trust by 96.3% in the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 1,790 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $111,000 after buying an additional 878 shares in the last quarter. Finally, First Manhattan Co. acquired a new stake in First Industrial Realty Trust in the 1st quarter valued at $151,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 98.00% of the companys stock. First Industrial Realty Trust Company Profile (Get Rating) First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc engages in the ownership, management, acquisition, sale, development, and redevelopment of industrial real estate. The firm product portfolio includes bulk warehouse, regional warehouse, R&D/flex, and light industrial properties. The company was founded by Johannson L. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for First Industrial Realty Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for First Industrial Realty Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Fisher Asset Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Rio Tinto Group (NYSE:RIO Get Rating) by 1.9% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 14,424,481 shares of the mining companys stock after purchasing an additional 271,771 shares during the period. Fisher Asset Management LLC owned approximately 1.15% of Rio Tinto Group worth $1,027,023,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in RIO. Cowa LLC bought a new stake in shares of Rio Tinto Group during the first quarter worth about $26,000. Twin Lakes Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Rio Tinto Group during the third quarter worth about $28,000. Western Pacific Wealth Management LP bought a new stake in shares of Rio Tinto Group during the third quarter worth about $36,000. Standard Family Office LLC bought a new stake in shares of Rio Tinto Group during the third quarter worth about $37,000. Finally, Penserra Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Rio Tinto Group during the third quarter worth about $38,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 10.43% of the companys stock. Get Rio Tinto Group alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes RIO has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Berenberg Bank raised shares of Rio Tinto Group from a sell rating to a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, January 12th. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on shares of Rio Tinto Group from GBX 5,750 ($71.15) to GBX 5,790 ($71.65) in a research note on Monday, January 23rd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their target price on shares of Rio Tinto Group from GBX 5,800 ($71.77) to GBX 6,200 ($76.72) in a research note on Tuesday, January 10th. CLSA upgraded shares of Rio Tinto Group from an underperform rating to an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, March 13th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded shares of Rio Tinto Group from a buy rating to a conviction-buy rating in a research report on Thursday, March 2nd. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating, four have issued a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $5,790.00. Rio Tinto Group Stock Performance Rio Tinto Group Cuts Dividend Shares of RIO traded down $3.20 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $64.10. 4,789,589 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,233,882. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21, a current ratio of 1.64 and a quick ratio of 1.10. Rio Tinto Group has a 1 year low of $50.92 and a 1 year high of $80.51. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $69.42 and its 200-day moving average price is $67.87. The company also recently declared a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Thursday, April 20th. Investors of record on Friday, March 10th were paid a $2.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, March 9th. This represents a yield of 9.8%. About Rio Tinto Group (Get Rating) Rio Tinto Plc engages in the exploration, mining, and processing of mineral resources. It operates through the following business segments: Iron Ore, Aluminium, Copper and Diamonds, Energy and Minerals, and Other Operations. The Iron Ore segment supplies global seaborne iron ore trade. The Aluminium segment produces bauxite, alumina and primary aluminum. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding RIO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Rio Tinto Group (NYSE:RIO Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Rio Tinto Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Rio Tinto Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. International Business Machines (NYSE:IBM Get Rating) issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday. The technology company reported $1.36 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.27 by $0.09, Briefing.com reports. International Business Machines had a net margin of 2.71% and a return on equity of 41.24%. The firm had revenue of $14.25 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $14.33 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.40 EPS. International Business Machiness quarterly revenue was up .4% compared to the same quarter last year. International Business Machines updated its FY 2023 guidance to EPS. International Business Machines Trading Up 0.0 % International Business Machines stock opened at $126.36 on Friday. International Business Machines has a 1 year low of $115.54 and a 1 year high of $153.21. The firms 50 day moving average price is $129.32 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $135.47. The firm has a market cap of $114.62 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 71.80, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.45 and a beta of 0.85. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.10, a quick ratio of 0.87 and a current ratio of 0.92. Get International Business Machines alerts: International Business Machines Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 10th. Investors of record on Friday, February 10th were issued a dividend of $1.65 per share. This represents a $6.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.22%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 9th. International Business Machiness payout ratio is 375.00%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Institutional Investors Weigh In On International Business Machines Several analysts recently commented on IBM shares. Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on International Business Machines from $143.00 to $135.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday. Moffett Nathanson raised International Business Machines from an underperform rating to a market perform rating and set a $140.00 price target on the stock in a report on Tuesday, January 24th. BMO Capital Markets reduced their price objective on shares of International Business Machines from $155.00 to $145.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a report on Thursday. Citigroup raised their target price on shares of International Business Machines from $140.00 to $145.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, January 26th. Finally, Edward Jones lowered shares of International Business Machines from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, February 6th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, International Business Machines has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $139.18. Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Royal London Asset Management Ltd. increased its position in shares of International Business Machines by 0.6% in the first quarter. Royal London Asset Management Ltd. now owns 321,267 shares of the technology companys stock worth $41,776,000 after acquiring an additional 2,006 shares in the last quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. grew its position in International Business Machines by 2,345.1% during the 1st quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. now owns 347,893 shares of the technology companys stock worth $45,233,000 after purchasing an additional 333,665 shares in the last quarter. Equitable Holdings Inc. raised its stake in International Business Machines by 13.1% during the 1st quarter. Equitable Holdings Inc. now owns 15,388 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $2,001,000 after purchasing an additional 1,780 shares during the period. Bridgewater Associates LP lifted its holdings in shares of International Business Machines by 442.8% in the first quarter. Bridgewater Associates LP now owns 376,153 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $48,907,000 after purchasing an additional 306,854 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bridgefront Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of International Business Machines in the first quarter worth $241,000. 55.90% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. About International Business Machines (Get Rating) International Business Machines Corp. is an information technology company, which engages in the provision of integrated solutions that leverage information technology and knowledge of business processes. It operates through the following segments: Software, Consulting, Infrastructure, Financing, and Other. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for International Business Machines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for International Business Machines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. iShares U.S. Medical Devices ETF (NYSEARCA:IHI Get Rating) saw strong trading volume on Wednesday . 948,972 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 24% from the previous sessions volume of 764,783 shares.The stock last traded at $56.61 and had previously closed at $55.20. iShares U.S. Medical Devices ETF Stock Performance The firm has a market capitalization of $6.25 billion, a PE ratio of 27.50 and a beta of 0.85. The businesss 50 day moving average is $53.18 and its two-hundred day moving average is $52.29. Get iShares U.S. Medical Devices ETF alerts: Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Castleview Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of iShares U.S. Medical Devices ETF during the 4th quarter valued at $27,000. WFA of San Diego LLC purchased a new position in shares of iShares U.S. Medical Devices ETF during the 4th quarter valued at $32,000. Guardian Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of iShares U.S. Medical Devices ETF during the 3rd quarter valued at $28,000. Red Lighthouse Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of iShares U.S. Medical Devices ETF during the 4th quarter valued at $35,000. Finally, Financial Management Professionals Inc. purchased a new position in shares of iShares U.S. Medical Devices ETF during the 1st quarter valued at $38,000. About iShares U.S. Medical Devices ETF The iShares U.S. Medical Devices ETF (IHI) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the DJ US Select \u002F Medical Equipment index, a market-cap-weighted index of manufacturers and distributors of medical devices in the US. IHI was launched on May 1, 2006 and is managed by BlackRock. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for iShares U.S. Medical Devices ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares U.S. Medical Devices ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com cut shares of KB Financial Group (NYSE:KB Get Rating) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report issued on Tuesday. Separately, Bank of America decreased their price objective on shares of KB Financial Group from $55.38 to $46.15 in a research note on Wednesday, March 1st. Get KB Financial Group alerts: KB Financial Group Trading Up 0.8 % KB Financial Group stock opened at $37.63 on Tuesday. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $37.68 and a 200 day moving average price of $38.51. KB Financial Group has a 52 week low of $30.14 and a 52 week high of $49.67. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.83, a quick ratio of 1.73 and a current ratio of 1.69. The firm has a market capitalization of $15.39 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 4.45, a P/E/G ratio of 0.63 and a beta of 0.94. Institutional Investors Weigh In On KB Financial Group KB Financial Group Company Profile Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Creative Planning acquired a new stake in shares of KB Financial Group during the 3rd quarter valued at $425,000. Veriti Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of KB Financial Group by 6.6% during the 4th quarter. Veriti Management LLC now owns 36,990 shares of the banks stock valued at $1,430,000 after buying an additional 2,282 shares during the period. Nordwand Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of KB Financial Group during the 4th quarter valued at $4,962,000. Trinity Street Asset Management LLP boosted its stake in shares of KB Financial Group by 0.4% during the 4th quarter. Trinity Street Asset Management LLP now owns 2,056,148 shares of the banks stock valued at $79,490,000 after buying an additional 7,840 shares during the period. Finally, Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. boosted its stake in shares of KB Financial Group by 8.6% during the 3rd quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. now owns 131,113 shares of the banks stock valued at $3,952,000 after buying an additional 10,392 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 5.80% of the companys stock. (Get Rating) KB Financial Group, Inc engages in providing financial services through its subsidiaries. It operates through the following segments: Corporate Banking, Retail Banking, Other Banking Services, Credit Card, Life Insurance, Investment and Securities business. The Corporate Banking business segment provides services such as loans, overdrafts, deposits, credit facilities and other foreign currency activities. See Also Receive News & Ratings for KB Financial Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for KB Financial Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Local Bounti (NYSE:LOCL Get Rating) is one of 33 publicly-traded companies in the Agricultural production crops industry, but how does it contrast to its peers? We will compare Local Bounti to similar businesses based on the strength of its analyst recommendations, earnings, profitability, risk, valuation, institutional ownership and dividends. Insider and Institutional Ownership 65.3% of Local Bounti shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 25.0% of shares of all Agricultural production crops companies are owned by institutional investors. 41.5% of Local Bounti shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 17.0% of shares of all Agricultural production crops 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. Get Local Bounti alerts: Analyst Ratings This is a summary of current ratings and recommmendations for Local Bounti and its peers, as provided by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Local Bounti 0 1 4 0 2.80 Local Bounti Competitors 101 171 490 23 2.55 Profitability Local Bounti presently has a consensus price target of $2.85, suggesting a potential upside of 493.75%. As a group, Agricultural production crops companies have a potential upside of 61.89%. Given Local Bountis stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, equities research analysts plainly believe Local Bounti is more favorable than its peers. This table compares Local Bounti and its peers net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Local Bounti -570.35% -95.94% -47.68% Local Bounti Competitors -339.13% -25.58% -15.99% Valuation and Earnings This table compares Local Bounti and its peers top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Local Bounti $19.47 million -$111.07 million -0.38 Local Bounti Competitors $1.63 billion $21.77 million -0.05 Local Bountis peers have higher revenue and earnings than Local Bounti. Local Bounti 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. Volatility & Risk Local Bounti has a beta of 1.75, meaning that its stock price is 75% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Local Bountis peers have a beta of -24.13, meaning that their average stock price is 2,513% less volatile than the S&P 500. Local Bounti Company Profile (Get Rating) Local Bounti Corporation grows fresh greens and herbs in the United States. It produces lettuce, herbs, and loose-leaf lettuce. The company sells its products to food retailers and food service distributors. Local Bounti Corporation was founded in 2018 and is headquartered in Hamilton, Montana. Receive News & Ratings for Local Bounti Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Local Bounti and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Maiden Holdings North America, Ltd. (NYSE:MHNC Get Rating) saw a significant drop in short interest in March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 1,200 shares, a drop of 7.7% from the March 15th total of 1,300 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 4,800 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.3 days. Maiden Holdings North America Price Performance MHNC stock traded up $0.02 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $16.46. The stock had a trading volume of 3,236 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,768. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $17.38 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $17.95. Maiden Holdings North America has a twelve month low of $14.84 and a twelve month high of $20.50. Get Maiden Holdings North America alerts: Maiden Holdings North America Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 1st. Investors of record on Monday, May 15th will be given a $0.4844 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 12th. This represents a $1.94 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 11.77%. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Maiden Holdings North America Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Maiden Holdings North America and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. MeridianLink, Inc. (NYSE:MLNK Get Rating) saw a significant decline in short interest in the month of March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 1,790,000 shares, a decline of 6.3% from the March 15th total of 1,910,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 102,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 17.5 days. Approximately 9.1% of the shares of the company are sold short. MeridianLink Price Performance Shares of MeridianLink stock traded up $0.12 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $15.21. The companys stock had a trading volume of 8,532 shares, compared to its average volume of 100,407. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $16.38 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $15.79. MeridianLink has a 12-month low of $12.49 and a 12-month high of $18.84. The company has a market cap of $1.23 billion, a PE ratio of 1,509.00 and a beta of 0.76. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.73, a quick ratio of 2.36 and a current ratio of 2.36. Get MeridianLink alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In related news, insider Chris Maloof sold 1,573 shares of MeridianLink stock in a transaction on Tuesday, April 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $17.24, for a total value of $27,118.52. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 256,989 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,430,490.36. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 20.90% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On MeridianLink Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in MLNK. Altshuler Shaham Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of MeridianLink in the third quarter worth about $27,000. UBS Group AG lifted its position in shares of MeridianLink by 610.4% in the third quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 1,705 shares of the companys stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 1,465 shares in the last quarter. Ameritas Investment Partners Inc. lifted its position in shares of MeridianLink by 81.3% in the first quarter. Ameritas Investment Partners Inc. now owns 1,759 shares of the companys stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 789 shares in the last quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC lifted its position in shares of MeridianLink by 261.8% in the third quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 2,301 shares of the companys stock worth $37,000 after buying an additional 1,665 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ensign Peak Advisors Inc purchased a new stake in shares of MeridianLink in the third quarter worth about $44,000. 68.45% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Several analysts have issued reports on the company. Barclays boosted their price target on MeridianLink from $14.00 to $15.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a report on Thursday, March 2nd. Credit Suisse Group cut their price target on MeridianLink from $16.00 to $15.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Thursday, March 2nd. Wolfe Research lowered MeridianLink from a peer perform rating to an underperform rating and set a $14.00 price target for the company. in a report on Thursday. Finally, BTIG Research cut their price target on MeridianLink from $28.00 to $24.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Thursday, March 2nd. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, MeridianLink has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $17.33. About MeridianLink (Get Rating) MeridianLink, Inc, a software and services company, provides software solutions for banks, credit unions, mortgage lenders, specialty lending providers, and consumer reporting agencies in the United States. The company offers MeridianLink Consumer, a consumer lending and account opening platform; MeridianLink Opening, an online account opening software that unifies deposit account opening and funding for various channels and products; and MeridianLink DecisionLender, a loan origination software (LOS) for finance companies. See Also Receive News & Ratings for MeridianLink Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for MeridianLink and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mizuho upgraded shares of Southern (NYSE:SO Get Rating) from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research note issued to investors on Thursday morning, The Fly reports. The brokerage currently has $77.00 price objective on the utilities providers stock, up from their prior price objective of $72.00. Several other equities research analysts also recently commented on the stock. 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 report on Thursday, March 2nd. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price objective on shares of Southern from $73.00 to $71.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, February 17th. Credit Suisse Group upped their price objective on shares of Southern from $60.00 to $70.00 and gave the company an underperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 18th. StockNews.com lowered shares of Southern from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Thursday, April 13th. Finally, Morgan Stanley dropped their price objective on shares of Southern from $61.00 to $57.00 and set an underweight rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, March 21st. Five analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Southern presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $72.43. Get Southern alerts: Southern Stock Up 0.3 % SO stock opened at $73.02 on Thursday. Southern has a 12 month low of $58.85 and a 12 month high of $80.57. The firm has a market cap of $79.70 billion, a PE ratio of 22.26, a P/E/G ratio of 5.03 and a beta of 0.51. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $67.81 and a 200 day simple moving average of $67.63. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.47, a current ratio of 0.66 and a quick ratio of 0.52. Southern Increases Dividend Southern ( NYSE:SO Get Rating ) last released its earnings results on Thursday, February 16th. The utilities provider reported $0.26 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.24 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $7.05 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.83 billion. Southern had a net margin of 12.40% and a return on equity of 11.73%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 22.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $0.36 earnings per share. Equities research analysts forecast that Southern will post 3.61 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 6th. Investors of record on Monday, May 15th will be issued a dividend of $0.70 per share. This is an increase from Southerns previous quarterly dividend of $0.68. This represents a $2.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.83%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 12th. Southerns dividend payout ratio is currently 82.93%. Insider Buying and Selling In other Southern news, CEO Stephen E. Kuczynski sold 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, April 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $71.89, for a total value of $359,450.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 146,284 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $10,516,356.76. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other Southern news, CEO Stephen E. Kuczynski sold 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, April 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $71.89, for a total value of $359,450.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 146,284 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $10,516,356.76. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP Christopher Cummiskey sold 1,282 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $66.60, for a total transaction of $85,381.20. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 27,512 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,832,299.20. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders sold 7,134 shares of company stock valued at $502,179. Company insiders own 0.37% of the companys stock. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Southern Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Mitsubishi UFJ Kokusai Asset Management Co. Ltd. lifted its holdings in shares of Southern by 10.6% during the 3rd quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Kokusai Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 684,928 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $46,575,000 after acquiring an additional 65,826 shares during the period. Lazard Asset Management LLC increased its position in shares of Southern by 2.6% during the 3rd quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 13,547 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $920,000 after purchasing an additional 337 shares in the last quarter. CAPROCK Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Southern during the 4th quarter worth about $228,000. Pinnacle Associates Ltd. increased its position in Southern by 1.4% in the 3rd quarter. Pinnacle Associates Ltd. now owns 38,631 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $2,627,000 after acquiring an additional 530 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Dynamic Advisor Solutions LLC increased its position in Southern by 10.7% in the 4th quarter. Dynamic Advisor Solutions LLC now owns 26,638 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,902,000 after acquiring an additional 2,584 shares in the last quarter. 61.78% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. 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. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Southern Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Southern and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Scottsdale, AZ - (NewMediaWire) - April 21, 2023 - The health sector in America is witnessing a rise in consolidation across all areas. With an increasing number of medical practices merging into larger medical groups or hospitals, physicians face a complicated dilemma: What is the best way to sell the practice to maximize financial gains, maintain wealth and leave behind a lasting legacy? There may be no easy answer; however, great advice is available. The overriding guidance is to find support from an advisor and tax attorney with the skill, expertise, and drive to achieve your goals. "My number one recommendation for physicians looking to sell their practice is to speak with a private wealth advisor early on," said Tanya Smith, a former M&A attorney and a private wealth advisor at Goldman Sachs. "Find an advisor who will roll up their sleeves to walk you through every step of the transaction (e.g., deciding who you want to sell to, structuring the deal in a tax-efficient manner, and helping you with exit planning)." One such tax-advantaged strategy, known as an "Optimized Charitable Lead Annuity Trust" (OCLAT), can save physicians up to 30% of taxes from selling their medical practice while preserving and protecting wealth, continuing their legacy, and funding charitable causes. Senior Estate & Tax Planning Attorney Jonathon Morrison, JD, who has guided over 150 of these transactions and been involved in 500 CLAT deals, says the OCLAT is the "ideal strategy for physicians looking to sell their medical practice. OCLATs generate a massive tax deduction on the sale of their practice, allow for donations to their favorite medical foundations, grow their assets 2-5 times the amount of the initial contribution, and allow the money to be passed to their heirs without income or estate taxes. Time and again, I work with doctors who have those goals in mind for the sale of their practice: the OCLAT has been tailor-made to truly optimize the transaction." Story continues This strategy provides a tax-efficient way for physicians to build a meaningful and philanthropic legacy, maintain a nest egg, and ensure their family's financial security over the longer term. OCLATs perform so well that some physicians opt to execute them even without selling their practice. Physicians looking for additional income tax options can consider OCLATs to divert tax dollars to medical foundations and health nonprofits. As the 2022 tax deadline passes, many individuals and partners selling their practice in 2023 are making the type of far-ranging decisions that will impact not only the remainder of their lives but also the next generation of their family. The right guidance and support must be sourced so that the right path can be taken. Kimberly Foss, CFP, CPWA CEO of Empyrion Wealth Management, sums it up: "It's important to explore all types of structures in connection to selling your business; whether it be in the traditional manner, an installment sale, or converting your service corporation to a C Corp. and donating those shares to a charitable remainder unitrust (CRUT), to avoid long-term capital gains. Irrespective of the structure, it's critical that your financial team does an in-depth analysis to maximize return and minimize taxes for the transition of your practice." RELATED LINK: Arizona Physician: Selling Your Medical Practice? Optimize the Sale with This Triple Tax-Advantaged Strategy https://www.arizonaphysician.com/selling-med-practice Media Details: Company Name: Frazer Ryan Goldberg & Arnold Contact Person: Christopher Wells MBA Email: Cwells@frgalaw.com Phone Number: 602-200-7391 Donaldson (NYSE:DCI Get Rating) had its price target lifted by Morgan Stanley from $70.00 to $71.00 in a report released on Thursday, The Fly reports. Morgan Stanley currently has an overweight rating on the industrial products companys stock. Several other brokerages have also recently weighed in on DCI. Robert W. Baird lifted their price target on Donaldson from $66.00 to $69.00 in a research report on Friday, March 3rd. StockNews.com started coverage on Donaldson in a research report on Thursday, March 16th. They set a strong-buy rating on the stock. Get Donaldson alerts: Donaldson Trading Up 0.7 % NYSE DCI opened at $63.99 on Thursday. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $63.76 and a 200 day simple moving average of $60.35. Donaldson has a one year low of $46.00 and a one year high of $66.96. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.76 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.22, a P/E/G ratio of 1.99 and a beta of 1.21. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52, a current ratio of 2.33 and a quick ratio of 1.46. Donaldson Dividend Announcement Donaldson ( NYSE:DCI Get Rating ) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, March 8th. The industrial products company reported $0.75 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.69 by $0.06. Donaldson had a return on equity of 32.35% and a net margin of 10.45%. The company had revenue of $828.30 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $838.29 million. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.57 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 3.2% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts expect that Donaldson will post 3.05 earnings per share for the current year. The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, February 27th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 10th were given a $0.23 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 9th. This represents a $0.92 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.44%. Donaldsons payout ratio is 31.94%. Insider Transactions at Donaldson In other Donaldson news, Director James Owens sold 10,800 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $66.08, for a total transaction of $713,664.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 14,378 shares of the companys stock, valued at $950,098.24. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In related news, Director James Owens sold 10,800 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $66.08, for a total value of $713,664.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 14,378 shares in the company, valued at $950,098.24. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Christopher M. Hilger purchased 3,186 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, April 11th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $62.76 per share, with a total value of $199,953.36. Following the acquisition, the director now directly owns 7,872 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $494,046.72. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders own 2.77% of the companys stock. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Donaldson Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Donaldson during the 3rd quarter worth about $27,000. Belpointe Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Donaldson during the 4th quarter worth approximately $32,000. Fred Alger Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Donaldson during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $35,000. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Donaldson by 217.5% during the 4th quarter. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. now owns 797 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $39,000 after buying an additional 546 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Affiance Financial LLC acquired a new stake in Donaldson in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $41,000. 80.10% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About Donaldson (Get Rating) Donaldson Co, Inc engages in the manufacture of filtration systems and replacement parts. It operates through the following segments: Engine Products and Industrial Products. The Engine Products segment includes replacement filters for both air and liquid filtration applications, air filtration systems, liquid filtration systems for fuel, lube and hydraulic applications, and exhaust and emissions systems. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Donaldson Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Donaldson and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Crescent Point Energy (TSE:CPG Get Rating) (NYSE:CPG) had its price target hoisted by National Bankshares from C$16.00 to C$18.00 in a report published on Tuesday, BayStreet.CA reports. Several other research firms have also commented on CPG. TD Securities reduced their price target on Crescent Point Energy from C$18.50 to C$13.00 and set an action list buy rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, March 29th. BMO Capital Markets boosted their target price on shares of Crescent Point Energy from C$11.00 to C$12.50 in a report on Monday, March 27th. Raymond James raised their price target on shares of Crescent Point Energy from C$12.00 to C$12.50 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, March 29th. National Bank Financial increased their price objective on Crescent Point Energy from C$14.50 to C$16.00 in a research report on Wednesday, March 29th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus lifted their target price on Crescent Point Energy from C$15.50 to C$15.75 in a research report on Wednesday, March 29th. Get Crescent Point Energy alerts: Crescent Point Energy Trading Down 2.9 % Shares of TSE:CPG opened at C$9.97 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 24.11, a current ratio of 0.80 and a quick ratio of 0.49. The firm has a market capitalization of C$5.45 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 3.83, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of -0.59 and a beta of 2.88. Crescent Point Energy has a 1 year low of C$7.57 and a 1 year high of C$13.74. The businesss 50 day moving average price is C$9.52 and its 200-day moving average price is C$9.77. Crescent Point Energy Dividend Announcement Crescent Point Energy ( TSE:CPG Get Rating ) (NYSE:CPG) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, March 2nd. The company reported C$0.38 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of C$0.38. The company had revenue of C$1.02 billion for the quarter. Crescent Point Energy had a net margin of 37.15% and a return on equity of 24.93%. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Crescent Point Energy will post 1.7266667 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The business also recently disclosed a None dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 17th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 10th were paid a dividend of $0.032 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, March 9th. Crescent Point Energys dividend payout ratio is presently 15.38%. About Crescent Point Energy (Get Rating) Crescent Point Energy Corp. explores, develops, and produces light and medium crude oil, natural gas liquids, and natural gas reserves in Western Canada and the United States. It's crude oil and natural gas properties, and related assets are located in the provinces of Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, and Manitoba; and the states of North Dakota and Montana. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Crescent Point Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Crescent Point Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Osisko Gold Royalties (TSE:OR Get Rating) had its price target increased by National Bankshares from C$23.00 to C$27.00 in a research report report published on Tuesday, BayStreet.CA reports. A number of other equities analysts have also commented on OR. Stifel Nicolaus raised their price objective on Osisko Gold Royalties from C$19.50 to C$20.00 in a research note on Monday, January 23rd. Raymond James reduced their target price on Osisko Gold Royalties from C$22.50 to C$22.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Monday, February 27th. Cormark raised their price objective on Osisko Gold Royalties from C$22.00 to C$23.00 in a report on Monday, February 27th. BMO Capital Markets raised their price objective on Osisko Gold Royalties from C$18.00 to C$21.00 in a report on Wednesday, February 15th. Finally, TD Securities raised their price objective on Osisko Gold Royalties from C$22.00 to C$27.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, April 5th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of C$25.21. Get Osisko Gold Royalties alerts: Osisko Gold Royalties Price Performance Shares of TSE OR opened at C$21.86 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of C$4.03 billion, a P/E ratio of 46.51, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.31 and a beta of 0.67. The company has a current ratio of 5.86, a quick ratio of 0.98 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 8.95. Osisko Gold Royalties has a 1-year low of C$11.90 and a 1-year high of C$22.87. The businesss 50 day moving average is C$19.65 and its 200-day moving average is C$17.46. Osisko Gold Royalties Dividend Announcement Insiders Place Their Bets The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, April 14th. Shareholders of record on Friday, April 14th were issued a dividend of $0.055 per share. This represents a $0.22 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.01%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, March 30th. Osisko Gold Royaltiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 46.81%. In related news, Director Victor Bradley sold 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, March 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$20.47, for a total value of C$102,350.00. In other Osisko Gold Royalties news, Director Victor Bradley sold 5,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$20.47, for a total transaction of C$102,350.00. Also, Senior Officer Andre Le Bel sold 15,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of C$18.40, for a total value of C$276,000.00. Insiders have sold a total of 38,570 shares of company stock worth $720,467 over the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 0.52% of the companys stock. Osisko Gold Royalties Company Profile (Get Rating) Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd acquires and manages precious metal and other royalties, streams, and offtake and other interests in Canada and internationally. It also owns options on royalty/stream financings; and exclusive rights to participate in future royalty/stream financings on various projects. The company's primary asset is a 5% net smelter return royalty on the Canadian Malartic mine located in Canada. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Osisko Gold Royalties Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Osisko Gold Royalties and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Pipestone Energy Corp. (OTCMKTS:BKBEF Get Rating) was the target of a large decline in short interest in March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 1,541,000 shares, a decline of 8.5% from the March 15th total of 1,683,700 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 12,800 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 120.4 days. Pipestone Energy Price Performance Shares of BKBEF opened at $1.94 on Friday. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $2.08 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $2.37. Pipestone Energy has a 52 week low of $1.80 and a 52 week high of $5.34. Get Pipestone Energy alerts: Pipestone Energy Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, March 15th were issued a dividend of $0.0223 per share. This represents a yield of 4.07%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, March 14th. Analysts Set New Price Targets About Pipestone Energy Separately, National Bank Financial decreased their price objective on Pipestone Energy from C$4.00 to C$3.50 in a report on Tuesday. (Get Rating) Pipestone Energy Corp. is an oil and gas exploration and production company, which focuses on developing its condensate assets in the Pipestone area of Alberta. The company was founded on January 4, 2019 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Pipestone Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Pipestone Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Plains All American Pipeline (NYSE:PAA Get Rating) had its price objective hoisted by Barclays from $13.00 to $15.00 in a report released on Tuesday morning, The Fly reports. Other equities research analysts have also recently issued research reports about the company. Mizuho upped their target price on Plains All American Pipeline from $15.00 to $17.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 1st. Sanford C. Bernstein cut Plains All American Pipeline from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and decreased their target price for the stock from $15.00 to $14.50 in a research report on Tuesday, February 7th. Royal Bank of Canada upped their target price on Plains All American Pipeline from $13.00 to $14.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research report on Friday, March 24th. Raymond James upped their target price on Plains All American Pipeline from $13.00 to $16.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, February 9th. Finally, StockNews.com lowered Plains All American Pipeline from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, March 29th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Plains All American Pipeline currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $15.30. Get Plains All American Pipeline alerts: Plains All American Pipeline Stock Performance PAA stock opened at $13.02 on Tuesday. The company has a market capitalization of $9.09 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.31 and a beta of 1.70. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $12.75 and a 200 day simple moving average of $12.24. Plains All American Pipeline has a fifty-two week low of $9.10 and a fifty-two week high of $13.49. The company has a quick ratio of 0.79, a current ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66. Plains All American Pipeline Dividend Announcement Plains All American Pipeline ( NYSE:PAA Get Rating ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 14th. The pipeline company reported $0.33 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.35 by ($0.02). Plains All American Pipeline had a return on equity of 9.81% and a net margin of 1.72%. The business had revenue of $12.95 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $15.05 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.25 earnings per share. Plains All American Pipelines revenue was down .3% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts predict that Plains All American Pipeline will post 1.28 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, May 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, May 1st will be issued a dividend of $0.2675 per share. This represents a $1.07 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 8.22%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, April 28th. Plains All American Pipelines payout ratio is presently 89.92%. Institutional Trading of Plains All American Pipeline Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Counterpoint Mutual Funds LLC bought a new stake in shares of Plains All American Pipeline during the first quarter worth $104,000. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System grew its holdings in shares of Plains All American Pipeline by 323.6% during the first quarter. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System now owns 457,820 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $5,709,000 after purchasing an additional 349,735 shares during the last quarter. Hengehold Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Plains All American Pipeline by 4.3% during the first quarter. Hengehold Capital Management LLC now owns 19,524 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $243,000 after purchasing an additional 800 shares during the last quarter. Gilman Hill Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Plains All American Pipeline by 18.7% during the first quarter. Gilman Hill Asset Management LLC now owns 77,035 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $961,000 after purchasing an additional 12,145 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Brookstone Capital Management grew its holdings in shares of Plains All American Pipeline by 7.3% during the first quarter. Brookstone Capital Management now owns 20,591 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $270,000 after purchasing an additional 1,405 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 42.26% of the companys stock. Plains All American Pipeline Company Profile (Get Rating) Plains All American Pipeline LP engages in the operation of midstream energy infrastructure and provides logistics services for crude oil, natural gas liquids, and natural gas. It operates through the Crude Oil and Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) segments. The Crude Oil segment refers to the pipeline transportation, terminalling, storage, and gathering assets. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Plains All American Pipeline Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Plains All American Pipeline and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Realty Income Co. (NYSE:O Get Rating) have received a consensus recommendation of Hold from the thirteen research firms that are covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 1 year target price among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $72.00. A number of analysts recently commented on O shares. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their target price on Realty Income from $68.00 to $70.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, February 23rd. Raymond James lowered Realty Income from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a research report on Monday, January 9th. Mizuho reduced their price target on shares of Realty Income from $69.00 to $66.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, March 9th. BNP Paribas assumed coverage on shares of Realty Income in a report on Tuesday, January 17th. They set a neutral rating and a $72.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus reduced their price objective on shares of Realty Income from $72.25 to $71.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Thursday, March 23rd. Get Realty Income alerts: Hedge Funds Weigh In On Realty Income Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of O. Panagora Asset Management Inc. boosted its stake in Realty Income by 33.7% in the first quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. now owns 25,505 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,767,000 after acquiring an additional 6,433 shares during the last quarter. Blair William & Co. IL lifted its stake in Realty Income by 1.9% in the first quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 18,695 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,296,000 after purchasing an additional 345 shares during the last quarter. Prudential PLC bought a new position in Realty Income during the first quarter valued at $592,000. Baird Financial Group Inc. increased its position 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 worth $8,020,000 after buying an additional 8,803 shares during the last quarter. Finally, NewEdge Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of 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 buying an additional 1,671 shares during the period. 80.56% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Realty Income Price Performance Shares of O opened at $61.93 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $40.91 billion, a PE ratio of 43.61, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.98 and a beta of 0.80. Realty Income has a 52-week low of $55.50 and a 52-week high of $75.40. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $63.18 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $63.35. 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 (NYSE:O Get Rating) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, February 21st. The real estate investment trust reported $0.36 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.98 by ($0.62). The company had revenue of $888.65 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $840.57 million. Realty Income had a net margin of 26.00% and a return on equity of 3.14%. The firms revenue was up 29.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.94 EPS. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Realty Income will post 4.1 EPS for the current year. Realty Income Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed 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. This represents a yield of 4.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, April 28th. Realty Incomes payout ratio is 215.49%. About Realty Income (Get Rating) 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. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Realty Income Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Realty Income and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Travelers Companies (NYSE:TRV Get Rating) issued its earnings results on Wednesday. The insurance provider reported $4.11 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.64 by $0.47, RTT News reports. The business had revenue of $9.70 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.98 billion. Travelers Companies had a net margin of 7.71% and a return on equity of 13.34%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 10.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company posted $4.22 earnings per share. Travelers Companies Stock Down 1.8 % Shares of NYSE TRV opened at $179.26 on Friday. Travelers Companies has a 12-month low of $149.65 and a 12-month high of $194.51. The stock has a market cap of $41.40 billion, a PE ratio of 15.26, a P/E/G ratio of 1.14 and a beta of 0.60. The company has a current ratio of 0.33, a quick ratio of 0.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34. The company has a 50-day moving average of $176.02 and a 200 day moving average of $180.36. Get Travelers Companies alerts: Travelers Companies Increases Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 30th. Investors of record on Friday, June 9th will be paid a dividend of $1.00 per share. This represents a $4.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.23%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, June 8th. This is a boost from Travelers Companiess previous quarterly dividend of $0.93. Travelers Companiess dividend payout ratio is currently 31.66%. Insider Activity at Travelers Companies Institutional Investors Weigh In On Travelers Companies In other Travelers Companies news, EVP Diane Kurtzman sold 2,914 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $185.01, for a total value of $539,119.14. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 1,735 shares in the company, valued at approximately $320,992.35. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website . In other Travelers Companies news, Vice Chairman William H. Heyman sold 9,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, January 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $191.42, for a total transaction of $1,722,780.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 251,605 shares in the company, valued at approximately $48,162,229.10. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link . Also, EVP Diane Kurtzman sold 2,914 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $185.01, for a total transaction of $539,119.14. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 1,735 shares in the company, valued at $320,992.35. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . In the last quarter, insiders sold 188,163 shares of company stock valued at $35,402,200. Corporate insiders own 1.07% of the companys stock. A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of TRV. FWL Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Travelers Companies in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Altshuler Shaham Ltd purchased a new position in shares of Travelers Companies in the 4th quarter valued at $46,000. Atlas Capital Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Travelers Companies by 34.2% in the 2nd quarter. Atlas Capital Advisors LLC now owns 349 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $59,000 after buying an additional 89 shares during the last quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. grew its position in shares of Travelers Companies by 139.8% in the 1st quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. now owns 446 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $81,000 after buying an additional 260 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Fortis Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Travelers Companies in the 4th quarter valued at $102,000. 81.59% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Analysts Set New Price Targets TRV has been the topic of a number of research reports. Royal Bank of Canada raised their target price on shares of Travelers Companies from $190.00 to $195.00 in a research report on Wednesday, January 25th. Evercore ISI raised shares of Travelers Companies from an in-line rating to an outperform rating and lifted their price target for the stock from $183.00 to $220.00 in a report on Tuesday, January 10th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on shares of Travelers Companies from $181.00 to $182.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 5th. Piper Sandler lifted their price objective on shares of Travelers Companies from $196.00 to $204.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 4th. Finally, Barclays boosted their target price on shares of Travelers Companies from $179.00 to $185.00 in a research report on Thursday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have given a hold rating, four have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $191.47. About Travelers Companies (Get Rating) The Travelers Cos., Inc is a holding company, which engages in the provision of commercial and personal property and casualty insurance products and services. It operates through the following business segments: Business Insurance, Bond and Specialty Insurance, and Personal Insurance. The Business Insurance segment provides an array of property and casualty insurance, and insurance related services to its customers primarily in the U.S., as well as in Canada, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland and throughout other parts of the world as a corporate member of Lloyds. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Travelers Companies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Travelers Companies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Tsakos Energy Navigation Limited (NYSE:TNP Get Rating)s share price dropped 4.4% on Wednesday . The company traded as low as $18.57 and last traded at $18.64. Approximately 147,733 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 64% from the average daily volume of 411,761 shares. The stock had previously closed at $19.49. Analysts Set New Price Targets TNP has been the topic of a number of research reports. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Tsakos Energy Navigation from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday, March 24th. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price target on shares of Tsakos Energy Navigation from $26.00 to $30.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 7th. Get Tsakos Energy Navigation alerts: Tsakos Energy Navigation Stock Performance The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.91, a quick ratio of 1.32 and a current ratio of 1.39. The firm has a market cap of $536.79 million, a P/E ratio of 3.11 and a beta of 0.09. The firms fifty day moving average price is $20.44 and its 200 day moving average price is $18.47. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Tsakos Energy Navigation Tsakos Energy Navigation ( NYSE:TNP Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, March 16th. The shipping company reported $3.17 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.10 by $0.07. Tsakos Energy Navigation had a net margin of 23.74% and a return on equity of 28.46%. The business had revenue of $224.12 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $225.00 million. Sell-side analysts expect that Tsakos Energy Navigation Limited will post 9.89 EPS for the current fiscal year. Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Citigroup Inc. bought a new position in shares of Tsakos Energy Navigation during the 4th quarter worth approximately $32,000. Point72 Asset Management L.P. bought a new position in shares of Tsakos Energy Navigation during the 4th quarter worth approximately $47,000. Altshuler Shaham Ltd bought a new position in shares of Tsakos Energy Navigation during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $46,000. Royal Bank of Canada raised its stake in shares of Tsakos Energy Navigation by 100.9% during the 3rd quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 4,182 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $64,000 after acquiring an additional 2,100 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Barclays PLC raised its stake in shares of Tsakos Energy Navigation by 112,940.0% during the 3rd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 5,652 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $86,000 after acquiring an additional 5,647 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 36.87% of the companys stock. Tsakos Energy Navigation Company Profile (Get Rating) Tsakos Energy Navigation Ltd. engages in the provision of seaborne crude oil and petroleum product transportation services. Its activities include the operation of crude tankers, product tankers, and liquefied natural gas carriers. The company was founded by Nikolas P. Tsakos and Michael Gordon Jolliffee in July 1993 and is headquartered in Athens, Greece. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Tsakos Energy Navigation Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Tsakos Energy Navigation and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. U.S. Bancorp (NYSE:USB Get Rating) issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday. The financial services provider reported $1.04 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.13 by ($0.09), RTT News reports. U.S. Bancorp had a return on equity of 16.13% and a net margin of 21.26%. The business had revenue of $7.18 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.14 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.99 EPS. U.S. Bancorps revenue was up 28.2% compared to the same quarter last year. U.S. Bancorp updated its FY 2023 guidance to EPS and its Q2 2023 guidance to EPS. U.S. Bancorp Trading Down 3.1 % NYSE USB traded down $1.09 on Friday, reaching $33.67. 4,155,157 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 13,181,950. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $40.38 and its 200 day moving average price is $42.92. The stock has a market capitalization of $51.58 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.37, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.13 and a beta of 0.93. The company has a current ratio of 0.79, a quick ratio of 0.78 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.90. U.S. Bancorp has a fifty-two week low of $32.72 and a fifty-two week high of $53.37. Get U.S. Bancorp alerts: U.S. Bancorp Announces Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, April 17th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 31st were paid a $0.48 dividend. This represents a $1.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.70%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, March 30th. U.S. Bancorps dividend payout ratio is presently 51.75%. Analysts Set New Price Targets Hedge Funds Weigh In On U.S. Bancorp Several brokerages have recently issued reports on USB. Barclays reduced their price objective on U.S. Bancorp from $68.00 to $52.00 in a research note on Wednesday, April 12th. StockNews.com upgraded U.S. Bancorp from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday. Oppenheimer raised their price objective on U.S. Bancorp from $64.00 to $67.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their price target on U.S. Bancorp from $55.00 to $49.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Friday, March 24th. Finally, Argus reduced their price target on U.S. Bancorp from $63.00 to $58.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Thursday. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $50.35. A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of U.S. Bancorp by 130,768.0% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 60,273,882 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,628,544,000 after buying an additional 60,227,825 shares during the period. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in U.S. Bancorp during the 4th quarter worth about $644,436,000. Morgan Stanley increased its holdings in U.S. Bancorp by 29.4% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 14,829,544 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $646,716,000 after purchasing an additional 3,371,477 shares during the period. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its holdings in U.S. Bancorp by 7.9% during the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 22,052,957 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,172,115,000 after purchasing an additional 1,622,711 shares during the period. Finally, Schonfeld Strategic Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of U.S. Bancorp by 94.7% during the 4th quarter. Schonfeld Strategic Advisors LLC now owns 2,800,366 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $122,124,000 after acquiring an additional 1,362,396 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 71.83% of the companys stock. U.S. Bancorp Company Profile (Get Rating) 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. Read More Receive News & Ratings for U.S. Bancorp Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for U.S. Bancorp and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Truist Financial initiated coverage on shares of Waste Connections (NYSE:WCN Get Rating) in a research note published on Monday, The Fly reports. The brokerage issued a buy rating and a $160.00 price objective on the business services providers stock. A number of other research firms have also recently issued reports on WCN. Atb Cap Markets upgraded shares of Waste Connections from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, February 16th. Morgan Stanley upped their target price on Waste Connections from $158.00 to $164.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, February 17th. StockNews.com upgraded Waste Connections from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Friday, March 24th. BMO Capital Markets dropped their price target on Waste Connections from $158.00 to $153.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Friday, February 17th. Finally, TD Cowen began coverage on shares of Waste Connections in a research report on Thursday, March 30th. They set an outperform rating and a $160.00 price objective for the company. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Buy and an average price target of $155.44. Get Waste Connections alerts: Waste Connections Trading Up 0.6 % WCN opened at $143.76 on Monday. The stock has a market capitalization of $37.02 billion, a P/E ratio of 44.51, a P/E/G ratio of 3.04 and a beta of 0.68. Waste Connections has a 12 month low of $113.50 and a 12 month high of $148.20. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $136.35 and its 200 day simple moving average is $135.19. The company has a current ratio of 0.74, a quick ratio of 0.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.97. Waste Connections Dividend Announcement Waste Connections ( NYSE:WCN Get Rating ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 15th. The business services provider reported $0.89 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.88 by $0.01. Waste Connections had a net margin of 11.59% and a return on equity of 14.23%. The firm had revenue of $1.87 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.85 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $0.83 EPS. The companys revenue was up 15.1% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Waste Connections will post 4.21 EPS for the current fiscal year. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 15th. Investors of record on Wednesday, March 1st were issued a $0.255 dividend. This represents a $1.02 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.71%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 28th. Waste Connectionss dividend payout ratio is currently 31.58%. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, SVP Robert Michael Cloninger sold 1,500 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $133.55, for a total value of $200,325.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 15,244 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,035,836.20. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, Director William J. Razzouk sold 1,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, March 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $135.61, for a total transaction of $135,610.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 3,431 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $465,277.91. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, SVP Robert Michael Cloninger sold 1,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $133.55, for a total value of $200,325.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 15,244 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,035,836.20. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 8,700 shares of company stock worth $1,177,955 in the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 0.35% of the companys stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Waste Connections Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. WCM Investment Management LLC raised its stake in Waste Connections by 193.6% in the 3rd quarter. WCM Investment Management LLC now owns 8,643,709 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $1,184,447,000 after acquiring an additional 5,699,706 shares during the period. Norges Bank bought a new stake in Waste Connections in the 4th quarter valued at about $602,107,000. Bank of Montreal Can raised its stake in Waste Connections by 34.7% in the 3rd quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 11,291,300 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $1,565,922,000 after acquiring an additional 2,907,249 shares during the period. Alphinity Investment Management Pty Ltd raised its stake in Waste Connections by 1,392.6% in the 3rd quarter. Alphinity Investment Management Pty Ltd now owns 1,865,606 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $252,099,000 after acquiring an additional 1,740,616 shares during the period. Finally, National Bank of Canada FI raised its stake in Waste Connections by 165.2% in the 4th quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 2,387,504 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $316,337,000 after acquiring an additional 1,487,402 shares during the period. 85.58% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Waste Connections Company Profile (Get Rating) Waste Connections, Inc engages in the provision of non-hazardous waste collection, transfer, and disposal services. The firm offers its services to residential, commercial, landfill and transfer stations, and industries such as office, apartments multi-family, construction and demolition, property management, retail, restaurant, and manufacturing. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Waste Connections Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Waste Connections and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. MAXIMIZE MARKET RESEARCH PRIVATE LIMITED Dog Supplement Market share of Asia Pacific region to grow at a CAGR of 6.57 percent during forecast period. Dog Supplement Market analysis has been provided based on Application, Source and Distribution Channel. Dublin, April 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A global Food & Beverages business-consulting firm, Maximize Market Research, has published a market intelligence report on the Dog Supplement Market , which is a combination of primary data and secondary data. Over the forecast period, Maximize Market research expects, the market to grow from USD 596.8 Mn in 2022 to USD 822.6 Mn in 2029 at a CAGR of 7.3 percent. Dog Supplement Market Report Scope and Research Methodology Market Size in 2022 USD 596.8 Mn Market Size in 2029 USD 822.6 Mn CAGR 7.3 percent (2023-2029) Forecast Period 2023-2029 Base Year 2022 Number of Pages 288 No. of Tables 117 No. of Charts and Figures 115 Segment Covered Application, Source and Distribution Channel Regional Scope North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, South America Report Coverage Market Share, Size & Forecast by Revenue | 20222029, Market Dynamics, Growth Drivers, Restraints, Investment Opportunities, and Key Trends, Competitive Landscape, Key Players Benchmarking, Competitive Analysis, MMR Competition Matrix, Competitive Leadership Mapping, Global Key Players Market Ranking Analysis. Request For Free Sample Report : https://www.maximizemarketresearch.com/request-sample/185014 The report includes a detailed analysis of market share, market size, company performances, historical data, market forecast and dynamics. It includes an in-depth analysis of the Dog Supplement market at global, regional and country levels. It provides a comprehensive analysis of the competitive scenario of the Dog Supplement industry with the business strategies adopted by the competitors. The report includes the list of key players with information on their revenue, production capacity, sales and global presence. SWOT analysis was employed to provide the strengths and weaknesses of the key players in the Dog Supplement industry. Detailed information on Dog Supplement market dynamics including drivers, restraints, opportunities and challenges has been provided in the report. Story continues The bottom-up approach was used to estimate the global and regional Dog Supplement market size. Both primary and secondary research methods were employed to gather data on market dynamics, the performance of key players and historical data of the industry. The report covers a detailed value chain analysis, which helps to understand the manufacturing process and provides information on raw materials , customers and distributors. It also includes PORTER, PESTLE analysis and market attractiveness, which helps to understand the Dog Supplement market at macro and micro levels. Dog Supplement Market Overview During the forecast period, the global demand for dog supplements is expected to witness progressive growth majorly due to rising concerns of animal health . The growing adoption of organic pet food is expected to further boost the growth of the dog supplement market. Get a Sample Copy of the Report : https://www.maximizemarketresearch.com/request-sample/185014 Dog Supplement Market Dynamics The Dog Supplement market is mainly driven by the rising trend of pet humanization. During the forecast period, the market is expected to be driven by the growing population of pet dogs and the rising health concerns of pet owners. The demand for the product is increasing because the supplements consist of vitamins that are herbal and organic, which help in fighting gastrointestinal problems and work as antioxidants that aid in anti-aging. The market is also expected to grow significantly during the forecast period due to an increase in the adoption of dogs as pets. Dog Supplement Market Regional Insights The North America region held the dominant position in the global Dog Supplement market by holding a revenue share of 45 percent in 2022. The regional market is driven by the increasing number of pet owners and rising concern for animal health. The Dog Supplement market in the Asia Pacific region is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.57 percent during the forecast period. The market is mainly driven by the growing population of dogs in the region especially in China and Australia. Dog Supplement Market Segmentation By Application Skin & Coat Hips and Joint Prebiotics & Probiotics Calming Others Based on Application, the calming segment dominated the global Dog Supplement market in 2022. The skin and coat segment are expected to grow at a high CAGR during the forecast period. Get Customization on this Report for Specific Research Solutions: https://www.maximizemarketresearch.com/request-customization/185014 By Source Organic Conventional Based on Source, the organic segment held a significant portion of the Dog Supplement market in 2022 and is expected to grow at a high rate. By Distribution Channel Offline Online Based on Distribution Channel, the offline segment dominated the global Dog Supplement market with a revenue share of around 88.7 percent in 2022. During the forecast period, the online segment is expected to grow at a high CAGR. Dog Supplement Key Competitors include: Bayer Ag, Food Science Corporation, Kemin Industries, Nestle S.A, Novotech Nutraceuticals Inc, Now Health Group, Inc, Nutramax Laboratories, Inc, Virbac, Zoetis Honest Paws Zenwise Dechra Pramacueticals, Plc Only Natural pets ARK naturals Get the Sample PDF of Report: https://www.maximizemarketresearch.com/request-sample/185014 Key questions answered in the Dog Supplement Market are: What was the Dog Supplement Market size in 2022? What is the expected Dog Supplement Market size by the end of the forecast period? What is the expected CAGR of the Dog Supplement Market during the forecast period? What are the Dog Supplement Market segments? Which Dog Supplement Market segment is expected to grow at a high rate during the forecast? What are the major challenges that the Dog Supplement Market could face in the future? What are the upcoming industry trends for the Dog Supplement Market? What are the factors contributing to the final price of Dog Supplement? What are the recent industry trends that can be implemented to generate additional revenue streams for Dog Supplement Market? What growth strategies are the players considering to increase their presence in Dog Supplement? Who are the leading companies and what are their portfolios in Dog Supplement Market? Who held the largest Dog Supplement market share in 2022? Which regional Dog Supplement market is expected to grow at a high rate in future? Key Offerings: Past Market Size and Competitive Landscape (2017 to 2022) Past Pricing and price curve by region (2017 to 2022) Market Size, Share, Size & Forecast by different segment | 20232029 Market Dynamics Growth Drivers, Restraints, Opportunities, and Key Trends by Region Market Segmentation A detailed analysis by Application, Source, Distribution Channel and Region Competitive Landscape Profiles of selected key players by region from a strategic perspective Competitive landscape Market Leaders, Market Followers, Regional player Competitive benchmarking of key players by region PESTLE Analysis PORTERs analysis Value chain and supply chain analysis Legal Aspects of business by region Lucrative business opportunities with SWOT analysis Recommendations Maximize Market Research is leading Food & Beverages research firm, has also published the following reports: Organic Pet Food Market - The market size is expected to reach USD 39.42 billion by 2029 at a CAGR of 7.2 percent during the forecast period. The market is expected to be driven by the increasing consumer awareness towards pet health. Freeze Dried Dog Food Market - The market size is expected to reach USD 313.81 million by 2029 at a CAGR of 6.4 percent during the forecast period. The market is expected to be driven by the changing lifestyle of people and dog humanization. Dog Harness Market - The market size is expected to reach USD 14.96 billion by 2029 at a CAGR of 22 percent during the forecast period. The market is expected to be driven by the increasing trend among pet owners to purchase perishable clothing harnesses. Pet Grooming Service Market - The market size is expected to reach USD 27.80 billion by 2029 at a CAGR of 4.6 percent during the forecast period. The market is expected to be driven by the increasing awareness of pet grooming and their health. Raw Pet Food Market - The market size is expected to reach USD 195.84 billion by 2029 at a CAGR of 5.2 percent during the forecast period. The market is expected to be driven by rising awareness about sustainability and demand for eco-friendly pet foods along with the increasing adoption of vegan eating habits and purchasing cruelty free products. About Maximize Market Research: Maximize Market Research is a multifaceted market research and consulting company with professionals from several industries. Some of the industries we cover include medical devices, pharmaceutical manufacturers, science and engineering, electronic components, industrial equipment, technology and communication, cars and automobiles, chemical products and substances, general merchandise, beverages, personal care, and automated systems. To mention a few, we provide market-verified industry estimations, technical trend analysis, crucial market research, strategic advice, competition analysis, production and demand analysis, and client impact studies. CONTACT: Contact Maximize Market Research: 3rd Floor, Navale IT Park, Phase 2 Pune Banglore Highway, Narhe, Pune, Maharashtra 411041, India sales@maximizemarketresearch.com +91 96071 95908, +91 9607365656 CALGARY, AB, April 20, 2023 /CNW/ - E3 LITHIUM LTD. (TSXV: ETL) (FSE: OW3) (OTCQX: EEMMF) "E3" or the "Company," Alberta's leading lithium developer and extraction technology innovator, today filed its Consolidated Financial Statements and Management Discussion and Analysis for the full year 2022. E3 Lithium Logo (CNW Group/E3 Lithium) "Last year was a foundation-building year for E3 Lithium. The goals we set out and accomplished are expected to continue the positive momentum to unlock material shareholder value in 2023 and beyond," said Chris Doornbos, President and CEO of E3 Lithium. "We are confident in our focused strategy, ensuring E3 Lithium is firmly positioned to meet global demand for lithium and deliver battery-grade lithium to the market." 2022 Business Highlights Government support: Awarded $27 million from the Government of Canada's Strategic Innovation Fund. Strategic partnerships: Executed a USD $5 million Strategic Agreement with Imperial Oil Limited, representing the first investment in lithium from a global energy industry leader. Additionally, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Pure Lithium, which produced a lithium metal battery using E3's lithium concentrate. Given the size of E3 Lithium's resource and opportunity in Alberta, the Company believes there is opportunity to develop portions of its resource with partners while still leaving significant land for E3 Lithium to develop on its own. The Company also has an active commercial/corporate development group engaging and developing relationships with potential customers of our battery-grade lithium products. First manufacture of commercial scale sorbent: Oversaw the successful manufacture of its first quantity of continuously produced, commercial scale sorbent, critical to the success and commercialization of our ion-exchange DLE technology. First brine production wells drilled in Alberta: Drilled the first two brine production wells for the purposes of evaluating lithium and sampled a total of three wells in the heart of the Clearwater Project Area, confirming the producibility of the aquifer and lithium concentrations in the core of our proposed production area. Field Pilot Plant: Completed the Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) of the direct lithium extraction field pilot and engaged an engineering firm to complete the design and construction of our Field Pilot Plant. The goal of the pilot is to demonstrate ion-exchange direct lithium extraction technology under real-world operating conditions at near commercial scale, expected to be operational in Q3 2023. Name change: E3 changed its name from E3 Metals to E3 Lithium to reflect its singular focus on lithium. Story continues Subsequent Events The following are subsequent events to year end 2022: January 19, 2023: Lithium concentration results from third well demonstrating consistency January 25, 2023: Increased land position by acquiring last remaining permit in the Bashaw District February 13, 2023: Received $4.9 million since Q3 2022 from exercise of warrants March 2, 2023: Outlined 2023 Company goals and path to first lithium March 7, 2023: Awarded $3.5 million in funding from Government of Canada March 21, 2023: Announced 16.0 million tonnes measured and indicated resource upgrade April 11, 2023: Received license for field pilot plant and provides progress update April 17, 2023: Announced Chief Development Officer E3 Lithium has filed its Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying Management Discussion and Analysis on its SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. The financial statements and MD&A will also be posted on E3 Lithium's website at www.e3lithium.ca. NI 43-101 Technical Report: Lithium Resource Estimate, Bashaw District Project, Central Alberta The Company has filed its E3 Lithium 43-101 Technical Report: Lithium Resource Estimate, Bashaw District Project, Central Alberta further to its news release dated March 21, 2023. The report is available on www.sedar.com and www.e3lithium.ca/technical-reports. The Qualified Persons for the above report are Daron Abbey, M.Sc., P.Geo and Alex Haluszka, M.Sc., P.Geo of Matrix Solutions Inc. and Peter Ehren, M.Sc. AusIMM of Ehren-Gonzalez Limitada. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chris Doornbos, President & CEO E3 Lithium Ltd. About E3 Lithium E3 Lithium is a development company with a total of 16.0 million tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) Measured and Indicated and 0.9 million tonnes LCE Inferred mineral resources1 in Alberta. As outlined in E3's Preliminary Economic Assessment, the Clearwater Lithium Project has an NPV8% of USD 1.1 Billion with a 32% IRR pre-tax and USD 820 Million with a 27% IRR after-tax1. E3 Lithium's goal is to produce high purity, battery grade lithium products to power the growing electrical revolution. With a significant lithium resource and innovative technology solutions, E3 Lithium has the potential to deliver lithium to market from one of the best jurisdictions in the world. 1: The Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) for the Clearwater Lithium Project NI 43-101 technical report is amended Sept 17, 2021. The mineral resource NI 43-101 Technical Report for the North Rocky Property, effective October 27, 2017, identified 0.9Mt LCE (inferred). The mineral resource NI 43-101 Technical Report for the Bashaw District Project, effective March 21, 2023, identified 16.0Mt LCE (measured & indicated). All reports are available on the E3 Lithium's website (e3lithium.ca/technical-reports) and SEDAR (www.sedar.com). Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements This news release includes certain forward-looking statements as well as management's objectives, strategies, beliefs and intentions. Forward looking statements are frequently identified by such words as "may", "will", "plan", "expect", "anticipate", "estimate", "intend" and similar words referring to future events and results. Forward-looking statements are based on the current opinions and expectations of management. All forward-looking information is inherently uncertain and subject to a variety of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, including the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development, fluctuating commodity prices, the effectiveness and feasibility of emerging lithium extraction technologies which have not yet been tested or proven on a commercial scale or on the Company's brine, competitive risks and the availability of financing, as described in more detail in our recent securities filings available at www.sedar.com. Actual events or results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements and we caution against placing undue reliance thereon. We assume no obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements except as required by applicable law. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE E3 Lithium Cision View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/April2023/20/c1394.html Nigerian students numbering over 1,262 have appealed to the Federal Government to evacuate them from the Republic of Sudan over unending crisis rocking the country. The Nigerian Voice learnt that a fierce military confrontation between the Sudanese armed forces and the paramilitary group, Rapid Support Force, has claimed 330 lives with 3,200 injured in the country. The Secretary-General of the National Association of Nigerian Students, Sudan, Adam Mohammed, who spoke in a phone interview with newsmen on Thursday, lamented that many students have run out of food. The Secretary-General, NANS in Sudan, Mohammed, noted that no student has been hurt in the course of the war, while lamenting that students were experiencing food shortages, electricity outages, and telecommunication blackouts. Mohammed said he has written to the Federal Government about their situation, adding that moves to evacuate the stranded citizens were in top gear. He further revealed that 1,262 Nigerian students have filled the evacuation forms as of Wednesday night. According to him, Everything is under control because the Nigerian Embassy in Sudan has spoken to the Nigerian government and preparations are ongoing. The Nigerian government is trying to send in some planes to evacuate Nigerian students in Sudan. Also, the members of the Parent-Guardian Association of Nigeria whose children or wards are schooling in Sudan have spoken to the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa to assist in the evacuation of Nigerian students. In summary, the situation concerning the Nigerian students here is under control. Presently, none of the Nigerian students in Sudan is hurt because everyone is indoors and they have all cooperated with us. So far, no light, water, bad (telecoms) network and some students have been complaining of no food and they cannot go out and restock. The current number of Nigerian students that filled their forms as of last night that are ready for the evacuation is 1,262. Also, the President of the Nasarawa State Students Association in Sudan, Al-Ameen Ahmad, said the students took precautionary measures to avoid being hurt or killed, adding that the association tried its best in providing food to the students. Ahmad noted that he was in touch with the authorities to facilitate the evacuation of the students, noting that the list of prospective evacuees has been compiled. He stated, We do not have available flights to Khartoum. So, we are just going through the processes to see how the government can help evacuate Nigerian students. We have compiled the list of students that want to be evacuated back to Nigeria. We hope things get better. Before the Federal Government decided to intervene, we have been taking precautionary measures such as staying indoors to avoid being hurt. From the students association, we are using what we have to maintain ourselves and also reach out to others. There are also some supermarkets in safer places. We go there and buy foodstuffs when we know that it is safe, and we share with our colleagues. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that the whereabouts of the suspended Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Hudu Yunusa-Ari, is unknown to the commission. The Chief spokesman of the Electoral Umpire, Festus Okoye, made this known during an appearance on Channel Televisions Sunrise Daily on Friday. Okoye stated when the leadership of the Commission summoned the embattled REC to appear at the headquarters, he (REC) failed to do so and also did not pick up his phone when he was called. The INEC spokesman added that the electoral body cannot declare Yunusa-Ari wanted because it is the duty of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to declare him wanted if he is on the run. Okoye further stated the the Commission has written to the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Akali Baba, to investigate the suspended REC for possible prosecution. He added that INEC also wrote the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, with a view to acquainting President Muhammadu Buhari with the unwholesome activities of the REC and possibly reviewing his appointment. Similarly, President Muhammadu Buhari, on Thursday, approved the immediate suspension of Yunusa-Ari for his role in the controversies surrounding the Adamawa State supplementary governorship election. The President also ordered the Inspector-General of Police to begin the immediate investigation and prosecution, if found liable for the suspended REC. President Buharis directive was contained in a statement on Thursday by the Director of Information in the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Willie Bassey, on behalf of the SGF. President Muhammadu Buhari has stated he's fully prepare to leave the Aso Rock Villa as he observed his last Sallah festivities in the Presidential Villa. Speaking at the 9th and final Sallah homage held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, President Buhari told dignitaries who were present that he cant wait to go to his hometown in Katsina after eight years of being in the saddle of governing the country. The president described himself as being lucky, to have led Nigeria in various capacities governor, minister, head of state and President. He commended residents of the FCT for being tolerant hosts in the last seven and half years. I cant wait to go homeI deliberately arranged to be as far away as possible from you people. I have got what I asked for and will quietly retire to my home town in Daura, Buhari stated at the brief event. EB5 Capital Investments WASHINGTON, April 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, EB5 Capital joins Huntington Hotel Group and Republic Urban Properties in celebrating the grand opening of Gateway at Millbrae Station in Millbrae, a city just west of the San Francisco Bay, in San Mateo County, California. Gateway at Millbrae Station is a 17-acre $300 million mixed-use master development containing 400 apartment units and 200,000 square feet of commercial space. In 2020, EB5 Capital provided a $36 million preferred equity investment in the 164-room Residence Inn by Marriott hotel located on the site. We are thrilled to be part of this significant development in Millbrae, adjacent to the San Francisco Airport and Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) station, said Jon Mullen, EB5 Capitals Senior Vice President of Investments. It is a terrific transit-oriented site which is easily accessible to the entire Bay Area, making it a key location for a hotel. A sufficient number of jobs have been created through the projects development to satisfy the permanent residency requirement for all the EB-5 investors who invested in the project. The Residence Inn at Gateway at Millbrae Station is one of EB5 Capitals eight projects in the state of California and one of six partnerships structured with Huntington Hotel Group. The hotel welcomed its first guests in February of this year, and todays grand opening represents a major milestone in EB5 Capitals growing portfolio of over 30 completed EB-5 projects across the country. About EB5 Capital EB5 Capital provides qualified foreign investors with opportunities to invest in job-creating commercial real estate projects under the United States Immigrant Investor Program (EB-5 Visa Program). As one of the oldest and most active Regional Center operators in the country, the firm has raised nearly a billion dollars of foreign capital across more than 30 EB-5 projects. Headquartered in Washington, DC, EB5 Capitals distinguished track record and leadership in the industry has attracted investors from over 70 countries. In addition to U.S. permanent residency, EB5 Capital offers real estate private equity investments and non-U.S. Citizenship by Investment Programs. Please visit www.eb5capital.com for more information. Story continues Contact: Katherine Willis Director, Marketing & Communications media@eb5capital.com In the spirit of the upcoming coronation of King Charles III, Brightonians joined together for a spot of tea in his honour. Community Care Northumberland recently hosted a coronation-themed tea at its office on Prince Edward Street in Brighton. There were 19 guests, including Ronda Moran, who provided commentary about the Royal Family, and Municipality of Brighton Mayor Brian Ostrander. The event featured monarch-themed items, including a life-size cut-out of King Charles III. Buckingham Palace has announced that the king of the United Kingdoms coronation will occur on May 6 at Westminster Abbey. According to The Westminster Collection, the Archbishop of Canterbury will preside over the anointing in a service that Buckingham Palace has said will be a mix of ancient and modern traditions to reflect the monarchs role today and look towards the future. Read more about the coronation and King Charles III on The Westminster Collection website. SHARE: Federal public servants, members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), continued to picket outside the Service Canada Centre on George Street near Sherbrooke Street on the third day of their strike Friday. The union's priorities include wages and remote work. Workers across the country went on strike Wednesday. SHARE: In so-called breaking news this week, our public broadcaster, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), was labelled on Twitter as being government-funded media. Owner Elon Musk later changed the label of the CBC's Twitter account to 69 per cent government-funded media, further mocking the CBC's outrage. The CBC was not the only media brand to receive the government-funded labelling. The American National Public Radio (NPR) and Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) both received the same. The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) was instead labelled as being publicly funded. I think the real problem here is not the labelling itself, but how the labelling came to be, at least for the CBC. Conservative opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre had penned a letter to Twitter asking for the CBC to be appropriately labelled as being government funded. Poilievre stated on his Twitter We must protect Canadians against disinformation and manipulation by state media. After Twitter seemingly complied with Poilievre's request, although the company may have applied the label regardless, Poilievre further stated BREAKING: CBC officially exposed as 'government-funded media.' Now people know that it is Trudeau propaganda, not news. He also included a link to sign a petition to defund the CBC. There is irony in Poilievre's suggestion that Canadians should be protected from disinformation while he has made his own misinformed statements over the years, antics of which I am growing increasingly wary. Who is protecting Canadians from disinformation being spread by politicians? We should perhaps be concerned further with the level of influence individual politicians may have over social media companies. It should be of no surprise to Canadians that the CBC, a Crown corporation, receives government funding. They have received government funding since being founded in 1936. Could we then suggest that under Stephen Harper, the CBC was Harper's Conservative propaganda machine? Does Poilievre believe that his supporters and Canadians are ignorant of the fact that the CBC has always received government funding to the point that a label must be applied? In Twitter's own policy regarding how government-funded media accounts are defined it states, Government-funded media is defined as outlets where the government provides some or all of the outlet's funding and may have varying degrees of government involvement over editorial content. May have is the key here. Their content may or may not be influenced by the government. In the CBC's case, they are not influenced by the government and retain editorial independence. Regardless, they certainly do receive government funding. So, is it wrong to suggest the CBC is government funded when they in fact are? The implication is that because the CBC and other broadcasters receive government funding, they automatically hold bias in their content. Are we to assume that privately funded media corporations don't hold their own biases? The inconsistent application of these labels and the further highlighting of a percentage point brings forward another question; to what degree of government funding defines a media corporation as being government funded? Do media corporations who take advantage of the Canada Summer Jobs grant qualify as being government funded? Does it even matter where broadcasters receive their funding from? Does it matter what slant or bias may or may not be presented? If a media corporation holds right-wing bias compared to left-wing bias is there a difference? I would certainly suggest that bias is bias regardless of which side it benefits. Control over the narrative is certainly a concern to be had, especially in Canada as our media landscape is rather concentrated already. Bias within the news is a problem that we as consumers should be aware of. The media's role has always been to present the facts, tell the story, giving their viewers, listeners, or readers the information that they need to discern their own opinions. Labelling or pointing out the funding source of the media is a redundancy. We should always be aware of what narrative may be at play regardless. Read more about: SHARE: When I think back to my childhood, so much of what I recall were moments spent outside: the joy of catching frogs and turtles; the excitement of evening grosbeaks coming to the feeder I made with my father; and all the satisfaction of building forts in the woods. These are moments that have stayed with me for a lifetime. And so has their impact. Spending time exploring the natural world in ones childhood becomes no less than the foundation for a lifelong environmental ethic. However, with Earth Day 2023 upon us, theres no lack of reasons for despair about the state of the environment. Its easy to ask yourself, Does anyone really care? Well, the answer is a resounding YES. And we need look no further than all of the wonderful initiatives happening locally, especially when it comes to environmental education in all its forms. Thanks to the people and organizations Ill tell you about this week, we are helping a new generation: one growing up in a screen-filled world so different from my own childhood to enjoy rich experiences with nature and, hopefully, to care deeply about its preservation. We are also fostering environmental leaders, and this should inspire every one of us. Camp Kawartha: Its hard to exaggerate the importance of Camp Kawartha and its broad range of innovative, year-round programs. Under the leadership of executive director Jacob Rodenburg and outdoor education manager Neil Fortin, Camp Kawarthas reach is huge. In a normal year, the Camp reaches almost 17,000 people through its facilities and programs both on- and off-site. The Outdoor Education Centre on Clear Lake offers more than 60 curriculum-linked outdoor and environmental education programs. Its mission is no less than to activate and empower students to become environmental stewards. New this year is an outreach initiative in which camp staff go to schools to do programs in the schoolyard. They are also providing workshops to train teachers on how to use the schoolgrounds as an extension of the classroom. Camp Kawartha Environmental Education Centre: Located next to the Trent University Wildlife Sanctuary, the Centre delivers over 40 environmental education programs to school groups. Environment Centre manager Craig Brant has also developed programs for home schoolers like Earth Healers, where the focus is on plant connection and medicine from the land. In addition to showcasing green architecture and alternative energy, the Centre serves as a training ground for future environmental educators. In collaboration with the School of Education at Trent University, the Centre has developed an Eco-mentor program for students from Trent University, Fleming College and now, thanks to an online initiative, from across Canada. Pathway to Stewardship and Kinship: Led by Camp Kawartha and co-ordinating consultant Cathy Dueck, Pathway promotes and supports healthy childhood development, community connection and environmental stewardship by building an early and ongoing relationship with nature. A series of 30 Landmark nature experiences have been developed for students which serve as nature-connection building blocks. Volunteers like members of the Peterborough Field Naturalists are key to delivering these experiences. The uptake has been tremendous with 125 classes and 11 daycare centres having already taken part in Landmark activities. In fact, more than 50,000 activities have already been recorded. There is even a Pathway app. Among the most active schools in Pathway programs are Queen Elizabeth, Kawartha Heights, and R.F. Downey. Unfortunately, Pathway funding is running out, so the project is looking for ways to continue. GreenUp: GreenUP, too, offers programs and services to help children get closer to nature. These include class visits to Ecology Park, Earth Adventures Summer Camp, and the Peterborough Childrens Water Festival. The organization also offers climate action resources for schools and operates the GreenUp Ecology Park Native Plant and Tree Nursery, a project started over 30 years ago by Cathy Dueck. KPR Outdoor Education Centres: The Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board runs four outdoor education centres which host hundreds of classes every year. At these centres, students get hands-on experience in environmental studies. A qualified naturalist, such as Sharon McGee at the Warsaw centre, works in co-operation with the teacher. Rowan Tree Children School Founded in 2004 by Jessica Lindeman, Rowan Tree currently offers a preschool program, a Waldorf-inspired Nature kindergarten class, and a Nature Elementary program. Each of these integrates nature into the curriculum at every turn. The kids spend at least half of their time outside exploring Jackson Park. With wonderful teachers like Glen Caradus, Rowan Tree supports the development of the whole child (head, heart, and hands) through nature immersion. Compass Early Learning Centre: An umbrella organization for a number of daycare providers, CELC is making great strides in teaching their educators how to connect small children to nature. They are a licensed TimberNook provider, a program to get children outdoors to enjoy sensory-rich experiences and to engage in authentic outdoor play. Peterborough Field Naturalists: The PFN offers junior field naturalist activities geared for ages 5 to 12. In January, for example, a Christmas Bird Count for Kids was held. The PFN is one of the largest and most active naturalist clubs in Ontario. A large part of the credit for the clubs success goes to Martin Parker, a past president and true force of nature! Think Outside: Nancy Thomson, a.k.a. Nature Nancy, started her outdoor education business to provide site-specific nature programming for children of all ages. She uses the schoolyard or a nearby green space to teach curriculum based outdoor education. Nancy focuses on making strong connections both with nature and with each other. Youth Leadership in Sustainability: Cameron Douglas, a KPR high school teacher, has initiated a deeply meaningful response to our biggest global challenge, namely climate change. YLS is an experiential-learning program that prepares grade 11 and 12 students for leadership roles in sustainability initiatives. The emphasis is on field trips to learn about issues like energy, food, biodiversity and climate change. The class attended and made a presentation at the COP 15 climate conference in Montreal in December. Riverview Park and Zoo: Among many other programs, the zoo teams up with the Otonabee Region Conservation Authority to offer the Roberta Bondar Challenge, a two-day summer camp that connects students to nature through the art of photography. Kawartha Land Trust: In addition to KLTs wonderful work in land protection: 31 properties and 5,250 acres at last count. Thom Unrau, the director of community conservation, is working on an inventory of greenspaces near schools which classes can easily access. KLT is also working to make its lands more suitable for environmental education purposes. Otonabee Region Conservation Authority: In addition to partnering on the Roberta Bondar Challenge (see above) Otonabee Conservation staff work with local teachers to develop and deliver programs that are tailored to a classs specific needs. These can include a full day outdoor session on themes such as habitat, biodiversity, wetlands and watershed stewardship. Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre: The OTCC offers a strong outreach and education program. In fact, the organization actually started due to the efforts of children who took action on helping turtles. OTCC is now booking private tours of the Outdoor Education Area as well as Virtual Tours and events. Contact the Education Team by going to https://ontarioturtle.ca/ourmission/education/ Monarch Ultra: Under the leadership of Carlotta James, the Monarch Ultra is a long-distance running initiative that is raising awareness about the plight of monarch butterflies and pollinators in general. In addition to running events, a celebratory and educational Monarch Butterfly Festival is being planned for this fall. The organization also gave Camp Kawartha $10,000 which is helping immensely with school-based programing. Paddling Puppeteers For the past 20 years, local musicians Phil Stephenson and Glen Caradus have been touring Canada with their nature and history based musical puppet shows. In addition to being an outdoor educator, Glen has recorded several albums of original singalong songs that inspire kids to care about nature. This is by no means a comprehensive list. It would be easy to go on and talk about the plethora of other local organizations and individuals who are doing tremendous work. Among these are the Fleming College and Trent University with their many environmental programs (Mark Dickinsons Canada: The Land class being one stellar example), the Endeavour Centre and its work on sustainable building and, of course, For Our Grandchildren and its tireless leadership on climate change awareness and solutions. Clearly, there is much to give us hope. Drew Monkman is a retired Peterborough teacher and co-author of The Big Book of Nature Activities. Reach him at dmonkman1@cogeco.ca . To see past columns, recent nature sightings and his other books, go to drewmonkman.com SHARE: If climate calamitists would stop to consider the facts about how "green" Canada is and to read more on how electric cars are manufactured, their level of rhetoric would almost cease. Canada ranks second only to Russia as having the largest arboreal forest area in the world. That having been said, we could go back to fossil fueled production for our energy grid and have many factories operating via this fuel again and still NOT have a climate crisis. That huge area of forest could soak up our CO2 emission plus the USA's and still not have to breathe heavily. The shuffling of papers and carbon tax impositions on innocent taxpayers is NOT achieving anything except aggravation. What has NOT been revealed, while shouting about a "greener Canada" is the fact that, to produce electric cars or other battery powered conveyances, the resultant pollution is staggering! There are lakes of toxic waste in Australia, Chile and China with another possible area of contamination fairly close by Sudbury, where battery manufacturing is proposed. Another frightening aspect of EV batteries is the fact that, if the battery shorts out, the resulting conflagration is so violent and long lasting that firefighters will not attempt to fight that sort of fire. They just let it burn itself out! Even the materials used for the construction of the bodies of these vehicles are toxic. A further compelling factor to discourage the sale of these death traps is the pitiful mileage afforded between charging of the battery plus the poor showing re the number of charging stations across Canada. Last, but not least, is the horrendous cost of these hazardous machines. The ordinary working man cannot afford $50,000 or $60,000 to satisfy people who proselytize about "going green". At today's minimum wage, it is out of reach. Let's get real and absorb the facts. J. R. Baldwin, Omemee SHARE: MONTREAL - The CEO of National Bank plans to maintain a flexible approach toward his employees working in the office, even though hes worried about the impact remote work is having on the vitality of downtown Montreal. Laurent Ferreira said hes worried about the effect the widespread adoption of telecommuting is having on small businesses in Montreals downtown business district. Im concerned for downtown Montreal and I think the business community has a very great responsibly (to ensure) the dynamism of Montreals ecosystem, he said in an interview Friday, during the banks annual shareholders meeting. But, for now, Ferreira doesnt want to impose anything on his teams. We want a flexible approach. We want the teams to organize themselves and for them to decide when they need to meet, work together, he said. Its an approach that contrasts with that of the Royal Bank of Canada, which has asked its employees to work from the office three or four days a week, depending on the nature of their work. National Bank is suggesting workers come in 40 per cent of the time, though Ferreira said he would like a better balance that sees employees coming in more frequently. But he said telecommuting hasnt had a negative affect on the productivity of the banks employees. Around 12,000 people work at National Banks downtown Montreal headquarters. The bank will begin gradually moving into a new 40-storey tower during the second half of the year. The project, announced in 2018, represents an investment of more than half a billion dollars. Ferreira told the shareholder meeting he expects the economy to slow in 2023 and 2024, but noted that the job market remains resilient. National Bank is in an enviable position to deal with an economic slowdown, Ferreira said, with higher capital reserves than its peers. Because were in an advantageous position, that might allow us to gain market share, he said. National Banks capital ratios were at 12.6 per cent on Jan. 31. Its more than the required minimum of 11 per cent and more than most peers when you take into account their acquisition plans, said Darko Mihelic, an analyst at RBC Capital Markets. National Bank wants to grow organically, without acquisitions, in other Canadian provinces and has identified commercial banking and wealth management as its main avenues for growth. Thats where were putting the emphasis, especially outside Quebec, but you understand that commercial and wealth management clients also need a bank account and a credit card, so its all related, he said. Like the CEOs of other large Canadian banks, Ferreira was asked about the institutions environmental policies during the shareholders meeting. The bank does not want to completely divest from the oil and gas sector, but want to support companies that are making efforts to decarbonize their operations. This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 21, 2023. Companies in this story: (TSX:NA) Read more about: SHARE: Boy meets boy. In a club. Ding: the suburbs of Toronto. Boy later finds out that they were both unbeknownst to them in the same refugee camp when they were children. A long time ago. In a land far away. Boy and boy become entwined in life and in love and in business, and fast-forwarding many years later reign today as the very winsome duo behind one of the citys buzziest new hot spots. That spot? The fun-to-be-at and fun-to-say Lao Lao Bar on St. Joseph Street near Yonge Street. A place that not only manages to splay a spotlight on a relatively unexamined body of cuisine, but also brims with that most elusive of natural resources in restaurant-land: joy. Kismet, I mouthed to Seng Luong and Jason Jiang when sitting down with them in a corner of their eatery earlier this week, picking up more of their story. As has been the case since it opened its doors in February complete with one pretty fun party the 100-plus seat restaurant was packed, even early on a Monday night, on a rainy, miserable night. No better time to book a mental flight to Southeast Asia right? Certainly the plan, in recent weeks, for a good cross-section of in-the-know enthusiasts and culinary buffs (many of them following Luong and Jiang from their Bloor Street East crowd favourite Sabai Sabai, which closed last summer). Ditto: a good smattering of the gay crowd (this being a space that sits on the periphery of the Village and also on a nostalgic stretch of that once housed several gay clubs. Remember Club Colby?). Olympic medallist skater Brian Orser has been spotted at Lao Lao Bar. Likewise: celebrity fashion guru and Canadas Drag Race judge Brad Goreski. Just the other week, Canadian star on the rise Adam DiMarco rang in his 33rd birthday there, amidst the flying saucer-meets-French-Colonial light fixtures and the menu that includes Tapioca Dumplings. The actor, who starred as the adorkable Albie on the recent blast of The White Lotus, is a friend and was a Sabai Sabai regular, too. Say Lao. Now, say it again. But first, perhaps, a primer? The country from which Luong and Jiang both hail is Laos pronounced like mouse, they confirm. And although the term Laotian is sometimes thrown around, it is out of vogue, with its colonial inferences. When describing something from Laos, it is just Lao Lao food, for example. It was the plan from the beginning to clearly define it as a Lao restaurant, Luong started to tell me. Missing for years from the food discourse, or camouflaged within the parameters of Thai fare, the cuisine is having a moment, as even the New York Times noted in a piece last year, musing that while Lao cuisine in the United States has been almost hidden from outsiders thats changing as more and more cooks share their food at markets and in restaurants, at pop-ups and events, on Instagram reels and in YouTube tutorials. How would these guys describe it? Fresh. Herbaceous. Not particularly protein-foward, Luong rattled off. Also: You eat what you grow and nothing is wasted. The cuisine, he added, grew methodically but also out necessity, from Laos being a landlocked country (the only one in Southeast Asia): northeast of Thailand, northwest of Vietnam; surrounded, too, by China and Cambodia. Not as rich or as oily as some cuisines, a lot is steamed or boiled or grilled, Luong and Jiang continued. A lot of open-fire cooking. A fair bit of fermenting. Sticky rice is, of course, king. Lemongrass lime leaf, they came back, when asked to name some of its more prominent ingredients, Jiang jumping in to single out the Mok Pa (fish in banana leaves). A classic dish. And one that they are obviously proud of on their menu: a slinky showpiece, gift-wrapped in green. Incidentally, said Luong, the Mok Pa has a discernible dill presence, which is not a flavour profile typically associated with Southeast Asian cuisines, but itself probably a relic of the French bringing dill to the nation when they were colonizers. Even more interesting, perhaps: a staple like Papaya Salad (Thum Mak Hoong). Though it is, yes, usually associated with Thai restaurants, it is actually a Lao thing and emblematic of how Lao food, in general, has been interpreted over many decades. Smooshed under the more easy marketing veneer of Thai, for many Lao immigrants establishing a new business the worry was that a Lao menu would be too obscure for American diners, as the Times reported, many Lao immigrants deigning to open Thai restaurants in the U.S. This occurred in many parts of the world. For Jiang and Luong, it is clearly personal. With both of their backstories stretching to the camp they were both in as boys after the political disruption that occurred during the Lao Civil War, the rise of a Communist government causing many to escape it is meaningful to finally have a place that puts their heritage up front. Pressing them for more details on their intersecting personal narratives, they told me they only pieced it together that they were refugees in the same place years later (there were memories of a fire that once swarmed the camp). Amazingly, too, they realized that after their families had respectively moved to Canada, both boys were in the same middle school in the Junction area of Toronto. Still, they did not interact, or know each other, back then. We have had so much support from the Lao community. It has been touching, Luong went on, mentioning some of the special visitors they have been getting. With their differing specialties Jiang worked in hospitality; Luong has an IT and finance background it is obvious to me how much they complement each other. But also the one thing that makes Lao Lao Bar sing: almost everyone who walks in while we are talking seems to know them. And they seem genuinely happy to see their regulars. They are consummate hosts. We just love hosting our friends. That is how we see the restaurant, Jiang finally said. SHARE: MISSISSAUGA, Ont. - More than $20 million worth of gold and other high-value items have been stolen from Toronto Pearson Airport, Peel Regional Police said Thursday. Duty Insp. Stephen Duivesteyn told media police are investigating the theft that took place early Monday evening after a plane that arrived at the airport was unloaded and its cargo transported to a holding facility. Once this cargo was offloaded at a holding facility, subsequent to its arrival, this high-value container was removed by illegal means, said Duivesteyn. The container contained a high-value shipment. It did contain gold, but was not exclusive to gold, and contained other items of monetary value. The Peel police airport division has been leading the investigation. The force has a great working relationship with the RCMP which remain a quick call away, Duivesteyn said, but the investigation currently remains in Peel polices jurisdiction. Police have not revealed any information about potential suspects and wouldnt say which airline shipped the cargo, where the gold was headed, or where the plane came from. Duivesteyn stopped short of saying it was a professional job. Were looking at all angles on how this item was stolen, so I dont really have a lot of details on how it was stolen to provide or any suspect, he said. Were unable to provide specifics to this investigation because were three days in. The very rare theft is believed to be an isolated incident, Duivesteyn said, noting there are no concerns for travel or public safety at the airport. This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 20, 2023. Read more about: SHARE: ST. JOHNS, N.L. - As a Royal Newfoundland Constabulary officer heads to jail for sexual assault, calls are growing for the force to reckon with mounting allegations against its officers, and commit to changing its culture. The fact that there have been so many women who have come forward suggests that theres a culture problem in the RNC a deep, cultural problem, said Lise Gotell, a University of Alberta professor who studies gender and law. If these allegations are true, I think that the RNC needs to acknowledge that there is a problem, they need to apologize, and they need to engage in fairly fundamental reform. Every police force in the country should be paying attention to the situation unfolding within Newfoundland and Labradors provincial police force, Gotell said. RNC Const. Carl Douglas Snelgrove is back behind bars after the provinces Court of Appeal this week upheld his 2021 conviction for sexual assault. Snelgrove was sentenced to four years for raping a young woman in her living room while on duty in 2014. Shortly after his conviction, St. Johns lawyer Lynn Moore announced she had been approached by several women who said they, too, had allegedly been sexually assaulted by members of the force, at least one of whom is not Snelgrove. She has since filed two lawsuits on behalf of eight of those women. Its not clear exactly how many officers are accused, because most of the women did not know their alleged assailants and were only able to provide descriptions, Moore has said. Moore said Wednesday there are more lawsuits to come. She said that so far, there has been a lack of openness and transparency about how the RNC is handling the accumulating allegations which I think is very bad for a police force, especially a police force that is facing allegations of very serious breaches. Like Gotell, Moore said she would like the provincial police to acknowledge they have a problem and apologize. I think it would be very important to implement screening processes so that they can weed out misogynists at the beginning, and also to conduct a training on the patriarchy and misogyny and sexism, Moore said. Thats the source of the problem, and thats what needs to be attacked. RNC Const. James Cadigan has said that since Snelgrove was first tried in 2017, the force has not offered its members any training about consent, sexual assault or abuse of power, which became a key point in the case. An access to information request for any communication or notices of training involving sexual assault, consent, abuse of power or trust returned no results. The request covered early 2017 to late 2022. The RNC did not return a request for comment sent Thursday. A response to a separate information request said the force launched six investigations between 2017 and 2021 into sexual assault allegations against its members. The investigations included internal and external probes, and those prompted by public complaints. Its unclear how many officers were the subject of complaints. The provinces police watchdog released a report last August saying it had investigated six potential incidents of sexual assault or misconduct by at least one Royal Newfoundland Constabulary officer, adding that five of those incidents had already been investigated by the RNC. The report said the police force let that officer retire as an informal resolution to a sexual assault complaint that the watchdog said involved a potentially criminal offence. Bridget Clarke of the St. Johns Status of Women Council said she believes the force has systemic issues with misogyny and abuse of power. I think what we really need is a significant overhaul of policy, of operations, of their culture, and a commitment to doing that in a meaningful way, she said in a recent interview. Gotell noted that communities all over Canada are calling for examinations of misogyny in policing, adding that a recommendation by a St. Johns-based Indigenous group First Voice to establish a civilian-led oversight board in the province is a basic step police and governments could take to address those calls. She questioned whether the public could have confidence in police officers investigating other police officers in matters of sexual misconduct. Im not sure that I would advise any woman who has experienced police misconduct, particularly of a sexual nature, to make a complaint to the police. This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 21, 2023. SHARE: FREDERICTON - New Brunswick River Watch officials say some areas around the lower Saint John River are expected to see a decrease in water levels over the weekend. A news release from the Emergency Measures Organization says water levels are expected to see a dip in Fredericton and Maugerville, but will remain high in other southern communities in the coming days. It asks people to avoid banks of waterways as they remain dangerous all along the Saint John River. Officials say people should avoid boating, kayaking or other water activities at this time of year as currents are strong and carry debris. The release says there have been no homes or buildings affected by floods so far. Water levels remain above flood stage in Fredericton, Gagetown, Jemseg and Maugerville, and are expected to rise but not reach flood stage in other southern communities such as Grand Lake, Sheffield-Lakeville Corner, Oak Point, Hampton, and Quispamsis-Saint John. This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 21, 2023. Read more about: SHARE: (Bloomberg) -- The European Central Bank should proceed cautiously with any future interest-rate hike as credit growth slows and financial-stability risks persist, Governing Council member Ignazio Visco said. Most Read from Bloomberg The Bank of Italy governor told Francine Lacqua on Bloomberg Television that policymakers should stick with their meeting-by-meeting approach as the impact of tightening until now seeps through into the economy. We do not have a credit crunch situation now, but we have a reduction in credit certainly for the business sector, and a substantial slowdown for households, and these have taken place in a matter of months, he said. Long lags means that we have still to see all the effects of our monetary policy measures. This is why I am saying, I dont exclude rising rates or whatever, but I think we have to be prudent, cautious and patient. As one of the more dovish members of the Governing Council, Viscos plea for more tentative policy contrasts with colleagues such as Klaas Knot of the Netherlands, who said in a newspaper interview this week that the ECB may need to keep hiking in June and July after a move at its next meeting on May 4. Visco acknowledged that not raising rates now might bring its risks too, but said that shouldnt cancel the need for prudence. There are two risks: if we do too little, then might be a risk of having to do more in the future and being more costly for the economy, he said. If we do too much, well we may overdo, especially now that there are some financial stability risks that we are understanding not really directly relevant for the euro area, but contagion may be there, and risks may be there. Story continues The 73-year-old Bank of Italy chief is one of the veterans of ECB policymaking, as the second-longest serving member of the current Governing Council after Knot. Visco will also be the next to leave: his second and non-renewable term ends in October, offering Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her coalition the chance to select a new governor to their liking. Visco spoke out last month to criticize hawkish colleagues for openly speculating about possible rate moves beyond the upcoming meeting. He warned then that uncertainty is so high, an assessment that was quickly vindicated with the outbreak of financial-market tensions as a trio of US banks failed and Credit Suisse Group AG was forced into a takeover by rival UBS Group AG. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. HONOLULU (AP) A shooting that killed two people and wounded three others in Hawaii last weekend began with an argument at a cockfight attended by 100 to 200 people, according to court documents released Thursday. Probable cause papers detailing one of the most serious shootings in state history were made public after an initial court appearance for one of the suspects, Jacob Borge. Borge, 23, and a 16-year-old boy turned themselves in to police. Borge was charged with first- and second-degree murder, three counts of attempted murder and firearms charges. Bail was set at $2 million. Petitions were filed against the juvenile for the same charges, police said. State Public Defender James Tabe, whose office represented Borge at the initial hearing, said it is too early to comment on the case. Honolulu police were dispatched to a rural neighborhood in Waianae following a report of shots fired shortly after midnight Saturday at a cockfight. When police arrived, attendees were hurrying away from the scene, court documents said. One of the men who was shot told police that as the cockfight ended, three young males were involved in an argument that turned physical with six male affiliates of a well-known organizer of chicken fights in the Waianae area, court papers said. Commonly known as chicken fights, cockfighting is popular in Hawaii despite being illegal. Another man who was shot told police he saw a person holding a gun and began to shoot at the crowd, documents said. One shooting victim told police there were 100 people at the cockfight, while another told police there were 200. Cathy Rabellizsa-Manners, 59, died from a gunshot wound to the face and Gary Rabellizsa, 34, died from multiple gunshot wounds, documents said. Rabellizsa-Manners husband told police that Rabellizsa tried to break up at the altercation and got into a fistfight with two males who shot at Rabellizsa-Manners and Rabellizsa. Police familiar with Borge, who goes by the street name Hot Boi Jake, negotiated to turn himself in, documents said. A preliminary hearing for Borge is scheduled for Monday. GoFundMe pages were set up for Rabellizsa-Manners and Rabellizsa. I will always remember the first time ever hearing my dad cry it was heartbreaking, I never thought this day will come where I would lose my mom to gun violence, the page organized by Keri Rabellizsa said. Keri Rabellizsa also organized the page for Gary Rabellizsa, who is described as a sheet metal fabricator and father of six: As a result of trying to keep the peace, my husband was fatally shot multiple times. SHARE: Foreign crewman in Phuket hospital after medical emergency on board PHUKET: A foreign crewman was taken to Phuket Provincial Hospital hospital this Wednesday (Apr 19) after a medical emergency on board of a cargo ship passing through Phuket waters. marineSafetytransport By The Phuket News Friday 21 April 2023, 04:50PM A crewman from Glen reefer vessel was taken to Phuket OrBorJor Hospital on Apr 19. Photo: Marine Traffic A crewman from Glen reefer vessel was taken to Phuket OrBorJor Hospital on Apr 19. Photo: THAI MECC 3 A crewman from Glen reefer vessel was taken to Phuket OrBorJor Hospital on Apr 19. Photo: THAI MECC 3 A crewman from Glen reefer vessel was taken to Phuket OrBorJor Hospital on Apr 19. Photo: THAI MECC 3 At around 8.15pm this Wednesday (Apr 19), the Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Center Region 3 (THAI-MECC 3) received an emergency call from Glen cargo ship en route from China to Bangladesh. The captain of Glen, a refrigerator vessel carrying a St Kitts and Nevis flag, informed local officials that one of his crewmen required medical assistance. Thus, the captain requested permission for Glen to make an emergency stop at Phuket Deep Sea Port on Cape Panwa. The injured crewman was picked up from Glen by a motor boat and taken to the shore. There he was handed over to medical workers who rushed the man to Phuket Provincial Hospital (locally known as OrBorJor Hospital). THAI-MECC 3 did not reveal the identity of the crewman and did not say anything about his medical condition except for him suffering from abdominal pain and vomiting. As of today (Apr 21) Glen remained anchored off Phukets eastern shore, according to Marine Traffic FleetMon websites. THAI-MECC 3 also reminded the public of their 1465 hotline for reporting maritime emergencies. The number can be used, in particular, by family member of those whose work involves going out into the sea. Fuel tariff discount to bring some relief BANGKOK: The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) is expected to announce a reduction in the fuel tariff (Ft) from May to August today (Apr 21), which will bring down the power tariff rate for households to B4.70 per kilowatt-hour unit, from B4.77 per unit. By Bangkok Post Friday 21 April 2023, 07:29AM Electricity meters on Soi Samsen 13 in Dusit district, Bangkok. Photo: Pattanapong Hirunard The move follows complaints from people about large spikes in their electricity bills during the summer months. They called on the government to act to reduce their energy costs, reports the Bangkok Post. Khomgrich Tantravanich, secretary-general of the ERC, said a panel will meet today to review the fuel tariff rate for May to August after the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) proposed a 28-month moratorium on debt repayments. The Ft - which is determined by fuel costs - is a key element in the power tariff, which is, in turn, used to calculate power bills and is adjusted every four months. The power tariff is also determined by debts owed to Egat, which posted an accumulated loss of B150 billion after subsidising the price of electricity from September 2021 until December last year. Mr Khomgrich said the panel, which is made up of representatives from various agencies, including the Finance Ministry, will take into consideration public debt and the countrys financial discipline requirements when reviewing the rate. If the panel agrees to cut the Ft, the power tariff rate for the next four months will be B4.70 per unit, he said, adding the debt repayments to Egat are unlikely to be postponed further as this would cause liquidity problems for Egat. About B20bn has been repaid to Egat during January-April, he added. Kulit Sombatsiri, permanent secretary for energy, said the ministry is considering other steps which could help bring down energy costs after the Budget Bureau and related agencies said there is insufficient budget to subsidise energy costs, estimated at B8bn. Authorities are looking ahead to the September-December period and have asked PTT Plc to consider stockpiling liquefied natural gas (LNG) for electricity generation, as the price of LNG has fallen to US$11-13 (B377-445) per million BTU, from US$47 per million BTU early this year, he said. He said demand for electricity has soared during the hot season, peaking at 32,212.5 megawatts at 8:44pm on Wednesday. According to Mr Kulit, electricity bills are charged at a progressive rate, meaning the more electricity a household uses, the more they will be charged. Political activist Srisuwan Janya lodged a complaint with the Office of the Ombudsman yesterday, calling for a fact-finding probe into why electricity bills are surging amid claims that the country has an oversupply of electricity in reserve. He said the current reserve stands at about 60% of total capacity, while the internationally accepted reserve is at 10-15%. Such a high reserve increases electricity generating costs, resulting in a higher power tariff, he said. Mr Srisuwan claimed that Egats purchase of electricity from private power plant operators, despite the huge surplus in reserve, is favouring the energy operators at the expense of consumers. Government spokesman Anucha Buraphachaisri yesterday assured electricity prices would go down once the cost of generating power begins to decrease. Three injured in Phuket single-vehicle motorbike accident PHUKET: A female motorcyclist and her two male passengers were rushed to hospital after their motorbike smashed into a roadside pole in Wichit yesterday (Apr 20). accidentsSafetytransport By Eakkapop Thongtub Friday 21 April 2023, 03:33PM Capt Surachart Thongyai of the Wichit Police was notified of an accident near Makro store on Wichitsongkram Rd at about 4:15am. Police officers and rescue workers arrived at the scene to find a red Honda Scoopy motorbike on the side of the road and three injured people: a female rider and her two male passengers, all aged around 25 years old. After receiving first aid at the scene, all three were taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital for further treatment. Police did not reveal the names of the injured. A car driver who witnessed the accident, named by police as Mr Bass, told the officer that he was driving behind the scooter when it lost control and just smashed into a roadside pole. Police are investigating the cause of the accident. During the Songkran road safety campaign, Phuket Vice Governor Arnupap Rodkwan Yodrabam had called for police to conduct alcohol checks after all the accidents resulting in deaths or injuries. Police did not say anything about alcohol tests in this particular case. On Demand We have a new story every day on the front page of thephuketnews.com. Also like us on our Facebook page (facebook.com/thephuketnews) and be the first to watch all the new stories. Finally you can watch any segment, any time by going to thephuketnews.com/tv where all the stories are listed for you to enjoy. All our programs can be enjoyed in High Definition when watching on the internet. In-Room VDO A search warrant at a Cambridge residence resulted in arrests and the seizure of drugs, money and firearms. Waterloo regional police said the search warrant was conducted on April 20 in the Greenway-Chaplin area of Cambridge, which is bounded by Hespeler Road, Samuelson Street, Franklin Boulevard and Bishop Street North. Police said they seized suspected crack cocaine, methamphetamine, prescription pills, Canadian and American currency, and replica firearms. Two vehicles were also seized for 45 days. A 49-year-old man and a 52-year-old woman, both from Cambridge, were charged with three counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose. The man was also handed two additional charges of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and two counts of operation while prohibited. The pair were held in police custody for a bail hearing. Members of the community are reminded that they can report suspicious activity anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.waterloocrimestoppers.com. SHARE: Pouneh Moghaddam, owner of new Cambridge photography business Mintphotos. This article is part of the New in Town series in Cambridge, which will be regularly updated as we learn of new businesses and restaurants opening (within one year of opening) or closing in Cambridge. We also write about businesses growing, including founding anniversaries. Spot a new business or know of a longtime business closing its doors? Share it with our newsroom at newsroom@cambridgetimes.com and mrosalesgerpe@metroland.com with the subject line New in Town. NEW IN TOWN Businesses opened within the past year A FRESH TAKE BY CAMBRIDGES NEWEST PHOTOGRAPHY BUSINESS, MINTPHOTOS The new venture is also a new journey as a photographer for owner Pouneh Moghaddam, according to a Facebook post, where she announced the start of her business. Hello all, my name is Pouneh, which means spearmint in Persian," Moghaddam wrote in her Facebook post announcement to explain the meaning behind her business' name. Though a website has not been set up yet, the announcement goes on to say, "count down to the launch of my website has started ..." You may follow Moghaddam's journey through Facebook. WHERE: Cambridge (online business) WHEN: Appointment-based. Bookings via Facebook. CONTACT: 226-899-6473 WEBSITE: Soon to come SOCIALS: https://www.facebook.com/Mintphotos-111648745221627 BUSINESS BIRTHDAYS, RELOCATIONS, AND REOPENINGS ONCE UPON A CHILD CAMBRIDGE EXPANDED HOURS OF OPERATIONS BASED ON POPULAR DEMAND Hespeler Roads Once Upon A Child Cambridge is a retail store that sells previously loved apparel, toys, books and other essentials such as strollers for children. According to their business description on Google, they also buy gently used items for children." In late March, the store announced it would increase its hours of operations based on feedback from shoppers. As of April 1, the store expanded its hours, stating through a Facebook post that Expanding hours means that life is back on track and the community is asking for pre-pandemic convenience. WHERE: 600 Hespeler Rd. WHEN: (New hours) Monday to Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m., and Sunday. 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. CONTACT: 519-621-0190 WEBSITE: https://www.onceuponachild.com/locations/cambridge-on SOCIALS: https://www.instagram.com/ouaccambridge/?hl=en ESTHETIC AND SALON SERVICES KRISTIAN LEE HAIR TO RELOCATE IN JULY Located in Hespeler and operating since 1983, Kristian Lee Hair offers a large salon atmosphere ... where you can relax, enjoy a coffee and leave with the confidence that only a great haircut can offer," according to the business page on Cyclex Canada, a local business search engine. The salon is currently planning a relocation in July. Stay tuned! See you in the salon! reads a post on Facebook by Kristian Lee Hair. More updates to follow as we get closer to the big day, including a Grand Opening and new services. WHERE: 600 Hespeler Rd., Suite 5 (current location); new location to be announced WHEN: Tuesday and Friday, 9 a.m.- 6 p.m.; Wednesday and Thursday, 9 a.m.- 8 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed on Monday and Sunday CONTACT: 519-624-9194 WEBSITE: https://www.kristianleehair.net SOCIALS: https://www.facebook.com/kristianleehair and https://www.instagram.com/kristianleehair/ COMING SOON VEGETARIAN INDIAN RESTAURANT SOON TO OPEN UP AT NAGANO SUSHIS OLD SPOT With three other locations (Mississauga, Brampton and Hamilton), Milan will now have Cambridge as its fourth home. The restaurants name means coming together in Hindi. With popular Indian street food staples such as chaat, chai, falooda, sandwiches, ice cream and more, the family that owns Milan hopes to attract Cambridge residents to a family-friendly environment. To learn more about the popular street Indian food they are bringing to Cambridge, and to get to know their story, Cambridge Times has sat down with the entire family for an upcoming New in Town feature. WHERE: 10 Pinebush Rd. WHEN: Opening this summer, reads a Facebook post by Milan. Exact hours to be announced CONTACT: To be announced WEBSITE: eatmilan.com SOCIALS: https://www.facebook.com/milanicecreamandpaan/ and https://www.instagram.com/milanicecream_paan/ Spot a new business or know of a longtime business celebrating an anniversary or closing its doors? Share it with our newsroom at newsroom@cambridgetimes.com and mrosalesgerpe@metroland.com with the subject line New in Town. SHARE: A federal government grant will give a facelift to the Idea Exchange library branch in Preston. Through the Canada Community Revitalization Fund (CCRF), $135,000 will be used toward the repair and redesign of a portion of the exterior of the building, as well as replacing selected areas of the deteriorated outside building tiles and decorative wood. To improve accessibility, portions of the entrance area will be also regraded and resurfaced, stairs repaired and wayfinding features added. In addition, accessible door openers and stair railings will be replaced to meet current accessibility standards. These renovations will help to improve the Preston Idea Exchange, while also making this public space more accessible for visitors from across the region and beyond, said Cambridge MP Bryan May, in a release. I look forward to seeing these enhancements at our Preston branch and the continuing role that Idea Exchange plays in our community. The CCRF offers eligible recipients a nonrepayable contribution of up to 75 per cent of total eligible project costs of an infrastructure project. Recipients will be responsible for providing the remaining balance. The total cost of the project is $180,000. It is our goal that this renovation will improve access for all those visiting our library and gallery in Preston, said Idea Exchange CEO Chrissy Hodgins. These renovations will also reinvigorate and renew the exterior so that the building continues to be a landmark in the Preston Towne Centre. SHARE: EMGS Reference is made to the stock exchange notice published by Electromagnetic Geoservices ASA ("EMGS" or the "Company") on 19 April 2023, where EMGS published its audited financial statements and annual report for 2022. As noted by the Company in that stock exchange notification, the European Single Electronic Format (ESEF) 2022 annual report would be published on or about 21 April 2023. The ESEF file is attached to this stock exchange notification and will also be available on www.emgs.com . Contact Anders Eimstad, Chief Financial Officer, +47 948 25 836 This information is published in accordance with the Norwegian Securities Trading Act 5-12. About EMGS EMGS, the marine EM market leader, uses its proprietary electromagnetic (EM) technology to support oil and gas companies in their search for offshore hydrocarbons. EMGS supports each stage in the workflow, from survey design and data acquisition to processing and interpretation. The Company's services enable the integration of EM data with seismic and other geophysical and geological information to give explorationists a clearer and more complete understanding of the subsurface. This improves exploration efficiency and reduces risks and the finding costs per barrel. CSEM technology can also be used to detect the presence of marine mineral deposits (primarily Seabed Massive Sulphides) and EMGS believes that the technology can also be used to estimate the mineral content of such deposits. The Company is undertaking early-stage initiatives to position itself in this future market. Attachment WATERLOO REGION Eight local cultural organizations can now apply for regional funding after council again changed the process to apply for grants. Regional council revamped the criteria to apply for grant funding at a recent council meeting after some councillors wanted to give money to the Grand Philharmonic Choir, but other councillors said the process needed to be more open and equitable to include other groups. The frustration was palpable as some councillors expressed disappointment with the process by making decisions on the fly, with some groups receiving monies and others not qualifying. Im starting to wonder if Im stuck in purgatory, said Wilmot Township Mayor Natasha Salonen. She wants to see a more fulsome discussion around strategic planning on how local cultural organizations can apply for regional money and what they are eligible to receive. I have heard grants come up many times around this horseshoe, and Im getting very frustrated, Salonen said at an April 19 regional council meeting. There is confusion among councillors and with community groups who must not understand the granting process, she said. Some groups came before councillors during the budget process asking for money, while other groups might not realize they can apply for funds. Im finding that very frustrating, that we keep on going in circles and hearing very similar arguments around this issue, and not really getting anywhere, Salonen said. After a lengthy discussion, councillors agreed to give the Kitchener Waterloo Symphony and TheMuseum each $385,725 for their operations from a key cultural institutions grant. This had been previously approved at a committee meeting. Councillors also agreed to adjust criteria, so that organizations applying for money can have a budget as low as $250,000 rather than the previous $1 million. This allows eight more groups to apply by May 5: Green Light Arts, MT Space, Fashion History Museum, Homer Watson House and Gallery, Drayton Theatre, Pat the Dog Theatre Company, Neruda Arts and the Grand Philharmonic Choir. Councillors agreed to move $340,000 to fund the additional cultural groups from a tax reserve fund. As part of these changes, councillors voted to give the Grand Philharmonic Choir $32,130, grant money it applied for but was later told didnt qualify for. In a statement, choir artistic director Mark Vuorinen said the choir, which is celebrating 100 years, was thrilled to receive operating funding that will help ensure stability as we plan for upcoming seasons. A vibrant, strong and well-supported arts community is integral to Waterloo Region and we are very grateful that council has made this new funding available as it revisits the criteria for key cultural institutions, he said. Coun. Colleen James said she, too, was frustrated that some groups have historically received regional funding and others, especially equity-seeking organizations, have not. We have one that has been here for 100 years receiving money over and over again and we are having such a debate over that, and imagine how that looks on the community when youve had community organizations receiving nothing, she said. Coun. Rob Deutschmann initially put forward a motion to give the Grand Philharmonic Choir $32,000, saying it was an important cultural organization that deserved funding. He also acknowledged that the amount was so small. This granting process is grinding. Its grinding me down, he said. We are making sausage on the council table and its oh so hard. Cambridge Mayor Jan Liggett said she would only support the changes if it allowed other groups, such as the Fashion History Museum in Cambridge, to also apply for funding. Some councillors questioned moving monies after the budget was approved in February. Coun. Michael Harris said he couldnt support the changes because just two months ago the regional budget was passed and now money is being removed to fund groups. The simple fact that we passed the budget less than 60 days ago and were not adding $340,000 from the tax stabilization fund which shouldnt really be used for things like this. I just wont be able to support it, he said. Like Coun. Chantal Huinink, Harris said he was concerned about making decisions on the fly. Councillors are set to further discuss grant funding at a June committee meeting. SHARE: CAMBRIDGE Two Cambridge residents are facing charges after police seized drugs, cash, vehicles and replica firearms from a home in the Greenway-Chaplin neighbourhood. On Thursday, Waterloo Regional Police conducted a search of a home and seized suspected crack cocaine, methamphetamine, prescription pills, Canadian and American cash and replica firearms. Two vehicles were also seized for 45 days. A 49-year-old man and a 52-year-old woman are facing charges of possession for the purpose of trafficking (three counts), and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose. The man is also facing two charges of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and two counts of operation while prohibited. The two have been held in custody for a bail hearing. SHARE: KITCHENER A multi-year process to rename two schools in the regions public school board came to an end on Wednesday when trustees approved two new school names. A.R. Kaufman Public School in Kitchener will now be known as Hillside Public School, and the former Ryerson Public School in Cambridge will now be known as Blue Heron Public School. The changes come two years after the board first flagged three schools with names that should be changed trustees already voted to rename Sir John A. Macdonald Secondary School in Waterloo to Laurel Heights Secondary School in March 2022. The process included a lengthy public consultation period, with committees comprised of members of the school, community and board working through long lists of possible names. For Hillside, the committee received hundreds of responses and 82 renaming suggestions, and eventually chose a shortlist of six potential school names for further community consideration. Over a two-week period in February, more than 60 per cent of student and staff population participated, with 324 responses. The current school is located on a hill. Ingleside is a street within walking distance of the school, thereby combining the two features into Hillside, the report reads. The name Hillside flows nicely and honours the intent of the renaming policy. From the shortlist of names that was brought to the committee, Hillside was the most popular name voted, especially with the student population. Other names on the shortlist included Elm Public School, Avens Public School, Monarch Woods Public School, Monarch Heights Public School and Emerald Public School. A similar process took place for the renaming of Ryerson Public School. That committee received 34 responses and 17 names for consideration. Blue Heron was one of four shortlisted options, along with Mapleview Public School, Marshland Public School and Willow River Public School. Over 90 per cent of the student and staff population participated in the process. The Great Blue Heron is a bird species native to the Grand River watershed and one that is still thriving today, particularly in the section of the river that runs through Cambridge, the report reads. The bird was once featured on the Welcome to Cambridge signs along the 401 and elsewhere at entry points to the city. Along with Sir John A. Macdonald Secondary School, the board flagged all three schools for possible renaming after an ad hoc school naming review committee identified names that could potentially harm. Egerton Ryerson founded the public education system of what is now Ontario, but also played an instrumental role in the creation of residential schools. Toronto Metropolitan University changed its name from Ryerson University in 2022. A.R. Kaufman was a wealthy Kitchener industrialist and philanthropist, a member of the Waterloo Region Hall of Fame whose name also appears on the A.R. Kaufman Family YMCA in Kitchener. He was a strong advocate of birth control and eugenics, and saw sterilization as a solution to societal challenges such as poverty. Kaufman was known to arrange for sterilizations that targeted working-class employees, the poor and those with physical or mental disabilities, and so this would be a school that the committee deemed requiring renaming because it wasnt in keeping with the boards current values regarding human rights, Crissa Hill, the boards superintendent of student achievement and well-being, explained in 2021 when the name change was first announced. On Wednesday, all trustees voted in favour of both name changes except Bill Cody, who said he didnt support spending the time and money to rename both schools. Cody was not a trustee in 2021 when the decisions were made. There was a significant process in the previous board to identify names that some students would not feel a sense of welcome and belonging, explained Hill at Wednesdays board meeting. And so, there was an environmental scan done of existing names. RELATED STORIES Waterloo Region How about a public debate before renaming a school? To ensure that all students feel welcome and belong, she said, three names were flagged and eventually selected for change. The renamed schools will require changes to signage throughout the school, team uniforms and other items with the schools name, the report said. Those costs will be covered from a combination of school budgets and capital budgets. Hill said the process has shown there is still room for improvement, and the policy should be updated with lessons learned during the process trustee Scott Piatkowski, who was a member of one of the naming committees, suggested more consultation with local Indigenous groups, for example. The board is not currently looking at any other schools for possible name changes, said Hill. -with files from Brent Davis Read more about: SHARE: WATERLOO REGION Its almost two acres in size and located in what some have described as the middle of nowhere. But within days, this barren piece of land will become a community of people really quickly, Joe Mancini from The Working Centre told media gathered at what will soon be the Region of Waterloo managed outdoor shelter. The site at 1001 Erbs Rd. at the Waterloo-Wilmot border remains a construction site, but 50 individual blue and grey cabins dot the property next to the Waterloo Region Emergency Services Training and Research Centre. By the end of next week, possibly as soon as Thursday, 50 unhoused people will be living at the new shelter location that is part of the regions interim housing plan to help those living with chronic homelessness and give them a safe and dignified place to call home for a period of time. I hope it helps 50 people get back on their feet and get the supports they need and get on a path to permanent housing, said Peter Sweeney, the regions commissioner of community services with the responsibility for the regions housing file. This is part of an effort to stabilize and address the acuity of the homelessness situation we have in Waterloo Region. It is not, in and of itself, going to end homelessness, Sweeney said. The residents set to move into the managed outdoor shelter have lived at three of the regions largest encampments: the Victoria and Weber streets camp and Roos Island in Victoria Park, both in Kitchener, and 150 Main St. in Cambridge. Peter Sweeney, Commissioner of Community Services and Working Centre co-founder Joe Mancini stand inside one of the cabins that has been furnished at the Erbs Road site. David Bebee, Waterloo Region Record In addition to individual cabins for each resident, the communal space in the centre of the property has a kitchen servery where meals will be served and coffee offered, Mancini said. The food is prepared at the centres Queen Street location and will be brought to Erbs Road. The Working Centre already makes 700 meals a day and this will add another 50, with most of the food coming from the Food Bank of Waterloo Region. Last year, The Working Centre got 700,000 pounds of food from the food bank. The cabins were built by NOW Housing in its Cambridge factory. The company offers affordable housing alternatives through modular homes. The 107-square-foot cabins are made of repurposed steel shipping containers with steel siding inside and out, along with spray foam insulation. There is no drywall, taping or painting, said Matthew Lubberts, NOW Housing president. Basically nothing has organics in it whatsoever, so you dont have a mould issue of any sort and they will last a fair bit longer because of the materials that are used, he said. Inside the community space, where the kitchen servery and three full washrooms are located along with a washer and dryer, all materials are stainless steel with metal and plastic. Internet service will be provided at the property. Each cabin has a baseboard heater, air conditioning and smoke detectors, along with an industrial-style door with a deadbolt. Inside each unit is a bed, a desk and chair, a mini fridge and shelving on one wall. The Working Centre will offer bed linens and pillows. Five cabins are dedicated for people with mobility challenges. Ramps will be installed. Each week, 15 hours of nursing care will be offered on site. Mancini acknowledged the location is not easy to get to. The region helped The Working Centre offer transportation to downtown Kitchener for appointments, visiting family or other places they need to go. Inside one of the cabins that has been furnished at the Erbs Road site. The Region of Waterloo's outdoor shelter is nearing completion in time for residents at the end of April. David Bebee, Waterloo Region Record A seven-passenger van was donated by Scherer dealership and The Working Centre has a dedicated driver to travel back and forth several times a day. Mancini said The Working Centre has a list of 40 people who want to live at Erbs Road. The focus has been on people who are living in encampments. We could find 100 people very quickly that would come here, he said. No one is signing up until the shelter is ready. Some who are living in camps will visit the outdoor shelter next week, he said. Each day, five workers will be on site 24/7 and housing support workers will work with resident to manage their housing case. People might get the idea that its a longer-term place, but in fact this is a shelter system, Mancini said. The managed shelter is a place to rest, think and plan for next steps, he said. This is not forever housing, he said. This is a step toward something else. Regional councillors toured the outdoor shelter on Thursday, neighbours can visit the site next week, and public tours will be held on April 25. Residents must sign up on the regions engageWR page. SHARE: CAMBRIDGE GrandBridge Energy workers are preparing to strike on Sunday, which could mean delayed response times for customers in Cambridge and Brantford starting this weekend. Members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 636 voted 71 per cent to reject the utilitys new collective agreement Wednesday, and plan to strike on Sunday. The two sides havent met in over a week, and there are no talks scheduled before the Sunday deadline. The union represents 69 employees working in operations, metering, field services and the system control room, who play a key role in ensuring the reliability of the utilitys distribution system, including the maintenance of equipment, power restoration and connecting new customers. The union has said it is willing to go back to the negotiating table to work on an agreement, but it will strike if there isnt a deal reached by Sunday. Theres a vast array of people who work to keep your hydro running, said Brian Manninger, business manager for the union. What does this all mean? Well, in the case of a big storm and weve already had a lot of storms this year your power is not going to come back on as quick as it used to because theres nobody to put it back on. The union and employer have been involved in a complex negotiation process since late 2022, to merge the two collective agreements of Brantford Power and Energy+ into a new collective agreement under GrandBridge Energy. Members of each bargaining unit brought requests to the negotiations, said GrandBridge president Ian Miles, and now the goal is to strike a balance that satisfies both the members and the company. If the two sides cant come to an agreement before Sunday, Miles said, non-union employees in the impacted areas will be working and responding. The priority will be addressing emergencies and restoring power during unplanned outages. As a result of the labour disruption, our response times may be delayed, he said. We appreciate our customers patience as we focus on prioritizing emergency situations. Everything is on the table because it is a brand-new agreement, said Manninger. So, we tried to put both the Energy+ and the Brantford Power agreement to form the new agreement, and we knew there would have to be some work on it to satisfy the employer. Many of the former Brantford Power workers feel the proposed new agreement omits many of the benefits they had in their previous contract. Our members in Brantford arent looking at this as a merger anymore, theyre looking at this as a takeover, because they believe they have nothing coming out of their old collective agreement, Manninger said. Brantford Power, for example, had a refillable overtime bank, whereas Energy+ caps overtime at 40 hours. Theres a number of things that were very important to the Brantford Power people that just arent there right now, he said. Workers are also calling for a reasonable pay bump. It is definitely an issue, he said. But it is not the main issue in regards to why the membership voted this down. If an agreement isnt reached before Sunday, offices in Cambridge and Brantford will be closed to the public. Picket lines will be set up at Cambridge City Hall, Brantford City Hall and GrandBridge Energys headquarters in Cambridge. Customer service concerns answered: In the event of an unplanned power outage, customers in Cambridge, the County of Brant and the Township of North Dumfries should call 1-833-769-3701. Customers in Brantford should call 519-751-3522. In the event of downed power lines or other emergency situations, customers should call 911. Customer service centres in Brantford and Cambridge will remain operational and accessible by telephone and email during regular business hours. Customers in Cambridge, County of Brant and the Township of North Dumfries call 1-877-871-2215, email customercare@grandbridgeenergy.com. Customers in Brantford call 519-751-3522, email customerservices@grandbridgeenergy.com. Bill payments can be made by: secure online and telephone payments, financial institutions, mail, pre-authorized payment plan and the My Account portal. Customer services teams will continue responding to customer inquiries, sending bills and collecting payments during the strike. SHARE: CAMBRIDGE A 30-year-old Kitchener man was killed after driving into the back of a delivery truck that was on the shoulder of the westbound side of Highway 401. The crash happened at around 7:30 p.m. Thursday, between the Cambridge service centre and Townline Road. The westbound section of the highway was shut down at Highway 6 North for hours after the crash. Ontario Provincial Police said the Kitchener man was driving a black sedan that collided with the back of a broken-down truck that was parked on the shoulder of the highway with its four-way flashers on. At around 1 a.m., while the highway was shut down, a driver broke through the closure at Highway 6 North and was seen speeding down the 401 toward the first responders at the crash scene. Once the driver broke through, units at the scene were notified and began blasting their airhorns, alerting those working on the highway. The driver of this vehicle came to a screeching halt just prior to slamming into the side of a tow truck that was dealing with one of the broken down vehicles at the scene, said OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt in a message on Twitter. This could have been dangerous and deadly. The driver tried to leave a second time when he was arrested. A 35-year-old Kitchener man is facing charges of impaired driving, dangerous driving, excess blood alcohol, and having cannabis readily available inside the vehicle. His vehicle has been impounded for seven days, and he received a 90-day licence suspension. Police are asking any witnesses or anyone with dashcam video to contact Cambridge OPP investigators at 519-654-0150. SHARE: Big Bow Award Program Honors the Achievement CHICAGO, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- We are pleased to announce that EZ Blockchain has been selected for the 2023 Best of Big Bow Award in the Manufacturer category by the Big Bow Award Program for its contribution to local economy in the state of Kansas. The company is the winner of the award the second year in a row. EZ Blockchain opened its first data center project in the area in 2022 and was shortlisted as an award winner the same year. EZ Blockchain is among a very small group of companies that have won the Best of Big Bow Award for two consecutive years. This distinction has qualified EZ Blockchain for the 2023 Big Bow Business Hall of Fame. Each year, the Big Bow Award Program identifies companies that are believed to have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and the community. These exceptional companies help make the Big Bow area a great place to live, work and play. Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2023 Big Bow Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the Big Bow Award Program and data provided by third parties. About Big Bow Award Program The Big Bow Award Program is an annual awards program honoring the achievements and accomplishments of local businesses throughout the Big Bow area. Recognition is given to those companies that have shown the ability to use their best practices and implemented programs to generate competitive advantages and long-term value. The Big Bow Award Program was established to recognize the best of local businesses in our community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to recognize the small business community's contributions to the U.S. economy. Story continues About EZ Blockchain EZ Blockchain is a technology company that is on a mission to solve the global waste energy problem with the help of crypto mining. The company focus on taping into underutilized energy sources, such as stranded gas, underutilized power on the grid, and base load for power plants. Media Contact: Sergii Gerasymovych info@ezblockchain.net Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ez-blockchain-receives-2023-best-of-big-bow-award-from-a-local-community-in-the-state-of-kansas-301803666.html SOURCE EZ Blockchain Korean Ambassador | IMPHAL, Apr 20 : The Ambassador of Republic of Korea to India, Chang Jae-bok visited Dhanamanjuri University, Manipur and King Sejong Institute at DM University today and put forward a suggestion for collaborative research between India (Manipur) and Korea in the near future. The Ambassador met Professor N Rajmuhon Singh, Vice Chancellor of DM University and other officials of the University. During the meeting, Ambassador Chang Jae-bok also made suggestions for an exchange program for both the faculties and students to facilitate better understanding of the knowledge, language, culture and tradition of the two countries. Further, Chang Jae-bok assured to extend all possible help to DM University in promoting more courses in Korean Studies. The Ambassador also urged people to apply for different fellowships offered by the Government of Korea. Sana FC, Brother's FC victorious in TKWA Trophy | IMPHAL, Apr 21 : Sana FC-Thoubal and Brother's FC-Kwakeithel registered wins in today's matches of the ongoing TKWA Trophy 2023 organised by Tentha Khongbal Welfare Association at Tentha Multiplex Ground in Thoubal district. Sana FC earned full points against PSWAS, Sangaiyum-pham in their Group (F) opener by sealing a 20 win thanks to goals coming from Rohit (10') and Joysana (41'). In the Group G opening match, Brother's FC pulled off a comfortable 3-0 win over 13 Stars YDA-Khangabok. The Kwakeithel team got off to a flying start with Sadananda netting the opener early in the 8th minute before Linthoi scored another in the 15th minute to make it 2-0 before the break. Nilakanta then hit the decisive goal in the 34th minute. HOUSTON, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Fifth Corner (www.fifthcorner.com) is proud to announce three recent leases at its property, Plazas at Midtown II, located at the corner of McGowen and Louisiana Streets in Houston's Midtown submarket. Since November 2022, Fifth Corner has signed 7,175 SF of leases with three tenants, including Texas' first location of the highly acclaimed West Coast dumpling house Dough Zone, the new Midtown Houston club, Clover, and the Midtown stalwart, Upscale Cleaners. Together, they bring the property to 100% occupancy upon completion of tenant build-out. Fifth Corner is excited to welcome these exciting new concepts to the area and looks forward to continued growth and success in Midtown. Plazas at Midtown II - Houston, Texas Dough Zone (4,503 SF) - Plazas at Midtown II will be the first location in Texas for Dough Zone Dumpling House which offers a mouth-watering selection of authentic Chinese cuisine, freshly prepared with high-quality ingredients, and served in a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere. The restaurant boasts a wide array of traditional Chinese comfort food dishes including soup dumplings, potstickers, pan fried buns, and regional noodle dishes. Currently, Dough Zone has 14 locations spread across California, Oregon and Washington State. Dough Zone originally opened as a mom and pop restaurant, but since has expanded into a chain with locations throughout the west coast. The motivation behind creating Dough Zone was delivering traditional homemade Chinese comfort food into a modern setting. Dough Zone serves the perfect dish sizes for customers to share and experience various delicacies without breaking the bank. Many more locations are expected to open throughout the United States in the near future. Dough Zone places a strong emphasis on maintaining a high-quality dining experience by utilizing the freshest local ingredients, and affordable pricing. www.doughzonedumplinghouse.com Clover (1,848 SF) - Owned by nightlife entrepreneur Nigel King, Clover is a new Midtown Houston club that offers an exciting and vibrant nightlife experience, featuring a spacious dance floor, high-energy music, and craft cocktails in a stylish and modern setting. Clover is now open and operating. Story continues Upscale Cleaners (824 SF) - Upscale Cleaners is a popular dry-cleaning service with five locations across Houston. Upscale Cleaners served the Midtown Houston community for seven years, offering high-quality dry cleaning and laundry services with exceptional customer service. Their commitment to providing the best services has earned them a loyal customer base. Fifth Corner is delighted to continue supporting this local business. https://upscalecleaners.com "The strong fundamentals and active population in Midtown have proved to be a major draw for retail Tenants looking to grow and secure their presence in Houston. We are very excited about this success and look forward to drawing more new retailers and restaurants to our other Irreplaceable Corners in Midtown." Tenel Tayar (Managing Partner) ABOUT FIFTH CORNER Fifth Corner is a Houston-based real estate company investing in and creating value on community-focused Irreplaceable Corners located in the fastest growing metros. The real estate strategy and culture are time-tested and refined over 30 years to create value for the properties, investors, and communities. For more information, please visit their website at www.fifthcorner.com or contact Tenel Tayar at ttayar@fifthcorner.com. Forward-Looking Statements Certain information contained in this material constitutes "forward-looking statements," which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "will," "should," "expect," "anticipate," "objective," "strategy," "plan," "project," "estimate," "intend," "continue" or "believe" or the negatives of those terms or other variations of them or by comparable terminology. Due to various risks and uncertainties, actual events or results may differ materially from those reflected or contemplated in such forward-looking statements. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Tenel Tayar: 281-251-5550 ttayar@fifthcorner.com Steamed pork buns from Dough Zone Dumpling House, Visit @Doughzoneusa (Instagram) and @Doughzone (Facebook). Courtesy Dough Zone Dumpling House Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fifth-corner-signs-three-leases-at-plazas-at-midtown-ii-301803530.html SOURCE Fifth Corner Mann Ki Baat : Nation building through Jan Bhagidari | Justice KG Balakrishnan (Former Chief Justice of India)India, that is Bharat completed 75 years of its Independence on 15th August, 2022. Our Honble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji brought forth to our Nation and its rich civilization the vision for its Amrit Kaal the next 25 years till the centenary of its precious freedom in the Vikram Samvat 2104 (Gregorian year 2047), which is a period of infinite possibilities and transformation for our beloved country Bharat. Modi Ji has ushered in a new era of growth and achievements for our country by his vision and diligence in creating this truly remarkable path forward for all our citizens. One initiative by Honble Prime Minister that has stood out, out of the many outstanding initiatives he has taken for the upliftment and better governance of our country is his programme, Mann Ki Baat. Mann Ki Baat is a unique radio programme which was incepted in Vikram Samvat 2071 (Gregorian year 2014), through which Honble Prime Minister has not only established direct contact with those citizens who are hardest to reach but also the most down trodden in our society.Mann Ki Baat is wonderful in its essence because it creates a direct connect between the listener and the Honble Prime Minister. One feels that ine is being addressed directly by Honble Prime Minister, as their well-wisher and guide on an intellectual, spiritual and individual level. Honble Prime Minister has established this practice of addressing the Nation without any fail. No matter what the challenge was before us as a Nation, the Honble Prime Minister has never relented in discharging his role as a leader of our country.This transformative radio programme which has been the usherer for several significant social and cultural mass movements in the country was started in October 2014 and is reaching the milestone of 100 episodes on 30th April 2023.Honble Prime Minister has ushered in the Amrit Kaal by laying down the Panch Pran i.e., five pledges that every citizen of Bharat must take to lay the unshakable foundation of the future Bharat. Each of these Panch Pran is focused on inspiring action, and facilitating Nation building. The Pran include the goal of a developed Bharat; removing any traces of colonial mind set; celebrating our heritage; strengthening unity and focusing on our duties.Bharat in the last decade has recorded spectacular growth in its various sectors with the Honble Prime Ministers resolve to build an Atamnibhar Bharat. It is evident from the fact that during the unprecedented challenge of Covid-19 pandemic, Bharat was able to produce indigenous vaccines for the benefit of its citizens and the World. The Prime Minister urged Bharat to become a self-reliant Nation and a strong global economic force on Mann Ki Baat during the pandemic.Bharat has resolved to excel in its civilisational goals which include social stability, economic prosperity, cultural safeguard and evolution, which are contemporaneous with its roots. Honble Prime Minister has effectively conveyed and manifested the spirit of this resolve in the people of our country through his programme Mann Ki Baat.Honble Prime Minister has continuously inspired citizens of the country to become agents of change and contribute to National development. Mann Ki Baat has been a stellar platform for promoting Start-up India campaign, fuelling innovation and entrepreneurship among young people in India. The digital revolution in our country, to the largest scale, has been popularised through this medium. Mann Ki Baat has been a bulwark in popularizing all-round developments in the country. Mann Ki Baat is yet another tool for transforming the lives of our citizens and uniting them to contribute to the broader goal of a developed Nation.The Honble Prime Minister recognizes that our Art, Literature and Culture are pillars of structuring a new Bharat. He has not only taken this responsibility upon himself to inform the general public about the collective wealth of our society through Mann Ki Baat but has taken many initiatives to retrieve and rebuild our pillars of Art, Literature and Cultural heritage.Honble Prime Minister has shown his faith in the Nations ability to take on the role of a global leader as a true representative of the country. He promotes the concept of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam on the world stage through his initiatives. This has created a positive impact on citizens who feel proud and motivated to work towards the goal of Bharat becoming a Vishwa Guru.While giving the clarion call for Amrit Kaal to the Nation, Honble Prime Minister said that this is the right time to embark on a journey of achievements based on our talent, resources and strength. He added the call of Sabka Prayas to the mantra of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, invoking the people to make their contribution in the journey of building an Atmanirbhar Bharat. The Prime Minister laid down the path of Amrit Kaal setting the goal of ascending new heights of prosperity, while bridging the rural-urban divide and promoting the less Government, more governance mantra for the Nation. It has been established that the rise of New Bharat can undoubtedly be ensured with the participation, dedication and commitment of every Indian. And Mann Ki Baat will continue to be a driving force in this direction, highlighting the Nations progress through jan-bhagidari. Therefore, bringing the Nation closer to continually achieving its goals and perpetually instilling the spirit of Nationalism and patriotism in India ie, Bharat. It will be interesting to see what the centenarian episode of this iconic radio programme which will be live on 30th April 2023, brings forth.PIB Opposing ST for Meiteis demand Why apprehensive ? | Numerous pressing issues. The War on Drugs is on, best exemplified by the offensives launched against poppy cultivation in the hills, the call for a National Register of Citizens and weed out those who came/sneaked into Manipur after 1951 or 1961, the opening of shelter homes to house those who have fled their homesteads at Myanmar, the standing instruction of the High Court of Manipur to send the needed recommendations or report to the Centre to include the Meiteis in the Constitution of India, the strong opposition to the ST for Meitei demand from the All Tribal Students Union, Manipur and the call from the Hill Areas Committee to take the case to a higher Court and clearly the hands of the BJP led Government must be full. Add the voice of dissent raised by some BJP MLAs with at least three of them having resigned from the political posts they were given and not surprising that Imphal has been drawing the attention of media houses based outside the State. Political development, this is how many would be apt to put the voice of dissent qualified by the claim that there is no such thing as camping at Delhi, and while only time will tell whether the voice of discontent will snowball into a crisis or not, question still remains on whether the timing is right to raise such a voice of discontent in the public sphere at this point of time. There will be different takes on this, but one cannot help but feel a sense of deja vu-a feeling that Manipur has seen it all earlier. Ideally the focus of the Government should be on the points already mentioned here and yet at the same time it would also help for all concerned to take one long, serious look at the disconcerting voices raised. Does the voice of discontent or disillusion centre around issues which are of importance to the people and the State as a whole or are they centred more on the individual MLAs ? Those who have been following the points raised by the three MLAs may have an idea on which one sounds more likely but it has nonetheless provided enough substance to set tongues wagging. Professionals engaged with the media must have received a number of calls inquiring about the latest political developments but there is nothing much that one can say other than reporting or filing the story that has come in. As noted here, the hand of the Government must be full. However this cannot be any reason to seek more time to send the needed recommendations to the Centre to consider the demand or point that the Meiteis be included in the Scheduled Tribe list of the Constitution of India. The opposition was always there, best underlined by the campaign taken by the All Tribal Students Union, Manipur some time back. Giving a more cutting edge stand to the opposition is the hat thrown in by the Hill Areas Committee, just one day after the High Court of Manipur directed the State Government to send the needed recommendations as sought by the Centre back in 2013. This is where it becomes important for everyone not to forget that it is not the responsibility of the State Government to decide whether the Meiteis fit the bill to be included the ST list or not. Its job is to just send the recommendation and lest one forgets, the recommendation is qualified by the line, alongwith the latest socio-economic survey and ethnographic report. Let the Centre study whether the Meiteis fit the bill to be included in the ST list or not. Why is there this apprehension, is a question that may be raised against ATSUM and all others who stand against the ST for Meiteis demand ? Is the feeling of apprehension based on the point that the Meiteis fulfil the criteria to be enlisted in the ST category ? Or is it a case of opposing anything that is raised on behalf of the Meitei community ? A case of saying, We can come and settle on your land, when we want, but you cannot come and settle on our land ? Either way it makes no sense to oppose for the sake of opposing and if the apprehension of ATSUM and HAC is real then it is a fit case that the Meiteis ought to be included in the ST list. There should be no argument on this point. Sandro De Oliveiras outlandish account of events of the day Gerry Lawrence was murdered are almost too ludicrous to make up, according to defence lawyer Ashley Audet. The Crown, however, suggested Oliveiras testimony is just that, a made up story designed to explain where he was and what he was doing on Sept. 29, 2019, the day Lawrence was killed. De Oliveira is on trial for second-degree murder. He was arrested on Sept. 30, 2020, a year after Lawrence was found dead in his Queenston Road East apartment, stabbed and slashed over and over 14 times in total, assistant Crown attorney Mark Dean said during closing arguments. Hes willing to lie when the truth is bad for him, Dean said Thursday, pointing to inconsistencies between what the accused told the jury and police. Thats exactly what hes done to you. De Oliveira testified hed known Lawrence for about a year and a half before his death. He regularly sold him pills, including Percocet and Oxycocet, prescribed to him for a back injury. Lawrence made money selling prescription drugs. Lawrence was not perfect, Dean said. His lifestyle may have been different from yours. But he was a human being, he told jurors. During cross-examination Monday, De Oliveira recounted in detail the events of Sept. 29: He had gone to Lawrences apartment at his request, done two drug runs, retrieved a piece of prosciutto from the choking 76-year-olds mouth and helped clean him up after he soiled himself, his lawyer said. Sandro was clear that he was not making this story up, she said. He wasnt worried about his DNA in Lawrences apartment. In fact, as he previously testified, he expected it would be at 555 Queenston Rd. E. since he was there that day, Audet said. Witnesses described Lawrences east Hamilton apartment as a revolving door, with around 10 known buyers and several suppliers, she said. Theres no way to know who might have come and gone on the day of Lawrences death, she said. No murder weapon was found, and there is absolutely no forensic evidence whatsoever connecting Mr. De Oliveira to this crime, Audet said. Audet urged caution in relying on cellphone evidence, which showed that Lawrences phone connected to the same tower De Oliveiras did while he was staying with a friend on Robinson Street. Just because two phones are using the same cell tower doesnt mean those phones are in the same place, she said. Do we know when exactly Gerrys phone moved? No. Do we know how it moved? No. Do we know where, specifically, it moved to? No, she said. Dean said the only explanation for Lawrences phone pinging off this tower, around the corner from the Robinson Street address, was that it was nearby. De Oliveira previously said someone named Marco was also at Lawrences apartment the day he died. The Crown said Marco hasnt been identified to jurors in surveillance footage, nor had any witnesses recognized his name. Marco is a phantom, Dean said. Dean pointed to witness Christine Bell Sakin, a close friend of Lawrences, who testified Lawrence told her he wanted to end his business relationship with De Oliveira. At the time, the accused was homeless, using ODSP, cash jobs and income from selling his prescription to support his life and crack cocaine addiction. If Gerry stops buying Sandros Oxycocets, Sandro stops receiving money, Dean said. The Crown previously suggested De Oliveira went to Lawrences apartment to sell pills for drug money and, when his calls went unanswered, the accused killed him and stole his money, wallet, pills and cellphone. Its not complicated, Dean said. It all fits, and it all points to Sandro. Audet said the Crowns narrative is a piece of imagination. The defence lawyer reminded the jury its the Crowns job to prove guilt, not De Oliveiras job to prove innocence. Critical pieces of this puzzle are missing, she said. In order to find Mr. De Oliveira guilty, you have to be sure, Audet ended. SHARE: Hamilton police are investigating the disappearance of a 35-year-old woman last seen by her family in late 2017, but only recently reported missing. Her name is Keenan Nichole Venuk, but she has also gone by the first name Cianain, said a Hamilton Police Service news release. She has lived in Hamilton in the past, as well as Etobicoke, Toronto and British Columbia, but was last seen by family members Nov. 25, 2017 in Tillsonburg, a town 60 kilometres southwest of Brantford. Police said they are seeking tips from the public to help find Venuk out of concern for her safety. Her family in Hamilton reported her missing to Hamilton police March 7, 2023, after family communications ceased and they were unable to locate her, police said. Its not clear why she wasnt reported missing earlier. Investigators have information that she had been living in Toronto early in 2018 with her beloved white pit bull terrier named Rudie. There have not been any confirmed sightings by family of Keenan since 2017, said Const. Indy Bharaj. Police are investigating the last time Keenan was heard from. Venuk is described as white, five-foot-six and about 140 pounds with brown hair. Anyone with information about Venuk is asked to contact Det. Const. Krista McKinney at 905-546-2955 or kmckinney@hamiltonpolice.ca. To remain anonymous contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or crimestoppershamilton.com. Reach The Spectator newsroom at 905-526-3420 or news@thespec.com SHARE: Two Hamilton long-term care homes have been fined by the province for failing to fix serious issues raised in past inspections. Blackadar Continuing Care Centre in Dundas has to pay $5,500 and Shalom Village in Westdale owes $1,100 after Ministry of Long-Term Care inspectors issued administrative monetary penalties (AMP) in March. The homes are the only two Hamilton long-term care facilities to receive AMPs in the last year no other local facilities were issued such fines in 2022 or so far in 2023. The administrator at Blackadar has resigned after two inspection reports in 2023 found significant issues. The first inspection from Feb. 22 detailed how the home needs a long list of maintenance and a good cleaning. It described dirt, mould, leaks, rooms in disrepair and residents left for more than 13 hours without power because the home had no guaranteed access to a generator for blackouts. The other inspection report from March 30 resulted in the penalty over repeated failures since 2021 to properly care for wounds such as bed sores. New leadership has been hired at the 60-bed for-profit home at 101 Creighton Rd. that is managed by Extendicare, a large chain that manages or owns more than 80 Canadian seniors homes. Blackadar is owned by Elite Developments and H & S Holdings. The Ministry of Long-Term Cares inspection process plays an important role in ensuring quality of care for residents across the province, Extendicare said in a statement. We view inspection findings as learning opportunities to improve processes. We have put in place an action plan to support Blackadar in addressing care quality issues and will continue to provide clinical supports to staff and leadership at the home. Shalom Village is also under new leadership after Pat Morden was named interim CEO in September of the 127-bed non-profit home founded by the Jewish community at 70 Macklin St. N. Morden was previously CEO from 1989 to 2011 when she left to live on a farm she owns near Owen Sound. Since her return, she says the home has been in the midst of a transformation to resolve troubling failings brought to light in two inspection reports in 2022 that raised allegations of abuse one report on Feb. 28 and the other on Oct. 31. A third inspection report on March 5, 2023, found the home failed to comply with two orders from the 2022 inspections, resulting in the fine. Change doesnt happen overnight, said Morden. We've been working really hard to get the right people in place and doing the right thing. The fine issued to Blackadar was the result of a failure to do weekly assessments of five residents with skin breakdown, pressure ulcers, tears or other wounds. One resident went 13 consecutive weeks with no checks on a wound, while another was never assessed again after a wound was initially discovered. The three others also missed multiple checks, including a gap of 31 days for one. It resulted in a compliance order being issued on March 30 to prepare, submit, and implement a plan to ensure weekly wound assessments are done going forward. The fine was added because a previous inspection report from Oct. 27, 2021, found similar failings with wound care at Blackadar. AMPs can be issued when a home has had at least one other compliance order for the same problem within the previous three years. The aim of an AMP is to encourage compliance and increase home accountability through appropriate, fair and consistent monetary penalties that increase significantly with repeated noncompliance, the Ministry of Long-Term Care said in a statement. The other reason for an AMP is when a compliance order is not followed, which is why Shalom Village was fined. The home had been ordered in October to review its reporting policy after Shalom Village failed to investigate allegations that a resident was often being denied ordered pain medications by a staff member. The complaint by the resident and their family members was also not reported to the director. The home had until Dec. 1 to comply but had no signed declaration that the review had been done when inspectors returned in February and March. The work had actually been done, but the person didn't do the paperwork correctly, said Morden. Do I wish the person had kept better records and did I think they would have? Yes, but they didn't. We were wrong. We fixed it. Inspectors found Shalom Village also failed to comply with an order from Feb. 28, 2022, but didnt issue a fine. The order was to ensure all staff, including new hires, were trained on the most current version of the policy to promote zero tolerance of abuse and neglect of residents by May 2, 2022. The order stemmed from allegations of a personal support worker (PSW) sexually abusing two residents. In both cases there was no documentation in the residents charts about the alleged incident or whether they were assessed afterward. The accusations were not reported to the director immediately and the police were not contacted right away. For one of the residents, the physician was not notified. The PSW no longer works at the home and Morden says the staff training was done. However, attendance records showed only 80 of 181 staff had completed the education. It's a huge priority for us, talking about a culture of respect and making sure that everyone here the residents, the staff, the families can come to Shalom Village and feel that they will not be abused, that they will be listened to and heard, said Morden. It wasnt that it wasnt important to us ... We just didnt have the paperwork complete. Morden says the fine is unfortunate as shed rather put the money toward the residents the cash cant come from ministry funding. I dont know why people take out a big stick, said Morden. They werent happy with us that we didnt have the right records ... I think they wanted to say to us, You have to dot your is and cross your ts. You have vulnerable people in your care and we expect you to have that kind of attention to detail. Thats how Im taking it. I dont disagree with them. I wish they hadnt because Id rather spend the money on something else. The ministry found a number of other issues that are detailed in the March inspection reports for Blackadar and Shalom Village. Noncompliance with Ontario long-term care legislation was found 13 times at Shalom Village, including an order issued to follow COVID-19 screening requirements. This is stuff we knew about. This is stuff we had processes in place to fix, said Morden. Shalom Village is moving toward who they want to be. Noncompliance was found 16 times at Blackadar during the inspection over multiple days in January, February and March, including the order and fine over wound care. We have received and reviewed the recent inspection report ... and will be working with Extendicare to ensure that all necessary actions are taken to address the report and concerns raised therein, Haidar Sakhi, CEO of H & S Holdings, said in a statement. The future of Blackadar is unclear as the owners had a redevelopment plan for the site in 2021 that would see the long-term care home close and be replaced with a nine storey, 226-unit residential building. The adjoining retirement residence has already shut down. However, the province announced in 2022 that Blackadar would be significantly expanded and rebuilt into a 192-bed home. SHARE: TORONTO - Some of the most active companies traded Thursday on the Toronto Stock Exchange: Toronto Stock Exchange (20,630.69, down 50.14): Cenovus Energy Inc. (TSX:CVE). Energy. Down one cent, or 0.04 per cent, to $23.90 on 6.8 million shares. Enbridge Inc. (TSX:ENB). Energy. Down 45 cents, or 0.84 per cent, to $53.07 on 6.6 million shares. Suncor Energy Inc. (TSX:SU). Energy. Down 31 cents, or 0.75 per cent, to $41.24 on six million shares. Shopify Inc. (TSX:SHOP). Technology. Down $1.46, or 2.2 per cent, to $64.55 on six million shares. Manulife Financial Corporation. (TSX:MFC). Financials. Down five cents, or 0.2 per cent, to $26.17 on 4.8 million shares. TC Energy Corporation. (TSX:TRP). Energy. Unchanged at $56.04 on 4.7 million shares. Companies in the news: Parkland Corporation.(TSX:PKI). Consumer Cyclical. Down 21 cents, or 0.66 per cent, to $31.70. A U.S. activist investor that has been pushing Parkland Fuel Corp. to consider selling or spinning off its Burnaby, B.C. refinery said Thursday it will withhold support from all of Parkland Fuel Corp.s incumbent directors at the companys upcoming annual meeting. New York-based Engine Capital LP, which owns about a two per cent stake in Parkland, said the Calgary-based fuel supplier and marketer has failed to address the concerns it raised in March. In a letter to the board at that time, Engine criticized the company for underperformance and urged it to consider getting rid of non-core assets to become a pure-play fuel marketer and retailer. Teck Resources Ltd.(TSX:TECK.B). Basic Materials. Down $1.45, or 2.3 per cent, to $62.76. Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. Ltd., a key shareholder at Teck Resources Ltd., will vote in favour of the companys plan to separate its metals and steelmaking coal operations into two companies. The Japanese company said in a statement Thursday that it has built a trusted partnership with Teck in the mining business. Bank of Montreal (TSX:BMO). Financials. Up seven cents, or 0.1 per cent, to $123.94. BMO says it has named Darrel Hackett as head of the banks U.S. operations as the current lead Dave Casper is set to retire. The bank says that as of June 1, Hackett will be U.S. chief executive of BMO Financial Group, president and CEO of BMO Harris Bank N.A., and chief executive of the banks U.S. holding company BMO Financial Corp. Hackett will come into the role from his position as president of BMO Wealth Management in the U.S., while he has served in several leadership positions since joining the bank in 2004. This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 20, 2023. SHARE: Flow Traders Ltd FLOW TRADERS Q123 TRADING UPDATE Amsterdam, the Netherlands - Flow Traders Ltd. (Euronext: FLOW) announces its unaudited Q123 trading update. Highlights Flow Traders recorded Normalized Total Income of 111.6m in Q123, which comprises Normalized NTI of 110.4m reflecting a continued active trading environment and Normalized Other Income of 1.2m derived from the firms strategic investments portfolio. Flow Traders ETP Value Traded saw solid increases quarter-over-quarter despite a slight decline in the overall ETP market. Increase in equity trading was offset by lower fixed income and currency, crypto, and commodity trading, demonstrating again the benefits of the continued diversification of the business. Normalized Operating Expenses were at 63.8m in Q123, compared to 65.7m in Q422, with fixed operating expenses coming in slightly below Q422. As of 31 March 2023, Flow Traders employed 667 FTEs compared to 660 as of 31 December 2022. Normalized EBITDA in Q123 came in at 47.9m, representing a margin of 43%, compared to 48.2m in Q422 and a margin of 42%. Q123 Normalized Net Profit amounted to 34.3m, with Normalized basic EPS of 0.79. Trading capital stood at 647m at the end of the first quarter, generating a 65% return on trading capital. Shareholders equity was 622m at the end of the quarter vs. 606m at the end of Q422, with a Normalized return on equity of 22%. Financial Overview million Q123 Q422 Change Q123 Q122 Change Normalized total income 111.6 113.9 (2%) 111.6 148.3 (25%) Normalized net trading income 110.4 115.6 (4%) 110.4 148.4 (26%) EMEA 58.1 66.2 (12%) 58.1 108.5 (46%) Americas 33.0 37.1 (11%) 33.0 21.6 53% APAC 19.4 12.3 58% 19.4 18.3 6% Normalized other income 1.2 (1.7) - 1.2 (0.1) - Normalized employee expenses1 39.9 41.4 (4%) 39.9 54.0 (26%) Technology expenses 16.6 16.4 (1%) 16.6 13.8 20% Other expenses 7.3 7.9 (7%) 7.3 5.9 24% Normalized operating expenses 63.8 65.7 (3%) 63.8 73.7 (13%) Normalized EBITDA 47.9 48.2 (1%) 47.9 74.6 (36%) Depreciation / amortisation 5.0 4.7 - 5.0 3.8 - Write off of (in) tangible assets - - - - 0.2 - Normalized profit before tax 42.9 43.5 (2%) 42.9 70.7 (39%) Normalized tax 8.6 10.0 - 8.6 14.7 - Normalized net profit 34.3 33.6 2% 34.3 56.0 (39%) Normalized basic EPS2 () 0.79 0.78 0.79 1.29 Normalized EBITDA margin 43% 42% 43% 50% Value Traded Overview Story continues billion Q123 Q422 Change Q123 Q122 Change Flow Traders ETP Value Traded 422 396 7% 422 522 (19%) Europe 196 179 10% 196 238 (18%) Americas 206 195 6% 206 255 (19%) Asia 21 22 (7%) 21 29 (28%) Flow Traders non-ETP Value Traded 1,131 1,209 (6%) 1,131 1,434 (21%) Flow Traders Value Traded4 1,554 1,605 (3%) 1,554 1,956 (21%) Equity 826 780 6% 826 1,025 (19%) Fixed income 348 363 (4%) 348 318 10% Currency, Crypto, Commodity 340 451 (25%) 340 530 (36%) Other 40 11 276% 40 84 (52%) Market ETP Value Traded5 11,349 11,640 (2%) 11,349 15,085 (25%) Europe 572 506 13% 572 767 (25%) Americas 9,533 9,871 (3%) 9,533 13,305 (28%) Asia 1,244 1,353 (8%) 1,244 1,013 23% Asia ex China 364 403 (10%) 364 392 (7%) Regional Highlights EUROPE: Solid trading performance in the region with meaningful contributions from all asset classes. Flow Traders maintained its #1 position as the leading liquidity provider in ETPs, both on- and off-exchange. Continued focus on the fixed income and corporate credit trading market. Achieved top 5 Bloomberg and MarketAxess dealer rankings in the EM Portfolio Trading segment. U.K. subsidiary received authorization from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) which further drives the expansion of Flow Traders physical presence in the U.K. post Brexit. AMERICAS: Robust trading performance within the entire fixed income segment throughout the quarter, reinforcing the importance of Flow Traders ongoing diversification strategy in the U.S. Contributions from all ETF segments with an increase in on- and off-exchange rebalancing activity evident in the first half of the quarter. Opened the Chicago office on 1 February and continued to focus on operationalizing and establishing the office as well as driving access for trading and technology talent in the region. ASIA: Higher market volatility across the board in January and March resulted in wider spreads, even as volumes were relatively unchanged. Enabled the trading of fixed income during Asian hours by leveraging the infrastructure successfully developed in Europe and the Americas. Global coverage of index products and selected single bonds on a 24-hour basis presents a more comprehensive offer to counterparties in the APAC region. Executed first trades in China under Flow Traders own QFII license. Continued to build out trading operations in China with the purpose of helping to develop the local ETF market in making domestic and international indices more efficient and available to investors. Flow Traders Capital Flow Traders Capital continues to work closely and collaboratively with our existing portfolio companies and analyze new investment opportunities in the context of private markets adjusting to an evolving macro environment. Whilst investment pace remains relatively subdued - the team is working through a strong pipeline in both the traditional finance and digital asset ecosystem. In Q1, Flow Traders Capital participated in the seed round financing of both Crossover Markets and Econia Labs. Our existing portfolio company MEMX also welcomed a new funding round in the quarter to support the launch of the MEMX Options exchange. To date, Flow Traders Capital has made a total of 25 investments representing a total value of 27.0m. Share Buyback Program As of 20 April 2023, the total number of shares purchased under the ongoing 40m share buyback program is 1,159,791 shares at an average price of 21.33 for a total consideration of 24.7m. The purpose of the current buyback program is to return excess capital to shareholders. The intention is that shares repurchased as part of this program will initially be held in treasury and may be cancelled going forward. 3,249,770 shares are held in treasury as at 20 April 2023 with 1,227,124 treasury shares repurchased for the purpose of satisfying the requirements of various employee incentive plans and 2,022,646 shares repurchased for the purpose of returning excess capital to shareholders. Outlook While the number of FTEs has increased slightly from the end of FY22 given the ongoing commitment to onboard additional talent in key growth areas, FTEs are expected to remain broadly flat during 2023 given expected attrition. Given the firms focus on cost efficiency, Normalized Fixed Operating Expenses in 2023 are still expected to be in the range of 175m - 185m as communicated previously. Management Comments Mike Kuehnel, CEO, stated: It was an honor to succeed Dennis as CEO of Flow Traders on 1 February and Im highly excited about the long-term growth opportunities for the firms multi-faceted business. We continue to investigate attractive growth and investment opportunities globally that align with our core business while diligently executing and implementing the firms existing growth strategy as outlined in our Capital Markets Update (CMU) last July. Irrespective of a significantly changed and challenging market environment, Flow Traders delivered another robust quarter as our ongoing strategic trading diversification continues to increase the resilience of the business alongside attractive results. Once again, we demonstrated the highly accretive nature of our trading capital with returns of 65%, achieved amidst an ever-evolving market backdrop. From a cost efficiency perspective, it was encouraging to see that our fixed operating expenses base reduced slightly in the quarter versus last quarter and we will continue to focus on increasing the underlying efficiency of the business as we leverage the investments made in prior years. Enhancing our broader employee talent pool, remaining a top employer of choice in our sector and reinforcing our commitment to our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Policy continue to be key strategic focus areas. Accordingly, we were excited to have hosted our first ever Connecting Women in Fintech event in collaboration with Euronext in February and launched on International Womens Day a partnership with FemaleXFinance, an organization focused on fostering talent in the field of finance. We continue to be excited about Flow Traders future growth prospects, driven by our ongoing asset class and geographical diversification, growth in strategic optionality, and the structural tailwinds from long-term industry trends including the shift to passive investing, electronification, digitalization and regulation. Folkert Joling, Chief Trading Officer, added: The business delivered a solid trading performance in the first quarter with all regions contributing meaningfully across all asset classes. We continue to expand and broaden our trading activities further in different products and asset classes and this is exemplified in the resiliency of the business through different market cycles. While there were some disruptions in certain segments of the market in the quarter as a result of the banking crises in the U.S. and Europe, our robust and prudent approach to risk management meant we remained active in providing liquidity to the market. It is also promising to note the start of a recovery across the digital assets markets during the first quarter. We believe that going forward these markets will see a more prominent role for fully regulated players such as Flow Traders. Preliminary Financial Calendar 26 April 2023 AGM 28 April 2023 FY22 final dividend proposed ex-dividend date 2 May 2023 FY22 final dividend proposed record date 4 May 2023 FY22 final dividend proposed payment date 30 June 2023 Start silent period ahead of 1H23 results 28 July 2023 Release 1H23 results (inc. analyst conference call) 15 August 2023 Proposed FY23 interim dividend ex-dividend date 16 August 2023 Proposed FY23 interim dividend record date 18 August 2023 Proposed FY23 interim dividend payment date 30 September 2023 Start silent period ahead of 3Q23 trading update 26 October 2023 Release Q322 trading update (no analyst conference call) Contact Details Flow Traders Ltd. Investors Eric Pan Phone: +31 20 7996180 Email: investor.relations@flowtraders.com Media Laura Peijs Phone: +31 20 7996125 Email: press@flowtraders.com About Flow Traders Flow Traders is a leading global financial technology-enabled liquidity provider in financial products, historically specialized in Exchange Traded Products (ETPs), now expanding into other asset classes. Flow Traders ensures the provision of liquidity to support the uninterrupted functioning of financial markets. This allows investors to continue to buy or sell ETPs or other financial instruments under all market circumstances. We continuously grow our organization, ensuring that our trading desks in Europe, the Americas and Asia can provide liquidity across all major exchanges, globally, 24 hours a day. Founded in 2004, we continue to cultivate the entrepreneurial, innovative and team-oriented culture that has been with us since the beginning. Please visit www.flowtraders.com for more information. Normalized Performance Flow Traders makes certain adjustments to various IFRS expense and profit measures in order to derive Alternative Performance Measures (APM). The policy is to exclude or adjust items that are considered to be significant in both nature or size and where the treatment as an adjusted item provides stakeholders with useful information to assess the year-on-year or quarter-on-quarter underlying performance. On this basis, the following items were adjusted or excluded for the Q123 trading update: Removal of IFRS 2 treatment of share-based payments which include the deferral of a portion of the current year share plans as well as recognition of prior years share plans. This adjustment provides insights into the relationship between the current year variable employee expenses and current year trading performance. Other income line includes all the realized and unrealized results on Flow Traders long-term equity investments whether accounted for as Fair Value Other Comprehensive Income (FV OCI), Fair Value Profit and Loss (FVPL) or Results of Equity Accounted Investments. Exclusion of one-off expenses which relate specifically to the completed corporate holding structure update. These are not considered to be part of the underlying operating expenses of the business. Tax expenses are adjusted based upon the pre-tax adjustments and/or excluded items above. IFRS Financial Overview and Normalized to IFRS Reconciliation million Q123 Q422 Change Q123 Q122 Change Total income 110.5 115.5 (4%) 110.5 148.0 (25%) Net trading income 110.5 115.7 (5%) 110.5 148.7 (26%) Other income - (0.2) - - (0.8) - Employee expenses1 44.9 46.6 (4%) 44.9 54.9 (18%) Technology expenses 16.6 16.4 1% 16.6 13.8 20% Other expenses 7.3 7.9 (7%) 7.3 5.9 24% One-off expenses5 1.5 1.5 0% 1.5 3.3 (55%) Total operating expenses 70.3 72.4 (3%) 70.3 77.9 (10%) EBITDA 40.2 43.2 (7%) 40.2 70.1 (43%) Profit before tax 34.7 38.0 (9%) 34.7 66.1 (47%) Net profit 27.7 29.5 (6%) 27.7 52.3 (47%) Basic EPS2 () 0.64 0.68 0.64 1.20 Fully diluted EPS3 () 0.62 0.65 0.62 1.17 EBITDA margin 36% 37% 36% 47% Normalized EBITDA and margin are based on the relevant profit share percentage of operating result for the relevant financial period without any IFRS 2 adjustments for share-based payments. The profit share percentage was adjusted to 32.5% in Q222 from 35%. 1.5m of one-off expenses are also excluded. Tax based on estimated expected effective tax rate for the relevant financial period: Q123 - 20.0%; Q422 - 22.9%; Q122 - 20.8%. A summary reconciliation of Normalized to IFRS is presented below: million Q123 Q422 Q122 Normalized EBITDA 47.9 48.2 74.6 FV OCI adjustment (1.6) 1.2 (0.3) Results of equity-accounted investments 0.4 0.4 0.1 One-off expenses5 (1.5) (1.5) (3.3) Prior year share plans (8.2) (7.0) (7.9) Current year share plan deferral 3.1 1.9 5.8 Other variable remuneration adjustment - - 1.1 IFRS EBITDA 40.2 43.2 70.1 Normalized net profit 34.3 33.6 56.0 Profit before tax IFRS adjustments (8.1) (5.5) (4.6) Tax difference 1.6 1.4 1.0 IFRS net profit 27.7 29.5 52.3 Notes Fixed employee expenses: Q123 - 20.0m; Q422 - 19.9m; Q122 - 16.1m. Weighted average shares outstanding: Q123 - 43,142,742; Q422 - 43,050,126; Q122 - 43,514,470. Determined by adjusting the basic EPS for the effects of all dilutive share-based payments to employees. Source - Flow Traders analysis. One-off expenses of 1.5m predominantly relating to the finalisation of the corporate holding structure update completed on 13 January 2023. Return on trading capital defined as LTM NTI divided by end of period trading capital. Return on equity defined as Net Profit divided by the average of beginning and end period shareholders equity, annualized. Important Legal Information This press release is prepared by Flow Traders Ltd. and is for information purposes only. It is not a recommendation to engage in investment activities and you must not rely on the content of this document when making any investment decisions. The information in this document does not constitute legal, tax, or investment advice and is not to be regarded as investor marketing or marketing of any security or financial instrument, or as an offer to buy or sell, or as a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell, securities or financial instruments. The information and materials contained in this press release are provided as is and Flow Traders Ltd. or any of its affiliates (Flow Traders) do not warrant the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of the information and materials and expressly disclaim liability for any errors or omissions. This press release is not intended to be, and shall not constitute in any way a binding or legal agreement, or impose any legal obligation on Flow Traders. All intellectual property rights, including trademarks, are those of their respective owners. All rights reserved. All proprietary rights and interest in or connected with this publication shall vest in Flow Traders. No part of it may be redistributed or reproduced without the prior written permission of Flow Traders. This press release may include forward-looking statements, which are based on Flow Traders current expectations and projections about future events, and are not guarantees of future performance. Forward looking statements are statements that are not historical facts, including statements about our beliefs and expectations. Words such as may, will, would, should, expect, intend, estimate, anticipate, project, believe, could, hope, seek, plan, foresee, aim, objective, potential, goal strategy, target, continue and similar expressions or their negatives are used to identify these forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future whether or not outside the control of Flow Traders. Such factors may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, no undue reliance should be placed on any forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as at the date at which they are made. Flow Traders expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update, review or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this press release to reflect any change in its expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which such statements are based unless required to do so by applicable law. Financial objectives are internal objectives of Flow Traders to measure its operational performance and should not be read as indicating that Flow Traders is targeting such metrics for any particular fiscal year. Flow Traders ability to achieve these financial objectives is inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond Flow Traders control, and upon assumptions with respect to future business decisions that are subject to change. As a result, Flow Traders actual results may vary from these financial objectives, and those variations may be material. Efficiencies are net, before tax and on a run-rate basis, i.e. taking into account the full-year impact of any measure to be undertaken before the end of the period mentioned. The expected operating efficiencies and cost savings were prepared on the basis of a number of assumptions, projections and estimates, many of which depend on factors that are beyond Flow Traders control. These assumptions, projections and estimates are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and actual results may differ, perhaps materially, from those projected. Flow Traders cannot provide any assurance that these assumptions are correct and that these projections and estimates will reflect Flow Traders actual results of operations. By accepting this document you agree to the terms set out above. If you do not agree with the terms set out above please notify legal.amsterdam@nl.flowtraders.com immediately and delete or destroy this document. Market Abuse Regulation This press release contains information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation. Attachment VANCOUVER - Norways sovereign wealth fund will vote to support Teck Resources Ltd.s plan to split the companys metals and steelmaking coal businesses into two separate companies at a key shareholder meeting next week. The decision comes as Teck works to secure support for its plan over an unsolicited takeover proposal by Swiss company Glencore, which is urging shareholders to reject the companys proposal in favour of its offer to acquire the company. Glencore has said it cannot pursue its bid if Tecks plan to separate its businesses goes ahead since it would add significant complexity to the deal. Norges Bank Investment Management, which manages Norways Government Pension Fund Global, published its voting intentions as part of its routine disclosures on its website. It held a roughly 1.5 per cent stake in the Canadian mining company as of the end of 2022. The United Steelworkers (USW), the union which represents over 4,000 Teck employees in B.C., has also come out in favour of Tecks planned split into Teck Metals and Elk Valley Resources. In a statement on Thursday, USW District 3 director Scott Lunny said Teck supports the economies of numerous B.C. communities in which it operates, including Logan Lake, Sparwood, Elkford and Trail. Management has briefed the union on their plans and our union believes the plan to split into two, B.C.-based companies is in the best interest of our members at the metals operations and at the coal mines, Lunny said. This is a well-thought-out plan that will create two strong companies willing to work with us and British Columbians to become ESG leaders, provide stability and certainty for our members, provide ongoing benefits to Indigenous nations, and invest in B.C. Teck announced in February a proposal to split up its metals and steelmaking coal businesses into two companies, Teck Metals and Elk Valley Resources. The change requires approval by a two-thirds majority vote by the class A shareholders as well as approval by a two-thirds majority vote by the class B shareholders. Teck shareholders will vote on the separation plan at a meeting on April 26. This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 21, 2023. Companies in this story: (TSX:TECK.B) Read more about: SHARE: MONTREAL - A coroners report into the 2017 death of a man killed by Montreal police says officers put themselves in danger and provoked the use of force. Police were unprepared when they arrived at the home of Koray Kevin Celik on March 6, 2017, in the Montreal neighbourhood of Ile-Bizard, coroner Luc Malouin said in his report released Friday. Celiks parents had called police because they wanted to prevent their 28-year-old son from driving a car while intoxicated. Responding officers tried to subdue Celik with force, and his parents said they witnessed police repeatedly beat their son with their feet and knees before the unarmed man stopped breathing and was in cardiorespiratory arrest. He was pronounced dead in hospital. Malouin said police used unnecessary force and none of the responding officers had received training in de-escalation tactics or in strategies to deal with people in crisis. In situations when the safety of police is in question, they can use force, Malouin said. All four responding officers testified during the inquest that they had feared for their lives during the intervention at Celiks home, but the coroner said it was the police who put themselves in danger and provoked the use of force. Celik was unarmed, in his bedroom and calm when the police arrived, Malouin said, adding that the man likely perceived the officers presence as an unwanted intrusion in his home. He was justified in asking them to leave, the coroner said. The first two officers to arrive did not collect information about the situation because they thought it was routine. The coroner said officers failed to come up with a plan on how they would handle Celik. I think that a certain reflex sets in when we make routine calls, Malouin said. We take for granted that things will go well and let our guard down. We forget the basic principles and act a bit on autopilot. However, a routine call can always go wrong. The coroner said that had police planned their intervention better and collected all the relevant information about what was happening in the Celik home, the outcome could have been quite different. The coroner said the City of Montreal since 2019 requires its officers to receive de-escalation training; its important for police to ensure their training is up to date, he added. Pathologist Dr. Yann Daze concluded that Celiks death was due to intoxication or adverse reaction to a mixture of alcohol, medication and drugs in the context of what he called excited delirium syndrome. He also found that Celik had an enlarged heart, which he said may have contributed to the 28-year-olds death. Malouin recommended that emergency services and the police academy consider creating a more detailed communications protocol when police are dispatched to a home. That protocol should include information on the mental state or the aggressivity levels of the people who are the subjects of 911 calls, he said. The inquest took place without the participation of the Celik family, who accused the process of being stacked against them because they had their legal reimbursements capped while the officers lawyers were fully funded by taxpayers. Malouin did not hold the couple in contempt but entered their previous statements into the record. Montreal police declined to comment on the report on Friday. The Celik family is suing the City of Montreal and the citys ambulance service separately for wrongful death; the case is still before the courts. The family was awarded $30,000 in damages after suing the police watchdog over a media statement that only provided the police version of the events, alleging Celik acted aggressively a version that contradicted his parents account of what happened. The court sided with the family, ruling the watchdogs statement was not neutral or impartial. The judgment noted that its not the agencys role to justify police actions but to conduct an independent investigation. This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 21, 2023. Read more about: SHARE: WINNIPEG - A train derailment closed a stretch of a busy Winnipeg thoroughfare Friday and prompted Manitobas Progressive Conservative government to refloat the billion-dollar idea of relocating rail lines outside the city. Several rail cars carrying bitumen left the track near a rail overpass that runs over McPhillips Street a major route for commuters in the citys northwest. There were no injuries and no signs of any spills, the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service said. The street was expected to remain closed for at least until the evening to allow for an inspection of the overpass. Premier Heather Stefanson said the derailment should reignite consideration of rail relocation an idea that has been discussed for decades as a way to increase safety and remove large rail yards that serve as barriers between neighbourhoods. It hasnt been something that has been on our radar for some time, Stefanson said. But when something like this happens, you know, youre thankful that no one got injured but it does bring it to the forefront. Stefanson said she discussed the issue with Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham at a community event Friday morning and talks will continue with rail relocation as part of a bigger discussion on the future of the city. Im willing to have those discussions to see what that might look like ... and what does Manitoba look like 10, 20, 30, 50 years from now as a transportation hub of North America. The idea of moving rail lines has been brought up since the 1960s, and rough price estimates have pegged the cost well upwards of $1 billion. The former NDP government promised in 2016 to spend $400,000 on a study on rail relocation to look at the cost and feasibility. The province hired former Quebec premier Jean Charest to lead the effort. Months later, the Progressive Conservatives were elected and then-premier Brian Pallister axed the plan. Gillingham said the city is interested in studying the idea and has indications that federal funding would be available for a study. Incremental steps such as moving smaller spur lines could be more feasible in the short term than trying to move large rail yards and major lines, the mayor added. That would take a lot of discussion and many, many years and billions of dollars, and so Im most interested right now in what could be done in the shorter term. This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 21, 2023 Read more about: SHARE: LONDON, Ont. - Three people are facing numerous charges after an allegedly stolen car collided with another vehicle in London, Ont., and killed a local woman. Ontarios Special Investigations Unit says a London Police officer spotted what that force described as a suspected stolen vehicle early on Wednesday morning and located it a short time later. London police allege it had collided with another vehicle, killing the 62-year-old woman inside. She has been identified as Colleen Slota of London. City police say they have since arrested two men and a woman in the case and laid multiple charges against each, including possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000. The SIU, which acts as the provinces police watchdog, continues to investigate the crash. This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 21, 2023. SHARE: City councillors fighting the Ford governments Ontario Place redevelopment scheme, including demolition of the existing Ontario Science Centre and moving its programming to the lakefront, got some good news Thursday. City staff confirmed to the Star that, under the terms of the lease on the ravine land on which the Science Centre sits, the Ontario government can raze the building but it can only rebuild another science centre. The site is jointly leased by the city and Toronto and Region Conservation Authority to the Science Centre for $1 per year until 2064. Under lease terms, the province can replace the landmark edifice with other buildings provided they are constructed for purposes of operating as a science centre. To build anything else Premier Doug Fords government says it wants housing the lease would have to be renegotiated with the City and TRCA, the city says. Coun. Jon Burnside, fighting to keep the Science Centre in his Don Valley East ward, called that a bit of good news. But he speculated the Ford government could raze the centre and then force the city to approve condo towers there. At city hall there was another development that could slow down Ontario Place redevelopment plans that the province wants finalized by the end of 2023. A city committee voted 4-2 against a city staff recommendation to declare the citys 16 acres of Ontario Place 10 of them water, six land surplus to facilitate a land swap the province says must happen for its plan to proceed. The vote came after more than a half-dozen residents urged the committee to do everything it could to halt Fords plan that includes replacing about 850 trees with a 65,000-square-metre private spa and wellness centre, and building a massive underground parking lot. Under Coun. Gord Perks motion, a decision on the city property is deferred until city council approves the redevelopment plan, the province gives the city a copy of its now-secret lease with spa firm Therme Canada, and the city knows if the federal government is interested in acquiring the city land. The province can start expropriation proceedings, but we can fight expropriation, said Perks, noting city council could override the committees decision but only with the support of two-thirds of the 25 council members. On another front, architects are among those who want to save the landmark Science Centre building designed by renowned Japanese-Canadian architect Raymond Moriyama, one of 900 buildings erected across Canada in celebration of the countrys centennial anniversary. Joel Leon, programming director at The Toronto Society of Architects, said the brutalist-style building was meant to be heroic and rugged to reflect its site on a steep part of the Don River ravine. It forms a relationship with its landscape it starts going down in terraces, responding to those changes in elevation (and) trees poke through different pavilions as youre walking by, Leon said. That relationship of the building with its context was quite innovative for its time, Leon said. Stephanie Mah, president of Architecture Conservancy Ontarios Toronto branch, said the Science Centre was one of the first interactive science museums in the world. Museums at this time are things that you just go to look at something, whereas the Science Centre was interactive a place for visitors to experience this creative, hands-on learning, education and knowledge sharing, Mah said, adding that was reflected in the design. Mah added elements like the glass facade of the front entrance and the exposed steel cable structure are also special. These types of gestures invite visitors to be engaged by the engineering and the science behind the building, she said. Mah said the provincial governments plan to demolish the building poses harm to the environment. The building is mostly made of concrete Mah said four to eight per cent of total global carbon dioxide emissions come from concrete. So the impacts are pretty severe if youre demolishing this building, just from an environmental perspective, Mah said. Mah and other experts in the architecture industry agree keeping the existing building is more sustainable than building a new one. You can go to the Ontario Science Centre right now, Mah said. The narrative that the building is falling apart buildings dont fall apart. Thats just a reflection of deferred maintenance and really neglect. This is a story of the province neglecting the building and now planning on demolishing it. Kelly Alvarez Doran, director at Ha/f Climate design and visiting professor at the University of Toronto, estimated the Science Centres embodied carbon footprint at the equivalent of 50,000 people flying from Toronto to London. The greenest building that exists is the one thats already built, Alvarez Doran added. Why are we demolishing buildings as a climate crisis (is occurring)? Why are we taking down perfectly good buildings? Leon said in the 1950s and 60s, similar discussions were had about other landmark buildings like St. Lawrence Market which was facing demolition partly because the buildings hadnt been maintained. (The Ontario Science Centre) building is going through that battle. It seems to happen to buildings once they start reaching 50 and 60 (years old) and are needing repair, Leon said. Of course. all buildings need maintenance and preventative maintenance throughout its life will be much more affordable than having to do it all at once if it has not been done. Both the Architect Conservancy of Ontarios Toronto branch and Toronto Society of Architects have taken to social media to call on the Ford government to reconsider its plans and save the building. ACO Toronto is asking city council to designate the building under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act. Ali Patel, a Thorncliffe Park resident, said the Science Centre brings more life to the area. The brutalist architecture is quite phenomenal, said Patel who admits he didnt realize the historical and architectural significance when he was growing up in the area but has since come to admire it. Anyone who drives by it really sees it and remembers it, Thorncliffe Park resident Hamza Shahid added. Read more about: SHARE: A man is dead after a Thursday evening shooting in Brampton. Peel Regional Police said in a media scrum that officers were called to the Bramsteele Road and Rutherford Road South area after 7 p.m. for reports of a shooting. One man was found with gunshot injuries in a parking lot of a business. He was rushed to a hospital trauma centre with life-threatening injuries. Around 9:13 p.m., police said the victim had succumbed to their injuries. Peel polices homicide bureau has taken over the investigation. Police said no other person was injured. Officers do not have suspect information at this time. Peel police are asking anyone with information to contact their homicide investigators at 905-453-2121 ext. 3205 or anonymously via Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. MH Mahdis Habibinia is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Star's radio room in Toronto. Reach her via email: mhabibinia@thestar.ca Read more about: SHARE: Born Dimarjio Jenkins, 21-year-old Toronto rapper Houdini grew up poor but was already earning enough money to help support his family when he was gunned down while walking along Blue Jays Way near King Street on a warm spring afternoon. His music videos were racking up millions of views on YouTube, and his rap songs had hundreds of thousands of monthly streams. Club shows around Ontario were sellouts and fans were snapping up Houligan apparel and accessories. The year before his death, Jenkins was spending more time in Los Angeles, hanging with famous U.S. rappers and wearing designer clothes and diamond jewelry. Three years later, his killer is still at large and the motive for his murder is a mystery. (The alleged getaway driver has been charged and his case is making its way through the courts.) Yet an ongoing court case is offering rare insights into the ways rising status and wealth may have put a target on Jenkinss back in a Toronto music scene that has seen several others attempt to take the same path to escape poverty, only to end up seriously injured or dead. Earlier this year, Jenkinss frequent collaborator and best friend, Traequan Mahoney, provided his candid assessment in open court. Were expected to have nothing in our community (where) we come from, he testified. It causes a lot of people to see our success and just wonder maybe, why not me? The 23-year-old Brampton resident, who performs as Burna Bandz, is on trial for firearms offences related to what police described as an exceptional gunfight at a memorial for Jenkins outside a Downsview bar and restaurant two weeks after the rapper was killed. Surveillance video of the chaotic scene at 11:22 p.m. on June 9, 2020, is shocking. As mourners gathered in a parking lot behind the venue, situated immediately north of the westbound lanes of Highway 401, a dark sedan pulled onto the highway shoulder. At least one shooter discharged a firearm toward the crowd before the vehicle fled. The video captured up to 10 people brandishing or discharging guns in the direction of the 401, still filled with traffic. Officers found 60 shell casings in the parking lot. Miraculously, no one was seriously injured, though one of the mourners who fired back was hit with friendly fire. That man, fellow rapper Gaddiel Ledinek, is also facing weapons charges. No one who fired on the memorial gathering has been caught. During his trial, Mahoney admitted he fired a total of five shots that night but insisted he was acting in self-defence and should therefore not be found guilty. I was in a fight for my life, he told the judge when he testified in February. I was just pretty much aiming in just the last area I seen the car. Prosecutor Andrew Sabbadini, however, is asking the judge to reject the self-defence scenario, insisting that the return volley of shots was reckless and endangered lives including the occupants of vehicles travelling that night on the 401. He also disputes Mahoneys claim that he found the gun he used on the ground. In court, it was clear defence lawyer Hilary Dudding called her client to the stand so Superior Court Justice Jane Kelly could hear first-hand what a dangerous place Toronto can be, and understand why the young man responded the way he did. Mahoney adopted the name Burna Bandz because of his propensity to burn through cash. And Jenkins called himself Houdini, Mahoney explained, because he had the idea that he could do magic like everything he touched was kind of magical. The pair clicked while they attended elementary school near Jane and Finch, a friendship that carried over to a Brampton high school when their families relocated there in the mid-2000s. In their late teens, the pair started rapping and posting songs online. Almost immediately, their music gained traction, which Mahoney attributes to their good chemistry. One of their biggest hits was Late Nights, a track that focuses on money, drugs and guns typical street music, Mahoney explained. Released in 2018, the song has more than 12 million views on YouTube, and millions of listens on Spotify, the music streaming service. Dudding asked about the impact this success had on their lives. We were getting money to feed our families, Mahoney responded. We were getting fame, clout, recognition (from) different parts of the world from bigger artists we were gaining fans all over the world. Like it was good. We were young. We were half (on) our way. Mahoney testified that established Toronto rapper Tory Lanez, real name Daystar Peterson, invited Jenkins and Mahoney to visit his L.A. mansion. (Lanez was convicted last year in California of shooting rapper Megan Thee Stallion in the foot. He has filed a motion for a new trial.) But along with the positives came negatives. There was, of course, the jealousy and hate that came with it, Mahoney said, responding to Duddings questions. Who did you perceive it to be coming from? she asked. Just not people I would really know, just things in comments, peoples music, you know, social media, he replied. He cited a few examples of comments such as Burnas days are numbered and Were going to get this guy. Mahoney blamed the negativity on clout chasing when a lesser-known rapper threatens or makes disparaging comments about a higher-profile rival just to gain clicks, followers, attention. Initially, Mahoney said he shrugged off any real threat, but that changed after someone fired multiple shots during an outdoor video shoot in downtown Toronto in 2019. I ran for cover, the nearest car I could find, he testified. His grandfather, who was watching the video shoot, was struck by a bullet and survived; Mahoney said he figured it was some hater that just wanted to see me lose my career. On another occasion, after Mahoney and Jenkins had performed before a packed house in Waterloo, someone came and shot up a Subway (restaurant) while he (Jenkins) was in there. Mahoney wasnt present, but Jenkins told him he believed the shooter was another hater who wanted to derail his career. Can you explain to Your Honour what is the mentality about being so angry and hateful of someone elses success? Dudding asked. After ensuring he understood the question, Mahoney offered a variation of the tall poppy syndrome, when someone is attacked or resented for his or her achievements. The type of things that me and Houdini were doing, its not regular, like, to people, he replied. Its jealousy, concluded the judge. May 26, 2020, turned out to be the saddest day of my life, Mahoney told her. Jenkins died when the COVID-19 pandemic was still peaking, yet there was a lineup to get inside the funeral home in Mississauga. Mahoney was a pallbearer who helped lift the coffin into the hearse before the procession headed toward Jane and Driftwood and kind of did a lap around the old neighbourhood. They ended at a cemetery at Jane and Steeles, where mourners tossed dirt and flowers on the coffin. That night, Mahoneys mother drove him to the celebration of life held at Blaxx, a Caribbean restaurant and bar that sits adjacent to Highway 401s westbound lanes in Downsview. By attending, Mahoney was violating bail conditions, but he said he felt he had no choice. Hed lost his best friend. As he sipped DUsse cognac, Jenkinss favourite drink, and socialized outside in the parking lot, Mahoney said he heard a shout and saw a car behind a chain-link fence had pulled over to the side of the 401. Mahoney said he could see the rear window was lowering. At that point, I ran for my life because I know it was going to be a drive-by or they were about to get out (of) the car and start shooting. Because the vehicle had stopped directly behind me, Mahoney told court he felt they were coming for him and he would be the next to die. He heard shots ringing out while diving for cover behind a large green dumpster, where he crashed into a wall, fell to the ground and said he saw a gun. As a chaotic scene unfolded, Mahoney said he picked up the firearm, racked it and started firing warning shots over the dumpster. He wasnt alone. Five others also fired in the direction of the 401, still filled with traffic. During cross-examination, Sabbadini repeatedly challenged Mahoneys account. So you were shooting wildly without aiming, the Crown attorney asked. I mean, I was firing over the dumpster, which pretty much assured me that no one would be hit, so I wasnt shooting wildly, I would say. You could see that the car was gone? It was too quick to analyze. It wasnt like I could see it and then be like, Oh, the cars not there. I kind of was in the life-and-death situation, so I did what I did not knowing if I was going to die or not. He also denied bringing a gun to the memorial which would be an illegal act and said he found the weapon on the ground. Sabbadini suggested it only made sense that hed come armed, given what had happened. These same people who murdered Mr. Jenkins could show up to his funeral or his celebration of life. Mahoney dug in. I did not come there with a gun no, especially at my best friends funeral. The man died from gun violence. I had to be around his family who know me and are hugging me. The judge plans to release her judgment on April 28. SHARE: Wiping tears from her eyes, Anh Chiem told a Superior Court jury on Friday she did not murder a Toronto civil litigation lawyer after years of being on opposing sides with him in acrimonious legal battles. Ms. Chiem, did you kill Scott Rosen? asked defence lawyer Naomi Lutes. No, never, an interpreter said, translating Chiems Vietnamese. And Chiem also denied a witnesss testimony that he saw her driving a heavily damaged white U-Haul pickup truck along Bathurst Street soon after Rosen was run over in the parking garage of his law office on Eglinton Avenue East around 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 18, 2020. Through translation, she denied meeting the witness. I never met this man Theres nothing to prove he had met me. The 64-year-old old has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder. While testifying for several hours Friday, Chiem often gave confusing and rambling answers to questions posed by Lutes, who reminded her several times not to respond to questions in English. Prosecutors Bev Richards and Corie Langdon have presented a strong case against her during a month-long trial. That has included evidence that Chiem was motivated to kill Rosen because she felt mistreated by him during a family property lawsuit. Chiem filed several vitriolic complaints about him to the Law Society that were investigated but never went anywhere. She also owed hundreds of thousands of dollars and Rosen was opposing her bankruptcy. The trial has heard from eyewitnesses who saw Chiem parked near his law office for days before the killing. A police officer described giving her a ticket for obscuring the rented trucks licence plate with duct tape which she denied placing there Friday. Chiem doesnt deny renting the pickup that someone not her used to run over Rosen in the days leading up to Dec. 18, saying she needed a vehicle to do some Christmas and grocery shopping. She had hoped to rent a car, but settled for the truck after inquiring if it could fit in the parking garage of a shopping mall. Prosecutors have suggested she wanted that information because she knew Rosen parked his vehicle in a covered parking garage. After renting the truck on Dec. 15, Chiem said she drove around looking for rental apartments and stopped on Brownlow Avenue, a street close to Rosens law office that runs south of Eglinton Avenue East, west of Mount Pleasant Road. She had been in the area before dropping off documents at Rosens office. When you were parked on Brownlow Avenue on Dec. 15, did you think about the fact you were close to Rosens office? Lutes asked her client. Yes, I know that is his office, he told me he worked from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., she replied through the interpreter. Were you thinking about that? the lawyer asked. I did not pay attention to that. That day, Chiem said she sat in the passenger seat eating peanuts, leaving the drivers seat because I had to crawl over to get the food, she said. She was back in the area in the rented truck on Dec. 16 and again on Dec. 17 but not on Dec. 18, she said. That morning, Chiem said she and her elderly mother drove her daughters car to the U-Haul agency, stopped in, and when she didnt see the owner, proceeded to go shopping at a market on Spadina Avenue. After that, Chiem said her mother was angry with her, so she decided to go for a walk and took public transportation to the area of Yonge Street and Eglinton Avenue East. When the U-Haul agency operator called her that evening asking about damage to the truck, Chiem denied telling him she had lost control of it as he testified she had. Cross-examination is scheduled to begin Monday. SHARE: TORONTO - On the first unseasonably warm day of the year, a bustling area in north Toronto sees a variety of pedestrians out enjoying the sun: mothers push strollers, teens leaving school chat in groups and office workers in suits gather outside for their lunch breaks. There are few visible signs that the deadliest attack in Torontos history and one of Canadas worst mass murders took place on this stretch of Yonge Street on a similarly sunny day five years ago, when a man deliberately drove a rented van down a busy sidewalk on April 23, 2018. In a local park, a modest plaque provides one small reminder of the rampage that left 10 dead and 16 injured that day. A permanent city memorial is still in the works. For some who live and work in the area, however, memories of the attack remain vivid in their minds. Every time I work around here, every time I crosswalk, I always remind myself, maybe Ive got to be careful before I start walking, says Jiyong Lee, who lives in the neighbourhood and works at a butcher shop on the attack route. Thats what I have in my head every time I work here and walking around here. I cannot get rid of it. Lee remembers the day clearly. He had stepped out of a subway station after attending classes at Seneca College to find covered bodies on the street and a stretch of road closed by police. The attack had a significant effect on his family and the community, which has a large Korean population, he says. They were scared, they were upset about what happened, he says, adding that the attack isnt discussed that often among area residents now. Frank Herbert, who frequents Mel Lastman Square in the area, says he saw multiple pedestrians get hit that day. The scene, which he describes as devastating, has stayed with him. I saw the van, people falling down. I ran out to help. It was almost unbelievable that someone would do that, he says. Its like an open wound. Ryan Dillon, bar manager at the St. Louis Bar & Grill in North York, was working when the rampage began. He recalls some pedestrians rushing in while others tried to help the injured outside. The bar stayed open through the day, despite recommendations that all area businesses close. Everyone coming in was just shook. It was a weird, somber kind of feeling, Dillon says. It was a weird decision but we stayed open and people were actually very happy that we did ... I feel like everyone needed a friend in that moment. The 37-year-old, who grew up in the area, says he feels residents in the community are now more guarded. That was the day we realized, you know what, maybe we arent as safe as we think we are living in this area, he says. That feeling is something that We Love Willowdale, a community organization formed after the tragedy, has tried to address. Originally formed to support victims, their families and affected community members, its evolved to have a broader mandate of maintaining the community connections forged in the aftermath of the attack. It has since joined the NeighbourLink North York charity. Sebastian Biasucci, NeighbourLink North Yorks marketing and event manager, says talking about the van attack can be triggering for some. It goes back to that day where suddenly the eyes of the world were on our community, he says, adding that the anniversary provokes a range of responses among community members. Some people remember like it was yesterday and for some it feels distant. In 2021, a court found Alek Minassian, who claimed to be angered by women who wouldnt sleep with him and radicalized on the internet, guilty of 10 counts of first-degree murder and 16 counts of attempted murder. The presiding judge found Minassian carried out the van attack to achieve notoriety. He was sentenced to life in prison last year with no possibility of parole for 25 years. Hes appealing his conviction. Betty Forsyth, Ji Hun Kim, So He Chung, Geraldine Brady, Chul Min Kang, Anne Marie DAmico, Munir Najjar, Dorothy Sewell, Andrea Bradden and Renuka Amarasingha died in the April 2018 attack. Amaresh Tesfamariam died from her injuries more than three years later. The City of Toronto says plans for for a permanent memorial honouring the lives lost are still being finalized. The city continues to aim to take direction from the victims families, which has meant being purposeful and allowing sufficient time to ensure those impacted by the events have time to heal before making plans for a permanent memorial, says spokeswoman Ashika Theyyil. For Biasucci, the attacks fifth anniversary reinforces the communitys shared history. We are linked because of this tragedy, even though our cultures are different or maybe our upbringings or our politics. But at the end of the day, we have to just look after one another, he says. My hope is that its not just tragedies that bring us together. This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 21, 2023. SHARE: LONDON (Reuters) - Former Barclays investor Edward Bramson on Friday questioned how the British bank and its chairman Nigel Higgins vetted its ex-CEO Jes Staley over his earlier business ties to sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. Activist investor Bramson said in a letter seen by Reuters that Higgins had told him that he had never asked Staley why he did not close Epstein's bank accounts at JP Morgan when the late financier was a client of his at the U.S. bank. Barclays declined to comment on its own behalf and for Higgins, who could not immediately be reached for comment on Bramson's letter, which was first reported by Bloomberg News. Staley has acknowledged having been friendly with Epstein, expressed regret for their relationship and denied knowing about his crimes. A lawyer who represents him declined to comment. Staley, who joined Barclays 2015 and left in November 2021, is contesting the findings of an investigation by UK regulators into how he characterised his relationship with Epstein. The disgraced U.S. financier, who killed himself in a Manhattan jail cell in August 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, was a JP Morgan client from 2000 to 2013. Bramson, who could not immediately be reached for comment, did not specify the date of the conversation he described having with Higgins in the letter he sent to his investors. Bramson, who sold his stake in Barclays at a loss two years ago after failing to convince the bank to enact reforms, also said in his letter that Barclays should assess each of its directors' actions with regard to the risks posed by retaining Staley and communicate the findings to the market. Bramson and his Sherborne investment vehicle do not appear among Barclays investors according to Refinitiv data, while a spokesperson for the bank said he is no longer a shareholder. Staley, who joined Barclays after more than 30 years at JP Morgan, has been named in two civil lawsuits against the U.S. bank for enabling and concealing Epstein's network. Story continues JP Morgan, in turn, has sued Staley over "outrageous" alleged conduct and breaching his duty of loyalty to the bank. Staley's lawyers have dismissed allegations that he hid what he knew about Epstein as "slanderous" and "false". (Reporting by Lawrence White; Additional reporting by Kirstin Ridley; Editing by Alexander Smith) As if the new Toronto courthouse wasnt already facing enough challenges, it was a hit with another one on Friday: Zoom-bombing. The Star witnessed two very busy courtrooms targeted and suddenly flooded with people making racist and Nazi remarks, playing loud music, and displaying pornographic videos. One user with the name Snoop Dogg asked over the voices of lawyers and court staff: Did you guys have a good 4/20? Clerks were swift to mute the offending individuals, who quickly popped in and out, as judges tried to get matters back on track. Its annoying, to say the least, said Ontario court Judge Patrice Band, among other things. The Ministry of the Attorney General had previously committed in 2021 to reviewing how to handle such incidents as courts were forced into the digital age by the pandemic, which at the time had caused the cancellation of most in-person hearings. On Friday, the ministry said police were notified of the incident, and that security mechanisms exist to reduce instances of zoom-bombing, but didnt provide details. The new Ontario Court of Justice courthouse on Armoury Street, near Dundas Street West and University Avenue, has been plagued by issues since it started hearing cases last month that threaten to jeopardize criminal matters moving through the backlogged system. The main problem is the constant closure of courtrooms due to a chronic shortage of staff, including clerks and court reporters. The court said 17 courtrooms had to be closed last week, and 22 the week before that. Closures continued this week, with 23 courtrooms shuttered due to staff shortages the highest amount in one week so far this month. The result is trials having to be adjourned, adding delay that could lead to cases eventually being tossed for violating a persons constitutional right to a trial within a reasonable time, and leaving victims without any sense of justice. Victims and witnesses cannot move on with their lives, Judge Brock Jones said in court last week, sounding the alarm on the staff shortages. Some cases are lost due to excessive delay, and those cases will never be heard on their merits. On Friday, defence lawyer Lon Rose expressed outrage in court that the trial for his client a young Indigenous man in custody with mental health and substance use issues was being postponed due to the lack of a courtroom. The man was set to stand trial for failing to appear in court, a matter that would have likely taken just a few hours. Hes appeared and the justice system seems not to be able to appear for him, Rose said. The man was also supposed to have a trial for mischief earlier this month that got adjourned until next Friday due to the lack of a courtroom. And he has a robbery trial scheduled for next Monday and Tuesday, but Rose said he had no confidence that it would go ahead on time. Holy smokes, how can anybody have any confidence in the administration of justice in this building when, on a constant basis, people are told to wait for hours and hours and come back different days? Rose asked Band. This is, in my respectful submission, somewhat pathetic. The judge referred to the huge problem and described the accused as another victim of court closures that are related to staffing deficiencies in this building. Rose floated that a potential remedy would be to ask the Superior Court to review the denial of his clients bail and blame how bad the system is as the basis for getting it. OPSEU, which represents a number of court workers, say theyre dealing with burnout from working long hours, and a number of them have quit. The Ministry of the Attorney General is responsible for staffing the courts, and has refused to comment on the shortage, saying it does not publicly discuss confidential human resources information. It said it continues to hire new staff. Attorney General Doug Downeys office did not respond to the Stars requests for an interview this week. The $956 million courthouse will eventually handle all adult and youth criminal matters from six smaller Ontario Court of Justice courthouses scattered across the city. So far, the criminal caseload from four courthouses have been merged, and will be followed by the Scarborough and Old City Hall courthouses next month. The court said 22 courtrooms at Old City Hall had to be closed this week due to staff shortages. The caseload from the 1000 Finch Ave. W. courthouse just arrived at the new courthouse on Monday, and yet by Tuesday, a Crown attorney from 1000 Finch was telling Judge Sheila Ray that she and three of her colleagues had trials or pretrials that had been postponed due to courtroom closures and they didnt know where to go. The phrase were in a holding pattern was repeated several times Tuesday as closed courtrooms left trials without a home and with the faint hope that some would suddenly open up and take them in. Crown attorney Stuart Rothman told Ray that regrettably the prosecution was asking to adjourn an entire impaired driving trial for a case stemming from December 2021 in which a city worker was injured due to the lack of a courtroom. So heres the situation, Rothman told Ray. Everyone appeared on Monday for trial, including all Crown witnesses, the accused, the interpreter, and the lawyers. There were not enough available courtrooms to accommodate our matter, Rothman said, adding they were double-booked with a preliminary hearing for a homicide case that had to proceed instead. So we came back today...Once again, there does not appear to be any courtrooms to accommodate our matter. He noted his case was one of at least five trials on Tuesday that couldnt go ahead due to courtroom closures. He asked that the case return next week so the parties could figure out a new trial date. It is very unfortunate that we continue to have court closures on a daily basis, it seems, Your Honour, Rothman said on Tuesday. Hopefully things will get better soon. Jacques Gallant is a Toronto-based reporter covering courts, justice and legal affairs for the Star. Follow him on Twitter: @JacquesGallant SHARE: The Ontario Provincial Police are searching for 30,000 baby chicks that went missing from a farm in South Huron, a small municipality in southwestern Ontario, just north of London. Jokes aside about whether the chicks were just trying to cross the road, the OPP are treating the investigation as a theft, and say that the total value of the loss is $42,000. Police wont comment on when the theft occurred, saying they cant provide additional information as it is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information is being urged to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122, 1-800-222-TIPS, or leave a web tip at http://P3tips.com. Ana Pereira is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Stars radio room in Toronto. Follow her on Twitter: @anabpereiraa SHARE: TORONTO - The firm of the architect who designed the Ontario Science Centre is calling on the province to save the building and build on its legacy. Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced earlier this week that the science centre will be moving from its current location in east Toronto to a redeveloped Ontario Place on the citys waterfront. The move would eventually see the current science centre, which opened in 1969, demolished. The firm of architect Raymond Moriyama, who designed the science centre, says the landmark facility should be regenerated in a way that builds on its heritage, celebrates its architecture and affirms it as a neighbourhood amenity. Moriyama Teshima Architects writes in a statement that the mission and footprint of the science centre can also be expanded if theres a need for a new public institution along Lake Ontario. Ford has said he hopes the eventual demolition of the current science centre will make way for housing in the area. Construction on the new science centre at Ontario Place is set to begin in 2025, with its opening scheduled for 2028 the current centre is set to remain open in the interim. This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 21, 2023. SHARE: The 18-year-old who was stabbed Wednesday morning in Torontos midtown is a student at St. Michaels College School, principal Pat Daly has confirmed to the Star. The incident happened during the schools lunch break inside of a Loblaws store adjacent to the school in the Forest Hill neighbourhood, near the intersection of St. Clair Avenue West and Tweedsmuir Avenue, Daly said. The victim and attacker did not know each other prior to their interaction, Daly added. Other students who were on the scene called police and contacted the main office at the school. School staff then went to the scene to provide assistance. We try to emphasize with our students that when theyre off site, we are located in the middle of a big city, and they need to be wise and travel together, Daly said, adding, well continue to work with police and our students to ensure that they are in the safest environment. The student was taken to hospital with minor injuries. A 32-year-old man was arrested at the scene, Toronto police said on Wednesday. This article has been updated from a previous version to correct that the stabbing occurred inside a Loblaws store. Ana Pereira is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Stars radio room in Toronto. Follow her on Twitter: @anabpereiraa SHARE: Toronto heads to the polls to vote for a new mayor on June 26. This week saw a controversy over the Ontario Science Centre, the entry of Olivia Chow and the exit of Gil Penalosa. Heres what else happened this week on the campaign trail: Fifty hats in the ring A milestone was hit this week with 50 people dropping $200 to become a candidate for mayor. While that money will only go a small way to covering the estimated $13-million price tag for the byelection, there is still time to reach the record 64 candidates who signed up to run in 2014. Battling over bail Current councillor Brad Bradford and former police chief Mark Saunders sparred over their bail-related policies this week despite the issue being almost entirely out of municipal control. Saunders would advocate for stricter bail laws from the federal government, something they are already working on. Bradford would increase the police budget so they could hire 68 new officers for Bail Compliance Units. It should be noted that while city council can set priorities, it is up to Toronto police how they deploy their resources. A new chapter in library hours Candidate and current councillor Josh Matlow has said he would freeze the Toronto police budget for three years, opening up $115 million for a Community Health Safety Fund. This week he announced hed spend $1.5 million from the fund to open all 100 public library branches on Sundays all year round rather than the 58 that do so in the school year and 19 in the summer. Hed also spend $1 million to open neighbourhood schools as community centres on evenings and weekends. Paving the way to net-zero Matlow became the first candidate to launch a climate-change policy, introducing a tax on businesses with huge parking lots, such as shopping malls, that would contribute $200 million per year for projects in the citys underfunded, ambitious TransformTO plan to make Toronto carbon neutral in 2040. Matlow said huge parking lots incentivize driving, rather than lower-pollution biking, walking or transit, so it makes sense to make the lot owners pay to fight climate change. (The city is currently studying possible revenue tools including a parking lot levy.) The Saunders campaign slammed Matlows policy as a tax on commuters and workers trying to get around the city, adding: The fact is Matlows parking tax will make life more expensive for Toronto families. With files from David Rider Alyshah Hasham is a Toronto-based reporter covering city hall and municipal politics for the Star. Reach her via email: ahasham@thestar.ca or follow her on Twitter: @alysanmati Read more about: SHARE: The TTC is closing a portion of the Line 1 subway between York Mills and St. Clair stations this weekend due to Metrolinx construction on the Eglinton Crosstown LRT. There will be replacement shuttle buses and TTC staff along the route to assist riders. The 97 Yonge bus and the University side of Line 1 can also serve as alternatives, the transit agency said. On Saturday only, the 511 Bathurst streetcar will turn back at Charlotte Loop via Queen Street West because of bridge inspection work on the Gardiner Expressway. Lawrence Station will be closed for work to improve accessibility at the station. PRESTO services will be available at all other open stations. Closures on Sunday Service on Line 2 of the subway between St. George and Broadview Stations will begin by noon as the TTC is conducts beam replacement on the Prince Edward Viaduct. Bay and Sherbourne Stations will be closed. Shuttle buses will continue to operate on Sunday and PRESTO service is available at open stations. Extra service for Wheel-Trans customers heading to High Park The transit agency said it will increase service for Wheel-Trans customers travelling to High Park to see the cherry blossoms, since High Park Station is not fully accessible. The extra service will operate from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Customers who need an accessible connection can exit the subway at Keele Station if travelling westbound, while eastbound travellers can exit at Runnymede Station and take a Wheel-Trans bus to High Park. Next week Service on Line 1 of the subway, between Sheppard-Yonge and Eglinton Stations, will end every night at 11 p.m. for track work, from Monday through Thursday. At York Mills Station, the automated entrance at Old York Mills Rd. will be closed. The agency says there will be replacement shuttle buses. Stations will remain open so customers can reload their PRESTO cards. Ana Pereira is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Star's radio room in Toronto. Follow her on Twitter: @anabpereiraa Read more about: SHARE: Conservative talk radio host Larry Elder, who sought to replace the California governor in a failed 2021 recall effort, announced Thursday he is running for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024. Elder, 70, made the announcement on Fox News Tucker Carlson Tonight and followed up with a tweet. America is in decline, but this decline is not inevitable. We can enter a new American Golden Age, but we must choose a leader who can bring us there. Thats why Im running for President, he wrote. The long-shot candidate joins a Republican field that includes former President Donald Trump, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. President Joe Biden, a Democrat, has said he plans to seek reelection. Elder made his first bid for public office in 2021, when he received the most votes out of 46 people who were hoping to replace California Gov. Gavin Newsom in a recall effort. But a majority of voters ended up voting against removing Newsom, making the vote count in the replacement contest irrelevant. Some Democrats say Elders role as a foil to Newsom helped the Democratic governor inspire voters in liberal California to turn out and reject the recall. Newsom attacked Elder for his support of Trump and his conservative positions, such as opposing abortion rights and restrictions imposed to slow the spread of COVID-19, such as mask mandates. But Elder said the experience of running for office and the millions of votes he received showed he had a message that resonated with voters. A lawyer who grew up in Los Angeles rough South Central neighborhood, Elder attended an Ivy League college and then law school. He has a following among conservatives through his radio programs and has been a frequent guest on Fox News and other right-wing media. Elder, who is Black, has criticized Democrats woke agenda, Black Lives Matter and the notion of systemic racism, positions that have put him at odds with many other Black people. During the recall campaign, a former fiancee said Elder showed her a gun during a 2015 argument. Elder denied the allegations. SHARE: JOHANNESBURG (AP) Ten members of the same family, seven of them female and one a 13-year-old boy, were killed in a mass shooting at a house in South Africa, police said Friday. A male suspect was killed in a shootout with police hours after and two men were arrested. A fourth suspect escaped but his identity is known and he is being sought, Police Minister Bheki Cele said. According to initial reports, the family was ambushed by gunmen at the home in the city of Pietermaritzburg in the eastern KwaZulu-Natal province, police said. The shooting happened in the predawn hours of Friday. Police initially announced that the victims were seven women and three men but later said that at least one child, the teenage boy, was among the dead. The oldest victim of the mass shooting was 65, Cele said, and the youngest was the 13-year-old. He didnt give the ages of the other victims. Cele, who was at the scene, said police confronted four men on a street about a mile from the house where the mass shooting occurred and the men fired at officers. Police shot back, killed one, injured one, who is arrested, and one is arrested uninjured. One has run away, Cele said. Fortunately they know who ran away. Police recovered three guns. The suspect who was killed by police was notorious and linked to other crimes in the area, Cele said, although he didnt offer a motive for the mass shooting. The scene at the house where the 10 were killed was terrible, Cele said. Too many people were lost, he said. Police were also questioning the driver of an e-hailing taxi who is believed to have previously transported the four men when they allegedly committed other crimes. South Africa has one of the highest homicide rates in the world and there has been a spate of mass shootings in recent years. Eight people were fatally shot at a birthday party in the south coast city of Gqeberha in January. Last year, 16 people died in a mass shooting at a bar in the Johannesburg township of Soweto when a group of armed men, some of them wielding rifles, opened fire on customers. On the same day of that Soweto shooting, 12 people were shot, four of them fatally, at a bar in Pietermaritzburg. ___ More AP Africa news: https://apnews.com/hub/africa SHARE: CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) South Africas Supreme Court of Appeal on Friday upheld a ruling that the gratuitous public display of the countrys old apartheid-era flag amounts to hate speech and racial discrimination and can be prosecuted. The Supreme Court didnt, however, give a ruling on whether displaying the national flag from South Africas era of brutal racial segregation in the privacy of a home should also be considered hate speech or discriminatory. Arguments over that specific matter should first be presented to the lower court that initially banned the flag in 2019, the Supreme Court said. The decision on the public showing of the old flag, which was South Africas national flag from 1928 until it was abolished when the country achieved democracy in 1994, upheld that ruling given by the Equality Court four years ago. Afriforum, a lobby group that says it represents the interests of South Africas white Afrikaans people, challenged the banning of the flag in the Supreme Court, saying such a wide-reaching ban was an infringement of the right to freedom of expression. But in its ruling, the Supreme Court said that those who publicly hold up or wave the old flag convey a brazen, destructive message that they celebrate and long for the racism of our past. The fate of the orange, white and blue flag has been a highly charged issue in South Africa, particularly for the countrys Black majority, many of whom view it as an overt symbol of the institutionalized racism and brutality of the apartheid regime. The apartheid system officially came into being in 1948 and was formally dismantled when Nelson Mandela became South Africas first democratically elected president in 1994, when Blacks were allowed to vote for the first time. South Africa adopted its current flag at the time of those first all-race elections. For some South Africans, the apartheid-era flag has similar connotations to the swastika flag of Nazi Germany. Arguing in support of the ban, the South African Human Rights Commission referred to the case of Dylann Roof, the white man convicted and sentenced to death for the 2015 racist killings of nine Black church members in Charleston, South Carolina, as an example of how the apartheid-era flag retained clear connections to violent white supremacists. Roof once appeared in a photograph wearing a jacket with the flag on it. ___ More AP Africa news: https://apnews.com/hub/africa SHARE: WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) Britains Foreign Secretary James Cleverly cut short a Pacific tour Friday to return to Britain and deal with the deteriorating situation in Sudan. Sudans military ruled out negotiations with a rival paramilitary force Thursday, saying it would only accept its surrender as the two sides continued to battle in central Khartoum and other parts of the country. The British High Commission said Cleverly had been dealing with the Sudan situation from its offices in Wellington by making a series of calls to key partners overnight. Cleverly left from New Zealand a day before he was due to meet with his counterpart, Nanaia Mahuta. Hed arrived in New Zealand earlier than scheduled Thursday on his first official visit to the country after skipping a planned visit to Samoa and flying in directly from the Solomon Islands. Its with real regret that due to the ongoing situation in Sudan Ive had to cut the visit short, Cleverly said in a statement. Ive learned a lot about the region, its opportunities and challenges. Ive spoken to Foreign Minister Mahuta and told her how disappointed I am to have had to leave early and weve agreed well reschedule as soon as we can, he said. Im very much looking forward to coming back soon. The High Commission said that when Cleverly returns to Britain, he will continue overseeing the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office response to the violence in Sudan by providing support to staff on the ground and consular services for British nationals. Britain has historic ties to Sudan. In an unusual arrangement, Britain and Egypt jointly ruled Sudan from 1899 until it gained independence in 1956. But these days, Sudan is not among the group of 56 Commonwealth nations that include many former British colonies. Mahuta, who flew to Samoa on Wednesday to meet with Cleverly and Samoan Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa, said shed offered her full support to Cleverly. Mahuta had earlier said that during the planned meeting with Cleverly, she would celebrate the recent achievements in the bilateral relationship, as well as discuss cooperating together in the Pacific and on global issues including climate change and the war in Ukraine. New Zealand and Britain agreed to a free trade deal in 2021. SHARE: Cargill honored for three innovations in the food and agriculture category and one in sustainability, two of which won gold WAYZATA, Minn., April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Cargill's teams around the world innovate with purpose to help its customers and partners overcome their biggest challenges and seize their greatest opportunities. In recognition of that drive for innovation, this year the company has won four 2023 Edison Awards for three innovations in the food and agriculture category and one innovation in the sustainability category. The Edison Awards, named after the American inventor Thomas Alva Edison, recognizes some of the most innovative products and business leaders in the world. The prestigious accolades honor excellence in new product and service development, marketing, design and innovation. Cargill is uniquely positioned to lead the transformation of the food and agriculture system, addressing many of the world's most pressing needs from supply chain continuity and climate action to nutrition and food security. The company is honored to win the following Edison Awards for these innovative solutions: GOLD - Cargill RegenConnect provides farmers a financial incentive for positive environmental outcomes through the adoption of regenerative agriculture practices. With an increased focus on sustainability around the globe, this program connects farmers to emerging environmental markets while enabling end-use customers to meet their sustainability commitments. GOLD - Galleon Broiler Microbiome Intelligence is an innovative analysis tool leveraging the power of artificial intelligence. This tool allows poultry farmers to determine the gut microbiome health of their flocks and its correlation to their management practices. Galleon provides insights and actions to help improve flock health and positively influence profitability and performance. SILVER - SimPure RF is a breakthrough soluble rice flour and a 1:1 clean label alternative to maltodextrin for many foods. SimPure RF offers high solubility and neutral flavor while enhancing creaminess and body. BRONZE - EverSweet + ClearFlo (EC1) Sweetening System is a game-changing product which combines EverSweet, Reb M-based stevia sweetener with ClearFlo natural flavor, marking the first-ever solution of its kind. This innovation improves flavor, mouthfeel, dissolution and solubility. It also reduces sugar across countless foods and beverages. Story continues Each of these innovations is an example of how Cargill is leveraging more than a century of experience in the food and agriculture industry to create impactful solutions for its global customers. Together, they show Cargill's ability to innovate across a broad spectrum of challenges facing its customers and consumers. "Our teams around the world are excited to receive this prestigious recognition for all four of these innovative solutions. Through dedication, innovative thinking and critical partnerships, we are transforming the industry and empowering our customers and communities," said Florian Schattenmann, Cargill's Chief Technology Officer and Vice President of Research & Development and Innovation. "This recognition is just the beginning as Cargill continues to invest in innovation and our people to drive impactful change." All nominations are reviewed by the Edison Awards Steering Committee with the final ballot being determined by an independent judging panel. The panel is comprised of more than 3,000 senior business executives and academics from the fields of product development, design, engineering, science, marketing and education, as well as past winners. For more information on the Edison Awards, please visit www.edisonawards.com . About Cargill Cargill helps the world's food system work for you. We connect farmers with markets, customers with ingredients and families with daily essentialsfrom the foods they eat to the floors they walk on. Our 155,000 team members around the world innovate with purpose, empowering our partners and communities as we work to nourish the world in a safe, responsible, sustainability way. From the feed that reduces methane emissions to waste-based renewable fuels, the possibilities are boundless. But our values remain the same. We put people first. We reach higher. We do the right thing. It's how we've met the needs of the people we call neighbors and the planet we call home for 157 yearsand how we'll do so for generations to come. For more information, visit Cargill.com and our News Center. About The Edison Awards: Established in 1987, the Edison Awards is a program conducted by Edison Universe, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to fostering future innovators. The annual competition honors excellence in new product and service development, marketing, design and innovation. Past award recipients include Steve Jobs, Elon Musk, and leaders of global corporations such as Coca-Cola, Genentech, General Electric, General Motors, IBM and Campbell Soup Co. In 2022, the Edison Awards introduced the inaugural Lewis Latimer Fellowship program designed to celebrate, connect and bring together a community of innovative Black thought leaders. For more information, visit www.edisonawards.com . Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/four-cargill-innovations-win-the-prestigious-2023-edison-awards-301804141.html SOURCE Cargill, Inc. LONDON (AP) U.K. Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab grudgingly resigned Friday after an independent investigation found he bullied civil servants, though he criticized the findings as flawed. Raabs announcement came the day after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak received the investigation report into eight formal complaints that Raab, who was also justice secretary, had been abusive toward staff members during a previous stint in that office and while serving as Britains foreign secretary and Brexit secretary. Attorney Adam Tolley, who conducted the inquiry and noted that bullying was not a legal term, found Raab acted in a way which was intimidating, was unreasonably and persistently aggressive and introduced an unwarranted punitive element to his leadership style. His conduct also involved an abuse or misuse of power in a way that undermines or humiliates, Tolley wrote in the 48-page report. Raab, 49, denied claims he belittled and demeaned staff and said he behaved professionally at all times. He remained defiant in resigning, saying he was duty-bound after promising to do so if the bullying complaints were substantiated. He said the inquiry made two findings of bullying against him and dismissed the others. He made it clear in his resignation letter that he did not accept the findings, calling them flawed and saying the inquiry set a dangerous precedent by setting the threshold for bullying so low. In a letter praising much of the work that Raab had done, Sunak said he accepted the resignation with great sadness. He also referred to shortcomings in the investigation, which he said had negatively affected everyone involved. Sunak appointed Oliver Dowden, a senior Cabinet official, as deputy prime minister, and Alex Chalk as justice secretary. Government websites were quickly updated with the replacements and their photos. The resignation spared Sunak the difficult task of deciding the fate of his top deputy. If he had fired Raab, he would have faced more criticism for appointing him in the first place despite reportedly being warned about Raabs behavior; if he had kept him in the job, he would have been blasted for failing to follow through on his promise to restore integrity to the Conservative government. Sunaks spokesperson Max Blain, speaking before Raabs resignation Thursday, said the prime minister still had full confidence in his deputy while he reviewed the report and weighed whether he violated the ministerial code. The code of conduct requires ministers to treat people with respect and to have proper and appropriate relationships with colleagues, civil servants and staff. It says harassment, discrimination and bullying will not be tolerated. Blain said Friday that Raab made the right decision to resign because any bullying was unacceptable. He dodged a question of whether Sunak would have sacked him if he didnt step down. Jill Rutter, a senior fellow at the Institute for Government think tank, said Sunaks decision not to fire Raab allowed his deputy who was unlikely to go quietly to criticize the reports findings, rather than his boss. Instead, Raab hailed Sunak as a great prime minister and pledged support from the backbenches of Parliament. Rutter said Sunak missed an opportunity to send a message about what he expects from his cabinet. He could have in a sense done more for that if hed said, Im not gonna give you the option of resigning, I am going to sack you because youve fallen below the standards I want to set for the way I run my government, Rutter said. Sunaks delay in not acting swiftly, as he had promised, gave his political opponents an opportunity to attack him for dithering. What I think this shows is the continual weakness of the prime minister, opposition Labour leader Keir Starmer told broadcasters. He should never have appointed him in the first place, along with other members of the Cabinet that shouldnt have been appointed, and then he didnt sack him. Even today, its Raab who resigned rather than the prime minister who acts. First elected to Parliament in 2010, Raab unsuccessfully sought to become Conservative Party leader in 2019 before throwing his support behind Boris Johnson. Appointed deputy prime minister under Johnson, he briefly took charge of the government when Johnson was hospitalized with COVID-19 in April 2020. Raab said in his letter that he had not intentionally belittled anyone and was genuinely sorry for any unintended stress or offense that any officials felt. He noted the inquiry concluded he had not sworn or shouted at anyone, let alone thrown anything or otherwise physically intimidated anyone. The bullying inquiry is the latest ethics headache for Sunak, who vowed to restore order and integrity to government after three years of instability under predecessors Johnson and Liz Truss. Multiple scandals brought Johnson down in summer 2022, and Truss quit in October after six weeks in office when her tax-cutting economic plans sparked mayhem on the financial markets. But Sunak has struggled to shake off opposition allegations that the Conservative government remains mired in scandal and sleaze, and he is now facing an investigation himself. A parliamentary watchdog announced this week that he was looking into whether Sunak properly disclosed his wifes interest in a company that stands to benefit from a massive boost to free child care in his administrations budget. A member of Sunaks Cabinet, Gavin Williamson, quit in November over bullying claims. In January, Sunak fired Conservative Party chairman Nadhim Zahawi for failing to come clean about a multimillion-dollar tax dispute. A separate inquiry is underway into claims Johnson secured a loan with the help of a Conservative donor, Richard Sharp, who was later appointed chairman of the BBC. Before Sunaks office released the Tolley report, the right-leaning Daily Telegraph posted a vigorous defense written by Raab in which he said he had endured a Kafkaesque saga and that civil servants had tried to force him from office. Asked later by the BBC if he was a nightmare to work for, Raab said that a very small minority of passive-aggressive activist civil servants tried to block his reforms and that he got along with thousands of other public employees. The report noted that Raab had been able to regulate his abrasiveness after the investigation was announced. He should have altered his approach earlier, Tolley wrote. ___ Follow APs coverage of British politics at https://apnews.com/hub/british-politics SHARE: FALLS CHURCH, Va. (AP) The family of a northern Virginia man fatally shot by U.S. Park Police officers has reached a $5 million settlement in its civil lawsuit against the government. Two officers shot 25-year-old Bijan Ghaisar of McLean in November 2017 after a stop-and-go chase on the George Washington Memorial Parkway outside the nations capital. Ghaisar was unarmed, but the officers said they feared for their lives when Ghaisars car lurched forward after it had stopped and the officers stood outside the vehicle with weapons drawn. The civil settlement comes after more than five years of legal wrangling and criticism of Park Police alleging excessive force and a lack of transparency. Federal prosecutors declined to prosecute the officers, Lucas Vinyard and Alejandro Amaya, after a two-year FBI investigation. At that point, Fairfax County Commonwealths Attorney Steve Descano filed manslaughter charges against the officers in state court. That set off a tug-of-war between state and federal officials over who had jurisdiction to prosecute the case. In October 2021, a federal judge tossed out the manslaughter charges brought by Descanos office. The judge ruled that the officers were entitled to immunity and that their actions were proper under the circumstances. Even though the criminal charges were tossed out, Ghaisars family continued to pursue a civil lawsuit alleging wrongful death. The Ghaisar family said the officers violated their own policies by chasing Ghaisar, who was unarmed when officers opened fire. The settlement, detailed Friday in a court filing in federal court in Alexandria, describes the agreement as a compromise. It says that Ghaisars parents, James and Kelly Ghaisar, will receive $3.75 million, and their lawyers will get $1.25 million. The settlement still must be approved by a judge. Dashcam video of the shooting shows the pursuit starting on the parkway, then continuing into a residential neighborhood. It shows the car driven by Ghaisar stopping twice during the chase, and officers approaching the car with guns drawn. In both cases, Ghaisar drives off. At the third and final stop, the officers again approach with guns drawn, and Amaya stands in front of the drivers door. When the car starts to move, Amaya opens fire. Seconds later, when the car begins moving again, both Amaya and Vinyard fire multiple shots. SHARE: HOUSTON (AP) A Texas judge has stopped next weeks scheduled execution of a death row inmate who has long said hes innocent so there can be more time to review his claims that he was convicted more than 20 years ago with false testimony and questionable evidence. Ivan Cantu had been condemned for the fatal shooting of his cousin, James Mosqueda, 27, and his cousins girlfriend, Amy Kitchen, 22, during a November 2000 robbery at their north Dallas home. Cantu has long claimed he is innocent. Cantu, 49, had been set for execution April 26. But state District Judge Benjamin Smith in Collin County, where Cantu was convicted, on Wednesday withdrew the execution date, saying more review is needed of the inmates new claims. Bill Wirskye, first assistant district attorney with the Collin County District Attorneys Office, declined to comment. Because Mr. Cantus case raises troubling questions that undermine the integrity of the conviction, the courts decision to withdraw the execution date to permit further review was the appropriate next step, Gena Bunn, Cantus attorney, said in a statement on Friday. Sylvia Cantu, Ivan Cantus mother, said she remains hopeful that all of this new evidence will finally be heard in court so that Ivan can come home. Two of the jurors who convicted Cantu have submitted declarations stating they now have doubts about the case. I do not want the execution of Mr. Cantu to be carried out unless a careful and thorough review of the evidence is conducted, Maurice Jacob, one the jurors, wrote in declaration from earlier this month. Prosecutors have claimed Cantu, who was convicted in 2001, killed Mosqueda, who dealt illegal drugs, and Kitchen as he tried to steal cocaine, marijuana and cash from his cousins home. Cantu has claimed a rival drug dealer killed his cousin. In Cantus apartment, police found bloody jeans with the victims DNA, a key to the victims home and a key to Kitchens car. Police found Cantus gun at his ex-girlfriends home. Mosquedas blood was found on the guns barrel while Cantus fingerprints were found on the guns magazine. In a 2005 affidavit, Matthew Goeller, one of Cantus trial attorneys, said Cantu admitted to him that he had indeed killed Mosqueda for ripping him off on a drug deal and that Kitchen was killed because she was a witness. Cantus then-girlfriend, Amy Boettcher, was the prosecutions main witness. She testified Cantu told her he was going to kill Mosqueda and Kitchen and later took her back to the crime scene after the killings. But in court documents, Bunn alleges Boettchers testimony is riddled with false statements. Boettcher, who died in 2021, testified Cantu stole and later got rid of Mosquedas Rolex watch. But the watch wasnt stolen and was later found by Mosquedas family, Bunn said. Boettcher told jurors Cantu proposed to her on the night of the killings with an engagement ring he stole from Kitchen. But witnesses have since said Cantu and Boettcher had announced their engagement and showed off the ring a week before the killings, according to Bunn. Boettcher testified Cantu placed his bloody jeans and socks in their kitchen trashcan on the night of the killings. But Cantus lawyers have questioned this because a police officer who was in his apartment the next day did not see the bloody clothes in the trashcan and they werent discovered until several days later, supporting the defenses theory that someone else put them in the trashcan. Jeff Boettcher, Amys brother, testified that prior to the killings, Cantu told him he planned to kill Mosqueda and Cantu had tried to recruit him to clean up afterward. However, Jeff Boettcher has since said he lied and was not a credible witness due to his history of drug abuse, according to court documents. Absent the largely unimpeached testimony of the Boettchers, it is unlikely that Mr. Cantu would have been convicted, Bunn said in court documents. Bunn has credited an independent probe by Matt Duff, a private investigator, with uncovering much of the new evidence in the case. Duff has chronicled his findings in a podcast called Cousins By Blood. ___ Follow Juan A. Lozano on Twitter at https://twitter.com/juanlozano70. SHARE: MIlWAUKEE (AP) A Milwaukee County Jail guard was charged with misconduct Friday in connection with the in-custody death earlier this year of an accused killer who was once on the FBIs top 10 most wanted list. Laquisha Cowser, 32, told investigators that she had completed her safety checks when she had not, according to the criminal complaint. Jail surveillance video shows that she skipped Octaviano Juarez-Corros cell on two separate checks in the two hours preceding his death. Cowser has been a jailor for about four years, the Milwaukee County Sheriffs Office said. She was relieved of duty with pay pending the outcome of the criminal case and a subsequent internal review. Online court records did not list an attorney for Cowser. Juarez-Corro, 49, was found unresponsive in his single-occupant cell in January, authorities have said. An investigator with the Milwaukee County Medical Examiners Office discovered a ligature around Juarez-Corros neck, the complaint said. Investigators who wrote the complaint did not elaborate on where the ligature may have come from or whether Juarez-Corro possibly killed himself. Juarez-Corro had confronted his estranged wife at a 2006 Memorial Day picnic in a Milwaukee park and demanded to see his daughter, authorities say. When his wife refused and told him to leave, Juarez-Corro allegedly pulled out a handgun and shot five people. Two of them died. Hundreds of people were in the park at the time. Juarez-Corro disappeared after the shooting, landing on the FBI's most wanted list in 2021. He was finally captured in Zapopan, Guadalajara, Mexico, in February 2022 thanks to a tip. He was extradited to Milwaukee in September. He faced two counts of first-degree intentional homicide and three counts of attempted first-degree homicide. He had been held on $1.5 million bail since October. SHARE: It sounds like a stage direction. CBC paused its use of Twitter after being labelled government-funded media there. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, whod campaigned for the slur, danced a jig in delight. CBC huffed that its arms length from the government that funds it, has journalistic independence etc. But between us, I think the terms accurate enough, provided Twitter also labels CTV, Global, the Globe and Mail and the Toronto Star, as well as the New York Times, corporate-funded media, or advertiser-funded, and Twitter itself as funded by a manic, right wing narcissist. My argument isnt that CBC faces no pressure, but that its no worse and possibly less, than the pressures on private media outlets. For most of the last century, every Toronto paper rigorously avoided any reporting on unionization drives at Eatons. Why? Because every edition every day contained a full-page Eatons ad. Whats surprising about CBC, given the difference in funding sources, is how similar CBC is on basic coverage to the commercial networks. To test this, I flipped CBC on randomly Wednesday and found an interview by CBCs David Cochrane with retired general Andrew Leslie. It was a congenial gang-up against Justin Trudeau over a leak in which he told NATO that Canada would never meet NATOS target of 2 per cent of GDP for defence spending. They were both scandalized though theres never been a rationale for the number and only seven of NATOS 30 members meet it. Personally I think its despicable to prioritize that when a generation of Canadas young have lost hope of ever owning homes. If CBC was carrying water for anyone here, it wasnt for the government that funds them, it was for the U.S., which aims to dominate Europe through NATO, or Brussels, where careers are built on NATOs inevitability. Democracy under assault Tennessees legislature recently expelled two Black members on frail, spurious legal grounds. That echoed post-Civil War efforts to (successfully) disenfranchise freed slaves. But its also part of the current antidemocracy global tool kit. Indias main opposition leader, Rahul Gandhi, lost his seat over a silly defamation charge and got exactly the length of sentence required to bar him from running again. Pakistans election commission barred its most popular politician, former PM Imran Khan, from running again as well. Dont be smug, we share this tradition. In the 1830s, Torontos first mayor, William Lyon Mackenzie, the leading critic of the colonial Tory oligarchy, was thrown out of the assembly which wielded no real power five times and returned each time by voters. In a late echo, the only serious challenger to Pierre Poilievre for the Conservative leadership in 2022, Patrick Brown, was disqualified by a party bureaucrat over claimed violations of the Elections Act, which werent revealed for reasons that were also concealed. What stands out is non-electoral processes for dumping legitimate reps. In other words, take it out of the hands of the citizenry. The New York Times scrupulous Thomas Edsall did a piece this week on ways that democracy is under assault from the ground up. I would add the discouraging effect of seeing how casting your vote for someone can be so easily turned pointless. Spies like us The most recent leaker of U.S. state secrets, Jack Teixeira, was no spy. He was a young guy out to impress his gamer friends. He sloppily jammed the confidential papers into his pants. It sounds like Canadas greatest spy caper, the Gouzenko affair. Igor Gouzenko was a Soviet cipher clerk in Ottawa who stuffed papers into his shirt in 1946 and wandered around Ottawa trying to defect, but was rebuffed by everyone at first: police, Mounties, media, the prime minister. Yet the event turned into the kickoff for 45 years of Cold War. As they say, its not the crime, its the coverup. And its not the shabby players, its their chroniclers and glamourizers. John le Carres elegant writing style has a lot to answer for. Correction April 21, 2023: Andrew Leslie is a former senior military official and onetime Liberal member of Parliament. A previous version of this article misstated his first name. Rick Salutin is a freelance contributing columnist for the Star. He is based in Toronto. Reach him via email: salutinrick@gmail.com Read more about: SHARE: Its ironic that the fate of Justin Trudeaus Liberal government rests in the hands of organized labour. Labour was rarely central to the government. The Liberals dealt with it when they had to do so. In the lead-up to the revision of NAFTA, for instance, the government found it convenient to make use of UNIFOR, the union that represents most autoworkers. And it always treated union leaders with the greatest of respect. But it spent little time fretting about the unions that represented the federal governments own workforce. It was far more comfortable working around the edges, dealing with issues like pay equity or workplace diversity. The bread and butter of labour issues, such as wages, were left to take care of themselves. Now, with thousands these federal workers now on strike, it no longer has the luxury of ignoring labour relations. The governments political future now hinges on it. Unless the Liberal government handles this strike with care, it could end up with its stature among the general public much diminished. Thats because the strike takes aim at the Liberal governments greatest weakness, its general lack of competence. Whether it is long lineups for passports or lost luggage for air travellers, the federal government has scored badly among Canadians looking for competent government. It can come up with creative solutions when dealing with the big issues like child care for Indigenous people. But it falls behind when asked to do simple tasks like find lost luggage. This strike is all about the simple tasks. In effect, it is about the governments ability to get things done. If the Liberals held a majority of seats in the Commons, it could easily solve this problem. All it would have to do is pass a bill ordering striking employees back to work. Some Canadians might complain but I would bet that most would be in favour of a back to work law that put an end to the strike. The New Democrats might object. But if the Liberals held a majority, who would care? Alas for the Liberals, they do not command a majority in the Commons. They can only pass a back-to-work law if they win support for such a move from at the very least one of three opposition parties the Conservatives, the Bloc or the NDP. For various partisan reasons the Conservatives are unlikely to support any Liberal government bill. Ditto the Bloc. That leaves the NDP. The only problem here is that the NDP is even less likely to support back to work laws. Indeed, support for striking public sector workers is one of the few issues where the Liberals and NDP disagree. In any case, this strike has to be settled quickly if the Liberals are to survive politically. If back to work laws cant work, then something else will have to be found. Perhaps the Liberal government will make an offer so generous that the strikers will be enticed back to work. That might be a bit pricey. But it could succeed. SHARE: The David Suzuki Foundation has long opposed Highway 413 on environmental grounds. The expressway will pave hundreds of acres of Greenbelt and thousands of acres of farmland and imperil dozens of at-risk species. But heres another reason to oppose this monstrosity: it steals money from things Ontarians desperately need. How much will the province pay for Highway 413? No one knows precisely. But media stories suggest capital costs will be about $8 billion. We recently launched an advertising campaign on the TTC that poses a question. The ad says Highway 413 will cost $8 billion and asks, What else could that money buy? Our research indicates quite a lot. Take nursing. A submission from the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario to the provincial budget consultation says that for $1.15 billion we could hire 11,000 registered nurses and for $650 million we could hire 9,000 registered practical nurses for a year. In other words, for $1.8 billion we could hire 20,000 nurses and for the cost of Highway 413 we could keep those nurses working for more than four years right across the province. Or consider housing. Homelessness in Ontario is a mark of shame. But if we redirected dollars from Highway 413 we could be on our way to solving this crisis. We discovered that with $2 billion we could build 10,000 affordable housing units. In 2021, the City of Toronto estimated it had 7,347 homeless residents. Even if that number is now 10,000, we could house Torontos homeless population for one-quarter the cost of Highway 413. Theres more. In 2021, Ontarios Financial Accountability Office estimated that more than 16,000 Ontarians were homeless on a given night. Even if that number is now 20,000, we could build affordable housing for all these folks for about $4 billion or half the cost of Highway 413. Imagine that: for a fraction of what Queens Park will spend on an unnecessary highway we could take real strides toward eradicating homelessness provincewide. Alternatively, we could redirect this money to hospitals. The province is now constructing one in Brampton at a cost of about $700 million. For the cash its wasting on Highway 413 we could build 11 hospitals across Ontario comparable to the new Peel Memorial. Of course, if we cancel 413 we need another way to move the regions residents. That other way is public transit. A report by Environmental Defence and its partners suggests the province could expand current GO train service, build a new GO train to Bolton and provide bus rapid transit and light rail for just $6.9 billion. But heres the kicker: transit would move about three times as many commuters as the highway! Devastating to the planet, harmful to people, the 413 is indefensible. Lets liberate the billions of dollars it would waste and use them to reduce environmental degradation and human suffering. Gideon Forman is a transportation policy analyst at the David Suzuki Foundation. Read more about: SHARE: Premier Doug Ford flushed out his development ideas for Ontario Place this week with an announcement to move the Ontario Science Centre to the lakefront to make way for housing. While Ford may believe that adding the publicly-funded venue for everyday folks will balance out permitting Therme Groups $350-million private pamper pad on public land at Ontario Place, it doesnt. The 65,000-square-metre private spa and wellness centre is an oversized development ill-suited for the prime patch on the west island. It doesnt need to be there. Leasing this public space to a for-profit company is just another example of Fords short-term thinking. Like Buck a Beer or developing the Greenbelt. Its telling that of the 62 hectares of land at Ontario Place, 17 hectares will be open for public access under Fords proposal. If his government has the itch to relocate attractions, why not move the Therme spa and free up even more waterfront space. When Ontario Place opened in 1971 it was intended to reconnect an area cut off by the Gardiner Expressway to the rest of the city. It was built for the people. In 2012 the theme park was shuttered. Five year later, 73 hectares of parkland and nature trails reopened along with the renovated Cinesphere, home to an IMAX theatre. Since then it has been a quaint waterfront retreat for hikers, bird watchers, and cold-water swimmers. Its a quiet Zen space to be alone with your thoughts. Ford should try it. It should be expanded. Politicians and developers and others eager to realize profits from these projects may dismiss this notion as naive, mindless rantings of wellness-focused tree huggers who understand nothing about Ontarios place as our countrys economic engine or how global economics work. They are short-sighted. Fords latest iteration doesnt consider the bigger picture the current value that Ontario Place already has as urban parkland. With the projected population boom an anticipated 10 million people in the Greater Toronto Area by 2046 there are going to be a lot more people angling for a piece of Mother Nature. Existing public green spaces are already feeling the strain. Access to High Park is being debated at city hall because there is too much traffic people, bikes, cars. Long-time park visitors, especially seniors, are concerned their Sunday drive through the park will be cancelled. Scarborough Bluffs is so overrun on weekends, young families cant find parking nearby and often end up giving up and going home. Walk through Trinity Bellwoods Park on a warm evening and youll be hard-pressed to find a spot to lay down your blanket. Similar scenes are playing out on the other side of the Don Valley at Withrow Park, on the Toronto Islands and at smaller parks across the city. Even last-minute day trips are becoming a logistical headache as municipalities try to manage the influx of out-of-towners. The City of Hamilton has for years encouraged off-peak visits (come on weekdays please), to the more popular waterfall trails as its parking spaces overflow to the extent that visitors are bused to some trails and weekend reservations are required. Visitors to popular provincial parks, such as Sandbanks in Prince Edward County, are being encouraged to prebook their day visits ahead of time because of overcrowding. Those who dont risk being turned away. If access to natural settings is in short supply now, think what Torontonians can expect in five, 10 or 20 years as the GTA adds another 3.3 million residents. With doctors prescribing walks in nature and tree hugging a feature of wellness retreats, the remedy of natures healing glory risks being lost. Thats why the best elements of the redevelopment plan proposed by Ford this week were the ones that enhanced the public spaces at Ontario Place, such as trails, beaches and parks. The thinking that every natural space needs to be developed to have value is outdated and passe. Basking in nature is needed for the health of the region and its citizens. SHARE: Ministers sister-in-law steps down, April 19 It is sad to see that in 2023 we are still judging women by the men in their lives. Martine Richard deserves to be judged solely on her own personal work history, not by to whom she is related. She had no need to stand down. Heather McNie, Sydenham SHARE: Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus recent assertion that he has no involvement with the foundation that bears his familys name and is embroiled in controversy, elicited interesting letters from Star readers. One letter writer clearly agreed with the PMs position and took strong exception to the fact the Star ran Justin Trudeaus picture above an April 12 story about the storm swirling around the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation a scholarship charity created in the name of the PMs late father, our former prime minister. By no means do I think (Justin Trudeau) is infallible, however in this instance he is not the centre or the target of this story. His image as the lead to the article should be removed immediately, reader Marc told my office. The Star isnt doing that. Martin, another reader, also called for the removal of the photo and that the Star apologize, but for different reasons that I will get into shortly. National news coverage pertaining to the Trudeau Foundation, which funds the research of over 100 scholars per year, has been extensive in the Star and other media lately. A quick sum up: the stories have centred around a $140,000 donation to the non-profit, money that originated from a source with a potential connection to the Chinese government. Justin Trudeau has said as far as the foundation, which received a $125-million federal endowment when it launched in 2002, is concerned, for the past decade, I myself have not had any direct or indirect involvement with the foundation and the decisions that it makes. Chinese government interference The donation is germane these days given news reports of Chinese government interference in Canadian politics and elections. There are ongoing probes into how this interference has impacted our institutions and now the foundation. Meanwhile, directors on the board of the Trudeau foundation agreed unanimously to launch an investigation, but then they resigned en masse. They cited a politicized climate that has led to the crippling of the foundations ability to do its work. So, as news stories go, the foundation has many rather intriguing elements. Though our PM says hes not involved with the foundation, the story is very relevant for the reasons Ive outlined above, plus the obvious: the foundation bears his family name. Which gets us back to the letters I received. Marc, whom I referred to earlier, commented on the April 12 Star article headlined in part: Whats going on with the Trudeau Foundation? It was written by Alex Ballingall, a reporter in the Stars Ottawa bureau. A Canadian Press photo for the in-depth piece, shows Justin Trudeau speaking at the Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre, an assisted living home in Winnipeg. He was speaking during a Passover service there and Hebrew lettering is clearly visible behind him. As the story points out, Trudeau was asked by reporters while in Winnipeg about the foundation controversy, and he reiterated his no involvement comment. The photo is know as Fresh art The photo is what we describe in the business as fresh art an up-to-date news photograph taken in an area where the subject of a story, especially a politician, is speaking in this case Trudeau during his Winnipeg stop. So, the picture is fair game. But in demanding the Star take down the photo, Marc said that though he found the article thorough and a well-balanced he was greatly concerned with the selection of Justin Trudeau as the lead image for the story. Although quoted in the article, the Prime Minister is not currently associated with the organization featured in the article (the foundation) and this misrepresents his role, or lack thereof, in the controversy associated with the foundation. Although at first it seems minor, having reseen the article and image on Twitter, I know many people will only read the headline and see the picture of the prime minister and assume that he is at the centre of the controversy, Marc went on to say. Its fair to include the prime ministers photo because he was asked by reporters whether the charity should change its name or cut ties with the family. I pointed out that the donation causing the controversy was made while the prime minister was in power. The reader Martin went further, expressing concerns that we shouldnt have run a photo of the PM in a place with a Jewish backdrop for such a highly sensitive story, because the photo implied some news connection to the community. When I got to the end of the article I found that my fears were unfounded because there is nothing in the article that even remotely refers to Jews or the Jewish community. But I wonder how many of your readers actually read the article to the end, Martin said. I suspect that most did not, but understandably assumed that the report uncovered some nefarious activities involving Jewish people, Martin went on to say. This is unfortunate. As a member of a community that has been targeted, I could sympathize somewhat with Martins angst, especially in these troubling times, where bias and vitriol against visible groups seems to be at an all-time high. But in no way was the photo used to infer what Martin suggested. As public editor, I explained the fresh art concept to Martin and how the photo was reasonable, accurate and appropriate to use. Im hopeful my explanation helps readers better understand our news decisions, as we follow the compelling twists and turns of the Trudeau Foundation story and the broader issue of foreign interference. Read more about: SHARE: Tesco meal deals - Jamie Lorriman Most people will instinctively grab a sandwich or a pot of pasta when deciding on a supermarket meal deal for lunch. But Tesco has decided a pot of fruit now counts as a main course too. Britains biggest supermarket has begun including pineapple, kiwi and grapes as a main option in its lunch offer, which lets shoppers get a discount when they buy a main, snack and drink. Mains were traditionally only sandwiches, wraps and pastas, but the category has now been broadened out to include 230g to 300g fruit pots. Smaller portions are still being offered as a side, meaning customers could enjoy a lunch of two pots of pineapple and a drink. It comes against a backdrop of soaring bread prices. The cost of a loaf rose by a record-breaking 19.4pc in the 12 months to March, according to the Office for National Statistics. While the price of fruit has also been rising, the increase has been smaller. The price of Tesco's fruit pots has only risen by 3.6pc over the last year, according to comparison service Trolley.co.uk. But eating disorder campaigners have warned that Tesco's decision to offer fruit as a main could be damaging. Tom Quinn, director of external affairs at Beat Eating Disorders, said: We're concerned that advertising fruit as a main meal could encourage people who are unwell to limit their food intake, which could worsen harmful behaviours and thoughts. It could also contribute to an eating disorder developing if someone is already vulnerable. 1.25 million people in the UK have an eating disorder, and supermarkets have a responsibility to work with eating disorder experts to protect those living with these serious mental illnesses. This must include urgently removing any practices that would cause harm. Supermarkets recently came under scrutiny after a study revealed their highly calorific content. Researchers at the University of Birmingham found that many meal deals contained well over the 600 calories recommended for lunch. Story continues One out of five meal deal combinations at the major supermarkets exceeded the limit. The most calorific combination was found to contain 1,329 calories, which was more than in a McDonald's Big Mac and Fries. Triple sandwiches such as Tescos Chicken Triple or its Sausage, Bacon & Egg were the most calorific mains, while crisps and chocolate bars were deemed the worst snacks. Researchers urged the Government to make retailers introduce healthier combinations into meal deals. A Tesco spokesman said: Our great-value meal deal is just 3.40 for Clubcard members and with more than 10 million delicious combinations available across our stores, there is something for any time of the day. Our large pineapple portion makes a brilliant breakfast main and we also have small pineapple portions as sides. Tesco gave its meal deal a major shake up in February, introducing a swathe of new products in a move it said was designed to offer more choice. As part of the changes meal deals were made cheaper for Clubcard holders, at 3.40. Those who have not signed up to the loyalty scheme have to pay 3.90. The supermarket also introduced a new tier of premium meal deals which include a more upmarket main, such as a sandwich from Tescos finest range or offerings from brands such as Yo! Sushi and Pollen & Grace. Tesco is not the only supermarket to offer fruit as a main course. Boots' meal deal offers a range of fruit pots from brand Del Monte as mains as well as smaller pots for sides. Would you choose a pot of fruit as the main course of your meal? Join the conversation in the comments section below Warning: The following story includes a description of sexual violence. If he talks like an incel, acts like an incel, is he an incel? David Choe, the American graffiti artist and actor of the much-acclaimed role as cousin Isaac in the new Netflix show Beef, is a bit of a in his own words douche. He also says hes a liar. But if it turns out that he didnt lie in a 2014 podcast when he graphically described raping a Black woman, then hes also something much worse. While his comments were first reported by online magazine XOJane in 2014 and have been challenged since then, they were on the backburner until journalist Aura Bogado reminded the world about them on this month in response to a laudatory tweet from Netflix about Choe and the show. The original video footage of his podcast has been scrubbed online, and David Choe has been accused of using his clout to get digital platforms to pull it down, citing copyright violation. He did not respond to the Star or to other media requests for comment, though he previously denied the rape actually took place. In a video clip that Bogado uploaded to TikTok and then shared on Twitter, Choe tells co-host Asa Akira about going to a massage parlour, asking a masseuse he calls Rose to touch his penis, to hold it, to spit on it, and pushing the womans head down, forcing her to provide oral sex. Shes definitely not into it, but shes not stopping it either, he says. When his co-host Asa Akira lightly puts to him that he raped the woman, the clip arbitrarily cuts off. The XOJane report has him denying the rape accusation on the same podcast and saying, She said yes with her eyes. Could that sentence sound more chilling? In another clip of the same conversation, Choe calls himself a successful rapist. ... The thrill of possibly going to jail, thats what achieved the erection quest, he says. When he faced backlash for this episode in 2014, he dismissively said the story was fictional, that it was art that sometimes offends people. If I am guilty of anything, its bad storytelling in the style of douche. He ended his online post with the words: In a world full of horrible people, thank god for us. Three years later, Choe was commissioned by Goldman Sachs to paint a large mural in Manhattan, Vice News reported. An anti-rape protest was held there, and his mural was defaced. This time, he ponied up a more sympathetic response. He said he had struggled with an unnatural amount of self-hatred. He apologized and said: I was a sick person at the height of my mental illness. I relayed a story simply for shock value. There is no evidence that the rape he described took place. His creepy fetishization of the woman itself part of a long history of racism against Black women could well have been one sick rape fantasy. Misogyny like that doesnt come from a vacuum. It may well be a byproduct of the internalized self-hatred the Korean-American Choe mentions, which could be a consequence of anti-Asian racism. This form of racism particularly emasculates East Asian men, falsely typecasting them as effeminate. That deficient gaze cast by toxic masculinity has hurt East Asian communities in horrible ways. Journalist Phoenix Tso pointed out in 2014 that every second of Choes podcast is about proving that hes not quiet or unattractive. In 2014, Elliot Rodger, now considered a patron saint of incels, who was partly white and partly Asian, went on a killing spree murdering six people and injuring 14 in Santa Barbara. His supposed manifesto is littered with self-loathing. Full Asian men are disgustingly ugly and white girls would never go for you, he wrote. It also led to the rise of what are colloquially called MRAsians Mens Rights Asians or an extreme anti-feminist Asian American mens rights subculture. Like all incels, or involuntary celibates who come from all cultures, these men blame women for their poor self-worth. Facing racism does not absolve one of hateful rhetoric or actions but explains the context for them. It is in fact Asian-American women in the massage business who bear the brunt of the kind of sexual violence that Choe makes light of. The Atlanta shootings of 2021 was an extreme manifestation of it, involving a man who killed eight people in three massage parlours. Six of the victims were Asian-American. At the root of all incel ideology is the idea that women owe men sex, according to the Southern Poverty Law Centre. That women exist purely for their reproductive and sexual capabilities; that men should dominate women. Perhaps Choe was getting out of that incel mentality. In his 2017 mea culpa, he said he had spent the previous three years in mental health facilities healing myself and dedicating my life to helping and healing others through love and action. What action was that? How did he make amends or express his remorse? The #MeToo movement took off soon after his three years of healing, giving him ample opportunity to publicly self-correct for his public transgressions. How was he accountable? Did he donate money to support victims of sexual abuse? Choe made his first million gambling in Las Vegas. He told the New York Times he struggled with out of control gambling, sex addiction and rage. He was jailed once for punching a security guard at an art show. Im a recovering liar, he said. In 2005, he was invited to draw murals in Facebooks first offices in Palo Alto in 2005. Then Facebook president Sean Parker offered him a choice of being paid thousands of dollars or stock worth the same. He chose the latter. In 2012, when Facebook when public, he cashed in $200 million U.S. Perhaps he made amends privately. Perhaps Netflix producers including Steven Yeun and Ali Wong who are both co-stars and friends had an accountability discussion with him? We dont know. Both Netflix and the producers are mum. As Hannah Bae wrote in a San Francisco Chronicle review: Beef is a series replete with Asian-American talent, on camera and off, and surely there are dozens of other suitable edgy actors who dont think rape is an entertaining, joking matter. The success of Beef as a dark comedy should have been a celebratory moment for representation. It follows shows and films such as Crazy Rich Asians, Kims Convenience, Marvel superhero Shang-Chi and the recent Oscar sweep by Everything Everywhere All at Once that have indicated diasporic Asians were proceeding in defiance of more than a century of stereotyping. Choes actions, his subsequent attempts to silence critics, and the silence of his enablers have turned a moment of much-deserved joy into horror, humiliation and hurt. That is heartbreaking. Shree Paradkar is a Toronto-based columnist covering issues around social and racial justice for the Star. Follow her on Twitter: @ShreeParadkar SHARE: OTTAWA - The association representing Canadas chiefs of police is calling for the extension of a federal guns and gangs strategy and urgent reforms to the countrys bail system after a meeting with provincial and territorial premiers Friday. Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson, who chairs the Council of the Federation, said a key focus of the meeting was on reforms to protect communities by keeping repeat violent offenders off of the streets. Justice Minister David Lametti committed to move forward quickly on targeted reforms to the Criminal Code that would update Canadas bail system after meeting with his counterparts from the provinces and territories last month. That request followed premiers previous calls for Ottawa to create reverse onus measures for certain offences that would require a person seeking bail to prove why they should not stay behind bars. Stefanson said on Friday that federal action is needed now more than ever. Reforms should not be delayed further for public protection and safer communities and to support the work and dedication of all of our law enforcement officers that seek to protect Canadians right across our country, she said. Lametti is not committing to a specific timeline for introducing reforms to Canadas bail system, but has expressed hope that he can do so before the end of the spring session, which is scheduled to wrap up in late June. The minister is moving forward expeditiously on targeted reforms to the Criminal Code on the law of bail, press secretary Diana Ebadi said in a statement. The reforms will address the challenges posed by repeat violent offenders, as well as offences committed involving the use of firearms and other dangerous weapons. Premiers also reupped their calls for the federal government to renew and enhance its Guns and Gang Violence Action Fund, which supports provincial and territorial public-safety initiatives. That fund allocated $358.8 million over five years beginning in 2018 to help federal, provincial and territorial governments tackle an increase in gun violence and gang activity. Stefanson said the federal government has agreed to extend the funding. But she said the province has not seen any evidence that Ottawa is following through on that promise, and called on the federal government to provide a formal commitment to continue the funding. All of our premiers agree on that front that now is the time to continue that fund, said Stefanson. Were calling on the federal government to ensure that they do that. Audrey Champoux, press secretary for Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino, said his office is looking forward to having more to say soon about the Guns and Gang Violence Action Fund. We recognize the real risk that police officers face each day, she said in a statement. Thats why we agree with premiers that additional action is needed to support police (as they) continue their important work in fighting, and preventing, crime. In a statement, the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police thanked the premiers for discussing the safety of front-line police officers and said a more consistent approach is required in all regions of Canada. British Columbia Premier David Eby said the meeting with the police chiefs underlined the importance of taking action against crime and violence. Police and prosecutors in B.C. are doing their part within existing laws to keep people safe, his statement said. The federal government must act on its promise to amend federal bail laws to address this national risk to public safety showing up in every province and territory. The virtual, urgent meeting with police chiefs was called after a recent string of high-profile attacks in cities across the country. Earlier this month, a 17-year-old boy was stabbed and killed while riding a bus in Surrey, B.C. And an ongoing string of mostly random, violent attacks on Torontos public transit has prompted police to increase patrols. Eight on-duty police officers have been killed in the past seven months. Premiers calls for bail reform ramped up early this year after Const. Greg Pierzchala of the Ontario Provincial Police was killed while on duty in late December. Court documents show that one of the two people facing a first-degree murder charge in his death was initially denied bail in a separate case involving assault and weapons, but was later released. Documents show a warrant had been issued for Randall McKenzies arrest after he didnt show up for a court date in August. This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 21, 2023. Read more about: SHARE: Its all over but the spinning. At the eleventh hour, after the jury was sworn in and the lawyers were ready to make their opening statements, the judge presiding over Dominion Voting Systems v. Fox News announced on 18 April that the parties have resolved the case. Little is known about the reported US$787.5 million settlement, one of the largest known defamation awards in the countrys history. Fox issued a vaguely worded statement confirming the merits of Dominions defamation claims We acknowledge the Courts rulings finding certain claims about Dominion to be false but was not required to make on-air apologies or corrections. With that, the lawsuit that captured public attention for two years ended. Dominions claims that Fox and its on-air pundits had damaged the voting equipment companys reputation by falsely questioning the integrity of its operations during the 2020 elections were the same essential claims that any libel plaintiff must make for a case to proceed to trial. The issue is not truth, alone, but whether false statements harmed the plaintiffs reputation, and whether the news organization was at fault for publishing those statements. Presiding Judge Eric Davis had already ruled that the many accusations Fox hosts and guests hurled at Dominion after the 2020 election most notably that it switched votes from former President Donald Trump to challenger Joe Biden were false as a matter of law. It was CRYSTAL clear, he wrote. All that remained for a jury to decide was whether the statements were made with actual malice. Actual malice is the legal standard established by the Supreme Court in 1964 in New York Times v. Sullivan that applies to public officials and public figures. In most cases, corporations like Dominion that offer goods or services for sale are also considered public figures, as the Supreme Court held in 1984 in Bose Corp. v. Consumers Union. In these cases, corporations must prove that the statements about their businesses were published with knowledge that they are false, or with reckless disregard for whether they were true or not. The high courts rationale in New York Times v. Sullivan, which involved a police commissioner in Alabama who was unhappy with media coverage of the Civil Rights Movement, was that powerful individuals should not be able to file frivolous suits aimed at silencing the press in order to vindicate their reputations. As a scholar of media ethics and law, I have followed Dominions defamation suit against Fox News closely, because it presented a direct threat to the Sullivan standard, which for nearly 60 years has protected journalists and authors from lawsuits brought by U.S. politicians, sheriffs, international arms dealers, political operatives and many others who would seek to punish and curtail robust reporting about them and their activities. Dominion had a tremendous advantage on the eve of trial. Pretrial discovery revealed a trail of texts and email messages that documented the doubts of executives, editors and pundits at Fox about the veracity of the claims of a conspiracy to steal the 2020 elections, of which Dominion was supposedly an integral part. They showed that, although Fox fact-checkers operating in the networks own brain room had debunked many of these claims as early as Nov. 20, 2020, Fox hosts continued to invite guests like Trump attorneys Sidney Powell and Rudy Giuliani, who clung to their theory of a vast conspiracy to steal the presidency from Trump. And it appeared that the motivation for these decisions was to try to hold on to viewers who, once they heard Fox call the state of Arizona for Biden, temporarily decamped to other conservative news outlets like OANN and Newsmax that reinforced their preferred narrative rather than challenge it. So things didnt look good for Fox, and that was before the parade of high-profile witnesses, ranging from Fox Corp. Chairman Rupert Murdoch to hosts like Maria Bartiromo, Tucker Carlson and Sean Hannity, were expected to be required to take the witness stand and submit to crossexamination. Dominions lawyers, no doubt, were about to evoke the legendary Watergate hearings question What did [the president] know and when did he know it? And Foxs institutional integrity would be on the line, as well as that of its pundits. After the settlement was made public, Dominion claimed vindication of its reputation, declaring that truth matters, and that for our democracy to endure another 250 years we must share a commitment to facts. Fox, for its part, grudgingly conceded that it had to acknowledge the Courts rulings finding certain claims about Dominion to be false, but added that the settlement was really a victory of sorts, because it reflects Foxs continued commitment to the highest journalistic standards. I can hear the gales of cynical laughter from many who think Fox has no journalistic standards whatsoever. Those critics must be dismayed that Fox and its employees will not be raked over the coals and otherwise humiliated in the court of public opinion, as well as in the courtroom. But those who are disappointed may have been seeking more from this case than a libel suit can deliver. For many, it had become a surrogate for their unhappiness or even incandescent rage directed toward Fox for its editorial positions. It was a referendum not only on Foxs coverage of Dominion, but also on its long-established pattern of favouring one political viewpoint over all others, even at the expense of telling the truth. In other words, it was about disinformation and the people who are persuaded by it. Many people would like to ban disinformation. But who decides what is disinformation? Under U.S. law, we dont ask government tribunals to decide the truth. I have written about how experiences in other countries show that it is dangerous to ask courts, or any instrumentality of government, to do so. If that sounds improbable, recall that it wasnt that long ago that Donald Trump, while still a candidate, was calling news media like CNN and the New York Times fake news. He wanted to open up the libel laws and threatened to shut these outlets down. If the government decides which media sources are real or fake, a free press and freedom of expression as we have known it will cease to exist. As the late Supreme Court Justice Robert Jackson wrote in West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette in 1943, If there is any fixed star in our constitutional constellation, it is that no official, high or petty, can prescribe what shall be orthodox in matters of politics, nationalism, religion, or other matters of opinion. That means that the law tolerates errors in journalism which are inevitable as part of the search for truth. I hold no brief for Fox. But had the Dominion case gone to the jury, the inevitable appeal by whomever lost would give the Supreme Court the chance to reconsider and possibly eliminate the New York Times v. Sullivan standard that protects all news media of all political stripes. At least two justices, Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch, have indicated they are eager to do just that, even though it has been the constitutional standard for nearly 60 years. Given this courts willingness to overturn precedent, as it did with abortion rights, there is no guarantee that another three justices might not join them. In the end, this lawsuit was about two questions: Did Fox knowingly publish false statements about Dominion that harmed the companys reputation, and did it do so knowing, or having reason to know, that they were false? It has already vindicated Dominion and exposed Foxs questionable practices to the public. Anything more will have to wait for another day, which may come sooner than we think. Smartmatic, which builds electronic voting systems, has a pending libel suit against Fox and is poised to continue the battle. (The writer is Professor of Media Ethics and Law, University of Minnesota. This article was published on www.theconversation.com) While Washington, Moscow and Kyiv seem to be reconciled to the prospect of a prolonged war in Europe, with each seeking to achieve its own objectives, there are increasing signs that many around the world are less than sanguine about the course of events and have begun reacting to them on the basis of their own interests. Already, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary and Bulgaria have banned the import of grain and other food products from Ukraine, saying they need to protect their farmers who are being hit by the low prices offered by the Ukrainians. Romania is also said to be considering such a step. While Kyiv and the European Union are unhappy with the bans, there is only so much they can protest about because ultimately each nation must place the welfare of its own citizens above those of even a friendly, or oppressed, neighbour. The problem for Kyiv might be that after the initial high-pitched support in Western capitals for its defence against a Russian invasion, many may be coming round to the view that the country is showing signs of inflexibility in its approach to conflict resolution. The manner in which Ukraine criticised a suggestion for mediation by Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula de Silva ~ which was that a group of neutral nations come together to broker peace ~ by alleging he was giving equal weight to the victim and aggressor suggested Kyivs rigidity. Nations around the world have been impacted in different ways by the war, and for them an end to hostilities is of greater importance than apportioning blame. They are thus entitled to voice their views, and to promote peace prescriptions that might not necessarily please Washington, Moscow, Brussels or Kyiv. In any event, no mediation can ever have a perfect outcome because neither side will ever be happy about the concessions it may have to make. Nations are also entitled to expressing their views on why the war has gone on for as long as it has. The Brazilian President had earlier said that the United States was prolonging the war by continuing to supply weapons to Ukraine and was criticised for this by both Washington and Kyiv. But this was not an argument without merit, for just as Russia was wrong to have attacked Ukraine, the West and the US are not blameless in engineering the eastward expansion of Nato, or in egging Ukraine on. Brazil, like India and other countries, has followed an approach of neutrality towards the conflict in Ukraine; this does not make it automatically sympathetic to Moscow. Its President had suggested the formation of what he called a peace club to bring the warring sides to the table. This is a laudable objective. The world is not made up of just the United States and its allies. Washington, Moscow and Kyiv must learn to listen to them. Erode Venkatappa Ramasamy Naicker (1879-1973), popularly and reverentially known as Periyar (the elder or respected one) or Thanthai (patriarch) was the architect of the Self Respect Movement and the founder of the Dravidian Movement and the Dravidar Kazhagam. His thought, along with Phule and Ambedkar, according to Omvedt represents the effort to construct an alternative identity of the people, based on non-north Indian and low caste perspectives, critical not of the oppressive of the dominant Hindu caste society but also of its claims to antiquity and to being the major Indian tradition. 17th September, his birthday is celebrated in Tamil Nadu as Social Justice Day. Periyar joined national politics in 1919 as a member of the Indian National Congress, inspired by Rajaji, with whom he shared a close friendship that was lifelong. He was an enthusiastic supporter of Gandhi from the very inception of the Non-Cooperation Movement as he was aware of the narrow social base of the Congress and the dominance of lawyers within it before Gandhi took charge. The pre-Gandhi Congress also had little contact with the common people and was oblivious of their needs and aspirations. Writing in Kudi Arasu on 31 May 1925, Periyar described the early Congressmen as having preyed on the blood of the land and its peoples. But the advent of Gandhi was significantly transformative as his political and social activities were such that everyone could participate and his principles could be understood by all. The atavistic orientation of Gandhian principles like khadi, prohibition and abolition of untouchability were refreshingly new and novel. Periyar wholeheartedly supported Gandhis Constructive Programmes of social regeneration as these represented a fundamental shift in the priorities of the Congress on the one hand and indicated the limits of habitual and agitational political activity. He considered Khadi as an instrument to enhance the overall moral standard of all and the removal of untouchability as the cornerstone of our Mahatmas programme. He was unhappy at the behaviour of the Swarajists for whom the Congress membership was one of convenience rather than conviction. Being opportunistic and lustful of power, they provided token support to ameliorating major social contradictions within Indian society. He claimed that the term Swarajist was incongruous and an understatement. He dismissed Srinivasa Iyengars criticisms of Gandhi because of his advocacy that lawyers give up their lucrative practice and opposed the Non-Cooperation Movement, even pleading that it should be declared illegal. Finding a wide gap between theory and practice he found lack of clarity even in Rajajis attitude, though he did not doubt his sincerity. To tackle the problem of structured inequality, Periyar proposed proportionate (communal) representation as a practical solution but it was strongly opposed by the Brahmin Congressmen. He contended that if this basic demand was not met then the only way to end caste stigma would be to convert to either Christianity or Islam, a position like that of Ambedkar who himself became a Buddhist. He challenged the notion of Brahmin superiority as it was dismissive of the rest with no rights making their existence worse than animals. This menace could be fought by joint action of the non-Brahmins and the untouchables which was subsequently enlarged to include Christians, Muslims, Anglo-Indians, and other non-Hindus. Periyar was also conscious of the fact that though all non-Brahmins needed communal representation, the untouchables needed the most. Implicit in his understanding was the fact that caste played a crucial role in Indian society and was on par with class as the converted suffered as much as low-caste Hindus. This proposition emphasized the cardinal importance of a politics of presence. If there were a sizable number of elected representatives and a larger number in government jobs, the untouchables would be able to demonstrate their strength and get rid of their present agony. Periyar provided three reasons for his parting with the Congress in 1927: (1) the Vaikom Satyagraha (b) the Cheranmahadevi Gurukulam happenings and (c) the debacle at Kanchipuram. The personal experience of these three convinced him that the Congress, contrary to its formal adherence to represent all Indians, was essentially dominated by the Brahmins whose sole purpose was to protect and further the interest of their own community. But the final parting had yet to come. To the question as to why he delayed the severance of his links even after such a realisation, Periyar gave his reasons, (1) his continued faith in Gandhi, and (2) the belief in the NonCooperation Movement as a composite one catering to the needs and uplift of all communities. He remained convinced that Constructive Programmes would resolve the deteriorating social relationship between the Brahmins and non-Brahmins. His advice to the people was to work for Constructive Programmes without joining the Congress. Destruction of Brahminism was at the heart of the self-respect movement and anticaste programmes. The cue for this came from Gandhi linking self-respect with swaraj which for Periyar meant abolition of untouchability. To eradicate the practice of untouchability meant doing away with practices such as prohibition of temple entry and worship. Periyar compared these inhuman practices with the policy of apartheid in South Africa. Gandhi vehemently opposed apartheid but was not severe about prohibition of temple entry and worship. Swaraj was only possible with the attainment of social equality, dignity, and self-respect. It was in this context that he amended Tilaks slogan of Swaraj is my birth right to self-respect is mans birthright. For Periyar, according to Geetha and Rajadurai, self-respect is mans birth right and must precede swaraj or selfgovernment. Swaraj is possible only where there is already a measure of self-respect. Some important events hastened his departure from the Congress. These were (1) his fears of Constructive Programmes being placed on the backburner in view of the Swarajists decision to contest the general elections of 1927 which became clear at the Kanpur Congress of December 1926; (2) his anticipation of an increase in Brahmin dominance within the Madras Congress due to the impressive Swarajist victory in 1926 provincial councils as that meant greater control of the Madras Council which did not happen as the central leadership decided not to form the ministry; (3) the election of S. Srinivasa Iyengar as the Congress president in 1926 was a turning point as he was essentially conservative and was not an enthusiastic supporter of social reform and (4) his dismay at Gandhis disengagement from politics. His biggest disappointment with Gandhi came when the latter publicly declared his belief in varnashrama dharma in July 1927 at Mysore. Periyar linked the persistence of untouchability to the continuation of varnashrama dharma itself. He found a congruence between the view held by Brahmins in general and Gandhis and the latters silence on caste privileges strengthened his antiGandhi position. Both Gandhi and the Brahmins accepted the framework of the four varnas along with their functions. Periyar found Gandhis position untenable as the varna system, like the European guild system, ordained peoples destiny within a rigidly established group, confining each category to remain content and duty bound to perform the assigned function, one that passed on from one generation to another. He found Gandhis logic faulty. Though he asserted that all the varnas were equal, he did not answer the pivotal question of wide differences in functional categories. He was also silent on another important question that if anyone wanted to come out of this suffocating stratification, what were the opportunities and escape routes that were available? Periyar added that he and S. Ramanathan spoke to Gandhi and asked for his leadership to end the Brahmin hegemony within the Congress but Gandhi declined. This deliberation convinced them that Gandhi believed in varnashrama dharma and wanted its perpetuation. He felt the need to provide a strong rebuttal of political Brahminism that Gandhi allowed to perpetrate. Declaring his commitment to the ideals of freedom and selfrespect, Periyar refused to meet Gandhi again. Even earlier at the Vaikkom Satyagraha, where Gandhi took a mild approach, Periyar had strong reservations. But his anger was more towards the local leaders of the Congress. His radicalism was at the opposite pole of Congress cautious and deliberate policy to conceal rather than find a solution to major social contradictions in Indian society. At times, it was mere symbolism. (The writers are, respectively, a retired Professor of Political Science, University of Delhi and Professor of Political Science, Jesus and Mary College, Delhi) The logo of commodities trader Glencore is pictured in front of the company's headquarters in Baar LONDON (Reuters) -Glencore on Friday reported lower copper, zinc and nickel production in the first quarter but said it expects its trading division to exceed the top end of annual guidance. The miner and trader, which is pursuing a takeover bid for Canada's Teck Resources, left overall 2023 guidance for copper unchanged at 1.04 million tonnes, even as production fell by 5% to 244,100 tonnes in the first quarter, owing to lower grades and delays at some of its mines. Unlike its rivals, Glencore mines thermal coal - used to generate electricity - and has a trading division that includes oil, LNG and related products in addition to metals operations that registered record profit of $6.4 billion in 2022, up 73% from the previous year. It now expects full-year marketing earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) to exceed the top end of its annual range between $2.2 billion and $3.2 billion in 2023. Glencore last month made a $22.5 billion offer for Teck, which was rejected by the Vancouver-based miner's board as exposing its shareholders to thermal coal and energy trading. The bid included a proposed spinning out of thermal and steelmaking coal operations, rebranding the remaining company as GlenTeck. The all-share offer came as Teck's own plan to spin off its metallurgical coal business and focus on copper and zinc nears an April 26 vote. Glencore brought forward its quarterly production results by nearly a week, as it searches for support from Teck shareholders for its bid. Some, including Sumitomo and Norway's sovereign wealth fund, have said they are backing Teck's restructuring. Glencore's share price was down 1.8% at 0754 GMT, in line with its peers. "Directional risk for the share price in the days and weeks ahead will be dictated by communication on its unsolicited merger approach for Teck," JP Morgan analysts said. "We see significant value unlock potential from the proposed merger," they added. (Reporting by Clara Denina and Muhammed Husain; Editing by Christian Schmollinger, Sonia Cheema and David Goodman) Trinamul Congress is going to launch a two month-long programme, Trinamule Naba Joar (new wave in Trinamul) from 25 April, said national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, this afternoon. Addressing a press conference at Trinamul Bhavan he said the programme would be launched from Dinhata in Cooch Behar and end in Kakdwip in south 24-Parganas. During the two months, Mr Banerjee will visit all the gram panchayats. This is for the first time that such an effort has been taken by the ruling Trinamul Congress. The programme is divided into two parts. They are, Janasanjog Jatra (mass communication rally) and Gram Banglar Matamat (opinion of rural people). This is for the first time in the electoral history of India when the electorate will select the candidates, through secret ballot, for the ensuing threetier panchayat elections. The party has nominated names of the candidates. But we want to know the opinion of the voters. They will select the gram panchayat, panchayat samiti and zilla parishad members. If the panchayats work seriously, then only real development is possible. This will help us to select candidates, who are sincere and will finally lead to eliminate corruption or vested interest of the panchayat members. Janasangjog Jatra meetings will be held with the party leaders and workers during the day. The district presidents of the party, zilla parishad members, both presidents and important people in the area would join in the evening in the camps set up by the party along with local people. The expected average attendance will be around 3,000 to 4,000 people. They will cast their votes secretly to select the candidates. There will be a website TNJ Official and by downloading the forms, local people will be able to cast their votes. In the 60-day programme, 60 sessions will be held. The number of public meetings will be 250 plus. The party expects to get in touch with 30 lakh people. The distance travelled in 60 days will be 3,500 km. Around 3 lakh party workers will be involved in the programme. Trinamul Congress will connect with one crore people daily, digitally. Contacts will be established with around 15,000 plus people of social eminence locally, Mr Banerjee said. Mr Banerjee made it clear that this programme has no relation with the announcement of the date of panchayat elections. This has nothing to do with the announcement of dates. If the dates are announced the programme will be suspended. He reiterated that the ensuing panchayat election will be free and fair and This can only be achieved if selection of the candidates is transparent. If people select their candidates, there will be no muscle flexing or trouble, he said, adding, If this experiment is successful, all the states will replicate it in future, he said. Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday dared chief minister Mamata Banerjee to file a legal suit against him for claiming that she had sought Union home minister Amit Shahs intervention for restoration of national party status to Trinamul Congress. Once a legal suit is filed against him, he will be able to appeal to the court to make Telecom Authority of India (TRAI) a party in the suit so that the call details of the two landlines at the chief ministers office from March 4, 2023 to April 12, 2023 can be revealed, he said. I have already received a legal notice from Trinamul Congress on this count. I want them or rather challenge the chief minister to file a legal suit against me. In that case, I will be able to contest that and appeal to the court to make TRAI a party in the matter so that the call details of her official landline numbers are revealed. There is a restriction for any individual to get such details and hence right now I am not able to get the same through RTI and circulate among media persons. So, I challenge them to file a legal suit against me, the Leader of Opposition told media persons this afternoon. On 18 April, while addressing a public rally at Singur in Hooghly, Adhikari claimed that immediately after the Election of Commission of India (ECI) withdrew the national party status of Trinamul Congress, Mamata Banerjee rang up Amit Shah with a plea to retain Trinamuls national party status until the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. She had appealed to Amit Shah to retain Trinamuls national party status till the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. However, the home minister clearly told her that the commissions decision cannot be reversed by him since ECI is an autonomous body, Adhikari said on 18 April. On Wednesday, Mamata Banerjee told media persons she is even ready to resign as the chief minister if the claims of her calling the Union home minister, is proved. I heard that on Tuesday one upstart individual claimed at a public meeting that I had called up their supreme leader Amit Shah four times after the Election Commission withdrew Trinamul Congresss national party status. If they can prove this I will resign as the chief minister. But if they cannot prove these allegations, will they rub their noses on the ground? she had said on Wednesday. Delhi Education Minister Atishi inaugurated the 67th annual art exhibition hosted by the city governments College of Art and interacted with aspiring artists who displayed their artworks on the occasion. Atishi exhorted the art students to use their artistic skills in a positive manner and contribute towards a better society. This exhibition attracted art lovers and academic professionals from all over the country who were treated with a diverse range of artworks in different mediums. Following the event, the minister conferred awards on the artists and students of the College of Arts. During the event, Atishi said, Art serves as a unique medium to express ones ideas to a wider audience, and artists have a responsibility to use their talent and creativity to contribute positively to society. They must consider the messages they are conveying through their art and ensure that they are accurate, respectful, and have the potential to inspire positive change. She added that the artworks showcased in the exhibition are thought-provoking and show that the budding artists there are deeply concerned about their surroundings and have a great sense of responsibility while depicting their ideas through art. Atishi further said, Under the leadership of CM Arvind Kejriwal, the government is focusing on developing all forms of education, and art is one of them. We will ensure all world-class facilities to students so that they can develop their talent to build a better nation. The exhibits at the College of Arts were executed using innovative technologies and inspired designs and encompassed creative works of advertisements, animation, posters, photography, display designs, packaging designs, illustrations, and more. The paintings, sculptures, and installations on display at the exhibition reflected contemporary and modern thoughts and digital innovative art, the creativity of the artists, designers, visualizers, and sculptors. The special displays were done by all the students of six specializations at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels and the Foundation Section. Numerous works of art defined the inherent knowledge of not only the academic skills but also the creativity of the students. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the College of Art managed to organise this exhibition and bring together a diverse range of art forms that inspire and captivate visitors. The burst of activity and serenity of artworks make this art exposition a must-visit for all. The College of Art is a premier institute for art education in India. The institution offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses in various art disciplines. The College of Art has produced some of the most renowned artists and designers in the country. In a suspected case of mass suicide in Madhya Pradesh, four members of a family jumped before of a moving train in Tikamgarh district on Friday. The married couple and their daughter died on spot, while their son managed to escape at the last moment. As per the police, the deceased have been identified as Laxman Namdev (50), a farmer by profession, his wife Rajni Namdev (45) and their daughter Vini Namdev. The reason for the family to take the extreme step is yet to be ascertained. The bodies were found lying across the railway track near Kharagpur in Tikamgarh district by some passersby who informed the police. According to his Aadhaar card found near his body, Laxman Namdev was a resident of Matol village in Tikamgarh district. According to the police, Laxmans son was accused of theft in the neighbourhood three days prior to the incident. A complaint was also filed against the boy who was questioned by the police. After the incident, the boy alleged that they took the extreme step following a threat by the local police to arrest the entire family in the case. We are trying to ascertain the exact reason behind the mass suicide, a senior police officer said. Meanwhile, the opposition Congress has demanded a judicial inquiry into the incident and action against those responsible for the family to take such an extreme step. The shocking incident took place three days after a 55-year-old man killed himself due to financial distress in Satna district. The deceased persons bed-ridden daughter has alleged that his father was unable to bear the expenses for her treatment after she damaged her spinal cord in an accident few years back. She also alleged that his father was running from pillar to post to get an Ayushman card, but failed because of corrupt officials in Satna district, which ultimately forced him to commit suicide. CMD, NHPC, RK Vishnoi met Nepals Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, aka Prachanda, in Kathmandu yesterday and apprised the latter of initiatives being taken by the NHPC in Nepal. During the meeting, Mr Vishnoi offered NHPC expertise to the neighbouring country for harnessing the untapped hydropower potential and requested for greater opportunities in Nepal. During his visit to Nepal, the CMD also met the Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Shakti Bahadur Basnet, Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat, Foreign Minister Narayan Prakash Saud, Chief Secretary Shanker Das Bairagi, Energy Secretary Dinesh Ghimire and CEO of IBN, Sushil Bhatta, the NHPC said in a statement today. The focus of discussions was on the overall hydropower development in Nepal and the key role NHPC can play in this regard. The dignitaries appreciated NHPCs initiatives and its commitment towards development of hydropower in Nepal, the release said. YK Chaubey, Director (Technical), Rajat Gupta, Executive Director (SBD&C) and other senior officers of the NHPC accompanied Mr Vishnoi during the discussions. The CMD also addressed the plenary session of the Power Summit 23, organized by the Independent Power Producers Association, Nepal (IPPAN), yesterday. The session was attended by Minister for Energy, Water Resources & Irrigation, Energy Secretary, Govt of Nepal, and other delegates. In his key note address CMD, NHPC, deliberated on the critical role of hydropower in the overall economic development. He further emphasised on the need to develop the hydropower projects to meet the energy demand, the release said. The special investigation team (SIT) formed on the killing of Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf and the Judicial commission are brainstorming on a lie detector test or polygraph test of the three shooters. The trio had shot dead mafia don Atiq and his brother in a daring shootout at Colvin hospital in the Sangam City on Saturday last. The shooters, Sunny Singh, Lavesh Tiwari and Arun Maurya have yet to reveal anything significant to the investigators though their four-day remand is going to end tomorrow evening. Sources said after two days of remand, the police did not believe the story of the shooters. Now, the investigating agencies are considering approaching the court with a plea for lie detector test or polograph test of the accused. However, for both these tests, the police will need the permission of the shooters. Sources said there are contradictions in the statements of the shooters as they are not able to tell the real reason or intention for the killing. However, the trio has made many shocking revelations during their custody about the weapons used in the assassination, which, they said, were procured by them from Delhis infamous Jitendra Gogi gang. However, it is also being asked as to how much truth is there in the disclosure, it will be clear only after a detailed inquiry. Sources said during the custody remand, shooter Sunny Singh has informed that he had gone to Delhi two years ago to meet an operative of the Gogi gang who introduced him to the kingpin Jitendra Gogi. At the behest of Jitendra, Sunny had also done minor crimes and got in touch with the rest of the Jitendra gang members. Sources say that he also carried out criminal incidents at the behest of Gogi gang members. The Gogi gang had given him Jigana and Girsan pistols. However, in the meantime the kingpin Gogi was killed and after this Sunny did not return the pistols. Sources also say that at the moment it is not clear how true these things that came out in the inquiry are. It is also possible that he is saying these things to hide some big secret. In such a situation, only after detailed inquiry, something will be clear. On the second day of the custody remand, SIT members interrogated the three shooters for three hours. Due to the action of scene recreation, they could not be questioned in the afternoon. However, questions were fired at him from 9 pm till midnight. The biggest thing is that the shooters have still not opened their mouth regarding the reason for the murder. They say that they had an ambition to become a big don. Meanwhile, amid rumours of surrender by Atiq Ahmeds wife Shaista Parveen on Friday, the police was still clueless about them since February 24 after the killing of Umesh Pal. The police have put in all their efforts on arresting Shaista but to no avail. In such a situation, speculation about the surrender of Atiq Ahmeds wife Shaista Parveen has intensified. It is believed that she can secretly surrender in the court anytime. Meanwhile, the police and STF conducted a search operation at Chakia in Prayagraj and Kaushambi in Pratapgarh. However, she could not be traced. On the other hand, a new team of lawyers has become active to get Shaista surrendered in court. The police force remained ready for Shaista in the district court. Shaista and Zainab Fatima, wife of Ashraf are absconding after Umesh Pals shootout on February 24 and did not turn up to attend the funeral of the deceased after the murder of Atiq-Ashraf last week. When Atiq and Ashraf were killed on Saturday night, Shaista is said to be hiding at a relatives house somewhere between Prayagraj and Kaushambi. For this reason, the police are on a house-to-house search operation in the villages of these areas. Apart from Kareli, Kasari-Masari, Dhoomanganj, Pooramufti, Kokhraj, relatives of Atiq live in all the villages where Shaista is suspected to be hiding. Even after house-to-house search, Shaista was not found till Friday morning. The police also used a drone camera in search of Shaista in Kachari village of Ganga-Yamuna but could not get any success. It is suspected that the shooter Sabir may be accompanying Shaista as he has also been Shaistas car driver for a long time. It was also suspected that wanted shooter Guddu Muslim is with Shaista and both could surrender before the court outside Uttar Pradesh. It is learnt that Atiqs new team of lawyers has chalked out a plan to get Shaista safely brought to the court and surrendered. The team of old lawyers of Atiq and Ashraf are now well-known faces in the police, so a team of new lawyers has been set up on behalf of Shaista. Atiq Ahmeds advocate Vijay Mishra said that he has no information about Shaista. Where is she, when will she surrender, nothing is known. The report sought by the court on the surrender application of Atiqs sister Ayesha Noori was not submitted from the Dhumanganj police station on Friday. Now April 24 has been fixed for the hearing of the application in the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate. On the other hand Prayagraj Development Authority (PDA) has now once again started a fresh survey to identify the illegal properties of Atiq and his accomplices in the district. Netflixs upcoming docu-drama Queen Cleopatra, in which Adele James, who is of mixed heritage, plays the first-century Egyptian ruler as a queen with African roots, is sparking an uproar in Egypt, reports Variety. Egyptian academics are claiming that Cleopatra, who was born in the Egyptian city of Alexandria in 69 BCE and belonged to a Greek-speaking dynasty, was of European descent and not Black. An Egyptian lawyer has reportedly filed a complaint demanding that legal measures are taken to block Netflix outright in Egypt, to prevent the show from airing, Variety adds. The lawyer claims that the docudrama, which drops on May 10, violates the countrys media laws. On the choice of casting Adele James as Cleopatra, Netflixs promotional website Tudum in February quoted Jada Pinkett Smith, the shows executive producer, as saying that since the queens heritage has been the subject of an academic debate, it was a nod to the centuries-long conversation about the rulers race. There is no doubt among scholars that Cleopatra was Macedonian-Greek on her father Ptolemy XIIs side. But since the ethnic origin of her mother is not known, some historians say its possible that the Egyptian rulers mother was African and, therefore, that she could have been of mixed heritage, notes Variety. Last weeks trailer drop for Queen Cleopatra has caused a stir in Egypt, where Zahi Hawass, a prominent Egyptologist, was quoted by the al-Masry al-Youm newspaper as strongly disputing the possibility that Cleopatra was of mixed race. This is completely fake. Cleopatra was Greek, meaning that she was light-skinned, not Black, he said. Adele James, meanwhile, has taken to Twitter to tell critics: If you dont like the casting, dont watch the show. Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Australia in May, the diaspora community in a western Sydney suburb is renewing calls to officially declare their area as Little India. Home to many popular Indian eateries and retailers, Harris Park is informally referred to as Little India with 45 per cent of its 5,043 residents tracing their roots to India. According to ABC News, the Parramatta Council voted last week to support a scaled-back proposal, which will see Marion Street, Wigram Street, and Station Street East in Harris Park named as Little India. The Councils earlier attempts hit a roadblock after Australias Geographic Names Board (GNB) told Parramatta Council to stop using the term in marketing material because it creates confusion. We want to make it an international destination on the same lines as Little India in Singapore and other places around the world, Parramatta councillor Paul Noack, who moved the motion, told ABC News. While Parramatta Council said it is continuing discussions with the GNB, a board spokesperson said it was yet to receive a formal application regarding the matter. Once a formal application has been received, the GNB will review the submission, the spokesperson told ABC News. The Indian business owners had first proposed officially naming the area Little India in 2015, believing that the title would benefit them. According to Little India Harris Park Business Association president Sanjay Deshwal, the name would give a sense of belonging to Indian students and workers who come to Australia. Harris Park is a very important step to provide those people a feeling of home. Its not only food, its not only the businesses, its not only the dresses, its not only the colour, but its giving them a sense of belonging, Deshwal told ABC News. Modi last visited Australia in 2014, and addressed 20,000 people at the Sydney SuperDome at Olympic Park. According to the report, the Parramatta Council has formally extended an invitation to Modi to visit Harris Park this time. The Prime Minister is scheduled to travel to Japan, Papua New Guinea and Australia in May with the power-packed visit concluding Down Under where he will attend the Quad summit from May 23 to 24 in Sydney. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese who visited India this year, formally extended the invite to his Indian counterpart. To pay homage to the five bravehearts of Indian Army who on Thursday laid down their life in the line of duty in Poonch district, a wreath laying ceremony was organised in the border town of Rajouri with full military traditions on Friday. Senior Army officers and civil administration officers were present on the occasion. The Indian Army personnel, Havaldar Mandeep Singh, Lance Naik Kulwant Singh, Sepoy Harkrishan Singh and Sepoy Sewak Singh, all natives of Punjab and Lance Naik Debashish Biswal, a native of Odisha, made the supreme sacrifice in a gruesome terrorist attack. The Indian Army and our proud Nation expressed their solidarity with the bereaved famlies, saida defence spokesman. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said the nation can realise the benefits of demographic dividend if its citizens are healthy in all respects, physical, mental and spiritual. Virtually addressing the National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS) on its 63rd Foundation Day, he said the countrys strong and youthful human resources must be nurtured properly to leverage their strength in making country stronger and self-reliant. He complimented the NAMS for its contribution to the growth of Indian health sector, medical education and research, as well as formulation of relevant health policies and establishment of six AIIMS all over the country. Highlighting health as a key element in the development of any nation, the defence minister said healthier people will be able to work for the progress of the country in a better manner. It is for this reason doctors and medical practitioners are respected and revered. Listing out the steps taken by the government in ensuring health for all, Mr Rajnath Singh called on the medical fraternity to focus more on research of public health related issues. During Covid we all realized how important research is in the health sector. The benefits of any research done in the health sector are not only quick, but with that research we can help our country as well as many countries of the world. Even during Covid, we saw how the vaccines made by Indian scientists and researchers benefited not only us but the whole world, he said. He elaborated on the importance of the broader aspects of health which go beyond having no illness and are linked with the vision of Healthy India, Strong India. He said according to World Health Organisation (WHO), good health encompasses complete physical, mental and social well-being of a person. That is, health does not just mean that you do not have any disease, health is a much wider concept than this. It includes healthy life style, physical fitness, mental health, and social well-being. The defence minister highlighted the significance of social well-being which he viewed as the third dimension of health besides physical and mental health. He expressed concern that social well-being is facing challenges as people move from their native places to urban centers and other places in search of work. Cut off from their roots, they feel lonely and insecure which impacts their health adversely, he said. In addition, nuclear family and sub nuclear family have become more prominent with even single parenting emerging on the scene. Rajnath Singh added that such developments, if left unchecked, may endanger the institution of marriage and single person households may become common. Company Logo Dublin, April 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Aircraft Plastic Fasteners Market Size, Share, Trend, Forecast, Competitive Analysis, and Growth Opportunity: 2022-2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The aircraft plastic fasteners market is likely to rebound at a promising CAGR of 14.4% in the long run to reach US$ 150 Million in 2027. The aircraft plastic fasteners market is quite aligned with the organic growth of the aircraft industry. Due to the sudden outbreak of the pandemic, there was an enormous decline in the aircraft industry across regions. The grave impact of this was registered across the supply chain including all the level of components. Aircraft plastic fasteners, a relatively small but unique market, also could not escape from such trends and witnessed a colossal decline (-41%+ in 2020) amid the pandemic, quite paralleling with the decline in the aircraft industry. The industry was expecting to commence its recovery in 2021, however, due to temporary suspension of B787 deliveries and the postponement of refurbishment orders by several airlines led the industry to suffer a drastic decline again in 2021. The expected recovery in air passenger travel coupled with huge order backlogs of aircraft OEMs and retrofitting plans of older aircraft is likely to boost the demand for plastic fasteners from 2022 onwards. Based on the aircraft type, the aircraft plastic fasteners market is segmented into commercial aircraft, regional aircraft, helicopter, military aircraft, and general aviation. With the highest share of plastic fasteners, commercial aircraft is expected to remain the largest as well as the fastest-growing aircraft type in the market during the forecast period. An expected recovery in air travel is pushing airframers to increase the production rate of key programs by both aircraft giants: Boeing and Airbus. As per the latest Airbus commercial aircraft outlook for 2022-2041, in the next twenty years, 39,490 commercial aircraft are likely to be delivered out of which 80% would be narrow-body aircraft only. Nylon is expected to remain the dominant material type whereas composites are expected to be the fastest-growing material type in the market during the same period. Nylon exhibits several features such as high-tensile strength, electrical insulation, and corrosion resistance, and are strong, lightweight, and versatile. Nylon fasteners are offered by several major players such as Step'n Components, HellermannTyton, and Amphenol with different grades as it is the most suited material for fasteners. Panel fasteners are expected to maintain their dominance, whereas bonded fasteners are expected to be the fastest-growing product type in the market during the forecast period. Panel fasteners are majorly used in honeycomb sandwich structures which are installed for larger areas, such as floor, walls, and ceiling panels. Bonded fasteners are generally bonded with high-performance adhesives (like epoxy) to eliminate the need to mechanically drill the holes for their insertion and provide clean fittings. In terms of regions, North America is expected to remain the largest market for aircraft plastic fasteners during the forecast period. The region has the presence of a large number of major OEMs, such as Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier, and Lockheed Martin, as well as tier players, and raw material suppliers; making the region the growth engine of the aircraft industry. Story continues The majority of aircraft plastic fastener manufacturers are having presence in the region to meet OEMs' urgent needs and serve as a partner and establish new contracts for early Covid-19 recovery. Asia-Pacific is likely to grow at the fastest pace in the market over the next five years, driven by an expected rebound in aircraft deliveries to meet the rising air passenger travel, especially in emerging economies: China and India; healthy growth of low-cost carriers by private airlines for the affordable journey, upcoming aircraft program, C919 and expected to return of B737max in China. Key Players The aircraft plastic fasteners market is moderately consolidated with the presence of several small and big players across the globe. Most of the major players compete in some of the governing factors including price, product offerings, material used, applications and regional presence. These players either have pre-defined contracts with top tie-players such as Spirit AeroSystems, and Triumph Group and OEMs such as Airbus, Boeing, and Lockheed Martin and have a large number of authorised distributors for the sale of plastic fasteners for wider geographical reach. The following are the key players in the aircraft plastic fasteners market. Most of the major players are providing maximum fastener products with different plastic grades. Amphenol Air LB Boellhoff Group Click Bond Inc Howmet Aerospace Inc Lisi Aerospace Marketing Masters, Inc NyltiteT Corporation of America Sky Climber Fasteners, LLC Step'n Components, LLC Victrex Plc Key Topics Covered: 1. Executive Summary 2. Aircraft Plastic Fasteners Market Environment Analysis 2.1. Supply Chain Analysis 2.2. PEST Analysis 2.3. Industry Life Cycle Analysis 2.4. Market Drivers 2.5. Market Challenges 3. Aircraft Plastic Fasteners Market Assessment (2016-2027) 3.1. Contribution of Plastic Fasteners in the Total Aircraft Fasteners Market 3.2. Aircraft Plastic Fasteners Market Trend and Forecast (US$ Million) 3.3. Pre-COVID vs Post-COVID Assessment 3.4. Real GDP Loss vs Aircraft Plastic Fasteners Market Loss (2022-2024) 3.5. Market Scenario Analysis: Growth Trajectories in Different Market Conditions 4. Aircraft Plastic Fasteners Market Segment Analysis (2016-2027) 4.1. Aircraft-Type Analysis 4.1.1. Commercial Aircraft: Regional Trend and Forecast (US$ Million) 4.1.2. Regional Aircraft: Regional Trend and Forecast (US$ Million) 4.1.3. Helicopters: Regional Trend and Forecast (US$ Million) 4.1.4. Military Aircraft: Regional Trend and Forecast (US$ Million) 4.1.5. General Aviation: Regional Trend and Forecast (US$ Million) 4.2. Material-Type Analysis 4.2.1. Composites: Regional Trend and Forecast (US$ Million) 4.2.2. High-Performance Thermoplastics: Regional Trend and Forecast (US$ Million) 4.2.3. Nylon: Regional Trend and Forecast (US$ Million) 4.2.4. Others: Regional Trend and Forecast (US$ Million) 4.3. Product-Type Analysis 4.3.1. Plastic Clamps: Regional Trend and Forecast (US$ Million) 4.3.2. Panel Fasteners: Regional Trend and Forecast (US$ Million) 4.3.3. Bonded Fasteners: Regional Trend and Forecast (US$ Million) 4.3.4. Others: Regional Trend and Forecast (US$ Million) 4.4. Regional Analysis 5. Competitive Analysis 5.1. Market Consolidation Level 5.2. Competitive Landscape 5.3. Market Share Analysis 5.4. Product Portfolio Analysis 5.5. Geographical Presence 5.6. New Product Launches 5.7. Strategic Alliances 5.8. Porter's Five Forces Analysis 6. Strategic Growth Opportunities 6.1. Market Attractiveness Analysis 6.1.1. Market Attractiveness by Aircraft Type 6.1.2. Market Attractiveness by Material Type 6.1.3. Market Attractiveness by Product Type 6.1.4. Market Attractiveness by Region 6.1.5. Market Attractiveness by Country 6.2. Growth Matrix Analysis 6.3. Strategic Implications 6.4. Key Success Factors (KSFs) 7. Company Profile of Key Players For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/rlsyei About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. CONTACT: CONTACT: ResearchAndMarkets.com Laura Wood,Senior Press Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting appropriate actions for safe repatriation of Indian nationals, including those from Kerala, stranded in civil war-torn Sudan. In a letter to Prime Minister Modi on Thursday, CM Vijayan pointed out that a large number of Keralites are currently employed in Sudan, mostly as health professionals and other skilled workers and their condition in the strife-torn country is pathetic. CM Vijayan expressed gratitude for the efforts of the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Mission in Sudan to help the Indians in the violence-hit country. He said the control room set up by the External Affairs Ministry would be of great help in providing information and assistance to Indians stranded in the violence-hit country. Stating that the state government has received petitions and calls explaining that a large number of Keralites are not able to access to basic amenities such as drinking water, electricity, food and medicines since the outbreak of the conflict and that several Keralites are stuck in remote areas of Sudan, CM Vijayan has sought the intervention of the Prime minister to make sure the safety of Indian nationals in Sudan and their safe repatriation at the earliest. I request your (PMs) intervention and guidance to the persons concerned so as to ensure the safety of Indian nationals in Sudan and their safe repatriation at the earliest, Vijayan CM said in his letter. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a charge sheet against Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayans former Principal Secretary M Sivasankar as the first accused and Swapna Suresh as the second accused in the Life Mission bribery case. The ED filed the charge sheet in the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) special court in Kochi on Thursday. The ED filed a charge sheet against Sivasankar in the case the other day, after which Swapna Suresh was included in the charge sheet. M Sivasankar was the ninth accused in the case when the ED started its investigation. Unitac MD Santosh Eapan is the seventh accused in the case. There are a total 11 accused in the case. After examining the charge sheet, the special court will send summons to the accused ,including Swapna. The ED earlier had stated that M Sivasankar is the kingpin in the case. The charge sheet claimed that Sivasankar is the person who received the bribe and he has parked the amount in the bank account of another accused Swapna Suresh. Recently, the Kerala High Court, in the order rejecting the bail plea of Sivasankar, has asked why the prosecution is delaying the arrest of Swapna Suresh, who had an active role in the crime. The ED has sought the issuance of a warrant for Khalid, a foreign national named as an accused in the case. The UAE Consulate in Thiruvananthapuram and the Kerala LIFE Mission entered into an agreement to construct a housing complex at Wadakkanchery using the Red Crescents funds in 2019. It has been alleged that Sivasankar and the UAE Consul General received kickbacks from Unitac builders for awarding the work of construction of the housing complex to them. The alleged corruption came to light after former UAE Consulate employees Swapna Suresh and Sarith PS were arrested by the ED and Customs in the gold smuggling case. Drones and sniffer dogs on Friday joined the special forces to track down the group of about 7 Pakistan backed terrorists who fired armor-piercing bullets and then tossed grenades that killed 5 soldiers of the Indian Army and injured another a day earlier in Bhatta-Durian area in the BG Sector of Poonch that has in the past also witnessed long stretched encounters between the security forces and terrorists. The entire area has been cordoned and a massive search operation jointly launched in the thickly forested area by the special forces of the Army, police and security forces. Top brass of the Army, BSF and J&K Police are camping in the area to oversee the search operations. A team of National Investigation Agency (NIA) headed by a DIG has reached the spot to investigate the attack. Men of the bomb disposal squad and forensic science laboratory also picked samples of the explosives used by terrorists in the attack. J&K DGP Dilbag Singh and ADGP (Jammu Range) Mukesh Singh reviewed the situation with top officers of the Army who also visited the spot. Director General of BSF Dr. SL Thaosen also reached here from New Delhi and took stock of the situation. ADG (Western Command) PV Rama Sastry and IG DK Boora briefed him about the critical aspects of border security and domination of the International Border (IB) and LOC in wake of yesterdays terror attack at the Army convoy. The DG BSF gave special emphasis to domination of the LOC and IB in view of the recent incidents in Jammu and Rajouri areas. What was causing concern was the terrorists using armor-piercing bullets that are designed to penetrate bulletproof vehicles and protective shields. Bullet holes were visible on the truck carrying these soldiers. Four out of the five soldiers deployed for counter-terror operations killed in the terror attack were from Punjab and one from Orissa. The Bhatta-Durian near Mendhar that is along the LOC had in October 2021 witnessed the death of 9 soldiers of the Indian Army in a counter-terrorist operation that stretched to more than 25 days but the terrorists managed to escape. Five soldiers, including a junior commissioned officer, were killed on 11 October 2021 and four more in the gun battle with terrorists. There were reports of Pakistani agencies trying to revive terrorism in the twin districts of Poonch and Rajouri along the Line of Control (LOC) that had prior to 2003 remained the gateway for entry of terrorists into J&K from Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK). The two districts were dormant for the past 20 years following Operation Sarp Vinash in 2003 by the Army at the Hill-Kaka near Darhal in Poonch where Pakistani terrorists had built concrete bunkers that were also used as transit camps for infiltrating terrorists. Intentions of Pakistani agencies became clear three months ago on 1 January when terrorists selectively shot dead seven civilians, including 2 children, in the Dhangri village of Rajouri. Efforts to track down terrorists involved in the incident have not yet yielded positive results. The Kotranka and Buddhal areas of Rajouri were rocked with a string of explosions that created fear among the residents. Security forces have sealed the road through Bhatta-Durian and vehicular traffic was being diverted from there. Angry protests were held across the Jammu region against the terror attack. Political leaders of J&K have condemned the attack. J&K BJP chief Ravinder Raina said the killing of soldiers will be avenged. National Conference leader Omar Abdullah tweeted: Terrible news of a terror attack in Poonch that claimed the lives of 5 army jawans in the line of duty. I unequivocally condemn this heinous attack & send my condolences to the loved ones of those killed today. May the souls of the departed rest in peace. Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari said he was deeply saddened by the cowardly terrorist attack. Peoples Conference chairman Sajad Lone has also condemned the attack. PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti strongly condemned the heinous attack in Poonch. AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi on Friday alleged the existence of terror cells in the country set up to train and provide weapons to members to realise the dreams of Godse. He said the killers of Atiq Ahmed and his brother belonged to these terror cells. Owaisi was speaking at the Jalsa Youm-ul-Quran on the last Friday of Ramzan at Mecca Masjid where he made an allegation that the members of the same terror cell which killed Atiq Ahmed and his brother was involved in the attempt on his life. Slamming the killing of Atiq Ahmed and Ashraf in police custody, the Hyderabad MP said it was clear that the three killers were professionals and had been provided with sophisticated weapons. These three are illegitimate children of Godse because it was Godse who had killed Gandhi, said Owaisi who added that the killers were actually terrorists and this was a terror module. These three people are members of a terror cell. It is my suspicion that there are such terror cells all over the country, how many I dont know but they have been given training and weapons and told to go and realise the dreams of Godse. He asked the prime minister and Uttar Pradesh chief minister why the killers were not charged under the UAPA. He exhorted the government to acknowledge that radicalisation was taking place and this will damage the country like termite-ridden wood. They are radicalised and following in the footsteps of Godse. They must be stopped lest they will kill more, cautioned Owaisi. On the Naroda Gam massacre case, the Hyderabad MP wondered whether the government will appeal against the court order to set all the accused free. He recalled the Mecca Masjid blast case where the accused were set free along with Aseemanand. Owaisi also slammed former Jammu and Kashmir governor Satyapal Malik for maintaining silence over the truth about the Pulwama terror attack for four and half years. Congress Rajya Sabha member Digvijay Singh claimed on Friday that contrary to the BJP governments repeated claims, terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir have actually increased after the revocation of Article 370 and demonetisation in the country. Talking to media persons at Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh, Singh said it was alarming to note that the cartridge casings, recovered after the terror attack on an army vehicle in Poonch that killed five soldiers, had Chinese markings on them. The veteran Congress leader said after the scrapping of Article 370 in 2019, the number of terrorist attacks in J&K in the past three years rose to 1,033, in which 177 soldiers lost their lives. Drawing a comparison, Singh said that the number of terror attacks in the border state in 2019 was 594 and in 2020, it was 244. He also said that it was disturbing that terror attacks were now taking place in hitherto peaceful and terrorism-free regions like Poonch in Jammu whereas earlier such events were witnessed in the Kashmir valley areas like Pulwama and Anantnag. Singh said the Union government had claimed that scrapping Article 370, a constitutional provision granting special status to J&K, and the demonetisation in 2016 would help in fighting terrorism in the erstwhile state, but figures of Defence and Home Ministries suggest that terror-related incidents have actually gone up since these measures were announced. In an embarrassment to the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), father of partys legislator from Jalalabad Jagdeep Goldy Kamboj, Surinder Kamboj, 67, has been arrested for allegedly blackmailing a property dealer with a demand of Rs 10 lakh for settling a rape case against him. The first-time Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Jagdeep has, however, distanced himself from the case against his father, saying he is not staying with his father and wont interfere in the case. We have zero-tolerance for corruption, whosoever may be involved. I have been away from my father for a long time and have nothing to do with this. The law will take its own course. I wont interfere, said Jagdeep who quit the Congress to join the AAP and defeated Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal in the 2022 Assembly elections. Despite the claims made by the MLA, the father-son duo was seen attending social and political events together recently. Fazilka senior superintendent of police (SSP) Avneet Kaur said Surinder Kamboj was among four local residents booked for extortion on the complaint of property dealer Sunil Kumar (42), a resident of Jalalabad town. Kumar on Thursday had alleged he got a call from a local resident, Rano Bai, who needed a house on rent. He went to show her the property and returned shortly thereafter. In the evening, Rano called him (Kumar) up and her son Sunil Rai accused Sunil Kumar of taking advantage of her. A few minutes later, another woman called him up and rudely asked him whether hes a property dealer or a rapist, the complainant said. Later, the MLAs father Surinder Kamboj called up Kumar to say that Rano Bai had reached the local civil hospital after lodging a complaint of rape against the property dealer. He said he could meet him if he wanted to sort out the matter amicably. When Sunil Kumar reached Surinder Kambojs house, he demanded 10 lakh to sort out the matter. We received the complaint and caught Surinder Kamboj accepting 50,000 from the complainant, said Jalalabad deputy superintendent of police, Atul Soni. The case was registered against Surinder Kamboj, Rano Bai, Sunil Rai and his wife. While Surinder Kamboj and Sunil Rai, who is unemployed, have been arrested, the two women are absconding. A team of Special Task Force (STF) of Uttar Pradesh Police visited Odisha recently to trace Atiq Ahmeds close aide Guddu Muslim, a police official said on Friday. According to police sources, a five-member STF team of the UP Police had visited Bargarh district on April 18 and questioned one person in connection with gangster Guddu Muslim. However, they have not arrested any person from Odisha. Earlier, some media reported that Guddu Muslims last location was traced in Odishas Puri. However, Puri Police said they do not have any information about the gangster. A team of Uttar Pradesh STF came to Odisha two days back. The team conducted some investigation in Bargarh district for a day and left Odisha. They have sought our help and we have extended our support, as per protocol, Odisha DGP Sunil Bansal told media persons here. However, the UP Police had not informed anything about the investigation and case details with Odisha Police, he said. As per normal protocol, when we visit any other state for investigation, we seek help from the concerned state police and vice-versa. There is nothing new, the DGP maintained. Northern Range IG Deepak Kumar said the UP Police had informed a police station in Bargarh and conducted some verification in the police station area and left for UP. We have extended necessary help to them. They have examined one person from Bargarh district. However, they have not arrested any person, Kumar said. Notably, Guddu Muslim is among the 10 accused named in the high-profile Umesh Pal murder case in UP. Six of them have been killed and Guddu Muslim is among the four others who are currently on the run. The Uttar Pradesh Police launched a manhunt to catch them. A woman was shot at inside Saket court complex in Delhi on Friday morning at around 10:30 am. Soon after the incident, the victim, in her 40s, was rushed to a nearby hospital. She was identified as M Radha and her condition is said to be stable. The Crime Branch of Delhi Police has arrested the accused, who allegedly shot at the woman in Delhis Saket Court premises on Friday morning, from neighbouring Faridabad in Haryana, said the official sources. According to sources in the police, the attacker, who was wearing lawyers attire, has been identified as Kameshwar Kumar Singh, a suspended lawyer. She (the victim) received two bullets in her abdomen and one in her hand and was taken to Max Saket Hospital. She is in a stable condition, said Chandan Chowdhary, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (South). The accused lawyer, who has been identified instantly, was debarred by the bar council. He had a cheating case against the victim and hearing was scheduled today in Saket court, said the DCP. According to an eyewitness, Ranjeet Singh Dalal, a total of 4-5 rounds were fired from point blank range. Soon after committing the crime, the accused escaped through the court canteens back entry. Further investigation is going on, said the DCP. This is not the first time that such an incident has occurred at a court in Delhi. Questions are being raised on the security checks inside the courts. How the man could enter the court premises with a weapon despite metal detectors installed at the entrance and frisking by the security officials. The accused identified as Kameshwar Kumar Singh had lodged an FIR against the victim and an advocate, Rajendra Jha, for defrauding and grossly cheating him of Rs 25 lakh in November last year under sections 406 (Punishment for criminal breach of trust), 420 (cheating), 120 B (criminal conspiracy), and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code at the Saket police station in South Delhi. According to the FIR accessed by a news agency, Jha, along with Radha, hatched a criminal conspiracy in order to cheat, defraud, embezzle at large scope to the public at large. Jha showed me a very good plan of investment of money in which money was paid at a very high rate of interest, i.e., @ 20-40 per cent per month. He along with Radha are in collusion with each other and have induced so many persons and cheated them at large scale, reads the FIR. Jha and Radha have only paid me Rs 3,00,000 through the RTGS facility and no further money was paid to me thereafter. They have grossly violated the terms and conditions of my investment, read the FIR. Both the persons have hatched a conspiracy against me, defrauded me heavily and grossly cheated me in a sum of Rs 25 lakhs along with interest @ 20 per cent per month thereon, the FIR added. According to the police, a hearing in the matter was listed this day in Saket Court. A video of the incident is doing rounds on social media in which Singh can be seen running after the woman who is screaming before suddenly opening fire at her while several people, including lawyers, can be seen standing by. As per eyewitness accounts, the accused lawyer fired a total of 4-5 rounds before fleeing from the scene and escaping through the court canteens back entry. Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday blamed the law and order situation in the National Capital for the incident. The law and order situation in Delhi has completely deteriorated. Instead of creating obstacles in the work of others and engaging in dirty politics on every issue, everyone should focus on their own work. And if they cannot manage, they should resign so that someone else can do it. The safety of people cannot be left to chance, he tweeted in Hindi. In the wake of the shooting incident, lawyers have also raised concern over security at court complexes across the National Capital. In a statement, advocate Vineet Jindal, general secretary of the North Delhi Lawyers Association, said security lapse in district courts is of grave concern for litigants and advocates. The Delhi High Court also took note of the security lapse in the past and had issued directions to the Delhi police, but there has been no change in the security scenario. Delhi courts need a delegated security unit with updated gadgets, only then we can ensure the security at court complexes, said Jindal. It is imperative that judges, advocates, and litigants have complete confidence in their safety during the judicial process and that their security is guaranteed. The recurring incidents of gunfire in Delhi courts are alarming for everyone involved, including the litigants, advocates, and judges. Such life-threatening events are also having a detrimental effect on the judicial system, he added. Polaris Market Research & Consulting LLP Polaris Market Research has conducted a comprehensive 2023 research study spanning over [+115] pages, revealing that the global aqueous based metal cleaners market was valued at USD 11.26 Billion in 2022. The study predicts that the market will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.3% and is expected to reach USD 18.90 Billion By 2032. Sequestrants segment is anticipated to grow at a high CAGR over the forecast period owing to the rising use of water purifiers for healthier measures. Some of the top market players are BASF, Dow, Stepan Company, Evonik Industries, Eastman Chemical Company, Nouryon, Clariant, Chemours Company and others. New York, NY, April 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Polaris Market Research has published a new research report titled Aqueous based Metal Cleaners Market Share, Size, Trends, Industry Analysis Report, By Cleaning Chemicals (Builders, Sequestrants and Inhibitors, Surfactants); By End Use Industries; By Chemistry Type; By Technology; By Region; Segment Forecast, 2023 - 2032 in its research database. According to the latest research analysis, the global aqueous based metal cleaners market size/share is anticipated to be valued at approximately USD 11.26 Billion in 2022 and is projected to hit a revenue of around USD 18.90 Billion By 2032, at a CAGR of around 5.3% between 2023 and 2032. What are Aqueous based Metal Cleaners? How Big Is Aqueous based Metal Cleaners Market Size & Share? Report Overview Aqueous cleaning is a process that involves adding a combination of detergents, surfactants, emulsifiers, or buffers to water, which, when coupled with heat, agitation, and time, effectively removes contaminants from industrial parts. This approach, often called "water-plus," allows for a more efficient and thorough cleaning process. The added agents work together to break down and eliminate the contaminants on metal surfaces. The aqueous-based metal cleaners market size is growing immensely as it provides eco-friendly cleaning solutions for removing dirt, oil, and other contaminants from metal surfaces. The demand for these solutions is driven by increasing environmental concerns and government regulations on using certain chemicals in cleaning products. Story continues Request Sample Copy of Aqueous based Metal Cleaners Market Research Report @ https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/aqueous-based-metal-cleaners-market/request-for-sample (The sample of this report is readily available on request. The report sample contains a brief introduction to the research report, a Table of Contents, a Graphical introduction of regional analysis, Top players in the market with their revenue analysis, and our research methodology.) Our Sample Report Covers: 2032 Updated Report Introduction, Overview, and In-depth industry analysis. 115+ Pages Research Report (Inclusion of Updated Research). Provide Chapter-wise guidance on Requests. 2023 Updated Regional Analysis with Graphical Representation of Size, Share & Trends Includes Updated List of tables & figures. Updated Report Includes Top Market Players with their Business Strategy, Sales Volume, and Revenue Analysis. Some of the Top Market Players Are; BASF Dow Stepan Company Evonik Industries Eastman Chemical Company Nouryon Clariant Chemours Company Indorama Ventures Ashland Global Holdings To Know an Additional List of Key Players, Request Here to Download a Free Report PDF Brochure: https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/aqueous-based-metal-cleaners-market/request-for-sample Prominent Drivers of the Market Environmental concerns: Growing concerns about the environmental impact of certain chemicals used in cleaning products may lead to increased demand for aqueous-based cleaning solutions, as they are generally considered to be more environmentally friendly. Government regulations: Government regulations and guidelines on using certain chemicals in cleaning products may drive demand for aqueous-based cleaning solutions, as they may follow such regulations. Industry growth: Certain industries, such as food and beverage production and healthcare, may drive demand for aqueous-based cleaning solutions as they are commonly used. Technological advancements: Advancements in technology may lead to the development of more efficient and effective aqueous-based cleaning solutions, which can increase demand for these products. Consumer preferences and competition: Consumer preferences also play a role in the aqueous market, as more and more consumers are becoming conscious about the environmental impact of their products and prefer eco-friendly solutions. The level of competition in the market can also influence the aqueous market, as companies may try to differentiate their products through pricing, advertising, or product development. Request for a Discount on this Report Before Purchase @ https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/aqueous-based-metal-cleaners-market/request-for-discount-pricing Top Report Findings Increasing environmental concerns are the key factor for the aqueous-based metal cleaners market growth. The market is primarily segmented based on cleaning chemicals, end-use industries, chemistry type, technology, and region. Asia Pacific region dominates the market. Top Trends Influencing the Market Sustainability: The demand for sustainable and eco-friendly products is rising, driven by growing environmental awareness and regulations. Companies increasingly focus on creating sustainable products and adopting sustainable practices to reduce their carbon footprint and appeal to environmentally conscious consumers. Digitalization: The use of digital technologies and tools is revolutionizing the market. From AI and automation to IoT and blockchain, companies are leveraging technology to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance the customer experience. Ultimately, this is leading to rising in aqueous-based metal cleaners market sales. Personalization: Consumers are increasingly demanding personalized products and experiences, and companies are responding by offering customized solutions. From tailored product offerings to personalized marketing and advertising, companies are leveraging data and technology to meet the needs and preferences of individual consumers. Health and wellness: The focus on wellness drives demand for products promoting physical and mental well-being. Companies are developing and marketing products that offer health benefits, such as nutritional supplements, exercise equipment, and wellness apps. The COVID-19 pandemic has also heightened awareness of the importance of health and wellness, driving further growth in this aqueous-based metal cleaners market trend. Request Customized Copy of Report @ https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/aqueous-based-metal-cleaners-market/request-for-customization (We customize your report according to your research need. Ask our sales team for report customization.) Segmental Analysis In 2022, the sequestrants segment held the leading position Sequestrants dominate the cleaning chemicals segment owing to this chemical's wide range of usage. Sequestrants are water purifiers that stop metal ions from precipitating and settling in an alkaline medium. These sequestrants include sodium gluconates, tri-polyphosphates, organic phosphates, & poly-carbonate salts. These cleaning solutions help the aqueous-based metal cleaners market share grow. Healthcare segment is anticipated to capture a substantial revenue share Healthcare segment is projected to grow well due to its various functions in the healthcare industry. Regarding effectiveness, fewer surface residues, and simpler cleaning, using aqueous-based metal cleansers in healthcare provides various advantages. Depending on the contaminants involved, aqueous-based cleaning is performed in two processes. Acidic segment held the largest market share in 2022 Based on chemistry type and aqueous-based metal cleaners market segmentation, the Acidic segment is projected to witness a significant growth rate owing to increasing demand for the purpose of efficient and effective cleaning. Acidic cleaners are used the second most widely worldwide, after alkaline cleaners. Acidic metal cleansers are water-based solutions with a pH rating under 7. Inquire more about this report before purchase @ https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/aqueous-based-metal-cleaners-market/inquire-before-buying (Inquire a report quote OR available discount offers to the sales team before purchase.) Aqueous based Metal Cleaners Market: Report Scope & Coverage Report Attribute Details Revenue forecast in 2032 USD 18.90 Billion Market size value in 2023 USD 11.82 Billion Expected CAGR Growth 5.3% from 2023 - 2032 Base Year 2022 Forecast Year 2023 2032 Top Market Players BASF SE, Dow, Stepan Company, Evonik Industries AG, Eastman Chemical Company, Nouryon, Clariant AG, The Chemours Company, Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited, Ashland Global Holdings Segments Covered By Form, By Product, By Application, By Region Customization Options Customized purchase options are available to meet any research needs. Explore customized purchase options Geographic Overview Asia Pacific: aqueous-based metal cleaners market demand in the Asia Pacific region is projected to experience a higher growth rate, driven by the escalating demand for sustainable and eco-friendly solutions, technological advancements, government regulations, and overall economic growth. With rapid economic development and increased disposable incomes in developing nations, Asia Pacific has become an attractive market for aqueous-based metal cleansers. Browse the Detail Report Aqueous based Metal Cleaners Market Share, Size, Trends, Industry Analysis Report, By Cleaning Chemicals (Builders, Sequestrants and Inhibitors, Surfactants); By End Use Industries; By Chemistry Type; By Technology; By Region; Segment Forecast, 2023 - 2032 with in-depth TOC: https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/aqueous-based-metal-cleaners-market For Additional Information OR Media Enquiry, Please Mail At: sales@polarismarketresearch.com Recent Developments BASF, in December 2022, unveiled a line of automobile coatings that employ certified biomass balance techniques and renewable raw materials in China. The first shipment of the biomass balance ColorBrite Airspace Blue ReSource basecoat was delivered to a Chinese customer. In November 2022, Dow designated AB Specialty as its authorized distributor in the United States and Canada to support the growth of Dow's "OH-based silicone polymers ERC industry" segment. Polaris Market Research has segmented the aqueous based metal cleaners market report based on cleaning chemicals, end use industries, chemistry type, technology, and region: By Cleaning Chemicals Outlook Builders Sequestrants Inhibitors Surfactants By End Use Industries Outlook Manufacturing Automotive & Aerospace Healthcare By Chemistry Type Outlook Alkaline Acidic Neutral By Technology Outlook Ultrasonic Rinse Dip Spray By Region Outlook North America (U.S., Canada) Europe (France, Germany, UK, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Russia) Asia Pacific (Japan, China, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, South Korea) Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, Argentina) Middle East & Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Israel, South Africa) Browse More Research Reports: Digital Panel Meter Market: https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/digital-panel-meter-market Placenta Market: https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/placenta-market Oil Storage Terminal Market: https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/oil-storage-terminal-market Furfural Market: https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/furfural-market Virtual Visits Market: https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/virtual-visits-market Passwordless Authentication Market: https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/passwordless-authentication-market Geophysical Services Market: https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/geophysical-services-market Motor Lamination Market: https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/motor-lamination-market Electric Utility Vehicle Market: https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/electric-utility-vehicle-market About Polaris Market Research Polaris Market Research is a global market research and consulting company. The company specializes in providing exceptional market intelligence and in-depth business research services for PMRs clientele spread across different enterprises. We at Polaris are obliged to serve PMRs diverse customer base present across the industries of healthcare, technology, semi-conductors and chemicals among various other industries present around the world. We strive to provide PMRs customers with updated information on innovative technologies, high growth markets, emerging business environments and latest business-centric applications, thereby helping them always to make informed decisions and leverage new opportunities. Adept with a highly competent, experienced and extremely qualified team of experts comprising SMEs, analysts and consultants, we at Polaris endeavor to deliver value-added business solutions to PMRs customers. Contact: Likhil G 30 Wall Street 8th Floor, New York City, NY 10005, United States Phone: +1-929 297-9727 Email: sales@polarismarketresearch.com Web: https://www.polarismarketresearch.com Follow Us: LinkedIn | Twitter Blog: https://polarismarketresearch.medium.com | https://polarisnewsblog.com Saint-Laurent, CA (H4T1V6) Today Cloudy. Some light rain will fall throughout the day. High 49F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 37F. Winds light and variable. FILE - The entrance to BuzzFeed in New York is seen on Nov. 19, 2020. Pulitzer prize winning digital media company BuzzFeed is cutting about 15% of its staff, according to multiple media reports. In a memo sent to staff, co-founder and CEO Jonah Peretti said that the New York company was going to start the process of shutting down its news division, and that cuts would also occur across its business, content, tech and administrative teams. A court-appointed psychologist says a man charged with killing a 13-year-old boy, wounding his mother and brother and a witness during a road rage confrontation in suburban Denver was legally sane at the time SPHERICAL INSIGHTS LLP The Global Axial Spondyloarthritis (axSpA) Market Size was valued at USD 5.2 Billion in 2022 and the worldwide Axial Spondyloarthritis (axSpA) Market size is expected to reach USD 10.1 Billion by 2032. New York, United States , April 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Global Axial Spondyloarthritis (axSpA) Market Size is to grow from USD 5.2 billion in 2022 to USD 10.1 billion by 2032, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6.86% during the forecast period. Browse key industry insights spread across 200 pages with 130 market data tables and figures & charts from the report on the "Global Axial Spondyloarthritis (axSpA) Market Size, Share, and COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Types (Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and Non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA), By Drug Class (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), Glucocorticoids, Anti-rheumatic drugs, & Others), By Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa), Analysis and Forecast 2022 2032." Request a Free Sample of Report: https://www.sphericalinsights.com/request-sample/1702 The emergence of COVID-19 has brought the world to a standstill. We understand that this health crisis has brought an unprecedented impact on businesses across industries. However, this too, shall pass. Rising support from governments and several companies can help in the fight against this highly contagious disease. There are some industries that are struggling, and some are thriving. Overall, almost every sector is anticipated to be impacted by the pandemic. We are making continuous efforts to help your business sustain and grow during COVID-19 pandemics. Based on our experience and expertise, we will offer you an impact analysis of coronavirus outbreak across industries to help you prepare for the future. Market Overview Spondylarthritis (SpA), a class of chronic inflammatory autoimmune illnesses, shares several clinical and genetic traits. Spondylarthritis is a form of arthritis that often affects the arms and legs but can also impact the joints in the spine. These include the presence of enthesitis and dactylitis, frequent extraarticular manifestation, and involvement of the axial skeleton (sacroiliac joints and spine). A particular type of peripheral joint involvement (typically asymmetric monoarthritis or Oligoarthritis primarily affecting the joints of the lower extremities) is also present. The initial course of treatment for AxSpA is nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Biological products such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors, interleukin inhibitors, and Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors may be used more aggressively in patients who do not react to NSAIDs. Story continues Patients and healthcare professionals are becoming more aware of AxSpA, which allowed for earlier diagnosis and treatment. This is anticipated to boost demand for efficient treatments and propel market expansion. The development of diagnostic tools like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has increased the reliability of the AxSpA diagnosis, allowing earlier treatment and better results. AxSpA patients now have access to a wider range of treatments because of the development of novel, efficient medicines including biologics and biosimilars, which is also anticipated to improve patient access to care and propel market expansion. Also, favorable Reimbursement Policies are expected to increase patient access to treatment and drive market growth. Furthermore, although it is anticipated that the expiration of some biologics patents will enhance competition and lower prices, it is also possible that the businesses that hold these patents will see a decline in revenue. Buy Now Full Report: https://www.sphericalinsights.com/checkout/1702 Global Axial Spondyloarthritis (axSpA) Market - COVID 19 Impact With the number of COVID-19 cases increasing worldwide, healthcare facilities concentrated all of their resources on treating people with the condition. Although the fact that COVID-19 has a serious impact on the respiratory system, it has raised numerous questions about rheumatic diseases and the treatments available as well as the vulnerability or severity of the viral illness. Patients who suffer from inflammatory conditions, such as spondyloarthritis (SpA), have found the COVID-19 pandemic to be particularly difficult. The effects of a COVID-19 infection on individuals with rheumatic disorders have been the subject of numerous investigations, however, the results drawn from these reports have not always been consistent. The COVID-19 pandemic created numerous uncertainties regarding rheumatic diseases or their treatment concerning the susceptibility or severity of the viral disease, according to a study that was published in The Journal of Rheumatology in 2022 and polled responses from 4723 people with SpA and 450 of their household contacts. The ankylosing spondylitis is driving the market with the largest market share over the forecast period. Based on the types, global axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is classified into ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA). Among these, the ankylosing spondylitis segment is driving the market share during the forecast period due to Inflammation and bone development characterized by ankylosing spondylitis, a subtype of AxSpA that affects the spine and sacroiliac joints and can cause stiffness and persistent discomfort. Ankylosing spondylitis is thought to be the diagnosis in 90% of AxSpA cases. The anti-inflammatory drugs segment is dominating the market over the forecast period. Based on the drug class, global axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is segmented into non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), Glucocorticoids, anti-rheumatic drugs, & others. Among these, the segment non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) is dominating the market during the forecast period due to Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are particularly efficient at treating the main axSpA symptoms and signs (pain and stiffness), and they may also be able to halt the degradation of the structural spine. The treatments that doctors favor for axial spondyloarthritis include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including naproxen (Naprosyn) and indomethacin (Indocin and Tivorbex). List of Key Companies Johnson & Johnson UCB Amgen Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation Eli Lilly and Company Kyowa Kirin AbbVie Acelyrin Pfizer Reckitt Benckiser Group plc Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd Inquire Before Buying This Research Report: https://www.sphericalinsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/1702 North America is dominating the market with the largest market share during the forecast period. North America is projected to account for a sizeable portion of the global market for axial spondyloarthritis, due to the rising prevalence, more awareness, and improved diagnosis in this area. Moreover, the development of the AxSpA market has also been boosted by the beneficial reimbursement practices in the US and Canada. Also, demand for these therapies has increased as a result of patients being able to afford the costly biologic medications thanks to the availability of insurance coverage. Asia Pacific is anticipated to have significant growth over the forecast period due to the large rise in the older population in countries like China and India. The growth in the region's revenue is mostly attributable to the localization of producers of generic medications and the growth of medical facilities. Competitive Analysis: The report offers the appropriate analysis of the key organizations/companies involved within the global market along with a comparative evaluation primarily based on their product offering, business overviews, geographic presence, enterprise strategies, segment market share, and SWOT analysis. The report also provides an elaborative analysis focusing on the current news and developments of the companies, which includes product development, innovations, joint ventures, partnerships, mergers & acquisitions, strategic alliances, and others. This allows for the evaluation of the overall competition within the market. Major vendors in the Global Axial Spondyloarthritis (axSpA) Market include Johnson & Johnson, UCB, Amgen, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Eli Lilly and Company, Kyowa Kirin, AbbVie, Acelyrin, Pfizer, Reckitt Benckiser Group plc, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, & Others. Get Discount At @ https://www.sphericalinsights.com/request-discount/1702 Recent Development In July 2022, The European Commission approved RINVOQ (upadacitinib) as an oral medication for people with active, non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis. In October 2021, to increase awareness of Axial Spondyloarthritis (axSpA) early diagnosis and treatment, Novartis expanded its relationship with the Axial Spondyloarthritis Association of the Philippines (ASAPh) and Philippine Rheumatology Association (PRA). 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Which is catering to different industry such as financial sectors, industrial sectors, government organizations, universities, non-profits and corporations. The company's mission is to work with businesses to achieve business objectives and maintain strategic improvements. CONTACT US: For More Information on Your Target Market, Please Contact Us Below: Phone: +1 303 800 4326 (the U.S.) Phone: +91 90289 24100 (APAC) Email: inquiry@sphericalinsights.com, sales@sphericalinsights.com Contact Us: https://www.sphericalinsights.com/contact-us Follow Us: LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter Bob Foley is a Sun Chronicle columnist. His essays are published here each Friday. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate HONOLULU (AP) The birth of an endangered seal at one of Hawaii's most popular tourism hubs is highlighting the tension between protecting the islands fragile ecosystems and maintaining access to the pristine white-sand beaches that attract millions of visitors each year. Hawaii officials this week fenced off a large stretch of a popular Waikiki neighborhood to protect the Hawaiian monk seal, named Kaiwi, and her days-old pup. Kaimana Beach is next to a mid-sized hotel and is a favorite swimming and sunbathing spot for locals and visitors. Starting six years ago, monk seals have occasionally given birth there, setting the stage for conflict between seal mothers and beachgoers. Authorities are taking extra care this spring after a California tourist got too close to a mother-pup pair last year, and was pulled underwater by the mother, leaving cuts on the 60-year-old visitor's face, arms and back. Officials have cordoned off part of Kaimana Beach when pups were born before, but the protected area this spring is much larger. When the seals are in the water, law enforcement officers from the state Department of Land and Natural Resources will ride personal watercraft to keep people outside a 50-yard (45-meter) protective area around the animals. Kaiwi had one other pup at Kaimana two years ago. She gave birth again on April 14, and scientists expect her and her pup to stay together at Kaimana for about 5 to 7 weeks while the baby nurses. Monk seal mothers are protective of their pups during this period. Authorities say it would be best if swimmers frequented one of Oahu's many other shorelines until the pup weans. It's better to select another beach where you dont have to worry about a seal unexpectedly coming up on you, said Diana Kramer, regional marine wildlife response coordinator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Keeping people and seals apart will help the pup as it starts exploring the ocean and learns how to swim so it can eventually forage for food. The newborn is very impressionable at this age, and biologists are worried that becoming overly accustomed to people will affect its ability to thrive in the wild. In previous years, NOAA officials relocated the new seals after they weaned and their mother left. Biologists and veterinarians took them to remote spots on Oahu where they could grow up with other wild monk seals and without much human interaction. Fewer than 1,600 Hawaiian monk seals remain in the wild and it is a felony to disturb them. Kaimana Beach has been the site of four Hawaiian monk seal births since 2017, starting with a mother named Rocky; she became the first seal to give birth in Waikiki since NOAA began keeping track in the 1970s. Sami Broerman, who was reading a book in a beach chair fronting the green plastic fence, said she had decided to stay at a nearby hotel during her one-week vacation specifically because it had great beach access. She called the fence a bummer but also noted she was "still in Hawaii. I respect it. I think its great. It's just a little more beach view would be nice," said Broerman, who was visiting from Colorado. Susan Chace also expressed understanding, even though she's sad the beach will be closed off for more than half of her one-month stay. If it wasnt for them, the beach wont be as beautiful, said Chace, who is from Platteville, Wisconsin. Waikiki is home to a miles-long stretch of hotels and white-sand beaches. It is the largest hub for tourism in Hawaii, which draws 10 million travelers annually. Oahu, the island where Honolulu and Waikiki are located, attracted 4.9 million visitors last year. Hawaii also has more endangered species than any other U.S. state, ranging from rare forest birds to snails and plants. SPRINGFIELD Thousands of elementary and high school students throughout Illinois could lose access to after-school and summer programs in the upcoming fiscal year but advocates are hoping that either the General Assembly or the federal government can keep that from happening. The programs, known as 21st Century Community Learning Centers, are federally funded through program administered by the Illinois State Board of Education that targets students in low-performing and high-poverty schools. Many of the programs offer academic enrichment activities to help students meet state and local academic standards. They also offer literacy and other educational services to the families of students enrolled in the programs. Many of these students have child care responsibilities for younger siblings, mental health concerns, and are victims of domestic violence, just to name a few, said Kimberly David, associate director for Project Success of Vermilion County. The relationships that our staff build with these students to help ensure that they stay the course and finish high school are very important. Several of our students have utilized our program time to apply for college and jobs with the encouragement of our staff. David was among several people who turned out Wednesday for ISBEs monthly board meeting in Springfield urging the board to ask the General Assembly to cover a funding gap that is estimated at $15 million by ISBE. ISBE spokeswoman Jackie Matthews said the funding gap is the result of a miscalculation the agency made when it tried to estimate how much federal money would be available next year. Each year, she said, ISBE awards grants to school districts and other community-based organizations that provide after-school, before-school and summer programming. The grants typically run for five years and at the end of that period, they can either be renewed or the recipient can apply again through a competitive selection process. Under federal rules, recipients generally are not allowed to carry over unspent funds from one year to the next. But those rules were relaxed during the COVID-19 pandemic when schools were forced to close and no services were being provided. Matthews said agency officials were unable to accurately estimate the impact that rule change would have and, as a result, it made commitments to distribute more funds in the upcoming fiscal year than will actually be available. ISBE only discovered the error recently and, on April 10, it notified organizations whose grants expire at the end of this fiscal year that their grants will not be renewed and there will not be a new grant competition for them to enter. We recognize the late timing of this communication and ISBEs error in not appropriately forecasting grant funding, the agency said in the notification letter. We are committed to providing earlier notice going forward, so that grantees have ample time to plan and prepare for the conclusion of the grant cycle. The advocacy group ACT Now Illinois, a coalition of after-school service providers, estimates that 12,000 students will lose access to programs as a result while roughly 550 after-school staff members will lose their jobs. Teresa Dothard-Campbell, who runs a program for middle school students in East Moline School District 37, said her program will not be directly affected this year but she has heard from colleagues at other sites who are being affected. And I can tell you that it was very disheartening last week to sit around a table and to hear about the impact that not being able to be funded was going to have on the students in our community, she said. In my program alone, we serve 475 students out of a student population of 1,100 students. We offer over 22 after-school clubs or before-school clubs. And we are enriched with bringing in community partners as well to be able to provide those experiences. Advocates urged ISBE to seek additional funding through the General Assembly to prevent the programs whose grants are expiring from closing. But Matthews said the agency currently does not intend to do that. Instead, it is asking the federal government for permission to use pandemic relief funds to cover the amount that was over-allocated for next year. Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service covering state government. It is distributed to hundreds of newspapers, radio and TV stations statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, along with major contributions from the Illinois Broadcasters Foundation and Southern Illinois Editorial Association. CARLINVILLE U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski will give the keynote speech for Blackburn College's 154th Commencement Ceremony Saturday, May 13. Representing the Illinois 13th Congressional District, Budzinski was first elected to the House in 2022. With a background in the labor movement, as well as in state and federal government, she said her mission is to restore the "American dream, rebuild the middle class and deliver results for communities in Central and Southern Illinois." She currently serves on the House Agriculture Committee and House Committee on Veterans Affairs. "We are delighted to welcome Congresswoman Budzinski as we celebrate the accomplishments of the Class of 2023, said Blackburn President Gregory J. Meyer. She is deeply committed to public service, dedicated to delivering results for the communities she serves, and truly understands the importance of higher education." The 2023 Commencement Ceremony will be at10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 13, in the Hudson Quad on the Carlinville campus. For more information about the 154th Commencement activities, visit blackburn.edu/graduation. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 3 1 of 3 Amy Elik Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Erica Conway Harriss Show More Show Less 3 of 3 SPRINGFIELD State Sen. Erica Harriss, R-Glen Carbon, said she is hopeful all Illinois schools will observe Constitution Day in the near future as her legislation would require of schools. The legislation signals Harriss first bill to move out of committee since taking office in January. Filed by State Rep. Amy Elik, R-Alton, and carried by Harriss in the Senate, the bill now heads to the full Senate for consideration before the governor can sign it into law. Today is the 53rd annual Earth Day. I was a high school sophomore at the time of the first Earth Day in 1970. If this landmark occurrence was observed at Marquette, I dont recall it. With a few notable exceptions, my classmates werent much for activism. Since I have no personal recollections about celebrating the original Earth Day, I conducted some research to recapture that decades-old event. It may be hard to imagine that before 1970, a factory could spew black clouds of toxic smoke into the air or dump tons of toxic waste into a nearby stream, and that was perfectly legal, according to a history of Earth Day on the web site of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). They could not be taken to court to stop it." Why not? "Because there was no EPA, no Clean Air Act, no Clean Water Act. There were no legal or regulatory mechanisms to protect our environment. Younger Americans might find such assertions difficult to believe. However, this baby boomer assures you theyre true. An article about the Clean Air Act of 1970 on the web site of the University of Chicago notes that the booming economy following World War II meant home and industrial energy consumption increased dramatically. There were also more vehicles on our streets and highways. All these factors contributed to air pollution. The article notes the killer smog that engulfed Denora, Pennsylvania, in 1948 and killed 20 persons. America wasnt so beautiful before EPA protections is both the title and principal point of an article on the web site of the Environmental Defense Fund. Industry typically used rivers as dumping grounds for dangerous pollutants. For example, Clevelands Cuyahoga River actually caught fire at least 13 times between 1868 and 1969. I can share a personal observation about a local polluted waterway. I attended Southern Illinois University Edwardsville for undergraduate studies, as well as graduate school. The bus I rode came down Milton Road and crossed Wood River Creek. My fellow students and I possessed a morbid curiosity in seeing how polluted it was on any given day. That little stream was sometimes green and literally bubbling after having God-knows-what released into it. In spring 1970, the EPA article continues, Senator Gaylord Nelson created Earth Day as a way to force this issue onto the national agenda. Twenty million Americans demonstrated in different U.S. cities, and it worked! In December 1970, Congress authorized the creation of a new federal agency to tackle environmental issues the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. I hadnt thought of Gaylord Nelson in years. A former governor of Wisconsin who was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1962, Nelson was a proud liberal who became a determined opponent of the Vietnam War. He was a strong supporter of civil rights and a champion for protection of the environment. Nelson was one of the major casualties of the 1980 Reagan landslide. Liberal stalwarts, such as Birch Bayh, Frank Church and George McGovern, all went down in defeat. Even out of office. But Nelson fought for environmental causes. President Bill Clinton in 1995 awarded Nelson the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Congress indeed authorized the creation of the EPA. Democrats, in 1970, controlled both the House and Senate. The EPA bill was signed into law by President Richard Nixon, a staunch Republican. Can you imagine that happening today? The contemporary GOP isnt exactly EPA-friendly. None other than Congressman Matt Gaetz introduced a bill in 2017 to completely abolish the EPA. He claimed that Americans are drowning in rules and regulations and the EPA is an extraordinary offender. Fortunately, Gaetzs bill went nowhere. As president, Trump was no friend of the EPA or the environment it seeks to protect. The New York Times reported that nearly 100 environmental rules were officially reversed or otherwise rolled back under Mr. Trump. Michael Brune, executive director of the Sierra Club, stated in 2019 that Trump "regularly and consistently prioritized the profits of corporate polluters over clean air, clean water and the health of our communities. If you genuinely care about our planet, I suggest you vote for candidates of the political party that works to protect the environment and that's not the GOP. DOW Treehouse Wildlife Center has partnered with like-minded organizations to present a wildlife encounter and education program to Springfield area families living in a more rural environment. Treehouse Wildlife Center, Girl Scouts of Central Illinois and Smart Owl Coffee will present a free-to-attend public event, Give-A-Hoot with Girl Scouts of Central Illinois presented by Smart Owl Coffee, of Springfield, from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, May 13, at Camp Widjiwagan, in Springfield. The camp is for age groups kindergarten through twelfth grad and their families. Treehouse Wildlife Center will present a wildlife encounter and education program at the camp that will be about owls and other indigenous wildlife, followed by a question-and-answer session. Water, Smart Owl Coffee, cookies, and coloring activities will be provided. Also Smart Owl Coffee has launched a new initiative to donate a portion of coffee sales to charitable projects in Central Illinois and Missouri, including TreeHouse Wildlife Center, in Dow. Illinois nonprofit TreeHouse Wildlife Center is the first wildlife and education recipient of Smart Owl's Give-A-Hoot Program. Also, Smart Owl Coffee is working with TreeHouse to establish a scholarship to fund education and enrichment programs designed for schools, classrooms and service organizations in underprivileged areas. Programs will use education ambassador animals in their permanent resident program, combined with a discussion of the natural histories of native species and current issues affecting them. The scholarship will cover the cost of an education coordinator, travel and supplies, such as activity books and educational materials. Our mission in this partnership is to inspire an interest in nature and stewardship in future generations with the hopes that it will engage youngsters and enhance their lives in a meaningful way, said Smart Owl Coffee owner Faith Valenti. The Smart Owl Coffee family has visited Treehouse Wildlife Center regularly during the past five years. Between the charming visitor center and close interactions with wild critters, we fell in love, Valenti said. "Incorporating nature and a passion for the outdoors and fitness into our everyday life has been a priority for our family. Treehouse has been a little gem for our kids, getting them excited to learn and gain respect for our natural world." From the sale of each new seasonal spring/summer Smart Owl Coffee blend, the firm will donate $2 to the scholarship program. The new coffee, Essentials Blend, coming out this spring, uses USDA organic Italian roast Nicaraguan arabica, infused with cinnamon, vitamin B12, L-Theanine, and nine essential amino acids, providing great nutritive sources for sustained energy, and it tastes great served hot or cold, Valenti said. Established in 1979, TreeHouse Wildlife Center is a nonprofit dedicated to rehabilitating sick, injured and orphaned wildlife and the educational promotion of environmental stewardship and awareness, funded through donations, programs, events and memberships. Kelly Vandersand of TreeHouse Wildlife Center said it is excited to provide free, quality environmental education to schools, groups and organizations that qualify for the Environmental Education Scholarship. We will be able to bring nature to classrooms and organizations that would not have the opportunity without businesses like Smart Owl Coffee sponsoring our scholarship program, Vandersand said. It is amazing to connect people to nature. Our staff and volunteers dedicate their lives to saving wildlife and caring for the animals entrusted to us." Onsite programs require one chaperone to 10 children. If interested in participating in the scholarship program and meet the above criteria, call 618-466-2990. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany (AP) The Pentagon has deployed forces and is developing options to assist in the possible evacuation of U.S. Embassy personnel from Sudan, but the White House said Friday there are no plans for now for a broader pullout of the potentially thousands of other Americans from the African country where warring factions are in a violent conflict. The troop moves by the U.S. military are intended "to ensure that we provide as many options as possible, if we are called on to do something. We havent been called on to do anything yet, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said at a news conference in Germany. Austin and U.S. Army Gen. Mark Milley, the Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman, held meeting meetings with defense leaders from other countries to discuss additional support for Ukraine. An estimated 16,000 private U.S. citizens are registered with the U.S. Embassy in Khartoum as being in Sudan. The State Department has cautioned that that figure probably is inaccurate because there is no requirement for Americans to register nor is there a requirement to notify the embassy when they leave. "Its absolutely imperative that U.S. citizens in Sudan make their own arrangements to stay safe in these difficult circumstances," White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said in Washington. He added that "Americans should have no expectation of a U.S. government coordinated evacuation at this time. And we expect that thats going to remain the case. For embassy staff, according to an American official, a small number of U.S. troops have begun arriving in the Horn of Africa nation of Djibouti, where the U.S. is pre-positioning forces and equipment to assist in any potential evacuation. The official said Army soldiers are being tapped for the task. The U.S. troops are being moved to Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti. Evacuation planning for Sudan got underway in earnest on Monday after a U.S. Embassy convoy was attacked in Khartoum, the Sudanese capital. The conflict between Sudans military and a rival paramilitary force is worsening. The military has ruled out negotiations and said it would only accept surrender as a temporary cease-fire ended, raising the likelihood of a renewed surge in the nearly weeklong violence that has killed hundreds. The U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe private deliberations, said Milley discussed the situation with defense officials from Germany, Italy and Canada, among others. One topic was ensuring that any potential evacuation efforts did not conflict. The U.S. State Department said Friday that an American citizen had died in Sudan, but did not have further details. We are in touch with the family and offer our deepest condolences to them on their loss. Out of respect for the family during this difficult time, we have nothing further to add, the department said in a statement. ___ Lee and Copp reported from Washington. Associated Press writer Aamer Madhani in Washington contributed to this report. DENVER (AP) Colorado is promising not to enforce its new ban on unproven treatments to reverse medication abortions until state regulators go through a process to determine if they should be allowed. The move came in response to a lawsuit filed by a Catholic clinic challenging the ban when it was signed into law last week along with two other bills aimed at making Colorado a safe haven for abortion as well as gender-affirming procedures and medications. Hours after the bill signing, a federal judge temporarily blocked the state from enforcing the ban against Bella Health and Wellness, which said it had a patient whose current treatment would be interrupted if the new law was enforced. It claims the ban violates their First Amendment right to free speech and religious exercise. In court filings Thursday responding to U.S. District Daniel Domenico's temporary restraining order, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser revealed that the state's medical and nursing boards had met behind closed doors this week and voted not to enforce the ban until they conduct a rulemaking process on the treatments. That will not be completed until September, he said. In the meantime, Bella Health will not face any enforcement of the ban and therefore does not have grounds to challenge the law, he said. Domenico is scheduled to hold a hearing Monday to consider whether he should extend the ban on enforcement of the law against the clinic, Bella Health & Wellness. Rebekah Ricketts, an attorney at The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty representing the clinic, said Friday it and the women it serves need protection from the law, which she said was unconstitutional. The Attorney General is now running scared because the Colorado legislature decided to shoot first and ask questions later, Ricketts said in a statement. The law was signed by Democratic Gov. Jared Polis on April 14. It says health care workers who provide medication abortion reversal treatments would be engaging in unprofessional conduct and could be disciplined for providing them unless regulators pass rules saying that they are generally accepted standard of practice. It gave the medical, nursing and pharmacy boards until Oct. 1 to enact rules on it. Bella Health gives doses of the hormone progesterone to women who have taken the abortion pill mifepristone, which inhibits progesterone, and decide not to continue the abortion process by taking a second drug, misoprostol. Doctors use progesterone to try to prevent miscarriages. However, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says using it to try to reverse medication abortions is unproven and unethical. About a dozen states have passed laws compelling abortion providers to tell their patients about the treatments. However, according to the Guttmacher Institute, Colorado is the only state that has banned them. ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan (AP) Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen on Thursday opened the country's permanent embassy in Turkmenistan and said the move will strengthen Israel's position in Central Asia. Cohen, in the first visit by an Israeli top diplomat since 1994, met with Turkmen President Serdar Berdymukhamedov. Polaris Market Research & Consulting LLP Polaris Market Research has conducted a comprehensive 2023 research study spanning over [+115] pages, revealing that the global maritime surveillance and intervention market was valued at USD 21.52 Billion in 2022. The study predicts that the market will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.33% and is expected to reach USD 52.41 Billion By 2032. Security management segment is anticipated to grow at a significant CAGR over the forecast period. The increased demand for security management solutions to protect maritime businesses such as transport, fisheries, power production, and oil and gas production is increasing. Some of the top market players are Bharat Electronics, Dassault Aviation, Elbit Systems, Furuno Electric, Raytheon Technologies, Kongsberg Gruppen, Northrop Grumman and others. New York, NY, April 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Polaris Market Research has published a new research report titled Maritime Surveillance and Intervention Market Share, Size, Trends, Industry Analysis Report, By System (Detectors, Combat Management Systems, Surveillance and Tracking, Geographic Information System (GIS), and Others); By Services; By Application; By Region; Segment Forecast, 2023-2032 in its research database. According to the latest research analysis, the global maritime surveillance and intervention market size/share is anticipated to be valued at approximately USD 21.52 Billion in 2022 and is projected to hit a revenue of around USD 52.41 Billion by 2032, at a CAGR of around 9.33% between 2023 and 2032. How Big is Maritime Surveillance and Intervention Market Size & Share? Report Overview Maritime surveillance and intervention systems are engaged to enhance maritime dependability. The MSI embraces several methods, such as battle management systems, surveillance, sensors, geographic information systems, tracking systems, and several others. The rapidly rising demand for maritime surveillance and intervention markets can be attributed to the fact that aerial strategies fumigate extensive areas of sea in a short period and are normally the premiere to answer any affairs at sea. Story continues The progressive surveillance and intervention solutions are utilized to assist in attaching coastal lines, merchant vehicles, ports, and disparaging infrastructure potential. The escalating sea congestion due to the augmentation in payload vessels for transportation together observes the enhancement in oceanic misdeeds. The MSI can offer to safeguard suspension against many seaway misdeeds such as piercing, smuggling, illegal immigration, drug trafficking, illicit fishing, etc. Request Sample Copy of Maritime Surveillance and Intervention Market Research Report @ https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/maritime-surveillance-and-intervention-market/request-for-sample (The sample of this report is readily available on request. The report sample contains a brief introduction to the research report, a Table of Contents, a Graphical introduction of regional analysis, Top players in the market with their revenue analysis, and our research methodology.) Our Sample Report Covers: 2032 Updated Report Introduction, Overview, and In-depth industry analysis. 115+ Pages Research Report (Inclusion of Updated Research). Provide Chapter-wise guidance on Requests. 2023 Updated Regional Analysis with Graphical Representation of Size, Share & Trends Includes Updated List of tables & figures. Updated Report Includes Top Market Players with their Business Strategy, Sales Volume, and Revenue Analysis. Some of the Top Market Players Are: Bharat Electronics Dassault Aviation Elbit Systems Furuno Electric Raytheon Technologies Kongsberg Gruppen Northrop Grumman Naval Group OSI Systems Smiths Group SRT Marine Systems Saab Sistemas Thales Group Westminster Group Yaltes SA To Know an Additional List of Key Players, Request Here to Download a Free Report PDF Brochure: https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/maritime-surveillance-and-intervention-market/request-for-sample Key Market Drivers Escalated seaway transportation : The maritime traffic is constant on take-off with increasing ocean trade globally. Maritime trade is the most accepted and extensively chosen arrangement of cargo import and export as it can transfer bulky commodities. The maritime surveillance and intervention market size is expanding as the escalating seaway transportation has augmented the existence of several trade vessels in the sea, which has at once escalated the evaluation of ocean crimes globally. Airplanes monitoring sea development : The trend positioning transformation-based structures such as thermal imaging, satellite radar, underwater robotic system, automatic identification system, and enduring recognition and tracing device are used for enhancing the magnitude of sea reconnaissance and dependability activity. Maritime surveillance and intervention market sales are soaring as these airplanes are remarkably planned to monitor sea development. Increasing terrorist measures : Increasing foreign pressure and terrorist measures have strengthened the selection of MSI to reinforce the countrys maritime welfare and security. These elements will fuel the growth of the market. Productive crisis management: The radar is complacent for a progressive surveillance system and is accompanied by a small target tracker (STT) to offer its driver the potential to ascertain compact targets such as buoys, swimmers, or even wooden stakes. Therefore the radar embodies the foundation for a productive crisis management and decision reinforcement system targeting discouraging terrorism, smuggling, and border breach and vessel monitoring and alternative functions. Request for a Discount on this Report Before Purchase @ https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/maritime-surveillance-and-intervention-market/request-for-discount-pricing Top Report Findings Increasing foreign pressure and terrorist measures have strengthened the selection of MSI to reinforce the countrys maritime welfare and security. These elements will fuel the growth of the market. The market is divided into systems, services, applications, and regions. The leading region for this market is North America Top Trends Influencing the Market Safeguarding against seaway misdeeds : The MSI can safeguard against seaway misdeeds such as piercing, smuggling, uncontrolled immigration, drug trafficking, unlawful fishing, human trafficking, and others. Progressive surveillance and intervention systems are used to help in fixing merchant vessels, terminals, coastal lines, and important infrastructural plots. Surveillance systems utilized for weather predictions: The huge open space surveillance systems combine subsea framework monitoring and maritime arrangement using weather predictions, real-time tracking, and 3D tactical consciousness. The contemporary progressive designs also imbibe enhancing sailing proposals and course forecasts, productive communication amidst offshore workforce, vessels, and control panels, a presentation management benefit and vessel data, and environmental observation. Modernized maritime security technologies: Several countries in the North American and European nations are now accepting modernized maritime security technologies utilizing a broad gamut of cameras involving the infrared, fish eye, and pan tilt zoom cameras. These advancements will project growth in the market during the forecast period. Request Customized Copy of Report @ https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/maritime-surveillance-and-intervention-market/request-for-customization (We customize your report according to your research need. Ask our sales team for report customization.) Segmental Analysis The risk assessment and investigation segment is anticipated to observe the speedy growth Based on services, the risk assessment and investigation segment is anticipated to observe speedy growth. Maritime surveillance and intervention market demand is on the rise as the International Safety Management Code (ISM code) requires risk oversight and event probe. This training offers professional players with conceptual and pragmatic prowess needed to take part productively in the total safety management procedure, from discovering probabilities to risk elements and alleviation through accurate risk dominance procedures. The surveillance and tracking segment accounted for the largest market share Based on the system, the surveillance and tracking segment accounted for the largest market share. Maritime surveillance and intervention market trends include increasing usage of radars, sensor systems, and remotely operated vehicles for undersea surveillance administration. A remotely operated vehicle is an automatic underwater robot connected to the ship through linked cables. Cable conveyance instructions and regulation signals between the operator and ROV authorizing the vehicle to be traversed distantly. Inquire more about this report before purchase @ https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/maritime-surveillance-and-intervention-market/speak-to-analyst (Inquire about a report quote OR available discount offers to the sales team before purchase.) Maritime Surveillance and Intervention Market: Report Scope & Coverage Report Attribute Details Revenue Forecast in 2032 USD 52.41 Billion Market size value in 2023 USD 23.48 Billion Expected CAGR Growth 9.33% from 2023 2032 Base Year 2022 Forecast Year 2023 2032 Top Market Players Bharat Electronics Limited, Dassault Aviation SA, Elbit Systems Ltd., Furuno Electric Co. Ltd., Indra Raytheon Technologies Corporation, Kongsberg Gruppen ASA, Northrop Grumman, Naval Group, OSI Systems, Inc., Smiths Group plc, SRT Marine Systems Plc, Saab AB, Sistemas, S.A., Thales Group, Westminster Group PLC, and Yaltes SA Segments Covered By System, By Services, By Application, By Region Customization Options Customized purchase options are available to meet any research needs. Explore customized purchase options Geographic Overview North America: This region held the largest maritime surveillance and intervention market share due to the expanded categorization of progressive maritime surveillance systems to offer pronounced defense for coastal operations. Additionally, Canada owns the world's lengthiest coastlines. Therefore, MSI solutions would be in escalated demand in the Canadian marine industry. Asia Pacific: This region witnessed expansion owing to a surge in maritime activity in advanced countries such as Japan, China, and India. The seaway manages the bulk of China's trade. Therefore, China would indicate the universal formation of monitoring solutions. Browse the Detail Report Maritime Surveillance and Intervention Market Share, Size, Trends, Industry Analysis Report, By System (Detectors, Combat Management Systems, Surveillance, and Tracking, Geographic Information System (GIS), and Others); By Services; By Application; By Region; Segment Forecast, 2023-2032 with in-depth TOC: https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/maritime-surveillance-and-intervention-market For Additional Information OR Media Enquiry, Please Mail At: sales@polarismarketresearch.com Recent Developments In December 2022, Unseenlabs, a supplier of space-based RF monitoring for Maritime Domain Awareness, announced the launch of BRO-8, the eighth satellite in its constellation. BRO-8 was launched as a component of the Transporter-6 Mission in January 2023 by SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida. In May 2022, the Naval Group and its associates completed a major operational deployment of the EFFECTOR project. This protest was held at the "Regional Operational Centre for Surveillance and Rescue in the Mediterranean (CROSS MED)" & included the Naval Group-developed SeaMIS maritime monitoring and rescue control scheme and maritime remote monitoring from other European countries as part of cross-border collaborative operations. Polaris Market Research has segmented the Maritime Surveillance and Intervention market report based on system, services, application, and region: By System Outlook Detectors Combat Management Systems Surveillance and Tracking Geographic Information System (GIS) Others By Services Outlook Risk Assessment and Investigation Maintenance and Support Security Management Others By Application Outlook Port and Critical Infrastructure Facility Vessel Security Coastal Surveillance Search and rescue Others By Region Outlook North America (U.S., Canada) Europe (France, Germany, UK, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Russia) Asia Pacific (Japan, China, India, Malaysia, Indonesia. South Korea) Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, Argentina) Middle East & Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Israel, South Africa) Browse More Research Reports: Digital Panel Meter Market: https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/digital-panel-meter-market Placenta Market: https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/placenta-market Oil Storage Terminal Market: https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/oil-storage-terminal-market Furfural Market: https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/furfural-market Virtual Visits Market: https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/virtual-visits-market Passwordless Authentication Market: https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/passwordless-authentication-market Geophysical Services Market: https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/geophysical-services-market Motor Lamination Market: https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/motor-lamination-market Electric Utility Vehicle Market: https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/electric-utility-vehicle-market About Polaris Market Research Polaris Market Research is a global market research and consulting company. The company specializes in providing exceptional market intelligence and in-depth business research services for PMRs clientele spread across different enterprises. We at Polaris are obliged to serve PMRs diverse customer base present across the industries of healthcare, technology, semiconductors, and chemicals among various other industries present around the world. We strive to provide PMRs customers with updated information on innovative technologies, high-growth markets, emerging business environments, and the latest business-centric applications, thereby helping them always to make informed decisions and leverage new opportunities. Adept with a highly competent, experienced, and extremely qualified team of experts comprising SMEs, analysts, and consultants, we at Polaris endeavor to deliver value-added business solutions to PMRs customers. Contact: Likhil G 30 Wall Street 8th Floor, New York City, NY 10005, United States Phone: +1-929 297-9727 Email: sales@polarismarketresearch.com Web: https://www.polarismarketresearch.com Follow Us: LinkedIn | Twitter Blog: https://polarismarketresearch.medium.com | https://polarisnewsblog.com MEXICO CITY (AP) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy took a swipe Thursday at leaders who have adopted postures of neutrality regarding the Russian invasion of Ukraine, calling them populists. Zelenskyys comments, in a video link before a committee of Mexican legislators, were an apparent reference to leaders such as Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. The Brazilian leader has refused to provide weapons to Ukraine, has appeared to ascribe blame to both sides and has proposed a club of nations including Brazil and China to mediate peace. Mexico, under President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, has voted to condemn the invasion, although it has declined to impose economic sanctions on Russia. There are some leaders who have not visited Ukraine once and who have not seen what the brutal Russian aggression brought, and why it is important to defend lives, Zelenskyy said, adding "but simply seeking to achieve some sort of populism they say things like Ukraine is supposedly not ready to go for peace. Zelenskyy also slammed different companies and big multinational firms that want to make millions by trading with Russia, adding unfortunately, the world is full of hypocrisy. Earlier this month, Lula told reporters in Abu Dhabi that two nations Russia and Ukraine had decided to go to war, and a day earlier in Beijing said the U.S. must stop stimulating the continued fighting and start discussing peace. Lula has also suggested Ukraine could cede Crimea to end the war, something the spokesperson for Ukraines foreign ministry, Oleg Nikolenko, and others rejected. The Ukranian president got an expected standing ovation from the legislators of the Mexico-Ukraine Friendship Group, most of whom belong to opposition parties. In 2022, Lopez Obrador decried NATO policy of supporting Ukraine, claiming it was equivalent to saying Ill supply the weapons, and you supply the dead. It is immoral. How easy it is to say, Here, Ill send you this much money for weapons, Lopez Obrador said. Couldnt the war in Ukraine have been avoided? Of course it could. Lopez Obrador did not say how, other than Russia not invading. In 2022, a half-dozen legislators from Lopez Obradors Morena party helped create a congressional Mexico-Russia Friendship Committee. The Morena party said we respect the freedom of thought of our members after a youth group apparently affiliated with the party sent an open letter to the Russian ambassador supporting the invasion. Russia has been making a sort of diplomatic push in Latin America this week. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met Wednesday with Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, and the two commiserated about U.S. sanctions. Lavrov on Thursday met with recently reelected Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, during the last leg of a Latin American tour that took him to Brazil, Nicaragua and Venezuela. Hong Kong, Hong Kong--(Newsfile Corp. - April 21, 2023) - Globiance, a leading banking and crypto exchange platform, is about to release a new widget that will enable customers to trade their fiat currency directly into cryptocurrencies. The widget is a simple and convenient solution designed to offer customers easy access to a wide range of payment methods, exchange, and currencies. The release of this new widget will enable the seamless conversion of traditional money into digital assets making it even easier to enter into the crypto market. Globiance To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9243/163342_6244696c943428cb_001full.jpg Globiance's new widget supports a wide range of currencies. Customers can trade using the most popular currencies, such as; the Euro, Pound Sterling, and the US Dollar. Using the new widget, trades can now also be made using; United Arab Emirates Dirham, Australian Dollar, Azerbaijan Manat, Bangladeshi Taka, Brazilian Real, Canadian Dollar, Swiss Franc, Chilean Peso, Colombian Peso, Costa Rican Colon, Czech Koruna, Danish Krone, Dominican Republic Peso, Algerian Dinar, Egyptian Pound, Georgian Lari, Hong Kong Dollar, Croatian Kuna, Hungarian Forint, Israeli Shekel, Indian Rupee, Japanese Yen, Korean Won, Kuwaiti Dinar, Morocco Dirham, Mexican Peso, Malaysian Ringgit, Nigerian Naira, Norwegian Krone, Peruvian Sol, Philippine Peso, Polish Zloty, Romanian Leu, Saudi Riyal, Swedish Krona, Singapore Dollar, Thai Baht, Tunisian Dinar, Turkish lira, Ukrainian Hryvnia, Central African CFA Franc, South African Rand, Bulgarian Lev, Bahraini Dinar, Indonesian Rupiah, Kazakhstani Tenge, New Zealand Dollar, Qatar Riyal, Taiwan New Dollar, Uruguayan Peso, and Vietnamese Dong. This diversity of currencies is a unique feature of Globiance and the addition of this widget will enable customers from around the world to purchase cryptocurrencies by using their local currency. Story continues The payment methods supported by Globiance's widget include; Credit/Debit Card, ApplePay, GooglePay, Giropay, Astropay, Skrill, Neteller, PIX, Khipu, Webpay, PSE, SPEI and direct Bank Transfer. Bank Transfer is available in Malaysia, Nigeria, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and more providing customers with a wide range of options to fund their accounts and start trading. In terms of cryptocurrencies, Globiance offers a comprehensive selection of popular currencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Tether. Additionally, the platform supports Binance Coin (BEP2 and BEP20), Animal Farm Dogs (AFD), Animal Farm Pigs (AFP) Ripple, Cardano, Dogecoin, Polygon, Solana, Polkadot, Binance USD, Litecoin, Shiba Inu, Tron, Dai, Wrapped Bitcoin, Chainlink, Uniswap, Stellar, Bitcoin Cash, Aave, Tezos, Axie Infinity, The Sandbox, Chiliz, Curve DAO Token, Maker, Enjin Coin, Basic Attention Token, Holo, Compound, Yearn Finance, SushiSwap, Swipe, Kyber Network Crystal, Numeraire, and Perpetual Protocol. This extensive range of cryptocurrencies enables customers to diversify their portfolios with a variety of digital assets. The Globiance widget is a simple and convenient way to access the crypto market, using a wide range of currencies, payment methods, and cryptocurrencies. The combination of banking and crypto services makes Globiance a well-rounded platform designed with users in mind. About Globiance: Globiance is a banking/crypto exchange platform that combines banking and crypto services onto a single platform. It offers exchanges, payment gateways, centralized (CEX) and decentralized (DEX) marketplaces, trading, staking, online wallets, and more. The platform is deflationary by design, and the native token of Globiance is GBEX, which is utilized in many different capacities, including paying fees, rewards, and referrals. For media inquiries or more information about Globiance, interested parties can contact Terry Junior, the Media Contact person for GLOBIANCE Holdings Limited, via email at contact@globiance.com or visit their website at https://eu.globiance.com. Globiance is based in Hong Kong, and offers its services globally. Media Contact Contact person: Terry junior Company Name: GLOBIANCE Holdings Limited Website: https://eu.globiance.com Email: contact@globiance.com City: Hong Kong State: Hong Kong Country: China To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/163342 Akshaya Tritiya falls this year on Saturday, 22 April the earliest this Hindu and Jain festival celebrated from India to Nepal has come in five years. And for Indias beleaguered gold and jewellery industry, it couldnt come sooner. With gold prices at an all-time high, merchants of the precious yellow metal hope that the festival will provide a much-needed uptick to gold sales in the country. Akshaya Tritiya, which usually falls in May, is marked by buying gold and/or making property investments or starting new ventures. Gold prices have been at an all-time high in recent weeks, with the market price for 10 gram 24-carat gold at Rs 62,065 in Delhi on Friday evening. The price peaked at Rs 62,790 on April 5. The sky-high rates had seen regular customers thinking twice before putting down money on the precious metal. The industry is pinning its hopes on Akshaya Tritiya sales.Though the consistent increase in gold price has caused a temporary dip in discretionary gold purchases, we are encouraged by the Akshaya Tritiya advance booking, said Ramesh Kalyanaraman, executive director - Kalyan Jewellers. Gold has always been a preferred saving option among Indians, Kalyanaraman pointed out, while Isha Sapra, CEO & co-founder of Ausper, an automated platform for women to buy gold, added further perspective.Gold has a very high significance in our culture, traditions, rituals, and belief systems. In fact, gold is believed to be Ashta Lakshmi, and buying gold on Shubh Muhurats is believed to bring prosperity and auspiciousness into our homes. Other than lifetime milestones like weddings, Indias gold and jewellery industry depends on the shopping splurge of the Danteras-Diwali season as well as Akshaya Tritiya to shore up their bottom line. Trepidation is high whether high gold prices will play spoilsport this time around. Interestingly, the singular objective of buying gold Akshaya Tritiya also seems to be diversifying, if trends from real estate players as well as the larger jewellery industry are to be believed Since Akshaya Tritiya is believed to bring good luck, there has been a noticeable rise in real estate sales, with prices appreciating competitively, said Sandeep Raheja, chairman, K.Raheja Realty. Spurring this on has been freebies and discounts. Fexible payment plans, reductions or waivers on maintenance and car parking fees for a time-bound period are important factors that play a significant role in turbocharging investments during festive seasons like Akshaya Tritiya, said Amit Jain, director of Mahagun Group, another leading realty player. Raheja, for example, is sweetening its deals by throwing in a free gold coin.We are looking forward to outperforming sales numbers this Akshaya Tritiya, said Raheja. Kalyanaraman also pointed out how customers are moving beyond gold for Akshaya Tritiya. Apart from yellow gold jewellery, we have been witnessing a notable uptick in consumer preferences towards alternative metals such as platinum, silver, rose gold and white gold as well as luxury products such as diamond jewellery pieces. This shift is fuelled by various factors such as minimalism, cultural trends and growing popularity of all-season jewellery. Mother of popular South Indian actor Mammootty, Fatima Ismail, passed away on Friday. She was 93. She breathed her last at a private hospital in Kochi due to old age. The funeral took place on Friday evening at Chempu Juma Masjid Kabristan in Vaikom. Politicians, celebrities from the Malayalam film industry and the actor's fans expressed their condolences. Spoke to Mammootty this morning to express my sincere condolences on the passing of his mother. As I have grown older I have become much closer to my own mother, & I am aware of the preciousness of this irreplaceable bond. May he find the peace of mind to cope w/his loss." tweeted Congress leader Shashi Tharoor. Days after Angkita Dutta levelled allegations of sexism against Youth Congress president Srinivas B.V., the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) issued a show-cause notice to her. According to sources, the former president of the Assam Pradesh Youth Congress is also likely to be suspended. Dutta, on Thursday, filed a complaint against Srinivas at Dispur police station in Guwahati. The show-cause notice was issued soon after by APCC president Bhupen Kumar Borah. Dutta has been given two days to reply. "@IYCPresident @srinivasiyc has continually harassed me and was discriminating on the basis of my gender. My values and education doesn't allow me anymore. The leadership has played deaf ears despite bring front of them MANY TIMES @RahulGandhi @kcvenugopalmp @priyankagandhi," Dutta wrote on Twitter on Tuesday. According to sources, CID is likely to register a First Information Report (FIR) against Srinivas based on Dutta's complaint and is likely to launch a probe into the matter. Dutta has also accused another IYC leader, Vardhan Yadav of discriminating against her based on her gender and using foul language to threaten her. Srinivas denied the charges and called the accusations 'unparliamentary and defamatory. The Election Commission (EC) on Friday accepted the nomination of Congress state president D.K. Shivkumar from Kanakapura assembly constituency. The seven-time MLA from Kanakapura filed his nomination papers on Monday. With the Congress leader facing multiple investigations from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Income Tax department, as a backup plan his brother D.K. Suresh had filed nomination papers from the same constituency. In connection with the money laundering and tax evasion cases, Shivakumar has been questioned by the central agencies. Shivakumar has won thrice from Kanakapura, a stronghold of Vokkaliga community, since 2008. He is set to face BJP's former minister R. Ashoka. He is said to be the close aide of B.S. Yediyurappa. Since 1989 the Congress have been winning the seat expect between 2004-2008. Meanwhile, while talking to the media he refuted all allegations against him and accused BJP of political vendetta. KPCC president Shivakumar said that all his papers are transparent. "All my papers are transparent, whatever I have filled to the election commission, Income Tax, ED, Lokayukta and CBI. They are trying to interpret it in a different format. They want to create problems for me and they are harassing me. Notices have been given to me by the income tax department. I dont want to talk about law/court matters. I am ready to face whatever they give," said Shivakumar. "I believe in people's court, they (BJP) are trying to use various agencies...I am very cautious on every move, I am also a political animal," DKS told ANI. Strengthening the campaigning ahead of the polls, Union Minister Amit Shah is on a two-day visit to Karnataka. He will take out a roadshow in Devanahalli and will meet up with the senior party leaders. All eyes are on the Election Commission as the poll body on Friday begins scrutinising the nominations for the upcoming Karnataka assembly polls. Over 3,600 candidates have filed a total of 5,102 nominations, election officials said on Thursday night. The process of filing nominations papers began on April 13. Of the total nominations, 4,710 were filed by 3,327 male candidates and 391 nominations were by 304 female candidates. One nomination has been filed by an "other gender" candidate, the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer of Karnataka said in a Thursday night statement. Of these, 707 nominations were filed by candidates who identified themselves with the BJP, 651 Congress, 455 JD(S) and the rest from other smaller parties and independents. Backup plans In the heated battle with the ruling BJP and the Congress, both parties have left no stone unturned including fielding candidates from more than one constituency and even nominating 'backup' candidates. In a surprise move on Thursday, just hours before the deadline for nominations, Karnataka Congress MP D.K. Suresh, filed his nomination as an independent candidate from the Kanakapura assembly constituency from where the party has fielded his brother and state party chief D.K. Shivakumar. According to Congress sources, Suresh has filed his papers, as a backup plan in the event of Shivakumar's nomination getting rejected as he has a number of cases pending against him. The party's move also coincided with the Karnataka High Court dismissing Shivakumar's petition challenging the sanction given by the state government to the CBI for prosecuting him. Shivakumar had challenged the sanction on grounds that this was a politically motivated FIR, and three earlier FIRs have already been filed against him in relation to disproportionate income. Not just the DKS brothers, former Congress ministers KJ George and Satish Jarkiholi have ensured nomination of one of their family members from their respective seats. While Georges son Rana has filed nomination in Bengalurus Sarvagnanagar, Jarkiholis daughter has filed papers in Yamakanmardi in Belagavi district, Times of India reported. BJP minister K Gopaliahs wife Hemalatha has also taken the same route by filing papers from her husbands seat, Mahalakshmi Layout in Bengaluru. The last day for the withdrawal of candidature is April 24. Amit Shah's rally today Senior BJP leader and Union Home Minister Amit Shah will arrive in Bengaluru on Friday on a two-day visit to take stock of the party's preparations for the elections. This is his first visit to the state since the poll dates were announced. He will address a gathering in Devanahalli town, in Bengaluru Rural district. In Devanahalli, Shah will campaign for the party's Pilla Munishamappa, who is pitted against the sitting JD(S) MLA LN Narayanaswamy and Congress candidate KH Muniyappa. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also campaign extensively in the state in the coming days. Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said that the PM will campaign in 20 places in the poll-bound state and that his schedule is being finalised. Security forces have launched a big operation to track the militants involved in the attack on an army truck at Bhata Dhurian, Mendher in Poonch, in which five soldiers were killed, and one was injured on Thursday. Traffic has been suspended from Bhimber Gali to Surankote to facilitate the operation. Commuters have been advised to adopt alternative routes, including Bhimber Gali-Mendhar-Jarran Wali Gali to Surankote-Poonch or via Krishna Ghati to Poonch. Senior army and police officers from Poonch, Rajouri, and Jammu reached the site late Thursday evening for on-spot investigations. The deployment of forces has been made in several villages, including Bhata Dhurian, Nar forest, Sanjiote, and Kotan which have been cordoned, and searches are going on to track down the perpetrators of the attack. The deceased army soldiers were from a Rashtriya Rifles unit deployed for counter-terror operations. They were identified as Havaldar Mandeep Singh, Lance Naik Kulwant Singh, Sepoy Harkrishan Singh, Sepoy Sevak Singh and Lance Naik Debashish Baswal. Their bodies will be sent to their hometowns on Friday after the completion of legal formalities. During the attack, the truck caught fire sparked by the firing at the fuel tank of the vehicle. The army said the fire was caused by the grenades lobbed by militants at the truck. The well-planned attack was carried out by militants taking advantage of the bad weather, and hiding behind the vegetation. The ambush gave no time for the soldiers to retaliate due to firing, lobbing of grenades, and the blaze from the fuel tank that engulfed the vehicle. Locals rushed out of their homes after hearing explosions in the area and also assisted security forces in dousing the fire. It is the second major militant attack on the army in the area by militants after the October 2021 attack in which nine soldiers, including a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO), were killed. The militants had remained untraced after the army launched an operation that continued for several weeks. The attack comes after the killing of seven civilians by two foreign militants on January 1 at Upper Dhangri in Rajouri, including two minors. Of late, the Poonch-Rajouri districts bordering Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) have been increasingly targeted by militants, indicating the revival of militants in the two districts to some extent. Though a robust counterinsurgency grid is in place in the two districts, occasional infiltration by foreigners does happen. After the attack, Army Chief General Manoj Pande met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi and briefed him about the killing of the five soldiers. The attack happened at a time when the Jammu and Kashmir Government is preparing to host the maiden G20 meeting in Srinagar from May 22 to 25. Last week, Union Home Minister Amit Shah held a meeting regarding security arrangements for the prestigious event. The Army Commanders Conference (ACC) is also going on in New Delhi to deliberate on the countrys internal and external security. It will conclude on Friday. The conference, addressed by Rajnath Singh, discussed the situation in Jammu and Kashmir security, and the situation along the Line of Control (LoC) China's Foreign Minister Qin Gang, on Friday, said that both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to China. He added it is right for China to uphold its sovereignty. Qin made the remarks at the Lanting Forum in Shanghai. Gang, at the forum, discussed various topics including debt, the global economy, and Taiwan. "Recently there has been absurd rhetoric accusing China of upending the status quo, disrupting peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait," Gang said, according to a Reuters report. "The logic is absurd and the conclusion dangerous," he added. Recently Taiwan's Tsai Ing-wen met with US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, post which, China conducted military exercises around the island. China claims the independently governed island nation to be a part of its territory. Taiwan has time and again rejected the claim. China in the meanwhile, continues to denounce Taiwan's president meeting with high-level foreign officials and leaders. "It is not the Chinese mainland, but the Taiwan independence separatist forces and a handful of countries attempting to disrupt the status quo," Gang said. "Those who play with fire on Taiwan will eventually get themselves burned," he added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair a high-level meeting on Friday to review the situation concerning Indians in violence-hit Sudan, government sources said on Friday. India on Thursday said the situation in Sudan is "very tense" and is focusing on ensuring the safety and well-being of the Indian community, including working on contingency plans and possible evacuation. Earlier Foreign Minister S Jaishankar discussed the Sudan situation with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, where he emphasised the need for talks, which can lead to an early ceasefire and ensure safety for people in the conflict-torn country. About 4,000 Indians are stuck in the crisis-hit nation. External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that India is keeping a close eye on the situation in Sudan. "We are in readiness of taking multiple options. There are contingency plans. We are in close touch with our teams on the ground. But it will all depend on how long there is a pause in the fighting or a ceasefire; where it is happening, what is available in terms of locations where we can safely take people away," he told PTI. Fighting has been raging in Sudan between supporters of Sudan's army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who commands the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The struggle is over the proposed timeline to hand over power to a civilian government. At least 350 people, including Indian nationals, have been killed in the intense fighting going that erupted on Saturday in the capital city of Khartoum and other places. The RSF had said it had agreed to a 72-hour truce from 6 a.m. (0400 GMT) on Friday but residents of Khartoum and its sister city Bahri reported gunfire as Sudanese troops deployed in the cities on foot. "The truce coincides with the blessed Eid al-Fitr ... to open humanitarian corridors to evacuate citizens and give them the opportunity to greet their families," the RSF said in a statement. There's been no comment from the army or its chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. Al-Burhan had posted a pre-recorded message on Facebook, but, did not mention the ceasefire in his speech. According to a Reuters report, witnesses heard gunfire during Eid prayers and as the ceasefire began. Khartoum, the capital, was rocked by bombing and shelling before the ceasefire announcement. --With PTI inputs A Russian defence ministry has said that one of its fighter jets fired a weapon into the city of Belgorod near Ukraine on Thursday, causing an explosion and damaging buildings, Tass news agency reported. As a Sukhoi Su-34 air force plane was flying over the city of Belgorod there was an accidental discharge of aviation ammunition, the defence ministry said, the Guardian reported. The blast formed a 20-metre-wide crater in one of the city's main streets. Belgorods regional governor, Vyacheslav Gladkov announced a state of emergency. The blast injured two people. Four buildings and four cars were damaged. Russian warplanes have regularly flown over Belgorod and the city has been repeatedly shelled since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Investigators and personnel from Emergency Ministries had reached the scene. An explosion took place," Gladkov said on Telegram. NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg, in the meantime, on Thursday, said that Ukraine's rightful place is in the military alliance and pledged more support for the country on his first visit to Kyiv since Russia's invasion just over a year ago. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged Stoltenberg, who has been instrumental in marshalling support from NATO members, to push for even more from them, including warplanes, artillery and armoured equipment. With PTI inputs VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / April 21, 2023 / Gold Terra Resource Corp. (TSX-V:YGT; Frankfurt:TX0; OTCQX:YGTFF) ("Gold Terra" or the "Company") is pleased to announce additional assay results from drill holes GTCM23-043 to 48, drilled on the Yellorex North zone during the Phase 1 winter drilling program on the Con Mine Option ("CMO") Property in Yellowknife, NWT. The drilling program was designed to expand the Yellorex North gold zone between surface and 300 metres below surface (see February 24, 2023 press release). The CMO property is under option from subsidiaries of Newmont Corporation and is acquirable by the Company upon fulfillment of certain conditions set out in the CMO agreement, as reported in the Company's news release dated November 22, 2021. Chairman and CEO, Gerald Panneton, commented, "The drilling results indicate a well-developed gold system in the Yellorex North zone and the expansion of the zone at depth which is open in all directions. The zone will require additional drilling and will be part of our next drill program. All ten completed holes on Yellorex North hit the targeted Campbell Shear and the results are highly encouraging and supporting additional drilling. The Campbell Shear structure is our highest priority target as the Con Mine produced historically more than 5 million ounces of high-grade gold (16 g/t Au). " Highlights Alteration, veining, and mineralization suggest a well-developed gold system in each drilled hole with an indication of both an upper zone (in hole GTCM23-045) and a deeper zone (in holes GTCM22-039 and GTCM23-048) of mineralization. Hole GTCM23-045 intersected: 1.7 g/t Au over 4.34 metres from 172-176.34 metres including 3.96 g/t Au over 1.36 metres from 173.5-174.86 metres. GTCM23-045 showed smoky quartz veining with strong sericite alteration, significant pyrite and needle-like arsenopyrite mineralization, and successfully expanded the shallower portion of Yellorex North zone. Story continues GTCM23-048 intersected 4.31 g/t Au over 2 metres from 383-385 metres and 3.06 g/t Au over 6 metres from 392-398 metres. GTCM23-048 contained abundant quartz veining and exhibited strong mineralization consisting of pyrite, arsenopyrite, stibnite and trace sphalerite. This hole successfully expanded the deeper portion of Yellorex North to depth and shows that the strong mineralization system continues at depth and remains open in three (3) directions. Holes GTCM23-045 and 048 represent distinct lenses of mineralization within the Campbell Shear at Yellorex North. As it appears that the southern extend of Yellorex North is truncated by the oblique-angled Pud Fault, it is evident that an additional exploration target exists ~300 metres to the south-southeast along the primarily strike-slip fault, where it is postulated that the southern portion of Yellorex North has been off-set to. It means that the zone is open on the other side and will be tested again in the near future. A long section showing 2023 drilling is presented in Figure 1. A cross-section showing holes GTCM23-045 and 048 is shown in Figure 2. Three holes, GTCM23-043, 046 and 047 intersected zones of anomalous gold mineralization. Hole GTCM23-043 intersected anomalous gold such as 0.51 g/t Au over 9 metres from 256-265 metres and 1.65 g/t Au over 1.0 metre from 277-278 metres indicating the hole represents a narrow gap between the two mineralized horizons within the Campbell Shear. GTCM23-046 and 047 were designed to explore the northern extents of Yellorex North in an area that has seen little historical drilling. Both holes successfully encountered the Campbell Shear and returned 17.5 metres and 20 metres respectively of anomalous low-grade gold. These broad anomalous zones are interpreted to be the marginal, low-grade halos of high-grade zones. GTCM23-044 was "faulted" and intersected the footwall zone of the Campbell Shear as the hole was targeting the Yellorex North zone nearby the Pud Fault. The upper portion of the Campbell Shear was offset some 300 metres to the east along the Pud Fault. The Pud Fault is a post-mineralization feature and was intersected as a 15-centimetre-wide fault gouge at 318 metres. As this program has defined high-grade gold adjacent to the Pud Fault, the faulted-offset of the Yellorex North zone nearby to the east has emerged as a strong target for future exploration. This target is notably located in an area that has seen little historical drilling. In addition, GTCM23-042 intersected 5.3 g/t Au over 6.43 metres and was designed to verify and add depth extension to historical high-grade mineralization encountered in the Yellorex North zone of the Campbell Shear. See March 3, 2023 press release). Ten near surface drill holes have been completed on Yellorex North. The zone is only 1 kilometer south of existing infrastructure, the C1 shaft, and above the level 2300. It was previously tested only by one hole in 2022, GTCM22-039, (see August 3, 2022 press release) which returned two mineralized zones returning 3.31 g/t Au over 6.00 metres from 306.0 to 312.0 metres and including 5.39 g/t Au over 2.0 metres from 309.00 to 311.00 metres, and 2.18 g/t Au over 5.0 metres from 324.00 metres to 329.00 metres. Figure 1 - Long section showing 2023 drilling and historic drilling. Figure 2 - Cross-section showing holes GTCM23-045 and 048 The focus of the winter drilling program is to expand the September 2022 initial Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") (see September 7, 2022 press release) along the Campbell Shear immediately south of the Con Mine. The initial mineral resource estimate from drilling in 2022 is 109,000 Indicated ounces @ 7.55 g/t Au of contained gold and 432,000 Inferred ounces @ 6.74 g/t Au of contained gold between surface and to a depth of 400m below surface along a 2 km corridor. Please see the October 21, 2022 technical report, titled "Initial Mineral Resource Estimate for the CMO Property, Yellowknife City Gold Project, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada" with an effective date of September 2, 2022, by Qualified Person, Allan Armitage, Ph. D., P. Geo., SGS Geological Services, which can be found on the Company's website at https://www.goldterracorp.com and on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Qualified Persons Joe Campbell, P. Geo., Senior Technical Advisor for Gold Terra is a Qualified Person within the meaning of NI 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this news release. About Gold Terra The YCG project encompasses 800 sq. km of contiguous land immediately north, south and east of the City of Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories. Through a series of acquisitions, Gold Terra controls one of the six major high-grade gold camps in Canada. Being within 10 kilometers of the City of Yellowknife, the YCG is close to vital infrastructure, including all-season roads, air transportation, service providers, hydro-electric power, and skilled tradespeople. Gold Terra is currently focusing its drilling on the prolific Campbell Shear, where 14 Moz of gold has been produced, and most recently on the Con Mine Option claims immediately south of the past producing Con Mine (1938-2003). The YCG and CMO property lie on the prolific Yellowknife greenstone belt, covering nearly 70 kilometers of strike length along the main mineralized shear system that host the former-producing high-grade Con and Giant gold mines. The Company's exploration programs have successfully identified significant zones of gold mineralization and multiple targets that remain to be tested which reinforces the Company's objective of re-establishing Yellowknife as one of the premier gold mining districts in Canada. Visit our website at www.goldterracorp.com. For more information, please contact: Gerald Panneton, Chairman & CEO gpanneton@goldterracorp.com Mara Strazdins, Manager of Investor Relations Phone: 1-778-897-1590 | 604-689-1749 ext 102 strazdins@goldterracorp.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Information Concerning Estimates of Mineral Resources Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Therefore, investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an Inferred Mineral Resource could ever be mined economically. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of "Measured Mineral Resources," "Indicated Mineral Resources," or "Inferred Mineral Resources" will ever be upgraded to a higher category. The Mineral Resource estimates contained herein may be subject to legal, political, environmental or other risks that could materially affect the potential development of such mineral resources. Refer to the Technical Report, once filed, for more information with respect to the key assumptions, parameters, methods and risks of determination associated with the foregoing. Cautionary Note to United States Investors The Company prepares its disclosure in accordance with the requirements of securities laws in effect in Canada, which differ from the requirements of U.S. securities laws. Terms relating to Mineral Resources in this news release are defined in accordance with NI 43-101 under the guidelines set out in CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, adopted by the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum Council on May 19, 2014, as amended ("CIM Standards"). The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") has adopted amendments effective February 25, 2019 (the "SEC Modernization Rules") to its disclosure rules to modernize the mineral property disclosure requirements for issuers whose securities are registered with the SEC under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934. As a result of the adoption of the SEC Modernization Rules, the SEC will now recognize estimates of "Measured Mineral Resources", "Indicated Mineral Resources" and "Inferred Mineral Resources", which are defined in substantially similar terms to the corresponding CIM Standards. In addition, the SEC has amended its definitions of "Proven Mineral Reserves" and "Probable Mineral Reserves" to be substantially similar to the corresponding CIM Standards. U.S. investors are cautioned that while the foregoing terms are "substantially similar" to corresponding definitions under the CIM Standards, there are differences in the definitions under the SEC Modernization Rules and the CIM Standards. Accordingly, there is no assurance any Mineral Resources that the Company may report as "Measured Mineral Resources", "Indicated Mineral Resources" and "Inferred Mineral Resources" under NI 43-101 would be the same had the Company prepared the Mineral Resource estimates under the standards adopted under the SEC Modernization Rules. In accordance with Canadian securities laws, estimates of "Inferred Mineral Resources" cannot form the basis of feasibility or other economic studies, except in limited circumstances where permitted under NI 43-101. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information Certain statements made and information contained in this news release constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation ("forward-looking information"). Generally, this forward-looking information can, but not always, be identified by use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events, conditions or results "will", "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" or the negative connotations thereof. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is necessarily based on estimates and assumptions that are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking information regarding the current drilling on the Campbell Shear, potentially adding ounces to the Company's current YCG mineral resource, and the Company's objective of re-establishing Yellowknife as one of the premier gold mining districts in Canada. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as the Company's actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in this forward-looking information as a result of the factors discussed in the "Risk Factors" section in the Company's most recent MD&A and annual information form available under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that would cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is based on information available to the Company as of the date of this news release. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. All of the forward-looking information contained in this news release is qualified by these cautionary statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information due to the inherent uncertainty thereof. Except as required under applicable securities legislation and regulations applicable to the Company, the Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update this forward-looking information. SOURCE: Gold Terra Resource Corp View source version on accesswire.com: https://www.accesswire.com/750553/Gold-Terra-Announces-Additional-Drilling-Results-Including-306-gt-Gold-over-6-Metres-on-Yellorex-North-Zone-Con-Mine-Option-Property Thousands of Sri Lankans dressed in white and black clothes held a protest here on Friday, demanding justice for the victims of the devastating 2019 Easter bomb attacks that killed nearly 270 people, including 11 Indians. Nine suicide bombers belonging to the local Islamist extremist group National Thawheed Jamaat linked to ISIS carried out a series of blasts that tore through three Catholic churches and as many luxury hotels on April 21, 2019, killing more than 270 people and injuring over 500. The bombings triggered a political storm as then President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe were blamed for their inability to prevent the attacks despite prior intelligence being made available. Thousands of people including Catholic clergy lined up for a silent protest on Friday, the fourth anniversary of the bomb attacks. They blamed the government for not taking adequate measures to deliver justice for the victims. The protesters, dressed in white and black, held one another's hands, forming a human chain. At 8.45 am local time, a 2 minute-silence was observed for the victims. The Church led by its Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, who has been at the forefront of the protests, accused the investigating agencies of a major cover-up. President Sirisena and his establishment must be fully investigated, Cardinal said. He called for the full implementation of recommendations of a presidential panel of investigations appointed by Sirisena. In January, Sirisena apologised to the country's minority Catholic community for the 2019 Easter bombings, saying "the Catholic people hold no grudge against me." "I say sorry to the Catholic community for something done by others, Sirisena had said. Sri Lanka's Supreme Court ordered him to pay SLR 100 million as compensation to the victims. Sirisena was the Sri Lankan president from 2015 to 2019. A presidential panel of inquiry appointed by Sirisena after the attacks ironically found the then-president guilty of his failure to prevent the attacks. He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge in the case filed after the panel's findings. Officials have charged dozens of people who allegedly received weapons training and participated in indoctrination classes from the two local Islamic extremist groups accused of carrying out the attacks. But no one has yet been convicted or sentenced. Meanwhile, the United States on Friday said it honours the victims of the Easter attacks, their families and all affected communities and stands in solidarity with those awaiting justice. In a Twitter message, US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung said, "Today I remember the hundreds of innocent people, including five Americans, who were murdered four years ago in a horrific act of terror on Easter Sunday. The US honours the victims, their families & all affected communities and stands in solidarity with those awaiting justice." Amid the rising tensions in Sudan, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had appealed for a ceasefire to allow the citizens to reach to safety on Eid al-Fitr. Despite reportedly agreeing to Eid al-Fitr truce, gunfires, explosions were heard in the capital city of Khartoum on Friday. Responding to the call for ceasefire, Sudan's paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has announced that it will shortly begin a ceasefire. In a statement released, RSF said that it would observe a 72-hour ceasefire, which would come into effect on Friday, which marks Eid al-Fitr. "The armistice coincides with the blessed Eid al-Fitr, and to open humanitarian corridors to evacuate citizens and give them the opportunity to greet their families," the statement said. Meanwhile, there was not any such announcement from Sudan's Army. Since the power struggle broke out last week between Army's General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the RSF led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, the world leaders called for ceasefires. A three-day truce over Eid was called for by the UN Secretary-General. After meeting with the heads of the African Union, the Arab League and the other organisations on Thursday, Guterres said that "There was a strong consensus on condemning ongoing fighting in Sudan and calling for the cessation of hostilities as an immediate priority." The civilian trapped in the fighting zones should be given a chance to escape and seek medical treatment, he added. Over 300 civilians were killed in the fighting that broke out between the forces since last week. Thousands of civilians crossed into Chad to flee fighting in the westren region of Darfur. Also, amid violence the medical system is under the verge of collapse with many hospital shut down and running out of supplies. Earlier, a coalition of civil groups said it had submitted a proposal for a three-day truce to rival factions that have been locked in a week-long battle for control and they responded favourably. "We welcome the positive position of the leadership of the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces," the group said in social media. US, and UK also endorsed the ceasefire proposal. Meanwhile, India is in touch with various countries with a key focus on ensuring the safety of its nationals in Sudan, the External Affairs Ministry said on Thursday, adding that the ground situation in the violence-hit country is very tense. He said India is keeping a close watch on the developments in Sudan and that the safety and security of Indians is our key focus. Asked whether India is looking at evacuating the Indians in Sudan, he said some plans are being worked out but it will depend on the ground situation. "We are engaged with countries in the region and other countries that have a key role to play particularly, the US, the UK, Saudi Arabia and the UAE," he said. Nagpur, Apr 21 (PTI) Solar Industries Nagpur on Friday said it has bagged an order to supply unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) 'Nagastra' to the Indian Army, beating competitors from Israel and Poland. A Solar Industries official said with government's initiative to bring Atmanirbharta in ammunition and defence systems, the first indigenous Loiter Munition (LM), Nagastra1, has been designed and developed by Economics Explosives Ltd (EEL), a 100 per cent subsidiary of Solar Industries Nagpur, in association with Z-Motion, Bangalore. A model of 'Nagastra -1' loitering munition was recently displayed in the Army Commanders conference held in New Delhi. The company said that Nagastra -1 having an indigenous content of more than 75 per cent has many world class features. It said that in a 'Kamikaze mode' it can neutralise any hostile threat with GPS enabled precision strike with an accuracy of 2 m. The fixed wing electric UAV has an endurance of 60 min with a man-in-loop range of 15 km and autonomous mode range of 30 km. In addition to day-night surveillance cameras the loiter munition is equipped with fragmenting warhead to defeat soft-skin targets. In case a target is not detected or if the mission is aborted, the loiter munition can be called back and made a soft landing with a parachute recovery mechanism enabling it to be reused multiple times. It further said that abort, recover and reuse features of this loiter munition make this system superior to similar class of systems developed by advanced countries. Drone technology has proved to be a force multiplier in military operations as evident from its application in various recent conflicts across the world, especially in cases of Armenia-Azerbaijan, Syria, strike on oilfields in Saudi Arabia, and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. "Even in our context, the recent incidents along the borders have seen a noticeable increase in drone related incidents along the northern borders. "Solar Industries have taken initiatives to develop a wide array of weaponised drones to neutralise various targets using gravity drop bombs, guided missiles or using them in a Kamikaze mode. This will go a long way to boost indigenous capability of using drones/ UAVs as war machinery," company official said. NEW DELHI, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Baby Forest, a Delhi based luxury baby care brand, inspired by the power of Ayurveda is changing the dynamics of everyday baby care. The brand brings the age-old branch of pediatric health that pertains to the wellbeing of the child and mother, i.e. Balachikitsa back and juxtaposes it with the modern day needs of babies. Founded in 2022, the brand is striving to bring gentle, loving, robust care for little ones right from the start. With the message of 'Soham of Ayurveda', each of Baby Forest products are a blend of ayurvedic wisdom passed down from generations. The collection ranges from feeding rituals, skin and everyday care to bath and organic care. Each skin care product is infused with natural ingredients like mulethi, raktachandana, methika and other ayurvedic ingredients. Baby Forest aims to provide every baby with wholesome care that only a mother can give, hence the tagline, 'From Mother, With Love.' While talking about the brand's vision, Apoorva Pandey, the Business Head of Baby Forest says, "The brand firmly believes that baby care is not limited to skincare; instead, it comprises of complete holistic care that mixes traditional methods with the modern ones and are inspired by the best of mother nature." Baby Forest is committed to provide the sacred care of Ayurveda to babies worldwide along with promoting the idea of sustainable living through its eco-friendly production process hence redefining baby care. About Baby Forest Baby Forest is all about hand picking and fusing natural materials and elements to create nourishing Ayurvedic formulations for babies. It's about bringing back age-old formulas and delivering them to the modern mother, who seeks the trusted old ways of caring for a child. The brand brings out the best of nature by offering products made up of all-natural ingredients. The first of its kind, Baby Forest makes luxury ayurvedic care accessible for the little ones. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/babyforestayurveda/ Website: https://www.babyforest.in Media Contact: Punya Gupta Punya@stanleycomm.in +91 98730 97467 Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2059214/Baby_Forest.jpg (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PRNewswire and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR PWR GURUGRAM, India, April 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Shipsy, a leading SaaS-based global smart logistics management platform provider, recently announced it clocked around 100% growth in the top line and has established another regional headquarter in Riyadh to aggressively onboard local talent. Shipsy's first regional HQ in the Middle East was established in Dubai in 2021. It also highlighted that in the Middle East, the company is expected to clock a growth rate of more than 125% and that it had witnessed a 70% increase in talent pool in the past 15 months. Prior to these developments, in March, Shipsy announced that it had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Monsha'at, the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to expedite Saudi Vision 2030. The Gulf has been instrumental in the company's growth trajectory contributing 35% of its overall revenue. The MoU highlighted that Shipsy would offer its technology at a significant concession for all customers channeled through Monsha'at. The leading logistics SaaS provider also committed to investing USD 10 million over five years in the region to drive technology innovation, research and development. "In 2021-2022, we have grown team members across multiple geographies globally. In the past three months, we have sent offers equivalent to 20% of our headcount. Now, with two regional HQs in the Middle East, we are focusing on hiring top regional talent and further boost our local presence and customer support. We are also aggressively hiring for India as well as global roles across multiple verticals. Continuous growth in customer base across MEA, APAC and SEA, rapid technology innovation and steady increase in human resources have made it possible for Shipsy to become one of the most capital efficient startups with negligible burn, and nearing profitability," says Harsh Kumar, Chief Strategy Officer, Shipsy. Shipsy was recently named a Notable Vendor in the 2023 Gartner Asia/Pacific Context and the International Context: 'Magic Quadrant for Transport Management Systems.' This development is a testament to Shipsy's deep commitment to customers and the continuous positive feedback it has been receiving from its customers globally. The logistics SaaS provider's AI and automation powered solutions are enabling businesses across industries to reduce transportation costs, boost customer experience, mitigate logistics risks, shrink carbon footprint and build proactive supply chain processes. Shipsy is already working with customers across the Middle East in the manufacturing, express logistics, retail, food delivery and quick commerce industries. Some of these include the world's auto components manufacturers, the biggest manufacturer and distributor of confectionery, leading express logistics providers in the region, a leading quick commerce grocery provider, an international pizza delivery chain, a Fortune 100 global retailer, amongst others. Media Contact: shruti.sharma@shipsy.io Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1965326/Shipsy_Logo.jpg (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PRNewswire and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR PWR New Delhi, Apr 21 (PTI) Assam and Nagaland Chief Ministers Himanta Biswa Sarma and Neiphiu Rio have agreed in principle to go ahead with oil exploration in areas along their disputed boundary for the economic benefit of both states. Sarma and Rio reached an understanding during a meeting Thursday night, hours after Assam and Arunachal Pradesh governments signed an agreement to resolve their over five-decade-old border dispute. Assam and Nagaland are exploring all options to bring an end to the decades-old border imbroglio in an amicable manner, an Assam government statement said. During their one-to-one discussion here, the two chief ministers discussed issues of mutual interest and collaboration on oil exploration along the inter-state boundary, it said. Rio told reporters that Assam and Nagaland have in principle decided to go for an MoU on oil exploration in the disputed areas so that oil can be extracted and royalties can be shared between the neighbouring states. Once it is formalised, there is huge potential for exploration of oil inside Nagaland also. And to move forward as the country needs oil in a big way," he said. Sarma tweeted: "Happy to have got an opportunity to spend time with Hon'ble Chief Minister of Nagaland @Neiphiu_Rio Ji at Assam House, New Delhi. We had an engaging discussion on bringing closure to the ongoing boundary issue and other areas of mutual gains and collaboration. The Nagaland chief minister said he had a fruitful discussion with his Assam counterpart on the out-of-court settlement of the boundary dispute with the support and cooperation of ethnic groups from both sides. We have discussed about our border and development issues. Because we have to work together, support one another and how to go forward, he said. Assam and Nagaland share a 434 km border. The boundary dispute between the two states is more than six decades old and has been marked by several skirmishes. In the last major clash, in 1985 at Merapani, in present-day Golaghat district, 41 people, including 28 Assam policemen, were killed. There have been several attempts by the Centre to resolve the issue. Rio said the governments of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh have signed an agreement on the border dispute and likewise we are also discussing how we should settle our border dispute outside the court with the support of ethnic groups from both sides. Kolkata, Apr 21 (PTI) As Jacqueline Fitschi-Cornaz walked through the streets of central Kolkata, clad in the blue-bordered white saree of the Missionaries of Charity, it was as if a younger Mother Teresa had come back to life. Essaying the role of the Nobel prize winning nun, often called the 'saint of the gutters', long before she was canonised, Swiss-born Cornaz feels the experience in making the movie 'Mother Teresa & Me' has been a "life changing one". The movie, which shows the Mother's life from the 1950s onwards, intertwined with the lives of two more Indian protagonists, also stars actress Deepti Naval and Banita Sandhu, a British actress of Punjabi descent, and is directed by Kamal Musale, a Swiss-Indian filmmaker. "It was an incredible experience to be in Mother House, to meet Sister Prema and other nuns. And the most touching experience was to see her shoes as if I could see her walking in them As if I could feel her feet, which traversed many miles," Cornaz said. Cornaz, an actress with over three decades of experience who is co-producing the movie with director Kamal Musale and two more European producers, feels what makes the movie interesting is it delves into the "darkness" which the Mother experienced. In 2007, a book of letters written by Mother Teresa of Kolkata was published, which revealed she was deeply tormented about her faith and suffered periods of doubt about God. "It touched me deeply... I felt this inner conflict is important to know (and yet) she still stayed with her vocation (as a nun dedicated to the poor and helpless)," Cornaz said in an interview with PTI Video. The movie depicts how Mother Teresa set up a hospice next to Kalighat temple in a derelict building and the initial hostility she faced from many quarters. "I had been to Skopje and was thrilled to learn a lot about her life, especially her childhood, the place where she had spent first 18 years of her life. I had a very enriching discussion with her family," she said. Deepti Naval, who has been cast in an important role of Deepa, one of the three women protagonists in the movie, said in an Instagram post, "Mother Teresa and Me -- coming shortly. This drama traces Mother Teresa's beginnings in the slums of Kolkata in 1950 and her loss of faith, alongside the story of Kavita, a young English woman of Indian origin abandoned by her partner when he learns she is pregnant. A film about compassion without a political or religious agenda." Musale told PTI Video the movie is quite different from earlier films on the famous saint saint as it deals with her self-doubts. "These letters were released in 2007," he pointed out. Part of the shooting has been done on streets and locales in Kolkata, but the shots in indoor studios were done in Mumbai as "unions here (Kolkata) made it very costly for us to shoot the entire story in this city as we would have liked to". Washington, Apr 21 (PTI) Indias long-standing relationship with Russia gives it a unique position to urge Russian President Vladimir Putin to end his war and to withdraw from Ukrainian territory, Biden administrations point person for South and Central Asia on Thursday said that the war in Ukraine has in fact reinforced India-US bilateral ties, instead of breaking it. It's true, we have not always shared the same approach to Russia's war in Ukraine. But we do share the belief that this war should end as soon as possible, and it should end according to the UN Charter, principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence, US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Donald Lu told PTI in an interview. Indias long-standing relationship with Russia gives it a unique position to urge Vladimir Putin to end his war and to withdraw from Ukrainian territory. We agree with India that Russia's war in Ukraine must end with a negotiated settlement and that enduring and just peace is essential, Lu said in response to a question. We welcome India's support for the people of Ukraine by providing humanitarian assistance. And we welcome Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi's comments at the G-20 Summit in Bali, calling for dialogue and diplomacy, he said. Since the first days of the war, India and the United States have had constant communication at the highest levels of their governments and that cooperation will continue, he said. We are hopeful that India can use its relationship and its influence with Russia to call for Russia to end this war, he said. Responding to a question, Lu said the Ukraine war had not been a difficult moment in this relationship. In fact, I've said the opposite, which is to look at where we are now. We didn't come from the same perspective and yet we found a way to communicate seriously about this. We found a way to listen to one another. We found a way to support one another in this process of trying to create our policies, he said. I recall a time when India was trying to evacuate its students from Ukraine and I hope that India felt the support of America as it did this. I know that we've had lots of discussions about India's interaction with Russia and with Ukraine through this crisis, and we've had quite good communication, he said. So, what's interesting is that the Ukrainian war did not break our relations. In fact, it reinforced our relations. It reinforced an ability to work through disagreements sometimes to find a way to work together cooperatively. I'm actually very optimistic. If we can work through that tough issue, we can work through anything, Lu told PTI. Beijing, Apr 21 (AP) China's foreign minister stepped up threats on Friday against the self-governing island of Taiwan, saying any who go against Beijing's demand to exert control over the island are playing with fire. Qin Gang's remarks Friday came at the end of a speech espousing China's contribution to the global economy and the interests of developing nations, in which he repeatedly praised Communist Party Secretary General Xi Jinping's Global Security Initiative. The concept is the latest of China's moves to position its single-party political system, with its claim to social stability and economic growth, as an alternative to the Western liberal approach that largely defines international relations. Toward the end of his speech in the financial hub of Shanghai, Qin turned to what China calls the Taiwan problem, using harsher terms than Chinese diplomats have typically employed in past in international settings. The safeguarding of national sovereignty and territorial integrity is beyond reproach, Qin said. "The Taiwan problem is at the core of China's core interests, he said. "We will never back down in the face of any act that undermines China's sovereignty and security. Those who play with fire on the question of Taiwan will burn themselves. Such remarks are typically directed at the island's democratically elected government under President Tsai Ing-wen and its most important ally, the United States. China considers Taiwan a part of its territory to be annexed by force if necessary. Earlier in April, China held large-scale air and sea drills in the in areas surrounding Taiwan in retaliation for Tsai's meeting with US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on April 5 in California. China said the exercises simulating an encirclement of Taiwan were intended as a serious warning to pro-independence politicians on the self-governing island and their foreign supporters. China has stepped up its military pressure and diplomatic isolation against Taiwan in recent years, sending fighter jets and navy vessels towards the island on a near-daily basis. While Taiwan maintains official diplomatic relations with just 13 sovereign states, it retains robust ties with most major nations, including the US. After former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan in August, China sent more and more military vessels over the midline of the Taiwan Strait, an unofficial boundary that had been accepted for decades. The heightened pace of military activity and increasingly bellicose language have raised concerns about a possible conflict in one of the world's most economically vital regions. Taiwan produces much of the world's much-needed computer chips and the Taiwan Strait separating the island from mainland China is one of the world's busiest waterways. Taiwan will elect a new president and parliament in January, with China seen as heavily favoring the opposition Nationalist Party that backs political unification between the sides under terms yet to be defined. Taiwanese and US authorities say China is using economic leverage and disinformation to bolster its military threats, but most Taiwanese responding to surveys back the status quo of de facto independence. (AP) FZH London, Apr 21 (PTI) Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has issued Eid greetings to the British Muslim community, reflecting on their contributions to life in the UK. In a message issued overnight on Thursday as Eid al Fitr is marked around the world over the course of this weekend, Sunak said he looked forward to welcoming representatives from the British Muslim community to Downing Street to celebrate the festival. Downing Street annually hosts an Eid reception as well as events to mark other community festivals. As Ramadan comes to an end, I would like to send my warmest wishes to Muslims in the UK and around the world as they mark Eid al Fitr, said Sunak. Eid is a timely opportunity to acknowledge the shared values which bind us together, particularly your compassion and dedication to contribute to charity and philanthropy. This was evident earlier this year, through the communitys outstanding response to support the victims of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria, he said. The 42-year-old British Indian leader noted that as families and friends come together to celebrate, he would like to pay tribute to the incredible contribution the Muslim community makes to the country. Whether it be in business, sports, media, our public services, or of course our NHS [National Health Service] and armed forces, British Muslims are helping to make the country the success it is. Eid Mubarak to everyone observing it today. I look forward to welcoming representatives from the British Muslim community to Downing Street to celebrate, he added. Sunak faces a busy day at work on Friday with all eyes on him as he reviews the findings of an independent report into allegations of bullying by civil servants against his close aide and Cabinet colleague, Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab. The report by a barrister was submitted to the minister's boss, the Prime Minister, who is to decide the action to be taken if Raab is found to have breached the ministerial code. While the Opposition has accused him of dithering and delay, Downing Street has stressed that the Prime Minister is closely studying the findings before announcing his decision on Raab, who is also the UK Justice Secretary and the final move may have to involve a mini shuffle of portfolios if there is a need to replace him. TORONTO, April 21, 2023 /CNW/ - Government investment in the clean economy, including electric vehicle production, is necessary to secure good paying jobs and a prosperous future for Canada's auto sector says Unifor. Unifor Logo (CNW Group/Unifor) "The scale of the transition to electric vehicle production cannot be overstated, with fierce competition around the world for facilities and the long-term employment that comes with them," said Unifor National President Lana Payne. "The federal government's latest investment shows that Canada is willing to put money and vision into a bold industrial strategy. Securing the VW battery plant is a historic win but it's vital that workers share in this investment with good paying union jobs." The federal government will invest up to $13.2 billion over ten years in Volkswagen's first North American gigafactory, an EV battery cell plant to be built in St. Thomas, Ontario. The Ontario government has committed $500 million in direct incentives to the company in addition to funds to support local infrastructure. In addition to capital cost subsidies, Volkswagen and its battery company PowerCo SE will receive production subsidies tied to plant production volumes. "Unifor has long advocated that government investments must be conditional on continued production, but the company's obligations shouldn't end there," said Payne. "VW is a new addition to the Canadian auto footprint and we fully expect the company to uphold our work standards and to respect their workers' right to organize." The VW battery plant is just one of recent major electric vehicle investments. In 2020 bargaining with the Detroit Three automakers, Unifor brought the message that 'The Future is Made in Canada'. With investment as a top priority the union secured more than $6 billion in combined commitments from Ford, GM and Stellantis. In March 2022, Stellantis and LG announced a joint venture to build a lithium-ion battery plant in Windsor, Ontario. Story continues In December 2022, the first BrightDrop all-electric delivery van rolled off the retooled GM CAMI assembly line in Ingersoll, Ontario. In February of this year, it was announced that Unifor members at the General Motors (GM) St. Catharines Propulsion Plant will be the first Detroit Three facility in Canada to produce electric vehicle propulsion systems. Last week, Ford Motor Company announced site transformation plans for Oakville that include both vehicle and battery assembly and the renaming of the facility to the Oakville Electric Vehicle Complex. Unifor will enter negotiations with Detroit Three automakers later this year. Unifor previously unveiled its set of 29 recommendations for governments and automakers in its auto policy document, Navigating the Road Ahead: Rebuilding Canada's powerhouse auto sector. SOURCE Unifor Cision View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/April2023/21/c9446.html Colombo, Apr 21 (PTI) Thousands of Sri Lankans dressed in white and black clothes held a protest here on Friday, demanding justice for the victims of the devastating 2019 Easter bomb attacks that killed nearly 270 people, including 11 Indians. Nine suicide bombers belonging to the local Islamist extremist group National Thawheed Jamaat linked to ISIS carried out a series of blasts that tore through three Catholic churches and as many luxury hotels on April 21, 2019, killing more than 270 people and injuring over 500. The bombings triggered a political storm as then President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe were blamed for their inability to prevent the attacks despite prior intelligence being made available. Thousands of people including Catholic clergy lined up for a silent protest on Friday, the fourth anniversary of the bomb attacks. They blamed the government for not taking adequate measures to deliver justice for the victims. The protesters, dressed in white and black, held one another's hands, forming a human chain. At 8.45 am local time, a 2 minute-silence was observed for the victims. The Church led by its Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, who has been at the forefront of the protests, accused the investigating agencies of a major cover-up. President Sirisena and his establishment must be fully investigated, Cardinal said. He called for the full implementation of recommendations of a presidential panel of investigations appointed by Sirisena. In January, Sirisena apologised to the country's minority Catholic community for the 2019 Easter bombings, saying "the Catholic people hold no grudge against me." "I say sorry to the Catholic community for something done by others, Sirisena had said. Sri Lankas Supreme Court ordered him to pay SLR 100 million as compensation to the victims. Sirisena was the Sri Lankan president from 2015 to 2019. A presidential panel of inquiry appointed by Sirisena after the attacks ironically found the then-president guilty of his failure to prevent the attacks. He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge in the case filed after the panels findings. Officials have charged dozens of people who allegedly received weapons training and participated in indoctrination classes from the two local Islamic extremist groups accused of carrying out the attacks. But no one has yet been convicted or sentenced. Meanwhile, the United States on Friday said it honours the victims of the Easter attacks, their families and all affected communities and stands in solidarity with those awaiting justice. In a Twitter message, US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung said, "Today I remember the hundreds of innocent people, including five Americans, who were murdered four years ago in a horrific act of terror on Easter Sunday. The US honours the victims, their families & all affected communities and stands in solidarity with those awaiting justice." Lisbon, Apr 21 (AP) Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was set to arrive in Portugal on Friday amid heightened tensions with the European Union over his position on the war in Ukraine, following statements suggesting the invaded country and the West share responsibility for the conflict. Lula said last weekend while travelling in the United Arab Emirates and China that both Ukraine and Russia had decided to go to war, and that the US was stimulating the fighting. Earlier in the month, he irked Ukraine, the US and the EU by suggesting that Ukraine cede Crimea, which Russia seized in 2014, to end the current conflict. Lula also welcomed Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to Brasilia on Monday. The following day, Lula condemned the violation of Ukraine's territorial integrity while promoting his proposal for a club of nations, including Brazil, to mediate a peaceful resolution to the war. Lula's trip to Portugal is an opportunity to repair some of the damage to Brazil-EU relations his comments caused, said Guilherme Casaroes, a political scientist at the Getulio Vargas Foundation, a think tank and university in Sao Paulo. It could be an important step for Lula to show that he is really willing to adopt a position of balance or equidistance between the parties involved in the conflict, potentially allowing Brazil to play the role of mediator in the medium term, Casaroes said. Lula was expected to meet with Portugal's president and prime minister this weekend and to appear at a Portugal-Brazil summit with various ministers. He is also scheduled to attend a Monday prize-giving ceremony for Brazilian musician and writer Chico Buarque. Lula plans to address Portugal's parliament on Tuesday, which is the anniversary of the 1974 Carnation Revolution that ended nearly a half-century of authoritarian rule in Portugal. Trade will also be high on the agenda, with Lula pushing for implementation of an agreement between the European Union and the South American Mercosur bloc. It was signed in 2019 but hasn't yet taken effect as not all EU and Mercosur member nations have ratified the agreement. Through this trip to Portugal, Lula is seeking to draw closer to the European Union itself, Casaroes said. Portugal is a Brazilian ally within the European Union and can serve as a platform for Brazil to defend its position in the context of these negotiations." During the presidency of Lula's predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro, France and other EU members voiced concern that the deal could increase destruction of the Amazon rainforest. Lula, for his part, has tried to show that environmental protection is a central priority of his government and promised to end illegal deforestation by 2030. As a result, it is unlikely that environmental concerns will be an issue for completing the deal, Casaroes said. Brazil is a former Portuguese colony. The royal court left Lisbon in 1807 for Rio de Janeiro, which briefly became the seat of the Portuguese empire. Since Brazil won independence in 1822, the two countries have maintained close ties and are part of the Lusophone Commonwealth, officially known as the Community of Portuguese Language Countries. Many Brazilians have moved to Portugal over the past decade amid an economic downturn and political turbulence.(AP) RUP Kathmandu, Apr 21 (PTI) Nepal's border points with India in the country's southern Bara district have been sealed for 72 hours in view of the by-election in Bara-2 constituency on Sunday. Nepals Election Commission is conducting by-elections for the House of Representatives in the three constituencies of Tanhun-1, Chitawan-2 and Bara-2. The District Administration Office in Bara said in a statement on Thursday that the border points shall remain closed from midnight of Thursday to Sunday midnight. The sale and supply of liquor have been restricted in the district until the vote counting is completed. Also, vehicular movement along the Postal Highway in the district has been closed except for emergency ones from Saturday midnight to Sunday 7 pm. As the by-polls draw close, political parties displayed their strength by organising rallies for the last time on Thursday. The ruling coalition held election rallies in Chitwan and Bara on Thursday. Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, Prime Minister and CPN-Maoist Centre chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', and senior leaders of the alliance addressed the rallies in a bid to woo votes for their common candidates. The newly formed Rastriya Swotantra Party (RSP) has fielded its candidates in all three constituencies. Journalist-turned-politician Ravi Lamichhane is contesting the -election from Chitawan-2 while prominent economist Swornim Wagley and former Deputy Police Chief Ramesh Kharel are contesting from Tanhun-1 and Bara-2 constituencies. Lamichhane, who had lost his Parliament Member and Deputy Prime Ministers post due to the citizenship certificate controversy, is contesting a by-election from Chitwan-2. The main competition is between RSP and the common candidates from the ruling alliance.In Tanhun-1, economist Wagle is contesting against Nepali Congress candidate Govinda Bhattarai, who is backed by the ruling alliance. In Chitwan-2, Lamichhane is contesting against Nepali Congress candidate Jit Narayan Shrestha, who is also the common candidate of the ruling alliance. In Bara-2 Ramesh Kharel is contesting against Upendra Yadav, the chairman of Rastriya Janata Party Nepal, backed by the ruling alliance. The constituencies felt vacant after Ramchandra Paudel, who got elected from Tanahun-1, and Ramshay Prasad Yadav, who had won from Bara-2, resigned their HoR positions after getting elected as the President and the Vice President, respectively. The Chitaan-2 constituency fell vacant after the Supreme Court invalidated the citizenship certificate of Lamichhane, who had won the seat in the November 20 elections. The by-elections in the three constituencies have become a prestige issue for both the ruling alliance and the fourth largest party RSP, which has not yet withdrawn its support to the Prachanda-led coalition government, though its ministers had already quit the government. Islamabad, Apr 21 (PTI) Pakistan's parliament on Friday notified a law to curtail the powers of the Supreme Court Chief Justice from taking sou motu actions and authority to constitute panels of judges for cases to be heard, taking the prevailing tensions with the judiciary a notch higher. Relations between the judiciary and the ruling coalition have become sour ever since the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)-led government has been pushing for the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Bill 2023 to dilute chief justice's power to take suo motu action and form a panel of judges for hearing of cases. It was initially passed by both houses of parliament and sent to the president for his assent. However, the president sent it back, saying that the proposed law travelled beyond the competence of parliament. On April 10, the bill was passed for the second time by a joint sitting of parliament with certain amendments, amid a noisy protest by lawmakers from ousted prime minister Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. Through its Twitter account on Friday, the National Assembly announced that the controversial bill became law after mandatory ten days since the parliament passed the bill again after the president had returned it without an endorsement for reconsideration. Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Act, 2023 of the Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) is deemed to have been assented by the President [] under clause (2) of Article 75 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. It is hereby published for general information, the tweet said. The parliament went ahead to notify the law despite an eight-member bench of the Supreme Court, including Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, last week barring the government from processing the then-bill to become a law. The moment that the bill receives the assent of the president or it is deemed that such assent has been given, then from that very moment onwards and till further orders, the Act that comes into being shall not have, take or be given any effect nor be acted upon in any manner," said an interim order issued by the bench of the court April 13. The key piece of legislation dilutes the powers of the chief justice by stating a three-member panel of senior judges, including the chief justice would decide if suo motu notice should be taken. It also gave the right of appeal in all suo motu cases with retrospective effect. The law also states that every cause, matter, or appeal before the apex court would be heard and disposed of by a bench, constituted by a committee made up of the chief justice and the two senior-most judges. Previously the chief justice enjoyed sole power to take suo motu and set up benches. There was no concept of appeal in an action taken under the suo motu notice. By giving the right of appeal, among others, former premier Nawaz Sharif disqualified by the Supreme Court under suo motu powers would get the right to appeal within 30 days of the laws enactment. Since the court had already stopped the government from enforcing the act into law, it is not clear if the right of appeal would be entertained by the court. However, the new law further increased the gulf between the judiciary and the parliament the latter getting the full support of the government. Earlier, the law was passed twice by parliament because the president returned it after it was sent back by the president without his signatures, which are required for any bill to become an act. However, if the same bill is passed without any changes, the president cannot only delay it for ten days and it becomes a law even without his endorsement. Mumbai, Apr 21 (PTI) A 36-year-old Nepalese national was detained at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport for allegedly trying to travel to South Africa by producing a fake no objection certificate from his country's embassy in New Delhi, police said on Friday. The incident took place at the airport on Wednesday evening when the man with a Nepalese passport was intercepted at the immigration counter, an official said. The accused, travelling to Johannesburg (South Africa) via Dubai by 7.20 pm flight, was carrying a boarding pass and an NOC allegedly issued by Nepal embassy in New Delhi and other documents, he said. While checking the documents, the immigration officer suspected the authenticity of the NOC and took the accused to the immigration wing in-charge, he said. On interrogation, the man revealed that he was travelling to Johannesburg for work, and he had come to Mumbai on the instruction of a Delhi-based agent, who had provided him South African visa and an NOC from the Nepal embassy, the official said. After the embassy confirmed that no such NOC had been issued to the traveller, the man was detained, he said. An FIR under section 420 (cheating), 465 (punishment for forgery), 468 (forgery for the purpose of cheating) and 471 (using as genuine a forged document) of the Indian Penal Code has been registered against the traveller and the agent who procured the forged documents for him, the official added. In a similar incident last week, four Nepalese women were arrested at the airport for producing forged NOCs to travel to Oman. The four had obtained NOCs from their agent who was helping them go to Oman, they told police. Surat, Apr 21 (PTI) Two corporators of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Gujarat's Surat city on Friday and one of them was removed from the former's primary membership for anti-party activities. With the latest development, the AAP's strength in the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) has come down to 15. The party had won 27 seats in the 2021 urban body polls and 12 corporators have now joined the BJP. Corporators Kanu Gedia and Alpesh Patel joined the BJP at a function, where they were welcomed into the fold with saffron scarfs and caps, less than a week after six AAP corporators had embraced saffron fold. The AAP in a statement announced the removal of Gedia and corporator Rajesh Moradiya from all party posts and its primary membership. It alleged that the two corporators were removed for anti-party activities because they were instigating others to join the BJP by promising them money. AAP leader Gopal Italia also claimed that the two corporators (Gedia and Patel) moved to the BJP after they were offered money. The BJP, however, rubbished the claim and said Gedia and Patel had joined of their own accord and were not pressurised or offered allurement. They are attracted by the party's leadership in Gujarat and India, and are influenced by the BJP's ideology of development. They have joined to make the party strong in Surat and Gujarat, a BJP leader said. The AAP emerged as the opposition party after winning 27 seats in the 120-member Surat Municipal Corporation elections held in February 2021. The BJP won 93 seats, while the Congress failed to open an account. The 2021 civic poll result was then seen as a boost for the Arvind Kejriwal-led party eyeing the December 2022 Assembly election. While it contested on all 182 seats, the party managed to win only five seats, and none in Surat. Nagpur, Apr 21 (PTI) A man has been arrested for allegedly raping a 77-year-old paralysed woman at a private hospital here, police said on Friday. The incident took place on Wednesday when the accused, who is 39 years old, was visiting a friend whose mother had been hospitalized after suffering a paralysis stroke, an official said. He offered to stay with her in the hospital room while his friend stepped out to get medicines. When a nurse entered the room by opening its latched door, she saw that he was sexually assaulting the woman who was unconscious, the police official said. The hospital staff nabbed the man after the nurse raised alarm and handed him over to the police. The accused was arrested under section 376 (rape) of the Indian Penal Code, the official said, adding that the elderly woman was being provided medical as well as psychological support. Bardhaman (WB), Apr 21 (PTI) A woman died at a railway station in West Bengal's Purba Bardhaman district after a hospital failed to provide her with an ambulance while referring her to a larger medical facility, police said. The incident took place at Bhatar Railway Station where 50-year-old Maneka Koda and her husband Asit were waiting to take a train to Bardhaman, where she was referred to for treatment. "Maneka Koda suffered from heat stroke while working with her husband in the field as daily wage labourers in Kachigoria village. Her husband brought her to Bhatar hospital, where she was administered with two bottles of saline and referred to Bardhaman Medical College and Hospital," a police officer said. "However, the hospital authorities did not provide her with an ambulance and asked her husband to take her to Bardhaman in a private vehicle, for which they did not have money. Left with no other option, Asit Koda decided to take her to Bardhaman by train and took her to the railway station on an e-rickshaw. She died under a tree while waiting for the train on Thursday," he said. The incident sparked outrage among locals, who accused the hospital authorities of negligence and apathy. The hospital authorities, however, claimed that their ambulance had broken down and was being repaired. The health department has initiated an investigation into the incident. The incident was reminiscent of a similar tragedy which took place in Jalpaiguri in January this year. A man was in the Jalpaiguri case forced to carry the body of his mother for kilometres after an ambulance demanded Rs 3,000 for transporting her mortal remains. Imphal, Apr 21 (PTI) Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Friday asserted that there is no crisis in the state BJP. He said this after attending a state BJP meeting here called in the wake of three party legislators resigning from administrative posts. Asked by reporters whether there is a crisis in the Manipur BJP unit, Singh said "One minister has taken leave of absence from me. He went to Indore. Three of them are having medical treatment in Delhi. That's all. There is no crisis in the party and everyone has attended the meeting." BJP MLA Paonam Brojen on Thursday became the third legislator to resign from an administrative post. He gave up the chairmanship of Manipur Development Society on "personal grounds." BJP legislator Karam Shyam resigned on Monday from the chairmanship of Tourism Corporation Manipur Limited complaining that he had "not been assigned any responsibility". On April 8, another MLA Thokchom Radheshyaam quit as the advisor to the chief minister citing a similar grievance. Four BJP MLAs of the northeastern state are currently camping in Delhi reportedly to meet the party's central leadership and voice their grievances. Three of them have resigned from the administrative posts they were holding. Their moves have caused speculation that dissension was brewing in the Biren Singh-led BJP government. However, party sources said, "Friday's meeting was a routine normal gathering of the elected legislators and party members to discuss issues involving the state BJP and that the timing of the meeting with that of the recent political development was just coincidental." Ranchi, Apr 21 (PTI) Jharkhand High Court has directed the state government to form a committee to investigate the deaths of patients during a strike of doctors at the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Ranchi in 2018. The Jharkhand Chhatra Sangh had filed a petition before the high court citing media reports that 28 people had died during the strike. A division bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjaya Kumar Mishra and Justice Ananda Sen was hearing the PIL which demanded that striking doctors and nurses be held responsible for the deaths and the next of kin of the deceased be compensated. The court ordered that the panel be headed by a retired officer of the principal district judge rank. It directed the government to file an affidavit and inform it about the modalities for forming the committee. Junior doctors and nursing staff had called for a strike after a dispute between a patient's family members and medical personnel had taken a violent turn on June 1, 2018. The strike continued for a few days, after which normal work resumed. The high court, while earlier hearing the matter, had expressed annoyance over the attitude of the doctors and nurses responsible for calling the strike. It had said that emergency medical services cannot be put on hold, with patients' lives at stake. Usually, when one insider buys stock, it might not be a monumental event. But when multiple insiders are buying like they did in the case of Savills plc (LON:SVS), that sends out a positive message to the company's shareholders. While insider transactions are not the most important thing when it comes to long-term investing, logic dictates you should pay some attention to whether insiders are buying or selling shares. Check out our latest analysis for Savills Savills Insider Transactions Over The Last Year In the last twelve months, the biggest single purchase by an insider was when Chairman of the Board Nicholas Ferguson bought UK80k worth of shares at a price of UK8.02 per share. Although we like to see insider buying, we note that this large purchase was at significantly below the recent price of UK9.52. While it does suggest insiders consider the stock undervalued at lower prices, this transaction doesn't tell us much about what they think of current prices. In the last twelve months insiders purchased 13.96k shares for UK119k. On the other hand they divested 3.93k shares, for UK37k. In total, Savills insiders bought more than they sold over the last year. You can see a visual depiction of insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last 12 months, below. By clicking on the graph below, you can see the precise details of each insider transaction! There are always plenty of stocks that insiders are buying. So if that suits your style you could check each stock one by one or you could take a look at this free list of companies. (Hint: insiders have been buying them). Are Savills Insiders Buying Or Selling? There was only a small bit of insider buying, worth UK152, in the last three months. So it is hard to draw any conclusion about how insiders are feeling about the stock, from these recent trades. Insider Ownership Many investors like to check how much of a company is owned by insiders. I reckon it's a good sign if insiders own a significant number of shares in the company. Insiders own 1.1% of Savills shares, worth about UK14m. This level of insider ownership is good but just short of being particularly stand-out. It certainly does suggest a reasonable degree of alignment. Story continues What Might The Insider Transactions At Savills Tell Us? Insider purchases may have been minimal, in the last three months, but there was no selling at all. Overall the buying isn't worth writing home about. But insiders have shown more of an appetite for the stock, over the last year. Insiders own shares in Savills and we see no evidence to suggest they are worried about the future. 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. Every company has risks, and we've spotted 2 warning signs for Savills (of which 1 is a bit concerning!) you should know about. Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies. For the purposes of this article, insiders are those individuals who report their transactions to the relevant regulatory body. We currently account for open market transactions and private dispositions, but not derivative transactions. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here Srinagar, Apr 21 (PTI) National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Friday said the top security officials in Jammu and Kashmir should look into the lapses that led to the killing of five Army soldiers in a terrorist attack in Poonch district. "The area (where the attack took place) is closer to the border. There must be a security issue which they need to check. There has been a mistake somewhere, they should look into it," Abdullah told reporters here. The Lok Sabha member from Srinagar was at the Hazratbal shrine to offer the last Friday prayer of Ramzan. Five Army personnel were killed and another was seriously injured in the terrorist attack that triggered a fire in their vehicle on Thursday. The Army said the victims belonged to a Rashtriya Rifles unit deployed for counter-terrorism operations. Asked about his comment on no encounters in Kashmir this Ramzan, Abdullah said, "Do you want more encounters?" "I will say what the Government of India is saying. That the situation has improved. Therefore, elections should be held but God knows when they will conduct the polls. If the situation is peaceful, why don't they hold elections? What are they waiting for?" he added. Abdullah said the month of Ramzan is a period when "these things (encounters) don't happen". "People are busy in prayers seeking forgiveness," he added. Srinagar, Apr 21 (PTI) A group of BJP workers Friday held a protest here against the terror attack in Poonch which claimed the lives of five Army personnel. The protest was held near the party head office in Jawahar Nagar area of the city here. They raised slogans against Pakistan and terrorists. They also burnt an effigy depicting Pakistan. "This protest is against the killing of five jawans in Pakistan-sponsored terror attack," J-K BJP spokesman Altaf Thakur told reporters, and warned Pakistan against sending terrorists to Kashmir. The five personnel were killed and another was seriously injured in the terrorist attack on Thursday. The army said the victims belonged to a Rashtriya Rifles unit deployed for counterterrorism operations. New Delhi, Apr 21 (PTI) President Droupadi Murmu on Friday greeted all civil servants on Civil Services Day and said their service to the nation has been truly commendable. The Centre celebrates April 21 as Civil Services Day as an occasion for bureaucrats to rededicate themselves to the cause of citizens and renew their commitments to public service and excellence in work. "Greetings to all civil servants, past and present, on Civil Services Day! Your service to the nation has been truly commendable. The civil services have upheld the highest values of public administration, as envisaged by Sardar Patel, forming a framework for good governance," Murmu tweeted. The day commemorates the address of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the first home minister of Independent India, to Administrative Services Officers on probation in 1947 at Metcalf House, Delhi. He had referred to civil servants as the "steel frame of India". The first Civil Services Day function was held in Vigyan Bhawan here on April 21, 2006. This year's civil services day is celebrated on the theme "Viksit Bharat' - Empowering citizens and reaching the last mile." As part of Civil Services Day, Prime Minister's Awards for Excellence in Public Administration are presented to districts/implementing units for implementation of priority programmes and innovation categories. Srinagar, Apr 21 (PTI) Five tourists were among six injured after the vehicle they were travelling in skidded off a road in Jammu and Kashmirs Anantnag district on Friday, officials said. Six people, including the five tourist and a local cab driver, were inside the vehicle when the accident happened in Pahalgam area, they said. The five tourists included a woman and two children, the officials said. They were rushed to a hospital and their condition is stated to be stable, they said. Jalalabad (Punjab), Apr 21 (PTI) Surinder Kamboj, the father of AAP MLA Jagdeep Kamboj 'Goldy', was arrested on Friday in an extortion case, police said. He was arrested after a case was registered on Friday at the Jalalabad Police Station under Indian Penal Code Sections 384 (extortion), 389 (putting person in fear of accusation of offence, in order to commit extortion) and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention). Surinder and three others including two women were booked following a complaint by one Sunil Kumar, a property dealer and a resident of Jalalabad. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said law is equal for all. "I have said this before too that anyone indulging in any wrongdoing will be dealt as per the law and action will be taken," he told reporters in Moga district. When contacted, Jalalabad MLA Goldy Kamboj said he has nothing to do with this. "If he is my father, that does not give him any right to cheat people." The MLA further said presently his was not living with him. "I come to know about the incident from the police only. Action will be taken against anyone who will do wrong," said the MLA who defeated SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal in the Akali stronghold of Jalalabad in assembly polls last year. The complainant has alleged that the Jalalabad MLA's father demanded Rs 10 lakhs on by promising to save him in an alleged false rape complaint. Following the complaint, the police booked Surinder Singh Kamboj along with three others including the two women, all residents of Jalalabad. In his statement to the police, Sunil Kumar said one of the accused woman had come to his residence on Thursday at around 3.30 pm for renting his house. He said he showed her a property. But later in the evening, according to his complaint, he got a call. "I received calls from her son who alleged that I had raped her. Later in the evening, I received a call from Surinder Kamboj who told me that the police will book me in the rape case. "Surinder Kamboj also demanded an amount of Rs 10 lakh as settlement following which I complained to the police," said Sunil Kumar. Fazilka's Senior Superintendent of Police Avneet Kaur Sidhu said, "The police will take action in accordance with the law." Sukhbir Singh Badal, the MP from Ferozepur parliamentary constituency, had entered the fray from the Jalalabad seat in Fazilka district in February 2022 assembly polls. Jaipur, Apr 20 (PTI) Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday said strict action will be taken against investigators found guilty of negligence in probing the Jaipur serial bomb blast case in which all the accused were recently acquitted by the high court. He also said the suicide of a man in Jaipur due to alleged harassment and the incident of misbehavior with a police head constable in Churu were unfortunate developments. The chief minister said that district authorities should be active in protecting the poor people from the harassment by influential people. Gehlot was addressing a review meeting on law and order here. Referring to the acquittal of the 2008 Jaipur bomb blast case accused last month, the chief minister said strict action will be taken against those who were negligent in conducting the investigation. The Rajasthan high court on March 29 acquitted the accused who were awarded capital punishment by a lower court. The high court had slammed the investigation. Seventy-one people were killed and 185 others injured in a series of blasts on May 13, 2008 at places including Chandpole Gate, Badi Chaupad, Chhoti Chaupad, Johri Bazar and Sanganeri Gate. In the review meeting, the chief minister also expressed concern over the incident of harassment of poor. "The chief minister said that the incident of harassment and suicide of a poor person for building a hotel in Jaipur is very sad. The district administration should take cognisance of such incidents and take prompt action," a release quoting him as saying. PHED minister Mahesh Joshi is one of the accused booked for abetment to suicide after a man, named Ramprasad, committed suicide on Monday over a land-related dispute. Before taking the extreme step, he shot a video and blamed Mahesh Joshi and others. The chief minister also reacted to the report of alleged misbehavior with a traffic head constable in Churu by some men and said that strict action should be taken against them so that the morale of the police administration is raised. A video of the sobbing policeman had gone viral recently. The chief minister reviewed the crime situation in the state. It was informed in the meeting that the time taken in the investigation of the cases of atrocities on women has reduced since 2019. In 2019, average time in the investigation of such cases was 108 days which has reduced to 41 days, the release said, adding that 1,344 persons have been given punishment in rape and POCSO cases while 13 have been given death penalty since 2019. Jaipur, Apr 20 (PTI) BJP leader Vasundhara Raje on Thursday rejected allegations of collusion with Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot as a lie, and said milk and lemon juice do not go together. A lie is being spread as part of a conspiracy, the former chief minister told reporters at the Jambheshwar temple in Suratgarh town of Sriganganagar district. "Can milk and lemon juice ever mix," she asked. Without taking any name, Raje said some people don't find peace without making false allegations. Last week, while announcing his day-long fast against inaction of the Ashok Gehlot government over alleged cases of corruption during the previous BJP rule, Pilot had said the Congress government should take action or else people would assume that there is a collusion. Raje said many people have been conspiring against her and spreading the lie that "they are in collusion". How is it possible to collude with those whose ideologies and principles do not match with hers, Raje asked. New Delhi, Apr 21 (PTI) The Supreme Court on Friday directed the Tamil Nadu government not to shift YouTuber Manish Kashyap, arrested for allegedly circulating fake videos of migrant labourers being attacked in the southern state, from the Madurai Central Prison. A bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justice PS Narasimha issued a notice to Tamil Nadu and Bihar governments on Kashyap's plea challenging his detention under the National Security Act. "Apart from the relief sought under Article 32, the petitioner seeks to challenge the detention order under National Security Act (NSA). The petitioner is allowed to amend the plea. Issue notice on amended prayers. "We direct that the petitioner be not moved from the Central Prison Madurai," the bench said. The matter has been posted for hearing on April 28. Senior advocate Siddhartha Dave, appearing for Kashyap, submitted that NSA has been invoked against Kashyap. The arrested Youtuber also faces six FIRs in Tamil Nadu and three in Bihar. Expressing surprise, CJI Chandrachud said, "NSA against him? Why this vengeance against this man?" Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Tamil Nadu, said Kashyap made fake videos claiming that migrant labourers from Bihar were getting attacked in Tamil Nadu. "He has got 60 lakh followers. He is a politician. He has contested elections. He is not a journalist," Sibal said while opposing the transfer of cases to Bihar saying that the FIRs in Tamil Nadu were registered over the interviews he made in the southern state. The top court had on April 11 issued notice to the Centre, Tamil Nadu and Bihar government on Kashyap's plea seeking clubbing of the FIRs lodged against him. Kashyap has already been detained under the National Security Act, Sibal said and sought time to file a reply. The counsel appearing for Kashyap who has also sought quashing of the FIRs lodged against him over the same alleged cause of action had told the apex court that his client has now been booked under the NSA. According to Madurai Superintendent of Police Shiva Prasad, Kashyap has been detained under the NSA. Kashyap had, on April 5, appeared before the Madurai district court that ordered that he be remanded in judicial custody for 15 days, following which he was sent to the Madurai central prison. In his plea filed in the apex court, the petitioner had sought clubbing of all the FIRs registered against him in Tamil Nadu with those lodged in Bihar. The petition also said the issue of alleged violence in Tamil Nadu against migrant labourers from Bihar was widely reported in the media and the petitioner, from March 1 onwards, raised his voice against it by making videos on social media platforms and writing content on Twitter. Thiruvananthapuram, Apr 21 (PTI): Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure the safe repatriation of Indian nationals, including those from Kerala, stuck in civil war-struck Sudan. In a letter sent to the PM on Thursday, Vijayan expressed gratitude for the efforts of the Ministry of External Affairs and the the Indian Mission in Sudan, saying the control room set up by the ministry would be of great help to Indians in the violence-hit country who need information and assistance. Vijayan, in the letter, told the PM that a large number of Keralites were currently employed in Sudan, mostly as health professionals and other skilled workers. "The Government of Kerala has received petitions and calls stating that a number of our people are not able to access to basic amenities such as drinking water, electricity, food and medicines since the outbreak of the conflict," he said. As the Khartoum airport was heavily damaged in the air strikes, those who are stuck there have informed the state government that repatriation via the capital city does not appear to be an available option, the CM pointed out. As per the information received, several Keralites are stuck in remote areas of Sudan and need to be repatriated, he said. "I request your (PM's) intervention and guidance to the persons concerned so as to make sure the safety of Indian nationals in Sudan and their safe repatriation at the earliest," Vijayan said. The Kerala CM also tweeted his request to the Prime Minister. The conflict in Sudan is a direct result of a vicious power struggle within the country's military leadership. The clashes are between Sudan's regular army and a paramilitary force called the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Thane, Apr 21 (PTI) The Navi Mumbai police have arrested a woman and two men for allegedly stealing laptops and mobile phones and selling them in other stated, an official said. The police were probing several cases of thefts of electronic devices reported in Rabale area recently, deputy commissioner of police Zone I Vashi Vivek Pansare said. Based on technical and intelligence inputs, the police patrolling team spotted two men and a woman moving in a suspicious manner near a building earlier this month and on questioning, found that the trio had come from Karnataka to carry out thefts. The police team went to Karnataka and recovered four laptops and two mobile phones from their possessions, the official said. At least seven laptops stolen in the limits of the Rabale police station were recovered during the course of investigation, he said. The trio allegedly gained access to apartments that were left open and on getting caught, they would explain that they were from some charitable organisation, the official said. The accused would allegedly send the stolen devices to Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Goa and even remove spare parts of laptops and sell them, he said, adding that further probe is underway. Experts in Washington and on Wall Street are making their best guesses for how close the government will come to defaulting in the months ahead if Congress remains gridlocked. A key date that keeps coming up is June 15. That is the deadline for taxpayers to pay their second installment of estimated taxes for 2023. It's also likely the next time the governments books will improve appreciably now that the main tax season is winding down. Those funds combined with financial flexibility offered by accounting maneuvers the Treasury Department can deploy are what stands between the US and a default. What's likely to happen between now and then is that Treasury will gradually burn through its remaining cash on hand and extraordinary measures to pay for government operations, Shai Akabas of the Bipartisan Policy Center told Yahoo Finance by email. Balances that could get 'dangerously low As of April 19, the Treasury Departments general account had a closing balance of about $265.1 billion. Its balance sheet is expected to improve for a few more days as more tax returns are processed before beginning a gradual decline. The question is how low the balance will go. Without a deal in Congress, "its possible that Treasurys cash on hand will be dangerously low in early June prior to an influx of quarterly revenues mid-month," Akabas wrote. Wrightson ICAP, a research firm that specializes in economic data, projects that Treasury's operating balance could fall to a low of $26 billion on June 8 before temporarily turning around as quarterly taxes come in. A projected balance like that may be enough to avoid a default in June, but the uncertainty inherent in making these projections means no one yet can rule out a balance of $0 that month. Wrightson currently predicts a 20% chance of a June X-date, but experts there and elsewhere emphasize that it won't be until May when final tax season revenue data is in to definitively say one way or another. Story continues The U.S. Capitol is reflected in a window in Washington on April 20. (REUTERS/Amanda Andrade-Rhoades) On Thursday, the influential Congressional Budget office announced it would release an updated report on federal debt on May 12, and the Treasury Department may also provide more specific guidance in the weeks ahead. Even if if the US government can stay afloat past June 15, it would simply delay the inevitable with a US default likely unavoidable in July or August without a debt-ceiling deal among House Republicans, Senate Democrats, and the White House. Likely economic effects long before June 15 In a note released Tuesday, Goldman Sachs economic researchers found that weak tax collections in April means an increased probability that the debt limit deadline will be reached in the first half of June. It was a notable shift for the Goldman experts who, like others, have long focused on July and August or perhaps even September as the most likely timing for a default. Observers also note that economic effects are likely to pile up simply by approaching a possible default. One debt ceiling fight from recent history provides an example: In the summer of 2011, Washington narrowly averted a crisis, but the economic chaos it sowed led to Standard & Poor's to downgrade the US credit rating from AAA to AA+ for the first time in history. JPMorgan analysts noted this week that the economic stresses from approaching a default typically start in the T-bill market 2-3 months before the X-date as money market funds avoid certain Treasury bills. The analysts wrote this week they expect it to become an issue as early as May as the markets grapple with "a non-trivial risk of a technical default on US Treasuries." This week, the spreads on US five-year credit default swaps, which are one market-based indicator of the risk of a default, rose to their highest level in over a decade. Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy traveled to the New York Stock Exchange this week in part to warn the financial world that the chances of a government default are very real. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) Meanwhile, negotiators in Washington appear as far apart as ever, with both sides sharing little more than insults. As House Speaker Kevin McCarthy unveiled a plan Wednesday that would cap government spending in exchange for a debt ceiling raise, he also added a barb that Biden is skipping town to deliver a speech in Maryland, rather than sitting down to address the debt ceiling. President Biden, during his Maryland speech a few hours later, shot back that McCarthys plan was filled with wacko notions. Ben Werschkul is Washington correspondent for Yahoo Finance. Click here for politics news related to business and money Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance Download the Yahoo Finance app for Apple or Android Follow Yahoo Finance on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Flipboard, LinkedIn, and YouTube Westerly, RI (02891) Today Cloudy skies this morning will become partly cloudy this afternoon. Slight chance of a rain shower. High around 55F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 43F. Winds light and variable. The Senate Judiciary chairman has invited Chief Justice John Roberts to testify next month on ethical standards at the court, a hearing that would undoubtedly focus on business transactions and travel involving Justice Clarence Thomas. Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill., said there has been a steady stream of revelations regarding Supreme Court justices falling short of ethical standards expected of other federal judges. The time has come for a new public conversation on ways to restore confidence in the Courts ethical standards. I invite you to join it, and I look forward to your response, Durbin wrote in a letter Thursday to the chief justice. Court officials did not immediately reply to a request for comment. In recent weeks, news reports have focused on the purchase by a conservative donor of three properties belonging to Thomas and his family in a transaction worth more than $100,000 that Thomas never reported, according to the nonprofit investigative journalism organization ProPublica. ProPublica also previously revealed that Thomas and his wife Ginni were gifted with hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of annual vacations and trips by donor Harlan 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. The letter from Durbin asked Roberts or another justice he chooses to testify instead to appear before the committee on May 2. He told Roberts that the scope of his testimony would be limited to the ethics rules governing justices of the Supreme Court and potential changes to those rules. Some Senate Republicans are skeptical of the Democratic majoritys intentions and see the hearing as mainly an effort to put a critical spotlight on Thomas. If we were engaged in an objective discussion about the appropriate standards for judicial ethics, that would be perfectly appropriate. I dont believe that Democrats have any interest in an objective or fair discussion, said Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, a member of the Judiciary panel. This is all about a political smear job directed at Justice Thomas. Supreme Court justices, like other federal judges, are required to file an annual financial disclosure report which asks them to list gifts they have received, but provides exemptions for hospitality from friends. Ethics experts have offered conflicting views about whether Thomas was required to disclose the luxury trips funded by Crow. Thomas said in a statement that he was advised by colleagues that this sort of personal hospitality from close personal friends, who did not have business before the Court, was not reportable. Thomas did not name the other justices or those in the judiciary with whom he had consulted. Last month, the federal judiciary bolstered disclosure requirements for all judges, including the high court justices, although overnight stays at personal vacation homes owned by friends remain exempt from disclosure. (AP) Strong storms with tornadoes that plowed across the central U.S. killed at least three people in Oklahoma and left thousands without power Thursday as forecasters warned of potentially more severe weather to come. Authorities were still unsure of the full scale of injuries and destruction in Oklahoma, where storms flattened homes and turned over 18-wheelers. Employees of a pizza restaurant said they took shelter in the walk-in freezer, and when they emerged, portions of the roof and shattered windows littered the parking lot. There are definitely dozens of various injuries, from minor all the way up to fatalities, said Deputy Sheriff Scott Gibbons of McClain County, south of Oklahoma City. Deadly storms this spring have killed dozens of people across a wide swath of country. More bad weather, and a chance of more tornadoes, were possible Thursday night from Texas to Wisconsin, according to the National Weather Services Storm Prediction Center. Two of the deaths in Oklahoma were in the small town of Cole. A third person who was injured by the tornado has also died, authorities said, but it was not clear where the person was injured. Officials said the twister also devastated Shawnee. The threat started Wednesday night when the the National Weather Service began issuing tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings in Oklahoma, Kansas and Iowa. Forecasters warned people to find shelter. My priority was keeping everybody safe so I hustled everybody into the walk-in, said Bekah Inman, general manager of a Papa Johns Pizza in Shawnee, told Oklahoma television station KOCO. There was a lot commotion, people were starting to get a little frantic. Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt visited Shawnee, where officials Thursday focused on damage assessment after spending the night looking for victims and survivors of the storm. The number of injuries and homes and buildings damaged was not known, said Benny Fulkerson of the Department of Emergency Management. The storm rippled down power lines, toppled trees and left a trail of badly damaged homes and buildings. Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee and an airport were damaged before the tornado moved away and weakened. At the peak of the severe weather, more than 23,000 customers were without electricity throughout Oklahoma, according to PowerOutage.us. KFOR-TV reported that residents south of Oklahoma City said they were trapped in their underground shelters. In Cole, two people emerged unhurt after riding out the storm in a manhole, the television station reported. Forecasters warned that possible tornadoes in Texas could form later Thursday before the storm moves northward across Arkansas and into Missouri. Large hail and tornadoes were also possible in Missouri and across Illinois into Wisconsin, according to the prediction center. A March 31 storm produced tornadoes that killed at least 32 people from Arkansas to Delaware, and days later a tornado left five dead in Missouri. At least 26 died in Mississippi and Alabama when tornadoes during a late March storm carved a path of destruction through the Deep South. (AP) (By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for 5tjt.com) [In honor of the shalom zachar of our great-nephew to Matan and Sarah Shaked .] The Klausenberger Rebbe ztl was once shot in the arm rl by a Nazi while he was in Auschwitz. He was afraid to go to the Nazi infirmary, even there were doctors there. He knew that if he entered that building, it was true sakanas nefashos, and he might never come out alive. Instead, the Rebbe plucked a leaf from a tree to staunch the bleeding. The Rebbe then cut off a branch and tied it around his wound to hold it in place. It healed in 3 days. He then promised himself that if he would survive the horrible evil that was Auschwitz, he would build a hospital in Eretz Yisrael where every human being would be cared for with dignity. And the basis of that future hospital would be that the doctors and nurses would believe that there is a Creator in this world and that when they treat a patient, they are fulfilling the greatest mitzvah in the Torah. Fast forward 32 years. The Rebbe did survive. We are in Union City, New Jersey in the Yeshivas building. It is now 1976, slightly after Purim, and the Rebbe is conducting a Shalom Zachar, but it is not for his child nor a grandchild. Nor is it for any child of one of his Chassidim. Who was it for? In 1976, the maternity ward of the Klausenberger Rebbes Laniado hospital in Netanya had just opened up. Its first baby was born. It was a boy. The Rebbe was called and the phone was taken in the nursery where the Rebbe could hear the child cry. The Rebbe was overcome with emotion. The Nazis had been defeated and Klal Yisroel had survived. A new child had entered Klal Yisroel. How could he not make a Shalom Zachar? How could he not make a seudas Mitzvah of thanks? And so he did. ON SHABBOS AFTER MAARIV After Maariv in thousands of shuls across the world, the gabbai will announce that a shalom zachar will take place at the house of so and so. We are all tired after a hard week. But the emotion felt by the Klausenberger Rebbe in seeing the continuity of Klal Yisroel should be felt by all of us. How can we not go? THE MINHAG It is a minhag in Ashkenazic Jewish circles to host a Shalom Zachar where the baby is found on the Shabbos after a baby boy is born. It is generally held after the Shabbos evening meal. It is not a meal where people wash. IMPORTANCE OF UNDERSTANDING THE REASON FOR MITZVOS The Rambam (Hilchos Meilah 8:8) tells us that it is important to understand the reason why we do our Mitzvos. He also writes this in Moreh Nevuchim (3:31). It is also the view of the Zohar (Parshas Yisro p. 93b) and Rabbeinu Yonah Shaarei HaAvodah #54. This is also true for understanding why we perform our customs. There are three main reasons cited for the custom of the Shalom Zachar. GRATITUDE REASON The Terumas HaDeshen (Siman 269) explains that it is a Seudas Hodaah, a meal of thanksgiving. It is held in thanks that the child was saved from the travails and dangers involved in the birth. This is how the Terumas HaDeshen understands the view of Rabbeinu Tam cited in Tosfos in Bava Kamma (80a, Yeshua HaBen). NEW SPIN ON THE GRATITUDE REASON Perhaps the incident cited above gives us a new reason for the Shalom Zachar. Perhaps, in the eyes of the Klausenberger, the baby represents Klal Yisroel. This baby, Klal Yisroel was saved from the travails and dangers of Jewish history. Infant Klal Yisroel had survived the Rindfleish Massacres, the Crusades, the Gzeiras Tach vetat of Chmelnieki, the pogroms of Russia, and the holocaust itself! This baby represents the very continuity of the Jewish people itself. This reason of Hakaras HaTov for the Shalom Zachar highlights to us the idea that we should always have and develop a feeling of gratitude and appreciation for all that Hashem gives us. We should also have this appreciation for all that others do for us as well. This is a critical component in our development as Ovdei Hashem. APPRECIATING TORAH REASON The TaZ cites another reason in the name of the Drisha. The Drisha was written by Rav Yehoshua Falk (1555-1614), a great Posaik from Poland. He writes that is based upon the Gemorah in Niddah 30b that states that when the child is born a malach, an angel, strikes the baby on his mouth and causes the child to forget all of the Torah he had learned while in his mothers womb. This meal, according to the Drisha, is to mourn the Torah that was lost. According to this reason, we highlight our appreciation for Torah study. The Torah must always be central to our lives. Every day in Maariv we recite ki HAIM chayeinu. Torah is our life itself. APPRECIATING SHABBOS The TaZ provides his own reason based upon a Midrash found in chapter 27 of VaYikra Rabba. There, the Midrash explains why the Bris Milah is held on the eighth day. It draws a comparison between a king who tells his subjects that he will only grant them an audience after they first appear before a matronisa a hostess. The TaZ writes that this is the reason we hold the Shalom Zachar on Shabbos. From the TaZ we gain an appreciation of the gift that Hashem gave us in the Shabbos. It is important to remember that more than the Jew has kept Shabbos Shabbos has kept the Jew. Although it is somewhat ironic that the person who coined this expression was not observant, it is, nonetheless, a truism. WHY NOT FOR GIRLS? Rav Yechezkel Landau of Prague is noted to have asked the question on the reason cited by the Terumas HaDeshen (in his Dagul Mervavah sefer on Yoreh Deah). If this is the, in fact, the reason for the Seudah to express our appreciation for the salvation of the baby how come we do not hold this meal when a girl is born? This author would like to answer that question with a shocking find. In Meseches Smachos Aivel Rabbasi (2:3) we do find such a meal! The meal is called Shavuah HaBas and it parallels the name found in Bava Kamma called Shavuah HaBen. It is also likely that the Kiddush that we have in shul on Shabbos when a girl is born is in order to fulfill this idea too. Some relate that Rav Chaim Kanievsky Shlita has consistently advised young women who are still in search of a Shidduch to hold a Kiddush in shul even if the girl is now in her twenties! It could very well be that the Shabbos Kiddush is a fulfillment of the Shavuah HaBas that is referenced in Aivel Rabbasi. Others, however, relate that this is not Rav Chaims position. REASON FOR THE NAME The Yaavetz writes in his Sefer Migdol Oz that the reason it is called Shalom Zachar is on account of the fact that it is to remember or commemorate the Torah that was lost. While the baby was in the womb he was studying Torah with a malach. That Torah is now no longer it is lost. This meal commemorates it. IS IT A SEUDAS MITZVAH? The Trumas HaDeshen rules that, in fact, the Shalom Zachar is a Seudas Mitzvah. He cites as a proof that the Gemorah in Bava Kamma tells us that Rav entered the meal of Yeshua HaBen (as it was called then, according to the Trumas HaDeshen). We know from elsewhere (Chullin 95b) that Rav never ate at a Seudas Reshus a festive meal that was not a seudas Mitzvah. Therefore, the Trumas HaDeshen concludes that it is a Seudas Mitzvah. The Chavos Yair, however, disagrees. He states (Siman 70) that it is possible that Rav had just popped in and did not partake of the actual meal itself. DELAYED BRIS If the child is jaundiced or otherwise ill and the Bris will not be held within the next week, there is a debate among authorities as to when the Shalom Zachar is to be held. Some hold it on the Shabbos before the Bris (Yaavetz and Chochmas Adam 149:24), while others (Zocher Habris) hold that it is always the Shabbos after the baby is born. The language of the Ramah seems to indicate that he held to this view. The prevailing custom seems to be that it is held after the birth. A FRIDAY NIGHT BIRTH What happens when the baby is born on Friday night? In such circumstances it is often logistically difficult to arrange a Shalom Zachar. The Pri MaGadim (MZ YD 444:9) writes that one does it as close to the birth as possible. The Chayei Adaam, however, disagrees and writes that it should be done as close to the Bris Milah as possible. Each person should ask his own Rav. CONCLUSION What is being suggested here is that there may be a fourth reason for the Shalom Zachar seudah. There is the general idea of it being an expression of Hakaras haTov found in the Trumas HaDeshen. There is the reason proposed by the author of the Drisha that it is to enhance our appreciation of Torah. There is the reason further suggested by the TaZ that it is to enhance our appreciation of Shabbos. The fourth reason suggested by this author but alluded to in the actions of the Klausenberger Rebbe is that it also enhances our appreciation for Jewish continuity. The author can be reached at [email protected] A 17-year-old Jewish teenager with autism who wears a yarmulke returned from his Las Vegas public school with a swastika carved on his back last month His mother discovered the swastika on her non-verbal sons back. The mother, who wishes to remain anonymous, told JewishPress.com that the school claimed that nothing happened at school. Her sons shadow claimed that the teen wasnt out of her sight and nothing happened. The family filed a complaint with the Clark County School District Police on March 13. As far as I know the 1:1 (ed: shadow) is still working at CCSD (Clark County School District). Her job was to be with my son. If she did not do it I believe she knows who did, the mother told JewishPress.com. The shadow has kept [my son] from class in the past, she continued. I dropped him off at school one time last year and I got an email from the teacher and occupational therapist that he was absent from class. I pulled my son out of school because its an unsafe environment. The incident is now being investigated by the FBI as a suspected hate crime. ADL condemns this violent, antisemitic act, said ADL Nevada Regional Director Jolie Brislin. Not only was this student targeted for his identifiable faith, but he was particularly vulnerable due to his disability. This incident illustrates points of intersectionality in how hate can show itself across marginalized communities. ADL Nevada, in partnership with Jewish Nevada and SCN, has been in close contact with the parents, CCSD and law enforcement, and will be working with Clark High School to provide antisemitism education. School should be no place for hate and no student should be made to feel unsafe and threatened. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) The right-wing sector in Israel is preparing for a million-man rally in front of the Knesset in Jerusalem next week. The rally, scheduled for Thursday, April 20, the day after Yom Haatzmaut, is in support of the governments plan for judicial reform. The demonstrators, under the banner of They Wont Steal The Elections From Us! will demand that the government pass the judicial reform in the upcoming Knesset summer session. The organizers of the rally, Likud MK Avichay Buaron and media consultant Berale Crombie, along with a long list of right-wing organizations and social activists, said that thousands of participants have registered for hundreds of buses to the rally from all over the country. Many more thousands are still expected to register prior to the event. Dozens of Dati Leumi Rabbanim published a letter on Thursday calling on the public to participate in the demonstration. The letter states: BChadei Hashem, Am Yisrael chose a Jewish and nationalist government that will work for Toras Yisrael, Am Yisrael and Eretz Yisrael. Its inconceivable that the minority will impose its opinions on the majority through violence and creating anarchy in the streets. Were brothers, well continue to love one another without reservations or boundaries, but our love for our brothers wont affect our resolve to work for the necessary rectification of our justice system. In light of the magnitude of the hour and the urgency of the matter, we call on the general public to join the million-man rally that will be held on Vav Iyar in Jerusalem near the Knesset, the day after our Yom Haatzmaut. Everyones presence is important! We call on the representatives of the national camp to continue the legislation and we support their efforts at this important time. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) Embattled and disgraced Rep. George Santos pledged in January to donate all of $174,000 Congressional salary to charity, but now wont say where the money went. Santos, who lied about being a Jewish descendent of Holocaust survivors along with an almost incomprehensibly long list of other fibs, and who is under investigation for being involved in multiple alleged financial scams, said multiple times that his salary would be contributed to organizations such as a soup kitchen, or animal shelter on a quarterly basis. That would mean his first donation would be taking place this month. But now Santos is telling off reporters who want to know where the money went. Is there a requirement for an annual report that I should submit to you? Santos shot at a Business Insider report who asked him where he put the money. The answer is no I owe you no explanation to what I do with my salary. Do you think Im going to burden the nonprofits that Im going to write checks to, so people of the likes of you can go harass them? Santos added. They have busy work to do. Come on! Santos said hell make an announcement when he makes a donation, but will not reveal where the money was given. Asked when that announcement would come, Santos was coy. Dont stand up waiting, youll get tired, he said. Take a seat, it might take a while. Grifters gonna grift. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Sponsored Content Send a kvitel to Kerestier Bodrogkeresztur, Hungary Monday, April 27th, 1925 Gimel Iyar 5685, The world-renowned Tzadik Reb Shayale of Kerestir is gravely ill; it is evident that he had not much time left on this world. Hes in bed surrounded by his children, grandchildren, and closest confidants, offering his final blessings to those present. The atmosphere was tense when a grandchild turned to Reb Shayale and asked, Zeidy, who will intervene on behalf of Klal Yisroel after your passing? Reb Shayale turned to him and said, My dear grandchild, as long as you will continue my legacy of Chesed, Ill continue to intervene on behalf of and procure Yeshuos for Klal Yisroel. Fifteen years ago, a group of Reb Shayales descendants acted upon that sacred pledge and undertook an inspiring mission of continuing the Legacy of Reb Shayales generosity by founding Rav Lehoshia to supply thousands of babies from impoverished families in Israel with the extremely costly baby formula the only food they can eat which can provide them the nourishment and sustenance they desperately need. These tiny little children cannot eat bread or vegetables, meat, or fish. They do not attend school where they will be served breakfast or lunch; all they can eat is the baby formula their parents feed them. Unfortunately, because of the severe poverty in Eretz Yisroel, thousands of families cannot afford the costly baby formula, and their poor babies do not get proper nourishment. Some of them are being fed regular milk, water mixed with flour, or in the best case, watered-down baby formula so it will last longer. Before these babies can even utter a word or explain their pain, Reb Shayales grandchildren answer their cries of hunger and provide them with monthly distributions of baby formula to fill their empty little stomachs so they, too, can be fed to satisfaction. Now, in honor of Reb Shayales Yahrtzeit, you can seize this unique opportunity to help his grandchildren continue Reb Shayales lifelong aspirations, and in return, you will IY H merit to have Reb Shayale intervene in the high heavens on your behalf, and you will merit to see an abundance of health, wealth, nachas, and prosperity. Amen. Click here now to contribute to this noble cause. Brookfield Asset Management has joined the takeover battle for payments processor Network International with a 2.1billion counteroffer. Bloomberg initially reported on Thursday that the Canadian investment group was considering a bid for the Dubai-headquartered business. The proposal represents a 13p per share premium on the joint approach from the private equity consortium CVC Advisers and Francisco Partners, which Network said earlier this week it was 'minded' to accept. Bidding contest: Brookfield Asset Management has joined the takeover battle for the payments processor Network International with a 2.1billion counteroffer Both bids are below Network's initial public offering price of 435p four years ago in what was the largest flotation by a technology firm on the London Stock Exchange since Worldpay's 4.8billion IPO in 2015. Network told investors on Friday that it was assessing the Brookfield proposition with financial advisers and would make an additional statement in due course. 'There can be no certainty that an offer will be made by Brookfield, nor as to the terms on which any offer might be made,' the company added. Following the announcement, Network International Holdings shares rose 10.3 per cent to 397p on Friday, making them the biggest riser on the FTSE 350 Index. The interest in Network comes at a time of renewed frenzy for publicly-traded British businesses among foreign investors trying to take advantage of cheap valuations. On Friday, bosses at Sureserve, a social housing energy services provider, said they had agreed to a 214.1million takeover by private equity firm Cap10 Partners. In its latest annual results, the Kent-based group reported revenue jumped by 27 per cent thanks to its gas divisions winning a large number of significant contracts. THIS IS MONEY PODCAST It's got easier to win big on the Premium Bonds but should you invest? Earlier this week, embattled e-commerce retailer THG revealed it had secured a 'highly preliminary and non-binding indicative proposal' from Apollo Global Management. THG shares have plummeted by more than 80 per cent since the firm was listed in September 2020 following a slowdown in online sales, corporate governance concerns and heavy losses. Apollo is also targeting oilfield services provider John Wood Group, recently upping its offer for the Edinburgh-based company to 1.7billion, having seen four previous bids rejected. Other companies to have received takeover approaches include property fund Industrial REIT and veterinary products maker Dechra Pharmaceuticals. Businesses that have fallen into overseas ownership during the last year are fashion seller Ted Baker, aerospace components maker Meggitt, and defence giant Ultra Electronics, which was acquired by Advent International. Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said: 'While UK investors may welcome outside endorsement that the British shares are undervalued, and the potential for a quick return from a takeover, it is not good for the long-term health of the London market to see so many names disappearing.' Tecno mobile phones are displayed at a cellphone store in Blantyre, Malawi, on April 19, 2023. Chinese mobile phone brands have gained immense popularity in Malawi due to their affordability and reliability, offering advanced features at a competitive price point. (Photo by Joseph Mizere/Xinhua) BLANTYRE, Malawi, April 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese mobile phone brands have gained immense popularity in Malawi due to their affordability and reliability, offering advanced features at a competitive price point. According to recent data collected by Statcounter, a trusted statistical website, popular Chinese brands such as Tecno, itel, Xiaomi, and Huawei account for a significant 59.57 percent share in Malawi, underscoring the increasing influence of Chinese technology on the Malawian market. The surge in the popularity of Chinese brands has also generally been observed by various tech shops in Malawian cities, including Blantyre, where the demand for mobile phones is always high. Alfred Khonje, a sales representative at Timeline Electronics in the commercial city of Blantyre, told Xinhua in an interview that Chinese mobile phone brands are fulfilling the demand for high-quality products at an affordable price, making them more accessible to the majority of his consumers. "On average, these phones are sold at 120 U.S. dollars, which is a reasonable price for the average person. In today's generation, nobody wants to be left behind. From the young to the old, everyone desires to own a smartphone, which has led to increased demand, and these Chinese phones offer a great solution," Khonje said. The brands are also coming in handy to students such as Patson Kuwelengeza, who studies at Soche Technical College in Blantyre and whose favorite brand is Xiaomi. For the student, it is Xiaomi phones' better battery life, high-speed internet, and fast processors that he finds attractive as these functionalities cater to all tech requirements of a student. "Xiaomi phones are a game-changer for me; I highly recommend them to anyone who wants to enjoy the latest tech experience," Kuwelengeza said. The diverse range of customers in Malawi, including students and young professionals, have increasingly turned to Chinese brands for their tech needs, indicating the growing popularity and widespread appeal of these products in the country. Meanwhile, Huawei, a Chinese tech company, is in partnership with the Malawian government to upgrade the country's technology infrastructure through various projects, including the installation of nearly 3,000 km of fiber optic cables. This project will connect cities and over 100,000 businesses and homes nationwide. An advertisement for a Chinese mobile phone brand is seen at a cellphone store in Blantyre, Malawi, on April 19, 2023. Chinese mobile phone brands have gained immense popularity in Malawi due to their affordability and reliability, offering advanced features at a competitive price point. (Photo by Joseph Mizere/Xinhua) Customers visit a cellphone store in Blantyre, Malawi, on April 19, 2023. Chinese mobile phone brands have gained immense popularity in Malawi due to their affordability and reliability, offering advanced features at a competitive price point. (Photo by Joseph Mizere/Xinhua) Fortune Business Insights According to Fortune Business Insights, the global industrial cybersecurity market size is projected to reach USD 29.41 billion by 2027 from its value USD 15.84 billion in 2019, at CAGR of 8.2% during forecast period. Pune, India, April 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global industrial cybersecurity (ICS) market size is excepted reach to reach USD 29.41 billion by 2027, exhibiting a CAGR of 8.2% during the forecast period. The integration of cybersecurity solutions and advanced cloud services by various industries will spur opportunities for the global market during the forecast period, states Fortune Business Insights, in a report, titled Industrial Cyber Security (ICS) Market Size, Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Component (Product, Software and Services), By Security Type (Network Security, Cloud Application Security, End-point Security, Internet Security, and Others), By Industry (Process Industry and Discrete Industry) and Regional Forecasts, 2020-2027. The market size stood at USD 15.84 billion in 2019. Request a Free Sample of Report: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/request-sample-pdf/industrial-cybersecurity-market-104557 The emergence of COVID-19 has brought the world to a standstill. We understand that this health crisis has brought an unprecedented impact on businesses across industries. However, this too, shall pass. Rising support from governments and several companies can help in the fight against this highly contagious disease. There are some industries that are struggling, and some are thriving. Overall, almost every sector is anticipated to be impacted by the pandemic. We are making continuous efforts to help your business sustain and grow during COVID-19 pandemics. Based on our experience and expertise, we will offer you an impact analysis of coronavirus outbreak across industries to help you prepare for the future. The report on industrial cyber security incorporates essential understandings of the market, all-inclusive data about prominent players, distinguished facts and figures, latest developments, key drivers and restraints, along with imperative information about dominant regions. Moreover, the report also provides a brief study regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic impact on the industry. Story continues To get to know more about the short-term and long-term impact of COVID-19 on this market, Please Visit: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/industrial-cybersecurity-market-104557 Market Driver : Increasing Acceptance of AI-based Industrial Robots to Bolster Growth The growing implementation of cloud-based ICS-as-a-service and industrial robots across manufacturing and industrial plants will contribute positively to the markets growth. According to the International Federation of Robotics, in 2018, there were around 125.6 thousand industry robots deployed across the automotive industry, 105.2 thousand deployed across the electronic industry, and 43.6 thousand deployed across the metal and mining industry worldwide. Similarly, as per the Robotic Industries Association (RIA) report, in 2018, around 422,000 industry robots shipped globally. Cybersecurity solutions secure industrial robots from cyber-attacks, thus supporting smooth operations. Moreover, governments heavy investments in cybersecurity will foster the market's healthy growth in the forthcoming years. For instance, in May 2017, the Singaporean government declared an investment for four years (2017 2021) of around USD 1.76 billion in economic strategies. This investment includes the advancement of various Cybersecurity Agency (CSA) of Singapore. Investment Plans of Prominent Companies to Uplift Market Amid Coronavirus The coronavirus has adversely affected the IT sector around the world, consequently hampering the market. However, noteworthy companies are focused on investment strategies to improve the market scenario. According to IDC, worldwide IT spending is expected to decline by 2.7% due to COVID-19. Moreover, the expenditure on infrastructure as a service (IaaS) and cloud computing tools is projected to increase in the near future. For instance, in May 2020, Rockwell Automation, Inc., announced that it has acquired Kalypso, LP., a software delivery and consulting organization. The company intends to provide control products and solutions using Kalypsos abilities to develop security solutions. Moreover, the temporary closure of manufacturing facilities, industrial plants, factories, and other industries has restricted the market's expansion. Quick Buy Industrial Cyber Security (ICS) Market Research Report: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/checkout-page/104557 List of Key Players Profiled in the Report IBM Corporation (New York, United States) ABB Ltd. (Switzerland) Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (Israel) Schneider Electric (Rueil-Malmaison, France) Mcafee, LLc (Intel Security) (California, United States) Cisco Systems, Inc. (California, United States) Honeywell International Inc. (North Carolina, United States) Microsoft Corporation (Washington, United States) Siemens AG (Munich, Germany) Trend Micro, Inc. (Tokyo, Japan) Splunk Inc. (California, United States) Rockwell Automation, Inc. (Wisconsin, United States) Bayshore Networks, Inc. (North Carolina, United States) Broadcom Inc. (California, United States) Kaspersky Lab (Moscow, Russia) Dell Inc. (Texas, United States) Proofpoint, Inc. (California, United States) FireEye, Inc. (California, United States) Symantec Corporation (NortonLifeLock Inc.) (Arizona, United States) Palo Alto Networks (California, United States) Regional Analysis : Implementation of Cloud-Based Security Solutions to Boost Growth in Asia Pacific The market Asia Pacific is expected to rise excellently during the forecast period due to existing companies in China, India, Taiwan, Japan, Australia, South Korea, and other ASEAN countries. The heavy investments in cloud-based security applications will contribute positively to the growth of the market in Asia Pacific. The emergence of new companies coupled with small and medium enterprises (SMEs) will foster the healthy development of the market in Asia Pacific. Europe is expected to expand radically during the forecast period owing to the rising investment for secure IT infrastructure across industries. For instance, according to UBS Group AG, in Europe, the estimated electric vehicle revenue is likely to reach around 6.33 million units by 2025. North America is expected to hold a significant share during the forecast period due to major players such as CyberArk Software Ltd., Rockwell Automation, Inc., Cisco System, Inc., and others. The introduction of innovative AI-based security solutions by major companies will aid expansion in North America. In November 2020, CyberArk Software Ltd. launched CyberArk, Cloud Entitlements Manager, a service based on artificial intelligence. Key Development : August 2019: Cisco System Inc., an American multinational technology conglomerate headquartered in San Jose, California, completed the acquisition of Sentryo, a Lyon, France-based company. Sentryo offers cybersecurity solutions and asset visibility for industrial control systems (ICS). Ask for Customization: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/ask-for-customization/industrial-cybersecurity-market-104557 Major Table of content: Introduction Definition, By Segment Research Methodology/Approach Data Sources Key Takeaways Market Dynamics Macro and Micro Economic Indicators Drivers, Restraints, Opportunities and Trends Impact of COVID-19 Short-term Impact Long-term Impact Competition Landscape Business Strategies Adopted by Key Players Consolidated SWOT Analysis of Key Players Porters Five Force Analysis Global Market Share Analysis and Matrix, 2019 Key Market Insights and Strategic Recommendations Profiles of Key Players (Would be provided for 10 players only) Overview Key Management Headquarters etc. Offerings/Business Segments Key Details (Key details are subjected to data availability in public domain and/or on paid databases) Employee Size Key Financials Past and Current Revenue Gross Margin Geographical Share Business Segment Share Recent Developments Primary Interview Responses Annexure / Appendix Global Industrial Cyber Security Market Size Estimates and Forecasts (Quantitative Data), By Segments, 2016-2027 By Component (Value) Product (Routers, Ethernet Switches, Other (Gateways, etc.) Software Services By Security Type (Value) Network Security Cloud Application Security End-point Security Internet Security Others (Wireless Security, etc.) By Industry (Value) Process Industry Oil and Gas Chemical Food and Beverages Energy and Power Other (Water, etc.) Discrete Industry Automotive Electronics Heavy Manufacturing Packaging Others (Aerospace and Defense, and Others) By Region (Value) North America South America Europe Middle East & Africa Asia Pacific TOC Continued. Speak to Our Analyst: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/speak-to-analyst/industrial-cybersecurity-market-104557 About Us: Fortune Business Insights offers expert corporate analysis and accurate data, helping organizations of all sizes make timely decisions. We tailor innovative solutions for our clients, assisting them address challenges distinct to their businesses. Our goal is to empower our clients with holistic market intelligence, giving a granular overview of the market they are operating in. Contact Us: Fortune Business Insights Pvt. Ltd. US: +1 424 253 0390 UK: +44 2071 939123 APAC: +91 744 740 1245 Email: sales@fortunebusinessinsights.com Shift away from sugar and chocolate shows 'relevance' of THG nutrition arm Kelso Group has upped its recently built minority stake in THG as it reiterated its belief in the 'significant intrinsic value' of the e-commerce business' nutrition arm, despite widening group losses. THG, which recently received a preliminary takeover proposal from private equity firm Apollo, saw annual losses almost treble to 550million last year. But Kelso believes that 'the shift in consumption away from chocolate and sugar to health and nutrition' signifies the 'huge relevance' of THG's nutrition division, which is behind the Myprotein brand. THG nutrition arm, which owns the Myprotein brand, made 675m in revenues in 2022 The investor believes this shift will eventually see THG's nutrition business being snapped up 'by one of the large global food and beverage companies' as they try to cash in on the growing wellness trend. 'In our view, this strategic shift is akin to the major oil companies diversifying into renewable energy and highlights the huge relevance and underlying value of THG Nutrition,' Kelso told investors as it upped its stake to 8million shares. Kelso also said any offers for THG as a whole 'must clearly reflect this underlying value', adding that if no forthcoming offer was deemed acceptable, the board should consider a spin-off of its nutrition division. Kelso noted that THG's nutrition business raked in around 675million in revenues last year, up 2.4 per cent compared to 2021. The comments come as THG became the latest British firm to be targeted by private equity predators after receiving a 'highly preliminary and non-binding indicative proposal' from Apollo Global Management on Monday. The news sent shares in THG surging almost 50 per cent, though they crashed 20 per cent a few days later when the group posted record losses for 2022 and warned of a slump in revenues so far this year. In a rollercoaster week for the stock, THG shares jumped 5.3 per cent to 89.5p in morning trading on Friday after Kelso's move. The group pointed to recent reports about a group of investors in Nestle demanding that the world's largest food company reduce its reliance on sales of unhealthy products in order to achieve long term success. Kelso said it had identified 12 global food and beverage companies, including Coca Cola, Pepsi, Mondelez and Kraft Heinz, that it believes 'could be deemed overly focused on sales of chocolate or high sugar content products'. 'The food and beverage companies we refer to above have vast offline global distribution networks that could significantly increase the offline sales of MyProtein,' it added. 'In return, we strongly believe, that MyProtein's direct to consumer digital model would be highly attractive to many of these companies.' ServiceNow (NYSE:NOW Get Rating) and MeridianLink (NYSE:MLNK Get Rating) are both computer and technology companies, but which is the superior investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their risk, analyst recommendations, valuation, earnings, institutional ownership, profitability and dividends. Earnings & Valuation This table compares ServiceNow and MeridianLinks gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Get ServiceNow alerts: Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio ServiceNow $7.25 billion 13.15 $325.00 million $1.60 292.31 MeridianLink $288.05 million 4.23 $1.29 million $0.01 1,509.00 ServiceNow has higher revenue and earnings than MeridianLink. ServiceNow is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than MeridianLink, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Insider and Institutional Ownership Analyst Ratings 86.3% of ServiceNow shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 68.5% of MeridianLink shares are held by institutional investors. 0.3% of ServiceNow shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 20.9% of MeridianLink shares are held 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. This is a breakdown of recent ratings and target prices for ServiceNow and MeridianLink, as reported by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score ServiceNow 0 1 26 0 2.96 MeridianLink 2 1 2 0 2.00 ServiceNow currently has a consensus target price of $529.28, suggesting a potential upside of 13.17%. MeridianLink has a consensus target price of $17.33, suggesting a potential upside of 14.87%. Given MeridianLinks higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe MeridianLink is more favorable than ServiceNow. Volatility & Risk ServiceNow has a beta of 1.04, meaning that its stock price is 4% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, MeridianLink has a beta of 0.76, meaning that its stock price is 24% less volatile than the S&P 500. Profitability This table compares ServiceNow and MeridianLinks net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets ServiceNow 4.49% 9.37% 3.58% MeridianLink 0.45% 0.99% 0.54% Summary ServiceNow beats MeridianLink on 11 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks. About ServiceNow (Get Rating) ServiceNow, Inc. engages in the provision of enterprise cloud computing solutions. The firm delivers digital workflows on a single enterprise cloud platform called the Now Platform. Its product portfolio is focused on providing Information Technology, Employee and Customer workflows. The company was founded by Frederic B. Luddy in June 2004 and is headquartered in Santa Clara, CA. About MeridianLink (Get Rating) MeridianLink, Inc., a software and services company, provides software solutions for banks, credit unions, mortgage lenders, specialty lending providers, and consumer reporting agencies in the United States. The company offers MeridianLink Consumer, a consumer lending and account opening platform; MeridianLink Opening, an online account opening software that unifies deposit account opening and funding for various channels and products; and MeridianLink DecisionLender, a loan origination software (LOS) for finance companies. It also provides MeridianLink Engage, an end-to-end consumer lending, account, and card marketing automation solution; MeridianLink Mortgage, a SaaS cloud-based end-to-end loan origination software; MeridianLink Collect, a cloud-based debt collection software; and Mortgage Credit Link, a web-based order fulfillment hub. In addition, the company provides solutions, including end-to-end platform, loan origination system, mortgage loan origination system, deposit account opening, data and reporting, collections, and consulting and analysis. MeridianLink, Inc. was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in Costa Mesa, California. Receive News & Ratings for ServiceNow Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for ServiceNow and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Red Electrica Corporacion (OTCMKTS:RDEIY Get Rating) and Orkla ASA (OTCMKTS:ORKLY Get Rating) are both mid-cap utilities companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, analyst recommendations, earnings, risk, institutional ownership, profitability and dividends. Analyst Ratings This is a summary of current ratings and recommmendations for Red Electrica Corporacion and Orkla ASA, as reported by MarketBeat. Get Red Electrica Corporacion alerts: Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Red Electrica Corporacion 1 3 1 0 2.00 Orkla ASA 1 3 1 0 2.00 Red Electrica Corporacion presently has a consensus target price of $19.13, suggesting a potential upside of 112.79%. Given Red Electrica Corporacions higher possible upside, equities research analysts clearly believe Red Electrica Corporacion is more favorable than Orkla ASA. Earnings and Valuation Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Red Electrica Corporacion $2.31 billion 4.21 $805.25 million N/A N/A Orkla ASA $6.10 billion 1.17 $523.98 million $0.52 13.67 This table compares Red Electrica Corporacion and Orkla ASAs top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Red Electrica Corporacion has higher earnings, but lower revenue than Orkla ASA. Dividends Red Electrica Corporacion pays an annual dividend of $0.21 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.3%. Orkla ASA pays an annual dividend of $0.19 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.7%. Orkla ASA pays out 36.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Volatility and Risk Red Electrica Corporacion has a beta of 0.49, indicating that its stock price is 51% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Orkla ASA has a beta of 0.44, indicating that its stock price is 56% less volatile than the S&P 500. Profitability This table compares Red Electrica Corporacion and Orkla ASAs net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Red Electrica Corporacion N/A N/A N/A Orkla ASA 8.60% 13.01% 6.94% Insider & Institutional Ownership 0.0% of Red Electrica Corporacion shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 0.0% of Orkla ASA shares are owned by institutional investors. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term. Summary Orkla ASA beats Red Electrica Corporacion on 6 of the 11 factors compared between the two stocks. About Red Electrica Corporacion (Get Rating) Red Electrica Corp. SA engages in the power transmission and operation of electrical systems. It also offers telecommunication services and other related activities. The company was founded on January 29, 1985 and is headquartered in Alcobendas, Spain. About Orkla ASA (Get Rating) Orkla ASA engages in the distribution of branded consumer goods to the grocery, out of home, specialized retail, pharmacy, and bakery sectors. It operates its business through the following segments: Orkla Foods, Orkla Confectionery and Snacks, Orkla Care, Orkla Food Ingredients, Headquarters, Branded Consumer Goods including Headquarter, Hydro Power, and Financial Investments. The Orkla Foods segment offers pizza, ketchup, soups, sauces, bread toppings, and ready-to-eat meals. The Orkla Confectionery and Snacks segment comprises of confectionery, biscuits and snacks categories, bran and crispbread products, and high-energy snack meals. The Orkla Care segment includes cleaning products, toothbrushes, and personal hygiene products. The Orkla Food Ingredients segment supplies margarine and butter blends, yeast, bread and cake improvers and mixes, marzipan, and ice cream ingredients. The Headquarters segment refers to the branded consumer goods business. The Hydro Power segment produces and supplies power to the Nordic power market. The Financial Investments segment consists of Orkla Eiendom and Orkla Venture. The company was founded on February 27, 1918 and is headquartered in Oslo, Receive News & Ratings for Red Electrica Corporacion Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Red Electrica Corporacion and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Graco (NYSE:GGG Get Rating) was upgraded by investment analysts at StockNews.com from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Wednesday. Several other research analysts have also weighed in on the company. Seaport Res Ptn raised Graco from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, February 2nd. Robert W. Baird lifted their price objective on Graco from $66.00 to $75.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 1st. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $73.00. Get Graco alerts: Graco Stock Up 0.3 % Shares of NYSE:GGG opened at $70.62 on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of $11.86 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.45, a P/E/G ratio of 2.58 and a beta of 0.80. The company has a quick ratio of 1.82, a current ratio of 3.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04. Graco has a 12-month low of $56.48 and a 12-month high of $73.10. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $70.14 and a 200 day simple moving average of $68.34. Insiders Place Their Bets Graco ( NYSE:GGG Get Rating ) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, January 31st. The industrial products company reported $0.73 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.69 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $555.05 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $556.72 million. Graco had a return on equity of 25.67% and a net margin of 21.49%. Gracos revenue for the quarter was up 2.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.66 EPS. Analysts predict that Graco will post 2.76 earnings per share for the current year. In other Graco news, Director Eric Etchart sold 6,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $71.90, for a total transaction of $431,400.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 31,597 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,271,824.30. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other Graco news, Director Eric Etchart sold 6,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $71.90, for a total transaction of $431,400.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 31,597 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,271,824.30. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Sant R. William Van sold 20,820 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $71.14, for a total value of $1,481,134.80. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 57,948 shares of company stock valued at $4,096,787. Corporate insiders own 2.98% of the companys stock. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Graco Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Graco by 4.0% in the first quarter. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. now owns 8,929 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $652,000 after acquiring an additional 343 shares in the last quarter. Counterpoint Mutual Funds LLC bought a new position in shares of Graco in the first quarter valued at approximately $100,000. Fenimore Asset Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Graco by 1.4% in the first quarter. Fenimore Asset Management Inc. now owns 1,068,817 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $78,034,000 after acquiring an additional 14,941 shares in the last quarter. DnB Asset Management AS bought a new position in shares of Graco in the first quarter valued at approximately $2,628,000. Finally, Maryland State Retirement & Pension System grew its holdings in shares of Graco by 5.1% in the first quarter. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System now owns 13,273 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $969,000 after acquiring an additional 646 shares in the last quarter. 85.85% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. About Graco (Get Rating) Graco, Inc is a manufacturing company, which engages in the design, manufacture, and sale of systems and equipment used to move, measure, control, dispense, and spray fluid and powder materials. It operates through the following segments: Industrial, Process, and Contractor. The Industrial segment markets equipment and pre-engineered packages for moving and applying paints, coatings, sealants, adhesives, and other fluids. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Graco Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Graco and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Agricultural Bank of China Limited (OTCMKTS:ACGBY Get Rating) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest during the month of March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 25,400 shares, an increase of 9.5% from the March 15th total of 23,200 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 24,600 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.0 days. Agricultural Bank of China Stock Up 0.5 % Shares of Agricultural Bank of China stock opened at $9.74 on Friday. The firms 50 day moving average price is $9.08 and its 200-day moving average price is $8.46. The company has a quick ratio of 1.18, a current ratio of 1.18 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72. Agricultural Bank of China has a 52-week low of $7.04 and a 52-week high of $9.93. The company has a market cap of $136.35 billion, a P/E ratio of 3.78 and a beta of 0.25. Get Agricultural Bank of China alerts: Agricultural Bank of China Company Profile (Get Rating) Featured Stories Agricultural Bank of China Limited provides corporate and retail banking products and services. The company operates through Corporate Banking, Personal Banking, and Treasury Operations segments. It offers demand, personal call, foreign currency time, foreign currency call, time or demand optional, foreign exchange demand, foreign exchange call, foreign exchange time, certificates of deposit, savings, agreed-term, and negotiated deposits; and loans comprise housing, consumer, business, fixed asset, working capital, real estate, and entrusted syndicated loans, as well as trade finances, guarantees and commitments, and loans with custody of export rebates accounts. Receive News & Ratings for Agricultural Bank of China Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Agricultural Bank of China and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Endeavour Mining plc (TSE:EDV Get Rating) Equities research analysts at Edison Inv. Res reduced their Q1 2023 earnings per share estimates for Endeavour Mining in a report issued on Tuesday, April 18th. Edison Inv. Res analyst T. Batho now forecasts that the company will earn $0.19 per share for the quarter, down from their prior estimate of $0.45. The consensus estimate for Endeavour Minings current full-year earnings is $2.06 per share. Edison Inv. Res also issued estimates for Endeavour Minings Q2 2023 earnings at $0.42 EPS, Q3 2023 earnings at $0.60 EPS, Q4 2023 earnings at $0.67 EPS, FY2023 earnings at $1.88 EPS, FY2024 earnings at $2.54 EPS and FY2025 earnings at $2.68 EPS. Get Endeavour Mining alerts: Endeavour Mining Trading Down 0.2 % TSE:EDV opened at C$35.86 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of C$8.88 billion, a PE ratio of -99.61, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of -2.74 and a beta of 0.57. Endeavour Mining has a fifty-two week low of C$22.77 and a fifty-two week high of C$36.44. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 21.33, a current ratio of 1.38 and a quick ratio of 0.99. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is C$31.21 and its 200-day simple moving average is C$29.17. Insider Activity at Endeavour Mining Endeavour Mining Increases Dividend In other Endeavour Mining news, Senior Officer Morgan Denis Carroll sold 13,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of C$19.41, for a total transaction of C$252,330.00. 19.59% of the stock is owned by insiders. The company also recently disclosed a Semi-Annual dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, March 28th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, March 28th were given a dividend of $0.557 per share. This is a boost from Endeavour Minings previous Semi-Annual dividend of $0.51. This represents a dividend yield of 1.31%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 23rd. Endeavour Minings dividend payout ratio is currently -311.11%. About Endeavour Mining (Get Rating) Endeavour Mining plc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a gold mining company in West Africa. It has six operating assets, including the Boungou, Hounde, Mana, and Wahgnion mines in Burkina Faso; the Ity mine in Cote d'Ivoire; the Sabodala-Massawa mine in Senegal; Lafigue and Kalana development projects in Cote d'Ivoire and Mali; and a portfolio of exploration assets on the Birimian Greenstone Belt across Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Mali, Senegal, and Guinea. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Endeavour Mining Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Endeavour Mining and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ingersoll Rand Inc. (NYSE:IR Get Rating) Equities researchers at Zacks Research boosted their Q2 2023 earnings per share estimates for Ingersoll Rand in a report released on Wednesday, April 19th. Zacks Research analyst E. Haque now anticipates that the industrial products company will earn $0.57 per share for the quarter, up from their prior forecast of $0.56. The consensus estimate for Ingersoll Rands current full-year earnings is $2.38 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Ingersoll Rands FY2023 earnings at $2.34 EPS, Q4 2024 earnings at $0.70 EPS and FY2024 earnings at $2.45 EPS. Get Ingersoll Rand alerts: Ingersoll Rand (NYSE:IR Get Rating) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 21st. The industrial products company reported $0.72 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.59 by $0.13. Ingersoll Rand had a return on equity of 9.99% and a net margin of 10.22%. The firm had revenue of $1.62 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.54 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $0.64 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 14.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Ingersoll Rand Price Performance IR has been the topic of several other research reports. Robert W. Baird raised their price target on Ingersoll Rand from $52.00 to $62.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, February 22nd. Barclays raised their target price on Ingersoll Rand from $60.00 to $64.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, February 22nd. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on Ingersoll Rand from $57.00 to $62.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, February 22nd. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price objective on Ingersoll Rand from $62.00 to $61.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, April 13th. Finally, Citigroup boosted their price target on Ingersoll Rand from $62.00 to $64.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Monday, April 10th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Ingersoll Rand has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $58.80. Ingersoll Rand stock opened at $55.36 on Friday. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $56.49 and its 200 day simple moving average is $53.92. The stock has a market cap of $22.42 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.41 and a beta of 1.42. Ingersoll Rand has a 12-month low of $39.28 and a 12-month high of $60.39. The company has a quick ratio of 1.76, a current ratio of 2.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in IR. American Century Companies Inc. boosted its holdings in Ingersoll Rand by 12.0% in the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 15,601 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $786,000 after acquiring an additional 1,675 shares in the last quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Ingersoll Rand by 47.6% in the first quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 9,880 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $497,000 after purchasing an additional 3,185 shares in the last quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Ingersoll Rand in the first quarter valued at approximately $327,000. Panagora Asset Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Ingersoll Rand by 62.2% in the first quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. now owns 28,937 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,457,000 after purchasing an additional 11,096 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Yousif Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Ingersoll Rand by 1.7% in the first quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC now owns 57,771 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $2,909,000 after purchasing an additional 988 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 99.73% of the companys stock. Insider Activity at Ingersoll Rand In related news, insider Vicente Reynal sold 25,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $57.50, for a total transaction of $1,437,500.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 189,345 shares in the company, valued at approximately $10,887,337.50. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 0.75% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Ingersoll Rand Dividend Announcement The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 24th. Investors of record on Wednesday, March 1st were given a dividend of $0.02 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 28th. This represents a $0.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.14%. Ingersoll Rands payout ratio is 5.41%. About Ingersoll Rand (Get Rating) 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. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Ingersoll Rand Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ingersoll Rand and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Rogers Communications Inc. (NYSE:RCI Get Rating) (TSE:RCI.B) Research analysts at Cormark issued their Q1 2023 EPS estimates for Rogers Communications in a research report issued to clients and investors on Thursday, April 20th. Cormark analyst D. Mcfadgen forecasts that the Wireless communications provider will post earnings per share of $0.65 for the quarter. The consensus estimate for Rogers Communications current full-year earnings is $3.60 per share. Get Rogers Communications alerts: Rogers Communications (NYSE:RCI Get Rating) (TSE:RCI.B) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, February 2nd. The Wireless communications provider reported $0.80 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.74 by $0.06. The business had revenue of $3.07 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.08 billion. Rogers Communications had a net margin of 10.90% and a return on equity of 18.14%. Rogers Communications Stock Performance RCI has been the topic of a number of other research reports. TheStreet upgraded Rogers Communications from a c rating to a b rating in a report on Monday, February 6th. StockNews.com initiated coverage on Rogers Communications in a report on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Desjardins downgraded Rogers Communications from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, April 3rd. Scotiabank raised their price target on Rogers Communications from C$71.00 to C$74.75 in a report on Tuesday, January 3rd. Finally, UBS Group upgraded Rogers Communications from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a report on Monday, February 6th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Rogers Communications presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $74.31. Shares of RCI stock opened at $48.28 on Friday. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $47.21 and its 200-day moving average price is $45.38. The company has a current ratio of 2.02, a quick ratio of 1.97 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.96. The firm has a market capitalization of $24.38 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.39, a PEG ratio of 1.51 and a beta of 0.51. Rogers Communications has a 12 month low of $36.23 and a 12 month high of $61.15. Rogers Communications Increases Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, April 3rd. Investors of record on Friday, March 10th were given a dividend of $0.368 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, March 9th. This is a positive change from Rogers Communicationss previous quarterly dividend of $0.37. This represents a $1.47 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.05%. Rogers Communicationss payout ratio is 59.04%. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of RCI. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Rogers Communications in the first quarter valued at approximately $1,219,000. American Century Companies Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Rogers Communications by 29.8% during the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 28,915 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock valued at $1,637,000 after acquiring an additional 6,634 shares during the period. US Bancorp DE lifted its holdings in shares of Rogers Communications by 3.0% in the first quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 7,289 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock valued at $413,000 after purchasing an additional 213 shares in the last quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Rogers Communications during the 1st quarter worth about $237,000. Finally, BlackRock Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Rogers Communications by 16.1% during the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 3,281,771 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock worth $186,241,000 after purchasing an additional 455,522 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 45.46% of the companys stock. Rogers Communications Company Profile (Get Rating) Rogers Communications Inc operates as a communications and media company in Canada. It operates through three segments: Wireless, Cable, and Media. The company offers mobile Internet access, wireless voice and enhanced voice, device and accessory financing, wireless home phone, device protection, e-mail, global voice and data roaming, bridging landline, machine-to-machine and Internet of Things solutions, and advanced wireless solutions for businesses, as well as device delivery services; and postpaid and prepaid services under the Rogers, Fido, and chatr brands to approximately 11.3 million subscribers. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Rogers Communications Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Rogers Communications and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bank of Queensland Limited (ASX:BOQPG Get Rating) announced a interim dividend on Thursday, April 20th, MarketIndexAU reports. Investors of record on Wednesday, June 14th will be given a dividend of 1.245 per share on Wednesday, June 14th. This represents a yield of 1.23%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Sunday, May 28th. Bank of Queensland Price Performance Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Bank of Queensland Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bank of Queensland and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D increased its position in shares of Campbell Soup (NYSE:CPB Get Rating) by 4.6% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 115,267 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 5,050 shares during the period. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund Ds holdings in Campbell Soup were worth $6,541,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Mutual of America Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in Campbell Soup by 0.9% during the 3rd quarter. Mutual of America Capital Management LLC now owns 28,047 shares of the companys stock worth $1,322,000 after purchasing an additional 240 shares during the period. Two Sigma Investments LP increased its holdings in Campbell Soup by 158.4% during the 3rd quarter. Two Sigma Investments LP now owns 876,056 shares of the companys stock worth $41,280,000 after purchasing an additional 537,042 shares during the period. Twinbeech Capital LP increased its holdings in Campbell Soup by 54.1% during the 3rd quarter. Twinbeech Capital LP now owns 46,133 shares of the companys stock worth $2,174,000 after purchasing an additional 16,187 shares during the period. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Campbell Soup by 96.1% during the 3rd quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 80,973 shares of the companys stock worth $3,837,000 after purchasing an additional 39,673 shares during the period. Finally, Commerce Bank increased its holdings in Campbell Soup by 11.7% during the 3rd quarter. Commerce Bank now owns 8,632 shares of the companys stock worth $407,000 after purchasing an additional 901 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 50.39% of the companys stock. Get Campbell Soup alerts: Campbell Soup Trading Up 0.3 % NYSE:CPB opened at $54.38 on Friday. Campbell Soup has a 52-week low of $44.37 and a 52-week high of $57.78. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $53.65 and its 200 day moving average price is $53.06. The company has a quick ratio of 0.31, a current ratio of 0.77 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.11. The company has a market capitalization of $16.29 billion, a PE ratio of 20.14, a P/E/G ratio of 4.65 and a beta of 0.34. Campbell Soup Announces Dividend Campbell Soup ( NYSE:CPB Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, March 8th. The company reported $0.80 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.74 by $0.06. Campbell Soup had a return on equity of 26.97% and a net margin of 8.86%. The company had revenue of $2.49 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.43 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.69 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 12.5% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts anticipate that Campbell Soup will post 3.01 EPS for the current year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, May 1st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, April 6th will be issued a $0.37 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, April 5th. This represents a $1.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.72%. Campbell Soups dividend payout ratio is currently 54.82%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In CPB has been the topic of several recent research reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on Campbell Soup from $53.00 to $55.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, March 9th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft dropped their price objective on Campbell Soup from $54.00 to $53.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a report on Monday, March 20th. Credit Suisse Group increased their price objective on Campbell Soup from $50.00 to $51.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, March 9th. Bank of America increased their price objective on Campbell Soup from $50.00 to $51.00 in a report on Thursday, March 9th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus began coverage on Campbell Soup in a report on Thursday, April 13th. They issued a hold rating and a $55.00 price objective on the stock. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $51.92. About Campbell Soup (Get Rating) Campbell Soup Co engages in the business of manufacturing and marketing food and beverage products. It operates under the Meals and Beverages, and Snacks segments. The Meals and Beverages segment includes soup, meals, and beverage products in retail and foodservice. The Snacks segment offers cookies, crackers, bakery, and frozen products. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Campbell Soup Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Campbell Soup and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. For many, the main point of investing is to generate higher returns than the overall market. But even the best stock picker will only win with some selections. At this point some shareholders may be questioning their investment in Cromwell European Real Estate Investment Trust (SGX:CWBU), since the last five years saw the share price fall 49%. And it's not just long term holders hurting, because the stock is down 33% in the last year. Now let's have a look at the company's fundamentals, and see if the long term shareholder return has matched the performance of the underlying business. See our latest analysis for Cromwell European Real Estate Investment Trust To paraphrase Benjamin Graham: Over the short term the market is a voting machine, but over the long term it's a weighing machine. 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. Looking back five years, both Cromwell European Real Estate Investment Trust's share price and EPS declined; the latter at a rate of 28% per year. The share price decline of 13% per year isn't as bad as the EPS decline. The relatively muted share price reaction might be because the market expects the business to turn around. The image below shows how EPS has tracked over time (if you click on the image you can see greater detail). This free interactive report on Cromwell European Real Estate Investment Trust'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. It's fair to say that the TSR gives a more complete picture for stocks that pay a dividend. In the case of Cromwell European Real Estate Investment Trust, it has a TSR of -18% for the last 5 years. That exceeds its share price return that we previously mentioned. The dividends paid by the company have thusly boosted the total shareholder return. Story continues A Different Perspective Cromwell European Real Estate Investment Trust shareholders are down 26% for the year (even including dividends), but the market itself is up 0.3%. However, keep in mind that even the best stocks will sometimes underperform the market over a twelve month period. Unfortunately, last year's performance may indicate unresolved challenges, given that it was worse than the annualised loss of 3% over the last half decade. Generally speaking long term share price weakness can be a bad sign, though contrarian investors might want to research the stock in hope of a turnaround. I find it very interesting to look at share price over the long term as a proxy for business performance. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. Like risks, for instance. Every company has them, and we've spotted 4 warning signs for Cromwell European Real Estate Investment Trust (of which 2 are potentially serious!) 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 Singaporean exchanges. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D raised its holdings in Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited (NYSE:TEVA Get Rating) by 1.7% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 667,414 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 11,000 shares during the period. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D owned about 0.06% of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries worth $6,087,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of TEVA. Exor Capital LLP acquired a new stake in Teva Pharmaceutical Industries in the third quarter valued at approximately $92,984,000. Two Sigma Investments LP boosted its stake in shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries by 705.1% in the third quarter. Two Sigma Investments LP now owns 5,283,501 shares of the companys stock worth $42,638,000 after acquiring an additional 4,627,252 shares during the last quarter. Harel Insurance Investments & Financial Services Ltd. boosted its stake in shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries by 23.5% in the third quarter. Harel Insurance Investments & Financial Services Ltd. now owns 14,132,727 shares of the companys stock worth $114,051,000 after acquiring an additional 2,685,200 shares during the last quarter. Phoenix Holdings Ltd. boosted its stake in shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries by 11.8% in the third quarter. Phoenix Holdings Ltd. now owns 20,831,080 shares of the companys stock worth $162,941,000 after acquiring an additional 2,201,291 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Migdal Insurance & Financial Holdings Ltd. boosted its stake in shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries by 9.5% in the third quarter. Migdal Insurance & Financial Holdings Ltd. now owns 21,380,200 shares of the companys stock worth $172,533,000 after acquiring an additional 1,847,280 shares during the last quarter. 50.39% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Teva Pharmaceutical Industries alerts: Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Stock Performance NYSE TEVA opened at $8.35 on Friday. The stocks fifty day moving average is $9.29 and its two-hundred day moving average is $9.28. The firm has a market capitalization of $9.28 billion, a P/E ratio of -3.94, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.54 and a beta of 1.18. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.20, a quick ratio of 0.72 and a current ratio of 1.05. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited has a fifty-two week low of $6.78 and a fifty-two week high of $11.44. Analyst Ratings Changes Teva Pharmaceutical Industries ( NYSE:TEVA Get Rating ) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, February 8th. The company reported $0.68 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.64 by $0.04. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries had a positive return on equity of 28.06% and a negative net margin of 15.76%. The company had revenue of $3.88 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.90 billion. On average, research analysts anticipate that Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited will post 2.3 earnings per share for the current year. A number of analysts have recently issued reports on TEVA shares. Jefferies Financial Group lowered Teva Pharmaceutical Industries from a buy rating to a hold rating and lifted their price target for the stock from $10.00 to $12.00 in a research note on Thursday, January 19th. Barclays lifted their price target on Teva Pharmaceutical Industries from $13.00 to $14.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, February 9th. Finally, StockNews.com started coverage on Teva Pharmaceutical Industries in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $10.75. Insider Buying and Selling at Teva Pharmaceutical Industries In other Teva Pharmaceutical Industries news, EVP Sven Dethlefs sold 19,355 shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries stock in a transaction on Monday, March 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $9.93, for a total value of $192,195.15. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 223,447 shares in the company, valued at $2,218,828.71. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other Teva Pharmaceutical Industries news, EVP Sven Dethlefs sold 19,355 shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries stock in a transaction on Monday, March 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $9.93, for a total value of $192,195.15. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 223,447 shares in the company, valued at $2,218,828.71. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, VP David Matthew Stark sold 16,491 shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries stock in a transaction on Monday, March 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $9.93, for a total value of $163,755.63. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 52,449 shares in the company, valued at approximately $520,818.57. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 158,884 shares of company stock worth $1,572,797 over the last quarter. 0.82% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Company Profile (Get Rating) Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. engages in the development, production, and sale of medicines. It operates through the following geographical segments: North America, Europe, and International Markets. The company was founded in 1901 and is headquartered in Tel Aviv, Israel. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Teva Pharmaceutical Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Guinness Asset Management LTD increased its position in shares of Chevron Co. (NYSE:CVX Get Rating) by 9.6% in the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 173,690 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after acquiring an additional 15,148 shares during the quarter. Chevron makes up 0.9% of Guinness Asset Management LTDs portfolio, making the stock its 28th biggest holding. Guinness Asset Management LTDs holdings in Chevron were worth $31,158,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its stake in Chevron by 1.3% during the first quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 14,697,160 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $2,393,138,000 after buying an additional 189,762 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its stake in shares of Chevron by 7.6% in the third quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 12,052,751 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $1,731,739,000 after purchasing an additional 847,841 shares during the period. Nuveen Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Chevron by 1.6% in the third quarter. Nuveen Asset Management LLC now owns 9,953,548 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $1,430,026,000 after purchasing an additional 155,955 shares during the period. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD boosted its stake in shares of Chevron by 4.1% in the third quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 7,762,782 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $1,115,281,000 after purchasing an additional 309,277 shares during the period. Finally, Fisher Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Chevron by 0.8% in the third quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 6,792,458 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $975,872,000 after purchasing an additional 52,663 shares during the period. 69.37% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Chevron alerts: Chevron Stock Performance NYSE:CVX opened at $169.85 on Friday. The firms fifty day moving average price is $163.82 and its 200 day moving average price is $171.17. Chevron Co. has a 1-year low of $132.54 and a 1-year high of $189.68. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13, a current ratio of 1.47 and a quick ratio of 1.23. The firm has a market cap of $321.80 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.29, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.83 and a beta of 1.16. Chevron ( NYSE:CVX Get Rating ) last issued its earnings results on Friday, January 27th. The oil and gas company reported $4.09 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $4.16 by ($0.07). The company had revenue of $56.47 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $53.97 billion. Chevron had a return on equity of 23.52% and a net margin of 14.40%. Chevrons revenue for the quarter was up 17.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $2.56 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Chevron Co. will post 14.32 EPS for the current year. Chevron announced that its board has initiated a stock buyback program on Wednesday, January 25th that authorizes the company to repurchase $75.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the oil and gas company to repurchase up to 21.7% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are usually a sign that the companys board believes its shares are undervalued. Chevron Increases Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 10th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 16th were given a dividend of $1.51 per share. This is a positive change from Chevrons previous quarterly dividend of $1.42. This represents a $6.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.56%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, February 15th. Chevrons payout ratio is presently 33.04%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Chevron news, VP Rhonda J. Morris sold 19,666 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $170.00, for a total transaction of $3,343,220.00. Following the sale, the vice president now directly owns 3,967 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $674,390. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 0.32% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of brokerages recently issued reports on CVX. Truist Financial lifted their price target on shares of Chevron from $179.00 to $193.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 11th. Bank of America downgraded shares of Chevron from a buy rating to a neutral rating and lifted their price target for the stock from $190.00 to $191.00 in a research note on Friday, January 6th. Barclays lifted their price target on shares of Chevron from $196.00 to $212.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 3rd. Morgan Stanley decreased their price target on shares of Chevron from $195.00 to $192.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Monday, March 27th. Finally, StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Chevron in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Ten analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $192.00. Chevron Profile (Get Rating) 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. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CVX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Chevron Co. (NYSE:CVX Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Chevron Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Chevron and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Gladstone Institutional Advisory LLC lessened its stake in shares of iShares Gold Trust (NYSEARCA:IAU Get Rating) by 9.8% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 9,939 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 1,083 shares during the quarter. Gladstone Institutional Advisory LLCs holdings in iShares Gold Trust were worth $344,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Charles Schwab Investment Advisory Inc. boosted its position in shares of iShares Gold Trust by 1.4% in the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Advisory Inc. now owns 21,165,835 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $779,537,000 after purchasing an additional 292,574 shares in the last quarter. Personal Capital Advisors Corp boosted its position in shares of iShares Gold Trust by 3.0% in the 3rd quarter. Personal Capital Advisors Corp now owns 14,093,855 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $444,379,000 after purchasing an additional 409,249 shares in the last quarter. Jane Street Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of iShares Gold Trust in the 3rd quarter worth $264,003,000. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of iShares Gold Trust by 24.1% in the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 7,397,408 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $272,323,000 after purchasing an additional 1,436,094 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of Montreal Can boosted its position in shares of iShares Gold Trust by 93.3% in the 3rd quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 4,573,365 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $150,602,000 after purchasing an additional 2,207,676 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 62.40% of the companys stock. Get iShares Gold Trust alerts: iShares Gold Trust Stock Performance Shares of IAU stock opened at $37.98 on Friday. The business has a fifty day moving average of $36.41 and a 200 day moving average of $34.72. iShares Gold Trust has a 1 year low of $30.69 and a 1 year high of $38.84. About iShares Gold Trust iShares Gold Trust (the Trust) is to own gold transferred to the Trust in exchange for shares issued by the Trust (Shares). Each Share represents a fractional undivided beneficial interest in the net assets of the Trust. The assets of the Trust consist of gold held by the Trusts custodian on behalf of the Trust. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for iShares Gold Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Gold Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Dfpg Investments LLC acquired a new position in shares of Owens Corning (NYSE:OC Get Rating) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 4,890 shares of the construction companys stock, valued at approximately $446,000. Several other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in OC. BlackRock Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Owens Corning by 6.7% during the third quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 12,768,026 shares of the construction companys stock worth $1,003,695,000 after purchasing an additional 803,551 shares during the period. State Street Corp boosted its stake in shares of Owens Corning by 3.7% during the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 4,301,672 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $338,154,000 after buying an additional 155,155 shares during the period. Victory Capital Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Owens Corning by 5.0% during the 3rd quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 3,135,775 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $246,503,000 after buying an additional 149,591 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP grew its holdings in shares of Owens Corning by 1.0% during the 3rd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 2,292,713 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $180,231,000 after acquiring an additional 21,837 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp increased its stake in shares of Owens Corning by 6.5% in the third quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 1,283,594 shares of the construction companys stock worth $100,902,000 after acquiring an additional 78,253 shares during the last quarter. 94.59% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Owens Corning alerts: Owens Corning Trading Up 0.9 % Shares of OC stock opened at $101.97 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.06, a current ratio of 1.69 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. The company has a market capitalization of $9.26 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.04, a P/E/G ratio of 1.84 and a beta of 1.42. Owens Corning has a 12-month low of $72.97 and a 12-month high of $105.62. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $96.47 and a 200 day moving average price of $91.72. Owens Corning Dividend Announcement Owens Corning ( NYSE:OC Get Rating ) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, February 15th. The construction company reported $2.49 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.34 by $0.15. Owens Corning had a return on equity of 27.36% and a net margin of 12.71%. The business had revenue of $2.29 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.24 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $2.20 EPS. Owens Cornings revenue was up 7.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts forecast that Owens Corning will post 9.49 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, April 6th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 3rd were issued a dividend of $0.52 per share. This represents a $2.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.04%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, March 2nd. Owens Cornings payout ratio is presently 16.40%. Analyst Ratings Changes OC has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. UBS Group boosted their target price on Owens Corning from $121.00 to $128.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, February 16th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft boosted their price target on Owens Corning from $99.00 to $100.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 10th. Citigroup raised their price objective on shares of Owens Corning from $90.00 to $104.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, February 17th. Truist Financial increased their price target on shares of Owens Corning from $85.00 to $105.00 in a research note on Friday, February 17th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price objective on shares of Owens Corning from $91.00 to $96.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Thursday, February 16th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Owens Corning currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $102.23. Insider Activity at Owens Corning In other Owens Corning news, insider Marcio A. Sandri sold 8,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, April 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $100.00, for a total transaction of $800,000.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 62,962 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,296,200. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other Owens Corning news, insider Marcio A. Sandri sold 8,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, April 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $100.00, for a total transaction of $800,000.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 62,962 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,296,200. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, insider Todd W. Fister sold 2,505 shares of Owens Corning stock in a transaction on Monday, February 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $100.00, for a total value of $250,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 31,482 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,148,200. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 15,505 shares of company stock valued at $1,540,500 over the last ninety days. 0.89% of the stock is owned by insiders. Owens Corning Profile (Get Rating) Owens Corning engages in the development, manufacture, and marketing of insulation, roofing, and fiberglass composites. It operates through the following segments: Composites, Insulation, and Roofing. The Composites segment manufactures, fabricates, and sells glass reinforcements in the form of fiber, and includes vertically integrated downstream activities. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding OC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Owens Corning (NYSE:OC Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Owens Corning Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Owens Corning and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Integrated Advisors Network LLC grew its holdings in shares of Northrop Grumman Co. (NYSE:NOC Get Rating) by 7.7% during the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 1,443 shares of the aerospace companys stock after buying an additional 103 shares during the period. Integrated Advisors Network LLCs holdings in Northrop Grumman were worth $787,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Dfpg Investments LLC acquired a new position in Northrop Grumman during the 4th quarter worth approximately $367,000. Resources Investment Advisors LLC. boosted its stake in shares of Northrop Grumman by 2.8% during the 4th quarter. Resources Investment Advisors LLC. now owns 3,214 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $1,754,000 after acquiring an additional 89 shares in the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can boosted its stake in shares of Northrop Grumman by 31.2% during the 4th quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 242,620 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $132,405,000 after acquiring an additional 57,700 shares in the last quarter. Great Diamond Partners LLC boosted its stake in shares of Northrop Grumman by 9.2% during the 4th quarter. Great Diamond Partners LLC now owns 1,753 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $956,000 after acquiring an additional 148 shares in the last quarter. Finally, NorthRock Partners LLC boosted its stake in shares of Northrop Grumman by 34.8% during the 4th quarter. NorthRock Partners LLC now owns 1,271 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $693,000 after acquiring an additional 328 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.32% of the companys stock. Get Northrop Grumman alerts: Northrop Grumman Price Performance Shares of Northrop Grumman stock opened at $474.18 on Friday. Northrop Grumman Co. has a twelve month low of $430.93 and a twelve month high of $556.27. The stock has a market capitalization of $72.10 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.05, a PEG ratio of 6.31 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. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $464.78 and its 200 day moving average price is $491.60. Northrop Grumman Dividend Announcement Northrop Grumman ( NYSE:NOC Get Rating ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 26th. The aerospace company reported $7.50 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate 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 for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $9.64 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $6.00 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 16.3% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Northrop Grumman Co. will post 22.04 earnings per share for the current year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 27th were given a dividend of $1.73 per share. This represents a $6.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.46%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 24th. Northrop Grummans payout ratio is 21.96%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several equities research analysts have recently commented on the company. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on Northrop Grumman from $460.00 to $470.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 31st. Cowen lowered Northrop Grumman from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and set a $478.00 target price on the stock. in a research note on Friday, January 27th. Cowen lowered Northrop Grumman from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and reduced their target price for the company from $500.00 to $478.00 in a research note on Friday, January 27th. Morgan Stanley reduced their target price on Northrop Grumman from $626.00 to $601.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, January 27th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reduced their target price on Northrop Grumman from $550.00 to $520.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, January 27th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Northrop Grumman presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $508.13. Insider Transactions at Northrop Grumman In other news, CAO Michael A. Hardesty sold 1,178 shares of Northrop Grumman stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $467.81, for a total transaction of $551,080.18. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 2,737 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,280,395.97. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In related news, CAO Michael A. Hardesty sold 1,178 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $467.81, for a total value of $551,080.18. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 2,737 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,280,395.97. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, VP Sheila C. Cheston sold 2,547 shares of Northrop Grumman stock in a transaction that occurred 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 completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 24,249 shares of the companys stock, valued at $11,343,924.69. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 10,534 shares of company stock valued at $4,934,622. 0.26% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. 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. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding NOC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Northrop Grumman Co. (NYSE:NOC Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Northrop Grumman Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Northrop Grumman and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. 180 Wealth Advisors LLC lowered its holdings in Entergy Co. (NYSE:ETR Get Rating) by 29.2% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 2,106 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 867 shares during the period. 180 Wealth Advisors LLCs holdings in Entergy were worth $228,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Fairfield Bush & CO. acquired a new position in shares of Entergy in the first quarter worth about $29,000. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its stake in shares of Entergy by 1.8% during the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 637,493 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $74,429,000 after purchasing an additional 11,568 shares in the last quarter. Blair William & Co. IL lifted its stake in Entergy by 20.0% in the first quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 44,607 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $5,208,000 after acquiring an additional 7,434 shares during the last quarter. Sei Investments Co. lifted its stake in shares of Entergy by 52.8% in the 1st quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 189,102 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $22,074,000 after purchasing an additional 65,376 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Allianz Asset Management GmbH lifted its holdings in shares of Entergy by 37.7% during the first quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH now owns 288,794 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $33,717,000 after buying an additional 79,137 shares during the last quarter. 89.98% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Entergy alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of analysts have commented on the company. Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on Entergy from $97.00 to $106.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research report on Thursday. StockNews.com started coverage on Entergy in a research report on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Bank of America cut shares of Entergy from a buy rating to a neutral rating and cut their target price for the company from $135.00 to $119.00 in a research note on Tuesday, January 3rd. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH began coverage on shares of Entergy in a research report on Monday, April 3rd. They set a buy rating and a $116.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Citigroup reduced their price objective on Entergy from $131.00 to $117.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 12th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Entergy presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $121.94. Entergy Stock Down 0.7 % NYSE:ETR opened at $108.62 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $22.96 billion, a PE ratio of 20.15, a PEG ratio of 2.71 and a beta of 0.65. Entergy Co. has a 52-week low of $94.94 and a 52-week high of $126.82. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $106.27 and a 200 day simple moving average of $108.14. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.82, a quick ratio of 0.43 and a current ratio of 0.64. Entergy (NYSE:ETR Get Rating) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, February 16th. The utilities provider reported $0.51 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.45 by $0.06. Entergy had a net margin of 8.01% and a return on equity of 10.88%. The business had revenue of $3.27 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.65 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $0.76 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Entergy Co. will post 6.69 EPS for the current fiscal year. Entergy Dividend Announcement The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 1st. Investors of record on Thursday, May 4th will be given a $1.07 dividend. This represents a $4.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.94%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, May 3rd. Entergys dividend payout ratio is currently 79.41%. Insider Activity at Entergy In other news, EVP Marcus V. Brown sold 12,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $106.10, for a total transaction of $1,326,250.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 9,129 shares in the company, valued at approximately $968,586.90. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In other Entergy news, EVP Marcus V. Brown sold 12,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, February 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $106.10, for a total transaction of $1,326,250.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 9,129 shares of the companys stock, valued at $968,586.90. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, insider Deanna D. Rodriguez sold 300 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $103.96, for a total transaction of $31,188.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 3,269 shares in the company, valued at $339,845.24. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 17,092 shares of company stock valued at $1,821,838. Insiders own 0.37% of the companys stock. About Entergy (Get Rating) Entergy Corp. is a holding company, which engages in electric power generation and distribution. It operates through the following segments: Utility and Entergy Wholesale Commodities. The Utility segment includes the generation, transmission, distribution, and sale of electric power and the operations of a natural gas distribution business. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Entergy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Entergy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Resources Investment Advisors LLC. lowered its holdings in shares of The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TRV Get Rating) by 4.8% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 3,696 shares of the insurance providers stock after selling 186 shares during the period. Resources Investment Advisors LLC.s holdings in Travelers Companies were worth $693,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. First PREMIER Bank bought a new stake in shares of Travelers Companies in the 3rd quarter worth $26,000. Edmond DE Rothschild Holding S.A. acquired a new stake in shares of Travelers Companies in the third quarter worth about $34,000. Standard Family Office LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Travelers Companies in the third quarter worth about $38,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Travelers Companies by 56.7% during the 3rd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 257 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $39,000 after purchasing an additional 93 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Old North State Trust LLC acquired a new position in shares of Travelers Companies during the 3rd quarter worth about $40,000. Institutional investors own 81.59% of the companys stock. Get Travelers Companies alerts: Travelers Companies Price Performance TRV stock opened at $179.26 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $176.02 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $180.36. The stock has a market cap of $41.40 billion, a PE ratio of 15.26, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.14 and a beta of 0.60. The company has a current ratio of 0.33, a quick ratio of 0.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34. The Travelers Companies, Inc. has a 1 year low of $149.65 and a 1 year high of $194.51. Travelers Companies Increases Dividend Travelers Companies ( NYSE:TRV Get Rating ) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, April 19th. The insurance provider reported $4.11 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.64 by $0.47. The firm had revenue of $9.70 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.98 billion. Travelers Companies had a return on equity of 13.34% and a net margin of 7.71%. The companys revenue was up 10.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $4.22 EPS. Equities analysts forecast that The Travelers Companies, Inc. will post 14.07 EPS for the current fiscal year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 9th will be issued a $1.00 dividend. This is a boost from Travelers Companiess previous quarterly dividend of $0.93. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 8th. This represents a $4.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.23%. Travelers Companiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 31.66%. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, EVP Gregory C. Toczydlowski sold 5,420 shares of Travelers Companies stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $184.19, for a total transaction of $998,309.80. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 18,416 shares in the company, valued at $3,392,043.04. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other Travelers Companies news, EVP Gregory C. Toczydlowski sold 5,420 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $184.19, for a total transaction of $998,309.80. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 18,416 shares in the company, valued at $3,392,043.04. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Vice Chairman William H. Heyman sold 9,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, January 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $191.42, for a total transaction of $1,722,780.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 251,605 shares of the companys stock, valued at $48,162,229.10. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 188,163 shares of company stock worth $35,402,200. Company insiders own 1.07% of the companys stock. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades TRV has been the subject of several recent research reports. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on Travelers Companies from $181.00 to $182.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Wednesday, April 5th. StockNews.com started coverage on Travelers Companies in a research report on Thursday, March 16th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price target on Travelers Companies from $190.00 to $195.00 in a research report on Wednesday, January 25th. Raymond James increased their price objective on Travelers Companies from $200.00 to $220.00 and gave the company a strong-buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 25th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets started coverage on Travelers Companies in a research note on Thursday, January 19th. They issued an outperform rating and a $212.00 price target on the stock. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have given a hold rating, four have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $191.47. Travelers Companies Company Profile (Get Rating) The Travelers Cos., Inc is a holding company, which engages in the provision of commercial and personal property and casualty insurance products and services. It operates through the following business segments: Business Insurance, Bond and Specialty Insurance, and Personal Insurance. The Business Insurance segment provides an array of property and casualty insurance, and insurance related services to its customers primarily in the U.S., as well as in Canada, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland and throughout other parts of the world as a corporate member of Lloyds. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TRV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TRV Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Travelers Companies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Travelers Companies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The main aim of stock picking is to find the market-beating stocks. But the main game is to find enough winners to more than offset the losers At this point some shareholders may be questioning their investment in Frasers Property Limited (SGX:TQ5), since the last five years saw the share price fall 56%. Since shareholders are down over the longer term, lets look at the underlying fundamentals over the that time and see if they've been consistent with returns. See our latest analysis for Frasers Property In his essay The Superinvestors of Graham-and-Doddsville Warren Buffett described how share prices do not always rationally reflect the value of a business. By comparing earnings per share (EPS) and share price changes over time, we can get a feel for how investor attitudes to a company have morphed over time. During the unfortunate half decade during which the share price slipped, Frasers Property actually saw its earnings per share (EPS) improve by 0.7% per year. So it doesn't seem like EPS is a great guide to understanding how the market is valuing the stock. Alternatively, growth expectations may have been unreasonable in the past. Based on these numbers, we'd venture that the market may have been over-optimistic about forecast growth, half a decade ago. Having said that, we might get a better idea of what's going on with the stock by looking at other metrics. The revenue decline of 2.8% isn't too bad. But it's quite possible the market had expected better; a closer look at the revenue trends might explain the pessimism. You can see below how earnings and revenue have changed over time (discover the exact values by clicking on the image). Take a more thorough look at Frasers Property's financial health with this free report on its balance sheet. What About Dividends? It is important to consider the total shareholder return, as well as the share price return, for any given stock. 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. It's fair to say that the TSR gives a more complete picture for stocks that pay a dividend. As it happens, Frasers Property's TSR for the last 5 years was -49%, which exceeds the share price return mentioned earlier. And there's no prize for guessing that the dividend payments largely explain the divergence! Story continues A Different Perspective Frasers Property shareholders are down 16% for the year (even including dividends), but the market itself is up 0.3%. Even the share prices of good stocks drop sometimes, but we want to see improvements in the fundamental metrics of a business, before getting too interested. Unfortunately, last year's performance may indicate unresolved challenges, given that it was worse than the annualised loss of 8% 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. For example, we've discovered 4 warning signs for Frasers Property (2 make us uncomfortable!) that you should be aware of before investing here. 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 Singaporean exchanges. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here Benzinga A new study conducted by finance professors from the University of Florida shows the potential value of ChatGPT in predicting stock market movements. See More: A Healthier Alternative to Coffee & Energy Drinks: Pureboost Gives You Energy Without The Burnout and Exhaustion In the study, over 50,000 news headlines about companies dating back to October 2021 were fed to the chatbot, which evaluated whether the news was good, bad or irrelevant to the company's stock prices. Using sentiment analysis, Study strongly supports Bio-RFID technologys application in non-invasive bio-monitoring SEATTLE, April 21, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Know Labs, Inc. (NYSE American: KNW), an emerging developer of non-invasive medical diagnostic technology, today announced the results of a proof-of-principle study titled, "Detecting Unique Analyte-Specific Radio Frequency Spectral Responses in Liquid Solutions Implications for Non-Invasive Physiologic Monitoring," conducted in collaboration with Mayo Clinic. Know Labs will present the results of the study at the American Physiological Society (APS) Summit, which is being held on April 20-23 in Long Beach, California. The study demonstrates the accuracy of Know Labs proprietary Bio-RFID sensor in quantifying different analytes in vitro, proving a 100% accuracy rate in these tests. The full study is currently undergoing the peer-review publishing process. Know Labs technology platform, Bio-RFID, uses electromagnetic energy in the form of radio waves to non-invasively capture molecular signatures, which can be converted into physiologically meaningful information and insights. While the technology is proven to accurately measure several analytes inside and outside the body, the first application of this technology is aimed at non-invasive glucose monitoring. "Proof-of-principle studies are critical in demonstrating Bio-RFIDs accuracy for non-invasive methods of medical diagnostics. This was an essential step toward achieving our goal of delivering the first FDA-cleared, truly non-invasive glucose monitoring device to the market," said Ron Erickson, CEO and Chairman at Know Labs. "To put this into real-world context: imagine being able to continuously and accurately measure different aspects of your health on a molecular level using a pocket-sized (or smaller) sensor instead of a finger prick or a CGM probe." Conducted at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN in March of 2021, the study included five experiments designed to demonstrate the ability of the Bio-RFID sensor to non-invasively quantify concentrations of solutions using a randomized double-blind trial design, as proxies for biochemical solutions. Solutions including water in isopropyl alcohol, sodium chloride in water, and commercial bleach in water were tested. Data were collected using the Bio-RFID sensor, which generates radio frequency signals and measures received power through an antenna array. The sensor sweeps across the 1500 Megahertz (MHz) - 3000 MHz range at 0.2 MHz intervals, collecting values at 7501 frequencies. Story continues "Market pressures like rising healthcare costs and the rapid increase in remote patient monitoring and care delivery are driving the need for affordable, accurate and non-invasive continuous measures of blood analytes," said James "Andy" Anderson, M.D., Chief Medical Officer at Know Labs. "What we are describing here is truly ground-breaking. This novel application of the Bio-RFID technology to accurately detect and quantify specific molecules in liquid provides strong support for non-invasive monitoring of physiologically and medically relevant analytes in the human body." For each of the five experiments, 100% of solutions in the test data were correctly identified. The Bio-RFID technology was able to detect concentrations as low as 2000 parts per million (ppm) which is equivalent to accurately measuring the difference of 0.7ml of water dropped into a 12oz can of soda with evidence suggesting the ability to detect much smaller concentration differences. These in vitro findings provide proof-of-principle, strongly supporting the application of the technology for further non-invasive, physiologic and medical monitoring. This proof-of-principle study is part of a series of studies that Know Labs is conducting as the company prioritizes external validation of its Bio-RFID technology in detecting and measuring glucose and other analytes in the body non-invasively at high levels of accuracy. The study abstract and APS Summit Poster can be viewed at www.knowlabs.co. The full manuscript will be published following peer review. Mayo Clinic has a financial interest in the technology referenced in this press release. Mayo Clinic will use any revenue it receives to support its not-for-profit mission in patient care, education and research. About Know Labs, Inc. Know Labs, Inc. is a public company whose shares trade on the NYSE American Exchange under the stock symbol "KNW." The Companys technology uses spectroscopy to direct electromagnetic energy through a substance or material to capture a unique molecular signature. The Company refers to its technology as Bio-RFID. The Bio-RFID technology can be integrated into a variety of wearable, mobile or bench-top form factors. This patented and patent-pending technology makes it possible to effectively identify and monitor analytes that could only previously be performed by invasive and/or expensive and time-consuming lab-based tests. The first application of our Bio-RFID technology will be in a product marketed as a non-invasive glucose monitor. It will provide the user with real-time information on blood glucose levels. This product will require U.S. Food and Drug Administration clearance prior to its introduction to the market. Safe Harbor Statement This release contains statements that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements appear in a number of places in this release and include all statements that are not statements of historical fact regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of Know Labs, Inc., its directors or its officers with respect to, among other things: (i) financing plans; (ii) trends affecting its financial condition or results of operations; (iii) growth strategy and operating strategy; and (iv) performance of products. You can identify these statements by the use of the words "may," "will," "could," "should," "would," "plans," "expects," "anticipates," "continue," "estimate," "project," "intend," "likely," "forecast," "probable," "potential," and similar expressions and variations thereof are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Know Labs, Inc.s ability to control, and actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. These risks and uncertainties also include such additional risk factors as are discussed in the Companys filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022, Forms 10-Q and 8-K, and in other filings we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. These documents are available on the SEC Filings section of the Investor Relations section of our website at www.knowlabs.co. The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230421005095/en/ Contacts For Know Labs Media Inquiries Contact: Matter Health Laura Bastardi Knowlabs@matternow.com Ph. (603) 494-6667 Know Labs, Inc. Contact: Jordyn Hujar jordyn@knowlabs.co Ph. (206) 629-6414 SEOUL, South Korea, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP), Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) and Seaborg Technologies have announced a consortium to develop floating nuclear power plants with Seaborg Technologies' innovative molten salt reactor technology. The power plants will be installed on barges with a modular design able to deliver from 200MWe to 800MWe, with the consortium's first project expected to be a 200MWe power barge. Signing Ceremony The consortium aims to enable timely commercialization and a scalable export of factory-produced CMSR-based floating nuclear power plants worldwide, offering improved efficiency and inherent safety characteristics. With KHNP's extensive experience in nuclear power generation, SHI's offshore construction expertise and Seaborg Technologies' innovative technology, the consortium is well-positioned to meet the growing demand for clean and reliable energy. "KHNP's active effort will be aimed at fostering a mutually beneficial partnership between Korea and Denmark, with a focus on cooperation in the next generation nuclear power project, for a safer and cleaner future," said Mr. Jooho Whang, CEO of Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power. "Floating Nuclear Power Plant is a carbon-free energy solution which is efficiently responding to the climate change issues and a next-generation technology expandable to floating Hydrogen, Ammonia plant that meets the vision of Samsung Heavy Industries," added Mr. Jintaek Jeong, CEO of Samsung Heavy Industries. "This consortium is unique for deploying nuclear power at scale," said Mr. Navid Samandari, CEO of Seaborg Technologies. "We are proud to say we have partnered with the best for construction and operations as part of our shared mission to develop and deploy the power barges." The agreement marks a significant milestone for floating nuclear solution for the world, where each 200MWe of generation capacity is expected to save over 26 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions over its 24-year lifetime compared with a coal-fired power plant. Story continues About Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., Ltd. (KHNP) owns and operates Korea's 25 nuclear power plants along with 28 hydro-electric power plants. (Ranked 3rd globally in NPP capacity). KHNP and Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) have jointly executed the first nuclear power project in Barakah, United Arab Emirates, in 2009. Unit 1, 2, and 3 entered into commercial operation, and unit 4 is under commissioning test. About Samsung Heavy Industries Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) is a leading shipbuilding and offshore construction company headquartered in South Korea. With a history spanning over several decades, the company has established itself as a global leader in the field, delivering high-quality products and services to customers around the world. About Seaborg Technologies Seaborg Technologies is a Danish nuclear energy company that delivers a new, safe nuclear technology based on a molten salt reactor design. The company's mission is to provide clean, safe, and reliable power generation to meet the growing demand for sustainable energy worldwide. Contact: Jonas Stampe Jonas.stampe@seaborg.com +4528861846 SOURCE Seaborg Technologies GLENMONT Motorists, trucking operators and others will be able to weigh in on a proposed 5 percent Thruway toll hike during a hearing at 5 p.m. Monday, May 22, at the Glenmont Elementary School, 328 Route 9W. The state Thruway Authority late last year began the process of instituting two increases: about 5 percent for 2024 and another 5 percent in 2027. It would be the first systemwide increase in 14 years. According to the current and proposed toll schedule, the price for a car traveling from Albany to Woodbury Exit 15, which leads to New York City and points south, would go from $4.98 to $5.48 for E-ZPass users. Recent hearings on toll hikes, such as one in late 2020, were sparsely attended but there has also been opposition to the idea of an increase from local lawmakers, trucking firms and state Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. DiNapoli earlier this year criticized the proposed increase, saying it should be a last option for raising revenue. His office found that shifting to cashless tolls with E-ZPass and camera options havent produced the savings that was expected. And he believed the Thruway Authority might be able to get more federal money for the roadway. Thruway officials have pointed to rising maintenance costs and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, which brought a $125 million reduction in 2020 toll revenue, as some of the reasons for the needed increase. Lawmakers have in the past spoken out against proposed hikes. You can call this a toll but its a tax, said state Sen. Jim Tedisco, R-Saratoga Springs. People have to drive to get to work. Tedisco has sponsored a bill that, if passed, would require the Legislature to ratify Thruway tolls. Other hearings across the state are as follows: Monday, May 8, 4-7 p.m. NYS Thruway Authority, Buffalo Division Headquarters, 455 Cayuga Road, Suite 800, Cheektowaga Tuesday, May 9, 4-7 p.m., State Fairgrounds Bistro Room, 581 State Fair Blvd., Syracuse Tuesday, May 16, 4-7 p.m., Palisades Center, Adler Community Room, 1000 Palisades Center Drive, West Nyack There also will be a virtual public hearing on Monday, June 5, 4-7 p.m. Individuals attending the public sessions will be required to sign in to offer remarks. Speakers will be called up in the order that they signed up and written comments will be accepted at the meetings as well. Speakers will have five minutes each to offer their remarks related to tolls and the currently proposed toll adjustment. Remarks should be directed to panel members, not the audience and specifically relate to this topic. The virtual public hearing will be held online through Cisco Webex events and streamed online at thruway.ny.gov. Individuals may register at thruway.ny.gov to comment during the virtual public hearing. They will be required to provide their name, phone number and valid email address. A confirmation email will be sent to speakers with instructions on how to participate in the Webex hearing. On the day of the virtual hearing, a link will be available on thruway.ny.gov for individuals who do not wish to submit comments to watch the hearing. Individuals may also submit comments by email to tollcomments@thruway.ny.gov or mail in comments to: Toll Comments, c/o Legal Department, New York State Thruway Authority, P.O. Box 189, Albany, NY 12201-0189. KINGSTON The petting zoo at Forsyth Nature Center has many animals: turtles, chickens, llamas, birds of prey. But perhaps its biggest draw is Franklin, a Jersey steer who has entertained audiences there for seven years. That was, until last week when a flurry of social media posts and online concern over Franklins well-being prompted widespread confusion and the eventual relocation of the beloved bovine to a horse farm in Orange County. It began on Wednesday, when the Woodstock Farm Sanctuary posted an alarming photo of Franklin on social media, claiming he had fallen recently and was injured. We know a lot of people have been worried about Franklin. ... We are also really worried about him, the organization wrote. Shortly thereafter, Forsyth Nature Center, which is funded and run by the city of Kingston, posted to Facebook its own update about Franklin, confirming that he had recently sustained an injury and would be relocated to a new home. The animal colloquially known as Franklin the Cow, though he is a steer has been a popular draw at the center's petting zoo. Across the two Facebook posts, his story garnered more than 1,200 comments, a majority of them demanding the steer be released to Woodstock Farm Sanctuary. Some residents commented they had seen Franklin lately and that his condition was heart-breaking. Photos were shared, stories were swapped. The Woodstock Farm Sanctuary explained that cows are social animals who belong in a herd and large pastures, two things not available to Franklin at Forsyth, where he has lived since he was a calf, the organization said. The sanctuary wrote that his living conditions and lack of proper care have led to chronic medical issues like what appears to be severe arthritis and long-term hoof neglect which likely led to his fall. The Woodstock Farm Sanctuary said that it reached out to the Kingston Parks Commission to request Franklin come live at its farm in High Falls or another proper home without delay, and asked community members to gather signatures for a letter it planned to present to the city. Were not giving up on Franklin he deserves true sanctuary, proper medical care, and cow friends not to suffer in a public petting zoo, the organization wrote. Where is Franklin going to live? Soon the city told the Woodstock Farm Sanctuary that Franklin would be moving but to another sanctuary. The city didnt say where, but Woodstock said Franklin is not coming there. Nor will he be going to Catskill Animal Sanctuary, another well-known animal safe haven in Saugerties, according to a person at Woodstock Farm Sanctuary with knowledge of the situation. Emails and phone calls to Kingston city officials requesting information about Franklins new home were not answered on Thursday and Friday. Forsyth Nature Center also didnt return a call from the Times Union but issued another Facebook statement on Thursday, thanking concerned cow lovers and sharing details about Franklins facial injury, which took place on March 18. Apparently, Franklin was in the barn for the night and became stuck in a cast position, making it difficult to return to an upright one. He must have bashed his face during his efforts to right his body. Forsyth Nature Center said claims of neglect are patently false and while it had already been exploring the expansion of its bovine habitat and acquiring a companion animal for our resident cow, ultimately the organization has moved Franklin to a trusted local sanctuary where he will have room and companionship even as it makes those improvements. We will miss Franklin but we wish him well in his new home, Forsyth Nature Center wrote. On Saturday Earth Day there was a welcome update in the saga. SquirrelWood Equine Sanctuary, a 92-acre animal rehabilitation facility in Montgomery, posted on Facebook that it had taken Franklin in. In addition to horses, pigs and a pack of farm dogs, SquirrelWood has a number of other cows, including Crouton and Pumpernickel, two veal calves who will be among Franklins bovine companions at his new home. He is currently in quarantine while he is checked by SquirrelWoods medical team, but once he is cleared, he can be visited by friends, family and fans later this summer. Note: This story has been updated with new information about Franklins new home. Phillip Pantuso contributed to this story. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate HUDSON A deal is underway for a Westchester-based firm that specializes in renovating apartments to purchase two major affordable housing complexes in the city. The complexes 100-unit Providence Hall, which only accepts tenants over the age of 62 or with disabilities, and 50-unit Schuyler Court both predominantly rent to tenants using Section 8 housing vouchers, the federal program that assists low-income families in the private housing market. In Hudson, where housing prices have skyrocketed, new landlords have tended to demand tenants be cleared out prior to a sale so units can be renovated. Those units are often then rented at far higher prices. But K & R Preservations, the Westchester firm that plans to purchase Providence Hall and Schuyler Court, has promised not to displace tenants during the renovations. K & R spokesman Richard Edmonds confirmed the company was in final talks to buy the property, which is currently owned by Leon N. Weiner and Associates and managed by its affiliate, Arbor Management, which oversees 4,500 units from Virginia to Connecticut, according to its website. Usual construction the firm undertakes on units is more in the way of upgrades than renovations, Edmonds said. These apartments will be much nicer. Units in the two buildings would have all-new interiors, windows and kitchen appliances, and Schuyler Court would also get new siding on its exterior, Edmonds said. Renovations will occur during the day, during which time tenants would have to clear out of their apartments, but they could still access other parts of the building, according to Edmonds. Tenants would be back in their apartments every evening. Edmonds also said it was too early to say if rents would change, but that tenants would continue to receive the protections of the Section 8 program and that the units would be protected from conversion to the market rate. In the federal program, voucher holders must pay 30 percent of their income towards rent, but the rest is covered as long as the unit is within the fair market rate for the community, which was $952 for Hudson in 2023. All landlords must accept Section 8 vouchers, though Section 8 tenants can rarely afford units above the areas fair market value. Landlords can raise rents on units held by Section 8 tenants, but the increases must first be approved by the local housing authority, which manages the vouchers and public housing in a city. K & R, which is owned and operated by Francine Kellman and Brian Raddock, has acquired and renovated more than 4,000 units in the tri-state area. Its projects in New York are generally downstate but include the acquisition of two senior housing complexes in Kingston: the Alexander Yosman Apartments and the Governor Clinton Apartments in Kingston, according to the companys portfolio. Edmonds would not say if the company would be seeking local tax breaks for the project, but K & R requested and received breaks for its renovations to the Kingston buildings, according to Hudson Valley One. Edmonds said tenants in former projects did not end up leaving. They want to stay there its a great deal, he said. It will still be many months before the complexes are formally acquired by K & R. The company plans to close the deal by the end of 2023, but hopefully sooner, Edmonds said. PEEKSKILL Celebrations marking 100 years since the opening of Bear Mountain Bridge next year will include a centennial website, a documentary film and an international bridge engineering conference, state officials said this week. On Thursday, civic leaders and New York State Bridge Authority members met at the bridge spanning the Hudson River to detail the plans. They dedicated a time capsule to mark 100 years since the start of construction on the bridge in 1923. The bridge, which was dedicated on Nov. 26, 1924, was the first vehicular bridge over the river south of Albany and the first suspension bridge with a concrete deck. The construction spurred a boom in bridge building in New York and the entire country, according to Gov. Kathy Hochuls office. The bridge was originally built by a private enterprise, the Bear Mountain Hudson River Bridge Company, which had connections with the Harriman family, who helped preserve Bear Mountain State Park. Construction began in spring of 1923 and lasted 20 months. Bear Mountain Bridge facts In 1924, the roundtrip toll for a passenger car was $1.60, with surcharges for passengers. Starting May 1, the roundtrip toll will be $1.65 for E-ZPass drivers and $2.15 for Tolls by Mail customers. In September 1940, the New York State Bridge Authority (NYSBA) acquired the bridge. In 2018, the bridge received the designation of Purple Heart Veterans Memorial. The bridge is situated at the junction of four counties: Orange and Rockland on the west side of the river and Westchester and Putnam on the east side. In addition to serving over 7 million vehicles a year, the bridge is also the Hudson River crossing point for the Appalachian Trail. See More Collapse Items contributed to the capsule included letters from Hochul and Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado, artifacts related to the Harriman family, written memories of the bridge and mementos from the Bridge Authority and Hudson Valley region. Also included are letters to the future written by fourth-graders at Hillcrest Elementary School, Peekskill. The time capsule was sealed by Ulster County resident John Brooks, the Bridge Authoritys longest-serving employee, who first worked as a toll collector at the Mid-Hudson Bridge starting in 1966. He retired in 1997. The time capsule will be mounted in the bridges west anchorage and be reopened 100 years from now. The space is located in the basement of the bridges historic administration building and includes a small museum and classroom area open to schools and other groups by appointment. The centennial website can be found at www.bmb100.com. It includes film footage of the construction of the bridge taken in October of 1924, thanks to the preservation efforts of the Moving Image Research Collection at the University of South Carolina. The Hudson Valley has been selected as the location for the 2024 conference of the International Cable Supported Bridge Operators Association in October at the United States Military Academy at West Point. WASHINGTON An Albany man pleaded guilty to felonies including assaulting U.S. Capitol police officers during the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection that attempted to overturn the results of the presidential election as Congress was in the process of certifying Electoral College results. Jonathan J. Munafo, 36, pleaded guilty Friday in U.S. District Court in the District of Columbia to three charges: assaulting, resisting, impeding or interfering with an officer of the U.S. government; knowingly entering or remaining on restricted grounds without lawful authority and while carrying a dangerous weapon; and violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds. A sentencing hearing will be held on April 29, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's office for the nation's capital. According to court documents, Munafo was on the Lower West Terrace of the Capitol when he was captured on video striking a Capitol Police officer twice with a closed fist, striking the officer in the face shield and body. Munafo then ripped the officers riot shield out of his hands and disappeared into the crowd. Related: How 7 Capital Region people were arrested after Capitol breach on Jan. 6, 2020 At another point, prosecutors said, Munafo used a wooden flagpole to strike a window of the Capitol 13 times in an attempt to break it. This is Munafo's second conviction related to the crisis at the Capitol: He was convicted last May of calling the Calhoun County, Mich., 911 dispatch line over 140 times on Jan. 5, 2021, and making violent and obscene threats. Munafo demanded to speak to a deputy sheriff or sergeant about unspecified issues, but conceded he did not have an emergency to report. When the dispatcher refused and asked him to clear the line, Munafo repeatedly called back and threatened her: Im gonna cut your throat. Im gonna make you eat your (expletive) nose, he said, according to court filings in the Michigan case. ... Its going to go way worse for your family. He was sentenced to two years in federal prison related to those offenses. Munafo was arrested in Florida, according to federal prosecutors. It's not clear how long he lived in Albany; news releases related to his Michigan case describe him as "originally of Massachusetts." A 518 cell phone number associated with his name was no longer in service. In the 27 months since the insurrection, more than 1,000 people have been charged with crimes related to Capitol breach, including more than 320 charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. ALBANY Physician assistants, who often do similar work to medical doctors but have less training, are pushing for increased flexibility to practice without doctor oversight something they argue is more necessary than ever as the health care industry faces staffing shortages. But the measure, which was included in Gov. Kathy Hochuls executive budget but omitted from both legislative house budgets, is losing steam as medical doctors push against such changes in their industry. The bill, which aims to reduce health care costs, boost access to medical services in underserved communities and make it easier for PAs to provide care by eliminating administrative hurdles, would make permanent flexibilities for PAs that were put in place during the pandemic. But it faces opposition from physicians groups like the Medical Society of the State of New York, which argues that PAs who attend two years of medical school after their undergraduate studies, compared to four years of medical school plus residency required for medical doctors lack the necessary experience to operate without sign-off from a supervising physician. Simply put, if you look into the training, skills and qualifications, there is a significant difference in physicians and physician assistants ... we are asking for team-based care where the best possible care is provided to the patient, MSSNY President Parag Mehta said. Mehta cited a study from the American Medical Association that found that non-physicians had a tendency to overprescribe medications. They also ordered 440 percent more X-rays and twice the number of biopsies for skin care, according to the AMA. Patti Cuartas, president of New York State Society of PAs, said advocates were disappointed to see the issue dropped from budget discussions between Hochul and legislative houses. Typically, the governor, the state Assembly and state Senate each put forward their own budget proposals and then try to find common ground. Weve been doing this for three years. Because of the executive order, we havent had the administrative barrier of supervision, but nothing has changed. The only thing that has changed is keeping track of one PA tethered to one physician, she said. Given the complexity of the issue, state lawmakers say they are wary about including the policy measure with the $230 billion state spending plan. With the state budget nearly three weeks late, the window for passing the bill during the legislative session that follows is closing. According to Assemblywoman Pat Fahy who chairs the Assemblys higher education committee, which oversees licensing and scope of practice, the shortened legislative session will make it difficult to hold hearings to properly weigh all of the competing concerns. At this point everything is coming out and quite frankly, now that the budget is so late ... we have to decide what we are going to do, the Albany Democrat said. The post-session is going to be very, very short with these continued delays. I was hoping we would be able to examine and do some roundtables, but it really is a balancing act. The physicians assistant bill is among several that would expand clarifying scope of practice for non-physician medical providers that are on hold amid pushback from unions and professional associations. Making any changes to scope of practice is always difficult in New York. But last year, language was inserted into the state budget that permanently granted nurse practitioners full practice authority, meaning they can evaluate, test, diagnose, manage treatments and prescribe medications without contracting with a physician. The move has set a precedent for other non-physician medical professionals to see their roles permanently expanded or more clearly defined in state law. Advocates are also hoping to see scope of practice changes for emergency medical technicians, nurse anesthetists and medical technicians. Med-techs are frequently used to support nursing staff in group homes for people with disabilities and assisted living facilities, but they are not allowed to practice in nursing homes, which saw their workforce dwindle during the COVID-19 pandemic. Half the states in the country now allow NPs to practice independently, according to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. Whether the increased autonomy has improved access to health care in underserved communities is debated. Under the proposed permanent rules, a PA employed by a health system or hospital who has practiced for more than 8,000 hours or about four years in primary care or general medicine is able to provide treatment without direct oversight from a doctor. While PAs will continue to be overseen by physicians, the doctors do not need to be physically present when the care is performed. The flexibilities that apply to PAs during the pandemic will expire May 11 when the COVID-19 emergency is declared over. SARATOGA SPRINGS As the weather warms up ahead of summer, those out and about in Saratoga Springs will find more than just blooming flowers alongside the citys public trails and paths. A new project has hidden remnants of the citys history recycled horseshoes once worn by Saratoga Springs racehorses in outdoor recreational areas for community members and tourists to find. Dubbed Saratoga Hidden Horseshoes, the effort will launch on Saturday, April 22 in Congress Park, marking the beginning of an ongoing scavenger hunt created by Saratoga Springs residents Jenn Claeson and Tracy Shannon. The way it works: Those hiking the Saratoga Greenbelt Trails or walking in High Rock Park, Congress Park or Waterfront Park can find the horseshoes hidden between ground- and eye-level within three feet of a trail. When discovered, the finder can scan a QR code located on the horseshoe that will allow them to register it and take a photo (for bragging rights). The art installation may then post the images on its social media page as a way to document the discoveries. But no worries if those interested forget exactly what the free activity entails. There will be signs posted on trails, sponsored by Prestwick Chase, with a QR code that, when scanned, provides information about the local treasure hunt. Its just so in line with the motto of Saratoga of Health, History and Horses.' Health is hiking. History is recycled horseshoes from the past and then, of course, horses, Claeson said with a laugh. In creating the project, she said she was inspired by The Block Island Glass Float Project, which has hidden more than 500 glass orbs for tourists to search for in her home state of Rhode Island. After traveling to Block Island numerous times on a mission to find a glass boat, she wondered why there wasnt a similar activity offered in her own tourist-destination city in the Capital Region. Its so beautiful in Saratoga and we have so many great public open spaces and trails, she added. It didnt take long to decide on what the hidden gems should be. She and Shannon began gathering horseshoes last summer. By the time fall came around, they had collected 400. But they havent hidden them all at once. Instead, the pair spent the last week hiding an undisclosed portion of the horseshoes ahead of the launch. All of the shoes have been cleaned, numbered and dated with a QR code. Most are the typical horseshoe, a nod to the citys top tourist attraction. However, 23 are specially decorated by local artists and students, with designs ranging from flowers and farmland to portraits of people and animals. The artists agreed to do it for free, but in the future Claeson hopes to be able to pay them as well as secure funding to cover the cost of upkeep. Wed love to be able to get sponsors that could help us pay for their time and talent, she explained. Its a finders keepers activity, so once a seeker discovers a horseshoe it becomes theirs to do what they wish. But organizers are requesting that seekers only keep one horseshoe per year and ask those who find a second shoe to leave it where it is or, using the rules listed on the website, re-hide it for someone else to discover. In the aftermath of pandemic, Claeson said she hopes the initiative brings positivity back into peoples lives that is often lacking online and on social media. After living in Saratoga Springs for 15 years, the outdoor enthusiast admitted that there are trails even she hasnt been on. She hopes this project will help encourage residents and visitors alike to get active while discovering the beauty of Saratoga Springs. Lets just get back to having something awesome to look forward to, she said. Lets get off our phones and get back to nature. Lets get back to celebrating some healthy competition, get fresh air, exercise and celebrate our beautiful city. INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Two Indianapolis police officers wounded in a Thursday gun battle that left the suspect dead are expected to survive, a deputy chief said. The shooting involved officers who were members of the Indiana Crime Guns Task Force, a joint effort among central Indiana police agencies charged with identifying and removing illegal weapons from the community, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Deputy Chief Christopher Bailey said during a news briefing. It's hard to know what the board of directors of the Rockwell Falls Public Library were expecting when they scheduled what would have been the library's first "drag queen story hour," but they didn't deserve what they got: a full-blown outbreak of moral panic, nurtured by a social media climate that turns innocuous elective programming for children into elements in a demonic plan to brainwash children. In the interests of clarity surrounding an issue where it can seem elusive: "Moral panic" is defined by the publishers of the Oxford English Dictionary as "a mass movement based on the false or exaggerated perception that some cultural behavior or group of people is dangerously deviant and poses a threat to society's values and interests." That is a fairly precise description of the scene at an April 11 meeting of the library's board of directors, who found themselves confronting a group of irate locals protesting an appearance planned for the following Saturday morning in which Albany drag queen Scarlet Sagamore, a.k.a. Jake Evans, was scheduled to read three books to children: All Are Welcome, in which students from different backgrounds are welcomed at school (no!); Just Add Glitter, about a little girl who adds glitter to everything (gasp!); and Red: A Crayon's Story, about a crayon that was made with the wrong color label (the horror!). The program Mr. Evans described to Times Union reporter Kathleen Moore sounded a lot more like "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood" than it resembled "La Cage Aux Folles." There would be a little basic sign language instruction to say hello, some singing and crafts for any attendees who wanted to make their own crown. The board noted that the story time was part of its vision statement's goal to be, as the library noted on Facebook, "at the programming forefront within the Southern Adirondack Library System, providing opportunities for our patrons to participate in cultural growth." No one was being forced to take part. The range of reactions from critics at the meeting ranged from the merely prudish to the thoroughly transphobic. Why are drag queens being normalized? This is deviant behavior, one attendee said. Another predicted that young people exposed to this story hour are going to be questioning their own identities. There was much use of the term "grooming," which has been swiped from the lexicon of sexual predation prosecution and deployed to demean almost every form of sex education and discussion of gender that's intended for minors. This is the same level of intolerant discourse that in the 1970s was directed at openly gay and lesbian teachers who, according to far-right critics like Anita Bryant, were attempting to "recruit" children to an identity conservatives found morally objectionable. More recently, this sort of bigotry has resulted in members of the LGBTQ community being roughly nine times more likely to be the victims of hate crimes than non-LGBTQ Americans. Sign up for the Observation Deck newsletter Read the latest Times Union opinion, perspective and letters to the editor on Mondays by signing up for our Observation Deck newsletter. The board buckled under the weight of the protest and postponed Scarlet Sagamore's visit. Because bowing to those engulfed in a moral panic only serves to feed it, we hope they will reschedule and we hope Mr. Evans wears something fabulous. Allied Market Research The lipase food enzymes Industry is driven by factors such as the rising demand for natural and clean-label ingredients in food products and rising health consciousness among consumers. PORTLAND, Or, April 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, Lipase Food Enzymes Market by Source (Microorganisms, Animals, and Others), Form (Powder and Liquid), and Application (Food & Beverage Processing, Animal Feed, and Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20222031". According to the report, the global lipase food enzymes market was valued at $417.4 million in 2021 and is projected to reach $787.6 million by 2031, registering a CAGR of 6.8% from 2022 to 2031. Request Sample Report: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/53995 Prime determinants of growth The rising demand for natural and clean-label ingredients in food products and rising health consciousness among consumers drive the lipase food enzymes market. However, high production costs and lack of awareness about the benefits of lipase enzymes restrict the market growth. On the other hand, the rise of veganism and vegetarianism presents lucrative opportunities for the market growth. Report coverage & details: Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 20222031 Base Year 2021 Market Size in 2021 $417.4 Million Market Size in 2031 $787.6 Million CAGR 6.8% No. of Pages in Report 250 Segments covered Source, Application, Form, and Region. Drivers Increasing demand for convenience foods Rising health consciousness among consumers Growing food processing industry Growing demand for clean labels and natural ingredients in food products Opportunities Increasing demand for bakery products, dairy products, and meat products Rise of veganism and vegetarianism Restraints Stringent regulations and safety concerns related to the use of enzymes in food products High production costs Lack of awareness about the benefits of lipase enzymes Covid-19 Scenario The COVID-19 pandemic had a mixed impact on the global lipase food enzymes market. On one hand, the demand for convenience foods had increased as people spent more time at home and lookd for easy-to-prepare meals. This led to an increased demand for lipase enzymes in the production of these foods. On the other hand, the pandemic had disrupted supply chains and led to a decline in the food processing industry, which had a negative impact on the lipase food enzymes market. Additionally, the economic slowdown caused by the pandemic had reduced consumer purchasing power, leading to a decline in demand for some food products that require lipase enzymes. Story continues The microorganisms segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period Based on source, the microorganisms segment held the highest market share in 2021, accounting for nearly three-fourths of the global lipase food enzymes market revenue and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. This segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 7.0% from 2022 to 2031. Microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, are commonly used to produce lipase enzymes for use in food applications. These microorganisms are typically cultured under controlled conditions and the lipase enzymes are extracted and purified for use in food applications. Lipase enzymes produced by microorganisms are often preferred in the food industry due to their high purity, stability, and efficiency, as well as their ability to be produced on a large scale. Buy This Report (250 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, and Figures) @ https://bit.ly/3MVERWW The powder segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period Based on form, the powder segment held the highest market share in 2021, accounting for nearly three-fifths of the global lipase food enzymes market and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. Powdered lipase food enzymes are commonly used in the food industry for a variety of applications, including flavor enhancement, texture modification, and fat reduction. The powder form of lipase enzymes is typically more stable and has a longer shelf life than liquid forms, making it a preferred option for many manufacturers. However, the liquid segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 7.2% from 2022 to 2031. Liquid lipase food enzymes are used to enhance food flavor and make them simpler for kids to eat. Since these food enzymes are so simple and easily accessible, people are using them more frequently. The food & beverage segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period Based on application, the food & beverage segment held the highest market share in 2021, accounting for more than three-fifths of the global lipase food enzymes market and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. Lipase enzymes play a critical role in the food and beverage industry, helping manufacturers to improve the quality, flavor, and texture of their products. With the increasing demand for natural and clean label ingredients, lipase enzymes are expected to continue to play a significant role in the industry. However, the animal feed segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 7.2% from 2022 to 2031. For feed to improve in quality and digestibility, lipase food enzymes must be added. In addition, supplementing the livestock with enzymes improves their overall health over time, lowers their mortality rate, and increases the amount of meat and milk products produced per animal at a very cheap cost. North America to maintain its dominance by 2031 Based on region, North America held the highest market share in terms of revenue in 2021, accounting for nearly two-fifths of the global lipase food enzymes market and is likely to dominate the market during the forecast period. North America is a mature market with a high demand for processed and convenience foods. Lipase enzymes are widely used in the production of these foods to enhance their flavor, texture, and shelf life, driving demand for lipase enzymes in the region. Consumers in North America are increasingly concerned about the health and safety of the food they consume. As a result, there is a growing demand for natural and clean-label ingredients in food products, including lipase enzymes derived from non-GMO and organic sources. However, the Asia-Pacific region is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 7.9% from 2022 to 2031. An important factor driving the Asia-Pacific lipase food enzymes market is the rise in demand for these food enzymes along with the region's rising beverage consumption, particularly alcoholic beverages. Enquire Before Buying: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/53995 Leading Market Players: - Creative Enzymes Enzyme Development Corporation Infinita Biotech Private Limited Laboratoire Therascience Luxembourg AB Enzymes Advanced Enzymes Angel Yeast Co., Ltd. Antozyme Biotech Private Limited BASF SE Biocatalysts Limited Bioven Ingredients Chr. Hansen Holdings A/S Novozymes A/S Ultreze Enzymes Private Limited Yiming Biotechnology The report analyzes government regulations, policies, and patents to provide information on the current market trends and suggests future growth opportunities globally. Furthermore, the study highlights Porters five forces analysis to determine the factors affecting market growth. These factors include raw material prices, intense competition, end users, manufacturers, and suppliers. To understand the market, drivers, restraints, and opportunities are explained in the report. Trending Reports in Food and Beverages Industry Carboxymethyl Cellulose Market : Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2030 Liquid Smoke Market : Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2030 Seaweed Market : Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031 Fat Replacers Market : Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031 About Us Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Portland, Oregon. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of " Market Research Reports " and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain. We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry. CONTACT: David Correa 5933 NE Win Sivers Drive #205, Portland, OR 97220 United States USA/Canada (Toll Free): +1-800-792-5285, +1-503-894-6022 UK: +44-845-528-1300 Hong Kong: +852-301-84916 India (Pune): +91-20-66346060 Fax: +1(855)550-5975 help@alliedmarketresearch.com Web: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/reports-store/food-and-beverages Follow Us on Blog: https://www.dailyreportsworld.com/ ALBANY Gov. Kathy Hochuls top policy initiative after winning election to a full term last year is apparently dead after months of attempting to push through a plan to double the amount of new housing over the next decade. Hochul hit a blockade with suburban Democrats in the Legislature, who were unreceptive to the governor's plan that would establish a state-mandated overhaul to local zoning to incentivize residential development. The issue has also contributed, in part, to the budget being more than three weeks late. The governors proposal was mainly focused on spurring substantial development on Long Island and in suburbs north of New York City. It is home to Democrats who recently faced tight elections or outright lost contests to either Republicans or progressives. Hochul was unable to marshal support from those on the political left, who fought her because it did not include a plan to significantly expand tenant protections. Advocates have called for good cause eviction, which they said would bolster the rights of renters and create a form of rent stabilization. The plan was vehemently opposed by suburban Republicans, some of whom recently won seats over Democrats this past election cycle. The governor conceded earlier this week that after weeks of negotiations, the Legislature continues to oppose core elements of the Housing Compact. We have not yet come to a final agreement, but it remains clear that merely providing incentives will not make the meaningful change that New Yorkers deserve, Hochul said in a statement. I will continue to discuss other elements of the plan and policy changes that will increase supply and make housing more affordable. Sources familiar with negotiations said all aspects of the plan are effectively dead. Financial incentives to build additional housing, with money for problems like sewer conversions, could also be off the table. In addition, efforts supported by progressive lawmakers to add substantial money for housing vouchers in the budget are on life support, according to one source familiar with negotiations. That effort could be revived after the budget in the remaining weeks of the legislative session. Housing and tenant advocates have lamented the end of the governors unprecedented housing plan. Rather than coming together to deliver for working families struggling to keep a roof over their heads, Albany leaders appear to be throwing their hands in the air, said Cea Weaver, campaign coordinator for Housing Justice for All. Suburban Democrats have generally been reluctant to comment on the record about the issue. Former Westchester County Assemblyman Tom Abinanti decried the plan from the governor and said it should have been focused on countywide goals, instead of plans more locally focused. Abinanti, who had been in office since 2011, lost in a primary last summer to Maryjane Shimsky, who ran to his political left. I believe the governors proposal was a kiss of death, Abinanti said on Friday. This would spell disaster for suburban Democrats. Many opponents were especially concerned about the prospect of a plan to override local zoning laws and decision-making if housing goals were not being met. Hochul struggled to rally support in the suburbs during the November election, particularly on Long Island. She has been faced with the frequent question of who she views as her political base: moderate, suburban Democrats like herself or progressive liberals entrenched in the states urban areas. The proposal placed her in the middle of the two camps and left her with no results. The plan sought to create 800,000 units over the next decade, doubling the expected supply without any changes. It sought to help New York keep pace with neighboring, Democratic states which also each have their own housing crisis, despite more progressive policies. The governor had also cast it as a plan to reverse the state's population exodus, which some have blamed on a lack of affordable housing. The proposal was mainly focused around the New York City metropolitan area. Many upstate communities, especially those in the Capital Region, are already meeting proposed housing growth targets. Tenant advocates say the remedy is keeping people in their current homes and that by simply building more supply, it would not trickle down and solve the problem. The end result from months of political fighting is that there will be no immediate plan for either side. Ulster Banks remaining 63 branches and ATM services in the Republic of Ireland will close permanently from today - 21 April 2023, as part of its phased withdrawal from the Republic of Ireland. However, the bank says a range of customer services and supports will continue after 21 April, through telephone and online channels, to help remaining customers move and close their accounts. "Known vulnerable customers will still continue to be supported in moving to a new banking provider," the bank stated. Ulster Bank has been reducing branch services on a phased basis since its withdrawal was announced and branch transactions have seen a 99% reduction since January 2021. In a statement, the bank said less than 5% of known vulnerable customers typically use the branch network currently. In January 2023, Ulster Bank formally wrote to customers providing them with notice of the closure of its branch network, with branches ceasing transactions on 31 March 2023. After today, customers can contact Ulster Bank on 0818 210 260 or 00353 1804 7475 if calling from abroad. For customers who need additional support or may be in a vulnerable situation there is a dedicated phone line on 1800 656 001 (lines open 8am-8pm, 7 days a week) and a small field team will be in place to help known vulnerable customers who have not yet completed their account closure journey. Business customers can call Ulster Bank on 1800 818 375 or call their dedicated relationship manager for assistance with moving their accounts. Customers can also find further information on the Customer Support Hub on the Ulster Bank website. Ulster Bank Chief Executive, Jane Howard, said: "Today is a poignant day in Ulster Banks 187-year history as our remaining 63 branches in the Republic of Ireland will close their doors for the last time. While the focus in recent months has been on supporting our customers as they move to new banking providers, we know our branches and colleagues have been a central part of communities around the country for many years. I would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all of our branch colleagues over the years, particularly for their dedication over the past two challenging years, and Id also like to thank our customers for allowing us to be part of your communities. "As the closure of current and deposit accounts materially concludes, I strongly urge any remaining customer who has not yet moved their current and deposit account to act swiftly to find a new provider and move their accounts. Although our branches will no longer be open after today, we are still here to support our remaining customers". Ulster Bank says 99% of its personal current and deposit accounts are either closed, or with customers having materially wound down the level of activity in their current account to five or less transactions or left it inactive. 91% of Ulster Bank business accounts have either closed, materially wound down the level of activity in their current account to five or less transactions, or left it inactive. Those customers who continue to have an account with Ulster Bank are being urged to take action and move to a new provider that can support their banking needs. Throughout this process, Ulster Bank also reminds customers that we will never ask for passcodes or online banking details in a phone call, email or text - so be alert, as scammers and fraudsters may try to take advantage of the situation. [April 20, 2023] Ventas Announces Pricing of its Tender Offers for 2.80% Senior Notes Due 2024 and 4.125% Senior Notes Due 2024 Ventas, Inc. (NYSE: VTR) ("Ventas" or the "Company") announced today the pricing terms of Ventas Canada Finance Limited's ("Ventas Canada" or the "Issuer") cash tender offers previously announced on April 3, 2023 (the "Offers") to purchase outstanding notes of the two series listed in the table below (collectively, the "Notes" and each a "Series" of Notes). The Offers were previously amended to increase the Maximum Aggregate Purchase Price (as defined in the Offer to Purchase of the Issuer dated April 3, 2023 (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the "Offer to Purchase")) from Cdn$500 million to Cdn$600 million. Capitalized terms used in this news release and not defined herein have the meanings given to them in the Offer to Purchase. The Full Tender Offer Consideration was determined in the manner described in the Offer to Purchase by reference to a fixed spread for each Series of Notes plus the applicable yield (the "Reference Yield") based on the bid-side price of the applicable Canadian Reference Security, in each case as set forth in the table below. The Reference Yield for each series of Notes (as determined pursuant to the Offer to Purchase) listed in the table below was determined at 10:00 A.M., Toronto Time, on April 20, 2023 by TD Securities Inc., RBC Dominion Securities Inc. and Scotia Capital Inc. (collectively, the "Dealer Managers"). In addition, Holders of Notes that were validly tendered and not validly withdrawn at or prior to the Early Tender Time and that are accepted for purchase will receive accrued and unpaid interest from, and including, the last interest payment date for the applicable Series of Notes to, but not including, the Early Settlement Date, which is currently expected to be April 24, 2023. The aggregate purchase price being paid for all Notes being purchased in the Offers is subject to the application of the Maximum Aggregate Purchase Price and proration as described in the Offer to Purchase. Because the aggregate purchase price of the Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn as of the Early Tender Time exceeds the Maximum Aggregate Purchase Price, Ventas Canada expects to accept for purchase on the Early Settlement Date (i) all 2.80% Senior Notes, Series E due 2024 validly tendered and not validly withdrawn as of the Early Tender Time, and (ii) a pro rata amount of the 4.125% Senior Notes, Series B due 2024 validly tendered and not validly withdrawn as of the Early Tender Time using a pro ration factor of approximately 45.2% and rounded down to the nearest $1,000. Acceptance Priority Level Title of Notes CUSIP / ISIN Nos. Principal Amount Outstanding (in millions)(1) Canadian Reference Security Reference Yield Fixed Spread (basis points)(2) Full Tender Offer Consideration(3) Principal Amount Tendered as of the Early Tender Time Proration Factor 1 2.80% Senior Notes, Series E due 2024 92277LAF3 / CA92277LAF37 Cdn$600 2.25% Government of Canada Bond Due March 1, 2024 4.426% +90 bps Cdn$976.48 Cdn$526,963,000 100% 2 4.125% Senior Notes, Series B due 2024 92277LAB2 / CA92277LAB23 Cdn$250 2.50% Government of Canada Bond due June 1, 2024 4.237% +100 bps Cdn$984.82 Cdn$191,935,000 ~45.2% (1) Principal amount outstanding prior to the commencement of the Offers. (2) Includes the Early Tender Payment of Cdn$30 per Cdn$1,000 principal amount of Notes for each Series (the "Early Tender Payment"). (3) Per Cdn$1,000 principal amount of Notes that are accepted for purchase. The Offers are subject to the satisfaction or waiver by the Issuer of a number of conditions as described in the Offer to Purchase, including the Financing Condition. The Financing Condition for the Offers as described in the Offer to Purchase is expected to be satisfied on April 21, 2023. The Offers expire at 5:00 p.m., Toronto time, on May 1, 2023, unless extended or earlier terminated by the Issuer. However, the Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn prior to the Early Tender Time have an aggregate purchase price which exceeds the Maximum Aggregate Purchase Price and the Issuer does not intend to further increase the Maximum Aggregate Purchase Price. Therefore, the Issuer will not accept for purchase any Notes validly tendered after the Early Tender Time. Holders of Notes who would like additional copies of the Offer to Purchase may call or email the Information Agent at [email protected] or (800) 967-7635 (toll-free) or (201) 806-7301 (collect). Questions regarding the terms of the Offer, including without limitation, the calculation of the Full Tender Offer Consideration, should be directed to TD Securities at [email protected] or (866) 584-2096 (toll-free) or (416) 308-4135 (collect), RBC Dominion Securities Inc. at [email protected], or (877) 381-2099 (toll-free) or (416) 842-6311 (collect) or Scotia Capital Inc. at [email protected], or (800) 372-3930 (toll-free) or (212) 225-5559 (collect). This press release shall not constitute an offer to buy or a solicitation of an offer to sell any Notes. The Offers are being made solely pursuant to the Offer to Purchase. There is no separate letter of transmittal in connection with the Offer to Purchase. The Offers are not being made to holders of Notes in any jurisdiction in which the making or acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the securities or other applicable laws of such jurisdiction. Ventas, Inc., an S&P 500 company, operates at the intersection of two large and dynamic industries - healthcare and real estate. Fueled by powerful demographic demand from growth in the aging population, Ventas owns a diversified portfolio of over 1,200 properties in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Ventas uses the power of its capital to unlock the value of senior living communities; life science, research & innovation properties; medical office & outpatient facilities, hospitals and other healthcare real estate. A globally recognized real estate investment trust, Ventas follows a successful long-term strategy, proven over more than 20 years, built on diversification of property types, capital sources and industry leading partners, financial strength and flexibility, consistent and reliable growth and industry leading ESG achievements, managed by a collaborative and experienced team dedicated to its stakeholders. This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and forward looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). These forward-looking statements include, among others, statements of expectations, beliefs, future plans and strategies, anticipated results from operations and developments and other matters that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements regarding our and our officers' intent, belief or expectation as identified by the use of words such as "assume," "may," "will," "project," "expect," "believe," "intend," "anticipate," "seek," "target," "forecast," "plan," "potential," "opportunity," "estimate," "could," "would," "should" and other comparable and derivative terms or the negatives thereof. Forward-looking statements are based on management's beliefs as well as on a number of assumptions concerning future events. You should not put undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are not a guarantee of performance and are subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. We do not undertake a duty to update these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. We urge you to carefully review the disclosures we make concerning risks and uncertainties that may affect our business and future financial performance, including those made below and in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, such as in the sections titled "Cautionary Statements - Summary Risk Factors," "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022. Certain factors that could affect our future results and our ability to achieve our stated goals include, but are not limited to: (a) the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and other viruses and infections, such as flu and respiratory syncytial virus, and their extended consequences, including of any variants, on our revenue, level of profitability, liquidity and overall risk exposure and the implementation and impact of regulations related to the CARES Act and other stimulus legislation and any future COVID-19 relief measures; (b) our ability to achieve the anticipated benefits and synergies from, and effectively integrate, our acquisitions and investments, including our acquisition of New Senior Investment Group Inc.; (c) our exposure and the exposure of our tenants, managers and borrowers to complex healthcare and other regulation and the challenges and expense associated with complying with such regulation; (d) the potential for significant general and commercial claims, legal actions, regulatory proceedings or enforcement actions that could subject us or our tenants, managers or borrowers to increased operating costs and uninsured liabilities; (e) the impact of market and general economic conditions, including economic and financial market events, inflation, changes in interest rates and exchange rates, supply chain pressures, rising labor costs and historically low unemployment, events that affect consumer confidence, our occupancy rates and resident fee revenues, and the actual and perceived state of the real estate markets, labor markets and public capital markets; (f) our ability, and the ability of our tenants, managers and borrowers, to navigate the trends impacting our or their businesses and the industries in which we or they operate; (g) the risk of bankruptcy, inability to obtain benefits from governmental programs, insolvency or financial deterioration of our tenants, managers, borrowers and other obligors which may, among other things, have an adverse impact on our financial results and financial condition; (h) the risk that we may be unable to foreclose successfully on the collateral securing our loans and other investments in the event of a borrower default and, if we are able to foreclose or otherwise acquire assets in lieu of foreclosure, the risk that we will be required to incur additional expense or indebtedness in connection therewith; (i) the recognition of reserves, allowances, credit losses or impairment charges are inherently uncertain, may increase or decrease in the future and may not represent or reflect the ultimate value of, or loss that we ultimately realize with respect to, the relevant assets, which could have an adverse impact on our results of operations and financial condition; (j) the non-renewal of any leases or management agreement or defaults by tenants or managers thereunder and the risk of our inability to replace those tenants or managers on favorable terms, if at all; (k) our ability to identify and consummate future investments in or dispositions of healthcare assets and effectively manage our portfolio opportunities and our investments in co-investment vehicles, joint ventures and minority interests, including our ability to dispose of such assets on favorable terms as a result of rights of first offer or rights of first refusal in favor of third parties; (l) risks related to development, redevelopment and construction projects, including costs associated with inflation, rising interest rates, labor conditions and supply chain pressures; (m) our ability to attract and retain talented employees; (n) the limitations and significant requirements imposed upon our business as a result of our status as a REIT and the adverse consequences (including the possible loss of our status as a REIT) that would result if we are not able to comply; (o) the risk of changes in healthcare law or regulation or in tax laws, guidance and interpretations, particularly as applied to REITs, that could adversely affect us or our tenants, managers or borrowers; (p) increases in our borrowing costs as a result of becoming more leveraged, including in connection with acquisitions or other investment activity, rising interest rates and the phasing out of LIBOR rates; (q) our reliance on third parties to operate a majority of our assets and our limited control and influence over such operations and results; (r) our dependency on a limited number of tenants and managers for a significant portion of our revenues and operating income; (s) the adequacy and pricing of insurance coverage provided by our policies and policies maintained by our tenants, managers or other counterparties; (t) the occurrence of cyber incidents that could disrupt our operations, result in the loss of confidential information or damage our business relationships and reputation; (u) the impact of merger, acquisition and investment activity in the healthcare industry or otherwise affecting our tenants, managers or borrowers; (v) disruptions to the management and operations of our business and the uncertainties caused by activist investors; (w) the risk of catastrophic or extreme weather and other natural events and the physical effects of climate change and (x) other factors set forth in our periodic filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230420005967/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [April 20, 2023] Navigating the Multi-Cloud Landscape: VMware's Cross-Cloud Managed Services Streamline and Secure the Digital Journey TMCnet News In a bid to simplify partner-led managed services for the multi-cloud era, VMware has announced its Cross-Cloud managed services. This suite of prescriptive offers aims to make it easier for customers to adopt, manage, and better secure multi-cloud environments while enabling highly skilled partners to expand their managed services practices. VMware's extensive ecosystem of over 4,000 cloud service providers serves tens of thousands of customers worldwide, and with the introduction of Cross-Cloud managed services, the company aims to improve partner profitability while opening new avenues for growth and expansion. The adoption of multi-cloud services has proven beneficial in enabling faster development of modern applications, accelerating enterprise cloud transformation, and empowering more secure hybrid workforces. Companies are increasingly adopting multi-cloud strategies for several reasons. Risk mitigation: By using multiple cloud providers, businesses can reduce the risk of vendor lock-in and potential service outages. If one provider experiences downtime or other issues, companies can rely on their other providers to maintain business continuity. This diversification of resources enhances overall system resilience and reliability. Flexibility and innovation: Multi-cloud environments enable businesses to access a broader range of services, tools, and capabilities offered by different cloud providers. Each provider has its own set of unique offerings and strengths, and by using multiple providers, companies can capitalize on these specialized services to drive innovation and remain competitive. Cost optimization: Multi-cloud strategies allow businesses to leverage the competitive pricing of different providers. By selecting the most cost-effective solutions for their specific needs, companies can optimize their cloud expenditure and avoid overpaying for services. Additionally, multi-cloud environments can also facilitate negotiation power with vendors, as businesses have the flexibility to shift workloads based on price and performance. Improved performance and latency: Deploying workloads across multiple cloud providers with data centers in various geographic locations can help businesses minimize latency and enhance performance. This is particularly important for companies with global operations or user bases, as a multi-cloud strategy ensures that data and applications are closer to the end-users, providing a better experience. Data sovereignty and compliance: Multi-cloud environments enable businesses to store data in specific geographic locations to comply with data sovereignty regulations and requirements. By using cloud providers with data centers in the required regions, companies can ensure compliance with local laws and regulations while avoiding potential fines or legal issues. Customization and workload optimization: Different cloud providers offer distinct infrastructure and service offerings, which can cater to different workloads and requirements. By using multiple cloud providers, businesses can optimize their infrastructure for specific workloads, ensuring that each application runs on the most suitable platform. By leveraging the unique strengths of multiple cloud providers, businesses can create a more robust, agile, and efficient IT infrastructure, ultimately driving growth and success in an increasingly digital landscape. However, a study by S&P Global Market Intelligence reveals that ensuring security, having skilled personnel, managing costs, and workload/data mobility are the major challenges facing organizations adopting a multi-cloud operating model. In response, 83% of organizations surveyed are open to using external managed or professional services to support their hybrid and multi-cloud efforts. VMware's Cross-Cloud managed services aim to make it easier for partners to do business with VMware by combining prescriptive solutions, improved incentives, aligned go-to-market activities, and increased flexibility. This will enable VMware Cross-Cloud Managed Services Providers to drive growth, improve profitability, and increase recurring services revenue while enhancing the time to value for multi-cloud environments and addressing the IT talent and skills gap for customers. 'VMware Cross-Cloud managed services is yet another example of how we will empower partners to expand and grow their VMware businesses while collaborating to help customers implement a cloud smart strategy that accelerates their digital transformation,' said Zia Yusuf, senior vice president, strategic ecosystem and industry solutions, VMware. The VMware Cross-Cloud Managed Services Offers focus on enabling customers to lower total cost of ownership (TCO) for on-premises environments, simplify operations, reduce risk with observability, actionable insight, and performance optimization, and accelerate cloud migrations. The offers encompass services for Hybrid Cloud, Native Public Cloud, and Modern Apps. Partners can differentiate themselves and command greater market recognition and profitability with the new VMware Cross-Cloud managed services badge. This signifies their expertise in delivering VMware validated managed services offerings (VSOs) and validates their achievement of the forthcoming VMware Managed Services Specialization (MSS). Moreover, VMware Cross-Cloud Managed Services Providers will benefit from tailored financial and non-financial partner benefits, such as improved incentives, more flexibility, go-to-market alignment, and ease of doing business. Several partners have already expressed their enthusiasm and support for VMware Cross-Cloud managed services. BT (News - Alert), HCLTech, Rackspace Technology, Softchoice, TeraSky, and Xtravirt have all highlighted the advantages of the new services and how they plan to leverage them in helping customers achieve their digital transformation goals. Edited by TMCnet en espanol [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [April 20, 2023] Betacom's Private 5G Ecosystem: Unleashing the Power of Industry 4.0 TMCnet News Betacom, a private wireless pioneer, has announced the creation of the Betacom Private 5G Ecosystem, a collaborative initiative aimed at accelerating the adoption of Industry 4.0 solutions powered by private 4G and 5G networks. The ecosystem brings together prominent technology companies such as Google Cloud, Intel, Ingram Micro (News - Alert), and Qualcomm Technologies to develop, validate, and deploy solutions for various enterprise applications. The partnership aims to create an ecosystem of pre-tested Industrial IoT devices and applications, integrated with mobile edge compute and supported by established system integrators. Private wireless networks are becoming increasingly important in sectors such as manufacturing, transportation, and warehousing/logistics as they serve as the backbone for industrial automation and IoT deployments. One of the main reasons private wireless networks are gaining popularity for industrial IoT deployments is the need for reliable and secure connectivity in the age of Industry 4.0. As businesses increasingly rely on automation, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and real-time data analytics, they require networks that can deliver consistent performance and low latency to support these advanced applications. Private wireless networks offer the control and customization necessary to meet the specific requirements of industrial environments. Another advantage of private wireless networks is their ability to provide enhanced security compared to public networks. As businesses continue to integrate IoT devices and solutions into their operations, the risk of cyberattacks and data breaches increases. Private wireless networks can help minimize these risks by offering dedicated and secure communication channels that are separate from public networks. This separation helps to protect sensitive data and ensure the integrity of critical business operations. Private wireless networks also provide businesses with greater flexibility and scalability. As industrial IoT deployments expand and evolve, companies need the ability to easily adapt their network infrastructure to accommodate new devices, applications, and use cases. Private wireless networks can be easily tailored to meet specific needs, allowing businesses to grow and scale their IoT deployments without the limitations of traditional wired networks. They can also improve the overall operational efficiency of industrial environments. By enabling real-time data analytics and decision-making, these networks allow businesses to optimize their processes and resources, ultimately reducing costs and improving productivity. For instance, real-time data from IoT sensors can be used to monitor equipment health, predict maintenance needs, and prevent costly downtime. As the transition to Industry 4.0 continues to accelerate, private wireless networks will play a critical role in supporting the advanced applications and solutions that drive this transformation. This 15-member ecosystem features companies with unique domain and industry expertise in the areas of Industrial IoT Solutions, Mobile Edge (News - Alert) Compute, System Integrators, and 5GaaS Technology. The Betacom Private 5G Ecosystem will offer opportunities for joint technology development and validation, sales incentives, tools, training, and joint go-to-market initiatives. Partners will also gain access to Betacom's innovation showcases at MxD, a national Digital Manufacturing and Cybersecurity Institute based in Chicago, and at Teltech Group, a leader in logistics/supply chain services, asset management, and technology solutions based in Dallas. Betacom's 5G as a Service (5GaaS) is the industry's first fully-managed, end-to-end private wireless service, granting US enterprises access to their own cost-effective, high-performance 4G/5G networks. The company has a long history of building wireless infrastructure for mid-to-large enterprises and possesses the expertise required to cater to the private wireless needs of the manufacturing, transportation, and warehousing sectors. Ecosystem deployments are already underway at MxD, where Betacom has installed both 4G and 5G private networks in collaboration with Google (News - Alert) Cloud and Ingram Micro. The partnership is testing and showcasing automation and security technologies to help modernize US manufacturing. At Teltech, Betacom's 5GaaS is being used to automate warehousing operations. The company has deployed robots, drones, and automated forklifts using equipment from ecosystem members, including Axis Communications, Evolon, and Qualcomm Technologies. Betacom was able to design, install, and integrate the network in just a few weeks in partnership with Teltech. Market research indicates that the global private wireless market is poised for significant growth. According to a report by ABI Research (News - Alert), the market is expected to reach $16.3 billion by 2025. The Betacom Private 5G Ecosystem aims to capitalize on this opportunity by facilitating the transition to Industry 4.0 through the power of 5G technology. Johan Bjorklund, CEO of Betacom, believes that building a partner ecosystem is essential for accelerating the transition to Industry 4.0. The collaboration will enable businesses to leverage advanced solutions that deliver high performance and low latency at the edge, supporting Industrial IoT initiatives. Charter members include members from a variety of technology sectors: Industrial IoT Solutions: ADB SAFEGATE Americas, Axis Communications, Evolon, Ingram Micro Inc., Qualcomm Technologies, Solis Energy, SVT Robotics, and Vecna Robotics Mobile Edge Compute: Google Cloud, Ingram Micro Inc., and Intel System Integrators: CDW, Ingram Micro Inc., and QuayChain 5GaaS Technology: Airspan (News - Alert), Druid Software, FibroLAN, Intel, and Qualcomm Technologies Edited by Erik Linask [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [April 20, 2023] Street Fighter 6 Showcase Announces Final Details, Demo, and Future Fighters TOKYO, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The latest from Street Fighter 6 has been revealed in a brand new Showcase! Watch now for an in-depth view of the three main game modes "World Tour", "Battle Hub", and "Fighting Ground", along with the planned new Fighter additions for Year 1, and details about the official demo! [SF6 Showcase Video Link] World Tour World Tour is a single-player immersive story mode where players can create their own custom avatar to experience an overarching mystery with support from the iconic Masters, built to redefine the scope of what a traditional fighting game is by incorporating immersive RPG elements. Battle Hub In Battle Hub, you'll be able to use your customized avatar and let them loose in Avatar Battles aainst other players online; the only limit to your fights is your own imagination! Fighters can also create Clubs in the Battle Hub to find like-minded players. Invite your friends and form your very own Street Fighter crew! Fighting Ground This classic mode has added many innovative new features, including but not limited to the Battle Damage feature, new Sound Accessibility features, new Control Types, and new battle modes such as Extreme Battle, where you can create fun, gimmicky battles fit for a casual setting. Ranked Match and Custom Room features have also been massively improved for easy access and better enjoyment. Year 1 Characters Revealed Four fighters join the Street Fighter 6 roster in the first year after launch! Rashid is coming in Summer 2023, A.K.I. in Autumn 2023, Ed in early Winter 2024, and finally Akuma in Spring 2024. They're also included in the Deluxe and Ultimate Editions of Street Fighter 6, now available for pre-order. [Official Website Link] Your Moment. Your Demo. The free Street Fighter 6 Demo is available now on PlayStation5 and PlayStation 4! It goes live for Xbox Series X|S and Steam on 26th April, 2023. Learn basic battle mechanics from the Tutorial, practice Luke and Ryu's moves in the Character Guide, and dip a toe into the first few moments of World Tour where you can create your customized avatar. The demo will only give a small peek at the gargantuan experience that is the full game, but your custom avatar appearance can be transferred to the full game of the same platform once it releases. Watch the Street Fighter 6 Showcase and prepare to hit the streets! Street Fighter 6 launches on 2nd June, 2023 for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S and Steam! Demo available now! [Demo Download Link] CAPCOM CO., LTD. 2005, 2023 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/street-fighter-6-showcase-announces-final-details-demo-and-future-fighters-301802467.html SOURCE Capcom [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [April 20, 2023] SHAREHOLDER ACTION ALERT: The Schall Law Firm Encourages Investors in Trinseo PLC with Losses of $100,000 to Contact the Firm The Schall Law Firm, a national shareholder rights litigation firm, reminds investors of a class action lawsuit against Trinseo PLC ("Trinseo" or "the Company") (NYSE: TSE) for violations of 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors who purchased the Company's securities between May 3, 2021 and March 27, 2023, inclusive (the "Class Period"), are encouraged to contact the firm before June 20, 2023. If you are a shareholder who suffered a loss, click here to participate. We also encourage you to contact Brian Schall of the Schall Law Firm, 2049 Century Park East, Suite 2460, Los Angeles, CA 90067, at 310-301-3335, to discuss your rights free of charge. You can also reach us through the firm's website at www.schallfirm.com, or by email at [email protected]. The class, in this case, has not yet been certified, and until certification occurs, you are not represented by an attorney. If you choose to take no action, you can remain an absent class member. According to the Complaint, the Company made false and misleading statements to the market. Trinseo's plant in Bristol, Pennsylvania, suffered from a troubled history of safety problems under its previous ownership, which continued to be plagued with safety problems after it was acquired. The Company failed to disclose the specific risks involved in this plant's normal operations. The Company was at risk of chemical spills and other problems due to its operation of an unsafe plant. Based on these facts, the Company's public statements were false and materially misleading throughout the class period. When the market learned the truth about Trinseo, investors suffered damages. Join the case to recover your losses. The Schall Law Firm represents investors around the world and specializes in securities class action lawsuits and shareholder rights litigation. This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and rules of ethics. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230420006062/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [April 20, 2023] Huawei Unveils Next-Generation Internet Infrastructure Solutions, Empowering ISP Industry's Green Digital Transformation SHENZHEN, China, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- During the Huawei Global Internet Service Industry Summit & Global Optical Summit, Huawei introduced its next-generation Internet infrastructure products and solutions, including Huawei FTTR OptiXstar F30, a full series of 400G OTN solutions, the industry's first commercial 50G PON solution, and NetEngine 8000 F8. The summit brought together hundreds of executives and technical experts from the Internet Service Provider (ISP) industry to discuss all-optical networks, digital transformation, and green solutions, aiming to create a smarter, greener, and more resilient Internet infrastructure. Ernest Zhang, President of Huawei European Enterprise Business, highlighted that digital transformation of enterprises is a certain trend, and Huawei leads internet infrastructure innovation through three efforts: investment in technical advancement, partner cooperation in R&D, and sustainable development. According to Gu Yunbo, President of Huawei's Enterprise Optical Business Domain, in the gigabit era, premiumexperience is the core competitiveness. Huawei's F5G premium all-optical network solution helps ISPs build a cost-effective and ultimate-experience network, growth engines for B2H and B2B business. At this summit, Huawei released four new products and solutions for the ISP industry: In the all-optical home field, Huawei FTTR OptiXstar F30 is the industry's first full optical home network product based on the C-WAN architecture. Its upstream transmission at 2000Mbps supports high-quality digital home experience. In the ultra-broadband access field, Huawei released the industry's first commercial 50G PON solution with 25% increase in optical power budget, supporting existing ODN deployment without re-cabling. In the ultra-high speed transport network field, Huawei released the full series of 400G OTN solutions, maximizing the value of optical fibers when working with Huawei's ultra-wide fiber spectrum technology. Finally, Huawei released NetEngine 8000-F8, its latest all-service router with high performance, low power consumption, and multiple services. Pere Atentas, CEO of Rede Aberta, a Spanish ISP, expressed that NetEngine 8000-F8's strong capabilities can help ISPs develop their businesses over the next decade. "FTTO's value in green and energy-efficiency aligns perfectly with Alea's value proposition for network deployment in the hotel industry," says Francisco Bonachera, CEO of Alea Soluciones. From April 18th to 20th, Huawei also showcased its technological innovations and green transformation of the ISP industry at the FTTH Conference 2023. To learn more about Huawei's technologies in the ISP and optical network, please visit: https://e.huawei.com/en/solutions/enterprise-optical-network. Contact: [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/huawei-unveils-next-generation-internet-infrastructure-solutions-empowering-isp-industrys-green-digital-transformation-301803721.html SOURCE Huawei [April 20, 2023] Timekettle Translation Products Take Center Stage at Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Expo SHENZHEN, China, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Expo opened on April 12th, bringing together a diverse range of global participants, including exhibitors, buyers, technology experts, and research institutions. At the event Shenzhen Timekettle Technologies Co., Ltd ("Timekettle") wowed attendees with its next-generation translation products. The company's Live Translator software, which provides real-time subtitle translation in multiple languages, provided services for attendees of the event. It not only saves costs but also improves translation efficiency for conferences and exhibitions. This product is truly a "win-win" solution for both enterprises and events, making it a highly sought-after product for enterprises and conferences alike. Furthermore, Timekettle innovative products caught the attention of government officials from around the world, who even visited the booth to try out the translator earbuds. The officials were highly impressed with the translation services provided by Live Translator, and acknowledged and praised Timekettle's AI technology and development capabilities. It is an endorsement that speaks volumes about the quality and potential of Timekettle's technology. Timekettle's translator devices provide users with an immersive and seamless translation experience, allowing them to communicate with people from different countries and cultures with ease. Leveraging industry-leading HybridComm technology, Timekettle is providing the most cost-effective and efficient translation solutions that benefit both businesses and events. With this government endorsement, Timekettle is poised to continue empowering foreign trade and transnational economic industries while further reinforcing its technological strength and industry position. About Timekettle Established in 2016, Timekettle is an industry-leading translation solutions provider recognized by winning numerous international awards such as CES Innovation Award, iF Design Award, and TechCrunch. As the top-selling brand in the Translator Device industry, Timekettle now serves over 300,000 users worldwide. For more information, please visit https://www.timekettle.co/ or contact [email protected]. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/timekettle-translation-products-take-center-stage-at-hong-kong-science-and-technology-innovation-expo-301803809.html SOURCE Timekettle [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Right Tail Capital, an investment management company, released its first quarter 2023 investor letter, a copy of the same can be downloaded here. Today, Right Tail does not own any dealerships among its limited roster of investments. The sausage is in the test kitchen, but the recipe is still being optimized. According to the fund, they take investing your wealth seriously and only want to invest when they feel its one of their best 10-12 ideas. The longer-term questions around the business model are their primary concerns. This research is beneficial and will stay in the Right Tail library. In fact, the majority of Right Tails current investments were not made immediately following the initial work. Rather, Right Tail invested later either due to uncovering additional insights about the businesses or a more attractive price. Spare some time to check the funds top 5 holdings to have a clue about their top bets for 2023. In its Q1 2023 investor letter, Right Tail Capital mentioned Lithia Motors, Inc. (NYSE:LAD) and explained its insights for the company. Founded in 1946, Lithia Motors, Inc. (NYSE:LAD) is a Medford, Oregon-based car dealership company with a $6.0 billion market capitalization. Lithia Motors, Inc. (NYSE:LAD) delivered a 8.19% return since the beginning of the year, while its 12-month returns are down by -24.75%. The stock closed at $221.50 per share on April 19, 2023. Here is what Right Tail Capital has to say about Lithia Motors, Inc. (NYSE:LAD) in its Q1 2023 investor letter: "The original research premise fit right into Right Tails wheelhouse: a set of good businesses trading at attractive long-term valuations. Valuations look inexpensive at mid to high single digit multiples of earnings. Historically, these businesses have traded at 10-15x P/E multiples despite having more leverage and holding more inventory than they do today. In some ways, the historical multiples feel appropriate given their delicate relationships with manufacturers and cyclicality; on the other hand, these businesses have produced solid mid-teens returns with attractive reinvestment opportunities suggesting they are better than average companies. Adding another wrinkle to the puzzle, these businesses have over-earned the last few years due to Covid (car shortages, consumers flush with cash, etc.). As I began the work, the compelling return potential warranted additional research. Lithia Motors (LAD), for example, has laid out a 2025 earnings per share target of $55-60. If the company reaches $55 in earnings and trades at a 12x P/E, wed have a stock price of $660 this would be a triple from todays prices and produce a ~45% IRR over 3 years. The businesses are also producing lots of cash currently (LAD has earned ~$40 per share the last few years) creating additional capital allocation optionality." Story continues Photo by carlos aranda on Unsplash Our calculations show that Lithia Motors, Inc. (NYSE:LAD) fell short and didnt make it on our list of the 30 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. Lithia Motors, Inc. (NYSE:LAD) was in 40 hedge fund portfolios at the end of the third quarter of 2022, compared to 45 funds in the previous quarter. Lithia Motors, Inc. (NYSE:LAD) delivered a -3.66% return in the past 3 months. You can find other investor letters from hedge funds and prominent investors on our hedge fund investor letters Q1 2023 page. Suggested Articles: Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. [April 21, 2023] Nippon Express Group's MD Logistics Opens "Garner 2000 Pharmaceutical Logistics Center" in North Carolina, U.S. TOKYO, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- MD Logistics, LLC (hereinafter "MD"), a group company of NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS, INC., held an opening ceremony on March 23 for the Garner 2000 Pharmaceutical Logistics Center, a dedicated pharmaceutical warehouse established in Garner in the U.S. state of North Carolina in January this year. NIPPON EXPRESS logo: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/img/202304184990-O1-hPPV3b7z Opening ceremony: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M103866/202304184990/_prw_PI2fl_K2l3XlYL.jpg North Carolina is a key hub for the pharmaceutical industry in the United States, with numerous major pharmaceutical manufacturers and life science companies having expanded into the state. It is also home to many research institutes and universities that have amassed significant medical knowledge and technologies. <>The Nippon Express Group has positioned the pharmaceutical industry as a key industry in its "Nippon Express Group Business Plan 2023 -- Dynamic Growth," and is pursuing the global development of a safe and secure pharmaceutical logistics platform to meet increasingly sophisticated and diverse pharmaceutical logistics needs. MD has four warehouses in Indiana and one in Nevada, and has located its sixth U.S. warehouse in North Carolina, where pharmaceutical logistics needs are high and expected to grow further. The Nippon Express Group will continue supporting customers in the pharmaceutical industry worldwide by building a reliable and secure global pharmaceutical logistics platform, aiming to contribute to the health of people around the world. Overview of new warehouse - Name: Garner 2000 Pharmaceutical Logistics Center - Address: 2000 Garner Business Park Drive, Garner, NC 27529, USA - Total floor area: 22,297 m2 (240,000 ft2) - Supported temperature ranges: 2-8 C / 15-25 C (two temperature ranges) - Key facilities: Full air-conditioning, refrigerated storage, quarantine compliance for pharmaceuticals, surveillance cameras, access control, in-house power generation system - Start of operations: January 3, 2023 Warehouse exterior: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M103866/202304184990/_prw_PI3fl_MFM64P50.jpg Warehouse interior: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M103866/202304184990/_prw_PI4fl_FUqDi47A.jpg Nippon Express website: https://www.nipponexpress.com/ Nippon Express Group's official LinkedIn account: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nippon-express-group/ SOURCE NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS, INC. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [April 21, 2023] Vehere Shines at International Cybersecurity Conferences, Aims to Become the Next Global Leader Vehere, a key provider of cyber network intelligence solutions, is beaming with success after attending the prestigious GISEC 2023 cybersecurity conference and other national security events held last month in Dubai. Thanks to the overwhelmingly positive feedback received from the conference attendees, Vehere is now preparing for the RSA Conference USA, slated for this month. With its cutting-edge technology and unparalleled expertise, Vehere is poised to continue expanding its influence globally and cement its status as a cybersecurity leader. This year, the GISEC cybersecurity conference brought together leading companies, CISOs, government officials, and experts to drive innovation and improvements in the field of cybersecurity across different sectors and countries. In this event, Vehere got a fantastic opportunity to exhibit its signature product, the Vehere Network Detection & Response solution, which combines threat hunting at scale, real-time threat detection, and network forensics for proactive network security. Vehere's team at GISEC, comprising Ramsunder Papineni, Avinash Garg, and Vipul Kumra, shared valuable insights with the visitors about the organization's dynamic products and their potential to bolster the cyber-resilience of enterprises. Vehere's co-founder, Praveen Jaiswal, present at the event, said, "Global cybersecurity conferences like GISEC provide a wonderful chance to get a fresh perspective on the latest trends, technologies, and threats facing the industry. We are gearing up for the RSA Conference in San Francisco next. RSA will give us a unique platform to effectively collaborate with other cyber leaders to explore innovative solutions that can address the continually evolving challenges in cybersecurity." Vehere is set to participate in the RSA Conference USA, scheduled to take place from April 24 - 27 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. The theme for this year is 'Stronger Together' and Vehere is proud to contribute to this journey of collective progress and accomplishment with its advanced Network Detection and Response solution. It empowers the security team to identify attacks at the earliest possible stage and stop them before they become breaches. Vehere is the future of network security and is revolutionizing the way organizations and governments protect themselves from cyber threats, thereby improving situation awareness. Established in 2006, it is headquartered in San Francisco and Kolkata. Vehere: Hunt before Breach. Visit https://vehere.com/ Keywords: #cybersecurityconference #gisecglobal #rsaconference #ndr #vehere View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230421005138/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [April 21, 2023] Global Security Initiative: Building a shared secure future for mankind BEIJING, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report from China.org.cn on China's Global Security Initiative: After seven years of severed relations, decades of political confrontation and centuries of religious divide, Iran and Saudi Arabia, two major Middle Eastern powers, finally buried the hatchet in Beijing. This has set an example for maintaining geo-security in Middle-East, and settling global and regional disputes in a peaceful way. At the opening ceremony of the 2022 Boao Forum for Asia Annual Meeting, Chinese President Xi Jinping first proposed the Global Security Initiative (the Initiative); this time, the restoration of Iran-Saudi Arabia diplomatic ties is yet another successful achievement under the Initiative. The name speaks for itself - the Initiative aims to maintain global peace, security, development and stability through combined efforts. This is a continuation of China's tradition of valuing peace and harmony, and being benevolent and friendly toward neighboring countries; it is also the epitome of China's foreign policy of peace in modern times. Although the Initiative only celebrated a one-year anniversary, the world had been witnessing China's efforts in maintaining global peace and security. The Initiative raised a vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, aimed at preserving global peace and security with joint efforts. China is veritably a key force in such efforts. Last year marks 30 years since China sent its first "blue helmet" peacekeeping force, and by then China has dispatched over 50,000 peacekeepers to more than 20 countries and regions on nearly 30 tasks. This year marks six decades since China sent out its first medical team for foreign aid, and during these 60 years, a total of 30,000 medical staff have been deployed to 76 countries and regions, completing a total of 290 million treatments. The Initiative proposes that parties should stay committed to respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries and uphold non-interference in internal affairs. 70 years ago, then Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai proposed The Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence; 70 years have passed, and China still adheres to this commitment: China has never threatened, suppressed other countries or interfered in their internal affairs, despite its position as a major country. After China initiated diplomatic relations with Honduras, Former Honduran president Manuel Zelaya said if Honduras really aspires to realize national independence, it should establish diplomatic ties with countries like China. One can say, China has suffered enough from external interference, but it's such suffering that makes it more willing to help protect others from such disturbance. The Initiative states that countries should abandon the Cold War mentality and oppose group politics and bloc confrontation. In the Ukraine crisis, China has been holding its footing as always, which is dropping the Cold War mentality while staying steadfast to taking the legitimate security concerns of all countries seriously, and creating space for peace with political courage; and China has always devoted efforts to urging for a cease-fire and peaceful negotiation. China has brought up ideas and initiatives, provided practical solutions and backed them up with actions and a sense of responsibility. From the Global Development Initiative and Global Security Initiative to this year's Global Civilization Initiative, China has been holding the vision of joining hands with other countries to benefit all humanity in present days, so as to build a community of shared future for mankind that features lasting peace and common prosperity. China Mosaic http://www.china.org.cn/video/node_7230027.htm Global Security Initiative: Building a shared secure future for mankind http://www.china.org.cn/video/2023-04/21/content_85243403.htm View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-security-initiative-building-a-shared-secure-future-for-mankind-301803900.html SOURCE China.org.cn [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [April 21, 2023] Black Knight's First Look: Mortgage Delinquencies Hit Record Low in March, While Prepayments Rose on Easing Rates and Seasonal Tailwinds The national delinquency rate dropped 53 basis points (-15%) in March, falling below 3% for the first time on record, ending the month at just 2.92% While delinquency rates almost always fall in March as borrowers utilize tax refunds and other seasonal revenues to pay down past-due debt the drop marked the second largest decline in the past 17 years Factoring in March's decline, the total number of past-due mortgages (including active foreclosures) has fallen to its lowest level in nearly 23 years, dating all the way back to April 2000 Serious delinquencies (90+ days past due) showed marked improvement, falling by 51K to their lowest level since March 2020 , with volumes shrinking in every state to their lowest level since , with volumes shrinking in every state Likewise, every state saw overall delinquencies fall in March, with improvements ranging from 11.9% in Washington to 21.5% in Vermont to 21.5% in Both foreclosure starts (+9.0%) and sales (+4.6%) rose in the month but still remain well below pre-pandemic volumes at the national level Active foreclosure inventory held steady, but remains 31K (12%) below March 2020 levels (12%) below levels The prepayment rate (SMM) rose to 0.50% (+44% month over month) driven, as anticipated, by seasonal tailwinds in sale-related prepayments and an increased demand for refis due to falling rates JACKSONVILLE, Fla., April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Black Knight, Inc. (NYSE:BKI) reports the following "first look" at March 2023 month-end mortgage performance statistics derived from its loan-level database representing the majority of the national mortgage market. Total U.S. loan delinquency rate (loans 30 or more days past due, but not in foreclosure): 2.92% Month-over-month change: -15.23% Year-over-year change: -13.23% Total U.S. foreclosure pre-sale inventory rate: 0.46% Month-over-month change: -0.21% Year-over-year change: 13.24% Total U.S. foreclosure starts: 32,000 Month-over-month change: 9.03% Year-over-year change: -5.69% Monthly prepayment rate (SMM): 0.50% Month-over-month change: 44.42% Year-over-year change: -61.41% Foreclosure sales: 7,500 Month-over-month change: 4.59% Year-over-year change: 24.64% Number of properties that are 30 or more days past due, but not in foreclosure: 1,539,000 Month-over-month change: -272,000 Year-over-year change: -209,000 Number of properties that are 90 or more days past due, but not in foreclosure: 511,000 Month-over-month change: -51,000 Year-over-year change: -331,000 Number of properties in foreclosure pre-sale inventory: 240,000 Month-over-month change: 0 Year-over-year change: 31,000 Number of properties that are 30 or more days past due or in foreclosure: 1,779,000 Month-over-month change: -272,000 Year-over-year change: -178,000 Top 5 States by Non-Current* Percentage Mississippi: 7.05 % Louisiana: 6.61 % Alabama: 5.13 % West Virginia: 4.55 % Pennsylvania: 4.53 % Bottom 5 States by Non-Current* Percentage California: 2.03 % Montana: 1.95 % Idaho: 1.86 % Washington: 1.83 % Colorado: 1.80 % Top 5 States by 90+ Days Delinquent Percentage Mississippi: 2.36 % Louisiana: 1.98 % Alabama: 1.62 % Arkansas: 1.43 % Georgia: 1.30 % Top 5 States by 12-Month Change in Non-Current* Percentage Alaska: -28.18 % Vermont: -24.48 % Connecticut: -21.67 % New Jersey: -18.90 % New York: -18.77 % Bottom 5 States by 12-Month Change in Non-Current* Percentage Idaho: -0.60 % South Dakota: -0.93 % Florida: -4.01 % Michigan: -4.66 % Utah: -5.17 % *Non-current totals combine foreclosures and delinquencies as a percent of active loans in that state. Notes: Totals are extrapolated based on Black Knight's loan-level database of mortgage assets. All whole numbers are rounded to the nearest thousand, except foreclosure starts, which are rounded to the nearest hundred. For a more detailed view of this month's "first look" data, please visit the Black Knight newsroom. The company will provide a more in-depth review of this data in its monthly Mortgage Monitor report, which includes an analysis of data supplemented by detailed charts and graphs that reflect trend and point-in-time observations. The Mortgage Monitor report will be available online at https://www.blackknightinc.com/data-reports/ by May 1, 2023. For more information about gaining access to Black Knight's loan-level database, please send an email to [email protected]. About Black Knight Black Knight, Inc. (NYSE:BKI) is an award-winning software, data and analytics company that drives innovation in the mortgage lending and servicing and real estate industries, as well as the capital and secondary markets. Businesses leverage our robust, integrated solutions across the entire homeownership life cycle to help retain existing customers, gain new customers, mitigate risk and operate more effectively. Our clients rely on our proven, comprehensive, scalable products and our unwavering commitment to delivering superior client support to achieve their strategic goals and better serve their customers. For more information on Black Knight, please visit www.blackknightinc.com. For more information: Michelle Kersch Mitch Cohen 904.854.5043 704.890.8158 [email protected] [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/black-knights-first-look-mortgage-delinquencies-hit-record-low-in-march-while-prepayments-rose-on-easing-rates-and-seasonal-tailwinds-301803787.html SOURCE Black Knight, Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [April 21, 2023] Save the Date: Onto Innovation to Host Analyst Event on June 1, 2023 Onto Innovation Inc. (NYSE: ONTO) ("Onto Innovation," "Onto," or the "Company") today announced that it will host a Company sponsored analyst event on Thursday, June 1, 2023. The event will be held at the New York Stock Exchange, 11 Wall St., New York, New York 10005. The professional investment community is invited to join Onto's management team for presentations and engage with our key technology exhibits. Event Details: Achieving Growth Outperformance Through Connected Thinking 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET: Onto Executive Team Presentations Featuring Mike Plisinski, CEO; Mark Slicer, CFO; Mike Rosa, CMO; and Srini Vedula, Sr VP Customer Success 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. ET: Luncheon and Technology Exhibits Featuring metrology, inspection, software, lithography, and advanced interferometry If you plan to attend in person, please RSVP here. A live webcast will also be available on the Company's website at www.ontoinnovation.com. To listen to the live webcast, please go to the website at least 15 minutes early to register, download and install any necessary audio software. There will be a replay of the webcast available for one year on the Company's website at www.ontoinnovation.com. About Onto Innovation Inc. Onto Innovation is a leader in process control, combining global scale with an expanded portfolio of leading-edge technologies that include: Un-patterned wafer quality; 3D metrology spanning chip features from nanometer scale transistors to large die interconnects; macro defect inspection of wafers and packages; metal interconnect composition; factory analytics; and lithography for advanced semiconductor packaging. Our breadth of offerings across the entire semiconductor value chain combined with our connected thinking approach results in a unique perspective to help solve our customers' most difficult yield, device performance, quality, and reliability issues. Onto Innovation strives to optimize customers' critical path of progress by making them smarter, faster and more efficient. With headquarters and manufacturing in the U.S., Onto Innovation supports customers with a worldwide sales and service organization. Additional information can be found at www.ontoinnovation.com. Source: Onto Innovation Inc. ONTO-I View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230421005251/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [April 21, 2023] EQUITY ALERT: NATIONALLY RANKED ROSEN LAW FIRM Encourages Eqonex Limited f/k/a Diginex Limited Investors with Losses in Excess of $100K to Secure Counsel Before Important Deadline in Securities Class Action - EQOSQ WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces the filing of a class action lawsuit on behalf of purchasers of Eqonex Limited f/k/a Diginex Limited (OTC: EQOSQ) securities between March 7, 2022 and November 29, 2022, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period") and/or unregistered EQO securities between April 8, 2021 and April 20, 2023 (the "Unregistered Securities Class Period") (collectively, the "Classes"). A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than June 20, 2023. SO WHAT: If you purchased Eqonex registered and/or unregistered securities during the Class Periods 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 Eqonex class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=15304 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 June 20, 2023. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources or any meaningful peer recognition. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concenrating 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 false and/or misleading statements as well as failed to disclose material adverse facts about the Company's business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, defendants failed to disclose to investors that: (1) defendants were not interested in leveraging the Exchange or deploying resources to strengthen that technology; (2) Eqonex had no way of paying Bifinity back pursuant to the Loan Agreement; (3) defendants had no intention of consummating a merger between Eqonex and Bifinity or Binance; and (4) 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 Eqonex class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=15304 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. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230421005331/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [April 21, 2023] Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP, a Leading Securities Fraud Law Firm, Announces Investigation of Teleperformance SE (TLPFY) on Behalf of Investors Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP ("GPM"), a leading national shareholder rights law firm, today announced that it has commenced an investigation on behalf of Teleperformance SE ("Teleperformance" or the "Company") (OTC: TLPFY) investors concerning the Company's possible violations of the federal securities laws. If you suffered a loss on your Teleperformance investments or would like to inquire about potentially pursuing claims to recover your loss under the federal securities laws, you can submit your contact information at www.glancylaw.com/cases/Teleperformance-SE/. You can also contact Charles H. Linehan, of GPM at 310-201-9150, Toll-Free at 888-773-9224, or via email at [email protected] to learn more about your rights. On August 4, 2022, Forbes published an article alleging that Teleperformance had subjected its workers to poor working conditions, using real, graphic images and videos of child sexual abuse to train its TikTok content moderators, while "conversations with former employees reveal[ed] the extent to which moderators were both under-trained and overworked." On this news, Teleperformance's stock price fell $7.75, or 4.6%, to close at $160.94 per ADR on August 5, 2022, thereby injuring investors. Then, on November 9, 2022, Time reported that "Colombia's Minisry of Labor has launched an investigation into TikTok subcontractor Teleperformance, relating to alleged union-busting, traumatic working conditions and low pay." On this news, Teleperformance's stock price fell $24.55, or 18.6%, to close at $107.77 per ADR on November 10, 2022. Then, on March 22, 2023, four months after the Company "unanimously" decided to exit the "highly egregious" content moderation business, Teleperformance announced that it would be reentering the field. Market analysts observed that the move was an indication of the Company's overall business and growth prospects. One HSBC Global Research analyst report stated that the "U-turn on content moderation raises concerns about communication, governance and broad fundamentals." On this news, Teleperformance's stock price fell $6.87, or 5.7%, over three days to close at $112.82 per ADR on March 24, 2023, thereby injuring investors further. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook. Whistleblower Notice: Persons with non-public information regarding Teleperformance should consider their options to aid the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower Program. Under the program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Charles H. Linehan at 310-201-9150 or 888-773-9224 or email [email protected]. About GPM Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP is a premier law firm representing investors and consumers in securities litigation and other complex class action litigation. ISS Securities Class Action Services has consistently ranked GPM in its annual SCAS Top 50 Report. In 2018, GPM was ranked a top five law firm in number of securities class action settlements, and a top six law firm for total dollar size of settlements. With four offices across the country, GPM's nearly 40 attorneys have won groundbreaking rulings and recovered billions of dollars for investors and consumers in securities, antitrust, consumer, and employment class actions. GPM's lawyers have handled cases covering a wide spectrum of corporate misconduct including cases involving financial restatements, internal control weaknesses, earnings management, fraudulent earnings guidance and forward looking statements, auditor misconduct, insider trading, violations of FDA regulations, actions resulting in FDA and DOJ investigations, and many other forms of corporate misconduct. GPM's attorneys have worked on securities cases relating to nearly all industries and sectors in the financial markets, including, energy, consumer discretionary, consumer staples, real estate and REITs, financial, insurance, information technology, health care, biotech, cryptocurrency, medical devices, and many more. GPM's past successes have been widely covered by leading news and industry publications such as The Wall Street Journal, The Financial Times, Bloomberg Businessweek, Reuters, the Associated Press, Barron's, Investor's Business Daily, Forbes, and Money. This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230421005410/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [April 21, 2023] Canada and BC Hydro invest in decarbonization projects in British Columbia VANCOUVER, BC, April 21, 2023 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Joyce Murray, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard; the Honourable Josie Osborne, B.C. Minister of Energy, Mines, and Low Carbon Innovation; and Chris O'Riley, President and CEO of BC Hydro, announced a joint investment of $32.7 million to support three decarbonization projects in British Columbia. In Vancouver, this investment will support the decarbonization of the Creative Energy district energy steam plant. Existing gas boilers will be replaced with new electric steam boilers, and a 1.2km long underground powerline will be built from BC Hydro's Murrin substation to the Beatty Street plant. Powered by clean energy delivered through the new connection to BC Hydro's electricity grid, this investment will enable a significant reduction of the facility's CO2 emissions and provide sufficient low-carbon energy for 12 million square feet of new commercial and residential development. In Princeton, this funding will support the electrification of mine haul trucks at Copper Mountain Mine using a trolley assist system, and the replacement of several diesel-powered water pumps at the mine site with electrically-powered pumps. This project will reduce the mine's CO2 emissions by 9,400 tonnes annually. Copper is a critical component of electric vehicles and clean energy technologies like wind and solar. The mining sector and the thousands of workers it employs in British Columbia and across the country will play a key role in building Canada's green economy. In the Regional District of Cariboo, this funding will go towards fully electrifying all underground mine equipment at the proposed Cariboo Gold Project, a new underground gold mine and processing plant under development, and connect an existing substation to BC Hydro's electricity grid. This investment will reduce the facilities' CO2 emission by 22,700 tonnes annually. Once completed, the two projects will help the mines to transition to cleaner energy sources and reduce emissions. With 98% clean electricity, low-carbon electrification is a key part of the CleanBC plan to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and move British Columbia toward a clean energy future. By investing in infrastructure, the Government of Canada is growing our country's economy, building resilient communities, and improving the lives of Canadians. Quotes "Today's investment exemplifies our government's commitment to reducing emissions and transitioning towards cleaner energy sources. In partnership with BC Hydro, we are funding three green energy projects that will electrify facilities across British Columbia. We will continue to invest in projects that bring us one step closer to Net-Zero and a greener Canada." The Honourable Joyce Murray, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities "The funding announced today promises to reduce emissions across the province and help facilities transition to clean energy. Decarbonizing the Creative Energy steam plant in Vancouver will significantly reduce the facility's CO2 emissions and generate enough low-carbon energy for 12 million square feet of new developmentthe equivalent of all the new development in downtown for the foreseeable future. These investments are tangible steps towards a cleaner future." The Honourable Dr. Hedy Fry, Member o Parliament for Vancouver Centre "This important funding is making it easier for B.C. companies to make the switch from fossil fuels to clean electricity to power their operations and reduce emissions. BC's clean electricity is our number one asset in the fight against climate change. Working together with the Government of Canada, BC Hydro, and industry we're advancing electrification across our province to meet our climate emissions and build a clean economy for today and the future." The Honourable Josie Osborne, B.C. Minister of Energy, Mines, and Low Carbon Innovation "Projects like these are great examples of how we are working with organizations across the province to help them reduce their reliance on fossil fuels and power their businesses using our clean electricity. About 98 per cent of the power we generate comes from clean or renewable resources and most of that is powered by water, making us a leader in clean electricity generation in western North America." Chris O'Riley, President and CEO of BC Hydro "The Federal Government's investment in green energy today marks a critical milestone on the path towards decarbonization in British Columbia. Creative Energy's fuel switch is one of the largest decarbonization projects underway in North America and will transition our downtown Vancouver district energy network serving over 200 buildings across 45 million square feet to clean, renewable energy sources. This project could not be achieved without the support of the Federal government and our collaborators at BC Hydro. We thank them for their leadership in responding to climate change and we look forward to energizing Creative Energy's new low carbon plant in 2024." Wayne O'Connor, CEO, Creative Energy Quick facts The Government of Canada is investing $16,350,000 in these projects, while BC Hydro and project proponents are contributing $16,350,000 . is investing in these projects, while BC Hydro and project proponents are contributing . The Government of Canada's funding comes from the Green Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. funding comes from the Green Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Infrastructure Program. In 2021, the Government of British Columbia allocated $84.4 million from the Government of Canada's Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program to create a new CleanBC Facilities Electrification Fund, which helps reduce the cost of connecting to the electricity grid, encourages the switch to green energy, and lowers greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. allocated from the Government of Investing in Infrastructure Program to create a new CleanBC Facilities Electrification Fund, which helps reduce the cost of connecting to the electricity grid, encourages the switch to green energy, and lowers greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This stream helps build greener communities by contributing to climate change preparedness, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and supporting renewable technologies. Including today's announcement, 94 infrastructure projects or project bundles under the Green Infrastructure Stream have been funded in B.C., with a total federal contribution of more than $517 million and a total provincial contribution of nearly $261 million . and a total provincial contribution of nearly . Under the Investing in Canada Plan, the federal government is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada's rural and northern communities. Plan, the federal government is investing more than over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and rural and northern communities. Infrastructure Canada helps address complex challenges that Canadians face every dayranging from the rapid growth of our cities, to climate change, and environmental threats to our water and land. Related Products Backgrounder: Canada and BC Hydro invest in green energy in mines and power facilities Associated Links Investing in Canada: Canada's Long-Term Infrastructure Plan https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/icp-publication-pic-eng.html Green Infrastructure Stream https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/gi-iv-eng.html Federal infrastructure investments in British Columbia https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/prog-proj-bc-eng.html Strengthened Climate Plan https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/weather/climatechange/climate-plan/climate-plan-overview.html Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn Web: Infrastructure Canada SOURCE Infrastructure Canada [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] The metro proves even more violent this evening . . . Here's a peek at suburban life growing more perilous . . . Officers were sent to the area at 7:13 p.m. after dispatchers received several calls about gunshots and a man suffering from gunshot wounds. The victim, whose name has not been released, was dead at the scene. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . Man dead following shooting at 86th, Stark in Raytown Raytown, Mo., police are investigating a fatal shooting that happened Thursday night. Homicide investigation launched after man shot to death Thursday night in Raytown KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Raytown police officers found one man shot to death Thursday night in the area of east 86th Street and Stark Avenue. Developing . . . New corporate strategy leverages its co-operative business model and values as key differentiators TORONTO, April 21, 2023 /CNW/ - Meridian's new corporate strategy, Meridian for Good, ushers in a new day for Ontario's largest credit union and second largest in Canada. Meridian Credit Union Logo (CNW Group/Meridian Credit Union) "We're leaning into our bedrock values as a financial cooperative to better integrate our purpose into everything we do," said Jay-Ann, President & CEO, Meridian. "The end goal of Meridian for Good is to deliver on our purpose "helping you achieve your best life" and on our vision "to be recognized as an inclusive, transparent, and people-focused financial partner." People, Planet and Community Meridian for Good puts purpose to action by helping all people, including equity-deserving communities, get access to the money and advice they need; plan for a better future that is clean, resilient, and diverse; and be financially confident. Meridian recognizes its obligations to its stakeholders and the greater community, and the impact it has on the world. Backed by its Members, Meridian has embedded Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles into its long-term strategy and considerations into its decision-making processes. As a credit union, Meridian has always operated within a framework of ESG principles, now formally articulated in its inaugural ESG Report Value Created and Shared and newly created Climate Commitment to ensure that all its emission sources are on pathways to net zero by 2050, or sooner. Harnessing profits for positive impact and social change Meridian will focus on growing Business Banking through expansion into new industries and partners, including Indigenous communities. The new strategy puts emphasis on working with small and medium sized enterprises that are on the path to growth and are purpose-led, looking for trusted relationships with their financial partners. Business Banking and OneCap will contribute to Meridian's ESG transition by supporting businesses that are creating clean technology and/or transitioning to more sustainable environmental practices. Story continues "This is a natural strategic driver for us," said Jay-Ann. "Credit unions finance 21% of small and medium sized enterprises in Canada, the heart of our economy. This segment is also becoming front and centre in the shift to long-term sustainable change in local economies and communities." For Retail Members, Meridian for Good promises to deliver fair value by reinvesting returns, acting in their best interest, and providing products and services that will help Members achieve their best life, especially in equity-deserving demographics. Meridian will invest in impactful offerings that provide enhanced value to Members and customers. Meridian is also investing more in digital and analytics, not only to add protection and help guard against cyber-attacks and fraud, but to also enable a better, deeper Member experience and build lasting relationships with both current and new Members. "Our financial strength provides a solid base for investment in our Members, customers and communities, and for growing our business in a strategic way," said Jay-Ann. "Co-operatives are about people coming together to improve their world and create a better world for all," said Karen Farbridge, Chair, Meridian. "We've seen firsthand how energized the organization is by the new Meridian strategy and see many opportunities to become an even more inclusive and people-focused financial partner." Meridian for Good was formally shared with Members at its Annual General Meeting on April 20th held in Toronto. About Meridian We acknowledge the land on which we operate is the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishinaabe, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples and now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit, and Metis. We also acknowledge that Toronto is covered by Treaty 13 with the Mississaugas of the Credit. Meridian is Ontario's largest credit union, and second largest in Canada, with more than 75 years of banking history. We deliver a full range of financial products and services to more than 370,000 Members through a network of 89 branches and access to business banking services at 15 locations, a Member Contact Centre and online/mobile services. Meridian also has two operating subsidiaries: Meridian OneCap Credit Corp ("MOCC"), a leading national supplier of customized commercial equipment leasing solutions; and motusbank, a national digital bank. Meridian Credit Union Limited has over $30 billion in assets under management (March 31, 2023). For more information, please visit: meridiancu.ca, follow us on Twitter @MeridianCU or visit us on Facebook. SOURCE Meridian Credit Union Cision View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/April2023/21/c4658.html Today's life lesson and a glimpse at the NEXTGEN . . . What started as a fight between two teens grew to eight teens with a crowd of approximately 40 to 50 students gathered around, according to the sheriff's office. As the school resource deputy on scene and school staff tried to break up the fight, staff members were assaulted. The sheriff's office says it took less than 10 minutes to get the situation under control with the help of the Missouri State Highway Patrol and Kansas City police. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . Multiple students in custody after large fight at Winnetonka High School, sheriff says KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Clay County, Missouri Sheriff's Office is investigating after multiple students were involved in a fight Friday afternoon at a Kansas City high school. The sheriff's office said a school resource deputy requested for help to break up a large fight at Winnetonka High School just after 1 p.m. Chaotic scene breaks out during fight at Winnetonka High School; 4 students taken into custody KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A chaotic scene unfolded at Winnetonka High School during a large fight on Friday afternoon, according to the Clay County Sheriff's Office. At around 1 p.m., a school resource deputy requested any nearby law enforcement respond to the school to assist with breaking up the fight. 4 students in custody following 'large fight' at Winnetonka High School Neeley Schmitz/KMBC SOURCE: Neeley Schmitz/KMBC Four students are in the custody of the Clay County Sheriff's Office following a large fight at Winnetonka High School on Friday afternoon. The fight happened shortly before 1 p.m. It took place on the second floor of the school and it started initially as a fight between two teenagers. Developing . . . What's important to note in this exchange is that the testimony is voiced, admittedly, by somebody who has lost touch with their grandpa and seemingly hasn't talked to him in more than half a decade. Still . . . Here's more of the tell-all hearsay . . . Ludwig told The Star he and his grandfather have lost touch over the last five or six years, and the two view politics differently. "Hes become staunchly right-wing, further down the right-wing rabbit hole as far as doing the election-denying conspiracy stuff and COVID conspiracies and disinformation, fully buying into the Fox News, OAN kind of line," Ludwig said. "I feel like its really further radicalized him in a lot of ways. On Monday, Clay County Prosecutor Zachary Thompson said there was a racial component to this case, but he wouldn't elaborate any further. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . Grandson of man accused of shooting Ralph Yarl is 'disgusted' We're learning more about the 84-year-old accused of shooting Ralph Yarl. Officers say Andrew Lester shot Yarl twice when the young man rang his doorbell by mistake. Now, Lester's grandson is sharing his insights into his grandfather's actions. Kansas City man's grandchildren speak out on Ralph Yarl shooting LIBERTY, Mo. - FOX4 is learning more about the 84-year-old man accused of shooting 16-year-old Ralph Yarl. Andrew Lester pleaded not guilty to first-degree assault and armed criminal action charges at the Clay County Courthouse Wednesday. The Kansas City Star was able to talk to two of Lester's grandchildren. Shooting survivor Ralph Yarl garners worldwide support, including from suspect's family KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Support for Ralph Yarl, the 16-year-old who was shot in the head on April 13 in Kansas City, Missouri, has poured in from across the country and around the globe. Within three days, over 80,000 worldwide donors contributed to the GoFundMe in Yarl's name, with donations coming from 80 countries and all 50 U.S. Grandsons of man accused of shooting Ralph Yarl have different opinions of shooting Two grandsons of the man accused of shooting a Kansas City teenager at the front door offered different views of the shooting. Klint Ludwig says he distances himself from Andrew Lester because of his views. He says his grandfather was wrong to shoot Ralph Yarl, who mixed up two addresses and rang his doorbell by mistakes. Developing . . . Toronto police say while the boy faces two counts of sexual assaults, "at the time of the first five reported offences, the boy was 11-years-old and therefore cannot be charged criminally." - Paige Taylor White/Toronto Star file photo Andrew Palamarchuk is a reporter with Metroland Media Toronto and toronto.com. He has been covering the crime beat since 2002 and has a passion for giving a voice to those affected by tragedy and looking at societal issues that may have contributed to it. Let us figure out how it works: Mayors of Ontarios biggest cities arent willing to give up local control over housing decisions Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Reg Niganobe (far right) attends an Assembly of First Nations press conference during the 22nd United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues on April 19 in New York. - Laura Mayer photo 15 current MLH Associates complete 15-month surgical technologist program MEMPHIS, Tenn., April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Since launching the Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare Associate Advancement Program (MAAP), 60 employees have completed specialized certification programs or earned bachelor's degrees with little or no out-of-pocket expense. (PRNewsfoto/Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare) MAAP, in partnership with the University of Memphis, offers current Methodist Le Bonheur employees opportunities to affordably pursue higher education degrees and certificate options on their own schedule. Recently 15 Methodist Le Bonheur employees completed a 15-month certification program to become surgical technologists in operating rooms across the six-hospital healthcare system. "For some, this is a return to a learning structure they haven't experienced in years, maybe decades," said Janine Scott, director of the surgical tech program at the University of Memphis. "Changing a career is exciting, as is the potential for growth and advancement." Memphian Nikki Gist joined Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare in 2020 and is a patient access coordinator with MLH's cardiology clinic, Sutherland Cardiology Clinic. "The opportunity Methodist Le Bonheur has for us is awesome. I wanted more for my life and I want a career. This program is fulfilling my goals," she said. Tamie Joyner, also from Memphis, has been part of the Methodist Le Bonheur system for 18 years. She currently works as a utility aid at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, but is excited to change her career path. "This is something I've always wanted to do, but the timing was never right. When this program became available, I knew this was the right time for me." Langdon Eason has been with Methodist University Hospital for four years, most recently as a patient care assistant. "I feel like I've cleared a major hurdle in my life with this program. I didn't know if I could do it, but Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare believed in me and here I am. I have overcome my self-doubts." Story continues Ethel Thomas from Horn Lake, Miss., joined the Memphis-based healthcare system in 2016 and currently monitors EKG telemetry at Methodist South Hospital but is eager to support patients and clinical teams in the operating room. "I love being part of a team that helps patients and returns them home to their loved ones. By the end of the day, I'll know I've helped multiple people. There is no greater feeling than that." For more information on MAAP, visit MethodistHealth.org/MAAP. For career opportunities with Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, visit MethodistHealth.org/careers. About Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare Based in Memphis, Tennessee, Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare has been caring for patients and families regardless of their ability to pay for more than 100 years. Guided by roots in the United Methodist Church and founded in 1918 to help meet the growing need for quality healthcare in the greater Memphis area, MLH has grown from one hospital into a comprehensive healthcare system with 13,000 Associates supporting six hospitals, including nationally ranked Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, ambulatory surgery centers, outpatient facilities, hospice residence and physician and specialty practices serving communities across the Mid-South. From transplants and advanced heart procedures to expert neurology services and compassionate cancer care, MLH offers clinical expertise with a focus on improving every life we touch. Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/methodist-le-bonheur-healthcare-employees-gain-certifications-through-university-of-memphis-301803512.html SOURCE Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare New signings of over 4,000 units in 1Q propel Ascott to exceed current target of 160,000 units (TRAVPR.COM) SINGAPORE - April 21st, 2023 - The Ascott Limited (Ascott), a lodging business unit wholly owned by CapitaLand Investment Limited (CLI), has achieved its target to secure 160,000 units by 2023, with the signing of over 4,000 units in 1Q this year. Sharpening its focus on quality growth, Ascott is renewing its target to double fee revenue to more than S$500 million in the next five years. The fee revenue target is set off the FY 2022 base of S$258 million the highest earnings on record for Ascott. Fee revenue from the lodging business increased by 36% year-on-year (y-o-y) in FY 2022 on the back of record signings and property openings. This demonstrates Ascotts strength as a key contributor of fee-related earnings to CLIs overall business. Ascott also achieved a record net room growth of 20% in FY 2022, underpinned by its acquisition of Oakwood which added about 15,000 units to its portfolio, of which approximately 8,000 are operational units that contributed to its fee revenue. In the last five years, Ascott has rapidly grown its operational units from more than 56,000 units in 2018 to over 95,000 units in 2022. This year, it expects to open more than 13,500 units in over 70 properties. Ascott will continue to expand its product offerings spanning a portfolio of serviced residence, hotel, coliving and senior living brands, positioned from mid to luxury scale. Fee revenue growth will be driven by new property openings as well as new signings at an expected annual net room growth rate of 8-10% in the next five years. Mr Kevin Goh, Chief Executive Officer for Ascott and CLI Lodging, said: With our asset-light strategy, Ascott has doubled in units every five years, growing from about 20,000 units in 2008 to over 160,000 units today. We are now seeing the positive financial impact of growing our portfolio by eight-fold and will focus on driving even stronger fee growth over the next five years. Over 80% of our total units are under management and franchise contracts, up from 43% ten years ago. These management and franchise contracts typically have sticky recurring fee revenue and long tenures. Ascott also demonstrated strong operating performance in FY 2022, with a 40% y-o-y increase in revenue per available unit (REVPAU) with the recovery of international travel. Ascott is riding on this momentum to further optimise the performance of its operational portfolio. Notable resources have been deployed for a global Brand 360 exercise to position its suite of brands to cater to a diverse range of guests across different age groups with varying sets of expectations. It seeks to strengthen Ascotts portfolio through sharpened brand stories and elevated signature experiences and programmes unique to each brand. Brand 360 initiatives rolled out have resulted in higher customer satisfaction rates, positive reviews, and increased loyalty. Launched in the latter half of 2019, Ascotts loyalty programme Ascott Star Rewards (ASR) has also grown exponentially despite the onslaught of COVID-19. In 2022, ASR membership grew 36%, with member revenue increasing five-fold from 2021. To achieve our new growth target, we will secure more management and franchise contracts for prime properties that generate higher quality fees; and leverage our strong brand equity and direct distribution channels to deliver greater value to property owners and customers. Ascotts suite of award-winning hospitality brands and products has the flexibility to cater to both long- and short-stay customers across different market segments. In addition to ramping up the opening of our properties, we will be stepping up efforts to upgrade several of our strategically located properties into brand flagship assets. Properties in the pipeline for these asset enhancement initiatives include The Robertson House by The Crest Collection in Singapore, The Cavendish London and Citadines Saint-Germain-des-Pres Paris, which will be re-branded under The Crest Collection. Besides powering growth organically, we will also actively seek strategic merger and acquisition opportunities to accelerate our ambition to be a significant global player in the lodging space. With vertically integrated capabilities, we can also leverage our strong investment and asset management capabilities to expand through our sponsored lodging trust and private funds, added Mr Goh. Building on Ascotts sixth consecutive year of record signings and openings In 1Q 2023, Ascott added over 4,000 units across 20 properties in cities including Shanghai and Shenzhen in China; Bali and Gorontalo in Indonesia; Fukuoka and Osaka in Japan; Kuala Lumpur and Penang in Malaysia; and Chonburi in Thailand. Ascotts continued growth momentum this year builds upon its record growth of about 33,000 units across 160 properties in 2022. Ascott expanded its presence in key cities including Vienna in Austria; Chengdu, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Sanya, Shanghai, Suzhou, Xian and Zhuhai in China; Goa in India; Jakarta in Indonesia; Penang in Malaysia; Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam; Bron in France; Djibouti in Africa; Antalya in Turkey; and Al Khobar in Saudi Arabia. These properties, slated to open between 2023 and 2028, are primed to meet the growing demands from business and leisure travellers as economic activities, urbanisation and foreign direct investments increase. Riding on the recovery of international travel, Ascott also achieved its highest-ever property openings in 2022, launching more than 9,300 units across 45 properties. This includes the launch of lyf Collingwood Melbourne, Ascotts first lyf coliving property to open in Australia; Ascott Huaishu Road Ningbo, Ascotts first operational property in Chinas bustling port city; Oakwood Residence Foshan, Ascotts first Oakwood-branded property in one of the largest cities in the Pearl River Delta Economic Zone; and Somerset Pattaya, Ascotts first property to open in Thailands thriving resort city. Ascott also opened Citadines South Vienna and Somerset Westview Nairobi, its first property in Austria and Kenya respectively. In Singapore, Ascott opened four properties comprising lyf Farrer Park Singapore, Citadines Raffles Place Singapore, Citadines Connect City Centre Singapore and Citadines Connect Rochester Singapore. In the first three months of 2023, Ascott opened more than 920 units in six properties. This includes Ascott Dadonghai Bay Sanya, which is located in a popular tourist destination in China. With the relaxation of travel restrictions in China, customer enquiries have increased significantly and average daily reservations volumes for Ascotts properties in China grew by about 150% in March 2023 compared to December 2022. As the frequency of flights continues to normalise and return to pre-pandemic levels, Ascott is well-positioned to capture Chinas inbound and outbound demand. ### By Kylie Madry MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - MG Motor is launching a plug-in hybrid SUV in Mexico, the carmaker said on Thursday, as the market for hybrid and electric vehicles in the Latin American country heats up despite a lack of infrastructure and high costs for locals. The hybrid eHS model is set to hit Mexico's streets on Friday, alongside two combustion-engine models, the company said. A formerly British brand now owned by China's SAIC Motor Corp, MG Motor opened shop in Mexico in 2020. It said it is looking to claim 5.5% of the country's market share this year. It will also launch two more models - including another in its electric and hybrid line - in the country this year, Daniel Nava, vice president of MG Motor in Mexico, said. Mexico is looking to bump up its EV production even though the cars remain expensive for most Mexicans and impractical to drive in much of the country, according to a Reuters analysis. Mexico has about 1,100 charging stations nationwide, mostly clustered in large cities, restricting EV use for long-distance drives. However, hybrid models could be a step forward until there is more EV investment, analysts say. MG Motor's eHS model will sell in Mexico for 825,000 pesos ($45,610.85) - 36% to 49% more expensive than the price range listed on MG Motor's Spain website, though less than the model's expected price in India. The price in Mexico reflects the car's plug-in hybrid model, which is more costly than other hybrid models, and is comparable to competitors' prices, Nava told Reuters ahead of the announcement Other countries, particularly in Europe, offer incentives for hybrid purchases, he added. This comes as Mexico, a major carmaking hub, looks to convert half of its auto production to zero-emission vehicles by 2030. In March, it nabbed a $5 billion Tesla plant in the northern state of Nuevo Leon. ($1 = 18.0878 Mexican pesos) (Reporting by Kylie Madry in Mexico City; Editing by Matthew Lewis and Janane Venkatraman) The firm's senior appointments aim at strengthening its ETF distribution in Asia and China. Bing JI brings with him more than 25 years of experience in the fund industry. HONG KONG, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Mirae Asset Global Investments (Hong Kong) Limited (the "firm" or "Mirae Asset") announced the appointment of Mr. Bing JI as the Head of ETF in Mirae Asset and Ms. Brenda BING as the Head of ETF Sales, China. Their appointments became effective on April 11, 2023. Based in Hong Kong, Bing JI will be reporting to CEO, Mr. Wanyoun CHO, and will oversee the firm's ETF Sales and ETF Portfolio Management unit. Reporting to Mr. Bing JI, Brenda BING will be leading the ETF Sales China, focusing on mainland Chinese and Hong Kong institutional & intermediary investors headquartered in mainland China. These appointments reflect Mirae Asset's commitment to expanding its presence in the region and delivering innovative investment solutions to meet the increasing demands of institutional and intermediary investors. Bing JI has over 25 years of experience in the fund industry. Prior to joining Mirae Asset, he held various leadership positions at BlackRock, from building the wealth management units to leading and driving China's client business strategies. Before joining as Head of ETF Sales China, Brenda BING held key positions at Blackrock's iShares and CSOP, responsible for ETF product distribution in Greater China. Mr. Wanyoun CHO, Chief Executive Officer of Mirae Asset Global Investments (Hong Kong) Limited, said: "We are excited to welcome Bing JI and Brenda BING to our team in China and Southeast Asia. Their extensive experience in the financial services industry and deep understanding of the China market will help us to deliver innovative investment solutions and exceptional client service to our investors. ETFs are increasingly important investment vehicles for investors, offering a range of benefits such as diversification, transparency, and liquidity. We are confident that their leadership will contribute to Mirae Asset's continued growth and success in the region." Story continues Mr. Bing JI, Head of ETF of Mirae Asset Global Investments (Hong Kong) Limited, said: "I am delighted to join Mirae Asset as Head of ETF and lead the firm's efforts to expand its ETF business in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Southeast Asia. With Mirae Asset's strong reputation for delivering innovative ETF solutions, I am excited to work with my colleagues to develop strategies that meet the evolving needs of our clients. I look forward to contributing to Mirae Asset's continued success and growth in this dynamic and rapidly growing market." About Mirae Asset Global Investments Group Mirae Asset Global Investments Group (the "group") is an asset management organization with over US$209 billion in assets under management as of Mar 31, 2023[1]. The organization provides a diverse range of investment products including mutual funds, exchange traded funds ("ETFs"), and alternatives. Operating out of 20 offices worldwide, the group has a global team of more than 1,000 employees, including more than 200 investment professionals. The group's global ETF platform features a line-up of 502 ETFs that offer investors high quality and cost-efficient exposure to newly emerging investment themes and disruptive technologies in the global markets.[2] The group's ETFs have combined assets under management of US$90 billion and are listed in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, the United Kingdom, and the United States.[3] About Global X ETFs Global X ETFs was founded in 2008. For more than a decade, our mission has been empowering investors with unexplored and intelligent solutions. Our product lineup features over 100 ETF strategies and over $38 billion in assets under management.[4] While we are distinguished for our Thematic Growth, Income, and International Access ETFs, we also offer Core, Commodity, and Alpha funds to suit a wide range of investment objectives. Global X is a member of Mirae Asset Financial Group, a global leader in financial services, with more than US$480 billion in assets under management worldwide.[5] Mirae Asset Global Investments Hong Kong: https://www.am.miraeasset.com.hk/ Global X ETFs Hong Kong: www.globalxetfs.com.hk Disclaimer This document is for Hong Kong investors only. This document is provided for information and illustrative purposes and it is intended for your use only. It is not a solicitation, offer or recommendation to buy or sell any security or other financial instrument. The document has been provided as a general market commentary only and does not constitute any form of regulated financial advice, legal, tax or other regulated service. The views and information discussed or referred in this document are as of the date of publication. Certain of the statements in this document are our expectations and forward-looking statements. Such expectations, views and opinions may change without notice and are based on a number of assumptions which may or may not eventuate or prove to be accurate. Investment involves risk. Past performance is not indicative of future performance. Investors are advised to seek independent professional advice before making any investment. We accept no liability for a loss arising from the use of this document. This document should not be copied, distributed, published or reproduced, in whole or in part without the prior consent of the issuer. The information contained in this document was obtained from publicly available sources, has not been independently verified by the issuer. The information may not be current, and the issuer has no obligation to provide any updates or changes. We are not responsible for the content or accuracy of third-party sites hyperlinked from this document. You agree that neither we nor any of our affiliates shall be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with use of or reliance on any such content, products or services available on such external sites. Accordingly, we disclaim any responsibility for the linked sites. This document is issued by Mirae Asset (Licensed by the Securities and Futures Commission for Types 1, 4 and 9 regulated activities under the Securities and Futures Ordinance). This document has not been reviewed by the Securities and Futures Commission or the applicable regulator in the jurisdiction in which this document is posted and no part of this publication may be reproduced in any form, or referred to in any other publication, without express written permission of Mirae Asset. Copyright 2023 Mirae Asset Global Investments. All rights reserved. [1] Source: Mirae Asset, Mar 31, 2023. [2] Source: Mirae Asset, Mar 31, 2023. [3] Ibid. [4] Source: Global X, Apr 11, 2023. [5] Source: Mirae Asset, Jan 27, 2023. Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/mirae-asset-welcomes-bing-ji-as-head-of-etf-and-brenda-bing-as-head-of-etf-sales-china-301803895.html SOURCE Mirae Asset Global Investments Group By Janice Phelan, April 21, 2023 Missouri Innovation Campus program high school juniors recently learned their placements for three-year, paid internships beginning in June. Students in the morning session are in the top photo with students in the afternoon session in the lower photo. Missouri Innovation Campus (MIC) program 2022 cohort students were recently paired with industry-leading companies through the nationally recognized initiatives unique internship program. The high-school juniors will participate in valuable three-year, paid internships with their assigned businesses. Companies recently matched with interns, along with the students MIC degree program, include SS&C (Software Development), Olsson Engineering (Design and Drafting), eHawk (Software Development), Black & Veatch (Design and Drafting), McKesson (Software Development and Cybersecurity), UMB (Big Data and Software Development, Lead Bank (Big Data), Community America (Big Data), Tyler Technologies (Software Development), Burns & McDonnell (Design and Drafting) and Cyderes (Cybersecurity). The MIC program, which began in 2012, is a partnership involving the University of Central Missouri, Metropolitan Community College, the Lees Summit R-7 School District and metro-area businesses. Students enrolled in the MIC program have the opportunity to earn a bachelors degree in a high-demand field just two years after high-school graduation with little or no student debt. A vital component of the successful program is its three-year paid internships, beginning just after each students junior year in high school. The interns are able to apply what they are learning in the classroom while working as a valued team member at the companies. MIC program participants begin this accelerated bachelors degree program at the Lees Summit R-7 School Districts Summit Technology Academy where they are enrolled in one of these capstone courses Big Data and Business Analytics, Cybersecurity, Digital Electronics/Engineering Technology/Design and Drafting, Software Development/Computer Science, Software Engineering and Computer Information Systems. Preparing for the three-year internships starts several months before the students are placed with each company. Beginning in fall 2022, students participate in resume writing and interviewing skills workshops, mock interviews and a job readiness/soft skills workshop. In addition, the students families participate in a parent informational meeting about the internships. MIC program students begin their internships in June with each business creating relevant, real-life job experiences over the three-year placement. Among the programs graduates, 91 percent traditionally accept a position with the company where they interned with close to 99 percent accepting a job with a MIC program partner. For more information about the Missouri Innovation Campus program, visit this webpage. The College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences at the University of Houston welcomes seven new members to its Dean's Advisory Board. These distinguished industry leaders bring a wealth of expertise and knowledge to the board, as well as opportunities for engaging new communities. "We are thrilled to welcome our new advisory board members," said Daniel P. O'Connor, CLASS dean. "Their diverse backgrounds and expertise will be invaluable in helping our college achieve its strategic goals and better serve the Houston community." The advisory board now consists of 19 members, led by co-chairs Rev. Alexander Johnson and Baruch Williams, Ph.D. The collective experience of the board in higher education, business, engineering, health care, communications and publishing will bring a breadth of fresh perspectives to help guide current and future initiatives at the college. The new board members are: Amer Al-Nahhas is the former president of SpawGlass Civil Construction. Highly skilled and knowledgeable, Al-Nahhas is also a lecturer in construction management at the University of Houston as well as a board member for the Arab American Educational Foundation. He holds an MBA from Texas A&M, a M.S. in Civil Engineering from Rice University and a bachelor's degree from the University of Petroleum and Minerals. Annette Bracey is a highly respected health-care consultant and contractor, as well as a longtime board member for Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies. She holds an M.A. from The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and a B.A. from Fisk University. James T. Campbell (83) is a director of communications for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas where he sets internal and external communication strategies. A University of Houston alumnus, he holds a B.A. in Journalism and is a recipient of the Charles Edison Youth Fund Political Journalism Fellowship from George Washington University. Frances Castaneda Dyess is an experienced leader in the Houston community and brings a wealth of knowledge to the board. As president of the Houston East End Chamber of Commerce, she has been instrumental in helping to boost the local economy and supporting small businesses. Dyess has a B.S. in public relations and communications from Southern Methodist University. David Gardner, Ph.D. ('72) is a strategic planning and data consultant, as well as a former deputy director of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. After earning a B.A. in English from UH, he received an M.A. in educational psychology and a Ph.D. in education administration, planning, research, and evaluation from Texas A&M University. Eliza Horn serves as the associate director of strategic communications for ESG, brand and marketing at Wiley. An experienced leader in the world of communications and publishing, she holds a master's degree in English from Arizona State University and a bachelor's degree in English: Law and Social Justice from Vanderbilt University. Horn previously served as chair of UH Friends of Womens Studies. Staci LaToison (03) is the founder and CEO of Dream Big Ventures. An experienced leader in the world of business and technology, she holds a master's degree in international business from the University of St. Thomas, a bachelor's degree in information technology from the University of Houston and an Executive Education certificate in Venture Capital Private Equity Program from Columbia Business School. Previously, LaToison was a manager at Chevron with experience in innovation and strategy. The new members will join the existing board, including: Eliza Horn, Manisha C. Gandhi, Aziz Shaibani, Jeremy T. Edwards, Geraldina Wise, Michelle A. Barnes, Kathy Flanagan-Paton, David W. Hawes, MaryRoss Taylor, Rick Pal and Graciela G. Saenz. CLASS is dedicated to serving as a leader in community engagement and students' career readiness. Members of the Deans Advisory Board play a crucial role in shaping the future of the college and ensuring that it continues to serve the Houston community. Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Valerii Zaluzhnyi has met with Chief of the National Armed Forces of Latvia, Lieutenant General Leonids Kalnins and emphasized the importance of strengthening Ukrainian air defense forces. Zaluzhnyi reported this on Telegram, according to Ukrinform. He said this was Kalnins' first official visit to Ukraine. During the meeting, Zaluzhnyi briefed Kalnins on the current situation at the front. Among other things, he also emphasized the importance of supplying shells and weapons to Ukraine. Both parties agreed to continue the dialogue and cooperation with a view to strengthening Ukraine's defense capabilities. Zaluzhnyi thanked Kalnins and the people of Latvia for their solidarity and support. Photo: Public Liaisons Office of Ukraine's Armed Forces A group of 19 far-right Republicans on Thursday sent an official letter to President Joe Biden in which they laid out pro-Russian narratives and called on the U.S. government to stop sending military aid to Ukraine. The letter has been published on the official website of one of the signatories of the letter, Senator Mike Lee, according to Ukrinform. "We are deeply concerned that the trajectory of U.S. aid to the Ukrainian war effort threatens further escalation and lacks much-needed strategic clarity," the letter reads. It also adds that as the war enters its second year, "there is no end in sight" and no clear strategy to bring this war to a close. "A proxy war with Russia in Ukraine is not in the strategic interest of the United States and risks an escalation that could spiral out of control," the signatories said. Republicans accused the Biden administration of "settling in for a long-term conflict" and said the current strategy of sanctions and drawn-out aid will only prolong the conflict, leading to escalation and more violence. They said unrestrained U.S. aid for Ukraine must come to an end and added that with every new aid package and every new weapon provided to Ukraine, the risk of direct conflict between the U.S. and Russia climbs. "We will adamantly oppose all future aid packages unless they are linked to a clear diplomatic strategy designed to bring this war to a rapid conclusion," the authors of the letter said. They called the decision to transfer the HIMARS systems to Ukraine last June "a serious provocation" and spoke negatively about the transfer of Abrams tanks to Ukraine. "Our military assistance goes beyond tangible assets to include military training and intelligence support. The extent of our aid makes it increasingly difficult to deny Russian accusations of U.S. complicity in a proxy war," they said. "Russian tolerance for fighting a proxy war with NATO could run out at any point," the signatories said. They also accused the Biden administration of helping Ukraine "at the expense of U.S. military readiness." The letter was signed by 19 House members, including Mike Lee, Eli Crane, Rand Paul, Andy Biggs, JD Vance, Dan Bishop, Lauren Boebert, Josh Brecheen, Tim Burchett, Matt Rosendale, Matt Gaetz, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Anna Paulina Luna, Barry Moore, Mary Miller, Ralph Norman, Andy Ogles, Mike Collins, and Paul Gosar. Most of them are linked to the far-right MAGA movement and former U.S. President Donald Trump, known for his statements in favor of Russia's interests. Photo: NYT NATO allies have already supplied certain types of combat aircraft to Ukraine, such as the Mig-29s provided by Poland, but discussions are underway among NATO allies and their partners to provide Ukraine with other types of aircraft. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said this today in Germany, at the Ramstein military base, before the meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. "On jets: well Allies have delivered. Poland, Slovakia has delivered MiG-29s. There is an ongoing discussion about also other types of jets. I will leave that to the meeting here, and also the ongoing discussion among our Allies and partners. We need to constantly assess, constantly consult. But again, not only about new platforms, but also sustaining all the platforms we have," the NATO chief said. He welcomed the leadership and efforts of the United States in convening the meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group and thanked the German government for hosting the meeting. "I expect that at this meeting, NATO Allies, partners, will announce additional support and again, not only new platforms, but also to sustain the existing platforms. Just to have the battle tanks you need enormous amount of ammunition, fuel. Trailers to be able to move heavy equipment like battle tanks, recovery vehicles. So I think sometimes we underestimate all the logistics that have to be in place just to have operational battle tanks capabilities," said Jens Stoltenberg. "So maybe it sounds a bit more boring, but the logistics is extremely important. This is now a battle of attrition and a battle of attrition becomes a war of logistics. So, therefore, I welcome all the announcements, I expect, that will come later today," the NATO Secretary General added. Read also: Tank Coalition members to meet during Ramstein He reminded that the Netherlands and Denmark have already announced 14 Leopard tanks for Ukraine, the United States - more ammunition for HIMARS and more than $300 million for Ukraine's defense needs. Today, this work will continue. As reported, a regular meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in the Ramstein format is taking place in Germany today, with more than 50 countries participating, including NATO Allies and representatives of partner countries. This contact group is the main platform for coordinating all military capabilities that NATO Allies and the international community are providing to Ukraine to protect it from Russian aggression, in accordance with the right to self-defense as enshrined in the UN Charter. GATINEAU, QC, April 21, 2023 /CNW/ - The National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA) and the Indigenous Financial Network (IFI) is pleased to announce the conclusion of this year's Indigenous Prosperity Forum, hosted on the unceded and unsurrendered territory of the Algonquin and Anishinaabe People. The forum, with its theme of 'Paths to Prosperity A Bright Future Rooted in Tradition', was the organization's most successful thus far, with a sold-out gala and two days of keynotes, panel discussions, presentations, and break out sessions for participants related to Indigenous prosperity. The event also featured an incredible roster of Indigenous artists, entertainers, and artisans from across the country. NACCA Indigenous Prosperity Forum (CNW Group/National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association) The conference was an opportunity for Indigenous elders, business owners, youth, and leadership to come together with professionals from business, financial institutions, and the government to discuss Indigenous economic development, self-sufficiency, and economic reconciliation. It was also an opportunity for the launch of the Indigenous Prosperity Foundation. The conference follows the launch of the National Indigenous Economic Strategy (NIES) in June 2022, which presented 107 Calls to Economic Prosperity to achieve a shared vision of socioeconomic parity for Indigenous Peoples in Canada. NACCA CEO Shannin Metatawabin stated, "Enthusiasm amongst participants is high. Every day we see our members exemplifying this year's theme. We are doing it - we are reclaiming our economy with a plan while remaining rooted in the traditions of our ancestors." NACCA and its members would like to thank all attendees, panelists, performers, and keynote speakers who shared their thoughts, visions, and ideas on what a truly inclusive economic community looks like for Indigenous peoples. The line-up reflected the diversity of the clients, communities, and partners that NACCA and the IFIs support and work with. The forum and gala would not have been a success without the incredible contributions of so many individuals. A special note of thank you for the generous sponsors of both the forum and gala, whose support ensured that this important event was possible. Story continues With the resounding success of the forum this year, NACCA is setting its sights forward towards next year's conference. We echo the important words of Elder Claudette Commanda's closing prayer, "There is no such thing as goodbye. Our paths will meet again", as we look towards the future. NACCA's 2024 Indigenous Prosperity Forum will return to the Hilton Lac Leamy in Gatineau, QC on May 8th & 9th of 2024. NACCA, the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association, is a network of over 50 Indigenous Financial Institutions (IFIs) dedicated to stimulating economic growth for all Indigenous people in Canada. These efforts increase social and economic self-reliance and sustainability for Indigenous people and communities nationwide. National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA) (CNW Group/National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association) SOURCE National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association Cision View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/April2023/21/c9801.html Israel will begin testing its civilian alert system that warns of incoming missiles in Kyiv next month. This is reported by The Algemeiner with reference to Israeli media outlets, according to Ukrinform. The test of the system will be conducted by Israels Home Front Command. The system will be connected to Ukraines radar monitoring, enabling faster and more accurate alerts to be delivered to mobile phone users, as well as activating air raid sirens only in those areas affected by the ongoing Russian onslaught, the report says. Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, during his visit to Ukraine in February, promised the delivery of the alert system within six months. In the intervening period, Israeli and Ukrainian military officials have reportedly met several times in Poland to discuss the systems deployment and the necessary modifications, given the difference in size between the two countries as well as the types of missiles utilized by Russian forces, the report says. As reported, the Israeli Defense Ministry on Thursday announced it began talks to sell an advanced missile defense system to Germany. Earlier, Israel signed a $400 million deal to sell Spike anti-tank missiles to Greece, used by many EU and NATO countries and produced by Israeli state-owned defence contractor Rafael. Canadian Defense Minister Anita Anand has announced that Canada is providing a new $39 million military aid package for Ukraine. Canada's Ministry of National Defense said this in a press release on Friday, April 21, according to Ukrinform. "The donations and support announced by Canada today will help ensure that Ukraine has what it needs to defend its sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity," Anand said. Anand announced at the 11th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group at Ramstein Air Base that Canada was providing a new military aid package for Ukraine. The package includes a $34.6 million contribution to NATO's Ukraine Comprehensive Assistance Package (CAP) Trust Fund. "This donation will enable the implementation of the NATO CAP fuel material project, which will provide Ukraine with 3.3 million liters of much-needed fuel supplies; enable the implementation of the NATO CAP Improved Ribbon Bridge project which will provide Ukraine with modular floatation bridge assets to enable wet-gap crossing; and provide a first contribution to the NATO CAP medical first aid kits project," the press release reads. The package also includes approximately $2.5 million for 40 .50 caliber sniper rifles and ammunition from Prairie Gun Works based in Winnipeg, which includes spare parts and accessories, as well as about $2 million worth of new radio sets (16 in total) from L3 Harris to accompany the Leopard 2 tank donations. "This donation comes from the remaining funds across the Government of Canadas various funding envelopes for military assistance to Ukraine," the ministry said. Ukraines Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov met with New Zealand's Defense Minister Andrew Little and discussed additional ways to strengthen cooperation between the two countries. According to Ukrinform, Reznikov wrote this on Twitter. I am grateful for the fruitful meeting with New Zealand's Minister of Defense Andrew Little. The support of our New Zealand friends demonstrates that the free world is united by shared values. I thanked the New Zealands government and people for their assistance and discussed with my colleague more ways to strengthen our cooperation, Reznikov noted. According to him, Ukraine gained invaluable experience and knowledge during this war, which it is eager to share with its partners. As reported, a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in the Ramstein format is taking place today in Germany, which gathers representatives from more than 50 countries, including NATO Allies and partner countries. This contact group is the main platform for coordinating all military capabilities that NATO Allies and the international community provide to Ukraine to defend against the Russian aggression, in accordance with the right to self-defense, as enshrined in the UN Charter. I am grateful for the fruitful meeting with New Zealand's Minister of Defense @AndrewLittleMP. The support of our New Zealand friends demonstrates that the free world is united by shared values. I thanked the government and people for their assistance and discussed with my pic.twitter.com/dyMMz4mUEk Oleksii Reznikov (@oleksiireznikov) April 21, 2023 Photo: Alexander Riedel Hungary's Agriculture Minister Istvan Nagy assured Ukraine's Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food Mykola Solskyi that the transit of Ukrainian agricultural products through Hungary would be unimpeded. The Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine reported this, Ukrinform says. "The parties discussed the situation that has developed in connection with the decisions made. The Hungarian minister assured that transit through their country will move quickly, efficiently, and smoothly," the statement reads. In addition, Nagy emphasized that he supports the idea of compensating for the cost of transporting Ukrainian grain to European countries. As reported, Hungary has banned imports of a number of agricultural products from Ukraine until June 30. The ban includes a total of 25 products. The most important of them are cereals, rapeseed and sunflower seeds, flour, oil, honey, and some meat products. Starting from midnight on April 21, Poland unblocked the movement of Ukrainian agricultural products in transit through the country to other EU countries and Polish seaports. The first truck convoy will leave the Dorohusk border crossing point for the Netherlands within an hour. Michal Derus, a spokesman for Lublin Tax Administration Chamber, said this in a comment to Ukrinform. According to him, a convoy with Ukrainian goods is currently being prepared and will soon leave the border. "We have already formed a convoy of five trucks and are finalizing the paperwork. These trucks have already passed veterinary and customs control, and seals are being installed on them. The first convoy will carry corn, meat, and eggs to the Netherlands," Derus stated. Romanias Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Petre Daea at a meeting with Ukraines Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food Mykola Solskyi has said that Romania will maintain the Solidarity Lanes for the transit of Ukrainian grain. This is said in a statement released by the press service of the Ukrainian Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food, Ukrinform reports. Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine Mykola Solskyi met in Bucharest with Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of Romania Petre Daea. The ministers discussed the situation that had developed as a result of the latest decisions by some countries neighbouring Ukraine. The Romanian minister confirmed that the transit of Ukrainian agricultural products would continue to operate through the country as much as possible and that the Solidarity Lanes would be maintained, the report says. Read also: Transit of Ukrainian agricultural products through Hungary to be unhindered At the same time, the parties agreed to wait for the European Commission's decision and to discuss aftermath all other issues related to the import of agricultural products from Ukraine. Solskyi thanked his counterpart that Romania did not ban imports of Ukrainian agricultural products. As reported, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and Bulgaria temporary banned the imports of grain and other types of agricultural products from Ukraine. Poland also suspended the transit of Ukrainian agricultural products through its territory, but resumed it on April 21. Photo: Agrarian Policy Ministry Kazakhstan increased its oil exports bypassing Russia in the first quarter of 2023 due to the desire to reduce dependence on Russia. According to Ukrinform, this was reported by Reuters. Despite the fact that Kazakhstan's oil exports through the Caspian Sea and the Caucasus are relatively small, they have increased dramatically since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has refused to recognize the regions of Ukraine annexed by Russia and has sought to reduce Kazakhstan's dependence on Russia, including its vast network of oil pipelines and ports. This year's oil shipments from the Caspian port of Aktau to Baku, Azerbaijan - the main route bypassing Russia - jumped to 163,436 tonnes in January-March this year from 28,875 tonnes in the same period in 2022. According to Kazmortransflot, Kazakhstan's state transport company, an additional 104,000 tonnes of oil were shipped through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline between January and March. Kazakhstan also supplies 80,000 tonnes of oil per month to China. "Last year, Kazakhstan's oil exports via routes other than Russia reached 1.8 million tonnes (36,000 barrels per day), up by 638,000 tonnes from 2021," the report said. At the same time, the main and most profitable route for oil exports from Kazakhstan remains the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC), which supplies the product to the world market through the Russian Black Sea terminal. As reported by Ukrinform, Western sanctions against Russia have demonstrated their impact - although oil exports in March were the highest since the pandemic, Russia's revenue has halved compared to last year. The agriculture ministers from five EU countries, such as Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania and Bulgaria, have sent a joint letter to the European Commission, claiming that the list of Ukrainian products banned from being imported to these countries should be expanded. The relevant statement was made by TVP Info, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. We, the Ministers of Agriculture of Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia, would like to draw attention once again to the growing imports of agricultural products from Ukraine, which are causing serious market disruption and damage to EU agricultural producers, especially in Member States bordering Ukraine or situated nearby [Bulgaria Ed.], the statement reads. According to the ministers, this issue has been raised many times but has not been adequately addressed. In this regard, they emphasized that they could not accept a situation in which the entire burden of increased imports falls on just a few EU Member States. The ministers noted that the European Commissions proposal to ban the import of wheat, corn, rapeseed and sunflower seeds is not enough, and offered to add sunflower oil, honey, sugar, soft fruit, eggs, meat, milk and dairy products to this list. A reminder that, starting at midnight on April 21, 2023, Poland unblocked the movement of Ukrainian agricultural products in transit through the country to other EU countries and Polish sea ports. In the morning, the first convoy of five trucks with corn, meat, and eggs left for the Netherlands. Photo: AA Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has invited Mexico to choose a clause from the Ukrainian Peace Formula and become a co-creator of victory over evil. He said this in his address to the General Congress of the United Mexican States on April 20, according to Ukrinform. "More than five months ago, I presented the Ukrainian Peace Formula. It happened at the G20 Summit in Indonesia. The Formula is an expression of our experience, which we have gained in protecting life, fighting for a diplomatic solution. How does Russia respond to the Peace Formula? Shelling, assaults, murders," Zelensky said. He noted that "the world and our striving for peace are stronger than any aggressor." According to Zelensky, the Ukrainian Peace Formula is addressed primarily to the world - and this is its strength. It is addressed to everyone who can participate in the implementation of specific points of the Formula and become a co-creator of the victory over evil - a co-creator of peace. "Now that Russia feels its weakening and the approach of its defeat on the battlefield, Moscow is again trying to deceive the world with its hypocrisy and gain time to regroup, find new weapons, continue aggression. This cannot be allowed. Peace must become irreplaceable. That is why evil must lose. That is why we turn to the world for support. That is why we call on all conscientious states to join global efforts to implement the Ukrainian Peace Formula. And I invite you to choose which clause of the Peace Formula allows Mexico to show leadership!" Zelensky said. He recalled that Ukraine had already proposed to the Latin American community to convene a special summit and speak unitedly in defense of the globally important principles of territorial integrity, peace and respect between peoples, and the sovereignty of nations. "I believe, with the help of Mexico, it can happen much faster!" Zelensky said. The Czech Republic should insist on starting negotiations with Ukraine on accession to the European Union this year. This was stated on Friday by President of the Czech Republic Petr Pavel after a meeting with European Council President Charles Michel, Ukrinform reports citing Radio Prague International. The Czech President also criticized the unilateral blockade of Ukrainian grain imports, which was introduced by Poland, Slovakia and other countries due to problems with the sale of their own products. Instead, the EU could, for example, introduce a temporary duty, Pavel added. Ukraine became a candidate for membership last year shortly after Russia's invasion of Ukraine started. Concerned about Moscow's expansionism, Kyiv is trying to secure early admission and wants to formally start accession talks this year. While a number of countries in the region close to the war support Ukraine's accession to the EU, Western European countries, most prominently represented by France, are calling for a slower pace of negotiations and say the entire accession process will take more than a decade. As reported by Ukrinform, during a joint press conference with NATO Secretary General in Brussels, President of the Czech Republic Petr Pavel said that the Alliance allies support Ukraine's aspirations to join NATO, but will be able to think about the timing of such a step in practical terms only after the war is over, when Ukraine, with the help of the Alliance allies, will be able to restore its economy and armed forces and become stable again. SINGAPORE, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- NEC Asia Pacific (NEC APAC), the regional headquarters of leading information and communications technology provider NEC Corporation (HQ: Japan) in Southeast Asia, was announced the winner for the Services Business Excellence category at the 2023 Microsoft Singapore Partner of the Year Awards. (PRNewsfoto/NEC APAC Pte Ltd) These awards recognise Microsoft Partners who have shown flexibility and ingenuity in creating cutting-edge innovation across industries, including the public sector, financial services, manufacturing, and small and mid-size enterprises on the Microsoft Cloud. From Azure to Power Platform, these partners work closely with customers to make a positive impact on communities, create new ways to use data and AI (artificial intelligence), enhance their security architecture, build new ways to work and innovate for a sustainable digital future. NEC APAC was recognised for providing outstanding solutions and services in the Services Business Excellence category. The award recognises the Microsoft partner that displays strong customer focus and success by collaborating with Microsoft to offer differentiated value and customer experiences by building on Microsoft's cloud platform. Teh Chong Mien, Managing Director, NEC APAC Singapore, said, "We are honoured to receive this recognition from Microsoft. Together with Microsoft, we are committed to developing sustainable and innovative solutions and to helping customers advance their digital transformation journey. This award is a testament to our strategic collaboration with Microsoft and we look forward to driving positive digital initiatives in Singapore and the region together." This year, the awards were presented for 19 categories. Award winners were selected based on the positive business impact of solutions, their commitment to creating exceptional customer experiences, the strategic value and high impact of their solution on the market, as well as their exemplary use of Microsoft technologies. Story continues "During this time of macroeconomic headwinds, economies and businesses are embracing digital transformation to build resilience," said Kevin Chan, Chief Partner Officer, Microsoft Singapore. "It gives us great pleasure to congratulate NEC APAC on being named as the Services Business Excellence award winner at the 2023 Microsoft Singapore Partner of the Year Awards. They serve as a shining example of how we can use our platforms and technology to create economic value and contribute to our society. We will continue to invest in deep ecosystem partnerships and working with partners who share our passion for empowering every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more." About NEC Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. Singapore-based NEC Asia Pacific (NEC APAC) is the regional headquarters for NEC Corporation (HQ: Japan) in Southeast Asia. As a leading information and communications technology provider, NEC APAC provides innovative solutions and infrastructure to promote safety, security and enhance the quality of life for individuals and the community. NEC APAC's expertise includes solutions for carrier networks, biometric identification, enterprise applications and infrastructure, unified communications, transportation solutions, multimedia displays and smart energy, as well as the provision of managed services and contact centre services. Together with our research laboratories, NEC APAC provides cutting-edge public safety, cybersecurity technologies and enterprise solutions to enable safer cities, with a vision to create a brighter future. For more information, please visit https://sg.nec.com. Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/nec-apac-recognized-at-the-2023-microsoft-singapore-and-asia-pacific-partner-of-the-year-awards-301803711.html SOURCE NEC APAC Pte Ltd File photo dated 04/09/17 of a South Western Railway (SWR) train. Strikes by workers on South Western Railway throughout December will go ahead after talks over the guards on trains dispute collapsed. PA Photo. Issue date: Thursday November 28, 2019. Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union will walk out next Monday and take 27 days of industrial action. See PA story INDUSTRY Strike. Photo credit should read: Victoria Jones/PA Wire - Victoria Jones/PA Wire Green fuels have been blamed for almost cutting Salisbury and Exeter off from rail services to London. South Western Railway has been forced to run a reduced timetable after biofuels used to cut carbon emissions clogged up train engines fuel filters. Many diesel-powered trains have been run on biofuels as part of a push towards net zero in recent years. Biodiesel is a renewable, biodegradable fuel manufactured domestically from vegetable oils, animal fats, or recycled restaurant grease. But it is understood that engines were blocked by algae, which forms organic growths in train fuel tanks. The algae forms if biofuel sits unused for a period of time and is not treated with chemical additives. Roughly 30 of SWRs 1,700 carriages are believed to be impacted as many of the operators trains are electrically powered. Affected trains have been removed from service for inspection and maintenance, meaning there are currently not enough to run the normal timetable. Engineers are racing to flush fuel tanks and potentially fill them with standard diesel instead. Returning the lines to a normal timetable is expected to take around a week. Services on Friday are thought to be worst affected, and will gradually return to normal over the weekend. Just one train per hour will operate between Basingstoke and Salisbury on Friday. Two services per hour will run between Salisbury and Exeter St Davids, and between Southampton Central and Salisbury via Romsey. Train services running between Basingstoke and Exeter St David's may be cancelled, delayed or revised due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time . If you are travelling on this section of network, please check with @SW_Help for the latest travel information. https://t.co/i1vZkBTCIt Network Rail Wessex (@NetworkRailWssx) April 21, 2023 All services from Westbury and Yeovil Pen Mill have been cancelled. Story continues Stuart Meek, SWRs operating chief said: "We're very sorry for the disruption that will be felt by our customers on the West of England Line, in the Romsey area and other destinations west of Salisbury. "Over the last two days some services have suffered delays due to a fuel problem and so we have had no choice but to withdraw the affected trains. "With fewer trains available and a risk of delays - which would have a knock-on effect on the wider network - we have had to make the difficult decision to operate an amended timetable. "While we appreciate it is frustrating that fewer services will be operating, this timetable does give our customers a service they can have confidence in. "We really appreciate our customers' patience and advise them to check before travelling. We will provide an update when we know we can reinstate the usual timetable and run services as normal." April 21 2023 Detailed plans have been filed for hundreds of homes at Newcraighall, Musselburgh, by housing provider Cullross. Newcraighall East will see 236 tenure blind apartments and townhouses built on land east of Glennie Road, with 75% managed by Hillcrest Homes as affordable housing. JmArchitects have responded to community feedback from earlier iterations to reposition site access to a planned signal junction for the adjacent New Brunstane development. Rod Duncan, director of jmarchitects, commented: Working closely with Cullross on this project, jmarchitects have designed a masterplan that addresses several key design drivers. This is achieved through a placemaking framework where every space has a clear purpose and defined sense of ownership, creating a new neighbourhood woven into the local heritage and physical aspects of this site. Clear frontages create a secure and welcoming environment and the creation of a new linear park enhances biodiversity and creates fantastic amenity for the new and existing residents. The linear park will include allotments at its northern end and is served by an active travel route to Musselburgh Station the community. April 21 2023 Work to deliver an extension to an existing medical centre in Bishopbriggs has been completed, providing much-needed additional consultation rooms for the busy practice. The 12-week build programme at Kenmure Medical Practice on Springfield Road has enabled three new GPs to move in, helping to ease waiting times. Designed by S2 Architecture the modest extension sits below two small pyramid roofs in a nod to the existing centre and to reduce apparent height. An unsuccessful hunt for suitable alternative accommodation prompted the practice to specify a purpose-built extension to improve the quality of care. SHANGHAI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Apr, 2023 ) :Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang on Friday met in Shanghai with Gambian Foreign Minister Mamadou Tangara, who came to China to attend the Lanting Forum on Chinese Modernization and the World and paid a visit to the country. Noting China is advancing the process of Chinese modernization, Qin said it will bring greater development opportunities to the international community, including Gambia. China is willing to strengthen exchanges with Gambia at all levels and in governance, and continue to provide support to Gambia's economic and social development within its capacity, Qin added. "I have just visited Xinjiang and witnessed its beauty with my own eyes," said Tangara, adding that Gambia will continue to firmly adhere to the one-China policy and firmly support China's position on issues related to Taiwan and Xinjiang. Tangara said Gambia appreciates the Chinese government's people-centered governance philosophy and hopes to deepen and expand exchanges and cooperation with China in various fields. Gambia supports the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative, which are all proposed by China, and supports China's continued development, Tangara added (@ChaudhryMAli88) Paris, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Apr, 2023 ) :On April 24, 2013, a clothing factory complex near Bangladesh's capital collapsed, killing at least 1,138 workers. The disaster at Rana Plaza outside Dhaka was one of the world's worst industrial tragedies and highlighted the failure of many top Western fashion brands to protect workers in the poorer countries where their goods are made. It sparked outrage and calls for change, putting pressure on multinational companies to confront the human cost of their business models and abysmal working conditions. Ten years later, global fashion companies say they have made progress -- but rights groups are still calling for robust legal measures to hold them accountable. The European Union is working on legislation that would target human and social rights abuses, as well as environmental damage by European companies in their production chain. The bloc's plans are inspired by a pioneering French law, explained Catherine Dauriac, president of Fashion Revolution France, part of an international collective founded after the disaster. She said the catastrophe was the catalyst for the 2017 law on the corporate duty of care, which compels companies to avoid grave harm to human rights, health, safety and the environment. Rights groups have since launched legal proceedings against several firms, but there have been disappointing results so far. A first court decision in February dismissed a case brought by several NGOs which had hoped to suspend a controversial TotalEnergies oil megaproject in Uganda and Tanzania. - Factory safety - In Bangladesh, a month after the disaster, unions and multinationals signed an agreement on monitoring safety in clothes factories. With backing from the UN's International Labour Organization, it means around 200 firms including H&M, Primark, Uniqlo and Zara must fund an independent factory inspection system, explained Nayla Ajaltouni of the group Ethics on the Label. Since 2014, around 1,600 factories in Bangladesh have been renovated, Ajaltouni said. But some major groups have not signed up -- including Amazon, Ikea, Levi's and Walmart, she said. Zara's parent company, the Spanish group Inditex, has around 930,000 local company employees working for it. It said it had conducted audits among suppliers before the disaster and has accelerated evaluation procedures since. It added that, like H&M and Uniqlo, it did not have a workshop in Rana Plaza. Swedish giant H&M Group said that since 2013 it had "disclosed details of manufacturing factories, mills and yarn producers in its public supplier list to further accelerate transparency within its global supply chain". Japan's Uniqlo said that after the disaster, "we immediately launched our own investigation into fire and building safety at the facilities run by our manufacturing partners in Bangladesh, working with an independent third party". It also referred to a training program launched with the support of UN Women in 2019 for women in Bangladesh seeking to become leaders at work. Ireland's Primark said it set up a compensation programme for hundreds of its suppliers' workers after the disaster and continues to provide financial support -- "over $14 million to date". The company says it conducted or commissioned 2,400 audits in 2021. But a "massive recourse to social audits" has "limits", warned Laura Bourgeois, in charge of litigation and advocacy at the non-governmental organisation Sherpa. She pointed to the financial link between the auditor and the multinational commissioning the audit. She also criticised "interviews between auditors and workers organised on the spot or in the presence of the manager" and even "rigged audits with factories that have been set up from scratch". She said there was also a gap between the announcement of an audit and the corrective measures actually taken. Sandra Cossart, executive director at Sherpa, criticised companies that "appear to be respectful" but devote their resources to getting around legislation. "They have become aware" they have to change, but legally, it "is still premature to say" that such firms are more responsible now. COLORADO SPRINGS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 21st April, 2023) Brazil anticipates its collaboration with Russia on space matters within the framework of BRICS to mature, Brazilian Space Agency Coordinator for Satellites and Applications Rodrigo Leonardi told Sputnik. "We do have a space cooperation with Russia that is in the framework of the BRICS group. Of course, we continue to engage with our colleagues from Roscosmos in that framework," Leonardi said on the sidelines of the 38th Space Symposium in Colorado Springs. "BRICS is a vision for the future. It is a framework where now we're putting our efforts in sharing experience and data products that can evolve in the future in having more mature cooperation together. So it's a venue for us to explore." Leonardi also said that Brazil was open to capacity building, exchanging students and professionals, and continuing the tradition of working with everyone in space. When asked whether the current tensions between the West and Moscow affect Brazil's cooperation with Russia on space matters, Leonardi said, "The tensions affect everybody, I would say that's not good for anyone. " He also expressed hope that peace might be found as soon as possible, so that Brazil may continue to work with everyone in space. Regarding the potential for Brazil to participate in Russia's proposed space station, Leonardi said that it is a "bit too early" to discuss such a move. In October, Roscosmos Human Space Flight Programs Executive Director Sergei Krikalev said that Russia's future space station will involve cooperation with other space agencies. BRICS unites the world's largest developing economies - Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. A number of other countries intend to join the economic bloc, including Argentina, Iran, Indonesia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. Norway sovereign fund backs Teck Resources in battle with Glencore FILE PHOTO: Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) annual conference in Toronto OSLO (Reuters) -Norway's sovereign wealth fund, one of the world's largest investors, said on Friday it will support a plan by Canadian miner Teck Resources to spin off its metallurgical coal business and focus on copper and zinc. By voting in favour of the Teck board's proposed spin-off at a meeting of shareholders on April 26, the Norwegian fund implicitly rejected Swiss miner Glencore's attempted takeover of the Canadian group. Glencore on Wednesday said it was willing to improve its $22.5 billion offer for Teck, raising pressure on the Canadian miner to ditch a restructuring plan and sit down at the negotiating table. But the Norwegian sovereign wealth fund, which does not own shares in Glencore due to the Swiss company's large thermal coal business, said it would vote in favour of Teck's plan. The Norwegian fund at the end of 2022, the last available data, owned a 1.48% stake in Teck Resources worth $287 million, while its share of voting rights under the miner's dual-class share structure stood at 0.59%. Glencore had last week proposed to introduce a cash component to its previous all-share bid for Teck in an effort to convince those investors who prefer a full thermal coal exit to support its proposal. (Reporting by Terje Solsvik, editing by Essi Lehto) MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 21st April, 2023) The damage to the houses in the Russian city of Belgorod has been caused by an emergency descent of aviation munition from a Su-34 aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces, there are no casualties, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Thursday. Earlier on Thursday, Vyacheslav Gladkov, the governor of the Belgorod region, said that a blast occurred in Belgorod that occurred damaged an apartment building and several parked cars and knocked down power lines. A Sputnik correspondent reported that a cordon had been set up at the scene in the southern part of Belgorod. Residents were not allowed to enter the intersection. Emergency teams were working at the site. "On April 20, 2023, at around 22.15 Moscow time (18:15 GMT), during the flight of a Su-34 of the Aerospace Forces over the city of Belgorod, there was an emergency descent of aviation munition. As a result, there was damage to residential buildings, no casualties," the ministry said. The ministry added that an "investigation is underway." (@ChaudhryMAli88) MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 22nd April, 2023) The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) "implores" the parties to the conflict in Sudan to grant it immediate humanitarian access as provided by the rules of international law, so that the organization can help civilians in need, ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric said on Friday. "The suffering is made worse by the fact that the ICRC has been unable to get aid to the people who need it most, as the parties have not given us the necessary security guarantees. This cannot go on. We implore the parties to grant the ICRC immediate and unimpeded humanitarian access to assist Sudanese civilians in need. This is not optional - it is a legal obligation under international humanitarian law," the ICRC chief said in a statement. Spoljaric noted that the ICRC prioritized providing medical care to hospitals and repairing their water and electricity infrastructure. "We are ready to deliver more supplies as soon as there is a pause in the fighting," she added. Violent clashes between the Sudanese regular army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) broke out last Saturday. Government forces accused the RSF of mutiny and launched airstrikes against their bases. Later that day, Abdel Fattah Burhan, the head of the Sudanese military, issued a decree disbanding the RSF. So far, around 600 people have died in the clashes, the Sudanese Health Ministry said on Friday. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization reported that over 3,500 people had been injured. MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 21st April, 2023) The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has confirmed the death of one of its staff members in the Sudanese state of North Kurdufan after a vehicle he was traveling in with his family was caught in a crossfire between the parties to the ongoing armed conflict, IOM Director General Antonio Vitorino said on Friday. "It is with a heavy heart that I confirm the death of a dedicated IOM Sudan staff member this morning after the vehicle he was traveling in with his family south of El Obeid was caught in a crossfire between two warring parties. I am deeply saddened by the death of our humanitarian colleague, and join his wife and newborn child, and our team in Sudan in mourning," Vitorino said in a statement. IOM called on all parties to the conflict to ensure "the safety of humanitarians and allow their unrestricted access to be able to assist those most vulnerable." The organization suspended its humanitarian operations in Sudan after the armed clashes between the Sudanese military and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) started last week, killing at least 413 people and injuring over 3,500 others. IOM has operated in Sudan since 2000, addressing humanitarian needs in the country where about 3.7 million people are internally displaced. At least one-third of the Sudanese people (15.8 million) were in need of humanitarian assistance before the latest clashes broke out, according to the IOM. MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 21st April, 2023) The 11th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group will begin at the US Ramstein Air Base in Germany on Friday. Defense ministers and other high-ranking officials of over 50 countries supporting Ukraine will gather to discuss the current state of the ongoing conflict and prospects for additional military assistance to Kiev. Negotiating the supply of additional air defense systems, artillery shells and electronic warfare devices will by the top priority of the Ukrainian delegation, according to the country's defense minister, Oleksii Reznikov. The meeting will be chaired by the US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. The talks will also cover various security challenges that concern the United States and its allies. COLORADO SPRINGS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 21st April, 2023) The scientific cooperation between Russia and Thailand has not been impacted by the global tensions, National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand Deputy Director Wiphu Rujopakarn told Sputnik. When asked whether the current tensions in the world affect Thailand's cooperation with Russia, Rujopakarn noted that at the scientific level he would say "no. " "It does not affect astronomer-to-astronomer cooperation from Thailand to Russia. Absolutely not," Rujopakarn said. Moscow's special military operation in Ukraine has led to a financial and diplomatic boycott of Russia by the collective West as well as calls for NATO to militarize its eastern flank. Rujopakarn spoke with Sputnik on the margins of the 38th annual Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Lander Middle School Students Visit UWs Wyoming Infrared Observatory Lander Middle School students stand near the top end of the Wyoming Infrared Observatorys 2.3-meter telescope. Students, from left, are: James Butler, Rohan Sundaresan, Sebastian Bannon, Justice Sprout, Oliver Parrott, Bryce Newman and Joe Meyer, a computer science and astronomy teacher at Lander Middle School. (Joe Meyer Photo) The size of the University of Wyomings 2.3-meter telescope at the Wyoming Infrared Observatory (WIRO) left a lasting impression on sixth, seventh and eighth grade students from Lander Middle School. Whoa! they said in chorus upon entry into the 42-foot dome that houses the 25-ton telescope and its 92-inch-diameter mirror. Two groups of six students -- who made visits to WIRO March 17 and April 14 -- saw the telescope in operation and learned about astronomical research at UW before spending the night at the observatory. This trip was magnificent. I went to Laramie and learned about space and the UW telescope, says Bryce Newman, a seventh grader. You use lots of computer coding to move and change the position of the telescope. It was an amazing experience, and I learned a lot, too. The observatory itself was huge, adds seventh grader Sebastian Bannon. I got to hear how the observatory was created, and we even got to move the telescope around. UW astronomers use the telescope, located on Jelm Mountain, every clear night of the year to study everything from moons in the solar systems to black holes in the distant universe, says Chip Kobulnicky, a UW physics and astronomy professor. Astronomy is a great entry point for young people into all kinds of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields, Kobulnicky says. We bring students here in the hope they will see college, and perhaps UW, as part of their futures. I am hoping other Wyoming teachers can start such an enrichment program at their schools. Joe Meyer, who teaches computer science and has an astronomy enrichment program at Lander Middle School, formerly taught mathematics and sponsored an astronomy club at Lander Valley High School. A partnership between Meyer and Kobulnicky began in 2012 with the first overnight visits to the observatory. Meyer traces the idea for student trips to the observatory back to his own sons participation as a high school student in Kobulnickys 2010 UW ExxonMobil Bernard Harris Summer Science Camp, which included a visit to the telescope as part of the curriculum for 48 students. This has always been such an amazing opportunity for my former high school and current middle school students to learn about astronomy, as well as the Linux system and computer coding used to operate the WIRO telescope, Meyer explains. Additionally, students learn about engineering, chemistry, physics and mathematics. Ive taken students once or twice per year since 2012 and hope to continue our adventures. The snowcat ride up Jelm Mountain on winter trips is spectacular as well. And Dr. Kobulnicky always facilitates an on-campus planetarium show, which is mind-blowing. As part of her on-campus job, Kaycee Conder, a UW physics and astronomy major and a Lander Valley High School alumna, presented star shows for the group at the Harry C. Vaughan Planetarium. Conder was among a group of Lander Valley High School students who made the same visit to WIRO in 2017 and 2019 that provided inspiration for her to attend UW. If it hadnt been for my trips to WIRO and the Harry C. Vaughan Planetarium, I would have most likely never pursued astronomy, let alone at the University of Wyoming, Conder says. I can still distinctly recall that sense of curiosity and wonder when traversing the cosmos through the planetarium and my unyielding excitement at the sheer size of WIRO, plus the fact that Carl Sagan had previously visited the telescope. Now, as a student and employee at the university, I have the opportunity to provide others with the same experience that led me to where I am today, she continues. I couldnt be more grateful for the role that I and the amazing planetarium staff get to play in exciting young minds with the ideas of astronomy. Brayden Allen, a seventh grader, describes the planetarium as an awesome time. We experienced an amazing visual of our planet, he says. We saw Saturn. We saw millions of galaxies beyond our solar system. Some students found the trip up Jelm Mountain in a snowcat -- an enclosed-cab vehicle designed to traverse over snow -- an interesting experience. The snowcat ride was fun, yet kind of scary, says Emmett Visher, a seventh grader. The snowcat ride was quite fun and beautiful, adds sixth grader Rohan Sundaresan. About the Wyoming Infrared Observatory Built in 1976, WIROs 2.3-meter telescope is 100 percent owned and operated by UW. It was the worlds first fully computer-controlled telescope. It was the 12th largest in the world at the time of construction (it is now at least 65th largest). It is still the second-highest professional observatory in the continental U.S. after Mount Graham in Arizona, which sits at an elevation of 10,600 feet. The observatory has helped bring more than $12 million in grants and contracts to UW. Hundreds of graduate and undergraduate students have used the telescope as part of their physics and astronomy training. It has contributed to over 50 doctoral theses. UW and D.C. Pharmacy Schools Mark Fifth Anniversary of Health Equity Leadership Program Students, faculty and staff from the University of Wyoming School of Pharmacy and Howard Universitys College of Pharmacy pose in front of one of downtown Laramies many murals. From left are: Janet Renneisen, credentials analyst and academic adviser in the UW School of Pharmacy; Malaika Turner, Caitlin Loo, Christopher Bratcher, Sekoya Romero, Ayanna McIntosh, Odinaka Oranekwu, Bailey Kane, Jesse Rung, Tonja Woods and Jordan Lowery. Since 2018, the two schools have partnered for the Health Equity Leadership Program. (Maria Bennett Photo) Beginning in fall 2018, the University of Wyoming School of Pharmacy partnered with Howard Universitys College of Pharmacy in Washington, D.C., for the Health Equity Leadership Program. Under the program, students from each school participate in the online UW Leader Academy throughout the academic year and visit their counterparts campus locations to learn more about the differences and similarities in pharmacy-based health care both in urban and rural communities. The innovative exchange of experiences offered through the program allows pharmacy students from a rural setting, such as Laramie, to see and interact with an urban environment as in D.C., and vice versa. Marking the fifth anniversary of the Health Equity Leadership Program, four pharmacy students from Howard University -- Christopher Bratcher, Jordan Lowery, Ayanna McIntosh and Odinaka Oranekwu -- along with faculty members Jessie Rung and Malaika Turner, traveled to Laramie earlier this year to spend three days with UWs pharmacy students and experience life as UW Cowboys. Students from the UW School of Pharmacy included Bailey Kane, of Douglas; Sekoya Romero, of Laramie; and Caitlin Loo, from Spring, Texas. Tonja Woods, associate dean of students in the UW School of Pharmacy and a clinical associate professor of pharmacy practice, served as UWs pharmacy team leader and welcomed the arrival of Howard Universitys pharmacy cohort to Laramie. This program has been a lot of fun to be involved in, Woods says. Students in the pharmacy program are given the opportunity to apply for this program during their P1-P3 years. They have a great opportunity to engage with PharmD students from another program in a longitudinal program focused on health equity, disparities and pharmacy practice in urban and rural America. We leverage those important focus areas to grow our learners as future pharmacists in practice and leadership, she adds. It has been rewarding to see them expand their understanding as well as deconstruct some of their own prior notions as we move through the program. In addition to enjoying casual time together, which included meals at several local eateries and snowshoeing at Happy Jack, the Howard University students were able to compare their urban setting with what UW pharmacy students might experience in a rural practice in Wyoming once they graduate. McIntosh, from Queens, N.Y., says her perspective on rural pharmacy changed with her visit to Wyoming. Rural pharmacists are not only the bridge between prescriber and patient knowledge base, but they also have a dedication to their patients that goes beyond the Hippocratic Oath, McIntosh says. My level of empathy and compassion I want to lead with in my career has directly been influenced by the care Ive witnessed in rural pharmacy. Pharmacists in rural settings wear many hats because there simply are not enough staff members. This creates a stronger bond between patient and pharmacist. During their three-day stay, the D.C. students and their UW counterparts visited a nursing home facility and toured Valley Pharmacy in Saratoga. Because it was January, the challenges of travel for patients to see a pharmacist who provides care for them were noted by Lowery. Rural health care is more about giving people access, whereas urban health care is making sure that problems are solved, Lowery says. Before the addition of a new medical facility in Saratoga, patients living there who need dialysis treatments previously had to travel over 100 miles round-trip. The visit to Wyoming was transformative, says Turner, interim assistant dean of student affairs and a clinical assistant professor with the Howard University College of Pharmacy. It provided all of us -- students and faculty alike -- a new perspective on health care and health equity. From the social activities, such as snowshoeing, to providing patient care in the clinic and hospital, we were immersed in a culture different from anything we have previously experienced. It has changed the lens in which care provision is viewed, and I truly believe this experience has made our students better health care providers and leaders in the field. Thinking about Washington, D.C., and Wyoming, automatically people think of the differences -- pharmacy practice, culture, way of living, etc., adds Rung, a clinical assistant professor with the Howard University College of Pharmacy. This awesome leadership program enables students -- who are geographically diverse from both schools -- to explore and reflect. Students participating had a chance to experience firsthand the similarities and differences in health care and health disparity from rural and urban areas. It is our aim that they gain insights into these issues and eventually grow to become fine practitioners. So far, we think we have accomplished our aim. During UWs spring break, UW pharmacy students, along with Woods and Maria Bennett, UWs director of student services, headed to Howard University to spend three days with their D.C. counterparts. While in and around the D.C. metro area, UW pharmacy students encountered similar challenges faced by patients and pharmacists in urban settings as those in rural. Throughout this program and going into this trip, I was expecting to see so many differences in health equity compared to rural areas, and it was actually the opposite, Romero says. There are, of course, differences, which I was aware of beforehand. But, when you look at the big picture, we face many of the same health disparities, including access to health care, financial stability and support systems. Loo agrees. Although the challenges in rural health care and urban health care are different, they have the same consequences, she says. In rural health care, the questions we ask are: Will the roads stay open for this patients visit? How can the patient get exercise during the winter? How close is the nearest grocery store? In urban health care, many of these questions are the same, but with a different spin, Loo continues. Are the roads safe enough for this patient to walk to their visit? Do they live in a safe area for outdoor exercise? Is the closest grocery store within walking distance? The root of the problems is still the same, but the barriers causing them are different. While both rural and urban experiences of students from both universities helped them see similarities and understand challenges facing patients and pharmacists providing care, the goals of the Health Equity Leadership Program -- equip students with firsthand experience with health equity issues in urban and rural areas; develop student leadership skills; and identify ways to share experiences -- were achieved. What do Howard University and UW students think of their experience in the Health Equity Leadership Program? Aside from the amazing career-building opportunities, I think the dinners are going to be the most memorable for me from the trip, McIntosh says. It was during these moments, where we would recap our favorite moments of the day, that I felt like I got to know my fellow cohorts on a deeper level while sharing in the history and cultures of Wyoming life. I was just surprised how, when I got there (D.C.), I felt like I was in a different world. But, when it came to the health inequities, it felt very similar to the challenges we see in rural areas as well, Romero says. About the UW College of Health Sciences UWs College of Health Sciences trains health and wellness professionals and researchers in a wide variety of disciplines, including medicine, nursing, pharmacy, communication disorders, social work, kinesiology, community and public health, and disability studies. The college also oversees residency and fellowship programs in Casper and Cheyenne, as well as operating primary care and speech/hearing clinics in Laramie, Casper and Cheyenne. With more than 1,600 undergraduate, graduate and professional students, the college is dedicated to training the health and wellness workforce of Wyoming and conducting high-quality research and community engagement, with a particular focus on rural and frontier populations. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. MIAMI, April 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: NCLH) (together with NCL Corporation Ltd., Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings or the Company) announced today it will report first quarter 2023 financial results on Monday, May 1, 2023 at 7:30 a.m. Eastern Time with a conference call and webcast to discuss results at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The Company also invites any verified retail or institutional NCLH shareholder to use its shareholder Q&A platform to submit and upvote questions to management ahead of its first quarter 2023 financial results. A top ranked, appropriate, question relating to business and financial results or strategic priorities will be addressed by management during the upcoming conference call and webcast. Starting on Friday, April 21st at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time, shareholders can submit and upvote questions by visiting: NCLH Q1 2023 Q&A link. The Q&A platform will remain open until Friday, April 28th at 6:00 p.m. The conference call will be webcast via the Companys Investor Relations website, https://www.nclhltd.com/investors. A replay of the webcast will be available here on the Companys website for 30 days following the call. About Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: NCLH) is the leading global cruise company that operates Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. With a combined fleet of 29 ships and more than 60,000 berths, NCLH offers itineraries to nearly 500 destinations worldwide. NCLH has eight additional ships scheduled for delivery across its three brands, adding nearly 20,000 berths to its fleet. To learn more, visit www.nclhltd.com. Investor Relations and Media Contacts Jessica John (305) 468-2339 InvestorRelations@nclcorp.com UW and Wyoming SBDC Network to Host Business Workshop in Gillette April 29 Small-business owners can learn how to craft marketing messages for their companies during an in-person workshop Saturday, April 29. P.J. Burns and Paula Kelting will present a Wyoming Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network workshop titled Tell the Story of Your Business from 10-11:30 a.m. at the Campbell County Public Library, located at 2101 S. 4-J Road in Gillette. To register, go here. Registration is free but limited to the first 15 attendees. The Wyoming SBDC Network offers business expertise to help Wyoming residents think about, launch, grow, reinvent or exit their business. The Wyoming SBDC Network is hosted by the University of Wyoming with state funds from the Wyoming Business Council and funded, in part, through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. The workshop will provide small-business owners with ready-to-use strategies to create customer-engaging marketing messages by using their expertise and passion for business. Small-business owners will learn quick tips to keep their content fresh; make their websites attractive to search engines; and use social media to increase customer engagement. Burns is the Wyoming SBDC Networks regional director for Campbell, Crook, Johnson, Sheridan and Weston counties. She has spent the majority of her career advising and advocating for small businesses in her roles at chambers of commerce and economic development organizations. She has a background in marketing, human resources, strategic planning, leadership and management. Kelting, reference manager for the Campbell County Public Library, will demonstrate free tools available through the Wyoming Library to Business Network. A lightbox and ring light, as well as video and sound labs, will be highlighted. For more information, call Maureen Johnson, marketing, communication and database manager for the Wyoming SBDC Network, at (307) 343-0925 or email mjohn125@uwyo.edu. Police body camera footage from an F-150 Lightning battery fire in a holding lot in Dearborn, Michigan, on Feb. 4 revealed dramatic images of three melted pickups, according to video footage released by police. Dearborn police and fire personnel responded to the incident, which involved three electric vehicles and resulted in a five-week production shutdown. No one was injured. The automaker worked with battery supplier SK On to identify the cause and resolution before restarting production. In March, after consulting with its supplier, Ford recalled 18 of the 2023 F-150 Lightning pickups. Images of the February battery fire damage to all-electric Ford F-150 pickup trucks in a Dearborn holding lot. Dearborn police and fire personnel responded to the incident, which involved three electric vehicles and no injuries and resulted in a five-week production shutdown. Video footage obtained by CNBC through a Michigan Freedom of Information Act request "totaled about two hours of video, including overlapping footage, from 17 police bodycams and vehicle dashcams between 3:36 p.m. and 4:22 p.m. ET, according to time stamps on the bodycam videos, CNBC said. New video footage and photos of an electric Ford F-150 Lightning fire earlier this year obtained by @CNBC through Michigan FOIA requests highlight an emerging concern regarding the adoption of EVs: Volatile battery fires. https://t.co/EBtGFbH324 Michael Wayland (@MikeWayland) April 20, 2023 Kia, Hyundai recalls: Attorneys general ask for recall of Kia, Hyundai vehicles due to lack of anti-theft devices Tesla price cuts: Tesla cuts vehicle prices once again. See what models are cheaper. Car recalls this week:: Subaru Ascent, Range Rover SUVs among 5,000 vehicles recalled Car battery fires burn hotter than other fires and require massive quantities of water or special chemicals to extinguish. In this case, one Ford pickup caught fire, and the flames spread to the other two. The video includes audio that illustrates the gravity of the situation, as reported by CNBC: Story continues Were not putting this (expletive) out. Look at it, said one responding officer. First responders can be heard on video expressing concern about how much water is needed to put out EV fires and whether a special foam would be required. They have to put like a whole (expletive) lake on it to put them out, the same officer said during the event. What is the recall on the Ford F-150 Lightning? In its letter to federal regulators dated March 15, Ford said the reason for the vehicle recall was "High voltage battery pack may short circuit" and create a fire risk. The fire occurred while the vehicle was charging in a holding lot during a pre-delivery quality check and was caused by an internal short circuit due to a manufacturing defect when cells in the battery were at a "high state of charge," according to documents posted on the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration website. Ford said in its chronology report that engineers determined there was no evidence of a charging fault. Together with SK On, we confirmed the root causes and swiftly implemented quality actions, Ford said in a statement to CNBC. The Rouge Electric Vehicle Center has been back up and running since March 13 and is back to full production and shipping vehicles to customers. Images of the February battery fire damage to all-electric Ford F-150 pickup trucks in a Dearborn holding lot. Dearborn police and fire personnel responded to the incident, which involved three electric vehicles and no injuries and resulted in a five-week production shutdown. The Detroit Free Press requested the video, images and audio Thursday and left messages for city of Dearborn spokesman Bilal Baydoun and the Dearborn Police spokesman, Cpl. Dan Bartok. A message seeking comment about the incident was left for Dearborn Deputy Fire Chief Laura Ridenour. Ford spokeswoman Emma Bergg declined to comment to the Free Press on the release of the audio and video, emphasizing: "This was one single fire. We're really proud of the team, and how quickly they responded to handle the situation." She confirmed the automaker took part in an information-sharing session on how to handle battery fires in summer 2022 with members of the Dearborn fire department." Page 13 of the 20-page Emergency Response Guide written for the Ford F-150 Lightning dated April 2022 has been made available to first responders. Battery fires are not unique to Ford. The automaker did shut down its plant for five weeks to resolve questions involving a Feb. 4, 2023 battery fire in a holding lot in Dearborn. Bergg told the Free Press, part of the USA TODAY Network: "We have a long history of working closely with emergency workers and first responders on auto safety issues and that continues as we enter the EV era. Were further evaluating opportunities to help educate on this important topic." What caused the Ford Lightning fire? Images of the February battery fire damage to all-electric Ford F-150 pickup trucks in a Dearborn holding lot. Dearborn police and fire personnel responded to the incident, which involved three electric vehicles and no injuries and resulted in a five-week production shutdown. Ford wrote to regulators that its investigation from Feb. 6 to Feb. 9 found that the fire started in one of the battery arrays when "cathode aluminum tabs contacted the anode electrode material, causing an internal short circuit when the cells were at a high state of charge." Contact Phoebe Wall Howard: 313-618-1034 or phoward@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @phoebesaid. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: F-150 Lightning EV trucks melt after battery fire. See the video. Sri Lankan Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera's announcement that authorities were considering exporting 100,000 endangered toque macaque monkeys to a private Chinese company has sparked protests from animal rights activists. While the toque macaque, which is endemic to Sri Lanka, features in the International Union for Conservation of Nature red list of endangered animals, it is not a protected species in Sri Lanka. Amaraweera said last week the Chinese proposal to import the toque macaques for more than 1,000 of the country's zoos was being evaluated by a government-appointed expert committee. Conservationists and animal rights activists warned, however, they do not believe the Chinese zoos have space for 100,000 toque macaques and that it was more likely the monkeys would be used for testing in labs. Sri Lankan authorities say farmers view the roughly 3 million toque macaques in Sri Lanka as a menace because they damage crops. "Toque monkeys are the foremost among the animals that cause crop damage in this country. All the efforts made by the government so far to reduce its population have failed," Amaraweera said. Activists fear monkeys will land in labs The Agriculture Ministry said last week that exporting the toque macaques might reduce the excessive population, but conservationists have criticized the move, with many expressing fear the animals may be used for tests in labs. Four conservation groups Wildlife & Nature Protection Society, Center for Environmental Justice, Federation of Environmental Organizations, and Rally for Animal Rights and Environment Sri Lanka said in a statement last week there are only 18 Chinese zoos fitting the "globally accepted criteria" of a zoo. "This averages out at 5,000 macaques per zoo. This is not credible," the statement said. "Macaques, with their human-like qualities have been particularly popular, especially with medical testing facilities in the U.S. and Europe. The potential income from such a trade would be far greater than that from the sale of this species to zoos," the statement continued. The name of the Chinese company that sent the request for the toque macaques is Zhejiang Wuyu Animal Breeding Co. Ltd., and it has not issued any kind of a reply regarding the issue. In a statement issued Wednesday, though, the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka said the government agency that manages the import of wild animals in China was "not aware of the request [from China] and has not received such application from any side." The claim that the Sri Lankan monkeys could be used for "experimental purpose" was "disinformation," it contended. "The Chinese government always attaches great importance to wildlife protection and actively fulfill international obligations, which makes China one of top countries in the world in terms of wildlife protection legislation and law enforcement," the embassy statement added. Panchali Panapitiya, executive director of Colombo-based Rally for Animal Rights and Environment said it is "obvious that this company has plans to supply the monkeys to animal testing labs." "Even if the toque macaques are sent to 1,000 zoos, as the Sri Lankan Minister of Agriculture claims, each zoo would have 100 monkeys. Have you ever seen a zoo housing 100 monkeys of the same species? The claim that these animals are going to zoos lacks credibility," Panapitiya told VOA. "We believe, these monkeys will land in the labs where they will be burnt with chemicals and poisoned with toxins. And they will die untimely and painful deaths," she said. Expert calls proposal 'reprehensible' Bangalore-based primatologist Anindya Sinha asserted the Chinese proposal is "reprehensible on ethical grounds." "Can one even imagine the trauma that these individual macaques would undergo if they are indeed caught and transported? Family groups would be torn asunder, and many individuals will needlessly die in transit," Sinha who has studied toque macaques in Sri Lanka, said. The ecological consequences of exporting such a huge number of toque macaques out of Sri Lanka would be enormous, Sinha noted. "What we worry about most is that the toque macaque populations could crash, never to recover again," he said. "We hope the Sri Lankan authorities will see the light of reason, recognize the enormity of the repercussions of this act ethically, morally, nationally and ecologically and unconditionally refuse to comply with this offer." Human rights activists welcome the move by President Yoweri Museveni to return a draft of the anti-homosexuality bill to parliament for review, saying it provides them with more time to fight it. On Thursday, Museveni, in a meeting with legislators of the ruling National Resistance Movement party, congratulated them upon passing the bill in March. But Museveni said that while he agrees with the bill, legislators need to make changes to not frighten someone who, in his words, needs rehabilitation and wants to come out. The bill was widely condemned for what human rights activists have called some of the world's harshest punishments against the gay community. The bill mandates life in prison for anyone who engages in homosexual acts, up to 20 years for promoting homosexuality, and a three-year sentence for children convicted of homosexuality. Certain acts of gay sex could warrant the death penalty. Speaking to VOA, the ruling party's chief whip in parliament, Denis Hamson Obua, said parliament will examine the bill "in order for some proposed clauses to be reviewed, to be reinforced, to be strengthened. There is also the question of rehabilitation of the victims." "But we also agreed in principle that the proposed sentences in terms of punishment for promotion, recruitment and publicizing acts of homosexuality will be sustained," he added. The NRM caucus will likely decriminalize failure to report homosexuality. The current bill requires everyone to report a person known to be gay to police, but Museveni wants that provision removed. Amnesty International continues to call on Museveni to veto the bill. "It is sad that he did not veto the bill," said Roland Ebole, Amnesty's regional researcher. "But what we are actually saying, the provisions of the bill are very dangerous, the death sentence. Having sentences that go against the constitution. And really worried about the forced testing of persons because they are suspected of having committed aggravated homosexuality, and especially targeting HIV/AIDS community." Amnesty also argues that forced testing will increase stigma and reverse achievements against HIV and AIDS made by Uganda. The United States pays for anti-retroviral drugs for hundreds of thousands of Ugandans each year. The country director for the U.S. Agency for International Development recently said the bill, if passed, would make it impossible for the agency to work in Uganda. Joan Ameka, founder of the Rella Foundation, a group that provides shelter to queer women, said Museveni sending the bill back for review provides some hope. "We could have a chance to have a conversation on how further do we protect queer persons in Uganda. Because the bill so far has caused a lot of damages, especially in the lowest communities that are offering support," Ameka said. Museveni has called for a meeting with the proposer of the bill, Justice Reform opposition party legislator Asuman Basalirwa, to agree on amendments to the bill before parliament considers it again. President Joe Biden announced plans Thursday to increase U.S. funding to help developing countries fight climate change and curb deforestation in Brazil's Amazon rainforest. During a virtual meeting of the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate, Biden urged his counterparts to be ambitious in setting goals to reduce emissions and meet a target of limiting overall global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. "Were at a moment of great peril but also great possibilities, serious possibilities. With the right commitment and follow-through from every nation ... on this call, the goal of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees can stay within reach," Biden said. The countries that take part in the forum account for about 80% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions and global gross domestic product, according to the White House. Thursday's meeting was the group's fourth under Biden's presidency. Biden announced a U.S. contribution of $1 billion to the Green Climate Fund, which finances projects on clean energy and climate change resilience in developing countries, doubling the overall U.S. contribution. "The impacts of climate change will be felt the most by those who have contributed the least to the problem, including developing nations," Biden said. "As large economies and large emitters, we must step up and support these economies." Biden also announced plans to request $500 million over five years to contribute to the Amazon Fund, which works to combat deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon, and related activities. A senior administration official said Biden's team would have to work with Congress to secure that funding. "Together, we have to make it clear that forests are more valuable conserved than cleared," Biden said. Brazil welcomed the pledge. "It is obviously a great achievement, both for what it means to have the United States contributing to a fund like the Amazon Fund and for the volume of resources to be contributed," Brazil's Environment Minister Marina Silva said at a news conference. Biden's announcement comes during a week of tension between the U.S. and Brazil after the latter's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva called for Western powers to stop supplying arms to Ukraine and said Washington was encouraging the fighting between Ukraine and Russia. He later toned down his comments and condemned Russia's violation of Ukraine's territorial integrity. Biden, who has made fighting climate change one of his top policy priorities, has set a goal of reducing U.S. emissions 50%-52% by 2030 compared with 2005 levels. This month, the Environmental Protection Agency proposed sweeping emission cuts for new cars and trucks through 2032 in an effort to boost electric vehicles. Biden encouraged leaders from the group to join a collective effort to spur zero-emission vehicles and to reduce emissions from the shipping and power industries. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a new European Union-led initiative to develop new global targets for energy efficiency and renewable energy alongside the International Energy Agency, in time for a global summit on climate change in November. These targets would complement other goals, such as the phaseout of unabated fossil fuels and the ambitious goals for zero-emission vehicles and ships, she said at the meeting. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on rich countries to reach net-zero emissions by 2040, a decade before the goal set in the Paris climate agreement, and developing countries to hit that milestone by 2050. He also called for OECD countries to phase out coal by 2030 and 2040 in all other countries and end all licensing or funding public and private of new fossil fuel projects. Developing countries have resisted setting specific timelines for these reductions. The countries and entities that make up the Major Economies Forum: Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, China, Egypt, the European Commission, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Nigeria, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Britain and Vietnam. Reducing global emissions that are triggering climate change remains at the forefront of the world's environmental agenda on Earth Day, which for more than 50 years has been celebrated on April 22. Like last year, Earth Day is focusing on investments that benefit the planet and curtail fossil fuels coal, oil and gas the largest contributors to climate change. Specifically, organizers are urging people and organizations to invest in companies that take the environment into account. "More companies are focusing on green investments and people are switching to more sustainable products all over the planet," said Kathleen Rogers, president of EarthDay.org. Climate change, which is causing more extreme weather patterns around the world, remains the top priority. Planet-warming greenhouse gases are blamed for increased drought, wildfires, storms, floods and catastrophic downpours. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that the "climate time bomb is ticking" as he urged wealthy nations to slash emissions more quickly in light of a new assessment from scientists that found the rate of temperature increase is going up. "The rate of temperature rise in the last half century is the highest in 2,000 years," he said last month. "The scientific community has been consistent for some time that we need to reduce carbon emissions by 50%," said Michael Mann, a professor of earth and environmental sciences at the University of Pennsylvania. Rogers told VOA that climate change can be solved through international action. It can be done "by engaging governments, businesses, institutions, and the more than 1 billion people who participate in Earth Day each year," she said. However, solving the problem is easier said than done, she pointed out. "As long as oil companies can make money selling fossil fuels, they will continue to do that," she said. "So unless consumers send a different signal or governments put their foot down, it won't change." At the same time, consumers increasingly have renewable energy options as more governments adopt policies to shift from fossil fuels. "A number of fossil fuel companies are seeing the writing on the wall," Mann told VOA, "and starting to invest more in renewable energy." In the past year, Mann noted, it is becoming more common for companies to apply a set of policies known as Environmental Social Governance, or ESG. Much of the growth of ESG has been driven by environmental concerns. Rogers said companies that focus on environmental and social responsibilities are thriving. "There is no longer a choice between going green and growing long-term profits," she said. Alice Alpert, a senior climate scientist at the Environmental Defense Fund, an environmental advocacy group, said being green is increasingly cost effective. "There's a market for electric vehicles that is expanding" she said, "as well as solar and wind power that is cheaper than fossil fuel." BlocPower, a New York-based climate technology startup, says it is helping to make American cities greener and healthier. The company partners with utilities, government agencies and building owners to identify energy-wasting buildings to retrofit. Then BlocPower works with these building owners to develop, install and finance upgrades that reduce fossil fuel consumption like replacing an oil-burning boiler with an electric heat pump. "We remove fossil fuel infrastructure from buildings and upgrade them with modern, electric cooling and heating systems," explained Jon Moeller, the firm's chief operating officer. "By removing natural gas, fuel oil or propane combustion, it improves the air quality." For David Ortega, 20, a business major at the University of Maryland, working for a green company when he graduates is important. "With climate change and other environmental problems, I want to do my part in helping to protect the Earth." Earthday.org points out that young people like Ortega, part of Generation Z (born from 1991-2012), are providing the inspiration to push forward environmental incentives. "They're deeply aware to the extent their future is threatened," said Mann. Ella Enck, 17, a high school student in Alexandria, Virginia, said she is concerned about the repercussions of climate change. "To me, it's really scary," she said. "I think my peers should ride a bike or use public transportation, rather than drive a car, and also learn about solar power to conserve energy." Mann is looking at the climate crisis by drawing on the Earth's past in his forthcoming book, Our Fragile Moment. He said that, despite a dire situation, the lessons from the past show us it's not too late to prevent the worst consequences of climate change. "I think there's a danger that sometimes the climate threat is framed in gloom and doom, and that it's too late to do anything about it, but that's not true." He said there has been real progress in working to reduce carbon emissions, even though it may not be as bold as some would like. The European Union is reportedly preparing emergency curbs on Ukrainian food products after several member states bordering Ukraine imposed their own import bans in recent days, complaining that a glut of cheap produce is hitting their own farmers. Following a virtual meeting with EU officials on Wednesday, Romanian Minister of Agriculture Petre Daea outlined the blocs plans. The [European] Commission is making available to the five countries [Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia] 100 million euros [$109.32 million] from its crisis reserve. It provides for the activation of exceptional safeguarding mechanisms, which means stopping imports until June 5 for the following products: wheat, corn, sunflower seeds and rapeseed, Daea told reporters. He added that the deal would be made available only when member states had withdrawn their own unilateral import bans. The EU has yet to confirm details of the planned support package. Ukraine grain Ukraine, the worlds fifth-biggest grain exporter, has struggled to ship agricultural produce from its Black Sea ports to world markets following Russias invasion last year. The European Union ended quotas and tariffs on Ukrainian goods after the outbreak of the war to shore up the Ukrainian economy. Eastern European states claim this has led to cheap grain imports being dumped on their domestic markets. In the past week, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and Bulgaria have banned the import of Ukrainian grain and other products, in an apparent breach of EU trade law. Bulgarian Prime Minister Galab Donev said Wednesday that the measures were necessary. A significant amount of [Ukrainian] food has remained in the country and disrupted the main production and trade chains," Donev told reporters. "If this trend persists and even increases, it is possible to reach extremely serious consequences for the Bulgarian business. Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki outlined a $2.4 billion support package for farmers and said the European Union response had been inadequate. What the EU is offering us is offered with a delay; it is too little, a drop in the ocean of needs, Morawiecki told a news conference Friday in Warsaw. Protests Farmers have staged protests in several countries bordering Ukraine, including Romania. "Our fear is that this unfair competition coming from our colleagues in Ukraine cannot be borne by the Romanian farmers. We will witness a chain of bankruptcies of Romanian farmers, warned Liliana Piron of the League of Romanian Agriculture Producers Associations at a protest in Bucharest earlier this month. Brussels warned this week that the import bans violated EU law. Unilateral action is not possible under EU trade policy, European Commission spokesperson Miriam Garcia Ferrer said Wednesday. Nevertheless, it appears the EU is preparing to approve emergency curbs on Ukrainian imports for certain countries. Domestic politics The dispute has taken many by surprise, said Ian Bond of the Centre for European Reform, an analyst group. In the case of Poland, whats so strange is that this is so much at odds with the assistance that Poland has given Ukraine in other ways, Bond told VOA. So, this is entirely driven by domestic political considerations to do with protests by Polish farmers, and the risk that government obviously feels that the farmers might defect and vote for some other party in the next elections, Bond said. Ukraine reaction For Ukrainian farmers, the import bans add to the troubles caused by Russias invasion. Volodymyr Bondaruk, executive director of the Pearl of Podillia, a mixed dairy and arable farm near Ternopil in western Ukraine, said, "I would like farmers and the agricultural lobby in the Eastern [European] countries to understand that we face similar problems. We dont ask for subsidies; we dont want anything like that. Just help us to sell our goods, Bondaruk told Reuters. We have leftovers from the 2022 harvest. In the previous years, we exported a lot of corn, wheat and other grains to the Middle East countries, African countries. But today because of the war, ports do not accept large amounts of goods, he added. Black Sea The glut of Ukrainian grain in Europe is the result of reduced exports through the Black Sea since Russias invasion. A deal brokered by the United Nations and Turkey to reopen the shipping route, known as the Black Sea Grain Initiative, came into force last August. However, Russia is threatening to end the deal when its up for renewal next month. The ban on imports of Ukrainian grain by some countries in Europe could play into Moscows hands, analyst Bond said. It seems to me that this increases the chances that Russia will see this as a pressure point and will try to use it as a way of saying, Well, were not going to renew the grain deal unless you agree to completely unacceptable conditions. While its domestic import ban remains in place, Poland resumed the transit of Ukrainian products across its territory on Friday. The European Union said it planned to organize alternative transport, including convoys of trucks, trains and barges, to take grain from Ukraines land borders to ports where it could be shipped to the world market. Cameroonian journalists say they remain fearful more than three months after the abduction and killings of investigative journalist Martinez Zogo and radio presenter Jean-Jacques Ola Bebe. Dieudonne Koutche was among several dozen civilians who stopped by a memorial to the slain journalists at Amplitude FM radio in Yaounde on April 21, 2023. He said he feels for journalists in Cameroon because it is a country where officials and business executives can decide one morning to abduct and kill a reporter. Charges of torture and complicity in torture for the more than 20 people arrested in connection with Zogo's killing are not convincing, Koutche added. The culprits should face more serious charges, he said. Zogo was a radio host at Amplitude FM. The U.S.-based Committee to Protect Journalists reports that Zogo had been investigating allegations of corruption involving senior officials in the central African state. His mutilated body was found on January 22 in Yaounde, five days after he was abducted. Cameroonian President Paul Biya ordered an investigation into Zogo's killing after a national and an international outcry. Jean-Pierre Amougou Belinga, a prominent business leader with holdings in banking, finance, insurance and property, as well as the L'Anecdote company, which owns a daily newspaper and several pro-government TV and radio stations, was arrested. Zogo had reported in one of his radio programs that many senior officials, including Belinga, wanted to kill him. But Zogo pledged to continue digging deep into corruption, which he said involved Belinga and many government ministers. The police also arrested a former chief presidential security guard, senior police officers and a police chief in connection with Zogo's killing. Charly Tchouemou, editor-in-chief of Amplitude FM, said reporters are receiving threats, and the momentum to report graft is fading. He said since Zogo was killed, some Amplitude FM journalists are scared of reporting corruption and social ills. Tchouemou said Amplitude FM reporters are particularly scared because they receive anonymous phone calls from suspected government officials, as well as supporters and business partners of Belinga. He said the callers threaten to kill journalists who continue to report that the business mogul may have masterminded Zogo's killing. A court in Yaounde has twice denied bail for Belinga. Charles Tchoungang, who leads Belinga's legal defense, said it is not proper for his client to be in jail while other suspects are free. He spoke to VOA by telephone Friday from Douala, Cameroon's economic hub. Tchoungang said he is surprised that Belinga was arrested, while some government ministers who are prime suspects are still free. He added that keeping Belinga detained does not answer the question as to who killed Zogo, because he is sure that the killers are high-profile government officials who are falsely accusing Belinga. The government has yet to respond to Tchoungang's allegations that senior government officials planned Zogo's killing. The government, however, says it will investigate and punish all killers according to Cameroonian law. Jean-Jacques Ola Bebe, another radio presenter, was found dead outside his home in the capital on February 2, allegedly gunned down by unknown assailants. The government has not commented on his killing. Cameroonian journalists say the two deaths scare them, and they have reported threats to the police. The police told VOA that it had received complaints from reporters and that it is its duty to protect every civilian. Five Indian army soldiers were killed on Thursday when rebels fighting against Indian rule ambushed a military vehicle in the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir, the military said. Militants attacked the army vehicle with gunfire in the southern Rajouri sector near the highly militarized Line of Control that divides Kashmir between India and Pakistan, a military statement said. It said five soldiers died in the attack and another was seriously injured. The statement said the "unidentified terrorists" took "advantage of heavy rains and low visibility in the area." "The vehicle caught fire due to likely use of grenades by terrorists," it added. There was no independent confirmation of the incident. Nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan each administer part of Kashmir, but both claim the territory in its entirety. Rebel groups have been fighting since 1989 for Kashmir's independence or merger with neighboring Pakistan. Most Muslim Kashmiris support the rebel goal of uniting the territory, either under Pakistani rule or as an independent country. New Delhi insists the Kashmir militancy is Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. Pakistan denies the charge, and most Kashmiris consider it a legitimate freedom struggle. Tens of thousands of civilians, rebels and government forces have been killed in the conflict. Vantage Market Research, The North Star for the Working World WASHINGTON, April 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Global Nuclear Decommissioning Market is valued at USD 5.8 Billion in 2022 and is projected to reach a value of USD 8.1 Billion by 2030 at a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 4.9% over the forecast period 2023-2030. Market Overview The global retirement of older nuclear reactors due to aging and the shift toward renewable energy sources due to their low environmental impact are projected to be the main factors propelling the market's expansion in the ensuing years. Due to the increased support from governments in many nations following nuclear accidents, the need for Nuclear Decommissioning has seen a phenomenal increase. The public and governments are applying increasing pressure, making nuclear phase-out urgently necessary. We forecast that the pressurized water reactor in Nuclear Decommissioning market sales will account for more than 48% of total sales by 2030. Managers in the business favour PWRs because of their high degree of reliability and simplicity of use. Because very little power is produced as the heat increases, this reactor has the primary benefit of being simple to operate. Get Access to Free Sample Research Report with Latest Industry Insights @ https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/nuclear-decommissioning-market-2089/request-sample Market Dynamics Increasing Usage in Power Generation Support Market Expansion Due to their potential to integrate with renewable energy to provide baseload and variable power, compact modular devices are increasingly used in power plants. Also, the convenience of siting and the flexibility of operations in power generation capacity result in a significant market demand for SMRs in such applications. Other countries are also seeking alternatives to coal-based power plants as the world's climate is deteriorating alarmingly. As a result, the desire for SMRs to produce safe, inexpensive, and nuclear power sources increased. Story continues Increased Demand for Pressurised Water Type in the Nuclear Decommissioning Industry Drives Market Growth Operators choose pressurized water reactors because they are the safest of all the nuclear reactor types since there are growing worries about the safety of nuclear power facilities. The PWR reactor also guards against radioactive material contamination of water, minimizing environmental harm. The PWR is expensive because it needs strong pipes and a large pressure vessel to keep the highly pressured water liquid while sustaining high temperatures. As a result, the nuclear power plant equipment market is anticipated to benefit significantly throughout the projected period from increased demand for PWRs. Top Players in the Global Nuclear Decommissioning Market Westinghouse Electric Corporation (Pittsburgh, U.S.) Babcock International Group (London, UK) GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (Wilmington, U.S.) Jacobs (U.S.) Manafort Brothers Inc. (U.S.) BWX Technologies (Lynchburg, U.S.) Bechtel Corporation (U.S.) AECOM (U.S.) NUVIA (U.S.) Beyond Nuclear (U.S.) Magnox Ltd. (UK) Budget Limitation? Contact us for Special Discount and Pricing Top Trends in the Global Nuclear Decommissioning Market One trend that Vantage Market Research (VMR) expects to see in the Nuclear Decommissioning industry is the growing demand for commercial realtors. Economic, governmental, and societal aspects are all involved in the closure and decommissioning of commercial nuclear power reactors. Nuclear energy's cost-competitiveness was decreased by several major factors, including the end of its operating life and the decline in the price of renewable energy sources like solar and wind. Another trend that VMR predicts will continue in the Nuclear Decommissioning industry is Growing collaborations for development. Increasing Mouse for constructing offshore nuclear power plants are being examined to fuel industry expansion. A ground-breaking floating nuclear power station was launched by Russia in 2019 and will travel 5,000 km from the Arctic port of Murmansk to Chukotka in the Far East. According to plans, a floating SMR design will be built in China using state funding. The development and deployment of offshore nuclear power facilities is the subject of a pact that three Canadian provinces. Top Report Findings Based on the Service Type, the immediate dismantling category controls most of the Nuclear Decommissioning market's revenue. Removing the machinery, buildings, parts, and other elements of a plant that contains radioactive particles is known as immediate dismantling. As soon as practicable after the permanent shutdown, the facility should be cleaned and disinfected to the point where it may be made available for unrestricted usage. Based on Reactor Type, the pressurized water reactor category controls most of the Nuclear Decommissioning market's revenue. Due to their propensity to produce more power as temperatures rise, PWR reactors are stable, which makes them simpler to operate from a stability perspective. Since the PWR engine cycle loop is distinct from the primary loop, radioactive elements cannot cause water to be contaminated in the cooling coil. Based on Capacity, most of the Nuclear Decommissioning market's revenue is controlled by the 100MV-1000MV category. Small modular reactors (SMRs) are nuclear reactors that are typically 300 MWe equivalent or less, developed with scalable technology using component factory manufacture, pursuing economies of series production, and constructed quickly. SMRs are also attractive because they can more easily replace retired coal-fired facilities, whose units are rarely particularly largemore than 90% are under 500 MWe, and some are under 50 MWeon brownfield sites. Buy this Premium Research Report with Discount | Immediate Delivery @ https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/buy-now/nuclear-decommissioning-market-2089/0 Recent Developments in the Global Nuclear Decommissioning Market In April 2021 , a contract for Hyundai Engineering & Construction and Holter to take part in decommissioning a nuclear power facility in the United States was signed in March 2022. After 45 years of service, the Indian Point Energy Centre nuclear power facility in Buchanan, New York, was shut down. The decommissioning project, which involved removing active components from nuclear reactors and transporting old nuclear fuel from pools into a dry storage system, will be managed by Hyundai Engineering & Construction. In May 2022, the Palisades nuclear power plant on Lake Michigan was closed by Entergy Company. The nuclear power facility may produce 800MW of electricity. The reactor's fuel was removed and put in the spent fuel pool to cool. Pressurized Water Reactor Category of the Reactor Type Segment Forecast to Generate a Good Chunk of Revenue in the Global Nuclear Decommissioning For better understanding, based on the Reactor Type, the Nuclear Decommissioning market is divided into Pressurized Water Reactor, Boiling Water Reactor, Gas Cooled Reactor and Other Reactor Types. The pressurized water reactor market was the largest market by application, and it is anticipated that it will continue to hold the top spot during the projected period. A nuclear reactor known as a pressurized water reactor (PWR) uses water as both a coolant and a moderator. As the core warms up, oxygen splits into energy-producing hydrogen isotopes and uranium-235 to produce more heat. Steam is produced due to this process, which spins turbines connected by shafts to produce power. On the other hand, the boiling water reactor category is anticipated to grow significantly. A light-water nuclear reactor that produces electricity is known as a boiling water reactor (BWR). It has a different layout than a Soviet RBMK with graphite moderation. The pressurized water reactor (PWR), a light water nuclear reactor, is the second most popular nuclear reactor producing electricity. Demineralized water is used as a coolant and neutron moderator in a boiling water reactor. Nuclear fusion generates heat, which causes the cooling water to boil and produce steam in the reactor core. Europe Region Anticipated to Generate Nearly half the Total Global Revenue of the Nuclear Decommissioning Market The Europe region is projected to do so in the coming years. Rising federal funding, environmental benefits that have forced the closure of nuclear power plants in France, Lithuania, the UK, and Germany, rising demand in Germany, public concerns, the existence of strict government regulations to regulate the abolishing process, and an expansion of the number of nuclear power plants in South Korea and Japan are all contributing to the region's burgeoning share of the global Nuclear Decommissioning market. The Asia Pacific region is projected to develop the fastest in the Nuclear Decommissioning market. The presence of numerous fully operational nuclear power plants in South Korea and Japan, which place a high requirement on Nuclear Decommissioning methods, as well as the rising use of Nuclear Decommissioning, the continuous Nuclear Decommissioning activity, and government initiatives for lessening nuclear energy are all contributing to the region's Nuclear Decommissioning market's growth. Asia has recently become a strong rival in the international Nuclear Decommissioning market. Nuclear-decommissioning processes are more necessary because the area has many modern nuclear power plants. Browse market data Tables and Figures spread through 142 Pages and in-depth TOC on Nuclear Decommissioning Market Forecast Report (2023-2030). Global Nuclear Decommissioning Market Segmentation By Service Type Immediate Dismantling Safe Enclosure Entombment By Reactor Type Pressurized Water Reactor Boiling Water Reactor Gas-Cooled Reactor Other Reactor Types By Capacity Below 100 MW 100 MW - 1000 MW Above 1000 MW By Region North America United States Canada Mexico Europe Germany UK France Italy Spain Rest of Europe Asia Pacific China Japan India South Korea South-East Asia Rest of Asia Pacific Latin America Brazil Argentina Rest of Latin America Middle East & Africa GCC Countries South Africa Rest of MEA Read Full Report with TOC @ https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/industry-report/nuclear-decommissioning-market-2089 Scope of the Report: Report Attributes Details Market Size in 2022 USD 5.8 Billion Revenue Forecast by 2030 USD 8.1 Billion CAGR 4.9% from 2023 to 2030 Base Year 2022 Forecast Year 2023 to 2030 Key Players Westinghouse Electric Corporation, Babcock International Group, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy, Jacobs, Manafort Brothers Inc., BWX Technologies, Bechtel Corporation, AECOM, NUVIA, Beyond Nuclear, Magnox Ltd. Customization Options Customized purchase options are available to meet any research needs. Explore customized purchase options https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/nuclear-decommissioning-market-2089/request-sample Key Questions Answered in the Nuclear Decommissioning Market Report are: What is the current status of nuclear decommissioning globally, and what are the main drivers and challenges affecting the market? What are the key regulations and policies governing nuclear decommissioning, and how are they likely to evolve in the future? What are the main methods and technologies used in nuclear decommissioning, and how do they compare in terms of safety, effectiveness, and cost? What are the major players in the nuclear decommissioning market, and what are their strategies for growth and innovation? What are the key trends and opportunities in the nuclear decommissioning market, and what are the implications for investors, governments, and other stakeholders? How are nuclear decommissioning activities likely to affect the environment and public health, and what measures are being taken to mitigate any negative impacts? What are the potential risks and uncertainties associated with nuclear decommissioning, and how can they be managed effectively? 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We, as a competitive intelligence market research and consulting firm provide end to end solutions to our client enterprises to meet their crucial business objectives. Our clientele base spans across 70% of Global Fortune 500 companies. Follow Us on: LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube Contact us Eric Kunz 6218 Georgia Avenue NW Ste 1 - 564 Washington DC 20011-5125 United States Tel: +1 202 380 9727 Email: sales@vantagemarketresearch.com Website: https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/ Latest Vantage Market Research Press Releases Latest Vantage Market Research Blog Vantage Market Research All Reports Blog: Sounds of sporadic shelling could be heard into the night Friday in Sudan's capital, despite renewed cease-fire declarations from Sudan's military and a rival paramilitary force locked in heavy clashes for the past seven days. Neither side had immediate comment on an offer from Kenyan President William Ruto to mediate the conflict, which has killed hundreds and prompted thousands of Khartoum residents to flee the city. The Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces both announced they would honor a 72-hour cease-fire beginning Friday to mark the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. "The truce coincides with the blessed Eid al-Fitr ... to open humanitarian corridors to evacuate citizens and give them the opportunity to greet their families," the RSF said in a statement. However, artillery fire was heard throughout the day and into the night in Khartoum, raising questions about whether the declared truce would fail, as have several others this week. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who spoke to the heads of both military factions this week, urged the combatants to abide by the truce. "I reiterate my call on both sides to pause the fighting to allow civilians to take care of themselves and their families, to permit full and unimpeded humanitarian access, and to enable all civilians, including diplomatic personnel, to reach safety," he said in a statement Friday. White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said that no decision had been made about whether to evacuate diplomatic personnel from Sudan, but that the United States was preparing for such action in case it becomes necessary. He said American citizens in Sudan should not expect a U.S. government evacuation. "If you are an American citizen, and you didn't take our warning to leave Sudan, and particularly Khartoum, you need to take care of your own safety and security, shelter in place" he told VOA. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the Pentagon has deployed forces to the region in case a possible evacuation is needed but said no decision has been made yet. "We've deployed some forces into theater to ensure that we provide as many options as possible if we are called on to do something. And we haven't been called on to do anything yet," Austin told reporters at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. The Pentagon said U.S. Army General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, spoke with Sudans army chief, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, on Friday to discuss the safety of Americans in Sudan. The Associated Press reports that Milley also discussed the situation in Sudan while meeting with allies in Germany on Friday for talks primarily focusing on Ukraine. Milley and defense officials from Germany, Italy, Canada, and other countries discussed plans to coordinate any potential evacuation efforts in Sudan, according to the report. The RSF announced Friday that it is ready to partially open all of Sudan's airports to allow countries to evacuate their nationals. However, it was not clear to what extent the paramilitary group controlled the country's airports. Fighting has been reported this week at the Khartoum International Airport. In a televised message to the nation Friday, Burhan made his first speech since the fighting began, saying he remained hopeful the military would win the battle, and vowed to secure what he called Sudan's "safe transition to civilian rule." For many Sudanese, Burhan's claim likely rang hollow, as 18 months ago he joined forces with RSF leader Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo to seize power in a coup that ousted a pro-democracy transitional government. In Kenya, Ruto made his offer to mediate the conflict as he conveyed a message of goodwill to the Sudanese at the end of Ramadan. Murithi Mutiga, International Crisis Group's program director for Africa, said it was encouraging that neighbors, including Kenya, were eager to help resolve the Sudan crisis, but he was skeptical that Ruto or any one leader could do it alone. "The reality, though, is that you need concerted actions by multiple external partners because nobody has really substantial leverage over the main actors," he said. Ruto said he strongly believed that a peacefully negotiated solution to the conflict in Sudan was within reach. He expressed hope the fighting parties would respond to appeals to end the fighting put forth this week by the East African regional Intergovernmental Authority on Development bloc and the African Union. However, major powers need to step in, Mutiga said. "It's good to support the regional initiatives that might send the Kenyans, the Djiboutians and South Sudanese heads of state, but they need to be backed up by serious external pressure, particularly by two key players: Saudi Arabia and the U.S.," he said. "They have considerable access to the main actors. They might be able to move the needle, and they might be able to encourage them to accept talks." Ruto said halting the fight would be a gesture of goodwill and stop a descent into conflict, insecurity, instability and humanitarian crisis. Mutiga said the fact that the RSF's announcement of a cease-fire was seemingly met with no interest from the Sudanese army suggests the RSF might be under some sort of military pressure. "But we have to remember that this is a very large force, very motivated force and one with a lot at stake," Mutiga said. "The armed forces seem determined to crush them militarily, but that is partly because they worry that a truce might allow the RSF to reinforce." Regardless, Mutiga said, it is essential that the two parties move toward an agreement sooner rather than later because the suffering in Sudan has been horrific. At least 413 people have been killed in the power struggle between the two previously allied leaders of the ruling military junta, Burhan and Dagalo, according to the World Health Organization. The group said that thousands more have been injured in the fighting, and that as many as 20,000 people have fled Sudan to neighboring Chad. At least five aid workers were among the dead, including three from the World Food Program, which suspended operations in Sudan. On Friday, an aid worker with the International Organization for Migration was killed in the city of El Obeid, according to Reuters. The worker was driving his family to safety when his vehicle was caught in the crossfire. Alyona Synenko, the East Africa regional spokesperson for the International Committee of the Red Cross, called the latest aid worker's death "extremely disturbing news and very concerning and saddening for the humanitarian community." She told VOA a general state of lawlessness is increasing in Sudan. Mariama Diallo reported from Nairobi, Kenya, while Carol Van Dam Falk and White House Bureau Chief Patsy Widakuswara reported from Washington. Some information for this report came from The Associated Press and Reuters. New developments: The Wagner Group founder is concerned about a Ukrainian counteroffensive. The United States will be training Ukrainian soldiers on Abrams tanks, while Germany will build a tank repair hub in Poland. Ukraine grain exports are still banned by European countries. In his nightly video address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine was readying for a counteroffensive. "The front line is priority number one," he said Friday. We are also actively preparing new brigades and units that will show themselves at the front." Zelenskyy thanked the allies for their commitment to Ukraine's defense. A U.S.-hosted meeting Friday at Ramstein Air Base in Germany focused on air defense and ammunition in Ukraine. The United States said it would soon start training Ukrainian troops to operate Abrams tanks, while Germany announced that it was building a tank repair hub in Poland for tanks deployed in Ukraine. During the meeting, allies also reassured Kyiv of their unconditional support and backed Ukraine's bid to join NATO in the future. Ukraine pressed its allies for long-range weapons, jets and ammunition ahead of the counteroffensive against Russian troops, which is expected in the coming weeks or months. Prigozhin concerned Following Zelenskyy's remarks Friday, Yevgeni Prigozhin, chief of the Russian paramilitary Wagner Group, expressed concerns about an imminent Ukrainian counteroffensive with highly trained Ukrainian forces. "Today we are killing those who were trained in Ukraine, but the ones coming from Germany will be technologically educated," he said in an audio recording released on his Telegram channel. He was referring to those Ukrainian soldiers who will train in Germany to use U.S. Abrams tanks. Prigozhin predicted that Ukraine would counterattack after the spring rains, when the ground is firm. "They will attack ... they will come and try to tear us apart, and we must resist," he said. Russia relies heavily on the Wagner forces in Bakhmut, where fighting is still raging. Kyiv said Friday that while Russian forces had made some advances in the eastern city, the situation was still in play. "The situation is tense, but under control," Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar wrote on the Telegram messaging app. Malyar made the comments after Russia's Defense Ministry said in a briefing Friday that assault troops were fighting in western parts of Bakhmut, the last part of the embattled Ukrainian city still held by Kyiv's forces. EU-Ukraine grain Four European Union member states have banned Ukraines food exports to protect their own markets. Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and Bulgaria say that an influx of Ukrainian food imports is harming their own farmers, who cant compete with Ukraines low prices. The Polish government approved $2.4 billion in aid for its agricultural sector, criticizing the European Commission on Friday for not doing enough to help resolve the problem. "What the EU is offered with a delay, it is too little, a drop in the ocean of needs," Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki told a news conference. The European Commission has offered $110 million of aid for central European farmers, in addition to an earlier $61.5 million package. It has also said it will take emergency preventive measures for other products like wheat, corn and sunflower seeds but the central European states want this list to be broadened to include honey and some meats, Reuters reported. Ukraines economy is heavily dependent upon agriculture, and the European ban will put a significant dent in its sales, Bloomberg reported, citing UkrAgroConsult. Romania has for now decided not to participate in the ban, while allowing transit of Ukraine exports through its Black Sea port of Constanta. Several central European countries became the gateway to a glut of Ukraines food exports after Ukrainian grain was stranded in Black Sea ports blockaded by Russia. The Black Sea Initiative brokered by the United Nations and Turkey has allowed safe transit of grain shipments through that corridor, though Russia is threatening not to renew after the deal expires on May 18. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Thursday that the renewal of the deal depended on whether the West would lift restrictions affecting Russias agricultural exports. The Kremlin said Friday that it was monitoring reports of a possible ban on Russian exports and that new Western sanctions would damage the global economy. "We are aware that both the U.S. and the EU are actively considering new sanctions," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. "We believe that both the current sanctions against the Russian Federation and the new additional steps that the U.S. and the EU may be thinking about now will, of course, also hit the global economy." Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. Large parts of the Muslim world marked the end of the fasting month of Ramadan at sundown Thursday and ushered in the holiday of Eid al-Fitr, but the festivities were overshadowed by raging battles for control of Sudan and a deadly stampede in Yemen. In other parts of the region, the holiday came against the backdrop of reconciliation and rapprochement between former rivals. The Islamic calendar is lunar and depends on the sighting of the moon something Muslim religious authorities tend to disagree on. Ramadan sees worshippers fasting daily from dawn to sunset, ending with Eid al-Fitr celebrations. This year again, the holiday comes amid fighting and devastation, particularly in the Middle East. In Sudan, the holiday was eclipsed by raging battles between the army and its rival paramilitary force, despite two attempted cease-fires. The fighting since Saturday has killed hundreds of people and wounded thousands. In Yemen, the Arab world's most impoverished nation, a stampede late Wednesday at a charitable event in the rebel-held capital of Sanaa killed at least 78 people and injured 77. Religious authorities in both Sudan and Yemen said they will mark the start of Eid al-Fitr on Friday. In Indonesia, the country with the largest Muslim population worldwide, the second-largest Islamic group, Muhammadiyah with over 60 million members said that according to its astronomical calculations, the holiday of Eid al-Fitr starts on Friday. However, the country's religious affairs minister had announced on Thursday that the start of the holiday would fall on Saturday. In some places, tensions and fighting had calmed. Long-time Mideast rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed last month to restore diplomatic ties after China-brokered negotiations an ongoing reconciliation that has de-escalated proxy wars in the region. Saudi officials and Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen recently began talks in Sanaa and during the last days of Ramadan exchanged hundreds of prisoners captured in Yemen's civil war, which erupted in 2014. Riyadh also sent its top diplomat to Syria to meet with President Bashar Assad on Tuesday, a significant step toward ending his political isolation and potentially returning the war-torn country to the Arab League. However, Tehran and Riyadh disagreed on the start of the holiday for Saudis, Eid al-Fitr would begin Friday while officials in Iran said it starts on Saturday. The start of the holiday is traditionally based on sightings of the new moon, which vary according to geographic location, while some countries rely on astronomical calculations rather than physical sightings to determine the start of Eid al-Fitr. The United Arab Emirates and Qatar followed Saudi Arabia and announced the holiday would begin for them on Friday, while their Gulf Arab neighbor, Oman, declared that the moon had not been sighted and the holiday would begin on Saturday. Iraq's Sunni authorities announced the holiday would begin Friday, while the country's top Shiite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, set a Saturday start date. The governments of Lebanon and Syria, both in the throes of crippling economic crises, said Friday would mark the beginning of the dayslong holiday. Indonesia's Security Minister Mohammad Mahfud called on Muslims to be respectful of each other's celebrations, and asked Muhammadiyah members to have their holiday feasts at home in consideration of the Muslims who would still be fasting on Friday. The country's roads and highways were gridlocked as millions crammed into trains, ferries, buses and on motorcycles, as they left cities to return to their villages to celebrate with family. The government estimated that more than 123 million travelers were expected to criss-cross the vast archipelago that spans 17,000 islands, with about 18 million departing from Jakarta's greater metropolitan area. Meanwhile, clerics of Pakistan's state-backed moon sighting committee announced at a news conference in Islamabad that Eid al-Fitr would be celebrated on Saturday in Pakistan as there were no sightings of the moon there. Egypt and Jordan said that for them, Eid al-Fitr would begin on Friday. In divided Libya, the religious authorities based in the capital of Tripoli, said it would start on Saturday. In the country's east, run by a rival administration, authorities marked Friday as the start. In Afghanistan, the head of the Taliban-appointed judiciary, Abdul Hakim Haqqani, also said the holiday would start on Friday. A Sunni imam said Friday during an Eid al-Fitr sermon in Zahedan, Iran, that people have a right to protest and the government should listen to their demands. In an audio file published on his Telegram channel, Molavi Abdul Hamid was quoted as saying the people's desire is "the release of political prisoners" and the government should consider the wishes of most of the Iranian nation. Referring to the deadly suppression of protesters last September, he said: "The people of Zahedan want justice and punishment for the perpetrators and those who ordered people shooting. We will not ignore the people's rights." On September 30, after the Sunni Friday prayer in Zahedan city, a fierce clash broke out between military forces and protesters. About 100 people were killed and about 300 injured, according to media reports. At the time, state media said Sunnis gathered after Friday prayers to throw stones and attack the No. 16 Zahedan police station, causing conflict with security forces. In his Eid al- Fitr sermon, Hamid addressed the economic hardships of Iranians. "Everyone is in debt and under lots of pressure," he said, adding that authorities should pay attention to the widespread dissatisfaction. Our compassionate advice is to get along with people, he said. They should give in to the rightful demands of the Iranian people. As long as the people do not cooperate and are dissatisfied, problems will only increase in the country." He also said that silence of people does not mean that the nation is satisfied," urging the government to address the issue. "We should sit and talk with the people ... and problems and issues should be solved in any way that these people are satisfied with." In the end, Hamid emphasized the need to make significant changes in the country and said the people's satisfaction would not be achieved with minor modifications. "Improving relations with neighbors is good, but it cannot solve the country's problems, and we must have good relations with the whole world, he said. The people's problems will not be solved until significant changes occur within the country." Last fall, Hamid had asked the Qom seminary Iran's largest along with the country's authorities to listen to the voices of protesters, ultimately calling on rulers to respond to their demands via a series of public referenda. While officials in Tehran did not respond at that time, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei this week rejected renewed calls by former President Hassan Rouhani for public referenda on domestic and foreign policies. Khamenei said he was against the idea because "not all people have the power to analyze the issue which is put to the referendum." Under Iran's constitution, a referendum is possible only if two-thirds of parliament votes for it and a 12-member constitutional body approves. A senior Malian official and three other people have been killed in an ambush in an area of the country's southwest, the government said Thursday. The attack occurred in an area where Islamic extremists are active. The president's chief of staff, Oumar Traore, was killed while traveling near the area of Nara in the Kayes region, the presidency's financial and administrative director Lieutenant Colonel Cheick Mamadou Cherif Tounkara said in a statement. Traore's bodyguard, a driver and the owner of a drilling company were also killed and one of the drivers is still missing, he said. A funeral was held for the victims Thursday afternoon. The government didn't say when they died, how many cars they were traveling in or who it believed to be behind the attack, which occurred in an area where jihadis are active. The West African country has for a decade been battling a jihadi insurgency linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group, which has killed thousands. The attack on such a high-ranking official is rare and significant, conflict analysts said. "While still unclear if this was a targeted assassination, it is definitely is a distraction and a concern for (the government)," said Rida Lyammouri, a senior fellow at the Policy Center for the New South, a Moroccan-based think tank. "Authorities would have to dedicate more resources to avoid high profile attacks, including possible ones on the capital," Lyammouri added. A man paces a 50-meter stage doing breathing exercises. Crew members chatter while putting together final touches to the set, as a pianist rehearses. Acclaimed South African artist William Kentridge's play "The Head & The Load" is almost ready for its much-awaited African debut. "Being able to show it at home feels very important," Kentridge told AFP of the show, which centers on African porters who, at the call of their colonial masters, hauled arms, cannons and supplies for European forces during World War I. The production made its international debut in London in 2018 but has never been shown on African soil. That is set to change on Friday as, after delays caused by coronavirus pandemic, the piece is set to premier at the Joburg Theatre in Johannesburg. "This piece is about a hidden history, a history that was deliberately hidden," Kentridge, 67, said as the cast took their places for a final dress rehearsal on Thursday night. About one million African soldiers, porters and laborers are believed to have taken part in the 1914-18 conflict, according to the United Nations cultural agency, UNESCO. More than 150,000 of them died. "I think a starting place of the project was an ignorance, and an annoyance at my own self at my own ignorance," the artist said. "I thought I knew the First World War." 'Troubles of the neck' "The Head & The Load" takes its name from a Ghanaian proverb -- "The head and the load are the troubles of the neck". At the rehearsal, the words are projected in enormous white text onto the stage. But it takes a brief explanation, and a moment of reflection, to better understand their meaning. "There's... a physical load that the people are carrying, there's a historical load of how we got here, and there's a psychic load of how does one keep this history in one's head," Kentridge said. Renowned for his animated films of shape-shifting charcoal drawings, the thickly eye-browed artist described the show as "a very wide drawing... moving in three dimensions", combined with silhouettes, "added text and a great deal of music." Choreographer Gregory Maqoma said he looked forward to performing for a home audience. The production aimed at "fulfilling" a void for "those who never made it back home," he said. Among them was a distant relative of the show's co-composer, 35-year-old, Thuthuka Sibisi, who said one of his ancestors died on board the SS Mendi, a British steamship that sank in the Channel in February 1917. The vessel was taking more than 600 mostly black South African soldiers to the front in France. "The role and responsibility here is to... reconsider what we think is history" Sibisi said. "The Head & The Load" runs at the Joburg Theatre from April 21 to May 6. Longtime New York Times China reporter Chris Buckley traveled to Wuhan, the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic, on the day the city went into lockdown. It was January 2020. In retrospect, it sounds crazy, Buckley said. He went prepared with masks and a healthy sense of caution, but he never predicted that what he saw during those weeks would still grip the world three years later. It was a big story, and I like to cover big stories. Its exciting. Its fulfilling. And I hope it didnt make me reckless, Buckley told VOA. I wanted to be part of what was going to be a big story. His visa was about to expire, and the Chinese government had already told him they wouldnt renew it. That meant the start of the pandemic was among the last big stories Buckley was going to be able to report from inside China before he left that spring. Beijing has expelled or declined to renew visas for several foreign correspondents in recent years. China in 2020 said it was responding to the previous U.S. administration decision to cap the number of visas for staff at state-run Chinese media and designate their outlets foreign missions. When Buckley got off the train in Wuhan, he didnt find any more security than normal which made some parts of the assignment easier than he had expected. It was difficult reporting, but it wasnt constrained by being followed or anything like that. It was constrained by people being worried [about the virus], he told VOA from Taiwan, where he currently lives. Buckley, who has covered China for over two decades, is among the correspondents whose stories from the 1940s to today make up a new book Assignment China: An Oral History of American Journalists in the Peoples Republic. If we want to understand China, we should care about who is reporting about China, said Katherine Wilhelm, who reported in China for various outlets between 1987 and 2001 and is also featured in the book. How do they experience the process of gathering information on a day-to-day basis? It helps to see how the sausage is made. Assignment China was written by CNNs first Beijing bureau chief Mike Chinoy. The way in which journalists for the American media have covered China has had a huge impact in the way most Americans understand or misunderstand China, Chinoy told VOA. The American media organizations coverage of China has had a disproportionate impact in shaping perception of China all around the world. Chinoy wanted to help readers better understand what he sees as the particular challenges of trying to cover a story as challenging and complicated and as hugely important as China is. That goal was important to Chinoy in light of tensions between Washington and Beijing. Chinoy served as CNNs Beijing bureau chief from 1987 to 1995. It was a period that went from relatively relaxed to extremely repressive during and after Tiananmen Square, to becoming relatively relaxed again, Chinoy said. On the night of the [Tiananmen Square] crackdown, my live reporting was all done on a telephone line that we kept open on the balcony of the Beijing Hotel because we didnt have a cellphone, Chinoy said. Following the 1989 crackdown was a period of intense restrictions that made it harder to report until 1992, he said. The most promising period for foreign reporters in China, according to Melissa Chan, was in the run-up to the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. Chan began reporting in China in 2006 and worked there as a correspondent for Al Jazeera until 2012, when she was expelled from the country. She was the first foreign reporter to be told to leave the country in over a decade. It was pretty big news at the time, Chan, now an independent journalist based in Berlin, told VOA. Today, weve lost track of the number of reporters whove lost their credentials and have had to leave. Chinas Washington embassy did not reply to VOAs email requesting comment. A Foreign Ministry spokesperson, however, has previously dismissed claims of a closed media environment, saying, as long as foreign journalists abide by the law and do reporting in compliance with the law and regulations, there is no need to worry. Even before Chan was forced to leave, the relative freedom that foreign journalists briefly enjoyed had begun to decline, she said. During a 2011 reporting trip to the northwestern region of Xinjiang, where Beijing is accused of genocide against Uyghurs, Chan was tailed by two cars the entire time. It was becoming unbearable, particularly for TV crews, she said. Those difficulties strike at the heart of the book, Chinoy said, which is the never-ending struggle between American journalists seeking to penetrate the veil of secrecy that has enshrouded China for so long, and get a better understanding of Chinese reality. For Wilhelm, who now leads the U.S.-Asia Law Institute at New York Universitys law school, reporting in China gave a sense, all day, every day, that you were swimming upstream, or swimming against the tide, trying to find out things in a system that really didnt want you to find them out. Despite the barriers, which have multiplied in recent years, Buckley said that for media to cover the news on China effectively, they need to be inside China. Reporting from the countryside is one of the things Buckley misses most about being based in China. But thats become harder to do, he said. Ultimately it means people abroad dont get that more textured sense about what life is like in China, Buckley said. And thats a loss. In the short term, the Chinese government may be relieved to have fewer foreign journalists, especially from American outlets, said Buckley. But those potential benefits wont last forever. Longer term, if readers, if audiences are deprived of a fuller understanding of whats happening in China, that space where information cant be shared is going to be filled with distortions and rumors and more misunderstandings, he said. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni declined to sign a bill that would require the death penalty for homosexuality in some cases and sent it back to Parliament for "strengthening." Museveni's decision was announced late Thursday after he met with lawmakers in his ruling National Resistance Movement party, almost all of whom supported the bill. The meeting ended with a decision to return the bill to Parliament "with proposals for its improvement," a statement said. It was not clear what the president's recommendations were. The Ugandan Parliament passed the bill on March 21, and the president must sign it for it to become law. NRM chief whip Denis Hamson Obua said Thursday that Museveni would meet Tuesday with the Parliament's legal and parliamentary affairs committee to draft amendments to the bill. Homosexuality is illegal in Uganda as it is in more than 30 of Africa's 54 countries under a colonial-era law criminalizing sex acts "against the order of nature." The punishment is life imprisonment. Museveni is a strong opponent of LGBTQ rights. Last month, he described gay people as "deviants." However, he is under pressure from the international community to veto the bill. U.N. experts say the bill, if passed, would be "an egregious violation of human rights," and the U.S. has warned of economic consequences if the legislation is enacted. Last month, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken "urged the Ugandan government to strongly consider [the impact of] the implementation of this legislation," saying via Twitter that the bill "could reverse gains in the fight against HIV/AIDS." The bill prescribes the death penalty for the offense of "aggravated homosexuality," defined as sexual relations involving people infected with HIV as well as minors and other categories of vulnerable people. It also includes life imprisonment for "homosexuality." Jail terms of up to 20 years are proposed for those who advocate or promote LGBTQ rights. Under the bill, a suspect convicted of "attempted aggravated homosexuality" can be jailed for 14 years, and the offense of "attempted homosexuality" is punishable by up to 10 years. The bill has widespread support in Uganda, including among church leaders. It was introduced by a lawmaker who said his goal was to punish the "promotion, recruitment and funding" of LGBTQ activities in the country. Only two of 389 legislators present for the voting session opposed the bill. Ignatius Annor of VOA's English to Africa Service contributed to this report. Some information came from The Associated Press and Reuters. Competition between the U.S. and China in artificial intelligence has expanded into a race to design and implement comprehensive AI regulations. The efforts to come up with rules to ensure AI's trustworthiness, safety and transparency come at a time when governments around the world are exploring the impact of the technology on national security and education. ChatGPT, a chatbot that mimics human conversation, has received massive attention since its debut in November. Its ability to give sophisticated answers to complex questions with a language fluency comparable to that of humans has caught the world by surprise. Yet its many flaws, including its ostensibly coherent responses laden with misleading information and apparent bias, have prompted tech leaders in the U.S. to sound the alarm. "What happens when something vastly smarter than the smartest person comes along in silicon form? It's very difficult to predict what will happen in that circumstance," said Tesla Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk in an interview with Fox News. He warned that artificial intelligence could lead to "civilization destruction" without regulations in place. Google CEO Sundar Pichai echoed that sentiment. "Over time there has to be regulation. There have to be consequences for creating deep fake videos which cause harm to society," Pichai said in an interview with CBS's "60 Minutes" program. Jessica Brandt, policy director for the Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technology Initiative at the Brookings Institution, told VOA Mandarin, "Business leaders understand that regulators will be watching this space closely, and they have an interest in shaping the approaches regulators will take." US grapples with regulations AI regulation is still nascent in the U.S. Last year, the White House released voluntary guidance through a Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights to help ensure users' rights are protected as technology companies design and develop AI systems. At a meeting of the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology this month, President Joe Biden expressed concern about the potential dangers associated with AI and underscored that companies had a responsibility to ensure their products were safe before making them public. On April 11, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, a Commerce Department agency that advises the White House on telecommunications and information policy, began to seek comment and public input with the aim of crafting a report on AI accountability. The U.S. government is trying to find the right balance to regulate the industry without stifling innovation "in part because the U.S. having innovative leadership globally is a selling point for the United States' hard and soft power," said Johanna Costigan, a junior fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute's Center for China Analysis. Brandt, with Brookings, said, "The challenge for liberal democracies is to ensure that AI is developed and deployed responsibly, while also supporting a vibrant innovation ecosystem that can attract talent and investment." Meanwhile, other Western countries have also started to work on regulating the emerging technology. The U.K. government published its AI regulatory framework in March. Also last month, Italy temporarily blocked ChatGPT in the wake of a data breach, and the German commissioner for data protection said his country could follow suit. The European Union stated it's pushing for an AI strategy aimed at making Europe a world-class hub for AI that ensures AI is human-centric and trustworthy, and it hopes to lead the world in AI standards. Cyber regulations in China In contrast to the U.S., the Chinese government has already implemented regulations aimed at tech sectors related to AI. In the past few years, Beijing has introduced several major data protection laws to limit the power of tech companies and to protect consumers. The Cybersecurity Law enacted in 2017 requires that data must be stored within China and operators must submit to government-conducted security checks. The Data Security Law enacted in 2021 sets a comprehensive legal framework for processing personal information when doing business in China. The Personal Information Protection Law established in the same year gives Chinese consumers the right to access, correct and delete their personal data gathered by businesses. Costigan, with the Asia Society, said these laws have laid the groundwork for future tech regulations. In March 2022, China began to implement a regulation that governs the way technology companies can use recommendation algorithms. The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) now supervises the process of using big data to analyze user preferences and companies' ability to push information to users. On April 11, the CAC unveiled a draft for managing generative artificial intelligence services similar to ChatGPT, in an effort to mitigate the dangers of the new technology. Costigan said the goal of the proposed generative AI regulation could be seen in Article 4 of the draft, which states that content generated by future AI products must reflect the country's "core socialist values" and not encourage subversion of state power. "Maintaining social stability is a key consideration," she said. "The new draft regulation does some good and is unambiguously in line with [President] Xi Jinping's desire to ensure that individuals, companies or organizations cannot use emerging AI applications to challenge his rule." Michael Caster, the Asia digital program manager at Article 19, a London-based rights organization, told VOA, "The language, especially at Article 4, is clearly about maintaining the state's power of censorship and surveillance. "All global policymakers should be clearly aware that while China may be attempting to set standards on emerging technology, their approach to legislation and regulation has always been to preserve the power of the party." The future of cyber regulations As strategies for cyber and AI regulations evolve, how they develop may largely depend on each country's way of governance and reasons for creating standards. Analysts say there will also be intrinsic hurdles linked to coming up with consensus. "Ethical principles can be hard to implement consistently, since context matters and there are countless potential scenarios at play," Brandt told VOA. "They can be hard to enforce, too. Who would take on that role? How? And of course, before you can implement or enforce a set of principles, you need broad agreement on what they are." Observers said the international community would face challenges as it creates standards aimed at making AI technology ethical and safe. Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. OPT's WAM-V 22 Autonomous Surface Vehicle (ASV) will Continue Supporting a US Government Agency, Securing Recurring Revenues MONROE TOWNSHIP, N.J., April 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. (OPT or the Company) (NYSE American: OPTT), a leader in innovative, cost-effective, and autonomous low-carbon marine data, power, and consulting service solutions, is pleased to announce a $0.5M extension of its contract to continue providing their WAM-V 22 Autonomous Surface Vehicle (USV) asset to a US Government Agency Overseas for ongoing autonomous maritime activities. The contract extends through September 30, 2023, and is a testament to the capabilities of the WAM-V ASV and OPT's skilled operators, securing recurring revenues and supporting the company's long-term growth plans and anticipated path to positive cash flow. "Ocean Power Technologies is proud to continue our support for the US Government with our state-of-the-art WAM-V ASV," said Philipp Stratmann, President, and CEO of OPT. "This contract extension reflects the confidence our clients have in our technology and our ability to deliver reliable and effective solutions. We are grateful for the continued opportunity to play a part in keeping our nation safe and our Government Agencies supplied with cutting-edge technology." OPT's WAM-V ASV is a leading-edge autonomous surface vehicle that provides versatile, efficient, and cost-effective capabilities for a wide range of maritime applications. Its advanced technology enables it to perform a variety of tasks, including data collection, surveillance, and communication, making it an invaluable asset in maritime exercises and operations. With this contract extension, OPT continues to strengthen its financial position through recurring revenues from this contract and others like it. This success underscores OPT's commitment to providing innovative and reliable marine solutions and supporting its clients' needs in the ever-evolving maritime landscape. Story continues About Ocean Power Technologies OPT provides intelligent maritime solutions and services that enable safer, cleaner, and more productive ocean operations for the defense and security, oil and gas, science and research, and offshore wind markets. Our PowerBuoy platforms provide clean and reliable electric power and real-time data communications for remote maritime and subsea applications. We also provide WAM-V autonomous surface vehicles (ASVs) and marine robotics services through our wholly owned subsidiary Marine Advanced Robotics. We are headquartered in Monroe Township, New Jersey, and have offices in Houston, Texas, and Richmond, California. To learn more, visit www.OceanPowerTechnologies.com. Forward-Looking Statements This release may contain forward-looking statements that are within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are identified by certain words or phrases such as "may", "will", "aim", "will likely result", "believe", "expect", "will continue", "anticipate", "estimate", "intend", "plan", "contemplate", "seek to", "future", "objective", "goal", "project", "should", "will pursue" and similar expressions or variations of such expressions. These forward-looking statements reflect the Company's current expectations about its future plans and performance. These forward-looking statements rely on a number of assumptions and estimates that could be inaccurate and subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could vary materially from those anticipated or expressed in any forward-looking statement made by the Company. Please refer to the Company's most recent Forms 10-Q and 10-K and subsequent filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for further discussion of these risks and uncertainties. The Company disclaims any obligation or intent to update the forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release. CONTACT: Note to editors: For further inquiries or to schedule an interview with Philipp Stratmann, President and CEO of Ocean Power Technologies, Inc., please contact: Media: 609-730-0400 or MediaRelations@oceanpowertech.com Investor contact information Investors: 609-730-0400 x401 or InvestorRelations@oceanpowertech.com The Pentagon is positioning military forces near Sudan to help evacuate U.S. Embassy personnel in Khartoum, if needed, amid the explosion of violence between the African countrys two warring factions. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and other leaders are pushing for a cease-fire until at least Sunday. VOA's Senior Diplomatic Correspondent Cindy Saine reports from the State Department. U.S.-made M1A1 Abrams tanks will arrive in Germany in May, and Ukrainians will start training on them soon after, according to senior military officials. Thirty-one Abrams tanks will arrive at a base in Grafenwohr, Germany, next month so that Ukrainians can start a 10-week course on how to operate the tanks. Additional force-on-force training and maintenance courses will be held at either Grafenwohr or another base in Hohenfels, Germany, officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss security matters. The U.S.-led training will involve about 250 Ukrainians, and officials say 31 Abrams tanks will be delivered to Ukraine by the fall, which is much earlier than initially expected. The training tanks will not be the ones that will go to Ukraine as it fights against Russias invasion. Those are being refurbished in the United States and will go to the frontlines when they are ready, according to officials. The news comes as U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin is hosting another meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group on Friday, where military leaders from more than 50 nations are focusing on the Ukrainian militarys armor, air defense and ammunition needs. Austin is expected to announce that the Abrams will arrive in Germany in the coming weeks during a Friday press conference. Speaking at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, where he first convened the group last April, Austin said the groups members had provided more than $55 billion in security assistance for Ukraine. More than a year later, Ukraine is still standing strong. Our support has not wavered, and Im proud of the progress that we have made together, he said. In the past few months, members of the group have provided enough equipment and training to support nine additional armored brigades, according to Austin. Abrams tanks, in particular, have been a long-awaited addition to the fight. The tanks thick armor and 1,500-horsepower turbine engine make it much more advanced than the Soviet-era tanks Ukraine has been using since the wars beginning. The Biden administration announced in January that it would send a newer version of the Abrams tanks, known as M1A2, to Ukraine after they were procured and built, a process that could potentially take years. In March, the administration pivoted to provide M1A1 Abrams tanks instead, in order to get the tanks into the hands of the Ukrainians sooner rather than later, Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said at the time. The U.K. was the first to promise Western-style tanks for Ukraine, sending its Challenger 2 tanks to aid in the fight. After the U.S. Abrams announcement in January, Germany announced it would provide Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine and allow other allies with German tanks, such as Poland, to do the same. Ukrainian Minister of Defense Oleksii Reznikov spoke to members of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group Friday in order to update leaders on the state of the battlefield and Ukraines most urgent military needs. Moscow began a renewed offensive in Ukraine earlier this year that has stalled, and Kyiv is preparing for a massive counteroffensive that is expected to begin in the coming days or weeks. The U.S. has now provided more than $35 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since Russias full-scale invasion began in February 2022, which Austin called an unprovoked and indefensible war of aggression. Some countries, including Estonia and Latvia, have donated more than 1% of their GDP to Ukraines defense. Ahead of the meeting, Austin addressed the massive Pentagon leak of classified documents detailing sensitive intelligence on the war in Ukraine, Russian intelligence and intelligence gleaned from spying on allies. Austin said he took the issue very seriously and would continue to work with our deeply valued allies and partners. Ive been struck by your solidarity and your commitment to reject efforts to divide us. And we will not let anything fracture our unity, he said. The Ukraine Defense Contact Group has worked better than predicted in terms of maintaining supplies for Ukraine, showing Western resolve to face down Russian aggression and having Ukraine's back even without having forces on the battlefield, according to Michael OHanlon, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. The U.S. and allies have vowed to support Ukraine in defending its sovereign territory for as long as it takes, which OHanlon says may extend through all of 2024. I'm afraid that's a distinct possibility, he said. U.S. homeland security officials are launching what they describe as two urgent initiatives to combat growing threats from China and expanding dangers from ever more capable, and potentially malicious, artificial intelligence. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas announced Friday that his department was starting a 90-day sprint to confront more frequent and intense efforts by China to hurt the United States, while separately establishing an artificial intelligence task force. "Beijing has the capability and the intent to undermine our interests at home and abroad and is leveraging every instrument of its national power to do so," Mayorkas warned, addressing the threat from China during a speech at the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington. The 90-day sprint will assess how the threats posed by the PRC [People's Republic of China] will evolve and how we can be best positioned to guard against future manifestations of this threat, he said. One critical area we will assess, for example, involves the defense of our critical infrastructure against PRC or PRC-sponsored attacks designed to disrupt or degrade provision of national critical functions, sow discord and panic, and prevent mobilization of U.S. military capabilities, Mayorkas added. Other areas of focus for the sprint will include addressing ways to stop Chinese government exploitation of U.S. immigration and travel systems to spy on the U.S. government and private entities and to silence critics, and looking at ways to disrupt the global fentanyl supply chain. AI dangers Mayorkas also said the magnitude of the threat from artificial intelligence, appearing in a growing number of tools from major tech companies, was no less critical. "We must address the many ways in which artificial intelligence will drastically alter the threat landscape and augment the arsenal of tools we possess to succeed in the face of these threats," he said. Mayorkas promised that the Department of Homeland Security will lead in the responsible use of AI to secure the homeland and in defending against the malicious use of this transformational technology." The new task force is set to seek ways to use AI to protect U.S. supply chains and critical infrastructure, counter the flow of fentanyl, and help find and rescue victims of online child sexual exploitation. The unveiling of the two initiatives came days after lawmakers grilled Mayorkas about what some described as a lackluster and derelict effort under his leadership to secure the U.S. border with Mexico. You have not secured our borders, Mr. Secretary, and I believe youve done so intentionally, the chair of the House Homeland Security Committee, Republican Mark Green, told Mayorkas on Wednesday. Another lawmaker, Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene, went as far as to accuse Mayorkas of lying, though her words were quickly removed from the record. Mayorkas on Friday said it might be possible to use AI to help with border security, though how exactly it could be deployed for the task was not yet clear. We're at a nascent stage of really deploying AI, he said. I think we're now at the dawn of a new age. But Mayorkas cautioned that technologies like AI would do little to slow the number of migrants willing to embark on dangerous journeys to reach U.S. soil. Desperation is the greatest catalyst for the migration we are seeing," he said. FBI warning The announcement of Homeland Securitys 90-day sprint to confront growing threats from Beijing followed a warning earlier this week from the FBI about the willingness of China to target dissidents and critics in the U.S. and the arrests of two New York City residents for their involvement in a secret Chinese police station. China has denied any wrongdoing. The Chinese government strictly abides by international law, and fully respects the law enforcement sovereignty of other countries, Liu Pengyu, the spokesman for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, told VOA in an email earlier this week, accusing the U.S. of seeking to smear Chinas image. Top U.S. officials have said they are opening two investigations daily into Chinese economic espionage in the U.S. The Chinese government has stolen more of American's personal and corporate data than that of every nation, big or small combined, FBI Director Christopher Wray told an audience late last year. More recently, Wray warned of Chinese advances in AI, saying he was deeply concerned. Mayorkas voiced a similar sentiment, pointing to Chinas use of investments and technology to establish footholds around the world. We are deeply concerned about PRC-owned and -operated infrastructure, elements of infrastructure, and what that control can mean, given that the operator and owner has adverse interests, Mayorkas said Friday. Whether it's investment in our ports, whether it is investment in partner nations, telecommunications channels and the like, it's a myriad of threats, he said. The government of Vietnam used charges of tax evasion to jail four dissidents known as the Vietnam Four for their roles in climate activism, a human rights group says in a new report. The 88 Project is a Vietnam human rights group headquartered in the U.S. city of Chicago, Illinois. Its 88-page report, called "Weaponizing the Law to Prosecute the Vietnam Four," documents how authorities in Vietnam have cracked down on four Vietnamese climate activists, charging them with tax evasion and sentencing them to prison in a closed-door hearing. The "Vietnam Four" activists Dang Dinh Bach, Nguy Thi Khanh, Mai Phan Loi and Bach Hung Duong advocated for the government to reduce its reliance on coal and commit to a policy of net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Vietnam has the 19th-biggest known coal reserve in the world. Ben Swanton, co-director of Project 88, released the findings of the groups investigation at the Foreign Correspondents Club Thailand in Bangkok on Friday. The group reviewed 90 court verdicts of individuals who were convicted of tax evasion in Vietnam between 2017-2022. Findings show it is rare for people to be criminally prosecuted for tax evasion on personal income in Vietnam. But that's what happened to Nguy Thi Khanh, a renowned climate activist and recipient of the Goldman Environment Prize. As for Bach, Loi and Duong, they were all charged with evading taxes on corporate income. However, it is unclear under Vietnamese law if local non-governmental organizations had to pay corporate tax at the time of the arrests. According to Project 88, 81 percent of people convicted of tax evasion during the five-year period did not serve prison time but all four activists are currently incarcerated. Dang Dinh Bach received a five-year prison sentence in January 2022, while Mai Phan Loi and Bach Hung Duong were sentenced the same day but had their prison time reduced to 45 months and 27 months respectively after a ruling by a court in Hanoi. Khanh was sentenced to two years in June 2022. All four individuals were held in pre-trial detention, another rarity for tax evasion charges. 'These irregularities are strong evidence to suggest abuse of process and arbitrary application of the law. They also indicate that the charges, detention and punishment of the Vietnam Four were neither necessary nor proportionate but rather appear to have been designed to silence these individuals and remove them from society, thereby violating their right to freedom of expression and right to participate in public affairs," Project 88 states on its website. Security agency gets involved The dossier also reveals how the Vietnamese government's Security Investigations Agency was involved in the criminal investigations. By law, the agency only has authority to investigate serious crimes related to national security and war. The investigations must be approved by Vietnam Minister of Public Security To Lam. "It's completely outrageous that the Vietnamese government is arbitrarily using criminal law to persecute the people leading the fight to save the planet," Swanton said. What's garnered more criticism is that despite the climate activist crackdown, Vietnam have agreed to a $15 billion energy transition deal with G-7 nations that includes Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The energy deal will help Vietnam reach its highest output of greenhouse gas emissions sooner and gain 47% of its power from renewable energy by 2030, Reuters reported. "It's also outrageous that the G-7 is rewarding the government with a $15 billion energy transition deal that makes no concrete human rights demands. Vietnam should immediately release Dang Dinh Bach and other activists who are being arbitrarily detained and the G-7 should condition financial aid for Vietnam's energy transition on the government not arresting any more activists," Swanton added. VOA requested comment from the Vietnam government but has not received a reply. Phil Robertson, deputy Asian director of Human Rights Watch, also spoke at Friday's press conference. "There is no justice or independence in Vietnam's judiciary," he said. "And to add insult to injury, the police routinely deny legal counsel to defendants. Now we see this attack broadened and starting to hit civil society groups, starting with the four leaders of these climate change NGOs. The government and party's absolute drive for power in Vietnam and destruction of any sort of activist or civil society structures looks an awful lot like what's happening in China. Across the board Vietnam looks like a mini-China. Vietnam is following in lockstep." Government limits groups' influence Vietnam is a one-party Communist state in Southeast Asia. The government has complete control over the state's functions, social organizations and media. Although Vietnam has one of the fastest growing economies in the region, it has a poor reputation on corruption, political censorship, human rights and civic society. Since Vietnam Communist Part General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong came to power in 2016, Vietnam has seen measures limiting the influence of civil society organizations, both rights groups say. Vietnam issued Decree 58 to its rulebook in November amending rules that prohibit foreign non-governmental organization groups from receiving donations, calling for sponsors, or raising funds from Vietnamese organizations or individuals. Activist asks world to refocus Robertson called for the international community to refocus on Vietnam's human rights issues, having been distracted from recent global events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and the Myanmar coup. "I hope we can find a way for the international community to find the political will to once again put human rights issues on the front burner rather than burying it in the backyard," he said. Terrica Purvis squinted through goggles as her hands carefully guided a pipette full of indigo-tinted fluid into clear glass test tubes. It was the last chemistry lab of the winter quarter at Everett Community College. Purvis was working through the steps of what chemistry professor Valerie Mosser jokingly refers to as the "post-apocalypse survival" lab an experiment using boiled red cabbage water to test the acidity of common household chemicals. Purvis, 27, is in her first year of study for an associate degree in nursing at Everett Community College. She is also one of more than 6,000 Washington community and technical college students enrolled in the state's Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training (I-BEST) program. Students who need extra help in subjects such as algebra struggle to learn if the content is taught in an abstract way, educators say. So I-BEST programs feature two teachers in the classroom: One provides job training and the other teaches basic skills in reading, math or English language. Nationally, two-year community colleges have the worst completion rates in higher education, with only slightly more than 40% earning degrees within six years. In Washington state, students in the program graduate at a higher rate. Among students who started college from 2015 to 2018, an average of 52% enrolled in I-BEST classes earned a degree or certificate within four years. That compares with 38% of students who did so while enrolled in traditional adult basic education coursework, according to the state Board for Community and Technical Colleges. The program is so successful that 12 states have begun implementing an I-BEST model at one or more education institutions. For Purvis, who hadn't been in school for nearly a decade, this class meant getting extra math help when she needed it: during a chemistry class. Each time Mosser gave a lecture or held a lab, she was joined by Candace Ronhaar, who works as a tutor and extra math instructor. In one session, Ronhaar drew a heart on the whiteboard. She wrote the word "mole" beside it, and explained it is a unit of measurement equivalent to the amount of atoms in 12 grams of carbon-12. She guided students through practice problems, calculating the mass of chemical compounds. All six students in Chemistry 121 were also taking an entry-level statistics class, and Ronhaar was co-instructor for both courses. Mosser said Ronhaar's presence was the most valuable part of the I-BEST model. "I'm an assessment instructor," Mosser said. "She's just a helping instructor. In the minds of students, the difference is incalculable. They have a different relationship with her. They're more willing to go to her, because she doesn't grade them." Purvis said chemistry was the first class that ever "humbled" her. She doesn't think she would have passed without I-BEST. Students fresh out of high school had an easier time remembering chemistry and math, Purvis said, but she hadn't studied those subjects for 10 years. "They couldn't have picked a better second instructor," Purvis said of Ronhaar. "I loved it. We went to her office hours all the time." After high school, Purvis spent six years as a cook in the Navy, and took classes at a couple other colleges. Last year, she was medically discharged and returned to school at Everett Community College full-time. She plans to go on to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and hopes to work in labor and delivery at a hospital. Helping more students graduate from nursing school has a larger societal benefit. In the first year of the pandemic, from 2020 to 2021, the number of working registered nurses in the United States decreased by more than 100,000 the highest drop in four decades. An estimated 200,000 jobs for registered nurses are expected to open each year in the U.S. through 2031, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in 2021. I-BEST was launched as a state pilot program almost 20 years ago as data suggested students needed vocational training to improve job prospects. The program was to change the remediation model in most community colleges, where students who don't do well on placement tests must take pre-college classes in their weak subject essentially a repeat of high school. I-BEST enrollment in the state has increased by more than 20% in the past five years, bringing in a diverse group of students. Forty-six percent of its students are students of color, 55% are women and 39% have dependents. I-BEST opens the door to federal financial aid by making it available to students who didn't graduate from high school. Under financial aid rules, students must either have a high school diploma or prove their "ability to benefit" from aid by being enrolled in a qualifying program, such as I-BEST, where they learn basic skills as part of their career pathway. Along with nursing, other high-demand I-BEST job pathways include aeronautics, manufacturing and information technologies. At Bellevue College, I-BEST students enrolled in Business 101 meet with instructor Eric Nacke for an adult basic education class on a separate day. Nacke teaches English in the context of the business world. Student Forouzan Barfibafeghi moved from Iran to the U.S. in 2020. She holds a bachelor's degree in business from Islamic Azad University in Tehran, where she graduated in 1999. She said Nacke's classes have helped her develop her English skills and given her a sense of community. "We have created a strong bond between us. That is one of the highlights for me," said Barfibafeghi, who hopes to find work in the insurance industry after completing an associated degree in business. In Washington, because I-BEST uses a mix of state, federal and other grant funds, the state doesn't know how much the program costs. But the model calling for two instructors does make it more expensive than other adult basic education programs. The program might be more broadly replicated if it weren't so costly, state community college spokesperson Laura McDowell said. As Purvis prepared for her next quarter of classes, the student said she hoped her future instructors would be as helpful as Ronhaar. "She's my favorite instructor so far since I've been going to Everett," Purvis said. "We needed her. She had to be there." Editor's note: This story is part of Saving the College Dream, a collaboration between AL.com, The Associated Press, The Christian Science Monitor, The Dallas Morning News, The Hechinger Report, The Post and Courier in Charleston, South Carolina, and The Seattle Times, with support from the Solutions Journalism Network. RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, GERMANY The top U.S. military officials meeting Friday in Germany reaffirmed the U.S. and allied commitment to support Ukraine against Russia's invasion for "as long as it takes." U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Mark Milley spoke to reporters following the 11th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. The group is made up of more than 50 nations NATO members plus at least 20 other nations dedicated to supporting Ukraines defense against Russias invasion by providing military equipment and training. Austin said the UDCG has provided more than $55 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the group was formed about a year ago, giving the nation tremendous capability, including a variety of missiles, artillery and air defense systems. Most recently, the UDCG has delivered more than 230 tanks and more than 1,550 armored vehicles, allowing the Ukrainian military to support more than nine new armored brigades. Austin also confirmed the expedited delivery of 31 U.S.-made advanced M1A1 Abrams tanks. He said the battlefield-ready tanks would be delivered by October, faster than expected. He said versions of the tanks to be used only for training would arrive in the coming weeks. U.S. defense officials have said the tanks will be sent to a base in Grafenwohr, Germany, so Ukrainians can start a 10-week course on how to operate them. The U.S.-led training will involve about 250 Ukrainians. Calling himself admittedly biased, Milley said he believed the M1A1 tanks were best in the world and would make a difference on the battlefield, though he said, in war, there is no silver bullet, and the tanks alone will not win the war for Ukraine. The thick armor of the Abrams tanks and their 1,500-horsepower turbine engines make them much more advanced than the Soviet-era tanks Ukraine has been using since the war began. The Biden administration announced in January that it would send a newer version of the Abrams tanks, the M1A2, to Ukraine when they had been procured and built, a process that could take years. Pentagon press secretary Brigadier General Pat Ryder said in March that the administration pivoted to provide M1A1 Abrams tanks instead to get the tanks into the hands of the Ukrainians sooner rather than later. The U.K. was the first to promise Western-style tanks for Ukraine, sending its Challenger 2 tanks to aid in the fight. After the U.S. Abrams announcement in January, Germany announced it would provide Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine and allow other allies with German tanks, such as Poland, to do the same. Austin also said the group heard from the European Union and several nations about efforts to speed up production and delivery of ammunition to Ukraine, in both the short and long term, an indication of their commitment to building Ukraine's combat power. He said the UDCG also heard from Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov about battlefield dynamics and Ukraine's most urgent needs. Both officials were asked about providing the latest in fighter jets to Ukraine, something Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has asked for repeatedly. Milley said the decision to send fighter jets was a policy question to be made by political leaders. From a military perspective, though, he said the primary task at hand was to control the airspace, and the fastest, most efficient and cost-effective way to do that is through ground-based air defense systems. The general said that since the war began, Ukraine has been denying the airspace to Russian planes, forcing them to rely on missile and artillery attacks. He said maintaining all layers of Ukraines air defense systems from high to low altitude, long range to short range was currently the most critical military task and was the main theme of the groups discussions Friday. The U.S. alone has now provided more than $35 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since Russias full-scale invasion began in February 2022, which Austin called an unprovoked and indefensible war of aggression. The Ukraine Defense Contact Group has worked better than predicted in terms of maintaining supplies for Ukraine, showing Western resolve to face down Russian aggression and having Ukraine's back even without having forces on the battlefield, said Michael OHanlon, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. The U.S. and allies have vowed to support Ukraine in defending its sovereign territory. KHARTOUM, SUDAN Sudans paramilitary declared a cease-fire with the military for the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, but it failed as fighting continued. While the conflict raged for a seventh day, Kenyan President William Ruto offered to mediate after multiple cease-fires failed to hold. Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) said it had agreed to a 72-hour truce on humanitarian grounds starting at 6 a.m. (0400 GMT) local time on Friday, to coincide with the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr. "The truce coincides with the blessed Eid al-Fitr ... to open humanitarian corridors to evacuate citizens and give them the opportunity to greet their families," the RSF said in a statement. Bombing and shelling rocked the capital, Khartoum, earlier Friday. There was no immediate comment from the army, and its leader, General Abdel Fattah Burhan, did not mention a cease-fire in a recorded speech posted on the army's Facebook page. The RSF said it had to act in "self-defense" to repel what it described as a coup attempt, adding that it is committed to a "complete cease-fire" during the armistice period. In a televised message to the nation, Burhan reiterated the commitment of the military to restore stability in the country. He extended his message of Eid to all Sudanese people despite the ongoing fighting for the restoration of a civilian rule in Sudan. Burhan said he remains hopeful the military will win the battle, and he vowed to restore peace and stability. Wisdom and strength will protect the country, he said, and allow a safe transition to civilian rule. In Kenya, Ruto made his offer to mediate the conflict as he conveyed a message of goodwill to the Sudanese as the holy month of Ramadan comes to an end. Murithi Mutiga, Africa program director of the International Crisis Group, said it's encouraging that neighbors, including Kenya, are eager to help resolve the Sudan crisis, but he's skeptical that Ruto or any one leader can do it alone. "The reality, though, is that you need concerted actions by multiple external partners because nobody has really substantial leverage over the main actors," he said. Ruto said he strongly believes that a peacefully negotiated solution to the conflict in Sudan is within reach. He expressed hope the fighting parties will respond to appeals to end the fighting put forth this week by the East African regional bloc IGAD and the African Union. But Mutiga said major powers need to step in. "It's good to support the regional initiatives that might send the Kenyans, the Djiboutians, and South Sudanese heads of state, but they need to be backed up by serious external pressure, particularly by two key players: Saudi Arabia and the U.S.," he said. "They have considerable access to the main actors. They might be able to move the needle and they might be able to encourage them to accept talks." Ruto said halting the fight will be a gesture of goodwill and will stop a descent into conflict, insecurity, instability and humanitarian crisis. Mutiga said that the RSFs announcement of a cease-fire that was seemingly met with no interest from the Sudanese army suggests the RSF might be under some sort of military pressure. "But we have to remember that this is a very large force, very motivated force and one with a lot at stake, Mutiga said. The armed forces seem determined to crush them militarily, but that is partly because they worry that a truce might allow the RSF to reinforce." Regardless, Mutiga said it is essential that the two parties move toward an agreement sooner rather than later because the suffering in Sudan has been horrific. At least 330 people have been killed in the power struggle between two previously allied leaders of the ruling military junta, army chief Burhan and RSF leader General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. Mariama Diallo reported from Nairobi, Kenya. Some Zimbabweans living in USA protested Friday outside the country's embassy in Washington DC urging the current government to step down. They expressed dismay over the alleged looting of gold by suspected criminals, cartels and others said to be linked to President Emmerson Mnangagwa. The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. As Zimbabwe celebrated its Independence Day on Tuesday, President Emmerson Mnangagwa said the countrys economy was improving. But a World Bank report released this month said that while Zimbabwe's poverty levels are declining, they remain elevated. Columbus Mavhunga reports. Montecito residents fear a wall built on Oprah Winfrey's estate may reroute flooding onto other properties. (Evan Agostini / Invision/AP) Oprah Winfrey has amassed an impressive collection of Montecito real estate over the last two decades. But the media moguls latest headline in the luxury community is not about a house, but a wall one that neighbors fear might reroute flooding onto their properties during the next rainstorm. After months of heavy rainfall and flooding across the community, a boulder wall was installed along San Ysidro Creek, which runs along Winfreys estate, to protect the property from flooding and creek erosion, according to Santa Barbaras Noozhawk. Its a reasonable precaution; Montecito has long been prone to weather disasters, including a 2018 mudslide filmed by Winfrey that killed 23 people, a number of whom were swept into San Ysidro Creek. Earlier this year, the area was evacuated when a storm swept through the community. But residents fear that the wall could redirect the creek, pushing floodwater onto other properties during intense rainfall. You cant alter creek canals and not expect there to be results, Sharon Byrne, executive director of the Montecito Assn., said in an interview with Noozhawk. Dont change the creeks. They are going to shift and move on their own. The wall was reportedly installed by Jimenez Nursery, which obtained a permit to build it on Feb. 1, a few weeks after the area was evacuated. The permit sought to reconstruct the creek bank after the flood and replace boulders that had either eroded or washed away. This month, a group of officials and inspectors met at the wall to analyze the project after a complaint was filed with the county. John Zorovich, a deputy director for the Santa Barbara County Planning & Development Department, told SF Gate that an investigation was ongoing. The wall was built on Winfreys Santa Rosa Lane property, which she bought at auction for $28.85 million in 2015. At the time of the sale, the 23-acre estate known as Seamair Farm held a ranch-style home built by prolific architect Cliff May as well as equestrian facilities such as a stable, barn, riding rings and a horse trainers house. The property was an expansion of the Promised Land, Winfreys famous main residence that she picked up for around $50 million in 2001. The 42-acre spread centers on a 23,000-square-foot Georgian-style mega-mansion overlooking the ocean. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Funeral Announcements A daily list of current funeral annoucements as heard on KXRA 1490 AM/100.3 FM News Updates The daily news, sports, and events delivered daily from Voice of Alexandria. Sports Update This current sports headlines delivered daily from Voice of Alexandria. Upcoming Events This email is the events of the area delivered daily from Voice of Alexandria. Breaking News The big news. Sent only as it happens. Photo: Nina Westervelt/Variety via Getty Images Alec Baldwin is no longer facing criminal charges over a fatal shooting on the set of the film Rust in October 2021. Baldwins involuntary manslaughter counts will be dismissed. Over the last few days and in preparation for the May 3, 2023, preliminary hearing, new facts were revealed that demand further investigation and forensic analysis in the case against Alexander Alec Rae Baldwin, III, prosecutors said in a Thursday statement to Vulture confirming the decision. Consequently, we cannot proceed under the current time constraints and on the facts and evidence turned over by law enforcement in its existing form. Deadline first reported the news, which Baldwins attorneys celebrated in a statement provided to Vulture. We are pleased with the decision to dismiss the case against Alec Baldwin and we encourage a proper investigation into the facts and circumstances of this tragic accident, said Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro. There are still charges against Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armorer on the film, which will allow prosecutors to continue investigating. Prosecutors said Baldwin has not been absolved of criminal culpability, and that his charges can be refiled with more evidence in the future. Their follow-up investigation will remain active and ongoing. The news comes almost precisely 18 months after the shooting, when Baldwin fired a prop gun that killed the western films cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins, and injured the director, Joel Souza. A long investigation followed, during which Baldwin (who was also a producer on the film), Gutierrez-Reed, assistant director David Halls, and others attempted to shift blame for the shooting and explain just how real bullets got into the prop gun and why it was fired. Halls eventually pled guilty to the misdemeanor charge of negligent use of a deadly weapon, while Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed pled not guilty to their charges. Multiple lawsuits have also been filed, including one by Hutchinss family, which was later settled. Last month, district attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies stepped down from the criminal case with two special prosecutors taking her place. A preliminary examination in the case had been set to begin May 3. The news comes the same day the Associated Press reported that Rust is now filming in Montana. Those involved with the film long maintained it would be finished and named Hutchinss widower, Matthew Hutchins, as an executive producer. Joel Souza is returning to direct, and Bianca Cline will be the new cinematographer. Steve Lemme in Quasi. Photo: Searchlight Pictures The comedy troupe Broken Lizard met at Colgate back in 1989 and shot their first feature film, 1996s barely released Puddle Cruiser, on the campus of that university. Theyve made more movies since then, including the 2001 cult hit Super Troopers and its 2018 sequel, but theyve never spiritually left college. And thank God for that. Their work still feels like a bunch of amiable stoners from across the hall came up with a bunch of dumb, funny ideas to put into a movie and then filmed it all the following morning. The casualness is the point and the charm. On the surface, their latest, Quasi, streaming now on Hulu, seems like a bit of a departure. Its a period piece, for starters an extremely loose riff on The Hunchback of Notre Dame. It also has each Broken Lizard member playing multiple characters, a la Monty Python. But its still basically the same vibes-based silliness, a profane, lets-put-on-a-show goof where the costumes and the accents and the period anachronisms are all just part of the joke. For those of us whove been following their career and there are, I suspect, more of us than people realize just watching them play medieval-France dress-up is entertaining enough. But anyone expecting a normal movie might be disappointed, perhaps even outraged. The story is not actually anything like Victor Hugos classic novel, aside from the main character. Steve Lemme plays Quasimodo, who works in the local torture chamber alongside his best friend and hutmate, Duchamp (Kevin Heffernan). The torture chamber alone is ripe for Broken Lizardstyle juvenilia, and they dont skimp on that front. (Hey! More fire ants in that guys dickhole!) Quasi, as hes known, has gained some notoriety in his profession for having invented the rack and for his willingness to agitate for workers rights. (Yes, the torturers have their own union.) But that still wont keep bystanders from throwing leaf vegetables and feces at him for being a hunchback. Why dont you duck when they throw stuff at you? Duchamp asks. What do you mean? Im already ducked, Quasi replies. If that makes you chuckle, youll probably enjoy the movie. Our heros lot in life starts to change when Pope Cornelius (Paul Soter) comes to town for a visit and Quasi wins a lottery (in honor of Pope Week) to confess to the grand pontiff himself. Before he can do that, however, the perpetually bored King Guy (Jay Chandrasekhar) enlists Quasi to kill the Pope. Then the scheming pope enlists Quasi to kill the king. The new queen (Adrianne Palicki), however, knows that the king intends eventually to do away with her, too, and she takes a shine to Quasi; also, she seems drawn to the torture devices he works with. (Its been a pleasure, Quasi. I very much enjoyed your rack. And I yours.) So there are double and triple-crosses going around, and one can easily imagine a version of this movie where the plot was handled with urgency, authenticity, and suspense. But then, what would you be left with? Cumbersome studio slop, most likely. The Broken Lizard guys understand that their brand of handmade, good-natured humor doesnt really work with tighter storytelling or sharper acting, and theyve honed their approach well over the years. Theyre always winking at us because they know that theirs is a fundamentally participatory style of comedy; the process is part of the joke. So much so that in the year of our lord 2023, when CGI can regularly create entire universes for us, Broken Lizard can still eke out laughs from the spectacle of the kings attendant, Henri-Francoise, played by Kevin Heffernan, ordering his soldiers to torture Duchamp, also played by Kevin Heffernan. This is low-stakes sketch comedy, but it has its place, and theres almost a healing quality to the unadorned simplicity of a bunch of guys acting out on a stage. Those of us who like to think of ourselves as sophisticates admire cleverness and timing in humor the sense that a gag has been practiced and perfected before being brought to us. Broken Lizard goes in the opposite direction. Theyre not slick or studied. Theyre not improv comedians, but it does feel sometimes like theyre coming up with a bit before our very eyes, workshopping it in front of their rolling cameras. Many of the jokes dont land. It might even be tragic if they did. The flaws are part of the overall effect spontaneous and human. The reason Broken Lizard seems to keep making cult movies is because when you watch them, you feel like you were there when they made it. Broken Lizard is all of us. Greys Anatomy Gunpowder and Lead Season 19 Episode 16 Editors Rating 2 stars * * Previous Next Previous Episode Next Episode Photo: ABC/Raymond Liu/ABC Heres one of my most fiercely held Greys Anatomy truths: Amelia Shepherd is a menace to society. Listen, I know shes been through a lot shes going through a lot and her addiction is her constant companion. And yes, she warned us last week that she has deep abandonment issues and when she feels abandoned she spirals and when she spirals she lashes out in anger. But, like, just because you warn people that youre probably going to be an asshole for a while doesnt give you the right to be an asshole. As famed fictional journalist Bradley Jackson of The Morning Show once screamed into a guys face, There is a human cost! And it is exhausting! Im exhausted! There is a human cost to Amelia constantly taking out her shit on other people with not even a hint that she wants to grow into a person who does not take her shit out on other people, and that human cost is me. And everyone else watching this show. Amelia being a mess and not taking any steps to change that isnt endearing, Greys Anatomy. Its exhausting. Im exhausted. Meredith left. Maggie left. Kai left. Amelia is so distraught that she cant even bring herself to get up off the couch and go to work. Eventually, Owen and Winston send Mika over to Amelias place to get her to the hospital their patient, Russell Porter, has 11-year-old bullet fragments leaching lead into his bloodstream and spinal fluid and they need her to remove some of them from his spine. She pulls herself together enough to get to Grey Sloan, but again I ask, at what cost? She basically spits venom at Winston every time he opens his mouth. Ive never liked Owen Hunt more than when he says Amelia, we dont have time for whatever this is. It might be the only time Ive liked Owen Hunt! This does not stop Amelia. She blames Winston for Maggie leaving and eventually dresses him down in the scrub room, telling him that his ego is what pushed her away and hell never move out of her shadow and that Amelia will never forgive Winston for his smallness. Its both very mean and also very wrong? Winston and Maggie ended their marriage in part because Winston didnt have enough ego and ambition, but Amelia doesnt care about facts; she is fueled by anger and pain only. Its very healthy! Thankfully, by the time Amelias in the middle of reaming Mika out for dropping a tool on the floor during surgery, someone who knows Amelia well enough to give her some tough love arrives to put us all out of our misery: Addisons back. Shes in town to check up on Bailey, but winds up getting a two-for-one emotional breakdown assist. Addison is really the only person at this point who could tell Amelia that shes a self-obsessed ass who needs to get to an AA meeting to shut her spiral down right now because all shes doing is causing everyone around her pain in an already very fucked up and painful world. It is harsh and true and I cheered. She also reminds Amelia that if she doesnt do something now, they both know how this ends: with her using again. In the end, Webber recognizes Amelias pain he, too, feels like hes in the middle of an alcoholic self-obsessive spiral about abandonment (no doubt about losing Catherine), and they go to a meeting together. Will going to a meeting help? Will Amelia ever apologize to Winston? Does Amelia have another brain tumor thats turning her into a monster of a human being again? Time will tell! Now, about that other emotional breakdown Addison assists with the level of harassment Baileys facing because of her reproductive health-care clinic is escalating. The anti-choice crowd is no longer just terrorizing her with phone calls anymore. Instead, one guy pretends to be a patient in pain and requests Baileys help, and when she arrives at his side, he threatens her children, he knows that shes moved, and he begins screaming at her for murdering babies before lunging at her. Thankfully, Kwan is able to tackle the guy to the ground before he lays a hand on Bailey, but still, its terrifying. Addison gives Bailey space to rage. She lets her take it out on her. She screams about the hypocrisy of these people calling themselves pro-life. As always, Greys Anatomy nails just how infuriating, to say the least, this war against reproductive rights is. While that part really works, the storyline gets wrapped up in an almost naively idealistic way. Addison has a brilliant idea: She wants Teddy to get all the other doctors to begin calling all of the people whove been calling Bailey to harass her and try to have rational, kind conversations with them. And so we get a montage of all of our doctors plus some familiar firefighters calling people to explain that Miranda Bailey is a talented, caring doctor and that the clinic offers a whole swath of life-saving services. It just seems too easy. The storyline does offer us a lovely little button, though: As Bailey is helping Addison load up the PRT with fresh supplies, they open a box one of many full of mifepristone and other much-needed items that come with a hand-written note all the way from Zurich: This should keep you in business for a while. Keep fighting Yang. Thats right friends: Cristina Yang has saved the day. I miss her so much. While Greys certainly has the best intentions, it seems to have bitten off a little more than it can chew with Gunpowder and Lead. While the show tries to wrap up Baileys storyline in a not-completely-successful way, it also doesnt do justice to its other big topical storyline of the evening. That patient with the decades-old bullet fragments? He was the victim of a mass shooting. The episode does a wonderful job depicting the trauma Russell has literally and metaphorically been carrying around since being shot at in a grocery store. Its such a powerful storyline that it deserves to be front and center of the episode, not crammed in with, like, seven other plots going on. Greys Anatomy is uniquely situated to explore the long-term effects of gun violence and mass shootings. Imagine if, instead of a shoehorned-in, clunky speech from Owen about gun violence in America, we got a scene in which Owen, Teddy, Bailey, and Webber reflect on what happened in their own hospital 13 years ago. It could be so powerful! Perhaps well get that eventually and Greys will dive deeper into the whole thing, but for now it feels like a majorly missed opportunity. The OR Board Oh, I am very much here for Winston standing up for himself and telling Teddy he wants to be considered for the Chief of Cardio position because hed be good at it and [he] wants it. His moment in the OR teaching Simone how to get through a crisis was great and it would be satisfying to see him step out of Maggies shadow (take that, Amelia!). The whole Helm yells at Teddy to treat her interns better after seeing Mika on the brink of burnout thing was so odd. Either bring Helm into the show or cut her out, this in-between where she has big moments every few episodes is just awkward. After realizing that all he wants to do is tell Simone about his big medical win he does an unsupervised crike on a patient and saves the guys life and gets those butterflies when she is genuinely interested in hearing every last detail and seems proud of him, Lucas finally sees that being her man of honor is a terrible idea. He asks Jules to be her maid of honor and in exchange hell do all of her scut work until the wedding. You must really love her, she says, only half-jokingly. Jules is really railing against love and marriage again. She explains to Lucas that the reason shes in this reject group of interns is because she flunked a bunch of classes in med school thanks to an obsessive crush on a guy an obsessive crush that her parents encouraged. She refuses to prioritize her heart over her career ever again. Although, she certainly does clock Kwan leaving for the night with some other woman. Interesting! Link and Jo Couple Watch: Jo learns that Luna doesnt have an underlying condition, she is experiencing isolated hearing loss, which is a huge relief. Such a relief, in fact, that she runs through the hospital looking for Link, who lifts her up in celebration of the news. They do not make out while professing undying love for each other, but soon. I mean, the guy already starting learning sign language as a way to show Jo that hes there for her and Luna. Dreamy! Guy Ritchies Guy Ritchies The Covenant. Photo: Christopher Raphael/Metro Gold Mayer The most touching part of Guy Ritchies The Covenant is the end credits, which feature snapshots of real-life American soldiers and their interpreters. As the film reminds us, more than 300 Afghan interpreters and their families have been killed by the Taliban, with thousands more in hiding, despite initial assurances that they would be given special immigration visas to the U.S. That lends The Covenant a veneer of truth, even though the film is not based on a true story. For much of its running time, director Ritchies war movie manages to be topical, suspenseful, and moving. But partly because the story is fiction, Ritchie takes a few genre liberties that threaten to undermine the sincerity of his tale. In fact, The Covenant is basically four movies in one. The first half-hour or so follows a group of U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan, led by Sergeant John Kinley (Jake Gyllenhaal), as they search out hidden Taliban munitions and explosives factories. Theyve just been joined by a new interpreter, Ahmed (Dar Salim), who is there to replace the last one, who was killed in an IED attack in the films opening scene. Perhaps as a bit of misdirection, Ritchie flashes the names of the soldiers and their ranks across the screen and has them speak in that quippy, Guy Ritchie style that always sounds like it looked better on the page. As a result, we get the sense that these might be characters well be spending some time with. Theyre not. Soon enough, the group is fatally ambushed, with Ahmed and John the only survivors. At this point, The Covenant becomes a different movie, and a better one, as Ahmed drags Johns heavily wounded body across miles and miles of mountainous Taliban-controlled territory lying, negotiating, and occasionally stabbing and shooting his way through a dusty hellscape of natural obstacles, war-torn devastation, and endless suspicion. Sometimes we see whats happening through Johns hazy point of view he has suffered a concussion, so hes half-awake but uncomprehending. Because Ritchie is a better director than he is a writer, these extended sequences of dreamy, wordless action showcase his filmmaking at its best. The movie then switches registers again, as John returns home to pleasant Santa Clarita, California, to his family and his vintage car and truck-servicing business, while Ahmed is left behind in Afghanistan. (All this stuff is in the trailer, so Im not spoiling anything.) Suffering from both post-traumatic stress and massive guilt, John tries to navigate the military and diplomatic bureaucracy to get Ahmed and his family U.S. visas. Ritchie purposely echoes Ahmeds struggle to save John, shooting these scenes in an also stylized, dreamy fashion full of elliptical edits, fragmented compositions, and snatches of conversation. Its a surprising and poignant doubling of one mans physical ordeal with the others emotional pain. Gyllenhaal puts valuable mileage on those huge haunted eyes of his during this section. Johns desire to get Ahmed out isnt just an act of nobility or decency. He barely even remembers what happened in Afghanistan. His compulsion to save Ahmed is an indefinable debt and a gnawing burden not an act of heroism or nobility, or even an opportunity to return a favor. As if it wasnt enough for him to carry me across the mountains, now I cant get him out of my head, John tells his wife. You think he blessed you? Well, he fucking cursed me. Ritchie has often been drawn to these kinds of obsessive, macho quests, and to men who talk as if theyre already living inside a myth. Sometimes it comes off as ridiculous. But here, lent gravity by the subject matter, by what weve already seen Ahmed do, and by Gyllenhaals performance, the existential portent feels earned. Thats also why the films final act, which indulges in so many tired action-flick histrionics, feels like such a letdown, as if its been airlifted from a different movie. So much that you half-expect Guy Ritchie regular Jason Statham to show up. These final scenes are so disappointing that you may start to wonder what kind of film Ritchie really wanted to make with The Covenant. Was it the sensitive, haunting, well-acted survival drama that it manages to be for much of its running time, or the disposable shoot-em-up it occasionally turns into? MIDLAND, Texas, April 21, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Permian Resources Corporation ("Permian Resources" or the "Company") (NYSE: PR) announced today that it will report first quarter 2023 financial and operating results after the market closes for trading on May 8, 2023. Management will host an earnings conference call on May 9, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. Central (10:00 a.m. Eastern). Interested parties are invited to participate on the call by dialing (888) 396-8049 (Conference ID: 92425142) at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the call or via the internet at www.permianres.com. A replay of the call will be available on the Companys website or by phone at (877) 674-7070 (Passcode: 425142) for a 14-day period following the call. About Permian Resources Headquartered in Midland, Texas, Permian Resources is an independent oil and natural gas company focused on the responsible acquisition, optimization and development of high-return oil and natural gas properties. The Companys assets and operations are located in the core of the Delaware Basin. For more information, please visit www.permianres.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230421005102/en/ Contacts Hays Mabry Sr. Director, Investor Relations (832) 240-3265 ir@permianres.com Expands existing Azure Center of Excellence with AI-based Modern Workplace solutions PUNE, India and SANTA CLARA, Calif., April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Persistent Systems (BSE: PERSISTENT) (NSE: PERSISTENT), a global Digital Engineering provider, has announced the launch of a dedicated employee experience practice, based on the powerful Microsoft Viva platform and Generative AI. As part of its continued 360-degree partnership with Microsoft, Persistent is expanding its existing Azure Center of Excellence with Generative AI-based Modern Workplace solutions that promise to create a unified employee experience while improving the overall workplace. The move follows the successful implementation of Viva within Persistent along with a Generative AI-powered chatbot on Microsoft Teams, which has been helping digitize employee onboarding, training, and ongoing engagement, leading to increased productivity and lower attrition rates. Persistent_Systems_Logo As a leader in digital innovation, Persistent sees tremendous potential in Generative AI and the Viva platform to build solutions that can create richer employee experiences by providing a personalized approach to employee communication, productivity, and development. As part of this new capability, Persistent has put together a dedicated task force that will work in collaboration with its global clients to identify mission-critical use cases for their distributed and diverse workforces. Persistent aims to attain 1,000+ advanced certifications and add 2,000+ experts across Azure, Viva, and related areas over the next 12 months. As part of its global leadership in Artificial Intelligence, Persistent has recently developed WingMate, a smart digital assistant that is fine-tuned towards the unique context of the enterprise. The offering promises to enable new-age workflows as well as accelerate application and infrastructure modernization journeys. Developed on top of Azure OpenAI and integrated with Viva, this offering provides the highest levels of security and data privacy to its clients. Story continues Sandeep Kalra, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director, Persistent: "We are proud to implement the first-of-its-kind transformative Viva workplace solution, supporting our global team members throughout their journey at Persistent. This solution underscores the inherent value of our employees and provides them with a positive, end-to-end employee experience. By internally piloting Viva, and infusing the power of Generative AI technologies, we are ensuring that we will bring to market a best-in-class solution that can be implemented for our clients in record speed." Dhanniya Venkatasalapathy, Executive Director- Cloud Solutions, Microsoft India: "We are pleased to work together with Persistent and bring the power of Microsoft Viva to foster a healthy company culture, support employee well-being, and establish a culture of learning and skills-building. In a hybrid world, energized, empowered employees are a key competitive differentiator, and we look forward to collaborating with Persistent on this journey to transform the workplace with AI-driven insights and tech tools." About Persistent With over 22,500 employees located in 18 countries, Persistent Systems (BSE & NSE: PERSISTENT) is a global services and solutions company delivering Digital Engineering and Enterprise Modernization. We work with the industry leaders including 14 of the 30 most innovative companies as identified by BCG, 80% of the largest banks in the US and India, and numerous innovators across the healthcare and software ecosystems. As a participant of the United Nations Global Compact, Persistent is committed to aligning strategies and operations with universal principles on human rights, labour, environment, and anti-corruption, as well as take actions that advance societal goals. Persistent was named to the Forbes Asia Best Under a Billion 2021 list, representing consistent top-and bottom-line performance as well as growth. www.persistent.com Forward-looking and Cautionary Statements For risks and uncertainties relating to forward-looking statements, please visit persistent.com/flcs Media Contacts: Emma Handler Persistent Systems (Global) +1 617 633 1635 emma_handler@persistent.com Rhea Mistry Archetype +91 992 058 2926 rhea.mistry@archetype.co Logo:https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1022385/Persistent_Systems_Logo.jpg Cision View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/persistent-establishes-dedicated-microsoft-viva-practice-integrated-with-generative-ai-301803883.html SOURCE Persistent Systems Seeking positive, highly motivated people with a passion for working with students aged 6 17. Various positions are available from May to August for our residential programs in Italy, day camps in Rome, and trips to the UK and Ireland. Preferred qualifications include: native English speaker, ESL teaching background, experience working and leading youth in a camp setting. If interested send CV to info@alphabetcamps.com Sun lights up Pantheon entrance on Romes birthday. Rome's birthday, known as Natale di Roma, falls on 21 April, and this year the city marks 2,776 years since its legendary founding by Romulus in 753 BC. One spectacular event that occurs in Rome's birthday is the Dies Natalis phenomenon at the Pantheon. Each year on this date the midday sun enters the oculus of Rome's Pantheon and creates a disk of light that centres perfectly on the entrance doorway. At that exact time, the emperor would enter the temple, his body bathed in the intense golden sunlight. In 2020 Italy's culture ministry released a video of the phenomenon which it described as "one of history's first great special effects." MINNEAPOLIS, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Pioneer Management Consulting has been certified as a women-owned business . Laura Nelson , who was promoted to general manager of Pioneer's Minneapolis office last December, has also joined Molly Koenen and Brian Westerhaus as an owner of the firm. Pioneer Logo (PRNewsfoto/Pioneer Management Consulting) This big step is one of many for Nelson in recent years. She first joined Pioneer as a Practice Director in October 2019 after honing her skills in change management at various Fortune 500 companies. Nelson states: "I am honored that Pioneer has received the WBE certification and grateful to Brian and Molly for their trust in me to co-lead this organization. I've personally been inspired by many other female leaders throughout my career, and I consider myself to be a huge champion of women in business. Above all, I see this certification as an opportunity to highlight the diversity of our organization." Getting certified as a women-owned business is also an important step for Pioneer; it's a rigorous process that ultimately requires approval from the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) or from a WBE program administered by a city, county, or state. To qualify as a WBE, a company must: Be a for-profit business located in the United States Be at least 51% owned by a woman, or a group of women who, but for an inheritance, contributed a proportionate amount of capital to acquire ownership Have a governing board that's controlled by a woman or a group of women, when applicable Have a female top executive officer who's responsible for daily operations, and who has expertise in the firm's primary business activity Have female owners who are U.S. citizens or legal residents According to recent data , the national average of women-owned small businesses per 100,000 is 3,390.49. Unfortunately, Minnesota is behind the curve, with just 3,189 out of every 100,000 businesses being women-owned. Walking the Walk toward Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Pioneer has long been committed to honoring its DEI initiatives in thought, word, and deed. Story continues Together with over 1,500 like-minded CEOs and business leaders, Brian Westerhaus signed the CEO Action Pledge , promising to create more inclusive cultures while not being afraid of having difficult conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion. Honest Conversations Build Award-Winning Cultures In 2022, the Star Tribune ranked Pioneer fourth on its list of Top 200 Workplaces for small businesses. Its ranking is based on the following criteria: Employee opinions on engagement Organizational health Overall satisfaction The growing firm also received the Communications Excellence Award among all organizations for creating a space where employees can be seen and heard, keeping up-to-date on its initiatives and vision , and creating a culture of inclusivity and belonging. The company currently has a 99% employee engagement score, which the firm believes is also a significant factor in its 97% client satisfaction score. About Pioneer Management Consulting Pioneer Management Consulting is a business management consulting firm headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Its Denver office, located in the Lower Highlands District, was opened earlier this year. Pioneer was founded by Brian Westerhaus in 2009 to help midsize to enterprise-scale businesses navigate complex transformation projects through four disciplines: strategy, execution, organizational change, and data analytics. Its core values humble, hungry, and connected inform all of the firm's decisions. Learn more at PioneerManagementConsulting.com . Media Contact Molly Koenen, Partner and Owner molly.koenen@thepioneerteam.com Cell: (763) 331-1845 Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pioneer-management-consulting-certified-as-a-women-owned-business-301804416.html SOURCE Pioneer Management Consulting 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 Even if you think youre not familiar with food writer and internet personality Alison Roman, you might know some of her recipes, the most popular of which are known simply by titles such as (hashtag optional) #ThePasta, #TheStew and #TheDip. Roman, a pastry chef and recipe tester turned cookbook writer, has long been an avid social media user, and began sharing her recipes on Instagram in 2011. Her first cookbook, Dining In, was released in 2017. That book features unfussy, chatty cooking instructions for everything from steak to bean salad, but it was her salted butter chocolate chunk shortbread recipe that was the first to earn its own hashtag, going viral as #TheCookies in late 2017 as Romans fans began sharing photos of their own batches of the shortbread. Then in her early 30s, Roman, who is in Australia next month for a series of appearances, including the Melbourne Writers Festival, soon became the darling of Millennial home cooks who enjoyed food but were often restricted by budget and a lack of fancy culinary implements. The Brooklyn-based Romans recipes, her wry writing style, social media presence and in particular the photos shed share of her kitchen at the time an ageing stovetop in a cramped space devoid of marble benchtops were, as marketing department types like to say, relatable. Even her books contain the occasional burnt pie crust. Food writer Alison Roman: People have said Im polarising [but] I think any individual on the planet elicits different responses. After more of her recipes were prefaced with a definite article, The New York Times hired Roman, who had previously worked as a food editor for Bon Appetit, as a freelance contributor, and her star continued to rise. In 2019, she released a second cookbook, Nothing Fancy, focusing on simple dinner party fare (this one launched #TheStew). Shes long been polarising; even the New Yorker once described her as home-cookings most relentless polemicist. Advertisement But seven months later, in May 2020, as her recipes were being shared by an even greater audience now embracing cooking during the pandemic, Roman was abruptly cancelled after an interview with US online newsletter New Consumer in which she talked about model turned food writer Chrissy Tiegen, and Japanese decluttering queen Marie Kondo. Roman, who was collaborating with a cookware company on a range of vintage-inspired spoons that she plugged in the same interview took aim at Kondo as capitalising on her fame, and described Tiegen, who quickly moved from cookbooks to a Target product line, as having people running a content farm for her. That horrifies me, and its not something that I ever want to do, Roman said in the piece. I dont aspire to that. Ultimately I was like, well, I make food and I make recipes for people and thats the work that I do and I want to keep doing it. Alison Roman The backlash, typically, was immediate; first for Romans seeming hypocrisy, and then for the fact that both the women she commented on were Asian. Roman was branded a perpetrator of the food medias structural racism; the candour that had made her so popular was her undoing. The requisite Twitter controversy, a thousand think-pieces and social media users searching her accounts for historical transgressions ensued. Roman issued a public apology to both women, and her New York Times column was suspended (she was officially dropped from the paper in December that year). But for such a high-profile cancellation, Roman wasnt banished for long. A month or so later, she launched her newsletter (called A Newsletter) and by the end of the year, she started her YouTube series Home Movies, videos in which she cooks a recipe from scratch, bantering away unscripted. I didnt really go away at all, says Roman over Zoom from the US. And I mean, it was the pandemic, so a lot of people went away. Advertisement Even so, it was a quick recovery from such a public fall from grace. I think its commensurate to like, punishment, crime. Ive talked about it so much already in so many interviews and all the information kind of exists out there, she says. I think any time anyone feels embarrassment or public shame, the instinct is to kind of hide your head, and you know, stay quiet for a little bit, which I definitely felt, but ultimately I was like, well, I make food and I make recipes for people and thats the work that I do and I want to keep doing it. And the people that like me and want to follow it can follow it and they do. Id rather have somebody say Im annoying than my food is bad, says the polarising food writer. Credit:Chris Bernabeo Her YouTube channel has 220,000 subscribers; her Substack newsletter has 236,000, from, she says, around 150 countries. I think the beauty of YouTube and the internet in general, is that things become widely shared, she says. Its my goal to make sure its accessible to anyone, whether youre living in Spain or India or Japan or the US, I think its cool that you can make the shallot pasta, or the stews or the soups. I get a lot of questions saying, oh, where I live we dont have buttermilk, or we dont have this, so I end up also learning whats available in different places, which is very cool. A recent profile in Londons Telegraph magazine labelled Roman the worlds coolest cook. Her celebrity followers include Reese Witherspoon. Closer to home, Michaela McGuire, artistic director of the Melbourne Writers Festival, invited her to join the line-up after becoming enamoured of Romans no-nonsense recipes. Nothing Fancy is the cookbook that changed my weeknight and dinner party offerings from competent but unremarkable to deceptively distinctive and delicious, McGuire enthuses. Yes, Alison made it glamorous and fun to cook in a small kitchen, but most of all she made it relaxing. Her recipes arent fussy; her One Pot Chicken with Dates and Caramelised Lemon takes 10 minutes to get in the oven and is a showstopping combination of all Alisons favoured flavours and textures: salty, lemony, jammy, chilli-flaky, tangy. Advertisement Halfway through Nothing Fancy theres a pep talk titled, when things dont go well, which reminds you that cooking and having people over is meant to be fun. She gives you permission to make something thats amazing, if not perfect. Last month Roman published her third cookbook, this time focused on desserts. Sweet Enough adheres to her effortless chic schtick, and features sweet dishes that look much more complex to prepare than they are. A dessert book seems a logical step for Roman, who, after dropping out of college, trained as a restaurant pastry chef, and worked at Sona in Los Angeles (where she grew up) and the much awarded dessert chain Milk Bar in New York, among other places. Not #TheCookies, but Romans Perfect salted shortbread from her new book Sweet Enough. Credit:Chris Bernabeo Yet Roman declares herself not a dessert person. What? Im not! When I go out for dinner, I dont really order dessert. If Im having breakfast, its always savoury, she says. I prefer to cook, rather than bake its just not in my personality. She concedes that given her pastry background, she does feel a connection to desserts, just not in the same way as someone whos like, oh Im absolutely defined by my love of sweets. Advertisement Even as a kid, Roman wasnt much of a sweet-tooth. I loved matzo balls, broccoli the sweetest I would eat was oatmeal in the morning. All my cereal was unsweetened. Thats what I gravitated towards, like, a bagel and cream cheese, lox, salmon, whitefish; Jewish deli culture. Everything was savoury! I wanted salt and butter and onions. Which might explain why even in a dedicated dessert cookbook (admittedly one that she describes as for dessert agnostics), Roman has sneaked in a small savoury chapter. I think its nice to have dessert from a perspective of somebody who tends to favour those types of foods, she says. And for people who are, ugh, Im not really a dessert person, Im like, even you, every now and then, are going to need to bake a cake for someone, or cookies, or youre bored and youre like, what am I going to do, maybe Ill bake a cake I feel like this book is for those people. Loading And perhaps also for people who enjoy her recipes but not necessarily Roman herself. Lots of her newsletter subscribers accidentally hit reply when they mean to forward the email on, and recently Roman had one with a message someone thought they were sending to a friend, that said I really cant stand her, but her recipes are the best. Yeah, people have said Im polarising [but] I think any individual on the planet elicits different responses. I have yet to meet a single human on this beautiful planet that 100 per cent of people like, she says. Advertisement Somewhere in a troubled world in the North African desert, on a lonely British airfield preparing for another raid over Europe, at sea dodging submarines or perhaps on the Kokoda Track in New Guinea members of Australias military waited throughout World War II for the mercy of mail and packages of comfort from the hands of women like Lexie McMurrick. Lexie McMurrick at home in Warrnambool. McMurrick then 18 and named Lexie McIvor joined the Australian Womens Army Service (AWAS) in 1942 and was sent south to Melbourne from her family home in Kerang to work in a special branch of the postal service. Based at the Palais Theatre in St Kilda, converted for the wartime task, she and squadrons of colleagues spent their days directing mail to Australias troops overseas. Day after day, she and her fellow AWAS members carefully packed parcels designed to grant a little comfort to those fighting in the army, navy and air force. Plans to spend up to $30 billion on new tank-like vehicles for the army will be slashed to free up funds for long-range strike missiles, cybersecurity and nuclear-powered submarines under a sweeping overhaul of the Australian Defence Force. The government will on Monday release a declassified version of its defence strategic review, designed to restructure the nations military for security threats such as a possible war with China. Some controversial decisions will anger the army, whose leadership has feared it will be downgraded in favour of the navy as the government prepares spend up to $368 billion on nuclear-powered submarines over 30 years under the AUKUS pact. Labor will blame the previous government for the need to make difficult spending cuts, accusing the Coalition of announcing additional military spending worth $42 billion in its last two years in office without providing sufficient extra funding for the Defence portfolio. Company Logo Dublin, April 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA) - A Global Market Overview" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Owing to unique properties, the global polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) market is projected to reach 2.8M MTs, valued at $8.3 billion by 2028. PMMA offers unique properties such as outstanding light transmission, inherently stable to UV-light, and excellent scratch and impact resistance. These properties make PMMA the ideal material for several applications in sectors like transportation, architecture, electronics and medical. Building & construction, automotive and electrical & electronics are the three largest markets for PMMA with a combined share of around 77% in 2022. The report explores the end-use applications market for Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA) comprising Appliances, Automotive & Transportation, Building & Construction, Electrical & Electronics, Lighting, Sings & Displays and Others including medical, optical, consumer goods and packaging. This report analyzes and projects the PMMA market for global and the regional markets including the North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America and Rest of World for the period 2019-2028 in terms of volume consumption in metric tons as well as value market in US$. These regional markets further analyzed for 18 independent countries across North America - The United States, Canada and Mexico; Europe - France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Russia, Spain and the United Kingdom; Asia-Pacific - China, India, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand; and South America - Argentina and Brazil. This 237-page global market research report on PMMA comprises 200 charts (includes a data table and graphical representation for each chart), supported with a meaningful and easy to understand graphical presentation, of the market. The statistical tables represent the data for the global market by geographic region and end-use application. This report profiles 14 key global players and also provides the listing of the companies engaged in the manufacturing and supply of Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA). The global list of companies covers addresses, contact numbers and the website addresses of 31 companies. Story continues Research Findings & Coverage Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA) global market is analyzed in this report with respect to end-use applications The study exclusively analyzes the production capacities for PMMA by major players and key regions for the recent and immediate future COVID-19 impact analysis has been covered for each major application area Key business trends focusing on product innovations/developments, M&As, JVs and other recent industry developments Major companies profiled - 14 The industry guide includes the contact details for 31 companies Product Outline The market for end-use applications of PMMA studied in this report comprise the following: Automotive & Transportation Electrical & Electronics Building & Construction Lighting Signs & Displays Appliances Others Geographic Coverage North America (The United States, Canada and Mexico) Europe (France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Russia, Spain, The United Kingdom and Rest of Europe) Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Rest of Asia-Pacific) South America (Argentina, Brazil and Rest of South America) Rest of World (Middle East and Africa) Key Topics Covered: PART A: GLOBAL MARKET PERSPECTIVE 1. INTRODUCTION 2. INDUSTRY LANDSCAPE 3. KEY BUSINESS AND PRODUCT TRENDS 4. GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW PART B: REGIONAL MARKET PERSPECTIVE Companies Mentioned 3A Composites Holding AG Asahi Kasei Corporation Chimei Corporation Gujarat State Fertilizers & Chemicals Ltd. Heilongjiang Zhongmeng Longxin Chemical Co. Ltd. Kuraray Co. Ltd. Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation Plaskolite, Inc. Rabigh Refining & Petrochemical Co. Rohm GmbH Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) Sumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd. Trinseo LLC Wanhua Chemical Group Co. Ltd. For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/dmkmzg About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. CONTACT: CONTACT: ResearchAndMarkets.com Laura Wood,Senior Press Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 CWU - Toby Melville/Reuters Postal union leaders have caved in and accepted a below-inflation pay rise after a year-long dispute with Royal Mail. The Communication Workers Union (CWU) has accepted a 10pc pay rise across three years plus a 500 bonus lump sum. For many of the unions 115,000 postal workers, the deal is worse than a previously rejected offer of 9pc over 18 months. The 10pc is broken down into 2pc backdated from April 2022, a 6pc rise from April 1, 2023, a 2pc increase from April 1, 2024 and a 500 lump sum bonus. Spread over three years, the wage deal is significantly lower than inflation, the annual rate at which sits at 10.1pc. The deal marks a climbdown by union chief Dave Ward after his former deputy Terry Pullinger, who stepped aside last summer, said that the CWU would only accept an inflation-based, no-strings pay award in July. The CWU said that it had extracted a series of concessions from the Royal Mail board, led by former British Airways and John Lewis executive Keith Williams, in relation to reforms to working practices. Dave Ward, CWUs general secretary, claimed that the union had prevented Royal Mail from turning the business into a gig economy employer in a letter to members that was signed off with an anti-Thatcherite slogan. Among the reforms demanded by Mr Williams and chief executive Simon Thompson was the need for postal workers to start work later so that deliveries could be spread throughout the day. Royal Mail wanted an option to push back start times by up to three hours. Fridays deal includes a one hour provision, a union concession that also seemed to be at odds with Mr Pullingers statements. There is also a commitment on both sides to reopen talks over pushing starting and last delivery times back even further, with discussions due to restart in March 2024. Some 20pc of the company's operating profit will be paid to workers if it returns to the black. Although Royal Mail will still make around 10,000 redundancies, there will be no compulsory redundancies before April 2025. Story continues A spokesman for the CWU said: This situation has been arrived at only because of the sheer determination of every postal worker in this country who stood up for themselves, their jobs and their industry. We intend to put this deal to our members vote as soon as possible. The letter from CWU general secretary Dave Ward to union members was signed off Yma OHyd a reference to Welsh language folk song by Dafydd Iwan that became synonymous with Welsh miners strikes against Margaret Thatcher in the 1980s. The year-long dispute culminated in 18 days of strike action in the second half of 2022 with ugly scenes on the picket lines as tensions boiled over. A spokesman for Vesa, Royal Mail's largest shareholder said: Vesa welcomes the agreement that has been reached in principle between IDS and the CWU. The Royal Mail needs a stable framework to best serve its customers and excel in the quality of service and innovation. This agreement provides exactly such a stable framework and should be applauded. Building a strong, competitive Royal Mail is in the best long-term interests of the company, its employees and those millions of customers across the UK who rely on its services, and we thank negotiators from IDS and the CWU for their hard work in getting to this point. Ranger Guard Las Vegas, NV Las Vegas, Nevada, April 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ranger Guard is pleased to announce the launch of its all-inclusive security service in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ranger Guard is a private security company in Las Vegas, Nevada, that has recently launched a new all-inclusive security service for businesses and individuals that includes mobile patrol, loss prevention, firewatch, armed or unarmed guards, and 24/7 property monitoring. The company is hoping that its new array of services conducted by its range of expert security officers, guards, and private bodyguards will offer hotels, casinos, and VIPs in the heart of Las Vegas peace of mind and confidence during the citys high tourist season that runs from March to the end of May. All the security professionals at Ranger Guard have undergone rigorous in-service training to ensure they all have up-to-date skills and knowledge. A spokesperson for the company said, The training focuses on security defensive tactics and criminal law and also includes first aid, verbal de-escalation tactics, counter-terrorism training, and customer service. These unique set of skills allows the team at Ranger Guard to adequately control the crowds at Las Vegas concerts, casinos, restaurants, and clubs while also providing a warm service to customers that maintain a positive atmosphere. When companies require a higher level of protection and safety, for example, if they are worried about shoplifting or intoxicated customers intimidating their staff, Ranger Guard offers security guards for hire in Las Vegas, Nevada. You can select either armed or unarmed security officers that each come with their own unique set of benefits: Unarmed Security Officers In many situations, an unarmed security officer is able to keep an area safe and secure by maintaining high levels of security without threatening hotel guests and customers or making a concert crowd tense. The effective security procedures practiced by Ranger Guards unarmed security officers include a firewatch service in Las Vegas Nevada, and 24/7 event or property monitoring where the security professionals have the option to request backup or contact emergency services if needed. Story continues Armed Security Officers Extensive background checks will be completed to verify all the information that applicants for armed guard positions need to provide Ranger Guard. Different aptitude and personality tests are then used to ensure applicants have the emotional stability and cognitive skills to exercise sound judgment and make quick decisions in stressful environments. To ensure an excellent armed security service in Las Vegas, Nevada, Ranger Guard prioritizes employing officers who served in law enforcement or the military. This is because their experience with high-stress, hazardous situations is invaluable in real-life scenarios. In addition to armed and unarmed guards, Ranger Guards new all-inclusive security services in Las Vegas also include a mobile patrol service that is highly effective in high-traffic environments. In comparison to a static security guard service that is efficient at crowd control and managing entry, a roving patrol can better assist businesses, such as multi-story car parks and hotel or casino grounds, in ensuring their property is secure, even late at night. The mobile patrol service at Ranger Guard will remain highly viable at all times, which offers a quick response to the changing environment, no matter what issue arises. Additionally, due to the extra mobility provided by cars, the roving patrol team can visit multiple sites throughout a shift, allowing businesses with numerous locations to save money while receiving round-the-clock prevention. When choosing your mobile patrol team, you will be able to select from either armed or unarmed officers, but whomever you pick will make sure the patrols on your property will be frequent and at random, so criminals are not able to monitor their schedule and plan accordingly. More information To find out more about Ranger Guard and its new all-inclusive security services in Las Vegas, please visit the website at https://rangerguard.net/las-vegas-security-guard-services/. Source: https://thenewsfront.com/ranger-guard-launches-new-all-inclusive-security-service-in-las-vegas/ CONTACT: Ranger Guard Las Vegas, NV 6605 Grand Montecito Pkwy Unit 100 Las Vegas Nevada 89149 United States +1 725 765 9955 https://rangerguard.net/las-vegas-security-guard-services/ The three of the silliest names for small-market airlines are Ransom Airlines, GullivAir and Wizz Air. I stand corrected. Alert reader Andy Crawford informed me that there is an airline out of Gogama, south of Timmins, Ont., catering to fly-in fishing camps named Derry Air. Say it fast and you hear what the French call Swoop derriere. I love to read corrections in newspapers because theyre almost always more informative and entertaining than the article in which the error appeared. Food, drink and music, for whatever reason, seem to be the source of most editorial errors. Correction: In a recipe for salsa we published recently, one of the ingredients was misstated, due to an error. The correct ingredient is 2 tsp of cilantro instead of 2 tsp of cement. You know, I thought that taco was sitting heavy in my stomach, then the X-ray showed what appeared to be a small cinder block. Correction: In last Mondays Dear Abby column, it was stated that Charlies hiccups were cured temporarily through the use of carbon monoxide. It should have read carbon dioxide. Yeah, because carbon monoxide is for the permanent cure. Correction: There was an error printed in a story titled Pigs Float Down Dawson River on P11 of yesterdays Bully. The error more than 30,000 pigs were floating down the river. What the Baralaba piggery owner Sid Everingham actually said was 30 sows and pigs not 30,000 pigs. Even one porker is too many! From The Washington Post: This story has been corrected to show that John Brown, not James Brown, led the raid on Harpers Ferry. To be clear, James Brown was the hardest-working man in show business but he never played Harpers Ferry. A Bloody Mary recipe which accompanied an Off Duty article in some editions on June 8 called for 12 ounces of vodka and 36 ounces of tomato juice. The recipe as printed reversed these amounts, calling for 36 ounces of vodka and 12 ounces of tomato juice. Correction not necessary because those who did follow the mistaken recipe really dont care. Yesterdays report concerning parents at the Learning Center on Hanson Street being very nervous about a man watching them from across the street for several hours has now been identified by police as a cardboard cutout of Arnold Schwarzenegger. His best work ever? Fire Correction: The old pouffe which started the fire at 7 Douglas Cottages as reported last week referred to an item of furniture and not the owner, Mr. Donnie McArthur. Yeah, but Ill bet the old biddy at 9 Douglas Cottages is laughing her derriere off! In yesterdays Mountain View section, we reported about a newborn infant being found in a trash can at Wal-Mart. Upon further investigation, police officers have discovered it was only a burrito. Police now say the injured owl found on the side of the road near Mastertown was actually a large mushroom. Would you like an extra topping of mushrooms on that burrito? Correction: Due to incorrect information received from the Clerk of Courts Office, Diane K. Merchant, 38, was incorrectly listed as being fined for prostitution. The charge should have been failure to stop at a railroad crossing. The Public Opinion apologizes for the error. Diane accepts your apology, but unfortunately, her lawyer does not. Setting it straight: Due to a typing error, Saturdays story on local artist Jon Henninger mistakenly reported that his bandmate Eric Lyday was on drugs. The story should have read that Lyday was on drums. The Sentinal regrets the error. Yeah, but not as much as Erics mom! Similarly, In yesterdays jazz column we referred to Don Rendell as a terrorist. Clearly, Don is the bands tenorist. We apologize for any offence. Corrections, it should be noted, go back a long, long way. The Wicked Bible printed in 1631 issued the order in Exodus 20:14 Thou shalt commit adultery. Several years later, the corrected version of that Bible also listed the unusually high number of illegitimate children. And the granddaddy of all corrections OK, so by now youre likely confused about what is correct and what is not correct. Apology. The Ottawa Citizen wishes to apologize for our apology to Mark Steyn published October 22. In correcting the incorrect statements about Mr. Steyn published October 15, we incorrectly published the incorrect correction. We accept and regret And I spotted what might be my all-time favourite correction in a newspaper in Jamestown, N.Y. Correction: In last weeks edition of Community Life, a picture caption listed some unusual gourmet dishes that were enjoyed at the Westwood Library party for foreign students enrolled in a tutorial program for conversational English. Mai Thai Finn is one of the students in the program and was in the center of the photo. We incorrectly listed his name as one of the items on the menu. Community Life regrets the error. For a comment or a signed copy of humour columnist William Thomass The Legend Of Zippy Chippy, email williamjthomas@gmail.com. SHARE: VANCOUVER - The CEO of TikTok dropped into a Ted Talks in Vancouver Thursday to address concerns over data security on his social media platform. Shou Zi Chew told Chris Anderson, the head of Ted Talks, that TikTok data has never been stored in China, but they have some legacy data to be deleted on their servers in the United States and Singapore. That deletion is a very big engineering effort. So, as I said at the hearing, its going to take us a while to delete them, but I expect it to be done this year, said Chew, referring to his testimony before the U.S. Congress. TikTok, which is owned by Chinese tech company ByteDance, has been under intense scrutiny over concerns it could hand over user data to the Chinese government or promote pro-Beijing propaganda. Both the Canadian and U.S. governments have banned TikToks app on government-issued cellphones and other companies around the world have done the same. Chew testified at the U.S. Congress in March, asking lawmakers not to pursue a ban on the app or force the parent company to give up its ownership stake. He said TikTok also prioritizes the safety of young users and it planned to store all U.S. user data on servers maintained and owned by the software giant Oracle. On Thursday, Chew said his team has already built an unprecedented project which allows them to store U.S. data on American soil by an American company, overseen by American personnel. So, this kind of protection for American data is beyond what any other company in our industry has ever done, said Chew, adding its very expensive to build. Chew said TikToks mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy. You will be heard and have chances to succeed as long as you have talent, he said. Anderson asked Chew about the possibility of people becoming addicted to the platform. From a company point of view, for example, its in your interest to have people on there as long as possible, said Anderson. Thats how advertising money will flow, and so forth. Chew said the company has done a number of things to suppress that. If you spend too much time on our platform, we will proactively send you videos to tell you to get off the platform, said Chew. At the end of the conversation, Chew and Anderson made a TikTok video together, which Chew predicted would get many views. That one goes viral. I think Ive given up on your algorithm, actually, said Anderson with a laugh while wrapping up the session. A spokeswoman from TikTok said Chew is also visiting Vancouver to meet with some Canadian creators to learn about the impact TikTok has had on their lives, livelihoods and communities. With files from Tara Deschamps and The Associated Press This report by The Canadian Press was first published in April. 20, 2023. This story was produced with the financial assistance of the Meta and Canadian Press News Fellowship. Read more about: SHARE: MONTREAL - The strike by federal civil servants could mean passengers who filed complaints with the countrys airline regulator could face even longer processing times. A backlog of complaints on issues ranging from lost luggage to compensation for cancelled flights now sits at nearly 45,000, with a processing time of 18 months per case on average, according to the Canadian Transportation Agency. Thats more than triple the tally from a year ago after travel chaos erupted during the summer and winter holidays due to soaring demand, labour shortages and poor weather. Employees at the regulator are among the 155,000-plus members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada that launched a strike Wednesday. The agency said in an email it will continue to receive complaints, but their processing will be delayed due to the labour situation affecting administrative support necessary to carry out those functions. Some 154 of the agencys 327 employees are involved in the strike action, said spokesman Vincent Turgeon. Of those, 71 work directly on processing air passenger complaints. Regulatory activities such as the issuing of air licences as well as rulings on air, rail and marine issues will continue, with possible delays, the regulator said in a separate online post. Gabor Lukacs, president of the Air Passenger Rights advocacy group, said the stack of complaints is now so high that even a strike of several weeks would barely register for most Canadians awaiting a case resolution. On top of those 18 months, wed have two more weeks. I mean, its a farce, Lukacs said. It is one office that you could easily shut down for a month and you wouldnt notice the difference. Last month, Transport Minister Omar Alghabra pledged $75.9 million over three years to chip away at the complaints backlog by hiring 200 more employees. He also promised to tighten passenger rights rules, following up on the January pledge with legislation tabled in the House of Commons on Thursday. The agency said Friday it has hired 100 more employees since the March 14 funding announcement, including workers whose contracts were extended due to the extra cash. This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 21, 2023. Read more about: SHARE: TORONTO - The theft of more than $20 million worth of gold and other valuables from Toronto Pearson International Airport this week likely required insider knowledge of the airport and its operations, a security expert says. Phil Boyle, associate professor of sociology and legal studies at the University of Waterloo, said the theft would have required detailed information on where the high-value cargo was going to be and when. They knew what they were after and where to get it, and that involves having some sort of insider knowledge, he said in an interview Friday. Certainly it was not an opportunistic smash-and-grab. Peel Regional Police said Thursday that they are investigating a rare cargo theft from an airport holding facility after the gold and other items were reported missing on Monday. Insp. Stephen Duivesteyn said the crime took place in the early evening after a plane that arrived at the airport was unloaded and its cargo was transported to a holding facility. The force revealed no specifics on how the valuables were stolen or potential suspects. Its also not clear which airline shipped the cargo, where the gold was headed or where the plane came from. Duivesteyn said the theft is believed to be an isolated incident and there are no concerns for travel or public safety at the airport. The Greater Toronto Airports Authority wrote in a statement that thieves accessed the public side of a warehouse leased to a third party outside its primary security line. This did not involve access to Toronto Pearson itself and did not pose a threat to passengers or GTAA staff, it wrote. But the crime presents a larger concern about institutional weaknesses that allowed the theft to occur at Canadas largest and busiest airport, said Boyle. I dont see this being a lapse of airport security per se, he said. But certainly it is a lapse of information control and how somebody working either directly for the airport or customs or for the shipping company had to have provided some information to tip people off to the opportunity that was there. Boyle said the thief or thieves were likely experienced criminals. Whoever they are, theyre likely looking for quick ways to offload the high-value goods, which would likely involve organized crime groups who are able to liquidate items like diamonds or jewelry quickly and without detection, he said. Thats one thing the police will be looking for, unusual movements in those markets where people are trying to offload large amounts of merchandise fairly quickly, said Boyle. That stuff could probably have left the country already just to make it a little bit easier. Police did not say whether the gold and other items are still in Canada or had been moved to another country. Boyle anticipated a long-term investigation, but said police should eventually be able to come to some idea of who committed the crime, based on the high level of security present at airports. Whether theyre able to make arrests will be based on whether the perpetrators have left the country, he said. Really whats at stake is not so much the perpetrators per se, he said, but what sort of institutional weaknesses allowed this to happen in the first place. This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 21, 2023. SHARE: Peel police are investigating the theft of over $20 million worth of gold and other high-value goods from Toronto Pearson Airport, Insp. Stephen Duivesteyn said Thursday in a media scrum. Duivesteyn said a high-value container was stolen on Monday after it was off-loaded into a holding cargo facility when a plane arrived at Pearson, Canadas busiest airport. What I can say is that the container (had) a high-value shipment. It did contain gold but was not exclusive to gold and contained other items of monetary value, Duivesteyn said, estimating the container to be about five to six square feet in size. The thefts investigation is being led by Peel Regional Police, and includes the airports Criminal Investigation Bureau. Duivesteyn said police believe this is an isolated incident, and very rare. Our goal is to solve this theft, he continued. We want to solve it. I cannot provide exact details For the public worried about flying out, there should be no concern. We do not consider this a public safety matter. Rachel Bertone, spokesperson for the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) which manages Pearson, said in a written statement to the Star that the thieves accessed the public side of a warehouse leased to a third party, outside of our primary security line. This did not involve access to Toronto Pearson itself and did not pose a threat to passengers or GTAA staff, Bertone added. In response to reporters questions, Duivesteyn said it is too early to say whether this was a professional job, and would not speculate on whether the heist involved organized crime elements. Were three days in, said Duivesteyn. So, our investigators have got their eyes open to all avenues. We really dont want to make an error and sort of focus on one particular area. Were kind of keeping a broad outlook on it. Were looking at all angles on how this item was stolen. Its not the first gold theft from Pearson airport. In 1952, about $215,000 in gold bars (valued at about $2.5 million today) were mysteriously stolen from Malton airport now Pearson. The robber or robbers were never seen and no suspects were ever publicly named. The heist made headlines around the world and the Stars story ran with the headline: Cant tell yet how $214,000 gold stolen. In the September, 1952 theft, an armoured Brinks van delivered 10 boxes of refined gold to Malton airport that were loaded onto a cargo flight to Montreal, to then be shipped to England. When the plane arrived, there were only four boxes of gold bullion. The investigation included the RCMP, OPP and special investigators from Canadian National Railways (which was then involved in the airports management). The Stars story noted that everyone working at the airport was thoroughly questioned and one employee, 22-year-old Howard Halpenny, who wheeled the bullion to a landing before the arrival of the plane destined to take it to Montreal, was questioned for hours. It wasnt any picnic, he told the Star. Halpenny said that hed put all the boxes of gold onto a cargo cart and then went to get mail to be loaded onto the flight. He helped load the plane and, when he returned from the terminal with documents for the flight, he discovered someone had finished loading the gold onto the plane. The story went on to say police felt it was likely the thieves watched the movements of the dozen or so employees in the air cargo office. Airline investigators said they were completely in the dark, and that police were fairly certain it was loaded into a car outside the cargo office. More airport gold heists followed. Canadian Ken Leishman, known as the Flying Bandit, and four accomplices stole $400,000 worth of gold bars from Winnipeg International Airport in 1966. The Stopwatch Gang Canadians Lionel Wright, Stephen Reid and Paddy Mitchell (known for wearing a stopwatch around his neck) stole more than $750,000 in gold bars from the Ottawa airport in 1974. At Pearson on Thursday, the theft of the gold and other high-value goods which Duivesteyn described as being stored in a regular aircraft cargo container certainly piques our interest, and well try and dig into it. Police would not comment on evidence gathered so far, on the cargos final destination, nor on who was the intended recipient of the cargo. Police also do not know if the suspects are still in the country. This will take the best of my investigators, Duivesteyn said. MH Mahdis Habibinia is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Stars radio room in Toronto. Reach her via email: mhabibinia@thestar.ca SHARE: MONTREAL - A Montreal university says it will keep a donation that has been linked to an alleged plot by the Chinese government to influence Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, but it will now use the money to promote democracy. The Universite de Montreal said Thursday that it has not been able to confirm the allegations, made by an unnamed national security source in The Globe and Mail, that the donation was part of a political interference operation. Repaying the money would be difficult and would require the university to convince a Quebec Superior Court judge to void the gift on the basis of some form of defect of consent or impersonation, said Daniel Jutras, the universitys rector. We really dont have any evidence of that that we could actually bring forward in the court, so I think that avenue is fraught with significant likelihood of failure, Jutras said in an interview Thursday. In 2016, two Chinese businessmen Zhang Bin and Niu Gensheng pledged $800,000 to the university. Most of the money was supposed to be used to create a scholarship fund to help Quebec students study in China and Chinese students study in Quebec, while $50,000 was intended to build a statue of Pierre Elliott Trudeau, who studied and taught law at the university before entering politics. However, media reports have alleged that Zhang was instructed by a Chinese diplomat to make a $1-million donation in honour of Trudeau in an effort to influence his son, the current prime minister. As part of the donation, the businessmen pledged an additional $200,000 to the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation, which calls itself an independent, non-partisan scholarship organization established in memory of the former prime minister. The university maintains there was nothing unusual about the donation it received and that it came during a different time in Canada-China relations. The gift was a very normal gift back in 2016. A couple years before we received that gift, the University of Toronto received the same amount of money, $800,000, from the same people, Jutras said. At the time, he said, universities, corporations and governments were all attempting to strengthen ties with China. The university said only $550,000 of the promised donation was ever received, and only four scholarships, each worth $10,000, were awarded. Jutras said few students qualified for the scholarship, which had strict conditions, and there were few applications. In 2020, with the COVID-19 pandemic, the type of exchanges funded by the scholarship became impossible. Since the re-establishment of international travel, Jutras said, there has been little interest among the universitys students to engage in research in China. While preliminary design work was done for the statue, it was never created. Almost $507,000 remains in the scholarship fund, the university said. Jutras said the university hasnt decided exactly how it will spend the money. The idea is to reallocate it to support research projects, student scholarships, bursaries, mobility of students and professors under this broad theme of democracy and international relations, he said, adding that specifics will be decided in the coming weeks and months. He said the university has attempted to contact the two donors to inform them of the change of plans but hasnt heard back. The related pledge of $200,000 to the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation led that organizations president and board of directors to resign last week. The foundation, which was launched with an endowment from the federal government, has also asked the federal auditor generals office to investigate the donation. The university said the Trudeau Foundation became involved after Guy Lefebvre, then vice-rector of international affairs, asked the foundation for the right to use Trudeaus name and image. That $200,000 was supposed to be used for conferences and public activities at the university which the university says never took place. The foundation has said it only received $140,000 of its donation and it wants to return the money. The university said Lefebvre, who negotiated the donation and has since retired, has cut all ties with Chinese institutions. Lefebvre had been the co-director of the Sino-Canadian Research Centre at the China University of Political Science and Law in Beijing and in July 2022 was awarded the Wenlan Scholar Chair Professorship in International Law at Zhongnan University of Economics and Law in China. From my point of view, he was acting as a scholar trying to build connections with China at a time when every university in Canada was seeking to build ties with China, Jutras said, adding that he sees no flaws in Lefebvres negotiations with the two donors. This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 20, 2023. Read more about: SHARE: NASSAU and FREEPORT, The Bahamas, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Justice in The Bahamas has entered a new era, thanks to advanced digital court recording and speech-to-text technology from For The Record, funding from the U.S. Department of State, and guidance from the National Center for State Courts (NCSC). The Bahamian Courts are the first in the Caribbean region to adopt this revolutionary cloud-based technology, which will dramatically accelerate access to justice and enhance courtroom efficiency. For The Record Like many nations, courts in The Bahamas contend with a limited number of court reporters and a growing caseload. In 2018, the NCSC offered to share its expertise in improving judicial processes with the island nation. The organization subsequently identified an opportunity in the Magistrates Courtthe country's primary civil and criminal court. The Magistrates Court did not have a formal provision or mechanism for recording legal proceedings, which further strained the courts. The NCSC subsequently recommended a digital solution for capturing, storing, and distributing the Magistrates Courts' recordings and for improving efficiency throughout the legal justice system. For The Record, a leading legal technology company with 30 years of global experience and expertise in digital court recording technology, was an ideal partner for The Bahamas' project. Over the course of several years, For The Record worked closely with key stakeholders in the islands' legal system, as well as collaborated with the NCSC, to outfit more than 30 courtrooms and hearing rooms with advanced recording equipment. In addition to installing digital court recording systems, For The Record enabled automatic cloud-based storage and speech-to-text technology for The Bahamas. An additional 12 courtrooms will be updated in the coming months. "This will be transformational for legal justice in The Bahamas," said For The Record CEO, Tony Douglass. "Our audio recording equipment will preserve every word of proceedings at the Magistrates Court level, so the judiciary can access vital, historical insights and intelligence. At the Supreme and Appeals Court levels, our speech-to-text technology will unlock a same-day, keyword searchable record to improve efficiency. We are proud to be part of this groundbreaking project." Story continues Renaldo Toote, Deputy Registrar of The Judiciary of The Bahamas, commented, "The conversion of audio recordings to text within minutes is revolutionary and propels The Bahamas forward, into a new era of modern justice." Toote added, "An accurate record is necessary for the proper dispensation of justice." About For The Record For The Record is the global leader in digital audio, visual, and record-keeping innovations for legal justice. Over three decades, the company has modernized more than 30,000 courtrooms across 70+ countries. For The Record's innovations include FTR RealTime, an instant speech-to-text platform; the world's first cloud-based recording management system; and a virtual justice platform that observes traditional court protocols. With the goals of supporting justice and enhancing accessibility, For The Record continuously develops new courtroom technology. For The Record: The Sound & Sight of Justice. www.fortherecord.com Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/for-the-record-completes-major-courtroom-modernization-project-in-the-bahamas-301804231.html SOURCE For The Record Allentown, PA (18103) Today Turning out mostly cloudy with a chance of a few showers, mainly in the afternoon and evening.. Tonight Mostly cloudy with a few passing showers. 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. SHILLINGTON, Pa. The administration at Governor Mifflin School District says no evidence has been found to substantiate a threat that forced its middle and high schools to go virtual on Tuesday. In an update issued by the district on Thursday, administrators said the finding of no evidence came after two days of collaboration with local law enforcement and other agencies. The district thanked its community for being patient while waiting for the update. "While we understand the desire for additional information, we ask our community to trust that we will always update you with any and all information we have available as soon as we are able to do so," the district wrote. "We also would like to reassure our community that, during this time, we have worked with fervor to ensure that our students across the district are safe within our schools." The district said it will continue to follow increased safety protocols at the middle school and high school campuses through the remainder of this week. Additional communication about next week will be provided before Monday, it said. READING, Pa. Police seized nearly $8,000 worth of heroin, fentanyl and cocaine, along with a stolen gun, during an arrest in Reading Thursday morning. Leonel Lugo-Santiago, 33, was arrested on felony gun and drug charges after a 10-month investigation into drug sales from his residence in the 300 block of North Sixth Street. Around 11 a.m. Thursday, authorities from Troop L Vice Unit, Reading Police Vice Unit, and the Berks County Drug Task Force executed a knock-and-announce search warrant at the home. During the search of the residence, authorities seized the following: 623 glassine baggies containing both heroin and fentanyl, with a $3,115 street value. 138"trash can" plastic containers containing crack cocaine, with a $1,380 street value. 336 bags containing both cocaine and crack cocaine, with a $3,360 street value. A 9mm pistol, reported stolen out of the city of Reading. $6,300 in cash. Lugo-Santiago was being held in Berks County Prison. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 5. KUTZTOWN, Pa. It's one day of the year dedicated to vinyl collectors across the globe: Record Store Day. Record Store Day was conceived in 2007 at a gathering of independent record store owners and employees as a way to celebrate and spread the word about the unique culture surrounding nearly 1,400 independently-owned record stores in the United States and thousands of similar stores internationally. The first Record Store Day took place on April 19, 2008. Today, there are Record Store Day participating stores on every continent except Antarctica. "There are people who will go store to store to store five stores, 10 stores that day and buy things from everybody," explained Young Ones Records owner Chris Holt. Young Ones, located at 26 S. Whiteoak St. in Kutztown, is participating in Record Store Day on Saturday. Holt says the store, a 33-year staple in the community, will see its busiest day of the year. "It's the biggest day of the year," explained Holt. "We do 10 times what we do on a Saturday." Holt says there will be long lines of people, browsing old and new records alike. As soon as people leave, more will be waiting to take their place in line. "Radiohead, Cage the Elephant," he said. "Mac Miller is a big vinyl seller." People can also celebrate local artists, like Yenna Hill. "For a time being, I was painting on records just to upcycle materials that were damaged records that would otherwise be trash, and they were a pretty common collectible in the Berks County area," explained Hill. To commemorate the day, Holt asked Hill to design special posters and t-shirts that will be available for purchase. Throughout the day, different bands will play at the store, too. The biggest draw for stores are the limited edition albums that are hard to find and can resell for hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. "Some things, if you don't get it that day, you're not going to get it again unless you pay crazy money on eBay for it," stated Holt. One of the big releases this year is "Folklore: The Long Pond Sessions" by Berks County native Taylor Swift. Holt says there are just 75,000 albums, and only participating Record Store Day shops have them. "Of course, we sell Taylor Swift like crazy," said Holt. "We have a lot. I can't say how many, but they're here." People who plan on trying to buy limited edition albums should get in line early and be prepared to wait. A link to the full list of titles and copies available is available on the store's Facebook page. People with questions are encouraged to call the store at 610-683-5599. BETHLEHEM, Pa. - A U.S. Marshals Service official tells 69 News a man wanted in a homicide in Allentown was taken into custody Friday afternoon after law enforcement officials swarmed a neighborhood in Bethlehem. Police officers and a Bethlehem Emergency Response Team responded to East 7th and Atlantic streets early Friday afternoon, according to Northampton County dispatchers. An armored vehicle had been seen in the area. The official said the US Marshals Task Force operation in Bethlehem Friday afternoon involved officers from Allentown and Bethlehem. Authorities had an active arrest warrant for the suspect, according to the official. In a news release, the Lehigh County District Attorney's Office said the homicide happened in Allentown in the 500 block of North 4th Street. Responding officers found a man suffering from gunshot wounds. The man was transported to an area hospital, where he died, city police said. The investigation was conducted by Allentown Police and the Lehigh County Homicide Task Force, and the arrest was made with assistance from Bethlehem Police as well as the U.S. Marshals Task Force. EASTON, Pa. - Neighbors in Easton are relieved by an arrest, but still shaken by the shootout that sent bullets flying through homes and cars earlier this week. One man is in custody, as police are on the hunt for whoever else was involved. The Easton Police Department arrested 21-year-old Kaleil Woody-Johnson early Friday morning and collected more evidence at his home. Officers also took another person there in for questioning. "One whizzed by him and his wife," said Mark Calafatello. Calafatello received a startling message from his tenants: his house was one of two struck by bullets in Monday's early evening shootout. No one was injured, but three cars were also hit. Calafatello says if it were just a couple of hours earlier, there could have been children and parents at the bus stop there at the corner of South Sixth and Ferry streets. "I'll be following it to see what happens when it hits the courts and hope that people involved in wild west shootouts in residential neighborhoods are put in jail," said Calafatello. "Frankly, in the midst of all these gunshots, it's a miracle nobody was actually struck by gunfire," said Northampton County District Attorney Terence Houck. Early Friday morning, Easton Police's Special Response Unit arrested Woody-Johnson at his home on West Berwick Street. Woody-Johnson is facing three counts of attempted homicide, three counts of aggravated assault, four counts of reckless endangerment, and a count of person not to possess a firearm. The District Attorney says officers took extra precaution because of the seriousness of the charges and suspected gang activity. "The good thing about Easton is that they're trained for this because this was a problem one time, years ago, and if this is an issue, now, it won't be an issue for long. In fact, it's probably already in the process of being dismantled, if it exists at all," said Houck. As for Calafatello's house, the losses are under his insurance minimum. "It's not catastrophic damage, but it still has a financial impact, and as of right now there's no support for it from anywhere. So, it's going to be out of pocket by me as the landlord," said Calafatello. "The people that are arrested and convicted should be responsible to cover the losses of the victims." Houck says there were four adults and four children at Woody-Johnson's home when he was arrested. He's being held without bail. Northampton County Council voted 6-3 Thursday to override Executive Lamont McClure's veto of the tax break for River Pointe (RPL), a huge industrial development along the Delaware River in Upper Mount Bethel Township. That extends the program for five years. The vote, unchanged from when council voted April 6, means new construction at RPL will receive a property-tax break that declines and then expires over 10 years. The break is known as a LERTA: Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance. The goal is to spur development by cutting builders' costs now to expand the future tax base. The county, Upper Mount Bethel and the Bangor Area School District have approved LERTAs for River Pointe. The council vote also kills off the idea of McClure and developer Lou Pektor working on a compromise that would only apply the break to manufacturing, not warehouses. "We need more time," McClure told council before the vote. He did not get it. McClure said afterward that he and Pektor had productive talks about a LERTA limited to high-value manufacturing, not warehouses. McClure has vowed to oppose any tax breaks for warehouses. A band of opponents has attended multiple meetings to speak against RPL, contending it will damage the environment, generate truck traffic, and ruin the rural character of Upper Mount Bethel (UMBT) and the Slate Belt, the county's northern tier. None have been more determined than Charles Cole, who said Thursday that pure air and water are regional issues, not just a UMBT problem. "Our environment we lose, and we gain air pollution," Cole said. Supporters showed up, too. Martin Pinter, chairman of the UMBT Board of Supervisors, said some opponents have a personal grudge against Pektor. "They're going after a gentleman who is trying to do the right thing in the township," Pinter said. He said the township, which does not have its own emergency services, must move into the 21st century and it needs RPL revenue. "Upper Mount Bethel needs this," Pinter said. He noted that the land is zoned for industry, and Pektor could have put 23 warehouses up. Pinter has made the point earlier that Pektor had the right to build but he has negotiated at length with the township over the final development. Michael Goffredo, president of the Bangor school board, said the Slate Belt used to rely on the slate and garment industries, both mostly gone now. Development is needed to take the tax burden off homeowners, he said. Pektor was the last of nine speakers who addressed RPL. He said misinformation has been spread about the development and reiterated: "We are not after the logistics (warehouse) business." Pektor has said before that food processors and other manufacturers are his target market. The site has rail access and power, and is near the Columbia-Portland Toll Bridge, providing a quick getaway to Route 80 in New Jersey and the New York metropolitan area. "We've been spending millions of dollars to do things the right way," he said of the lengthy planning process and time spent negotiating with UMBT. Council did not debate the issue before voting. In favor of extending the tax break at RPL were President Kerry Myers, Vice President Ron Heckman, Thomas Giovanni, John Goffredo, John Brown and Lori Vargo Heffner. Opposed were Tara Zrinski, John Cusick and Kevin Lott. All members voted as they did April 6, though there was some confusion over whether Heckman, voting by phone, said "yes" or "no." He reiterated: "Yes." The LERTA was approved in 2018, with no public opposition. It had an expiration date at the end of 2022. Upper Mount Bethel Township Manager Ed Nelson said he filed a required report that automatically extended the program, but the administration did not agree. Pektor has said RPL will create thousands of jobs and generate millions of dollars in tax revenue. The LERTA will help bring in value-added jobs, he has said, and compete with New Jersey, just across the river. "New Jersey fights to keep its best tenants," he said at the April 6 meeting. After the meeting, McClure said development threatens the Lehigh River and air across the region, and that a majority of council voted against a compromise that would have guaranteed no warehouses at RPL got tax breaks. Summary: The RBN by Swedish company ChromaWay is dedicated to fostering a robust European Blockchain ecosystem prioritizing security, scalability, and usability. Stockholm, Sweden--(Newsfile Corp. - April 21, 2023) - ChromaWay has been chosen as one of three companies to advance to Phase 2B, the final phase of the European Commission's Blockchain Pre-Commercial Procurement (PCP). Image source: ChromaWay To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9100/163217_8362b82fb415993f_001full.jpg The ChromaWay technology that underpins the Relational Blockchain Nebula offers several technical advantages crucial for establishing secure blockchain services for the EU. These include low environmental impact, enhanced security through the programming language Rell, and the application of years of database optimization research which gives the RBN the ability to handle complex queries with improved performance. The innovative Nebula architecture allows for expansive scalability, ensuring that companies across the EU can access affordable blockchain services without high transaction fees or slow processing speeds. In the final phase of the program, Relational Blockchain Nebula will undergo technical field testing and set the stage for interoperability with the wider European Blockchain Services Infrastructure (EBSI), including self-sovereign digital identity (SSI) and verifiable credentials (VC). By the end of Phase 2B, ChromaWay will launch the first two decentralized applications built on RBN: the Digital Product Passport (DPP) and Intellectual Property Rights Marketplace (IPR). The DPP aims to reduce waste and promote sustainability in the textile industry, while the IPR Marketplace provides a transparent platform to register and trade IP assets such as patents, trademarks, and copyrights. These decentralized applications are designed to streamline compliance, foster innovation, and promote trade within the EBSI ecosystem while showcasing blockchain technology's potential to create a more transparent and sustainable economy. The long-term vision of the RBN is to enable a vibrant, interoperable ecosystem of blockchain-based services developed by EU companies for the benefit of EU citizens. Story continues Henrik Hjelte, CEO of ChromaWay, said, "We are thrilled to be part of this pioneering initiative that has the potential to revolutionize industries across the EU. Our tech not only addresses the challenges of security and scalability but can also contribute to a more efficient and sustainable future for the European Union." As the European Blockchain Services Infrastructure continues to take shape, ChromaWay's Relational Blockchain Nebula is poised to play a significant role in driving innovation and sustainability across the EU. About ChromaWay ChromaWay, established in 2014, is the creator of the relational blockchain Chromia - a new architecture that combines the power and flexibility of a relational database with the decentralized security of a blockchain. ChromaWay has developed applications for clients across the globe in several sectors, including banking, supply chain, real estate, and green finance. Media Contact Company: ChromaWay Person: Fati Hakim Email: Fati.Hakim@chromaway.com Website: https://chromaway.com/ To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/163217 BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Lehigh University's Chief of Police calls an alleged racial attack on a student over the weekend "deeply disturbing and upsetting." As officials investigate and consider charges, students on campus are also reacting to the news. In posts online, the university's police chief and president condemned the alleged actions. Police concluded that the four white individuals involved are not students at the university, but were driving through, yelling racist comments at a Black student. The university's president says the student was simply "walking down the street with friends" at the time. Police say the Black student "ran after the car as a result of the hate speech," before walking away with friends. But the suspects got out of their car, followed the student group, and assaulted the Lehigh student, police said. "After an ongoing verbal exchange, some of the suspects pursued the group of students into a campus residence hall, assaulting our student again," Chief Jason Schiffer, with the Lehigh University Police Department, said. Officials say the student did not suffer serious physical injuries. And upon investigating, they have identified the four suspects involved, and "are evaluating criminal charges or a potential restorative justice resolution." Joseph Helble, Lehigh University's president, in his own post says in part: "For many members of our community, especially our Black students...this is a wearily familiar scenario." He adds: "I understand the anger and the fear that our Black students, faculty and staff experience, especially following reports of events such as these." Many students tell 69 News they generally feel safe on campus. "I'm Asian, I'm Filipino," Adrian Suarez, a master's student at the university, said. "A majority of my friends are people of color. We tend to not have incidents like those. I don't want to, like, speak for everybody. But at least for my friend group." "I know from a few Black friends that are on campus, this is sort of the sort of thing they have to live with," junior Greg Mostek said. "And obviously, I'm not in a position to really dictate how they feel." "My three years here at Lehigh, there have been a few cases where this has happened," junior Bryce Marroquin said. "So it is, I would say, a shock as a Lehigh student that this happens." In 2022, a Black student was struck in the face. Officials later said the attack was not racially motivated, but racist language was directed at the student who reported the incident. And in 2019, a Lehigh University student was arrested in connection with a "racial vandalism" incident that happened earlier at the school. Bryce Marroquin says he too feels safe on campus, but he has experienced what he felt was racism in the area. "I was walking back from Steel Fitness, the gym," he said. "And this old lady walks by...I'm walking by, she clutches her purse. Nothing more than that...I'm just like, Oh, wow." Marroquin laughs it off now. "But overall," he said, you know, from a small to large scale, these things do happen." NEW TRIPOLI, Pa. - Its not a typical day at Willow Haven Farm considering the farmers are getting ready to host their first Earth Day event. To prepare for the big day, Reuben DeMaster and his family are baking dozens of loaves of bread and getting ready to debut their new gift shop. We take Earth Day seriously every day because we only have one earth and we all have to learn to share it, Wray Sargent, the event coordinator at Willow Haven Farm, said. Although theyre adding a few unusual tasks to their day, theres one element that stays the same. We are always conscious of the things that we're doing, Reuben DeMaster, the owner of the farm, said. That includes the farm's sustainable practices. Willow Haven Farm grows all of their produce organically and has been CSA certified for 15 years. It's constantly thinking about the best ways to improve the food and the ground that it grows in. We're all about taking care of the land, Sargent said. We don't put any harsh chemicals down that are going to end up in our water supply. The farm has been in the DeMaster family for over 60 years and since then, theyve lived on the land and consumed what they can from the land. Currently, about 80% of what they eat comes from their own backyard. They get their eggs from their chickens on the farm, milk and beef from the cows, pork from the pigs, and the vegetables from the 100,000 to 200,000 seeds they plant every year. What they dont eat goes back into the community. The extra food does go to food pantries. We are trying to make sure that we're not throwing things away, DeMaster said. On Saturday, the family is hosting its first Earth Day event. People can expect arts and crafts for kids, an opportunity to plant a seed, a tour of the farm, and a chance to foster a duck or chick. That event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Willow Haven Farm in New Tripoli. To find out more, visit the Willow Haven Farm Facebook page. DOVER, Del. (AP) Delaware Gov. John Carney said Friday that he will allow bills legalizing recreational marijuana use by adults in the state and authorizing the establishment of a state-licensed and regulated cannabis industry to become law without his signature. The Democratic governor's move marks a turnaround from last year, when he vetoed a legalization bill championed by fellow Democrats. That led to a failed veto override attempt by House Democrats. Just last month, Carneys office said he continued to have strong concerns about the unintended consequences of legalizing marijuana for recreational use, including the effects on young people and highway safety. I want to be clear that my views on this issue have not changed. And I understand there are those who share my views who will be disappointed in my decision not to veto this legislation," Carney said in a prepared statement Friday. I came to this decision because I believe weve spent far too much time focused on this issue, when Delawareans face more serious and pressing concerns every day. Its time to move on. I remain concerned about the consequences of a recreational marijuana industry in our state," Carney added. "Im concerned especially about the potential effects on Delawares children, on the safety of our roadways, and on our poorest neighborhoods, where I believe a legal marijuana industry will have a disproportionately negative impact. Those concerns are why I could not put my signature to either House Bill 1 or House Bill 2. The legalization bill allows people 21 and older to possess up to 1 ounce (28 grams) of leaf marijuana, 12 grams of concentrated marijuana, or marijuana products containing up to 750 milligrams of the psychoactive compound THC. Possession of more than an ounce of marijuana and public consumption would remain misdemeanors. The bill also prohibits people from growing their own marijuana for personal consumption. The separate industry-creation bill calls for state officials to issue up to 30 initial retail marijuana licenses, 30 manufacturing licenses, 60 cultivation licenses and five testing licenses. It includes special license pools for social equity and microbusiness applicants. Rep. Ed Osienski, chief sponsor of both measures, said the legalization bill will become law Sunday. The industry authorization bill will officially become law Thursday. After five years of countless meetings, debates, negotiations and conversations, Im grateful we have reached the point where Delaware has joined a growing number of states that have legalized and regulated adult recreational marijuana for personal use," Osienski, a Newark Democrat, said in a prepared statement. I understand the governors personal opposition to legalization, so I especially appreciate him listening to the thousands of residents who support this effort and allowing it to become law," he added. The Democrat-controlled Senate voted 16-4 last month for the legalization bill after it cleared the Democrat-led House on a 28-13 vote. The industry bill was approved by votes of 27-13 in the House and 15-5 in the Senate. The industry bill required a three-fifths supermajority because it creates a new tax in the form of a 15% levy on retail sales. Veto overrides also require three-fifths votes in both chambers, meaning 25 in the House and 13 in the Senate. Delaware Democrats have tried for years to legalize recreational marijuana use for adults. The marijuana bills are essentially the same as legislation considered last year, but the election of several progressive Democrats in November helped increase support for the legalization bill and gain the required supermajority for the industry bill. It also likely would have improved chances for overriding any vetoes by Carney. GOP lawmakers have been mostly united in opposition to legalization, although three Republican House members voted for the legalization bill and two voted for the industry bill. In the Senate, the legalization bill received one GOP vote, while the industry bill passed on a straight party-line vote. Opponents have argued that legalization and creation of a state marijuana industry will lead to increased marijuana use among teens and young adults that could affect their cognitive development, expose business owners to liability and result in more traffic deaths and injuries. They also say it will do little to eliminate illegal sales. Supporters say neither bill changes laws regarding driving under the influence and that public consumption of marijuana would be prohibited. They also say employers will be able to test workers for marijuana and discipline employees for being under the influence at work. Supporters also argue that a state-regulated industry will reduce illegal black market sales, create jobs and generate more tax revenue. To date, 21 other states have passed laws legalizing recreational use of marijuana by adults. SEOUL, South Korea (AP) North Koreas foreign minister on Friday called the Group of Seven wealthy democracies a tool for ensuring the U.S. hegemony as she lambasted the groups recent call for the Norths denuclearization. The top diplomats from G-7 nations, who met recently in Japan, had jointly condemned the Norths recent ballistic missile tests and reiterated their commitment to the goal of North Koreas complete abandonment of its nuclear weapons. Their communique was prepared as a template for leaders at the G-7 summit next month in Hiroshima, where North Koreas nuclear program will likely be discussed again. North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui said her country will take unspecified strong counteraction if G-7 countries the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Canada, Italy and the European Union show any behavioral attempt to infringe upon the fundamental interests of North Korea. G7, a closed group of a handful of egoistic countries, does not represent the just international community but serves as a political tool for ensuring the U.S. hegemony, Choe said in a statement carried by North Korean state media. Choe said the G-7 communique malignantly raised the Norths legitimate exercise of its sovereignty. North Korea has steadfastly argued it was forced to develop nuclear weapons because of U.S. nuclear threats against it. It has said the United States' regular military drills with South Korea are a rehearsal for invasion, though U.S. and South Korean officials have said their drills are defensive and they have no intentions of attacking the North. North Korea has test-fired about 100 missiles since the start of last year in the name of responding to U.S. military training with South Korea. But many experts say North Korean leader Kim Jong Un likely uses his rivals' military drills as a pretext to advance his weapons programs, cement his domestic leadership and be recognized as a legitimate nuclear state to get international sanctions on the North lifted. North Korea has been hit with 11 rounds of U.N. sanctions because of its past nuclear and ballistic missile tests banned by U.N. Security Council resolutions. Kim has previously said those sanctions "stifles" North Korea's economy. The G-7 foreign ministers in their communique Tuesday said North Korea will never have the status of a nuclear-weapons state under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. The treaty sought to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons beyond the five original armed powers the U.S., Russia, China, Britain and France. It requires non-nuclear signatory nations to not pursue atomic weapons in exchange for a commitment by the five powers to move toward nuclear disarmament and to guarantee non-nuclear states access to peaceful nuclear technology for producing energy. Choe also said the Norths position as a nuclear weapons state will remain as an undeniable and stark reality. She said North Korea is free from any of the treatys obligations because it withdrew from the treaty 20 years ago. North Korea joined the NPT in 1985 but announced its withdrawal from the treaty in 2003, citing what it called U.S. aggression. Since 2006, North Korea has conducted six nuclear tests and a slew of other weapons tests to develop nuclear-tipped missiles designed to attack the U.S. and South Korea. South Koreas Unification Ministry said later Friday that North Korea must halt its threats against neighbors and pay heed to international concerns about its reckless nuclear and missile programs. Deputy spokesperson Lee Hyojung told reporters that North Korea cannot earn what it wants from its nuclear program so it must not insist on a wrong path. Kim said earlier this week his country has built its first military spy satellite that will be launched at an unspecified date. Last week, North Korea test-launched a solid-fueled intercontinental ballistic missile for the first time. North Korea is expected to perform more weapons tests as the United States and South Korea continue their joint aerial exercise into next week. Find more AP Asia-Pacific coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/asia-pacific If we want to find a stock that could multiply over the long term, what are the underlying trends we should look for? Firstly, we'll want to see a proven return on capital employed (ROCE) that is increasing, and secondly, an expanding base of capital employed. This shows us that it's a compounding machine, able to continually reinvest its earnings back into the business and generate higher returns. However, after investigating Visdynamics Holdings Berhad (KLSE:VIS), we don't think it's current trends fit the mold of a multi-bagger. Return On Capital Employed (ROCE): What Is It? For those who don't know, ROCE is a measure of a company's yearly pre-tax profit (its return), relative to the capital employed in the business. The formula for this calculation on Visdynamics Holdings Berhad is: Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT) (Total Assets - Current Liabilities) 0.092 = RM5.9m (RM76m - RM13m) (Based on the trailing twelve months to January 2023). Therefore, Visdynamics Holdings Berhad has an ROCE of 9.2%. Ultimately, that's a low return and it under-performs the Semiconductor industry average of 12%. Check out our latest analysis for Visdynamics Holdings Berhad roce While the past is not representative of the future, it can be helpful to know how a company has performed historically, which is why we have this chart above. If you want to delve into the historical earnings, revenue and cash flow of Visdynamics Holdings Berhad, check out these free graphs here. What Can We Tell From Visdynamics Holdings Berhad's ROCE Trend? When we looked at the ROCE trend at Visdynamics Holdings Berhad, we didn't gain much confidence. Around five years ago the returns on capital were 21%, but since then they've fallen to 9.2%. Given the business is employing more capital while revenue has slipped, this is a bit concerning. If this were to continue, you might be looking at a company that is trying to reinvest for growth but is actually losing market share since sales haven't increased. Story continues On a related note, Visdynamics Holdings Berhad has decreased its current liabilities to 17% of total assets. So we could link some of this to the decrease in ROCE. What's more, this can reduce some aspects of risk to the business because now the company's suppliers or short-term creditors are funding less of its operations. Since the business is basically funding more of its operations with it's own money, you could argue this has made the business less efficient at generating ROCE. The Key Takeaway We're a bit apprehensive about Visdynamics Holdings Berhad because despite more capital being deployed in the business, returns on that capital and sales have both fallen. Yet despite these concerning fundamentals, the stock has performed strongly with a 95% return over the last five years, so investors appear very optimistic. Regardless, we don't feel too comfortable with the fundamentals so we'd be steering clear of this stock for now. One more thing: We've identified 3 warning signs with Visdynamics Holdings Berhad (at least 1 which is potentially serious) , and understanding these would certainly be useful. If you want to search for solid companies with great earnings, check out this free list of companies with good balance sheets and impressive returns on equity. 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 A revised flood estimate predicts the Mississippi River will now crest midweek in Winona and La Crosse on Wednesday and Thursday respectively, according to forecasts by the National Weather Service. The river is expected to reach the major flood stage of 15.5 feet Sunday in La Crosse and peak at 16 feet Thursday, where it will remain until water begins to recede over the following weekend. In Winona, the flood will reach the major stage of 18 feet Sunday and is anticipated to peak at 19.1 feet by Wednesday. The last time either city saw flooding of such severity was in 2001, when river levels reached 16.4 feet in La Crosse and 20 feet in Winona. The 2001 flooding is the second highest on record for both areas. The National Weather Service in La Crosse issued a flood warning for the Black River at Galesville, where river levels surpassed the initial flood stage of 10 feet. Water levels are currently at 11 feet and are expected to peak at 13.8 feet Sunday. Public works departments for both Winona and La Crosse have been pumping water since the start of the week to mitigate flooding behind protective flood barriers. La Crosse Fire Chief Jeff Schott, who is responsible for emergency management, said his biggest concern is keeping the public safe. We are always focused on public safety, Schott said. (Were) trying to keep people out of the places we know will get the most flooding. The citys parks department has already closed a number of trails in the La Crosse River Marsh. Schott said upgrades to the pump station on Causeway Boulevard completed earlier this year were critical to being prepared for this flood season. The city has about 16 water pumps located across the North Side. Winona Public Works Director Brian DeFrang said the flood situation is under control due to the hard work of many city employees. Thats the biggest thing right now, DeFrang said. If you look back a week, the projection was like 17.3 feet and now its 19.1. Two feet is real; its a big deal to where different protocols have to be done because of the higher elevation. Since flooding surpassed the 16-foot stage, different protocols are in effect in Winona. More levees are closed now and an around-the-clock flood water watch is in place along the 9 miles of levees protecting the city. Staff monitors for any soft spots on the levee that could lead to a breakthrough or water that is boiling up on the other side, which could indicate a weak spot in the levee that needs to be addressed quickly. The La Crosse Fire Department is urging residents to be prepared for flooding ahead of time and to stay out of flood areas. La Crosse city residents can get sand from the parking lot at the corner of Marco Drive and Hood Street. Residents can also get sand, fillable bags and pre-filled bags from local hardware stores, including Kroners, Menards, Home Depot and Ace Hardware. Sand and sandbags are also available for residents on French Island at the Campbell Town Hall. The city encourages community members to consider the following tips: Know your flood risk. Assess your propertys proximity to flooding waterways. Is it in or near the floodplain? Do you have a basement or other buildings that may be at risk? Make an emergency plan. Have a meeting place for your family, bring a list of emergency contacts, include pets in the plan, consider what medications you need to take, and bring a power supply. Build a Go Kit. Include items like nonperishable food, water, cash and medications. Move valuables out of the basement. Elevate or flood-proof appliances as much as possible. Stay informed about the river levels and forecasts at www.weather.gov/arx/MississippiRiver_SpringFlood_2023 IN PHOTOS: Mississippi River flooding Minnesota is one of 31 states without a red-flag law, which allows for temporary firearm removal from individuals believed to be at risk of harming themselves or others. States took millions to enact red-flag gun laws, but many still won't pass them A Lee Enterprises review reveals that lawmakers in 31 states have not passed red-flag laws even as most of those states received federal funding through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. The policy, enacted in 19 states and D.C., is one that gun-safety advocates are pushing for once again across the U.S. in the aftermath of the late March Nashville school shooting, which killed six people. The policy has bipartisan appeal with some Republicans in favor of it, but second-amendment advocates say the policy is concerning because it entails firearm removal. Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Waltz included in his budget proposal this year recommendations for lawmakers to pass gun control policies including a red-flag law, universal background checks, magazine capacity limits and restrictions on semiautomatic rifle sales to those under 21-years-old. It is unclear whether the red-flag law would pass in the narrowly divided House and Senate. Democratic-Farmer-Labor lawmakers are advancing the red-flag law proposal in addition to a universal background check process for firearms sales from people deemed as a threat to themselves or others. The red-flag law proposal allows family members to petition to a court for a temporary ban on someone from possessing firearms if they post a significant risk. It would create an extreme risk protection order that could be obtained by family or guardians and city or county attorneys. A bill expanding background checks for firearms sales would require checks for private sales for firearms, such as pistols and semi-automatic rifles. Two exemptions to this include a transfer between immediate family members and those involving a firearms dealer or law enforcement. In addition to meeting the background check requirements, all parties involved in the sale would have to present a valid transfer permit or a permit to carry and a government ID. The firearm owner will have to present a record of transfer upon request of a member of law enforcement conducting a criminal investigation. The Associated Press reported earlier this month that U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez struck down the state law, citing a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision on gun rights last year. But after the state attorney general's office filed an emergency motion for a stay, she agreed to hold off, meaning 18-to-20-year-olds still can't apply for carry permits in Minnesota until the matter is resolved. House Democrats have a 70-64 majority over Republicans. There is a 34-33 split in the Senate; if just one Democrat joins Republicans, that could prevent gun control bills from progressing. The state recently received $3.7 million in federal funding through President Joe Bidens Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which aims to help states create and implement the red-flag laws, also referred to as extreme risk protection order programs. Minnesota is among several states to receive the funding most either noted in their federal funding application that they dont intend to pass the laws or top lawmakers there have previously stated their opposition. This rise in gun violence is evident by increases in community gun violence, domestic violence, and suicides, Minnesota Department of Public Safety officials wrote in the application. Extreme risk protection orders are listed as one measure the state listed under possible uses of the funding. Other states are creating programs such as mental health courts, crisis intervention courts and veterans assistance. 50 facts about guns in America What to know about guns in the U.S. The first firearm reached the New World in 1492 Record climb in background checks during the COVID-19 pandemic Americans purchased more firearms in 2020 and 2021 than at any point in the nation's history The Second Amendment is at odds with modern politics Protection cited as a primary reason for ownership More Americans want stricter controls Ban of bump stocks upheld by the Supreme Court The leading cause of death for children in the U.S. is guns Only certain states require background checks 2016 saw record-breaking gun manufacturing Firearm ownership triples the rate of self-murders Up to 36 states have Stand Your Ground law 3 out of 10 Americans own a gun There were nearly 700 mass shootings in 2021 The National Rifle Association formed in 1871 Bipartisan support against gun owners with mental illness 44% of Americans know someone who was shot Concealed and open carry Nonmailable Firearms Act of 1927 banned shipping firearms through USPS America has more guns than people States with more guns have higher firearm fatalities Almost 3,000 US mass shootings since Sandy Hook Higher police officer deaths in gun-friendly states Eleven states allow students to carry concealed guns on campus Vermont adolescents can own a handgun States exempt from federal gun laws 22 adolescents are shot daily in the US 39% of parents don't think kids know where their gun is stored More than a third of non-owners believe they will own a gun at some point in their lives More than 320,000 children in US have witnessed mass shootings President George Washington's pistols worth $2 million Domestic violence is a leading cause of adolescent shootings States with the most restrictive firearm regulations see fewer deaths by guns Gun-Free School Zones Act made it illegal to carry a firearm near schools Washington D.C. gun ownership was banned from 1975 to 2008 Demographics of gun ownership National Firearms Act of 1934 was passed in response to gang violence There are more than 2,000 US gun shows a year Montana has the highest percentage of gun ownership Several East Coast states have the lowest percentage of gun ownership and licenses issued 58 were killed in largest mass shooting The Federal Firearms Act of 1938 required a license to sell firearms Seven states and Washington D.C. have assault weapons bans Gun purchases contribute to wildlife conservation efforts The 1993 Brady Act introduced FBI background checks There are loopholes in background checks Alcohol abuse heightens gun violence Gun Control Act of 1968 was the first to prohibit gun sales to certain groups A city in Georgia requires that every household must own a gun Remington Arms is the oldest gun manufacturer in the US For autistic drivers, a police stop or emergency while driving can be a scary situation, according to Joanne G. Quinn, the executive director of the non-profit, The Autism Project. Sirens, flashing lights, and a law enforcement member asking questions can be too much to handle for someone who is autistic, Quinn, who has an autistic son, told ABC News. "There is no way to know how you'll react in one of those encounters," she said. "And sometimes individuals' reactions or how they answer a question can get them into trouble with an officer who doesn't know they're autistic." MORE: Diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder is on the rise in children, but it's not necessarily bad news A bill introduced in the Rhode Island House of Representatives this week would give autistic drivers an option to alert others about their disability with special designations on their license and vehicle. PHOTO: Rhode Island State House in Providence. (M. Borchi/De Agostini via Getty Images, FILE) Lawmakers said it would improve the safety of autistic drivers, however, some advocates argued that in its current form, the specialized license could lead to discrimination and harassment. Rhode Island House Rep. Samuel Azzinaro introduced the bill that would allow the state's Department of Motor Vehicles to offer an optional driver's license "that is clearly marked 'autism,'" and decals that are "marked 'autism'" that can be affixed to a vehicle in a "conspicuous place," according to the legislation's current language. Drivers would also have the option of receiving blue envelopes that contain "information regarding ways to enhance effective communication between a police officer and a person with autism spectrum disorder," the bill said. Connecticut launched a similar blue envelope program for autistic drivers in 2020. Quinn said she supported the bill's purpose, because it would help resolve an ongoing issue affecting the autistic community, which is communication between them and law enforcement. She said first responder academies have been improving their training to understand how to communicate with autistic individuals properly, and her group has made videos to educate those departments about the community. Story continues However, Quinn said there is still work to be done, especially when it comes to emergencies, and a designated license and information card would go a long way. "Either its a pullover or a crash, they see the [marker], hopefully, they are educated to know what it is, and in the glove compartment is information about the driver," Quinn said. "The purpose for our community is if it's a stop in the highway it gives the officer a heads up." MORE: Nonspeaking student with autism gives moving commencement speech During a hearing on the bill Wednesday, some autistic residents also expressed support. Toby Silva, a 17-year-old Rhode Island resident who spoke through an electronic device, told lawmakers that he researched the Connecticut law and said Rhode Island would benefit from similar options for drivers. "The goal is to avoid misunderstanding between the officer and the driver," he said. PHOTO: Motorists drive down a highway on April 08, 2021 in Providence, Rhode Island. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images, FILE) Some advocates, however, warned that putting an autistic person's disability in big letters on an official ID can lead to problems. Mireille Sayaf, the executive director of the Ocean State Center For Independent Living, sent a letter to the House of Representatives' Health & Human Services Committee Wednesday, noting that such a designation on an official identification document would "lead to stereotyping and breaches of the individuals confidentiality." "While the intent behind the bill to improve interactions with law enforcement is good, we feel that there are less intrusive ways to accomplish this goal that would lead to less stigma for persons on the autism spectrum," she wrote. Quinn said she agreed that the wording or markings on those special licenses and car decals must be more discreet. "There should be another way, like a blue dot, or strip that is subtle and law enforcement should be informed about it," she said. MORE: Autism, explained Azzinaro, who didn't immediately return messages to ABC News' request for comment, told the committee that the bill's language is not final and he is open to tweaking it based on the community's input. He also told the committee that he would consider a recommendation for drivers to apply for a special placard on their dashboard. Quinn said whatever comes of the bill, it is important that lawmakers hear more from autistic drivers and residents, and she encouraged the community to weigh in. "We need the neurodivergent voice and we need them at the table to tell us what works best for them," she said. Rhode Island bill would give autistic drivers option for special license originally appeared on abcnews.go.com A 48-year-old former Horicon man was found guilty of multiple charges on Thursday for causing the death of 50-year-old Lake Mills woman after he fell asleep at the wheel of his truck while driving down Highway 33 the summer of 2021. Cantor Fitzgerald assumed coverage on shares of Molina Healthcare (NYSE:MOH Get Rating) in a research report issued on Thursday, The Fly reports. The firm set an overweight rating on the stock. A number of other equities research analysts also recently weighed in on the company. Truist Financial cut their target price on Molina Healthcare from $400.00 to $380.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Friday, February 10th. Credit Suisse Group cut their target price on Molina Healthcare from $395.00 to $347.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Friday, February 10th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on Molina Healthcare from $307.00 to $282.00 and set an underweight rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, March 21st. Stephens reaffirmed an equal weight rating and set a $375.00 target price on shares of Molina Healthcare in a report on Thursday, February 9th. Finally, Barclays lowered their target price on Molina Healthcare from $400.00 to $375.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, January 4th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $356.36. Get Molina Healthcare alerts: Molina Healthcare Stock Performance NYSE MOH traded down $1.43 on Thursday, hitting $276.04. The stock had a trading volume of 749,705 shares, compared to its average volume of 537,492. The companys 50-day moving average is $280.21 and its two-hundred day moving average is $311.47. Molina Healthcare has a one year low of $249.78 and a one year high of $374.00. The stock has a market cap of $16.08 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.37, a P/E/G ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 0.67. The company has a quick ratio of 1.47, a current ratio of 1.47 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.81. Insiders Place Their Bets Molina Healthcare ( NYSE:MOH Get Rating ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 8th. The company reported $4.10 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.06 by $0.04. Molina Healthcare had a net margin of 2.48% and a return on equity of 36.05%. The company had revenue of $8.22 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.87 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $2.88 earnings per share. Molina Healthcares revenue was up 11.0% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts expect that Molina Healthcare will post 19.76 earnings per share for the current year. In related news, Director Daniel Cooperman sold 5,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $276.77, for a total transaction of $1,383,850.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 4,944 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,368,350.88. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 1.10% of the companys stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Molina Healthcare Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Private Trust Co. NA bought a new position in shares of Molina Healthcare during the 2nd quarter valued at $25,000. Guardian Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Molina Healthcare during the 3rd quarter valued at $31,000. Coppell Advisory Solutions Corp. bought a new stake in shares of Molina Healthcare during the 4th quarter worth about $34,000. Accurate Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Molina Healthcare during the 4th quarter valued at about $35,000. Finally, ST Germain D J Co. Inc. bought a new position in shares of Molina Healthcare in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Institutional investors own 94.25% of the companys stock. About Molina Healthcare (Get Rating) Molina Healthcare, Inc engages in the provision of health care services. It operates through the following segments: Medicaid, Medicare, Marketplace, and Other. The company was founded by C. David Molina in 1980 and is headquartered in Long Beach, CA. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Molina Healthcare Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Molina Healthcare and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Principle Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new position in B&G Foods, Inc. (NYSE:BGS Get Rating) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor acquired 12,485 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $139,000. Several other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of BGS. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in B&G Foods by 2.6% in the first quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 66,492 shares of the companys stock worth $1,794,000 after purchasing an additional 1,688 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc. lifted its holdings in B&G Foods by 16.5% in the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 18,804 shares of the companys stock worth $507,000 after purchasing an additional 2,664 shares during the period. HighTower Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in B&G Foods by 13.6% in the first quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 13,087 shares of the companys stock worth $352,000 after purchasing an additional 1,571 shares during the period. Citigroup Inc. lifted its holdings in B&G Foods by 5.7% in the first quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 61,601 shares of the companys stock worth $1,662,000 after purchasing an additional 3,303 shares during the period. Finally, MetLife Investment Management LLC lifted its holdings in B&G Foods by 56.5% in the first quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 33,903 shares of the companys stock worth $915,000 after purchasing an additional 12,233 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 63.71% of the companys stock. Get B&G Foods alerts: Insider Transactions at B&G Foods In related news, CFO Bruce C. Wacha sold 12,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $14.81, for a total transaction of $185,125.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 46,491 shares of the companys stock, valued at $688,531.71. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. 2.80% of the stock is owned by insiders. B&G Foods Trading Down 2.1 % NYSE:BGS opened at $15.41 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.70, a quick ratio of 1.08 and a current ratio of 3.75. B&G Foods, Inc. has a twelve month low of $10.91 and a twelve month high of $29.33. The company has a 50-day moving average of $14.59 and a 200-day moving average of $14.03. B&G Foods (NYSE:BGS Get Rating) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 28th. The company reported $0.40 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.23 by $0.17. The company had revenue of $623.23 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $583.86 million. B&G Foods had a negative net margin of 0.53% and a positive return on equity of 8.97%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 9.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.39 earnings per share. Equities analysts expect that B&G Foods, Inc. will post 1.02 earnings per share for the current year. B&G Foods Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, May 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 31st will be given a $0.19 dividend. This represents a $0.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.93%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 30th. B&G Foodss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is -506.67%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on BGS shares. TheStreet raised shares of B&G Foods from a d+ rating to a c- rating in a report on Friday, March 24th. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of B&G Foods in a research report on Thursday, March 16th. They set a sell rating for the company. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and four have assigned a hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, B&G Foods currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $15.70. B&G Foods Profile (Get Rating) B&G Foods, Inc is a holding company, which engages in the manufacture, sale, and distribution of shelf-stable frozen food, and household products in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Its products include frozen and canned vegetables, hot cereals, fruit spreads, canned meats and beans, bagel chips, spices, seasonings, hot sauces, and wine vinegar. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BGS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for B&G Foods, Inc. (NYSE:BGS Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for B&G Foods Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for B&G Foods and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Abundance Wealth Counselors lifted its holdings in Brookfield Renewable Co. (NYSE:BEPC Get Rating) by 10.8% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 8,518 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 829 shares during the quarter. Abundance Wealth Counselors holdings in Brookfield Renewable were worth $235,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD grew its position in shares of Brookfield Renewable by 3.3% during the 2nd quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 7,709 shares of the companys stock worth $275,000 after buying an additional 248 shares during the period. SeaCrest Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in Brookfield Renewable by 3.5% during the third quarter. SeaCrest Wealth Management LLC now owns 10,199 shares of the companys stock worth $333,000 after acquiring an additional 346 shares during the last quarter. Arjuna Capital boosted its stake in Brookfield Renewable by 1.7% in the 3rd quarter. Arjuna Capital now owns 23,052 shares of the companys stock valued at $753,000 after purchasing an additional 386 shares during the period. 1832 Asset Management L.P. grew its holdings in Brookfield Renewable by 20.6% in the 1st quarter. 1832 Asset Management L.P. now owns 2,390 shares of the companys stock valued at $103,000 after buying an additional 409 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Captrust Financial Advisors increased its position in Brookfield Renewable by 0.9% during the 3rd quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 50,087 shares of the companys stock worth $1,637,000 after buying an additional 471 shares during the period. 68.12% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Brookfield Renewable alerts: Brookfield Renewable Price Performance BEPC stock opened at $33.30 on Friday. Brookfield Renewable Co. has a 52 week low of $27.19 and a 52 week high of $42.97. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $31.23 and its 200 day simple moving average is $30.84. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.74, a quick ratio of 0.47 and a current ratio of 0.47. Brookfield Renewable Increases Dividend Brookfield Renewable ( NYSE:BEPC Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, February 3rd. The company reported ($0.16) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.15) by ($0.01). Brookfield Renewable had a net margin of 0.57% and a return on equity of 0.19%. The business had revenue of $1.20 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.21 billion. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 28th were paid a dividend of $0.338 per share. This represents a $1.35 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.06%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, February 27th. This is a positive change from Brookfield Renewables previous quarterly dividend of $0.32. Brookfield Renewables dividend payout ratio (DPR) is -225.00%. Brookfield Renewable Profile (Get Rating) Brookfield Renewable Corporation owns and operates a portfolio of renewable energy power generating facilities primarily in the United States, Europe, Colombia, and Brazil. It operates hydroelectric, wind, and solar power plants with an installed capacity of approximately 12,723 megawatts. The company was incorporated in 2019 and is headquartered in New York, New York. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Brookfield Renewable Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Brookfield Renewable and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Accenture (NYSE:ACN Get Rating) was downgraded by investment analysts at StockNews.com from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report issued on Thursday. Other equities research analysts also recently issued reports about the stock. Morgan Stanley lowered their price target on shares of Accenture from $340.00 to $325.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, March 15th. Piper Jaffray Companies boosted their target price on shares of Accenture from $245.00 to $250.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research note on Monday, March 27th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on shares of Accenture from $311.00 to $314.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, March 24th. Citigroup upped their price target on shares of Accenture from $300.00 to $310.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, March 24th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets upped their price objective on shares of Accenture from $310.00 to $327.00 in a research note on Friday, March 24th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $314.00. Get Accenture alerts: Accenture Price Performance Shares of ACN stock traded down $4.35 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $275.55. The company had a trading volume of 2,511,653 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,429,418. The stock has a market capitalization of $174.11 billion, a PE ratio of 25.37, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.55 and a beta of 1.25. Accenture has a fifty-two week low of $242.80 and a fifty-two week high of $330.32. The companys fifty day moving average is $272.04 and its 200 day moving average is $275.44. Insider Activity at Accenture Accenture ( NYSE:ACN Get Rating ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, March 23rd. The information technology services provider reported $2.69 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.49 by $0.20. Accenture had a net margin of 11.00% and a return on equity of 30.73%. The company had revenue of $15.81 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $15.59 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $2.54 EPS. Accentures revenue for the quarter was up 5.1% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts forecast that Accenture will post 11.57 earnings per share for the current year. In related news, insider Ellyn Shook sold 5,250 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, January 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $276.08, for a total transaction of $1,449,420.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 34,444 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,509,299.52. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In related news, insider Jean-Marc Ollagnier sold 6,250 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, April 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $280.06, for a total transaction of $1,750,375.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 174,084 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $48,753,965.04. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, insider Ellyn Shook sold 5,250 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, January 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $276.08, for a total value of $1,449,420.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 34,444 shares in the company, valued at $9,509,299.52. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 19,658 shares of company stock valued at $5,467,791 over the last 90 days. Insiders own 0.08% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in ACN. United Bank increased its position in shares of Accenture by 6.3% during the first quarter. United Bank now owns 2,969 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $1,001,000 after purchasing an additional 176 shares in the last quarter. Weitz Investment Management Inc. lifted its stake in Accenture by 1.3% in the 1st quarter. Weitz Investment Management Inc. now owns 89,400 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $30,148,000 after buying an additional 1,168 shares in the last quarter. Fund Management at Engine No. 1 LLC acquired a new stake in Accenture in the 1st quarter valued at about $1,805,000. Guardian Wealth Management Inc. raised its holdings in Accenture by 0.6% in the 1st quarter. Guardian Wealth Management Inc. now owns 7,292 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $2,459,000 after acquiring an additional 41 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Clearbridge Investments LLC raised its holdings in Accenture by 104.8% in the 1st quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC now owns 441,451 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $148,871,000 after acquiring an additional 225,943 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 73.97% of the companys stock. Accenture Company Profile (Get Rating) Accenture Plc engages in the provision of management consulting, technology, and outsourcing services. It operates through the following geographical segments: North America, Europe and Growth Markets. The company was founded in 1989 and is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Accenture Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Accenture and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The marine container terminal project in Delta, British Columbia, will deliver critical capacity and resilience for Canada's supply chains, and will support growing national trade needs Vancouver, BC, April 20, 2023 /CNW/ - The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority welcomes the Government of Canada's decision to approve the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 Project, announced today following a rigorous environmental assessment process that started in 2013. Vancouver Fraser Port Authority logo (CNW Group/Vancouver Fraser Port Authority) The decision comes as Canada's container trade remains on a long-term growth trajectory, with west coast marine container terminals forecast to hit capacity by the mid- to late-2020s. "With this approval, we can advance one of Canada's most important trade infrastructure projects to date, bolster our national supply-chain resilience, and deliver generational economic benefits for Canadians and Canadian businesses," said Robin Silvester, president and CEO of the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, the federal agency mandated to enable Canada's trade through the Port of Vancouver. "I'd like to thank Indigenous and local communities, scientists, industry, chambers of commerce, and all tiers of government, who have played such an important role in shaping the project to date." The Roberts Bank Terminal 2 Project includes building new land and a new three-berth marine container terminal near existing port terminals at Roberts Bank in Delta, B.C. The project will incrementally deliver an additional 2.4 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of capacity, ultimately increasing Canada's west coast container capacity by approximately one-third. Besides enabling Canada's growing trade, additional container terminal capacity at the Port of Vancouver will strengthen national supply-chain resilience, by creating additional "buffer" to handle cargo surges, such as those experienced through the pandemic, and support recovery from weather-related disruptions, such as the severe flooding that B.C. experienced in late 2021 that contributed to port cargo backlogs well into 2022. Story continues The project will deliver substantial economic benefits, including more than 18,000 jobs during construction; more than 17,300 ongoing jobs; an estimated $3 billion in GDP annually once built; and $631 million in tax revenue to support services for Canadians. The port authority is leading the project under its public-interest mandate as a federal agency, leveraging its long history of building high-quality sustainable infrastructure across the Lower Mainland, including in partnership with container terminal operator DP Worldthe Centerm Expansion Project, which recently won a platinum Envision Award from the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure. "Roberts Bank Terminal 2 has been designed in a way that ensures it aligns with our work toward our vision to make the Port of Vancouver the world's most sustainable port, including protecting and enhancing the natural environment and reflecting Indigenous priorities," said Judy Rogers, port authority board chair. "The port authority has collaborated with Indigenous groups on the project for more than a decade and now we look forward to working together to deliver economic, cultural and environmental opportunities and initiatives." The port authority will continue to work closely with Indigenous groups on environmental mitigation and training, employment, contracting opportunities, as well as providing benefits through the Indigenous Legacy Benefit Fund and signed agreements with 26 Indigenous groups, as it continues its commitment to respectful, long-term relationship building. The new marine terminal will be located in subtidal waters to minimize environmental effects. It will be funded by the port authority and private investment. In line with the port authority's commitment to support local communities, the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 community investment program will provide $6 million to Delta organizations and students as part of the project. The port authority will now continue to work toward obtaining other applicable approvals and permits to advance the project. Visit the port authority's website for more information about the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 Project. About the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority and the Port of Vancouver The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority is the federal agency responsible for the shared stewardship of the Port of Vancouver. Like all Canada Port Authorities, we are accountable to the federal minister of transport, and operate pursuant to the Canada Marine Act with a mandate to enable Canada's trade through the Port of Vancouver, while protecting the environment and considering local communities. The port authority is structured as a non-share corporation, is financially self-sufficient and does not rely on tax dollars for operations. Our revenues come from port terminals and tenants who lease port lands, and from port users who pay various fees such as harbour dues. Profits are reinvested in port infrastructure. The port authority oversees the use of port land and water, which includes more than 16,000 hectares of water, over 1,500 hectares of land, and approximately 350 kilometres of shoreline. Located on the southwest coast of British Columbia in Canada, the Port of Vancouver extends from Roberts Bank and the Fraser River up to and including Burrard Inlet, bordering 16 municipalities and intersecting the traditional territories and treaty lands of more than 35 Coast Salish Indigenous groups. The Port of Vancouver is Canada's largest port, and the third largest in North America by tonnes of cargo. Enabling the trade of approximately $240 billion in goods with more than 170 world economies, port activities sustain 115,300 jobs, $7 billion in wages, and $11.9 billion in GDP across Canada. Roberts Bank Terminal 2 (CNW Group/Vancouver Fraser Port Authority) SOURCE Vancouver Fraser Port Authority Cision View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/April2023/20/c8414.html Eldorado Gold Co. (TSE:ELD Get Rating) (NYSE:EGO) Equities researchers at National Bank Financial issued their Q1 2023 earnings estimates for shares of Eldorado Gold in a report issued on Monday, April 17th. National Bank Financial analyst M. Parkin anticipates that the company will post earnings per share of $0.07 for the quarter. National Bank Financial has a Sector Perform Spec Overwgt rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for Eldorado Golds current full-year earnings is $0.36 per share. Get Eldorado Gold alerts: A number of other research firms also recently weighed in on ELD. BMO Capital Markets boosted their target price on Eldorado Gold from C$12.00 to C$14.00 in a research report on Friday, February 24th. National Bankshares boosted their price objective on Eldorado Gold from C$13.50 to C$16.50 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 5th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus downgraded Eldorado Gold from a buy rating to a hold rating and upped their target price for the company from C$16.00 to C$16.50 in a report on Thursday. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of C$14.21. Eldorado Gold Stock Down 1.6 % ELD stock opened at C$14.64 on Wednesday. The company has a quick ratio of 2.28, a current ratio of 3.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 15.98. The firm has a market capitalization of C$2.71 billion, a PE ratio of -39.57, a PEG ratio of 56.20 and a beta of 1.37. Eldorado Gold has a twelve month low of C$6.87 and a twelve month high of C$15.49. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of C$13.37 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of C$11.47. Eldorado Gold (TSE:ELD Get Rating) (NYSE:EGO) last released its earnings results on Thursday, February 23rd. The company reported C$0.19 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of C$0.07 by C$0.12. The company had revenue of C$334.27 million for the quarter. Eldorado Gold had a negative return on equity of 1.44% and a negative net margin of 40.58%. About Eldorado Gold (Get Rating) Eldorado Gold Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the mining, exploration, development, and sale of mineral products primarily in Turkey, Canada, Greece, and Romania. The company primarily produces gold, as well as silver, lead, and zinc. It holds a 100% interest in the Kisladag and Efemcukuru gold mines located in western Turkey; 100% interest in Lamaque gold mines located in Canada; and Olympias, Stratoni, Skouries, Perama Hill, and Sapes gold mines located in Greece, as well as the 80.5% interest in Certej development projects located in Romania. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Eldorado Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Eldorado Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Arch Resources, Inc. (NYSE:ARCH Get Rating) was the recipient of a significant drop in short interest in March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 1,530,000 shares, a drop of 13.6% from the March 15th total of 1,770,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 456,100 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 3.4 days. Insider Activity In other news, CFO Matthew C. Giljum sold 199 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, February 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $141.08, for a total transaction of $28,074.92. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 12,236 shares in the company, valued at $1,726,254.88. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In related news, VP John A. Ziegler sold 270 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, February 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $141.08, for a total transaction of $38,091.60. Following the sale, the vice president now directly owns 16,049 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,264,192.92. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, CFO Matthew C. Giljum sold 199 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, February 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $141.08, for a total value of $28,074.92. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 12,236 shares in the company, valued at $1,726,254.88. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 9,337 shares of company stock worth $1,430,173 over the last three months. 5.40% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Get Arch Resources alerts: Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in ARCH. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in shares of Arch Resources by 18.4% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 1,817,571 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $215,564,000 after buying an additional 282,345 shares in the last quarter. Castle Hook Partners LP purchased a new position in shares of Arch Resources during the 3rd quarter valued at about $25,648,000. Condire Management LP lifted its position in shares of Arch Resources by 45.5% during the 3rd quarter. Condire Management LP now owns 505,650 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $59,970,000 after buying an additional 158,160 shares in the last quarter. Gendell Jeffrey L lifted its position in shares of Arch Resources by 57.5% during the 3rd quarter. Gendell Jeffrey L now owns 406,872 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $48,255,000 after buying an additional 148,616 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Balyasny Asset Management LLC raised its stake in Arch Resources by 195.9% during the 3rd quarter. Balyasny Asset Management LLC now owns 186,956 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $22,173,000 after purchasing an additional 123,774 shares during the period. 88.71% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Analyst Ratings Changes Arch Resources Stock Performance Several equities research analysts recently commented on the company. BMO Capital Markets increased their price objective on Arch Resources from $185.00 to $200.00 in a research report on Friday, February 17th. StockNews.com cut Arch Resources from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 12th. Finally, B. Riley dropped their target price on Arch Resources from $207.00 to $204.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, February 17th. NYSE:ARCH traded down $4.87 on Thursday, hitting $130.04. The stock had a trading volume of 399,556 shares, compared to its average volume of 454,206. The stock has a market cap of $2.44 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 2.03 and a beta of 0.69. The company has a quick ratio of 1.41, a current ratio of 1.93 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.09. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $141.85 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $144.30. Arch Resources has a 52-week low of $110.97 and a 52-week high of $183.53. Arch Resources (NYSE:ARCH Get Rating) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, February 16th. The energy company reported $23.18 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $10.90 by $12.28. The business had revenue of $859.50 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $798.37 million. Arch Resources had a return on equity of 114.13% and a net margin of 35.73%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 6.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm posted $13.19 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts predict that Arch Resources will post 37.18 earnings per share for the current year. Arch Resources Cuts Dividend The business also recently disclosed a None dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 15th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 28th were given a dividend of $3.11 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, February 27th. This represents a dividend yield of 0.6%. Arch Resourcess payout ratio is currently 1.56%. Arch Resources Company Profile (Get Rating) Arch Resources, Inc engages in the production and distribution of thermal coal. It operates through the following segments: Powder River Basin, Metallurgical, and Other Thermal. The Powder River Basin segment contains the companys thermal operations in Wyoming. The Metallurgical segment contains metallurgical operations in West Virginia. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Arch Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Arch Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. ARGI Investment Services LLC raised its holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS Get Rating) by 15.2% during the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 3,775 shares of the investment management companys stock after acquiring an additional 498 shares during the quarter. ARGI Investment Services LLCs holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group were worth $1,296,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Fisher Asset Management LLC increased its stake in The Goldman Sachs Group by 44.3% in the third quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 4,743,628 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $1,390,120,000 after purchasing an additional 1,456,801 shares in the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its position in The Goldman Sachs Group by 58.5% in the first quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 1,298,015 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $428,474,000 after purchasing an additional 479,032 shares during the last quarter. Barclays PLC grew its position in The Goldman Sachs Group by 52.9% during the third quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 1,079,009 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $316,202,000 after buying an additional 373,142 shares during the period. Neuberger Berman Group LLC lifted its stake in The Goldman Sachs Group by 90.8% in the third quarter. Neuberger Berman Group LLC now owns 647,195 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $189,731,000 after purchasing an additional 307,993 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Great West Life Assurance Co. Can bought a new position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group during the 3rd quarter worth $55,307,000. Institutional investors own 69.09% of the companys stock. Get The Goldman Sachs Group alerts: Insider Activity In related news, major shareholder Goldman Sachs Group Inc sold 4,000,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $6.43, for a total value of $25,720,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 17,099,784 shares in the company, valued at $109,951,611.12. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 4,105,275 shares of company stock valued at $26,412,477. 0.54% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. The Goldman Sachs Group Trading Up 0.5 % Shares of The Goldman Sachs Group stock opened at $338.71 on Friday. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. has a 1-year low of $277.84 and a 1-year high of $389.58. The stock has a market cap of $113.06 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.06, a P/E/G ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 1.41. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.06, a current ratio of 1.16 and a quick ratio of 0.90. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $337.97 and its 200-day simple moving average is $346.88. The Goldman Sachs Group (NYSE:GS Get Rating) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 18th. The investment management company reported $8.79 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $8.14 by $0.65. The Goldman Sachs Group had a return on equity of 9.61% and a net margin of 13.23%. The business had revenue of $12.22 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $12.66 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $10.76 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was down 5.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts predict that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. will post 30.98 EPS for the current fiscal year. The Goldman Sachs Group Dividend Announcement The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 29th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, June 1st will be issued a dividend of $2.50 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, May 31st. This represents a $10.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.95%. The Goldman Sachs Groups dividend payout ratio is currently 35.60%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of research firms have recently commented on GS. Evercore ISI boosted their price target on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $360.00 to $370.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday. Barclays lowered their target price on The Goldman Sachs Group from $495.00 to $437.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 12th. Wolfe Research lowered shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from an outperform rating to a peer perform rating in a report on Wednesday, January 4th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $430.00 to $415.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday. Finally, BMO Capital Markets reduced their target price on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $429.00 to $414.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and twelve have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $389.17. The Goldman Sachs Group Profile (Get Rating) The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc engages in the provision of financial services. It operates through the following business segments: Global Banking and Markets, Asset and Wealth Management, and Platform Solutions. The Global Banking and Markets segment includes investment banking, equity and debt underwriting, Fixed Income, Currency, and Commodities (FICC) intermediation and financing activities, relationship lending and acquisition financing, and investing activities. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for The Goldman Sachs Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for The Goldman Sachs Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Babcock International Group (OTCMKTS:BCKIF Get Rating) had its price objective cut by analysts at JPMorgan Chase & Co. from GBX 475 ($5.88) to GBX 455 ($5.63) in a research note issued on Friday, The Fly reports. Several other research firms also recently issued reports on BCKIF. Berenberg Bank upped their price objective on Babcock International Group from GBX 425 ($5.26) to GBX 430 ($5.32) in a report on Wednesday, March 1st. Citigroup downgraded Babcock International Group from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, March 2nd. Get Babcock International Group alerts: Babcock International Group Price Performance Shares of BCKIF remained flat at $3.61 on Friday. Babcock International Group has a one year low of $2.98 and a one year high of $4.49. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $3.77 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $3.59. Babcock International Group Company Profile Babcock International Group Plc engages in the provision of engineering support services to government organizations and key industries in the private sector. It operates through the following business segments: Marine, Land, Aviation, and Nuclear. The Marine segment provides through-life support of submarines, naval ships, and infrastructure; and operates an international naval support business. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Babcock International Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Babcock International Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. B2Gold (TSE:BTO Get Rating) (NYSE:BTG) had its price target lifted by BMO Capital Markets from C$7.00 to C$7.50 in a research report sent to investors on Thursday, BayStreet.CA reports. A number of other research analysts also recently commented on BTO. TD Securities restated a buy rating and issued a C$8.50 target price on shares of B2Gold in a research note on Tuesday, February 14th. Scotiabank boosted their price target on B2Gold from C$7.50 to C$8.00 in a research note on Wednesday, April 12th. National Bank Financial restated an outperform overweight rating on shares of B2Gold in a research report on Tuesday, February 14th. Bank of America increased their price objective on B2Gold from C$5.80 to C$6.50 in a report on Wednesday, April 5th. Finally, National Bankshares upped their price target on shares of B2Gold from C$6.50 to C$7.25 in a research report on Tuesday. Get B2Gold alerts: B2Gold Stock Up 1.6 % Shares of B2Gold stock opened at C$5.55 on Thursday. The firm has a market capitalization of C$5.99 billion, a PE ratio of 16.82, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of -0.27 and a beta of 0.99. B2Gold has a 12-month low of C$3.84 and a 12-month high of C$6.12. The company has a quick ratio of 3.33, a current ratio of 4.43 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.84. The stocks fifty day moving average is C$5.03 and its 200-day moving average is C$4.85. B2Gold Cuts Dividend Insider Buying and Selling at B2Gold The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 17th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, March 8th were paid a $0.053 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, March 7th. This represents a $0.21 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.82%. B2Golds dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 66.67%. In related news, Senior Officer Randall Chatwin sold 14,000 shares of B2Gold stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$4.91, for a total value of C$68,740.00. Company insiders own 1.09% of the companys stock. About B2Gold (Get Rating) 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. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for B2Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for B2Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY Get Rating) had its target price boosted by analysts at Bank of America from $82.00 to $85.00 in a report issued on Friday, The Fly reports. Bank of Americas price objective points to a potential upside of 22.25% from the stocks previous close. Other equities analysts also recently issued reports about the company. Jefferies Financial Group initiated coverage on Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research report on Monday, March 6th. They issued a hold rating and a $62.00 target price on the stock. Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on Bristol-Myers Squibb from $60.00 to $62.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research note on Friday, February 3rd. Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on 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. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. They set a strong-buy rating for the company. Finally, Atlantic Securities increased their price objective on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from $88.00 to $90.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, February 3rd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $80.00. Get Bristol-Myers Squibb alerts: Bristol-Myers Squibb Stock Performance Shares of BMY stock opened at $69.53 on Friday. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a 12-month low of $65.28 and a 12-month high of $81.43. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $69.27 and its 200-day simple moving average is $72.73. The company has a current ratio of 1.25, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.13. The company has a market cap of $146.24 billion, a PE ratio of 23.57, a PEG ratio of 1.54 and a beta of 0.45. Insider Buying and Selling 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 for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.71 by $0.11. The business had revenue of $11.41 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.20 billion. Bristol-Myers Squibb had a return on equity of 51.60% and a net margin of 13.71%. The companys revenue was down 4.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.83 earnings per share. Analysts expect that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 8.07 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. In other Bristol-Myers Squibb news, CEO Giovanni Caforio sold 240,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 236,104 shares of the companys stock, valued at $17,625,163.60. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In other news, CEO Giovanni Caforio sold 240,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $74.65, for a total value of $17,916,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 236,104 shares of the companys stock, valued at $17,625,163.60. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP Ann Powell sold 11,183 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $74.69, for a total transaction of $835,258.27. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 23,043 shares in the company, 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. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Bristol-Myers Squibb Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 1.6% in the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 199,886,585 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $14,209,937,000 after purchasing an additional 3,058,491 shares during the period. BlackRock Inc. grew its stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 2.0% in the 3rd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 174,002,852 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $12,369,862,000 after buying an additional 3,357,590 shares during the period. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb during the 4th quarter worth approximately $1,873,696,000. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 114,228.7% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 21,469,785 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $1,544,751,000 after buying an additional 21,451,006 shares during the period. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 1.1% in the third quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 14,659,982 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $1,042,264,000 after acquiring an additional 155,845 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.51% of the companys stock. Bristol-Myers Squibb Company 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. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Bristol-Myers Squibb Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bristol-Myers Squibb and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Southern Copper Co. (NYSE:SCCO Get Rating) has earned an average recommendation of Hold from the nine research firms that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 12 month price target among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $60.14. A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on SCCO. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their price objective on Southern Copper from $45.00 to $50.00 in a research report on Tuesday, January 10th. UBS Group lifted their target price on Southern Copper from $48.00 to $51.00 and gave the stock a sell rating in a report on Thursday, February 23rd. Morgan Stanley downgraded Southern Copper from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and set a $70.00 target price for the company. in a report on Wednesday, March 29th. Wolfe Research upgraded Southern Copper from an underperform rating to a peer perform rating in a report on Wednesday, January 11th. Finally, Citigroup lifted their target price on Southern Copper from $40.00 to $60.00 in a report on Wednesday, January 11th. Get Southern Copper alerts: Insider Activity In other news, Director Andreve Vicente Ariztegui sold 1,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $76.11, for a total transaction of $114,165.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 4,400 shares in the company, valued at $334,884. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.08% of the companys stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Southern Copper Southern Copper Stock Performance Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Advocate Group LLC grew its holdings in Southern Copper by 15.3% during the first quarter. Advocate Group LLC now owns 36,968 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $2,819,000 after buying an additional 4,903 shares in the last quarter. Proficio Capital Partners LLC bought a new stake in Southern Copper during the first quarter worth $36,000. Nordea Investment Management AB bought a new stake in Southern Copper during the first quarter worth $2,627,000. D.B. Root & Company LLC grew its holdings in Southern Copper by 5.5% during the first quarter. D.B. Root & Company LLC now owns 16,576 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $1,264,000 after buying an additional 866 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Assenagon Asset Management S.A. bought a new stake in Southern Copper during the first quarter worth $25,672,000. Institutional investors own 7.03% of the companys stock. Shares of SCCO stock opened at $80.71 on Friday. Southern Copper has a 12 month low of $42.42 and a 12 month high of $82.05. The company has a current ratio of 4.20, a quick ratio of 3.38 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77. The firm has a market capitalization of $62.40 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.60, a PEG ratio of 16.95 and a beta of 1.23. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $74.62 and its 200-day moving average price is $65.53. Southern Copper (NYSE:SCCO Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, February 3rd. The basic materials company reported $1.17 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.80 by $0.37. Southern Copper had a return on equity of 33.31% and a net margin of 26.26%. The company had revenue of $2.82 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.50 billion. Equities research analysts forecast that Southern Copper will post 3.93 EPS for the current year. Southern Copper Increases Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 1st. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 14th were issued a dividend of $1.00 per share. This is an increase from Southern Coppers previous quarterly dividend of $0.50. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, February 13th. This represents a $4.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.96%. Southern Coppers payout ratio is currently 116.96%. About Southern Copper (Get Rating) Southern Copper Corp. engages in the development, production, and exploration of copper, molybdenum, zinc, and silver. It operates through the following segments: Peruvian Operations, Mexican Open-Pit Operations, and Mexican Underground Mining Operations. The Peruvian Operations segment focuses on the Toquepala and Cuajone mine complexes and the smelting and refining plants, industrial railroad, and port facilities that service both mines. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Southern Copper Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Southern Copper and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Canaccord Genuity Group reiterated their buy rating on shares of Atalaya Mining (LON:ATYM Get Rating) in a report published on Monday morning, Marketbeat reports. They currently have a GBX 595 ($7.36) price objective on the stock. Several other brokerages also recently weighed in on ATYM. Bank of America upped their target price on shares of Atalaya Mining from GBX 370 ($4.58) to GBX 420 ($5.20) and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, January 23rd. Berenberg Bank increased their price objective on shares of Atalaya Mining from GBX 310 ($3.84) to GBX 470 ($5.82) and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 17th. Get Atalaya Mining alerts: Atalaya Mining Price Performance Shares of ATYM opened at GBX 356 ($4.41) on Monday. Atalaya Mining has a fifty-two week low of GBX 183 ($2.26) and a fifty-two week high of GBX 405 ($5.01). The firms 50 day moving average price is GBX 350.25 and its 200 day moving average price is GBX 318.59. The company has a market cap of 497.97 million, a P/E ratio of 1,780.00, a PEG ratio of -2.02 and a beta of 1.73. The company has a quick ratio of 1.64, a current ratio of 1.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 16.79. Atalaya Mining Company Profile Atalaya Mining Plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the mineral exploration and development in Spain. The company's flagship property is its 100% owned Proyecto Riotinto mine, an open-pit copper mine located in the Andalusia region of Spain. It produces copper concentrates, including silver by-products. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Atalaya Mining Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Atalaya Mining and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Capital Investment Advisory Services LLC trimmed its position in shares of iShares MSCI Indonesia ETF (NYSEARCA:EIDO Get Rating) by 12.9% in the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 54,386 shares of the companys stock after selling 8,080 shares during the period. Capital Investment Advisory Services LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI Indonesia ETF were worth $1,218,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. SG Americas Securities LLC lifted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI Indonesia ETF by 33.0% during the 3rd quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 118,581 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,765,000 after buying an additional 29,423 shares during the last quarter. Accuvest Global Advisors acquired a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI Indonesia ETF during the 3rd quarter valued at about $567,000. NBW Capital LLC lifted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI Indonesia ETF by 1.4% during the 3rd quarter. NBW Capital LLC now owns 188,469 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,395,000 after buying an additional 2,662 shares during the last quarter. SeaTown Holdings Pte. Ltd. lifted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI Indonesia ETF by 113.2% during the 3rd quarter. SeaTown Holdings Pte. Ltd. now owns 42,000 shares of the companys stock valued at $979,000 after buying an additional 22,300 shares during the last quarter. Finally, LFS Asset Management lifted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI Indonesia ETF by 145.7% during the 3rd quarter. LFS Asset Management now owns 28,698 shares of the companys stock valued at $669,000 after buying an additional 17,018 shares during the last quarter. Get iShares MSCI Indonesia ETF alerts: iShares MSCI Indonesia ETF Stock Performance Shares of EIDO stock opened at $23.81 on Friday. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $23.04 and its 200 day simple moving average is $23.04. iShares MSCI Indonesia ETF has a twelve month low of $21.22 and a twelve month high of $25.62. The company has a market capitalization of $496.44 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.64 and a beta of 0.80. iShares MSCI Indonesia ETF Profile The iShares MSCI Indonesia ETF (EIDO) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI Indonesia IMI 25-50 index, a market-cap-weighted index of large-, mid and small-cap Indonesian companies. EIDO was launched on May 5, 2010 and is managed by BlackRock. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EIDO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares MSCI Indonesia ETF (NYSEARCA:EIDO Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI Indonesia ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI Indonesia ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Citigroup (NYSE:C Get Rating) had its price objective raised by Wells Fargo & Company from $62.00 to $65.00 in a research note published on Monday morning, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has an overweight rating on the stock. A number of other equities analysts have also issued reports on the company. Morgan Stanley increased their price target on Citigroup from $41.00 to $45.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research note on Monday. Royal Bank of Canada decreased their price target on Citigroup from $55.00 to $51.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Friday, March 24th. Piper Sandler increased their price objective on Citigroup from $47.00 to $53.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Monday. StockNews.com started coverage on Citigroup in a research report on Thursday, March 16th. They set a hold rating for the company. Finally, TheStreet upgraded Citigroup from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a research report on Monday, March 6th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have assigned a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $54.74. Get Citigroup alerts: Citigroup Stock Performance Shares of C stock opened at $49.40 on Monday. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $48.18 and a 200 day simple moving average of $47.30. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.48, a current ratio of 0.95 and a quick ratio of 0.94. The firm has a market capitalization of $96.02 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.89, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.61 and a beta of 1.57. Citigroup has a 12-month low of $40.01 and a 12-month high of $54.56. Citigroup Announces Dividend Citigroup ( NYSE:C Get Rating ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, April 14th. The company reported $2.19 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.66 by $0.53. The firm had revenue of $21.40 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $20.07 billion. Citigroup had a return on equity of 7.84% and a net margin of 12.96%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 11.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company posted $2.02 EPS. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Citigroup will post 5.96 EPS for the current year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 26th. Stockholders of record on Monday, May 1st will be issued a dividend of $0.51 per share. This represents a $2.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.13%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, April 28th. Citigroups dividend payout ratio is currently 28.45%. Insider Transactions at Citigroup In other news, insider Zdenek Turek sold 12,000 shares of Citigroup stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, April 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $49.87, for a total transaction of $598,440.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 155,979 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,778,672.73. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In other news, insider Zdenek Turek sold 12,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, April 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $49.87, for a total transaction of $598,440.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 155,979 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,778,672.73. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider Michael Whitaker sold 12,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $51.63, for a total transaction of $645,375.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 239,429 shares of the companys stock, valued at $12,361,719.27. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 39,353 shares of company stock valued at $2,001,830. 0.09% of the stock is owned by insiders. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. First National Trust Co increased its holdings in shares of Citigroup by 0.8% during the 4th quarter. First National Trust Co now owns 25,084 shares of the companys stock worth $1,135,000 after purchasing an additional 208 shares during the period. Scott & Selber Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Citigroup by 0.4% during the 4th quarter. Scott & Selber Inc. now owns 53,681 shares of the companys stock worth $2,428,000 after purchasing an additional 217 shares during the period. Kingsview Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Citigroup by 1.0% during the 4th quarter. Kingsview Wealth Management LLC now owns 23,750 shares of the companys stock worth $1,074,000 after purchasing an additional 227 shares during the period. Telemus Capital LLC increased its holdings in shares of Citigroup by 5.0% during the 1st quarter. Telemus Capital LLC now owns 4,888 shares of the companys stock worth $229,000 after purchasing an additional 231 shares during the period. Finally, Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Citigroup by 6.9% during the 1st quarter. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 3,686 shares of the companys stock worth $173,000 after purchasing an additional 239 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.90% of the companys stock. Citigroup Company Profile (Get Rating) Citigroup, Inc is a holding company, which engages in the provision of financial products and services. It operates through the following segments: Global Consumer Banking, Institutional Clients Group, and Corporate and Other. The Global Consumer Banking segment provides traditional banking services to retail customers through retail banking, including commercial banking, and Citi-branded cards and Citi retail services. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Citigroup Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Citigroup and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The veteran marketing and e-commerce executive sat down to discuss his life, his career, and his professional philosophy. LYNNWOOD, WA / ACCESSWIRE / April 21, 2023 / It is with great enthusiasm that Rudi Kaiser, Chief of Operations at LaunchPad LLC, announces that he is the subject of a new, in-depth interview. The interview, which was conducted by the editorial staff of an online periodical that concentrates on matters of business, technology, and thought leadership, was published on April 12, 2023. Early in the piece, Rudi explains his role as Chief of Operations at LaunchPad Group LLC. "Among other things, my daily duties include overseeing the company's many departments, data analysis, and conceiving and developing new products and services. Put simply, I'm in charge of keeping the company running smoothly," he replies, before proceeding to outline his own distinct management style. "My way of conducting business can best be summed as innovative thinking with an emphasis on process management and scalability. When it comes to engaging with colleagues, co-workers, clients, and peers, I think clear, direct communication and respectfulness define my way of doing business." Further along in the interview, Rudi Kaiser dispenses some valuable advice to anyone considering a career in the e-commerce sector, addressing the readership directly. "Learn something about the different facets of your industry, not just your particular field. Understand how the dots to different departments connect. Be the person that goes above and beyond to understand the visions of your managers, CEO, and company leads in general. Understand the whole machine." Rudi Kaiser, Friday, April 21, 2023, Press release picture Anyone interested in reading the full text of this interview will find it located here, while anyone curious to learn more about Rudi Kaiser or LaunchPad Group LLC is encouraged to visit the company's official website. About Rudi Kaiser: Originally from Hailey, Idaho, Rudi Kaiser spent much of his early life in Prague, Czech Republic. As a youth, he attended an international school where he learned the value of hard work. As an adult, Rudi entered the working world intent upon establishing a long and productive career. In this spirit, he concentrated on strengthening his problem-solving and critical thinking skills, knowing they would serve him well throughout his professional life. After distinguishing himself in multiple roles with several companies, he eventually joined LaunchPad Group LLC as the company's Chief of Operations. Story continues About LaunchPad Group LLC: Launchpad Group LLC is a dynamic and innovative website construction and maintenance business headquartered in Lynnwood, Washington. The company was founded with the mission of helping the average consumer improve their online presence through website construction and maintenance. Staffed by a team of highly skilled professionals, Launchpad Group LLC is dedicated to providing top-tier services that exceed customer expectations. The company specializes in selling e-commerce website construction services tailored to meet the needs of each individual client. From custom website designs to user-friendly interfaces, Launchpad Group LLC ensures that the online stores it creates are attractive, functional, and easy to navigate. It also provides training to help improve skills in online store management and drop shipping. This training is designed to empower clients with the knowledge and tools they require to successfully run their online stores. Committed to providing exceptional customer service, Launchpad Group LLC offers additional product and service training to its customers, ensuring their continued success even after they have completed the company-devised program. Its team of experts works closely with clients to understand their needs and offer customized solutions that meet their unique requirements. The company prides itself on its ability to deliver high-quality, industry-leading services that are both reliable and affordable. Media Contact: Email: support@launchpadgroupllc.com Website: launchpadgroupllc.com SOURCE: Rudi Kaiser View source version on accesswire.com: https://www.accesswire.com/749827/Rudi-Kaiser-Chief-of-Operations-at-LaunchPad-Group-LLC-is-the-Subject-of-a-New-Interview Croma Security Solutions Group plc (LON:CSSG Get Rating)s share price dropped 1% during trading on Wednesday . The company traded as low as GBX 47.10 ($0.58) and last traded at GBX 49 ($0.61). Approximately 7,453 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 29% from the average daily volume of 10,525 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 49.50 ($0.61). Croma Security Solutions Group Price Performance The company has a current ratio of 1.75, a quick ratio of 1.51 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 6.10. The firm has a market cap of 7.30 million, a PE ratio of 4,900.00 and a beta of 0.71. The companys 50 day moving average price is GBX 50.71 and its two-hundred day moving average price is GBX 56.06. Croma Security Solutions Group Company Profile (Get Rating) Croma Security Solutions Group plc provides various security services in the United Kingdom. The company operates through three segments: Croma Vigilant, Croma Security Systems, and Croma Locksmiths. It offers manned guarding and reception services for property assets and individuals; CCTV security, fire, and alarm systems; locksmithing keys, locks, and safes; and identity management and access control solutions. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Croma Security Solutions Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Croma Security Solutions Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund lessened its holdings in CVS Health Co. (NYSE:CVS Get Rating) by 1.0% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 193,002 shares of the pharmacy operators stock after selling 1,881 shares during the period. Illinois Municipal Retirement Funds holdings in CVS Health were worth $17,986,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of CVS. SRS Capital Advisors Inc. lifted its stake in CVS Health by 105.8% during the 3rd quarter. SRS Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 284 shares of the pharmacy operators stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 146 shares in the last quarter. VitalStone Financial LLC acquired a new position in CVS Health during the 4th quarter worth about $28,000. Godsey & Gibb Inc. acquired a new position in CVS Health during the 4th quarter worth about $28,000. Karp Capital Management Corp acquired a new position in CVS Health during the 3rd quarter worth about $30,000. Finally, Castleview Partners LLC lifted its stake in CVS Health by 227.8% during the 4th quarter. Castleview Partners LLC now owns 318 shares of the pharmacy operators stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 221 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 77.29% of the companys stock. Get CVS Health alerts: CVS Health Stock Performance CVS Health stock traded down $0.57 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $72.68. 3,252,146 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 9,103,645. CVS Health Co. has a twelve month low of $72.11 and a twelve month high of $107.26. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $79.20 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $88.93. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a current ratio of 0.94. The firm has a market cap of $93.02 billion, a PE ratio of 23.48, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.18 and a beta of 0.61. CVS Health Dividend Announcement CVS Health ( NYSE:CVS Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 8th. The pharmacy operator reported $1.99 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.92 by $0.07. CVS Health had a return on equity of 15.75% and a net margin of 1.29%. The company had revenue of $83.85 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $76.37 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.98 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 9.5% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts predict that CVS Health Co. will post 8.75 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, May 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, April 21st will be given a dividend of $0.605 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 20th. This represents a $2.42 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.33%. CVS Healths payout ratio is 77.56%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several equities analysts recently issued reports on CVS shares. Barclays decreased their target price on CVS Health from $110.00 to $100.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, March 30th. Bank of America cut their price target on CVS Health from $111.00 to $104.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Friday, March 31st. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price target on CVS Health from $106.00 to $101.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, January 3rd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft started coverage on CVS Health in a report on Monday, April 10th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and set a $115.00 price target on shares of CVS Health in a report on Thursday, February 9th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fifteen have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, CVS Health presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $116.50. CVS Health Profile (Get Rating) CVS Health Corp. is a health solutions company, which engages in the provision of healthcare services. It operates through the following segments: Pharmacy Services, Retail or Long-Term Care, Health Care Benefits, and Corporate and Other. The Pharmacy Services segment focuses on the pharmacy benefit management solutions. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CVS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for CVS Health Co. (NYSE:CVS Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for CVS Health Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for CVS Health and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. D.R. Horton (NYSE:DHI Get Rating) had its price objective increased by Royal Bank of Canada from $76.00 to $98.00 in a research report issued on Friday, The Fly reports. Royal Bank of Canadas price objective would suggest a potential downside of 8.55% from the stocks current price. DHI has been the subject of a number of other research reports. UBS Group lifted their price objective on D.R. Horton from $122.00 to $134.00 in a research note on Friday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered D.R. Horton from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and reduced their target price for the stock from $107.00 to $102.50 in a report on Monday, March 6th. Raymond James lowered D.R. Horton from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a report on Monday, January 9th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on D.R. Horton in a report on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Finally, Citigroup lifted their target price on D.R. Horton from $91.00 to $111.00 in a report on Tuesday, January 10th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $105.89. Get D.R. Horton alerts: D.R. Horton Price Performance Shares of D.R. Horton stock opened at $107.16 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 6.67, a quick ratio of 1.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.28. The firm has a market capitalization of $36.80 billion, a PE ratio of 6.67, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.73 and a beta of 1.52. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $96.11 and its 200-day moving average price is $88.89. D.R. Horton has a 12 month low of $59.25 and a 12 month high of $110.37. Insider Activity D.R. Horton ( NYSE:DHI Get Rating ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 20th. The construction company reported $2.73 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.90 by $0.83. The business had revenue of $7.97 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.48 billion. D.R. Horton had a return on equity of 29.91% and a net margin of 16.85%. The businesss revenue was down .3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $4.03 EPS. Sell-side analysts forecast that D.R. Horton will post 9.08 EPS for the current fiscal year. In other news, Director Barbara K. Allen sold 1,748 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $96.77, for a total transaction of $169,153.96. Following the transaction, the director now owns 5,650 shares of the companys stock, valued at $546,750.50. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. In related news, Director Barbara K. Allen sold 449 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $96.00, for a total value of $43,104.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 5,650 shares of the companys stock, valued at $542,400. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Barbara K. Allen sold 1,748 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $96.77, for a total value of $169,153.96. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 5,650 shares in the company, valued at approximately $546,750.50. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 3,870 shares of company stock valued at $371,698. 0.61% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Institutional Trading of D.R. Horton Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System lifted its holdings in shares of D.R. Horton by 0.5% during the 1st quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System now owns 20,300 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $1,983,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. Quent Capital LLC lifted its holdings in shares of D.R. Horton by 3.7% during the 4th quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 3,046 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $272,000 after purchasing an additional 109 shares during the last quarter. Kentucky Retirement Systems lifted its holdings in shares of D.R. Horton by 0.4% during the 4th quarter. Kentucky Retirement Systems now owns 24,861 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $2,216,000 after purchasing an additional 109 shares during the last quarter. Retirement Guys Formula LLC lifted its holdings in shares of D.R. Horton by 1.6% during the 3rd quarter. Retirement Guys Formula LLC now owns 7,220 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $486,000 after purchasing an additional 114 shares during the last quarter. Finally, TCI Wealth Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of D.R. Horton by 9.4% during the 4th quarter. TCI Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 1,426 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $127,000 after purchasing an additional 122 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 84.87% of the companys stock. About D.R. Horton (Get Rating) D.R. Horton, Inc operates as a home building company, which engages in the construction and sale of single-family housing. It operates through the following segments: Homebuilding, Forestar, Financial Services, Rental, and Others. The Homebuilding segment includes the acquisition and development of land and the construction and sale of residential homes. Read More Receive News & Ratings for D.R. Horton Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for D.R. Horton and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered shares of Dell Technologies (NYSE:DELL Get Rating) from an overweight rating to a neutral rating in a report issued on Monday morning, MarketBeat Ratings reports. They currently have $47.00 target price on the technology companys stock. Other research analysts have also issued reports about the stock. Morgan Stanley lowered their price objective on shares of Dell Technologies from $47.00 to $45.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, March 3rd. Credit Suisse Group restated an outperform rating and issued a $50.00 price objective on shares of Dell Technologies in a research note on Monday, March 6th. Citigroup reduced their target price on Dell Technologies from $53.00 to $50.00 in a research note on Friday, March 3rd. KGI Securities upgraded Dell Technologies from a neutral rating to an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 14th. Finally, Raymond James reduced their price objective on shares of Dell Technologies from $50.00 to $45.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Friday, March 3rd. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $47.50. Get Dell Technologies alerts: Dell Technologies Stock Performance NYSE:DELL opened at $42.92 on Monday. Dell Technologies has a 52-week low of $32.90 and a 52-week high of $52.60. The company has a market cap of $31.38 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.33, a P/E/G ratio of 0.86 and a beta of 1.03. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $40.46 and its 200 day simple moving average is $40.18. Dell Technologies Increases Dividend Dell Technologies ( NYSE:DELL Get Rating ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, March 2nd. The technology company reported $1.55 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.38 by $0.17. Dell Technologies had a negative return on equity of 173.72% and a net margin of 2.39%. The company had revenue of $25.04 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $22.82 billion. As a group, equities analysts predict that Dell Technologies will post 4.22 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 5th. Investors of record on Tuesday, April 25th will be given a dividend of $0.37 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, April 24th. This represents a $1.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.45%. This is an increase from Dell Technologiess previous quarterly dividend of $0.33. Dell Technologiess dividend payout ratio is currently 40.99%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, General Counsel Richard J. Rothberg sold 200,958 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, April 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $45.36, for a total transaction of $9,115,454.88. Following the sale, the general counsel now directly owns 149,379 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,775,831.44. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other news, General Counsel Richard J. Rothberg sold 200,958 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, April 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $45.36, for a total value of $9,115,454.88. Following the completion of the transaction, the general counsel now directly owns 149,379 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,775,831.44. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, CAO Brunilda Rios sold 22,042 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, April 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $43.78, for a total transaction of $964,998.76. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 18,647 shares in the company, valued at approximately $816,365.66. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 522,371 shares of company stock worth $22,038,868 in the last 90 days. Company insiders own 47.30% of the companys stock. Institutional Trading of Dell Technologies Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. raised its stake in Dell Technologies by 17.7% during the first quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 14,076 shares of the technology companys stock worth $706,000 after acquiring an additional 2,117 shares in the last quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO. acquired a new position in Dell Technologies during the 1st quarter worth approximately $304,000. MetLife Investment Management LLC bought a new position in Dell Technologies in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $568,000. Rhumbline Advisers boosted its position in Dell Technologies by 2.0% in the first quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 254,266 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $12,762,000 after buying an additional 4,949 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Yousif Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Dell Technologies by 5.2% during the first quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC now owns 6,090 shares of the technology companys stock worth $306,000 after buying an additional 302 shares during the last quarter. 26.42% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Dell Technologies Company Profile (Get Rating) Dell Technologies, Inc is a holding company, which engages in the provision of information technology hardware, software, and service solutions through its subsidiaries. It operates through the following segments: Infrastructure Solutions Group (ISG), Client Solutions Group (CSG), and VMware. The ISG segment includes servers, networking, and storage, as well as services and third-party software and peripherals that are closely tied to the sale of ISG hardware. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Dell Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Dell Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. DHI Group, Inc. (NYSE:DHX Get Rating) was the target of a large growth in short interest in March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 747,900 shares, a growth of 19.5% from the March 15th total of 625,700 shares. Approximately 1.8% of the companys shares are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 184,300 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 4.1 days. DHI Group Trading Up 2.2 % Shares of NYSE DHX traded up $0.08 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $3.76. The stock had a trading volume of 135,822 shares, compared to its average volume of 179,736. The company has a market capitalization of $181.50 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 41.78, a PEG ratio of 2.19 and a beta of 1.26. The company has a quick ratio of 0.38, a current ratio of 0.38 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.28. DHI Group has a 1-year low of $3.47 and a 1-year high of $7.57. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $4.00 and a 200 day moving average price of $5.01. Get DHI Group alerts: DHI Group (NYSE:DHX Get Rating) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, February 7th. The technology company reported $0.01 EPS for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.01. The business had revenue of $39.76 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $38.92 million. DHI Group had a return on equity of 2.07% and a net margin of 2.79%. On average, analysts predict that DHI Group will post 0.06 earnings per share for the current year. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In DHI Group announced that its Board of Directors has approved a stock repurchase plan on Thursday, February 9th that authorizes the company to buyback $10.00 million in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the technology company to purchase up to 4.4% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback plans are generally an indication that the companys board believes its stock is undervalued. DHX has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Barrington Research reaffirmed an outperform rating and issued a $12.00 price objective on shares of DHI Group in a research note on Thursday. TheStreet lowered DHI Group from a b- rating to a c rating in a research note on Monday, March 13th. B. Riley reduced their price objective on DHI Group from $10.00 to $9.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, February 8th. Finally, StockNews.com initiated coverage on DHI Group in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On DHI Group Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Bank of America Corp DE raised its holdings in shares of DHI Group by 333.8% during the 1st quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 4,247 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 3,268 shares during the period. Legal & General Group Plc acquired a new position in shares of DHI Group in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $40,000. UBS Group AG acquired a new position in DHI Group during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $40,000. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SA boosted its position in DHI Group by 378,700.0% during the 1st quarter. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SA now owns 7,576 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $45,000 after purchasing an additional 7,574 shares during the period. Finally, Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio acquired a new position in DHI Group during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $48,000. 77.29% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. DHI Group Company Profile (Get Rating) DHI Group, Inc engages in the provision of artificial intelligence-powered software products, online tools, and talent acquisition services, delivering career marketplaces to candidates for technology-focused roles and employers hiring tech talent globally. The company was founded in 1990 and is headquartered in Centennial, CO. See Also Receive News & Ratings for DHI Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for DHI Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Earthstone Energy, Inc. (NYSE:ESTE Get Rating) was the target of a large decrease in short interest in March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 9,770,000 shares, a decrease of 6.1% from the March 15th total of 10,410,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 1,470,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 6.6 days. Earthstone Energy Stock Performance ESTE traded down $0.28 on Thursday, hitting $13.85. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,404,690 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,412,933. Earthstone Energy has a 12 month low of $10.65 and a 12 month high of $22.25. The company has a quick ratio of 0.65, a current ratio of 0.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45. The firm has a market cap of $1.95 billion, a P/E ratio of 3.40 and a beta of 2.07. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $13.51 and its 200-day simple moving average is $14.15. Get Earthstone Energy alerts: Earthstone Energy (NYSE:ESTE Get Rating) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, March 8th. The oil and gas producer reported $1.04 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.95 by $0.09. Earthstone Energy had a net margin of 26.69% and a return on equity of 31.01%. The business had revenue of $494.96 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $459.08 million. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $0.46 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 243.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts forecast that Earthstone Energy will post 4.13 EPS for the current year. Insiders Place Their Bets Institutional Trading of Earthstone Energy In other news, CEO Robert John Anderson acquired 5,000 shares of Earthstone Energy stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 16th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $11.45 per share, with a total value of $57,250.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 811,009 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $9,286,053.05. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website . 40.67% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of ESTE. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its position in shares of Earthstone Energy by 43.0% during the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 89,777 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $1,134,000 after buying an additional 27,001 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp raised its position in shares of Earthstone Energy by 74.5% during the 1st quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 218,768 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $2,763,000 after buying an additional 93,418 shares in the last quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Earthstone Energy during the 1st quarter valued at $182,000. D.A. Davidson & CO. purchased a new stake in shares of Earthstone Energy during the 1st quarter valued at $150,000. Finally, Acadian Asset Management LLC raised its position in shares of Earthstone Energy by 332.1% during the 1st quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 53,131 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $669,000 after buying an additional 40,835 shares in the last quarter. 82.77% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on ESTE shares. Benchmark reissued a buy rating and set a $30.00 target price on shares of Earthstone Energy in a research report on Thursday, March 9th. Truist Financial increased their target price on shares of Earthstone Energy from $23.00 to $30.00 in a research report on Tuesday, April 11th. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Earthstone Energy in a research report on Thursday, March 16th. They set a hold rating for the company. Finally, Mizuho initiated coverage on shares of Earthstone Energy in a report on Monday, January 9th. They issued a neutral rating and a $19.00 price objective for the company. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $23.80. About Earthstone Energy (Get Rating) Earthstone Energy, Inc is a growth-oriented independent oil and gas company. The firm is engaged in the acquisition and development of oil and gas reserves through activities that include drilling and development of undeveloped leases, as well as asset and corporate acquisitions and mergers. It also focuses on the Midland Basin in West Texas, the Eagle Ford Trend in South Texas and the Delaware Basin in New Mexico. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Earthstone Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Earthstone Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Essex Investment Management Co. LLC decreased its holdings in Evolent Health, Inc. (NYSE:EVH Get Rating) by 1.0% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 45,872 shares of the technology companys stock after selling 461 shares during the quarter. Essex Investment Management Co. LLCs holdings in Evolent Health were worth $1,288,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of EVH. Nuveen Asset Management LLC increased its stake in Evolent Health by 9.7% during the 3rd quarter. Nuveen Asset Management LLC now owns 1,136,785 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $40,845,000 after buying an additional 100,206 shares during the period. Putnam Investments LLC acquired a new position in Evolent Health during the third quarter worth about $2,411,000. Prudential Financial Inc. grew its holdings in Evolent Health by 34.8% during the third quarter. Prudential Financial Inc. now owns 157,309 shares of the technology companys stock worth $5,654,000 after acquiring an additional 40,590 shares during the period. Penserra Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in Evolent Health by 43.6% in the 3rd quarter. Penserra Capital Management LLC now owns 27,081 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $973,000 after acquiring an additional 8,218 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Russell Investments Group Ltd. lifted its holdings in Evolent Health by 885.8% in the 3rd quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 374,244 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $13,446,000 after acquiring an additional 336,281 shares during the last quarter. 93.33% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Evolent Health alerts: Evolent Health Trading Up 1.2 % NYSE:EVH opened at $35.93 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $3.99 billion, a P/E ratio of -177.54 and a beta of 1.54. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $32.62 and its 200 day moving average price is $30.37. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48, a quick ratio of 1.10 and a current ratio of 1.10. Evolent Health, Inc. has a 52 week low of $21.83 and a 52 week high of $39.78. Insider Transactions at Evolent Health Evolent Health ( NYSE:EVH Get Rating ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 22nd. The technology company reported ($0.04) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.02) by ($0.02). Evolent Health had a positive return on equity of 7.50% and a negative net margin of 1.42%. The business had revenue of $382.43 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $373.68 million. On average, research analysts forecast that Evolent Health, Inc. will post 0.14 EPS for the current fiscal year. In related news, CEO Seth Blackley sold 73,928 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, March 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $34.42, for a total value of $2,544,601.76. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 878,066 shares in the company, valued at approximately $30,223,031.72. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In related news, CEO Seth Blackley sold 73,928 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $34.42, for a total transaction of $2,544,601.76. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 878,066 shares in the company, valued at approximately $30,223,031.72. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Frank J. Williams sold 90,356 shares of Evolent Health stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $34.42, for a total value of $3,110,053.52. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 936,123 shares in the company, valued at $32,221,353.66. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders sold 384,284 shares of company stock worth $13,003,755. 4.20% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of analysts recently commented on the stock. Piper Sandler boosted their target price on shares of Evolent Health from $44.00 to $51.00 in a report on Friday, January 6th. Stephens started coverage on Evolent Health in a research report on Tuesday, April 11th. They set an overweight rating and a $40.00 price objective for the company. Cowen lifted their target price on Evolent Health from $57.00 to $59.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Monday, January 30th. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $44.00 target price on shares of Evolent Health in a report on Thursday, February 23rd. Finally, StockNews.com initiated coverage on Evolent Health in a research report on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a sell rating for the company. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $47.00. Evolent Health Profile (Get Rating) Evolent Health, Inc engages in the provision of healthcare delivery and payment services. It deals with population health management, health plan and third party administration, network performance and pharmacy benefit management, risk adjustment, analytics and performance improvement, and technology and electronic medical record integration. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EVH? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Evolent Health, Inc. (NYSE:EVH Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Evolent Health Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Evolent Health and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE:FCX Get Rating) by 1.5% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 304,772 shares of the natural resource companys stock after acquiring an additional 4,487 shares during the quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLCs holdings in Freeport-McMoRan were worth $11,581,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of FCX. Fairfield Bush & CO. acquired a new stake in shares of Freeport-McMoRan in the first quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Synovus Financial Corp increased its stake in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 15.2% in the first quarter. Synovus Financial Corp now owns 11,101 shares of the natural resource companys stock valued at $553,000 after purchasing an additional 1,468 shares during the period. Blair William & Co. IL increased its stake in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 40.8% in the first quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 112,066 shares of the natural resource companys stock valued at $5,574,000 after purchasing an additional 32,474 shares during the period. Sei Investments Co. increased its stake in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 73.6% in the first quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 132,043 shares of the natural resource companys stock valued at $6,624,000 after purchasing an additional 55,987 shares during the period. Finally, Baird Financial Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 22.0% in the first quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 79,686 shares of the natural resource companys stock valued at $3,964,000 after purchasing an additional 14,388 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 77.12% of the companys stock. Get Freeport-McMoRan alerts: Freeport-McMoRan Stock Performance FCX stock opened at $41.36 on Friday. The businesss fifty day moving average is $40.42 and its 200-day moving average is $38.62. The company has a quick ratio of 1.64, a current ratio of 2.46 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39. The company has a market cap of $59.17 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.45 and a beta of 2.01. Freeport-McMoRan Inc. has a twelve month low of $24.80 and a twelve month high of $48.79. Freeport-McMoRan Dividend Announcement Freeport-McMoRan ( NYSE:FCX Get Rating ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 25th. The natural resource company reported $0.52 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.40 by $0.12. The business had revenue of $5.75 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.42 billion. Freeport-McMoRan had a net margin of 15.22% and a return on equity of 14.59%. The firms quarterly revenue was down 6.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.96 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that Freeport-McMoRan Inc. will post 2.09 EPS for the current year. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, May 1st. Investors of record on Friday, April 14th will be paid a $0.15 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 13th. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.45%. Freeport-McMoRans dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 12.66%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Barclays increased their price objective on shares of Freeport-McMoRan from $24.00 to $29.00 in a report on Friday. Raymond James raised their price objective on shares of Freeport-McMoRan from $40.00 to $48.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 31st. Citigroup lifted their price target on Freeport-McMoRan from $44.00 to $46.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, January 26th. StockNews.com started coverage on Freeport-McMoRan in a report on Thursday, March 16th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price objective on Freeport-McMoRan from $40.00 to $47.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Thursday, January 26th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have issued a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Freeport-McMoRan has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $39.85. Insider Activity at Freeport-McMoRan In related news, CAO Ellie L. Mikes sold 11,678 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $43.17, for a total value of $504,139.26. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 32,333 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,395,815.61. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 0.72% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Freeport-McMoRan Company Profile (Get Rating) Freeport-McMoRan, Inc engages in the mining of copper, gold, and molybdenum. It operates through the following segments: North America Copper Mines, South America Mining, Indonesia Mining, Molybdenum Mines, Rod and Refining, Atlantic Copper Smelting and Refining, and Corporate and Other. The North America Copper Mines segment operates open-pit copper mines in Morenci, Baghdad, Safford, Sierrita, and Miami in Arizona and Chino and Tyrone in New Mexico. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Freeport-McMoRan Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Freeport-McMoRan and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Investec lowered shares of Gold Fields (NYSE:GFI Get Rating) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report published on Monday, The Fly reports. GFI has been the subject of a number of other reports. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Gold Fields in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. They set a buy rating for the company. HSBC cut shares of Gold Fields from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, January 30th. Get Gold Fields alerts: Gold Fields Stock Up 2.3 % GFI stock opened at $15.48 on Monday. Gold Fields has a 12 month low of $7.03 and a 12 month high of $15.88. The company has a quick ratio of 1.33, a current ratio of 2.29 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $11.83 and a 200 day moving average price of $10.86. Gold Fields Increases Dividend Institutional Investors Weigh In On Gold Fields The business also recently disclosed a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 17th were given a $0.2425 dividend. This represents a yield of 3%. This is a boost from Gold Fieldss previous semi-annual dividend of $0.17. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, March 16th. Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. BlackRock Inc. boosted its position in Gold Fields by 10.2% in the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 25,589,382 shares of the companys stock valued at $395,611,000 after buying an additional 2,368,601 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its position in Gold Fields by 6.4% in the 3rd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 10,693,622 shares of the companys stock valued at $86,529,000 after buying an additional 640,161 shares during the period. Renaissance Technologies LLC raised its holdings in shares of Gold Fields by 22.5% in the 3rd quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 10,593,784 shares of the companys stock valued at $85,704,000 after purchasing an additional 1,947,700 shares in the last quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA raised its holdings in shares of Gold Fields by 60.7% in the 3rd quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 5,430,544 shares of the companys stock valued at $43,933,000 after purchasing an additional 2,051,959 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Two Sigma Investments LP raised its holdings in shares of Gold Fields by 16.4% in the 3rd quarter. Two Sigma Investments LP now owns 5,155,224 shares of the companys stock valued at $41,706,000 after purchasing an additional 726,490 shares in the last quarter. 28.41% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About Gold Fields (Get Rating) Gold Fields Ltd. is a gold mining company, which engages in the production of gold and operation of mines. Its operating mines are located in Australia, Ghana, Peru, and South Africa. The company was founded on May 03, 1968 and is headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Gold Fields Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Gold Fields and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Helikon Investments Ltd lifted its holdings in Eldorado Gold Co. (NYSE:EGO Get Rating) (TSE:ELD) by 5.5% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 23,372,220 shares of the basic materials companys stock after acquiring an additional 1,216,492 shares during the quarter. Eldorado Gold makes up approximately 36.7% of Helikon Investments Ltds holdings, making the stock its largest holding. Helikon Investments Ltd owned about 12.65% of Eldorado Gold worth $195,392,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. SG Americas Securities LLC lifted its holdings in Eldorado Gold by 7.3% during the 4th quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 54,582 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $456,000 after buying an additional 3,714 shares in the last quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in Eldorado Gold during the 4th quarter worth $160,000. National Bank of Canada FI lifted its holdings in Eldorado Gold by 1,129.2% during the 4th quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 400,959 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $3,349,000 after buying an additional 368,339 shares in the last quarter. Pendal Group Ltd acquired a new position in Eldorado Gold during the 4th quarter worth $2,769,000. Finally, Optimum Investment Advisors bought a new stake in shares of Eldorado Gold during the 4th quarter valued at $39,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 57.64% of the companys stock. Get Eldorado Gold alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several brokerages have commented on EGO. National Bank Financial upped their target price on shares of Eldorado Gold from C$16.50 to C$17.50 in a research report on Tuesday. Stifel Nicolaus cut shares of Eldorado Gold from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Eldorado Gold in a research report on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Bank of America started coverage on shares of Eldorado Gold in a research report on Friday, March 10th. They issued an underperform rating and a $8.90 price objective for the company. Finally, TD Securities lowered their price objective on shares of Eldorado Gold from $11.00 to $10.50 and set a hold rating for the company in a research report on Monday, February 27th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $12.78. Eldorado Gold Trading Down 2.2 % Shares of Eldorado Gold stock traded down $0.24 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $10.62. 775,210 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,812,471. The company has a 50 day moving average of $9.87 and a two-hundred day moving average of $8.48. Eldorado Gold Co. has a fifty-two week low of $5.06 and a fifty-two week high of $11.58. The company has a current ratio of 3.00, a quick ratio of 2.06 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15. Eldorado Gold (NYSE:EGO Get Rating) (TSE:ELD) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, February 23rd. The basic materials company reported $0.14 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.05 by $0.09. Eldorado Gold had a negative net margin of 39.92% and a positive return on equity of 0.39%. The business had revenue of $246.20 million during the quarter. On average, research analysts expect that Eldorado Gold Co. will post 0.46 EPS for the current fiscal year. About Eldorado Gold (Get Rating) Eldorado Gold Corp. engages in the mining, development, and exploration of gold. It operates through the following segment: Turkey, Canada, and Greece. The company was founded by Richard J. Barclay, Marco Antonio Romero, and Gary D. Nordin on April 2, 1992 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Eldorado Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Eldorado Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. (Bloomberg) -- Russian deliveries of military supplies to India have ground to a halt as the countries struggle to find a payment mechanism that doesnt violate US sanctions, according to Indian officials with knowledge of the matter. Most Read from Bloomberg Indian payments for weapons amounting to more than $2 billion have been stuck for about a year, and Russia has stopped supplying credit for a pipeline of about $10 billion worth of spare parts as well as two S-400 missile-defense system batteries that have yet to be delivered, according to the officials, who asked not be identified due to the sensitivity of the issue. Russia is Indias biggest supplier of weapons needed in border disputes with Pakistan and China. India is unable to settle the bill in US dollars due to concerns about secondary sanctions, while Russia remains unwilling to accept rupees due to exchange-rate volatility, the officials said. New Delhi also doesnt want to complete the deal in Russian rubles due to concerns about being able to purchase enough on the open market at a fair rate, they said. Indias government has proposed Moscow use the rupees from weapons sales to invest in Indian debt and capital markets to avoid stockpiling rupees, they added, but Vladimir Putins government doesnt find that appealing. One possible solution would be to use euros and dirhams, the currencies used to pay for Indian imports of discounted Russian crude, a senior Indian government official said. However, using these currencies to pay for weapons could invite more scrutiny from the US over sanctions than oil, as well as pushing up costs due to unfavorable exchange rates for India. Story continues Another option under discussion is a mechanism for Russia to offset purchases of Indian imports against the price of the weapons, one of the officials said. But this isnt easy because Russia had a $37 billion trade surplus last year with India, its third-largest behind China and Turkey, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Indias Ministry of Defense, Ministry of External Affairs, Finance Ministry and the Reserve Bank of India didnt respond to phone calls or emailed requests for comment. The Kremlin and Rosonboronexport, Russias state arms sale company, also didnt respond to texts and emailed requests for comment. The issue of payments for weapons has taken on more urgency of late, and dominated discussions when National Security Adviser Ajit Doval visited Moscow in January, the people said. It also featured heavily in talks in Delhi this week between Russian Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov and Indias External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, who said this week that the rupee settlement needed more work. There is also understandable concern about the trade imbalance, Jaishankar told reporters. We need to work together with our Russian friends on a very urgent basis on how to address that imbalance. India currently operates more than 250 Su-30 MKi Russian-made fighter jets, seven Kilo-class submarines and more than 1,200 Russian-made T-90 tanks all of which are operational for another decade and need spare parts. Three of five S-400 missile defense systems have already been delivered. In addition to the impact of sanctions on potential buyers, Russian weapons sales are likely to keep declining as the Kremlin prioritizes supplies to its own army to support its invasion of Ukraine, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute said in a report in March. Air Force Hit The Indian Air Force, which depends on a Russian fleet of fighters and helicopters, is among the worst hit from the disruption in supplies from Moscow, the people said. Its uncertain whether Russia can perform regular maintenance, they added, potentially leading to vulnerabilities along Indias borders with China and Pakistan. The India-Russia relationship will come under further scrutiny when Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosts Group of 20 leaders in September, during which the war will be a key focus. That meeting might be holding India back from immediately ironing out the payment mechanism for weapons with Russia, the people said. Russia remains Indias largest supplier of military hardware, though purchases have slowed by 19% in the last five years due to sanctions and increased competition from other manufacturing countries. India has carefully calibrated its response to Russias war in Ukraine, calling for a cease-fire while abstaining from voting on United Nations resolutions condemning the invasion. Modi will be meeting in the next few weeks with counterparts from the US and other industrialized nations. These countries see India as a bulwark to Chinas growing military and economic assertiveness, and have offered to provide defense equipment. But even so, it will take years to wean the nation off Russian weaponry while maintaining a credible defense posture. While President Joe Bidens administration has largely refrained from penalizing India for its dealings with Russia, including holding back on penalties for S-400 air defense system, it has taken some action. Last September, a Mumbai-based petrochemical firm Tibalaji Petrochem was added to the sanctions list by the US Department of Treasury for buying petroleum products from Iran. --With assistance from Rakesh Sharma and Anup Roy. (Updates with details of a report suggesting Kremlin prioritizing supplies to its own army) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Hess Co. (NYSE:HES Get Rating) Zacks Research reduced their Q1 2023 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for Hess in a research note issued on Monday, April 17th. Zacks Research analyst N. Banerjee now expects that the oil and gas producer will earn $1.06 per share for the quarter, down from their previous estimate of $1.17. The consensus estimate for Hess current full-year earnings is $6.20 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Hess Q3 2023 earnings at $1.42 EPS, FY2023 earnings at $5.18 EPS, Q1 2024 earnings at $1.58 EPS, Q2 2024 earnings at $1.55 EPS, FY2024 earnings at $6.51 EPS, Q1 2025 earnings at $2.31 EPS and FY2025 earnings at $8.74 EPS. Get Hess alerts: Hess (NYSE:HES Get Rating) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 25th. The oil and gas producer reported $1.78 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.69 by $0.09. The company had revenue of $3.05 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.83 billion. Hess had a return on equity of 27.97% and a net margin of 19.21%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 35.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.85 earnings per share. Hess Trading Down 0.7 % Several other analysts have also weighed in on the company. StockNews.com lowered Hess from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Wednesday, April 5th. Citigroup upped their price objective on Hess from $155.00 to $160.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Friday, January 27th. UBS Group started coverage on Hess in a report on Wednesday. They issued a buy rating and a $184.00 price objective for the company. Mizuho upped their price objective on Hess from $163.00 to $170.00 in a report on Friday, March 10th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on Hess from $162.00 to $170.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, January 26th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $168.81. Shares of Hess stock opened at $143.99 on Wednesday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.55, a current ratio of 1.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.00. The firm has a market cap of $44.09 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.03 and a beta of 1.56. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $136.22 and a 200-day simple moving average of $139.02. Hess has a fifty-two week low of $90.34 and a fifty-two week high of $160.52. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Hess by 2.2% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 30,928,530 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $3,310,590,000 after acquiring an additional 667,979 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp grew its holdings in Hess by 0.9% in the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 18,783,175 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $2,047,178,000 after buying an additional 159,750 shares during the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD grew its holdings in Hess by 26.5% in the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 9,480,828 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $1,344,571,000 after buying an additional 1,987,732 shares during the last quarter. Primecap Management Co. CA grew its holdings in Hess by 0.5% in the 3rd quarter. Primecap Management Co. CA now owns 9,372,740 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $1,021,535,000 after buying an additional 50,900 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA grew its holdings in Hess by 11.4% in the 3rd quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 7,842,807 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $854,786,000 after buying an additional 801,336 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.06% of the companys stock. Insider Buying and Selling In other Hess news, CFO John P. Rielly sold 3,380 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $137.41, for a total value of $464,445.80. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 309,841 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $42,575,251.81. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other Hess news, CFO John P. Rielly sold 3,380 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $137.41, for a total value of $464,445.80. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 309,841 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $42,575,251.81. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CEO John B. Hess sold 109,649 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $144.81, for a total value of $15,878,271.69. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 898,752 shares in the company, valued at $130,148,277.12. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 235,220 shares of company stock valued at $33,298,936. Corporate insiders own 9.91% of the companys stock. Hess Increases Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 30th. Investors of record on Monday, March 13th were paid a $0.438 dividend. This is an increase from Hesss previous quarterly dividend of $0.38. This represents a $1.75 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.22%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, March 10th. Hesss dividend payout ratio is currently 24.34%. Hess Company Profile (Get Rating) Hess Corp is an exploration and production company, which engages in exploration, development, production, transportation, purchase & sale of crude oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas with production operations. It operates through the following segments: Exploration and Production and Midstream. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Hess Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hess and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. HSBC (LON:HSBA Get Rating)s stock had its overweight rating reissued by equities research analysts at Barclays in a research report issued to clients and investors on Friday, MarketBeat Ratings reports. They currently have a GBX 840 ($10.39) price objective on the financial services providers stock. Barclayss target price indicates a potential upside of 46.60% from the stocks previous close. Other equities research analysts have also recently issued research reports about the company. Credit Suisse Group set a GBX 580 ($7.18) target price on HSBC in a research note on Friday, March 31st. Shore Capital reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of HSBC in a research report on Monday, March 13th. Royal Bank of Canada set a GBX 775 ($9.59) price target on HSBC in a report on Monday, April 3rd. Citigroup restated a buy rating on shares of HSBC in a research note on Tuesday, February 7th. Finally, Bank of America restated a buy rating on shares of HSBC in a research note on Monday, January 30th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, HSBC has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of GBX 741 ($9.17). Get HSBC alerts: HSBC Trading Down 0.4 % LON HSBA traded down GBX 2.10 ($0.03) during trading hours on Friday, hitting GBX 573 ($7.09). 15,476,221 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 29,432,699. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of GBX 585.84 and a 200 day simple moving average of GBX 539.04. HSBC has a 1-year low of GBX 434.70 ($5.38) and a 1-year high of GBX 653.80 ($8.09). The firm has a market cap of 114.43 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 971.19, a PEG ratio of 0.80 and a beta of 0.58. Insider Transactions at HSBC HSBC Company Profile In other news, insider Georges Elhedery sold 52,907 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 633 ($7.83), for a total value of 334,901.31 ($414,430.53). Company insiders own 0.22% of the companys stock. (Get Rating) HSBC Holdings plc provides banking and financial services worldwide. The company operates through Wealth and Personal Banking, Commercial Banking, and Global Banking and Markets segments. The Wealth and Personal Banking segment offers retail banking and wealth products, including current and savings accounts, mortgages and personal loans, credit and debit cards, and local and international payment services; and wealth management services comprising insurance and investment products, global asset management services, investment management, and private wealth solutions. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for HSBC Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for HSBC and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund lifted its stake in Humana Inc. (NYSE:HUM Get Rating) by 68.8% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 61,325 shares of the insurance providers stock after buying an additional 25,000 shares during the period. Humana makes up approximately 0.7% of Illinois Municipal Retirement Funds investment portfolio, making the stock its 13th biggest position. Illinois Municipal Retirement Funds holdings in Humana were worth $31,410,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the stock. Dean Investment Associates LLC boosted its stake in shares of Humana by 0.4% in the third quarter. Dean Investment Associates LLC now owns 4,338 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $2,105,000 after buying an additional 19 shares during the period. Private Trust Co. NA lifted its stake in Humana by 10.6% during the third quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 219 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $106,000 after purchasing an additional 21 shares during the last quarter. Money Concepts Capital Corp lifted its stake in Humana by 0.6% during the third quarter. Money Concepts Capital Corp now owns 4,134 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $2,006,000 after purchasing an additional 23 shares during the last quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers lifted its stake in Humana by 0.5% during the first quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 4,906 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $2,135,000 after purchasing an additional 26 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Humankind Investments LLC lifted its stake in Humana by 5.4% during the third quarter. Humankind Investments LLC now owns 523 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $254,000 after purchasing an additional 27 shares during the last quarter. 93.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Humana alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. TheStreet upgraded Humana from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a research note on Thursday, April 13th. Cowen cut their target price on Humana from $647.00 to $581.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Monday, February 6th. Stephens cut their target price on Humana from $625.00 to $590.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Friday, February 3rd. Credit Suisse Group cut their target price on Humana from $635.00 to $575.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Monday, February 6th. Finally, Truist Financial upped their price target on shares of Humana from $560.00 to $590.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Thursday, April 13th. Two equities research 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, Humana presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $596.89. Humana Trading Down 0.1 % NYSE HUM traded down $0.61 on Friday, reaching $489.70. The company had a trading volume of 513,103 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,043,051. The firm has a market cap of $61.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.25, a P/E/G ratio of 1.28 and a beta of 0.71. Humana Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $410.87 and a fifty-two week high of $571.30. The business has a 50 day moving average of $502.10 and a two-hundred day moving average of $510.83. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.59, a current ratio of 1.52 and a quick ratio of 1.52. Humana (NYSE:HUM Get Rating) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 1st. The insurance provider reported $1.62 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.46 by $0.16. Humana had a return on equity of 20.50% and a net margin of 3.02%. The business had revenue of $22.44 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $22.45 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.24 earnings per share. Humanas quarterly revenue was up 6.6% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts forecast that Humana Inc. will post 28.07 EPS for the current year. Humana Dividend Announcement The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 28th. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 30th will be issued a dividend of $0.885 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, June 29th. This represents a $3.54 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.72%. Humanas payout ratio is currently 16.06%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Humana news, CEO Bruce D. Broussard sold 17,575 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $505.85, for a total transaction of $8,890,313.75. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 70,040 shares in the company, valued at approximately $35,429,734. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other news, insider Joseph C. Ventura sold 2,048 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $507.97, for a total transaction of $1,040,322.56. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 4,256 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,161,920.32. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO Bruce D. Broussard sold 17,575 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $505.85, for a total transaction of $8,890,313.75. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 70,040 shares in the company, valued at approximately $35,429,734. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 0.32% of the companys stock. Humana Company Profile (Get Rating) Humana Inc engages in the provision of health insurance services. It operates through the Insurance and CenterWell segments. The Insurance segment consists of Medicare benefits, marketed to individuals or directly via group Medicare accounts, as well as contract with CMS to administer the Limited Income Newly Eligible Transition, or LI-NET, prescription drug plan program and contracts with various states to provide Medicaid, dual eligible demonstration, and Long-Term Support Services benefits, which refer to as state-based contracts. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding HUM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Humana Inc. (NYSE:HUM Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Humana Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Humana and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY Get Rating) CAO Jennifer Mccalman sold 96 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, April 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $257.16, for a total transaction of $24,687.36. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 2,315 shares of the companys stock, valued at $595,325.40. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Jennifer Mccalman also recently made the following trade(s): Get Hershey alerts: On Thursday, March 23rd, Jennifer Mccalman sold 109 shares of Hershey stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $243.23, for a total transaction of $26,512.07. On Friday, February 24th, Jennifer Mccalman sold 173 shares of Hershey stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $239.99, for a total transaction of $41,518.27. Hershey Trading Up 1.2 % Shares of HSY opened at $260.42 on Friday. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $246.80 and a two-hundred day moving average of $235.27. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.01, a quick ratio of 0.44 and a current ratio of 0.80. The company has a market capitalization of $53.14 billion, a PE ratio of 32.72, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.60 and a beta of 0.31. The Hershey Company has a fifty-two week low of $201.42 and a fifty-two week high of $261.17. Hershey Announces Dividend Hershey ( NYSE:HSY Get Rating ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 2nd. The company reported $2.02 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.77 by $0.25. Hershey had a net margin of 15.79% and a return on equity of 57.76%. The company had revenue of $2.65 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.58 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.69 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 14.0% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts forecast that The Hershey Company will post 9.38 EPS for the current year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 17th were paid a dividend of $1.036 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 16th. This represents a $4.14 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.59%. Hersheys dividend payout ratio is presently 52.01%. Institutional Trading of Hershey Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in HSY. Dupont Capital Management Corp boosted its position in Hershey by 26.3% during the 3rd quarter. Dupont Capital Management Corp now owns 5,959 shares of the companys stock worth $1,314,000 after purchasing an additional 1,241 shares during the period. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D boosted its position in Hershey by 1.2% during the 3rd quarter. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D now owns 83,868 shares of the companys stock worth $18,490,000 after purchasing an additional 997 shares during the period. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd boosted its position in Hershey by 8.5% during the 4th quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd now owns 15,430 shares of the companys stock worth $3,573,000 after purchasing an additional 1,207 shares during the period. Handelsbanken Fonder AB boosted its position in Hershey by 0.8% during the 3rd quarter. Handelsbanken Fonder AB now owns 76,681 shares of the companys stock worth $16,906,000 after purchasing an additional 614 shares during the period. Finally, Alpha Omega Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in Hershey by 6.1% during the 3rd quarter. Alpha Omega Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,310 shares of the companys stock worth $289,000 after purchasing an additional 75 shares during the period. 54.17% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of research analysts have issued reports on HSY shares. Stifel Nicolaus started coverage on shares of Hershey in a report on Thursday, April 13th. They issued a hold rating and a $243.00 target price for the company. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price objective on shares of Hershey from $255.00 to $277.00 in a research note on Thursday, February 2nd. StockNews.com upgraded Hershey from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Sunday, March 26th. Wells Fargo & Company upgraded Hershey from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating and lifted their price objective for the stock from $230.00 to $255.00 in a research report on Wednesday, March 29th. Finally, Credit Suisse Group lifted their price objective on Hershey from $250.00 to $260.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, February 3rd. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have assigned a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $249.94. Hershey Company Profile (Get Rating) The Hershey Co engages in the manufacture and marketing of chocolate, sweets, mints and confectionery products. The firm operates through the following geographical segments: North America and International and Other. The North America is responsible for the traditional chocolate and non-chocolate confectionery market position of the company, as well as its grocery and snacks market positions, in the United States and Canada. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Hershey Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hershey and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Institute for Wealth Management LLC. bought a new position in shares of John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF (NYSEARCA:JHMD Get Rating) during the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm bought 18,559 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $523,000. A number of other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in JHMD. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC raised its stake in shares of John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF by 2.1% during the 3rd quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 37,852 shares of the companys stock worth $911,000 after buying an additional 762 shares during the last quarter. SigFig Wealth Management LLC raised its position in John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF by 23.9% during the third quarter. SigFig Wealth Management LLC now owns 9,742 shares of the companys stock worth $291,000 after acquiring an additional 1,881 shares during the last quarter. UBS Group AG lifted its holdings in shares of John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF by 21.3% in the first quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 11,458 shares of the companys stock valued at $363,000 after purchasing an additional 2,010 shares in the last quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. grew its position in shares of John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF by 2.8% in the third quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 97,873 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,357,000 after purchasing an additional 2,656 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bank of America Corp DE increased its stake in shares of John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF by 3.3% during the 1st quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 85,966 shares of the companys stock worth $2,721,000 after purchasing an additional 2,736 shares in the last quarter. Get John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF alerts: John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF Price Performance Shares of John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF stock opened at $31.36 on Friday. John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF has a 1 year low of $23.57 and a 1 year high of $31.58. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $30.29 and a 200 day moving average price of $28.72. The company has a market capitalization of $482.94 million, a P/E ratio of 10.48 and a beta of 0.85. John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF Company Profile The John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF (JHMD) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in total market equity. The fund tracks an index of stocks from developed markets ex-US and Canada, covering 85% of the market capitalization. Holdings are weighted based on fundamental and technical factors JHMD was launched on Dec 15, 2016 and is managed by John Hancock. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding JHMD? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF (NYSEARCA:JHMD Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Intellectus Partners LLC decreased its holdings in shares of Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C Get Rating) by 9.8% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 12,475 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,350 shares during the period. Intellectus Partners LLCs holdings in Citigroup were worth $564,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in C. McClarren Financial Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Citigroup during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Arlington Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Citigroup during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $25,000. EWG Elevate Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Citigroup during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $29,000. McIlrath & Eck LLC lifted its position in shares of Citigroup by 96.6% during the 3rd quarter. McIlrath & Eck LLC now owns 814 shares of the companys stock valued at $34,000 after acquiring an additional 400 shares during the period. Finally, Annapolis Financial Services LLC lifted its position in shares of Citigroup by 59.0% during the 3rd quarter. Annapolis Financial Services LLC now owns 935 shares of the companys stock valued at $39,000 after acquiring an additional 347 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.90% of the companys stock. Get Citigroup alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth C has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Barclays lowered their target price on shares of Citigroup from $61.00 to $59.00 in a research note on Wednesday, April 12th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on shares of Citigroup from $62.00 to $65.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Monday. Evercore ISI lowered their target price on shares of Citigroup from $53.00 to $45.00 and set an in-line rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 5th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered their target price on shares of Citigroup from $52.00 to $46.00 in a research note on Friday, January 6th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lowered their target price on shares of Citigroup from $55.00 to $51.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Friday, March 24th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have assigned a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $54.74. Insider Buying and Selling Citigroup Stock Performance In other Citigroup news, insider Michael Whitaker sold 12,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $51.63, for a total value of $645,375.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 239,429 shares in the company, valued at $12,361,719.27. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website . In other news, CEO Titilope Cole sold 11,903 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $51.10, for a total value of $608,243.30. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 65,764 shares in the company, valued at $3,360,540.40. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink . Also, insider Michael Whitaker sold 12,500 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $51.63, for a total transaction of $645,375.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 239,429 shares of the companys stock, valued at $12,361,719.27. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders have sold a total of 39,353 shares of company stock worth $2,001,830 over the last quarter. 0.09% of the stock is owned by company insiders. NYSE:C opened at $48.62 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $94.50 billion, a P/E ratio of 6.89, a PEG ratio of 1.64 and a beta of 1.57. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $48.18 and a two-hundred day moving average of $47.30. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.48, a current ratio of 0.95 and a quick ratio of 0.94. Citigroup Inc. has a 1-year low of $40.01 and a 1-year high of $54.56. Citigroup (NYSE:C Get Rating) last issued its earnings results on Friday, April 14th. The company reported $2.19 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.66 by $0.53. The business had revenue of $21.40 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $20.07 billion. Citigroup had a net margin of 12.96% and a return on equity of 7.84%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 11.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $2.02 EPS. On average, research analysts expect that Citigroup Inc. will post 5.96 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Citigroup Dividend Announcement The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 26th. Investors of record on Monday, May 1st will be paid a dividend of $0.51 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, April 28th. This represents a $2.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.20%. Citigroups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 28.45%. Citigroup Profile (Get Rating) Citigroup, Inc is a holding company, which engages in the provision of financial products and services. It operates through the following segments: Global Consumer Banking, Institutional Clients Group, and Corporate and Other. The Global Consumer Banking segment provides traditional banking services to retail customers through retail banking, including commercial banking, and Citi-branded cards and Citi retail services. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding C? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Citigroup Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Citigroup and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. International Business Machines (NYSE:IBM Get Rating) announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday. The technology company reported $1.36 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.27 by $0.09, Briefing.com reports. The business had revenue of $14.25 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $14.33 billion. International Business Machines had a return on equity of 41.24% and a net margin of 2.71%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up .4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.40 EPS. International Business Machines updated its FY 2023 guidance to EPS. International Business Machines Stock Performance IBM traded down $0.46 during trading on Friday, hitting $125.90. 1,144,101 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,962,027. The firm has a market capitalization of $114.21 billion, a P/E ratio of 71.80, a PEG ratio of 3.45 and a beta of 0.85. International Business Machines has a 1-year low of $115.54 and a 1-year high of $153.21. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $129.32 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $135.47. The company has a quick ratio of 0.87, a current ratio of 0.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.10. Get International Business Machines alerts: International Business Machines Dividend Announcement The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 10th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 10th were given a dividend of $1.65 per share. This represents a $6.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.24%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 9th. International Business Machiness dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 375.00%. Analysts Set New Price Targets Institutional Inflows and Outflows IBM has been the subject of several recent research reports. StockNews.com upgraded International Business Machines from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Friday, April 14th. Credit Suisse Group decreased their target price on International Business Machines from $165.00 to $162.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, April 13th. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their target price on International Business Machines from $150.00 to $140.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Thursday. Moffett Nathanson upgraded International Business Machines from an underperform rating to a market perform rating and set a $140.00 target price for the company in a research note on Tuesday, January 24th. Finally, Morgan Stanley decreased their target price on International Business Machines from $143.00 to $135.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Thursday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $139.18. Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Royal London Asset Management Ltd. increased its holdings in shares of International Business Machines by 0.6% in the first quarter. Royal London Asset Management Ltd. now owns 321,267 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $41,776,000 after purchasing an additional 2,006 shares during the period. Federated Hermes Inc. increased its holdings in shares of International Business Machines by 2,345.1% in the first quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. now owns 347,893 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $45,233,000 after purchasing an additional 333,665 shares during the period. Equitable Holdings Inc. increased its holdings in shares of International Business Machines by 13.1% in the first quarter. Equitable Holdings Inc. now owns 15,388 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $2,001,000 after purchasing an additional 1,780 shares during the period. Bridgewater Associates LP increased its holdings in shares of International Business Machines by 442.8% in the first quarter. Bridgewater Associates LP now owns 376,153 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $48,907,000 after purchasing an additional 306,854 shares during the period. Finally, Bridgefront Capital LLC acquired a new position in shares of International Business Machines in the first quarter valued at approximately $241,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 55.90% of the companys stock. International Business Machines Company Profile (Get Rating) International Business Machines Corp. is an information technology company, which engages in the provision of integrated solutions that leverage information technology and knowledge of business processes. It operates through the following segments: Software, Consulting, Infrastructure, Financing, and Other. See Also Receive News & Ratings for International Business Machines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for International Business Machines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. iShares S&P/TSX 60 Index ETF (TSE:XIU Get Rating)s stock price fell 0.2% on Thursday . The company traded as low as C$31.48 and last traded at C$31.54. 1,976,192 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 22% from the average session volume of 2,532,696 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$31.60. iShares S&P/TSX 60 Index ETF Price Performance The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of C$30.71 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of C$30.41. Get iShares S&P/TSX 60 Index ETF alerts: iShares S&P/TSX 60 Index ETF Increases Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, February 28th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 23rd were given a dividend of $0.259 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, February 22nd. This represents a $1.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.28%. This is a positive change from iShares S&P/TSX 60 Index ETFs previous quarterly dividend of $0.24. About iShares S&P/TSX 60 Index ETF iShares S&P/TSX 60 Index Fund seeks to provide long-term capital growth by replicating, to the extent possible, the performance of the S&P/TSX 60 Index through investments in the constituent issuers of such index, net of expenses. The Index is comprised of 60 of the largest (by market capitalization) and liquid securities listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX), selected by Standard & Poors (S&P) using its industrial classifications and guidelines for evaluating issuer capitalization, liquidity and fundamentals. Read More Receive News & Ratings for iShares S&P/TSX 60 Index ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares S&P/TSX 60 Index ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Pinnacle West Capital Co. (NYSE:PNW Get Rating) Equities research analysts at KeyCorp lifted their Q3 2023 earnings per share estimates for Pinnacle West Capital in a research note issued to investors on Monday, April 17th. KeyCorp analyst S. Karp now forecasts that the utilities provider will post earnings of $2.55 per share for the quarter, up from their previous estimate of $2.52. The consensus estimate for Pinnacle West Capitals current full-year earnings is $4.08 per share. KeyCorp also issued estimates for Pinnacle West Capitals FY2023 earnings at $4.03 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $5.34 EPS. Get Pinnacle West Capital alerts: Other equities analysts have also recently issued research reports about the company. Bank of America raised their price target on Pinnacle West Capital from $69.00 to $76.00 in a report on Thursday, April 6th. Mizuho cut their price target on Pinnacle West Capital from $76.00 to $74.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, March 2nd. Credit Suisse Group upgraded Pinnacle West Capital from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and boosted their target price for the stock from $77.00 to $80.00 in a research note on Tuesday, March 14th. StockNews.com started coverage on Pinnacle West Capital in a research report on Thursday, March 16th. They set a hold rating for the company. Finally, Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on Pinnacle West Capital from $71.00 to $78.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Thursday. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Pinnacle West Capital currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $74.00. Pinnacle West Capital Trading Up 0.3 % Shares of NYSE:PNW opened at $80.21 on Wednesday. Pinnacle West Capital has a 1 year low of $59.03 and a 1 year high of $81.63. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $76.92 and its 200-day moving average price is $74.14. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.26, a current ratio of 0.99 and a quick ratio of 0.74. The company has a market cap of $9.08 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.78, a PEG ratio of 3.59 and a beta of 0.46. Pinnacle West Capital (NYSE:PNW Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, February 27th. The utilities provider reported ($0.21) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.18) by ($0.03). Pinnacle West Capital had a return on equity of 7.87% and a net margin of 11.18%. The firm had revenue of $1.01 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $638.28 million. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $0.24 earnings per share. Pinnacle West Capitals revenue for the quarter was up 26.3% on a year-over-year basis. Pinnacle West Capital Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 1st. Stockholders of record on Monday, May 1st will be given a $0.865 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, April 28th. This represents a $3.46 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.31%. Pinnacle West Capitals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 81.03%. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Pinnacle West Capital Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. lifted its stake in Pinnacle West Capital by 12.6% during the first quarter. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. now owns 15,091 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,196,000 after purchasing an additional 1,684 shares in the last quarter. Tompkins Financial Corp grew its holdings in shares of Pinnacle West Capital by 80.0% during the first quarter. Tompkins Financial Corp now owns 3,600 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $285,000 after purchasing an additional 1,600 shares during the last quarter. Brookstone Capital Management purchased a new position in shares of Pinnacle West Capital during the first quarter worth about $263,000. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. grew its holdings in shares of Pinnacle West Capital by 834.5% during the first quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 269,863 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $21,384,000 after buying an additional 240,986 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Xponance Inc. boosted its holdings in Pinnacle West Capital by 40.6% in the 1st quarter. Xponance Inc. now owns 21,901 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,735,000 after purchasing an additional 6,319 shares in the last quarter. 85.21% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About Pinnacle West Capital (Get Rating) Pinnacle West Capital Corp. is a holding company, which engages in providing energy and energy-related products. It offers regulated retail and wholesale electricity businesses and related activities, such as electricity generation, transmission and distribution through its subsidiary, Arizona Public Service Co The company was founded on February 20, 1985, and is headquartered in Phoenix, AZ. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Pinnacle West Capital Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Pinnacle West Capital and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Las Vegas Sands (NYSE:LVS Get Rating) had its target price boosted by Barclays from $64.00 to $69.00 in a research report sent to investors on Thursday morning, The Fly reports. The firm currently has an overweight rating on the casino operators stock. Several other brokerages have also commented on LVS. Stifel Nicolaus raised their price target 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. Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on Las Vegas Sands from $59.00 to $62.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 1st. Roth Mkm started coverage on Las Vegas Sands in a research note on Wednesday, April 12th. They set a buy rating and a $74.00 price target on the stock. Argus upgraded Las Vegas Sands from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $68.00 price target on the stock in a research note on Friday, January 27th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their target price on Las Vegas Sands from $69.00 to $74.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Las Vegas Sands presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $68.54. Get Las Vegas Sands alerts: Las Vegas Sands Stock Down 0.3 % Shares of LVS opened at $61.35 on Thursday. The company has a market cap of $46.89 billion, a PE ratio of 25.64, a P/E/G ratio of 16.89 and a beta of 1.16. The business has a fifty day moving average of $56.84 and a 200 day moving average of $50.02. Las Vegas Sands has a 52-week low of $28.88 and a 52-week high of $63.49. The company has a quick ratio of 1.72, a current ratio of 1.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.81. Institutional Trading of Las Vegas Sands Las Vegas Sands ( NYSE:LVS Get Rating ) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, April 19th. The casino operator reported $0.28 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.17 by $0.11. Las Vegas Sands had a negative return on equity of 22.49% and a net margin of 44.57%. The business had revenue of $2.12 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.83 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned ($0.40) earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 124.8% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Las Vegas Sands will post 1.46 EPS for the current year. Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its position in shares of Las Vegas Sands by 1.5% during the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 35,537,902 shares of the casino operators stock worth $1,381,358,000 after purchasing an additional 519,620 shares in the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD lifted its stake in shares of Las Vegas Sands by 4.8% in the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 33,393,752 shares of the casino operators stock valued at $1,605,238,000 after purchasing an additional 1,539,069 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp lifted its stake in shares of Las Vegas Sands by 2.9% in the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 13,898,679 shares of the casino operators stock valued at $540,242,000 after purchasing an additional 394,616 shares during the last quarter. Barrow Hanley Mewhinney & Strauss LLC lifted its stake in shares of Las Vegas Sands by 8.8% in the 4th quarter. Barrow Hanley Mewhinney & Strauss LLC now owns 9,145,152 shares of the casino operators stock valued at $439,607,000 after purchasing an additional 742,471 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp lifted its stake in shares of Las Vegas Sands by 36.0% in the 3rd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 7,428,878 shares of the casino operators stock valued at $278,734,000 after purchasing an additional 1,966,755 shares during the last quarter. 39.75% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Las Vegas Sands Company Profile (Get Rating) 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. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Las Vegas Sands Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Las Vegas Sands and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. By Blake Brittain (Reuters) - Computer-memory company Netlist Inc convinced a federal jury in Texas on Friday to award it more than $303 million for Samsung Electronics Co's infringement of several patents related to improvements in data processing. The jury in Marshall, Texas determined after a six-day trial that Samsung's "memory modules" for high-performance computing willfully infringed all five patents that Netlist accused the Korean tech giant of violating. Representatives for the companies did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Netlist stock was up 21% following the verdict on Friday afternoon. Irvine, California-based Netlist sued Samsung in 2021, alleging Samsung memory products used in cloud-computing servers and other data-intensive technology infringe its patents. Netlist said its innovations increase the power efficiency of memory modules and allow users to "derive useful information from vast amounts of data in a shorter period of time." A Netlist attorney told the jury that Samsung took its patented module technology after the companies had collaborated on another project, according to a court transcript. Netlist had asked the jury for $404 million in damages. Samsung had argued that the patents were invalid and that its technology worked in a different way than Netlist's inventions. The case is Netlist Inc v. Samsung Electronics Co, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, No. 2:21-cv-00463. (Reporting by Blake Brittain in Washington; Editing by David Gregorio) Liberum Capital upgraded shares of THG (LON:THG Get Rating) to a buy rating in a research report report published on Monday morning, Marketbeat.com reports. Liberum Capital currently has GBX 220 ($2.72) price target on the stock, up from their previous price target of GBX 55 ($0.68). A number of other research analysts have also recently commented on the company. Bank of America restated a buy rating on shares of THG in a research report on Friday, January 20th. Numis Securities restated a sell rating on shares of THG in a research report on Tuesday, January 24th. Finally, Barclays restated an equal weight rating on shares of THG in a research report on Wednesday, January 18th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, THG presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of GBX 159 ($1.97). Get THG alerts: THG Stock Up 0.0 % THG opened at GBX 85 ($1.05) on Monday. THG has a fifty-two week low of GBX 31.15 ($0.39) and a fifty-two week high of GBX 159.24 ($1.97). The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 49.84, a quick ratio of 0.89 and a current ratio of 1.67. The company has a market capitalization of 1.11 billion, a P/E ratio of -566.67, a P/E/G ratio of -0.08 and a beta of 2.08. The stock has a fifty day moving average of GBX 63.43 and a 200-day moving average of GBX 58.46. About THG THG Plc operates as an e-commerce technology company in the United Kingdom, the United States, Europe, and internationally. The company operates pure-play sites, such as Lookfantastic, Cult Beauty, and Dermstore that offers approximately 1,300 premium brands across the skincare, haircare, cosmetics, and fragrance categories; Myprotein, a D2C sport nutrition provider that offers products across various categories, including vegan, protein, vitamin, athleisure, and healthy snacks; and THG Ingenuity, an end-to-end platform that powers businesses and brands, which offers hosting, analytics, fraud detection, logistics, and warehousing services, as well as digital brand management, including marketing, translation, and global customer services. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for THG Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for THG and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Lithia Motors (NYSE:LAD Get Rating) issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday. The company reported $8.44 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $8.79 by ($0.35), Briefing.com reports. The business had revenue of $6.97 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $7.28 billion. Lithia Motors had a return on equity of 25.41% and a net margin of 4.43%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 4.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $11.96 earnings per share. Lithia Motors Stock Down 0.1 % Shares of NYSE LAD opened at $221.32 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.05 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 5.02, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.62 and a beta of 1.39. Lithia Motors has a 52 week low of $180.00 and a 52 week high of $314.83. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $236.47 and a 200 day moving average price of $227.50. The company has a quick ratio of 0.38, a current ratio of 1.46 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.06. Get Lithia Motors alerts: Lithia Motors Increases Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 26th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 12th will be issued a $0.50 dividend. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.90%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, May 11th. This is a positive change from Lithia Motorss previous quarterly dividend of $0.42. Lithia Motorss payout ratio is currently 3.81%. Analyst Ratings Changes Insiders Place Their Bets Several research firms recently commented on LAD. Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on Lithia Motors from $200.00 to $198.00 and set an underweight rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, January 17th. Guggenheim cut their target price on shares of Lithia Motors from $332.00 to $320.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday. TheStreet raised shares of Lithia Motors from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a report on Wednesday, February 1st. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Lithia Motors in a report on Thursday, March 16th. They set a hold rating for the company. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on shares of Lithia Motors from $233.00 to $262.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Thursday, February 16th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Lithia Motors currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $300.56. In related news, Director Shauna Mcintyre sold 167 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $260.00, for a total value of $43,420.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 1,672 shares in the company, valued at approximately $434,720. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. 1.90% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Institutional Trading of Lithia Motors Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of LAD. Renaissance Group LLC lifted its stake in Lithia Motors by 6.7% in the 1st quarter. Renaissance Group LLC now owns 4,138 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,242,000 after buying an additional 261 shares in the last quarter. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec purchased a new position in shares of Lithia Motors during the 1st quarter worth $4,154,000. Clearbridge Investments LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Lithia Motors by 0.6% during the first quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC now owns 118,450 shares of the companys stock worth $35,549,000 after purchasing an additional 740 shares during the last quarter. qPULA Trading Management LP purchased a new stake in shares of Lithia Motors in the first quarter valued at $360,000. Finally, First Trust Advisors LP increased its stake in Lithia Motors by 26.3% in the first quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 103,338 shares of the companys stock valued at $31,014,000 after purchasing an additional 21,550 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 98.21% of the companys stock. Lithia Motors Company Profile (Get Rating) Lithia Motors, Inc engages in the operation of automotive franchises and retail of new and used vehicles. It operates through the following segments: Domestic, Import and Luxury. The Domestic segment consists of retail automotive franchises that sell new vehicles manufactured by Chrysler, General Motors, and Ford. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Lithia Motors Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Lithia Motors and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Lloyds Banking Group plc (NYSE:LYG Get Rating) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest in March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 10,790,000 shares, a growth of 21.5% from the March 15th total of 8,880,000 shares. Approximately 0.1% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 10,920,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.0 days. Lloyds Banking Group Trading Up 1.7 % LYG stock traded up $0.04 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $2.46. The stock had a trading volume of 20,490,872 shares, compared to its average volume of 10,681,271. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $2.39 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $2.25. The company has a quick ratio of 1.47, a current ratio of 1.47 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.78. The firm has a market cap of $40.97 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.65, a PEG ratio of 0.99 and a beta of 1.27. Lloyds Banking Group has a twelve month low of $1.70 and a twelve month high of $2.63. Get Lloyds Banking Group alerts: Lloyds Banking Group (NYSE:LYG Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 22nd. The financial services provider reported $0.10 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.07 by $0.03. The firm had revenue of $14.95 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.68 billion. Lloyds Banking Group had a return on equity of 10.63% and a net margin of 20.69%. As a group, research analysts expect that Lloyds Banking Group will post 0.42 EPS for the current fiscal year. Lloyds Banking Group Increases Dividend Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades The company also recently disclosed a Semi-Annual dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 2nd. Investors of record on Friday, April 14th will be given a $0.076 dividend. This represents a yield of 5%. This is a positive change from Lloyds Banking Groups previous Semi-Annual dividend of $0.04. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 13th. Lloyds Banking Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 40.54%. LYG has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. StockNews.com initiated coverage on Lloyds Banking Group in a report on Thursday, March 16th. They set a buy rating for the company. Barclays raised Lloyds Banking Group from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating in a report on Monday, February 6th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price objective on Lloyds Banking Group from GBX 58 ($0.72) to GBX 60 ($0.74) in a report on Wednesday, January 11th. Berenberg Bank lifted their price target on Lloyds Banking Group from GBX 55 ($0.68) to GBX 58 ($0.72) in a report on Friday, February 24th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on Lloyds Banking Group from GBX 58 ($0.72) to GBX 61 ($0.75) in a report on Monday, February 27th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Lloyds Banking Group presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $58.75. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Lloyds Banking Group Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Jane Street Group LLC grew its position in shares of Lloyds Banking Group by 10.9% during the 4th quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 35,079,795 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $77,176,000 after buying an additional 3,449,866 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its position in shares of Lloyds Banking Group by 16.7% in the 4th quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 31,160,774 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $68,554,000 after purchasing an additional 4,454,102 shares during the period. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC grew its position in shares of Lloyds Banking Group by 91.5% in the 4th quarter. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC now owns 27,526,155 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $60,558,000 after purchasing an additional 13,150,123 shares during the period. Mondrian Investment Partners LTD grew its position in shares of Lloyds Banking Group by 3.2% in the 4th quarter. Mondrian Investment Partners LTD now owns 26,795,456 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $58,950,000 after purchasing an additional 828,000 shares during the period. Finally, Bank of Montreal Can grew its position in shares of Lloyds Banking Group by 26.0% in the 3rd quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 22,183,022 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $40,595,000 after purchasing an additional 4,570,940 shares during the period. 2.15% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About Lloyds Banking Group (Get Rating) Lloyds Banking Group Plc is a financial services company, which engages in the provision of banking and financial services. It operates through the following segments: Retail, Commercial Banking, Insurance and Wealth, and Other. The Retail segment offers broad range of financial service products, including current accounts, savings, mortgages, motor finance and unsecured consumer lending to personal, and small business customers. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Lloyds Banking Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Lloyds Banking Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Manulife Financial Co. (NYSE:MFC Get Rating) (TSE:MFC) saw a significant growth in short interest in the month of March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 16,170,000 shares, a growth of 20.2% from the March 15th total of 13,450,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 3,440,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 4.7 days. Currently, 0.9% of the companys shares are short sold. Analyst Ratings Changes Several research firms recently weighed in on MFC. National Bank Financial upped their price target on Manulife Financial from C$26.00 to C$27.00 in a research report on Thursday, February 16th. CIBC upped their price target on Manulife Financial from C$23.00 to C$27.00 in a research report on Wednesday, January 25th. Scotiabank upped their price target on Manulife Financial from C$27.00 to C$34.00 in a research report on Monday, January 30th. TD Securities upped their price target on Manulife Financial from C$30.00 to C$32.00 in a research report on Thursday, February 16th. Finally, StockNews.com began coverage on Manulife Financial in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $29.29. Get Manulife Financial alerts: Manulife Financial Trading Down 0.3 % NYSE MFC traded down $0.05 on Thursday, reaching $19.43. The stock had a trading volume of 2,201,897 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,281,536. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $19.00 and a 200 day moving average price of $18.13. Manulife Financial has a 1 year low of $14.92 and a 1 year high of $21.85. The company has a market capitalization of $35.95 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.89, a P/E/G ratio of 0.80 and a beta of 1.11. Manulife Financial Increases Dividend Manulife Financial ( NYSE:MFC Get Rating ) (TSE:MFC) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 15th. The financial services provider reported $0.65 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.61 by $0.04. The company had revenue of $11.34 billion for the quarter. On average, analysts anticipate that Manulife Financial will post 2.39 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 20th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 28th were paid a dividend of $0.274 per share. This represents a $1.10 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.64%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, February 27th. This is an increase from Manulife Financials previous quarterly dividend of $0.24. Manulife Financials dividend payout ratio is 38.65%. Institutional Trading of Manulife Financial Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. National Bank of Canada FI lifted its position in shares of Manulife Financial by 457.2% during the 4th quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 29,997,656 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $534,936,000 after purchasing an additional 24,613,635 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Manulife Financial during the 4th quarter worth about $406,195,000. Toronto Dominion Bank lifted its position in shares of Manulife Financial by 50.0% during the 3rd quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank now owns 17,846,160 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $296,917,000 after purchasing an additional 5,951,897 shares during the last quarter. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund lifted its position in shares of Manulife Financial by 219.6% during the 3rd quarter. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund now owns 5,749,000 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $90,128,000 after purchasing an additional 3,950,000 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Renaissance Technologies LLC acquired a new position in shares of Manulife Financial during the 1st quarter worth about $52,082,000. Institutional investors own 43.42% of the companys stock. Manulife Financial Company Profile (Get Rating) Manulife Financial Corp. engages in the provision of financial services. It operates through the following segments: Asia, Canada, U.S., Global Wealth and Asset Management, and Corporate and Other. The Asia segment refers to insurance and insurance-based wealth accumulation products in Asia. The Canada segment offers insurance-based wealth accumulation products and banking services in Canada. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Manulife Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Manulife Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. McCormick & Company, Incorporated (NYSE:MKC Get Rating) was the target of a large growth in short interest during the month of March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 8,000,000 shares, a growth of 13.8% from the March 15th total of 7,030,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 1,530,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 5.2 days. Analysts Set New Price Targets MKC has been the subject of several research reports. UBS Group began coverage on McCormick & Company, Incorporated in a research report on Friday, March 10th. They issued a sell rating and a $71.00 target price for the company. Sanford C. Bernstein upgraded McCormick & Company, Incorporated from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $90.00 price objective for the company in a research note on Friday, January 27th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their price objective on McCormick & Company, Incorporated from $69.00 to $75.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 29th. Credit Suisse Group lowered their price objective on McCormick & Company, Incorporated from $75.00 to $72.00 in a research note on Tuesday, March 21st. Finally, Bank of America lifted their price objective on McCormick & Company, Incorporated from $73.00 to $75.00 and gave the company an underperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 29th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $80.10. Get McCormick & Company Incorporated alerts: McCormick & Company, Incorporated Stock Down 0.1 % Shares of McCormick & Company, Incorporated stock traded down $0.06 on Friday, reaching $85.34. The companys stock had a trading volume of 340,444 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,445,804. The company has a market capitalization of $22.89 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.57, a P/E/G ratio of 4.72 and a beta of 0.58. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $77.57 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $79.26. McCormick & Company, Incorporated has a 52 week low of $70.60 and a 52 week high of $104.77. The company has a quick ratio of 0.32, a current ratio of 0.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.74. McCormick & Company, Incorporated Announces Dividend McCormick & Company, Incorporated ( NYSE:MKC Get Rating ) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, March 28th. The company reported $0.59 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.49 by $0.10. The business had revenue of $1.57 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.54 billion. McCormick & Company, Incorporated had a return on equity of 14.34% and a net margin of 10.42%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 2.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.63 EPS. Equities analysts anticipate that McCormick & Company, Incorporated will post 2.61 earnings per share for the current year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 24th. Investors of record on Monday, April 10th will be issued a $0.39 dividend. This represents a $1.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.83%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 6th. McCormick & Company, Incorporateds payout ratio is currently 63.16%. Insider Buying and Selling at McCormick & Company, Incorporated In other McCormick & Company, Incorporated news, Director Michael D. Mangan sold 5,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $75.00, for a total transaction of $375,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 38,137 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,860,275. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 19.00% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Trading of McCormick & Company, Incorporated Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. West Oak Capital LLC grew its holdings in McCormick & Company, Incorporated by 3.3% during the first quarter. West Oak Capital LLC now owns 6,062 shares of the companys stock valued at $504,000 after purchasing an additional 192 shares during the period. Main Street Financial Solutions LLC grew its holdings in McCormick & Company, Incorporated by 31.0% during the first quarter. Main Street Financial Solutions LLC now owns 7,952 shares of the companys stock valued at $662,000 after purchasing an additional 1,882 shares during the period. Avantax Planning Partners Inc. bought a new stake in McCormick & Company, Incorporated during the first quarter valued at about $280,000. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. grew its holdings in McCormick & Company, Incorporated by 31.0% during the first quarter. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. now owns 20,360 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,694,000 after purchasing an additional 4,816 shares during the period. Finally, Stonegate Investment Group LLC grew its holdings in McCormick & Company, Incorporated by 22.6% during the first quarter. Stonegate Investment Group LLC now owns 11,879 shares of the companys stock valued at $988,000 after purchasing an additional 2,192 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 79.15% of the companys stock. About McCormick & Company, Incorporated (Get Rating) McCormick & Co, Inc engages in the manufacturing, marketing, and distribution of spices, seasoning mixes, condiments, and other flavorful products to retail outlets, food manufacturers, and foodservice businesses. It operates through the Consumer and Flavor Solutions segments. The Consumer segment sells spices, seasonings, condiments, and sauces. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for McCormick & Company Incorporated Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for McCormick & Company Incorporated and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Metals Acquisition Corp (NYSE:MTAL Get Rating) was the target of a large growth in short interest during the month of March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 5,700 shares, a growth of 21.3% from the March 15th total of 4,700 shares. Approximately 0.0% of the companys stock are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 143,400 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.0 days. Metals Acquisition Price Performance MTAL stock traded up $0.01 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $10.26. 192,568 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 146,326. Metals Acquisition has a fifty-two week low of $9.65 and a fifty-two week high of $10.30. The firms 50 day moving average price is $10.18 and its 200 day moving average price is $10.03. Get Metals Acquisition alerts: Hedge Funds Weigh In On Metals Acquisition Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Aristeia Capital LLC purchased a new position in shares of Metals Acquisition in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $6,631,000. Fir Tree Capital Management LP raised its holdings in Metals Acquisition by 1.9% during the 3rd quarter. Fir Tree Capital Management LP now owns 1,677,059 shares of the companys stock valued at $16,418,000 after acquiring an additional 31,324 shares during the period. FNY Investment Advisers LLC raised its holdings in Metals Acquisition by 22.1% during the 3rd quarter. FNY Investment Advisers LLC now owns 213,332 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,086,000 after acquiring an additional 38,552 shares during the period. Citigroup Inc. raised its holdings in Metals Acquisition by 26.3% during the 1st quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 300,001 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,988,000 after acquiring an additional 62,500 shares during the period. Finally, Mackenzie Financial Corp bought a new stake in Metals Acquisition during the 1st quarter valued at $1,992,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 74.77% of the companys stock. Metals Acquisition Company Profile Metals Acquisition Corp does not have significant operations. It intends to effect a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization, or similar business combination with one or more businesses. The company intends to focus its search on metals and mining businesses. Metals Acquisition Corp was incorporated in 2021 and is based in Fort Worth, Texas. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Metals Acquisition Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Metals Acquisition and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Montag A & Associates Inc. reduced its stake in shares of Acuity Brands, Inc. (NYSE:AYI Get Rating) by 31.2% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 1,103 shares of the electronics makers stock after selling 500 shares during the quarter. Montag A & Associates Inc.s holdings in Acuity Brands were worth $183,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. California Public Employees Retirement System raised its stake in shares of Acuity Brands by 16.3% in the 3rd quarter. California Public Employees Retirement System now owns 80,838 shares of the electronics makers stock valued at $12,730,000 after buying an additional 11,314 shares in the last quarter. Park Avenue Securities LLC grew its holdings in shares of Acuity Brands by 15.6% in the 3rd quarter. Park Avenue Securities LLC now owns 2,513 shares of the electronics makers stock worth $396,000 after purchasing an additional 340 shares during the last quarter. Pathstone Family Office LLC grew its holdings in shares of Acuity Brands by 25.6% in the 3rd quarter. Pathstone Family Office LLC now owns 6,773 shares of the electronics makers stock worth $1,067,000 after purchasing an additional 1,381 shares during the last quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC grew its holdings in shares of Acuity Brands by 1.3% in the 3rd quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC now owns 73,062 shares of the electronics makers stock worth $11,511,000 after purchasing an additional 960 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Delphia USA Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Acuity Brands in the 3rd quarter worth about $243,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.80% of the companys stock. Get Acuity Brands alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several research firms have recently weighed in on AYI. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on shares of Acuity Brands from $193.00 to $180.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 5th. UBS Group lowered their target price on shares of Acuity Brands from $180.00 to $170.00 in a report on Wednesday, April 5th. The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their price objective on shares of Acuity Brands from $201.00 to $173.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 5th. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Acuity Brands in a report on Thursday, March 16th. They set a strong-buy rating on the stock. Finally, Oppenheimer reissued an outperform rating and set a $210.00 price objective on shares of Acuity Brands in a report on Tuesday, April 11th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Acuity Brands currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $191.88. Acuity Brands Stock Down 1.7 % Shares of NYSE AYI opened at $159.50 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.07 billion, a PE ratio of 13.98, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.29 and a beta of 1.58. The company has a current ratio of 2.34, a quick ratio of 1.61 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25. Acuity Brands, Inc. has a 1 year low of $142.71 and a 1 year high of $202.90. The firms 50-day moving average is $180.90 and its 200-day moving average is $179.06. Acuity Brands (NYSE:AYI Get Rating) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, April 4th. The electronics maker reported $2.79 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.28 by $0.51. The company had revenue of $943.60 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $959.99 million. Acuity Brands had a net margin of 9.22% and a return on equity of 22.20%. Equities analysts expect that Acuity Brands, Inc. will post 12.61 EPS for the current year. Acuity Brands Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, May 1st. Stockholders of record on Monday, April 17th will be paid a $0.13 dividend. This represents a $0.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.33%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, April 14th. Acuity Brandss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 4.56%. Insider Activity In other news, Director Laura Oshaughnessy purchased 632 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, April 11th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $158.05 per share, for a total transaction of $99,887.60. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 2,111 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $333,643.55. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Insiders own 1.10% of the companys stock. Acuity Brands Company Profile (Get Rating) Acuity Brands, Inc operates as an industrial technology company, which engages in the provision of lighting and building management solutions and services. It operates through the Acuity Brands Lighting and Lighting Controls and Intelligent Spaces Group segments. The company was founded in 2001 and is headquartered in Atlanta, GA. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Acuity Brands Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Acuity Brands and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Montag A & Associates Inc. decreased its position in Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV Get Rating) by 13.8% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 6,851 shares of the airlines stock after selling 1,094 shares during the period. Montag A & Associates Inc.s holdings in Southwest Airlines were worth $231,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Roundview Capital LLC raised its stake in shares of Southwest Airlines by 21.2% during the 1st quarter. Roundview Capital LLC now owns 13,336 shares of the airlines stock worth $611,000 after purchasing an additional 2,335 shares in the last quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in Southwest Airlines in the 1st quarter valued at $403,000. APG Asset Management N.V. raised its stake in Southwest Airlines by 16.6% in the 1st quarter. APG Asset Management N.V. now owns 6,335 shares of the airlines stock valued at $261,000 after acquiring an additional 900 shares during the period. Raymond James Trust N.A. raised its stake in Southwest Airlines by 5.3% in the 1st quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 12,187 shares of the airlines stock valued at $559,000 after acquiring an additional 615 shares during the period. Finally, Cibc World Market Inc. raised its stake in Southwest Airlines by 3.2% in the 1st quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 40,189 shares of the airlines stock valued at $1,841,000 after acquiring an additional 1,246 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 74.71% of the companys stock. Get Southwest Airlines alerts: Southwest Airlines Stock Performance LUV opened at $32.21 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $19.16 billion, a P/E ratio of 40.26, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.38 and a beta of 1.15. Southwest Airlines Co. has a 52-week low of $28.95 and a 52-week high of $50.10. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.75, a quick ratio of 1.35 and a current ratio of 1.43. The businesss fifty day moving average is $32.49 and its 200-day moving average is $34.79. Southwest Airlines Announces Dividend Southwest Airlines ( NYSE:LUV Get Rating ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 26th. The airline reported ($0.38) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.03) by ($0.35). The business had revenue of $6.17 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.14 billion. Southwest Airlines had a net margin of 2.26% and a return on equity of 6.71%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 22.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business earned $0.14 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts expect that Southwest Airlines Co. will post 2.68 EPS for the current fiscal year. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 29th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, March 8th were given a $0.18 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, March 7th. This represents a $0.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.24%. Southwest Airliness dividend payout ratio is presently 90.00%. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on LUV shares. Melius cut Southwest Airlines from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and set a $39.00 price target on the stock. in a research note on Wednesday, February 15th. Morgan Stanley decreased their price objective on Southwest Airlines from $68.00 to $63.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Monday, January 30th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft decreased their price objective on Southwest Airlines from $56.00 to $52.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Friday, January 27th. Redburn Partners lowered Southwest Airlines from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $40.00 price objective on the stock. in a report on Wednesday, February 8th. Finally, Raymond James decreased their price objective on Southwest Airlines from $48.00 to $45.00 and set a strong-buy rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, January 5th. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $47.07. About Southwest Airlines (Get Rating) Southwest Airlines Co engages in the operation and management of a passenger airline. The firm also offers ancillary services such as early bird check-in, upgraded boarding, and transportation of pets and unaccompanied minors. It operates in the United States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Mexico, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Aruba, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Belize, Cuba, the Cayman Islands, and Turks and Caicos. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LUV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Southwest Airlines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Southwest Airlines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Kimberly-Clark (NYSE:KMB Get Rating) had its price objective hoisted by Morgan Stanley from $132.00 to $140.00 in a research report report published on Monday morning, Benzinga reports. They currently have an equal weight rating on the stock. Other analysts have also issued reports about the company. Citigroup started coverage on Kimberly-Clark in a research note on Thursday, February 16th. They issued a sell rating and a $120.00 price target on the stock. StockNews.com upgraded Kimberly-Clark from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday, March 24th. UBS Group raised their price objective on Kimberly-Clark from $134.00 to $138.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, April 6th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded Kimberly-Clark from a sell rating to a hold rating and raised their price objective for the stock from $122.00 to $123.00 in a report on Monday, March 20th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on Kimberly-Clark from $124.00 to $125.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a report on Thursday, January 26th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have given a hold rating and two have given 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 $130.50. Get Kimberly-Clark alerts: Kimberly-Clark Trading Up 0.5 % NYSE:KMB opened at $139.14 on Monday. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $129.99 and its 200-day simple moving average is $129.47. The firm has a market cap of $46.95 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.33, a PEG ratio of 2.38 and a beta of 0.41. The company has a current ratio of 0.78, a quick ratio of 0.47 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 10.83. Kimberly-Clark has a 12-month low of $108.74 and a 12-month high of $144.53. Kimberly-Clark Announces Dividend Kimberly-Clark ( NYSE:KMB Get Rating ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 25th. The company reported $1.54 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.51 by $0.03. Kimberly-Clark had a return on equity of 264.67% and a net margin of 9.59%. The firm had revenue of $4.96 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.99 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $1.30 earnings per share. Kimberly-Clarks revenue was up .0% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts anticipate that Kimberly-Clark will post 5.94 EPS for the current year. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, July 5th. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 9th will be paid a $1.18 dividend. This represents a $4.72 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.39%. Kimberly-Clarks dividend payout ratio is 82.52%. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Kimberly-Clark Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Kimberly-Clark by 97.1% during the third quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC now owns 3,707 shares of the companys stock worth $417,000 after acquiring an additional 1,826 shares during the period. CBOE Vest Financial LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Kimberly-Clark by 0.6% during the third quarter. CBOE Vest Financial LLC now owns 68,578 shares of the companys stock worth $7,718,000 after acquiring an additional 440 shares during the period. Wealthspire Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Kimberly-Clark by 7.3% during the third quarter. Wealthspire Advisors LLC now owns 10,019 shares of the companys stock worth $1,128,000 after acquiring an additional 685 shares during the period. Toroso Investments LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Kimberly-Clark by 9.7% during the third quarter. Toroso Investments LLC now owns 9,127 shares of the companys stock worth $1,027,000 after acquiring an additional 807 shares during the period. Finally, MML Investors Services LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Kimberly-Clark by 15.5% during the third quarter. MML Investors Services LLC now owns 47,651 shares of the companys stock worth $5,363,000 after acquiring an additional 6,412 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 74.16% of the companys stock. Kimberly-Clark Company Profile (Get Rating) Kimberly-Clark Corp. engages in the manufacture and marketing of products made from natural or synthetic fibers. It operates through the following segments: Personal Care, Consumer Tissue, and K-C Professional. The Personal Care segment offers disposable diapers, training and youth pants, swim pants, baby wipes, feminine and incontinence care products, and other related products. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Kimberly-Clark Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Kimberly-Clark and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Inovalis Real Estate Investment Trust (TSE:INO.UN Get Rating) had its price target trimmed by National Bankshares from C$4.25 to C$3.75 in a research report released on Tuesday morning, BayStreet.CA reports. Inovalis Real Estate Investment Trust Trading Down 1.1 % Shares of Inovalis Real Estate Investment Trust stock opened at C$3.45 on Tuesday. Inovalis Real Estate Investment Trust has a 12-month low of C$3.32 and a 12-month high of C$8.96. The stock has a market cap of C$113.09 million, a P/E ratio of -2.97 and a beta of 1.60. The company has a quick ratio of 0.32, a current ratio of 0.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 85.58. The businesss 50 day moving average is C$3.91 and its 200-day moving average is C$4.11. Get Inovalis Real Estate Investment Trust alerts: About Inovalis Real Estate Investment Trust (Get Rating) Recommended Stories Inovalis Real Estate Investment Trust is an unincorporated, open-ended real estate investment trust established pursuant to a declaration of trust under the laws of the Province of Ontario. The REIT has been created for the purpose of acquiring and owning office properties primarily located in France and Germany but also opportunistically in other European countries where assets meet the REIT's investment criteria. Receive News & Ratings for Inovalis Real Estate Investment Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Inovalis Real Estate Investment Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Sends a Heartwarming PSA to Conservation Supporters Worldwide Co-created with Partners at David&Goliath SAN DIEGO, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- From scientists working to protect polar bears in the high Arctic, sloths across Amazonia and Galapagos tortoises in the Pacific Islands, to cutting-edge reintroduction programs to save endangered rhinos on the savannas and burrowing owls in the Southwest, without you, there is no them. The world's wildlife needs everyone's helpand together with its partners in more than 200 global conservation initiatives across eight strategic Conservation Hubs worldwide, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is on the front lines, answering the call. This Earth Day, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance wants to thank all of its conservation allies and supporters for their commitment to a world where all life thrives in their latest PSA campaign, "Thank You for Being A Friend," created with its partners at David&Goliath (D&G). San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Logo (PRNewsfoto/San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance) The health of people, wildlife and the planet we all share are inextricably linkedand now more than ever, protecting Earth's vibrant biodiversity is only possible through the support of allies around the globe. Conservation starts with people, and a commitment to nature is critical to creating a world where all life thrives. So, in this campaign, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance team members express their gratitude from all over the world. The :60 PSA, which goes live April 22, 2023, rallies behind this year's Earth Day theme "Invest in Our Planet." It begins with two conservationists in the cold Arctic, protecting polar bears and acknowledging their supporters. They do so by singing a familiar song: "Thank You for Being a Friend." The song continues, sung by community-led conservationists in different locations from duos in the rainforest observing a sloth in a tree, a pair tending to a large tortoise, and a rock climber checking in on owl eggs on a cliff, to a conservationist recording an endangered rhino on the savanna. The spot ends with the tagline "Thank you for supporting wildlife conservation. Without you, there's no them." It's not only a show of gratitude, but also an invitation for more people to become friends of wildlife around the world by supporting San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. Story continues "Often, PSAs can take a serious or dire tone," said Courtney Pulver, Executive Creative Director at D&G. "But we wanted this campaign to feel more celebratory." Robert Casillas, Executive Creative Director at D&G, joined in: "It was our way to show gratitude to all of these people who give so much to protect wildlife around the globe." Ben Purcell, Chief Creative Officer at D&G, added, "With this new take on The Golden Girls theme, we're pretty sure lifelong animal lover Betty White would be smiling." "Conservation starts with people, and we are so excited to share this message with millions of allies for wildlife around the world," said David Miller, Chief Marketing Officer, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. "This PSA really speaks to our identity as a global conservation organization with two of the world's leading conservation-focused zoos, highlighting the importance of our supporters, members and guests who help us create a world where all life thrives". In addition to the :60 broadcast PSA, additional campaign elements include a :30 PSA cutdown for broadcast and :60/:30 PSAs for radio. To become a friend and support San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, visit sdzwa.org/friend. Credits Client: David Miller, CMO Client: Damien Lasater, Director of Creative Services Client: Christian Wooten, Production Specialist Agency: David&Goliath, LA Founder & Chairman: David Angelo Chief Creative Officer: Ben Purcell ECD / Copywriter: Courtney Pulver ECD / Art Director: Robert Casillas ACD / Art Director: Israel Medeiros ACD / Copywriter: Marcos Botelho ACD / Art Director: Evan Bross ACD / Copywriter: Chris Davis Managing Director, Broadcast Production: Paul Albanese Agency Senior Producer: Jane Krull Account Director: Kelly Marshall Account Executive: Eric Brothers Director of Business Affairs: Quynh-An Phan Senior Business Affairs Manager: Shay Davis Business Affairs Manager: Lupe Ramos Project Manager: Heather Williams Production Company: Native Content Director: Sorrel Brae Director of Photography: Kai Saul Executive Producer: Teresa Sparky Pomeroy Managing Partner: Tomer DeVito Executive Producer/Head of Production: Sean Blair Editorial House: Spinach Editor: Adam Bright Assistant Editor: Marshall Thompson Second Assistant Editor: Robby Salisbury Senior Producer: Cristy Torres Executive Producer: Jonathan Carpio Color: JAMM Colorist: Beau Leon Color Assist: Carver Moore Color Producer: Jon Lazar Visual Effects: Spinach VFX Supervisor/Lead Flame Artist: Christopher Moore Producer: Ian Dawson Executive Producer: Adam Bright Additional VFX - JAMM VFX Supervisor / Lead Compositor: Alex Snookes Nuke Artist: Brady Doyle Nuke Artist: Toma Bowen Nuke Artist: Kevin Pierce CG Supervisor: Zak DiMaria CG Artist: Jaguar Lee CG Artist: Steven Nelson CG Artist: Ben Martin CG Artist: Elyse Resseguie CG Artist: Yu Fujii Animator: Stew Burris Matte Painter: Brandon Kachel Producer: Anna Dood Executive Producer: Asher Edwards Mix Facility: Margarita Mix Sound Designer/Mixer: Nathan Dubin Executive Producer: Paula Arnett Executive Producer: Whitney Morris Music: Song: "Thank You For Being a Friend" Written by Andrew M. Gold [BMI] Published by Luckyu Music [BMI] Admin by Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing Arrangement Company: Mophonics Creative Director: Stephan Altman Executive Producer: Colette Huemer Head of Production: Shelley Altman About San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is a nonprofit international conservation leader, committed to inspiring a passion for nature and working toward a world where all life thrives. The Alliance empowers people from around the globe to support their mission to conserve wildlife through innovation and partnerships. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance supports cutting-edge conservation and brings the stories of their work back to the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Parkgiving millions of guests, in person and virtually, the opportunity to experience conservation in action. The work of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance extends from San Diego to eco-regional conservation "hubs" across the globe, where their expertise and assetsincluding the renowned Wildlife Biodiversity Bankare able to effectively align with hundreds of regional partners to improve outcomes for wildlife in more coordinated efforts. By leveraging these skills in wildlife care and conservation science, and through collaboration with hundreds of partners, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance has reintroduced more than 44 endangered species to native habitats. Each year, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance's work reaches over 1 billion people in 150 countries via news media, social media, their websites, educational resources and the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Explorers television programming, which is in children's hospitals in 13 countries. Success is made possible by the support of members, donors and guests to the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park, who are Wildlife Allies committed to ensuring all life thrives. CONTACT: San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance publicrelations@sdzwa.org 619-685-3291 WEBSITE: sdzwa.org DOWNLOAD VIDEO AT: sdzwa.org/pr/EarthDayPSA Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/san-diego-zoo-wildlife-alliance-wants-to-thank-you-for-being-a-friend-this-earth-day-301803523.html SOURCE San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Newmont Co. (TSE:NGT Get Rating) National Bank Financial issued their Q1 2023 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for Newmont in a research report issued to clients and investors on Monday, April 17th. National Bank Financial analyst M. Parkin expects that the company will earn $0.45 per share for the quarter. The consensus estimate for Newmonts current full-year earnings is $3.79 per share. Get Newmont alerts: Newmont (TSE:NGT Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 23rd. The company reported C$0.60 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of C$0.56 by C$0.04. The firm had revenue of C$4.34 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of C$3.95 billion. Newmont had a negative return on equity of 1.93% and a negative net margin of 3.60%. Newmont Stock Down 0.6 % Separately, National Bankshares increased their target price on Newmont from C$76.00 to C$86.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, January 13th. NGT stock opened at C$64.54 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 31.99, a quick ratio of 1.77 and a current ratio of 2.23. The businesss 50-day moving average is C$63.66 and its two-hundred day moving average is C$63.51. The company has a market cap of C$51.28 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -83.82, a P/E/G ratio of 0.78 and a beta of 0.34. Newmont has a fifty-two week low of C$51.44 and a fifty-two week high of C$101.52. Newmont Cuts Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 23rd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 9th were paid a $0.532 dividend. This represents a $2.13 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.30%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, March 8th. Newmonts payout ratio is -285.71%. About Newmont (Get Rating) Newmont Corporation engages in the production and exploration of gold. It also explores for copper, silver, zinc, and lead. The company has operations and/or assets in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Peru, Suriname, Argentina, Chile, Australia, and Ghana. As of December 31, 2021, it had proven and probable gold reserves of 92.8 million ounces and land position of 62,800 square kilometers. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Newmont Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Newmont and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Nichols & Pratt Advisers LLP MA decreased its holdings in shares of McCormick & Company, Incorporated (NYSE:MKC Get Rating) by 0.6% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 68,322 shares of the companys stock after selling 425 shares during the quarter. Nichols & Pratt Advisers LLP MAs holdings in McCormick & Company, Incorporated were worth $5,666,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of MKC. American Century Companies Inc. raised its stake in McCormick & Company, Incorporated by 15.9% during the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 5,072 shares of the companys stock worth $506,000 after acquiring an additional 696 shares in the last quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. increased its stake in shares of McCormick & Company, Incorporated by 28.1% in the first quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. now owns 6,448 shares of the companys stock valued at $627,000 after buying an additional 1,415 shares during the period. Sei Investments Co. increased its stake in shares of McCormick & Company, Incorporated by 1.0% in the first quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 108,139 shares of the companys stock valued at $10,803,000 after buying an additional 1,048 shares during the period. Prudential PLC acquired a new position in shares of McCormick & Company, Incorporated in the first quarter valued at approximately $543,000. Finally, Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of McCormick & Company, Incorporated in the first quarter valued at approximately $313,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.15% of the companys stock. Get McCormick & Company Incorporated alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In related news, Director Michael D. Mangan sold 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, February 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $75.00, for a total value of $375,000.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 38,137 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,860,275. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. 19.00% of the stock is owned by company insiders. McCormick & Company, Incorporated Trading Down 0.1 % Shares of McCormick & Company, Incorporated stock traded down $0.07 on Friday, reaching $85.33. 315,328 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,445,395. The company has a market capitalization of $22.89 billion, a P/E ratio of 34.57, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.72 and a beta of 0.58. McCormick & Company, Incorporated has a 52 week low of $70.60 and a 52 week high of $104.77. The firms 50-day moving average is $77.57 and its two-hundred day moving average is $79.26. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.74, a quick ratio of 0.32 and a current ratio of 0.73. McCormick & Company, Incorporated (NYSE:MKC Get Rating) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, March 28th. The company reported $0.59 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.49 by $0.10. The firm had revenue of $1.57 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.54 billion. McCormick & Company, Incorporated had a return on equity of 14.34% and a net margin of 10.42%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 2.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $0.63 EPS. Sell-side analysts predict that McCormick & Company, Incorporated will post 2.61 EPS for the current fiscal year. McCormick & Company, Incorporated Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 24th. Investors of record on Monday, April 10th will be issued a $0.39 dividend. This represents a $1.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.83%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 6th. McCormick & Company, Incorporateds dividend payout ratio is currently 63.16%. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Credit Suisse Group lowered their price objective on McCormick & Company, Incorporated from $75.00 to $72.00 in a research note on Tuesday, March 21st. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upped their price objective on McCormick & Company, Incorporated from $69.00 to $75.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 29th. StockNews.com began coverage on McCormick & Company, Incorporated in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Sanford C. Bernstein upgraded McCormick & Company, Incorporated from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $90.00 target price on the stock in a report on Friday, January 27th. Finally, Bank of America upped their target price on McCormick & Company, Incorporated from $73.00 to $75.00 and gave the company an underperform rating in a report on Wednesday, March 29th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, McCormick & Company, Incorporated presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $80.10. McCormick & Company, Incorporated Profile (Get Rating) McCormick & Co, Inc engages in the manufacturing, marketing, and distribution of spices, seasoning mixes, condiments, and other flavorful products to retail outlets, food manufacturers, and foodservice businesses. It operates through the Consumer and Flavor Solutions segments. The Consumer segment sells spices, seasonings, condiments, and sauces. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MKC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for McCormick & Company, Incorporated (NYSE:MKC Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for McCormick & Company Incorporated Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for McCormick & Company Incorporated and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. PPG Industries (NYSE:PPG Get Rating) issued an update on its second quarter 2023 earnings guidance on Thursday morning. The company provided earnings per share guidance of $2.05-$2.15 for the period, compared to the consensus earnings per share estimate of $1.96. The company issued revenue guidance of -. PPG Industries also updated its FY 2023 guidance to $6.95-$7.25 EPS. PPG Industries Stock Up 0.6 % NYSE PPG traded up $0.90 during trading on Thursday, reaching $141.45. The companys stock had a trading volume of 2,073,410 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,458,318. The company has a current ratio of 1.52, a quick ratio of 1.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.97. The stock has a market capitalization of $33.29 billion, a PE ratio of 32.46, a PEG ratio of 2.85 and a beta of 1.17. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $131.43 and a 200-day moving average price of $127.09. PPG Industries has a 1-year low of $107.06 and a 1-year high of $142.46. Get PPG Industries alerts: PPG Industries (NYSE:PPG Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 20th. The specialty chemicals company reported $1.82 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.55 by $0.27. PPG Industries had a net margin of 5.81% and a return on equity of 22.55%. The business had revenue of $4.38 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.39 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.37 earnings per share. PPG Industriess revenue for the quarter was up 1.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts forecast that PPG Industries will post 7.03 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Insider Buying and Selling PPG has been the subject of several research analyst reports. KeyCorp upped their target price on shares of PPG Industries from $159.00 to $162.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 11th. BNP Paribas cut shares of PPG Industries from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and set a $130.00 target price for the company. in a research note on Monday, January 23rd. UBS Group upped their target price on shares of PPG Industries from $144.00 to $150.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 11th. Barclays boosted their price target on shares of PPG Industries from $130.00 to $142.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Monday, April 10th. Finally, Argus boosted their price target on shares of PPG Industries from $144.00 to $149.00 in a report on Monday, January 23rd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have issued a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $141.21. In related news, VP Anne M. Foulkes sold 21,757 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $128.33, for a total transaction of $2,792,075.81. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 10,577 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,357,346.41. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In related news, VP Anne M. Foulkes sold 21,757 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $128.33, for a total transaction of $2,792,075.81. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 10,577 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,357,346.41. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Chairman Michael H. Mcgarry sold 61,867 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $129.96, for a total transaction of $8,040,235.32. Following the transaction, the chairman now owns 183,645 shares in the company, valued at approximately $23,866,504.20. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.55% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Macquarie Group Ltd. lifted its position in PPG Industries by 12.2% during the 4th quarter. Macquarie Group Ltd. now owns 136,841 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $17,206,000 after purchasing an additional 14,925 shares during the period. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. lifted its position in PPG Industries by 0.7% during the 4th quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 12,009 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $1,510,000 after purchasing an additional 79 shares during the period. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC lifted its position in PPG Industries by 63.2% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 4,158 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $523,000 after purchasing an additional 1,610 shares during the period. Point72 Middle East FZE acquired a new position in PPG Industries during the 4th quarter valued at about $1,635,000. Finally, Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio lifted its position in PPG Industries by 2.1% during the 4th quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 125,643 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $15,798,000 after purchasing an additional 2,550 shares during the period. 80.04% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. PPG Industries Company Profile (Get Rating) PPG Industries, Inc engages in the manufacture and distribution of paints, coatings, and specialty materials. It operates through the Performance Coatings and Industrial Coatings segments. The Performance Coatings segment supplies a variety of protective and decorative coatings, sealants, and finishes along with pavement marking products, paint strippers, stains, and related chemicals, as well as transparencies and transparent armor. Read More Receive News & Ratings for PPG Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for PPG Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The Hanover Insurance Group (NYSE:THG Get Rating) and The Seibels Bruce Group (OTCMKTS:SBBG Get Rating) are both finance companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, earnings, analyst recommendations, valuation, institutional ownership, dividends and risk. Insider & Institutional Ownership 86.4% of The Hanover Insurance Group shares are owned by institutional investors. 2.5% of The Hanover Insurance Group shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 55.4% of The Seibels Bruce Group shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth. Get The Hanover Insurance Group alerts: Analyst Recommendations This is a breakdown of recent recommendations for The Hanover Insurance Group and The Seibels Bruce Group, as reported by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score The Hanover Insurance Group 0 4 2 0 2.33 The Seibels Bruce Group 0 0 0 0 N/A Volatility & Risk The Hanover Insurance Group currently has a consensus target price of $154.17, indicating a potential upside of 23.66%. Given The Hanover Insurance Groups higher possible upside, equities research analysts plainly believe The Hanover Insurance Group is more favorable than The Seibels Bruce Group. The Hanover Insurance Group has a beta of 0.69, indicating that its stock price is 31% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, The Seibels Bruce Group has a beta of 0.18, indicating that its stock price is 82% less volatile than the S&P 500. Valuation and Earnings This table compares The Hanover Insurance Group and The Seibels Bruce Groups gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio The Hanover Insurance Group $5.47 billion 0.81 $116.00 million $3.21 38.84 The Seibels Bruce Group N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A The Hanover Insurance Group has higher revenue and earnings than The Seibels Bruce Group. Profitability This table compares The Hanover Insurance Group and The Seibels Bruce Groups net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets The Hanover Insurance Group 2.12% 7.98% 1.45% The Seibels Bruce Group N/A N/A N/A Summary The Hanover Insurance Group beats The Seibels Bruce Group on 8 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks. About The Hanover Insurance Group (Get Rating) The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. is a holding company that engages in the provision of property and casualty products and services. It operates through the following segments: Core Commercial, Specialty, Personal Lines and Other. The Core Commercial segment includes commercial multiple peril, commercial automobile, workers compensation and other core commercial coverage, such as general liability, commercial umbrella and monoline property. The Specialty focuses on Professional and Executive Lines, Specialty Property & Casualty, Marine, Surety and Other. The Personal Lines segment involves personal automobile, homeowners and other personal coverage. The Other segment operates through Opus Investment Management, Inc. The company was founded in 1852 and is headquartered in Worcester, MA. About The Seibels Bruce Group (Get Rating) The Seibels Bruce Group, Inc. provides processing, technology, and claims solutions to the property and casualty insurance industry. The company offers processing solutions for coastal markets; business process outsourcing; claims administration solutions; information technology outsourcing; and professional services. It also provides technology solutions, such as IPX enterprise insurance suite, CPX claims management system, FNOL first notice of loss, and reinspection processing xpert solutions; and claims solutions, including third party administration, catastrophe management, first notice of loss, multi-line adjusting and examination, reinspection, and subrogation/salvage services. The company was founded in 1869 and is based in Columbia, South Carolina. Receive News & Ratings for The Hanover Insurance Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for The Hanover Insurance Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Rolls-Royce Holdings plc (LON:RR Get Rating) were up 3.2% on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as GBX 155.85 ($1.93) and last traded at GBX 155.85 ($1.93). Approximately 26,905,516 shares were traded during mid-day trading, The stock had previously closed at GBX 151 ($1.87). Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on RR. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an underweight rating and issued a GBX 70 ($0.87) price target on shares of Rolls-Royce Holdings plc in a report on Monday, February 6th. Shore Capital reissued a buy rating on shares of Rolls-Royce Holdings plc in a research report on Wednesday, March 15th. UBS Group raised shares of Rolls-Royce Holdings plc to a buy rating and lifted their price objective for the stock from GBX 105 ($1.30) to GBX 200 ($2.47) in a research report on Tuesday, March 7th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated an underweight rating and set a GBX 70 ($0.87) price objective on shares of Rolls-Royce Holdings plc in a research note on Thursday, March 9th. Finally, Berenberg Bank restated a hold rating and issued a GBX 100 ($1.24) target price on shares of Rolls-Royce Holdings plc in a research note on Friday, February 24th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Rolls-Royce Holdings plc presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of GBX 110 ($1.36). Get Rolls-Royce Holdings plc alerts: Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Stock Performance The company has a market cap of 12.97 billion, a PE ratio of -1,107.14, a P/E/G ratio of 0.24 and a beta of 1.68. Insider Buying and Selling In other news, insider Panos Kakoullis bought 8,370 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 28th. The stock was purchased at an average price of GBX 144 ($1.78) per share, with a total value of 12,052.80 ($14,914.99). 0.10% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Rolls-Royce Holdings plc and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Securities Trust of Scotland plc (LON:STS Get Rating) crossed above its 50 day moving average during trading on Tuesday . The stock has a 50 day moving average of GBX 216.30 ($2.68) and traded as high as GBX 223 ($2.76). Securities Trust of Scotland shares last traded at GBX 219 ($2.71), with a volume of 122,342 shares traded. Securities Trust of Scotland Stock Performance The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 7.55, a quick ratio of 0.40 and a current ratio of 0.40. The stock has a market cap of 217.88 million, a P/E ratio of 1,473.33 and a beta of 0.49. The firms 50 day moving average is GBX 216.28 and its 200 day moving average is GBX 221.22. Get Securities Trust of Scotland alerts: Securities Trust of Scotland Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Friday, April 14th. Investors of record on Thursday, March 23rd were paid a dividend of GBX 1.45 ($0.02) per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, March 23rd. This represents a dividend yield of 0.69%. Securities Trust of Scotlands dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 4,000.00%. About Securities Trust of Scotland Securities Trust of Scotland plc is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by Martin Currie Fund Management Limited. It is co-managed by Martin Currie Investment Management Limited. The fund invests in public equity markets across the globe. It seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Securities Trust of Scotland Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Securities Trust of Scotland and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Murphy Oil Co. (NYSE:MUR Get Rating) saw a large decline in short interest in the month of March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 5,440,000 shares, a decline of 16.0% from the March 15th total of 6,480,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,750,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 3.1 days. Currently, 3.7% of the companys shares are sold short. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several equities research analysts have commented on MUR shares. Piper Sandler cut their price target on shares of Murphy Oil from $61.00 to $60.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday. Truist Financial raised shares of Murphy Oil from a hold rating to a buy rating and boosted their price target for the stock from $49.00 to $56.00 in a research report on Tuesday, April 11th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on shares of Murphy Oil from $44.00 to $47.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Friday, January 27th. Roth Capital reissued a buy rating on shares of Murphy Oil in a research report on Wednesday, March 8th. Finally, Morgan Stanley cut their price target on shares of Murphy Oil from $44.00 to $43.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $48.60. Get Murphy Oil alerts: Insider Activity In related news, VP Paul D. Vaughan sold 9,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, February 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $41.30, for a total value of $392,350.00. Following the sale, the vice president now directly owns 4,716 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $194,770.80. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In related news, VP Louis W. Utsch sold 10,902 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $43.50, for a total value of $474,237.00. Following the sale, the vice president now directly owns 9,504 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $413,424. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, VP Paul D. Vaughan sold 9,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, February 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $41.30, for a total transaction of $392,350.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 4,716 shares in the company, valued at $194,770.80. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 6.20% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Murphy Oil Stock Performance A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. BlackRock Inc. grew its position in shares of Murphy Oil by 4.4% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 17,444,116 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $704,568,000 after purchasing an additional 729,319 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Murphy Oil by 1.8% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 15,784,002 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $555,123,000 after purchasing an additional 285,258 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp grew its position in shares of Murphy Oil by 4.9% during the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 7,815,843 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $315,682,000 after purchasing an additional 365,686 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its position in shares of Murphy Oil by 1.8% during the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 2,707,762 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $116,460,000 after purchasing an additional 48,261 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of America Corp DE grew its position in shares of Murphy Oil by 150.6% during the 4th quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 2,153,047 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $92,603,000 after purchasing an additional 1,293,865 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 77.55% of the companys stock. MUR traded down $0.52 on Thursday, reaching $37.47. The company had a trading volume of 2,018,472 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,731,408. Murphy Oil has a fifty-two week low of $25.97 and a fifty-two week high of $51.28. The stock has a market cap of $5.84 billion, a P/E ratio of 6.12 and a beta of 2.37. The companys fifty day moving average is $38.40 and its 200 day moving average is $42.18. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a current ratio of 0.77. Murphy Oil (NYSE:MUR Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 26th. The oil and gas producer reported $1.10 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.18 by ($0.08). Murphy Oil had a net margin of 24.54% and a return on equity of 18.82%. The company had revenue of $975.20 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $835.62 million. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $0.40 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 32.0% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts predict that Murphy Oil will post 5.85 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Murphy Oil Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 1st. Investors of record on Monday, May 15th will be paid a $0.275 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 12th. This represents a $1.10 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.94%. Murphy Oils dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 17.97%. About Murphy Oil (Get Rating) Murphy Oil Corp. is a holding company, which engages in the exploration and production of oil and natural gas. It operates through the Exploration and Production and Corporate and Other segment. The Exploration and Production segment includes the United States, Canada, and all other countries. The Corporate and Other segment focuses on interest income, other gains and losses, interest expense, and unallocated overhead. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Murphy Oil Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Murphy Oil and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Skeena Resources Limited (TSE:SKE Get Rating)s share price was down 1% during trading on Wednesday . The company traded as low as C$8.91 and last traded at C$9.04. Approximately 240,849 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 83% from the average daily volume of 131,705 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$9.13. Skeena Resources Stock Down 0.8 % The business has a fifty day simple moving average of C$7.78 and a 200 day simple moving average of C$7.47. The firm has a market cap of C$685.02 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -7.25 and a beta of 1.37. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.60, a current ratio of 2.40 and a quick ratio of 1.55. Get Skeena Resources alerts: Skeena Resources (TSE:SKE Get Rating) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, March 22nd. The company reported C($0.22) EPS for the quarter. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Skeena Resources Limited will post -0.4862973 EPS for the current fiscal year. About Skeena Resources Skeena Resources Limited explores and develops mineral properties in Canada. The company explores for gold, silver, copper, and other precious metal deposits. It holds 100% interests in the Snip gold mine comprising one mining lease and four mineral tenures that covers an area of approximately 1,932 hectares; and the Eskay Creek gold mine that consists of eight mineral leases, two surface leases, and various unpatented mining claims, which total 6,151 hectares located in British Columbia, Canada. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Skeena Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Skeena Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Spire Wealth Management reduced its stake in shares of SPDR Gold Shares (NYSEARCA:GLD Get Rating) by 11.7% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 19,053 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 2,519 shares during the quarter. Spire Wealth Managements holdings in SPDR Gold Shares were worth $3,232,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Toronto Dominion Bank grew its holdings in shares of SPDR Gold Shares by 83.0% in the 3rd quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank now owns 3,095,139 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $478,711,000 after purchasing an additional 1,403,492 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp grew its holdings in SPDR Gold Shares by 256.0% during the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 1,142,717 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $206,432,000 after acquiring an additional 821,773 shares during the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP grew its holdings in SPDR Gold Shares by 134.7% during the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 934,636 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $168,842,000 after acquiring an additional 536,327 shares during the last quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc. grew its holdings in SPDR Gold Shares by 28.7% during the 4th quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc. now owns 909,980 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $154,369,000 after acquiring an additional 203,030 shares during the last quarter. Finally, National Bank of Canada FI grew its holdings in SPDR Gold Shares by 192.5% during the 4th quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 660,604 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $112,061,000 after acquiring an additional 434,764 shares during the last quarter. 37.94% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get SPDR Gold Shares alerts: SPDR Gold Shares Stock Down 1.5 % NYSEARCA:GLD traded down $2.70 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $183.39. 2,370,374 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 7,578,363. SPDR Gold Shares has a 12 month low of $150.57 and a 12 month high of $190.41. The company has a fifty day moving average of $178.50 and a 200 day moving average of $170.27. SPDR Gold Shares Profile SPDR Gold Trust (the Trust) is an investment trust. The investment objective of the Trust is for the Shares to reflect the performance of the price of gold bullion, less the Trusts expenses. The Trusts business activity is the investment of gold. The Trust creates and redeems Shares from time to time, but in one or more Baskets (a Basket equals a block of 100,000 Shares). Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for SPDR Gold Shares Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for SPDR Gold Shares and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. State Street (NYSE:STT Get Rating) had its price target cut by Barclays from $102.00 to $100.00 in a report issued on Tuesday, The Fly reports. STT has been the topic of a number of other research reports. UBS Group cut their price objective on shares of State Street from $100.00 to $95.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, April 4th. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of State Street in a report on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada cut their price objective on shares of State Street from $85.00 to $80.00 in a report on Friday, March 24th. Morgan Stanley cut their price objective on shares of State Street from $95.00 to $91.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Monday, April 3rd. Finally, Credit Suisse Group upped their price objective on shares of State Street from $76.00 to $84.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Monday, January 23rd. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $83.96. Get State Street alerts: State Street Price Performance Shares of NYSE STT opened at $74.99 on Tuesday. State Street has a 1 year low of $58.62 and a 1 year high of $94.74. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72, a current ratio of 0.52 and a quick ratio of 0.56. The companys 50-day moving average is $81.13 and its 200 day moving average is $78.73. The stock has a market capitalization of $25.23 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.50, a P/E/G ratio of 1.22 and a beta of 1.56. State Street Dividend Announcement State Street ( NYSE:STT Get Rating ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, January 20th. The asset manager reported $2.07 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.00 by $0.07. State Street had a net margin of 18.73% and a return on equity of 11.96%. The company had revenue of $3.16 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.06 billion. On average, sell-side analysts expect that State Street will post 7.84 earnings per share for the current year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, April 13th. Investors of record on Monday, April 3rd were given a dividend of $0.63 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, March 31st. This represents a $2.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.36%. State Streets dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 35.29%. Insider Activity at State Street In related news, CAO Ian Appleyard sold 6,725 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $88.42, for a total transaction of $594,624.50. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 14,493 shares in the company, valued at $1,281,471.06. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other State Street news, EVP David C. Phelan sold 15,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $86.63, for a total value of $1,299,450.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 72,491 shares in the company, valued at $6,279,895.33. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CAO Ian Appleyard sold 6,725 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $88.42, for a total transaction of $594,624.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 14,493 shares in the company, valued at $1,281,471.06. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 32,893 shares of company stock worth $2,923,987 over the last quarter. Company insiders own 0.25% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in STT. Guardian Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of State Street during the 3rd quarter valued at $27,000. FNY Investment Advisers LLC bought a new stake in shares of State Street during the 1st quarter valued at $28,000. Accurate Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of State Street during the 4th quarter valued at $29,000. International Assets Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of State Street during the 1st quarter valued at $34,000. Finally, New Hampshire Trust bought a new stake in shares of State Street during the 4th quarter valued at $35,000. 88.41% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. About State Street (Get Rating) State Street Corp. engages in the provision of financial services to institutional investors. It operates through the Commercial and Financial, and Commercial Real Estate segments. The company was founded in 1792 and is headquartered in Boston, MA. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for State Street Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for State Street and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. PERTH, AUSTRALIA and VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / April 20, 2023 / The Board of Directors of Sarama Resources Ltd. ("Sarama" or the "Company") (ASX:SRR)(TSX-V:SWA) has granted 6,809,999 options to directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Company. The option grant is the result of the Company's annual compensation review historically undertaken in January but delayed due to the restrictions imposed by the Company's Trading Policy. This granting of options is made in accordance with the Company's stock option plan which was approved by shareholders on December 21, 2022, and allows for the issuance of a number of options up to 10% of its rolling issued and outstanding common shares during any 12 month period. The Australian Securities Exchange ("ASX") Listing Rule 7.2, exception 13(b) provides an exception to ASX Listing Rule 7.1 such that issues of Equity Securities under an employee incentive scheme are exempt for a period of three years from the date on which the Shareholders approve the issue of Equity Securities under the scheme as an exception to ASX Listing Rule 7.1. ASX Listing Rule 7.1 provides that a company must not, subject to specified exceptions, issue or agree to issue more Equity Securities during any 12-month period than that amount which represents 15% of the number of fully paid ordinary securities on issue at the commencement of that 12 month period. The grant of options under the Company's stock option plan falls within the scope of ASX Listing Rule 7.2, exception 13(b) and therefore does not count towards the 15% threshold under ASX Listing Rule 7.1 described above. Options to be granted to Directors will require Shareholder approval under ASX Listing Rule 10.14 as it is an issue to a related party. Approval will be sought at the next AGM in June 2023. The Company is proposing to issue an aggregate of 3,016,666 options to directors (or their nominees) on the basis described below: Story continues Director Number of options Adrian Byass 300,000 Andrew Dinning 1,916,666 Simon Jackson 500,000 Steven Zaninovich 300,000 The options have an exercise price of A$0.16 each, 60% above the price of the last capital raise of A$0.10, and 33% above the 10-day VWAP of A$0.12 and the trading price of the last trading day of A$0.12 on the ASX prior to grant. The options will immediately vest and are exercisable for a period of 3 years from the date of the grant thereof. On January 16, 2023, 3,599,999 options granted on January 16, 2020, and exercisable at C$0.21 had expired. Total options outstanding is 13,190,000 subject to approval of the number of options that is to be granted to directors. For further information on the Company's activities, please contact: Andrew Dinning e: info@saramaresources.com t: +61 (0) 8 9363 7600 This announcement was authorised for release to the ASX by the Board of Sarama Resources Ltd. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE: Sarama Resources Ltd. View source version on accesswire.com: https://www.accesswire.com/750530/Sarama-Resources-Corporate-Update Sugarloaf Wealth Management LLC lowered its position in The Southern Company (NYSE:SO Get Rating) by 7.6% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 49,833 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 4,110 shares during the quarter. Southern comprises about 0.9% of Sugarloaf Wealth Management LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 15th largest position. Sugarloaf Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Southern were worth $3,559,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in SO. Mitsubishi UFJ Kokusai Asset Management Co. Ltd. grew its holdings in Southern by 10.6% during the 3rd quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Kokusai Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 684,928 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $46,575,000 after acquiring an additional 65,826 shares in the last quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in Southern by 2.6% in the 3rd quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 13,547 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $920,000 after purchasing an additional 337 shares in the last quarter. CAPROCK Group Inc. acquired a new stake in Southern in the 4th quarter worth approximately $228,000. Pinnacle Associates Ltd. boosted its stake in Southern by 1.4% in the 3rd quarter. Pinnacle Associates Ltd. now owns 38,631 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $2,627,000 after purchasing an additional 530 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Dynamic Advisor Solutions LLC boosted its stake in Southern by 10.7% in the 4th quarter. Dynamic Advisor Solutions LLC now owns 26,638 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,902,000 after purchasing an additional 2,584 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 61.78% of the companys stock. Get Southern alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of equities analysts have issued reports on SO shares. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on shares of Southern from $57.00 to $63.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research report on Thursday. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on shares of Southern from $73.00 to $71.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, February 17th. Credit Suisse Group lifted their target price 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. StockNews.com raised shares of Southern from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday. Finally, Mizuho raised shares of Southern from a neutral rating to a buy rating and boosted their price target for the company from $72.00 to $77.00 in a research report on Thursday. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $72.43. Southern Stock Up 0.5 % SO traded up $0.36 on Friday, reaching $73.38. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,011,540 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,233,525. The company has a market capitalization of $80.10 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.26, a P/E/G ratio of 5.03 and a beta of 0.51. The Southern Company has a fifty-two week low of $58.85 and a fifty-two week high of $80.57. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $67.81 and a two-hundred day moving average of $67.63. The company has a quick ratio of 0.52, a current ratio of 0.66 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.47. Southern (NYSE:SO Get Rating) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 16th. The utilities provider reported $0.26 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.24 by $0.02. Southern had a return on equity of 11.73% and a net margin of 12.40%. The business had revenue of $7.05 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.83 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $0.36 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was up 22.2% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts forecast that The Southern Company will post 3.61 EPS for the current fiscal year. Southern Increases Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 6th. Stockholders of record on Monday, May 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.70 per share. This represents a $2.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.82%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 12th. This is a boost from Southerns previous quarterly dividend of $0.68. Southerns dividend payout ratio is 82.93%. Insider Transactions at Southern In other Southern news, CEO Stephen E. Kuczynski sold 5,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, April 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $71.89, for a total value of $359,450.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 146,284 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $10,516,356.76. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In other news, CEO Stephen E. Kuczynski sold 5,000 shares of Southern stock in a transaction dated Monday, April 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $71.89, for a total value of $359,450.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 146,284 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $10,516,356.76. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, EVP Christopher Cummiskey sold 852 shares of Southern stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $67.31, for a total value of $57,348.12. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 22,059 shares in the company, valued at $1,484,791.29. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 7,134 shares of company stock worth $502,179 over the last 90 days. 0.37% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. 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. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Southern Company (NYSE:SO Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Southern Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Southern and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Swiss Re AG (OTCMKTS:SSREY Get Rating) has been assigned an average recommendation of Hold from the ten ratings firms that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, three have given a hold recommendation and four have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 1-year price target among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $78.40. Separately, HSBC raised shares of Swiss Re from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Thursday, February 9th. Get Swiss Re alerts: Swiss Re Stock Up 1.8 % Shares of Swiss Re stock opened at $25.27 on Friday. Swiss Re has a 12-month low of $17.26 and a 12-month high of $27.24. The company has a 50-day moving average of $25.52 and a two-hundred day moving average of $23.32. Swiss Re Increases Dividend Swiss Re Company Profile The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 25th. Investors of record on Monday, April 17th will be given a dividend of $1.00 per share. This is an increase from Swiss Res previous dividend of $0.98. This represents a dividend yield of 3.8%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, April 14th. (Get Rating) Swiss Re AG engages in the provision of reinsurance, insurance and other insurance-based forms of risk transfer. It operates through the following segments: Property and Casualty Reinsurance, Life and Health Reinsurance, Corporate Solutions, Life Capital, and Group Items. The Property and Casualty segment comprises of the business lines property, casualty including motor, and specialty. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Swiss Re Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Swiss Re and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Synovus Financial (NYSE:SNV Get Rating) had its price objective lowered by investment analysts at Royal Bank of Canada from $42.00 to $40.00 in a report issued on Friday, The Fly reports. Royal Bank of Canadas price target would suggest a potential upside of 27.39% from the stocks current price. A number of other research analysts also recently commented on SNV. The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their price objective on shares of Synovus Financial from $46.00 to $39.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, March 30th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective on shares of Synovus Financial from $43.00 to $34.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 6th. TheStreet downgraded shares of Synovus Financial from a b rating to a c+ rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 22nd. Truist Financial reduced their price target on shares of Synovus Financial from $48.00 to $35.00 in a research report on Thursday, March 23rd. Finally, UBS Group began coverage on shares of Synovus Financial in a research report on Wednesday, March 15th. They issued a neutral rating and a $33.00 price target on the stock. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Synovus Financial has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $40.50. Get Synovus Financial alerts: Synovus Financial Price Performance Shares of SNV stock opened at $31.40 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $4.59 billion, a PE ratio of 6.09, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.12 and a beta of 1.33. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $34.67 and a 200-day simple moving average of $38.05. The company has a current ratio of 0.92, a quick ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.04. Synovus Financial has a twelve month low of $27.08 and a twelve month high of $48.60. Insider Buying and Selling Synovus Financial ( NYSE:SNV Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 20th. The bank reported $1.33 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.22 by $0.11. Synovus Financial had a net margin of 30.50% and a return on equity of 18.93%. The firm had revenue of $613.90 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $589.40 million. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $1.08 EPS. The firms revenue was up 23.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts anticipate that Synovus Financial will post 4.73 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. In related news, EVP Thomas T. Dierdorff sold 1,947 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $43.36, for a total value of $84,421.92. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 9,314 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $403,855.04. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 1.60% of the companys stock. Institutional Trading of Synovus Financial Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Amundi acquired a new stake in shares of Synovus Financial in the 2nd quarter worth about $25,000. Lazard Asset Management LLC increased its stake in Synovus Financial by 64.8% during the 4th quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 809 shares of the banks stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 318 shares during the period. CWM LLC increased its stake in Synovus Financial by 93.7% during the 3rd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 1,071 shares of the banks stock valued at $40,000 after buying an additional 518 shares during the period. Covestor Ltd increased its stake in Synovus Financial by 76.7% during the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 1,087 shares of the banks stock valued at $53,000 after buying an additional 472 shares during the period. Finally, CoreCap Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Synovus Financial during the 4th quarter valued at about $48,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.89% of the companys stock. Synovus Financial Company Profile (Get Rating) Synovus Financial Corp. is a bank holding company, which engages in the provision of financial services. The company operates through the following segments: Community Banking, Wholesale Banking, and Financial Management Services (FMS). The Community Banking business segment serves customers using a relationship-based approach through its branch, ATM, commercial, and private wealth network in addition to mobile, Internet, and telephone banking. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Synovus Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Synovus Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. TC Energy (TSE:TRP Get Rating) (NYSE:TRP) had its price objective increased by Barclays from C$51.00 to C$52.00 in a research report sent to investors on Tuesday morning, The Fly reports. A number of other brokerages also recently commented on TRP. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their price objective on shares of TC Energy from C$73.00 to C$65.00 in a research report on Thursday, February 2nd. BMO Capital Markets reduced their price objective on shares of TC Energy from C$66.00 to C$64.00 in a research report on Thursday, February 2nd. CIBC upgraded shares of TC Energy from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and reduced their price objective for the company from C$63.00 to C$62.00 in a research report on Thursday, February 2nd. CSFB reduced their price objective on shares of TC Energy from C$60.50 to C$59.50 in a research report on Tuesday, April 11th. Finally, National Bankshares raised their price objective on shares of TC Energy from C$53.00 to C$54.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 15th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of C$62.50. Get TC Energy alerts: TC Energy Price Performance Shares of TRP opened at C$56.04 on Tuesday. TC Energy has a fifty-two week low of C$50.70 and a fifty-two week high of C$74.44. The company has a market capitalization of C$57.16 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 87.56, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.77 and a beta of 0.86. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of C$54.61 and a 200-day simple moving average of C$56.84. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 172.38, a quick ratio of 0.40 and a current ratio of 0.43. TC Energy Increases Dividend Insider Buying and Selling The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 28th. Investors of record on Friday, March 31st will be given a dividend of $0.93 per share. This is an increase from TC Energys previous quarterly dividend of $0.90. This represents a $3.72 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.64%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 30th. TC Energys payout ratio is currently 581.25%. In related news, Director Hejdi A. Carlsen acquired 550 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 10th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of C$53.79 per share, for a total transaction of C$29,584.50. In other TC Energy news, Senior Officer Patrick M. Keys purchased 1,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, February 17th. The stock was bought at an average cost of C$56.85 per share, for a total transaction of C$56,851.00. Also, Director Hejdi A. Carlsen purchased 550 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, March 10th. The stock was acquired at an average price of C$53.79 per share, with a total value of C$29,584.50. Insiders purchased 3,148 shares of company stock worth $149,679 in the last ninety days. Insiders own 0.06% of the companys stock. TC Energy Company Profile (Get Rating) TC Energy Corporation operates as an energy infrastructure company in North America. It operates through five segments: Canadian Natural Gas Pipelines; U.S. Natural Gas Pipelines; Mexico Natural Gas Pipelines; Liquids Pipelines; and Power and Storage. The company builds and operates 93,300 km network of natural gas pipelines, which transports natural gas from supply basins to local distribution companies, power generation plants, industrial facilities, interconnecting pipelines, LNG export terminals, and other businesses. Read More Receive News & Ratings for TC Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for TC Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Tembo Gold Corp. (CVE:TEM Get Rating)s stock price fell 2.9% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as low as C$0.17 and last traded at C$0.17. 51,666 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 13% from the average session volume of 45,765 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.18. Tembo Gold Stock Down 2.9 % The company has a 50-day simple moving average of C$0.19 and a 200-day simple moving average of C$0.19. The firm has a market cap of C$17.30 million, a PE ratio of -8.50 and a beta of 0.44. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.03, a current ratio of 5.99 and a quick ratio of 5.80. About Tembo Gold (Get Rating) Tembo Gold Corp., a junior mineral exploration company, engages in the acquisition and exploration of mineral properties in Tanzania. The company primarily explores for gold deposits. Its flagship project is the Tembo gold property covering an area of 32 square kilometers located in the Lake Victoria goldfield district in northwest Tanzania. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Tembo Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Tembo Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Teradata (NYSE:TDC Get Rating) had its target price raised by Barclays from $35.00 to $37.00 in a research note released on Monday, The Fly reports. The brokerage currently has an underweight rating on the technology companys stock. Other equities research analysts also recently issued reports about the company. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on Teradata from $43.00 to $51.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, February 14th. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price objective on Teradata from $37.00 to $43.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a report on Tuesday, February 14th. Cowen increased their price objective on Teradata from $36.00 to $40.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a report on Tuesday, February 14th. Citigroup increased their price objective on Teradata from $43.00 to $47.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, February 15th. Finally, Craig Hallum increased their price target on Teradata from $40.00 to $48.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, February 14th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $42.29. Get Teradata alerts: Teradata Stock Performance Shares of TDC opened at $39.91 on Monday. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $39.80 and a 200 day moving average price of $35.22. The company has a quick ratio of 1.01, a current ratio of 1.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.14. The company has a market capitalization of $4.08 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 133.03, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.64 and a beta of 0.92. Teradata has a 52-week low of $28.65 and a 52-week high of $46.27. Insider Buying and Selling Teradata ( NYSE:TDC Get Rating ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, February 13th. The technology company reported $0.35 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.30 by $0.05. The firm had revenue of $452.00 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $435.63 million. Teradata had a return on equity of 28.46% and a net margin of 1.84%. The firms quarterly revenue was down 4.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $0.34 earnings per share. Research analysts predict that Teradata will post 0.98 EPS for the current fiscal year. In other Teradata news, CFO Claire Bramley sold 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $40.00, for a total value of $200,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 83,100 shares in the company, valued at $3,324,000. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In other Teradata news, insider Kathleen R. Cullen-Cote sold 24,400 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $40.78, for a total value of $995,032.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 121,489 shares in the company, valued at $4,954,321.42. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CFO Claire Bramley sold 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $40.00, for a total value of $200,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 83,100 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,324,000. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.92% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Credit Suisse AG increased its position in shares of Teradata by 2.6% in the third quarter. Credit Suisse AG now owns 113,356 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $3,521,000 after buying an additional 2,847 shares in the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC increased its position in shares of Teradata by 34.3% in the third quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 601,100 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $18,670,000 after buying an additional 153,500 shares in the last quarter. Jump Financial LLC purchased a new position in shares of Teradata in the third quarter valued at $1,153,000. Edgestream Partners L.P. increased its position in shares of Teradata by 146.4% in the third quarter. Edgestream Partners L.P. now owns 62,904 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $1,954,000 after buying an additional 37,379 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Quantbot Technologies LP purchased a new position in shares of Teradata in the third quarter valued at $359,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 90.92% of the companys stock. About Teradata (Get Rating) Teradata Corp. is a cloud data analytics company which is built for a multi-cloud reality and solving data challenges at scale. It operates through the following geographical segments: Americas, EMEA, and APJ. The company was founded on July 13, 1979, and is headquartered in San Diego, CA. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Teradata Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Teradata and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Victoria Gold Corp (CVE:VIT Get Rating) crossed below its 50-day moving average during trading on Tuesday . The stock has a 50-day moving average of C$8.30 and traded as low as C$8.22. Victoria Gold shares last traded at C$8.30, with a volume of 136,122 shares. Victoria Gold Stock Performance The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of C$8.30 and a 200-day simple moving average of C$8.30. The stock has a market cap of C$474.98 million and a P/E ratio of -13.34. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 96.76, a quick ratio of 0.71 and a current ratio of 0.74. Victoria Gold Company Profile (Get Rating) Victoria Gold Corp. engages in the acquisition, evaluation, and exploration of mineral properties in Canada and the United States. The company primarily explores for gold deposits. Its principal property is 100% owned Dublin Gulch property, which hosts the Eagle Gold deposit covering an area of approximately 555 square kilometers located in central Yukon, Canada. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Victoria Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Victoria Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The Charles Schwab Co. (NYSE:SCHW Get Rating) Equities research analysts at William Blair reduced their Q2 2023 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for Charles Schwab in a report issued on Tuesday, April 18th. William Blair analyst J. Schmitt now forecasts that the financial services provider will earn $0.85 per share for the quarter, down from their previous forecast of $0.89. William Blair has a Outperform rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for Charles Schwabs current full-year earnings is $3.54 per share. William Blair also issued estimates for Charles Schwabs Q3 2023 earnings at $0.88 EPS, Q1 2024 earnings at $1.02 EPS and Q2 2024 earnings at $1.12 EPS. Get Charles Schwab alerts: Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, April 17th. The financial services provider reported $0.93 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.90 by $0.03. Charles Schwab had a return on equity of 27.36% and a net margin of 34.82%. The company had revenue of $5.12 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.13 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.77 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 9.5% on a year-over-year basis. Charles Schwab Price Performance Other equities research analysts have also issued research reports about the company. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Charles Schwab in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. They set a hold rating for the company. UBS Group lowered their price objective on Charles Schwab from $70.00 to $65.00 in a research note on Tuesday. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lowered their price objective on Charles Schwab from $89.00 to $65.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, April 6th. Piper Sandler lowered their price objective on Charles Schwab from $83.00 to $75.00 in a research note on Tuesday. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on Charles Schwab from $86.00 to $85.00 in a report on Tuesday. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and eleven have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Charles Schwab has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $69.21. SCHW stock opened at $54.00 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77, a quick ratio of 0.38 and a current ratio of 0.38. Charles Schwab has a 1 year low of $45.00 and a 1 year high of $86.63. The firm has a market cap of $96.74 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.75, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.12 and a beta of 0.88. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $63.49 and a 200-day simple moving average of $73.35. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Charles Schwab Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Toronto Dominion Bank increased its position in shares of Charles Schwab by 32,224.4% during the 4th quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank now owns 225,994,826 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $18,816,289,000 after purchasing an additional 225,295,680 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its position in shares of Charles Schwab by 2.1% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 124,437,061 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $8,943,291,000 after purchasing an additional 2,589,952 shares during the period. State Street Corp increased its position in shares of Charles Schwab by 1.1% during the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 65,566,364 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $4,712,255,000 after purchasing an additional 717,683 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its position in shares of Charles Schwab by 2.3% during the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 26,658,930 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,215,792,000 after purchasing an additional 606,423 shares during the period. Finally, Morgan Stanley increased its position in shares of 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 purchasing an additional 8,563,389 shares during the period. 73.49% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, insider Bernard J. Clark purchased 5,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 17th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $54.83 per share, with a total value of $274,150.00. Following the acquisition, the insider now owns 120,653 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,615,403.99. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In other Charles Schwab news, insider Bernard J. Clark bought 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 17th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $54.83 per share, for a total transaction of $274,150.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 120,653 shares in the company, valued at $6,615,403.99. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Charles A. Ruffel sold 5,176 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $80.88, for a total value of $418,634.88. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 12,073 shares in the company, valued at $976,464.24. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have purchased 81,000 shares of company stock valued at $4,706,960 and have sold 676,962 shares valued at $53,960,539. Company insiders own 6.60% of the companys stock. Charles Schwab Increases Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 24th. Investors of record on Friday, February 10th were issued a $0.25 dividend. This is an increase from Charles Schwabs previous quarterly dividend of $0.22. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 9th. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.85%. Charles Schwabs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 27.32%. Charles Schwab Company Profile (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. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Charles Schwab Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Charles Schwab and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ideally, your overall portfolio should beat the market average. But every investor is virtually certain to have both over-performing and under-performing stocks. So we wouldn't blame long term Sime Darby Plantation Berhad (KLSE:SIMEPLT) shareholders for doubting their decision to hold, with the stock down 22% over a half decade. With that in mind, it's worth seeing if the company's underlying fundamentals have been the driver of long term performance, or if there are some discrepancies. View our latest analysis for Sime Darby Plantation Berhad While markets are a powerful pricing mechanism, share prices reflect investor sentiment, not just underlying business performance. 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 the five years over which the share price declined, Sime Darby Plantation Berhad's earnings per share (EPS) dropped by 12% each year. This fall in the EPS is worse than the 5% compound annual share price fall. So the market may previously have expected a drop, or else it expects the situation will improve. You can see how EPS has changed over time in the image below (click on the chart to see the exact values). It is of course excellent to see how Sime Darby Plantation Berhad has grown profits over the years, but the future is more important for shareholders. Take a more thorough look at Sime Darby Plantation Berhad's financial health with this free report on its balance sheet. What About Dividends? It is important to consider the total shareholder return, as well as the share price return, for any given stock. The TSR is a return calculation that accounts for the value of cash dividends (assuming that any dividend received was reinvested) and the calculated value of any discounted capital raisings and spin-offs. Arguably, the TSR gives a more comprehensive picture of the return generated by a stock. We note that for Sime Darby Plantation Berhad the TSR over the last 5 years was -12%, which is better than the share price return mentioned above. The dividends paid by the company have thusly boosted the total shareholder return. Story continues A Different Perspective We regret to report that Sime Darby Plantation Berhad shareholders are down 14% for the year (even including dividends). Unfortunately, that's worse than the broader market decline of 4.5%. Having said that, it's inevitable that some stocks will be oversold in a falling market. The key is to keep your eyes on the fundamental developments. Regrettably, last year's performance caps off a bad run, with the shareholders facing a total loss of 2% 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. It's always interesting to track share price performance over the longer term. But to understand Sime Darby Plantation Berhad better, we need to consider many other factors. Take risks, for example - Sime Darby Plantation Berhad has 2 warning signs (and 1 which is significant) we think 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 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. 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 BEIJING, April 20 (Xinhua) Chinese President Xi Jinping Thursday extended congratulations to faculty, students, and alumni of Yunnan University as the university marks its 100th anniversary. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, sent a congratulatory letter to the university. In his letter, Xi hailed Yunnan University's contribution in nurturing a large number of talent, promoting ethnic unity and progress, and facilitating regional economic growth and social development in the past century. Xi expressed the expectation that the university can improve its educational performance on all fronts, help forge a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation, and make new and greater contributions to building a country with great strength in education. Yunnan University, which opened in 1923, is one of the earliest comprehensive universities established in China's western border areas. With over 300,000 alumni in different fields, the university has played an active role in promoting ethnic unity and progress, as well as prosperity and stability in China's border areas. (Source: Xinhua) Editor's Note With the care of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, and under the leadership of the All-China Women's Federation, the China Children and Teenagers' Fund (CCTF) launched the Spring Bud Project in 1989, to help impoverished girls return to school, and to promote girls' education in disadvantaged areas. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, in 2012, with the attention and concern of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core, and with the strong support of Peng Liyuan, special envoy of the Spring Bud Project for promoting girls' education, the project has conducted various activities to care for and support girls, and it has focused on girls' education, safety and health. During the past decade, the project has supported 1.76 million girls, and it has provided one-on-one companionship services and personalized psychological counseling to 133,400 girls. After they receive support from the project, the Spring Bud girls never forget to give back to society. With love and various actions, the girls have demonstrated the Spring Bud spirit of "unremitting self-improvement, striving for excellence, developing stronger virtues and pursuing better lives." Today, we introduce a new section, Spring Bud Blooms, to share stories about Spring Bud girls who have grown up and become contributing members of society, and to encourage society to care for the development of girls. Jiang Mei is one of them. Jiang Mei, a grassroots civil servant in Southwest China's Yunnan Province, has made the protection of women and children's lawful rights and interests the focus of her life's work for decades. Jiang is a member of the staff of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Committee of Menghai County, in Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture. "The Spring Bud Project provided care and support to me, so I could continue my studies. Today, I want to pass on the warmth and kindness to more people. I am determined to do more for the public, offer assistance to more children and families in need, and contribute to the protection of the rights and interests of women and children," Jiang says. Menghai is known for growing and harvesting Pu'er tea and high-quality rice. Jiang is from a mountainous village (with a picturesque natural environment) of the Hani ethnic group. The locals have shaken off poverty in recent years, and they have benefited much from growing rice and developing the tea industry, and other industries. In the past, however, they led difficult lives. Poverty and isolation, during her childhood, left a deep impression on Jiang. At that time, both Jiang's family and her neighbors lived hand to mouth, by growing rice and tea. It was difficult for them to grow high-quality rice and tea, and it was also hard to sell the rice and tea, due to the lack of a convenient transportation infrastructure. Many villagers also preferred having sons over daughters. However, Jiang's parents were not influenced by that outdated belief. They always encouraged Jiang to study hard, and to travel from the isolated village to the outside world. Jiang always performed well in school, but her education was a huge financial burden for her family. As recommended by her primary school teachers, Jiang joined the Spring Bud girls' class in 1996, when she was in the fourth grade. The Spring Bud Project covered her schooling expenses. Jiang Mei (second from left) talks with two ethnic-minority women during an activity to raise public awareness of laws. Access to the project's support became a turning point in Jiang's life; for the young student, studying in the girls' class was a memorable experience. Shortly before she began attending the classes, Jiang injured her legs, while celebrating a traditional festival of the Hani people, during her summer holiday. The injury forced Jiang to walk with crutches for a long period of time. She recalls how her teachers and classmates did their utmost to help her cope with her difficulties, in both her studies and daily life. "At that time, we lived in dormitories, and we returned home during vacations and holidays. We were like a big family. Our teachers cared for us, just like our parents. We also received care and support from women's federation cadres, and from caring people from all walks of life," Jiang says. The Spring Bud girls' class offered bilingual (dialect and Mandarin) teaching, and special courses in embroidery, sewing, knitting and dancing, to promote the students' all-round development. After she finished her studies, Jiang was admitted to a normal college. She chose to return to her hometown and work as a rural teacher after she graduated from the college. Later, she passed the civil-servant exam, and she became a cadre with the Political and Legal Affairs Commission of the CPC Menghai Committee. Strengthening the protection of women and children's lawful rights and interests in her hometown is one of Jiang's priorities. Jiang has been widely involved in activities to promote the Law on the Protection of the Rights and Interests of Women and the Law on the Protection of Minors, and she has done her part to foster the mediation of marriage and family disputes, to provide legal support to victims of domestic violence, to assist disadvantaged children, and to fight against illicit drugs. Jiang says she is delighted China has adopted many policies and measures to protect the rights and interests of women and children, and that the nation's social-assistance system has been continuously improved, with the support of all segments of society. Jiang says she will do her utmost to spread love and care to more people in need. Photos Supplied by CCTF (Women of China English Monthly April 2023 issue) Shop the best Mother's Day deals on Blue Nile diamond rings, earrings and more at this sale. Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed's editors. Purchases made through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission. This year, Blue Nile wants to help you shop for glittery Mother's Day gifts at unbeatable prices. Now through Mother's Day on Sunday, May 14, you can get up to 50% off select Blue Nile necklaces, bracelets, rings and more with code BLUE2023. Blue Nile diamonds are high-quality and 100% conflict-freethe perfect gift to wow the special lady in your life with. Shop the Blue Nile Mother's Day sale Mother's Day 2023 gift guide: 60 best Mother's Day gift ideas any mom will love Blue Nile is one of our favorite places to buy engagement rings online. As the first online retailer of certified diamonds and fine jewelry, the brand set the precedent for online jewelry sales. It offers high-quality jewelry pieces and GIA-graded diamonds at affordable prices. The brand can help make buying Mother's Day jewelry online a breeze with virtual appointments and a wide range of settings to ensure that you find exactly what you're looking for. Blue Nile allows shoppers to shop its ready-made catalog or design their own pieces to fit their needs. Engagement rings aren't the brand's only stunning pieces. Enjoy up to 50% off earrings, necklaces and bracelets today to add some extra sparkle to Mother's Day 2023. 10 best Blue Nile Mother's Day deals Shop the best Blue Nile Mother's Day deals on beautiful jewelry. Story continues Shop the Blue Nile Mother's Day sale The product experts at Reviewed have all your shopping needs covered. Follow Reviewed on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok or Flipboard for the latest deals, product reviews and more. Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time. This article originally appeared on Reviewed: Blue Nile diamonds: Up to 50% off Blue Nile jewelry for Mother's Day 2023 Solana is now measuring data pertaining to its carbon emissions in real time, the Solana Foundation announced today. Its a claimed first-of-its-kind move for "a major smart contract blockchain network." Smart contracts hold the code that powers decentralized apps (dapps) and NFT projects. Beginning today, Solana will regularly update a dedicated dashboard with statistics monitoring key environmental metrics for the network: its energy consumption, carbon footprint, and network power intensity, among other data. It pulls real-time data from software installed on Solana validator nodes, but the dashboard is only updated every two weeks. The emissions tracker, developed in collaboration with carbon data platform Trycarbonara, gathers statistics from on-chain data, as well as data collected directly from a representative sample of Solana validators. Helium Completes Solana Migration, Minting Nearly 1M NFTs in the Process That more granular data, which tracks when individual validators are online and offline, and the geographic context in which they use energy, offers a much more precise measurement of Solanas energy consumption than previously relied-upon estimates. Environmental impact has long been a hot-button issue for blockchain networks, which can suck up huge amounts of energy to generate new cryptocurrency and facilitate on-chain transactions. Though perhaps less visibly detrimental, pollution generated by software and computersa sector in which crypto-related outputs play a major roleaccounts for almost twice that produced by the entire aviation industry, according to recent studies. Members of the Solana Foundation, the organization that oversees the wellbeing of the decentralized Solana network, hope that by taking the lead in disclosing their own networks impact on the climate, they can encourage other networks to do the sameand change how crypto users think about their relationship to the environment in the process. Story continues I would love for this to become an industry standard, Policy Lead Amira Valliani told Decrypt. We should be honest about what emissions look like. If you know what is going on at the blockchain level as a user, you can make conscious decisions about your usage of that chain. But making that information publicly available for all crypto users will require the active participation of most major blockchain networks in disclosing their carbon footprint. Thanks to publicly available on-chain data, analysts can make estimates as to the environmental impact of certain blockchains. But without data volunteered by participants in particular networks, those estimates may ultimately be inaccurate. That data is often either underestimated or overestimated, but there's never certainty around it, Hayagriv Sridharan, co-founder and CEO of Trycarbonara, told Decrypt. We can model any blockchain without its foundations support, but that data is not going to be as accurate or as fruitful as when we have a better collaboration. The debate rages Sridharan is optimistic that other blockchains will follow Solanas example and provide that support. But potentially complicating matters is the willingness of participants in proof-of-work networks like Bitcoinwhich tend to use far, far more energy than proof-of-stake networks like Solana and Ethereumto voluntarily expose their livelihoods to additional scrutiny by environmental advocates. Proof-of-stake blockchains let validatorswho deposit (or stake) sizable amounts of crypto into a networkto process on-chain transactions and generate new cryptocurrency in the process. However, proof-of-work blockchains require miners to process transactions by directing tremendous amounts of computer power at difficult-to-solve puzzles, which reward winners with new crypto. Bitcoins Energy Transparency Is a Double-Edged Sword: Hut 8 Mining CEO A single Bitcoin transaction, for reference, consumes 5.79 million times the energy emitted by a proof-of-stake Solana transaction, according to Trycarbonara. And as reward supplies of proof-of-work cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin grow more and more finite, the difficulty levels of those puzzlesand the energy required to solve themare only increasing. Last week, the Texas Senate passed a bill limiting the ability of Bitcoin miners to drain energy from the precarious Texas energy grid during demand spikes. A North Carolina county is currently mulling a one-year ban on cryptocurrency mining to assess the practices negative environmental effects. Some of the backlash around the environmental impact of crypto has quieted since Ethereums successful merge last fall, which transitioned the network from its long-running proof-of-work model to proof-of-stake. The move cut Ethereums estimated carbon footprint by over 99.99%, per the Crypto Carbon Ratings Institute. However, the broader debate flared up again recently after a controversial New York Times article examined the environmental toll of Bitcoin mining. The story was slammed by critics as false and misleading, politically-driven, and as a hit piece constituting a monument of intellectual laziness. Some Bitcoiners claim that such reports dont consider the amount of clean energy used to mine Bitcoin, or what they see as a positive impact on grid stability. Other crypto advocates note that centralized industries dont provide transparency into energy usage, making it impossible to provide a true comparison to the traditional banking system or the footprint of tech giants, for example. Solana Saga Review: The Web3 Smartphone Has Arrived Clearly, the topic remains a sensitive one on both sides of the debate. But a tracker like Solanas is another step forward for transparency and increased accuracy of energy reporting in the Web3 world. What impact it will have, though, is up to individual crypto users to decide. We can't compel people to do anything. Ultimately, people make their own choices, Valliani said. Thats how a decentralized environment works. But decentralization can also actually empower people who really care about this stuff to make a difference. The government of Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky is attempting to bolster its efforts to continue its NATO-backed proxy war against Russia amid a serious crisis caused by leaked Pentagon documents that expose the lies of both the imperialist powers and their proxies in the Ukrainian ruling class. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, April, 2022 [Photo: The Presidential Office of Ukraine] The contentions made by Ukrainian officials since the beginning of the war that their losses are minimal compared to Russia, that victory is just around the corner and that Crimea will be retaken by Ukraine soon provided they have enough money and weapons from the West have been conclusively disproved by the leak of classified US government documents. On these revelations Ukrainian officials have chosen to remain largely silent or have instead attempted to spin the leaked documents as proving their case that their country was not being provided enough weapons all along. As information from the documents first became public Ukrainian officials, such as Zelenskys Head Adviser Mykhailo Podolyak, followed the lead of the US and attempted to portray the leaks as part of a Russian disinformation campaign. Thus, on April 8, Podolyak claimed, The aim of secret data leaks is obvious: divert attention, cast doubts & mutual suspicions, sow discord. Its an ordinary game of ru-secret services. To take open briefings, add fake info or certain parts of interceptions & publish them on social networks legalizing the leak. The fact that both Podolyak and three unnamed US officials, who told Reuters a day before on April 7 that pro-Russian elements are likely behind the leak, were pushing the same line simultaneously ironically underlined one of the main results of the leak: that US officials were deeply involved in both the war and the day-to-day workings of the Ukrainian government. Moreover, the leaks revealed that the US assessment of the war waged by the Ukrainian army on behalf of NATO was far less favorable than what is presented to the public in the media. Particularly damning from a military standpoint was the revelation of the extent to which Ukraines air defenses had been destroyed by the war. As the New York Times had to acknowledge, a leaked Pentagon document puts the number of Russian fighter jets currently deployed in the Ukraine theater at 485 compared with 85 Ukrainian jets. In regards to the upcoming counteroffensive, the Pentagon documents have revealed that any military push by Ukraine could be disastrous. In addition to having a severely weakened air force, the Ukrainian military is short on ammunition and artillery that the US cannot admittedly provide, and its assembled brigades will be equipped with a hodgepodge of US and European weapons that will not be easily repaired by Ukrainian forces. As the veracity of the documents became undeniable, both Ukrainian officials in conjunction with US officials and their mouthpieces at the New York Times and Washington Post responded with an effort to both cover up the revelations and use them to advance calls for even more military assistance. Last week Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, one of the most militaristic officials within an already right-wing government, responded to the leaks by claiming he had spoken with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. According to Kuleba, Blinken reaffirmed the ironclad US support and vehemently rejected any attempts to cast doubt on Ukraines capacity to win on the battlefield. Days later, Kuleba demanded Western aircraft on Twitter and also called for NATO to begin training Ukrainian pilots to fly Western-type combat aircraft. The US, for its part, continues to escalate and deepen its involvement in the conflict. On Wednesday, it announced another $325 million in new military aid for Ukraine that will include more artillery rounds and rockets for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS). In an astonishing indictment of the vast sums being wasted on the war, Ukraine has already fired 9,612 of the HIMARS rockets, with each rocket costing around $160,000 for a total cost $1.538 billion, according to the Asia Times. No matter how many millions and billions of dollars the imperialist powers are pumping into this war, however, there is no question that the Zelensky government and the Ukrainian regimes war effort as a whole are deeply shaken. It is estimated that a staggering 200,000 Ukrainian soldiers have died in this war already, with hundreds of thousands more injured. These would be horrifying figures in any war, but Ukraine has only a medium-sized population by European standards. Before the war, it numbered less than 40 million, out of which over 8 million have since fled, and several million live in territories controlled by Russia. Videos and images circulating on social media suggest that mass graves with bodies of soldiers can now to be found all over the country. Clearly concerned by the political fall-out of these images, the Ukrainian government recently moved to ban the taking of images or videos at cemeteries. As all the lies of the imperialist and Ukrainian war propaganda are blown to pieces, the fate of the Zelensky regime is becoming increasingly precarious. In contrast to his advisers and ministers, Zelensky has remained conspicuously silent on the Pentagon leaks. Instead, he has engaged in discussions with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and French President Emmanuel Macron over the past two weeks and released a highly produced video celebrating Easter in Orthodox Christianity. He also headed out on a PR tour of the front lines in the eastern Ukrainian town of Avdiivka. The town is just 90 km southwest from the meat grinder of Bakhmut. As the Pentagon documents showed, Ukrainian forces as of 25 February were almost operationally encircled by Russian forces in Bakhmut. On Tuesday, Politico published an article indicating that Zelensky may soon be removed based on accusations that he had failed to adequately fight corruption. Pulitzer Prize winning reporter Seymour Hersh recently accused Zelensky and his entourage of embezzling $400 million. After quoting a number of pro-EU Ukrainian officials, Politico cited an unnamed former senior US diplomat who has considerable experience. We have not seen significant enough efforts to address corruptionalthough perhaps with one important exception. I think they really are trying to prevent diversion of any of the massive Western assistance theyre receiving. I believe they do understand the risks, if there were to be a major scandal, the diplomat stated, hinting at Zelenskys removal. Referring to what he called the civil society forces behind the 2014 right-wing coup that toppled the pro-Russian Viktor Yanukovych, he said, In their minds, there is going to be a reckoning as soon as the war ends. And I think thats probably going to be true. The civil society behind the 2014 coup largely consisted of far-right and openly neo-fascist forces. Ever since Zelenskys coming to power in 2019, they have put immense pressure on his government. Now, they are armed with NATO weapons and deeply integrated into the military. Statements by officials of the Zelensky regime itself indicate that they are well aware that should it fail to continue the war, it would be confronted with immense pressure. As Oleksiy Danilov openly stated in an interview just as the Pentagon leaks were emerging, any proposal of peace negotiations by Zelensky to Moscow would amount to political suicide. US President Joe Biden recently concluded a four-day trip to Ireland to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. Supposedly meant to contain the Troubles between Protestants and Catholics, the Agreement actually codified and perpetuated the regions sectarian division, the better to divide and exploit its working class. The Agreement is now unraveling under the pressure of sectarian and national political cliques backed variously by the British, European, American, and Irish ruling classes, an outcome predicted by the World Socialist Web Site 25 years ago. It seems that even the White House had dim hopes for Bidens effort to patch up relations between the UK and the EU, as his time in Northern Ireland was kept as short as possibleonly 15 hours on April 12, according to one account, the better half of which was spent in bed. Biden passed most of his time on the other side of the partitioned islands border, in the Republic of Ireland. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, accompanied by The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton-Harris and The Lord-Lieutenant of County Antrim David McCorkell, welcomes the US President Joe Biden to Northern Ireland. Flying Station Aldergrove. [Photo by Simon Walker/No 10 Downing Street / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 There was little work to be done there either. Besides the ongoing attempt to dragoon this traditionally anti-imperialist people into the NATO war machine, the tours purpose, as was widely acknowledged in the US media, was to prepare public opinion for the announcement that Biden will seek reelection in 2024. More specifically, the trip was meant to dust off Bidens credentials as a man of the people, Joe from Scranton, whose blue-collar roots in Pennsylvania trace back to Irelandin other words, to push a counter-narrative to his reputation as the Senator from Du Pont, a Delaware career politician who has spent a half-century in Washington doing the bidding of the corporations. The US media, as ever, could be counted on to play its role. The press corps followed the president through the Irish countryside raising hymns to his immigrant heritage. The New York Times took the lead, authoring several thinly disguised campaign advertisements. One began in the following, maudlin terms: President Biden climbed the stone stairs of an ancient castle in the Republic of Ireland on Wednesday and paused to look out toward an iron-gray Irish Sea, where his maternal great-great-great grandfather set sail for America in 1849 In another, one could all but hear the pipes calling from glen to glen: In front of St. Muredachs Cathedral on the banks of the River Moy in Ballina, the town where his ancestral Irish relatives came from, President Biden drew from his family story to share a message of hope and optimism with the people of Ireland and to the rest of the world a message that could fuel a final presidential campaign. And so president and press traveled between castle and cathedral, issuing forth panegyrics to the American dream of immigrant mobility that Biden supposedly embodies. Meanwhile, back in America, hundreds of thousands of immigrants remained jailed in concentrations camps that Biden oversees, a gulag that features the forced separation of parents from children. The Times coverage in Ireland maintained a discreet silence over this aspect of the American immigrant experience. Immigrant children at a detention center in McAllen Texas, June 2019 (Office of the Inspector General) The Times prudently left actual history alone, as well. To really study the Irish immigrant experience is to learn about social and political oppression under capitalism. It is a history that holds up a mirror to the present, into which Biden and the American media would prefer not peer. Immigration, migrationin short, the mass movement of people has been integral to all modern history. At its heart, it is a centuries-long story of the dispossession of the rural poor from the land, and their conversion to wage labor, an outcome achieved through the penetration of the capitalist market and attendant shocks such as war, famine, depression, and disease. It is a history that stretches from the enclosure of the common lands in 17th century England to the 500 million-strong migration of Chinese peasants from farm to city over the past few decadesto the Central Americans, Caribbeans, and others imprisoned today in Americas sprawling immigration detention system. Ireland holds a special place in this history. It was among the first countries to be colonized (in early modern history) as England embarked on the path of capitalist development from the 1600s onespecially after the Act of Union in 1800, which imposed free trade on Ireland, devastating its rural manufacturing and repositioning it as Englands agricultural periphery, dominated by landlordism. The Union delivered the death blow to Irish industry, Marx later observed. Then, in the 1840s, Ireland was among the first nations to suffer a modern faminethat is, one created largely by the market and enforced by the state. This propelled the worlds first massive, crisis-provoked emigration, for which North America was the primary destination. During the potato blight of the 1840s and early 1850s, out of a population of upwards of 8 million, 1 million Irish died of starvation and disease, and another 2 million emigrated. The potato, the humble tuber that triggered Irelands disaster, was itself critical to the primitive stage of capitalist accumulation. A New World crop heavily cultivated in the Inca Empire of the Andes, the potato was returned to Europe by the Spanish conquerors. Landlords learned it could fill up peasant stomachs, and that in this way more land could be turned over to agricultural production for cash in the emerging global capitalist market. Peasants resisted the food at first, most famously in Russia, where riots against its forced introduction occurred in 1834 and again in the early 1840s. But smallholders and tenants, as in Ireland, soon enough began to cultivate the crop, which could feed families while leaving aside land for market purposes. A starving family in Ireland, as depicted in the London News, December 22, 1849 The Inca cultivated thousands of varieties of potato. But the plants genetic diversity narrowed in Europe, and still more in Ireland, where a few types, notably the Irish lumper, dominated. Lack of diversity helped ensure that when the 1840s brought to Ireland phytophthera infestans, the scientific name of the fungus that caused the blight, it wiped out nearly the entire crop, threatening starvation for Irelands cottiers, tenants, and laborers. Potatoes rotted in their stores and in the ground. A Vermont traveler in Ireland in those years, Asenath Nicholson, reported testimony she had heard from Irish laborers over the curse of the potato. They had told her that the landholder sees we can live and work hard on [potatoes], he grinds us down in our wages, and then despises us because we are ignorant and ragged. Nicholson captured this sentiment in verse: 'Let darkness and the shadow of death stain that day when first the potatoe was planted in this green isle of the sea Shades of Ireland (1850) Like all the famines that have followed Irelands, this was not just a natural disaster. There was in fact plenty of food. It was simply that the Irish poor could not afford it. Among those who starved, or died of famine-caused disease, the great majority were the smallest farmers and labourers who lacked the purchasing power to command alternative food supplies at prevailing prices, as one historian put it. While the poor starved, Ireland continued to export great quantities of food, the best of it bound for the tables of Englands aristocrats and capitalists. In 1847, over 800,000 gallons of butter, and 9,992 calves for veal, were exported across the Irish Sea. Some historians, looking at port records, believe that food exports from Irish ports actually increased during the famine. But rather than returning the food to the countryside and distributing it, the British military was deployed to protect the ports warehouses from the starving. Like todays immigrants fleeing Central America to El Norte, or those fleeing Africa across the Mediterranean to Europe, the Irish were blamed for the crisis inflicted on them. Sir Charles Trevelyan, who oversaw the British governments response to the Famine, thought that the problem arose from the character of the people and worried assistance would make them habitually dependent on Government. The Times of London viewed the potato blight as a blessing. It would help the Irish peasants learn steadiness, regularity, and perseverance. British Prime Minister Peel suspected exaggeration and inaccuracy in the reports of mass death coming from the neighboring island. For his part, Prince George, Duke of Cambridge, was not worried. He advised the Irish peasants that rotten potatoes and sea-weed, or even grass, properly mixed, [have] afforded a very wholesome and nutritious food. After all, he said in 1846, Irishmen could live upon anything. Prince George, Duke of Cambridge Prince George, who himself was not known to skip many meals, was wrong. There were probably 8.5 million Irish before the famine. The population, still only 7 million, never recovered. Hundreds of thousands emigrated to the US on coffin ships, frequently rife with typhus, then labelled ship fever. Like the Central Americans hounded and arrested at the American border today, the 1840s Irish were refugees. In 1846, Peel used the Famine as a motivation to repeal the Corn Laws, which had protected Britains landed gentry from foreign competition, artificially elevating bread prices. This measure, a concession to the mass working class Chartist movement, provided no short-term relief to the Irish. Its result in the longer run was to ensure that Irelands corn (grain) production was deprived of the English market now, as by the Act of Union [it had been] deprived of its own, further impoverishering the island. The exodus of emigrants and exiles as historian Kerby Miller calls the great Irish emigration, began before the Famine, first with Protestants from Ulsterlater called Scots Irish in American Englishand continued for decades after. Between the Famine and the Great Depression, emigration claimed more than half of each rising generation, writes Patricia Lysagt. Among them, evidently, were some of Bidens ancestors who settled in Scranton. In the US, the Irish came in at the bottom of the industrial heap. Bloody anti-Catholic riots broke out, most notably in Philadelphia in 1844, which was only quelled by 1,000 state militia. The newcomers were also subject to the first great anti-immigrant political movement. This was the American or Know-Nothing Party, which obscured the burning labor question of the dayslaverybehind the veil of anti-immigrant politics, much as todays politicians, Democratic as well as Republican, employ anti-immigrant politics to suppress the most basic reality facing workers todaythat the working class is an international class, that labor knows no borders. Abraham Lincoln refused to support the American Party. In 1855, at the peak of nativisms popularity, he wrote to Joshua Speed: As a nation, we began by declaring that all men are created equal. We now practically read it all men are created equal, except negroes. When the Know-Nothings get control it will read all men are created equal except negroes, and foreigners, and Catholics.' When it comes to this I should prefer emigrating to some country where they make no pretense of loving liberty to Russia, for instance, where despotism can be taken pure, and without the base alloy of hypocrisy. Abraham Lincoln Lincoln was swimming against a strong current. The population in the northern states was heavily composed of small farmers and shopkeepers. For these middling types, independence had a literal meaning: they had no masters, a word that came to be replaced by the neologism boss, derived from Dutch. This helps explain both the hatred with which northerners viewed slavery, and the common view that wage laborthen still relatively marginal in the economywas only a temporary status. As Lincoln put it in an 1859 speech in Milwaukee, The prudent, penniless beginner in the world, labors for wages awhile, saves a surplus with which to buy tools or land, for himself; then labors on his own account another while, and at length hires another new beginner to help him. If any continue through life in the condition of the hired laborer, it is not the fault of the system, but because of either a dependent nature which prefers it, or improvidence, folly, or singular misfortune. With such thinking it was a deceptive stepthough one Lincoln refused to take to progress from blaming the individual for remaining a wage worker, to blaming an entire group, the Irish, for their own poverty. In the world of the antebellum, Lincolns thinking seemed plausibleindeed, he himself embodied it, rising from grinding frontier poverty to the presidency, and with only a few years of formal education. Yet already by the 1850s, the development of American capitalism meant that there would be a few who would own a great deal, and many who could own nothing at all. The Irish arrived, as a rule, without any wealth and, as opposed to the contemporaneous mass German immigration, without marketable skills, except their capacity for backbreaking labor. The majority of the Irish found their way to the hardest and lowest-paid forms of labor: longshoring, canal digging, track laying, and laboring positions in coal mines. Some Democrats in the North, recognizing what would today be called a wedge issue, stepped forward to present themselves as the defenders of the Irish, and the Catholic Church. In reality, the Democratic Party had little to offer the immigrants other than the negative logic of the two-party system. The antagonists of the Irish, such as the crusading Protestants and the emerging industrial capitalists, tended to be in the other party: the Whigs, the Know-Nothings, and then the Republicans. This, along with forms of patronage from city machines like New Yorks Tammany Hall, was enough to draw many Irish into the Democratic Party. The paradox was that the Democratic Party was dominated by the southern slavocracy. There could be no shared interest between poor Irish workers and these aristocrats, whose spokesmen condemned northern workers as greasy mechanics and mudsills, and who resembled more than any other section of American society the landed aristocrats of Ireland. To consecrate the inter-regional marriage, the Democratic Partys northern wingpoliticians and press alikepromoted vicious anti-black racism. The economic oppression of the Irish, combined with Democrats promotion of racist politics, prepared the climate for the infamous New York City draft riots during the Civil War, an explosion of July 1863 that targeted anything associated with free blacks and the abolitionist movement. The riots were episodic, and many other Irish immigrants opposed slavery and fought for the Union in the Civil War. But the immigrants antebellum experience with American politics predicted a longer-term problemthe subordination of the working class to the capitalist Democratic Party, a history that Biden, in his appeals in Ireland to his immigrant and working class roots, would continue. The American two-party system has never been able to satisfy the needs of the working class. This was demonstrated in dramatic fashion not long after the Civil War, as Karl Marx had predicted. The war gave birth to a new society, in the North as well as the South. The rapid development of industry sharpened the class divisions that, with the mass Irish immigration of the 1840s, had only begun to come into relief. The catalyst of it all was coal. Demand reached new heights, growing the fortunes of the owners and the ranks of the coal miners. This is why Scranton, where Bidens ancestors settled, attracted many Irish immigrants. Founded in 1856 with the anthracite coal industry already a few decades old, Scranton became the regions largest city and home to the early American iron industry. Scranton militia firing on strikers, August 1, 1877 A dozen years after Lincolns assassination, the coal region provided an arena for some of the most violent episodes of the class struggle, including the traumatic events of 1877. That year, 20 Irish workers were hanged in the anthracite region, framed up by the coal bosses as members of a secret society called the Molly Maguires. Ten were executed on a single day, Black Thursday, June 21, 1877. Two days later, several Irish laborers were gunned down in Scranton, which was in the midst of a general strike, part of the vast working class rebellion associated with the Great Railroad Strike. If Biden or the writers for the New York Times know anything of this history, it is little wonder that they leave it aside in favor of semi-mystical talk about hope and perseverance. Those factors that cause immigration today are not so different than those that brought the Irish immigration of the 19th centurywar, famine, disease, and persecution born of capitalism. Then as now, politicians use anti-immigrant politics to obscure the fundamental problems of society, which now, far more than even the 1840s, are global in nature. An official autopsy report released Wednesday on the body of 26-year-old forest defender Manuel Esteban Paez Teran gunned down in a hail of bullets by Georgia police on January 18, found that gunpowder residue [was] not seen on the hands after a gunshot residue (GSR) kit test was performed. Manuel Esteban Paez Teran, a 26-year-old environmental activist shot and killed by Georgia police during a "clearing operation" on January 18, 2023. [Photo: Family of Manuel Esteban Paez Teran] The report also further noted that Soot, stippling, searing and gunpower residue were not found in association with any of the above described clothing or around any of the gunshot wounds. This is a crucial finding as it singularly demolishes the unrelenting claim by the Georgia authorities that Teran shot at the state-troopers first, in reaction to which the police were compelled to defend themselves. Despite repeated requests by Terans family, the official report was only released three months after the autopsy was conducted by Dekalb County Medical Examiners office. The GSR kit tests for the presence of distinctive chemicals that are deposited on a persons skin or clothing or other nearby surfaces to confirm whether a person discharged a firearm. Teran and numerous other environmental activists, were camped out to protest against the construction of a massive, militarized police training center dubbed Cop City, which the Atlanta city government wants to build to train its police in urban warfare, when they were assaulted by police carrying out a clearing operation on the morning of January 18. Because of the inordinate delay in the release of the results of the official autopsy, Terans family commissioned a second autopsy in March. This second independent autopsy showed that Teran was sitting cross-legged with hands raised when the police murdered the activist in a hail of bullets. As reported by the Guardian, the GSR test was performed by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) which is the main investigative agency on Terans killing. The GBI has been in the forefront of pushing the narrative that the Georgia state troopers who killed Teran did so in self-defense after he first fired at them. In addition, the autopsy revealed that Teran suffered at least 57 gunshot wounds. The sheer number of bullets fired by the police at the peaceful protester highlights the frenzied nature of the killing and the vicious nature of the police crackdown on opposition to Cop City. In addition, the report notes, Varying amounts of hemorrhage were associated with most of the gunshot wounds except for some of those involving the lower legs. This bleeding indicates that the deceased was alive with some element of pulse and blood pressure when the wounds were inflicted. This is a damning revelation as it shows that the Georgia troopers made no attempt to stop their assault and get medical help to save Terans life, however feebly alive he was. They were instead single-mindedly focused on clearing out protesters. Reacting to the autopsy report, the devastated mother of the victim, Belkis Teran, stated emotionally: We are devastated to learn that our child, our sweet Manny, was mercilessly gunned down by police and suffered 57 bullet wounds all over their body. The family attorney Brian Spears further noted that they still do not have a complete picture of what really transpired on that fatal January day. He released a statement saying: We cannot even begin to determine what happened on the morning of January 18 until the GBI releases its investigation. The GBI has indeed been deliberately withholding whatever evidence it has unearthed after three months of investigation. The family along with their attorneys have been repeatedly pleading with the GBI to provide them information so as to understand the circumstances surrounding the killing. The fact that this agency has been put in charge of the investigation hardly inspires confidence. After all it is not a neutral party but is, in fact, the highest police agency in the state. From the beginning, the GBI has blamed the victim. It even released a picture of a soiled and scratched gun lying on the forest floor covered by pine leaves and cigarette butts claiming that it was the gun fired by Teran at the state troopers. In fact, subsequent body camera footage released by the Atlanta police department indicates that a state trooper was more than likely injured as a result of shots fired by a fellow policeman. Furthermore, the GBI has not released a ballistics report or any other evidence such as the sort of bullet wounds sustained by the injured state trooper. Nor has it confirmed that the serial number on the gun in the picture is the same as the one the GBI claims Teran had purchased back in 2020. In addition, the gun is also not shown as lying next to the tent where Teran was killed giving rise to the suspicion that the police may have planted this false evidence themselves. The proposed massive 85-acre police training facilityexpected cost $90 million dollars, two-thirds of which is to be funded by private corporations such as Coca Cola and Norfolk Southernis being energetically pushed by both the city and the state governments despite overwhelming opposition. Both the city and the Dekalb County governments, led by Democrats, and the state government led by the arch reactionary Republican governor Brian Kemp are singularly united in violently suppressing the popular opposition the police training center has provoked. The police and government authorities routinely describe protesters as terrorists and over the past months the authorities have indiscriminately rounded up 42 people and charged them with domestic terrorism. This has been justified on the flimsiest evidence such as the person having dirt on their shoes. Several of these protesters are languishing in prison in the most terrible conditions, having been denied bail by judges who have actively sided with the government prosecutor. The first test flight of the SpaceX super heavy vehicle Starship Orbitalwhich the companys CEO, Elon Musk, claims will one day ferry humans to Marsfailed Thursday morning when the rocket exploded less than four minutes after its launch from the SpaceX Starbase facility on the coast of southern Texas. SpaceX Starship on the launch pad [Photo by SpaceX / CC BY-NC 2.0 The flight was uncrewed in preparation for future manned missions. It was slated to do a suborbital mission that would end with a soft landing of the Starship stage of the spacecraft off the coast of Kauai. A press release from SpaceX indicates that the company itself initiated a flight termination system after the spacecraft began to tumble off its projected course. The company also claimed that the mission was a success despite the rapid unscheduled disassembly, a bizarre euphemism for blowing it to bits. The corporate media followed SpaceXs lead in declaring the mission a success despite the vehicle blowing up. The New York Times justified it as a learning experience and the Washington Post touted the successful launch of the mission because the rocket cleared the launch tower. CNN crooned that the affair was a defining success. And SpaceX employees, perhaps prompted by company officials, cheered when the rocket exploded. While a full analysis of the incident has yet to be released, early reports suggest that the launch was far from such uncritical descriptions. Video footage of the launch shows that the rocket was thrown off course after its first and second stage failed to separate. The first stage, a booster called Super Heavy, was expected to detach from the second stage, the actual Starship spacecraft, about three-and-a-half minutes into the flight and land in the Gulf of Mexico. When it didnt, and when Starship began its programmed roll maneuver with the booster still attached, the whole system began flying wildly. Video also shows that eight of boosters 33 Raptor engines failed at some point during the launch, some possibly as early as liftoff. It is possible that debris from the launch pad caused by the launch flew up and struck the rocket, initiating a series of cascading problems that caused certain engines to fail and possibly even prevented booster separation. The spacecrafts failures may also be linked to a frozen pressurization valve, which caused a Monday launch attempt to be scrubbed. Several other problems with the launch emerged in the hours afterwards. In an effort to cut costs and move the launch timeline forward, SpaceX opted to forgo the standard flame trench and water deluge system of every other modern spacecraft launch site, which are designed to contain and safely dissipate the vast amounts of heat and sound energy released from a launch. As a result, while the launch pad wasnt destroyed, as touted by the companys billionaire CEO Elon Musk, it will likely be unusable for months. The rocket plume was so strong that it dug out the concrete base of its launch pad and flung debris and dust for miles. In addition, residents of Port Isabel, a town about five miles north of the launch site, have also reported on social media that particulates rained down on the town after the rocket exploded. Offsite methane storage tanks were dented from the colossal pressure caused by the launch. Each launch of the full Starship Orbital system also has a large environmental impact. Starbase is located between the Boca Chica Wildlife Refuge and the Las Palomas Wildlife Management Area, which are unique habitats in the northern hemisphere and home to some federally protected endangered species. Not only have SpaceX launches massively disrupted this ecosystem, they have no doubt killed many of the members of these endangered species. It has been observed for decades that the noise caused by large rocket launches will kill animal life as far as a mile out. SpaceXs launch tower is a mere 500 feet away from protected habitats. When SpaceX was authorized to do launches at Starbase in 2015, it was able to avoid regulations ostensibly in place to prevent such destruction by claiming that future Starship launches, which would number in the dozens each year, will have the same low impact as two to three launches of the much smaller Falcon 9. Musks flagship company has similarly been able to avoid regulations to prevent dangers to human life. The closest city to NASAs Cape Canaveral is 15 miles away, three times the distance between Starbase and Port Isabel and another nearby city, South Padre Island. And the Baikonur Cosmodrome, the worlds first spaceport, built by the Soviet Union in 1955 and now operated by the Russian space agency Roscosmos, is dozens of miles from the nearest city. Both the NASA and Soviet launch sites were built so far away from established residences in part to minimize the type of danger and damage to lives and livelihoods caused by SpaceXs latest launch. It is also worth noting how far SpaceX would be from human flight even if Thursdays launch had been successful. While NASA has selected the Starship to be its lander for future moon missions, the spacecraft is still far from complete. It has yet to demonstrate it can land intact and it still does not have a life support system. In order to be reusable, one of the main selling points, SpaceX still has to figure out a way to refuel the ship in outer space. A recent article by Bloomberg estimates that such endeavors will take years and cost billions of dollars, far missing the mark of NASAs planned moon landing in 2025 and a contract to SpaceX for doing so of $2.9 billion. Of course, SpaceX does not exist as a corporation in a social vacuum. In many ways it represents the fatal contradictions of the social and economic system from which it arose. Far from exploring the final frontier, space exploration under capitalism has become completely stunted since the years of Apollo. The technology which SpaceX uses is fundamentally the same as that of the Saturn V (more accurately the failed Soviet analog, the N1), despite the colossal scientific advances made over the past 50 years. At the same time, spaceflight has been reduced from a collective effort on a national scale to lurching forward with half measures at the whim of a few individuals. And the launch itself no doubt was seen as a way to draw attention away from Musks many other failing projects. The day of the launch, Tesla stock dropped almost 10 percent after a poor earnings report. The social media platform Twitter, which Musk turned into his private property last year, is now worth half what Musk bought it for as users flee the platform in the aftermath of his purchase. More than Musks personal failings, however, the failed SpaceX launch should be taken as a warning of the trajectory, so to speak, of capitalism as a whole. The coronavirus pandemic, climate change and the threat of nuclear war all hang over humanity, threatening to turn the entire Earth into this mornings flaming ball in the sky. Flint Assembly workers get off work on April 19, 2023 [Photo: WSWS] Are you an autoworker? We want to hear from you about any safety issues in your plant. Fill out the form below. We will protect your anonymity. To contact or join the committee, email gm.flint.rfc@gmail.com. The statement issued by the GM Flint Truck Assembly Rank-and-File Committee alerting workers about the near disaster on the chassis line Monday night has been widely circulated in the plant. A young temporary part-time (TPT) worker barely escaped being crushed when a large piece of machinery fell from the ceiling, missing him by only a few inches. The machine, known as a prop shaft secure gun, is connected to an overhead beam and is used by workers to simultaneously fasten a series of bolts on trucks passing on the assembly line. The entire machine, which weighs between 200-300 pounds, broke free from the bolts that were holding it and came crashing down. Despite previous complaints by workers, nothing had been done by management or the UAW officials to make sure the machine was properly secured. According to workers on the shop floor, the damaged prop shaft gun was removed from the line shortly after the accident and later remounted during the lunch break the same day. Because workers had been alerted to the unsafe conditions by the rank-and-file committee and had gathered at the scene, management decided to attach an additional safety cable, which was not there at the time of the accident, the following day. This elementary measure would never have been taken if matters had been left to UAW Local 598 officials. Left to their own devices, the officials on the joint UAW-GM safety committees would have ignored this dangerous incident and written it off as just another day at the office. But workers would not allow it. Nevertheless, the unsafe conditions throughout the plant and the auto industry remain. As one worker told our committee, On my line there are safety concerns that have been voiced multiple times and been escalated. But they get shot down or the can just gets kicked down the road, until its forgotten. After hearing about the near disaster, another GM Flint worker told us, Workers have issues all the time about unsafe conditions. When we returned to work after Christmas break, one of the girls had to walk in front of the path of a forklift carrying a rack. She said it was unsafe, and she was concerned about being hit. She was told by management, Just go this way and that way. When she continued to question the safety of the situation, she was told, Were giving you a direct order to comply. She was told by the union that all she could do when theres a direct order to comply, is to comply under protest. This is BS! A temporary part-time worker (TPT) who works in the Trim Department said, Before GM, I worked at non-union shops. As a temp at GM, its not much different than non-union shops. We pay union dues, and we have no protection or rights. I was glad to see the information about the accident in chassis. We need to know what is going on. The worker added, My part of the plant is much newer than the chassis area. I had to walk through chassis while I was going through my orientation. It was spooky! That side looks like it has not been renovated since the 1940s or 50s. The ceilings were bad with massive amounts of flaking paint, and the bathrooms were nasty. At the entrance the steps are old, chipped and crumbling. Its an accident ready to happen. General Motors is making so much money; workers should not be working in those conditions. Ive been a TPT for two and a half years. Safety training is kind of rushed through. Its probably the briefest part of our orientation. I had a safety guy tell me during a break once that he would have liked more time to train us. But theres a big push to get us working on the line; the temps do quite a bit. Trim is at the beginning of the line. By the time the line moves to chassis, everything gets more complex, theres more to do and more to miss. This is the dilemma. A veteran worker on the chassis line added, They dont keep up the maintenance of our tools we use daily. So, Im wondering what is the condition of this structure, which was built in 1947? Forklifts are being driven on the floor above us, and the ceiling is in a state of disrepair. There are areas where we can see rebar, you can see metal bars embedded in the concrete ceiling. Last year, he said, the brick wall of the south tunnel was buckling for a few weeks until it was patched up. Normally nothing would have happened to the machine that fell from the ceiling, safety-wise. They would have just gotten it up and running. I feel because the Rank-and-File Committee published their statement and it was read and circulated in the plant, the company took some more safety precautions. But many other machines have similar issues, so the safety problem has not gone away. A member of the GM Lansing Rank-and-File Committee also commented on the accident at the Flint plant. Flint workers are dealing with a lot when a kid is almost killed. Here we have safety issues too. Fluorescent lights hang on the ceiling without covers. At GM Lansing Delta Assembly, they were rebuilding racks, drilling and welding, and the smoke filled the entire plant. When we complain about anything, they just move you to another line. Workers who complain about safety or harassment are put on harder jobs. The union doesnt do anything, so why are we paying them? People at work are aware of our committee especially since the union is not supporting them. The union is so worried about people opposing them instead of helping workers. They are writing people up for safety issues, likely because its a contract year. They sent one worker home because he refused to sign into a job, since he was not trained. He was sent home without pay. He is not certified or trained to do the job, it is a safety issue. Another worker from the GM Lansing Rank-and-File Committee added, Its out of hand at our plant. We had one incident where a worker had an asthma attack on the line because he was sent back to work with smoke all around the plant. Years ago at Lansing Delta, a worker had a heart attack on the line. Management put a curtain on him and kept the line moving. He survived because he was eventually revived. The line shouldve been stopped. Were replaceable parts to GM, not human. Workers need to access the rank-and-file committee statements to fight. Like in Flint, we need to know the conditions to know how to solve this. What happened at GM Flint is what is happening to the entire working class, not just GM. We keep going in circles with the union. People at work are talking about France and the power all of us workers have and why we need to come together. We outnumber the ruling class. Imagine when the entire working class is fed up. What the rich is doing does not make sense. We have to take control. People have to understand if we were making decisions, they would be the best decisions. Sure, we would need engineers and technicians, but ultimately it will be our labor. We should have a say-so in how things are run. For decades, the UAW has gone along with mass layoffs and the destruction of work rules, which make deadly accidents inevitable. The number of skilled trades jobs and classifications has been slashed, making it virtually impossible to keep up with maintenance and repair. We urge our co-workers to join and build rank-and-file committees at all workplaces so workers on the shop floor have control of line speed and safety conditions. We urge workers to collect reports about unsafe conditions and to notify the rank-and-file committee in your plant so the information can be communicated and shared. The GM Flint Truck Assembly Rank-and-File Committee encourages workers at the plant to maintain their vigilance and oppose the continued sacrifice of workers lives and limbs for corporate profit. We call on workers to demand: A full investigation into the April 17th near-fatal accident on the chassis line. Because no confidence can be placed in management or the UAW bureaucracy, this investigation must be led by trusted workers, nominated and elected by the rank and file. This committee must have full access to managements maintenance and repair records concerning the prop shaft gun and similar machines and a record of all prior warnings and safety grievances concerning these machines. All incidents involving unsafe conditions, accidents or injuries must be immediately communicated to all workers on the shop floor. This committee should have access to all building inspection reports concerning the condition of the structure built in 1947 where the chassis line is housed. Our committee fights for the abolition of the UAW apparatus and all of its labor-management committees and the transfer of power to workers on the shop floor. To protect workers lives, these rank-and-file committees must fight for workers control over line speed and all health and safety matters. Are you an autoworker? We want to hear from you about any safety issues in your plant. Fill out the form below. We will protect your anonymity. On April 17, the US Supreme Court declined to hear the appeal of Texas prisoner Dennis Wayne Hope, who argued that the 27 years he was held in solitary confinement violated the constitutional bar against cruel and unusual punishment, banned under the Eighth Amendment to the US Constitution. The Allan B. Polunsky Unit, a maximum security prison in Livingston, Texas [Photo: Texas Department of Criminal Justice] The Eighth Amendment, adopted as part of the Bill of Rights in 1791, reads: Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. The nations high court declined to hear Hopes appeal of a Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuits decision to dismiss his challenges to various aspects of his imprisonment in solitary confinement. The Supreme Court Justices did not provide a reason for denying the case. The Fifth Circuit held that long-term solitary confinement is not per se cruel and unusual, citing Supreme Court precedent which held that the length of isolation sentences was not considered in a vacuum. Hope was convicted in 1990 of five aggravated robberies with a deadly weapon and impersonating a public servant. He spent 27 years in the security housing unit, or SHU, at the Polunsky Unit prison in Texas following an escape attempt in 1994. Hope remains in prison but was transferred into the general population last year, notably just one week after his attorneys filed their petition for review by the high court. According to Hopes petition to the Supreme Court, for nearly three decades he did not socialize with other prisoners, participate in religious activities, work or attend group vocational programs. He was held in a cell somewhere between the size of an elevator and the size of a compact parking space, and was given less than two hours a day for exercise in an enclosure. He had been allowed one personal phone call since 1994. Hopes due process claims against prison officials contend that he was denied meaningful reviews to determine if he should be removed from solitary confinement and that hearings about his classification were a sham. The high court justices are not obliged to provide a reason for hearing or dismissing a case. What is clear, however, is that their decision is in keeping with their rulings rejecting virtually every challenge by condemned prisoners to their death sentences. Since the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the retirement of Anthony Kennedy, the court, under its current six-three far-right majority, has not granted a single stay of execution regarding the constitutionality of a death row prisoners conviction or sentence. Most recently, the Court denied the petition of Florida death row inmate Louis Gaskin, who was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder and then was sentenced to death by an 8-4 vote of the jury. Such non-unanimous jury votes to impose death sentences were allowed in 1990, the time of Gaskins sentencing, but the practice was subsequently ended when the Supreme Court struck down Floridas capital sentencing statute that allowed them. The justices were not moved to apply their 2020 ruling retroactively and Gaskin was executed on April 12. Then on April 3, the Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal from Louisiana death row inmate David Brown who sought a new sentencing hearing despite the fact that state prosecutors had withheld exculpatory evidencea confession from another prisoner supporting Browns insistence that he was not involved in the murder for which he was charged and convictedfrom his defense attorneys until after he was sentenced to death in 2011. In Hopes case, his attorneys say he has suffered from numerous physical and mental ailments due to his 27-year solitary confinement. His petition stated: He is afflicted by visual and auditory hallucinations and suicidal ideation. He suffers from anxiety and depression. And he endures chronic pain from constant confinement in cramped quarters. Hope continued to be held in solitary confinement despite a determination by Texas officials in 2005 that he no longer posed an escape risk. This is in line with the use of solitary confinement in the US which, far from being a last-resort measure to protect prison staff, the prisoner or others from violence, has become a control strategy of first resort in many of the nations multitude of prisons and jails. In other words, it is used for purposes of retribution and arbitrary punishment. Incarcerated men and women are routinely placed in complete isolation for possessing contraband, drug use, ignoring orders or using profanity. Others, including juveniles, end up in isolation for their protection due to their sexual identity, ethnicity or political beliefs. Placing those with untreated mental illness and addiction in solitary is common, as prisons and jails have become torturous holding pens for these individuals. Solitary Watch reports that interviews by Dr. Stuart Grassian with people held in the SHU at Pelican Bay State Prison in California in 1993 found that solitary connement induces a psychiatric disorder, which he called SHU Syndrome, characterized by hypersensitivity to external stimuli, hallucinations, panic attacks, cognitive decits, obsessive thinking, paranoia and exhibited high rates of anxiety, nervousness, obsessive ruminations, anger, violent fantasies, nightmares, trouble sleeping, as well as dizziness, perspiring hands, and heart palpitations. The WSWS recently reported on revelations surrounding the horrific deaths of two jailed men, neither of whom had been convicted of a crime: Lashawn Thompson, a 35-year-old black man, died in the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta, Georgia on September 12, 2022. Photos released by the family attorney last week show Thompsons body covered with insects and lesions before he died in the jail. Joshua McLemore, a 29-year-old white man who was previously diagnosed with schizophrenia, starved to death in the Jackson County Jail in southern Indiana in August 2021. A lawyer for the family revealed that for nearly 20 days, McLemore was kept in solitary confinement despite displaying no aggressive behavior. The number of people in solitary confinement in the US has been notoriously difficult to determine, but Solitary Watch reports that currently available estimates suggest that at least 80,000 incarcerated men, women and children are held in some form of isolated confinement on any given day. The Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) found that in 2012 nearly 20 percent of people incarcerated in federal and state prisons, and 18 percent of people in local jails, had spent time in solitary confinement. The BJS also found that in that same year about 448,000 people had been held in solitary confinement at some point in the preceding 12 months. Almost 2 million people are held in the vast gulag that is the US prison system. The Prison Policy Initiative compiles this figure from those incarcerated in 1,566 state prisons, 98 federal prisons, 3,116 local jails, 1,323 juvenile correctional facilities, 181 immigration detention facilities and 80 Indian country jails, as well as in military prisons, civil commitment centers, state psychiatric hospitals, and prisons in the US territories. The criminal justice system in America funnels tens of thousands of men, women and children each year into these county jails and state, federal and military prisons. A significant number of these individuals are thrown into solitary confinement. The US Supreme Court, as the ultimate arbiter of ruling class justice, routinely upholds unjust convictions and sentencing of defendants who are overwhelmingly working class, poor and vulnerable. The high courts endorsement of solitary confinementas in the case of Texas prisoner Dennis Hopeis in line with the policies of the ruling class and both big business parties, which preach democracy and humanitarianism while prosecuting war, both abroad and at home against workers and youth. Leading auction house Sothebys said it will hold sales of the so-called Grails art collection, which consists of non-fungible token (NFT) artwork that belongs to the bankrupt crypto hedge fund Three Arrows Capital and its NFT-purchasing fund Starry Night Capital. See related article: From billionaire to Montenegro jail: The rapid rise and fall of Terra chief Do Kwon Fast facts The collection will be released in chapters across various sales formats from private sales to auctions in multiple locations globally, Sothebys said in an announcement on Wednesday. Grails collection includes pieces from prominent NFT artists and projects such as Larva Labs Zombie CryptoPunk and Dmitri Cherniaks The Golden Goose. This expansive collection marks an important moment in the rise of generative art on the blockchain in 2021, and was guided by the 3AC ethos of acquiring some of the highest quality and rarest works available on the market, Sothebys head of digital art and NFTs Michael Bouhanna said in the announcement. Singapore-based Three Arrows Capital was a prominent hedge fund for the cryptocurrency sector that managed as much as US$10 billion in March last year. In July 2022, Three Arrows Capital filed for Chapter 15 bankruptcy, which protects assets of insolvent foreign debtors from U.S. creditors. Three Arrows Capital owes over US$3 billion to its creditors, according to court documents. In February, Three Arrows Capitals U.S.-based liquidator Teneo said that it plans to sell NFTs owned by the company with an estimated value of US$22 million at the time of the bankruptcy filing. See related article: Politics will be Trojan Horse for NFTs VANCOUVER, BC, April 21, 2023 /CNW/ - Southern Empire Resources Corp. (Southern Empire) (TSXV: SMP) ) (Frankfurt: 5RE) (OTCQB: SMPEF) announces that it has earned a 100% interest in the Oro Cruz Project, located in southeastern California, after making a final option payment and fulfilling all requisite exploration work obligations. Southern Empire Resources Corp. Logo (CNW Group/Southern Empire Resources Corp.) "Our past-producing Oro Cruz property holds significant exploration opportunities and now that Southern Empire has earned a 100% interest we are eagerly awaiting the outcome of the permitting process, which will allow us to move forward with an aggressive exploration program later this year targeting high-grade, oxide gold," said Dale Wallster, CEO of Southern Empire. About the Oro Cruz Project The Oro Cruz Project covers approximately 2,160 hectares (~5,338 acres) of the Cargo Muchacho mountains in Imperial County, California, and is located about 22.5 kilometers (~14 miles) southeast of Equinox Gold Corp.'s Mesquite mine, which produced its five millionth ounce of gold in July 2022. The Oro Cruz Project covers many prospective gold exploration targets, including the American Girl, Padre y Madre, Queen, and Cross oxide gold deposits that were previously explored and mined by the American Girl Mining Joint Venture (AGMJV) between 1987 and 1996. AGMJV recovered gold by heap leaching of lower-grade ores or milling of higher-grade ores until operations ceased in 1996 due to declining gold prices. As reported in 2011 by Lincoln Mining Corp., the Oro Cruz Project hosts a historical inferred mineral resource estimate of 341,800 ounces of gold based on 4,386,000 tonnes averaging 2.2 grams gold per tonne (g Au /t) at a cut-off grade of 0.68 g Au/t (4,835,000 tons at 0.07 ounce gold per ton; please refer to the Cautionary Notice Regarding the Oro Cruz Property Historical Resource Estimate below). Qualified Person (QP) The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been prepared, reviewed and approved by David Tupper, P.Geo. (British Columbia), Southern Empire's VP Exploration and a Qualified Person within the context of Canadian Securities Administrators' National Instrument 43-101; Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (NI 43-101). Story continues About Southern Empire Resources Corp. Southern Empire is focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of metals and minerals deposits in North America. In the Cargo Muchacho mountains of Imperial County, California, Southern Empire owns 100 percent of the historical gold-producing American Girl mine patented claims and a 100 percent interest in the adjacent 2,160-hectare (5,338-acre) Oro Cruz Property located approximately 22.5 kilometres (14 miles) southeast of the operating Mesquite gold mine of Equinox Gold Corp. At Oro Cruz, extensive historical drilling and large-scale open-pit and underground mining of the American Girl, Padre y Madre, Queen, and Cross oxide gold deposits by the American Girl Mining Joint Venture ("AGMJV") occurred between 1987 and 1996. During that time, gold was recovered by either heap leaching of lower-grade, or milling of higher-grade ores until AGMJV operations ceased in late 1996 because of declining gold prices leaving the Oro Cruz Property with many gold exploration targets in addition to a historical inferred mineral resource estimate, reported In 2011 by Lincoln Mining Corp., totaling 341,800 ounces gold based on 4,386,000 tonnes averaging 2.2 grams gold per tonne (g Au /t) at a cut-off grade of 0.68 g Au/t (4,835,000 tons at 0.07 ounce gold per ton; please refer to the Cautionary Notice Regarding the Oro Cruz Property Historical Resource Estimate below). During 2021 and 2022, Southern Empire identified and obtained four projects in northern Mexico that include a leachable copper prospect and three gold projects having bulk-tonnage potential. The gold projects are the: Centauro Gold Project, Escalon, Chihuahua State Pedro Gold Project, Mapimi, Durango State; and, La Loma Gold Project, Nazas, Durango. These gold projects are located along what Southern Empire is now calling the Mapimi Gold Corridor, a 150-kilometre, southeast-trending Oligocene tectonostratigraphic belt, the regional geological setting of which, together with numerous, specific geological, mineralogical and geochemical characteristics observed at Centauro, Pedro and La Loma, strongly support the proposition that the Mapimi Gold Corridor has significant potential to host a bulk-mineable, Carlin-style gold deposits. Please see Southern Empire's news releases and March 29, 2023 Management Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) posted on SEDAR for further details. On behalf of the Board of Directors of Southern Empire Resources Corp., Dale Wallster, CEO and Director Cautionary Notice on Forward-Looking Information Information provided in this news release may contain forward-looking information or forward-looking statements that are based on assumptions as of the date of this news release. Such information or statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions, and expectations and are not guarantees of future performance. Southern Empire cautions that all forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by many material factors, many of which are beyond its respective control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to Southern Empire's limited operating history, the need to comply with environmental and governmental regulations, results of exploration programs on its projects, and those risks and uncertainties identified in its annual and interim financial statements and management discussion and analysis. Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions, and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions, and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, Southern Empire undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information. Cautionary Notice Regarding Oro Cruz Project Historical Resource Estimate The Oro Cruz Project historical resource estimate is disclosed in a technical report dated April 29, 2011, prepared for Lincoln Mining Corp. by Tetra Tech, Inc. and filed on Canadian Securities Administrators' System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval ("SEDAR"). It is termed an inferred mineral resource, which is a category set out in NI 43-101. It was based on historical reverse circulation and core drill hole sample, underground channel sample, and blasthole sample assay results and calculated using ordinary kriging to estimate gold grades in 10-foot-by-10-foot-by-five-foot blocks. Accordingly, Southern Empire considers this historical estimate reliable as well as relevant as it represents key targets for future exploration work. However, a QP has not done sufficient work to verify or classify the historical estimate as a current mineral resource and Southern Empire is not treating this historical estimate as current mineral resources. Cautionary Notice Regarding Exploration Work Programs The timing and the ability to conduct Southern Empire's exploration programs are, among other things, contingent on: governmental regulations allowing for the issuance of permits; affects of the COVID-19 pandemic; and the availability of exploration personnel, drill contractors, equipment, lodging, etc. Southern Empire will adhere to COVID-19 and other regulatory directives regarding safe working practices putting worker and community health and safety first and will proceed with exploration and development work programs only if potential risks can be effectively managed. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE Southern Empire Resources Corp. Cision View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/April2023/21/c9887.html (Bloomberg) -- The Chilean governments announcement of a new lithium model is giving the nations biggest producer some hard choices, and its shareholders a reason to sell. Most Read from Bloomberg SQM, the fertilizer-turned-lithium giant, runs the planets biggest and most profitable brine operation in Chiles northern desert under a contract that expires in 2030. Under President Gabriel Borics new lithium-development policy, SQM has two choices: Keep full control of the operation for the rest of the current contract and risk then losing it when it ends or let the state take a majority stake with the understanding that it could keep operating longer. Complicating the decision further is the fact Chile will have two changes of government before that date, which may bring with it a new lithium policy. Read More: Chile Shifts to State Model in Hunt for More Lithium Riches I would look for SQM to strike an agreement fairly quickly, said Joe Lowry, an industry consultant. To be sure, the only other producer in Chile, Albemarle Corp., is facing similar choices. But the US firm has about 20 years left on its contract and is far less reliant than SQM on a single, albeit massive, salt flat in Chile. SQM says its analyzing the governments plan. Theres plenty still up in the air. For example, its unclear how the state would finance its share of existing operations and investments and what role it would play in decision making. Its also unknown whether SQM would be compensated were it forced to walk away after 2030, BTG Pactual analyst Cesar Perez-Novoa said. His back-of-the-envelope replacement value is about $5 billion. SQMs shares were already trading as if the contract wouldnt be renewed, Perez-Novoa said. But on Friday, the stock tumbled a record 19%, wiping out $3.7 billion in market value. Story continues Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. (Bloomberg) -- Sri Lankas plan for a voluntary restructuring of its domestic debt is finding few takers from local banks worried about a hit to their capital, raising the risk of a delay in the countrys financial rescue. Most Read from Bloomberg Some of the nations biggest lenders including Commercial Bank of Ceylon Plc. and Hatton National Bank Plc warn that a local debt restructuring will lead to capital impairment as banks are forced to set aside more money to cover losses. Already the banking sector is taking a toll on haircuts on dollar bonds, said Sanath Manatunge, chief executive officer at Commercial Bank of Ceylon. For liquidity and statutory reasons, we have to have some bills and bonds. If that is also going to be subject to a haircut, then the industry might lose its resilience. The countrys biggest challenge after securing a $3 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund in March is to reach a restructuring deal with creditors that would make its debt sustainable in the eyes of the Washington-based lender. Banks reluctance to participate in a domestic-debt restructuring could complicate the process, which authorities hope to conclude before the first IMF review slated for September. Authorities agreed to include local-currency bonds in the restructuring program as they sought to appease overseas investors who are demanding that domestic debt holders should also share billions of dollars of losses. Sri Lankas external borrowings totaled $41 billion, while its local currency debt stood at around $38 billion in 2022, according to the IMF. Sri Lankan lenders capital buffers are already depleted and if they are further affected by debt restructuring, that would make raising fresh funds harder, Aruni Goonetilleke, chairperson of Hatton National Bank, said at an Asian Development Bank event earlier this month. Story continues Only Treasury bills held by the central bank, which owns about two-thirds of the nations around $11.4 billion in the securities are currently included in the debt treatment, officials have said. Sri Lanka also has $24 billion worth of T-bonds, most of which are held by domestic banks and local retirement funds and are subject to voluntary restructuring. One way to push through the debt overhaul would be to restructure bonds held by the nations Superannuation funds, provided their cash flow can be serviced, said Suhini Fernando, chief executive of Reliance Capital (Pvt) Ltd., a Colombo-based investment consultancy. That would have the least economic impact, while offering a bigger effect on reducing the nations gross financing needs as per the IMF parameters, Fernando said. Sri Lanka is expected to unveil its debt restructuring blueprint by the end of April. --With assistance from Malavika Kaur Makol and Anusha Ondaatjie. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. The glorious launch and fiery conclusion of SpaceXs Starship test provided a harsh reminder: Investing in space technology is highly volatile. Just as Starship and the Super Heavy booster stunningly returned to earth as a $3 billion shower of sparks after Thursday's rapid unscheduled disassemblyjargon for explosionabove the Gulf of Mexico, investors may need to steel themselves against the occasional, unpredictable crash-and-burn. One investor not surprised was SpaceX founder Elon Musk. The Tesla billionaire had warned a few days ahead of the launch that everything may go sideways, using language that typically scares off investors: Its a very risky flight. Theres a million ways this rocket could fail. Still, wild cheering erupted from SpaceX workers as Starship looped and tumbled before exploding, a clear sign that beyond the flameout, there are those who believe private space travel had advanced Thursday morning. Investors may require more convincing. According to space investing firm Space Capital, the $2.2 billion invested in the first quarter in the space economy was the lowest since 2015. The firm placed some of the blame on a drying up of venture funding after Silicon Valley Banks collapse. The market mania of the two previous years has fully subsided, tourist investors have left the market and VCs are increasingly reserving capital for companies built on strong fundamentals, the report stated. At the same time, Space Capital officials remained upbeat despite the fiery scene. Managing Partner Chad Anderson told etf.com in an email that the exploding rocket doesn't diminish what was otherwise a successful test. "It launched, it cleared the pad, and it got through MaxQ (maximum mechanical stress)," he wrote. "This was an important moment for SpaceX and a big step forward not only for Starship, but for the entire space industry." Exchange-traded fund investors may have another perspective, since their patience has gone largely unrewarded over the past few years with respect to buying space funds. Those focused on aerospace and defense, like the iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (ITA), have mostly performed better than those investing more narrowly in space. Story continues The $269.3 million ARK Space Exploration & Innovation ETF (ARKX) is probably the best-known space fund. Sadly, its known for its share price falling back to Earth over the past yeartumbling 20%and for $12 million in outflows in 2023. The SPDR S&P Kensho Final Frontiers ETF (ROKT) has done a bit better: $1.2 million in outflows this year and a price thats barely changed during the past 52 weeks. With Maxar Technologies Inc. and Iridium Communications Inc. among its top holdings, the $17.1 million funds price edged up less than 1% Thursday. Investors in the Procure Space ETF (UFO) may have to wait a long, long time (as Elton John sang in Rocket Man) for that ETF to make back the 22% decline over the past year. It dropped almost 1% Thursday. Investing in unproven technologies that launch projectiles into the void will always be at the riskier end of the spectrum. Citigroup analyst Jason Gursky wrote in a note to clients that making spaceships that survive harsh cosmic environments is extraordinarily difficult, according to CNBC. Still, payoffs may come. In a way, space feels like the opportunity presented by the California gold rushlots of risk, but plenty of potential upside for those that find the special nugget, he wrote. Contact Ron Day at ron.day@etf.com or follow him on Twitter at @RonDayETF Permalink | Copyright 2023 etf.com. All rights reserved Stemtech Corporation Announces New Chief Administrative Officer Joins Executive Management Team MIRAMAR, FL / ACCESSWIRE / April 21, 2023 / STEMTECH CORPORATION - (OTCQB:STEK) announces Mr. I. Tufan Obuz as Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Stemtech is pleased to announce the engagement of Mr. I. Tufan Obuz, CPA, who has joined Stemtech Corporation in the newly created position of Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), reporting to the President & COO. Tufan will be responsible for all global accounting and finance department activities and their integration for financial planning and reporting purposes. Effective immediately, Claude Ayache (Vice President of Stemtech HealthSciences Corp), the Corporate Accounting Team, and all global financial staff, external and internal accounting support, will report directly to Tufan. His role will include interfacing with our external audit preparation support team plus our PCAOB auditors. His role will also include working with each country, and HQ, for all matters related to compliance, internal controls, operational efficiency, and internal policies and procedures. Charles S. Arnold, CEO of Stemtech says "Tufan brings a wealth of finance, accounting and project management experience which will strengthen our financial resources and controls. Our global enterprise will benefit from his abilities and knowledge to enhance the Company's reporting compliance as a publicly traded company". John W. Meyer, President and Chief Operating Officer, comments that "I look forward to the addition of Tufan to our team, filling a key role in our Company structure with focus on the complexities that come along with coordinating several international locations, compliance with local regulations and consolidating financial information." ABOUT STEMTECH Stemtech Corporation, a leading stemceutical company with a direct sales distribution model, was founded on April 18, 2018, after acquiring the operations from its predecessor Stemtech International, Inc., which was established in 2005. From 2010 through 2015, Stemtech International, Inc., was recognized four separate times on the Inc. 5000 Fastest-Growing Companies list. In 2018, Stemtech underwent an extensive executive reorganization, and continued operations under new leadership as Stemtech Corporation. In August 2021, Stemtech became a publicly traded company (OTCQB:STEK) and has expanded business opportunities for its Independent Business Partners, who may earn incomes by sharing Stemtech products. January 2022 saw the introduction of new marketing efforts. In August 2022, Professor Doctor Bankole Johnson joined Dr. Enrique Martinez and Dr. Lizette Leos on the Stemtech Life Sciences Advisory Board. In September 2022, the new Stemtech AdvanceOffice mobile app based on the VERB Technology platform was successfully launched as a powerful communication - recruiting tool for our Field. In October, Life Factor Research became the Research and Development, product formulation - science division of Stemtech to create cutting-edge stemceuticals and other products. On November 1, 2022, Stemtech introduced the new travel/sample size OraStem Toothpaste. On December 6, Stemtech announced the promotion of Alejandro Carrillo to the role of Vice President Global Sales from his current role as Managing Director Latin Markets. Stemtech introduced the new CellectOne Rapid Renew Stem Cell Peptide Night Cream at their December 2022 International Leadership Event in Cancun, Mexico. January 10 2023 Stemtech appoints Margie and Mike Mares to Field Advisory Board. Last month, Stemtech Ranked Number 11 in Momentum out of 700+ top Global MLM companies by Business For Home independent MLM publication, January 23, 2023. Story continues Forward-Looking Statements This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include but are not limited to statements identified by words such as "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "estimates," "intends," "plans," "targets," "projects" and similar expressions. The statements in this release are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of our company's management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Numerous factors could cause or contribute to such differences, including, but not limited to, results of clinical trials and/or other studies, the challenges inherent in new product development initiatives, the effect of any competitive products, our ability to license and protect our intellectual property, our ability to raise additional capital in the future that is necessary to maintain our business, changes in government policy and/or regulation, potential litigation by or against us, any governmental review of our products or practices, as well as other risks discussed from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, without limitation, our latest 10-Q Report filed on November 23, 2022. We undertake no duty to update any forward-looking statement, or any information contained in this press release or in other public disclosures at any time. Finally, the investing public is reminded that the only announcements or information about Stemtech Corporation which are condoned by the Company must emanate from the Company itself and bear our name as its Source. www.Stemtech.com Investor Relations: Phone: 954-715-6000 ext 1040 Email: invrel@stemtech.com SOURCE: Stemtech Corporation View source version on accesswire.com: https://www.accesswire.com/750527/Stemtech-Announces-New-Chief-Administrative-Officer MSNBCs Alex Wagner took aim at Mike Lindell on Thursday after he was ordered by an arbitration panel to pay $5 million to software engineer Robert Zeidman. The MyPillow CEO, who has pushed false claims that voting machines were used to steal the 2020 presidential election and that China interfered in several states, launched a Prove Mike Wrong Challenge, in which he was offering a $5 million reward to anyone who could prove that the election data that he had from the November 2020 election was false. According to the 23-page arbitration filing, Zeidman wrote and presented a 15-page report explaining his conclusion that the data Lindell provides, and represents reflects information from the November 2020 election, unequivocally does not contain packet data of any kind and do not contain any information related to the November 2020 election. But the contests panel of judges ultimately concluded that it could not declare Zeidman the winner, and he filed the arbitration in response. Following a review of the case, the arbitration panel ruled that Zeidman proved the data Lindell LLC provided, and represented reflected information from the November 2020 election, unequivocally did not reflect November 2020 election data and that failure to pay the $5 million prize was a breach of contract, entitling him to recover. Lindell has told The Associated Press that he has no intention of paying and that he expects the dispute to land in court. Also Read: Fox News May Score $213 Million Tax Write-Off From Dominion Settlement This is the first instance we are seeing of Mike Lindell finally actually facing accountability for his role in pushing the big lie, Wagner said. And it may not be the last time, either. She noted that Lindell is currently being sued for defamation by Dominion Voting Systems for $1.3 billion. The voting technology company recently settled a similar case with Fox Corporation for $787.5 million. Additionally, Lindell is being sued by another voting technology company called Smartmatic for a undisclosed but equally whoppingly large amount of money, Wagner added. Story continues For years now, a constellation of conservatives and conservative media outlets in this country have been at best diluted and at worst lying but in either case fomenting outrage about the results of the 2020 election, and it seems like accountability may be finally catching up to them, Wagner concluded. Must be hard to sleep at night, hope Mr. Lindell has a great pillow. Watch the full segment in the video above. Also Read: Fox News Host Known for Bombshell Lawsuit Says Dominion Settlement Wont Change the Way Fox Does News (Video) On April 21, Guy Ritchies The Covenant was released by MGM, with Guy Ritchie at the helm as director, writer and producer. The film stars Jake Gyllenhaal as US Army Sergeant John Kinley, who is saved by an Afghan interpreter named Ahmed (Dar Salim). When Ahmeds life is later threatened for doing so, Kinley returns to Afghanistan to rescue him from the Taliban. The movie opened to predominantly positive reviews, holding fresh at 81% on Rotten Tomatoes, with the critics consensus reading, A satisfying, well-acted war thriller with surprising dramatic depths, Guy Ritchies The Covenant tells a solid story with impressive restraint. The ensemble cast includes Jonny Lee Miller, Antony Starr, Alexander Ludwig, Fahim Fazli, Jason Wong and Emily Beecham. Read our full review round-up below. More from GoldDerby SEE 24 most anticipated movies for April include Air, The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Evil Dead Rise [PHOTOS] Roger Moore of Movie Nation writes, Ritchies giving us a modern American take on Gunga Din, a fictional US military spin on themes from other classic tales of combat valor, the code of such men and the psychological cost of survivors guilt. He adds, The lead performances are all top drawer, with Salim excelling at letting us see the wheels turn even as Ahmed hides most of his cards, giving them up only slowly. Emily Beecham is terrific as the wife and mother back home who doesnt question her husbands quest. Jonny Lee Miller holds his own as a canny commanding officer whos learned to look the other way as the need arises. Matt Donato of IGN Movies writes that the leads shine before adding, The villain of The Covenant is its runtime, clocking in just over two hours with a whole lot of fat left on the steak that feels like it shouldve been trimmed. He continues, Spirited performances and palpable survivalist tension save the day as far as The Covenant is concerned, despite an overlong duration being its own worst enemy. Story continues SEE Box office preview: Evil Dead Rise and Guy Ritchie should have very little effect on Super Mario Bros. Josh Parham of Next Best Picture was less impressed, noting, Its results are just as mundane as many efforts which preceded it. Parham adds, The piece is competently assembled but lacks the vitality to distinguish it from similarly trodden terrain. Those lacking aspects occasionally flare up in the second half, where the depictions of the traumatic flashback memories are like frenzied hallucinations. These touches are what Ritchie is more known for, and they are effective in crafting a more engaging composition. Still, those moments are few and far between, leaving a tedious pace to fill the void. Dan Mecca of The Film Stage praises the film, writing, In its best moments, The Covenant plays like an anti-war genre picture from the late 70s and early 80s. Political in spurts, intense throughout, and incredibly well-performed, Ritchies film moves faster than most modern studio fare. In conclusion Mecca says, For the most part, The Covenant is about the bond between brothers and sisters in arms, and the need to rely on each other when systems fail their pledges. Third-act qualms aside, Gyllenhaal and Ritchie emerge as a well-meshed Hollywood duo here. One hopes this is the first of a few collaborations. PREDICT the 2023 Emmy nominees through July 12 Make your predictions at Gold Derby now. Download our free and easy app for Apple/iPhone devices or Android (Google Play) to compete against legions of other fans plus our experts and editors for best prediction accuracy scores. See our latest prediction champs. Can you top our esteemed leaderboards next? Always remember to keep your predictions updated because they impact our latest racetrack odds, which terrify Hollywood chiefs and stars. Dont miss the fun. Speak up and share your huffy opinions in our famous forums where 5,000 showbiz leaders lurk every day to track latest awards buzz. Everybody wants to know: What do you think? Who do you predict and why? SIGN UP for Gold Derbys free newsletter with latest predictions Best of GoldDerby Sign up for Gold Derby's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. After allegedly exposing himself on an international flight, Desiigner says hes checking himself into a facility for mental health treatment. As TMZ first reported, the Panda rapper is accused of exposing himself on a plane this past weekend from Asia back to the United States and was reprimanded by a flight attendant. Police were waiting for him when the plane landed in Minneapolis, where he was questioned about the incident and released. More from Billboard Related Desiigner On Thursday (April 20), Desiigner posted a statement to his Instagram Stories, saying hes ashamed of his behavior on the plane which he attributed to medication he was prescribed while hospitalized in Asia and that he is seeking mental health treatment. For the past few months I have not been ok, and I have been struggling to come to terms with what is going on, the statement begins. While overseas for a concert I performed at, I had to be admitted in to a hospital, I was not thinking clearly. They gave me meds, and I had to hop on a plane home. I am ashamed of my actions that happened on that plane. I landed back to the states, and am admitting my self in a facility to help me. I will be cancelling all of my shows and my obligations until further notice. Mental health is real guys, please pray for me. If [youre] not feeling like yourself, please get help. The chart-topping rapper was overseas to perform at Rolling Loud Thailand on Friday last week, alongside festival headliners Cardi B, Chris Brown and Travis Scott, and at a nightclub in Tokyo over the weekend. Desiigners breakthrough hit Panda spent two weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100 back in 2016, and hes scored two other top 40 hits on the chart: Tiimmy Turner in 2016 (No. 34 peak) and as a featured guest on BTS MIC Drop in 2017 (No. 28). Over on the Hot Rap Songs chart, Panda which was nominated for best rap performance at the 59th annual Grammy Awards spent 17 weeks at No. 1 in 2016. Story continues See Desiigners statement before it expires here. Best of Billboard Click here to read the full article. Luca Guadagnino will next direct the William S. Burroughs adaptation Queer with Daniel Craig playing the renowned counterculture authors alter ego, an outcast American expat who lives in Mexico, and Outer Banks star Drew Starkey starring as a younger man with whom he becomes madly infatuated. Queer will also topline Lesley Manville (The Crown), frequent Wes Anderson collaborator Jason Schwartzman; and Henrique Zaga (The New Mutants), according to inside sources. More from Variety The boldly ambitious indie film is set to start shooting this month at Romes refurbished Cinecitta Studios where the Mexico City-set movie will be filmed in its entirety. Lorenzo Mielis Fremantle-owned Italian company The Apartment the internationally expanding shingle behind Guadagninos Bones and All and Sofia Coppolas upcoming Priscilla is lead producing Queer in tandem with Guadagninos own Frenesy Film. Fremantle North America is also on board. American playwright Justin Kuritzkes, who penned Guadagninos upcoming sexy comedy Challengers starring Zendaya, Josh OConnor, and Mike Fast which has now completed post has adapted the Burroughs novel for the big screen, continuing his collaboration with the Italian director. British designer Jonathan Anderson, who has shaken up the fashion world with his creations for Loewe and his subversive signature JW Anderson label, will also continue to collaborate with Guadagnino as costume designer on Queer after handling the costumes on Challengers. It is one of my all time favorite books. And the film has everything Mexico, lots of drugs, and Daniel Craig, Anderson recently told The Guardian. Story continues Written between 1951 and 1953 but not published until 1985, Queer is Burroughss second novel after Junkie. Set in decadent Mexico City of the 1940s, its the semi-autobiographical story of Lee who has fled from a drug bust in New Orleans. In Mexico City Lee wanders around the citys clubs and bars populated by American expatriate college students, discharged soldiers, and other characters on the edge of society. He becomes infatuated with a discharged American Navy serviceman named Allerton, a drug user, who, though indifferent to his advances, eventually relents but only enough to make Lees sexual yearnings become even more of an obsession. Eventually they go on a trip to South America in search of a drug known as Yage which Lee believes will make him psychic. The interior monologues in Queer, which are full of self-deprecating black humor, are considered precursors to the comic-grotesque fantasies in The Naked Lunch, the novel considered to be Burroughss masterpiece, which was adapted for the big screen by David Cronenberg. Queer will mark the most prominent film role to date for Starkey, 29, who is known globally for his role on Netflixs Outer Banks as Rafe Cameron, the handsome often violent teen with a killer streak, a cocaine addiction, and an identity crisis. Starkey is repped by Gersh and Luber Roklin. Craig, before becoming a global star playing a fictional British MI6 agent in five James Bond installments, played the gay love interest character in British director John Mayburys 1998 drama Love Is the Devil Study for a Portrait of Francis Bacon. The experimental biopic, which screened in Cannes, is about the destructive drug and alcohol-infused relationship between painter Francis Bacon, played by Derek Jacobi, and George Dyer (Craig) a younger small-time criminal who became the artists muse. More recently Craig almost surreptitiously played a gay character in his role as private investigator Benoit Blanc in a Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery. A scene in Glass Onion suggests Blanc is in a gay relationship, as the actor and director Rian Johnson have confirmed. Guadagnino made his first big splash with tender romantic drama Call Me By Your Name starring Timothee Chalamet and Armie Hammer as young American lovers in Italy which bowed at Sundance in 2017 and went on to score four Oscar nominations, including one for Chalamet. Best of Variety Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. French Montana recently appeared on The Message with Ebro Darden for Apple Music 1. Within their discussion, the Moroccan rapper opened up about his Arab-American heritage and how he honors the religious month of fasting. French, nee Karim Kharbouch, migrated to the States from the African country when he was 13 and grew up identifying as a Muslim. More from VIBE.com Speaking to the culture shock of coming to America and still having the discipline to make himself successful, he expressed to Ebro, Everybodys dream is to come to the United States. I remember when my aunt was getting me dressed to go to the airport, she was like, Youre getting dressed like you going to America. I was like, I am. She was like, You are, and it was a moment. Its like hitting the lottery. He added, But when you watch it as a kid, they only show you the skyline and they show you the big buildings and the penthouses and this and that. You thinking you going to heaven, you know what Im saying? You get here they sent me to Mott Haven projects into East Tremont Lafontaine by Crotona Park with all the Africans and it was like, Yo, where am I at? I shouldve stayed in Morocco for this.' French Montana attends the 2022 Billboard Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 15, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. French moved across the world with Islamic values of discipline instilled in him, although he admitted that it took him years to adjust. It took me a couple years to understand how to move, he revealed about his migration to another country. And basically it just made me realize that anything is possible that impossible is not a fact. Its an opinion. It made me just learn discipline. Discipline is going to make today hard, but tomorrow easy. And I learned that having excuses is going to make today easy and tomorrow hard and things like that. Story continues March 22-April 22 is especially important to him, as it is a sacred month of intense spiritual rejuvenation with a heightened focus on devotion. The No Stylist rapper said he takes Ramadan seriously by fasting from food, social media, negative things and more. Who fastin for Ramadan ? French Montana (@FrencHMonTanA) July 8, 2013 I fast. I dont go on Instagram. I dont go on social media. I stay away from all the negative things, he said. I do everything Im supposed to do for Ramadan. I get better with Ramadan every year since I was young. I get more focused. Every Ramadan it gets harder because youre trying to do things you didnt do last Ramadan just to get better. Its all about energy. For me to not work during Ramadan, I lose a lot of money, but then it keeps me away from just seeing naked females and this and this and that. He continued, My getting better is to try to cancel shows, try to do this, try to give it all my power, and thats what I go through every Ramadan. This Ramadan, I read the whole Quran, again, just to gain more knowledge, get closer to the man upstairs and things like that. And even as far as fasting, I make sure I dont sleep most of the day, that I wake up and really experience the fast and just pray Fajr and just do all things Im supposed to do on Ramadan. At only 38, the Coke Boyz Records founder is putting his life-story on film for his forthcoming documentary, produced by Drake. Reportedly, The Bronx rapper will chronicle his migration to America, love life, road to success and more. This documentary just tells my immigrant story basically, and all the people that followed me from the day that I started till now, he revealed. I feel like a lot of people know me, but a lot of people just know me by the music. A lot of people know me from me dating people. It could be this, it could be that, but I want people to know me for the right reasons and I feel like this documentary just is more based on the struggle. I watch a lot of documentaries and I see a lot of peoplethis is not no shots at nobodyI see a lot of people just highlight the trophies and highlight the accomplishments and highlight why they got jerked by the Grammys and highlight this and highlight that and I really want to know the actual artists, he added. He also revealed that the doc will highlight his relationship with his parents, getting shot, meeting his close friend and music collaborator, the late rapper Chinx, and meeting Max B, who was sentenced to 75 years in prison on conspiracy charges related to armed robbery, kidnapping, aggravated assault and felony murder. French Montana On Arab American Heritage Month And Honoring Ramadan Related Story Its the whole enchilada, he spoke of his life-story. Me being almost black balled after he [Max B] went to jail me just going through all the obstacles. Shout out to Drake for helping me do it. Shout out to Puff. Shout out to Max B for letting them cameras come inside that maximum security prison and helping me document it. It just shows that me, her and my father came here not even speaking English and it shows that your temporary moment doesnt have nothing to do with your long-term. Take a listen to French Montanas full interview with Ebro on Apple Music 1 here. Click here to read the full article. Akre Focus Fund, an investment management company, released its first quarter 2023 investor letter, a copy of the same can be downloaded here. The Akre Focus Funds first quarter 2023 performance for the Institutional share class was 5.91% compared with S&P 500 Total Return at 7.50%. Performance for the trailing 12-month period ending March 31, 2023, for the Institutional share class was 7.86% compared with S&P 500 Total Return at -7.73%. Spare some time to check the funds top 5 holdings to have a clue about their top bets for 2023. In its Q1 2023 investor letter, Akre Focus Fund mentioned Credit Suisse Group AG (NYSE:CS) and explained its insights for the company. Founded in 1856, Credit Suisse Group AG (NYSE:CS) is a Zurich, Switzerland-based investment banking company with a $3.6 billion market capitalization. Credit Suisse Group AG (NYSE:CS) delivered a -69.87% return since the beginning of the year, while its 12-month returns are down by -87.52%. The stock closed at $0.91 per share on April 19, 2023. Here is what Akre Focus Fund has to say about Credit Suisse Group AG (NYSE:CS) in its Q1 2023 investor letter: "The signature events of the first quarter were the sudden collapse and seizure of Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank (OTC:SBNY), and Credit Suisse (NYSE:CS). Aftershocks may topple more banks and, in any case, the widespread deposit flight that ensued is apt to slow economic growth via reduced bank lending. Ironically, this may help the Federal Reserves fight against inflation, but at the expense of heightened recession risk." pichetw/Shutterstock.com Our calculations show that Credit Suisse Group AG (NYSE:CS) fell short and didnt make it on our list of the 30 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. Credit Suisse Group AG (NYSE:CS) was in 16 hedge fund portfolios at the end of the third quarter of 2022, compared to 11 funds in the previous quarter. Credit Suisse Group AG (NYSE:CS) delivered a -72.41% return in the past 3 months. Story continues In April 2023, we also shared another hedge funds views on Credit Suisse Group AG (NYSE:CS) in another article. You can find other investor letters from hedge funds and prominent investors on our hedge fund investor letters Q1 2023 page. Suggested Articles: Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. Ghosted is an over-caffeinated action comedy romance that tries too hard to be too many things, starting out as a sweet budding rom-com before drastically morphing into a violent international spy-chase movie anchored by a constantly bickering couple. This is one of those Hollywood movies that rarely slows down to breathe, throwing everything at the wall and just hoping some of it sticks. It is also the kind of big-scale concoction that lives or dies on the appeal of its two big movie stars. In that regard, with a lovestruck Chris Evans working against his Captain America persona, and gorgeous and smart Ana de Armas switching gears on a dime, we do have a winning combination in front of the camera no matter how much the credibility of their instant union is stretched. You only wish director Dexter Fletcher (Rocketman) had slowed it down in order to make the one or two scenes in which he does seem less like a brief encounter with real-life human beings before the next big set piece turns it back into a Road Runner cartoon. More from Deadline Basically this is the kind of formula we have seen many times, a mismatched pair arguing their way through some heart-stopping action like in Romancing the Stone, The Lost City, and even De Niro and Grodin in Midnight Run. If you didnt read the synopsis, you wouldnt be wrong to think this was actually going to be your standard movie romance. Evans as Cole Turner and de Armas as Sadie Rhodes meet cute, clearly loathing each other at a local street fair in Washington D.C. where she attempts to buy one of farmer Coles prized plants. When his co-worker suggests there was considerable sexual tension between them he decides to track her down before her car takes off. One thing leads to another and before the day is done the pair find themselves in bed together before parting ways. Story continues He is clearly smitten as he returns to the farm he runs for his family, telling dad (Tate Donovan), mom (Amy Sedaris) and cynical sister Mattie (Lizze Broadway) that despite past mistakes he thinks this may be the one. He is truly a romantic, and as we find out, an impulsive one who had already texted Sadie several times including with heart emojis, only to get no response. Is his innocent stalking turning her off? Is he being ghosted? Finally remembering he left his phone-tracking device in her purse somehow, he checks her whereabouts on his iPhone (this is an Apple Original Film, folks) and discovers she is in central London. Say what? On a whim, a romantic gesture as he calls it, he decides to pack up and fly off to England to surprise her. If you buy that, you will buy everything else to come. Once there this rom-com turns considerably darker as Cole is ambushed, knocked out by sinister types on the street, and awakens in a torture chamber full of deadly bugs, as the lethal Borislov (Tim Blake Nelson) threatens him with murder hornets unless he coughs up a passcode he is convinced he has for a weapon of mass destruction known as Aztec that their boss plans to sell to the highest bidder. Mistaken for an expert operative only known as The Taxman, he nearly dies until a masked CIA agent (who really is The Taxman) comes in with guns blazing and kills the bad guys before grabbing Cole and revealing she is indeed who he knew only as Sadie. The bickering and fighting only resumes on a higher level as, now stuck with Cole, the pair has to hightail it to such exotic locales as Afghanistan and Pakistan, a bounty now on both of them put out by Leveque (Adrien Brody), a menacing villain and black-market arms dealer obsessed with getting that passcode and killing The Taxman. He enlists his scary henchman Wagner to help. Wild chases, including one with a very colorful bus ride, shoot-outs and close calls, ejections from planes and so much else ensue as the action and stunts ramp up and Cole finds himself caught up in some terrifying brushes with death as Sadie just tries to do her job. Parachuting onto a deserted island and yet more battles all lead back to D.C. and a showdown in a sky-high revolving restaurant. There is no end to what they encounter, but will this all lead to a proper second date? Evans is actually quite amusing in a switch where it is the guy who is the damsel in constant distress. Hes fun to watch and there is chemistry between him and de Armas, which you might expect since this represents their third teaming after Knives Out and The Gray Man, only this time he is a good guy. De Armas again shows she is a natural when it comes to action roles and a real screen presence. The rest of the cast is basically one dimensional, with Brody laying on the villain act like a new-age Snidely Whiplash. No one is taking any of this seriously, a point emphasized with a series of star cameos that reinforce the idea this is all a big joke. Those cameos, by the way, some with a clever connection to Evans, are the main highlights of the action and hilariously interspersed. Check your brains at the door (or in this case on the couch) and you will have a good enough time thanks to Evans and de Armas. Producers for the Apple Original Films by Skydance production are David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, Don Granger, Jules Daly and Evans, joined by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick (Deadpool, Zombieland) who also wrote the frenetic script with Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers. It begins streaming on Apple TV+ on Friday. Title: Ghosted Distributor: Apple Original Films Release date: April 21, 2023 Director: Dexter Fletcher Screenwriters: Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers Cast: Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, Adrien Brody, Mike Moh, Tate Donovan, Amy Sedaris, Lizze Broadway, Tim Blake Nelson, Anna Deavere Smith Rating: PG-13 Running time: 1 hr 56 min Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. PCO will get the opportunity to become IMPACT World Champion at IMPACT Under Siege 2023. During the April 20 episode of IMPACT Wrestling, Steve Maclin made it clear that his mission is not complete until hes defeated a Canadian in Canada, something he did not get to do due to Josh Alexander having to relinquish the World Championship Title before they could face off at IMPACT Rebellion. Scott DAmore will give Maclin that opportunity by putting him in the ring against PCO at Under Siege in London, Ontario, Canada, on Friday, May 26. From IMPACT: At Rebellion, Steve Maclin defeated KUSHIDA to become IMPACT World Champion for the very first time. But during his Changing of the Guard Ceremony, Maclin revealed that his mission would not be complete until he defeated a Canadian in their home country of Canada, just like he planned to do to Josh Alexander. Maclin laid out an open challenge to any Canadian, and it was answered by perhaps the most frightening Canadian on the entire IMPACT roster, PCO. With IMPACT President Scott DAmore backing him up, Perfect Creation One demolished Maclins personal security force, sending a threatening message to the new IMPACT World Champion. Now Maclin and PCO are set to collide at Under Siege in a monstrous main event. What will happen when these two explosive forces go head-to-head with the IMPACT World Title on the line? The stars of IMPACT Wrestling will be Under Siege LIVE May 26th from the Western Fair District Agriplex in London, Ontario streaming on IMPACT Plus, YouTube for IMPACT Ultimate Insiders and FITE. Tickets are on-sale now at Eventbrite.ca. SEE MORE: IMPACT Wrestling Results April 20, 2023 The post IMPACT World Title Match Set For IMPACT Under Siege 2023 appeared first on Wrestlezone. EXCLUSIVE: In Guy Ritchies The Covenant, Jake Gyllenhaal throws on the military fatigues he hasnt worn since 2005s Jarhead, this time joined by an award-winning actor and real-life veteran in Dar Salim. In the new action movie from STX and MGM, Gyllenhaal plays U.S. Army Master Sgt. John Kinley, whose bond with his interpreter, Ahmed (Salim), only grows after their unit is ambushed by the Taliban. After Kinley is injured during the escape, Ahmed embarks on a Herculean effort to carry Kinley across the Afghanistan mountains to safety. When Ahmed is unable to get a visa to get him and his family to the U.S., Kinley risks his life to return to Afghanistan and save him. The film, which hits theaters Friday, features the edge-of-your seat suspense and impressive action sequences that Ritchie is known for, but it also shows the bond soldiers have with their interpreters and the political mess behind the scenes trying to get them to the U.S. once their tour is over. More from Deadline Deadline sat down with Gyllenhaal and Salim to discuss the training and research that went into their roles, the blueprint Ritchie presented prior to them signing on, and whether another recent Gyllenhaal co-star has a resume as impressive as Salims. DEADLINE: I think the reason I enjoyed the film so much was it surprised me that it looked nothing like a Guy Ritchie movie that Ive seen in the past not that thats a bad thing, but he has a style and a visual sense. Jake, prior to meeting with Guy on this, what was your anticipation of what this film would be? And what was it that he ultimately sold you on that made you want to do it? JAKE GYLLENHAAL: Well, Ive known Guy for a while now and Ive always felt a connection with him, you know? I mean, hes obviously his own sort of deeply charismatic personality, but I just always felt hes a bit of a philosopher in a way, and I love the conversations we had in the past, and so I just thought, Oh, itd be really interesting to make a movie with him. So, he came to me with this and it was like a 50-page script treatment. But he was saying this is how I intend to shoot it, which was a different kind of process from what I had ever experienced. Story continues And I think also just that idea was interesting to me, but most of all I think its very hard to tell a simple story, you know? I think that actually the difficulty level goes way up when the story is simple, and this is a story that, I think, it got me from the beginning. There were a lot of different stories about the experience of the U.S. and Afghanistan that I had read some politicized, some not and this just felt sort of nonpartisan. It felt like a parable. And I knew Guy is going to make great action; it was going to be tense. But I think that, at the heart of it, the idea of one person doing good for another person reluctantly with no sentimentality really got me. DEADLINE: Dar, I remember tracking this role and there were a lot of people really intrigued and wanted to go after it. Im curious what made you interested? Because at the end of the day, the middle of film is like your film, with Jake not really in it, and you have to do a lot. What made you chase the role? DAR SALIM: I mean, just working with Guy Ritchie and Jake Gyllenhaal itself is reason enough to do any film, you know? They had me at hello to be honest. But I also think its very rare to see a film where you have two people who are like two men from different cultures in a world where often all the things that divide us are really what the focus is on. And here you have two guys from different cultures caught up in a bad situation, in a war, and at the end of the day you see both want the same thing, and they make the same choices. And as Jake says, it makes it even more interesting that reluctantly theyre kind of stuck on each other. It would be much easier to tell a story about two American soldiers or two Afghan people, but here you actually take one from each camp and you put them in this situation and you realize that much more unites us than divides us. People just really want to be in a situation where they can take care of their families and give themselves the opportunities that they see others have. And then you have these two guys in a Guy Ritchie universe, because it is still a Guy Ritchie film. Its different than the ones hes done, but it is entertaining in the sense that its larger than life. Its not like a documentary and it doesnt point fingers or try to teach you anything. Its really entertaining and it keeps you emotionally engaged from beginning to end. But at the same time you have these two very different people relying on each other, and making those choices, and I thought that was a beautiful thing to show in todays world. DEADLINE: I also appreciate the kind of authenticity the film brings, and Im assuming Guy put you through some training to get ready. Ill ask you first Dar since you were in the Royal Guard: Does it compare at all to what you went through with that? GYLLENHAAL: It was a lot of, I made a lot of military movies. DEADLINE: Ive got you next, Jake. Oh, I got you. GYLLENHAAL: I dont understand, Justin, what are you talking about? I can pretend to fly a plane. Who cares if he knows actually how to fly a plane, it looks like I can fly a plane. Whats the difference? SALIM: What matters is that hes knows thats youre really good thats why. DEADLINE: Yeah, exactly. GYLLENHAAL: Right, right. SALIM: Ive got you, Justin, thats all right. No, Id say, you know Ive done a few military roles myself back home, and Ive been in the army and so Ive done other training also after I finished my army. And I have a lot of buddies who are veterans from the Afghan War and Iraq War, so yeah I felt quite comfortable doing that part of the movie. DEADLINE: Jake, you had just done Ambulance with Michael Bay and obviously he puts people through the ringer as well when it comes to arms training for those films. Was it easier to jump in for this film or was it a different feel? Obviously military and armed robbery are two different things, but just in the way of holding the weapons and dealing with that, was that a help at all? GYLLENHAAL: You know a lot of my weapons-handling skills I developed when I was preparing for End of Watch, actually. And then in Jarhead, yeah, we went through that too. And then, Ive had fair training, a lot of training, with live weapons and live fire and then learning the movements and military movements, and it has come from previous projects. So with Michael, sure, and there was a lot of gun-handling there too, but particularly, I think most of all the thin I learned on End of Watch, which has stayed with me through all of the projects since, is gun safety. Because I think when youre training like that, when you really feel the danger of it, you behave differently. And so, yeah, all of that. We also had incredible technical advisors. You know, we had Special Ops guys, two of them in particular Dan and Kawa who were with us all the time. And you know obviously tactics change, so the way I held my rifle when I first began was different from five years ago when I learned it. And Kawa re-trained some things and new techniques that they were using, particularly in special operations, and so those things we changed. But generally it did come from a long history with learning from some of the best people in the world on previous projects. DEADLINE: Did you guys get in touch with past military interpreters, or anybody who had to go through the bureaucracy of trying to get visas for these guys? There is that 10-minute scene which is kind of important to the messaging, about when these guys get back home how hard it is to help out their brothers in arms and get them back there with you. GYLLENHAAL: Yeah, one of my closest friends is a Marine who fought in Fallujah in a number of different battles in that war and is very active now. Hes now the head of emergency services in New York City and he and his interpreter, who was an enormous part of his history in the military and his experience. And I know he would say, I dont want to speak for him, but you know brought his two daughters over back to New York to basically help change their life, you know, got them visas and theyre now committed to working for New York City. You know, he actually was a real reason for me and inspiration and why this story means so much. Theres also all the political stuff thats much bigger than that, but for me their story, Abud and Zach, the two of them, their friendship, the family that theyve created, you know, a lot of things came from that story. So, understanding the difficulty of the process, where we are now. . I mean, since the start of the war I think 300 Afghan interpreters have been killed, you know, by the Taliban. Theres still thousands more there who helped America and the soldiers through this entire war, and that process is very difficult and very complicated, and I know we are still in the midst of it. Theres also a wonderful documentary about interpreters. I got a hold of the filmmakers of that to just discuss, because they kind of had all these relationships there too. But mostly it came from my personal experience. DEADLINE: Dar, did you? SALIM: Yeah, I mean, Denmark is where Im from, I spoke to several friends of mine who were deployed in Iraq and in Afghanistan as interpreters, and they also introduced me to other people who locally were hired and spent time with them back home. And you know I think all research is done, for me, just by being around people. You can plan so much and you can have some questions, but I think just being around people and realizing their way of thinking and our similarities and what their dreams and aspirations are and how they interact with each other, I think thats how you learn about people and their backgrounds and their little ticks and tocks and what moves them. At the same time, you take all that and then you kind of throw it away in a Guy Ritchie film, because I also feel that what makes it great is it is kind of larger than life. So, when you see this film youre not going to see Ahmed, hes not going to be your typical interpreter I mean, the typical interpreter might not take that three weeks journey to safety, but in essence they all do that. Because they all do put their lives at stake every day to help the U.S. and their soldiers as do the U.S. soldiers. GYLLENHAAL: I also think theres a belief in what is, I think, the fabric of America, which is that we are a country of heroes in a lot of ways, and I think sometimes reluctant ones. And I think people join into these worlds, interpreters come to help in that space, because they believe in that idea as well. And whats so special about this movie is that it perpetuates that idea, you know? It made me feel like, Oh, thats the American I want to be. DEADLINE: What I found great about this film is where the viewer is almost waiting for the action. It reminded me of Hurt Locker the suspense. Like, when Ahmed picks up the Taliban and youre just wondering how hes going to go about that. When you guys were going over those scenes with Guy, how did you discuss handling them? The suspense of the film plays almost better than some of those full-on action scenes. GYLLENHAAL: I agree. SALIM: Well, I dont think we did go over them. I mean what works is really, as you say, the script is just like a blueprint, and Guy kind of figures it out on the day. You have to trust. I mean, Guy has a special language hes developed with his audience over so many years, and that gives him a confidence to play around with the material. And I think a lot of the scenes were [like that], which is great when it works and it did I feel on this film when you have the right people doing it. They were kind of developed and born on set on the day. GYLLENHAAL: Yeah, but in that 50-page treatment script there was a real sense of structure, right? Like, what youre talking about is structure. And you could feel the movement and it was correct and it was packed with tension anyway. And then he wanted people to come fill it in with humanity, and we worked daily on that stuff. But I agree with you, I think it is, its the waiting the movie is so tense. Ive showed it to a couple of friends and they were like, I needed to pee from 15 minutes in and I didnt go to the bathroom for the whole time. To me, that is the actual barometer of whether a movie actually keeps your focus. The action sequences are also really emotional, and I have never felt that way. I got really emotional in some of the action scenes. DEADLINE: Well, the first kind of big firefight, you kind of know things are going to go the wrong way for some of the troop. GYLLENHAAL: Yeah. DEADLINE: In the second act when you guys are evading the Taliban, I couldnt help but feel the drain and strain you were going through. Did you feel that as the shoot was going on, that it was one of the more physically and mentally draining things you have done career-wise? SALIM: Im not going to say yes unless you are. GYLLENHAAL: No, because I feel like hes from Denmark and nothing strains them, you know what I mean? SALIM: Thats not true. GYLLENHAAL: Hes this strong, you know. One of the things about it is there were moments. That first few weeks when we were doing the chase through the mountains, that was full of a lot of pretty intense physicality. And we were shooting in a way that we would just basically, like, we would shoot where we would just do the path, right? SALIM: Yes. GYLLENHAAL: We were shooting and then going to one space and then wed move on, so, that was. But one of the things I think, Guy, its his M.O.: Yes you push yourself, but you also have a good amount of fun. I mean, he had his barbecue out near set at all times. And so, you know, whenever we physically exert ourselves too much there would always be something cooking on the barbecue. DEADLINE: Wait, the barbecue scene where theyre eating. Thats Guys? GYLLENHAAL: No, no, he has an actual barbecue that comes with him [that] he designed. But yeah, its an homage to his barbecue, I think, inspired by us. SALIM: It was such a contrast, like, sometimes youd run down a mountain and be sweaty and twist your knees and get hurt. And then youd come down and theres this beautiful environment where Guy is doing this special GYLLENHAAL: Cooking sardines or something, you know? SALIM: And we get to taste a little bite, you know, yeah. DEADLINE: Jake, you recently put on social media the photo of the two of you and youre writing of Dar this renaissance man: Danish Royal Guard, pilot, chess player. After doing back-to-back movies with Dar and Connor McGregor, whos the biggest badass? GYLLENHAAL: Well, inevitably with that question Im going to get my assed kicked either way, so I dont know how to answer that. SALIM: Say Connor, otherwise were both going to get our asses kicked. GYLLENHAAL: I will probably say Connor. But in terms of the thing that I learned is in order to be, continue to try and be good at what you do, I think it requires a type of humility that sometimes can get lost. And what I think both Connor, because it was the first movie Connor ever did, and I think with Dar, I think who just has it inherently, theyre just generally very open and generous people. Connor said to me before we began, Im a white belt in this and Im here to learn. Coming from his skill set and skill level in what he does, I thought that to be such a humble thing to say, and he was just open. With Dar I felt the same way. Its like Dar has this sense of I mean, you can see it in the movie, hes just got such a good heart, but hes a badass. But if we had to throw me in a ring with either of them, I would absolutely take Dar any day, like, literally any day, no offense. SALIM: No offense taken. I would take me. GYLLENHAAL: Id take you over Connor too I think thats smart. SALIM: And you would beat me as well, actually. GYLLENHAAL: Yeah, right, right. DEADLINE: With this film theres so much going on, but I am curious what your hope is of what audiences will take away from it. Because I do feel its much more than your straightforward military thriller theres so much context and so many layers to it. Especially when it comes to these interpreters that are so important to our military. GYLLENHAAL: We should say, first and foremost, this is an action movie. So, I hope theyre really entertained, because thats a huge part of it. SALIM: Yeah, exactly, entertained. And an action movie only works, and I think you said that once, if theres an emotional connection to it. So, you know, I watched it with my son and he was at the edge of his seat from the beginning to the end it takes a lot for a teenager not to look at his phone, but that worked. So, I mean, if that goal is achieved then I think people can get out and maybe have some feelings, maybe have some thoughts and some realization that, you know, were all humans and that we were at a place, which was very difficult, where peoples lives, American lives, were at stake and Afghan lives were at stake, and promises were made. And this is an issue that is still ongoing and hopefully can be resolved. GYLLENHAAL: I also think its a movie about doing good. And I think sometimes movies can portray doing good. You know, we live in such a sort of world of duality theres so many things that separate us even in movies. Its like we watch the good guy versus the bad guy. We dont even have to have a reason for why the bad guy is bad, they just are, and we dont really even have a full reason for the same thing on the opposite end. Here its an action of good and I think its a reluctant action of good, which is about just going and doing it. These guys do it not because they want to, but because they have to, and I think thats a very different story. And I think that sort of made me look into myself and say, Oh, wow, we all have it in us to do it. We dont have to do it with sentimentality, we dont have to do it with the fact that we even know how to do it, we just go do it and somehow we can slowly change things as a result. So, thats what moves me about this movie. SALIM: Can I just add real quick because, you know, Jake said a lot of things as you mentioned about theres like this meta layer to this thing where we come from different worlds. You know, where I come from a small country of 6 million people and you know Ive done well there in my work. But Jake is arguably one of the best actors of our generation in Hollywood, so hes a world star and we come together. GYLLENHAAL: I like this guy. SALIM: Thats just plain facts. But you know we meet and on day one there is just this realization, which it didnt really surprise me, that if you are as good as he is you are a generous actor. You are about the work and you are about the project. And that just made me relax, because I had just found a brother in arms in what we do and that made me able to bring everything I had to this movie even though its on a scale that Im not used to. So, I think thats part of why this movie works as well. GYLLENHAAL: I agree with that. We like each other. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Karine Jean-Pierre White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre Thursday denounced multiple anti-LGBTQ+ actions around the nation, including Floridas expansion of its dont say gay law and the violence threatened by those who object to transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaneys endorsement of Bud Light beer. The Florida Board of Education Wednesday expanded the so-called Parental Rights in Education law to ban public school instruction regarding sexual orientation or gender identity through 12th grade. Previously, under the legislation passed last year, this instruction had been forbidden in kindergarten through third grade, with a vague requirement that it be age-appropriate thereafter. Jean-Pierre called the Florida law dystopian and a form of cancel culture. Teachers in Florida have already faced the devastating consequences of the existing law, she said at the White House press briefing. Under threat of having their licenses revoked, gay teachers have been forced to take down pictures of their spouses from their desks and censor their classroom materials. Censoring our classes is not how public education is supposed to work in a free country. Conservative politicians love to complain about the so-called cancel culture, all while threatening teachers with losing their jobs if they teach something that the MAGA extremists dont agree with. On the Bud Light matter, the lesbian press secretary responded to threats against Anheuser-Busch, the maker of Bud Light. There have been bomb threats at the companys factories in Los Angeles and elsewhere due to its partnership with Mulvaney, who released an Instagram video promoting the beer. When a transgender American posts a video about a brand of beer they enjoy and it leads to bomb threats, its clear that that level of violence and vitriol against transgender Americans has to stop, Jean-Pierre said. President Joe Biden and his administration are going to do everything that they can to support LGBTQI+ people who are under attack, and thats what weve been seeing across the country, especially in statehouses, she continued. And so were going to fight alongside them to protect their rights. They should be allowed to be who they are, who they want to be, and they should be able to speak out and others should be able to speak out about hate and discrimination. That type of vitriolic language and violence, that needs to stop. Conservative entertainers such as Kid Rock and Travis Tritt have objected to Bud Lights relationship with Mulvaney, and some have called for boycotts, while country star Zach Bryan has stood up for inclusion. Some right-wing politicians have commented as well, with Republican U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance telling Newsweek, If a company that depends heavily on working-class Republican voters wants to insult its customer base, it is going to suffer consequences. Watch Sam Smith and Kim Petras in Underground Sex Club in 'Unholy' Video In a pairing sure to delight pop music fans worldwide, Kim Petras has teamed with Nicki Minaj for the new single Alone, which samples the 1999 smash dance hit Better Off Alone by Dutch electronic music project Alice Deejay. The song choice is said to be a nod to the dance hits that Kim lost herself in during childhood to forget her problems. After a recent headlining performance at WorldPride in Sydney, Petras is scheduled to perform in June at Governors Ball in New York and at the Life Is Beautiful festival in Las Vegas. Earlier this year, she made history as the first openly transgender artist to win a Grammy when her global sensation Unholy with Sam Smith took home the best pop duo/group performance trophy. More from Spin: Alone follows Petras January single brrr and her appearance on the remix of Meghan Trainors hit Made You Look. As for Minaj, she released her own new single, Red Ruby da Sleeze, in early March; the track debuted at No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. She also guests on YoungBoy Never Broke Agains single WTF, which appears on his just-released new album, Dont Try This at Home. Although Minaj hasnt released a studio album of her own since 2018s Queen, she recently launched her own label imprint, Heavy On It Records, as a joint venture with Republic. To see our running list of the top 100 greatest rock stars of all time, click here. The post Watch Sam Smith and Kim Petras in Underground Sex Club in Unholy Video appeared first on SPIN. Days after Fox Corp. settled a huge defamation case against it in the U.S., CEO Lachlan Murdoch dropped a defamation lawsuit he filed in Australia, after the defendant tried to use depositions and other materials from the U.S. case as part if its defense. Murdochs attorney, John Churchill, filed notice on Friday with the Australian federal court that he is discontinuing his efforts in a case against Private Media Pty Ltd., owner of the online news outlet Crikey, The Sydney Morning Herald reported. The suit was filed in August, two months after Crikey ran an opinion column that put part of the blame for the January 6 insurrection on the U.S. Capitol on the Murdoch family. The piece, written by politics editor Bernard Keane, ran June 29 with the headline, Trump is a confirmed unhinged traitor. And Murdoch is his unidentified co-conspirator. The piece did not name any individuals in the family by name, but referred to the Murdochs and their slew of poisonous Fox News commentators. Also Read: Dan Bonginos Fox News Show Ends Abruptly After Contract Talks Break Down Churchill argued when the suit was filed that Crikeys story promoted scandalous allegations of criminal conduct and conspiracy and assertions that were false and calculated to harm Mr. Murdoch. The suit was filed shortly after new defamation standards were enacted in Australia that require plaintiffs to prove a publication caused serious harm to their reputation. Defendants like Crikey must prove that their work was in the public interest. It was due to go to court in October, according to The Wall Street Journal. In its defense, Crikey tried to introduce thousands of pages of documents from the Dominion Voting Systems case in the U.S. into the record in Australia, Churchill told the Morning Herald. Fox settled with Dominion Voting Systems on Tuesday, agreeing to pay $787.5 million. The largest known defamation payout in U.S. history, the settlement was dramatically announced in court after a jury had been seated and moments before the attorneys for both sides were to begin their opening arguments. Story continues Also Read: Fox News May Score $213 Million Tax Write-Off From Dominion Settlement In the lead-up to the trial, Dominion Voting Systems released reams of behind-the-scenes texts, emails and other materials that revealed that Fox News hosts Tucker Carlson, Sean Hannity and others privately rejected former president Donald Trumps claims of election fraud but continued to support them on air for fear of losing their audience to rivals like Newsmax and OAN that were broadcasting the claims. Among the potentially most damaging material was the deposition by Murdochs father, Fox Corp. Chairman Rupert Murdoch, who acknowledged that the network was endorsing what they knew was a false narrative. I would have liked us to be stronger in denouncing it in hindsight, Murdoch said, according to a filing in the case. Mr. Murdoch remains confident that the court would ultimately find in his favor, Churchill said in a statement. However, he does not wish to further enable Crikeys use of the court to litigate a case from another jurisdiction that has already been settled and facilitate a marketing campaign designed to attract subscribers and boost their profits. Also Read: Fox News Host Known for Bombshell Lawsuit Says Dominion Settlement Wont Change the Way Fox Does News (Video) Crikey, in a statement on its site, called the decision a victory for legitimate public interest journalism and said it stood by the original article and its assertions that Lachlan Murdoch was culpable in promoting the lie of the 2020 election result because he, and his father, had the power to stop the lie. We are proud of our stand, the statement said. We are proud to have exposed the hypocrisy and abuse of power of a media billionaire. This is a victory for free speech. We won. University of Sydney Professor David Rolph, an expert in defamation law, told the Morning Herald the case was shaping up to be the first major test case of the new public interest defense in Australian defamation law. Now well have to await another suitable vehicle. Murdoch may have to pay Crikeys legal fees, though the outlet had set up a GoFundMe campaign that raised $588,735 Australian, and the nations laws would prohibit the outlet from recovering the money twice. Also Read: Lawrence ODonnell Blames Fox News Settlement on Rupert Murdochs Stupidity': Gave Dominion A Huge Win (Video) US-POLITICS-VOTE-RECALL - Credit: AFP via Getty Images After a failed attempt to unseat California Governor Gavin Newsom in a recall election, Republican commentator Larry Elder has announced that hes set his sights on the White House. On Thursdays episode of Tucker Carlson Tonight, Elder launched his campaign for President, joining a growing cohort of Republican contenders seeking to nab the GOP nomination from former President Donald Trump. More from Rolling Stone Larry Elder announces he's running for president on Tucker Carlson pic.twitter.com/NY7DNDaOHf nikki mccann ramirez (@NikkiMcR) April 21, 2023 I feel I have a moral, religious, and a patriotic duty to give back to a country thats been so good to my family and me, and that is why I am doing this, Elder said. The newly minted candidate went on to express his concern over what he described as an epidemic of fatherlessness in the country, and his belief that the disgraceful lie the Democrats put on everything that America is systematically racist was poisoning the country. America is in decline, but this decline is not inevitable, Elder declared on Twitter. We can enter a new American Golden Age, but we must choose a leader who can bring us there. Thats why Im running for President. America is in decline, but this decline is not inevitable. We can enter a new American Golden Age, but we must choose a leader who can bring us there. Thats why Im running for President.#WeveGotACountryToSave https://t.co/jOqOBPpre2 pic.twitter.com/MTyibgbKyK Larry Elder (@larryelder) April 21, 2023 Elder was the leading candidate in the California GOPs effort to recall Governor Newsom but was handily defeated, winning 48 percent of the vote compared to Newsoms 61 percent. Story continues The career libertarians decision to run as a Republican adds to the growing cohort of figures opposing Trumps bid for a second term. Other declared candidates include Ambassador Tulsi Gabbard, former Governor of Arkansas Asa Hutchinson, and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy. In a long-winded rant preempting his announcement, Elder railed against critics who had branded his policies and positions as racist and discriminatory. The radio host has a long history of minimizing racism in the United States and defending racist statements made by his allies in the conservative movement. While Elders entrance into the GOP fray will likely serve to skim off a few percentage points from other candidates, Trump remains the clear front runner in the race for the nomination. The former president is consistently leading in polling against declared candidates by significant margins. Best of Rolling Stone Click here to read the full article. 02-how-to-blow-up-a-pipeline-RS-1800 - Credit: Neon Pictures Its a treacherous time. Russia is on the march. China is on the rise. Mass shootings are an American plague. And, above all, someone made a movie with a scary title. Rolling Stone has obtained an FBI alert issued earlier this month warning that the fictional film How to Blow Up a Pipeline could inspire real-life terrorist attacks on energy infrastructure. The nations premier domestic law-enforcement agencys bulletin was one of at least 35 missives from at least 23 separate federal and state entities a veritable alphabet soup of angst issuing dire warnings about a commercial films threat to the nations fossil-fuel infrastructure. Since its release, there appear to have been zero attacks on the mass network of pipelines that carry oil and natural gas around the country, powering much of American life while also slow-cooking the planet. More from Rolling Stone The film has potential to inspire threat actors to target oil and gas infrastructure with explosives or other destructive devices, says the April 6 bulletin from the FBIs Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate. The bulletin blasted out to police, government, and others involved in protecting infrastructure urges personnel to keep an eye out for suspicious activity. Such activity, the FBI wrote, ranged from people attempting to access infrastructure facilities to discrete or unusual use of cameras or video recorders, sketching, or note-taking aimed at learning about infrastructure operations. What followed was a two-week-old-and-counting deluge of warnings about the danger of How to Blow Up a Pipeline, a dramatized, fictional version of a nonfiction book by the same name that was published nearly three years ago. A Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives alert was even more vague. The consensus amongst law enforcement and the private oil sector is that this film may motivate attacks or disruptions on critical infrastructure throughout the country, the ATF wrote in a March 21 bulletin that was widely circulated earlier this month and obtained by Rolling Stone. No specifics on those threats were provided. (Earlier this month, The Intercept reported that the Kansas City Regional Fusion Center had sent a warning of its own.) Story continues Infrastructure attacks are real. In January, two men were arrested for a December attack on power substations in Washington state that left thousands without electricity and caused $3 million in damage, according to the Justice Department. But the supposition that someone would be inspired by a fictional film to engage in real-world attacks strains credulity, says a senior U.S. government official involved in protecting pipelines and other infrastructure: If someone wants to attack a pipeline, theyll attack a pipeline. They dont need to be inspired by a movie to do so. How to Blow Up a Pipeline does not, in fact, provide instructions on how to blow up a pipeline, as a senior weapons of mass destruction intelligence analyst with Marylands state Coordination and Analysis Centers anti-terrorism division noted in an April 14 email. The movie definitely does NOT provide a step-by-step guide to construct a device, its much more focused on the radicalization process and why these subjects choose to conduct the attack, the analyst wrote in a missive titled How to Blow Up A Pipeline Movie Review from IED Perspective. Of a trip to view the film in Baltimore, the analyst wrote: I took a bunch of notes (70% chance someone submits a see something/say something tip on me). How to Blow Up a Pipeline director Daniel Goldhaber tells Rolling Stone the film is a work of fiction that addresses one of the real worlds most pressing issues by telling a story about eight characters who believe that destroying an oil pipeline is an act of self-defense. That audiences have so strongly connected with it only demonstrates the gravity of the climate crisis and reinforces our urgent need to address it. Goldhaber declined to discuss the slew of law-enforcement agencies warning about the dangers of his film. The FBI declined to comment on its bulletin about a consumer product whose chief economic function is to bring people within purchasing proximity of high-priced popcorn. While our standard practice is to not comment on specific intelligence products, the FBI regularly shares information with our law enforcement partners to assist in protecting the communities they serve, the agency says in a statement. The FBI always encourages members of the public to be vigilant and report anything they consider suspicious to law enforcement. The film may likely be harmless, but civil-liberties advocates and other experts say telling police nationwide that moviegoers could turn into terrorists might have serious and damaging consequences. On the whole, these documents reflect law enforcements extremely biased approach to threat assessment, which has chronically under-reported the threat of right-wing violent extremism and focused unnecessarily on environmental movements, says Jake Wiener, counsel for the Electronic Privacy Information Center, a nonprofit research group that advocates for privacy, free speech, and human rights. Several documents also fit a long-running pattern of using unrelated instances of far-right violence to justify surveilling and criminalizing left-of-center political organizing, he says. This kind of low-quality analysis is common and dangerous because it can prime police to overreact to nonthreatening activities and justify wrongful surveillance. A touch of pipeline hagiography creeps into some of the intelligence memos. The United States pipeline infrastructure is part of the countrys transport system. This system enables the safe movement of extraordinary quantities of energy products to industry and consumers, literally fueling the countrys economy and way of life, reads a Southern Nevada Counter Terrorism Center security note. Some defended the need for the alerts, which were widely circulated via the Department of Homeland Securitys intelligence-sharing platform. A senior DHS official said in a statement to Rolling Stone: Films, books, video productions and their distribution channels are protected by the U.S. Constitution. With certain films and books that seem to promote violence and destruction to our critical infrastructure, we urge that our stakeholder partners practice greater vigilance and action on the tactics, techniques and procedures that we know produce improvements in physical security. What is most important is that we take steps to enhance security posture and continue to monitor conditions for specific and credible threats. But Mike German, a fellow with the Brennan Center, said the memos could prompt law-enforcement officers to take overzealous action against environmental groups. These reports fit an unfortunate pattern of intelligence products that are designed to raise fears among law-enforcement officials, but provide no useful information for police officers to detect actual threats, he says. What reasonable action could a police officer receiving these reports take but to increase surveillance of people and groups that protest the oil-and-gas industry? The FBI has responsibility for investigating environmental crimes, but too often sees itself as the protector of industry rather than protector of the public interest, German continues. The FBI and ATF should use their resources to solve actual crimes, not to monitor what movies are available. Best of Rolling Stone Click here to read the full article. Another decade of nuclear waste disposal at a Carlsbad-area repository drew debate between local government and business leaders in support of the facility and activists rallying against. The arguments came as the U.S. Department of Energy sought to renew its 10-year permit with the State of New Mexico to operate the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant the only geological repository for nuclear waste in the U.S. Public comments on the permit renewal were due Wednesday, with hundreds submitted by supporters and opponents of the project. A final decision on the permit renewal was expected later this year. More: More warheads, more nuclear waste to New Mexico. Santa Fe fearful, as Carlsbad leaders support efforts The permit language proposed for renewal contained some language that proved controversial. Chiefly, the NMED proposal included requirements that the DOE prioritize waste from within New Mexico mainly from Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) - and required the DOE provide an annual report to the State on progress in siting a new repository. The language also gave the NMED the power to suspend waste being sent to WIPP in the event of incidents involving shipments. It also notably removed an end date of 2024 contained in previous permits, leaving WIPPs closure open-ended as DOE officials said it was actually tied to WIPP fulfilling its statutory capacity to dispose of 6.2 million cubic feet of waste. More: More nuclear waste coming to Carlsbad-area repository as new contractor takes over Transuranic (TRU) nuclear waste made up of irradiated clothing materials, equipment and other debris is disposed of via burial in WIPPs underground salt deposit about 2,000 feet beneath the surface. Its sent by the DOE from the agencys national laboratories and other facilities throughout the U.S. via truck. The transportation of waste from around the country to New Mexico was a chief concern of WIPPs critics who feared communities along the transportation route could see a heightened risk of exposure to radiation. Story continues More: Will a nuclear waste project move forward despite New Mexico's bill aiming to block it? Don Hancock at Albuquerque-based government watchdog group Southwest Research and Information Center said the local community near WIPP got all the benefits of but none of the risks. He contended the DOEs recent plan to dispose of diluted plutonium and its plan to increase production of plutonium pits, triggers for nuclear weapons, could mean more waste coming to WIPP and more peril for communities on the routes. Much of that waste would come from LANL in northern New Mexico, and travel south through communities around Santa Fe on the way to WIPP in the southeast corner of the state. More: Air shaft at nuclear waste site near Carlsbad halfway drilled, operational by 2026 People in Carlsbad have no risk of waste being transported past their houses. People in Santa Fe and Eldorado do, Hancock said. Theyre being told theyre going to see many more shipments going past their doors. The surplus plutonium, the reason it struck such a cord up north is these people know this is new and theyre at risk. Cynthia Weehler, a Santa Fe resident and co-chair of advocacy group 285ALL said in her comments submitted March 20 that the transportation routes bypass Carlsbad and the concerns of residents who see the waste pass by their homes should be strongly considered by NMED during the permit process. The implication that those who live near WIPP should be the only public that has standing to make comments is divisive, unproductive, and untrue, Weehler wrote. The waste going to WIPP actually bypasses Carlsbad, so transport is less of a threat to closer residents. More: Bill in-hand, Lujan Grisham renews fight against nuclear waste site in southeast New Mexico But supporters argued WIPPs transportation program had a flawless safety record, and WIPPs continued operations provided a crucial economic benefit to the local area where the facility is located. In comments submitted Tuesday, Eddy County officials voiced their support of the WIPP project amid the permit renewal process. WIPP serves as the example of a successful transportation, emplacement and management of nuclear waste, read the letter signed by Ernie Carlson, chairman of the Eddy County Commission. WIPP is the linchpin for Eddy Countys cleanup mission, as well as cleanup efforts across the weapons complex. More: Nuclear waste transportation fears lingering amid storage project in southeast New Mexico Hobbs Mayor Sam Cobb in his comments submitted April 17, said he had concern for the proposed changes to WIPPs permit, arguing the conditions went beyond NMEDs authority to regulate a federal facility. To tether shipments from LANL to WIPP in a state permit and permitting the state to shutter WIPP for reasons that are not under WIPPs ability to control is an overreach of the states rights in operations of WIPP, Cobb wrote in a later to NMED. I urge the state re-considers these changes to the renewal draft permit. Loving Mayor Ricky Fuentes, also a WIPP employee, said he supported WIPP and opposed changes to the permit he said could lead to the early closure of WIPP and subsequent job losses in the area. WIPP has been and continues to be a vital contributor to our local economy and provides great employment opportunities for people with the Village, including myself, Fuentes wrote in his Monday comments. As for the proposed permit changes from NMED, I feel these would have a negative impact on the life of WIPP, more importantly negatively impact the surrounding communities, by the early closure and loss of so many good paying jobs. Adrian Hedden can be reached at 575-628-5516, achedden@currentargus.com or @AdrianHedden on Twitter. This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: WIPP asks New Mexico for permit renewal. Critics say its too risky Judge Brings Down Hammer on Missouri Man Who Lured and Shot a Teen Because He Was Gay A 25-year-old man in Missouri was sentenced on Thursday to nearly 22 years in prison without the possibility of parole for shooting a 16-year-old boy because the teen was gay. Malachi Robinson pleaded guilty in July of last year to luring and shooting a youth identified only as M.S. in court documents eight times in Kansas City in May of 2019. Robinson admitted he lured the youth to a secluded wooded area with the intent of shooting him because of his sexual orientation. U.S. District Court Judge Brian C. Wimes sentenced Robinson, who has been in federal custody since he was indicted by a federal grand jury on August 10, 2021, to 262 months in federal prison without parole for violating the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. This significant penalty brings a measure of justice to the young victim and to the larger LGBTQI+ community, U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore for the Western District of Missouri said in a statement. To ambush and shoot an unwitting victim, who posed no threat to him, for no other reason than his sexual orientation is reprehensible behavior that wont be tolerated. Our entire community must stand together against acts of violence motivated by hatred for any group of people. The pair first met by chance outside the Kansas City Public Library on May 29, 2019, and then continued to communicate online via Facebook. They met again at the library and walked around the Swoop Park area. Surveillance footage from the library showed M.S. walking across the street and away from Robinson before Robinson quickly followed him. According to court documents, Robinson then suggested the pair go into nearby woods to engage in a sex act. Around this time Robinson texted his girlfriend saying he might shoot this boy because he was gay. Once in the woods, M.S. changed his mind and attempted to walk away. Robinson then repeatedly shot the youth with a Taurus 9mm pistol. M.S. was able to stagger to the sidewalk and crawl to a nearby apartment building where he lay before a witness called the police. He was taken to a nearby hospital in critical condition. While M.S. survived, he still has multiple bullets in his body and has since suffered long-term effects of the shooting. He has undergone multiple surgeries since he was attacked. To target an individual, lure them, and shoot them multiple times for no other reason than their perceived sexual orientation is reprehensible, Special Agent in Charge Charles Dayoub of the FBI Kansas City Field Office said. The sentence imposed today reflects the severity of the crime committed against the victim and the entire LGBTQI+ community. Every individual has the right to live without fear of being attacked or harassed, regardless of their sexual orientation. TOKYO, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The latest from Street Fighter 6 has been revealed in a brand new Showcase! Watch now for an in-depth view of the three main game modes "World Tour", "Battle Hub", and "Fighting Ground", along with the planned new Fighter additions for Year 1, and details about the official demo! Street Fighter 6 Showcase Announces Final Details, Demo, and Future Fighters [SF6 Showcase Video Link] World Tour World Tour is a single-player immersive story mode where players can create their own custom avatar to experience an overarching mystery with support from the iconic Masters, built to redefine the scope of what a traditional fighting game is by incorporating immersive RPG elements. Battle Hub In Battle Hub, you'll be able to use your customized avatar and let them loose in Avatar Battles against other players online; the only limit to your fights is your own imagination! Fighters can also create Clubs in the Battle Hub to find like-minded players. Invite your friends and form your very own Street Fighter crew! Fighting Ground This classic mode has added many innovative new features, including but not limited to the Battle Damage feature, new Sound Accessibility features, new Control Types, and new battle modes such as Extreme Battle, where you can create fun, gimmicky battles fit for a casual setting. Ranked Match and Custom Room features have also been massively improved for easy access and better enjoyment. Year 1 Characters Revealed Four fighters join the Street Fighter 6 roster in the first year after launch! Rashid is coming in Summer 2023, A.K.I. in Autumn 2023, Ed in early Winter 2024, and finally Akuma in Spring 2024. They're also included in the Deluxe and Ultimate Editions of Street Fighter 6, now available for pre-order. [Official Website Link] Your Moment. Your Demo. The free Street Fighter 6 Demo is available now on PlayStation5 and PlayStation 4! It goes live for Xbox Series X|S and Steam on 26th April, 2023. Learn basic battle mechanics from the Tutorial, practice Luke and Ryu's moves in the Character Guide, and dip a toe into the first few moments of World Tour where you can create your customized avatar. The demo will only give a small peek at the gargantuan experience that is the full game, but your custom avatar appearance can be transferred to the full game of the same platform once it releases. Story continues Watch the Street Fighter 6 Showcase and prepare to hit the streets! Street Fighter 6 launches on 2nd June, 2023 for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S and Steam! Demo available now! [Demo Download Link] CAPCOM CO., LTD. 2005, 2023 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/street-fighter-6-showcase-announces-final-details-demo-and-future-fighters-301802467.html SOURCE Capcom They may still be jet lagged from being on location with their families in Thailand filming The Sympathizer, but producing partners Susan Downey and Amanda Burrell are truly stoked for it to release. According to the women, the series is crystallizing a vision for Team Downey. Sympathizer is going to be a big one for us. And I think its maybe slightly kind of indicative of us as a company kind of, Burrell told WrapWomens UnWrapped podcast. Because, I mean, its Park Chan-wook, whos an incredible auteur, but also just, its disruptive, it centers characters that you dont ordinarily center, its really about the Vietnamese cast. Theyre really the show and the thrust of the show and this absolutely incredible breadth of talent that you realize weve Hollywood has overlooked for so long. Thats been really exciting. But, The Sympathizer isnt the only thing Robert Downey Jr.s production company is working on. According to Susan Downey, Sherlock Holmes 3 is still a priority for her and her team, along with Downeys Dream Cars, a new unscripted series on Discovery+, and Helltown. SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts| Spotify | Amazon Music | Google Podcasts | Omny Studio | Stitcher Once we got [Perry Mason] going, and [Perry Mason] was working, were like, Okay, whats the next one? Whats the next one? Downey and Burrell said. They added, We wake up, we look at our slate, and were like, what can we do to move these things forward today? Also Read: Abbott Elementary': Lisa Ann Walter Says She Doesnt Have the Nerve to Ask Quinta Brunson to Put Her Parent Trap BFF on the Show (Video) Downey and Burrell also reveal Story continues Whats in the works for Sherlock Holmes 3 Advice for young people in the industry: Dont be afraid to ask for help They are Deeply connected as to moms, and then we just connected as humans What its like bringing their children on location and introducing them to the industry About UnWrapped UnWrapped is a podcast produced by WrapWomen, dedicated to empowering the next generation of women in media and entertainment. Each episode unwraps topics from entertainment news and industry trends to career advice, Hollywood headlines and more. You can listen on TheWrap.com, WrapWomen.com, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music or wherever you get your podcasts. The Good Morning America anchor will be reconnecting with the devastated community of Rolling Fork, Mississippi, on live TV next week Craig Barritt/Getty Images Robin Roberts Robin Roberts is heading to Rolling Fork, Mississippi, next week to cover the aftermath of last month's tragic storms. The Good Morning America anchor, 62, tells PEOPLE exclusively that she is approaching her coverage with empathy similar to when Hurricane Katrina hit her home state back in 2005. Recalling the destruction that was caused by the Category 5 storm including the severe damage done to her alma mater, Pass Christian High School Roberts details the emotions she felt while covering Katrina. "I broke down on the air and I thought I was gonna lose my job. It was just the opposite. They said, 'Thank you for being vulnerable,' " Roberts says. "Authenticity and vulnerability, that's a strength and not a weakness, especially for journalists, to be real. I knew already before that, and since Katrina, I've been more empathetic." Now, ahead of her journey to Rolling Fork, PEOPLE can exclusively reveal Roberts and GMA's "Mississippi Strong" multiphase coverage of the community's efforts, where the newscaster will cover the recent tragedy on the ground in hopes that it will encourage viewers to offer a helping hand. Related:Robin Roberts Celebrates 10-Year Anniversary of GMA Return After Bone Marrow Transplant: 'You Can Thrive' Peter Zay/Anadolu Agency via Getty On April 26, Roberts will be co-anchoring live throughout GMA in the area, where a March 24 tornado killed 13 residents and destroyed over 300 structures, according to the Associated Press's latest numbers. The anchor will be on the ground as part of the three-phase initiative where the community looks to clean up, rebuild and reopen the city. Some residents took shelter in their vehicles during the storm, others saw their entire homes leveled, and a select few survived by simply trusting their immediate reactions by sheltering in the nearest available location. Story continues "We can't become numb," Roberts explains. "There are real people behind our numbness. And I just believe in the good. I believe people want to do good, and they just want to be shown how they can do it and how the resources they can give can be best put to use." Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. After the storm, Roberts hopped on air to speak with a group of locals impacted by the natural disaster including Tracy Harden, the owner of Chuck's Dairy Bar who rushed her staff into a walk-in cooler moments before her business was quickly turned to rubble. Roberts plans to reconnect with Harden during her visit to Rolling Fork next week. "I'm just looking forward to hugging her," Roberts says. "I told her that I can't wait. That's what we do down South. That's how we roll. But [being on the ground is] really to see firsthand with my own eyes. To be able to truly convey to the audience where we are now almost a month later." "I call it the 3 Rs," she continues. "Right now, they're still removing debris. And then they rebuild. And then they reopen. We want to be with them at every phase." Adds Roberts: "That's Mississippi. We're resilient. We're like any other state: we have our issues. But in the end, we come together. And that's what I've seen in Rolling Fork and other parts of the state is we rally around one another. We put aside all differences and just help out where the need is wanted." Related:8 People Survive Tornado Inside Restaurant's Walk-In Cooler: 'We Are Grieving, But We Are Alive' ABC Roberts explains that GMA's hallmark is to "follow up and follow through," and while she doesn't want to rush to travel to Rolling Fork while the community is still in shock, she also wants her viewers to see their "ongoing journey" of rebuilding for themselves. "I just want people to not forget, and to see our coverage and go, 'Oh, that's right. I remember. These women hid in a freezer.' So I want them to jog their memory about how they felt the morning after when they saw this," she tells PEOPLE. "And I would like our viewers to know that they can help, and just to show them how they can help." "I know that Rolling Fork isn't the only community that's been devastated," Roberts adds. "But it's a good example for people ... if they're not able to help in Rolling Fork, it can remind them, 'Oh yes, in my own backyard, X, Y and Z are needed, I want to do something.' I want it to cause a reaction that leads to action." Good Morning America airs weekdays at 7 a.m. ET on ABC. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Rust resumed filming Thursday at the Yellowstone ranch in Montana, a year and a half after Alec Baldwin accidentally shot and killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. Director Joel Souza, who was injured in the shooting at a New Mexico movie ranch, is returning to finish the Western that stars Baldwin, Jensen Ackles, Travis Fimmel, and Frances Fisher. Patrick Scott McDermott has also been added to the cast, taking over for Brady Noon, who was not available to complete filming due to other commitments. More from Variety Manslaughter charges against Baldwin were officially dropped Friday. While production is under way, Oscar-nominated documentary filmmaker Rory Kennedy is working on a documentary about Baldwin and the Rust movie accident, Variety has confirmed. Kennedy, who has directed documentaries including Last Days in Vietnam and Ethel, was seen filming Baldwin as he left his New York home for Montana and her documentary crew is also on set in Montana, according to the Daily Mail. The documentary is the second project that will focus on the aftermath of the accident Circus of Books director Rachel Mason and producer Julee Metz are shooting a documentary about Hutchins, who was a friend of theirs, with the cooperation of her husband Matthew Hutchins. Matthew Hutchins serves as executive producer on Rust, joined by producer Grant Hill, alongside the original producers. Production is expected to be completed by the end of May, said Rust attorney Melina Spadone. The production will continue to utilize union crew members and will bar any use of working weapons and any form of ammunition. Live ammunition is and always was prohibited on set. Each and every one of us is wholeheartedly dedicated to realizing Halynas vision and paying tribute to her artistry, she said in a statement. Story continues Souza said, Though bittersweet, I am grateful that a brilliant and dedicated new production team is joining former cast and crew to complete what Halyna and I started. My every effort on this film will be devoted to honoring Halynas legacy and making her proud. McDermott joined the cast in the role of Lucas Hollister. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to work with Joel and the rest of the team to bring this story to the screen, said McDermott. Westerns are a true American art form with a long history what an exciting genre to be a part of! The productions has added two safety officers, while cinematographer Bianca Cline will take over as director of photography. Cline will donate her salary to charity in honor of Halyna Hutchins. Correction: This story originally stated that Brady Noon was part of the cast, but he has been replaced by Patrick Scott McDermott. Best of Variety Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Ukrainian refugees wait in a gymnasium Tuesday, April 5, 2022, in Tijuana, Mexico. Many of the Ukrainians who have resettled in South Dakota have settled on the western side of the state, because thats where their sponsors are located many of whom are Ukrainians themselves. South Dakota welcomed its lowest number of international refugees in recent memory last year, despite an increase in the number of refugees allowed in the U.S., according to a state report. But resettlement numbers are three times higher in the state when factoring in nontraditional programs, such as Ukrainian resettlements. The president decides the maximum number of refugees the country will accept before each fiscal year. President Donald Trump slashed the refugee ceiling to 18,000 for fiscal year 2020 and 15,000 for fiscal year 2021, the lowest an administration has ever set. President Joe Biden later increased that years maximum to 62,500. Despite this increase, both years saw about 11,000 refugees arrive in America. Biden set a goal of 125,000 for fiscal year 2022, but the number of refugees admitted has been slow to bounce back. About 25,000 arrived in the country and 49 arrived in South Dakota, down from 52 the previous year and a recent high of 439 in 2016. Minnehaha County Commissioners listen in 2020 to a presentation from Lutheran Social Services on refugee resettlement in South Dakota. Thats because South Dakota, the federal government and national organizations lack resources, said Lutheran Social Services president Rebecca Kiesow-Knudsen. LSS has overseen refugee resettlement in South Dakota since 2000, providing case management, employment services, interpreter services and English language training. The program is funded at the federal level. A lot of this takes manpower, Kiesow-Knudsen said. Over the course of the last five years, theres been fewer refugees arriving nationally, which means organizations have scaled back staffing to meet the appropriate level of response, so they had less capacity for this increase and its hard to rebuild capacity. National organizations were also tied up in new, nontraditional resettlement programs specifically for Ukrainians and Afghans in the last year. Those dont factor into the official resettlement numbers highlighted in the report, Kiesow-Knudsen said. The state accepted another 68 Ukrainian cases last year through the national sponsorship program 115 Ukrainians total. Kiesow-Knudsen said South Dakota didnt see very many arrivals at all of Afghan cases. Story continues Ukrainians affected by the Russian invasion and Afghans extracted by the United States in 2021 dont have a legal refugee status, but rather a humanitarian parole status, which is a temporary immigration status used in urgent crises. Traditional refugee status offers a path to permanent U.S. residency, whereas parolees are granted permission to live and work in the U.S. for two years. Refugees are defined as individuals who are unable to return to their home country due to a well-founded fear of persecution. The Ukrainian sponsorship program, Uniting for Ukraine, is an unprecedented federal policy allowing tens of thousands of Americans to support an unlimited number of refugees. Its also become the largest private refugee sponsorship program in U.S. history, according to CBS News. Many of the Ukrainians in South Dakota have settled on the western side of the state, Kiesow-Knudsen said, because thats where their sponsors are located many of whom are Ukrainians themselves. The shift to western South Dakota resettlements has meant more drive time and effort for Sioux Falls-based LSS, including accessing telecommunications and telehealth services. Of traditional resettlement, Congolese people made up the largest demographic group arriving in South Dakota last year, accounting for 25 of the 49 resettlements. Almost half of the refugees who arrived in the United States in fiscal year 2022 hailed from the Democratic Republic of Congo or Syria. The recent Congolese refugees are fleeing from outbreaks of violence in the eastern side of the country. While the number of U.S. resettlements more than doubled in the last year, one reason South Dakota experienced fewer resettlements may be because many are family tie cases, Kiesow-Knudsen said. An individual who has been approved might have a family member in another state, so typically thatll be given priority of where theyll be resettled, she said. Knudsen added that resettlement organizations are signaling they anticipate therell be an increase in traditional refugee resettlement in the coming years. Resettlement can take 18 months to two years, so it will take time, she said. South Dakota is a very welcoming place for individuals who are fleeing their home not by choice but because of violence in their home country, Kiesow-Knudsen said. We have a strong track record of providing community for these individuals, and I think that stands. More than 216,000 Ukrainians were sponsored and entered into America as of February. The Biden administration discontinued parole for Afghan refugees in October 2022, focusing on resettling evacuees who qualify for immigration programs with permanent legal status. The U.S. resettled roughly 86,000 Afghans as of September 2022. This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: SD sees continued decline in refugee arrivals while Ukrainian sponsorships grow Louisianans are paying a bigger percentage of sales tax than anyone else in the United States at nearly 10%, which critics describe as regressive because sales taxes take a larger percentage of income from low-income taxpayers than from high-income earners. The 2023 Tax Foundation rankings list Louisiana at No. 1 in combined state and local sales taxes at 9.55%, five times higher than Alaska at 1.76%, the state with the lowest sales tax. Beginning this spring and during the next two years lawmakers will debate whether to reduce a portion of a temporary .45-cent state sales tax before it expires in 2025 or extend a portion or all of it. Republican Prairieville Rep. Tony Bacala's House Bill 62 would wean the state off of the temporary sales tax by reducing it to .25% during its final year in 2024. "It would ease us into the elimination and soften the blow," Bacala said. "We ought to be looking ahead." The problem? Louisiana's temporary sales tax generates $460 million per year, according to the Legislative Fiscal Office, money that pays for vital state services. While Louisiana's state sales tax rate is 4.45%, the local sales tax average rate of 5.10% puts the state at the top of the nation with No. 2 Tennessee at 9.548%, but Tennessee doesn't have a state income tax. Shreveport Rep. Sam Jenkins, chair of the House Democratic Caucus, has mixed feelings about the temporary tax. "On one hand, sales taxes are regressive, on the other hand, the temporary sales tax has helped us to pay for critical services for people who need them most," Jenkins said. "My intention is to find a less regressive way to replace this revenue by eliminating credits or exemptions. Republican state Rep. Tony Bacala, pictured here in the House Appropriations Committee on April 12, 2023 has a bill to phase out the temporary state sales tax. "My intention is to find a replacement for the revenue so the tax can roll off, but that won't happen until next year," he said. Republican Winnfield Rep. Jack McFarland, chairman of the House Conservative Caucus, said he'd support Bacala's bill. Story continues "It makes sense to tighten our belts now," McFarland said. A similar bill from Bacala won House approval last year but was killed in a Senate committee. "The time to do it was last year," Bacala said. "But whatever we can to prepare now will compel us to build a sustainable budget without the ($460 million)." More: Hemp THC battle brewing in Louisiana between House and Senate with industry fate at stake Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1. This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: If you live in Louisiana, you're paying more sales tax than anywhere else Princess Rita Jenrette Boncompagni Ludovisi was evicted from the Casino dell'Aurora on Thursday as part of a legal dispute with the children of her late husband, Prince Nicolo Boncompagni Andrew Medichini/AP Photo A Texas-born princess has been evicted from a villa in Rome built more than 450 years ago and features a mural painted by famed artist Caravaggio, per multiple reports. Princess Rita Jenrette Boncompagni Ludovisi, formerly Rita Carpenter of San Antonio, left the Casino dell'Aurora in the Italian city on Thursday after police appeared at the residence to enforce a court-mandated eviction from the $533 million residence, according to the Associated Press and CNN. An Italian court ordered the home to be sold as part of an inheritance dispute between Princess Rita and the sons of her late husband, Prince Nicolo Boncompagni, who died in 2018, per the reports. Princess Rita claimed in a video that the eviction was a "travesty" in addition to being "illegal" and "unnecessary," according to the BBC. "Someone said it's because I'm a woman and I'm American I don't know," she said, per the report, later adding, the move was "all about money, obviously." Related:CEO Sparks Backlash for Telling Employees Not to Worry About Getting Bonuses: 'Leave Pity City' Valentina Stefanelli/LaPresse/Shutterstock Princess Rita and Prince Nicolo wed in 2009, according to the AP. The couple lived together at the Casino dell'Aurora, also known as the Villa Ludovisi, during their marriage. The dispute over the property began shortly after the death of the prince, whose children say the home has been in their family since the early 1600s, per the report. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. In January, Roman Judge Miriam Iappelli ordered Princess Rita be evicted from the residence, which a court appraised at $533 million, and accused her of violating a previous order that forbade guided tours of the property, according to the AP. Story continues Local authorities attempted to auction off the villa on four separate occasions between January and October of 2022, but no bids were submitted, per CNN's report. Gregorio Borgia/AP Photo The six-story villa is home to the famed Caravaggio mural featuring gods Jupiter, Neptune and Pluto, as well as the zodiac signs, the BBC reported. The painting was completed in 1597, but was first discovered in the late 1960s after being covered for years, per the outlet. The AP reports that the presence of the only known ceiling painted by Caravaggio at the home is a reason for the property's eye-popping price tag. Related:Entrepreneur Spending $2 Million to Reverse Aging Left Fiancee After Breast Cancer Diagnosis: Lawsuit Prince Bante Boncompagni Ludovisi, the princess's stepson, told reporters Thursday that the home "needs renovations," according to the AP. Those are expected to cost at about 11 million euros (about $12.1 million). "The pipelines of water need to be restored and the frescoes are in danger," he added, later noting that the building needed to be brought up to code. Andrew Medichini/AP Photo Roman law enforcement officials changed the locks on the door before Princess Rita finished leaving the home, according CNN and the AP. The princess, who was previously married to Republican U.S. Rep. John Jenrette, told reporters that she is writing a book about the ordeal, per the reports. "I see no logic in this," she said, according to the BBC. "I was a good custodian for the villa." For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. BRUSSELS (AP) The guardians of Champagne will let no one take the name of the bubbly beverage in vain, not even a U.S. beer behemoth. For years, Miller High Life has used the Champagne of Beers slogan. This week, that appropriation became impossible to swallow. At the request of the trade body defending the interests of houses and growers of the northeastern French sparkling wine, Belgian customs crushed more than 2,000 cans of Miller High Life advertised as such. The Comite Champagne asked for the destruction of a shipment of 2,352 cans on the grounds that the century-old motto used by the American brewery infringes on the protected designation of origin Champagne. The consignment was intercepted in the Belgian port of Antwerp in early February, a spokesperson at the Belgian Customs Administration said on Friday, and was destined for Germany. Molson Coors Beverage Co., which owns the Miller High Life brand, does not currently export it to the EU, and Belgian customs declined to say who had ordered the beers. The buyer in Germany was informed and did not contest the decision, the trade organization said in a statement. More: The 5 breweries that made Milwaukee famous: Miller, Schlitz, Pabst, Gettelman and Blatz Miller High Life cans carry "The Champagne of Beers" slogan, but the Champagne region in France isn't impressed Miller's slogan goes back more than 100 years Frederick Miller, a German immigrant to the US, founded the Miller Brewing Company in the 1850s. Miller High Life, its oldest brand, was launched as its flagship in 1903. According to the Milwaukee-based brands website, the company started to use the Champagne of Bottle Beers nickname three years later. It was shortened to The Champagne of Beers in 1969. The beer has also been available in champagne-style 750-milliliter bottles during festive seasons. With its elegant, clear-glass bottle and crisp taste, Miller High Life has proudly worn the nickname The Champagne of Beers for almost 120 years, Molson Coors Beverage Co. said in a statement to The Associated Press. Story continues No matter how popular the slogan is in the United States, it is incompatible with European Union rules, which make clear that goods infringing a protected designation of origin can be treated as counterfeit. The 27-nation bloc has a system of protected geographical designations created to guarantee the true origin and quality of artisanal food, wine and spirits, and protect them from imitation. That market is worth nearly 75 billion euros ($87 billion) annually half of it in wines, according to a 2020 study by the EUs executive arm. Charles Goemaere, the managing director of the Comite Champagne, said the destruction of the beers confirms the importance that the European Union attaches to designations of origin and rewards the determination of the Champagne producers to protect their designation. Molson Coors Beverage Co. said it respects local restrictions around the word Champagne. But we remain proud of Miller High Life, its nickname and its Milwaukee, Wisconsin provenance, the company said. We invite our friends in Europe to the U.S. any time to toast the High Life together. Belgian customs said the destruction of the cans was paid for by the Comite Champagne. According to their joint statement, it was carried out with the utmost respect for environmental concerns by ensuring that the entire batch, both contents and container, was recycled in an environmentally responsible manner. Mark D. Carlson of the Associated Press contributed to this report from Brussels. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Miller High Life's Champagne of Beers slogan gets cans crushed in EU moonrise-kingdom-RS-1800 - Credit: Focus Features/Courtesy Everet A woman stands on a train platform, her unsmiling face framed against the sky by the open door of a rail car. In an up-close shot of a plated burger, a hand reaches for a french fry, only to be gently slapped away. A man in a woodworking apron holds a power drill in front of his torso like its a trophy as the garage door behind him rises. The tones are sepia, the music orchestral, the title cards whimsical, and the faces deadpan. These are the Wes Anderson videos of TikTok. Social media can be nice. Thats easy to forget amid the all-caps outrage, concern trolling, and clout-chasing. But in one lovely corner of TikTok, people are making Wes Anderson fan videos that are capturing peoples twee little hearts. These arent the first Andersoninspired videos to crop up on TikTok, where fans are drawn to the familiar, quirky style of the videos, but few of them reached the millions of viewers these latest creators have. More from Rolling Stone The latest upwelling of Anderson videos can be traced to Ava Williams, who on April 8 posted a video thats become known as Girl on a Train. It captures Williams on a commuter rail journey from her folks house in Niantic, Connecticut, to New York, where she lives. The clip is 24 seconds long and includes nine shots of the train interior and Williams plus closeups of her shoes, her notebook, her ticket. Theres also a shot of a title card with text appearing line by line: The first train / Along the Shoreline East / to Grand Central Terminal / 6:45 am. Its score is a clip of Obituary by frequent Anderson composer Alexandre Desplat, a plucky harpsichord instrumental from the 2021 movie The French Dispatch. Its been viewed 12 million times and counting. Story continues Andersons recognizable style seems to have helped the trend gain traction. It doesnt take a film buff to enjoy the perfectly contrasting colors or signature symmetry. I think its charming, says Josh Rimmey, a self proclaimed nerd for Anderson and a producer and director whos done tour videography for artists including Ed Sheeran and Demi Lovato. Its like looking at a painting and feeling sucked into it. Its an aesthetic thats easy enough to replicate on an iPhone and editing apps, he adds. According to Williams, 26, she was inspired to make her video in a moment of feeling bummed. She was heading back into the city for an early work shift on the Saturday before Easter. I wasnt super pleased that I had to go to work, she says. I was tired and I wished I was with my family, and there I was on this train. But I didnt want to end this really great trip on such a sour note, and I dont want to be like, Im a victim of the world. So I decided I should romanticize this moment or make the most of this moment. The romanticization of the moment anchors the work of other Anderson fans on the app. Keith Afadi, 29, whos based in the UK, has been working in digital marketing for almost a decade and recently began posting short films about everyday life to his page. He said people in the comments told him they looked like Wes Anderson, which got him watching Andersons films for the first time in his life. He started with the Grand Budapest Hotel. Loved it, he says. He had just seen the French Dispatch when friends and followers started sending him Williams train video. I was like, this is cool, he says. When he spotted a vintage car parked outside a restaurant, he thought it fit the Anderson vibe and decided to try the trend. I was just going out to lunch, he says. I was like, let me make a video because its just quite fun: like a fun pastime as we go for lunch. The resulting 21-second TikTok has been viewed more than 7 million times and earned him a paid partnership with Adidas for another Anderson-style post. Afadi tries to challenge himself to go beyond just copying Andersons shots. It looks really beautiful, the way he puts shots together, but I think theres more that you can pull from his films, he says. Things like comedic timing or the way that characters are introduced and subtleties in the way that they interact with each other. He often recruits his wife to act in videos with him. In the first video, my wife tried to take a fry in the UK, we call them chips, he says. Her trying to take a fry and me slapping it away is very much playing into that sense of humor. Rimmey, the director, doesnt often post on TikTok, but his Anderson homage, set in his garage woodshop, has been viewed nearly 2 million times. For one shot, he strapped his phone to a plank of wood as it was fed through a sander. That was inspired directly by a shot in the trailer for Andersons forthcoming movie, Asteroid City, taken from on top of a moving train. Theres an angle that he does, putting the camera on top of a vehicle, or a train in the latest trailer, where its like riding on the train, he says. Rimmeys just surprised to see people having fun and being so nice on the internet. The comments are just really reaffirming, he says. Theres nice people in the world. @keithafadi Ive recently discovered Wes Anderson and his films so heres a quick & fun little video for this trend Obituary Alexandre Desplat Not every Anderson post in the trend aims to celebrate simplicity. For Valeria Shashenok, a Ukrainian photographer living in London, it was a chance to bring attention to the war in her home country. Shes also an Anderson fan. I like his style, how he sees the world, she says. But she wanted to send a strong message with her Anderson video. My message is that people need to pay attention, that war still is going on in my country. Shashenok, 21, wasnt in Ukraine to shoot footage for the TikTok trend, so she used video she already had and picked out the most Anderson-esque shots of her war-torn homeland to striking effect. One shot shows her standing in the doorway of a building that was bombed; another captures bright orange cupboards that could have been an aesthetic, but instead they are open and askew in a kitchen filled with rubble. On a stoop, a man leans on forearm crutches. I saved this video and I planned to make it in Ukraine when I go back, but I decided I need to do it now because I felt that it will be so popular, she says. For me its important that many people can see it. So far, 1.9 million have. Best of Rolling Stone Click here to read the full article. A federal judge Thursday sentenced chiropractor Dean Zusmer to eight years in prison and orthopedic surgeon Lawrence Alexander to about three years, the finale to their convictions for participating in a network of medical equipment companies that submitted more than $31 million of false bills to Medicare for unnecessary orthotic braces. Zusmer, 53, got a harsher sentence from U.S. District Judge K. Michael Moore because a Miami federal jury found him guilty of committing healthcare fraud by filing bogus claims through his own durable medical equipment company. Moore also found that Zusmer lied on the witness stand when he testified at trial and boosted his sentence for obstructing justice. In addition, Zusmer was ordered to repay $1.4 million to Medicare that were his profits from the illicit billing scheme. Alexander, 45, received far less punishment from Moore because the jury only found him guilty of making a false statement about his DME business on a Medicare enrollment application not of committing actual healthcare fraud. The issue of how much money Alexander might have to repay the taxpayer-funded health insurance program must still be resolved, court records show. Both doctors, who were detained by the judge immediately after their trial convictions in January, plan to appeal, according to Alexanders lawyers, Jose Quinon and Frank Quintero, and Zusmers attorney, Barry Wax. Alexanders lawyers said that while they respect the jurys verdict, they contend there was insufficient evidence to convict their client. Quintero pointed out that Alexander was convicted of signing a falsified Medicare form for his DME company that dealt with its hours of operation not claims for orthotic braces. The false statement [charge] had nothing to do with billing Medicare, he said, noting that will be a key issue on appeal. The doctors collaborated with Miami-Dade businessman Jeremy Waxman and other people in a scheme revolving around four durable medical equipment companies in Florida, according to an indictment. Those companies, located in Miami-Dade, Broward and Pinellas counties, were partly owned by Waxman, who pleaded guilty, was sentenced to 15 years and testified against the doctors at trial. Story continues Alexander, a Miami-Dade spinal surgeon, obtained his medical degree from New York University, did post-graduate work at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and also served for 10 years in the U.S. Navy Reserves. Alexander had an ownership interest in one of Waxmans DME companies and made about $250,000 from his investment, according to trial evidence. Zusmer, who lived in Miami Beach and had a chiropractor practice in Miami Lakes, also shared an interest with Waxman in one of the DME firms. Zusmer made about $1.4 million from his investment, evidence showed. Dr. Lawrence M. Alexander Justice Department lawyers said the network of DME companies depended on marketing firms that recruited Medicare patients and received kickbacks in an elaborate telemedicine racket. Medicare, the insurance program for senior citizens and indigent, paid out a total of $15 million based on the four companies fraudulent claims for orthotic braces, jurors found after a two-week trial. The DME scheme was reminiscent of Medicare fraud in South Florida in the 1990s before it spread to other areas of medicine, such as physical therapy, diabetic injections and mental health services. According to trial evidence, Zusmer collaborated with Waxman through their joint ownership and management of Active Assist DME in Pinellas County. Justice Department lawyers said Zusmer and Waxman obtained patient referrals and doctors signed orders by paying kickbacks to marketing firms that used overseas call centers to solicit patients. They also paid kickbacks to telemedicine companies that procured prescriptions from doctors for the unnecessary orthotic braces. The braces were purportedly needed for knee, back, shoulder and wrist injuries, according to federal agents with the FBI and Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. Zusmer was convicted of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud, healthcare fraud, conspiracy to pay illegal healthcare kickbacks, paying illegal healthcare kickbacks, and false statements relating to healthcare matters. But he was also found not guilty of two anti-kickback counts. One of his defense attorneys, Barry Wax, said the trial pivoted on the testimony of the governments main witness: Waxman. We are extremely surprised and disappointed with the jurys verdict, Wax told the Miami Herald Tuesday. This case had a significant amount of reasonable doubt, primarily based on the testimony of one of the co-defendants, Jeremy Waxman. We expected a much different verdict. Trial evidence also showed that Alexander concealed both his and Waxmans roles in the scheme by putting their DME company in the name of one of Alexanders family members, Justice Department lawyers said. The company was called Silent Hill Bracing and Orthopedic Supplies, located in Bay Harbor Islands. Court records show that Alexanders mother appears as the firms owner on the 2019 Medicare Application Enrollment form, which is signed by her in 2019. Chiropactor Dean Zusmer Alexander, who had his medical practice in Hialeah, was convicted of making a false statement relating to healthcare matters. But he was acquitted of the more serious charge of conspiring to defraud Medicare by paying illegal healthcare kickbacks. Alexanders defense attorneys, Jose Quinon and Frank Quintero, questioned the jurys sole guilty verdict and plan to appeal. There was no evidence to convict Dr. Alexander, Quintero said. He said Alexander was not involved in running the DME company, Silent Hill; did not fill out the Medicare Enrollment Application and that his mothers signature was forged on the form, which provides details about the companys services, including a change in its hours of operation. He added that Waxman managed Silent Hill, not Alexander. During his testimony at trial, Waxman said that he and his staff filled out the Medicare Enrollment Application for Silent Hill and as a matter of routine would have shown it to Alexander. But he also said he couldnt remember if he did so in this instance. Waxman testified that the initial signature on the form belonged to Alexanders mother. But he further testified that the second signature on the form also belonged to Alexanders mother, alongside her fingerprints. Then he admitted under oath that the two signatures didnt match. Alexanders defense attorney, Quinon, accused him of faking signatures on the form, in an effort to raise doubts that it was his clients handwriting. Waxman, who pleaded guilty to healthcare fraud conspiracy and wire fraud, was sentenced before trial to more than 15 years in prison. But he is expected to receive a reduction for his cooperation as a witness against Alexander and Zusmer. Ronald Davidovic, an owner of a Broward marketing company, also pleaded guilty to healthcare fraud conspiracy. He was sentenced to almost six years. Umut Vardar, a managing partner of Davidovics marketing company, is a resident of Turkey. He is at large, court records show. David Bowie the guinea fowl and Opal the hen are a set of unlikely animal friends living at The Gentle Barn's Missouri sanctuary Courtesy of The Gentle Barn This avian odd couple has an adorable love story. David Bowie the guinea fowl and Opal the hen are part of a long history of unlikely animal friendships at The Gentle Barn, an animal rescue nonprofit with sanctuaries across the county, "We had a goat who was in love with a turkey, a horse who adopted a donkey as her baby, and a chicken who was in love with a pig. Love is love," Ellie Laks, the founder of The Gentle Barn, tells PEOPLE, adding that the organization is dedicated to rescuing animals from abuse, rehabilitating them, and then giving them sanctuary for the rest of their lives. Opal is one of the hundreds of animals rescued by The Gentle Barn. Years ago, her entire flock was killed by a predator, so her former owners brought her to the nonprofit's Missouri sanctuary to give her a safe place to live. David Bowie's arrival at the sanctuary was a bit more unconventional. Instead of being brought to The Gentle Barn or being part of a rescue effort, the guinea fowl just appeared. Related:Rescue Bald Eagle Who Tried to Hatch a Rock in an Attempt to Become a Dad Gets a Foster Chick Courtesy of The Gentle Barn "We have no idea how David Bowie came to us. One morning he was just there like magic. We don't know if he was wild, lost, or if he was dumped on our property and thrown over our fence. We were thrilled to see him and invited him into our barn. We did everything we could think of to find his home, but he was never claimed," Laks explains. While it's unclear what brought David Bowie named by the sanctuary through a naming auction to The Gentle Barn, it is obvious why the bird has chosen to stay: love. Related:Rescue Bunnies Help Kitten with Special Needs Get on His Feet and Start Adoption Journey "From that first day we saw him, Bowie was circling the barnyard fence with his eyes right on Opal. He was obsessed from the first day. As soon as we let them be together in the yard, he followed her around, never leaving her side, sat next to her while she laid eggs, and slept right next to her," Laks says. Story continues The rescue hen was a bit leery of David Bowie's attention initially, but she quickly grew to love the larger bird after spending time with him, according to The Gentle Barn founder. Courtesy of The Gentle Barn "Now, she rather fancies him and has accepted him as her mate. I think she likes the attention and protection now, it makes her feel special," Laks says of Opal. "They are a couple, married for life, and always together. We never see one without the other now," she adds. Laks hopes that those who learn about Opal and David Bowie's love story are moved to be more accepting. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. "Even though we all look different, we are all really the same when we are looking through the eyes of love," she says. Animal lovers who would like to support David Bowie and Opal, and the work of The Gentle Barn, can learn more at the sanctuary's website. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. PHOENIX, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Informa Markets' SupplySide East, the East Coast's leading ingredients and supply-chain solutions trade show, hosted more than 250 exhibiting companies and 2,800 health and nutrition industry leaders from around the globe for a dynamic event featuring thousands of the most innovative ingredients in dietary supplements, food and beverage, personal care and sports nutrition. The event took place April 18-19 at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus, New Jersey. Informa Markets SupplySide East, the East Coasts leading ingredients and supply-chain solutions trade show, hosted more than 250 exhibiting companies and 2,800 health and nutrition industry leaders from around the globe for a dynamic event featuring thousands of the most innovative ingredients in dietary supplements, food and beverage, personal care and sports nutrition. The event took place April 18-19 at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus, New Jersey. Attendees at this year's trade show represented the growing industry with 50 percent visiting for the first time, including a combination of people new to the industry and others with experience who hadn't previously attended. New this year, SupplySide partnered with Naturally Network to host 20 first-time visitors who are part of the Naturally Network minority-owned fellowship program. The number of international attendees also rose, with 13 percent of attendees coming from 36 countries, an increase from prior years. Education programming included eight sessions that were open to all attendees and focused on the latest science and trends in key categories such as beverages, women's health, synbiotics and healthy aging. Industry members who were unable to attend these sessions can access them on-demand through NaturalProductsInsider.com and within the SupplySide East mobile app. "The education at SupplySide East gathered packed crowds who gained insight into the supplement and functional food industry trends and white space opportunities," said Sandy Almendarez, VP of Content, Informa Markets Health & Nutrition portfolio. "In addition to helping CPG brands better understand the marketplace in a variety of categories, the SupplySide content team was proud to partner with esteemed organizations such as Women in Nutraceuticals and Incivox to help foster diversity and inclusion in the health & nutrition industry." Story continues SupplySide East hosted its popular networking Happy Hour and a new "Thanks a Lox!" Bagels & Bubbly Brunch, both of which were open to all attendees. The show also partnered with What's Up Supps on a Casino Cocktail Party to benefit the Williams-Franklin Foundation, which provides scholarships, networking and mentoring opportunities to students who attend historically Black colleges and universities. Event organizers continue to prioritize sustainability initiatives such as reducing waste through the elimination of carpet, saving an estimated 25,821 square feet of material, and powering the event by 100% renewable energy. New this year, the Expo Preview converted to digital-only, eliminating printing of 3,000 copies, and the event offered more sustainable serving ware options and show bags made from recycled pre-consumer cotton and RPET. SupplySide East will also donate certain show materials including the trees used to decorate the show, which will be given to the Town of Secaucus to be replanted at Secaucus Middle School. "SupplySide East is a must-attend event on the East Coast. It provides a more intimate setting for networking and connecting with other industry professionals without feeling overwhelmed or rushed," said Franck Gillet, VP of Sales, North America, Nexira. "Attending SupplySide East is key to building relationships that are more likely to lead to valuable business opportunities. The 2023 event was no exception to this rule and we can't wait for next year." The event was presented by returning Title Sponsor KSM-66 Ashwagandha and other sponsors including Gelita, Jungbunzlauer, KingdomWay USA, PanaSource, MTC Industries, and Specialty Enzymes & Probiotics. For more information about the SupplySide shows visit supplysideshow.com and follow the latest updates on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn. About SupplySide: SupplySide focuses on the exploration, discovery, innovation and marketing strategy around the development of finished consumer goods that drive the global business economy. SupplySide West and Food ingredients North America (FiNA) 2023 will take place October 23-27 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. About Informa Markets Informa Markets creates platforms for industries and specialist markets to trade, innovate and grow. We provide marketplace participants around the globe with opportunities to engage, experience and do business through face-to-face exhibitions, targeted digital services and actionable data solutions. We connect buyers and sellers across more than a dozen global verticals, including Pharmaceuticals, Food, Medical Technology and Infrastructure. As the world's leading market-making company, we bring a diverse range of specialist markets to life, unlocking opportunities and helping them to thrive 365 days of the year. For more information, please visit www.informamarkets.com. Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/supplyside-east-2023-welcomes-many-first-time--international-attendees-as-thriving-health--nutrition-industry-continues-to-innovate-and-grow-301804511.html SOURCE SupplySide Chance The Rapper Bringing Music Festival to Ghana in Early 2023 Chicago rapper/producer Vic Mensa is back with another new single, Swish, featuring his longtime friends Chance the Rapper and G-Eazy. The boast-heavy rap track follows Mensas January release Strawberry Louis Vuitton, which featured Thundercat and Maeta. Mensa says Swish was born out of a writing camp me and Chance did in L.A. working on a bunch of music together. It was really just a fun, spontaneous vibe. Me and Bongo were freestyling and then Chance said he had a line, so I just recorded him putting his verse together. G-Eazy is one of my best friends in the industry and someone Ive known for probably 12 years, so it just all made sense. More from Spin: Mensa and Chance previously teamed on the May 2022 single Wraith and the inaugural Black Star Line music festival in January in Ghana, which drew more than 50,000 people. The two artists have already scouted locations in Jamaica for a planned follow-up event in 2024. Mensa has not released an album since his acclaimed 2017 Roc Nation debut, The Autobiography, but was previously said to be working towards a new project. His only upcoming concert date comes June 17 at Chicagos Hyde Park Summer Fest, a two-day event also featuring 2 Chainz, Clipse, Robert Glasper, Twista, and Crucial Conflict. To see our running list of the top 100 greatest rock stars of all time, click here. The post Chance The Rapper Bringing Music Festival to Ghana in Early 2023 appeared first on SPIN. Republican candidates running for president are struggling with how to address abortion in a post-Roe America. Most are choosing their words carefully -- or not commenting directly at all -- as restricting what women can do when it comes to reproductive rights has shown to be unpopular with many of the voters they'll need to win the White House. With the Supreme Court potentially weighing in on Friday on a Texas judge's unprecedented decision to revoke FDA approval of mifepristone, a medication used in about half of abortions nationwide, Americans may wonder where those running to be president stand in the abortion debate. "Before the Dobbs decision, Republicans could sort of say whatever they wanted to on the issue, and it didn't really matter, because they didn't necessarily think that the Supreme Court was ever going to overturn Roe. It was always in theory," said Doug Heye, a former communications director for the Republican National Committee. "Now it's real. And they're seeing that there are real electoral consequences." Since the Supreme Court overturned 50 years of abortion precedent last June, the issue has hurt Republicans in elections. Kansas voters were the first to decide post-Dobbs to keep abortion legal. In the midterms, candidates who were painted as extreme on abortion also appeared extreme on other issues, Heye said, resulting in GOP losses. Most recently in Wisconsin, a liberal judge flipped that state's supreme court's ideological majority in a race largely focused on future access to abortion. PHOTO: Abortion-rights demonstrators protest in front of the Supreme Court building following the announcement of the Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health Organization ruling, June 25, 2022. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images) "There was a through line and lesson to be learned with the 2022 midterms and the WI SC [Wisconsin Supreme Court] race when candidates don't define their stance on abortion, they lose," said E.V. Osment, vice president of communications for Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America. "In the 2022 midterms, governors who signed ambitious pro-life legislation into law and never flinched politically, despite running in competitive states, came out on top," she told ABC News, citing wins by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who have signed legislation restricting abortion. "There are also examples of candidates who were not prepared and took the ostrich strategy: burying their heads in the sand and running from the issue, allowing their opponents to define them," she added, naming Dr. Oz in Pennsylvania. Story continues "The losing ostrich strategy has been pushed by the inside-the-beltway consultant/strategist class who urge candidates to totally ignore abortion and hope it goes away," Osment added. "It's not going away." MORE: Dozens of states wade into legal fight on abortion pill "But there are two sets of electoral consequences," Heye told ABC News. "There's the primary, which you got to get through, and then there's the general where Republicans obviously had problems last year, in part because of the Dobbs decision." While polls show a majority of Americans want abortion to be legal under certain circumstances, there's been somewhat of a race among GOP-led legislatures to pass anti-abortion rights legislation (one even before the Supreme Court took up Dobbs with so-called trigger laws). With a patchwork of state laws now dictating the nation's landscape, the competition among red states has become a problem for Republican candidates facing the first presidential election post-Dobbs. "If there are six people on a debate stage come August, you can see where it's almost like a Name That Tune: 'I can ban abortion in eight weeks.' 'Well, I can ban abortion in seven weeks.' And that number keeps going lower and lower and lower until it's zero. It's become competitive," Heye added. MORE: 6 months after overturning of Roe v. Wade, what abortion access looks like in America Republican Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina predicted losses in 2024 if Republicans don't find a "middle ground" on the issue. "I have a great pro-life voting record but some of the stances we've taken, especially when it comes to rape and incest, protecting the life of a mother, it's so extreme, the middle -- the independent voters, right of center, left of center, they cannot support us," Mace said on Fox News Sunday. "I saw the tide change after Roe was overturned. We went mildly pro-choice to being a vast majority of voters being pro-choice after Roe v. Wade. It changed the entire electoral environment in '22." "We have not learned our lesson from the midterm election," she added. "We're afraid of the issue because we're afraid of our base." PHOTO: Anti-abortion activists after the Supreme Court announced a ruling in the Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health Organization case, June 24, 2022, in Washington, D.C. (Nathan Howard/Getty Images) Kristan Hawkins, president of Students for Life Action, an anti-abortion rights group, said any Republican candidate who avoids talking about abortion in 2024 will "do so at their own electoral peril." "They should address the life issue with all the passion that they give to every other issue. Whether they like it or not, abortion is still a political issue at the state, local, and federal level. If you want to run for a federal office, you should discuss your federal options for abortion policy," Hawkins told ABC News. Here are 10 Republicans either running for president -- or who have indicated an interest in running -- who ABC News reached out to for comment -- and what they've said -- or avoided saying -- recently on abortion as the Supreme Court weighs access to mifepristone: Donald Trump Former President Donald Trump is one of those who has largely avoided talking about abortion -- though he could arguably tout what he calls a "pro-life" stance having appointed three of the five justices who voted to overrule Roe. "I think he sees that electorally this, this is a problem," Heye said. Trump kicked off the year by saying he was not to blame for GOP losses in the midterms, but that, "It was the 'abortion issue,' poorly handled by many Republicans, especially those that firmly insisted on No Exceptions, even in the case of Rape, Incest, or Life of the Mother, that lost large numbers of Voters." "President Donald J. Trump believes that the Supreme Court, led by the three Justices which he supported, got it right when they ruled this is an issue that should be decided at the State level," Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung said in a statement to the Washington Post this week. "Republicans have been trying to get this done for 50 years, but were unable to do so. President Trump, who is considered the most pro-life President in history, got it done. He will continue these policies when reelected to the White House. Like President Reagan before him, President Trump supports exceptions for rape, incest and life of the mother." PHOTO: Former President Donald Trump looks on during a rally at the Waco Regional Airport, March 25, 2023, in Waco, Texas. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images) Anti-abortion rights groups have since blasted what they called Trump's "states only" approach -- with Hawkins casting Trump's "failure to understand a way forward on abortion" as a "troubling sign." "Former President Trump seems determined to write a new book, How to Kill a Deal, as he signals to those who once supported him that he may not be up to the task of protecting all American lives in law and in service," she said in a release. "Trump still wants the votes of the Pro-Life Generation, but it's hard to see what he brings to the table given his waiving support defending innocent life at every level of government." MORE: Most leading Republicans remain quiet on abortion pill ruling as Dems blast decision Trump nominated the Texas federal judge who halted FDA approval of mifepristone, setting off a legal firestorm, but the former president has been mostly quiet on the case. Nikki Haley Former U.N. Ambassador and South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, the only woman officially running for the GOP nomination, was careful not to put off any voters over the issue at a "Women for Nikki" initiative in Des Moines last week. Edging both sides, she said that while she is "pro-life" she understands abortion "is a personal issue for women and for men." "It needs to be treated with the respect that it should. I don't want unelected judges deciding something this personal," she told voters, according to the Des Moines Register. PHOTO: Republican presidential candidate and former Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley arrives for a campaign event in Dover, N.H., March 27, 2023. (Brian Snyder/Reuters, FILE) "Let's let the states work this out. If Congress decides to do it -- but don't get in that game of them saying 'how many weeks, how many' -- no. Let's first figure out what we agree on and then move forward. This is about saving as many babies as we can. This is about supporting as many moms as we can." Haley is scheduled to give a "major policy speech on abortion" on April 26 in Arlington, her campaign said. Asa Hutchinson Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, who signed a near-total abortion ban in his state ahead of the Supreme Court overruling Roe, has said he "personally" believes abortion bans should have exceptions for rape, incest and to save the life of the mother. But when it comes to mifepristone, he's largely punted to the court and states without disclosing his personal view. "Ultimately, I think this is an issue that while the courts will rule on it, the states are going to determine whether it's permissible or not, regardless of what the courts say," he said last week, according to the Iowa Capitol Dispatch. "If you believe in the state's prerogative, which the Dobbs decision gave us, then each state's going to make their decision as to how they're going to approach [abortion], which is the right way under our system of federalism," he said. Hutchinson has said on more than one occasion that if he were elected president and was sent a nationwide abortion ban bill, he "would want to look at the bill to see exactly what it does." Vivek Ramaswamy Vivek Ramaswamy, a 37-year-old biotech entrepreneur who compares himself to Trump in that he's a newcomer to the political scene, has suggested he would not support further restrictions on abortion, and neither should the Republican Party. When asked about federal abortion bans, Ramaswamy has said abortion is an issue for state governments and that the federal government should only concern itself with items dictated in the Constitution. MORE: Who is running for president in 2024 and who might run Tim Scott South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, shortly after launching a presidential exploratory committee, stumbled to answer where he stood on abortion, but has since vowed to sign "literally sign the most conservative pro-life legislation that they can get through Congress." Scott previously said he would support a nationwide abortion ban after 20 weeks but declined to take a stance on mifepristone. "The courts are on their way to solving the problem," he told reporters last week. PHOTO: Sen. Tim Scott speaks during the Five Seasons Republican Women's Group Dinner, April 12, 2023, at the Cedar Rapids Country Club in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen/USA TODAY NETWORK) Part of the reason Scott stumbled on this issue, Heye said, is because it's "fast-moving" in the Republican Party after Dobbs. "The Dobbs decision put [abortion] in the Wild West, and again, everybody's sort of competing against each other. They're in that reality, where you're not on firm ground -- the sand is shifting beneath you every day -- and it's difficult to find a firm place to be," he said. Mike Pence Pence, also not formally in the race but weighing a run, has said there is "no greater cause than the cause of life." He supports the Texas judge's ruling to invalidate FDA approval of mifepristone and has indicated he'd support a nationwide ban of the medication altogether. "Life won again today," he said in a statement reacting to the Texas decision. "When it approved chemical abortions on demand, the FDA acted carelessly and with blatant disregard for human life and the wellbeing of American women, and today's ruling fixed a 20 year wrong." Pence would be unlikely to veto anti-abortion legislation and, vice versa, would be likely to veto anything sympathetic to abortion rights causes if elected president. While Pence is praising judicial action now, he praised the court for "returning the question of abortion to the states and to the people" in the wake of the Dobbs decision. Ron DeSantis When Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Florida's 15-week abortion ban into law last year, he held the event with fanfare. Last week, he signed the six-week ban in his office close to midnight, with critics saying he did so in preparation for a presidential bid. It's not an issue he wants to go big on, Heye said, but one where the state legislature may have just forced his hand. "DeSantis was not at a six-week ban until his state legislature passed the bill. So that's now his position, whether he wanted it to be that or not, and clearly, he felt compelled to do so," Heye said. MORE: DeSantis woos conservative members of Congress as Trump racks up endorsements Hawkins, who criticized Trump punting the issue to a "states only" approach, hailed DeSantis and Pence as "leaders in policy and in use of the bully pulpit." "Gov. DeSantis just signed heartbeat legislation, while Pence is discussing the need for Chemical Abortion Pill policy. The Pro-Life Generation is looking for people who have specific plans to act, not just talking points. The rest could learn from their example," she told ABC News in a statement. PHOTO: Former Vice President Mike Pence greets guests at the Bremer County Republicans' Grill and Chill lunch, Aug. 20, 2022, in Waverly, Iowa. (Scott Olson/Getty Images) While visiting New Hampshire, where abortion is allowed up to 24 weeks in most cases, DeSantis did not mention the six-week ban he had just signed, but on Friday he did tout the signing while speaking outside Washington at the Heritage Foundation 50th Anniversary Summit, before a highly-conservative audience. Chris Sununu New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu, a self-described "pro-choice" Republican leading what many consider to be a blue state, believes if the Supreme Court were to uphold a ban on mifepristone, it would "absolutely" further hurt Republicans with swing voters. "It's been around for 20 yearsit's about these massive changes in precedent," he said. "Roe v. Wade, whether you agreed with or not, there was a 50-year precedent there. There's a 20-year precedent with [mifepristone]. So now to the American public, it looks like Republicans are coming in and trying to massively change and blow up the system." He said it will "be interesting to see" how 2024 candidates navigate the issue, he says, the party is losing on. MORE: Graham's proposed near-total national abortion ban quickly meets GOP resistance "My issue is I think it's a terrible message for the Republican primary. I think it hurts us in the general election," he said on Fox News. "There are much more pressing issues." And without naming him directly, Sununu called Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., proposing a 15-week abortion ban three weeks before last year's midterms "the dumbest thing you could possibly do." Steve Laffey Steve Laffey, a former mayor of Cranston, Rhode Island, identifies as "pro-life" but has not directly addressed his views of mifepristone. "I am happy that Roe vs Wade has been overturned and the issue of abortion has been returned to the states, where it has always belonged," Laffey said in a statement to ABC News. "Let's leave all of these abortion questions to the individual states and let the various courts properly handle all of these issues." Perry Johnson Perry Johnson, a Michigan businessman who failed to capture the GOP nomination for Michigan governor last year, faced backlash when he declined to rule out banning abortion for sexual assault survivors. "I will tell you this: Two wrongs don't make a right. I am pro-life," Johnson told reporters at the time. ABC News' Hannah Demissie contributed to this report. GOP presidential hopefuls struggle to address abortion: Here's what they've said on the issue originally appeared on abcnews.go.com The model returns for her seventh SI Swimsuit Issue next month. Hailey Clauson was photographed by Ben Watts in Barbados. Ben Watts/Sports Illustrated Hailey Clauson made her SI Swimsuit debut in 2015 and returned to the magazine each year thereafter through 19. After a brief break, in which she added entrepreneur to her list of accolades by founding her own boutique modeling agency, Clauson returned to the franchise last year after posing for photographer Ben Watts in Barbados. The 28-year-old, who was recently named co-owner and creative director of Los Angeles-based modeling agency Margaux, will return for her seventh year in the SI Swimsuit Issue next month. I have grown so much since my first shoot with SI. I was 18 when I first shot for the magazine, and now Im almost 27, the model said of last years feature. The older I get, the more I have grown as a woman because I truly understand who I am as an individual and stand strong behind my core values. Im a lot more confident in who I am as a person, and it feels amazing. Earlier this year, Clauson traveled to the Dominican Republic for her forthcoming photo shoot. The SI Swimsuit team shared exclusive, behind the scenes content on Instagram as a teaser. In eager anticipation of Clausons 2023 SI Swimsuit Issue feature, were throwing it back to our favorite 10 images from last year in Barbados. Ben Watts/Sports Illustrated Ben Watts/Sports Illustrated Ben Watts/Sports Illustrated Ben Watts/Sports Illustrated Ben Watts/Sports Illustrated Ben Watts/Sports Illustrated Ben Watts/Sports Illustrated Ben Watts/Sports Illustrated Ben Watts/Sports Illustrated Ben Watts/Sports Illustrated Make sure to follow SI Swimsuit on YouTube! 2 Dogs Die in House Fire 2 dogs die in house fire (Photo credit: NazariyKarkhut / Getty Images) Two dogs died after a house fire broke out in a manufactured home in the Romaine Village neighborhood of southwest Bend, Oregon. 2 dogs die in house fire According to KTVZ, the fire took place on Monday evening, resulting in the two dogs death. However, officials said the incident hadnt harmed anyone else. Additionally, Bend Fire & Rescue crews contained the blaze relatively quickly. As a result, they successfully stopped the flames from spreading to nearby structures. Around 6 p.m., multiple callers reported the fire at a home located off Murphy Road near Brookswood Boulevard. According to Bend Fire & Rescue Deputy Fire Marshal Dan Derlacki, the fire seemed to come from hot embers that fell out of a wood-burning stove. Luckily, no one was at home at the time of the incident. However, Derlacki said the fire completely destroyed the home. On top of that, all four occupants and two guests received assistance from the American Red Cross. Altogether, damage to the house and property totaled $50,000. For about two hours, officials closed several streets until fire crews cleared the scene. At around 7:35 p.m., another structure fire was reported at a home under construction near Summit High School. After noticing smoke coming from the crawlspace vents, a neighbor called 911. Although crews found smoke in the home and crawlspace, there were no active flames. Thankfully, the fire was confined inside the crawlspace, and the smoke was removed. According to Derlacki, the cause of the fire was not identified. Interestingly, he did say it could be related to construction work earlier in the day. Thankfully, when the fire happened, the house and surrounding area were empty. Overall, the unfinished house suffered $25,000 worth of damage. Afterward, owners and contractors received the home. Fire safety can protect you and your dog Unfortunately, the fact that two dogs did die mirrors similar incidents in different parts of the country. In Minnesota, for example, a K9 police dog died at his handlers house when it was engulfed in flames. Similar to the Oregon fire, the house was empty at the time. However, the fire did kill the canine police officer, as well as the familys two other dogs. Also in Minnesota, a man lost his dog and his 85-year-old grandfather to a house fire on the familys property. Hopefully, these incidents will inspire dog owners to take preventative measures to make their homes fireproof. By doing so, dog owners can ensure their own safety, as well as their dogs. The post 2 Dogs Die in House Fire appeared first on DogTime. SOMERSET The company that operated a scrap metal facility on Brayton Point will likely have to cough up $300,000 following allegations that it illegally created dust and noise pollution and discharged industrial storm water in the surrounding area. "We're thrilled," said Nicole McDonald, a Brayton Point resident who fought against the scrap metal operation. "This consent order is critical to the residents." Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell announced on Wednesday that Eastern Metal Recycling Terminal, LLC and Patriot Stevedoring and Logistics, LLC, who operated the scrap metal facility and the propertys owner, Brayton Point, LLC, will have to pay up for their role in disrupting the lives of residents in the Brayton Point area. The scrap metal facility began operations after the former Brayton Point Power Station, which for decades was one of the biggest power plants in New England, shut down. The facility stored scrap metal and loaded it into nearby ships. Scrap metal company halts operations The scrap metal facility halted operations in March of 2022. In a separate case from the AG's lawsuit, a land court judge ordered it to shut down last spring after three Somerset residents McDonald, Kathy Souza and Nancy Thomas and the town's Zoning Board of Appeals brought a lawsuit against it. Scrap is seen at Brayton Point in this Herald News file photo. Campbell's office said it found that the scrap metal operation regularly caused clouds of dust to float over Mount Hope Bay and in the direction of Brayton Point's residential neighborhood. The dust settled on nearby cars and homes and forced residents to lose sleep, change plans, stay indoors or keep their windows closed. Some residents reportedly have begun having respiratory problems since the scrap metal company began operating in the area. Illegally dumped polluted industrial storm water The AG also alleges that the defendants illegally dumped polluted industrial storm water into Mount Hope Bay, endangering the ecosystem and violating the Clean Water Act, a federal overseen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency designed to limit water pollution. Story continues Consent decree awaiting approval The U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts must now approve the consent decree settling the allegations. If approved, the defendants will have to pay pay $150,000 to the Town of Somerset, $25,000 to the Town of Swansea and $25,000 to Greater Fall River Re-Creation, a local nonprofit that operates a sailing program in the Taunton River. "The payments are to be used to fund projects that increase access to and enhance the water quality in Mount Hope Bay in the vicinity of the former facility," according to the press release. They must also pay $100,000 to offset costs incurred by the AG's office during its investigation. I am grateful to Attorney General Campbell and her team for holding the owners and operators of Brayton Point accountable for the massive disruption they caused to the neighborhood and surrounding communities, Representative Pat Haddad of Somerset said in a press release released by Campbell's office. I am pleased that the AGs proposed remedy will direct critical funds to projects that will increase access to and enhance the water quality in Mount Hope Bay. McDonald said she was excited to see steps toward encouraging residents of Somerset, Swansea and Fall River to enjoy their local waterways. "I think (the settlement) will have a lasting impact on having people understand the importance of having access to the area and preserving it," she said. This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Brayton Point scrap metal company will pay $300,000 to settle lawsuit The Sand Mountain Park and Amphitheater in Albertville has landed a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame act for its 2023 concert schedule. Power pop legends Cheap Trick will perform Sept. 22 at the venue. Tickets go on sale to the public at 10 a.m. Friday. (Pre-sales begin Wednesday for Cheap Trick Fan Club and SMPA Premier members, and Thursday for SMPA Fan Club members. Passwords are required) Cheap Trick lead guitarist Rick Nielsen, vocalist/rhythm guitarist Robin Zander, bassist Tom Petersson (all original members) and drummer Daxx Nielsen have performed more than 5,000 live shows since they formed 50 years ago in Rockford, Illinois. Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Cheap Trick from left, Tom Petersson, Rick Nielsen, Robin Zander and Daxx Nielsen will be in concert Sept. 22 at the Sand Mountain Park and Amphiteater. Stephen Thomas Erlewine in the bands entry on AllMusic.com described their sound as (combining) a love for British guitar pop songcraft with crunching power chords and a flair for the absurd, mixing loud riffs and catchy melodies, and linking '60s pop, heavy metal and punk. Cheap Trick has released 20 studio and seven live albums over five different decades, starting with their self-titled 1977 debut and continuing to 2021s In Another World, which showed the groups continued vitality by reaching No. 2 on Billboards Tastemaker Albums chart, No. 7 on the Album Sales chart, No. 22 on the Rock Albums chart and No. 24 on the Independent Albums chart. Their album sales total 20 million, and theyve had five platinum and two gold albums. However, their high point came in the late 1970s. Cheap Trick at Budokan, recorded in concert in Japan, reached No. 4 on the Billboard Top 200 albums chart in 1978 and achieved triple platinum status in sales. It was added to the Library of Congress National Recording Registry in 2019 as being culturally, historically or aesthetically significant, and is No. 426 n Rolling Stone magazines rankings of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. I Want You to Want Me from the album reached No. 7 and a cover of Fats Dominos Aint That a Shame No. 35 on the singles chart. Story continues Dream Police followed a year later, reaching No. 6 on the Top 200 albums chart and achieving platinum status; the title song hit No. 26 on the singles chart. Cheap Trick was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2016, Visit https://bit.ly/3GU1erL to purchase tickets. Ticket prices are $199 for VIP level (includes along with a premium reserved seat, a Cheap Trick drumhead, dice set, lighter, commemorative tour laminate and Dream Police patch); $79 for premium, $64 for reserved; $49 for reserved 2 and $25 for early bird lawn. This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Cheap Trick to play at Sand Mountain Park and Ampitheater Sturdy and sustainable, full of fragrance and flavor, banana leaves can steam, roast, bake and more. Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Christina Daley After an almost 24-hour journey from San Francisco to Tampaksiring, Indonesia, there was nothing I desired more than a pillow and some shut-eye. Jet-lagged and a bit delirious, I didnt think there was anything that could invigorate me, until my Airbnb host presented me with an assortment of little banana-leaf cones on a plate. I picked one up, and as I pulled back one of the green strips, a fluffy parcel of perfectly cooked rice painted with the yellow glow of turmeric slowly began to reveal itself from the spiral of leaf encasing it. The jolt of pleasure and surprise that the dish gave me stayed with me when I returned home, spurring my curiosity about how I might begin to cook with banana leaves in my own kitchen. What are banana leaves? Banana leaves are the enormous, waxy fronds of the banana tree. Bananas originated in Southeast Asia and spread across Africa before making their way to the Caribbean and South America, and today, everywhere banana trees are grown, banana leaves are used in cooking. The leaves are not eaten but are used to wrap and then bake, roast, and steam all kinds of dishes, imparting a subtly sweet, grassy aroma. Baking with banana leaves Woldy Reyes, the founder of Woldy Kusina, a Filipino catering company in Brooklyn, shared with me his recipe for Bibingka Banana Bread, his spin on traditional bibingka, which in the Philippines is a sweet and savory rice cake baked in banana leaves. The leaves, he explained, help give the cake a moist crumb and a kiss of banana aroma. His advice for cooking with banana leaves? Start with an open mind. Embrace the banana leaf, he says. Its a great way to learn to work with it as an ingredient. Roasting in banana leaves To make his Mexican-style barbacoa, Chicago chef Jonathan Zaragoza bathes beef chuck in an aromatic adobo, swaddles it in banana leaves, and then bakes it in an oven. In New York City, chef Vijay Kumar of Semma restaurant shared how to pan-roast banana leafwrapped fish fillets to make his Kerala Meen Pollichathu (Roasted Fish in Banana Leaf). Story continues Related:Tikin Xic (Citrusy Black Cod Roasted in Banana Leaves) Steaming with banana leaves In communities throughout Southeast Asia, countless sweet and savory dishes, from Vietnamese banh tet to Chinese zongzi, are steamed in banana leaves. Amy Domrongchai, a restaurateur (and grandmother of F&W Editorial Fellow Alexandra Domrongchai), shared her family recipe for Kai Hor Bai Tong (Chicken in Banana Leaves). For Domrongchai, banana leaves were ever-present in her kitchen as a child growing up in Thailand. In my family, we used the leaves every day. I had banana trees around the house, and wed grab them and cook, she says. With fish, vegetables, or curry, when wrapped in banana leaves, once you open it, it just all smells so good! In Mexico, banana leaves are a popular option for wrapping tamales, where they give each tamal a dense, custard-like texture and herbaceous fragrance. Related:Banana Leaf-Wrapped Lamb Shank Tamales with Morita Chile Salsa Serving food on banana leaves As much as theyre a staple in kitchens around the world, banana leaves also mark moments of celebration. For Onam, the largest festival marking the end of monsoon season and the welcoming of the harvest in Kerala, India, a multicourse vegetarian banquet is served on a large banana leaf as part of the celebration. In Filipino culture, kamayan, meaning by hand in Tagalog, is a traditional feast eaten without utensils and served on a table covered entirely in banana leaves. In an era when a new cooking technology seems to sprout up every few weeks, theres something inordinately satisfying about cooking with an ingredient that connects me to the basicsthat lets me turn an old leaf over, one that brings me back to the foundations of cooking. Where to find banana leaves If you have a local Asian or Mexican grocery store, check the freezer aisles for a package of frozen banana leaves. (You may also see them labeled as plantain leaves.) Banana leaves can also be ordered online from retailers like melissas.com and mexgrocer.com. You may find fresh banana leaves, but frozen are more readily available and a bit easier to work with. One pound of frozen banana leaves costs around $4. How to prepare banana leaves Banana leaves can reach up to six feet in length and almost two feet in width. Theyre sold folded up, with the center rib removed, and should be handled gently to avoid tearing. Frozen banana leaves should be thawed before using. To thaw them quickly, run them under hot water for 5 to 8 minutes. Once thawed, cut them into the dimensions the recipe calls for, and carefully and thoroughly clean them by wiping them down with a paper towel or clean cloth to remove any dirt. How to store banana leaves Fold up any unused fresh or thawed frozen banana leaves, and store them in an airtight plastic bag. Banana leaves will keep in the refrigerator for about a week and in the freezer for up to six months. Keeping leaves wrapped in plastic is crucial to prevent them from drying out. Banana leaves may be composted after use. Recipes The following recipes demonstrate how to roast, bake, and steam using banana leaves. Photo by Christopher Testani / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Prissy Lee A Hawaiian classic, kalua pork becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender with just two simple ingredients and a low-and-slow cook inside a blanket of banana leaves. Serve it with Sheldon Simeons Mac Salad and white rice for a complete and hearty meal. :Get the Recipe Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Ali Ramee / Prop Styling by Christina Daley Especially tender macaroni is the key to this Hawaiian side dishs ultra-creamy texture: Cook the noodles well beyond al dente so they absorb the rich mayonnaise. Chef Sheldon Simeons version of the plate-lunch staple incorporates tender pieces of russet potato with hearty boiled eggs and shredded carrots. :Get the Recipe Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Christina Daley In Kerala, banana leaves are a go-to for cooking marinated pearl spot fish. At Semma, in New York City, chef Vijay Kumar offers an interpretation of the dish, serving whole wild-caught sea bass for a dramatic table-side presentation. Here, for a home-cook version of that dish, easily accessible sea bass fillets are encased in banana leaf parcels. An aromatic and bright masala, layered with fenugreek, ginger, shallots, Thai chiles, and curry leaves and fortified with creamy coconut milk, cooks with the fish inside the banana-leaf packets to form a lush sauce. :Get the Recipe Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Christina Daley Classic barbacoa customarily involves pit-cooking a whole animal in agave leaves. Chef Jonathan Zaragoza adapts this traditional technique for the oven by slow- roasting adobo-marinated beef chuck and cheeks in toasted banana leaves. The leaves deliver earthy flavor and protect the meat from drying out. :Get the Recipe Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Christina Daley In her riff on kai hor bai toey, a fried dish of chicken in pandan leaf, Amy Domrongchai wraps marinated chicken in banana leaves and roasts them. The leaves impart fragrance and lock in moisture, while the handground, garlicky lemongrass-ginger paste gives punchy flavor to the meat. :Get the Recipe Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Christina Daley This dessert merges the salty-sweet Filipino rice cake, bibingka, with a classic American quick bread for a new sweet treat. The crisp, caramelized crust reveals a pleasantly chewy and banana-forward interior. Banana leaves play two roles here: During baking, theyre a vehicle for creating the moist crumb and fruity aroma, and they also serve as a verdant loaf-pan liner that ensures easy removal after baking. :Get the Recipe For more Food & Wine news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Food & Wine. Dog Mauled to Death at Boarding Facility brindle terrier dog mauled to death (Photo credit: adogslifephoto / Getty Images) In Texas, a dog was mauled to death at a boarding facility by a bigger dog after being left for the weekend. Dog owner receives devastating news Last weekend, Heather Heflin left her 20-pound BrindleTerrier mix at Smart Dog Dallas, a boarding facility based in its namesake city. Originally, Heflin rescued Drake as a puppy and left him at the facility for the weekend while she went to a bachelorette party in New York. As her plane prepared for takeoff, the facility called Heflin, informing her that Drake was dead. Disturbingly, Heflin had never left Drake at a boarding facility before. It was grueling, and it was agony, Heflin told WFAA. The one time he stays at a boarding facility, he gets brutally killed in the worst death imaginable. While Heflin was flying, her sister drove from Louisiana to better understand the situation. Soon after, Heflin arrived and found Drake wrapped in a bloody towel. Apparently, a Boxer also at the boarding facility attacked Drake while they were both in an enclosed area. When the Boxer finally released Drake, he was dead, she said. Dog mauled to death, questions still remain WFAA received photos of Drakes injuries and a video of Heflin confronting the staff at the facility. Reporters also reached out to Smart Dog Dallas, seeking a more detailed explanation. Unfortunately, no one returned their emails. Additionally, when they attempted to call the facility, someone at the facility answered but said they would forward a request for comment to the manager/owner. On their Facebook page, Smart Dog Dallas said it is investigating the incident and working with all authorities involved. Furthermore, they also expressed condolences to the family and affirmed their staffs commitment to pet safety. However, Heflin has unanswered questions. Additionally, she believes the facility isnt being completely transparent with her. My immediate reaction was, how did this happen? Why wasnt an emergency vet notified? Explain more. Smart Dog Dallas has been unable to do so, Heflin said. It feels like a piece of my hearts missing. Story continues Continuing, she said, Based on what Ive heard from some employees that texted me, there wasnt anyone watching that enclosure at the time. Thats not good enough, and I dont understand the lack of accountability and ownership, Heflin said. For the moment, she is consulting with an attorney to see what she can do next. Ultimately, Heflin wants the public to know what happened. For dog owners, this is a stark reminder to choose boarding kennels carefully and to always err on the cautious side when leaving your dogs life in somebody elses hands. The post Dog Mauled to Death at Boarding Facility appeared first on DogTime. Courtesy Byredo Bringing form to memory; blurring the lines between disciplines; manifesting the collective alongside the individual: All of these principles are at the heart of the practice of artist Dozie Kanu, a 30-year-old Houston native whose parents hail from Nigeria. Kanu, who is now based in Portugal, studied at the School of Visual Arts in New York City and has had solo exhibitions at Performance Space New York and the Studio Museum in Harlem. His work interrogates comfortand, by turns, its trajectory toward complacencythrough objecthood, presenting a cacophony of found and sourced materials in configurations that feel familiar yet jarringly out of place. That is, perhaps, the point: to make the viewer question what it means to belong, what it feels like to be a part of the world. With support from luxury perfumer Byredo, Kanu has mounted his first architecturally scaled installation for this years Salone del Mobile. The work, called Bal dAfrique by Dozie Kanu (named for one of the fragrance houses most popular scents), is a monumental, pavilionlike structure made from steel, glass, and aluminum. As visitors meander through its rooms, they encounter four years worth of Kanus work, including sculptures created specially for the exhibition. The fragrance-divined installation is accompanied by a text from Adjoa Armah, founder of Saman Archive, and preceded by a vitrine populated with various found photographs from the collection, showcasing ceremonies and celebrations and general finery. It orients the viewer around the idea of preservation, and how we hold onto who we are, have been, and will be. To that end, we spoke with Kanu and Byredo founder Ben Gorham about perception, context, and what makes a fragrance memorable. Courtesy Byredo ELLE DECOR: This installation grapples directly with Western subjectivity, so Im curious how you hope this work gets visitors, consumers, or Westerners writ large to think more critically about their default worldview? Story continues Dozie Kanu: I think [within the work] theres an acknowledgement of invisible energies thats more in line with the way that my parents view spirituality, and just being in general, that is absent from Western culture right now. But it is very present in the Western culture that I grew up in, so theres this clash thats happening. Im hoping to build a bridge and blur the lines between these two ways of being. If you think about African sculpture, or whats deemed African sculpture, it could also be called African design. These are things that were made to function in these communities in a specific kind of way, but once theyre removed from those contexts, then its all of a sudden a sculpture. Thats what Im hoping to try to resolve. Its like, design can be sculpture. Sculpture can be design. Architecture can be installation. Courtesy Byredo Ben Gorham: Some of these conversations we had in regards to that Western perspective is that there are a lot of stereotypes toward Africa as a whole, and even India, where my familys from. A lot of it comes from a colonial gaze. I think to be able to dig deep and to be able to tell these stories through the eyes of an artist or through a community in Milan during design week is an opportunity to tell a very authentic story. ED: What was it like for you, Ben, to collaborate with an artist around this installation, through the medium of design? BG: In this project, it really is about giving Dozie the freedom to express himself. And I think even the frameworkits just basically telling the story of Bal dAfrique, how it came to life and what it meant to me. And then, more importantly, what it means to him and how it relates to his heritage and to his life. It was surprisingly easy, but that has to do also with Dozie as a person and as an artist, being really empathic. ED: If one goal of the exhibition is to move away from the individual and toward the collective, then how does this structure enable that kind of experience? Does it function as a building? A large sculpture? DK: Its an idea thats housing a lot of different ideas. I sometimes get really worried about labeling what a work is because I kind of just want to leave things be. Thats what fragrances do, they linger and people have different feelings toward them. And thats kind of how I want my work to operate. I dont want there to be such a prescribed meaning or a prescribed way to view this. ED: So it actually is very much about the individual perception in the end. BG: Its immersive in so many different ways, and I think when you [Dozie] were starting to manifest this, it was the subjectivity of in and out, and object and material, and how these things come together. It isnt one thing. DK: Yeah, I dont think its collective or individual. Its both happening at the same time. I kind of see this [installation] as a way of maximizing my potential, which in a way can benefit someone else maximizing their potential. When I think about the people that came before me, I think about the opportunities that they didnt have that I now have. In a way you dont want to let the people that came before you down. Its like, what can I do with this? And this is an ongoing thing. I see a lot of what I do as a whole. Thats why its so interesting to bring old work into the fold, to see works that I wasnt thinking about and then bringing them together [in this context] and seeing how they are actually working through some similar things. Courtesy Byredo ED: The fragrance itself is very much about celebration and joy and all of these kinds of feelings. How do you see the installation referencing that? DK: Maybe the scale of it. It kind of feels like a ceremony could take place in it, like a wedding. A celebratory moment could happen inside of it. Even the golden crown around it, like a crowning ceremony. But I dont really want to tag too much direct meaning or direct intention, because I work from a very visceral place. Some of the conceptualizing often happens after Im just looking at the finished product. I just cant get bogged down by the concepts too much because its like soul spill. Courtesy Byredo ED: So would you say it doesnt necessarily matter if the person viewing understands your intention or thinking behind it? DK: Not at all. If I confuse you, then I feel like I won. ED: Ben, what is your relationship with this fragrance and how has that evolved in the years since its launch? BG: It was connected to a very specific memory and to a very personal idea. I play this whisper game with my kids, and the word you whisper comes out something else as it goes around the table. Memories are very much like that. And I think the meaning of this fragrance has become very much that for me. Its something thats evolved over a long period of time. And then every person and every story and any project that taps into this collective memory also alter its meaningit becomes part of this collective. Courtesy Byredo ED: So its back to the individual, who has their experience, and when its shared it becomes this thing that you just tap into and take away what you will. BG: For sure. And oddly enough, its become a very lucrative commercial practice because people attach to things emotionally, and they make it theirs. Thats whats allowed us to do this for so long, is that people truly make [the memory] their own. ED: Do you hope that this project pushes you further into these architecture-scale works? DK: This is just a little taste of what Im capable of within the space of architecture. I hope thats what people can see. Like I said, Im about maximizing potential. I could go bigger. I could go more complex. And yeah, Im shamelessly ambitiousbut not for ambitions sake. Im just hoping that this energy has the ability to get people to realize what theyre capable of, too. You Might Also Like This new Texas steakhouse is bringing some serious culinary chops to its, well, chops. This week, Sambrooks Management Company opened Andiron, a live-fire steakhouse helmed by the Michelin-starred chef Louis Maldonado (formerly of San Franciscos Cortez, among other spots). Here, youll find classics like ribeyes and New York strips in a setting inspired by the restaurants focus on wood-fired cooking. More from Robb Report Although we are only now opening to the public, we have been in the kitchen since last December which has allowed chef Louis and his team a lot of time to perfect an amazing menu, Michael Sambrooks, the companys founder, said in a statement. We are very excited to open the doors and let everyone in to see the stunning room and experience our world class offerings. Steak Tartare Among those offerings are classic starters like steak tartare, clams casino, and a wedge salad. The meat program highlights Niman Ranch Prime cuts from the United States, small-production Australian Wagyu, and a rotating selection of small-farm Japanese Wagyu. If youre staying away from red meat for whatever reason, the menu also includes chicken and a number of seafood dishes, including a whole grilled turbot and a two-pound lobster. Sides range from the requisite creamed spinach and whipped potatoes to more modern grilled eggplant and white asparagus. The meat, seafood, and vegetables are all cooked over the kitchens 22-foot live-fire grill, which youll be able to see from the dining room. Pair your plates with one of Andirons 500 bottles of wine, with a focus on producers in Burgundy, Bordeaux, Spain, and California. Or opt for one of head bartender Angel Batistas classic cocktails, spotlighting barrel-aged rums and whiskeys. This is a steakhouse, after all, and red meat requires something bold in your glass. Story continues Barrell Rum Private Release Old Fashioned While Andirons menu is reason enough to stop by, dont sleep on the restaurants design, which pulls from many of the same inspirations. Burnt-wood accents nod to the live-fire aspect of things, while white-veined red marble hints at the well-marbled beef Maldonado is throwing on the grill. Soon, an outdoor patio will join the mix, adding another 70 seats to the interiors 110. All together, its the pinnacle of a Texas steakhouse experience. Click here to see all the images of Andiron. A spread from Andiron Best of Robb Report Sign up for Robb Report's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. (Bloomberg) -- An oil tanker company heavily involved in moving Russian oil lost industry standard insurance for its fleet after falling foul of a Group of Seven price cap relating to the transportation of the nations barrels. Most Read from Bloomberg Gatik Ship Management lost so-called protection and indemnity cover that was provided by the American Club, a person familiar with the matter said, declining to be identified discussing sensitive information. The cover protects against risks including collisions and spills. The cover was terminated because the American Club was informed that Gatik intended to transport barrels bought at prices above the threshold, the person said. The American Club confirmed the discontinuation of cover. It declined to comment on why. Since early December, companies in G-7 countries have only been allowed to provide services for Russian oil if the cargoes cost $60 a barrel or less. While the threshold initially appeared to prioritize the continuation of Russian oil flows, the cessation of Gatiks cover shows the measures have some teeth. On Monday, the US government warned that some oil tankers shipping Russian crude in Asia are using deceptive tactics to evade the Washington-led price cap on the countrys exports. The American Club is one of 12 organizations within the International Group of P&I Clubs, which collectively provide industry standard cover that serves as a passport to trade freely. Mumbai Office Gatik, which has an address in Mumbai according to the Equasis international maritime database, is one of a handful of tanker companies that sprang up out of nowhere when the west began ratcheting up sanctions on Moscow last year. Story continues When Bloomberg visited the address earlier this year, a person from a neighboring office said Gatik had moved out and there was mail strewn on the floor outside. There is no website, phone number, or other means of contacting the firm. READ: Tanker Giants Sprout From Nowhere to Keep Russian Oil Moving The insurance that Gatik lost is important for vessels when they enter ports or sail through key waterways like Turkeys Bosphorus and Dardanelles shipping straits. Every one of 48 tankers identified as being managed by Gatik on a database maintained by Equasis, or by data analytics firm Vortexa, has loaded Russian crude or refined products at least once this year. The American Club is listed as the insurer of 34 of them, with another nine covered by unknown entities. Gatiks fleet can haul about 31 million barrels of oil and fuels, the data compiled by Bloomberg show. Gatik is in the top 10 largest owners of Aframax tankers that haul about 700,000 barrels of crude on each voyage, according to Clarkson Research Services Ltd., a unit of the worlds largest shipbroker. India did not sign up to the price cap, nor does it have other sanctions on Russian oil. Gatik really began building its fleet up from last summer, according to VesselsValue, a firm that monitors the sale and purchase of merchant ships. (Updates with context about fleet size in 11th paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Shein will be partnering with 2,000 garment factories in Brazil, creating 100,000 new jobs over the next three years as part of a plan to help the South American nation become a manufacturing and export stronghold for the region, the Chinese fashion Goliath announced Thursday. The Singapore-based fashion e-tailer, which previously manufactured only within China, mostly in the southern province of Guangzhou, will invest $150 million to provide the manufacturers with tools and training to upgrade their traditional production models to Sheins industry-leading, on-demand production mode, it said. This, according to TikToks buzziest brand, will allow them to better manage orders, reduce waste at the source and lower excess inventory, resulting in greater agility to respond to the demands of the market. The production onshoring, it said, will benefit local communities as well as contribute to the overall competitiveness of Brazils manufacturing sector with the potential for increased export opportunities. More from Sourcing Journal Key to our growth strategy is leveraging our global scale and operational excellence to support and contribute to local economies and eco-systems, said Marcelo Claure, chairman of Shein in Latin America. We have seen great success in Brazil since our launch in 2020 and with increasing consumer demand, we saw the opportunity to localize more of our supply chain to benefit consumers, small businesses and the wider economy. Brazil exported $1.14 billion in apparel and textiles in 2022, according to the Brazilian Textile and Fashion Industry Internationalization Program. Some 22,500 factories employ 1.34 million workers, 60 percent of them women. Kaue Chofi, owner of Naif, a garment manufacturer that recently started working with Shein, said that the producer has achieved 120 percent volume growth. Story continues Shein has a clear work methodology and know-how to structure the industry for e-commerce, he said. One of the biggest differentials of the company is the agility in analyzing the sales performance of the product and the rapid request for replacement, which is done automatically. The Temu rivals integrated marketplace in Brazil, which was first piloted in 2022, will also be onboarding local third-party sellers to offer a much wider range of products and speedier fulfillment times. By doing this, Shein said, it will be empowering the local seller community to reach its customer base through its website and app, increasing customer satisfaction, expanding its offerings and improving order logistics. Brazil is an important market for us, and we are committed to continuing to support economic growth and success across the country, said Felipe Feistler, general manager at Shein in Brazil. Our goal is to support Brazilian manufacturers and suppliers so they can increase their growth and reach within the region as well as act as a building block for future global opportunities. Joao Paulo Galvao, owner of Moderna & Slim, a third-party seller from last years pilot, said that he saw a 220 percent increase in sales in three months after joining the Shein marketplace. We reached consumers we wouldnt have otherwise reached and as a result, doubled our daily order numbers, he said. The former Rolling Stones collaborator has drawn criticism from civil-society groups for sweatshop-like working conditions at its factories and warehouses, as well as scrutiny from American lawmakers for potentially side-stepping forced-labor laws. One recently formed coalition has called Shein the biggest national threat youve never heard of. South Americas biggest economy isnt without its own labor concerns. The U.S. Department of Labor names Brazils garment industry in its list of countries where child and forced labor occurs. Advocacy group Fashion Revolution says that Sao Paulos textile sector fields among the most complaints about modern slavery. In 2011, one such contractor was found to make clothing for Zara, resulting in the Brazilian governments rescue of 15 Bolivian migrants, one of them 14 years old, from unsafe and unsanitary conditions, where they were paid 10 cents for each garment sewn. By the end of 2026, the IPO aspirant expects roughly 85 percent of its sales in Brazil, whether from manufacturers or vendors, to be local. Shein also intends to expand its fulfillment footprint in the United States, particularly in California and the Midwest. In November, it opened a 170,000-square-foot office and warehouse in the greater Toronto area, which it said will cut shipping times for its Canadian customers while reducing the number of packages in the shipping pipeline. Click here to read the full article. Sofia Richie Finds Her 'Something Blue' Ahead of Her Wedding in a Khaite Dress As the model prepares for her wedding in the South of France, she very stylishly checked off the classic bridal tradition. View the original article to see embedded media. For the lead-up to what has become one of the most highly-anticipated celebrity weddings of the year, Sofia Richie has been prepping us all for the inevitably chic fashion moment that will no doubt be her wedding dress. For the ultimate tease, the model/influencer/nepo baby has been detailing look after look from the South of France in the days preceding her wedding ceremony to record executive Elliot Grainge over the weekend. Richie and her stylist, Liat Baruch, specifically reserved a powder blue Khaite dress to style for Thursday night's events, as told by the influencer in a get-ready-with-me TikTok. "It's so elegant," Richie told the camera. View the original article to see embedded media. In what could easily be read as an homage to old-Hollywood glamour, the silk georgette opaque dress features a low, square neck that meets a mesh front yoke covering the collarbones. The opacity returns in a seamless, draped turtleneck. The dress, which is available to shop here, also incorporates a subtle version of trumpet sleeves, highlighted with a row of buttons and loop fasteners. Richie finished the look with pearl-adorned nude Manolo Blahnik heels and an Olympia Le-Tan book clutch, featuring Vincent Van Goh's "Olive Trees" artwork. Richie is slowly but surely shortening the traditional bridal checklist with this oh so chic 'something blue.' Homepage Photo: Amy Sussman/Getty Images for Elton John AIDS Foundation Please note: Occasionally, we use affiliate links on our site. This in no way affects our editorial decision-making. Never miss the latest fashion industry news. Sign up for the Fashionista daily newsletter. Anna Efetova / Getty Images Fact checked by Nick Blackmer Trehalose is a naturally and commercially produced sugar that is used as a sweetener and stabilizer in some food products. Some research suggests trehalose has potential to be used to manage some metabolic diseases but more studies are needed. Research from 2018 associated trehalose with a rise in C. diff infections but newer research disputed this claim. Trehalose is a naturally occurring sugar found in some mushrooms, seaweed, honey, and yeast. This sweetener has been commercially produced in Japan since the 1990s. Recently, trehalose has been gaining attention among scientists for its potential use as a food stabilizer and therapeutic. A new review published in Nutrients suggests that trehalose could be used to manage certain metabolic diseases and it may support the gut microbiome as a prebiotic. Trehalose can also be used as an effective food preservative. It can protect foods against discoloration and various chemical reactions. Its a functional additive in addition to a sweetener, Patrick Gibney, PhD, a co-author of the review and an assistant professor of food science at Cornell University, told Verywell. Gibney added that trehalose has some potential health benefits, but more studies are needed to confirm these observations. Some food scientists and manufacturers are already incorporating trehalose into more products. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted trehalose generally recognized as safe status in 2000, and the sweetener has been included in thousands of food products including baked goods, processed vegetables, and seafood. Its about half as sweet as table sugar, but its used in food science as more than just a sugar alternative, according to Anqi Chen, PhD, an assistant professor in the Science Center for Future Foods at Jiangnan University in China who co-authored the review with Gibney. Apart from providing sweetness, this sugar alternative also prevents the formation of ice crystals in ice cream and sorbets, prevents oxidation, improves crispy texture in baked goods, and prolongs shelf life by binding the moisture, Chen told Verywell in an email. Story continues Trehalose is broken down in our bodies by the trehalase enzyme. But for people who seem to lack this enzyme, trehalose can lead to nausea and other digestive complications. This is rare and is mainly seen in a small percentage of people living in Greenland. Does Trehalose Have Any Health Purposes? Medical experts are still trying to understand how trehalose could be used to manage certain health conditions. A 2021 paper raised the possibility of using trehalose as a treatment for neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinsons and Huntingtons disease. Current research suggests that trehalose works by causing autophagy, a natural process where cells break down and repurpose certain proteins that otherwise contribute to diseases. However, more studies are needed to test this theory. Some researchers are also interested in using trehalose in diabetes management potentially. A randomized controlled trial in 2020 examined glucose tolerance in healthy individuals who took a small daily dose of trehalose, compared to those given table sugar. The results suggested that trehalose improved glucose tolerance in some people who dont have diabetes and it may help people with prediabetes maintain health. Jamie K. Alan, PharmD, PhD, an associate professor in pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, told Verywell in an email that there are a few trehalose therapeutic products available on the market right now, and side effects appear to be minimal at doses below 50g. This is something to watch, and I expect to hear more about this compound in the future, Alan said. Does Trehalose Make C. diff Worse? The FDA considers trehalose to be generally safe. However, a study published in 2018 warned that the rise in trehalose consumption after FDA approval may have contributed to the growing epidemic and hypervirulent strains of Clostridioides difficile (C. diff). C. diff infections are associated with diarrhea and colon inflammation and can be life-threatening for older adults or those with weakened immune systems. It is a serious infection, and the 2018 study led to concerns that trehalose might not be safe for consumption. But other studies have since disputed the claims and said that trehalose was not responsible for a rise in C. diff infections. Gibney discussed the conflicting C. diff research in his recent review, stating that even though trehalose likely did not cause C. diff infections, more studies are needed to look at the effect of different sugars on the gut microbiome. There could be many types of sugars that have positive prebiotic effects if they help promote the growth of beneficial microbes in the microbiome, Gibney said, adding that scientists should examine different sugars for their effects on the human microbiome and how those effects alter human physiology in either positive or negative ways. Trehalose is already used on the market and many experts think this will start appearing in more products soon. It is considered safe for most people to consume and for now there isnt enough evidence to say that it offers significant health benefits. Welcome to Where Chefs Eat on Vacation, a column in which chefs tell us what they ate on a recent trip. When I go on any trip, I'm food centric in the way that I do things, says Philly-based restauranteur and cookbook author Michael Solomonov. It might seem obvious for a James Beard Award-winning chef, but his approach to eating, much in the vein of his lively Israeli restaurants (K'far, Laser Wolf, Zahav) is centered on an overall great experience, as opposed to just what's on the plate. I'm not hypercritical and, from a cultural and anthropological standpoint, I appreciate whatever it is that we're eating, he says of his vacation mindset. He wants to know what food can tell you about a place and its residents. So, when Solomonov traveled with his wife through Southern Italy on their honeymoon last yeartracing the coastline from Naples to Sorrento and Amalfiit was not only the flavors of bright lemons and spicy pizza that burned themselves into his memory, but also the steep, sweaty hikes, Mediterranean boat rides, and view-filled drives it took to reach them. When I hopped on the phone with Solomonov, he was ready with the highs, lows, and cheesy yet fantastic moments of the trip. Amalfi? Totally touristy, yes, but the lemons: Exceptional. Naples? Eating pizza in the birthplace of pizza is an experience. Sorrento? In my opinion, the unsung hero of the Amalfi Coast. And though there are some overcrowded spots he might avoid on the next trip (sorry, Capri), there's a bucatini he can still taste, and a waterfront restaurant that encapsulates everything he strives to be. There are highlights, but it's the sum of the parts that made this experience great, Solomonov says. Below, the chef shares his vacation food diary with usand yeah, you're going to want to save these pins on your Google Map. Story continues What was the first thing you ate when you got off the plane? We rented a car and drove from Rome to Naples and pulled over at an Autogrill for amazing mortadella sandwiches. Then, in Naples, we ate at Pizzeria da Attilio, which is a Katie Parla recommendation, and it was sick. Did you have a go-to breakfast order throughout the trip? Casa Angelina was the hotel that we stayed at in Priano, which is in between Positano and Amalfi, and the hotel breakfast was out of this world. It was very heavy with fruits, like citrus and berries, and vegetables, and the pastries were incrediblethere was an almond cookie, like an almond shortbread. All the ingredients were pristine, but it wasn't overcomplicated or filling in a bad way. Having an elaborate brunch only to ensure that you're going to have to pass out afterwards was not what we were going for. What was your most anticipated mealand did it live up to the hype? We went to Lo Scoglio in Amalfi. My friends Nilou Motamed and Peter Jon Lindberg [editor's note: Lindberg is the former executive editor of Conde Nast Traveler] recommended it and even helped make the reservation for us. It's a restaurant on the coast that's not super fancy, but it's definitely kind of a scene with cool boats and very beautiful people coming onto the dock. It was also on Stanley Tucci's show. They have this zucchini pasta that everybody loves and it's as good as advertised. They've also got a farm, so this vegetable plate that comes out in the beginning is mind-blowing. The red cabbage is like the best cabbage you've ever had. There's also a place called Chez Black. We knew ahead of time we'd be eating there. It's art nouveau, art deco-inspired, very old, very famous. I had langoustines that were sick. It's right on the beach in Positano, and it's kind of expensive, kind of touristy, but also delicious. Any other touristy indulgence you really loved? There's a bunch of little roadside kiosks that are set up as you enter the Amalfi region, that are all on these picturesque cliffs. Driving, especially in southern Italy, is harrowingyou can eat as much pasta and pizza as you want because honestly, your heart rate driving is at 180 beats a minute because you're terrified. You're flying down these roads that should be one way but are definitely for two, with a silly little three-inch pedestrian walkway on each side, then 1,000-foot cliffs. Stopping at the first kiosk to get Amalfi lemon granita was sort of a clichebut how do you beat an experience like that? The lemon is incredible, and then you're looking over the Amalfi Coast eating fresh, delicious, sweet lemon granita and there's really nothing better. Oh, and there's also hot espresso? Forget it. What was the meal that most surprised you? Nino Esposito, who was the owner of Sette Mezzo in the Upper East Side in New York City, spends his summers in Sorrento, and our mutual friends Claudio and Hannah were like, You've got to go say hi. Nino picked us up on his amazing boat one day, and then we sailed around the coast and ended up going to a restaurant called Da Adolfo, which I think is only accessible by boat. We're all in our bathing suits, and we pull up to this dock, where a smaller boat came to take us to the restaurant. They had this pasta that was next-levelI can still taste it. It was bucatini with pepperoncini, green olives, and tons of olive oil, super simple and probably one of the best things I ate on the trip. Not to say that the dorade and the squid and all the other things that we ate at Da Adolfo weren't amazing When I grow up, I want to be that restaurant. Name one fantastic cheap eat: At the top of Amalfi, there's a town called Ravello. It's indescribably beautiful. We ended up walking from the city of Amalfi all the way up to Ravello, which took fucking hours. We walked, and sweat through all of our clothes, and we stopped at this grocery store halfway up for waters and got these ham and cheese Pringles. You know how American snack food in different countries is incredible? These Pringles were our nourishment, but then I had to buy more because I thought, My kids have to see these. So we walked around Ravello with this tube of Pringles. In Ravello, this old medieval town, there's a great pizza place called Mimi's so we also bought a pizza with soppressata on top, and sat in the piazza to eat while people were playing live music and hanging out. It was a perfect moment. I'd like to go back just to stay in Ravello. And your biggest splurge? Casa Angelina was an incredibly memorable hotel, and where the breakfast is served turns into a two-star Michelin restaurant, Un Piano Nel Cielo, at night. I obviously love eating great food, but I'm not looking to check off rated restaurants on my travels. But oh my god, the meal at Un Piano Nel Cielo was worth it. There was this chilled prawn dish, I believe it had foie gras. The dorade was exquisite. I don't drink alcohol, so for every course of the tasting menu they were bringing out mocktails. I always find fancier restaurants to be so sterile in service and food, and this was the opposite. It was very soulful and extremely warm, and everyone made us feel comfortable. And there's not one place you can sit on the property and not be completely blown away by the views. Favorite dessert? Raki in Sorrento for gelatothat was delicious. It's always pistachio all the way for me, but I did have a scoop of chocolate, too. I think chocolate ice cream can be misleading because it doesn't usually taste chocolatey, but the chocolate gelato we had there was really dark and bitter and excellent. Best dining destination overall? Sorrento. It's a medieval fishing city with a port, and it's a very walkable town that has an antiquated feel to it in a good wayit didn't seem hyper touristy, and there were really good local restaurants. A lot of these places are multigenerational, they've got a dynasty of family members that are continuing a tradition from long before there were lists and reviews, and awards, and I just feel like those are the stories and flavors that I'm interested in. We went to Fauno Bar which is in the piazza, and I don't even remember eating anything but it was the best people watching. It's a beautiful, lush-looking restaurant that looks almost like a greenhouse. From there, we went to Da Gigino. Really, really good, we had pizza, arugula salad, and then mussels. Naples was also incredible. Anything you had to buy to bring home, besides the Pringles? My god, capers. We had a private boat take us around Capri, before we stayed on Capriwhich I think sucked, honestlybut the boat around Capri was unbelievable. It was just us and the captain, so we were laying out and jumping into the water. On his property in Capri they make their own preserves, and their capers were the best I've had in my life. We ate them on saltines on the boat, and I was like, Is this the best thing ever? We brought a jar of those, packed in oil, back to Philly. Originally Appeared on Conde Nast Traveler You can listen to our podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify each week. Follow this link if you're listening on Apple News. Few of us get to witness the rich and complex ecosystems that live below the oceans' surfacebut for Zandile Ndhlovu, venturing deep underwater on a single breath is part of daily life. Lale chats with the South African free diver (who was recently featured on the 2023 Women Who Travel Power List) about her work running The Black Mermaid Foundation, witnessing coral bleaching first hand, weaving sustainability into her travels, and coming face-to-face with a shark. Plus, we hear from a New Yorker about restoring oyster reefs in and around the city. For more from Women Who Travel, visit womenwhotravel.com or subscribe to our newsletter. Lale Arikoglu: Hi. I'm Lale Arikoglu and this is Women Who Travel. Today, I'm talking to Zandile Ndhlovu, South Africa's first Black female diving instructor and the founder of the Black Mermaid Foundation. She's also featured on our Women Who Travel Power List, which came out last month. When she spoke with contributor Sarah Khan, she said something that has really stayed with me. When I found the ocean, it felt like finding home, and now through her work, she's committed to helping others feel the same way. Zandile Ndhlovu: To feel at home is to feel free, just as you are. It is to not try and posture to live towards the bounded world, it is to feel wild and free and full, and that is home for me. I've always battled to fit in, and all of a sudden, there was this one place where the ultimate of my beliefs were affirmed. You don't have to look a certain way. Everything looks different and everything looks so different, there is no one normative in the ocean. LA: You said that you had spent a long time feeling like you didn't fit in or couldn't find places where you felt like you fit in. Expand on that a little. Talk a little bit about what that meant growing up. You know, you grew up, from what I understand, in Johannesburg, and then you moved to Cape Town. What was fitting in for you? Story continues ZN: When I was little, I didn't look like a girl enough, I didn't behave like a girl enough. This means that when we would go out and play with my sister, my sister comes back looking pristine and pretty, and I come back looking brown from top to bottom, and I would get a beating for it. Right? Later on in the workplace, what does it mean to be a Black person in a space that has always been violent on our bodies? And so, as you experience the violence of racism, of prejudice, you're continuously saying, "But I'm not only Black and I am not only a woman. I'm a being with multiple ways of being. You just wish you could fold into what society recognizes as normal, but it just never arrived for me. LA: You kind of discovered the ocean into adulthood, from what I understand, and your first snorkeling experience was when you were 28. You're now known as being somewhat of a mermaid. So, clearly, in quite a short space of time, you've become an expert diver, but what was that first snorkeling experience like? What did you see? What did it reveal to you? ZN: It was the most beautiful experience I've ever had in my life. And so, just from jumping in, looking beneath the surface and seeing blue in ways I'd never imagined. You know, one of the images that I'll never forget is how the bottom of the ocean looked like. It was lit up from beneath. The way the sun was hitting the coral reef is still something that I will never, ever forget. That and these super yellow fishes and this moray eel that made its way in. It was, for me, just the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen in my life. LA: I've been lucky enough to go snorkeling multiple times in some really beautiful places and every time, I always forget to bite down on the mouthpiece and inhale water and think I'm gonna die for about 30 seconds, and then I have a magical time, but I never learn. ZN: Yeah, and I mean, for me, it's important to say I didn't even know how the mask and snorkel worked. There was a lady on the boat who was like check- "Have you ever been snorkeling before?" And I was like, "No," and she's like, "But why didn't you say anything?" And she's like, "You breathe in through this one. The mask is gonna close your nose, so you're not gonna be able to breathe through your nose. Don't panic." I legitimately think, had we not had that moment, that discussion, I don't know if we would be here having this discussion. [laughs] LA: Well, thank God you did. [laughs] Lesson for everyone, say something on the boat before you jump in. Tell me about the Black Mermaid Foundation that you founded. ZN: So, from 2016, I go on this beautiful snorkeling trip. I come back to South Africa, learn to scuba, love it, but it's not quite it. Find freediving, and I know that that's where I need to be. I founded the Black Mermaid Foundation because, one, children are the future, and the whole idea is to just increase diverse representation in ocean spaces in hope that we will see more diversity in careers that are ocean-facing, recreationally, in sport. So, the whole idea is to take the kids on a journey that allows them to find home in the ocean enough to protect it. LA: You teach them a lot about plastic pollution and over-fishing, preserving marine habitats. How do you think that educating people about things like climate change and pollution can intersect with other social issues? Everything is so much more linked, I think, than we often care to believe. ZN: It's all linked, right? So, for me, I always think intentionality. Right? Intentionality in how we do anything, and everything matters. When I meet up with the kids, we're going over conservation. What are the challenges that the ocean is facing? We always come across plastic bottles, plastic packets, plastic everything, and what do we do? They see me go pick it up, and now, they will run and go get it. Right? And so, for me, again, conservation is not what we say but what we do. LA: Describe what it's been like to actually have to kind of see coral bleaching and other kind of impacts of climate change and pollution yourself and also, do you think, even just in the years you've spent in the water, you've seen change? ZN: I'll never forget the moment I saw a patch of bleached coral, because her reefs are pristine. I've never seen anything like it. And so, you realize that it starts little by little and it becomes bigger. I've only been in this ocean space for just over six years. Someone who was 20 years before, what would they see? What would they know? What is the change according to their eyes? And that makes me nervous, but aside from that, is always just how humans are battling to keep theirs out of the ocean. What does this mean? This means that every time we were diving, we're stuffing down plastic through our wetsuits because it's everywhere. You're finding it at the bottom of the ocean. You're seeing it on the surface of the ocean, and you know that turtles come up, and they think that plastic is a jellyfish, or they think it's food. And so, you're always just grabbing plastic in the ocean. Last, for me, is fishing line. I don't even know how, but I've seen so many sharks with hooks in their mouth, and then you see fishing lines on coral reefs. You see it on the bodies of seals. You see it everywhere. And so, we're not protecting the wildlife that lives in the ocean. We're not protecting the ocean, and I don't know if it's intentional, but I think we have work to do in changing how we consume in ways that allow us to not leave our waste in the ocean, if that means anything. LA: What is your advice to people who do want to at- at least try and weave some sort of consciousness into the decisions they make, both on an everyday basis, and also, as travelers who are keen to leave minimal footprint on the places they visit? ZN: I would say reduce, reuse, recycle. So, if you think of your single use plastic items, you want to replace that with something that's reusable. Your coffee cup, your water bottle, your lunch box. Those are three standards that you can ask anybody to pour into your own container, wherever it is that you are. Two, cutlery, these little forks and knives and straws that show up everywhere that are plastic. We can easily work around that. Get yourself a reusable cutlery set, travel with it everywhere. You're gonna feel amazing, but also, like, everything tastes better not on plastic. And three, the question is, "Do I really need it?" LA: Your description of stuffing plastic into the sleeves of your wetsuits is a very visual one, and when I think about the amount of plastic that I see on a- any given beach that I've visited, for the most part, it kind of feels overwhelming to think that you could ever remove enough of it to make a difference. How do you stop yourself from feeling totally helpless? ZN: It's easy to go to that place, right, the question of helplessness, but I feel like we have a responsibility to her. She gives us life. She gives us food. She gives us joy. She gives us wellness. She gives us mental health. She gives us- she gives me so much on the daily, that I could never give up while she's still giving. LA: After the break, Zandile recounts the time she came face to face with a shark during a dive and explains what she did next. If you're enjoying this episode of Women Who Travel, then don't forget to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts. I promise, we really do read every single one of them. We love to hear from you. To freedive is to swim deep beneath the water's surface without the help of any scuba equipment. It's a way of exploring the ocean that's often described as just you, your lungs, and what you see for as long as you can hold your breath. When Kimi Werner, freediving spearfishing champion from Hawaii, came on the podcast a few years ago, she described how she uses breathing techniques to remain calm on a dive, even when she has an encounter with a shark. And when chatting with Zandile, I learned that she shared a similar experience in Cape Town's shark-populated waters. I'm interested to know on your own dives, have you had any interesting under-the-sea encounters? ZN: I would definitely have to say it was [inaudible 00:10:56] bull sharks. So, I often say all other sharks are like, "Hey, what's up? Keep it moving." Bull sharks are like, "Hi. Who are you?" And it's interesting. So, anyway, we're diving, and everyone says, "Hey Zan, do you see underneath that cloud? Just underneath it, there's a bull shark under there." I'm like, but you can't see it. It must have been about 10 meters deep. We're freediving. It's not all that deep. Get through the little haze of water, and you see this bull shark. Right? Ooh, it's big. So, I whip out my camera and I'm like, ooh, I wanna see this, and let me tell you, in the side of my eye, I just see fish scram. They all just disappear on my left. All that means is a bigger shark has just entered the territory. So, in my head, I think, okay, turn, take it easy, keep an eye on this one while you look at the other one, and it's just this big mama bull shark. As she gets closer, I'm thinking I need to calm down, but also, I can't freak out. And so, I begin to ascend and she ascends with me. Right? And that's the thing, bull sharks require that eye-to-eye contact. You don't just belt to the top. They do an eye-to-eye with you until they break the contact and they leave, and then you belt for the surface. All to say, that day, I could feel my heart in my neck. LA: You had to maintain eye contact with that shark until they broke? ZN: Yeah. Yeah. LA: So, the world's worst staring contest. ZN: [laughs] Yes. And the thing is, you have to keep yourself calm. Right? And she's just like, "I just wanna know, are you food or not? What are you gonna say for yourself?" Oh, my word. [laughing] LA: Well, how did you stay calm? ZN: I don't know. I think- I feel like it's always one of those things as a freediver, you need to learn to be in your body and just- and your freak-out- your freak-out can never look big and dramatic. You only have one breath. So, you're just kind of, like, chilling. "Hey, buddy, what's up?" You know, "You're gonna break the stare contest first." I'll never forget that day and I'll never forget it just because once you see one and you see a second one come in, you realize how many are around you. Your eye immediately just taps into seeing more of them around you, and I guess that's what I've always said, by the time you see sharks is when they want you to see them. It's not the other way around. LA: Oh, I'm gonna be haunted by that line...for some time. I love swimming in the ocean, but that's gonna give me pause. Uh... [laughing] ZN: The- they're not into humans, if it counts for anything. They're not into us. LA: Okay. All right. I will reassure myself with that thought. I'm pretty sure there aren't really any bull sharks in the ocean in New York, but who knows. In Cape Town, where are your favorite places to dive and swim? ZN: I would say Windmill, Miller's Point, Smitswinkel. Cape Town has these beautiful nooks that are so special. The diversity of life there is different and beautiful and special in its own different way. LA: Wait, describe these nooks to me. They sound so magical. ZN: [laughs] If you picture Miller's Point, she's got these beautiful boulders and she's just got a large portion of pajama sharks, and you can also get gully sharks. So, it's a good shark spot, but it's also a place where people are allowed to spearfish and fish. So, it's got a different kind of energy to maybe a [inaudible 00:14:35], which is a protected space, and the protected spaces naturally have more life. But then, you see something like Smitswinkel, which is hard to get to. You have to hike down, and then you get through these rocks, and then you eventually get to this place, and to access the ocean, you have to jump in at the right time, and- so that you don't break your bones over the rocks. But whatever it is that you forage in the water, you can bring it up, and you sit in this cave and- and have a little fire, and have food, and it's just these beautiful nooks that are pristine and magical. LA: What sort of things are your foraging? ZN: So, we forage urchins, kelp, fish. So, if someone's spearfishing, we can get some fish as well to make ceviche. Ooh, [inaudible 00:15:29], periwinkle. LA: This all sounds so good. ZA: Yeah. We can- LA: You're describing, like, my dream lunch. Are you spearfishing? ZN: We love- Yes. We love to forage. So, I'm not a great spearfisherwoman, but we do love to forage. Get a little bit of urchins, get a big of [inaudible 00:15:45], a little bit of kelp, little bit of everything, and you make a nice salad on land. You know which urchin is good, by its color. Right? The last thing you're trying to do is poison yourself. It's also just the most different taste you can imagine. LA: Coming up, foraging for shellfish isn't exclusive to the sunny beaches of Cape Town. In New York Harbor, there used to be a thriving oyster population until it was all but wiped out by things like shore erosion and pollution. But one project is bringing them back through reforestation, seeding oyster beds, and encouraging school students to join the effort. Ann Fraioli: My name is Ann Fraioli. I am the Director of Education at Billion Oyster Project. Billion Oyster Project got off the ground in 2014. We are restoration practitioners who are growing oysters, getting permits, getting oyster structures and baby oysters into the water. We have an entire department that is dedicated to engaging the community and getting community scientists involved with both monitoring oysters, monitoring water quality, and then we have, what I focus on, which is the education work and making sure that we're getting teachers and students involved in our work, all throughout New York City. Oysters are a very integral part of New York City's history. They're back- you know, we always use the marker of the 1600s, before Henry Hudson sailed up the Hudson- the now-named Hudson River. So, if you imagine that period of time, there were tens of thousands of acres of oysters in New York Harbor, and it was not only a keystone species for the ecology of New York Harbor, but it was an incredibly important part of human life in New York City, and that goes from native populations, like the Lenni Lenape, that made New York City their home, and, you know, used oysters as an important food source, to early colonists that came and profited off of oysters. Oysters were so plentiful that everybody ate them, and they were cheap, but they were also delicious. So, there's that piece. There's that cultural piece, which is super important, and then there's the ecological piece. Oysters build reefs. They kinda pile on top of each other and they stick to each other. That's part of their life cycle, and as they build this three-dimensional structure in the shallows of the water off the bottom, they're creating an incredible amount of habitat for other organisms. Throughout the late 1800s, of course, the Industrial Revolution, we were throwing lots of garbage into the harbor. So, between pollution, over-harvesting, and also some amount of dredging, which is where you scoop out [laughs] the bottom of the harbor to make way for bigger ships, and then also, the landfill that filled in those shoreline and shallows areas. So, between all of these things, oysters became what we call functionally-extinct. So, at Billion Oysters, there's a couple of reasons, other than being a lovely round number that just sounds great, we want to get enough oysters into the harbor so that they can self-reproduce in the harbor. We are seeing the fruits of all of our efforts that the oysters are reproducing in the harbor, and there are new, young baby oysters there that we did not put there, and we want to start counting those and tracking them, and seeing where they are. So, when we go down, and sometimes, we do this with student divers or alumni of New York Harbor School, who are divers, go down and bring some video cameras to our underwater structures, the amount of life that you see on and around the oysters is night and day to what is 15 or 20 feet away from the structures. LA: Zandile, you are currently in Costa Rica, which I feel like is a place that is often held up as an example of a country that is working hard on sustainability initiatives and projecting, at least, a messaging of eco-consciousness. What's brought you to Costa Rica? Are you there for work or for holiday? ZN: It's a mixture of both because anywhere near the ocean is like home for me, it makes it better, but I'm actually here to up-skill myself. I'm getting my swim instructor's. Just allows me to be able to teach the kids back home how to swim, and we know that that's a very big thing, right, because in South Africa, the second cause of death is drownings. And so, getting my swim instructor's actively changes the trajectory of how we move with waters, one. Two is getting my dive master's, three is filming underwater. Do you know what has made Costa Rica crazy for me? The way in which the people live so close to the land and the wildlife. LA: Tell me about the wildlife. What have you seen? And also, how are you seeing people live so closely with it, and, I think, by doing so, probably treating it with great care. ZN: Yeah. It is how the fisherman and the birds work together. Right? So, there's these vultures, there's these pelicans. It's the space- it just feels so rich. I don't know how to explain it. And so, for me, every single day with a morning or sunset, when I'm walking home, it's watching the fisherman fish, watching some of them catch fish and some don't, watching how the birds interact with the fisherman, and how they all kind of work together. It's a weirdish thing, but I love to see it. LA: Describe the house you're in, that charming rooster in the background. Where are you in Costa Rica and what's it like? Zandile Ndhlovu: So, I'm in a place called Guanacaste, Santa Cruz Potrero in Costa Rica, and it's so beautiful because I'm living with a family. So, I'm living with a Spanish family and I have a Spanish mom, and she cooks the most beautiful food, if you can imagine. We have beans and plantain and rice and all the good food. And so, it's this wooden-roofed house and it is filled with love. I don't know what else to say, but let me tell you this. We live right on nature. So, I'm woken up by chickens and cows and birds and every so often, the barking dog. So, the space is very... I don't know how to explain it. Nature lives everywhere. The trees are massive. The birds are massive. The chickens are always on time, 3:50, 4:00 AM, they are up and why am I sleeping? They ask me about my life every morning. But I love it. [laughs] LA So nosy. ZN: Oh, my word. They're just like, "Who- who do you wanna be? You better wake up." But I- [laughs] I love it. It's beautiful and do you know what's crazy? The trees all have mango fruits on them. So, you can be walking and pick a mango off the tree and carry on walking on walking. It is something that is so different from where I come from, where, like, farms and food is behind gates, and in Costa Rica, everything is accessible. You can access nature and you can access food from the trees. It's- it's magical, and a two-minute walk up is the most beautiful sunset spot. Every single day, the full sun is, like, in full show-off mode and gets swallowed up by the sea. LA: You've said something that's really stuck with me when you were talking about, through the foundation, teaching students to swim, and that's one of the reasons why you're in Costa Rica, and that it's the- drowning is the second highest cause of death in South Africa, and I was wondering if you could elaborate a little bit more on that and how that insane statistic came to be. ZN: So, here's the thing, a lot of people don't know how to swim. South Africa, it is said the current percentage says 15 percent of South Africans know how to swim, and of that 15 percent, it's mostly white people. It's not Black people. So, the fatalities are largest in Black communities, and when you think about holidays, when you think about when kids go to play, and even when you think of a rescue situation where a drowning is happening right in front of you, there's nothing that the parents can do. And so, even lifeguards are not on every single beach. Lifeguards are mostly in the more privileged communities. And so, it's such a challenge when you look at how swimming, as a skill, should be a basic skill that everybody has, but in South Africa, it's severely lacking. And so, that number just grows on itself, and I think it kind of also maybe goes back to the narratives that we grow up around with water that says you shouldn't be anywhere near the ocean, near the river, near any large body of water because no one can save you. And so, that's where we find ourselves as a country. And so, what does it mean to just change that trajectory, but also change that competency that could allow someone to be able to save someone else. LA: To be able to overturn that fear and turn it into something that is empowering is invaluable, right? I mean, it- it really is life-changing. ZN: Yeah. No, it's absolutely amazing, and if we get everything right and I get my swim instructor's, which I will, I can then certify other swim instructors in the community. Can you imagine the change that brings because you can't change the world as one person, right? LA: You transported me so many places today, and sadly, I'm now back in New York, but I wish I was in Costa Rica or staring a bull shark in the eye, which I'm still haunted by. Next week, I'm talking to the actor, Arsema Thomas, who has a starring role in the upcoming, highly-anticipated Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story on Netflix. She's lives most of her life in countries across Sub-Saharan Africa and has a whole host of travel stories to share as a result. Thanks for listening. I'm Lale Arikoglu and you can find me, as always, on Instagram @LaleHannah and follow along with Women Who Travel on Instagram @WomenWhoTravel. You can also join the conversation in our Facebook group. Allison Leyton-Brown is our composer. Jennifer Nulsen is our engineer. Jude Kampfner from Corporation for Independent Media is our producer. Originally Appeared on Conde Nast Traveler Karen Feaster, airport director, welcomes Avelo Airlines as the newest airline to provide service at Daytona Beach International Airport at a press conference on Wednesday, April 5, 2023. The "ultra-low-cost-carrier" will offer twice-weekly nonstop flights to and from New Haven, Connecticut, on Thursdays and Sundays on a year-round basis beginning June 22. Avelo Airlines, which recently announced upcoming service at the Daytona Beach International Airport, is expanding to include nonstop flights to Delawares Wilmington Airport. "Avelo will be the only airline flying between Daytona Beach and The First State," according to an airport spokesperson. Avelos nonstop service from Daytona Beach to Wilmington will start June 23 and operate on Mondays and Fridays with 189-seat Boeing Next-Generation 737-800 aircraft. Introductory one-way fares will start at $49. Avelo Airlines is coming to Daytona: 10 things you need to know SEE: Mystery airline is revealed to be Avelo Airlines at Daytona Beach airport Reservations can be made at AveloAir.com. "This new route to the Wilmington / Philadelphia area exemplifies our ongoing commitment to bringing Avelos low fares, industry-leading reliability, and caring service to Daytona Beach travelers," Avelo Airlines Chairman and CEO Andrew Levy said. "Getting to the four-state Delaware Valley region is now easier than ever. Avelo will also provide nonstop flights to and from Tweed-New Haven Airport in Connecticut. That will begin on June 22. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Daytona Beach Airport flights will now include Delaware Falls Township may have violated the states Sunshine Law last year when it fired a police officer who has since filed a whistleblower lawsuit against the township alleging he was subjected to retaliation. In his civil suit against Falls Township, William Tanner IV alleges that the supervisors terminated him Oct. 21, 2022. But a review of board of supervisor meeting minutes for October through December show no public votes to terminate. A former Falls Township police officer alleges he was terminated in October, 2022, but Falls township supervisor meeting minutes show no public vote was taken. New Falls police officer files lawsuit Another former cop sues Falls Township alleging he was terminated over whistle-blowing A township spokeswoman declined comment citing the matter as personnel and litigation, and stated that as a general rule personnel matters do not require a public vote. But that is wrong, according to Melissa Melewsky, a recognized expert in the Pennsylvania Sunshine Law and media attorney for the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association. The hiring, termination or other personnel changes are considered township business which must take place in a publicly advertised meeting where the public has the opportunity to comment, she said. If a complaint that the law was violated is filed, a Bucks County judge would determine if Falls violated the Sunshine Law, and could potentially reverse the termination, Melewsky said. Violations carry a one-year statute of limitations from the date of the alleged incident. In January, Tanner sued the township alleging its supervisors engaged in an ongoing pattern of retaliation and unjustified discipline against him for assisting in a federal investigation into the township. Tanner, who joined the force in 2016, claims in 2020 he reported potential wrongdoing and illegal conduct involving other police officers and certain Falls supervisors to the FBI in connection with an ongoing federal probe, according to the lawsuit. No one in Falls Township, the FBI or the U.S. Attorney's Office have publicly commented on the existence of an investigation involving Falls, though rumors of one have circulated since 2020. Story continues The first confirmation of a federal inquiry came last year after Falls Police Chief Nelson Whitney alleged he was placed on a five-month administrative leave the day after notifying the township he received a subpoena to testify before the grand jury related to a federal investigation. Tanner alleges among the retaliation the township has taken against him is denying him an administrative hearing before imposing discipline against him. Tanner was arrested Aug. 30, 2021 on DUI charges while off-duty after he rear-ended a vehicle in Buckingham. He was charged with DUI and careless driving and admitted into a nonviolent first-time offenders probation program last August. In the lawsuit, Tanner alleges after he was denied an administrative hearing following his arrest and he was given a more severe discipline than was recommended. He filed a grievance with the police union and an arbitrator found the department improperly denied him an administrative hearing before imposing discipline and improperly punished Tanner for the DUI, according to the lawsuit. When Tanner returned to work from a 30-day suspension for the DUI, he alleges the defendants refused to let him return to full duty status in January 2022, according to the suit. He was placed on office duty, then administrative leave, again without an administrative hearing, in March 2022, for forwarding non-work related private messages on his private phone through a social media service, the lawsuit alleges. A subsequent internal investigation found Tanner did not violate department policies, but he was subsequently denied an administrative hearing and terminated. After his termination, Tanner said that he filed a second grievance through the union, which is pending. How change in law impacting drivers How drivers are fighting, and winning, automated ticket technology on Bucks County school buses Waiting for info on Falls shooting Falls, Bucks County DA release little information on officer-involved shooting This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Falls may have violated law when it privately fired police officer Ron DeSantis popularity problem on Capitol Hill is getting worse. The latest in a growing string of anecdotes about DeSantis lack of a personal touch during his six years in the House comes via former Rep. David Trott (R-Mich.). He sat next to DeSantis for two years when they both served on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. The then-Florida lawmaker never said a single word to me, Trott said in an email this week to POLITICO Playbook. I was new to Congress, and he didnt introduce himself or even say hello. I think hes an asshole, Trott added in a phone interview. I dont think he cares about people. Former President Donald Trump announced his bid to reclaim the White House last November while DeSantis, widely viewed as the former presidents most formidable challenger for the Republican nomination, has spent months trying to burnish his national image with a book tour and visits to early primary states. But even though DeSantis served three terms in Congress, its Trump whos gotten the jump on the Florida governor as GOP lawmakers including a parade of them from DeSantis state have lined up behind Trump in recent days and weeks. Trott elaborated on his interactions or lack thereof with DeSantis during their time in Congress together: I go to my first [House Foreign Affairs Committee] hearing early, and DeSantis showed up right at the gavel time and didnt say hello or introduce himself, he said. And then the next hearing, the same thing happened. I think the third time it happened, I thought, Oh, this guys not ever going to say hello to me. A spokesperson for the governor declined to comment on Trotts remarks. Perhaps nowhere has the contrast between Trump and DeSantis been sharper than within Floridas congressional delegation. While the Florida governor made a much-anticipated trip to Washington this week, Trump collected a wave of endorsements from Sunshine State lawmakers. Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.), who announced Monday night that he would back Trump for the GOP nomination, said hes had a tough time connecting with his home-state governor. Story continues There has been multiple opportunities where I've talked to him and given him my cellphone number and asked him to reach out to me, Steube said in a Friday interview on Fox News. Theres been events in my district where I was told I could not be part of the press conference, told to go stand in the corner and not allowed to participate in that when he was in my district. You can't win friends and influence people that way, especially in the political realm." In an interview with Playbook earlier this week, Steube recalled that Trump was the first person to call after the lawmaker suffered significant injuries that landed him in the ICU after in a tree-trimming accident earlier this year. To this day, I have not heard from Gov. DeSantis, Steube said. Freshman Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.), too, praised Trumps personal touch in interfacing with the Florida delegation. In an interview with The New York Times, she recalled receiving a personal note from Trump after her fathers death in January, 2022. Another letter came not from Gov. Ron DeSantis, but from his wife, Casey DeSantis. Trumps operation is personal, Luna, another Trump endorsers, told the Times. You take the time to actually get to know the people youre going to be working with and that does make a difference. Trott, for his part, said DeSantis has an ability to size up the electorate and figure out what issues and hot buttons he needs to press to advance his political ambitions. But Trott also called the governor just a very arrogant guy who is very focused on Ron DeSantis. He wasnt really liked when he was in Congress. And now it's coming home to, you know, prove out as some of the Florida delegation endorsed Trump and some of the donors, you know, think hes kind of awkward in terms of how he interacts with them, Trott said. If his pre-presidential campaign was playing out differently, then Id say, Well, maybe he just didnt like me. But I think theres something more at work here. Kierra Frazier contributed to this report. The family of Connor Sturgeon, who killed five people April 10 inside Old National Bank, issued a statement calling for meaningful, common sense gun safety measures. In the statement released by one of the couple's attorneys, the family said it was aghast to learn Kentucky law mandated the assault rifle used in the horrific event be sold to the highest bidder at public auction." They said they are working vigorously to ensure the weapon is legally destroyed. The five people killed were Josh Barrick, 40; Deana Eckert, 57; Tommy Elliott, 63; Juliana Farmer, 45; and Jim Tutt Jr., 64. Eight others were injured, including Louisville Metro Police Officer Nickolas Wilt who was shot in the head. Wilt's field training officer Cory Galloway killed Sturgeon. Wilt is currently on a ventilator while he remains in critical but stable condition. More: 2 mass shootings in 1 week: Louisville searches for answers after chaos at Chickasaw Park More: A Louisville corner changed forever: How 9 minutes of terror unfolded at Old National Bank In a previous statement, the family said Sturgeon, who worked at the bank, was suffering from mental health challenges that the family was addressing and they had no warning signs ahead of his violent shooting spree. No words can express our sorrow, anguish, and horror at the unthinkable harm our son Connor inflicted on innocent people, their families, and the entire Louisville community," the family said. In the statement issued Thursday, they said the first step in avoiding the auction of the assault rifle occurred Monday, when the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives took possession of the weapon. "We genuinely appreciate the assistance of both LMPD and ATF in this regard," the statement said. Cassandra Mullins, a public information officer for ATF, confirmed it has seized the rifle and said the agency will comply with all federal laws when the investigation closes, but she decline to say if the rifle would be turned over to Kentucky State Police for auction. Story continues Mullins further clarified that: "I cannot go into details of a specific case, particularly an on-going investigation. In general, firearms seized by ATF in federal investigations are disposed of in accordance with federal law and are not transferred to KSP for auction." The state's gun auction law says Kentucky State Police shall receive firearms and ammunition confiscated by or abandoned to "every law enforcement agency in Kentucky." More: Louisville shooting at Old National Bank underscores the fatigue felt by nation Since 1998, the General Assembly has required Kentucky State Police to sell confiscated firearms. The proceeds have been used to buy personal body armor and other equipment for police. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: What will happen to Louisville Old National Bank shooter's gun? Denver, CO --News Direct-- Select Sector SPDR Technology underpins daily life. Every facet of the economy is connected to and reliant on technology. Making tech part of a portfolio should be a consideration for every investor. The Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLK) offers easy and affordable access to this crucial piece of the U.S. economy. This simple to use and understand product has been trading for more than twenty-four years. XLK was early to launch in this space and has attracted more than $35 billion in assets under management. It is listed and traded on NYSE Arca so you can buy or sell throughout the day. With an expense ratio of 0.10%* and many brokerages offering commission-free trade, access to XLK and gaining exposure to the technology sector has never been easier. The fund draws from the S&P 500 tech sector. By weighting toward big caps, there is less volatility by avoiding smaller, less-stable firms. Top Holdings** The Technology Sector SPDR funds top two holdings, Microsoft and Apple, make up over 40% of the ETFs holdings approximately 20% each**. Along with chipmaker Nvidia, the third largest holding at 4.86%, XLK offers a diverse technology fund that represents the economy in many ways. XLK currently holds 66 publicly traded technology companies, all components of the S&P 500. XLK trades millions of shares each day with tight trading spreads. Access and cost can make XLK the go-to choice for technology exposure in a well-diversified portfolio. Why Tech? How does a tech ETF work into a portfolio? Significantly, in the long term. No industry fuels the economy more than technology. Every facet of life today has technology behind it. XLK provides investment results that, before expenses, correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Technology Select Sector Index. Strategically or tactically, XLK can allow for a more targeted approach than traditional style based investing as well. Sector Weightings The fund follows an index that includes a broad mix of the technology sector, which mitigates some of the volatility associated with the sector. Story continues Offering exposure to technology hardware, storage, and peripherals; software; communications equipment; semiconductors and semiconductor equipment; IT services; and electronic equipment, instruments, and components, the sector is well covered with broad exposure. The technology industry is easily captured here. Launched in 1998, XLK has been a stalwart in the ETF toolbox for technology exposure in a portfolio and should be a consideration for advisors and investors alike. DISCLAIMER: This is a work of research and should not be taken as investment or financial advice. Therefore, Select Sector SPDRs or the publisher is not liable for any decision made based on the publication. About the Company: Select Sector SPDR ETFs offer flexibility and customization opportunities. Many investors have similar outlooks, but no two are exactly alike. Select Sector SPDR ETFs let investors select the sectors that best meet their investment goals. *Ordinary brokerage fees apply **Holdings, Weightings & Assets as of 3/31/23 subject to change DISCLOSURES The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index of 500 common stocks that is generally considered representative of the U.S. stock market. The index is heavily weighted toward stocks with large market capitalizations and represents approximately two-thirds of the total market value of all domestic common stocks. The S&P 500 Index figures do not reflect any fees, expenses or taxes. An investor should consider investment objectives, risks, fees and expenses before investing. One may not invest directly in an index. Transparent ETFs provide daily disclosure of portfolio holdings and weightings All ETFs are subject to risk, including loss of principal. Sector ETF products are also subject to sector risk and nondiversification risk, which generally will result in greater price fluctuations than the overall market. Diversification does not eliminate risk. An investor should consider investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. To obtain a prospectus, which contains this and other information, call 1-866-SECTOR-ETF (732-8673) or visit www.sectorspdrs.com. Read the prospectus carefully before investing. ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., a registered broker-dealer, is distributor for the Select Sector SPDR Trust. Media Contact: Company: Select Sector SPDRs Contact: Dan Dolan* Address: 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, CO 80203 Country: United States Email: dan.dolan@sectorspdrs.com Website: https://www.sectorspdrs.com/ *Dan Dolan is a Registered Representative of ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., a registered broker-dealer, is the distributor for the Select Sector SPDR Trust. Contact Details Dan Dolan dan.dolan@sectorspdrs.com Company Website https://www.sectorspdrs.com/ View source version on newsdirect.com: https://newsdirect.com/news/technology-could-be-a-key-component-to-portfolios-509830466 Four teenagers were arrested Friday following a large fight at Winnetonka High School in Kansas City that drew a crowd of dozens of spectating students and a response from law enforcement, according to the sheriffs department. Sarah Boyd, a spokeswoman for the Clay County Sheriffs Office, said in a Friday statement that the four minors, all students, had been taken into custody. One student was taken to the hospital for treatment of an injury described as minor. Boyd said a school resource deputy called for backup shortly after 1 p.m. to assist with a reported disturbance happening on the schools second floor. Kansas City police and the Missouri State Highway Patrol responded. The fight began between two teenagers and escalated to a total of eight, Boyd said. Meanwhile, between 40 and 50 students gathered around. Boyd said school staff members were assaulted while trying to break up the fight. The school was placed under lock-and-teach protocol during the fight. Within 10 minutes of backup arriving, Boyd said the situation was brought under control and order was restored. Afterward, a school bus struck a parked and unoccupied patrol car, Boyd said, but no one was hurt. The Clay County Sheriffs Office was handling the criminal investigation. Boyd said investigators would turn over findings to the Clay County Juvenile Office to determine whether charges would be filed. Editors note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated the location of Winnetonka High School as in North Kansas City rather than Kansas City, North. Illustration by Luis G. Rendon/The Daily Beast Terrorist organizations and domestic violent extremists have upped their online threats against certain groups of Americans and critical infrastructure in recent weeks, according to an intelligence memorandum from the Department of Homeland Security obtained by The Daily Beast. The calls for attacks have specifically targeted the LGBTQIA+ community, journalists, the White House, and perceived enemies of Islam in recent weeks, according to the memo. The agency also reported an uptick in demands for attacks against law enforcement, government, and military entities. Violent extremists have been providing guidance on how to conduct these attacks, including suggesting the use of Molotov cocktails, firearms, and arson, the intelligence memo, which was released in the last week, states. Much of the communication takes place on Telegram, Twitter, WhatsApp, and Facebook, the memo, which was prepared by the DHS Counterterrorism Mission Center and coordinated by the DHS Intelligence Enterprise, notes. How the Feds Hunted Down the Pentagon Leak Suspect Some of the content calls for attacks during Ramadan, while others focus on calling for violence against the LGBTQIA+ community following the Nashville shooting. The threats include calls to use explosives to sabotage an oil project in Alaska, or to attack law enforcement and journalists, the memo states. The document highlights some pro-Al-Qaeda media outlets that have allegedly been spreading photos of U.S. citizens visiting Yemen, with guidance to kill Americanswhile other media focused on attacking substations in the United States. The intelligence memo comes as the country remains in a heightened threat environment when it comes to terrorism threats, according to a National Terrorism Advisory System Bulletin from November viewed by The Daily Beast. The alert expires at the end of this May. Domestic violent extremism has been growing in recent years in the United States. From 2020 to 2021, investigations involving domestic violent extremism doubled from about 1,400 to 2,700, according to a report from DHS and the FBI released last year. A large part of the increase that year was related to the attack against the U.S. Capitol on January 6. Story continues Inside the Memo The intelligence memorandum particularly warns that ISIS and pro-ISIS media have worked to rally supporters to conduct attacks against perceived enemies of Islam during Ramadan, which began in late March. The celebration of Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan, is set to take place this Friday. If jihad is combined with "the virtue of another season of obedience" it will be light upon light and good above good, a pro-ISIS media outlet posted in March, for example, according to the Middle East Media Research Institutes Jihad & Terrorism Threat Monitor. Other pro-ISIS media focuses on calling for unspecific attacks in Kansas City, Missouri as well as against the White House, the memo warns. The Biden administration is not tracking any specific or credible threats against the White House from ISIS supporters in the United States right now. The intelligence bulletin also warns that a newly-formed ISIS media group has been created in a likely attempt to grow ISIS support networks. It warns that domestic violent extremist media has continued to urge attacks against electrical substations, with a particular focus on the shooting attack against a substation in Moore County of North Carolina last year that left thousands without power. Domestic violent extremists have been developing plans to go after electricity infrastructure since at least 2020, according to a DHS bulletin previously obtained by The Daily Beast. White supremacists expressed interest in wreaking havoc on the power grid if former President Donald Trump lost the election in 2020. The warning coincides with a surge of attacks against substations in recent monthsother substations in North Carolina last year were also attacked with gunfire. Power companies in Oregon and Washington also reported physical attacks against substations with hand tools, arson, firearms and metal chains. Just this February, the FBI arrested two people suspected to be planning attacks on power stations with the goal of totally destroying Baltimore. Ex-Navy Officer Reportedly Probed for Amplifying Pentagon Leak to Russian Channels Typical physical security incidents against the grid involve vandalism, tampering, arson, and ballistic damage, Jim Robb, President and CEO of the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), said in a statement Thursday. In total, nearly 1,700 physical security incidents were reported to the Electricity Information Sharing and Analysis Center (E-ISAC) last year, Robb said. The industry and the government need to collaborate more on securing critical infrastructure against these kinds of attacks, Brian Harrell, a former Assistant Secretary for Infrastructure Protection at DHS said. Extremists on the left and right continue to fantasize about attacks on critical infrastructure, Harrell told The Daily Beast. This is a growing trend here in the U.S., but also globally. Industry owns the infrastructure, so its imperative that the private sector stay coordinated with law enforcement and National Security partners. Federal regulators, however, are still working to assess security standards for substations. Last December, regulators directed a review of security standards for power stations in order to deal with the attacks. NERC will be holding a technical conference to examine physical protections for substations and other measures that can help mitigate any physical attacks in the future, NERC announced Thursday. NERC told The Daily Beast there is no date yet set for the conference. The FBI, for its part, is working to track down perpetrators. The agency is offering three rewards of $25,000 for information that leads to conviction of those responsible for attacks in North Carolina. An FBI official confirmed Thursday the electrical substation shooting investigations are ongoing. The intelligence memo also warns that domestic violent extremists have intensified their narratives justifying violence against members of the LGBTQIA+ community after a school shooting in Nashville, Tennessee in which the shooter reportedly identified as transgender. In Tennessee, where the legislature recently banned gender-affirming medical care and passed other anti-trans legislation, the trans community has been fearing backlash. In the direct aftermath of the shooting, several conservatives leaned on the incident to push anti-trans narratives. Fox News host Tucker Carlson posted a photo of the alleged shooter and labeled the image Trans Killer on his Tuesday show that week, The Washington Post reported. Transgender people are rarely behind mass shootings. Domestic violent extremists have latched onto previous shootings involving the LGBTQI+ community. The November shooting at an LGBTQI+ bar in Colorado Springs, Colorado, saw a wave of online actors praising the alleged shooter, according to a National Terrorism Advisory System Bulletin from November. Other domestic violent extremists in the United States praised another shooter who targeted an LGBTQI+ bar in Slovakia in October. The attacker had shared a manifesto expressing white supremacist beliefs, the bulletin states. A DHS spokesperson said in a statement on the memo that DHS regularly shares information regarding the heightened threat environment with federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial officials to ensure the safety and security of all communities across the country. Persistent Threat The U.S. Intelligence Community has assessed that racially or ethnically motivated violent extremists, who use neo-Nazism or white supremacy to rally support for attacks against government institutions or for fascist governments, is one of the top threats to the United States. These kinds of attacks pose the most lethal threat to U.S. persons and interests, a U.S. intelligence assessment from February noted. Some of the threats and encouragement for attacks from pro-ISIS or Al-Qaida elements are not entirely surprising, according to the Intelligence Community assessment. U.S. persons and interests at home and abroad will face a persistent and increasingly diverse threat from terrorism during the next year, the report states. Although ISIS and Lebanese Hizballah have lost several leaders in the last year, they will continue to inspire attacks in the United States, according to the report. ISISs ideology and propaganda, however, almost certainly will continue to inspire attacks in the West, including in the United States, the assessment notes. Al-Qaida remains committed to attacking U.S. interests. 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. Loons in northern Wisconsin have been falling from the sky due to the icy weather conditions, according to a wildlife rehab center in Antigo. Raptor Education Group, Inc. posted to Facebook Thursday, alerting the public of the bird fallout phenomenon after receiving an elevated number of reports of loons on people's property the past two days. A loon was rescued by the Raptor Education Group, Inc., after falling from the sky due to the weather conditions. The loons fall from the sky "when atmospheric conditions are such that the migrating loons develop ice on their body as they fly at high altitude and crash land when they are no longer able to fly due to the weight of the ice on their body or the interference with their flight ability," REGI said. Loons are rescued by Raptor Education Group, Inc. in Antigo, after falling from the sky due to icy conditions. REGI reported discoveries in Wausau, Gleason, Stratford, Neva, Rice Lake and Drummond. What conditions were like for the birds prior to their fall is hard to tell, but parts of northern Wisconsin experienced near-freezing temperatures, with on and off rain, ice or snow, and unstable atmospheric winds over the past two days. Marge Gibson from REGI said the loons are in good physical condition because they've been preparing to migrate from the Gulf of Mexico to as far north as Canada. Therefore, it has been easier on the staff to render aid, but some loons have suffered injuries due to the hard landing from the fall. Gibson said the center has received at least 25 phone calls on Thursday and dozens of Facebook messages asking for help after a loon was discovered on the ground. The event also happened in 2021, and at the time, Gibson said she had seen loon fallouts during spring migration twice previously over the last 25 years. In one instance, a loon was rescued seconds after falling and Gibson said "it still had a veil of ice around its wings." Loon at the Raptor Education Group, Inc. facility after falling from the sky. Unplanned groundings are especially dangerous for loons because they can't walk. Loons leg positioning and body shape make it extremely difficult for loons to move across hard surfaces, and essentially become trapped on land. Story continues "They are very vulnerable on land," Gibson said. "As tough as they are, they can't last long if they are in the middle of some field." One loon reportedly landed in a cow pen of a farm this week before being rescued. A loon fell from the sky into a cow pen on a farm in Tomahawk due to the icy weather conditions. If the loon lands in water, it needs about a quarter-mile length in order to take off and continue migration. It is not recommended that the public approach loons, as they can be dangerous because the birds' bills are like a dagger. If you find a loon on the ground or in a pond, it's best to contact REGI at 715-623-4015 or Loon Rescue at 715-966-5415. Paul Smith of the Journal Sentinel contributed to this report. Our subscribers make this reporting possible. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal. DOWNLOAD THE APP: Get the latest news, sports and more This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Loons are falling from the sky in Wisconsin due to icy conditions A man killed during a shootout with police in Springville in March was a former police officer who had been carrying a badge with him in recent weeks, according to court records. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News A Springville man shot and killed during an exchange of gunfire with police, which also resulted in an officer being injured, was a former police officer who was exhibiting strange behavior in the weeks leading up to the fatal confrontation. That's according to 4th District Court documents that provide a glimpse into the odd behavior of Mathew Scott Nielsen, 46, was showing prior to the shootout. Just before 5 a.m. on March 19, Springville police received reports of shots being fired in the area of 1500 West and 150 North. One caller reported hearing "semiauto rapid fire" while a second caller reported hearing eight to 10 shots fired in rapid succession," according to Springville police. Officers searched the area for 30 to 50 minutes before coming across a car that had struck a concrete barrier near 1200 West and 1000 North. As soon as the first officer stepped out of his patrol car to investigate, Nielsen shot at him, striking the officer in either the leg or knee, according to police. A second officer arrived a short time later from a different angle and exchanged shots with Nielsen. Not long after, officers reported that the gunman was "down," according to search warrant affidavits. Both officers were treated for injuries at local hospitals and are expected to make a full recoveries, according to police. "The officers reported the suspect was wearing camouflaged clothing, and possibly had been wearing body armor," according to one of several affidavits. The Utah County Officer Involved Critical Incident Protocol Team is investigating the police shooting. The team has since learned that the vehicle Nielsen was driving was also involved in a couple of other recent incidents with police. "The vehicle was stopped on a traffic stop a couple days prior to the officer-involved incident by an officer who said he was 'badged' by the driver," the affidavit states. "Another statement was made that a different Springville officer reported stopping the same vehicle a couple weeks prior to this incident and was also shown a law enforcement badge." Story continues Springville police say in the traffic stop just prior to the shooting, Nielsen presented a badge to the officer who pulled him over and mentioned "something to the effect of being a retired officer." Police conducted a background check on Nielsen and discovered that he had a "revoked concealed carry permit license. His record shows that he is a former law enforcement officer," investigators wrote in the affidavit. Inside Nielsen's vehicle that struck the concrete barrier police found a badge that says "Joint Criminal Apprehension Task Force." The JCAT team was a multi-agency group lead by the U.S. Marshals Service, that rounded up wanted fugitives across the state, but began downsizing and focusing its efforts about 10 years ago. They are now called the Violent Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team. The court documents do not indicate whether Nielsen was actually a member of the task force team. Investigators also talked to Neilsen's mother who said "she had been receiving unusual messages from Mathew the night prior to the incident." Some of those text messages from Nielsen included, "Is there some guys by my house?" and "Nothing is OK," according to the warrants. Just a few hours before the shootout, Nielsen sent a string of messages that included, "C hmm," "Still down I pup," and "So yeah for me!!!!!" "Mathew's mother was not sure how to interpret these messages but suggested they were strange," investigators wrote in their affidavit. One of the warrants seeks to collect any information from Nielsen's other electronic devices. "Officers believe Mathew may have sent additional messages to individuals reflecting his state of mind or any plans that he may have had to injure himself or others that evening. Officers believe Mathew had premeditated his actions against police officers due to the police attire he was wearing, the way he was positioned on the ground with firearms, and the way he ambushed officers and shot one of them in the leg," the affidavit states. Online, several of Nielsen's friends have stated that he was a kind and caring person but struggled with mental health issues in recent years. At the conclusion of their investigation, the Utah County Officer Involved Critical Incident Team will present its findings to the Utah County Attorney's Office. Alec Baldwin attends a news conference at United Nations headquarters in 2015. Seth Wenig/AP Photo Prosecutors this week dropped the charges against Alec Baldwin in connection to the fatal "Rust" shooting. Legal experts said the case against him was always weak and prosecutors continually messed up. "It just shows a lack of competence that is a bit overwhelming," one former prosecutor said. New Mexico prosecutors on Thursday dropped the charges against Alec Baldwin in connection to the 2021 fatal "Rust" movie set shooting, marking an anticlimactic conclusion to the district attorney's high-profile criminal investigation into the Hollywood actor. "I've never seen a prosecutor have to retreat with her tail between her legs in my more than 20 years of doing this like I have with the Santa Fe DA," Neama Rahmani, president of West Coast Trial Lawyers and a former federal prosecutor not connected with Baldwin's case, told Insider. "But it's expected because it was a terrible case that's been botched at every stage of the investigation and the prosecution." Baldwin, who had pleaded not guilty to the charges against him, was facing two counts of involuntary manslaughter in the shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. The accident happened as Baldwin was practicing a cross-draw technique that required him to point a Colt .45 revolver at a camera, according to affidavits previously released by the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office. The First Judicial District Attorney's Office confirmed Thursday evening that it would not move forward with charges against Baldwin after a 15-month investigation into the shooting, citing "new evidence that came to light," as well as time constraints. The decision comes just weeks ahead of a scheduled preliminary hearing in the case. The armorer on the set of "Rust," Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was also charged with involuntary manslaughter in the case. Prosecutors said Thursday that they were not dropping the counts against her. Story continues New Mexico special prosecutors did not respond to Insider's requests for comment. Weak from the start "It's a complete and total disaster," Ambrosio Rodriguez, a former prosecutor, said of the nixed charges. "It just shows a lack of competence that is a bit overwhelming." Despite an aggressive and media-forward legal approach by prosecutors in the 18 months since the shooting took place, multiple legal experts told Insider this week that the case against Baldwin was weak from the start. Baldwin scored a major legal win in February when prosecutors dropped a gun enhancement charge against him after his lawyers argued that prosecutors had made an "unconstitutional and elementary legal" error because the statute did not exist at the time of the shooting. Then in March, Andrea Reeb, a former district attorney and Republican lawmaker, resigned from the case after Baldwin's lawyers complained that her appointment as a special prosecutor was unconstitutional. Emails released in March showed Reeb telling the Santa Fe District Attorney that the DA propping up her work in the Baldwin case could ultimately boost her own reelection campaign, according to The New York Times. The "Rust" film set in the immediate aftermath of the fatal shooting. Jae C. Hong/AP They likely would have lost Legal experts said prosecutors would have struggled to prove Baldwin committed involuntary manslaughter, which requires proof that a perpetrator acted with criminal negligence, during a trial; several said they expected the actor to win before a jury. But the case never made it that far. "For this case to fall apart, if that's what's happened, before it's even been set for trial, it makes you wonder what exactly changed," said Joshua Ritter, a partner with El Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers and a former Los Angeles County prosecutor. In a Tuesday statement, special prosecutors Kari T. Morrissey and Jason J. Lewis said the office's decision does not absolve Baldwin of criminal culpability and suggested that charges could be refiled. But Rahmani said that would be unlikely. "Practically speaking and politically speaking, there's so much egg on their face. They have to be so embarrassed to dismiss and refile," he told Insider. "This is how district attorneys lose reelection. They just need to walk away." Alec Baldwin on the set of "Rust" after the October 21, 2021 fatal shooting. Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office A famous face The seemingly abrupt decision has legal experts wondering whether charges ever would have been filed in the case if Baldwin weren't a famous actor. "It seemed as though they took particular umbrage with the fact that he's a big Hollywood star and that someone ended up dead in their jurisdiction, and that they were making a point of saying, 'No one's above the law in this county,'" Ritter said. "That's all fine and good, but you better make sure that you're not just bringing the prosecution because he happens to be a big Hollywood star, and that you actually have the evidence to back all that up." Read the original article on Insider Deanne Herber smiles with her children Jake, Zach, Vanessa and Paige. SHEBOYGAN Family was the only consistent thing in Vanessa and Paige Perezs life growing up. From places like Wisconsin to El Salvador, they moved around a lot because their parents both served in the military and foreign services. Their mom served active duty, in the reserves and then as a military spouse, and their dad served active duty. Their family grew closer when they learned Vanessa had a 10-pound tumor while living in Venezuela. She was 15 years old. After being medevacked out of the country and undergoing surgery, Vanessa was hospitalized for chemotherapy treatment in Washington, D.C., where she was often by herself or with her family. She befriended another teen, who was receiving treatment for a brain tumor. Together, they founded an Honoree Pediatric Society for other teenagers who had terminal illnesses or were receiving treatment at the hospital. Vanessa helped bring that idea of community to military kids like her. Vanessa, Paige and their mom Deanne Herber are co-founders of Kids in Combat Boots, a local start-up aimed at recognizing the sacrifices of military kids, creating community among them and sharing their stories with the non-military community. Recognizing the sacrifices of military kids Being together during the pandemic granted Deanne, Vanessa and Paige time to tell stories about the past and relearn about each other, Deanne said. As they shared, they realized they had different perceptions of their experiences growing up and were reflecting on difficult moments years later. Joking around, they talked about starting a reality television show for military and expat families. But then Vanessa suggested doing a podcast. They began sharing their stories and discovered theres a great desire for more conversations about challenges military kids face, Deanne said. She said they were surprised to see military parents, not kids, accounted for most of the feedback on their first episode, thanking them for opening a door, and acknowledging a need for more conversations with military kids about their unique circumstances and challenges. Story continues We should be giving them (military kids) an avenue to talk about and work through those issues because they (moments) are not all easy, Deanne said. They're not all fun. Some of them are fantastic. But even sometimes when they're fantastic, they're hard. Deanne said many moments of military families are captured when they reunite or depart, but little is seen in between. What happens when you go home? she said. What happens when it's hard to integrate mom and dad back into the family? We've done that multiple times where I've been the only one at home and then after a year, their dad would come home and we'd have to figure out how to be a family again, she added. Where's that conversation? Military kids, like Vanessa, may also struggle to find friends and community outside of their family moving so much. She said they probably moved 20 times before she graduated high school. It can be a culture shock, she said. As soon as you finally get your roots somewhere, you're up again." Uprooting often can also make it difficult for military kids to enter the next chapter of their life, like getting a letter of recommendation for a college application. Deanne said Vanessa and Paige faced this challenge. "They had a hard time quantifying what they've done and talking about it in a way that was understandable," she said. "They didn't have the same resume-building items that a civilian kid would have." On top of that, the otherwise forgettable, or slightly inconvenient, minutiae of life can take on a different meaning, like breaking a dish while moving. "We had a whole conversation about a cereal bowl that broke in a move and how sad she (Vanessa) was, Deanne said. I didn't even think (about it). It's those types of things that we really opened the door to and shed some light on. Headed to state business competition Kids in Combat Boots is still in the start-up phase, but it could offer subscription-based services for different levels of community engagement, avenues for military kids to share stories, and recommendation and scholarship opportunities to give them tangible recognition. It is one of 26 finalists in the Wisconsin Governors Business Plan Contest. They will submit a pitch video this week, which will determine if theyll present at the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs' Conference in May. If Kids in Combat Boots doesnt make it to the next round this year, Deanne said theyll be better equipped next year. The start-up is also wrapping up its participation in the Sheboygan County Accelerator for Learning Entrepreneurship at a May showcase. All three co-founders have full-time commitments Deanne works full-time, Vanessa is a second lieutenant logistics readiness officer at Shaw Air Force Base, and Paige is a student and in Air Force R.O.T.C. at Florida State University so Kids in Combat Boots' launch timeline is dependent on what happens next. Kids in Combat Boots can be contacted at kidsincombatboots@gmail.com and followed on Instagram and Facebook at Kids in Combat Boots. More: Plymouth plans to sell Cheese Counter and Dairy Heritage Center to nonprofit led by local cheesemakers More: Sheboygan's newest Asian restaurant Nyob Zoo Cafe shares family's favorite cuisine Contact Alex Garner at 224-374-2332 or agarner@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @alexx_garner. This article originally appeared on Sheboygan Press: Sheboygan start-up Kids in Combat Boots aims to recognize military kids' sacrifices Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA) recently released its first-quarter earnings report, which was met with a large drop in the share price due to the company missing Wall Street expectations. Make no mistake, Tesla has been facing quite a few headwinds recently, but the long-term growth picture remains intact, and there are some points that imply Tesla's outlook is actually improving despite increased competition and margin compression. Tesla Goes on Sale Following Mixed Earnings TSLA Data by GuruFocus Misses and margin cuts While the company reported earnings of 85 cents per share in line with average analyst estimates, net income came in at $2.51 billion, a 24% drop from the previous year. Tesla's core segment, automotive revenue, reached revenue of $19.96 billion in the quarter, up 18% from last year, and the company reported total revenue of $23.33 billion, up 24% year over year, which was slightly above analyst estimates. However, the company's gross margin dropped to 19.39% due to a series of price cuts on some of its vehicles, reflecting an erosion of profitability and competitive moat as more competitors enter the EV race. Tesla has been cutting the prices of its vehicles over the last few months, with the latest cuts taking place before the earnings release. The company recently slashed the price of Model Y vehicles by $3,000. This marks the sixth price cut in the U.S. this year and the second reduction this month. Tesla also reduced prices for its vehicles in Europe, Israel and Singapore. CEO Elon Musk defended the price cuts, saying, "We've taken a view that pushing for higher volumes and a larger fleet is the right choice here, versus a lower volume and higher margin." In early April, Tesla reported vehicle deliveries of 422,875 in the first quarter with production slightly higher than deliveries for the same period at 440,808 vehicles. Recent data shows that total vehicle sales in the U.S. for February were 15.38 million, down 6% from January but up 8% year over year. This year, many EV makers have faced challenges to growing sales due to the weakening economy and competition, and Tesla does not seem to be an exception. Story continues Tesla faced multiple legal disputes and production issues recently as well. The company was required to recall over 360,000 vehicles in February due to a software flaw in the self-driving feature that was determined to be a safety hazard. In March, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration launched an investigation into reports of Tesla steering wheels coming off while vehicles were being driven. This investigation covers approximately 120,000 vehicles. The bright spots While vehicle sales declined, Tesla reported a significant surge in its energy revenue, which reached $1.53 billion in the first quarter, a 148% increase compared to the same period last year. The company also revealed that its energy storage systems deployment increased to 3.9 GWh, which is a remarkable 360% rise. These energy storage systems, which utilize lithium-ion batteries, include Tesla's home backup battery, known as Powerwall, and the Megapack system that allows utilities to store and use more energy generated from intermittent renewable sources such as solar and wind. The company has already announced its second 40 GWh Megafactory in Shanghai, with construction starting later this year. In the first quarter, solar deployments grew by 40% year over year to 67 MW but decreased sequentially due to unpredictable weather and other factors, as well as supply chain disruptions in the solar industry. Further, revenue and gross profit from the Services and Other segment achieved record highs during the quarter, with healthy margins for used vehicle sales. Although Supercharging remains a small part of the business, it continues to expand as the network opens up to non-Tesla vehicles. Supercharger Network continued to grow in the quarter, with a 33% year over year increase, expanding from 3,724 stations in the first quarter of 2022 to 4,947 in the latest results. This significant growth further cements Teslas leadership in the EV industry. The company's focus on expanding the Supercharger Network is strategic, especially as Tesla opens up its rapid charging system to non-Tesla electric vehicles. This move could potentially accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles globally, which would play into Teslas advantage in the long run. Despite the challenges faced by the company, Tesla is charting ambitious plans for expansion with increased capital expenditures. According to a January SEC filing, Tesla expects to spend between $7 billion and $9 billion in 2024 and 2025 to expand its business. The company expects to produce 1.8 million vehicles this year, with a possible upside volume of 2 million vehicles. My take Tesla is off to a disappointing start this year, and the company is likely to face many new challenges in the coming quarters as global EV sales are predicted to grow at a slow and steady pace this year in comparison to the record growth seen in the last couple of years. Despite these challenges, the company's long-term prospects remain bright at a time when the world is aggressively pursuing net-zero emissions targets. Tesla's aggressive push into the clean energy sector positions the company to become a big winner in the ongoing transformation of the global energy sector and the company is strongly positioned to benefit from the continued adoption of electric vehicles as well. Overall, I believe any weakness in Tesla's stock price presents an opportunity for long-term-oriented growth investors. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. NEW BEDFORD An elderly man has died as a result of a fire Thursday afternoon at 260 Chestnut St. in the city's West End that also resulted in three others being hospitalized. The fire appears to have started on the second floor of the single-family home at the corner of Chestnut and Robeson streets at 1:40 p.m. The Fire Department was alerted to the fire by 911 calls, according to fire officials. Upon arrival, crews found a fire heavily involved in the second floor. Engines 1, 7, 8, Ladders 1 and 4, made entry into the building through the windows on Robeson Street and also by an interior stairway. Upstairs, the crews rescued two elderly residents, a man and woman, who were trapped in a bedroom. They were both transported to St. Luke's Hospital where the man was pronounced dead. At last update from fire officials, the woman was in critical condition. New Bedford fire respond to a fire on the second floor of a single family residence at 260 Chestnut Street Thursday. Four people were removed from the building and taken to St. Luke's Hospital. Fire officials confirm one of the residents has died. Two other adults were able to escape. New Bedford Fire Chief Scott Kruger on Thursday told reporters a total of four people were transported to St. Luke's Hospital, including the deceased, two said to be in critical condition, and one in serious condition. New Bedford fire respond to a fire on the second floor of a single family residence at 260 Chestnut Street Thursday. Four people were removed from the building and taken to St. Luke's Hospital. Fire officials confirm one of the residents has died. Kruger confirmed the smoke alarms in the house were functioning properly at the time, and said they were what first alerted the occupants of the fire. Kruger also said firefighters found an open dog crate in the house, but hadn't yet located a pet. According to a press release from the New Bedford Fire Department, the American Red Cross of Massachusetts assisted five displaced residents. State Police document the scene of a fire at 260 Chestnut Street in New Bedford. Four people were removed from the building and taken to St. Luke's Hospital. Fire officials confirm one of the residents has died. A look back at the March 28 fire: Officials release cause of deadly New Bedford rooming house fire. Here's where it started Mayor Mitchell on scene of deadly New Bedford house fire "This is happening entirely too often," said New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell at the scene Thursday. "The fire department did another fantastic job responding to this fire. ... It is pretty evident that their quick response did make a difference here." Story continues Mitchell also commended New Bedford police, EMS, and New Bedford Emergency Management. The Fire Department later added that the Special Signal Fire Association/Providence Canteen also responded to the scene. Officials weigh in: Did New Bedford drop the ball on fire code enforcement of rooming house? Fire marshal: Have a home escape plan We dont yet know exactly how this fire started, but we do know that most fire deaths take place at home, said State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey. In addition to working smoke alarms, every household should have a home escape plan. Create a plan that includes two ways out, and practice both of them so you know what to do and where to go in an emergency. Remember that older adults face the greatest risk of death or serious injury in a fire and may need assistance getting out quickly. What to do in a fire: These lesser known fire safety tips could help save your life Cause of Chestnut Street fire under investigation The fire does not appear suspicious, but the exact origin and cause are under investigation by the New Bedford Fire Department, New Bedford Police Department, the State Police Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit assigned to the State Fire Marshals office, and State Police assigned to the Bristol County District Attorneys office. New Bedford rooming house fire kills two The Chestnut Street fire was the second deadly fire in less than a month. On March 28, a fire that destroyed a rooming house at 1301-1307 Acushnet Ave. resulted in two deaths. This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: New Bedford house fire kills one, three others injured Two men from New York recently traveled South and went on what police said was an illegal shopping spree at northeast Georgia Walmart stores. That is three Walmarts we know they hit right in a row, said Franco, who described this form of shoplifting as ORC or organized retail crime. Athens-Clarke police Det. Nathaniel Franco said the men first went to a Walmart store in Hartwell, then the one in east Athens, and finally the store in Oconee County, where they were arrested. The Oconee County Sheriff's Office posted this photo of a unidentified man they want for questioning in a shoplifting investigation. Both men, ages 30 and 25, had addresses in the Bronx, N.Y. area. They were in a vehicle registered in New Jersey, said Franco, a detective who investigates a majority of shoplifting crimes in Athens. He is often consulted by other agencies and loss prevention officers at several large retail stores in regards to such crimes. These suspects were looking for the same items that included graphing calculators, which cost about $150 each, and breast pumps at around $500 each, according to Franco. The suspects were captured due to an alert loss prevention officer at the Oconee Walmart, who alerted local deputies while the crime was in progress, according to an Oconee County Sheriff's report. Officers recovered $2,701 worth of merchandise taken from the Athens store alone, according to Franco. Organized shoplifting is a serious problem at retail stores across the nation, according to Franco. There is a concerted effort by law enforcement to track these organizations, which sell the stolen merchandise on the black market, flea markets and online. Forbes magazine reported four months ago that organized retail crime "is running rampant" across the nation. The person that goes to Lowes or Home Depot and walks out with a lawn mower, thats one thing, but there is an emphasis on these crimes that are organized like this. They go from state to state doing it, the detective said. A multi-store complex like the Tanger Outlets in Commerce are a constant target for these thieves who use I-85 as their travel and getaway route, according to Jackson County Sheriffs Investigator Chad Herbert. Story continues Theyre basically hitting the same stores, the high-end Michael Kors and Tommy Hilfiger, he said. Along the interstate they also steal at the outlets in Atlanta and Dalton, he said. Crime: Athens-Clarke police seek suspects in two unrelated shootings Crime: Details of Five Points murder emerge in hearing, bond denied The thieves simply bag merchandise and leave. Many stores have a policy that the employee is not to confront the shoplifters for safety reasons, Herbert said. Earlier this month, Herbert said they investigated a case of ORC in which the license plate came back to a vehicle rented at the airport in Nashville, Tenn., and was rented to a driver with a Romanian drivers license. Were stuck at the point, he said about how such criminals are able to avoid being tracked. These professional type shoplifters wear hats, often masks, and never look up, where surveillance cameras are attached, according to Herbert. And the investigator said the pandemic also assisted these thieves as wearing masks is no longer unusual and commonplace among shoplifters. Outside these organized groups, Hertbert said they see the other shoplifting from area people. Recently, they captured a suspect stealing at Tommy Hilfiger at Tanger and discovered the man worked at a local manufacturing plant and was out on his lunchbreak. Herbert said they are in discussions with Tanger officials, to see if they would install solar-powered Flock cameras at the outlets, which would help law enforcement tracing vehicles that enter the outlet. Herbert and Franco both said these thieves often go for the same types of merchandise. Shoplifting takes on various forms, Franco said. There are the drug addicts, who steal, then sell the items on the street. They are easy for me to identify, he said. I take warrant after warrant after warrant on them. Sometimes 15 to 20 warrants, he said. Another type of shoplifter takes a cheap item costing maybe 50 cents then uses the bar code to scan more expensive pieces of merchandise on the self-scan checkouts. They think they are getting away with it, but we catch them pretty much every time, he said. Suspects in shoplifting often wear hats and masks that makes identifications difficult. Investigators in Oconee County posted this person's image on Facebook in an effort to make an identification. Then there are also the people who do it simply for a thrill, he said. But the organized groups do this for a living, Franco said. For some people its a means to an end." These thefts which create problems for many retailers has its consequences, he said. Walmart in Chicago is actually closing four of their stores because they are underperforming. If you read between the lines, its because there is so much theft at these stores, he said. In California they are closing stores because groups of people come in take everything off the shelves and walk out, he said. Walmart, he said, is probability the store most targeted across the nation by shoplifters. Here in Athens, we do a good job of identifying the people (who shoplift), especially our locals, he said. Franco cooperates with officers in other jurisdictions and with loss prevention officers who work in large stores such as Walmart, Lowes and Home Depot. The thieves are definitely organized, he said. Were also trying to be as organized as we can and use each others resources to catch these people, the detective said. This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Organized shoplifters are problem for police in Athens and northeast Ga. One big concern for trainers entering the Kentucky Derby is how their horses will handle the dirt surface at Churchill Downs for the first time. Todd Pletcher recalled a couple of his horses Dunkirk in 2009 and Verrazano in 2013 not handling the track well during their pre-race workouts. Dunkirk finished 11th and Verrazano was 14th. Sometimes when you come in here youll see horses kind of bobble a little bit and the ground will break away from them, Pletcher said. So Pletcher could breathe a sigh of relief Friday morning after his top two Kentucky Derby contenders Florida Derby winner Forte and Blue Grass winner Tapit Trice had their first workouts over the Churchill surface. Forte was timed in 1:02 for five furlongs, and Tapit Trice went four furlongs in 48.60 seconds. I thought we had a perfect morning, Pletcher said. Very happy. Kentucky Derby 2023: Five things to know about the field ahead of May 1 post-position draw 'A different kind of excitement': Ken Tohill set to become oldest Kentucky Derby jockey With his 6-for-7 record and five-race winning streak, Forte is expected to be the Kentucky Derby favorite when the draw is set May 1. Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., looking for his first Derby victory, said hes been pleased with Fortes progression. His mind has changed a lot, so Im happy with that, Ortiz said. Hes a little more focused, a little more serious on the track. I think hes figured out what he has to do. I have a lot of confidence in him, and well see what happens. Tapit Trice will enter the Derby with a four-race winning streak. Pletchers two other Derby hopefuls worked Thursday at Churchill Kingsbarns and Major Dude both going five furlongs in 1:00.80. How many horses have won Triple Crown?: Meet winners of the Derby, Preakness and Belmont Brad Coxs four hopefuls breeze All four of Brad Coxs Derby hopefuls put in their penultimate breezes Friday morning. Hit Show and Verifying worked together, going five furlongs in 1:01. Angel of Empire and Jaces Road breezed six furlongs in 1:13.40. Story continues Cox said he was looking for a little more in the workouts for Angel of Empire and Jaces Road. At this point, just trying to maintain fitness and make sure we have them good and ready, Cox said. Angel of Empire, Hit Show and Verifying are safely in the Derby but field, but Jaces Road needs one defection as he ranks No. 21 on the points list. Cox said other options include the Pat Day Mile at Churchill, the Preakness at Pimlico or the Peter Pan at Belmont but that hed likely enter Jaces Road as an also-eligible in the Derby if hes still No. 21 on the points list on draw day. People get excited to run this race, Cox said. Its the only race in the world you can be 140-1 and youre excited about it. Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; jfrakes@courier-journal.com; Twitter: @KentuckyDerbyCJ. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky Derby workouts: Todd Pletcher's Forte, Tapit Trice; Brad Cox Rasheeda Williams, a Black trans woman and performing artist better known by her stage names Koko Da Doll and Hollywood Koko, was shot and killed in Atlanta, GA on Tuesday. She was 35 years old. According to reporting in Gaye Magazine, Atlanta police have confirmed that a person was shot on the corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. SW and Hamilton E. Holmes NW late Tuesday. Police sources did not confirm Williams identity, but friends and family stated that she was the victim in social media posts obtained by the magazine. No details about the killing have been made public at this time. Williams violent death was also confirmed in an Instagram post by LGBTQ+ advocate Daniella Carter, with whom Williams starred in filmmaker D. Smiths latest documentary Kokomo City. Im truly at a lost of words and in deep pain, Carter wrote, sharing an image of Williams on the red carpet at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year. Williams was a rapper, releasing her first single Trick in 2020 followed by 2022s Bulletproof. She was also working on new music, as she teased in a vlog last year. Koko had a heart of gold and spread nothing but love and light to those she came across, Williams family wrote in the description of their GoFundMe campaign to pay for funeral costs. To know Koko is to love her, she loved her family and friends to the core of her heart. At time of writing, the campaign had raised roughly half of its $15,000 goal. In Kokomo City, Williams discusses her experiences as a Black trans sex worker alongside three other stars, Daniella Carter, Liyah Mitchell and Dominique Silver. The film, directed by acclaimed singer and songwriter D. Smith, won the NEXT Audience and Innovator awards at Sundance this year and was acquired by Magnolia Pictures with plans for a theatrical release later this year. Story continues I created Kokomo City because I wanted to show the fun, humanized, natural side of Black trans women ... But here we are again, Smith wrote on Instagram in response to Williams' death. "It's extremely difficult to process Koko's passing, but as a team we are more encouraged than ever to inspire the world with her story. To show how beautiful and full of life she was. She will inspire generations to come and will never be forgotten." Williams death marks at least the tenth violent killing of a trans person in the U.S. this year, per numbers maintained by Pittsburgh Lesbian Correspondents. Her murder comes less than two weeks after Ashley Burton was also shot to death in Atlanta. No arrests in that case have been made public. And in January, Georgia state police shot nonbinary activist Tortuguita who was protesting the development of a police training facility colloquially called Cop City at least 57 times. This story has been updated. Get the best of whats queer. Sign up for Thems weekly newsletter here. Originally Appeared on them. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema Kyrsten Sinema, the first out bisexual U.S. senator, is living a lavish lifestyle funded by campaign contributions, according to a new report in the New York Post. Sinema was elected to the Senate, and previously the U.S. House and the Arizona legislature, as a Democrat, but she recently became an independent. She has disappointed many liberals with her embrace of some conservative positions and her courting of financial interests. The Arizona senator has filled her campaign coffers with Wall Street cash but some donors are miffed shes spent more than $100,000 of it on luxury hotels, private jets, limos and fine wines, the Posts On the Money feature reports. In the past two years, she has spent $20,000 in campaign funds at high-end wineries on the West Coast, according to On the Money, which reviewed election finance documents. The article also details $10,000 in spending at luxury restaurants around the world and $45,000 on chauffeurs. Shes been staying at resorts and chartering flights too. This appears to be an outlier, Thomas Jones, president of the American Accountability Foundation, told the Post. Theres a decent number of fundraiser type events at nice restaurants and steak houses but Sinemas spending appears outside the norm. Donors generally want candidates spending their money on winning their races not on expensive meals and fancy destinations. The foundation is a conservative group, but Sinema has been criticized from the left as well. Some Democratic donors want their money back, but Sinema and her staff have ceased responding to them, according to the article. Among her actions favoring high-finance interests, in August, Sinema squashed a challenge to the carried-interest loophole that taxes private equity and hedge fund profits at a lower rate than other businesses, the Post notes. The move benefits only a handful of private-equity and hedge fund titans. Its pretty simple: Kyrsten Sinema delivered an $18 billion gift to private equity executives and now theyre paying her back with campaign donations, Sacha Haworth, a former staffer for Sinema, told the publication. U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego, a Democrat, has announced hes running for Sinemas Senate seat in 2024. She hasnt said if shell seek reelection. A poll conducted in January and February indicated Gallego was more popular with voters than Sinema or several potential Republican candidates. More recent polling has shown her support is rising among Republicans and independents. E.J. Montini, an opinion columnist in The Arizona Republic, responded to the Post article by pointing out that early in her political career, Sinema highlighted the fact that she grew up in poverty. Now, he wrote, its almost as if, over the years, Sinema has transformed herself from Little Orphan Annie into Cruella de Vil. On the same day Russia reiterated its goal of keeping neighboring Ukraine from joining NATO, the military alliance's chief issued a defiant retort. Ukraines rightful place is in NATO, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Thursday on his first visit to Kyiv since the war began nearly 14 months ago. In a news conference alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Stoltenberg pledged NATO's continued support and said the two leaders discussed a program that would help Ukraine "transition from Soviet-era equipment and doctrines to NATO standards.'' Stoltenberg has steadfastly endorsed Ukraine's eventual accession to NATO, but no pathway or timetable for membership has been set. Zelenskyy pushed for a roadmap, in addition to military aid in the form of fighter jets, artillery and armored equipment. The time has come for the leaders to define the prospects of Ukraines acquisition of NATO membership ... and to define security guarantees for our state for the period of such movement that is, for the period before NATO membership, Zelenskyy said. Several hurdles remain before Ukraine can become part of NATO, and Russia's objection is a significant one. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters Thursday that Ukraine joining NATO would pose a serious, significant threat to our country.'' NATO head Jens Stoltenberg (L) shakes hands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the end of a joint press conference in Kyiv, on April 20, 2023. Stoltenberg said the Western military alliance would "ensure that Ukraine prevails" against Russia but did not hold out any immediate prospect of NATO membership. Latest developments: Denmark and the Netherlands said they plan to supply Ukraine with at least 14 refurbished Leopard 2 tanks by early 2024, one of the mounting signs the war is expected to extend into next year. The Wagner Group, a mercenary outfit fighting for Russia, attempted to purchase weapons from China but was rebuffed, the Financial Times reported. The image of a dying, pregnant woman being carried on a stretcher outside a maternity hospital after a Russian attack on the Ukrainian city of Mariupol was chosen as the World Press Photo of the Year. Ukrainian photographer Evgeniy Maloletka of The Associated Press took the picture. Story continues Concerned about information leaks in the Kherson province, the Russians have increased patrols and home searches while encouraging the locals to join their armed forces, the Ukrainian military said Thursday. TALES OF ATROCITIES: 'They forced me to dig my own grave': Ukrainian victims tell Congress of Russian torture. Live updates US and allies ponder banning most exports to Russia, report says The United States and its allies are considering tightening sanctions to the point where most exports to Russia would be banned, Bloomberg reported Thursday. The new approach under discussion, which aims to increase economic pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin, would forbid all exports that are not exempted, rather than allow all exports that aren't banned, the news outlet said. Medicines and agricultural products would likely be exempted. The proposal is being debated by Group of Seven officials and would seek to include European Union countries, which could present a major obstacle because of the bloc's unanimity requirement. Even though sanctions have reduced the value of EU and G-7 exports to Russia by nearly half, the current figure still stands at $66 billion, helping fund Putin's wartime economy, Bloomberg said. Counteroffensive has begun but not announced, Ukraine official says Ukraine's long-expected spring counteroffensive appears to have already begun in stealth fashion. Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar said some operations are under way, but the military is not about to announce them and alert the enemy. "There will not be a day when the Armed Forces say: 'Tomorrow we will launch a counteroffensive,'" Malyar said. "This is impossible in the conditions of war, because this is classified information.'' Malyar reiterated Ukraine's goal of retaking all the territory Russia has claimed and keeping it from expanding, which requires both offensive and defensive maneuvers. "That is why it is incorrect to speak narrowly about a counteroffensive,'' she said. "Because it is a huge complex of various actions and measures that the Armed Forces of Ukraine are currently carrying out." EU proposal tries to mollify farmers about Ukrainian food exports The EU is proposing financial support and "exceptional safeguard measures'' likely temporary bans on Ukrainian food exports to pacify farmers from five member countries upset that an influx of Ukrainian agricultural products is flooding their markets. Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia have announced their own bans on Ukrainian grain, and Romania is vulnerable to the market pressures as well. The proposals aim to maintain the bloc's unity while allaying concerns about prices sinking because of a glut of Ukrainian food. "We underlined the importance of rapidly following a common EU approach, rather than unilateral solutions to avoid multiple bans and solutions which put the internal market at risk,'' the EU said in a statement. Contributing: The Associated Press This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Ukraines rightful place is in NATO,' Stoltenberg says: Live updates Crime and Courts Reporter Donald W. Meyers is a multimedia journalist at the Yakima Herald-Republic covering crime and courts. He is also the writer behind It Happened Here, a weekly history column. Before coming to Yakima, Meyers covered a wide variety of beats at The Salt Lake Tribune, Daily Herald, and daily and weekly newspapers across New Jersey. He is also a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, serving as a regional officer in the organization as well as on the national Freedom of Information Committee. Everybody wants to ignore the federal debt-ceiling drama, the flagellation ritual Congressional Republicans periodically inflict on the nation. And its usually safe to do that. But the moment of reckoning is drawing into view, which means investors may need to buckle up and grab the Jesus handle until Congress does its job and gets back to business as usual. The government officially hit the federal borrowing limit in January, which means the Treasury cant issue any more debt until Congress passes a new law raising the limit. Treasury can move money around to keep paying the bills for a while. But eventually, Treasury will hit the X date, when theres simply not enough cash to cover all the bills and the government will default on some of its obligations if Congress doesnt allow it to borrow more. When is the X date? For a while, it seemed likely to arrive in mid to late summer. But recent reports suggest the X date could come sooner, perhaps as soon as June. Thats because federal tax receipts during the tax filing season appear to be weaker than expected. That leaves the government with less incoming revenue to pay its bills, which means the point at which it will come up short will come sooner. The Biden administration is due to provide data on recent tax receipts, with an X date update, the week of April 24. This is a huge catalyst to watch, Evercore ISI policy strategist Tobin Marcus wrote in a recent analysis. If we get a June X date, hold onto your hats. President Joe Biden's administration is due to provide data on recent tax receipts, with an X date update, the week of April 24. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque Republicans and Democrats in Congress have made little progress on a deal to raise the borrowing limit, given the assumption theyd have until August or September to work something out. An earlier X date could turbocharge negotiations, but also spook markets that have been tuning out this needless drama. For all the brinkmanship, Congress has always raised the debt ceiling, often at the last minute, and prevented the nation from defaulting on its obligations. But the process has inflicted some real damage. The case study is 2011, when ascendent Tea Party Republicans insisted it was worth risking a default to demand spending cuts and reduce federal borrowing. Story continues Congress reached a deal to raise the borrowing limit at the last second. But the United States came so close to defaulting that the S&P 500 stock index fell 17% and took six months to recover. Standard & Poors cut the US credit rating by one notch, for the first time ever. Consumer confidence plunged as investors realized that some Republicans were willing to hold the entire US economy hostage to political demands. [Drop Rick Newman a note, follow him on Twitter, or sign up for his newsletter.] It would be nice to think no political party would be dumb enough to do that again. But there remains a bumptious faction within the GOP that is making strident demands as a condition of raising the borrowing limit. Republicans have just a 5-vote majority in the House, which means most of the 30 or so right-wing diehards would have to vote for a debt-ceiling hike. So a rowdy minority basically holds veto power. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy recently introduced the Republicans' debt-ceiling proposal, which is a small bit of progress. It includes several major provisions that will never pass the Senate, which Democrats control, such as the repeal of several big measures President Biden signed into law last year. McCarthy will now try to get that bill through the House, which is no sure thing. No Democrats will vote for it and some conservative Republicans may feel it doesnt go far enough. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy recently introduced the Republicans' debt-ceiling proposal. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) If the GOP bill does pass the House, Biden and his Democratic allies in the Senate will have to start negotiating, to find something that Senate Democrats will vote for with enough GOP support to survive a filibuster. If the GOP bill doesnt pass the House, then Republicans will have to start over with another plan. Theres a large, well-funded industry of political analysts in Washington, DC, and none of them knows how the debt-ceiling standoff will end. Biden, for now, is playing it cool by demanding a clean increase in the borrowing limit, with no conditions. He calls the GOP proposal the MAGA economic vision and claims it will result in massive cuts to government programs millions of Americans rely on. But Biden may ultimately have to make some concessions to get Republican votes for an increase. It will all be over at some point, but the unknown is whether markets and the economy will carry on as if nothing changed, or require a period of convalescence from political self-harm. Crunch time will be six to eight weeks from the X date, whenever it turns out to be. The window is approaching, and theres a chance were already in it. Rick Newman is a senior columnist for Yahoo Finance. Follow him on Twitter at @rickjnewman Click here for politics news related to business and money Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance Business Reporter Joel Donofrio is the business reporter for the Yakima Herald. He was born and raised in the Chicago area, but he and his wife, Cathy, fell in love with the beauty (and low humidity) of the West and moved here in 2009, eventually relocating to Yakima in September 2021. They have two young adult children, Anthony and Joanna, and a dog, Molly. When he is not taking photos of construction sites, tracking down new and relocating businesses or catching up on agricultural trends, Joel enjoys playing guitar, singing, listening to music and playing and watching sports. WA state down payments on houses among most expensive in U.S. How much do area homes cost? By buying an index fund, you can roughly match the market return with ease. But if you choose individual stocks with prowess, you can make superior returns. For example, Malaysia Marine and Heavy Engineering Holdings Berhad (KLSE:MHB) shareholders have seen the share price rise 57% over three years, well in excess of the market return (11%, not including dividends). So let's investigate and see if the longer term performance of the company has been in line with the underlying business' progress. Check out our latest analysis for Malaysia Marine and Heavy Engineering Holdings Berhad 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, Malaysia Marine and Heavy Engineering Holdings Berhad moved from a loss to profitability. So we would expect a higher share price over the period. The company's earnings per share (over time) is depicted in the image below (click to see the exact numbers). We know that Malaysia Marine and Heavy Engineering Holdings Berhad has improved its bottom line lately, but is it going to grow revenue? You could check out this free report showing analyst revenue forecasts. 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. As it happens, Malaysia Marine and Heavy Engineering Holdings Berhad's TSR for the last 3 years was 61%, which exceeds the share price return mentioned earlier. This is largely a result of its dividend payments! Story continues A Different Perspective It's good to see that Malaysia Marine and Heavy Engineering Holdings Berhad has rewarded shareholders with a total shareholder return of 61% in the last twelve months. Of course, that includes the dividend. That certainly beats the loss of about 3% per year over the last half decade. We generally put more weight on the long term performance over the short term, but the recent improvement could hint at a (positive) inflection point within the 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. To that end, you should be aware of the 1 warning sign we've spotted with Malaysia Marine and Heavy Engineering Holdings Berhad . 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 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. 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 Our directory features more than 18 million business listings from across the entire US. However, if we're missing your business, add your business by clicking on Add Your Business. When you buy a stock there is always a possibility that it could drop 100%. But on the bright side, you can make far more than 100% on a really good stock. Long term Tradegate AG Wertpapierhandelsbank (FRA:T2G) shareholders would be well aware of this, since the stock is up 284% in five years. Let's take a look at the underlying fundamentals over the longer term, and see if they've been consistent with shareholders returns. See our latest analysis for Tradegate Wertpapierhandelsbank To paraphrase Benjamin Graham: Over the short term the market is a voting machine, but over the long term it's a weighing machine. 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 five years of share price growth, Tradegate Wertpapierhandelsbank achieved compound earnings per share (EPS) growth of 18% per year. This EPS growth is slower than the share price growth of 31% per year, over the same period. This suggests that market participants hold the company in higher regard, these days. That's not necessarily surprising considering the five-year track record of earnings growth. This favorable sentiment is reflected in its (fairly optimistic) P/E ratio of 58.07. The company's earnings per share (over time) is depicted in the image below (click to see the exact numbers). It might be well worthwhile taking a look at our free report on Tradegate Wertpapierhandelsbank's earnings, revenue and cash flow. What About Dividends? As well as measuring the share price return, investors should also consider the total shareholder return (TSR). 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. Arguably, the TSR gives a more comprehensive picture of the return generated by a stock. As it happens, Tradegate Wertpapierhandelsbank's TSR for the last 5 years was 331%, which exceeds the share price return mentioned earlier. The dividends paid by the company have thusly boosted the total shareholder return. Story continues A Different Perspective While it's certainly disappointing to see that Tradegate Wertpapierhandelsbank shares lost 0.9% throughout the year, that wasn't as bad as the market loss of 5.9%. Longer term investors wouldn't be so upset, since they would have made 34%, each year, over five years. In the best case scenario the last year is just a temporary blip on the journey to a brighter future. 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. Like risks, for instance. Every company has them, and we've spotted 2 warning signs for Tradegate Wertpapierhandelsbank (of which 1 is potentially serious!) you should know about. 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 German exchanges. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here Strazi deschise Bucuresti, Promenada urbana se intoarce! Nicusor Dan a anuntat pe pagina sa de Facebook ca incepand din acest weekend se da drumul la cel mai popular eveniment care se desfasoara in aer liber in Capitala: Strazi deschise Bucuresti, Promenada urbana. Proiectul tine din 29 aprilie pana pe 8 octombrie. [citeste mai departe] Stiri pe aceeasi tema - In-class cell phone ban, student smoking on school premises forbidden.According to an amendment proposed by the National Liberal Party, the Social Democratic Party and the Education Ministry and adopted on Monday by the Chamber of Deputies' Education Committee, the possession of weapons, the consumption - Persons belonging to national minorities have the right to study and train in their mother tongue at all levels of pre-university education, according to the law, provides an amendment adopted on Friday by the education committee of the Chamber of Deputies to the Education laws.Educational units - Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca, the national leader of the National Liberal Party (PNL), has called the best option the abuse of office bill as it came out of the government, namely without a value threshold, a version later adopted by the Chamber of Deputies as well.Ciuca made the statement when asked - PNL (National Liberal Party) proposes an alternative measure to the alleged introduction of a tax of 1pct on business turnover, a 10pct tax cut for the part of the extra profit declared, compared to the profit of the previous year, and a 16pct normal tax on the rest of the fiscal obligations, Deputy - Increasing the depth of the Bystroye Canal by Ukraine, for navigation with a draft of 7 meters, is not allowed by international agreements, Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies and Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) Marcel Ciolacu stated on Monday, told Agerpres. Fii la curent cu - Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Marcel Ciolacu, said on Monday that the Social Democratic Party (PSD) is considering measures related to food prices in the future government programme, told Agerpres. Fii la curent cu cele mai noi stiri. Urmareste stiripesurse.ro pe Facebook - The parliamentary groups of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) in the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate proposed on Friday PSD Senator Vasile Dincu to take the president position of Romania's Delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, told Agerpres. Fii la curent cu cele mai noi stiri. - Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Social Democratic Party (PSD) leader Marcel Ciolacu, said on Wednesday that the social democrats are working on a new government program that will be subject to approval in the coalition, noting that the PSD will not come up with new taxes, but wants a fair business Stiri pe aceeasi tema - Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca, the president of the PNL (National Liberal Party), while paying a visit on Friday to Brasov County, urged Romanian businessmen to have the will to leave the county or the country and move to the international level, to enter "the big game," emphasizing that only when Romania - Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca had a meeting on Friday, at the Victoria Palace, with Agriculture Minister Petre Daea, whom he asked for urgent measures in support of the Romanian farmers, Spokesman of the Executive Dan Carbunaru mentioned."Romania's prime minister requested urgent solutions to the - The Government will intensify its support to local farmers and producers in order to increase the processing, transformation and refining of agricultural products in Romania, Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca said at the Victoria Governmental Palace on Friday, during a meeting with representatives of the - On Wednesday, Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca sent a message to the Muslim community of Romania as they entered the fasting month of Ramadan, saying that this is a special time for necessary reflection, spiritual growth and harmony."To Muslims in Romania, Ramadan is a special time for necessary reflection, - Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca sent a message on March 8 (International Women's Day, ed.n.) assuring that the Government will continue to support women, through concrete measures, in everything they want to achieve. Fii la curent cu cele mai noi stiri. Urmareste stiripesurse.ro pe Facebook - Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca on Friday said Romania, together with Western strategic partners, is determined to support Ukraine as long as necessary, told Agerpres. Fii la curent cu cele mai noi stiri. Urmareste stiripesurse.ro pe Facebook stiripesurse.ro Help your friends - Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca expressed his appreciation for the excellent cooperation between Romania and the European Commission within the European Civil Protection Mechanism, during a meeting he had on Friday with Janez Lenarcic, the European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, - Access to the internal and external market of Romanian agri-food products must be a strategic objective of the government program, Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca declared on Wednesday, stressing the need to develop a national strategy for agriculture and the food industry sector. Fii la curent cu (Bloomberg) -- Chinas Tianqi Lithium Corp. said its scrapping its takeover bid for Australian explorer Essential Metals Ltd. after failing to secure enough support from the targets shareholders. Most Read from Bloomberg Tianqi dropped its A$136 million ($91 million) plan to buy Essential after it failed to secure the backing, it said late Thursday in a filing to the Shenzhen Stock Exchange. Essential is now free to engage with other parties to progress its Pioneer Dome project toward production, the Perth-based company said Friday. The move comes as global miners rush to secure deposits of lithium, which is in high demand due to its use in electric vehicle batteries. Consumption is expected to jump ninefold by 2050, according to BloombergNEF. Liontown Resources Ltd., another Australian developer, last month spurned an A$5.5 billion cash offer from Albemarle Corp., the worlds biggest producer of the metal, saying it undervalued the company. READ: Tribeca Sees China Tensions Powering New Green Metals Bets Tianqi made its bid for Essential in January, through its venture with local miner IGO Ltd. and only received 31.5% of the votes, below the required threshold of 75%. In its statement on Friday, Essential also said Mineral Resources Ltd., another Western Australian miner, had become a major shareholder with a 19.55% stake. Essential fell as much 9% on Friday and traded at A$0.46 a share at 2:37 p.m. in Sydney, below the A$0.50 offered by Tianqi. Shareholders might be holding out for a higher offer, said Mohsen Crofts, an analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence. IGO, Tianqi and Mineral Resources are attempting to increase lithium reserves to take advantage of enormous long-term demand requirements for the metal, he said. Story continues Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Stiri pe aceeasi tema - President Klaus Iohannis declared on Saturday that he agreed with his Chilean counterpart, Gabriel Boric, the development of cooperation between Romania and Chile in areas such as trade, investments, green energy, environment and climate change, civil protection, education, culture, research, innovation - On Thursday, President Klaus Iohannis sent the Law for the approval of the Government's Emergency Ordinance no. 186/2022, which introduced the solidarity contribution.The head of state considers that the Law for the approval of the Government Emergency Ordinance no. 186/2022 regarding some measures - The President of the Chamber of Deputies, Marcel Ciolacu, said on Wednesday that the return of the Romanian language to the status of the official language in the Republic of Moldova is "a historical normalcy" and must happen as soon as possible. Fii la curent cu cele mai noi stiri. Urmareste - Romania's government debt as of end-November 2022 stood at almost 654.545 billion RON, up from 651.508 billion RON in October and 577.521 billion RON at the end of 2021, shows data published by the Finance Ministry. Fii la curent cu cele mai noi stiri. Urmareste stiripesurse.ro pe Facebook - Operators of the Special Telecommunications Service (STS) handled 10,248,377 calls last year (by 90,000 fewer than in 2021), of which emergencies represented 57.82 percent, the STS informs. Fii la curent cu cele mai noi stiri. Urmareste stiripesurse.ro pe Facebook stiripesurse.ro - Frantuzoaica Julia Simon a cucerit medalia de aur in proba feminina de urmarire 10 km din cadrul Campionatelor Mondiale de biatlon, duminica la Oberhof (Germania). Fii la curent cu cele mai noi stiri. Urmareste stiripesurse.ro pe Facebook stiripesurse.ro NEWSLETTER - Railway freight operator CFR Marfa announced having mobilized in record time the necessary material and human resources for the fast dispatch of temporary accommodation products to the population of Turkey affected by the earthquakes of February 6, 2023, the operator wrote on Facebook. Fii - CNN a publicat imagini din camera de spital a fostului presedinte georgian Mihail Saakasvili. La sfarsitul anului trecut, a aparut informatia ca Mihail Saakasvili a fost otravit cu metale grele in inchisoare si ar putea muri fara un tratament adecvat, potrivit unui raport medical publicat de avocatii sai. Stiri pe aceeasi tema - "Given that we are the signatories of a joint letter to the President of the European Commission", we agreed to wait for the decision that will be made by Brussels on the subject of grain imports from Ukraine, Agriculture Minister Petre Daea declared on Friday at the end of the meeting with his Ukrainian - Ukraine has informed Romania that it is willing to take measurements on the portion between km 11 and km 22 of the Danube's Chilia branch and on the Bystroye Canal using Ukrainian ships and experts, and on board the ships it will receive two Romanian experts, but so far it has not revealed a date when - The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bogdan Aurescu, had on Monday bilateral political consultations with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Gabrielius Landsbergis, on the occasion of his official visit to Vilnius, the main objective of the discussions being identifying new ways of developing - Minister Bogdan Aurescu on Friday participated in a new meeting of foreign ministers in the G7+ format, which focused on ways to support Ukraine's energy infrastructure, a context in which the head of the Romanian diplomacy highlighted Romania's role in ensuring the transfer of hundreds of generators - Madalina Turza, senior adviser and strategic coordinator of humanitarian assistance within the Department for Community Social Responsibility and Vulnerable Groups, on Friday gave a presentation of the support provided by Romania to Ukrainian refugees one year after the start of the war, saying that - President Klaus Iohannis stated on Wednesday regarding the topic of the Bystroye Canal that things need to be checked together with the Ukrainian authorities, and the Romanian politicians should let the experts to see what is really happening there "before having inflammatory discourses." Fii - Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) will convey to the ambassador of Ukraine to Romania on Monday that the Romanian authorities request approval for the verification of the works carried out in the Bystroye Canal. Fii la curent cu cele mai noi stiri. - Over 13 tonnes of cereals and oilseeds from Ukraine transited through Romania to reach international markets, Mircea Abrudan, head of the Chancellery of the Prime Minister of Romania, said in Botosani on Friday. Fii la curent cu cele mai noi stiri. Urmareste stiripesurse.ro pe Facebook Stiri pe aceeasi tema - At the end of 2022, Romania's public road network totaled 86,338 kilometers, of which almost half were modernized, while the length of its railway network stood at over 10,615 km, of which main lines accounted for 56.2 percent, shows data released by on Friday by the National Institute of Statistics - Secretary of State with the Ministry of Investment and European Projects Csilla Hegedus announced on Friday, in a press conference held in Satu Mare, that a cultural promotion contract worth about 10 million euros has been signed, which will bring foreign influencers to Romania to promote it as a - Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca on Friday said Romania, together with Western strategic partners, is determined to support Ukraine as long as necessary, told Agerpres. Fii la curent cu cele mai noi stiri. Urmareste stiripesurse.ro pe Facebook stiripesurse.ro Help your friends - The minister of Defence, Angel Tilvar, on Friday said that Romania will continue to support Ukraine as long as it is needed. Fii la curent cu cele mai noi stiri. Urmareste stiripesurse.ro pe Facebook stiripesurse.ro Help your friends know more about Romania! Share - The construction of the largest photovoltaic park in Europe, an investment worth 800 million euros, will begin this summer, in the Pilu - Graniceri area, western Arad County, with the project to be accompanied by a second investment, of approximately 200 million euros, in an energy storage unit, - From Saturday, February 4, the slopes on the lower part of the Postavarul Massif will also open to the public, with the Brasov City Hall, the administrator of the ski area in Poiana Brasov, taking at the same time a decision to extend from this weekend the schedule for the local cable transport, - The authorities with the Nadlac II Border Crossing Point (PTF) apprehended on Friday a number of 20 migrants hidden in a van, who attempted to illegally exit Romania, in order to get to western Europe, the driver of the vehicle being under criminal investigation, told Agerpres. Fii la curent - President Klaus Iohannis stated on Friday that Romania is an important producer of hydrocarbures in Europe at this moment and that our country intends to further strengthen this role by further developing the gas reserves in the Black Sea, told Agerpres. Fii la curent cu cele mai noi stiri. Stiri pe aceeasi tema - Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca stated, on Friday, during a visit to Brasov County, that the Government will take the necessary measures to support Romanian companies, so that they can develop collaborations with external partners, the goal being the consolidation of economic activity in our country."Based - Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca stated on Friday, in Brasov, that there is no risk for Romania to lose European funds from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), and that the money for the second payment request will be received soon."Yesterday (Thursday - ed.n), in the government meeting, - The Social Democratic Party (PSD) requests the government to devise in a fast-track procedure a regulatory act providing for the temporary suspension of grain imports from Ukraine."To this effect, the Minister of Entrepreneurship and Tourism, which manages Romania's trade policy, must work together - The Alliance for Agriculture and Co-operation (AAC) will protest on April 7 in several locations in Romania, including Bucharest City, dissatisfied with the European Commission's solution to what it calls serious problems and imbalances the agri-food sector is facing in Romania because of the ongoing - Fitch Ratings revised on Friday the outlook on Romania's long-term foreign- and local-currency issuer default ratings (IDRs) to stable from negative and affirmed the IDRs at 'BBB-', the Finance Ministry announced.This is the first upgrade in Romania's outlook by the said international credit rating - The government will support all the necessary measures to protect the interests of the insured affected by the negative developments in Romania's auto civil liability market, governmental spokesman Dan Carbunaru said on Friday."The Financial Oversight Authority (ASF), following an analysis carried - Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca hailed the official opening in Kyiv of a new office within the Economic Department of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), underscoring that Romania will continue to stand by the side of OECD Secretary General Mathias Cormann, in all OECD - Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca on Friday said Romania, together with Western strategic partners, is determined to support Ukraine as long as necessary, told Agerpres. Fii la curent cu cele mai noi stiri. Urmareste stiripesurse.ro pe Facebook stiripesurse.ro Help your friends Stiri pe aceeasi tema - The Minister of Investments and European Projects, Marcel Bolos, stated on Wednesday that Romania needs financial stability and, as a result, the government rotation should be produced after the submission of payment request number 3 of the PNRR, which has the deadline in June."Considering that we - The Government approved on Wednesday the memorandum on the investment projects prepared to receive financing through the REPowerEU Plan, the Ministry of Investments and European Projects being mandated to start the process of informing the European Commission and public consultation in this regard, - Romania has real chances to clarify in the immediately following period the technical aspects signalled by the European Commission in Recovery and Resilience Facility payment request No. 2, and thus receive the respective disbursement, Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca said on Thursday. Fii la curent - Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca announces that, through the decisions adopted in Thursday's Government meeting, 79 calls for investments in the health infrastructure will be opened in a total amount of 5.45 billion euros. Fii la curent cu cele mai noi stiri. Urmareste stiripesurse.ro pe Facebook - Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca, Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Marcel Ciolacu, and Interior Minister Lucian Bode on Thursday toured the Emergency Institute for Cardiovascular Diseases and Transplant (IUBCvT) Targu Mures, the recipient of the largest funding under Romania's National Recovery and - The speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Marcel Ciolacu, declared on Thursday that things regarding payment request number 2 of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan "have passed a critical moment" and the Romanian authorities "received signals" from the European Commission that this request is - The Development, Public Works and Administration (MDLPA) is funding 120 new investments in 90 localities through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), Development Minister Cseke Attila announced on Thursday, told Agerpres. Fii la curent cu cele mai noi stiri. Urmareste stiripesurse.ro - The Development, Public Works and Administration (MDLPA) is consolidating 238 buildings, housing blocks, hospitals and schools, with non-refundable funding from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), relevant Minister Cseke Attila announced on Thursday. Fii la curent cu cele mai Stiri pe aceeasi tema - PSD's Ciolacu says taxation fairer way to tackle high income of public employees.National leader of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) Marcel Ciolacu said on Tuesday that the governing coalition have two options to tackle the high income of some public employees: banning simultaneously drawing a wage - Ever since it joined the ruling coalition, the Social Democratic Party (PSD) has proven that it is capable of governing, party chairman Marcel Ciolacu on Friday told an event organized together with PES Activists Romania to mark 130 years since the creation of the first social democratic party in Romania."Ever - National chairman of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) Marcel Ciolacu said on Friday that Romanian farmers will receive new financial aid from the European Commission, based on a fair formula."Romanian farmers will receive new financial aid from the European Commission, based on a fair formula! This - National leader of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) Marcel Ciolacu on Wednesday said he is convinced that there will be a rotation of Romania's prime ministers, and the future government will function better."Definitely, there will be this rotation; it is a first in politics. It is something agreed - PNL (National Liberal Party) proposes an alternative measure to the alleged introduction of a tax of 1pct on business turnover, a 10pct tax cut for the part of the extra profit declared, compared to the profit of the previous year, and a 16pct normal tax on the rest of the fiscal obligations, Deputy - Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Marcel Ciolacu, said on Monday that the Social Democratic Party (PSD) is considering measures related to food prices in the future government programme, told Agerpres. Fii la curent cu cele mai noi stiri. Urmareste stiripesurse.ro pe Facebook - The parliamentary groups of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) in the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate proposed on Friday PSD Senator Vasile Dincu to take the president position of Romania's Delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, told Agerpres. Fii la curent cu cele mai noi stiri. - Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) Marcel Ciolacu said on Thursday that the prime minister's appointment is the exclusive prerogative of the president, but this decision is key to whether the governing stability ensured by the Social Democrats will continue or if "Romania will be thrown Stiri pe aceeasi tema - In ziua in care se implinea un an de cand Rusia a inceput operatiunea militara speciala in Ucraina, seful serviciilor de informatii militare de la Kiev, Kyrylo Budanov, a planificat lovituri indraznete asupra Moscovei. Americanii au intervenit imediat, de teama ca Putin va folosi arma nucleara. In - Defence Minister Angel Tilvar on Thursday welcomed US ambassador in Bucharest Kathleen Kavalec to discuss prospects for the Romania-US bilateral co-operation, including contribution to the joint efforts to strengthen Euro-Atlantic security within NATO.According to a Defence Ministry (MApN) press - O secventa de propaganda maghiara revizionista a fost inregistrata la televiziunea HIR TV, principalul post de stiri al FIDESZ, partidul lui Viktor Orban: Peninsula Crimeea este o chestiune simbolica pentru Putin cum este Transilvania pentru noi, a transmis unul dintre invitatii din platou.Episodul - Chinese Defense Minister Gen. Li Shangfu will visit Russia next week for meetings with counterpart Sergei Shoigu and other military officials, Chinas Defense Ministry said Friday, according to AP news. Lis visit underscores Chinaors strengthening engagement with Russia, with which it has largely - Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida began a surprise visit to Ukraine early Tuesday, hours after Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in neighboring Russia for a three-day visit, according to AP News. Kishida will show respect to the courage and patience of the Ukrainian people who are standing up - Ukraines president and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on Wednesday for the extension of a deal with Moscow that has allowed Kyiv to export grain via Black Sea ports during Russias invasion, according to Reuters. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said after talks with Guterres - Minister Angel Tilvar had a meeting, in Brussels, with his Spanish counterpart, Margarita Robles Fernandez, on the sidelines of the Meeting of Defence Ministers from NATO member states, the two high-ranked officials discussing security in the Black Sea area, marked by Russia's ongoing aggression - Republic of Moldovas Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita resigned on Friday adding to a series of crises that have gripped the small nation since Russia invaded its neighbour Ukraine, according to AP news. Gavrilitas premiership was marked by a long string of problems. These include an acute energy crisis Stiri pe aceeasi tema - The Social Democratic Party (PSD) requests the government to devise in a fast-track procedure a regulatory act providing for the temporary suspension of grain imports from Ukraine."To this effect, the Minister of Entrepreneurship and Tourism, which manages Romania's trade policy, must work together - The Oltenia Energy Complex (CE) will receive a state aid worth 449 million RON for this year in order to finance expenses with greenhouse gas emission certificates, according to a Decision approved in Wednesday's Government meeting.The state aid for restructuring in the form of grants is fully granted - Secretary of State with the Ministry of Investment and European Projects Csilla Hegedus announced on Friday, in a press conference held in Satu Mare, that a cultural promotion contract worth about 10 million euros has been signed, which will bring foreign influencers to Romania to promote it as a - The arrears to the general consolidated budget increased by 3.36pct, in January 2023, compared to the previous month, up to 292.11 million RON, from 282.59 million RON, according to the data published on the website of the Ministry of Finance (MF). Fii la curent cu cele mai noi stiri. - As of February 28, 2023, the National Bank of Romania's foreign exchange reserves stood at EUR 52,001 million, as against EUR 50,202 million on January 31, 2023, according to BNR. Fii la curent cu cele mai noi stiri. Urmareste stiripesurse.ro pe Facebook stiripesurse.ro - Romania and Moldova will set up a joint intergovernmental economic co-operation committee immediately after the Romanian Foreign Trade and Investment Agency (ARICE) becomes operational, Romania's Ministry of Entrepreneurship and Tourism (MAT) reported on Tuesday, told Agerpres. Fii la curent - Parliament's Social Dialogue Committee on Tuesday approved a draft order of the minister of education regarding the school term dates for the 2023-2024 school year that includes a proposal for the vacation to overlap Easter, the Ministry of Education announced on Tuesday on its Facebook page, told - "The Baile Tusnad and Surroundings" represents the 7th ecotourism location of Romania recognized by the Ministry of Entrepreneurship and Tourism (MAT), according to a release sent to AGERPRES on Thursday. Fii la curent cu cele mai noi stiri. Urmareste stiripesurse.ro pe Facebook Although the intent may be good, little progress can be made if the root causes of poor workforce well-being are not addressed. We believe that three factors have an outsized impact on well-being in todays work environment: leadership behaviors at all levels, from a direct supervisor to the C-suite; how the organization and jobs are designed; and the ways of working across organizational levels. We call these work determinants of well-being. To better understand how these three important work determinants could impact well-being in an organization, Deloitte conducted a marketplace survey of 1,274 US workers across a wide range of industries, regions, education, income levels, and demographics (see the sidebar About the research for more details). What we found is that leaders cannot rely on perks and programs alone, which often come at a high cost. In fact, more than two-thirds (68%) of workers surveyed said they did not use the full value of the well-being resources their organizations offered because accessing programs was either too time-consuming, confusing, or cumbersome. To help address the biggest determinants that shape well-being at work, companies could shift their thinking and take wide-ranging action now to address employee well-being (see the following section, The well-being direction). Addressing the work determinants of well-being has the potential to catalyze a substantial shift in well-being across organizations, evolving from a traditional model centered on the individual to one that supports human sustainability by promoting the collective long-term well-being of workers, organizations, and society. This potential may not be realized at organizations that place the responsibility on human resources (HR) alone, because HR may lack the authority to do more than create ad hoc programs focusing on benefits and incentives. The systemic change that may be required to address this issue could be owned by the chief executive officer, the rest of the C-suite, and the boardand their decisions could be informed by data and meaningful input about the lived experience of their workforce. China Construction Bank (CCB), the worlds second biggest bank by assets, opened a branch in Hungary. Addressing the official opening at the Pest Vigado, Economic Development Minister Marton Nagy congratulated CCB on its Hungarian branch, which he said would hopefully pave the way for more developments. CCB helps Hungarian businesses enter the Chinese market and Chinese investments make their way to Hungary, he said. CCB chairman Tian Guoli highlighted the long solid and deep friendship between China and Hungary. He said CCB expects to contribute to further boosting Chinese-Hungarian economic, financial and trade relations. Prior to the opening of the branch, Gyorgy Matolcsy, the governor of Hungarys central bank (NBH), had a business lunch with Tian, the bank said. Matolcsy and Tian reviewed the global economic and geopolitical situation, as well as the achievements and future opportunities of financial and economic cooperation between Hungary and China, the NBH told MTI. They identified financial digitalisation as an area for future cooperation between the NBH and CCB, saying it offered serious opportunities for Hungary in terms of technological knowledge transfer, the central bank said. Matolcsy welcomed CCBs opening of its Hungarian branch and that more and more Chinese commercial banks were coming to Hungary or setting up their regional centre in the country. This fits well with Hungarys goal of becoming the financial centre of the central and eastern European region, he said. Prime Minister Viktor Orban received a delegation of the China Construction Bank headed by Guoli for a working lunch in Budapest on Thursday. The event was attended by Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto, Finance Minister Mihaly Varga, Economic Development Minister Marton Nagy, and Janos Csak, the minister of culture and innovations, the prime ministers press office said. Participants in the event expressed their expectation that the Chinese banks new branch in Budapest, opened on Wednesday, would contribute to a further strengthening of economic cooperation between Hungary and China. MTI Photo: Szilard Koszticsak The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered a detailed probe after an Air India pilot operating from Dubai to Delhi entertained a female friend in the cockpit. The pilot in command of the flight has been accused of ordering the crew members to serve food and drinks while his friend was in the cockpit. However, the flight crew refused to do so. "DGCA is conducting an investigation into the matter. The Investigation team will examine the relevant facts," said a senior DGCA official. The official added that the incident happened on February 27 when an Air India pilot operating from Dubai to Delhi allegedly entertained a female friend in the cockpit. "The act violates aviation regulator DGCA safety norms," said the official. Also read: IndiGo Passengers Dance On Sapna Chaudhary's Song During Flight, Raises Safety Concerns: Watch Viral Video "We have taken serious note of the reported incident and investigations are underway in Air India. We have also reported the matter to the DGCA and are cooperating with their investigations. We have zero tolerance in aspects related to the safety and well-being of our passengers and will take requisite action, " Air India said in a statement. The complaint, accessed by ANI, alleged that the pilot of the Air India flight number AI-915 wanted the crew to create a "welcoming, warm and comfortable", "living room" feel in the cockpit for his woman friend."The captain told me to go fetch some pillows from the bunk before Ms. XXX. reaches the cockpit to make her feel comfortable. The pilot said the cockpit should appear welcoming, warm and comfortable, as though he was preparing his living room for a lady friend. Also, asked me to take her drinks and snacks order and serve her," the air hostess mentioned in the complaint copy accessed by ANI. The complaint marked to the Air India Chief Executive officer Campbell Wilson and the DGCA alleges Violation of POSH (prevention of sexual harassment complaint), violation of DGCA CAR, violation of air safety, violation of AIR INDIA ops manual of AI-915/916.India`s aviation safety regulator DGCA said it has taken the complaint very seriously and has launched an investigation. "DGCA is conducting an investigation into the matter. The Investigation team will examine the relevant facts," the DGCA said. As per the DGCA CAR (Civil Aviation Regulations) and the Air India Operations manual only authorised persons who have conducted preflight BA test (as applicable by rule) may enter the cockpit and sit there, provided they are on inspection or for purposes of flight safety only. New Delhi: SBI General Insurance, the unlisted arm of State Bank, on Friday said its net income surged 40 percent year-on-year to Rs 184 crore in FY23 on a gross written premium income of Rs 10,888 crore. The company said it could sustain the strong growth momentum through the year, as visible from the 40 percent jump in net profit and 17.6 percent growth in gross premium over the 12 trailing months. It said the year also saw its market share rise to 4.21 percent with over 22 crore customers. The solvency ratio stood at 1.72x, marginally higher than the regulatory mandate of 1.5x, the company said. (Also Read: 70-Year Old Odisha Woman's Walks Miles For Pension, FM Sitharaman Reacts) The privately held arm of the nation's largest bank did not offer a detailed financial statement, such as investment gains/loss, the combined ratio, which is the key profitability metric for a general insurer, investment details, and other numbers. (Also Read: The managing director and chief executive Kishore Kumar Poludasu said the year saw the company achieve the milestone of being one of the early companies to cross the benchmark of Rs 10,000 crore of GWP in just 13 years of operations. This is a result of our robust product portfolio, strategic corporate tie-ups, the launch of the health vertical, and the digitisation of the customer journey. Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) President Sharad Pawar on Friday termed the recent acquittal of 69 accused in the brutal Naroda Gam (Gujarat) riots of 2002 as a "murder" of the judiciary and the Constitution". Addressing a party meeting, Pawar said that the riots had taken place, there were deaths (11) and the accused ranged from ruling party leaders, MLAs and ministers, many of whom were arrested and enlarged on bail. "Now, the court verdict has come, acquitting all the 69 accused in that incident. Along with the killings of the victims in those communal riots, even the judiciary and the Constitution have been murdered," Pawar said. Slamming the misuse of the central investigation agencies, he said that even in small villages for local disputes, people are now being threatened with ED. "The ED or CBI have become household names," he said. Continuing in the same context, he referred to a senior NCP leader, Anil Deshmukh who was arrested by the ED in late 2021 on charges of Rs 100-crore bribe, he spent 13 months in jail and the chargesheet mentioned barely donations of Rs 1.25-crore. Similarly, in the case of another NCP leader, Nawab Malik - stuck in jail for over 14 months, the news keeps coming that his bail plea is on another date, Pawar pointed out. Adopting the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) stance, Pawar demanded a probe into the Navi Mumbai tragedy of April 16 that left 14 dead after the `Maharashtra Bhushan Award` 2022 was conferred on reformer Dattatreya Narayan Dharmadhikari by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. "It was a state government function and there was negligence in organising the event. An official will not give a report against his own administration, only a probe by a retired judge can bring out the truth," said Pawar. Referring to former Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik`s comments, the NCP supremo alleged that so far no inquiry has been ordered into the terror strike of February 2019 that killed 40 CRPF personnel in Pulwama. Flanked by top NCP leaders, Pawar appealed to his party workers to start preparations for the upcoming civic, Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, and strengthen `booth-level`, and improve contact with the masses. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi assessed the situation in Sudan on Friday, with a particular focus on the safety of over 3,000 Indian citizens who are currently scattered throughout the conflict-torn country. According to an official statement, Modi instructed relevant officials at a high-level meeting to remain vigilant, closely monitor developments in Sudan, and assess the safety of Indian nationals there. The prime minister directed the development of contingency evacuation plans, taking into account the rapidly changing security landscape and the viability of various options. "During the meeting, Prime Minister Modi assessed the most recent developments in Sudan and received a first-hand report of the conditions on the ground," the statement said. PM Narendra Modi chairs a high-level meeting to review the situation related to Indians in Sudan. pic.twitter.com/gkklP9oj0U ANI (@ANI) April 21, 2023 "The Prime Minister expressed his condolences on the passing away of an Indian national who tragically fell victim to a stray bullet last week," it said. It said Modi also instructed officials to continuously evaluate the safety of Indian nationals and extend them all possible assistance. "The Prime Minister further directed the preparation of contingency evacuation plans, accounting for the rapidly shifting security landscape and the viability of various options," the statement by the PMO said. "The Prime Minister also emphasised the importance of maintaining close communication with neighbouring countries in the region, as well as those with significant numbers of citizens in Sudan," it said. Jaishankar Met UN Chief Antonio Guterres External Affairs Minister Jaishankar had on April 20 met with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York and discussed the developments in Sudan. "We had a very good meeting. Most of our meeting was on the Sudan situation. We also discussed the G20, and Ukraine conflict, but essentially it was about Sudan," Jaishankar told ANI. Jaishankar said that the Indian government is in continuous touch with its citizens stuck in Sudan. "Our team in Delhi is in continuous touch with the Indians in Sudan, advising them, saying we know it`s very difficult for everybody but keep calm and don`t take unnecessary risk. I hope that the efforts will yield something very soon," the EAM said. How Sudan Fighting Unfolded? Thousands of civilians have fled Sudan`s capital Khartoum after fighting escalated in the region. According to reports, over 350 people, including an Indian have been killed in the fighting so far. Fighting has been raging between forces loyal to Sudan`s army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who commands the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The conflict began since a coup in 2021 between Sudan`s military leader and his deputy on the ruling council erupted derailing a plan for a transition to a civilian democracy after the fall of longtime dictator Omar al-Bashir in 2019. Elections were supposed to be held by the end of 2023. A high alert has been sounded across Jammu and Kashmir after the Poonch terror attack. Forces have been asked to make no loose movements and stay on high alert. Apart from the Line Of Control (LOC) and International Borders in Jammu, a high alert has also been sounded in south Kashmir's Shopian as well as north Kashmir's Kupwara and Uri sectors so that terrorists cant exfiltrate back. Sources in the army told Zee News that the terror attack was like a BAT action and it appears that terrorists have infiltrated from across the border. BAT is Pakistan's Border Action Team which carries out cross-border attacks. They said that in the past, two attacks on the army and civilians were carried out in the same way in Rajouri and Poonch sectors. Meanwhile, Security forces have launched massive Cordon and Search Operations (CASOs) in various villages of the Mendhar sub-division, with senior officers of both the army and police present at the spot. Heavy deployment of forces has been made and many villages including Bhata Dhurian, Nar forest, Sanjiote, and Kotan have been cordoned and intense searches are going on. Patrolling across the IB and LOC has been increased. #WATCH | Security forces secure the area where an Army truck was attacked by terrorists in Poonch dist, J&K. 5 personnel of Rashtriya Rifles deployed in this area lost their lives Army says terrorists may have thrown grenades at the truck which led to the vehicle catching fire. pic.twitter.com/Z5JD7gFhZm April 20, 2023 After the terror attack, the movement of all kinds of vehicles has been suspended on the national highway stretch between Bhimber Gali and Bhata Dhurian. J&K Police in Poonch district said that in the wake of an incident in Bhata Dhurian, traffic will remain suspended from BG to Surankote road. "All the commuters are advised to adopt alternative routes that include BG Mendhar JWG or Mendhar KG Poonch, police said. Sources said that terrorists managed to stop the vehicle while laying ambush and then threw grenades while others used calibrated grenades towards its fuel tank, triggering a massive blaze in the vehicle, due to which the soldiers were not able to react on time. This kind of modus operandi of attack is new to Jammu and Kashmir, and it was earlier seen in the Northeast. Also Read: Army Confirms Terror Attack In J&K's Poonch, 5 Soldiers Dead; Defence Minister Briefed The lesser-known terror group PAFF (Peoples Anti-Faces Front) has claimed responsibility on Social media. The attack is aimed at thwarting the upcoming G-20 meeting in Kashmir. Earlier, a Defence PRO said, At approximately 3 pm on Thursday, one Army vehicle, moving between Bhimber Gali and Poonch in the Rajouri sector was fired on by unidentified terrorists, taking advantage of heavy rains and low visibility in the area. The vehicle caught fire, due to the likely use of grenades by terrorists. Five personnel of the Rashtriya Rifles Unit deployed for Counter Terrorist operations, in this area, have unfortunately lost their lives in the incident. Another seriously injured soldier was evacuated immediately to the Army Hospital at Rajouri and is under treatment. Operations are in progress to locate the perpetrators." The attack came at a time when Kashmir is going to host G20 meetings in Srinagar. It also comes as a shocker for armed forces as forces are on their toes to make full-proof security arrangements for the event. Last week, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had held a high-level review meeting to take stock of the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir in wake of the G20 meetings. Meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed condolence with brave hearts. Anguished by the tragedy in Poonch District (J&K), where the Indian Army has lost its brave soldiers after a truck caught fire. In this tragic hour, my thoughts are with the bereaved families, said the defence minister in a tweet. Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha also expressed anguish over the loss of lives. Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti have condemned the attack. The founder, owner, and operator of the Lynwood, Washington-based marketing school for entrepreneurs sat down to discuss his life, his career, and his professional philosophy. LYNWOOD, WA / ACCESSWIRE / April 21, 2023 / It is with great enthusiasm that Thomas Brinkly, founder, owner, and operator of Top Tier Marketing Academy, announces that he is the subject of a new, in-depth interview. The interview, which was conducted by freelance journalist Jeah Lorraine Adams on behalf of an online periodical that focuses on matters relating to business, technology, and entrepreneurship, was published on April 13, 2023. Early in the piece, Thomas is asked what inspired him to create Top Tier Marketing Academy in the first place. "After much trial and error at the beginning of my career, I ultimately found that helping people was not only what I was good at, but also what I most enjoyed doing," he replies, adding, "Eventually, that led to me creating my own company. Now, I spend my workdays making sure my customers are satisfied and my employees are accomplishing their career goals, and I couldn't be happier." Further along in the interview, Thomas Brinkly explains what he loves most about running his business, saying, "I love thinking up new ideas and I love talking to people, and those two things cross over all the time during the normal course of business at Top Tier Marketing Academy. Honestly, sometimes it's tough to come up with new ideas after doing what I've done for so long, so I make sure to keep the lines of communication open with my partners, managers, and other staff. We spend a good deal of time discussing concepts, thinking out loud, and brainstorming until a good idea comes up." Top Tier Marketing Academy, Friday, April 21, 2023, Press release picture Anyone interested in reading the interview in its entirety will find it located here, while anyone curious to learn more about Thomas Brinkly or Top Tier Marketing Academy is encouraged to visit the organization's official website. Story continues About Thomas Brinkly: Originally from Belleview, Washington, Thomas Brinkly left public school in 9th grade to pursue the vocation of carpentry at trade school. He then decided to serve his country by joining the US Marines Corps. Upon his discharge from the military, he founded Top Tier Marketing Academy, an institution dedicated to providing would-be and novice entrepreneurs with an advanced business education. About Top Tier Marketing Academy: Top Tier Marketing Academy specializes in e-commerce website construction and training, as well as cultivating skills regarding marketing tools, social media automation services, and website hosting. Coupled with these services, Top Tier Marketing Academy also offers additional training and support in a number of other areas relevant to small business owners. The academy endeavors to leave a lasting impression on all of its students from an educational perspective, as well as functionally. Media Contact: Email: support@toptiermarketingacademy.com Website: toptiermarketingacademy.com SOURCE: Top Tier Marketing Academy View source version on accesswire.com: https://www.accesswire.com/749829/Top-Tier-Marketing-Academys-Thomas-Brinkly-is-the-Subject-of-a-New-Interview New Delhi: A day after a Gujarat court acquitted all the accused of the Naroda Gam case in which 11 people were killed from the minority community, Nationalist Congress chief Sharad Pawar on Friday questioned, "Then who killed those people?" "A few years ago there were mass murders of minorities in Gujarat. Some leaders` close aides were involved and the case was going on for so many days. Yesterday a court acquitted all the accused, So who killed them? How they were killed?" Pawar said. He said that misuse of power has been done by the people who are in the government. Earlier on Thursday, a special court in Ahmedabad acquitted all 68 accused, including BJP MLA Maya Kodnani, in the 2002 post-Godhra riots, Naroda Gam case. Eleven persons were killed in communal violence in the Naroda Gam area of Ahmedabad city on February 28, 2002, during a `bandh` called to protest the Godhra train burning, in which 58 passengers, returning from Ayodhya, were killed. Also Read: 2002 Gujarat Riots: Court Acquits All 68 Accused In Naroda Gam Massacre Case Along with Kodnani, other prominent accused involved former Bajrang Dal leader Babu Bajrangi and Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Jaydeep Patel. On April 16, the court of principal sessions Judge SK Baxi had fixed April 20 as the date for the verdict in the case and had also directed the accused to remain present in the court. Notably, all the accused in the case are currently out on bail. Out of the total 86 accused in the case, 18 died in the intervening period. Around 182 prosecution witnesses were examined during the trial. Apart from rioting and murder, Kodnani, 67, was also charged with criminal conspiracy and attempted murder in the Naroda Gam case.It is pertinent to note that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had also appeared as a defence witness for Kodnani in September 2017. Karnataka 2nd PUC Results 2023: Karnataka 2nd PUC Result 2023 is declared on the official website. The Karnataka Pre-University Examination Board has issued the Karnataka PU II results on the official website-- karresults.nic.in. This year's Karnataka PUC 2 pass rate is 74.67 percent. Students who took the Karnataka Board 12th examinations can use their registration number and date of birth to see and obtain their results. Learn where and how to check Karnataka Results 2023. According to the Karnataka Board's result status, 727,923 students enrolled for the Karnataka 2nd PUC exam 2023, while 702,067 students sat the exam and 524,209 students passed the 12th board exam. The Karnataka Board results were announced at a press conference, and the link was live at 11 a.m. Candidates were recommended to monitor the official websites for updates (karresults.nic.in, dipr.karnataka.gov.in, and pue.kar.nic.in). However, nearly 4000 students did not take their Karnataka PUC 2 exams because the Department of Pre-University reinstated the 75% attendance limits. Karnataka 2nd PUC Results 2023: Here's how to check Go to the official website-karresults.nic.in On the appeared homepage, click on the Karnataka 2 PUC Result 2023 link A new login page would open Enter your Registration number and roll number Access the PUC 2nd Result and download the scorecard Take a print out for the future references Ananya received a total of 600 marks in the 2nd PUC Result 2023 from the Commerce stream. SM Koushik from the Science Stream received 596 marks. Tabasum Shaikh topped the Arts Stream with 593 marks out of 600. The overall pass percentage for the Karnataka 2nd PUC Result 2022 was 67.14 percent. The Science Stream had the highest pass rate, at 72.53 percent. The pass percentage for the Commerce stream was 64.97 percent, while the pass percentage for the Arts stream was 48.71 percent. New Delhi: Samantha Ruth Prabhu is one of the top actresses in the industry today. Her recent release 'Shaakuntalam' made fans go wow on her avatar and they are waiting eagerly for her future projects. Recently, she made headlines for landing in London for attending the world premiere of the American thriller series 'Citadel' in a stunning body-hugging black co-ord set. Samantha will play the leading role in the spy shows Indian spin-off 'Citadel' India. Flaunting her washboard abs, the figure-hugging co-ord set became a stylish combo but her accessories also turned out to be just unmissable. Sam's ensemble was a killer combination of fierce yet feminine accents but what was the most eye-catching, was the little addition of the stylish Serpeti diamond accessories. Let us decode Samantha Ruth Prabhu's 'Citadel' premiere look. Samantha's outfit came right off the shelves of the British designer Victoria Beckham. The stunning black knitted crop top costs Rs.16,900. Paired with a long pencil crochet patchwork skirt featuring fishnet detailing, fringes at the hem, it was worth Rs. 64,500. The diamond elements came from the Bvlgari Serpenti collection adding boldness to her chic look. The outstanding jewelry is designed as serpents to wrap around her hands and neck, with pear-shaped emerald eyes and scales enhancing its brilliant cut. The diamond necklace was worth Rs 2.9 crore, paired with a matching Rs 2.6 crore Serpenti bracelet. The first season of the global series 'Citadel' consists of six episodes, with two episodes premiering on April 28 on Prime Video India, and one episode rolling out weekly through May 26. Priyanka Chopra and Richard Madden play the lead role in spy thriller series. New Delhi: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has proposed rules to enable Aadhaar authentication by entities other than Government Ministries and Departments. The proposed amendment has been posted on the Ministry website and comments are being invited from the stakeholders and the general public. Link of the proposed amendments in the rules is: https://www.meity.gov.in/content/draft-amendments-aadhaar-authentication-good-governance-rules-2020-enable-performance. The feedback can be submitted through the MyGov platform by 5th May 2023. "As part of its commitment to make Aadhaar people-friendly and enable ease of living and better access to services for citizens, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has proposed rules to enable Aadhaar authentication by entities other than Government Ministries and Departments," said an official release. Through an amendment enacted in 2019 to the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016; entities were allowed to perform authentication if the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is satisfied about their compliance with regard to standards of privacy and security specified by regulations and is either permitted by law to offer authentication services or seeks authentication for a prescribed purpose. At present, Government Ministries and Departments are allowed to undertake Aadhaar Authentication under the Aadhaar Authentication for Good Governance (Social Welfare, Innovation, Knowledge) Rules, 2020 in the interest of good governance, preventing leakage of public funds and enablement of innovation and the spread of knowledge. "Now, it is proposed that any entity other than a Government Ministry or Department that desires to use Aadhaar authentication for the purpose of promoting ease of living and enabling better access to services, or usage of digital platforms to ensure good governance, or preventing dissipation of social welfare benefits, or enabling innovation and spread of knowledge, it shall prepare a proposal giving justification as to how the authentication sought is for one of the said purposes and in the interest of State and submit the same to the concerned Ministry or Department of the Central Government in respect of Central subjects and of the State Government in respect of State subjects. If the Ministry/Department is of the opinion that the proposal submitted fulfils such a purpose and is in the interest of the State, it will forward the proposal along with its recommendation to MeitY. New Delhi: Bank branches in several cities of the country will remain closed today and tomorrow on account of Eid 2023 as per the the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Holiday list. However online banking activities will continue to work. Hence, if you want to visit your bank branch for any bank related important work on both Friday and Saturday, you must first check the RBI holiday list and also if any local festivities are being observed in your state. While some bank holidays are observed nation-wide, some others will be local holidays for which bank branches are closed in a month. Several bank branches will remain closed in various states owing to these festivities. Before visiting your bank branch in the remaining days of April, you must note down the list of important days during which banks will remain closed. Bank Holiday For Eid 2023 on April 21 Banks will remain shut in the following cities today on account of Eid 2023 Agartala Jammu Kochi Srinagar Thiruvananthapuram Bank Holiday For Eid 2023 on April 22 Banks will remain shut in the following cities tomorrow on account of Eid 2023 Belapur Bhopal Chennai Dehradun Guwahati Hyderabad Andhra Pradesh Hyderabad - Telangana Imphal Jaipur Jammu Kanpur Kolkata Lucknow Mumbai Nagpur New Delhi Panaji Patna Raipur Ranchi Shillong Srinagar Bank Holiday List in April 2023 Banks will remain closed for total 16 days in the month of April 11 as per the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) holiday calendar list and the remaining days are that of weekends. However, you must note that the banks will NOT be closed for 16 days in all states or regions. This is the total number of days when banks in different parts of the country will remain closed for state-observed holidays. For example bank branches might be closed for Babu Jagjivan Rams Birthday in Hyderabad but not closed for the same in Goa, Bihar or other states. Here is an elaborate list of bank holidays falling in the month of April 2023. Check out the list. April 21: Id-Ul-Fitr ( Banks will be closed in Tripura, Jammu & Kashmir, and Kerala) April 22: Fourth Saturday April 23: Sunday April 30: Sunday Reserve Bank of India places its Holidays under three brackets --Holiday under Negotiable Instruments Act; Holiday under Negotiable Instruments Act and Real Time Gross Settlement Holiday; and Banks Closing of Accounts. However, it must be noted that the bank holidays vary in various states as well not observed by all the banking companies. Banking holidays also depend on the festivals being observed in specific states or notification of specific occasions in those states. Holidays of the mentioned days will be observed in various regions according to the state declared holidays, however for the gazetted holidays, banks will be closed all over the country. New Delhi: State Bank of India (SBI) on Friday said it is exploring options for installing an iris scanner at Banking Correspondent or Customer Service Point to address the challenges faced by senior pensioners or customers. This will save senior citizens from going to branches and withdrawing pensions at their nearest Bank Mitra channel. "Bank has also been examining options of installing Iris scanners at our BC/CSP (Bank Mitra) channels to address the challenges faced by our Senior Pensioners/ Customers," SBI said in a statement. SBI has always aligned its business goals with national priorities, and focused attention is given to a range of financial inclusion activities, it said. However, it said, an unfortunate incident has recently come to light where one of the senior citizen customers faced difficulty in withdrawing her old age pension from the nearby CSP (Bank Mitra) in Jharigaon block of Nabrangpur district of Odisha on account of her fading fingerprints not being recognised by the biometric reader at the CSP (Bank Mitra). As per the laid down protocols, the nearest link branch, SBI Jharigaon, immediately paid the pension amount by debiting the amount manually from the pensioner's account, it added. She has also been reassured by the branch manager of the delivery of pension at her doorstep going forward, it noted. As a goodwill gesture, the statement said, SBI has donated a wheelchair to the pensioner to facilitate her movement. "While necessary protocols are already in place to address such situations, SBI has taken further cognizance of the matter and has initiated reiteration of the guidelines to all our BCs/CSPs (Bank Mitra) to contact their link branches in case of any issues faced by them in serving our customers," it said. New Delhi: Eid ul Fitr is a religious festival for all Muslims around the world. It marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, during which devotees fast from dawn to dusk. This year it is expected to be celebrated on Friday, April 21, or Saturday, April 22. Many celebrities are extending wishes for their fans on Eid ul Fitr. From Fahmaan Khan to Shalin Bhanot, popular TV actors celebrate Eid with their fans. Shalin Bhanot who plays the role of Ranav in Bekaaboo shares, For me, Eid has multiple meanings, the most important of which is patience because you fast, and that represents control. What I love about Ramzaan is that I see people who have a sense of control over their chaotic lives. Eid is about getting together and everyone on the sets of Bekaboo will be celebrating it. My close friends have a fun-filled get-together every year on Eid. I look forward to sharing delicious food and laughter. May the festivals noor enlighten our hearts and bring us fulfilment. Eid Mubarak! Farman Haider who plays the role of Nityam in Saavi Ki Savaari shares, My childhood is filled with wonderful memories, like getting up early to prepare delectable meals like kheer, chole, various kinds of sharbat, and my personal favorite fruit custard. The joy we experience when our entire family gets together, hangs out with the cousins, and goes out to dinner together is immeasurable. This year because I'm so busy with my shoot, I'll be visiting my hometown for just a day. I'll be helping my mother prepare the daawat and spend some quality time with my loved ones. May our hearts be filled with kindness and compassion, and may we continue to spread love and joy wherever we go. Eid Mubarak! Fahmaan Khan who plays the role of Ravi in Pyaar Ke Saath Vachan Dharampatnii says, For me, Eid is all about being thankful for the little joys of our daily lives. Im grateful to have a loving family and an army of ardent fans. I hope everyone is blessed with the luxury of spending time with their loved ones on Eid. May the mouth-watering delicacies of this day add more flavor to our celebrations. Eid Mubarak! Washington: A major India-US bilateral defense collaboration is in the works for India to make sophisticated modern defense equipment, the Biden administration's point person for South and Central Asia said on Thursday, hoping an announcement regarding this will be made in the next few months. I think it makes eminent sense for India to produce world-class defense equipment for its own needs, and potentially as an exporter, for the world, US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Donald Lu told PTI in an interview. The senior State Department official, however, refrained from giving details of the major defense collaboration to manufacture modern and sophisticated defense equipment in India. We are already major partners in the defense field. We, over the last 20 years, have had a defense trade of over USD 20 billion. And I know our private companies and our governments, our ministries of defense are talking on a regular basis about how we cooperate, he said. Lu pointed out that last April during the Two Plus Two Dialogue involving India's Minister of Defence and External Affairs Minister and their American counterparts Secretary of Defence and Secretary of State, for the first time there was American support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Make in India initiative. We can see that India is shifting away from dependency on other countries and looking to produce defense supplies, and defense equipment in India itself and that's a process we strongly support. And I hope in the coming months that you will see announcements, of a major collaboration between our countries for sophisticated, modern, capable defense equipment that will be made in India,? Lu told PTI in response to a question. This is absolutely part of the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (ICET) Dialogue that was launched by India's National Security Advisor Ajit K Doval and his American counterpart Jake Sullivan, he noted. But it's something we have been working on now for several years with India. I think you'll see this year ahead will be pivotal in terms of our defense cooperation,? he said. Lu, however, refrained from giving any other details. I think that's as much as I'm able to say in detail. But it will be exciting. And I hope by the end of the year that we will have a more detailed discussion about what those specific defense cooperation items are, he said. According to an Indian Embassy fact sheet, India-US defense cooperation is based on the New Framework for India-US Defence Cooperation, which was renewed for a period of ten years in 2015. In 2016, the defense relationship was designated as a Major Defence Partnership (MDP) to build a comprehensive, enduring, and mutually beneficial defence partnership. On July 30, 2018, India was moved into the Tier-1 of the US Department of Commerce's Strategic Trade Authorization license exception. The Defence Policy Group (DPG) headed by the Defence Secretary and Under Secretary of Defence (Policy) provides a platform for a comprehensive review of defence dialogues/mechanisms. In August 2022, a US Navy Ship (USNS) Charles Drew visited Chennai for repairs and allied services. This was the first-ever repair of a US Navy ship in India. Several defense agreements have been signed, including the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Association (2016); the Memorandum of Intent between the US Defence Innovation Unit (DIU), and the Indian Defence Innovation Organisation - Innovation for Defence Excellence (2018); Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (2018); Industrial Security Agreement (2019); Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (2020). Bilateral exercises include Yudh Abhyas (Army); Vajra Prahar (Special Forces), and a tri-services exercise Tiger Triumph (inaugurated in 2019). India joined the multilateral Combined Maritime Force (CMF) based in Bahrain, as an Associate Partner in April 2022. In November 2022, the Australian Navy joined the US-India-Japan MALABAR annual Naval Exercise. The US participated in India's multilateral Exercise Milan 2022. WASHINGTON: Reiterating that the United States supports a resolution of the Indo-China border dispute through a negotiated settlement and direct conversations between the two countries, Biden Administration's point person for South and Central Asia on Thursday said the US sees little evidence that Beijing is seriously approaching these talks with a sense of goodwill. "Our position on India's border dispute with China is long-standing. We support a resolution of that border dispute through a negotiated settlement and through direct conversations between the two countries," Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Donald Lu told PTI in an interview. "Having said that, we see little evidence that the Chinese government is seriously approaching these talks with a sense of goodwill. What we see is the opposite. We see provocations that happen on the line of actual control on a pretty regular basis," Lu said in response to a question. India, the senior State Department official said, can count on the United States' standing with India as it faces the challenge of its northern neighbour. "We demonstrated that resolve in 2020 during the Galwan crisis, and we continue to find opportunities to cooperate with India on information but also on military equipment, exercises and that will go forward into the years ahead," he said. A top American think-tank Centre for a New American Security in a report last month said the increased prospect of India-China border hostility has implications for the United States and its Indo-Pacific strategy. As the United States considers the role that India will play in the Indo-Pacific and how to maximise US-India cooperation to meet security challenges in the region, US policymakers must closely monitor and be prepared to respond quickly to future India-China border crisis, said the report authored by Lisa Curtis who served as deputy assistant to the president and NSC senior director for South and Central Asia from 2017 to 2021 and senior defence analyst Derek Grossman. The report recommended the Biden Administration that to help deter and respond to further Chinese aggression along the border with India, the United States should elevate Indian territorial disputes with China on par with Beijing's assertiveness against other US allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific and ensure this is reflected in all national security?related documents and speeches. "Offer India the sophisticated military technology it requires to defend its borders and initiate co-production and co-development of military equipment. Assist India in strengthening its maritime and naval capacity, and conduct joint intelligence reviews with India to align assessments of Chinese plans and intentions along the LAC and enhance coordination with Indian officials on contingency planning in the event of a future India-China conflict," it said. It urged the US to establish or support an official or unofficial organisation charged with collating unclassified commercial satellite imagery on the position of PLA troops along the LAC and disseminate these images routinely for public consumption. ?Criticise Beijing's efforts at land-grabbing in multilateral forums, including the UN, Shangri-La Dialogue, G20, and East Asia Summit. Message Pakistan and enlist help from Islamabad's other important partners to convey similar points?about the need to stay neutral in the event of a potential future India-China border flare-up. And be prepared to extend full support to India, in the event of another border crisis or conflict,? recommended the think-tank in its report. Akshaya Tritiya is a Hindu festival that is considered to be an auspicious day for starting new ventures and making important purchases. It is a festival that celebrates wealth, prosperity, and good fortune. Akshaya Tritiya, also known as Akti or Akha Teej is one of the most important days in the Hindu calendar and occurs on the third lunar day of the bright half of the Hindu month of Vaishakha. It is believed that any investments made on this day will bring prosperity and good fortune. Many people also offer prayers and perform charitable acts on this day. People all over India are getting ready to celebrate Akshaya Tritiya 2023 this year with a great deal of enthusiasm and happiness. This festival is a special occasion for Hindus because of the many customs and rituals that are associated with it, such as buying jewelry made of gold and silver, performing pujas, and donating to the poor. Gurudev Shrie Kashyap, Chairman and Founder of All India Institute of Occult Science and True Vastu, explains the significance of Akshaya Tritiya 2023 and the various ways in which it is celebrated. Also read: Eid-Ul-Fitr 2023: 7 Tips To Ensure Your Makeup Lasts Longer Akshaya Tritiya 2023: Significance In The Hindu Practice Akashya Tritiya is celebrated as the birth of Lord Parshuram who is the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Treta Yug is also thought to have begun on Akshaya Tritiya. On Akshaya Tritiya, so says Indian tradition, the holy Ganga came down to Earth. On this day, the great sage Ved Vyas began writing Mahabharata. Lord Ganesha penned Mahabharat down. On the day after Akshaya Tritiya, Draupadi Cheer Haran took place. Her clothes were made by Lord Krishna to last forever. On Akshaya Tritiya in Sivapuram, Kuber prayed to Lord Shiva, and he received his lost wealth and prosperity back. On Akshaya Tritiya, people in the state of Orissa begin preparing the Rath for the Rath Yatra. Pandavas were given Akshaya Patra by Lord Krishna on Akshaya Tritiya Day. This utensil never lets the food go. In the Jain faith, Akshaya Tritiya is also very important. This is a holy day because, on this day, Jains end their eight-day fast (Athai) known as Varshi Tap Parana. Akshaya Tritiya 2023: Vrat and Puja Vidhi Gurudev Shrie Kashyap, Chairman and Founder of All India Institute of Occult Science and True Vastu shares Akshaya Tritiya Vrat and Puja Vidhi. On this day, those who observe a fast must get dressed early in yellow clothing. Now, at home, bathe the idol of Vishnu in Gangajal and present Tulsi, a garland of yellow flowers, or just yellow flowers. After that, light a Ghee wick lamp and incense, and choose a yellow seat. Further, recount texts connected with Vishnu like Vishnu Sahasranama, and Vishnu Chalisa. Sing Vishnu Ji's Aarti at the end. In addition, it will yield excellent results if the worshiper can provide food or donations to the less fortunate. Akshaya Tritiya is a celebration that holds a unique spot in the hearts of Hindus across India. People celebrate this day of abundance and good fortune in a variety of ways, including purchasing gold, performing pujas, and donating to the poor. The celebration likewise has authentic and fanciful importance and is accepted to affect one's life. Let us embrace the spirit of Akshaya Tritiya 2023 and strive to cultivate positivity, abundance, and prosperity in our lives as we celebrate this festival. (Views expressed by experts in the articles are their own, Zee News does not confirm or endorse the same.) New Delhi: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday commented on ex-Assam Indian Youth Congress chief Angkita Dutta's allegations on national youth Congress president Srinivas B.V. Calling Dutta 'daughter of Assam', Sarma said the way state Congress has tackled this matter is sad. "They (Assam Congress) are thinking that she has given a wrong statement and IYC President is right. I would have been happy if Assam Congress talks in favour of her. But what we see is completely opposite," news agency ANI quoted Assam CM Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma as saying. Angkita Dutta today recorded her statement in the case before the Chief Judicial Magistrate court in Guwahati. Terming the issue as an internal issue for Congress, Himanta said "It is Congress' matter, and if they tackle the issue then there will be no need for the involvement of CID or police. If the issue is not resolved, then the law will have to take its course." Angkita Dutta (former president of Assam Pradesh Youth Congress) is the daughter of Assam. The way Assam Pradesh Congress Committee has tackled this matter is sad. They (Assam Congress) are thinking that she has given a wrong statement and IYC President is right. I would have pic.twitter.com/veJsGHwYMn ANI (@ANI) April 21, 2023 Dutta has alleged that she was heckled and mentally harassed by Srinivas on more than one occasion. She also claimed that Rahul Gandhi and other senior leaders were apprised about her harassment. However, no action was taken against the youth Congress president. Also Read: Assam, Arunachal Sign Pact To Resolve Border Dispute; CM Himanta Calls It A 'Milestone' Assam Cong Chief Bhupen Bora Issues Show Cause Notice Earlier on Thursday, Assam unit Congress president Bhupen Bora issued a show cause notice to state IYC chief Angkita Dutta for levelling allegations of harassment publicly against national youth Congress president Srinivas B.V. Meanwhile, Bora said that Dutta never informed him about the harassment. In a letter to Angkita Dutta, the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee chief wrote: "I was not aware of the alleged grievances and was never apprised of the same by you. Hence, I called you the same day to discuss the matter with you. I ensured that if you had any issues it can be addressed at the highest level without making it a public spat as it is an internal matter of the party." Bora also said that he had requested Dutta not to give any statements in the media as there is a mechanism within the party for any grievances, to which she had agreed. "But you (Angkita Dutta) have decided to go ahead with public confrontation rather than heeding to party discipline despite my assurance to resolve the matter," he said. According to Bora, Dutta has not submitted any verbal or written complaint about her allegations to the Congress` General Secretary in charge of Assam. Bora said: "Such a stand goes against party discipline." Angkita Dutta has been asked to show cause within 24 hours why disciplinary actions should not be taken against her. On the other hand, at the Dispur Police Station on Wednesday, Angkita Dutta filed a complaint against Srinivas BV, charging him with verbal and physical abuse as well as using slang phrases over the last six months. New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday issued notice to the respondent on YouTuber and journalist Manish Kashyap`s amended plea challenging the detention order under National Security Agency (NSA). A bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud asked the concerned respondent to file a reply to the YouTuber Manish Kashyap`s amended plea. The petitioner Manish Kashyap sought to challenge the detention order under NSA. The court allowed amending his plea. Meanwhile, the court directed the petitioner Manish Kashyap not to be moved from Central Jail Madurai till further orders and listed the matter for further hearing on April 28. These directions came after Senior Advocate Siddhartha Dave urged the court not to drag him from one place to another by production warrants. Senior Advocate Siddhartha Dave, appearing for Manish Kashyap, informed the top court that six FIRs have been registered against his client in Tamil Nadu and three FIRs in Bihar. He also apprised the court that NSA has been invoked against Manish Kashyap by Tamil Nadu police. Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Tamil Nadu Government, said, "Manish Kashyap has circulated fake news and an incident in which FIRs have been registered are of separate nature. "One of the lawyers appearing for the Bihar Government said, "Manish Kashyap is a habitual offender and prior to the incident eight separate FIRs were registered against him in Bihar."Manish Kashyap was represented by lawyers Aditya Singh Deshwal, Abhijeet, and Ridam Arora. Kashyap`s counsels apprised the court earlier that National Security Act has been imposed against his client. Manish Kashyap, a Bihar-based journalist said, "Many false FIRs were registered against him in Bihar and Tamil Nadu at the behest of the present ruling government."Kashyap sought interim bail and clubbing of all cases in one place. He said, "Cases against him were filed because he has raised the issue of violence against the Bihar-based migrant laborers in Tamil Nadu on social media."The YouTuber, who was caught allegedly circulating false and misleading information about purported attacks on migrant labourers working in Tamil Nadu was arrested from Bettiah in Bihar on March 18. According to the Bihar Police, Kashyap surrendered at Jagdishpur police station in Bettiah while the Bihar Police and Economic Offence Unit (EOU) were in the process of attaching his house. Kashyap was wanted by Bihar Police and Tamil Nadu Police in a fake news matter of laborers issue in the southern state, according to an official statement issued by the EOU of Bihar Police. Last month, a team from Bihar led by IAS officer Balamurugan visited Tamil Nadu to take stock of the matter. The team visited Tiruppur and met the district administration and police officials to know about the actions taken so far in the case. Officials of the Bihar government also interacted with Bihar-based migrant workers in Chennai. On March 9, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin attacked Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accusing it of spreading rumors about the attack on migrant laborers. The Chief Minister further said that there are no such incidents in Tamil Nadu and the delegates from Bihar who visited the state returned with full satisfaction. Stalin had also spoken to his Bihar counterpart Nitish Kumar and reassured him about the safety of migrant workers. The alleged assault on migrant laborers from Bihar in Tamil Nadu had stirred massive political unrest in both states. Lok Janshakti Party chief Chirag Paswan had launched an attack on the Bihar Chief Minister on the issue. New Delhi: AIMIM chairman Asaduddin Owaisi has condemned the Poonch terror attack, which murdered five Army men and critically injured another, calling it a 'cowardly' act. In a late tweet on Thursday night, the Hyderabad Lok Sabha member expressed condolences to the families of the fallen servicemen. "My condolences to the families & fellow officers of the five Bravehearts killed in #Jammu terror attack. Hope that the one soldier who was gravely injured recovers fully. This is a cowardly attack and absolutely condemnable," he tweeted. Five Army personnel were killed and another critically injured on Thursday after their vehicle caught fire following a terrorist attack in Poonch, Jammu, and Kashmir, according to the Army. According to the Army, the slain soldiers were from a Rashtriya Rifles unit deployed for counter-terrorism operations. It went on to say that the truck in which the soldiers were going was attacked by unidentified terrorists and caught fire due to the possible use of grenades. Terrorist attack in Poonch Five Army men were killed and another was badly injured on Thursday after their vehicle caught fire following a terrorist attack in Poonch, Jammu & Kashmir. According to a statement, the slain Army personnel were from a Rashtriya Rifles battalion deployed for counter-terrorism operations. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Manoj Pande briefed Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on the incident. Protest in Jammu after the attack Activists from the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Bajrang Dal marched in Jammu on Thursday night, demanding harsh punishment for terrorists engaged in the attack on an Army vehicle in Poonch district. According to reports, five Army servicemen were murdered and another was critically injured on Thursday after their vehicle caught fire following a terror strike. Ravinder Raina, the Jammu and Kashmir BJP head, condemned the "cowardly attack" by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists and promised that the troops' deaths will be avenged. Hundreds of activists from the VHP and the Bajrang Dal gathered at the city's Tawi bridge to protest the attack, led by VHP state executive president Rajesh Gupta. New Delhi: A second-year undergraduate student at Indian Insititute of Technology (IIT) Madras died by suicide on Friday, news agency PTI quoted Chennai police as saying. According to a police officer, the student was found dead in his campus hostel room, and a case has been filed and an investigation is underway. "He did not respond, and then the door to the hostel room was broken open, and he was discovered hanging," the officer said. According to the officer, preliminary investigation revealed that the deceased student may have had some issues stemming from his love for a woman. On March 14, an IIT-Madras third-year B-Tech student died by suicide. On February 14, another IIT-M post-graduate engineering student died by suicide. He, too, was discovered dead in his hostel room. "The body was taken for autopsy and a preliminary investigation is underway on the IIT Madras campus," news agency ANI quoted an officer of Chennai Police as saying. The IIT-Madras, which conveyed its condolence to the bereaved, said: "We are deeply anguished to convey the untimely passing away of an undergraduate student from the Chemical Engineering Department in the afternoon of 21 April 2023 in his hostel room. The Institute has lost one of its own, and the professional community has lost a good student. The reason for the demise is unknown. Police are investigating. The parents have been informed." The Institute said it is taking all possible measures to proactively identify and help students under stress. "We will continue to keep strengthening these measures." Fourth Suicide Case At IIT-Madras Since 2018 This is the fourth case of a student suicide reported this year from IIT Madras and the 12th since 2018. Earlier, on April 2, a PhD student of the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, died by suicide in his room in Tamil Nadu`s Velachery, police told media. The student was a native of West Bengal and was aged 32. With her acquittal in the second and last case against her in the 2002 riots cases, doors are now open for former Bharatiya Janata Party minister Maya Kodnani to stage a comeback in Gujarat's active politics, a decade after her political graph nosedived following allegations related to the post-Godhra communal violence. Gujarat BJP leaders on Friday said if the physician-turned-politician, once a member of the powerful Narendra Modi ministry in the state and rising star in politics, wants to return to active politics, the saffron party will definitely assign work to her. On Thursday, Kodnani, 68, was acquitted by a special court in the February 28, 2002, Naroda Gam riots case in which 11 members of a minority community were burnt to death and their houses set on fire by a mob enraged by the burning of Sabarmati Express train near Godhra a day earlier that killed 59 passengers. This was the second and final riots case in which she was named an accused. Earlier, the only BJP minister named in the violence was cleared in the Naroda Patiya case. "Kodnani is an active worker and participates in party functions. It is her personal choice whether she wants to take part in active politics," said a senior BJP leader. "It is up to her to decide whether she wants to remain active in politics. If she does, then the party will definitely assign her work," he said. Before her acquittal in the Naroda Gam case, Kodnani was in April 2018 cleared by the Gujarat High Court in the 2002 Naroda Patiya massacre. As many as 97 people were killed during riots in Ahmedabad's Naroda Patiya area and in the case she was dubbed a "kingpin" by a special court that sentenced her to life imprisonment in August 2012, but the verdict was overturned by the HC. Both areas are part of the Assembly constituency once represented by the BJP leader. Soon after her acquittal by the HC, Kodnani, an Ahmedabad resident and three-time former MLA, was seen at some of the BJP functions in the state. During the campaign for the December 2022 Assembly elections, the former MLA was spotted at BJP functions, sharing dais with top party leadership where she was greeted with zeal. Kodnani, facing the twin riots cases, was forced to resign as Minister of State for Women and Child Development in the then-Narendra Modi government after the Gujarat High Court rejected her anticipatory bail on March 27, 2009. Following this, she surrendered before the Supreme Court-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed to further investigate the 2002 Godhra train carnage and eight other riots cases, including those reported in Ahmedabad's Naroda Gam and Naroda Patiya in which she was made an accused. The BJP leader was a sitting MLA when she was sentenced to life imprisonment by a special court in the Naroda Patiya massacre case in 2012. Kodnani began her political career by helming the Ahmedabad BJP Mahila Morcha and getting elected as a councillor of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation and then chairperson of the civic body's standing committee in the 1990s. A gynaecologist by training, Kodnani was seen as a rising star among women leaders of the BJP. She entered the Assembly for the first time in 1998 when she was elected from the Naroda constituency in Ahmedabad, defeating the Congress candidate by a huge margin of more than 74,500 votes. After the 2002 riots, she won the same seat by a bigger margin of more than 1 lakh votes in the Assembly election held in December that year. In 2003, the BJP elevated her as the president of the party's Ahmedabad unit. She went on to win the Assembly elections for the third term from Naroda in 2007, this time by an even bigger margin of more than 1.80 lakh votes, further raising her stature in the saffron party. After her third victory, she was rewarded with a ministership in the state's Modi government. Kodnani was made Minister of State for Women and Child Development and Higher Education, but her political career suffered a setback when she was arraigned in the two riots cases by the SC-appointed SIT and had to resign in 2009. Karnataka 2nd PUC Results 2023: The Department of Pre-University Education will declare the Karnataka 2nd PUC Result 2023 today. According to the official schedule released by the department, the Karnataka 2nd PUC Results will be announced on April 21, 2023. The news conference will begin at 10 a.m. From 11 a.m. onwards, the result link will be available for all applicants to check their scores. The Karnataka PUC exam was held at various exam locations throughout the state from March 9 to March 29, 2023. On all days, the exam was held in a single shift from 10.15 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. According to media reports, over 7 lakh applicants took the Karnataka PUC II examination. Candidates must achieve a minimum of 25% marks in all subjects and 11 marks in the practical test to pass the Karnataka Pre-University Certificate Examination, while students must obtain a minimum of 35% marks in the Maths examination. Karnataka 2nd PUC Results 2023: Here's how to download Visit the official site of karresults.nic.in. Click on Karnataka 2nd PUC result link available on the home page. Enter the login details and click on submit. Your result will be displayed on the screen. Check the result and download the page. Keep a hard copy of the same for further need. Students who registered for the exam should have their registration number/roll number and date of birth ready in order to verify and obtain their results via the official website or by SMS. By Daniel Leussink and Maki Shiraki TOKYO (Reuters) -Toyota Motor Corp's chief executive on Friday gave a stark assessment of the Japanese automaker's work ahead in China, saying it must move faster as its competition in the world's biggest auto market surges. Toyota is under pressure in China from local brands such as BYD Co Ltd that have moved aggressively in tapping into the country's growing market for battery-powered and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (EVs). "We need to increase our speed and efforts to firmly meet the customer expectations in the Chinese market," Toyota CEO Koji Sato, said during a roundtable interview with members of the foreign media in Tokyo. "Considering the impact of the Shanghai motor show, I believe China will become an advanced market for EVs." The world's biggest automaker by sales used the Shanghai show this week to unveil two new EVs, a move that will double the number on offer in China under its mainstream brand. The company said this month it will launch 10 new battery-powered models and establish a specialised unit to focus on next-generation battery EVs, as it seeks to step up its foray in battery EVs under its new leadership. Sato on Friday acknowledged that Nagoya-based Toyota was producing a small volume of battery-powered vehicles compared to other automakers, adding the company was taking a phased approach to accelerate the battery EV rollout. The first phase of that plan is marked by improving battery EVs following the launch of the company's first models. After that, Toyota aims sell an annual 1.5 million battery EVs in 2026. Toyota last year sold just 24,466 battery EVs worldwide, including those of its luxury Lexus brand, accounting for 0.25% of its global sales of 9.5 million vehicles. Of those, 2.7 million were hybrids and fuel-cell vehicles. (Reporting by Daniel Leussink and Maki Shiraki; Editing by William Mallard) (Bloomberg) -- The flow of money across borders is quickly growing, often changing and impossible to fully track. Most Read from Bloomberg The best guess comes from the World Bank, which estimates that about $630 billion was sent in remittances to low- and middle-income nations in 2022, roughly equaling foreign direct investment in those countries. The sum represents a rise of almost 5%, with economies rebounding from Covid-19 and overseas workers along with a rising number of refugees sending more money home. In recent years, digital payment channels have helped to make certain global money flows more visible. TerraPay, a London-based mobile payments provider, runs infrastructure for partners including MoneyGram, Western Union, and Visa, and covers thousands of corridors across more than 200 countries. The companys numbers suggest India is the biggest recipient of money from overseas. As the chart shows, money is flowing from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Australia, and the US. This echoes World Bank estimates, as well as UN data, which shows 18 million Indians living outside their country of birth the biggest diaspora in the world. In 2022, India hit a record $100 billion in remittances, marking a 12% rise year on year. This is partly due to trends around the pandemic. Across the Gulf region where many Indians have moved, vaccinations and the resumption of travel meant migrants could go back to work. The benefits of higher oil prices also helped overseas workers send more money to their families. Highly-skilled Indian migrants from the US, UK and Australia were also sending more money home, helped by job support programs during Covid-19 restrictions. Indian migrants may have also taken advantage of the depreciation of the rupee against the US dollar, according to the World Bank. Story continues The Philippines is also one of the ten biggest receivers of overseas cash in TerraPays data. This is a feature of a large number of expats living in the US, census data shows, as well as the popularity of digital banking. In 2019 more than 70% of the population in the Philippines did not have bank accounts, allowing mobile wallets to rapidly become the preferred payment method. Financial inclusion is bringing more people into the banking fold. And thats why these numbers are going up. Our competition really is cash, said Ambar Sur, chief executive officer of TerraPay. The worldwide growth in digital payments has also increased competition among remittance services. The shift has facilitated cheaper and more efficient international remittance payments for foreign workers to send money home, according to World Bank senior economist Leora Klapper. For example, workers can send money from their mobile banking outside of traditional banking hours and from their home, without traveling to a bank or money transfer service. This has consequences for low-income families ability to pay for basic needs like access to food, basic medical care, education, and housing, she added. TerraPay suspended payments through Russia in 2022 and is relatively new to Latin America and China, so these areas are likely underrepresented in this data. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Key Insights Using the 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity, UMediC Group Berhad fair value estimate is RM0.63 UMediC Group Berhad is estimated to be 34% overvalued based on current share price of RM0.85 Our fair value estimate is 39% lower than UMediC Group Berhad's analyst price target of RM1.03 Does the April share price for UMediC Group Berhad (KLSE:UMC) reflect what it's really worth? Today, we will estimate the stock's intrinsic value by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. Our analysis will employ the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. There's really not all that much to it, even though it might appear quite complex. We generally believe that a company's value is the present value of all of the cash it will generate in the future. However, a DCF is just one valuation metric among many, and it is not without flaws. If you 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 UMediC Group Berhad Step By Step Through The Calculation We use what is known as a 2-stage model, which simply means we have two different periods of growth rates for the company's cash flows. Generally the first stage is higher growth, and the second stage is a lower growth phase. To 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. A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, so we need to discount the sum of these future cash flows to arrive at a present value estimate: Story continues 10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 Levered FCF (MYR, Millions) RM6.80m RM9.95m RM12.6m RM14.6m RM16.5m RM18.1m RM19.5m RM20.8m RM22.0m RM23.1m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x2 Analyst x2 Analyst x2 Est @ 16.22% Est @ 12.42% Est @ 9.77% Est @ 7.91% Est @ 6.61% Est @ 5.70% Est @ 5.06% Present Value (MYR, Millions) Discounted @ 10.0% RM6.2 RM8.2 RM9.5 RM10.0 RM10.2 RM10.2 RM10.0 RM9.7 RM9.3 RM8.9 ("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St) Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = RM92m The second stage is also known as Terminal Value, this is the business's cash flow after the first stage. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (3.6%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 10.0%. Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2032 (1 + g) (r g) = RM23m (1 + 3.6%) (10.0% 3.6%) = RM373m Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= RM373m ( 1 + 10.0%)10= RM144m 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 RM236m. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of RM0.8, the company appears potentially overvalued at the time of writing. 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 The Assumptions The calculation above is very dependent on two assumptions. The first is the discount rate and the other is the cash flows. Part of investing is coming up with your own evaluation of a company's future performance, so try the calculation yourself and check your own assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at UMediC Group Berhad as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 10.0%, which is based on a levered beta of 0.800. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business. SWOT Analysis for UMediC Group Berhad Strength Debt is well covered by earnings. Weakness Earnings growth over the past year underperformed the Healthcare industry. Expensive based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value. Opportunity Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the Malaysian market. Threat Debt is not well covered by operating cash flow. Next Steps: Although the valuation of a company is important, it shouldn't be the only metric you look at when researching a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. Rather it should be seen as a guide to "what assumptions need to be true for this stock to be under/overvalued?" If a company grows at a different rate, or if its cost of equity or risk free rate changes sharply, the output can look very different. Why is the intrinsic value lower than the current share price? For UMediC Group Berhad, we've compiled three pertinent elements you should consider: Risks: As an example, we've found 2 warning signs for UMediC Group Berhad (1 is concerning!) that you need to consider before investing here. Future Earnings: How does UMC'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. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Malaysian stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. 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 DUBLIN, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "U.S. Green Data Center Market - Industry Outlook & Forecast 2023-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Research and Markets Logo The U.S. green data center market is expected to reach USD 24.20 billion by 2028 from $13.79 billing in 2022, growing at a CAGR of 9.82% After the U.S. rejoined the Paris Agreement and companies and signed various agreements like the iMasons Climate Accord etc., The government and companies are all proactive in deploying technologies and taking the latest initiative in moving towards sustainability. Hyperscale operators such as AWS, Facebook (Meta), Microsoft, Apple, and Google are leading in terms of new innovations in sustainability in the data center industry. Most U.S. green data center market players, especially colocation operators like Equinix, Digital Realty, CyrusOne, Aligned, STACK Infrastructure, Iron Mountain, QTS Realty Trust, Vantage Data Centers, Switch, and more, are investing in procuring renewable power and installing energy-efficient equipment. Increased Focus On Renewable Energy Sources and Efficient Cooling Hyperscale players such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google, Facebook (Meta), Microsoft, and Apple are procuring renewable energy for their facilities. AWS meets 85% of its energy requirements from renewable energy. Google, Facebook (Meta), and Apple meet 100% of their energy requirements for data centers from renewable energy. Microsoft aims to power all facilities with 100% renewable energy by 2025. Colocation operators in the U.S. green data center market, such as Equinix, Digital Realty, CyrusOne, Vantage Data Centers, STACK Infrastructure, Iron Mountain, QTS Realty Trust, Aligned, and others, are proactively signing PPAs and procuring renewable energy to power their facilities to meet their sustainability goals. Digital Realty meets 100% of its energy requirements for data centers from renewable energy. QTS Realty Trust meets 35% of its energy requirements from renewable energy with a target of 100% renewable energy by 2025. The use of free cooling chillers will increase to reduce power consumption and carbon emissions by facilities. Also, the shift will increase towards liquid cooling leading to more sustainable data centers and bringing down PUE to a range of 1.1 to 1.4. Air cooling and liquid immersion cooling will also be used in most facilities to reduce their impact on the environment and reduce the PUE of data centers. Data center firms have also started investing in renewable energy farms by acquiring or developing their own. A few examples of the singing of PPAs or constructing renewable energy farms are - Amazon signed a PPA with AES Corp. for 450MW solar power. Amazon will use it for California operations, including its data centers. In addition, Amazon is planning the construction of two solar farms in Louisiana in the U.S. Google signed 942 MW PPA on solar power projects under development in Texas. Microsoft has signed a 110 MW Power Purchase Agreement with AES to secure renewable energy for its Californian facilities. CyrusOne collaborated with Gexa Energy, a NextEra Energy subsidiary, to procure solar (30 MW) and wind (10 MW) energy for its North Texas facilities. STACK Infrastructure plans to build a new 216 MW data center campus in Ashburn, Virginia, powered with 100% renewable energy supplied by Dominion Energy Story continues Electrical Infrastructure - Efficient and Sustainable Power Infrastructure Replacing Traditional Power Systems The increasing demand for efficiency in facilities has fueled the growth of efficient infrastructure such as lithium-ion UPS systems, fuel cells, HVO, Natural Gas generators, nuclear energy reactors, and more. Microsoft partnered with Plug Power to test a new power generation system with 3MW capacity, based on hydrogen as a fuel source. Compass Data Centers and Foster Fuels made an agreement together to produce Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil- based biodiesel for Compass Data centers' generators. EdgeCore is using Lithium-ion UPS batteries in its Ashburn Data center campus. Google has partnered with Fervo Energy to develop a geothermal power project to add clean energy to the Nevada power grid. Rolls Royce announced its plan to offer small nuclear reactors for U.S.-based cloud operators such as AWS, Google, and Microsoft. Woodstock Power company provides nuclear gas power backup generators to the facilities. Companies are using Microgrids and Smart grids to further stabilize power supply to the data center and back to the grid in the hour of need. Microsoft has partnered with Eaton, which will outfit all of Microsoft's data centers with grid-interactive UPS. Microsoft has partnered with Enchanted Rock for its new Datacenter in San Jose, USA, where it will complete a Microgrid project for the facility. Mechanical Infrastructure - U.S. To Witness an Increase in Advanced Cooling Technologies Increased deployment of artificial intelligence and machine learning workloads will increase liquid immersion and direct-to-chip cooling in the U.S. It will help companies bring down their PUW to 1.4 or below. S. food company Cargill announced plant-based immersion cooling for its facilities. Facebook (Meta) has planned to shift all its existing facilities to liquid cooling. Companies have also adopted free cooling, zero-water cooling, and others to reduce their environmental footprint. Cologix replaced condensing units in its New Jersey facility with air-cooling units supplied by Carrier. T5 Data Centers deploy air-cooled chillers on all of its facilities. QTS Realty Trust uses in-house developed zero-water cooling in all its new facilities. Innovative cooling techniques, such as underwater data centers and free chillers-based cooling technologies, bring in more efficiency in data center cooling. General Construction - Increasing Adoption of Sustainable Material in Construction of Data Centers in the U.S. Hyperscale operators like AWS, Microsoft, Apple, and Google are taking the lead in using sustainable materials to construct facilities. In their facilities construction, companies introduce technologies like green concrete, modular data centers, and more. AWS and American Rock Products collaborate to develop sustainable concrete for a concrete mix for its facility. Facebook (Meta) announced that it had developed a sustainable low-carbon concrete with the help of Ozinga, its concrete partner, and the University of Illinois for its DeKalb data center. Compass Datacenters is building facilities using concrete manufactured through the process developed by CarbonCure Technologies, which recaptures environmental CO2. The use of software and construction of facilities like waste treatment plants is taking center stage in newer data center developments in the U.S. CoreSite has installed waste treatment-related new equipment like haulers, compactors, etc., at its various data centers across the U.S. Data centers are using green walls to cover their facilities T5 Data Center has partnered with nZero for carbon tracking across its facilities Key Attributes: Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 247 Forecast Period 2022 - 2028 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2022 $13.79 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2028 $24.2 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 9.8 % Regions Covered United States Premium Insights Policy Drivers The iMasons Climate Accord ( Ica) Re100 Energy Certifications Greenhouse Gas Protocol, Paris Agreement and the Science Based Targets Initiative (Sbti) Moving Toward Green Environment and Energy Renewable & Green Energy Adoption Among Data Center Operators Market Opportunities & Trends Adoption of Advanced Ups Batteries Adoption of Advanced Fuel Sources Adoption of Advanced Cooling Technologies Innovation in Data Center Construction Innovation in Power Utilities Market Growth Enablers Renewable Energy Initiatives by Hyperscale & Cloud Operators Renewable Energy Initiatives by Colocation & Enterprise Operators Adoption of Ai and Other Technologies in Data Center Construction Government Push for Green Data Center Development Market Restraints Rising Carbon Emissions from Data Centers Water Consumption by Data Centers Disturbing Weather Patterns Across US Site Selection and Development Constraints Other Challenges Key Vendors Aligned Amazon Web Services (AWS) Apple Cologix Compass Datacenters CoreSite (American Tower) CyrusOne Cyxtera Technologies DataBank DartPoints Digital Realty EdgeConneX Equinix Facebook (Meta) Flexential Google H5 Data Centers IBM Iron Mountain Microsoft Nautilus Data Technologies Novva Data Centers Oracle Prime Data Centers Sabey Data Centers Serverfarm STACK Infrastructure Stream Data Centers Switch T5 Data Centers TierPoint Vantage Data Centers Power Vendors Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. Apex Clean Energy Avangrid Renewables DE Shaw Renewable Investments Dominion Energy EDF Renewables Enel Group Engie First Solar Leeward Renewable Energy Invenergy LLC Lightsource bp NextEra Energy Pattern Energy Rocky Mountain Power Shell Solar Alliance Energy Inc. The AES Corporation Torch Clean Energy TotalEnergies Vitol Energy For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/l43tpk About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg Cision View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/united-states-green-data-center-market-outlook--forecast-report-2023-2028-the-paris-agreement-the-imasons-climate-accord-ica-re100-and-energy-certifications-positively-impacting-the-industry-301803909.html SOURCE Research and Markets DUBLIN, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "The State of College Course Materials in the United States 2022-2024" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Research and Markets Logo The State of College Course Materials 2022-2024 report has found that college course materials will decrease 3.5% to $3.1 billion in 2022, reversing the previous year's one year period of positive results. The author also expects that sales of course materials will continue a slow decline by slightly over 2.0% over the next couple of years. In addition to analyzing the market size and segments for the college course materials industry, The State of College Course Materials 2022-2024 provides details on a wide range of other issues, trends, and forces impacting the market. These include types of institutions where students are enrolling: The growth of distance education Federal and state policy and funding developments Print vs. digital growth in instructional materials The rise of subscription and inclusive access plans New technology trends Company mergers & acquisitions and operating performance of key companies such as Pearson; Cengage, McGraw Hill; Wiley, Chegg and others The growth in workforce education and the state and growth of Open Education Resources (OER). Key Findings Among the key findings highlighted in the report are: How falling enrollment, which has dropped 1.6% from 2022 to 2021 is negatively impacting the instructional materials industry The increase in the number of faculty using Open Education Resources, which has grown 7% from the year before to a total of 40%. How digital materials are still growing, but at slower rate The impact of the increased activity in workforce education on the industry Key Topics Covered: 1. Methodology 2. Executive Summary 3. Introduction Table | The Marist Mindset List for the Class of 2025 4. Market Size & Enrollment Institution Types and Numbers Table | Number of U.S. Degree-Granting Postsecondary Institutions, 2020-2021 v. 2019-2020 Public vs. Private For-Profit Private Institutions Outnumber Nonprofit Schools Institutions with First-Year Undergraduates Table | Degree-Granting Institutions with First-Year Undergraduates, 2019-2020 vs. 2010-2011 vs. 2000-2001 Institutional Closure and Consolidation Where Students Are Enrolled Table | Total Fall Enrollment in Degree-Granting Postsecondary Institutions, 2000, 2010, 2020 Two-Year Enrollments Down, Four-Year Enrollments Up Fall 2021 and 2022 Undergraduate Enrollments Continue the Pattern of Decline Table | U.S. Undergraduate Enrollment Percentage Changes by Sector, Fall 2020-Fall 2022 Shifting Market for For-Profit Institutions Table | Career College Enrollment Index The Appeal of Distance Education Table | Undergraduate Enrollment in Distance Education Courses, Fall 2020 v. Fall 2019 Table | Post-Secondary Enrollment in Distance Education, by Type of Institution, Fall 2020 Degrees by the Numbers Table | Certificate/Associate/Bachelor's Degrees Awarded, 2019-2020 vs. 2009-2010 Fields of Study Table | Fields with Largest Number of Bachelor's Degrees Awarded in 2019-2020 and % Change from 2010-2011 Story continues 5. Policy & Funding Introduction Costs of Attending College in 2022-2023 Table | Undergraduate Tuition and Fees, 2022-2023 vs 2021-2022 Federal Funding for Higher Education Table | Selected Higher Education Programs in President Biden's Department of Education Budget Request; FY20 Highlights of Proposed Postsecondary Education Funding Federal Pandemic Stimulus Funding Continues to Have an Impact Education Department News in 2022 Taking a Look at Student Loans and Financial Aid Student Loan Forgiveness Faces Legal Challenges Seeking Out Violations and Fraud in the World of Student Aid Addressing Financial Aid Confusion State Support for Higher Education Table | State Fiscal Support for Higher Education, FY2022 vs. FY2021 ($ in 000; ranked by % change) Workforce Development Table | Apprenticeship Building America Grants, 2022 Department of Labor Announces Pre-Apprenticeship Program 6. Course Materials Introduction Long-Term Decline in Course Materials Spend Continues Table | Select Findings from 2021-2022 Student Watch Digital Usage Print Makes a Comeback with Teachers Post-Pandemic Survey Shows Satisfaction with Digital Materials Inclusive Access Programs on the Rise Direct-to-Student Subscription Programs Expand Looking to New Technology Segmenting Industry Sales Table | Sales by Segment of Key College Course Materials 2022 ($ in 000,000) Table | Changes in Digital Higher Education Revenue Share at Three Publishers, Full Years 2019-2021 Operating Performance of Providers and Distributers Table | Leading Publicly Traded Higher Education Publishers by Higher Education Revenue, Pearson Launches Pearson+ DTC Subscription Cengage Integrates Businesses, Drives Further Digital Transformation McGraw Hill Changes Hands, Continues Digital Transformation Wiley's Education Publishing Finally on the Rise Chegg's Textbook and E-Textbook Revenue Declines Digital DSS, First Day Businesses Fuel Barnes & Noble Open Educational Resources Federal Government Gets Behind OER California Prioritizes OER for Community Colleges OpenStax Expands Implementation, Gains Federal Funding Course Hero, Lumen Pair to Expand Access to OER Institutions Encourage Adoption, Creation, and Use of OER Table | Putting OER to Work, 2022 7. Trends and Industry Adaptations Introduction Mergers and Acquisitions in 2021 Table | Higher Education Merger & Acquisition Index, 2021 M&A Market Cools a Bit in 2022 Table | Higher Education Merger & Acquisition Index, 2022 Continued Focus on Workforce Education M&A Activity Targets Workforce Readiness 8. Conclusions & Outlook Introduction Table | Selected Higher Education Revenue Changes for Instructional Resources Providers, First Nine Months Negative Headwinds Continue Enrollment Workforce Education Competes with Academic Fields of Study Rising Costs Add to Student Pressures Spend on Instructional Materials Still Declining Traditional Colleges & Universities Adapting to New Realities Outlook for College Course Materials Table | Sales by Segment of Key College Course Materials, 2022-2024P ($ in 000,000) For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/yawyh1 About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg Cision View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/united-states-state-of-college-course-materials-market-report-2022-2024-featuring-pearson-cengage-mcgraw-hill-wiley-chegg-301803930.html SOURCE Research and Markets A federal bankruptcy judge Michael Kaplan temporarily held around 38,000 lawsuits alleging Johnson & Johnson's (NYSE: JNJ) baby powder and other talc products caused cancer as a part of J&J's second attempt to settle thousands of talc cases in bankruptcy proceedings. In 2021, Johnson Johnson spun off its subsidiary, LTL Management, to carry its talc-related liabilities and file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protections. J&J will not have to go to trial over any other talc claims during the pause, but new lawsuits can still be filed against the company, the Wall Street Journal reported. Kaplan said during the hearing that J&J has an "uphill battle" ahead. The report added that the freeze on jury trials would last through mid-June while LTL moves through bankruptcy, citing Judge Kaplan. Earlier this week, a federal appeals court in Philadelphia rejected Johnson & Johnson's use of Chapter 11 bankruptcy to offload several lawsuits. The company made another attempt at "resolving the litigation in bankruptcy after a federal appeals court found its first attempt improper. In early April, LTL Management re-filed for bankruptcy and agreed to contribute up to $8.9 billion over 25 years to resolve all the current and future talc claims. Johnson & Johnson's Worldwide Vice President of Litigation Erik Haas Kaplan's decision is "a win for claimants" because it brings them "one step closer" to being able to vote on the proposed settlement and believes claimants will overwhelmingly support the proposal. Price Action: JNJ shares are up 0.26% at $164 during the premarket session on the last check Friday. Don't miss real-time alerts on your stocks - join Benzinga Pro for free! Try the tool that will help you invest smarter, faster, and better. This article US Judge Halts Several Lawsuits Related To Johnson & Johnson's Talc Products Caused Cancer originally appeared on Benzinga.com . 2023 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. (Photo by Scott Heins/Getty Images) US stocks fell on Thursday after a slew of economic data suggested a recession is coming. Jobless claims, the Philly Fed Factory Index, and Leading Economic Indicators all had a weak showing. Disappointing earnings from Tesla and AT&T led to a 11% sell-off for both stocks. US stocks fell on Thursday as investors digested weak corporate earnings and a slew of economic data that suggested a recession is all but certain. Tesla reported results that disappointed investors, with the stock falling as much as 11%. The company said its gross margin fell below 20% as it implemented a number of price cuts for its vehicles during the quarter. AT&T also reported earnings that fell flat with investors, sending the stock down as much as 11%. Meanwhile, weekly jobless claims jumped 5,000 to 245,000, slightly ahead of economist estimates of about 240,000. And the Philadelphia Fed Factory index reported another contraction in April, representing the eighth consecutive month of declines in manufacturing activity. Finally, the Conference Board's Leading Economic Indicators index showed a continued slide to levels last seen in November 2020, when the economy was still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. "Historically, an economic contraction has closely followed a decline in the LEI of this magnitude. A recession is all but certain, so the more important question is if markets will hit new lows as the economy contracts. We think not," LPL's chief economist Jeffrey Roach told Insider. Here's where US indexes stood at the 4:00 p.m. ET close on Thursday: Investors now will turn their attention to next week's release of first-quarter earnings from mega-cap tech companies including Apple, Amazon, and Alphabet, among others. Here's what else happened today: Story continues In commodities, bonds and crypto: West Texas Intermediate crude oil fell 2.64% to $77.15 per barrel. Brent crude, oil's international benchmark, dropped 2.74% to $80.84. Gold rose 0.37% to $2,014.80 per ounce. The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell five basis points to 3.54%. Bitcoin fell 2.62% to $28,111, while ether dropped 1.13% to $1,928. Read the original article on Business Insider VERO BEACH, Fla., April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Watercrest Senior Living Group proudly announces the addition of Samantha Sipe to their executive leadership team in a new role as operations specialist, driving service quality and operational efficiencies across all Watercrest senior living communities. Watercrest Senior Living Group proudly welcomes Samantha Sipe as Operations Specialist driving service quality and operational efficiencies across all Watercrest senior living communities. Sipe joined the senior living industry more than 12 years ago and most recently served as executive director of a large 187 apartment senior living community comprised of independent living, personal care and memory care in Pennsylvania. In her new role as operations specialist, Sipe is focused on strengthening the cohesiveness of Watercrest's signature programming across the southeastern communities and problem-solving challenges alongside leadership. "Samantha brings a unique industry perspective to our organization and effectively drives collaboration as a resourceful and solution-minded leader," says Marc Vorkapich, Principal and CEO of Watercrest Senior Living Group. "She is a well-respected and welcome addition to our team and has already begun to significantly impact the operational success and growth of our Watercrest communities." Sipe's early career began as a CNA before transitioning to director of an Alzheimer's community. She believes wholeheartedly in the concept of servant leadership and the importance of providing tools for leaders and front-line team members to achieve success. With accessibility to all Watercrest communities, Sipe will effectively cultivate talent, maximize training opportunities and ensure the implementation of operational strategies on a broader scope. "By providing our associates with a platform for growth, passion and ingenuity, we are strengthening our cohesive abilities to deliver the utmost care and attention to the seniors we are serving," says Samantha Sipe, Operations Specialist for Watercrest Senior Living Group. Watercrest believes that a company's real value is in its people. "Be the Beacon" is a Watercrest call to action, ensuring the organization invests in each team member's career development and goal advancement, fostering a culture where associates are appreciated for their unique contributions. Story continues About Watercrest Senior Living Group Watercrest Senior Living Group was founded to honor our mothers and fathers, aspiring to become a beacon for quality in senior living by surpassing standards of care, service and associate training. Watercrest senior living communities are recognized for their luxury aesthetic, exceptional amenities, world-class care, and innovative memory care programming offering unparalleled service to seniors living with Alzheimer's and dementia. A five-time certified Great Place to Work, Watercrest Senior Living Group specializes in the development and operations management of assisted living and memory care communities and the growth of servant leaders. For information, visit www.watercrestseniorliving.com. www.watercrestseniorliving.com (PRNewsfoto/Watercrest Senior Living Group) Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/watercrest-senior-living-group-strengthens-operational-leadership-welcoming-samantha-sipe-as-operations-specialist-301804207.html SOURCE Watercrest Senior Living Group A roundup of the week's most newsworthy culture press releases from PR Newswire, including the world's largest collection of Native American language learning materials. NEW YORK, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- With thousands of press releases published each week, it can be difficult to keep up with everything on PR Newswire. To help journalists covering different cultural groups stay on top of the week's most newsworthy and popular releases, here's a roundup of stories from the week that shouldn't be missed. PR Newswire Weekly People & Culture Press Release Roundup, April 17-21, 2023. Photo provided by Hearing Loss Association of America. https://prn.to/3mMOFHX The list below includes the headline (with a link to the full text) and an excerpt from each story. Click on the press release headlines to access accompanying multimedia assets that are available for download. Story continues Read more of the latest culture-related releases from PR Newswire and stay caught up on the top press releases by following @PRNmltcult on Twitter. Helping Journalists Stay Up to Date on Industry News These are just a few of the recent press releases that consumers and the media should know about. To be notified of releases relevant to their coverage area, journalists can set up a custom newsfeed with PR Newswire for Journalists. Once they're signed up, reporters, bloggers and freelancers have access to the following free features: Customization: Create a customized newsfeed that will deliver relevant news right to your inbox. Customize the newsfeed by keywords, industry, subject, geography, and more. Photos and Videos: Thousands of multimedia assets are available to download and include with your next story. Subject Matter Experts: Access ProfNet, a database of industry experts to connect with as sources or for quotes in your articles. Related Resources: Read and subscribe to our journalist- and blogger-focused blog, Beyond Bylines, for media news roundups, writing tips, upcoming events, and more. About PR Newswire and PR Newswire for Journalists For more than 65 years, PR Newswire has been the industry leader with the largest, most comprehensive distribution network of print, radio, magazine, television stations, financial portals and trade publications. PR Newswire has an unparalleled global reach of more than 200,000 publications and 10,000 websites and is available in more than 170 countries and 40 languages. PR Newswire for Journalists (PRNJ) is an exclusive community that includes over 20,000 journalists, bloggers and influencers who are logging into their PRNJ accounts specifically looking for story ideas. PR Newswire thoroughly researches and vets this community to verify their identity as a member of the press, blogger or influencer. PRNJ users cover more than 200 beats and verticals. For questions, contact the team at media.relations@cision.com. Cision PR Newswire logo (PRNewsfoto/PR Newswire) Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/this-week-in-people--culture-news-9-stories-you-need-to-see-301803574.html SOURCE PR Newswire Key Insights Significant control over Unisem (M) Berhad by public companies implies that the general public has more power to influence management and governance-related decisions 68% of the business is held by the top 2 shareholders Insider ownership in Unisem (M) Berhad is 30% A look at the shareholders of Unisem (M) Berhad (KLSE:UNISEM) can tell us which group is most powerful. The group holding the most number of shares in the company, around 40% to be precise, is public companies. That is, the group stands to benefit the most if the stock rises (or lose the most if there is a downturn). And individual insiders on the other hand have a 30% ownership in the company. Large companies usually have institutions as shareholders, and we usually see insiders owning shares in smaller companies. In the chart below, we zoom in on the different ownership groups of Unisem (M) Berhad. Check out our latest analysis for Unisem (M) Berhad What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Unisem (M) Berhad? Institutional investors commonly compare their own returns to the returns of a commonly followed index. So they generally do consider buying larger companies that are included in the relevant benchmark index. As you can see, institutional investors have a fair amount of stake in Unisem (M) Berhad. This can indicate that the company has a certain degree of credibility in the investment community. However, it is best to be wary of relying on the supposed validation that comes with institutional investors. They too, get it wrong sometimes. If multiple institutions change their view on a stock at the same time, you could see the share price drop fast. It's therefore worth looking at Unisem (M) Berhad's earnings history below. Of course, the future is what really matters. We note that hedge funds don't have a meaningful investment in Unisem (M) Berhad. Tianshui Huatian Technology Co., Ltd. is currently the largest shareholder, with 40% of shares outstanding. Sin Chia is the second largest shareholder owning 27% of common stock, and Employees Provident Fund of Malaysia holds about 3.0% of the company stock. Sin Chia, who is the second-largest shareholder, also happens to hold the title of Chief Executive Officer. Story continues To make our study more interesting, we found that the top 2 shareholders have a majority ownership in the company, meaning that they are powerful enough to influence the decisions of the company. Researching institutional ownership is a good way to gauge and filter a stock's expected performance. The same can be achieved by studying analyst sentiments. There are a reasonable number of analysts covering the stock, so it might be useful to find out their aggregate view on the future. Insider Ownership Of Unisem (M) Berhad While the precise definition of an insider can be subjective, almost everyone considers board members to be insiders. The company management answer to the board and the latter should represent the interests of shareholders. Notably, sometimes top-level managers are on the board themselves. Insider ownership is positive when it signals leadership are thinking like the true owners of the company. However, high insider ownership can also give immense power to a small group within the company. This can be negative in some circumstances. It seems insiders own a significant proportion of Unisem (M) Berhad. It has a market capitalization of just RM5.1b, and insiders have RM1.6b worth of shares in their own names. That's quite significant. Most would say this shows a good degree of alignment with shareholders, especially in a company of this size. You can click here to see if those insiders have been buying or selling. General Public Ownership The general public, who are usually individual investors, hold a 16% stake in Unisem (M) Berhad. While this size of ownership may not be enough to sway a policy decision in their favour, they can still make a collective impact on company policies. Public Company Ownership We can see that public companies hold 40% of the Unisem (M) Berhad shares on issue. This may be a strategic interest and the two companies may have related business interests. It could be that they have de-merged. This holding is probably worth investigating further. Next Steps: I find it very interesting to look at who exactly owns a company. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. Case in point: We've spotted 2 warning signs for Unisem (M) Berhad you should be aware of, and 1 of them makes us a bit uncomfortable. But ultimately it is the future, not the past, that will determine how well the owners of this business will do. Therefore we think it advisable to take a look at this free report showing whether analysts are predicting a brighter future. NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. 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 MEMPHIS, Tenn., April 21, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Polaris Dawn crew delivers satellites to Southern Philippines Medical Center, House of Hope for Kids with Cancer, Inc on April 18, 2023. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230420005687/en/ Polaris Dawn crew visits the Philippines to donate Starlinks to Southern Philippines Medical Center, a partner of St. Jude Global. (Photo: Business Wire) They were 1. delivering Starlinks to childrens cancer facilities. "If were going to get to the Moon or Mars someday, we better have conquered childhood cancer along the way." Jared Isaacman, Mission Commander of Polaris Dawn Along with the Philippines, Chile, Peru, Brazil and Mozambique will also receive Starlinks in effort to improve access to global healthcare. 2. advancing a global mission to raise survival rates for kids with cancer. In many developing countries, only 1 out of 5 children diagnosed with cancer will live. The donated satellite units will help address this problem by facilitating telehealth consultations between institutions that enable doctors to share treatment recommendations, review diagnostic images, and conduct patient education. 3. deepening a partnership with St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital. The Polaris Program a mission to rapidly advance human space flight ability while helping those on Earth- has selected St. Jude as its philanthropic partner to help improve global survival rates for childhood cancer. "When we began the Global mission to raise survival rates in low- and middle-income countries, internet connectivity arose as an issue many still face as an obstacle to medical communication and education in the treatment of children with cancer in these countries. Through the generosity of the Polaris Program, and the gift of Starlinks, this obstacle will no longer remain for those on this call. With collaboration, connectivity, and compassion Together we will change the world." - Suheir Rasul VP, Global Alliances of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital. Story continues 4. holding a massive international virtual call across 6 time zones. "We are fortunate to work with two organizations who are here to change the world: SpaceX's Starlink and St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital. Today, their visions intersect and it is an honor to be part of this call which is a great display of technology and innovation." - Isaacman "Being given the gift of Starlinks is like receiving superpowers. It gives us the power to be able to communicate and for others to reach us. The Polaris Dawn crew gave us such a gift." - Dr. Mae Dolendo, Director Pediatric Oncology, Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC), and Founder House of Hope for Kids with Cancer, Inc. Philippines "I am honored to be able to meet these fantastic people. During the pandemic we reinvented our programs, so in our rehabilitation center we trained some of the parents of our children, so they could be guided online. We are ambitious and we want to continue our unique online rehabilitation program in even the most remote areas. Starlink will allow us to do that. We are grateful and thankful for this big gift from the Polaris Dawn crew that will enable us to serve every kid with cancer." - Alejandra Mendez, Board Member, Fundacion Nuestros Hijos (FNH) Chile "The Starlink donation made by the Polaris Dawn crew is inspiring and gives children in Peru the connectivity needed to access telemedicine from the Andes of Peru. Most of the services are in Lima, thanks to this support, our work will be globalized and we will be able to achieve the communication we needed with local hospitals and international partners. This gift will save thousands of lives." - Jesus Dongo Avalo, Founder and President, Vidawasi Foundation and Clinic Peru "Our internet isnt good, and this technology will improve the way we are able to offer care to children in our country." - Dr. Faizana Amodo, Director Pediatric Oncology, Hospital Central de Maputo Mozambique "This technology will help with the techniques we are developing and the project we have with St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital to provide care to children throughout Brazil. With the Starlink project we will be able to reach even the far sides of Brazil." - Henrique Duarte Prata, President, Fundacao PIO XII, Hospital de Amor Brazil 5. shining a light on the struggles faced by cancer patients and showing the impact every person can make. Donate here to St. Jude and be part of a mission to help children everywhere with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230420005687/en/ Contacts Ree Nicholas Ree.Nicholas@alsac.stjude.org (901)-883-0278 Fortune Business Insights According to Fortune Business Insights, the global wood pellets market size is projected to reach USD 27.52 billion by 2029 from its value USD 15.08 billion in 2021, at CAGR of 7.5% during forecast period. Pune, India, April 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The wood pellets market size to hit USD 27.52 billion by 2029. The global market size was valued USD 15.08 billion in 2021 and USD 16.63 billion in 2022. With the growth in population, there has been an increase in demand for electricity, which is expected to propel the market course. Increasing demand for prices of fuel is projected to aid market development. Fortune Business Insights published this information in its report titled Wood Pellets Market, 2022-2029. Key Industry Developments: August 2022- The Drax Group signed an agreement with Princeton Standard Pellet Corporation (PSPC) for the acquisition of their pellet plant in Princeton, British Columbia, and Canada. The Princeton Standard Pellet Corporation has been in operation since 1995 and can produce 90,000 tonnes of wooden pellets annually. Once the acquisition is complete, the plant is expected to contribute to the group's strategy to increase pellet production to 8 million tons per year by 2030. Request a Free Sample Copy of the Research Report: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/request-sample-pdf/wood-pellets-market-100877 Wood Pellets Market Scope: Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2022-2029 Forecast Period 2022 to 2029 CAGR 7.5 % 2029 Value Projection USD 27.52 billion Base Year 2021 Market Size in 2021 USD 15.08 billion Historical Data for 2018-2020 No. of Pages 169 Segments covered By Feedstock, Application, End-user, and Region Growth Drivers Increasing Primary Fuel Prices to Drive the Market Supportive Government Policies and Initiatives to Propel the Growth of the Market Market Drivers & Restraints: Increasing Prices of Fuel to Propel the Demand for Product Increasing fuel prices are anticipated to drive the wood pellets market growth. Wood pellets are made from sawdust and agricultural waste and they are increasingly popular globally. There is high demand for the product as biomass fuel is increasing rapidly. Easy availability of such pellets as a fuel raw material and the low production costs have led to higher consumption in the industrial sector. Europe is the largest consumer of wood pellets and many market players are converting their coal to biomass power plants. COVID-19 Impact: Story continues Impact on Energy Industry During Pandemic Led to Decline in the Market Progress The outbreak of COVID-19 affected the growth of various markets. The outbreak of COVID-19 across the U.S. market in 2020 was severe as it is a significant supplier of wood pellets. The outbreak impacted the sustainable energy industry significantly across the globe. The recovery of the market is expected to unveil new possibilities for integrating reliable virtual power plant solutions. Click here to get the short-term and long-term impact of COVID-19 on this market. Please visit: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/industry-reports/wood-pellets-market-100877 Regional Insights Europe to Lead Market Share Due to Increasing Demand from Various Countries Europe is expected to have a high part in the wood pellets market share as it the largest consumer of industrial pellets. Great Britain is the largest user of pellet-based energy. The U.K., Belgium, and the Netherlands domestic use of pellets is negligible and large power plants dominate the product demand. The region has high usage of pellets in large power plants. The governments of these countries have chosen to fulfil renewable energy commitments by using sustainable biomass to generate electricity. Asia Pacific to have the fastest growth as China, South Korea, and Japan are the largest consumers of the pellets. Quick Buy - Wood Pellets Market Research Report: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/checkout-page/100877 Competitive Landscape: Increasing Production Capacity of Enviva LP to Drive Market Growth The market is highly fragmented with various number of players. Drax Group plc, Enviva, LP, and Rentech Inc. are the leading players with a strong presence across different countries. Wood Pellet Energy U.K. (LTD), German Pellets Trading GmbH, Snow Timber Pellets, LLC, Lignetics, and the Westervelt Company are the other key players operating in the market. In 2021, Enviva LP held the largest market share. The company has plants with a combined production capacity of about 6.2 million metric tons of wooden pellets per year in Florida, North Carolina, Virginia, South Carolina, Mississippi, and Georgia. The company is one of the major suppliers of industrial wood pellets to European countries. List of Key Players Profiled in the Report: Drax Group PLC (U.K.) Enviva, LP (U.S.) The Westervelt Company (U.S.) Fram Renewable Fuels LLC (U.S.) Rentech Inc. (U.S.) Wood Pellet Energy U.K. (LTD) (U.K.) German Pellets Trading GmbH (Germany) Snow Timber Pellets, LLC (U.S.) ENERGEX AMERICAN, INC. (U.S.) LIGNETICS (U.S.) Have Any Query? Ask Our Experts: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/speak-to-analyst/wood-pellets-market-100877 Table of Content: Introduction Research Scope Market Segmentation Research Methodology Definitions and Assumptions Executive Summary Market Dynamics Market Drivers Market Restraints Market Opportunities Key Insights Key Emerging Trends Latest Technological Advancement Regulatory Landscape Porters Five Forces Analysis Impact of COVID-19 on Wood Pellets Market Global Wood Pellets Market Analysis (USD Billion), Insights and Forecast, 2018-2029 Key Findings / Summary Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast By Feedstock Forest Waste Agricultural Waste Others Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast By Application Heating Combine Heat & Power (CHP) Power Generation Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast By End-User Residential Commercial Industrial Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast By Region North America Europe Asia Pacific Rest of the World North America Wood Pellets Market Analysis (USD Billion), Insights and Forecast, 2018-2029 Key Findings / Summary Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast By Feedstock Forest Waste Agricultural Waste Others Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast By Application Heating Combine Heat & Power (CHP) Power Generation Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast By End-User Residential Commercial Industrial Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast By Country U.S. Canada Competitive Analysis Company Market Share Analysis, 2020 Company Profile ABB Business Overview Business Segment Product & Service Offering Overall Revenue Recent Development Continued... Continued Get your Customized Research Report: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/ask-for-customization/wood-pellets-market-100877 Fortune Business Insights offers expert corporate analysis and accurate data, helping organizations of all sizes make timely decisions. We tailor innovative solutions for our clients, assisting them address challenges distinct to their businesses. Our goal is to empower our clients with holistic market intelligence, giving a granular overview of the market they are operating in. Contact Us: Fortune Business Insights Pvt. Ltd. US: +1 424 253 0390 UK: +44 2071 939123 APAC: +91 744 740 1245 Email: sales@fortunebusinessinsights.com Zacatecas Silver Corp. Figure 1 Map of El Cristo showing Zacatecas drill hole traces in blue. Historical drill hole traces are also shown (black). The base of the map is a grey scale digital elevation model. For a full summary of drilling results see news release dated August 30, 2022. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Zacatecas Silver Corp. (Zacatecas Silver or the Company, ZAC:TSX Venture; ZCTSF: OTC Markets; 7TV: Frankfurt) is pleased to announce that post the recent completion of a detailed modelling of its assay data, the Company has commenced drill permitting at the silver and base metal rich El Cristo vein system on the Zacatecas Property. The El Cristo vein system is the NW strike extension of the prolific and well known Veta Grande vein system, which has reported, but unverified, historical production of 200 Moz AgEq. The Company plans to follow up with an additional 2,5000 meter diamond drill program to expand the deposit at depth and along strike. Deposit modelling and petrographic study by the Company, indicates that El Cristo is of a similar style of mineralization as the Veta Grande. The El Cristo vein system has a strike length of over 3 km on the Company licences and comprises multiple veins formed within a dilation jog that is up to 650 m wide (Figure 1). High-grade silver-base metal mineralization was historically mined from at least 31 shallow vertical shafts, reflecting the highly prospective nature of the El Cristo vein system, and presence of high-grade silver-base metal mineralization near surface. The 28 holes drilled by the Company were scout holes designed to test the near surface depth extension of select veins over at least 2 km of strike extension. Silver-base metal mineralization was intercepted in 22 out of 28 drilled holes. Significantly, high grade silver equivalent mineralization was intercepted very close to surface (from 20 to 100 m downhole) over downhole widths of up to 9.3 m (see news release dated August 30, 2022). Based on these results, the Company has identified three high priority areas to test strike and depth extensions of multiple veins. This exploration at the silver project is planned in addition to recently announced exploration plans at the Esperanza Gold Project (see news release dated March 13, 2023) and advancing the Preliminary Feasibility Study (PFS) at that project. Story continues The Company is arranging a non-brokered private placement financing of 7,777,778 units at a price of $0.45 per Unit for total proceeds of $3,500,000 (the Offering). Each Unit will consist of one common share (each, a Common Share); and one common share purchase warrant (each, a Warrant). Each Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase a Common Share at an exercise price of $0.55 for a period of three years months from the date of issue. The securities under the Offering will be subject to restrictions on resale expiring four months and day after issue. The Company may pay registered finders a fee in cash and/or share purchase warrants. The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the offering to further advance studies at the Esperanza Gold Project, exploration activities at the silver projects and general working capital purposes. Figure 1: Map of El Cristo showing Zacatecas drill hole traces in blue is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6450e623-4dc9-4ca8-a90f-8d2e67f43da1. Historical drill hole traces are also shown (black). The base of the map is a grey scale digital elevation model. For a full summary of drilling results see news release dated August 30, 2022. Map of El Cristo showing Zacatecas drill hole traces in blue. Historical drill hole traces are also shown (black). The base of the map is a grey scale digital elevation model. For a full summary of drilling results see news release dated August 30, 2022. The securities referred to in this news release have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent U.S. registration or an applicable exemption from the U.S. registration requirements. This release does not constitute an offer for sale of, nor a solicitation for offers to buy, any securities in the United States. Qualified Person The contents of this news release have been reviewed and approved by Chris Wilson, B.Sc. (Hons), PhD, FAusIMM (CP), FSEG, FGS, Chief Operating Officer of Zacatecas Silver. Dr. Wilson is a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101. About Zacatecas Silver Corp. The Company has two key projects. The Esperanza Gold Project in Morelos State, Mexico and the Zacatecas Silver Project in Zacatecas State, Mexico. Esperanza is an advanced stage, attractive low-cost, low-capital-intensity and low-technical-risk growth project located in Morelos state, Mexico. Alamos has progressed the project through advanced engineering, including metallurgical work, while also focusing on stakeholder engagement, including building community relations. The Company announced a Mineral Resource Estimate at Esperanza consisting of a Measured and Indicated Mineral Resource Estimate of 30.5 million tonnes at 0.97 g/t AuEq for 956 thousand ounces AuEq and an Inferred Mineral Resource estimate of 8.7 million tonnes at 0.98 g/t AuEq for 277 thousand ounces AuEq (see news release dated November 16, 2022). The Zacatecas Silver Project is located in Zacatecas state, Mexico, within the highly prospective Fresnillo silver belt, which has produced over 6.2 billion ounces of silver. The Company holds 7,826 hectares (19,338 acres) of ground that is highly prospective for low-sulphidation and intermediate-sulphidation silver base metal mineralization and potentially low-sulphidation gold-dominant mineralization. The Company announced a Mineral Resource Estimate at the Panuco Deposit consisting of 2.7 million tonnes at 187 grams per tonne (g/t) silver equivalent (AgEq) (171 g/t silver (Ag) and 0.17 g/t gold (Au)) for 16.4 million ounces AgEq (15 million ounces silver and 15,000 ounces gold) (see news release dated December 14, 2021). The property is 25 kilometres (km) southeast of MAG Silver Corp.'s Juanicipio Mine and Fresnillo PLC's Fresnillo Mine. The Property shares common boundaries with Pan American Silver Corp. claims and El Orito, which is owned by Endeavour Silver. On behalf of the Company Bryan Slusarchuk Chief Executive Officer and Director Forward-Looking Statements Information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on assumptions as of the date of this news release. These statements reflect managements current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations. They are not guarantees of future performance. Zacatecas Silver cautions that all forward looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by many material factors, many of which are beyond their respective control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to Zacatecas Silvers limited operating history, its proposed exploration and development activities on is Zacatecas Properties and the need to comply with environmental and governmental regulations. Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, Zacatecas Silver does not undertake to publicly update or revise forward-looking information. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. For further information: Adam Ross, Investor Relations, Direct: (604) 229-9445, Toll Free: 1(833) 923-3334, Email: info@zacatecassilver.com A former area teacher was ordered Thursday to serve five years in prison for sexually molesting one of his students back in 2016. Edward D. Gent, 41, of Spotsylvania County, received the sentence in Stafford Circuit Court, where he was previously convicted of taking indecent liberties with a child. The sentence handed down by Judge Victoria Willis was the maximum allowed by law. According to Stafford prosecutor Philip Chichester, the victim was a middle school student at A.G. Wright Middle School when the molestation took place. Gent, who was her English teacher, improperly touched the girl on several occasions. The incidents were reported several years later while the girl was getting a physical. She told a doctor about Gents actions, then told her parents. The parents went to police and an investigation began that resulted in Gents arrest in late 2021. Gent has since been convicted of a misdemeanor involving one of his students in Caroline County and two serious felony charges stemming from attacks on a girl in Spotsylvania. The Spotsylvania case did not involve one of his students. He pleaded guilty last month in Spotsylvania Circuit Court to two counts of rape of a child under the age of 13. He will face the possibility of life in prison when he is sentenced on the rape convictions on June 30. Gent was a trusted friend of that girls parents and had frequent access to her. Her mother asked her daughters counselor to inquire about Gent after reading about his arrest in Stafford. The girl was already receiving mental health treatment when she began describing various sexual acts involving Gent that began when she was 8, including intercourse at the age of 12. She told a counselor that as she got older, she realized that what Gent was doing was wrong. But by then she had become attached to him, court records state. That girls diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder and her thoughts about suicide are attributed largely to Gents actions, court records state. The Fredericksburg Area Metropolitan Planning Organization believes a new bridge over the Rappahannock River is needed to at least keep up with traffic growth in the region. Ian Ollis, director of FAMPO, broke down the details for five options developed in a river crossing study requested by Spotsylvania and Stafford counties. Ollis told the Policy Committee on Monday how the various proposals would affect local roads according to traffic models. He added that much more has to happen before project planning could begin, including environmental studies. He warned against reading too much into the details of the proposed options, because a lot of groundwork would be required for any of the proposals to be viable. And such planning would have to first be approved. Ollis highlighted the regions significant bottleneck issue calling it the worst in the state where police chases, weather and construction can cause regional traffic chaos, partly because our grid is limited. Often the traffic chaos on area roads is a ripple effect from issues on Interstate 95. Ollis said there will be no improvements for area traffic unless something changes, and a new bridge would be a significant change. The presentation pointed out specific impacts associated with each of the five options, and all but one includes a new bridge over the Rappahannock. One option has a new slip ramp being built near the I95 exit to State Route 3, offering motorists a direct entrance to Celebrate Virginia and Central Park. The concept of adding another river crossing came up during an eastwest corridor study by FAMPO. The crossing study initially identified a road in the Celebrate by Del Webb development off U.S. 17 in Stafford as a placeholder to identify the impact of a new bridge. The concept had the bridge being built on Celebrate Virginia Parkway and connecting to Gordon W. Shelton Boulevard in Fredericksburg on the south side of the river. Residents of that Stafford development opposed a new bridge at that location, while other area residents said the span would help alleviate traffic jams. Several residents spoke at Mondays meeting, including some who live in Celebrate by Del Webb. They opposed the connection to Celebrate Virginia Parkway. A few others spoke in favor of a new river crossing, including a connection to Celebrate Virginia Parkway on the Stafford side. The first option is not a new bridge but a slip ramp on Interstate 95 near the State Route 3 exit. This option is the least expensive, at $25,047,469, but it would have a major impact on commercial property, according to the study. Using Virginia Department of Transportation data, the study estimates 10,165 vehicles per day would use the slip ramp into Central Park. Traffic on Bragg Road would decrease under this option. The second option would add a river crossing connecting Gordon Shelton Boulevard on the Fredericksburg side of the Rappahannock to Celebrate Virginia Parkway and Commerce Parkway. The estimated price for the project is $204,921,898, and the study estimates 52,144 vehicles would cross the bridge daily under this option. The span presented in the third option starts at Gordon Shelton Boulevard, crosses the river and connects to Staffords Greenbank Road, which would be widened to four lanes. The road would cross Celebrate Virginia Parkway, loop around the development and connect to Commerce Parkway. It would cost about $233,028,277 the most expensive of the five proposals. An estimated 53,402 vehicles would cross the new bridge daily. The fourth option would connect Gordon Shelton Boulevard to Celebrate Virginia Parkway. This plan would have the most infringement on environmental easements through the most sensitive areas and would require a significant bridge span. The estimated cost would be $164,347,364, and about 55,456 vehicles would cross the bridge each day. The fifth proposal comprises a long loop, taking a new road from Gordon Shelton Boulevard and Fall Hill Avenue across the river, where it would connect to Greenbank Road, which would be widened to four lanes and connect to Commerce Parkway. This option, estimated to cost $221,402,036, would consume a lot of developable land and allow for about 58,227 daily vehicle trips over the new bridge. Option five would result in the biggest overall redistribution of traffic. Under that plan, Banks Ford Parkway, Greenbank Road and Bragg Road would have significant increases in traffic. Moderate increases would come to Carl D Silver Parkway, the Blue and Gray Parkway, Plantation Drive, Sanford Road, Truslow Road, U.S. 17 in Stafford and William Street in the city. But this option would reduce traffic on Hospital Drive and Mary Washington Boulevard, along with Sanford Road. Options 3 and 4 have similar, yet smaller impacts on the same roads as option 5. Option 2 shows significant traffic decreases on Hospital Drive and Mary Washington Boulevard, with smaller drops on Sanford Road, Truslow Road, U.S. 17 in Stafford and William Street in the city. Ollis said more analysis is needed to really understand each proposals impact on State Route 3 because its segments are complicated. The study also broke down impacts to truck traffic. Option 5, according to the modeling, would bring the biggest redistribution of truck traffic. It would take the most trucks off U.S. 1, Route 3, U.S. 17 in Stafford, I95, as well as the local and regional network overall. The rerouted truck traffic could result in more of those vehicles using Gordon Road in Spotsylvania, and big increases in truck traffic on Truslow Road in Stafford, and Fall Hill Avenue. Option 2 would bring small decreases in traffic for U.S. 1, Route 3 and U.S. 17 in Stafford. Overall, this option shifts the most truck traffic to I95, with decreases coming to the regional and local roads. Option 3 includes the largest decrease in truck traffic on U.S. 1, third best for Route 3 and second biggest on U.S. 17 in Stafford. But more trucks would travel Truslow Road and I95. Under option 4, the data indicate it would result in the third-highest truck traffic reduction on U.S. 1, while it ranks second for a decrease on Route 3 and I-95. More trucks would use Truslow Road and U.S. 17, according to the model. The report is scheduled to be back on the Policy Committees agenda at next months meeting. Ollis said FAMPO will present the report with input and comments at that meeting. The two suspects in the March 26 shooting death of 18-year-old Jasiah Smith were apprehended Thursday afternoon in Maryland, police said. Lorenzo A. Brooks, 16, and Aaron Randolph Carter, 19, both of Fredericksburg, were taken into custody in Temple Hills, Maryland, Fredericksburg police spokeswoman Sarah Morris said. They are being held at the Upper Marlboro Corrections Center without bond pending extradition to Virginia. Smith, a senior at James Monroe High School, was shot multiple times outside a home in Bragg Hill. He was found lying in a parking space that afternoon in the 400 block of Chadwick Court. Brooks and Carter were identified as suspects, but police had been unable to find them until Thursday. The U.S. Marshals Service assisted city police in tracking them down. Brooks is charged with first-degree murder, while Carter is charged with second-degree murder. Both teens are charged with using a firearm in the commission of a felony. Although Brooks is a juvenile, he could be tried as an adult. The motive for the slaying remains unclear. Two arrested after trespassing complaint Fremont Police officers were dispatched on Wednesday, April 19, to a trespassing complaint in the 800 block of East 23rd Street. Contact was made with two individuals. A press release said the officers investigation resulted in the arrest of Brett A. Kurth, 30, (homeless) for second-degree criminal trespassing, possession of a deadly weapon by a prohibited person, theft by receiving stolen property, theft by unlawful taking, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of a controlled substance. Rachel Howard, 37, (homeless) was arrested for second-degree criminal trespass and accessory to a felony. Tribune staff Fremont Mayor Joey Spellerberg talked about the communitys ability to rally during tough times. Other community leaders and residents spoke of the citys growth, good facilities and strong network of churches. At the same time, they mentioned the need for more childcare and another retail clothing store. Leaders gathered Monday afternoon when Nebraska Public Media (formerly NET) hosted a Town Talk at Milady Coffeehouse in downtown Fremont. Representatives from the state network of public radio and TV stations were in Fremont to build relationships and contacts with local residents. We want to connect with Nebraskans from across the state and tell their stories, said Maggie Berndt, community engagement manager. We do that on air with our coverage on TV and radio and on the web. This is a way for us to come into the community and hear directly from our audience. Nebraska Public Media has been hosting Town Talks in large and small cities across the state, inviting people from all community sectors to share their perspectives. This is really an opportunity for us to listen and learn, Berndt said. We take notes back to the station. We share them with our colleagues and I think we try to find common themes, common threads that we can use in what we do. It helps us get a better understanding of the community. Molly Delaney, chief strategy officer for Nebraska Public Media, asked residents what they see as the communitys strengths, challenges and their vision for the future. Shawn Shanahan-Brown talked about community cooperation as one of Fremonts strengths. Shanahan-Brown is executive director of development and community health for Methodist Fremont Health/Fremont Health Foundation. During the session at Milady, Shanahan-Brown said 84 people attended another recent meeting to address a need for transportation in the city. She sees this as an indication that people want to learn how they can solve the problem together. She believes whenever there is an issue, barrier or struggle, people network to determine how they can make something good happen. She cited another example. I look back at the flood (of 2019) and the needs in our community. Every single church, every business, every community member I feel like every single person pitched in to make it a better place and to have a successful outcome, Shanahan-Brown said. Spellerberg said he wasnt mayor when Fremont basically became an island after floodwaters made roads impassable. But the current mayor described Fremont Municipal Airport as a huge asset as it provided the only way to get provisions into the city at that time. He also recalled the outpouring of people who went to Gerhold Concrete Company to fill sandbags to try and stop encroaching floodwaters. Every class, every type of person we were all there filling sandbags for the purpose of protecting our community, Spellerberg said. Tara Lea, executive director of the Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce, cited other strengths she sees. Were growing like crazy. Between new businesses, the inland port authority coming in, theres a lot of opportunity and growth taking place, Lea said. Its evident from the downtown, too. Almost all the buildings are full and vibrant. Its great to see all that happen. In February, Fremont was chosen as one of the first inland port authorities in Nebraska, which can allow for economic growth and employment opportunities. FNBO Commercial Banker Matthew Mueller talked about what he described as the revamp of Fremont Public Schools buildings. FPS is involved with multiple projects associated with the $123 million voter-approved bond issue. Projects include construction of new buildings for three elementary schools and construction of a new Career and Technical Education center at Fremont High School along with extensive remodeling. Representatives from Midland University, the Fremont Family YMCA, which is the largest Y in the nation, and other entities were at the meeting. Lori Ethier. vice president for undergraduate enrollment and marketing for Midland, talked about how it draws people to Fremont. Fifty-six percent of the students at Midland are in-state, Ethier said, noting that rest come from out of state. Were an importer of talent, which means our graduates are staying here, because of the community thats provided to them so thats exciting for us. Like Spellerberg, Z Heller, an aerial photographer, touted Fremonts airport. It brings in a lot of business jets, Heller said, noting that people from larger and smaller firms come in these aircraft to the airport. Joking that he was from a foreign planet called Iowa, the Rev. Duane Miller commended Methodist Fremont Health. Miller has served as transitional lead pastor at Fremonts First Lutheran Church for about a year. The hospital here is a phenomenal facility, Miller said. I was so impressed with the level of services, the state of the quality of the facility and the services. Miller also has been impressed by the levels of care for seniors independent, assisted living, memory care and rehabilitation throughout the town. Denise Kay, president of Friends of Keene Memorial Library, described the librarys value to the community. Kay noted that the library provides technology for people who dont have it. They can use Wi-Fi at no charge at the facility, now housed in Fremont City Auditorium as renovation and expansion is taking place in the librarys permanent Broad Street location. She added that library programs, like the Summer Reading Program, are provided at no cost to the community. To me, the librarys a big hub, especially with technology world, Kay said, adding that the expansion will have conference rooms with Wi-Fi hookups for meetings. Fremonter Barbara Coke highlighted the work of local churches. The churches are very supportive of nonprofit groups like Rebuilding Together, like Habitat (for Humanity) and Lutheran Family Services, Coke said. Mueller mentioned foreseen city growth. Were trying to get ready for that next growth phase, Mueller said, noting the population is at about 27,000. I think well be over 30,000 by the time they take that census again. Delaney asked Fremonters about challenges. Lea discussed the workforce. Just like every other community, workforce is huge, Lea said. Weve got tons of businesses hiring all the time. Its getting enough bodies into the community to work here and keep all our businesses going strong. She also addressed the need for more childcare in Fremont, a need being seen nationwide. Weve got some great places, Lea said of the daycares. I think its the hours, though. A lot of our daycares are 6 (a.m.) to 6 (p.m.) and we have a lot people working overnights or early mornings. Delaney also asked Fremonters what theyd like to have in town. Kay and Mueller indicated a need for more retail clothing stores. Looking to the future, Spellerberg talked about how the community worked together not only during the flood, but the pandemic. There were tough discussions and tough issues. But I think thats what made us stronger together to where now we are able to go through these growing pains that we will be going through, Spellerberg said. I think were on the cusp of coming into our own . Early in his comments, Spellerberg described how he sees Fremont. I feel like we represent hometown America, he said. Its a great place to live, work and raise your family. Everybodys willing to help here. I think we have a small-town feel, but big city opportunities with our location to Omaha and other areas of Nebraska. This is a great place to make home. Lawmakers reached a compromise to advance a bill that hopes to keep roughly 10,000 Nebraska families eligible for food assistance. The state Health and Human Services Committee advanced LB84 out of committee in a 6-0 vote Thursday. The bill, introduced by State Sen. Jen Day of Omaha, will continue the income eligibility level for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program at 165% of the federal poverty level until 2025. SNAP, also known as food stamps, aids low-income families dealing with food insecurity. In Nebraska, the income threshold to qualify for the program is set to drop to 130% of the federal poverty level at the end of September. Day estimated the change would cut about 10,000 families out of the program. LB84 is Day's priority bill. She said Nebraska is in the midst of a food insecurity crisis, with local food banks struggling with growing demand. The OpenSky Policy Institute said in a tweet Thursday that SNAP provides aid to about 170,000 Nebraskans. In the weeks before Thursday's vote, Day and her allies have criticized the lack of action on the bill and questioned the Legislature's priorities in how her fellow lawmakers are allocating the high revenues available for the upcoming state budget. After the bill advanced, Day expressed gratitude for committee members coming together to move the bill forward. "You honestly did make Senator Day's day," she said. LB84 was stalled mainly because of concerns about cost, although some committee members including HHS Chair Sen. Ben Hansen of Blair had some philosophical issues with the SNAP program as well. The bill's original fiscal note estimated LB84 would cost the state roughly $544,000 in its first year, and about $680,000 in its second year. However, Day worked with the Legislative Fiscal Office to eliminate the need for state revenues. Instead, Day said, the bill's cost will be covered by unused federal dollars left over from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and held by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. Overall, ARPA sent over $1 billion to Nebraska and pockets of those funds remain in a variety of state offices. DHHS officials did not respond to a request for comment Thursday afternoon. The shift in funding allocation was added to LB84 on Thursday. Hansen said he still has issues with the bill, even with the funding amendment, but he wanted to respect the compromise that Day worked out. Photos: The business of governing in Nebraska in 2023 TC Energy workers on Saturday at the site of a pipeline spill near Washington, Kansas, just a few miles south of the Nebraska border (Courtesy of TC Energy) LINCOLN A third-party review of a pipeline spill that released 500,000 gallons of crude oil onto Kansas farmland and a nearby stream was caused by a crack in the metal pipe that eventually ruptured under pressure. That was the conclusion of a third-party review that was ordered by a federal pipeline safety agency to investigate the December failure of the 36-inch Keystone pipeline, just south of the Nebraska border near Washington, Kansas. It was the largest oil pipeline spill in the U.S. in nine years. The Root Cause Failure Analysis for the so-called Milepost 14 incident reached the same conclusion as an independent analysis of the metal pipeline released in February. Fatigue crack The primary cause of the rupture was a progressive fatigue crack that originated at a girth weld connecting a manufactured elbow fitting to the pipe constructed across Mill Creek (in Kansas), the operator of the pipeline, TC Energy, said in a press release Friday. The company said that during construction of this segment of the Keystone pipeline, which as completed in 2011, inadvertent bending stresses sufficient to initiate a crack occurred on the elbow fitting. Over time, and under the high pressure needed to push the oil down the pipeline, the crack worsened, eventually resulting in the leak. The pipeline, which carries tar sands oil from Canada to refineries on the U.S. Gulf Coast, was operating at a pressure of 1,153 pounds per square gauge at the time of the Dec. 7 rupture, according to the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. Repetitious pattern of failures Since 2009, the Keystone pipeline has experienced three failures on similar girth welds, according to PHMSA. In March, the agency ordered TC Energy to reduce the operating pressure to 923 ppsg on the segment of the Keystone pipeline from Steele City, Neb., to Cushing, Okla., due to a repetitious pattern of failures related to the original design, manufacture, and construction. On Friday, TC Energy, in a press release, said it had recovered 98% of the released product and cleaned up 90% of the shoreline of Mill Creek, where the failure occurred. Previously, the company has estimated its cost of responding and cleaning up the leak at $480 million. Thousands of cubic yards of oil-soaked soil and other materials removed from the spill site were trucked to a landfill just outside Omaha. Excavation, more inspections planned TC Energy said that in response to the failure analysis, it plans to: Excavate and investigate other Keystone pipeline sites with characteristics like the incident location. Perform additional in-line inspections of the pipeline. Review evolving pipeline design guidelines. Only a matter of time The company said the latest review confirmed that the welding workmanship on the pipeline was compliant with applicable codes and standards. A lobbyist with the Sierra Club of Kansas, however, said the latest report just reaffirms that there were flaws in original design, material and installation of the Keystone pipeline that make more oil spills inevitable. This shouldnt give us any relief or assurance, said Zack Pistora of the Sierra Club. This only reaffirms that its only a matter of time before another weld fails or a design flaw causes another disaster. New headquarters of the Nebraska State Patrol. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner) LINCOLN The State of Nebraska has settled a 12-year lawsuit involving more than 400 current and former State Troopers, agreeing to pay them a combined $18.75 million. Attorney General Mike Hilgers and Gov. Jim Pillen announced the settlement Thursday with Gary Young, a lawyer representing the State Troopers Association of Nebraska. The Troopers sued the state in 2011 after the Legislature changed the contribution rates Troopers made to their pensions after signing contracts for lower contributions when hired. Hilgers called the settlement historic. Pillen was excited to get this lawsuit behind us and move on. Both said they wanted State Patrol Troopers to feel supported. Investigator Dan Fiala, the president of the Troopers union who is based out of Grand Island, said the settlement is a huge morale booster for people who worried it might never end. Its just a huge confidence booster for everybody, Fiala said, adding that Troopers families needed that money. This will let them get caught up. It will make living a little bit easier. According to the lawsuit, some of the Troopers who sued had signed contracts saying they would contribute as little as 8% of their pay toward their pensions and ended up paying as much as 19%. Today, most Troopers contribute 16% of their pay toward pensions. The latest union contract, negotiated after Pillen took office, commits new hires to paying 17%. The lawsuit covers 28 years of payroll, back to 1995. Hilgers, the states top prosecutor, said the case was ready to head to trial. That, he said, could have taken another three years and risked costing taxpayers more in the end. This is a very good result for the State of Nebraska, Hilgers said. This takes away the cloud of uncertainty for both sides and gives us the opportunity to close the chapter and unify. The typical civil case lasts a year or two, he said. This one started under former Gov. Dave Heineman and stretched through both of former Gov. Pete Ricketts terms. Several of the litigants have since died, Hilgers and Young said, and one of the judges involved in the case has retired. Young and Hilgers credited Pillen for changing the tone. Hilgers said Pillen was receptive to settlement negotiations. After Pillen took office in January, he negotiated a 22% raise for Troopers, whose pay had trailed that of competitors. Pillen said he was proud to support law enforcement. He said people who put their lives on the line for others know to watch what people do, not what they say. We Nebraskans dont say thank you enough for what you and your team do to put yourselves in harms way, he said. Twelve years for crying out loud, its time. After State Rep. Leslie Herod announced her campaign for Denver mayor, she was widely seen as a leading contender to make the runoff. On paper, she certainly was and count me among those who bought into the conventional wisdom. Herod is well-known and among the most prominent Democrats in the legislature, where she represents Denvers House District 8. Shes fiercely progressive, an effective speaker and a credible campaigner who had tremendous fundraising potential and at over $1.1 million, raised the third-most behind Mike Johnston and Kelly Brough. Herod even received the coveted endorsement of kingmaker former Mayor Wellington Webb. However, being a solid candidate on paper doesnt necessarily translate to real life. Herod, who received just 10.7% of the vote and failed to clinch the June runoff, performed so far below expectations that she came in fifth behind the Republican, Andy Rougeot. So, what happened to Leslie Herod? It sure wasnt a money problem: As I predicted months ago, participants in the Fair Elections Fund who were the most well-connected Mike Johnston, Kelly Brough, Herod, State Sen. Chris Hansen and City Councilwoman Debbie Ortega ranked in the top five fundraisers. Herod raised $345,000 in direct contributions and $587,000 in taxpayer matches from the Fund. She had significant resources to spend and made especially good use of her taxpayer funds on consultants, as well as marketing firms. But all that consultant money couldnt even make Herod the leading progressive: Lisa Calderon placed third overall, the same rank Calderon notched in 2019 all with a quarter of Herods funding. Herod paid her campaigns pricey attorney, one-time Republican operative Mario Nicolais, a total of $43,000 from her taxpayer funds. On Herods behalf, Nicolais bullied a small, grassroots organization called Citizens for a Safe and Clean Denver started by political neophytes who advocate for cleaning up Denvers urban squalor simply because they criticized Herod online. The group was fined $250. Why would a prominent politician feel compelled to weaponize taxpayers campaign matching dollars to target a tiny citizens group? Maybe its because she was never really that great a candidate to begin with. Which means, crushing all opposition is essential. When Herod finally caught scrutiny, her campaign began withering away under the sunlight. Multiple accounts from current and former staff and legislators, both on and off the record, revealed a toxic-workplace problem. Some who spoke on condition of anonymity did so because they feared retribution. Herods response dismissing the story as the first time Ive ever heard of it was unbelievable. Rumors spread for years regarding Herods hostile work environment. Furthermore, Denverite reported that Herods campaign offered roughly a dozen lawmakers and current and former staff as supportive witnesses. Yet only two including Herods own campaign policy director were willing to openly defend her. Why? Did her defenders fear retaliation as well? When Herods state House campaign went delinquent in filing her 2020 personal financial disclosures, accruing a whopping $15,200 in penalties from the secretary of state, she brushed that off, too. Herod requested they waive the fine to just $50 and Secretary of State Jena Griswolds office approved the request. Herod often attempted to dodge and weave when asked tougher questions. To many voters, the answers she did give often felt like canned talking points from a superficially polished but inauthentic politician. But on some issues, her viewpoint was abundantly clear. For instance, she outright opposed permanently reinstating school resource officers to Denver Public Schools a district plagued by violence. (Its no coincidence shes a longtime mentor to Tay Anderson, the most dogged opponent of SROs on Denvers school board.) As I argued April 7, Denvers election was a referendum by proxy on school violence and disciplinary chaos not to mention rising crime, rampant drug use and omnipresent homeless encampments. Herod has been one of the legislatures foremost champions of the soft-on-crime laws that are driving Denvers decay rendering her utterly out-of-touch on public safety. Perhaps thats why, after years of sponsoring bad bills, she wiped her slate clean on legislation for 2023. Herod hasnt been the prime sponsor of a single bill this session. Last year, she prime-sponsored 35 bills. The price of campaigning for mayor? Nonsense: rival candidate Hansen was taken very seriously as a mayoral candidate yet still managed to be a prime sponsor on 10 bills in the Senate. Herod seems to have been granted a special dispensation from Democratic leaders to go on sabbatical this legislative session. What kind of service did Herods constituents get this year so she could pursue a campaign that turned to dust? What does that say about her potential as mayor? In politics, you can often tell how viable a candidate is by the outside spending backing them up. For Herod, that was $184,396 fourth after Ortega. The independent expenditure dollars following Herod were a tiny fraction of Johnstons and a sixth of Broughs. Outside spending reflects big-money connections, yes, but its also indicative of who influential heavy hitters think can make the cut. Ultimately, Johnston and Brough made the two-person runoff. Lets be real: Herods mayoral campaign was a flop. Voters rejected her tone-deaf criminal justice stance and inauthentic presentation. She was a top fundraiser, a media darling and got an excused absence from the legislature. Yet, she failed to build sufficient support even among progressives, who decidedly favored third-place finisher Lisa Calderon. In the end, maybe Herod really wasnt as great a candidate as she wanted us to think she was. Jimmy Sengenberger is an investigative journalist, public speaker, and host of The Jimmy Sengenberger Show Saturdays from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. on News/Talk 710 KNUS. Reach Jimmy online at JimmySengenberger.com or on Twitter @SengCenter. Ballots for next month's mayoral runoff election in Colorado Springs are set to be mailed Monday. City Clerk Sarah Johnson's office will be mailing ballots for the all-mail May 16 runoff election to the approximately 311,900 registered active voters in city limits, officials said in a news release Thursday. Certified results from the city's regular election on April 4 show Yemi Mobolade, a West African immigrant, entrepreneur and political newcomer, will face Wayne Williams, now a former city councilman who previously served as an El Paso County commissioner and Colorado secretary of state, in a second round that will determine who will succeed term-limited Mayor John Suthers. In the runoff, the candidate who earns a majority of votes, or more than 50% of votes cast, will be named mayor. Voters will have until May 16 to choose between the two mayoral candidates. Johnson encouraged voters to fill out and return their ballots "as soon as possible." Municipal elections in Colorado Springs have been mail ballot-only since 2005. Voters may drop off their ballots to the City Clerk's Office or at any of the city's 26 designated drop-off locations, which have 24/7 ballot boxes. A full list of drop-off locations and their addresses is available at coloradosprings.gov/voterinfo. Beginning Monday, residents with disabilities can cast their votes with assistance from special equipment available at the clerk's office, 30 S. Nevada Ave., Suite 101, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., officials said in the release. Ballots must be received by Johnson's office or a designated drop-off location by 7 p.m. on May 16. Postmarks will not count. Voters who choose to mail their ballots should remember to include the required first class postage. They should allow at least seven days before May 16 for their ballot to be received by the city clerk. The last day to mail in a ballot for it to be received by the voting deadline is May 9. Voters who do not receive a ballot or have questions related to the election should call Johnson's office at 719-385-5901 or visit coloradosprings.gov/election. People can register to vote through Election Day, but the Colorado Springs city clerk does not maintain voter registration. Residents can check their registration status, register to vote and update their voter information through the Colorado secretary of state at govotecolorado.gov. Residents with questions about their voter registration should call the El Paso County Election Department at 719-575-8683 or visit its website at clerkandrecorder.elpasoco.com/elections/voter-registration. A new digital ad from Colorado Springs mayoral candidate Wayne Williams' campaign hit social media this week, presenting him as the conservative Republican candidate Colorado Springs should choose over his "liberal" opponent in the nonpartisan race, Yemi Mobolade. The ad posits Mobolade as a more left-wing candidate in the city's mayoral runoff election scheduled for May 16, accusing him of supporting socialism and possibly looking to overturn a failed collective bargaining bid voters rejected in 2019. In contrast, the ad presents Williams as the conservative candidate who will put public safety, fiscal responsibility and affordability first. "This positioning is desperation. That's all that is," Mobolade said Thursday. The candidate has said throughout his campaign he is neither a Democrat nor a Republican. "... I've been clear from Day 1 that I'm putting Colorado Springs ahead of party politics. I'm putting our quality of life ahead of party politics. I'm putting our families ahead of fearmongering. He's given himself an identity of a conservative. He gave me an identity I never claimed." Williams said Thursday the ad highlights the differences in how both candidates would approach various issues if elected mayor. "We're talking about actual issues and different approaches to government, and asking voters to decide which one is closer to the direction they want the city to go in," he said. "(Mobolade has) certainly said different things when he speaks to some groups versus other groups. I have always tried to talk about the issues in the campaign, and I will continue to do so." The claims in Williams' ad reference answers Mobolade gave during a mayoral forum hosted in March by the El Paso County Democratic Party as part of the group's State of the County address, which was livestreamed and posted on various social media platforms. In the video, Mobolade provides brief answers to five yes or no questions. When asked if taxpayer money should be used "to provide more equitable outcomes for disenfranchised communities," Mobolade answers, "Yes." When he is asked whether "every worker, regardless of the type of workplace, (has) the right to organize and collectively bargain," Mobolade answers, "Yes. It's part of our constitutional right." Williams' ad criticizes Mobolade's responses, respectively, as "(sounding) exactly like socialism" and "costing taxpayers more money for fewer services. Possibly overturning the failed initiative the voters just defeated." In 2019, Colorado Springs voters overwhelmingly defeated 2-1 a proposed initiative that would have given the city's firefighters collective bargaining privileges. "I am not in favor of government engineering outcomes in the private sector. I am not in favor of overturning the people's vote against collective bargaining," Williams said. "There are some differences in those views, and I think presenting those views is important." Mobolade said he does not propose collective bargaining for all city employees, but he does support the "constitutional right" of the city's law enforcement officers and firefighters to organize. He said he answered the way he did on "equitable outcomes" because he believes the government's role is to promote equality. "All I want to do is level the playing field and not continue the disparities we see in our community," Mobolade said. Endorsements and campaign teams Among his other public supporters, Mobolade this week earned an endorsement from outgoing Colorado Springs City Council President Tom Strand, who also ran for mayor in the April 4 regular election. "Yemi is a proven leader with a wealth of experience in the business, nonprofit and government sectors, and someone I trust to continue championing our public safety professionals. With Yemi, we can have confidence in a mayor who will not only put our families first but has the proven leadership to create a better future for our neighborhoods," Strand said in a news release issued by Mobolade's campaign this week. Williams, who has been endorsed by outgoing Mayor John Suthers and the Colorado Springs Professional Firefighters Local 5, among others, announced this week his campaign hired Jody Richie to serve as his field director. Richie has previously worked as campaign manager for Sallie Clark, who was a close third in the mayoral race April 4. "Wayne is the only candidate remaining in the race with the leadership experience and knowledge of city government that is necessary to be a highly effective mayor for Colorado Springs," Richie said in a news release from Williams' campaign. Campaign finance Campaign finance reports filed as of Saturday show Williams had about $21,900 on hand and Mobolade had about $100,900 in the final weeks leading up to the May 16 runoff election. The next round of campaign finance reports is due May 1. Records show Mobolade raised about $113,800 and spent approximately $68,600 during the period between March 27 and April 10. He earned generous donations this round from several financial supporters, including $25,000 from Vance Brown, the executive director of Exponential Impact, a business development support company; and $10,000 each from developer High Valley Land Company Inc.; developer The O'Neil Group; Mark Stafford, CEO of Delta Solutions, a business management consultant; and Kevan Worley, CEO of consulting company Worley Enterprises. To date, Mobolade's campaign has received about $40,946 in total from Brown; $20,000 from High Valley Land Company Inc.; $20,000 from The O'Neil Group; about $15,096 from Stafford; and $12,000 from Worley, according to an analysis of campaign finance records from the beginning. In the period between March 27 and April 10, Williams raised about $16,800 and spent around $75,800, records show. His largest contributions during this time included $5,000 from Thomas Peterson, executive director of the Colorado Asphalt Pavement Association, and $2,500 each from The Challenger Group LLC, which holds ownership interest with builder Challenger Homes; Desirable Holdings LLC, a business with a Monument address; and Daniel Monks of Monks Construction. In total, Williams' campaign has received $5,200 from Peterson and $5,000 from Monks, an analysis of campaign finance records from the beginning shows. Yemi Mobolade and Wayne Williams are facing off in a Colorado Springs mayoral election runoff after earning the top two spots among a crowded field in the general election in early April. Ballots will be sent to voters Monday, April 21. Voters will be able to drop off ballots through May 16. Here are the endorsements for each candidate. Mobolade endorsments Among his other public supporters, Mobolade this week earned an endorsement from outgoing Colorado Springs City Council President Tom Strand, who also ran for mayor in the April 4 regular election. "Yemi is a proven leader with a wealth of experience in the business, nonprofit and government sectors, and someone I trust to continue championing our public safety professionals. With Yemi, we can have confidence in a mayor who will not only put our families first but has the proven leadership to create a better future for our neighborhoods," Strand said in a news release issued by Mobolade's campaign this week. Mobolade has also touted on social media endorsements from Amy Folsom, past El Paso County administrator and former county attorney; Pat Rigdon, retired deputy chief of Colorado Springs Police Department; and Elaine Knight, retired Brig. Gen. with the Air Force. Williams endorsements Williams, who has been endorsed by outgoing Mayor John Suthers and the Colorado Springs Professional Firefighters Local 5, among others, announced this week his campaign hired Jody Richie to serve as his field director. Richie has previously worked as campaign manager for Sallie Clark, who was a close third in the mayoral race April 4. "Wayne is the only candidate remaining in the race with the leadership experience and knowledge of city government that is necessary to be a highly effective mayor for Colorado Springs," Richie said in a news release from Williams' campaign. For the first time, Honor Flight of Southern Colorado is sending an all-female group of veterans to Washington, D.C., to recognize their service. "The honor flight is to remember those who when they came home were forgotten," said Cindy Anderson, a participating Army veteran. World War II, Korean and Vietnam-era veterans visit the nation's war memorials on the trips and receive a large honorary reception when they return. The local chapter is on its 16th honor flight. The Colorado Springs chapter of the nonprofit has found in the past, women were hesitant to sign up for the free trips because they didn't serve in combat roles and that helped spark the idea for an event set aside to recognize their efforts, said Barbara Harris, a board member with the group. "Maybe they weren't in battle but they were very, very important for us," she said. The travelers include women who were among the first to serve in certain roles, such as drill sergeant and missileer, and helped break down previous segregation. The military didn't fully lift the ban on women in combat roles until 2013. Anderson trained men and women together as one of the early female drill sergeants, she said. "It was the higher echelons that had trouble accepting that women can do this," she said. Some of the women she trained went on to serve for 25 to 30 years. The idea for a trip to honor women has been well received and once word was out, filled up rather quickly with 29 veterans, said Harris. Other female veterans are traveling as volunteers to assist. Sign Up for free: Military Brief Your weekly local update on local military news and events, sent straight to your inbox. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. "It is an amazing, amazing tribute to our veterans," she said. Harris first got involved in Honor Flight work because she saw how her husband became much more open and outwardly proud about his Korean war service after going on a trip. Previously, he wouldn't talk much about it or tell people he had served. Since then she has been on numerous trips to help elderly veterans navigate the memorials and events. She also worked to revitalize the local chapter in 2019 when it was on the edge of dissolving. "It makes you proud to be an American to see people recognize these men and women and take the time to go up and thank them," she said. The local homecomings are a major part of the experience for veterans, especially for those who served during Vietnam. In some cases the returning veterans received a cold reception and in some cases had to take their uniforms off to walk through airports. "We want them to have a homecoming that maybe they never got," she said. Hundreds of people attended the most recent homecoming last April. The public is welcome to attend the Welcome Home Event on Saturday at the Sierra High School Gym. The event will feature an all-womens color guard, military band and special guest speaker. The organizers ask that the public arrive no later than 7:15 p.m. for a tentative 7:30 p.m. start. Live updates about the event will be posted at facebook.com/HonorFlightSOCO/ Amid the forest of more than 200 exhibitors at the Space Symposium are hundreds of companies hawking products and services, more than a dozen national space agencies, several states and chambers of commerce representing just three cities. The Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC and the Metro Denver Economic Development Corp. arent big surprises given they represent the host city and its larger northern neighbor, but why is the Huntsville Madison County Chamber from Alabama the only other local chamber with a booth? It's probably not a great surprise since former President Donald Trump ordered U.S. Space Command to move from Colorado Springs to the Alabama city days before he left office in January 2021. The two booths weren't anywhere near each other this week the local chambers booth, shared with a space cybersecurity organization, was in Bartolin Hall between two defense contractors, while the Huntsville chambers booth was in the smaller Broadmoor Hall, next to an Arvada manufacturer. The Huntsville chamber had been trying to get a symposium for years and was on the waiting list until last year, when the opening of Bartolin Hall built in part to host the event doubled the number of exhibits the symposium could accommodate. The symposium still has hundreds of companies, nonprofits and government agencies on its waiting list for exhibits, and the list is getting longer because exhibits are getting larger so fewer can fit in the existing space. A call and email to the Huntsville chamber didnt get a response, and none of the three people at the booth, including the organizations senior vice president of economic development and workforce, were authorized to comment for this story. Executives from the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC have visited the Huntsville chamber booth both years and introduced themselves, so the relationship remains cordial, but the local chamber didnt respond to a request for comment. Sign Up for free: Military Brief Your weekly local update on local military news and events, sent straight to your inbox. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Zachary Watson, senior manager of media and public affairs for Space Foundation, which stages the symposium, said all exhibitors pay for booths at the event for the same reason exposure at an annual convention that the foundation calls the greatest space show on earth. They (the Huntsville chamber) are here for the same reason as the Colorado Springs chamber is here they want to have a presence, Watson said Thursday. The symposium is open to everyone, and Huntsville wants to be involved as well. We welcome any city, state or country there is room for all of them in the space ecosystem. We think it is great. Organizations exhibit to reach a wider audience and the symposium is the largest stage in space. It probably didnt hurt for either the Colorado Springs or Huntsville chambers that U.S. Space Command Commander Gen. James Dickinson and Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall were among the speakers on this years symposium program along with many other military and civilian leaders. Colorado Springs officials and members of the states congressional delegation have worked for more than two years to get Trumps decision reversed, or at least to have the headquarters location process reopened. They have argued moving the command would cost more than $1 billion, force many of the commands personnel and civilian employees to move or quit, and would likely delay the commands plan to formally begin operations later this year. An investigation by the Government Accountability Office found significant shortfalls in the Air Force selection process, while a Department of Defense Inspector General probe found the process was reasonable and not improperly influenced by politics. Despite rumors that a decision is imminent on whether to keep the headquarters in Colorado Springs or move it to Huntsville, no announcement has been made. The seventh major gun bill of the 2023 session encountered one of the shorter paths to its first committee victory, given its support from Democratic and Republican mayors, as well as from district attorneys and law enforcement officials. Senate Bill 279 would ban "ghost guns," also known as un-serialized weapons. The Senate State, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee on Thursday approved the measure on a 3-2 party-line vote after a three-hour hearing. The use of ghost guns firearms that can be assembled from kits or printed by a 3D printer has exploded in the last several years. The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms reported that 20,000 suspected ghost guns were recovered by law enforcement in criminal investigation in 2021. In Colorado, two recent mass shootings were tied to individuals who used ghost guns. A 17-year-old at East High School last month reportedly used a ghost gun to shoot two school administrators and later took his own life with the weapon. The shooter at Club Q last November, where five people died, also reportedly used a ghost gun. The bill proposed by Sens. Chris Hansen, D-Denver, and Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora, would ban ghost guns in Colorado. For those who already possess ghost guns, the bill provides a compliance period through the end of 2023 to get the firearm serialized, which could be done by licensed firearm dealers. That would also likely require the owner to go through a background check and any other normal processes tied to purchase and possession of firearms, according to Hansen. While the bill would ban the manufacture and possession of ghost guns, it does not ban the purchase of kits or any other components used in 3D printing to assemble a ghost gun. Doug Trainer of the Colorado Springs Police Department, who testified on behalf on Mayor John Suthers, said the bill will help address crime in their community by stopping people from legally circumventing Colorado's background check system. Further, requiring the firearms to be serialized will help trace weapons in an investigation. "This bill goes a long way toward curtailing the rapid proliferation of these firearms" made of parts, Trainer said. Suthers, Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman and Denver Mayor Michael Hancock all called for a crackdown on ghost guns in a letter to the Colorado Springs Gazette in January, calling for state laws to deter the use of these untraceable weapons, in part because people who possess those weapons are able to circumvent background checks, or could obtain them even when under a restraining order or red flag protection order. Gov. Jared Polis, during his January state of the state address, also called for a ban on ghost guns, citing support from Suthers, Coffman and Hancock. Republican District Attorney John Kellner of the 18th Judicial District in Arapahoe, Douglas and Elbert counties recounted that, two years ago, he asked police chiefs if they were seeing ghost guns. Back then, the answer was "no." But that's all changed, Kellner said. "We are seeing these all over. These are rapidly produced, easily produced, manufactured, and distributed through the use of 3D printers," he said. Sign up for free: Springs AM Update Your morning rundown of the latest news from Colorado Springs and around the country overnight and the stories to follow throughout the day delivered to your inbox each evening. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. And juveniles are getting them, too, said Kellner, who pleaded with lawmakers to give them the tools to go after the people who sell these guns and make them so prevalent in communities. Alexis King, the Democratic District Attorney for Jefferson and Gilpin counties, said that, without exception, these guns are possessed either by kids or people who have felony records and should not have a gun. Without exception, she added, this results in violence. She noted the guns can be manufactured on a 3D printer in just a matter of hours. "Our kids can do it," she said, describing SB 279 as an easy step to allow tracking these weapons. Opponents voiced concerns the bill would violate their fundamental right to bear arms. Todd Rathner of the national Firearms Policy Coalition told the committee there is "simply no honest or moral way to legislatively separate the right to keep and bear arms from the right to acquire and manufacture those same arms." He called the bill an attack on liberty and a political gimmick. Alicia Garcia claimed it is within her rights to build firearms. She pleaded with the committee to not make criminals out of ordinary citizens. "These efforts should be centered on creating partial penalties for illegal possession and by youth and those who are already violating these already abundant gun control laws we have here in Colorado," she said. She added they are not building guns to skirt the law. Rather, they build them to enjoy civil rights and to be more effective protectors of themselves and their families, she said. Coffman's appearance before the committee drew Sen. Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial, to comment that he's been working for a decade to get Coffman's attention on the issue of firearms. He's bought tickets to events Coffman appeared at, tried to schedule a meeting with him at grocery stores or libraries or when Coffman was in Congress. "And today, folks, Mayor Mike Coffman is sitting in front of a committee that I am on, and he is telling the people of the state of Colorado that a piece of legislation that I am fully invested in about, the manufacturing of ghost guns," is something the mayor supports, Sullivan said, describing the situation as an "awesome" moment. Clara and Grace Taub, twin sisters from East High School, also testified Thursday. Grace noted she testified on a bill just four weeks ago but that it wasn't enough to prevent what happened at her school days later, a shooting that involved a ghost gun. "I will continue to be here for as long as it takes for this state to enact every possible measure that will protect my classmates and I from even further gun violence," she said. The bill now heads to the full Senate. DENVER (AP) Jeremy Webster got angry when a driver getting out of the way of an emergency vehicle almost hit his car, his outrage intensified by worry about getting into an accident since he wasn't paying his car insurance bill. Webster followed the SUV, feeling like he was being directed by something outside of himself, a court-appointed psychologist testified Thursday at Webster's murder trial. Webster has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to shooting the driver of the SUV and two of her sons, killing one of them, a 13-year-old, with a point-blank shot to the head after they pulled into the parking lot of a suburban Denver dental office in June 2018. But the psychologist, Christina Gliser, concluded after interviewing Webster twice that he was legally sane at the time of the shooting, in touch with reality and able to make decisions. Webster, now 27, is accused of shooting Meghan Bigelow and two of her sons, killing Vaughn Bigelow Jr. and wounding 8-year-old Asa Bigelow. Prosecutors say Meghan Bigelow was shot in the back, and, after falling to the ground, shot in the head. Webster also is charged with wounding a witness, John Gale, who was shot after Webster locked eyes with him, according to prosecutors. Gale was in his truck with his 9-year-old daughter, waiting for an appointment. Webster's insanity plea requires prosecutors to prove that he was sane at the time of the shooting that he knew the difference between right and wrong and was able to make decisions. Hours after the shooting, Webster described being disconnected from his body during the incident, telling police that he had seen his arm do the shooting, Gliser testified. But Gliser said that claim was likely inaccurate and untrue since Webster did not have a long history of trauma that could cause disassociation to that degree. Questioned by prosecutor Jess Redman, Gliser said that Webster told police after the shooting that What happened today was wrong." Sign up for free: Springs AM Update Your morning rundown of the latest news from Colorado Springs and around the country overnight and the stories to follow throughout the day delivered to your inbox each evening. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Defense attorney Rachel Oliver pointed out that previous therapists had diagnosed Webster with bipolar disorder, that he had attempted to kill himself in late 2017, and that he was put on suicide watch when he was booked into jail after the 2018 shooting. Gliser said she did not think that Webster had bipolar disorder, finding that Webster had trouble controlling his anger and concluding that he had borderline personality disorder. She said people with bipolar disorder have depressed and manic periods that are not influenced by the situations they are in but also have periods of stability and normalcy. In contrast, intense, emotional reactions to life stressors are the norm in people with borderline personality disorder, she said. After Webster and Bigelow initially argued in the parking lot, Gliser noted, Webster told her he was about to leave until Bigelow used her phone to take a video of his car. His anger flared again because he told her he thought he might get into trouble with the police, she said. He said he shot Bigelow once, and after his car would not start, paced, felt numb and then began shooting again, Gliser said. Bigelow was shot in the back, and, after falling to the ground, shot in the head. Gliser said Webster told her he did not know why he did it. After the shootings, Webster continued on his way to a Home Depot where he had been headed to buy a new saw for a home renovation project he was working on for his cousin's construction company. He bought the saw, returned to work on the project and was arrested by police after his car, identified with the help of Bigelow's video, was spotted in rush hour traffic that evening. A Fountain woman was taken into custody Friday after pleading guilty to three charges in the death of her 4-year-old daughter, Acelynn Staton-Contreras, who fatally overdosed on fentanyl in July. Emma Staton, 25, appeared in court out of custody and pleaded guilty to the charge of child abuse knowingly or recklessly causing death, a second-degree felony, and two drug possession charges. I had the fentanyl pills in my possession or in the vicinity of where my child was, and that was wrong, Staton said when asked to explain her plea to the court. Staton was originally expected to enter a plea on March 8, but both the prosecution and defense requested a continuance to allow for more time to negotiate a plea deal. If a deal had not been reached by Friday, Staton would have been required to plead not guilty and stand trial, according to previous reporting by The Gazette. However, instead of entering into a plea agreement in which case penalties are agreed upon in advance with the prosecution, Staton opted to plead open, letting the decision of penalties fall on Judge Chad Miller at a future sentencing hearing. According to Miller, Staton could face between 16 and 48 years in the Department of Corrections for the child abuse charge, and by pleading open, she risks facing more than the 30- to 40-year range proposed by the prosecution. Alternatively, Miller could opt for a shorter sentence. Staton's case was bound over for trial by Miller at a preliminary hearing in October after the prosecution presented testimony showing that there was sufficient evidence to continue pursuing charges against Staton. Sign up for free: Springs AM Update Your morning rundown of the latest news from Colorado Springs and around the country overnight and the stories to follow throughout the day delivered to your inbox each evening. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Two detectives with the Fountain Police Department testified during the preliminary hearing that Staton knew her daughter had ingested the drug the evening of July 12, but didn't take her to the hospital for three hours, instead administering two doses of Narcan. Staton called 911 before quickly hanging up, according to one of the detectives. Deputies from the El Paso County Sheriff's Office 20 minutes later arrived at her home to investigate the call, and Staton told them everything was OK. An hour later, Staton and a friend attempted to drive Acelynn to the hospital, but her condition "worsened significantly" and the pair pulled over and called 911, according to one of the detectives. Acelynn was pronounced dead at a gas station in Fountain after life-saving measures were attempted by police at the scene. A follow-up investigation found upward of 40 fentanyl pills and methamphetamines in the car of Staton, the detective testified. Statons sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 3, when Miller will announce Statons penalties as well as allow parties with both the defense and prosecution to address the court. Miller told family members present at Fridays hearing that they will only be allowed to address him, given outbursts at previous hearings. I understand this is a highly emotional case on both sides neither side will be addressing parties on the other side of the courtroom, Miller said. In order to help Jefferson County Sheriff's investigators find the killer of a 20-year-old Arvada woman, rewards have been offered by Crime Stoppers and the company she worked for. Eric Peterson said Alexa Bartell was working at Commercial Flooring Services in Denver as the Scheduling and Safety Coordinator. The company is putting up $15,000 in reward money for information leading to the arrest of the suspect, or suspects, who threw a heavy rock into Bartell's moving Chevy Spark, killing her. That's in addition to the $2,000 reward from Crime Stoppers. "We want to get the people who did this caught," Peterson said. "We need to get these idiots off the streets." Peterson said he'd known Bartell since she was a child. Her mother, Kelly Bartell, is the Senior Accountant and the Secretary/Treasurer of the company, having worked there for over ten years. Alexa was the single mother's only child, he said. Kelly Bartell went to the field where her daughter was found and laid flowers there Friday. "She wanted to learn more and more. She was goofy and funny," Peterson said. "We were creating a position for her." The best lead Jefferson County Sheriff's investigators had into the bizarre rock-killing death of Bartell disintegrated overnight. The sheriff's office tweeted just after 10 p.m. Thursday night that a previously published truck of interest and its owner were not involved in Bartell's death. Jefferson County Sheriff's investigators had tracked down that truck and its owner and released photos of the vehicle, but as of Thursday night that lead went cold. The hunt for suspects continued Friday. Sheriff's officials said Alexa Bartell was talking to a friend on the phone in her yellow Chevy Spark when she suddenly went silent. Bartell's friend tracked down her phone and drove to the location on Indiana Street and found Bartell dead inside her car, which was off the roadway in a field. Jefferson County spokesperson Karlyn Tilley told The Denver Gazette once they identify a suspect, they will recommend murder charges. Bartell's death is believed to be part of a larger overnight crime spree involving rock hurtling, Tilley said. She indicated that the rocks were the type that is used in landscaping. Sign up for free: Springs AM Update Your morning rundown of the latest news from Colorado Springs and around the country overnight and the stories to follow throughout the day delivered to your inbox each evening. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. The rock hurtling began at around 10 p.m. Wednesday night, ended just after midnight Thursday morning and included five vehicles. Other drivers whose vehicles were hit had minor injuries. Bartell's was the fourth of the five known incidents. Around 10:45 p.m. Wednesday, Bartell was driving northbound near the 10600 block of Indiana Street near Rocky Flats Wildlife Refuge when she was hit by the rock. According to JCSO, the rock was thrown possibly from a vehicle or the side of the road. According to Facebook posts, Bartell, 20, went to Arvada West High School. Her friends are said to be devastated over her tragic death. Jefferson County deputies provided the following timeline of events. 10:04 p.m. Westminster - 100th Ave. & Simms St. rock through a windshield. Driver not injured. 10:36 p.m. Boulder County - McCaslin Boulevard and South Indiana Street (entrance to Rock Creek neighborhood) rock through a windshield. Minor injuries to the driver. 10:37 p.m. Boulder County McCaslin Boulevard and South Indiana Street (entrance to Rock Creek neighborhood) - rock hit a Toyota 4-Runner. Body damage to a vehicle, driver not injured. 10:45 p.m. Jefferson County 10600 block of Indiana Street rock through a windshield of yellow Chevy Spark homicide. April 20 at 12:24 a.m. Arvada - Highway 93 at Highway 72 rock through a windshield minor injuries to the driver. The sheriff's office said they're working with Boulder County Sheriffs Office, Arvada Police and Westminster Police to gather information. They believe there may be additional victims. Investigators are asking for any other possible victims to call the JCSO tip line at 303-271-5612. They are also looking for anyone who might have home security or dash cameras that may have caught the vehicle driving by. This story will be updated as new information becomes available. Harnessing the power of the atom for space-based power sources is nothing new but radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) are so last century, micro-reactors are the next big (little) thing. That is if Lockheed Martin and Rolls-Royce are able to build a small enough and light enough reactor to fit into existing rockets. A panel of Rolls-Royce, Lockheed Martin, U.S. Space Force, NASA and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) employees discussed how nuclear-powered spacecraft may soon launch at a panel during the 2023 Space Symposium in Colorado Springs. In all space projects, mass is a problem. With chemical rockets, a large amount of equipment can be packed in and sent to earth orbit using platforms like Falcon Heavy, the Ariane 5 or Space Launch System. However, the higher you go, the more fuel you need, which adds mass, reducing the payload capacity drastically. Despite it being cheaper than ever to launch things into space, its still expensive, said Kirk Shireman, vice president for the Lockheed Martin lunar exploration campaign. Efficiency is really critical and if youre going far away you need power and efficiency, he said. Nuclear electric and nuclear thermal in particular is phenomenally more efficient than chemical propulsion, but its high priced. Cost has long been the Achilles heel for nuclear power, and a longstanding argument against its widespread adoption. Though likely more expensive, nuclear-based propulsion systems are the only way to make getting to Mars feasible, according to a Lockheed report from 2022. Sign up for free: Springs AM Update Your morning rundown of the latest news from Colorado Springs and around the country overnight and the stories to follow throughout the day delivered to your inbox each evening. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Nuclear thermal rockets use the heat generated by the nuclear reactor to excite a fuel source, likely hydrogen, and fire it out the back of the craft, allowing higher speeds and faster transits to the Moon and Mars. A manned mission to Mars is the next giant leap for humanity, and NASA has partnered with DARPA for assistance making that leap. The partnership manifested in the Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations (DRACO) which the agencies hope will launch in 2027. The strategy that NASA is pursuing right now is that we look at gaining experience and knowledge with the DRACO demonstration and use that to advance critical technologies into an operational system, said Dr. Anthony Calomino, NASAs space nuclear propulsion technologies portfolio lead. That would give us an ability to evolve that system And hopefully as the Mars mission begins to have more definition, well have a better idea of the requirements. He added a surplus of power from nuclear reactors may exist, but shouldn't be seen as a negative since uses will be found. Rolls-Royce, well known for their luxury vehicles and airline engines, is also heavily involved in the micro-reactor field. Jake Thompson, the firms chief innovation officer, said the key to the technologys success will be international cooperation. Theres a fantastic template already in existence for this: Weve been collaborating on the nuclear-powered submarine program since 1958, he said. I think we should absolutely use that template of collaboration to accelerate and keep the momentum on space. The Pueblo Police Department is conducting an internal investigation after officers failed to follow up on a September assault case due to trouble accessing video evidence, police announced Thursday. Detectives are also looking into the assault as an active criminal investigation. The investigating officer was given access to a video of a Sept. 14 assault five days after it occurred in the 500 block of East Eighth St., according to a news release. The officer was not able to download or view the video and conducted no further follow-up into the matter. We are working to determine why our policies and procedures were not followed in this case. We strive to provide the best service possible to the citizens and community. We will learn from this experience and apply those lessons into the future, police Chief Chris Noeller said in the release, which described the mistake as unacceptable. The department corrected concerns it had received that the assault involved off-duty Pueblo police officers. No Pueblo officers were involved in the assault, the release states. "You're going to like this one, boss," one bartender, originally from Argentina, said as he delivered a $13 beer at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in mid-April. Two limes later, he was correct. I did like it. It had been almost two years since I last made the plane trip to Washington, D.C. What I experienced was two worlds: one Washington, the state, which had basically bounced back from the pandemic troubles of the last few years, though it is adjusting, and another Washington, the District of Columbia, which continues to struggle and may never be quite the same. SOUTHWEST NIGHTMARE CONTINUES AS 'TECHNICAL ISSUES' DELAY 1,800 FLIGHTS Airline travel has soared this year for two reasons. The first is that people want to fly again, for both business and pleasure. The other is that the airlines and airports have been able to staff up enough to make that possible again, probably. Domestic air travel recovered to 92% of its pre-COVID-19 levels last year, according to an analysis by David Casey in the trade journal Aviation Week. (Other analyses arrived at a lower but similar number of 88%.) This year, air traffic could set new records, provided the airlines can get over last year's growing pains. "Overall, U.S. airlines canceled 5.4% of their scheduled domestic flights in December, higher than the rate of 1.1% in both November 2022 and in pre-pandemic December 2019," Casey wrote before he added the important caveat that one airline probably skewed the numbers. "Of the industry-wide cancellation rate during the month, 54.5% of were attributed to Southwest Airlines." December is one of the year's busiest months for travel and also one of the most cancel-prone, thanks to winter weather. The fact that most airlines navigated this last year without an excessive number of cancellations could augur well for summer travels. That's what many airlines are banking on, anyway. "Looking at planned capacity levels for the summer 2023 season based on schedules filed with [the Official Airline Guide] shows that the number of seats U.S. airlines plan to operate will be about 6% higher than during summer 2019," before the pandemic struck, Casey said. The increased traffic was reflected in what I observed during a long layover in mid-April. SeaTac's renovated North Satellite was bustling with people. When I last flew in the summer of 2021, the federal transportation mask mandate made things tricky. On this year's trip, some people wore masks, but mostly by choice. Maybe 1-in-20 workers or travelers were masked up. One SeaTac children's play area had a sign indicating masks were required. The children playing there, and the parents supervising, simply ignored it. Washington, D.C., was a different story. Specifically, it was less of a success story and more of a cautionary one. Scholars at the Brookings Institution responded to last year's State of the Capital Region Report by lamenting that "Greater Washington's commuters continue to choose gridlock" because "four in five Washington-area commuters drive to work and that number hasn't changed in half a century." While the percentages may not have changed, the volume certainly has. This year, I was there during cherry blossom season and on spring break for many public schools, which put hotel rooms at a premium. At the same time, the street traffic was fairly light, and one simply couldn't miss the "retail space available" signs on practically every block. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER Many workers at the district's government agencies and nonprofit organizations have not yet returned to their offices or have embraced a new "hybrid" work schedule that brings them to the office only a few days a week. Transit numbers have slumped along with wider commuter numbers and don't show significant signs of improvement. The Washington, D.C., area, including neighboring Maryland and Virginia, usually has one of the nation's most recession-proof economies. For now, though, it's the other Washington that's on the economic upswing. Original Location: Air travel has bounced back, DC not so much Washington Examiner Videos By Alexander Villegas and Ernest Scheyder SANTIAGO (Reuters) - Chile's President Gabriel Boric said on Thursday he would nationalize the country's lithium industry, the world's second largest producer of the metal essential in electric vehicle batteries, to boost its economy and protect its environment. The shock move in the country with the world's largest lithium reserves would in time transfer control of Chile's vast lithium operations from industry giants SQM and Albemarle to a separate state-owned company. It poses a fresh challenge to electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers scrambling to secure battery materials, as more countries look to protect their natural resources. Mexico nationalized its lithium deposits last year, and Indonesia banned exports of nickel ore, a key battery material, in 2020. Graphic: Growing concerns about lithium shortages https://www.reuters.com/graphics/CHILE-LITHIUM/gdvzqbynypw/graphic.jpg Mexico is also working with governments of Argentina, Bolivia and Chile to create a lithium association so the countries, which together account for more than half the world's reserves, can share their expertise to exploit the mineral. "This is the best chance we have at transitioning to a sustainable and developed economy. We can't afford to waste it," Boric said in an address televised nationwide. Future lithium contracts would only be issued as public-private partnerships with state control, he said. An attempt last year to overhaul mining rights faced fierce opposition from the mining sector and was voted down. The government would not terminate current contracts, but hoped companies would be open to state participation before they expire, he said, without naming Albemarle and SQM, the world's No.1 and No.2 lithium producers respectively. SQM's contract is set to expire in 2030 and Albemarle's in 2043. SQM, formally called Sociedad Quimica Y Minera de Chile, and Albemarle supply Tesla Inc, LG Energy Solution Ltd and other EV and battery manufacturers. Albemarle said the announcement would have "no material impact on our business" and it would continue talks on investing in further growth and using new technologies in Chile. SQM and China's Tianqi Lithium Corp, the second largest shareholder of SQM, did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment. South Korean battery maker SK On, which has a long-term supply contract with SQM, said it would monitor the development and respond with a long-term view. The announcement by Chile helped spark a lithium price rally in Asia in volatile trade on Friday, as it eased market concerns over excess supply triggered by a sharp slowdown this year in EV sales in China, the world's biggest auto market. The most-traded lithium carbonate futures on the Wuxi Stainless Steel Exchange in China jumped 11% after falling nearly 11% earlier on Friday. Spot lithium prices have plunged more than 70% from a November peak. Graphic: Falling lithium prices - https://www.reuters.com/graphics/CHILE-LITHIUM/movakdnjmva/chart.png "When or if battery makers renew their contracts with lithium firms in Chile, contract conditions would likely become more difficult than what they saw in the past when there was no state involvement," said Cho Hyunryul, an analyst at Samsung Securities. The move is likely to spur a shift in future investment in lithium to other countries including Australia, the world's biggest producer, analysts said. "Policy stability is very important for any mining project ... Mining-friendly jurisdictions like Australia would be places where incremental funds get invested," said Harsh Bardia, an analyst at National Australia Bank's private wealth arm JBWere. Graphic: Lithium production - https://www.reuters.com/graphics/CHILE-LITHIUM/byvrlejrxve/Lithhium_prod.jpg CODELCO ROLE Boric said state-owned Codelco, the world's largest copper producer, will be tasked to find the best way forward for a state-owned lithium company and he would seek approval from Congress for the plan in the second half of the year. Congress has been a check on many of Boric's more ambitious proposals and shelved a proposed tax reform bill in early March. Codelco and state miner Enami will be given exploration and extraction contracts in areas where there are now private projects before the national lithium company is formed. A division will be dedicated to advancing technology to minimize environmental impacts, including favoring direct lithium extraction over evaporation ponds. Privately held Summit Nanotech Corp, which is developing direct lithium extraction technology, welcomed the announcement. Boric said the country would look to protect biodiversity and share mining benefits with indigenous and surrounding communities. "Today we present a national lithium strategy that's technically solid and ambitious," the president said, adding it would build "a Chile that distributes wealth we all generate in a more just way". Graphic: Lithium reserves - https://www.reuters.com/graphics/CHILE-LITHIUM/klpygbkzopg/lithium_reserves.jpg (Reporting by Alexander Villegas and Ernest Scheyder; Additional reporting by Praveen Menon in Sydney, Heekyong Yang in Seoul and Siyi Liu in Beijing; Editing by Miyoung Kim, Sonali Paul, Elaine Hardcastle) Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) introduced a no-confidence resolution against Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas on Thursday, marking the first effort in the Senate to mirror impeachment efforts in the House. Marshall has been a strong critic of Mayorkas's handling of the immigration crisis at the United States's southern border with Mexico. He claimed during an exchange with Mayorkas that he would be "derelict" in his duty as a senator if he did not do something to fix the crisis. HOUSE ADVANCES KEY BORDER IMMIGRATION LEGISLATION AFTER MARATHON HEARING "There isn't one American who believes our southern border is secure," Marshall said in a release on Thursday. "In the real world, if you fail at your job, you get fired the federal government should be no different." Sen Roger Marshall, R-Kan., listens during a Senate committee on the President's FY'24 budget proposal, Wednesday, March 15, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Mariam Zuhaib/AP The nine-page resolution claimed Mayorkas's supposed failures range from increased immigration, including the influx of approximately 15,000 Haitians near the Texas border, to an increase in drug trafficking and overdoses. The resolution also accuses Mayorkas of being dishonest to Congress regarding his handling of the border. He claimed he has maintained control of the border. Mayorkas argued that the definition of a secure border laid out under the Secure Fence Act of 2006 has never been met by any administration. "The Secure Fence Act provides that operational control means that not a single individual crosses the border illegally. And it's for that reason that prior secretaries and myself have said that under that definition, no administration has had operational control," Mayorkas said. "As I have testified under oath multiple times, we use a lens of reasonableness in defining operational control. Are we maximizing the resources that we have to deliver the most effective results? And under that definition, we are doing so very much to gain operational control," he added. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER Although the resolution calls for Mayorkas's impeachment, it would have little direct impact on the secretary's job if it did pass the Democratic-led Senate. It also does not trigger any impeachment procedures, which the House does. Although lawmakers have expressed interest in impeaching Mayorkas, no proceeding has been started. The Department of Homeland Security has pushed for Congress to do more to fix the broken immigration system rather than punishing Mayorkas specifically. Original Location: Kansas senator takes first step toward impeaching Mayorkas Washington Examiner Videos The mayor of San Francisco has "no plans" to support a request for $50 million from the city's reparations committee. The request from San Francisco's African American Reparations Advisory Committee, which is working on reparations for black residents in the city, asked in March for an appropriation of $50 million to establish an "Office of Reparations" to begin finding eligible participants for the reparations. WEST COAST CITIES ARE LETTING DRUG ADDICTS KILL THEMSELVES When San Francisco Mayor London Breed, a Democrat, was asked by San Francisco Supervisor Shamann Walton if she would support the request, she said she had no plans to support it, according to the San Francisco Standard. "I know the committee is still working over the next couple of months to complete and issue the final report, and I look forward to reviewing those recommendations once they are finalized and make it clear in regards to my support at that time," Breed said. San Francisco Mayor London Breed provides an update on the homicide investigation of Robert Lee during a press conference where officials announced the arrest of a suspect, Thursday, April 13, 2023, in San Francisco. Godofredo A. Vsquez/AP The current proposal by the reparations advisory committee calls for $5 million payments along with other benefits for black residents of San Francisco, including the elimination of personal debt and tax burdens, a guaranteed annual income of at least $97,000 for the next 250 years, and homes in the city for $1 per family. The committee argues the proposals are necessary to remedy past injustices against black residents of the city. In March, Walton requested funding for the San Francisco Attorney's Office to create an office of reparations under the office's Human Rights Commission. Walton said the work of the reparations office would start "almost immediately" if the $50 million request is approved. The proposal has drawn both attention and criticism from across the country, including from the city's NAACP chapter, which argued that instead of issuing $5 million payments to residents, the city should invest in education, "economic empowerment," public and affordable housing, healthcare, and a "black center of town" in the Fillmore Heritage Center. The mayor's comment on having no plans to support the money for a reparations office comes shortly after Richie Greenberg, a vocal critic of the city's reparations plan, served a cease-and-desist demand on the offices of the Board of Supervisors on Monday. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER Greenberg argued that the state's Civil Procedure Code 526a allows any taxpayers in either the city or county of San Francisco to bring a lawsuit against the city and county of San Francisco for the violation of the U.S. and California constitutions if the reparations plan is enacted, according to the California Globe. "Our mayor has a race problem," he added. "She's creating a race problem it is unlawful and unconstitutional." Original Location: San Francisco mayor has 'no plans' to support request for $50 million reparations office Washington Examiner Videos By Khalid Abdelaziz and Nafisa Eltahir KHARTOUM (Reuters) - Sporadic shelling rang out late on Friday in Sudan's capital even though warring factions announced a truce, while one force said it was willing to allow airports to reopen for the evacuation of foreign nationals. The United Nations, U.S., UK, Japan, Switzerland, South Korea, Sweden and Spain have said they were making preparations or attempting to remove their personnel after almost a week of violence. Forces commanded by two previously allied leaders of Sudan's ruling council began a violent power struggle last weekend. Hundreds have died, and a nation reliant on food aid has been tipped into what the United Nations calls a humanitarian catastrophe. Artillery fire continued in Khartoum late on Friday, a Reuters witness said, though less intense than earlier in the day. The fighting dealt the latest blow to international attempts to end the fighting. The army and its adversary, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), said separately they agreed to a three-day truce to enable people to celebrate the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr. "The armed forces hope that the rebels will abide by all the requirements of the truce and stop any military moves that would obstruct it," an army statement said. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged the combatants to honour the truce, and said Sudan's military and civilian leadership must urgently start negotiations on a sustainable ceasefire to prevent further damage to the country. RSF chief Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, better known as Hemedti, said early on Saturday that he had received a phone call from U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres. The two "emphasised the necessity of adhering to a complete ceasefire and providing protection for humanitarian and medical workers, especially U.N. staff as well as regional and international organisations," Hemedti said in a post on his official Facebook account. The RSF said late on Friday it was ready to partially open all of Sudan's airports so foreign governments could evacuate their nationals. The group said in a statement it would "cooperate, coordinate and provide all facilities that enable expatriates and missions to leave the country safely." It was unclear to what extent the RSF controls Sudan's airports. The Khartoum airport has been caught in the fighting with aircraft burning on the tarmac, and commercial airlines halted flights several days ago. Soldiers and gunmen from the RSF shot at each other all day in neighbourhoods across the city, including during the call for special early morning Eid prayers, with gunfire punctuated by the thud of artillery and air strikes. Drone footage showed smoke across Khartoum and its Nile sister cities, together one of Africa's biggest urban areas. The World Health Organization on Friday reported 413 people had been killed and 3,551 injured since fighting broke out six days ago. The death toll includes at least five aid workers. EVACUATIONS STYMIED In Washington, the State Department said without elaborating that one U.S. citizen had been killed in Sudan. U.S. citizens in Sudan should not expect a U.S.-government coordinated evacuation, deputy State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel said, adding that citizens there should make their own arrangements to stay safe. U.S. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said no decision had been made on airlifting U.S. government staff out of the country, but U.S. forces were positioned near Sudan to assist. Reuters reported on Thursday troops were sent to a U.S. base in Djibouti. "We've deployed some forces into theatre to ensure that we provide as many options as possible if we are called on to do something. And we haven't been called on to do anything yet," Austin told a news conference at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. RUNNING OUT OF FOOD AND WATER The fighting has made it difficult for Sudanese people to leave their homes to obtain supplies or join the droves departing Khartoum. "An increasing number of people are running out of food, water, and power, including in Khartoum," the UN humanitarian office said. Khartoum resident Mohamed Saber Turaby, 27, had wanted to visit his parents 80 km (50 miles) from the city for the Muslim Eid al-Fitr holiday. "Every time I try to leave the house, there are clashes," he said. "There was shelling last night and now there is presence of army forces on the ground." Army troops brandishing semi-automatic weapons were greeted by cheers on one street, a video released by the military on Friday showed. Reuters verified the location of the video, in the north of the city, but could not verify when it was filmed. Fighting extended down Medani Street, the main highway leading from Khartoum to Al Gezira state being used by those fleeing, as the RSF appeared to withdraw towards rural villages on the outskirts of Khartoum, witnesses told Reuters. Sudan borders seven countries and sits between Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia and Africa's volatile Sahel region. The hostilities risk fanning regional tensions. The violence was triggered by disagreement over an internationally backed plan to form a new civilian government four years after the fall of autocrat Omar al-Bashir and two years after a military coup. Both sides accuse the other of thwarting the transition. (Reporting by Khalid Abdelaziz in Khartoum, Nafisa Eltahir, Mariam Rizk and Aidan Lewis in Cairo, Clauda Tanios in Dubai, Emma Farge in Geneva, Daphne Psaledakis in Washington; Writing by Frank Jack Daniel, William Maclean and Cynthia Osterman; Editing by Peter Graff, Nick Macfie, Grant McCool, Deepa Babington and William Mallard) Four more generators will be installed for Con Dao Island District in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau by 2024, raising the localitys total electricity capacity to 16 MW. According to Nguyen Van Giap, director of Ba Ria-Vung Tau Electricity Company, the 1.5-MW generator is being tested in HCM City and will be brought to Con Dao before April 30. The three others will be put into use in the district between the end of this year and 2024. Con Dao is currently home to nine generators which are outdated and facing overloading. Last year, three generators experienced technical problems, causing power shortages for the district. Electricity of Vietnam said that power demand on Con Dao, which is an increasingly popular tourist destination, has been on the rise. Con Daos demand for energy has increased by 20-30 percent annually amid a rise in tourists, forcing generators to operate 20-22 hours daily. The islands electricity demand has been forecasted to reach 24.5 MW by 2025 and 114.4 MW by 2045. Under a revised plan for Con Dao development by 2045, the island is set to become a world-class site for marine, cultural, historic and spiritual tourism. Last year, despite impacts of Covid-19 pandemic, the district welcomed 523,515 tourists, an increase of more than 110 percent over the same period in 2021, including 9,215 foreigners, the Vietnam News Agency reported. Last week in the Colorado Legislature, HB 23-1164, the Opioid Harm Reduction Act, was killed by the House Judiciary Committee. As we know, opioid drugs, including fentanyl, have waged war on our communities, putting our children at risk, ripping families apart and taking lives at an alarming rate. Sadly, opioids are a drug with high accessibility and the risk of addiction and death. In 2021, more than 900 Coloradans died from a fentanyl overdose, according to state health department data, including four children under 1 and 35 people between the ages of 10 and 18. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid 80 to 100 times more potent than morphine. It can be lethal in doses of about 2 or 3 milligrams. That is as small of a dose as the point of a ballpoint pen. Since its arrival on the illegal drug scene, drug traffickers often mix fentanyl into other drugs because it is cheap to manufacture, and a small amount goes a long way. It is now common practice to make these drugs appear like candy, with bright colors, intending to attract school-aged children to this dangerous, highly addictive and often fatal drug. Sign up for free: Gazette Opinion Receive updates from our editorial staff, guest columnists, and letters from Gazette readers. Sent to your inbox 12:00 PM. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. HB 23-1164 would have eliminated the requirement a person had to knowingly possess fentanyl and other similar illegal drugs, allowing felony charges to be applied. HB 23-1164 would have increased funding and access to Narcan for schools. Additionally, this bill would extend civil and criminal immunity to the Department of Education, or a person acting on behalf of the department, for acting in good faith to furnish an opioid antagonist to eligible schools, further protecting our children. Passing this legislation would be a positive step toward preventing fentanyl from getting to our children and punishing criminals for possessing and selling these deadly drugs. As your sheriff, I strongly supported this legislation, and I am disappointed our legislators did not act in the interest of public safety, pass this bill through committee, and get it to the governors desk to sign into law. I urge Coloradans to contact their representatives at the Colorado Legislature and demand HB 23-1164, the Opioid Harm Reduction Act, be put back on the table. I thank Minority Leader Mike Lynch for his leadership on this important legislation and urge our elected officials across Colorado to do more when it comes to the fight against the fentanyl epidemic. Joe Roybal is the sheriff of El Paso County. The city of Colorado Springs is countersuing the contractor who built the new summit complex at the top of Pikes Peak, alleging one of the state's largest general contractors performed poor-quality work on a new wastewater treatment system and parking lot at the site. In a countersuit filed in El Paso County district court April 13, the city said since contractor GE Johnson Construction Company installed a new parking lot more than 14,000 feet at the top of America's Mountain the lot "has experienced severe undulations" because of the contractor's "failure to perform according to the contract and acceptable construction methods." The city also claims GE Johnson built a new wastewater treatment system at the site that "does not function as specified by the contract" between both parties. The city alleges Pikes Peak America's Mountain, a city enterprise paying for the new summit complex, asked GE Johnson on Dec. 29, 2021, to submit a "corrective action plan" within 30 days that identified why the system failed and a 120-day plan to correct it. GE Johnson did not respond to the city's request as contractually required, the countersuit claims. "The wastewater system remains unrepaired, and with (GE Johnson) refusing to honor its warranty obligations, (Pikes Peak America's Mountain) anticipates it will have to repair the wastewater system at a substantial cost" to the city enterprise, the countersuit states. Crews broke ground on the project around Aug. 3, 2018, and opened on June 23, 2021. Made up of hurricane wind-tested glass and steel, the new facility is more than three times the size of the former summit house and includes a "grand staircase" with views of Mount Rosa and the sprawling Arkansas River Valley. It also boasts interactive displays, a museum, interpretive signage and an extensive walkway around the summit. Colorado Springs' countersuit showcases an ongoing but rare dispute between the city, the general contractor, which has worked hand in hand with Springs officials as its built some of the area's highest-profile public and private projects since it was founded more than a half-century ago. Its Colorado Springs projects in recent years include downtown's U.S Olympic & Paralympic Museum and Weidner Field multipurpose stadium; Ent Credit Union's north-side headquarters; the gutting and renovation of The Broadmoor hotel's Broadmoor West guest building; the 110-bed Children's Hospital Colorado; the 72-bed St. Francis-Interquest hospital scheduled to open July 11; and a 375-room hotel that's expected to debut next year as part of the Air Force Academy's new visitors center. Colorado Springs filed its countersuit in response to a complaint GE Johnson filed March 8 in El Paso County district court. The contractor claimed the city has not paid for work its crews carried out to build the visitor center after "compensable delays outside of (GE Johnson's) responsibility or control prevented" the company from completing the project on time. GE Johnson is suing the city to recover damages, fees "and other losses to which it is entitled," court documents state. Colorado Springs officials said in their countersuit GE Johnson's claims "lack substantial justification" and "are frivolous and groundless." The city is also looking to recover damages and wants the contractor to pay its legal fees. GE Johnson spokeswoman Laura Rinker said in a statement Thursday that the company "is not offering comment to the ongoing litigation with the city of Colorado Springs at this time." The Colorado Republican Party has appointed veteran campaign numbers guy Tom Bjorklund as its treasurer, state GOP Chairman Dave Williams announced Friday. Williams, who won election last month to the party leadership position, credited 2022 congressional nominee Erik Aadland, the second-place finisher in the chair election, with suggesting Bjorklund for the job. "On behalf of our state party, and in a spirit of unity, I want to personally thank Erik Aadland for elevating Tom's name for this role while giving Erik credit for identifying such a highly qualified individual to serve in this capacity," Williams said in an email to GOP supporters. Bjorklund was Aadland's campaign treasurer last cycle, when the political newcomer lost a bid to represent the Jefferson County-based 7th Congressional District to Democrat Brittany Pettersen, a former state senator from Lakewood. Based in Grand Junction, Bjorklund has kept the books for numerous candidates and conservative causes over nearly 20 years, including for former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters' unsuccessful bid for secretary of state last year and for former U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo when he ran for governor. It's the first official hire Williams has made since taking over as chair from Kristi Burton Brown, who declined to seek a second term running the party. "Right now no one's drawing a salary, no one's drawing a paycheck, including myself, until we can get our legs under us and get income in the door," Williams told Colorado Politics. He said he's anxious to revamp the state party's financial operations, calling it "a fixer-upper opportunity." Williams said he doesn't plan to spend as much on salaries, outside vendors and legal retainer fees as his predecessor, instead putting the money into field operations and Republican campaigns. Sign up for free: News Alerts Stay in the know on the stories that affect you the most. Sign Up For Free View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. "We'll consider all of our options," he said. "The one change we're going to absolutely implement is we're going to cut back on these overhead costs that I'm seeing." Added Williams: "I'm looking at it and, well, this is a part of the puzzle we need to solve. If we don't have enough money going into the field trying to elect Republicans, that is of course a data point showing why we're not as successful as we should be." Colorado Republicans are attempting to rebound after a string of losses in recent elections, including losing every statewide race on the ballot last year, losing the state's new congressional seat and losing ground in the legislature to Democrats, who hold larger majorities than at any time in nearly 100 years. Williams said he's considering how to "completely revamp the organizational chart," potentially taking a page from the business world and structuring party activity around paid and volunteer project-managers. "People will be fairly compensated but nobody's going to get rich," he said. "Our goal is to be a lean, mean operation, where donor dollars are being used to directly elect Republicans." Earlier this month, Weston Imer, who managed his mother Laurel Imer's congressional campaign last year she lost in the primary to Aadland started work at the state party as an unpaid intern, Williams said. Williams added that he's "mapping out" roles for two of the other Republicans who ran for chair last month former state Sen. Kevin Lundberg, R-Berthoud, and Douglas County activist Aaron Wood. Peters, who is under felony indictment on charges related to allegations she helped breach her county's secure election equipment, also ran for state chair and endorsed Williams before the final ballot, but Williams told Colorado Politics earlier this month she likely won't have a role with the GOP. A federal judge has declined to dismiss a lawsuit alleging a Denver police officer arrested a man without probable cause of a crime and retaliated against him when the man asked a bystander to record the interaction. John Collins claimed Officer Austin Barela approached him while he was working to fix a car, then badgered Collins to show identification. When Collins refused, Barela handcuffed him and lectured Collins about "not doing what I'm telling you to do." Barela moved to dismiss the lawsuit, asserting he had reasonable suspicion of an offense Collins allegedly operated the car with illegally-tinted windows which escalated to probable cause when Collins would not give his ID. "The problem with Defendants argument," wrote U.S. Magistrate Judge Scott T. Varholak on Monday, "is that the Complaint never alleges that Plaintiff was actually operating the vehicle." In his April 17 order, Varholak believed Collins' lawsuit credibly alleged the officer had no reason to believe Collins violated the law against tinted windows. If so, Collins had no obligation to identify himself. The magistrate judge also applied a key decision from last summer issued by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit, which addressed the First Amendment's protection for people who video record police officers in public. Although the 10th Circuit determined the right to record was clearly established as of May 2019, Varholak indicated the recording of police was clearly protected at the time of Collins' encounter two months earlier and, in fact, was clear years before that. According to Collins' complaint, he was repairing an interior panel on his brother's car on March 25, 2019. The vehicle was parked on a Denver street. Barela then approached him and captured the interaction on his body-worn camera. "You have an ID on you, man?" Barela asked. Collins said he did, but did not show it. Barela asked again for Collins to identify himself. Collins allegedly told a passenger in the car to video record the interaction, and explained to Barela he was just fixing the door. "Every reasonable officer in Barelas position would know that he lacked reasonable suspicion to demand identification from Mr. Collins under threat of arrest," wrote Collins' attorney, J. Spencer Bryan. Barela repeatedly pressed Collins for his name and ID. When Collins asked why Barela needed the ID, the officer responded it was "for driving the car." Sign up for free: News Alerts Stay in the know on the stories that affect you the most. Sign Up For Free View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Barela then threatened to handcuff Collins if he did not comply, quickly following through by placing the cuffs on him. Barela said he did it "because you're not giving me your ID like I asked," and complained that Collins had asked his passenger to record him. "You're not doing what I'm telling you to do," Barela lectured him. "If you just go, 'Here, sir, here's my ID,' and I come back to the car ... it's completely different." According to documents the city provided in Collins' lawsuit, Barela wrote in his report that he previously saw the car Collins was repairing, driving with "heavy, non-transparent window tint." He allegedly cuffed Collins when Collins "started to put his left hand inside of his hoodie pocket," causing the officer to fear "he was reaching for a weapon." Prosecutors subsequently dismissed the charges against Collins none of which pertained to tinted windows or failing to show ID because they believed a conviction was unlikely. Collins sued Barela for false arrest, alleging the officer lacked probable cause or reasonable suspicion of a crime. He also claimed Barela retaliated against him, arresting Collins for "taking steps to record" the encounter. Barela asserted qualified immunity, which is a judicial doctrine that generally shields government employees from civil liability unless they violate a person's clearly established legal rights. The Denver City Attorney's Office argued Barela had not violated Collins' rights because he had reasonable suspicion the windows were illegally tinted, followed by Collins' refusal to identify himself. As for the recording, "there exists no allegations that Plaintiff ever recorded Officer Barela," wrote Assistant City Attorney Hollie R. Bikhloz, adding that telling an acquaintance to record is not clearly protected activity under the First Amendment. Varholak disagreed on both counts. Colorado's law against tinted windows applies to the "operation" of vehicles. Because it was questionable whether Barela saw Collins operating the car, it was plausible the officer lacked reasonable suspicion of a crime. For the retaliation claim, Varholak cited the 10th Circuit's decision in Irizarry v. Yehia, which found the right to record police was clearly established as of May 2019. However, the appellate court relied upon previous rulings as late as 2017 in reaching its conclusion. Therefore, Varholak agreed the right to record was clear prior to May 2019. In denying qualified immunity, Varholak added he did "not find constitutional significance in the fact that neither (Collins) nor his acquaintance actually recorded the incident." The case is Collins v. Barela. Owners of properties where Coloradans hike and play in the outdoors had hoped to feel better about allowing that access after a hearing this month at the state Capitol. Instead, some are feeling more worried than ever. That includes Patrick Schilken, who has long held land along the base of 14,000-foot Mount Sherman in Park County. It's not a popular area for climbers, but Schilken has still often come by lost or ambitious types. He's an attorney, knowing all too well about what he and others have seen as a gaping hole in the Colorado Recreational Use Statute opened by a court ruling in 2019, which awarded a mountain biker more than $7 million for injuries sustained on a ride around the Air Force Academy. "From that point on, we've been fighting pretty fervently to try to limit our exposure" to liability, Schilken said. By "we," he means other landowners who were joined by more than two dozen statewide recreation groups, water managers and government agencies in support of an amendment to the Colorado Recreational Use Statute. Senate Bill 103 was shot down by the Senate Judiciary Committee. The response was immediate from John Reiber, who owns mining claims along the trail skirting mounts Lincoln, Democrat and Bross. With his posted closure, the multi-peak route known as Decalibron is no longer available to the tens of thousands of people who venture it every year. Leading up to the judiciary committee's hearing, Reiber said his insurance carrier had notified him of dropping his coverage. "That, combined with no real relief regarding liability from the Legislature, that made me decide that, boy, I really need to protect my family," said Reiber, who has mostly kept his mountain swaths open for decades. That's been against suggestions from attorneys in recent years, he said. "I've been advised more than once that the best thing I could do is make my land 'no trespassing.'" That's what Schilken is planning to do at his side of Mount Sherman. It's as he heard an associate say: "'If I was advising anyone, I would tell them to close it down.' I think he's right." It could be the thinking of more landowners spotting Colorado's recreation landscape, advocates say. Mark Baisley, the Republican senator from Teller County who sponsored Senate Bill 103, said he has heard from several concerned individuals who have allowed people to fish or boat streams through their properties, or hunt or ride horses through their pastures. "I think the dominoes will keep falling," Baisley said. "I think you'll see people putting up no trespassing signs everywhere." Boulder Climbing Community is among groups that supported the proposed amendment and signed an online petition to continue the push. The organization's board chair, Anneliese Steel, in a letter listed several crags at potential risk of closure under the current Colorado Recreational Use Statute: areas in Boulder Canyon and along Eldorado Mountain, as well as routes on the west end of Clear Creek Canyon. "That's over 250 routes in some of the most popular climbing areas in Colorado," Steel wrote. She added of the proposed amendment: "This may sound like a small change, but it has big consequences for public access." The proposed change centered on the word "willful" in the statute. Sign up for free: News Alerts Stay in the know on the stories that affect you the most. Sign Up For Free View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. The law exposes landowners to lawsuit if they demonstrate "willful or malicious failure to guard or warn against a known dangerous condition." In 2019, a federal appeals court determined the Air Force Academy knew about a washed-out trail that resulted in mountain biker James Nelson's injuries. That was "the only case of its kind in 26 years," Kari Jones Dulin, representing Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, said in her opposition to Senate Bill 103 before the judiciary committee. She started her testimony by saying: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." The statute, Jones Dulin argued, "has worked to both protect the landowner and those that enjoy the land for recreational use." And the word "willful" was important, she said. "All that it asks of a landowner is, if you know something is dangerous and likely to cause harm, either guard against it or warn against it, which is to say: If you know something, do something. ... Isn't that just basic human decency?" The committee voted 3-2 against the change on partisan lines; three no votes by Democrats, two yes votes by Republicans. In Colorado Springs, Trails and Open Space Executive Director Susan Davies said the decision was "heartbreaking." Her group has led a decades-long effort to complete the Ring the Peak trail, a full loop around Pikes Peak. She said success will depend on private landowners allowing corridors like fourteener-owning Reiber and Schilken, who feel their knowledge of inherent dangers in the backcountry makes them vulnerable. "It starts with willing landowners, Davies said of Ring the Peak, and this is really a blow to securing willing landowners. Ring the Peak also involves Colorado Springs Utilities, which was listed as another supporter of Senate Bill 103. Denver Water, overseeing premier recreation areas like Dillon Reservoir and Waterton Canyon, was also monitoring the bill. Denver Water declined to comment for this article, but in an email said it "didn't have any immediate concerns." Anyone not concerned, advocates recognized, might have come away from the judiciary committee decision believing what the opposing trial lawyers said: that the Recreational Use Statute protects landowners, and that the Nelson case was an outlier. But it appears some fourteeners will be off-limits this summer, and it's likely other areas will be fenced off, said Nicole Budine, the Colorado Mountain Club's policy director. "That's a pretty clear sign that this is a problem now, that the Colorado Recreational Use Statute is not working as intended," she said. In recent years, the trail to 14,000-foot Mount Lindsey, crossing parts of Trinchera Blanca Ranch, has also been marked for no trespassing. On land it owns along Mount Shavano, Colorado Fourteeners Initiative has posted several signs warning of dangers and unpredictable circumstances in the high alpine. "If we had a sign go missing from a rock fall or an avalanche or I guess somebody could steal it, does that mean we're still liable?" asked Brian Sargeant, Colorado Fourteeners Initiative's development and communications manager. The signs are high on hard-to-reach terrain, he noted, "and we don't have cameras up there to see if (they are) up there every single day." Shavano remains open as part of the initiative's overall vision of access across the fourteeners. But "there's still concern," Sargeant said. "We're a small, little nonprofit. Going to court would put us in financial ruin pretty quick." Fees and waivers have long been the model of one fourteener, Culebra Peak. Back at mounts Lincoln, Democrat and Bross, Reiber expressed no interest in money; he said he struggled to envision logistics and how waivers would be managed and enforced. "I don't see that as a true possibility at this juncture," Reiber said. "I don't know what the end result is gonna be, but I sure wish we had some resolution to this." The Gageby Creek fire has more than doubled in size, burning 4,450 acres of brush and grasslands in southeast Colorado, according to a social media post Thursday from the Bent County Sheriff's Office. The Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control took the lead Thursday on fighting the fire, which was 40% contained, according to the Sheriff's Office. No businesses or homes have been lost in the blaze, which burned at least 1,700 acres by Wednesday afternoon. The fire forced residents to evacuate Fort Lyon Wednesday night. Authorities lifted the evacuation order just after 11 p.m. Wednesday. The Las Animas Fire Department began night operations around 11:30 p.m. and monitored the fire throughout the night. A second fire that sparked north of the Bent/Kiowa line near County Road 14 was reported Wednesday night around 9:15 p.m. Kiowa County fire was working the blaze with mutual aid and one structure was evacuated. A multiagency response has been fighting the flames with support from three air tankers, the Canon City helitack team and local responders. Thick tamarisk and grasses have burned, and some habitat of the rare and threatened black rail bird species also burned, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife. The cause of the fire is under investigation. People are asked to avoid the area of County Road JJ west of Hasty. The fire originally closed Highway 50 between Las Animas and Lamar before reopening late afternoon Tuesday. The highway closed again briefly Wednesday due to smoke between Las Animas and McClave but reopened within the hour based on updates from the Sheriff's Office. On Tuesday, Parks and Wildlife said people should stay out of the park and surrounding areas due to the wildfire that erupted near the John Martin Reservoir. Crews battled the blaze amid red flag conditions Wednesday, but lower wind and temps are expected Thursday with possible rain and snow Thursday night, according to the National Weather Service in Pueblo. Las Animas, the seat of Bent County, is about 120 miles southeast of Colorado Springs. fiesta wrote: Frobisher, a sixteenth-century English explorer, had soil samples from Canadas Kodlunarn Island examined for gold content. Because high gold content was reported, Elizabeth I funded two mining expeditions. Neither expedition found any gold there. Modern analysis of the islands soil indicates a very low gold content. Thus the methods used to determine the gold content of Frobishers samples must have been inaccurate. Which of the following is an assumption on which the argument depends? (A) The gold content of the soil on Kodlunarn Island is much lower today than it was in the sixteenth century. (B) The two mining expeditions funded by Elizabeth I did not mine the same part of Kodlunarn Island. (C) The methods used to assess gold content of the soil samples provided by Frobisher were different from those generally used in the sixteenth century. (D) Frobisher did not have soil samples from any other Canadian island examined for gold content. (E) Gold was not added to the soil samples collected by Frobisher before the samples were examined. The methods used to determine the gold content of Frobishers samples must have been inaccurate. was added Let us read the question stem first. We are looking for an assumption. An assumption is a necessary missing premise. We are looking for the option that needs to be true for the conclusion to be true.Premises:Frobisher had soil samples from Canadas Kodlunarn Island examined for gold content.Because high gold content was reported, Elizabeth I funded two mining expeditions.Neither expedition found any gold there.Modern analysis of the islands soil indicates a very low gold content.Tell me, when you read the above premises, what possibilities come to mind? Frobisher had samples examined. High gold content was reported. No gold was actually found. Modern analysis show very low gold content.The following possibilities come to my mind:1. Either there was gold and before the expeditions were sent, it was mined (very unlikely!)2. His methods were inaccurate.3. Someone had added gold to the soil he tested.Conclusion:If I am concluding that his methods were inaccurate, then I am assuming that no one added gold to his samples and gold was not mined before the expeditions were sent. (Technically, gold could have been added and his methods could have been inaccurate too but lets not mess with that.)Hence option (E) is an assumption.Also, use you can use assumption negation technique to see that it is the right answer.I negate (E) : Goldto the soil samples collected by Frobisher before the samples were examined.I can not conclude now that his methods were inaccurate.Hence (E) is the correct answer.Option (C) is not correct. We did not assume in the argument that his methods were different. They could have been the same ones generally used in the 16th century, It is possible that 16th century methods were not accurate._________________ Though far from the only U.S. president dogged by legal and ethical scandals, Donald Trump now occupies a unique place in history as the first indicted on criminal charges. Two others, like Trump, found themselves impeached by Congress Bill Clinton for lying under oath about his affair with a White House intern, and Andrew Johnson for pushing the limits of his executive authority in a bitter power struggle following the Civil War. Richard Nixon resigned in disgrace over his role in the infamous Watergate break-in. And Ronald Reagan and Ulysses S. Grant both became forever tied to scandals in which close aides got prosecuted, though neither president was ever charged. Here's a look at how Trump's predecessors fared: Bill Clinton Ronald Reagan Richard Nixon Ulysses S. Grant Andrew Johnson Donald Trump has become the first former president to be indicted in a criminal case after a grand jury investigation into hush money payments made on his behalf during the 2016 presidential campaign. The unprecedented indictment comes as the Republican faces other legal investigations and launches a bid to return to the White House in 2024. The indictment will test the Republican Party already divided over whether to support Trump next year, in part due to his efforts to undermine his 2020 election loss. Trump has denied any wrongdoing and accuses prosecutors of engaging in a politically motivated "witch hunt" to damage his campaign. Here's a look at the hush money case, the grand jury investigation and possible ramifications for Trump's presidential campaign: WHAT'S THIS CASE ABOUT? The grand jury spent weeks meeting in secret to probe Trump's involvement in a $130,000 payment made in 2016 to the porn actor Stormy Daniels to keep her from going public about a sexual encounter she said she had with him years earlier. Trump lawyer Michael Cohen paid Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, through a shell company before being reimbursed by Trump, whose company, the Trump Organization, logged the reimbursements as legal expenses. Earlier in 2016, Cohen also arranged for former Playboy model Karen McDougal to be paid $150,000 by the publisher of the supermarket tabloid The National Enquirer, which then squelched her story in a journalistically dubious practice known as "catch and kill." Trump denies having sex with either woman. Trump's company "grossed up" Cohen's reimbursement for the Daniels payment to defray tax payments, according to federal prosecutors who filed criminal charges against the lawyer in connection with the payments in 2018. In all, Cohen got $360,000 plus a $60,000 bonus, for a total of $420,000. Cohen pleaded guilty to violating federal campaign finance law in connection with the payments. Federal prosecutors say the payments amounted to illegal, unreported assistance to Trump's campaign. But they declined to file charges against Trump himself. WHAT ARE THE CHARGES? The indictment has not yet been unsealed, so it's not totally clear. Some experts have said they believe Trump could be charged with falsifying business records, which can be a misdemeanor or a felony under New York law. To secure a conviction on the felony charge, prosecutors would have to prove that records were falsified with the intention of committing or concealing a second crime. It's not clear what prosecutors may allege as the second crime. WHAT HAS TRUMP'S LAWYER SAID? Trump's lawyer, Joe Tacopina, said Thursday that the former president didn't commit any crime and vowed to "vigorously fight this political prosecution in court." Tacopina has accused prosecutors of "distorting laws" to try to take down the former president. He has described Trump as a victim of extortion who had to pay the money because the allegations were going to be embarrassing to him "regardless of the campaign." "He made this with personal funds to prevent something from coming out false, but embarrassing to himself, his family, his young son. That's not a campaign finance violation, not by any stretch," Tacopina said on ABC's "Good Morning America" before the indictment. WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? Law enforcement officials have been making security preparations for days for the possibility of an indictment and a court appearance by the president. Trump was expected to surrender to authorities next week, though details were still being worked out, according to a person familiar with the matter who was not authorized to discuss a matter that remained under seal. WHAT'S THIS GRAND JURY AND WHO TESTIFIED? A grand jury is made up of people drawn from the community, similar to a trial jury. But unlike juries that hear trials, grand juries don't decide whether someone is guilty or innocent. They only decide whether there is sufficient evidence for someone to be charged. Proceedings are closed to the public, including the media. New York grand juries have 23 people. At least 16 must be present to hear evidence or deliberate and 12 have to agree there is enough evidence in order to issue an indictment. David Pecker, a longtime Trump friend and the former chief executive of the parent company of The National Enquirer, returned to the courthouse this week where the grand jury was meeting. Pecker's company, American Media Inc., secretly assisted Trump's campaign by paying $150,000 to McDougal in August 2016 for the rights to her story about an alleged affair with Trump. The company then suppressed McDougal's story until after the election. The grand jury also heard from Cohen, as well as Robert Costello, who was once a legal adviser to Cohen. The men have since had a falling out, and Costello indicated he has information he believes undercuts Cohen's credibility and contradicts his incriminating statements about Trump. Costello testified at the invitation of prosecutors, presumably as a way to ensure that the grand jury had an opportunity to consider any testimony or evidence that might weaken the case for moving forward with an indictment. Trump was also invited to testify, but didn't. WHAT ARE THE POLITICAL RAMIFICATIONS FOR TRUMP? Neither the indictment itself nor a conviction would prevent Trump from running for or winning the presidency in 2024. Last week in Waco, Texas, Trump took a defiant stance at a rally by disparaging the prosecutors investigating him and predicting his vindication as he rallied supporters in a city made famous by deadly resistance against law enforcement. "You will be vindicated and proud," Trump said in a speech brimming with resentments and framing the probes as political attacks on himself and his followers. "The thugs and criminals who are corrupting our justice system will be defeated, discredited and totally disgraced." Before the charges were handed down, many party leaders had also already begun to defend the former president. During a visit this month to Iowa, former Vice President Mike Pence called the idea of indicting a former president "deeply troubling." Another 2024 Republican prospect, New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu, has said there is a sense that the former president is being unfairly attacked. Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, a declared candidate who also served as Trump's U.N. ambassador, has called Bragg's case an attempt at scoring "political points," adding, "You never want to condone any sort of prosecution that's being politicized." Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is considering joining the 2024 Republican field, slammed the investigation as politically motivated. But he also threw one of his first jabs at the former president in a quip likely to intensify their rivalry. DeSantis said he personally doesn't "know what goes into paying hush money to a porn star to secure silence over some kind of alleged affair." WHAT ABOUT OTHER TRUMP INVESTIGATIONS? The New York case is just one of many legal woes Trump is facing. The Justice Department is also investigating his retention of top secret government documents at his Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago, after leaving the White House. Federal investigators are also still probing the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol and efforts to overturn the 2020 election that Trump falsely claimed was stolen. In Georgia, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has been investigating whether Trump and his allies illegally meddled in the 2020 election. The foreperson of a special grand jury, which heard from dozens of witnesses, said last month that the panel had recommended that numerous people be indicted, and hinted Trump could be among them. It is ultimately up to Willis to decide whether to move forward. ___ Photos: Demonstrations as potential Trump indictment looms I am shocked, shocked to find that Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas commitment to originalism that is, the belief that legal texts should be interpreted as they were understood when they were adopted comes to a screeching halt the minute he slides off the bench. When Congress passed the Ethics in Government Act in 1978, which requires government officials to report gifts, Im pretty sure legislators had in mind exactly the sort of relationship Thomas has with the Republican megadonor and Nazi memorabilia collector Harlan Crow. I mean, maybe nothing can stop a venal Supreme Court justice from being lavished with gifts by a conservative billionaire (the rules are lax compared to other public servants), but Congress most certainly requires the grabby justice to disclose the billionaires generosity. Thanks to spectacular reporting by the nonprofit investigative outfit ProPublica, we now know that for at least two decades, Crow has served as Clarence and Ginni Thomas patron, benefactor, sponsor and, lets face it, fairy godfather. He has showered them with gifts, trips and all sorts of unseemly favors. And on Thursday, came a second damning ProPublica investigation: In 2014, one of Crows companies purchased a home owned by Thomas and his relatives in Savannah, Georgia, and immediately began thousands of dollars of upgrades. The home is the longtime residence of Thomas mother. The transaction marks the first known instance of money flowing from the Republican megadonor to the Supreme Court justice, reported ProPublica. Thomas did not report the real estate transaction, as required by federal disclosure law. Crow told ProPublica that the purchase was part of a plan to create a historical museum honoring the humble roots of the second Black man to be confirmed to the Supreme Court. But that has no bearing on the reporting requirements, as ProPublica has noted. All the while Thomas was enjoying Crows largesse, he has posed as a man of the people. I dont have any problem with going to Europe, but I prefer the United States, Thomas said in a recent documentary funded partially by Crow, according to ProPublica. I prefer the Walmart parking lots to the beaches and things like that. Theres something normal about me. Although they describe one another as close personal friends, Crow and Thomas did not meet until after Thomas was already a member of the Supreme Court, which should tell you something about why they are so chummy. Both men say that Crow has never been associated with a case that has come before Thomas. But the idea that a real estate magnate and conservative activist such as Crow would not have an interest in the outcome of many Supreme Court cases is laughable. As laughable, really, as Thomas failing to acknowledge his apparent conflict of interest in matters pertaining to the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection, though his wife pronounced the election stolen, and even attended President Trumps Stop the Steal rally that preceded the violence. Crow is chairman of the board of trustees of the American Enterprise Institute, the neoconservative think tank that regularly files amicus briefs with the court. He has given millions to conservative causes according to ProPublica, more than $10 million in publicly disclosed donations and untold millions in dark money. Crow has also funded Ginni Thomas right-wing political endeavors. In 2009, he donated half a million dollars to Liberty Central, the conservative political advocacy group she founded and from which she drew an annual salary of $120,000. On the personal hospitality front, Crow has paid for the Thomases to take opulent international trips on his private jets and super yacht. As far back as 1997, he whisked the justice to the all-male bacchanal of elites known as the Bohemian Grove, in the redwoods north of San Francisco. And as recently as 2019, the Thomases flew to Indonesia on Crows jet for nine days of island hopping aboard his 162-foot yacht, the Michaela Rose. The unavoidable conclusion: Crow has spent hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars underwriting a lifestyle for the Thomases that is unthinkable on the $285,000 annual salary of a Supreme Court justice. Though there seems to have been some wiggle room in reporting requirements about such things as accommodations and meals, Thomas is required by law to report all the fancy travel (and the justices reporting rules were tightened in March). Yet he opted to keep it private, claiming he was told such reporting was unnecessary. Failing to report such gifts is wrong. Thomas must be held to account. As it happens, Thomas has been receiving a lot of pricey goodies for a very, very long time. Nearly 20 years ago, my colleagues Rick Serrano and David Savage wrote that the justice had reported accepting tens of thousands of dollars worth of gifts since joining the high court, including $1,200 worth of tires and a $5,000 personal check from a supporter to help pay a nephews education expenses. Crow and his wife gave Thomas a $19,000 Bible once owned by Frederick Douglass and a $15,000 bust of President Lincoln. Those gifts, once disclosed, were on the up and up, but it didnt look good. After The Times broke that story in 2004, however, Thomas didnt stop accepting gifts. He simply stopped reporting them. ProPublicas revelations finally lit a fire under the watchdogs. Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. has been asked by Democrats to investigate his colleague. Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee have said they will convene a hearing about the need to restore confidence in the Supreme Courts ethical standards. And a bipartisan ethics watchdog group has asked the Judicial Conference, which makes policy for federal courts, to get involved, perhaps by referring the case to the Justice Department for investigation. Thomas is certainly not the only member of the high court to accept gifts and paid travel, but he seems to be the worst offender by far. And it appears that he has broken the law in the process. Americans faith in the Supreme Court has crumbled in recent years, mainly because its rulings are so out of step with public opinion on deeply felt issues such as abortion and gun control. But those are political issues. Thomas receipt of gifts is not. Thomas arrogant flouting of ethical rules and norms and his possible corruption are unacceptable. If Supreme Court justices cant be trusted to police themselves and its obvious they cant Congress and the Justice Department must do it for them. Before the pandemic, the district's Middle College at Bennett was located on the campus of Bennett College, which is one of two historically Black womens colleges currently operating in the United States. It had 128 students as of the 2019-20 school year. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March 2020, the private college closed its campus. With Bennett planning to stay closed for the full 2020-21 school year, Guilford County Schools limited the program to then-rising juniors and seniors. Rising 10th graders at the time were offered other options and rising ninth graders werent enrolled. The district then moved the remaining juniors and seniors to the campus of N.C. A&T, where two other Guilford County high schools are located. One of those is the N.C. A&T Four Middle College, the districts only all-male high school. The Middle College at Bennett students continued as their own self-contained, all-female program during the 2020-21 school year. GREENSBORO The Guilford County Board of Commissioners on Thursday approved incentives worth up to $308,879, plus a $124,000 local matching fund utility grant, to entice Marshall Aerospace USA LLC to Greensboro. The board vote 8-0 for the incentives; Commissioner Pat Tillman was not present for the vote. The British company is considering building a new maintenance facility at Piedmont Triad International Airport, in addition to other options within the United States. The facility is expected to generate approximately $50 million in capital investment and 240 new full-time jobs, according to county documents. The move comes on the heels of the Greensboro City Council's approval of up to $240,000 in incentives for the company. The average wage for the new full-time positions would be approximately $73,250 with additional benefits and no new jobs will pay below $15 per hour, according to city documents. The new facility would allow the company to better meet the C-130 aircraft maintenance requirements of the U.S. military. Marshall Aerospace expects to create the new jobs by Dec. 31, 2027. The company also is eligible for an additional $250 incentive per job from the city for any new employee whose permanent address is located in an Impact Zone or who is hired through NCWorks Career Centers. The city included a claw-back provision in its agreement that requires the new jobs be maintained for a certain period of time (not yet specified) and at least $50 million in capital investment expended. A state Commerce Department incentive package also is likely from the Job Development Grant program. A woman who at one time served as a state assistant attorney general was sentenced Thursday to the maximum of 20 years in the Montana Womens Prison for one felony count of aggravated assault against her infant, who was under 3 years old. There was a zealous defense here, and the jury made its determinations. Theres no reason for me to reject those determinations, Lewis and Clark 1st Judicial District Court Judge Kathy Seeley said. Katherine Proctor, of Helena, will receive credit for serving time in jail from Dec. 15, 2022, to April 20. She will have no unsupervised visits with her child, and she owes the court around $130 in various fees. She will be subject to DNA testing. Proctor, 39, was found guilty on Dec. 15 after a nine-day trial in front of Seeley. On Jan. 13, Proctor filed a motion for a new trial alleging improper and unconstitutional testimony regarding (her) seeking legal counsel and disclosure of a joint defense agreement and Mr. Proctors sharing of expert expenses, improper or unfairly prejudicial impeachment of a defense witness, admission of testimony derived from cell phone data that was outside the scope of the warrant regarding the cellphones seized from (her) and Mr. Proctor, incomplete trial transcripts and cumulative error, according to the motion. On April 3, the court denied the motion for a new trial. The evidence in this case was so horrific that when I spoke to jurors, people in my office spoke to jurors after the trial, long after the trial, in the last month, theyre still struggling with all of the evidence that they observed, said Mary Barry, chief criminal deputy county attorney for Lewis and Clark County. They have a hard time getting past what they heard. Lewis and Clark County Sheriff's Office detectives were contacted Sept. 29, 2021, by Child Protective Services regarding a baby girl brought in by her parents to St. Peters Health who was possibly being abused. A CT scan showed the child wasnt getting enough oxygen to her brain. The infant was air transported to Logan Health Childrens in Kalispell, where medical staff found there was bleeding in between the brain and the skull, a tear in the brain, bleeding from the vessels of the retina, rib fractures, a broken toe and a neck injury secondary to severe non-accidental/abusive trauma, according to court reports. Multiple photos of the babys injuries were found on Proctors phone, dating back to June 28, 2021. The state asked for the maximum of 20 years, citing trial testimony from specialists that this was the worst case of child abuse ever seen, according to the states sentencing memorandum filed on April 18. The abuse started when the infant was around 1 month old and lasted until she was around 4 months old, according to court reports. The infant is alive, but the level of her recovery isnt certain. There doesnt seem to be any acceptance in any of these letters of support or anywhere that this is irreparable damage, said Barry. Theres no recognition of the fundamental difference forever in (the infants) quality of life. The defense brought in about 15 character witnesses for Proctor. Common things mentioned were of Proctor being calm and kind, and many of the witnesses stated that even though Proctor was convicted, they didnt believe she committed or could commit the abuse. The prosecution stated that there hasn't been a showing of empathy or remorse from Proctor for her childs condition. The defense argued that Proctor didnt show empathy or remorse because she didnt commit the crimes. Proctor read a statement she wrote to the court, starting off by stating her innocence. I want you to know that I did not abuse or assault my daughter, Proctor said. This story you heard about me shaking her is not true, and it only exists in the imagination of the prosecution. I have never done anything intentionally or purposefully or deliberately to harm her, and I love her with every fabric of my being, and Ive never touched her with anything other than love in my heart. The defense stated that when reading through the trial transcript, they couldnt find a place where the prosecution actually proved that it was Proctor who harmed the infant. The defense noted how if the child was injured, why was the baby not constantly crying and why did many people describe the infant as a happy baby? The defense also said the repeated use of the phrase criminal defense lawyers may have had an effect on the jury. Theyre looking at reasons for her to do something that needs a criminal defense lawyer, ergo, she must be guilty, said defense attorney Scott Albers. There was no reason for her to put that into the argument other than to trigger those reactions. Seeley reminded the court that this was a circumstantial case, and there are two kinds of evidence: direct and circumstantial. Neither is given less weight than the other, and you can certainly be convicted on circumstantial evidence, said Seeley. No one witnessed you shake (the infant) or strike (the infant). No one saw anyone strike or shake (the infant), but there was powerful circumstantial evidence that she was the victim of nonaccidental trauma. You were the caregiver who had access to that child throughout the time frames. You photographed the injuries. You were aware of the injuries. Proctor previously worked as an assistant attorney general, a title given to a number of prosecutors and other attorneys for the state. She resigned from the position in June, said a spokesman for the Montana Attorney General's Office. What you have seen is an expectation that the defendant be treated differently, said Barry. From the start of this case, she has used her status as a shield from the justice system. Barry cited Proctor's refusal to get fingerprinted and booked, which is required of every defendant charged with a felony crime in Montana. She stated that the excuse given was it would be damaging to Proctor's reputation as an attorney. Seeley ordered Proctor to get fingerprinted and booked, and she did. Her being a prosecutor, a great rancher should not be a positive factor it should be an aggravating factor, said Barry. She knew better. She had access to help. She should not get leniency because she was a member of the bar in Montana. We hold ourselves to higher standards, not lower. One of Helenas two Hardees has closed. Signage was recently taken down from the building at the fast-food restaurant at 1919 E. Custer Ave. and signs were placed on doors that read: This location is closed. Please visit our location at Euclid. The store is located at a busy Helena intersection at Custer Avenue and Washington Street and near Home Depot, Staples and Costco. Hardeess corporate chain, Franklin, Tennessee-based CKE Restaurant Holdings Inc., did not return several emails and telephone calls seeking comment regarding the restaurant. An employee who answered the telephone at the 320 Euclid Ave. store, which remains open, said he was unable to comment. No one answered the phone at the Custer Avenue store. Hardees part of a chain that includes Carl's Jr., Green Burrito and Red Burrito brands. According to the CKE website, Wilber Hardee opened his first Hardee's restaurant in Greenville, North Carolina, on Sept. 3, 1960. It included 15-cent hamburgers, 10-cent fries and 20-cent milkshakes. By the end of the 60s, there were more than 200 Hardee's locations. Carl's Jr. Restaurants LLC and Hardee's Restaurants LLC have more than 3,900 franchised or company-operated restaurants in 44 states and 42 foreign countries and U.S. territories, the CKE website states. Three new opioid overdose medication vending machines are now in operation in Helena thanks to grant funding received by Lewis and Clark County and collaboration among community partners, the city announced Thursday. The new machines will make naloxone available to anyone who needs it free of charge. "Thanks to collaboration by the Helena Police Department, Helena Municipal Court, and Lewis and Clark Countys Department of Criminal Justice Services," a vending machine has been set up on the first floor of the Law and Justice Center, in the Department of Criminal Justice Services reception area, and at Good Samaritans Our Place Drop-In Center, according to a news release from the city. The placement of the vending machines is part of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Councils efforts to address opioid misuse disorders. Helena Police Chief Brett Petty and Helena Municipal Court Judge Anne Peterson are both active members on the council. Petty said the primary goal is to eliminate opioid use in the community. "The unfortunate reality is, many of us have neighbors, family or friends that are struggling with opioid addiction," he said. "My hope is that these machines will be a resource for people who are trying to avoid losing their loved ones to addiction. Naloxone is a medicine that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose. This reversal means normal breathing can be quickly restored. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say administering naloxone, more commonly known as Narcan, can restore a persons breathing within two to three minutes. "Petty and his officers carry Narcan with them when on duty and have for several years," the news release states. "Because law enforcement is often the first to arrive to the scene of an overdose, many law enforcement agencies across the United States, including the Lewis and Clark County Sheriffs Office, equip their officers with the life-saving drug." The National Institute on Drug Abuse encourages families with loved ones with an opioid addiction to have naloxone nearby and let friends know where it is. We want to make sure we're doing everything we can to prevent overdose deaths in our community, said Kellie McBride, director of the countys department of criminal justice services. One of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to prevent death is to increase community access to naloxone. McBride said in addition to saving lives, providing Narcan opens the door to discussing treatment options. We are talking about fellow human beings, friends, family members and neighbors, she said. The Narcan dispensed through the communitys new vending machines comes in nasal spray and works by binding to opioid receptors in the brain and blocking the effects of the drug for 30 to 90 minutes, reversing respiratory depression. Narcan is considered safe, non-addictive and effective at restoring normal breathing. The hope is the public having access to Narcan, anonymously and in a trusted location like the Law and Justice Center will help eliminate barriers to access and decrease our communitys overdose rate, Peterson said. Based on data from the Montana death certificates from 2017 through 2021, there have been 294 overdose-related deaths statewide, with Lewis and Clark County residents accounting for nearly 4%, officials said. In 2021 alone, Montana reported 103 overdose deaths, a 21% increase from the previous year. The same year, the county reported three overdose-related deaths. The machines were paid for by a grant from the Institute for Intergovernmental Research, and the Narcan is provided by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. The Law and Justice Center and Lewis and Clark Countys Department of Criminal Justice Services, both have a machine at 406 Fuller Ave. One is in the main lobby, and the other is in Criminal Justice Services' reception area. The other machine at the Good Samaritans Our Place Drop-In Center is at 631 N. Last Chance Gulch. Spring brings a time of renewal to the Northern Rockies. And at the Holter Museum of Art, it brings a new executive director Christina Barbachano. Shell be on hand to meet the public at the Holter Gala & Art Auction on April 28 at the Helena Civic Center. A multimedia artist and arts educator, shes also the current school superintendent at Harlowton Public Schools. She started part-time at the Holter on Monday and will go full-time June 12, once she finishes out the school year. In her bio, she refers to leading a double life as an art educator and administrator. But, perhaps its more of a double-double life. Before she found a passion for the visual arts, she was immersed in music and dance. I used to dance classical ballet until I was 14, she said, taking classes at the Royal Academy of Dance in England. She also plays piano, violin, viola and saxophone. And for Christmas, her husband bought her a cello. Another important passion is her family, which includes her husband Alex Bolotsky, their teen daughter, Nadja, and a college-age son, Ezra. Growing up in an Air Force family, Barbachano spent much of her early life in Western Europe Germany and England and lived a few years with extended family in Montana, returning to the U.S. full time when she was 16. She didnt dabble in the visual arts until she was a junior in high school. Just a short time into classes, her teacher urged her to consider applying to art school. She promptly dove into art full bore, taking two to three night classes at the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, Virginia, near her home. I was hooked. She went on to earn a bachelor's of fine arts at Moore College of Art and Design in Philadelphia and a master's of fine arts with an emphasis on sculpture at Mills College in Oakland, California. She steps in at the Holter after the October resignation of Chris Riccardo, who served as executive director for six years. He guided the museum through the ravages of COVID and established the new W Wiegand Creativity Center as well as two popular teen programs, the After-School Teen Arts Council and Art for Survival, plus initiating a Healing Arts Program with St. Peters Health. COVID is one of the reasons Riccardo cited for leaving the Holter. And the programs he helped initiate are among the reasons the Holter was able to pivot and survive the pandemic, which has shut down numerous arts organizations large and small across the country. Its also part of the reason Barbachano is switching careers and coming to the Holter. After 20 years in education, and as much as public education has been a passion of mine it was time to do something different, she said. The climate of public education has changed so much. The joy I used to feel around the start of the school year has dissipated. Im 46, almost 47 years old. I have 20 to 30 years of another career ahead of me. Now is the time to do something daring and bold and courageous and exciting. A chance message from a friend, who has a trans child, posted a notice about the "Transcend" exhibit at the Holter. When Barbachano checked it out, she discovered the Holter director job listing, and an idea began to percolate. I am somebody who follows the yesses in life, and it seemed like a yes and just keep following that until you find the answers. She knows this is a challenging time for arts organizations, but shes used to challenges and shes excited about whats ahead. I transitioned school districts through major changes. I am a very forward-thinking person. I think administrative work is a really creative process. Your raw materials are people and their skills. She credits the Holters survival to its ability to pivot and to the hard work of the staff and board. Im just super excited to be in Helena and to be here at the Holter and to see a convergence of all the things Im passionate about come together. Im hoping that energy can be translated into something useful here. I dont have a set plan. Theres already a family here. Whats their best vision of what the Holter can do and (how can I) help them bring that to life? Hiring Barbachano was kind of a unanimous decision, said Holter board chair Corey Palmer. The board felt she brought strong leadership skills as well as community-building skills and had a passion for the arts and the Holter. We all felt she would honor the hard work staff had put in to manage the Holter through this time of transition and would listen to them. Were really excited to watch her dive in and see how we can evolve moving forward. The board also wants to thank Krys Holmes (executive director of the Myrna Loy) and the entire Myrna Loy staff for helping during this time. Holmes stepped in as interim director when Riccardo left. Palmer found the partnership with the Myrna Loy a unique collaboration and hopes the organizations can build on this. Like Palmer, Holmes finds that Barbachano has the skill set the Holter needs right now and that the timing of her arrival is perfect. This is really a moment of renewal and reinvigoration for the Holter right now. Theyve gone through conducting a major capital campaign through COVID and a leadership transition and the staff has done so with amazing dedication, grace and creativity. Unpaid fines, fees and restitution ordered by Helena's Municipal Court have piled up in excess of $3 million, straining city services, local taxpayers and victims attempting to put their lives back together, a city court official said. The Montana Legislature curtailed municipal courts' ability to collect in 2019 with a law prohibiting the suspension of driver's licenses for nonpayment. Helena Municipal Court Judge Anne Peterson said while she agrees with the Legislature's decision, "over all, the court doesn't have a lot of teeth." The issue surfaced during a recent city commission meeting. The court is not intended to be a revenue generator, but the fines and fees collected are used to support the departments to which they are attached, Helena's Finance Director Sheila Danielson said in an email Thursday. For example, fines collected as a result of animal control citations help fund animal control operations. Some fines and fees fund court operations as well. "Regardless of whether we collect outstanding fines, the City still funds these programs/services with general taxpayer dollars as they are general government services," Danielson said. She and the rest of city staff are at the outset of compiling the fiscal year 2024 budget, and Danielson said the city's general fund operating and maintenance costs increased 12.4% over the previous fiscal year, due in large part to sharp increases in health insurance premiums and a proposed citywide 4% cost of living adjustment. As a result, general fund departments such as the municipal court have been asked to cut 6% from their operating budgets. During a April 19 budget work session, Municipal Court Manager Nikki Johnson said those cuts were made to the court's training budget. "Being such a small budget, we had to figure out which line items we could absolutely do without. We can't do without postage and licenses and things, so that (training allowances) is where it came from," Johnson said. Danielson emphasized the finance department "budget forecasted current year expenditures based on forecasted current year resources, and we strive to present a balanced budget to the Commission for their consideration." Still, the judge's concern is with the victims. "The concern from this court is the unpaid restitution," Peterson said. Restitution is ordered by a court to compensate the victim of a crime and is paid for by the guilty party. While the city of Helena could be owed restitution for something like damaged city property, it is typically awarded to individual victims. Of the total $3,035,368 owed to the court, more than $615,000 is restitution. Peterson pointed to a state fund that district courts can draw from to pay victims restitution, but municipal courts do not have access to the fund. A warrant of arrest can be issued for not paying fines and an unpaid debt with the court can be forwarded to the Montana Department of Revenue, but Peterson said neither are great options as they often perpetuate the cycles of crime and poverty. Lewis and Clark County Detention Center does not currently accept people with an aggregate amount of warrants less than $2,500, unless the person has other charges or an out of county warrant from a county or city that will extradite, according to Helena Police Assistant Chief Corey Bailey. "If the officers come across an individual who has a warrant but does not meet those requirements, they will advise them of the warrant and to contact the court," Bailey said in an email. Peterson holds "open court" Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:45 a.m. to 5 p.m., during which she encourages those with an unpaid debt to come check in with the court. "I will work within a person's means," she said. "I will take payments as little as $5; I just want to see some consistency." She is also allowed by law to credit people for time served or treatment sought, $75 a day in the case of the former. "I'm trying to be creative in the system I have," Peterson said. "We want to reward people for getting the help they need. ... If they're getting the services they need, that's a benefit." Bob Wood served as Helena Municipal Court Judge from 2007 until his retirement in 2019. Peterson noted Wood accepted donations of food in lieu of payment. Peterson has yet to implement that strategy, but said she and her staff "try our best. We make phone calls. We send out letters." "I wish there were more options for the court, especially with restitution," she said. "There just aren't a lot of options to get money from people who don't have much." Editor's note:This story has been corrected from an earlier version with the correct starting time of 9:45 a.m. for Helena Municipal Court's open court days. The family of a Northern Cheyenne man shot dead by Bureau of Indian Affairs police in December, 2021, is suing the federal government. On a dark evening in Lame Deer, police shot 29-year-old Arlin Bordeaux three times, twice in his shoulder and once near his heart. Just before being shot, Bordeaux had been tased, handcuffed, pepper sprayed and possibly struck on the head by police, according to the wrongful death suit. The BIA police officers acted with deliberate indifference to the substantial risk of serious harm to Arlin Bordeaux, the lawsuit states. The actions of the BIA police shock the conscience and offend the communitys sense of fair play and decency. Bordeauxs estate is being represented by former District Judge Gregory Todd, who retired from the bench about a year ago. On Dec. 3, 2021, Bordeaux was visiting his uncle in Lame Deer. He walked from his uncles house to a nearby home owned by a mother and daughter. Because it was dark, the pair didnt recognize Bordeaux, or ask who he was, and called police. When police arrived they ordered Bordeaux to get on the ground in an airplane position where officers tased him and handcuffed him. Bordeaux was a big man, 6-foot-4 and 300 pounds. When officers ordered him to stand up while handcuffed, he struggled, the suit states. Arlin attempted to stand up, but was unable to gain his balance and fell on an officer, the suit continues. It was then an officer pepper-sprayed him. As Bordeaux attempted to obey the original order to stand, another officer yelled at him to get down. Arlin lost his balance and fell down some nearby stairs. He was then shot three times by police, the suit states. He was driven by ambulance more than 100 miles to a hospital in Billings where he was pronounced dead. An autopsy revealed the bullet wounds to Bordeauxs body, as well as a wound on the back of his head consistent with a strike from a police baton, according to court records. The unnamed BIA officers were not properly trained or supervised, which contributed to the death, the suit claims. Bordeauxs estate seeks damages for his mental anguish, pain, suffering and wrongful death, along with funeral and burial costs. The suit also seeks punitive damages. The suit is the latest of several over recent years against the BIA. In 2019, the mother and grandmother of Ruben Stewart, 36, who was shot dead by BIA police on the Crow Reservation in Lodge Grass, sued the federal government. In 2018, a BIA officer named Dana Bullcoming was sentenced for raping a woman while on duty. The woman became pregnant and bore a child. A lawsuit filed by the woman against the federal government suggested Bullcoming may have had sex with as many as a dozen women while in uniform and on duty. The Northern Cheyenne Tribe sued the feds in 2022 after enduring years of unaddressed violent crime and missing tribal members. "Public safety on-reservation is severely compromised due to the lack of meaningful BIA law enforcement presence in our communities," said Northern Cheyenne Tribe President Serena Wetherelt said in a statement. On Tuesday, Marvin Weatherwax of the Blackfeet Tribe and chair of the Coalition of Large Tribes addressed the United Nations. There is no greater offender of tribal rights than the U.S. Department of Justice, which repeatedly fails to protect our tribal communities, he said in a statement. We call upon the U.S. to end its hostile and state-sanctioned violence against our tribal citizens. Republican ambitions for amending the state Constitution failed to gain enough support in the Senate this week to translate to the 2024 ballot. Constitutional referenda must obtain two-thirds support from both chambers of the Montana Legislature to land on the 2024 ballot. Despite a GOP supermajority of two-thirds membership in both the House and the Senate, factions within the caucus have scuttled those ambitions from clearing the threshold. No amendments that began in the House saw two-thirds of support in that chamber, meaning they required some Democratic backing in the Senate to reach the ballot. Instead, most of those that appeared this week in the Senate lost additional ground on the two-thirds threshold. One constitutional amendment, House Bill 915, failed to get half of the Senate's support, falling Thursday on a 24-25 vote. That bill proposed to eliminate elections for the Montana Supreme Court and establish a gubernatorial appointment process similar to the U.S. Supreme Court's arrangement. Another, House Bill 517, sought to ensure the Legislature had final say over constitutional rights on university campuses. Since the 2021 Legislature, two bills related to campuses have been struck down in the courts; one would have allowed the concealed carry of firearms on campus and the other sought to protect free speech of student groups. The state Constitution gives oversight of all campus matters to the Montana Board of Regents of Higher Education. That bill saw 61 votes in the 100-member House and 28 votes in the Senate, by percentage a smaller show of support. The bill is schedule for a third reading vote on Friday. One exception had been Senate Bill 563, from Sen. Ken Bogner, R-Miles City. The bill proposed to create a mental health trust in the state Constitution and had seen broad bipartisan support from the Senate on a 40-10 vote. The House Judiciary Committee, however, shelved the bill on Tuesday after it failed to pass on a 3-16 vote. "We just passed $350 million dollars for future mental health needs, and I'm still not sure where that's going," Rep. Jennifer Carlson, R-Churchill, said during the House Judiciary Committee hearing before the bill was tabled. "I appreciate the spirit of the bill," Rep. Donavon Hawk, D-Butte, said following Carlson's statement. "This session, trying to figure out where our priorities are within the mental health crisis, it's just kind of hard to nail down, until we get our ducks in a row, to establish something like this and put it in the Constitution." A constitutional referendum that would ask voters to consider amending the Harvest Heritage clause of the state Constitution lost Republican votes Thursday, making its eventual passage unlikely. Rep. Paul Fielders House Bill 372 was approved by the Senate on a vote of 26-21, with four members of the Senate absent. But with the bill receiving only 64 votes in the House, that put the total votes at 90 and well short of the 100 needed to advance to the 2024 ballot. HB 372 was amended while in the Senate, meaning it will move back to the House for votes considering the changes. The House has 68 Republicans, meaning it would need to pick up votes from Democrats to pass Democrats have voted against all but one constitutional referendum. Fielder and supporters of HB 372 do not believe the Constitution adequately protects hunting, fishing and trapping, citing a 2016 ballot initiative that sought to prohibit trapping on public lands. The initiative was unsuccessful, but HB 372 aimed to move hunting, fishing and trapping forward as rights and to protect current means and methods. The bill also includes language protecting property and water rights. Sen. Bob Brown, R-Thompson Falls carried the bill onto the floor, encouraging senators to vote for the legislation to ensure hunting, fishing and trapping is not chipped away by groups including those from outside Montana. Senate Minority Leader Pat Flowers of Belgrade spoke against the bill, echoing concerns from opponents about effects on wildlife management and private property rights. A bill that would allow hunters with certain disabilities to use crossbows during Montanas archery hunting season has been voted down. Senate Bill 298 from Sen. Brad Molnar, R-Laurel, which would mandate the allowance of crossbows for hunters with disabilities during Montanas six-week archery hunting season, was previously tabled twice in the Senate before being revived and passed to the House. Following a passionate hearing on the bill, the House Fish, Wildlife and Parks Committee voted the bill down 6-13 on Thursday. The issue of allowing crossbows during the archery season has been a contentious one, playing out multiple times before the Legislature, the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission and in federal court. It is the 10th time an iteration of the bill has come to the Legislature, each time falling short at different points in the process. Supporters of the concept, including some disability rights groups, say current rules allowing adaptive equipment for archery gear does not work for all hunters with disabilities, and disallowing crossbows is discriminatory. Molnar, who says he would qualify to use a crossbow due to a shoulder injury, has been joined by advocates for those with disabilities, disability attorneys and some hunters who say current adaptive equipment may be unsafe. Opponents including the Montana Bowhunters Association say crossbows are a fundamentally different weapon than bows and arrows, also raising concerns about the potential for future expansion of crossbow use that could diminish archery opportunities. Under SB 298, eligible hunters would require a doctors evaluation, and total permits would be capped at 400. The bill would also drop a current requirement tied to a permit to hunt from a vehicle requiring that hunters with disabilities be accompanied by a companion. Should a hunter wrongly be denied a crossbow permit, they would be awarded a special hunting permit of their choice. The House committee debated the bill Thursday before voting it down. Rep. Jedediah Hinkle, R-Belgrade, argued that the bill came down to how the hunter is holding a bow in his support for the bill. Even though opponents say it's a step in that direction (of widespread crossbow use), it doesnt have to be a step in that direction, he said. Rep. Ed Butcher, R-Lewistown, pointed to deer harvest statistics from Ohio where crossbows are allowed during archery seasons, questioning impacts to archery season in his opposition to the bill. My bowhunters are not happy with this thing, and I can understand where theyre coming from, he said. Republican lawmakers in Montanas House of Representatives doubled down Friday on their decision to silence a transgender member of the minority Democratic Party during a floor debate in the chamber. Rep. Zooey Zephyr, D-Missoula, attempted to join the debate on a bill but was not recognized by the Republican chairman of the body. Democrats responded by standing in protest, and as happened one day earlier, the Republican majority voted almost unanimously to deny Zephyrs request to speak. Im going to expect the same standard for all the representatives in this House, House Speaker Matt Regier, a Kalispell Republican, said in response to the Democrats objection. Im still going to stand for the dignity and integrity of this House. On Thursday, Regier had twice refused to recognize Zephyr because of what he said were comments the freshman lawmaker made earlier in the week. Her admonition to fellow lawmakers that they should be ashamed for voting for a bill to restrict gender-affirming care for minors violated the chambers decorum, Regier said. Zephyr told members of the press that she has no intention for apologizing for her words, which were chosen with clarity and precision at the time. Regier said she would need to apologize to the floor before she will be permitted to join in debate. Minority Leader Kim Abbott, in an interview Thursday, declined to elaborate on potential procedural strategies to resolve the impasse. We have to protect the rights of our members, so well do what we need to do to protect the rights of our members, Abbott said, but added more needed to be done to clarify when decorum has been breached. In an exchange at the end of Fridays floor session, Democratic Rep. Jonathan Windy Boy, of Box Elder, asked for that. In the last two days it kind of befuddles me, about not having a clear definition about what you as the speaker had mentioned of what your response was of the definition of the integrity and dignity of the House, Windy Boy said. Regier responded: This House will move forward with dignity and integrity, which means there will be no belittling of peoples votes or belittling of peoples motives. We will keep it to the issues at hand. And if you cannot follow that, you will not be recognized. Republicans in the Montana House of Representatives are refusing to allow a transgender member of the minority Democratic Party to join in debate, after determining she breached the chambers rules on decorum earlier in the week. Rep. Zooey Zephyr, a Missoula Democrat and the first trans woman elected to the Montana Legislature, had earlier in the week drawn the ire of GOP lawmakers by criticizing legislation to ban some gender-affirming care for minors. House Speaker Matt Regier, a Kalispell Republican, indicated after a dust-up on the House floor Thursday that unless she apologizes to the full House, Zephyr wont be allowed to participate in floor debates moving forward. The end of the session is a moving target, but its expected to last for about two more weeks. If I cant trust that theyre going to stay within decorum moving forward and until that happens and that trust is restored, theres not going to be any recognition, Regier told members of the press following the days floor session. Both Regier and Zephyr said they had spoken previously about her comments on the floor made Tuesday, in which she had told lawmakers if they voted for legislation to ban some gender-affirming care for minors, they "should be ashamed." She also told them, "I hope the next time there's an invocation when you bow your heads in prayer, you see the blood on your hands." Republicans have advanced several bills affecting trans people this session. Zephyr, speaking after the floor session Thursday, said she had no intention of apologizing, and that her words had been chosen with clarity and precision on a subject that deeply affects her and her community. Opponents to the Republican-sponsored legislation have argued it would negatively affect an already at-risk community in the state. I have lost friends to suicide this year, Zephyr said. I field calls from multiple families who have dealt with suicide attempts, with trans youth who have fled the state, people who have been attacked on the sides of the road, because of legislation like this. She added, They say they want an apology, but what they really want is silence as they take away the rights of trans and queer Montanans. A few weeks ago, a Bozeman emergency room doctor sent lawmakers a letter about a teen patient who is trans and had attempted suicide, citing in part legislation brought this session. Regier was serving as chairman of the Houses Thursday floor session, meaning he was responsible for recognizing each representative when they press a button to indicate they want to speak on the bill being discussed. At the time, the House had been debating a controversial proposal to define sex in Montana law as only male and female. After the Republican leader refused to recognize Zephyr, Minority Leader Kim Abbott formally objected, sending the issue to the House Rules Committee. After a debate, the Republican-dominated committee voted on party lines, 15-7, to uphold the speakers ruling on the floor. The committees discussion focused on the procedural avenue Democrats had used to try to object to the speakers decision, rather than the merits of that decision. Rep. Casey Knudsen of Malta, the Republican chair of the rules committee, argued that under the Houses rules of order, the speaker gets to determine how to uphold decorum including whether to recognize representatives who wish to speak. Throughout the debate, Democrats objected strenuously to what they said was an inconsistent application of the rules and an attempt by the Republican supermajority to silence one of their voices. Its about everybody having equal access to this floor to be able to discuss and to be able to represent their community, said Rep. Sharon Stewart Peregoy, a Democrat from Crow Agency. And I believe that where were at is we are being discriminatory. Once the floor session resumed, Democrats attempted once more to override the speakers determination, after Zephyrs attempt to speak on a second bill was also ignored. More than a dozen members of the minority party stood up from their seats to object, prompting a vote by the full House on the issue. The chamber voted nearly on party lines to uphold Regiers determination, 62-33. There are 68 Republicans and 32 Democrats in the House. After the floor session, both Zephyr and Abbott said they felt the GOP leadership was enforcing a double standard on decorum issues. Abbott, a Helena Democrat, specifically referenced an incident last month in which a GOP representative began shouting while arguing in favor of legislation he was sponsoring. No apology followed, Abbott said. These things happen, and we deal with them how we deal with them. Sometimes its an objection on the floor, sometimes its an apology after the fact, but this session its never gone as far as silencing a representative, she said. Regier said his determinations were intended to preserve a level of respect he expects from all members of the House. I really want vigorous debate here, Regier told reporters later. I think thats the free speech policy that were accustomed to, that this floors accustomed to, but I specifically said dont make the debate personal and dont take it personal. We need to keep it to the issues. Back in 2013, then-Senate President Jeff Essmann, R-Billings, would not recognize former Democratic Sen. Minority Leader Jon Sesso, D-Butte. Sesso wanted to make a motion, and Essmann would not acknowledge him. That triggered Democrats in the House to stand up. They started yelling and pounding their desks with coffee cups, demanding to be heard. Zephyr's initial comments Tuesday drew objections on the floor from Majority Leader Sue Vinton, R-Billings, who said they were "entirely inappropriate, disrespectful and uncalled for. We can debate matters civilly and with respect for each other. Later in the day, 21 GOP members that make up the self-branded Freedom Caucus misgendered Zephyr in calling for her censure. The right-wing Montana Freedom Caucus issued a statement celebrating Regiers decision, calling it an appropriate disciplinary action and accusing Zephyr of using hate-filled testimony. The Legislatures American Indian Caucus, meanwhile condemned it and praised Zephyrs comments as bringing to the Legislature a voice for the voiceless and making noise where the Montana Freedom Caucus would prefer silence. The legislation debated Thursday that set off the rules fight is Senate Bill 458 from Sen. Carl Glimm, R-Kila. It cleared a second reading in the House on Thursday by a 63-37 margin and faces a final vote in the chamber before it would move back to the Senate for consideration of amendments put on in the House. Five Republicans and all Democrats voted against the bill. The bill would define sex based on sex organs and chromosomes. It was amended in a House committee earlier this week to include the definition of sex offered by Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte on a different bill. The new language intends to not leave out those with intersex conditions. Doctors have said the new definitions still do not cover all the medical scenarios that could apply to a person. You may claim to be able to change your gender or express your gender in a different way, but you can never change your biological sex, Rep. Amy Regier, R-Kalispell, said on the House floor. This is why Senate Bill 458 is necessary. Public policy and law should never be ambiguous. To the extent possible, we as legislators should always draw bright, clear lines. In this case, we need to draw a clear distinction between sex and gender, and that's what this bill does. Rep. SJ Howell, a Democratic legislator from Missoula who is nonbinary, spoke in opposition to the bill. The reality is that there are people who are out living their lives, Montanans, our friends and community members, who do not fit into these definitions just because of their medical and biological reality, Howell said. The bill has some serious implications across our state. Saying they normally keep their private life private, Howell shared personal testimony on the House floor Thursday. Imagine my dismay at finding that this bill requires me to be defined by the state and not defined by my bad jokes or my excellent hair but by my gametes. Imagine my dismay at the discovery that a state like Montana, my state, my home, says the government knows better. There's two boxes, you gotta choose, end of story, Howell said. People look at me sometimes and they don't see a Montanan, but theyre wrong, This is my home. My son is growing up here. My father is growing old here. One of the things that I love about Montana is it is big enough. And not just big enough in acreage, but big enough in character. I think that Montana is big enough to understand that we do not need to define people in this way. That this bill is not just unnecessary, but it's harmful. A dramatic overhaul of Montanas election calendar appears to be dead after a bipartisan panel of lawmakers unanimously voted it down Friday morning. A sprawling 128-page proposal, House Bill 774 sought to put elections for school levies and trustees, along with those for myriad other local districts, on the same schedule as even-year federal elections. Bill sponsor Rep. Mike Hopkins, a Missoula Republican, told the Senate State Administration Committee that his goal was to address what is often low turnout in those off-year elections by tying them to the primary and general election calendar for federal offices. Anytime you can take a 30% turnout election and connect it over to a 70% turnout election I mean, just basic math youre doubling the amount of people that are paying attention to that race, youre doubling the amount of people that are turning out to vote in that race, he said during a Wednesday hearing on the bill. But local election officials from around the state turned out in force on Wednesdays hearing on the bill, criticizing it as a poorly thought-out proposal that would spawn innumerable unintended consequences. Clerk and recorders from nine different counties testified against the proposal during the hearing. Amy Reeves, the clerk and recorder from Lewis and Clark County, testified that putting all the elections on the same day would result in 92 different ballot types for voters in her county, a product of myriad overlapping districts that different residents fall under. And several opponents cited voter fatigue as electors grapple with ballots that continue on for five or more pages of candidates and issues. We were in the general election, we counted ballots for 35 hours straight, Reeves said. That was a one-page ballot. I dont even know how long it would take to count if it was more. Others who spoke against the bill argued it would actually reduce the amount of bandwidth available for local issues and candidates, effectively burying them under the top-of-the-ticket partisan fights for federal and statewide offices. Sanders County resident Mindy Ferrell argued it could further inject national partisan politics into local races, where many officeholders are nonpartisan. Those nonpartisans speak directly to the issues that are close to home, Ferrell said. State and national elections are politicized and we as citizens are tired of politics. By the time it landed in the Senate, HB 774 created or impacted more than 100 sections of state law, generating confusion among committee members from both parties about what the bill did and didnt do. Hopkins stated he wanted to narrow the scope of the bill to apply only to schools, but other types of elections and districts were still affected by the bill's provisions. By the time the committee took action on it Friday morning, the bill had accumulated five proposed amendments, two of which were put forward by Hopkins to revise it further. During the hearing, Democratic Sen. Janet Ellis of Helena asked him to respond to criticism about last-minute changes contained in such a wide-ranging proposal. To me, thats just a regular legislative session, it might be because Im from the appropriations side of it, he said, noting that the Legislatures main budget bill was still working through a stack of substantial revisions. But before Fridays vote, committee chairman Sen. Mike Cuffe, a Eureka Republican who also serves on Senates budget committee, said he was also unclear on just what was or wasnt still affected by the bill. And the committees Republican vice chair, Sen. Wendy McKamey of Great Falls, said she couldnt support the bill despite appreciating some of the ideas contained in it. I have to say that I think this is an extraordinary life, and it may be an impossible lift for our clerks and recorders at this time, McKamey said. The committee voted unanimously, 10-0, to table the bill. Grizzly delisting A bill to facilitate potential delisting of grizzly bears from the Endangered Species Act in Montana passed the Legislature on Thursday. Senate Bill 295 from Sen. Bruce Butch Gillespie, R-Ethridge, puts criteria on state management of grizzlies including for livestock producers in an effort to ensure stable grizzly populations. The bill calls for a management plan including mortality thresholds. The bill has seen support from the Gianforte administration, livestock groups and some conservation groups. A number of other conservation groups have opposed the bill, but it has steadily advanced with majority Republicans and some Democrats voting in favor. The bill comes as the Biden administration recently announced a 12-month review of the bears status in the Northern Continental Divide and Greater Yellowstone Ecosystems, a potential step toward delisting in a swath of Montana, Wyoming and Idaho. The bruins were placed on the Endangered Species List more than 40 years ago, and twice efforts to delist the Yellowstone population have failed under court challenges. SB 295 passed the Senate on a vote of 35-12. Tom Kuglin Drones and wildfires A bill creating criminal penalties for flying a drone over a wildfire while aircraft are present is nearing passage in the Legislature. Senate Bill 219 from Sen. Willis Curdy, D-Missoula, would put flying a drone over an active wildfire into law as criminal obstruction of firefighting activities, a misdemeanor charge with a fine up to $1,500 and up to six months in jail. Curdy said before the first hearing on his bill that there has been some disagreement among prosecutors about whether drones fit into current law around obstruction, such as blocking access on the ground to firefighters. The bill has passed steadily through the Legislature and received a vote of 49-0 in the Senate with one vote remaining for passage. Tom Kuglin Abortion bill passes On a 66-32 vote with just one Republican joining all Democrats in opposition, the state House on Thursday gave final approval to a bill that would ban abortions in Montana after 24 weeks' gestational age. The bill is House Bill 575, from Rep. Lola Sheldon-Galloway, R-Great Falls. It would set the default for viability at 24 weeks gestational age, regardless of condition of the fetus. Last session Sheldon-Galloway passed a bill to ban abortions at 21 weeks, and that is under a court block while a legal challenge against the policy plays out. Several bills to limit access to abortions in Montana have advanced this session. It's the first time lawmakers have met since the U.S. Supreme Courts Dobbs decision that overturned the right to access an abortion at the federal level. Montanas state Constitution, however, still preserves that ability through its right-to-privacy provision upheld with the state Supreme Courts 1999 Armstrong decision. Holly Michels The state Senate on Wednesday confirmed Gov. Greg Gianforte's pick for district court judge in north-central Montana. The upper chamber voted 37-13 to approve the appointment of Judge Greg Bonilla to the Ninth Judicial District covering Teton, Pondera, Toole and Glacier counties. Three Democrats joined Republicans in approving the confirmation. Bonilla comes to the bench after a 26-year career as an attorney, the last 10 working for the Montana Association of Counties. The hearing Wednesday evening was temporarily brought to a halt when Senate President Jason Ellsworth cut into Sen. Andrea Olsen's testimony. Olsen, D-Missoula, is a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee that heard from Bonilla earlier this week and grappled with the opaque process that led to his appointment. Gianforte's office assembled a local advisory panel to vet the two applicants for the district court bench, but closed its interview and discussion to the public. That process is still freshly in contrast with one that had been in place for the last 50 years, in which the Judicial Nomination Commission conducted essentially the same function but out in the open. The Governor's Office has contended it was legal for the advisory council to close its interview with Bonilla and the other candidate, Dan Guzynski from the Montana Department of Justice. That hasn't stopped local and state news outlets from suing the governor, alleging violation of open meeting laws. Olsen was objecting the lack of transparency when Ellsworth repeatedly told her to keep her comments to the confirmation. After a brief rules meeting on the Senate floor with the majority and minority leaders, Olsen wrapped up her testimony with a quick line. "I think that we as a Senate confirmation can't just rubber-stamp a judge," Olsen said during the hearing. Majority Leader Steve Fitzpatrick, a Great Falls Republican, stood to defend Bonilla's appointment over the process. "I don't want to talk about the process; I want to talk about the nominee," Fitzpatrick said. "He's an outstanding lawyer I worked with him for a year or so (and) I learned a lot from him." Sen. Susan Webber, a Browning Democrat, raised a separate issue in dissenting from the majority Wednesday. Webber is a Blackfeet tribal member, whose reservation overlaps with Bonilla's judicial district. Bonilla conceded during the committee hearing Tuesday he had little experience with tribal jurisdiction matters. "He should have at least some knowledge of Indian law since he will be adjudicating from within an Indian reservation," Webber told the Senate on Wednesday. Bonilla noted during his Tuesday hearing the job does require leaning into new areas of law. "There is a learning curve there for me," Bonilla told the committee. "Part of going to law school is you learn how to learn. In every case you get, you have to learn something, and that's what you do for a living." A man admitted on Thursday to threatening to kill U.S. Sen. Jon Tester in voicemails left at the senator's office earlier this year. Kevin P. Smith, 46, of Kalispell, pleaded guilty to one count of threatening to murder a United States senator, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorneys Office. Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 24, and Smith faces a maximum possible penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto presided at Smiths change of plea hearing. Federal court documents filed in February allege that Smith made multiple threatening calls to Tester's Kalispell office on Jan. 30. He left voicemails, one of which reportedly said the following: "There is nothing I want more than to have you stand toe to toe with me. You stand toe to toe with me. I rip your head off. You die. You stand in a situation where it is physical between you and me. You die. A second message allegedly states "I would love to f------- kill you. I would love to see your FBI at my door. I would love to see something in the news." On Feb. 1, an FBI agent contacted Smith and told him not to threaten Tester. However, on Feb. 10, Smith is accused of again calling Tester's office and leaving another threatening voice message, according to court documents. Smith acknowledged in the recordings that he threatened Sen. Tester and such threats were on purpose, the press release stated. Smith made the threats because he was upset with Sen. Testers political decisions. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan G. Weldon is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI and U.S. Capitol Police. A controversial and much-debated bill that would have completely revised Tax Increment Financing programs in Montana was tabled in the Montana Legislature's House Taxation Committee on Friday. Senate Bill 523, introduced by Sen. Greg Hertz, R-Polson, would have removed school levies from the calculation of the tax increment and would have required a local election on TIF projects in certain situations. The bill passed the Montana Senate and Hertz added many amendments to the bill late in the process, but it wasn't enough and the bill failed to get to the full House. The committee tabled it on a 13-8 vote. As the bill was debated this session, it became clear to many observers that the Tax Increment Financing methods used in Missoula were the main target of the bill. Many proponents and opponents of the bill came from Missoula. On Friday, Rep. Dave Fern, D-Whitefish, said he didn't want a bill aimed at Missoula to affect communities around the entire state. "My problem (was) with the way this occurred, because it seemed like we were dealing mainly with one community," he said. "And my perception of this is I felt like I was sitting at a town hall meeting for the city of Missoula, hearing grievances and why some of the grievances were worthy of attention. We also heard comments, electronic correspondence from communities where this policy is working very well. And we've heard more of that than we did from the aggrieved community." Fern said he thinks it's bad policy to change a statewide statute based on a particular community. Jesse Ramos, a former Missoula City Council member who is now the community engagement director for the libertarian/conservative group Americans for Prosperity Montana, was a strong supporter of the bill. "The bill died a terrible death, an untimely death, and I'm writing its obituary," he said on Friday. "The problem is that we have some legislators and I get it they think they're there to represent their local governments, not their constituents." Ramos has long been a critic of TIF and said he anticipated the bill failing. "Unfortunately, constituents have to work," he said. "When you're taking on these big giants, the League of Montana Cities and Towns, a lot of these folks are paid with taxpayer dollars to fight against the interest of the taxpayers. It's frustrating." He said he was glad there was a robust discussion on the merits of TIF. He also took issue with some of the words of members of the Missoula Redevelopment Agency's board and staff, who on Thursday had directed some ire at Ramos and the bill's supporters. "Now they're saying 'blight is a threat to the community' and I hadn't seen a discussion of blight as a part of a TIF project in a long time," he said. "That's definitely a coincidence. And citizens going to Helena to fight for what they think is right is 'criminal'? That's fantastic. But the fight goes on." The Montana state policy defining TIF states it "allows a local government or redevelopment authority to generate revenues for a group of blighted properties targeted for improvement." Rep. Ed Butcher, R-Winnifred, said he supported the bill because he believes "bad actors" are abusing the system. "I think this really needs to pass so that the word is out there and it sends a message to these guys who are abusing it," he said. "Big corporations that don't need these tax dollars for their construction projects. We have a person from Big Sky coming up here wanting his money, that really turned me off because those guys have more damn money than the U.S. government has." The bill was supported by the School Administrators of Montana, who argue that TIF diverts funds from school districts and instead into construction projects in Urban Renewal Districts. But Rep. Mark Thane, D-Missoula, took issue with Butcher's comments. Thane is the former superintendent of Missoula County Public Schools. "We've heard essentially people say that there are abuses, that it's corrupt, that it's corporate welfare," Thane said. "And I just want to go on record as saying that these funds are audited. There's oversight by local government entities. There is no evidence that there's been any kind of fraud or corruption or even abuse." Thane said the intent of TIF is to take properties that are blighted and get them redeveloped. "There is no money that's awarded to corporations for their vertical construction," Thane noted. "It's usually the deconstruction of existing buildings on a property. It might be utility work. It might be an amenity, such as parking for the city, but I do take some offense at the allegations that it's in some way corrupt or being abused when there's been no evidence presented." Thane said that it's only been two years since the law was changed to allow smaller towns and districts to use TIF, so he thinks there needs to be more time allowed for those projects to come to fruition. Kristina Berger of Corvallis has been selected as the new director of the University of Montana Bitterroot College following a nationwide search. Tom Gallagher, University of Montana associate vice provost for Workforce Development and Two Year Education, announced the decision in a statement released on Thursday. Kristina has a proven track record of effectively driving growth in programming and participation in the Bitterroot Valley. Gallagher said. We are thrilled to invite Kristina Berger to the UM community to help serve the educational needs and desires of UM Bitterroot throughout Ravalli County. Her expertise in instructional technology and technology integration compiled with her student-centered nature will allow her to successfully lead UM Bitterroot as a satellite UM campus. Berger has served as instructional technology and adult education director for the Corvallis School District since 2018. She was middle school head teacher and adult education coordinator from 2017-2018 and taught mathematics and computer science from 2009-2017. Berger received a graduate certificate in K-12 education from the University of Montana (2018), a Masters of Arts in teaching from Southern Oregon University, Ashland (2009) and a bachelor's in human development and family services from Oregon State University (2008). I am so excited to join the team and to provide services to the Bitterroot Valley and Ravalli County and be part of the University of Montana system, Berger said on Thursday after the announcement. I'm so excited that I have this opportunity to help the valley. Berger has a tentative start date of May 15, and will work with interim director Angela McLean to transition into the position as she finishes out her contract with Corvallis Schools. McLean has served as the interim director of UM Bitterroot College since August 2022. I know that the faculty at Bitterroot College is fantastic, Berger said. I'm very student-focused, so my goal in this role is to continue to facilitate the best path forward for the students that we're serving. Berger described the Bitterroot Valley as being a unique place with its own set of educational needs and said she looks forward to serving the community. I love the Bitterroot, she said. Being part of the community here already allows me the opportunity to really take my skills and meet the needs of the people that I'm serving. I think the Bitterroot is a fantastic place to live and be and has amazing opportunities in it I am just grateful for the opportunity. And I'm excited to hit the ground running. Bitterroot College is here to stay. DECATUR The actions of two Decatur police officers involved in the March 30 shooting that injured Steven L. Hirstein were deemed justified after an investigation by the Macon County States Attorneys Office and the Illinois State Police. "The Decatur police officers involved in this incident were legally justified in their use of deadly force," Police Chief Shane Brandel said in a news release Friday. "In addition, after a careful and thorough internal review, it is my position that they were in compliance with DPD policies and procedures throughout this incident." Watch now: 10 Decatur police body cam videos from the March 30, 2023, officer-involved shooting Footage from Decatur Police Officer Jack Kosinki's body camera Footage from Decatur Police Officer Joe Oberheims body camera (slow motion 2) Footage from Decatur Police Officer Dawson Roberts' body camera (slow motion 2) Footage from Decatur Police Officer Joe Oberheims body camera (slow motion 1) Footage from Decatur Police Officer Jack Kosinki's body camera (slow motion 1) Footage from Decatur Police Officer Jack Kosinki's body camera (slow motion 2) Footage from Decatur Police Officer Dawson Roberts' body camera (slow motion 1) Footage from Decatur Police Officer Dawson Roberts' body camera Footage from Decatur Police Officer Joe Oberheim's body camera Footage from Decatur Police Sgt. Joseph Sawyer's body camera Now that the investigation is complete, the officers will return to duty. "Both officers were faced with a grave threat to their lives," Brandel stated. "They responded in a way to protect themselves and each other so they could all go home to their families." On the night of the incident, the officers were called to a home in the 400 block of East Orchard Street shared by Hirstein and his live-in girlfriend. They arrived to find the woman with bleeding wounds and two black eyes. Hirstein was holed-up in the bathroom of the master bedroom. Police bodycam videos showed Hirstein bursting through a falling bathroom door as he throws a knife at the cops with his right hand while clutching another in his left. The thrown knife missed the responding officers, two of whom opened fire to protect themselves and neutralize the threat. Hirstein is then seen down and bloody, knocked back onto the bathroom floor. His multiple wounds turned out not to be serious. After he was released from the hospital, Hirstein was booked on preliminary charges of her attempted murder as well as aggravated battery to police. 2023 mugshots from the Herald & Review Lourash Hirstein Phillip Gehrken Joseph A. Williams Jetrevius O. Jarrett Edwards King-Woods DECATUR Its been almost four years since four-year-old Evan Higgins died after a tragic accidental drowning at his home in summer 2019. And for almost four years now, Evans family has received annual updates on the people to whom his organs were donated: A three-year-old girl who needed a heart and two adult men who needed kidneys. All three recipients are currently doing well, said Evans mother, Jeri Ann Higgins. His life is literally going on through somebody else, said Higgins, of Moweaqua. That helps with the grief. The farther you get away from the tragedy itself, you're just so glad that something good came out of it, she said. It wasn't good for us. Like the organ donation isn't, I mean, it didn't help us. But it does bring some comfort in knowing that Evans tragedy didn't go without some type of good. April is National Donate Life Month, and the Higgins family has joined the Gift Of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network in calling for more Illinoisans to register as organ donors and, more importantly, to tell people about it. If you are in the unfortunate circumstance where we're talking about donation, you likely won't have the opportunity to speak for yourself, said Caitlin Stephen, Gift of Hope hospital and partner relations manager. So that's why it's so important to register, so that you can make those wishes known. Gift of Hope works with 180 hospitals in Illinois and northwest Indiana to communicate about organ donation with potential donors families and with the United Network for Organ Sharing, the organization that manages the national transplant waiting list. Stephen said registering as an organ donor without telling loved ones about it in advance can leave them shocked. Many people dont talk about organ donation until its too late, she said. Thats what happened to the family of Eric Briceno, who died after an accident at just 20 years old in April 2020. We werent educated on this, so this was a shock to all of us, said Bricenos mother, Elizabeth Neal, of the organ donation process. Neal said because her family comes from a conservative, Hispanic Catholic background, many of them were hesitant to embrace organ donation. But ultimately the family felt organ donation was the best way to honor Bricenos memory. Whenever it first happens, you're shocked. You're like, don't do that. I don't understand, said Erics brother, Eliseo Briceno. But as time has passed, it makes it feel right. It makes it feel like we did something right. Looking back, Neal said she wished Briceno could have donated even more. A graduate of MacArthur High School, the late Briceno seemed sometimes to be perpetually happy, said his brother. He loved animals, and many of his family members now foster rescue pets in his memory. Eliseo Briceno said he thinks Eric would be proud of his impact. For being such a young soul, he always had to give back the love, Briceno said. Organ donors can give more than some might think, Stephen said. Just one organ donor can save up to eight lives, and Gift of Hope data shows a record amount of successful donations in 2022. In Illinois alone, 526 donors donated organs that led to over 1,418 life-saving transplants. Nearly 2,000 donors gave bone, skin and other tissue. But there are over 104,000 people still waiting for an organ transplant in the United States. The need for organ, eye and tissue donors is especially critical in Gift of Hopes service area, the organization said. Thats why even a few more registered organ donors can make a difference, said Decatur Memorial Hospital President Drew Early. I think it's important to make your decision now, Early said after a Gift of Hope flag raising ceremony at the hospital on Monday. The state of Illinois makes it very easy to register as an organ and tissue donor. But don't stop there. Make sure your loved ones understand why you made the decision and understand what your wishes are, and encourage them to think about it as well. Stephen said increasing the potential donor pool is helpful not just to increase the number of potential donors, but also to increase the amount of successful matches. Nationally, about 60% of those individuals who are waiting come from multicultural communities, Stephen said. So I think it's really important to kind of keep in mind as well, that even though transplants can be successful regardless of a patient's race, or ethnicity, the chance of long term survival can be greater if the donor and the recipient share a similar genetic background. There are plenty of ways to register as an organ donor, she said, including through your license at the Secretary of States Office or online at giftofhope.org. While Higgins has become all too familiar with the ways in which organ donation can save peoples lives, she encourages people to see donors as more than just patients. (Evan) is a miracle and an answer to someone else, she said. But he was still our child, and, you know, a miracle on earth to us." 5 reasons to consider becoming an organ donor The need is tremendous One donor can save many lives More diverse donors are needed Healthy people also can consider becoming a living donor Thanks to medical advances, organ donors are saving more lives The now-notorious violent youth riot in downtown Chicago during a recent weekend got me to thinking of a press conference way back in 2010. Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley voiced frustration about what he said were large groups of suburban kids causing trouble on Chicagos lakefront, even though plenty of Chicago kids were also participating, including six teens who brutally attacked an 18-year-old suburban woman. Daley complained that the youths would text each other to organize their mayhem. Three years later, downtowns problems with unexpected group violence hadnt gotten any better. So then-Gov. Pat Quinn held a splashy press conference on Michigan Avenue to sign a bill sponsored by then-Sen. Kwame Raoul and then-Rep. Christian Mitchell which doubled the prison sentences (to 6 years) for those who use social media to incite organized mob violence. We dont want flash mobs harming anyone, anywhere, but especially where many people come from other states, other countries, Quinn said. Their promised crackdown never materialized. However, that penalty enhancement is still in state law books. Illinois has also had a statute on its books since 1969 known as the Parental Responsibility Law. Parents and guardians can be sued for actual damages for the wilful or malicious acts of such minor which cause injury to a person or property. Damages under 740 ILCS 115 are recoverable up to $20,000. The law has only rarely been used. Ed Yohnka at the Illinois ACLU told me that his group was not aware of a specific constitutional deficiency with the law, and said the courts long have recognized that one can be held responsible for the actions of others based on specific legal relationships, and recognized the authority of state legislatures to make parents responsible for the torts of their minor children. Yohnka did say that the law was bad policy, partly because impoverished parents would be hurt the most. Many of these families are struggling to make ends meet in communities that lack services and resources that help support strong families. The state and the City of Chicago also spend millions of dollars a year, and plan to spend much more, on violence prevention programs. In the past, violence interrupters have described being overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of young people breaking the law during the flash mobs or trends or whatever you want to call them. Last week, we barely heard from anyone in that sector about how they helped during the weekend violence or how they can help in the future if properly deployed. In 2019, WBEZ actually went out and talked to some of the kids who were causing some of the disruptions. The youths understandably complained that parks and recreational facilities in their own neighborhoods on the South and West Sides were decrepit. There is usually vandalism over the swings, over the slides, there is usually broken material there is trash and there is a lot of people soliciting, according to Tyrianna Rodgers, who was on a girls-only afternoon in downtown at the time. It just doesnt look like the place where you would send your kids and say OK, You could chill here. Four years later, many of those facilities are still a disgrace. The public radio station also reported at the time that Chicago police were bragging about their ability to monitor the online organization of what are now called trends, which the station defined as large teen-led gatherings that are particularly popular among Black teens. Yet, CBS 2 reported last week that the Chicago PD had no clue how the mob violence was organized. And credible reports have emerged since then about police ignoring calls for assistance. There are really two points here. The first is that all those loud folks pretending that the violence is somehow a new and mysterious thing and a fresh test for a mayor-elect who hasnt even been sworn in yet really ought to take a breath. The second is that law enforcement and local leaders have been given plenty of legal, investigatory and prevention tools (and there are more than just those listed above) to address these issues, but those leaders appear to be allowing those tools to just rust away in a drawer somewhere. Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago) had it absolutely right when he complained that nobody has a plan to deal with the violence and that nobody has had a real plan since he was a teen. That has to change! Rep. Buckner rightly roared on social media. Yes, it does. And it starts with the people in authority doing their actual jobs. New Braunfels, TX (78130) Today Cloudy this morning. Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High around 85F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Variable clouds with scattered thunderstorms. A few storms may be severe. Low near 60F. SSE winds shifting to WNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%. " " Representatives from various Native American tribes: from left to right, an Iroquois, an Assiniboine, a Crow, a Pawnee, an Assiniboine in gala dress, a Dakota or Sioux warrior and a Dakota or Sioux woman. (Original artwork engraved by JJ Crew after a drawing by A Huttula.) Hulton Archive/Getty Images Back in 1744, colonial leaders from Pennsylvania, Virginia and Maryland met with a delegation from what at the time was one of the great powers on the North American continent. It was a confederation of Native American nations who called themselves the Haudenosaunee, though we're more familiar with them by their French name, the Iroquois. As recounted in James Wilson's book "The Earth Shall Weep: A History of Native America," the native leader Canastego expressed frustration at the colonists' quarreling with one another. "We heartily recommend Union and a good agreement between you, our brethren," he admonished the colonists. He advised that they follow the example of the Iroquois who had established a well-organized system of self-government, codified in the Great Law of Peace, with both a central council and checks and balances that protected individual freedoms. "We are a powerful confederacy, and by observing the same methods our wise forefathers have taken, you will acquire fresh strength and power." Advertisement Among those in attendance was Benjamin Franklin, who in Wilson's account took careful notes and later used some of the Iroquois' ideas about government a decade later in a proposal for a confederation of the American colonies. If "ignorant savages" could form such an effective union, Franklin wrote in a 1751 letter, the "English colonies" should be able to do the same. The Albany Plan championed by Franklin never came to fruition, but the notion of the colonies cooperating and governing themselves was a big step toward what eventually became the United States of America. Over the years, some have argued that we ought to give the Iroquois credit for inspiring the birth of American democracy, and even have suggested that the U.S. Constitution and the system of self-government that it created actually was based upon the Iroquois Great Law. If you poke around the internet or social media long enough, you may even find the meme depicted in this 2014 PolitiFact article, which claims that the U.S. Constitution "owes its notion of democracy to the Iroquois Tribes, including freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and separation of powers in government." The big difference, the meme notes, is that unlike the Founding Fathers, the Iroquois didn't disenfranchise nonwhites and women. The point about women is clearly true. Women are mentioned throughout the Great Law, and in the Iroquois system of government, they had the power to select chiefs and veto wars. In this 2016 Washington Post essay, journalist Jessica Nordell writes that 19th century American feminists such as Elizabeth Cady Stanton, who had Iroquois neighbors in upstate New York, were inspired by their notion of gender equality. Congress even passed a resolution in 1988, acknowledging the Iroquois contribution to American democracy, and noting that "the original framers of the Constitution, including, most notably, George Washington and Benjamin Franklin, are known to have greatly admired the concepts of the Six Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy." The resolution also noted that "the confederation of the original Thirteen Colonies into one republic was influenced by the political system developed by the Iroquois Confederacy as were many of the democratic principles which were incorporated into the Constitution itself." Nevertheless, the consensus among historians seems to be that there's no compelling evidence that the Founding Fathers directly imitated the Iroquois Great Law when they wrote the U.S. Constitution. As PolitiFact details, the Iroquois system had some significant differences from the political system that the former colonists created. For one, the Iroquois had hereditary office-holders, something that more resembled the English system that the Americans were rebelling against. "There are lots of significant and fascinating ways in which one can trace the interactions between indigenous and settler populations," Stanford University history and political science professor Jack Rakove, author of the 2017 book "A Politician Thinking: The Creative Mind of James Madison," writes in an email. "But the transmission of political ideas including ideas about democracy is not one of them. The basic fact is that the colonists were direct heirs to an extremely rich body of political practices and ideas derived from English history, and especially from the great controversies of the 17th-century Stuart era. There just is not much, if anything, that native forms of political organization could have added to that." Charles C. Mann, author of the 2006 book "1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus," contends that even if the Constitution wasn't actually modeled on the Great Law, the Iroquois still exerted an influence upon the development of American democracy. "The Great Law codified something that was pretty fundamental to Haudenosaunee culture, which was that people are autonomous individuals with the right to decide their own lives and that the authority of the ruler over them was limited," Mann emails. "This is a really important part of U.S. political culture to this day." "I suspect that the Constitution was not inspired by the Great Law, but that Haudenosaunee culture, of which the Great Law is one example, was influential to what became U.S. culture in the same way that, say, African-American teenagers in Queens are influenced by Asian-American teenagers (viz, the Wu-Tang Clan). The colonial Americas were a much more mixed place than we are often taught in school, so this influence is, to me, not surprising." Learn more about the Iroquois Great Law of Peace in "The Great Law and the Longhouse: A Political History of the Iroquois Confederacy" by William N. Fenton. HowStuffWorks picks related titles based on books we think you'll like. Should you choose to buy one, we'll receive a portion of the sale. Now That's Interesting The Great Law of Peace, which originally was oral document, still is recited aloud at a Six Nations ceremony held every year. John Long, the Vice President and President of the Asia and Africa regions of Jarvis Products Corporation from the US, enthusiastically exchanged WeChat contact information with Huang Yane, the Deputy Mayor of Hengyang City. Surprise Twist at Hunan Investment Conference During China International Meat Industry Exhibition: Foreign Enterprise Adds a New Segment By Wang Yizheng, Chen Jianing and He Qing From April 18 to 20, the 20th China International Meat Industry Exhibition was held in Qingdao, Shandong Province. This is the largest, highest-standard, most professional and highest turnover meat trade exhibition in Asia. It features various meats as well as the latest slaughtering equipment, processing equipment, packaging equipment, packaging materials, cold chain logistics equipment, food ingredients and production and processing facilities and equipment in the industry. It also presents the most advanced industrial development concepts. The Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of Hunan Province took the lead to organize representatives from Changsha, Xiangtan, Hengyang, and other prominent production areas, as well as industry associations and major enterprises, to participate in joint investment promotion negotiations and cooperation talks. During the three days in Shandong Province, the delegation not only participated in the opening ceremony and toured the exhibition hall but also held two business meetings and two investment promotion conferences. Meanwhile, they also rushed to Zhucheng next to Qingdao to inspect three pre-prepared food enterprises. The exhibition stand of Hunan's TRS group. The delegation was inspecting local pre-prepared food enterprises. At the promotion conferences, many companies expressed their hope to cooperate with Hunan. Among them was Jarvis Products Corporation from the US, who took the initiative to introduce themselves on stage. Mr. John Long, a representative of Jarvis Products Corporation, requested to add a link to introduce their team members to Hunan and expressed their hope for future cooperation opportunities. Mr. John Long of Jarvis Products Corporation was introducing their team members. This enterprise specializes in the research, development, and manufacturing of meat processing machinery, with a focus on slaughtering tools. At the conference, John Long, the Vice President and President of the Asia and Africa regions, enthusiastically exchanged WeChat contact information with Huang Yane, the Deputy Mayor of Hengyang City. In 2022, Hunan produced 62.48 million live pigs, accounting for 9% of the countrys total live pig production. This ranked Hunan second in the country and first in central China. To transform from a large live pig province to a strong live pig province, Hunan has implemented the high-quality Xiang pig project in recent years. This project aims to promote the development of Hunans pig industry by constructing a complete industry chain, including joint breeding, large-scale breeding, slaughtering and processing, and cold chain sales. The goal is to improve the quality of Xiang pigs and make Hunans meat industry bigger and stronger. Wu Shenshu, director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs animal husbandry and veterinary division, stated: We must target large domestic and foreign meat companies and increase our investment promotion efforts. Our goal is to accelerate the transformation from transporting pigs to transporting meat and make Hunans meat industry bigger and stronger. We aim to create a national meat processing highland. Apple Inc. plans to double the number of jobs created in India, building on the 100,000 it generated over the past two years through production and other operations as it reinforced its commitment to Asias third-largest economy in conversations with government officials, a person aware of the speaks said.During a meeting with senior government officials on Wednesday, Apple chief executive Tim Cook sought policy predictability, help in developing supplier and component ecosystems, and manpower training as he discussed the companys business plans in India, the person said, seeking anonymity.Over 100,000 jobs have been generated in India. This will double soon. Its going to be a long-term play. Apple is happy with the support that the government has extended. Theyve acknowledged the governments role," the person added.As part of efforts to diversify its supply chain and reduce its reliance on China, Apple has boosted the production of iPhones and other products in other countries, such as India and Vietnam. The move comes amid geopolitical tensions and rising labour costs in China. By diversifying, Apple can ensure a stable supply of its products to world markets.Cook met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, telecom and information technology minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and minister of state for electronics and information technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar.Thank you, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for the warm welcome. Were committed to growing and investing across the country," Cook said in a Twitter post after meeting with the Prime Minister. In response, Prime Minister Modi said: Glad to exchange views on diverse topics and highlight the tech-powered transformations taking place in India."Vaishnaw also tweeted about his meeting with Cook. Discussed deepening Apples engagement in India across manufacturing, electronics exports, app economy, skilling, sustainability and job creation, especially for women. Jointly charting a long-term and strong relationship."Chandrasekhar tweeted: We discussed deepening and broadening manufacturing, exports, skilling of youth, expanding app innovation economy and job creation."Apple is also exploring options to expand its manufacturing base in India and bring other product lines under the Make in India initiative, the person cited earlier said. The government has offered to support Apples manpower training needs by using its Gati Shakti University model to impart skills through Apples own courses and training programs.The person said the government had ready models to showcase on the lines of existing training courses being conducted by Boeing and Siemens.Cook inaugurated Indias first Apple-owned store in Mumbai on Tuesday. He is expected to launch the second such store in Delhi. Since 1992, the Earth has lost 8.3 trillion tons of ice in Greenland and Antarctica. The Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets are losing three times as much ice per year due to melting as thirty years ago, MTI writes based on a comprehensive international study published on Thursday in the journal Earth System Science Data. Based on 50 different satellite estimates, the researchers found that between 2017 and 2020, average Greenland melting was 20 percent greater per year than at the beginning of the decade, and more than seven times greater than what was measured annually in the early 1990s. Ines Otosakaa glaciologist at the British University of Leeds, the lead author of the study, stated, accelerated ice melting is clearly caused by climate change. Between 1992 and 1996, the two ice sheets containing 99 percent of the worlds fresh water supply declined by roughly 116 billion tons per year due to melting. Two-thirds of this melting affected the Antarctic ice. At the same time, according to the current latest data, between 2017 and 2020, the combined melting of the two ice sheets reached 410 billion tons per year, two-thirds of which came from Greenland. In Greenland, between 2017 and 2020, an average of 283 billion tons of ice melted annually, while between 2012 and 2016, 235 billion tons of ice was still melting annually. Between 2017 and 2020, Antarctica lost about 127 billion tons of ice annually, which is 23 percent less than at the beginning of the decade, but 64 percent more than in the early 1990s. Twila Moondeputy chief researcher of the US National Snow and Ice Center, says this rise is unprecedented in the history of modern civilization. The difference is visible Since 1992, the Earth has lost 8.3 trillion tons of ice in Greenland and Antarctica, according to the study. This would roughly mean that the amount of water would cover the territory of the United States with a height of 90 centimeters, and in France this water column would be almost 15 meters high. However, since the rise is distributed across the Earths oceans, the average sea level has risen by 21 millimeters since 1992. However, the study highlighted that global sea-level rise has accelerated, with melting ice sheets now accounting for more than a quarter of sea-level rise, instead of the previous 5 percent. The rest of the sea level rise comes from the expansion of warmer water and the melting of glaciers. Waleed Abdalatia glaciologist at the University of Colorado and a former senior scientist at NASA, drew attention to the fact that sea level rise due to melting could force hundreds of millions, or even billions, of people to leave their homes. DCI Data Centres, the data centre arm of Brookfield Global Data Centre, has finished the construction of one of the first two generation cloud data centres in Auckland. AKL01 presents a total of 50+ MW of critical technical infrastructure to the New Zealand market. The second data centre AKL02 is under construction in Albany. DCI claimed AKL01 has been built to the highest physical and virtual security and compliance credentials to manage multi-national cloud, highly classified government, and defence workloads. Each data centre will create more than 150 jobs during construction. It will create 250 full-time equivalent jobs once both sites are operational. DCI intends to run its facilities in New Zealand from 100% renewable sources, and to set industry-leading benchmarks for water and energy efficiency, as it continues its expansion in New Zealand. DCI head of Australian and New Zealand business Malcolm Roe said DCI is committed to major investment program focusing on cloud data infrastructure to serve the need to securely access and store data. It is fantastic to have delivered our first data centre in New Zealand which will address a critical capacity gap in the market and support the growth of the digital economy, said Roe. AKL01 has been designed to support New Zealands data sovereignty, cloud adoption and digital skills development. We expect to collectively bring over NZ$600 million to the Auckland region, with a combined economic value exceeding NZ$1.4 billion over the life of the projects, said DCI group CEO Nicolas Toh. Through our portfolio companies including DCI we are delivering timely and highly secure data centres and fibre networks that are becoming an integral fabric of global cloud players operations in New Zealand, said Brookfield Global Data Centre Platform CEO and DCI chair Udhay Mathialagan. This first appeared in the subscription newsletter CommsWire on 21 April 2023. Telecommunications provider Singtel Optus has been hit with a class action, with the law firm Slater and Gordon saying it had been filed on behalf of people affected by last year's data breach. The action, initiated in the Federal Court, has been brought by two lead applicants, a school teacher and a government employee. The law firm raised the possibility of filing such an action in September 2022, soon after Optus had revealed the massive breach. At the time, Optus advised customers that driver licence details, proof of age/proof of identity documents, Australian and international passport details, Medicare card numbers and invalid/incomplete ID document numbers had all been exposed. A total of about 9.8 million former and current Optus customers were affected. The details of about 10,000 customers were exposed on the dark web. Slater and Gordon said in a statement that the action covered allegations about Singtel Optus Pty Ltd (Singtel Optus), Optus Mobile Pty Ltd (Optus Mobile), Optus Internet Pty Ltd (Optus Internet), Optus Networks Pty Ltd (Optus Networks), Optus ADSL Pty Ltd (Optus ADSL) and Optus Satellite Pty Ltd (Optus Satellite). Among the allegations made against the company were that it breached its contract with customers, breached Australian Privacy Principles under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), breached its duty of care to customers and breached Australian Consumer Law. The expenses for the court action are being paid by a reputable funder who will be entitled to a commission if the action is successful outcome. Anyone affected by the breach can register his/her interest in being a party to the case here. Choose Yourself. Its the title of a great pre-pandemic book from the multi-talented James Altucher, where he extols the value of choosing yourself. I have been contributing to iTWire for the better part of two decades, from when it was its predecessor, The Beer Files, in 2004, until today. In that time I have contributed thousands of articles to iTWire, which were read millions of times, and I am very grateful to iTWire and all of its owners, past and present, for the opportunity. It has been a great ride, but I have muddled through life, only achieving a sliver of my potential, and in recent times, if not recent years, I have been using iTWire as a crutch and an excuse not to achieve vastly more. Now, dont get me wrong. iTWire is an excellent Australian-owned and run publication, helmed by the highly-skilled and multi-talented CEO and Editor-in-Chief Andrew Matler, whose record in the world of IT before publishing is an impressive journey of achievement. iTWires writers include Stephen Withers, David M Williams, Sam Varghese, Kenn Anthony Mendoza, Nick Ross, David Heath, Andrew Matler, Gordon Peters and more, so theres a breadth and depth of talent there producing great content on a regular basis. iTWire should definitely remain among your go-to Australian and global tech news sources for news, views, interviews and reviews - it is a great publication, with iTWireTV an equally great channel, and I thank you very much for being a very loyal and valued reader and viewer - and I sincerely hope you continue choosing iTWire as a quality Australian business technology news source, which also covers communications, consumer and other tech topics. But for me, its time to change, and as James Altucher advises, to choose myself, and embark upon my own journey with gusto - especially as my 50th birthday looms next year, and with my father having shockingly passed at 68 years old, who truly knows how much time we have left? I am still very much a technology journalist and content creator, appearing on local and global radio stations, featuring each week on a friend's podcast with over 300,000 downloads per month, on YouTube and from time to time on television, and you can follow me on Twitter for more information. Until then, it has been a pleasure and an honour to serve you, the readers and the viewers, with tech news, views, reviews and interviews over many years, and Ill continue doing that over on my own channels. Ill see you online and genuinely only wish you - and iTWire - the very best. Onward and upward - and may the force be with you, to infinity and beyond! include_once "/home/jwreview/public_html/$theme/includes/sidebar.php"; ?> The arrest last week of 21-year-old air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira on charges of espionage has sparked a debate in the intelligence community and elsewhere about whether his behavior is criminal or heroic. He apparently shared top-secret intelligence and military briefings to which he had lawful access with folks in his chatroom, at least one of whom let the cat out of the bag. Is Teixeira a pawn for folks in the government far senior to him who believe that the United States needs to cease its criminal foray into the Russia/Ukraine war? Or should he be prosecuted because government agents have risked their lives to amass data about Russia and the compromise of this data can be fatal to them and their sources? I look at this from the perspective of the natural human right to search for and reveal the truth. What we have here is either Teixeira operating on his own in an effort to impress acquaintances whom he barely knew or Teixeira as a pawn for government officials repulsed by Biden administration policies. What are these policies? During the past 15 months, the U.S. has spent more than $68 billion in military hardware and ammunition, and in cash, all in an effort to help the Ukraine government resist the Russian military. The administration's argument is that Russian President Vladimir Putin is trying to reassemble the old Soviet Union. If he succeeds in Ukraine, this argument goes, he will soon choose another European country to occupy. This is the discredited domino theory that President Lyndon Johnson used to justify the Vietnam War. The counterargument offers that the American promise that triggered the non-bloody dissolution of the old Soviet Union was that NATO would not move one inch closer to Moscow than it was in 1989. Of course, it is hundreds of miles closer to Moscow today complete with a U.S.-instigated coup in Ukraine in 2014 and just recently added Finland and its 800-mile border with Russia. NATO countries have easy access to Western military hardware aimed at Moscow. Even though NATO is a defensive organization, its weapons are deployed in an ancient border dispute between Ukraine, a non-NATO country, and Russia a dispute that has no bearing on the national security of the U.S. Rather than permitting American businesses to trade with Russia, the Biden administration has delivered cash to Ukraine, whose officials including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy the U.S. believes have stolen $400 million of it. Has the U.S. asked for this stolen money to be returned? No. Does the Biden administration deny the thefts? No. Does the U.S. continue to send arms and cash to the same thieves? Yes. Add to all this, the presence of U.S. troops and CIA personnel in Ukraine. The troops are aiming and firing sophisticated military armaments at Russian troops. The CIA is stealing Russian secrets and sharing them with Ukraine. Stated differently, without a congressional declaration of war and without telling the American people, the Biden administration has the U.S. fighting a war against Russia. SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY JWR UPDATE. IT'S FREE. Just click here. The espionage charge against Teixeira is basically theft of secrets. Yet, in the subjective morality of the National Security State that's the government within the government that has grown exponentially since it was created in 1947 and flourishes no matter who is in the White House stealing and revealing is not morally wrong; it just depends what side you're on. Can the government make it moral to steal property and kill innocents? Of course not. Morality is determined by the laws of nature. All rational adults know that stealing property and killing innocents is wrong. But to the Security State, it can be lawful lawful when we do it to them, but not when Daniel Ellsberg or Edward Snowden or Bradley Manning or Julian Assange or Jack Teixeira embarrass the government. In legal theory, every criminal act is either malum in se wrong in and of itself; or malum prohibitum wrong because it is prohibited. Only government thinks it can turn right into wrong and wrong into right to suit its purposes. For example, two weeks ago, Victoria Nuland, the Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs, publicly revealed the existence and location of Iranian drones in Crimea, as well as the location and size of Russian troop movements there. She acquired that information from secret sources. What she revealed was no doubt truthful, but she revealed it as part of the Biden administration's subterfuge that the U.S. needs to participate in an attack on Russian troops in Crimea even though Crimea has been a part of Russia since before the American colonies seceded from Great Britain. Among the truths Teixeira revealed is the conclusion by senior U.S. officials that Ukraine will soon have no meaningful air defenses and is losing this war badly. These truths are the opposite of what Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin recently told the Senate Armed Services Committee. What's going on here? What's going on is the government itself selectively revealing top-secret military data in order to further a lie and selectively lying to Congress about the true state of the war in Ukraine in order to get funds appropriated for more killing. Is there a moral difference between Nuland's revelations and Teixeira's? Both are truths derived from secrets, yet one furthers killing and the other lets the public judge for itself if the government is worthy of belief. Is there a moral difference between what Teixeira told his buddies and what Austin told Congress? Yes, Teixeira told the truth and Austin lied. When the government is manipulating the consent of the governed to fight an illegal war and lies about it, we should praise those who identify reality, not punish them. (COMMENT, PLEASE, BELOW) Andrew P. Napolitano, a former judge of the Superior Court of New Jersey, was the senior judicial analyst at Fox News Channel. Judge Napolitano has written seven books on the U.S. Constitution. include_once "/home/jwreview/public_html/$theme/includes/sidebar.php"; ?> Democrats push the "America is systemically racist" lie because they want blacks to feel angry, oppressed and discriminated against. What's the upside? It guarantees Democrats get a near-monolithic black vote. Democrats tell blacks that in the quest for "social justice" and "equity," the Democrats wear the white hat and Republicans wear the black hat. It is a lie, without which Democrats cannot win presidential elections. When I ran for governor in California, I received 3.5 million votes in that recall election in a state where non-Republicans outnumber Republicans three to one. Of the 46 replacement candidates, which included Republicans, independents and Democrats, I received 49% of the vote. The next highest finisher got 9%. California has 58 counties, and on the replacement vote, I carried 57. I entered the race late but raised $27 million in eight weeks. We got donations from 150,000 individuals, half of whom lived outside of California. Why would a non-Californian donate to a California gubernatorial republican candidate? California, if it were a separate country, would be the fourth-largest GDP in the world. It is also a state with Democrat supermajorities in the Senate and the Assembly and where for the first time in the state's history, people are leaving. Blame crime, the high cost of living, homelessness, poor government schools, underfunded public pensions, excessive taxation and job-killing regulations. People know that as California continues on this road it infects the rest of the country. An L.A. Times columnist called me "the black face of white supremacy." My sin? I noted that, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a black male age 10 to 34 is 13 times more likely to be murdered than a white male in the same demographic. This is not a problem. It is a crisis. I advocate school choice in a country where, according to the national report card, nearly 85% of black eighth graders can neither read nor do math at grade level. I am pro-life. I support secure borders and national fiscal responsibility. I know that our biggest foreign adversary is the communist Chinese government, and that we have become increasingly dependent on a country led by a totalitarian communist regime that wants to dominate the world. The number one responsibility of government is to protect people and property. Soft on crime George Soros backed district attorneys are doing neither. The people most hurt are the very black and brown people living in urban America whom the Democrats claim to care so much about. Reduce the chance of a bad guy being caught, convicted and incarcerated, and crime goes up. They may be criminals, but they're not stupid. SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY JWR UPDATE. IT'S FREE. Just click here. The 10,000-pound elephant in the room is fatherlessness. Seventy percent of black children enter the world without a father in the home married to the mother; 50% of Hispanic kids and 25% of white children, which was the same percentage as black children in 1965. Today, 40% of all children in America enter the world without a father in the home married to the mother. Former President Barack Obama said a kid raised without a father is five times more likely to be poor and commit crime, nine times more likely to drop out of school and 20 times more likely to end up in jail. Since the mid-1960s, public policy has incentivized women to marry the government, and incentivized men to abandon their financial and moral responsibility. This is not a problem; it is a crisis. My father, who never knew his own father, always told my brothers and me the following: hard work wins; you get out of life what you put into it; you cannot control the outcome, but you are 100% in control of the effort; and before you complain about what somebody did to you or said to you, go to the nearest mirror and ask yourself what you could have done to change the outcome. I guess that makes my dad a black face of white supremacy. Well, this may be my last column for a while because this son of a black face of white supremacy is considering running again this time for president. We've got a country to save. (COMMENT, BELOW) TOLEDO Police are seeking information on the location of a suspect in a domestic incident following a search on Thursday by the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office and Illinois State Police. State Police Troop 9 reported in a press release Thursday evening that the Sheriff's Office responded to this domestic incident at 12:08 p.m. at 476 County Road 600N, southeast of Neoga. The suspect, 51-year-old James M. Walthers of Neoga, reportedly left the scene on foot prior to their officers arrival. The Sheriffs Office requested the State Polices assistance in the search for Walthers. Numerous State Police and Cumberland officers were deployed in an effort to locate him, but they were unsuccessful. According to the release, he victim of the domestic incident was treated for minor injuries at the scene by emergency service personnel. This is believed to be a local domestic incident. This is an open and ongoing investigation. There is no further information at this time. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Walthers can call State Police DuQuoin Communications at 618-542-2171, extension 1205. Witnesses can remain anonymous. Today in history: April 20 1912: Fenway Park 1916: Wrigley Field 1972: Apollo 16 1986: Vladimir Horowitz 1999: Columbine 2017: Cuba Gooding Sr 2018: Trump DNC Lawsuit CHARLESTON The Eastern Illinois University faculty and academic support staff union is set to vote Tuesday on what university administration has characterized as a "last, best and final" contract offer. Jennifer Stringfellow, president of EIU's chapter of University Professionals of Illinois Local 4100, said they will discuss the proposal with members during in-person and video meetings at 2 and 4:45 p.m. that day in the Martin Luther King, Jr. University Union. Stringfellow said the discussion will include a recent revision that will enable faculty to be compensated for 1 1/2 days of doing work that was missed during the strike and eligible support staff to arrange to make up 1 1/2 days of this work at a later time. In-person and electronic voting options will then be available for union members until 9 p.m. Tuesday. The union represents 450 faculty, lab coordinators, advisers, recruiters, and counselors. "We want as many of our members to vote as can," Stringfellow said. Members returned to work on April 14 after the union suspended its strike. The strike began on April 6 after more than a year of negotiations failed to yield a new contract, with wages being a major sticking point with the administration. The current contract expired in September. EIU President David Glassman has reported that the university's final offer, made last week, would provide 5%, 4%, 3%, and 3% in across-the-board salary increases, plus increases in merit and other types of payment. The financial package reportedly exceeds $6.6 million over four years. "We want to have a good relationship with the administration moving forward," Stringfellow said, adding that the union will have to work to ensure that this relationship has more equity. "Nobody wants to have (a strike) happen again if we can avoid it." Photos: Eastern Illinois University faculty strike Why Second Amendment people should be at the forefront of gun control solutions Former U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger, who served Illinois 11th Congressional District and later the 16th from 2011 to early this year, is one of the Republican Partys most significant truth tellers. Kinzinger is now a political commentator. In his blistering farewell address to Congress in December, Kinzinger said: Where Republicans once believed that limited government meant lower taxes and more autonomy, today, limited government means inciting violence against government officials. On Monday night, Kinzinger spoke in Chicago at a meeting organized by The Joyce Foundation. This was a left-leaning audience, receptive to sharp criticism of the Republican right and far friendlier to Kinzinger than many members of his own party. But something Kinzinger said at the Arts Club caught our attention after the conversation turned to recent school shootings. Second Amendment people, Kinzinger said, should be on the front line of gun control. In essence, Kinzinger was saying, the people who are interested in guns, and most likely to own them, actually know far more about what works and what does not in the matter of gun control than those who have no such knowledge. And as experts on guns, he said, they are thus morally obligated to use that expertise to solve what is clearly a crisis, given all the recent examples of emotionally troubled people acquiring powerful weaponry and using them to take innocent lives, often of children. Many of them already know this, he implied, at least deep down, and are possibly just waiting to be asked in the right way. Therefore, rather than seeing fervent supporters of the Second Amendment as the opposition to be defeated, he suggested, those who want to see sensible regulations on gun ownership, such as background checks, age restrictions and red flag laws, should see Second Amendment people as potential experts and allies. They know guns better than those who merely despise them. Kinzinger was engaged in realpolitik here, noting that the constitutional protection for personal ownership of guns is unlikely to go away in our lifetimes. Better, then, to find common ground when it comes to the kinds of reform for which weve advocated here often. Kinzinger is not the only person who has suggested that Americans try harder to find common ground in the interests of common-sense solutions. At a recent meeting in Austin, Texas, organized by the American Press Institute, a young nonprofit called The Flip Side spoke of its mission to help bridge the gap between liberals and conservatives, telling assembled opinion journalists from major newspapers that the use of less partisan language and tonality has proved to be a far more effective generator of meaningful common-sense change than rhetorical demonization. We could not agree more. And gun control is not the only issue to which that applies, but its surely the biggest emergency. Chicago Tribune Ginger Fox is closing its downtown operations at 400 W. Fourth St., inside Village Juice, at the end of this month. The bar announced the closing April 19 on its Instagram account, saying, Its a long story, but due to very recent changes & circumstances beyond our control The Ginger Fox @ Village Juice downtown is going to have to unexpectedly wind down operations at the end of the month. The business said that April 29 will be the last day downtown, although it will continue to book parties and other off-site events. Two UNCSA graduates, husband-and-wife David Bowen and Madeleine Fox, began Ginger Fox as a pop-up event beverage business in 2020 and then moved into the unused Village Juice space in 2021. The owners of Ginger Fox did not give a specific reason for the closing but did allude to an issue with ABC liquor permits. Ginger Fox had been operating under Village Juices liquor permit, though Village Juice has not had that location open since fall 2020. (Village Juices location at 205 S. Stratford Road remains open.) Owners left open the possibility that Ginger Fox would reopen on Fourth Street. They also are planning a new concept, a combination coffee shop and cocktail bar tentatively called Easy Talk. The couple has not provided many details about the new business, but it will be located on South Broad Street next to Lesser Known Beer Co. and East of Texas. The swath of rolling hills and pastures on Reynolda Road that Winston-Salem residents have admired for generations will soon be open for the public to explore. The Stuart & Emma Thomas Memorial Trail at Crossnore Communities for Childrens campus at 1001 Reynolda Road will be dedicated at 4 p.m., Saturday at a celebration fittingly held on Earth Day. With nearly $8 million in donations, the Piedmont Land Conservancy bought the development rights for 92 of the campus 212 acres, ensuring that the heavily desired property will remain natural. A lot of people have driven past that property for years and never actually step foot on it, and never knew if they were supposed to or not, said Kevin Redding, the executive director of the Piedmont Land Conservancy. And were going to remove that barrier. Crossnore, a nonprofit organization that offers residential foster care services to children in North Carolina, will continue to own and maintain the property. For years, the Methodist Church ran an orphanage on the land. The trail system includes two loops, each about a mile, and another out-and-back trail that links Reynolda Road in the Buena Vista neighborhood to Gillete Street in the Boston-Thurmond community. All together, the trails amount to almost three miles, making for a decent leg-stretching stroll. The dirt trails may be muddy after it rains, but they will eventually get packed down after enough people walk on them. They will be open to walkers, runners and leashed dogs, but no bicycles will be allowed. The trails were routed in a way so that no hill exceeds a 4% grade. In other words, its not too strenuous. The trails meander through a pocket of tranquility not far from the citys urban heart, past meadows teeming with buttercups and into a wooded corridor that on a recent day was alive with birdsong white-eyed vireos, eastern towhees and cardinals to name a few. As a small crew prepped the trails and built signs, a red-tailed hawk flew overhead. Ken Bridle, a conservation advisor for the land conservancy, said the property is probably one of the biggest undeveloped pieces of urban real estate within eyesight of Winston-Salem. It includes a panoramic view of downtown Winston-Salem, a portion of Peters Creek that is blissfully void of the litter that is evident just a bit downstream and a bridge crossing the creek. Bridle said the land conservancy may try to work with Crossnore to clear some of the invasive and non-native vegetation within the easement. Cows will continue to graze on the pastures, but they will be gated off from the public. There are two parking lots, one at Reynolda Road and the other on Gillete Street in Boston-Thurmond. Each lot has seven parking spots, including a handicapped space; two picnic tables and informational kiosks that include a map. Gates at the parking lots will be open from dawn to dusk each day. The trailhead on Gillete Street, behind Paisley Middle School, is named for C.B. Hauser, a civil-rights activist, legislator, war veteran and professor of education at Winston-Salem State University. The main trail is named for Stuart and Emma Thomas, a father and daughter who were killed in an automobile wreck in 2011. Emma, 16, loved trail running. Her dad was a Boy Scout leader and hunter. The land conservancy worked with community groups in Boston-Thurmond on the trails development. A committee of residents came up with the recommendation to name the trailhead after Hauser, who lived in historic community, just east of the Crossnore property, and died in 2007. David West was among the residents who offered input and helped rake and mow. His family has lived in Boston-Thurmond for more than 100 years. It is a tremendous asset. Go down Thurmond Street and look for any kind of outdoor activity. There arent any except for those secured behind a fence on school grounds. This project is a new beginning as far as what we can do in that particular area, said West, who was about to head out to mow around the Gillete Street trailhead. About 30 community members met with the land conservancy at an initial meeting, West said. Since then, they have been out on the property, getting it ready for the opening. We put a lot of sweat equity in it, he said. PHOTOS: Hiking trails opening at Crossnore Communities for Children campus The CEO of a tech company formerly based in Lincoln offered a tearful apology in U.S. District Court in Lincoln on Thursday before learning he would have to serve prison time for hacking a former employee's email and accessing a competitor's customer list. Jonathan Manzi's attorney, Mike Winehart, likened what Manzi did to someone who burglarizes a home to get back his wife's stolen wedding ring. "That's kind of what we have here," he said. Winehart said Manzi's conduct had been driven by anger, but also by fear. "He was trying to keep this company alive. And he made a horrible judgment, a horrible mistake in what he decided to do," the attorney said. On July 1, 2017, Manzi, then CEO for Ink Labs Inc., accessed a former employee's Google email account and a Dropbox account for Wepa Inc., a competitor for whom the employee had gone to work, and obtained information from a protected computer. Winehart said Manzi believed someone associated with Wepa had taken confidential and proprietary information from Ink Labs. According to the government, Manzi contacted AT&T and impersonated the former employee to gain control over his phone and access his email and Wepa's Dropbox account, including customer information. Then, he sent disparaging, anonymous emails to his competitor's customers and potential customers. U.S. Attorney Steven Russell said: "Mr. Manzi made a decision to take over another person's email account for the purpose of destroying a company," Russell said. "He got mad and he decided to destroy these people." Manzi did a lot of damage to Wepa and to his former employee in the process, he said. And there was no evidence anyone had taken anything from his company. Russell said that on one hand the government wants to see Manzi get back on his feet and be the entrepreneur he should be. "On the other hand, he needs to go to jail for what he did," he said. Manzi, 32, initially was facing four felonies, but as part of a plea agreement, he pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts for intentionally accessing and attempting to access a computer without authorization. In court Thursday, Manzi said he was sorry for what he did and that Wepa does good work and its employees are good, hardworking people. "I understand and regret the sense of violation I caused," he said. "When I committed this crime, I was in a state of fear and extreme stress." Manzi said he poured his heart and soul into Ink Labs and viewed the people he worked with as family. To try to save the company from failing, he crossed the line and acted unethically and broke the law, believing the ends justified the means. He spoke tearfully about how he had been abusing alcohol at the time. In the end, Senior U.S. District Judge John Gerrard said if Manzi thought someone was stealing secrets, he had legal remedies. "To go out and do what you did, that's not a mitigating circumstance. That's just not," he said. Gerrard called the nature of the crime bold, intentional and blatant and said home confinement "does not cut it." He sentenced Manzi to a year and a half in federal prison, starting June 28, and ordered him to pay $655,000 in restitution to Wepa and the former employee, $425,000 of which already has been paid. Another of Manzi's attorneys, Kellen Dwyer, said Manzi is relieved that this matter is finally resolved "so that he can move forward with his promising career and continue to run his innovative company." He said the case never should have been charged as a felony. "We are pleased that, after three years of litigation, the Justice Department agreed to a misdemeanor resolution," Dwyer said. Manzi currently is CEO at Beyond Protocol, another tech company. In 2017, Ink Labs moved its headquarters to Lincoln after a successful pilot test of its smart printing station at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln led to millions of dollars in venture capital from local investors. Ink Labs moved its headquarters back to San Francisco in 2018. Photos: Scenes from the SpaceX Starship launch VALPARAISO Catina Borgmann wont be here long. Shell appear at book signings on Saturday at Francie & Finch Bookshop in Lincoln and at the Valparaiso Public Library on Sunday. Then, shell leave again and head where the wind takes her. The Valparaiso native has a new book out her debut, titled Discovering My Gypsy Soul. For 40 years, it lived inside her. But she didnt find it until she hit the road. On one drive, a song by the Zac Brown Band, Colder Weather, played on her car stereo. She had always liked the song, and she imagined Brown was referring to Shoemakers Travel Center on West O Street when he sang At a truck stop diner just outside of Lincoln, the night is black as the coffee he was drinkin. On that drive, though, a lyric later in the song hooked her: Gotta gypsy soul to blame, and I was born for leavin. You know when you hear something, and it just keeps repeating in your mind? Borgmann said in a phone call last Sunday. When she got home, she started researching what it means to have a gypsy soul. I just started collecting articles and putting together my own list of what I felt the characteristics were, she said. I could have had a list of 50 different things. She pared it down to the 12 that resonated the most fortune cookie sayings like You are self-sufficient, unpredictable, and fiercely independent and You are a free-spirited, adventurous wanderer who loves your freedom. The sayings serve as chapter titles in the book, where she shares stories and insights into how she embraces a gypsy soul lifestyle. Its kind of a memoir, she said. My goal was to inspire other people to look at their own life and learn to be authentic with themselves and say, This is just a part of who I am, and thats OK. For a long time, she wasnt sure. She described herself in those days as antsy. There was an exploratory itch that she needed to satisfy. She took advantage of her job in the tax industry, which only required her to work for five months out of the year. Her son was off to college, and her parents lived close enough to keep an eye on her 16-year-old daughter if necessary. When her seven-month break began, she took off on an 80-day road trip around the eastern half of the United States. She based her route off of a viral roadmap of national monuments. But I could veer off that, she said. I could stay in one place as long as I wanted. If it wasnt what I wanted to do, I could keep going. It was a freedom she had never experienced. But in the back of her head, she felt judgment. I could hear people saying, Wait a minute, youre a mom, you have a 16-year-old at home, and youre just going to leave her to fend for herself? she said. You just have to get to a point where youre kind of immune to the judgment and dont care what other people think. The key, she said, is to know and accept oneself. When you become comfortable in your own skin, youre able to live your life for yourself, she said. When youre able to live authentically to who you are, you are able to give in so many more ways to your community, to your family, to the world. When her daughter graduated from high school in 2018, Borgmann left Nebraska again this time for good. She relocated to North Carolina, where she lived in a tiny house community. She later shoved off in a 33-foot RV and paid for necessities by taking a job at an Amazon distribution center. She prefers not to stay in one place for long, and she now lives in a small town in the northwest corner of South Carolina. She thinks her vagabonding approach to life is worth sharing, especially with people close to her. For my kids, I hope Im giving them the realization that the world is bigger than Nebraska, she said. That you can go anywhere, and you can do anything, and you need to believe in yourself that you can do that. Discovering My Gypsy Soul is a real-time reckoning with her insecurities and the societal pressures that tell her to be something shes not. Before writing the book, she wouldnt have considered herself a gypsy soul. But the Zac Brown lyric kept repeating in her head. Gotta gypsy soul to blame, and I was born for leavin. I came home and started writing that day, and the first draft of my book was done in seven days, she said. It literally just poured out of me. Her next step is to take her nomadic life full time. She hopes to turn her blog GypsyWander into a career endeavor, helping other people discover who they are and live their most fulfilling lives. Its just kind of evolving, but it all started because of the book, she said. This weekend, Borgmann will make a rare return to Nebraska to visit old friends and to sign a few paperbacks. Who knows how long shell stay. Not knowing what comes next is the most exciting part. Just let whatever happens happen and enjoy the ride, she said. Dont expect something grand to happen, and you will see all the grand little things. Borgmanns book signings will take place on Saturday at 4 p.m. at Francie & Finch, 130 S. 13th St. in Lincoln, and on Sunday at the Valparaiso Public Library from 10 a.m. to noon. 50 classics from (almost) everyone's high school reading list 50 classics from (almost) everyone's high school reading list #50. Their Eyes Were Watching God #49. Mythology #48. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (Maya Angelou's Autobiography, #1) #47. Oedipus Rex (The Theban Plays, #1) #46. Moby-Dick or, the Whale #45. The Pearl #44. The Importance of Being Earnest #43. The Red Badge of Courage #42. The Taming of the Shrew #41. Slaughterhouse-Five #40. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer #39. Crime and Punishment #38. A Separate Peace #37. Death of a Salesman #36. The Little Prince #35. The Old Man and the Sea #34. The Canterbury Tales #33. Othello #32. Flowers for Algernon #31. Beowulf #30. A Tale of Two Cities #29. Wuthering Heights #28. The Hobbit (The Lord of the Rings, #0) #27. A Midsummer Night's Dream #26. The Grapes of Wrath #25. Great Expectations #24. Frankenstein: The 1818 Text #23. Julius Caesar #22. The Outsiders #21. Brave New World #20. Night (The Night Trilogy, #1) #19. The Crucible #18. The Giver (The Giver, #1) #17. Jane Eyre #16. Fahrenheit 451 #15. Pride and Prejudice #14. The Odyssey #13. The Diary of a Young Girl #12. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn #11. 1984 #10. The Scarlet Letter #9. Hamlet #8. The Catcher in the Rye #7. Of Mice and Men #6. Macbeth #5. Animal Farm #4. Lord of the Flies #3. The Great Gatsby #2. Romeo and Juliet #1. To Kill a Mockingbird In September 1971, Doug Sahm took the Sir Douglas Quintet into The Troubadour, the legendary L.A. nightclub, for a soundcheck-rehearsal that just happened to have an audience. Daniel Rose, the engineer at the soundboard, recorded the rehearsal. That tape sat in the vaults somewhere until now when Texas Tornado Live: Doug Westons Troubadour, 1971, Los Angeles, CA is getting its first release, on vinyl and CD, for Record Store Day 2023. For the first time in the 16 years of Record Store Day, I got an advance copy of a release -- this time, Texas Tornado Live and, as a lifelong Doug-head, I can report its a must-have as it captures the group at one of its peaks, just before Sahm signed with Atlantic Records. Kicking off with Shes About a Mover, the record includes some of the Quintets biggest hits, Mendocino and Dynamite Woman, visits the horn-driven sound of Sahms native San Antonio on And It Didnt Even Bring You Down, has a fine version of his country classic Be Real and plenty of the Quintets organ-pumping Tex-Mex sound. I thought that was going to be my Record Store Day acquisition for 2023. Until, Tuesday night, I heard Lenny Kaye playing all 70 tracks from the 50th Anniversary box set of Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era (1964-1968). Ive had the original double album Kaye put together of tracks like Pushin Too Hard, Dirty Water and Youre Gonna Miss Me since the 70s and Ive got a CD set that adds a whole lot more tracks as well. But the new set offers a second double album that was planned but never released and a fifth platter of songs that coulda, shoulda, woulda made the two albums if theres been enough room. And I gotta have it. So Ill be heading out to try to find nuggets Saturday, joining hundreds of other music mavens who want to get one of the more than 400 releases Designed in 2008 to bolster brick-and-mortar record stores that were then rapidly disappearing, Record Store Day, over its 23 incarnations, has become one of the biggest days, while proving the industry's demise was greatly exaggerated. Before I started listening Tuesday, I ventured out to Lincoln Vintage Vinyl to talk with owner Chad Breassale as he sat behind the counter, pricing records that will be put on Friday night in anticipation of the biggest RSD in years. Its the first Record Store Day without any COVID restrictions or multiple drops since 2020, Breassale said. Its all on one day like it used to be, not split up. There are a lot of titles, more than 400. People will be lining up for them. The boxes that surrounded Breassale didnt contain all 400 titles that are being offered Saturday. He didnt order all of them some would never sell in Lincoln nor did he receive everything he ordered. Thats standard for Record Store Day releases, especially those that are pressed in very limited quantities, as few as 300 in some cases. There are a few titles that got adjusted and only one goes to a store, Breassale said. Theyll be gone quick. The most in-demand releases Saturday based on requests Breassale gathered before making his order and past RSD sales are Pearl Jams Give Way, Van Halens Live: Right Here Right Now, The Cures Show and The Rolling Stones Beggars Banquet which is pressed on, get this description a swirling mass of gray, blue and black and white vinyl. Then theres Taylor Swift, whose legion of Swifties, will turn up to nab every copy of Folklore: the long pond studio sessions that makes it to Lincoln. And, theyre also likely to look for titles by Billy Joel, Stevie Nicks and other 70s and 80s artists that have been embraced by millennials and Generation Z. That changed the nature of the Record Store Day audience, which was initially made up of middle aged and older, mostly male record collectors. I would say the majority of the people you see on Record Store Day now are younger, Braessale said. You see your normal customers, too. But its quite a lot of younger people, and a lot of young women, which is good because it connects them with vinyl and will keep it alive in the future. Four Lincoln stores will be participating in Record Store Day Saturday. Along with Lincoln Vintage Vinyl, in Meadowlane Shopping Center at 70th and Vine streets, theyre Leftys Records, 2776 South St., Backtrack Records, 1549 N. Cotner and First Day Vinyl at 7301 S. 27th St., Suite 120. In addition to the RSD titles, most of the stores will have other special offerings, like signed copies of records or, at Lincoln Vintage Vinyl, a collectable records drop that has been assembled for Saturday as well as discounts on used vinyl, CDs and, in some cases, previous years RSD releases. Official RSD opening time for all stores is 7 a.m. Lines usually begin to form outside the stores around 5 a.m. But with the temperature expected to be around the freezing mark early Saturday, the lines might not form until just before the stores open. But there will be lines and a whole lotta records sold on the biggest day of the year for record stores. Keller Williams, 9 p.m. Friday, Bourbon Theatre. Keller Williams is a jam aficionado cult artist, known and beloved in that scene, but largely unknown outside it. The prolific veteran artist, wholl hit the 30-year mark in his career in 2024 has released more than 25 albums (most recently last years Grit), performed thousands of shows and collaborated with jam bands like The String Cheese Incident and guitarists like Sanjay Mishra. Hes on a solo tour. But his live phase looping lets him create a full band sound, driven by his guitar and vocals. Dirt Monkey & Jansten, 8 p.m. Saturday, Bourbon Theatre. Bass artists Dirt Monkey and Jantsen began playing shows together around 2013, sometimes getting crowds of all of 20 people. After a decade of solo success, the duo, who most recently remixed Subtronicas Gummy Worm are again playing together, this time filling clubs on their aptly named Full Circle tour. Mae Simpson, 10 p.m. Saturday, Zoo Bar. Mae Simpsons voice has been called a combination of Janis Joplin, Ella Fitzgerald and Joan Jett, and she and her band are a ticking time bomb for breaking into the national scene out of Minneapolis, where theyve been shaking things up with their combination of funk, soul, pop, rock and country spun into songs written by South Carolina native Simpson. Eyehategod and Goat Whore, 7 p.m. Wednesday, The Royal Grove. New Orleans sludge metallists Eyehategod roll into the Royal Grove Wednesday near the end of their tour celebrating the 20th anniversary of their second album Take As Needed for Pain. Theyll be playing the album in its entirety along with more favorites of their amalgamation of metal, punk and other noise. Their NOLA buddies Goat Whore will open the show. POUYA, 7 p.m., Thursday, Bourbon Theatre. POUYA is the hip-hop project of Miami rapper and former YouTuber Kevin Pouya. Considered a pioneer SoundCloud rapper, Pouya has remained entirely independent over the last decade, building a large fan base through the music hes released onlines. Hes also credited, interestingly, with discovering $uicideboy$, who are now filling arenas. An 18-year-old Seward man was arrested Thursday night after he fled a traffic stop near the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's downtown campus, police alleged. Police tried to stop Zachary Brown for alleged traffic violations near 17th and R streets at around 11:45 p.m. Thursday when Brown sped away from officers, striking a curb and driving onto the sidewalk before stopping his car, Lincoln Police Sgt. Chris Vollmer said. Brown and an 18-year-old passenger got out of the car and tried to run from police before officers took them into custody at gunpoint. Police arrested Brown on suspicion of flight to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving, DUI and minor in possession of alcohol. His BAC was 0.138, Vollmer said. The 18-year-old passenger was cited for obstructing police and taken into custody on an unrelated arrest warrant. Police took both teens to the Lancaster County jail. 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 A 21-year-old Lincoln man who is a junior at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln was charged Friday with the alleged first-degree sexual assault of a 20-year-old woman earlier this month in an apartment south of campus, according to court filings. Evan Mielak, a software engineering student, is accused of sexually assaulting the woman as she lay on the bathroom floor of the apartment following a night of drinking April 7, Lincoln Police Investigator Tyler Nitz said in the probable cause statement for Mielak's arrest. The 20-year-old immediately reported the assault to a relative and, a week later, to police, according to the court filings. She also confronted Mielak about the alleged assault in a phone call Monday as investigators recorded the conversation, Nitz said. Police on Wednesday arrested Mielak at his address in Lincoln and took him to the Lancaster County jail. He made his initial court appearance Friday afternoon. The Lancaster County Attorney's Office charged him Friday with first-degree sexual assault of an incompetent person the charge prosecutors generally pursue when accusers are under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the alleged assault. If convicted of the class 2 felony, Mielak could face up to 50 years in prison. At the 21-year-old's initial court appearance, Deputy Lancaster County Attorney Jason Cooper asked Judge Laurie Yardley to set his percentage bond at $500,000. But Mielak's attorney, Mona Burton, argued for a lower bond, pointing to the fact that Mielak has no prior criminal history and noting his status as a Regents Scholar at UNL. Yardley set his percentage bond at $100,000, meaning he must pay $10,000 to be released, and ordered him to stay away from the apartment complex and his accuser. "He shouldn't go anywhere near that apartment or the victim in this case," she said. UNL maintains a comprehensive list of campus and local resources for sexual assault survivors on its website, including information on how to report sexual assaults to both law enforcement and the school's Title IX office. Four years ago: Photos, videos from catastrophic flooding in Nebraska Flooding in Nickerson, 3.13 Flooding in Wahoo, 3.13 Flooding in Nickerson, 3.13 Flooding in Ashland Area, 3.14 Flooding in Ashland Area, 3.14 Flooding, Ashland Flooding, Hooper Flooding, 3.14 Flooding, 3.14 Flooding, 3.14 Flooding, 3.14 Fremont flooding Rescued in boat Spencer Dam Highway flooding Genoa bridge Stranded cattle Flooding, 3.15 Flooding, 3.15 Tuxedo Park in Crete Platte River flooding at I-80 Flooding near Plattsmouth, 3.16 Peru flooding, 3.17 Peru flooding, 3.17 Peru flooding, 3.17 Peru flooding, 3.17 Peru flooding, 3.17 Peru flooding, 3.17 Peru flooding, 3.17 Peru flooding, 3.17 Rescuing calf in Fullerton Nebraska City flooding Cooper plant Water flowing over levee L575 across the river from Nebraska City in Percival, Iowa Steinhart Grain Terminal at Nebraska City By the numbers A handful of U.S. senators including Nebraska's Sen. Pete Ricketts are pushing to change how family farms and small businesses are considered as part of the federal student aid formula. On Thursday, Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa, Sen. Jon Tester of Montana and five others introduced the Family Farm and Small Business Exemption Act to reverse recent changes made to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The bill takes aim at a 2020 change to FAFSA passed by Congress and signed into law by former President Donald Trump that required families with an adjusted gross income of $60,000 to report the net worth of their family farms or businesses with fewer than 100 employees in their application for student aid. Under the current FAFSA formula, a family with that amount of reported income would be expected to contribute roughly $7,600 to their child's college education each year, a study by the Iowa Student Aid Commission found. If that same family lived on a farm with a net worth of $1 million an asset opponents of the change say is not something that can be easily liquidated the new formula would increase the expected family contribution to more than $41,000 annually. Increasing the expected family contribution, which is now known as the Student Aid Index in the new formula, could potentially make the student ineligible for federal and state aid programs, which in turn could force students and the families to rely more upon loans. The change, which is scheduled to go into effect later this year, has raised concerns among state and federal lawmakers, as well as leaders in higher education, which said it could force some college-going students, particularly those from rural areas, to withdraw. Forty-five Nebraska state senators signed onto a March 31 letter from Education Committee Chairman Sen. Dave Murman of Glenvil asking the U.S. Department of Education and members of Nebraska's federal delegation to adjust the formula. The legislation is backed by the National Association of State Student Grant and Aid Programs, which said it keeps pathways "to student financial aid open for children of hardworking family farmers and small business owners." Ricketts said the earlier change to FAFSA was "just another example of out-of-touch" federal mandates that ignored the reality for many living in rural states like Nebraska. "Excluding farm families from federal student loan assistance is unacceptable," Ricketts said. "I'm proud to support Sen. Ernst's bill to make sure agriculture families that need federal financial aid can still access it." Ernst said parents should not be forced to leverage their businesses to access financial student aid. "Small businesses and family farms are vital to rural America, and this legislation ensures the next generation will have the opportunity to pursue higher education should they choose to do so," she said. Top Journal Star photos for April 2023 The same weather system that spawned tornadoes and deadly storms in the central US continued to lash Texas with heavy rain as it crawled east early Friday, putting roughly 20 million people at risk of severe thunderstorms from the South and Midwest to the Northeast. As the storm moved out of central Texas, it left behind significant flooding that triggered several water rescues in Austin as water levels rose, local officials said. Some people yelled for help after they became trapped between a fence and creek in Austin, and one of them required hospitalization for a non-life-threatening injury, Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services said on social media. First responders also received reports of cars piled up in a creek and rescued six people, the EMS tweeted. Other water rescue efforts involved crews using ropes to assist two people who were unable to move as the water remained high. The Austin Fire Department also rescued a driver from water after receiving a report a motorist was sitting on top of a car, the EMS said. In addition to the heavy rain, at least one tornado report was recorded in Tyler, Texas, on Thursday night, a day after officials received more than a dozen tornado reports across Oklahoma, Iowa and Kansas. Many areas in southeast Texas including Austin, San Antonio and the Dallas-Fort Worth area were under a severe thunderstorm watch that warned of dangerously large hail, damaging winds and the possibility of some tornadoes. The conditions led to temporary ground stops at San Antonio and Austin--Bergstrom international airports Thursday night. Those areas were under a "life-threatening" flash flood warning, the National Weather Service said. On Friday, strong thunderstorms may impact parts of the upper Ohio Valley and into lower Great Lakes region as well as the upper Texas coastal plain into lower Mississippi Valley, the Storm Prediction Center said. Oklahoma endures significant damages from tornadoes Thursday night's impacts in Texas come after the same storm system generated a dozen reported tornadoes across Oklahoma, Kansas and Iowa late Wednesday. Among the hardest-hit areas was the town of Cole, Oklahoma, where two people were reported dead after the severe weather struck the community of some 600 people, officials said. A third weather-related death was also reported in Oklahoma. The deaths happened after a strong tornado, with estimated peak wind speed between 150 and 155 mph, struck the town, which sits about 30 miles south of Oklahoma City, according to the preliminary damage survey conducted by officials at National Weather Service with the Norman, Oklahoma, office. The tornado -- rated as a EF3 due to its windspeed-- traveled for about 11 miles inside McClain County in about 35 minutes, the preliminary survey determined. Another tornado packing estimated peak winds of between 130 mph and 135 mph swept across the city of Shawnee in Pottawatomie County, data from the preliminary survey shows. That tornado was rated as EF2. Meanwhile, an EF2 tornado also struck the town of Etowah, home to some 160 people in Cleveland County, and traveled for about 10.5 miles, the preliminary survey found. Many areas in Oklahoma experienced some form of severe weather Wednesday, but the Cole and Shawnee areas sustained the most significant storm damages, the state's Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security said in an update Thursday. Between 50 and 100 homes were damaged in Cole, and another 100 were damaged in Shawnee, according to the update, though assessments are still ongoing. "Our county was hit hard and it will take a while for every area to be checked," the Pottawatomie County emergency management agency said after the tornado struck. Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt declared a state of emergency for McClain, Pottawatomie, Cleveland, Lincoln and Oklahoma due to the severe storms and tornadoes. The-CNN-Wire & 2023 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved. On this version of Hot off the Wire: U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin says the United States will begin training Ukrainian forces on how to use and maintain Abrams tanks in the coming weeks, as the U.S. continues to speed up its effort to get them on the battlefield as quickly as possible. Russias military has acknowledged that a bomb accidentally dropped by one of its warplanes caused a powerful blast in a Russian city about 25 miles east of the Russia-Ukraine border. The Pentagon has deployed forces and is developing options to assist in the possible evacuation of U.S. Embassy personnel from Sudan, but the White House said Friday there are no plans for now for a broader pullout of Americans from the African country. An early morning fire engulfed much of a large high school in the southern Idaho city of Pocatello on Friday. The Supreme Court is facing a self-imposed Friday night deadline to decide whether womens access to a widely used abortion pill will stay unchanged until a legal challenge to its Food and Drug Administration approval is resolved. A group of Credit Suisse investors have sued Swiss financial regulators after a government-engineered takeover of the struggling bank by rival UBS left them with billions in losses. Korean American chef Edward Lee says food, at its best, tells a story. And the story Lee wants told with the meal he's preparing for next week's White House state dinner is of the connection between the United States and ally South Korea. Belgian customs have destroyed more than 2,000 cans of Miller High Life, advertised as the Champagne of Beers, at the request of houses and growers of the bubbly beverage. The U.S. is setting a record pace for mass killings this year. The carnage has taken 88 lives in 17 mass killings over 111 days. Looking back at 2022s weather with months of analysis, the World Meteorological Organization says last year really was as bad as it seemed when people were muddling through it. A historic amount of money is being spent on urban tree planting and maintenance in underserved, often concrete-covered neighborhoods across the country. Gaylor Baird leading ably In 2020, COVID brought an unexpected division to the U.S. Along with other events, 2020 created tough times. I was so thankful to be living in Lincoln. I was grateful to have Leirion Gaylor Baird as mayor, a leader who was listening, following medical professionals advice, learning and adjusting policies to keep all people safe. I am convinced her leadership saved lives. Having a family with some immune-compromised issues, we still had freedom and comfort to do everyday tasks. Her policies proved to be correct as Lancaster County had one of the lowest per capita COVID infection and fatality rates in Nebraska, an amazing feat demonstrating mindful leadership. Even during these turbulent times, Lincoln came out of COVID much better than most cities. Im proud of how our teachers, healthcare workers, police, businesses and community responded to this crisis. Compared nationally, Lincoln continues to have lower unemployment and a lower cost of living. I think part of that success was due to Gaylor Bairds focus on quality of life for all, which makes this diverse, complex city prosper and grow. Foremost, Gaylord Baird acknowledges and addresses climate change for Lincoln. All of todays divisive issues will be overshadowed if we dont have the foresight to prepare for climate change. The mayors opponent appears to ignore climate change and has no intention of addressing it. And contrary to the negative ads Ive seen on TV, I feel safe in Lincoln. What makes me feel unsafe are politicians divisive language and policies that promote inequality. I feel extremely unsafe when Sen. Suzanne Geist votes in favor of unregistered concealed guns. I applaud Mayor Gaylord Bairds positive election campaign. Lincoln will benefit from her continued positive leadership. Dale Minter, Lincoln Financial matters, faith collide Protestants believe that faith in God alone is needed to get into heaven, a tenet known as sola fide. Catholics believe that both good deeds and faith in God are needed to get into heaven. Those good deeds include financial donations. With the proposed legislation to provide income tax credits to people for donating to private school scholarships, it seems Nebraska tax dollars could be paying the way to heaven for more than just Catholics. Paul Morrison, Lincoln Hove right person right now While I didnt advance to the general election ballot, and I am writing to endorse Chris Hove who is on the general election ballot. I have met Chris, and we share the same common insight and goals for the Lincoln Airport Authority. I did not have the resources available to make myself better known to voters and will make a more concerted effort to have a profile that will make me a better candidate in the future. Chris has served on the board before and has the experience and the business pedigree that would serve the residents of Lincoln. His background in aviation and banking, as well as past service, make him an optimum candidate. His career and dedication to family is an example of who we need on the Airport Authority board. His demeanor and professionalism plus past relationship with current board members make Chris the kind of person to immediately start dealing with issues that require attention. I, therefore, am hoping that all of the voters who were so kind to cast primary ballots for me will support Hove in the general election because he is the right candidate for the position. Sammy Luci, Lincoln Srivastav effective at listening, leading As someone who attended LPS, whose parents spent their careers teaching for LPS and whose children attend LPS, I care deeply about the continued success at LPS in providing the opportunity for a quality education for all students. The quality of the educational experience LPS drew us back to Lincoln when my wife and I decided to start a family, and LPS is critical to economic and cultural growth and vibrancy here in Lincoln. Piyush Srivastav is a longtime Lincoln resident, business owner and supporter of LPS. In addition, Piyush has served the LPS community as a member and chair of the Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools, and he is an LPS parent. This experience and perspective make Piyush well equipped to serve on the Lincoln Board of Education. I have known Piyush for over 20 years, and I know he is highly effective at listening actively, considering various perspectives and then speaking thoughtfully. As a board member, Piyush will use these skills whether he is engaging with other board members, teachers, staff, parents, students or other community stakeholders. Finally, I also support Piyush because I trust that he is an LPS advocate who will support the school boards commitment to providing the highest quality education for all students and their development into responsible adults. Nick Steinke, Lincoln The guns are the common factor How many victims of mass shootings would we see if shooters had no guns, or, more realistically, if guns were as hard to get as a drivers license? Especially military-capable infantry weapons? The single indisputable commonality of our shameful, insane, avoidable, tragic parade of slaughters of innocents is not politics, not race or religion, disappointed lovers, workplace discord, family turmoil or disadvantaged youth. Its the gun. And every shooter has to be some kind of unstable person we cant effectively ID and control before he shoots. Anyone not fully aware of that has his or her head in the sand. Meanwhile, the murderers continue. Whatever else Gov. Jim Pillen might do, hell never erase in my mind the gun-rights support image he sought as a candidate, flaunting a rifle in a TV ad. There has never been even the whisper of any lucid argument for military weapons being available to the general public. Pillen, and every other responsible politician (mostly Republicans) betrays us and his or her office by not making realistic gun control a top priority. We are poorly served by those who maintain their right to bear arms for a well-regulated militia is supreme, above everyone elses right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. At age 95, Im a life-long independent, not a Democrat. I have of 32 years U.S. Army service, including Korea and Vietnam. Ive been shot at. I know something about guns. And people. Tom deShazo, Lincoln Bill could help youngest students Imagine being 4 years old and being expelled from pre-kindergarten. A report by the Nebraska Department of Education, Breaking the Pre-school to Prison Pipeline, shows that suspension or expulsion in early years increases the likelihood of a child later in life dropping out of high school and being incarcerated. African Americans are more likely to be suspended than European Americans, and boys are more likely to be suspended than girls. Introduced by Sen. Terrell McKinney, LB632 prohibiting the suspension of students in prekindergarten through second grade in a school in a city of the metropolitan class is a bill that would ban suspensions for children in pre-K through second grade in metropolitan areas in Nebraska. I urge readers to contact their senator and ask them to support LB632. Just banning suspensions and expulsions does not stop unruly behavior. There needs to be ongoing training and ongoing support for teachers on how to redirect any poor behaviors into a positive behavior. Additionally, extra help and smaller class sizes will help all students get the attention they need and deserve. Lisa Markus, Lincoln We dont need the negativity People in the world of political messaging and advertising are quick to say that negative ads work. Thats why they do them. And to that I say yelling nasty things at your co-workers can get them to do things as well. Or, berating your children, thats sometimes effective in getting them to do what you want. But think of the damage you do in the long run. I am of the opinion that the negative political messaging, while it may work, is also one of the primary causes of our extraordinarily divided society. Ive worked for and with people who yelled and said negative things about co-workers and observed the disruption that can cause in a workplace. And, Ive talked with counselors who have had to help people recover from fractured childhoods as a result of negative parents. Just because the negative campaigning works is certainly a poor reason to continue the practice. Of course we can and should legislate our way out of this negative mess. Furthermore, I believe those of us who share this feeling about the nature of our political process can let those involved know that were better than this. Elections require people to be informed and based on that information make an important decision. Negative advertising doesnt inform; it divides and destroys. And, the negative nature of politics keeps qualified people from stepping forward to offer their services. We deserve better. Let political operatives know we dont appreciate the negativity. Randall Bretz, Lincoln The real solution to stop abortions If intentions are to lessen the want and need for abortions, perhaps use the ago-old adage, and start with an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. We will not soon be stopping people of reproductive age from wanting to have sexual relations, since the desire for sexual intercourse originates in the most primordial regions of human brain stem. Sexual desire and fulfilment have been components in the evolutionary development since the earliest human species. The act does not need to be taught or learned but will be accomplished. Obviously, its not unique to humans. Elephants do it; livestock does it; reptiles do it; wolves and foxes do it; and humans do it. Intelligence or learning is neither needed nor necessary. The DNA molecule does not care one whit, only that the desire is fulfilled. Therefore, maybe we should accept this long-established fact of life and commence using the cerebral frontal cortex to intercede in preventing unwanted pregnancies. Mandatory reproductive education, universal access to the means for safe and reliable birth control and contraception, progressive family planning and stopping relatively immature and foolish approaches to managing sexual relationships are a few of the more serious and prudent suggestions. We do not yet have the ability to prevent people, especially those of early reproductive ages, from wanting to have sexual relations. We definitely have the ability to prevent and discourage those sexual relations creating unwanted lasting consequences. Stu Luttich, Geneva Community colleges deserve support Im writing to question the article that ran on the front page of the April 9 Journal Star, Community colleges face reckoning by Jon Marcus of The Hechinger Report. As someone who watches national trends and local and state data on community colleges and who has works closely with students, this piece has gaping holes in its representation. I have a professional and personal stake in student success at Southeast Community College in my 20 years as a faculty member, co-chair and coordinator of the Nebraska Developmental Education Consortium, which is a network of faculty who work with the least prepared for higher education. The lapse in journalistic integrity in this story is its lack of any attempt to make comparisons to four-year institutions as it uses two isolated anecdotes to build its opinion-driven argument on the front page. It gives readers a one-sided view of a complicated issue by a journalist who quotes what is essentially colleagues at Columbias Community College Research Center. This article is punching down on community colleges with an arbitrary focus on facts and interviews. It damages my trust in our local newspaper and those who are entrusted to make decisions about what is acceptable in meeting journalistic standards. Is this fair and balanced reporting? Does it look at community colleges in the landscape of all higher education trends? Does it consider enrollment trends and completion rates in all areas in higher ed? Community colleges offer so many people a path to jobs and lives they would often not reach and would not be welcome in other institutions. At a time when the Unicameral is considering legislation that would hobble budgets of Nebraska community colleges, this article presents as a politically orchestrated robo-call. There is no let readers decide for themselves room in this story. Phip Roth, Lincoln Emlich has valuable knowledge In the more than a decade Ive known her, Airport Authority candidate Vanessa Emlich has never done anything subpar. Ive had both the pleasure to work under and beside her leadership, and in both instances she worked with integrity, grit and compassion. She has proven analytical and critical thinking skills and does her best to see both sides of every story. If you know Vanessa, you know shes very well traveled. Shes lived abroad, in other parts of the country, and even other parts of Nebraska. Shes a natural explorer jet-setting to far away places like Thailand, Israel, South Africa and Germany. Shes seen the inside of more airports than most people in this city and believes she can help make ours the best it can be. Even though shes traveled near and far, she still chooses to call Lincoln home. She cares about this city and, if elected, will work so the rest of us can travel, for work or for play, so we, too, can appreciate it more when we return home. Danielle Smith, Lincoln Senators sticking to principles A letter that appeared in April 9 Journal Star (Senators wrong on issue, actions) aimed criticism at Sens. Megan Hunt and Michaela Cavanaugh for the use of filibusters during this session. I want to acknowledge that these senators used a legal method on the floor to stall bills they felt were inappropriate, mean spirited, non-inclusive and that their constituents did not support. It was apparent to me that the author of the letter didnt understand there is a significant difference between young persons seeking sound medical advice and treatment during a transgender procedure and LGBTQ population seeking equality. Both Senators Hunt and Cavanaugh are to be commended for steps they have taken to defeat the bills that treat a segment of our population as though they were without resources to proceed in an educated fashion with the help of physicians and counselors aiding them in their decision. I am proud of both and feel they have the best interests of Nebraska at heart. Barbara Jo Burns, Lincoln Geist crime ads distort truth In ad after ad, would-be Mayor Suzanne Geist keeps telling us that Lincoln is no longer a safe city. But does she offer any proof? No! Instead, she relies on Together Nebraska, an independent PAC established to elect Republicans. They in turn rely on misleading ads to sow fear and doubt. And so nows the time to expose their cherry-picking and sloppy misuse of Lincolns crime data to support Geists false narrative. Consider the TV ad attacking Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird on crime. The ad proclaims Robberies up 10%. Last year, Lincolns murder rate rose over 37%; Allowing violent felonies to skyrocket; Leirion Gaylor Baird (is) dangerously wrong on crime. But 37% is a one-year increase in homicides from 8 to 11 cherry-picked to create alarm. In truth, homicide numbers vary greatly from year to year and have little to do with who is mayor. For example, during Republican Mayor Mike Johanns first year in office homicides increased from zero to nine and then dropped to four the next year. Same with robberies. In one year, 2021-22, robberies increased 10%. Yet in the previous year, 2020-21, robberies dropped 20%. The attack ad cherry-picks these numbers but fails to note the crimes that went down last year: residential burglary, stolen bikes, business burglary, theft from vehicles, aggravated assault and rape and attempted rape. All in all, the five-year (2018-22) analysis by the LPD reveals that violent crime is down 22%, property crime is down 3.2% and miscellaneous crime is up 4.9%. Bottom line: using cherry-picked crime statistics and sloppy analysis for political advantage is irresponsible. But using crime statistics responsibly can promote a productive community discussion of trends, causes and solutions all vital for a healthy democracy. Tom Casady, Lincoln, retired public safety director; Ken Haar, Lincoln, retired state senator and city council member; Joe Starita, Lincoln; Albert Maxey, retired Lincoln police officer LPS right to care for all students Regarding the article LPS defends use of signs supporting LGBTQ students, (April 12): How dare they! Why would a school district want to be so inclusive, so woke that they would upset the parents of its students who feel this is a political and dangerous statement. All I can say is, Where can I get one of these signs? Hats off to the LPS administrators who have the courage to stand up for all of their students. Gary Targoff, Lincoln Gaylor Baird committed to safety For the past five years Sen. Suzanne Geist has served on the Legislatures Transportation and Telecommunications Committee, most recently as chairperson (until she resigned from the Legislature). During that time, she had several opportunities to increase public safety and failed to do so. Multiple important safety bills have come through that committee and have failed, largely because Geist has furthered the cause of a corporation rather than thinking of the publics wellbeing. The recent train derailments in Nebraska and across the country, most notably in East Palestine, Ohio, show the need for increased rail safety. Roads blocked by excessive-length trains have prevented emergency responders from reaching those in need. Railroad companies continue to push a profit-over-safety business model, meanwhile Geist has opposed efforts, such as requiring two people on a train, that would prevent accidents and save lives when accidents occur. She wouldnt even allow a vote to send this legislation to the floor (it likely would have passed). As a railroad worker, I know the risks, and Geist hasnt lived up to the public safety record she claims to have. I challenge voters to do their research on this issue. Leirion Gaylor Baird has not only supported increased emergency response but cares deeply about prevention. I recommend voting for the candidate that has your safety in mind, rather than the profits of big business. Bryan Cole, Lincoln Endorsement letter deadlines Letters to the editor regarding candidate endorsements for the May 2 city general election must be submitted before 5 p.m. April 25 to be considered for possible publication. April 28 is the last day endorsement letters will be published. Nebraska is one of 31 states without a red-flag law, which allows for temporary firearm removal from individuals believed to be at risk of harming themselves or others. States took millions to enact red-flag gun laws, but many still won't pass them A Lee Enterprises review reveals that lawmakers in 31 states have not passed red-flag laws even as most of those states received federal funding through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. The policy, enacted in 19 states and D.C., is one that gun-safety advocates are pushing for once again across the U.S. in the aftermath of the late March Nashville school shooting, which killed six people. The policy has bipartisan appeal with some Republicans in favor of it, but Second Amendment advocates say the policy is concerning because it entails firearm removal. A bill to implement red-flag laws encountered fierce opposition in the Nebraska Legislature this year and has not moved forward. In addition, no member of Nebraskas congressional delegation voted for the 2022 Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. Sens. Ben Sasse and Deb Fischer voted against it, along with Reps. Don Bacon and Adrian Smith. The issue of red-flag laws was also raised in Nebraska earlier this year when a gunman entered an Omaha Target store and began firing. The man was repeatedly sent to psychiatric facilities over the years for mental health issues, but also kept legally purchasing weapons, despite the concerns of family members. Police shot and killed the 32-year-old shooter; no one else was injured in the incident. Overall, Nebraska had one of the lowest state rates of firearm mortality in the U.S. as of 2020, according to federal data. Despite Nebraskas federal representatives voting against the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the state applied for and was awarded $1.83 million in funding that the Department of Justice said could help states create and implement red-flag laws. However, the funding isnt limited to that. Nebraska plans to use the funding to focus on improved information-sharing solutions for ensuring law enforcement, probation, prosecutors, the courts, and public defenders are timely informed when a prohibited person attempts to purchase a firearm, according to the states application to the federal government. Those groups will also receive threat assessment training, according to Athena Sherman, director of the Office of Violence Prevention at the Nebraska Commission on Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice. Nebraska does not currently have any extreme-risk protection order or red-flag laws, Sherman said. I could not comment on future legislative intent to enact extreme-risk protection orders or red-flag laws. Photos: Shots fired at west Omaha Target In February of 2018, Lincoln was the only city in the world to experience the landmark collaboration of American Ballet Theatre and the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra presenting Stravinskys masterwork Firebird with ballet superstar Misty Copeland taking on the title role. Audiences packed two sold-out performances at the Lied Center that garnered national attention. In July of 2021, Lincoln was chosen to host the launch of American Ballet Theatres historic ABT Across America tour of iconic outdoor venues that included Chicagos Millennium Park and New York Citys Rockefeller Center. On a warm summer evening, an audience of more than 6,000 (ABTs largest single audience in more than 25 years) from Lincoln and beyond gathered in Pioneers Park for an evening of ballet that earned coverage spanning from NBC Nightly News to Vogue Magazine. ABT Executive Director Kara Barnett said that Lincoln had become a home away from home for American Ballet Theatre. In May of 2023, American Ballet Theatre returns home to Lincoln to present its acclaimed production of the breathtaking Giselle, featuring ABTs full company of nearly 100 of the worlds top dancers. Starring ABT Principal Dancers Cassandra Trenary, James Whiteside and Chloe Misseldine (Friday, May 2) and Catherine Hurlin, Daniel Camargo and Zhong-Jing Fang (Saturday, May 6), Giselle is a perfect match for the virtuosity of ABTs unrivaled roster of international ballet stars who bring the story of unrequited love, revenge and forgiveness vividly to life. The New York Times says ...this (Giselle) happens to be the best America has ever seen. American Ballet Theatre will be accompanied by Lincolns Symphony Orchestra for the Lied Center performances, making for an evening of exceptional artistry. The relationship with the Lied Center and American Ballet Theatre has always been a little bit magical, and the stars have aligned to make amazing things happen, said Lied Center Executive Director Bill Stephan. Welcoming them back with their spectacular full company to present this stunning production on the Lied stage is the next milestone in that magical relationship. While American Ballet Theatre makes its home at New York Citys Lincoln Center most of the year, hosting Americas national ballet company once again in Lincoln, Nebraska, serves the Lied Centers mission of giving Nebraskans access to the very best in performing arts right in their own backyard. When the Lied Center was founded over 30 years ago, the vision was to create a performing arts center that could bring the worlds top artists to Lincoln so that Nebraskans wouldnt have to travel to New York or Chicago to experience the very top tier of artistic events, Stephan said. Bringing American Ballet Theatre back to the Lied Center, especially in a season that has also included artists like Yo-Yo Ma, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and so many others, is truly a dream realized. Giselle will be presented at the Lied Center May 2 and 3 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at liedcenter.org. The Arts for the Soul music and fine arts series at First Presbyterian Church in Lincoln hosted its annual Sing from the Heart dessert concert and charity fundraiser March 4. This was the first live, in-person Sing from the Heart event since the COVID-19 began, so it was nice to finally host the event with a live audience again! said Dr. Brian Pfoltner, director of music at First Presbyterian and artistic and executive director of Arts for the Soul. Music for the evening was provided by the First Presbyterian Choir; Pfoltner, conductor; and Dr. Charles W. Ore, accompanist. Also performing were soloist Gretchen Pille, soprano (a former First Presbyterian Choir member), and Jack Rinke, pianist. The music centered on a theme of appreciating the people and organizations that help us when we need it and make our community a better place for everyone. Musical selections included No One Is Alone from the musical Into the Woods, Youll Never Walk Alone from Carousel, and the popular song You Raise Me Up. The featured charity organization was the Gathering Place, which provides free meals for anyone who needs them. It is a part of the Community Action program. Gathering Place program administrator Lisa Janssen spoke about the work the organization does and why it is so important in our community. Those in attendance were given the opportunity to donate to the work of the Gathering Place, and over $2,100 was collected to aid in its mission. The evening concluded with desserts from Nothing Bundt Cakes. Nonprofits: The often-misunderstood powerhouses that quietly change the world every day for the better. In Lincoln, Cause Collective is helping local nonprofits turn up the volume on their voice for even greater impact. In February, Cause Collective hosted its third Advocacy Day to help nonprofits see what happens in Nebraskas Capitol during a unicameral session. The 33 participants sat in on a legislative session and committee hearing, met with senators and received training on the basics of advocating/lobbying. Cause Collective partnered with Give Nebraska, Nebraska Civic Engagement Table, Nonprofit Association of the Midlands, and Coalition for a Strong Nebraska to offer the day of learning and connecting for agency staff who had little to no experience in advocacy. Sen. Anna Wishart hosted the group, which also had an opportunity to meet with freshman Sen. George Dungan. I dont know where the myth started that nonprofits cant lobby, said Jason Varga, executive director of Cause Collective. We can and have been doing it for 100 years. He explained that legislators rely on experts to make decisions. Nonprofits are the experts about people we serve. It is important that we give them accurate information to help them make their decision, he said. We help make their jobs easier. There is a negative connotation of the word lobbying in the for-profit world, Varga continued. Lobbying for nonprofits is to help educate senators about the people we serve. The IRS has definitions of lobbying and advocacy. While advocacy is educating, lobbying is a type of advocacy that also encourages an elected official to vote a certain way on a specific piece of legislation. Nonprofits can lobby, but there is a simple form we recommend but isnt required, said Varga. The form more clearly defines how much of your budget you can spend on lobbying and can alleviate concern that theyll hit that limit. Form 5768 is a simple one-page form that can be filed any time and only needs to be filed once for the lifetime of the organization. Lobbying as part of mission Some Cause Collective members do a lot of lobbying as part of their mission. For instance, OutNebraska advocates for the LGBTQ+ population, and Nebraska Appleseed advocates in several areas from economic security to race equity. Some nonprofits send representatives to the Capitol to discuss occasional legislation that affects their mission, including the Food Bank of Lincoln when a bill would help alleviate hunger. Cause Collective strives to be a role model for nonprofit organizations throughout the city of Lincoln, said Rhonda Mattingly, president of the Cause Collective board and executive director of Bridges to Hope, a nonprofit that provides reentry services to recently incarcerated folks. We are here to help guide nonprofit organizations in the right direction. Nonprofits play a vital role in strengthening communities, so Cause Collective wants to ensure all nonprofits throughout our city are functioning in the most efficient and ethical way possible. Cause Collective started as the Human Services Federation (HSF) in 1980. At that time, Kit Boesch was director of the Commission on the Status of Women. Lincoln had a number of quality agencies in the community, Boesch said. But it became real clear that agencies werent talking to each other. The Federation became a share what youre doing kind of agency. When Boesch became Human Services administrator for Lincoln and Lancaster County in 1982, she could spend more time networking with agencies, which in turn strengthened the Federation. Back then, the focus was on information sharing. We discussed partnerships, projects, people, ideas, what was new, said Boesch. They discovered needs in the community and would work together to address them. Eventually, HSF started adding more education including board training. HSF became a 501(3) nonprofit in 1987. Peggy Apthorpe was working as director of Madonna Adult Day Services at the time and was a member of the HSF board. The purpose of the Human Services Federation was to give members a chance to share information and support one another, Apthorpe explained. We were also wanting to have a unified way to communicate with elected officials and legislative bodies. It took time for the organization to evolve, Boesch said. But the growth of the program has been phenomenal. Doing real advocacy of public policy and doing it right is fantastic. It is wonderful that Cause Collective is doing that now. Three-part objective Cause Collectives aim can be summarized in three words: Collaboration, Education and Advocacy. Monthly meetings and networking events throughout the year continue to allow nonprofits to find connections and create partnerships that can amplify their missions and create greater impact. One example of an early Collaboration that is still active today is the New Americans Task Force. Boesch recalls seeing the need to connect refugees and immigrants to services back in the 1980s. The task force continues to fill that need in Lincoln today. Additionally, members help identify needs simply because they are talking to each other. Successful Transitions, a cohort for agencies to plan for leadership succession, came about as the result of organizations sharing the need. From an Education standpoint, Cause Collective offers agencies a variety of trainings on marketing, fundraising, grant writing, finance and other applicable topics. Additionally, the Skills Share program allows any member agency staff to meet with a specialist for one-on-one mentoring. The Executive Director Roundtable helps new EDs learn from those who have served in those roles for years. And a cadre of trainers will provide Board 101 Training at no charge for member agencies so that more boards of directors understand their roles and responsibilities. Cause Collective has helped develop my confidence as an executive director and a community leader, said Mattingly. By taking advantage of the many professional training opportunities and networking opportunities, Ive been able to improve my skills and expertise in management and leadership. In addition to the annual Advocacy Day, Cause Collectives Advocacy Committee provides trainings throughout the year and keeps an eye on legislation that would affect the nonprofit sector as a whole. The organization rebranded to Cause Collective in 2018. We never denied membership to non-human services organizations, Varga said. Lincoln Arts Council and Lincolns Symphony Orchestra had long been members. But rebranding allowed others to feel welcome, showing we were supportive of causes, no matter their mission. Varga became executive director in August 2016 after serving as part-time projects coordinator and interim ED. Since then, membership has nearly doubled and the organization has a stronger focus on strategic initiatives and transparency, modeling best practices for its members. Elevating nonprofits standing in Lincoln One strategic priority since Varga has been at the helm of the organization is to elevate the standing of nonprofits in the Lincoln community. To do this, Cause Collective has a program on KZUM Radio 89.3 FM Mondays at 11:30 a.m. Each program features a member agency. Additionally, the public can sign up for In Common, a monthly newsletter that highlights nonprofit opportunities that the public can support. Ensuring nonprofits have access to professionals to serve on their boards, Cause Collective offers a Board Match page on its website and often participates in board matching events hosted by other organizations. Over the years, Cause Collective has filled other needs in the nonprofit community including leading the Volunteer Coordinators Council and hosting Jump Start, a fundraising platform funded by Lincoln Community Foundation and other local funders. Cause Collectives work is funded through membership dues, grants from local funders and corporate sponsors who want to support its mission. I see a need for a Cause Collective in every community with multiple nonprofits, said Mattingly. Hopefully, in the future, we will be an example other communities look up to and learn from. During his much-too-long tenure on the Supreme Court, Justice Clarence Thomas has been totally, tragically wrong about almost everything. But for a long time, I tried to convince myself that he was at least sincere in his deplorable ideology. Silly me. I was never sympathetic. I believed Anita Hill, who testified at Thomass confirmation hearing in 1991 that he had sexually harassed her when she worked for him at two government agencies. And for Thomas, a far-right Republican apparatchik, to take the seat on the nations highest court vacated by the death of Thurgood Marshall, an icon of the civil rights movement, was always an abomination. But I did understand how a Black man born in Pin Point, Ga., in 1948 might have a great big chip on his shoulder. I understood how growing up under the jackboot of Jim Crow might lead him to the philosophy of Black self-sufficiency articulated by Malcolm X, which Thomas espoused in his youth. And I almost but not quite understood how a deep distrust of government, perhaps along with some personal issues involving self-image and self-worth, might have produced his tear-it-all-down judicial nihilism. It was hard for me to believe that Thomas could be as much of a puppet of the most reactionary forces in American society as he seemed. But now, there is overwhelming evidence that thats exactly what he is. Thanks to reporting this month by ProPublica, we now know that Thomas and his wife, Virginia Ginni Thomas, a hard-right Republican activist, have been treated to lavish vacations worth hundreds of thousands of dollars by Harlan Crow, a politically active Texas billionaire. These jaunts included a vacation in Indonesia in 2019 that involved flights on Crows private jet and an island-hopping tour on a superyacht a nine-day trip that alone would have cost the couple more than $500,000. If they had paid for it themselves. Which they did not. There were also other trips on Crows jet and frequent stays at properties he owns in the Adirondacks and in East Texas, according to ProPublica. Accompanying the Thomases as guests, at times, were conservative business executives and thought leaders. And for some reason, Thomas failed to report any of these gifts any of them on the disclosure forms he is required to submit annually. Nor did Thomas disclose the fact that Crow purchased the Georgia house the justices mother lives in, then made tens of thousands of dollars worth of improvements to the dwelling, ProPublica subsequently revealed. We should have seen this coming. From 2003 to 2007, on his disclosure forms, Thomas checked the box labeled none for his wifes income. During that period, Ginni Thomas earned more than $686,000 from the conservative Heritage Foundation. When called on the lie, Thomas said it was an error due to a misunderstanding of the filing instructions. Likewise, regarding the trips he took at Crows expense, Thomas issued a statement claiming that early in his time on the Supreme Court, he was advised that this sort of personal hospitality from close personal friends, who did not have business before the Court, was not reportable. Stop laughing. All right, yes, it is hilarious. Thomas expects the nation to take seriously his views on the subtlest contours of the Constitution. He also expects us to believe he cannot understand a clear and simple instruction on a disclosure form; that he sees no distinction between personal hospitality and trips halfway around the world by private jet; and that he sees nothing wrong about having a member of the board of the conservative American Enterprise Institute purchase and fix up his mothers house. And then there is all the money Ginni Thomas has received from right-wing organizations that lobby on issues before the court plus her outrageous involvement in the Stop the Steal putsch that led to the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection. Thomas doesnt believe in affirmative action or protecting voting rights, though he benefited from both. He does believe in living the good life among millionaires and billionaires whose interests he just happens to protect in his opinions. My mental image of Thomas used to be of him sitting on the Supreme Court bench during arguments, silent and scowling. Now, I see him on vacation, smoking a cigar with Crow and his buddies, laughing as though he doesnt have a care in the world. The joke is on us. On May 2, four Lincoln City Council members will be elected by district and two members of the Lincoln Airport Authority will be chosen by voters across the city. The Journal Star editorial board today is offering our endorsements for the four council races and the airport contest, hoping to prompt even more community discussion. For City Council: In District 1, northeast Lincoln, We endorse incumbent James Michael Bowers. In his four years on the council he has been prolific and effective, getting dozens of measures passed to protect citizens during the pandemic, including a ban on price-gouging, and improving the lives of under-represented Lincolnites, like securing funding for accessible playground equipment in Mahoney Park. Endorsed by police and firefighters, Bowers has been a strong advocate for public safety, his district and LGBTQ citizens. In District 2, south Lincoln, we support Bailey Feit. An educator who now works as an early college and career STEM pathways coordinator at Lincoln Northeast, Feit would bring the voices of students, young professionals and families to the council with an aim to provide future opportunities for all citizens, by supporting small business growth, development of affordable housing, veterans and anti-discrimination efforts. Energetic and enthusiastic, Feit is also committed to listening to her district constituents and attempting to find solutions to problems they want to bring to the council. In District 3, covering southwest Lincoln, Justin Carlson gets our nod. Carlson, director of development at the University of Nebraska Foundation, will bring a lifetime of service to Lincoln to the council. A former member of the Parks and Rec Advisory Board, a past neighborhood association president and Lincoln High student councilman, Carlsons agenda of creating strong neighborhoods, quality parks and economic vitality through workforce development is perfectly designed for Lincoln and his negotiation and consensus-building abilities will be valuable on the council. In northwest Lincolns District 4, we endorse Wayne Reinwald. A retired business owner with long sales experience, Reinwald has recently moved into the Haymarket, the center of a rapidly developing downtown. He will bring the viewpoint of a downtown resident to the council along with prioritizing public safety, especially in his district, improving roads and cutting regulations to help create more affordable housing in the city. For Lincoln Airport Authority: Chris Stokes, an airline, military, corporate and general aviation pilot, has been associated with the Lincoln Airport for 35 years and now flies weekly from the airport commuting for his airline pilot work. He would bring his insiders knowledge as to how airlines choose cities and work to get additional service to Lincoln, in part through in-person visits and lobbying of airline marketing departments. His business park priorities are cutting any regulations that might slow development and ensuring easy access to the area. Chris Hove, a former naval aviator and banker, who served on the Airport Authority from 2007 to 2011, would return to the board with his financial and development skills, which will be of great use in the development of the industrial park around the airport and with a priority of increasing commercial flights by utilizing the funding authority provided under the state constitutional amendment passed by voters last year and aggressively encouraging use of existing flights by Lincolnites. About our endorsements As with all of our editorial board opinions, the endorsements dont necessarily reflect the unanimous opinions of our members but rather a consensus. We arrive at them after candidate interviews, reviewing news stories and research. While we consider the board an advocate for the community, our endorsements, and all our opinions, are intended to initiate discussion. RACINE A Racine man has been accused of being the getaway driver in connection to a break-in at Xpress Food Mart on Saturday. Antonio L. Turner, 53, was charged with three felony counts of bail jumping, felony counts of attempting to flee or elude an officer and burglary of a building or dwelling, and a misdemeanor count of criminal damage to property. According to a criminal complaint, at 1:13 a.m. Saturday, an officer was sent to Xpress Food Mart at 2418 Douglas Ave. after a report of burglary. The glass front door of the business had been shattered by a piece of asphalt, and the cash register was open and partially off the counter. Surveillance footage reportedly showed a man break the front door and take cash from the register. The manager said $500 was missing. According to the complaint, a trail of coins led to the getaway vehicle, a gold Chevrolet Suburban. An officer saw the SUV on High Street and tried to initiate a traffic stop near Rapids Drive and Mount Pleasant Street, but the vehicle drove off after initially stopping. A pursuit, which lasted more than 10 miles and reached speeds of 55 mph, ended when the Caledonia Police Department was able to deflate the tires of the SUV using stop sticks. According to the complaint, the driver of the Suburban was identified as Turner. He was searched and officers reported finding $211.95. During an interview, Turner reportedly admitted to driving the burglary suspect to the story and alleged said he received a third of what was taken, $200, as payment for helping. The owner of Xpress Food Mart said that the front door of the business would cost $625 to fix and a new cash register would cost $500. The stores barcode scanner also was reportedly broken. It was estimated to cost $400 to replace. Turner was given a $5,000 cash bond in Racine County Circuit Court on Tuesday. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 26 at the Racine County Law Enforcement Center, online court records show. Mugshots: Racine County criminal complaints, April 18, 2023 Today's mugshots: April 18 These are images of people charged with a crime in Racine County. Booking photos are provided by Racine County law enforcement officials. A defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty and convicted. Cassandra G. Alvarez Cassandra G. Alvarez, Mundelein, Illinois, attempting to flee or elude an officer, possession of narcotic drugs, possession of THC. Hosea V. Cobb Hosea V. Cobb, 1500 block of Packard Avenue, Racine, misdemeanor bail jumping. Cassandra M. Larson Cassandra M. Larson, Kingsford, Michigan, possession of narcotic drugs, possession of methamphetamine, possession of THC, possession of drug paraphernalia. Logan M. McBride Logan M. McBride, 2900 block of Kenwood Drive, Racine, computer message (threaten/obscenity). Tabatha L. Newingham Tabatha L. Newingham, Richland, Washington, possession of narcotic drugs, possession of methamphetamine, possession of THC, possession of drug paraphernalia. Antonio L. Turner Antonio L. Turner, Racine, attempting to flee or elude an officer, burglary of a building or dwelling, criminal damage to property, felony bail jumping. Shelli L. Thompson Shelli L. Thompson, 1600 block of Center Street, Racine, substantial battery (domestic abuse assessments, use of a dangerous weapon). Shatori S. Patterson Shatori S. Patterson, 1600 block of Maple Street, Racine, neglecting a child (specified harm did not occur), possession of THC. TOWN OF WATERFORD The towns new chair is taking the reins of government, viewing the job as a chance to learn from the past while also focusing on the future. Teri Jendusa Nicolai, who was elected April 4, succeeds longtime Chairman Tom Hincz and is the first woman to hold the towns top elected office. Hincz decided not to seek re-election following a tumultuous 10 years in office and Nicolai defeated Town Board colleague Tim Szeklinski by getting 55% of the vote on Election Day. As she settles into her new role at Town Hall, Nicolai offers an upbeat attitude that she hopes others will embrace in helping her to make a fresh start for the community. I love this town, she said. I want everyone to be as happy as I am here. Others in town government are welcoming Nicolai in the chairs post, and her first couple of weeks in office have made a good first impression on others doing business with the town. Joe Raguse, whose family owns a farm in town, said he was surprised to see Nicolai return his telephone calls and offer help as he works to plan new development on the property. Hearing the new town chairwoman talk about putting behind past controversies and moving Waterford forward, Raguse said, convinced him that voters made the right choice. It was actually kind of refreshing to talk with her, he said. Ive been pretty impressed. The start of a new era at Town Hall follows a turbulent period under Hinczs leadership. After taking over the chairmanship in 2013, Hincz led the town into frequent conflicts with the neighboring Village of Waterford, primarily because of concerns that the village intended to annex town territory. Hincz pushed a two-year effort to reincorporate the town as its own village, in hopes of fortifying its borders against annexation. When the incorporation bid failed and other Town Board members moved to restore relations with the Village of Waterford, Hincz resisted and became combative toward his colleagues. In their campaign for the April 4 election, Nicolai and Szeklinski both sounded themes of reconciliation and restoration for the town. Nicolai won the election with 1,379 votes compared with Szeklinskis 1,114 votes. The town chairman serves a two-year term at a salary of $17,911 a year. Nicolai, who served seven years on the Town Board, said she learned a lot from Hincz, and hopes to continue the towns generally conservative approach to finances and new growth and development. But she also wants to push the town forward without dwelling on past mistakes. Weve learned from things, and were going to move on from here, Nicolai said. The Town Board includes Szeklinski and another returning incumbent, Doug Schwartz, plus newcomer Robert Ulander. An upcoming appointment will be needed to fill the vacant seat created by Nicolais election as chair. Town Clerk Tina Mayer, who has served 26 years under three chairmen, said she has enjoyed working alongside all of the towns elected officials and is excited to work with Nicolai. Its just new and fresh ideas, Mayer said. Im looking forward to the future. Nicolai has already implemented one change: Every time the Town Board gathers for one of its regular meetings, the public will get time to voice any concerns or questions. She also is keeping regular business hours at the Town Hall, making herself available to anyone who wants to bend her ear about something happening in the community. It is a departure from the environment under Hincz, when community members often complained that they had no voice in town government. Nicolai said she wants to provide an outlet for people who would otherwise run to Facebook or other websites and ignite a firestorm of criticism with complaints that easily could be reconciled with a face-to-face conversation. I dont like rumors, and I dont like drama, she said. If theres an issue, come here and get it resolved. Nicolais personal style is winning fans among others in the town, including members of the police department. Lt. John Nelson said he appreciates that Nicolai is approachable and open-minded, and that she is working to build good relations in the community. Thats where Waterford is now, Nelson said. At age 57, Nicolai holds the distinction of being the first woman elected chairman in the towns estimated 175-year history. Rather than chairwoman, she prefers simply being called chair. The married mother of three does not like to dwell on topics such as man vs. woman. But she acknowledges that being a woman gives her a different perspective and a different approach. Nicolai said she senses that people generally find her softer and easier to talk to than they would most men. Theres a whole human aspect to it thats helpful, she said. Its really kind of cool. Photo gallery: Waterford parade honors Olympic medalist Maddy Bernau Waterford Bernau Honored Waterford Bernau Honored Waterford Bernau Honored Waterford Bernau Honored Waterford Bernau Honored Waterford Bernau Honored Waterford Bernau Honored Waterford Bernau Honored Waterford Bernau Honored Waterford Bernau Honored Waterford Bernau Honored Waterford Bernau Honored Waterford Bernau Honored Waterford Bernau Honored Waterford Bernau Honored Waterford Bernau Honored Waterford Bernau Honored Waterford Bernau Honored A new coalition of more than 100 Wisconsin arts organizations and businesses have called on the state Legislature to dedicate $100 million in state funds to fulfill the pledge made in a more than 20-year-old endowment foundation aimed at supporting economic development across the state. Formally launched this week, the Wisconsins Creative Economy Coalition seeks to finish bipartisan efforts that started in 2001 with the creation of the Wisconsin Artistic Endowment Foundation. The foundation was recommended by a study committee and signed into the state budget in 2001 by former Republican Gov. Scott McCallum, but a funding mechanism was never established. Patrick Rath, president of the United Performing Arts Fund, said state funding will be necessary in order for many of Wisconsins cultural institutions to survive. The future for these organizations continues to be fragile as private funding alone cannot keep up with rising costs, Rath said in a statement. If we want these and all of Wisconsins creative hubs to be vibrant and here for future generations, investment needs to be made now before arts sector talent leaves our state. The states arts and creative sector which includes film and video, music, performing and visual arts, museums, heritage sites, venues, festivals and other cultural events supports nearly 90,000 jobs and generates $10.8 billion in economic value, according to the coalition. According to information provided by the coalition, Wisconsin spends just 14 cents per capita to fund state arts organizations, ranking last in the nation. Minnesota spends $7.34 per-capita, while Illinois spends $5.04. Whats more, Wisconsins share of gross domestic product coming from arts and culture has dropped by 1.1% since 2002, compared to the national average of a 0.2% drop. The transformative and connective power of creative industries acts as a catalyst for vibrant, engaged communities, said Adam Braatz, executive director of Imagine MKE, a Milwaukee-based arts and culture coalition. Further, the creative economy is a strategic driver of economic growth and fosters the development of marketable skills that will future-proof Wisconsins workforce. The coalition is made up of more than 100 organizations from across Wisconsin, including the Madison Symphony Orchestra, Kids from Wisconsin, the UW-Madison Division of the Arts, and Dane Arts. Lawmakers enter the budget session with a more than $7 billion estimated state surplus, with a good portion of that consisting of one-time funds. Republicans, who control the states budget committee, have signaled plans to largely scrap Democratic Gov. Tony Evers proposed 2023-25 biennial budget proposal. The committee will begin crafting its version of the states next two-year spending plan in the weeks ahead. GALLERY - Oak Park Place Spring Arts and Crafts Fair 2023 GALLERY - Spring Arts and Crafts Fair GALLERY - Spring Arts and Crafts Fair GALLERY - Spring Arts and Crafts Fair GALLERY - Spring Arts and Crafts Fair GALLERY - Spring Arts and Crafts Fair GALLERY - Spring Arts and Crafts Fair GALLERY - Spring Arts and Crafts Fair GALLERY - Spring Arts and Crafts Fair GALLERY - Spring Arts and Crafts Fair GALLERY - Spring Arts and Crafts Fair GALLERY - Spring Arts and Crafts Fair GALLERY - Spring Arts and Crafts Fair GALLERY - Spring Arts and Crafts Fair GALLERY - Spring Arts and Crafts Fair GALLERY - Spring Arts and Crafts Fair GALLERY - Spring Arts and Crafts Fair GALLERY - Spring Arts and Crafts Fair GALLERY - Spring Arts and Crafts Fair GALLERY - Spring Arts and Crafts Fair RACINE Family and community members are grieving a life lost Saturday in Racine and sharing fond memories of Alexis Marie Fisher. A vigil was held Wednesday evening for Fisher, a 36-year-old woman who died from an apparent gunshot wound. She was found dead in the roadway of the Spring and State streets roundabout early Saturday. A crowd of about 50 people gathered at that same roundabout for the vigil, where a memorial site has been growing since her death. According to U.S Marshals, the primary suspect in Fishers death is Alejandro Alex Sierra. He remains at large as of Thursday. A warrant has been issued for Sierras arrest, who faces charges including first degree intentional homicide and use of a deadly weapon. Sierra is currently wanted by U.S. Marshals and the Racine Police Department. He is considered armed and dangerous, according to U.S. Marshals. Members of Racine Interfaith Coalition put together Wednesdays event. Organizers offered prayers for the victim, her family and the other mourners in attendance. The Racine Interfaith Coalition hosts vigils for victims of violent crimes in the community. No death should go unremarked, Lynda Boyle, of the RIC, said at the vigil. No death should be ignored by the community. City of Racine Mayor Cory Mason spoke briefly as the vigil as well. We grieve for the loss weve seen here today, Mason said. Theres no good reason to explain what happened here. Its a reminder to all of us that we have to take these issues very seriously. Jori Chambers, co-executive of the Womens Resource Center, 1547 College Ave., spoke about resources available to anyone in need of assistance because of domestic violence. Leti Crowell, a major for the Salvation Army and Fishers aunt, spoke on behalf of the family. She was joined by three of Fishers siblings. It is a crime, a loss, a shock, an evil and a tragedy all in one for her life to be cut short like this, Crowell said. If Alexis life can help save one woman or child or man from domestic abuse, thats all we would ask. Crowell said that her niece was a funny girl, being all about laughter and joy. Despite of the tragedy, Crowell said that her family will remember Fisher for always making them laugh. Crowell said that she knows Fisher is in heaven, now making the angels laugh, too. Crowell also said she had worked closely with the Womens Resource Center as a case worker and urged the people in the crowd to walk away from abusive situations and reach out to the center if they need help. I wish Alexis would have done that, Crowell said. The Womens Resource Centers crisis line can be reached at 262-633-3233. Anyone with information about Fishers death or Sierra should contact the Racine Police Department Investigations Unit at 262-635-7784 or the U.S. Marshals at 414-297-3707. Sierra is a 30-year-old male with brown hair and brown eyes and, more notably, has facial tattoos including a rose on the left side of his face and the word miracles above his right eyebrow. Mugshots: Racine County criminal complaints, April 20, 2023 Today's mugshots: April 20 These are images of people charged with a crime in Racine County. Booking photos are provided by Racine County law enforcement officials. A defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty and convicted. Sharlene Y. Stevenson Sharlene Y. Stevenson, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, possession of a controlled substance, carrying a concealed weapon. Christopher J. Bowens Christopher J. Bowens, 1900 block of Erie Street, Racine, felony personal ID theft (financial gain), fraudulent use of a credit card, financial transaction card (fraudulent use less than $2,500). Amarion M. Coleman-Young Amarion M. Coleman-Young, 4600 block of Tennessee Road, Racine, misdemeanor battery (domestic abuse assessments), disorderly conduct (domestic abuse assessments). Gary L. Jones Gary (aka Steve Ford) L. Jones, 800 block of North Memorial Drive, Racine, possession of drug paraphernalia, felony bail jumping. Darquis M. Lampkin Darquis M. Lampkin, 4200 block of Washington Avenue, Racine, disorderly conduct (use of a dangerous weapon), felony bail jumping. Lashay L. Stevenson Lashay L. Stevenson, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, carrying a concealed weapon, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of THC. 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 View Results A complaint about cast members' attire in a Central City High School musical led to a threatened lawsuit and ended with an apology Friday. Rick Lagueux, a Central City parent, was upset when he saw a photo of shirtless male students who were part of the cast of "Mamma Mia!," which Central City High School presented in late March. On April 15, Lagueux complained on Facebook that males weren't wearing shirts in the musical. In his post, he wrote, "There is no other reason for this to happen other than a grooming agenda being pushed by the man himself." That comment angered Central City music teacher Dane Christensen, who directed "Mamma Mia!" On Christensen's behalf, the Nebraska Legal Action Fund demanded that Lagueux retract "his defamatory statement accusing Mr. Christensen of the serious crime of grooming his students. "Grooming by a teacher is specifically defined in statute and is a serious crime in the State of Nebraska. This accusation is without any factual basis and is knowingly false," said the letter to Lagueux. Adam Morfeld, chairman of the Nebraska Legal Action Fund, said that if Lagueux didn't retract his statement within three weeks, the organization would file a lawsuit. On Friday afternoon, Lagueux edited a previous post to include a formal apology to Christensen "for my wording regarding this issue." The Nebraska Legal Action Fund then issued a press release announcing that Lagueux had "publicly apologized and retracted the defamatory statement." Christensen has taught at Central City for 13 years. Earlier in the day, he strongly maintained that he is not guilty of grooming. "I want to stand up for teachers," Christensen said Lagueux is the father of three Central City students a sophomore, an eighth-grader and a seventh-grader. Lagueux believes the school's dress code should apply to extracurricular activities, unless exceptions are clearly spelled out. Lagueux saw the photo of the bare-chested male students on the Central City Republican Nonpareil website. He did not attend the play. Christensen said if sports teams had to abide by a school's dress code, "there would be no swim team in the whole state of Nebraska. Or wrestling team, or volleyball team." Lagueux replied that high school uniforms are approved by the school's administration. Male swimmers, he said, go without shirts to help them swim faster in the pool. On Facebook, Lagueux wrote, "If smoking a cigarette is in the play are we going to allow the kids to smoke for the integrity of the play?" Lagueux said he was told by a school administrator that removing shirts was an option given to the students. That tells Lagueux that going without shirts had no bearing on the integrity of the play, he wrote on Facebook. Christensen said the school's administration stands behind him. Christensen, 35, graduated from Central City High School in 2006. After Lagueux made his apology, Christensen said in the news release, "Words and the truth matter, and when people publish false and defamatory statements, there must be accountability. Today Mr. Lagueux took accountability for his actions and we sent a message that teachers will not stand by while their reputation and name is defamed." In the news release, Morfeld said, "Today the Nebraska Legal Action Fund sent a message that people cannot defame educators with impunity and when they do we will defend Nebraskans." Central City's superintendent and high school principal did not respond to phone messages left by The Independent. PM chairs official welcome ceremony for Czech counterpart Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Friday morning hosted an official welcome ceremony for his Czech counterpart Petr Fiala who is on an official visit to Vietnam from April 20-22. PM Chinh and his Czech counterpart Petr Fiala at an official ceremony on Friday. Photo chinhphu.vn After the welcome ceremony, the two PMs held talks. As scheduled, the Czech government leader will also witness the signing of bilateral cooperation pacts, pay a courtesy call to President Vo Van Thuong, and attend a Vietnam -Czech Republic business forum. The trip is the first to Asia by PM Petr Fiala since taking office at the end of 2021 and the first of a head of the Czech Government to Vietnam in 15 years. Given the sound growth of the countries traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation, the visit reflects the Vietnamese and Czech leaders' appreciation of and desire to strengthen the bilateral relations. Vietnam and the Czech Republic set up their diplomatic ties on February 2, 1950. Since then, the Czech Republic has always implemented a policy of developing cooperative relations with Vietnam in all fields. Two-way trade reached US$848 million in 2022, up 15 per cent year-on-year. The Czech Republic has 41 FDI projects in Vietnam with a total capital of $92 million, mainly in the processing, manufacturing and mining. It was the first eastern European country to provide ODA to Vietnam, with about $20 million in total. Currently, there are nearly 100,000 Vietnamese people living in the Czech Republic. On July 3, 2013, the Czech Government decided to add Vietnamese-Czech people to its Council of Ethnic Minorities, thereby recognising Vietnamese-Czech people as an ethnic minority group in the country. Chippewa Falls city leaders touted new business development during a meeting Tuesday, including plans for a new hotel brand coming to Chippewa Crossings. The Chippewa Falls Area Chamber of Commerce event Tuesday gave residents the opportunity to learn more about new businesses and developing projects in the city. Issues included budgets, transportation projects, parking updates, and an overview of newly opened and upcoming businesses. Cobblestone Hotels LLC announced it will join the area with construction on a new hotel this summer. The Cobblestone hotel will be the first of its kind in the Cobblestone brand as it works to finalize the development and brand concepts for the Riverstone Suites. The Chippewa Crossings location will feature 58 guestrooms and be tailored to long-term guests. The new hotel coming to Chippewa Falls will be the first of its kind in the Cobblestone brand, said owner Kim Wogernese. My family and team are proud to bring it to fruition. Wangard Partners completed its site work at the development and is ready for the other operators who have purchased land to start construction. The other publicly announced Chippewa Crossings businesses include Culvers, Kwik Trip and Festival Foods, which will add more than 250 store associate positions to their Chippewa Falls location. Chippewa Falls City Planner Brad Hentschel said there were a number of other noteworthy developmental additions in the region. The Riverside Industrial Park, located near Chippewa Falls southeast side, has seen vibrant expansion, he said. This includes the addition of AMR Electric which recently built a facility at Riverside Industrial Park. AMR Electric is a residential, commercial and industrial electrical contractor which serves a large portion of western, central and northern Wisconsin. Also, Eau Claire Roofing just built a location at Riverside Industrial Park, Hentschel said. Hentschel also spoke about the new Chippewa Area History Center location across from the Bernard Willi pool. This is a beautiful facility, Hentschel said. A lot of thought and attention went into the design of this facility. Hentschel said the foot traffic for the history center has been phenomenal so far. Also, Premium Waters, Inc. off of Olson Drive is adding 100,00 square feet of space to its facility in Chippewa Falls. Hidden gem not a lot of people know thats happening but thats just going to be a phenomenal addition, Hentschel said. Youll notice a trend here. What we really strive and struggle to do is diversify the manufacturing sector in our community so that were not so dependent and tied to any one industry, Hentschel said. Thats been a strategic focus. Other new development in Chippewa Falls is underway for new roads and businesses near Seymour Cray Sr. Blvd. Just north of Chippewa Crossing Blvd. on the other side of Seymour Cray Sr. Blvd. is the newly acquired land that Chippewa Falls purchased from the State of Wisconsin. Hentschel also spoke about Badger Liquor, Pillar Bank and Caribou Coffee which are new businesses to the Lake Wissota Business Park. Hentschel mentioned the Wisconsin Farmers Union project which bought a riverfront building on River Street across from Riverfront Park on the banks of the Chippewa River. Wisconsin Farmers Union hopes to turn the property into a mixed-use location which will house apartments, the organizations offices and retail space, officials said. Mayor Greg Hoffman who was the keynote speaker Tuesday said he was elated to have so many developers and businesses coming to the region. We live in an area that has 130,000 people and we have all kinds of things that are very unique, Hoffman said. I had an elderly gentleman a couple years ago come up to me and say, how big do you want this town to get? Hoffman said the question made him stop and think about the future of the city and county. All I know is that as someone who loves history, if you review history, theres two things you want to do: you want to negate the history that was not good (and) you dont want to repeat that, he said. But you do want to repeat the history that was good. If you can look at both the past and the present, I think the future for Chippewa Falls is good because we know what makes it successful. Its not just Chippewa Falls, its the Chippewa Valley. Also on Tuesday, Chippewa Falls Police Chief Matthew Kelm spoke about the new parking payment system which allows for online payment of parking fines while alluding to the fact that earlier this month the Chippewa Falls Police Department announced increased fines for parking violations. Kelm said the police department hired a company called Passport to manage the parking fines. Parking tickets can be paid online at www.chippewa falls.rmcpay.com, a citation payment center used by municipalities, universities and private parking operators to provide a convenient way to pay citations online. When it comes to parking enforcement weve moved to Passport parking which is in a variety of cities. Eau Claire has also implemented passport parking, Kelm said. Its an established program that has worked for a lot of communities. Public parking areas, including on-street parking and use of public parking lots will remain free to use as it is now within the time limits set by ordinance. People will only need to pay a fine if they park too long in areas and violate the parking ordinances, just like it is now, the department wrote A criminal complaint has been filed in La Crosse County Circuit Court against a 46-year-old La Crosse woman accused of felony fourth-offense drunken driving. Rochelle M. Quiroz also faces a felony count of fourth-offense operating with a prohibited blood-alcohol content. According to the complaint, police observed a vehicle operated by Quiroz turn left at a flashing red light without stopping shortly after 3 a.m. in La Crosse. Police conducted a traffic stop in the parking lot of Festival Foods on Copeland Avenue. The complaint says police noticed Quiroz with slurred speech and the odor of alcohol. She reportedly told police she had consumed one beer earlier in the afternoon. DEARBORN, Mich. A lot was happening in March 1965 in the bungalow in Selma, Alabama, that then-4-year-old Jawana Jackson called home, and much of it involved her Uncle Martin. There were late-night visitors, phone calls and meetings at the house that was a safe haven for the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights leaders as they planned the Selma to Montgomery marches calling for Black voting rights. The role the Jackson House played was integral to the Civil Rights Movement, so Jackson contacted the The Henry Ford Museum near Detroit about a year ago to ask if it would take over the preservation of the Jackson House and its legacy. It became increasingly clearer to me that the house belonged to the world, and quite frankly, The Henry Ford was the place that I always felt in my heart that it needed to be, she told The Associated Press last week from her home in Pensacola, Florida. Starting this year, the Jackson House will be dismantled piece-by-piece and trucked the more than 800 miles north to Dearborn, Michigan, where it will eventually be open to the public as part of the history museum. The project is expected to take up to three years. Owned by dentist Sullivan Jackson and his wife, Richie Jean, the 3,000-square-foot home was where King and others strategized the three marches against racist Jim Crow laws that prevented Black people from voting in the Deep South. King was inside the home when President Lyndon Johnson announced a bill that would become the Voting Rights Act of 1965. There was a synergy going on in that house during those critical times, Jawana Jackson said. "Whether that was when Uncle Martin was praying the morning of the Selma to Montgomery march or whether he was talking to President Johnson (by phone) in the little bedroom of that home, I always got a sense of energy and a sense of hope for the future. The house and artifacts, including King's neckties and pajamas, and the chair where he sat while watching Johnson's televised announcement, will be part of the acquisition by The Henry Ford. The purchase price is confidential. Named after Ford Motor Co. founder and American industrialist Henry Ford, the museum sits on 250 acres and features Greenfield Village where more than 80 historic structures are displayed and maintained. The Jackson House will be rebuilt there, joining the courthouse where Abraham Lincoln first practiced law, the laboratory where Thomas Edison perfected the light bulb, and the home and workshop where Orville and Wilbur Wright invented their first airplane. Also among the collection's artifacts are the Montgomery city bus whose seat Rosa Parks refused to give up to a white man in 1955 and the chair that Lincoln was sitting on in 1865 when he was assassinated at Ford's Theatre in Washington. Visitors to Greenfield Village will be able to walk through the Jackson House, according to Patricia Mooradian, The Henry Fords president and chief executive. This house is the envelope, but the real importance is what happened inside, Mooradian said. We want people to immerse themselves in that history ... to feel and experience what may have gone on in that home. What were the conversations? What were the decisions that were being made around the dining room table? Built in 1912, the home served as a guest house for Black authors W.E.B. Dubois and Booker T. Washington who held fireside chats regarding education, religion, the arts, community building and economic sustainability, according to the Alabama African American Civil Rights Heritage Sites Consortium. It took on a greater importance following the fatal shooting of a young Black man, Jimmie Lee Jackson, by an Alabama trooper. On March 7, 1965, weeks after that slaying, about 600 people participated in a peaceful protest. The late Georgia U.S. Rep. John Lewis was one of the leaders of the planned 54-mile march to the state Capitol, which was part of the larger effort to register Black voters. But police beat protesters as they tried to cross the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma in what is now known as Bloody Sunday. Television and newspaper reports seared images of that confrontation into the nation's consciousness. Days later, King led what became known as the Turnaround Tuesday march, in which marchers approached police at the bridge and prayed before turning back. Johnson introduced the Voting Rights Act of 1965 eight days after Bloody Sunday. On March 21, King began a third march, under federal protection, that grew to thousands of people by the time it arrived at the state Capitol. Five months later, Johnson signed the bill into law. The Jackson House brings a new dimension to understanding the role Black Americans played in defeating Jim Crow, according to historian Gretchen Sullivan Sorin. The Jacksons are unsung heroes, Sorin said. Their generosity and courage shows us how we, as ordinary Americans, can stand up against injustice." Jackson said her parents felt the risks were worth taking. For them, it was all about the future for me and millions of other children that were going to grow up," she said. "They felt that everyone deserved a peaceful and more democratic society to grow up in. Photos: Jackie Robinson Museum opens after 14 years of planning With liberals poised to take control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court and Democratic Gov. Tony Evers standing in the way of most Republican policies, some conservatives are calling on state lawmakers to ramp up their use of constitutional amendments to enact or preserve legislation. Constitutional amendments offer Republicans an advantage in promoting GOP policies because they only require approval from the Legislature the one branch of government conservatives will control after August before going before voters. Anthony LoCoco, chief legal counsel and director of oversight for the conservative Institute for Reforming Government, said constitutional amendments could be used to protect conservative policies like right to work, school choice and elements of Act 10, former Republican former Gov. Scott Walkers signature 2011 legislation that effectively eliminated collective bargaining rights for most public-sector employees. Some of those policies could soon be at risk of being overturned when liberals assume a majority on the state Supreme Court later this summer following the election of Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Janet Protasiewicz earlier this month. Obviously theres a lot of discussion in the wake of the Wisconsin Supreme Court race about possible challenges to Scott Walker-era reforms, and with respect to the executive branch, its going to be difficult to accomplish things legislatively with divided government, LoCoco said. But what conservatives do have is massive majorities in the Legislature, and thats half of the equation for enacting a constitutional amendment to the Wisconsin Constitution. Constitutional amendments must pass two successive legislative sessions before going before voters. They cannot be vetoed by the governor. Changed landscape Although most recent constitutional amendments have passed overwhelmingly and largely flew under the radar, its likely that referendums on hot-button issues would be more divisive, attracting the hefty sums that have become ubiquitous in Wisconsin elections. It would also be possible for liberal groups to challenge GOP-written constitutional amendments in court, a strategy that would no longer favor conservatives. Given the potential policy instability and possibility that divisive proposals might fail, some conservatives are backing only the narrow use of constitutional amendments. We believe that the Wisconsin Constitution is a foundational document ... its not a mere policymaking tool, said Dan Lennington, deputy counsel for the conservative group Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty. When legislators propose constitutional amendments, they should be very careful and think long term. It certainly is the right of the people to amend the Constitution, and its a good and proper use of the amendment process, Lennington said. But its been the most successful and its made the most sense when the amendments have been on ... issues that are supported broadly by the public. LoCoco said the possibility of defeat shouldnt deter Republicans. I encourage people to not be too concerned about the possibility of a failed vote, although certainly it needs to be given consideration, LoCoco added. Legislators should be careful when selecting which proposals they think should be added to the Constitution. There are some conservative proposals that the public appears to overwhelmingly support, like expanding the private school voucher program. Just under 60% of registered voters supported expanding vouchers, while 34% were against it and the rest didnt know or refused to say, according to an April 2022 Marquette Law School Poll. Declining to speak about specific policies, Lennington said he didnt want Wisconsins Constitution, which has been amended 148 times, to look like Californias, which has been amended over 500 times. I dont think anybody has looked at Californias example, of having the voters vote on every single contentious policy issue, as a good example, Lennington said. While the vast majority of Wisconsins constitutional amendments didnt involve costly campaigns, its likely that more divisive efforts would attract a lot more money and attention. Last year, months after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, Kansas voters were asked to strip abortion protections from the state constitution. Kansans rejected the measure after groups on both sides of the debate spent $11 million to boost their stance on the issue, attracting national attention. Potential lawsuits While they cant be vetoed, constitutional amendments can be challenged in court, which would put the proposals before the same liberal Wisconsin Supreme Court majority that conservatives are trying to avoid. A case currently before the Wisconsin Supreme Court challenges the validity of Marsys Law, a constitutional amendment approved by about 75% of voters that purported to increase victims rights. Marsys Law added 16 new rights for victims while eliminating a reference in the Constitution to a fair trial for the defendant. The case made its way to the states highest court after a Dane County judge said the statewide ballot question inadequately spelled out the effect the amendment would have on the rights of people accused of crimes. Attorneys defending the proposal argue the question communicated the amendments essential purpose. The Wisconsin Supreme Court is slated to rule on the case this summer. On any of these proposals, the devil is certainly going to be in the details in terms of how the amendments are worded, LoCoco said. Lawsuits challenging constitutional amendments could take different forms. Just before voters were asked to decide the parameters of judges use of cash bail this April, a group challenged the measure in court, saying the measures werent submitted to election clerks on time. The group unsuccessfully sought to remove the questions from the ballot before the election but the case is ongoing. No new constitutional amendment has been introduced since the Wisconsin Supreme Court race. If and when there are, well continue to study each one carefully, said Jeff Mandell, a Stafford Rosenbaum attorney who co-founded the liberal group Law Forward. And make sure that when the people are asked to change the founding charter of our state, that theyre asked to do so in a way that complies with the rules and complies with the basic principles of democracy that the Constitution exists to uphold. I generally think that it is inappropriate and unwise to be putting the solutions to whatever the policy debate of the day happens to be into the Constitution, Mandell said. The Constitution is really supposed to be a much more long-term document. Spokespeople for Evers, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, and Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, R-Oostburg, didnt respond to requests for comment. Previous efforts Since the adoption of the state Constitution in 1848, voters have weighed in on 200 proposed constitutional amendments. Of those, 148 have been approved, according to the nonpartisan Legislative Reference Bureau. Most recently, two-thirds of Wisconsin voters in the April 4 election approved a pair of constitutional amendments giving judges more options for keeping people arrested for violent crimes in custody pending trial. Conservatives wrote those amendments and celebrated their passage, though both Protasiewicz and her conservative opponent, Dan Kelly, said they supported the measures. But voters embracing any proposed amendment is not a foregone conclusion. In 2018, only 38% of voters supported a proposal to eliminate the office of the state treasurer. Evers last September called on the Legislature to advance a proposal that, if passed by a statewide vote, would create a binding referendum process whereby voters could collect signatures and file petitions to force votes on state laws or constitutional amendments. The Democratic governors proposal, which was broached as a means to let voters decide whether to repeal state laws like the current near-complete ban on abortions in Wisconsin, was swiftly dismissed by legislative Republicans. More on the way Other proposed constitutional amendments that were approved by the Legislature for the first time last session could be coming before lawmakers in the months ahead. If approved a second time, the proposals would appear before voters on the next statewide ballot. Republicans in January introduced for second consideration a resolution that would give the Legislature final say over how the governor spends federal funds allocated to the state. Republicans sought to secure more control over the money last session after Evers oversaw the distribution of billions in federal COVID relief funds pumped into the state. Another proposal would bar the state from receiving private funds to help administer elections. Republicans proposed it in response to private election grants provided to cities in 2020 by the Chicago-based Center for Tech and Civic Life that they said were used to unfairly increase turnout in the Democratic strongholds of Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, Kenosha and Racine. A staffer for Sen. Eric Wimberger said in January the Green Bay Republican plans to introduce the joint resolution for second consideration this legislative session. Another proposal would amend the constitutional provision declaring that, Every United States citizen age 18 or older who is a resident of an election district in this state is a qualified elector of that district. The amendment would clarify that only a United States citizen could vote in any district. That measure is meant to head off initiatives in other states to allow noncitizens to vote in some local elections. Recent deadly storms unleashed dozens of tornadoes in the United States, mainly in the South and Midwest, killing at least 63 people and damaging or destroying hundreds of homes. This year's early severe weather, especially in the Midwest, is part of a trend seen over the past few years, according to Bill Bunting, chief of forecast operations at the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma. "We are entering the time of the year where the potential for severe weather increases and much more of the U.S. becomes at risk," Bunting said. An average of 1,200 tornadoes hit the country every year, and the United States will probably get more killer supercells spawning tornadoes and hail as recent study, which also warns that the lethal storms will edge eastward to strike more frequently in populous Southern states like Alabama,Mississippi and Tennessee. But tornadoes can happen any time of year and have been reported in all 50 states, according to NOAA's National Severe Storms Laboratory. Here's what you should do if your home is destroyed or severely damaged in a tornado: Focus on your safety Focus on your safety The word people most commonly use to describe their mindset after a natural disaster is "overwhelmed," according to United Policy holders, an on profit that advocates for insurance consumers. "Our basic guidance is to first focus on you and your family's safety," said Amy Bach, United Policyholders' executive director. Next, if possible, she recommends photographing and documenting damaged and destroyed property without entering severely damaged buildings and determining whether further damage can be prevented through the use of tarps, fans or other methods. Finding safe and comfortable temporary shelter and getting a copy of your current insurance policy are important next steps. When you're safe,have an idea of the extent of your home's damage, have shelter, and notify your insurance company. How's your insurance? Tornado damage is generally covered under homeowner's and renter's insurance policies. But you'll want to ready our insurance policy to know your deductible costs and what is covered, Bach said. If damage is minor to moderate, it might not cost as much to repair as the deductible in your policy. "We tell people not to rush and to instead take stock and get situated before making any decisions," she said. "Know that you'll get solicited (by contractors), and in the first 48 hours, the shock and the trauma generally means you're not in your best decision-making mode." For temporary, immediate housing, people often turn to a shelter opened by a local government, the American Red Cross or other organizations. In addition to providing a place to sleep, water and meals, Red Cross services all of which are free can sometimes include child care, information about disaster-related resources in the community, and access to case workers to help you with disaster recovery. People also may need to access insurance to cover longer-term housing, for rebuilding a home and/or replacing belongings, including vehicles. Keep receipts for hotel bills, clothing and meals while displaced,and taken oteson the calls you make to insurance companies, including the numbers you call, the people spoken to, dates and times, and what was said. Keep up payments If your residence is temporarily uninhabitable or destroyed, the Red Cross recommends notifying utility companies and other services so they can stop billing you immediately. Paying insurance premiums and rent or mortgage should be your highest priority, according to the Red Cross. Call any creditors and ask for more time to pay. Most creditors will be willing to work with you, especially if you notify them before a payment is due, the Red Cross said. Overall, most people have a very steep learning curve after a tornado or other natural disaster because people think they'll be OK if they have insurance. "But for many people, that's just one piece of getting back as close to where you were," Bach said."Losing a home is very much like a death in the family." The Red Cross also has a section on its website dedicated to recovering emotionally after a disaster. "Try to accept whatever reactions you may have," the organization advises on the website. "Look for ways to take one step at a time and focus on taking care of your disaster-related needs and those of your family." RACINE, Wis. (AP) Nearly a dozen Wisconsin law enforcement officers who opened fire on an armed man wanted for allegedly trying to run over a police officer won't face criminal charges, a prosecutor announced Thursday. Hunter Hanson, 25, was shot three times and died after 11 officers from different agencies opened fire on him following a standoff in a farm field in January. Racine County District Attorney Patricia Hanson wrote in a report that Hunter Hanson twice raised a handgun toward the officers. She said that the officers did their best to talk Hunter Hanson into surrendering and gave first aid after he was shot. If the officers were just there to take a life, I would have expected a different response, the district attorney wrote. Hunter Hanson was charged in 2019 with attempted first-degree intentional homicide. Prosecutors alleged that in December 2018, he walked into an auto parts store, threatened the manager and tried to use his vehicle to hit a responding police officer as he drove away, the Racine Journal-Times newspaper reported in January. In December 2022, he was on bail awaiting trial when he fled from a traffic stop and removed his GPS ankle monitor, according to the district attorneys report. A U.S. marshal spotted him driving on Jan. 16, leading to a high-speed chase. Hunter Hanson eventually crashed his pickup into a creek and tried to flee across a Kenosha County field but officers closed in and a standoff followed, according to the report. The standoff went on for about 1.5 hours as he held a handgun. He grew increasingly agitated and twice raised the gun toward officers, a Racine County Sheriff's sergeant told investigators. The second time he raised the gun toward them, they opened fire. The Associated Press attempted to reach Mark Richards, Hunter Hanson's attorney in the attempted homicide case, via email and phone. This article appears in the April 21, 2023 issue of Executive Intelligence Review. A New Paradigm in International Relations Springs from West Asia [Print version of this article] Mr. Askary is Vice-Chairman of the Belt and Road Institute (BRIX) in Sweden, and is Southwest Asia coordinator for the Schiller Institute. The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The second-best time is today! View full size Courtesy of the Zayed Centre April 14The world and the region of West Asia, falsely called Middle East by the British Empire, lost 20 years of time, millions of lives, and trillions of dollars, between the time Lyndon LaRouche spoke in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) in May 2002, and today. Visiting the UAEs Zayed Center for Coordination and Follow-Up (ZCCF) as guest of honor and keynote speaker in an international conference on the future of oil and gas in world politics, LaRouche advocated a new economic and security architecture for the (Persian/Arab) Gulf region. It was based on turning this region from a British geopolitical cockfighting pit into a crossroads of the continents, utilizing its exceptional geographical position and natural and human resources to industrialize its nations on a massive scalebuilding infrastructure including nuclear power, for petrochemical industries and desalinating seawater for greening the deserts. LaRouches plan was intended to salvage the economies of the region from the slavish reliance on export of a single commoditycrude oil and gasand also from being a tool of geopolitics. At the same time, LaRouche denounced and advised against the intention of the George W. Bush/Tony Blair alliance to violate the sovereignty of Iraq and other nations. LaRouches ideas gained a great deal of popularity both among the leaders and populations of the Gulf and Arab world, with wide coverage in the mass media of his and his associates (including this authors) work and initiatives. However, in the following weeks and months, as the United States and Britain were preparing the illegal invasion of Iraq, a major counteroffensive was launched by those two powers, to intimidate the governments of the Gulf to abandon such visionary ideas as LaRouches and fall in line supporting the imminent invasion. The orders to the Gulf nations were uttered through an intelligence mouthpiece disguised as a journalist, Jamal Khashoggi. From his official position in London as advisor to the Saudi Ambassador, Prince Turki Al-Faisal (also former Intelligence Director of the Kingdom), Khashoggi penned an op-ed Feb. 5, 2003, published simultaneously in all the major newspapers and websites of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The article, LaRouche and His Associates: Abandon Them Before They Make You Crazier! pointed to the event at the ZCCF as a grave mistake that should not be repeated. A few months later the Zayed Center itself was shut down following a massive disinformation campaign in America and Europe. Later, Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed, chairman and founder of the ZCCF, was dethroned from his position as Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE and replaced by Mohammed bin Zayed. Twenty Years Later Two decades later, and a century since the British Empire secretly reached the 1916 Sykes-Picot Pact with the French Empire for carving up the Middle East into separate colonies and satrapies, Chinese and Russian diplomatic and economic efforts are potentially putting an end to this hundred-year bloody divide-and-conquer strategy. That strategy witnessed its most violent aspect in the Shia-Sunni sectarian divide following the illegal British-American invasion of Iraq in 2003. The two poles of this divide in the region, Iran and Saudi Arabia, finally reached a China-brokered rapprochement on March 10 of this year and restored diplomatic ties. They had been severed since 2016, when Saudi Arabia executed a Saudi Shia cleric, prompting Iranian protesters to storm and burn the Saudi embassy in Tehran. It is of great importance to mention that these diplomatic efforts took almost seven years to come to fruition, since Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Egypt in January 2016. The U.S. administrations under both Trump and Biden made efforts to sabotage this process, including the assassination of Iranian military leader Qasim Soleimani in Baghdad on Jan. 3, 2020, as he was carrying a message from Tehran to Saudi Arabia via the Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi, who was mediating the contact between the two rivals. But China continued to press ahead with economic cooperation deals with both sides, and with all other countries in the region. Two major comprehensive strategic agreementswith Saudi Arabia in December 2022, and Iran in February 2023and President Xis summits with the King of Saudi Arabia, the leaders of GCC and Arab countries in December 2022, redefined the whole regional development perspective, orienting it towards economic cooperation and integration of the region into the new paradigm of cooperation along the Belt and Road Initiative. Russia too has been mediating contact between Syria and Turkiye, to end the chaotic security situation in Syrias northwest Idlib province where terrorist groups and armed extremists backed by the United States and NATO have been destabilizing both countries. U.S. boots on the ground in the eastern part of Syria remain a major destabilizing factor in this whole situation, but an agreement between Turkiye and Syria could bring this under control. A Russia-brokered meeting between the foreign ministers of Syria and Turkiye is scheduled to take place in early May, according to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov. The foreign ministers and defense ministers of both countries have already held online talks. Syrian President Bashar Assad also visited the United Arab Emirates in mid-March, to meet with its leader Mohammed bin Zayed after a break of 12 years. A meeting between Assad and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is also in the making. In Riyadh last week, Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad met with his Saudi counterpart Faisal Al-Farhan for the first time, in preparation for the Assad visit, which will coincide with Arab League Summit in the Saudi capital May 19. This event would signal the recovery by Syria of its legitimate seat in this pan-Arab organization. Syria lost its seat in 2011 at the encouragement of Qatar. Saudi Arabia and the UAE were instrumental in the anti-Syrian Anglo-American regime change operation against Assad launched in 2011. But now the tide of history has turned. Yemen, too, is being affected by this spree of Chinese-Russian peace diplomacy. The first major prisoner exchange was successfully brokered by the UN Envoy to Yemen April 10. The first round of negotiations with the Saudis was conducted last week in Sanaa in an extraordinary visit by a Saudi envoy to the Yemeni capital. A ceasefire has been in place between Saudi Arabia and the Sanaa government since April 2022 and has been holding. It is believed that Iranian influence over the Yemeni Houthis may bring an end to the war launched by Saudi Arabia in March 2015 with devastating consequences for the Yemeni people and economy. View full size China Foreign Ministry It Is the Economy! The Chinese policy, with its roots in the Belt and Road Initiative, started moving diplomatically in January 2016 with a tour by President Xi Jinping to Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Iran. While China coordinated separately with Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Iran, gradually reaching comprehensive strategic agreements with each of the three regional powers, its friendly and increasingly tight economic relationship with all of them enabled it to become a trusted broker in the region. While China has been conciliatory towards the West in this and other initiatives, a sharper tone came when it realized that engaging with the West in resolving the crises in West Asiacrises that were in reality a creation of the policies of the Westwas obsolete. The new Chinese position that people in the Middle East are the masters of their own fate and that they are the ones who should take the lead in the regions security affairs was first pronounced by Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in the second Middle East Security Forum held by the China Institute of International Studies in Beijing in September 2022. This position was again reiterated by President Xi in his speech at the above-mentioned China-Arab Summit in Riyadh in December 2022. To understand the shift in the attitude of the GCC countries towards the West, it is important to look at the different economic, financial, and finally political motivations. Economically, the GCC economies were rocked by an existential crisis in the past decade emanating from periodic collapses of oil prices. The first jolt followed the global financial crisis in 2008. Prices fell from $140/barrel to near $30; then in 2014 to below $30; and in the pandemic year 2020 to near $20. For the oil exporting countries to stay afloat economically and fiscally, they need a stable oil price at $6070 per barrel. The need for a new economic orientation toward industrialization and diversifying their income sources, as advised by LaRouche in 2002, found a true partner in China and Asia. Saudi Arabia, under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, also launched Vision 2030, pointing to this same direction of policy. Financially, the massive sovereign wealth funds of the GCC (now valued at about $4 trillion), resulting from export of oil and gas for decades, have historically been invested in financial and banking sectors, or real estate in the City of London, Wall Street, and in Europe. These Western markets have become a great source of loss and risk for the Gulf countries due to the sustained financial and banking crises hitting the trans-Atlantic system since 2008, with demands that the GCC states contribute to bailing out the Western banking system. This black hole opened again recently, with the collapse of American and European banks, prompting Saudi Arabia, for example, to declare that it was not going to pour more money into the failed Credit Suisse, in which Saudi Arabia owns a major stake. The GCC countries are realizing that their valuable wealth could be safer and more profitable if invested in real and productive economic projects at home, in China, and in countries along the BRI. The tight relationship between the Gulf countries (GCC plus Iraq and Iran), and China and all of East Asia, both as secure petroleum suppliers to the East, and as the largest markets for Chinese products, have necessitated the upgrading of these relations from a mere import-export relationship to a long-term, stable and dynamic industrialization process extending to science and technology, and even cultural cooperation. Xi Jinpings Proposals The general framework for this relationship for the next decades was outlined in the proposals presented in President Xi Jinpings keynote address to the China-GCC summit in Riyadh in December 2022. Xis first proposal was a new paradigm of all-dimensional energy cooperation. China will continue to import large quantities of crude oil on a long-term basis from GCC countries, and purchase more liquified natural gas (LNG), settling payments in Chinese renminbi through the Shanghai Petroleum and Natural Gas Exchange platform. A China-GCC forum on peaceful uses of nuclear technology, and a China-GCC nuclear security demonstration center should be jointly established. China will provide 300 training opportunities on peaceful uses of nuclear energy and technology. Second, the Chinese President proposed new progress in finance and investment cooperation. China and GCC countries could collaborate on financial regulation and facilitate entry into Chinas capital market for GCC companies. China will work with the GCC to set up a joint investment commission and support cooperation between sovereign wealth funds from both sides. A China-GCC forum on industrial and investment cooperation could be set up. Xis third proposal was to expand new areas of cooperation on innovation, science, and technology. China is ready to build big data and cloud computing centers with GCC countries and strengthen 5G and 6G technology cooperation. Fourth, the Chinese President proposed to seek new breakthroughs in aerospace cooperation. China will carry out a string of cooperation projects with GCC countries in remote sensing and communications satellites, space utilization, and aerospace infrastructure. The two sides could select and train astronauts together, and China welcomes GCC astronauts to its space station for joint missions and space science experiments with their Chinese colleagues. Finally, Xi proposed nurturing new highlights in language and cultural cooperation. China will cooperate with 300 universities, and middle and primary schools in GCC countries on Chinese language education, and work with GCC countries to set up 300 Chinese-language smart classrooms. Figure 1 Transportation Integration of West Asia View full size Schiller Institute Saudi Arabia, in cooperation with China, is carrying out a massive industrialization process, including a large-scale infrastructure project connecting all its cities, and existing and planned industrial zones, with a modern rail and road network. This will make Saudi Arabia a hub for transcontinental transport and logistics along the Belt and Road, as shown in Figure 1. EIR recently republished the introduction to Lyndon LaRouches 1983 essay, Saudi Arabia in the Year 2023, a prophetic vision of what the Kingdom may look like today, based on certain investments in sectors that are emerging now as the priority of the Kingdom and its partners, especially China. Shenanigans Lose America the Regions Trust The main political factors pushing Saudi Arabia and the UAE to closer relations with China and Russia are the ill-advised policies of the U.S. administrations since President Obama. The waging of the war on Yemen in March 2015 not only was militarily and morally flawed, but it became a huge drain on the faltering economy of the Kingdom. Instead of the imagined cake-walk, the war on Yemen became a nightmare lasting seven years. In addition, while China and Russia were moving to broker peaceful cooperation in the region, the Trump Administration was busy engineering an anti-Iranian Arab NATO that would include Israel. President Trump insisted, in a rather insulting manner to the Saudis and the UAE, that they pay for this quixotic adventure, and also pay protection money, otherwise, as Trump once put it, the Kingdom would dissolve in a matter of weeks. For Arab tribal chiefs, which the leaders of the GCC are, this is the ultimate insult. When the Biden Administration took over, it left a vacuum in the region and clearly antagonized Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt over their prosecution of Muslim Brotherhood activists, and in the case of Saudi Arabia, it insisted that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman must come clean about the case of the disappearance of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul in October 2018. Even earlier, America under Obama was perceived by the GCC countries and Egypt as playing a double game during the Arab Spring color revolutions. While the GCC countries services were welcome in destabilizing Syria, Libya, Yemen, and Iran, they were not considered as true allies, but mere tools. This became more and more evident as the operations against Syria collapsed and the Muslim Brotherhood backed government of Mohamed Morsi in Egypt was overthrown by a combination of popular uprising and military intervention by Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, backed by Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The Obama Administration, Turkiye, and Qatar created an open front against the former three. What role Jamal Khashoggi was pulled into playing in the operations against Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Egypt might answer key questions regarding his tragic end. President Trump, although with an inclination to work more closely with Saudi Arabia and the UAE, did not make matters easy for Mohammed bin Salman with Trumps reckless statements about the existential dependency of the Saudi Crown on U.S. protection. The United States, thus, has been deemed untrustworthy by Riyadh and Abu Dhabi. While volumes could be written about this dirty handling by the Anglo-American elites, it is more important to focus on the new paradigm of peaceful resolution of conflicts, based on economic cooperation and a Westphalian Peace notion, that may finally be embraced in this regionthe very spot which British Prime Minister Tony Blair had intended to become the end of the Westphalian principle. That principle is the sovereignty and independence of nations and their cooperation for mutual benefit of all parties. The living ideas of Lyndon LaRouche, even though he himself has shuffled off this mortal coil, have found the right moment in history to become a reality. Many of the reconstruction plans designed by LaRouche and associates for Syria, Yemen, Iraq, and Afghanistan are still circulating in those countries. It is better to plant a tree today than argue about the missed opportunity of the last 20 years. This article appears in the April 21, 2023 issue of Executive Intelligence Review. Food Producers: Meet the Emergency, Create Capacity in Agriculture, Fisheries [Print version of this article] Five speakers, from the nations of France, The Netherlands, and the United States, addressed the topic of the current world food supply and production crisis, as part of Panel 3, End the Casino Economy Before Its Too Late, of the Schiller Institutes April 15-16 Conference, Without the Development of All Nations, There Can Be No Lasting Peace for the Planet. Three Principles for Emergency Food Supply and Production Mr. Baker, based in the United States, is with the Schiller Institute Agriculture Commission. View full size Schiller Institute Bob Baker Greetings to everyone. Last month I was able to convey in person, support from U.S. farmers and ranchers to the mass protest rally at The Hague, by the Dutch farmers, fishermen, and many other people. The Dutch government has ordered their activity to be cut way back, lying that nitrogen emissions from food production are ruining the Earth. Then in March, I was able to meet in person in Germany with farm leaders, during the week of their national protests. They had bonfires, tractorcades, rallies, and boat actions. The government has ordered them to use less chemicals. Theyve ordered the fishermen to use different nets. Theyve ordered less farmland use, fewer meat animals, and so on, claiming food production is harmful. Its the same story in many other places-from the tractors that were on the streets of Paris this Winter, to the cattlemen on their horses in Madrid. In the Americas, food trade is crazy. Mexicothe home of cornis told you must get corn from the United States. U.S. cattlemen are told beef must be imported from Africa and South America. U.S. cattlemen are fighting for even the right to have truthful U.S. packaging labels on meat imports, that give the country of origin. They are fighting government ear tags on each of their animals, that will start controlling and shutting them down. Meantime, millions are starving. Whole nations have been denied the ability to even develop agriculture productivity at all. Across the whole picture, three points stand out for what we must do to end this situation: First, there must be no cuts in food production capacity. Not anywhere. This is needed while arrangements are made for a new, production-serving credit system to be put in place. A financial and logistics breakdown has started, like weve never seen. We must make this an opportunity to put in place a new system, like weve never seen. The right one. Secondly, there must be a stop to playing off one nation against any other on food production and supply. All nations have the right to self-determination of their own national interest in food production and trade. Thirdly, there must be the maximum access to scientific food production, as fast as possible, everywhere. This means infrastructure, inputs, storage, transportation, research and development, and much more for every nation in the world. I call on farmers, ranchers, fishermen, scientists and all to join together. We have activated an Agriculture Commission in the Schiller Institute for collaboration of farm leaders all across the globe. Food producers have the moral authority and responsibility to take the lead in this crisis. There is no more common interest in all humanity than our daily food. Please contact me (bb888k@gmail.com). I want to work with you. Thank you very much. Nitrogen Scientism Destroys Food Production in Netherlands Dr. Hanekamp sent greetings from The Netherlands, where he is an Associate Professor of Chemistry at Utrecht University. View full size Schiller Institute Jaap Hanekamp Hello. My name is Jaap Hanekamp. I am the author of the article on the nitrogen crisis in The Netherlands, published in the EIR journal, but also on my blogpost, jaaphanekamp.com. (The Ersatz Nitrogen Crisis; Delusional Expertocracy and the Destruction of Dutch Agriculture, EIR, April 7, 2023) Im a chemist by trade, but I also made a dissertation in theology and philosophy eight years ago on utopia. I see the nitrogen crisis as a utopian development in The Netherlands and abroad. In this utopian development, science as scientism plays a key role. Scientism is nothing other than the belief that only scientific research delivers real knowledge. Of course, this is an incoherent position which nevertheless is embraced by the so-called expertocracy which plays a major role in policy-making in the world. I have critiqued this development eight years ago in my dissertation, but also nowadays on my blogpost, and I believe this critique to be more and more important in the world. Thank you for your attention, and enjoy your conference. Cooperation, Not Competition, To Develop Each Country Mr. Gregoire is President of the Mouvement National des Eleveurs de nos regions (National Movement of Cattle Breeders of Our Regions) in France, and a milk producer. Subheads have been added. View full size Schiller Institute Philippe Gregoire Hello to all. Welcome. I want to say something about agriculture, and to summarize what I have to say, I will start not with the current situationwhich everybody knowsbut by my proposal that the simplest thing is to get inspired by the Havana Charter of March 24, 1948, which was a charter that wanted to recognize neither the neo-liberal American extreme liberal system, which destroyed industries and farmers, nor the Russian modelthe Soviet system, which took lands away from farmers and their right to property, and which failed. I will quickly give a few points about the Havana Charter. Its principle was that it was totally opposed to free trade, and to what has become the World Trade Organization. The Charter proposed an approach very different from the current system, which was the development of each country based on cooperation and not on competition. These are the main points proposed by the Havana Charter: There should be an equilibrium of balance in payments; nobody should have a budget disequilibrium. This is very important if you see the disequilibrium today. For example, in the euro, there are targeted deficits, seen, for example, in the very large deficit between Italy and Germany. The second point is to prioritize cooperation. United Nations member states will cooperate within the domain of social-economic health of the UN under a proposal to adopt labor norms which are honest and equitable on each continent; if not, exchange cannot be honest. Then, capital control is very important. Member states should take all measures to prevent investments in foreign countries being used as tools for foreign intervention. The green light is for state interventions to stop fake competition. Preferential agreements are possible in a cooperative framework; subsidies in certain circumstances are allowed. There can be the outlawing of dumping of products. There can be possible restriction of production volumes; excess production can be eliminated in certain circumstances, and basic food production should be considered as a special category. Therefore, states can stabilize prices; and prices on the exchanges can be separated from prices on the international markets, in order to avoid subversive imports. Its simple: no dumping policies allowed! We dont accept the lowest bidder principle of [British economist David] Ricardo. For me, we can even lift the overall framework of the Havana Charter, and make it better. The Charter gives the farmers an economic model today. Dont Allow Monopolies From the 1940s until the 1980s, there was a strong restructuring of the farm labor sector. Between the 1980s and 2000, the productive tools were taken over by cooperatives and private companies. Since 2000, we have had the very rapid, complete financial takeover dominated by the multi-nationals and trade unions. Farming should never have been industrialized, because now the sector has a negative phase. There is what is called the monopoly of the production factors. We work with living animals, not like politicians who live with wind. We work with the climate; were planting plants which are harvested only six to nine months later. We cannot industrialize an agricultural model. We have to deal with the monopoly of the production factors. Then, the current policy is aggravating free trade with lies. Were being told that Macron went to China, and that we in France got contracts to export milk or pork. Thats not a good thing. Each time this kind of thing is done, what we discover is that at the end, its not the producers who get rich or get the profit, but only the big companies. The issue is really to increase the income of the producers. The volumes of production do exist; what we have to do, is to stop wasting. There is about 30% of everything produced which is wasted in the current system. So, the issue is not volume, we just have to make it more rational. We have to irrigate the lands which need it, and not do absurd projects as we see today in France. Beware Diversionary Debates The last point is diversion of attention. Weve been manipulated over the last 40 years by a farm press which is putting out lies which tell us that each farmer has to become bigger and bigger, to manipulate us as if we are little soldiers in the army of the mega-agrobusinesses. Beware about the messages we receive. Were being told that we should attack the Greenies. We should attack, of course, eating insects and synthetic meat. This is pushed by people, and the Greens are pushing unrealistic projects and dangerous projects. We are being manipulated to create divisions among us. The real issue is not the Greenies, the real issue is the wages of the farmers. The real issue is not the Greenies who have unrealistic projects which take attention away from the real problems. This is all a diversion of the debate. So, dear farmers, dont waste your time, this is not the debate. Thank you for this short intervention. I just want to add one thing, which is the question of the currency in France, with the euro. The euro is a currency which cannot function for farm trade, because it is a weapon for exports and imports, nothing else. Conclusion: The Havana Charter is the basis to keep farmers alive and we have to manage prices and volumes of production in each country by independent people, independent from trade unions and political parties. Thank you. R-CALF USA Supports European Farmers and Ranchers Bill Bullard is the CEO of R-CALF USA, headquartered in Montana, and the largest independent cattlemens association in the United States. View full size Schiller Institute Bill Bullard Hello, Im Bill Bullard, CEO of R-CALF USA. With approximately 5,000 cattle-producing members, in nearly every state of our union, were the largest producer-only cattle trade organization in the United States. And weve been monitoring our European counterparts courageous and effective efforts to restore liberty and freedom to farmers and ranchers in the face of a sinister global plot to rob them of both. They will succeed, which will enable them to get back to what they do best: Produce an abundance of safe, wholesome and affordable food. Its a tragic irony that farmers and ranchers must fight for the right to produce the food needed by all. And we certainly appreciate our European counterparts willingness to do so. Restore Great Infrastructure Projects, Produce Food! Mr. Moore is former President of the Alaska Trollers Association, and a longtime civic leader in Alaska. View full size Schiller Institute James Moore Good morning. Im Jim Moore. I am a commercial fisherman. I live in southeast Alaska, and I am very grateful to be invited to have a small part of this wonderful conference. We want to see a beautiful future for our children. Were in a position towe have to act. I was thinking of an ironic thing here a little while ago. In a world where there is starvation of millions of peopleand this should never be, with our degree of technology and advancement, you know. To be in a food producing industry such as ours, or as in agriculture, you would think that that would be a pretty secure job. But its not. Were fighting for survival, ironically. The major threat that our fishing industry in southeast AlaskaIm a troller, primarily. A trollera long-linera troller is someone who tows hooks through the water, and entices the fish to bite. Salmon is the target species. This industrythere are probably 1,500 families that are dependent on this livelihood, is on the chopping block. It is slated for destruction. Its being destroyed by a lawsuit originating from an extreme left-of-center radical environmental, deep environmental group. How can they do this? Its beyond anybodys imagination that they would be able to get so far with this lawsuit, which they are winning. This problem stems from the fact that, back in the seventies, we had legislationthe ESA (Endangered Species Act), the EPA (Environmental Protection Act), and all these kind of things. It was thought, this is a really good idea. And there were some good intentions there. But its been weaponized. Its being used to shut down industry, critical infrastructure, and this is the problem that I wanted to point out. We need to do something. In fact, a weaponized ESA not only poses an immediate threat by disrupting food production, but unless serious flaws in the legislation are addressed now, the nationwide infrastructure upgrade necessary to put the economy on a solid footing will be next to impossible. We need that platform of infrastructure in order to be able towell, you know, peace is equivalent with development, and we cant develop under this situation. I cant imagine the great projects of our nations past, like the TVA, or the Four Corners, or rural electrification, or the Trans-Continental Railroad, ever happening within the straitjacket of these hyper-protectionist, zero-growth laws, in their present form. Wouldnt now be the time to make some changes? This transcript appears in the April 21, 2023 issue of Executive Intelligence Review. [Print version of this transcript] Dr. Chandra Muzaffar The Importance of Chinese and Russian Engagement in Southwest Asia for the Region and the World This is the edited transcript of the presentation of Chandra Muzaffar to Panel 4, The Necessary Philosophical Foundations for the New Paradigm, of the Schiller Institutes April 15-16 Conference, Without the Development of All Nations, There Can Be No Lasting Peace for the Planet. Dr. Muzaffar is a Malaysian political scientist, Islamic reformist, and activist. He is the founder and President of the International Movement for a Just World (JUST). Subheads have been added. View full size Schiller Institute Chandra Muzaffar Peace be with you! The agreement reached between Saudi Arabia and Iran, through the efforts of the Chinese government, could well be a turning point in global politics, a turning point in international relations. We know that all three parties involvedthe Chinese government, the Saudi government, and the Iranian governmenthave started implementing this accord. There have been meetings in Tehran, in Riyadh, and in Beijing. What theyre trying to do now is to implement some of the major dimensions of this decision that has been made. A Wider Rapprochement Beyond Saudi Arabia and Iran It is significant because it would mean that the animosity between these two very important nations in the Muslim world, Iran and Saudi Arabia, may subside. And if this change takes place, there is a certain degree of understanding that develops, then I think it will impact upon a huge segment of the Muslim world because of the importance of these two nations. And there are proxy wars, semi-proxy wars, in a number of countries in the Arab world and even outside the Arab world, which are linked to Saudi Arabia and Iran. That may also decrease. And there may be some attempt to establish closer links between countries like Saudi Arabia and Syria, Syria and Turkiye, between Lebanon and Saudi Arabia. These things may happen. We dont know. But there is a possibility. It is also possible that eventually this rapprochement engineered by China could lead to a better understanding within that whole region of the relations between Israel and the Arab world, Palestinians in particular. That may happen. We dont know. There are these possibilities. There hasnt been any moment in recent history in West Asia and North Africa that has been more hopeful, in terms of creating an atmosphere of understanding, of amity amongst the different nations. But it is not just China. I think we have to look at what is happening in terms of yet another big power. This is Russia. Like China, Russia has become an important player in that region. In fact, Russia has had a much longer relationship with this region than China. Dont forget the important role that Russia, at that time the Soviet Union, played in the construction of the Aswan Dam in Egypt, one of the major developmental projects in the world, which has served millions and millions of people for decades. And Russia, which had engineering and financial aspects of that project, has also had good relations with Syria for a very long while. [Former Syrian President] Hafez Assad, the father of Bashar Assad, was very close to the Soviet Union. And as we know in recent times, when the Syrian government was under tremendous pressurethe threat of regime change, all sorts of forces, jihadist rebels, all of them involved, and you had people in Washington and Britain and Turkiye and others backing all these groupsthe government of Bashar Assad depended upon Russia to help stabilize its position, and the Russians played a big role from 2015 onward. So, Russia has also been part of that region and has been increasingly important in the politics of West Asia and North Africa. Allowing Nations To Decide Their Future What is significant for us, those of us who are looking at the politics of the region, is that these two big powers, China and Russia, are different from the United States of America in their dealings with the countries in that region in two different ways. They are different in the sense that they do not seek to hegemonize the region. To give you an example, if you look at this recent accord between Saudi Arabia and Iran, actually the peace plan was based upon an understanding that the two leaders in the regionSaudi leader King Abdullah and [Akbar Hashemi] Rafsanjani, the leader of Iran at that timea number of years ago, they had developed an understanding and they had worked out a peace deal. What China did was to revive that peace deal. They were not imposing their will upon Saudi Arabia and Iran. They revived the deal, and that deal became the basis of that accord that we are now witnessing. So you see, its a different approach. It is not imposing ones will, but its allowing the people themselves to decide, and you [are] facilitating the process. This is what the Chinese did. In the case of Russia, quite apart from its involvement in the developmental projects in both Egypt and Syria, we know that when Syria was under threat, the regime, the government was under tremendous pressure, they increased, they escalated their military involvement. Its true; [Russia] sent troops and fighter jets and all the rest of it. But the moment the government was able to stabilize its position, they reduced their troop deployment, they reduced the military involvement, which again shows a certain sensitivity to the integrity, the territorial sovereignty of Syria. Upholding the Sovereignty of Nations This, I think, is something that we have to keep in mind: that in dealing with other nation states, it is so important to uphold their sovereignty, the sovereignty of the other parties, the other states. And both China and Russia seem to be sensitive to this. This, I think, is a very important principle in international relations, recognizing sovereignty, protecting sovereigntydealing with states, helping them when help is needed, but by recognizing sovereignty, upholding their sovereignty. At the same time, if you look at what they have donein the case of Chinas peace plans, and in the case of Russiaassistance of a different kind, military assistance, but both taking into account the will of the people. This, I think, is critical. And I hope that if this continues, if they continue to deal with countries in the region that way, both Russia and China, theyll be able to make a major contribution to that region. Dont forget, this region has been the cockpit of conflict in the world for such a long while, and it may bring about a tremendous change, a transformation, where all these countries that are part of that region would be able to concentrate upon economic development, social change. Theyd be able to bring about an atmosphere which would be very different to what we have seen for so many decades. This is what the people need. This is what the people have been waiting for. Thats why it is so important that this rapprochement succeeds. It is so important that these two countries, China and Russia, understand the sensitivities of the region and the people, and function in such a manner that they would enhance the independence and integrity of the states in the region and their own development. And at the same time, they would contribute toward a new world order and a different international atmosphere. Thank you very much. This transcript appears in the April 21, 2023 issue of Executive Intelligence Review. [Print version of this transcript] Dr. Mohammad A. Toor The World Needs the New Belt and Road Model of Economic Development This is the edited transcript of the presentation of Dr. Mohammad A. Toor to Panel 3, End the Casino Economy Before Its Too Late, of the Schiller Institutes April 15-16 Conference, Without the Development of All Nations, There Can Be No Lasting Peace for the Planet. Dr. Toor is the chairman of the Pakistani American Congress. A subhead has been added. View full size Schiller Institute Dr. Mohammad A. Toor Hello, I am Dr. Mohammad A. Toor, chairman of the Pakistani American Congress, registered in the United States for the last three decades. I am very glad to address the Schiller Institute Conference on the question of reorganizing the world economy for peace through development, instead of destroying nations and preventing development in order to maintain a bankrupt casino economy of financial speculation, where a handful of wealthy elites become rich by keeping other nations poor. I have seen the war of Pakistan and India in 1965 when I was a medical student in Multan, Pakistan. The last time when India and Pakistan were at war, it lasted only 17 days, and both countries had devastating financial challenges following that 17 days war. The problem is that Pakistan thinks India wants to eliminate it, while India thinks that Pakistan wants to destroy it. Wouldnt it be better that we could cooperate together as good neighbors, like the United States and Canada, on building up economic development for the mutual benefit of both countriesIndia and Pakistanthe United States, and the world? It would benefit all the countries. Therefore, a new model of economic development has been created by China in the form of the Belt and Road Initiative, which includes the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. This promises the economic development of entire regions of the world with new infrastructure. It [the corridor] will cost $60 billion. Infrastructure includes transportation and water projects, and other industrial complexes along the Belt and Road. People will start to live a more prosperous life with help from this infrastructure development completion. There will be water projects so that affordable electricity and power can be produced to light up each and every part of Pakistan. The era of keeping nations backward and poor, as colonies simply producing raw materials and cheap goods for others, is over! Work with ChinaNot the IMF! Pakistan has economic needs which are rather enormous. With the Western economic model having literally failed at the present time, our economy is in financial distress, and we have been in discussions for a long time with the IMF. Pakistan is facing it as we speak. The IMF has not sanctioned and signed the final document to make the monies available, to obtain loans to function. Negotiations are underway and hopefully it will be accomplished in a matter of weeks. We think the IMF should not prevent us from negotiating with China for more funds for functioning and development. If the money is not used to allow nations to develop, to become more productive, then how could such loans ever be paidand loans of the IMF usually get paid in full. The money simply makes nations more indebted and poor. China is providing now $400 billion to Iran to develop, and is planning to develop Afghanistan on the way. The ports will be upgraded in Iran, and of course, Pakistans port, the best, perhaps the deepest, is already functional and open. So the economic potential development is the future, and not necessarily relying on the IMF model at all. This is why my friend, Anwar Ibrahim, the Prime Minister of Malaysia, has called for an Asian Monetary Fund to cooperate with China. Every nation needs funds to develop; not simply money, but funds to build modern railroads, water projects, and electricity to be modern prosperous economies. This is the new model for development, so as to end poverty, as opposed to a casino economy, which is designed to keep people poor. Pakistan certainly needs massive development. The United States once led the world in promoting development, in the 60s, possibly the 70s, but not for the last almost 40 years. Now it has been promoting war with Russia and China to stop this new model of development. This policy is suicidal for my own United States, where I am a citizen, and I would like to see the United States return to its former policy of being an industrial power, helping other nations to develop, instead of imitating the British Empire trying to maintain the rest of the world as colonies. The U.S. must work with China to rebuild its own collapsed industrial economy, and that is the only policy which would give the once strong dollar any value at all. An international study says ice in Greenland and Antarctica is melting faster than it was about 30 years ago. The study used 50 different satellite estimates gathered by the U.S. space agency NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA). The scientists involved said that the rate of melting increased up to 2020, the last year for which information was available. They also said that the melting has caused a mean rise in the worlds sea level of about 21 millimeters. The study said there was 20 percent more melted ice from Greenland between 2017 to 2020 than from 2012 to 2016. And the melting was more than seven times higher than yearly melting from 1992 to 1996. The new data are pretty disastrous really, said study co-writer Ruth Mottram, a climate scientist at the Danish Meteorological Institute. Were losing more and more ice from Greenland. The lead writer of the study is Ines Otosaka. She studies glaciers at the University of Leeds in Britain. She said the faster ice loss is clearly a result of human-caused climate change. Ice in Greenland and Antarctica represents 99 percent of the worlds ice on dry land. From 1992 to 1996, the study said, ice in the two areas was melting at a rate of 105 billion metric tons a year. Two-thirds of that amount was in Antarctica. But from 2017 to 2020, the combined estimated melting increased to 372 billion metric tons a year. More than two-thirds of the melting took place in Greenland, said the study in the journal Earth System Science Data. Since 1992, Earth has lost 7.6 trillion metric tons of ice from the two ice areas, the study found. That is enough to cover France with 15 meters of water. But because the worlds oceans are so huge, the melted ice since 1992 only adds less than 21 millimeters to world sea levels. Melt from ice sheets previously caused only five percent of sea level rise. Now it causes more than 25 percent of the rise, the study said. The rest of the sea rise comes from warmer water expanding and melting ice from other glaciers. Although the study showed slower melting in parts of Antarctica, the longer-term data suggests an increasing rate of melting there. A team of more than 65 scientists regularly calculates ice sheet loss in research funded by NASA and the European Space Agency. The new study adds three more years of data. The researchers used three different methods to measure the melting, Otosaka said. The techniques include measuring changes in gravity and ice height, along with measuring snow fall and melt. Otosaka added that all the satellites, radar, ground observations and computer models basically say the same thing -- ice sheet melting is accelerating. This matters because rising sea levels will displace and/or financially impact hundreds of millions of people, if not billions, and will likely cost trillions of dollars, said Walleed Abdalati, a former NASA scientist and University of Colorado ice researcher. Abdalati was not part of the study. Seth Borenstein wrote this story for The Associated Press. Andrew Smith adapted it for VOA Learning English. The story is read one-third slower than normal speaking speed using an artificial intelligence voice generator. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story mean adj. a value that is exactly in between the highest and lowest number in a set of numbers glacier n. a huge area of ice on land that moves slowly because of gravity ______________________________________________________________ We want to hear from you. We have a new comment system. Here is how it works: Write your comment in the box. Under the box, you can see four images for social media accounts. They are for Disqus, Facebook, Twitter and Google. Click on one image and a box appears. Enter the login for your social media account. Or you may create one on the Disqus system. It is the blue circle with D on it. It is free. Each time you return to comment on the Learning English site, you can use your account and see your comments and replies to them. Our comment policy is here. Where is the line between art and advertising? The question is central to a big dispute in a small American town. A large painting in Conway, New Hampshire, has led to a zoning conflict, a First Amendment legal action and a local vote. It started with a high school art project to paint a picture on a building in the town. The building houses a store called Leavitts Country Bakery. The picture shows the sun shining over mountains of chocolate and strawberry donuts, a cinnamon roll and a blueberry muffin. These are the kinds of sweet treats found in bakeries. Then the town zoning board got involved. It decided that the painting was more advertising than art. Officials said that, as an advertisement, the sign was too big. Its size violated town rules. The board ordered the sign be removed or changed. Bakery owner Sean Young faced possible fines if he did not follow the order. So, he decided to fight it in court. Youngs legal action accuses the town of Conway of violating his right to free speech, guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution. They said it would be art elsewhere, Young told The Associated Press. Its just not art here. The town should not have the right to police art, he said. The dispute has the town of 10,000 people debating big questions about creativity and freedom. Conway is in the White Moutains, a popular area with visitors. The town is under pressure to increase business development. Some residents worry that compromises with development interests will lead to unwanted changes to their town. Many, including the zoning board members, liked the students' work. But they said rules must be followed. At about 8.6 square meters, the mural is four times bigger than zoning rules permit for advertising signs. At town meetings, residents discussed how to define a sign. Then, last week, they voted against changes to the rules. The local newspaper said the wording of the proposed changes was not clear. A judge may have to make the final decision on what remains an open debate in town. The lawsuit Young filed in January asks that the court prevent the town from enforcing its sign law. Other businesses have entered into the dispute. Long before the painting over Leavitts, Conway had permitted other paintings at a local shopping center. But in December the town found that three of those pictures also violate size limits. The issue went before the zoning board Wednesday. The lawsuit argues that the towns definition of sign is very general and its zoning rules do not include the word mural. Board member Luigi Bartolomeo said he thinks the painting at the bakery is art, not advertising. I think its a very badly written piece of code here, said Bartolomeo, who recently retired. But Board Chairperson John Colbath said the board has to work with the rule, which was approved by voters. He argues that the mural would likely be seen as art, and not advertising, if its subject did not represent the products found at Leavitts. The town and Young agreed in February to suspend all legal action until a vote on a proposed definition. The proposal failed. The judge now wants to hear from both sides by May 10. Were ready to keep going, Young said. Im Dan Novak. Dan Novak adapted this story for VOA Learning English based on reporting by The Associated Press. _________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story zoning n. a system of rules used to control where businesses and homes are built in a city or town resident n. someone who lives in a particular place code n. a set of laws or regulations LEXINGTON A company with a plan to build houses in 83 days using a new technique got the green light from the Community Development Agency to construct on 16 lots in Lexington. DekmX Homes LLC Manager Austin Hillis appeared before the CDA Monday, April 17, with the plan to build homes using a novel technique. Hillis said he had become interested in the housing issue across Nebraska and different ways to address it. He said housing has become too expensive for the average Nebraskan and construction processes are insufficient to meet the demand. The company has created precast walls that, when paired with a centralized interior and an efficient floor plan, will allow for a home to be built far quicker than the traditional method. The precast walls are built in Lincoln and then shipped to where the house is being constructed. Hillis told the CDA members that from the first shovelful of dirt moved, 83 days later, a family can move into the home thanks to this new technique. He said the homes built like this in Lexington will be the first of their kind. Hillis said the walls will require minimal maintenance by the homeowner, stand up to harsh weather and act as a sound barrier. The price of a three-bedroom, two-bath home with a garage would be around $250,000, while a two-bedroom house will be around $200,000. The proposed site is the St. Anns Second Addition, just off Taft Street, south of the housing project being built by the Prairie Fire Development Group. Pending approval, the hope is to start within the next 30 to 35 days, Hillis said. We believe this is a good idea, City Manager Joe Pepplitsch told the CDA. Its pretty amazing, a 90-day guarantee period, referring to a build period allowing for some weather delays. Asked by the CDA about the cost of the precast walls, Hillis said the walls on their own are more expensive than standard materials, but the saving comes from the labor needed to build a home in the traditional way. Labor which we cant find right now, Pepplitsch added. Regarding the building technique, Pepplitsch said he sees potential for other projects, such as senior housing. The CDA moved to approve the development agreement with DekmX Homes. The next item on the agenda was the Holiday Inn Express project that had been approved in 2019 but was put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Pepplitsch said there were no major changes to the project; it will still be an 82-room, four-story hotel on the acre tract just south of Goodwill. The plan is to begin construction in July and be finished by September. The only major changes to the project were related to the tax increment financing as the numbers have changed from 2019 to 2023. The total cost of the project is estimated to be $18.5 million with $2.6 million eligible for TIF. The projected assessed value of the property following construction is estimated to be $14 million. Having been on the shelf for several years, the project will need to go before the planning commission and the city council for their approval before returning to the CDA for the final issuance of the TIF note. The CDA approved the amendment to the redevelopment plan. The next item was a resolution recommending the Taco Johns redevelopment plan. The plan proposes building a new Taco Johns restaurant just south of the Scooters Coffee, east of Walmart. The franchise would move away from the Highway 30 corridor, where it has been located for decades. Construction on the new location is anticipated to start in May 2023 and be finished by fall 2023. Pepplitsch said Taco Johns is working with the current owner of the ground near Scooters, a subsidiary of Viaero Wireless, to acquire the site in question. The Taco Johns site in Lexington is owned by Derock Inc., registered to Juliska Derockbraine. Derockbraine noted at a past meeting that the move was being mandated by the Taco Johns corporate office. The CDA approved the resolution. The last item was the establishment of restrictive covenants for the ODonnell Fourth Addition. The covenants covered a number of items, including landscaping, dog kennels, antennas, temporary structures, signs and recreational vehicles. The minimum dwelling size was set at 1,400 square feet. During the roundtable discussion, Pepplitsch said there will be a redevelopment project to consider in May and the issuance of the TIF note for the Holiday Inn project will likely come in June. He said he is also working on quotes for the proposed strip mall along Highway 30. The lawmakers Chui Sai Peng and Wang Sai Man, jointly with the business sectors, are calling on the government to remedy labor shortages by allowing more non-resident workers (TNR). The two lawmakers, in separate spoken inquiries delivered at the Legislative Assembly in the period before the agenda on Wednesday, said that the survival of local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) depends on cheaper labor. They called on the government to accelerate authorizations to import unskilled labor. Chui noted that the SMEs are at a crucial point in their development and that only by being able to hire TNR will they be able to benefit from the economic recovery that is gradually taking place as more tourists enter Macau. The same lawmaker also called on the government to promote an extension, until 2024, of the tax and fees exemptions and reductions as well as a pause to the payment of interest on subsidies, included in the package of Measures to support the fight against the epidemic and worth ten billion patacas, stating that the radical elimination [at once of] all support measures for the SMEs is harmful at a time when [SMESs] need to be recovering. Chui also proposed the government consider creating a special Work Card with a duration of just one year to be renewed three months before expiration to ensure the continuing need for such manpower. The purpose would be to facilitate the hiring and dismissal of these workers, who would be temporary and not regular TNR, so that companies could have some time to use this affordable labor to pay their accumulated debts. Macau and Portugal are historically closely connected and possess a strong foundation of partnership, Secretary for Economy and Finance Lei Wai Nong has said during his official visit to Portugal. Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng is leading a delegation to Europe for his first official excursion. The delegation comprises Lei and Secretary for Transport and Public Works Raimundo do Rosario. In a business enticement event co-hosted with the Portuguese government, Lei attempted to attract Portuguese investors with the new mode of synergic development between Macau and Hengqin. According to the official, the development will be based on shared fruits nurtured with regional and international resources. On the other hand, Francisco Andre, state secretary for diplomacy and cooperation of the Portuguese Foreign Ministry, expressed his elation that the Macau delegation picked his home country as the first stop in the debut foreign visit. He described the arrival of the delegation as opening direct bridges between the business sectors of the two places. He hoped that cooperation will continue and improve, with particular emphasis on areas such as renewable energy, blue sustainable economy and healthcare. He also invited Macau entrepreneurs to invest in Portugal. The event was to see 11 contract-signings and 68 negotiation sessions as well as 220 representatives from Macau, Portugal and Hengqin involved. Lei added that the government would make full use of the opportunities offered by the Cooperation Zone in Hengqin to optimise the business environment so that Portuguese and other overseas investors could use Macau and Hengqin as an entry point into the 1.4-billion strong Chinese consumer market. AL * For real?! Business sector lawmakers want more and cheaper manpower * Lisbon visit | President Marcelo, Ho discuss culture, Portuguese status in MSAR * Taste of Edesia * Another local lawyer writes in a Portuguese newspaper as Ho visits Lisbon Alvaro Rodrigues commends the success of Macaus development * Gaming: Sands China notches USD1b in first quarter revenue * Santander UK boss says ring if you need financial help DOWNLOAD PDF Friday, April 21, 2023 edition no. 4230 Lawyer Alvaro Rodrigues The Chief Executive of Macau is currently visiting Portugal, with the aim of strengthening exchange and cooperation between Macau and Portugal, and showcasing the success of Macaus development over the past 20 years since its transfer, writes Alvaro Rodrigues, a prominent lawyer and board member of the Macaus barristers association (AAM), in an opinion piece published yesterday in Portugals Diario de Noticias. He is the second local lawyer to comment on Hos visit in a major Portuguese daily, after Sergio de Almeida Correia, in Publico, earlier this week. Unlike Correia, a prolific and outspoken writer and commentator on Macau legal, social, and political affairs, Rodrigues has remained low-profile. Outside the court walls, he has scarcely made public comment. Now, in DN opinion pages, Rodrigues reflects on his experience living and working in Macau and notes that while he faces challenges in his daily work as an attorney, he recognizes the effort made by Chinese judges to write their decisions in Portuguese language when Portuguese lawyers are involved. He acknowledges that the legal system in Macau is not perfect but argues against making broad generalizations about its flaws. Rodrigues stresses the importance of maintaining a legal system based on the rule of law, and asserts that it is essential to have independent and impartial lawyers and judges who serve the law and justice. He argues that this is indeed the case in Macau, where there is a continuity of the legal system and a commitment to upholding the principles of the Basic Law. While the Chinese language may have some predominance, he views this as a natural reflection of the evolution of society. Rodrigues also notes that residents of Macau from foreign countries continue to be welcomed and respected. He said that the principles underlying the establishment of the Macau Special Administrative Region are enshrined in the Basic Law, and that the transition from Portuguese to Chinese sovereignty in 1999 was not simply a matter of changing flags. While there are certainly challenges and imperfections in the legal system in Macau, Rodrigues believes that it is vital to approach these issues with nuance and a commitment to upholding the rule of law. Diario de Noticias, where Rodrigues published his piece yesterday, is 30%-owned by businessman-cum-politician Kevin Ho, a Macau member of the National Peoples Congress; a circle of power in China that already produced two Chief Executives: Edmund Ho and Ho Iat Seng. PC The new Regime for Public Parking bill passed its final reading on Wednesday evening at the Legislative Assembly (AL) plenary session with all votes in favor. A few Articles with which lawmakers did not agree did not pass. In one of those cases, lawmaker Ron Lam requested separate voting on Article 1. He considered there to be a lack of response from the government in addressing issues related to the differences between private and public car parks. The lawmaker claims that while the procedures and management style are similar, the rights of the drivers as well as pedestrians are different between public and private car parks, a situation with which he disagrees. He called on the government to make the rules uniform. Otherwise, the bill was passed unanimously and will come into force from August 1 this year. One of the most important changes in the bill is related to the enforcement of only electronic payment of street parking meters that will stop accepting coins, and this will come into force as early as May 1. The measures assist the management of the companies that have the concession of the parking meters, which will now require less staff to handle the coin collection as well as other tasks related to the handling and bank deposit of the coins. At the AL, the director of the Transport Bureau (DSAT) Kevin Lam also said that it is commonly understood between the government and the companies that manage the different car parks and street parking areas that motorcyclists often fail to pay for parking and are reluctant to park in the parking lots, instead preferring to leave their motorcycles on the streets often illegally. Lam said DSAT is monitoring the situation and is coordinating with the authorities. The same official also noted that the price of parking meters for motorcycles has not been adjusted for over 30 years, claiming there is no reason why riders cannot park appropriately. A man and a woman from Mongolia, who may have been connected to a theft in Macau in 2019, were arrested on Apr. 16 evening on allegations of recent credit card theft and abuse, the Judiciary Police have announced. The police believe that the quinquagenarians had stolen a womans wallet and credit cards at a casino in Cotai, before using the cards to buy clothes, shoes and cosmetics products. The woman reported the case to the police upon founding her lost cards had been used to spend MOP27,500. The duo, meanwhile, was arrested upon leaving Macau from the Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal. Related Sands China notched revenue of USD1.27 billion in the three months from January through March, more than doubling that figure on a year-over-year basis, Las Vegas Sands disclosed in its earnings report. The gaming operator recorded USD547 million in the first quarter of 2022. Its net loss was USD10 million, compared to USD336 million a year earlier. In Macau, we were pleased to see the ongoing recovery now underway in all gaming and non-gaming segments accelerate during the quarter. We remain deeply enthusiastic about the opportunity to continue our investments to enhance Macaus tourism appeal to travelers from throughout the region, including to foreign visitors to Macau, said CEO Rob Goldstein in a statement. Sands China sported a year-to-date growth of 23.5% Wednesdayone of the best showings among all large-cap gaming equities. Still, analysts believe the Macau rebound is in its infancy, indicating there could be more upside ahead for the stock, according to media reports. Las Vegas Sands reported positive adjusted property earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization at each of its Macau locations for the first time since 2019. Our decades-long commitment to making investments that enhance the business and leisure tourism appeal of Macau and support its development as a world center of business and leisure tourism positions us exceedingly well to deliver strong growth as visitation to the market increases and the recovery in travel and tourism spending proceeds, added Goldstein in the statement.LV Ringing a bank when facing financial problems as prices soar will make things better, not worse, according to the boss of Santander. Mike Regnier, UK chief executive of the bank, said early notice of difficulties can save further pain and may not affect a customers credit rating. The BBC visited Santanders support centre as staff took calls from people struggling to afford nappies and milk. Staff say some cases can leave them in tears. Sometimes it does bring a tear or two to your eye. People do go through difficult times, said Maxx Townend, one of the helpline operators working in Bradford. But youve got to be that strong point for them. If theres two people breaking down on the phone its going to be a bit of a jumble. But if youre being that strong person, they are going to feel strong as well. The rising cost of living has meant calls to the helpline are up 14% since last year, while the number of people accessing the support pages of its website is up nearly 50%. Maxx Townend has been taking calls alongside colleagues Mr Townend, 23, has been with the company for seven months, having been inspired to join after he sought help from his bank during the pandemic. Ive been in their shoes and I thought, I want to do it, he said. His colleague, Keri Machen, has worked at Santander for 15 years. We need to show that we are human at the end of the phone, she said. There are some stories which are incredibly difficult for them to explain, for us to hear and to know the right thing to say. But I think that as long as we take the time to really understand what they are telling us we can work together and find a way out. During the BBCs visit [yesterday], some customers were looking for basic advice on how to reduce their spending, but many were calling in to get funds released to pay for everyday essentials. We know the challenges, that this is real life that people are dealing with day in, day out, Mr Regnier said. The team is proactively contacting customers who they assess as being at risk of not being able to cover their monthly outgoings. Research and transaction data from elsewhere in the sector has suggested that many people have avoided debt by using savings and cutting back on non-essential spending. Two broad camps have emerged among consumers as prices and bills have soared over the winter, although everyones financial situation is different. Banks say that millions of people had built up a savings buffer during Covid lockdowns and have kept their jobs, which had helped to accommodate the rising cost of living. They have also cut back on various elements of spending to help their situation. The second group do not have that luxury and, although they may be working, could have already been in financial difficulty. Mr Regnier, from Santander, said that he had not seen a big increase in the number of customers that are falling behind on the debts nor a big increase in the amount that people are borrowing. For instance with mortgage payments, there are still fewer customers in arrears than there were before the pandemic. Around 60 customers a month are referred to PayPlan, the free debt advice group funded by all the banks and the credit industry. Among those who has received help is Zack Wilson, from Sheffield. After losing his partner to cancer, he found his money problems spiralled. He lost freelance work, had to move house and had unexpected bills to pay. Soaring energy and food bills were the final straw, leading to what he describes as a sheer fear of thinking, what will happen? Ive not got enough money to last. I didnt realise how precarious life could be, he said. Last year he went through an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA), a form of insolvency proceedings, He found that being able to communicate online and on WhatsApp with advisers made a huge difference. Im not the kind of person who finds it easy to ask for help but Id urge anyone to do it, dont shy away from it bite the bullet, he said. He is now a union rep alongside working at Sheffield City Council. He is still struggling with the money he has to live on but he can see light at the end of the tunnel. Emma Simpson & Kevin Peachey, London, BBC News, Courtesy BBC News As part of a joint military exercise with the Philippines, the U.S. Navy is slated to sink a mock warship on April 26, 2023, in the South China Sea. The live-fire drill is not a response to increased tensions with China over Taiwan, both the U.S. and the Philippines have stressed. But, either way, Beijing isnt happy responding by holding its own staged military event involving actual warships and fighter jets deployed around Taiwan, a self-governed island that Beijing claims as its own. The tit-for-tat war games underscore a reality that U.S. presidents have increasingly had to contend with as the 21st century has drawn on. More than a century after President Theodore Roosevelt made the United States the preeminent maritime power in the Pacific, that position is under threat. China is seeking to displace it. As a scholar of East Asian security and maritime disputes, I believe that the growing rivalry between the U.S. and China over dominance of the Pacific has the potential to define geopolitics in the Indo-Pacific region for the next half-century. Already, ongoing maritime disputes pit China against several Asian countries. For example, China regularly challenges the maritime rights of Vietnam, the Philippines and Malaysia in the South China Sea and Japan in the East China Sea. But the disputed waters are also of huge strategic importance to the U.S. It is where China is flexing its growing military might in the face of U.S. allies and partners, notably Taiwan, which the U.S. has committed to defend. If a war between China and the U.S. is going to happen, I believe the South China Sea is likely to be a major theater, with Chinese aggression toward Taiwan the spark. The scramble over the South China Sea For centuries, the dozens of islands, shoals, reefs, banks and rocks in the South China Sea were regarded as little more than hazards to navigation. But with the discovery of large reserves of oil and gas in the 1970s and billions of dollars worth of fisheries, the previously largely ignored sea has gained significant attention from the countries whose shorelines meet it. It led to a revival of elapsed conflicting claims of ownership over the sea. China currently claims legal rights to the vast majority of the South China Sea, extending well beyond the boundaries established by the 1982 U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). This claim by China, designated on maps by a nine-dash line, overlaps with the maritime and territorial rights of the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia. Over the past decade, China has consistently engaged in low-level coercive activities called gray zone tactics. Since 2013, China has also built up several reefs and shoals into artificial islands, building military bases with runways, radar technology and missile-launching capabilities. In 2016, an UNCLOS Annex VII arbitration panel ruled that Chinas nine-dash line claims were illegal and rejected Chinas rights to maritime features in the legal waters of the Philippines. But despite the ruling, China has continued to militarize its artificially built-up islands and pressure neighboring countries military and fishing vessels. It has also denied passage to U.S. Navy ships sailing through waters in the South China Sea. Successive U.S. administrations have aired concern over developments in the sea. In 2020, then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo issued a U.S. position on the South China Sea, rejecting Chinas maritime claims and its bullying tactics as unlawful. His successor, Antony Blinken, in 2021 declared: Nowhere is the rules-based maritime order under greater threat than in the South China Sea. But why does the South China Sea matter so much to the U.S.? The answer lies in economics and power politics. A source of trade, natural resources About one-third of the worlds shipping transits the South China Sea. In all, more than US$3.4 trillion worth of products everything from rubber ducks to cars is transported through its waters every year. The sea connects the Pacific Ocean to the Indian Ocean, allowing trade from East Asian countries to flow to and from billions of people in South Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Europe. It is also where 14% of all U.S. maritime trade passes through. It is a crucial route for outgoing U.S. goods as well as getting products to the U.S. Without it, the transport of products we use every day would slow down, and these products would cost more. And then there are oil and gas. Around 30% of all global crude oil transits through the South China Sea. Furthermore, there is an estimated $11 billion worth of oil and 190 trillion cubic feet of proven deposits of natural gas in the sea, as well as undiscovered oil and gas. Meanwhile, more than half of all fishing vessels in the world operate in the South China Sea. For economic reasons alone, the U.S. and the rest of the world need open trade routes and sea lanes in the South China Sea. Preventing one country especially a hostile China from controlling these trade routes and resources is a crucial policy concern for Washington. Power politics at sea Although economics plays a part, Chinas actions in the South China Sea are part of a much broader aggressive campaign. Beijing views territorial and maritime control in the region through the lens of its national security. It seeks to project its power in the region and defend the Chinese mainland. Ultimately, as acknowledged by the U.S. government, China is looking to overturn the status quo, replacing the U.S. as the superpower. This battle for power is already taking shape in the South China Sea, with regular confrontations between U.S. naval vessels and Chinas maritime militia and navy. The artificial islands in the South China Sea provide China with military capabilities far beyond the mainland alone. These outposts can be used to help counter and fight the U.S. and its allies, for example, in a war over Taiwan. While the U.S. is not itself a claimant in the South China Sea disputes, the waters there remain a significant priority for the national security interests of Washington, too. It is why the U.S. and its allies conduct freedom of navigation missions through the South China Sea and engage in naval exercises such as the one taking place in April 2023 with the Philippines. With China playing by a different set of rules than the U.S. and its allies in the region, the risk of clashes at sea is very real. It could even lead to conflict between the two most powerful countries in the world today. The next time a warship is blown up in the South China Sea, I fear that it may not be just a drill. Krista Wiegand, University of Tennessee, MDT/The Conversation ANCHORAGE, Alaska A 1-year-old Australian shepherd took an epic trek across 150 miles (241 kilometers) of frozen Bering Sea ice that included being bitten by a seal or polar bear before he was safely returned to his home in Alaska. Mandy Iworrigan, Nanuq's owner who lives in Gambell, Alaska, and her family were visiting Savoogna, another St. Lawrence Island community in the Bering Strait, last month when Nanuq disappeared with their other family dog, Starlight, the Anchorage Daily News reported. Starlight turned up a few weeks later, but Nanuq, which means polar bear in Siberian Yupik, was nowhere to be found. About a month after Nanuq disappeared, people in Wales, 150 miles (241 kilometers) northeast of Savoonga on Alaska's western coast, began posting pictures online of what they described as a lost dog. "My dad texted me and said, 'There's a dog that looks like Nanuq in Wales,'" Iworrigan said. The events of Nanuq's journey will likely always be a mystery. Except for a swollen leg, with large bite marks from an unidentified animal, Nanuq was in pretty good health. Wisconsin author Steve Foxs short story Sometimes Creek recently earned the Zona Gale Award for Short Fiction through the Wisconsin Writers Awards through Art Lit Lab. His collection of short stories, also called Sometimes Creek, was published in January and includes 17 pieces, many with a strong Midwestern connection. Fox will discuss his works during an event at Mystery to Me bookstore in early May. Q: Congratulations on your book. Theres a lot to unpack in just the first few stories. How do you describe Sometimes Creek? A: The stories are written within the last three or four years. A number of them during the pandemic or spanned the pandemic I started them before and ended them after. Its kind of (about) how we process things like loss, and our inner obsessions. The narratives are pretty much from all perspectives second person, first person, third person. Some of the narratives are (told by) the young, some are women, some are men. (I like) writing from a younger perspective. Kids are really transparent and they dont pull any punches. They say what they see. (Young narrators) give you the ability to put things bluntly (like how) some of our adult systems in place are working, or, in the case of my narrators, not working. A lot of the questions that adults have in their heads, kids just blurt out. Q: You talk about themes of loss and grief tying the stories together. Theres also a bit of dark humor woven into the stories as well, do you agree? A: Yes. Most people feel a little guilty about some of the things in my stories that they end up laughing at. I guess thats how life can be so frank and brutal at the same time. So absurd its funny. I do think the themes are more universal than just Midwestern (living), even though the setting is profoundly Midwest. In that regard, I did not realize what I had done when I pulled the stories together how they were classically Midwest. Sometimes Creek is a good example. That (story) focuses on a Midwestern Halloween street, though the storys not really about Halloween. Its about a man who lost his wife and is trying to figure out how to tell his daughter. People from all over the U.S. say (this story) feels like it could happen right down their street. Q: What was your inspiration for the stories? Are they influenced much by your past experiences or more by what you observe around you? A: Its mostly what I observe. Some of the stories border on dystopia and (that concept) is kind of everywhere. When you read the news for a few days, some of the stuff thats happening ... its not hard (to imagine a dystopian reality). One of the stories is called Yard Mary (about how a city government) comes up with a solution for all the plastic in the ocean. The solution is ridiculous, addressing the symptom, not the problem. (The story) is borderline horror. Q: Are you surprised that some of your stories are considered in the horror genre? A: No. (Horror) isnt all chainsaws and blood splatter. Its dark stories that make you tense all the way through. Q: Youve written a lot. Do you write full time? A: I dont write full time. I kind of write around interruptions in my life and my day job. I work as a software engineer. I have three kids and keep pretty busy. A lot of the work in writing gets done between 5 and 7 in the morning and 11 p.m. and 1 in the morning. Ive had more than one all-night affair with writing something and going straight into work. Id like to be able to sit down and write full time, but until I can sell half a million books, its not going to happen. Q: Congratulations on your recent Zona Gale Award for the story Sometimes Creek. Were you surprised? A: Thank you. I got lucky. I had a good feeling about that story though. But until you get a story published, you dont have a chance at an award of that prestige. Its so hard to get published in the first place, even if its a really good story. The process can be so subjective. (I once wrote a story) called Dumplings. Its short, like 900 words long. When I started to take writing a little more seriously I sent it to the Wisconsin Writers Association contest for feedback. The judge hated the story. (The notes were, paraphrasing:) You should just consider doing something else. Brutal. Most people think the story is dark and funny. Then, I sent it in again the next year (with a) different judge, and it won the Jade Ring Award. It went from getting horribly panned to winning the contest. Q: What do you like about writing short-form fiction? A: I like it because it makes me focus on the thread of the story more. (Short stories) are a degree closer to poetry. Some people call my writing poetic prose. I try to keep the prose simple, quick and easy to read; but also to manage the story threads and to do it all in 5,000 words, sometimes less. There are times when the story demands more. Flash fiction, or short-short fiction, I find those really challenging to write. You have to economize your use of words and turns-of-phrase. I do see things as pretty complex the storylines of peoples lives. I like to give a lot of value to the secondary character, too. Its very challenging to be able to do that in 4,000 to 5,000 words. Q: Do you ever think about writing a novel-length story? A: I have some ideas for a novel. Sometimes I have a hard time (envisioning) one story arc going 70,000 to 80,000 words. Sometimes Creek (the book) is 60,000 words, thats pretty much novel length. Its daunting, for sure. My writing is very impulsive and spontaneous and almost subconscious. (The next day I look and say) Wow I actually wrote this! I cannot write a story from an outline. The outline needs to happen after Ive done a bunch of stuff. To me, the impact of that on my writing would be counter-artistic. RACINE | FORMER COUNCIL MEMBER MILWAUKEE The former chair of the Wisconsin Parole Commission who until this week was also an alderman in Racine has been charged with a felony, accused of using his capacity as a public official for private interests. John Tate II was charged Tuesday with one count of "private interest in a public contract while working in a public capacity" in Racine County, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported. According to the complaint, Tate unlawfully negotiated terms of his employment for Racine's new violence interruption coordinator position, after approving the creation of the job as president of the Common Council. Prosecutors argue that Tate's applying for the job, and negotiating terms of his employment agreement, "acted on behalf of his own pecuniary interest." Tate initially announced that he would resign as an alderman to begin as violence interruption coordinator in mid-November. However, he didn't resign until his term ended Monday after he said he had been advised that state law prohibits sitting local elected officials from taking positions that were created during their term of office. If convicted, Tate faces 3 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Tate's attorney, Pat Cafferty, had not responded to an email seeking comment. Last year, Gov. Tony Evers asked for Tate's resignation as parole commission chairman, after Tate's decision to parole Douglas Balsewicz, who was convicted of stabbing his wife to death, in the presence of the couple's two young children. A Madison man faces federal charges in Texas of stalking and impersonating an FBI agent after an adult internet personality told authorities the man tried to lure her out of her home by claiming to be an agent arresting her on warrants. Court documents state that on Nov. 4, Jack W. McQuestion, 28, flew to Texas from Madison and went to the Austin home of a woman who has a page on the OnlyFans website, a subscription service that provides creators of adult content with a platform for their material. There he rang her doorbell, and, through a locked screen door, claimed to be an FBI agent who had a warrant for the womans arrest, telling her, You have to come with me. When the woman, who was not identified by name in the documents, told McQuestion that she needed to confirm his claim by calling police, he left and flew back to Madison, according to a search warrant filed in U.S. District Court in Madison. An actual FBI agent writing an affidavit in support of a search warrant for McQuestions apartment in Madison wrote that she believes McQuestions visit was an attempt to abduct the woman. The womans home is equipped with a security camera that captured video of the encounter, though not all of the audio, the document states. McQuestion was arrested Wednesday as agents executed a search warrant at his apartment on Tennyson Lane on Madisons North Side. There, according to a list filed in court, agents seized a fake FBI badge and credentials, pepper spray, a black tactical jacket, paperwork that was addressed to the woman in Texas, and other items. He also had a Wisconsin license plate that was an apparent fake, according to the list. In his apartment, according to another court document, agents also found a list of Things to buy, which included a garrote or clay cutter, FBI jacket, FBI badge and a knife. A garrote a handheld wire used to strangle a person was found by agents in an Amazon package in McQuestions apartment. McQuestion appeared in federal court in Madison on Thursday for a detention hearing, which will be continued at a later date. The indictment was filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas in Austin, where McQuestion would be arraigned if he is ordered to be sent there. According to the search warrant: McQuestion had tried to track down the woman before the November incident. Banking records showed he had made multiple payments to internet companies that help locate people, including White Pages, Hooya and Spokeo, and that he had sent two certified letters, in November and December 2021, to the womans former address in Woodinville, Washington. The letters were forwarded to the womans home in Austin. Because they were certified letters, notification of the final address to which they were delivered was sent to McQuestion. The return address on both letters was Jack McQuestion at McQuestions parents home in Hartland. Airline records showed that McQuestion flew to Austin from Madison in August and returned three days later, but the woman did not encounter him during that trip. Then on Nov. 3, McQuestion returned to Austin. The next day he went to the womans home where he claimed to be FBI Special Agent Harry Miller and told the woman there were warrants for her arrest, one for drugs, another for prostitution. When the woman said she needed to call police for verification, he left. Afterward, the woman searched McQuestions name on Google from the letters he had sent her before. When she found his LinkedIn profile, she recognized the photo in the profile as the person who had claimed to be an FBI agent. McQuestions LinkedIn profile states he is a data scientist at Multiplan, a firm that helps companies manage health care plans. Investigators surmised he works at home, as his car never left his assigned parking spot at the building while agents conducted surveillance on his apartment before executing a search warrant there. The long-standing debate and impasse over how to fund a new Dane County Jail has come to a resolution for now, with the County Board signing off Thursday on putting another $13.5 million toward the project. Supervisors passed the new funding on a 32-5 vote, bringing the total amount of funding for the project to $179.5 million. After years of rising costs, pauses, counter-proposals, scale-backs and failed attempts to put the matter to voters in a referendum, the effort to build a six-story, 825-bed jail will move forward. Bids for the project are expected to go out in early June, with construction possible by the fall, said board Chair Patrick Miles, 34th District. When completed, the project will close the outdated jail at the City-County Building that has been called inhumane and the South Side work-release facility in the Ferris Center. All the countys jail facilities would then be consolidated in the existing Public Safety Building at 115 W. Doty St. and a six-story tower to be built next to it. Few spoke in outright support of the jail project on Thursday, with some maintaining their opposition to it. I cannot ignore all the other projects that could be funded with these funds, projects that would support investment in our communities and go toward the root causes of crime, said Sup. Kierstin Huelsemann, 27th District. Huelsemann and Sups. Mike Bare, Yogesh Chawla, Analiese Eicher and Heidi Wegleitner voted against the jail funding. Thanks to a compromise reached by Sheriff Kalvin Barrett and the boards Black Caucus, Thursdays consequential vote had far less of the rhetoric aimed at trying to win colleagues over that has marked the debate over the jail in recent years. Under the bargain between Barrett and the caucus, key holdouts against building a six-story jail addition, the caucus will support the new funding and Barrett will back removing federal inmates from the jail, a reform recommended by the JFA Institute, the countys criminal justice consultant. The Sheriffs Office typically holds about 50 people in the jail who are awaiting trial in the federal court system under a decades-old contract with the U.S. Marshals Service. Those in support of ending the contract noted that the reimbursement fees paid by the Marshals Service do not cover the average cost to house inmates. Supporters also want to bring back the several dozen inmates who have been housed in jails in Iowa, Oneida and Rock counties since Barrett closed part of the City-County Building jail in August. The board removed Barretts authority to house federal inmates at the jail on a voice vote Thursday night. He will have until Nov. 1 to end the arrangement. In their compromise, Barrett and the Black Caucus agreed to work toward other reforms, including supporting a countywide mental health response program, ending solitary confinement in the new jail, a mental health court and expanding alternatives to youth incarceration. Members of the Black Caucus did not speak in support of the new funding Thursday night. A long time coming The proceedings on Thursday were a far cry from when the board passed the initial $148 million for the jail in 2019. At that meeting, the shouts and chants of protestors stalled the meeting for about 15 minutes. That level of public mobilization against the jail project appears long gone, with red and black Derail the Jail signs now only in the occasional window or yard. In the time since the 2019 meeting, Dane County has undergone a reckoning over racism and the criminal justice system spurred by the demonstrations of 2020 after the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Since 2020, the county and its seat, Madison, have made strides in reforming the criminal justice system even as ample work remains. Madison has implemented CARES, a successful alternative to policing where EMTs and crisis workers are sent to mental health emergencies in lieu of law enforcement. Madison has a civilian-led police oversight board and its first independent police monitor, which can investigate the citys police department. A county-run Crisis Triage Center, a mental health facility that would compliment CARES, has identified its future home in the Ferris Center. The county now has an Office of Criminal Justice Reform. Weekend court and a mental health court are being explored, and the board is exploring how to spend a $500,000 grant to establish a community court. Even with those efforts, the racial disparities in the criminal justice system are persistent. As of Thursday, Black inmates made up 51% of the jail population in a county where Black residents are about 6% of the population. But through all that, the jail problem continued for county leaders. Caught between new politics around criminal justice and the genuine need to close the 1950s-style jail at the City-County Building, a definitive solution was never reached until Thursday. Faced with rising costs, the board took a floor off the originally proposed seven-story, 925-bed jail in March 2022. Within weeks, that proposal was millions over budget. Counter-proposals and efforts to close the funding gap ensued for about a year. A five-story jail, championed by the Black Caucus and tied to other reforms, passed in budget talks last fall. County Executive Joe Parisi vetoed it because of crowding concerns. Parisi, Barrett, former sheriffs and more moderate members of the board pushed repeatedly for more funding and putting the jail funding to a referendum. Those efforts failed. The Madison Club, the citys oldest private club, has apologized after appearing to endorse an anti-trans comment on its Facebook page. The club posted a photo Wednesday of its recently renovated pink washroom and then appeared to like a comment that was hostile to transgender people, according to screenshots of the post. The original post with the comment has been taken down. The comment said, Its beautiful. I hope your (sic) not letting men dressed as women in there, followed by a pink heart. In its apology, the Madison Club said Thursday it doesnt tolerate hate crimes and called the club a welcoming, safe and inclusive space for everyone. We sincerely apologize for recent events that have caused harm and discomfort within our community, the message read. Specifically, we recognize that a discriminatory comment was liked on our social media platform. We understand that our actions, as well as the actions of other individuals, have caused harm to our community. We want to express our sincere regret and apology for any harm that we may have caused. It continued: We want to assure you that the club does not condone such behavior ... We recognize that we have a responsibility to take action to address the situation and prevent it from happening in the future. Some members of Madisons LGBTQ community and its allies said the apology didnt go far enough. To be honest, Im not entirely surprised. Disappointed, but not surprised is maybe the short and simple way to say that, said Patrick Farabaugh, owner and publisher of Our Lives Magazine, a source of Wisconsin LGBTQ news. Farabaugh said that while the Madison Club has hosted LGBTQ events, hes never seen club officials attend LGBTQ events. So, it seems like theyre allies when it is profitable, he said. The clubs general manager, Mary Gaffney-Ward, said she learned about the anti-trans comment on Facebook on Thursday morning, adding that it appears to have been posted by a social media troll who is not a club member. Internet trolls do not represent the club or its members, she said. Gaffney-Ward said multiple people have had access to the clubs Facebook account, and she and her board are reviewing access and intend to tighten it up. She said as soon as she became aware of the situation, she consulted with members of the clubs board and issued an initial apology. I have since talked directly to the person who first shared this situation and offered my apology, Gaffney-Ward said. This person offered their help to connect us with the LGBTQ community so we can move forward from this terrible mistake.A story in Tuesdays Wisconsin State Journal said the remodeling project was intended to show that the club is changing with the times. The club, established in 1909, has been at 5 E. Wilson St. since 1918 when the building was built. The club, which has about 700 members, revamped its 40,000-square-foot third floor. In the story, Gaffney-Ward, who became the first female general manager of the club 22 years ago, pointed out that women werent able to become members of the club until the 1970s. Sara Neverman, 40, of Madison, commented on the post in support of the LGBTQ community. Neverman, who works in the insurance industry and identifies not as LGBTQ but as an ally, said if it were a mistake, the clubs social media person could have unliked it and should have also gone farther to say, We do not accept comments like this on our posts ... Rather than post an apology and just delete the whole original post. Farabaugh, of Our Lives Magazine, said white collar privilege can often insulate people from understanding how theyre causing harm or marginalizing other groups. It also can prevent them from doing the work they should be doing in the community. So, assuming the best, Im going to hope that maybe the person responsible for the Madison Club social media wasnt aware of what that comment was implying, he said. But still it seemed a bit reckless and a very obvious need for more cultural competency work on behalf of their business. Take a look at 'Immersive Van Gogh' RACINE Nearly a dozen Wisconsin law enforcement officers who opened fire on an armed man wanted for allegedly trying to run over a police officer wont face criminal charges, a prosecutor announced Thursday. Hunter Hanson, 25, was shot three times and died after 11 officers from different agencies opened fire on him after a standoff in a farm field in January. Racine County District Attorney Patricia Hanson wrote in a report that Hunter Hanson twice raised a handgun toward the officers. She said that the officers did their best to talk Hanson into surrendering and gave first aid after he was shot. If the officers were just there to take a life, I would have expected a different response, the district attorney wrote. Hunter Hanson was charged in 2019 with attempted first-degree intentional homicide. Prosecutors alleged that in December 2018, he walked into an auto parts store, threatened the manager and tried to use his vehicle to hit a responding police officer as he drove away, the Racine Journal-Times reported in January. In December 2022, he was on bail awaiting trial when he fled from a traffic stop and removed his GPS ankle monitor, according to the district attorneys report. A U.S. marshal spotted him driving on Jan. 16, leading to a high-speed chase. Hunter Hanson eventually crashed his pickup into a creek and tried to flee across a Kenosha County field, but officers closed in and a standoff followed, according to the report. The standoff went on for about 1 hours as he held a handgun. He grew increasingly agitated and twice raised the gun toward officers, a Racine County Sheriffs sergeant told investigators. The second time he raised the gun toward them, they opened fire. The Associated Press attempted to reach Mark Richards, Hunter Hansons attorney in the attempted homicide case, via email and phone. The cities with the most break-ins and burglaries Cities With the Most Break-Ins / Burglaries Over the past decade burglary and larceny rates have declined Daytime break-ins of homes are most common Southern states experience the most property crime Small and midsize cities with the most burglaries 15. Dallas, TX 14. Houston, TX 13. Las Vegas, NV 12. Columbus, OH 11. Minneapolis, MN 10. Milwaukee, WI 9. Wichita, KS 8. Kansas City, MO 7. Oklahoma City, OK 6. Bakersfield, CA 5. Seattle, WA 4. Baltimore, MD 3. Detroit, MI 2. Tulsa, OK 1. Memphis, TN The Madison School Board huddled behind closed doors last week to discuss its open government policy. Thats how bad, if not absurd, the districts record on transparency has become. The School Board must do better as it seeks to hire a new district superintendent. Finding a leader strongly committed to letting the public know whats going on inside the citys public schools must be a top priority. The district notified the public recently that its April 10 meeting would be in person for (School Board) members only to discuss the districts policy on open records requests, which have suffered chronic delays. The district planned to set up a video feed of the meeting for the public to watch remotely, but the connection didnt work. Instead of delaying or postponing the meeting until the public could see what the board was doing, the board chose to press forward in secret, violating the spirit if not the letter of Wisconsins open meetings law. A video of the meeting was subsequently posted online. But the troubling incident fits a pattern of poor communication and stubborn resistance to requests for public information that is attracting statewide attention and scorn. The Madison School District has been sued at least six times in the last 19 months over public records. Most of those cases involve media outlets or members of the public demanding documents the district hadnt divulged. But one of the lawsuits was actually filed by the districts own spokesman, Tim LeMonds. After the district determined it had to release a complaint against LeMonds by his staff, the tight-lipped LeMonds whose job is supposed to be communicating with the public sued his employer to stop disclosure. You cant make this stuff up or justify it. Wisconsins public records law is emphatic about the need for openness by public institutions. The law guarantees the greatest possible information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts of those officers and employees who represent them. Providing public records is an essential function of a representative government and an integral part of the routine duties of officers and employees whose responsibility it is to provide such information. Livestream problems mar public's access to Madison School Board discussion on open records The school district has been facing increased criticism over transparency, a problem that was at the forefront Monday night. State law shall be construed in every instance with a presumption of complete public access, and the denial of public access generally is contrary to the public interest, and only in an exceptional case may access be denied. The Madison School Districts attitude seems to be a dismissive whatever. When the School Board learned last week that the video feed wasnt working for the public to watch its meeting, it opened a door to its conference room at the Doyle Administration Building in Madison to supposedly comply with Wisconsins law. But the district had previously warned the public that the meeting was for members only, so the public wasnt there. For a district that often says it doesnt have enough money from taxpayers, thats rude and dismissive treatment of the people who pay the bills. Spokesperson sues Madison School District to prevent release of staff's complaint Staff filed a complaint against Tim LeMonds last fall that he is now trying to prevent from being released publicly. And its not just journalists having a difficult time getting public information from the citys public schools. The mother of a disabled student has been waiting more than a year for information about a hidden camera that may have filmed her daughter in a changing room. The teachers union, frustrated after six months of delay, filed a lawsuit for more information about staff benefits. A conservative group had to sue to finally get a copy of a classroom policy after waiting nearly a year. Its rare for a public institution that depends on taxpayer support to be as awful as this one when it comes to public records and accountability, the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council wrote last month, announcing it was giving the Madison School District its dishonorable No Friend of Openness Award. It didnt help the districts credibility last week when Superintendent Carlton Jenkins, after less than three years on the job, was listed as a finalist for the superintendency in Memphis. He had claimed he was retiring to spend more time with his family. Obviously, something else was going on. Either he wasnt happy, the School Board wasnt, or both. Moving forward, the board must insist on dramatic improvement in communication and transparency. These are public schools, after all. And when public information is lacking, so is public trust and support. BURLEY A 28-year-old local man was arrested Wednesday after police say he entered several homes and, at one, raped a woman at knifepoint. Briayan Vergara of Burley is being held on felony charges of rape, battery with intent to commit a serious felony, two counts of aggravated assault, three counts of burglary, assault of a peace office and attempted kidnapping, according to a Cassia County Sheriffs Office news release on Thursday. A woman who lives near Burley High School, told the Times-News via Facebook messenger that she was a victim. She said Vergara entered her home at 9:05 a.m., put a blanket over her 4-year-old daughters head, picked up the child and carried her to the front door. The woman said Vergara looked out the front door and then put the child down and left. She said her daughter did not understand she was in danger and was talking to Vergara. The womans home surveillance camera captured the incident, and she provided video footage and photos to the Times-News. Police learned Vergara had walked throughout the city from about 6 to 11:44 a.m. Wednesday, entering houses and committing multiple crimes. According to police records, Vergara was booked into jail at 7:56 p.m. Court records had not yet updated on Vergara on Thursday. The Cassia County School District was notified of the incidents and took protective measures for students and staff. There was no credible safety threat for any Burley school, the release said. The Cassia County Sheriffs Office encourages anyone with video footage of Vergara to call 208-878-2251. Idaho is one of the 31 U.S. states without a red-flag law, which allows for temporary firearm removal from individuals believed to be at risk of harming themselves or others. States took millions to enact red-flag gun laws, but many still won't pass them A Lee Enterprises review reveals that lawmakers in 31 states have not passed red-flag laws even as most of those states received federal funding through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. The policy, enacted in 19 states and D.C., is one that gun-safety advocates are pushing for once again across the U.S. in the aftermath of the late March Nashville school shooting, which killed six people. It has bipartisan appeal with some Republicans in favor of it, but second-amendment advocates say the policy is concerning because it entails firearm removal. The policy has bipartisan appeal nationwide, with some Republicans in favor of it. Last summer, GOP Senator Mike Crapo spoke out against the legislature passing the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. I have serious concerns with federal funds being used to help states establish red flag laws, he said. I support Idahos leadership in upholding the Second Amendment, as I commend those working to address violence in our communities to keep students safe. The legislature previously passed the Idaho Firearm and Firearm Accessories and Components Protection Act in 2021, which prevents all Idaho government entities from enforcing executive orders, federal laws, treating and agency orders and rules of the federal government involving firearms, firearm components, ammunition and additional items that conflict with Idaho law. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data, 43,475 people die by guns in an average year, a rate of 13.0 deaths per 100,000 people. Idaho officials say there are no plans to implement a red-flag law, even after receiving about $1.64 million in federal dollars earlier this year to implement gun violence prevention measures. Instead, they plan to use the funding for specialized court-based programs such as drug, mental health, and veterans treatment courts, including those that specifically accept clients with firearms violations; behavioral health deflection for those that are at risk to themselves or others; and funding for law enforcement agencies to safely secure, store, track, and return relinquished guns or for officers to attend specialized training. Recently, the city of Boise announced it would spend nearly $2 million to continue using a hotel as a homeless shelter. Nevermind that local shelters, like Boise Rescue Ministries, said they had the capacity and resources to assist with certain homeless demographic groups, including women and women with children. Boise Mayor Lauren McLeans continued commitment to the failed policies pushed by her big-city colleagues in Portland, Seattle and Los Angeles have garnered plenty of media attention. Less has been said about her radical plan to remake Boise into a high-density urban jungle. Like the planning experts who have remade San Francisco, McLean is using public monies to make local governments your landlord. McLeans radical city planners have deployed Orwellian-sounding affordability incentives to push former President Barack Obamas radical affirmatively furthering fair housing regulations and turn quiet neighborhoods into streetscapes that will resemble the government-constructed and government-run project housing in places like Chicago and Detroit. As president, Donald Trump rescinded Obamas housing regulations but the Biden administration has brought them back, as they seek to make housing the centerpiece of their equity agenda. One of the tools McLean is using is something called upzoning, when planners look to place multi-story or multi-unit dwellings in neighborhoods for single-family homes. In laymans terms, this means radical Democrats want to reconfigure existing zoning rules so that massive low-income apartment buildings can be built right next to your family home destroying your property value. Lots of readers will dismiss this as yet another example of the crazy L.A.-Portland-Seattle ideas taking hold among the wannabe liberal elites in Boise. But its much bigger than just Boise. Affordable housing and the need to responsibly manage massive development is a central issue confronting our state. Liberals know this, and they want to capitalize on the costs and concerns facing so many of Idahos working people to implement their radical agenda to remake American life. Their end goal? Putting government bureaucrats whether theyre urban planners or finance regulators or climate scientists in charge of your home, your mortgage, your future. Ultimately, they want to make home ownership a thing of the past and instead see every American paying rent in a house or apartment owned by the big hedge funds like Black Rock. The Democrats agenda is being pushed all across the country and all around Idaho. Republican policymakers both state and local need to start thinking long and hard about the kinds of cities we will live in and pass on to future generations of Idahos hardworking men and women. Otherwise, Democrats like McLean and her elite friends in L.A. and Portland will have us living smashed head-to-toe in tenement towers with no conceivable way to ever own a home. Idaho is home. Its where many of us were raised and where we chose to raise our families. But as a mother of two daughters, I can no longer encourage them to settle here. This breaks my heart, but Idahos cruel laws deny their freedoms and put them at risk if they ever become pregnant. Countless families face the same gut-wrenching dilemma. Sadly, Idahos extreme abortion ban is just one example of the Legislatures growing hostility to girls and women. Roe v. Wade protected Idahoans from the most extreme positions of its Republican lawmakers. Once it was overturned, Idahos hardline abortion ban took effect. Not only does the law have near-unworkable exceptions for victims of rape and incest but it also allows the rapists family members to sue for cash awards if the victim receives an abortion. Terrifyingly, the ban has zero exceptions to protect the patients health and future fertility. Despite warnings from medical experts about the dangerously restrictive language, Republican politicians refused to act. Instead, they doubled down on their far-right agenda. GUEST COMMENTARY: Our legislators should want to save pregnant women GUEST COMMENTARY: Lets work together to insist on better policies that support pregnant women and families in Idaho, writes Dr. Loren Colson of Boise. Knowing the risks their abortion laws pose for patients, Republican legislators shut down Idahos Maternal Mortality Review Board, which tracked maternal deaths. Then they enacted laws to mandate abortion investigations by local police and restrict interstate travel for abortions. Their attacks extend to birth control, health care access, child care, and more. Before it was resurrected, Republican legislators ended support for child care businesses that had been critical to keeping their doors open. They voted down legislation that would require insurance companies to cover a six-month supply of birth control to ease the travel burden in rural Idaho. They killed a bill to provide menstrual products in schools to keep girls from having to go home midday. They terminated evidence-based adolescent pregnancy prevention Idaho had been conducting for years. And they let a bill to extend postpartum Medicaid coverage die in committee. These assaults have dire consequences that Republican lawmakers continue to ignore. A recent KTVB story recounted the story of Kayla and her husband. They were overjoyed when she became pregnant. Tragically, a 20-week anatomy scan revealed fatal birth defects. The couple had to travel to Washington for Kayla to get an early induction of labor. Speaking about her painful experience, Kayla said, There are so many factors that go into a familys life, a womans life, that they cant account for in legislation. The Republican campaign against women and girls harms us all. It pushes medical practitioners out of state and discourages businesses from investing here. It will eventually drive our children away, too. All girls and women in Idaho deserve the freedoms and opportunities. Idaho Democrats will continue fighting for them. OsloNorways sovereign wealth fund, the largest in the world, posted a gain of $84 billion in the first quarter due to the strong stock market following big losses last year, the central bank said Friday. The robust showing, representing a return of 5.9 percent, erases about half of the funds massive $165.4-billion loss last year amid turbulence over the start of the war in Ukraine. The fund, one of the worlds biggest investors, was worth a dizzying $1.34 trillion at the end of March, or almost $245,000 for each of Norways 5.5 million inhabitants. The equity investments had the most positive contribution to the return in the quarter, the funds deputy director Trond Grande said in a statement. The rise of the equity market was to a great extent driven by the technology and consumer discretionary sector, he added. ADVERTISEMENT Fueled by revenues from Norways state-owned oil and gas companies, the fund is aimed at financing future spending in the generous welfare state. According to a ranking by the Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute (SWFI), the Norwegian fund is the biggest in the world, just ahead of the China Investment Corporation and followed by those in Abu Dhabi, Kuwait and Singapore. Shares, which accounted for 70.1 percent of the Norwegian funds portfolio at the end of March, saw a 7.4 percent return in the first quarter. AFP The fund has stakes in more than 9,200 companies worldwide, representing 1.5 percent of the total market capitalization. Bond investments, representing 27.3 percent of assets, gained 2.7 percent in the period. Real estate holdings and those in unlisted renewable energy projects, which accounted for 2.4 and 0.1 percent, respectively, fell one percent and 3.8 percent. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. WashingtonThe United States seeks a constructive and fair economic relationship with China, even as Washington holds firm in defending the countrys national security, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Thursday. Her speech comes as relations remain strained between the worlds two biggest economies over a variety of issues, from Taiwan to trade to spying. Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang last month accused Washington of stoking tensions between both powers, warning of conflict and confrontation. But Yellen said that the United States remains firm in its conviction to defend its values and national security. Within that context, we seek a constructive and fair economic relationship with China, she said in a speech at Johns Hopkins Universitys School of Advanced International Studies in Washington. ADVERTISEMENT She also raised the need for both countries to be able to frankly discuss difficult issues and work together when possible. Stressing that healthy economic competition is only sustainable with fairness, she said: We will continue to partner with our allies to respond to Chinas unfair economic practices. Yellen noted that China has expanded support for its state-owned enterprises and domestic private firms, to dominate foreign competitors. On the possible economic impact of some US national security decisions, Yellen insisted that those moves were motivated solely by our concerns about our security and values. The US administration is considering a program to restrict certain US outbound investments involving specific sensitive technology with significant national security implications. But Yellen added: Our goal is not to use these tools to gain competitive economic advantage. She also pushed back on the notion that Washington was seeking to stifle Chinas economic and technological modernization, and said America does not seek to decouple its economy from that of China. A US strategy that recognizes Chinas right to modernize and acknowledges that there are economic costs to (the) pursuit of worthy national security goals is a reality-based sustainable starting point, Adam Posen, president of the Peterson Institute for International Economics, said in a statement. Chinese President Xi Jinping previously slammed the United States for leading what he said was an effort to contain and suppress China. Beijings technology ambitions have been hit with restrictions by the United States and its allies, and Chinese authorities have doubled down on the need to move away from imports for sectors seen as key to national security, such as semiconductors. Worrisome indication On differences between Washington and Beijing over the conflict in Ukraine, Yellen said that Chinas no-limits partnership and support for Russia is a worrisome indication that it is not serious about ending the war. She emphasized that China and others must not provide Moscow with material support or help it to evade Western sanctions, but nevertheless stressed the need for the United States and China to cooperate on urgent global challenges. The two countries have clashed in recent years over trade, human rights and other issues, and relations soured even more this year when the United States shot down a Chinese balloon it said was used for surveillance - a claim Beijing strongly denied. While both countries have agreed to boost communication on macroeconomic issues, along with cooperation on climate and debt distress, Yellen said more needs to be done. We call on China to follow through on its promise to work with us on these issues - not as a favor to us, but out of our joint duty and obligation to the world, she added. Saying she plans to travel to China at the appropriate time, Yellen added that she hopes to engage in substantive dialogue with her new counterpart to help lay the groundwork for responsibly managing our bilateral relationship. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Sudans warring forces clashed again in the nations capital early Friday, with bombing and shelling reported in several areas of Khartoum, as they ignored appeals by world powers for an end-of-Ramadan ceasefire. Both UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called separately for a ceasefire of at least three days to mark Eid al-Fitr in the mostly Muslim country, as explosions and gunfire resounded in the capital Khartoum for the sixth straight night. On the night of Eid al-Fitr, several areas of Khartoum were bombed and are still exposed to shelling and clashes between the armed forces and the RSF, the Central Committee of Sudan Doctors said in a statement. We call on all citizens to exercise caution, stay home, close doors and windows and lie down. We also call on these forces to be responsible and immediately stop fighting to protect innocent lives. The capital has borne the brunt of some of the fiercest fighting, with most of its five million people sheltering at home without electricity, food or water. ADVERTISEMENT Residents have struggled to sleep for nearly a week and been jolted awake by the roaring sound of fighter jets and air strikes, said Nazek Abdalla, a 38-year-old in southern Khartoum. We locked our doors and windows, hoping no stray bullets would hit our building, Abdalla added. We wish the fighting would stop during Eid festivities. We know it will not happen though. Blinken condemned the indiscriminate fighting in separate conversations with both Burhan and Daglo, his spokesperson said in a Friday statement. He urged both military leaders to implement and uphold a nationwide ceasefire and sustain it through at least the end of Eid al-Fitr, Sunday, April 23, the statement said. As battles raged Friday, Burhan appeared on television for the first time since hostilities began, to deliver an Eid address as in previous years. Sitting behind a desk, dressed in military uniform and backgrounded by two Sudanese flags, he made no mention of a truce. For Eid this year, our country is bleeding: destruction, desolation and the sound of bullets have taken precedence over joy, he said. We hope that we will come out of this ordeal more united a single army, a single people towards a civilian power. After two ceasefires failed to take hold in two days, gunfire continued Thursday night, with columns of black smoke rising from buildings around Khartoum International Airport and the army headquarters. While many sheltered at home, others were venturing out despite the risks to protect themselves and their families, said architect Tagreed Abdin. Beyond Khartoum, witnesses reported loud explosions in the city of Obeid, in the central state of North Kordofan. Reeks of death It reeks of death in some parts of town, said one witness in Obeid. Ahmed al-Mandhari of the World Health Organization said Thursday that almost 330 people have died and almost 3,200 more had been wounded in Khartoum, the western Darfur region and other states. The fighting has taken a heavy toll on civilians, with the UN childrens agency UNICEF saying at least nine children have reportedly been killed. The World Food Programme (WFP) warned that the violence could plunge millions more into hunger in a country where 15 million people one-third of the population already face food insecurity. It has suspended its Sudan operations after the killing of three WFP workers on Saturday. Burhan and Daglos bitter dispute centred on the planned integration of the RSF into the regular army, a key condition for a final deal aimed at restoring Sudans democratic transition. Around Khartoum and elsewhere, RSF fighters in armoured vehicles and pickups mounted with machine guns have taken over the streets. Many have mounted checkpoints to search cars carrying civilians trying to escape the worst battle zones to safer areas in Khartoum and beyond. Civilians are becoming increasingly desperate by Tuesday, thousands had fled the capital, with many reporting streets strewn with corpses. Hospitals hit Medics have warned of a catastrophe, especially in Khartoum, where many hospitals were reportedly caught in the crossfire. Up to 70 percent of the hospitals in Khartoum and neighbouring states have been rendered out of service by the fighting, the doctors union said. It has warned the death toll is likely to be far higher than stated, with many wounded unable to reach hospitals. Several countries evacuation plans have been put on hold, with the US Defense Department announcing Thursday that it was deploying forces nearby in the region with hopes of securing and potentially facilitating the departure of US Embassy personnel from Sudan. The Sudanese army said 177 Egyptian soldiers were evacuated from the northern city of Meroe to Egypt, which confirmed their arrival. The RSF said later that it handed over another 27 Egyptian soldiers to the Sudanese Red Cross, and Cairo confirmed their arrival at Egypts Khartoum embassy. The United Arab Emirates said it had led the mediation for the Egyptians held by the RSF. Burhan and Daglo toppled autocratic president Omar al-Bashir together in April 2019 following massive protests against three decades of iron-fisted rule. In October 2021, they again worked together to oust the civilian government installed after Bashirs downfall, derailing an internationally backed transition to democracy. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Criticizing China over Taiwan will have dangerous consequences, Foreign Minister Qin Gang warned Friday, as he insisted Beijing is a growing force for peace and justice. Two weeks ago, China launched three days of military exercises around Taiwansimulating targeted strikes and a blockade of the islandin response to a meeting between Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Recently, there has been some absurd rhetoric accusing China of unilaterally changing the status quo across the Taiwan Strait, through force or coercion, and of disrupting peace and stability across the Strait, Qin said as he gave the keynote speech at a forum on Chinese modernization. Such claims go against basic common sense on international relations and historical justice, he told the audience in Shanghai. The logic is absurd and the consequences dangerous. ADVERTISEMENT China claims Taiwan as its territory and has vowed to bring the island under its control one day. The Taiwan question is the core of the core interests of China, Qin continued. We will never back down in face of any act that undermines Chinas sovereignty and security. Those who play with fire on Taiwan will eventually get themselves burned. Qin will visit the Philippines later, a week after the largest-ever joint US-Philippines military exercises in the South China Sea, another area of territorial dispute for Beijing. China is hoping that the visit of its state councilor and foreign minister Qin will improve the communication between the two countries. Wang Wenbin, spokesman for Qin, said Beijing expects that the Chinese officials visit to Manila between April 21 to 23 would result in increased engagements between the two countries and mutual trust. In his regular media briefing on Friday, Wang also said China hopes to properly handle differences, deepen cooperation and maintain the momentum of the bilateral ties between the two countries. Qins visit will come as the Philippines, under the Marcosadministration, starts pivoting its diplomatic priorities to the West, in stark contrast to the Duterte administration. Relations have taken a turn, too, after Chinese Ambassador HuangXilian warned the Philippines not to interfere in Taiwan if it truly cares about the 150,000 overseas Filipino workers there. Lawmakers and government officials have criticized what they see as aveiled threat from the Chinese envoy. China is trying to keep warm its relations with Manila amid its aggressive activities in the West Philippine Sea, which may have pushed the Philippines to seek support from the US. Qin is scheduled to meet President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The remarks on Taiwan at the Shanghai conference came towards the endof a speech in which Qin repeatedly emphasized Chinas peaceful intentions. We have the best record in abiding by the purposes and principles ofthe UN charter, international law, and the basic norms of international relations, he saideven though Beijing has refused to recognize the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling favoring the Philippines in its dispute with China over the West Philippine Sea. Pointing out Chinas role in helping to bring about a recent reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran, he also reiterated Beijings positioning of itself as a mediator in the Ukraine war. China is not adding fuel to the fire or taking advantage of thesituation, he said, adding it was pushing peace talks to de-escalate the crisis instead. Other speakers at the Lanting Forum included Brazils former president Dilma Rousseff and The Gambias Foreign Minister Mamadou Tangara. China has put forward a different path to modernization, said Rousseff. She emphasized that there was no one size fits all model fordevelopment, a message echoed repeatedly throughout the forums opening ceremony. Earlier this week, Vietnam criticized China for imposing an annual banon fishing in a vast area of the South China Sea, calling it a violation of its sovereignty and urging Beijing not to complicate matters. China has imposed the ban each year since 1999 and Vietnam routinely opposes it. China says the ban, which will apply from May 1 to Aug. 16, is to promote sustainable fishing and improve marine ecology. It covers waters 12 degrees north of the equator and includes parts of Vietnams 200-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) as well as the Paracel islands, which the two countries have both occupied and have contested for decades. With AFP Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. White House gab marks warming relations amid US tensions with China US President Joe Biden will welcome President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to the White House on May 1 in a sign of a warming bond between the two nations amid US tensions with China over Taiwan. Biden will reaffirm Washingtons ironclad commitment to the defenseof the Philippines, and the leaders will discuss efforts to strengthenthe longstanding US-Philippines alliance, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez on Friday said the US haspledged $100 million or over P5.5 billion for the acquisition of medium-lift helicopters for disaster response and non-combat operations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). In a statement, Galvez said the US has also increased to $100 millionthe funding for the Philippine military facilities which the US forces may access under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement. The US has also increased the funding for the development of the EDCA sites from $82 million to $100 million, which is equivalent to anotherP5.5 billion. This brings the total of the USs pledge of support for the helicopters and EDCA projects to P11 billion, he added. ADVERTISEMENT The White House announcement comes a week after the largest-ever joint US-Philippines military exercises in the disputed South China Sea in the face of Chinas growing assertiveness in the region, particularly over Taiwan, the self-governing island it claims as its own. Last week, the US secretaries of Defense and State met with their Philippine counterparts in Washington in a high-level summit, days after the US gained greater access to Philippine military bases. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin warned of a troubling increase in coercion and dangerous operational behavior in the South China Sea,an apparent reference to a three-day Chinese military exercise thatsimulated a blockage and targeted strikes against Taiwan (see related story on A1 Editors). The White House statement said Biden and Marcos would discuss other matters including economic cooperation, clean energy, and respect for human rights. The two leaders will also discuss regional matters and coordinate onefforts to uphold international law and promote a free and open Indo-Pacific, the statement said. Manila earlier this month announced the locations of four more military bases it is allowing the US military to use on top of thefive agreed on under the 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, known as EDCA. The deal allows US troops to rotate through and store defense equipment and supplies. Also. the Department of National Defense applauded the support from the mayors of Cagayan for implementing the EDCA sites in the province close to Taiwan. In a statement Friday, Galvez said that 21 mayors have expressed their support and expect the numbers to increase, with one municipality evenwilling to donate a tract of land for the use of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Truly, the overwhelming majority of local chief executives in theprovince supporting our endeavor proves the Filipino peoples appreciation of the merits of EDCA, not only for enhancing our national security but for providing opportunities to further develop our local communities as well, Galvez said. As part of the new EDCA sites, the four additional bases will also serve as points for the evacuation of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs)in the event of a flare-up in the region, especially with tension rising in the countrys territorial waters. Galvez also said that the US and PH Defense Attaches have been coordinating with their host countries on possible repatriation operations which can be partaken with the countrys ally, the United States, should the need arise. The DND chief said the development of the said sites will strengthen the countrys maritime domain awareness and security and will serve as stations and shelters for radar local monitoring systems as the Philippines continued in its aim to the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. More importantly, the deployment and modernization of the AFP Forces through EDCA, which is an integral part of our Mutual Defense Treaty, shall boost our territorial defense capabilities and will enable our fisherfolk to freely pursue their livelihood in our waters, said Galvez. China warned last week the expanded military deal could endangerregional peace and accused Washington of a zero-sum mentality. The four additional bases include sites near the hotly disputed South China Sea and another not far from Taiwan. Mr. Marcos said Chinas reaction over the expanded military deal was not surprising, but assured them the Philippines is only shoring upits territorial defense. We will not allow our bases to be used for any offensive actions. This is only aimed at helping the Philippines whenever we need help, the President told reporters. If no one is attacking us, they need not worry because we will not fight them. US-Philippines ties stalled under former president Rodrigo Duterte, who favored closer ties with China. But Mr. Marcos, who succeeded Duterte last June, has adopted a more US-friendly foreign policy. Galvez said the various projects at the EDCA sites, mostly for the warehousing and storage of humanitarian assistance and disaster response-related material, are scheduled for completion by the end of 2023. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the President will be in Washington, D.C. from April 30 to May 4 on an official visit. The Presidents activities will start on May 1 with a meeting withBidenhis second after New York which was held on the sidelines of theUnited Nations General Assembly. It will be followed by expanded meetings with key US Cabinet officials. The DFA emphasized the importance of the visit as it will reaffirmthe bonds of friendship that give definition and significance to the many facets of the bilateral relationship, underpinned by the close affinity shared by Filipinos and Americans alike for many years. The trip will highlight the steadfast commitment by both sides to be reliable and resilient allies and partners in times of crisis and prosperity, amid a challenging global and regional environment, the DFA said. From the US, the President will fly to London for the coronation of King Charles III on May 6. With AFP Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Former senator Leila de Lima said she will fight to gain her freedom against the fabricated cases filed against her in court based on merits. De Lima was reacting to Department of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remullas earlier statement that he was open to de Limas application for bail if it is based on humanitarian grounds and not on the merits of the drug cases against her. I will gain my freedom on the merits, because the DOJ has no case against me from the very beginning, De Lima, quoted by GMA News, said. Although she was grateful for Remullas concern, especially after she was taken hostage in her cell at the Philippine National Police custodial center, de Lima said she cannot thank him as the head of the agency that is primarily responsible for the fabrication of the charges against her, GMA News also reported. The former senator said that the charges filed against her during President Rodrigo Dutertes administration are maintained, to date. ADVERTISEMENT Remulla in an interview, said the DOJ would support De Limas bail based on humanitarian grounds not on the merits or demerits of the cases. Bail as a matter of humanitarian ground as a humanitarian gesture is what we support here in the DOJ, not on the merits or demerits of the cases because six years is a long time to be detained while undergoing trial, Remulla said in the interview. I think it is very clear we want to give her a fair shake no matter what and maybe a respite from detention, but her lawyers think otherwise. And that they should take advantage of this opportunity to say shes innocent and thats why she should be granted bail. Malayo ho yan. Two big things that are far apart from each other, he explained. Earlier this week, De Limas lawyer said one of the remaining drug cases against the former senator had been submitted for decision while their petition for bail over the other case at the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 256 is still pending. In February 2021, the Muntinlupa City RTC Branch 205 junked one of the three drug cases against De Lima. De Lima was accused of benefiting financially from the illegal drug trade inside the New Bilibid Prison during her stint as Justice Secretary. She has repeatedly denied the allegation. The former senator marked her sixth year in detention in February 2023. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Senator Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. filed Senate Resolution 573 which seeks to investigate the reported data breach in the databases of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other government agencies. Without reliable and trustworthy cybersecurity measures in place, these reported data breaches remain to have the dangerous potential of exposing individuals to identity theft, phishing attacks, and a range of other malicious activities, which will ultimately victimize the public, Revilla said. He added that government agencies as well as private entities may very well be endangered by the susceptibilities of our cybersecurity if left inadequate. The senator also said data breaches in government records may lead to potential national security issues. If unabated, the exposed data may lead to nefarious transactions such as criminals taking advantage of the leaked data to blackmail and threaten law enforcers, Revilla said. ADVERTISEMENT To support his proposal, Revilla cited VPNMentor, a cybersecurity research company, which reported that a staggering 1,279,437 records belonging to law enforcement agencies. This included sensitive police employee information, which has been compromised in an unprecedented data breach. The report was authored by cybersecurity researcher Jeremiah Fowler. Revilla further said the data hacking reportedly exposed 817.54 gigabytes of both applicant and employee records under multiple state agencies, including the PNP, NBI, BIR and Special Action Force (SAF). The possibly compromised records include highly sensitive data such as fingerprint scans, birth certificates, tax identification numbers (TIN), tax filing records, academic transcripts, and even passport copies, said Revilla said. He said the report even revealed that the said data were available for public access for at least six weeks The same report highlighted that these documents were stored in an unsecured, non-password-protected database, which is easily accessible to individuals with an internet connection and highly vulnerable to cyberattacks, Revilla said. Furthermore, Revilla also cited Kroll, an independent risk advisory firm which shared that enterprises in the Philippines are among the most vulnerable in the Asia-Pacific region to cyberattacks that cause business interruption and even data loss. The country came in second with the most cyberattacks in the region, said Revilla. In a a similar report from virtual private network service provider, Surfshark, it said the Philippines ranked 23rd out of 250 countries that were most affected by data breaches, with a total of 523,684 leaked accounts in the third quarter of 2022. The International Data Corp.s (IDC) Asia-Pacific Security Sourcing Survey 2022 likewise highlighted that companies in Southeast Asia recognize the need to invest in cybersecurity in the advent of heightened usage of digital platforms in their operations. The senator emphasized that similar data breaches have been recorded in the past with government agencies being vulnerable to said attacks. He recalled that last November 2021, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reported a similar data leak in their online passport tracking system. He said the COMELEC has also revealed in 2022 that around 60 gigabytes worth of sensitive voter information and other data have been hacked. Before this, a group of hackers also downloaded the personal data records of some 54 million registered voters. The private sector is not spared from these attacks. They are equally vulnerable to cybersecurity threats. In fact, in November 2022, it was reported that nearly 80% of companies in the Philippines have experienced data breach over a period of 12 months, with two in every five firms losing at least $500,000 to digital fraudsters. The Cavite lawmaker said data privacy and protection is a matter of national interest and it is imperative for Congress to enact responsive policies to deter possible data breaches. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. THE Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Friday commended the Isabela City government in Basilan for enacting an ordinance protecting human rights advocates. Isabela City Ordinance No. 22-717 was reputedly the first ever local government law on the protection of human rights defenders. The measure manifests the city governments recognition of its legal and moral obligation to ensure the protection of human rights defenders who play a key role in promoting human rights, democracy andvthe rule of law, the CHR said. CHR chairman Richard Palpal-latoc, along with Commissioner Beda Epres, visited Isabela City to personally hand over a plaque of recognition to the citys councilors. The enactment of this pioneer ordinance is a key development in the current Commissions vision to bring the CHR and human rights directly to the people and communities. It is also a concrete move to protect human rights defenders at the local level, which is crucial in creating a conducive environment for human rights at the grassroots level, Palpal-latoc said. ADVERTISEMENT Localizing the HRD bill has become one of our efforts together with our partners to institutionalize state obligations in the local level for the protection of the rights of HRDs as a response to the attacks, red-tagging, vilification, and threats to their lives and security, Epres said. The series of meetings, consultatons, and lobby efforts conducted by the CHR through the Policy Advisory Office and its partners yielded to this very first Human Rights Defenders Protection Ordinance in the Philippines. This is a milestone achievement for the CHR and all advocates of human rights as this marks the first tangible proof of our work in the local policy level to protect our fellow human rights defenders, he added. The CHR envisions every local government to emulate Isabelas move in protecting human rights defenders. As duty-bearers at the local level, this is a concrete way for municipal leaders to show they value human rights and the welfare of the people who fight for and defend it, especially the rights and dignity of the marginalized and the disadvantaged ones, the CHR stressed. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. All that we know is the intransigence of China to allow free passage in the Strait The Philippine Foreign Secretary disclosed that Forum Energy could not proceed in drilling the Reed Bank for, accordingly, Chinese ships are harassing Philippine vessels. In May 2012, Manny Pangilinan met with CNOOC President Yang Hua to ask China for a joint venture to explore SC-72 to settle the Scarborough Shoal Standoff. Minister Yang replied that CNOOC has also been awarded by the Chinese government to explore the Reed Bank. Nonetheless, the two governments agreed to a cooperative venture within 12 months from the signing of the MOU. The two parties failed to settle their differences until after Secretary Teodoro Locsin cancelled the MOU. Some believe the misunderstanding stemmed from the fact that China wanted to promote its state-owned corporation (CNOOC) while the Philippines wanted to pursue its state-owned PNOC-Exploration Corporation. ADVERTISEMENT In fact, the Philippines granted service contracts to foreign oil companies in violation of our Constitution. The moratorium referred to by Locsin is to ban the exploration in the Reed Bank under Service Contract 72 granted in 2010 by the Department of Energy to Forum Energy, Limited of which PXP Energy (formerly Philex Petroleum), led by Pangilinan, owns 79.13 percent controlling interest. Forum Energy is an oil and gas exploration company incorporated in the United Kingdom with focus on the Philippines. China took note of our joint oil exploration with Dutch Shell and Chevron where we got 10 percent share and 90 percent divided by the two foreign oil companies. The government was later asked to pay the franchise tax of three percent. China tried to rectify these inequities by strictly allowing us to observe the 60-40 partition provided in Section 2, Article XII of our Constitution. The US can never demand the withdrawal of China in the SCS. Chinese presence is integral to its geographical existence. While China insists in claiming the so-called Nine-Dash Line, neither did it prevent the US and other naval powers from transiting through the SCS in the exercise of freedom of navigation and its right of innocent passage for commercial shipping. All that China demanded is for the US to respect existing international laws based on the traditional 12-mile limit for our territorial waters and the 200-mile limit under UN Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS) or for countries that have shoreline to enjoy exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the SCS. Neither can the US accuse China of preventing other naval powers from passing through the SCS without the UN Security Council resolution. The situation turned complicated because the original objective of exploring and exploiting oil and gas was converted into establishing foreign military bases. Control of the SCS has become primordial to their own military objective than to controlling the oil and gas deposit. Things have become politicized that military rather than economic power now predominates the preoccupation of the major powers. The RP-US military bases agreement has been upgraded to meet the exigencies of the post-Cold War period. Our approval of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) indicates the nature of our pact with the US. It is like having an alliance with two or three countries because of our ideological insecurity without knowing the root cause of our alliance. The EDCA agreement with the US refers to the three sites in northern Philippines. These includes a naval base, an airport in Cagayan, and an army camp in Isabela. The naval base is in Santa Ana which is about 400 kilometers from Taiwan. Another site is an air base in Balabac Island, off the southern tip of Palawan directly facing the SCS. Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba has publicly opposed EDCA. He fears jeopardizing Chinese investment and becoming a target in a conflict over Taiwan. The US makes it appear the government steadfastly supports the plan to add four new sites: identified as the Camilo Osias Naval Base in Santa Ana, Cagayan; Camp Melchor Dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela; Balabac Island in Palawan; and Lal-lo Airport in Cagayan. Many believe EDCA will give the US the legal anchor to continue its presence in the SCS and to patrol the area as a hegemon. That now puts the impression that it is our country that sought US assistance to protect us against the possible invasion from China. Our close relations with Taiwan technically reduced the Philippines to a surrogate state ready to be involved in a proxy war with China. The US is fully aware the Philippines does not have the means to defend Taiwan and the US is cognizant of that situation. The concept of a rules-based strategy is always in the mind of the Americans; that the principle represents the majority and think they are right. Many are questioning this. First, the context does not fit the condition for which it is applied. All that the US policy makers do is for the Philippines to accept rather than question the agreement. Moreover, the US insists its navy has every right to pass through the Strait of Taiwan for as long as they do not block the free passage thereof. However, the US Navy never bothered to explain that freedom of navigation has limitations. The catch is that for the US to patrol the Straits of Taiwan would certainly violate the passage because the median that separates China from Taiwan is less than 24 miles measured from the shoreline of the two countries. In fact, China could prevent the passage of ships, insisting the passage would violate the territorial waters of either country. Today, this is the cause of the on-going tension between the US Navy and Chinas PLA. All that we know is the intransigence of China to allow free passage in the Strait. (rpkapunan@gmail.com) Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. CHOIR SERVICE Pastor Marshall Wells and church family at Divine Faith Holiness, 1002 West Fayette St., Martinsville, will hold a choir service at 2 p.m. Sunday. Pastor Jonta Martin and Full Gospel will be guests. REVIVAL Saint James Pentecostal Holiness Church, 605 John Baker Road, at 11 a.m. Sunday will have Pastor C.L. Hagwood from Agape Church as the guest speaker for dedication of the fellowship hall, followed by an appreciation dinner by Pastor Bobby and Sister Norma Agnew. ANNIVERSARY Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church, Inc., 601 Third St., Martinsville, will celebrate the 79th church anniversary on Sunday during morning worship at 11 a.m. The guest speaker will be Rev. Reginald Eldridge, associate minister of First Baptist Church East Martinsville. MUSIC The Cook Family of Denton, N.C., will be at Friendly Worship Center, 1110 Morehead Ave., Ridgeway, at 7 tonight and Saturday. The Singing Cookes will be at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church at 10:45 a.m. Sunday. WOMEN Greenwood Baptist Church, 2911 Mountain Valley Road, Axton, will host The Power of God Womens Conference from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, May 6. COLLEGE High Ridge Missionary Baptist Church, 1455 Carver Road, will host a College Preparedness Seminar on Saturday. The doors will open at 8:30 a.m. A continental breakfast and lunch will be provided. Information will be given about various programs colleges and universities offer, essay-writing tips and how to complete financial aid forms, among other topics. The guest speaker will be Chancellor Harold L. Martin Sr. of North Carolina A&T University. Admission is free. Registration is not required but it is suggested; email highridge1936@gmail.com. AUTISM TransitionsNavigating the Next Step in the Journey will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at Stone Memorial Church, 3030 Virginia Ave., Collinsville. The program will feature Transitions keynote speaker, Piedmont Community Services, DARS, resources, waivers and autism awareness. The program is held by Piedmont Autism Action Group along with Piedmont Community Services and various local service providers. It is free to attend; register by calling 276-632-2018 ext. 1237 MUSIC Pocahontas Bassett Baptist Church holds Pickers and Fiddlers on the second Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to noon. Breakfast-type refreshments are served, and both the program and refreshments are free. Come to listen or bring your harmonica or stringed instrument and join in. CLOTHES Christ Church Community Clothes Closet is open on the fourth Saturday of each month. MEALS A Free Community Breakfast will be held from 8:30-10:00 a.m. Saturday at Ridgeway United Methodist Church. First Presbyterian Church, 1901 Patrick Henry Ave., Martinsville, will serve a free community breakfast from 8:30-10 a.m. Saturday. The church serves the breakfast on the third Saturday of every month. Smith Memorial United Methodist Church, corner of John Redd Boulevard and Daniels Creek Road, Collinsville, serves take-out community meals each month every other Wednesday from 5-6 p.m. Call 647-8150 before 3:30 on Wednesday to reserve meals. Pocahontas Bassett Baptist Church, 120 Old Bassett Heights Road, Bassett, holds its monthly community meals at 6 p.m. each third Thursday of the month, in the fellowship hall. Starling Avenue Baptist Church, 932 Starling Ave., Martinsville, serves meals in the fellowship hall the last Tuesday of each month from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Doors open at 5:15 p.m. The next meal is April 25. Christ Episcopal Church, 311 E. Church St., Martinsville, will serve a free community meal the last Wednesday of each month from 5-6 p.m. in the Undercroft with a sit-down community meal (and takeout will be available only at the end of the meal if there are any leftovers). There are limited parking spaces behind the church for people with mobility issues. Masks are required for unvaccinated adults. Hand sanitizer is available for use. Heres what happened locally on April 21 over the past century, as reported in this newspaper, which went from being called the Henry Bulletin to the Daily Bulletin to the Martinsville Bulletin: 1923: The business and professional women of Martinsville met, at the request of Miss Lula Carter, last Friday evening in the Sunday School Auditorium of the First Baptist Church to consider an organization, which will correspond in its general objects to those of the Kiwanis Club and will co-operate in all civic movements for a better town. 1948: Roxy Theatre Rose of Santa Rose, with The Hoosier Hotshots, Patricia White. Also Shut My Big Mouth, with Joe E. Brown. Chapter Number two of Brick Bradford/Rives Theatre: Dangerous Years, with Wiliam Helop, Ann E. Todd, Jerome Cowan and Jennifer Holt, and Be Big: with Laurel and Hardy. Also, News, Merrie Melody in color and Puppetoon in color./Bee Dee Theatre: Railroaded, with John Ireland, Sheila Ryan and Huge Beaumont; Range Beyond the Blue with Eddie Dean, Roscoe Ates and Helen Mowery. Also shorts./National Theatre: Louisiana with Governor Jimmie Davis and Margaret Lindsay. Also Jiggs and Maggie in Society, with Joe Yule and Rennie Riano. 1973: When the Martinsville Business and Professional Womens Club celebrates its 50th anniversary on Thursday, April 26, with a banquet at Chatmoss Country Club, Mrs. Nell Hollifield will take members and guests on a stroll Down Memory Lane as she recounts the clubs history. 1998: The cost of housing Martinsville city jail inmates at other facilities because of overcrowding will have fallen from $187,305 in 1996-97 to an estimated $10,000 next year with the use of a new jail, Sheriff Steve Draper told Martinsville City Council on Thursday. Draper said he had expected to spend $200,000 this year to house inmates elsewhere before the city opened its new $460,000, 48-bed jail addition behind the municipal building this August. Virginia is one of 19 states with a red-flag law, which allows for temporary firearm removal from individuals believed to be at risk of harming themselves or others. The policy, which took effect in Virginia back in 2020, is one that gun-safety advocates are pushing for in other states once again across the U.S. in the aftermath of the late March Nashville school shooting, which killed six people. The policy has bipartisan appeal with some Republicans in favor of it, but second-amendment advocates including the National Rifle Association have been fighting against the law. Since the substantial risk order law took effect in Virginia, it has been used hundreds of times across the commonwealth. As of March, there were 28 orders issued in Virginia in 2023. A bill to adjust the order filed in the state legislature has so far not advanced beyond the Democratic-controlled Senate. Most of Virginias congressional delegation voted for the 2022 Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which provided states funding to implement or create red-flag laws. But none of the states four Republican representatives voted for it. Democratic U.S. Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine cheered the law, saying it couldnt be more urgent. We support this bipartisan legislation that will improve background checks for buyers under 21, strengthen protections for victims of domestic violence, and make significant investments in community-based mental health services, Warner and Kaine said in a joint statement in 2022. There is more that canand mustbe done to address gun violence, but we welcome this meaningful progress and look forward to voting for this bill soon. Virginia applied for and was awarded $5 million in funding after the bill was signed by President Joe Biden. The funding will be used to enhance existing gun violence intervention and prevention programs across the Commonwealth of Virginia, and to implement new measures designed to provide additional resources to law enforcement agencies, Commonwealths Attorneys offices, public health agencies, court personnel, and judiciary staff, according to Virginias funding application. Along with continued implementation of the substantial risk protection order and other behavioral health deflection pathways, the money could help with firearm storage and removal. Virginia officials will seek applications from law enforcement agencies and other units of local government to more safely and efficiently store, track, and return firearms relinquished as a result of a substantial risk order petition in Virginia. These projects may include funding for gun locks and safes for individuals and private businesses, physical storage solutions for law enforcement agencies, and software/computer technology to improve the tracking and return of firearms, according to Virginia. Virginia 13.4 firearm deaths per 100,000 people as of 2020, according to federal data, with 1,174 firearm deaths total, according to federal data. No highway noise here! The beauty of nature abounds as you travel to this lovely one acre lot above the the quiet, Cattail Creek community. Take in the long-range winter views (year-round views possible with selective trimming) while listening to the sounds of the natural waterfall at the property's edge. Enjoy the quiet life in the mountains, yet live only 20 minutes to downtown BurnsvilleLandUndisturbed and wooded, one acre lot in quiet mountainside community. Small waterfall above the property boundary adds to the serene mountain getaway feel. Region & ClimateBurnsville, NC is a gem of a mountain town in western North Carolina featuring fresh air, outdoor activities, and a quaint downtown experience. Burnsville is also home to Mt. Mitchell-the highest peak east of the Mississippi River. Fishing opportunities abound amongst the South Toe, North Toe, and Cane rivers that run through Yancey county. LocationThis peaceful one acre lot is located 20 minutes from downtown Burnsville, one hour to Asheville, and 50 minutes to ski resorts. View More ATTENTION: Please email your church news to mcdowellchurchnews@gmail.com or call 828-527-3175 and leave a message. The deadline is noon on Wednesdays. Please note the change in deadline and phone number. First United Methodist Church, across from Marion Elementary School, invites everyone looking for a church family to Sunday school at 9:45 a.m. and worship at 11 a.m. The United Methodist Men continue to sell their peanuts for $5 a jar. Peanuts are available in regular, light salt, no salt and Cajun. To order, contact the church office at 652-7010. FUMC also administers an Emergency Fund on the first and third Wednesdays of every month from 10-11:30 a.m. This fund assists with electricity and heating needs, water bills and rent. Clients must meet certain requirements, and funds are paid directly to providers. Clients should come to the upper parking lot and enter the door near the church van. Redeemed Freewill Baptist Church, of 5079 U.S. 221 South, hosts a youth program called The Sprouts from 7-8 p.m. every Wednesday until further notice. A meal and a Bible lesson will be provided. Parents are encouraged to bring their children to learn about the love of Jesus. St. Matthews Lutheran Church, of 241 W. Court St., Marion, invites the community to watch the global film phenomenon The Chosen. Experience the Bible as vividly real each Wednesday at 7 p.m. until further notice. There will be refreshments and door prizes. Chapel Hill Baptist Church, of U.S. 221 South, Marion, will have an all-you-can-eat breakfast on the second Saturday of each month from 7:30-10 a.m. for a donation. His Place Worship Center, 1423 U.S. 70 West in Marion, will host combined in-person and online meetings at 10 a.m. on the second Saturday of each month. Additional information about the Hickory Lighthouse, including links to the Zoom and Facebook Live meetings, are available at Hickory Aglows website and Facebook page at www.aglownet.org/hickorync and www.facebook.com/hickory.aglow. Interested persons may sign up on the website to receive a monthly email newsletter. Readers may receive related Facebook notifications by liking the Facebook page. The Sharing Food Pantry Ministry of Cross United Methodist Church needs donations of coats, sweaters and blankets for families in the community who may be in need. Donations can be dropped off at 85 W. Cross St., just past Blue Ridge Terrace Apartments in Marion. For more information, call 828-460-9257 or 828-559-4047 and leave a message. East Marion Baptist Church, of 660 Baldwin Ave., Marion, will host The Landing, a 12-step program for teens, every Wednesday from 6-7:30 p.m. For more information, email thelanding@embc.church. North Cove Church of God will have a breakfast sale on every third Saturday of the month. Living Waters Tabernacle of Old Fort is offering a worship service twice a month for college-aged adults called Encounter. The service will be the first and third Thursday of each month from 6:30-7:30 p.m. At each meeting, a new topic will be discussed with a guest speaker; live music will be played; and refreshments will be served. For more information, check out Living Waters Tabernacle of Old Fort on Facebook or email jakanjamison96@gmail.com. The church is at 344 Moffitt Hill Church Road in Old Fort. Cross Mill United Methodist Church has a sharing food pantry for the community. The tiny food pantry is outside the church fellowship building, and is accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The nonperishable food items are available for anyone in need. If you would like to donate items to this ministry, you may drop them off at the pantry box or call 460-9257 or 442-8098. Greenlee Baptist Church, 5967 U.S. 70 W. in Old Fort, offers Kids on a Mission each Sunday from 6-8 p.m. Newborns to seniors in high school are invited to join. The church also has a deaf ministry available. Interpreters will be provided for the worship services every Sunday at 10:55 a.m. For information, call the church office at 668-6075 between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Cross Ties Cowboy Church meets every first Thursday at 2365 Bethlehem Road in Old Fort at 7 p.m. in the barn. For more information, call 828-925-2095. Landmark Independent Baptist Church will host a meeting on alcohol and addiction awareness by Gene Sigmon the third Friday of each month at 6:30 p.m. The church is at 225 Huskins Branch Road in Marion. For more information, contact Sigmon at soundmind16@yahoo.com. Apostolic Restoration Ministries is a new church to the area. If anyone is interested in attending, call Tim Eller at 828-443-2050. Peppers Creek Baptist Church will have a singing on the fourth Saturday of each month at 7 p.m. from January through October. McDowell Childrens Ministry, a ministry for children of the community interested in participating in a life-changing program, meets twice monthly. For more information, call Daniel at 659-0095 during the day or at 738-0733 in the evenings. Cross Mill Pentecostal Holiness Church has a soaking prayer and intercession meeting every Friday at 8 p.m. For information, call the Rev. Doug Beane-Hall at 442-6216. Vision Baptist Church, at 1841 Fairview Road, Marion, is offering Extreme Teens (Club 411) on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 10 a.m. Victorious Couples meet on Sundays at 10 a.m. Additional childrens and adult programs are also available. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Shutterstock GP fees are hitting more Australians than they did a few years ago. There's a lot of talk about a crisis in bulk billing, with many people reporting they're unable to see a doctor without paying an out-of-pocket fee. But the biggest, most urgent problem is in the communities where most people pay fees, so called bulk-billing "deserts." These deserts are more likely in poorer areas, so the people who most need bulk billing are missing out. While Medicare funding changes are needed to address this problem, we also need to look at more innovative solutions. One option is for federal and state governments to step in and support or set up clinics that employ doctors, nurses and other health workers. Bulk billing is falling, but from a historic high The share of patients who never paid a GP fee fell from 67% in 202021 to 64% in 202122. But those rates are still high by recent standards. The rate has only fallen back to the level of 2015, and it remains much higher than a decade ago. Yes, it's troubling to see bulk billing falling, especially when fees have risen a lot. Patients who are not bulk billed now pay on average A$45 out of pocket when they see a GP. This is up 20% in real terms over the past decade. But while the national trend is concerning, it masks a much bigger problem. Great disparity In some parts of Australiafor example, the electorates of Chiefly, Fowler, and Werriwa in outer-western Sydneymore than nine in ten GP patients are always bulk billed. But in other partsfor example, the electorates of Canberra, and Franklin and Clark in southern Tasmaniathat figure is less than four in ten. Unlike the overall bulk-billing rate, these vast disparities have persisted for many years: the problem was just as bad a decade ago. Bulk-billing deserts wouldn't be such a problem if they were only in the wealthiest parts of Australia, because fees are less likely to stop wealthy people getting the care they need. But there are bulk-billing deserts in many poorer areas. Compared to all but the wealthiest areas, the bottom fifth of electorates by income have the lowest bulk-billing rates. In 13 of the lowest-income electorates, less than 60% of patients are bulk billed. Rural areas are worse off too: 60% of patients in rural areas are always bulked billed, compared to almost 69% in metropolitan areas. The bulk-billing deserts in poorer parts of Australia represent a serious failure of the system. Nationally, about 3.5% of people say they skip GP care because of the cost, with higher rates in rural and poorer areas. Those figures will be far higher in bulk-billing deserts, putting many people's health at risk. What the government should do There have been calls to pour billions of dollars into increasing the Medicare rebate and bulk billing incentives. But while the government should make sure payments to GPs keep up with their costs, that won't fix the problem of bulk-billing deserts. It might help arrest the decline in bulk billing nationally, and in some areas where bulk billing is low. But the money will mostly flow to high-bulk billing areasit won't do much to provide more care where there is far too little. Bulk billing deserts are an enduring problem that need new solutions. To turn them around, the government must tackle two of the structural problems causing them: one-size-fits-all funding of GPs, and areas that don't have enough health care to go around. The government has already signaled it will develop a new funding model that pays GPs for providing ongoing care, which would improve on the current outdated and dysfunctional system. That funding should give higher payments for patients with greater need. That would boost income for clinics with patients who need free care the most, helping those clinics to avoid charging their patients. It would be a big step in the right direction. But even then, there would still be areas without enough health-care workers to meet the community's needs, including many rural areas, resulting in too little care, and too little bulk billing. Governments must go well beyond the Medicare rebate and other incentives to fix these broken health-care "markets." The federal and state governments need to step in to support existing clinics or set up new ones that employ salaried health-care workers. This support needs to be tailored to local needs. It could be employing a GP to work out of a rural hospital if there are no GPs in the area, or setting up a new community-controlled primary care service, or helping an existing clinic hire extra staff. Rather than ad hoc announcements, there should be secure national funding for this care, targeted at the areas of greatest needespecially the poorest bulk-billing deserts. This change should be accompanied by many other reforms to attract clinicians to areas where they're needed most, such as further expanding new models of GP employment and training in rural areas, which give "rural generalist" doctors a single employer during their training across a range of different health settings in a region. There should also be reforms to expand the teams supporting GPs in areas with too little care. This can reduce GP burnout, allow clinics to provide more care, and bring Australia in line with other countries. As well as administrative, allied health, pharmacist and other roles, some teams could include physician assistants, who work under the supervision of a doctor and can provide the full range of services a doctor provides. One test for next month's federal budget is whether it funds solutions to bulk-billing desertsan enduring injustice in our health-care system. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Joseph Woo and his team performed the first beating-heart transplant from a cardiac death donor. Credit: Natali _ Mis/Shutterstock.com Using an organ from a donor who underwent cardiac death, Stanford Medicine surgeons transplanted a heart while it was beatingthe first time such a procedure has been achieved. Initially performed by Joseph Woo, MD, professor and chair of cardiothoracic surgery, and his team in October, the technique has since been used in adult and pediatric patients five more times by surgeons at Stanford Medicine. Stopping the heart before implantation can damage the cardiac tissue, so keeping it beating during transplantation avoids further injury to the organ. "This can be revolutionary," said Woo, the senior author on a study describing the procedure that published in the Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Techniques (JTCVS Techniques) in March. "It's an exciting time for our entire department. This is a big team of very creative individuals that are willing to push the limits of modern technology and health care." Solving a cardiac conundrum In a country where 3,500 people currently await a heart transplant, increasing the pool of healthy donated organs is essential. Brain death donors have long made up the majority of heart transplants, because with those patients, who have been kept on life support before procurement, it's been easier to keep the organ stabilized and assure its health. But with demand outpacing supply, the medical world has been pushed to seek more novel approaches. Recent technological advances have allowed for more successful heart transplantation from donors who died by what's known as cardiac or circulatory death, in which the heart has already stopped once, either naturally or because they were discontinued from life support. Such procedures increase the number of hearts available for transplant, but outcomes for the recipients are poorer. These hearts have traditionally been stopped twicefirst at death, then immediately before transplantation, after spending time hooked up to a machine that perfuses them with oxygenated blood. "Stopping the heart a second time, just before transplanting, induces more injury," Woo said. "I asked, 'Why can't we sew it in while it is still beating?'" The Stanford team believed that avoiding a second stoppage of the muscle would improve the quality of the donated heart, but figuring out how presented a challenge. "It took a little boldnessbecause it's a challenging, technical thing to do," said Aravind Krishnan, MD, cardiothoracic surgery resident and the lead author on the paper describing the team's findings. John MacArthur, MD, assistant professor of cardiothoracic surgery, and Brandon Guenthart, MD, clinical assistant professor of cardiothoracic surgery, have also used the technique on adults. Michael Ma, MD, assistant professor of cardiothoracic surgery, recently undertook the first pediatric case. "By showing that it's translatable it means it can change the entire community," said Woo, the Norman E. Shumway Professor of cardiothoracic surgery. Added Guenthart, "There's excitement around the clinical aspect of it. We're doing a lot of work in the lab to study it further and take it beyond what we're doing now." From box to chest In brain-death donor transplants, the heart is stopped, removed from the deceased donor and transported on ice to the transplantation center. Though it can take a prolonged amount of time to reawaken the heart within the recipient, it has been stopped only once. Organs recovered from a donor after cardiac death, on the other hand, experience some degree of oxygen deprivation after the heart has stopped beating, before procurement can begin. And studies have shown that a prolonged period without blood circulation in the heart impairs its performance after transplantation and diminishes survival outcomes. This is why those organs require the aid of a perfusion machine rather than being placed on ice. That organ preservation devicea relatively new invention known as a "heart in a box"gets it pumping again and perfuses it with warm, oxygenated blood while it's being transferred. The Stanford patients showed improved outcomes on the implantation end, leaving the hospital sooner than usual because the heart and its new host meshed more quickly. "We thought that stopping the heart a second time was enough to weaken it," MacArthur said. "Keeping the heart beating really seems to make a difference in heart strength with less time spent on the heart-lung machine." Ma, who used the procedure on the first pediatric patient earlier this month, said the gains on the front endcontinuous function of the organ leading to a shorter time spent in the hospital by the recipientare immediate. And improvement in long-term outcomes for the organ and its new host are inevitable. "We won't be able to prove that for a long time, but there are enumerable benefits from this technique," he said. "I was beyond excited to use this procedure pioneered by Joe and his team. It was a really rewarding experience." The beat goes on The first beating heart transplant, carried out by Woo and surgical team members Chawannuch Ruaengsri, MD, clinical assistant professor of cardiothoracic surgery, along with Krishnan and Patpilai Kasinpila, MD, resident in cardiothoracic surgery, lasted four hours. On that October day, the Stanford Health Care team was ready to receive a heart procured from a cardiac-death donor and transported via the heart in a box. The team quickly transitioned the heart to a cardiopulmonary bypass machine already supporting the patient. The machine, which pumps blood and oxygen throughout the body, ensured the uninterrupted flow of warm blood. Woo then began the challenging process of sewing a beating heart into the recipient. Krishnan said the team took comfort in knowing the machine was there as a backup if it proved too difficult. But it didn't, and the Stanford Health Care team looked on as the heart kept its rhythm. "It was beating so well," Ruaengsri said. All six patients are doing well. And the department is excited about continuing to push the boundaries of what's possible. "In order to do this, we had to challenge dogma," said Woo, whose predecessor Norman E. Shumway performed the first adult heart transplant in the U.S. in 1968 at Stanford Hospital. "That's how innovations occur." Added Guenthart, "We're looking into ways of never having to stop the heartthat's the next step." More information: Aravind Krishnan et al, First-in-human beating-heart transplant, JTCVS Techniques (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.xjtc.2023.02.015 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: People who listed health workers as a source of information were more likely to get vaccinated than those who did not. Credit: Sumy Sadurni, courtesy of Gates Ventures, LLC Uganda reported its first case of COVID-19 on March 21, 2020. Almost a year later, the first batch of vaccines to protect against the spread of the disease arrived in the country. As people began receiving their injections in the ensuing months, researchers from the MIT Governance Lab (MIT GOV/LAB) and Makerere University's School of Public Health in Uganda wanted to understand what was motivating people to get vaccinated and driving interest in vaccines. In a mobile phone survey conducted in November 2021, the team found that respondents who received information about COVID-19 from health workers were more likely to be vaccinated. The findings were published March 17 in the journal BMJ Open. The results show that people trust the health care system, so strong messaging from health officials can play an important role in future vaccination efforts, says Lula Chen, a research scientist at MIT GOV/LAB and a co-author of the study. "We need to have [health workers] as champions of these vaccines," says Rawlance Ndejjo, assistant lecturer in the Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health at Makerere University and first author of the study. The recent paper comes out of a larger collaboration between MIT GOV/LAB, Makerere University, University of Kinshasa's School of Public Health in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, University of Ibadan's College of Medicine in Nigeria, and Cheikh Anta Diop University in Senegal. The teams have worked together on phone surveys to develop a better understanding of people's attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccines in Africa and their trust in authorities during the pandemic. Lily L. Tsai, the Ford Professor of Political Science at MIT and MIT GOV/LAB's director and founder, is a co-author of the new paper. Lack of availability was a greater barrier than hesitancy Nearly 1,200 adult participants in Uganda completed the phone survey for the new study. Participants were asked whether they were vaccinated against COVID-19, what factors influenced their decision to get vaccinated or not, and if those who were unvaccinated intended to get vaccinated. The survey administrators also collected demographic information such as respondents' age, gender, employment status, education, and where they lived. At the time of the study, all adults were eligible to receive the vaccine. But people living in rural areas had less access to vaccines, Ndejjo says. Nearly half (49.7%) of respondents said they had received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. At around the same time, data from the Ministry of Health indicated that only around 16% of adults had received at least one dose of the vaccine. This discrepancy could be due, in part, to the fact that a mobile phone survey might be more likely to reach people living in urban areas who had more access to vaccines. And some respondents who had not received a vaccine might have reported receiving one. Encouragingly, around 9 in 10 unvaccinated respondents said they intended to get vaccinated. The most common reasons these respondents gave for why they weren't vaccinated were that vaccines weren't available to them (42% of unvaccinated respondents) or they didn't have time to get vaccinated (24%). Meanwhile, only 13% of unvaccinated respondents said they had safety concerns about the vaccine. These findings suggest that vaccine hesitancy was not as big of an issue as simply providing enough people with access, Ndejjo says. It shows that health care systems "need to reach people in the most convenient way for them to actually actually get vaccinated," he adds. People who got information from health workers were more likely to be vaccinated Respondents also indicated that health workers influenced their decision to get vaccinated. Around 14 percent of vaccinated respondents said a recommendation to get vaccinated from a health worker was one of the reasons they got the shot. Another question asked people to list their sources of information about COVID-19. Responses included family members, friends, television, local leaders, and health workers. People who listed health workers as a source of information were more likely to get vaccinated than those who did not. At the start of the pandemic, there were issues with vaccine hesitancy among health workers, Ndejjo says. Uganda included health workers as a priority group for vaccines, which Ndejjo thinks was key for increasing vaccination rates in the general population. The move increased vaccination rates among health workers, as well as how much they could share with patients about vaccines. The finding highlights the importance of educating health workers on vaccines and training them to communicate information about vaccines to patients, Ndejjo adds. The study also identified that people older than 65, people who had attended high school or received higher education, and people living in the northern and central regions of Uganda were more likely to be vaccinated. The connection between vaccination status and education implied to Ndejjo that "maybe there's a group that we're leaving behind in terms of access to information regarding vaccines." He suggests that communicating information more simply, and using mass media to reach a wider range of people, could help. Whom people trust for information on vaccines is important, since there was misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines around the world at the time. If health-care systems can build trusting relationships with people, they might be able to increase vaccine uptake, Chen says. Next, the team wants to apply what they've learned from the COVID-19 vaccine surveys to study interventions to increase vaccination rates for human papillomavirus (HPV) among adolescent girls in Uganda. More information: Rawlance Ndejjo et al, Uptake of COVID-19 vaccines and associated factors among adults in Uganda: a cross-sectional survey, BMJ Open (2023). DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-067377 Journal information: BMJ Open This story is republished courtesy of MIT News (web.mit.edu/newsoffice/), a popular site that covers news about MIT research, innovation and teaching. 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: Researcher Laura Schwager. Credit: American Physiological Society Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) contribute to reduced vascular function and diminished sleep quality in young adults, according to a study at the University of Iowa. In addition, researchers found that poor sleep efficiency may contribute to vascular dysfunction with increasing ACEs exposure. Researchers will present their work this week at the American Physiology Summit, the flagship annual meeting of the American Physiological Society (APS), in Long Beach, California. ACEs are highly stressful and potentially traumatic events happening during the first 18 years of life, which is the critical development period in a person's life. It's already known that people who experience ACEs have a higher risk for cardiovascular disease later in life. Yet, the biological mechanisms underlying this health disparity are not fully understood. The goal of this study was to better understand how ACEs increase the risk of cardiovascular disease to aid the development of better preventive measures and treatments. Researchers assessed 22 young men and women for ACE exposure, anxiety and depressive symptoms, using the Zung Self-Rating Anxiety and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scales, respectively. The research team also measured the functional health of the participants' blood vessels by assessing the ability of the artery in the arm to dilate in response to an increase in blood flow. The team found among young adults, ACEs have a negative impact on blood vessel function, while sleep efficiency has a positive effect regardless of anxiety or depression symptoms. Also, sleep efficiency appears to be a mediator of the relationship between ACEs and blood vessel function. "These findings have significant implications for human health," said Laura Schwager, lead author of the study and postbaccalaureate research coordinator at the University of Iowa. "But we also caution that this is a preliminary investigation, and we will need studies with larger, more diverse samples to confirm this relationship and also to examine whether improving sleep in those with ACEs results in improved vascular function and lower cardiovascular disease risk." 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 As a teenager with dreams of becoming a professional dancer, Katie Kilbourn often found herself comparing her body to the ones she saw on stage. By age 16, she started engaging in disordered eating behaviorsinitially restricting the food she consumed and later purging. Through therapy and support groups, Kilbourn, 31, of Sacramento, eventually found healing. But it wasn't until her eating disorders had taken over her life that she says anyone talked to her about accepting and celebrating the body she was given. "I was well into my late teens before I started hearing people say things like 'all bodies are good bodies' or that you can be successful no matter what you look like," she said. "If someone had talked to me when I was like 12 or younger, I think it would have helped nip things in the bud." Assemblyman Josh Lowenthal, D-Long Beach, is hoping a new bill he authored will do just that for young girls and teenagers growing up in California today. That includes his three young daughters, ages 8, 11 and 12. "They're coming from a generation that was pushed into social media, especially in the pandemic, without having proper guardrails around its impacts on their emotional development," Lowenthal said about his daughters. "And I'm seeing the effects firsthand." Assembly Bill 10 would require school districts, county offices of education and charter schools to develop and adopt policies and resources about body shaming before the 202526 school year. Teen eating disorders on the rise after the pandemic Body shamingcriticizing or commenting on the appearance of oneself or others in a way that often leads to comparison and shamehas spread alongside the explosion of social media in recent years. Research shows that girls start to express concerns about their weight or shape as early as age 6. Nearly 1 in 10 Americans is believed to struggle with an eating disorder, which includes anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder, during their lifetime, according to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders. But young girls and teens today seem to be at an even greater risk. A study published in November 2022 found that eating disorders among young adults spiked during the COVID-19 pandemic. That's in addition to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that revealed nearly 3 in 5 U.S. teen girls felt persistently sad or hopeless in 2021double that of boys and a nearly 60% increase over the past decade. Jessica BarthNesbitt, regional nutrition director for Eating Recovery Center, said efforts like Lowenthal's bill to increase awareness and education will be critical to reverse those trends. "When you talk about bringing curriculum around self-esteem into schools, that really does help influence someone's view of their own body and other bodies in addition to helping to dispel some of the misinformation that may be in the media around what an ideal or normal body is for people," she said. Body shaming and bullying policies inside California schools While many school districts have anti-bullying policies in place, Lowenthal said he believes more education is needed. "It's not necessarily about bullying in a way that kids are trying to inflict pain," he said. "What I've found is that kids are talking about each other's bodies and comparing them, but they don't understand the impacts it may be making on their friends." Sacramento City Unified School District has a bullying policy that states a student "shall not be harassed, intimidated, or bullied" based on a slew of characteristics, including disability; gender; race or ethnicity; religion and sexual orientation. The district's student sexual harassment policy also prohibits "graphic verbal comments about an individual's body." Al Goldberg, a spokesperson for Sacramento City Unified School District, said the district does not comment on pending legislation. "The goal of this bill is not to put a burden on schools," Lowenthal said. "We simply want to make sure that teachers and administrators have the resources available so they're armed to deal with it." Rejecting negative body comments for next generation Although it's been more than a decade since Kilbourn engaged in disordered eating behaviors, she said there are still a lot of aspiring dancers who face pressure to lose weight and look a certain way. Seeking to combat that culture, Kilbourn created a nonprofit dance company centered around inspiring body positivity and self-appreciation. And while she's working as a dance instructor to inspire confidence in her community, she hopes a similar message can be spread more widely through schools. "I want to give children the tools that they need to stand up for themselves and to continue fighting back against this negative culture that we live in," she said. "And if we start to have these conversations with younger students and younger children, hopefully we can have that impact on them sooner." 2023 The Sacramento Bee. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Schematic outline of the study. a, COVID-19 vaccination uptake (at least one dose) at the end of October 2021 was extracted from the Finnish Vaccination Register for each individual aged 3080 years and living in Finland. A comprehensive collection of potential predictors was extracted (at the end of 2019, except for vaccination status of relatives, for which data up to the end of October 2021 were used) from nationwide registries, totalling 2,890 potential predictors across 12 manually defined predictor categories. The genetics of COVID-19 vaccination uptake was studied in a subsample of individuals of the total study population (FinnGen participants) and replicated in Estonia Biobank. Machine learning was then used to identify the predictors and predictor categories that best predict vaccination uptake in the test set. b, Total number of vaccinated (blue, at least one vaccination dose) and unvaccinated (purple) females and males in the study population at the end of October 2021. c, Cumulative fraction of different age groups in the study population (blue indicates 30- to 40-year-olds, orange indicates 41- to 50-year-olds, green indicates 51- to 60-year-olds, red indicates 61- to 70-year-olds and violet indicates 71- to 80-year-olds) who had received the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine as a function of time during the follow-up period. Panel a created with BioRender.com. Credit: Nature Human Behaviour (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41562-023-01591-z A large-scale registry study in Finland has identified several factors associated with uptake of the first dose of COVID-19 vaccination. In particular, persons with low or no labor income and persons with mental health or substance abuse issues were less likely to vaccinate. The study, carried out in collaboration between the University of Helsinki and the Finnish Institute of Health and Welfare, tested the association of nearly 3000 health, demographic and socio-economic variables with the uptake of the first COVID-19 vaccination dose across the entire Finnish population. This work, just published in the Nature Human Behavior, is the largest study to date on this topic. The single most significant factors that associated with reduced likelihood of being vaccinated were lack of labor income in the year preceding the pandemic, mother tongue other than Finnish or Swedish and having unvaccinated close relatives, especially the mother. Among health-related variables, factors related to mental health and substance abuse problems associated with reduced vaccination. "Lack of labor income can be due to unemployment, sickness or retirement. Furthermore, among individuals with labor income, we saw that low-income earners where the least likely to vaccinate," explains Tuomo Hartonen, Postdoctoral Researcher at the Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland FIMM, University of Helsinki. The study was based on the FinRegistry data. Researchers analyzed population-wide national health and population register data from the pre-pandemic period and compared these with the vaccination status data. The analyses were limited to people aged 30-80 years. "A particular strength of our study is that it is based on registers covering the entire Finnish population. This way we can avoid all selection bias, which is a major challenge of survey studies," Postdoctoral Researcher Bradley Jermy from FIMM says. The researchers stress that their results describe the association between the studied variables and vaccination uptake at the population level, but do not allow conclusions to be drawn about causal relationships. Furthermore, the generalizability of the findings outside Finland requires further studies. However, it is clear from the results that in Finland, vaccination uptake was lowest among those who are already in a vulnerable position. Researchers created a machine learning-based model to predict vaccination uptake In addition to studying single predictors, the research team constructed a machine learning-based model to predict vaccination uptake. This prediction model allowed the researchers to group individuals according to their likelihood of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Approximately 90% of the total study population received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccination. In contrast, the group with the lowest probability of being vaccinated based on the model had a vaccination rate of less than 19%. "Our research has created a framework for using machine learning and statistical approaches to identify those groups that are at higher risk of not vaccinating," says the corresponding author of the study, Associate Professor Andrea Ganna from FIMM. "These results and the predictive model could be used in the future, for example in designing vaccination campaigns," says the Principal Investigator of the FinRegistry study, Research Professor Markus Perola from THL. "This study is a great example of the possibilities that the FinRegistry study creates for investigating highly topical issues in a short timeframe. The collaboration between THL's genetic and registry researchers and FIMM scientists will help to understand the many pathways that lead to susceptibility to different diseases," Perola continues. More information: Tuomo Hartonen et al, Nationwide health, socio-economic and genetic predictors of COVID-19 vaccination status in Finland, Nature Human Behaviour (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41562-023-01591-z Journal information: Nature Human Behaviour This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain A new study by Northwestern University found that among youth who had entered juvenile detention, one-quarter of Black and Hispanic males were later injured or killed by firearms within 16 years. While the nation's youth and young adults are disproportionately affected by the daily occurrence of 100 firearm deaths and 234 non-fatal firearm injuries, youth who have been previously involved with the juvenile justice system had up to 23 times the rate of firearm mortality than the general population. The study is the first to focus on the incidence rate of firearm injuries and death within the juvenile justice population. "Who goes to detention? Most are just kids from poor families. Many of our participants had not even been convicted," said Linda Teplin, a behavioral scientist and the study's director. "Youth in the juvenile justice system are commonly viewed as perpetrators of violencebut we found that they are highly likely to become victims of firearm injury and death." Teplin is the Owen L. Coon Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and the senior author of the study. "We need empirical studies to inform policy and guide decisions around the most promising and innovative interventions," said first author Nanzi Zheng, a Northwestern doctoral student in psychology. "To address our nation's epidemic of firearm injury and death, we also need to focus on the highest-risk youth, like those in the juvenile justice system." "Nonfatal Firearm Injury and Firearm Mortality in High-Risk Youths and Young Adults 25 Years After Detention" will be published in JAMA Network Open. Injury and mortality rates Using data from the Northwestern Juvenile Project, a longitudinal investigation of 1,829 randomly selected youth who were newly admitted to juvenile detention in Cook County (Chicago), the researchers found one-quarter of Black and Hispanic males in the study were later injured or killed by firearms within 16 years of detention. They also found that the rate of firearm injury and death among juvenile justice males was nearly 14 times the rate among juvenile justice females. Firearm mortality rates for most demographic groups in the study were significantly higher than the general population. Firearm deaths among females in the study were 6.5 times higher than the general population. Among males, non-Hispanic white males were 23 times more likely to be killed by firearms than those in the general population. The firearm mortality rate among Hispanic males was nearly 10 times higher than the general population. Firearm death among Black males was 2.5 times higher than the general population. While significantly high, the number represents a less dramatic difference than other demographic groups because firearm mortality is already so high among Black males in the general population. Study implications Teplin advises a creative and multidisciplinary approach to reducing firearm violence that involves legal and healthcare professionals, street outreach workers and public health researchers. "People who have been shot are more likely to be injured again or killed. Therefore, hospital emergency departments are ideal settings to implement violence prevention interventions. Poverty also begets violence. We need to address the compound issues that lead to urban blight, such as inadequate housing, unemployment and poor infrastructure," Teplin said. "The public cares a great deal about mass shootings, but they comprise less than 4% of all firearm deaths. We need to worry more about the everyday violence that disproportionately affects poor, urban youth, especially people of color." Department of Justice viewpoints "These findings are sobering and underscore the need for further research to better understand the relationship between juvenile detention and firearm victimization," said Nancy La Vigne, director of the National Institute of Justice. "Given this study's racially disparate impacts, it is essential that we examine both the individual factors precipitating violent victimization and the larger context of structural inequality." "As this study makes clear, vulnerability to gun violence is one of many adverse outcomes associated with juvenile detention," said Liz Ryan, administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. "These findings demonstrate the comprehensive support that formerly detained youth need and highlights the need for additional research. We must continue to work together to better understandand mitigatethe challenges faced after juvenile justice system involvement." More information: Linda Teplin et al, Nonfatal Firearm Injury and Firearm Mortality in High-Risk Youths and Young Adults 25 Years After Detention, JAMA Network Open (2023). DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.8902 Journal information: JAMA Network Open 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: Illustration of Georgia (GA)s real-time COVID-19 cases/deaths (black) growth in comparision with its own lagged %ILI (yellow) and the lagged %ILI of the neighboring states, from 2020-07-04 to 2022-08-13. a COVID-19 real-time cases in GA (thick black curve) vs. lagged 1 week %ILI in GA (yellow curve) and the neighboring states; (b) COVID-19 real-time deaths in GA (thick black curve) and lagged 3 weeks %ILI in GA (yellow curve) and the neighboring states. Credit: Communications Medicine (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s43856-023-00272-2 The most widely used source of medical advice in modern society might be the Google search box. Enough people turn to the site with searches like "loss of taste" or "how long contagious" that researchers at Georgia Tech can use that data to accurately predict looming waves of influenza-like illness and COVID-19 infections. Their forecasting models work for the nation overall and for each state, offering a new source of data about potential "twindemics" that could burden health care systems. The model, developed by Shihao Yang and his team in the H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering, is published in the Nature journal Communications Medicine. "Our contribution is that we provide a unique angle for our forecasts: We find that there might be a hack for short-term prediction based on the search data," said Yang, an assistant professor and co-author alongside Georgia Tech Ph.D. student Simin Ma and Shaoyang Ning, assistant professor of statistics at Williams College. The team's "hack" uses 23 key search queries, like "loss of taste," to look ahead four weeks at the serious cases of both flu-like illnesses and COVID-19. The model uses federal data on hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19, plus outpatient visits for flu-like illnessesthe official benchmark since it's difficult to separate flu cases from other kinds of viral infections with similar symptoms. "We provide a unique perspective. Many other people don't really use this datawhat you might think about as alternative data," Yang said. "Health care professionals and epidemiologists use surveillance data, survey data, hospital records. Those are the usual realm. As a statistician working in an engineering context, my lens is a bit different on our health care system." Yang said traditional epidemiological models are much more effective than his approach at forecasting six months or more in the future. Where his team's work shines is in the short-term, offering public health officials and hospitals data to anticipate an imminent surge. The researchers have presented their research results to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Yang has been using search data for flu forecasting for years and started to apply that knowledge to the coronavirus pandemic in early 2020. Over time, he sensed the new tools he and others developed for COVID predictions could help with flu modeling and vice versa. With increasing concern last fall about a "twindemic" of both illnesses, "we realized this seems to be the time to start treating flu and COVID kind of equally," Yang said. "So, the whole idea is, why don't I just put the two diseases together and build a joint model for both." More information: Simin Ma et al, Joint COVID-19 and influenza-like illness forecasts in the United States using internet search information, Communications Medicine (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s43856-023-00272-2 Journal information: Communications 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: Screenshot from the DeMAG webserver. DeMAG predicts benign mutations in light blue and pathogenic ones in coral. Credit: Nature Communications (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37661-z Despite the increasing use of genomic sequencing in clinical practice, interpreting rare genetic mutations, even among well-studied disease genes, remains difficult. Current predictive models are useful for interpreting those mutations, but they are prone to misclassify those that do not cause diseases, contributing to false positives. Researchers from the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics (MPI-CBG) in Dresden, the Center for Systems Biology Dresden (CSBD) in Germany, and the Harvard Medical School in Boston, U.S., have developed a tool called Deciphering Mutations in Actionable Genes (DeMAG). The research is published in the journal Nature Communications. DeMAG is an open-source web server (demag.org) that offers an interpretation of the effects of all potential single amino acid mutations that could occur in 316 clinically relevant genes that cause diseases for which preventive diagnostics and treatments are already available. DeMAG provides medical professionals with a tool that allows them to more accurately assess the effect of mutations in those genes by reducing the false positive rate, which means that less benign mutations are predicted as pathogenic. As a result, the tool can support clinical decision-making. In recent years, genomic sequencing has become less expensive and more advanced. On the one hand, this allows clinicians to increasingly use sequencing for diagnostic purposes while also allowing scientists to explore more research hypotheses. On the other hand, many detected mutations do not have a clear clinical interpretation. The uncertainty over whether a mutation causes disease can be stressful for patients and lead to psychological burden, morbidity and health-care expenses associated with under- and overdiagnosis. While existing tools are already used to predict the functional impact of these variants, their performance is biased due to limited clinical data that makes distinguishing between pathogenic (disease-causing) and benign (neutral) variants within a given gene difficult and often lead to misclassifying mutations that do not cause disease as pathogenic. Addressing these difficulties is critical for developing a reliable predictor for clinical applications. The research group of Agnes Toth-Petroczy at the MPI-CBG and the CSBD teamed up with Christopher Cassa, assistant professor of medicine at the Brigham and Women's Hospital Division of Genetics at the Harvard Medical School, and Ivan Adzhubei, research associate at the Department of Biomedical Informatics at Harvard Medical School, to develop a statistical model and web server DeMAG that reaches high accuracy in the interpretation of genetic mutations in disease genes. To do this, the researchers carefully selected known pathogenic and benign mutations for training the model. "We used clinical and various population databases. We selected only mutations whose clinical interpretation is agreed upon among multiple submitters such as medical doctors and genetics laboratories. And we also included data from ancestries that are underrepresented in the current population databases, such as Korean or Japanese, to make it even more representative and accurate," explains Federica Luppino, first author of the research paper and Ph.D. student in the Toth-Petroczy group. DeMAG includes a novel feature, the "partners score," that identifies clusters of amino acids in a protein that share the same clinical effect. With the partners score, DeMAG takes advantage of the amino acid relationships based on evolutionary information from the genomes of many organisms and the recent AI (Artificial Intelligence) revolution of predicting the 3D shapes of proteins using the AlphaFold algorithm developed by Google DeepMind. Agnes Toth-Petroczy, who supervised the study, concludes, "We provide a basic framework for integrating clinical and protein data to aid assessing the impact of mutations. We hope that our tool and web server will ease variants effect assessment and clinical decision-making. Furthermore, the newly developed features can be applied to other genes and organisms beyond humans." The DeMAG code is available on GitLab (git.mpi-cbg.de/tothpetroczylab/DeMAG) and all data is freely available on the webserver at demag.org/. More information: Federica Luppino et al, DeMAG predicts the effects of variants in clinically actionable genes by integrating structural and evolutionary epistatic features, Nature Communications (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37661-z Journal information: Nature Communications Provided by Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics 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: Road map of health insurance (HI) reforms. Credit: Journal of Public Health Policy (2023). DOI: 10.1057/s41271-023-00411-y A recent study by doctoral student Thinh Vu and Assistant Professor Sean Haley suggests that a universal health insurance program for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) in Vietnam could result in significant benefits. The study reviewed existing health insurance policies from Vietnam to identify barriers and propose alternative strategies to sustain and expand HIV/AIDS medication and treatment funding. The findings are published in the Journal of Public Health Policy. Given the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 and the tapering of international funding, the implementation of a universal health insurance program for PLHIV in Vietnam would add a considerable national expense. Yet, the paper suggests that an incremental approach to expanding lifelong antiretroviral therapy (ART) treatment for the uninsured would not only improve the health of PLHIV but also reduce the transmission of new HIV infections. According to Vu, existing health insurance policies limit treatment access for people living with HIV by placing a considerable financial burden on insured PLHIV and precluding uninsured individuals from eligibility for ART programs. By implementing a universal health insurance program among vulnerable populations regardless of residency or documentation status, Vietnam's Ministry of Health could increase the uptake of ART treatment, reducing premature mortality and infections, and potentially improving population health while generating economic benefits from ART treatment through productivity gains and lower health care costs. More information: Thinh T. Vu et al, Universal health insurance program for people living with HIV in Vietnam: an ambitious approach, Journal of Public Health Policy (2023). DOI: 10.1057/s41271-023-00411-y 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: Group Home Workers' Report of the Perceived COVID-19 Pandemic Effects The survey item was "In the past year, has the COVID-19 pandemic had a very serious, somewhat serious or not serious impact on...?" Credit: JAMA Health Forum (2023). DOI: 10.1001/jamahealthforum.2023.0445 Group homes are therapeutic environments that are critical to the care of patients with severe mental illness (SMI) and/or intellectual or developmental disabilities. Massachusetts experienced a sudden and dramatic emergence of COVID in the spring of 2020, as of August 2022, there had been nearly 7,000 deaths and nearly 43,000 cases of COVID-10 reported among residents of congregate care settings Profoundly transformed daily activities for those who lived and worked in those organizations by disrupting routines, forcing vulnerable individuals to quarantine, halting community work and recreation activities that are key to therapeutic programming, and isolated residents from their friends and family. In the study published in JAMA Health Forum, a team led by investigators from the Mongan Institute at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), a founding member of Mass General Brigham (MGB), surveyed approximately 1,470 health care workers conducted one year into the pandemic, a majority reported "very serious" or "somewhat serious" effects in many aspects of their lives, including work, health, family, sleep and other factors: More than 50% reported very serious effects on work or employment and on contact with family and friends Nearly two-thirds of respondents reported very serious or somewhat serious effects on access to health services Approximately a quarter of respondents reported needing support for health and wellness, 15% needing support for mental health, and almost 20% for loneliness and isolation When adjusting for race/ethnicity, the team found that Hispanic respondents expressed a higher need for support in health and wellness, mental health and physical health compared to White and Black respondents. "The present findings documenting the negative outcomes of the pandemic on front-line workers, coupled with high rates of staff turnover and shortages, has implications for a likely diminished capacity to address the complex needs of this highly vulnerable population," the study team writes. "In Massachusetts, as in the rest of the United States, workers in group homes come from very diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds. Many of these workers suffered their own health care challenges in the pandemic," says lead author Karen Donelan, ScD, EdM, a senior scientist at the Health Policy Research Center of the Mongan Institute at MGH and now also the Stuart H. Altman Professor of U.S. Health Policy at Brandeis University. "Protecting the health of workers and those they support should be a public health priority. A future study will test new strategies to improve the well-being of group home staff." The study team, led by Stephen Bartels, MD, MS and Brian Skotko,MD, MPP, designed and tested interventions to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in group homes. Results are pending publication. More information: Karen Donelan et al, Group Home Staff Experiences With Work and Health in the COVID-19 Pandemic in Massachusetts, JAMA Health Forum (2023). DOI: 10.1001/jamahealthforum.2023.0445 Journal information: JAMA Health Forum Kicking off this years International Wildlife Film Festival is a documentary that celebrates the genius of nature and offers hope for the future of both people and the natural world. The full-length movie Biocentricos takes the audience deep into the world of biomimicry and the innovative ways it is being applied. Biomimicry is the practice of learning from nature and applying those lessons to design and human invention. It is a field that was popularized in part by Montana local Janine Benyus, a science writer who also doubles as a biomimicry consultant. In 1997, Benyus wrote a book titled Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature. The books popularity turned into a movement, inspiring Benyus to later found the Missoula-based Biomimicry Institute. The institute works with companies, innovators and scientists around the world to help them adopt and incorporate biomimicry into their work. Once an engineer or an inventor has learned in this way, Benyus said in the film, they will always turn to the natural world for ideas. The natural world as the ultimate innovator is the theme at the heart of the film, which explores how it is the best place to look for inspiration when it comes from science to infrastructure. The film features people from different disciplines including Eiji Nakatsu, the Japanese engineer who redesigned and modeled Japans bullet trains after the kingfisher. By copying the beak of the bird, the bullet trains design is now faster, more efficient and more economic. The work of an Indigenous community in Brazil, designers and Benyus herself are also included throughout the film. The stories are woven together to paint a picture of the multitude of ways that nature can inspire better human designs and therefore, more sustainable societies and infrastructure. One of the companies that Benyus has worked with is a major cosmetic company based in Brazil. The companys use of biomimicry became the subject of an episode for a television show that Brazil-based filmmaker Fernanda Figueiredo, the co-director of Biocentricos, was working on. Figueiredo became profoundly interested in biomimicry and given her experience in filmmaking and environmental education and communication, she became inspired to make a documentary about it. To get started, Figueiredo remembers spending an entire month perfecting an email to Benyus. English is not Figueiredos native language and she was worried about her imperfect English. But Benyus replied quickly and agreed to be a part of the documentary. It was the start of an eight-year-long project. A limited budget plus the pandemic made the filming process slow, according to Figueiredo. It also kept the team from including stories of how people around the world are incorporating biomimicry into their work. But Figueiredo said that it was important to her to focus on work being done in Brazil. We wanted to show the potential that Brazil has for developing biomimicry because of our biodiversity, Figueiredo said. Starting this year, the film has been playing in theaters in Brazil and Figueiredo has been surprised by the positive responses from especially young people. She did not make the film with young people in mind but has been approached by many who have been inspired to study and incorporate biomimicry into their work. My intention was to show people that there is a different way we can do things and to bring hope, Figueiredo said. THURSDAY, April 20, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. National Institutes of Health could get a new leader in Monica Bertagnolli, M.D., the Boston cancer surgeon who has led the U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI) since last fall. The White House plans to nominate Bertagnolli for the position, which has been filled by an interim director since December 2021, The Washington Post reported. She would have to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Bertagnolli is known for being high-energy, unflappable, and willing to take on challenging cases. "In her seven-month tenure as National Cancer Institute director, Dr. Bertagnolli quickly demonstrated her strategic and comprehensive approach to accelerating progress in cancer prevention, detection, and treatment," said Karen Knudsen, Ph.D., CEO of the American Cancer Society and ACS Cancer Action Network (CAN). "Among her accomplishments in the last half year, Dr. Bertagnolli released a robust Cancer Plan, laying out an inspired roadmap to advance the Cancer Moonshot Initiative, to end cancer as we know it." That is all despite being diagnosed with breast cancer herself during a routine mammogram weeks after taking the helm at the NCI. Bertagnolli's breast cancer is hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative. It is treatable, with a very favorable prognosis. Bertagnolli's work at the cancer institute has included a plan to reduce cancer deaths and achieve President Joe Biden's "moonshot" initiative, which aims to cut the U.S. cancer death rate by at least 50 percent over the next 25 years. She also has focused on streamlining the complications and costs of studies. The first woman to lead the NCI, Bertagnolli, 64, studied chemical engineering at Princeton University and graduated from the University of Utah School of Medicine. She is also the mother of a son with autism. "Dr. Bertagnolli is not only an exceptional surgical oncologist, innovative scientist, and leader with a strong track record of transforming organizations, she also has firsthand knowledge of the patient perspective as well," Knudsen said in a statement. "ACS and ACS CAN strongly support this choice as the next NIH director." The owners of the Old Post Hospital at Fort Missoula are welcoming the community to visit the historic structure from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 29. Members of the project team will be available to answer questions. The event will be family-friendly, with free food and drink available, and there is no cost to attend. We want the community to see the need to restore the Old Post Hospital firsthand, and to hear directly from our team about the plan to revitalize this area of Fort Missoula, said Max Wolf, the property owner and project developer, in a press release. We also hope visitors to the Open House will envision what this space could look like for our community in the future, and we look forward to welcoming everyone to the Fort. The current owners of the Old Post Hospital purchased it in 2019 with the intention of rehabilitating the structure. Their proposal to undertake this work was heard by the Missoula Historic Preservation Commission at its April 5 meeting, and a decision on the plan is expected at its next meeting on May 3. This week, the Columbia Falls City Council once again rejected a large housing proposal east of downtown. Only two out of six councilors Mike Shepard and Darin Fisher voted in favor of 7030 Hwy 2 Residences. It was the latest in a series of housing proposals targeting the small city in northeast Flathead County. The development followed on the heels of a contentious months-long process to evaluate River Highlands subdivision, the brainchild of Kalispell developer James Barnett. Barnett was responsible for a proposal that split the Whitefish community in 2022, and he also built a residential subdivision in Kalispell. In August 2022, Barnett set his sights on Columbia Falls, where he originally proposed 455 units on 49 acres located east of the Flathead River and south of U.S. Highway 2. Twice, however, public outcry against the proposal prompted Barnett to withdraw his plans. In the midst of the River Highlands proceedings, Columbia Falls company Schellinger Construction brought another proposal for 103 residences near Meadow Lake Resort on the west side of town. While hours of public testimony pushed council to initially postpone its decision on Tamarack Meadows subdivision, the proposal eventually went through. Location Ventures developer Rishi Kapoor wasnt so lucky. Kapoor, based in Florida, proposed 7030 Hwy 2 Residences 180 residences on 22 acres located near the intersection of U.S. Highway 2 and River Road. The project called for 99 single-family attached homes in 3- and 4-unit buildings, as well as 81 one-to-three-bedroom apartments. The goal, according to the developer, was to maximize the use of space while maintaining 55% of the acreage as open space. In multiple meetings that went late into the night, droves of public commenters enumerated similar concerns with all three housing developments. Safety, traffic and environmental issues topped their lists. Shirley Folkwein, president of the Upper Flathead Neighborhood Association, was a vocal opponent to the most recent proposal and others before it. The major concern that we had, she said, (was that) it doesnt agree with the growth policy because its an environmentally sensitive area. Wetlands and a wildlife corridor are both at stake in the location of 7030 Hwy 2 Residences. Folkwein and her supporters also worried the developer would have to drill under the Flathead River to connect to city services. The plans for the development didnt include this detail, but nor did they specify how the development would reach city services from the project location east of the river. Although proponents of both projects pointed out numerous Montana rivers are subjected to drilling in order to create utility access, including the Clark Fork in Missoula, Folkwein felt the Flathead is in a different category. We contend this is the Flathead River, she said. It was a major concern that there eventually could be a rupture of the pipeline. Housing and affordability were also at issue in the 7030 Hwy 2 Residences proposal. The proposed apartments were expected to rent for about $2 per square foot or $1,600 for an 800-square-foot studio, a price that would exceed affordability in Columbia Falls, Folkwein believed. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median household income in Columbia Falls during 2021 was $56,860. Median gross rent from 2017 to 2021 was $813. In overall Flathead County, for comparison, median gross rent for the same time period was $910 and the median household income was $63,582. Cassidy Kipp, deputy director of Community Action Partnership of Northwest Montana, also illustrated the need to focus on local solutions to housing concerns, particularly in Columbia Falls. We really need to hone in on specific neighborhoods that were serving, she told the Missoulian. CAPNM owns two low-income housing properties in Columbia Falls, and Kipp explained the poverty level relative to the presence of deed-restricted housing units in the small city is distinct from the breakdown elsewhere in Flathead County. In the county seat of Kalispell, for example, the poverty level and the number of deed-restricted housing units are pretty similar, according to Kipp. In Columbia Falls, meanwhile, theres a higher rate of poverty and fewer deed-restricted units. Therefore, Kipp stressed, solutions need to be tailored to specific areas, and more data needs to be collected to understand the true need in each community. The developers eyeing Columbia Falls dont appear to be going away anytime soon. Barnett intends to rework his River Highlands proposal and return to the city again, according to Columbia Falls City Planner Eric Mulcahy. And Kapoor, in a statement, said, While we are disappointed in the City Councils decision to deny the project, we respect their decision. We are committed to this proposal, which is two years of intentional design and valuable stakeholder input in the making. Our next step is to take the time to reassess how and where our efforts can best serve the Columbia Falls community. Despite the criticism of a Missoula City Council member who called it gentrification and criticized the developer, the Missoula Redevelopment Agencys board on Thursday approved $257,924 in Tax Increment Financing for a new housing project. The money will pay for deconstruction of existing aging houses and public right-of-way improvements to help with the construction of a new 26-unit apartment building on Front Street downtown. Developers Matt Sullivan and his wife, Caroline McCauley, own 401 and 333 Front Street, near Kiwanis Park. They plan to allow Wasteless Works to deconstruct the two buildings on site, which were both built over 100 years ago. "The funding request is for asbestos abatement, deconstruction of the buildings and site clearance, improvements in the public right-of-way and restoration of any impacts to Kiwanis Park, explained MRA director Ellen Buchanan in a memo to the board. The right of way improvements include sidewalks, curb and gutter, storm drainage, boulevard landscaping and a new downtown standard streetlight. Work in Kiwanis Park will consist of reclaiming and reseeding disturbed landscaping and removal and replacement of trees where required. She said property taxes on the two buildings are currently $9,441 annually, and she estimates the new apartment building will generate about $43,500 a year in property taxes once its complete. That means about $34,000 a year will go to the Front Street Urban Renewal District until that district expires. What this project does is it removes two very old houses that have fallen into pretty general disrepair, Buchanan said. (The developers) have invested in the buildings since they bought them (in 2018). One was built in 1920 and the other was built in 1908. Buchanan said she knows there were a lot of public comments about the project and many people were concerned that six tenants were getting displaced. What we require in a situation like that is the developer provides us with a relocation the plan (for the tenants), Buchanan said. She said the developers, operating as MC Real Estate, have agreed to pay two months' rent for the tenants and have returned 100% of their security deposits. She also said the tenants will get the first shot at any of the developers other properties and will get a $100 application fee credit for any application fees they might encounter when applying for other places. Everyone has 30-day leases, Buchanan said. Theres never been any misunderstanding as to what was to happen to that property, from what Ive been told." Buchanan believes that it's worth it to remove two aging houses to create 26 more units. "We need housing, if you wanna talk about public benefit," she said. "I dont think this is high-end housing as has been represented, but at the end of the day we need housing at all price ranges in Montana. I think removal of blight, the two buildings that are being deconstructed certainly meets that definition. These would attract young professionals, students, older folks who were moving out of larger homes. Sullivan said he estimates that the property taxes on the new building will actually be closer to $70,000 a year, because thats what he pays on a similar apartment complex on Hickory Street. Despite what you might hear, we really pride ourselves on taking care of our tenants, he said. We purchased these in 2018 and always planned to redevelop it. Property tax is our number one cost overall by a lot. One of the things that Caroline and I are most excited about is really providing something of value to the community. Theres no institutional investor, theres no hedge fund, theres no private equity, we do all the maintenance and leasing and everything. He said the units will rent for an average price of about $1,400. Thats a lot of money to a lot of people, but you compare that to some units in Corso (an apartment complex near Russell Street), those units start at $1,800, Sullivan said. Were really trying to deliver a product that will attract a lot of people. If we could get it for any cheaper the rent would be cheaper. If we took this to a financial adviser, theyd tell us not to do it. He said they will probably make about $38,000 per year in profit on the project before taxes, which he said equates to about $16 per hour. They are paying $18 to work at McDonalds, he noted. City Councilor Daniel Carlino started off the meeting by criticizing Sullivan for speaking in opposition to a bill before the Montana Legislature that would have extended the time period a landlord can give a tenant a notice-to-vacate from 30 days to 60 days. We had five affordable rental units here, beautiful trees by the park, Carlino said. And I understand that redevelopment needs to happen. But we do not need to give a quarter of a million dollars to capitalists to cause this gentrification and take away those five affordable units. If were going to give money for redeveloping housing in Missoula, please require affordable requirements. Carlino said if Missoula wants more market-rate housing, then zoning laws need to be liberated and land-use codes need to be changed. There must not be any renters' rights bills going on at the Legislature today because I know that this landlord would be there to push against them and try to make sure that landlords have more power than the tenants like he did just a couple weeks ago on the 60-day notice-to-vacate, Carlino said. Several people wrote public comments to the board saying they live in a building owned by Sullivan and that they had been treated well and pay fair rent prices. Tasha Jones, a member of the board, said she and her colleagues read all the public comments. Honestly I wish there was that level of public engagement on all the projects we hear, she said. Im sensitive to the issues that have been raised. It starts with blight. These homes are the definition of blight. There comes a time when a wooden home built in 1908 cannot be salvaged. Blight hurts our community economically, hurts our safety, creates all sorts of community problems. So we as a community have to fight blight and when we have an opportunity to increase the taxable value and create opportunities for economic advantages for all and housing. She also said that she believes that adding more government regulations, like requiring affordable housing on all projects that get public city funding, would drive away local developers. When folks want to add requirements, what that is is government regulation of private property rights, Jones said. My fear is folks like you, a husband-and-wife team who have established a commitment to this community, will be priced out by demands for more regulations on this property. We have to be sensitive to that. They have a project that probably barely pencils and yet we have owners that are willing to allow the public to have a seat at the table." She believes local developers might just stop applying for projects if there's too much red tape. "Every time you put regulation on top of that what you do is make that project unaffordable and you take out the next project because they can no longer afford that," Jones said. "And so I just find that you just have to be so cautious about building on further regulation. That is going to make sure local business owners and investors are not priced out. Buchanan noted that the city doesnt have a policy in place that requires developers to make a portion of their units only available to people at certain incomes. Karl Englund, a member of the board, said he believes Carlino was asking them to say no to this based on polices that dont exist and based on Mr. Sullivans political beliefs. Englund said that would be blatantly illegal. He also said that only the city council could create a citywide policy that says no city resources go into housing unless a certain percentage are deemed affordable. We have to administer this program according to the law, Englund said. The board voted unanimously to grant the funding. The project will also include 15 parking spots. The state House on Wednesday approved a bill removing counties from the equation when it comes to compensating people who were wrongfully convicted. Supporters said the new dynamic should help avoid protracted and costly litigation over the compensation claims. House Bill 423, from Rep. Amy Regier, R-Kalispell, also realigns the process as lawmakers originally intended. The House OK'd amendments to the bill on a 58-42 vote Wednesday and on an 81-17 vote Thursday and sent it to the governor. When the Legislature passed the initial compensation package during the 2021 Legislature, Gov. Greg Gianforte sent the bill back with an amendatory veto to put counties on the hook for 75% of the compensation. Without the change, Gianforte would not approve the bill. So the House, having worked on the proposal for two years and seeking to ink some measure into law, reluctantly obliged. The 2021 bill established a compensation plan of $60,000 per year wrongfully imprisoned and $25,000 for each year the person spent under probation or parole, as well as a $5,000 transition assistant grant for people who are released from prison. In order to collect the claim, a person still must provide a "proffer of actual innocence" to a district court. The only case to test the new program so far is staged in Missoula County, where Cody Marble seeks compensation for his 15 years in and out of prison on a rape conviction the county attorney's office later said "lacks integrity." Missoula County officials, facing potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars in compensation claims from Marble, have since reversed course, now arguing in court filings that Marble's conviction was sound. "This is the fix to that," Sen. Barry Usher, R-Yellowstone County, argued on the Senate floor last week. Usher was among the legislators who developed the initial compensation program in conjunction with the Montana Innocence Project in the two years leading up to the 2021 session. Rep. Bill Mercer, a Billings Republican and former federal prosecutor, had successfully grafted counties back into the process with an amendment to HB 423 earlier this session. Last week, the Senate passed the bill with an amendment that once again stripped them off. In arguing against the Senate amendment reversing his own, Mercer during Wednesday's House debate contended local jurisdictions that investigated and prosecuted the cases that resulted in wrongful convictions should remain liable. "In the arc of the cases where there has been litigation based upon wrongful convictions, with the exception of one case, the liability that has resulted from that litigation has always been placed upon counties," he said. Mercer also warned Gianforte could again return the bill with the same choice as last session: keep counties on the hook or the bill would be vetoed. Usher, however, indicated on the Senate floor last week Lt. Gov. Kristen Juras had OK'd removing counties from the process during negotiations before the session to fix components of the process on display in Marble's case. "(We) found some problems in the last two years, we got some stakeholders together lieutenant governor, (Montana) Innocence Project, (Department of Justice), counties, everybody negotiated to make the fixes that we needed," Usher said. The Governor's Office did not immediately respond Wednesday to an email seeking clarity on Gianforte's position on the bill as passed by the House. Our life support system, planet Earth, is flashing a code red. As 90-year-old actor William Shatner recently said after going to space, "We are living on a tiny oasis of life...earth is and will remain our only home. We have been ravaging it, relentlessly, making it uninhabitable." In 2021 a Colorado wildfire tallied losses that surpassed $2 billion, by far the costliest in Colorado history. The Boulder County fire broke out unusually late in December following months of drought. Experts say the winter grassland fire was rare but similar events will become more common as climate change warms the planet. Debate continues but action has stalled as tensions increase among the seven states with stakes in the Colorado River Basin. The basin, which provides drinking water to more than 40 million people and irrigates 15 percent of the nation's farmlands, is drying up. America's two largest reservoirs, lakes Mead and Powell, were at 28 percent and 26 percent of capacity last November. Coal use across the world is set to reach a new record this year. Demand for the heavily polluting fossil fuel climbs as average temperatures worldwide have risen since pre-industrial times. In Europe, which is scrambling to replace Russian oil, some countries have re-opened shuttered coal-fired power plants. China, the worlds biggest consumer of coal, said recently that it plans to boost production through 2025. In the U.S. political fortunes of opposing candidates and parties can, in some cases, hinge on the cost of a gallon of gas. Imagine the profit incentives to the world's wealthiest corporations, Exxon for example, to contribute to candidates promoting fossil fuel extraction. Imagine if Exxon could manipulate the cost of a gallon of gas to sink the political party it disfavors. We can avoid an impending catastrophe. There will likely be no next best opportunity to salvage an inhabitable planet. Begin immediately. Educate ourselves and young people. Engage climate change deniers. Persuade and implore. Without a groundswell of unprecedented grass-roots activism and applied political leverage we will continue to sink this listing ship. It's all-hands-on-deck code red. A May 2021 Business Insider article reported that Airbnb's average daily rates had grown by 35 percent in the first quarter of 2021 compared to 2020, and as we'll see, daily rates affect all the other charges down the line. To many, the fees are anything but clear-cut. Here's a breakdown of fees you can expect to pay: Nightly fees: These are set by the rental host, each of whom has a slightly different way of setting the price. "I know what my break-even point is for the year and that gives me a base rate I have to charge per night at so many nights rented per year," says Erin Turner, who uses both Airbnb and VRBO to rent her cabin in Tennessee. "From there I have to determine what portion of the rate will go to online booking agents (Airbnb, VRBO, TripAdvisor, Booking.com) per night and account for that when pricing the room." She also factors in the costs of maintenance, utilities, booking software, insurance, permits and other normal business expenses. Advertisement Cleaning fees: These also are set by hosts, and typically are the same per length of stay, whether you rent for one night or seven. So cost efficiency really depends on the rental period. Enhanced (and more expensive) cleaning protocols necessitated by COVID-19 especially screwed things up. "Airbnb introduced a policy requiring hosts to complete a five-step enhanced cleaning process," says Hatton, a good thing. "However, incorporating such a policy demands additional time and resources that translate to extra fees for us travelers." Then, of course, there's the fact that professional cleaning rates vary widely by location and the size of the rental. However, Airbnb representative Charlie Urbancic says that among active Airbnb listings globally, 45 percent do not charge a cleaning fee. "For listings that do charge a cleaning fee, the fee on average is less than 10 percent of the total reservation cost," he notes. Service fees: Another major sticking point for renters is often the service fee that's tacked on at the end. On its website Airbnb says it generally charges guests a fee that is less than 14.2 percent of the total of the nightly fee plus the cleaning fee plus any additional guest fees. "The service fee is supposedly for the products, services and support provided by Airbnb. But then surely most of it should be paid by the hosts, plus they are charging for support when Airbnb is notoriously difficult to actually contact and get any response from," says travel expert Jill Miller with Your RV Lifestyle. "Broke Backpacker" Hatton points out that the Airbnb service has grown from a "reasonable 6.6 percent of your total stay in 2016 to a staggering 14 to 18 percent which certainly eats into travelers budgets and limits the potential for other adventures!" Hosts are generally charged 3 to 5 percent fee, also. "In fairness to Airbnb, the fees they charge for their service is quite reasonable, especially when you factor in that they process the credit cards for the hosts, which runs upward of 3 percent on every transaction," says Ann Cross, owner and operator of two Airbnb rentals, Remington Flats and The Fort Apartment. VRBO has a similar service fee structure of roughly 9 to 15 percent. "VRBO's traveler service fee was introduced in 2016 and varies depending on the cost of the booking generally, the higher the reservation amount, the lower the percentage of the fee," says VRBO representative Alison Kwong. "Travelers that book and pay through VRBO are protected by the Book with Confidence Guarantee and have access to 24/7 customer service." Pet fees: Not bringing pets? Don't even worry about this one. But if you are, expect to pay a chunk more for the extra cleaning considerations that come with having animals. Hosts decide on the amount. Local taxes: These local lodging taxes are added to the bill where there are laws requiring vacation rentals to pay tax. "A few years ago, a lot of hosts were 'forgetting' to pay local taxes. They were supposed to take them out of their Airbnb revenues and transfer them to the local tax authorities," industry expert Masson says. "Under the pressure of municipalities, Airbnb has started collecting taxes directly from guests and sending the money to tax authorities. So, guests may also see an increase in the overall cost of their Airbnb, as things are done more legally these days." These occupancy taxes are obviously not set by the service, but by the local government, according to Airbnb's Urbancic. "They are generally the same rates that apply to hotels and other hospitality businesses in those areas," he explains. So, would it be cheaper overall to go to a hotel as opposed to a vacation rental? That depends. A study by intercity bus company Busbud found that Airbnb prices were better than hotels in seven of the 12 U.S. cities it looked at. "Overall, Airbnb wins the price war in the Northeast and Pacific Northwest, while hotels fare better in the South," the company wrote. Also in the nine European cities it examined, Airbnb was cheaper than hotels in eight cases. Barcelona was the outlier: "On average, Airbnb rates run 81 percent higher than hotel costs in the most cosmopolitan city in Spain," it said. Tourist demand and a special city permit required to advertise apartments may be to blame for that spike. Of course the type of hotel and the type of rental you're looking at may not be comparable. Plus, you'll likely have more space and a special experience with a vacation rental that you wouldn't get with a cookie-cutter hotel. "My cabin is still much less expensive for the night than a typical hotel stay and it sleeps six and you get two baths, a kitchen, amazing views, and a unique experience," points out Turner, who is both an Airbnb Superhost and a VRBO Premier Partner. Fox News host Dan Bongino is not happy with the network after it edited a clip of a recent interview with former President Donald Trump, a move that sparked swift backlash from Bonginos own conservative (and fiercely pro-Trump) fan base. Bonginos interview with Trump aired August 7. In it, Trump called the 2020 election he lost to President Joe Biden fraudulent and once again falsely claimed that he had won. The full Trump quote is as follows: Its a disgrace whats happening, and I dont think the countrys going to stand for it much longer, they are disgusted. You have a fake election, you have an election with voter abuse and voter fraud like nobodys ever seen before, and based on that, and based on what happened, they are destroying our country, whether its at the border, whether its on crime, and plenty of instances, including military. This entire quote was aired live on Fox News but the network edited the clip with a quick cut before posting it to YouTube. Fox News didnt immediately respond to TheWraps request for comment. Liz Harrington, former RNC spokeswoman and avid Trump advocate, drew attention to the edit when she used social media to call out the network for what she deemed was censorship of the former president. Fox News EDITED and CHANGED what President Trump said, censoring out 45 accurately describing the Fake Election, Harrington tweeted Sunday. This is just as bad as Big Tech. They are putting President Trumps honest statement, and the concerns of tens of millions of Americans, down the Memory Hole. After all this, Bongino posted Monday an hour-long episode of his Dan Bongino Show podcast called About the Donald Trump Interview where he gave his thoughts on the issue. I feel betrayed by a lot of people, the host said. He added the insults from the pro-Trump base have been intense, even though just several days ago Bongino was their favorite man after taking over the late Rush Limbaughs hour-long conservative talk radio spot in March. Story continues Ive been called everything this weekend. Sellout, traitor. Pay-triot, with a P-A-Y, which is unbelievable, Bongino said. He added that some listeners decided to throw me under the bus immediately after the incident. (The interview) was edited, Bongino continued. The reason I was given was to comply with YouTube rules. We have no intention of doing that on my show, he said. I dont control the Fox News YouTube account. However, I do work with them, and its my show. While its not exactly clear why Fox might have cut the clip to exclude Trumps lies about the 2020 election, its possible this was done in an abundance of caution given the media giants legal troubles lately. The network is the defendant in two lawsuits from voting machine makers, Dominion Voting Systems and Smartmatic, both of which sued Fox for spreading lies about how secure its machines were in the 2020 election. The Dominion lawsuit seeks at least $1.6 billion in damages, while Smartmatic requests $2.7 billion. Fox has filed motions to dismiss both suits. Regardless, Bongino said he is trying to resolve the issue of the network editing his show and promised his fans a definitive resolution. Its not acceptable at all. I want to make that clear, Bongino said. This is not acceptable. Meaning I wont accept it. And I promise you a definitive resolution that Im working on now. What it is, well have to find out. But I promise you a definitive resolution. If you think Im just going to forget about it and pretend, oh itll blow over you clearly havent listened to my show through the year. Read original story Dan Bongino Blasts Fox News for Editing His Trump Interview: I Feel Betrayed At TheWrap It sounds like a local business will get some help with an expansion after county leaders approved application for a grant. The Burke County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday agreed to take on administration of a $200,000 building reuse grant for Project Piano, the codename officials are using to refer to the business until a formal announcement is made at a later date. Administration of the grant, if its awarded, would comprise the 5% local match required by the grant program. Details about the business are limited, but Alan Wood, president and CEO of Burke Development Inc., said the business is only in the countys jurisdiction. He said its a company thats looking to grow its operation, and its been working toward this for about two years. This is truly a building that I really thought wed never get reoccupied, Wood said. It is the perfect reuse project, and it will help our tax base immensely when they finish their repair work on this site. The expansion is expected to create 25 new jobs with an average annual salary of $54,000, Wood said. He expected most of the grant money to go toward replacing the roof on the building where they will be expanding. I think its a good project, and it just gives us another opportunity to help business continue to grow in Burke County, Wood said. In other business, for residents in the eastern end of the county, a new convenience site will be on its way soon after commissioners awarded a contract for the sites construction at the Tuesday night meeting. Hickory-based Moss-Marlow Building Co. had the lowest responsive, responsible bid for the project, coming in with a bid of $1,221,000 to build the site. They added on a contingency of $296,000, appropriating a total of about $1.5 million for the project. Once completed, the site will feature three compactors, two of which are intended for household waste and one meant for recyclables, said General Services Director Mark Delehant. Residents would no longer need to sort out their recyclables. Theres also space available on the property to build a water and sewer office in the future, if the county so wishes, Delehant said. Commissioner Johnnie Carswell said he believed the new convenience site would be one of the most modern convenience sites in western North Carolina. He also suspected there could be funding opportunities to help close the existing convenience site for that area on Rhodhiss Road. Like Carswell, Commissioner Randy Burns said he felt the new convenience site was long overdue. County commissioners also voted to accept a grant for the regional residential treatment facility theyre looking to create. Dogwood Health Trust awarded a $275,000 opioid planning grant to the Burke County Health Department for staff, travel, meeting space rental, advertising, technology-related expenses and paper and copy supplies. Also approved Tuesday night was the rezoning of about 2.92 acres of land on Hawksbill Drive off N.C. 126 near Lake James. The property was part of a little more than 30 acres of land that was originally zoned general business and had been zoned that way for years, said Alan Glines, community development director for the county. The property owner believed there was a potential for the newly rezoned portion of land to become residential, while the rest would remain general business. The property currently is undeveloped, and the planning board unanimously supported the rezoning. Ten Butte High School students will be going to Atlanta in June to compete in a national academic and trade skills competition. Butte High School SkillsUSA Club has 12 members, and all but two placed first at the state competition in Helena from March 29-31, advancing on to the national competition. The club is overseen by Denise Bordeleau, who has been a welding teacher at Butte High for 27 years, and the SkillsUSA faculty supervisor for 23 years. This is the most kids Ive ever had qualify, Bordeleau said, adding that last year, three students went to nationals. However, more kids punching their ticket equals a higher price tag. Bordeleau said it costs an estimated $2,700 to $3,000 per participant to go. Last year, the portion of the club that qualified was able to go to the national competition exclusively on money it fundraised. This year, donations will be essential to ensuring all the students are able to compete. Students at the national competition have a wide variety of categories to choose from as many as 150, according to Bordeleau from culinary arts to welding to photography to state pin design. Theres also a job interview category. Students must create a resume and submit it at every category they compete in, including that one. The students in Butte Highs SkillsUSA club competed in the individual categories of welding structure, diesel mechanics, welding, commercial roofing, related technical math, job interview, and the group categories of welding fabrication and the Quiz Bowl. According to SkillsUSA, the "Quiz Bowl competition tests a team of five to seven competitors on their ability to quickly respond to knowledge questions covering academics, current events and SkillsUSA professional development curriculum." President of Butte High's SkillsUSA club, 15-year-old Kelly McCloskey, competed in the job interview competition and earned 960 out of 1,000 points. She also placed second in related technical math, and was part of the quiz bowl team, which took first place at state this year. She was also on the team last year. "That's the furthest the Butte Quiz Bowl team has ever gone," McCloskey said. "And last year, we got out in the second round, which at the time was the farthest the Butte team had ever gotten." Vice president of Butte High's SkillsUSA club, junior Maddox Kroon, said there are multiple factors students are scored on, depending on the category, including but not limited to: your knowledge of the category you're competing in, your technical skill, how you conduct yourself during the competition, and even how you dress. For example, students competing in welding need to wear appropriate safety gear. "They care a lot about safety, so if you're wearing shorts and crocs, you're not going to compete," Kroon said with a laugh. The resume is also calculated into the scores, and can be used as a tie-breaker in case students score evenly in the other categories. The club has divided up who will solicit donations from certain organizations, and the club has planned no shortage of future sales and raffles to help raise the money for their trip to the ATL. This weekend, the club will sell breakfast burritos at a softball tournament in Melrose. They also plan to go to an indoor farmers market and have put together a raffle where people can buy a ticket for a propane fire table the club made, a snowboard ski bench they made, a swing they made and a .22 rifle. Next week, theyll host a faculty carwash at Butte High where theyll wash and detail cars for $25 each. Bordeleau said this was a pretty good money-maker last year, along with selling hotdogs for $2 a pop at lunch time. On Mothers Day weekend, the club will sell colorful flowers the members welded at Murdochs. The bigger flowers will be $12 each and the smaller ones will be $8 each. The club has also received a couple of donations from local businesses, and Bordeleau said they will take donations from anyone who wants to support the club. Many of the students are veteran members of the club, including 18-year-old Haden Struznik, who competes in SkillUSAs diesel mechanic category. Last year, he placed first at state and 27th at nationals. Bordeleau said it was impressive that Struznik has qualified for the national competition two years in a row, especially because Butte High doesnt have a diesel mechanic class. It has an automotive class, but most of what Struznik knows about diesels he learned on his familys ranch in Melrose. "I mostly learned from my grandpa and my uncle," Struznik said. The vehicle he's practiced on is a 1995 Dodge Ram, which he said has been in his family for almost three decades and he was driving at the age of 10. Brylie Ball, 17, who is new to the Butte High SkillsUSA club this year, is on the quiz bowl team and competed in the welding structure competition at state this year. She said Bordeleau approached her in her Welding I class after seeing some of her projects and asked her if she'd be interested in joining the club. Now that Ball's in, she intends to stay in the club next year. "The club is really fun, it's so uplifting," Ball said. "I'm so excited for nationals." Bordeleau is incredibly proud of each of her students, and said she's advised the club all these years because of the students. "They just like what they're doing," Bordeleau said. "They come in and do what they're supposed to do. When I asked them to come in on a Saturday morning and make that bench, they didn't hesitate. And it only took three hours." A bill that bolsters community-led searches for missing people was signed into law earlier this week. Brought by Rep. Tyson Running Wolf, D-Browning, House Bill 18 establishes a missing persons response team training grant program. Administered through the Department of Justice, local groups can seek financial support from the grant account for formal training, resources, conference fees, travel expenses and more. The law will take effect in July, and it costs the general fund $61,000. Running Wolf brought a similar bill last session, but it died over objections to the cost. Indigenous people represent 6.7% of Montanas population and yet account for, on average, 26% of the states active missing persons cases. In committee hearings, several Missing and Murdered Indigenous People advocates supported the legislation. Diana Burd, Blackfeet, told lawmakers of a community-led search for Arden Pepion, a 3-year-old girl who went missing from the Blackfeet Reservation in 2021. In her testimony, Burd said the search was chaotic. The search, according to her, lacked a leader, coordination and resources. She said searchers didn't have formal training and didn't know how to organize, how to be efficient or what clues to look for. Because of the lack of collaboration, she testified in January, (Pepion) was not found. In various hearings, Running Wolf stressed that the bill is not just for Native Americans but can benefit all Montanans. House Bill 163, also brought by Running Wolf, would extend and expand the states missing Indigenous persons task force. The bill passed the House and Senate and is pending reconciliation. Rep. Lola Sheldon-Galloway, R-Great Falls, brought a resolution requesting an interim study on missing youth. A Montana Department of Justice report found that in 2021, more than 80% of missing Indigenous people in the state were under the age of 18. Her resolution passed in February. On April 13, Democratic Rep. Zooey Zephyr was sitting in the basement of Montanas Capitol building reflecting on her time as one of the states first two openly transgender legislators. She wondered whether she needed to display more anger over anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, or whether she should focus on promoting more of what she called transgender joy. The thing that keeps me up at night is, am I doing a good job for my community? Zephyr said. Five days later, the anger bubbled over as Zephyr spoke against amendments from Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte to Senate Bill 99, which would prohibit minors with gender dysphoria from receiving certain medical and surgical treatments. Zephyr said the lawmakers who voted for the measure should be ashamed. That prompted Republican Majority Leader Sue Vinton to speak. We will not be shamed by anyone in this chamber, Vinton said. Then the only thing I will say is: If you vote yes on this bill, and yes on these amendments, I hope the next time theres an invocation, when you bow your heads in prayer, you see the blood on your hands, Zephyr said in response. Later that day, the Montana Freedom Caucus, a conservative group of lawmakers, released a statement calling for Zephyrs censure for using inappropriate and uncalled-for language. The release and a Freedom Caucus post on Twitter used male pronouns to refer to Zephyr, leading to fresh outrage by LGBTQ+ supporters accusing Republicans of deliberately misgendering her. Two days later, Republican House Speaker Matt Regier would not allow Zephyr to speak during a debate on another bill. Regier said it was because she had committed a breach of decorum. With two weeks to go in the legislative session, Republican lawmakers, who are in the majority, are sponsoring anti-LGBTQ+ bills. There are at least four related measures, including the bill to ban gender-affirming care for minors. Many similar bills are being heard in conservative-led statehouses across the U.S. The American Civil Liberties Union has tracked more than 460 anti-LGBTQ+ bills so far in 2023 legislative sessions. Back in the Capitol on April 13, Zephyr stopped at a storytelling event presented by drag performers on the second floor. Parents, children, and supporters sat in folding chairs and on the floor while drag performers read stories. Zephyr was visibly emotional. A short time later, former Democratic lawmaker Moffie Funk, who also attended the storytelling event, approached Zephyr to thank her for her work. I have just been so impressed to see the way Rep. Zephyr has handled questions on the floor, just keeps her calm, stays cool, and is so powerful in her words and so powerful in the way she represents her community and Montana, Funk said. Before the session, Zephyr said she had a goal of changing at least one persons heart on LGBTQ+ issues. One lawmaker who typically votes in favor of anti-transgender bills told Zephyr about having read something about her in a far-right blog and said, That doesnt sound like Zooey; she wouldnt do that. The lawmaker, whom Zephyr didnt name, subsequently stopped reading the blog. Proponents of measures like SB 99 and House Bill 359, a bill that would have banned minors from drag shows and would have banned events like drag storytelling in public schools or libraries, frame the legislation as necessary to protect children. In a small victory for LGBTQ+ supporters, HB 359 was amended to remove references to drag performers and now would prohibit minors from attending adult-oriented shows. Democratic Rep. SJ Howell, who is transgender and nonbinary and uses the pronouns they and their, has been working at the Capitol for a decade, first as a lobbyist and now as a lawmaker representing Missoula. In all their work, Howell said, its very clear that relationships matter. Progress is a long game, and it may take years to pass legislation that promotes the rights and recognition of transgender and nonbinary people, Howell said. One thing that could hinder that progress is the national debate over anti-LGBTQ+ policy proposals. Erin Reed, who describes herself as a queer writer and content creator, has been tracking the LGBTQ+ bills nationwide and is also Zephyrs partner of almost a year. Four years ago, the debate playing out in statehouses was over transgender rights in sports, Reed said, but thats shifted. Now, a third of the bills target health care like gender-affirming hormone therapy, mostly related to minors and the rest focus on banning drag shows or the use of preferred pronouns and bathrooms, or targeting the rights of transgender people in insurance coverage and workplace protections. But beyond the flood of anti-LGBTQ+ bills, at least 15 states have passed LBGTQ+ protections, Reed estimated. Howell said its challenging being a state representative trying to focus on Montana when so much focus has been on this national issue. Personally, Howell said, they came to the legislature to build relationships and make good policy, and they see many of their colleagues as friends. When the mutual respect isnt present, it can be deeply frustrating and harmful, and we can do better as a body, Howell said. Republican Rep. Neil Duram sits between Zephyr and Howell on the House Judiciary Committee, which has heard all the LGBTQ+ bills this session. He said having both in the legislature better represents Montana. If it was just me, and 99 other people like me on the House floor, we may not set the best policy for the people of Montana, Duram said. Duram spoke during a House floor session discussing House Bill 361, which would allow classmates to refer to a transgender student by their birth name or gender assigned at birth, unless it crossed into bullying. He said hes enjoyed getting to know Judiciary seatmate Zephyr and that hell make sure people arent inflicting bullying behavior. Duram voted for HB 361. He said his decision was encouraged by his community. And, ultimately, thats where my conscience is going to sit, he said. On the morning of April 13, Howell and Zephyr were hearing testimony before the House Judiciary Committee on a bill that would define sex in Montana law, Senate Bill 458. The vibe in the room felt heavy. Sen. Carl Glimm, sponsor of SB 458, said the bill seeks to define the terms sex, male, and female in state law. Glimm said the bill was necessary because people conflate sex and gender and maintained the bill wasnt about gender fluidity or expression. Gender is obviously something different than biological sex. Biological sex is immutable and that means you cant change it, and theres only two biological sexes, Glimm said. You may claim to be able to change your gender or express your gender in a different way, but you can never change your biological sex. LGBTQ+ advocates, like the Montana Human Rights Network, say that by defining people as simply male and female, the bill would legislate transgender, nonbinary, and intersex people out of existence. The Montana Human Rights Network said the definitions used in SB 458 were based on an unscientific and archaic understanding of basic biology. About an hour after the hearing, people gathered outside the Capitol in an April snowstorm for a drag show. Performers lip-synced for a crowd ranging from kids to college students to retired folks who were waving rainbow-colored flags and carrying umbrellas. As Rise Up by Andra Day played in the background, Katie Fire Thunder said she came to the drag show from Bozeman to show her allyship with the LGBTQ+ community. Fire Thunder called this sessions anti-LGBTQ+ bills disgusting, and said they dont represent Montana or what young people care about. But having both Zephyr and Howell serving in the Capitol has made a major difference, Fire Thunder said. When things are really hard and theres all these hateful people, theyre a little glimmer of hope, Fire Thunder said. Kole Burdick, 20, also of Bozeman, said its important to uplift queer people and show moments of queer joy, and commended Zephyr and Howell for their work. I think theyve been working really hard to protect our community and keep our community safe, and I really appreciate them for that, Burdick said. Keely Larson is the KFF Health News fellow for the UM Legislative News Service, a partnership of the University of Montana School of Journalism, the Montana Newspaper Association, and KFF Health News. Larson is a graduate student in environmental and natural resources journalism at the University of Montana. 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. USE OUR CONTENT This story can be republished for free (details). Korean American chef Edward Lee says food, at its best, tells a story. And the story Lee wants told with the meal he's preparing for next week's White House state dinner is of the connection between the United States and ally South Korea. President Joe Biden will host South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol for a state visit Wednesday. Lee tells The Associated Press being invited by the White House to work on such an important event is a huge honor. Lee is from New York and owns a restaurant in Kentucky. Lee says he owes a huge debt of gratitude to the U.S. and South Korea and wants to show his appreciation. In 2016, Prince, one of the most inventive and influential musicians of modern times, was found dead at his home in suburban Minneapolis; he was 57. DOLTON, Ill. (AP) Police responding to a report of a domestic dispute have fatally shot a man reportedly carrying a gun in suburban Chicago. The shooting happened around 5 a.m. Friday as uniformed officers arrived at a home south of Chicago in Dolton, WGN-TV reported, citing police. Police shot the man after he refused multiple orders to drop the weapon. The officers wore working body cameras, the TV station reported. It was not immediately reported how many officers fired shots. It also was not immediately known if the man fired any shots. Dolton police have asked state law enforcement to investigate the shooting since it involved local Dolton officers. Iowa is one of 31 states without a red-flag law, which allows for temporary firearm removal from individuals believed to be at risk of harming themselves or others. States took millions to enact red-flag gun laws, but many still won't pass them A Lee Enterprises review reveals that lawmakers in 31 states have not passed red-flag laws even as most of those states received federal funding through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. The policy, enacted in 19 states and D.C., is one that gun-safety advocates are pushing for once again across the U.S. in the aftermath of the late March Nashville school shooting, which killed six people. The policy has bipartisan appeal, with some Republicans in favor of it, but Second Amendment advocates say the policy is concerning because it entails firearm removal. In January, two students were killed in shootings at Starts Right Here, an educational mentorship program in downtown Des Moines. The two Des Moines residents, 18-year-old Gionni Dameron and 16-year-old Rashad Carr, were found in very critical condition and were pronounced dead at the hospital. Starts Right Here founder and CEO Will Holmes, also known as Will Keeps, was seriously injured. Police reported that an 18-year-old shooter walked into the headquarters of Starts Right Here and fired multiple shots. Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller last July called on the state Legislature to support a red-flag law. One month before that, Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds signed Senate File 581, which would allow hunters to use assault rifles to hunt deer during a new hunting season. Reynolds has previously pointed to Illinois as an example of failing red-flag laws. An Associated Press analysis of red-flag law usage last year found that some states, like Illinois, have rarely used their laws. But other states, like Florida, widely use their laws. Dana Kelly, communications coordinator for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, said there are 3,448 active extreme risk protection orders as of April 10. The fact that our lawmakers passed this bill just hours after the world found out that a gunman with an assault rifle had murdered 21 elementary students and educators in Uvalde is frustrating and does not meet the moment, said Traci Kennedy, a volunteer with the Iowa chapter of Moms Demand Action. Twenty-nine Republicans joined Democrats to pass the federal gun safety law in late June. But Iowas two U.S. senators disagreed with one another on their votes. U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst was one of 15 Republicans who voted in favor of the measure. Voting against the bill, U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley argued that the legislation had very specific concerns about safeguarding constitutional due process rights. All three of Iowas Republican House members voted against it, while U.S. Rep. Cindy Axne, a Democrat, voted for the bill. The state recently was awarded $2,478,792 through President Joe Bidens Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which aims to help states create and implement the red-flag laws, also referred to as extreme risk protection order programs. Iowa is among several states to receive the funding most states either noted in their federal funding application that they dont intend to pass the laws or top lawmakers there have previously stated their opposition. The states application for the funding, however, does not offer details on what the plans for the funding will be. Some states are using the funds to implement extreme risk protection orders (red-flag laws). Additional measures include the implementation of various programs such as: mental health courts, veterans assistance and crisis intervention courts. PHOTOS: March for Our Lives protest March for Our Lives March for Our Lives March for Our Lives March for Our Lives March for Our Lives March for Our Lives March for Our Lives March for Our Lives WATCH NOW: March for Our Lives protest in Sioux City How gun commerce has changed in Iowa since 2010: From 11 dealers to 226 How gun commerce has changed in Iowa since 2010 DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) A man was sentenced to up to 50 years in prison for killing his neighbor during an argument over a lawnmower. Nery Lopez Morales, 52, was sentenced Thursday for the death of 42-year-old Amber Burton, in what the victim's mother called "one of the most stupid reasons I have ever heard to shoot someone. Lopez Morales was originally charged with first-degree murder but entered a plea agreement in February to be charged with voluntary manslaughter, The Des Moines Register reported. Court documents say Burton and her boyfriend sold a lawnmower to Lopez Morales but Burton repossessed it because Lopez Morales allegedly owed her money in September 2021. He drove to Burton's house and shot her once with a shotgun while they argued, police said. Lopez Morales also pleaded guilty to first-degree burglary, intimidation with a dangerous weapon and assault during a felony. He was sentenced to consecutive terms totaling 50 years, with a mandatory minimum of 20 years before he is eligible for parole. Lopez Morales declined to make a statement during the hearing. Burton's mother, Valerie Burton, said her daughter was a nurse who was raising two children, ages 11 and 14, by herself. Valerie Burton said she is now caring for the children. 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However, in the trading world, whether MetaTrader 4 is free or not often arises among traders looking to explore the platform. This article discusses the expenses related to trading on metatrader 4 and provides readers with a full grasp of any possible fees or levies. Introduction to MetaTrader 4 Kenyan and international traders use MetaTrader 4 (MT4) to trade financial instruments. It provides multiple tools and features like advanced charting, automated trading, and risk management options. In addition, MT4 has a sizable trading and development community in Kenya and across the globe that offers information and support for traders. Lets examine MT4s features in more detail. * Accessibility: Both desktop and mobile users in Kenya can access MT4 through several brokers. * Friendly user interface: MT4 features a simple, adaptable user interface suited to traders of all levels of expertise. * Advanced charting tools: MT4 provides a wide range of advanced charting tools for technical analysis. * Backtesting: MT4 allows traders to backtest their trading strategies using historical data, enabling them to evaluate the performance of their strategies before implementing them in live trading. * Automated trading with expert advisors: MT4 supports automated trading through built-in Expert Advisors (EAs), automated trading algorithms that execute trades based on predefined trading rules. * Wide range of financial instruments: MT4 provides access to a wide array of financial instruments, including major and minor forex pairs, commodities, indices, and more. * Mobile trading: MT4 offers ease and versatility as a mobile app for iOS and Android devices. * Active community and support: MT4 has a sizable trading and development community in Kenya and across the globe that offers assistance and resources. * Risk management features: MT4 offers basic risk management features, such as stop-loss and take-profit orders. * Security: MT4 offers high security with data encryption and secure login protocols to protect traders account information and transactions. Generally, MetaTrader 4 is popular in Kenya, and seasoned traders from all over the country approve of the platform. The exciting features it offers are all you need to start your trading journey. Is MetaTrader 4 free? Understanding the costs of trading with MT4 The answer is yes. MetaTrader 4 software is generally free to download, install, and use. This implies you can skip paying upfront to access and use MT4s fundamental features. However, its important to note that while the software is free, other costs may be associated with using MT4 for trading. Additional expenses related to MetaTrader 4 * Trading costs: The main expense incurred by using MetaTrader 4 relates to trading activities. Spreads, commissions, and other fees assessed by your broker or financial institution may be incurred when you trade financial instruments on MT4, such as foreign currency pairs, commodities, or indices. Spreads, which vary based on the broker and the particular instrument you are trading, differ between an instruments buying (ask) and the selling (bid) prices. In addition, some brokers may charge commissions for each trade or every traded lot, and these commissions might vary considerably. Therefore, to comprehend any potential fees related to trading on MetaTrader 4, its crucial to carefully analyze the trading prices and fee structure of your selected broker or financial institution. * Premium features: Although MetaTrader 4s free basic version is available, certain brokers might also provide extra premium features or services for a fee. These premium features can include exclusive trading algorithms, additional charting tools, or access to premium indicators. These functions might be provided as upgrades or add-ons to the standard MetaTrader 4 platform, and their use might incur an extra cost or a monthly subscription. Therefore, you should carefully consider if the additional benefits outweigh the cost by understanding the price and charge structure of any premium products or services offered by your broker or financial institution. * Data feeds: The data feeds necessary for real-time market data are a potential additional expense of utilizing MetaTrader 4. To provide precise price quotes and charts for trading, MetaTrader 4 depends on real-time market data. While some brokers may charge for data feeds, particularly for certain markets or instruments, others offer free access to real-time market data. You should enquire about the availability and cost of data feeds from your preferred broker or financial institution. This could affect the precision and dependability of your trading decisions on MetaTrader 4. * VPS hosting: Virtual Private Server (VPS) hosting is a service that enables traders to run their trading platforms, such as MetaTrader 4, on a remote server to ensure continuous trading even if their personal computer is off or not connected to the internet. Some brokers or third-party suppliers may provide VPS hosting services for MetaTrader 4, although using these services could incur a fee. Depending on the provider and the particular features provided, VPS hosting prices can change. If you decide to use VPS hosting with MetaTrader 4, you must comprehend the advantages and disadvantages of this service. Conclusion While MetaTrader 4 is a free trading platform, it may have associated costs, such as trading costs, premium features or services, data feeds, and VPS hosting fees. Therefore, its crucial to carefully review and understand the potential costs and fees associated with using MT4 and choosing a broker or financial institution that aligns with your trading needs and budget. By knowing the costs and benefits of using MetaTrader 4, you can effectively manage your trading expenses and make informed trading decisions using this popular platform. As you embark on your trading journey, conduct thorough research, understand how to use MT4 effectively, and seek professional advice when needed. Finally, always remember to trade responsibly and within your means.